Chapter 7
Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Everything belongs to their rightful owners.
AN1: WARNING. IN THIS CHAPTER THERE IS A RELATIONSHIP WHERE ONE PERSON HAS ALTERIOR MOTIVES, USING THE OTHER PARTY, AND IS LYING ABOUT CRUTIAL THINGS.
May 27th 1995
For months Melinda has been spending every minute she isn't working with Bobbi, who is now eight years old, and quiet often she has been joined by some combination of Tony, Phil, Clint, Rhodey, Richard and Mary, and the truth is Melinda very much likes that fact.
Against her better judgement Melinda has agreed to go out for drinks with Phil, Clint, Isabel Hartley and her girlfriend, and fellow S.H.I.E.L.D agent, Victoria Hand, and she Is already counting the minutes until she can go home to her daughter.
"Come on, May, he's been checking you out all night." Izzy informs her.
"I came out to drink with my friends, not hook up with some guy." Melinda argues.
"There is no reason why you can't do both." Hand tells her.
"Apart from the fact that I don't want to." Melinda says, an edge to her voice.
"I don't know why you wouldn't want to, he's hot." Izzy says.
"How would you know?" Melinda asks, giving her a look.
"Just because guys aren't my thing doesn't mean I can't appreciate them." Izzy responds, "You should talk to him."
"Izzy's right, you should go talk to him, you're not dating anyone, are you? You deserve a personal life." Phil says, wondering if Melinda will admit that she and Tony aren't just friends like she's been claiming for years.
"Just because I'm not dating anyone doesn't mean I want to." Melinda argues.
"Give it up guys, Mels isn't going to talk to him." Clint says, causing everyone to look at him, "It's impulsive, fun, which are two things Mel isn't anymore." Clint argues, teasing Melinda as he knows her well enough to know that the best way to get her to do something is to bait her into it.
"I'm not fun or impulsive anymore?" Melinda asks, giving Clint a glare.
"Nope." Clint says, drawing out the word, "It's been months since you've pulled a prank, months since you've had fun. Let's face it Mels, the old you would already talked to that guy, and possibly hooked up with him in the bathroom, but you're boring now, so you're not going to talk to him." Clint says, knowing what he is doing is borderline stupid, but he's game enough to try.
After Clint finishes his speech Melinda glares at him intensely and downs the rest of her drink,
"That's what you think." Melinda says, before getting up and heading to the bar.
"Wow, you do realise how stupid that was, don't you?" Phil asks Clint, being ninety nine percent sure that that is going to end badly for Clint.
"Yeah, but it got her to go talk to the guy." Clint says.
"You're so going to get a massive prank pulled on you." Izzy reveals.
"I know, again, it's worth it, Mel needs some fun." Clint explains, as he, Phil, Izzy, and Hand watch Melinda walk up to the guy at the bar who has been checking her out.
Being very well aware of the fact that her friends are watching her Melinda walks over to the man who has been checking her out, a man who is has dark hair and is pretty good looking.
"Hi." Melinda greats.
"Hey." The man responds.
"I'm Melinda May, I saw you checking me out so I figured I'd come say hello." Melinda explains.
"Cal Johnson, I'm really glad you did." Cal admits, "Can I buy you a drink?" he asks.
"Scotch." Melinda requests, "Make it a double." She says, and once she does Cal orders scotch for both of them, which arrive within about a minute.
"To meeting new people." Cal toasts, not being able to think of anything else, and he and Melinda clink their glasses and start to enjoy their drinks together.
"I should go, I've got to get home." Melinda, who is completely naked, in an unfamiliar bed, as she sits up.
"Do you really have to?" Cal asks, though he knows exactly why Melinda would need to get home, but because he isn't supposed to know he doesn't say anything.
"I really do." Melinda says, as she swings her legs over the edge of the bed, and Cal sits up too.
"Tonight, was fun." Cal notes, "How would you feel if we did it again sometimes, this time with an actual meal first." He suggests.
"I'd like that." Melinda says, looking around and seeing a pad and paper, which she writes on, "My number." Melinda says, handing him the pad, "Use it." she says, before kissing Cal.
"Oh, I will." Cal assures Melinda as she gets up and heads to the bathroom to get change, Melinda not realising that this is all part of Cal's plan.
June 10th 1995
Since Melinda met Cal the two of them have gone on several dates, and even in the short time they have been dating Melinda realises that she actually really likes him, and she has also gotten Clint back for his comment by pulling one big prank and getting him blamed for another.
It is a Saturday evening and Melinda has spent all day with Tony and Bobbi, the three of them having spent all day outside enjoying the summer weather. Having just put Bobbi to bed Melinda is walking back into the living room where Tony is sitting on the couch, it just being the two of them and Bobbi in the apartment as William is out of town on business.
"Bobbi asleep?" Tony asks curious.
"Yep, just took a very long story." Melinda admits, as she walks over and sits down next to Tony, "Extra energy must be a side effect of her abilities, because today was exhausting." Melinda says, being pretty sure she has been on missions that are less exhausting than running around after her eight-year-old.
"That's because your old." Tony teases, causing Melinda to playfully shove him.
"You're only six months younger than me Smartass." Melinda informs him.
"Six months is can be a long time, I'll be happy to demonstrate the difference six months can make in stamina." Tony says, with a flirty grin, and it is clear to Melinda what he is offering, and so she knows what she has to do.
"Tony I'm seeing someone, someone I really like." Melinda reveals.
"Which means we're stopping." Tony realises, having known that this was a possibility since they began, but never really thought it would happen as while they have both had short relationships with other people it has never been anything serious enough for them to stop what they have been doing since they were teenagers, though there have been times where they paused things.
"Yeah." Melinda confirms, "It's new, but I like this guy Tony, a lot." Melinda says, Tony being the one person who she would admit that fact to.
"That's great, Mel." Tony says, with a smile, "All I want is for you to be happy." He admits, telling the complete truth, "But at least tell me he's good enough for you." He says, causing Melinda to smile slightly.
"His name's Cal, he's a doctor." Melinda explains, and Tony makes a note of both those facts, "My instincts tell me he's a good man, and I'm enjoying spending time with him."
"And you're happy." Tony realises, and Melinda nods, "Then I'm happy for you." Tony says, meaning that completely, "So, if I'm not going to demonstrate my stamina what you propose we do?" he asks.
"I have videos of that new show you made me watch over Christmas." Melinda reveals.
"FRIENDS?" Tony asks.
"Yeah, I've been recording it." Melinda reveals, "I have every episode since the last one we watched together."
"Then put it on, I'll grab the alcohol." Tony says, standing up.
"And popcorn." Melinda requests, as she heads to where she keeps the videos as Tony heads to the kitchen.
A few minutes later Melinda and Tony are sitting side by side on the couch, as they drink, eat, watch TV and enjoying each other's company it being clear that the fact that they are no longer having sex isn't going to change things.
August 19th 1995
Ever since Melinda and Cal started dating the two of them have been on frequent dates, or as frequent as they can manage with both of their respective work schedules and Melinda's obligations with Bobbi, who Melinda always puts before everything else.
It's a Saturday night and Tony, Rhodey, and Richard are in at Tony's house, or one of them at least, in his workshop. As Tony is working on something, Richard and Rhodey are sitting around drinking together.
"Okay, when is May going to be here? I want to play poker." Rhodey asks curious.
"She's not coming." Tony reveals, not looking up from what he is doing.
"What?" Richard and Rhodey say together, both sounding surprised.
"You couldn't have told us that an hour ago?" Rhodey asks, looking at his friend.
"I forgot." Tony admits.
"Where is she? I thought she was going to come tonight because Bobbi's sleeping over at the Carter's." Richard comments, as last he knew Bobbi was sleeping over with Sharon Carter and her parents.
"She's on a date with Cal." Tony explains, and as he does Richard and Rhodey exchange looks.
"They've been dating, what three months?" Rhodey asks.
"Almost." Tony corrects.
"Have you met Cal?" Richard asks curious.
"Nope, but I know Mel really likes him. She's really happy." Tony explains, and as he does Richard and Rhodey once again exchange looks, "I'm happy for her."
"Sure, you are." Rhodey says, before he can stop himself, as while he knows that Tony only wants Melinda to be happy he doesn't think Tony would be happy about the fact that Melinda is in a serious relationship with someone else.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Tony asks, looking at his friend.
"Tony, you're in love with May, have been for a decade." Richard explains.
"Mel's my best friend, that's it." Tony admits, wondering how many times he has to say that.
"That's not a denial." Rhodey notes, "Tony, I known you for a long time, you and May…."
"Are friends, who occasionally have sex, that's it." Tony explains, "It's simple." He explains.
"It's the furthest thing from simple." Richard argues, "Can you honestly say that you like the fact that May's in a relationship."
"That has nothing to do with anything. Mel's the one in a relationship, she makes her own choices, it has nothing to do with anything." Tony explains, and as he does the doorbell goes off, "That will be the pizza, I'll go get it." Tony says, before heading out of the workshop.
"Wow." Rhodey says, as Tony walks out, "Notice his specific words?" he asks Richard curious.
"Yep, he never answers a question straight." Richard realises, "But he's not happy about the fact that May is dating Cal."
"That's obvious." Rhodey says, with a nod.
"Do you think he's ever going to admit the truth?" Richard asks curious.
"I don't know, and I don't know if May ever will either." Rhodey says, as he firmly believes that Melinda is in love with Tony just like Tony is in love with her.
"Me either." Richard admits, and the two of them drift into silence as they wait for their friend to return with the pizza, both wondering what it will take their friends to realise what those who know them best have known for years.
November 4th 1995
For almost six months Melinda and Cal has been dating, and as Melinda didn't want her daughter to get attached in case things have go wrong she hasn't introduced Bobbi to Cal, in fact Bobbi doesn't even know much about him, but Melinda feels like now is the right time for that to change.
It is a Saturday afternoon and as William had to go out of town to attend an important meting Melinda isn't doing a mission all weekend, unless Fury desperately needs her to, and she is currently in the living room of their apartment playing checkers with Bobbi.
"You've gotten really good at this." Melinda notes, feeling very proud of her daughter.
"Yep! Uncle Phil taught me." Bobbi reveals, looking proud of herself.
"Of course, he did." Melinda says, realising that makes a lot of sense, as there is a knock on the door.
"Is that your friend?" Bobbi asks, a level of nervousness to her voice, as Melinda informed her that she'll be meeting a friend of Melinda's that she has never met before.
"Yep, it should be." Melinda says, standing up.
"Mom is Cal your boyfriend?" Bobbi asks curious, and that's what she suspects, and while she doesn't know much she knows that her mother has been spending time with someone named Cal for months.
"Yeah, he is." Melinda confirms, "I like him, Bobbi, that's why I want to introduce him to you. Are you still okay with meeting him?" Melinda asks curious.
"Yeah." Bobbi says, with a nod, even though she is still nervous.
"Okay." Melinda says, with a reassuring smile, before heading to the door. One Melinda is at the door she checks to make sure it is Cal on the other side before she lets him in.
"Hey." Melinda greats as she opens the door.
"Hey." Cal responds, greeting Melinda with a hug and quick kiss.
"There's someone I'd like you to meet." Melinda says, taking Cal's hand and leading him over to the living room feeling nervous as while she has told Cal about Bobbi, though not about her powers, the two of them have never met and she would really like for things to go well, as it is the next step in their relationship "Cal, this is my daughter Bobbi." Melinda introduces, "Bobbi, this is Cal Johnson, my boyfriend." Melinda introduces.
"Hi Bobbi, it's really nice to meet you." Cal says, squatting down so that he is more of Bobbi's height, "Your Mom talks about you all the time." Cal reveals, telling the truth.
"It's nice to meet you too." Bobbi says, feeling a little nervous, though she still manages a smile.
"So, your Mom and I were talking, and we were thinking the three of us would go to the park and then to get some dinner, what do you think about that?" Cal asks curious.
"Really?" Bobbi asks, looking excited and both Melinda and Cal nod, "I'll go get my jacket." Bobbi says, before running to her room.
"See, I told you, I'm great with kids." Cal says, standing up once Bobbi is out of hearing range, smiling at Melinda.
"So, I see." Melinda says, knowing a few seconds doesn't really say much, but it's good sign, "I'm glad I decided to introduce you two." Melinda admits, as for her this is a big deal, and right now it seems like the right choice.
"So am I." Cal says, and once he does Melinda leans in and kisses him, this time a real kiss rather than the brief one they shared when he arrived, only breaking apart when they hear Bobbi's footsteps running back to the room.
"You ready?" Melinda asks her daughter, who nods, "Then let's go." Melinda says, and grabbing her keys and other things she needs, she, Bobbi and Cal leave the apartment Melinda quiet looking forward to spending the afternoon with her daughter and boyfriend.
Hours later, having spent an enjoyable day with Bobbi and Cal, Melinda wakes up in her bed, and the first thing she realises is that Cal isn't in it, something which is strange as he was definitely in it when they went to bed. Not being able to describe the feeling she has Melinda gets up, grabs a gun out of habit, and heads to Bobbi's room, feeling the need to check on her daughter.
The second Melinda enters Bobbi moments later she knows that her instincts are right and something is horribly wrong as she finds Cal standing next to Bobbi's bed, where her daughter is sound asleep cuddling the bird toy Tony made her, and thanks to the angle of the door to Bobbi's bed Melinda can see that he is taking Bobbi's blood.
"What the hell are you doing?" Melinda asks, hurrying over to him, and pulling him away from her daughter.
"I need to know if she's one of us." Cal explains, to Melinda's confusion, and Melinda punches him, something which does basically nothing, as he turns back to what he is doing, clearly going to continue to take her blood.
"You're not touching her." Melinda says, going to pull him away from Bobbi again.
"You can't stop me!" Cal reveals, before throwing her across the room, with ease like he was throwing a piece of crumpled paper and not a human being.
As she lands on the ground, in pain, having hit her head, Melinda reaches for the gun that fell out of her hand as she fell. Once she has it Melinda turns the safety off, points it at Cal, and fires, hitting him in the shoulder.
The second the gun fires Bobbi wakes up, and it is clear she is confused.
"BOBBI, YOU'RE IN DANGER!" Melinda tells her daughter, and even though she still slightly asleep Bobbi still manages to push Cal, who has finished drawing Bobbi's blood, and clearly not controlling her strength which she always usually does, Bobbi pushes him so hard that he is pushed out of the nearby window.
"MOM!" Bobbi yells, sounding terrified as she gets up, drops her toy and runs towards her mother, who puts the safety back on the gun.
"Bobbi." Melinda says, attempting to hurry to her daughter, but she is unsteady on her feet, "Are you okay? Do you feel okay?" Melinda asks, sounding worried.
"I'm fine." Bobbi answers, "Mom, you're bleeding." She says, sounding worried.
"I'm…." Melinda starts to say, but before she can finish she feels dizziness overtake her, "Call Coulson." Melinda says, as she collapses, being able to focus enough to know that considering the circumstances Phil is the best person to call.
"MOM." Bobbi yells, sounding terrified.
When Melinda wakes, having no idea how much time has passed she realises two things right away, the first is that she is in a S.H.I.E.L.D medical facility, and the second is that Phil and Bobbi are sitting next to her bed.
"Hey." Melinda says, her voice sounding slightly horse, and because neither were looking at her both Phil and Bobbi are surprised.
"Mom!" Bobbi says, sounding thrilled, as she hurries over and climbs onto the bed, next to her mother.
"Gently Bobbi, remember." Phil says as the young girl hugs her mother.
"It's okay, Phil." Melinda says, as she hugs her daughter, "Are you okay?" she asks, pushing Bobbi's hair out of her face and looking at her closely.
"I'm fine." Bobbi responds, and Melinda looks over to Phil for conformation as while she trusts her daughter she won't feel better until she knows for sure.
"She's fine, I made sure of that myself." Phil assures Melinda, who looks relieved at that, "You should be proud, Bobbi called me, told me everything that happened, and sat with you while she was waiting for me." Phil explains.
"I called Uncle Tony too." Bobbi reveals, and Melinda is very glad to hear that.
"He's on his way." Phil explains, as he has been keeping Tony updated, and knows that Clint is meeting him when he arrives so that Tony can get access to the S.H.I.E.L.D facility.
"That's good, Bobbi, you did good." Melinda says, hugging her girl again and kissing her head, feeling bad that Bobbi had to see that, "Cal?" Melinda asks, looking over at Phil, not removing an arm from Bobbi who lays down next to her and snuggles into her side.
"Gone. I had a team try to track him, nothing." Phil reveals, far from happy about that.
"Phil, he had powers." Melinda reveals.
"I know." Phil says, as Bobbi told him, "We'll find him." He says, believing that, but before Melinda can say anything the door opens and a S.H.I.E.L.D doctor walks in.
"Agent May, it's good to see you awake." The Doctor says, "I have some test results of yours I would like to talk to you about, if your daughter and Agent Coulson would like to step out."
"They can stay." Melinda says, without needing to think about it, as she knows that Phil will know everything eventually so he might as well find out now.
"Okay." The Doctor answers, "Your injuries are relatively minor, a concussion, and some bruising but your blood work did indicate something that surprised us and so we ran further tests."
"What did they show?" Phil asks worried, feeling like maybe he should have taken Bobbi out of the room.
"Congratulations Agent May you are five weeks pregnant." The Doctor answers, thanks to S.H.I.E.L.D tech an exact foetal age can be determined, "We performed tests to make sure and I can tell you with complete confidence that the foetus is perfectly healthy and wasn't injured at all."
"Thank you…." Melinda says, sounding completely shocked, not sure what else to say.
"Now, there are few things I would like to discuss with you." The Doctor says, and as he does Phil recognizes the look of Melinda being overwhelmed.
"Doctor can you give us a moment first?" Phil requests, being pretty sure it would be best.
"Of course." The Doctor responds, before stepping out of the room.
"May?" Phil asks concerned, "Are you alright?" he asks, leaning forward.
"I… I don't know." Melinda admits, as one day having another child was part of her plan, whether that be biological or by adopting, but she wasn't expecting it now, and certainly not after what just happened with Cal.
"Mom, what does that mean?" Bobbi asks, looking confused.
"It means you're going to have a little brother or sister." Melinda says, resting her hand on her stomach, as she looks at her daughter, already knowing that she is going to have, and keep, the baby.
"Wow." Bobbi says, sounding amazed.
"You're an incredible Mother, May, your kids won the lottery." Phil says, smiling at his friend as he puts his hand on her arm, "And you're not alone, I'm here for you, and so Stark, Clint, your Dad, Rhodey, Richard, Mary, your Mom, we're all here for you," Phil promises, knowing that he will always be there for his partner, his friend, no matter what.
"Thanks Phil." Melinda says, feeling a combination of overwhelmed, scared, and happy, as the three of them drift into silence.
A little while later the S.H.I.E.L.D doctor have explained to Melinda what pre-natal care she will require, and Melinda is just resting in her hospital bed, as her daughter lies next to her, and Phil sits nearby.
For a while the three of them have been sitting/lying in silence until the door opens breaking the silence, and Tony, with Clint right behind him, hurries into the room.
"Mel." Tony says, looking glad to see her awake, "Are you okay?" he asks worried.
"Uncle Tony, I'm going to be a big sister!" Bobbi says, looking excited, before Melinda can answer.
"You…w…what?" Tony asks, looking at Melinda in shock, like he isn't sure he can believe what Bobbi just said.
"Hey Bobbi, do you want to come down to the cafeteria with Uncle Clint and I?" Phil asks, as he knows that Melinda and Tony have to talk in private.
"Can I mom?" Bobbi asks, looking at her mother, who is looking at Tony's shock face.
"Sure, just stay with your Uncles." Melinda tells her daughter.
"Okay." Bobbi says, climbing off the bed, and heading out of the room with Phil and Clint.
"Mels is pregnant?" Clint ask Phil, sounding surprised as they close the door behind them, and while Bobbi is walking a little in front of Clint and Phil they are carefully watching her.
"Yeah." Phil confirms.
"Wow." Clint says, looking surprised, as he wasn't expecting that and it is easy to focus on that rather than to focus on the guilt he is feeling a he pushed Melinda into talking to Cal, "Rhodes, and the Parkers will be here soon." Clint reveals, "All three of them already have high security clearance so Fury is giving them access given the circumstances." He explains, why Fury doesn't know about Melinda's pregnancy, yet, he does know Melinda has been hurt by Cal.
"Good, that's good, May needs her family." Phil says, and the two of them continue to walk behind Bobbi, both of them making sure that Bobbi doesn't leave either of their sights.
Back in Melinda's room Tony is still standing in surprised, not sure what to say or do.
"You look how I feel." Melinda admits, needing to break the silence as even though she usually likes silence right now she doesn't want silence.
"Are you okay?" Tony asks, snapping out of his shock, as he walks over to the chair that Phil was sitting in and sits down.
"I just got a concussion." Melinda admits.
"That's not what I was asking this time." Tony tells her, knowing Melinda would have known that, "Are you okay." He once more asks.
"I don't know, Tony." Melinda admits, "I trusted him, I thought he was a good person, he completely fooled me." Melinda says, tears coming to her eye, but she quickly wipes it away.
"Hey, don't blame yourself." Tony tells her, as he reaches out and takes Melinda's hand, "It's not your fault."
"It feels like it is." Melinda reveals, "He took Bobbi's blood, he said he wanted to know if she was one of 'us'." Melinda explains.
"What does that mean?" Tony asks, looking confused.
"I don't know." Melinda says, "He had powers, and so far, S.H.I.E.L.D can't find him."
"No one can stay hidden for long, I'll see what I can do to help, if there's anything." Tony reveals.
"You don't…" Melinda starts to say.
"Don't even start Mel, if I can do anything I will. He hurt you, and Bobbi, he can't get away with that." Tony says, showing how protective he is of Melinda and her daughter.
"Thanks Tony." Melinda says, looking grateful, and as she does she realises something, "I need to find a new place to live, I can't stay at the apartment." Melinda realises, as that could put Bobbi at risk, and she won't do that.
"About that." Tony starts to say, causing Melinda to give him a look, "You know when I said I thought about buying a house and you said you'd kill me?" he asks.
"Yeah." Melinda says, giving him a look.
"I kind of did anyway." Tony reveals, and Melinda just gives him a less than impressed look, "I know, it's over the top, but I couldn't help myself. It's four bedroom, two stories, backyard, and what I'm guessing is most important right now, no one but me, and now you, knows about it." Tony explains, "It's ready to move into right away…I may have also made sure there was basic furniture." Tony reveals.
"You really got to get control of this speeding problem of yours." Melinda informs her friend.
"It's not a problem." Tony reveals, "I know you don't like it when I buy you expensive stuff." Tony says, as he usually respects that and tries not to, "And you don't have to live there forever, just use it as a safe place why you find somewhere else." He suggests, and Melinda debates what to do.
"Okay… just until I figure things out." Melinda says, as she realises that it is the safest option for Bobbi.
"Good." Tony says, being pretty sure that it would be the best option, and realising now there is only one thing left for them to talk about, "So, you're pregnant." He says, drawing the words out.
"Yeah, five weeks." Melinda reveals, "I'm going to have the baby, Tony." Melinda reveals.
"I figured." Tony responds as he knows Melinda well enough to know that she would keep the baby, and raise it, even with what it's father did, "I'm here for you, Mel." Tony says, leaning forward, "I'll help any way I can." Tony promises.
"Thanks Tony." Melinda says, and she squeezes Tony's hand, feeling touched by her friends, but horrified in herself, and betrayed by what Cal has done to her.
"Mel?" Tony asks, as he can see the look on Melinda's face that tells him she is trying to hold it together, "You don't have to pretend around me." He says, repeating her words back at her, as he knows Melinda hates showing when she is hurting, or in pain, but that doesn't mean that she has to hold it together around him.
For a few minutes Melinda fights an internal battel, trying to hold it together, but she finally loses the battle and starts to break down and cry, allowing herself to feel everything she has felt over the last few hours.
If it was anyone else who was crying Tony wouldn't know what to do, but when it comes to Melinda he always knows, and so stands up, moves over to the bed, sits down next to Melinda, and puts his arm around her.
"I got you, Mel." Tony tells his best friend as he kisses her head, as she cries, knowing that right now there is nothing he can do for Melinda other than just support her.