February 4
Michelle had to admit it, the compound was eerily silent without Tony around. He would always be up at random hours of the day, either eating or playing loud obnoxious music or giggling and messing around with Pepper.
He was like a big, full grown, man child.
Honestly, Michelle was surprised at how Morgan hadn't been totally messed up yet. But then again, Morgan was perfect so she didn't know if that was even possible.
"Miss Potts, there seems to be a quintet landing." Friday rung out, informing Pepper.
Michelle and Pepper looked up from the paperwork they were both doing. Pepper had a confused look on her face and Michelle raised her brows.
"Is it Tony and Rhodey? Are they back?" Michelle asked quietly, hope in her voice.
Pepper shook her head, "They didn't take a quinjet, they only took their suits." Pepper stood up and motioned MJ to follow her.
The two walked towards the Quinjet landing area. Michelle was standing a few steps behind Pepper and the two stopped and watched a Quinjet land. The wind blew in their faces and ruffled Michelle and Pepper's hair. Michelle coughed and Pepper made a sour face.
After a few moments, the Quinjet opened to reveal Wanda and Vision.
Michelle's face morphed from shock to shock-confusion. Pepper smiled widely and ran up to the Quinjet, hugging Wanda and Vision tightly. Michelle didn't move and simply crossed her arms over her chest.
Vision and Pepper started to talk and Wanda excused herself from the conversation. She walked over to Michelle and grinned.
"Do I know you?" Michelle said, sarcastically.
Wanda rolled her eyes, "Stop playing games, MJ." Michelle laughed and Wanda pulled her into a tight hug. Wanda's face was filled with happiness, but MJ didn't miss the flash of confusion in her eyes when she hugged Michelle.
Michelle swallowed nervously.
Pepper and Vision walked towards Michelle and Wanda. Vision nodded towards Michelle. "Michelle."
MJ gave him a tight lipped smile and waved. She didn't really know Vision all that well. She had only met him two or three times before and in all honesty, he freaked her out. Like a lot. But Wanda liked him so, Michelle tried to be as nice as she could. Plus, MJ was pretty sure Vision couldn't understand her sarcasm and dry-humor.
The four walked into the compound. "Would you guys like anything to eat? Wanda, do you want some water?"
"Oh, I'm ok." Wanda said sweetly. She then turned to Michelle with a look in her eyes, "MJ, can you help me unpack?"
Michelle gave Wanda a weird look, "You don't even have any bags-"
"Please?" Wanda gave her another look.
Michelle narrowed her eyes. Vision looked between the two, trying to figure out what was going on.
"Um, Pepper and I were working on some work, so-" Michelle said, turning to Pepper.
"Oh that's fine," Pepper said, waving Michelle off, "We can always work on it another time."
Wanda smiled and grabbed Michelle's hand, pulling her towards her room. Michelle thought desperately to try to come up with an excuse, but Wanda was too fast and before Michelle knew it Wanda had dragged them into her room and they had sat on the bed.
Michelle liked Wanda, she really did. They had developed some sort of weird friendship from when Michelle would come over to the compound with Peter. Peter and Michelle only went over to the compound when Steve Rogers, Sam Wilson, and Vision were gone. Peter was starting to get nervous about how many people knew his identity and wanted to keep it on the down-low. Plus, Tony didn't want the other Avengers to ask too many questions - he always had some protective sense over Peter. Wanda had some sort of mysterious vibe around her and she was always quiet. She always seemed a little lonely while the fellow Avengers were on missions. In the beginning, MJ would simply watch and observe Wanda. Michelle would rarely see her; Wanda stayed down on the training floor while Michelle stayed up at the personal floor shadowing Pepper or working on paperwork for her or something. When Wanda would come back up to the personal floor, MJ and Wanda would glance at each other periodically, studying each other. Michelle was happy with her friends, she didn't really plan on making any new ones until Wanda made MJ a sandwich and Michelle decided that she would at least try to talk to Wanda. She decided it wouldn't be the worst thing to be friends with her. Also, Peter kept on trying to get MJ to talk to Wanda, said she was lonely or something, and Michelle wanted to make Peter happy.
The two started to hang out more often at the compound. Wanda would make Michelle food - and Wanda was a great cook. MJ was so used to May's cooking that when Wanda made her food it tasted like heaven. Michelle found out that Wanda liked to read so the two would exchange books and read silently. Wanda taught Michelle how to punch (and "beat a bitch up" as Michelle liked to call it) and MJ tried to teach Wanda how to draw but she was horrible at it. After a while, the two became good friends and would spend time together naturally.
And then after the Avengers all had their falling out and Wanda left, Michelle was actually surprised to miss Wanda. Peter and Michelle began to spend more time at the compound since it was empty. Peter didn't want Tony to feel like everyone had left so they ended up spending nights upon nights at the compound, and then after Tony bought the tower back, they spent almost every night at the tower. Michelle tried to bury herself in her work to distract herself from the loneliness of the compound and tower, but she could only work for so long. Michelle found herself alone most of the time while Peter and Tony were in the lab. Peter had offered her to join them in the lab but Michelle refused; she and Tony would have lit each other on fire. Sometimes she'd see Vision or Rhodey but most of the time she was either reading or drawing. She missed Wanda. Of course, Wanda ended up signing the accords anyway to get back with Vision but they didn't stay long. The two had been traveling ever since.
Wanda narrowed her eyes, "You're hiding something. I can feel it."
MJ scoffed, "And you're delusional."
Wanda rolled her eyes, "God, sometimes I wonder why I'm friends with you."
"We're friends?" Michelle flat lined.
Wanda glared at Michelle and shook her head. She pointed a finger at MJ, "I'm going to find out what's up with you."
Michelle shrugged, trying to act nonchalant. She was playing with her hands and she bit her lip. Wanda sighed. "How long are you staying?" Michelle asked, facing Wanda.
Wanda shrugged, "A few days probably. We're planning on going to Alaska, going camping or something, I'm not sure."
"Why don't you just stay?" Michelle whined, "I'm stuck here all day with Tony, and you know how much he annoys me."
Wanda snorted, "Well, I did come by to visit the compound around a year ago, but imagine my surprise when May tells me that you and Peter ran off."
Michelle frowned, "Yeah, well..."
Wanda took in a deep breath and put a hand on Michelle's shoulder for support, "Tony told me and Vis what happened with Peter last week. They're going to find him, and Vis and I are keeping our eyes peeled. I'm really sorry, Michelle."
MJ sighed, "Thanks." She gave Wanda a tight lipped smile but her eyes were sad. "But, really, Wanda, why don't you just stay?"
Wanda frowned, "I would, I really would like to MJ. But, it's just too painful." Michelle raised her eyebrows. "I just ... I thought the hardest part about coming back after the whole accords nonsense was going to be signing the accords and having to deal with Ross all the time." Wanda let out a deep breath, "But the hardest part is actually being here. Staying here without Steve, or Natasha, or Sam. This place is just so empty now that they're gone. And then every time I'm here all I can think about is their faces when I left. When I betrayed them."
There were a few moments of silence between the two. Michelle was studying Wanda's face and frowned, "I get it."
Wanda sighed with relief. She did really miss the old Avengers, and she didn't like talking about it with Vision since he's not all that good with emotions yet, but it was nice to talk about it with someone. And she did really miss Michelle aswell.
Michelle stared out the window. Something glittered in Wanda's eyes and she smirked a little. Quickly hiding the smirk before Michelle could notice it, she took Michelle's hand and forced MJ to stare at her, "I-I just miss them so much - and it's just so nice to talk about our problems and get them off our chests, you know?" Wanda stared into Michelle's eyes and Michelle furrowed her brows.
"Are you trying to hypnotize me or something? I told you you're not allowed to use your powers around me."
Wanda shook her head, "It's just really healthy for people to talk about their problems. It's never healthy to keep them burrowed up and keep secrets. Stress is also not healthy. I think everyone should, you know, talk about their problems and-"
"Woah woah woah!" Michelle started, standing up quickly. She pointed a finger at Wanda, "You're trying to get me to tell you!"
Wanda rolled her eyes and stood up, "I'm going to find out eventually! Why won't you just tell me!?"
Michelle narrowed her eyes, "I don't know what you're talking about." She walked towards the door and faced Wanda, "I'll see you at dinner."
Wanda narrowed her eyes and bit her lip. I'm going to find out.
. . .
Wanda smiled at Morgan who continued to blabber on and on about something he learned in school today. Wanda couldn't remember. He was talking so fast and so jumpily that Wanda was pretty sure no one could understand him.
"Woah Woah Woah!" May said, laughing, "Slow down, Morgan. It's almost 9pm, it's time to get ready for bed."
Morgan frowned, "I don't wanna sleep. Aunty MJ told me we could watch a movie."
Wanda's brows furrowed, "Where did MJ go?" She looked around the communal room. There was no MJ in sight. Vision and Pepper were sitting on the couch going over the accords, brainstorming probably. May was trying to get Morgan to calm down and get ready for bed and Wanda was sitting next to a struggling May.
May looked at Wanda, "I don't think she's feeling well. She usually goes to bed around 9 but today she went around 7:30 soo..." May continued to struggle with Morgan until he gave up and May picked him up, "Could you check on her?"
Wanda nodded. She started to walk towards Michelle's room and opened the door. No one was in the room. Pieces of sketching paper were scattered around the room and books were piled up on the bed. Wanda shut the door behind her. The shower was running and the door to the bathroom was closed.
Wanda pursed her lips and sat down on the bed. Her eyes scanned the room until it fell on a black backpack in the closet. Wanda grabbed the backpack and went through it. It was mostly empty, just holding a few scattered pieces of paper, a old camera, some keys to a car, and a small photo album.
Wanda took out the photo album and started to look through it. It started with random photos of either Peter or Michelle. They were usually at the beach or in a car or something. Wanda concluded it was when they were in California. The photos slowly morphed to less photos of them at the beach, to more photos of them in the city. Must be San Francisco Wanda concluded. One photo was a full body shot of Michelle. She had a sour look on her face and she looked like she wanted to punch the camera out of Peter's hands. Wanda kept on flipping through the photos aimlessly until something caught her eyes. Wanda narrowed her eyes in confusion and she flipped back.
It was a photo of a pregnancy test with two lines.
Wanda blinked. And blinked. And blinked. Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion and she flipped the page again. The next photo was a sonogram photo. And you could faintly make out a figure.
Wanda's eyes widened and she dropped the photo album like it was burning. "Oh my god." Wanda breathed, "Oh my god! It all makes sense!"
Wanda shot up and ran over to the bathroom door. She swung it open and Michelle screamed. The air was fogged up from the hot shower and Michelle's eyes were wide. She was wearing cotton sleeping shorts and had a tank top on - not the baggy sweatshirt she always wore around the compound.
Wanda's eyes immediately traveled down to Michelle's stomach. You could definitely make out a small bump on her stomach.
Yeah, definitely pregnant.
Wanda's eyes widened and a smile encased her face. "I knew it!" she yelled, pointing a finger at Michelle in triumph, "I knew it, you're preg-!"
Michelle jumped up and put a hand over Wanda's mouth. Wanda's voice was muffled and Michelle hissed, "SHHHHH!"
Michelle led Wanda into the bedroom and sat her down. She grabbed her sweatshirt and pulled it over her head.
Wanda's eyes were still wide, "Oh my gosh! You totally can't tell when you put that baggy trashbag over your head!"
Michelle's eyes drooped and she frowned, "Thanks." She grunted and laid down on the bed. MJ ran a hand over her face, exasperated.
Wanda's laughed, still triumphant, "I figured it out and I didn't even have to use my powers!"
"So humble," MJ sighed, still exasperated.
Wanda's eyebrows furrowed, "Why aren't you happy?! Oh my gosh. You haven't told them yet have you?"
Michelle gave Wanda a regretful look.
"Oh my god!" Wanda cried, "You have to tell them!"
"I know!" Michelle whined, sitting up, "I know I have to tell them soon but, It just feels wrong without Peter here." She frowned.
Wanda sighed sadly and hugged Michelle, "I know, but ... Soon you're going to be as big as a whale and... oh my gosh you're going to be a mom."
Michelle shook her head, "Just stop, Wanda, just stop."
. . .
A black figure swiftly leaped around the hallway, knocking out guards. Fire was licking from out of the vents and smoke filled the rooms. Guards were running around frantically and yelling at each other but no one could understand each other under the roar from the fire. The building creaked and figures were frantically trying to escape.
The black figure continued to leap around the hallway. He threw something into a room and closed the door. Seconds later the room exploded and the figure leaped away. He entered another room and the person under the mask smiled. He swiftly grabbed the metal weapons on the table and ignored the guards screaming and running around him. Contently, the figure made his way out of the room and threw another ball into it. In seconds the room exploded again and the fire leaped and only grew.
The figure, now content with his mission, held on tightly to the weapons and started to make his way out of the collapsing inferno building. He turned a corner and saw two figures yelling. They coughed and began to run out of the building. One of the figures had a white coat on and the other was another guard.
The man in the white coat looked hesitant and the guard pulled him away from the door. The black figure knew the two were talking but couldn't hear them from the roar of the fire.
The building creaked and part of it collapsed. The two figures quickly rushed out, struggling against the fire.
The black figure narrowed his eyes and made his way over to where the two men where talking. He peeked inside the concrete room and pulled out another ball. He was about to throw it in before and his eyes widened as he saw a figure, knocked out, laying on the ground.
The black figure quickly grabbed the man laying on the ground as the building continued to creak and collapse in parts.
. . .
February 9
Michelle took a bight of her orange chicken. She was watching while Pepper and May were talking passionately about some TV show. MJ was helping Morgan with his spoon. He hated using his utensils and would always make a huge mess, which MJ would have to clean up, so yeah, she was making sure he was eating using his spoon.
"I don't wanna use a spoon Aunty!" Morgan whined.
MJ rolled her eyes, "If you're a big boy you need to learn how to."
"But Daddy always lets me eat using my hands." Morgan huffed, setting the spoon down.
MJ raised an eyebrow, "That's because your daddy is a child. Ok I'm going to count to 3 ... 1 ... 2 -"
"OK!" Morgan said, picking up his spoon, "I'll use it" he grumbled.
MJ smiled, "Thank you." She then took another bite of the orange chicken. Her eyes traveled back to May and Pepper again. They were still arguing about some TV show and who's dead or not. Michelle had no idea. She didn't ever watch TV. Her mind drifted back to when Wanda left.
Wanda hugged onto Michelle tightly. She smiled sadly at her and MJ smiled back. MJ patted Wanda's back.
"Come visit." MJ said, "I'm going to miss you."
Wanda nodded sadly, "I'll miss you too. Next time I'm back there better be a baby here."
Michelle raised an eyebrow playfully, "What are you talking about?"
Wanda shook her head, laughing, "You have some news to share." She stood next to Vision and MJ, Pepper, May, and Morgan watched the Quinjet raise into the air and soar through the sky.
Michelle pursed her lips and set her fork down. She had finished her orange chicken, to her dismay. Her eyes drifted to Morgan, who was still using his spoon (thank god), but still was somehow making the same amount of mess when he eats with his hands.
May spun around to face MJ, "Hey, don't you think that April isn't actually dead? I mean that's just dumb for Shonda to do to the show!"
"April is so going to die!" Pepper interrupted.
Before Michelle could tell them that Greys Anatomy was stupid and pointless, the sound of blasters filled the room. The groups heads spun to the window to show Tony and Rhodey landing on the platform outside of the window. The window opened and Tony and Rhodey both stepped out of their suits effortlessly. Morgan shrieked with happiness and ran towards Tony.
"Daddy!" he shrieked, jumping into Tonys arms. Tony hugged onto Morgan tightly and he whispered something into his ears.
May and Pepper went silent and faced all their attention to Tony and Rhodey. Michelle spun to face the two and she held her breath.
Tony let go of Morgan and he and Rhodey looked back at the group with sad eyes. Rhodey shook his head and MJ heard May take a deep breath behind her. Michelle's eyes met Tony's and and looked away regretfully.
MJ blinked and stood up. She gulped, trying to keep the anxiety and tears at bay. She faced May. May's eyes were sad and were glistening.
"Mj..." May sighed, reaching out for her.
Michelle shook her head and walked over quickly to the elevator, not looking back on the group.
. . .
Tony shivered as he stepped out of the elevator onto the roof. He let out a breath as he tried to warm himself up. He looked down at his watch. It read 9:34 pm and Tony cursed a bit. It was movie night for him and Pepper and all he wanted to do right now was curl up and watch a movie ... and then maybe it'll lead to other things but-
Tony's train of thought abruptly stopped as he gazed upon Michelle. She was 50 feet away from Tony and was sitting down by the edge of the roof of the compound. Tony cursed silently, he really wanted to watch that movie but...
Tony sighed and started to walk towards the young woman. Michelle's head was being held in her arms and she was curled into a ball. Tony was pretty sure he heard her crying, but then again, he'd never seen MJ cry before so he wasn't sure. She was shaking and breathing rapidly.
Tony cleared his throat to alert her that he was here. For a moment she raised her head and looked in Tony's direction. Even though it was dark outside he could see her red eyes and she looked away.
"I'm-I'm not some damsel in distress." Michelle said, her voice quivering slightly, "I don't need to be saved."
Tony blinked, approaching her slowly, "I know. You're a strong independent woman but... you are having a panic attack. And I have some experience with those."
MJ didn't respond. She kept on staring out into space and shaking.
"Michelle," Tony begged, "Please let me help you."
Michelle didn't respond again but Tony didn't care. He sat down next to her and watched her silently. Her eyes were shut closed and her hand were covering her face. Tony grabbed MJ's hands and held onto them tightly. MJ's eyes were swollen and tears were running down her face. She shook her head and let out a soft cry. Her breathing was still rapid and she was still shaking.
"Michelle," Tony said, "Breath with me."
Michelle closed her eyes and after a few minutes she finally stopped shaking. Her breathing was even and she had stopped crying. Tony let go of her hands and they sat silently for a few moments before MJ sighed, "Thank you."
Tony sighed shakily, "Michelle, everything's going to be ok," he turned to face her and she continued to stare out into the sky, "the hydra bases were a stretch anyway, it was going to be a miracle if we found him there."
Michelle continued to stare out into space numbly.
Tony took her hand again, "We're going to find him, I promise."
MJ's eyes drifted up to the stars. She sighed, "You know Peter and May were the first people in my life that I actually considered my family?" She glanced at Tony who was staring at her. She frowned, "My Dad was a loser. He tried to rob a bank, I think he got killed I'm not sure. My Mom - Kiara - got pregnant with me when she was 14. She was in the foster system so I was basically born into it." MJ took in a deep breath, "I thought that when Kiara turned 18 she would take me and her out of the horrible foster homes and we would go out and finally be free but... she just ended up leaving me." MJ's eyebrows furrowed as she continued to reflect, "Ever since then Ive just... shut myself out. I always thought that everyone leaves. I thought I'd never have a family or have anyone that cared about me. I kept on getting kicked out of every foster home I was into. By the time I was 14 I had lived in over 22 homes. 22. Until finally, I got relocated to an old couple in Queens, Mr. and Mrs. Hayes. That's who I was visiting in Queens last week." MJ's eyes traveled back to the forest, "They were the first foster parents who every truly liked me and who I liked. They bought me books, bought me drawing stuff, they made sure that I got admitted into Midtown. I thought I would turn 18 there and then get an apartment, finish school, graduate, go to college, and leave all my shit behind. But then the foster system came and inspected the house and deemed that Mr. and Mrs. Hayes were 'too old' to take care of minors. And I got moved again, across town, to an overcrowded foster home."
MJ was silent for a moment, "I would've had to switch schools for senior year. But I just couldn't. I finally was settling in once place, I finally allowed myself to make friends, and then my life was turned upside down again." MJ sighed, "So I ran away. I ran back to Queens. I was planning on finding an apartment but in the meantime I planned on living on the streets."
MJ looked down at her hands, "I didn't even spend 24 hours on the streets until your friendly neighborhood spider man noticed." She blinked, frowning, "Peter and May didn't even hesitate to take me in. May immediately signed guardianship papers and I spent one year living with Peter and May. That was the first time I finally felt apart of something." MJ laughed sadly, "I've known Peter ever since freshman year of high school. I didn't ever talk to him until sophomore year. And the only time I did it was to insult him." Tony snorted. Michelle continued, "It took me over two years to even call Peter a friend while he and May took me in without any second thought. I mean, what kind of person does that? I treated him so horribly and he didn't even hold a grudge."
The two sat in silence. Tony put an arm on MJ's shoulder awkwardly for some sort of weird comfort. Michelle covered her face with her hands, trying to fight against the tears, "He promised. He promised me he'd come back. I just ... don't know if I can do this without him. I'm afraid I'll end up like my mother or something."
Tony blinked, eyebrows furrowing. He looked at Michelle as she continued to stare out into the forest. "Michelle ... what do you mean?"
MJ gulped, "Did I say all of that out loud?"
Tony gave MJ a serious look, "Michelle..."
Michelle sighed, deciding to rip off the band aid. "I'm pregnant." She glanced at Tony. He blinked. And blinked. And blinked. His face morphed into one of shock.
"What?!" He whispered. He stared at Michelle, "H-How?"
MJ frowned, "I think you know how."
"You guys ... f-fondued?" Tony asked, eyes twitching.
MJ narrowed her eyes in confusion, "What?"
Tony stared at MJ without saying anything. His eyes were wide and his mouth was agape. "It's just something weird Steve told me one time." Michelle gave him a look. "N-Nevermind."
Michelle sighed, "Wow, don't hold the congratulations."
Tony took in a shaky breath, "How far along are you?"
MJ bit her lip, "25 weeks."
Tony stuttered, "2-25!? 25!?" He looked Michelle up and down, "How have I not noticed?"
MJ nodded with a distant look in her eyes, "Well, baggy sweatshirts come in handy" she said numbly.
"I thought that was just because you have horrible fashion sense!" MJ gave him another look. "Does anyone else know?" Tony asked.
MJ sighed, "Wanda, you, and Peter. Probably Vision by now but that's all."
Tony nodded and looked at Michelle. She was chewing on her lips and her eyes were filled with anxiety and sadness. Tony took her hands and held them. "It's ok," he breathed, "We're all here for you. You're not alone."
MJ smiled slightly and looked at Tony, "t-thanks," she said quietly.
Tony pulled her in for a hug and MJ closed her eyes, feeling like a huge weight was lifted off her soldiers.
