Hey guys so I guess I didn't make it clear about Peter's and Ava's current relationship status. Ava is dating a guy named Alex McKinney and Peter's relationship with Megan Turner is a bit more complicated. They're more of the friends with benefits kind of relationship because they both have slight commitment issues and don't want to have to label what they are. I hope that kinda clears that up for anyone who was confused. Here's another chapter for you guys! Hope you like it!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
The following day, Peter had brought Parsley back to the interrogation rooms in the basement of the team's HQ. With many persuasive methods, he finally got the twisted man to give up the location Victor would pay him at. After that, the team had worked double time, coordinating plans with SWAT teams for extraction and arrests, but things went to hell when they realized it was a set up.
The next few days were filled with desperate attempts at raiding old known safe houses of the still MIA Ramen brother, new cases opening and closing successfully, odd team bonding moments, and of course, theatrical rants from one very dramatic blonde detective.
The team was sitting around their headquarters main office, catching their first break after busting their first big gambling ring case.
"Really? Ray said that?" Kai laughed, as he unbuttoned his cuff links, referring to Garret Ray, one of the underbosses that Ava had to get close to during the undercover op. "He actually said, 'I should come here more often' after seeing you?"
"Why do you find that so hard to believe, cuz? Always the tone of disbelief." Ava pulled the loose ponytail out of her hair and flung it at Kai. "Come on, I made a pretty good dumb girl." She spun around, still in her undercover waitress dress – a short red kimono-style wrap that ended high above her thighs; her toned calves seemed to go on for miles before ending in high black heels. Her hair, now loose, tumbled out in waves onto her shoulders.
Peter swallowed, forcing himself to keep his gaze on the celebratory drinks he was currently carrying out of the mini fridge in the break room, and not on Ava's legs. He set four bottles down.
"So how'd you do it?" Peter asked Ava, as he sat down in a chair they had pulled in to watch a movie marathon on the monitor, another one of those team bonding things they'd started after debriefing was over. His first mistake. "Word is, Ray's not a man easily impressed."
"Oh, man. Okay." She laughed and held up a finger as if to say 'wait for it' and rearranged her face into a sultry smirk. Slowly and gracefully, she drew herself out of her chair and walked over to where Peter was sitting.
His eyebrows shot up in surprise. Don't look, he reminded himself. Eyes on the neck up. It's just an act.
Ava giggled stupidly and twirled a strand of hair around her pinky. When she reached Peter, she stood behind his chair and leaned in close towards his ear. "Wow, big important business men," she whispered huskily, hot breath grazing against his skin. "How about a little drink before work?"
Her hands ran tantalizingly down the sides of his biceps.
He turned his head slightly so he could meet her eyes, which was his next mistake. They were too close and his gaze instinctively went to her lips. They were so close all he would have to do is tilt his head and lean. He froze when he seen the tip of her pink tongue dart out and wet her lips, so fast he swore he imagined it.
Peter held his breath, heart beating in his ears. He didn't try to move; she finally pulled back and only his eyes followed Ava as she circled him in pretend drink preparation. He felt glued to his seat.
When she finally broke character and collapsed back into her chair with a breathless laugh, Peter exhaled sharply and chuckled, shaking his head. His heart resumed beating normally. He glanced at his partner and rolled his eyes at Matt's sly, knowing grin. Then he turned and swallowed at Kai's grimace and averted his eyes again.
"And that's how it's done," Ava grinned, holding up her cold beer. "Okole maluna."
Peter chuckled. "Yeah," he replied, absentmindedly. "Yeah… that would do it."
He held up his bottle to his teammates and tried to recompose himself. "Okole maluna."
Little did he know, she was trying to do the same thing. Those biceps didn't just look bigger they were bigger and firmer too. She nearly melted when he turned to face her. He had looked like he wanted to just lean in, but no, there would never be a chance for that again, she reminded herself. She had made sure of that when she broke his heart in the airport all those years ago. She frowned lightly at the sharp ache the thought brought.
Peter tsked as the two other males dug into their takeout. He stood, making a path toward the monitor, but stopped behind Ava to lean in next to her head effectively snapping her out of her thoughts to stiffen beside him. "Now just what is it about you that makes these guys give in so quickly? Rookie got some secret that you're holding out on us?" His words were filled with amusement and hilarity as he put emphasis on the 'rookie'.
She scoffed, feigning indignation, but her slight snort gave away her amusement with his statement. "Yeah brah, it's called boobs and knowing what those guys are looking for."
Peter laughed good-naturedly as she lightly back-handed him in the chest to make him lean back a little.
"Seriously though," Kai grinned. "Seems like we can't go a single case without some shady bad guy hitting on the kid."
Ava raised her eyebrows and smirked playfully. "The team's lucky I'm such an asset, eh cuz?"
As if anticipating a response, Kai turned to the other two men in the room just as their mouths opened with wry smirks. "If you even make a pun on that, brahs," Kai warned them, "I'll put your head in yours. Both of you."
Peter grinned over at him still slightly bent over Ava's chair when the elevator doors opened and a familiar looking face stopped in front of the four. Matt and Kai sat there takeout aside and looked at the business looking man with suspicion, clearly wondering what a man dressed so snazzy was doing there after 8. "Coulson?" Peter straightened immediately, stepping away from Ava's chair as she stared in shock at her old mentor. Phil Coulson smiled politely at the pair, his smile a tiny bit strained at how close the two were when he walked in. "Ayala. Parker. It's been awhile since the two of you have been in the same place before." He stared hard at Peter, who shuffled his feet and rubbed the back of his neck. Ava stood and crossed the distance to give him a one-sided hug. "Yeah well we're working together again. He's my boss."
That seemed to knock Peter out of his nervous habits, because he walked over, shook Coulson's hand and said, "Not her boss. Just the leader of the task force I told you about. What are you doing here? I mean, I thought you would've at least called when you were on the island or something."
Coulson shrugged, his smile widening as he joked, "Well, I couldn't resist the looks on your faces when I showed up unannounced. It was worth it."
Shaking his head, Peter chuckled quietly before stepping back and gesturing to the other two in the room, introducing them quickly. Coulson shook their hands, giving them just his last name before looking back to Peter. "Can we talk? Privately?"
Peter spared a small glance at his team, his eyes lingering on Ava's curious gaze a little longer than the others, before nodding and gesturing to his office. "Yeah, my office is right over there."
After closing the door behind them, Coulson turned to the former superhero, his arms crossing over his chest as he narrowed his eyes. Peter met the older man's relentless gaze and knew he was about to be lectured so he heaved a small sigh as he leaned against the edge of his desk, folding his own arms over his toned chest. Coulson, however, just simply stared at him and all Peter could think of was how the other three must think it was something weird as he and Coulson just simply had a stare down in the middle of his office. It was Coulson who finally broke the silence. "What the hell was that?"
Peter knew what he was referring to, but decided to feign ignorance in hopes they would skip the lecture he had for sure memorized by now. "What are you talking about?"
"I thought I told you not to get too close and while I meant emotionally at the time, I would like to think it went for literally too."
Peter snorted. "Seriously? I was just teasing her about something. Hell, we all were."
"Oh yeah? Well I didn't walk in on the other two cozied up behind her grinning like a Cheshire Cat! It all started with teasing and goofing around to begin with, Parker! I've told you and told you it's just too dangerous to be around your old friends and family! That includes Ava!" Coulson's face started turning a slightly darker tinge of red as Peter again failed to see what he should do. Peter stood up straighter, his muscles tightening and tensing. "Why? Coulson you've told me this for years and I still don't know why it's too dangerous! So tell me! Just tell me why it's too damn dangerous."
That seemed to calm the older man down a bit for he sighed lowly. "Because the Ramen brothers we're hired by the same man that wanted your parents dead and he has transferred his obsession to the next generation of Parkers, the only generation left. You."
Furrowing his brows at the new information, Peter shook his head. "I don't understand. My parents died in a plane accident. My dad was just a biologist and my mom was just an average accountant. Why would someone hire assassins to kill them? It doesn't make any sense."
Coulson took a deep breath, willing away the uncertainty. The kid deserved to know. "Parker, listen, what I'm about to say might be a lot to process. I think you should—"
"Just tell me, Phil." Peter pleaded, his curiosity at its peak.
"You're parents... They worked for the SHIELD, Peter. Your father was a decorated solder for the army before Fury recruited him. Your mother followed in her father's, your grandfather's, footsteps and became a highly skilled SHIELD translator and data analyst. While on a mission to investigate James Welker, they posed as traitors and double agents to infiltrate his criminal organizations in Algeria. Unfortunately they were discovered. Welker framed them and brought in the Ramen assassins to kill the two. He originally wanted them to be brought back and tortured but the Ramen brothers sabotaged their airplane and caused it to crash instead. They were subsequently presumed dead, as two burnt bodies were found in the remains. He was never a biologist and she was never an accountant, Parker. I'm sorry."
Outside the office, Matt continues to look over at the glass office trying to get a read on his partner. "Wonder what they're talking about?" He inquired aloud causing the other two to look up and follow his gaze into the office and seeing their boss begrudgingly listening to the older man with a huge frown set on his face.
Kai took a bit out of his takeout. "Well whatever it is, Peter doesn't look to thrilled about it."
Matt nodded, gaze still locked onto the "private" conversation. "No kidding. The man has his aneurysm face locked in."
Nearly chocking on his food, Kai laughed out right at the blonde's absurd remark. "What the hell is that?"
Matt shrugged and gestured wildly at his partner. "You know it's worse than his normal Super SEAL stoic face. His face just gets so.. So grumpy. His nose flares and his eyebrows just come so close together they look like a unibrow. He basically goes all Arnold Schwarzenegger."
Kai laughs again, glancing at his cousin as she continues to look at the office in interest. "Hey, Ava you hear this?"
She jerks her head around to face the two and plastered on a smile. "Aneurysm face, yeah, yeah. No clue where you come up with this stuff, brah." In all honesty she was just half paying attention to her cousin and the detective. She wondered why Coulson was here and why Peter seemed to distant himself upon the older man's arrival. Maybe Peter had some other under the table type thing with SHIELD. No, he said that he was out of that. But maybe...
Kai leaned over and brushed his hand over her shoulder. "Hey, you okay, Water Woman?"
Nodding, Ava tucked her legs in the chair. "Yeah, I just... It's weird that Coulson is here."
Kai looked past her to the office before meeting her dark gaze again. "Maybe. Uh, how'd you say you guys know him?"
At this, Ava glanced over at the blonde as he continued to watch his partner and Coulson with adamant interest. She lowered her voice for just Kai to hear. "He was with SHIELD when I was White Tiger."
The older cousin nodded, keeping his voice just as quiet. "Oh. So Parker was apart of SHIELD too? Or do you think Coulson is here for that?"
Ava's stare hardened as she looked back at her cousin. "Kai, you know I can't give out any information about that, but yes I think Coulson is here because of SHIELD."
Peter stood silent, processing every detail he had just been told, before his shoulders slumped forward and he stared blankly back at Coulson. "Why hasn't someone told me before?" He asked, quietly, the betrayal lining his words effectively.
Coulson sighed again. "It wasn't something that was suppose to be told, Peter. You know how these things work."
Peter scoffed, his hand flailing out as his voice rose in unfiltered rage. "Yeah, but this is my parents we're talking about. Not some random high profiled targets. I had a right to know who my parents really were and why they died Coulson!" Peter stopped to reign in his anger, squeezing his eyes shut and clenching his jaw. He hasn't heard everything yet, and he has a feeling things only get worse. He finally opens his eyes and stared hard at Phil. "Keep going."
Coulson slowly nodded. "When Danny and Luke were killed we weren't positive Welker was behind it until they went after Sam and Mary-Jane. We figured out what it was that connected them."
"Me." Peter finished for him, averting his eyes to the ground before looking back for confirmation.
"Yeah, but even when we made the connection, we weren't sure if it was Welker. We thought it would be better to be safe than sorry so we sent you away. When there were no counter actions when you weren't contacting anyone outside of restricted areas, we knew it had to be him."
Peter shook his head. "But I don't understand something. Why would he go after the people around me? If his obsession passed from my parents to me then why not try to kill me?"
Coulson glanced over his shoulder at the three outside of the office and moved to stand beside Peter, leaning against the desk. "The obsession is to make you suffer, Parker... And what have you been most protective over you're entire life?"
Realization dawned on him as Peter looked out at his new teammates and friends and he swallowed. After a few moments of digesting the sudden realization, Peter finally spoke, his voice becoming cold and distant. "So to insure their safety, I need to leave. Is that it? You want me to go back to being under Keith's wing in the desert. Out of sight, out of mind, right?"
Coulson swallowed past his sympathy for the young man, placing a hand on the kid's shoulder. "No, not necessarily. Just don't get attached, that's all I'm saying. If Welker has eyes on you and he sees you get attached, he will strike. I know it's hard but you have to shut off your emotions, okay? You can't get too close."
"Or they'll end up like Danny, Luke, and Harry? Wow, I'm some kind of friend." Peter scoffed silently. "Okay, I won't. You won't have to worry about anymore bodies turning up because of the ole Parker curse."
"Peter, I'm sorry."
Frowning, Peter stood up straight. "No, it's— thank you Coulson for telling me. My— The team will find this guy and bring him in. Don't worry about it."
At this, Coulson too stood up straight, clasping his hands together in front of him. "Actually, um, this case is SHIELD's, so you can't, but I have got permission for Keith's team to take over and give you daily updates."
Peter sighed, but nodded his head curtly adding, "Okay. Thanks."
Later, when Coulson is gone and they're all watching the movies, Ava switched her gaze over at her 'boss'. She doesn't understand why he said he wasn't, which she guessed if they were technical, he really wasn't, the governor was, but he had never told her before not to call him that so she had assumed it didn't matter. The man in question seemed to be in his own world now, a world that looked too cold and dark from his outside features a far cry from his usual self-assured, humorous self. He was definitely wearing his 'aneurysm face' as Matt had said earlier.
As if sensing her gaze, Peter snapped back into reality and turned, his piercing blue eyes meeting hers. She gave him a small smile and glanced at the other two, seeing that Kai had nodded off in what looked to be a very uncomfortable position and Matt was nearly asleep as well, before she turned back to Peter. "You okay?"
Peter rubbed a hand over his face and seemed to actually contemplate her question before he sighed and forced out a small smile. "Yeah, yeah. Why wouldn't I be?"
"Pete... You've been really quiet since you and Coulson talked."
"Oh, I uh, I'm just tired. It's been a long day." He managed past the lump in his throat. Ava watched him as he took a sip of his beer. "Yeah, but what did Coulson wanna talk about?"
Peter stiffened in his seat, averting his eyes, but didn't say anything.
"Pete? Was it about SHIELD?" She inquired softly.
He finally looked back at her after a moment and she nearly flinched at the betrayal burning in his blue eyes. "Ava, I—"
"Can't talk about it. Right." She finished for him, turning back to the movie and trying to ignore the feel of his relentless gaze locked on her. He heaved a sigh and rolled his chair closer, lowering his voice. "Look, it's not that I don't want to tell you, okay? Because I do. It's just—"
"Pete you don't have to explain. I know how SHIELD works. SHIELD information is only privy to SHIELD people and certain others outside of it. I get it." She interrupted him again with an edge in her voice.
Noticing the hardness of her voice, he leaned in, knowing why she was suddenly acting like this. She thought he was still with SHIELD. "Hey, listen to me, I don't work for SHIELD Ava. Not anymore."
She finally turned back to him and opened her mouth to speak but the two nearly jumped apart when Matt's drearily amused voice met their ears. "Now just what are you two lovebirds whispering about over there?"
Peter glared at his partner, throwing a crumpled wrapper and smirking as it hit its target right in the forehead and an indignant "Hey!" came from the blonde detective. "Go back to sleep Matt."
Matthew narrowed his eyes and grumpily muttered, "I would if I knew with absolute certainty that you two won't try to get it on right beside us, but I don't, so no."
Ava and Peter growled in unison, "Matt!"
Which accidentally woke Kai up as he shot up in his chair and looked around before grumbling when his gaze landed on his teammates. Matt finally stood and grabbed his stuff. "As much as I'd love to continue teasing you two, I have a big day with my wonderful daughter tomorrow so I'm gonna head home."
"Right behind you, buddy. It's getting pretty late anyways." Peter stated, standing and stretching his arms over his head with a low groan. Ava's gaze flitted over his built form as his shirt lifted with his arms, revealing more rippling muscles hidden under the fabric and she immediately flushed and looked away. "Yeah same goes for me, hey Ava?" Kai said to catch his cousin's attention and once she looked at him, he continued, "Are you still coming tomorrow? Kate is really looking forward to seeing you again."
Ava slowly, reluctantly nodded and Matt, being his nosy self, asked, "Kate? Who's Kate?"
Ava stood, avoiding Kai's gaze, and picked up her stuff. Kai sighed. "She's my fiancé. Her and Ava weren't the best of friends when they first met."
Ava snapped her head up to meet his gaze, a fire lighting in her eyes. "She left you, Kai! She left you when you needed her the most!"
Kai stiffened. "No, she said she needed time and then she came back, Ava."
Ava's lips twisted into a nasty snarl. "Yeah, after two years!"
Matt and Peter watched as the two normally joking and jolly cousins glared and continued arguing with each other. Matt finally stepped in with arms outstretched between the two when Ava threw a crumpled piece of paper at Kai's head. "Hey! Hey! Calm down!"
The two cousins went deadly calm nearly at the same exact time and Matt winced as their glares simultaneously locked onto him. He patted Peter's shoulder, muttering, "Okay, scary ass cousins arguing is gonna be your job to break up... Starting now."
Peter narrowed his eyes at his partner before looking at the two silent cousins. "Okay, so start from the top." Immediately after saying this he had to shut them up because they both started at the same time causing them to start arguing with each other again. Peter held up a hand, slipping authority into his voice. "One at a time. Kai, you first."
"When I lost my badge over being accused of stealing money from the evidence locker, Kate said she needed some time and that's what she got and now we are back together and engaged." Kai said, still glaring at his baby cousin. Peter nodded. "Okay. Ava, your turn."
Ava answered with venom in her voice. "The bitch left him for two years and not once checked on him until the entire thing died down and Kai, being the honorable man he is, took her back without any question and then proceeded to propose to her!"
Nodding again, Peter shrugged looking at Kai. "You happy with her?"
Kai nodded. "Of course."
Peter turned back to Ava. "Then, there shouldn't be a problem."
Matt nodded silently agreeing with his partner for once. Ava's eyes widen in shock because obviously the two didn't see the point. "But she left him! For two years! When she should have been by his side supporting him!"
Peter sighed, his patience running thin. "Yeah well it isn't the first time a girl left her boyfriend, Ava, but the point is she came back."
Ouch. Ava immediately snapped her mouth shut, flinching at the sting his comment left. Peter immediately regretted saying it, but it was too late to take it back so he sighed instead. "Look, he's happy with her so just be happy for him. Now I think I'm gonna go home because I'm extremely tired. See you guys, Monday."
With that, Peter brushed past his teammates, pointedly avoiding Ava's eyes, and left. Matt seemed to not want to stay in case the two got into a argument again so he silently followed his partner's actions, barely sparing the two cousins a, "Bye."
Ava finally forced herself to move, turning her head so she could look at her cousin. "Kai... I'm sorry. I'll be at dinner tomorrow. Is it okay if I bring Alex?"
Kai gave her a small smile, walking over and giving her a tight hug. "It's okay and sure. Alex is always welcomed. Listen, I understand where you're coming from, cuz, and I appreciate your concern but I love her. It's that simple."
Ava nodded, stepping back. "Okay, so we're good?"
Kai playfully bumped her shoulder making her dimpled grin break out. "Of course Water Woman."
Her smile seemed to broaden at his words and her cousin couldn't help but smile back. "Good. Good. See you tomorrow, then."
Okule Maluna basically means cheers or bottoms up. Please R&R!
