A/N: I'm sorry for making you wait...I will try to be faster in the future, but no promises. I'm on spring break right now though, so I will try to get another chapter done this week.
You see that REVIEW button at the bottom of the screen? Please use it! Let me know what you like, what you don't like, and (this is important) who you want to hear more from. As in, what characters are the most interesting to listen to. I like Natasha, so I write from her perspective a lot, but I want to hear what you like.
Anyway, I'll shut up now. Thanks, and I hope you enjoy!
Chapter 8: Questions, Answers, and Little Avengers
Tony Stark (Iron Man)
"Tony Stark?"
Tony stared unblinkingly up at the doctor. "Yes?"
"Is there anything special about you? Any powers or abilities?"
Tony smirked. "You mean like my brilliance or awesomeness?"
"Uh, no."
"Oh. Well I have a blue glowy thing called an arc reactor right here," he said pointing at his chest. "And I am very good at annoying Bruce." Tony leaned forward so that he could whisper to the doctor, "He turns into a big green hulk, but don't worry, it's normal. And usually he's just a normal, boring little kid."
"Well then," the doctor said anxiously. "Could you answer another question for me?"
"Do I have to? I'm bored," Tony complained.
"Yes."
"Fine. What's your question?"
"What's your relationship with the other people you live with?" Toy was actually silent for a moment. "Relationship means-"
"I know what it means," Tony said, frowning. "I'm thinking, geez."
"Sorry," the doctor mumbled.
"That's quite all right," Tony replied haughtily. "Well, Pepper is my friend and she's amazing and beautiful. Jane is Pepper's friend. Bruce is cool, but he doesn't talk much. Thor is weird," he added, wrinkling his nose a little. "I mean, who likes Poptarts that much? Oh, and Natasha and Clint are always together, but I don't get along with them. Or Steve, but Steve is just...little, innocent Steve," he said finally.
"Okay," the doctor said, writing something down. "Well, I have one more question."
"Okay."
"Do you remember anything strange or have any odd dreams ever?"
Tony smirked and raised an eyebrow. "Are we getting personal, doctor? Yeah, I have dreams… Like, a couple times, I dreamed I was married to Pepper and there was a boy named Phil, I don't know why. And another time I dreamed Bruce smashed Thor's brother, Loki, against the floor." He paused. "I think it's been a while since I saw Loki…I wonder when he'll be back…" Tony shrugged, and Loki was gone from his mind.
…
Steve Rogers (Captain America)
"Hello, Steven," the big man that Pepper said was named Dr. Zane said kindly.
"Hi," Steve said shyly, waving a little. Unsure what else to say, he added, "I'm Steve."
"So, Steve, how old are you?"
"Four."
"Four, huh? I hardly remember that age... Do you have any friends or brothers or sisters that you like to play with?" Dr. Zane smiled.
"Natasha and Clint and Tony and Bruce and Thor..." Steve remembered something. "I think there was someone named Loki too. But he left."
"Interesting. Can you tell me a little bit about them?"
"Tasha and Clint are like…best friends. But they're nice to me. I guess they're my friends." He shrugged. "Tony is mean sometimes, but he's really cool and he's so smart… Thor is funny, and he's my big brother 'cause he's the only one who looks like me. Except I think Pepper said Tasha is like my sister." He frowned. "I don't know, I don't understand girls. They're weird. Oh, and there's Bruce too! He's almost as smart as Tony, but he's nicer. Except when he turns green and scary and loud. Then he hurts my ears," Steve mumbled, rubbing his ear as he remembered.
"That's very…uh, interesting. Can you tell me about Jane and Pepper? Are they nice to you? Do they take care of you?"
"Oh, yeah!" Steve said enthusiastically. "They're really nice, and Pepper's always making sure I brush my teeth and eat dinner…and saving me from Tony. She's the only one he listens to. And Jane is really nice too."
"Would you be upset if you were taken away from Pepper and Jane and your friends? Or do you think you'd feel safer?"
"No no no, don't take me away," Steve cried. "They're my friends…"
"Of course, I'm sorry for suggesting it. Steve, does the name 'Captain America' mean anything to you?"
"Yeah…think so," he mumbled. "Sometimes my friends call me that. Or Cap."
"So, Cap, is there anything special about you? Any special powers that you or your friends have?"
"I'm strong," he offered. "So's Thor. And Bruce when he turns green. Natasha can do flips and stuff and Clint can shoot a bow and arrow so well." He grinned. "And Tony's super smart. And he has a glowy thing in his chest. I like shields, though," he added randomly, as an afterthought.
The doctor nodded cautiously. "I thought you might. Thank-you, Steve."
"You're welcome," Steve said cheerfully, because Pepper had told him it was polite.
…
Clint Baron (Hawkeye)
"So, you're the infamous Clint Barton." The doctor chuckled. "Not your best day, eh?"
"Sir?" Clint asked, confused. In his pocket, he fingered a little arrow.
"Never mind. How've you been?" The shuffled some papers and turned to stare at Clint, who shifted nervously.
"Fine, sir," he said, trying to sound grown-up. "Uh, how are you?"
"None of that, we're talking about you. Elaborate. How's you life now? What are your siblings like? Had any strange memories or recurring nightmares lately?"
Clint wished Natasha would come save him, because he didn't like this man and there had been at least two words in there that he didn't understand. "Sir," he mumbled.
"What was that?"
"I'm fine. And so is…everyone else. No nightmares…sir." He swallowed. Be brave like Tasha. She would be making fun of you right now. He sat up straighter.
The doctor sighed loudly. "How old are you, Clint?"
"Six. But I'll be seven soon," he added defensively. "In January."
"And you have brothers and sisters, correct?"
Clint frowned. "I think I have a brother. He's…bigger though. Older," he corrected himself.
"What do you call the other kids you live with – Natasha, Tony, Steve…all of them?"
"They're my friends. Tasha's my best friend." That's right. Make eye contact, Clint. He's just being a bully.
"She's not your sister?" The doctor paused, then got a look on his face like Tony when he was up to no good. Or Loki when he used to play tricks on Bruce. "Is she your girlfriend?"
Clint made a face. He didn't know what Nat would've wanted him to say to that question, and he didn't want the doctor to be right, so he did what one his friends would've done. "Ew, no." He remembered something Tony had said. "Girls have cooties." Not that he knew what those were – Tony was the smart one, even if Clint didn't like to admit it.
"But she's not your sister?"
"No way."
"Are any of the others your brothers?"
"No…I don't think so. Pepper would've told me."
"Ah, Pepper." The doctor leaned forward to look over his glasses. Clint leaned back against the wall behind the check-up table. "How is Pepper? And Jane?"
"They're awesome. They gave me food and a bow," Clint told him.
"What about nightmares? I'm told you've been having them a lot."
"You have heart."
Blinding blue light, a flash of pain. Invisible fingers sifting through his brain. Words, starting as a whisper, but growing louder and louder, telling him to obey Loki. Obey, obey, obey. The Tesseract knows all. He could see the galaxy laid out before his eyes, a wealth of wisdom, and S.H.I.E.L.D. would keep him from it.
NononothinkofNatthinkofNatNa tashaNatashaNATASHA.
Too late.
Everything was blue.
"Just a couple times. They're over now. Tasha fixed them," he added quickly.
"Tasha, stay with me. I'm scared," he whispered.
"I'll always be here, Clint," she promised, squeezing his hand tightly. "Always. Because you're my best friend and everyone needs to be protected sometimes."
"Promise?" He couldn't have asked anyone else.
"Promise."
But she hadn't fixed them. No one could.
…
Bruce Banner (Hulk)
"Hey, Bruce."
"Hello, Doctor." He hesitated, but then his curiosity won out. "Can you explain some of the equipment in here?"
Doctor Jefferson laughed. "Maybe another time. Today I have to ask you questions." Seeing him sigh, she added, "Maybe if there's time and you behave." He perked up.
"What are your questions, Doctor?"
"Well, first I want ask you about your life at home. Who do you live with, what are they like? Basic questions."
"Steve said he was three, but now I think he's five. Tony, Clint, and Natasha are six. I'm seven. Thor is fifteen. Loki was fourteen, but he left and no one ever seems to think about him anymore. Pepper and Jane are adults. Steve is-"
"Hang on a moment, Steve said he was three, but now you think he's four?"
"I don't understand either," Bruce agreed. "But it makes sense."
"You do realize his birthday is in July?" Doctor Jefferson asked cautiously.
"Yes, Doctor, but we have aging problems. I've only noticed it in Steve and Thor, but I can't think of a better explanation."
Doctor Jefferson was silent for a moment, and Bruce worried he had said something wrong. Sometimes the only person who seemed to understand him was Tony, which sucked. But this was a doctor, after all, and doctors and scientists were supposed to be the smart ones. Bruce wanted to be one someday.
"Bruce, are you sure you're only seven-years-old?" Doctor Jefferson asked finally, smiling a little. "Because you're very smart for your age. And observant."
"Thanks, Doctor."
"Maybe when you're older, you can be an intern here," she offered, and he beamed.
…
Thor Odinson
"So, Thor…you're 15?"
"YES, MIDGARDIAN WOMAN! I AM 15 IN EARTH YEARS."
"And you have one brother, Loki. Any other siblings?"
"I HAVE AN ADOPTED BROTHER NAMED LOKI, THAT IS CORRECT!"
"And you can control lighting, lift the hammer Mjölnir?"
"YES, LADY DOCTOR! I AM ALSO VERY FOND OF POPTARTS AND THIS THING CALLED "COFFEE", ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THIS AMAZING INVENTION?" Thor was getting hungry.
"Uh, yes, I've had some coffee in my time," the woman said, looking nervous. She changed the subject, but Thor wasn't done. "I was wondering-"
"AND RECENTLY, I HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED TO THIS FOOD CALLED "DORITOS", ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THESE?"
"Yes, I've heard of them. Could you please stop shouting?" The woman looked panicked.
"Sorry, fair lady, but I am getting hungry. DO you have any Poptarts? Doritos? COFFEE?" He got louder with each word. Then his stomach growled.
"Uh, could we get someone down here, please? I think he's hungry," the woman mumbled into her headset.
Soon, Jane arrived, and Thor ran to her.
"LADY JANE! THIS MIDGARDIAN WOMAN WILL NOT GIVE ME FOOD!"
"Uh, why don't you calm down, and we'll get you food after the doctor finishes with you, okay? But no shouting." She glanced at the doctor. "Sorry, he's a teenage god. He gets hungry easily."
"Not a problem," the doctor mumbled, looking green. Thor wondered if this was a normal Midgardian color.
