Chapter 9
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AN1: thank you for the support. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, REVIEW.
July 18th 2016. Avengers Compound.
Early Morning.
(Melinda May, Tony Stark, Hope Van Dyne, 43 years old)
As he wanted to be able to get everything right for Hope's birthday Tony made sure that he got up earlier than normal so that he could go and get Hope's favourite breakfast. Honestly he isn't at all surprised to find Natasha, Rhodey and Melinda already in the dining area when he gets back, Melinda and Rhodey are putting up decorations/putting presents that are clearly for Hope in a nice pile while Natasha is putting the finishing touches on the cake she baked, that Tony noticed earlier.
"Hope's favourite?" Melinda asks when she sees Tony.
"Of course." Tony says, "And I have a tablet here with my surprise present." He reveals.
"Good, I think she's going to love it." Rhodey says with a smile.
"I hope so. I know it's not the same as giving Hope her Mom back, and I honestly hoped to have a way to look into the Quantum Realm by now…. But everything I've come up with wouldn't work." Tony says, looking disappointed, "This was the best I could do."
"She's going to love it. We all know how much it would mean to see videos and pictures, hear the voice, of a parent we lost and you're giving that to Hope today. She's going to love it." Natasha assures him.
"Hopefully." Tony says as he put the food he brought on the bench, "But you know it's not just me, we all helped to track down stuff." Tony reminds them, "FRIDAY warn us when Hope is on her way." Tony request.
"Of course Boss." FRIDAY responds.
"If you're finished there help me dish this up." Tony says to Rhodey who is using the device Tony built him to walk.
"Sure." Rhodey says, walking over, still looking slightly hesitant and unbalanced.
"How they working for you?" Tony asks curious, once Rhodey is close enough.
"I'm still getting used to them." Rhodey admits, "But I'm up to about four hours before I have to switch back to the chair." He tells Tony.
"That's really good." Tony says with a supportive smile.
"Really is." Rhodey responds.
"What's all this?" Laura asks as she walks into the room with her kids.
"It's Hope's birthday." Melinda explains.
"Aunt Mel!" Cooper says happily.
"Does that mean we get cake for breakfast?" Lila asks, her eyes widening.
"You know what, it does." Natasha says with a smile.
"Yay!" Lila says excitedly.
"BOSS Miss Van Dyne is on her way." FRIDAY says.
"Thank you." Tony answers and Melinda, Tony, Rhodey and Natasha move so that they are standing near the cake Natasha baked while Laura and the kids sit down. Seconds later Hope walks into the room.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY." Tony, Natasha, Melinda and Rhodey say together.
"Thank you so much." Hope says as she walks over to her friends and hugs them all.
"Sit we have something for you." Tony says once Hope has hugged all of them and Hope does just that, "Just press play." Tony says as he hands Hope a tablet.
Being confused about what she is going to find Hope takes the tablet from Tony and presses play and she cannot believe what she is seeing as it's a picture of her and her mom, followed by a few more pictures then a video starts.
"Mom." Hope says amazed, tears coming to her eyes.
"Janet Van Dyne, Wasp Suit demonstration number one. Present are Howard Stark, Peggy Carter, and Hank Pym." Janet says and then Hope watches her mother demonstrate her Wasp suit.
"Hope are you sad?" Lila asks, looking confused and upset.
"No Sweetie, I'm really happy." Hope says amazed, pressing pause on the video before standing up and walking over Tony, "Thank you, thank you so much." She says hugging him tightly.
"You're welcome." Tony says returning the hug, "But you should thank Mel, Nat and Rhodey, they helped track down everything in that video and your Dad even gave me some stuff too." He reveals.
"Thank you." Hope says before hugging Melinda, Natasha and Rhodey too.
"Can we do the cake now?" Lila asks curious, as Rhodey places a kiss on Hope's cheek.
"You know I think we will, but I have a lot of candles and I think I'm going to need some help to blow them out." Hope reveals, "You two interested?" she asks, looking between Lila and Cooper.
"Yes!" Lila says happily.
"Definitely." Cooper says, sounding a almost as excited.
"Then come over here." Hope says as Natasha starts to light all the candles, once Cooper and Lila are both close Hope picks up Lila so that she is more the height of her and Cooper.
"Friday, turn off the lights." Tony requests as Natasha finishes lighting the candles.
"Happy Birthday…." Rhodey starts to sing.
"To you.
Happy Birthday to you.
Happy Birthday Dear Hope.
Happy Birthday to you." Everyone else sings and once they finish signing Hope, Lila and Cooper blow out the candles, Hope having a smile on her face the entire time as she is very glad to be with the people who mean so much to her on her birthday.
July 18th 2016. Avengers Compound.
Mid-Morning
Only in his lab, having lost count of how many cups of coffee he has had, Tony is working on the plans for a completely new Iron Man suit for himself.
"Boss there is something on the news I believe you'd like to see." FRIDAY informs Tony.
"Put it up." Tony says, turning to look at one of his screens where he sees an image of the Barton farm getting blown up,
"According to reports the property was a safe house belonging to one of the Avengers, there is no word on which Avenger or if anyone was home…." The News reporter says.
"FRIDAY where is Laura and the kids?" Tony asks as he heads over to his desk.
"In the living area with Miss Romanoff." FRIDAY answers.
"Have they see this?" Tony asks, worry in his voice as he starts to search through stuff.
"Miss Romanoff and Mrs Barton are watching it now. Without the kids seeing." FRIDAY answers, as Tony finally finds what he was looking for.
"Okay." Tony responds before hurrying out of his lab.
About a minute later Tony hurries into the living room where Natasha and Laura are sitting in clear shock while Lila and Cooper are playing on the floor.
"Tony…" Natasha starts to say when she sees him.
"I've see it." Tony tells her.
"We would have been there, if it wasn't for the two of you." Laura says, looking between Natasha and Tony in amazement, then she realises something, "Clint… he'll think we're there." She says, looking horrified as even with how mad she is with her husband she doesn't want Clint to have to believe that they were at home when the house blew up.
"Weeks ago Rogers sent me a condescending letter, and this." Tony says showing Laura the flip phone, "As far as I know Clint is with Steve, you should call him." Tony says handing Laura says, handing her the phone, "Oh and you should keep the phone once you call. I have no intention of ever using it." He reveals.
"Thank you." Laura says, taking the phone, "Will you too…." She starts to ask.
"We'll stay with the kids." Natasha says and Tony nods in agreement.
"Thank you." Laura says as she gets up and heads out of the room hearing,
"Uncle Tony will you play Barbie's with me?"
"Sure."
As she goes.
July 18th 2016. Wakanda.
Afternoon.
In Wakanda the five former Avengers are watching in horror as the Barton Farm blows up.
"No, no, no." Clint says, looking horrified, tears coming to his eyes as a phone starts to ring.
"Tony…" Steve says, answering the flip phone.
"Put my husband on the phone, Captain." Laura says.
"Mrs Barton." Steve says surprised, causing Clint to turn to look at him.
"May I please speak to my husband." Laura repeats.
"Clint, it's your wife." Steve says, sticking out the phone for Clint.
"Laura? Are you okay? Are the kids? Where are you? Are you safe? Were you home?" Clint asks, speaking very quickly.
"We haven't been at the farm for two weeks." Laura reveals.
"Why not?" Clint asks confused, "Where are you?"
"Natasha and Tony were worried about our safety. They were worried that Ross, or the wrong people could find out about the farm and use us to hurt you, or the Avengers. They helped us pack up everything important and moved us to the Compound, and that was after having increased the security at the Farm weeks earlier." Laura explains and honestly Clint feels relief at that, but it quickly turns to worry when he realises something.
"Laura, Stark's not safe to be around. All of this is his fault, he doesn't care, he's not…." Clint starts to say but Laura cuts him off.
"Tony Stark is a good man; he's been a friend to me in the last month. He's been protecting us and he's working to come up with a way to make it so that you can come home." Laura says angrily, "He's currently playing Barbie's with YOUR daughter, so don't say for a second that he doesn't care, because Tony and Natasha are the only reason I'm alive right now." Laura says her voice so loud and angry that all the others in the room can hear everything she's saying, "They're the only reason your kids are alive."
"Are you sure you're okay?" Clint asks, "I can figure out a way for you to get to where I am."
"The kids need stability, not being on the run, and they love it here." Laura explains.
"Laura…." Clint starts to say.
"We're not going anywhere." Laura says, there being no room for argument in her voice, "Tony's given me this phone to keep for good. Maybe we can arrange a time for you to talk to the kids."
"I'd like that." Clint responds, still not sure if he feels okay with the kids being around Tony too much.
"Good." Laura responds, "I should go. Tony and Natasha are with the kids, but I know they both have other things they need to do. I've got to get back." She says.
"Okay. Tell the kids I love them."
"I will." Laura responds.
"And I love…" Clint starts to say, but he hears the dial tone, "You." He adds, even though Laura can't hear him.
"Are Laura and the kids okay?" Steve asks once Clint hangs up, even though he heard a lot of the conversation he knows that asking is politer.
"Yeah. Stark and Nat got them out of the farm weeks ago." Clint reveals, "If you're waiting for Stark to call you on the phone don't hold your breath, he gave it to Laura." He tells Steve.
"Oh." Steve says, looking a little disappointed.
"I need to go for a walk." Clint says, getting up and heading out of the room, and seconds later Wanda gets up and follows.
"Clint." Wanda says, causing him to turn around, "I will help you get your family away from Stark."
"Thanks Wanda." Clint says gratefully, "But I don't know if that's the best idea."
"It's getting your family away from Stark, of course it is." Wanda responds, believing that.
"I'll wait until I talk to my kids, but thanks. If I do decide to do that I'll let you know." Clint says before heading outside while Wanda heads back into the room where the others are.
July 20th 2016. Avengers Compound.
Morning.
It's morning and Tony is in the lab with Peter, both of them are working on Peter's suit.
"Boss the video call with King T'Challa and United Nation Panel will begin in ten minutes." FRIDAY informs Tony.
"Right, thanks FRIDAY." Tony responds, "Thinks you can spend a little while in here without blowing anything up?" he asks Peter.
"Of course." Peter answers, feeling amazed that Tony would trust him in his lab.
"Okay, if you get in trouble just ask FRIDAY for help and if you feel like some company…. FRY where are Laura and the kids?" Tony asks curious.
"In the library." Friday answers.
"Great, just head there." Tony tells Peter, "The rest of us will be in the meeting and I honestly have no idea how long it will take." He explains.
"That's okay." Peter assures him.
"Okay, I better go make myself presentable." Tony tells him, as he is currently wearing clothes that are covered in grease and other things from the lab. "I'll be back as soon as I can."
"Okay." Peter responds, concentrating on what he is doing, and after getting the conformation Tony walks out of the lab.
Exactly nine minutes later, Tony wearing one of his lovely three piece suits and completely dirt and grease free walks into the conference room where Natasha, Vision, Hope, and Rhodey already are.
"You're close to being late." Rhodey tells him as Tony sits down.
"But I'm not, that's what's important." Tony tells them, "FRIDAY are King Kitty and the panel ready to go?"
"King T'Challa is, the panel hasn't connected yet." FRIDAY reveals.
"Okay then, connect T'Challa." Tony requests.
"Of course, Boss." Friday says before T'Challa appears on the screen.
"Your Majesty." Tony greats.
"Mr Stark, Miss Romanoff, Miss Van Dyne, Mr Rhodes, Vision." T'Challa greats, "The council just wants an update report, correct?"
"Yes." Tony answers.
"Boss the United Nation council is on the line." FRIDAY reveals.
"Okay, connect us all." Tony requests, "Here we go." He mutters as the United Nations panel is connected to the calls.
"King T'Challa, Mr Stark, Miss Romanoff, Mr Rhodes, Miss Van Dyne, Vison." The head of the council greats, "As you know the purpose of this call is to discuss your progress on altering the Sokovia Accords. Would one of you please start to explain that progress." He requests.
"Of course." Tony says, and he starts to explain how many changes they have agreed to and what they still need to do.
It has been a little while since Tony left him in the lab Peter is working on his suit and he's reached a problem.
"Huh." Peter says, realising that he is going to need Tony's help to finish what he is doing, "FRIDAY are Mrs Barton, Lila, Cooper and Nathaniel still in the library?" Peter asks curious.
"Yes, Mr Parker." FRIDAY answers.
"Okay, thanks." Peter responds, sounding relieved and he quickly checks to make sure that all the supplies he has been using are turned off before he heads out of the lab.
It has been at least an hour since the video call began and Tony, T'Challa, Natasha, Rhodey, Vision and Hope have been explaining the progress they have been making on the changes without actually explaining the changes themselves.
"It is the councils believe that there should be another, in person meeting, about the Accords before the deadline of October 24th where the Avengers and King T'Challa submit the altered version of the Accords for review. You can defend or explain any put that you feel the need to." The council head explains, "That would also allow time to change parts again before the deadline."
"Do you have a date suggestion for something like that?" T'Challa asks.
"How about August 22nd." The council head suggests, "That will give enough time for a review and alteration to occur before the deadline." The council suggests, "Do you believe you could have a document ready for review by then?" he ask.
"Yes, I believe we could." Tony says, after exchanging looks with the others, "But it will be preliminary." He admits.
"That will be fine, it will be taken into consideration." The council head says, "Good afternoon Avengers, King T'Challa."
"That's sooner than we were expecting." Natasha comments with a small frown.
"We always suspected that they would want something to review sooner than the deadline." Rhodey points out.
"Not that sooner." Hope says, also frowning.
"We'll make it work." Tony assures them, "T'Challa, what's your thoughts about this?"
"If you're willing I would like to make some time next month for me to spend at least a few days at the Compound so that we can discuss the changes in person." T'Challa explains.
"Sounds good to me, you know you're always welcome Kitten." Tony assures him, "Just let us know when."
"Of course." T'Challa responds before ending the call.
"FRIDAY is Peter still in the lab?" Tony asks curious.
"No Boss. He's in the Library with Mrs Barton and her children." FRIDAY answers.
"Okay, thanks." Tony responds.
"Tony Hope and I were thinking about doing a barbecue for dinner, interested?" Rhodey asks curious as everyone starts to head out of the conference room.
"Definitely." Tony answers.
"I wonder how much cooking will be done when they're staring lovingly into each other's eyes." Natasha whispers to Tony, who laughs.
"Damn it." Rhodey suddenly says as he falls over.
"You okay?" Hope asks as she, Tony, Natasha and Vision hurry over.
"Yeah, I've just been using these too long." Rhodey explains, looking frustrated as Tony, Hope and Natasha help him onto one of the chairs as Vision goes to get Rhodey's wheelchair.
"How can I make them better for you to use for long periods of time?" Tony asks his friend.
"It's not nothing you can do about the design, it's me." Rhodey assures his friend as Vision returns to the room with his chair.
"Here you are Colonel Rhodes." Vision says, putting Rhodey's chair close to where he's sitting.
"Thank you, Vison." Rhodey says, grateful.
"You're very welcome." Vision responds as Rhodey moves from the chair he is sitting on to his wheelchair.
"You good?" Tony asks concerned.
"Yeah, I'm good." Rhodey responds and the group of five continue to head out of the conference room.
Less than a minute later Tony walks into the living room and he can't help but smile when he sees Peter using his powers to amuse Cooper, Lila and Nathaniel.
"They look like they are having fun." Tony says as he sits on the couch.
"They are." Laura assures him, "How'd the video call go?"
"About as well as I was expecting." Tony admits, "We've got a month to submit a copy of the altered accords for review." He explains.
"Will that be enough time?" Laura asks concerned.
"It will have to be." Tony admits and the two of them drift into silence as they watch Peter, Cooper, Lila and Nathaniel.
Out in the courtyard of the Avengers Only Area Hope and Rhodey are starting to get ready for a barbecue.
"When was the last time you cooked a barbecue?" Rhodey asks Hope curious.
"I have no idea." Hope admits, "You?"
"No idea." Rhodey explains, and the two of them exchange amused looks, "So, did you get through to Scott's daughter's mother?" he asks curious as he knew that since the attack on the Barton farm that everyone is more worried about Scott's daughter.
"Yeah, she's agreed to the extra security Tony's paying for and her husband's a police officer, so between that and the fact that as far as we know, no one knows about Cassie, she should be safe." Hope explains.
"Good." Rhodey says relieved.
"Yeah." Hope says, "So, today that's the longest you've gone." Hope comments, knowing that because she's been keeping track.
"Yeah, it is." Rhodey admits.
"How does that make you feel?" Hope asks curious.
"Honestly, pretty good." Rhodey admits.
"I'm glad." Hope says with a supportive smile, "So, how are we going to do this?" she asks curious.
"How about you cook and I do the prep work and get started on the other stuff." Rhodey suggests.
"Sounds good to me." Hope responds and together she and Rhodey get started on making a barbecue together.
An hour later Hope and Rhodey having finished cooking and Hope is giving a tray to Rhodey to take over to the table when Tony, Laura, Natasha, Vision, Peter, Cooper, Lila and Nathaniel walk out into the courtyard.
"Wow, everything smells great." Peter says, amazed.
"Thanks." Hope answers.
"Can't guarantee that it will taste good." Rhodey says.
"If food's a bust we'll just order Pizza." Tony comments, "Peter when's your aunt expecting you home?" he asks curious.
"Mrs Barton had me call her earlier, she knows I'm staying for dinner." Peter explains.
"Thank you." Tony says to Laura who nods.
"I've told you Peter, call me Laura." She assures the young boy.
"Right, sorry, I will." Peter says as everyone sits down at the table as Hope and Rhodey bring over the last of the food.
"We need drinks." Natasha realises, standing up.
"I made several jugs of lemonade this morning, it's in the fridge." Laura reveals.
"Okay, I'll get that. Anyone want anything else?" Natasha asks, looking around and she honestly isn't surprised when anyone says anything else as even Tony tries not to drink around Peter, Cooper, Lila and Nathaniel, "Okay, I'll be right back." Natasha says before heading inside.
A few minutes later Natasha returns carrying the jugs of drinks and enough glasses for everyone, which she puts on the table before sitting down too and as she does the group of four kids and six adults enjoy the barbecue that Hope and Rhodey made for them.
July 23rd 2016. Wakanda.
Night.
Lying in his bed in the room T'Challa gave him Clint can't help but stare at the phone that Steve said he might as well hold onto. Even though he has been tempted to Clint hasn't tried calling them, wanting Laura to call first, at the same time he has desperately wanted to.
As he stares at the phone, about to reach out and call anyway, the phone starts to ring.
"Hello." Clint says, answering as quick as possible.
"Hi Clint." Laura responds.
"Laura, are you okay? Are the kids okay?" Clint asks worried.
"We're all fine." Laura assures him, "There are people who want to speak to you." She says and Clint hears her hand the phone over.
"Daddy?" Lila's voice asks.
"Hey Sweetie." Clint says, feeling so amazed to hear his daughter's voice again, "How are you?" he asks.
"I'm good." Lila says happily, "I've been spending a lot of time with Auntie Nat and Uncle Tony, they're really cool!" she says happily.
"Uncle Tony?" Clint asks, forcing the words out in his shocked state.
"Yep, I asked Mom if I could call Tony Uncle she said I could If I wanted to." Lila explains.
"Why would you want to do that?" Clint asks.
"Because Tony's really cool, and he's really fun, and he and Auntie Nat take us swimming and Uncle Tony plays barbies with me and tells me stories! He's cool!" Lila says happily.
"Oh, okay." Clint says, not being sure what to think beyond the fact that security footage of Tony Stark playing Barbies would get a lot of money, though that's probably because it's easier to think about that than his anger, "Do you like it at the Compound?" he asks curious.
"Yes! I love it! It's so much fun, Uncle Tony, Auntie Nat, Rhodey, Hope, and Vision are really cool, and I like it when Peter comes, he's cool." Lila explains, causing Clint to become confused about who Peter is, "Daddy, when are you coming home?"
"I don't know Honey." Clint admits.
"Oh." Lila says, sounding disappointed, "Do you want to speak to Cooper?" she asks.
"Yeah, I do." Clint says and he hears Lila pass the phone.
"Hi Dad." Cooper answers, sounding less than happy than his sister.
"Hi Coop." Clint says, sounding happy, "How are you?"
"Alright." Cooper says, shrugging though Clint can't see it.
"Coop I need you to answer me honestly, do you want me to come get you? To get you away from the Compound?" Clint asks.
"No. I love it here." Cooper says, sounding annoyed, "Don't bother coming back unless you're coming back for good." He says before dropping the phone.
"COOPER, COOP." Clint calls, but his son doesn't respond.
"Clint?" Laura's voice asks.
"I'm here, what's wrong with Cooper? He's never spoken to me like that. He's been spending too much time around Stark, hasn't he?" Clint asks, pain and anger in his voice.
"Cooper's hurting, he misses you, we all do." Laura explains, "And for the record Tony hasn't said a single bad thing about you, in fact he's even defended you." Laura informs him, "We'll talk later." She says before hanging up.
After hanging up with his wife Clint just lays in shock not being able to believe that he's hurt his family so much, and he can't help but wonder if he'll ever be able to make it up to them.
July 23rd 2016. Avengers Compound.
Afternoon.
"Mommy, why is Cooper so mad at Daddy?" Lila asks after her Mother hangs up with her Dad.
"Cooper misses your Dad." Laura explains.
"I miss Daddy too." Lila admits.
"I know, so do I." Laura says as she puts her arm around her daughter, "FRIDAY where is Cooper?"
"Cooper is with Miss Romanoff in one of the gyms." FRIDAY answers.
"Okay." Laura answers, knowing that talking to Natasha will be good for her son, as Lila snuggles into her side.
After leaving his mother, sister and brother Cooper just runs and as he runs he finds himself closer to the gym, and so he just runs in and as he does he sees the punching bag and before he realises what he is doing he punches the bag.
"COOPER." Natasha says, hurrying over to him and stopping him before he can hit it again, "You'll just hurt your hand doing that." Natasha tells him, and Cooper just shrugs, "Talk to me, Cooper, what's wrong?" she asks worried.
"I just talked to Dad." Cooper reveals.
"Oh, how was that?" Natasha asks as she leads Cooper over to a pile of mats where they can sit down.
"I don't know." Cooper admits, "It was nice to hear from him, but I'm so mad at him." Cooper reveals, "And he asked if I wanted him to come get me, to take me away from the compound, but I told him that I like it here, and that he shouldn't come back unless he's back for good." Cooper reveals.
"You did, did you?" Natasha asks and Cooper nods, "Why'd you say that?"
"Because I'm mad." Cooper admits, "I miss Dad Aunt Nat, but I'm mad that he's not here." Cooper admits.
"You know he can't be right now." Natasha tells him.
"Is it because of the fight that tore the Avengers apart?" Cooper asks.
"How do you know about that?" Natasha asks, a little surprised as the adults have been careful about what they mention around the kids.
"I saw videos online." Cooper answers and Natasha makes a note to change what the kids can access, "Dad fought with Steve while You, Uncle Tony, Rhodey and Vision fought together, is that why he can't come home?"
"Not quiet." Natasha admits, "You're Dad helped Captain Rogers with something he didn't tell Uncle Tony about, until it was too late. They all broke some laws to do it, some pretty big ones." Natasha admits, wanting to be as honest as possible with the young boy.
"So Dad can never come home?" Cooper asks, pain in his voice.
"Your Uncle Tony and I are working on a way to make it so your Dad can but it might take a little while." Natasha explains.
"So he's going to miss my birthday?" Cooper says sadly.
"Probably." Natasha admits as she puts her arm around Cooper.
"Oh." Cooper says and the two of them drift into silence, as they do Natasha can't help but think about how much she hates that Cooper is hurting so much, and she also makes a note to make sure that Cooper's birthday is the best ever as even though it won't make up for the fact that Clint's not there it may help a little.
