Chapter 10
Disclaimer: I do not own anything. Everything belongs to their rightful owners and I am not making any profit from this.
August 31th 1984. Melinda 17. Tony 14.
In the weeks that have passed since Melinda and Tony managed to sneak in and out of the Estate in the early hours of the morning Melinda and Tony have been doing what they always do when they are in the same place which is spend time together. Tony did created motorized floating chairs for the pool and they both spent several hours racing in them.
It is the day before Tony leaves to go back to boarding school and Melinda leaves to go back to S.H.I.E.L.D academy. It is mid-morning and Melinda is in the estate gym finishing up a workout while Tony is in his lab.
"Melinda." Howard's voice says as she picks up her bottle of water about to head upstairs.
"Hey, Uncle Howard, what's up?" Melinda asks curious.
"I just came to inform you that an Academy car will pick you up at four pm tomorrow to take you back." Howard explains.
"Thank, I'll be ready." Melinda says and Howard nods, "Um, Uncle Howard do you happen to know, by any chance, if my housing request was approved?" Melinda asks curious.
"I don't know, I don't oversee that particular department." Howard reveals.
"Ah, okay, thanks." Melinda tells Howard before leaving the room.
A few minutes after Melinda left the gym she enters Tony's lab and finds that it is absolutely freezing.
"Finally, I've been waiting for you for twenty minutes." Tony says as soon as he sees Melinda.
"You knew I was down in the gym, you could have come and got me." Melinda points out, "And why is it so cold in here?"
"I didn't want to interrupt your training that's why I didn't come and get you." Tony explains, "And it is so cold in here because I couldn't risk what I was doing getting too hot." Tony explains.
"Which was what?" Melinda asks, almost shivering because of how cold it currently is in the lab.
"Come have look." Tony says and Melinda walks over to his work station, "I've just finished the circuits." Tony reveals and the second that she sees the objects that are on the table Melinda realises what it is.
"You built two phones." Melinda comments
"Yep. I call them Stark Phones, one for me, one for you." Tony explains, "It wasn't much harder than the two way radios and there smaller than the ones commercially available. What do you think?" Tony asks curious.
"I think it's awesome." Melinda says, "Can I pick it up?"
"Not yet, some bits are still wheedling together." Tony reveals.
"Hence the artic in here." Melinda comments.
"Hence the artic in here." Tony confirms, "I've got to keep the lab cold for about an hour." Tony explains.
"Well In that case…." Melinda says as she pulls two blankets out from underneath Tony's workstation, "We need to keep warm." She says handing one of the blankets to Tony and wrapping one around herself.
"You packed yet?" Tony asks curious as Melinda sits down on her table.
"Kind of, you?" Melinda asks curious.
"Nope." Tony says with a shrug, "I should probably do that at some point."
"Probably." Melinda admits, "But as both of us seem to be masters of procrastination lately do you want to go race the dirt bikes or do you have to keep an eye on the phones?" Melinda asks curious.
"I've got half an hour." Tony says, "You think you've got a chance of actually winning this time?"
"Of course." Melinda responds with a smirk.
Later that night
After racing on the dirt bikes where Melinda managed to beat Tony both Melinda and Tony returned to the house. After Tony checked on the phones they both went to their respective rooms and started to catch up on packing.
It is a bit before midnight and Melinda is laying on her bed reading a book as it is too early for her to go to sleep yet.
"Melly, you up?" Tony's voice in barely above a whisper asks as her door opens a crack.
"Yeah, I'm up." Melinda responds.
"Good." Tony says slipping into Melinda's room, walking over to the bed, climbing over her so that he can sit down right next to her, stealing one of the pillows that Melinda has behind her back to put behind his as he does.
"I'm done with reading my book now aren't I?"
"Yep." Tony responds and Melinda puts her book on her bedside table.
"What's going on Anthony?"
"Nothing."
"Yeah there is, you wouldn't be in my bed if there wasn't." Melinda responds knowing Tony too well for him to be able to get away with lying to her.
"You're still driving me to the airport tomorrow right?" Tony asks curious, changing the subject.
"Of course I am." Melinda responds, "Now talk. What's really going on with you?" Melinda asks curious.
"I want to spend time with you before not seeing each other for months." Tony explains.
"What else?" Melinda asks.
"What makes you think there is something else?" Tony asks curious.
"Because I know you." Melinda answers simply, "What's going on?"
"I was thinking, this is the year that everything changes, isn't it?"
"Yeah, it is."
"Do you think that things will be simpler once I start collage and you finish whatever it is that you are doing?"
"No." Melinda answers not even needing to really think about it, "In fact I have a feeling that things are going to get even more complicated."
"I was worried you were going to say that."
"You know, I saw Jarvis put the good ice cream in the back of the freezer yesterday." Melinda reveals.
"And you're just telling me this now?" Tony asks looking slightly insulted.
"Sorry, I meant to but I forgot." Melinda admits.
"Race you to the kitchen." Tony responds and in their efforts to get of Melinda's bed the fastest both Melinda and Tony fall of the bed and Melinda gets tangled in blankets allowing Tony to get the head start.
Once Melinda gets herself untangled she runs in attempt to catch up with Tony. Once she reaches the stairs Tony is already than half way down so instead of running down the stairs Melinda leaps over the banister and lands on the ground before running in the direction of the kitchen hearing Tony yell,
"THAT'S CHEATING." After her.
Once she gets to the kitchen Melinda grabs the ice cream out of the freezer alone with two spoon and sits on the counter. She has just sat on the counter when Tony comes into the kitchen.
"That was cheating."
"No it wasn't." Melinda says as she takes a large spoonful of ice cream, "It was a race to the kitchen, nothing was said about needing to use the stairs to get there." She points out.
"It was implied." Tony says as he sits on the counter.
"Actually it wasn't." Melinda says sticking a spoon into the ice cream for Tony to grab, "You're just jealous that you didn't think to do it."
"No I'm not." Tony responds and Melinda just raises an eyebrow, "Maybe a little." He admits and Melinda just laughs.
"So you have to be at the airport at eight tomorrow, right?" Melinda asks.
"Eight thirty." Tony corrects.
"In that case we need to leave by seven thirty." Melinda says and Tony nods.
The following Morning
Melinda and Tony sat in the kitchen eating ice cream for about ten minutes before moving on to other thing and then finally after an hour they both headed back up to bed.
Melinda and Tony are currently at the airport and it has been announced that Tony's flight is going to begin boarding.
"So, I guess I'll see you, when? Thanksgiving." Tony says.
"No, Christmas." Melinda corrects.
"Really?"
"Really." Melinda confirms, "Good luck Anthony."
"You too Melly." Tony responds, "See you at Christmas."
"See you at Christmas." Melinda responds as they hug.
"Bye." Tony says before walking away.
"Bye." Melinda says to his retreating figure.
The following Morning.
After saying goodbye to Tony Melinda went back to the estate where she finished packing. Once she finished packing Melinda went down to the gym where she trained until she had to get ready to be picked up.
After the very long drive back to the Academy, a drive that seems to take longer than it did last time, Melinda finally arrives back at the academy gate.
"Name." An instructor says coming to Melinda's window.
"Melinda May."
"South West court yard." The instructor informs the driver who nods.
A couple of minutes later the driver pulls into the South West courtyard and Melinda gets out of the car. Once she grabs her bags she looks around and when she does she spots a familiar face getting out of the car next to hers.
"Iz." Melinda says walking over to her.
"Mel, hey." Izzy says with a grin, "How was your summer?" Izzy asks curious as she gets the bags out of the back of the car.
"Pretty good." Melinda responds, "You?"
"Same old same old." Izzy responds as she closes the trunk to the car and the two friends start to walk, "Did you happen to ask your godfather about our housing request?" Izzy asks curious in a quiet voice.
"Yep, he said that he doesn't oversea that so he couldn't tell me if it was approved or not." Melinda explains, "But hopefully it is." Melinda comments, "I mean I know that suites are reserve for students who have been here longer but we are the four best students in our year, hopefully they take that into consideration." Melinda explains as she and Izzy start to walk to a person with a clip board who looks like they are telling people where to go.
"Hopefully." Izzy comments, "But as long as Phil doesn't get roomed with Garrett again I think we could deal with anything."
"Hopefully they don't do such a cruel thing." Melinda comments as she and Izzy get to the start of the line.
"Names?" The instructors asks.
"Melinda May."
"Isabel Hartley."
"Okay, I've got your info right here." The instructor says reaching down into a box that Izzy and Melinda are only just noticing, "You're both in SW suite 205." She says handing over info packs and keys.
"Thanks." Izzy says trying to keep the grin of her faces as both she and Melinda accept the keys and walk into the building.
"Yes!" Melinda and Izzy both say happily once they enter the building and see that no one else is around.
"Do you think Phil and Felix are here yet?" Izzy asks curious.
"No idea, but don't they have further to travel than us?" Melinda asks curious.
"Maybe, I'm not sure." Izzy admits.
A couple of minutes later Melinda and Izzy are at the room that is there's. When they arrive at the room they find a not small but not large furnished living room and small kitchen area, with three doors coming off it.
"They're not here yet." Melinda says checking through all of the doors. One leads to a bathroom where the other two leave to bedrooms each with two beds in them.
"So that means we get choice." Izzy says with a grin, "Which one do you think?"
"That's a difficult choice." Melinda comments.
"My thoughts exactly." Izzy say and she and Melinda spend the next five minutes checking both the rooms trying to decide which will be there.
"Left." Both Izzy and Melinda say after five minutes of considering both rooms.
Melinda and Izzy have the suit to themselves for two hours why they are unpacking until they finally hear the door open. When they do they both walk out into the lounge area of their suite where they find that both Phil and Felix have just arrived.
"Hey, you're here." Izzy says giving a hug to both the boys.
"Hey Iz."
"Hey guys." Melinda says with a grin.
"Hey Melinda." Both Felix and Coulson respond, "So guess who's right across the hall from us." Felix says and from just the way he said it everyone in the room realises
"Don't say it." Izzy requests.
"Sorry Iz, but Garrett's right across the hall." Felix explains
"We saw him bringing his stuff in." Phil adds.
"Great, just perfect." Melinda says sarcastically.
"Are you going to start a war again?" Felix asks curious.
"Not unless he starts one first." Melinda comments, "I'm not going to make a first move." She explains and the others nod.
"So look what a friend gave me for a present." Felix says pulling a bottle of bourbon out of his bag, "I thought we could use it as a welcome back celebration." He explains.
"Not until we're all unpacked." Phil says before Melinda or Izzy can say anymore.
"That would probably be a good idea." Melinda comments, "We don't want bags staying unpacked for weeks."
"So unpack then drink it is." Izzy says and the others nod
Several hours later Izzy, Melinda, Phil and Felix are all unpacked and are sitting around drinking the bourbon that Felix was giving.
"Do you ever think about what this means for the rest of our lives?" Felix asks curious.
"What do you mean?" Izzy asks.
"I mean, we've decided to be S.H.I.E.L.D agents do you ever think about what that is going to mean for our futures?" Felix asks, "I don't mean the very real possibility that we're going to die young. I mean the effects on family and what affects it will have on our families if we chose to have one." Felix explains.
"It's going to have a huge effect." Melinda reveals, "I grew up with a Mom who's a spy, I know firsthand what that does to a kid. I never stayed in one place long enough for it to be home and Mom's work took up so much of her time that she wasn't around much, that's part of the reason Anthony and I are so close, because we didn't have anyone else." Melinda explains.
"What are you saying?" Coulson asks curious.
"I'm saying that because of the work that they do and how busy it made them Jarvis, the Stark family butler, was more of a parent to Anthony and I than either of ours." Melinda explains, "I'm not saying that Mama doesn't care or didn't want to be a good parent because I know she did, that she does, but to do this job there has to be sacrifices." Melinda explains, "There is only one person who I know who's been able to do both this job and a parent in the way a kid deserves and that's Aunt Peggy. So from the moment I decided that this is what I wanted to do I made a decision that I would never be a parent because a kid deserves better than the kind of parent I could be." Melinda explains.
"Wow." Felix says not sure what tells to say.
"New topic." Izzy hesitantly suggests as there is an awkward feeling to the room.
Several hours later Melinda and Phil are the only ones awake as both Izzy and Felix feel asleep, or maybe passed out, earlier.
"This the last glass?" Melinda asks curious as she stacks them on the sink.
"Yeah."
"There are four of us, why are there so many glasses?" Melinda asks.
"I honestly have no idea." Phil admits, "You know even though I think you would make a good Mom I think you're decision is the right one." Phil reveals.
"You do?" Melinda asks surprised turning to look at Phil.
"I do." Phil says walking over to the table and sitting down, "My Dad died when I was ten." He explains.
"I'm sorry." Melinda tells him, walking over and sitting down across from him, as while she knew that Phil's Dad wasn't in the picture she didn't know why.
"He didn't just die, he was killed." Phil reveals, "I had just finished baseball practice and we were stopped at a convenience store." Phil explains getting upset, "These two guys came in, I wasn't with my Dad I was looking at the donuts trying to decide which I was going to convince my Dad to buy for me." Phil explains a tiny small sad smile clear, "The guys argued with the clerk and then I heard my Dad's voice and then the shots." Phil says a tear starting to roll down his face, "I heard the door open and I ran to my Dad, and…. And…. He died why we were waiting for the ambulance." Phil explains, clearly upset and in pain from talking about what happened to his father.
"I'm sorry Phil." Melinda says reaching over and grabbing Phil's hand, "I'm so sorry."
"Losing my Dad hurt more than I thought anything could ever hurt." Phil explains, "I know how dangerous this job is going to be and I would never want my child to go through the pain I went through. So that's why I think you made a right decision." Phil say and Melinda just gives Phil's hand a squeeze, not sure what to say.
"You never mention your Dad." Phil says about ten minutes later breaking the silence, "You talk about your Mom and Jarvis, Director Carter and her husband, Director Stark and his wife but I've never heard you mention your Dad, why not?" Phil asks curious wondering if he is over stepping.
"I never knew him." Melinda reveals, "He died in a car accident when I was a year old. I don't remember him and Mama never talks about him." She explains.
"I'm sorry." Phil says and Melinda gives a half smile.
"We should head to bed we've got classes tomorrow." Phil realises.
"Yeah, we should." Melinda responds, "Night Phil."
"Night Melinda."
Three weeks later
Over the next few weeks Melinda, Phil, Izzy and Felix get used to being back at the Academy. To everyone's relief Garrett hasn't pulled a prank on the group so Melinda hasn't had to do anything in retaliation. In fact the four friends have been getting alone better with Garrett since they have been back.
It is a Friday night and Melinda and Izzy are in the bathroom doing something why Felix sits in the lounge room not wanting to know what they are doing and Phil isn't back yet form his firearm progress meeting, Felix has already had his and both Melinda and Izzy have there's tomorrow.
"Hey." Phil says walking into the suit, "Where are Iz and Melinda?" He asks not noticing them.
"Bathroom, and unless you want to be pulled into their madness I would wait out here." Felix advices.
"Why? What are they doing?" Phil asks a hint of worry clear in his voice.
"No idea." Felix answers, "But whatever they are doing involves a lot of balloons, spray paint, flour, food dye and a box of things I didn't see." He explains.
"Garrett didn't start something did he?" Phil asks.
"No." Felix responds, "I think that whatever it is they are doing is much bigger than Garrett." He explains, "I'm out here because I really don't want to know specifics."
"How long have they been in there?" Phil asks curious.
"Half an hour." Felix responds, "You're seriously considering going in there and seeing what they are doing and going to attempt to stop them, aren't you?"
"What's wrong with that?" Phil asks as from Felix's tone of voice you can tell that he thinks something is wrong.
"What's wrong is that you won't be able to talk them out of whatever insane thing they are planning and you'll likely get dragged into it." Felix points out.
"You're probably right but they are my friends Felix, they are our friends, that means I'm not going to just sit out here why they do whatever insane thing they are doing and you shouldn't either." Phil informs Felix starting to head towards the bathroom.
"I really hate it when you're right." Felix says standing up and together her and Phil walk to the bathroom and open the door.
When they open the door they see both Melinda and Izzy sitting on the edges of the bath with balloons filling up the bath and a box of things on the floor.
"Still think it's a good idea to get involved?" Felix asks curious and Coulson ignores him.
"What are you doing?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Izzy asks.
"It is, that's the problem." Coulson responds, "Who's going to get hit with a ton of balloons filled with various things?" He asks curious and slightly concerned.
"It's better you don't know." Melinda says as she doesn't want Phil to get in trouble.
"See, that's what I've been saying." Felix says.
"I asked, I wouldn't have asked if I didn't want to know." Phil responds.
"Insane the lot of you." Felix comments.
"And yet you're not leaving." Izzy says amused.
"If you three are going to do something insane then I'm going to join you, it's the rules." Felix informs Izzy, Melinda and Coulson.
"So, what are you planning?" Phil asks.
"There's a group of people in the year above us who have been making things very hard for a group of freshmen." Izzy explains.
"Making life hell would be a better description." Melinda corrects, "We saw them earlier, though they deserved a taste of their own medicine."
"With interest." Izzy adds.
"The juniors train in the quad for two hours tomorrow morning." Felix realises.
"Yep." Izzy says with a grin.
"We're hoping to get this all finished and set up tonight so that that when it goes off tomorrow we are nowhere in sight." Melinda explains.
"Your own version of justice." Phil realises and Melinda and Izzy nod, "What can we do to help?" Phil ask curious.
"Pick up a balloon and start filling it with whatever you think would make a good combination." Melinda say and Phil does just that and after a minute of hesitation so does Felix.
For several hours Melinda, Izzy, Phil and Felix work together to put together their prank, which Izzy has insisted on calling Karma. Once they have filled all the balloons they have the carried them up to the roof to set up everything they need to.
The next morning Melinda, Izzy, Coulson and Felix hide in different corners of the courtyard watching the juniors train. As soon as it gets to 6:05 am balloons start to rain down from above hitting them covering them in various substances. As they watch the affect Melinda, Izzy, Phil and Felix exchange smiles, glad their prank went off without a hitch.
Thanksgiving 1984.
Even though the cadets aren't allowed to go home for thanksgiving they do get a day off from training a day to do whatever it is that they see fit.
Melinda and Izzy are sitting in their living area having no idea where Phil and Felix have gone as they left hours ago with a cryptic message.
"So where do you think they went?" Izzy asks Melinda curious.
"Honestly, I have no idea." Melinda admits, "They were being way too cryptic before they left."
"Think we should worry?" Izzy asks curious.
"Not sure." Melinda responds and before Izzy can say anything else the door opens and Phil and Felix walk in, both carrying bags of things.
"What's all this?" Izzy asks as Phil and Felix put the bags on the tables;
"Thanksgiving dinner." Phil answers.
"How did you get this?" Melinda asks as Felix and Phil start to pull containers out of the bag.
"Long story, let's just say we owe instructor Flinch a lot." Phil explains.
"What did you do?" Melinda asks.
"We knew from last year that Flinch hates the meal that is offered on thanksgiving but he also hates the drive to get something better." Felix explains.
"So we offered him a deal." Coulson explains, "We'll go collect the food he wants but we get something for ourselves as well."
"So that's how we now have thanksgiving dinner for the four of us." Felix explains.
"Thanks Guys." Izzy says and Melinda smiles before grabbing plates and glasses.
"We should each say what we're thankful for." Izzy says a once all the food is out of the containers and the four of them are sitting down, "I'll go first. I'm thankful for my family and friends. Felix."
"This is lame, but I'm thankful for the good things in life." Felix says saying the first thing that comes to mind, "Phil."
"I'm thankful for every day I get to spend with the people I love." Phil says, "Melinda."
"I'm thankful that I've found a place where I belong."
"Let's eat." Izzy says and that's what they all do.
Hours later, after the four friends had their own dinner and watched the game together everyone except for Melinda is asleep. Melinda on the other hand is sitting out in the living area, so that she doesn't wake Izzy making a phone call.
"Hey." Melinda says when the person she is calling answers
"Hey." Tony responds, "I wondered when you would call." He comments, "How was your thanksgiving?" he asks curious.
"Good. Kind of odd without the normal family thanksgiving, but good." Melinda reveals.
"Well if it matters you were missed around here." Tony reveals as he flew home for thanksgiving.
"Of course it matters." Melinda tells him, "And I missed you too." Melinda reveals.
"Oh, before I forget Dad told me to tell you that your Mom's going to be here at Christmas."
"She is?" Melinda asks sounding excited.
"She is." Tony confirms.
"I'm glad, I've missed her." Melinda admits.
"I know."
"So we haven't talked in a few days, what's new?" Melinda asks curious.
"Nothing much." Tony admits, "I've done all my collage applications." He reveals.
"Yeah, did you finally decide on what School is your top pick?" Melinda asks curious as last time she and Tony spoke he still hadn't decided on which school he wanted to get into the most.
"Yeah."
"Don't leave me wondering, what school is it?"
"MIT." Tony answers, "It's the school where I can do what I want."
"Nice." Melinda says with a grin, though Tony can't see it.
"Have the instructors managed to trace that prank back to you yet?" Tony asks curious.
"Nope."
"Mr Jerk-Ass still being not so much a jerk?" Tony asks curious.
"Surprisingly yes." Melinda reveals, "A few days ago he worked with Iz, Phil, Felix and I on something and it actually went well." Melinda reveals, "No bloodshed, pranks, or threats."
"Seriously?" Tony asks surprised.
"Seriously." Melinda confirms, "I think he's trying to be less of a jerk, or he's trying with us anyway." She corrects.
"That's good right? One less thing for you to worry about."
"Yeah, it is." Melinda confirms and as she does she hears Tony yawn, "I should let you get some sleep. Night Anthony."
"Night Melly."