Guess who's watched the Avengers a million times already? This kid. Sorry this chapter sucks. I did get a little inspiration, but this chapter just sucks. But it had to happen. I'll be more motivated after this one.
Silvertail of shoreclan: Nah, she's only having one baby.
LianaDare8: Yes, it does have to do with Gwen sorta hahaha.
The Red Dove: Hahahaha but you're right someone will die...maybe.
Itsgoose2u: As you should be hahahahaha. I know right? Too precious.
Arrows the Wolf: That's a really good point. I should've thought about that haha.
keanu. hixson: Thank you very much! I'm glad you think that way! And YES YES YES I will be writing that. I'm super stoked but it won't be for a bit yet.
RealMcCoy16: Thank you! :D
morbidly- funny: Those are both right haha.
Phantom- Demon: You'll just have to wait and see muahahahaha. Hahaha exactly what I thought.
Justasmalltowngirl2713: People must think we're really weird oh my gosh. His cheekbones really are lovely. Yes, you still get Internet cookies. Its not really cheating when the author told you haha.
KrisEaly: Why thank you! That means a lot. And you are the closest with guesses!
Chapter Ten
On Saturday, Gwen and Steve were requested to be at the Avengers Mansion to help set up for the party. Actually, it was more like they were ordered to do so. And being ordered around by Pepper was not a fun thing. However, they were saved when people started arriving at the Mansion to help and then sleep over for the party the next day.
Those at the West Coast Tower, excluding Bobbi, arrived around noon. Clint was the first out of the Quinjet that landed on the roof of the Mansion, sporting a gray t-shirt, jeans and shades. Hank and Janet then came out, holding hands. Erik and Rhodey were last, discussing some sort of military issue.
Gwen was rather impressed by the roof as she greeted everyone alongside Pepper. It almost looked like a whole floor without a ceiling. A helicopter pad sat next to the elevator which was on the north side of the building. The rest of the roof stretched out before the elevator. There was a fire pit with chairs around it and a moderately sized bar. A swimming pool was on the other side of the roof which had lounge chairs bordering it.
"D'you know where Tasha is?" Clint asked Gwen when they greeted.
Gwen shrugged.
"She's with Matt in the den," answered Pepper.
Gwen couldn't help but notice some sort of emotion flash across Clint's face when he heard this. Perhaps it was jealousy?
"Who's Matt?" Clint asked a bit angrily.
"He's a new recruit," replied Gwen. "Well, sort of. I'm sure Natasha can fill you in. Fury tasked her to help him out and stuff."
"Oh."
Clint walked, actually sulked, to the elevator with a frown on his face. Gwen couldn't help but feel irritated with the archer as he was the one who married Bobbi. It wasn't like that forced Natasha to forfeit having any kind of relationship ever again. But then again, her and Matt were probably just friends.
Hank and Janet then came up, breaking Gwen from her thoughts.
"They're in his lab," said Pepper as Hank opened his mouth, "JARVIS will be able to point you in the right direction."
Hank nodded. "Let's go show them you wings, Janet."
"Wings?" repeated Gwen with wide eyes.
"It's a long story," responded Janet as the two walked to the now returned elevator.
"Pepper!"
Rhodey came up and hugged the strawberry blonde who hugged him back.
"Congratulations," he said to her. "I'm surprised Tony even wanted a kid."
"It was a bit of a surprise," replied Pepper with a smile.
"Well, I can't wait for a little Tony to be running around."
"Or a little Pepper," added Gwen.
"Or some bizarre mixture."
Rhodey then moved to Gwen and gave her a friendly hug.
"It's good to see you again," he said.
"Ditto."
"Jane should be in her lab," Pepper told the astrophysicist that was standing by, unsure what to do.
Erik nodded and headed towards the elevator, leaving Gwen, Pepper and Rhodey on the roof.
"Is Phil coming?" asked Gwen.
"He should be," answered Pepper, squinting her eyes at the sky as if looking for the Quinjet that Phil would be arriving in.
"Psst."
The three people standing there turned towards the sudden noise that occurred near the elevator and saw what appeared to be someone hiding inside. Gwen slowly stepped towards the elevator and out jumped someone wearing a Batman mask and a black cape. Gwen stumbled back in surprise.
"Oh my God, your face was priceless!"
"Tony!" scolded Pepper as the billionaire took off the mask and frowned.
"What?" he asked.
"I remember specifically telling you not to do that!"
"Really? Because I heard nothing like that."
"I'm sure JARVIS could back me up."
"JARVIS isn't talking to me, remember?"
"Look at you two," said Rhodey with a smile, "fighting like an old married couple."
"Rhodey, my man!" exclaimed Tony as he hugged his best friend in a manly way. "How're you doing?"
"Fine. You?"
"A bit restless-"
"You can leave anytime you want, Tony," stated Pepper.
"Well, that's not wrong."
"Anyway, we should probably get everyone together. We could really use some help setting up."
"On it," answered Gwen as she turned towards the elevator.
Clint managed to find his way to the large living room of the Mansion without JARVIS helping. However, when he saw Natasha sitting next to a guy he didn't know, laughing at something this stranger said, he couldn't help but feel weird inside. Clint wasn't sure what it was, but it felt wrong.
"Tasha?" he asked as he strode into the room.
The redhead looked up and smiled. "Clint!"
She then got up and approached Clint. The two friends embraced before Natasha pulled back.
"I feel like I haven't seen you in forever," she said. "How're you and Bobbi?"
"We're good - why are you asking about Bobbi?"
Natasha shrugged. "I'm just curious."
"Well, uh, she's fine. Who's that?"
"Oh, Clint, this is Matt Murdock. Matt, this is Clint Barton."
The blind man stood up and reached his hand out towards Clint who was surprised at how he could know where the archer was.
"It's nice to meet you," said Matt as Clint accepted the handshake.
"Yeah, nice to meet you too. So, uh, are you guys like, a couple?"
Clint's heart felt heavy as Natasha hesitated and looked at Matt. The answer certainly wasn't no.
"Well," said Natasha, "we've gone out a few times."
A few times?
Clint felt stupid. Why was he feeling this way? He was married. His heart belonged to Bobbi. It always had. He should be happy for Natasha, happy she wasn't showing anger towards Bobbi anymore. But why did the idea of Natasha being with someone cause such an uncomfortable feeling in Clint's stomach.
"That's great," he lied. "Really great."
"I'm glad you think so."
Clint gave the best fake smile he could. This wasn't going to be easy.
Approximately an hour later, Pepper had everyone working on setting up. Well, almost everyone. Tony, Bruce, Hank and Erik had all stayed in the labs like hermits. Steve and Luke, who had come back from his mission, brought tables and other heavy objects up through the elevator as they were the strongest. Thor had been helping, but after Pepper found out she had Jane distract him. Loki was nowhere to be found and Clint insisted he was having some sort of pity party.
Another Quinjet arrived as Pepper ordered Gwen and Natasha to cover the pool. Out stepped Phil and Stephen. Gwen was immediately curious as to what was going on and it seemed she wasn't alone.
"Weren't you still in Atlantis?" asked Janet who was trying to get tape off of her fingers.
"Yes, but Phil seems to think I need more social interaction," answered Stephen with a sheepish smile.
"I thought this would be a good opportunity," added Phil.
"It is!" agreed Pepper. "Maybe you can help us too!"
It hadn't been hard for Pepper to convince Stephen to help who used his sorcery to finish setting up. It seemed it only took one morning to get everything ready. Gwen couldn't help but notice the Quinjet was still there, but said nothing of it as she and the others were forced to go to lunch. What she didn't know was that Phil and Stephen had gotten back on the Quinjet and headed for the Tower.
Saturday afternoons for Peter normally consisted of taking photographs around New York. However, on this particular day, he was simply taking a walk down his neighborhood. The house to the right of him had some weird looking gnomes, so he raised his camera and snapped a picture. After he was satisfied, he moved on.
"That's it, Harry! I'm done!"
"Oh, God," muttered Peter as he realized he was now eavesdropping on another argument between MJ and Harry.
Peter could see the red hair of MJ getting out of a car again down the street in front of her house. It almost looked like some sort of red fire that was following her.
"MJ!"
She stopped and flung around to look at Harry who had gotten out of the car and chased her, just like the last time.
"We're through, Harry," she said in a stern voice that sounded quite like a mother scolding her child.
"Please, give me another chance."
"Absolutely not. I've given you more chances than I can count. You don't deserve another one."
And with that, MJ spun on her heel and stormed inside her home. Peter saw Harry look down the street where Peter awkwardly stood. He knew he should probably walk away, but was unable to move his feet. Harry then stalked around his car, back to the driver's seat. His eyes stayed in Peter the whole time. He then got in and drove away, leaving Peter still glued to the ground.
Gwen and Steve hung around the Mansion a bit after lunch. They really didn't have anything else to do, so they thought they might as well enjoy the nice weather in the garden that Pepper had in the back. Apparently she didn't take care of it due to her being so busy. Tony had therefore installed some sort of mechanism under ground that managed to take care of it for her.
Both Gwen and Steve were simply laying in the grass next to each other, contently watching the clouds roll by. The sounds of birds chirping could be heard and a slight breeze blew over them. Gwen found herself inching closer to Steve until she rested her head on his chest. The soldier then put his arm around her to hold her closer.
"Y'know, we should have a party for your birthday, too," muttered Gwen.
"Isn't there already a party?" Steve responded.
"Well, I mean aside from the Fourth of July. By the way, what are the chances Captain America's born on Independence Day?"
"What are the chances that Captain America's parents aren't American?"
Gwen laughed and sat up so she could turn around and kiss him. Steve happily kissed back and she could just barely feel his heart speed up just as hers did. Knowing that she had the power to make his heart race made her feel rather good about herself.
Steve then turned them over so that Gwen was on her back and playfully kissed the corner of her mouth as she tried not to laugh, but failed.
"Get off Gwenie, old man."
Gwen heard Steve groan in annoyance as he reluctantly sat up. Gwen did the same and looked behind them from where the voice came from. Tony stood there, his hands in his pockets and a neutral expression on his face.
"Yes, Tony?" asked Gwen.
Tony narrowed his eyes. "Yes, Tony? Yes, Tony?"
"That's what I said."
"Exactly. I repeated it because I can't believe you forgot."
"Forgot what?"
Tony face palmed. "Meeting with Xavier this afternoon!"
Realizing she truly did forget, Gwen shot up with an apology to Steve and ran up to Tony who she followed back inside the Mansion. He took her through different hallways until they reached an office like room. There was a desk on the far side with a window behind it. Bookshelves lined either side of the room. Sitting by the desk was a bald man in a wheelchair wearing a nice dark gray suit with a black tie. Gwen assumed this must be Charles Xavier. He smiled at her as she and Tony walked in.
"Professor," said Tony, "meet Gwendolyn Rogers. Gwenie, meet Charles Xavier."
Gwen gave a polite smile as she walked over to Xavier. She stretched out her hand and he accepted your handshake.
"It's nice to finally meet you, Mrs. Rogers," said Xavier. "Mr. Stark has told me a lot about you. Not that he really needs to."
Gwen furrowed her brow and sat down in the chair Tony brought over for her.
"Excuse me?" she asked.
Xavier gave a friendly smile. "I don't need Mr. Stark to brag about you to know about you."
"How much do you know?"
"Everything."
"Everything?"
"Everything."
In shock, Gwen sat back in her chair as it creaked. How could he know everything? But then again, hadn't Tony said Xavier was some type of mutant?
"I'm a telepath, to be specific," said Xavier, "but yes, I am a mutant. Just as you are. The reason you have that shield around your brain is not because of an accident. It is because you were simply born with it as I was born with my powers."
"Are - are there more mutants out there?"
Xavier nodded. "There are many. I have a device, called Cerebro, that can find them."
"That's incredible. But what do you want me for?"
"The reason I contacted Mr. Stark was because I wish to help mutants. Obviously there are mutants out there that wish to cause damage and harm, but there are mutants, like you, that do good. And many are in hiding because they are regarded as freaks. I was hoping that Mr. Stark could assist me with my school."
"School?"
"A school for mutants. A school where they aren't ridiculed and are free to learn how to control their gifts in a safe environment."
Gwen's eyes widened. "Wow, that's - wow. I wish there had been something like that when I was young. But why ask Tony? He wasn't born with an ARC reactor in his chest."
"I'm rich," stated Tony with a shrug.
"Exactly," agreed Xavier. "The reason I was interested in talking to you was because I would like your help."
"Making the school?"
"No, making mutants reveal themselves. I believe if there was someone out there that came out as a mutant, others would follow."
"I - I guess I could."
"If you feel uncomfortable with it, you don't have to."
"No, no it's fine. I guess I'm just shocked. Does Fury know about this."
"Yeah...no," said Tony. "I don't want him getting his hands on Cerebro. Or mutants. Or anything really. The guy's been super moody lately. It must be that time of the month."
Gwen ignored Tony's last sentence and turned back to Xavier.
"I'll do it," she said confidently. "I'd be happy to help."
Xavier smiled and shook her hand again. "Thank you very much, Mrs. Rogers."
"Call me Gwendolyn."
"Of course."
"You're free to go suck face with husband some more, now," cut in Tony.
Gwen's cheeks turned slightly pink as she gave a smile and a nod to Xavier before heading out of the room and back to the garden where Steve was still laying.
"Hey," she said as she laid down next to him again.
"Is Tony around?" he asked.
"No, why?"
Steve once again kissed her like he had before they had been interrupted.
"Oh, that's why."
New York was full of tall buildings. The city was famous for it. It was the greatest nightmare for those scared of heights. One of the most famous, of course, was the Empire State Building. And at the moment, the assassin, Rumlow, was standing on top of it.
There was barely anyone around as he raised a scope to his eye. It was an exact replica of the one on his sniper rifle so he could see where the best place to make the kill would be. And it seemed this was the spot. The scope was better than any weapons manufacturer had to offer and could see detail from a distance beautifully. Rumlow could easily make out the roof of the Avengers Mansion from where he stood. The trees were slightly in the way, but he knew he could do it.
After careful spying, Rumlow had realized that a party was taking place on that roof the next day and that his target would be there. He could already smell the money Schmidt was going to pay him.
Only one more day. One more day and Captain America would be dead.