Not Quite a Son
Chapter 10

(Author's note: I hope you like the more normal route I am taking Greg. At least for now.)

Soon after the chaos at the detention center I got a call from Natasha. She let me know that things were really up in the air, but hopefully would settle down soon. But for now, she told me that I needed to do the research and choose my junior college. She'd be talking to me about it soon.

I'm glad she got on my case about college. I'd been avoiding it. I've been a little concerned about other things. So I spent most of that day on line and looking at college manuals. I came to the realization that I have no idea what I want to study. And if I don't know what I want to be when I grow up (assuming I get to have a "normal" life), I can't really decide where I want to go.

So I went out to the garage in search of Thomas. He's been real good about helping me talk through problems. He was working, of course, so I started helping him, as I explained my problem. When we finished what we were working on Thomas picked up a part. "This part just came in," he explained. "Mr. Stark didn't tell me he ordered it, or what it was for. What do you think?"

I turned it around several times. There were no markings or anything. Finally I looked at Thomas. "It looks like something you might use on the quintet, but it's shaped wrong."

I was right, sort of. Tony was working on a new design and this piece was a part of it. As I looked at it, I could see how it could work. But that would mean redesigning several other things. That was so cool!

Thomas walked away and came back with three books, which he gave to me-Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering. "Take a look at these" Thomas said. "See if any of these resonate with what you want to do. Then let me know."

That was one of the most enlightening nights of my life. I couldn't understand everything that was in the books, but I really, really wanted to. There was a science to making and fixing things! Hydra had never taught me that was even possible! Even if I never got to create something, at least I could learn to understand them well enough to fix them. Like cars.

The next day Thomas told me that, watching me work on the vehicles, and listening to my questions, he had a hunch I'd turn out to be an engineer. Tony thought so too. Thomas gave me the books to keep-to remind me of my new goal. The books were originally Tony's. I consider it an honor that he told Thomas to give them to me.

Later that night, I was in my room, mulling over college choices when I realized that there was suddenly a fire outside my room. I rushed out of my room, towards the nearest exit when I almost ran into a man holding a bow. I quickly realized who he had to be.

"Sorry kid. I'm in a bit of a hurry."

"You're Hawkeye aren't you?"

"Yup. And I'm here to get Wanda out of here."

"Good. Keep her safe please."

"I'll do my best. You must be Bucky's kid. Well, gotta go!" And he was off. I found Vision outside and tried to stall him, but too soon he was headed back inside. The staff was quickly putting out Hawkeye's diversionary fire. I went and hid in my room.

I had to stop pretending I didn't know what was going on when the whole building started to shake like a bomb had gone off. I went up to the living area and discovered that there was a very large hole that went very far into the ground. As I got there Vision was slowly coming up out of it. No sign of Wanda and Hawkeye.

"Vision!" I said to him. "Are you alright?"

"Mr. Barnes. I am functioning at almost full ability. But I must admit, that was an unsettling experience."

"Vision, I need you to check the building's foundations. Is it still safe, or do we need to evacuate? I'm going to gather the staff. I think the kitchen would be a good location. It's at the other end of the building and has easy exit. Please report to me once you've checked." With clear instructions, Vision was distracted and went to check.

Eventually we were able to gather all the staff. Vision reported the structure safe. We decided to put ropes around all the Vision sized holes while waiting for some kind of repair. If possible. Vision left about then. He said that since he had failed at keeping Wanda safe, Mr. Stark wanted him to join the group in Germany. My brain went, "Which group?"

A few hours later, when I was back in the Ready Room, looking for any kind of news, when Tony called. Uncle Tony teased me about taking charge when Vision fell through the floor. But then said I had done a good job. I noticed there was no mention of Wanda. Tony went on to tell me that he was going to be delayed coming home, so I should continue taking charge as needed, but please talk to his head of staff first.

I was glad to hear from him. But still so worried I can't see straight. I wanted to run some of this nervous energy off, but I need to stay out of sight. I ended up in the gym, working a circuit of the machines and running. It helped. Mrs. Davis forced me to eat. Eventually I finally wore myself out so I was able to sleep.

The first we knew of anything happening was a report of the airport in Germany being evacuated. The news footage was spotty, but what was going on was clear. It was an Avenger Civil War. Or not so Civil War. It was another of those low moments in my life. My Avenger friends had chosen sides and were fighting each other. It was horrible. That part of the airport was trashed. Wanda was throwing cars and stuff around like it was nothing. Some guy on Steve's side (the media identified him as Ant Man) grew giant sized and was throwing people and things around. From what little I could see, my dad was himself again. Still fighting amazingly well, though the Wakandan King still clearly wants him dead. And who the heck is Spider Man?

In the end, Steve and my father escaped in a quintet. The rest of Steve's team-Wanda, Sam, Hawkeye, and Ant Man were all captured. There was only one casualty-Vision apparently accidentally shot Rhody out of the sky. The hospital reports said Rhodes was alive, but probably paralyzed. Uncle Tony looked a wreck. There is no word as to where they are taking the prisoners. Please, be kind to Wanda! She doesn't need this. Take care of my father and Steve, wherever they are going. It must be important for them to leave the others behind.

Possibly as a result of all that, we now have men stationed around the Compound. The staff say that it's Secretary Ross' men. Looking for Steve and Dad. I really have to stay out of sight now. So far they haven't tried to come onto the property, but they are being a nuisance to our staff trying to go in and out. No word from Tony either. Worrisome.