Hey Guys, Its the last chapter. Hope everyone enjoyed the ride that was phase 1!
As Always, read, review and Enjoy!
Chapter Ten
Turns out that planning and organizing was something that I was really good at doing. I had spent that night talking with fire and police chiefs talking about what they needed while booking every hotel, motel, and any other available room for everyone who had been affected and who was coming to help.
The next day we started and it was smooth sailing from there. We had a daycare in the lower level of Stark Tower and food always going for the workers. Everyone got paid for their time and effort (from Stark Industries, of course). The American people really stepped up and we showed ourselves that we would always band together in cases of emergency.
It seemed like the Avengers and S.H.I.E.L.D. were grateful that I took over but the truth was that it kept me busy. If I wasn't at the headquarters working on a problem I was out helping where I could. I was avoiding the situation in true Stark fashion. As much as I didn't want them to, Loki's words got to me. I couldn't help the resentment I felt when I thought about it; about Steve commanding Natasha to close the portal, Natasha following his orders. I wasn't able to divide Steve and Natasha from Black Widow and Captain America. They were heroes in that moment, not people I cared about in that moment.
"Daughter," I heard my dad call for me as I looked up from the massive board where I had put all of the order up.
I grinned, it looks like this was going to stick. "Father," I greeted hopped over the back of the couch and I flopped next to him. "What's up?" I asked him.
"Just checking on you," he said. "It's been two days since you talked to Loki and I haven't seen you since.
"Oh, well, you know I've been busy," I offered pointing the board.
"I've seen," my dad said. "The press has been eating up your involvement."
"I didn't do this for the PR," I grumbled.
"I know," my dad soothed as he patted my knee, "I also know that I'm not the only person you've been avoiding."
"I'm not avoiding anyone!" I exclaimed. My dad instantly called me on my bullshit with one raised eyebrow. "Is it that obvious?" I asked quietly.
"Not to anyone who hasn't spent 19 years knowing you," he said.
"I am 19 now, aren't I?" I asked, not even registering that I was another year older.
"Yep, you're officially an adult. Get out of my house," my dad teased.
I laughed, "Please, what would you do without me?"
We laughed and then it died down, the two of us sitting side by side.
"We are sending Loki away tomorrow," my dad informed me. "Are you coming?"
"I don't know," I admitted. "Phil's funeral is tomorrow morning too."
My dad squeezed my hand. He knew how much Phil meant to me. He was there from the beginning. Sure the two of us went round and round, but Phil just got it. When I had found out the he had died, by Loki's hands, well I've always been a runner, but I was flat out sprinting away from ever facing him again. I had said my thanks and I wasn't going to get any other resolution from that situation.
"He would have loved what you are doing for him," my dad offered.
My lips tried to quirk in a thankful smile but I couldn't muster it. "Can anyone really love what someone else plans for their funeral?" I ask.
The elevator dinged, signaling that our moment was over. I stood up and headed to my bedroom, it was getting late and I thought that maybe a few hours of sleep would help me get through tomorrow. I picked up my tiny device i had rigged and pricked my finger on it, reading the results that still read negative to the strain of cancer I had, I put it back on the desk and tried to relax and fall asleep.
A few hours turned to be three before I was gasping awake. I threw the covers off and padded to my desk. It had been happening for awhile now; well I guess since the beginning. I missed who I was, the easygoing girl who didn't have a real problem. Then she got blown up, her father was kidnapped, and the rest was history. But I longed to be her again, to fall asleep without knowing that nightmares were waiting for me. I opened the top drawer of the desk and pulled out a half empty bottle of whiskey. The girl who didn't need at least one glass to get through the day.
Taking a swig of the whiskey I opened the manila folders I had, despite my earlier answer I had planned on going to the send off; the last possible second of it, but I was going to be there nonetheless.
Light streamed into my room, dragging me away from my project. I had just finished the last touches as I turned to stare out my window and felt my fingers twitch at the sight. I felt horror at seeing New York like this, broken and damaged. But it's the people that makes me want to capture it; people down there helping each other, working side by side. All around the country people rallied together to help rebuild and save what we could.
I grabbed my sketchbook and my pencils before grabbing my chair and pulling it to the windows. For the first time in years I started to draw. I focused on the details, the woman handing a construction worker a bottle of water. A young man helping a family dig their possessions from the rubble. The tiny things that define us as human beings. I zoomed out a little, but still kept the focus on what was important.
Page after page was filled as I moved to capture each part of the city. It wasn't until my phone alarm chirped alerting me to start getting ready for Phil's funeral. I didn't have much time so I just slipped on a plain black dress with cap sleeves, my black flats and braided my hair into a side braid.
I picked up the folders and slipped them into my messenger bag. Checking my blood one more time, I opened my door and headed towards the elevator. My mind focused on the fact that I was burying someone that I didn't even notice if there was anyone there. I stepped on the elevator and watched as the doors slid shut, taking me down to the garage to my tiny Mini Cooper.
Despite this being one of several in the latest line of military funerals I've been to. I still flinch at every sound of the guns. My dad takes my hand for comfort but that's all he does.
We are in the public eye today, and while I've chosen not to speak I can't help but feel like I'm on display.
Steve gave the eulogy and told the crowd how much of a good man Phil was. It went off perfect but somehow I still felt like I had failed him somehow.
Red, white, and blue roses were placed on Phil's casket. It was empty, as per Fury's agreement to even allow me to have a funeral for him. But it was important, everyone here needed to say goodbye to Phil.
I stood up, the last one left. Standing at the edge of the casket I held my white rose in my hands. I stared at it, at the tombstone. I couldn't bring myself to place the rose on the casket, because then that's it, that all there is. After I place this rose, Phil Coulson will be buried in the ground, figuratively.
My dad placed his hand on my shoulder while Clint came to stand beside me and grabbed my empty hand.
While this was tough for me I had no idea how hard this was for both Clint and Natasha. Phil was their mentor, their friend. I squeezed Clint's hand, "If I tell you it's not your fault will you believe me?" I whispered to Clint.
"If I tell you that you shouldn't feel guilty about Loki, will you?" Clint countered.
"Touché," I answered as a tear finally trickled down my cheek.
"We're heading out," my dad said.
I nodded my head but made no move to move from my spot.
Clint stepped away from the pair of us and my dad placed a quick kiss on my head. "Take your time," he said, and soon he too disappeared.
They lowered the casket into the ground, and scoop after scoop of dirt gets placed over it, and yet I still can't bring myself to move.
My phone chirped in my bag and I glanced at it, it was time to move, to say goodbye and finish my tasks for the day. I squat and placed my white rose on top of the fresh grave. "You're my hero," I whispered touching the top of the tombstone.
I traced the letters before standing up and straightened my dress before turning and leaving, I take one more glance before slipping a pair of sunglasses on and getting in my car and leaving.
Phil Coulson
A hero, an Avenger, a howling commando.
I picked up the last piece to my plan and booked it to the park where the team was sending Thor and Loki off.
My tires squeaked as I braked and threw it into park, it looked like I had made it just in time. "Wait!" I called.
Everyone's head turned towards me as I got out of the car.
I smiled at Thor and walked over to give him a hug. "Think you could leave without saying goodbye?" I ask.
Thor smiled and picked my tiny frame up while he gave me a huge hug. "I will miss you Lady Clara," he boomed.
"I have a present for you," I said motioning my head towards my car.
Thor looked over my shoulder and I saw his shoulders relax, he handed me the Tesseract sitting in this tube thing while he headed over to the person getting out of my car.
"Jane," he said as the two of them finally met, sinking into a kiss.
I wondered over to my dad who was next to Bruce. "That was nice," Bruce said.
I shrugged, "I'm a sucker for the hero who gets to win," I said.
My dad pouted. "Well where is mine?" he asked.
I laughed. "Mom's at home," I told him, "waiting with lunch for us."
Bruce chuckled at how quickly my dad's demeanor changed at hearing that mom was waiting for us at home.
"And Bruce's gift?" My dad asked turning the tables on the other scientist.
I gave my dad the Tesseract to hold while I pulled the manila folders out of my bag. "Here yeah go," I said with a smile to the scientist. "As promised."
Bruce opened up the folder and read where exactly I had for him to go.
Level 87, Stark Tower.
"Scarlett," he said and then cleared his throat.
I put my hand on top of the folder. "If you're not ready, the next page is what you need," I informed him.
He turned the page and read that information before closing the folder. "Thank you," he said.
Thor came back over to us, a true smile on his face. "Thank you," he said to me as he took the Tesseract from my dad.
I took refuge in between my dad and Bruce, both seeming to get it as everyone turned back to Loki and Thor.
I closed my eyes and took a breath before finally making eye contact with Loki. I thought that hiding behind a pair of sunglasses would help, but it didn't. The two of us kept eye contact before he disappeared with his brother in a column of blue light.
Loki's POV
He stared at her, willing her to say something, anything to him before he was whisked away form her. Just seeing her one last time was a pleasant surprise, he had believed what the Widow had said about her not wanting to see me every again.
He had wanted to win so badly, to conquer this world and demand that they see her for who she is, a queen, his queen. Together they would have ruled side by side, creating a home, a family for the both of us. Something had happened, however, her family had rallied together to fight for her back, to save her. She had found the thing that they were both so desperate for a year ago, a home.
Loki couldn't help the growl in his throat at seeing that man, that iron man stand like he was her protector. He had had his shot at being her father, and blown it. He didn't deserve the second chance his queen had given so easily. And yet, while he was angry at her for allowing such a transgression to happen against her, the thought that she would be willing to forgive so readily gave him a glimmer of hope. because this wasn't the last time he was going to see her, no. He had failed yes, but he was the god of mischief and chaos. He had a plan B and a plan C in action before Thor even knew there was a threat to this world. Loki smiled behind his mask, he was going to get his second chance with her.
Thor grabbed Loki's arm and the two of them were off before Loki had a chance to look at her once more.
I released the breath I didn't know I was holding as soon as they were gone.
I walked over to Clint and Natasha.
"You doing okay, Tweety?" Clint asked.
I shook my head but gave him a hug and handed him his folder.
He looked over it, and then back at me. "Tweety," he said.
I raised my hand and handed Natasha her folder.
"You guys saved the world, take it," I said.
"What did you get?" Natasha asked.
"Paid time off," Clint read from the folder. "For as long as I need and a weeklong vacation in Disneyland Paris with one night in Sleeping Beauty's castle for Laura and I while Tweety watches the kids, dates TBD. You?"
"Paid time off," Natasha read. "With a week in a spa in Paris, dates TBD."
The two spies looked at me the same expression as I shrugged my shoulders.
"How did you mange this?" Clint asked.
I raised my eyebrow. "Are you doubting the power that being me comes with?" I asked
"Yes," Natasha said.
"Fair," I admitted. "And the World Council dropped a nuke on the city; Fury was desperate for that information to stay in the shadows."
Clint chuckled as I turned to leave them, heading straight towards Steve.
"Hey stranger," he said.
"Hey yourself," I countered as I walked over to him.
"Is it my turn?" He asked.
"Well," I said looking at the motorcycle that he still had. "Seems like you're keeping the Harley."
Steve turned red as he looked back at the motorcycle. "I'm sorry," he began
"No," I said. "Keep it, it's yours. And so is this," I said.
Steve looked at the folder before looking back up at me.
"I had to pull a couple of strings," I said. "But I finally managed to find her."
"In D.C.," Steve read, "a nursing home."
"She has Alzheimer's," I informed him. "It's a disease that effects your memory, it's awful."
Steve took a breath, "I need to see her."
"I'm sure she would love that," I said. "Call the number and the nurse can help set everything up."
Steve shut the folder and gave me another hug. "Thank you," he said.
I pulled away, "like I said, I think the hero should win."
Everyone said their goodbyes and went their separate ways; Jane went with Dr. S and I headed towards my Mini. The drive back to the tower was slow, most of the roads were still blocked, but the city was coming together a little more every day.
I walked back into the Tower, I could hear my mom and dad talking in the kitchen, laughing and enjoying the moment.
I felt everything melt away as I turned into the kitchen. Mom hugged me and I felt for the first time that everything was going to be all right.
AN: There we go, the official end to Heroes Assembled, There will be a little teaser coming tomorrow, but after that I get straight on a plane and off to explore I go.
I wanted to say thank you so much to everyone who liked or favorited, and a huge thanks to the people who reviewed. I know I say this after every story but, its the truth. Knowing that you guys like what I am creating is a huge confidence booster that keeps me from doubting what I create. Even if you read stories but don't review them, I know I am guilty of that sometimes, feel free to just drop in the review box your final thoughts on the story and where you want it to go from there.