Domestic Tranquility

Chapter 11

Disclaimer: I do not own the Avengers. They belong to Marvel/Disney.

Rogers answered the front door when the bell rang. The entire Coulson family was hiding-Eileen was in the kitchen, Emily was out back on the deck with Phil, and he didn't know where Rachel was. The man at the front door could've been Thor's twin, but he was trying not to drop a case of beer and a large foil-covered pan.

"Hi," Kelly said. "I remember seeing you at the bakery with Rachel's brother and Emily."

"Steve Rogers," he said. "Phil's significant other."

Rogers took the pan and the case of beer from the other man, leading him into the kitchen. Eileen smiled at them both, hugging Kelly. "It's good to see you," she said.

"I don't think Rachel is going to be happy I'm here," Kelly said.

"We already had a talk about it," Eileen said. "Make yourself at home. Kelly, Phil is out on the deck. Steve, take Kelly and those beers outside so you three can get acquainted."

"Yes ma'am," he said, grabbing the beer, and Kelly followed him out. Rogers pulled three out, using his bare hand to pop the tops off, handing one to Coulson and another to Kelly.

"So, you work for Homeland Security?" Kelly asked Coulson.

"I do," Coulson said. Emily was sitting beside him, grinning at her uncle. Yeah, he worked for Homeland Security. "Em, go help your Gram in the kitchen, will you?"

She stood, going inside, leaving the men alone. Coulson was going to interrogate his sister's ex when he had an opening.

"What about you?" Kelly said, turning to Rogers.

"Same as Phil," Rogers said. "Homeland Security, same department, different capacities, sort of. I used to be in the Army. Emily said you were a Marine?"

"Six years," Kelly said. "I enlisted right after high school, loved it, but I did my time, and became a firefighter about two years ago."

Then it was off to the races with Rogers asking him all about his training as a firefighter, and more. Rogers could set anyone at ease. He had Kelly talking about his time in the Marine Corps, baseball and football. Coulson sighed, knowing he was going to have to wait for his questioning.

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Eileen went up the stairs, stopping at her daughter's door. She'd left Emily setting the kitchen table. The 12-year-old was more mature than her mother sometimes. Eileen took a deep breath, knocking on Rachel's door. She waited, and nothing happened. Time to up the ante.

"Open that door or I'll get your brother to pick the lock," Eileens said.

"I'll tase him," came Rachel's muffled reply.

"Get your butt out here now," Eileen said. "What kind of an example are you setting for your daughter?"

"What kind of example is Phil setting for Em?" Rachel said, cracking the door.

"This is not about your brother," Eileen said. "You are going to come downstairs and have dinner with your family and the father of your unborn child. You are going to treat Kelly with the civility and respect he deserves."

"You're just angry I didn't say yes to his proposal," Rachel said. "Is that why he's here?"

"I don't give a rat's ass about social conventions," Eileen said. "I don't care if you marry Kelly or not. You're being stubborn, and he deserves the chance to get to know his child regardless of what happens. Your brother is dating another man. I don't care what anyone thinks. I want you to be happy. Whether you find that happiness with Kelly or someone else is your decision. I just don't want to see you regret a stupid decision."

"I'll come," Rachel said, opening the door all the way, stepping out of the room.

Eileen put an arm around her daughter's shoulders, walking with her down the stairs.

"What did you do when you figured out Phil's date for his vacation was another guy?" Rachel asked. "I just wanted to see the look on your face."

Eileen sighed. There had been no figuring it out, considering she'd stepped out of her bedroom, witnessing her son making out with another man.

"Too bad you missed it the other night," Eileen said. "They were making out in the hall, knocking down pictures."

"Phil? Making out? In front of you? Must be serious if he's letting his guard down that much," Rachel said. "I know they're living together, but Phil and a PDA like that where you can see him. . .well, he and Steve said Mrs. Pratt was staring over the gate the other day when they were making out on the deck, but no one was home. . ."

Her mother was giving her a strange look.

"What? You didn't know Phil was shacked up with his hottie?" Rachel said.

"No, he didn't share that little detail," Eileen said.

"Oops," Rachel muttered. "He is happy. I have to give him that much. Phil and Steve are joined at the hip. And Em loves Steve, so I think this time Phil brought home a winner."

"You should tell him that," Eileen said. "Although you both have very good taste."

"Yeah, Kelly is easy on the eyes, but that's not why I. . ." Rachel trailed off, deciding to change the subject. "It doesn't bother you Phil's living out his fanboy fantasy?"

"I'll admit, seeing him with Steve was a shock, but I'm over it. They seem like a good fit, and like you said, there's something about Steve that makes Phil let down his guard, and that can be nothing but a good thing," Eileen said. "As long as he's happy."

"Phil's self-control has been really slipping this time," Rachel said.

"You probably haven't helped," Eileen said.

"I have, a little, but it's fun to watch his shell crack," Rachel said.

"Be nice to your brother," Eileen said. "Remember what I said about Kelly. I will make you regret it if you don't behave."

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Coulson was half-listening now to the conversation between Rogers and Kelly. But he snapped back to attention.

"You know your name means 'son of Thor,' right?" Rogers asked.

"Yes," Kelly said.

"Just like Coulson is 'son of Coul,'" Rogers said, grinning at Coulson.

"You'll pay for that later," Coulson said.

"My family came from Norway," Kelly said.

Rogers gave Coulson an "I told you so" look."

"Rachel said I kind of look like that Avenger, Thor," Kelly said. "I don't know. . ."

"The resemblance is uncanny," Rogers said. "I've seen pictures, and if your hair was longer, you'd be a dead ringer for that Thor guy."

Coulson pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Steve, keep it up," he muttered, nearly getting knocked off his feet when Rogers clapped him on the back.

"I'm going to play catch with Em," Rogers said, nodding toward Emily, who had her baseball and glove, tossing the ball into the air, catching it. "You guys have some things you need to discuss."

"So how much do you know?" Kelly asked, surprising Coulson by cutting to the heart of the matter so quickly

"Not much," Coulson said. "Emily mentioned something about you proposing to Rachel."

"I did," he said. "And that was the end of it. Rachel told me it was over."

"Was this before or after she found out she was pregnant?"

"Before," Kelly said. "Has she always been so stubborn?"

"Yes."

"So you propose and Rachel dumps you?"

"That was the end of it," Kelly said. "A couple of weeks later she comes over, tells me she's pregnant, and we talked a little, but she's cut me off. Mostly. I did go with her to her ultrasound appointments, but we haven't talked about us, the baby, anything. I don't know what to do. Eileen's been trying to get Rach to talk to me, but she won't. I even thought maybe the age difference was an issue, but I don't know what I did wrong."

"You do know how well her first marriage went, correct?" Coulson asked.

"She told me about it," Kelly said. "But I'm not like that, and I've done everything I can to try and show her I love her and want to be with her."

"Have you told her this?" Coulson asked.

"I tried," Kelly said.

"Try harder," Coulson said. "But if you hurt her, I will make your life unendurable. Do you understand?"

"Yes," Kelly said.

"All I can suggest is talk to her. Make her listen. It's the only thing that works. Don't give up. . ." Coulson said. But why the hell was he saying this to someone, when he didn't have Rachel's side of the story? Oh well. Kelly seemed determined. "That's all the advice I can offer. And good luck."

And then Eileen was dragging Rachel out the backdoor, and shoving her toward Kelly.

"Play nice," Eileen warned. "I can see you from the kitchen. Phil, help me inside, will you?"

He handed his grilling instruments to his sister.

"Don't burn dinner," he said. "Amateur."

Rachel glared, but Kelly took the spatula and tongs from her. "I'll take care of it," he said.

And then Rachel was alone with Kelly.
"You're looking good," Kelly said. "How are you feeling?"

"Like I'd rather not be here," Rachel said.

"Y'know, whatever I did, you can tell me, Rachel," Kelly said.

"That's the thing—you didn't do anything," Rachel said. "I mean anything wrong. You did everything right. I thought maybe you'd prove me wrong."

"That's it? That's all? I didn't live up to your low expectations, so that's what this is all about?" Kelly said, incredulous.

"I'm not ready for another marriage," Rachel said. "Things were moving too fast."

"That's the thing, Rach, the first time, you didn't have a marriage," Kelly said. "If you don't want to get married, fine. I'm willing to do whatever you want, just give me a chance."

"You're doing it again," Rachel said.

"Maybe we need to go back to square one," Kelly said. "Or something in between we can both live with. I want to see you. You're having my kid, our daughter. I miss Em, and your mom, and I miss us. I'm not asking you to take me back. I'm asking for another chance. Rach, you need to tell me when something is wrong, or whatever. Please?"

The look on his face was so hopeful and full of longing, yet Rachel couldn't bring herself to say yes. She did miss him.

"Maybe," Rachel said. "Let's just get through tonight, OK?"

"OK," he said.

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"Are they talking?" Eileen asked her son, who was dicing tomatoes for a salad.

"Yes," Coulson said, looking out the back window.

"No screaming, throwing things, broken glass?" Eileen said.

"None," Coulson said.

"That's good," Eileen said. "What do you think of Kelly?"

"I think he's a very determined man," Coulson said. "I wished him luck."

"Do you like him?" Eileen asked.

"He has guts, he really seems to care for Rachel, and he's trying to stick it out, so that's definitely something in his favor," Coulson said. "I think you made up your mind about him a long time ago, correct?"

"I think he's the one for Rachel," Eileen said. "I just hope she's wise enough to realize it. Is Steve the one for you?"

"What kind of question is that?" Coulson asked.

"Rachel said you're living together, so I take it the relationship is very serious," Eileen said.

"It is," Coulson said. "Satisfied?"

"Yes," Eileen said.

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They'd barely sat down to dinner when Kelly's pager went off, but he wouldn't leave until he had a promise from Rachel she'd call him the next day. Now she was sitting out on the deck, thinking. She heard the backdoor open, didn't look up when Phil sat down beside her.

"Mom's very proud of the fact she didn't have to call law enforcement tonight," Coulson said.

"Who needs them when we have you and captain fantastic at the dinner table?" Rachel said.

"And your Thor lookalike," Coulson said.

"You noticed?" Rachel said.

"How could I not?" Coulson said. "Are you really going to give him a chance?"

"I don't know," Rachel said. "I don't know what I want."

"It's not about what you want at this point," Coulson said. "It's about what you need, or doing the right thing. If you don't love the man, let him know. If you do love him, that's too precious to waste. Rachel, what happens happens. There are no certainties in this life. I know."

"Which of your failed relationships are you referring to?" Rachel asked.

"Neither," Coulson said. "I am only going to say this once—you've seen my scars, you and I both know I probably shouldn't be alive, but I am. Actually, for a few moments, I wasn't alive. But I'm here now. That was enough to make me reevaluate a few things in my life, like what kind of risk was I willing to take to get what I really wanted? Steve and I were barely friends, and we took a chance. It scared the hell out of both of us at first, there are times I still can't believe we're together, but we were both willing to take that chance on each other, for one another. It hasn't been easy, but it's been worth it."

"You really love him, don't you?" Rachel said.

"I do," Coulson said.

"Have you told him?" Rachel asked.

"Not really," Coulson said.

She smacked him on the arm. "Damn it, tell Steve or I will kick your ass," Rachel said.

"I will if you give Kelly another chance," Coulson said. "You're being damn stubborn and stupid. You'd really deny him the chance to see his daughter?"

"No," Rachel said. "I've just been so confused about this. . ."

"Well, get unconfused," Coulson said. "Do what you have to to get this worked out. Call him tomorrow. This not negotiable. Just talk. That's all. You're not agreeing to the rest of your life, but in way, you already have that tie because you're having his baby. Are we good?"

"Yeah," Rachel said. "I'll call him in the morning. And I have a question—how the hell did you land someone so perfect?"

"Steve is not perfect," Coulson said. "Not even close. . .well, sometimes, but that's beside the point. He hogs the covers, he's stubborn, questions orders, eats like a starving horse, has an unhealthy fondness for gambling, he's deathly afraid of zombies. . ."

"Zombies? Seriously, Phil?"

"A couple of our co-workers decided it would be fun to invite Steve over for a "Walking Dead" viewing marathon and it did not end well," Coulson said, hoping he would not have to elaborate. He remembered that night all too well—the call from Banner saying Rogers had locked himself in Stark's bathroom and refused to come out.

"Mom still hasn't forgiven me for the zombie thing at Thanksgiving," Rachel said. "Shay still thinks it was hilarious."

"Anna was offended," Coulson said.

"That should've been a tip-off she wasn't the right one for you," Rachel said. "Is Steve offended by jokes like that?"

"Considering what we have to deal with at work, no," Coulson said.

"Good," Rachel said, putting an arm around her brother. "I'm glad you're here. I've missed you, and I'm sorry if I've been a bitch. Baby hormones, Mom, Kelly, the offer they made me at work. . ."

"Em told me about it," Coulson said. "Full-time. More money. That's a good thing."

"I might take it," Rachel said.

"Good," Coulson said. "I've missed you, too."

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Coulson was cold. Not unusual, considering he had none of the covers on his side of the bed and the air conditioning was cranked. A pregnant Rachel plus hot weather equaled getting frozen out of the house. Adding to it was the fact Rogers hated being cold, especially when he was trying to sleep. Coulson noted the mass of muscle beside him was wrapped in the comforter up to his nose.

"You're hogging the covers," Coulson said, poking Rogers in the ribs.

"Sorry," came the muffled reply as Rogers rolled over, unwrapping himself. Coulson resettled the covers, spooning up against Rogers. Then, of course, his phone buzzed.

"Don't answer it," Rogers said.

"It could be something important," Coulson said.

Rogers grabbed the phone off the nightstand, answering it himself.

"No. He's busy right now. Call back and leave a message. . .God damn it, Stark, it's a Saturday morning and we're on vacation. You better have the hounds of hell on your heels or another damn alien invasion coming down on your head because. . .Oh yeah? '. Save it. Good-bye."

"That was very professional," Coulson said, kissing Rogers' neck.

"I'm going to clean his clock," Rogers said, rolling over, facing Coulson. "Do I need to arrange an accident for your phone?"

"No," Coulson said, silencing him with a kiss, running his hands up the back of Rogers' shirt. He sat up, throwing off the shirt, and then found himself pinned by Coulson, and kissed hard. And for once, Rogers didn't push Coulson's hands away when he untied his pajama bottoms, and then there was a knock at the door.

"Breakfast is in 10."

"Almost to third base," Rogers muttered.

Coulson kissed him, hands trailing over the muscles of his chest and then his flanks, enjoying the noises Rogers was making. But he broke it off.

"It is a Saturday, and we are on vacation," Coulson said.

"Staying at your mom's house," Rogers said. "Awkward."

"C'mon, let's go eat before Rachel breaks out the frozen marbles again," Coulson said.

Rogers sighed, throwing off the covers, trying to find his shirt. Damn. He watched Coulson pick up his Army shirt and put it on.

"I need a shirt," Rogers said.

"No you don't," Coulson said. "I want to see if Rachel can make it through breakfast without choking when she sees you shirtless."

"Showing me off?" Rogers asked, crossing his arms.

"Maybe," Coulson said. "Does it really matter? Or maybe I want to see you without a shirt. Does that work for you?"

"What about your mom and Emily?"

"They won't take offense," Coulson said. "I know I won't."