Author's Notes: So, here is the penultimate chapter. I mentioned previously that before I post 'Dite's Favor' (which is actually already started), there would be a story with Rassilon, Alicia Yates and the framework of her Bulwark … one that includes a much-maligned character in another fandom. It's part of my Champions series … basically, most Champions are otherwise decent individuals who made horrible choices and died to save others as penance (most, not all). Since they're often people who still had a great deal to give, but who had to die in that particular timeline for someone else to rise, they are taken into another time period (and sometimes a different dimension). Some Champions thus far include Boromir of Gondor; Commodore James Norrington of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies; and Guy of Gisburne from the BBC Robin Hood series a few years back. And now, three new Champions will be added to that list: John and Mary Winchester from 'Supernatural,' and Jacob Glasser from 'Stonehenge Apocalypse.' Yes, I do like John ... in fact, he and Castiel are my favorite characters on 'Supernatural.' I don't have a title for that story yet, although it will likely have something to do with second chances. After Dite's Favor will be 'Master of the Game,' followed by 'Lay My Honor in the Dust,' which will conclude the Birthright arc. For now, enjoy this chapter, which sees Tony musing about the Avengers' new allies; Natalie trying to figure the reason for Clint's interest in her; and Phil Coulson getting some welcome … and unwelcome … news. (evil laugh)
Chapter Thirteen
Halfway Home
The Tregarth Homestead, Oklahoma
Approximately an hour and a half after Theodore Paige's death
Tony Stark was very pissed … he was mightily pissed (although, he would venture to say that Coulson would be more pissed when he realized that he bled onto his vintage cards during his confrontation with Loki. Careless, Agent … very careless). He was even more pissed when he realized that he was the last of the Avengers to know (well, aside from Thor, something that made Jack's lips twitch … bastard. Knowing Jack, he probably knew the Asgardian. He might have even slept with him. Ick … brain bleach, stat!). The point was, Tony Stark was not the last person to know things. That just wasn't the way it was supposed to work … and when he realized that their Capsicle knew before anyone else did? That really rubbed salt in the wound.
Even so, he was glad. He was glad that Agent was alive, he was glad that he had Jack back in his life (and yeah, he knew he was being an asshole, because this mess wasn't his old friend's fault, but losing Jack like that hurt, even if he got him back eventually), and he was glad that both Jack and the Capsicle were okay. What he wasn't glad about? Fury. He already distrusted the head of SHIELD and this didn't do anything to improve that distrust. Did he think that Fury was necessarily a bad guy? No. He also didn't think he could trust him.
As the quinjet made its final approach to the Tregarth homestead, Tony looked around at the Avengers' new colleagues. Torchwood … a far different Torchwood than the one he remembered from the mid-eighties. And a Torchwood that was comprised almost entirely of the Tregarth family. His father knew Carlyon Tregarth, of course … neither Dad nor Obie ever particularly liked him. Then again, to say that Tony was suspicious of anyone Obie trusted was something of an understatement. That was reason enough to give the patrician figurehead a chance, at least so far as Tony was concerned.
And then there were his women. Okay, so Tony was something of a chauvinist, but he liked women. He liked women a lot, and he really liked beautiful women. Being in a relationship with Pepper … more accurately, being in love with Pepper … didn't change that. Especially with regards to the gorgeous Sophia Tregarth, Carlyon's wife and the mother of his three grown daughters … with her auburn hair, she could have easily passed for Pepper's older sister. Tony was fascinated with Sophia's story, what he heard of it so far. She was 'frozen,' for lack of a better word, in 1965 to save her life and the life of her unborn child … temporarily unfrozen in 1976 for the birth of her daughter (who literally fell into Legolas' arms earlier, and if Romanova didn't tease him about that to the end of time, then Tony would) … before being re-frozen. Technically speaking, she was well over eight … but her appearance and thought processes were that of a thirty-six year old woman, the age she was when she was frozen.
There was also the fact that all three of her daughters were attractive, at the very least. Maybe not quite his type, but they were all attractive. Or, to put it another way, they were two cougars and a girl next door. Definite variety there. So far as the grandchildren were concerned, he hadn't seen the second oldest granddaughter, but apparently she looked a good bit like her older sister … and Esther? Well, she was sleeping with Jack. That pretty much said it all. Even when he was a teenage boy on his first trip to Cardiff, he understood what that meant. No, she didn't say anything (aside from explaining in rather vivid detail what she would do to him if he ever hurt Jack), and neither did that doctor of theirs, but Tony could tell. Not that it was any of his business, but he could tell. The boys were pretty, if you liked that … which he didn't, mind you, but he could see how someone would.
He was still figuring out Harper and Matheson (the latter of whom joined them at the last possible minute and spent all of his time in the main part of the quinjet, mumbling under his breath about God knows what). Harper seemed to be under the illusion that he could out-snark Tony, but the jury was still out on that one. And Matheson … forget snark, he was just plain abrasive. Judging from the Looks that Steve shot him, it seemed likely that he was getting on the Capsicle's nerves, too, and that grated on Tony's nerves just a little bit. In truth, some of it was jealousy. Tony prided himself on being one of the few people who could irritate Rogers. He did not like having competition for that role. Even so, he had to hand it to Matheson.
By this time, Jack changed into his customary outfit of dark trousers, blue shirt and suspenders. Matheson snarked about World War II (apparently, it was an ongoing joke between these two, since Jack just smirked). Steve, however, wasn't nearly as sanguine, asking rather politely (as only he could), if there was a problem with the way Jack was dressed. Matheson evidently wasn't as much of an idiot as Tony feared, because he actually hesitated before responding (it seemed that he realized that when Steve got that polite, it was time to worry). That gave Tony the opportunity to jump in, saying, "Oh, just ignore him, Cap … it wouldn't surprise me if he has a case of coat envy that rivals Fury's."
There was a brief silence, before everyone erupted into laughter. Matheson just shook his head and face-palmed in sheer exasperation. Esther chimed in sweetly, "Just be glad that it was Steve, Rex, rather than my grandfather. You know how he reacts when you call Jack 'World War II' or otherwise reference his clothes." Matheson looked around a bit uneasily, and Tony forbade himself to question what a man rapidly approaching ninety could do to a man young enough to be his grandson. He only had to remember some of his own encounters to realize that such a question would be mind-bogglingly stupid. And Tony Stark was not a stupid man.
"I don't see anything wrong with the way Captain Harkness dresses. Maybe I should ask Clint, see if I'm missing something," Romanova muttered. Then she smirked and added, "Or not. He seems to like the youngest Tregarth daughter a lot, and he doesn't take kindly when I interrupt him." EW! Tony did not need that image in his head, especially not since Clint was flying the quinjet. The redhead rolled her eyes, adding, "Mind out of the gutter, Stark. I mean he's flirting with her." Oh. Well. That was different, then. The conversation turned to other things (that had nothing to do with the alliance with Torchwood … although, it was coming), but Tony continued to mull over the Tregarth family and what such an alliance would mean.
TWTWTWTWTWTWTW
Natalie honestly wasn't sure what to expect when Clint Barton began to gently settle the jet on the unfinished airstrip about a half mile from the house. Then again, she gave up on expecting anything when Jack Harkness told her that the woman she thought was her grandmother was in fact her mother. Expectations got you a one-way ticket to the hardwood floor in a dead faint (and she wasn't conscious when Jack carried her out of the room, which also sucked). What she got was one of the most gentle landings she'd ever experienced. Then again, she was actually starting to expect that from Clint Barton, in general … especially after her spectacularly ungraceful lunge out of the tree earlier.
Nat also got some serious flirting from the agent in question, and she was still trying to wrap her mind around that. At this point, she was used to Jack's flirting … that was just who Jack was. She'd seen him flirting with Mrs. Nealey who was ninety-five if a day the last time they went into town (Dupres, not Lawton). But a (very) attractive man, aside from Jack Harkness? That was … well, things like that just didn't happen to her. In many ways, she was grateful for the warm weight of her little girl in her arms … whenever she got confused by his attentions (which, if she was truly honest with herself, was often), she could merely bow her head and drop a kiss to Ailsa's hair. By now, she'd done that so many times, she was starting to get dizzy.
She … she just couldn't figure it out. This was … this was Clint Barton, Hawkeye, from the Avengers! A bona-fide superhero was flirting … with her! And as far as she was concerned, he was as much of a hero because he was just an ordinary human being, not even remotely enhanced like the rest of the team. He was … well, not like her, but like her parents or her sisters or her nephews. What on earth could he possibly see in her that was even worth flirting with? Was it because she fell on him (and oh, wasn't that embarrassing)? It just didn't track, this was something that she wasn't used to, and she tried to retreat into herself, like she always did when she was confused about something. At least, that was what she tried to do, but Agent Barton … Clint … refused to let her do that. He asked her questions about her home, about what she did for fun (and seemed absurdly pleased when she told him about the shooting range … quickly following that up with a request to teach her archery).
At this point in her life, she knew when men were feigning interest in her to make fun of her. Actually, she became an expert in that when she was still in high school and while she forgave the boys in question, it was a lesson she'd never forgotten. Jack wasn't like that, and neither was Agent Barton … Clint. They both meant it. She just didn't understand how or why. Well, what was it that Priscilla always told her when she was growing up? Oh, yes, how could she forget? 'You'll just have to wait and see.' Funny thing, she found that as annoying at thirty-five and a mother as she did when she was thirteen and thought her older sister was her mother. She'd waited, so when was she going to see?
"You got her okay?" Agent Barton … Clint … asked, and Natalie realized with a start that not only was she unbuckled and standing (how did that happen?), but Ailsa was listing dangerously in her arms. Clint didn't even wait for her to answer … just gently righted her baby girl so that she sprawled against Natalie's chest, rather than leaning out of her arms. Which, heaven knew, she did enough of when she was a baby. The archer continued, "You know, if you're comfortable with it, I could start teaching her archery?" Natalie didn't dismiss it out of hand, although the temptation was there. Her father told her earlier that Ailsa wanted to take self-defense lessons again; and while it broke her heart that her five year old daughter wanted to avoid feeling helpless, she thought self-defense lessons were a good thing.
"Let me think about that, okay? There's a part of me that runs away screaming at sharp pointies anywhere near my little girl. But … Ailsa was abducted a few months ago, and my father is wanting to talk to me about enrolling her in self-defense lessons," Natalie answered. But there was a big difference between self-defense and archery lessons. Clint was regarding her with compassionate eyes and she added, "I'll think about it, I promise. And I know that you would be teaching her with kid-friendly arrows, it's just …"
"It's a lot to consider. I know. C'mon. Do you think your younger niece will bring out Coulson?" the sniper asked, putting his hand in the small of Natalie's back and gently nudging her toward the cockpit door. Natalie allowed herself a tiny shrug, because whether you wanted to call Adriane her sister or her niece, she was still a bit unpredictable. In a way, that was reassuring: with all the changes in her family in the last several months (had it really been close to a year since they rescued Esther from the Families?), Adriane's unpredictability was the only predictable thing, the only constant. And wasn't that a frightening thought?
"Well, since we're coming back with several injured veterans, plus Jack, I would think she'd bring something other than one of the golf carts. Yes, our property is big enough that we occasionally use golf carts to get around. Especially after the last time Jack died away from the house, but still on our property. In case you haven't noticed, he's not exactly small, and while my Iolaire is well-trained, even she has a hard time with the motions necessary to lower herself to the ground to get someone that size onto a horse. I can at least drag him onto the golf cart. That reminds me. I hope my parents, or at least someone, remembered to get the ATVs onto the MMU's," Natalie murmured, worrying at her lower lip as she was guided out of the quinjet.
When she reached the back of the ramp, she found one of the regular RV's waiting, with her younger niece and Agent Coulson reclining against its bumper. Well, that was where Adriane was until Owen scooped her up into his arms and snogged her like there was no tomorrow … pausing just long enough to flip Jack off over his shoulder when the immortal (who was leaning against Captain Rogers) whistled. Really, they needed to stop teaching Owen things like that before they corrupted him. Oh. Right. Never mind.
The Avengers were all staring at Agent Coulson as if he was newly resurrected (wow, Nat, that's two for two in the stupid comments category!). And the agent himself? He was staring back at them, until one of the veterans cleared his throat. Jack observed, still leaning against Steve, "You know, this is fun to watch and all, but we've got some very tired, very hungry, very sore soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen here who could use a warm bed and some equally warm food. Is everything ready for them?"
"Oh! Right, yeah, let's get you guys aboard. It's no more than a ten minute trip back to the house. I hope you don't mind, you boys will be staying in the bunkhouse … well, it's more like a stable, the one we used when they tried to round up the children a few years back," Adriane babbled. Natalie was of the opinion that her niece was babbling because she was still reeling from Owen's kiss (and the fact that his arms were still around her) than anything else. The Avengers and the members of Torchwood present (Nat, both of her nieces, Jack, Rex, and Owen) began assisting the wounded men to the RV. It would seem that the confrontation with the agent would wait until later. Natalie was perfectly kay-oh with that.
As they loaded their injured passengers, Adriane asked, "When will Mom and the others get here?" She seemed a bit anxious, and when Natalie raised an eyebrow at her niece/sister, Adriane elaborated, "The sheriff was here earlier. I told her what was going on with … you know, everything? And she wanted to know what we're doing with them." Oh, that was a good question. They dealt with Ailsa's bitch teacher by letting the Rift have her. And only half of the wannabes went in the MMU's, despite her father's original decision.
"Well, the rest of Paige's group won't be here for another five or six hours … and the Avengers may want to deal with them personally," Natalie observed to her niece, who was still in Owen's arms. She didn't look inclined to move, either. Good for her. Good for them both. She knew that both already got the shovel talk from Jack … and he tended to do those better than just about everyone. Mainly because he had the skills to back it up … and he had the will to carry out those threats. Rex muttered something extremely uncomplimentary behind her about what the Avengers wanted and Natalie glanced backward briefly before taking a step back and stepping lightly on his foot. He yelped and Nat smiled.
"Are you leaving the other twats in the plane for now?" Adriane asked, reluctantly removing herself from Owen's embrace. And for his own part, Owen seemed equally unwilling to let her go. Hmm. Interesting. Very interesting. As to the conversation at hand … Nat shrugged, because really? That was up to the Avengers. It was their jet, and she wasn't about to tell them what to do. Especially not since they were being so patient about their reunion with Agent Coulson. And, of course, as soon as she thought that, she jinxed herself. Oh, well. There were worse things than that.
Clint approached his handler (and was she the only one who thought that sounded a touch kinky?), saluted him, and said quietly, "Agent Barton reporting for duty, sir." Natalie glanced over her shoulder at Rex, fully prepared to step on his foot again if he decided to behave like an ass. But, for once, the former CIA agent seemed inclined to act like a mature adult. Or maybe it was the knowledge that Natalie would be on the phone with Octavia once they were back at the house, and her middle sister had some very creative ideas about punishment. She didn't entirely understand her older sister's relationship with Rex … she understood just enough to know that there were some things she really didn't want to know about.
And Agent Coulson inclined his head, answering, "You can debrief me when we reach the Tregarth homestead, Agent Barton … Agent Romanov." It may have sounded cold … to someone who didn't see the warmth in his eyes, the quiet pleasure he took in seeing Clint and Agent Romanova … to say nothing of Captain Rogers (and would she be too much of a girl if she squeed in delight at the thought of 'omg, I'm standing only a few feet from Captain America?' Probably, but oh well, there were worse things to be).
"Then let's get going … we got wounded men here," the aforementioned Captain said, sounding both gruff and earnest, as probably only he could. Captain Rogers added after a moment, "I don't mean to seem disrespectful, ma'am, but would you mind if I drove back to the house with your directions? I know it's been a few days since you saw your beau, and I could use the practice in driving." This time, it was Adriane who all but squeed, telling the super-soldier that he was more than welcome to drive the bus. And of course, Jack snickered at whatever innuendo he dreamed up. Holding her daughter close as she boarded the bus, Nat was just grateful that Jack didn't share said innuendo with the rest of them. There were just some things she wasn't ready to explain to Ailsa!
TWTWTWTWTWTWTWTW
There weren't words in the English language which described how grateful he was that Barton decided to keep things professional. Not that he was really worried about such an eventuality would arise, but Phil Coulson really didn't want to turn into a blubbering mess when he saw his 'kids' again … much less when he saw Captain Rogers again. Really, he was even glad to see Stark again (although he both looked forward to and dreaded his reunion with Pepper Potts, who was one of his favorite people). But Captain America … his childhood hero stood near Captain Harkness protectively. Some would say it was a wasted instinct, since the immortal always came back from his deaths, but Phil … he welcomed the sight. It told him that the young man still heeded Dr. Erskine's last request of him: to remain a good man.
As they waited for their families to return to them, Adriane Tregarth busied herself by cleaning up the stables which would be a temporary barracks for the less-severely injured warriors … and when she wasn't doing that, she was making other preparations. Evidently, like her mother and older sister, when Adriane was worried, she baked and she cleaned. Fortunately, while she did that, she left Phil to go over old case files, including the one for Captain Rogers and his final request from Erskine. It was Director Carter who put things into perspective. Evidently, Erskine, as he lay dying, put his hand over Cap's heart. And as anyone who spent any amount of time with the super soldier could tell you, that was his most important attribute. Or, as Nonna Talia often said with a gentle smile, Steve Rogers' strongest muscle truly was his heart.
They were bouncing along in the bus on the way back to the Tregarth homestead now, with Cap in the driver's seat, and both Barton and Romanov telling him about how Loki was defeated weeks earlier. Some of it, Phil knew … a larger part he didn't, because he'd been in a coma at the time. Besides, footage could only show you so much. Of course, Stark interrupted, because that's who he was. And all the while, Barton was stealing glances at Natalie Tregarth, who was tucked against a window, her daughter sleeping in her arms. There was a part of Phil which wondered if they should have brought Mij with them, and then he dismissed it. There would be time enough for that reunion later. Besides, he was enjoying the glances that Barton was stealing at the youngest daughter of Carlyon and Sophia Tregarth … just as he was enjoying the way she reacted to those glances. Matchmaking was not in his repertoire, but it was fun to watch them. Owen Harper noticed his glances and winked at him. Phil suppressed his smile. This could get quite interesting … especially given the doctor's involvement with the middle Tregarth granddaughter. Very interesting indeed.
Esther Drummond/Tregarth was in the seat opposite her aunt, side by side with Jack Harkness. Her head rested on the immortal captain's shoulder, and it wouldn't have surprised Phil in the least if they were holding hands. He wondered how his grandfather would have felt about that and then he smiled, because he already knew. Nonno Angelo would have been pleased.
Even if their relationship wasn't long-term (and Phil had the sense it wouldn't be, that it would last a few years at most), his former lover was at peace for the moment, and that alone would have made Angelo happy. He just wished he could have said a proper good-bye to Captain Harkness. That was the part that broke Phil's heart. After all the years his grandfather watched over and protected his former lover, he never had the courage to seek him out. Instead, Phil's cousin's machinations led to that meeting once Angelo was in a coma. Then have the strength that I didn't, my Filippo, he heard in the back of his mind. Yes, Nonno, he thought back, I understand what you're trying to say, and I'll make you proud. There was another warm laugh, before his mental grandfather answered, you have already done that, my Filippo.
It was his grandfather's sage council that gave Phil the courage to ask of his driver, "So, now that everything's settled and the Avengers Initiative has taken flight, I have a request to make of you." In the rear view mirror, he saw Steve Rogers lift his eyes to the mirror and an inquiring eyebrow arch. Phil continued, feeling a curious sense of déjà vu, "Can I interest you in getting those vintage Captain America cards signed for me?"
The captain's muscles tightened, and that was the first indication that there was something very not right. However, it was Stark who said, "Those are still being repaired. Never thought you were a careless man, Agent … leaving those priceless cards in your shirt pocket or jacket pocket, or wherever you left it." What? He left those in his locker! There was no … oh. He turned to look at Stark, who took one look at his expression and said flatly, "You didn't have them in your pocket when Loki decided to use you as a pin cushion … did you?" Phil shook his head slowly, and Stark spat, "Fury."
"Of course … how could I have been so stupid?" Natasha muttered. Phil wanted to be angry. And he was. But, he also knew what Nick was doing … in truth, it was partly his own fault. He told his boss that they needed something to avenge … and he oh so conveniently volunteered. But still … his vintage Captain America trading cards? He understood that sacrifices had to be made, but his cards? Natasha continued, "Stark, you said that you're working on getting those bloodstains out?"
"Yeah, but it's slow-going. I don't suppose you happen to have some, Jack?" Stark asked and the immortal just arched an eyebrow. The billionaire muttered, "Yeah, should have known better than to ask that. Don't worry, Agent … we'll figure something out, and you'll get your cards signed. And Jack, don't even try to make an innuendo out of that!" That drew a laugh from everyone on the bus, including Captain Rogers. The immortal smirked at Stark and Phil could only shake his head. Privately, though, he was planning his next move … he understood what his boss was up to, but this would not go unanswered!
TBC
Additional notes: Yeah, I lost track of where I put Rex. Not that he'll let himself stay forgotten for long. This is Rex we're discussing, after all. Also, I'm taking suggestions about what Phil should do to Fury in revenge for his cards. The more subtle, the better.