Chapter 14
Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Everything belongs to their rightful owners.
AN1: Thank you so much for the support. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, LEAVE A REVIEW/COMMENT.
December 9th 1998
Three months have passed since Melinda, Bobbi, and Daisy moved in with Tony and since then the four of them have gotten completely used to living together, and Bobbi has gotten used to her new school, which she loves.
It's early morning and Melinda, Bobbi, Daisy, and Tony are all having breakfast together, breakfast which they brought from a nearby diner.
"What's going on at school today?" Melinda asks her older daughter.
"I have a test in science." Bobbi answers.
"You ready for it?" Tony asks curious.
"Yep." Bobbi answers with a grin, "I love science." Bobbi admits, "I don't have to hold back, pretend I'm not as good as I am, like I have to in PE." She explains, and as she dose Melinda and Tony exchange looks.
"Bobbi…." Melinda starts to say.
"You don't have to say anything, Mom, I know why I have to hold back in PE, I get it." Bobbi assures her mother, but before Melinda, or Tony, can say anything Melinda's phone rings.
"May." Melinda answers.
"Hey, you need to get to the Triskelion, as fast as you can." Phil's voice says, through the phone, and the fact that he doesn't great Melinda tells her that whatever is going is serious.
"Okay, I'll be right there." Melinda says, before hanging up.
"Work?" Tony asks, once Melinda hangs up, as that's what he assumes.
"Yeah." Melinda confirms, "Can you…." She starts to say.
"Take Bobbi to school, of course." Tony answers.
"Thanks." Melinda says, before kissing Tony and standing up, once she stands up she walks over to Bobbi, "Good luck with your test, have a good day." Melinda says, as she hugs her daughter.
"Thanks Mom." Bobbi says.
"I love you."
"Love you too." Bobbi responds, and once she does Melinda walks over to Daisy who she kisses on her head.
"Bye Bye, Daisy." Melinda says to her daughter before she leaves the kitchen and the apartment, leaving Bobbi, Tony and Daisy to enjoy their breakfast together.
Just under an hour after Melinda left the apartment, thanks to a very fast plane, she arrives at the Triskelion, and as she sees Clint, Phil, Natasha, and Maria waiting in the lobby Melinda realises that whatever is going on must be big.
"What's going on?" Melinda asks, as she looks between the members of her team.
"We'll explain on the way." Phil explains, "You up for flying to South America?" he asks.
"Sure." Melinda responds, "Let's go." Melinda says, and the five of them start to walk together, heading towards the hangers.
After a few hours of flying Melinda lands the jet that she, Clint, Phil, Natasha, and Maria are flying in an empty field in Bolivia.
"What's the plan?" Maria asks, looking between the others, "How are we going to handle this one?" She asks and as she does Melinda glances at Phil, knowing that this is his department.
"May and Natasha are going to go to the building, you're going to clear it, and then destroy the weapons and tech." Phil explains, "We aren't worried about being subtle on this one." He reveals.
"Got it." Melinda and Natasha respond, both knowing what that means.
"What about me and Hill?" Clint asks curious.
"You're going to cover Melinda and Natasha's backs, help them clear the building. I'll be running back end from here." Phil explains, "We want to be in and out as quickly as possible."
"So, no one realises what we've done until we're gone." Melinda comments.
"Exactly." Phil says, with a nod, "Move out." He says, and once he does Melinda, Natasha, Clint, and Maria all grab their gear, and various weapons, before leaving.
About fifteen minutes later Melinda, Natasha, Clint, and Maria have split into two groups and Melinda, and Natasha, both of whom have small bags, are on a rooftop near the building they have to clear, just observing, both very well aware of the fact that Clint and Maria are nearby doing the same thing.
"We've got to clear that building before we do anything, any ideas?" Melinda asks, looking at Natasha as she has a few ideas, but she would love to know what Natasha thinks.
"Fire alarm." Natasha answers and Melinda gives her a look, "It's simple, will clear the building, and in the chaos we're not likely to be noticed."
"We'll only have a couple of minutes." Melinda points out.
"It's me and you, do you really think we need more time?" Natasha asks curious.
"Nope. But we're going to give ourselves a little longer." Melinda realises, giving Natasha look, and thanks to the look Natasha realises what Melinda is thinking.
"I like the way you think." Natasha admits, telling the complete truth.
"Come on, we've got to get in and out as quickly as possible." Melinda tells Natasha and the two of them head back down the building.
Over the next few minutes Melinda and Natasha set a small fire in a bin, which sets off the fire alarm, and watch as the building is evacuated.
"That's twelve, let's go." Melinda tells Natasha, and once she does the two of them slip into the building, and both start running up the stairs, getting to the second floor where they find a reinforced locked door.
"They locked a door in the middle of a fire, that says a lot." Natasha comments.
"Really does." Melinda confirms, and once she does she pull out a small device which she sticks to the door, "Step back." Melinda says, and the two them step back, and seconds later the door blows open and the two of them hurry into what looks like a lab with advance tech and weapons, "We've got to be quick." Melinda says to Natasha.
"I'd say we've got twenty seconds… max." Natasha reveals.
"Then let's get to work." Melinda says, and the two of them both take off their bags and start to place explosives around the lab, setting times, both being very well aware that they have very little time, "Window, now." Melinda finally says.
"Hang on, I can't get this." Natasha says, as something isn't connecting the way it should.
"Go, I got it." Melinda says, getting to Natasha's side and pushing her towards the window, "Come on, come on, come on." Melinda says, as she works to connect what she needs to connect.
"May! Come on!" Natasha yells, from the window.
"I'm right behind you, go." Melinda says, as she finishes connecting what she needs to connect and starts to run towards the window, which Natasha shots out and jumps out of. Just as Melinda gets to the window the bombs explode and Melinda is thrown out of the window, causing her not to be able to land like she usually would.
"MAY!" Natasha yells, having seen how her friend landed and knowing that she's going to be injured the question is how badly, as she runs towards where Melinda is.
"I'm good." Melinda answers, as Natasha gets to her, and the second she does Natasha knows how Melinda has been injured.
"With a broken ankle?" Natasha asks, as Melinda's left ankle is at a very odd angle, as they both hear both Police and Fire sirens.
"You need to go." Melinda tells Natasha.
"We need to go." Natasha corrects.
"I'm not moving anywhere fast, we just blew up a building, we can't be caught if we are we'll be putting S.H.I.E.L.D, every single agent, at risk you've got to go, that's an order Agent Romanoff." Melinda says, playing a card she never plays, knowing that if it's just her she has a better chance of getting out of the situation, especially if she knows Natasha is safe.
"Yes Ma'am." Natasha says, bitterness clear in her voice, before hurrying away.
Once Natasha hurries away Melinda starts to look around trying to figure out what to do, tries to figure out a way to secure her ankle so that she can get moving. Looking around Melinda sees a plank of wood which she reaches over and grabs, and puts against her ankle.
"This is going to hurt." Melinda mutters, as she knows that if she is going to get her ankle into a position so that it can be splint it is going to hurt, but before she can make a start on doing that a car drives down the alley and stops right in front of her, and so Melinda starts to run through any way to fight considering the circumstances, but seconds later Natasha gets out of the front, "Nat? What are you doing? You had your orders."
"S.H.I.E.L.D doesn't leave their own before, team members have each other's backs, you taught me that." Natasha tells Melinda as she hurries over to her, "I'm not leaving you Linda, come on." Natasha says, as she sticks out her hand for Melinda to grab.
"I'm proud of you." Melinda admits, as she takes Natasha's hand and allows her to pull her up, and making sure not to put her weight on her injured ankle Melinda, with Natasha's help, hobbles to the car, and once at the car Melinda gets in the back, while Natasha gets in the front and speeds toward where the plane is.
A little while after Natasha and Melinda speed away from the building that Natasha and Melinda blew up the two of them arrive back at the plane, where they find Clint, Maria, and Phil waiting.
"Cutting it a bit close? Aren't you?" Clint asks, as Natasha gets out of the front seat.
"Where's May?" Phil asks, his stomach dropping.
"Back here." Natasha explains, as she hurries the back seat.
Due to the fact that they know it must be bad for Melinda to be in the back seat, and clearly in need of Natasha's help, Phil, Clint and Maria hurry to the car just as Natasha helps Melinda out of the car, and the second they see her they realise what's wrong.
"Clint, get us in the air." Phil says, as he walks over so that he can help Natasha help Melinda.
"I can fly." Melinda tells Phil.
"You're not going to though." Phil informs Melinda, "You're resting, Clint is flying." He says, it being clear that what he is saying isn't a question.
"Yes Phil." Clint says, as he hurries to the cockpit.
"I've flown in worst shape." Melinda points out, saying what Phil already knows.
"Doesn't mean you're going to now." Phil says.
"Coulson's right May isn't it better that you rest?" Maria asks, and Melinda just gives her a dirty look.
"May, don't terrify the rookie." Natasha says, sounding completely amused, as she, Melinda, Phil, and Maria get back to plane Melinda sits down in one of the seats, and within minutes Clint has flown them into the air.
Hours later Melinda, with a plaster on her leg, and using crutches, walks into hers and Tony's apartment; Natasha having flown the Stark jet back to New York for her, before heading back to DC by train.
Checking the time Melinda sneaks into Bobbi's room, then Daisy's, and after making sure both her girls are okay she heads to the lab, knowing that this time of night she is more likely to find Tony there than in their bedroom.
Getting to the lab Melinda's suspicion is confirmed when she finds Tony working hard at his workbench, and as she sees that Melinda has to pause for a moment, as she loves watching Tony work, especially when he is as focused as he clearly is.
"Tony." Melinda says, walking towards him, and it doesn't surprise her when Tony doesn't even look up, "Tony." Melinda once more repeats, but this time she is close enough that she can put her hand on his shoulder, and that causes him to jump, and turn around.
"Mel! You're home." Tony says, sounding happy before he leans up and kisses her, and once they break apart he realises what is on Melinda's leg, "What happened?" he asks worried.
"Side effect of a successful mission." Melinda explains, as Tony moves off his seat so she can sit down.
"Mel…" Tony says, giving her a look, as Melinda sits down.
"I'm okay, it's a broken ankle, it will be heled in six weeks." Melinda explains, knowing that because of the break it would have required surgery and longer healing time if it wasn't for S.H.I.E.L.D medical tech and medication.
"Going to be a long six weeks." Tony comments, trying to hide how worried he is about the woman he loves.
"Really is." Melinda confirms, "How were the girls today?" Melinda asks curious.
"Good, they're both good." Tony assures Melinda, "Bobbi got 100% on her science quiz." Tony reveals, it being more than clear that he is proud.
"That's great." Melinda says, looking happy, and proud.
"Yep." Tony confirms, "I Put it on the fridge and we went for ice cream after dinner." He reveals.
"Of course, you did." Melinda says, looking amused, "So I guess we're going to give Bobbi, and Daisy, ice cream every time they do well."
"Sounds good to me, achievements need to be recognized in a way that matters." Tony says, and Melinda knows exactly why Tony thinks that and so she reaches out and takes his hand, which she squeezes.
For a few minutes Melinda and Tony sit together, neither talking, just enjoying each other's company.
"I should go to bed." Melinda finally says, breaking the silence, "Are you going to keep working or join me?" Melinda asks curious.
"I'm going to keep working, I'm close to a breakthrough." Tony admits.
"You don't have to explain yourself." Melinda assures him, "Night." Melinda says, before leaning forward and kissing him.
"Night." Tony responds, and once they break apart Melinda heads to bed while Tony continues with his work.
January 23rd 1999
A little over six weeks has passed since Melinda broke her ankle and in that time Melinda's ankle has healed and she is back to full duty, though she hasn't been back on a mission since.
It is a Saturday afternoon and while Tony is in LA on Stark business Melinda is home with the girls. While Daisy is napping Melinda is in the living room of the apartment working on some of her S.H.I.E.L.D paperwork.
"Mom." Bobbi says, walking into the room.
"Yeah?" Melinda asks, looking up from what she is doing in time to see Bobbi climb over the furniture, "Bobbi…." Melinda starts to say.
"I know, I know, I won't climb over furniture." Bobbi tells her mother.
"You could at least try to be convincing." Melinda tells her daughter.
"I'll remember that." Bobbi comments, "Mom, there was something I was wondering."
"Sure, what is it?" Melinda asks curious.
"I was wondering if you could teach me martial arts." Bobbi admits, looking a little nervous.
"Why would you like me to?" Melinda asks her daughter, wanting to know her reasons.
"I have my powers, and they're great, and can be helpful" Bobbi admits, clearly showing that she isn't scared of her powers like she once was, "But if I ever need to protect myself, or Daisy, or Uncle Tony I want to be able to do it properly." Bobbi explains, and as she does it is clear to Melinda that this is something that is important to her.
"Protecting your sister and Tony isn't your responsibility." Melinda informs her daughter.
"I know, but It's something I can do, something which, let's face it, I may have to do, so I would like to be able to do it practically." Bobbi admits, sounding a lot older than she is, something which does actually hurt Melinda as she realises that as as much as she's tried to protect her daughter she hasn't been able to protect her from everything.
"There are going to be rules, and you have to follow them." Melinda explains to her daughter.
"I will." Bobbi says, with a nod.
"Okay, let's go to the gym." Melinda says, closing her paperwork and as she does Bobbi looks excited and Melinda knows that while she will not teach Bobbi in the same way she taught Clint, Natasha, and Maria, she will take their extremely seriously as she knows how dangerous it could be.
March 20th 1999
About two months have passed since Melinda started to teach Bobbi Martial arts and every since then Bobbi has continued to learn and is improving at an amazing rate.
It is a Saturday evening and Melinda and Tony are getting ready to go to an event which is honouring Peggy, and event that Phil, Rhodey, Richard, Mary, Fury, and other members of the Carter family or who have relation to Howling Commandoes, are also attending.
"So, you're really giving a speech?" Melinda asks Tony curious as he does his bow tie, knowing that it's unusual for him.
"One I've actually written." Tony says, showing Melinda the cue cards.
"Are you actually going to read the cards?" Melinda asks curious, as he walks towards Tony wearing a long black dress with a sweetheart neckline and her hair down.
"For Aunt Peg I am." Tony confirms, as Peggy asked him to give this speech so he would never screw it up, and Melinda smiles softly, "You ready to go?"
"Yep." Melinda confirms.
"And you're sure about these baby sitters?" Tony asks his voice joking, "You sure they're up to it?" he asks, his voice slightly more serious.
"Yeah, it's going to teach them a few things, plus Bobbi and Daisy are really excited." Melinda explains, "So are Sharon and Antoine." Melinda adds.
"Of course, they are." Tony says, looking amused, "My lady." He says, sticking out his arm for Melinda to take, and she just rolls her eyes, but takes it and both head out of their room.
About a minute later Melinda and Tony walk into the living room where Bobbi, Daisy, Sharon and Trip and their baby sitters Natasha, Clint, and Maria are.
"Wow you clean up nice." Clint comments.
"Eloquent as ever Barton." Tony says, looking amused.
"Pretty." Daisy says, looking between Melinda and Tony, from where she is sitting watching her sister, Sharon, and Trip play.
"Thanks Daisy." Melinda says, walking over to her daughter, "Be good for Uncle Clint, Natasha, and Maria." She tells Daisy, kissing the top of her head, "That goes for you three too." Melinda tells Bobbi, Sharon and Trip.
"Yes, Aunt Melinda." Trip says, in a polite voice, as Sharon nods.
"Of course." Bobbi says, with a smirk, which makes Bobbi look a lot like Tony, and the man himself laughs at that, "Say Hi to Aunt Peggy for me." She requests.
"Oh, me too!" Sharon adds.
"Of course, we will Little Bird, Sharon." Tony says, even though he knows that Peggy is going to pay a surprise visit to Daisy and Bobbi, and likely Sharon and Trip, tomorrow, and Bobbi walks over to give Tony a hug.
"Have fun." Bobbi says to Tony as he hugs her.
"You too." Tony tells Bobbi as he returns the hug and places a kiss on the top of her head.
"You have…." Melinda starts to say.
"Your number, Tony's number, Peggy's number, Coulson's number, and even Happy's number, yep." Maria confirms, knowing what Melinda was going to say.
"We'll look after Bobbi, Daisy, Sharon, and Antoine; you and Tony have fun." Clint says, knowing better than telling Melinda not to worry about her daughters, or Sharon and Trip.
"If you don't want to be late you should go." Natasha says, glancing at the clock.
"Right we should." Melinda says, walking over to Bobbi, "I'll see you later, I love you." Melinda tells her daughter.
"Love you too." Bobbi responds.
"Bye Uncle Tony, Aunt Melinda." Sharon says, with a wave as Melinda and Tony walk to the elevators and take them down to the garage.
A while later Melinda and Tony are at the event that is honouring Peggy and they have both had a drink while they mingle with the other guests.
"Tony, Melinda." A very familiar voice says and they both turn to see Peggy walking towards them.
"Aunt Peggy." Melinda and Tony say together, both sounding happy.
"it's so good to see you both." Peggy says, as she hugs both of them at the same time.
"It's good to see you too." Melinda assures her.
"Really good." Tony confirms, as the three of them break apart.
"I know how much you hate these things, so thank you for doing this for me." Peggy says, as she straightens her godson's bow tie.
"You really don't have to thank me, Aunt Peg, not after everything you've done for me." Tony assures her, and Peggy just smiles back at her godson.
"Are we still on for tomorrow?" Melinda asks, breaking the silence.
"Of course. I wouldn't miss it." Peggy assures her.
"Great." Melinda says, looking happy.
"If everyone would take their seats we can begin." A presentation says and as she does everyone starts to take their seats, Peggy, Melinda, Tony all sitting at the table with Peggy's son, Daughter, nephew, Richard, and Mary. Richard and Mary sitting at the table as Richard is representing his grandfather, the Howling Commando Pinky Pinkerton who died a couple of months earlier, outliving his daughter, Richard's mother, who died when Richard was a child.
After Richard's mother died when he was young Pinky reconnected with his grandson, who he didn't know as Pinky had a falling out with his daughter, and because he never got the chance to make things right with her he became a huge part of Richard's life, going so far as practically raising him, and not long after they connected Richard met Peggy for the first time; and when he did she insisted he call her 'Aunt Peggy' which he has been doing ever since, and so it means a lot to him to be with Peggy when she receives her award.
Over the next half an hour or so everyone at the event enjoy their meals and talks from various people, including Fury, all of whom talk about how incredible Peggy is, the amazing things she has done, and how she completely deserves the Lifetime Service Award she is being awarded with.
"Now I would like to welcome Director Carter's Godson Tony Stark up to say a few words." The presenter says.
"You've got this." Melinda says, supportively, as she squeezes Tony's hand before he gets up, and heads to the stage.
"Good evening." Tony greats, when he gets to the stage, being glad that there is no press in the room, and that the people who are in it aren't likely to talk about things that are said or done as that way he can be a bit more open, "You may know Peggy Carter as Director Carter, or Agent Carter, but to me she's Aunt Peggy, who has influenced my life more than I can put into words, who's presence is my life is one of the things I'm most thankful for." Tony says, looking around the room, but he focuses at the table where his family is sitting, "You don't need me to tell you everything Aunt Peggy's achieved, you already know, you wouldn't be here if you didn't." Tony says, "But what I can say is this, Peggy Carter is one of the most amazing people I've ever met, she constantly inspires me and no matter what has always been there for me, loved me, shown me kindness and has been someone I could always count on, no matter what." Tony says, "So, if you'd raise your glasses I would like to propose a toast, to Peggy Carter, a hero, an inspiration, and completely deserving of a lifetime service award." Tony says, "To Peggy." He says, toasting and everyone around the room does the same, before heading back to the table where he sits back with his family, Melinda once more taking his hand as he sits down.
Hours later Melinda and Tony have returned home, checked on Bobbi, Daisy, Sharon, and Trip who are all asleep, Trip and Sharon staying for the night in two of the spare rooms, and said goodbye to Natasha, Clint, and Maria.
It's late at night but rather than sleeping Melinda and Tony, both of whom have changed into more comfortable clothes, are sitting on one of their balcony's drinking whiskey.
"What's going on in that head of yours?" Melinda asks curious, as she can tell that Tony is thinking deeply about something.
"Nothing, I'm just thinking." Tony admits.
"About?" Melinda asks.
"It was Mom and Aunt Peg and Jarvis, they saved me, and I didn't even realise." Tony says, looking sad, "Dad sucked, but they were always there, Ana too."
"Yeah, they were." Melinda confirms, as she knows that.
"I miss my Mom." Tony admits, doing what he basically never does and admits that.
"I know." Melinda says, reaching over and taking Tony's hand.
"I want to be that for Bobbi and Daisy, someone they can always count on." Tony reveals.
"Tony, you already are." Melinda assures him, "They love you, they look up to you, Bobbi wants to be like you, and Daisy smiles whenever you walk into a room." Melinda explains, as she leans forward, "I know you worry about being like your father, but as far as I'm concerned you have nothing to worry about because I know you're too much like your mother for that to ever happen, no matter what anyone else thinks" Melinda reveals.
"How do you have so much faith in me?" Tony asks, as he feels like he doesn't deserve it.
"Because I love you, and I know you better than anyone else." Melinda reveals, and having no idea how to respond to that Tony just leans forward and kisses her.
"I love you too." Tony responds.
"How about we head inside." Melinda suggests.
"I'm not tired." Tony reveals.
"Neither am I." Melinda says, with a smirk, and a she does Tony smirks back and they both head inside, heading straight to the bedroom with thoughts of something other than sleep on their minds.
AN2: So I know Richard's family is probably something I should have mentioned earlier, but the truth is I was trying to figure out other stuff and I realised that I never mentioned it, so sorry about that. Also, the connection that Melinda and Richard have, why they have known each other longer than Tony, will be explained in a future chapter.