So it goes with saying that only things I own with any connection to MARVEL I bought on Ebay or Etsy. MARVEL COMICS & MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE are their own creatures and I have nothing to do with either of them aside from the fact I enjoy reading or watching them, and am grateful for the ability to play in their world. I claim nothing, and I receive nothing for this, expect the pleasure of putting something out into the world.
You can also find this story on under the same title and pen name.
CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
FRIDAY, JULY 6TH 2012
0907 HOURS
PEPPER POTTS CABIN, WOODSTOCK NY
2565 ROUTE 212
STEVE
She let me spend the entire day, more then a day technically with her, and even though we lived in the same apartment once, I never felt so happy and comfortable in someone's presence. Now, more then ever, being allowed to be be near her felt like a gift. Even when she cried.
It was always part of my plan, and after I got past explaining what I had to, I gave her Bucky's journal. I also gave her one of his army issue sweaters, like the one I found him in and most importantly I gave her the picture of a woman dancing in a polka dot dress. An image of her, of the life Bucky always wished he could have given her. After the Smithsonian was informed that I was alive, they opened up their archives, and offered me the chance to reclaim any of my possessions from the war, and that was among what I chose, what I didn't send back.
I didn't mind giving it to her, I was there when those entries were made and knew what was in them. She deserved it more then I did, Bucky would have wanted her to have it more then me, more then some museum and a never ending line of strangers.
She didn't say anything when I gave her that, her only reaction, other then clutching them to her chest and spilling tears was the slight widening of her eyes is she realized what it was, and the smile that stayed on her face even through her sorrow.
I'd like it if I never had to see her cry again, but at the same time I was happy watching her do that. As confusing and conflicting as that might sound, I was glad because while she did it she let me be there. She let me put a blanket around her shoulders, let me sit at her side, and let me hold her through it. No words, or running my hands over her hair or back, just the comfort of my presence. She let me do exactly what I asked for, just to be there with her even though her feelings for me were so complicated, and that was more then enough.
Even when my phone shivered to life, with a message from Natasha that I was sure ended the moment, she didn't make me leave. In fact after I texted Natasha back telling her it was alright to return to the house, and assumed it was time for me to go, Nora told me to stay and I don't think I've ever been happier with an order before.
She didn't read the journal, which I was fine with. I understood that it was something she probably wanted to, and should be left to do alone.
We just spent time together, eating breakfast, then lunch then dinner together, and talking in between. Not the past, but the present. She asked me about what seem referred to as the 'happy homemaker tale'. Knowing what I did now, I felt worse then ever about that because we made up the lie for the media that she was my girlfriend. She should have been mad at me for that, but she was uncannily understanding. She even laughed at bits of it, and in my mind, that sound made it all okay.
Since she asked, even after she fell asleep on the couch, I stayed. I tucked her in, and like a gentleman, I took the floor.
FRIDAY, JULY 6TH 2012
0909 HOURS
PEPPER POTTS CABIN, WOODSTOCK NY
2565 ROUTE 212
NATASHA
They're so cute. At this point it shouldn't be to anyone's surprise that I spent quite a bit of time checking the security feed through out the night, and watching Captain America sleeping on the floor like some sort of teenage slumber party was absolutely adorable. I am still fighting the very tempting urge to find out how much that picture could fetch me on Ebay, but I'm also winning that fight. The one I'm having more trouble with is disregarding Tony's borderline neurotic insistence that I wake 'spangles' for some 'much needed education on how the world works'.
When J.A.R.V.I.S told me that Tony was about to take remote control of the buildings systems is when I finally agreed, and told him to give me time. Then I immediately got a hold of Pepper to make sure he actually did, more then a few minutes. I wasn't just going to throw a phone at them to appease a particularly mad engineer, even if he is ours.
FRIDAY, JULY 6TH 2012
0911 HOURS
PEPPER POTTS CABIN, WOODSTOCK NY
2565 ROUTE 212
STEVE
I woke before Nora did, and couldn't bring myself to disturb her. It might count as creepy behavior, but I enjoyed watching her sleep. She looked peaceful and content with her hands tucked under her pillow and cheek, with the blankets still hiding everything beneath her neck.
The light tapping that I heard penetrate the door told me I wasn't the only one who had this thought. It also told me exactly who was knocking. The sound was too soft for someone who wasn't absolutely sure I was awake enough to hear it.
Sure enough, its Natasha on the other side of the door, with a smile, a food cart, and Miss Saunders. Its for her that I don't tell them to leave the food and shut the door.
It might also have a bit to do with the fact I can hear Nora stirring behind me, and I'm not going to kick her caretaker and sister out in front of her, no matter how I disapprove of the behavior of the latter.
FRIDAY, JULY 6TH 2012
0911 HOURS
PEPPER POTTS CABIN, WOODSTOCK NY
2565 ROUTE 212
MADDIE
Aww, how cute...she slept in her clothes. We're going to fix that behavior. I decide after I look her over with a bit of disappointment. I thought I was taking care of a Goddess. That thought will wait until after breakfast. While rumpled clothes are distasteful, it is almost a crime to let the food I cooked be eaten cold.
Because he's Captain America, and 'because' 'he's' 'Captain' 'America' I offer him a respectable nod and smile as he lets us pass, and I might let my eyes linger on him a little longer then necessary is his attention turns to miss Romanoff. Hmm, that man. Then I make myself get back to work. I do have a Goddess to feed and make decent. "Alright sleeping beauty, up and at 'em. Chop chop."
FRIDAY, JULY 6TH 2012
0912 HOURS
PEPPER POTTS CABIN, WOODSTOCK NY
2565 ROUTE 212
STEVE
"Thanks." As many disagreements we might have between us, there's nothing but genuine gratitude in that. "For yesterday." Natasha is in-charge of the security and staff, and if she hadn't agreed to it in the end, it wouldn't have happened, I wouldn't have gotten my friend back, not really, not like I did.
"You're welcome." She offers back with a grin, and even a bit of forwardness that I allow when she pats my arm with a bit of a nudge. ,"But..." She drops her voice a little, along with the sinking sense of my happiness. "We do have a problem. Tony wants to talk to you."
FRIDAY, JULY 6TH 2012
0912 HOURS
PEPPER POTTS CABIN, WOODSTOCK NY
2565 ROUTE 212
ARNORA
They were being quiet, and discrete, but not so much as to be disrespectful. They weren't trying to broadcast their conversation, but they also weren't trying to keep it a secret given that they were right in front of me. The name Tony told me all I needed to know.
"Its okay Steve." My voice catches his attention, mid point, silencing whatever I can see forming in his expression. "Go see what Tony needs. I don't mind."
That seems to snap him from his spell, but not without one more reminder. Moving across the room in a few quick strides I find him cupping my hand in his, though he does restrain himself from any affections beyond that. "I'll make this quick. I'll be back. You have nothing to worry about."
FRIDAY, JULY 6TH 2012
0913 HOURS
PEPPER POTTS CABIN, WOODSTOCK NY
2565 ROUTE 212
STEVE
"Are you trying to get her arrested?" Is the first sentence Holo-Tony asks me, and I'm not at all surprised or pleased that his question is sarcastic and rhetorical. I'm under no illusion that he doesn't already think he knows the answer. "Did you really think J.A.R.V.I.S wouldn't tell me about your little 'home alone' moment?"
Actually I did think J.A.R.V.I.S would tell Tony, and I even gave the A.I permission because I didn't care. I also knew that while J.A.R.V.I.S is at our beckon call, it ultimately serves Tony, and likely has protocols to report to him even with our objections in place anyways. None of this is spoken, given I am trying to hold off my annoyance as long as possible, but it's displayed very clearly on my face.
"Okay..." The projection sighs like an indigent parent as it pinches the bridge of its nose. "Let me give you an idea of what's going on in the real world. She is Waygu beef," I really miss the days, where if you could see someone in arms reach, you could punch them. "She is the last Kobe strip steak in the world, and were the restaurant who have her hidden in the freezer. Now the only reason the customers aren't asking for her is because S.H.I.E.L.D has their hand on that part of the menu."
His lack off mass made it easier to keep my hands in check, but it didn't too much for my mood, when he talked about her like that. "She's not a piece of meat, Tony!"
"SHE IS STEVE!" He shouts back, matching my fire and maintaining it "SHE'S THE RAREST PIECE OF MEAT ON THE PLANET! AND IF YOU KEEP HANDLING HER LIKE AN IDIOT S.H.I.E.L.D'S GONNA TAKE HER FROM YOU!"
FRIDAY, JULY 6TH 2012
0914 HOURS
PEPPER POTTS CABIN, WOODSTOCK NY
2565 ROUTE 212
TONY
"They can try." Is his response, and of course it is. Why wouldn't it be? Its only outdated stubborn perseverance. Apparently that must have been attractive once. Right up there with suspenders, waist high pants, and sexism. I thought he got over all of that, I guess I misjudged. Honestly, how did anyone ever find that attractive?
"No, Steve," I sigh as I set my weight in a lean against my desk, settling in for the long haul and kind of wondering why I didn't sooner. Nobody says I have to stand for these... "THEY CAN. This isn't some rogue militant cult that your fighting with the backing of a dozen nations! This would be you, the other few Avengers and the expertise of my lawyers."
He starts, that stubbornness latching on to whatever it can find "You have the best legal team on..." and forcing me to educate it again. Honestly at this point it might be quicker, to just start hitting him with a hardcover.
"No!" I groan before frustration forces me on yet again "Don't you get it? If we go to court, all S.H.I.E.L.D has to do to out her as the alien girlfriend of an alien terrorist, and case closed. We lose!" I end with a flourishing wave, surprised but beyond pleased that bit of logic shut him up.
"After Loki, after the Chituari and the pant shitting fear being spread by these Rising Tide punks." Hacktivists, gotta love 'em. I don't know how they're giving S.H.I.E.L.D such a hard time shutting down, but I can't say I'm entirely against 'em. "No court, no jury, no government on this planet is just going to let her walk around free. And if you pull another stunt like this S.H.I.E.L.D is going to start to push."
Ohh, that's a bad expression. I realized my slip almost as soon as I finished making it, and in true cat out of the bag style, there was no getting it back. "What do you mean another? you told them!"
Ignoring the patriot glower I just confirm that accusation. "Of course I told them! Did you forget the part where the majority of the WORLD Council is against us? What do you think would happen if they found out I didn't? A slap on the wrist?!" For all that my good intentions seem to piss everyone else off, I'm actually on her side too, and it would be nice to get more appreciation for that. I've sorta known her just as long as everyone else. I sent her so many apology radios for that computer screen incident after all. "It's been Fury's recent 'out of the box' track record, and two Councilman's backing that have kept them from just seizing her with a goddamned army, because their giving her the courtesy of coming back on her own, but if you keep doing stupid shit like sending away the security and almost letting her escape..."
"She didn't almost escape, she didn't even try!" He argues back, and while he is right, he's completely ignoring the point. Ignoring it because I can't see how he's stupid enough to actually miss it.
"But she could have Steve, she could have, and S.H.I.E.L.D isn't just going to sit back and let that happen. It's already been proven humans can subdued and control her, their not just going to leave it up to chance on who eventually does. That's the narrative. That's what my lawyers are fighting against everyday."
And now he just looks like a damn kicked puppy, head hung in submission, as he resigns himself to reality, before he seems to accept it. "What do they want?"
"Joint custody" I offer, as a sarcastic simplification with a shrug as I take a sip from my drink, and meet his 'are you serious' expression with another shrug.
"Yeah I know." I add, taking another drink and finishing off the glass. "Sounds like bullshit to me too. 60-40, though. That's what they want. They'll let you stay in charge but they want a S.H.I.E.L.D presence, an unbiased S.H.I.E.L.D presence, on site. They also want a certain number of face to faces with her."
"And they actually think I would trust S.H.I.E.L.D doctors anywhere near her?" I'm pretty sure that was supposed to be a rhetorical question, but in the spirit of politeness I answer it anyway.
"No. they're actually willing to play ball on that. Seriously, they handed you the game, they didn't even make an offer." I can see the surprise, and suspicion in those eyes."I don't trust it either, but that's how the deal laid itself out, and yeah, we've been looking for loopholes."
FRIDAY, JULY 6TH 2012
0916 HOURS
PEPPER POTTS CABIN, WOODSTOCK NY
2565 ROUTE 212
STEVE
I'd reached a sort of calm and civil state with the conversation, but hearing a third gentlemen enter the conversation above our heads, and hearing what he said seems to steal both of them from me all over again. "Excuse me gentlemen, but on Miss Arnora's request I have opened the channel within her apartment, and she would like Mr. Stark to inform S.H.I.E.L.D, that she agrees to the deal."