Chapter 26: The Lightning Lady of Asgard and other Adventures
"Before I leave for Japan I want you to tell me the rules one last time," Pepper said to Peter, Wanda and Pietro. She was intimidating in her 4-inch heels and business suit with her arms crossed across her chest like that.
"FRIDAY has the emergency numbers. But just in case they're in the drawer," started Wanda.
"No taking Harley outside the tower for anything but school. For that I will take him to Peter's house and he will go with him," Pietro said.
"Harley and I aren't allowed to use the lab while you're gone," Peter groaned.
"Harley has to be in bed at 9:30," Wanda said next, "And check in's twice everyday. Before school and before bed. I'll call you so you don't have to worry about the time difference."
"No powers on your floor but is that really a rule? You can't expect us not to use powers?" Pietro protested.
"I mean it Pietro. No powers," Pepper spoke sternly.
Behind her Tony mouthed, "Use them all you want. You're kids have fun!"
Peter and Wanda stifled their laughs as Pietro smirked.
The three teens were watching Harley, because all the towers residents besides themselves would be gone for the next three or four days. Tony was going with Pepper to Japan for a business trip. Clint and Natasha would be visiting Laura and the kids then spending time in discussions with an adoption agency. Rhodey was going to D.C for a meeting with the military. Steve and Sam were going on another search for Bucky for the next week. Vision had decided to take the week to learn about humans outside the tower. Bruce had been contacted by Betty Ross, they were meeting discreetly because she had info for him to pass on the Avengers, so he should be gone for a while too. Jane and Darcy were going to visit Thor on Asgard to see how his search for Odin was going. They had intel that someone in New York knew something about the AllFather's whereabouts and were going to pass it onto to Thor. (Doctor Strange!). With no other options Pepper had to trust the three teens and the android to watch her son.
"Pepper you don't need to worry. We will all be fine," Wanda soothed, "Go, the car's waiting and Pietro's already started taking down your bags."
Just then the whitehaired teen zoomed back into the room blowing the girls hair into their faces. He picked up a bag and zoomed back out, Wanda spit a strand of hair out of her mouth and glared at the doorway.
"I'm going to make dinner. Have a safe flight. You two come find me when you're done," she told Peter and Harley.
"Peter, I'm not your mother but be careful. Check in with Wanda before and after patrol and call in Pietro for back up if you need. Keep Harley safe for me, at school and outside," she ruffled the teen's hair.
Meanwhile Harley was saying goodbye to Tony, "Have fun, okay? No cool science experiments or technological breakthroughs without me though. And don't try to follow Peter on patrol again! He's only allowed to bring you swinging if you're in danger. Don't try to use one of the suits either. I'll know if you do, you know how?"
"Because we're connected," Harley said jumping into his father's arms for a hug.
"Yeah, because we're connected. Plus FRIDAY will tell me everything. Otherwise have fun and go crazy," Tony finished. He then went to go talk to Peter letting Pepper say goodbye to their son.
"Don't do anything crazy without me. If you get hurt taking out a criminal or fooling around in the lab while I'm not here for you I'll never forgive myself. Just make sure you all stay safe. Take care of Harley. I'm trusting you with him, and you, Pietro and Wanda better not throw a party while we're gone at least notwithout me."
"I promise not to do anything to fun without you. Though I don't know Harley and I probably will break that promise within an hour. And You stay safe too."
"I will kiddo," Tony chuckled giving Peter a squeeze on the shoulder.
"Listen to Pietro, Wanda and Peter. Especially Wanda. Peter's in charge while you're at school. No Lab. Just stay on this floor, Pietro and Wanda are sleeping in our extra room. The usual rules still apply, homework first, no friends over, tell an adult if you saw something that might be dangerous and everything else. Have fun at school, sweetie. We'll miss you," She gave him a final hug and kiss on the cheek.
"I will mom. Have fun in Japan! We'll video call you when you're on the SI jet."
When the door closed behind them, Peter and Harley went to go find Wanda and Pietro.
At the Barton Farm
"So how'd the first meetings go?" Laura asked as she gave mugs of coffee to her brother and sister in law.
"The lawyers Pepper set us up with, Nelson and Murdock, sent us the names of several reliable adoption agencies. We stopped the quinjet at the first one in Chicago for a few hours on the way here," Nat took a long sip of coffee.
"All the files they had us look at just didn't seem right. The kids we met were sweet but none of them felt like they could be ours," Clint said.
"When you do find the right kid you'll be great parents. The kids were so excited to hear you were coming for a week. Lila and Cooper are really excited for you to meet Nate," Laura said then cocked her head. " I think it might be time for you to meet him now. Come," she led them upstairs to meet their newest nephew for the first time.
Where Bruce is meeting Betty
Betty had a conference in western Penssylvania, the middle of nowhere, so she asked Bruce to meet her there. Natasha and Clint dropped him off on the way to Chicago and had told him to call them when they were done. So Bruce met Betty at the road diner she had sent him directions to. He purposely hadn't shaved in a week or so. So he walked in in a puffy vest on top of a flannel shirt and wearing a baseball cap with a bit of scruff, looking like any trucker driving their cargo across the country. He ordered a cup of coffee and sat down. Betty joined him a few minutes later. After akwardly embracing and a bit of catching up the two got down to business.
"So now that we're through with the pleasantries what did you need to talk to me about?" Bruce asked.
"My father brought me to another of those horrible military dinners. This Colonel was showing off to me by telling me some nformation he had just learnt. S.H.I.E.L.D is still running. He says they're definitley not Hydra anymore and he dropped a few names to try and impress me even more. An Agent May, Agent Tripp and Agent Morse were mentioned. Along with a Drs. Fitz-Simmons."
"Tony and Steve have had their suspicions especially after Sokovia. But this is actual intel, thank you for telling me. What did you say was the name of the guy that dropped this in an attempt to flirt?"
"Don't you get overprotective," Betty mock scolded. "But the jerk's name was Glenn Talbot. I'm also pretty sure he was married." (In the comics he's her ex-husband)
"Sounds like a class act," Bruce laughed.
"It was really nice to see you Bruce, but I need to get going Dad always insists on keeping a guard on me during these things. I'm only able to avoid them for so long," she said getting up and pecking him on the cheek.
"Stay safe Betty."
"You too Bruce."
On Asgard in Heimdal's Bifrost entrance
"Darcy! Jane!" Thor greeted the former with a bone crushing hug before giving Jane a quick chaste kiss.
"I missed you too big guy," Darcy said.
"Darcy this is Heimdal the All-Seer," Thor introduced her to the other man in the room.
"So can you see where Thor's old-man is? Or if Wanda found my chocholate stash while we've been gone?"
"Sadly I cannot find the All-Father. Powerful magic blocks him from my sight. As for your chocholate it is safe for now. She has her hands full making sure the boys with her do not break the house rules," Heimdal chuckled.
"It's nice to see you again Heimdal. I don't believe I got to thank you for all you did for us last time I was here. And I'm very sorry for Darcy's behavior. She's very curious and excitable," Jane said.
"It is no trouble Lady Jane," Heimdal said with a small bow.
Outside the the golden dome waited Fandral with two horses. Thor helped Jane onto one then mounted in front she held on tight so she didn't fall off. Darcy looked hesistantly at the horse.
"Don't worry Lady Darcy. I will not led you fall while we ride towards the palace," Fandral told her. He knelt letting her use his knee as a mounting block.
"You're Fandral right? The one called the "Dashing"? I can see why. I think we met in New Mexico," Darcy said as he climbed in front of her.
"Yes, where we battled the destroyer. A difficult opponent but no trouble for the Warriors three," Fandral puffed out his chest boastfully.
"Fandral, please do not try and woo Lady Darcy. I would hate to have to hurt you once you break her heart," Thor scolded as they started their gallop to the palace.
"I break her heart? More likely she break's mine!" Thor's blond friend held his hands to his chest and swooned dramatically.
"I didn't get to thank you for your help either Fandral," Jane said sensing this could go on for a while.
"No need, and save the rest of your thanks for the welcome feast with Sif and the rest of the warriors three," Fandral said as they rode through the city gates. The people of Asgard were waiting there to greet them. Cheers broke out across the city from all the residents of Asgard's golden capital.
"It's Lady Jane, Thor's beloved!"
"And the Lightning Lady. Darcy," could be heard.
"That's the Lightning Lady?"
"Aye."
"Will any of Thor's other midguardian friends be coming? I want to see the Man of Iron. Or meet the one with a Hawk's eye. Or.. Or," A child told his mother.
"No, just the Studier of Stars and the Lightning Lady."
Jane and Darcy only caught bits of the words among the cheers. They finally reached the palace and the men helped them both down from thier mounts. Thor led them inside the palace to a door.
"Here, we set up the best guest room. The servants set out some Asgardian robes for you both. If you need anymore help I'll be in the palace getting ready for the feast as well," Thor said. He opened the door for them and let them inside.
The two were in a room with two beds buried in purple and gold pillows, furs, and shimmery silver blankets. There was a balcony where they could view the city and two dressing tables with mirrors. Bowls of fruit were on the table as well as what seemed like sweets.
"Oh, I could get used to this!" Darcy said flopping down on the bed.
"I thought you liked the tower?" Jane asked putting her stuff down.
"I do. But now I'm used to this, I'm ready to be spoiled on a whole nother level."
"You can be spoiled later. We should get dressed for dinner now," Jane said. "Thor said that all of Asgardians nobles and warriors will be at dinner. We're sitting with just him, Sif and the warriors three. So we won't be with complete strangers but we need to be presentable."
Thor knocked on the door an hour later to get the two women. Both had dressed in the clothes they were given and Jane had found something similiar to a straightening/curling iron. Darcy wore a red dress with black leather leggings and a vest of the same material on top. The green dress had tones of green that shone as light shined on it from different angles. Jane wore a tight royal blue wrap in the style of asgard. She had a silver chain mail belt around her waist and a red underskirt the same color as the same color as Thor's cape swished around her ankles. The red layer under the royal blue dress was a nice contrast. The hall was crowded with Asgardians they had never seen, but Thor quickly led them over to the smallest table where there was room for just them, Sif, plus the Warriors Three. Greetings were exchanged and then they dug in.
"So, what was with that thing on the streets?" Darcy asked Thor and Fandral. "They were calling us the Lightning Lady and the Studier of Stars."
"Stories about the royal family are passed around quickly. The servants obviously overheard Thor's report to Odin and Frigga. The people of the streets heard and Jane became the Studier of the Stars," Sif said. "And you Darcy became the Lightning Lady. You're the particular favorite of the people."
"Yes, they find it amusing I was taking down with a lightning device. To some you're more of a hero than Jane. One must be powerful to take down the prince with his own source of power," Thor chuckled.
"Yah hear that Janey? I've got my own fanclub," Darcy smiled.
"I heard. Now I wanted to thank you all for helping me the last time was here. We couldn't have escaped without you," Jane said.
"It is no problem. But you must be here for more than visiting?" Hogan asked.
"Yes. As you know I'm the one along with Ex-Agent Hill, to search through any information online that might be useful to the Avengers. We got information from someone in New York about an Old Man with Odin's description. We came to tell you that it should probably checked out," Darcy said.
"That would mean bringing Loki back to New York with me to check it out," Thor groaned.
"The others won't like that Natasha will kill him," Jane said.
"I've heard about this Natasha, the beautiful redheaded warrior? I should come as well," decided Fandral.
"No!" Volstagg laughed. "She sounds like Sif and that would have you beheaded within a minute."
"I shall go with Thor to restrain Loki. I am very familiar with Midgard now with all my recen..." Sif suddenly seemed to remember who she was at the table with.
"You were on earth and didn't visit? Hurtful!" Darcy joked.
"Sif, when did you visit Midgard and for what Purpose?" Thor asked.
"For what I thought was the All-Father the first time. TO capture Lorlei with the help of SHIELD before it fell. The second time to catch a Kree. I met with a part of SHIELD still running, some of the Avengers know the man who runs it. He's trustworthy. But they were harboring a Kree experiment. Ones that call themselves Inhumans," Sif said.
"Wait, SHIELD is still runnning?" Jane asked. "How did none of us know this?"
"That is less important than the other matter at hand. What happened with this Inhuman?" Thor said.
"I have a feeling you'll meet her soon along with the rest of this SHIELD unit. She sedated herself to save us from her powers," Sif said. "I know she is not harmful, if there are others I am not sure."
"So you will accompany me and Loki to Midgard when it is time to search for the All-Father," Thor said.
"Any other secrets that need reveling before we all retire?" joked Volstagg.
"I am sure there is no more," Hogan said, "Let us just think on all we have learnt."
"I do have one question. Do you guys have anymore of those delicious golden apples? Frigga gave me one the last time I was here and it's been in the back of my mind since," Jane smiled at the memory of the taste.
The Asgardians there all gaped at her for a few minutes. Darcy and Jane looked at them questioningly.
"You said you ate a golden apple? One that Frigga gave you?" Fandral asked.
"Yes?" Jane said in confusion.
"An apple of Idunn," Sif gasped.
"An apple of who now?" Darcy spoke up.
"These apples gift one an Asgardian lifespan. My mother must have thought that you were deserving. Only two or three others have been gifted with this honor," Thor said.
"Jane's going to live forever?" Darcy almost yelled.
"No, just for around two thousand years or so more than she would. I'm only around 1,300," Fandral said, "Still at my prime."
"Thor warned you not to talk like that to the Midguardians," warned Hogan.
"I thank my mother again for this gift. Jane, I thought I would have to live the majority of my life without you. Something that pained me much, but that is no longer a worry. We shall be together, in Asgard or Midgard, for all these years to come," Thor vowed.
"So I'm going to live as long as you? I'm sorry, I need to think about all of this," Jane said rushing out of the room.
"Jane!" Darcy said rushing out behind her.
Thor got up to chase after them both but Sif pulled him back down. None of the Asgardians at the table ate another bite.