++++++ I do not own Marvel or any affiliated characters apart from my OC. All rights belong to Stan Lee ++++++

Realizations - Malibu, California

Tony wasn't at his Malibu mansion when Jimmy and I arrived, Pepper Tony's assistant was and she let us in with a grin on her face. "I expected the two of you an hour ago."

"Sorry, had to go shopping," I answered. "This little kid had no clothing but some hospital whites." I didn't use SHIELD funds to buy him clothes, I used my own funds. Living a very long time had its advantages including having funds worth over several millions worth. "Where's Tony's spare room?"

Pepper grinned. "Of course he does. I've called Tony and told him you were coming, he didn't seem to be happy with the idea that you were bringing the mutants war here. But he will be here tonight. Asked me to meet you here. Have you met JARVIS?"

I'd always been fond of Pepper Potts, she cleaned up Tony's messes and didn't think anything of it. She didn't complain. "Who?" I asked her. "I haven't been in his new place?"

"Say hello, JARVIS," Pepper smiled as she showed the two of us down the corridor to the back rooms.

"Hello, Miss Ellis, Mr Carter," came an automated voice.

Jimmy tugged my shirt. "What's that?"

Pepper laughed. "That's JARVIS, Tony made it. It stands for Just A Rather Very Intelligent System. JARVIS for short."

"Miss Potts," JARVIS spoke, "Mr Stark will be here momentarily. He is pulling up the driveway."

Pepper opened the door to the spare room. "I'll be back."

I handed Jimmy the bag with his clothes in it. "Go put your stuff in the empty drawers, neatly, then we will go get some ice cream."

Jimmy hesitantly grabbed the bag and ran into the room.

I grinned and followed Pepper out into the lounge room. Tony Stark, genius, billionaire, philanthropist, playboy was pouring himself a drink and having words with Pepper in a low voice. I cleared my throat to catch their attention. "Some hello, Tony." I folded my arms and leant up against the bench. "Something wrong?"

Tony took a sip of his whiskey. "Yeah, I don't appreciate you bringing your war to my doors. What happens at that freak school isn't any of my business."

I raised an eyebrow. "Freak school? Anthony Howard Stark, you know how I feel about that word freak."

"Tony, she came here for help," Pepper assured him. "They'll be no problem, he's just a boy."

"Who's just a boy?" Tony frowned just as Jimmy came out with his jacket.

"This is Jimmy Carter," I replied, introducing him to Tony. "Jimmy's the source of the so called mutant cure. Some mutants opposed to the general existence of the cure are trying to kill him. I thought he'd be safe here and I'm the only one who knows where he is. Jimmy, this is Tony Stark."

Jimmy stared at Tony and grabbed my arm.

I grinned. "He's just a kid Tony." I buttoned my jacket up and pointed Jimmy to the door. "We're going to get some ice cream." When Jimmy disappeared outside with Pepper I stopped just a few feet away. "You've done a lot in your life, Tony. You're smart, very smart but sometimes you are so damn stupid. Your parents raised you better than this. You've spent time with these so called freaks. Hank was your mentor when you were a kid. There are people in this world that need to be accepted. Who cares if they can manipulate fire or if they can walk through walls. They're still people. We'll only be here a couple days than we'll be out of your hair. You don't even have to know where here."

I went outside where Jimmy was picking some flowers.

Pepper smiled when she saw me. "I am so, so sorry. I didn't mean for him to react that way."

I shrugged. "That's ok, Pepper. He's Tony Stark, unless is technology, booze or women he doesn't care. Shouldn't expect anything different."

"JARVIS has your number," Pepper replied, changing the subject. "If there is anything wrong."

"You're a peach Pepper," I grinned. "Really, thanks." I went over to Jimmy and pulled his cap down on his head. "Come on kid, let's get some ice cream before you fade away into a shadow. Or more importantly-I fade away into a shadow."

He laughed at me.

I took his hand and dragged him down the driveway.

By the time the two of us had returned to the mansion, Tony and Pepper were sitting on the lounge watching the news. It was a broadcast live from Alcatraz in San Francisco, a helicopter was showing the viewers a view of the Golden Gate Bridge that was now sitting just on the edge of the island.

"Holy cow," I gasped. "Jesus, Eric."

"You know this guy?" Tony asked, pointing at the figure with the helmet standing aside with other mutants.

I nodded. "Yeah, Eric. Old friend, very old friend…Jimmy, why don't you go have a look at those schools on the computer in the room? The ones I was telling you about." I slipped him the napkin with the list of schools on it and he ran off into the room.

I jumped over the back of the couch and landed beside Tony.

"All this for one kid, must be an important kid," Tony shrugged.

I snatched the glass of whisky from his hand. "Kid's the cure, or so they say. He neutralizes the mutants powers, makes them human. Hence why they want to kill him." I stared back at the bedroom. "He grew up in a lab, being tested on his whole life…if it wasn't for your dad that would be me right now." I sat back on the couch with a sigh. "If I order Thai food is anyone hungry?"

"Sure," Tony replied. "You know what I get."

"How could I not?" I laughed. I jumped up and threw a look at the TV before grabbing the phone.

During the night I was lying there listening to the gentle sound of Jimmy snoring when my phone started vibrating. I leant over to grab it and saw that it was a text from Hank.

Whatever had happened on Alcatraz was over.

I sighed and sat up. Charles was dead, Scott was dead, Jean was gone…it was a new generation-one which I wasn't a part of anymore. Hell, even SHIELD had changed. I looked sideways at Jimmy. He was excited about schools in New York, especially the ones for gifted kids. It would be pointless in letting him school at Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters considering he'd stop them from using his powers. I was at that point in my life where some things had to change and I now knew that I had to pick a path to follow.

Great time for a midlife crisis.

An even better time for goodbyes and new beginnings.

++++++ Thanks for your review Sparkles of Youthfulness. Trust me when i say that most of what you said has been on my mind for some time hence the long gap between chapter 37 and chapter 38. I needed to take down notes and do some research and to be honest, my muse deserted me for a while there. I have changed this to a crossover between Avengers and X-Men and X-Men is now done. I wasn't going to do X-Men but I am not a huge fan of long gaps between the years/stories. Hence why some of it appears to be a filler. The next chapter will be Iron Man followed by Thor than moving into the Avengers. Thanks again for your review, I like it when people are honest and do it without being rude. You did it well. Looking forward to meeting some of your stuff in the future ++++++

++++++ Thanks to my other reviewers, Shannyrox101, JotunChick11 - I love that your friend has referenced this to you, Skyeward MusicLover and my guests! ++++++