Forging New Paths

Avengers Tower, Manhattan

Two Weeks Later

The last two weeks had been hectic. Public appearances on almost every talk show imaginable aside, the cleanup of Beijing, Durban and DC and Wakanda occupied much of the team's time. Plus, the team had a belated birthday party for Jessica, as they had missed her birthday during this saga with Ultron.

Viper thankfully didn't make an appearance, but Jessica did receive a mysterious present that she had yet to open.

As cleanup wound down, the team finally had a moment to relax and unwind after saving the world. While they did so, they discussed what to do about the hero situation. While it was becoming evident that more heroes than previously thought had survived Hydra's attack a few weeks ago, they were still severely outnumbered by the villains.

They decided to split the team up. They had over twenty members, so there were plenty of them for two powerful teams. Steve gave everyone a few days to decide where they wanted to go.

While spending some quality time on a Valentine's Day getaway, Bobbi and Clint decided to discuss that between themselves. Clint determined that he wasn't sure. Bobbi was undecided also.

Days later, they were both still unsure.

He walked into his kitchenette and found her sitting at the table, a cup of hot cocoa beside her and a digital scrapbook in front of her. She was scanning the front page of the Daily Bugle that came out the day after Ultron was defeated.

"Ms. Marvel and Avengers Save World!

Ms. Marvel, Cap's new sweetheart, and the other Avengers foiled Spider-Man and Ultron's bid to take over the world yesterday."

Carol wasn't thrilled about the new name. Peter was totally excited about being implicated with Ultron.

Clint wrapped his arms around Bobbi and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Never figured you for the scrap-booking type."

She leaned into him and sighed. "Everyone needs a hobby, right?"

He nodded and sat down beside her. "Like we have time for hobbies." He snickered and stole her cup of cocoa. "So I was thinking."

"First time for everything, I suppose."

He rolled his eyes and took a sip. "Not bad. Anyway, I was thinking and I still don't know what I want to do." He sighed heavily and slumped down in his chair. "I don't know. What about you?"

She took her mug back and closed the scrap book. "I've been thinking too. I… think I want to move."

Clint kept his expression neutral, though inwardly, he was beginning to panic. "How far are we talking?"

"LA."

Now, he was really panicking, but he still kept his neutral expression. That was a long ways away from New York. On the other side of the country far. He couldn't stop himself from wondering what brought this on. "LA, huh?"

She smiled wryly and nodded. "Yep."

He would have been lying if he said he didn't want to convince her to change her mind and stay with him in New York. They had been rekindling what they has lost years ago, and he didn't want that to be thrown to the wayside or potentially ruined in a long distance relationship. "Does that mean you're leaving the Avengers?"

Bobbi was an intelligent woman; much more than he was. She saw right through his question. "It doesn't have to be what you think, Clint."

He frowned heavily. "I'm not worried about me, Bobbi. If this is what you want, I can do nothing but support you." He grabbed her hand and squeezed it softly. "Go on and go if that's what you want."

"Clint…" She trailed off, his name dropping her lips and falling into the endless silence that had swelled between them. All he could hear was his name echoing in the distance. He was afraid she was going to accuse him of trying to guilt or manipulate her into staying. Which was the furthest thing from the truth. "Why don't you come with me?"

That gave him serious pause. "Move to LA with you?" She nodded and smiled. "What about the Avengers?" He was one of the founding members. He felt that he had an obligation to stick with them, however many of them stuck around.

"We can make our own team."

He raised an amused eyebrow. "Just the two of us?"

"Well three. Jennifer went back to LA a few days ago. People are still pretty undecided, I think, so we'll see." She rose from her chair and circled around the table until she was behind him. Her arms snaked around his shoulders as she nuzzled his neck. "But even if it's just the two of us, I'll be happy."

He allowed himself to melt in her presence. "Then I'm sold." He stood up and wrapped his arms around her. "We're going to Los Angeles."

"When are you going to tell Cap?"

"Today. A little later, though."

"Later?" she parroted with a raised eyebrow.

"Yeah. You and I have some business to attend to." He smiled amorously and let his hands slide slowly down to her backside. "You know what I'm saying?"

Her eyes rolled but she pressed herself closer to him. "I think I do. You might have to be a little less subtle."

"Oh, I'm about to get real unsubtle, Birdy." He grinned and hoisted her up into his arms. "Very, very unsubtle." He captured her lips with his as he carried her to his bedroom.


Meanwhile, Tony was having a somewhat similar conversation with Pepper. They were curled up on the floor, warming up in front of the fireplace. She was nestled in his arms, tracing circles around the spot where his arc reactor used to be. "…I've been thinking. I'm tired, babe."

She shifted so she could look into his eyes. She could see how tired he was just from the bags under his eyes. "I know you are. You should sleep more."

"I'm not talking about that. I mean… I'm tired of this. Putting your life at risk every other day. Leaving you here so I can save the city from some loser with a inferiority complex. Leaving you here for weeks at a time so I can help save the world." He swallowed and rubbed his eyes roughly. "I'm tired of all the stress. I'm tired of giving so much to save the world, only for all that time and work to be nullified when the next guy moves up."

Pepper smiled sadly. "Does this mean what I think it means?"

He matched her smile and touched his forehead to hers. "Yeah."

"You have no idea how long I've been waiting for this day." She laughed and kissed him softly.

"Ah, let's see. Seven years, give or take?"

She smiled. "And you're sure this is what you want to do?"

He nodded confidently. "Yeah. I've been thinking about this ever since we were brought back. I was planning on announcing it at the party, but Ultron happened and… well, now's the right time."

She nodded. It seemed that she was right on board with him retiring, unsurprisingly. "You're going to tell Steve now?"

"Yeah, I'd better." He kissed her again and gently placed her next to him so he could stand up. "Jo, where's Steve?"

"He's in the kitchen, speaking with Thor and Agent Drew."

"Alright. I'll be back in a bit, Pep." Tony stepped into the elevator and headed down to the common floor.

Seven years. That was how long he had been Iron Man. It seemed like just yesterday that he and Dr. Yinsen were putting the finishing touches on the Mark 1. Without sounding narcissistic - as little as was possible for him, anyway - it amazed him how far his armor had come in the time since. It sufficed for what he needed at the time - escape - but it was archaic compared to his current armor. That was no surprise, though. Technology had a tendency to do that, even with tech that was more advanced a decade ago than nearly anything in existence today.

During his time as Iron Man, Tony had done countless things in the name of peace and justice. Not the least of which was saving President Ellis' life once upon a time. He had become a stalwart in the hero community, which was something he never saw for himself. But it happened.

What also happened was Pepper's life being put in danger, her life being thrown into disarray and heartache being heaped on her shoulders seemingly every week. If it wasn't one thing, it was another. From Stane, to Vanko, to Loki, to Rappaccini and AIM, to Zemo, to Hydra, and finally Ultron. In the span of seven years, Pepper had been through so many upheavals; more upheavals than most people would have in ten lifetimes.

It wasn't worth it, in his opinion. His helping keep the peace wasn't worth her safety, not when there were plenty of other heroes capable of picking up his slack. Rhodey was plenty capable of wearing any of his armors. Now, with peace reestablished, was as good a time as any for him to get out of the business.

Hopefully, for good.

It was time for him and Pepper to move on with their lives.

It was time for Tony Stark to step away from Iron Man.

Tony stepped off the elevator and walked inside the kitchen.

"…'tis time for me to spend more time with my family and discontinue forsaking my royal duties in Asgard," he heard Thor say to Steve. "In addition, I have a few leads on the infinity gems that I would like to follow."

He could tell Steve was disappointed. "Well, if that's what you want, then I can't ask you to stay."

So, Thor was leaving, too. That was a huge blow to the Avengers' power dynamic. He picked up a huge amount of the bulk during their battles. He was going to be missed. Not just for that, but for amounts of levity he brought and for the boundless, endless wisdom he possessed.

"I'm leaving also, Steve," Jessica said. "I'm not cut out for this hero stuff and –"

"Well, that's a load of crap if I've never heard one," Tony said, making his presence known.

Jessica whirled around, surprise evident on her face. "I–"

"He's right," Steve agreed.

She huffed and folded her arms over her chest. "Fine. I'm hunting my mother down so I can take her in. As long as she's out there, with Strucker, then Hydra will never truly be dead. I'm not stopping until every last one of those bastards is in a grave."

To that, Steve smiled and nodded appreciatively. "That's more like it."

"And you didn't say that the first time because…?"

"You lot would have offered to help," she explained abashedly. "I don't want you putting your lives on hold again just to help me. I can do this myself."

"Appreciate the sentiment, but you can't. Hydra's too big, even weak as they are now," Tony retorted. Steve nodded in agreement. "And don't think they haven't been adding new members while we've been busy with Ultron."

"Maybe I can help." Bucky walked in, hands shoved in the pockets of his brown leather coat. There was a large duffle bag sitting against the wall in the living room that wasn't there before. "No one has as big a beef with Hydra as you than me. Figured you'd want someone watching your back."

"Sure that's all you'll be watching?" she asked with a knowing smirk. "Alright, welcome aboard, luv."

"Figured you wouldn't stay." Steve approached him and shook his hand firmly, then pulled him until a hug. "Stay safe out there, Buck."

"Don't I always?"

"Want an honest answer?" He smiled and shook Jessica's, then Thor's hands. "Thank you both. It's been an honor and a privilege to serve with both of you."

"I should be thanking you, Steve. You've helped me through a lot of tough spots."

"Nay, Captain. The honor t'was all mine," Thor said with his usual godly grin. "You possess within you the spirit and compassion of a true Asgardian warrior. Never lose that, my friend."

Steve smiled warmly. "I won't. Good luck to all three of you. If you need us, don't hesitate to call."

Tony felt himself choking up. Goodbyes were always hard for him, since he had to say goodbye to so many people close to him for good. His friends weren't dead, but most of them weren't going to be in a place where he could just call and chat if he wanted to. "It's been fun, kids."

"Fair thee well, Tony. I am glad to have made a friend such as you." He shook Tony's hand firmly, then walked out toward the balcony.

Jessica gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "So long, Tony. It's been fun."

"Hey, do me a favor and tell Ophelia that fangs went out of style in the nineties."

She smiled and walked out for the elevator.

"Stark," Bucky said with a respectful nod.

"Sargent," he returned the nod.

Then, it was just him and Steve. Had he known what this day would turn into, a day full of farewells and well wishes, he would have held off until tomorrow. Instead, he was just one of the crowd. "Well, today turned into a real downer."

"Yeah. Figured this would happen, but not so many. Jess, Thor, Bucky. Luke needs to be with his family, so he's gone. Brunnhilda has responsibilities in Asgard, so she's gone. T'Challa has a country to rule. Jennifer went back to LA. Bruce is gone."

Bruce and Betty left two days after Ultron's defeat. It wasn't safe for him to be at the tower, since Gen. Ross was gearing up to take him in for his actions in Durban. Sure enough, three days later, Ross and Talbot came knocking on their front door. They, of course, turned them away without so much as a zip code.

It was tough letting Bruce leave, but at least he had Betty with him. And at least he got to say goodbye.

"Yeah. Well, I hate to do this to you…"

"You, too, huh?"

Tony nodded. "Yeah. It's about time I started thinking more about Pepper's safety than I have been. She's been gracious enough to let me fly around and play hero, but it's time to think about her."

Steve nodded understandingly. "I get it. She comes first." His gaze dropped to the floor. "Guess I don't have to worry about that. You know, since my girlfriend is a superhero."

He winced. He had been wondering when Steve would say something about that. "Yeah, about that…"

"Ah, forget it. Don't know why I expected anything else. Guess I don't have a choice but to ask Carol out now, do I?"

He grinned triumphantly. "Nope, sure don't." He patted him on the shoulder. "Sorry, but it was for your own good." Steve deserved happiness, even if he didn't think so. "You'll understand once you get a little older and have kids of your own."

Steve laughed and slapped him on the back. "I know we got off on the wrong foot, but I'm glad to have met you." He looked like he wanted to say more, but thought better of it. "Thanks, for everything." He held his hand out.

Tony took it and shook it firmly. "It was no trouble. My old man was right about one thing – you're a hell of a guy. So, don't change."

"You're a great man, yourself, Tony. Don't let anyone say otherwise."

"You two aren't going to start making out, are you?" The two men whirled around to find Natasha standing in the doorway, smirking.

"Yeah, like we're giving you more shipping material."

"I assumed you already were, given how lovingly you're staring at each other."

He rolled his eyes and gave Natasha a hug. "I'm going to miss you too, Red."

"Are you leaving, too, Natasha?"

Natasha pried herself from Tony's grip and shook her head. "Nah, I'm staying. Figured I'd better or you'd be here by yourself."

Steve smiled happily. "Good. I'm glad you're staying."

With her, that was two founders confirmed to remain in the team. It didn't seem like much, but that was important. They provided an example for the other Avengers to follow, and leadership during tough times. Natasha was tough, smart, and savvy; she was a great addition to the team. "Well, I'm off. Oh, I finished retrofitting an old SI warehouse in upstate New York if you want to use that as your new base of operations instead of Avengers Tower. Give it a look over tomorrow if you can."

Steve nodded. "Will do, Tony. See ya around." Once he left, Steve and Natasha were alone in the kitchen. "Like I said, I'm really glad you're staying. I want to make you my second in command."

To say that she looked surprised would be an understatement. "Me? But why?"

"Well, I need someone reliable to give out orders in case I get incapacitated in battle or am otherwise unavailable to lead. And that someone is you," he explained.

"Why not Rhodey? He's got plenty of leading experience."

"I don't know Rhodey's plans. I do know yours."

She frowned and looked down at the floor. "Alright. I accept, I guess."

"Great. But tone down the enthusiasm a little." Steve gave her a supportive on the shoulder. "You'll be fine. I'll teach you everything I know, plus there's everything you know. Hey, who knows? Maybe you'll end up a better leader than me."

Natasha smiled softly. "Maybe." As Steve left, she walked out and headed for the window. Snow fell from the sky like little white bits of paper and coalesced together on the street and people below.

Natasha was Russian, regardless of how long it had been since she last identified as one. Snow was something she had seen for decades, so much that it had lost its luster. But sometimes, it resonated with something within her. Something she thought had long been snuffed out by the Red Room. It resonated with the little girl growing up in 1930s Stalingrad who loved playing in the snow with her father.

Only a few short years before the Red Room ruined everything. Once she got a few of those memories back, she cherished them with everything she had. They were few some of the scant few happy memories she had in a eight decade long lifetime of blood and misery.

Many more of those few memories involved Clint, her best friend. It was him and her, STRIKE Team Delta. They were a unit, a two person demolition squad. They were the best of friends, inseparable by anything.

Until Bobbi showed up. She was fine - honestly! - with Clint being with Bobbi. She wasn't fine with how it ended. She was there for Clint when they divorced. Countless nights she would let him sleep on her sofa. Like a true friend.

And now, now that Clint was foolishly letting her back in his life, she was going to do all she could to stop it. Like a true friend.

Speak of the devil. She could hear Clint's silent footsteps approaching her from behind.

"I was hoping to find you before Steve," he said as he stepped up next to her.

She nodded quietly. "Well, here I am."

"First, I want to say –" He cut himself off and looked up at the ceiling to collect his thoughts. After a few moments of silence, he continued. "I don't want there to be any bad blood between us."

She nodded in agreement. "I don't either."

"Good." He breathed out silently. "But I don't like what's going on between you and Bobbi."

She resisted an eye roll and just sighed. "I'm doing this for your good."

"No, you're not. I don't know what your real reasons are, but they aren't for my good. Listen, you're my best friend. But Bobbi is my girlfriend."

"Oh, she's your girlfriend now?"

"Yeah."

"She's your ex, Clint. She's only saying these things so she can weasel her way –"

"I'm getting tired of you saying that, Nat. I really am." He shook his head, slowly letting the anger that was building dissipate. "If Alexi showed up at your door tomorrow and wanted to try and rekindle your marriage, I wouldn't think of trying to stop you."

The entire world came to a screeching halt when that name passes through his lips. "How… how do you know that name?"

"I read it on the Internet."

Alexi Shostakov, her ex-husband. It seemed like a lifetime ago. They were arranged to be married by the KGB. It only lasted a little while before he was 'killed' in an experimental rocket crash. She didn't love him, as the marriage was arranged, but she understood why Clint brought him up. "Clint –"

"I wouldn't interfere, not because I think he would mean well for you, but because I respect you enough to trust your judgement for a little while, just to see if you can handle it." He turned to face her. His cold steel-blue eyes bored mercilessly into her. "I expect you to give me the same. We've known each other too long for you to give me anything less."

He was right. Regardless of how she felt about Bobbi Morse, she owed Clint the benefit of the doubt. "You're right. I'm sorry."

"No more mistrusting Bobbi or dirty looks at her or any of that?"

"Yeah. No more of any of that."

He grinned and captured her in a hug. "Man, that's great hear! Maybe we can all get together when we come by to visit."

Whatever smile she had found herself wearing at his infectious positivity died in a fiery heap. "Visit? You're not staying with the team?"

"No. Bobbi wants to move to LA… and I'm going with her. I wanted you to be the first to know."

She looked at him and saw the regretful look on his face. "I… I see."

"Nat, I'm sorry."

"Don't be. If this is what you want, go for it." In a showing support, she smiled and wrapped her arms around him. "Just be careful. LA's like the wild west right now."

"Compared to New York? But yeah, I'm up for it. You could come with us, you know."

"Can't. Steve made me his second in command."

"Well, look at you. Congrats."

"Thanks."

"Oh, looks like you two finally made up," Steve said as he stepped inside from the elevator.

"Ah, Cap. Just the man I wanted to see." Clint walked up to him and shook his hand. "Bobbi and I are moving to LA and I… what?"

Steve head had dropped. That was only two out of the original six that were still on the team. "Oh nothing. Go on."

"Well, I was hoping if we could start a new Avengers team on the west coast. A West Side Avengers, if you will."

"That's terrible, Clint," Natasha chimed from the window.

"Ah, who asked you? Anyway, what do you say?"

"Well, it would reduce response time to crises on the west coast drastically. Sure, why not. Who'd you have in mind?"

It was clear that Clint hadn't actually thought about that. "Well, me and Bobbi, obviously. Jennifer, too, since she's already there. Maybe Monica or Pietro, since the cross country trip is nothing to them."

"Alright. Talk it out with them and get back to me tomorrow. We're going to check out the new facility Tony just finished at 0800 and we'll finalize everything then."

"Sounds good to me."


Avengers Facility, Upstate New York

8:00 AM

There was a certain sophistication to everything Tony created. Everything he made was ahead of the curve, leaving its contemporaries behind and wondering just how he was able to do it yet again. The new Avengers facility in upstate New York was just the latest in a very long list of inventions and innovations to sprout forth from his endless imagination.

Based loosely off of SHIELD's facilities, the new base had everything the team could possibly ask for. It was three stories: the top floor held sleeping quarters - enough for a team of sixteen so far - a large kitchen, living room, dining room, recreation room and an indoor pool.

The second floor was where team activities were to be held. The lion's share of the floor was devoted to mission preparation and deployment. There was a huge screen that took up almost the entire back wall that displayed a world map with several dots of varying colors. The dots represented places were supervillian activity was taking place; the colors represented the severity. White was low level; yellow was medium danger; blue was high; orange was very high; red was extreme; black was the highest level and was reserved for the most powerful of villains, like Molecule Man and Graviton - both of which were sedated and securely detained at the Raft.

There was also a large table where the Avengers would hold meetings and discuss whatever issues arose.

The sub-basement was where training took place. The entire floor was double reinforced with vibranium and adamantium coating. Based off of the X-Men's danger room, the training room utilized hard light technology to almost perfectly mimic real life situations. The training room computer was equipped with over a thousand unique programs of varying difficulties.

The team was in awe with what he was able to come up with in just two short weeks. "You really outdid yourself this time, Tony," Natasha commended.

"Thanks. Only the best for the best team, right?"

Steve clapped him on the shoulder. "Thank you, Tony. I guess this means you're kicking us out of the tower, huh?"

"Well, you guys haven't paid rent in, like, three years."

"I guess this will work just fine."

Clint and Bobbi went around a little while earlier to see which members would like to join their team. Rhodey agreed, as he found out the night before that Pepper and Tony were going to be moving back to Malibu. Monica also agreed, since she was still living and the trip was no big deal for her. Steve also recommended Sam Wilson, aka Falcon for the team for some extra aerial support - okay, Sam begged him to get him on an Avengers team.

They were happy with their roster.

All that was left was the divide the remaining Avengers between two teams. They came up with the following:

Avengers – Captain America, Black Widow, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch, Ms. Marvel, Vision

New Avengers – Power Man - Luke and Steve agreed to let him be a part-time member - Iron Fist, Spider-Man, Ant-Man, Wasp

West Coast Avengers – Hawkeye, Mockingbird, She-Hulk, War Machine, Spectrum, Falcon

In the end, they ended up with three solid rosters. The WCA would handle all issues west of the Mississippi river. The New Avengers would handle small scale issues, otherwise known as the street level. The Avengers would handle large scale issues. If there was a global threat, only then would the three teams convene to handle it.

Thor swore that he would be there if there was a threat that threatened Earth's safety. Tony gave the same promise.

This was going to be the last time some would see each other, baring an aforementioned global disturbance. They took what little time was left before Steve's address to mingle and converse one last time.

Steve stood on the steps leading from the ground floor to the top floor, surveying the team intermingling with each other for the last time. By his side was his new second in command, a ghost of a smile playing on her lips. "Ready?" she asked him.

He sighed and smiled to himself. "As I'll ever be."

"Then let's get this party started."

He cleared his throat, which gained the attention of those right by the stairs. "Avengers!" The conversations trickled to a halt, leaving an anxious, ready silence. All eyes were glued onto their leader. "Assemble."

-END-


A/N: And that's that. Thanks so much to everyone who read, faved followed and reviewed. It really means a lot when I see that people are really enjoying my work. Until next time, guys.