Thank you to everybody who read or reviewed the last conversation. You were all absolutely lovely. Welcome to the Thanksgiving spectacular. Oddly enough, I began this chapter on Thanksgiving in finished it up over the holiday weekend before sending it off to proofreading. It feels appropriate.

This chapter has some references to Black Panther. I'll explain the context of those references at the end.

Chapter 45: We Should've Gone to IHOP

When Tony asked her to come with him to May's parent's house for Thanksgiving, Natalie said yes. She wanted to be as far away from her ex-husband as feasible. Natalie was told that by the time she returned, he would be relocated to the new Raft correctional facility. She just wished Alex could come with her, but he wasn't cleared for the trip to Arizona, even if they would be staying at an extravagant rental house in Paradise Valley because, of course, Tony doesn't do hotels.

Besides, her son preferred to use his uncle's credit card to buy things for their new life. It takes a lot of effort to furnish a new apartment in Manhattan. Jennifer and Everett Ross believe she can begin her new life by January 1. Natalie List-von Strucker will just be a memory left behind in 2014. But first, she had to get through this Thanksgiving as Natalie Stark, the secret love child of Howard Stark. Easy right?

Except by the time they pulled up to the nondescript Arizona retirement community off a random golf course, Natalie felt moments from throwing up. Maybe she should've stayed in New York with Alex shopping for their new life.

"I assumed everybody read their briefing packet?" May said from the front seat of the car next to her. Tony finally allowed her to drive after a 20-minute argument that resulted in both babies starting to cry. It only ended because the baby started crying. Natalie was wondering what briefing packet. It was probably the email that May sent her this morning that she didn't look at.

"It concerns me greatly that you're treating dinner with your parents as a mission," Tony remarked from the back seat with the twins. "Although I was already concerned when I received an email that said no weapons."

"This is the first time I've had a family event of any type with both my parents since my Academy graduation in the early 90s. Erik wasn't even living with mom and Roger yet. At least he had the good sense to be on a mission. I wish we were in Puerto Rico right now." Natalie really wanted to know who Erik was. Maybe she should have read May's email, but she was too busy trying to come up with Natalie Stark's back story. She still hasn't come up with a name for her biological mom, and apparently, she can't use Maria. It would look too weird, according to Marcy and Natasha, who were talking her through this create a new persona experience.

"Trust me, I wish we were sipping nonalcoholic piña coladas on the beaches of Puerto Rico post-mission instead of our first outing with the twins, but your mom scares me, and I feel like she would find us in Puerto Rico if we tried to get out of this. So, we are going to get through this the best way we can."

"Even if our significant others are working right now," May mumbled, annoyed.

"Hey, I'm here, and I did manage to keep Madison calm for the entire flight out to Phoenix this morning. The three of us can handle the twins." Natalie remarked from the front seat.

"My sister, the child whisper."

"It wouldn't have been necessary if somebody remembered to bring her teddy bear blanket," May remarked.

"So, I forgot. I did make sure that somebody met us at the house with a replacement purple teddy bear blanket as soon as the quinjet landed on the helicopter pad. Madison doesn't even realize it's a different blanket." Tony argued.

"Be glad she's one month old. We still have the blanket, right?" May asked.

"Yes, I think it may be covered in drool, but she's cuddling with it." Tony snarked back.

"Backup blanket?"

"Two in the diaper bag and four more in the trunk. I swear the twins get more milk on the blankets than in their tummies."

"Did you actually bring the diaper bag?"

"Yes, both diaper bags," Tony responded, annoyed.

"Are there actual diapers in the diaper bags?" May asked.

"Yes, I think 10 diapers will hold us until we get back to the house. If worst comes to worst, I'll have some brought to your dad's condo."

"You are not having a courier bring us diapers on Thanksgiving," Natalie remarked.

"If Steve were here, we wouldn't actually need a courier. He just loves an excuse for a good run. OK, we will go to the 7-Eleven that we just passed. You know I'm not that incompetent when it comes to kids," May glared at Tony for a moment. "Stephanie sent me a list from Puerto Rico regarding what things you need to put in a diaper bag for a two-day trip to Arizona. She's the one who said 10 diapers should get us through an afternoon with your parents."

"Did her list include formula?"

"Yes, in the cooler compartment. Also, some dry formula and extra bottle bags in case they get extra hungry."

"Weapons?" May asked.

Natalie would be concerned with that question if it wasn't for the fact that she was still hiding from Hydra holdouts. Her husband selling out the organization to keep her and Alex free probably did him no favors. Of course, she didn't exactly look like Natalie List anymore. Natalie now had darker hair extensions, green contacts, and 12 pounds of kidnapping/stress-induced weight loss made her look like a completely different person. Yes, her doctors were concerned with her losing so much weight so quickly, but she seems to be stabilizing right now.

"We don't have any because Mr. May said not to bring any despite all the recent kidnappings," May responded to Tony's words with a glare.

"There might be a few Night night grenades, and some Icers in the cooler section of the purple baby bag that I turned into a weapon carry case. The black one is a regular baby bag. I'm also wearing my prototype gauntlet watch. If this works, Leo's getting one for Christmas. Although I'm not in a hurry to test it out in the field. Will Mr. May actually do a weapons check?"

"Roger will and will let us go through," May told them.

"You know I am seriously regretting saying yes. I could totally be in Alex's room watching the Macy's parade as we shop for furniture for the new apartment."

"Personally, he should just focus on the wardrobe and other personal effects. The design team will take care of the furniture. Look, everything will be fine. This is a low-stress environment to test out your new identity." Tony tried to reassure her.

"No, it won't be. I still haven't picked out a name for my biological mom." Natalie lamented.

"Use your adoptive mother's middle name, that way you'll be less likely to forget it," May suggested.

"See, tips by the experts." May responded with another glare. "OK, there's a high probability that this will end in disaster. I was trying to be the optimistic one, but that's my fiancé's job."

"You're never going to shut up about that?" May asked.

"Of course not," Tony said just as they heard a knock on the windshield of the vehicle.

"Melinda, honey, are you going to stay in the car the entire time?" Going by Tony's description alone, Natalie assumed this was May's stepfather. Mr. Stephens did look a lot like Tony's boyfriend but in his 70s. Of course, considering the man was in his early 90s, he looked very good for his age.

"We were just making sure we had everything for the babies before we came in. Traveling with two babies is a unique experience." May explained as she got out of the car to hug her stepdad.

"You didn't have to do that alone. We could've got you from the airport." Roger offered.

"Not alone. This is Natalie, the twins' aunt and Tony, one of their fathers, is in the backseat." So apparently Roger can know the true paternity of the twins. That makes sense, he's apparently retired CIA and former Shield.

"Also, we didn't fly commercial because that really would be way too much with twins. We took a quinjet and landed at my house here. I'm not sure why I own a house in Paradise Valley, but it was convenient. Hey, maybe you and Alex could stay here for a little while instead of relocating to Manhattan."

"I prefer to live closer to you. I thought that was just a rental. Also, how rich are you?" Natalie asked. Of course, if she were paying attention, she would've noticed Roger staring intensely at Tony. Tony was also too focused on unfastening Antonio's baby carrier to realize this.

"I think I'm going to be the seventh richest man in the world after we deal with the accountants. They're trying to calculate what your inheritance should be, but you should end up the richest woman in the world. Although who knows after I invent a better car seat. Jarvis, add that to my project list."

"Of course, sir." The AI replied just as Roger chuckled.

"You are definitely Tony Stark," Roger said with a genuine smile.

"I will take that as a compliment, especially because you didn't compare me to my father," Tony remarked. At this point, Natalie is aware of Tony's Howard issues.

"You're better."

"OK, your mom has excellent taste in second husbands," Tony remarked.

"Natalie, this is my stepfather Roger Stevens," May said as a way of introduction.

"It's nice to meet you, Natalie. I knew your parents."

'My biological parents, the woman who raised me despite her husband being an evil asshole, or the kidnapper?' Natalie thought to herself but knew she couldn't ask that question because that would not line up with her new back story.

"My mom or Howard? If you mean Howard, you know him better than I do. I never met the man." She doesn't remember Maria since she was torn away from the woman. Natalie can't ask List because the man is dead now. She's only upset about that because she can't ask him questions.

"Both Maria and Howard." Natalie raised an eyebrow at his words.

"Did we mention that May's stepdad is retired CIA and therefore has a security clearance and knows the truth. He worked with Dad and Peggy during the 50s, trying to find the Winter Soldier."

"You know about that?" Roger asked. "Also, I think this conversation is a little too classified to be having in the parking lot of a retirement community."

"You'll be amazed what just shows up when Patches is being extra cryptic," Tony remarked.

"Somethings don't change." Natalie heard Mr. Stevens mumble under his breath.

"At some point over pie, I'm going to need you to tell me stories. I've heard tons of things from Tony, Stephanie, and Kate about Maria, but…" Natalie trailed off, not sure how to phrase the rest of it politely.

"I have too many Howard issues to really tell happy stories about the man," Tony tells the group.

"Howard Stark was a very complicated person. Stubborn as a mule. Rarely listened to anybody. He always thought he was the smartest person in the room when he wasn't." Mr. Stevens remarked.

"Did I mention how much I like your stepdad?" Tony stated as he finally managed to get both baby carriers out of the car. He quickly handed Madison to May.

"At least he wasn't the head of a terrorist organization, so that is a step ahead of the man that raised me. I'm allowed to be honest about that right now?"

"Yes, with either my wife or myself, but I think it's best if we tell May's father the official version of events."

"I can live with that."

"Did we ever meet before?" Tony asked. "Although it makes sense if we didn't because Howard tried to keep his life separate."

"A few times when you were very young, around the time of the Stark Expo. I stopped talking to your dad in the mid-70s for the second time. I may have punched out his business partner. Howard said I was too busy judging people for mistakes they haven't made yet. We also had an earlier fallout after Peggy's first husband died. He made certain decisions then that I didn't like." Those statements seemed oddly specific.

"How are my parents doing?" May asked her stepfather. She was obviously trying to change the subject.

"Fighting over the turkey and the green bean casserole. Therefore, I came out here to get you." Roger answered.

"I thought you were getting this catered?" May asked.

"So, did I," Roger answered.

"Do you think they will stop arguing when I arrive with their grandchildren. I don't want the sound of their arguing grandparents to wake them up." Which would be bad for all of them.

"I make no promises. Let me see the babies?" Roger asked, and May quickly pulled up the blanket covering Madison.

"This is your granddaughter Madison May Stark-Rogers."

"She is adorable. She has your nose."

"And Steve's eyes. This is Antonio Stevens Stark-Rogers, a.k.a. baby Tony and he is equally adorable." Tony said, showing off his youngest son to his grandpa. That's when Natalie noticed that those eyes also look identical to the eyes of Mr. Stevens, just a little darker. Maybe Tony's clone theory wasn't completely crazy. She would do a DNA test.

"Let's get you inside before the babies wake up," Roger said as he grabbed both baby bags.

"Or we can hit up an IHOP and stay there until the arguing stops. It was a van Strucker family tradition when my husband was still speaking to his parents. Usually, the one at Potomac Yard once the family started arguing." Roger gave her a strange look.

"Oh shit, I'm not supposed to have a husband, definitely not one with that last name." She is going to mess up so badly.

"Maybe you should be divorced. It's easier to maintain cover if it's close to the truth."

Mr. Stevens suggested.

"I am just going with my ex-husband's last name being Wolf. Which is why I totally jumped at the chance of switching to Stark as soon as it was an option."

"Which diaper bag contains weapons?" Mr. Stevens asked

"The purple one," May answered. Roger doesn't even bat an eyelash at the weapons diaper bag. Natalie has so many questions. She is going over the Thanksgiving briefing package when she gets into the house.

They were met at the front door by who Natalie assumes is Mr. May. "Come in, come in." He opened the door a little wider. "I want to see my grandchildren." He quickly grabbed the bassinet out of May's hand. "I see Roger already has."

"Do you think they hate each other?" Natalie asked her brother in a whisper before crossing over the threshold of the retirement condominium.

"According to the packet sent for this dinner/mission, these two actually like each other. It's agent May-Stevens that you have to be worried about."

"I had to go get them from the car. I will tell Yuan that Melinda is here."

"There is no need. I heard you in the kitchen. This condo is small. We should have met at our house in Maryland." May's mom said as she walked into the room.

"We are trying to avoid the whole DC Metro right now. Mr. May, thank you for inviting us to your home. We brought cheesecake, but they're still in the car. We had to bring the babies in first." Tony remarked.

"Where is Philip?" May's mom asked utterly oblivious to any other conversation happening in the room.

"Working," May responded. At that moment, Antonio started screaming, and May switched bassinets with Tony. "Can you show me where I can change my son?"

Mommy May-Stevens replied in rapid Mandarin and going by tone alone, it wasn't a location for the bathroom. Now Mr. May was yelling at his ex-wife. It sounded like Mr. Stevens was trying to get them to calm down, but that just led to more rapid Mandarin. This yelling went back and forth for several minutes until Madison started screaming. That's when Roger grabbed Madison's carrier and went on to show May where she could change a diaper.

"I knew we should've tried to get out of this," Tony whispered as they followed a few steps behind. Angry Mandarin curse words can be heard in the background. "I'm halfway tempted to use the purple diaper bag."

"Considering most of my holidays involved my husband yelling at his parents in rapid German until about five years ago, this doesn't seem that outside the norm for me. Although I wish I understood Mandarin." Natalie joked.

"Thankfully, for you, I do understand at least basic Mandarin. Essentially, mommy May-Stevens is mad that Phil is not here. She is still angry about Phil shooting May during the whole Hydra coming out of the shadows thing in April because he was worried that she was Hydra.

"Understandable, and I kind of wish I would've shot my husband." She's still furious with Wolf, especially after learning what may have happened to their daughter.

"Smacking worked in a pinch." Tony joked. "Roger interjected to defend his stepdaughter, and I'm pretty sure he was told he will be sleeping on the couch at the hotel tonight."

"This does not surprise me. And Mr. May?" Natalie asked

"Upset that May's new boyfriend is putting work first just like his ex-wife. He then goes on to blame that for their marriage completely falling apart. This is about the time Madison started screaming because she's the best baby."

"Your kids do know how to de-escalate a situation," Natalie remarked.

"What can I say they're special."

"Stop gossiping about my family and come help me change their diapers. I'm not doing it alone." May called out from the spare bedroom.

"Go support your babies' mama. I'll go find somewhere safe to hide." Of course, it was at this moment that the smoke alarm went off. Considering she smelled smoke, it was not a false alarm.

XXXX

"At least your mum likes me. She's letting me sleep in your old room." Leo said as he deposited their suitcases on the bed in Jemma's room. He is almost positive the room is in the same state it was when Jemma lived there, complete with Jane Goodall posters still on the walls.

"I think she is purposely refusing to let us go back to the hotel so she can keep an eye on us. I would much rather be there."

"I know." She said this multiple times on the ride to retrieve their belongings from the hotel.

"Although just because I'm miserable doesn't mean that you need to be. You could have stayed at the hotel with Sam." Sam came with them because one, his father was ridiculously overprotective and wanted at least one Avenger with him at all times. Two, for Sam, to act as an intermediary. This was necessary considering how disastrous this afternoon's lunch was with Mr. Simmons.

"I'm not going to leave you here alone, even if it means sleeping on the floor," Leo tells her.

"One, we brought a mission sleeping bag which is really a portable air mattress that actually supports the body. Two, I'll be using that. You'll be sleeping on the bed." Jemma offered. "It's the least I can do after you agreed to be with me right now. I'm so sorry you're missing your first Thanksgiving with your father because of me."

"It's ok. We're British, well Scottish and…" Leo began, but Simmons interrupted him.

"Actually, you are British on your father's side because your grandmother is British. That makes you Scottish British and Italian American. This also means that you are a natural-born US citizen and not a naturalized one like before. Oh, wasn't your grandfather also Jewish?"

"Italian Jewish. What I was trying to say is we don't do Thanksgiving. I'm perfectly fine being here with you."

"But it still spending time with your father, and you need that," Simmons told him.

"I need to be away for a little while." Leo closes his eyes, so he doesn't think about spreading Ward's ashes recently. "There's always Christmas. Dad wants to take the twins to Rockefeller Center for ice-skating."

"I feel like that should wait a couple of years."

"Steve agrees, at least until the adoption becomes public." Because Tony Stark ice-skating with two small children will end up everywhere. Leo's already happy that his father will announce that he's dating Steve while Leo is safe in another country.

"Regardless, thank you for being here with me because I don't think I could've handled this without you. This was such a disaster." It really wasn't except for Jemma's little sister blaming her for their parent's divorce.

Apparently, she knew about the various other women but never said anything because she didn't want her parents to break up. That deteriorated into an epic argument that ended with the 17-year-old storming out of the house to spend the night at her father's. This was also when Jemma received an invite to stay here, an invite that could not be refused. Her mom was crying at the time.

"It still went better than lunch this afternoon. I'm still waiting for a bill from the restaurant." Leo joked.

"I really meant to throw that wine at my father and not the wait staff member. He's a coward that ducked. It was better that I toss the wine at him than drinking it. I know I have a problem." At least she was acknowledging that now.

"I know. I'm proud of you, though."

"I wish I actually threw the glass at him. He shouldn't have blamed his choices on Mum. He got somebody else pregnant. He shouldn't tell me to lock my emotions in a box. That's the entire reason I have a drinking problem. I have the right to be angry, and I need to learn how to express the anger safely."

"No, he shouldn't have blamed you or your mother for the divorce." Leo agreed. "It was his choice to cheat on her. He should've never expected you to stay quiet about it."

"My sister did. He's also very bitter about your father paying for the divorce, not that he knows it's your father, just my current boss, who he hates. He also thinks we're sleeping together." Simmons tells him. "I can't wait until everybody knows about Steve."

"That's disturbing. I wanted to tell your father that he was talking about my father, but he doesn't deserve to know that before everyone else. That's another thing that would be coming out tomorrow." Leo already proofread the statement, and with most of Hydra locked away, he's ready for the truth to be out there.

"OK, now I know why you opted to come with me. I'm sorry that my sister punched you."

"It's OK," Leo reassures her.

"It's really not."

"You're little brother gave me the shovel talk while you were arguing with your sister in the foyer." Simmons fell on the bed beside him at that statement.

"I'm so sorry. I tried to tell my little brother we were just friends, but he didn't believe me."

"Of course, we're just friends."

"That's not to say I only see you as just a friend because that's not the case. You are so much more than that. However, your ex-boyfriend just died. You really shouldn't start a new relationship for at least six months, or that's what Sam told me."

"You talk to Sam about me?" Leo asked.

"Yes, because apparently, my tendency to lock all my emotions away in a little box is dangerous. I'm trying to be more open with you, which is why I sent you so many text messages when we were looking for Hydra bases with your father. Over the last few months, I realized that you are the person who knows me the best and that completely terrifies me. At the same time, I don't want to be without you. I need you as part of my life. You're the other half of me. At the same time, we just scattered the ashes of your ex-boyfriend, so maybe it's not the right time to jump into this new part of our relationship," Jemma confessed.

"We weren't really together. It was only Las Vegas." Leo tells her.

"You're in love with him, and he stabbed you in the back. He nearly killed you." Jemma was now rummaging around her nightstand, looking for a tissue. He knew she was on the verge of crying.

"He died saving my siblings and me from Hydra."

"So that means you're probably processing a lot right now, and I don't want to add to that. You already have the new dad thing, and not to mention you also lost your mom this year." It hurt being back here close to her grave, but now that most of Hydra's leadership is in jail or dead, Leo has made peace with her death.

"I know it's been a difficult year. And I couldn't have gotten through it without you and everyone else." Trista and Mack have become a significant part of his support system, along with Skye and his newly discovered cousins, but he wouldn't have made it these last few weeks without Jemma. "I have conflicting feelings about Ward but not about you, not for a very long time. The situation with Ward didn't change how I felt about you; it just made everything obvious."

"I get that. Things completely snapped into place when your future stepdad told me about Hydra invading the playground and you being on the run. My heart stopped, and I realized how close I came to losing you again. I didn't handle almost losing you well."

"At least you only went to work for my father the first time."

"I almost went undercover at Hydra. I couldn't handle being around everything that reminded me of you when I felt so guilty since you were in a coma because you saved me." She really was crying at this point.

"You carried me out of the ocean. You saved me."

"I don't feel like it will ever be enough to repay you for everything that you do for me. You're even helping me deal with my crazy family. You really should be with your father right now."

"I met Agent May's mom once when we were still at the Academy. Her husband gave a guest lecture, and she was there. I'd much rather be with you."

"I would rather be with you too. I'd always rather be with you. I love you, you're my everything. I will wait until you're ready for us." Jemma tells him.

Leo decided that this would be the best time possible to kiss her. She tasted like the chocolate pudding from earlier, but she was perfect in every way.

"You are my everything, as well." He told her as he pulled away momentarily. However, just as Jemma's lips touched him again, his phone began to ring. Not only his regular phone but his Shield phone, which means that he could not ignore the call. He was glad he didn't ignore it when Coulson told him that Daisy and Mack needed him.

XXXX

Growing up in foster care, Skye has never been a fan of family-oriented holidays. Although the Fourth of July with the Carter-Jones family last summer made her realize that maybe family holidays are not anything like the happy things she saw on TV. It always hurt not having an actual family and holidays just made that fact even more evident.

She's never had a good Thanksgiving. Even last year's Thanksgiving on the bus was derailed by Coulson's kidnapping. She thought this year might be better, Tripp's Aunt Jamie personally invited her to a very Carter-Jones Thanksgiving. Instead, they were in Puerto Rico, and Thanksgiving 2014 was slowly becoming her worst Thanksgiving ever. Considering Thanksgiving 2005 involved her in the hospital with her jaw wired shut due to the actions of her abusive foster father, that was saying a lot.

First, she met the man who they suspected may be her father. Considering he was working with Raina and tried to stab Tripp earlier, she's hoping that their hypothesis is very wrong.

Also, at some point, Mack fell down a temple shaft and was possessed by a Kree temple spirit per Lincoln. They were all delighted that the industrial-strength knockout grenades worked because the Icers didn't stand a chance.

Now Skye was currently in the secret tunnels under San Juan chasing down Raina, who had the diviner. Skye really hoped that she would not accidentally be possessed by a Kree spirit or whatever the hell that was earlier.

Because Lincoln is taking care of Tripp and Mack, Skye was on her own. She tried calling the captain to her location, but even Jarvis is not entirely sure he can get a signal to him in these catacombs. Apparently, even Stark tech is no match for the alien technology down here.

In the long run, it's probably better Steve is not with her. Theoretically, he might be able to touch the diviner, but the twins have already lost two moms, and Skye doesn't want to add a dad to the list. Also, she doesn't want to run the risk of him getting possessed like Mack was earlier because she's not sure the industrial grenades would work on an enhanced Captain America. On the other hand, the Kree defense system isn't bothering her, and Skye could handle the diviner. This was proven upstairs when she got into a fight with Reina.

Unfortunately, Cal interfered before they could incapacitate Raina. The interference was stabbing Tripp. She will hurt him if anything happens to Tripp. She's almost positive that Cal chased after her.

Thanks to all her training with Natasha, Cal doesn't catch up with her before she meets up with Reina outside some bizarre cylinder-like room. This concerns her. Any place that instantly opens for you that happens to be in an ancient temple created by the alien race that genetically engineered your ancestors is naturally concerning to Skye. Yet she follows Reina.

Lincoln's theory is that Reina took the diviner so she could use it to activate her powers. If she succeeds in getting superpowers, that would be bad for everyone. Skye doesn't want this to become another Bahrain incident. Yes, she put the pieces together, and no, she's not going to ask May about the finer details. There are some things you don't want to remember, like Thanksgiving, 2005. Skye doesn't want to be in the same position that May was forced into herself, which is why she needs to get the diviner from Reina before she has time to activate it. Once in the room, Skye realizes that it's way too late. The diviner is already on a pedestal in the room, and crystals are growing out of it. Shit!

That's when her body starts to be covered in some weird substance that kind of reminds her of a butterfly cocoon. Skye is really regretting not asking Lincoln about the transformation process. She is absolutely terrified even if she does break out of it seconds later. Of course, when Skye breaks out, she sees Raina has also transformed. She kind of looks like a hedgehog. Skye really hopes that she doesn't look like a hedgehog herself.

Of course, it's at that moment that the entire room started shaking, and rocks began to fall around the two of them. That's the last thing Skye remembered until she hears Steve and other agents removing rocks from above her.

"If you find the diviner, no one else touches it, but me." She heard Lincoln order.

"Why are you here? You should be with Trip or Mack." Skye asked still half out of it as Steve gently lift her from the ground now that he found her.

"Stephanie and Coulson are with him, and it was barely a scratch. However, he would be furious if I didn't come back with you." Steve tells her.

"Coulson or Trip?"

"Both. Coulson is mad Steve wouldn't let him come down here. As for Mack, he woke up as himself when the earthquake started." Lincoln explained.

"Raina used the diviner in the temple." She tells the two.

"Which triggered an earthquake?" Steve asked.

"No, that's not possible unless she now has earthquake…" Lincoln trails off as the room starts to shake again. "You were exposed?" Lincoln asked.

"Yes." She whispers, the room still shaking.

"OK, we're going to have to get you out of here and start transitioning you," Lincoln whispers, but she sure that Steve heard him. He would understand, though.

"OK, how do I stop shaking at least until we're no longer underground in an ancient temple?" Skye asked as Lincoln helped her to a nearby gurney.

"I would say try calming down, but I don't think that's going to happen. It takes a while to learn control, but you will learn control."

"It took me a while to learn how to open a door without tearing off handles, but I did. You will learn to." Steve said in the most reassuring voice possible. Part of her wonders if he is just saying that to make her feel better, but apparently it worked because the room stopped shaking. OK, and maybe she fell asleep/lost consciousness again seconds later.

XXXX

Cuddle fiancé: Why the fuck did I decide to come without you? It really was a disaster.

Cuddle fiancé: I'm not even exaggerating. We are currently outside the condo waiting for the fire department to arrive. May's parents were arguing so hard that they managed to cause a small house fire. I don't even want to know how that happened. Maybe that's why we were told no weapons.

Cuddle fiancé: Don't worry, we all got out safely. I just thought I should text message you in case pictures of me waiting by a fire truck show up on Twitter. I don't think anybody in the community knows how to actually use Twitter or any other social media platform, but I prefer not to take chances. There could be grandkids visiting for Thanksgiving around and would love to use Tony Stark to go viral.

Cuddle fiancé: I don't expect you to answer because Jarvis told me you're busy, but I need somebody to talk to as we figure out what we're doing now that most of Thanksgiving dinner suffered smoke and water damage.

Cuddle fiancé: However, the cheesecakes are good because we never actually got them out of the car before the fire happened.

Cuddle fiancé: My wonderful sister just volunteered for us to move Thanksgiving to my house here. Yes, I have a house here, but I don't remember why I have a home here.

Cuddle fiancé: Now I have to find someplace that will cater Thanksgiving last minute. Even with my income level, I'm not sure that's feasible. Also, I am not going to suggest a Americanized Chinese restaurant because that's probably going to get me cursed out in Mandarin again.

Cuddle fiancé: I would ask Pepper since she's from this area, but I think she would kill me for interrupting her family Thanksgiving. She is hosting in New York this year.

Cuddle fiancé: Now I remember why I have a house here. It is so Pepper doesn't have to stay with her mother when she comes to visit.

Cuddle fiancé: Despite causing severe property damage, May's parents keep arguing in Mandarin. Apparently, they don't realize that at least one of the guests is at least business fluent. Although I am having a little difficulty with the curse words. I need to learn street Mandarin. I'll learn when May teaches the kids. Our babies will be fluent in at least six languages.

Cuddle fiancé: Mr. Stevens is a miracle worker. He got them to stop arguing.

Cuddle fiancé: And now they're fighting again because he's suggested going to an IHOP, it's just in English now. Natasha just suggested chain delivery pizza. I'm offended. Now I'm breaking down and texting Pepper.

Cuddle fiancé: I don't pay Pepper nearly enough. She's getting the biggest bonus this year that the board will allow, and I'm still going to send her a new Mercedes. Because every year, the Potts' Thanksgiving ends in tears and burnt turkey, Pepper has a catering order backup on standby. However, she forgot to cancel it this year, and it's on the way to the house. Bless that woman for putting up with my stupidity.

Cuddle fiancé: Also, this explains why she didn't want me to go with her last year even though we were together. I expect the family is cursing me in effigy right now for interrupting their Thanksgiving.

Cuddle fiancé: I am totally convinced that my stepdad is your clone. He likes all the same food you do. He's so happy that Pepper ordered the orange-infused cranberry sauce that you absolutely adore.

Cuddle fiancé: He talks like you and no, I don't mean the same words and mannerisms; I mean the same voice. You two have a 97% vocal recognition match.

Cuddle fiancé: You said no DNA test, but you said nothing about doing an audio match. Although I'm pretty sure I saw Natalie steal a couple of hair follicles on the car ride to the house. They spent most of the time talking about Howard and Maria.

Cuddle fiancé: I'm pretty sure Roger thinks that Howard was a dick but is just trying to be polite. Did I mention that he punched out Obadiah and stopped talking to Howard when my father hired the man over Roger's objections?

Cuddle fiancé: Considering all the things that Natalie's father put her through, including kidnapping and torture, I am starting to make peace with Howard. He wasn't the best father, but he tried. All I can do is be better.

Cuddle fiancé: At least Leo has texted me a couple of times. Mostly of pictures of Simmons throwing wine on her father, but he did text.

Cuddle fiancé: Did you know that May has a brother that is a CIA agent? His name is Erik. They adopted him when he was a teenager after his father was killed. I think he's originally from Oakland. Agent Stevens was supposed to recruit him. Instead, he brought another kid home. Erik still ended up in the CIA eventually.

Cuddle fiancé: I didn't get to meet him because he's on some secret mission to Wakanda of all places. Apparently, he has family there, and that's why he was sent. I may or may not be trying to decrypt something referred to as Mission White Wolf.

Cuddle fiancé: I had to do something. Natalie is too busy learning about Howard and Maria from Roger as they put the catering food together. May is currently hiding in the new nursery with Antonio as her parents continually argue in my living room. I learned so many things about their failed marriage that I never wanted to know.

Cuddle fiancé: Now I want to send Pepper another "I am sorry for sleeping with my current fiancé before the actual break Up" present. I told her about the engagement, and she's OK with it. OK Bruce told her first because apparently, he's invited to a very Pepper Thanksgiving. I'm too exhausted to read into that right now. Baby sleep deprivation.

Cuddle fiancé: I just want to say how grateful I am that Maria and Howard really loved each other. They were best friends. It could've been awful considering it was a marriage of convenience to keep the fact that Maria was a lesbian a secret, as well as the fact that she may have had superpowers.

Cuddle fiancé: That is Lincoln's theory anyway. Did I tell you that Natalie has the inhuman gene, not just a carrier like you and me?

Cuddle fiancé: Now they're fighting about May's career choices. They don't know why she is sticking around with an agency that is in pieces. Agent May-Stevens doesn't understand why May can't join the CIA like Erik, the good son. I would inform the two that the agency is not in pieces anymore, but I don't think they're going to listen to me. I'm so glad May's in the nursery right now.

Cuddle fiancé: Madison just started crying, and I am going to take her far away from this madness.

Cuddle fiancé: And now we're back in the madness because food is ready.

Cuddle fiancé: Bless Pepper and her excellent taste in catering. I'm sorry that she's been so busy helping me straighten out the 'my sister coming back from the dead' thing, but I'm grateful for it at the same time.

Cuddle fiancé: I'm also grateful that Roger wouldn't let Mr. May take my cell phone away. I adore Mr. Stevens so much.

Cuddle fiancé: We are now going around the table saying what we are thankful for. Roger is thankful that he got to meet his grandkids and proceeded to cry a little. He's also thankful that he got to meet Natalie and me. Apparently, he felt Natalie kick in the womb at some point.

Cuddle fiancé: OK, now I'm really convinced he is your clone. He even eats like you.

Cuddle fiancé: So, according to the Hydra data dump, Howard had a vial of your blood that was never ever accounted for. Stephanie said there's a family legend that Mommy Peggy tossed it off the Brooklyn Bridge when she found out about it. But well, I totally don't put it past Howard to try cloning.

Cuddle fiancé: Although he barely had in vitro together in 71, so maybe there's nothing there.

Cuddle fiancé: OK, I would say something about your father having a second family somewhere, but that feels like an inappropriate dinner conversation. It's just you are so alike it's creepy.

Cuddle fiancé: BTW I said I was most thankful for you, Leo, and the Twins. I also said I was grateful for Pepper forgiving my ass.

Cuddle fiancé: Natalie already said she was thankful for me, and we started to cry together. I said, 'me too,' so I didn't need to put it in my speech.

Jarvis: I hate to interrupt, but you will need to cut this dinner short. There's a situation in Puerto Rico, and you and Agent May are required back at the Avenger compound immediately.

Cuddle fiancé: Is Steve OK? What about Agent?

Jarvis: Both are well; however, Agent Skye Carter now has what is being referred to as earthquake powers after being exposed to the catalyst agent in the 084. She's also unconscious again.

"Fuck!" Of course, Tony said this out loud, which led to all eyes on him. The perfect way to end this Thanksgiving dinner.

To be continued.

So, we have officially got to the part of the story were Tripp lives. Thanks to Lincoln being there, they all know that the diviner is not a superweapon. They also know who can be in contact with the thing.

Remember, this is an alternate timeline now, and the reason for this being an alternate timeline will be revealed soon. Erik taking a very different path in this timeline was inspired by Framework Grant Ward. The person who came to recruit him completely changed who he was.

Two more actual chapters to go. How will it all end?