Hello everyone,
Here is a very late chapter 83, enjoy.
August 10th, 2023
Avengers Compound
After the success of the Quantum tunnel, the Avengers and SHIELD team wanted to celebrate this small victory. They had achieved time travel, and while there was still a long way to go towards fixing this: it still called for a celebration. Most of them had gone to the lounge to enjoy a beer and just chat while waiting for the take-out food to arrive. Any that couldn't pull up a chair or find a seat stood close by.
"Still can't believe you pulled this off," Rhodey said as he took a sip of his beer and looking at Stark.
"Yeah well, I am full of surprises." Tony shrugged.
"We still got a long way to go..." Steve pointed out.
"Alright let's not ruin the moment here. We just mastered time travel today." Stark said not wanting to put a dampener on this momentary high note. "We can worry about the details tomorrow."
"That's true, besides Hunter always said you have to celebrate the victories where you can," Fitz added.
"Who's that?" Banner asked.
"Former SHIELD agent, he was disavowed after a mission went south. Later reconnected with Fitz and Kat before joining the Shadow Network with Bobbi Morse. Sadly he and Bobbi..." Coulson trailed off in his explanation as it became clear what had happened to Lance Hunter and Bobbi Morse. It was one of many blows the SHIELD team received upon returning to the correct timeline.
"Sorry," Steve said after a moment.
"At least now you guys will be bringing them all back soon enough." Yo-yo pointed out.
"I know right?" Scott added, "I can't wait to see Hope again soon, and tell her about all this." That bubbly hopeful optimism of Scott's helped to lighten the mood, but Nat noticed the distinct look he gave. He missed her.
"So who you hoping to see when we undo this mess?" Tony asked Steve.
"I'll just be glad to see everyone alive again. Everyone Thanos took." Steve said, sure there were some he really missed like Sam, Bucky, and Sharon.
"How about you Dandelion?" Tony asked Daisy.
Daisy frowned for a moment then sighed. "I'll be glad to see everyone back, but..." Daisy looked towards the door, "I am hoping to see Kat again. The one I knew from before... bringing everyone back I really hope that brings her back too."
"Speaking of Kat where is she?" Nat asked.
"Last I saw she was still working on those watches," Mack replied. Some from both sides had tried to encourage her to take a break, but she inevitably refused. When it was suggested that they were gonna have a beer and relax she became snappy with them saying: 'Typical! Always so damn hopeful.' Apparently, she did not take well to hopeful optimism and when it was on display she did not want to be around it. However it was more than that, it was like her mood shifted and she was actively resisting the urge to be hopeful. So rather than jinx it by relaxing and drinking a beer with them, Kat was still down there working on the watches that would carry a copy of Aida during the time heist.
Perhaps both the Avengers and Agents of SHIELD had hoped for too much, they had thought that by proving time travel possible Kat would become... well Kat again. Sadly while there was a brief glimmer of hope, Kat was not ready to blindly believe that they would succeed. Too much that could go wrong would most likely definitely go wrong. Kat was no doubt factoring in everything that could go wrong and ruin any chances of getting the Infinity stones.
Still, it stung especially for the SHIELD team that would have to leave tomorrow to handle an issue elsewhere. They had thought that at least tonight Kat would say goodbye. However, now that Nat could think back on the situation from earlier she grew more concerned. Kat had said: 'Go away.' but there had been no one standing where she had been looking. Who had she been talking to? The last thing Nat wanted to do was think that Kat had lost her sanity, but she needed to know. She needed to see for herself.
"I'll go see if I can drag her in here to have a beer," Nat said and got up leaving the lounge.
"I'll go with you," Aida added the voice coming from Nat's phone.
"I thought you were already with Kat."
"She asked me to stop pestering her when I tried to encourage her to come here for a drink," Aida explained, and Nat smiled at the thought that the next person the AI would attach to outside of Kat was her.
"Awe see that? Nanny-bot has become attached to Nat." Tony teased pointing to Nat with the glass of scotch in his hand.
"Keep it up and I might replace Friday." Aida teased getting Nat to smile. With that Nat left the lounge with Aida. As she moved for the large garage where Kat had been left, she thought about how to convince her to come and join them. The whole weird situation with her talking to thin air was nearly forgotten until Nat started to enter the garage and heard Kat's voice.
"Again I don't need the lecture." The words made Nat freeze as she listened carefully, "I am busy."
"Who is she talking to?" Aida whispered worried, there was no one else in the garage.
"I don't know..." Nat whispered back as she peaked in. Kat was still at the table working.
"Because... I don't want to. Is that not a good enough reason for you? I don't want to get my hopes up only to watch them come crashing down..." Nat watched her for a moment wishing this wasn't happening but nothing good had come from the last five years. Thor was a drunk, Barton a murderer, and Kat... was insane. Tearing her eyes from the scene Nat turned back to head for the lounge. "We have to tell the others."
Returning to the lounge Nat could hear the two groups laughing and joking around as she entered the room. When they heard the door shut everyone looked to the doors hoping to see Nat with Kat but were disappointed to find Nat return alone. Her expression must have given her away because Steve was the first to ask. "Nat? What's wrong?"
"There is something you need to see..." Nat said activating the screen in the middle of the table. "Aida?"
The AI immediately connected the screen to the garage security cam and turned the camera in the garage to face Kat. For a moment it just showed Kat working on the watches until she sighed loudly and slammed down the tool. "You are a colossal nag, can't you go away or something?"
It took everyone a moment for it to sink in Kat was alone in the garage and talking to herself.
"This isn't possible.." Daisy said as she stared at the screen, unable to accept that Kat was not only keeping the SHIELD team at arm's length but was crazy. Yet she couldn't really deny what she was seeing either as Kat continued to talk to thin air.
"I didn't come here to get my hopes up, I came here to die, remember? You were the one telling me to seek an honourable death. Or did you forget that part?" Kat said as she turned to her left addressing whomever she thought she was seeing. There was a long pause as if the person was talking before Kat answered back with a humourless laugh, "So you're telling me you lied to me. I guess I should not be surprised..."
Kat turned away and walked from the table a couple of feet before turning around and gesturing to this person inside her head. "I mean it's karma... or some sick Divine justice that I even see you! Then you tell me the only way I am ever going to see Bucky or Tess again is if I seek an honourable death. All that to get me to continue existing..."
"Err, any way to know who she is talking to?" Rhodey asked concerned.
"It could be she is seeing Bucky or Tess, but I don't imagine a conversation with them would go down like this." Nat pointed out.
"You knew I wanted to die and you have lied to keep me alive? Why?! Why would you want to keep me alive? I am the one that killed you remember?"
"Not Bucky or Tess..." Daisy said staring at the screen, "It's Moira. It's her mom..."
New York Psychiatric Hospital
August 19th, 2018
It was late that night that Three lay awake in her room, in the white pajamas that signified that she was a patient. Often the doctors had her take sleeping medication to make her sleep, otherwise, they feared she would only get worse. She didn't like sleeping—she hated it! Her dreams were filled with seeing Sharon, Daisy, Coulson's SHIELD team; but the worst was seeing Bucky and Tess. However tonight the Orderlies were a bit more nervous and she knew why. Both were going to be paid well to accidentality allow this group access inside to take her away. So nervous because they were also being paid to 'forgot' all about that little pink pill that makes her go to sleep. Not like any of the meds really affected her mentally, most of the meds made her tired or her body sluggish. Her Inhuman powers still worked enough to know that this group wanted her and were willing to pay them to look the other way.
Prior to her unscheduled removal from the hospital, she had had one visitor: Sandji Kimoski. The chubby looking Japanese man was balding and sweating too much. He was an unexpected surprise that Three had not seen coming. When she had looked into his thoughts she saw a fiercely loyal man that had been devoted to serving Moira Nakagawa. Even if that meant serving the woman's killer. Sandji warned Three of what was coming and that per Moira's last wishes he was to serve her. When the time comes he would help Three escape his former associates.
She remembered clearly as she laid there her wedding ring was on a small chain around her neck with her mother's locket, the gold band rested on the palm of her right hand while her left finger traced the band. Even if she escaped these men, what did it honestly matter? She moved her eyes to her wrists were twin scars were all that remained of her attempted suicide. 'It doesn't matter.' She had thought, guessing that if these men wanted to kill her they could go right ahead, and off her right there and then in the room.
Again when such thoughts entered her mind, she thought she saw something and her eyes flew to the spot in the corner. Only to find nothing there, she might have thought it a ghost if she was that idiotic; but instead often attributed it as a trick of the light. She had been seeing this apparition now ever since she tried to take her own life, and whenever she thought about ending her life or letting this group do it for her.
Again she shook her head and went back to tracing her ring and waiting for this group to kill her. She was guessing Sandji would just have to deal with failing Moira this one time, she was not about to go along with his plan. When she heard the voice of the last person she ever thought she would hear.
"Sandji never failed to disappoint me, I would hate for him to do so now." Three immediately rolled over and sat up. There sat in a chair at the foot of her bed with one leg crossed over the other and one arm leaning back resting on the back of the chair was—Moira?! What was her mother doing here? The woman was dressed much like how Three remembered, a grey suit-dress and her hair up in a neat bun. However, rather than the hostile HYDRA head Three had to kill to protect Tess, all she saw was a mother looking at her daughter.
Something about seeing her mother seemed like divine justice, Three had killed her and it seemed only right that her ghost haunted her compounding her torment. Yet Moira was not here to hurt her, instead, Moira sighed as she took in Three's appearance. "Why are you here? Are you some kind of ghost sent to-"
"If I was a 'ghost' I would try to do more," Moira said gently.
"Guess it's fitting that it's you I see..." Three said wondering what else the universe would do to torment her.
"Are you that upset to see me?" Moira asked hurt.
"I killed you, remember?" The words came out laced with regret which made Moira smile faintly.
"That doesn't mean I would not come to help my daughter in her time of need."
"You would help me?" Three asked confused, she didn't deserve Moira's help. In fact, talking to her long-dead mother had to mean one thing. She had gone crazy. Shaking her had she gave a laugh, "I have gone insane."
"Of course you have, you tried to kill yourself remember?" Moira pointed out, "But perhaps I am what is needed now."
"For what?" Three asked disheartened, "If you know I tried to kill myself then you know Tess and Bucky are gone."
"As well as Sharon and Daisy and many others, yes I know. As for what you need is simply a push." Moira said, "You know what is coming, my old allies are fools that seek to steal what I left to you. You need to stop with the self-pity and go back to fighting to survive."
"Why?" Three asked bored as she laid back prepared to do nothing but get killed.
Moira sighed, "I did not give you up just to watch you die."
"So leave then, don't watch." Three replied, for a few minutes she stared up at the ceiling half expecting Moira to be gone when she would look again; but then Moira's voice was next to Three as she sat on the edge of the bed.
"Please Kat, lying here waiting to die will not get you to Bucky or Tess."
"Sure it will, I die I get to be with them..." Three said or at least hoped. She wouldn't end up in hell, would she? Not after all the crap, she had been put through.
"No, you won't. Only an honourable death gets you to them. Letting my old allies kill you or committing suicide will not get you there." Moira said the pleading look in Moira's green eyes made Three feel for the woman who was begging her not to simply die. "Please... Kat, I want you to live. Bucky and Tess would want you to live."
For a long moment, Three laid there thinking then looked up at Moira. "Say I did get off my ass and go along with Sandji's plan, what then? What would you have me do?"
Just then they heard a door open down the hall and a group of approaching footsteps. Both looked towards the door, then to each other. "Well, we'll have to discuss that if you live."
Three looked down thinking but when she looked up her mother was gone. The footsteps were getting closer, and at that moment she chose to live. Right then the men about to bust into her room would think she was heavily sedated with sleeping pills. Originally she was going to fight them until they killed her, but now she was doing as Sandji instructed—playing asleep. She laid down and pretended to be asleep. It was strange at that moment she had decided to trust her mother of all people and try to live. She completely relaxed her body so that her new captors suspected nothing. As it was they didn't view her as a threat at all. They wheeled her out on a stretcher and into a black van. After a short drive, they took her on board a plane bound for Japan just as Sandji said they would. She remembered him instructing her to play along as they would not kill her right away. They needed her to sign over everything to them, so they would bring her to Japan first.
The next thing though depended on if Sandji would come through as he had said, he had thus far. That was when Sandji made his appearance, saying he was giving her something to keep her under. However, knowing she was a mind reader he told her he merely injected water tricking those intending her harm. Strangely if she wanted to live, she would have to play unconscious otherwise both her and Sandji would be dead.
For most of the flight Three held a mental conversation with Sandji who informed her that as soon as they landed his men would deal with her kidnappers. Eventually, they landed and no sooner was she taken from the private jet and strapped to a wheelchair, did they wheel her through a private building connected to the landing strip. Three who had had none of her usual dose of drugs had been slowly regaining her strength.
Suddenly the wheelchair halted and guns were cocked, Three peeked up to find the group surrounded with men being held at gunpoint. They were speaking Japanese which Three easily understood as the ringleader that first took her looked around. "What is this?!"
While the group she and Sandji were with were distracted, Sandji unstrapped Three from the wheelchair and helped her up. That was when the leader noticed and was looking at them. "You betrayed us?!"
"You betrayed the memory of Lady Nakagawa by ignoring her last wishes!" Sandji replied, then nodded to his men who shot the former allies. The men that intended to harm her fell quickly before they could pull their guns. Their bodies were soon dragged away to be disposed of as Sandji pulled out a duffel bag offering it to Three. "Your belongings from the hospital."
Three took the bag to find some of her clothes, Tess' toy backpack 'Sake', and her phone. Obviously, she couldn't switch on the phone, but she could take out the SD card that held her photos and videos on it. "Thank you."
Sandji nodded, "Now we must hurry, I fear we will need to move fast to ensure Lady Nakagawa's enemies never find you."
Just as Three was about to move forward to follow Sandji, she saw Moira standing there smiling. No doubt relieved that Three had listened and not given up just yet. Perhaps Moira had been right, during the long flight to Japan she had thought about her mother's words a lot. In a lot of ways, at least in her mind, what Moira said made a lot of sense. An honourable death was the way to go if she wanted to be with her family again in death. So that night she followed Sandji who knew they would both have to go into hiding after this... Moira had lots of allies turned enemies after all. However, Three also knew this would not be the last time she would see Moira.
August 10th, 2023
Avengers Compound
The saddest part about being insane was even alone you were not entirely alone especially if your dead HYDRA mom appeared. At this point Three simply wanted to be left alone, she didn't want to go hang out with the Avengers or Agents of SHIELD, she didn't want to laugh and joke around while drinking a beer. She wanted to be alone, however, her mother always appeared when Three did something that would concern a normal person... like trying to commit suicide or choosing isolation, or avoiding old friends and family. At times Three often asked Moira why she cared so much? The answer was generally the same Moira cared because she was her mother. Three hated it when Moira pulled the 'mom' card on her. It was especially frustrating now...
"You really should go and spend time with them. Daisy looks hurt that you refuse to be near her. Did you not admit that she is like a sister to you? You shouldn't pass on this opportunity, today is an achievement and good enough reason to reconnect with those left." Moira urged as she leaned against the desk watching Three. The woman had been urging her to 'reconnect' with the Avengers and SHIELD agents since they first landed here.
"Again I don't need the lecture." Three replied as she looked down at her work, "I am busy."
"The SHIELD team is leaving soon to go deal with some other issue, why not spend time with Daisy? Why push her and the others away? Go have a beer with them, let them see you're still... you." Moira again urged.
"Because... I don't want to. Is that not a good enough reason for you? I don't want to get my hopes up only to watch them come crashing down..."
"Ah now I see, being around them, seeing how hopeful they get... you don't want to be around that," Moira said now seeing the issue as Kat tried to return to work. After all, she allowed herself to be hopeful last time only for it to blow up in her face. She was not about to allow hope to grow by being around the Avengers or SHIELD team. However, if she thought Moira would disappear she was dead wrong.
"Okay, I get that you don't want to put all your faith into this, but they are your friends. Also, you are allowed to hope a little. I mean come on... look at what has been built!" Moira gestured to the Quantum tunnel, "If this is not something to be hopeful for, then what is?"
"You are a colossal nag, can't you go away or something?" Three replied snappishly after slamming down the tool she held. Again the conversation veered towards the nasty subject of 'hope'. For a moment it went quiet and again for a mere second Three thought Moira had gone.
That was when Moira sighed. "Why can't you just enjoy this moment? I know there is still a long road up ahead, but-"
"I didn't come here to get my hopes up, I came here to die, remember? You were the one telling me to seek an honourable death. Or did you forget that part?" Three said tired of the conversation already.
"And you still believe it is all about achieving an honourable death?" Moira asked looking at Three with a sad look as if she was about to tell Three Santa Clause didn't exist, "Kat... it was never about dying. It was about keeping you alive for this.."
Moira gestured to the Quantum tunnel again, "I knew if anyone could find a way to fix this, it would be the Avengers. I didn't know how or when..."
Moira came up to Three as if she wanted to hug her. "I just knew I had to keep you alive long enough for them to find a way."
For a moment Three was stunned then as it sunk in she gave a humourless laugh, "So you're telling me you lied to me. I guess I should not be surprised..."
Three turned away and walked from the table a couple of feet before turning around and gesturing to this person inside her head. "I mean it's karma... or some sick Devine justice that I even see you! Then you tell me the only way I am ever going to see Bucky or Tess again is if I seek an honourable death. All that to get me to continue existing..."
"Kat, please try to understand I did it for you-"
"You knew I wanted to die and you have lied to keep me alive? Why?! Why would you want to keep me alive? I am the one that killed you remember?" Three asked bitterly if nothing else Moira should want her dead but the former HYDRA head shook her head.
"Regardless of what you did to me, you're still my daughter. It's why I was so desperate to get you back, why I changed my will and gave Kimoski instructions... it's why I am here now. I. Don't. Want. You. To. Die." Moira said firmly trying to emphasize those last words.
"I have never wanted you to die, Kat. If you think I enjoyed handing you off to be HYDRA's lab rat-!" Moira had to stop a moment and take a steadying breath, "The only reason you were ever made a lab rat was because I was given no choice... I either had to abort you or donate you. I choose the latter so that you would live, and I still choose for you to live. So, please! Please just try, you don't have to get your hopes up, and if it doesn't work out... then fine you can seek an honourable way to end it. Please, Kat."
Moira looked like she was on the verge of tears as she begged Three not to do something drastic. It made Three sighs, why was she even entertaining this... illusion of her mother? She knew her sanity had checked out long ago and even if they were successful would Bucky and Tess even want her back? She was talking to her dead HYDRA mom of all people! If anything Bucky would probably want her locked up and as far away from Tess as humanly possible. Three shook her head she again was getting ahead of herself. She was assuming that this Time heist would be successful and they would undo Thanos' actions.
Still, for some weird twisted reason, this illusion of Moira convinced her to live these last five years, but she also encouraged Three to develop her powers. Originally Moira encouraged this in preparation of finding a strong opponent to give Three an honourable death, but now Three knew there had to be another reason. "If not to seek an honourable death, why have me focus on my powers?"
Moira moved away before turning back to Three.
"Think about it, Kat. Who else sought those Infinity stones?" Moira pointed out, Kat didn't answer verbally but her face said it all. 'Thanos.' "Even going back in time to retrieve those stones might bring you face-to-face with that purple bastard. And this time you won't just give him a minor headache... you will make him scream! He will know true pain unlike any other when you bring him to his knees!"
That did sound beautiful, and Three smiled a little at the idea of forcing Thanos to revisit his most agonizing memory over and over again and again until he lay broken at her feet. He would beg and plead for death and she would smile down at him and say 'No.' Now Moira smiled knowing she had convinced Three to stick around.
"I urged you to focus on your powers these last five years, making you one of the most powerful Avengers out there. You have bided your time, waited, and now..." As Moira spoke she moved back to Three, "Now if Thanos dares to interfere you will have the power to utterly destroy him. As I have said before... 'Cruelty is HYDRA's and Thanos' way, but vengeance..."
"Vengeance is ours." Three finished, it had been what Moira's mother had once said to Moira when forced to give up her daughter, but it also held true for Three. She had once bided her time then struck when she waged war with HYDRA, and Thanos deserved no less from her. It was more than enough to convince Three not to end her own life but to see where this goes. Maybe the time heist would be successful, and maybe she would face off against Thanos again. Who knew? But at least for now Three would see where this led.
"She's insane." Rocket stated bluntly, after witnessing a one-sided conversation from Three in the garage. For a long moment, the two groups remained silent as they processed this new information. Even though Kat returned to work as if the conversation had not happened, some still stared at the screen. Finally, Jemma Simmons was the one to speak as she looked to Coulson and Mack.
"Sir in light of this new information, I am afraid Kat is incapable of assisting in the Time Heist. She should be moved to a facility to be properly treated."
"What? No Jemma we're talking about Kat here-" Daisy started to argue not wanting to believe Kat was completely lost, but Jemma spoke up.
"She is seeing and talking to her dead HYDRA mother, Daisy. A woman that shot down her Quinjet, tortured her, and tried to kidnap Tess."
"Which is not a good thing," Nat added as she stood there arms crossed over her chest.
"In this case, it might be a good thing. Think about the conversation, sure we were hearing only one side, but Kat mentioned being tricked by Moira to live. This..." Banner gestured to where the screen was, "Illusion of her mother has been keeping her alive, instead of attempting suicide."
"Still a crazy lady." Rocket pointed out.
"I refuse to believe that," Daisy said shaking her head at Rocket's comment.
"Regardless her sanity compromises her ability to go on missions. I recommend Medical Observation at a safe location." Jemma said firmly looking to Mack.
"I promised her she wouldn't be locked up!" Daisy argued.
"That was before she started talking to an imaginary friend." Yo-yo pointed out.
"I agree. She needs help and would not be fit for a mission." Mack finally spoke then looked to Steve. This was not a decision that could be reached by one group, but by both.
"No!" The sharp word came from Scott Lang which made everyone jump a little surprised.
"The adults are talking here Scott-" Rhodey tried to interrupt.
"No, I am!"Scott snapped then looked around. "Now I am not claiming to know Kat as well as everyone else, but I understand! I went into the Quantum Realm for five hours and my daughter Cassie who was a little girl is now a teenager! My daughter who was a penpal to Tess, who showed me every drawing, every note from Tess. Of course, Kat would go insane! Any parent would! But she's... she is..." Scott was gesturing at the screen still showing Kat working, "She's still Kat. She's still the Guardian Avenger, right?"
There was a long silent pause before Fitz stood up. "Yes, she is."
"Fitz-" Jemma started to argue, but Fitz turned to Jemma and stopped her.
"I was damaged before, remember? I was talking to you in my head Jemma," Fitz looked at the screen and pointed at Kat, "But she didn't give up on me. She went to Russia and got the serum used on her for Peggy Carter and me. She didn't give up on me, so I can't give up on her."
"This isn't a debate, she can't go like this," Coulson said.
"Maybe it should be," Tony spoke up, he had been looking out the window since seeing the footage and thinking until now. Now he turned around to face the others looking at him, "Put it to a vote."
Steve nodded, then looked to Mack and Coulson who also agreed to vote on this issue. Mack sighed deciding to go first.
"I vote no. Kat is in an unfit state for this mission. She needs help." He then looked to Coulson. Even though he was merely an LMD he would know what Coulson would have said in this situation so his vote did matter.
"While I usually have one-hundred percent faith in Kat. I don't want her hurt, I also vote no." Next was May, and she was quiet for a moment before her lips parted.
"Yes, Kat has never failed us. She has always come through for us, we need to believe and be there for her." May then looked to Daisy who smiled.
"I agree with May. Yes, Kat is not at her best, but she was there for us when we weren't at ours." Then Daisy looked to both Fitz and Simmons.
"No," Simmons said at the same time Fitz said. "Yes."
Next was Yo-yo who was shaking her head. "No, I agree with Mack and Coulson. She needs help."
Now it was down to the Avengers to decide as Steve sighed. "I want her to go with us, but not like this. I want to keep her safe, so no."
Steve looked down ashamed to have cast his vote for no as Nat sighed and looked up. "Aida, your thoughts?"
There was a long pause before the AI spoke. "Would I be a bad friend if I say no? I'm worried about her Nat. I don't want to lose her again."
"Aida, I don't think you could ever be a bad friend."
"How do you know that?" Aida asked.
"You've never been a bad friend to me." Nat pointed out, and again there was a long pause before Aida spoke.
"Then... I say no too." Nat nodded then added her vote.
"Make that two no votes." Now everyone looked to Banner who was next to decide.
"Part of me wants to say no, but after learning about her... it feels wrong to say no. She needs this just as much as we do. Yes." Banner then looked to Thor who was chugging a beer down. When he realized everyone was looking at him he asked in his confused drunken haze.
"Hmm? What?"
"Kat should she come with us or stay home. Keep up Lebowski." Tony answered.
"Oh uh yes of course." Rhodey shook his head at Thor then looked to the others.
"I say she is in no fit state-" Thor belched loudly gaining a look from everyone before Rhodey continued, "For this mission."
He then looked to Nebula who was for some reason looking at Daisy. "You and she remind me of my sister and I. For so long I merely wanted a sister only to lose her..."
Nebula looked at the screen as if being reminded of Gamorra then back to Daisy, "You know her strength, so I vote Yes."
Nebula then looked to Rocket who looked around then sighed. "I'll pass."
"You're not voting?" Steve asked.
"Yeah, that's right because for starters I don't care. Also if we start voting on one shouldn't we vote on everybody?" The Racoon made a very good point. Looking to Clint the man had been leaning against the far wall. He looked to Scott then spoke.
"I vote yes. She lost her husband and daughter. I know what that is like, and I know she needs this. If we take that away from her... if we leave her behind she'll never forgive us and I wouldn't blame her. You're giving me a shot at getting my family back... so give her one."
Scott was already nodding when they looked to him. "Yes, I know she is still Kat and I know she would do anything to get Tess and Bucky back, so I know she can help us."
"Alright, thus far it is eight yes votes and eight no votes... and one pass," Nat said, it was all down to the last person in the room to decide as all eyes fell on Tony Stark. Yet he was looking at the screen showing Kat in the garage.
"Tony?" Steve asked after a lengthy silence. The billionaire watched Kat for several moments.
"Yeah thinking here cap. Give me a sec." It went quiet again for a bit when Tony sighed, "Genius and Insanity go hand in hand, my dad used to say that. Did you know that?"
Tony looked to Steve who replied. "I didn't."
"He did. One day a brilliant genius could go insane the next day... Sounds very Jekyll and Hyde, but makes sense I guess. Point is I don't know her, but the more I hear about her the more I feel I should. I should know her." Tony gestured at the screen showing Kat, "She's saved my life... our lives numerous times. She mentally connected to me in deep space to find me... I should know her."
"Tony we need an answer." Nat pointed out.
"I'd go insane if I lost Morgan," Tony continued ignoring Nat, "But I'd do anything to get her back."
"Tony-" Steve started, then was interrupted by Stark.
"Yes," Tony said.
"What?" Daisy asked looking up surprised. She had expected Tony Stark to vote against Kat going, but now Tony had shocked her.
"My vote is yes, she comes with us." It was completely unexpected as Daisy and a few others stared at Tony completely stunned. The stares made Tony add after a moment, "Oh c'mon don't be so surprised."
"Thank you," Daisy said once she got over her shock. Tony's response was merely a shrug and taking a drink of his scotch. After a moment he asked his next question effectively changing the subject.
"So... who else is gonna try to drag Kat to this little party kicking and screaming? After all, we can't leave her in the garage talking to mummy HYDRA."
Everyone seemed to agree leaving Three alone was not exactly a good idea, who knew what her illusion of Moira might suggest. Thus far the Moira in Three's head seemed harmless and merely interested in keeping Three alive. A self-preservation response in the form of Three's mother? However, even if going with them it was best to keep a close eye on her. Fitz was good at reassuring everyone since he himself dealt with a similar situation before. He explained how shortly after suffering oxygen deprivation he had suffered a form of brain damage. Part of the coping mechanism was talking to a version of Jemma inside his head when Jemma had infiltrated HYDRA. Eventually, he recovered without using the serum Three brought for him. But it just went to show that a little crazy never hurt anyone. After all, he recovered and believed whole-heartedly that Three would too.
Drawing straws on who would go down there to convince Three to join them for drinks at least, in the end, Coulson drew the short straw. "Guess I'm it."
With that, he headed to the garage to try and convince Three to come up for a drink. Daisy gave Mack a concerned look after all if Three was openly mind reading others then hearing Coulson was out. Maybe it was time to let the cat out of the bag before Three bluntly pointed out the obvious. Meanwhile, LMD Coulson made his way down to the garage to find Three working.
"You know I hear all work and no play makes for a grumpy Kat," Coulson said casually as he came closer. It made Three looked back and frown, then return to work. "And here I thought you always liked my sense of humour..."
"I did like Coulson's sense of humour," Three replied, then turned to face him, "Let me guess LMD? The real Coulson died of his injuries in that other timeline?"
"You noticed..." Coulson said looking down at the table.
"Yeah, I noticed. Five years ago half the people I am mentally connected to vanished including Coulson's entire team. Three months, sixteen days, and fourteen hours ago I suddenly sensed Daisy and all the SHIELD team except for Coulson. Didn't take much to guess what happened, I was a bit surprised to see you though..." Three said.
"You're right, shortly after we dealt with Talbot. A version of Fitz was killed, and I finally decided to visit Tahiti with May. I died not long after, and both Fitz and Jemma created..." Coulson trailed off gesturing to himself. "I'm not him, but I have his memories and know what he would have said."
"Really? And what would he say now?" Three asked, not for a second believing this copy would know the real Coulson so well.
"He once told you that what HYDRA did made you stronger where it broke others, and he would say that some self-righteous purple bastard isn't going to break you either. You've fought all your life to be free and happy, it's not in you to give up. You will get Bucky and Tess back, you may not believe that but I do." The LMD stood there a moment, then realized a mistake he made in what he said. "I mean Coulson would say and believe that. Sorry I sometimes forget that I-"
He was interrupted when Three suddenly hugged him, and after a stunned moment, he hugged her back. Those words he had spoken had been a clear reminder of the great man lost, and on some level, Three had not known she needed to hear them until they were spoken. It had been what Coulson would have said if he were still alive, but like so many, he was gone. Worst yet Three had felt that if she got close to the SHIELD team again it would only end in disaster, she had even viewed this LMD as a cruel reminder until he spoke to her and said those words. What stunned Coulson more was she was shaking, was she crying? It was confirmed when she sniffled and spoke in a shaky voice. "I can't sense you—Coulson, or hear his thoughts... I miss him, and yet it feels like he's right here."
It wasn't Coulson, Three knew that but this LMD had his memories and it was as close as she would ever get to him again. So many of her friends and loved ones were already gone, and even though it wasn't really Coulson it felt good to at least have this reminder of him. She guessed that was why Fitz and Simmons made him, the SHIELD team had felt lost without him. She could understand that at least and accept this artificial copy of the SHIELD Director.
"I know..." Coulson replied softly holding her. For a while, they stood there as Three slowly calmed down. Meanwhile, the SHIELD team upstairs had a lot of explaining to do since the Avengers had just found out Coulson had died shortly after Thanos' snap. It was while in that alternate timeline that they dealt with a creature that looked identical to Coulson but was evil, and when the Chronocons attacked Earth in that timeline, Enoch, another good Chronocon; aided in creating the Coulson LMD. It was a lot to take on board but helped fill in what the SHIELD team had been up to. Were the Avengers okay with it? Not entirely, but a lot of decisions lately were debatable. Besides, there were bigger issues ahead, especially with this Time heist.
Author's Notes:
Alright first off Thank you all for the lovely reviews and am sorry it took so long to post this chapter. By the way, I hope you all had a lovely Christmas last year and a Happy New Year since I couldn't post this chapter around then.
As always it is great to hear from you Fin-Fish Jun-Tenshi you're always the first to review for these chapters and I love hearing from you.
Also BurnScomosHouse yes I don't want to say too much but the idea was one of the major issues for Kat in Endgame. As the story progresses I'll be able to explain more on how Kat is affected by the events around the snap. Like in Infinity War it was sensory overload to suddenly not sense the people she loved and knew. I think an earlier reviewer asked why she didn't sense Tess disappear right away and I had to point out in PM that it was an overwhelming situation for Kat, so when the snap is undone there will be some type of response to that. I better stop now before I reveal too much...
And welcome Hallorious969, don't worry if you're just now joining us we welcome all and are glad you're here.
Also, I am not sure if this reviewer is reading this far but May wrote: 'Sorry but an OC getting pregnant isn't that original. It's pretty Mary Sue and overdone.' I feel I need to point this out. I will take bad reviews along with good reviews, but... you call my character a Mary Sue and that is the one thing I don't take. Below you will find the definition taken from Wikipedia on 'Mary Sue'. I recommend May that you read it and the whole page before you go calling anyone's character a Mary Sue. In short, Mary Sue is FLAWLESS. They do everything perfectly, make no mistakes, and seem to know everything. May you are talking to a writer that INJECTS flaws into her characters! Where was Kat the first sixteen years of her life? What issues did she have when she escaped HYDRA? Who did she inadvertently get killed soon after escaping HYDRA? What was she afraid to do with Sharon and Peggy Charter? What mistake did she make involving Ward from Agents of SHIELD?
The Answers... She was a lab rat of HYDRAs, She suffered from social anxiety and fear of crowds, She accidentally got the father and daughter killed because she did not know HYDRA would kill them for knowing her. She was afraid to get too close to the Charter women and knew one day she would have to leave. And finally, she made the mistake of giving Ward the benefit of the doubt and letting him live. And these are only a few of the flaws and mistakes Kat has made in this story. Does this sound like a Flawless know it all? More importantly, EVERY woman on the planet can have kids that does not make every woman a Mary Sue. Please check the definition BEFORE you throw labels around.
A Mary Sue is an idealized and seemingly perfect fictional character. Typically, this character is recognized as an author insert or wish fulfillment.[1] They can usually perform better at tasks than should be possible given the amount of training or experience,[2] and usually are able through some means to upstage the protagonist of an established fictional setting, such as by saving the hero. Other traits of a Mary Sue include, bending the rules of the story (narrative, characterization and natural laws of the setting) and being an over centralizing figure.
Apologizes for lighting into a reviewer on here but 'May' did not have a profile to PM her at and having my character being called a Mary Sue is the one insult I will not take ever. I work too hard to make sure my characters never fall into that category. And I found it extremely offensive that her being pregnant and having Tess meant that it automatically landed her in the Mary Sue category somehow... mystically. I mean does that mean Wanda Maximoff should be labeled Mary Sue? She had kids with Vision in the comics and possibly her new show. Shouldn't she be labeled a Mary Sue according to this reviewer's logic? How about Pepper Potts? She had Morgan in Endgame with Tony Stark, doesn't that mean she should be labeled a Mary Sue? Now the one thing the reviewer did get right is the pregnant OC is done a lot, but that doesn't make it bad. A lot of writers choose that route for their OCs because it's a part of life, so why not include it? Anyway, I just needed to say that and if May reads this hopefully she knows the difference now.
Now with that out of the way onto this chapter...
Again it was very difficult to write for Kat, as it was slowly revealed who exactly she has been talking to. DUNDUNDUN! Moira Nakagawa. A lot of you had some great guesses as to who Kat was talking to, but in the end, it is Mommy HYDRA. Now before I get angry reviews and start asking why Kat would even listen to Moira, let me explain. The last great big regret in Kat's life was killing Moira. Yes, Moira kidnapped and tortured Kat, then tried to make off with Tess, but Kat also realized if she had simply heard Moira out she would have known her mother was only given two options abortion and donation. She learned at that moment that Moira didn't give her away because she didn't want Kat. Moira gave her away so that Kat would live, she wanted Kat, that is why Kat has felt guilty over her mother's death and that is why Moira is now a resident inside Kat's head. As for why Kat would listen to Moira? Well after not listening last time she feels obligated to listen now.
As for a more scientific reason for Moira's presence, you can consider her a 'self-preservation' response. She is there solely to keep Kat going, keep her alive. Which is why she has been there these last five years otherwise Kat might have taken her life long ago.
On top of that both Avengers and Agents of SHIELD have learned Kat is no longer sane leading to the impromptu vote to decide whether or not Kat goes on the Time Heist. In that vote, I knew I wanted Stark to be the deciding vote because Tony had not had the best relationship with Kat, the pair were often at odds. It would speak volumes to have him side with Kat at this moment after all this. The others it was kind of self-evident where their sides would lie. Both Barton and Lang being parents themself they would naturally side with Kat. Skye, May, and Fitz would also naturally side with Kat too and be fiercely loyal to her even if insane. But I also needed people to say no, hence some that normally would've said yes (Steve, Coulson, Mack, Aida, and Nat) going against how they would normally respond. The no voters, of course, weren't saying no to be douchbags of course, there was a natural fear and worry for Kat which led to their no votes. Simply put the no voters simply wanted to protect Kat and not put her in further danger. While the Yes voters had complete faith in Kat and knew she could do the Time Heist.
Lastly, Kat gets to speak to LMD Coulson and it is revealed the real deal died five years ago. I know some might ask why the Agents didn't say anything to the Avengers. And there is no clear answer really... the Agents only returned to this timeline three months back. The response to an AI or LMD is not positive after Ultron even Aida had to work hard to earn her brownie points. Lastly, the agents might be so used to Coulson they easily forget it isn't really him. Plus it is already complicated enough writing both groups together... please just go with it.
Phew! Okay, these Author's notes are very long today especially after my little rant at reviewer May. Sorry again for that... I do hope you all enjoy this latest addition to the story. Please tell what you thought of the chapter, you guys know I love reading reviews... unless my character is called a Mary Sue. LOL Please let me know what you think, or give your opinion on who should have voted yes or no for Kat to go on the time heist. If you think some of the ones that voted yes should have voted no and vice verse please let me.
Thanks again,
Lesliezin