CHAPTER THIRTEEN

The party had apparently just begun when they arrived five minutes after eight o'clock. Apparently more people would be arriving within the hour, but Jenny hadn't been able to press Tony much, as the Avengers began to filter in and seek out the newcomers to the tower, specifically the omega they had been barred from interrogating for the last month. The group of people she arrived with could act as buffers, but she couldn't hide from them, or evade them. Tony had warned her when he greeted them all that Maria Hill and Natasha - the Black Widow - could not be deterred from sizing her up, questioning her, etcetera.

Despite Bucky and Steve's inability to become intoxicated, they joined in with the rest of the group at the open bar ordering drinks. Jenny started off with a simple flute of champagne, humming along with the modernized Christmas songs, swaying to and fro in time to the music as everyone started to disperse, mingle.

Jenny refused to leave Steve's side, unable to let go of his arm, or remove herself from the security of his scent. Even Wade and Vanessa had veered off with Bucky and Darcy to fawn over Dr. Banner and Thor. Too many conflicting alpha scents that battled for dominance in the air, mingling with musk and beta and a few overly sweet omegas spritzed in cologne and perfume. It was mainly just Jenny and Steve, moving around the room, pausing to let her tilt her head and sway to the melodies. He felt safe in a large space of conflicting emotions and scents, his own so soothing, and she couldn't fathom parting with him.

It didn't seem to bother Steve, at all. He seemed to be brimming with pride, at ease with how she pressed against his side, fitting under his muscular arm as if she was meant to have been there all along, a piece of a life neither of them knew was missing but just then snapping into place. She figured he enjoyed the attention, her presence and scent, the way her petite form melted against him, because she relished it, herself.

Jenny met Wanda first, and she found the beta's effervescent light so comforting, despite how it was masked under the taint of grief and longing. She smelled of sweetbread, and she glimmered under whatever plagued her mind, but Jenny took a liking to the young woman immediately. There was just something about her that Jenny connected with instantly, and they made plans to have lunch on New Year's Eve. Wanda even promised to swing back around the room when she located Vision. It was a lovely first introduction to one of the Avengers.

Of course, not all of the Avengers were pleased with Tony, or Jenny, and she couldn't pinpoint the reason for it.

Natasha Romanov appeared out of nowhere, intimidating in a simple black dress and lethal heels and a narrowed gaze focused solely on Jenny, but an almost genuine smile playing across her plump lips.

"Rogers," Romanov greeted, receiving a half hug in return before turning back to scrutinizing Jenny. "Stark is very protective of you."

Jenny offered her small hand to the tall alpha woman with fiery red hair, "Jenny Parker -"

"I know," Romanov answered, cutting her off. "Technically, we all know - the Avengers. Stark encrypted everything related to you. It took time to dig up that information."

"I'm… sorry?" Jenny was on edge, almost burrowing into Steve's side to wrap herself in the security of his alpha scent. Her brows furrowed slightly at the tone the woman used, almost smug, as well as the intensity in her eyes. Jenny was very confused, because she had never met this woman before, and she felt as if she were a bug under a magnifying glass, about to be squashed. "Have I caused an offense of some kind?"

There it was again, that sly, smug smirk, and the Romanov responded with a controlled shake of her head, "Just curious."

Jenny downed the last of her flute of champagne, nodding after, "Well, it has been a pleasure to meet you. I'll go find a refill for this - I'm sure you have much to discuss with Captain Rogers."

"Jenny," said Steve, sounding almost reluctant to let her go, but she slipped out of reach.

"It's fine. I'm fine," she offered a strained smile from over her shoulder. "I'll come back for a dance soon."

Finally letting go of the alpha super soldier's arm, she moved delicately through the growing groups of mingling people to the relative safety of the bar. Ordering another flute of champagne, Jenny gathered her courage and approached Dr. Banner and Thor, noticing that Bucky and Darcy, as well as Wade and Vanessa, had disappeared. She was basically on her own.

"Dr. Banner," Jenny greeted with a smile, noticing the brief flash of vibrant green in his eyes before they settled into a welcoming, warm brown. She then turned her attention to the enormously tall Norse god, offering her small hand, "You must be Thor. I'm Jenny."

He smelled like the personification of nature and radiated an inner joy that Jenny had never quite experienced before. The sound of birds chirping morning songs, the sun rising and setting in beautiful arrays of colors, a dense forest after a harsh rain - when the sun finally peeked out from behind the clouds, and the branches rustled in the breeze - and roasting nuts, honeyed fruits and her favorite pastries. He looked like the sun, bright and cheerful, and his eyes reminded her of puppies, expressive. He struck her as… as…

Otherworldly.

"The omega that Tony has hidden from us all," answered Thor, breaking her out of her thoughts. He was grinning, taking her hand in his, and she almost trembled at the feeling spreading through her as she noticed how large his hands were, and how strong his arm looked to be. Her inner voice was screaming, ALPHA! "You are quite a small creature of astounding beauty, my lady."

It was then that he bent down, pressing a chaste kiss to the soft skin of the back of her hand, and Jenny flushed down to her toes, head spinning as if she had had too much to drink.

"That's very kind of you, sir," she breathed, unable to contain the giddiness bubbling up in her chest. She could see how large his pupil's had grown, leaving a sliver of blue around a wide pupil, and she assumed her own mimicked his, yet a twisting deep in her stomach stopped her from getting too close. Like a pull, her focus was pulled back to Captain Rogers - to Steve. "I am very sorry for all the trouble I've caused your teammates and yourself. I only wished to get on with my life. I never meant for any of this to happen."

"Fear not, my lady," Thor responded, hand still fully encasing her own. "We will band together and defeat the man who tried to steal you away. On my honor."

Jenny couldn't help herself, she beamed up at him, "That is very sweet, sir. Thank you."

"You must call me Thor, my lady," he replied, standing straight again and staring down at her warmly from his considerable height.

"Have you heard from NYU about continuing your studies online, Jenny?" interjected Bruce, wafting waves of relaxation since she stepped up to his side moments before, but she could sense something causing him to tense. "Or is it on pause while we look for Rumlow?"

Jenny's smile fell, lips pressed together in a tight, strained line, "Unfortunately, everything is up in the air. I'm unable to continue my courses via computer, as this term was meant for qualifying clinicals, which have to be done in person."

"That sounds horrible," said Thor, almost appalled on her behalf. "What is it that you have been learning, my lady?"

"Midwifery," answered Jenny, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "It was what I did decades ago, before Hydra kidnapped me. I delivered babies, and nursed the sick. There were so many in need."

"An honorable profession for such a compassionate soul," Thor commented, a twinkle in his eyes. "You must have more heart than any other."

"Yes, she is always thinking of others," added Bruce, bristling at something permeating the air. "I think I need to get some fresh air. Someone is throwing off pheromones and the Other Guy is ready to fight."

"Oh, Bruce," Jenny cooed, running a gentle hand up and down his arm. "I smell it, as well. I'll come with you. Perhaps we can stop by my rooms? I have something wrapped for Hulk, and something for you, as well."

"No, you stay and enjoy the party," Bruce strained, green tainting the skin of his neck. "I'll be down in the basement."

"I'll check on you both in a little while, then," Jenny countered, and the look she gave him relayed that she would not take 'no,' for an answer. "With gifts and treats. That should cheer up our jolly green fellow, hm?"

Bruce coughed on a laugh, letting Jenny embrace him quickly, and she rubbed her inner wrist against the lapel of his sports jacket to help soothe Hulk long enough for the doctor to make it to the basement levels. He was gone by the time Thor was joined by a bristling Captain Rogers, as well as a man - beta, sandalwood - whom Jenny had not met, yet.

"Clint Barton," the man greeted, offering his hand and wasting no time, ignoring the fumes of anger rolling off of the Captain, who continued to stare at Jenny's hand encased in Thor's larger one. "Nice to finally meet you, Jenny."

"A pleasure, Mr. Barton," Jenny returned, sliding her hand out of Thor's to take his. "You must be… Hawkeye. Yes?"

"Nail on the head," he laughed, giving her hand one firm shake before letting go. "I saw Nat already got to you. She can be a bit intimidating at first. Give her a chance, and she'll warm up."

"I will take your words to heart, Mr. Barton," she replied with as much warmth as she could muster, a stronger pull in the pit of her stomach making her feel off-kilter, almost ill. It was like her body was screaming to go to Steve's side, soothe his raging alpha with her presence and sweet scent. Feeling his displeasure, scenting it in the air and sensing it through whatever frail connection that had sparked between them during a time she couldn't fully remember - it was painful. She didn't like it one bit. "I wish to become acquainted with you all in the coming weeks. I hope to be on friendly terms, at the very least."

"Well, I don't know about anyone else, but I understand why Tony kept you secret," said Mr. Barton, easy going and relaxed despite standing next to a still fuming alpha Captain Rogers. "I have a family to protect, off the radar. It's nice to go home and be normal."

"Oh, you have a family?" Jenny asked, brightening. "How many children?"

"Three," answered Barton, holding up correlating fingers. "Two boys, one girl."

"They must be darlings," gushed Jenny, sipping some of her champagne. "How old?"

It killed Jenny to do it, but she ignored the need to return to Steve's side and soothe his anger and indignation in favor of following Barton to the sitting area to discuss his family. The beta man didn't give too much information away, but he did answer most of Jenny's questions about how he met his wife, the age of his children, what they were like, and what it was like having a family of one's own. She could feel Steve and Thor staring at her intently from the bar, the back of her head burning from their combined gazes, but she couldn't help it when Barton showed her a few pictures of his wife and kids.

Especially the baby pictures.

Part of Jenny was glad for the sabbatical from university. As she looked at the newborn photographs on Barton's smartphone, the desire burned in the center of her very being - the want of a mate and a family. She had a family, one makeshift and of her own choice, but it did not temper the emptiness she felt over things that seemed quite trivial in the modern era. More women were choosing to not have children, not to mate or marry, to live their lives on their terms, how they wished. It was liberating, yes. Even from the outside looking in, Jenny was impressed, and she thoroughly supported the advancements of women, of their choices. What they choose to do with their bodies and lives did not impact her life, not one bit, and that was a beautiful triumph in her opinion.

"I always wanted to have children," Jenny admitted, staring in awe at a picture of Barton's youngest. "When I was a midwife, we would follow up frequently with new mothers - weight checks and other such nursing duties… I always loved the smell of baby's hair after a bath, dried off and tucked up in knitted outfits. They were all so beautiful…"

Barton looked at her questioningly, almost confused, "Didn't you become a nun? No offense -"

"None taken," laughed Jenny, handing him back his phone and reaching for her flute of champagne from the coffee table. With a sigh, she continued, "I made some rather foolish decisions when I was just starting out in nurses training, and they caught up with me a few years later, after I had started district practice as a midwife."

"Sounds like a whirlwind."

"It was a mistake," she said, quietly, and with a small, sad smile. "The nuns sent me to their Mother House in Chichester to recover following a rather difficult situation. That's when the society circles caught wind of my unseemly transgressions. My grandmother was livid. It was marry an alpha of her choosing, or take the vows and become a nun. I refused to give up what little freedom I was allowed as a midwife, so I became a nun. I could continue to nurse the sick and delivery babies, but I had to sacrifice marrying, or ever having children."

"Well, damn," said Barton, looking a bit thrown off center. "Sorry, I just didn't see that coming. We all thought it was just, 'love Jesus, serve the Church,' type of thing."

"How could any of you know?" questioned Jenny, softening the reply with the ghost of a smile. "Bruce and Tony, they knew as much as I was willing to tell them when we first met - when Tony saved me. I'm mostly ashamed of it."

"Won't hear a word from me," he replied, draining the last of his beer from the bottle. "It's not my business to tell."

"I don't mind -"

"Jenny!" called Tony over the low hum of conversations taking place all around them. "Jenny!"

"It was nice speaking with you, Mr. Barton," she said, squeezing his hand once, before standing. "Thank you for sharing those pictures of your children. You have a beautiful family."

"No problem, just," he mimed zipping his mouth closed, and then smirked when she nodded. "And call me Clint… I'll see you around, Jenny."

She waved farewell, and weaved through the party attendees to the food tables adjacent to the bar, where Tony stood with Pepper, and two other people, a beautiful woman bordering middle age, and a young man whose scent struck Jenny hard, familiar - like family. The youthful, mature woman had a mating mark on her left shoulder, curving up against the delicate column of her neck, and she wafted a similar scent, like a warm and happy home.

On her trek, she caught Steve's eye and offered him a soft, warm come-hither smile, longing for him to close by and soothe the raw ends of her emotions, senses - everything. What was being rubbed raw by overwhelming input. She had never noticed it all before, and it was grating against her mind in a way she had never experienced before. It was more than she had felt in the years since she had woken in the future. It was all too much, as if she could feel as well as interpret through scent.

Steve was bristling with alpha rage towards Thor, because his territory had been threatened. Thor bristled against the accusation in Steve's eyes. Tony was tipsy and his lifetime of pain was always just underneath the surface, quelled by drink, muffled, but no less potent in how it resonated. Pepper was wound tight with exuberance, excitement, and her scent was starting to mismatch what Jenny remembered. The delicate fragrance was shifting, and the only answer Jenny had was conception and pregnancy. Scents changed during gestation, but if that were true…

"Meet the family!" exclaimed Tony, and her assessment of tipsy leaned closer to being drunk. "This is May Parker, and her nephew."

"Peter Parker, ma'am," said the young man, no older than sixteen or seventeen. He had the Parker look about him, Jenny noted. He looked so much like her brother; the eyes, the brows, the jaw, the hair. The accent was off, though. "Mr. Stark said it was important that we meet. You're that lady they pulled out of the rubble in D.C, right?"

"Yes," nodded Jenny, offering her hand with a gentle shake. "I'm Jennifer Leigh Parker. Apparently, we're blood relatives. Mr. Stark traced our family tree through my brother, Benjamin - your grandfather."

"Oh, wow," the woman - May - exclaimed, laughing off the surprise, or shock. "That's…"

"Impossible?" offered Steve, his scent mellowing out the longer he stood with the omega.

May nodded vehemently, "That's one way to put it."

Jenny cupped Peter's face in her hands, studying his features with a watery smile, "Goodness, you look so much like him."

"Uhm… Thank you?" questioned the young man, an eyebrow quirking.

"Apologies," breathed Jenny, releasing him and stepping back to grasp Steve's hand with a squeeze. "It's all quite strange. I was taken by Hydra in '58. Poplar, London. I woke up a few years ago, actually. I was so focused on looking forward that I didn't bother to look back."

They all sat in a corner hashing out the details of how, when, where, and why. Steve introduced himself properly, having already met Peter before in Germany during the Civil War. Then Bucky and Darcy reappeared and were called over to make the Parkers acquaintance, as well. Jenny perched on the sofa next to Steve, one of his large arms wrapped around her back, hand resting chastely at the top of her waist to keep her close at his side.

It was a lovely evening of chatting (and drinking, except Peter) and Jenny laughed delighted when Steve twirled her clumsily around a makeshift dance floor. She even danced with Peter and May, Bucky, and Clint. Those whom Steve deemed a non-threat to his territory, while Thor watched from the bar. Jenny didn't notice. She only had eyes for Steve, and the amount of alcohol she drank during the evening had left her somewhat tipsy, but not intoxicated. She felt light, giddy, happy. She felt adored looking up into Steve's beautiful blue eyes. It was like she was the only person in the room, and his eyes glittered with admiration and warmth as she smiled and laughed and sang along to the most notable Christmas carols.

The party never truly dispersed, but as midnight approached some began to depart.

Steve carried her back to her suite, as if she were a bride, only setting her down on unsteady feet once they crossed the threshold into the foyer. Jenny kicked off her heels by the settee on her way to the decorated tree housing piles of meticulously wrapped presents. Steve had to help her dig through and find the ones for Banner, Hulk, and Happy. Then she pulled out the small gift for Steve, bouncing in place as she watched him open it.

When the socks unravelled, displaying the red and blue stripes with white stars, he laughed, rubbing them between his fingers, "Where did you get these? They're so soft."

"I made them," Jenny beamed up at him, fighting to not bite her bottom lip. "It was all last minute, and socks seemed more practical than a scarf. And a sweater would have taken too long. I'm sorry it's not… more. Or something else -"

He cut her off with a kiss, beard brushing against her skin. A hand cupped her face, and he deepened the kiss when a breathy moan escaped her. It was meaningful, passionate, gentle, loving. It stole her breath and ignited a fire in her belly. Damn the cocktails, Jenny was absolutely drunk merely kissing Steve. She never wanted it to end.

Of course, all good things must come to an end, and eventually he pulled away, dilated pupils meeting dilated pupils, grinning rather shyly, "I love them. Thank you."

"Really?" asked Jenny, out of breath and panting. "You're not pulling one over?"

He shook his head, kissing her once more, before answering, "You made them just for me, and they smell like you. I love them."

Jenny preened, pressing her face to his chest and hugging him tightly, "That makes me happy - Oh, Happy!"

She suddenly remembered her promises, and smiled, grabbing Steve by the hand and picking up the bag of gifts at her feet. Jenny tugged him along to Happy's apartment, shushing the alpha before opening the door. Happy never closed his bedroom door, and Jenny could tell he was still up, watching reruns of Downton Abbey and eating the treats from the plate she had sent down to him from the party before the dancing began.

Tapping a knuckle against the doorframe, Jenny beamed at Happy, singing his favorite carol, "The first Noel the Angels did say, was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay. In fields where they lay keeping their sheep, one a cold winter's night that was so deep. Noel, noel. Noel, noel. Born is the King of Israel…"

"Jenny! Cap!" Happy exclaimed jubilantly. "Come in!"

Giggling, Jenny tugged Steve across the threshold towards Happy's bed, "Happy Christmas!"

Letting go of Steve's hand for a moment, Jenny leaned over the bed and embraced Happy, pressing a chaste kiss to his forehead. Straightening up, she then dug through the tote bag and revealed two wrapped presents, setting them down at Happy's side. She could feel Steve growing uncomfortable behind her, and reached back to squeeze his hand.

"I promised Dr. Banner that I would drop off his presents, as well," said Jenny. "But I also promised you a carol."

Happy chuckled, setting his plate of treats on his nightstand in order to start unwrapping his gifts, "I was about to doze off, anyway, Jen. Thank you for sending some cookies down - Holy crap, this is a snazzy sweater!"

Jenny beamed, leaning back against Steve's chest, "I thought you'd enjoy it. When you're up and about. Both should keep you nice and warm."

Happy laid out the sweater over his chest, matching it up to his form with a goofy smile on his face, before tearing into the other gift. He held up a lovely knitted blanket in patchwork squares of his favorite colors, "I love it, Jenny. Thanks. You're too good to me."

"It's the least I could do after you saved me," Jenny smirked, leaning back over him to press another kiss to his chubby cheek. "Get some sleep, Happy. I'll be by tomorrow."

"Good to see you, Happy," nodded Steve, a congenial smile pulling at his lips. "Merry Christmas."

Happy waved them off with a goodnight and Merry Christmas in return, and Jenny tugged Steve along again to the lift, pressing the button for the basement. When the lift doors closed, and it started to descend, Jenny lifted Steve's hand clasped around her own, pressing a kiss to the inside of his wrist where a scent gland lay under the skin. Biting her lip, she looked up at the intensity in his eyes. Blown pupils surrounded by a thin ring of blue.

Being around Steve for so long that evening must have soaked Jenny in his pheromones, his intoxicating scent, because she wanted him so deeply, so desperately. She wanted to please him, scent him, and have him scent her in return. She wanted to be enveloped in his arms, his lips against hers, thumbs stroking her cheekbones. She never wanted to be parted from him…

Ding!

The sound of the lift reaching the basement startled Jenny and Steve, both. The doors opened to the Hulk waiting on the other side of an indestructible containment room, sad eyes and surrounded by freshly smashed furniture. Taking a breath, Jenny stepped away from Steve, reluctantly, and crossed the distance to the panel next to the reinforced door. Taking a few more deep breaths to clear her head, Jenny paused to look over her shoulder at a bristling Steve. The scent of the Hulk must have him on edge, but she offered the super soldier a comforting smile.

"I won't be long, I promise," she said.

Punching in her code, Jenny stepped into the antechamber and underwent the scent removal process before the second door allowed her entry into Hulk's domain. It only took a few minutes, and then giant green hands were wrapping around her middle to pull her inside the containment room.

Hulk held her gently to his bare chest, and Jenny tried her best to wrap her arms around his thick neck in an enthusiastic hug. She squealed, feeling his hot breath blow over her shoulders as he spun them around, as if he were the happiest creature alive. Jenny and Natasha were the only ones that Hulk reacted to in such a positive manner. Jenny's omega scent soothed his anger, and appealed to him on a level that no one else could achieve. He was a gentle giant in her presence, playful and amenable to her direction. Malleable, so to speak.

Jenny spoke when he finally put her down, swaying where she stood after so many speedy turns, "I brought you a present. Would you like to open it?"

She held it out to him, wrapped in a way that was more easily accessible. It was the largest gift she had made, even folded up and gift wrapped it was over half her size, but she beamed up at him sweetly, waiting for him to take it.

Instead, he sat on the floor, pulling her up onto his lap as if she were a delicate piece of porcelain.

"Jenny open for Hulk," he said, vibrating with excitement as he looked down at the large green package. "Please?"

"Of course," exclaimed Jenny, shifting on a thigh as thick as the trunk of oak tree and ripping away the layers of tissue paper. "I'd love to unwrap it for you, sweetling."

Jenny made quick work of the wrapping paper, revealing the huge blanket, scarf, mittens and sweater she had been working on for months. They were all in different shades of green and brown, with little images knitted into them. Little Hulks, Christmas trees, baubles and colorful strings of lights. She passed them to him, one at a time, as he marvelled at each item. His face alight with joy and wonder, glee.

"Hulk like Jenny's presents," he said, sniffing the blanket, and then rubbing it against his face. "Hulk like Jenny's presents very much."

"I also made something for Banner, but he can open it whenever he comes out, right sweetling?" asked Jenny, smiling up at his large green face. "Now, how about a dance and a song? Hmm?"

Letting Hulk take her hands in his, Jenny swayed to and fro with him, singing lullabies and Christmas carols until he was slouching and yawning. It didn't take much to persuade him to lay down, allowing her to tuck him into the enormous blanket she had knitted and slept in to imprint her soothing scent into it. He hugged the sweater to his chest, mittens set aside for the time being. She hummed a lullaby and combed her fingers gently through his hair until he was fast asleep and shifting back into Dr. Banner.

Steve was waiting for her outside the containment room once Hulk's scent was removed from her person. He swept her off her feet, again, and carried her to the elevator. She was still giddy, but exhausted. The alcohol had faded long ago, and she had been riding the floating effect of Steve's presence ever since. She rested her head in the crook of his neck, brushing her nose against his scent gland, and carrying on their quiet conversation with soft murmurs and breathy sighs.

When they arrived at Jenny's suite, Steve carried her all the way to her bedroom. He took care of her in a way only an alpha could, letting her lean against him as she shuffled about gathering her night things. He let her disappear into the bathroom to change, and then entered when she proclaimed herself decent. It was all very proper, and her omega instincts preened at the care he showed as he went about removing her makeup with unscented wipes. He watched over her as she washed her face afterwards, and then helped her to bed.

In Jenny's exhausted state, she stopped Steve before he could depart, asking quietly for him to stay. He did so with a certain amount of hesitation, she could feel it, but ultimately relented. Kicking off his shoes and removing his belt, he removed his dress shirt revealing a simple white t-shirt. She turned over, facing him and watching as he slid underneath the duvet. She smiled, half asleep as he made certain there was an appropriate amount of space between them, reaching out to hold his hand.

She muttered a drowsy, "Goodnight, Alpha," and drifted off without hearing his response.