Chapter 21

AN: After spending two days in bed because of a migraine and uni work I haven't had the greatest weak. Hope you like this chapter. I'm going to try to update as much as I can, but it might not be for a few more days.

March 25th 2016

Not quiet six weeks have passed since Valentine's day and because she has had to do so much Avengers work to do Natasha hasn't made it to the city every weekend, though she has tried to be there as much as possible.

After getting a call from Melinda, who said they need to meet as soon as possible, the two of them have met half way between New York and DC.

Walking into a dingy dinner Natasha looks around and finally she sees Melinda sitting alone. Even though Melinda is one of the best spies in the world Natasha can see what is hidden behind Melinda's eyes, she can see the pain, and even fear; which isn't something she has seen on Melinda's face much. Feeling her concern grown Natasha walks over and sides into the booth across from Melinda.

"I'm going to cut through all the small talk, what is going on?" Natasha asks concerned.

"A lot, a hell of a lot," Melinda admits, and the fact that Melinda is admitting that tells Natasha a hell of a lot.

"Things that bad at SHIELD?" Natasha asks, feeling worried about her friends.

"That would be an understatement," Melinda admits. "I still need to figure out some details, figure out if it would even be possible, but if it is can Bobbie and Hunter join you at the compound?" Melinda asks curious.

"Of course," Natasha answers, without even needing to think about it. "What's happened with Bobbie and Hunter?" Natasha asks curious.

"It's a long story, but basically they had to be disavowed, it was their choice, but they're should have been another way," Melinda admits, pain in her voice.

"Where are they? Send them to the compound now," Natasha says, knowing she will explain it to Steve.

"I don't know where they are now. Bobbi and I figured a system incase this happened, but its at least a few weeks before we can contact each other," Melinda admits. "And until we can I need to look into whether they could even come to the compound without putting everyone at risk," Melinda explains.

"Okay, as soon as you know if that is possible let me know. If you think it might not be possible call me, Tony might be able to figure out a way," Natasha explains.

"Thanks," Melinda says, gratefully.

"No problem," Natasha says. "What else is going on? You wouldn't have that look in your eyes if Bobbi and Hunter being disavowed was the only thing going on," Natasha comments.

"It's Andrew," Melinda says, pain in his voice. "He's become a murderer, an inhuman; Lash," Melinda explains.

"Lash?" Natasha asks, confused. "I know I'm probably going to regret this, but why Lash?" Natasha asks, and as she does Melinda pulls out a folder picture, and hands it to Natasha.

Feeling a little bit concerned about what she is going to see Natasha opens the picture and inside she finds a picture, clearly taken from security footage, of what looks almost like a monster.

"This is Andrew?" Natasha asks, sounding shocked, and Melinda nods.

"At the moment he's still going between Andrew and that form, but soon he will only be that form, and that form has a habit of burning holes in people's chests," Melinda explains, and even though most people wouldn't be able to tell Natasha can tell how hard that is for Melinda to admit.

"What are you going to do?" Natasha asks, as she knows Melinda well enough to know that she is going to do something.

"I'm going to find him, and stop him," Melinda explains.

"Mel…" Natasha starts to say.

"Nat, I have to do this," Melinda tells her.

"But you don't have to do this alone. When you find him, call me and I'll be there, no matter what," Natasha tells her old friend, as there is no way in hell she is going to let Melinda face this alone.

"Thank you," Melinda says gratefully.

"We've been friends too long for thank yous," Natasha admits, and a look of understanding passes between them.

"So, what's going on with you and Stark?" Melinda asks, being able to ask that because there is no one close enough to hear. "And don't even deny it, I saw your face when you said his name before," Melinda says, knowing that most people wouldn't have been able to tell something was different with Natasha when she said her name, but she knows Natasha well enough to know.

Looking around Natasha leans forward,

"Tony and I are together, we have been for a few months, since last year," Natasha explains. "Things aren't as complicated as I thought they'd be. Thing are really, really, good between us. I'm happy Mel," Natasha admits.

"I'm glad," Melinda admits, smiling as she knows how hard that is for Natasha to admit.

"How's Daisy?" Natasha asks curious.

"Good," Melinda answers. "She doesn't need me in the same way but she does still need me, and things between us are really good. I'm proud of the person she is becoming," Melinda explains.

"Of course, she is becoming someone you can be proud off, she learnt from you," Natasha says, smiling at her friend.

"Thanks Nat," Melinda responds, as the two of them exchange smiles, and the two of them proceed to spend an enjoyable lunch together, catching each other up on important things; though Natasha doesn't mentioned Peter as she hasn't talked to Tony and Peter about telling Melinda.

April 28th 2016

Almost five weeks have passed since Melinda and Natasha met up and ever since they met up Natasha hasn't gotten a call about Melinda needing help with Andrew yet and honestly she isn't sure if that is a good or bad thing.

It is a Thursday afternoon and as she has gotten a call from Tony saying that he needs to see Natasha as soon as possible Natasha has travelled to the tower. Without even needing to check with Friday Natasha has headed to straight to the lab; where unsurprisingly she finds Tony working.

"Tony, what's going on?" Natasha asks concerned.

"There's something you need to see," Tony says, and he plays a video.

Feeling concerned Natasha watches a video of a person, who is wearing a hoddie and goggles, swinging around on what looks like spiderwebs webs. To her complete shock Natasha watches as the person stops a bus then swings away.

"Okay, that's incredible, but why the 911?" Natasha asks curious, as she can't figure out why this video would be a major emergency.

"I analyzed the video, backtracked, to try and find out who it was," Tony explains, purposely keeping his voice even. "FRIDAY, show Nat the response," Tony requests, and then Friday does exactly that.

"Peter," Natasha says, sounding beyond shocked. "Guess we know what he's been keeping form us," Natasha realizes. "How?" Natasha asks, looking at Tony.

"I don't know, yet. I've been looking into things and I don't think he's inhuman," Tony admits, as that was the most obvious explanation, but it doesn't seem to fit.

"From what Mel's said that doesn't feel right," Natasha admits. "Tony, this would explain his ankle, how it heled so quick, the fact that we know he's been keeping something from us…" Natasha starts to say.

"And look at those googles," Tony says, pointing to them. "I think it might explain the headaches he had a few months ago," Tony reveals. "He said everything seemed overly bright," Tony reminds Natasha.

"He did," Natasha confirms, as Tony reaches out and takes her hand, and as he does she gets an idea. "FRIDAY, last December, during the any time at the towed did Peter ask you something specific? Something that he had never asked before?" Natasha asks, knowing that it will be a good way to get information without compeltley invading Peter's privacy.

"Yes, Mr Peter asked me for any information Boss had on Oscorp, on what they were currently working on," Friday explains.

"Oscorp of course they are to blame for this," Tony says angrily.

"Something must have happened on the class trip," Natasha realizes. "Has anything you've found indicated that he's been seriously hurt?" Natasha asks worried.

"No, and I texted him earlier. Asked him if he is okay, and he did he normal 'I'm fine, no need to worry'," Tony explains.

"That's good at least," Natasha comments, honestly feeling overwhelmed.

"I don't know what we should do, Nat," Tony admits. "Part of me thinks I should pull him out of school right now, another part of me thinks I should message him saying he should come straight here after school, or maybe we should take to him tomorrow, or wait until he tells us; I just don't know," Tony admits. "Out of all the things I thought we would have to deal with being parents this wasn't on the list," Tony admits.

"I know," Natasha says, squeezing Tony's hand. "He saved people," Natasha points out.

"But he put himself in danger," Tony says.

"Just like us," Natasha realizes. "However, we handle this thing are going to be complicated," Natasha realizes. "If we tell him not to put himself in danger then he'll point out that he's doing what we do every day," Natasha says.

"I know," Tony says, with a sign. "He's fourteen, but he's still our kid. We need to talk to him about this, I'm just not sure how," Tony admits.

"Me either," Natasha admits. "I want him safe, but if he has abilities he won't do nothing with them. He'll use them to do good; it's who he is," Natasha points out.

"I know; I see building a better suit for him in my future," Tony realizes.

"Yeah, so do I," Natasha admits.

"I just wish I knew why he hasn't come to us," Tony comments.

"He's trying to protect us, keep us from worrying," Natasha realizes. "Tony think about it. Peter knows that we would do anything to protect him, and we would worry if we knew he is was in danger; we already are and we just found out," Natasha explains.

"So, by not telling us, he thinks he's keeping us from worrying about him," Tony realizes. "He really is a great kid," Tony comments.

"Yeah, he is," Natasha confirms. "And he's doing exactly what either of us would do," Natasha says as she and Tony would do whatever they have to do to protect Peter, and even each other.

"Yep," Tony confirms. "What do we do?" Tony asks, hoping that Natasha has all the answers just like she has had so many times before.

"I'm not entirely sure," Natasha admits. "I suspect that no matter what we say he's going to keep doing this," Natasha reveals.

"Yeah," Tony confirms, as that does sound exactly like Peter. "That's exactly why I'm going to get started on that suit now, at least the basics of one, based on the information I have gotten from what I have found. If he is going to do this, he can't keep using that thing," Tony comments.

"He really can't," Natasha confirms. "We're going to need a plan though," Natasha admits.

"He's needs to know that he is not alone, that we know, that we love him, and that he can always talk to us, but he's lied to us every time we've tried confronting him head on," Tony realizes, feeling lost as he tries to think of a solution.

"What if we try a subtle approach over the next few weeks," Natasha suggest. "We don't bring it up right away, we give subtle hits, keep reminding him that he can talk to us and that we'll always be there for him, no matter what," Natasha says. "If he doesn't tell us, then we tell him we know," Natasha explains.

"That does sound like the best option," Tony admits. "Nat, all I've ever wanted is for him to be safe, this is the opposite of that," Tony admits.

"I know," Natasha responds, and the two of them drift into silence.

For a few minutes Natasha and Tony stand in silence side by side, both of them are doing their best to comprehend everything that has happened, but then suddenly Natasha's phone rings interrupting.

"Yeah," Natasha says, answering her phone, and for a few moments she pauses as she listens to what the person on the other end of the phone says. "I'll be right there," Natasha says, before hanging up.

"What's going on?" Tony asks curious.

"Lead on Rumlow, a serious one," Natasha explains, and as soon as she does Tony becomes concerned.

"Nat, last time you went after Rumlow you got shot," Tony says worried.

"It will be okay, I have your valentines day gift," Natasha explains. "I probably won't be around this weekend, but I'll come home when I can and we'll talk more about Pete then," Natasha tells Tony.

"I won't confront him without you," Tony promises. "Stay safe, and good luck," Tony says, before kissing Natasha.

Once they kiss Natasha and Tony break apart and while Natasha heads out of the lab Tony gets to work on what he has to do.

May 3rd 2016

Five days have passed since Natasha and Tony talked about their discovery regarding Peter and because of Avengers missions Natasha hasn't seen Tony since. While Tony spend the weekend with Peter he didn't come out and say what he and Natasha now know, rather he did what he and Natasha talked about.

For tony it's been a long few hours, as a simple speech at MIT turned into something so much more. As he flies back to New York Tony keeps thinking about what the woman who confronted him at the elevator said.

"Boss, breaking news reports that you need to see," FRIDAY reveals.

"Play them," Tony requests, an edge to his voice, and FRIDAY plays reports of what Tony knows will be his latest headache, and will also explain what Natasha's been doing. "FRIDAY, call Nat," Tony requests, worry being clear in his voice.

"I'm okay," Natasha answers after a couple of rings. "I wasn't hurt," Natasha says, feeling pretty sure that the jacket Tony made her is in part to thank for that.

"Rogers, Wilson, Wanda?" Tony asks, wanting to make sure they are all okay as well.

"All unhurt," Natasha answers. "If you've seen the reports, I guess you know how Wanda is actually doing," Natasha explains.

"I'm still playing catch up, but yeah, I can guess," Tony confirms. "She needs to get to the compound as soon as possible," Tony informs Natasha.

"I know, I'm working on it," Natasha explains, as one of the things she is trying to deal with is explaining to Steve why Wanda has to get out of the country but he keeps insisting, 'it wasn't her fault', not seeing the bigger picture.

"Nat, this is bad. This is exactly the opening that's going to be used against us," Tony explains to Natasha who knows exactly what he means by this.

"I know," Natasha confirms, as he realizes there is something off in Tony's voice, but she doesn't have time to focus on that, as much as she would like to. "I've got to go liaise with the Stark Relief foundation, and deal with the other things I'm dealing with. I'll come to the tower as soon as possible," Natasha explains.

"Okay," Tony confirms. "Just watch your back, this is going to get very messy very quickly," Tony explains.

"I know," Natasha confirms, before hanging up.

"Okay Friday, who is trying to get in contact with me?" Tony asks, and FRIDAY lists all the people who are trying to get in contact with him, and he starts to deal with them.

After a day of dealing with the side effects of Legos and what happened Natasha is finally arriving back at the tower. Despite her lack of sleep as soon as she could, once she was sure that everything at the Compound was okay, Natasha drove to the tower.

"Friday? Where's Tony?" Natasha asks, as she steps out of the elevator.

"Boss is in his office," FRIDAY explains, and honestly considering everything that has happened over the last few days Natasha isn't overly surprised by that.

"Thanks FRI," Natasha says, and she heads there.

Walking into Tony's office Natasha finds him hanging up the phone and looking exhausted. Considering everything Natasha wouldn't be surprised if he got even less sleep than her.

"Hey," Natasha says, walking over to him.

"Hey," Tony responds as he looks glad to see Natasha, but also looks her up and down for signs of injuries. "Everything we've been worried about has started to happen. I can't tell for sure if there is new Legislation about the Avengers, but I seriously suspect something is in the works," Tony explains.

"Wouldn't surprise me," Natasha says, as she leans against Tony's desk, right next to him. "This is going to get so complicated. Rogers doesn't understand the way the world works today; he's going to fight against everything, no matter what it is," Natasha says, knowing that not just because of who Steve is but because he has already demonstrated that.

"I know," Tony admits, with a sign. "If I can figure out exactly what is going on I might be able to quash it, but if I can't our choices are going to be a lot more limited," Tony explains.

"I figured," Natasha says, as after months of helping Tony try to deal with the political fallout of the Avengers she knows how complicated things are going to be. "Things are probably going to get really bad for us," Natasha admits.

"Yep. Which is exactly why we should keep subtly talking to Peter, but not confront him," Tony explains to Natasha.

"Yeah," Natasha confirms. "How was MIT?" Natasha asks, and she watches Tony's face closely.

"Fine," Tony says, but because she knows Tony so well Natasha can tell that he is the furthers thing from it.

"Tony, what happened?" Natasha asks concerned, in a gentle tone of voice.

"It was hard reliving that memory," Tony admits. "And I was reminded of all the bad things I've done," Tony admits.

"You've done a lot of good too," Natasha reminds him. "What specifically were you reminded of?" Natasha asks curious.

"The cost of Ultron," Tony answers, and Natasha reaches out and takes his hand.

"No one's perfect Tony. Everyone's made mistakes, done things that hurts others," Natasha tells him as she knows that better than anyone. "We can't change the past, what we can do is do things differently in the future," Natasha explains, and Tony nods. "How was Pete last weakened?" Natasha asks curious.

"Good," Tony answers. "He missed you, but he was good. He's still saying that nothing is going on," Tony admits.

"At least we know the reason now," Natasha realizes.

"Yeah," Tony confirms. "If this goes as badly as it could he's going to be put right in the middle," Tony says, knowing that at the moment the Spiderman of New York isn't well known, but if Peter continues the way it has then that could change and in the current climate that may not be good for him.

"I know," Natasha confirms, sounding worried, as she knows that things that the Avengers have done are going to effect so many people.

"Boss, you've just received more emails regarding immediate response," FRIDAY reveals, causing Tony to sigh.

"Thanks FRI," Tony answers, and as he does Natasha picks up Tony's tablet.

"I'll help," Natasha says, as she moves slightly so she is sitting cross legged on the desk next to Tony's main computer. "We'll divide the work, figure out what needs immediate response, and what needs responses from people other than us, then maybe we can get through it all quick enough to figure out a plan; figure out a way to handle this," Natasha suggests.

"Sounds like a really good idea to me," Tony admits, smiling at Natasha, and the two of them get to work.

Over the next couple of hours Tony and Natasha work hard to deal with the fall out. Eventually the exhaustion they are both feeling overwhelmed them, and they end up falling asleep on the couch in Tony's office.