Chapter 27

AN: sorry about the delay, hope you like this chapter.

June 26th 2016

Having no idea what his parents have been up to Peter is in a hotel in Germany having breakfast with Happy.

"Can we go see Nat? Or is she coming here?" Peter asks curious as he was expecting to see her the night before.

"I got a message from Nat earlier. She had to go back to the compound with your Dad, so you and me are going to go straight there," Happy explains.

"Are Mom and Dad okay?" Peter asks worried.

"Nat didn't explain what happened, but she said she'd explain when you get to the compound," Happy explains. "Nat's Mom now?" Happy asks curious.

"She has been for a while," Peter admits. "But in that airport, when I was begging her to open her eyes I realized she's my Mom, and if she's okay with that it's what I would like to call her," Peter explains.

"I think Nat's going to be more than okay with that," Happy assures him with a smile. "But we should get going, she wants us to get to the compound as soon as possible," Happy explains.

"Okay," Peter says, feeling concerned about the reason behind that. "We can go now,"

"Then let's go," Happy says, and that is exactly what they do.

Hours later, as Peter and Happy are making their way to the compound Natasha, who is starting to feel weak again, is waiting on the helipad with Doctor Cho.

"Will you be able to do anything to help him?" Natasha asks Helen curious.

"I don't know yet," Helen admits. "I'll need to look at his records and see what the injuries are," Helen explains, as the helicopter lands.

Over the next few minutes Rhodey is loaded off the helicopter and to one of the medical beds from the compound. Once he is on the bed Natasha walks over.

"Hey Jim," Natasha greats, trying to look positive.

"Nat, not that I'm not glad to see you, but you're not exactly who I expected to have waiting for me," Rhodey says, as the bed is pushed and Natasha walks alongside it. Honestly, he feels rather worried that Natasha is with him, but Tony's not anywhere in sight.

"Tony's currently sedated," Natasha informs Rhodey.

"What! What the hell happened?" Rhodey asks shocked, and is clearly worried for his best friend.

"I don't know all the details, but from what I have been able to piece together; Tony found out where Steve and Barnes were, went to help them with something, not exactly sure what, but instead was forced to watch a video of Barnes killing Tony's parent's, which is something Steve and I both knew but Steve lied and told me that he told Tony," Natasha explains, and as she does she sees the anger on Rhodey's face, and the only reason Rhodey isn't mad at her is because he can hear the anger in Natasha's voice. "The three of them fought and I'm assuming Steve, because the shield was left behind, significantly damaged the arc," Natasha explains. "I got an emergency alert and flew to Siberia on a borrowed quinjet. I replaced the arc with an emergency one, and got him back here," Natasha explains.

"How bad are his injuries?" Rhodey asks worried. Even though he has a hundred questions that seems like the most pressing.

"Not bad enough for the Extremis protocol to be needed, but bad enough for Helen to want him to stay sedated for another thirty six hours," Natasha explains.

"I'm going to kick Rogers ass if I ever see him," Rhodey comments.

"Get in line," Natasha informs Rhodey as she plans to do a lot more than that to Steve when she sees him, as they arrive at the medical area. "Helen is going to have a look at your records, see if there is anything she can do," Natasha explains.

"I doubt there is," Rhodey admits, pain in his voice, as his bed is put next to where Tony is unconscious. "Where's Peter?" Rhodey asks worried.

"On his way back with Happy," Natasha explains as she sits down in a chair that is between Rhodey and Tony. "He doesn't know what happened yet, I'm going to tell him when he gets here. Happy is going to bring him straight here; for now this is the only safe place," Natasha says, as she has already had increased where FRIDAY is, and has Vision doing regular, but random, checks of the perimeter, and she is excepting that Ross will show up at some point; and he won't be happy.

"How'd we get here, Nat?" Rhodey asks curious.

"Stubborn men not being able to see the bigger picture because they don't understand how the world works," Natasha comments. "Tony and I decided to bring Peter into the battle because we never thought Steve would hurt a kid…. I can't believe how wrong we were," Natasha admits, pain and guilt clear in her voice.

"Nat, do you know how many combat missions I have flown?" Rhodey asks curious as he wouldn't be surprised if she did.

"One hundred and thirty-eight," Natasha answers, and Rhodey nods.

"Every one of them could've been my last, same with every mission you've ever done, but we did them for the same reason, because there was a fight that needed to be fought," Rhodey says. "It's the same with the Accords. I signed for the same reason you did, because it was the right thing to do," Rhodey explains. "This outcome sucks, and I didn't think it would get this bad, but I haven't changed my mind," Rhodey informs Natasha.

"Me either," Natasha admits, and the two of them drift into silence as they sit together, both thinking about everything that has happened.

A while after Rhodey landed at the compound Natasha who is feeling even weaker, is standing at the main entrance to the building waiting for Peter. Once Happy's car pulls up Peter gets out of the back and hurries towards Natasha.

"Mom, you're okay," Peter says relieved as he hugs her. "Is it okay if I call you that?" Peter asks, as he hugs Natasha purposely hiding his head in her neck, so he doesn't see her face.

"Beyond okay, маленький," Natasha assures him, as he kisses his cheek.

"Where's Dad?" Peter asks curious, as they break apart.

"Pete, your Dad was hurt," Natasha explains, hating that she has to break that news to Peter.

"What? Is he okay? What happened?" Peter asks worried, as they start to walk.

"It's a long story, and I don't know all the details, but it seems after the airport your Dad got into a fight with Steve and Barnes," Natasha explains. "Your Dad was hurt and he's going to be unconscious for a while, but Doctor Cho suspects he is going to be okay," Natasha explains. "Your Dad and Uncle Rhodey are both in the medical area," Natasha reveals.

"How's Uncle Rhodey doing?" Peter asks worried.

"He's awake, and very aware of what's going on, but he has received significant injuries; he's paralysed, Pete. Doctor Cho, and your Dad once he is awake, are going to look into solutions," Natasha explains, and as she does she sees the distress on Peter's face.

"I want to help Dad make whatever he makes," Peter informs Natasha, sounding stubborn. "I want to help Uncle Rhodey," Peter admits, and from her son's tone of voice Natasha knows he is going to do everything he can to make that a reality.

"I'm sure your dad will be glad for the help," Natasha says, smiling at Peter, and as she does she realises something. "FRIDAY, direct Peter where to go," Natasha requests.

"What's going on?" Peter asks confused, but then to his horror, Natasha collapses. "Mom!" Peter says worried, and he hurries over to her. "Mom, wake up," Peter begs, though honestly he isn't overly surprised when she doesn't wake up, and so, being gentle, as he doesn't want to hurt her, he picks her up. "FRIDAY, tell me where to go," Peter requests.

"Yes Mr Peter," FRIDAY responds, and she starts to direct Peter where to go.

Hurrying as fast as he can while carrying Natasha Peter makes his way to the medical area, after not even a couple of minutes Peter gets to the medical area.

"HELP! I NEED HELP!" Peter says, and Helen, who he doesn't know, comes towards him.

"Put Nat on the bed, I'll help her," Helen informs Peter, but he makes no effort to let go of her, as he doesn't know who Helen is.

"Pete, it's okay," Rhodey says from his bed. "That's Doctor Helen Cho, you can trust her, me and your parents do," Rhodey explains, and because he trusts his godfather Peter puts Natasha down on the bed.

"What happened?" Helen asks Peter.

"I don't know, we were talking and she just collapsed," Peter explains, sounding worried. "She was hurt at the airport, do you think it could be connected?" Peter asks.

"Wait, Nat was hurt at the airport?" Rhodey asks, sounding surprised.

"Yeah, she wouldn't wake up, even when I begged her too," Peter explains, sounding upset.

"Which means she went after and saved Tony while injured," Rhodey realises. "FRIDAY, what do Nat's medical records from Germany say?" Rhodey asks, as he figures that is the only way to get answers.

"Nat left the hospital before her injuries could be assessed. Nat was experiencing blood loss, but the cause could not be determined," FRIDAY answers.

"Then I'll figure out the cause," Helen says. "I'm assuming you're Peter, Tony's son?" Helen asks Peter.

"And Nat's," Peter answers, as he wants to make that clear. "Is she going to be okay?" Peter asks worried.

"I don't the answer to that and I won't until I determine Nat's injuries," Helen explains. "I will update you as soon as I know something, okay?" Helen says to Peter in a gentle voice.

"Okay," Peter says, and while Helen and a medical team get started on helping Natasha Peter walks over to his godfather, and sits down in the chair between Rhodey and his Dad. "Why didn't Mom tell anyone she was still hurt?" Peter asks his godfather.

"I don't know, Kid," Rhodey admits. "But I know your Mom is one of the strongest people I've ever met, and the most selfless. She would be more concerned with looking after everyone else than herself," Rhodey explains.

"That sounds about right," Peter admits, glancing over at his father. "Dad and Mom are both going to be okay, right Uncle Rhodey?" Peter asks worried, sounding uncertain.

"I hope so, Bud," Rhodey says, as he knows that he has a long road ahead of him, and he can't imagine getting through it without Tony and Natasha. "Peter, what do you know about how Nat was hurt? You found her at the airport?" Rhodey asks, trying to get some idea about just what happened.

"Yeah," Peter confirms, with a nod. "Um, Captain Rogers had dropped a gangway on me," Peter says, and Rhodey looks shocked and angry, but he doesn't interrupt Peter. "I was fine," Peter quickly adds. "Mom found me, she was really angry, she told me to stayaway and that she was going to end it; that was just before tiny guy became big," Peter explains. "After Dad told me I was going home I asked for her through the coms and she didn't respond, so I went to look for her, I found her in the hanger, she was unconscious, the Quinjet was gone. I'm not really sure what happened," Peter admits.

"I can guess," Rhodey says as from the sounds of things for Steve and Barnes to get on that Quinjet they had to get through Natasha; which they obviously did somehow.

"I heard Dad's voice, he thought you were gone, and I thought Mom was going to die, she still might, and now Dad…" Peter starts to say, tears coming to his eyes.

With great difficulty Rhodey pushes himself slightly so he is a little closer to his godson.

"I'm okay, Pete, and your Dad's going to be okay, too; he just needs to sleep for a little while," Rhodey explains. "Me, your Mom, your Dad, we all love you so much, and that means we're going to always fight make sure we're going to keep being here for you," Rhodey explains. "Your Mom's fighting now, and there's no better fighter than Nat," Rhodey explains, trying to give a pep talk, but he's not overly great at that.

As his godfather can't move closer to him Peter gets up and sits on the edge of Rhodey's bed,

"I love you, Uncle Rhodey," Peter says, before hugging him.

"Love you too," Rhodey responds, and the two of them break apart, but once they do Rhodey once more pushes himself slightly so that Peter can sit in the bed next to his godfather, and the two of them drift into silence, both nervously waiting for news.

For about fifteen minutes Rhodey and Peter wait together for news about Natasha, but they don't do nothing for the entire wait as Peter, with advice from Rhodey about what to say, lets Harley and Kenzie know what happened. Finally, after what feels like a lot longer than fifteen-minute Doctor Cho walks out, and right away Rhodey notices that she is wearing what she usually wears when she has to go into Surgery.

"How's Mom?" Peter asks.

"Nat's being prepared for surgery," Doctor Cho explains.

"How bad?" Rhodey asks concerned, as he glances worriedly at Peter out of the corner of his eye.

"Nat has internal bleeding, it isn't severe which is why she has been able to go so long without treatment, but the source of the bleeding needs to be found and repair, there is a lot of blood in her abdominal cavity so it is hard to tell but it looks like it is coming from her spleen," Helen explains, suspecting that Natasha might have somehow received a blood donation because it's the only way to explain the amount of blood there is. "The more serious injury is that Natasha has two broken ribs that are very sever, they have punched her right lung and so we need to stabilise the breaks and treat the lung injury," Helen says, having treated Natasha enough to know she has some level of increased healing that would be helping right now.

"She's going to be okay, right?" Peter asks, tears coming to his eyes, as Rhodey puts his arm around her.

"I believe so, but I'll know more in a couple of hours," Helen admits. "I'll give you updates as soon as I know more," Helen explains.

"Thank you Helen," Rhodey says, before Helen heads to the Compounds surgical area. "Helen's the best doctor there is, Pete. Nat's in the best hands possible," Rhodey explains, and the two of them once more drift into silence, this time a bit more of a tense one.

For the next hour Peter and Rhodey wait together for news. Honestly Peter is sure he wouldn't be able to handle the horrible wait if it wasn't for his godfather.

"Colonel Rhodes, Ms Hope is in the lobby," FRIDAY reveals. "Vision is asking what he should do," FRIDAY explains, speaking to Rhodey because with both Natasha and Tony out of commission for the moment Rhodey is who has full authority over her, and her primary directive is to keep Peter safe.

"Tell Vision to bring her here. I trust her," Rhodey says, as even with everything going on that is something he knows for certain.

"Yes Colonel," FRIDAY answers.

A couple of minutes later Hope, with Vision by her side, walk into the medical area, Hope having a bag on her back. Once Hope walks in she looks around and sees Tony and Rhodey both in hospital beds, and sees how worried Peter is and so a look of guilt passes over her face.

"I didn't know Scott was going to take the suit," Hope explains, looking at Rhodey. "If I did I would have stopped him, or had him join Tony's side with me," Hope reveals.

"Tiny guy who becomes big, your Dad's tech?" Rhodey asks.

"Yeah, and I have my own suit. I would have helped you if I knew what was going on," Hope admits.

"I know," Rhodey says, as he has known Hope for most of her life, knows what she would have done. "If you created Scott's suit Ross is going to come for you," Rhodey explains.

"Yeah, he already has. Dad and I split up because it was better," Hope explains. "I was going to talk to Tony about joining you guys, and signing the accords, but I'm not going to make things harder for you," Hope explains. "When Tony and Nat are okay, Tony knows how to contact me," Hope explains, and she goes to leave.

"You don't have to go anywhere," Rhodey reveals, and Hope turns back around. "Since Sokovia Nat and Tony knew that it would only be a matter of time before there was some kind of legislation, or method, to control, and monitor, the Avengers," Rhodey explains. "Using connections, and methods that I thought it would be better not to ask about they made sure that no matter what would be created there would be an amendment that said that no person could be taken from the Avengers Compound without the written consent of three Avengers; that Amendment is in the Accords," Rhodey explains, knowing that the amendment was thought up as a way to protect Wanda, and was why Tony wanted her to stay at the compound when the Accords became a thing, but it will do so much more now. "Ross could walk straight through that door, and chances are he will at some point, and he won't be able to take you anywhere," Rhodey explains. "This is the safest place there is, you should stay, Hope," Rhodey says, and Hope nods.

"Okay," Hope says, and she walks over and takes the seat between Tony and Rhodey's beds.

"Aunt Hope if you have a suit does that mean you can become really small too?" Peter asks curious.

"Yep, but my suit is better," Hope reveals, with a smirk. "I can also fly and have blasters," Hope explains.

"That's so cool," Peter says, with a grin.

Even though they still have a hell of a lot to handle and things are far from okay, Rhodey feels glad to have Hope at the compound, as it means that one more person he cares about, one person he completely trusts is with them; which is something they are in great need off.

A while after Hope arrived at the compound Rhodey, Hope and Peter are sitting around the medical area as they wait. Due to the fact that she couldn't just do nothing Hope is reading though the accords, making notes of the things she knows they should change in the future.

Finally, after what feels like an eternity to Peter Natasha is pushed out on a bed, while Doctor Cho walks behind.

"How's Mom? Is she okay?" Peter asks, and while Hope looks slightly surprised she doesn't comment.

"Nat's stable, but still critical. She lost a lot of blood, her abdominal cavity was full of it," Helen explains, as the injuries were worse than what the images displayed. "I'm going to keep her sedated for about a day, but then I will bring her out of sedation and everything indicates that she should be fine," Helen explains, as Natasha in her bed is placed next to Tony.

"Thank you," Peter says, sounding relieved.

"I'll monitor Natasha and Tony closely," Helen explains.

"Thank you, Helen, really," Rhodey says relieved, as he is glad that Natasha and Tony are going to be okay.

"I'll let you know if anything changes," Helen says, before walking away, leaving Hope, Rhodey, and Peter together with unconscious Natasha and Tony.

After a night where he couldn't sleep much due to worry over Natasha and Tony, Peter, who needed to get away from the medical area is walking around the compound. As Peter is looking around he sees Vision, who is carrying a package.

"Mr Stark," Vision greats.

"It's Peter, just Peter," Peter quickly responds, finding it extremely odd to be called Mr Stark.

"Are you alright?" Vision asks curious.

"Yeah, I just needed to stretch my legs," Peter explains. "What's that?" Peter asks, referring to the package.

"It is something that just arrived for your father. I was going to put it in the office," Vision explains.

"I can take it," Peter says. "I'll make sure Dad get's it," Peter says.

"Of course," Vision says and he hands the package over. "Can I help you with anything else?" Vision asks curious.

"Um, yeah, where's the kitchen?" Peter asks curious.

"Straight down corridor and to the right," Vision explains.

"Thank you, Vision," Peter says, and he heads to the kitchen.

Once he is in the kitchen rather than making himself something to eat Peter looks at the package, and as there is no return address he found himself very curious. Not being able to help his curiosity Peter, who is pretty sure his Dad won't mind, opens the box.

"Odd," Peter says, as inside he finds a very old flip phone. "Who would send Dad this?" Peter asks himself as he knows anyone who really knows his Dad would never consider sending him a flip phone. assuming the note will have some answers Peter opens it and starts to read;

Tony,

I'm glad you're back at the compound. I don't like the idea of you rattling around the tower by yourself. We all need family. The Avengers are yours, maybe more so than mine. I've been on my own since I was 18. I never really fit in anywhere, even in the army. My faith's in people, I guess. Individuals. And I'm happy to say that, for the most part, they haven't let me down. Which is why I can't let them down either. Locks can be replaced, but maybe they shouldn't. I know I hurt you, Tony. I guess I thought by not telling you about your parents I was sparing you, but I can see now that I was really sparing myself, and I'm sorry. Hopefully one day you can understand. I wish we agreed on the Accords, I really do. I know you're doing what you believe in, and that's all any of us can do. That's all any of us should. So, no matter what. I promise you, if you need us, if you need me, I'll be there.

Steve