Hello everyone,

Apologies for the delayed chapter. I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and a Happy 2021. Here is the latest chapter. I will explain why there was such a terrible delay in the Author's Notes, but for now here is Chapter 90, enjoy!


August 14th, 2023

Avengers Hidden Base

For the longest time Kat just sat there stunned and found herself unable to process what Doctor Strange had told her. Was this what it was like for most people? She felt like she had been completely caught flat-footed at the start of a race! Or like everyone else had studied for a test and it was a subject Kat had no clue about, but she still had to take the test. Once Strange had explained everything, Kat just sat back thinking over every single word spoken and was still trying to figure out how the hell this had all happened!

"Kat? You okay?" Coulson asked in a worried tone, when the silence got too long.

"Huh? Uh yeah..." Kat replied still stunned, then cleared her throat and looked to Strange, "So... you 'de-aged' me?!"

It was the only way to describe what Strange had done. He used the Time Stone to take Kat back five years. Which was beyond weird and she was still wondering how did something like this even work?! Worst of all Strange had just explained that five years had passed, and that she in that time had been locked up, escaped, and was crazy powerful and well just plain crazy as hell! She was the woman that could never forget anything, this was why she had a huge chunk of a missing puzzle piece in her mind right now. It was a completely new feeling.

Strange had also explained why she was the only one this had been done to. Both Tony and Natasha's fates were tied to the Infinity stones. Natasha sacrificed her soul to get that damn stone so not even with all the stones there was just no bringing her back. Tony on the other hand had used the stones to snap out Thanos and his cronies which was a fitting end for the purple bastard, but it meant that the act would kill Tony. Since this act took all six stones no single stone could be used to undo this. It sounded like Strange had to explain this to others repeatedly. Kat's life however was neither tied to the stones nor would averting her death cause any issues with the stones which allowed Strange to do what he did.

"It was the only way I could save you, otherwise it would not just be Romanoff and Stark we would be mourning." Strange said, and Kat sighed as she rubbed her temple to alleviate a full blown headache, but at least she wasn't seeing Moira. Why would she even see her mother anyway? It was like someone had pushed her into icy waters and held her head under water. It was too insane to believe! Either she had completely lost her mind and created this fantasy or... it was real. Kat shifted in the seat uncomfortably and was having to take a long time to think about it all trying to work through this whole situation. She just had never been this... confused!

"She needs something a lot stronger then coffee." A woman with a tattoo on her face came up and handed her a shot glass. Taking the glass, Kat wondered did she know this woman? Had that been erased too when Strange reversed time for her?

"Thanks ummm..."

"Valkyrie," The woman said then gestured to a heavy set and bearded Thor, "I'm a friend of Thor's."

Kat nodded, now understanding she was an Asgardian. Immediately she tossed back the hard drink downing it in one go and getting a raised brow from Valkyrie as if impressed. She poured Kat another shot. This time though Kat drank it slowly since the first shot had been merely to calm her nerves. Besides getting drunk wouldn't help anything really since she would remember that too. Wait she would remember everything else right? She wouldn't forget—that is what this felt like. She had forgotten. Looking down at the shot glass with half a shot of alcohol still, there Kat asked. "Is this what it's like to forget?"

For a long moment, no one could really answer her, forgetting something like your car keys or that you forgot to turn off the coffee maker was just a part of life. No one really thought twice about forgetting things, but realizing this had never happened to Kat before no one really knew quite how to answer that question.

"Um yeah, Kat. This is what it is like to forget." Daisy replied sitting next to her.

"Well it sucks!" Kat groaned as she leaned forward, set the shot glass on the coffee table, and ran her fingers through her hair as she looked down.

"If it helps you can regain some memories via other people, but sadly regaining your own memories is impossible." Jemma offered since she knew how Kat's powers worked. It was something in Kat's favor at least, not all the knowledge was lost. She could remember via other's memories just not her own. It would be like watching the events of a movie or through a filter from another's perspective. Would anyone even let her view their memories? It wasn't like she would go digging through another's memories without permission. Hell, it would feel like too much of an invasion of privacy, but she wanted to know. She wanted to have those memories back even if they weren't hers. She didn't want the last memory of Nat to be on Thanos' god damn retirement planet! Kat wanted a better memory of Nat then that!

Then there was Tony Stark, according to Strange she had in that five-year gap become friends with him. Sure right then Kat only remembered the bad encounters with Tony, but she wanted those memories back too. After all Tony was dead and if they had worked through their differences and became friends... she did not want to lose those memories. Maybe that was why Kat was so upset, she had lost those important memories of Tony and Nat. Of all the times she had wished to forget a terrible memory or event—this was not one of those times!

Finally, she heard a sigh and looked up to find Steve had sat on the wooden coffee table across from her. "It's okay, go ahead."

It took her a moment to understand what Steve was saying, he was offering to let Kat see what happened through his memories. "You don't have to..."

"No I don't, but you deserve to know." Steve replied, "Besides I was with you most of the time so you can regain a lot of the memories through me."

"Are you sure?" Kat asked worried, she didn't want to do anything that made him feel uncomfortable.

"It's okay. I trust you." Steve said. After a moment she nodded guessing Steve would not go back on the decision.

"Okay, focus on the memories..." Kat replied then closed her eyes. Sure enough, Steve did focus on what he could recall. It would not be everything as he was never with her twenty-four-seven, but it was better than nothing at all. After Thanos, Kat witnessed her own attempted suicide where Steve saved her life and was later admitted to a psychiatric hospital. After that and for five years Steve acted as a counselor in a group to help those devastated by the loss of the snap. During that whole time, he kept tabs on Myra and never stopped looking for her after she escaped the hospital. Then years later Coulson's team reappeared after some weird time travel and alternate dimensions shenanigans. It helped to explain why Kat could not sense Coulson's team then.

From there she saw through his memories how they came upon the idea of time-travel through Quantum mechanics thanks to Scott Lang. Once they got Banner and Stark on board they recruited Thor, Barton, and herself. It was kind of surprising that Barton held the missing piece of the puzzle to locate her and had been going all one-man army on the gangs.

Kat flinched when she saw the scene of her being recruited, she had at one point attacked Tony, Steve, and Daisy's minds all at once, a feat she never thought herself capable of. It was also something she could not imagine herself actually doing and yet memories did not lie. Eventually, it was Tony that convinced her, but that conversation was lost as it was solely between her and Tony. She wished she knew how the billionaire convinced her to sign up for this.

Flying back the gang was officially back together, but Kat didn't appear to entirely play ball well with them. She was suicidal, withdrawn, and looked like she came out of a Nazi concentration camp! For all the attempts to engage her and get her involved, Kat refused until Tony sent his daughter to bring her inside the compound to eat. From there Steve saw through the tactics Tony used to get her working with them on the Quantum tunnel. She came to see that Tony truly regretted his actions against her and Bucky, and despite it all they did come around to being good friends. Especially after Barton tested the tunnel and it worked.

"Does it usually take this long?" A guy asked breaking the quiet in the lounge.

"Shhh! It's five years' worth of memories she is shifting through." Fitz replied sharply. Regardless Kat was not paying attention as she saw the little celebration they had that evening and froze at the discovery the Avengers made that day. She was talking to 'Moira' who was not there. The two groups ended up voting on if she should continue to help or not with Tony being the deciding vote, and he choose to put his faith in her. Proving that he had her back, even as some didn't. She was also grateful Scott, Clint, Daisy, and Fitz firmly sided with her. Then Coulson came to talk to her, and it was discovered that he was an LMD. In this moment, she had to know for herself... she tried to sense Coulson only to find nothing, the Coulson in the lounge was the LMD.

Shaking it off she continued to watch the memories of that evening and the next day when Coulson's team left to handle other issues. The group then began discussions on where and when to get the infinity stones, and she smiled a little at tricking Thor and Tony proclaiming her as his new best friend. Seeing this made her wish she could have her own memories back as she continued to witness what happened from discussing all the infinity stones to the Aida watches and preparing for the inevitable time-heist.

Then of course the time-heist, going to 2012 New York retrieving Loki's scepter but losing the Tesseract then having to go to the 1970s. During those time travel capers, she too found it off that Loki had not collapsed like before but instead had kidnapped an Agent named Kari. However she shook it off and continued on, then coming back to the present only to find Nat was not coming back, she had sacrificed herself to get the Soul Stone. Kat felt even worse as, during the five years gap that she was alone, Aida had become close to Nat only to lose a close friend. After grieving the loss the stones were placed in a gauntlet and it was decided Banner would be the one to undo the snap.

While the snap was successful, it hurt Banner a lot, and sadly the purple bastard Thanos just had to interfere. Kat saw Steve, Tony, and Thor go up against Thanos, but where were she and the others? Then when it seemed like they were gonna lose, portals opened and the cavalry came to the rescue, and no that did not mean just Melinda May. She also showed up when Scott burst from the ground holding them.

From there the battle really happened with Steve only catching glimpses of Kat fighting as he fought to keep the gauntlet from Thanos and his minions until finally Thanos got it and came close to winning. In the end, Steve saw Kat attacking Thanos' mind and Tony managing to steal the stones out of the gauntlet with his nano-tech suit. He snapped his fingers erasing Thanos and his pack of uglies from existence but died in the process.

Kat withdrew from Steve's mind shaken by what she had seen, but grateful to know some of what happened. To better help understand Daisy, Banner, Scott, and a few others offered to show her the missing pieces of the puzzle. With Daisy, she learned what happened after the battle of Wakanda, why they disappeared, what they did in the past, and how Coulson died. Then during the last battle what she was doing since Daisy helped her get to Thanos twice. With Banner, she learned of being trapped under the rubble of the Avengers compound and how they escaped from there.

Each person's memories were different but all helped to fill in most of the blanks. Sadly if there were any moments with just her and Tony, or just her and Nat... they were lost forever. There would be no one to draw from for those memories and there was the tragedy for Kat, she lost those memories and didn't even know what they were. Sitting back once more she looked down. She at least had those memories of Nat saying: 'See you in a minute' and smiling at Steve. It would be the last time she would see Nat. While with Tony her last memories of him were of Tony saying: 'And I'm Iron Man' before snapping Thanos into dust. Judging by how Kat helped Tony the conversation between them was done mentally, but sadly knowing what was said was gone.

She wanted to see them both and finally looked up at Steve, "Tony, can I..."

Steve nodded, "He's here." Then Steve pulled something out of his pocket and handed it to Kat. It was the coin Tony had given her back in 2012. She looked at it for a moment guessing this would be the only reminder that those memories they showed her were real. They weren't her memories of Tony or Nat, but they were all she was ever going to have.


Steve might have taken Kat to see Tony right away, but there was someone else Kat needed to see first even if she was worried about how her daughter would react to her. According to other's memories, Tess had seen her before Strange 'de-aged' her. It must have been frightening for a five year old to see her mother so... unhinged and different. Hell Kat had barely recognised herself in those memories, and it frightened her! She turned the coin over in her hands almost afraid to ask as the Avengers might be keeping Tess away for a reason. She didn't like the person she had become in those five years, a person that had no qualms about reading her friend's minds as well as mentally attacking those that came to recruit her for the time heist. Someone that listened more to a dead illusion inside her head rather than her friends. Someone that only wanted death and to torture Thanos before dying herself.

To her though, Kat had had a very long painful month without Bucky or Tess, she could not fathom how she would have coped with five years. Even now she ached to get off the couch, pull on the tether and find Tess. Instead Kat settled for simply sensing the little girl and knowing she was safe. It was tearing her apart inside, she wanted to see and hold Tess, but was terrified her own daughter would be scared of her.

"Kat you look like a sulking kid, what is it?" Coulson asked.

"Not sulking," Kat replied, "Thinking..."

"Really? Because you look like Hunter when I've caught him lying." Bobbi added

"Oi! I don't lie..." Hunter argued then got a look from Bobbi, "That.. often."

"Kat, what is it?" Daisy asked, and Kat squirmed a little in the seat as she looked to be focusing on the coin. Guessing they were not going to stop asking Kat decided to ask.

"Tess?" She refused to look up thinking because of her time before the Avengers and SHIELD team might decide to keep her away from Tess.

"She is safe here at the compound," Steve replied.

"Currently she is with Myra. To distract her we asked her and Alya to help distract Morgan Stark while Pepper makes... arrangements." Jemma added explaining where the girl was. Kat guessed that also meant Tess was safe far from her, but who was Alya?

"Do you want to go see her? She is outside..." Daisy asked pointing to the window lining the back of the lounge.

"Can I?" Kat asked surprised and looking at Daisy who gave her a funny look.

"Of course you can. Why would you-" Then it seemed the SHIELD agent caught on, "Oh no, you think we are keeping her away from you?"

"I saw your memories... I know what I became and Tess saw that too." Kat replied shifting in the seat uncomfortably.

"Kat, Tess has been waiting for you to wake up. If given half a chance she wouldn't have left your room. She wants to see you." Scott added leaning forward in his seat. For a long couple of minutes, Kat sat there debating what to do, when Daisy sighed and handed Kat a box.

"You gave this to me the night before we left. If you think you weren't afraid of what you were becoming, you're wrong. You were terrified and hyper-aware that you were crazy," Accepting the box, Kat turned it over in her hands. It looked like the Toolbox Coulson once had which no doubt contained a message, "You wanted me to give that to Bucky and Tess if the Time Heist worked. You said you couldn't risk them... not while Moira was in your head."

So it was a recorded message of herself for Bucky and Tess? It sort of made sense, but was very unnerving to know her... past self had been ready to walk away to protect Bucky and Tess. Pocketing the coin, Kat set the box on the coffee table and pressed her finger against the panel. It read the fingerprint and so activated. It also must have been set to auto-playback because immediately an image of herself appeared. Kat noted everything about herself from being unhealthy thin to not highlighting her hair. Her past self looked like a wreck and seemed paranoid.

"Okay, okay." The halo-image of Kat said as she looked around. "This is a message in case the Time Heist is successful though not holding my breath after all when am I that lucky?" The image asked with a humourless laugh. Again she was looking around worried. "Never... I am never that lucky. In fact I am cursed. Usually you'd think I would have learned that years ago, nope now I get unscheduled visits from my-"

The image stopped herself and sighed. "Damn it, I'll have to start again before she comes back..."

The image rested her elbows on the table and leaned forward putting her forehead in her hand, then sighed as if resolving herself to this as she pushed her hair back and looked up. "Bucky, Tess... I don't know if you will ever see this message because I am probably getting my hopes up again and it will be for nothing. However, on the off chance, you do and we undo what Thanos did I might not survive what we're attempting. If I don't survive just know that I love you both and am sorry I won't be there."

The image of Kat looked down, "And even if I survive, I can't come home. Bucky, I know we said we'd decide everything together and this is a dick move, but.. I'm not me anymore. I haven't been me in years. I don't sleep and when I do I am always seeing you and Tess vanish right in front of me over and over. I barely eat... and I have lived in isolation the last five years talking to my dead HYDRA mom!"

Right then Kat in the recording began crying, and it took her a moment to recover. "I'm insane, I know I am. Even now I am worried Moira will find out about this and try to stop me. Right now she wants me to stay alive, do the time-heist, and if Thanos enters the picture deal with him; but I don't know what she will want after that. You once said you couldn't trust your own mind with the HYDRA programming there, well I can't trust my own mind with Moira in here."

Kat in the recording pointed to her own head briefly then let her hand drop. "What really sucks is I was always 100% in charge of my own head. I usually knew what I was doing and why, but not any more. I can't trust myself and am frankly stunned anyone of the Avengers or SHIELD team trusts me at all. In truth... I am scared. I know I am crazy, insane, take your pick... and that is what scares me. What will Moira have me do? Also I don't want Tess to see me like this."

She gestured to herself, and Kat on some level could understand. She after all was seeing herself in this recording, and would not have wanted Tess to see her like this either. "I'm sorry, but perhaps it's better this way if I just disappear from your lives. Tess will be safer with you, and I'll sense you both and know you're alright. And this way Moira won't be near Tess..."

The Kat in the recording trailed off then sighed. "I know you'll be very pissed off at me for doing this to you. Our arguments were never small..." She then smiled and laughed just a little as she remembered something. "You always said that it made the make-up-" Kat cleared her throat and smiled. The key word being sex that the recording had almost said. "You know... better. I am not saying the key word aloud Tess might be watching this." Kat shook her head as she saw the recording of herself blush then clear her throat again.

"Any way back on topic here. The point is I know you will be angry with me for not talking to you in person and I am not being fair to you or Tess. That's okay I would be pissed off too, I deserve that... I just don't want to hurt either of you. This isn't like the HYDRA programming. I am honestly scared of what Moira will make me do, and don't want to risk either of you. I know you probably will never forgive me for just walking away, but I love you both too much."

Then the image of Kat sighed and straightened. "Umm Tess if you are watching this it's okay if you're upset or angry with me. It's okay if you never forgive me for leaving. It seems I am always taking off... if not to hunt down bad guys then to rush off and help the SHIELD team. Sorry for that... sadly this time I can't come back. I'm too dangerous, and am scared of what I might do. But I will always know. Always sense if you are in danger or anything. You might not see or hear me, but I will protect you no matter what. Just be good for your dad, keep practising with Okoye, and... I love you and miss you. You have no idea how much I miss you."

The image seemed to pause before she spoke again. "Bucky, I really do not know what else to say. Knowing you, you will probably be trying to hunt me down no matter what, even when I ask you not to. Still please... please don't look for me. As I said before I am not the same person I was, I'm... not safe to be around so please don't look for me. Believe me I don't want to do this, but I don't want to hurt you or Tess. So please just for once don't fight me on this or argue, just accept this. I love you. You know that will never change, but I have to do this... I can't trust myself like this. I'm sorry."

With that the image of herself reached forward and stopped the recording leaving Kat stunned. Even insane that version of herself knew and had prepared to do what she felt was necessary to protect Bucky and Tess. The glow from the box died out a moment later and Kat shivered, the recording had been meant for Bucky and Tess and Bucky just watched the recording. She shivered not even wanting to read his mind, after all he was probably none too pleased. Kat was caught between wanting to get up and find Tess and remain where she was; however Daisy took hold of her hands and pulled her to her feet.

"C'mon." Daisy urged as she led Kat by her hands towards the doors at the back leading out.

"Um Daisy-"

"If we wait for you to make a decision you will be sitting there the next hour calculating all the variables on the decision," Daisy interrupted not letting go of Kat's hands as she led her to the glass doors. "Now come on. Tess will want to see you."

With that Daisy led Kat outside leaving the lounge and different ones to stare at the glass doors.

"So that was Kat huh?" Sousa asked looking to Mack.

"Yeah."

"She seems nice." Korg said. Meanwhile outside Daisy kept leading Kat out back. After passing some tall bushes and going down some steps the area opened out into a type of garden picnic area. There sat Myra, Happy, Cassie, and three little girls. The first two girls Kat didn't really recognise as Daisy and Kat stopped not far away. The first girl had dark brown hair and according to Steve's memories was Morgan Stark. The second was a little blonde haired girl, perhaps this was Alya? Then Kat froze at seeing the other dark haired girl wearing a SHIELD baseball cap. The three girls were colouring pictures but neither Morgan nor Tess seemed really into drawing , and the blonde seemed to pick up on that. Myra, Cassie, and Happy were trying so hard to keep them distracted but Kat knew that the distraction was only working so far.

"Go ahead." Daisy whispered gently nudging Kat forward. She moved forward about five steps then slowed and stopped. What if Tess didn't want to see her? She had seen Kat before she was 'de-aged' What if that scared her? Maybe she shouldn't, god knew she wanted to but she was afraid of how Tess would react. Before Kat could turn and slip away Tess looked up and saw her.

"Mommy?" Tess said the word barely above a whisper which got the others at the table looking at her then following her gaze to Kat. For a moment both were stunned then Tess quickly turned in her seat to get out from the picnic table and jumped down. "Mommy!"

Immediately Tess ran for her and Kat knew to kneel down to her daughter's level as the little girl ran up and hugged her. Kat immediately wrapped her arms around Tess feeling utter relief to feel the weight of her daughter in her arms. The relief to hold her daughter again, smell her scent, hear her thoughts was too much as Kat started crying. She thought she would never see her daughter or Bucky again! Her grip tightened as she began crying more and released a shuddering breath. "I'm sorry Tessi... I'm so sorry."

The little girl just hugged her mom tighter. "It's okay mommy, you had to fight bad guys."

The words from Tess just made Kat break down more as she held Tess, and just like always the little five year old added, "Besides who else would protect the heroes?"

Kat smiled and laughed a little, she should have known Tess would understand. After all her daughter was super intelligent and seemed mature beyond her years. However the question of who would protect the heroes also stirred a painful twist to the heart. The answer was Tony Stark protected the heroes and saved everyone from Thanos, he died to protect everyone. Both he and Natasha were gone. This made Kat tighten her grip on Tess never wanting to let go, but then she peeked up and felt even worse. Looking at Morgan, Kat felt like a terrible person because while she would have Tess and Bucky back, Morgan would never see her father again. Why couldn't she have saved Stark? This wasn't fair to Morgan. Pulling away a little to look at Tess, Kat smiled at her.

"I am sorry, Tess for interrupting I just needed to see you. I've missed you so so much." Towards the end Kat was crying again.

"It's okay mommy," Tess peeked back then looked to her mom, "Truthfully we don't really feel like colouring." Tess looked down as she whispered the last part then added, "We're just trying to remain distracted."

Kat nodded understanding the situation they were trying to distract Morgan and keep her company during this difficult time. Sniffling and wiping the tears away Kat leaned in. "I understand. This is important, she needs you. She just lost her dad and she just needs some friends to be there for her, even if you don't colour pictures, just be with her... okay?"

"What about you?" Tess asked worried the image of her mommy before being de-aged played through Tess' mind shaking Kat to her core.

"I am fine, Tessi. I just needed to see you but now I need to go have a talk with different ones and clear some things up. We'll talk more later, I promise but for now your new friend Morgan needs you. Okay?"

Tess looked uncertain for a moment then asked. "You're not going on any missions are you?"

"No, no missions. I am not leaving this compound without you or Bucky. I promise sweetie." Tess immediately hugged her and for even longer Kat didn't want to let her go as she kissed her daughter's cheek then hesitantly released her. "Now go be there for your new friend."

Tess nodded then hesitantly returned to the table and sat by Morgan. Kat rose to her feet and watched the group for a few more minutes before turning back to the compound. Together with Daisy they re-entered the compound.


The room where they kept Tony's body was a sealed medical room with a glass window for observation. In the days after the battle with Thanos, the Gamma radiation levels steadily grew to harmful levels until those wishing to see Tony had to do so in suits or via the observation window. Thus Kat after a shower and change of clothes found herself looking at Tony through the observation window, it was the closest she would be allowed to get without a hazmat suit. In the middle of the sealed room lay Tony Stark covered by a medical sheet. Banner who was more used to Gamma Radiation wore a very large suit and had pulled back the cover enough for Kat to see Tony. Despite the injuries, Tony merely looked to be asleep but she knew that wasn't the case. Regardless of being de-aged by Strange, Kat was not taken back to the point where there was no bond between her and Tony. She had forged the mental connection to learn if Tony had been alive before going to the garden planet, so she sensed the void left by him all the same.

Again Kat looked down at the coin in her hands that Tony had once given her even if she herself couldn't remember it. All she knew was, she lost two friends. The first being Nat who she had known and worked with fighting HYDRA in a building while chatting casually. The other being Tony who she knew was a friend in the end despite their differences. 'I lost more than my memories didn't I Tony? We became friends in the end and I don't even know how.' Kat thought as she looked back at Tony wondering what might have been.

Had he forgiven Bucky? Would they have worked together? Tried to one-up each other in the intelligence department? Was the brief growing friendship one where they teased and joked with each other? Kat imagined that is how they would have been, Tony being the brilliant cocky billionaire would have guaranteed Kat would have given half a chance loved outsmarting Tony while cracking jokes. The pair probably would have been good friends a lot sooner if they had not been fighting each other before. And in the five-year gap the memories were just... gone. She would never know how good a friends they had become.

"I guess you know, but I don't..." Kat muttered looking at Tony and wishing things had been different. Judging by the memories given to her Kat wished she had outright slit Thanos' throat, then Tony would still be here. For who knew how long Kat stood there letting the guilt and sorrow drag her down, she didn't even hear the door behind her open or anyone enter.

"At least he gets to rest now." The familiar voice surprised Kat as she looked to a red-eyed Pepper Potts... er Stark. No doubt the woman had been busy making preparations and having to deal with a lot these last few days.

"I am sorry, Mrs-" Kat said the words tumbling out.

"Pepper is fine." Kat nodded and the pair fell into an awkward silence until Pepper spoke again. "He gave you the coin didn't he?"

Kat looked over at Pepper who gestured down to the coin she was holding, then immediately offered it to her. "No it's okay, he gave it to you. He would want you to have it."

Again the awkward silence came as Kat looked down at the coin in her hands then to Tony. What should she say to Pepper? 'I'm sorry for your loss'. Searching for something to say Kat was coming up empty because nothing seemed right.

"They'll be here soon to take him," Pepper said making Kat look to her again confused.

"What?" Kat asked softly not understanding fully what was happening or why. It seemed like these days she was meant to be completely and utterly confused by events.

"The government has been calling for an explanation to what happened at the old Avengers facility. No one told them that suddenly one afternoon a ship would attack the Avengers facility. They have been demanding answers for a while. Luckily Everett Ross has handled it mostly..." Pepper said as she continued to look at Tony, "At first Ross was going to give vague answers to cover up everything. He said he'd done that before, but Steve Rogers opted for honesty being the best policy."

Pepper looked to Kat, "They know everything that happened and why. The time heist, all of it. Immediately the government officials made demands from wanting to confiscate the Infinity stones, to arresting a number of Avengers including yourself and James Barnes."

Immediately Kat stiffened at the thought of suffering through all this only to still lose Bucky and Tess in the end regardless. Pepper must have noticed this because she quickly added. "Don't worry no one is getting arrested, and Ross was insistent that Tess remain out of the report so they don't know about her."

With this knowledge, Kat relaxed only a little but knew that a deal had somehow been reached. So what was the price of this deal? "What was the deal made if not arresting us?"

Pepper again looked at Tony's body lying motionless in the medical room. "It has been made clear to them what they will and won't be getting. The Infinity Stones are being returned to their original timelines, and no one that fought against Thanos or his armies will be arrested."

Then it clicked: to keep the peace, Tony Stark's body would be handed over since the levels of Gamma radiation was enough to power a whole city. Now Kat did feel ill. While having a normal funeral for Tony Stark was out, just handing his remains over to the US Government felt wrong. "Are you sure about this?"

Pepper turned to Kat smiling faintly even if the smile was forced. "No, but I also know that if we give them nothing they'll never back off. And I can't exactly... Banner says his body is becoming toxic so a normal funeral is out."

Towards the end, Pepper was unable to hold back the tears and Kat pulled her into a hug letting her cry as she rubbed her back supportively. Kat was reminded of once before when she tried to sense Tony for Pepper then passed out. She awoke from a nightmare terrified only to have Pepper trying to support and help her. For being close to strangers they certainly were offering support to one another rather quickly. Either way, Kat continued to comfort Pepper until she had composed herself and pulled away. Rather than break down again Pepper left quickly to be alone saying she had some other arrangements to see to. Thus Kat turned back to the medical room once left alone again to think.

The decision had already been made, and regardless of whether it was right or wrong, this was what was happening. Kat leaned on the windowsill as she thought about what she had just learned then sighed dejectedly knowing there was nothing she could do about it. This was just how things would have to be.


The rest of the day was spent acclimating to this new situation and being updated on what was going on by various Avengers. Mostly Kat avoided the lounge and others just needing time to think. It was a lot to work through... five years have passed, the snap was undone, Nat and Tony dead, and now the deal to appease government vultures. As usual, her mind was working on several different problems at once, but not really finding a solution to anything really. Before she knew it the sun was setting and it was time to come back in.

As she entered the facility via the back door she could already hear some of the conversations about what they were going to do. For the most part, Kat remained quiet as she leaned against the wall by the door just listening to it all. She even spotted Bucky by Steve by the bar, but he had not noticed her so she tore her gaze away and back to the group.

"Are we even sure we can trust Thaddeus Ross? This is the guy that wanted us to sign the Sokovia Accords, then wanted us arrested when we refused." Sam pointed out concerned.

"He even wanted me to arrest you guys when you came to the Avengers compound before Thanos," Rhodey added, it was kind of hard to like or respect the guy wanting to arrest the Avengers for refusing to sign a slip of paper.

"Exactly," Sam added, and Steve shook his head thinking that before the pair had once argued over signing the Accords, now both were tag-teaming on inviting the US Government here.

"This is also the idiot general that had no problem toying with super-soldier serums, remember sir?" Coulson spoke up then looked to Fury who nodded in agreement. Kat immediately remembered an earlier memory Coulson once thought of that involved the 'idiot general' and sighed.

"I already don't like it." The blonde in a red jacket added Kat guessed his name was Quill? Then again he didn't seem to like anything right then. He seemed eager to be leaving Earth as his thoughts lingered on a green skin lady—Gamorra. That was her name. "Remind me again why we are even inviting him here?"

"Because every single person in Government wants answers as to why suddenly those thought dead five years ago are back. And if we don't respond the US Government along with a lot of other countries could call for the arrest of everyone in this room." Fury answered, "Now I don't like dealing with this idiot either, but sometimes compromises must be made."

Kat openly snickered at the literal list of compromises made that lead to nothing but further pain and anguish. Operation Paperclip, the Sokovia Accords... both were meant to be 'compromises' that blew up in everyone's faces.

"Unless SHIELD's advisor has a better idea..." Fury added after hearing Kat's snicker, but she didn't seem to hear him.

Kat shook her head concerned that meeting with Thaddeus Ross would have the exact same effect. She would need to prepare for that... maybe send Myra and Tess away to protect her. Sure Everett Ross made no mention of Tess when contacting the US Government, but that did not mean Thaddeus would not discover her. Still, would that help if Thaddeus called for hers and Bucky's arrest? They were wanted criminals... Bucky was still wanted for what HYDRA made him do, and Kat? She was still wanted for killing HYDRA's best in droves!

"Galadriel, you awake?" Mack called snapping Kat from her thoughts.

"Huh?" Looking up she noticed the groups looking at her.

"Fury was asking if you have a better idea?" Coulson asked.

"Oh..." Kat said as she straightened up while still thinking, "Well expect a civil meeting, but be prepared for a fight. After all, Thaddeus Ross is not the brightest bulb in the tool shed. If he feels he is not getting his way he will throw a fit like a two-year-old." Kat said with a shrug, then looked to Everett before quickly adding. "Just because he agreed to be civil and honour the deal made does not mean he will. Thaddeus could be lying, or maybe the US Government is not okay with being told: 'Sorry no. No infinity stones for you'."

"No, the US Government would not lie..." Rhodey pointed out.

"Everyone in politics lies, Rhodey. How do you think they get so far? Their squeaky clean resume?" Kat asked. This time Fury chuckled, neither he nor Kat got this far by naively trusting others least of all politicians.

"So what do you recommend?" Maria Hill asked.

"Lock up the Infinity Stones in a hidden location," Kat purposely looked to Coulson, "Play hot potato with them... we're all given fake locations but not the actual location of the stones. Next have Friday and Aida lock the computers and data up, if the US Government tries to access the AIs go nuclear on the computers frying all data so they get nothing. Backups can be sent to the Shadow Network... other hidden SHIELD locations for recovery later."

"What about Friday and Aida? Won't they be in danger of being caught or something?" Sousa asked still unsure of how the technology works.

"Aida and Friday have no physical form. Plus Aida and Friday can simply slip into the internet... go anywhere. Aida has said jumping from devices or moving through the net is like flying or swimming. It won't be an issue for them to fry the computers of data then jump ship."

"Oh, right," Sousa said feeling a little embarrassed, and Kat gave him a reassuring smile before looking back at Fury.

"Next anyone that the Government could take an unhealthy interest in needs to scatter before Thaddeus arrives. Any heroes not revealed to the public... or five-year old's with two serums and the potential to become Inhuman coursing through their veins need to be relocated for their own safety."

"I didn't mention Tess-" Everett began to point out.

"I know you didn't, but that does not mean Thaddeus won't find out. In case you forgot Tess is a little too smart for her own good. Someone is bound to notice her, and I would rather avoid some Government stooge taking an interest in her."

"She's a five-year-old." Rocket pointed out.

"Thadeus won't be allowed to stick around that long anyway," Rhodey added. Kat wanted to groan as no one seemed to see a problem with Tess being around when they invited some idiot Government General here. Then she noticed that on the coffee table was a chessboard. The two older men had been playing before the conversation.

"Up for a game of Chess?" Kat asked looking at Hank Pyme and Bill Foster. For a second both men looked at each other confused by her changing the subject then Foster pointed at Pyme.

"He is."

"Hey!" Pyme said annoyed that he was volunteered to play a game with Kat, then sighed. "Alright fine... we could play a game."

Kat smiled, "Oh I won't be the one playing... Aida can you call Tess in here please."

"Sure." A few minutes later Tess, Morgan, and Alya came into the room with Happy, Myra, and Cassie.

"Mommy? Aida said you called?" Kat smiled at Tess, "That I did..."

Kat pointed at Pyme, "He's issued a challenge to play Chess. Wanna show him how it's done?"

Tess looked over at the older man then up at her mom smiling eagerly not to have to colour anymore. Besides with it getting dark out so it was for the best that they came inside. Alya went to her parents while Morgan went and sat by her mom. Meanwhile, Tess rushed over to set up the board while Pyme looked at Kat stunned and annoyed.

"You expect me to play Chess with a five-year-old?"

"Don't worry I'll go easy on you," Tess replied as she set the pieces up, and Foster was grinning.

"You heard her, she'll go easy on you..." Kat replied.

"Very well, let's see what this kids got," Pyme said thinking he would take this in stride.

"Are you uhh trying to make a point here?" Fury asked Kat as they started playing.

"Just watch," Kat asked as Pyme made a move and Tess considered the board carefully before moving her own pawn.

"This is silly..." Pyme muttered as he moved another piece and Kat smiled knowingly. With each move, Bill Foster's smile grew severely enjoying his life-long rival pitted against a child. Five minutes in Pyme had lost a number of pieces and was frowning as he considered his moves, then in one move, Tess called out.

"Checkmate."

"Wait a minute that's not..." Pyme frowned as he looked closer and realized he had been beaten by a five-year-old.

"I thought you said you would go easy on him Tessi," Kat said amused, as the little girl rose and faced her.

"I did... but it wouldn't be fun if I let him win," Tess replied then the three girls ran off to play in one of the other rooms.

Kat looked to Fury. "That's my point. Know any other five-year-olds that beat geniuses at Chess?"

Fury straightened as he realized Kat had not exaggerated when she said Tess is too smart for her own good. "Fair point, but hiding her might pose just as big a risk. That idiot Thaddeus catches on that she is being hidden he won't stop till he knows why."

"So what are the options then? You can't exactly trust some idiot General." Hunter pointed out as he leaned on the bar drinking a beer. Kat looked to the Chessboard considering it.

"So we go above him," Kat said looking to the others. "He is just a General... same as in Chess he is just a Bishop or a Knight. Get past him though..."

"Checkmate," Pyme said smiling.

"Exactly. We don't need to simply accept dealing with Thaddeus... we just need to go above him." Kat said then looked to the others. "Who's the current President?"

"Ellis is still President," Steve said making Kat frown. President Ellis has already been President for two terms, by law he should have been replaced, "After Thanos and half the politicians being dusted Congress extended Ellis' term to deal with the situation." Made some sense at least as Kat shrugged.

"Alright... Coulson still got his number?" Coulson smiled.

"Yeah I do but last I checked SHIELD was not exactly at the top of Ellis's most favorites list."

"Well considering we helped undo Thanos' mess we should be now." Quill pointed out which was true. With that in mind, the call was placed and arrangements were made with President Ellis to arrive tomorrow with General Ross. With the President there to act as a buffer, Ross would not be able to force the issue. However since it was already agreed, Tony's remains would still be given over. That was something that could not be changed, but Ross demanding more would not happen. Still, the Infinity stones would be locked away and hidden until later when they could be returned to their correct timelines.

With the bigger issue being dealt with the Guardians of the Galaxy went out to make repairs to their ship. They would be around for a bit longer, but all the same, once everything was said and done the group wanted to leave. SHIELD and the Shadow Network were still working on damage control. Everyone went off to do their own thing and Kat was glad to be alone once more to think. With the meeting largely concluded the lounge became vacant and Kat sat at the bar. She could hear Pyme and Foster playing another game of Chess and a few others. Meanwhile, Valkyrie came up and poured her a drink.

"You still look like you could use some drinks." Kat laughed a little and picked up the glass.

"Thanks though getting drunk sucks, I'll remember everything anyway."

"Ouch. So drinking to forget..."

"I don't forget, I can get drunk but hate it because I can literally recall what my own vomit tasted like." Seeing the Asgardian woman make a face made Kat chuckle.

"You remember all that?" Valkyrie asked sounding skeptical making Kat set down her drink.

"July 19th, 2013. Aida had just found out both my parents were HYDRA, and I decided to drink over half a bottle of whiskey. Five hours and twenty-four minutes later... my vomit tastes like acidic whiskey mixed with a Cinnamon bun, pretzels, and a ham sandwich... very disgusting."

"Wow, so why drink then?" Valkyrie asks after a moment.

"I'm a happy drunk, I start laughing at everything. I also like the buzz a couple of drinks bring, but I will never get vomit-inducing drunk again. Also to a small extent, it does numb the pain when dealing with current issues..."

"Hmm... current issues." Valkyrie nodded as she tossed back a shot herself then seemed to be looking past Kat, "Issues like a certain broody man giving the kicked puppy look?"

Kat straightened immediately as she realized that in dealing with her own issues, she had not spoken to Bucky at all since she ran from him. Looking up at the mirror at the back of the bar behind the bottles, Kat saw Bucky looking at her then turned to speak to Steve. With all the craziness of everything that had happened, she felt terrible for running away and unintentionally avoiding him. Then a pair of arms wrapped around her waist making Kat turn and look at Tess who had returned with her friends. Alya ran to Fitz and Simmons while Morgan went to her mom.

"Mommy, can Alya, Morgan and I have a sleepover?" Taking quick peeks around the room both Fitz and Simmons were nodding in agreement no doubt agreeing to their child's request. Then she looked to Pepper who gave a faint smile but said okay. Looking back down Kat smiled.

"Sure sweetie, also clear it with your dad okay?"

"Okay." Tess immediately ran over to Bucky and hugged his waist to gain his attention. The same conversation ensued with him agreeing. From there Kat got up wanting to know where Tess would be sleeping. Besides the three girls being five-year-olds meant the parents undoubtedly wanted to tuck them in. They went to Morgan's room after briefly stopping by the other two rooms to get pajamas, toothbrushes, and some clothes for in the morning. The three girls brushed their teeth, got changed into their pjs, and were tucked in with little to no fuss. Mainly Kat guessed that Morgan just didn't want to be alone and having both Alya and Tess there with her helped.

Once the girls were settled and the door closed Pepper smiled faintly. "Thank you."

What exactly she was thanking them for was unclear as Kat looked to Fitz, and Simmons then to Bucky.

"It's alright. Alya has not had anyone her age before. She is happy to spend time with Morgan and Tess." Simmons said.

"Still it means a lot." Pepper said before giving them brief hugs and wishing them a good night. Once Pepper rounded the corner Kat looked to Fitz and Simmons both couples felt bad wishing things were different.

"We uh had best get off to bed too. Long day tomorrow." Fitz said softly.

"Yeah..." Kat replied softly. They wished each other a good night then Kat headed down the hall. It took her a couple of minutes as her thoughts ran wild before she felt Bucky silently walking with her. Then it just grew awkward as she knew she had some things to say for her earlier actions. The walk to their room felt like the longest walk of all time, and in any other situation, she would have been eager to be alone with Bucky and clear the air, not to mention tear off his clothes and- she shook her head. Did she want to do that? Hell yes! But with everything else happening it felt wrong to want that.

Still, when they got into their room and the door shut, Kat felt the sexual tension in the air along with Bucky's uncertainty. Licking her lips, Kat spoke as she slowly turned around. "Bucky I am sorry for earlier, it was just you scared me when you hid some things from me mentally and I-"

By the time she turned around Bucky moved to her in quick strides and held her face as he kissed her passionately. The desire to tear off his clothes was back in force! Immediately she pressed to him clinging tightly and was wanting so much more. Her response made him just as eager to have her as his metal hand gripped her ass. The kiss being fierce and passionate meant they had to break away for air.

"I didn't want to scare you. I wanted to break things to you as gently as possible. I'm sorry." Bucky managed, Kat had guessed that was why he was trying to distract her. It was not that he wanted to keep her in the dark, he just didn't want to blindside her with the facts of the last five years. Had she not panicked he probably would have sat her down and slowly explained it all to her, but it just was not how things panned out. Regardless she had already forgiven him as she shook her head.

"You don't need to apologize. I knew why you did it, and I shouldn't have run from you. I should never run from you..."

"Not even when you are insane," Bucky pointed out referring to the recording of herself she had played earlier, "And you were right I would have hunted you down."

Kat smiled up at him then pulled her to him kissing him deeply. From there everything else fell by the wayside and all that mattered was them. Tomorrow they could worry about the situation and mourn their losses, tonight she just wanted to be with her husband after a month of being lost without him.

Before she could think, Bucky pressed her to the closest wall as his hands went to her hips while her hands frantically unbuttoned his shirt. Un record time she was trying to push the shirt off his shoulders while kissing him. Then her hands went to his belt and started undoing it before he groaned and caught her wrists. He pulled away from the kiss to look down at her with hungry eyes.

"Oh, you want to undo your belt?" She asked excitedly as he pressed her hands to the wall next to her head. She shivered as he ran his hands down her arms, over her breasts, down her stomach where he began to undo her own belt. Kat didn't dare move, but her heart was pounding loudly at everything Bucky was doing. She watched him eagerly as he undid her belt and unzipped her jeans. From there he slowly pushed her jeans and panties down her legs, as he did he knelt down and helped her step out of her pooled clothing. From there, his hands came back to her ankles where he slowly trailed his hands back up her legs. He got to behind her knees before he in one quick move stood and pressed to her as he lifted her legs up to rest on his hips.

Exposed and feeling him hard beneath his jeans made her gasp as she gripped his shoulders and he purposely brushed her. She moaned as he grabbed her ass and began grinding against her, if not for his jeans he would've easily been inside her. This frustrated her as she tried to reach down and undo his jeans only for him to stop her then grind more.

"Bucky, please... I want you inside me." Kat finally moaned.

"We can't," Bucky groaned against her neck, "No protection."

No protection? It took Kat's dazed mind a minute to understand what he meant. The Wakandan pill she was gifted with she had not taken in over a month so it would not protect her now, nor did Bucky have any condoms. Thus why he was restricting himself, he didn't want to get her pregnant. It was commendable that he was doing this, but after everything, she realized she was ready. A month she had thought him and Tess gone and she would never get them back, and now suddenly five years later she was with them again. They had talked about more children later, but it was now just that—later! Kat never wanted to experience what she had in that long month or imagine the nightmare existence her crazy self had gone through. She never thought she would have a normal life, but now she wanted normal. She wanted to step away with Bucky and Tess and have a normal life, or as close to normal as they were allowed.

Reaching up she touched Bucky's cheek. "Bucky, I... I'm ready."

He seemed to know immediately what she meant and shook his head. "No, you need to be sure-"

"Bucky... I have been without you for the better part of a month and am still having trouble wrapping my head around how I would survive five years without you and Tess. If that's not a wake-up call... I don't know what is. I have never been more sure than I am right now. Please Bucky." She pleaded. For a moment he looked uncertain but the way she gripped him and reached for his belt once more made him groan.

"You had better be sure." With that, his mouth was on hers as he let her undo his belt and jeans. Pushing the clothing aside he sprang out. His thick member easily found her entrance and pushed in making her gasp. He stopped moving as he growled into her ear. "I won't be able to stop once I start, doll. Please be sure."

"I'm sure," She gasped and the second those words left her lips Bucky started thrusting away hard and fast as she gripped him.

"I hope you're right." She heard him groan.

"And I hope I give you a son." She whispered back trying to reassure him she was ready to do this. His response was to grip her ass tightly and really start thrusting hard and fast into her. At this angle with how urgently he was thrusting it felt like he was trying to pump his cock right into her womb and ensure she got pregnant. Her legs wrapped around his waist as she held onto him gasping and moaning. In the frantic need to have her, Bucky tore open her shirt enough to get to her bra and breasts, he yanked the bra strap which broke before slipping the bra cup off her left breast. A second later his mouth covered her breast making her arch her back as he took in her nipple.

All the while as he sucked and grazed her breast with his teeth and stubble, he never slowed as he thrust away. It just made Kat even more wet as she held on and squeezed him urging him on, she could feel him on the verge of coming and she neared her own pleasure. Still, she heard his uncertainty as he considered pulling out before he reached the point of no return. She tightened her hold as she whispered. "Don't you dare. I want you to, please! Come inside me..."

His mouth released her breast as he growled. "Fuck!"

Gripping the back of her legs he lifted and spread her wider, and for a split second when she could no longer wrap her legs around she thought he would withdraw. Instead, he held her like that to thrust up and even deeper causing her to cry out. That did it she was dizzy and overwhelmed as she fell over the edge and pleasure hit her like a freight train. Then the sharp jerk came followed by the hot splash of his seed inside her followed by another and another until he groaned and gave one final jerk pumping himself deep inside her.

Both were left gasping as they leaned against the wall recovering from the passionate sexual act. Finally, Kat opened her eyes and looked up at a worried Bucky. Knowing him mentally meant she knew why: He was worried he hurt her because sometimes during sex they'd get a little too into it and he easily forgot he was a lot stronger. He was also worried she would come to regret the brash decision to have unprotected sex. Touching his cheek she sighed.

"Bucky I'm fine, you didn't hurt me nor am I going to regret what we just did. In fact, I'm very glad you have a lot of stamina because... I want to do it again and again and again until we're both exhausted. So stop worrying..." With that, she squeezed him making him groan as she wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned in to whisper the last part, "And start fucking me senseless. Otherwise, I will be pissed off."

"Yes ma'am," Bucky said smiling at her as if taking orders from a superior officer. With that, he carried her to the bed and laid her on it before starting another round.


Author's Notes:

First off apologies for the extremely lengthy delay on this chapter. Despite being stuck mainly at home, Writer's block refused to leave me. I again had bits and pieces of what I wanted in the next couple of chapters, but no organization as to how they played out.

Also Thank you for the lovely reviews as always I love reading them.

Uptownfem asked: If Strange could reverse the damage made to Kat's body over five years and bring her back then why couldn't he take Tony back a few minutes. He still would've killed Thanos and would be alive as well.

I hope the earlier statements in the chapter helped to answer this question. Many before asked why Tony couldn't be brought back via the Time Stone in the movie and the reasoning for this from the writers of Endgame was that if Tony was brought back it would undo the snap effectively bringing Thanos back. Below is one of many articles about this very question.

(http):/wegotthiscovered(.com) /movies/iron-man-saved-gauntlet-avengers-endgame/

Remove the () around (http) and (.com). For some reason, the site does not like links. Hopefully, the link will work fine. It is merely an article about why Tony Stark couldn't be brought back at the end of Endgame.

As for why Strange could still use the Time Stone to save Kat? Her death was not tied to the Infinity Stones. Kat neither sacrificed her life to retrieve a stone (Romanoff) Nor wielded the Infinity Gauntlet (Stark). Still, it was no easy task for Strange either. As Strange did say it wasn't the same as de-aging an apple, but he just managed to do it for Kat strictly because her fate was not tied to the stones, had it been her fate would have been the same as Starks and Romanoffs. The next question might be why take her back that far? And it was to prevent her downwards spiral that would ultimately lead to her dying all over again from the same problem just a different day.

Anyway, I hope this helps.

Now onto the chapter...

Yes, this one's a long one, but I felt you guys were owed after a long wait. Sadly no I did not want to rush into Tony Starks funeral. However, I did want to address it sensibly. Again with stories you have to fill in the blanks at times, it isn't like the movies where one can just jump from scene to scene seamlessly. At times you have to fill in the spaces between scenes. In the movie we get Tony Stark dying after snapping the bad guys to dust, then it changes to a voice-over of Tony Stark's message, different ones celebrating, friends/families being reunited, then Pepper, Morgan, and others listening to a recording left by Tony Stark. We get no context as to how much time has passed or why it is just a reef on the water for his funeral. That where movies and stories differ and why this chapter was so hard to write. I had to fill in those blanks, which is no easy task, so many will lynch you if you get it wrong. LOL

Obviously, we pick up pretty much where the last chapter left off with Kat kind of left flat-footed and having to play catch-up with everything. You have the Avengers and Agents trying to help her through this and reshow her what she missed. The real tragedy of her situation is that while she will regain the memories from others of the last five years, she will never have her own memories of that time. The little moments she had with Tony or Nat are gone. While some might say that isn't much of a tragedy here's an example. 1970 store, changing rooms. The entire conversation with Stark in that chapter, gone. It was the conversation that showed just how their friendship would be and she will never know that conversation ever took place. It is kind of important especially when the other person died.

On top of that, she has woken to a world where five years have passed everything is up in the air. She only has memories of a month passing, a nightmarish month. She can't even imagine living like that for five years!

Now as for the next scenes with Tess, I knew Kat would have to see her even if the scene was small. There was just too much that needed to be written and while I wanted these two back together I didn't want it to become too focused on that. Kat still has a lot to work through and Tess is being a good friend by sticking with Morgan and Alya. Don't worry because the scene was shorter Tess does get to play chess with Pyme later.

The next major scene is Kat visiting Tony's remains. I didn't want to take away from his death, it needed to be addressed even if the funeral wasn't happening right away. Namely, this scene was done to explain why Tony's funeral was just a reef on the water in the movie. And the reason was his body was gradually becoming toxic with Gamma radiation, hence why Kat could only visit via an observation room or in a hazmat suit. She also encounters Pepper who also fills in what is happening currently. That Tony's remains are being handed over because he will be too toxic for a normal funeral, and so he is part of the deal that prevents Steve, Sam, Wanda, Bucky, and herself from ending up in jail.

As for the following scene where the groups discuss the issue of Thaddeus Ross, we do see him at the funeral of Tony Stark, which was I the only one that found that odd? He has never been a good friendly character in the movies, so why was he there? In short, I wrote the scene to semi address that. The Avengers knew trusting a General that toyed with super-soldier serums, demanded Avengers sign the Accords, then demand key Avengers be arrested for not complying... yeah no they wouldn't trust him. So they went above him and thus he was hampered before he could cause an issue. His appearance thus could be explained as him trying to keep an eye on them despite not being able to do anything.

Lastly, you and I both know we needed a reunion with Bucky and Kat, and yeah it was a naughty scene. This is also why the funeral is not in this chapter... that and it was getting too long. No, I do not want to have a smutty scene in the same chapter as Stark's funeral. Mainly this chapter was to allow Kat time to process the situation, pay respect to Stark, touch base with characters she has yet to meet, and reunite with those she thought lost.

For those that want to complain... It may not be what everyone is expecting, but this isn't a movie. I am not jumping from scene to scene, you want that go watch the movie again. As said I have to try and fill in where the movies don't and it's not always easy, so please try to understand that.

Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Please do leave a review and let me know what you think.

Thanks,

Lesliezin