"Incompetent, moron!" Darcy screams as she tosses her earpiece with Selvig and Jones behind her.

Pepper pokes her head into the lab, tugging at the sleeves of her hoodie, "Would you like some help? I lived with him at the tower for a few years, I know how to handle Barton."

Rick scoffs and hands her his earpiece, "Have at it."

"Hi, Clint. It's Pepper,' Pepper speaks softly, the calmest figure at the base, she swipes her figure over the security camera, 'I have a few ideas I'd like for you to try. Let's start with unplugging the fourth wire from the left? And then I want you to think about all the times you jump-started your truck in the garage? Same concept."

Clint laughs on his side of the com, 'Finally! Someone who speaks my language.'

Peter swings by, webbing up his next victim and spins from the building, "What's next Mr. Stark?"

Tony groans, "Daddy's busy. Ask Steve!"

'I'm in the middle of something, Stark!' The Captain hides under his shield, the vibranium cracking over his communicator.

"Was that my shield?!"

'Don't ask.'

John Jameson coaxes a few pedestrians along while the She Hulk leaps over him to keep up with her daughter and cousin.

"Both of you need to slow up! The big green mama is getting too old for this…"

Lucy snickers, her eyes flickering in and out, "Come on, mom! Don't make me carry you."

Valkyrie and Sif take up the other side, "Are you all oblivious to HYDRA lore,' Sif squints for clarification, Valkyrie continues, 'we cut off one head, and two replace it."

'Maria?! We'd like for your brat to stab the heart sometime soon! Even the Asgardians are getting bored,' Tony's voice comes through Hill's com with a glitch in his tech.

Maria just groans, "They rounded up the core group. Stand by."

Natasha and Steve have their key figures cornered.

Romanoff threatens who she can, her teeth grinding when she orders for the main figure in charge to cease fire, back down and surrender. The figure grunts with his hands raised, convinced when Linda mutters something in German about the facility being compromised.

Clint catches up to Garrett and raises his bow to finish the circle.

"How did you dismantle the bomb pops?"

Clint hushes him, "Ask me later."

Fury arrives with his troop to invade the facility, immediately arresting the figures Riley has circled.

Fury mutters rights, eyes on Linda when the blonde drops her weapon and consents to agents tugging her wrists.

Riley's chin drops when she breaches her mind and senses nothing but fear.

There's an anxiety Riley can sense, aware of her friend's every emotion.

Their fight is over. 6 years of chasing each other down, wrestling, hunting, being hunted. And one hour of good hardly feels like enough for redemption.

Riley reaches, her hand landing on Linda's shoulder. With her eyes forward, she feels Linda's on her;

" Izvinite… sister."

Linda's mouth opens slightly over Riley's mumble in Russian. Her stray hair falling over tearful blue eyes when the agents tug her away from Riley before she can get a word out.

"Be careful with her," Natasha lectures Fury's people, protective over her daughter.

Linda glances backward, sparing a moment to look into Natasha's eyes as she passes. Romanoff can see the regret, wishing she could take away Linda's pain.

Natasha's lower lip folds as she bites it and moves to wrap her arms around herself. She hides regretfully, holding herself responsible for adopting Linda out to the wrong people.

"I have contacts in Wakanda. A specialist when it comes to brainwashing," Steve makes an attempt at being encouraging.

Natasha nods stoically, watching until Linda leaves the building. Her focus shifts to Riley who stands strong and with Garrett's arm over her shoulder.

Natasha wipes her nose with her cuffed wrist, hiding from her team in an attempt to stay strong.

She cuts off Fury when he tries to speak;

"Are we headed out, Riley?"

Nick nods, respecting Natasha's request to keep moving.

"What's next boss?" Clint addresses Riley.

The girl steps gently from Garrett's close hold, adjusting her hand in his so that he can lead her.

She lifts her chin and channels Maria Hill as she gives her orders;

"Lets help the ground team with the final roundups."

Riley leads via Garrett, directing him as to where he and the team need to be.

"Pile into a vehicle," Fury retorts and Natasha is the first to obey, claiming the passenger seat.

Nick climbs in to drive, "You were missed."

"You didn't have anyone else skillful enough to train in my absence?" Natasha tries to joke.

"Maria stole that Riley child."

They watch for a moment as Riley leads her group into the vehicle, wearing her Black Widow uniform with its teal hourglass.

"She's incredible," Natasha mumbles.

"She'd make a great offsite spy," Fury puts their car in reverse, "Too bad all she wants is a farm and kids."

Natasha huffs, looking down to reload her weapon, "At least she can make that choice."

"Thanks to you."

She nods slowly, hair flopping in response.

Fury looks over his shoulder, "You gave all of them a second chance. What Linda does with her's is now up to her. If I didn't know better I'd think Riley was channeling a bit of Hawkeye in that room back there, when he helped someone else I know."

Natasha moves her mouth into a reminiscent grin.

It doesn't take long for Garrett to speak up, pointing in amazement upon reaching the streets and leaping from their vehicle, "Oh look! I found Lucy!"

"Of course you did," Riley spits her words.

"Go easy on me- Riley,' he catches her elbow, then guides her chin up from her chest, 'Hey, chin up for a minute."

Maria's prodigee feels his hand find hers, taking the time to sign into her palm.

Riley doesn't need to breach his mind to find reassurance of his love and undying loyalty.

Suddenly her being jealous of Lucy feels meaningless…at least as far as Garrett is concerned.

She squeezes his hand and he frees her, letting the Blind Bandit work her magic and feel the ground.

"Northwest, Riley."

"Thanks Garrett," she leaps forward, taking his direction and charges for her enemy.

Natasha gains her footing on the curb as they dash onto the streets.

She watches the hulks take off, studying Lucy who is trying to balance on the Hulk's shoulders, "Don't get too comfortable up in my spot."

Jennifer pauses to rotate and look back despite their charge.

She slices across her neck and laughs at Natasha, "Oh! Honey; You're OFF Team Green! Be grateful I don't fold you into the pavement right now-."

Natasha steps forward, "Missed you, Jen."

"Man of arrows!"

"Roomie,' Clint turns around to spot Thor waving Mjolnir, 'Hey, man. You're not dead!"

"Not yet!" Thor holds his goofy smile.

"How come you never call?"

"I don't have a phone."

"Still?!"

"I have missed our card games. I wish for our children to meet and play."

"Hell yeah, man. How old are your monsters?"

"Fight now; Talk later," Natasha leaps in between them, watching Riley cover their backs.

Clint shrugs, "Do we have to fight? It looks like I can dip out for drinks and let Riles handle it."

"Rick?" Izabella hobbles inside of the base with Brody's help.

Jones greets her with a smile, reaching to take her from the agents;

"Hey, it's the nice warping lady!"

Pepper meets them with a med kit, "I'm coming through, move!"

"Oh, Pepper,' Izabella sinks into the chair Rick Jones leads her to, 'Anna is okay, I promise."

Pepper cracks an ice pack with a little extra force, semi aggressive with her response, "Riley told me."

"I am so sorry."

Potts reaches for her glasses, turning around as if it's some secret that she now needs them.

"It's okay Izzy. Let's just get you patched up, okay?"

"I want to help," Izabella protests.

"They're clearing the streets. You've done your part, hon."

Izabella hisses over the ice hitting her ankle, carefully helping Pepper remove her boot.

"You really dinged it up there."

Brody grimaces over the sight, "Did you break it-?"

"-It is not broken."

"It looks broken. What did you do?"

Izabella lifts a shoulder, her focus on Pepper, "That is what happens when you fight with demigods."

Potts scoffs, replacing her ice.

Izabella softens her voice, "Thor will bring Anna home."

Pepper looks up over Izabella's words, tears in her eyes, "Just tell me she's safe."

"She is safe."

Maria makes her call at the nearby display, loudly interrupting the twosome, "Great shot Clint. Corner the rest so we can get you home to Laura."

Darcy removes her headset and releases a heavy exhale, high-firing Selvig who sits beside her. And then a random agent who sits at her opposite side.

She stammers awkwardly, "Yeah! No idea who you are but good work on the remote bomb dismantling!"

"Daddy!"

The Iron Man can't land and retract his suit fast enough upon the arrival of Jane and the kids at their local base, running to meet Antonia in the middle;

"Half-Pint!"

"Tony," Pepper runs out to meet them, watching Tony scoop their daughter and plant a million kisses onto her cheek.

"Mommy,' Anna hugs her mother's neck, eager to lower her sweatshirt sleeve on her shoulder, 'Look! I have a scar!"

Jane cringes, a hand on each of own children, "Sorry, we did the best we could. It should heal really well."

Pepper panics, "What happened?! How did this happen! My poor baby!"

Tony frowns, ready to start swearing, "I can guess! Where's the Russian? The younger one, preferably but I'll take either one-."

"Tony! Calm down."

Anna taps her scar, completely oblivious, "Isn't it cool?!"

Agmundr shrugs, "I think it's cool."

Agatha reluctantly agrees as long as it's the majority consensus;

"I guess I do too."

Natasha is in front of the hulk has he takes his last few seconds of rage out on a nearby tree.

Jen checks her nails, handing near her golden eyed daughter to ensure she stays under control, "Typical."

Riley lands beside her mentor, reaching for guidance. Romanoff takes her hand and lays it over her own shoulder soft grin on her face;

"You did some heavy lifting out there today. You really don't need me anymore. I'm out of lessons."

Riley dodges the compliment and takes a breath post pant. She secures a weapon to her belt and lifts her chin in an all business request;

"I guess, you could point me toward Lucy and teach me how to tame a hulk."

Natasha huffs through a laugh, watching Valkyrie charge forward to engage both the hulk and Lucy in a tussle;

"It looks like Brunnhilde beat us to it before we could calm either of them."

Jennifer shrugs, stepping beside the duo and swings her arms;

"I'd jump in the middle but I'm exhausted and need to make a chiropractor appointment."

Clint groans as he catches up to them, "Who do you use, Jen? I could use a recommendation."

Bruce has John's borrowed shirt on in Maria's makeshift underground conference room.

It's better than nothing even if it seems to make Jennifer glare harder from her chosen spot, directly across from the Banner couple.

Natasha has her arms crossed to match Clint's position. He too has moved his own chair far away from Natasha's at the makeshift table turned desk.

Petty- maybe. He's still bitter with a justified anger. At least that's what he tells himself.

Though, he knows Laura will probably forgive and forget. She's missed the redhead just as much as Clint has.

Maria and Riley are at the head with Fury and Steve, glaring over the assembly with a firm stance.

Stark keeps his head down, too invested in whatever is on his phone. He wiggles the stylus in the opposite hand, standing at the table closest to Rogers.

The engineer also has some sort of micro speaker in each ear to ensure he's left alone, there on duty and clearly uninterested.

There's a light beat loud enough for the table to hear when Tony brazenly raises his volume.

He's humming when Bruce tries to address him.

Bruce scoffs, coldly rolling his tongue against his cheek. He's known Tony long enough to read the behavior.

It's Tony's version of a cold shoulder. He's mad and he has to make his discontent known. Today, he's chosen to do so by humming 'I Will Survive.'

"Real mature, Tony," Bruce tugs viciously at his fingers, nervous and uncomfortable.

Natasha sinks lower in the chair, debating on hurling a knife in the engineer's direction the louder he gets;

"…and now you're back from outer space…If I'd known for just one second you'd be BACK TO BOTHER ME! Go on now go-!"

Maria yells, "Can you turn that off and focus on our meeting!"

Jennifer leans forward, smacking a hand on the table, "Why did you leave us?"

Clint bites his nail and adds, "With a bunch of kids to raise."

"We had no idea Linda would blow up our apartment," Bruce widens his eyes and squirms in his chair mid gesture.

"Look; Izzy's warp saved us. We were lost, we didn't know what was going on," Natasha defends with her elbows on the table to confront Jennifer properly.

"I mean, you figured it out eventually. Right? Thor conveniently showed back up the same time you did. So one can assume that you've been with him the whole time," Steve rubs his cheek.

"Yes! Well…yeah. A good part of it, yes," Banner's knee bounces nervously, shifting every few seconds.

Natasha mumbles, "We asked him to keep it a secret and stayed in Asgard. We needed time."

"We couldn't come back after what happened with Linda…Izabella wasn't with us so….it was an 'assume the worst and hope for the best' sort of thing?" Bruce rubs his cheek.

"So you didn't factor me into your decision to stay, at all," Jennifer takes a shuddering breath.

"Jen! No,' Bruce leans forward empathetically, 'it wasn't like that."

"Oh I think it was, that's exactly what you're saying."

Tony spins in his chair, still humming and ignoring the rest of the team.

Natasha eyes Fury for some sort of listening ear, "We had to help stop Loki. He was plotting an escape. There were these stones-."

"Six years,' Maria sighs with a scoff, 'For six years?! Six! It takes you 24 hours to pull intel. Forty-eight at most to take down and hinder a potential escapee-."

"This was different."

"Let's say it takes 6 months to locate the 'stones'. The mission you're describing, even with utmost secrecy, should've taken a year. A year and a half at most."

Fury rolls his eye, disappointed though hesitant to admit so.

Natasha holds her head, "There were a million other factors."

Bruce nods and interrupts, "Hulk was doing well- and being in Asgard it- it worked. It was selfish, I admit that. But it worked. I was happy with his progress-."

Jennifer laughs, "You've got some gaps to fill in there, Doc. Happy with the hulk? Are you high?"

"Shush, Jen."

"You're deflecting."

Natasha sighs, "It wasn't all Bruce; I wanted to stay, maybe more than he did. Thor gave me an opportunity and I found an escape through it. It was a spy job where I got to train with Asgardian warriors-."

Tony points to the director with a laugh, "Okay Maria. You need to lose an eye to match your partners. Riley's blind on the end there, Fury's missing the left. You need to cut out your right. What's with SHIELD and the vision problems?! The irony! Am I right Robin Hood?!"

Barton looks up, absolutely devastated.

Natasha has seen her partner cry twice, and once was at his wedding.

Clint seems ready to burst into tears with a husky voice, "Why didn't you just tell me? You couldn't send me a message? I buried you, Nat. And when I told Laura…"

Natasha swallows, tugging at her fingers the same way her husband does when he's uncomfortable. Her jaw tightens, quietly listening and taking in his words.

Jennifer lowers her head as the table goes quiet.

The green giant taps her nail against the top of it, "Telling the kids absolutely sucked."

Steve tugs at the back of his neck, speaking up from the corner, "They didn't handle it well. You completely broke Miss Izabella. And your poor cousin, she left everything she knew in California to come out and help us-."

Jennifer bites her cheek and sits back in her chair, "We don't have to go there right at this moment."

"And Agent Riley here-."

Riley scoffs with her hands behind her back, "What's the punishment, Agent Hill? I say they're off the team. Send him to anger management and give her a burn notice?"

"I need to work," Natasha protests.

"Well,' Tony finally addresses Romanoff while still refusing to even look at Bruce, 'you can go back to Asgard. I'm sure they'd give you your job back if work is that important to you."

"Six month probation?" Fury asks Maria who shrugs and deflects by reminding him Riley has the final call.

The younger woman tilts her head to the right, "Ten months probation. She has to take my customized boot camp next month. They should have to pass a polygraph and perform a complete redo on SHIELD initiation. A lot has changed in six years. As far as staying in the Avengers initiative? I think that's up to Captain Rogers."

"That sounds fair to me," Nick Fury looks at Maria for final approval.

Hill lifts her tablet, "How do we handle press? There are a couple of hundred tabloids in my inbox. Ten would request a public appearance for a live audience."

"I think Dr. Banner should handle that…alone," Riley speaks up without a hint of emotion.

Bruce swallows the frog in his throat and grabs his chair, "…what?"

Jennifer smiles, "I also think the hulk and Bruce would enjoy Riley's boot camp individually. Push both of them to their limits."

Riley smirks, enjoying the payback, "Absolutely."

"I'm shocked your eyes are yellow," Violet mocks as she enters thee space.

Lucy is looking over Agmundr, Agatha Antonia as she lingers outside the 'conference room' door.

"Well! You know. Perks of having a demigod knock your lights out once they turn too gold."

The twins push and nudge each other, wanting so badly to eavesdrop. Lucy isn't helping with her own ear pressed up against the door.

"What was it like,' Violet asks, 'fighting with the heroes?"

Lucy forces an exhale and pulls herself inches away from the door. She's still crouching, knee up with her fingertips against it;

"You'll get your chance. At least you can control your gifts."

Violet smirks, sitting beside her, "You must have some control of you're already babysitting again."

"This?!" Lucy loosely gestures toward the bickering twins and Antonia, "This is just because Pepper and Jane are desperate for a break…what are they saying Anna?"

Antonia wrinkles her nose, "Ten months probiotics?"

"Probation?"

"Yeah."

Garrett meets up with the group at the door, "Have you heard anything?"

Violet lifts her figures to show a small space between them, " Muy poco ."

Peter Parker steps inside, "Is Mr. Stark in there? He seems so upset."

Anna flicks her hair up over her shoulder, "My daddy is totally fine!"

Rick enters, holding under Izabella's up on one side while Brody holds the other.

Lucy's jaw drops, "What did you do?"

Izabella tilts her head with utter sass, addressing her booted foot, "This was your fault."

Lucy stands to meet her friend, "I hope you're kidding. Is it broken?"

"Fractured."

"More like shattered," Brody adds needlessly.

"Where is Vrach ?"

Lucy lifts a thumb over her shoulder toward the room behind her, "Getting his beat down with Aunt Nat."

Sif and Valkyrie arrive next, looking over Violet's shoulder, "What is the standard sentence for a desertion on Earth?"

Lucy grimaces, "You'd have to ask my mom."

Darcy adds to the crowd and taps Brody's shoulder, "What are we waiting out here for?"

He shushes her gently and points to the door, "We're trying to listen in on Agent a Romanoff and Dr. Banner's sentences."

Darcy covers mouth over the two blonde haired children, "Are those the twins?! Stop it! They're so beautiful, and so big-!"

Darcy sniffles, brushing a stray tear with her fingernail.

"What's with the mob of children over here? I want to meet Agatha and Agmundr," Selvig enters with Jane, the 'mob' all turning to shush and keep the two scientists quiet.

Agmundr lays a hand on the door, "I'm pretty sure I can morph through if I use my magic."

"No!" Agatha pulls her brother away..

"Whyyy?"

"You're in troubbllleee," Antonia points with a snicker.

"God! It's not just your brother is it? It's me too," Lucy tugs at her floppy pixie cut, blue strand intertwined in her fingers.

"And me,' Izabella cringes, 'I messed with the stones."

"You know what? Maybe he forgot about Asgard and won't punish us for it."

Jane's laugh sends shivers down the girls' spines, "Thor never forgets anything."

John Jameson appears between Brody and Darcy, addressing the boy first, "What are we doing? Is my ex in there? Is she talking about me?"

"Dad! Shush!" Lucy retorts.

Sam removes his goggles and looks over the group, "Really?! You're all hanging out here while we have press to take care of?! Civilians to address?"

"The O.G crew disappeared so we followed them in here,' Violet points out, 'I go where Riley goes."

The door creaks, swung open by Riley who catches her snoops off guard.

The 'mob' all squeal in unison over the Blind Bandits' arrival, grabbing at each other.

Riley sinks into her hip, sensing too many minds to breach all at once.