Title: Gold Rush

Pairing: CaptainAmerica-WinterSoldier-FemaleOC (poly)

Another realization that I made when I started writing this, is that I completely forgot that Cassie is way older than Morgan. I wanted to change it but I liked that idea of the two of them playing with Anthony to much, so I decided to just alter her age and pretend it's no big deal. This is fanfiction after all. So in this story Cassie and Morgan are the same age.

Feedback is always welcome.


Chapter 5

Waking up the next morning hurt like hell. I can't believe Tessa got me drunk knowing I had a busy day planned today. I showered and eat a very greasy breakfast to try and get rid of my hangover as quickly as possible. It worked but I still took a pill to stop my headache. I don't even remember how I got home. I remember I was in a taxi with Tessa and Hillary, Tessa's roommate, but I don't remember walking up all the stairs to my apartment. Bad girl Alex, you are twenty-nine, you should know better.

Luckily I didn't have any time to notice how tired or hungover I felt for when I arrived at the Stark house upstate as I had so much work to do to get everything ready. The workmen arrived ten minutes after me and it looked like the family hadn't been at the house for quite some time, so I quickly vacuumed and mopped the place. I also saw the plants at the front door needed a trim so I took a pair of scissors and cut a couple of branches so they appeared more decent. By the time Morgan and Miss Pots arrived I had put out all the tables and chairs we could need and the kitchen was ready for the barbeque we would have in the evening. I also blew up some inflatable balls Morgan liked to play football with.

I could tell miss Pots enjoyed baking cookies and cakes with her daughter so I tried to get out of their way as much as possible, coming up with little excuses of things I needed to check: hanging up balloons, laying out napkins, making sure there were toy's in the garden, checking the water sprinklers wouldn't jump on in the afternoon. Actually that might provide a fun moment if they jumped on after the barbeque. Morgan will love the chaos it will bring.

Morgan liked telling her mom what to do in the kitchen and I could tell my boss was playing dumb in how to make cookie dough. Morgan's laugh echoed through the house whenever miss Pots did something wrong or was being clumsy. I knew miss Pots knew her way around the kitchen, but it was nice seeing them have his moment. By the time the cake and cookies were in the oven and the milkshakes were in the fridge mother and daughter had flower and cookie dough on their faces and hair.

"Why don't we go upstairs and get washed Morgan," miss Pots said and I kept an eye on the oven and ate a quick lunch.

Around twelve Mister Stark arrived with his friend Colonel Rhodes and Happy. I awaited them and had a tray ready with drinks. It was quite a drive from the city to this place, so I knew the drinks would be appreciated.

"Thank you Taylor," mister Stark said as I let the gentlemen in. I handed him back his credit card discreetly and he whispered in my ear: "Should I expect any payments that aren't for my daughter's birthday party?"

"Hmm maybe you did buy me some cocktails last night and a little necklace," I confessed and he smirked at me: "You're lucky Pepper and I depend on you so much."

"You're welcome," I said and went to check on the cake and cookies. I took them out and turned the oven off. My phone went off and I saw it was the number of the bakery that would be delivering Morgan's cake. Apparently they couldn't bring the cake due to some kind of emergency in the store. The lady on the phone sounded rather hysterical so I barely understood her. Great, I'll need to pick up the cake myself. I could ask Happy to drive me. It was rather a big cake, so I doubt I would be able to carry it myself.

The doorbell rang and I put my plans for the cake on hold. I graphed the tray I had ready with drinks and welcomed mister Lang and his daughter Cassie and their unusual large ant, named Anthony: "Hi welcome! Morgan is almost ready so why don't you go check out the backyard with Anthony."

"Thank you Alex," Cassie said and took a glass of fruit juice from the tray and she told Anthony to follow her to the garden. It was a rather disturbing sight to see. Mister Lang notted to me and also took a glass: "Thank you for the invite. Cassie has been looking forward and was very serious about buying a good gift for Morgan."

"I'm sure Morgan will love it. There is a gift table next to the bar, "I said and he was about to follow his daughter but hesitated for some reason: "Can I ask you for a favor?"

"Sure, what is it?" I asked curious as to what he could want from me.

"You work for Tony and Pepper, right?" the man asked and I explained what my job was: "Yes, I'm their personal assistant."

"Could you…maybe put in a word for me with them? They don't exactly take my phone calls and Tony likes to pretend I don't exist," mister Lang clarified and I put down the tray to listen to him: "Go on."

"I think Cassie and Morgan would make good friends and they might benefit from having a friend who has to deal with all of this. Cassie can't really talk to anyone about it and I'm guessing Morgan might have the same problem," mister Lang continued and I was beginning to understand what he was hinting at.

"I'll make sure to point out that the girls are getting along well this afternoon and maybe arrange some playdates between them in the future," I assured the man. He was probably right about this. Morgan couldn't talk to anyone of her own age about her family situation and her dad being Iron Man. Everything had to be kept a secret. Sure everyone knew he was Iron Man and that she was his daughter, but she had to be careful with what she told about him. Cassie was in the same situation, except for her no one knew who her father was. They could benefit from having a friend who was growing up in the same situation. Mister Lang thanked me and followed his daughter.

"Morgan," I called running up the stairs: "Your first guests are arriving."

"She's almost ready," miss Pots said from her bedroom and I knocked on the door before entering. My boss was fully dressed and zipping up Morgan's dress, her long hair was laying over her shoulder in a side braid, very reminiscent of one Queen Elsa. Urgh, I am so pleased I managed to talk her out of inviting Disney princesses because they would bring chaos with them no doubt.

"How do I look Alex?" Morgan asked me when she was done. She twirled in front of me and I gave her my thumps up: "But to finish your birthday look, your daddy gave me this to give to you."

Morgan took the small pouch and pulled out a necklace: a silver chain with a flower petal at the end. A perfect necklace for a little girl. Mister Stark had no idea he bought his daughter this, but he would catch on quickly when she thanked him.

"Now you are ready to go great your guests," I said.

"Did they bring the ant?" Morgan asked me and I notted. She squealed loudly and ran down the stairs.

"I wonder what she's most excited about: her party or playing with the giant ant?" I said out loud and my boss agreed with me.

"Thank you for everything Alex," my boss thanked me and I figured I could use this moment to pass on mister Lang's question. Miss Pots understood and she told me to arrange a playdate every now and then.

"I'll talk to Tony about it. He doesn't like Scott that much," miss Pots mentioned and pulled on her shoes.

"Why is that?"

"Scott works with Hank Pym and he didn't get along with Tony's father. I don't know the details, but Tony is always a bit weird when it comes to his father," miss Pots explained vaguely and I told her to go downstairs and be with her family. I would change and be at the door to great their guests for them. Before I went downstairs I quickly changed in a green summer dress and pulled my hair up in a messy bun. I let a couple of strands of hair hang lose and I applied some eyeliner and mascara and a very light shade of lipstick. As I was putting on some perfume I heard the doorbell.

"I'll get it," I shouted and quickly pulled on some flats and ran down the stairs. I took a breath before opening the door and lifted the tray of drinks again to hand to Morgan's guests.

"Hi, welcome to the Morgan's birthday party. The party girl is in the backyard," I welcomed the Parker kid, the Barton family and Natasha Romanov. They walked in and thanked me for the drinks. I told everyone where they could leave the presents and that they would be opened before we cut the cake. Shit can't forget to get the cake! Where's Happy when I need him?

"You look good for someone who was rather drunk last night," I heard Wanda calling out to me from her car. I turned around and saw her closing the door of her car and walk up the stairs to me. She looked good considering she drank a lot of the same cocktails as me, that mister Stark also paid for.

"Thank God for make-up and eggs and bacon," I said and offered her a drink.

"How much did it hurt getting up this morning?" she asked me and looked behind me to see who was already here: "Urgh a lot, I can't wait till this thing is over and I can go back to bed."

"Did you stay long after the tequila shots started?" she asked me with a knowing smirk.

"I don't even remember doing tequila shots," I admitted and made sure my bosses were nowhere around to hear me say that.

"Don't worry, I won't tell them about last night," she assured me, but I got back at her quickly: "You better not or I will tell them about that guy you disappeared with into a bathroom stall."

"I don't remember that happening last night. Sure it wasn't you who disappeared in a bathroom stall with someone?" she asked me with a raised eyebrow but I shook my head with a sly grin: "No I'm pretty sure it was you. I remember because you told me afterwards you lost your bra."

"Oh don't you dare tell them such lies about me," she told me and she elbowed me playfully. It made me laugh and I got back at her with a grin: "Then make sure you don't mention anything about my antics last night."

"Deal," she said and walked past me, slightly shoving me with a playful smile. I could blackmail a witch. What's the worst she could do to me? Probably kill me, but this is a kids birthday party so I'm sure I'll live.

"Gooday ma'am," I heard the familiar voice of Captain Rogers behind me. I turned away from the door and saw him walking up the stairs with another man. I needed to do a double take to recognize the Sergeant. I did my best to keep my surprise form my face because wow the man looked handsome as hell. But I'm pretty sure some still slipped through.

"Gooday gentlemen, I see you took my advice Sergeant," I said and he smirked at me as he offered both men a drink.

"Apparently I didn't look kid friendly," he said and gave the Captain a slight shove. The other man chuckled and lowered his eyes for a second. The Sergeant continued: "Is this something you had in mind?"

"Who knew you could clean up this nicely Sergeant?" I said and Morgan, Cassie and Happy ran around the house followed by Anthony, who seemed to me chasing them.

"Hi Steve! Hi Robo-man!" Morgan yelled as she passed us.

"By Steve! Bye Robo-man" Cassie yelled as well and disappeared with Happy around the corner.

"Great," I sighed realizing Happy was going to be no help. Maybe I could get Wanda to drive me? She could use her powers to carry the cake, right? Or would that be considered inappropriate?

"Everything alright?" the Captain asked me and I told him about my cake problem. He immediately offered his help, but I declined saying I already had asked someone else. I seem to be running into these gentlemen a bit too much this week.

"I hope it wasn't too difficult to get up this morning," the Sergeant changed the topic and I was pleased for the distraction.

"It was alright," I lied and the Captain believed me, but I'm pretty sure the Sergeant didn't. He gave me a knowing smirk that I ignored. I looked the duo over and noticed for two men out of time, they were very well dressed. I wonder if they just have good taste or asked their female friends to help them out.

"The family is in the back and you can leave the presents on the table next to the bar," I told the men and held out my hand for them to walk in: "And if someone would be so nice to bring Maximus along, that would be great."

"Can't carry him yourself?" the Sergeant asked me and I sent him smirk: "No I find it far more entertaining to see you walk around with him, wouldn't you agree Captain?"

"Alex! Can I go around with the cookies we made?" Morgan called from the kitchen to me and I rolled me eyes. The cookies were still cooling of. Morgan could be an impatient child, but then again what child would be able to wait?

"In ten minutes Morgan," I called back: "Your guest will burn their fingers else."

"Kid sounds excited," the Captain pointed out and I turned back to him: "You would be too if you had a pony park and five bouncy castles in your garden and only had to share it with one kid, well three if we're including mister Stark."

"I heard that!" I flinched slightly as I heard mister Stark call from behind me. I remember Miss Pots asking me to make sure mister Stark and the Sergeant aren't anyway near each other during this party. So far, I'm failing at that.

"That comment will cost you Taylor," mister Stark told me and I was rather surprised to see he was out of breath, with sweat on his forehead and he was holding a glass filled with water: "I challenge you to a Gladiator duel."

"I'm rather busy welcoming your guests, so I'll pass," I tried to get out of his challenge. I knew what the Gladiator duel was and I had no interest in playing along while I was wearing a dress.

"Bullshit," mister Stark said and the Captain flinched for some reason. Mister Stark and the Sergeant seemed to know why the man flinched but didn't elaborate on it: "Let's go Taylor, you and me."

"Actually Miss Taylor just got a call from the bakery about Morgan's birthday cake," the Captain lied and I was glad he offered me an excuse to dodge mister Starks challenge. I was impressed by his fast thinking and I explained I need to pick the cake up myself: "I would ask Happy but he's playing with Morgan so the Captain was so kind to offer me a ride. And Morgan has been pestering me all day about opening up her presents, so we really should be heading out Captain."

Mister Stark eyed us with curious eyes, not completely believing my excuse but then again he knew the cake wasn't here yet, so he decided to let me go: "But you're not of the hook Taylor. You owe me for those very expensive cocktails you made me pay for."

"What cocktails?" the Captain asked me when mister Stark went back inside and I was glad I dodged that bullet, for now. No doubt he would pester me once I get back, so I will need to make sure I appear busy the whole time or that I'm near miss Pots, because she would keep him at bay.

"I might have used his credit card last night to pay for some of our drinks," I admitted and I graphed my purse. I told miss Pots I would be picking up the cake with the Captain and then I walked to the mans car. The Sergeant pulled Maximus out and carried him for me to the back: "You owe me."

"Not really, I did warn you that you would regret helping me," I called after him and the Captain opened the door for me. I got in and was pleasantly surprised by the drive. I always thought the man was a tad winded to tight, to polite, to chivalric, but I found out he could loosen up. He could make a joke and was interesting to listen to. The car ride was comfortable. We talked about Morgan and her party and what we got into last night. I didn't mention I was drunk and didn't remember even getting home. He did tell me Sam found some woman to hook up with and asked me if it really was as normal as they made it seem.

"Afraid so Captain, so I'm guessing you didn't hookup afterwards as the youth would call it?" I asked and my question made him laugh: "No, no, but Wanda did offer to be my wingman."

"I would think your wingman would be the Sergeant," I pointed out and he looked confused at me so I explained: "With the long hair he could totally pull of the creep who hits on you at the bar and you could swoop in and save the girl from him."

"Guy's actually do that?"

"It's becoming such a cliché, it's considered a rather pathetic move, but I figure you have a lot of catching up to do, so maybe girls will tolerate it from you," I pointed out and noticed a slight blush crawling up his cheeks. It looked rather adorable on him. For a guy with a very intimidating body, he had a very nice smile and a vulnerability about him.

"I'll remember it's considered a pathetic move," he laughed his blush away and we continued on our way. As he talked about last night I realized he had a nice voice to listen to, very calming, very soothing.

"How did you end up working for Pepper and Tony?" I was pulled from my observation of his face and strong jawline. I needed a second to remember what the question had been: "I was in desperate need of a job so I basically begged miss Pots and I think she chose me over the other candidates because I was rather rude to mister Stark, where the others were batting their eyelashes just a bit too much."

"Are you telling me the Stark charms doesn't affect you?" he asked me with a knowing smirk. I forgot he knew mister Starks father back in the day. Must be weird to know one man and then meet his son as an adult.

"No not really. I'll admit he's got the looks and he knows to say the right words but he's just such a man-child," I said and the Captain laughs at me calling mister Stark a man-child: "I mean don't get me wrong, but sometimes I judge my boss for her taste in men."

"Well your secret is safe with me," he said when he calmed down. The rest of the drive I talked about what it was like working for the Starks. Since the Captain knew them personally I didn't see any harm in what I told him. He carried the cake to the car while I paid for it and we were back at the house before Morgan even realized I was gone.

"Morgan, time for present and cake!" miss Pots called to her daughter from the window kitchen when we had prepared the cake with candles. I stayed in the kitchen serving drinks for everyone and I didn't mind the few minutes of silence as I heard the family sing for Morgan outside, as Wanda used her powers to levitate the cake and mister Lang kept Anthony by his side to make sure he wouldn't break Wanda's concentration.

After a couple of minutes my thoughts got interrupted by the birthday girl, who had snuck back inside and gave me a hug: "Thank you for Maximus, I love him!"

"Did he annoy your parents?" I asked and leaned down to be on her level. She told me excitedly how her dad's mouth had fallen wide open and her mom's eye almost popped out of her head: "It was a complete success!"

"Good, now can you bring me a slice of your birthday cake," I ask and the kid goes outside to get me some. I call after her: "Emphasis on the chocolate!"

I stayed out of sight for most of the afternoon while Morgan opened her presents and played with her guests. The gladiator duel was very popular among the adults, especially the male adults and even the Barton kids were big fans, who liked to team up against their father. Morgan managed to get everyone to challenge someone and judging from the laughs I heard from the kitchen it provided to be quite entertaining. There was also a very long castle in which two people had to race each other to the finish. It was rather funny to see miss Pots take on mister Stark and actually win, even though she was wearing a skirt.

Around five I began helping the caterer with preparing the food for the barbeque: making salads, get the fire started, precooking certain things, getting the table ready etc. I was happy with the work because what else would I have to talk about with these people? Small talk okay, but I can't make small talk for hours. Wanda was surprisingly easy to talk to though. She came and helped us at some point in the kitchen, saying she loved to cook. I could tell the caterer was intimidated by her presence, but he did his best to hide it. I'm pretty sure the woman noticed though.

"Dinners ready to hit the barbeque," I told mister Stark and he called his guests to the dinner table. He handled the barbeque, like any man of the house would do, but he wasn't very good at it. It was highly entertaining to see him and miss Pots bicker about the food and I could see Morgan watching them with a smile on her face.

"This has been an interesting day," the Sergeant said as he sat down next to me on the steps of the porch. I was watching the Parker kid entertaining Morgan and Cassie and the three Barton children had joined them, while the other adults relaxed after their dinner. Morgan and Cassie had begun playing dress up somewhere during the day and their faces were painted with flowers and butterflies on it. Nathaniel, the youngest of the Barton kids had gotten his face painted like Spiderman and the Parker kid had said he wanted the same make up as the boy, who beamed proudly with his face paint.

"What? Never been to a seven years birthday party?" I asked and he handed me a glass of wine. I grateful accepted it.

"Not really no. She's a nice kid though," the Sergeant said and I had to agree. Morgan is one of those kids you wouldn't expect with a parents like Pepper Pots, CEO of Stark Industries and Tony Stark, Ironman. She is sweet and smart and likes to learn, but she isn't very social. She also understands her family situation isn't the most normal and she excepts it to a certain degree. Sometimes she's to mature for her own good.

"What did she think of your gift?" I asked and already knew the answer because Morgan had run up to me earlier telling me I could help her with building all the sets.

"She was very happy with it and was rather helpful in explaining what I was giving her," he said and apparently Morgan had gone into a lot of detail telling him who the characters were in the set and in which book and movie this scene happened. The idea of her explaining the story of Harry Potter to the Winter Solider made me laugh. I could just see mister Stark not approving of his daughter talking excitedly to the Sergeant.

"Steve had no clue what she was talking about," the Sergeant pointed out and I chuckled at that.

"Well he did admit to me he didn't know who Harry potter was Wednesday, so I could imagine he might have been somewhat lost," I said and took a sip from my drink. It was the wine from their cellar and if I remember correctly it was from some vacation the couple went on before Morgan was born.

"Will you be heading back to the city after this?" the Sergeant asked me and I notted: "Happy will drive me so the family can stay here for the rest of the weekend."

"Got any plans tomorrow?" the Sergeant asked casually and I realized he and the Captain have asked me that multiple times this week. Must be a coincidence.

"Sleep, although I saw a text earlier from my friends saying they wanted to go do karaoke tonight, so maybe I'll be joining them when I get home. What about you guys? What does an Avenger do in his free time?" I asked curiously and the man chuckled when I called him an Avenger.

"Nothing special: work out, read, watch TV, try and dodge Steve's friends every now and then, get dragged to children's birthday parties…" the Sergeant pretended to complain but I called him out on it: "Oh don't make it sound like this was the worst day ever. I bet it was better than going clubbing last night."

"Fine, you got me on that one," the Sergeant confessed and I smirked for being able to call him out. It was strange. I knew who he was and what he was capable of but I didn't feel uncomfortable. I was perfectly at ease, sitting here next to him and talking casually.

"And what books do you like to read?" I asked wanting to keep the conversation going. I liked getting to know the man. Such a strange person to get to know though.

"Old ones from my time, I find it difficult to find books that interest me that have been written after the forties," the Sergeant admitted and I wondered if it was because things were just so different in books written in the twenty-first century: "And what genre do you like to read?"

"Mystery books or a good thriller or about the mob scene," the Sergeant summed up and smiled as he saw the Captain start a game of football with a few others. The eldest Barton son was quick to join and wanted to be on the Captain's team. Mister Stark insisted he wanted to be on the opposing team and Morgan was quick to point out she didn't want to be on our daddy's team.

"Why not?" he asked her as the other adults laughed at his rejection and she answered: "Because I wane kick your but!"

"What about you? Got any authors you like to read? Besides Harry Potter," the Sergeant asked me and I thought about it for a minute. I don't think he would be interested in any romance novels and maybe not even thrillers about children being abducted: "I really enjoy the works of Dan Brown and Steve Berry. They write novels with a touch of history elements in it, which is what I find appealing about them."

"And what are their books about?" the Sergeant asked and I explained a few of their books: "Dan Brown has multiple good once. One is about finding the chalice of Christ and the foundation of Christianity and then he has one about the Vatican and the super-secret society called the Illuminati and then you have one about over population and the effects of that on the earth…"

I fell quite as I realized the theme of that book hit a lot more home these day's then when I first read it. The Sergeant noticed my silence and asked if I was alright. I assured him I was and explained: "I just realized that book deals with the same issues Thanos was talking about. I never realized that until now."

"Really?"

"Yeah, but they use a deadly disease that will spread itself among the people and depending on your DNA or something like that it will kill you," I explained. It was one of my least favorite books of the writer, but I did still finish it within three days: "It's weird because that book came out long before Thanos did."

"People were thinking like him?" the Sergeant asked and I looked away from the game unfolding in front of us because I met the Captains eyes. I bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself from blushing and tried to focus on the conversation I was having with the Sergeant: "Overpopulation is an actual problem of our planet and there are extremist who would probably have some very radical ideas on how to handle the situation, but it is something the governments of the world should be concerned about."

"Did you…stay after the Blip?" the man asked and I could tell he felt uncomfortable asking about it. I've learned that if people feel uncomfortable talking about the Blip, it's usually because they vanished. I know the Captain stayed because I started working after the Blip for the Starks and that's when I started running into the man every now and then. But I only started seeing the Sergeant since a year at the office.

"Yeah, I stayed. I was one of the lucky once. I didn't lose to many people to the blip," I added immediately to let the Sergeant know I was alright with the subject. The Sergeant looked up surprised at me: "Your family was alright?"

"My family only consists out of three people and they both stayed, "I explained.

"That's a small family."

"It was enough."

"Was?"

"My adoptive father past away from cancer a couple of years ago and my adoptive mother followed six months later from heartbreak," I explained and I could tell he was getting uncomfortable again so I assured him it was alright and that he didn't need to worry about bringing it up. I finished my drink and pulled out my phone to check the time. The Sergeant took that as his clue to leave and so he stood up. It was one minute till eight o'clock.

"I would stay on the porch if I were you Sergeant," I said and he turned to me with a raised eyebrow. I gave him a grin and he took my warning. He sat back down next to me and we waited for what was about to happen. I held my camera ready to record the chaos. I'm sure that Morgan would appreciate this being recorded.

"Should I warn Steve?" the Sergeant asked and we both looked at the game the man was playing in. He just passed the ball to the Barton kid who caught it and was very excited that he managed to catch it. Mister Stark tried to stop the kid, but Anthony appeared out of nowhere and ran the man over, resulting in Morgan to fall down laughing.

"Are you really that good of a friend?" I asked with a grin and the man answered after a few seconds: "No I don't think I am."

"I wouldn't be either," I said and stated counting down. The Sergeant leaned closer to me and asked: "What's going to happen?"

"Chaos…three, two, one, action," I said and on cue the sprinkler system jumped on and everyone got wet. Miss Pots started yelling at mister Stark to turn of the system, but I had made sure both their phones were inside so they naturally couldn't find them. Morgan had the most fun watching her mother run around in hysterics and see her guests run for cover.

"Wow, that's just mean," the Sergeant said as I watched the scene unfold in front of us with a huge smile on my face.

"And you wanted to warn the Captain," I laughed and I busted the Sergeant on giving me smile as we saw the man getting wet. Anthony had the most fun in running people over and mister Lang tried to catch him but wasn't having much success. The Sergeant leaned closer again when I stopped recording: "Why warn me?"

"I wasn't sure how well your cybernetics could handle the sprinklers and I didn't want to risk electrocuting everyone. That's would be a buzzkill," I confessed and the man laughed at that and joined him as I realized something. He waited for my explanation and so I continued: "But now that I think about it, it would be rather stupid to have a robot arm that can't handle water. They wouldn't be able to sent you out if it rained. What kind of Avenger would you be." I laughed and he laughed at my realization.

"None the less I'm grateful I was in the safe zone."

"Don't think you'll get lucky next time now that I know you are waterproof."

"Don't start a fight you can't finish ma'am."

"Oh is that a challenge Sergeant?"

"Maybe."

"Alex!" my boss called me and I acted innocently as I sent the Sergeant a wink and put my phone away.