A/N: Howdy. If anyone reads the author's notes, can you help me out? I really want to delete the Author's Note that I posted because it's messing up my count and I want to have my chapters match. Right now, they are one off. If I delete that, will the count match or will it mess up the story? Hope that makes sense. Anyway, happy reading!


Spiderman went limp in Captain America's arms as he fell unconscious. He lifted his icy blue eyes to his childhood friend and stared at him in disbelief. The Winter Soldier stood back with a huff before frowning and looking up. "Maybe I shouldn't have hit him with the metal fist."

"Or how about not at all!" Captain America screeched. A tiny thump sounded as the three in the air landed on the ground.

"Is he dead?" Iron man asked.

"Not funny, Tony," War Machine announced.

"Uh, guys. I think we should probably go." Ant-Man announced. All eyes turned to him just as more people started peeking around the corner. Most had video cameras and they were pointed straight at them.

"Great," Iron Man mumbled.

"Let's get out of here," Falcon announced.

"Where did Clint and Natasha go?" Winter Soldier asked as he looked around.

"They went to get the quinjet. They made a good point about not being able to go back to the compound with it being compromised."

"We'll discuss this later, right now we're getting too much attention."

All eyes turned back to the entrance to the alley where more people were gathering. Captain America lifted the teenager into his arms all the while sending a glare to his friend.

"Hey, Friday alerted me that the Quinjet is in a field a block over. If we're going to leave we need to do it now.

Adjusting the teen in his arms, Captain America frowned down at the boy. As if seeing the distress on the man's face, the falcon called out to him. "What's wrong, Cap?"

"He's too light. He should weigh more than this."

"Well we can figure all of this out later, Friday just alerted me that someone called the police and they are on their way here. I would rather not be here when that happens," Iron Man announced.

Once again all eyes went towards the mouth of the alley where a crowd formed and phones were recording. An elderly woman stepped forward and pointed her cane at all of them.

"What's wrong with you people? He's just a child!"

A few people in the crowd muttered in agreement.

"What did he ever do to you for you to hit him like that?" Someone else voiced.

Another roar from the crowd sounded as they started to enter the alley. Looks of rage filled every last set of eyes that landed on the Avengers.

"Child Abusers!" Someone screamed.

"Let the boy go," another called.

Ant-Man stepped forward and shook his head, holding up his hands in a surrendering fashion. "No, wait. You don't understand. We're trying to protect him."

"Child Abusers! You allowed that crazy mental case to hit a child!"

Captain America could feel the Winter Soldier stiffen behind him. Every bit of him prayed that nothing would be said to set the man off into a rage induced parade.

"Uh, guys I think now would be a really good time to leave," Iron Man announced as if it were not obvious. Captain America adjusted the kid again to get a better grip on him as he felt hands grab under his armpit.

"Hang on Cap," Falcon called as his wings spread wide. Without a second thought, the Falcon lifted the man and the boy he was carrying into the air and away from the angry mob. Looking down, the Captain watched as War Machine grabbed the Winter Soldier and Iron Man grabbed Ant-Man.

Captain America looked down at the unconscious child in his arms, his mind going back to how light he felt. As if the fact that they could see his ribs poking through his outfit was any indication.

The boy was being mistreated at home.

There was no doubt about it.

Anger filled the stomach of the former War Captain as he looked down at the face of the mask. The fact that Spiderman had yet to move told the man that he still had not regained consciousness. Not surprising, he was forced to eat a metal knuckle sandwich.

"What the hell was he thinking?" Captain America mumbled.

"I don't know Cap, he's your friend." Falcon replied from behind. Captain America declined to respond as they started their descent into the open field where the quinjet sat waiting. Hawkeye and the Black Widow stood outside staring up at them, as all three flyers landed with their load.

Upon seeing the boy in the man's arms, Hawkeye raised an eyebrow. "What happened to him?"

"Ask Bucky," Steve announced as he walked towards them. Two pairs of eyes went towards the man who came walking up from behind.

"He wasn't going to come willingly," Winter Soldier announced as if that explained everything.

Captain America shook his head and started making his way up the ramp to put the kid down, but he came to an abrupt halt when his eyes landed on the woman strapped into a seat.

Vannesa looked up and met the blue eyes that sat slightly hidden behind the blue mask. Her eyes went to the boy in his arms causing her to make a move to unbuckle her seatbelt. Captain America shook his head as the rest of the team entered the quinjet.

Iron Man removed his suit with a push of a button as he jogged to the front of the jet with the Black Widow in tow. The rest grabbed a seat and strapped themselves in. Captain America resumed his walk where he strapped Spiderman in before strapping himself in next to the kid.

"Anyone have any idea where to go?" Hawkeye shouted over the whirling of the engine.

Nobody spoke until Vanessa raised her hand. "I have a place. It's in Russia and-"

"No way. Not happening. We are not going anywhere you suggest," Tony objected as he lifted a hand cutting her off. "For all we know you are sending us right into the hands of a Hydra welcoming party."

Vanessa sent a glare. "Why would I do that. It doesn't benefit me in any way."

"Not. Happening."

Vanessa rolled her eyes before setting them back on Tony. "Do you have a better idea, or are you just going to stand there?"

Tony narrowed his eyes at her. When he didn't give an answer, Vanessa lifted a hand at him. "Exactly. You guys are going to have to trust me here a little."

"Trust you," Tony snorted. "Where have I heard that before?" Without another word, Tony turned forward and resumed his task of flying the jet. Vanessa stared after him with sad eyes before shaking her head and looking towards Spiderman who laid limp in his seat with his head rested on Captain America's shoulder.

"What happened to him?"

When nobody responded, Vanessa leaned back and released a sigh. This was going to be a long flight.


Pepper Potts stood next to Happy as they watched the quinjet descend in the open field of the Avengers compound. The text she received from her fiance was cryptic to say the least. His only words were, pack some clothes for a few days and for Happy to gather as many of Howard Starks boxes from the little room he seemed to disappear into all the time these days.

Nothing more, nothing less.

The ramp to the quinjet opened to reveal her future husband who began walking briskly towards her. When he was within ear shot, she launched into her questionnaire. "Where are you taking me? Why do you need your fathers boxes and why are there headlines all over New York claiming the Avengers are child abusers?"

Tony didn't answer as he started grabbing boxes and her suitcase. "Tony, what is going on?"

When he didn't answer, Happy inserted himself into the conversation. "Boss?"

Tony stopped long enough to look at them and reveal the words that he had been holding back. "The compound has been compromised by Hydra. None of you are safe here, so we're leaving for a bit. Now, help me with the boxes." With that, he turned and continued carrying his load onto the quinjet. Pepper and Happy shared a look before they started helping.


The quinjet ride was silent as Pepper stared around at the people who were buckled into the seats around her. Taking in the tense atmosphere, Pepper observed her co-passengers. Clint and Sam were sleeping, while Rhodes was reading a book he found in one of the many boxes that belonged to Howard Stark. Natasha was flying the jet with Tony as her co-pilot. Scott was on the phone with his ex-wife from the sounds of it, while the woman, Vanessa, sat trying to catch Steve's gaze, but his gaze-or rather glare was set solely on Bucky who seemed to be trying to act like the glare was not bothering him.

Next to her, Happy clenched his harness to the point where his knuckles were white. He long ago mumbled something about even though he flew on private jets he still hated it. But it wasn't all of that, which kept capturing Pepper's focus. It was the child in the red, white and black costume. His head rested on Steve's shoulder and had been since she arrived on the jet. The even breathing told her he was unconscious. From sleep or something else, Pepper did not know, but the little itch in the back of her mind told her it might have something to do with the fact that she could see his ribs through the red of his suit.

Every ounce of her being wanted to force a pizza or hamburger down his throat to relieve the skeleton that was starting to form in front of her eyes, but she held back. Instead she turned her attention to her phone which vibrated in her lap. Lifting the screen to her face she read the article that popped up.

Avengers: Earth's mighty heroes...or Child abusers?

Hours ago, a video surfaced on the internet which showed the Avengers, mainly the Winter Soldier punching Spiderman, who many sources have stated they believe is a child. Spiderman, who went limp as he was being held up by Captain America. It's no secret that the Avengers were just pardoned but could this be the breaking point for them?

Is this the new Avengers, the ones who are protecting our city?

We asked many viewers what their thoughts are and here are the results:

Heroes: 44%

Child Abusers: 56%

We reached out to Tony Stark for a comment but have not heard anything yet. His fiancée, Pepper Potts, also could not be reached for comment.

Let us know what you think?

Are they heroes or Child Abusers?

Pepper stared at her screen for a moment before looking up, just in time to meet Tony's eyes.

"You guys are idiots," she announced to the quiet jet.