Hey everyone sorry for the delay. I've been in a rut lately and it's been kind of hard to get inspired for this story. i didn't want to update with something that was unfitting of the quality of this story. As I've said before this story is my baby, my first ever fanfic and there is no way I would ever abandon it but there's also no way I'll update unless I'm happy with what I produced which is why it took me so long. To try and get myself inspired again I decided to start another story. It's called Fated Marks in case anyone's interested. It's also a soulmate AU. So that's enough about that. So without further ado the long awaited update to Nora's story. i hope you all like it let me know what you think and thank you. Enjoy :)
"So Natasha gave me this flash drive, she said would help. I haven't looked inside because I wanted you to see it first, you know legal reasons and to make sure we can actually use it." I said.
"How'd she get it?" Sam asked.
"She didn't say." I said.
"She's a spy she has contacts everywhere." Aiden said. "Plug it in and lets get a look."
"Okay." I said. I put the flash drive into my computer and a bunch of files came in.
"Those are SHIELD Files." Aiden said.
"There's a word doc that says read me first, I say we start with that one." I said opening it up.
Nora and I'm guessing Sam and Aiden,
When I dumped all of SHIELD's files onto the internet I didn't just dump missions, I dumped personnel files, evaluations, records and most importantly psych evals. Here's everything you'll need to end this trial so we can all get on with our lives.
-Natasha
"Short and to the point." Sam said.
"That's Natasha for you." I said. "Let's get started, Missions."
"All pretty basic stuff, mostly infiltration or surveillance." Aiden said.
"Anything illegal?" Sam said.
"Nothing that isn't covered under the Patriot Act." Aiden said.
"Nat specifically mentioned Psych evals let's take a look." I said opening up the file.
"That wasn't it, it was the other file." Sam said.
"They're both labeled the same… oh fuck." I said.
"What… is that?" Aiden said.
"Yup." I said.
"Keep reading." Sam said.
"Whoa!" We all said at the same time.
"Can we use it?" I asked.
"Oh we can use it alright, hell I can send this to the judge and have this entire thing dismissed and you can use this for your counter suit." Sam said.
"I need to make one quick call." I said taking my phone out.
I quickly dialed and pressed the phone to my ear.
"Romanoff." Nat answered.
"If I ever have a daughter I'm naming her after you." I said.
"You finally got into the files?" Nat said.
"Yes we did, how did you even find this." I said.
"I have my ways." She said. "I have to go, team training."
"I owe you a very expensive bottle of Vodka." I said.
"And you're first born daughter." She said before hanging up.
"Where do we go from here?" I asked.
"You ready to watch me destroy someone in court?" Sam said
"This is why we're friends." Aiden said.
Third Person's POV-
"I'm ending things with Sharon," Steve said.
"About damn time." Sam said making Steve give him a look. "What, Steve you're miserable and you don't love Sharon. You had doubts from the beginning. I don't know why you didn't break up with her before."
"I couldn't leave her and my son." Steve said.
"You do realize that it's okay to have a kid even though you're not with its mom right? You were raised by a single mom." Sam said.
"I know it just didn't feel right and I thought…" Steve started.
"That that wasn't a possibility with Nora? Please tell me you didn't tell her that." Sam said and Steve grimaced and looked away. "No…"
"I wasn't thinking clearly." Steve said.
"No shit. What is wrong with you? No wonder Nora doesn't even want to look at you? Hell that's probably why Aya keeps blasting you every time she sees you." Sam said.
"Sam I know I screwed up and I know it's not going to be easy but I'm going to fight for Nora I just need to break up with Sharon first. How should I do that?" Steve said.
"Just tell her it's over." Sam said.
"I've tried, I was thinking I take her out to dinner and do it somewhere in public so she won't make a scene…" Steve said making Sam laugh.
"This is going to back fire on you." Sam said.
"Then help me." Steve said.
"Steve I have your back in the field and if you need someone to talk to I'm there but this you have to do on your own." Sam said.
"You're right, I got myself into this mess I'll get myself out." Steve said.
When they got back to the Compound Steve found Sharon alone in the common room.
"Morning sweetie, I made you coffee." She said greeting him with a smile.
"Uh Sharon do you have any plans for tonight?" Steve asked.
"No why do you ask?" She said with bright eyes.
"I was wondering if you'd like to go out for dinner with me." Steve said.
"Oh Stevie I'd love too." She cheered. Sharon knew that Steve had been distant the past couple of days since the younger version of Nora had shown up, that brat was ruining her life but this was her chance. She could win him back. If she were to get pregnant again then Steve wouldn't be able to leave her.
"I'll make reservations for eight." Steve said.
Nora's POV-
"I have to present this in person." Sam said.
"Actually can we do this during the trial?" I asked.
"Why?" Aiden asked.
"Let's let Sharon's lawyer get his money's worth." I said with a smirk.
"Remind me never to piss you off." Sam said.
"Remind me to never be on the opposing side of you in a law suit." I said.
"Well I have to go I have to head into the office and check in. There's another lawsuit coming up and I need to be there for the briefing." Sam said.
"Well I'd say good luck but you don't need it." I said.
"We should also go we have Wren's check up." Aiden said.
"Right, little guy has his weight in." I said.
"I bet he went up over a pound." Aiden said.
"You're on." I said.
Third Person's POV- A few hours later-
Sam forgot most of the paperwork for his upcoming deposition at the Compound so the meeting had to be postponed until tomorrow. He had picked up Connor and Ellie and drove to the Compound to get the paperwork and then try to get some work done at home even though he knew that would be next to impossible. Maybe he should have taken up Aiden and Nora's offer to babysit.
"Dad are we there yet?" Connor asked from the back seat.
"Yeah buddy, remember what I told you don't wander off and stay close to me." Sam said.
"Okay." Connor said unbuckling himself before going to unbuckle Ellie.
Sam quickly opened the door and took the baby out of her seat and helped Connor out of the car. They walked into the compound and scanned the security badge before walking toward the offices. As they passed by the common room they heard a very familiar voice.
"Since you're here you're staying for girls night." Wanda said happily.
"Don't really have much of a choice do I?" Younger Nora said. Sam's eyes widened when he realized that wasn't the same Nora he had seen earlier that day. Her hair was longer and she had bangs, the last time he saw that haircut was right after Connor was born.
"No." Natasha and Wanda answered at the same time.
"I figured, since I'm here how about I bake us some cookies." Younger Nora offered.
"Cookies!" Connor cheered before running into the common room and tackling his aunt with a hug.
"Oh." She said surprised and looking down to look at Connor. "Hey Buddy." She said before hugging him back.
"Nora?" Sam said as he walked in holding Ellie in his arms.
"Sam?" She said surprised.
"Nowa!" Ellie said loudly as she reached for her aunt. Nora smiled and reached over and took her in her arms.
"She said my name." Nora said happily.
"Yeah, it was one of her first words. What are you doing here?" Sam said.
"Me what are you doing here?" She said.
'Of course she doesn't tell me until a few months ago who her dad is' Sam thought.
"Your dad hired me as a legal advisor. How old are you?" He said.
"Just turned nineteen two days ago. You know about Dad?" Nora asked.
"Yeah, found out a few months ago, thanks for waiting to tell me?" He said sarcastically.
"I didn't want to put you guys in danger. People around dad tend to have targets on their backs." She said.
"Yeah I know, Just would've been nice to know not get caught by surprise."
"How did you…" Nora started.
"No, don't answer that. No interfering with the timeline remember." Wanda said.
"Right." Sam said.
"I got to head back to work. Come on Connor." Sam said.
"But dad, your office is so boring. And Auntie Nora's making cookies." Connor whined.
"Connor," Sam started,
"Sam its okay, I'll watch the kids. You go finish whatever you're doing." Nora said.
"But what if you…" He said referring to the time jumps.
"We'll be here." Natasha answered.
"Are you sure?" Sam said.
"Of course, Come on Connor, lets make some chocolate chip cookies." Nora said guiding her nephew towards the fridge.
"Save me some' Sam called out as he left.
"Don't count on it." Natasha said.
Connor and Nora started on the mix while Wanda and Natasha kept Ellie entertained.
"Auntie Nora, what are you drinking?" Connor asked.
"It's wine, sweetie." Nora answered.
"What's it taste like?" he asked.
"It's kind of like grown up grape juice." Nora said making Natasha and Wanda snort. Nora was great with kids even though she hadn't been expecting to se Connor she adapted. Natasha and Wanda observed their interactions and saw that as much as Nora had changed the one thing that never changed was how much she loved her niece and nephew.
"Can I have some?" He asked.
"Not some of this one but how about I get you some of that grape juice from the fridge." Nora offered.
"Yes please." He said. She went over and poured him cup.
"I don't need a top, I'm a big boy." He said.
"Okay." Nora said laughing a bit.
After the cookies were done she made Natasha and Wanda Pizookie sundaes and kept a few on the side for Sam.
"I'll be back in a bit, just going to leave these with Sam. Mind keeping an eye on Ellie?" Nora asked looking at the little sleeping angel.
"Of course not but do you know how to get there?" Wanda asked.
"I'll show you Auntie Nora." Connor said getting up and pulling Nora towards the door. He was still holding a cup of grape juice. Apparently it was his favorite.
Nora followed himdown a hallway following Connor who was running ahead. Little did they know that Sharon had gotten the alert of a code Cronus and rushed to get to Steve before he ran into Nora and completely forgot about their date. 'There was no way she was going to let Nora ruin this too' Sharon thought. Just as she was turning she bumped into someone and felt something splash all over the front of her white dress.
"Ah, My dress." She shrieked. "Look at what you did you stupid brat." She said.
"I-I'm Sorry." Connor said scared and on the verge of crying.
"You just ruined my dress." She said. She was furious that brat of Nora's ruined her dress. Everything that happened felt like it was happening in slow motion of Connor. He saw Sharon raise her hand and move about to hit him. Connor was shaking. He closed his eyes letting the tears stream down his face as he braced himself for a hit that never came. All he heard was a loud boom followed by a scream and when he opened his eyes he saw a glowing green energy surrounding him. He turned and saw his Aunt moving closer to him she looked furious and her eyes, they were glowing. He moved behind his Nora and saw the woman from before lying on the ground against the far wall.
"Ow! My arm!" Sharon yelled out as she clutched her arm to her chest. "What is wrong with you?" She sneered at Nora.
"Me, what the fuck is wrong with you that you think slapping a kid is okay?" Nora yelled her eyes getting brighter and her voice getting distorted into a terrifying snarl making Connor shake.
"H-He ruined my dress." She said looking terrified.
"I don't care if he ruined your dress or crashed your car. You never hit a kid. They make mistakes. It happens. If I ever see or hear that you tried doing that to my nephew or niece or any kid for that matter. That hand won't compare to what I'll do to you. Do I make myself clear?!" Nora said raising my voice again.
She just nodded. Still shaking and possibly going into shock. "Friday, can you get some medics here for her?" Nora said her voice returning to normal and her eyes returning to their normal color.
"They're on their way." Friday answered.
"Good." She said walking away. Connor was still shaking and was hugging her leg. When we were far away enough she stopped and kneeled down to check if he was okay.
"I-I'm s-s-sorry auntie." He said crying.
"Oh sweetheart. It wasn't your fault. It was an accident. Are you okay?" She asked as she wiped tears off his face.
He just nodded. "Connor listen to me. I'm not mad okay. Not at you anyway. No one should ever lift a finger to hit you or any kid. If that happens again tell me or tell your dad. Okay?"
"Okay." He mumbled before throwing himself at me. "I love you Auntie Nora." He said.
"Love you too buddy." She said. "Now come on, lets get these cookies to your Dad."
Connor led her to Sam's office where he was still buried in paperwork. She left the cookies and told him what happened. He was angry at the Sharon but was relieved Nora was there to stop her.
He still had a lot to do so Nora took Connor back to the common room. Connor was still a bit shaken up so she wanted to cheer him up.
"Hey Connor, you want a piggyback ride?" Nora asked.
He just gave her the biggest smile and hopped on her back.
As we were walking Connor just randomly said, "Your eyes are so cool."
"My eyes?" Nora said confused.
"Yeah, they're pretty and they were glowing back in the hallway." He said.
"My eyes were glowing?" Nora asked shocked to hear it.
"Yeah." He said "You're my hero Auntie."
"Aww sweetheart. Just for that you can have as many cookies as you want, hell I'll even make you another batch just for you." nora said, 'this kid makes my heart melt.' She said.
"Can you make peanut butter cookies?" He asked.
"I don't have a recipe but we can find one." Nora said.
"Okay, I'll help you clean." He offered.
'Damn, Jess and Sam raised him right.' Nora thought.
They walked back in and Wanda and Natasha were sitting on the couches.
"You two were gone a while." Wanda said.
There was a camera flash and Nora looked over and saw Natasha with a smirk holding a camera.
"Auntie Nora stopped a bad guy." Connor said. As she put him down.
"Really?" Wanda asked.
"Yeah, I'll tell you later." Nora said. Right then the chills started. "Shit." She said.
"What?" Natasha said.
"It's happening again." Wanda answered her.
"You're leaving?" Connor said.
"Yeah, I'm sorry sweetie. Let's take a rain check on those cookies okay?" Nora said.
"Okay." He said sadly. He gave his aunt a hug and pulled away just when the glowing started.
"Take care of them for me." Nora told Wanda and Natasha. They nodded and she disappeared.
A few seconds later Steve walked in. "Where is she?" Steve said.
"She's gone, what happened?" Natasha said.
"Nora attacked Sharon." Steve said,
Nora's POV-
I was in the middle of giving Wren a bottle hoping he'd go to sleep so I could put in a couple of loads of laundry when my phone rang.
"Hello." I answered.
"We need you at the compound. There's kind of a situation and we need you to clear up a few things." Natasha said.
"Can't I'm alone and I have Wren." I said. Suddenly Aya appeared.
"I'll go." She said.
"Are you sure?" I said.
"Yeah, do you have the cookies you made earlier?" Aya asked.
"The one's you asked for yeah, they're in the cabinet packed up to go. Didn't know you liked peanut butter cookies." I said.
"They're not for me, you're keeping a promise.," she said taking the plate of cookies before disappearing.
"Yeah Nat, Aya's on her way she'll clear up everything," I said as Wren burped. "I gotta run I think Wren just spit up."
"She's here, thanks Nora." Natasha said before hanging up.
Third Person's POV- Avengers Compound
Aya appeared in the common room of the compound just as Natasha noticed her and ended the call. Wanda was sitting on the couch with Ellie and Connor who was sniffling a bit. Wanda was trying to comfort him by showing some of the tricks Nora had taught her.
Aya walked closer before kneeling down to Connor's height.
"Hey, These are for you." Aya said. "Your aunt made them for you."
"Peanut butter cookies?" Connor asked as he opened the plate Nora had packed the cookies in.
"Your Aunt always keeps her promises." Aya said with a small smile.
"Thank you for saving me Auntie Aya." Connor said surprising Aya with a hug. Aya looked shocked before she gently patted Connor's back and he let her go.
"I need to clear some things up. Stay here and wait for your dad alright?" Aya said. 'If my siblings could see me now…' She thought.
"Yes Auntie." Connor said taking a bite of a cookie. Aya stood up and walked over to Natasha and followed her to an office where Steve was sitting down.
"Nora wha-" Steve started but Aya shut him up.
"I'm Aya you idiot." She said making her eyes glow. "How is it that after all these years you still can't tell us apart?"
"Aya…" Steve said angrily. "Where's Nora and can you tell me why she attacked Sharon?"
"Who told you that? Oh wait… of course it was Sharon. Are you ever going to grow a brain cell or two and stop believing everything anyone tells you? Nora didn't attack Sharon not that she didn't deserve it but no, Nora's to honorable and wouldn't stoop to that." Aya said.
"Then what happened? All Connor said was that Nora saved him." Natasha said.
"I'll show you." Aya said putting two fingers on Steve and Natasha's foreheads. Aya showed them exactly what had happened from the moment Nora arrived until she left. When she ended the vision Natasha looked ready to go commit murder and Steve was furious.
"Rogers, if I see that… I will kill her. Either keep her away or even better kick her out of the tower." Natasha said.
"Nat you know I can't do that, it's not right." Steve said.
"Neither is hitting a kid." Natasha said. "Deal with this or I will." With that Natasha stormed out.
"Unless you have more…" Aya was interrupted by a knock on the door followed by the Sharon herself walking in.
"Steve I… What is she doing here?!" Sharon shrieked.
"Tying up loose ends." Aya answered with her voice distorted and her eyes glowing making Sharon scream.
"Aya." Steve said.
"Couldn't resist, Unless you need anything else I'm leaving." Aya said.
"Thank you and apologize to Nora for me, tell her I'll call her later." Steve said.
"I'll just tell you so you don't waste your time she's not going to answer." Aya said before leaving.
"W-what was that?" Sharon said.
"Aya, the one that gave Nora all her powers." Steve said. "What do you want?"
"I-I just wanted to talk to you. I was so scared Steve." Sharon said.
"You should have been. If it had been anyone else you did that in front of you'd be dead." Steve said making Sharon cry "and you know what I probably wouldn't have stopped them. You tried to hit a kid Sharon! What is wrong with you?!"
"Stevie you're scaring me." Sharon cried.
"I don't care, I don't even want to look at you right now. Get out of my sight." Steve said.
"Steve." Sharon said.
"NOW!" He shouted.
She ran out of there crying. This was not how this night was supposed to go. They were supposed to go to dinner, talk and end things then Steve would start working on trying to win Nora back. Now he had this mess to deal with, and the trial tomorrow. Nothing was going his way.
Nora's POV- The Next Morning
The past few weeks I had woken up dreading what the day would bring but today, today was going to be a great day. I got out of bed and showered before getting dressed in grey pencil skirt and a white top and blazer. I also wore another white wool coat on top and a pair of heels. My hair was parted to the side and curled. All in all I looked awesome.
.
I walked to Wren's room where he was already awake. I picked him up and changed his diaper before getting him changed for the day. Natasha and Wanda were coming over to babysit. I headed downstairs where Aiden was already up and making breakfast.
"Morning." He greeted.
"Morning, isn't it a beautiful day?" I said.
"You're in a good mood." Aiden said.
"How can I not? The suns out, my son has the cutest smile, my brother is making my favorite breakfast foods and if all goes according to plan today's the last day of the trial." I said.
"We should have a party after this is all over." Aiden said.
"We should but first, I'm going to fight for my old job back. If this all goes according to plan the hospital will have no choice but to reinstate me." I said. "Then we celebrate."
"Of course." He said with a smile. Natasha and Wanda arrived shortly afterwards and we went to meet Sam at the courthouse. If I was in a good mood it didn't compare to Sam.
"Morning." Sam said with a huge smile. He picked me up in a hug and gave me a dramatic kiss on the cheek. "Have I ever mentioned how happy I am you're in my life?"
"I thought it was a given." I said.
"We're having a party." Aiden said.
"Sweet, I'll call the sitter." Sam said. "I love the American court system."
"You are such a nerd." Aiden said with a smirk.
"Lunch after?" I suggested.
"Oh yeah." Sam said right before we headed in. Sharon shot me a glare and I smirked as I saw the cast she was wearing on her arm.
"All rise the honorable Judge Erikson now presiding." The bailiff said.
We all stood up and the judge walked in and sat down.
"Good morning everyone, councilors please approach the stand." The judge said.
Sam and Sharon's lawyers approached and Sam handed the judge the files and all the other documents then they both sat down.
"The opposition has failed to present any actual evidence. All their proof is purely circumstantial and the court's investigation has not found anything conclusive that merits a trial. In the time allotted the opposition has not presented anything while the defense has not only disproven any accusations against them but they have also made us aware of information that the opposition has failed to disclose. Miss Carter, are you aware that following the released of all unredacted SHIELD documents they can now be used as evidence in court no matter what type of documents they are?" the judge said and Sharon paled.
"N-no your honor. I can assure you that my work for SHIELD was all sanctioned." Sharon said.
"Yes It was but can you please tell me why you failed to mention you were in a relationship with one of your co-workers a Brock Rumlow, the very same Brock Rumlow that now goes by the name Crossbones and was responsible for several acts of terrorism including the bombing that caused the death of your unborn child?" The judge said. The crowd was in uproar and the Jury gasped. Even Sharon's lawyer was glaring daggers. She really did forget to disclose that to everyone?
"Your honor my client can assure you that that relationship was short lived and nothing came of it." Sharon's lawyer said.
"A relationship that lasted six months, during which times Miss Carter lived with a known terrorist for one month before Mr. Rumlow filed a restraining order and your client was forced to take leave for her obsessive and delusional behavior after she publically attacked various of her coworkers and actually sent one to the hospital?" the judge said.
"Those were supposed to be classified!" Sharon shouted.
"Quiet." The judge said.
"That bitch and her…" Sharon started. She picked a really bad day to have an outburst. I decided that if Sharon was going to play dirty, I would move to have the press allowed into the court room.
"Enough one more outburst and I shall hold you in contempt of court." The judge said and Sharon's lawyer pulled her back into her seat. This is so much better than reality TV. I can see why Sam loves his job.
"Your honor given the oppositions lack of defense and recently disclosed facts I would like to move to have the case dismissed on grounds of a mistrial." Sam said.
"Your honor I object." The opposing side said. Dud was totally going to get fired for all the bad press he was getting his firm.
"Over ruled." The judge said. "Motion granted. All charges against Nora Eliana Stark are dismissed…"
"You can't do that she's a murderer." Sharon shouted. Wow the cameras were getting all of this. The counter suit was going to go awesome.
"Miss Carter, you are to be held in contempt of court. Bailiff take her away." The judge said.
"You can't do this!" She shouted as she was dragged out.
"You are all dismissed." The judge said hitting the gavel and we stood up. The press was going crazy shouting at me for a statement. We were escorted out and the lawyer from Hogarth Chao and Benowitz was notified so he could make a statement.
"Nora." Steve called after me but I ignored him. I was having a good day I wasn't going to let him ruin it. We got into the car Dad had sent for us. We were quiet for a minute before we started laughing.
"We did it." I said.
"It's finally over." Aiden said.
"Yeah." Sam said. "We did it!"
"You're the best lawyer in the freaking world!" I cheered as I hugged him. "I couldn't have done this without you Sammy. Thank you. And thank you, for staying with me through this entire shit show," I told Aiden.
"What's family for?" he said with a grin before laughing. "Did you see the look on her face?"
"That's meme worthy." I said and we laughed.
"Lunch?" Sam said.
"Somewhere nice with some champagne." I said.
"I know just the place." Aiden said.
Third Person's POV- Bucharest, Romania
It had been a quiet day. Bucky had just finished paying his rent and decided to take the day to run errands. He was walking by an electronics' shop when he saw all the TV's were turned to the same news channel. It was showing a courtroom with a very familiar brunette. There was a blonde woman shouting and being dragged out.
Nora looked just like Bucky remembered. She looked confident and strong. The press were going crazy and then he saw the face of someone he thought was long Dead. The man who killed Nora and who he had snapped his neck was standing next to her and whispered something into her ear. He put an arm around her and shielded her from the press as they made their way out. Bucky felt like someone had just dumped a bucket of ice water on him. Why… how was he there?
"All charges against Miss Stark has been dropped but the trial has raised many eyebrows and people are asking themselves is it at all possible Sharon Carter have links to the terrorist known as Crossbones? Many are calling for an investigation into her past. That's all for now. This has been Christine Everhart with Real News" With that the report ended.
Bucky looked at the video of Nora one more time before going on his way.