Thirty Five

There were few times in life when Emily found herself wanting nothing more than to sleep in. After the other day's mess of events played out in the back of her head, sleep hadn't come easily. Most of that night had been spent staring up at the ceiling. The only sound she could hear was McCoy's snoring, which to her was music to her ears.

She wasn't about to rouse him from some much needed sleep even if she couldn't. After the hell they had been through aboard the Enterprise, it was the least he deserved. Besides, it wasn't as if they had anything important planned for the day. This was quite literally the first time in months they actually had the day off.

She held back a sigh of frustration as she buried her face further into the sheets, hoping to block out the sunlight filtering through the curtains. It wasn't even 0800 yet, but her mental alarm clock was going off. She finally gave up trying to sleep in when she realized it was pointless. Though that didn't mean McCoy couldn't sleep in.

Emily glanced at his sleeping form in amusement, not missing how much more relaxed he looked. She couldn't hide the smile that followed as she kissed him tenderly on the chest. She loved waking up to mornings like these. It amazed her at how quickly she was able to adjust to this sort of life.

I could get used to calling this home, she told herself.

She pushed those thoughts aside and quickly showered before putting on fresh clothes. Once that task was finished she grabbed their uniforms scattered along the room and tossed them into the wash. She was grateful they wouldn't need their uniforms for the next few days. After wearing them during the Battle of Vulcan and the trials, it was a relief to be back in civilian clothing.

Not that McCoy didn't look bad in medical blues… she had to admit, blue was a good color for him. She shook her head in amusement as she headed for the kitchen and started a fresh brew of coffee. The news was on seconds later, and all at once, she was reminded of how this mess started in the first place.

Not so long ago, Maria came up to her doorstep and told her that she was being reassigned. She couldn't help but frown as she recalled that less-than-happy memory. More so because it meant giving up everything she and McCoy had been working on. The only consolation she had was the fact that they still had each other, in spite of being forced apart once again.

McCoy hadn't given up on her, even after everything he learned about her past. She realized with a start that was why she cared about him so much. He was more than just her best friend. He had become an anchor for her when she needed someone to rely on. More important still was the fact that he looked out for her in a way she never expected.

Emily let out a heavy sigh as she poured herself a cup of coffee. She knew she would have to work on a few things just to make up for her earlier behavior. McCoy deserved that much. She glanced down at her com in surprise when a message was sent seconds later. The sender was from someone she hadn't expected to hear from for a while.

Ever since Tony settled down with Pepper, their lives had been a little more peaceful. Though Pepper would call her every now and then just to complain about something Tony did, and she would usually have to act as the mediator for their relationship problems. She almost smirked at the irony of it.

As if we don't have our own share of relationship problems, she snorted at the thought.

'Tony wanted you and McCoy to stop by the Tower this weekend. I figured you could bring another friend if you want, it's an informal party to celebrate the Tower's renovation.' — Pepper Potts

She wasn't surprised that Tony wanted to throw a party. He would look for any excuse to throw some wild party. Yet the idea of being reunited with the team left her heart wrenching with guilt and longing. It had been months since she saw everyone. And while their time together was short-lived, the familiar bond she'd felt hadn't faded.

She doubted Tony was the one who invited McCoy. He was still resentful over the way McCoy handled their relationship, and understandably so. Those were some of the few occasions when he and Clint actually agreed on something.

'I'm sure Leonard won't be too opposed to the idea if I word it carefully. Maybe I'll ask Kirk if he wants to join us; I don't think anyone from the Enterprise command crew will want to go.' — Coulson

Her lips pressed together when the news broadcast suddenly went over what happened at Daystrom yesterday. Between graduating classes to the trials regarding her parents, Emily wasn't sure what was worse. She watched the broadcast intently, not missing the fact that the reporters had gone into a detailed account of how her parents acted during the trial.

Her father's face was painted in a bad way. His reputation was forever soiled thanks to the trials. She realized with a start that this was like a breath of fresh air. Yet it also left her feeling guilty for being the one responsible towards ruining their lives.

It wasn't until hearing the sound of footsteps that Emily glanced at McCoy warily. His expression was impossible to read when he saw the broadcast for himself. But his thoughts were loud and clear. He'd been pissed after finding out just how extensive her father's abuse was. Her father was the reason she had been terrified of doctors.

Some of that fear stemmed from what happened at the SHIELD facility, but most of it was from her father's actions. His own father had worked for months to gain her trust and reassure her that he wouldn't hurt her. Even that wasn't enough for her to get over that fear.

"I'm glad your boss kept those files that Pa wrote years ago," he remarked after joining her at the kitchen table. Emily rose an eyebrow as he took a sip of his coffee. They'd fallen into a routine where one of them would brew a fresh pot in the morning depending on who woke up. Usually she was the first to wake, and McCoy had begun appreciating those mornings where it was just the two of them. "Lord knows how much evidence those assholes had stacked against them."

"I never imagined the trials would actually lead to this though," she admitted with a heavy sigh. She glanced at the holoscreen warily when an image of her father being taken away in handcuffs appeared. Her mother had gone quietly with the authorities. Fighting them would only lead to further chaos, and it was clear her mother wasn't in any hurry to face that sort of embarrassment. "At least my mother has some dignity."

McCoy threw her a wary look as he noticed she hadn't taken her eyes off of the holoscreen. Memories of her time aboard the Atlantis were rushing back. It was hard to forget something like that, even for a toddler. It was even harder for her since she had an eidetic memory. There were times when she wished she could forget instances like those.

"The only good thing is at least it's over," he rolled his eyes in exasperation. Emily couldn't hide the small smile that followed at that. She wished it was that easy. "How are you feeling after all of that?"

"Honestly, I'm not sure what I'm supposed to feel," she said quietly. She leaned into him as McCoy provided extra support for her. He knew something was bothering her, though she would never admit out loud until he pried her. "I know I should feel relieved that it's over with and they've finally been charged for everything they've done to me, but… there's a small part of me that feels guilty. As far as they were concerned, I was dead. Maybe they would've been better off with that knowledge."

His brows furrowed together in concern when she added that last part. The story SHIELD developed long ago had been eaten away by the press. By now most people believed that Emily Hayes had gone with the ship. Few realized that she was still alive thanks to David McCoy's handy work, and Coulson adopting her. He knew the signs of Stockholm syndrome, and it was clear she suffered from it.

"Your parents deserved all the shit this trial threw at them," he reminded her with a pointed look. Emily rose an eyebrow in surprise when he looked at her intently. "Look, I of all people should know what verbal abuse sounds like. And your pop is no stranger to that. You sure as hell deserved a better father and mother."

Emily wasn't sure what to say when he suddenly took hold of her hand and gave it a light squeeze. The sudden rush of affection and compassion swept through her like a tidal wave. And she relished the feeling. She let out a sigh of relief and kissed him tenderly on the cheek, knowing full-well he was so much more than her boyfriend.

"Whatever the case, I'm putting them behind me," she decided. "It's better not to dwell on the past, especially with them in mind."

"That's the spirit," McCoy remarked dryly.

Emily snorted in amusement and gave him a playful nudge.

"I also got a message from Pepper earlier this morning," she suddenly added. McCoy rose an eyebrow in surprise as she explained the situation. "You know how Tony is… he loves to throw parties in his name, whether it's with the team or not. I'm not entirely opposed to the idea of going, but I wasn't sure how you would react."

"Considering I have a target painted on the back of my head, I'm not surprised," McCoy rolled his eyes in annoyance. Though in their defense, most of that had been his fault. "I wouldn't mind going… Banner laid out some interesting reports I'd be happy to read. So long as Barton and Stark don't go getting any ideas as to how to treat a house guest."

She couldn't hide the sheepish grin that followed when she kissed him without hesitation. She knew he wasn't comfortable around Clint, and understandably so. The archer punched him squarely in the chest that day at the Tower. After the way McCoy treated her prior to that mess, she couldn't blame Clint for reacting the way he had.

"She wanted to know if Kirk wants to go as well," she said thoughtfully. "It could have been anyone else from Starfleet, but I'm not sure how they would feel being surrounded by strangers."

"You sure it's a good idea to bring him along?" he asked skeptically. "Last time didn't exactly end on a high note, and the two of you aren't on good terms."

"We aren't on good terms, but Kirk at least knows the team," she replied with a shrug. "Besides, it isn't as if we'll be seeing them again anytime soon."

McCoy frowned at that, though he didn't bother arguing when he realized she had a point. Once that was sorted out, she sent a message a to Kirk and they went about their daily lives. Today would be a day of relaxing and getting over the mess that occurred just hours ago. The weekend was when the real fun would begin.

.

.

When she first agreed to accept Tony's invitation, Emily had little to no idea what to expect from it. She knew it would be a smaller party compared to the ones he normally threw. Since the rest of the team was invited, it made sense for him to invite as few people as possible. She was also aware that this was likely a ploy to keep the team together. Tony rarely gave out free parties without some kind of consequence.

She and McCoy were currently staying at a hotel not far from Avenger's Tower. Kirk had also been given a room, much to his surprise and chagrin. Though he was one to complain when he realized how noisy his neighbors were. Emily almost snorted as she recalled how he'd tried knocking on their door a few times before finally giving up. That had been a particularly fun night, especially since McCoy was already riled up over the idea of being stuck with half of the team.

Tonight was no different as she found herself dressed in something fitting for the party. She'd chosen a grayish blue dress, strapless to her back. Though it showed some of her more intense scars, McCoy hadn't given a damn. The only thing he was concerned about was how revealing the dress was. And good Lord the things that dress was doing to him. He suddenly wished they had more time at the hotel room before they had to leave.

'Relax, cowboy,' she reminded him through their mental link. 'You can have your way with me when we get back.'

'Ya know, sometimes I think you enjoy torturing me,' he rolled his eyes in exasperation.

'Consider this a preview for tonight's show,' she replied with a knowing smirk.

McCoy's eyes were practically bulging when he realized what she was implying. Her suggestive wink was enough to turn him on as he kissed her without hesitation. His own outfit was something that turned her on. He'd chosen a button-down gray shirt, with the two top buttons opened, along with a green leather jacket and a pair of jeans. Civilian clothing suited him well in situations like these, and Kirk was no different.

They'd made a pit stop to another friend's place before arriving at the Tower. Julia Thompson was an old friend of hers, and one Emily had been able to keep in touch with throughout the years. Though their talks weren't nearly as frequent as they should have been recently, Emily still managed to get in touch with the brunette from time to time.

Her parents had been pleasantly surprised by her visit, especially when they saw McCoy with her. To Emily's surprise, Julia had gotten inspiration from her own story and enlisted in Starfleet. She was more than surprised with that notion – Julia hadn't shown the potential most first-year Cadets had to enlist. Yet she was also well aware the same thing could be said about herself.

"How is it that the two of you are able to keep in touch that way?" Kirk finally cut through the silence when he reached them.

He rolled his eyes in annoyance when he noticed McCoy's hands were wrapped around Emily's waist. She almost smirked at the sight, knowing full-well he was still uncomfortable around the fact that McCoy was so affectionate towards her. She found the whole thing all-the-more amusing after the trouble he'd caused over the last few weeks.

"If you had been paying attention that day the team was together you would understand how," Emily retorted without missing a beat. She smirked when Kirk scowled in annoyance at her subtle jab at his behavior that day. "I think this is one secret we can keep until you learn how to behave yourself."

"And here I thought Bones was the insufferable asshole," Kirk muttered with a shake of his head.

"Believe me, I can be ten times worse when I'm pissed off for all the wrong reasons," she chided him.

It only took Kirk a split second to realize she was teasing him. His eyes widened in surprise as he looked between herself and McCoy. McCoy just shrugged in amusement as they led the way towards the Tower, neither giving Kirk the chance to figure out what she meant by that. Emily was struggling not to smirk at his expense as she leaned into McCoy's side, relishing the warmth he had to provide.

Emily eyed the Tower itself in awe. The last time she had been there it was a mess. Since then Tony had redesigned it to look sleeker than ever, with the name 'Avengers' written across the Tower in bold letters. The landing pad up above was large enough to house a quinjet or a helicopter, something of which the team would likely take full advantage of.

On the first floor, which happened to be the main lobby, Tony turned the tower into a museum of some sorts. She rose an eyebrow as they walked inside, only to find memorabilia from the battle of Manhattan scattered along the main floor.

Her heart nearly skipped a beat when she saw one memorial in particular that left her mind spinning with unease and guilt. An image of Coulson was shown on a holoscreen, along with him standing alongside her, McCoy and his father. She was even more surprised that Tony had chosen that picture in particular. It was the picture they had taken when they went out on their hiking trip, and it was one of her happiest summer vacation memories.

"I miss them," she whispered when McCoy put a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"Your Pa would've been proud of what you've accomplished," he reminded her with a pointed look.

Emily allowed herself a rare smile as he kissed her cheek tenderly.

"David would be proud too," she whispered back. McCoy's eyes widened in surprise when she gave his hand a comforting squeeze. "I know how much he cared about you."

McCoy returned the gesture without missing a beat. Emily didn't miss the fact that Kirk's eyes widened when he saw her with Coulson and McCoy's family. She was so young at the time… they couldn't have been more than five at the time that picture was taken. What surprised him the most was seeing how well they had gotten along, even at that time.

Her arms were thrown over a younger McCoy in a playful manner, and McCoy himself was grinning from ear-to-ear. It was a side of McCoy that Kirk had never seen before, and he realized with a start why that was the case.

"The two of you were so cute as kids," he finally crowed.

"Don't even get me started on all the pictures I have of you when you were a kid," Emily retorted after brushing him off. "The agency may or may not have used them as blackmail."

Kirk's eyes went wide as moons when he realized what she was implying. But once again, he was also beginning to realize that she was joking. He cracked a rare grin himself as realization dawned on him. Being around McCoy made her softer… something of which he planned on taking full advantage of.

'Welcome Liaison Coulson, it is a pleasure to see you again under better circumstances,' Jarvis greeted her once they were past formalities. She smirked in amusement when Kirk's eyes widened to the size of moons once more while McCoy stuffed his hands into his pockets. He'd heard Jarvis on more than one occasion, so he wasn't a stranger to the AI running the Tower. 'Mr. Stark has ordered me to inform you and your guests that the main party is on the top floor of the penthouse.'

"Thanks J," Emily replied before glancing at Kirk. "That's Jarvis, which stands for Just A Rather Very Intelligent System. Tony's the one who designed the AI to pretty much run everything in his company and the suits."

"I didn't realize the two of you were such good friends," Kirk admitted as she led the way to the elevator.

On any normal occasion she would have gladly taken the stairs, and she had no doubt McCoy would have as well. But the Tower was over forty stories, and the penthouse was on top. She knew they would have busted lungs trying to get to the top, while she would have reached the top floor with ease.

"Tony's always been like a brother to me," she explained with a shrug. "We met when Papa was out on a business trip with his father, and we've been friends ever since."

Kirk rose an eyebrow in surprise when he understood what she meant by that. It was clear she meant so much more than just that explanation. Tony had been there for her when she needed a good friend. Like Clint, he was another shoulder to cry on when she was having a bad day. During her time apart with McCoy, they'd become even closer as a result.

"I really was an ass back then," Kirk shook his head in disbelief.

Emily glanced at him in surprise before sharing a knowing look with McCoy. She knew what he was referring to. His reaction to when the team had been together at the shawarma joint hadn't exactly gone over too well. Kirk never seemed to get over the fact that she and the team knew each other, or that she worked for SHIELD. But at least not he had a better understanding as to why she chose the agency over the Fleet at one point.

"I think we can safely assume that's behind us now," she said dryly. Kirk was ready to argue when she threw him a warning look. "Like I said before, I don't hold grudges. I've learned the hard way that nothing good comes out of them."

For a moment, Kirk was taken aback by the way her eyes seemed to glow with determination. He looked between her and McCoy, not missing the fact that they seemed to read each other so easily. He was only just beginning to wish that he had someone who was that close as a friend.

Fortunately it didn't take long for the elevator to reach its destination. Relief swept through Emily the moment they were led out to an extensive hallway. Doors leading to the main room where guests or the team could stay were scattered along the narrow corridor. Music played softly in the background as they made their way down the hallway and into the large penthouse that made up most of the space.

"Kiddo! It's about time you joined us," Tony was the first to greet her without hesitation, though his nose wrinkled in annoyance when he spotted McCoy and Kirk standing beside her. Emily smirked in amusement at the look that followed. "I thought I told Pepper not to send those extra invitations?"

"Even if she did, do you really think I would have listened?" she retorted with equal annoyance.

"No, probably not," Tony rolled his eyes in exasperation. Though that didn't stop him from pulling her into a bear-hug, earning a rueful glare from McCoy. "That dress is way too revealing for you. I've got something of Pepper's that you can try on; I'm pretty sure you're the same size—"

"Tony," she cut him off before he could finish his rant.

'Asshole doesn't know when to shut up, does he?' McCoy asked through their mental link.

"Right, backing down," Tony finally let out a sigh when he realized he was crossing the line.

Even he knew that McCoy wouldn't pull off any moves in front of the team. After the way Clint had punched him squarely in the chest, she understood his concern for the archer's reaction. Tony had threatened McCoy with something similar, but even he didn't stoop to that level. It only took some convincing on Emily's part to keep the genius from ripping McCoy's head off.

"Emily, it's good to see you again," Steve greeted her with a warm smile when he finally spotted her. She and McCoy had reached the bar within seconds, both ordering their favorite drinks in the process. Emily smirked in amusement when she caught the withering look that followed. "Stark's been talking about getting the team back together. Said he'd have enough space for everyone to stay at the Tower."

"Last time you were all together you were at each other's throats," McCoy pointed out gruffly.

'In their defense, it was a rather tense situation they were all thrown into without any warning,' she reminded him with a light squeeze.

"I'm not saying it's going to be easy getting along with everyone here," Steve admitted while giving Tony a look when he wasn't watching. "But I do know that we need to find Loki's scepter before it falls into the wrong hands. If we work together we have a better chance of finding it."

"Tell me this isn't your way of trying to convince me to stay?" she rolled her eyes in exasperation. By now, McCoy had wandered off to talk with Bruce about one of his research papers. Emily watched the scene in amusement, realizing with a start this was the first time McCoy had fit in with anyone from the team. "I've already made my choice perfectly clear."

"I think we're all aware of which path you chose," the Super Soldier reassured her with a knowing look. He glanced in McCoy's direction thoughtfully. "He really cares about you, doesn't he?"

"We care for each other," she replied with a shrug. She couldn't hide the small smile that followed as she looked at nothing in particular. "Leonard has always been my best friend, despite the crap we've pulled on each other. That isn't ever going to change."

Steve's brows furrowed together at that. He knew there was more to their story than what she let on. From what Clint had told him earlier that day, there was a time when they had been apart. She was a mess at the time, and it took more than a few months for her to recover from that heartache. He didn't bother pointing it out though, and Emily was grateful for the notion.

She let out a heavy sigh as she took a long sip of her bourbon before getting a good look at everyone around the penthouse.

She was surprised to find even Kirk getting along with Clint. The archer had reluctantly agreed to attend the party, even though it meant leaving his wife and kids behind for a short time. And the more she watched, the more she began to realize that everyone was getting along. And for the first time that evening, she could call this place home. Emily shook her head at the thought and went over to the balcony that overlooked the vibrant city.

Emily leaned over the railing as she held onto her half-empty glass. She knew a fall from that height would be devastating. There was a time when it would have been tempting. And it terrified her to know that she had been down that path before. She knew that those memories would always come back to haunt her. But now she had new memories to look forward to. And the more she thought about it, the more she began to appreciate what little time she had left with her family. Because she knew that sooner or later, it would be torn away from her.

AN: So this is the last chapter for this part; I am planning on adding the third part in, but it will take time for me to update everything throughout the story. With that being said, I won't begin posting that until probably the beginning of summer. Thank you to everyone who kept up with my story!