A/N: Another Marvel story not particularly set in any given time. It's primarily gen and friendship between these great shows/movies.
Warnings: There is the occasional swear word. Also this story is unbeta'd so future apologies for any grammatical mistakes.
Disclaimer: I do not own Marvel and make no money from writing this.


New York wouldn't exactly be at the top of Darcy's list for places she'd want to live. The pros (the iconic sites, the peek window shopping experiences, the freaking avengers musical!) did not outweigh the negatives (outrageous expenses, overcrowded, and 90% chance of getting hit by a flying taxi or villain of the month), Seriously she wasn't even present at the Chitauri invasion, but she had seen when Thor's evil elf villain's army invaded, and how bad that had gone over. Safe to say she wasn't exactly thrilled when her job relocated her. But jobs will do what jobs will do.

Through some ingenuity, advertisement, and a little luck Darcy managed to find a roommate to share an overpriced apartment with. It was like college all over again. Her new roommate was a surgeon Dr Christine Palmer (different doctor then her insert Star Trek joke) and reminded her so much of Jane that it was heartwarming and a little scary. Speaking of Jane she really should text the woman to check in. She hadn't dropped a line in awhile.

Christine was definitely a little better at being a functioning adult though. She had Jane and even Darcy beat. She was smart, kind, and supposedly really good at her job. If Darcy's appendix ever burst, she knows who she's calling or getting a reference from. The only mystery was when Darcy asked about her love life. Christine got this distant sad look (just like Jane used to get) for a few seconds before masking it up and telling her there wasn't anyone in the picture. Apparently someone was in the picture, but Darcy would leave that box alone at the moment.

After all the craziness with Westview she wouldn't mind trying to get back to a semi-normal routine. A little too much to ask when she looks up ice cream pint to see an air fight happening right outside her window. "What the hell?" She said as she set the pint down on the coffee table and moved closer to investigate.

Opening the window she finds four figures fighting on two very large flying hover-boards. Two of the figures are dressed entirely in black with ski masks and the others look like Spiderman and a girl in purple swinging a bow.

"Well this makes it easy to know which side to root for. You got this team colors!" She yelled watching, as the purple girl got thrown off but quickly launched a grappling arrow and swung to a fire escape a few levels higher than her window. She then proceeded to shoot another arrow that covered the guy she had been fighting in some purple jello stuff?

She watched Spiderman knock his guy off, web him up to stop him from falling, throw another web to the jello trapped guy who fell off his board and trap everything in a series of webs near the ground. He then quickly made his way back to the purple girl who was kneeling on the fire escape. Darcy leaned out further to listen.

"Hey you okay?!" Spiderman sounded pretty worried.

"Yeah, yeah I'm fine but I think that knife got me deeper than I thought. It's still bleeding through."

"Here," A quick whip sound was heard. "I think that should stop the bleeding until we can get someone to stitch you up."

"Shit...Clint still hasn't taught me that yet. Can you do it?"

"Me?!"

"Yeah! You must have done it loads of times by now, and everything's kinda gone kaleidoscopish by now. It definitely can't be me, and the hospital is clearly out."

Darcy had heard enough at this point. "Hi!" Catching sight of how she startled them and turned to look down at her. "You know I might be able to help with that or at least my roommate can. Personally I hate needles. But she's a surgeon so who better to take care of that for you well apart from a doctor but you said the hospital was out."

Both hesitated before the arrow girl groaned. "Alright sounds good to me." Before whispering something to Spiderman that Darcy couldn't make out.

"Cool, cool. I'm gonna go ahead and leave the window open for you guys to get through. Then I need to go get my roommate." More like wake her up but Darcy could risk her wrath. She had actually yet to see it, but she got the feeling it'd be like witnessing an angry jigglypuff.

Creeping closer to the bed she gently shook Christine's shoulder feeling a little bad since she had only been asleep two hours. But she already made the offer, and it for sure wasn't going to be her that went out there and played at doctor.

"Hheeyyyy," She said in a sing-song voice. "Rise and shine oh angel of music. You're needed in our living room."

"No I'm not," Christine mumbled back lazily lifting a hand to push the one Darcy had been using to gently shake her. "Go away and take your phantom opera references."

"Sorry, I can't do that. Especially the first unless you want our place to reek of my lunch when I hurl it back trying to stitch up a wound close."

That prompted Christine to open her eyes and sit up." You hurt?" She asked while rubbing the sleep away.

"Not me but a pair of superheroes are and I kinda already promised you'd help. Please? Do this and I'll take dish duty for the rest of the week."

"That's really enticing when you'll probably just use paper plates for the two days that's left of this week." She muttered but was already climbing out of bed. "I'll be right out. Get the kit ready and let me put a sweatshirt on."

"Great! I'll grab that and get better acquainted with our guests."

Christine waved her off muttering under her breath once more.

Back in their shared living room she found Spiderman and the archer sitting on the floor with their backs to the couch carrying on an intense whispered conversation that cut off when she reappeared. Curious but she wouldn't ask, she didn't even have to raise an eyebrow at their choice of spot as Spiderman explained they didn't want Kate's (finally a name!) blood to stain anywhere nice.

"Dude it's fine. That's genuine fake leather it would wipe off now if it were suede. That's a different story, but I would never buy a suede couch. How tacky." Grabbing all of the supplies from their tiny multipurpose closet along with the giant first aid box. How nice it was finally getting some use for the first time. Seeing as they stayed where they were Darcy sighed and threw a couple of towels on the couch.

"There the couch is now protected, come and join it. It's semi-new and could still stand to be broken in a bit."

Spiderman helped Kate stand before walking her to the couch to sit down. He then went to stand in a spot next to her that was out of the way. Darcy tried to hide her grimace once she caught sight of Kate's wound. Spiderman seemed alright though and apart from the slash. Kate only seemed a tad banged up, but the knife wound was distracting.

It was weird she could watch walking dead and horror movies all day but real life blood, gore, and needles turned her stomach. She came too at Spiderman's light voice. "Miss?"

"Oh yikes a no to that. But that's on me for not introducing myself. My name is Darcy and my roommate is Christine."

"Who feels just delighted that's going to be treating complete strangers in her home on two hours of sleep." Christine said as she finally came out in sweats and Columbia sweatshirt even though she didn't go there.

"Oh come on, how could you say no to these faces?" Darcy interjected, waving a hand at said faces. Granted you couldn't see Spiderman's face but she had a feeling it was adorable, if his voice matched his face. Kate was trying to smile encouragingly, not quite succeeding due to the pain.

Christine let out a hum snapping on a pair of gloves. "And who usually treats your wounds when you get hurt or severely injured?"

"I uh," Spiderman spoke, taking the lead first. "Have what's called a healing factor meaning I heal at an accelerated rate. So I usually don't need a doctor. Plus I wouldn't really even be able to afford one even if I could. My job is um not that great."

Both Christine and Darcy's mouths dropped open, before Darcy thought about it. That made sense and in this economy she'd definitely do the same. Not that she'd be out there especially in spandex.

"You've...never had anyone treat your injuries? Not even the most critical ones?"

Spiderman looked away and carefully formed his answer. "I used to. Not anymore."

Taking that in as a subject not meant to push Christine turned the question to direct at Kate.

"Well I haven't been doing this very long. But Clint usually patches me up if he's in town and I get hurt or Yelena. Otherwise I just take care of it myself. Though there was this one time that led to my trust issues with hospitals. I was in a really bad state, like the worst I've been in, and one of Kingpin's henchmen paid off my nurse to inject a lethal dose of painkiller into my system. Honestly..if it hadn't been for Jack walking in as she was apologizing/admitting it, I wouldn't be here. So safe to say that's the last time I'm going back to one. Clearly it's better to take my chances otherwise."

Now Darcy and Christine were officially speechless including Spiderman who offered a quiet. "Holy shit."

"That's. I can't believe...How could anyone?!" Christine appeared too angry for words and just shook her head opting instead to get started on her task. "Let me see what we're working with."

Spiderman snapped into action grabbing a spray from inside Kate's bag and dissolving the web that had been holding the gash together. When Christine pulled up Kate's shirt, Darcy only barely held in a retch and quickly turned around. 'God she could not be a superhero unless her work involved justice through hacking she couldn't handle the dirtier aspects of the job.'

"You know I still remember how well Thor's first hospital visit went." Inclining her head at Spiderman. "Spoiler Alert he threw a lot of people into the walls, before they finally tranquilized him."

"You know Thor?"

"Oh yeah we go way back to when he first landed on Earth." She smiled in fondness at the memory. "Unfortunately he was really freaking us out when he got here, so I tased his ass when he got too close."

"Whoa."

She sidled closer to Spiderman, keeping her back to the couch. "So...S.W.O.R.D or Stark enterprises ain't covering you guys with any type of insurance? Because that seems like an oversight."

"Umm...not to my knowledge. I've never even heard that mentioned before."

Darcy shook her head. "I mean S.W.O.R.D makes sense because you have Agent Dickhead running it who's more concerned with perfecting weapons of defense and destruction then what the organization should be about. But I figured with the ties Stark." Not seeing Spiderman's tiny flinch. "had to the Avengers you'd think something would be set in place for you guys." Then again after the blip there's still a lot system wise that needs a lot of work. People that were still trying to get paperwork and their lives in order after being gone for five years. Housing and job displacement, etc.

"There all done." Christine cut in, which was Darcy's cue to turn around once more letting out a relieved sigh at the banged skin before the bloody purple shirt covered it.

"You'll want to keep them covered 24 to 48 hours. Please leave the area alone and don't cut the ends. After that you'll want to clean it carefully using soap and water. Keep an eye out for any signs of infection like redness, swelling, or pus. Wait at least a day before taking a shower and try to take showers instead of baths. Limit the amount of activity you do as you actually rest and let your body heal. In a week or two I should be able to remove them. Please don't attempt to do that yourself, we see enough of that to know it almost always needs to be fixed when that happens."

Darcy piped up. "Pretty sure that's going to be you then because it sounds like the hospital is out as an option for both of them."

Kate was looking down at her stomach. "What happens if I just pull them out? Like what are you going to do differently?"

Christine didn't respond, merely letting out a soft sigh. "Just come back here." before turning to Spiderman to address him. "You too if you run into that you need help with patching up."

He answered surprised to be included. "Oh! That's really kind of you but with my healing factor. I don't usually stay banged up for too long. So you don't have to worry."

"Just please. Keep it in mind or feel free to come to Metro-General Hospital. I can try to help you work something out with the finance office. I don't like the thought of you no longer getting treatment of some sort.

"...Thanks. I appreciate your offer."

Kate straightened her shirt, smoothing it over. "Well this has been a crazy night but I think my bed is calling, provided all those guys in black have all been caught."

"No activity." Christine reminded her.

"Fine," Turning her head slightly to address Spiderman. "Anyone we see is all yours."

"That will put me ahead of your score. But since you're temporarily out of play I won't count them." He answered with just a hint of humor peeking through.

Kate rolled her eyes. "You're so generous."

Christine shot Darcy a confused look but Darcy shook her head. She hadn't a clue what the hell they were talking about. Kate took Spiderman's hand up and the two made their way towards the window before Darcy stopped them.

"Wait!"

She ran and snatched off a piece of paper from the fridge and grabbed a pen writing down her name and number.

"In case you need to come here again or want to stay in touch. Thor never really got the whole email thing, but I think in the future we can trade some pretty cool stories. Or if you ever want to swing by for some extra food because," turning to Spiderman. "No offense dude I heard your stomach growling like 3 times tonight."

"Oh...I'm sor-"

"No, no that's not why I said it. I just mean we always have plenty. So it's not a big deal."

"Her boyfriend is a really good cook." Christine added while tidying up the supplies and picking up the towels to throw in the wash. Darcy nodded.

"It's true. If he ever leaves the FBI, I'm pretty sure that he could make a career as a Michelin chef. But seriously open standing invitation. Just try to give us a heads up first."

"Major heads up would be appreciated."

Kate gave a tired grin but nodded her appreciation. Spiderman also thanked them again before grabbing hold of Kate tightly and diving off the fire escape. The two watched them descend, before another web was thrown.

"Well I'm also heading back to bed. See ya in the morning."

Whatever Darcy was expecting in terms of an after reaction, it certainly wasn't that. "What? That's it? No lecture about my impulsive offer to feed and patch up rogue superheroes in our top floor apartment?"

Darcy wasn't prepared for Christine to answer back with a soft smile. "It sounds like they could use it. Just take care of the food part and I'll handle the patching up one."

"Oh fantastic. If Jimmy doesn't have me covered, I'm excellent at ordering takeout."

"Oh my gosh. I'm too tired for the scurvy lecture right now. Goodnight."


It had been a few weeks, and Darcy was beginning to think that seeing the two would be a one time thing. Which was fine, they weren't obligated to come here. But hey she was an extremely cool and fun person! Who wouldn't want the chance to hang out with Dr. Lewis? Okay brain dial down on the self ego boost which happened when she got to mention her occupation and was no longer an intern.

Tonight had all the makings of a great night with classic Italian, trash TV, and of course Jimmy sitting next to her finally out of his FBI uniform. Even though he worked that uniform. She took another bite of the homemade pasta Alfredo that he had made and nearly moaned. Perfection. Darcy was so focused on her plate that she nearly missed the next part of the confessionals.

"Oh come on!" Darcy complained, unable to believe what she was seeing. "She clearly is on the show for the money. She doesn't love either one of you! You guys deserve so much better!"

She heard Jimmy let out a quiet chuckle. "How does this always get you fired up?"

"I can't help it! It's a problem I have where I get ridiculously invested in way too many shows." I mean you watch one pilot and before you know it you find yourself on an 8 season journey where you laugh and cry with every step your favorite characters take. "And funny enough I don't even like any of these people, but I can already tell 3 of them deserve way better than the fame hungry narcissists they are settling for."

Darcy would have continued to rant more, but her phone chimed a text notification titled 'Incoming!' from Kate followed closely by a loud thud at their window as two bodies hit it.

"What was that? Was that a bird?" Jimmy cried out in mild alarm right next to her on the couch amidst their latest binge session.

"Nope, not a bird hun. Well actually…kinda a baby hawk."

Moving to open the window quickly to let the two inside and both curious and dreading what the urgency was. Christine had a late night shift at the hospital and therefore wasn't expected to get off for a few hours. She didn't know what first aid field training Jimmy had, but she guessed they would find out. The answer became clear very quickly, as the two tumbled in. Spiderman sprawled out on the floor, and Kate moved quickly to sit next to him.

"Oh my God." Darcy recoiled from the clear unnatural and dislocated shoulder Spiderman was sporting.

"It needs to be reset." Kate relayed stating the obvious. "But I've tried and I can't shift it back into place. The two times I tried I only caused more pain." The last part she was unable to hide the guilt there.

"It's...not your...fault." Spiderman got out from what sounded like clenched teeth. Simultaneously Kate and Darcy turned to Jimmy who after a moment got it and let out a soft sigh before squatting down next to Spiderman.

"Darcy please get a towel for him to bite down on." Waiting until she had fetched and thrown it to him. Spiderman lifted his mask enough to bite down, not even bothering to argue likely knowing he'd need it. "Good alright now this is going to hurt." Placing his hands on the guy's shoulder and waist to get the proper leverage. "Now on the count of -" Jimmy shoved at the meat of his shoulder forcing it back in place with a pop. Spiderman let out a scream through the towel. Kate was murmuring encouragement and petting his hair.

Jimmy stood up to stand next to Darcy who looked at him. "Nobody actually waits for three anymore do they?"

"I've been told it helps to take the surprise angle."

"That...depends on...who you ask." Spiderman said panting slightly after having spit out the towel. "Holy shit that sucked."

"On the bright side it's over. And we busted a drug deal and an arms deal So not a bad night." Kate replied, gathering up her equipment from where it had fallen.

"Sure you guys don't want some food before you go? It's Italian night here at our place to which Jimmy always goes overboard."

Said man flushed slightly rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. "Well to be fair we both love Italian. So it eventually gets eaten."

As if on cue Spiderman's stomach growled and Kate looked gobsmacked taking in their island counter. "Holy crap. Thick garlic bread and artichoke dip? Yes I'm in!" Wasting no time in rushing over to the Island before stopping and giving one last questioning stare before pouncing Jimmy just smiled and nodded his assent, while Darcy laughed and echoed a 'Go for it.'

Spiderman was a bit more hesitant before asking one last time if it was okay.

"If you don't, Jimmy's going to feel incredibly offended that you don't like his cooking and go into an existential crisis."

"Jimmy will not do that and doesn't appreciate this slander." The man said dryly but couldn't help wrapping an arm around Darcy. "But he would feel better, if you had something before you go. My mom always said food was meant to be shared."

Taking their answers for what they were, Spiderman finally peeled back up the mask so his mouth was uncovered. He then grabbed a plate and began piling it up starting off small before adding a bit more when he saw how much Kate had grabbed. Darcy resumed her spot on the couch and cleared off the coffee table in case the two wanted to put their plates there.

"If you want to join us over here we're watching this new reality TV show called Love Triangles."

"Well that sounds terrible," Kate admitted with a grin coming over and settling on the floor near Darcy. "Let's do it."

Darcy gave her a finger gun before grabbing the remote and pressing play.

"What's even the premise?" Spiderman asked, wandering closer.

"Saddle in because it's a long complicated explanation. So first of all there's this triangle I know duh right? But they have to..."

They only managed two episodes before the two had to head out again, but still Darcy was happy with the progress they were making. The next time they came in made her realize how important her offer was to them.


On a night where they both happened to be home due to Christine being off no text came through. Their heads up for the two coming was a metal sphere thrown through their window before the two shortly came through the broken window remains as well landing in a heap on the floor. Darcy and Christine both screamed, surprised and afraid.

"What is happening?!" Christine demanded in a high pitch note that reeked of stress.

"And who's chasing you?" Darcy added hand reaching for her taser that was never far from her.

"No one." Spiderman wheezed out, but it was then that the two women finally took in what was wrong. Both were still on the ground not moving and appeared to have a hard time catching their breath. Spiderman clarified in the next second, when he got out the words. "Possible...poison gas...can't ….breathe."

Rushing to his side Christine asked in alarm, if he knew what type of gas it was. But he shook his head and no longer appeared able to answer the two really struggling for breath now.

"What do we do?!" Darcy asked in a panic looking to her friend and roommate to have all the answers. Christine 's reflected that same panic for a split second before being pushed down and contained. She whipped out her phone searching for a contact before pressing the call button. Darcy listened from her own place crouched down next to Kate trying to lift her head up and bit to see if that helped.

"Hi, I need a favor. Remember when you showed up and needed my help to save your life. It's your turn to help me. Can you do that thing you do and come to my new apartment? Like right now!"

Darcy had no idea what was going on, but she was intrigued especially with whoever was coming to help them.

It didn't take long before a series of gold sparks appeared in the middle of their living room that evolved into a spinning circle of gold that unfolded and opened to become a large portal in their space. A man strode out and immediately Darcy had some idea that this was an Asgardian sorcerer just like Loki only with a Tony Stark like goatee, and wearing a severe expression that somewhat softened once his eyes found Christine's and confirmed she was okay. He met her on the floor waiting for an explanation.

"It's some type of gas compound they inhaled, but I don't know what. And I'm afraid we don't have much time, if we don't get them to the hospital immediately. But they can't GO to one normally, so we-"

"Need an operating room and medical equipment to borrow and work without risking detection."

"Yes," Christine sighed in relief. The man's eyes watched the two on the ground a split second, before he stood up and quickly opened another portal. One that appeared to reflect an empty operating room. Once it was opened he picked up Spiderman, while the cloak detached from his shoulders sliding around and under Kate to pick her up.

"Whoa!" Darcy cried out in shock, pulling back not having been prepared for the sentient cape. 'What else could this guy do?'

Christine promptly moved inside the portal followed by the cape with Kate. However when Darcy moved to follow, the man blocked her by stepping in front.

"No. I will only allow Christine in because I trust her explicitly. I don't know or trust you. Therefore you will remain here."

"Rude but fine whatever. Just go save them!" Making shooing motions with her hands.

He nodded before stepping through and allowing the portal to close behind them. Darcy stared at the vanished portal a few seconds before walking to let herself fall back over the arm of the coach. Whoever that was likely was the missing picture guy she could grill Christine about later for now she just hoped he was enough to help them pull through.

After cleaning up the glass from their window that had scattered all over the floor, to pacing, to trying to work on a new research project, followed by more pacing, Darcy was never more relieved to have the front door open with her roommate settling her anxiety and worry with a calming smile that spoke of good news.

"They're going to be just fine with a bit of Stephen's magic. He wanted to talk to them and was going to make sure they got home."

Darcy couldn't help but raise an eyebrow in response. "Your ex-boyfriend sounds very strange."

At that she wasn't expecting Christine to immediately start giggling needing a few moments to compose herself. "Sorry it's just he is both literally and in just the general sense of the word. His last name is Strange."

"Oh wow...the abounding puns I'm going to have with this now."

The other woman shook her head smiling, before she realized something with a frown. "How did you know that he was my ex-boyfriend?"

"Chris, my music angel. Darling. I am very observant with people particularly in matters of the heart and from everything you've let slip especially when you got really drunk that one night. And the way he first looked at you, when he stepped out. It's kinda obvious."

Christine ducked her head a little before moving to take a seat next to her reclining fully on the couch.

"I have to say he seems like a bit of an ass though."

She could tell Christine was trying to fight a smile. "He can be yes." Darcy smiled back and nudged her arm.

"One day you'll have to tell me that whole story, especially the part where you save his life. You know if you don't mind sharing." She still wasn't sure how they split, but she got the sense it was messy or at least painful. Or well maybe not considering what she had seen tonight they seemed at least on good terms.

"Maybe." But sounding more like a definitely. Christine turned to the still destroyed window Darcy had tried to fix with duct-tape and towels. "Think we have a chance to talk the landlord into getting that fixed for us.

Letting out a snort Darcy replied. "Maybe if you tried. The man is immune to my charms. We should spin a really good story about this burglar that broke in to rob us but we fought him off with hairspray and bats. Unfortunately he got away and now we're left with this giant hole in our room or maybe this giant eagle flew in and-"

She felt Christine pat her thigh. "I'll come up with the cover story."

"Fine." It would probably be normal and boring but fine.


They got the window fixed, but Darcy worried that had scared off the young Avengers. (She had a knack for spotting her fellow millennials and also Gen Z's) They at least texted back when they could. So at least she knew they were still alive. Though it was a shame she didn't know where they lived so she could swing by and ask what was going on.

But having just gotten off the phone with Jane which was a nice catch up apart from: "You can't collect superheroes like they're pokemon and be on a first name basis with all of them." Darcy begged to differ that sounded like a challenge. So naturally already she was working on it.

But being in her apartment she was alone tonight. Both Jimmy and Christine were working, always clocking a lot more hours than her each week. It was a Friday night, and she was really feeling pizza and a movie tonight. However she wasn't in the mood for top notch quality cinema. Darcy really wanted to watch something campy and cute.

"Hmm Netflix, Hulu, or HBO Max, which of you is going to give me tonight's winner?" Scrolling through a vast selection of options. She stopped however when she received a text notification.

"Hi! We're at your window."

Darcy grinned and casually walked over to see two masked figures waving at her each holding a pizza box in their hands. She opened the window immediately to let them in. "Welcome guests with food. What have we here?"

"We didn't exactly know what you like. So we each took a guess." Kate explained opening hers up. "I got you meat lovers and Spidey got you cheese."

"I was playing it safe!" Not even opening his box. "I didn't want you to have to pick a million things off just in case."

"Aww," Darcy admitted, patting the counter-top for them to set them down on. "I'm actually a Hawaiian pizza girl. But! I like either option." She took a quick stock of the two, noting and pleased for the first time they had both come by without injuries. "Is this a quick drop off pizza and run type of visit or a I can stay and hang out for a bit one?"

They looked at each other even as Kate started to smile. "We'd like to stay awhile if that's okay. It's been a pretty slow night and we thought it would be fun to finally trade those stories."

"Um hell yes." Darcy agreed, grabbing plates, drinks, and cups for everyone. "I have been waiting to swap insane adventure stories for a while now. Who wants to go first?"

With Shield gone and Fury still off-world, there was a great lack of a hero/vigilant network. A problem Darcy recognized and was already working on as Jimmy, Christine, Monica and even Jane could attest to. A whiteboard with a series of names was written out and put in either one of two categories: know or haven't met yet.

Unfortunately she wasn't quite sure where to put Christine's asshole ex since she met him but didn't really know him. So she gave him his own category. With any luck she could eventually get them all to meet and exchange numbers. At least some of them might find it comforting to know that help could just be one call away.