Tony felt a rush of excitement hadn't felt in years. This was a different kind of rush. You couldn't get this from sex or a drunken night out. He shot at some HYDRA goons, keeping cover of the Hummer as Steve drove, Clint in the back of the pick up portion of the truck, shooting at anything he sees.

Thor and hulk worked together to keep cover over the Hummer, Gage and TJ both had motorcycles, driving and keeping up with the Hummer.

Gage saw Quinn fly over head, taking out some baddies as he used his sword to clothesline a goon, slicing him in half. "Nice shooting princess, keep it up!" Quinn smiles in the helmet as she used both her feet to kick a guy down. "I learn from the best."

TJ was next to speak in the com. "Don't need to compliment me, I i know I'm a good teacher." He smirked, waiting for a reply as he shot at some hydra goons. Quinn rolled her eye. "Wow, so humble."

Tony spoke up. "Guys I think we're close to their base. I'm gonna fly ahead, Quinn your the eye in the sky now." "Got it Dad."

Tony moved in, landing on top of the castle, taking out the goons that were there. He flew inside the window carefully before ordering JARVIS to open the suit. He started typing, putting his USB into the computer to him. "Jay, scan for anything unusual. "

Jarvis scanned the room then spoke. "I believe I found a pathway behind that way." Tony smiled, moving toward the wall. "Oh please be a secret door." He pressed around until he found the right touch, the cement wall opening. "Oh yes." He walked inside, nearly gasping.

While Tony was looking into the secret passage, Clint was busy with one particular Hydra Agents he's never encountered before. The Humvee having had to be abandoned. He was nothing but a blur of blue and sliver so fast he thought it was just the snow around him but soon as he could lift his bow he got stabbed in his side, making him cry out and grit his teeth through the pain as he readied his bow again, willing his hearing aides to help him but if this guy was making noise he wasn't hearing it? What if it wans'nt enough for his aides to pick up?

Suddenly he was tripped,falling over, wincing but the blur stopped with a cocky but playful smirk. "What? You didn't see that coming?" The guy was young, at least early twenties, just a kid. He had an accent when he spoke and dark hair with blonde streaked in it but before he could study this person he was gone. He heard rushed footsteps coming over to him. "Whoa, what the hell happened?" It was TJ. TJ held out his hand, helping Clint up as he held his side. "I have no idea. How's the rest of the mission?" "Better than you right now. Dads in the castle." Clint nodded. "Good."

While Tony walked into the lab hidden in the secret room she came out, putting some of the red magic in his head. He suddenly saw that giant monster from the New York incident. He backed away, backing into a table as it flew over head. Then he saw everyone he loved. His family, dying in space, on a rock. He swallowed his fear, walking further in. What was happening? Suddenly he tripped, seeing Kim's dead body. He gasped out in tears. "Angel?" He looked around him, seeing his children, his family all dead. He felt a hand on his wrist, looking and seeing Quinn, gasping for air, dying. "Why..why didn't you save us daddy?" Soon the other bodies joined in the chant. "No, stop!"

Then suddenly it was gone, he was still in the lab. Was it a vision? Was that their future? "Tony? Tony do you read?" Clint called in the comm. Tony nearly gasped out, trying to calm himself. "Yeah Clint, I'm here. I found it, I'm bringing out." He called for his Iron man gave, having it come to him in seconds before wrapping around his hand and taking the scepter off it's stand.

When they got it on the bus Tony managed to convince Coulson to let him take it back home where he had more resources and more free help because he knows Quinn and Bruce would be more than happy to figure his thing out with him. Coulson nodded. "And did you happen to find anything else in that lab that we should know about?" Tony shook his head, knowing damn well whats on the USB in his pocket. "Nope. Just that staff."

It was placed in a special made box for these types of items that SHIELD made. On the flight home Loki was very anxious. He had a hard time staying till. TJ looked at him. "What's wrong?" Loki huffed as he paced. "Oh nothing just the very weapon I used to hurt so many people is on this plane with me." TJ stood. "And it's in our safe hands. No one but the genius squad is gonna touch it. They just want to study it, that's all. " Loki sighed. "I know. I still can't help but feel nervous about it. Like it will hurt you all without me even touching it." TJ held his arms. "It won't. Trust me, ok?" Loki nodded. "Ok."

When they landed at Stark tower they got Clint wheeled in by his medics team. Clint smiled at Tony, hand still on his wound. "I'm dying babe, don't I get a goodbye kiss?" Tony chuckled, kissing his nose. "Happy?" Clint pouted. "I mean a real kiss." "You'll get one when you're better, I promise. Maybe more." Clint smirked weakly. "I like the sound of that."

The Asian doctor smiled, her hair up in a bun. "Agent Barton we really need to get you fixed up. Com'on." She and a few other nurses wheeled him into the elevator. Kim saw this with worry as she came to greet them. "Oh my god, What happened? Is he ok?" Tony walked closer to her. "Sorry, he's dying, we have to find a new partner." Kim gave him a look. "Really, What happened?" "Got stabbed, nothing too deep but enough to need stitches. He'll be just fine. How are the Christmas decorations coming?" "The workers have been hard at work all day. I have to say it's gonna be weird having this many people I don't know in my house." Tony wrapped his arm around her as they walked inside. "It's not on our living level so they technically won't be in our house. Plus it's for charity and I feel much safer having a party here than somewhere else. At least JARVIS has us covered here." Kim nodded. "True."

Gage was following Tony, carrying the case that held Loki's scepter Quinn following and Bruce who was slowly following, getting caught up talking to Kim.

Loki hates that Gage was carrying it. Thanos has told Loki everything of his past and he hates to think how Gage may be feeling as it was his brother he took over. "Gage, please, allow me to carry the case." Gage turned, giving a smile. "I got it, you go relax. You did a good job with Coulson today." Loki frowned, unsure of how to take the compliment and rejection of his offer. TJ touched his shoulder. "He's right, Let's go relax while the nerds hide in the lab." Loki nodded, following TJ.

Gage got down to the lab, seeing Quinn and tony at the computers. "Tony, where do you want this?" "Just on that table over there." He said as he pointed. Gage spoke up as he put the shield case on the table. "How long you guys gonna be down here?" "Tony smiled. "Oh lord only knows. But we will be up in time for the charity Christmas party, no worries." Quinn turned. "Good thing it's four days away. Gives us plenty of time to study this." Gage chuckled, walking over to Quinn. "Guess I'll see at some point in our lives." She smiled, wrapping her arms around him. "Definitely. I just can't stay away from you." They were about to kiss when Tony cleared his throat. They pulled away. Gage smiled, holding her hand. "Make sure to eat." Bruce spoke up as he came into the lab. "Don't worry, I'll make sure they both eat." Gage nodded before making his way out of the lab.

Quinn went over to the scepter as the bots were putting it onto its holder. She was in awe. "Wow, this is it? It's gorgeous." Bruce walked closer. "Don't be underwhelmed. This definitely packs a punch without you even knowing it. It can manipulate your mind if you let it." Quinn sighed. "Let's get to work then."

The "nerd squad" as TJ put it worked nearly five hours on Loki's scepter alone but after Jarvis informed them that there was no way his scanners were able to penetrate it. So tony moved to having them help study whatever the hell he found on the USB. Tony was in shock. "Jarvis, enlarge for us please."

When it enlarged it was a tangle of neural-pathways and them lighting up. Quinn spoke first. "Oh my god, is that a brain?" Tony smiled. "No, it's actually a more advanced A.I. than JARVIS if that is even possible. It's called Ultron, at least that's the name for it." Brice took his glasses off in shock. "Jarvis, bring up your map." They compared the two. Brice shook his head. "I don't believe this. How is this even possible?" Tony shrugged. "HYDRAs been hiding a lot of tech over the years. This is just one of them. I want to study this, figure out its pattern and implement it into the iron man suits. We could have unmanned suits. We could have peace in our time, with this." Quinn looked at her Dad. "That would be amazing. Think of all the possibilities." Tony clapped his hands together. "Then let's get to work."

Kim visited Clint and the good doctor. He smiled from his bed. "Hey babe." She smiled. "Hey, What happened?" Clint groaned. "Damn kid. I don't know who he was but he was damn fast, I couldn't get a shot but he managed to get one on me." "Well at least it wasn't fatal." She looked at the doctor at the head of the high tech bed that was scanning Clints waist.. "How much longer will he be in here?" The doctor smiled. "Only a half hour. This is only a prototype so times can vary but seeing its only a flesh wound it shouldn't be too much longer." Kim smiled. "Good. Thank you so much for your help."

For days the nerd sqaud worked sleeplessly to break past the tech and find a way to implement it. Bruce made sure Tony and Quinn at least took a few naps and ate well.

Suddenly Kim walked in, dressed in her holiday dress, red and form fitting and glittery. "Mr. Stark you're going to be late to your own party." Tony looked at the time. "Shit, how long have we been down here?" Kim smiled. "Long enough. You have an hour to get ready." Bruce stood as well. "A good a time as ever to give it up. If we haven't gotten anything in four days then I don't think we will." Tony sighed. "Your right, I don't have enough time right now to keep attempting it." Quinn perked up. "I can stay, I don't mind." Kim went over to her. "But what about the party? Your brother will be there and Loki."

Quinn shrugged. "You know I've never been one for these parties Mom." Kim smiled sadly. "At least get some rest? You've been working nonstop." Quinn nodded. "I will."

Loki was in his female form, Lucy tonight. Aside form the family no one coming to this party knows he lives and is on earth. She was in a mermaid style dress, green and shiny with a gold line down the center. Her hair curled and hanging over one shoulder. She was putting her necklace on. "Love, why is it taking you longer to get ready than me?" She said with a smile. There was a pause then a thump. She frowned, turning to their personal bathroom. "TJ? Are you ok?" She started walking to the door when it opens suddenly, TJ showing with a grin and his hair perfectly styled as he looked Lucy up and down. "Damn, green is your color." "You're the one that keeps insisting I wear it."

She said with a smile before she looked concerned. "Are you Ok? I heard noises, a thump while you were in there." He wrapped his arm around her waist, bringing her closer and speaking lowly. "That was just me jacking off to how gorgeous I knew you'd look." Lucy blushed. "Oh my, TJ please. We have no time." He kissed her deeply with a smile. She smiled into it too, wrapping her arms around him before he released her. "Let's go turn some heads." He said with a grin, keeping his arm wrapped around her as they walked out the door. TJ was dressed nicely but still casual with no blazer. Just a red shirt and black tie. Lucy still had the feeling that something wasn't right.

When at the party TJ was just like Tony, immersing himself in the people, conversation and enjoyment. While TJ was distracted with a guest Lucy snuck away to the bathroom. She closed and locked the door. "Jarvis?" "Yes mam?" She swallowed, hating to go behind TJs back. "Can you tell me what TJ was doing in our bathroom when I heard that thump? While we were getting ready." "You are aware this would be a breach of privacy." Lucy frowned. "I know but you know TJ as well as I do, he's not going to open up. Please, tell me what's happening." "It seems the young stark had a small panic attack. I am unsure of the trigger but to calm himself he punched the wall, leaving a dent." Lucy sucked in a breath. "I've never seen him have anxiety a day in his life, what could have happened to cause it?" "That you will have to get from him." Lucy frowned. "It'll be like pulling teeth. Thank you JARVIS, I will help him best I can."

TJ was by the bar. His parents mixed in the crowd of celebrities and war veterans. He didn't see Clint either. He sat down, the bartender coming over. He grinned. "A rum and coke please." The bartender didn't bother to ask ID and started making his drink as TJ kept a lookout for his family. He grabbed the tumbler and started to sip it when it was taken out of his hand by Lucy. "What is this?" TJ shrugged, trying to grab it back. "It's just a drink."

Lucy gave him a look. "You are aware that you're not 21?" "Yes, I'm aware, Can I have my drink?" Lucy felt that worry roll more in her stomach before throwing the liquid away in the trash, putting the tumbler back on the counter. Lucy was glaring at him as she walked away but TJ grabbed her arm. "Babe, what the hell was that?" Lucy frowned. "Forgive me if I don't want you drinking. I'm worried about you." TJ softened, walking closer to her. "You don't have to worry about me, I'm fine." The music started playing "baby it's cold outside." He held her close. "Will a dance make up for it?" Lucy rolled her eyes but couldn't help the smile as he moved her to the dance floor. "TJ Stark you are one smooth charmer." He smiled, kissing her. "Only for you."