A/N: Ahahaha! Take that! I actually updated in a timely manner! I'm pretty happy with how this chapter turned out because I'm really excited about all the characters I get to bring in!
In any case, thanks for reading, I hope you enjoy, and please, please review!
It was a quiet morning in New Mexico. Jane had woken up earlier than normal and was quietly nursing a cup of coffee at the kitchen table while going over some data. She jumped a bit when her cellphone rang. A quick glance at the clock told her it was four am. Who could be calling? She answered.
"Hello?"
"Hi. Is this Jane Foster?"
"Yes, who's this?"
"This is Steve Rogers."
Jane nearly spit her coffee out.
"What?" she coughed, after managing to swallow. "Like, Captain America Steve Rogers?"
Steve laughed. "That's me. Thor gave us your number."
"Okay, so, uh, what can I do for you?"
"Long story short, Clint Barton- Hawkeye- has a secret family and his kids were recently kidnapped by aliens and we need your help to find them."
When Steve didn't get any reply after a minute he asked, "Are you still there?"
"Yeah, sorry, but, am I being pranked?"
"No! No, I swear this is true."
"Is Thor there?"
"Uh… Yeah, he just got back. Should I put him on?"
"Yes, please."
A moment later, Thor spoke. "Jane?" She breathed a small sigh of relief.
"Hey Thor. Was that really Captain America I was just talking to?"
"I can confirm that yes it was."
"So Hawkeye really does have a secret family then and his kids really did get kidnapped?"
"That is also true."
Jane shook her head and looked outside at the rising sun. Her life just kept getting weirder and weirder.
"What do you need from me?"
::::
Laura was waiting on the front porch when Clint and Thor returned. Immediately she could tell something was wrong.
Playing it cool she asked, "How was it?" worry underlying her words. Clint gave her a quick hug and shot her a look that clearly said I'll tell you later. Before he could speak though, Steve stepped outside while on the phone.
"Uh… Yeah, he just got back. Should I put him on?" He handed the phone to Thor, who nodded briefly to Laura, and then stepped inside. Clint grabbed Laura's hand and they took a small walk around their homestead in the early morning light and mist.
"We got a positive ID on who took the kids and where they might be. Thor offered to hook me up with a ship to go after them and come with me. I was thinking of seeing if Steve and Wanda would come too."
"And the others?"
"Would be more useful here. I trust Natasha to run things from this end and Tony has way more connections on Earth than in space. While first priority is finding the kids, they might be able to find something about why they were taken."
Laura nodded and was quiet for a moment.
"Do you think they're alright?" Clint didn't answer immediately, but put an arm around her shoulders and kissed the top of her head.
"I hope so baby. I hope so."
::::
They went back inside and were greeted by the sweet smell of bacon and pancakes. Bruce and Wanda were busy in the kitchen while Thor and Steve were discussing something in the corner and Tony and Natasha were now on speaker phone with Jane discussing what equipment she would need to bring and what type of plane Tony would need to get her.
Laura traded places with Wanda so Clint could talk to her.
"I am sorry this happened," she said quietly, as she joined him by the door.
"You and me both. Come on. Let's go talk to Point Break and Capsicle."
The two large men glanced up as the archer and witch approached them.
"Thor fill you in a bit?" he asked Steve.
"Yeah. It's good that we have a solid lead now."
"Now we just need to follow it, which is what I wanted to talk to you guys about. Thor said he could get us a ship to pursue them and I want you three to come with me."
Clint would be lying if he said he wasn't amused by how wide their eyes got.
"Just us three?" Cap asked. Clint nodded.
"Why?" Wanda asked. "Why not Natasha or someone you know better- trust better!" She was still not entirely over the mistakes she had made with Ultron, but was stopped by a firm hand on her shoulder.
"I trust you just fine," Clint reassured her. "And I trust Natasha to run things from this end. Besides, too big of an entourage is just asking for trouble."
"I agree with friend Clint," Thor said. "I believe the four of us will make a good team."
"I'm in," Steve said and smirked. "Never thought I'd get to go to space."
"Me neither," Wanda muttered. "But I will come too."
"Thank you," the archer sighed in relief.
"When do we leave?" Steve asked. Clint looked to Thor.
"A ship will be ready in a couple hours at the soonest."
"Then we'll leave then. We can't let the trail go cold, and I have a feeling it'll get colder quicker in space."
::::
Peter had Gamora and Rocket take over the controls while he went back to check on their newest passenger. The boy sat in Groot's lap while the tree man sat on the floor, leaned up against the wall. His sobs had turned into small hiccups and he scrubbed at his wet cheeks fiercely when he saw Peter coming.
"Hey. How's it going Cooper?"
"Kinda terrible actually," the kid replied honestly.
"Stupid question. My bad." He sat down next to them on the floor. "Here's a not stupid question: how did you and your siblings get to outer space?" Taking a deep breath to steady himself, Cooper replied,
"We were kidnapped by some guy named Yondu. He said you used to be part of their crew."
Peter had to admit, he was surprised, and then angry.
"What's that ba-aad guy up to now?" he muttered, catching himself. "He tell you why?" Cooper shrugged.
"He said someone had hired him, but he didn't say who. How did you end up here?"
"Same kinda thing," he said casually. "But I had no one to go back to." A gentle pause. "You got any family back home?" Cooper nodded again and sniffled.
"Got my mom and dad and we just got a whole bunch of aunts and uncles." When Peter gave him a confused look he laughed a little. "It's a long story… that kinda involves international security." That only made him look more confused.
"What kinda life are you living?"
"It's my dad's life really, but he's retired now. Sorta. Anyway, how are we gonna find my siblings?" Peter decided to let the matter drop.
"Gamora, she's the green one by the way, was able to get a description of who bought your sister and we know where they are. As for your brother… we'll figure it out. Now let's take a look at your leg. What happened there?" he asked as he stood to grab the first aid kit; the bandage could use changing. Cooper's face went about three shades paler at the mention of it.
"I am Groot," Groot comforted, noticing his reaction, and patted him on the head. Cooper closed his eyes as the pilot started to unwind the bandage. Peter whistled.
"Damn." Cooper kept his eyes shut and squoze Groot's hand as Peter stripped off the old bandage, cleaned the wound, and put on a new one.
"It looks a bit inflamed, so we'll have to keep an eye on it. You okay?" After a moment's hesitation, Cooper nodded and opened his eyes.
"Thanks. And thanks for rescuing us."
"Hey, no problem," Peter said settling back down on the floor.
"... Why did you rescue us?" Cooper asked, his curiosity winning out. Peter couldn't help but grin.
"It's what we do. Besides, you guys are the first humans I've seen in, oh, about twenty years. We gotta stick together." He extended his hand for a fist bump and the twelve year old gladly returned it.
"So tell me about Earth. What's the music like?"