A/N: Hello faithful readers! We are getting to some interesting plot points. Barton's moved to base for safety? Check. A certain Neurosurgeon turned sorcerer? *Hint hint*. Anyways, I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own Marvel, Disney, ABC or the Avengers. Just Sera and her own brand of chaos.
After the Barton's belongings were moved in, Bucky and I sat Steve down to explain the benefits of the twins moving into SHIELD's base. I knew Coulson would watch over them like a hawk for me, whenever they weren't over here with us.
He agreed, right away. Which kind of confused Bucky until Steve said he had talked to Elijah about it as well. Man, our kids are more perceptive than we gave them credit for.
But the conversation I was dreading was the one were I would have to take off again, to Nepal. Steve was silent as I explained why, but I could tell he hated it.
"Or… I can go to New York."
"Wait, you never mentioned being able to do this from New York. How?" Bucky asked.
"It's hard to explain. Future twins said they have been there, and told me it's location, so I can… travel… from New York to Kathmandu from there."
"Like another portal?" Bucky asked. I nodded, getting more and more worried as Steve sat silently.
"I only need to talk to Dr. Strange. I know he already had his accident, and that is about to take off for Kathmandu. It might be my only time to get him."
"Steve," Bucky said, a warning in his voice. He had noticed my apprehension whenever I looked at our husband.
"Can you guarantee your safety?" He said, not looking at me.
"Yes."
"When will you be back?"
"Most likely, I should only need a week. Maybe less. Callie was… unclear. Have I done something wrong?" I asked, finally getting fed up with Steve's behavior.
"No. Just confused as to why it has to be you," Steve said, sounding a little self-righteous.
"Because I was the one the Twins came too. It's not like I asked for this. I never wanted the weight of the world on my shoulders, but the actions of others has put it on mine."
"Perhaps you are taking it. Want something to hold over us. A get out of jail free card to leave whenever you want," He said. Bucky looked murderous but I put up a hand to silence him from saying something he would regret.
"Okay, you have been around my Dad too much, so I'm just gonna leave you be. I don't need another jackass in my life," I sneered, getting up and slamming the door as I left his office. I was fuming, unable to form even a word as I passed Brock in the hallway as I walked back to our apartment. I packed my bag, dropped by the lab to kiss the kids goodbye, explaining I was needed at a gala in New York for Stark Industries and some work stuff. I would be back in time for the Rodeo I had entered in a month earlier, but they understood.
I rescheduled my check up with Helen and in a moment of anger, refused to take a Quinjet. I had clothes at the tower, and Pepper would want to go shopping for dresses anyways. Leaving my suitcase in the hanger, I ran out of the open bay, shedding my top shirt and tossing it aside. As I ran, my wings sprouted from my shoulders for the first time in almost a year, making me groan in relief.
Lifting off the ground, I shot up as fast as I could.
I had relished the feeling of air against my skin as I flew, but remembered why I didn't miss New York as I approached the Tower. Landing roughly, I let out a ragged breath. I had clearly forgotten how much energy it took out of me.
"How are you doing baby girl?" Dad said as I walked into his lab.
"Sore. Too much flying lately." Not a complete lie.
"I heard," He said, looking disappointed in me.
"I feel fine. Steve just… made me so angry... I didn't think."
"Now you know how I feel sometimes," He said, smirking slightly, before giving me a look.
"What?" I asked, wiping my face, "What are you looking at?"
"I can't believe I'm about to say this, but… this seems familiar. Like Déjà vu," He said, making me think back to a similar situation. I was told something I didn't like, and ran because I didn't want to face it.
"Dad, its not like that. Yes, I'm pregnant, and yes, I left them for a bit. But because I have a job that means the future of our galaxy or certain death."
"Why?"
"Because Thanos is real. Because the threat is real. You know me Dad. I wouldn't be making a big deal out of it, if it wasn't important."
"Other than the infinity stones popping up, and that Gamora chick's stories, I haven't seen any evidence that its true."
"Yeah? Well, you are about to. A, pull up the footage," I asked into my watch, throwing the hologram into the middle of the floor, where Jarvis used to be.
"All of it?" ARSENAL asked, a wary tone to her synthetic voice.
"All of it, starting with the attack on the White House. Timestamp as well," I replied. And at once, my father was captivated by the footage from the future news, dated for the expected arrival of Thanos. I heard the screams as the White House was destroyed, and held a hand to my stomach. I would never let it happen, so I shouldn't be as scared for my child's life as I was.
The scene changed to one of the teams battling Thanos. Peter dying by a Chitauri's shot, after Bucky was taken out. I felt the crushing anxiety in my chest that none of this may work, when I saw Thanos move to attack Steve, I turned my head, only aware of the sound of his gruesome death.
"Where was I?" My Dad asked after the footage stopped.
"You and Pepper took all the children, and got to safety. That's when Callie and Elijah jumped back in time to warn me. It's why I suggested ARSENAL Defense Net to the UN."
"Something about it never really added up. Where were you?"
"I was in the White House, with our little one," I said, in a low tone, hugging my belly.
Dad wasn't usually one for PDA's, but he wrapped me up in his arms, hugging me tightly to his chest.
"Have they seen this?"
"No, and they aren't going to," I said as he released me, pulling ARSENAL's projection back to my watch.
"They would understand why you were away so much if you would explain."
"I bear it, so they don't have to," I said softly.
"Sera! Wait, what happened?" Pepper asked coming in, tone starting happy but changing to worried.
"Long story, but I need a few days away from Steve. I am here for the Gala like I promised, but I also have to check on a lead for the Time Stone."
"So, why do I get the feeling something big happened?"
"Not happened, going to happen," Dad said, "I will tell you later."
"For now, I need to call Peter."
"Parker? He's downstairs."
"Why?" I asked, confused.
"Thought it would be easier for his cover story to be an internship/apprenticeship at SI. That way, a Quinjet comes and goes, and no one questions if he can't be found for a few hours, running errands for me and such."
"You are smarter than I give you credit for," I teased, with an easy smile.
"Yeah, yeah. Rub it in you have two more IQ points than me."
"204!" I shouted.
"You are grounded until you apologize."
"You can't ground me. I'm almost 27 years old. And I don't live under your roof," I said, stomping my foot in jest.
"Really? You don't act like it," He teased, gesturing to my foot. We couldn't keep up the pretense any longer, laughing at the absurdity of our conversation.
After finding Peter and 'borrowing' one of my Dad's cars, we pulled up to the Sanctum Sanctorum in Greenwich Village. I knocked on the door, and waited patiently, while Peter watched my back.
"May I help you?" A man asked after the door opened.
"I would like to speak to the Ancient One. If you will allow me to travel through, it is regarding the Infinity Stone housed in the Orb of Agomotto."
The man studied me for a minute, closed the door and a minute later, opened it again.
"Will your friend be joining you?" He asked.
"No. Peter, please go get Wade. He needs to be aware of the events about to take place."
"Sure thing. I will bring him back here. But first I need to check in with Aunt May." I nodded and he took off on foot around the side of the building.
"Please follow me," I asked after I stepped inside and he closed the door. Going up the staircase behind him, I was taken in by the antique beauty of the building.
He led me down winding hallways, before opening a door, leading into a large circular room. There were two other doors that had the same design that was on the outside of the one we came through, and another looking much different.
In the middle of the room was a woman, standing in front of a pedestal, holding a peculiar looking pendant. She wore grey and white robes, and her green eyes met mine, questioningly.
"Leave us," She said to my guide. He bowed his head and walked back out.
"Ancient One," I said, bowing my head respectfully as the door closed. "You may or may not know me, but I am-"
"Seraphina Rogers-Barnes, nee Stark. Born September 26th, 1989. InHuman, mother of two, and former Ambassador to the United Nations for SHIELD, the Avengers and InHumans."
"You might not know I'm pregnant with my third, but yes," I nodded.
"You are here to talk about the Infinity Stone housed in the Orb of Agomotto."
"Yes, and of a great evil coming for the Time Stone. And we need Dr. Strange's help to defeat him."
