The Nine Tailed Foxx

Chapter 9

((A/N: No, I haven't forgotten about my other stories. Just waiting on one muse to step back and let others have some time.

A wonderful thanks to my friend Lady Moonhawke, who is also my co-writer, co-conspirator, Idea tester, plot hole finder, monkey wrench thrower, and ghost editor.))

Smoke and Mirrors

Mid January, Avengers Tower, 2 days post arrival….

During the time Johnny was in the holding cell, Pepper Potts visited him to explain the situation between the Avengers and Doom concerning the child and himself. Due to the inability to communicate fully, Johnny was unable to explain his side of everything concerning Doom.

FRIDAY was the one to make the connection between Johnny's inability to speak English around anyone and one of his gifts. As long as there was anyone within his gifts range, he reverted back to Latverian Romani. The only conclusion anyone could come to was that it had something to do with the strange energy signature they discovered after the altercation between Steve and Johnny. It would still be several weeks before Wanda and Vision returned from their mission and could investigate.

The solution to the language problem turned out to be rather had tracked down Tony to talk with him. It took Tony a grand total of fifteen minutes to whip up a translation program for FRIDAY, install it on a Stark Watch (along with various tracking software) and hand it to Pepper. Of course ten of those fifteen minutes was him rambling about various subjects as he flirted shamelessly with her.

Twenty-Four Hours later…..

All the tests results had finally come back, confirming everything that was in the HYDRA files on Johnny. The translation of the tattoos were also added to his files, though they made little sense, the words themselves had multiple meanings with the configuration they were in. The only one that did make sense was the one over his heart.

Tony found it out of boredom by searching the date in conjunction with the name. He had the information printed out and handed it to Natasha over dinner. "Here," he said.

Nat took the file, now curious. When she opened it, the first thing she saw was a picture of an slightly younger looking Johnny in full ceremonial kimono, holding what looked to be a 2 year old girl also in a kimono. The background looked to be of a Japanese garden and the date stated it was taken a little over five years previous. The first page listed the name of the girl as 'Alara Foxgrave', Johnny's biological daughter. His only child in fact, and from the information in the file, he'd given up all of his parental rights to her maternal great grandmother in order to protect her. There was only a first name listed for the mother, no surname, nothing. The second page documented a bounty placed on Johnny within two weeks of Alara's birth. The woman that placed it was the maternal grandmother, one Lyne May Hopewell (formerly Lin Mae Ryuke), wife of Jacob Thomas Hopewell, owner/CEO of a high profit company, Hopewell International, that had gone bankrupt and was bought out a year after the bounty had been placed. It seemed that the woman had married for money, high society, was very controlling and power hungry. The bounty on Johnny accused him of seducing then raping her daughter before abducting the resulting child. The bounty was, of course, canceled after the mother came forward less than a month later, denied all allegations before a judge and then promptly dis-owned her parents. Alara's mother moved to Japan to be with her daughter and grandmother.

Nat re-read the name. "Hopewell? The man in charge of the last HYDRA base we dismantled?"

"One in the same," Tony confirmed.

Steve looked up at the mention of the HYDRA base. "What?"

Tony shrugged. "Do what you want with the information," he said, lifting a hand and gesturing.

By this time, everyone at the dinner table was looking between Nat and Tony.

Nat picked up her glass and took a sip of wine, contemplating what to do. Closing the folder she sat back in her chair. "The leader of the HYDRA base we dismantled last week is named Hopewell. He had a daughter who, a little over five years ago, gave birth to a little girl. His wife accused a young man of seducing, then raping the daughter only to steal the little girl after she was born." She took another sip of her wine, glancing around at everyone around the table. "The wife placed an illegal bounty on the little girl's father, but the daughter went before a judge, disputed the charges and disowns her parents. Because of the publicity, Hopewell loses face with the social circles due to the scandal his wife created when she put that bounty on the young man's head. Afterwards, his company goes bankrupt. That may have driven the man to HYDRA or it may not." She accepted the refill of wine from Bruce. "Here's the punchline of the joke... The father of that little girl is currently sitting in the tower's high security holding cell." She set her glass down and continued to eat, waiting for everyone to work out the conclusion for their own selves.

Pepper was the one to speak up first. "So… Johnny was asked by the father of the child's mother, the one we are currently protecting, to locate his daughter. When he finds her, she's being held by Hopewell, who is Johnny's daughter's maternal grandfather. Hopewell may recognize Johnny but not the other way around. That was part of the leverage he had over Johnny, forcing the young man to work for HYDRA in order continue protecting the child. Correct?"

Nat thought about Pepper's wording for a moment then nodded. "Yeah, that about sums it up."

"Damn," Sam said.

"Agreed," Steve added as he pushed his plate away from him, propping his elbows on the table, chin on his hands in thought. "Ok.. that's two parts of the whole. What are we missing?"

"Doom," Clint said as he savored his after dinner coffee and dessert. "How does Doom fit into everything."

"Exactly," Tony said. "We now know Hopewell had leverage on Johnny. What type of leverage did Hopewell have on the kid-"

"Alexei."

"-Alexei's mother. What was her name, who was she, why was she there in the first place." Tony shot off the questions rapid fire. "And who is Alexei's dad?"

"Bucky."

"What?"

"The child's father is James Buchanan Barnes. My best friend, The Winter Soldier, HYDRA's 'greatest asset'. That's who his father is," Steve said, louder this time.

"You serious?" Sam asked looking at Steve. "Damn…"

Tony started fiddling with his glass. "Ok, back to the question at hand… who's the mother and how does she tie in to everything? FRIDAY, sweetheart, tell me you have something."

"Yes sir, I do. Mirela Montrovnyah is the youngest daughter of Dragomir Montravnyah, one of Victor von Doom's most prominent supporters and was the primary ambassador to the United Nations until two years ago, when his youngest daughter vanished. She was here in the United States on a student visa. According to the files, Hopewell bought her and several other young women for his experiments. She was considered the only success."

"Well.. shit."

On Tony's order (ie Pepper's suggestion), Johnny was transferred from the holding cell to one of the secure guest rooms in the upper twelve floors of Stark Tower.

"Up and at'em! Wakey Wakey Eggs and Bakey," Tony said in a sing song voice as he came strolling into the holding cells. He shoved one hand into a pocket while the other came up to scratch the side of his nose as he looked around. "I don't think I've been in here.. have I?" he turned to look at the person accompanying him. "FRIDAY?"

"No sir, I have no records of you ever being here."

"Hmm…. looks a little boring," Tony added as he looked around some more.

"It is," Clint said as he came into the center of the room. In his arms, Alexei gurgled happily, one hand shoved into his mouth, the other hand waving around, occasionally smacking against his shoulder. "Hey, take a look over there," he said as he turned so Alexei was aimed in the general direction of Johnny's cell.

Johnny rolled out of the cot and was at the front of the cell in moments when he heard Alexei. The force field was still up, otherwise he would have been meeting the older man half way with his arms out to take the child. It had been over a week since he left Alexei in the care of Nat, Clint and the Avengers. The energy barrier blinked out and he didn't think twice.

"Uh.. you're welcome?" Tony called out.

Chuckling in amusement, Clint handed Alexei over to Johnny. "Hang it up Tony, we're both out of the competition for his attention right now."

Johnny took Alexei from Clint, hugging him close, then lifting him up above his head as he spun slowly. The baby's happy squeal filled the area, before he was brought down and held close. He spoke softly to Alexei while placing soft kisses on his head and face. He wince as a tiny fist grabbed a handful of hair and yanked as the baby gurgled while trying to stuff said fist of hair into his mouth. "Nu, nu, parul. Ow…"

"This way…." Tony said, waving a hand and walking to the short hall that lead to the elevator.

Once in the elevator, Clint helped untangle the tiny fist from white and electric blue hair, careful to avoid skin contact. "Don't you wish you had short hair now?" he asked Johnny.

"Nu, mă uit prost cu parul scurt."

"Oh yeah, here." Tony fished the StarkWatch out of his pocket and tossed it to Johnny.

Snatching it out of the air, Johnny glanced at the watch a moment then raised his eyebrow in question.

"Translator, time piece, latest and greatest of Star Tech. All in one neat, nifty package." Tony waited till Johnny had put it on. "Now, repeat what you said a moment ago."

"Said I, lousy look with short hair," Johnny said again, this time with a scowl at the syntax issue.

Tony gestured for everyone to follow him as he exited from the elevator. Down a well appointed hallway, he lead the way before stopping at one door. Opening it, he gestured for them to follow him in. "Welcome to your home away from home away from home until such time as everything is dealt with." He moved around the room pointing out various features. "Fully furnished, kitchenware and Stark Tablet included. Basic setup of kitchenette, is that even a word anymore? living room/dining room combo. The bedroom is through that door. Awesome view overlooking the city, though nowhere as good as what I have. Maybe you should come up and check it out sometime." He was going a mile a minute, pointing out various features with one hand, sometimes switching hands, but keeping at least an arm's length away at all times.

Clint followed Johnny into the bedroom to take a look at the view. One wall was made up entirely of windows. He could pick out over a dozen potential snipers nests and a couple of unconventional ones. "I've been the one to watch Alexei mainly, but I haven't had a chance to get him a crib. Been using a pack n play for his bed at night. I'll bring it down in a little while."

Tony walked over to the dining table and tapped the set of folders that lay there. "Inside is all the information on your household budget, courtesy of moi of course, along with the supplemental income the Latverian Embassy is providing. You are also getting WIC for the kiddo there it seems. Feel free to redecorate," he waved a hand. "Liven this place up some. Last person to stay here was rather boring…" he looked around again. "Or has this one been used yet?" He shrugged. "I don't know. Anyways, you're welcome to come up to the common area, browse the media room, or raid the kitchen. Everything else is a no-go for the time being. Oh, and medical. Use it, that's what it's there for. Don't be like this neanderthal who's a walking disaster and ignore it."

"That was just the one time…" Clint groused.

"Un-huh, riiight….Oh look at the time, really must be jetting. Bye…." Tony didn't stick around long after that, vanishing out the door.

Clint shook his head. "If you need anything, just ask out loud, like you did in the cell. I'll leave you to get settled for now. Back in a few with the pack n play." He waved and made his exit as well.

With a click, the door shut. Johnny and Alexei was finally alone. Running a hand through his hair, he blew out a huff. "Ei bine puștiule, se pare ca este doar you and me…. again?" He looked up at the ceiling before shaking his head. Well at least he would know if anyone was within his range, if he was talking that is. Moving to the table, he slid Alexei around to his hip before flipping open the top file. It took a few moments to puzzle out the wording, but once he did, he had to pull the chair out and sit down. The stipend amount Doom had authorized was more than generous. Of course he would have to go to the embassy with Alexei once a month to collect it, go figure. Sliding the folder to the side he opened the next one on. If he hadn't already been sitting down, he would have to. The amount listed had to have been a mistake. It was outrageous, there was no way it could be correct. "Umm… Excuse me?"

"How may I be of assistance Mr. LeFleaur?"

"First.. is it possible to change the form of address to me?" Johnny asked.

"Of course Mr. LeFleaur. How would prefer to be addressed?"

"Foxx.. I'd like to be addressed as Foxx if and when possible," Johnny replied.

"As you wish Foxx," FRIDAY responded. "Now, how may I be of assistance Foxx?"

Johnny looked at the amount listed. "Is this amount correct?"

"What amount is listed?"

Johnny read it off.

"Actually Foxx, that amount is rather low for the amount Sir usually authorizes. If you wish I can inquire as to whether or not the amount should be increased."

"No!.. No... gods no.. even if I changed everything around once a week, there is no way Am putea petrece ceea ce a fost...listat." Johnny reached up and rubbed his face. A knock on the door had him turning his head and calling out. "Who?"

"Agent Barton is at the door Foxx. He has the pack n play as well as other items for Alexei. He is accompanied by several SI Employees bringing the steamer trunks that Latverian Embassy delivered for Alexei and yourself."

"Thank you. Enter!"

When Clint entered, he held the door open for the Agents/SI employees to bring the trunks in. "Where do you want em?" he asked.

Johnny stood, pointing in the direction of the bedroom. "Please, in there."

After the men left, Clint closed the door so he could drop the bag of baby goods on the counter. "Where do you want this? Bedroom as well?" he asked. After receiving a nod, he went and set it up. Coming back out, he glanced around once more. "Need anything before I go?"

Johnny looked around as well, swaying slightly as he rubbed Alexei's back. "Supplies?" he flicked his fingers towards the cabinets and refrigerator.

"Hmm..hit up the kitchen for what you want. It's automatically restocked so," Clint shrugged. "Just avoid the labeled shelves."

"Ok," Johnny nodded. "Good."

Both experienced that awkward moment of not knowing exactly what to do. Luckily FRIDAY came to the rescue. "Agent Barton, your presence in her office is requested by Ms. Potts."

"Thanks," Clint said automatically. "Ok, well.. got to go," he said as he headed out the door.

Johnny nodded, closing and locking the door. "Bottle.. then nap…" he muttered and proceeded to take care of both.