The Nine Tailed Foxx

Chapter 12

((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.))

Duties and Paperwork

First week of February, Avengers Tower, the next day….

Johnny walked into the gym a few minutes earlier than he did the day before, a towel draped over his shoulders and a water bottle in hand. He glanced around before moving to a clear area for warm up stretches.

"Good Morning Foxx," FRIDAY intoned. "Agent Barton will be unable to join you today."

Looking up from a leg stretch, Johnny nodded. "Did he leave any instructions?" he asked as he shifted to stretch his arms.

"Yes," FRIDAY replied. "Agent Barton left the following instructions.." The AI listed the machines, the number of reps for each as well as the maximum weight/tension suggested for each. "He also recommended a warm up and cool down on the treadmill, not to exceed twenty minutes each."

Nodding, Johnny completed his stretches before heading in the direction of the tread mills. "Thank you," he said automatically.

"If you would like I can turn on the sound system," the AI offered. "Do you have any preferences Foxx?"

"Can you find me some trance? And can you alert me if Alexei wakes? He usually sleeps for about three hours, but sometimes it's less."

"As you wish, and of course."

A moment later the sound of trance music came from the speakers localized around Johnny's position in the gym. Often when switching to the next machine, he would ask the AI for any helpful advice and assistance on setting the correct weights and tensions. Half way through, he sensed someone else enter the gym. He finished the last rep for the machine he was on, zeroed the machine then sat up. It was only Pepper, who was headed to a tread mill. He waved a greeting then moved to the next machine. When he was finished with his cool down, he waved once more to Pepper then departed for his room.

By the third day when neither Clint nor Natasha had made an appearance or contacted him, and even Pepper was absent, Johnny took a chance and ventured up to the common floor. The place was strangely quiet. When he went to the kitchen, he found no evidence that anyone had been there over the last day or two. "FRIDAY?"

"Yes Foxx?"

"I understand that what you can tell me is far outweighed by what you cannot tell me, but...yes or no, Are Clint and/or Natasha on assignment?"

There was a long pause before the AI responded. "Yes."

Johnny nodded. He didn't ask about any of the other Avengers. "If Ms. Potts is on location, would you please pass the offer of dinner if she's not busy this evening?"

Another pause, this time shorter. "I have given Ms. Potts your invitation to dinner. If she is available, she will let me know and I will inform you Foxx."

"Thank you," Johnny replied as he made his way back down to his room.

Second week of February, Avenger's tower….

It was rather quiet, even more so than usual of late. Johnny was in the middle of a workout when his presence was requested by Pepper in her office. "Do I have time for a shower?"

"I'm afraid not."

Johnny nodded as he zeroed the machine, grabbed the towel and his bottle then headed to the elevator. Unlike most trips up to his floor, he went down instead. When he reached Floor 78, he was meet by a security officer who escorted him to Ms. Pott's office. Once inside, he waited by the door until he was signaled forward.

"No. What I am saying is I would appreciate more than a thirty minute advanced notice. The floor you want access to is located in the highly secure part of the tower. Avengers only…. Yes I know… He is under Avengers protection….Fine. When I hear from Captain Rogers, then you will have access to that room and that room only. Good day!" Pepper set the phone down after she hung up. She paced back and forth behind her desk until she turned and spotted Johnny. "Good… good," she nodded making plans. "The Latverian Embassy is starting to ask about Alexei and how well he's being cared for. They have gone to the UN and in turn the UN is now wanting to know about his care. So of course the DCF has gotten involved. You have an hour, two at tops before they come barging into and start demanding to go through everything like the nosey people they are. I will have FRIDAY alert you when we arrive on your floor. Please, don't have the watch on."

Johnny took it all in, blinking as he processed everything. He then nodded. "Alright. No watch," he smiled. "And no 'understanding' what you say either."

"Oh you are a keeper," Pepper said then shooed him out of her office so she could place a call to Tony to let know what was going on.

An hour and a half later, Johnny was dressed in what he had termed his 'uniform'. The full ensemble of Latverian dress casual clothes. Alexei was also dressed up. He was also his usual fussy self after being woke up early from a nap. A message flashed across the TV screen from FRIDAY alerting him to Pepper and company's arrival on the floor. A few minutes later the loud knocking on his door signaled their arrival. With an eyeroll and a sigh, he plastered a pleasant expression on his face and opened the door.

Ten minutes in and already Johnny wanted to strangle the Latverian representative. After the walkthrough of the rooms, the DCF worker was now in the process of asking the required questions and filling out paperwork. The representative would 'translate' the questions and answers, always shifting the answers to put Latveria in good light and Stark and the Avengers in a not so favorable light. The UN reps and Pepper took up the other couch and chair, the refreshments sitting on the corner tables left untouched.

Through all of this Alexei was fussing and whining, refusing to settle down. All his short life, strangers meant being poked, prodded and in general not very good things happening to him.

"Excuse me," he murmured as he stood up, taking Alexei with him. "He needs to be changed." He caught Pepper's eye for the briefest of moments before he disappeared into his room.

A flicker of movement beyond the window had him turning to stare. Making a gesture, the shades opened fully to reveal both Iron Man and the Avenger's quinjet hovering just past the barrier of shatter proof/bullet proof glass. Superimposed over one section of glass, text appeared. 'Stall them.' He raised an eyebrow, but nodded. Turning back around he took care of Alexei. When he strolled back into the main room, both he and the baby were wearing a new outfit. "Sorry. Poopnamie followed by a water cannon…." He smirked ever so slightly at the green look that came over the 'translator'. He then started asking the DCF worker about time tables, when he should expect Alexei to start switching over to solid foods, what would be added to the monthly WIC purchases and if he would be able to change formulas.

Just about the time the UN reps were starting to get restless there was a knock on the door followed by Tony Stark waltzing in like he owned the place (which he did). "When was I going to be told about this little party? Hi, how are you doing? Good to see you again. Have we met? Not important."

Johnny was having a hard time keeping a straight face. "Bună ziua domnul Stark," he called out, his gift catching the presence of at least two others in the hallway. "E o plăcere, ca întotdeauna să te văd."

The Latverian representative started to translate but was interrupted before he could say even three words.

"FRIDAY, honey, go ahead and translate for Johnny. He needs his own voice," Tony said as he sauntered over to Pepper. Leaning down he gave her a quick peck on the cheek then straightened up.

Leaning back into the corner of the couch, Alexei cuddled close, Johnny smiled. "Now, could you ask those questions again now that I'm not forced to rely on a less than neutral third party." The translation was flawless.

Johnny passed Alexei over to the DCF worker finally when the Latverian rep all but demanded to speak to him alone. (Which of course meant FRIDAY was recording it all.)

"Lord Doom will hear about this!"

"Please, do tell him. Let Lord von Doom know I have upheld my duty to protect Alexei. To my utmost ability. Even with the geass he put on me." He flashed his teeth in a feral grin as his eyes turned silver. "Let him know that the child is protected, that he wants for nothing," he said softly before turning away and rejoining the group. "I apologize, it's getting close to his late afternoon nap and I still need to feed him. Thank you all for taking valuable time out of your day to come check on him. Mr. Stark, do you mind if I steal Ms. Potts for the evening? I did promise to make her dinner for all the assistance she's given me during my time here."

"I'll think about it and get back to you later," Tony said as he hooked an arm around Pepper's waist.

"Tomorrow night," Pepper countered Tony's comment. "Have a good night," she offered as she left with Tony who was following the guests to the elevator.

Clint and Nat slipped in before the door closed. Both took their jobs serious as they started to sweep the rooms. FRIDAY was doing a scan as well. Johnny, for his part, stayed out of their way as he held Alexei.

"You know, you're welcome to join us for dinner," Nat spoke up after signaling the all clear to Clint. "You look like you could use some friendlier faces."

Shaking his head, Johnny moved to his favorite chair and ottoman combo. "No...thank you but no. I don't think I'm up for it." He waved a hand towards the door. "I was pushing my control with so many unknown people as well as keeping my temper in check with that… that…" he made an annoyed sound as he slumped down with the baby facing him on his lap.

"Alright," Nat accepted Johnny's excuse. "But you will start joining us on a semi-regular basis," she then informed him.

Half-heartedly Johnny whined about that, even though he had a tired smile on his face. He still got his ear flicked for it. "Any changes in the training schedule?" he inquired.

"No. The usual time," Clint replied. "See you tomorrow." He departed to deal with debriefing and dinner.

Nat delayed only long enough to give Alexei a kiss on his head before she too departed to deal with business.

A flailed fist that was then shoved into a drool producing mouth and a gurgled coo had Johnny softly laughing. "Alright, alright… let's get you out of that ridiculous outfit and into something more suited to floor time."

Upstairs in the debriefing room it was business as usual. Reports given, the mission data reviewed and the argument of what would be for dinner; dine out vs take out vs cooked. When Tony suggested going out to eat, everyone seemed to perk up slightly. Until he suggested hitting the Shawarma joint again. Clint promptly nailed him upside the head with a nerf ball. The debate was started up again. The final decision was for Thai fusion takeout when Wanda firmly stated that she wasn't going anywhere except her room to take advantage of the wonderfully decadent shower in her room to wash away the grime of the past several weeks. Afterwards, everyone went their separate ways to take care of their own post mission/debriefing rituals before meeting back up in the common room.

Nat took a brief few moments to ask, via FRIDAY, Johnny if he wanted anything. The condition was that he had to join everyone in the common room. She figured that giving him some time to think might change his mind, but when he declined again, she didn't push the issue and bid him good night.

It was like some unknown signal went off the moment one of the SI employees arrived in the elevator with the food. Avengers, Plus one, came out of the woodworks, each one claiming their favorite spot with some minor jockeying involved. Silence reigned until everyone was comfortably full, then Wanda and Vision were given the rundown on events while they were away.

"We are hosting a pair of visitors on the lower floor," Pepper started.

"Nice couple, one's a real looker the others a hot babe," Tony chimed in. "One's a former HYDRA, the other an experi- ow! Ow! abuse, abuse!" he called out after getting hit with a small pillow hurled from across the room. "Is anyone going to come to my defense here? After all I do you're going to let me be abused?" he said, this time catching the second pillow.

"The pair are currently under Avenger's protection at Doom's request and with the backing of the UN," Steve put in. "Doom did something to one of them. Once you're rested, could you take a look?" he asked. "Not tonight though," he added.

"Wait till Nat or I can introduce you," Clint said. "He's comfortable around the two of us and less likely to react. Once he is, you'll meet Alexei."

"So…," Wanda started, "What is it you wish me to look at, or look for?"

"We'll fill you in more tomorrow," Clint replied. "I'll send you the relevant info to your Starkpad later this evening." It would allow him time to review the info.

Steve was about to object but Pepper, who was closest to him, leaned over and whispered something. His cheeks pinked slightly and he wisely kept quiet. It wasn't something he really wanted spread around, thank you.

Before Tony could open his mouth to make a comment, he was pinched on his side, hard by Pepper. She gave him a 'look' and he wisely kept whatever he was going to say to himself. As a reward, she gave him a peck on the cheek and a whispered promise of more.. later.. if he behaved himself.

Vision took everything in with nothing to say for the moment. Once he accessed the files and reviewed any relevant video, he would offer his own commentary.

The rest of the evening slipped on by once the talks turned to more mundane things, such as new vs old Star Trek, poking fun at the TV shows depicting fictional super heroes and the general complaint from both Nat and Clint that the ammo depicted was all wrong. In general, a typical night for off duty Avengers.