Disclaimer: I don't own them – I'm just borrowing them for a bit.


Chapter 14:

"Why have you summoned me, Heimdall?" Thor asked as he dismounted his horse at edge of the newly repaired Bifrost.

"Return to Midgard you must. The warriors there are going to need you more than Asgard will in the near future," the gatekeeper said as he continued to gaze into the distance.

"But how can I when Loki needs to be guarded to prevent escape?"

"The Warriors Three and Sif can manage that along with many others who will take up the call," Odin said appearing behind his son. "Now go. You will know if Asgard needs your return, my son."

Thor nodded at his father's wishes and entered the opened Bifrost Bridge back to Midgard.


It was a lazy afternoon after morning workouts. Natasha and Emma had been dragged shopping by Pepper Potts for the upcoming weekend. Neither S.H.I.E.L.D. agent would admit it, but they actually did like doing feminine things from time to time. That left all the men at Stark Tower. Bruce and Tony were locked away in their respectable labs, doing who knew what while Clint attempted to teach Steve how to play modern day video games. Trying to modernize Steve was like trying to teach a blind dog to fetch was the conclusion that Clint had come up with. But he would keep that to himself for the time being and keep on trying to help Steve adjust to being 70 years in the future.

Out of nowhere, clouds began to build outside and thunder sounded. Steve and Clint jumped back in shock as the lighting struck the balcony of Stark Tower and out of it emerged the figure of Thor. "My friends!" he said as Clint opened the balcony door for him so that he didn't smash through it. "It's so good to see you!"

"Is there something wrong?" Steve asked. "What are you doing back already?"

"I am back to ensure that nothing happens to Earth under my watch. If Asgard needs me, I shall return." Thor said clasping him on the shoulder.

"So Loki is taken care of?" Clint asked, wanting to make sure that the one being that haunted his dreams was locked away.

"Yes. Guarded by the Warriors Three. His powers have been taken from him by Odin as well."

"Good to know," Clint said in relief.


This task was going to be a lot harder than it seemed. Both of these women he had been sent to bring back to his boss were not only S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, but also members of the so-called "Avengers" – whoever they were. He had tracked the whereabouts of the Black Widow after his attempt to locate Emma Carter had failed. Much to his surprise, the two women were together along with another who was obviously a civilian. Where they this civilian's bodyguards?

He tracked them the rest of the day, making sure to lurk in the shadows – well out of sight. It wasn't until that afternoon, when he realized just how hard this assignment was going to be. The women were housed in the Stark Tower with its state of the art security systems along with it being the home to these Avengers, one of which he knew was the Hulk.

He would just have to figure out another way to get to his targets.


"I'm gonna tell her this weekend, Pepper."

"Tell who what?" Pepper asked confused as she set down the book she had been reading in bed and turned to look at Tony as he crawled in next to her.

"I'm gonna tell Emma Carter who she really is."

"Oh," she said going back to reading her book.

"Is that all you can say?"

"And what happens if she doesn't believe you?"

"I have all the photos of our childhood at the house. Her room is still there along with all her old stuff from when she was a kid. I've read that people with amnesia can have memories recalled by old things of theirs. That's one reason when I found out that she was joining the Avengers that I suggested the party be out at the Hamptons. So how could she not believe me?"

Pepper leaned over and kissed Tony's lips. "I just don't want you to get your hopes up that she will accept everything right away."

"That's what I got JARVIS and DNA samples for. Scientific backup."

Pepper sighed. "I honestly do not get you at times."

Tony smiled at her then pulled her close for another kiss. "Now how about this - Virginia Pepper Potts will you marry me?" he asked as he pulled back from the kiss.

Pepper gasped as she pulled back from Tony and looked at him in shock and surprise. "Wha…What did you just ask me?" she replied stumbling over her words.

From inside his pocket, Tony pulled out a dazzling diamond ring and held it up for Pepper to see. It was a large emerald cut diamond flanked by several smaller diamonds all on a white gold setting. "Will you marry me?" he asked again.

Tearfully, Pepper nodded yes as Tony slipped the ring onto her shaky finger before pulling her close and kissing her deeply.

"So I guess the next building will have your name on the lease after all," he said smiling at her.

Pepper just rolled her eyes at him before melting into his embrace. This was the perfect way to start off a long weekend.


AN: I know that it seems like it is taking a long time to get to the good stuff….but I promise that next chapter will be the one where Emma finds out everything about her past…as for the mystery guy who is stalking Emma and Natasha, you gotta wait for a bit longer on that one. I promise action is coming soon!