Scott squeezed the armrests of the chair as he looked over the shoulder of Jen Walters.
"Scott," she said calmly.
"Yes ma'am?" he replied, still not looking at her.
"I know it's hard to think about, but you need to-"
"You have the reports. You have my statement. You have everything you need. I don't understand why they still want me to sit in front of everyone-"
"Well, we want the jury to see-"
"I don't," he said, finally meeting Jen's eyes. "No one even… No one asked me if I wanted this. I wanted Tony to make it go away, not-"
"This is him making it go away," Jen said. "They could have been out on bail, waiting over a year for a trial. Because of Tony Stark, they're still behind bars and the trial is tomorrow."
"Ms. Walters," Scott said, exhausted. "I have been through too much this last year. The death of my mother, coming into a mutation, leaving my home, getting a stepfather… Getting kidnapped. I just want to live in peace. Is that too much to ask?" Jen clasped her hands together and rested them on her desk as she leaned forward.
"These women will not stop," she said. "If you refuse to get on the stand, they could be found not guilty for the crimes they committed against you. And then once they're out for breaking a restraining order, which, let's be honest, will probably be timed served because they're innocent women who surely couldn't do all of what they're being charged for, what's to keep them from trying this again with your brothers? With your sister? Can they stop Ms. Jeffords' powers like you can?"
"Please stop," Scott begged, feeling his eyes welling.
"No," Jen said. "Because that's exactly what they'll do, Scott. The obsession they have with your family is more than disturbing. We need your help to keep them locked up to keep the rest of your family safe. So you will be at the courthouse at nine tomorrow morning, you will be dressed appropriately, and you will be ready to tell the jurors what happened to you in a clear and concise manner. Any questions?"
"Do I have to stay in there?"
"We'll have you waiting in the hall with Xavier and your dad until you're called to the stand. Once you're done, you'll be escorted back out where Tony will be waiting to take you home."
"Is there any way I can be near the start of the trial?"
"I'll do what I can, but I can't promise that." Scott wiped at his eyes and nodded.
"And it's still closed?"
"It is. Just the people involved, the jury, the judge, and a few cops that Detective Holden trusts. No media inside, no retired people looking for thrills in the courtroom. There's even been a gag order issued to the lawyers and jurors because of your age. You'll be safe and the contents sealed."
"Ok," Scott said quietly. "I'm sorry."
"It's not a pleasant situation, Scott, and I get it. But I'm here to make it as painless as possible. Just remember the talking points that we went over today and we'll be ok."
"Yes ma'am. Can I go now?"
"Yes. Your dad should be out there waiting for you." Scott nodded and stood up.
"Thank you. I know you're getting paid to do this-"
"I'd have done this for you even if you weren't Stark's son," Jen said, walking to her door. "Major Summers-Stark?" Chris closed his file and stood up.
"What time should we be there tomorrow?" Chris asked, his arm reaching out for Scott.
"Nine. Any later and you can be held in contempt." Chris nodded once and patted Scott's back.
"Are you going to be ok?"
"I'll be fine. I just want this over," Scott said.
"You and me both, son. Let's get you home for now, hm? There's a certain blue eyed, black haired delinquent who keeps asking when we're getting back."
"Pop isn't that bad," Scott said, trying to hide his smile. Chris chuckled and waved goodbye to Jen as he led Scott to the door.
"He certainly has his moments, but I can't imagine my life without him now."
"I should get some sort of finder's fee for being why you two are together," Scott said, walking towards the car in the garage of the lawyer's office.
"I thought that was your fancy phone Tony got for you," Chris said, unlocking the car.
"Alex got one, too, so-"
"Alex was why Tony invited us to dinner- Stop." Scott stopped, Chris' arm across his chest.
"Dad?"
"Who are you?" Chris asked the woman leaning on their car, pushing Scott behind him.
"A friend," the woman said, flicking the butt of a cigarette from her fingers. "A friend who is risking a lot to be here."
"What do you want?"
"For the charges to be dropped-" Scott tapped his glasses, notifying Mick to start recording.
"We're not dropping charges," Chris said, furious.
"You don't know who you're dealing with, Summers," the woman said. "I am here as a friend-"
"You sure don't seem like a friend."
"I'm a friend of Jen Walters."
"I highly doubt that," Chris scoffed. She pulled out a card and held it between two fingers.
"My card?" Chris reached out and took it.
"Jessica Jones, Alias Investigations?"
"Jen is friendly with a lawyer I occasionally help out- Matthew Murdock. He reached out to me to help keep an eye on Jessica Roberts and Diane Jeffords. I kept an ear to the ground. After today, I'd recommend dropping all charges."
"But-"
"There's a letter ready to go in Jeffords' cell detailing the 'true' experience," Jessica said, her fingers in quotations. "About how Scott used his mutation to force the women into a house with the intent to assault them, with drugs found in his stepfather's things. They simply tricked him into drinking his own tranquilizer, and then Tony Stark used his influence to keep Scott out of trouble and turn it around on the women."
"That's bullshit-"
"It sounds convincing," Jessica said. "It also mentions how Spider-Man was an accomplice, but likely because it's set to be mailed to Jameson of The Daily Bugle. I've never seen a hero detested as much as Jameson hates Spider-Man, so that's sure to get him reporting it. They're smart, I'll give them that."
"Dad?" Scott said quietly.
"They'll get out," Chris said. "I can't-"
"I wouldn't worry about them," Jessica said. "In fact, it might be safer for you if they're not in prison."
"I disagree," Chris argued. "They-"
"I know a guy," Jessica said. "He… Well, I'd recommend a long vacation where plenty of photographic evidence is taken."
"What?"
"He doesn't take hurting kids very well," she explained. "So pack your family up and GTFO." Chris mouthed the letters and Jessica rolled her eyes. "Get the fuck out."
"And you expect me to believe that you truly have my son's best interest at heart?"
"My boyfriend trained Iron Fist, White Tiger, and Nova while they were with SHIELD. Trust me that I wouldn't hurt his friends' new teammate."
"I don't-"
"Cyclops," Jessica said, cutting Scott off. "Sam's a bit arrogant, don't you think? But he's got a good heart. I can see why you fell for him. Did he tell you he learned to cook in my kitchen?"
"No…"
"Tell him Power-Man says to call more often, and that he wants to be formally introduced to you." She looked at Chris. "Drop the charges," she said again. Chris put his phone to his ear and waited.
"Jen," he said. "Drop the charges. We're not going through with this tomorrow. It's putting too much of a strain on my family and we can't handle it anymore. I know. I'll make sure you're still paid. No. No, I'm not being threatened. Tony and I are just going to pack up the kids and go to Florida earlier than planned." Chris hung up.
"Lots of pictures," Jessica said again. "A lot. Timestamped, if possible. Make it known you're there." Chris nodded.
"Thanks," Scott said. "I think."
"Anything for a fellow mutant," she winked. Scott grinned and then in almost a blink of an eye, she was gone.
"That was…" Chris' phone rang and he answered it as they got in the car. "Tony. Yes- I know. Mmhm. I'll explain when we get home. No, I'm not insane and I resent your line of questioning. I will explain at home. You remember how occasionally you'd act without discussing things first? My turn. It was in Scott's best interest. Trust me, T. And call Melissa and Ned and your pilots and whoever else. We're going to Florida tomorrow."
"Are you satisfied?" Chris asked, inside of Tony's office in the Tower once the recording from Mick had finished. Tony stroked his goatee as he tried wrapping his mind around the encounter he just watched.
"Is she insinuating murder?"
"I believe so," Chris said. "But when it comes to the safety of our children, is that something you're willing to-?"
"I'm not saying he isn't worth it," Tony said. "But what makes this ok?"
"Because if it wasn't our family, it'd be another one. Scott's a rarity, T. Xavier has said multiple times how he's never met anyone who could block his telepathy. It's like his brain is literally wired differently. Can you guarantee that the next kid Diane touches like that has that same wiring to keep them safe?"
"Chris…" Tony rubbed his forehead "This isn't out of protection. This isn't self-defense. This is cold blooded murder, and I don't think I can agree."
"Did you not hear what she said was in the letter? Scott would be outed. Peter likely wouldn't be far behind. Is that what you want?"
"Of course it isn't," Tony said, anger lacing his voice. "But I also don't want to be connected to this in any way, shape, or form."
"Look, for all I know, they're going to have the shit beaten out of them and told to become hermits in the Appalachian Mountains. We don't have a connection to this. We don't know these people-"
"Scott's team does."
"So?"
"Chris…"
"If you'd seen Scott outside of Jen's office… My reasoning to her isn't farfetched, T. This was weighing hard on him. It was killing me to see him like that. I saw this as a way to keep him from looking over his shoulder for the rest of his life, always wondering if she'd touched someone in the jail to get revenge on her behalf."
"And you're sure this isn't a trap?"
"She knew Danny, Ava, and Sam by their codenames."
"Yeah, but Matt Murdock? He's…"
"You know him?"
"Of him," Tony said. "He's a blind lawyer."
"Great. He doesn't let shit stop him."
"He doesn't always represent the best of people."
"And your teammate is a bastard who left you to die. At least as a lawyer, it's expected."
"Bear-"
"Please. I hardly ask you for things, Tony. Please just…" Chris closed his eyes. He heard Tony moving around, pacing.
"And what's in it for me if I forget about this and just go with you to Florida tomorrow?" Chris opened his eyes, a small smirk playing on his lips.
"What would you like?"
"An advance."
"Here?"
"Florida."
"Done," Chris agreed. Tony raked his eyes over Chris.
"I wouldn't say no to something else here. Our weekend was cut short, after all." Chris pulled off his shirt.
"Take 'em down, T," he said. "And get where you want." Tony unbuckled his belt and slid his clothes to his knees before sitting in his desk chair.
"This was always a fantasy of mine," he said, watching as Chris came closer.
"Really," Chris said, his smirk not leaving. "Then where would you like me? Simply in front of you? Or under the desk, hiding what I'm doing while you work?"
"Desk," Tony said, slightly breathless. "Under the desk."