Tony was walking out of his bedroom, going to Quinns to get her up for the day. He yawned, rubbing his head as he walked past Gage's room. He had to walk back and look down to see Quinn in her Iron Man costume, he raised an eyebrow. "Quinn...what are you doing?" "I'm protecting Gage." He sighed. Gage had been home for two weeks and was doing a lot better. Quinn on the other hand has not left his side since they got home. Last night he actuly slept in his room. Always waiting for Quinn to sleep first. She was always ready to protect him, never took her Iron Man costume off. He knew she was just scared he would get hurt again but it was getting into worrisome territory. "Well even super heroes need breaks, why don't we go get some breakfast?" "When Gage wakes up." He had to fight the urge to chuckle. Her voice sounded so serious but the toy helmet muffled her voice. He smiled. "Alright. Well I'll be downstairs.." He paused, smiled/smirking. "Watching Spongebob with chocolate milk and a banana peanut butter sandwich." He could tell it got to her as she fidgeted with her hands. "Ok. I'll be here." Damn, he thought that would work. He shook his head, walking downstairs.
The next out of the room was Kim, hands rubbing her belly soothingly but then stopped when she saw Quinn. "Sweetie, what are you doing?" "Protecting Gage." She smiled, kneeling down to her. "But he's safe in here. JARVIS is always watching him and he'll let us know anything that happens." "Nope. I'm gonna stay here and keep watch." Kim sighed, kissing her costume helmet before standing and walking down stairs.
Once Kim got to the kitchen, she saw Tony by the coffee maker, sipping his cup of coffee. He smiled weakly. "Have you seen what Quinn is doing?" Tony nodded, handing her a cup of coffee. "Yep." Kim looked down into her coffee mug. "Should we talk to her?" He sighed. "I'm gonna let it go for now, at least until he's at 100% again and if it's still going on, then yes, definitely." She smiled, sipping her coffee. "You have a plan foe everything don't you?" He shrugged, putting an arm around her waist. "About 90% of the time." She chuckled before gasping in surprise and pain, a hand going to her belly. "Ow.." Tony quickly looked worried, his hand going to hers on her belly. "Are you ok?" She smiled "Yes...just took me by surprise...he's kicking." It took a few moments for the worry to leave and a smile to replace it as he felt her stomach. He felt another kick, he grinned. "Oh...wow..." He chuckled before going back to worried. "Why don't you sit down then?" She smiled but he could tell it was pained from the baby kicking. "Good idea." He smiled as she sat down at the kitchen table.
Just then Jason/Clint came in. Tony smiled, going to him. "Oh, hey Jason. Morning." Jason/Clint nodded, going to the coffee maker, pouring a cup for himself. Kim spoke up. "Jason, would you like to eat with us?" She paused then continued. "I understand if you have a deformity or whatever that keeps your mask on, but it's ok, we'll accept it. We don't judge. But if you don't want to, we understand." Jason/Clint had to pause at the coffee maker, letting all she said sink in. She had no idea how badly he wanted to rip this fucking mask off, tell her it's him and that her baby may be his as well. He turned to her, thinking of his only way to thank her. He bowed then shook his head no. He knew Tony was smart enough to catch on to it. Tony caught on, walking toward him. "I think he means Thank you but no thank you. It's ok Jason, We just want you to know that." Kim smiled, nodding. "I just wanted him to know." Jason nodded again, taking his coffee out of the room with him, going upstairs. As he walked into Gage's rooms, he patted Quinn's costume helmet affectionately as he walked inside the room, closing the door. He took his mask off, placing the coffee on the table next to the bed. Gage was starting to wake from the smell of coffee in the room.
Clint sighed, sitting on his own bed. "Morning sunshine." Gage groaned. "Morning...Mmm..coffee.." he started to sit up with little difficulty. Clint could see the still healing scar on his chest. It made a pang of guilt go to his stomach. If he was faster, if he caught that crazed woman, hell if she even went after him... Then his little brother wouldn't have nearly died. Gage saw the look on Clint's face, sipping his coffee. "Hey..stop, I know that look." Clint gave him a look. "Oh you do?" "Yeah, I do and you need to stop. This wasn't your fault." Clint rolled his eyes. "Were not doing this." Gage sat up, half glaring. "Yes we are. You wallow yourself in guilt anytime something happens to anyone you care about. This wasn't your fault. You heard the police report. They found a mixture of PCP and meth in her system. We deal with bad guys, not insanity. Plus, we were doing our job, wernt we?" Clint gave him a look. He wasn't amused. Gage continued. "Protecting the Stark's at all costs." Clint huffed out, looking to the ground. "Our lives shouldn't be one of them." Gage frowned. "I know but I am willing to sacrifice that for there safety." Clint looked up. "especially you." Gage raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean "Especially me?" Clint smirked. "look outside your door." Gage raised an eyebrow, getting up with a wince. Clint smirked, putting his mas back on in case Quinn looked inside.
Gage put a shirt on before opening the door, seeing Quinn in her Iron Man costume. He shook his head with a smile. "Quinn...what are you doing?" Quinn turned looking up at him. "I'm protecting you." He chuckled, taking her helmet off her gently, rubbing her hair. "But I'm fine, see?" "But what if bad guys attack?" Gage smirked/smiled to her. "Then I'll get rid of them." She pouted. "But your hurt!" He chuckled, pulling his shirt down enough for her to see the still bright red scar. He thanked God for dissolving stitches. "See? It's just fine. Just a little sore. " She pouted, reaching up to touch it. He saw her eyes water as she gently touched the scar. "That lady almost took you away." He smiled softly, reaching to hold her. "Com'ere." Her lip trembled as she went into his chest, trying to hug him with her little arms. He hugged her close. "No one is taking me away any time soon and I promise if they try to, I'll be right back. Ok?" She sniffled. "Ok..." Gage smiled, kissing her head. "Why don't we go get some breakfast?" She looked up quickly as he stood. "And watch spongebob?" He smiled, holding her hand. "And watch spongebob." She smiled, walking with him. Clint hard the whole conversation from inside the room. He smiled weakly before sipping the coffee that was on the table. He vowed to himself to always get Gage out of whatever danger there is. He wasn't going to let him die, for Quinns sake .For this families sake.
Once they made it to the kitchen, Gage holding Quinns hand, Tony smiled, seeing them. "Well good morning. And good morning to you Iron man." Quinn smiled. "I'm not Iron man now, I don't have my helmet on." Tony and Kim chuckled. "Oh ok. Would you like some breakfast?" She nodded going into her seat, Gage going to help pick her up before tony stopped him. "Ahh! No, you sit to. We don't want you ripping open anything." Tony picked Quinn up, putting her in her booster. Gage rolled his eyes but smiled. That was the first time someone has shown they worry and care about him. "Can I at least make breakfast sir? No offense, you'll burn the kitchen down." Kim had to keep from full on laughing, chuckling. Tony gave him a look but smiled. "Alright, but thats it. No heavy lifting or anything that could rip open any stitches or scars. Not until the doctor says you're ok to go back on duty. Gage chuckled. "Got it." He went to the fridge, starting to get various foods out to make into breakfast.
Tony now got a good look at Quinn. He frowned. She looked a bit pale and looked like she hasn't slept in days. "Quinn, are you feeling ok?" He brought the back of his hand to her forehead, feeling it. She looked up and he could see the weariness in her eyes but also the fight. "I'm ok." Tony frowned. "Did you sleep last night?" She shook her head. "No. I was protecting Gage." Kim and Tony both frowned. Gage turned around to look worriedly as well. It's true, she hasn't left his side and often times shes fallen asleep by his side but now that he was (nearly forced to sleep in his bed) Quinn forced herself to stay up protecting him. He made a mental note to talk to her.
He sighed, bringing three plates over to the table. Quinn spoke. "I'm not very hungry anymore." She pouted. Tony frowned softly. True, she was like him and forget to eat but was ever one to actually refuse food. "Why don't you go lay down on the couch then?" She nodded as Tony helped her off the booster. She walked into the living room, going to lay on the couch. Tony looked between Kim and Gage who looked equally worried. "I think she's sick." Kim nodded. "I think so to." She frowned softly. "Shes been so worried and scared and refusing to sleep. I think it's caught up with her." Gage frowned. "I'm sorry." Tony looked to him. "What are you sorry for?" Gage shrugged. "If I hadn't gotten hurt she wouldn't be so scared and forcing herself to stay up." Tony shook his head. "This isn't your fault. As our bodyguard that kind of stuff is gonna happen, you're gonna get hurt as much as we hate that. She just hasn't found a way to accept that yet." Gage sighed. "I'm gonna go talk to her." Tony nodded. Gage walked into the living room, seeing Quinn laying down on the couch, breathing thru her mouth before hearing sniffling. Yep, a cold. He knelled down to her. "Hey princess, how you feeling?"
He got a groan in response. He chuckle softly. "Not good huh?" She shook her head. He smiled, petting her hair. "Well you've been taking such good care of me, protecting me, how about I take care of you now?" She nodded before coughing into the couch cushion. He kissed her head before gently picking her up, with a wince, the scar moving slightly but she was light as a feather to him. He held her close as he sat on the couch, her in his lap. "JARVIS, tell Tony I need a bowel of chicken noddle soup and child's pain killer." "Yes sir." Gage looked at the calender/clock above the TV. He smiled, petting her hair. "Hey, you know something? Next week is your birthday. How old are you gonna be?" She held up a tiny peace sign. She would be two years old. Gage smiled, kissing her head. "we'll get you better for your birthday, I promise."
AN: thank you for reading! Please review!