So here is the last chapter, guys! It's kind of bittersweet because I really liked working on this story, but I also can't wait to start the other one which will be called Melody Barnes: Start of Time and it will be in the Captain America category. This story will not have Melody in it, but it will explain Melody's ancestors and how she got the last name Barnes. Thank you all for reading and leaving reviews! I love you all! Enjoy!

Melody was down in the workshop all by herself, just enjoying the quiet as she let a wrench from her dad's tool kit slip through her fingers. It was a day after everything that happened at the Stark Expo and everybody in the Stark group was sleeping in. It was noon and Tony had just barely woken up. He walked down the steps into the workshop, looking for Melody and when he saw her quietly playing with the wrench with no technology on, he knew it was because of Clint. He entered in the passcode and opened the door, but Melody still didn't do anything. "Hey, kid." He spoke cautiously, afraid to say something and set her off.

"Hey." She spoke, a little absentmindedly.

Tony sighed and began to go through some things on the shelf in the workshop. "I have something for you."

She put the wrench down and looked over to him, still with the sadness in her eyes. "What?" He moved to her with a tan envelope in his hands. "No." She told him as she turned back to looking at all the cars. "I can't handle another letter from my dad."

"I didn't know the last letter had data in it." He told her as he put the letter down right next to her. "So I opened it and read it before you did."

She looked down at it and turned her chair around so she could face him. "That's against the law."

"What are you talking about? The thing isn't even stamped." She gave him a look so he rolled his eyes. "I really think you should read this one, Melody."

She stared at him for a minute longer and sighed. "Fine." She picked up the letter and began to open it as Tony hurried up the steps. "I'll be upstairs making food."

Melody's eyes widened as she turned back to towards the steps. "Don't you dare cook for me!" She then turned back around to face the cars and pulled the letter out of the envelope. When she looked at the back of the envelope, she saw that, scribbled in her dad's handwriting, was, when she finds the love of her life. Melody's mouth dropped and looked back to the steps, wishing Tony was still there. She took a deep breath before unfolding the letter and reading.

My Dearest Melody,

So, you've fallen so deeply in love that you know your life would be miserable if you didn't have that one. I assume it's a guy, but it it's a girl, that's okay too. I don't know what you and this person have been through and I won't be there to judge their character, but if you fell in love with them, they must be pretty great.

I want you to know that love isn't easy. It's about give and take. It's about taking risks and compromising. It's about being brave enough to go the extra mile and I know you have enough bravery in you for the both of you.

I don't have any preferences, whoever you fall in love with is your business, but remember that if you truly love this person, you have to give your all in the relationship. If you really love this person, don't screw it up. Never go to bed angry and always talk through your problems. Never leave anything unresolved.

The only thing I want from that person is that they will keep you safe for your entire life and that they will love you until the end of time. I want them to love you as much as you love. I want them to pour their heart and soul out to you, talk about their problems with you. I want them to argue with you infuriate every bit of you and I want you to still feel the love for them even if you also want to rip their head off.

I wish I could meet the love of your life. Shake their hand and talk with them. Get to know them and give you a wink after we talk, letting you know that I approve. I wish I could be there when you two decide to get married (if you ever do) and to hold my grandchild (if you ever have children). I know personally what it's like to grow up with the paparazzi obsessing over you and you sometimes feel like you have to do something because it's expected. Don't ever be with someone because it's expected. Be with someone because you love them. Say "I love you" every chance you get and love with all your heart. I love you, darling and continue to stay the sweet, open hearted girl I had the opportunity to spend ten wonderful years with.

Love, Daddy

Melody sat there for a moment and with shaking hands put the letter down on the work bench. After she read that letter, she just knew more in her heart that she loved Clint and that the two were one day going to be together.

She got up from her seat and ran upstairs. Tony was in the kitchen his back turned to her as he was failing at making grilled cheese. Melody didn't care if he couldn't see her. She needed him. She threw her arms around his waist and buried her head into his shirt. Tony was stunned at first, but then pat her hands, which were on his stomach, comfortingly. "You okay?" He asked her softly.

She nodded and then took her head from his shirt at the smell of something. She noticed Tony was looking at her so he couldn't see the flame. "The grilled cheese is on fire!"

Tony and Melody sat down at a desk in an abandoned warehouse right outside of Malibu in the middle of nowhere. Fury hadn't showed up yet so it was just the two of them around very expensive equipment. They were both messing with things, but all of the secure files were on heavy lock and key so it's not like they would find out some super top secret stuff. "The technology for this place is amazing." Melody told him.

Tony looked to her and smiled. She was back to wearing her old clothes and was now a newer Melody. A Melody with the best qualities from the old one and the new one. She was actually starting to get to know her mother, but taking it slow with baby steps. Sure, there was a sadness that would pass over her every now and then when something reminded her of Clint like when a hawk would fly by or when she would see the dill pickle chips they ate the night they got high, but after a little while she had grown to handle it. Nothing could compare to the first time Melody and Tony saw a hawk fly by and she just burst into tears on Tony's lap and he had no idea what to do or why she was crying. She had some kinks, but who didn't? He had never been more proud.

"You think this is the part where they kill us for knowing too much?" He joked.

Melody shrugged, spinning her chair back to the table they were supposed to be waiting patiently at. "You never know with SHIELD."

The door then opened, letting all the light of the day in, causing Tony and Melody to squint. Fury walked in and closed the door, leaving just the three of them. Both Tony and Melody had no idea what to do as he sat down in the seat in front of them. They both shifted uncomfortably when Melody finally decided to ask, "Are we in trouble?"

He continued to look at her as he slammed two files down on the table, causing them both to jump. They both had the SHIELD symbol on it and both read: Avengers Initiative Preliminary Report. They both took their own, but Fury put his hand on Tony's bringing it down to the table. "I don't think I want you looking at that. I'm not sure it pertains to you anymore."

Tony looked over to Melody who still had hers in hand. "What about her?"

Fury shrugged. "It still pertains to her."

"What?" Melody asked as she looked to Tony. "Did he not get approved or something?" She looked back to Fury who was giving her a knowing glance. She let out a stifled laugh as she turned back to Tony. "Holy shit. You didn't get approved."

"This," He spoke as he picked up another file. "Is Agent Romanoff's assessment of you." He pulled out another file and handed it to Melody. "And this is Agent Barton's assessment of you."

"That's not fair." Tony spoke as he looked back and forth from Melody to Fury. "The guy is in love with her. Of course she got approved. This is nepotism."

"We're not related."

"Just read your damn files." Fury told them in a tired voice.

Without another word, they both opened their assessment files, Melody's eyebrows furrowing at what was written at the top of it. "Melody Barnes/Dark Violet." She looked up to Fury with a kind of excited face. "Is that my superhero name?"

"You don't have a superhero name because you're not a superhero." He told her firmly.

Melody looked back down at her file taking a deep breath, trying not to take what he said too personally. "I'm a pretty super hero."

"That's your codename and that's the one we've been calling you for the past twenty-two years."

She looked down at the file again, feeling confused. "Why Dark Violet?"

"Dark violet is the military color for experimental."

Melody looked up at him, pursing her lips, annoyed with the name they had chosen for her. "Personality overview: Tony Stark displays compulsive behavior." Tony looked up at Fury who did not look amused. "In my defense, that was last week."

"Hm," Melody spoke, turning to Tony, enjoying what was written on her file. "Personality overview: Melody Barnes displays immense selflessness."

"Immense?" Tony questioned as he turned to look at her file.

"Continue." Fury told them.

"Prone to self-destructive tendencies." Tony looked up to Fury again. "I was dying. I mean, please. Aren't we all?"

"Potential to be a great leader."

Tony rolled his eyes at her perfect little review and looked back to his. "Textbook…narcissism?" He looked up at Melody who shrugged, knowing it was true and then at Fury who kept his unamused face. "Agreed."

"Textbook…stubbornness?" Melody looked to Tony who shrugged in agreement and Melody rolled her eyes, looking back down at the report. "I am not stubborn!" Tony began to turn his head to her, trying to tell her that she was just being stubborn. "Shit." She said as she looked back down at the file. "I am stubborn."

"Okay," Tony spoke as he looked back down at his file. "Recruitment assessment for Avenger Initiative: Iron Man, yes." Tony looked to Fury and shrugged. "They had to think about it."

"Read on." He advised.

Melody leaned in to read over Tony's shoulder. "Tony Stark, not," He had to blink a few times to make sure it was right. "Not recommended?" He looked up at Fury with a confused face. "That doesn't make any sense. How can you approve me, but not approve me?" He looked to Melody and moved so he could read over her shoulder. "What does yours say, Mel?"

"Melody Barnes/Dark Violet approved." She told him while shutting the file.

Tony looked back to Fury who was standing up like he was annoyed. "I got a new ticker. I'm trying to do right by Pepper. I'm in a stableish relationship."

Fury sat down right next to him on the table. "Which leads us to believe at this juncture that we'd only like to use you as a consultant."

Tony got up and shook his hand. He did feel rejected, but he wasn't going to think too much about it. "You can't afford me." Tony stood up from where he sat and began to move to the door as Melody continued to sit, knowing Fury still needed to talk to her. "Then again, I will wave my customary retainer in exchange for a small favor." They both turned to look to Tony, Fury giving him a worried glance at this small favor. "Rhodey, Mel and I are being honored in Washington and we need a presenter."

Melody turned to him, giving him a pleading face. He gave her a slight smile and nodded, turning back to Tony. "I'll see what I can do."

"Thank you." Tony told him with a happy smile and then continued walking to the front door. "See you at the house, Mel."

The door opened and shut, leaving just her and Fury. It was the first time she had ever been alone with him. "We have some things to talk about." He told her as he moved to sit in the seat Tony was sitting in. "I'm going to give you one of two options."

Melody didn't even know if she wanted to be a part of the Avengers Initiative. "What if I don't want either of them?"

He looked at her like he wasn't quite expecting that, but nodded. "Then you can walk away and never hear from us again." Melody nodded, but she wasn't sure if she wanted that either. If she was never going to hear from SHIELD again, she might never see Emily or Clint. "Option number one is that you can go and join SHIELD, become an agent and work with the Avengers that way."

Melody shook her head. "I'm not sure I want to do that."

Fury nodded. "And I knew that, so I created another option for you." Melody nodded, trying to tell him to continue. "You come to New York and we will train you so you're ready for a fight when we've got one." Melody blinked a couple of times. She would be leaving everything she had in Malibu. "You shouldn't stay there longer than six months." Melody's stomach was churning. Six months was a long time to be away from home. She didn't like the thought of being away that long at all. She didn't know anyone in New York. Her home was in Malibu. "It's kind of like a SHIELD Reserves sort of thing." Fury leaned back in his chair. "And you can also reject the Avenger Initiative." He threw his hands up. "It's your choice."

Melody sat there for a minute, mulling the options over in her head. "I thought I proved that I could be ready for a fight at the Stark Expo."

"You were almost killed in that fight, Melody." Fury shook his head. "In the big leagues we don't want that to happen." Melody continued to sit there, thinking about her choices, both seemed insanely important. These were two life changing decisions. He couldn't possibly expect her to decide right now. "I'll give you the weekend to decide." She looked up at him and nodded. "But I need my decision on Monday."

Melody nodded and looked around uncomfortably. "Can I leave now?"

He chuckled a little and nodded. "Yes. You can leave now."

Melody opened the gate to the cemetery in a floral sun dress and her mother followed, carrying the flowers in a white T-shirt and a denim skirt. "Have you ever been here before?" Melody asked as she turned to look at Emily.

She shrugged, still obviously seeming nervous. "A couple of times." Melody looked up as they walked down the pathway seeing the sun peeking through the trees. "I feel like your dad's birthday was just perfect timing."

They reached his grave and sat down on the grass in front of the headstone. They let some silence pass over them after Emily put the flowers next to the headstone, Melody thinking about how she was going to talk to her mother about what Fury had proposed. "Mom," Emily looked over at her, but Melody kept her eyes on the headstone. "What was your relationship like with Dad?"

She smiled a little bit and looked back to the headstone. "We were always avoiding getting together, not wanting to date someone else in SHIELD especially with who our parents were, but I guess we were meant to be."

Melody sighed as she turned back to her mother, deciding to just say it. "I was approved for the Avengers Initiative."

"I know." Emily spoke as she continued to look at the headstone.

Melody threw her hands in the air, feeling a bit of an annoyance. "Of course you know. You're the supervisor of SHIELD. What was I thinking?"

Emily turned to her, knowing Melody was upset so she put her hand on her shoulder and began to rub her back. "But you're not talking to me as a supervisor. You're talking to me as your mom."

Melody shook her head as she turned back to the headstone. "I don't know what to do."

Emily continued to rub her back and then shook her head. "I can't tell you what to do or influence your decisions."

Melody nodded, accepting that she was actually taking the backseat in her life instead of fighting with her on steering. "I'm just scared." Melody finally admitted as she turned to her mother. "If I give up the Avengers Initiative, that's my last connection with SHIELD."

"And with Clint."

"And you."

"You'll always have me." Emily told her while putting her arm around her shoulder, causing Melody to fall into her shoulder. "And you'll always have Clint." She nodded, knowing that, but without being involved in SHIELD, it felt like their relationship would just be different. "It's whatever you want to do, Melody."

Melody sighed as she looked up with a smile on her face. "It's a beautiful day." Emily nodded in agreement as she looked up with her. "Dad would have loved it."

Emily sighed at the fact that this was actually happening. Melody was actually in her arms. They were actually working on building a relationship. She knew it wouldn't be simple, but they were getting there. "I'm the luckiest mom in the world." Melody smiled, loving the fact that she actually now had a mom. Getting her back wasn't what she always pictured as a little girl, but she actually had her again. "Especially since my daughter is being honored in Washington DC."

Melody laughed and fell out of her embrace, lying down on the grass and looking up at the sky. It really was a beautiful day.

Tony, Melody and Rhodey stood on the stage in front of the audience with Senator Stern getting ready to present their ribbons. Melody smiled at Pepper who looked so proud sitting in the front row with Emily. "It is my honor to be here today to present these distinguished awards to Lt. Colonel James Rhodes, Miss. Melody Barnes and Mr. Tony Stark." He paused like he didn't really want to say the next words and Melody began wondering what Fury had gotten him to say. "Who are of course national treasures."

It took all the self-control in Tony and Melody's bodies to not burst into laughter right there after everything they had went through with Senator Stern. He went to Rhodey first, telling him what he was supposed to say as Rhodey just nodded and thanked him. He then moved to Melody, pinning her ribbon on her dress, but when he passed her, he gripped her shoulder a little too hard. He then moved to Tony and pushed the pin into his body. "Ow." Tony whispered.

"Oh, sorry." He spoke with a fake voice. "Funny how annoying a little prick can be." Tony and Melody shared a slightly frightened look when Senator Stern harshly grabbed Melody by the shoulder and pulled her in so the audience would see them. "Let's get a photo."

Melody put her other arm around Rhodey and Tony put his around Senator Stern. Right before the camera flashed, Tony threw up a peace sign, causing Melody's smile to grow wider. She would miss him. After everything they had been through, Melody knew what she wanted to do with her life. She wanted to help people. She wanted to save lives and avoid crises. After they got off the stage, Melody pulled her phone out as she watched Tony and Rhodey talk with a smile on her face. She knew Tony would be proud of her either way. "This is Fury." She heard Nick answer.

"Hey," She told him while still watching the two. "This is Barnes. It's Monday and I have my answer." She paused for a moment, knowing this is what she really wanted to do. "I'm joining the SHIELD Reserves."

"Excellent."

"You might want to tell my mom to go by Carter now to avoid confusion."

Fury laughed a little, noticing the Emily in her. "I'll tell her."

"I do have one condition." Fury began to get nervous about what she wanted. "I get a week to come home every month."

Fury sighed, but knew this was the only way he could get her. He couldn't rip the girl away from her family especially that family. "You've got a deal, Barnes."

"Thanks, Fury." She hung up the phone and looked to the two again right as Pepper joined. Her smile grew even wider. Together, they were the original four. The people she had been closest to her entire life and would continue to be until the day she died. Tony looked over to her and waved her to come over. She smiled and ran to them, joining Tony in a hug. Fury could never truly pull her away from them.

Melody walked down what was left of the stairs of her Malibu home, knowing she wouldn't be able to appreciate this house for six months. Even if it was currently renovating, she still loved it. A lot had happened in the past week. Her mother came back. Clint came back. Tony almost died. She almost died. She completely evolved into a different person. She got a better grasp on who she really was. Now, she was going to New York. Leaving Malibu and going to New York. It still didn't feel totally real.

When she got to the bottom of the stairs, Tony was sitting on their dirtied white couch. It was one of the only things that wasn't destroyed in the living room. "Hey." He told her casually.

"Hey." She sighed out as she threw herself down on the couch. It had been a stressful week and the weekend hadn't been any better.

He turned to her and noticed how exhausted he was, beginning to worry. "You all right?" She shrugged and he studied her more, thinking about how in a few days they wouldn't be sharing another moment like this. She would be in New York, staying at Stark Towers. "When's your flight?"

"Thursday." It was now Tuesday. Only two days away.

"Sorry you have to live in this dump for your last two days."

She laughed a little and shrugged. "It may be destroyed, but it still feels like home."

He smiled at her, but then the doorbell rang, pulling them out of their moment. "Pizza's here." He announced happily.

"I got it." She said as she jumped up from the couch with no effort before he could even begin trying to get up.

"Yeah," He agreed as he settled further into the couch. "You young people need to start doing more for us old people."

She smirked as she got to the door, opening it, not to reveal the pizza man, but Clint. She softened immediately, hardly being able to believe he was actually here and that this wasn't a dream. "Clint." She began as she moved out of the house, closing the door so Tony wouldn't hear their conversation. "What are you doing here? I thought you'd be in New Mexico by now."

"Um," He seemed to be really nervous. "I'm about to go there, I just wanted to stop by before I left to check on you after…everything."

She nodded and gave him a slight smile. "I'm going to New York."

He smiled back on her. He would miss her quirkiness. "Yeah, Emily told me."

She nodded and mumbled, "Of course she did." She then began to study him. "This New Mexico thing," He nodded, wanting her to continue. "Is it dangerous?"

He shook his head, trying to not make her worry, but knowing he didn't know what to expect. A god's hammer fell out of the sky. "It should be a really simple assignment. It'll be over before you know it."

She nodded, knowing he was lying and he knew she knew he was lying. They could read each other like a headline. "Well," She began in a voice that came out shakier than she expected. "Be careful."

He nodded, feeling sadness about leaver her again. "Have fun in New York."

She leaned into his chest and he held her. She put her arms around his body as tight as she could, knowing she would miss him. Knowing she needed him. Knowing she loved him. "Come back to me." She whispered into his chest.

"I always will." He whispered back before kissing the top of her head.

When they pulled away, a tear trickled down her cheek, but Clint caught it with his thumb, wiping it off her face. Melody smiled, thinking about all the times he had caught her tears. Part of her wished she could change everything bad that ever happened in their relationship, but the other part knew she never would because that's what made their bond so strong. "If you're in New York in the next six months-"

"I'll look you up." He finished for her.

She rolled her eyes. "I'll be at Stark Towers."

He shrugged with a smile on his face. "That makes things easier for me."

She laughed as he began to walk backwards, not wanting to look away from her, taking his last long look at her for a long time. "See ya, Hawkeye."

He chuckled a little and nodded. "Bye, Dark Violet."

She let out a little chuckle as he got in into his car, giving him a little wave before he drove off. Once he was gone, she shut her eyes, letting another tear out. She was going to miss him, but she knew he would always come back. He was her shadow agent and they were both approved for the Avengers Initiative.

She let out a shaky sigh as she walked back into the house, seeing Tony still sitting in the same spot. "That wasn't the pizza guy, was it?"

She bit her lip, fighting back more tears as she shook her head. He gave her a sympathetic stare as he opened his arms for her. She let out a relieved sigh, knowing that no matter what, she still had Tony. She moved to him and curled up in his arms. He rubbed her back as he kissed her head, letting her cry on him. "He'll come back." She mumbled. "He always comes back."

He nodded with a slight smile growing, knowing that he was the love of her life. "If it wasn't obvious before, I approve." She chuckled a little bit through her tears. "And I know your dad would too."

Her smile began to get even bigger as she thought about her dad. "I wish he got to meet him."

He let out a deep breath, thinking about his brother. "I wish he did too."

The two of them sat in silence, just enjoying their embrace, thinking about James, the one who meant so much to them and was now just gone. Tony looked down at Melody, seeing so much of James in her. She had his brain, his features, but most importantly, his heart. Everything good in him was now in her, causing him to love her insanely. "You know how you've been trying to get me to do that clean energy thing?"

She looked up at him with a thinking face on. "Yeah?"

"Well, I was thinking that while you're in New York, you could work on that little idea for Stark Towers."

Her eyes lit up, causing Tony to smile even wider. "Really?!"

"Yeah, kid."

"Oh, my god!" She yelled excitedly while sitting up. "I have so many ideas."

"Let me hear all of them." She began talking as fast as humanly possible and Tony hung on to every word, appreciating that for the first time in the past six months, she was genuinely the happiest she had ever been.