Chapter 8
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July 10th 2016. Avengers Compound.
Morning.
It is a Sunday morning and for something different Tony left the compound early to go into the city to pick up Dutch chocolate pancakes from a place that he, Melinda and Hope found when they were at boarding school, that he knows for a fact taste the same as they did back then, because he figured everyone would enjoy them.
Being impressed with his own timing Tony is just serving the food he got, and kept warm when the others start to arrive at breakfast.
"Okay, I know you didn't cook these so where'd you get them?" Natasha asks.
"What makes you so sure I didn't?" Tony asks, pretending to be insulted.
"I know you." Natasha says simply.
"I'll have you know I spent hours slaving away at a stove to….."
"TONY." Hope, Rhodey and Natasha say in perfect unison none of them believing him for a second.
"Where'd you really get them?" Hope asks.
"Pancake Kitchen." Tony answers, causing Hope to completely freeze.
"You better not be kidding, because that would be cruel, Tony." Hope informs him.
"I'm not. I left early to get them." Tony assures her.
"God I love you." Hope says and because it's Rhodey and Natasha who are there they both know that that is in a completely platonic way.
"What are Jim and I missing?" Natasha asks confused.
"Mel, Hope and I found Pancake Kitchen we were at boarding school. We fell in love with their food." Tony explains.
"Trust me when I say you have never had pancakes like this before." Hope reveals, grinning from ear to hear as Laura and the kids, followed by Vision start to arrive.
"Are these chocolate pancakes?" Lila asks, sounding amazed.
"Yep, they are." Tony says with a grin.
"Cool." Cooper says.
"Boss Melinda May has just arrived." FRIDAY reveals.
"Just in time for breakfast." Tony says, being glad he got extra, "Tell her where we are."
"Of course." FRIDAY responds as Tony grabs another plate and starts to serve more up.
A couple of minutes later Melinda walks into the room.
"Hey Mel." Hope greats and as she does the kids turn around.
"AUNT MEL." Cooper yells, sounding thrilled and he and Lila both get up and hurry towards her, both hugging her.
"Hey Cooper, Lila." Melinda says, a little surprised as she didn't know they were at the compound.
"You need to visit more, I've missed you." Cooper tells her in a matter of fact tone.
"I'll try." Melinda responds, being pretty sure that things might not be possible.
"You're just in time for breakfast." Tony reveals as Melinda walks over to the table, still having two kids holding on to her, "Pancakes from Pancake Kitchen." He reveals.
"Wow." Melinda says, sounding surprised.
"Kids, let go of Aunt Mel and let her eat breakfast." Laura informs her kids.
"Yes Mom." Lila and Cooper respond, letting go of Melinda and heading back to their seats, as Melinda walks towards Tony.
"We need to talk." She informs him.
"Breakfast first, then talk." Tony tells her, there being no room for questioning in his voice, and Melinda just rolls her eyes and sits down between Hope and Natasha.
Almost an hour later breakfast is over and Melinda, Tony, Natasha, Hope and Rhodey are in Tony's office.
"What's going on?" Tony asks Melinda once they are in all inside.
"A lot." Melinda admits, "Andrew's dead." She says, her voice strutting a little and it being clear to the others that it is painful for her to say.
"What?" Hope, Natasha, Tony and Rhodey say together sounding completely shocked.
"How?" Natasha asks.
"You remember me telling you how he became inhuman?" Melinda asks as after Phil and Fitz returned from Maveth she took a day to see her friends and told them about Andrew.
"Yeah, he was killing other Inhumans." Hope says sadly and Melinda nods.
"He came back to S.H.I.E.L.D because he knew he was about to turn for the last time and he thought with us was the best place for him." Melinda explains, "Just after I went back after bringing you home, I got him to go on a plane to try and kill the horrible thing we were face, but he didn't. he did save a member of my team who was being controlled." Melinda says sadly.
"I'm sorry Mel." Rhodey says sadly as he knows how much Andrew meant to her.
"So am I." Melinda admits.
"The thing you called The Devil, that's what's Andrew was trying to stop?" Tony asks, wanting to give his friend a hug but right now he is pretty sure that she wouldn't react overly well to that.
"Yes." Melinda says with a nod, "It was actually one of the first Inhumans that was banished from this planet and that Hydra had been trying to get back ever since." Melinda explains, "It had the ability to control Inhumans and possess dead humans, retaining all the memories of his previous hosts, as well as turning them into liquid."
"Lovely." Tony says sarcastically.
"So that means it was Daisy who Andrew saved." Natasha realises, knowing how painful that would be for Melinda, and Melinda nods.
"How'd you stopped something like that?" Rhodey asks, not seeing how they could have.
"Hive, that's what its name was, used a scientist to come up with a pathogen that would cause humans to become swayed inhumans in one go. It didn't work exactly well and they people effected became primitives." Melinda explains, "Hive though very much liked this and was planning on using a warhead to spread the pathogen."
"Okay, you weren't kidding about the end of the world thing." Hope realises, looking shocked and Melinda nods.
"Wish I was. We managed to stop that, and briefly capture Hive but that's when things went wrong." Melinda reveals, "Hive got free and some S.H.I.E.L.D agents got turned into primitives." She explains, "Hive took our plane because it had high altitude capabilities and my entire team ended up on there too. Daisy got the warhead to the Quinjet and was going to take it to space, so the pathogen could spread safely….."
"Good idea." Tony says approvingly.
"But another member of our team, another inhuman Lincoln, who Daisy been dating for a while, followed and used his powers to make it so that Hive couldn't take manual control." Melinda explains, "Lincoln also used his powers to get Daisy off the jet so it was just him and Hive, they both died when the warhead exploded." Melinda explains to her friends, her family.
"You've had a hell of a few weeks." Natasha says, giving her a sympathetic look.
"Really have." Melinda confirms, "The President's going to Re-legitimize S.H.I.E.L.D, which is what we've been working towards for years, but my team's falling apart." Melinda says sadly, "Four days ago Daisy, because of how much guilt she is feeling, left and we've seen no sign of her since." Melinda says, there being pain in her voice.
"Doesn't she have earthquake powers? Can't you track her through them?" Rhodey asks, remembering Melinda saying that.
"We can, and we are, but we've got nothing yet." Melinda admits.
"You're here to tell us that you can't be an Avenger, aren't you?" Tony asks as that's what it seems like to him.
"You guys are my family, always have been, always will be, but my teams my family too, and right now they need more." Melinda admits.
"I get it." Tony says with a small smile.
"Same." Hope says, knowing how rare it is for Melinda to open up to people and that she would never leave the people she cares about when they truly need her.
"You've got to do what you've got to do." Rhodey adds.
"But now that S.H.I.E.L.D is going to be legitimate again, maybe we can work together more." Natasha suggests.
"Hopefully." Melinda admits, "And if you really, really need me I'll find a way to help." She says.
"I'll put you down as backup." Tony comments and Melinda nods.
"There was actually I was hoping you could help me with." Melinda says, looking at Tony, "Or at least someone from your legal department."
"You in Legal trouble?" Tony asks concerned
"Not me." Melinda assures him, "A couple of months ago two members of my team saved the Russian President by killing someone on Russian soil and they chose to take the hit, be disavowed to protect S.H.I.E.L.D and to stop a war between the US and Russia. I want to know if there is a way to make it so they can come back without starting said war." Melinda explains as with everything going on she knows how much the team need Bobbi and Hunter and if she can she wants to bring them back.
"I'll put you in touch with Harris. He's the best person to go to with something like this." Tony tells her.
"Thanks." Melinda says, sounding grateful.
"You're welcome."
"Boss, Hank Pym has just arrived at the compound." FRIDAY informs the group, causing everyone in the office to turn and look at Hope.
"I didn't know he was coming today." Hope says in her defence.
"FRIDAY Direct Hank to this office, give him temporary access." Tony requests.
"Yes Boss." FRIDAY responds.
"I should get going back to base." Melinda comments.
"No way, you're staying to meet Hank." Tony tells her, feeling that if he has to then she has to as well.
"He's right, Mel. You're staying." Hope informs her.
"Fine." Melinda says with a sigh and the group drift into silence.
For about five minutes the group stand in silence until there is a knock on the door.
"Come in." Tony calls and seconds later Hank walks in.
"Hi Dad." Hope says, walking over to her father, "I didn't know you were going to come today."
"I decided It was a good time." Hank admits, "I wanted to properly meet the people who are so important to you." He tells his daughter.
"Thanks Dad." Hope says with a small smile, "Well, this is everyone, my friends, my family." Hope says smiling at everyone, "Melinda May, Tony Stark, Natasha Romanoff, and James Rhodes." Hope says pointing to them all as she introduces them.
"It's very nice to meet you Sir." Rhodey greats and as he does Tony, Melinda and Natasha exchange amused looks.
"You too." Hank says to Rhodey.
"I know you and my father didn't get alone, and honestly I don't blame you for that, he was…. Difficult." Tony comments, "But I want to assure you that I am not like my father." He says, stepping forward.
"So my daughter says, but I would like to see that for myself." Hank admits.
"You will." Hope assures her Dad, "When are you going home?" Hope asks curious.
"I have a flight back tonight." Hank reveals.
"Okay, then how would you like a tour of this place?" Hope asks curious.
"That would be fine."
"I'm guessing you have to get back?" Hope says to Melinda.
"Yeah."
"Okay." Hope says before walking over to her friend, "I love you, I'm sorry about Andrew." Hope whispers as she hugs Melinda.
"Love you too." Melinda responds as she returns the hug and then the two of them break apart, "It was nice meeting you, Dr Pym."
"You too." Hank responds.
"Come with me, Dad." Hope says and the two of them head out of the office so that Hope can show Hank all around the compound.
"I really do have to get going." Melinda tells the others, "I'll keep in as much contact as I can."
"You better." Tony tells her.
"Bye." Melinda says, giving each of her friends a brief hug before leaving.
"FRIDAY how long until my video call with T'Challa?" Tony asks curious.
"An hour." FRIDAY answers.
"Another meeting about the Accords?" Natasha asks and Tony nods.
"Yeah, either of you want to join?" Tony asks.
"Sure." Rhodey answers.
"Might as well." Natasha says with a shrug.
"Great." Tony says with a grin, honestly he wants as much input on the accords as possible, "FRIDAY, what else do I have to do today?" Tony says, being pretty sure that he is forgetting something big,
"I believe you have to look over the reports sent by Miss Potts as well as needing to do the Paperwork from the mission in Canada, and there are projects in your workshop that you need to finish." FRIDAY reveals.
"Right, see this is why I don't sleep." Tony tells his friends, "What needs to be done first?" he asks.
"The United Nations wanted your report two days ago." FRIDAY answers.
"Right, should probably get on that." Tony realises.
"Anything we can do?" Natasha asks, being pretty sure that Tony's work load has increased a lot since Berlin.
"If I give you the list of changes I plan to discuss with T'Challa today can you make sure they make sense?" Tony asks curious.
"Sure." Natasha responds and Tony walks over to his desk, and starts to search.
"Okay, here." Tony asks handing a pile of papers to Natasha.
"How about I look over the reports from Pepper. I've been around long enough to know what stuff you really need to see and what stuff you just need to sign without reading." Rhodey tells his friend.
"That would be great." Tony admits, feeling very grateful for his two friends as he's been trying to do a little on very little sleep, "FRIDAY please give Rhodey access to Stark Industry files."
"Already have, Boss." FRIDAY responds.
"Great." Tony responds, sounding glad, "Video calls in the conference room in an hour." Tony tells Rhodey and Natasha.
"We'll be there." Rhodey says before he and Natasha leave, "Did you know he's been doing this much lately?" Rhodey asks Natasha once they are out of Tony's office.
"I suspected, but not for sure." Natasha admits, "Honestly I wouldn't be surprised if there is even more that he should be doing, but he forgot to tell FRIDAY about."
"Probably." Rhodey admits, "I'm going to go use Hope's office."
"And I'm going to go find somewhere I can work." Natasha responds before they both go in different directions, both feeling that if they can hope Tony a little with everything he has to do then they are all for it.
July 14th 2016. Avengers Compound.
Morning.
"Okay FRY, tell Nat I've finished altering her Widow bites." Tony says to his AI.
"I will Boss. I've been informed to inform you that you've missed breakfast." FRIDAY tells Tony.
"Damn it, really?" Tony asks, wincing as he's been trying to be there for breakfast and Dinner, though he is pretty sure that he's missed more than a few off, "CRAP. I'm late for Peter aren't I?" Tony says, sounding worried.
"Miss Romanoff has just left to pick him up." FRIDAY answers.
"Thank you Nat." Tony says, with a relieved sigh.
"King T'Challa has just sent through some more additions and alterations to the Accords that he wants your opinion on." FRIDAY informs him.
"Okay, I'll look at them." Tony responds.
"And the United Nation panel wants to schedule a video conference to discuss how the altering of the Accords are going, with both the Avengers and King T'Challa." FRIDAY reveals.
"Okay, send a message to King Kitty, find out when he's free. We'll make it work on this end." Tony says.
"Of course Boss." FRIDAY responds, "May I suggest getting cleaned up and having at least something to eat before Mr Parker arrives."
"Yeah, that would probably be good." Tony admits, getting up and heading out of the lab.
A little while later Tony has had a quick shower, changed into some clothes and is just grabbing a cup of coffee when he notices Natasha and Peter walk in, and as soon as he sees them he can't help but frown.
"What happened?" Tony asks worried as Peter looks like he has a black eye, that seems to be a heling a lot, though Tony knows that he didn't have it the day before.
"I got in an accident last night. I missed judged something." Peter explains, "I'm fine." He quickly says, being pretty sure that Tony worries almost as much as Aunt May.
"You sure about that?" Tony asks.
"Positive." Peter assures him, "Am I still able to do some training with you and Natasha today?" he asks, looking excited about the prospect.
"Fine with me, you?" Tony asks, looking at Natasha.
"Sure." Natasha responds, "But you know it could be good to include Hope, Vision and even Rhodes too. Give us all a chance to get some training in." she reveals.
"Could be, but is that something you'd be okay with Kid?" Tony asks Peter.
"Are you kidding, that would be awesome!" Peter says with a grin as he's been wanting to train with everyone.
"Okay. FRIDAY, ask Viz, Hope and Rhodey if they'll meet us in the gym." Tony requests.
"Of course Boss." Friday responds.
"Let's go." Tony says and the three of them head towards the gym.
A couple of minutes later Tony, Peter and Natasha walk into the gym and a few moments later Vision, Hope and Rhodey in his chair with the way to remote pilot a suit, come into the room.
"Training together?" Hope asks.
"Yep." Tony answer, "But this time we're going to follow Nat's instructions." He reveals.
"Really?" Natasha asks, there being some surprise in her voice.
"Really." Tony assures her with a nod and Natasha gives a barely noticeable smile, as she knows that that is a step towards Tony trusting her again,
"Okay. First everyone suit up and meet back here in five minutes." Natasha instructs and everyone, except Rhodey, nod and head out of the room.
"What are you going to do today to put us through our paces?" Rhodey asks Natasha curious as he wheels over as while he is getting better when it comes to using the device Tony built him he still can't use it all the time.
"Not sure yet." Natasha admits, "I've got a few ideas." She admits.
"You going to make Tony regret giving you the power?" Rhodey asks curious.
"Nah, not today." Natasha admits, "We're not quite ready for completely intense training, and I wouldn't do that with Peter here anyway." She admits.
"He's really grows on you, doesn't he?" Rhodey asks, as even he has spent quite a bit of time with Peter in the days he spends at the compound and he's found himself becoming quite close to the kid and understands why Tony took to him so quickly, and Natasha just gives him a look back.
"I've got to get changed." Natasha says before heading out of the room.
For a few minutes Rhodey waits alone before Natasha, Tony, Hope, Vision and Peter return to the room, along with the suit that Rhodey is remote controlling.
"Okay." Natasha says once she sees everyone ready, "I'm going to run a simulation and for a little while we're going to focus on working as smaller teams in a large environment." She requests, "Tone, Peter, you two will be one team. Hope, Vision you'll be another, and so will you and Me Jim." Natasha explains, "While the point is to work as smaller teams we should still help one another if needed, just don't forget about the person we've assigned as teams." Natasha explains and everyone nods, "FRIDAY please run simulation fifteen." Natasha requests.
"Of course Miss Romanoff." FRIDAY responds and then, seconds later, the simulation starts to play and everyone gets to work.
July 14th 2016. Avengers Compound.
Night.
Hours later, having spent quite a few of those hours training Tony is walking into his office, having just returned back to the compound after taking Peter home.
Walking towards his desk Tony can't help but rub his eyes when he sees how much work is on it, especially considering he knows how much stuff is digital only.
"I'm going to need more coffee." Tony mutters to himself, "FRIDAY what do I have to get done first?"
"I can't answer that Boss." FRIDAY says as Tony sits down.
"Right." Tony says with a sigh, "Okay, pull up the Accords stuff that T'Challa has sent through." Tony requests, "And has he sent a through a time that would work for him for the Accords Progress Video Call?"
"Yes Boss, King T'Challa said that July 20th would work for him, and whatever time works best with the time difference." FRIDAY answers.
"Okay. I'll pass that along." Tony realises.
"Boss, you've just received an email from Agent May, it looks important." FRIDAY says.
"Okay, put it up." Tony requests and he looks towards his screen, where he sees a message,
Tony,
Coulson has been replaced as director. Attached is the file of the new Director. He wants S.H.I.E.L.D to share intel with Avengers, for us to work as support. If possible he'd like to arrange a time for S.H.I.E.L.D and Avengers to talk.
Mel.
Reading the message Tony quickly sends a response before getting started on the other work he has to do, knowing that it will take him a while, but hopefully he'll still be able to spend a few hours in the lab before he collapses from exhaustion.
It has been a couple of hours since Tony started on the work he has to do and even though he has been working for a while he is pretty sure that he hasn't even made it through a fraction of what he has to do.
As he walks Tony hears footsteps and looking up he is quite surprised to see Laura walking in, carrying a cup of coffee.
"Hi." Tony says, being pretty sure that his surprise is showing in his voice.
"Hi, I thought you could use this." Laura says as she puts a cup of coffee down next to Tony.
"I could, thanks." Tony says gratefully, "Kids in bed?"
"Yeah, I had to assure Cooper that he could finish reading the book he's reading tomorrow." Laura says and Tony can't help but look amused at that, "You need help Tony." Laura informs him.
"I'm fine, don't worry about me." Tony assures her, giving his best reassuring smile.
"You're my friend, and you've helped me and my kids so much, so of course I worry." Laura informs him, "You need an assistant." She tells him.
"I don't have a good track record with assistants." Tony quickly says, "I manage alright with FRIDAY."
"Is that why an official document marked urgent is on the ground?" Laura asks as she picks said object up and hands it to Tony.
"I knew that was there." Tony says in his defence and Laura just gives him a look, "Okay, I didn't." Tony admits.
"Look, why don't I help out a bit." Laura offers.
"I couldn't ask you to do that." Tony tells her.
"You didn't ask, I'm offering." Laura informs him, "And I really don't mind, I can help you get some kind of organizational system going, so that important documents don't end up on the ground, and I can help you figure out the order you need to do things." Laura explains, "Plus I'd like to help out more around here." Laura admits.
"Okay, if you're sure we'll talk about this tomorrow." Tony tells Laura who nods.
"I'll see you in the morning." Laura says heading to the door, "And you know you should get some sleep."
"So I've heard." Tony mutters as Laura leaves, "Okay, I need to finish this then fix my suit." Tony says to himself before taking a large drink of his coffee before going back to what he was doing.
July 17th 2016. Avengers Compound.
Morning.
As she woke up even earlier than normal and didn't feel very much like going back to sleep Natasha decided to go for a run around the furthest boundary of the compound as well as the surrounding area, a run that went on for slightly longer than she was intending.
"FRIDAY am I late for breakfast?" Natasha asks as she enters the Avengers only area.
"Yes, Miss Romanoff. The Barton family, Vision, Colonel Rhodes, and Miss Van Dyne are there." FRIDAY answers.
"What about Tony?" Natasha asks curious.
"Boss is fast asleep in the lab." FRIDAY reveals.
"Of course he is." Natasha mutters, not at all surprised, "Thanks FRIDAY." Natasha responds heading to her room as she knows that she really needs a shower before she does anything.
A little while later Natasha has had a shower and is walking into the lab with two plates of breakfast and two coffees. Heading over to one of the tables Natasha puts the food and drink down before walking over to Tony.
"Tony, wake up." Natasha says, gently shaking his shoulder, "Tony." Natasha says again, shaking him again.
Seconds later, Tony bolts upright, looking frightened and looking like he's expecting to be hurt,
"Hey, it's okay, it's just me." Natasha says, realising seconds after she speaks that it may not be the best thing to say, but to her surprise Tony doesn't look even more afraid instead he actually looks reassured at her words, "You feel asleep in the lab again." Natasha explains to him.
"Oh right." Tony says he starts to stretch, as he does he notices something, "Did you bring food?" he asks surprised.
"Yeah. I missed breakfast to so I figured I'd bring you something." Natasha says, before walking over to where she put the plates and she sits on the table.
"Does that include coffee?" Tony asks curious.
"Of course." Natasha responds and Tony walks over and sits down on the table too, across from you, "You know you're making a habit of missing breakfast." Natasha informs Tony.
"I know." Tony says with a sigh, "But you never miss breakfast, so why did you today?" he asks curious.
"I was running, lost track of time." Natasha explains, causing Tony to give her a look, "You should spend some time with Cooper and Lila today, they're missing their Uncle Tony." Natasha informs him, purposely changing the subject.
"Damn it." Tony says, feeling bad about letting down the two kids, "FRIDAY is there anything that I absolutely have to do today?" he asks curious.
"You have a video conference with S.H.I.E.L.D in forty minutes, it cannot be postponed." FRIDAY answers.
"Okay, after that clear the rest of the day." Tony requests.
"Will do Boss." FRIDAY responds.
"Video call with S.H.I.E.L.D?" Natasha asks, sounding interested.
"Yeah, meeting the New Director… who's name I can't remember." Tony admits, "Plus I'm going to make it clear that I'll only deal with Mel." He explains.
"Could be difficult, but good idea." Natasha admits.
"I thought so." Tony says as he takes a drink of coffee and the two of them drift into silence as they eat their late breakfast.
Forty minutes later Tony is standing in his office when the video connection message appears on screen and The New S.H.I.E.L.D Director, Melinda and Coulson appear on the screen.
"Agent, it's good to see you not dead." Tony tells his friend, it being strange to actually see him even though he's known for a while that Coulson is alive.
"It's good to see you too Stark." Phil responds, actually meaning that.
"Mr Stark, it's a pleasure to meet you." The New Director says.
"Yeah, you too." Tony responds, still having no idea what the man's name is.
"With S.H.I.E.L.D being a legitimate organization again I feel it is important to work with our alias. Before it's fall S.H.I.E.L.D and the Avengers had a very strong bond and an effective working relationship. I would like that to continue. I would like S.H.I.E.L.D to assist the Avengers in any way possible." The Director says.
"I'd like that too." Tony admits, "But I have one condition." Tony says and he isn't at all surprised to see Melinda and Phil exchange looks behind the Director's back, "I'll only work with Agent May. I am happy for S.H.I.E.L.D and The Avengers to work together, but she will be our liaison, all contact will go through her." Tony says, "That's only way I'll agree to this." Tony informs everyone.
"I believe we can make that work." The Director says, not looking all that happy about that.
"Great." Tony says with a grin, "I'd like to talk to Agent May in private for a few minutes." Tony requests.
"Of course." The Director says and he and Phil leave.
"Really Tone?" Melinda asks once the others leave.
"Really." Tony assures her, "There is one person at S.H.I.E.L.D I trust and that's you. I certainly don't trust the new Director, I don't even know if I trust Coulson anymore, but I know I trust you." Tony tells his friend, "The Avengers working with S.H.I.E.L.D could be a good thing, but I'm only going to work with you."
"Okay." Melinda says with a nod.
"Great." Tony says with a grin, "What's are the chances of you being able to get away tomorrow to come here? It's Hope's birthday and I'm planning a few things including giving her surprise present, thanks for your help with that by the way, plus there's some things I want to give you so you could technically make it a work trip." Tony explains, being pretty sure that Melinda wouldn't have forgotten that it's Hope's birthday but wanting to remind her just in case.
"What time is your surprise for Hope? Melinda asks.
"I've got something planned for breakfast." Tony admits.
"I'll be there." Melinda tells him.
"Great. I'll talk to you later." Tony says before hanging up, "FRIDAY where are Cooper and Lila?" He asks.
"In the living area with their mother and Miss Romanoff." FRIDAY answers.
"Thank you." Tony says, drawing out the world as he gets up and heads out of the room.
A couple of minutes later Tony walks into the living room where all three Barton children are sitting on the ground with Natasha while Laura watches on.
"UNCLE TONY." Lila says, getting up and running over to him.
"Hey Princess." Tony says as he picks her up.
"Are you going to play with us?" Lila asks.
"You know what, I am." Tony assures her as he walks over to the others.
"Good." Cooper says, looking glad, "Uncle Tony, Aunt Nat can Lila and I go swimming in the pool with you again?" he asks.
"That's up to your Mom." Natasha informs him.
"It's fine with me, but only if Uncle Tony and Aunt Natasha are willing to swim with you." Laura says and as soon as she does the two kids turn to Natasha and Tony.
"Fine with me." Tony answers.
"Me to." Natasha adds, "You better go get ready." She says and Tony puts Lila back on the ground, allowing her to run after her brother.
"You know you don't have to go swimming with them if you don't want to." Laura informs them.
"I want to." Tony assures her.
"It will be fun." Natasha says and the two of them head out of the room, both of them very much looking forward to the idea of swimming with the two older Barton children.