Chapter 10
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August 1st 2016. Avengers Compound.
Mid-Morning.
Just like he has been doing most of the day Tony is in his office doing the paper work, and reviewing of accords changes that Laura told him he has to get done within the next day, a pile of work that is quite big as he's been putting it off.
"Boss, Miss Potts is here." FRIDAY reveals.
"Pepper?" Tony asks, looking up in surprise, "Why?"
"You have a meeting schedule." FRIDAY reminds Tony.
"Oh, right, yeah. Tell her where I am." Tony says, signing the document he's been working on, and moving it to the done pile that he's been trying to use, but he doesn't grab something from 'need to do' pile, even though it doesn't seem to be getting smaller.
About a minute later the door to the office opens and Pepper walks in.
"Hi." Tony says, smiling at her.
"Hi." Pepper responds, "Are you actually doing Paperwork?" she asks, a little surprised.
"I kind of have to. There are a lot of things I have to do these days." Tony admits.
"Huh, speaking of things you have to do. I've got some things that I couldn't send through that you have to look over." Pepper reveals, as she sits down across from Tony.
"Okay, when do you need it by? Because this is just the things I have to get done today." Tony says, pointing the pile.
"I'll need it in about a week." Pepper explains.
"Okay. I'll do my best." Tony responds.
"And I wanted to talk to you about the intern you added to the Stark Internship file. He seems to have never arrived and Happy didn't give him a security clearance. Who is he?" Pepper asks.
"He's working here, with me, three days a week." Tony reveals.
"Really?" Pepper asks, sounding surprised as in all the years she's known him Tony has never taken on an intern to work with only him, or work with him period.
"Really. He's a good kid. I personally vouch for him and his Aunt's sighed off on the internship." Tony reveals.
"I know; I saw those uploaded files." Pepper says, Tony having done that so that the internship would be legitimate, just in case anyone went digging, "There's something you're not saying, isn't there?" Pepper asks, knowing that because she knows Tony.
"He's a good kid Pepper. Look at his school records, he is the perfect candidate for an internship, I've just made it so he's here with me." Tony explains.
"Okay." Pepper says, deciding not to push anymore, "You need to show at a board meeting this month, and there are several Stark functions that you have to be at." Pepper explains.
"Tell FRIDAY to add them to my schedule." Tony requests.
"I will." Pepper says, "I think that's all we need to talk about." She comments as she opens her briefcase, "Here the files." She says, handing them to Tony.
"I'll get to them when I can." Tony responds, putting them down on his desk.
"I should go." Pepper says, standing up, "I'll see you soon." She says, starting to head to the door.
"Pepper." Tony says, stopping her before she can walk out the door, "Are we going to talk about us?" He asks as he stands up, "You said you needed space, and I've given you that, but it's been months and we're still in limbo." He says, walking over to her.
"I haven't reached out because nothing's changed, I love you Tony, but I can't keep watching as you almost die over and over again." Pepper admits, "You don't want to stop being Iron Man, you don't want to stop being an Avenger, and I know what it means to you, so I'm not going to ask you to." Pepper admits.
"But we can't be together when I am." Tony realises, stopping now that he is right in front of Pepper.
"No, we can't be." Pepper admits, as she doesn't want to have to wonder every day if Tony will come home alive, "But you'll always be my friend, Tony."
"And you'll always be mine." Tony responds with a smile.
"Hey Tone." Natasha says, walking into the room without knocking but then she freezes at the sight that greats her, "Sorry, didn't mean to interrupt." She quickly says, looking between Tony and Pepper and being pretty sure that they are having a long overdue conversation.
"You're not interrupting." Pepper assures her.
"What'd you need?" Tony asks, turning to look at her.
"I just wanted to run some simulation ideas by you, but it's okay. I'll asks Rhodey and Hope." Natasha says, "It's nice to see you again Pepper." Natasha says with a smile, meaning that completely.
"You too." Pepper responds as Natasha leaves, closing the door behind her, "Simulations?" Pepper asks curious.
"For when we practice fighting as the new team." Tony explains.
"How's that going?" Pepper asks curious.
"Good. I think we're starting to figure out how we work best, of course we haven't had many chances to prove that in the field." Tony admits, "Being a smaller team is making things slightly difficult, but most of us can fly which makes us more mobile, we're making it work." Tony reveals.
"That's good at least." Pepper admits, "Have you thought about recruiting more?" she asks curious.
"Yeah, but we're going to wait until the New Accords are in place. For now, the five of us are making it work, and if things get really bad we can always call in King Kitty, plus there's someone else who's agreed to be backup if needed and she has connections." Tony explains.
"Good, I'm glad to hear that." Pepper admits, "You know I'm not at the Tower much, you don't have to avoid it." She reveals.
"Truthfully, I like it here." Tony admits, telling the truth, "There are some things I want to change, but it's home." Tony admits with a smile, as he looks around the room.
"Okay." Pepper says with a nod, "I really have to go." She admits, taking a step forward and hugging Tony, "I'll see you." She says when they break apart.
"Yeah, you will." Tony responds and Pepper heads out of his office while Tony heads over to his desk so that he can continue the work that he has to get done.
August 5st 2016. Avengers Compound.
Afternoon.
It is after lunch and as they have been all day, except for lunch, Tony and Peter are in Tony's lab, working together on one of Tony's suit.
"This is so cool." Peter says with a grin, "How many suits have you made?" he asks curious.
"This is my…. Forty-eighth." Tony answers, needing to think for a second.
"Awesome." Peter says with a grin, "Have you thought about making them other colours?" he asks curious.
"Some of the ones have been." Tony says, thinking about the iron legion, "Why you got some suggests?"
"Black could be good. Not black like the War Machine armour, but like a more metallic, darker black." Peter suggests.
"Huh, maybe." Tony says, looking thoughtful, "At the moment I'm focusing on correcting a weakness that has been pointed out to me one to many times." Tony reveals.
"Boss Cooper Barton is outside the lab, asking if he can come in." FRIDAY says, before Peter can ask about what weakness.
"Okay." Tony says, quickly looking around to make sure nothing dangerous is out, "Let him in." Tony says and seconds later Cooper walks in, "Hey Kiddo, what's up?" Tony asks.
"Um… so um, I was wondering if I could stay in here with you and Peter. Maybe help, learn what you're doing." Cooper says, looking nervous about what he is asking.
"Is that something you want?" Tony asks and Cooper nods, "Then sure, get over here." Tony says and Cooper's face brightens up completely so he hurries over to Tony and Peter, "Before you do anything there's a couple things you need to know, a lab or workshop has rules and you have to follow them, it's important." Tony tells him.
"I will Uncle Tony, promise." Cooper assures him.
"Good." Tony says and he starts to explain the rules to Cooper, and once he agrees the young boy joins Tony and Peter in what they are doing, listening with complete attention as he watches and helps.
Having spent hours in the lab together Tony, Peter and Cooper are walking into the dining area.
"Mom, mom, mom." Cooper says excitedly.
"What is it?" Laura asks, being glad about how happy her son seems as ever since he talked to Clint Cooper hasn't exactly been happy.
"I was in the lab with Uncle Tony and Peter. It's soo cool in there! I really loved it! They let me help and I learned a lot." Cooper says, sounding excited.
"He was a great help." Tony reveals, "He followed all the rules and did exactly what I said." Tony says as he sits down.
"That's good." Laura says, knowing that neither Tony or Peter would let Cooper do something dangerous.
"Can I help again?" Cooper asks curious.
"As long as you follow my rules, and as long as it's okay with your Mom." Tony answers, realising too late that he probably should have asked Laura before letting Cooper in the lab with him and Peter.
"Mom?" Cooper asks.
"As long as you do what Uncle Tony or Peter says." Laura says and Peter feels pretty proud that Laura trust him like that.
"I will." Cooper promise.
"Good, sit down, eat." Laura says and Cooper sits down next to Peter and the group start to eat together, and just like normal there is a lot of talking going on as they eat.
August 10th 2016. Avengers Compound.
Very early morning.
Even though being completely exhausted would be a sign to most people to head to bed to Tony's it's just a sign to get another cup of coffee and so as he walks into the kitchen to do just that he is a little surprise to find Natasha sitting on one of the benches eating ice-cream out of the container.
"Hi." Tony says, walking over to the coffee.
"Hey." Natasha responds, "I figured you were still up." Natasha admits.
"Yeah, well, sleep's not exactly my thing these days." Tony says as he pours himself another cup of coffee, "What about you? Why you up?" he asks curious.
"Felt like ice cream." Natasha admits, "Didn't really feel like sleeping." She says, keeping her voice pretty casual.
"Always a good choice." Tony admits as he sits down on the counter across from Natasha.
"You know one of these days you're going to be more coffee than anything else." Natasha informs Tony.
"I'm pretty sure that day came a long time ago." Tony says, looking amused.
"Probably." Natasha responds and the two of them drift into silence. "So….. How'd your talk with Pepper go?" Natasha asks, breaking the silence after a couple of minutes.
"You've been waiting ten days to ask that, haven't you?" Tony asks, amused.
"Maybe." Natasha says with a slight smile, "So?"
"We're over, offoically." Tony admits, looking down at his coffee.
"I'm sorry." Natasha says, causing Tony to look up at her, "I know how much she means to you."
"Yeah…" Tony says, looking upset.
"Okay, put the coffee down." Natasha tells her taking one last bite of ice cream before jumping down from the counter and heading over to the freezer, "I'm serious, put down the coffee." Natasha says once she puts the ice cream away.
"Nat…." Tony starts to say.
"Follow me." Natasha says, heading out on the kitchen.
Thinking for a few seconds Tony shrugs and then follows, leaving his coffee cup behind.
A few minutes after they left the kitchen Tony walks into the sparing gym where Natasha has already removed her shoes and the hoddie she was wearing so that she is in sweat pants and a tank top.
"Catch." Natasha says, throwing a pair of sparing gloves at Tony.
"Really? This is your idea?" Tony asks, catching the gloves, "I'm not even going to be able to land a hit on you."
"Don't sell yourself short. You've trained with Mel, and Hope, and Rhodey, and Happy, even me once or twice, you might land one." Natasha says with a grin, "Of course if you're too afraid to try then…." Natasha says, her voice teasing as she knows exactly what she is doing.
"I didn't say that." Tony quickly says as he removes his shoes, "I never back down from a challenge, especially not an impossible one." He says with a grin.
"That's the Tony Stark I know." Natasha says with a smirk as Tony walks over to the mats.
"I'm pretty sure I'm going to regret this is the morning." Tony admits.
"I'm pretty sure that's not the first time you've said that." Natasha admits, "In fact I'm pretty sure I've heard you say that before." She says with a slight grin.
"Probably." Tony responds and the two of them start to get into positions. For a few moments they just move around waiting for the other to make a move, but then after about a minute Tony tries to throw a punch, but Natasha effortlessly blocks it and flips Tony onto his back.
"See, fun." Natasha says with a smirk.
"Yeah, totally." Tony says sarcastically as he starts to get back onto his feet.
"Really? I thought you liked it on your back." Natasha says with a teasing look.
"Really Nat? That's how you want to do this?" Tony asks as he swings out his leg as he is getting up to knock Natasha down, "You didn't say anything about rules." He says with a smirk as he gets to his feet.
"No, I didn't." Natasha admits as she gets back onto her feet, "Again?"
"Sure." Tony says, knowing that common sense would be to say no, but he's never been one to follow common sense, and so he once more takes the position to start to spar.
It has been a little while since Tony and Natasha started sparing and Tony is once more getting knocked to the mats.
"Okay, I'm done." Tony admits, moaning in pain.
"You sure?" Natasha asks as she sticks out her hand to help Tony up.
"Why you want to pound on me a bit more?" Tony asks and Natasha just gives a look, that causes Tony to just laugh, "I'm done." He confirms.
"Okay." Natasha responds as Tony takes off his gloves and throws them at Natasha, "I'll see you in the morning." She tells him.
"You mean in a few hours." Tony says.
"Yeah, that." Natasha responds, "Night Tony."
"Night Nat." Tony responds before walking out, realising that he actually feels pretty tired so he might as well try to get a few hours' sleep.
August 12th 2016. Avengers Compound.
Afternoon.
It is early afternoon and as usual everyone is spread out through the Avengers only area of the Compound. As Tony asked her to look over a few things Natasha is sitting in the conference room going over some matters relating to the Accords.
"Auntie Nat." A voice says and Natasha turns to see Lila.
"Hey Sweetie." Natasha greats as Lila walks over, "Is something wrong?" she asks curious.
"No." Lila answers, "Are you busy?" she asks.
"Not for you." Natasha says as she picks up Lila and puts her on her lap.
"What are you doing?" Lila asks curious.
"Paperwork." Natasha answers.
"It looks boring." Lila comments.
"It kind of is." Natasha says, looking amused.
"Auntie Nat can you have a tea party with me?" Lila asks curious.
"You know what, I can." Natasha says, smiling at the young girl.
"Yay!" Lila says excitedly, "Now?"
"Yeah, okay." Natasha says as she quickly signs something before standing up, still holding Lila.
As Tony just took a call with T'Challa Peter has decided to go for a walk through the facility as he walks into the living room Peter notices Cooper sitting on one of the lounge chairs, seemingly staring at a football.
"Cooper?" Peter asks concerned as even though he's not an expert he is pretty sure that something is wrong.
"Peter." Cooper says, turning to look at him, "I thought you were with Uncle Tony."
"He took a call from King T'Challa, I think it's about the King coming to stay next week." Peter explains as he climbs over the chair.
"Oh, right." Cooper says, sounding distracted.
"You okay?" Peter asks concerned.
"I'm fine." Cooper reveals, it being very clear that it is a lie.
"If you want me to go just say so, but if you want to talk, I'm here." Peter offers as in the past few weeks he's started to become friends with the oldest Barton sibling and he wants to help.
"I miss my Dad." Cooper admits, "I'm so mad at him, but I miss him."
"I get that." Peter tells him, "I'm guessing you played football with him." Peter says, figuring that that would make sense with the way Cooper is staring at the football.
"We did a lot of things together." Cooper admits, "I miss it, Mom's great, and so is everyone here, but I miss doing stuff with Dad." He reveals.
"I'm sorry Coop, none of this is fair on you, or your brother and sister." Peter admits.
"Thanks Pete." Cooper responds and the two boys drift into silence.
"So, I know I'm not your Dad, but do want to throw the football around with me?" Peter offers after about a minute of silence.
For a brief moment Cooper looks like he is debating for a few moments, "Sure." Cooper answers and he picks up the ball and the two of them head out to the courtyard.
In Lila's room Natasha is sitting across from her niece at a little table, Natasha wearing a costume that Lila insisted on.
"Want more tea Auntie Nat?" Lila asks curious.
"Sure." Natasha answers and Lila pours a fake cup of tea and handing it to Natasha, "Thank you."
"Auntie Nat, can you help me make something for Cooper's birthday?" Lila asks curious.
"Sure, if you'd like." Natasha assures her.
"I would." Lila assures her aunt and Natasha nods.
Out in the Avengers only court yard Cooper and Peter are throwing the football back and twice Peter being careful of how much strength he uses to throw to make sure that he doesn't hurt Cooper as that's the last thing he wants to do.
"Could you catch anything?" Cooper asks Peter curious.
"Maybe." Peter answers, looking uncertain as he throws the ball back at Cooper, who catches it.
"Want to see?" Cooper asks curious.
"Sure." Peter responds and so Cooper throws the ball, purposely not exactly towards Peter, but Peter still manages to catch it perfectly.
"So cool." Cooper says with a grin, "How long have you been able to do that kind of stuff?" he asks curious.
"Eight months." Peter answers as he throws the ball back to Cooper, who catches it.
"Want to try again?" Cooper asks.
"Sure." Peter says and Cooper makes it seem like he is going to throw the ball one way but he quickly changes his mind mid-way through and throws it as hard as he can, but Peter is a second too late to catch it and causes the ball to go crashing throw the window.
"Crap." Cooper says worried, "We're going to be in so much trouble." He says, a look of dread appearing on his face.
"It was an accident. It will be okay." Peter assures the younger boy.
"Do you really think so?" Cooper asks worried.
"Yeah, I do." Peter assures him and seconds later Laura, Tony and Hope, run out, having been alerted to glass breaking around Cooper and Peter by FRIDAY.
"What happened? Are you two okay?" Laura asks worried.
"We're fine." Cooper answers, avoiding looking at anyone.
"We were throwing a football and I threw too hard, broke the window." Peter explains, "I'm so sorry." He says, causing Cooper to look at him in surprise.
"It's okay, Peter. It was an accident." Tony assures him, "I'll work on creating a safe area where you two, and Lila can do stuff like throwing a football without worrying about breaking stuff." He assures them.
"But for now you two should head inside until we clean up this glass." Hope says.
"Okay." Cooper and Peter say together before heading inside.
"You didn't have to do that for me." Cooper tells Peter.
"I wanted to." Peter responds, "So…... Do you know how to play chess?"
"No." Cooper answers.
"Want to learn how?" Peter asks curious.
"Sure." Cooper says with a grin and the two of them head over to the chess table.
August 15th 2016. Avengers Compound.
Morning.
It morning at the compound and as everyone has just finished breakfast everyone who lives in the Avengers Only Area permanently are waiting near the airplane hangar as they are all waiting for a guest, a guest who is just landing.
"Your Majesty." Tony says, walking over as T'Challa walks out of the plane.
"Mr Stark." T'Challa greats, "Thank you for letting me stay."
"It's my pleasure." Tony responds, completely meaning that, "Now, I think you meet everyone the last time you were here, or by video conference except this is Laura, Cooper, Lila and Nathaniel Barton." Tony introduces, pointing to each of the people as he introduces them.
"It's a pleasure to meet you all." T'Challa answers.
"So, I was thinking that I would show you your room and then we can get down to business." Tony suggests.
"That's fine with me." T'Challa responds and the group head inside.
Twenty minutes later T'Challa has freshened up from the flight and he, along with Natasha, Tony, Hope and Rhodey are in the conference room, all of them having a lot of papers and documents in front of them.
"Do you really think we're going to have something ready to submit to the panel in a week?" Rhodey asks, looking at the others.
"We'll have to. We don't have a whole lot of options." Natasha realises.
"We'll make it work." Tony says, "We have a week, let's get to work."
"There's something I want to discuss." T'Challa says.
"Okay Kitten, you've got the floor." Tony says and everyone turns to look at T'Challa.
"While I agree with the procedure you're going to introduce for Spiderman, and any other young Avengers, I have to admit that it might be the bit that will be the hardest for the council to agree too." T'Challa explains.
"It's the most important part, Peter's identity has to be protected, and he's a kid, things should be different for him, until he is older." Tony says, completely meaning that.
"Like I said, I agree." T'Challa assures Tony, "Which is why I think you should defend that on Monday, explain how you want things to be for Mr Parker and any other future young Avengers. If they hear you speak about that part of the Accords rather than just reading it then the panel is more likely to approve it."
"He's right." Natasha tells Tony, as doing it like that makes a lot more sense.
"It would be a good plan." Hope says, nodding in agreement.
"Okay, I will." Tony says with a nod, "What do we have to discuss next?"
"The contingencies that we want to suggest and the procedures for getting us involved." Rhodey answers.
"Okay." Tony says with a nod, "T'Challa, want to start with your suggestions?" he asks.
"Of course." T'Challa answers and the group start to discuss everything that they need to figure out as they know they have limited time.
August 17th 2016. Avengers Compound.
Early Morning.
It is early morning, even before breakfast, and Tony is just returning to the Compound with Peter, having left early to get the teenager as it is a special occasion.
"Thanks for coming to get me early, Tony." Peter says, "I really wanted to be here all day, for Cooper." He explains.
"I know you did." Tony says, "And I'm glad." He reveals, "So you going to tell me what's in there?" he asks, referring to the present Peter is holding.
"You'll have to wait for Cooper to open it, and then see." Peter informs Tony as they walk into the dining area where Laura, Natasha, Hope, Rhodey and T'Challa are, all of them helping to get everything ready.
"Wow, everything looks great." Tony says, looking around the room.
"We thought so, and we've set up the stuff you got for the pool." Hope explains.
"Good." Tony says, sounding glad.
"So um, is there somewhere I should put the present I got for Cooper?" Peter asks curious.
"That's nice of you." Laura says, smiling at the teenager, "You can put it over there." She says, referring to the present pile that is on a table.
"Okay, is there anything I can do to help?" Peter asks curious.
"If you don't mind could you go see if Nathaniel is awake? If he is bring him down here." Laura requests.
"Sure." Peter says before putting his present down and leaving the room, while the adults continue to get everything ready.
Five minutes later Peter has brought Nathaniel down and Lila has also arrived to breakfast so that the only person they are waiting for is Cooper.
"Mr Cooper is on his way." FRIDAY informs the group.
"Thanks FRY." Tony answers and seconds later Cooper walks into the room and the seconds he does everyone starts to sing.
"Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday Dear Cooper,
Happy Birthday to you"
"Thank you, thank you so much." Cooper says as he walks over to his mother and hugs her.
"I love you so much." Laura tells her son.
"Love you too." Cooper responds as they break apart.
"Sit, sit down, we've got all your favourites." Laura tells her son.
"Thanks Mom." Cooper says with a smile as he heads over to the table and everyone sits down.
August 17th 2016. Avengers Compound.
Afternoon.
After a breakfast full of his favourite things Cooper spent most of the morning with everyone, even, to his surprise T'Challa, in the pool which was fill of toys and some pretty awake things that made everything so much better, and now that they have all finished a great dinner everyone is sitting around the living area as Cooper opens his many presents.
"Here, um, this is from me." Peter says as he nervously hands Cooper over the presents.
"Thanks Pete." Cooper says, smiling as he takes it and within a few second she opens it to reveal two books, one on how to build basic electronics that look second hand and a second on archery that looks brand new.
"The Electronics book used to be mine, I thought you'd like it, I learnt a lot from it." Peter explains, "The archery book seems like the kind of thing you'd want."
"It is, thanks." Cooper says with a smile, as he gently moves the present over to pick up another, something that is about the size of a small box.
"It's from me." Tony reveals.
"Okay." Cooper says as he takes off the packages and then opens the box and when he sees what's inside he gets a look of complete amazement on his face, "Uncle Tony…." He says amazed, "Is this what I think it is?"
"A season box to all Giants games, you're Mom mentioned that it is your favourite team." Tony explains.
"Thank you." Cooper says, getting up and hurrying over to his Uncle and hugging him.
"You're welcome Kid." Tony says, returning the hug.
"You'll come with me to games, right?" Cooper asks as they break apart.
"Of course." Tony answers, without hesitation.
"And Peter? You'll come too?" Cooper asks, looking at his friend.
"If you want me to." Peter answers.
"I do." Cooper assures him and as he does a phone starts to ring and Laura pulls out the flip phone that everyone knows who is on the other end of.
"Hello." Laura answers, "Yeah, he's right here." Laura says, walking over to Cooper, "It's your Dad." She reveals.
"I figured." Cooper says with a sigh, "Hello." He answers.
"Hey Coop, Happy Birthday." Clint says, his voice sounding happy, though the truth is that he feels pretty bad about missing his son's birthday, "Are you having a good birthday?" he asks curious.
"Yeah, it's great. Mom, Aunt Natasha and Uncle Tony have arranged an amazing day. We spent the morning in the pool and there was so many great things, and Peter's been here all day and gave me a great present." Cooper says, sounding glad.
"That's sound good." Clint says, still being confused about who Peter is.
"It is." Cooper responds, "I should go, I've got a lot of presents too open."
"Well, you best be getting to that." Clint says, "I love you Coop, I miss you, your siblings and your Mom so much." He tells
"Miss you too." Cooper responds before quickly hanging up and handing the phone back to his mother.
"You okay?" Laura asks concerned and Cooper just shrugs.
"Here, I think your present for Aunt Nat is just what you need." Laura says, picking up one of the gifts and handing it too her son.
"Okay." Cooper says, talking the present and walking back over to the couch, trying to ignore the feeling in the pit of his stomach that says how much he misses his Dad, and how angry he feels that Clint isn't there.