It had been two weeks since you and Kitty returned from the honeymoon, with an announcements in tow. You both made the choice to join the avengers. Everyone was excited and happy for you both. "So did you hear?", Bruce asked as he put equipment away. "You mean about Laura?", kitty asked; Bruce nodded.
Laura had finally come out of her shell, and was behaving more like a normal teen everyday. But what surprised everyone, was that she and Katrina were friends now. "I would never have guessed that those two would get along", Tony said.
Meanwhile, you were with Jarvis and vision; designing your and Kitty's hero suits. "No, I don't think Kitty would want a cape or cloak", you said. All you settled on were her boots, they would be navy blue. "If she were to go bipedal, gloves would hassle her claws. I believe we should toss the gloves out", vision said. "okay, no gloves. What about a mask to go around her eyes?", you ask. It takes several hours to complete, but Kitty's suit is ready for fabrication.
"Is it ready?", asked Kitty as she walked in. "Jarvis just started the fabrication", you tell her. "Can I see the design?", she pleaded. "No, you have to wait until its done. That way, its a surprise", you tell her. "Fine, but I get to design your suit. Then you have to wait until its done", Kitty states. "Deal", you tell her. She leans in and smooches your cheek, then winks before walking away; her shapely hips moving in perfect sync. "I bone that", you say. "Um, we know", Steve says from the corner of the room. "Call me when its done Jarvis", you tell the AI.
You go into the kitchen, where Natasha is making herself a smoothie. "Kitty is excited for her suit, I'm interested myself", she said. "It will be interesting, and it will fit; hopefully. I'm sure I measured right", you said. "Affirmative sir, the suit will fit Mrs Taylor. Although, the suit appears to squeeze a little in the buttock region", Jarvis said. "Don't tell kitty", you tell him. Natasha smirks at you, before she returns to cutting her pineapple. "What?', you asked, having seen her smirk. "Oh, nothing", she replied. "Suit shall be ready in 30 minutes", Jarvis said.
Meanwhile, in the other room; Kitty, Steve, and Janet were watching the news. "In closing; both parents have surrendered custody of the child to the state, in trade for a reduced sentence. Many doubt that the girl will be adopted from the orphanage, given an apparent mutant status. No name, image, or a telling of her powers have been given yet. The names of the parents are also still unknown. This is Tom-", Kitty turned the TV off. Kitty looked at Steve, a telling look in her eyes. "Are you sure?", Steve asked. "She is serious Steven", you said as you walked in. "Alright, gather everyone in the meeting room. This shouldn't take long", Steve said.
In Bayville, Xavier had also seen the news. "Thank you forge, this is just what I need. Logan this folder has the map to the orphanage, and The mutants name. When you arrive, file the adoption under my name; understood?", Charles asked. "Got it, Jean and I will head right away", Logan said. "Thank you", Charles said.
The Red hope orphanage was well maintained, and all kids are cared for. For the open-minded staff, it was to be no different for young Doreen Green; a mutant. 8-year-old Doreen had been a target for human children, much to the staff's dismay. Doreen had a squirrel tail, as well as buck squirrel teeth. She also possessed their claws, and climbing abilities. She also had enhanced strength and stamina, and possessed incredible power in her legs; enabling her to jump tree to tree. But the most awkward thing, was that she could communicate with squirrels. This earned her the nickname, Squirrel Girl. Doreen had no doubt that someone will want her, she just had to wait. Of course she hadn't realized that her wait would be short.
"Almost there", Clint said as he drove. "Thanks for the ride Clint", you said; Kitty also voices her thanks. "Hey no problem, happy to help. But, are you guys sure this is a good idea? Jarvis said the kid is eight years old, and had her powers since she turned seven. This is the youngest mutant ever", Clint reasoned. "We want this Clint, we may be her only way out. Besides, remember the next stop?", you asked. "Yeah, you want me as her first legal guardian. I'm truly touched", Clint said. "This is it", Clint said stopping the car. The three of you looked up at the sign; Red hope orphanage.
"Excuse me? We were hoping to adopt the mutant girl", you tell the woman at the front desk. The lady looked at you, surprised. "She only got here this morning", she said. You and Clint give a look, and she said they would get the adoption process underway.
She led the three of you to a room full of workers, before leaving to get all the paperwork. "So you two want to adopt a child? What are you looking for, a boy or a girl?", asked the orphanage manager. "We wish to adopt the mutant child", you say. "Doreen? Alright, but who is that man?", the manager refers to Clint. "After we adopt Doreen, we will go make Clint here a legal guardian", Kitty explains. "Oh, well we can do that paperwork here. But he will need to sign some papers as well", another worker said. "Well great! That will save time", you say. The woman then returns with a small amount of papers, before leaving to get Clint's paperwork. "May I ask your names?", the manager asked. "I'm Brevin Taylor, and this is my wife. Her name is Katherine, but everyone calls her Kitty. This man is Clint Barton", you explain as the woman returned with the remaining papers. Upstairs, Doreen was reading a book when a squirrel came and said that new adopters had arrived. "I wonder which kid is getting adopted", Doreen said. The squirrel shrugs, absently chewing on its acorn.
"Mr Barton signs here, and Mr Taylor here; here please Kitty. Thank you, that's all of it. Ready to meet your new daughter?", the manager asked. "Yes please", Kitty replied. The manager sends a blonde woman next to him to get Doreen, before turning back to you. "I feel I should warn you. Doreen has a very distinctive feature; she has a tail", the manager said. "OK", you said.
Upstairs, Doreen put her book back on its shelf. Then she looked to her bag, she had yet to unpack her few remaining possessions. "Doreen? You in here?", came a voice. The blonde woman opens the door, and found Doreen next to her packed bag. "Have you still not unpacked? You must read a lot of books then", the woman said. "Sorry miss Jenny, yeah. I'll start right away", Doreen said. "Actually Doreen, you can't unpack. A nice couple just adopted you, come on. Don't want to weep them waiting", miss jenny grabbed Doreen's back for her. "Lets go", Doreen said.
You and Kitty were waiting in the lobby, when you felt a pressure on your leg. You look down to see a young girl, with chestnut hair and a puffy tail. "Hey, you must be Doreen", you said. "Yeah", she said. "Well I'm your new dad, and this is your mother", you gesture to Kitty. "This is your legal guardian", you point to Clint.
"I'm Doreen Green", Doreen said. "Actually, your Doreen Taylor now", Clint points out. "Well lets go", Kitty said. You pick up Doreen, and walk towards the front door. Clint picks up Doreen's bag, before following you and Kitty. But as you open the door, you come face to face with Logan and Jean. "Half-pint? Barton? Brevin? What are you doing here?", Logan asked. "What are you doing here?", Kitty asked. "The professor sent us to adopt the mutant child under his name", Jean answered. Logan looked at the kid in your arms, noticing the girls tail. "But you adopted her first, clearly", Logan said. "Oh my gosh; she is so cute!", Jean said. Doreen looks nervous about the strangers, hiding her face behind her tail. "Lets talk back at avengers mansion", Kitty said.
"Oh wow, this place is huge! We really live here?", Doreen asked as you walked into the mansion. "That's right dear, this is home. Wait until you meet the rest of the family", you tell her. You all walk into the next room, where everyone was waiting to meet Doreen.
"Hey young lady, I'm Tony Stark; aka Iron Man", Tony introduces himself.
"I'm Steve Rodgers; aka Captain America", Steve said after Tony.
"I'm Janet Van Dyne; aka The Wasp", Janet followed.
"I'm Hank Pym; aka Ant-Man", Hank said.
"I am Thor Odinson", Thor announced proudly.
"I am T'Challa, king of Wakanda; aka Black Panther", T'Challa said.
"Bruce Banner; aka the Hulk", Bruce said.
"I am Vision", Vision said.
"You know me already, Clint Barton; aka Hawkeye", Clint said.
"I'm Natasha Romanoff; aka Black Widow", Natasha said.
"I'm Miss Marvel; my real name is Carol Danvers", Carol said.
"I'm Doreen Taylor; aka Squirrel girl", Doreen replied.
You and Kitty met Miss Marvel last week, when she got back from a really big diplomacy mission. You and Kitty saw her walk in and well, attacked. It took the effort of all other avengers to calm down the three of you, before explanations were given.
"Squirrel Girl? Adorable!", Janet squealed. Ahem, Logan said. "Oh right, the school. Doreen, Logan and Jean have an offer for you", you said. Doreen sat on the couch, and waited for Jean or Logan to speak.
"Doreen, me and Logan represent a school for mutants. The school teaches young mutants how to use their powers responsibly, and inspires them with hope of a new world. One where humans and mutants, walk hand in hand", Jean said. "You also learn the concepts of teamwork, and learn the limitations of your powers. Because by learning your limits, you can perform at peak without overexerting yourself", Logan said. Doreen seemed to be considering it, but Jean felt one more push was in order.
"Did we mention that you get a costume?", Jean said. Doreen's eyes lit up like the fourth of July, and she flashed her teeth in a smile. "See, as a member of the new mutants; you will be given a standard uniform. But if you make it to the x-men, then you get to design your own uniform", Jean said. "You can also make lots of friends, honey. There will be lots of other mutant kids you can make friends with", Kitty said. "The food's good too", you tell her.
"Well then, lets go!", Doreen said excitedly. "Honey, you just got here. Don't you wanna spend a couple days in your new home first?", Kitty asked, hurt in her eyes. "Sorry mommy", Doreen said sadly. "It's okay, I get it. You're excited", Kitty smiled. "Yeah, but think of it like this. The avengers have a training room just as good as the x-men", you say. "Minus the solid holograms", Kitty said. "We're working on it", Hank said. "Come on, lets get you two settled in", Tony said to Jean and Logan. "Oh no, we couldn't", Jean protested. "We accept Stark; it'd be rude not to", Logan said.
You smashed the hallway phone into the receiver, shattering both with your unmeasured strength. You had called the orphanage to ask a question about a habit of Doreen's, and the truth angered you more then any of your theories. Doreen's hoarding of food in her room, a habit you noticed after dinner as you saw her stuff a plastic bag of roast beef under her bed. It has nothing to do with squirrel instinct, her parents would often starve her; even before she developed her x-gene. Apparently her birth parents were both abusive drunks, too often refusing to feed her. This forced her to either hoard from the kitchen, or steal food from the neighbors. When a neighbor caught her in the act, she told him everything she was forced to hide; even showing him bruises, both fresh and old. Her house was invaded by police, who charged hr parents with the following: neglect, abuse, possession of marijuana, and fraud.
You finally notice you broke the table, and that you were surrounded. Jean, Logan, Kitty, and the other avengers were all standing there. "What did they say?", Kitty asked. "Drunk and abusive, neglectful; bruises of course", you can barely contain your anger. Anger came off of everyone else, but it seemed strongest in Kitty and Logan. You walk through the mansion, thinking of Doreen as you went. Kitty follows you, all the way to Doreen's room.
You find Doreen under her blanket in her new room, eating the roast beef she smuggled. Doreen looks guilt-ridden, but proceeds to eat as she waits for you to speak. You start to cry, and scoop Doreen up in your arms. "Daddy, is something wrong?", Doreen asked in a scared tone. "Doreen, you shouldn't have to worry like this. You shouldn't have to hide or smuggle food, because you don't need to. We would never starve you, never hurt you; we love you baby girl", you tell her between sniffles.
"I'm s-sorry daddy, i-it's just a habit. My birth parents h-hardly fed me", Doreen cried. "Oh baby, if your hungry just ask. We could get you a snack", you tell her. Doreen smiles, before offering you some roast beef.
"Forget the roast beef, how about you and I go out for ice cream", you offer. Kitty smiled, having watched the whole thing. Doreen frowned, like you said something odd. "What's this 'ice cream' stuff?", she asked. Your and Kitty's eyes widened, this girl doesn't know what ice cream is?
"I'll show you", you tell her as you both leave room and mansion. "Don't overdue it", Kitty calls after you. "Make sure you bring back my credit card, too!", calls Tony.
You return half an hour later, credit card in pocket; sleeping Doreen in your arms.
(The next morning)
"Doreen, wake up", a voice called. Doreen opened her eyes to see Natasha sitting next to her on her bed. "My tummy hurts", Doreen moaned. "I figured, drink this; its a remedy I picked up in Egypt from a medicine man", Natasha said. She handed Doreen a mug with hot liquid in it, Doreen took a sip and frowned at Natasha.
"Hey, I never said it would taste good", Natasha said. Natasha left the room as Doreen drank the remedy, even though the remedy made her feel weird. "Hey Nat?", Clint asked when he saw her. "Yeah?", Natasha responded. "That remedy you made for Doreen, I think you got it mixed up with my mug of Stark's special coffee", Clint said. "The special brain-stimulation wake-up brew?", Natasha asked; Clint nodded.
Suddenly Doreen's door toppled over, revealing a very stiff Doreen. "I can see Noises", Doreen said. Doreen then fell face first onto the floor, just as you and Kitty walk up to her. "What happened to my baby?!", Kitty cried. Kitty looked at the two assassins with fury in her eyes, before she bared her claws and fangs.
"Damn, this is some strong-ass coffee", you say as you exit Doreen's room. Kitty looked next to her, at where you were just standing. She looks at you and the spot, then repeats it; Nat and Clint do the same. "I know your fast, but even I didn't sense movement", Natasha said. "Kitty, Doreen drank Tony's special brew. I trust this was an accident?", you ask the assassins. "Yes, I was trying to give Doreen a remedy for tummy aches that I learned in Egypt. But I gave her Clint's coffee by accident", Natasha said. "She'll be fine, shes just not use to it. It's an especially powerful brew", Clint said. Kitty sets her eyes back on the unconscious Doreen, just as Steve approaches with a small breakfast.
"Doreen, Tony and I made you some breakfast. What happened to the door?", Steve asked. "Doreen kinda broke it, by accident. Can't handle coffee", Clint said.
"Attention Avengers, you are needed at the Triskelion", Jarvis echoed throughout the mansion. "So early? I haven't had a shower", Kitty said. "My head is dizzy", Doreen said as she ate her toast. Logan and Jean were with tony on the quin-jet, as everyone else climbed aboard.
"What about her?", Logan points at Doreen. At the Triskelion, fury is surprised when he sees Doreen. "Coulsen, find someone to keep her company", fury says. Kitty, with much hesitation, gives Doreen to Phil. "I promise her to be in responsible hands", Coulsen said leaving. "This meeting concerns two groups; Asgard, and the X-men", fury said.
In another area of the Triskelion, Peter Parker was enjoying a promised day off by sleeping late. When his alarm goes off again, he moves his hand to snooze it. But his hand feels a soft unfamiliar surface, prompting peter to open his eyes. Imagine his surprise, seeing a young girl with a bushy tail in his bed. "Hiya, Mr. Spidery-man", she said to his surprise. "You are?", he asked. "Doreen Taylor. I'm Kitty and Brevin's Daughter", she said. "Wait, how old are you?", Peter asked. "Eight", she smiles.
"My god, HOW LONG HAVE I BEEN SLEEPING?", Peter yelled.