Awakening

Hey all! Hope you enjoy the chapter!

Penny's POV
A month after NY Incident
10/12/12, Friday

Tony and I were running around the Tower in hectic circles, Jarvis and Pepper both yelling at us to grab various items and then to turn around and clean up the mess we made. The Tower was extremely full today, everyone was here including Fury and Loki and co.

Technically Pepper was supposed to be working right now, but after we had snuck back into the lab for the fourth time she had come upstairs to micromanage us as we dashed around the Tower, trying to gather up all of our things before one, which was when our plane was leaving.

It was rather amusing, the fact that Dad and I were racing around the Tower, arms filled with random things and bags or just about anything, and no one had commented about it.

In fact, with all of the scientists in various labs, all of the agents and military men (read Rogers and Rhodey who was visiting for the week) were in the gym, the only person who was really around to notice us running back and forth across the Tower was Loki, Thor, and the kids. Hel was currently working with Mortem, from the anger and irritation I could feel from him through the Bond, I had a feeling that a few Souls were proving to be bothersome, or the Reapers had messed up again. Hell, it could even be both! That would explain my Bonded's mood.

But that didn't really explain mine and Dad's.

No one had said anything these past few days, but Dad and I had slowly getting quieter and spending more and more time in the lab.

Pepper and Rhodey hadn't even asked, they had recognized Tony's withdrawn mood from before...apparently he would get quiet, withdrawn, depressed, and usually even more self destructive whenever his and Mom's breakup anniversary came around.

This time...it was slightly different, and if anything, worse. Because this time it was Mom's death day we were remembering, for the first time. Yes, technically it was her second death day anniversary, but last year we had both been in an Afghan cave, and Dad hadn't even known she was dead.

Part of me was sad to admit that the upcoming anniversary of my mother's death wasn't affecting me as much as it would've last year. I felt guilty about it, but I had seen so many deaths, watched so many of the people I called family die around me...that I had sort of numbed myself to the pain. I still missed the woman who had been my mother, who had almost beaten my 'how long Mom's around' record. She had been special, like the few mothers I've had in the past, but still.

I missed her, but I wasn't sure if I mourned her. It no longer tugged at my heart or caused me pain.

I was sad to admit it, but the upcoming anniversary of Mom's death was effecting Dad more than me. Part of me hated myself for that fact.

The other part of me was just resigned about it, and oh so tired. If anything, it was that feeling that was overtaking me the most.

So many people I had known and loved had died, or I had left behind. So many of them out of my reach, for now and forever.

I didn't tell Dad any of this. He was dealing with enough with Mom's death on his mind. I didn't need to add to his worries.

He worried about me enough as it was.

Today was the twelfth of October, Friday. Mom died on October fourteenth, which was this Sunday.

Originally, when we first talked about it last week, Dad and I were just going to stay in the Tower, and lock ourselves up in the lab for the weekend.

But then Pepper had pulled the reason we were being quiet out of Jarvis, and without a word to us or allowing a word otherwise, she had booked for our jet to take us back to Malibu for the weekend.

She and Rhodey had both promised to cover for us to the Avengers and Co, and hopefully they wouldn't notice that we had left until after we were gone. If Fury really cared he could probably just take a glance at my file and see that Mom died two years ago, Sunday. If I knew the man, and I did, then he'd probably let us go if he knew.

No matter what other people said, Fury wasn't a completely heartless bastard. He just tended to act like one.

"Ready to go?"

I almost jumped, being so lost in my thoughts I hadn't even sensed Dad coming up behind me. Mentally shaking myself, I nodded slowly. It was almost twelve thirty, and the jet was taking off at one.

"Yeah," I said slowly as I nodded my head. Everything was already packed in suitcases down in the lab. Most of the stuff was just a few personal things and experiments we had been doing, as the Malibu home was still fully stocked and refurbished, but still.

The reason we had been running around, was so we didn't have to carry suitcases through the Tower. Because someone would ask about that. Us just randomly running around with stuff isn't as abnormal.

"The bags are in the car." Dad said slowly and with another nod I clutched my violin case tighter to my chest and followed Dad into the elevator.

We were both abnormally silent as Rhodey and Pepper bid us goodbye. Rhodey had managed to sneak away from the Agents and Capsicle to see us off, which was nice, but I had expected nothing less from Dad's old friend.

The drive to the airstrip was even quieter, Dad didn't even put music on, and I just let memories of my childhood with Mom drift through our mind.

A rented but trusted driver took the car back to the Tower as we boarded the jet. At precisely one o'clock, the jet took off, and I couldn't help but think how proud Pepper should be...Dad was actually on time for once.

Though of course, it had to be for this.

Bruce's POV

"Dr. Banner,"

I blinked up from the computer screen as Jarvis' voice echoed through the lab. I had long since gotten used to the AI, and Hulk seemed to be rather fond of the electrical member of the Stark family. He called him the Knowing One, it was rather amusing.

I mentally swatted Hulk as he poked at my consciousness, obviously slightly annoyed that I found him amusing. But hey, he found me amusing, so it was fair!

"Silly Bruce." Hulk grunted and I had to stop from rolling my eyes fondly. It was odd, sometimes Hulk acted like he was just a very large, overprotective child, and other times he acted like he knew things that I didn't.

Like now.

"Knowing One talking to Bruce." Hulk grunted and I blinked again to refocus only to realize that Jarvis had called my name again.

"Sorry, what were you saying Jarvis?" I asked, wondering how on earth my thoughts had managed to drift that much in such a short amount of time.

"I was asked to inform you that Agent Barton has ordered fifteen pizzas for dinner, and as such you are being summoned to the main kitchen." The AI said and I nodded, pulling my glasses off and putting them in my pocket.

"Alright, I'll be right up." I said as I saved my project and shut down the projection.

Walking out of the lab, Hulk twitched and poked me again.

"What?" I asked him as I locked my lab and entered the elevator.

"Fire Girl Father." He grunted, and once again I got the feeling that Hulk knew something I didn't.

"Jarvis, is Penny and Tony still in the lab?" I asked, wondering if I was going to need to get Pepper to drag them out.

Jarvis almost seemed to hesitate for a half a moment before replying, "Sir and Miss Penny are not in the Tower at the moment. They shall not be joining you for dinner."

That was surprising. Not that Penny was out of the Tower, her friends dragged her off often enough, but the fact that both of them were gone on Friday night. Everyone tried to come over on weekends for a whole Avenger and Co movie nights and dinner. Pepper always made them attend, unless they had a very legit reason for missing them.

My eyebrows furrowed as I tried to think about what Tony and Penny could be doing out of the Tower this evening.

"Where are they?" I asked Jarvis, as the elevator started to slow.

"I am not at liberty to say." Jarvis replied, and I almost jumped as I realized that Jarvis almost sounded cold when saying that.

Ok, something was going on.

"Well, what can you tell me?" I asked slowly, my mind spinning as Hulk gave me a few snippets of memories were Penny or Tony, or even both, were abnormally quiet.

"That they will return Monday night at the latest, and that there is no need to worry about them, as they are both perfectly safe." Jarvis stated simply before fall quiet.

Now I was really interested, and a touch worried. Where had the two vanished to? And did Pepper know?

Hulk grunted and I gave Hulk a suspicious poke. He knew something, I could tell.

The only thing was worrying me, was if I needed to know. Had I missed something?

Third POV

By the time seven o'clock rolled around all of the Avengers and Co were in the (larger) kitchen on the main common room floor where the movie theater-esk room was located. Of course, Penny and Tony weren't there, but it wasn't until halfway through dinner when Bruce walked into the kitchen that someone actually took notice.

"Anyone know where Tony and Penny are?" Bruce asked as soon as he entered the room, his face unusually grave. Pepper and Rhodey gave no outwardly indication, but Fury narrowed his eye at the two. He had really good instincts, having been running and working for SHIELD for so long he had to have 'em; and right now his instincts were telling him that something was going on.

"Aren't they in the lab?" Rogers asked in surprise, looking up from his large piece of pizza.

"No, they aren't even in the Tower." Bruce stated simply and all of the sudden, everyone stiffened.

"How do you know?" Phil asked slowly, trying to figure out if they just vanished or if they were in trouble. His gut was giving him mixed feelings, something was wrong and yet everything was alright...it was odd to say the least.

"Asked Jarvis after Hulk gave me a nudge in the right direction." Bruce answered, and most of the table nodded slowly. They could always agree that Hulk's/Bruce's instincts were pretty good.

"Did he say if they were in trouble?" Clint asked, suddenly serious. Like Tony he had some very good masks, but they had managed to break through them rather quickly. Tony was his friend, and Penny was a kid. Now the archer was worried.

"Jarvis said they're fine," Bruce said slowly, wondering if it was a good idea to add on that they wouldn't be back till Monday.

"Perhaps Anthony and Miss Penny merely wished for some alone time?" Thor suggested, to Loki's surprise. Hel still wasn't in the Tower, but the boys were definitely enjoying the massive amounts of pizza.

Unknown to everyone but Pepper and Rhodey, Thor was actually pretty close to be right.

"Maybe…" Natasha said slowly, her mind spinning like many of the others, trying to put the very few pieces she had together.

"Maybe they just wanted out of the Tower? Before all of this," Jane waved at the Tower in general, "she did tend to vanish for days on end."

"Yeah, but I have a feeling she was with Tony when she vanished." Selvig stated, causing most of the people at the table to nod slowly.

"Well it's not a Midgard holiday…at least not one I am familiar with..." Loki muttering to himself, and this time Rhodey and Pepper couldn't help but exchange a small glance.

Fury and Phil both caught the look as they were sitting across from the two, and discreetly, Fury pulled his Starkphone that Tony had personalized for him out and started sifting through information on the SHIELD database.

Everyone fell silent as they all tried to figure out where their friends could be. Adayna was trying to wipe pizza sauce off of Fenrir's face while Jormungand was stretching out the cheese on his pizza as far as it could go.

Suddenly, Vali put down his drink and asked, "Lady Pepper, do you know where Mr. Stark and Lady Penny are?"

Everyone's heads snapped towards the Co-CEO so quickly Narfi was sure that there was backlack. They were all mentally banking their heads, wondering why they hadn't thought to ask Pepper.

With everyone but Fury, who was still navigating the SHIELD database, staring at Pepper she slowly sighed.

"I do," She said slowly, hesitantly. She didn't want to be the one to give away why Penny and Tony had left. they deserved to spend this time with each other.

"I know as well." Rhodey said suddenly, making half of the table look at him, as his intention had been. He didn't want all of the focus and questions to be at Pepper.

"So? Where are they? Why aren't they here?" Clint asked and Romanoff's eyes flickered between Rhodey and Pepper.

Neither of them replied as Fury slid from Tony's file to Penny's (which was almost bare thanks to the Starks' hacking), his gut was trying to tell him something, and he'd be damned if he didn't listen.

"You're not going to tell us, are you?" Rogers stated softly, glancing between Tony's oldest friends, who just shook their heads.

"No, and we would both appreciate it if you didn't ask us or Jarvis about it. They're both fine, and will be back in New York in a few days." Rhodey stated as he got up from the table. "So just leave it alone."

Fury's eyes hardened in understanding before slipping his phone back into his pocket after shooting Phil a quick text.

"Do what they say." He ordered as he got to his feet, trashing the paper plate.

"What? But…" Clint tried to protest but a one eed glare form Fury shut him up.

"Just leave the Starks alone for a few days, Agents Barton." Fury stated simply before turning towards the others. "That goes for all of you."

Fury gave them all one last glare before sweeping out of the room. Even if Tony was a pain in Fury's ass, everyone deserved the opportunity grieve in peace, and Fury would support them in that.

"How'd he figure it out?!" Darcy asked, glancing around at the brooding agents. Bruce had a contemplating look on his face. Fury had found something in the SHIELD database to explain for this.

He knew what he was doing after dinner.

"He's The Spy, the Director, there is very little he doesn't know, or can't find out." Natasha stated simply with a shrug as she got up from the table.

"Besides information Tony and Pen don't want him to know." Jane pointed out, causing most of the people left at the table to nodd.

"Well, it appears that whatever is troubling the Man of Iron and Miss Penny, they are not against the Director knowing." Thor observed.

"Indeed," Loki mused in agreement.

"I say we let them have their space," Adayna said, her mothering instincts kicking in. "Maybe they just need to be alone right now."

There was silence at that, as most of the others drifted out of the kitchen, their thoughts on the billionaire and his daughter.

A few minutes later, it was only Steve, Clint, Natasha, Thor, Loki, and Bruce left in the kitchen; and therefore, they were the only ones who heard Steve mutter,

"But we're a team, they shouldn't feel the need to be alone."

And no one was quite sure what to say after that.

Penny's POV
Saturday, 10/13/12

One day til Anniversary

After we got to Malibu, everything just seemed to blur together. Neither of us could muster up the courage or motivation to talk. We just worked together on random projects for a few hours, before Dad went flying in the suit and I pulled out my violin. The garage/lab felt really empty without the Bots rolling around and chirping, and that just seemed to make my heart hurt more.

I let myself get lost in memories of Mom and my other parents lost as I wandered aimlessly around the lab, the music flowing from my bow being darker and gloomier than normal.

Dad hadn't returned until well after midnight, though the hours had blurred together to the point where I couldn't remember time. I hadn't stopped him as he threw back two scotches as soon he stepped out of the suit, though I had silently taken the bottle after he poured his third. Once again we had sat in silence, my violin laying soundlessly on my desk across the room.

I wasn't sure what time it was that Dad started talking, all I knew was that one moment I was trapped within my own thoughts and memories, and the next I was entranced with the stories of my parents when they were but children.

Time's meaning stayed lost, though I could feel Mortem's presence through the Bond, he didn't appear. He knew that it was a time for me and my father, though he showed his silent support. The stories continued on, and when Dad paused, searching for another, I stepped in. Whether or not I had told it before, we shared stories of a woman who had been a large part of both of our worlds.

Somehow, pizza appeared in front of us, but even as we ate the stories didn't stop. Slowly, we were able to laugh, we were able to cry. Slowly, Dad and I remembered my mother, his love, together.

Third POV

It was lunch time by the time Bruce managed to hack into SHIELD's database. Jarvis hadn't helped him, but he hadn't stopped him from accessing some old files to see how to do it either. Bruce had the strangest feeling that Jarvis actually wanted Bruce to find out what was going on with Penny and Tony, and Hulk actually agreed with him.

Apparently, the AI still chose to follow Tony's orders even if Bruce wasn't sure if Jarvis had to.

After an hour of digging through SHIELD's server, he had stumbled upon Penny's file, and after prompting from his alter-ego, he had opened the document. Not even a minute later he was backing out of the database, his heart heavy.

He could understand wanting to grieve in peace, but he also knew that having your friends being there for you made such times easier. He was speaking from experience.

"Should I tell the others?" Bruce asked Hulk as he slid off his glasses. "I want to respect Tony and Penny's privacy, but still...they shouldn't be alone during this."

Bruce was slightly surprised when Hulk didn't respond, so he just leaned back in the chair.

That moment, his phone went off. Glancing down he saw that it was a text message from Fury, and opening it up he read, Give them their space, and do not mention to the others.

Apparently Fury had known that Bruce was in his system, which really wasn't surprising. However, Fury's message had just left the doctor even more conflicted.

"What should I do?" Bruce asked himself, but he really shouldn't have been surprised when Jarvis answered.

"Do what you always do, Dr. Banner, what you believe is best. Neither Sir nor Miss Penny would hold it against you." Jarvis said and Bruce nodded slowly.

Now he just had to figure out what the best thing to do was.

"Miss Potts, I believe it would be in everyone's best interest if you were to travel to California tonight." Jarvis said as soon as Pepper finished her paperwork for the day.

For a moment, she thought on Jarvis' words before nodding.

An hour later she has half way over the continent, and by eight o'clock she was comforting a sobbing Tony on the couch as he clung to Penny, who had silent tears running down her face.

Pepper just muttered comforting words to both genius, running her hands through their hair late into the night.

Tony finally passed out around two, and Penny fell asleep only a few minutes later. As soon as she was asleep, Mortem appeared and nodding at Pepper, Mortem picked up his Bonded and vanished into her room.

Once Pen was gone, Pepper curled up with Tony and fell asleep herself, very glad that she had changed into sweats and a Tshirt before she got off of the plane.

Saturday, 10/13/12
Dinner Time, Stark Tower

Loki, his kids, Phil, Fury and Pepper were missing from dinner that night.

At first no one had seemed to notice that Pepper was gone as Natasha and Rogers whipped some food together. The kitchen was oddly silent as dinner was prepared, everyone lost in their own thoughts, trying to figure out what was going on with their friend.

Rhodey was very glad that Pepper had gone to Malibu after Tony. He hadn't said anything, but he had known Evanna as well, having met her not long after he had met Tony. Of course, he had always wondered why Evanna had left Tony, and he had finally found out when he discovered just who Penny was.

Rhodey had never thought very highly of Howard Stark, he had only met the man once, but the stories he had heard the numerous times Tony was intoxicated during MIT (before and after Evanna, though mostly after) he thought that most of Tony's problems could be traced back to that man.

If Rhodey was honest, he was very glad when he found out that Tony had Penny in his life. She had brought back a side of Tony that he had buried after Evanna. But if he was honest again, he was almost just as happy that Tony how had the Avengers and Co in his family. That was something Tony had always secretly wanted when he was younger, and he had been devastated when that dream had been 'shattered' when Evanna had been chased off.

He could see what the Avengers had become to Tony and Penny, and he was happy. That's why he didn't protest when Bruce opened his mouth right after dinner ended.

Bruce had been battling with himself all afternoon, and as a result he had barely spoken at dinner, not that anyone else really had either. He was still conflicted as to what to do. Should he tell the others why Tony and Penny had left? Or should he just let the two grieve in peace? He didn't want the two to be alone, no one should be alone when going through such a struggle. But at the same time…

"Not alone." Hulk said suddenly, snapping Bruce out of his thoughts so quickly that he actually jumped in his chair.

"What?" Bruce asked, surprised that Hulk had spoken after hours of silence.

"Fire Girl and Man of Iron not alone." Hulk repeated strongly. "Lady with them," Bruce saw a image of Pepper flash through his mind, and he realized that she wasn't at the table with everyone else.

He quickly realized what Hulk had implied, Pepper had gone to Tony and Penny, she had gone to be with the ones she cared about.

"Not alone." Hulk repeated and suddenly Bruce got the strangest sense from his alter-ego. Pictures of all of the Avengers and Co flashed through his mind, as a strong sense of protectiveness came from the green being.

"We family. We together." Hulk explained, speaking as if he was an adult telling a child that the earth was round or the sky was blue. "So, not alone."

Bruce couldn't help the smile that his lips flickered into, or the chuckle that vibrated up his throat.

"I guess you're right, Big Guy, we are a family. So none of us are alone, not any more." Bruce stated as Hulk sent smug but pleased and happy feelings through their mental connection.

"Not alone." Hulk repeated for the last time before falling silent.

Bruce shook his head, his mind settling on one course of action. In retrospect, it seemed so simple.

"I guess I have a tendency to over think too much." Bruce admitted to himself as Hulk suddenly chuckled.

"Think lots, little Bruce does, and sometimes too much." Hulk agreed, though Bruce couldn't help but chuckle loudly at that.

Why wouldn't you laugh when the Hulk sounds like Yoda?

"Bruce?"

His thoughts were broken and he realized that everyone at the table was staring at him in concern. Natasha was halfway to her feet, looking wary, and Rogers was staring at him in blatant concern. Bruce gave them all a small smile.

"I'm sorry, it's just...Hulk made me realize that I was over thinking something quite simple, and managed to sound like Yoda in the process." Bruce shrugged apologetically.

The tension bled out of the air as everyone relaxed with a few chuckles of their own. There were a few looks of curiosity and inquiry, but no one spoke aloud. It was like a comfortable air had fallen in the kitchen, breaking the heaviness that had befall them for the previous day.

"I have something I need to admit," Bruce started slowly, hoping that no one would get mad at him. "I know why Penny, Tony, and Pepper went."

Clint opened his mouth to ask something, but Natasha stopped him in his tracks with a slap upside the head. Pouting, the archer remained quiet.

Thor was staring at Bruce in contemplation, and Rhodey with a mixture of apprehension and hope. The Asgardian Prince had his own theories based on Penny's time on Asgard as to why she and her father had left; and he had a feeling that his and Bruce's conclusions were very similar.

"It took me a while, but I finally managed to get the information from SHIELD's database." Bruce explained slowly, and with another glance at Natasha, Clint stayed silent. "But that's the thing...we shouldn't have had to hack into SHIELD to learn about this...I can understand why, I mean, I know why they didn't tell us...but that's why I think we need to let them know that it's ok to share their hardships with us, it's alright to let some of the ghosts of our pasts come out in front of one another."

Steve, Thor, and Natasha all looked extremely thoughtful, while Clint looked slightly lost. Rhodey smiled softly behind his cup of cocoa. It seems that the Colonel had been right.

"The morning brings the second anniversary of the death of Penny's mother, Evanna." Bruce admitted slowly, and suddenly all of the people in the kitchen stiffened in understanding. Dary, Selvig, and Jane all shared a look of understanding, as Thor nodded slowly. He had suspected they were mourning a loved one.

"They left for the weekend to grieve by themselves," Bruce continued slowly, "and I can understand why. I mean, sometimes we all just need to escape from the world to deal with what we've lost." Bruce tightened his fists unconsciously. "I know that well enough."

"We've all lost people." Rogers said quietly as he nodded his head slowly, staring down at his hands and thinking about Peggy.

"I know." Bruce continued slowly. "And that's why I think we need to go after them."

Natasha looked up at Bruce in surprise, as Jane and Darcy looked at the doctor in question. They were slightly surprised to hear something like that coming from him.

"We all've had ghosts and demons in our past...and no matter how cheesy this may sound, I don't want any of us to have to experience them alone anymore. We may have only been together in a month...but in that month bonds have been forged and strengthened to such a degree...we're no longer just a team, we're a family. And right now we need to be their for our family members who are mourning, to remind them that they aren't alone anymore either."

Bruce was practically shaking as he finished his speak passionately. For a moment, no one knew what to say, no one knew how to move. The whole room seemed to be completely still.

Until Rhodey decided to chuckle and speak up.

"You know," He said softly. "At first I was worried that you all living here would end up pushing Tony back into his shell, back behind the masks that Penny had broken down. I'm glad to see I was wrong. I've watched you all carefully since I've met you, and that's why I'm going to tell you where they are...and get you a plane."

Natasha and Rogers were the first to snap out of the shock, and nodded sagely to Tony's oldest friend.

"So, pack your bags." Rhodey said as he stood and threw away the paper plate. "You're going to Malibu."
Everyone nodded, determined to go help their teammate, their friends, and their brother and niece.

"Thor, call Loki and have him and the kids here as soon as possible. Natasha, Clint, one of you get a hold of Phil. Everyone else, be ready." Rogers ordered, meeting everyone's eyes before turning and striding out of the kitchen.

Everyone scrambled out of the room, all wanting to be there for Tony and Penny in their time of need, whether they knew it or not.

As Rhodey walked out of the kitchen, speaking rapidly to someone on the phone about a plane, Bruce was left in the kitchen.

He had no idea why, but he felt as if something monumental had just happened. Something special, something...important.

"You know, I don't like when my orders are disobeyed." Fury's voice drifted across the room, and Bruce spun around just in time to see the Director step out from the shadows next to the stove.

The doctor nodded in greeting, he had heard the man's heartbeat enter the room almost as soon as dinner began. He was slightly tense, as was Hulk. Was the man mad at him for sharing the information with the group?

"But I am glad to see a situation where they were proven wrong." Fury said and Bruce's eyes widened, was that a small smile he saw on Fury's face?! Surely not.

"Tell Rhodey that I'll have a plane ready for everyone in a few hours." The man ordered as he walked out of the room, only to pause at the doorway. Without looking back Fury continued, "Don't worry. I'll have you there by morning."

Bruce smiled as he watched the older man leave. Hulk chuckling in the back of his mind, he couldn't help but agree.

Alone? How on earth could they be.

They were a family now.

I was soooo tempted to go on...but I decided the actual anniversary can be it's own chapter. I really hope you like this chapter, it became...really personal to me, and I really enjoyed writing this for you. To be honest...I think that this is one of my favorite chapters in this story. It was definitely really amazing it write.

Review if you would everyone, I'd love to hear about what you think. :)

Again, I hope you enjoyed it,
Cp