Heyo guys!

It's me, back for the final chapter of this book of Astraea and Madison's story. Just a short epilogue this time, but I will be posting new chapters again in a few weeks for my in-between time stories. It'll likely be one-shots and short stories more so than a completely independent plot that will span the time between Age of Ultron and Civil War. It will be somewhat chronological I expect, and there will be some short stories to tackle points given in this fanfic, like Vanessa the reporter and backstories for my OCs. There's a lot more story to come for these two after this, and lot's of team-bonding moments to be had.

I don't own anything here apart from original plot points and OCs.

Enjoy.

Now, without further ado, I give you the final chapter.

Epilogue

To the future

The next few days pass in a haze. They returned briefly to the Tower, before moving to the new compound further upstate. It used to be an old warehouse or something, but Tony's been working on remodelling it into a state-of-the-art facility to use as the Avengers' main base. Tony and Clint are both retiring from the Avengers, possibly completely. Clint has his family to go back to, and Tony has seen far too much. They all need a break, but these two more than most.

Astraea has been conflicted after moving to the new base. She wants to keep being an Avenger, but she equally knows that Madison is likely to come, too. Her best friend could have a chance at making a peaceful life, working for Stark Industries and living in the Tower, not on a base. Astraea didn't want to make Madison choose, but it turns out the new compound needed staff, not just agents. There were all sorts of openings, and Madison is working part-time as in the human resources department while she finishes up her degree.

The base has a slightly different living arrangement to the Tower, though. Its smaller size means everyone gets a large bedroom and bathroom, but there's a communal kitchen-dinner, as well as a common room, gym, library, and swimming pool. Steve and Natasha both have offices, but there is a study for anyone who wants to do some quiet work. Madison and Astraea have rooms next to each other, down the same corridor as Vision and Wanda. Rhodey, Sam, Natasha, and Steve have rooms in the other bedroom wing, coming off the common room to the other side.

There are also separate apartments for Maria Hill, Doctor Erik Selvig, and Doctor Helen Cho. Some staff are live-in, but most don't live on the base. A separate training area, a collection of laboratories, and hangar for the Quinjets (as well as an underground garage) makes up the largest building. A walkway connects the residential areas to the larger, warehouse-like building. It's an impressive set-up, and definitely intimidating to see for the first time. Still, after being around it for a few days, the base is gradually starting to feel more like home for Astraea and Madison, as well as the rest of the team.

One of the most striking features, though, isn't the impressive buildings, but rather the circular scorch mark left by Thor when he left. The on-site outdoor management team don't think the grass will grow back any time soon. So, for now, it's known as Thor's spot and left exactly as it is.

oOo

At the end of the month, Madison suggests they have a pool party. The team are collapsed on various sofas and watching James Bond, then swivel their heads round to look at her.

"What?!" She exclaims, pouting slightly. "We have a pool, and nobody ever uses for anything but exercise. Time someone used it for fun."

"You wanna go right now?" Nat inquires, raising one eyebrow.

"Nah. What about Saturday afternoon? Assuming the world doesn't fall apart by then."

Everyone agrees, making plans to team-up for the inevitable water fight. Astraea nudges her friend softly with her elbow.

"Thought you didn't want anyone to see you in a swimming costume. Like, ever." Her whispered words met a stifled chuckle.

"Yeah, but at least I get to admire everyone else, and it'll be entertaining watching Vision try diving out for the first time."

"You're a scoundrel, Mads."

Madison laughs quietly. "I know."

oOo

That Saturday, the whole team gets ready for their pool party. Sam, Rhodey, and Wanda prepare snacks. Steve and Natasha go out and come back with a load of floats. Astraea and Madison make sure that no one has any appointments or meetings, and Vision watches them all get ridiculously excited. He's still new to the whole 'living' thing and constantly learns new things about people just by watching the Avengers' go about their daily business.

It's endearing to watch the android grow and learn like any other person does. After all, he is a person.

At 7:00 p.m. they troop out to the pool, all dressed in an array of swim shorts, bikinis, and swimming costumes. Well, Vision just sort of made one appear upon him like he did with the cloak shortly after his creator. A nifty trick, but one that, sadly, can't be taught. Oh well.

Sam starts the whole thing off with a bang as he cannonballs into the heated water. A tidal of water splashes up at them, soaking everyone within a metre of the pool edge. Natasha's pool chair gets soaked so badly that her glare could kill. Everyone freezes, watching the famous Black Widow for her decision. But an uncharacteristically bright smile lights her face and Nat dives in after him.

"You are so dead Wilson!" She whispers, flicking water into his face.

The rest of them glance at each other and shrug.

"If you can't beat them – " Steve starts.

"Join them!" Madison finishes, leaping into the pool with gusto and dragging a giggling Astraea with her.

Then Wanda brings out the water pistols with a shy smile and immediately sprays Rhodey's back. A full-scale water fight erupts. Natasha holds two super-soakers, squirting at Steve's chest. Vision stands in the pool, increasing his density so water bounces back off him in arcs. Astraea ducks her head under the water and swims to the other end in a bid to escape Madison, who is armed with two water pistols and wearing a shit-eating grin.

In only ten minutes everyone is drenched from head-to-foot and the pool patio has been soaked with waves of water. They're all giggling and laughing like children, squirting water at each other and splashing around like crazy people. FRIDAY (the new AI system) turns some music on at Sam's request and now they're all dancing around and partying like nobody's watching. And there is no one watching; it's just the team, the pool, and FRIDAY. It's blissful but loud and manic as they let down their hair and celebrate after a hard time.

A hard time that has been hardest of all for Wanda Maximoff. She lost not only her home but her twin brother in the battle. The team had held a funeral two weeks ago, burying the young man on a small hill overlooking the base. Even Clint and Tony had turned up, but Thor was already off-world by this point. It had been a sad day, and Wanda's smiles were difficult to come by afterwards.

But now, for this evening at least, Wanda is smiling and having fun with her newfound friends.

Astraea slips out of the pool, joining Madison on the edge. "Was this also a part of your plan, Mads?" She nudges her bikini-clad friend gently. "Getting a certain Wanda to smile again, if only for a little while."

"Yeah," Madison agrees, turning to gaze at Astraea with vibrant green eyes, "I figured she deserves a little happiness, and I … well, I know what it's like to lose a brother. Especially about how it feels to lose one in a fight. It's hard and … and I sometimes I still feel like the guilt will never go away but I've got a great team behind my back now. So does Wanda." She wraps an arm around the taller girl's shoulders.

They sit for a few minutes before Astraea pushes Madison in. Then a hand pops up and grabs Astraea's ankle, pulling her into the pool with a splash! When she resurfaces, completely dripping wet, a giggling Madison greets her.

"You have a backpfeifengesicht!" Astraea says, mockingly annoyed, and waggles a finger at Madison.

"What on earth does that mean?"

"Well, roughly, it means a face in need of a fist!"

"Aww …" Madison pouts slightly, "you wouldn't do that to me, right?"

Astraea rolls her eyes slightly, "'course not, Bambi eyes." Madison smiles, and then Astraea grabs a water pistol from the pool edge and squirts it at her friend. "But I would do this!"

"Oi!" The other girl shrieks. "I'll get you back for that, Rhea."

"In your dreams, Mads."

oOo

The evening ends with the team sat on the roof terrace, wrapped in towels and blankets, and watching the sunset in the distance. Streaks of orange and pink light the darkening sky as the sun sinks below the horizon. The team lean against each other, legs dangling over the edge of the roof. Glasses in hand they toast as one, voices ringing out clear in the stillness of the night.

"To the future!"

There we go. I have actually, finally, finished writing a story for once in my life.

It's been 55640 words of fanfic, many weeks of posting, and you! You wonderful, wonderful readers who have been with me every step of the way, offering your support for the story, and just reading my work. It's been an honour to write for you, and I hope not to disappoint with the next book of this story. Thank you all for taking the time to read this story.

Don't worry, I'll be posting again in a few weeks, once I've got a bunch of chapters written-up that is.

I hope you all have enjoyed reading this fanfic as much as I've enjoyed writing this. I'm immensely proud of the fact that I have actually managed to finish a story, and I hope to continue that trend.

Also, Infinity War is so close now and I'm so excited. I'm determined to go see this movie as soon as possible, even if I have to go alone. It's going to be amazing and sad and powerful; I don't feel like I'm ready to go see it, but I'm equally so pumped for when we can finally watch it. Ten years of the MCU. I can't friggin wait!

Once again, thank you all.

Look-for-the-miracles