Over the next four months, Desi and Tony assisted with dividing the team into pairs and taking on assignments together. Peter came every weekend, as promised, to help with Tony's tinkering or hang out with Desi as she trained, being her partner sometimes. As expected, Desi didn't go on the missions but was always busy patching someone up.
Bucky and Loki initially stayed at her side; even Steve would delay the missions until the last minute. Over time, though, Steve slowly grew distant from everyone, making her worried. And despite everything, Lemi would reach out to her and come in to check on her, and she loved that he was trying to work on their relationship.
Desi had been bingeing on Star Wars with Peter when she heard her phone ringing. She leaped over to see Wade's name and stood up quickly when she answered, "Wade! What's up?"
"I need you to get to Hell House. Vanessa is in labor."'
"Oh my God, I'm on my way!"
"Well, hurry it on up, Rapunzel!"
"Peter, I need you to watch the dogs for me, okay? I'll be right back." she said, the teen becoming instantly concerned. "What's happened? Everything okay?" he asked her. "Vanessa is in labor, that's all. Can you tell everyone where I went to for me, please?" she told him, making her way to the elevator without waiting for a response.
"Well, Mr. Stark said you shouldn't be going anywhere alone." Peter told her, but she merely smiled when she entered, pushing the floor button. "I'll be back before they return. Maybe."
"Maybe?" he exclaimed as the doors closed on him. He ran his hands through his hair, pacing before he pulled out his phone, calling the first name on his contact list.
"H-Hello, sir. It's Parker."
Desi had entered the bar hurriedly when Weseal saw her, waving her over. "She's in the back. Hurry up!" he shouted, causing her to approach him. Following him through the backrooms, she came to Vanessa, who was on top of the table in the center of the room, the back of her head facing the door.
"Holy shit! Are you planning on giving delivery like this?" Desi questioned Vanessa, doing palpation breathing. "Wade won't let me go to the hospital. And my housewife should be here soon!" She yelped, hissing as she felt another contraction hitting her.
"How far along are the contractions?" Desi asked, concerned. "About 5 minutes apart. Wade is taking too long filling up the water pool!" Weasel shouted when Desi saw that Wade was in blue jeans and a red shirt, but he was nearly soaked in it.
"A little help, Rapunzel; I'm not paying you to stand there!"
"You're not paying me at all!" she shouted back. "I don't want a water birth." Vanessa hissed, but Wade gave her a silly look. "Well, obviously not. This is plan B. Besides, this is for AFTER you give birth. Stop being so greedy." Wade taunted.
"Destiny?"
Desi looked towards the door and saw Steve walking in, accessing the scene in front of him, and she smiled apologetically. "Steve? What are you doing here?" she asked. "Peter told me what happened. You know you're not supposed to leave on your own." Steve reminded her, making her feel guilty.
"I know, you're right, I'm sorry. I just...I didn't want to miss this. I won't do it again." She swore when Vanessa shouted painfully again. "Where the hell is the housewife?" she asked aggressively. "It looks like the contractions are getting closer. Anyone heard anything?" Desi asked, looking at Weasel and Wade.
"She's not answering, but that baby isn't going to wait either. Hey, Rapunzel, help us deliver the baby?" Wade asked her. "Fuck you, that's your wife! You look at her vagina and get your child out of there!" Desi exclaimed. "Desi, please. I could use you right now." Vanessa pleaded, making the healer waver.
"Okay, fine, but call the paramedics for me? The baby will need treatment, as will Vanessa," Desi warned them, taking off her jacket as she approached. Throwing her coat to the side, Weasel handed her his phone as she was on with the paramedics as the contractions came closer.
Steve watched as she took the lead, enjoying the two scrambling as she barked orders. "Put a pillow under her. I'll need clean towels and blankets; come on, you guys!" Desi shouted, entertaining Vanessa in light of the situation.
Desi looked up at Vanessa apologetically, with the contractions now less than a minute apart. "I'm going to remove your underwear, okay?" Vanessa nodded when Wade helped, quickly covering his wife with a blanket to cover her lower half.
"Okay, I need to check you. Wade, I need her sitting propped up." the healer told the couple as she spread her legs apart. "Holy nuggets!" Desi shouted, surprised.
"What? What is it?" Vanessa asked, worried. Weasel attempted to look, but Wade pulled him back. "Nothing, it's fine, it's fine. The baby's head has appeared, so all you need to do is push, okay? They're nearly here!" Desi told her.
"Okay, ready? Just push, push, push!"
Vanessa let out a loud grunting noise as she pushed, screaming her husband's hand. Steve came closer, ready to help, as Vanessa whimpered, the pain becoming excruciating. "Let's try again, give it your all, okay! Push for me!" Desi told her once more.
Vanessa and Wade looked at each other with a firm nod before she took a few more short, deep breaths before letting out a loud, long scream as she pushed with all her head.
"Waaah!"
Vanessa fell back in relief, crying as she heard her baby screaming, Wade kissing the top of her head as Steve held the towel for the baby. "Parademics will be here any moment, but they need skin contact with the mommy. Here you go." Desi warned her. She carefully laid down the baby against her chest, putting the blanket over as Vanessa couldn't stop the tears.
"Hello, my precious little girl." Vanessa whispered as Wade carefully stroked the top of the newborn's head, the others watching them enjoying this life-changing moment. "We shall name her Princess Consuela Banana-Hammock!" Wade proclaimed when his wife gave him a death glare. "Really? A 'Friends' reference?" she called him out.
"What about Phoebe?"
"I wanted Penelope. What about Phoebe Penelope Wilson?" she questioned. "I will NOT have my daughter be bullied with the nickname PeePee." Wade fought back, making her frown.
"You don't need to make that decision right now-"
"What about Addison?"
Vanessa smiled, "I love that."
After the paramedics had cleared the baby and the new mother, Desi could finally leave, with Steve giving her a ride back. The ride back was mainly quiet, but Steve could see her fidgeting with her hands.
"You know you weren't supposed to leave alone. You were given a direct order to stay at the compound and disobeyed a direct order."
"It wasn't a direct order!"
He threw her a side glare before looking back at the road.
"I didn't mean to worry anyone, but Wade and the crew are important to me, too. I'll tell someone other than Peter. I just didn't want to miss anything." she tried to explain. Desi slid her hand over his, giving him a firm squeeze. He didn't respond, and that's when she took off her seat belt, coming to the middle.
Steve felt her against his side, giving her another glare as she linked her arm with his, resting her head against him and giving him a pout.
"Don't be mad, please. I've been good all these months, and there will be a time when that rule will be lifted. I didn't just go anywhere; I had a good reason." Desi tried to explain. He sighed, slowly sliding his arm out before wrapping it around her shoulder and pulling her against his chest.
"You drive me crazy."
"In a good way, though, right?" Desi asked. "Yeah, I suppose so." Steve answered, making her chuckle. The couple stayed quiet, her mind wandering back to Vanessa, Wade, and their newborn. Carrying the baby in her arms made her smile and question something about herself.
Did she want children? Could she have them? "What's on your mind?" She bit her lower lip when she heard his voice but took a deep breath. "Hey, Steve?"
"Yes?"
"Do you...see yourself having children someday?"
Steve took a breath, considering her words for a moment. He was out of time, unsure if he could have that. Duty always called to him. Only with her did he relax in brief moments of peace, but to have a family? We had wished he had that with Peggy, feeling his heart ping with the hurt of losing her. He had pictured the white picket fence with her. With kids of their own, maybe a dog. But with Destiny? He wasn't sure.
Desi pulled herself away from him, and he realized he remained quiet for too long. When he saw the tears in her eyes, he was stunned.
"I know she's your first. I-Just forget I asked." she spoke softly. Before Steve could say anything, she raised the volume to the radio to flood the silence between them.
When the duo had returned, Nat and Bucky were discussing their mission, and the redhead smirked. "Hey, I heard Vanessa finally had her baby." she stated when she saw the miserable look on Desi's face, followed by a solemn look on his.
"She had a beautiful little girl named Addison. I helped with the delivery if you can tell," Desi joked, but Bucky could tell something was off, "I'm just going to go shower." Steve could only watch as she disappeared into her room before Nat looked back over to him.
"What made her upset?" Nat inquired. Steve didn't tell her anything and had attempted to walk past when Bucky stood up, stopping him in his tracks. "What happened?" he asked his best friend. He took a deep breath, looking guilty, but his friend knew he wouldn't get an answer.
"I'll go check on her." Nat spoke as she went to their healer's bedroom. Steve looked at his friend and shook his head, "She's upset. Just give her time." Steve vaguely explained, but Bucky wasn't accepting that.
"Tell me, Rogers."
"...She asked if I wanted kids," Bucky looked at him suspiciously as he explained, "I thought of Peggy, and she knew. She has every right to be upset with me right now." Bucky was frustrated; his friend was never good with women. "You're an idiot." Bucky said simply, at a loss for words, but knew his feelings for Peggy.
"I know."
Desi finally managed to calm herself, coming out of the shower and seeing Nat on the bed with her dogs beside her. "Hey, how are you feeling?" she asked, but the healer flashed a weak smile. "Could be better, honestly." the healer admitted, drying her hair as she climbed onto the bed beside her friend. Chewy leaped onto Nat's lap, snuggling onto her, and Chip rested his head on Desi's lap and immediately put her at ease when she began to stroke his head.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Nat asked her, and Desi let out a heavy sigh. "I just- today, when I delivered that baby- I thought of having children one day. Open to being a mother, either my own or adapted."
"I think you'd make a good mother. What has you upset?" Nat questioned. "It's my fault, but...I asked Steve if he thought of having kids one day," Desi answered, loving Chip as he looked up at her curiously, "Instead of answering me, he thought of Peggy. He wanted that with her: the house, the kids, a dog." Nat frowned, rubbing her friend's back, knowing that this was hurtful for her friend.
"I love him, you know? I know she's his first love; he's allowed to miss her, but to want to have that life with her and not with me..." Desi could not finish, covering her mouth to try to stop herself from crying, but Nat pulled her into a hug. "Let it out." she whispered, staying by her side for the rest of the night.
Desi struggled to sleep that night; the morning was slow, but she snuck out of her room with Chip. Sitting on the rugged floor, Chip licked her face, making her smile, but it quickly disappeared. Pulling her dog into a hug, he huffed and stayed still for her.
"Hello, darling."
Loki hesitated when he saw her puffy eyes; she cried. He kneeled beside her, running a hand over her head despite the kind smile she always gave him. "Welcome back, how was everyone?" she asked. "What happened?" he asked in an otherworldly tone, causing her to shiver.
"Steve and I had a disagreement, that's all. It's really nothing." Desi told him, but he narrowed his eyes. "Tell me." Loki commanded. "I asked if he wanted kids one day...he had other thoughts in mind." she further explained, but he wasn't accepting it. He chose not to push her for now and sat beside her, smiling when she rested her head on his shoulder, Chip resting his head on her lap as she stroked the dog's head.
"What was the disagreement on, if I may ask?" he asked curiously. "Vanessa had her baby, and when I held her, it got me thinking. I just asked if he'd want kids one day; that's all." she answered vaguely, hoping he wouldn't probe for more.
"What of you?" Loki asked her softly, "Do you wish for them one day?"
She took a deep breath, preparing herself for this mentally despite what happened yesterday. But who could really be ready for the outcome? "I admit, I didn't want to because of my mother and how she treated me. But, I'm not my mother, and...I think I want to try one day." she confessed, "What about you?"
Loki laughed bitterly, "Ah, yes, because my father, King Odin of Asgard, played a positive role. Displayed his 'love' for me the way he did. I would not be a good father to any poor soul I create." She frowned and carefully removed Chip's head from her lap before she climbed onto his Loki's, his face surprised by her move.
"I think you'd be a wonderful father, whatever you decide to do. Can you imagine all the chaos you'd create together?" Desi teased, making Loki chuckle as she felt his hand on her hips, saying, "Your father could've been so much better to you. You deserve so much..."
Loki watched her as she kissed his left cheek. His right cheek, kissing his forehead before going to his nose, and finally kissing his lips gently, "I adore you, no matter what." Desi spoke softly, "You are no monster as others paint you out to be."
"How else do you see me?" he asked her.
"Hmm..." Desi hummed, pretending to think about it, "You are clever, intelligent, and thoughtful- solely to those you care for, obviously." He sighed, softly grabbing her chin and pulling her close. "You will be the death of me." he whispered before pulling her into a sensual kiss.
"Uh, good morning, guys."
Desi pulled away with a blush Loki always found endearing, climbing off his lap as she stood up to see the teen. "Morning, Parker; I see Chewy's with you." Peter looked down to see the Shi-Tzu staring at him with his tail wagging merrily, "Hey buddy! How's it going, little guy?" Peter gave him some head scratches as Tony walked in.
"Morning, everyone; Romeo and Juliet wasted no time being together. I trust the other 'boy toys' are asleep?" Tony teased when he noticed the frown on her face. "Something like that." she said, plastering a fake smile.
Steve had walked in with Bucky, with Agent Hill in tow. "Really? It's a Sunday; is this a required day?" Tony asked. "I'm afraid I'm here with a personal mission for Agent Stark." she said, looking over to Desi with a file held out towards her. Desi quickly stood, approaching the veteran agent with a severe look on her face.
"Our men looked into the reports when you returned. The equipment used to silence your powers is indeed from Hydra. Our men have learned that they might have taken an interest in a bar in the city. It seems Hydra's closer than we thought." Hill spoke.
"Well, shit. What do you need of me?" Desi asked of her.
"Hydra has been going to a local club underground and inquiring about some information about the Avengers. Large shipments have been arriving there in vast quantities and volumes, so the bar may be a cover for their lab. We want you to go undercover and use your ability to discover what they know." Hill told her.
"And you expect her to do this alone?" Tony asked him. "No, we will have other agents by her side, but she won't go alone. Loki will be joining her, as well as her brother Lemi. Get familiar with them. It'll put you more at ease." she answered.
"How long until they leave?" Tony asked.
"In twenty-four hours."
"Are you okay with this?" Tony asked Desi. "Yeah, I've handled worse. Loki will be with me." Desi answered; it seemed simple enough. "I suggest you freshen up and prepare for tomorrow, review the files, and familiarize yourselves." Hill said.
"Of course." Desi said softly, watching as she left as quickly as she arrived. Chip whined, nudging his head against her lap, making her pout. "Aww, Chip. I'm so sorry, my love. I'll be back as soon as I can, okay? Look after Chewy and Astros for me?" she asked, hearing him ruff but was reluctant to move away. As if Chewy knew, he mimicked Chip, making the healer look at Loki with a pout. Loki rolled his eyes but knew how much she adored them, kneeling beside her. "I'll look after your master, alright?" he assured them. Chip licked his cheek and was slightly annoyed by this when he noticed Steve's painful stare at his lover.
"Why don't you go to the meeting room, pet? I'll be there in a moment." Loki told her as he brought her back up slowly, his hand trailing over her hip. She followed his eyesight to Steve, her smile dropping. "Okay..." she mustered, the team noticing the energy shift as she left the room. The moment the click of the door was heard, Loki's eyes changed to a death glare, slowly approaching the Captain.
"Now that she is gone, tell me, mortal: what was going through your righteous head to upset her?" Loki questioned. "That's none of your business." Steve stated, his face now serious as he crossed his arms.
"Oh, but it does when it pertains to her."
In a flash, Loki had disappeared. Steve looked around to pinpoint him, the team on alert.
"Looking for me?"
Just as Steve spun around, Loki gripped his hand onto his forehead and was flooded with memories of their conversation.
"What's on your mind?" She bit her lower lip when he looked over to her. "Hey, Steve?"
"Yes?"
"Do you...see yourself having children someday?"
Steve took a breath, considering her words for a moment. He was out of time, unsure if he could have that. Duty always called to him. Only with her did he relax in brief moments of peace, but to have a family? We had wished he had that with Peggy, feeling his heart ping with the hurt of losing her. He had pictured the white picket fence with her. With kids of their own, maybe a dog. But with Destiny? He wasn't sure.
Desi pulled herself away from him, and he realized he remained quiet for too long. When he saw the tears in her eyes, he was stunned.
"I know she's your first. I-Just forget I asked." she spoke softly. Steve realized she had seen everything and felt instantly guilty. Before he could say anything, she raised the volume to the radio to flood the silence between them.
Loki was then bombarded with flashes of a blonde woman in his arms, short flashes, but he saw when Steve's lips locked with hers-
Steve grabbed Loki when he discovered what he was doing, but the God of Mischief threw him back with an ice sphere. "Whoa, whoa!" Tony shouted as Steve attempted to tackle the God. Still, Loki quickly slammed him into the table beside them, glass crescending throughout the room. Chip and Chewy barked before they growled toward Steve as Loki stood up, Nat and Bucky pulling him onto his feet.
"Stop it!" Desi shouted, hearing the glass shatter as she returned to the room. She stopped when she saw the glass everywhere, holding Chip back safely. "You have the gall to desire a dead woman while Destiny stands before you," Loki spat, "You are unworthy of her. Mark my words, soldier, you will not lay a hand on her again."
"Wait, what are you talking about?" Peter asked Tony, catching the stern look on Steve and Nat's faces. "Our profound healer wants children, and when asked, this fool of a man desires a late lover instead," Loki explained. "Shall I also tell them about a particular agent?"
"What is he talking about?" Desi questioned cautiously.
" I'll talk to Desi about it-"
"It seems your Captain America locked lips with a blonde woman named Sharon Carter," Loki said, throwing a smug look, "trying to stay in Peggy's family, are we?" Bucky looked to Desi, noticing the pain in her face, but she clenched her jaw, "Is it true?" Steve had attempted to reach for her, but Loki pulled her towards him.
"Is it?"
"...Yes."
"When?"
He searched her eyes before finally speaking: "Once while you were missing. Second, a few weeks ago. I was going to tell you-"
"When? When I walked in on you two?" she asked, taking her glove, "I told you that I understood if you moved on, but at least tell me. I would've let you go without a problem."
She took off his ring, tossing it to him as he caught it.
"You can have this back; do what you want with it."
"Desi-"
"I can be civil, maybe even friends again," she cut him off, "but I need time. You deserve happiness, but I didn't deserve that. I'm Destiny Stark; I know my worth."
"Destiny." Bucky stated, and Desi looked at him sadly, seeing clearly on his face the dilemma he was in. "Come, darling. We must prepare for tomorrow." Loki told her, ushering her away from the group, her dogs following them back to the conference room. "Damn proud of that kid, you know that?" Tony chimed in, following them to help with the mission outline. Desi remained focused, reviewing what they had and going over what was best to implement, and felt more than ready for everything.
"Go ahead and rest, Destiny. There's nothing more you can prepare for." Tony told her, seeing her body relax. "Jesus, you know, I enjoy these meetings. Deadpool would just charge in, and we'd just go with it." she confessed, making Loki smirk. "Ah, a true man of chaos and mischief. Good times." Loki spoke up, noticing the side-eye glare she sent him.
"On that note," Tony said, catching the healer's attention, "You handled it well with the Boy Scout. Are you holding up okay?" She laughed softly, shrugging, "I'll be okay, I promise. I need some space for a few days from him; thank goodness for this mission, huh?"
"You let me handle any mission set-ups with him, okay? Just let me know when you're ready." Tony told her, and she felt a sense of relief. "Thanks, Uncle T. I'm going to go ahead and rest." she announced, Loki waiting at the door. Loki took her back to her bedroom, Chip and Chewy lying down for the night. He sat on the edge of the bed as she changed for bed, but as she removed her shirt, she felt his arms around her waist. Pulling her against his now bare chest, she sighed softly, feeling his cool skin against her warm back.
"Do you wish to forgive the soldier?" Loki asked suddenly. Resting her head against his back, she looked back and shook her head. "I forgive him for the first kiss. It's the last one that I won't forgive. Am I not enough?" she asked suddenly. He turned her slowly, his hands growing through her hair, "He was a fool. Not everyone can have our chosen lifestyle," Loki explained, "But what of the Winter Soldier?"
"What do you mean?"
"They are dear friends to one another. You must consider he will support his friend. Will you be prepared if you lose him as well for this?" Loki asked clearly. Desi frowned, looking down, but he caught her chin, their eyes locking. "You have bewitched me, body and soul, Destiny." he declared, her eyes widening, "I will disappoint you from time to time, but I dare not cast illusions of my feelings of us."
Speechless, she nodded, placing a tender kiss against his, "Neither will I, beloved." A look of relief washes over him, a smile fighting on his face; a rarity in itself, she knows.
"Now, let's get some rest, shall we? We have a big tomorrow." he told her, allowing her to climb into the bed.
"Loki?"
"Yes?"
"Read to me?" He cast a book as he sat beside the bed, her head resting on his lap, honoring her request for the night until she slept safely with him.
The morning had come too fast, Destiny packing light as she had prepared herself mentally for the mission. Saying her farewells to everyone, including her dogs, it didn't go unnoticed when two male figures were not there to bid her farewell. Going outside, Loki stood there talking with Bucky in his 'mortal' outfit, with his 'mortal' illusion of brown gelled-back hair.
Loki took the bag from her hands, looking back at Bucky warily before whispering, "I'll wait for you in the car." Bucky approached her but kept a distance from her. It was expected, but that didn't mean it didn't hurt her feelings.
"How are you feeling?" he asked her.
"As good as expected." Bucky nodded, stuffing his hands in his pockets. Both stood silent until Destiny finally spoke. "What's on your mind?"
He gave her a hard stare, his eyes searching hers, "I won't say I approve of Steve's actions, but he regrets what he did."
"But he did it. Of his own free will. No one forced him, Bucky."
"I know, but-"
"Where do we stand?" Desi asked suddenly.
"What?"
"He's your best friend, and I'll never ask you to pick between us, but is this going to be a problem for us?" Desi asked him. He took a deep breath, reaching for one of her hands. "I meant what I said; I love you. We'll make this work. With Steve and the kids, we will take this step by step." he answered. "I love you too, James." She came closer to him, allowing him to pull her against him. He gave her a chaste kiss before their kiss deepened, hating the thought of her leaving him again.
"Stay with Loki. I'm a call away if you need me, okay?"
"I will. Look out for Chip for me, okay?"
"Alright." he said, curling her hair behind her ears, watching when she leaned against his hand. "I should go. I'll be back soon," she said before pulling away, going to the driver's side, and throwing a wink at Bucky. He watched her leave, knowing what he wanted to do next for her.