Thank you to everybody who read or reviewed the last chapter. You are all absolutely wonderful. We are back in the gamma timeline, and we're going to be here for a moment. This is going to be a very long day.

Conversation 59: Uncle Antonio and the Neighbor

Early morning Thursday, March 22, 2018

Butterfly K: So, I just talked to my neighbor. He is still looking forward to hosting you and the fiancé for brunch this morning while I have to go to work and fix the Lang situation.

Uncle Antonio: By fix, I hope you mean fire all the people working with Sonny Burch.

Butterfly K: I wish. Days like these make me seriously consider switching to the private sector.

Uncle Antonio: You know you can always go to SI.

Butterfly K: Unfortunately, unlike Mr. Leopold's ex-wife, I don't have a master's degree in chemistry. Outside of my law enforcement skill set, the only thing I have going for me is my ability to speak 5 languages.

Uncle Antonio: That means you can be an in-house translator at SI. The ability to speak multiple languages is valuable in my line of work. My old line of work. My new line of work is what you want to get out of. Although if you seriously want to switch careers, you can go back to school. You never dipped into your college trust fund.

Butterfly K: You set up a college fund for me?

Uncle Antonio: Howard did. The moment you were born, he set one up. He adored you. Howard always wanted a little girl, but instead, he got me. I was a continual disappointment.

Uncle Antonio: I think he wanted a girl because he didn't know how to deal with a mini him.

Butterfly K: I don't remember Howard much other than a couple of Christmases when I was a toddler. But at least from the history books' public version, I feel you're better. That you actually care about your children

Uncle Antonio: Who are all in different states and countries right now. Some are not that happy about that. Afia only texted me this morning to ensure she gets to participate in the live discussion with the other timeline. She was pleased to find out it was taking place after school New York time.

Butterfly K: You sent the kids away to ensure they don't get caught up in the alien crossfire. I'm sure Afia will forgive you eventually.

Uncle Antonio: You know things are going to blow up any moment. No matter how far I send the children away, they could still get hurt.

Butterfly K: I don't think it's gonna blow up that much. I don't think there is an evil version of your husband anywhere in the multi-verse.

Uncle Antonio: I would like to believe that, but I think all of us can make bad choices under the right circumstances. We just need to figure out what choices brought your neighbor here.

Xxxx

Unknown number: Hey, this is Kate's Uncle Antonio Carbonell. Thank you for being willing to entertain us while Kate is working.

Grant Roth: It's okay. Before I went into comic books, I used to have a job like that. Then I was able to work on my own schedule.

Antonio Carbonell: Being your own boss is always better. I miss that in my current job. Thankfully, I'll be able to go back at the end of the administration.

Grant Roth: Kate mentioned that you were a political appointee in the current administration, but she never said which agency.

Antonio Carbonell: ATCU. I felt like I had to. I owe it to my aunt to continue her legacy. Or at least fix what got burnt down to the ground.

Grant Roth: I can understand that.

Antonio Carbonell: Anyway, the fiancé just let me out in front of your building while he goes to look for parking. I'll be up in a minute.

Grant Roth: You don't have to do that. I'll come down to you.

Antonio Carbonell: We decided to bring brunch to you. I hope that's okay? Although if you have all your clothes on the floor in the living room, we can eat in Kate's apartment here.

Grant Roth: No, that's fine. At my age, I prefer not to walk down four flights of stairs when I don't have to.

Antonio Carbonell: That is entirely understandable. I deeply regret Kate not getting a place with an elevator. Although I heard rumors of management trying to fix that.

Antonio Carbonell: I promise we're bringing the good stuff. We got it from the diner you mentioned. You definitely go there a lot. We just told the hostess we were picking up breakfast for you, and they gave us all your favorites.

Grant Roth: Fiona is fantastic. The only person who makes pancakes like my mom used to.

Antonio Carbonell: I know Honey Bear will be in for a treat.

Xx

When Grant Roth opened the door that morning, he wasn't expecting to see Tony Stark standing at his front door with take-out in hand. He looks so much like the man Grant remembered from his first life. Just less gray hair and an engagement ring instead of the previous wedding band. That makes sense since he's engaged to a different person. Even Grant was aware of that. It was impossible to miss that news in San Francisco.

"So, you're Kate's Uncle Antonio?" Maybe just maybe, in this timeline, Howard had more kids. Tony was the only one publicly acknowledged, but he could see Howard having a few illegitimate children. And since he was aware of the Hydra threat, Grant could see him keeping them out of the limelight. Or maybe Kate is using the term uncle loosely. Grant remembers that Carbonell is Maria's family name.

"More like Sharon's Uncle Tony, and it's an honorary thing," Tony said, stepping inside the apartment. "I'm still an only child. We think anyway. Howard could have other kids out there. Me and RDJ have taken a DNA test or two just in case, but nothing came from that. It's my fiancé that keeps getting surprised siblings. Although I adore my future sister-in-law in Las Vegas." Grant is surprised that this Steve made contact with her because Grant never did in his first life. In his second life, he considered it but decided it was best to stay away. He didn't deserve to connect with somebody he stayed away from the first time.

"Kate is actually Sharon, as in Sharon Carter? Peggy's great-niece?" It took his mind a couple of minutes to come to that conclusion. It shouldn't have been surprising since this woman used the same first name as Sharon did all those years ago during his first life. But Kate Carbonell looks nothing like the Sharon Carter of his memories, beyond the blonde hair. The lead actress on that new Residence TV show looks more like the Sharon of his memories. He didn't watch because it always made him feel guilty about never finding her after she helped him during the entire fighting Tony fiasco. Unlike him, she never received a pardon.

"I think you should know that, considering you are a Steve Rogers variant." Of course, Tony figured it out. He really should expect nothing else from a Tony Stark.

"We lost contact in the 60s outside of a few angry phone calls. It was safer for everybody." There was no point in lying to Tony. He promised himself he would never lie to Tony again long ago. And unfortunately, he didn't have a chance to keep that promise to his Tony. This Tony deserved that much. "I don't even think Peggy's nephew, Sharon's father, was born yet. Also, your Sharon looks different than my Sharon. Is she wearing a nano mask?" Grant asked.

"Actually, no. This is what Sharon of the gamma timeline looks like. Considering Aunt Peggy only had a niece from her brother, they might be genetically different. Your presence may have led to different choices and potentially children being born. I have a Morgan in another timeline when I'm shooting blanks here and have Afia and Flash instead."

"But you're still Tony? You look so much like him." Grant extended his hand to touch Tony's heart.

"Yeah, it's me. Also, just so you know, I really am engaged to your variant." At that moment, Grant sank to the floor and began to cry.

xxx

Chief mechanic: Hey sweetie bear, I'm here, and Mr. Roth is definitely a variant. Please don't do anything stupid. He's already crying on me. Although it's good to know that this version of you misses me too.

Chief mechanic: He is pleased about the engagement. He might be why Peggy told me you were not that hetero as a kid. I think I might've been a closet case in the other timeline.

Nomad: I'll always miss you when I'm apart from you, even if it's been decades. I promise to be on my best behavior.

Chief mechanic: You better be. I will also need you to help me get him off the floor. You're still heavy even when you're a senior citizen.

Xxxx

A bit later.

Butterfly K: Has my uncle's fiancé made me lose my security deposit yet? I don't want to deal with holes in my walls.

E. Rodriguez: I see you heard about how he broke his hand. Also, you can't lose a security deposit on an apartment that's owned by your uncle. Especially if his fiancée is responsible.

Butterfly K: What did he do? He still has another good hand.

E. Rodriguez: No walls have been punched yet.

Butterfly K: What about a geriatric neighbor?

E. Rodriguez: Nothing has been punched. There's been more crying than anything. Mr. Roth fell apart when he saw Tony.

Butterfly K: That makes sense. They are a universal constant.

E. Rodriguez: Not in Grant Roth's original timeline. He came here after his Tony died. A Tony that was married to Pepper and had a Morgan. Things went worse in their timeline than in the gamma timeline. I actually think he came here to make sure that didn't happen.

Butterfly K: And failed miserably if the beta timeline is any indicator.

E. Rodriguez: Yes. Stark wasn't the only casualty. Natasha died as well.

Butterfly K: What about you? Did you survive in that timeline?

E. Rodriguez: Possibly. If there was a team Colson, they were never called in. The Tahiti protocol may be a byproduct of Mr. Roth's interference. I decided not to ask if there was a widespread Terrigen exposure incident. I prefer not to know.

Butterfly K: That is understandable.

E. Rodriguez: Why aren't you listening to this or at least reading the transcript from Ana?

Butterfly K: I am currently in a meeting about the entire Sonny Burch situation. I decided it was in my best interest to not access any non-FBI channels. However, texting my uncle's assistant is allowed.

E. Rodriguez: I haven't been your uncle's assistant for a while. Although that does explain why you're using this line.

Butterfly K: Well, you are again on paper. At least for contact purposes. It's better that I have more than one. Especially with the honeymoon coming up. Although I'm hoping I get to leave soon.

E. Rodriguez: That makes sense. Also, Scott's probation ends Saturday. I don't think you'll need to stay where you are much longer.

Butterfly K: There's another problem here that I'm being forced to deal with, so it's probably going to be a while.

E. Rodriguez: Roth is leaving with your uncles.

Butterfly K: Tony is my uncle. Steve is just the guy he's marrying.

E. Rodriguez: You really need to deal with that.

Butterfly K: So, are you and Mack still on a break?

E. Rodriguez: Ana will have a transcript ready for you when you leave work.

Butterfly K: Thank you.

To be continued…

There you have it, MCU 616 Sharon Carter is not the same person as beta/gamma Sharon Carter. They don't even look the same. Beta/Gamma Sharon Carter is the great-niece of Peggy Carter on her mother's side. Where MCU 616 Sharon Carter is related to her on her father's side.

The butterfly effect is in full effect. Grant Roth, a.k.a. Steve of MCU 616, changed things by his mere presence. What's different, and what remains the same? Also, why did Grant not live his best life with Peggy Carter? All will be revealed eventually.