Thank you to everybody who read or reviewed the last chapter. I appreciate all your comments and kudos. I apologize for this chapter being late. I goofed up last week and did the final proofread for the Star Trek chapter instead of the Marvel chapter. Oops! I didn't realize I got the rotation wrong until I uploaded the chapter last Sunday. Sorry about doing that, especially after a cliffhanger.

A reminder: since it's been 40+ chapters and a few years, Deputy Secretary of State James Rhodes's code name is D, which is a common nickname for the Deputy Secretary of State.

Conversation 76: I feel like you need a hug.

D: You were in DC last night and didn't visit. I'm almost offended. We're rarely in the same city at the same time anymore. I found out from Agent Mackenzie.

Chief mechanic: Obviously, you know why we were in DC last night for about two hours. It was not a pleasure trip. Most of that time involved me being cried on or punched.

D: I could've come to the Playground. I know where it is. I was the head of the agency before you were. I feel like you need a hug. Badly.

Chief mechanic: Very badly. More so after getting punched. Ask Agent Mackenzie.

Chief mechanic: I decided that you needed some deniability, which is why I didn't call you in. Also, I think you were fighting for your luggage at Dulles at that point.

D: I think you are right about that. I miss working where we have access to our own planes.

Chief mechanic: Yes, it is much easier to sneak out of the country when not flying commercial.

D: Apparently, you just snuck out to Wakanda. You know you could've told me you started the kids' spring break early. I found out from the king between meetings today.

Chief mechanic: I know I'm a horrible friend and should have texted you. I'm sorry about that. It's been a rough 48 hours. You are aware that I try to avoid people when stuff like this happens. I'll try to do better.

D: You realize you're entitled to a bad day? That it's OK to avoid people for a little while?

Chief Mechanic: You just made me realize I forgot to tell Pepper. She needs to be at least aware of the extreme time difference again.

D: Someone has to. How angry is she at you?

Chief mechanic: Level seven. All of Pepper's text messages are currently in all caps. She already knew I was here because Flash and Steve told her. It's never a good sign when Flash and the boyfriend text her more.

Chief mechanic: I've also been ordered to send her lots of pictures because she thinks this is still the kids' spring break and not how to prevent an apocalypse in two days. At least the kid is learning discretion.

D: Your foster son kept everybody from realizing his dad was beating the shit out of him for years. He knows how to keep a secret. Too well.

Chief mechanic: This is true. I've been dealing with the wrath of Pepper all week. This just gave her another reason to be mad at me. Her only pleasure has been firing Flash's ex-boyfriend. If we survive this, I will have to buy her more shoes.

D: You owe her lots of shoes. You cannot fire somebody for breaking your kid's heart. You know this, Tony.

Chief mechanic: What about firing the guy for attempting to force an underage subordinate to have sex with him? That's pretty much what the asshole did to my child.

D: Acceptable, but let HR handle it. Especially because, technically, you don't work for SI anymore.

Chief mechanic: I told you Pepper was doing the firing. Ana may have helped. I was completely hands-off.

D: I do not need to know more details. How are you really doing? I heard you let Phil punch you. I saw pictures. Also, which kid cried on you?

Chief mechanic: Afia. I blame Wanda for the upgrades. I am holding it together as best as I can. I don't like that I sent out one of my people to die. That she was one of my boyfriend's favorite people makes it worse.

D: And?

Chief mechanic: I'm still sober, but it was close. I almost relapsed before just from finding out that I had to die in another timeline for us to beat the purple ass hole. I was married to Pepper with a daughter in that timeline. I abandon them to play the hero. I followed in Howard's footsteps, and that was something I never wanted to do, especially like that.

Chief mechanic: Now I have May's blood on my hands, and I know no amount of bourbon will make them clean. I'm just focusing on unlocking the time secrets of the universe. I was trying to get as much done as possible before Pym arrived.

Chief mechanic: He did like an hour ago. But the Princess is giving him space to set up his lab by the river. Far, far away from me, thank the universe. I really can't deal with anything else right now.

D: So, how long have you been in the lab? Also, when was the last time you slept? I am very worried about you right now. It's never good when you're this chatty.

Chief Mechanic: I know I've been in the lab too long. However, the fiancé is currently crying on the BFF's shoulder. Steve doesn't need us fighting right now, so I am staying here until I collapse from exhaustion or have a breakthrough, whichever happens first.

D: I would tell you to talk to your man, but you won't listen to me.

Chief mechanic: Not today. Maybe once the purple guy is dead.

Chief mechanic: I am just trying to fix this and get it over with. The sooner we get the ring pops out of this timeline, the safer we will all be. Especially because I doubt your boss is going to do anything.

D: My big, big boss really wants you know what from Wakanda. Then maybe he will take the alien threat seriously. My regular big boss wants to throw a stiletto at the President. I regret that she's not president now.

Chief mechanic: I like the new Secretary of State. Better than the last one.

D: At least she realizes that the Wakanda government is not going to hand vibranium over to us even if my goddaughter is in the line of succession.

Chief mechanic: Even more in the line of succession now that Wanda is turning her into a real girl to punish me for crimes against her family.

D: I have questions, but I know better than to ask any of them.

Chief mechanic: It's a hard no on the U.S. government getting any vibranium. Not even the ATCU has access outside the Lighthouse; technically, that's a joint base.

Chief mechanic: Outside of Earth is a different story but necessary. We have to get the [redacted] somehow. Other planets don't take the black card, and it's only like 10 g worth.

D: I'm not asking questions, so I'll have plausible deniability when the inevitable congressional hearing occurs.

Chief mechanic: My goal is to make sure you're around for the congressional hearings.

D: My goal is for you to get some sleep. Am I calling your boyfriend or your daughter to get you? I will also figure out a way to see you soon. I really wish I could take the king up on his offer to go to Wakanda now. I think you need me.

Chief mechanic: Afia is in the workstation next to me, so you might need to call in Steve. Peter and Monkey Lover 2.0 are here as well. I'm an adult and don't need my boyfriend to drag me out of the lab when I'm on a science bender.

D: I feel like said boyfriend would disagree.

Chief mechanic: Joey and Yo-Yo are here. You didn't recruit them in your mission to get me to go to sleep? They're both trying to get me to go rest.

D: No, but I should have. Yo-Yo is like your other Pepper.

Chief mechanic: Shit!

Chief mechanic: Robbie just opened the portal and dropped reindeer games in the middle of the Princess's lab. At least Monkey Lover 1.0 and Tremors are with him. Joey and Yo-Yo just left with Robbie. He could've stayed long enough for a debrief.

D: What's going on?

D: Tony?

D: I'm going to need more of an explanation than that.

Xxx

D: I was texting your fiancé until Robbie and someone referred to as reindeer games showed up. I don't even want to know who Reindeer Games is because the last person Tony referred to as Reindeer Games was Loki, and I don't need to know that.

Nomad: It's better if you don't know the answer to that question. I'm on my way. I was planning to get him out of the lab to eat dinner now that Bucky had left to do the same with his girlfriend and kid.

D: You do that. Let me know if I need to figure out how to get to Wakanda immediately.

Nomad: I will.

Xxxxx

Nomad: Your uncle just texted me and told me to come to the lab. Do I need to bring medical or a fire extinguisher?

Purple Princess: My cousin and Agent Morris. However, I'm wondering if Dad needs a tranquilizer to fall asleep.

Nomad: I am picking them up now.

To be continued…