Thank you to everyone who read or left kudos for the last conversation. You're all wonderful. Forward we go. We are in the beta timeline for this chapter. IDs are helping so much right now.
This is the first batch of chapters written after watching Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and (episode four of What If). Of course, it's already on Disney plus by the time I post this chapter, and we are beginning Hawkeye. That movie was very self-contained. Those events are happening in another part of the universe.
Although it does cement my theory that Tony must be paying for Scott's house. There's just no other logical explanation for how he can afford that. It makes sense in the beta and gamma timelines. I don't know what happened in the sacred timeline other than good old-fashioned "friends rent control," but that's not my problem. Episode three of What If made me 100% confident Coulson is bi.
Conversation 41: How to interact with your future ex-spouse (while still being in love with the one that got away)
Steve: Just, so you know, Natasha finished up the conversation with the gamma timeline. It feels weird to call it that. We are going through the files now, including Deke's report on what actually happened.
May: It's better than us calling it the good timeline. Anything I need to know?
Steve: Tony wants to keep working on the time travel on our side too. There's too much for the Avenger and Shield teams to handle, even though they have significantly more personnel. That's why we are already going through the Simmons notes.
Steve: Also, Rocket sent instructions and codes to get the Guardians of the gamma timeline involved. That way, the Gamma timeline Avengers can outsource some of the cosmic stuff. At least until we can get there to help.
May: That's probably for the best. If I remember correctly, we didn't exactly have a ship that could go that far yet. Not until we repurpose the tech we got from the general. Were the schematics for the Zephyr modifications sent to the other timeline?
Steve: Yes, Natasha even pointed that out during the conversation.
May: Good. Friday, can I have a transcript of the rest of the conversation?
Friday: A copy has already been sent to your Stark pad. Also, I flagged several files from the other timeline that need your immediate review, including personal letters from Agent Johnson. Agent Romanoff began cursing when reading them. In the gamma timeline, Agent Johnson is currently on Sakaar with Loki. Ana added a note requesting any information on what happened. What we have so far is minimal beyond what portal they should take.
May: We're going to need more details of what happened on Asgard and with Thanos afterward. I want Daisy to have everything we can give her. Unfortunately, the person who has most of the details is Thor.
May: Also, is there any way to get that to them sooner than when the next window opens?
Friday: Possibly. We have theorized that we might be able to push data one way before next Thursday.
May: Good. Daisy will need anything we get sooner rather than later.
Steve: So, we're going to Norway?
May: I am, at least. I am not sure about you. Are you ready to be on a plane with me for several hours?
Steve: We can work together.
May: You moved out. I'm surprised you are the one text messaging me. I thought it would be Laura.
Steve: You asked for a divorce. It makes sense that I move into another room. Tony told me to text message you. He's worried about you too.
May: If it was a room with Stark, I would say go for it. But you didn't have to move out yet if you're just going to end up in Wanda's old room.
Steve: I need space to adjust. You're the one that wants this. You can't be upset that I did exactly what you asked.
May: I want you to move forward. I don't want to keep using you as a crutch. I feel like I am keeping you away from who you're supposed to be with. One of us should get their happy ending.
Steve: You're not holding me back. You never were. And I never felt like you used me as a crutch.
May: It feels that way to me. I couldn't even have a conversation with Phil of the gamma line. I ran away. I don't run away from things. I was expecting to deal with Fitz. I wanted to actually talk to him. To confirm he was actually alive and not dead like I thought he was for the last five years.
Friday: If I can interject, Ana also sent me the pre-meeting conversation. As he's known in the gamma timeline, James Leopold felt it was best if he was silent. He opted to send any necessary comments through Acting Deputy Director Coulson. He was worried his presence would derail the conversation. However, his spouse felt that you would need a proof of life video and included one.
May: Of course, Hunter did. I will watch the video later. Do I have that conversation as well?
Friday: Yes. James Leopold also wrote a personal letter to Simmons, but he authorized you and Hunter to read it. That's also on your Stark pad.
May: Were any other personal correspondence sent through the connection?
Friday: Yes. As Director of Shield, you have permission to read all of them if needed. However, they are addressed to Mr. Potts and Agent Barton. She also received a video from her children.
May: They can decide if I need to read those letters. However, I will let Hunter know about the James Leopold letter and proof of life video. I'm actually near medical.
Steve: Read through the emails and the reports from Daisy. Then come back, and we'll talk about Norway. I've really think I should go to Norway. In addition to Thor knowing me, I do have grief counselor training. I think you're going to need that.
May: You're not wrong about that. The conversation we need to have is going to bring back a lot of grief. I can't even deal with my own, let alone someone else's.
Steve: You're not weak for having to step away. I don't know if I could've handled talking to Bucky. Part of me is glad he wasn't on the call.
May: Because he's living his best life in Wakanda right now.
Steve: With his fiancé and stepdaughter.
May: Who is our daughter.
Steve: A healthy and alive Bucky would be on the top of my list of people to raise Robin if anything were to happen to us.
May: Right under Tony.
Steve: And Pepper as well. Tony adores Robin. I have to send you all the pictures I took when we were in Manhattan.
May: Friday already sent them all to me. And possibly more. Pepper too. You and Tony already make an adorable family.
Steve: Are we going to be OK?
May: Eventually, but maybe not today. Mission first, we will figure out each other afterward.
Steve: I'm going to help Tony go through the notes from Simmons and Deke. I may not understand scientific jargon, but I am a great summarizer.
May: You're the one K goes to for homework help. You're better at it than you think you are.
Steve: Yes, but I usually text Deke.
May: Now you can text Tony.
Xxx
"How did the conversation go with the not-so-dead Fitz?" Hunter asked the moment he stepped outside of the door of medical and closed it behind him. He would tell Simmons everything later when she's not dealing with the worst of detox.
"It didn't. Fitz, a.k.a James Leopold, felt that it would be better if Phil spoke instead." He could tell May was not happy with that.
"How did that go?" Hunter asked, concerned.
"How is Simmons doing?" May asked, obviously trying to redirect the conversation.
"Wow, that badly. You're never one for avoidance. Usually." She won't talk about Coulson's last days. Don't even think about asking her about the battle of Wakanda. He believes that Yo-Yo died in front of her, but no one has ever gotten confirmation regarding that fact.
"What did the doctor say?" May asked again. Obviously, today was an avoidance day. For the sake of his sanity, Hunter was just going to go with it.
"She's doing OK. The next few days are the worst part. Jemma is a fighter. I know she will get through it." Although he hates seeing her suffer.
"The boss came by this morning to check on her. Tony says it's better that she's doing this here and not in a cave somewhere in Afghanistan or on a ship in the middle of space with hardly any food and air running out."
"He would know. Are you up for reading some of the reports from the other timeline?" May asked.
"We are at what Doctor Suarez refers to as the 'hurry up and wait' stage of the process. I want to be close by, but I can analyze reports as long as I can stay here. Although despite either being married to, dating, or working for people with masters or doctoral degrees in the various sciences for the last decade, I've picked up nothing."
"I doubt that. I should warn you that your other self sent a proof of life video of James Leopold. You may want to watch that before you begin reading the reports." May suggested
"I'm trying to decide if I wanted to be a porno or not." That got a glare from May.
"I'm sure whatever myself sent is tasteful. But I'll watch it first." He doesn't want to stress out Simmons, not during her first few days of trying to get sober.
"I would talk to Cruz first." Involving the therapist probably isn't a bad idea.
"I'll consider it."
"And the letter?" May asked.
"You and I are the only ones who are going to read it. At least for now. Friday is it on my Stark pad?" Hunter asked the AI.
"Yes, with extra encryption, and you'll need to do a biometric scan to access it," Friday answered. This means he doesn't have to worry about Jemma getting into it before he's ready to show it to her.
"Thank you, Friday."
"I'm going to have to go to Norway for a couple of days. We need Thor, and I think it's best if I retrieve him." May explained.
"To be in the treatment bed next to Simmons?" He knows that the boss has been keeping tabs on Thor, and it wasn't good.
"In a perfect world, yes."
"But we live in a world with half of the population missing, so obviously nothing is perfect," Hunter remarked darkly.
"Exactly. You're in charge while I'm gone. Make sure Stark doesn't burn the place down."
"I'm just the nanny. I've been completely disavowed from any intelligence agency. Also, Natasha is still here unless she's going with you."
"She has her own Avengers to look after. Which is honestly what we are now. You are Stark's nanny so keeping him from burning the compound down is in your normal job description." May remarked.
"This is true, and I'm actually quite good at it. However, I don't think it's necessary. You should stay here. Besides, I don't think you want to be on a Quinn jet with your future ex-husband right now."
"How do you know that?" May asked.
"I'm in the room next to him now. As a man who survived his own divorce, I know that face all too well. Besides, Simmons needs you here. Let Steve go with Stark."
"Simmons also needs him, too, since Stark is her AA sponsor. He also needs to go through the translations of Simmons's notes. We need to be able to reproduce what she did to get Deke to the gamma timeline. It's obvious we need to get over there. They need help protecting and securing the stones."
"And since we know what we did wrong last time, we actually have a shot in hell of keeping it from happening again," Hunter remarked.
"Hopefully."
"You're planning to bring Laura with you, right?"
"Yes."
"Then let her and Steve go without you. I have heard from the other boss that delegation is the key to successful management. I learned she is usually right."
"I've learned that too."
XXXX
May: I just spoke to Hunter. I think it's better that I stay here. Besides, I need to go through a lot of the data sent from the other timeline. Stark can't do everything. Although I'll have to figure out who is flying you because I know you hate flying.
Steve: That's true. I don't hate flying; I can do it. I just prefer not to. Who else is going?
May: Laura, if she agrees. Actually, it might be better if it's just you two. He knows you.
Steve: He knows you too.
May: From Coulson's second memorial service. He disappeared to Norway after that.
Steve: I think maybe it was good for him. Gave him a chance to morn.
May: Into a bottle.
Steve: We should've done a funeral for his brother.
May: It was too much. We didn't do anything for anyone else.
Steve: But Loki and Yo-Yo are not coming back. We should've made time to say goodbye.
May: I know. I was there with Yo-Yo, at least.
Steve: OK, Laura is with me. She agrees that it's better that you stay here with Simmons. She will also take care of getting us a pilot.
May: She's going to ask Clint, isn't she?
Steve: Or Natasha.
May: I will leave the choice to her.
To be continued