Chapter 28: Just Some Darcy ThingsNotes:So this one is looking like it's going to be around fifty chapters....I think.
Chapter TextDarcy applied a bright red lipstick. "Good?"
"Well you look hot as fuck, so def good." Daisy blew a gum bubble that popped.
She double checked that not so much as a single hair was out of place. But it was good, the amount of hair spray sacrificed for the perfect waves was not to be thought of. And hairspray had been used to ensure her strapless dress stayed stuck. Pouring herself into the dress had been...less difficult than expected. The magic of clothing tailored for you. "Tonight is going to be fun."
"Planning on politely eviscerating anyone in particular?" Daisy asked while hovering a ball above her hand with her vibrations.
Darcy smirked. "Of course, I've got Hunter on a comm planning on feeding me intell with FRIDAY while I'm in there."
"Nice, they won't know what hit them." Daisy looked away from the stress ball she was floating. "I nabbed an SI security uniform."
Darcy snorted outright. "You're going to give Hill an ulcer if you keep turning SI's security to swiss cheese."
"She's caught three corporate spies with the last security upgrade. It's good for the company, it's my contribution to the Stark legacy." Daisy dropped the ball into her hand.
Darcy glanced at her sister. "That makes the slacks you're wearing make more sense."
"I am capable of wearing business casual." Daisy tossed the stress ball at her.
She caught it. "Are you coming with us? Because if you are you're going to want to get ready fast."
"Nope, I'll slip in about half an hour after you. Try not to get kidnapped before then." Looking far too amused Daisy winked at her.
Darcy had a secret weapon however. "Oh? Going to be spending that time in the same place as you were last night?"
"I don't know what you're talking about." Daisy replied loftily, if their bedrooms in the Parker household weren't across the hall from each other it might even have worked. But their rooms were, and Darcy was quite aware Daisy hadn't returned home till the wee hours of the morning.
Thus Darcy just felt smug as she looked at her sister. "Then I must have imagined the fact you weren't in your room when I swiped one of your hair ties this morning at seven, but you were at breakfast twenty minutes later." She caught the slightest look of worry on Daisy's face, which victory. "So how is our favorite Witch?"
Daisy opened and then shut her mouth. "You're a menace."
"I live to serve the army of darkness." Darcy smirked before falling slightly serious. "Keeping it quiet for now though?"
She nodded slightly, shoving her hands under her to keep from fidgeting. "It's just…..new."
"I live to serve, not a soul shall learn about it from me. Though pro-tip, your bedroom does have a lock on it." Darcy smoothed out the lines of her dress, it was a sleek asymmetrical tightly fitted dress, the fabric a silver meant to invoke the look of mercury. It was probably the most expensive piece of clothing she now owned, thanks to Pepper.
Daisy slid to her feet with a grin. "Thanks for the tip. Now, you have some high society assholes to terrorize."
"I do, let's hope they play nice." Darcy didn't need to mention that being Tony's surprise bastard wasn't going to endear her. Her financial and political value would, but they weren't going to want her there. It was going to be delightful.
Darcy slid into the limo and looked at Pietro who was already waiting. "You clean up nice."
"Glad you think so." He lazed artfully along the leather seats, full formal evening suit complete with bowtie. "You look ravishing."
"I know." Darcy tipped her chin up, she looked fucking fantastic. "Ready to be judged?"
Pietro frowned slightly. "What do you mean?"
"So pretty…" She patted his shoulder. "Just remember we're about to go swimming in a shark tank."
"But we are the bigger sharks yes?" He turned smug again.
She smirked right back. "We're the biggest sharks. Oh and Daisy is faking being part of SI's security presence."
"Are we expecting to be shot at?"
Darcy arched an eyebrow. "No, but I'm a Stark and you're an enhanced Avenger. So chances are higher than average."
"I'll be sure to save you." Pietro grinned. "You might even fall into my arms."
She laughed at that. "That's a tough sell. And 'fast' isn't exactly what a girl wants Speedy."
"I'm wounded." But Pietro was just amused, the warm knowledge of each other there.
Darcy relaxed easily into her seat. "If we weren't about to use champaign as a shield against rich assholes I'd say we should check out the bar in here. Thoughts on New York traffic."
His face twisted in disgust, which just caused her to let her head fall back and just laugh.
Pietro opened the door and slid out of the limo, holding the door open he held out his hand with a cocky grin. She accepted his hand and stepped out of the car. Cameras flashed, and she was slightly surprised they'd recognized her that fast. Damn.
"This is insane." Pietro said lowly as he escorted her past the reporters and towards the gala.
She smiled while speaking lowly. "This is a fundraiser for the new cardio vascular ward at the hospital. So there will be some doctors and administrators about. They'll probably be the nicest people here."
"Are you donating?" Pietro asked as they entered the large foyer of the hospital that had been transformed for the night.
Darcy squeezed his arm slightly when she felt him gaping. "Of course, or SI is donating and I'm here to discuss the parameters of that donation with the hospital."
"Discuss?" Pietro asked as they both grabbed flutes of champagne.
She made eye contact with a man in a suit who was making his way straight for them. "You'll see."
"Ms Stark!" The man smiled, holding out his hand. "We're so glad you were able to make it."
Darcy didn't need Hunter's voice in her earpiece telling her who this particular individual was. "Dr Constance, your work on heart valves proceeds you."
He looked genuinely surprised. "I wasn't aware SI had an interest in heart valves?"
"We're diversifying since we acquired Dr Cho. Also using biological technology to regulate some of the new fluids we're working on is surprisingly effective." Darcy took a sip from her new flute of champagne.
Dr Constance's eyes sparked in interest. "Really?"
"Well what is the body but a highly effective machine?" Darcy leaned ever so slightly into Pietro.
The man actually beamed. "Exactly! Have you seen the latest numbers?"
"I have, we'll have to arrange for you to speak with our medical department we're building up right now. In the meantime you should let Mrs Polinski know I'd appreciate a chance to speak with her." Darcy spotted someone she actually wanted to talk to, and who wouldn't ignore Pietro over Constance's shoulder.
Constance straightened. "Of course, if you have time later I'd be happy to talk more Ms Stark." He then bustled to the next people entering.
Pietro spoke up. "Why did you let him call you Ms Stark?"
"There is a time to remind people my name should be Dr Lewis, and a doctor trying to fund his research isn't who to make that point to." Darcy gave a pointed look towards the CEO she'd spotted earlier. "Over there."
Pietro obligingly led them towards the CEO currently trying to eat as many of the salmon crackers as possible before someone tried to speak to him. "Do you need me by your side for all of this?"
"Not at all, I have a feeling I'll be leaving you with this gentleman." Darcy barely kept from laughing as CEO Martin Li's eyes widened as he realized he'd been spotted. She smiled. "Mr Li, forget to eat before we got here?"
He swallowed, wiping crumbs from his hands before holding out his hand. "Business call went long before this. And you must be Dr Lewis?"
"In the flesh, this Pietro Maximoff. Pietro this is Mr Li, he's one of the largest names in shipping here in New York." Darcy introduced.
Li looked at her consideringly. "Well I see my reputation precedes me. An Avenger and a Stark, I'm not sure that's a good thing." He brushed the last of the crumbs off of himself while chuckling self deprecating.
Darcy lightly laughed. "SI has been considering investing in your FEAST program. It's the type of outreach that is actively helping our community."
"You run FEAST?" Pietro blinked in surprise, his face turning far more interested.
Li nodded. "Yes it's a program that is very important, both to me and the community. Are you serious about investing? '
"Of course, expansion of your program could do nothing but beneficial." Darcy looked around the room. "So what's the sitch here?"
Li laughed. "Well, they won't start the speeches for a while yet. Hold onto your pocket book or Mrs Polinski will have put a significant dent in your bank accounts. Woman's a fundraising shark."
"Her reputation certainly precedes her. I was warned repeatedly by our charity department."
Darcy resisted rolling her eyes as she sipped her champaign. She did make eye contact with Steve from across the hall though. Returning her attention to the conversation she'd been pulled into she regretted not rolling her eyes, almost. "Yes it certainly has been a change finding out who my father is. I'm sorry I'm unclear was your father Richard or Paul? The time between divorce and remarriage is just so tight there you know?"
"She certainly has you there." A smarmy man joined in. And that was unmistakably the face of one Justin Hammer.
Darcy arched a brow. "Mr Hammer." She accepted his outstretched hand.
"And aren't you a ravishing sight Ms Stark." His eyes very distinctly lingered on her breasts. "You might just be lucky enough to be the next Mrs Hammer."
The man clearly thought he was charming, the socialites she'd been speaking with agreed with him apparently based on the giggles. Or else thought it was funny, expecting her to fumble at that. Probably a mix of the two.
Darcy gave a pointed up and down of the man. "I see prison didn't suit your disposition. Your company's stock fell by two thirds after your arrest, titillating lifestyle change I'm sure."
"Well don't you have a sharp tongue." He laughed, leaning back.
Darcy's smile showed just a touch of teeth. "So I've been told, but then it might just be the quick mind of youth. You're the same age as my father after all. It must make dating younger people difficult, what with the generation gap."
There was less laughter now. Darcy set her empty flute of champagne aside. "It's Dr Lewis by the way, not Ms Stark. Now if you don't mind, I have no interest in pretending you're not attempting to use me against Tony. So since I'd rather not waste my time, excuse me."
Darcy ignored the sounds of bitten back amusement and shock as she separated herself from the dregs. Some enemies weren't worth sweet talking. And a creepy failed supervillain was not worth playing nice with. She finally spotted Mrs Polinski.
"Stark, or is it Lewis?" Polinski beamed, she looked like she'd spotted steak not a person.
"Lewis." Darcy paused as she spotted Tony entering the gala. That was not good, he was supposed to be in Malibu, and she could see the focused mania from here. She returned her attention to Mrs Polinski. "Actually if you don't mind I'd love to speak with you about what SI can do for this hospital, perhaps over coffee tomorrow?"
"Of course, I'd be delighted to. Shall I have my assistant call your offices?" The woman's eyes glinted at the opportunity.
She plastered on a smile in alarm as she realized Tony was making a beeline for Steve. That was such a bad idea. "That sounds great, if you don't mind." Darcy brushed past the woman, she'd be forgiven after handing over the size of check SI was going to be writing to the hospital. Instead she moved to cut off the PR disaster in the making.
Darcy got there just as Tony bit out a furious "Steve."
She grabbed both of their arms. "Boys, if we're going to be talking Avenger business, perhaps somewhere a bit more private?" Her smile was tight, it was all teeth.
Steve twitched as he saw her expression. Tony on the other hand looked at her, his jaw ticking to one side before giving a sharp nod.
"I'm sure there's a powder room we can commadier." Darcy whisked them out of the hospital foyer and into some poor administrative office. She'd leave a check or something. There was a blur and Pietro was there, holding the door open.
Darcy cast her eyes back and caught Daisy's. Daisy was in a simple security suit and easily fell into the position of guarding the door. As the door closed Darcy whirled on the two men. "What the fuck?!"
"I should be the one saying that." Tony turned on her, and he was furious. "You went into Barnes's cell! Risked your life for what?! Waited till I was gone to do it." He spun on Steve. "And how dare you ask that of her! You bring your murderbot into my tower, and then have the audacity to ask MY daughter to be in a locked room with it!"
Steve bristled. "Bucky is a person. And I didn't ask anything she didn't volunteer to do."
"He killed my parents! I'm paying for his lawyers, letting him stay in my tower! And you still want more from me!?" Tony stepped into Steve's face. "Your murderbot is a monster! I should kick the two of you out."
Darcy pressed hand to Tony and shoved him back. "Both of you shut up." Glaring she turned on Tony. "The last I checked I was a fucking adult Tony. So yes I volunteered to go into the hulk room with Barnes. And you know what? I'm aware that he's a brainwashed Hydra assassin. So I brought Daisy, Wanda and Pietro with me. I'm not an idiot."
"He killed my parents, your grandparents!" Tony snarled. "I don't care who you brought with you it was stupid and irrisponcible."
"Hey now." Steve started.
Darcy whistled. "Shut up." She breathed in deeply. "Steve, just shut up." Turning on Tony again she didn't back down an inch. "Besides the man was tortured and brainwashed for years. He probably liked Howard more than you did. Of course Hydra would use their weapon like that. They'd get a kick out of making friends kill friends."
"I don't care, he killed them." Tony snapped.
She was barely aware of it as she raised a hand and slapped Tony across the face. The room was dead silent. Darcy straightened. "Clint was brainwashed, I don't see you blaming him for that? For fucks sake do you think Daisy is responcible for what she did while possessed by whatever the fuck was in her head? I am trying to make sure the whole damn planet doesn't politically implode and you can't get your head out of your ass long enough to think before you speak."
Darcy wasn't done. She didn't care that she could see the anger in Tony's face. "You were fine with helping Barnes till we found those files that showed he'd killed Howard and Maria. So it was fine when it was other innocent people he was used as a weapon against. You were fine with that. But not if the innocent people were people you cared about. And I was smart about it, I was safe, you think a one armed and unarmed Barnes is a match for Wanda or Daisy let alone both of them?"
"Are you done?" Tony's voice was tight.
She stared at him silently for a long minute. "No, but you were done listening to me a while ago."
Tony twisted slightly. And then he turned on his heel and walked out.
The room was utterly silent.
"Thank you for standing up for Bucky." Steve finally said.
Darcy's eyes sharpened as she looked at him. "Go socialize Steve, and maybe spend two fucks to think about treating Tony like a friend. Because I see a lot of using him for his resources from you, and I don't see you bothering with much else."
His mouth snapped shut. He gave her a sharp nod and then left.
"That was certainly something." Pietro blurred to her side.
Darcy looked at him. "Would you be good to run to the tower?"
"It's not far, I could do it without hurting myself." Pietro was looking at her cautiously like she might turn her ire on him as well.
She nodded. Stepping forward she grabbed the front of his shirt and yanked him closer and down till they were at eye level. Darcy knew her eyes had to be dilated. "I am either going to go get very drunk or this. Yes or no Speedy."
"By this you mean sex?" Pietro's breath had hitched slightly.
Darcy huffed. "Obviously, no strings attached. We're still whatever we are, friends I think afterwards. But I'd like to fuck this out of my system."
"Your place or mine?" Pietro grinned.
Darcy woke, she was pleasantly sore and just...fuck. She let her arm fall over her eyes and groaned. "Fuck."
"That is what we did krasyvva divchyna." Pietro said from the doorway.
She sat up and noticed he was leaning against the doorframe. He was also clearly freshly showered and dressed. "You're a morning person. Of course you're a morning person." Darcy climbed out of bed and rummaged through her clothing drawer for something comfortable.
"I started the coffee, I hope that is ok?" Pietro said, his eyes were definitely giving her an appreciative once over while she pulled on an old t-shirt.
Darcy actually hummed at that. "Good, coffee's important." She paused before walking past him into the kitchenette of her tower apartment. "We're good?"
"I think so? We just continue as we were?" He checked.
She actually smiled at that. At least one thing hadn't been a minor disaster. "Good. Though if you ever want to do this again I wouldn't mind."
"I certainly wouldn't complain." Pietro chuckled while zipping into the kitchenette where he'd clearly been making breakfast.
Darcy ran a hand through her hair. She looked up at one corner of the room. "FRIDAY, where's Tony?"
Darcy was in a soft sweatshirt, yoga pants, glasses perched on her nose and hair back in a sloppy ponytail when she made her way into Tony's private workshop. She didn't interrupt him, just hopped onto the work bench and waited. Her legs kicked loosely.
"Here to yell at me some more?" Tony finally asked, not looking away from the circuit board he was soldering.
She took in his hunched back, the fact he wouldn't even look at her. "Not particularly. I'm sure you could inspider some yelling if that's what you want."
"Then I'm surprised you're not playing ring around the rosie with the murderbot who killed your grandparents." Tony definitely twitched there.
Darcy just sighed, this was exhausting. "You don't get it do you?"
"Get what? That you don't care what he's done? But perfect Steve is forgiven everything."
"He's not you know." She shook her head. "Steve's your friend and I think you've both forgotten that. But that's for you two assholes to fix between yourselves. But you don't get what your actions do."
Tony's jaw twitched, he spun in his chair to face her. "That's why I have been trying to ensure there's someone to keep us in check. But you and everyone else slowed that down."
"Daisy would be in a prison for enhanced without trial wearing a shock collar to keep her from using her powers if you'd gotten what you wanted. And for that matter blaming Barnes for what he did while under mind control? You think that doesn't bother Daisy, your daughter who left SHIELD because she was mind controlled?" Darcy spread her hands. "You think the laws you wanted would have spared Peter just because he's a kid? People you don't intend to get hurt get hurt when you do things without thinking Tony."
"So that's what you think of me?" He asked tightly.
She kind of wanted to shake him. "I think you're so far removed from the consequences of your actions you don't even know how to fucking comprehend them. You don't have to like Barnes, hell even look at him. But if you want the legal system to set a precedent of successfully trying enhanced, then you need this trial to go forward."
"So it's all that simple to you? That's cold. Steve know you see his bestie as a tool?" But Tony just sounded hurt under the bravado.
Darcy rolled her eyes. "If the man listened to anything I've said he does. So really who knows. But I've met Barnes, I like him. Not going to spend time alone with him anytime soon. But none of this is about what I think of him. It's about you learning to take a goddamn second, breathe, and then talk to someone."
"He killed my mom." Tony's voice shook ever so little. "I can't lose any of you kids too."
Darcy hopped off the work bench. It took three strides to reach him and pull him into a hug, burying her face into his shoulder. "I am so sorry." And he clung back to her.
Chapter 29: Spies and Pair Bonded CatsChapter TextNatasha was stretching when she heard the faint whoosh of the automated door into the gym. Without turning she could hear the footsteps, steady and even, light even but heavier shoes. Out of the corner of her eye she spotted her guest. Well, it would seem Quake was the Stark sibling chosen to approach her. It was about time. Admittedly she wasn't a trashcan fire of disaster like Steve or Tony.
She didn't change her movements, just slowly finishing her stretches. And Daisy politely waited, a specifically non-threatening distance. Well non-threatening if Natasha wasn't aware that the other woman was enhanced. Still it was polite and set a probable tone to the conversation she wanted to have.
Straightening, Natasha turned to face Daisy. She raised a brow giving a pointed look at the khaki slacks, green polo, and jeans jacket the woman was wearing. Someone had been doing intel gathering as an environmental petition pusher. "Planning on just standing there or planning on joining me on the mats?"
"You'd want to spar with me? I've only been training for four years now." Daisy shrugged, a slight embarrassed lilt to her as she brushed her hair out of her face.
Natasha stepped to the lockers and pulled out her spare workout clothing and tossed it at the former agent. "Melinda May trained you."
"Fair enough." Daisy chuckled and then started to change. She didn't bother with moving to the changing room, her actions easy and unconcerned.
It was interesting what that said about her. Natasha could easily piece things together; used to close quarters where privacy is limited, minor dissociation or surprisingly grounded in her body, likely a mix of the two. Moving away she pulled out the tape and began to tape her knuckles methodically. Sparring with the woman would be interesting. More interesting than the four way sparring match between the Cap, Spiderman and the two of them.
Group sparring with power use changed how people fought. It firmly established just how protective Daisy was of the Spiderkid. In fact she was protective to a self destructive degree that some might find concerning. Natasha found it familiar, and reassuring in what it said about the woman's intentions. It had also showed that Daisy was not just familiar with fighting in coordination with another person, that she trusted the Spider. But the way she kept her stance strong regardless of whether the kid was there or not said trust issues.
Natasha tossed the tape to Daisy while pulling on the sparring gloves. Protective gear for this spar she thought. She found she was looking forward to what Agent May's former rookie showed of herself on the mats. It would be interesting without Daisy having to adjust her stances to be more grounded so she could brace herself.
Natasha stepped into the middle of the mats. "Ready?"
"For my inevitable defeat." Daisy's lips twitched, but she fell into a well practiced stance. She bounced slightly and then lashed out sharply with a fist.
Natasha used one hand to deflect, while physically leaning back ever so slightly. She then twisted out of the way of the brutal follow up kick. As she moved to put space, Daisy followed.
Where she twisted and flowed around her opponent, Daisy lunged and snapped. Natasha was instinctively pulling Daisy into showing her abilities. And it was interesting to further put together the picture it formed. Sniper training, her fighting was similar to Clint's. Quick, brutal and designed for taking down one to two opponents that might have reached your perch.
She bent backwards, letting a kick pass harmlessly over where her head had just been. Natasha's hands hit the ground, bracing herself for a split second before she kicked out with both feet hitting Daisy in the abdomen. She flipped herself back to her feet.
Daisy recovered with the speed that only came with regularly sparring with individuals far more talented than herself. And Daisy didn't let up. She was back on the attack as soon as she had her feet back under her.
Natasha swept the woman's feet, while striking at her face. She lowered her hands and dropped her stance. Sniper trained, then taught to be a tank first through the door post power manifestation almost certainly. Natasha realized she was breathing heavily and her forearms were going to be badly bruised from this sparring match. Another year of experience and Daisy would be an even match for Barton and agents like Morse.
There was natural talent there, dedication, and a clearly gifted SO. Agent May had clearly done far more than just teach what she knew. The woman had clearly laser focused on combat training. Smart, and implied the other field agent skills had already been there. Although… "Who taught you boxing?"
Daisy panted, she used her powers to push herself easily back up to her feet. "My first SO. I don't think he knew how to train a girl." Her head tilted to the side, a sneer to her face. "Or he was just Hydra scum. Same difference really."
"You should join training here more often." Natasha gave a nod of approval, her own breath surprisingly heavy. "But Melinda trained you well, and you have certainly put in the effort."
Daisy smiled, pleased expression on her face. "That means a lot from you." She touched the back of her neck. "I clearly still have a long way to go."
"Are you going to say why you came to see me?" Natasha raised a brow, it was interesting how easily the woman had let her goal be delayed.
She rocked back on her heels. "I was going to ask if you wanted to get coffee and talk about the uh...mess? Drama trashcan? Disaster? That is Tony and Steve banging around."
"Darcy sent you?" Natasha was amused, it was kind of surprising that the Stark kids clearly saw her as a possible ally instead of a problem. It was refreshingly unusual.
Daisy grinned. "Of course, and I volunteered."
"I could drink some coffee." Natasha agreed, she knew what they wanted from her. But she was getting a much better measure of one of the most dangerous enhanced individuals in the country. The quiet confidence in her abilities was interesting. Daisy certainly had been in enough fights to have her own measure. A good quality in an agent.
Daisy beamed stepping off the maps. "I don't know about you but I'm a sucker for pumpkin spice. Forget being basic, it's delicious."
Natasha sipped her caramel latte, she appreciated Daisy had wordlessly offered her the seat with the best view of the small coffee shop. "How effective was the environmental petition pusher work for you?"
"I think it's the single most immediately invisible appearing cover I've ever used." Daisy's eyes crinkled in amusement. "People actively try not to notice you."
She hadn't used that cover herself, it wasn't one suited for long term infiltration. But then Daisy was clearly not trained for long term infiltration. Not that Daisy wasn't suited for it. She far too easily reflected the people around her. A chameleon, it said a lot about what her time in foster care had been like. It was the behavior of one actively trying to adjust to a new home so many times the behavior became personality.
Natasha noted no one was listening in to their conversation. "Interesting choice to investigate the mafia."
"It's going well, one judge, and three cops now are aware of the investigation." Daisy looked smug at that. "Daredevil was surprisingly enthusiastic about targeting the mafia for a while."
She was fairly impressed, a small and effective investigation while using a third party to distract everyone. It was classic SHIELD small ops strategy being used to it's most advantageous. And neatly sidestepped the reason for doing it. Fair enough. "Will your brother be assisting you?"
"Dr Cho says he can get back to the swinging soon." Daisy's shoulders relaxed as she said that. She took a drink of her coffee.
Natasha leaned back in her seat. "So what did you want to talk about?"
"We don't know how to help with Tony and Steve. And honestly with Pepper in Malibu we don't know how to help the Avengers. I mean the kid and I aren't part of you guys. And the twins haven't exactly been with you long." Daisy actually looked slightly comfortable.
She considered the former agent. "They need time."
"Why aren't you the leader of the Avengers?" Daisy asked, and she was dead serious.
Natasha was...that wasn't expected in any way. "Excuse me?"
"I mean having gotten to know Tony the man has the long term planning and emotional intelligence of a four year old. And I don't know Steve well but he's clearly incapable of dealing with more than one priority at a time." Daisy's eyes were clear and certain.
She considered that it was...it wasn't a baseless question surprisingly. "I'm not a leader, it's not a skill I was ever expected to have, so I don't have it. But Steve is leaving to follow up several leads we have on Hydra. It should ease tensions." Natasha wondered. "Would you warn me before you attempt to interfere with the team?"
"Well Peter and I were planning on getting Bucky a cat from the shelter this afternoon." Daisy turned her latte cup in her hands. "I was only left in solitary for a week and I was going stir crazy."
Well that was interesting, Daisy clearly didn't handle isolation well. Natasha could see the benefits of their plan. Whether it helped Barnes or not it would help ease Steve's worries about leaving Barnes for longer than a few days at a time. "That would be beneficial. Text me with your other ideas."
"Are you asking if I've hacked into Tony's phone and thus have your number?" Daisy looked amused.
Natasha raised a brow at her. "I review the security reports. I would expect Wanda to give it to you."
Daisy's face actually reddened slightly, her eyes flicked down. She cleared her throat. "I'll text."
"I also speak for the team when I say your abilities would be useful if we have another situation like Ultron or the Chitauri." Natasha took a drink of her coffee, it was good to have reached the correct conclusion.
"I'd be...of course. Tony and FRIDAY have my number and yeah." Daisy blinked clearly, taken by surprise.
Natasha wondered at that. It was odd to see a woman who knew exactly what she was capable of. Who was quietly confident in her skills but who doubted her value in the eyes of others. A paradox in a way. It was a habit to note it as a weak point. No wonder all it'd taken for her one woman Watchdog murder quest to come to a screetching halt was a single teenager needing her. Of course Daisy would have slowed for her sister, but it was Peter's need that had done it.
All in all Natasha could see who this person was. And it was the type you could trust so long as you didn't pose a threat to the people she saw as 'her's'. There likely wasn't a line she wouldn't cross for her loved ones. Natasha sympathised with that. But most importantly, an ally that could be reasonably trusted.
She took a long drink of her coffee. "I'll do what I can to keep Steve focused on Hydra and AIM. Do you think you and your siblings can convince Tony to talk to someone?" Which wasn't that odd, it was a realistic chance they might be able to do it?
Daisy nodded. "We're going to try."
"Good, you really should come by the tower to work with the team occasionally." Natasha's lips curled up. "And Wanda likes flowers by the way."
////
Peter pouted at Tony. "But you gotta convince Darcy that hoverboards are cool! If you don't she'll never make one."
"Kid they're impractical." Tony replied from where he was pulling on a new suit.
He narrowed his eyes. "Your lawyers already said no didn't they?"
"Risk of litigation." Tony admitted while straightening his jacket. He turned. "So, how do I look?"
Peter gave a proper once over the suit. "Very professional, I think Pepper would approve."
"Excellent." He clapped his hands. "How are the dendrotoxin webs going?"
He bounced in excitement. "Really well, we've figured out the right ratio, the problem is the dendrotoxin dissipates when exposed to oxygen. So Dr Simmons and I have been talking about stabilizing and bonding agents that could help." He beamed. "And Dr Simmons has been letting me read some of her papers that are still classified! Did you know the work that's been done on gravitonium? It could theoretically be used to enable long term space flight!"
"Your sister got the SHIELD Director to give you low level access privileges didn't she?" Tony patted him on the shoulder. "Creative bending of the rules. I approve."
Peter just grinned. "Yup! I've got level two clearance for intel from the bio-chem lab."
"That mean you're interested in the pseudo science they do at Oscorp?" Tony looked actually pained to say the word 'Oscorp'.
He let his legs kick under him, as they hung off the edge of the desk he was perched on. "I'm going to work for SI when I graduate from college. But the virology labs at Oscorp especially are cutting edge. And their work on steroids is revolutionary!"
"Bah." Tony waved off in disgust. "That's just fancy talk for trying to make a super soldier serum the slow way."
Considering that his head cocked to one side. "Maybe? But the application in modern medicine has paid off. 'Sides just cause it could be the chemical building blocks of a super soldier serum doesn't mean it is." Peter winced at the look on Tony's face, and yeah that sounded pretty bad. "It's totally a secret super soldier program isn't it?"
Tony actually clapped him on the back. "Chin up, they're clearly so incompetent at it we won't have to deal with them for a few years yet."
Peter peeked at his dad from under his fringe. "So uh...totally irrelevant. But there's this girl…"
"I mean wrap it, don't share photos, and have fun." Tony pulled out a Starkpad and started pulling up what was likely his notes for the meeting he had.
He cringed, his whole face flushing bright red. "What?! No it's...I just want to ask her out to like coffee?"
"Then I don't know kid, I think giant two story tall stuffed bears are appropriate romantic gestures so doing the opposite of what I do is probably a good call." Tony's eyes lit up. "Ask Daisy, she definitely swings for girls so she'd know what to do."
Peter nodded, that had probably been what he should have done from the beginning. But she'd seen how awkward he was over the whole Liz's dad being a super villain thing. "Yeah, that's probably what I should do."
"See, you'll do great." Tony turned and winked at him. "Now I've got a board to go charm for Pepper. Good luck with the girl stuff. I'm sure you'll do great. You've got my charm afterall."
He shook his head...Tony was kind of a mess but he liked him. Peter hopped off the desk. "I should probably go see if Dr Cho is ready to take a look at me yet."
"Kid, it's good to hear you're healing so fast." Tony was oddly serious, and then it was gone. He practically whistled as he sauntered out of his office.
Peter sighed. Now to find out his fate, would he get to try out the new suit this week or next week? He didn't put it past his sisters to have bribed the doc to extend it out a bit. He felt fine, really.
Peter was gleeful as he dropped down where Daisy was waiting for him. "I got a clean bill of health!" He proudly brandished the paperwork Dr Cho had given him.
Daisy reached out ruffling his hair, and then used her hold on him to haul him into a hug. "Good, you have to explain why that means you get to swing around to Aunt May."
"Please? But she'd listen to you." He made sure his eyes were as sad as possible.
His sister just huffed. "Nope, and she still glares when anyone reminds her of the shattered bones. I just got shot, I'm pretty sure she trusts you, teenage vigilante, more than me on health."
"Fair." He accepted that, it was a good point. Aunt May had developed a twitch anytime Daisy brushed off injuries when she talked about SHIELD. "But you're ok with me getting back into it?"
Daisy gave him a bland look. "If I never have to post another Spidervid it will be too soon."
"Your series on self defence was really good. And your numbers are great." Peter kept to himself he was pretty sure Darcy was contemplating making a Quake channel. He wasn't going to be the one to burst Daisy's bubble.
She looked at him suspiciously. "Thanks?"
"I mean if you still have the video from today, you could have Pietro be a stand in for the attacker?" He really wanted to see Daisy whack someone around. It'd been so long, what with the whole healing from werewolf thing.
Daisy hooked an arm around his neck and started pulling him down the street. "Pietro huh? This has nothing to do with him eating the last of the Fruit by the Foot?"
"No comment." He pretended his ears weren't turning red.
She just laughed. "I'll ask him. Revenge for my baby bro is part of the job description I think."
With a pleased grin Peter hummed. "So what type of cat do you think we should get Barnes? I was thinking like a tiny kitten that needs a lot of care so he can like bond with it and take care of it. Cause big cats don't really need a lot of...they're very independent."
"Sounds good to me. You all are the ones who came up with the plot." Daisy smiled, she was less closed off when it was just them sometimes. It was nice. "So how was talking with Tony?"
His face scrunched slightly as he considered how to put it. "Good? I like afternoons with him. But I think it'd be good for him if he does the rich people therapy and wellness retreat Darcy's been leaving information on. He seems...sad."
"To him we're all trying to protect the person who killed his Aunt May." Daisy's arm tightened before she finally released him. "That and the man is like if I had an extra forty years of trauma."
Peter snorted, it was a fair enough estimate. But he was fairly sure Daisy would never turn out like Tony. Very different coping methods. "I asked for advice on a girl." His nose wrinkled. "He said to 'wrap it and have fun'."
Daisy laughed outright. "You should probably not mention that to Aunt May unless you want him to get in trouble. Or Pepper for that matter."
"It'd be funny though." He stuffed his hands into his pockets. "But uh...how do you ask a girl to get coffee with you?"
Daisy looked just… "I mean..I think you just ask? But of the four relationships I've been in I don't really think any of them count as typical?"
"Four?" Peter lit up, spinning around so he was walking backwards facing her. Glee coursed through him as he saw the hint of embarrassment on his sister's face. "You're dating someone?! You are!"
She rolled her eyes, but she had the smallest of pleased smiles on her face. "Fine, yes. But it's new and I have no idea what I'm doing so just...don't tell anyone yet?"
"Sure? But you're happy right?" He was Spiderman. If he needed to punch someone he'd do it.
Daisy cuffed him lightly. "Yes I'm happy. Just apparently clueless about what to do in a relationship that isn't being crammed into the brief hours between missions."
"Huh...so...we both should ask Darcy for help?" Peter actually grinned at the slight horror on Daisy's face. It was always nice when they could be like this, when she seemed lighter.
With a pained sigh, Daisy rolled her eyes. "I hate that that is probably a good idea. I used to be good at this stuff."
Peter just bounced as he spotted the animal shelter. They were going to find the best kitten in the place.
Peter stared into the cage. They were perfect. "Daisy, these ones."
"Did you just say 'ones'?" Daisy stepped over to him, she had a grey kitten cradled in her hands. There was a long pause. "I thought you wanted a kitten?"
Peter stared at the two cats. "Look at their card. They're pair bonded and have to stay together."
"Primrose and Bob." Daisy's voice was oddly dry. "Primrose looks like she's been part of an underground feline fight club and smoked a carton a day."
"They're perfect." He breathed. "And Bob looks super cuddly."
Daisy was staring at the cage. "If Primrose didn't maul you before you could touch him." She titled her head. "I suppose it's a bit fitting. You're sure?"
"I'm sure. They are meant for Barnes. Look at their little whiskered faces. We have to save them." He turned to look at Daisy.
She mostly looked amused, as she stood there with an easy confidence. "Well, I'll go find the lady and tell her to get us a cat box. You can get them into the thing."
He felt his spider senses tingle in alarm at the very concept of reaching into the cage. But that would be ridiculous, obviously. "We're getting cat stuff after right?"
"Yup, Hunter's got the car waiting for us out front." Daisy raised a brow. "You're sure? Really sure?"
Peter nodded. "I'm sure. They're Purrfect."
Chapter 30: Daisy, Emotionally Competent Adult?Notes:Sup! My roommate is super into football....I am starting to learn about it via osmosis. I just had a moment when he said a team name and I just auto-completed with 'whom we hate'. Also I think I know about 60% of the rules now. Which this is weird...I mean I dated the varsity running back in high school and I picked up nothing. God the dark days when I was trying to be straight....
Chapter TextDaisy wondered if she should be concerned at how easy it was to break into the tower? Naw, considering her training and inside knowledge it wasn't a viable threat. She might mention a few things to Hill again. Probably. Once through the twentieth floor window she neatly closed it. Fixing her hair, she made her way to the elevator. FRIDAY wouldn't tell on her.
Actually. "FRIDAY, are the Maximoff twins up yet?" She shifted the bag of groceries she'd picked up before heading over. They were slightly perilously perched on top of the box she and Peter had put together the night before.
-"The Maximoff twins are still asleep Ms. Quake. It is four am. Sir is the only non night staff currently awake."-
She smiled. "Thanks FRIDAY, can you unlock the Maximoff's door for me when I reach it?"
-"Of course Ms. Quake. You as well as your family have access to that apartment."-
Daisy gave a pleased hum at that. She winked at a camera as she slid into the twins's apartment. It was quiet, the curtains pulled over the massive floor to ceiling windows every outward facing room in the building was blessed/cursed with. Setting her load down on the counter she considered her method of attack. Flowers first? Vases. You were supposed to put flowers in vases.
She rooted through the cupboards and eventually just threw her hands up in frustration and grabbed a large travel mug. Once filled she put the small bouquet of flowers in it. Daisy allowed herself a pleased nod. The things looked kind of like tiny sunflowers, but the lady at the cart had informed her they were something called Black Eyed Susans...she honestly figured the bright yellowish orange flowers were pretty and the best she was going to manage for a gesture. She wasn't floundering enough to ask Darcy for help. Peter with his crush might be, but she was not.
"Right." Daisy turned and started pulling out ingredients and was grateful she knew where the twins kept their various bowls and mixing spoons. She could manage pancakes and eggs. Probably. Fingers crossed.
Daisy proudly set a truly massive stack of pancakes on the tiny table. It was a tower more than a stack. And she'd only ruined three eggs during the process. She was counting it as a resounding success.
There was a bluish blur. Pietro screeched to a halt staring at her in surprise. He looked at the food. He looked at her. "Uh...morning?"
"Morning Pietro. And yes help yourself." Daisy grinned at him, it was always fun to surprise people.
He looked at the food. "Is it safe?"
"I'm not that bad." Daisy shoved him a step back with some gentle vibrations and huffed.
Pietro shrugged, there was a blur and then he was standing there, plate loaded up with food and glass of orange juice. He was chewing a bite. "Not bad." He grinned, it was stupidly smug and amused. "I'm gonna go hide in my room. Avoid whatever...thing this is you are doing." He winked.
She rolled her eyes, bemused smile on her face as she watched him blur out of the room. Food included. "Good to see you too."
Daisy leaned against the counter. She waited, she didn't have to wait long.
"Daisy?" Wanda asked while shuffling in. She seemed to take in everything and then laughed. "I wasn't expecting you, thank you."
She offered out a plate. "Well I may not really know how this normal dating thing goes. But I'm pretty sure gestures that don't involve violence are included." Daisy grinned as Wanda accepted the plate.
"It is nice to get to see you without paintballs being involved." Wanda smiled while moving to the dining table, her powers pouring a mug of coffee and floating it over.
Daisy slid into the seat next to her. "That's still so cool you can do that with your powers."
"I'm not the one who should be able to heat my coffee if it gets cold." Wanda sipped her own coffee pointedly.
She brushed some hair behind one ear. "I'm still working on that. It takes a lot of concentration and isn't how I've used my abilities before. I think Darcy is planning on chucking ice cubes at me if I keep stalling on it."
"Somehow I have a feeling that will happen whether you succeed or not." Wanda's powers prickled as they absently brushed past her.
Daisy relaxed, she could tell it was just Wanda being distracted and still waking up. Her powers were like that sometimes. "You're probably right. Did you start classes?"
"I did, I was thinking I should consider getting a job though. What do you think?" Wanda looked at her, and she was ever so slightly visibly nervous.
"If you want a job I think it'd be good." Daisy nudged her gently. "You're an Avenger though. We'd have to get creative to keep people from recognizing you."
Wanda softened at the implied approval. "Oh, and what do you suggest as the professional spy?"
"You wear your hair down when you're Avenging, and in all the public video and images of you your hair is down. So you'd want it up, a fake visible tattoo on your neck to draw attention away from your face, and no red clothing." Daisy took a bite of pancake while considering it. "That would about do it. You'd just be another college student working to help make ends meet."
Wanda smiled as she cut her pancakes into neat squares. "Do you think I'm wasting my time getting a degree in Social Justice?"
"No, I think it'll be very useful. And considering Tony's paying the bill it's reasonable you could get a law degree if you want. Which could only be good for the team in the long run. Especially with how everything has been going on." Daisy elbowed Wanda lightly. "It's impressive."
She smiled while finishing her bite before speaking. "We'll see how undergrad goes before we start talking about law school." Reaching out Wanda touched her arm. "Thank you, for this."
"Anytime." Daisy grinned, she liked this. No threat of death or the next mission just...breakfast. "I don't know if you've noticed but I like spending time with you."
Wanda kissed her lightly. "You're better at this girlfriend thing than you give yourself credit for."
"Girlfriend huh?" Daisy hummed leaning her forehead against Wanda's. "Sounds good to me."
Daisy dropped a box in front of Tony. "Sup."
"Well hello Offspring." Tony looked up. "What is this?"
She let her hands rest on her hips. "Consider it a deeply late congrats on the kids gift. Also a peace offering. Darcy'd bring it but you two have been yelling and or crying at each other for the last week."
"What an intervention?" Tony was looking at her curiously.
With a laugh she crossed her arms, leaning against the wall. "More like part one of two on the intervention. Figured I should stop by and talk with you first. Darcy needs some time with Pepper and Hill. She's kind of overwhelmed feeling like the only one protecting all of us from the government and media. And you need to not be surrounded by people judging you for grieving."
He frowned his face harder than it typically was when looking at her. "Would you help the man who murdered your parents?"
Daisy took a slow minute to consider her response. But honesty was the least of what this man needed. And...as much as she was unsure of things he meant something to her. "I chose SHIELD, I chose the mission, this, over my parents. I didn't want to, but when the choice came it's what I picked." She shifted slightly. "But they were monsters I barely knew. If it was Peter or Darcy?" Her jaw tightened, the room trembled as she considered that option. "I don't know if I'd do the right thing. The bigger thing. But I know if it wasn't the end of the world hanging in the balance I'd rip anyone who harmed them to bloody chunks without hesitation." Her voice was dark, and she meant it.
"Huh." He slumped slightly. "What do you think I should do since everyone has an opinion on it?"
"Take a fucking vacation." Daisy raised a brow. "Stop trying to carry everything. I mean jesus, you've had three kids dropped on you, evil government gestapo plots, Hydra, fall out from Sokovia, AIM, the constant political jockeying, hell your relationship with Pepper is on and then off and then back on. The last few years have been crazy. Have you taken two weeks and just gotten away from it all? You're burning out Poprocks. Take a second to think about what it is you want? Not what other people want from you, just what you want?"
Tony blinked fairly stupidly at her. "That's...want me to go hide on a mountain with no technology?"
"You'd go insane in a week." She snorted. "We're not made for techless hellscapes, no matter how pretty. No I hacked into Pepper's computer, not sorry. You guys have a new branch opening up in India. The new labs down there could use your crazy science head leading the projects. Just tell everyone you're doing the rich person thing in Tibet, but go do crazy science. Pepper needs to go down there to sign some contracts so you can make it a couples retreat thing too."
He wiped his hands, but he wasn't telling her to get lost. "I thought you'd decided running away was a bad habit of yours?"
"It is, but sometimes you need some space to feel the ugly stuff before you bother with dealing with it. Like go have a couple of weeks where you can be with the person you love, do the things you love, and be away from just...everything else." Daisy looked pointedly at the box. "The rest of us will still be here when you get back."
Tony seemed to come alive ever so slightly. His voice was full of sarcasm. "Throw me out of my own house. I see how it is Offspring."
"Tony." She chided gently. "You don't have to if you don't want to. And we're not the touchy feeling conversation ones...or well this whole family thing is turning me into that person." Her eyes rolled as she realized it was her second vaguely touchy feely conversation. This was Darcy and Peter's area not hers. "Want to open presents and then hack the pentagon?"
He looked at her dubiously, but opened up the box. Pulling out the letter he let out an actual laugh.
Daisy pushed off the wall. "Figured you'd appreciate that."
His voice took on a mocking tone as he read out. "We solemnly swear none of us shall name a child Steve, James, Rogers, Grant, or any other tribute to Captain Patriotism or his old timey boy band." He actually looked amused as he set the card aside. "Really?"
"Eh, I know Darcy can come across as kinda hard on you. But we're Team-Stark." She gave a pointed look at the red and gold scarf he was pulling out of the box.
Tony wrapped the scarf around his neck and looked at her, but he seemed better somehow. "So why are we hacking the pentagon?"
"It's fun? Helps brush off the cobwebs and all that." Daisy grinned. "Bet I can get in before you get through the second level firewalls."
He pointed at her. "The arrogance, you're on."
////
Peter spun his new fidget spinner absently while leaning against the cafeteria table. "So Mr Burns seemed kinda iffy on our presentation? That wasn't just me right?"
"Our presentation was dope." MJ shrugged and popped a baby carrot into her mouth.
Ned nodded. "I thought we did really well, Mr Burns probably just disagreed with our position."
"We did so much work." Peter knew his voice had a bit of a whine to it, but whatever. "I emailed the Wakandan Ambassador's office."
MJ punched his shoulder. "It was a good touch. Bringing voices to the countries without power."
"Thanks, I've been...so bored." Peter didn't mention if he listened to another hour of italian mobsters arguing about which sandwiches to order for lunch he was going to tear his hair out. Gathering evidence, and transcribing the bugs was the worst.
Ned nodded. "It's been weird without you here dude."
"Don't get sick again, dweeb." MJ flicked a carrot at him.
Snatching it out of the air automatically he blinked. "Thanks guys." He perked up and then eyed the cafeteria suspiciously before sliding a photo across the table towards MJ. "Daisy thinks it's funny you figured it out."
MJ snatched the photo and made a fist bump. "Yes!" She grinned as she carefully slid the signed photo of Quake into her binder. "Thanks, this is awesome."
"Yeah, yeah. Oh and Daisy says she can't take us to the horror movie that came out last week. But Darcy said she's down for taking us." Peter reported.
Ned and MJ high fived. Ned gave him a slightly envious look. "You have the coolest sisters." He frowned slightly. "Should we be expecting another one to pop out of the woodwork?"
Peter's face flushed slightly as he looked down. "Probably not? Daisy checked all the DNA databases she could hack into. But uh...our dad kind of…"
MJ had a knowing look in her eyes. "Your sisters are pretty badass."
He had a bad feeling MJ had put together college student Darcy with slightly snazier Dr Lewis. But he wasn't going to ask. Cause if she hadn't started to suspect asking would totally give it away. "So, think we should have our next project on how heroes are portrayed in media?"
"Ambitious." MJ indeed. "I like."
Ned sighed, his shoulders slumping. "It's going to be so much work. Can we at least limit it to like a comparison between two heroes?"
"Limiting the pool? That's probably smart." Peter agreed, pulling out a notebook and pen. "Who do you think are comparable?"
Ned hummed, his brow crinkled. "Black Widow and Captain America? Make it about Gender?"
"Black Widow is a flipped russian spy assassin. She's super awesome but...Cap is a military hero. It's not comparable." MJ munched another carrot. "What about the new SHIELD's approach to enhanced vs how the old SHIELD dealt with enhanced people? It's depressing, we'd get to rip up government hypocrisies and I'm kinda curious about it anyways."
Perking up, Ned grinned. "Do you think your sister would help us find some sources?"
"Using the interviews Ahmed's been publishing will probably be a better source honestly." Peter was just pleased he had something interesting to do between transcribing stuff for Daisy and Yuri. Seriously, mobsters were so horrifically boring.
Peter bent backwards at his knees to avoid a very scary kick. "Woah!" Dropping his hand to the ground he used it to brace himself to kick out, giving himself a chance to roll away, putting distance.
His kick was batted to one side, forcing him to twist to the left to avoid a stomping foot coming for him.
Skidding to the side he managed to get to his feet. Peter didn't stick in one place, he knew better than to hold still. He pushed off, spinning into a kick and then gave a sharp right hook. His right hook landed, sending his opponent stumbling backwards.
He came to a complete halt. Peter stared at his fist and then at the person he'd just managed to punch in the face. "Oh shitnugget…" He hopped to Daisy's side. "Are you ok?"
"I'm good." She batted his hands away gently with one arm while wiping a trickle of blood away from the corner of her mouth. "That's quite the arm you've got on you."
Peter's hands flapped slightly. "You're sure I didn't hurt you?"
Daisy whacked his shoulder with an open hand. "I'm fine, and good job, I didn't see that one coming. You've got to follow through though."
"You're bleeding." He winced, and that was very much going to bruise.
She stared at him, her face a complete deadpan. "Really?" Daisy caught his arm.
He had a brief second to realize he'd made a terrible mistake. His spider sense zipped with alarm. And then he was flipped, slamming into the ground. The air wheezed out of his lungs.
"Ready to take this seriously?" Daisy's eyes were sharp as she challenged him.
Peter nodded while tapping out. "Got it."
"Good, just cause one or two hits from you will knock a person down, doesn't mean us non super strong people can't still kick your ass." Daisy released him and then hopped back up to her feet.
He jumped back up to his feet. "Right, sorry. Follow through." Peter blinked. "Wait...I actually hit you!"
"Good job." Daisy raised her hands into a fighting stance. "Let's see if you can do it again."
Peter couldn't help how brightly he grinned at that. Holy shit he managed to land a hit!
////
Pepper speared her salad with perhaps a bit too much prejudice. "So Starks sure generate drama."
"I should have run when I heard there were four of them." Maria was holding her cup of coffee with a sort of slightly obsessive importance. It was clearly her lifeline. Pepper understood.
May laughed. "They're something alright. Too many good intentions, too much brilliance and too much heart. Daisy said she was stepping in."
"Oh no." Maria closed her eyes. "Please say she didn't punch Tony."
With an amused smile, May huffed. "No, she brought him a signed card promising none of them will name a child after Steve or any of the Howling Commandos. Also a scarf Darcy made for Tony in his colors. And based off the wafting scent of red bull they probably hacked something they shouldn't have."
"That's surprisingly sweet." Pepper found herself softening. She'd assumed Tony was still moping in the workshop, she hadn't realized. "I'm spending far too much time on the India branch if I'm missing developments like that."
If Maria was a touchy person she'd have patted Pepper on the back for that based on her expression of commiseration. "While you're there to sign the contracts, cut ribbons, etc, Morse put in a request for more additional security than Happy asked for."
"More feathers to unruffle then." Pepper was not looking forward to that. "You were right to recommend Morse as a secretary. She's highly competent, and her doctorate means she can handle the scientists beautifully."
May buttered piece of bread."I can see that, Hunter and Daisy listen to her."
"It's a magic power." Maria sliced her sandwich neatly in half. "My theory with Starks is you have to get to them young or else there's no hope of anything more than channeling their chaos. Though even then... "
Pepper felt like laughing at the slightly manic look. "Tony really did a number on you didn't he?"
"At least he's useful. I had to fire George from lobby security. He seemed to think arrogance would be tolerated despite not being notably competent." Maria looked particularly dangerous for a second.
May nodded solemnly. "I've had a few of those at FEAST. You have to root them out before they can dig their heels in."
"What is with men thinking barely competent means incredible and indisposable? I have to have an entire office for people to deal with severance disputes." Pepper had made the office when she decided she just was not going to deal with it. And that had been before she was CEO. "Tony signed off on it the fourth time I had to leave him unsupervised for more than three hours because he'd fired a lab assistant."
Maria took a long drink from her coffee. "I love that office, it halves the amount of people I have to yell at. It's one of the parts of SI that is superior to SHIELD."
"You didn't have an office for dealing with severance disputes?" May asked in horror.
Maria shook her head. "Oh we had one, it was quite robust but somehow not nearly as competent, and doesn't have to deal with even the most minor of employees having high level security clearance and being part of a classified secret spy agency."
"That would be...I'm surprised Hydra didn't just murder your fired employees to protect themselves." Pepper remarked while taking a bite of her salad.
Maria twitched ever so slightly. "Well, Hydra did do that to their members who they didn't find acceptably competent."
"That isn't surprising. I don't know why I hadn't just assumed." Pepper sipped at her cucumber water.
May dipped her bread into her soup. "You know a few months ago Hydra wasn't something that was in any way connected to my life." She laughed. "I don't miss that time at all."
"True, I wouldn't want to go back and turn down my recruitment into SHIELD." Maria raised her coffee mug in a silent cheers.
Pepper sighed, her lips twitching up. "Life would be quite boring without Stark shenanigans wouldn't it?"