Chapter Text
Sitting in the boardroom of Stark Industries, Pepper couldn't help sighing as she glanced at the four men sitting around the table. Of all the people she's met, the two men in front of her had never been on her list.
Studying the silent blond and brunette, Pepper tried to remember exactly why they had been asked to come. Turning to the man on her right, she gave him a small smile. “Are you sure we're doing the right thing, Jim? You know how they'll react if they find out we..”
“We have no other choice, Pepper. After what happened last time, we need help with keeping them safe. Especially with three shows this year.” Bright, hazel eyes studied Pepper as she frowned in worry. “Stop worrying, everything will be alright.”
Pepper let out another soft sigh, glancing at the two men now softly talking amongst themselves. “But if they find out that we asked for them, specifically..”
“I will explain it to them, if or when that time comes. For now, let's talk to them and go from there.” Rhodey gave Pepper a reassuring smile. Turning to the two men across from them, he forced back a sigh. He was aware of the impending blow up between his friends and the group sitting in the room. “Let's wait to see what the Director has to say as well, ok?”
“Ladies and Gentlemen, if we can go ahead and get this babysitting assignment started..”
“If that's what this is then why the hell are we here? Neither one of us are babysitters.”
Pepper looked at the brunette, surprised at his sharp tone. “You are not babysitting, you're here as back up if something happens.”
“To whom, exactly. We have folders and pictures and articles and videos but nothing about who we are dealing with, personally.”
Nick Fury stood glaring at everyone sitting at the table. Turning to the blond and brunette on his right, he frowned. “Captain Rogers, Sargent Barnes, meet Pepper Potts and Lt. Col. James Rhodes. They are currently, two of the five handlers for the trio you are going to meet later.”
Steve turned to the man and woman across from him. “Ma'am, Sir.” He nodded at Pepper and gave Rhodes a small salute. “It's nice to meet you both but it still doesn't explain..”
“The three people you will meet are three very unique individuals.” Fury cut Steve off, turning to the screen behind him he frowned at the video playing. “Dr. Tony Stark, Dr. Bruce Banner, and Dr. Aveline DavPremont.” Turning back to Steve and Bucky, Fury sighed. “Stark is the son of Howard Stark, Jr, whom you both know. Banner is the son of Dr. David Banner..”
“The chemist who was messing around with radiation and gene manipulation?” Bucky whistled softly as he looked from Steve to Fury in confusion. “Didn't know David even had a kid.”
Fury glared at the interruption, lips turned down in an angry frown. “Yes, Barnes, the same doctor. Aveline is Stark's cousin. Eli, her father was one of our best counter intelligence agents.”
Steve frowned at the information in front of him. Glancing over at Bucky, he gave him a quick shake of his head. He understood the look of confusion on the other's face. “Director, I'm sorry. I don't mean to interrupt you again but what does this have to do with us?”
“The Stark Expo and DavPremont Fashion shows are coming up. As well as a local science fair, sponsored by Bruce, in between.” Frowning, Pepper glanced at the man to her left before continuing. “Over the years, either Tony, Bruce, or Aveline have been kidnapped before, after, or during the shows. This year, we are hoping to avoid that.” Pepper looked from Steve to Bucky. “I understand it sounds like babysitting but trust me, gentlemen, it's far from it.” Glancing up, Pepper shook her head. “There is a reason why there are currently five handlers. There is also a reason why we are meeting you before them, as well.” Nails tapping against the table top, Pepper glanced from her tablet back up to the screen. “They mean a great deal to a number of people, the things they have done and will do..”
Rhodey chuckled, shaking his head as Pepper drifted off. “As one of their primary handlers and one of the very few people closest to all three, I can tell you this is not a babysitting job.” Shaking his head, he frowned. “Tony was kidnapped a few years ago by a terrorist group in Cyprus. His father's business partner wanted to take control of Stark Industries, so he enlisted the aide of a foreign government. Long story short, it took us almost three months to find him. And the only reason that happened was because he was able to break out from his prison.”
Steve blinked in surprise as he listened to Rhodey. Looking over at Bucky, he noticed his expression probably matched the one on Steve's face. “Are you telling me he was able to get away from his kidnappers?”
Rhodey shook his head. “He will never escape them, not entirely.” At Pepper's soft sound of distress, Rhodey sighed. “They need to know in order to deal with them.” He gave Pepper's hand a small squeeze. “Tony almost died in a sea cave after an attack at his hotel in Paphos.” Sighing, Rhodey held the gazes of both men before continuing. “He took a grenade to the chest..”
“Are you serious? A goddamn grenade and he's still alive?!” Bucky looked from Rhodey to Pepper before turning to Steve. “What the hell is going on here?”
Steve frowned as he shook his head in confusion. “I'm going to assume that none of this is public knowledge? The kidnapping we read about but the rest..”
“Is private and will remain that way until Tony decides differently.” Rhodey gave Steve a hard look. “All three are very protective of their privacy.” Taking a deep breath, he picked at a stray thread on his jacket sleeve. “Bruce has an altogether different story, however. About six and a half years ago, we found him in Guatapé, Colombia. Before he disappeared, there had been an explosion at one of the military labs he was working at. Bruce and his team had been believed to be dead..all but two. His ex, Betty Ross and one of their lab partners, Solomon Kane.”
Steve frowned. “How does Solomon Kane get into a military science facility? He is not known for making public appearances, especially to the military.”
“He wanted help figuring something out, Bruce has never really said. Either way, it took us almost seven years to track Bruce down again and when we did..” Rhodey picked up the folder in front of him, nervous energy making him fidget. “The explosion left some serious..side effects.” At their looks of confusion, Rhodey gave them a small grin. “Let's just say, you don't want to make him angry. You won't like him very much when he's angry.”
Steve frowned, thoughts swirling through his head. “Ok, so let me get this straight. Mr. Stark was almost killed by a hand grenade, to the chest, and Dr. Banner has, anger issues?” At the hesitant nods, Steve felt his temper start to burn. “That's pretty..”
“God damn vague. If Stark took a grenade to the chest how the fuck is he alive and Banner having anger issues means nothing.” Bucky glared at Fury and Rhodey. “You brought us here to ask for our help with something that doesn't seem that serious.”
“Tony was found floating in a boat with a huge, glowing disk in his chest. A disk, that at one point and time had almost gotten him killed because of another's greed.” Voice hard, Pepper took a breath before continuing. “Bruce turns into a giant green rage monster when pissed off or if one of them gets hurt or goes missing. If these things don't sound serious, tell me, Sgt. Barnes, just what exactly does.” Voice cold, Pepper glared at Bucky. “Aveline, Tony's cousin, was kidnapped a few years after Tony. When we found her, she was in Costa Smeralda, Thailand. A local shaman found her floating face down, half drowned, her body covered in cuts and lacerations. When she finally recovered, she was not the same.”
Steve felt his heart stutter as he listened to Pepper. “These three, what exactly is the military's interest in them, is it personal or..”
Fury stepped forward, giving Pepper and Rhodey quick looks. “Stark is in possession of a suit of armor that could change the course of the military for years to come. Banner is now the only known survivor of a radiation explosion that should have killed him. Aveline..”
Steve noticed Fury's hesitation, looking from the file in front of him to Fury. “What about Ms. DavPremont?” He could see from the looks exchanged between the three that there was something missing. “Director, if you expect us to take this assignment we need to know everything.”
“Aveline is a Commander in the United States Navy. Both her father and Howard helped us end the war, as did the research from David. Their parents are national hero's, much like yourselves.” Fury looked between Steve and Bucky. “These three have been kidnapped more times than anyone can keep count. Each time the demands are the same..money or weapons or they will be killed.”
“Why in the hell would they want Stark then? I understand he's a tech genius but..”
Steve cut Bucky off with a soft sound. “He is the son of a military weapons specialist. If one of the demands is weapons, and Tony has followed in Howard's footsteps..”
“Damn, Banner was a military scientist and Aveline, is an officer, with certain access codes, nuclear access codes.” Bucky shook his head in thought. “The time frame's though..”
“Are to coincidental.” Steve finished softly. He looked at Pepper, noticed how her nails tapped against the tabletop in agitation. “How close are they? If you bring us in, Ms. Potts, how long would it take for them to accept us?”
“That would depend on who you meet first.” Pepper frowned as she thought about Steve's question. “Bruce and Tony grew up together, Aveline would visit with her parents, when allowed. There is nothing that one does that the others don't know about. Tony is obsessive about their safety. So much so, that they each have a set of personal cameras that follows their every move. There are certain areas that are off limits, of course.” Pepper glanced around the room before turning back to Steve. “Like this boardroom, for example, Tony avoids it at all costs.”
Steve frowned, looking around the room in trepidation. “What do you mean by follow them everywhere? From the photo's I've seen, there have never been any visible cameras.”
“And you won't see them. Tony's tech is the best in the world.” Pepper gave Steve a small smile. “Despite that, they are all suspicious of anyone we do not approve of first.”
Steve nodded, understanding what Pepper wasn't saying. “Can you tell us what else they have been through so far? I'd really like to know what we're getting ourselves into.” He glanced over at Bucky, not surprised by his look of frustration. “What's on your mind, Buck?”
“There has to be more to this than what they are saying, Stevie. How in the hell would these three men let this happen to their kids?” Bucky glared at the tablet and files sitting in front of him. “Looking at all of this makes it seem as if..”
“They are ordinary people? They would be if every time they're kidnapped they weren't being experimented on.” Rhodey looked from Steve to Bucky. “It seems boring to you but these three are anything but.” Sighing, he turned as the doors opened then closed. Shaking his head, he frowned. “One of Aveline and Tony's latest military projects is camouflage clothing.” Listening to the silence, he watched as both Steve and Bucky looked at the swaying seat behind him. Chuckling softly, Rhodey sighed. “Gentlemen, meet Wade Wilson, the third handler for the trio.”
Steve frowned, looking from Rhodey to the empty seat. “Uh, hello?”
“Well, hello to you as well, Captain Handsome. It's a pleasure to meet you and Sargent Dark and Brooding.”
Steve blinked as a figure slowly materialized in front of them. Eyes wide, he stared at the man now sitting across from them. “That was..”
“How in the hell did you do that?” Bucky cut Steve off with an angry glare. “If these people are capable of copying their work..”
“There is absolutely no chance of that ever happening. The only way to get anything not offered to the military or public is to have one of the three make it themselves.”
Steve and Bucky both turned at Pepper's sharp tone, surprised at the heat in her voice. “We, umm, we mean no disrespect, Ms. Potts. But I have to agree with Buck, if Mr..” Frowning, Steve glanced at Wade.
“Wilson, gorgeous, Wade Wilson is my name.”
Steve shook his head at the wink he was given before turning back to Pepper. “If Mr. Wilson is able to move around us unseen, who else can do the same?”
“This..” Wade grinned as he moved his hands over himself. “My sweet, blushing Captain, is the third prototype. The first two are with the original inventors. The only reason I happen to have this one is because of the Commander.” Sighing, Wade picked up a pen, flipping it idly through his fingers. “If Pepper and Jim hadn't reminded me that you would be here, I'd still be downstairs getting mind fucked.”
Pepper looked between the three men, frowning in warning. “Wade?”
“They were fine.” Wade gave Pepper a quick grin “We had just gotten back when my reminders went off.” Wade chuckled, giving Pepper a small wink. “They have plans for some real iron work this weekend.”
“Good, that means we don't have to spend time watching home movies. We can go down and see them right now.”
Steve frowned, looking up at Fury before turning to Pepper. “Who will notice us first?”
“Bruce.” Pepper answered immediately. “Aveline and Tony may not even pay attention, but he will.”
Nodding, Steve glanced at Bucky before turning to Rhodey. “Lt. Col., your opinion?”
Rhodey looked from Steve to Pepper and back. “I agree with Pepper. Of all three, Bruce is the most observant. Tony is obsessive much like Aveline. Of all three, however, she is known to not be, forgiving to those who she deems a threat.”
Wade chuckled as he sat back in his chair. “Forgiving? There isn't a forgiving bone in her beautiful body for anyone who harms Stark or Banner. Not that I can blame her, they are both totally gorgeous men.” He grinned, giving Steve another wink, chuckling when he flushed. “But the Commander would just as soon as kill you before she lets you get to close.”
Bucky shook his head, placing a hand on Steve's arm. “Let's meet them, see where their heads are then go from there. If I have to sit here and continue to listen to him..” Bucky nodded his head towards Wade. “I'll throw up what I had for lunch.”
Steve laughed, a surprised sound that made him flush as he was joined by Pepper and Rhodey. “Ok, ok, let's go meet them, or get as close to them as we can for now. We will figure out the rest, later.”
Pepper sighed in relief as she gathered her things. “Let me warn you both, the security in the Tower is above military grade. There are certain floors off limits to everyone..including us.” When both Steve and Bucky nodded, she gave them a small smile. “Your tablets will update with all the information you will need. Which floors you'll have access to. Which floors belong to the science labs and fashion houses, as well as Tony's personal workshop and Bruce's personal labs. Aveline is usually on base or at sea but when she is here, she has her own floors as well. The living quarters..”
Steve listened to Pepper as they left the boardroom. He studied the long, glass hallway, enjoying the view above and below them. “This is amazing.” He whispered softly. Glancing back at Bucky, Steve grinned. “I don't remember Howard ever doing anything as swell as this.”
Bucky chuckled, looking at the scenery below them. “Neither do I buddy, this..this is the stuff he talked about only better.” He responded just as softly.
Steve and Bucky both turned when the elevator dinged, alerting them to its arrival. They watched as Pepper and Rhodey talked softly amongst themselves. Observed how Fury and Wade seemed to disagree on almost everything they discussed. It wasn't until everyone was in the elevator and the doors closed, did a soft, British accent fill the cabin.
“Good evening, Ms Potts, Lt. Col. Rhodes, it is a pleasure to see you again. Director Fury, I believe your presence is expected. Mr. Wilson, Madam has once again requested that you return the prototype, immediately and without damage.”
Steve noticed the pause, looking around before lifting his head. “Umm, hello?”
“Good evening, Captain Steven Rogers, it is indeed a pleasure to meet you. My name, is Jarvis.”
Steve blinked in surprise, mouth hanging slightly open. “H-he knows my name?”
“Who the hell is that and how..”
“I am Master Stark's personal A.I. I must say, I am honored to meet both you and Captain Rogers, Sgt. James Buchannon Barnes.”
“I, uh, h-hello?” Bucky looked up at the ceiling, a frown of confusion curving his lips down. “Yeah, Howard never thought of anything as swell as this.” Shaking his head, he grinned as Steve gave him a light shove.
Steve grinned as he continued to stare at the ceiling. “I agree, this..this is amazing.”
Pepper smiled as she scanned the panel in front of her. “Before we reach our destination, a word of caution, gentlemen. Tony nor Bruce speak of their father's. The mention of them tends to produce a bad reaction, so to speak.”
Steve frowned as he looked from the ceiling to Pepper. “Did Tony and Howard not get along?”
Rhodey shook his head, bright gaze flat. “Howard's business partner, Obediah Stane, was molesting Tony. Tony has never forgiven Howard for not putting an end to it sooner.”
Jaw clenching, Steve felt his stomach churn. “That doesn't sound like the man we knew.” He looked at Bucky before asking about Bruce's father. “And David?”
“Well, Dr. Banner gets all hot and bothered at the mention of daddy because daddy is part of the reason he ended up as he did.”
Steve turned to Wade, his frown deepening. “What do you mean by that? David would never have..”
“Banner tested on himself, when nothing happened, he eventually gave up. Then his son was born.” Fury rubbed the bridge of his nose with a tired sigh. “It seems David passed on the genes to his son. Anytime Bruce would get angry, he would turn..green. Which eventually became destructive. When the base they were stationed was attacked, David tried to kill Bruce. He succeeded in killing his wife, then getting himself killed by MP's. All while in front of his son.” Fury shook his head, as he looked from Steve to Bucky. “Ross had Banner adopted by friends of Howard's, so Bruce was always close to Tony.”
Shaking his head, Steve looked at the four people across from him. “Are you saying that the reason all three have been kidnapped is because of their fathers?” When Fury nodded, Steve shook his head. “I don't understand. How do all of the kidnappings..”
“Obediah was a business partner of Howard's and Eli's. When we discovered he was behind a number of shady business deals, Tony cut him off, followed by..”
“Bruce and Aveline. Who is the dominant one of the three?” Bucky asked softly. “We need to know who they will listen to before us.”
“That, gentlemen, is a difficult question to answer.”
Steve frowned at Fury's answer before turning to Pepper. “Ms. Potts?”
Pepper sighed, glancing from Fury to Rhodey, before turning to Steve. “Upon first glance you would swear it's Tony or Aveline. They have the more out going personalities. Bruce however, is the quieter of the three. He's more reserved but once you get to know them you'll understand the dynamic between them.”
Steve nodded, glancing down at his tablet, he blinked in surprise at the images flashing across the screen. “What, uh, what are they working on now?”
Leaning over, Wade whistled in appreciation. “Well, well, well would you look at that? Such a nice view to see after a hard day at work.” He grinned as Steve jerked back from him. “Aww, don't be like that gorgeous, there's enough of me to go around.” Spreading his arms wide, Wade gave Steve a wink before turning to the glaring man next to him. “Aww, come on Jim, you knew this was going to happen, I mean look at them. Did you really think..”
“I thought you would try and show some damn restraint but obviously I was wrong.” Shaking his head, Rhodey turned to Steve and Bucky. “You have to excuse him. An experiment almost killed him and Aveline, she healed well, he healed crazy.”
“Crazy in love with you!” Wade sang off key. He grinned at the glare from Fury, smile wide until he spotted the anger in Pepper's eyes. Sighing in frustration, Wade looked away from the steely blue gaze. “Ok, ok I'll behave.” Glancing up at Steve and Bucky, he gave them both a wink before turning to the window behind him.
Bucky shook his head, looking from Wade to Pepper. “What in the hell..”
“Clint Barton, James, and Wade are the personal handlers for Tony, Bruce, and Aveline. In order to get to them you would..”
“Wait, wait, wait. Who in the hell is Clint Barton and who is the handler for?” Bucky looked between the three people across from him. He forced back a harsh sound of frustration before turning to Steve. “Stevie?”
“You said earlier there are currently five handlers. Why are just the two of us here? Is there something specific about us that makes..”
“Because Tony and Aveline have been known to listen to no one other than Bruce. After what happened with Obediah, they still believe there is a chance certain people could turn on them.” Pepper said softly. “Until recently, we were allowed access into every aspect of their lives.”
Steve looked between Pepper and Rhodey. “Why recently, what happened.”
“I'd just been sent out on a mission when something happened. It seems that they were waiting to see if I would return alive or not.” Giving them a small smile, Rhodey shook his head. “Let's just say that trust between us will never be an issue.” Sighing, Rhodey shifted his stance, glancing at the panel in front of him. “They have this fear of someone trying to kill those they care for and finally decided that having friends, may not be such a good thing anymore.”
“But why now all of a sudden? If they kept you close before, why keep you at a distance now?” Bucky looked up as the elevator stopped. “What changed for them to..”
“Aveline died, again.” Pepper said softly, before exiting the cab. “When Tony and Bruce found her after her last kidnapping, there was no heart beat. Then a week later we walk into the labs and she's sitting with them both as if nothing's happened.”
Steve stared after Pepper, mouth opened in a small O of surprise. “Wait, Ms. Potts, what exactly do you me..”
“Commander DavPremont has the ability to resurrect herself after a period of rest.”
Steve looked up in surprise. “Excuse me? She can..what?”
“You can't kill her. Which is great because it would be a shame to rob the world of such a gorgeous woman.” Wade chuckled as he followed the group. Glancing up, he nodded at the sounds of metal and music. “If you will excuse me, sounds like a heavy metal party is about to start.”
Steve watched as Wade turned down a side hall, disappearing as he went. Shaking his head, he turned to find Pepper watching him. “Ms Potts?”
“Please, call me Pepper. You will meet Clint once we reach the observation lounge.” Turning, Pepper led them down a large hallway. “There is something you need to know as well. Avi..”
Steve looked up in surprise at the sounds of shouting voices and a loud crash. “What was that?”
Rhodey chuckled as he pushed open a door. “That, gentlemen, would be the sounds of genius' at work.” Walking into a wide open room, he grinned. “Welcome to the observation lounge.”
Steve looked around in awe. “Look at this, Buck, I've never seen such a swell place before!”
Bucky nodded, eyes wide as he took in the rich browns and blues surrounding them. “This is better than anything we could have imagined!”
Steve nodded, eyes wide with pleasure. “Who did all of this?”
Pepper smiled, before calling for lights. “Tony designed the room, Bruce chose the ambiance, and Aveline did the decor.”
Steve looked around them, nodding as Pepper explained the different stations and areas. “This is a large room to be used for observation.”
“Come look at this, Stevie. You can see them working from here.” Bucky glanced back at Steve, watching the wide eyed pleasure on his face. “What do you think so far, buddy?”
“This is fantastic, I mean, Howard was brilliant but this..” Steve broke off as he looked through the glass in front of him. “Is that them?”
“Yes, Av just returned stateside and Tony decided he wanted to start work on a stage for her up coming show.” Pepper was looking at her phone as she spoke. “She's been away for about six months, so naturally..”
“He's going to want some time with his cousin.” Steve finished softly. He looked down into the large room, watching the two figures moving around below. Glancing over at Bucky, he gave him a small shove at the other's grin. “What do you think so far?”
“This isn't a babysitting job, after all.” Bucky chuckled, watching the trio below. “You said the Commander just returned? Do you know where she was or is that classified?”
Lifting her head, Pepper blinked in surprise. “She was in Greece, looking into a potential area for a new naval base.”
Nodding, Steve watched as three dark heads disappeared beneath a sheet of metal. “You said they are building a stage?” Moving closer to the glass, Steve watched as two figures now moved along the sides. “They're all brunette's.” Running a hand through his own blond hair, Steve sighed. “I may not fit in.” Shoulder's bunching, Steve frowned at the hand on his back. “Bucky..”
“You get along swell with brunette's, remember? I'm a brunette and your best friend.” Bucky watched as Steve nodded, shoulder's slowly relaxing. “Besides, being blond makes you that much more of a menace because you don't blend in.”
Steve laughed, shaking his head as he turned to Pepper. “What have you told them about us?” He watched as she and Rhodey shared a nervous look before turning to Fury. “They do know why we are here, correct?”
“They are not expecting Captain America and the Winter Soldier. The only thing they are aware of is that we are adding two new handlers to the group. Two men who are more than capable of handling their own against an enemy.”
Steve frowned at Fury's statement, turning to look at Bucky before responding. “I'm confused, do they know who we are or..”
“They are aware of who you are but if we introduce you by your military names, they may revolt.” Voice flat, Rhodey stared through the glass. He watched as Tony shouted a warning before throwing a wrench at one of his bots. “Howard couldn't stop talking about Captain America. He always talked about how he and Eli should have been able to save you. Made Tony and Bruce both hate hearing your name. Eli, however, always seemed resigned to Howard's ramblings. Until their deaths.” Glancing over at Bucky, Rhodey sighed. “Av, however, may actually try to kill you, Barnes. As the Winter Soldier, you've had more run in's with her than anyone else.”
Bucky frowned, watching the group below them. “What do you mean? I've never..”
“You wouldn't remember, results of the memory wipes from your captors. But you were the one who killed the Stark's and DavPremont's.” Fury watched as Bucky paled, stepping back from the glass.
“That's not..h-how in the hell..” Bucky looked from Steve to Fury. “Why am I here then, especially if she's just going to try and kill me?”
Steve looked from Bucky to Pepper. “If there is a concern for Bucky's safety..”
“We give you our word nothing will happen. Barnes is safer with them than he would be anywhere else.”
Turning, Steve smiled in relief at the red head walking towards them. “Hey Nat.” He felt a small curl of relief at the sight of a familiar face. “Good to see you.”
“And it's good to see you both. Glad you could make it gentlemen, this is going to be the best place for you.” Natasha smiled as she stopped in front of Steve and Bucky. “You both are safer here than you would be on your own.”
Steve frowned, concerned about Bucky. “Not if..”
“Dark and Brooding is in no danger from the Commander.” Wade sighed as he walked into the room. He handed Pepper a tablet before turning to Fury. “She said that the mission briefing is on your tablet and she's not leaving again until after all three shows.” At Fury's nod, Wade grinned. “Romanov, always a pleasure to see such a beautiful face.”
“You just don't stop, do you?” Shaking his head in irritation, Bucky glared at Wade's laugh. “Do you take any damn thing serious?”
“The Commander's life as well as the lives of Stark and Banner.” Wade's voice went flat, devoid of his usual humor. “I owe all three of them, more times than I can count.”
Steve frowned, looking from the glass to Bucky and Wade. “Now is not the time. We are here to meet with them, not start a fight with the people already here.” When Bucky nodded, Steve turned to Rhodey. “Lt. Col..”
“Call me Jim or Rhodey, we can save rank for later, while in front of brass.”
Steve nodded, giving Rhodey a small grin. “You mentioned someone by the name of Clint Barton?”
“That, would be me.”
Turning, Steve frowned when no one was immediately visible. “Is he, um, is he wearing..”
“No, I'm up here. Unlike Wade, I have no issues with being seen.” Clint grinned at the group looking up at him. “When I want to be, that is.”
Steve watched as the blond man above him dropped to the floor, landing lightly on his feet. “Uh, hello?”
“Hello to you as well, Captain, Sargent. Clint Barton is the name, I'm the primary handler for Bruce.”
Steve blinked in surprise, shaking the hand held out to him. “Hello, Clint, nice to meet you.” He watched as Bucky shook his hand, recognized the question in his friends eyes and shook his head. “Are you really..”
“How in the hell are you the handler for Bruce? From what we've been told, he..” Bucky broke off in surprise as a knife suddenly appeared at his throat. “Uh..”
“Watch what you say about him. Bruce is a number of things but he is not a monster.” Clint growled low, eyes hard as he stared at Bucky. “I'll listen to a lot of things but I won't..”
“Stand down, Agent. You reacted before Barnes could finish his statement. Is there a cause for concern?” Fury glared at Clint, arms folded across his chest as he waited for an answer.
Clint felt his jaw clench as he slowly moved back. “No, Director, everything's fine.”
Steve looked between the two before shaking his head. Turning, he glanced behind him and stopped with a sharp sound of surprise. “She has wings.” He breathed against the glass in awe.
Bucky watched as Clint slowly relaxed before turning to Steve. “Stevie?”
“She has wings! Bucky, look, she can, she can fly!” Steve couldn't contain his excitement as he pressed his hands against the glass. “This is..”
“Weird as fuck or sexy as fuck? Because it's sexy as fuck for me. Can you imagine the great sex you could have while flying? Gives you a whole new meaning to the Mile High Club.”
Steve and Bucky turned to glare at Wade, both shaking their heads in frustration. “You say the weirdest shit at the worst times.” Bucky muttered.
Steve silently agreed, turning back to the glass in front of him. “How did she get wings? Did they make them or..”
“Turns out it's a side effect of one of the experiments performed on her.” Rhodey answered softly.
Bucky let out a rough sigh. “What all have they really been through? If she has wings and Banner turns into a raging green giant, what does Stark do to cope?”
“He can fly, too.” Steve whispered in excitement. “Christ, Bucky look, he can fly too!” Steve watched as Tony was wrapped in a red and gold metal suit, grin wide as the suit left the ground and moved around the room. “Did Tony build that? Is that one of his, um, one of his contracts?”
“The Iron Man suit? Never, he'd just as soon be bled dry before turning over the suit.”
Steve looked over at the harsh tone, not surprised to find Rhodey still next to him. “So this is his, Tony made it for himself?” When Rhodey nodded, a wide smile curving his lips, Steve grinned. “That's the neatest thing I've ever seen! Not even Howard was this brilliant.” Steve whispered. He watched as Tony and Aveline flew around the room, setting up different objects and watching different monitors. “What are they doing now?”
“Jarvis informed them of our arrival and that we have guests. This is their attempt to finish as much as possible before we eat.”
Giving Pepper a smile, Steve nodded. Turning back to the glass, he watched as Bruce sat calmly in the middle of the room. “They aren't bothering Dr. Banner or his experiments?”
“No, they've learned to work around each other. If something does happen, Jarvis or one of the bots will take care of it.” Rhodey turned away from the observation glass. “What's for dinner, Pep, tonight's a game night.”
Pepper smiled, looking at the expectant faces. “Looks like it's pizza and wings, boys. Something about the Dodgers being on tonight?” She laughed as Wade and Clint both hugged her before rushing off to change. Shaking her head, she gave Natasha a soft smile as she left the room. “Jim, your bags were sent up to your suite if you want to change. Director, the guest suite on Aveline's floor is available, if you wish to make use of it.” She nodded as both men agreed before heading to the elevator. “Steve, James, if you will follow me, I'll show you to the gym and a few other floors.”
Steve nodded, reluctant to leave after seeing Tony's suit and Aveline's wings. Turning at the hand on his back, Steve grinned. “They can fly Buck! Howard could never do that, I men maybe a plane but never like this! He always talked about flying cars but Tony has a suit that can fly and..”
Bucky grinned at Steve's excited rambling. He glanced back at the observation glass. “Yeah, buddy, they can fly, how swell is that?” Looking back, Bucky was surprised to find they were being watched.
“They don't trust either of you, yet. Don't worry though, give Av some time. If you or Rogers are Dodgers fans then you have a chance tonight.”
Turning, Bucky frowned to find Wade watching him. “Just exactly, how close are you and the Commander, again? You talk about her as if..”
“Watch what you say, Barnes. As I stated before, I owe her my life. If she hadn't saved me when she did, I don't know where I'd be.” Shaking his head, Wade studied Bucky. “Look, I know how I come off to people and that's fine. Just make sure that what ever shitty thoughts you have about me, are just about me. She doesn't deserve anything but respect and if you can't give her that then you can just fuck off.” Pushing away from the wall, Wade gave Bucky a hard glare before turning and walking away.
Shaking his head, Bucky tried to understand the hot flash of jealousy. He didn't remember her but something about her..
“You ok, Buck?”
Nodding, Bucky gave Steve a small grin as he followed him to the elevator. “Yeah I'm ok, just looking around.” Glancing back once, Bucky held the bright gaze watching him, stomach fluttering as the doors closed and the contact was broken. He wondered again, not for the first time, just who she was and why would he have memories of her.