OLD ONES

PART 2

Voracity

Sometimes a Xander is more of a Xander than you thought, and a more important Xander than the girls want to realize.  Sometimes Xander is even an Old One.

Table of Contents

14: Future Old Ones On R & R

Dawn gets some time off.  All the talk of bikinis has been building to here.  When people start to lose their minds over her bikini of the day.

15: Old Ones With Plans

How Dawn has to fix her part of the upcoming apocalypse, no matter how many people try to interfere in one way or another.  NC-17 m/f

16: Old Ones With Slime, Sex, and Mead

Just like the title says.  NC-17 m/f, m/f/f

17: Old Ones Building Up To Things

Things are building toward the apocalypse, and other things.  R m/f- /f

18: Other Old Ones Clashing Against Our Old Ones

The battle.  Then something weird starts happening around Dawn and Clint.  R.  Um, minor death of character that's been under death sentence.

19: Old Ones Coming Back To Normal

Xander finally makes it to a physical form again and the running away from the US is solved for the trio.

20: Pissing New and Old Old Ones Off

The various pantheons have found a way to make Xander hit his line of 'I'll be damned'.  They have plans for him.  Then Dawn has a Week of Stupidity.

21: Making Old Ones Angry

Xander's angry.  Phil's angry.  Either one might just Hulk up they're so pissed at the others who keep pushing things.  Who do you think is going to win this battle?

22: Fussing At Old Ones

The battle pushing Xander and Phil together gets a bit harder and meaner.  Which is their worst mistake to date.  Because no one screws with the mortal families of any of the Old Ones.  NC-17 m/f, m/f/f.

23: Other Old Ones With Plots In Mind

There's plots, there's plans, there's 'shippy stuff...  A lot of shippy stuff.

24: The Relationships Of The Old Ones And Not So Old Ones

Buffy's wedding.  Phil and Xander start to work on their relationship for real.  The trio celebrate the birthdays on record with a bit of smutty playing too.  NC-17 m/f/f (in various combos), m/m

25: Even Future Old Ones Have Ideas And Plans

Phil and Xander run into a problem thanks to Callia, but solving it did them some good.  Her mates find out that Dawn has been playing kitten poker, and there's some incentive there to talk about it.   NC-17, m/f/f (in various combos of that trio), m/m, misuse of godiva bars.

26: Screen Time Old Ones

Someone's going to do a movie about SHIELD and the Avengers.  Which is not really in Nick Fury's favorite list of plans.  NC-17 m/f/f, m/m

14: Future Old Ones On R & R

Dawn gets some time off.  All the talk of bikinis has been building to here.  When people start to lose their minds over her bikini of the day.

Dawn looked up as someone cleared their throat from the doorway.  "What's up, Rhodey?"  Lt. Colonel James Rhodes was a mean tease but she liked to hit him back so it evened out to the point where they got along well enough.

"Stark said the school called and you have to actually attend a lesson there this week.  You're scheduled for Tuesday."

"Thanks."  She put that into her calendar.  "Any idea why?"

"Some sort of mandatory class everyone has to have in person."  He shrugged.  "Anything going that way since he's got me giving messages?"  She handed over an envelope.  "What's that?"

"Graduation invitation for him, Callia, and Pepper."

"I can deliver that."  He walked off to do that, much happier.  "Invitation?"

"Toss it," Tony said absently.

"Short Stuff would be really pissed."  Tony smiled and took it, scanning it into his system to link to the spot in his schedule.  "It's yours, Pepper's, and the baby's."

"The baby will love to go.  She'll get to dress up."

"Taint from her mother?" Rhodey joked.

"She spotted a sniper because there was a shiny spot."  Rhodey groaned and shook his head.  "We recreated it to make sure."

"She's one hell of a little girl."  He left, going to the lab to see what was going on.  Dawn went jogging past him.  "Problems?" he called.

"Not for you."

"Okay."  He shrugged.  He'd hear through gossip later or someone would call him to help.  Stark went running past too.  So apparently it might be important.  He followed more casually.  There was someone holding a magical looking shield against someone throwing an absolute fit.  He got there in time to see Dawn tackle the fit thrower into a wall and start to scream at her about it.  Stark got the shield holder down and calmed.  "Can I help by finding handcuffs?" he offered.

Tony smiled.  "Find Coulson.  He can have Tara's stepmother arrested."  One of the guards was calling for him.  He limped out still looking pissed at everyone.  "Still in pain?" Tony asked nicely.

"Quite."  He stared.  "Summers, off.  That's my job. You're an assistant, not an agent."

"No, this goes all the way back to Sunnydale."  She hit her again then got off.  She walked over.  "Tara, are you okay?"  She cuddled her and got her moved to the mess to get some tea and help her calm down.  "She's such a stupid bitch.  We all know that you're better than they ever thought," she soothed.  "Or else Phil wouldn't like you and Fury wouldn't let you on the ship."  Tara smiled slightly and nodded, letting Dawn fuss over her.

"This gives me great pleasure," Coulson said, hauling her up to arrest her.  He called a more junior agent to get her file out of his filing cabinet and to come arrest her.  The woman was struggling until he glared then she shrank away from him.  "He's already in jail," he said quietly.  "You should've stopped him for yourself and Tara.  You were stronger when you married him and saw what he was doing."  He walked her down to the entry, handing her over.  The junior agent looked worried.  "She's Tara's stepmother.  Just assaulted her."

"Got it, Agent Coulson.  Are you coming back soon?  People are antsy."

"I'm cleared in another six days."  The agent smiled and nodded, hauling the protesting woman out to the SUV.  "Document any existing injuries.  Summers slugged her jaw but I only grabbed her arm."  The agent nodded, understanding that reasoning.  He went back inside to calm Tara down.  She was down to shaky and not quite ready to cry.  He flopped down and winced.  Tara turned to fuss over him.  It helped her calm down and they all knew that.  Dawn smiled and got him some coffee then went to get Callia.  She loved Tara and Phil.  Tara took the baby to cuddle and it was all good for now.  Dawn got back to work and they could help her finish calming down.

***

Fury was let into Stark's office.  "You have my senior agent."

"He's still injured.  The infirmary won't clear him for another four days."  He looked up.  "Which has meant that he's helped Tara, who has been hiding over here since then."

"I heard her stepmother showed up."

"We had her arrested for trying to attack Tara.  Coulson and my daughter have kept her calm and centered since then."

"Damn.  I didn't realize it was that bad."  He looked around.  "No Summers?"

"Mandatory lesson today at the academy."  He smirked.  "Problems?"

"People are downright twitchy with him gone."

"I'll escort Tara back tonight," Coulson said from the doorway.  "If we can make her give up Callia."  He looked at Stark.  "Dawn just sent a text message saying she was really sorry that she was probably going to be back late due to detention for telling the teacher she was full of shit.  That's verbatim."

"Why?" Stark asked.  "Dawn's usually more subtle."

"Something about the class pissed her off."  He shrugged.  "What class was it?"

"No idea."  He called out there.  "This is Tony Stark, is the headmistress free yet?"  He was switched over immediately.  "What happened?"  He listened.  "No, I'd call that bullshit to.  Even if it is mandatory.  Yes, I know very well that Dawn's mother assigned her that paper.  We all applauded that Joyce handled that part of her education from the cancer ward at UCLA."  He rolled his eyes, making a note.

"No, I don't think she needs to.  Madam, she's not a charity student," he said dryly.  "Or a scholarship student.  I'm using her to test your school to see if I want to send my daughter there.  I believe I won't be.  Send Dawn back today please.  No, I'm sure she's gotten a better lecture than yours about how evil sex is.  I'm sure she's gotten all sorts of facts and actual scientific information.  Which is what her mother wanted.  As a matter of fact, we're trying to set her up with a good first boyfriend so she doesn't have to worry about her first one being such a dirtbag.  Now, does she really have to stay for that?"

He listened.  "Yes, we're all looking forward to her graduating.  That's fine, if that's such an issue we'll be suing you for the cost of tuition we've paid.  I'm sure Pepper would heartily agree and I paid it anyway.  Now, are there other demands?  Then good day and do send Dawn home."  He hung up.  Dawn reappeared.  "You okay?"

"It was such bullshit I had to call bullshit.  Especially when the teacher tried to tell us that masturbation caused cancer."  Tony winced.  "And when I pointed out that abstinence wasn't technically a sexual activity, it was a birth control method, she got really huffy and called me a slut.  So I pointed out I was still a virgin, unlike her unmarried, sleeping with three boyfriends ass, and that I knew it didn't cause cancer.  Also that the only absolutely safe sexual practice was masturbation because you can't get yourself pregnant or give yourself something."  Tony burst out laughing.

"She huffed off.  The headmistress demanded to know how I knew that so I told her about Mom's research paper.  Then I pointed out I had done that before I had learned to research there, and handed over a copy of the updated one I fixed after talking to Natasha about sex ed stuff and research papers.  That's when I got pulled to the office and called an uppity, frustrating charity case.  I pointed out we paid tuition, she sneered.  I told her to check and she did then still sneered.  That's when I warned Phil that I'd be late due to detention for possibly kicking her ass."  She looked.  "Hi, Director Fury.  Sorry, just some drama from stupid bitches with delusions of education and control issues."  She looked, smiling at Phil.  "I'm still getting good bakery stuff for dinner."

"Thanks, Dawn.  Are you all right?"

"I'm good."

"You brought copies?"

"I printed and summoned."

"That's what I would've done," Tony agreed.  "Let me call legal."  He did that and had them start on the school.  "That way you can still graduate."

"I don't care if I have to take a GED or home schooling test," she admitted.  "The teachers said I have handed in everything they wanted and a few extra credit things in biology again.  I don't even have to take any finals outside of biology."

"You'll walk.  It's important to your mother," he said calmly.

She smiled.  "Thank you."  She hugged him around the head then looked at his desk.  "Damn."  She got to work straightening it out.  "JARVIS, I need a few more bins for plans that failed."

"Of course, Dawn."  A few new plastic storage bins were sent in and she got to work making files and boxes for them.  An inventory as well so Tony could find things later on.

Tony smiled.  "You're more efficient than Pepper was.  She made me do that myself."

"Your genius brain doesn't bend to minor things," she teased with a grin.  "Why make it struggle."

"Good point."  His legal department called back to get the check stubs from her tuition and anything else they had.  Tony sent them to Pepper, who had all that gathered already.

Pepper paused in the doorway.  "I don't disagree with you yelling at her, but less swearing, Dawn.  Even though I broke out into one or two with the stupid wench, be more polite about it."

"Yes, Pepper.  Sorry to disappoint."

She smiled.  "You didn't and I did like that research paper.  We're keeping it around for Callia's education."  She walked off after smiling at Fury.

Fury shook his head.  "I heard you listed us on your resume?" he asked her.

"I listed working on an associated classified project as an unpaid assistant," she corrected, finding her phone to call up her college application.  She had it on there so people could scan it for worrisome sections.  She showed him with a smile.  "Phil said that was the right way to do that."

"It is," he decided.  "You can use SHIELD and administrative intern," he decided, handing it back.  She beamed and nodded.  "Any other traumas today?  If not, I need to make Coulson show up tomorrow."

"I can be there for a med check, sir," he agreed.

"I can escort him since I probably won't be back at the school," Dawn quipped.

"She said you got brought in twice," Tony said.

"They made me go back to listen to the BS lecture so I brought in my iPod.  They said I had to attend, not listen.  The teacher threw a hissy so I pointed out I already knew more than she did and she had mislabeled basic female anatomy since it didn't include the clitoris or the perineum.  She's apparently like those people in Tennessee that think hugging automatically leads to sex."

Tony patted her on the head.  "You're a better and smarter girl than that."

"That's right, it's Budweiser that leads to most teenage sex," she quipped.  Fury burst out laughing and left.  Phil was clinging to the door.  "It does."

"It does," Tony agreed.  "Or better beer, depending on how cheap you are when you're stocking the party."  Phil limped off shaking his head.  "Nice work," he said quietly.  She grinned.  "So, Miami?"

"Yup.  Bikinis, beach time, no villains or mobsters trying to capture me."

"That's a good idea.  Bring your emergency switch."

"I will."

"Good.  And find a bikini that your mother won't have fits about if it ends up on a tabloid."

"She's seen the pictures and thought I looked really hot but she agreed with Phil that I need the new Islamic bathing suit designs."

"They do?  With the modesty dictates?"  She looked it up for him and he stared.  "My father had pictures of him in something like that only no headpiece."  He closed that window and got back to work.  He tossed down a few more projects, earning a light huff and her getting another box.  Now his desk was mostly clear of the annoying things that he knew had a few good ideas that he couldn't find.

***

Xander appeared, looking at Dawn.  "Are you still graduating?"

"I think so."

"Good!  Your mom wants me to create a viewing portal."  He smiled and hugged her.

"I was hoping she could get out."

"She's trying.  The doctors say it might be risky.  We'll see."  He patted her on the head.  "Remember to wear something pretty under the robe since you don't have a battle."

"I nearly prayed last night that we wouldn't be attacked."  He smirked.  "I know, you heard."

"I did and Ares asked why you were praying for that.  I told him to go look at ours.  He came back and slapped me on the back, handed me a bottle of ale, and said that it wouldn't happen this time."  He disappeared.

She smiled and finished her packing so she could go back to her apartment.

"You're on my couch," Phil called.

"I can go home."

"You can't go home."

"I can so."

"You can't.  You're moving two buildings to the left this week."

She walked out.  "Why am I moving?  Is it the same rent?"

"Ten dollars more a month."  He smirked at her.  "The junior agents on the punishment list all complained about your books and shoes."

She snorted.  "Is that one nicer?  Still got light?"

"Yes.  It's got a good bit of light in three of the rooms but not your bedroom.  The tub is one of those cast iron old ones."  She smiled.  "So the shower's mostly external because of it.  I didn't think you'd mind.  Kitchen's a bit smaller but still useable.  About the same size as mine."  She hugged him.  "I didn't even tell you about the two closets," he teased.

"You're a great big brother."

"Yes I am."  He patted her.  "Help me up."  She did.  He was still aching in that wound.  "How's the nerve thing in your back?"

"They say they're screwed but it's only three nerves and might not impair anything except maybe make sexual release and gratification harder."  She shrugged.  "So said the doctor that reminds you of Pippi Longstockings."

"I like her.  She's got a gentle touch."  He helped her grab her bags and took her to his place.  She had been there once before to clean it on him.  She had actually been over to get off the hell carrier for a while but she had ended up cleaning it on him.  They curled up with some takeout they had paused to get on the way home, watching tv.  It was comfortable and soothing.  He swatted her hand when she reached for his bandage.  "It doesn't need healed and you have to learn how first."

"Yes, sir."  She leaned against his arm, earning a smile.

He finished her dinner and it was good.  Very soothing.  He slept there, his leg propped up on the coffee table.

***

Dawn strolled in with Phil the next morning, delivering him to the infirmary.  "Doctor Pigalli at Stark Towers' infirmary sent over his records this morning," she reported.

"Thank you, Miss Summers.  Agent Coulson, let's look at that wound."  He nodded, letting her take him into an exam cubicle.  "Do you want her to wait to help you upstairs?"

"No.  She can go check my desk and then straighten out the head office."

"Sure," Dawn agreed, strolling off.

A few agents smiled at her.  She grinned back.  "Agent Coulson?" one asked.  He had trained at Xander's.

"Infirmary getting checked."  The agent smiled and went to tell the others.  His desk was clear so she went up to the mess that was Fury's office.  He had records all over.  She stood in the doorway and grimaced.  "Maybe a wind spell."

He looked up.  "It's budget time, Summers.  I've got to justify things and make one out."

She walked over.  "Most of that is in the system, Fury."  She took his computer to log in and start to work on that.  "I may not like it but Excel will even do the adding for you."  She did it like they did at Stark Enterprises.  He relaxed and let her handle most of it while he went for coffee.  A few things she needed to refer to the files for.  She had to find the files first and make sure they contained what they were supposed to.  Those she straightened out as she went.  By lunchtime she had a good, working one with categories that had actual expenditures and expected for next year.  She looked up.  He wasn't around.  She carried the laptop out to him on the bridge.  "Try that?"

He looked it over.  Even he could understand that and he was not a desk-riding agent sort.  "You upped R&D?" he noticed.

"Both Stark and Banner said you needed a few upgrades in the machines and a few other things."

"Good point."  He kept going.  "Pay went down?"

"Expected retirements only."  She reached over his arm to page down.  "That's there with a separate breakdown by category of agent and staff, expected hirings and retirements."

He looked it over, nodding some.  "Add another three people's worth to staff."  She took it to do that and saved it, letting him have it back.  He went back over it.  "Nicely compact."  She smiled.  "Will the Senate like this?"

"They should.  That's the way Pepper does it."

"That's not a bad thing."  He went over it again.  "Why doesn't this one category add up?"

She looked and grinned.  "That's your emergency response fund.  With that projected range, depending on severity of incidences and how many incidences, there's no way to sum it."

"Huh."  He looked that over.  "We usually spend more."

She pointed at a line.  "Overflow put in nicer, more polite words."

He nodded.  "Each category has one?"

"A small one."  She smiled.  "Which you can then move around if you have to."

"Good idea."  He nodded.  "Proof it and print it, Summers."  She took it back to do that and then printed it for his okay.  "What about what I need to bring with me?"

She moved the mouse to show the desktop.  "This is your budget folder.  It's got all the reports that I cited in it and all the projection files we used."  He smirked.  "You can put those in Power Point if you want or just flash them up on the screen.  The rest of the computer, once attached to an unsecure system, has a double password, the same one at the moment.  That folder only has one so you don't have to expose the rest of the system."  She handed the laptop back with a grin.  "And that file is also backed up on your backup drive.  I did the backup before I came out."

"Even better.  I've been meaning to get to it."  He looked over the budget packet he'd need.  "Thank you, Summers.  Go eat."

"Yes, sir."  She strolled off.  "Agent Hill, can I bring you back anything when I come back?"

"Get me a coffee please, Dawn?  We're short up here."  Dawn smiled and made some in their pot, letting her have the first cup.  She smiled.  "She's very efficient, sir."

"She is.  It even makes sense to me.  Last year's I had to hunt things down and ask my assistant.  They liked her more.  I should bring her this time so they can ask her questions."  He went back to his office.  All the files were now nicely put away.  His desk was clean outside of two files and a small stack of reports.  That was very nice to come back to.  Maybe he'd steal her from Stark since he couldn't steal Potts.  She was the next best thing to Pepper.  Cuter too in some of her outfits.

***

Phil looked up as his office door opened.  "Dawn?"

"Lunch?"

"I've got tons of stuff to catch up."

"Then a half-hour break will help."  She helped him up.  "C'mon.  They're making pasta."   He relented and followed her down there.  It would make the agents feel better if he was seen in public.  He had noticed the twitchy ones.  The cook gave him a pointed look.  "What?" Dawn asked.

"Did Rosenburg have to zap him again?"

"No, there was nowhere near that level of injury," she assured her with a smile.  "Just a minor forty-five into his thigh.  They had it cleaned up before I got taken from the building by that agent."  The cook grinned and gave him more pudding.  They settled down to eat, letting that gossip break the old gossip so people quit worrying.  "I got an email from Cordy saying she wanted to see me dancing in those skin-colored heels and a bikini."  He quirked an eyebrow up because she had nicely timed it so he wasn't going to choke.  "I sent it to Wes, who said it proved she wasn't herself.  They're going to fix that later."

"That's good," he agreed, eating a bite.  "If you should, I'll be beating you to death."

"I know.  I'm too good for Girls Gone Wild too."  One of the other agents choked and fell to his knees.  Dawn turned to help him.  "Are you all right?"  He shook his head.  "Then don't eavesdrop at work.  Use that skill on the job, not in here."  She let his buddies take him.  She settle back into her seat.  "I do get to walk.  The headmistress has relented because Tony's told everyone about that stupid class she said is mandatory."

"More parents complaining?"

"That it was so unfactual and leading to a lot of teenage mothers as alumni."  They shared a look.  "I offered that opinion when someone asked."  She ate a bite of her pasta then went to get some cheese.  He took the rest of it from her to add to his own.  "How was your day?"

"Boring.  Staffing reports."

"I got to work on the budget."

"You're good with them," he agreed.  He smiled slightly.  "Get it done?"  She smiled and nodded.  "Excellent.  Last year's was a wreck."

"I used the same sort of template we used for Pepper."  She ate a bite and added salt.  It was perfect then.  He did the same and they ate.  "So, should I send you a postcard?"

"Definitely.  Remember your emergency beacon."

"I will.  Tony reminded me too."

"Good girl.  We'll probably be down about that HYDRA agent."  She nodded, digging in again.  "You're going before graduation?"

"I only have one final in biology."

"Excellent work, Summers."  She preened and dug in again.  His phone beeped so he looked at it.  "Natasha said that she found you a better bikini that's not as exposing."

"We can go after work."  He nodded, sending that back. They finished up and she made sure he got back to his office before going back to the head office.  She had stopped by the onboard Starbucks to get Agent Hill a decent coffee.  She looked like she could use it.

"You're late, Summers," Fury said when he spotted her.

"I made sure Agent Coulson got back to his desk full of reports," she said with a perky smile.  "And it's not like I took a morning break, sir."

"Barely a point," he said, staring her down.  She just smiled.  "Emergency beacon when you're in Miami."

"I will.  And my phone."

"Thank you."  He walked off.  "Take the budget to accounting so they can verify the amounts.  They think you used the wrong forms."

"Yup."  She got the folder and took it down there.  "Here you go, one budget."

The head down there scowled.  "What template is this?"

"The one we use at Stark."  She smiled.  "That way it's easier to find individual things.  If he wants me to change the format I'll easily be able to do that.  It's in Excel."

"That's reasonable," he decided, looking it over.  Her footnotes had cited reports, which he checked.  "That's an old one, Summers."

She looked and pulled it up in his system.  "No, that's marked last month's."  She showed him.  "This one just came out this week."

He looked and nodded.  "I hadn't realized it was time for that yet."  He did find one old report but it wasn't out yet and she cheerfully fixed it when that lower minion handed over the new copy.  He had to grump but it was easy to find things and she was too perky to hate for much longer.  He had no idea what made her so special to get that internship but some of the minions were complaining that they hadn't gotten to move up into the head assistant's spot.  There were rumors that she was sleeping with one of the Avengers but they didn't think it was true.  She was too perky to have regular sex.

***

After another disastrous bikini trying on, Natasha had to concede that Dawn did look best in the skimpier versions.  They also decided to go with the push up tops for some support.  The original tops were a bit...tiny.  The makers clearly expected girls in Dawn's size to only have a B cup at the most instead of Dawn's generous C.  Natasha took a picture and sent it to Coulson who sent back a 'must you really do that to me'.  She smiled and sent back a 'yes' and left it there.  She and Dawn were packing for her trip.  That way she could sneak all the weapons she needed to with her.  She'd have to ship them via UPS with her clothes but that was modern US airport security for you.

***

Dawn walked down to the beach her first day in Miami, sighing in pleasure.  Her earbud was in.  She had her nice sunglasses.  She had her towel.  She took off her hat and put it aside, laying out the towel by a group of young women about her age and then shimmying out of her shorts and t-shirt.  A few of the people on the beach were watching her so she grinned.  She sat down and got comfortable to enjoy the sun and a book.  Her clothes got used as a pillow.  Her hat got adjusted to shield her face.  Her sunscreen had been applied back in her hotel room.  It was all good.  Later she could swim.

She looked at her phone when it beeped a text message.  She stared at it and sent back to turn off the satellite feed, she was fine.  Her emergency beacon was in her hat at the moment, and she had on plenty of sunscreen.  Tony reminded her to call if she needed something over Pepper's arm.  She said she would and then put her phone back in the shorts pocket.

Really, what was going to happen to her down here?  There weren't any villains.  There weren't many Russian mafia sorts.  There were no Council people.  She'd be fine.

***

Pepper turned off the satellite feed with a huff.  "I know she's eighteen.  Even Joyce was worried."

"It's what good mothers do," Tony agreed with a grin.

"I'm only old enough to be her aunt," Pepper said.  But she was smiling too.  "I wonder who bought her that bikini."

"Natasha."  He walked off.  "Remind her to jog in the morning for Coulson."

"I will later tonight when I check on her."  She sent that captured picture to Joyce's phone so she could see how nice and twinkly Dawn looked on the beach.

***

Buffy answered the text beep, looking at the picture.  "Why can't I look like that in a bikini?" she complained, showing her mother.

"Dawn works very hard to look that nice, though I'm not sure I'd have let her go out in that."  She enlarged the picture and sighed.  "She does look nice."

"Nicer than I do," Buffy said.

"You can get up and jog each day," Joyce said patiently.

"Eww.  I only run if something's chasing me.  I get plenty of exercise that way."

"Yes, dear, but Dawn does time in the gym and jogs to look this nice.  She also has a very good diet, which you do not.  You're looking like an anorexic that has one of those protruding stomachs like the starving children in Africa again."  Buffy pouted at her stomach.  "Dawn has a lot of vegetables and lean protein.  I'm sure you've only had a candy bar in the last few days with how thin you are."

"I had a coffee," she admitted, smiling some.  "It's been busy, Mom."

"Those iced coffees of yours are like coffee milkshakes.  Still not good for you, dear.  You need real food to do your job well."

"I need to get a job as an assistant," she complained.

"Most of them don't pay that well.  It's the company and the higher profile that makes her paid better.  That's also why she got taken a few times, so someone could demand a ransom from her boss or Pepper."  Buffy grimaced.  "If you wanted to work, that would be fine."

"I have a part-time job," she admitted.  "I can't work more hours or I never get any sleep."  She leaned on the bed.  "Dawn's done good but I still need a job like hers."

"She's done very good and has a good head on her shoulders.  That's why she pays for her own tuition, for all that Stark goes behind her back to pay for it and give her the money back.  She's got a good college fund and plans for her future."  She brushed some of Buffy's hair off her forehead.  "You need to make some plans."

"I only plan a few months in advance," she admitted, looking at her Mom.  "You know I can't go farther than that," she said quietly.  "Though I did take the hint you gave me before and have set up funeral arrangements just in case I do fall."  Joyce smiled sadly and patted her hair down.  "I know it's hard right now, Mom.  With you being sick and me being me, Dawn's had to lean on others and it's done her good but it's like she's not Dawn any more sometimes."

"She's still your sister, just more adult now.  She's grown up.  She's eighteen.  Remember that age?" she teased.

"I was handling an apocalypse near my birthday," she agreed.  She smiled.  "I'm glad Dawn's only on the outside of that problem.  It'd kill us both if she got dead from it."  Joyce nodded.  The nurse walked in.  "Hi."

"Good day, Miss Summers.  Joyce, how are you feeling?"

"Decent, thank you."  She showed her the picture.  "Doesn't my younger daughter look too nice and like I should go put a shirt on her?"

The nurse smiled and nodded.  "She does look like a full course meal."  She pointed at the fruit basket.  "She sent that on her way out of the airport."

"I've nibbled a few times," she promised.  "Buffy, eat some of that for me.  Save me the soft fruit."

"Sure, Mom.  I could use lunch."  She got an apple and settled in to eat it while the nurse checked Joyce over.  "Can she get out soon?"

"She's getting a few hours out for your sister's graduation."

"I haven't heard when that is," Buffy realized, looking at her mother.

"My invitation is for both of us," Joyce said.  Buffy smiled and nodded.  That made more sense.  Joyce couldn't hope to go alone.  She smiled at the nurse.  "Dawn's in Miami."

"It's pretty down there.  It's good for a girl to get some sun and relaxation with how hard that one works."  She smiled.  "Someone called about visiting later.  A nice sounding young man."  She patted her foot and left them to talk.

"Got a hotty of your own, Mom?" Buffy teased before eating another bite.

"I'd have no idea what to do with one after all this time," she said dryly.  Buffy giggled and Joyce felt better.  Buffy was so serious sometimes.  "Get more fruit.  That way I'm sure you've eaten today."  Buffy nodded, handing her mother the grapes and nibbling on a pear.  The 'nice young man' turned out to be Steve Rogers.  Joyce gaped.  "Captain Rogers.  It's an honor."

He grinned.  "Dawn asked us to check on you while she was gone."

"I love my daughter for being so fussy."

"She is very good at fussing over things.  Including Callia.  She had her a few days after the last incident happened."  He showed her the pictures.  Stark had pulled them from the security system for Joyce when Steve had asked.  Joyce melted and smiled.  "She'll be at graduation since they won't let Tony bring her up to this ward."

Joyce touched one picture and smiled.  "Thank you."

"It's not a problem.  Dawn's like a teasing little sister to the group."  He smiled.  "I don't want to tire you out.  I'll show up if we have more news or if we hear something's going on down there."  She nodded, letting him go.  He left her the pictures.

"I made a pretty baby girl," Buffy said quietly.

"You did," Joyce agreed, smiling at her.  Buffy grinned back.  They relaxed and Buffy put the pictures into an album for her.  Joyce was slowly sorting through all the family pictures to put into albums for them.  Buffy was helping by making labels for identification.  Some day Dawn would get them all and she'd need to know who they were so she could tell Callia and any kids Dawn had.

***

Dawn looked over as a towel was spread next to hers.  "They sent you after me already?"  It had only been a few days.

"Yup.  Infection."  She glared.  "Not in the wound," he said quietly.  "I tripped over one of our R&D scientists and broke a toe.  That's infected."  She rolled her eyes and went back to her book.  "Sunscreen?  You look pretty dry."

"I'm fine.  I put some on an hour ago."  She handed over the bottle.  "You can lose the t-shirt and do the same thing."  She looked over his longish swim shorts, nearly knee length.  He was wearing a dark short-sleeved t-shirt and runners sandals.  She stared at him.

"I don't need that much exposure."

She shifted and took his t-shirt off him.  "You're pasty white and glow in the dark, Phil."  She saw a few people watching.  "He's like my big brother."  The girls smiled and waved at him.  "He's a really nice guy.  Very steady.  Works for the government in a really great job.  He's single too."  They came over to chat him up.  They even helped him oil his back down.  They cooed over him being on injury leave and over how pasty he was.  Dawn laid down and went back to her book.  The ladies had Phil well in hand.  She smiled at one guy that paused to flirt with her.  He winked and invited her to a beach party later.

Phil looked over.  "She's like my sister and if you touch her I'd have to break your arm."  The jock scurried off.  "Dawn."

"I can flirt, Phil."  The girls giggled and distracted him again.  Clearly Dawn needed some help getting free of her big brother leash.  But he still seemed nice and polite.  Dawn was nice enough to leave them alone to go splash in the water with some flirty guys so that left them a clear space to flirt and enjoy the fresh meat.

Phil realized he had been handed to sharks by Dawn and appreciated her style.  That was so mean of her but he'd pay her back by not letting her flirt.  The ladies got a tiny bit of flirting and it made them all happy.  Even if they did look at him like a daddy figure and one asked if he spanked his girls.

***

The Avengers were having a meeting before their scheduled meeting.  "Dawn's report last night said that she's going evil," Tony said.

"Why?" Barton asked.

"She's apparently hooked up with a group of nubile beach nymphs and handed Coulson to them.  They've been cooing over him, helping him oil himself down, making him laugh.  Coulson's report said she gave him to them then wandered down to the water to give them plenty of space."

"That is evil," Bruce said with a smile.

Fury looked up as he walked over reading.  "How is she?"

"She's handed Coulson to some beach bunnies," Barton said.

"Why?" he demanded.  "It doesn't seem like Coulson's style."

"Who really wouldn't like twelve nubile young women oiling you down and spoiling you rotten, sir," Barton teased.

Fury considered it.  "I wouldn't mind some days."  He shook his head.  "Any other news?"

Steve cleared his throat.  "I visited her mother for her."  Tony stared at him.  "Dawn asked that someone stop in to check in on Joyce since she's still hospitalized.  I brought those pictures I had you download, Tony, and she was nearly crying over Callia's so I reminded her that she'd be at graduation."

"She will be.  Grandma can get some cuddling time then."

"How many are going?" Bruce asked.  "I know I'm not invited but we're not that  close."

"I know she had to limit it," Tony said.  "I am, with Callia on my lap so she's not using a seat.  Pepper, Natasha, Joyce and Buffy.  Xander and Tara."  They all nodded.  "I think there's a free seat but not totally sure where it is."

Steve smiled.  "It's good to have your family for those events.  I know I caught Dawn saying a minor prayer to not have an attack," he said.

"Xander told her he would make sure of it," Tony said, smiling at Natasha.  "She has no idea how to do her hair.  Pepper wore hers loose but it's supposed to be a sauna that day or raining."

"A simple low bun should do," she said, considering it.  "Her dress?"

"Not sure."

"We'll talk later."

Clint shook his head.  "At least she is graduating.  There's some rumors that Coulson is going to be less protective once she does."  Tony snorted, shaking his head.  "Some agents are sharpening their tracking skills too."

"Not a chance," Tony told him.  "Coulson, Natasha, and Joyce get a say in who she dates and Pepper is the final authority."

"I think one has asked Pepper for permission to date her," Bruce said.  "I saw an agent asking her something about a date the other day in the hall."

Fury shook his head.  "Hell no.  She's not allowed to date on the hell carrier."  They all smirked at him for that.  "Or at college.  College boys are all hands and booze."

"Not all of us," Stark countered with an evil smirk.  "Some of my friends hated booze so they only had pot and the occasional blotter.  It was considered safer than having to drop out of school in disgrace because you knocked up the chess champion."

"You went to MIT, they're all chess champions," Barton shot back.

"Most of us were, yes," he agreed.  "I tried so hard to get her to go there instead.  That way she'd find a nice geek to date and maybe create later lab helpers for me."

"Am I running a daycare?" Fury demanded.

"Yes, it's on the third floor of Headquarters and Callia adores it so thank you," Tony quipped.  He looked at his former assistant/herder.  "Did you teach Callia to call Coulson Fi-Fi?"

"I think Dawn did since she's usually the only one that uses his given name," she said.

"Oh!  I thought they might be calling him a poodle since he needed a trim."

"No, I believe it's as close as she comes to saying 'Phil'."

"I'm pretty sure it is too," Steve admitted.  "I caught her watching tv and they were talking about Dr. Phil.  She kept babbling 'not Fi-Fi, bad' over and over."

Stark shook his head.  "She is very bright for being sixteen months."  They all nodded he was right.  He leaned on the table, grinning.  "She looked at the mailman the other day and told him he wasn't an officer.  No po-po."

Natasha smiled.  "The uniforms are the same color."

Fury got up and walked off.  "Let me go somewhere else before he pulls out baby pictures," he complained as he huffed off.

"Sure, I can do that," Tony said, pulling them out.  They all smiled at how Callia was tormenting Dawn's hair.

"Does her mother visit?" Bruce asked.

"Buffy said it'd be too hard so she lets Dawn spread the news for the family," Tony said.  "Which I totally respect her for.  She agreed before I could even mention a custody agreement that I should have her because her life was too dangerous.  She made the same point about mine and we agreed on what a nanny had to be able to do to protect the baby.  Thankfully someone vetted this last one better than the first few."

"The half demon was nice but turning her toward her own warrior clans," Natasha said.  "Did the raw meat harm her?"

"Made some really gross diapers but otherwise thankfully not."  Bruce grimaced.  "The last nanny was a half-demon.  Harmless species, ate raw meat but not people.  She was okay but she was trying to warp Callia.  The first two Pepper liked then didn't like when she called them racists."

"Now you have the former agent for a nanny," Barton said.  "She's one tough chick."

"She is and it's helped," Tony said.

Steve nodded.  "I caught them in the park and her tossing a reporter with a camera into a trash can after kicking her around," he said.

"There was a bounty to get pictures of her first birthday," Tony told him.  "A few mags got together to offer a million for pictures of it, more if it was one of the important or usual birthday pictures like her blowing on the cake or having her face smeared with cake and icing."

"At least you managed it by moving it at the last moment," Natasha said.

Tony nodded.  "They're about rabid over the baby.  Happy said one tried to drive him off the road so they could get pictures of her injured."  Natasha growled.  So was Steve.  "The nanny shot out their tires while calling 911."

"I can just see it now.  The first time she breaks her arm they're going to get all alarmist and then you'll have to calm them down," Barton said.

Tony nodded.  "I have to each time we take her to the pediatrician.  They've had stories that she's deathly ill twice now.  One that she got shot by an invading military person.  Dawn decked the reporter that jumped up, grabbed her, and put a camera in her face to demand answers to that allegation.  Once the woman was out of her face she scowled, put her hands on her hips, and said that Callia had the sniffles, which was a normal baby thing.  That all babies had multiple appointments with the baby doctors and she was just fine and normal.  Then she huffed off.  The reporter tried to charge her but the lawyer pulled up the footage from the café she was laying in wait at.  It showed Dawn reacting to a threat."

"The press here in the US get so stupid sometimes," Banner said.

Tony nodded.  "Not the legitimate press but the tabloids?  Yeah.  Especially since they were trying to tie Thor to the Stargate program being outed.  Apparently they thought he could change form to a Roswell Gray.  O'Neill and one of the warriors Xander got him from up there had to counter it."

"Did one of them actually ask Thor if he was sleeping with Xander?" Steve asked.

Tony snorted but nodded.

Barton nodded too.  "The big guy threw a fit.  A 'how dare you sully my family name like that' fit.  I thought he was going to use the hammer on the reporter."

"Someone asked me if I knew about that and I nearly lost my temper too," Bruce admitted.  "I sent a silent thought at Xander and he showed up to chew her a new one."

"I heard Bia laid into one over that rumor," Barton said.

"She showed up to save the wench from Xander and took over.  I've never heard anyone swear in nine languages at once in the same sentence.  The only reason I know it was nine was Doctor Jackson was there for the meeting I was going to and he told me when I asked."

"Was that the geek that we saved from HYDRA later that day?" Barton asked.  Tony nodded.  "Huh.  Yeah, that's a language geek."

"Who ascended once," Natasha put in.

"McKay said it's not all it's cracked up to be," Bruce said.  "He touched the wrong machine on Atlantis and did it."  They all groaned.  "He was working on formulas we still have no idea what they go to."

Stark nodded.  "I've seen some of that.  I've offered his geek team and Mari a spot in the lab."

Bruce blushed but smiled.  "I like Mari.  She's loud and affectionate but she's very good at what she does."

"What does she do?" Barton asked.

"She has four PhD's, she said they're all in blowing shit up," Tony said.  "That's a direct quote."

"Is she family of Xander?" Natasha asked.

"Adopted by Shiva for being so strong.  She's presently fighting off the evil father of arranged marriages."

"Her and Dawn both," Barton quipped, getting pinched by Natasha.  "With the way Thor was going off about it, I almost thought he was hinting."

"He has another ten months to find a fertile mate," Tony told him.  "Odin's decree."

"Jane doesn't want to be immortal," Natasha said quietly.

"We know.  The same as Carolyn Lam didn't.  They've become friends," Tony said.  "They're penpals with Tara too."  She smiled at that information.  "So this idiot HYDRA agent who wants Dawn?"

"Down there next week by his flight reservations," Steve said.  "We're heading down before then.  Coulson will keep her safer than she wants to be until then."

"What is the thing with her scar?" Clint asked.  "I got some of it but not really."

Tony stared at him.  "It makes her feel normal.  Like every other eighteen-year-old girl instead of... what she is."  He looked around.  The meeting area was in the open on the bridge.  "Only real, normal girls worry about things like tanning, bikinis, and scars.  Mystical warriors or artifacts don't."

"That I get," he said.  "Before I thought it was her trying to find the same shallow mask that Buffy wears now and then."

"Part of it is," Natasha agreed.  "Most of it is just the desire to be like every other girl.  We've talked about when it's appropriate to have to disclose her specialness if she finds someone worthy of her."

"She asked Pepper.  Who said that it was probably a good idea to have that talk before the wedding but after you were sure he was the one," Tony said.

Natasha shook her head.  "I suggested only if it became relevant due to an attack or something.  The same as I would not tell of my past as a spy if I married someone normal unless it suddenly mattered.  The knowledge could and probably would drive them off with worrying that an attack could come.  She liked that answer a bit better than Pepper's because of the fear of driving them off."

"She said she'd have to disclose it some day and that guys could only take so much weird stuff," Clint said.  "That the scars and the other stuff would push them too far."  Everyone looked at him.  "That was the night we took her home from the rescue.  How many might know?"

"Anyone who was high enough in the Council to read the report," Tony said.  "That's who set that new contract on her.  They were going to separate them and use the other thing as a weapon to end the demon menace."

"Trial transcripts?" Steve asked, looking worried.

"Sealed.  The UK version of the terrorist court," Tony said.  "We made sure.  Dawn was so worried she had to keep making her desk equipment float back down to sit on the desk."

"Good," Steve decided.  "The British seem to pop up some strange secret societies every few years."

Natasha nodded.  "Mostly they just come to light over doing evil things."

Steve leaned on the table.  "Tara came to me last night.  She had gotten an invitation to a new local pagan club.  She said she asked a few friends and they said it was not what it seemed.  It was like the Hellfire Club on evil steroids from what she said."

"It's a wannabe Hellfire Club," Tony said.  "There's a branch still here in the city and I'm told that they hate that new club.  They may also house some of the cult that Xander had that vision about."

"I always imagined pagan clubs would be either lots of ladies in long dresses sipping tea and reading strange books or them dancing around a fire some nights for celebrations with flowers in their hair and maybe a bit of natural wine," Bruce said.  "Maybe a picnic then a romp in the woods."

"Mostly, the celebrations I've heard about were," Natasha admitted.  "Following the calendar and the old ways."  She frowned.  "It depends on if they're doing it in their name or if they're doing it to worship.  Those who worship use the old ways.  The ones who do it in name are like those televangelists who think God needs money."

"I met one of those doing supposed charity work by standing around nagging the real workers," Bruce said.

Tony grinned, leaning back in his chair.  "Dawn got pounced by one about not being Godly so she shot back about the books that were taken from the bible by that one meeting back in the 800's and the faulty translation King James did.  Then she said at least her way was *natural* and walked off.  I'm pretty sure she had PMS though because she was using Pepper's frozen yogurt habit for lunch that day and LA was pretty cool since it was winter everywhere else."

"I've heard Dawn telling one that God didn't need PR work when they tried to force their fliers on her.  The person called her a heathen bitch and Dawn shot back it was better than being a hypocrite and they went to hell first."

Tony burst out laughing.  "I love it when the Queen of Nag is mouthy that way."

"Is she still nagging you?" Natasha asked with half a smile.

"Yes!  The only one who doesn't get it is Pepper.  She's more subtle with her.  If Pepper is working too late and Dawn suggests a dinner break but gets blown off Dawn orders her something and puts it next to where she's working.  Pepper realizes it, smiles a bit, and eats.  If I'm sleeping in she'll barge in and get me up and nag me into the shower while telling me what I'm supposed to be doing.  I growled about one because I was seriously not feeling good and she quipped it was a good thing I had to hit the doctor for my yearly physical and to remember to wear clean underwear."  Barton burst out laughing, shaking his head.  "If I'm in the lab she'll stroll in and lean over my arm to ask billions of questions until I shove her off and ask what I'm missing."

"That's what she did to me the other night when I was missing dinner," Bruce said with a smile.  "I ended up explaining particle physics to her over dinner in the mess."

Tony nodded.  "I've explained a lot of engineering to her until I realized that she was there to nag me and pulled me out of my building moment.  That's why I wanted her at MIT.  She's used to my crazy genius so she could get on well there."

"I'm sure there's at least one at NYU," Banner said with a smile.

"Why does she avoid one campus?" Steve asked.  "Even driving she asked to go farther around it."

"She said that someone in the physics department is screwing with wormholes and hellmouths," Tony said.  "She checked that campus during her decision process and nearly fled from there.  That reminds me, I should tell McKay that."  He sent him a text message.  He had to admit he didn't know who was doing it but Dawn had felt it on the campus.  McKay promised he'd go recruit.  "Good, that means we don't have to worry about anyone opening up a hellmouth in New York City."  He put his phone back in his pocket as it beeped, looking at it.  "I have to get back to the lab.  Callia somehow got hold of one of the robots and is presently being carried upside down at full speed up and down the halls giggling."  He headed back via the beaming satellite.

Barton looked at Natasha.  "When do we get that?"

"When Stark builds us one," Banner said.  "It came from the SGC people he liaisoned with.  He stole the plans."  They all nodded at that then sighed.  Tara came out to hand them water.  "Thank you, Tara."  She smiled and patted him on the cheek before leaving.  He watched her.  "Is she okay?" he asked quietly.

Natasha shook her head.  "Her stepmother is still trying to initiate contact and nag her about things that no one should ever try to discuss."

"Can Dawn smite them?" Steve asked.  "I heard her saying they were going on her list."

Natasha nodded.  "She did get in a few good swings when the woman found Tara at Stark Tower.  Coulson let her and then had her arrested for assaulting Tara."

"Has anyone told Xander?" Bruce asked.  "Because I've heard him say the same thing about her family."

"I do not know," she admitted.

Fury came back.  "Where's Stark now?"

"Rescuing his daughter from one of the robots she's playing with," Bruce said.  "Tara's stepmother?" he asked quietly.

"I had her sank into a cell so hard her ancestors rattled," Fury said, sitting down.  "That HYDRA operative?"  They passed down the plans they had.  "Good."  He looked around.  "The ones in town?"

"Going to be arrested once he's in the air so they can't contact him," Barton said.  "Coulson set it up long distance, sir."

"Excellent.  Any new dramas outside those?"

"Not that we know of," Natasha said.  "There is no movement on the mafia front to capture her again."

"Why are they still after her?" Steve asked.

"She fought back too hard," Barton said.  "She managed to kill two of them before I got in there."  Fury looked pleased.  "She still won't be an agent, sir.  She's adamant she's not turning into an agent.  But if there's a problem she'll help quietly."

"That's fine.  Sometimes you need a hidden asset.  How good is she?" he asked Black Widow.

She shrugged.  "She could be better.  She's good enough to rescue herself from most things and handle a sudden incident starting in her vicinity.  I would never send her out for undercovers even if she was inclined to be an agent.  She still has a few weaknesses that would make her unstable in the field.  Including how much she's attached to her family."

"Good to know.  What if something happens to the hospital Joyce is in during another battle?"

"Pray like hell," Barton said.  "Dawn will automatically switch from defense to offense to protect her mother or sister if necessary.  Less with Buffy because of her own special skills but with her mother being so down she'll go bitch on 'em to quote her.  I asked.  She agreed it would be unconscious and it would happen without her being able to stop it."

"That's something I would expect in the untrained," Fury said, looking at Natasha.

"I can not turn off her care for her mother," she said bluntly.  "Nor would I.  She's not an agent by any means.  She's the next generation of Pepper Potts only a bit stronger so she can handle Iron Man's battles with him and his daughter when it's her turn."

"That's actually a good thing.  Stark needs a minder," he said, considering it.

"She said she doesn't report to us because we don't pay her," Barton said bluntly.  "She'll tell Coulson if she thinks it's important.  Anything like major injuries or something.  Things like him being in such a foul mood he put on the suit to go fly and beat some cliff somewhere.  Other than that she's never going to tell anything.  I'm pretty sure Stark knows that."

"He does," Steve said.  "He was amazed she didn't tell when he had that moment the last time.  She came in, gave him cocoa, reminded him assistants didn't spill secrets, and unless he broke himself it was like me beating a punching bag.  Then she fluffed his pillow, nagged him to drink the cocoa - her mother's recipe - and left us to talk."

"She's seen what battles do to a person up close and personal," Bruce said.  "I'm sure her sister came home torn apart more than once."

Natasha nodded.  "She always knew, even before Joyce did by her memories.  By the time she appeared there, Joyce already knew about Buffy's calling.  She was also taking basic stitching and bandaging lessons so she could help Buffy after battles."

Fury smiled.  "Every warrior needs a girl like her to go home to after a battle."  Steve nodded.  "Which is why I know half of us around here aren't good enough for her."

Steve smiled.  "She's got good taste in who she flirts with."  Natasha nodded with a smile of her own.

"She picks on me," Clint said.  "She even did a picture like the one that drove us nuts that night when she showed off the boots her sister gave her."

Natasha smiled.  "I helped her.  I could use it to recruit but she said no."

"If it helps us recruit strong agents, I'm all for it," Fury said.

"She said no."

"Fine," Fury complained.  "How was it?"  She found the picture in her phone and showed him.  He swallowed and slid it back down.  Steve caught it to look and blushed, handing it over.  "Come be an agent like this one, strong, powerful, exciting sort of campaign?" Fury asked.

Natasha smiled and nodded.  Barton leaned over to see it and whistled.  "Is that not what they were thinking?"

"It was, yeah.  Including knives in the boot tops."

"It has holsters already sewn in for when she wears them at a club."

Bruce leaned over.  "May I?"  She handed the phone over.  He looked and blinked a few times before handing it back.  "If I was a young man I might've tried out for an agent's spot to meet her."

Steve nodded.  "Many men joined the military because pretty girls prompted them to.  The gun belt was a nice touch, Natasha."

"Thank you."  She put it back into her pocket.

Clint squeezed his eyes shut.  "Damn it."  She slapped him.  "Thank you."  He rubbed his eyes.

"I need one of those I think," Fury complained.  "Where is she now?"

Natasha checked her watch.  "On the beach."  She called up satellite footage and enlarged it.  It was a great view of her on her back, Coulson a bit away being mobbed by cute girls who were oiling his leg down.  He looked like he was protesting but yay.  She showed him.

He stared.  "Now I see why we had the great bikini debate."  He got up and went to his office to have some ice water.  And maybe a walk on the deck in the wind too.

"I still don't see how girls wear that skimpy of suits to swim in," Steve complained.

"She can," Natasha said.  "We made sure she could defend herself if she needed to."

"I'm surprised there isn't a moat of drool around her," Barton quipped.

"Coulson has his own," she agreed happily.  "All her doing."

"Yup, the girl is slightly evil," Bruce agreed.  He got up to go back to the labs.  He'd work out equations that had nothing to do with busty bikinis.

Steve went to do what he usually did to take thoughts out of his head, he went to work out.

"Miami, so are you bringing a bikini?" Clint teased.

"No.  I prefer the topless beach as you well know."  She walked off.  His laughing was a good sound.

***

Phil looked at Dawn the next morning.  "If I wear a tanktop do you think you can quit encouraging them to rip my shirts off?"

"Sure, you did get a bit burned yesterday."  She smiled.

"Do I even want to know what you're wearing?"

"No.  Probably not."

He nodded she was probably right.  He got to drive because he was being persnickety according to Dawn.  He still made her get up and jog with him too.  They were up to three miles now.  They went to the usual beach and she laid out her towel.  He put his closer, knowing that the pack of succuba pretending to be college girls would pull him away later.  Dawn stripped off to her bikini and he nearly froze.  He glanced around.  "Dawn, this isn't a topless beach," he complained mildly.

"I'm fully covered."

"No you're not."  She adjusted it a bit and even he had to blush.  "Um... not much better, Summers."

She smiled.  "Mom loved this one."

"I think she wants more grandchildren."  He paused and stared at her.

"Regrowing, thanks.  All the talk of kids meant that I started to unconsciously create the structures.  Which is why they removed it and it's regrowing.  So I have a few months without one."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

She looked at him.  "By the day I found out it was already starting to grow, Phil.  That day I got sent home for cramps?  Then."  He grimaced.  "I'm fine though.  The last exam said that it's trying to regrow now."

He nodded.  "As long as it doesn't hurt you."

"So I have to adopt instead?  That's not a bad thing."

"No, it's not.  You'll be a great mother some year in the future."  She grinned and spread out to read.  He was not going to stare at the tiny bright pink thong back.  He wasn't.  He made himself pick up his own book and start to read.  He hit his headset when his phone rang.  "Coulson."  He listened.  "Yes, Pepper, she is wearing a suit.  Her mother liked it."  Dawn flipped over.  He looked at her.  "Pepper just gasped something vulgar so can you put on a shirt now?"

"No."  She smiled as she leaned closer to his earpiece.  "Hi, Pepper.  Mom loved this one.  I'm tanning that new scar out too."  She flipped back over.

He listened to Pepper's demands.  "If I could I would redress her, Pepper.  We all know I want her in something more lengthy."

"I can put on the coverup since it's a bit breezy but it's gauzy," she quipped.  She got up to put it on.  It was like a long tunic with a flirty-low neckline.  You could see right through it.  It was skin colored and the bikini was black and bright pink.

He took a picture for Pepper since the satellite image didn't catch it very well.  "Pepper just swore that she was telling Stark to find you a husband."

"Tony wants me to marry a geek to follow his footsteps and our kids will help Callia so they can switch back and forth for generations in the suit."  She got back to her book.

Phil repeated that and Pepper agreed that was Tony's master plan but he could find her a good possible warrior geek very easily.  "If she'd let you I'd have to vet him too."

She looked over the edge of her sunglasses at him.  "Don't try."

"Go put on something else?"  He handed over the car keys.  "Please?"

"Fine."  She got up and took the keys, going back to the hotel to change.

He hung up and said a silent prayer for her sanity.  Because that bikini could probably be worn underneath most other ones.  Not even girls in Brazil wore that tiny of bikinis.  He censored the thought about how much she had to shave to get into it.  That was not the thought he wanted to have.  He sent an email to Xander to ask him if any love gods were trying their hand on him with Dawn and to please make them quit.  It was the only reason he had for thinking about how much she shaved.  She came back in one of the structural bikini tops and the same bottom.  The top was more covering, had underwire, and made her look like a stacked goddess.  He whimpered.  She just smiled.  "No picking up college boys."

"I haven't picked up a college boy yet.  The last one I was flirting with was a doctor in his residency."

He slumped and picked up his book to read, holding out a hand.  "Keys."  She handed them over.  "Shorts, or a cover up?" he asked hopefully.

"You hate my khaki shorts."

"That's because they belong on club girls dancing on stage."

"I guess that could be a career option but not why I'm going to college."  He scowled.  She grinned.  "Many girls do."

"You're smarter and better than they are."

"Maybe but a girl does like to be admired."

"I'm sure you've gotten plenty recently."  She beamed and got back to her book, crossing her feet and bending them up so she could wave them in the air.  He went back to his own book, mentally counting how many bullets he had on him so he could shoot their way off the beach if necessary.

Someone had to teach Dawn not to tease the poor men.  It was mean to them.

He nearly flinched when he heard the giggling.  He had to teach her how to torture for SHIELD, not for fun.  He really did.

***

Phil stopped her the next morning.  "Did you get a different one for each day?" he asked.  She smiled and nodded.  "You can't do laundry?  I'm sure there's one in the city so you can were something....covering."

She sighed and took off her long t-shirt she was using to cover up today.  "Is this all that bad?"

He looked.  It was black with purple lipstick kiss marks.  It was structural and push up like but not too much.  The back of the bottoms actually had a slight back.  The high heeled espadrille sandals were wedges but cute with the outfit.  She huffed at the look on his face.  "The team's going to be here in a few days, Dawn.  Think about what Captain Rogers will do if he sees you in that."

"This is the most covering one I could find."

"What about that one piece Natasha said Pepper found you?"  She sighed but went in to change.  It was shiny black, had tank top-like top with a very scooping neckline, held up by a zipper up the front and a tiny thong back even worse than yesterday's bikini.  He squeaked a tiny sound of horror.  "You look like you're a dominatrix in that," he said.

"That's what Pepper said when I tried it on."  She smiled.

"The bikini," he decided.  "You'll get a whole different sort of boy drooling on you and they might have weapons."  He trudged off, putting on his sunglasses.  He noticed she wasn't wearing hers.  "You'll be blinded."

"I don't want the white circles from the coverage.  It'll make me look like a dork when we get back.  I wear them on and off through the day."

"Fine."  He had to let her drive.  He was having some difficulty with higher thoughts at the moment due to the stampede of bad ones in his mind.

***

Dawn tapped her earpiece for her phone.  "Hello?"

"What's up, Short Stuff?  Cute outfit," a familiar voice said.

She smiled.  "Natasha helped me pick it out, Clint."  Coulson looked at her.  "I figured it'd be soon.  Are you coming down to join us?  Phil could use saved."

"I'm not saving Coulson, he'd kill me for saving him from the beach nymphs," he said dryly.  "I'm your assistant today."

"Wonderful.  Can you get me a latte then?  It's really warm down here."

"Ha ha.  Maybe later.  Incoming call."  A beep.  "There you go, sir.  Dawn Summers."

"Hello?" she asked, knowing that Clint and probably Coulson were listening.

"Dawn," the semi-familiar voice, usually heard only over loud music in a club said.  "You look excellent spread out on the beach.  Is that a boyfriend?"

She put on her sunglasses with a grin.  "No, that's my big brother sort.  He's protecting my virginity at the moment from the guys playing football who want to drool on me."  The girls around Phil laughed.  She smiled at him.  "So, you're in Miami?  That's great.  Want to meet for dinner tomorrow?"

"Sadly I'm not available tomorrow.  Tonight?"

"Hmm.  I've got a thing to go to tomorrow.  I got invited to an all day party on a boat so I was going to bed early tonight.  So it can't be later than say, seven?"  Coulson shook his head and mouthed 'six'.  "I was thinking of having it at six or so at the Cuban place up the street from my hotel.  Are you nearby?"

"I am and that new scar on your side does not mar you at all."

She blushed and looked then up again.  "Thank you.  It was an unfortunate mugging sort of thing.  He tried to stab me, Mark."

"A pity, pretty one.  Very cute bikini."

She smiled.  "Thank you.  How close by are you?"

"Just watching distance."  He chuckled.  "Your big brother sort does not look fond.  Can you leave him at home tonight?"

"He got sent with me because of the mugging thing and someone who stupidly tried to take me hostage to get an in with the boss.  So I doubt it unless he does a background check on you first."

"No, I'd rather he not," he sighed.

"But we can make him sit nearby instead of at the table."

"That would be excellent.  I will see you there at six, little one."

She smiled.  "I'm not that little."

"I can see that, and the beautiful blush you just sprouted."  The line went silent.

Dawn sighed.  She could tell they were still on there.  She tapped the earpiece a few times.  "How do I hang this up?  It's new and I don't know where all the buttons are yet."

"Let me," Mark soothed and hung up.  The line beeped.

She sighed.  "That means I get a decent dinner tonight," she quipped, smiling at Phil.

"Cuban food can be spicy so be careful."

"I will be.  You'll be across the restaurant anyway so you don't have to do a background check."  She grinned.  The girls around him cooed and hovered nicely.

A sudden bit of shade heralded Clint Barton flopping down on her free side.  "Cute outfit, Short Stuff."

"I'm not that short."

"That's not why you wear the heels?" Clint teased.

"If he imagines you as anything but twelve I'm going to kill him," Coulson quipped.

"Ouch, sir," he teased back with an evil grin.  "Fury suggested I hit on her."

"Not likely," Dawn teased back, smiling at him.  "What is the dress code there?"

"Your green and silver dress," Phil said.

"It's nearly floor length and it makes me look fat."

"It hangs nicely on you," Natasha said.  "You do not look fat in it."  She sat down between her and Coulson, nodding.  "Ladies, can we have him for a few moments?  Dawn's stalker has shown back up."  They agreed it was fine and went to splash in the water for a bit.

"Thank you," he mouthed at Natasha.

"We all thought it was great she could turn so mean and evil," Barton quipped.

Dawn pinched him.  "I'm not mean or evil.  If I was evil I'd graciously allow the very nice busty Brunhilde to hit on my big brother sort.  Clint scanned around and whistled.  If Thor had been a very busty blonde girl, that would've been her.  Dawn smiled.  "I had to tell her you weren't going to be moving down here because she's looking for something serious.  I didn't want to get her hopes up."

"No, I can't move down here," Phil said.  "I need to make sure you don't get stalked around NYU."  She smirked at him.  "And maybe taze Stark a few times for fun."

"Are you sure the green dress is going to be nice enough?  I mean it's a bit beachy and I'm not sure how dressy that restaurant is.  I can wear the silver and black dress."

"Not if you value your life," Phil said bluntly.  "You didn't bring shoes either."

"I brought the black heels for the night I was going to learn how to salsa dance."  He gave her an evil look.  "Every girl should learn.  It teaches you how to use your body better."

Natasha nodded.  "It can, yes."

"Not.  Helping," Phil growled.  "What else did you bring?"

"That dress, my pink gauze dress.  My espadrilles will look nice with it.  One pair of skinny jeans and the black flowy top, again for a night in the club maybe.  Or I was going to wear that on the flight back."

"Are those the same ones that a junior agent asked if they were painted on?" Phil asked.  She smiled and nodded.  "So I'm assuming that top is the flowy top with the slight case of sparkles to draw your eye to the decadent cleavage?"  She grinned.  "Hell no.  Not even on the plane."  The ladies came back and dragged him off to play in the water.  Thankfully his toe was healed, his thigh was healed, and they made a good cover for him to scan the beach.

Clint looked at her.  "Do you enjoy doing that to him?"

"I'm pretty sure I enjoy teasing all guys, but he forgives me for it."  She grinned.

"Wear the green dress," Natasha said.  "Hair up."  She got up and strolled off, getting attention from a lot of the guys that were staring at Dawn.

Dawn looked at her new bodyguard.  "You can go play too."

"Do I look suicidal?" he quipped with a grin.

She stared at him until he looked away.  "I might turn into a shrink instead.  Do you want me to practice?"

"No."

She patted him on the wrist.  "Then only tease unless you want an honest answer," she said quietly.  He started to get up but she pulled him back down.  "I'm not picking on you.  I'm not reading your mind.  But if you ask I listen.  Tara does too."

"I doubt anyone...."

She shut her book, using her finger to hold the place.  "Tara once did a spell so that Buffy and none of us could see demons because her father told her she was going to turn into one on that birthday.  He came to collect her.  My sister has never come so close to killing a human in her life."  She stared at him.  "Xander's adoptive family this go-round are the dictionary definition of abusive drunk fuckers."  He shuddered.  "My mom is great but even she had cocoa with Spike to let him talk about Dru.  Who screwed him up mightily.  Willow's parents were traveling, book writing shrinks who told Xander it was his fault Willow had destroyed most of Sunnydale during the trial."  He slumped a bit.

"I'm very perceptive.  I'm slightly empathic.  That's why a lot of people feel happier when I'm around."  He stared at her.  "Natural thing, can't stop it," she admitted.  She glanced around then at him.  "But Tara and I do listen.  Xander does but he'll give advice.  I've heard my sister purging spew about the demons.  I've heard Spike doing the same about Angelus and Dru.  I'm the only witness to the only time Xander has ever lost his temper in known history.  He may slightly lose it in a battle but he was standing, fuming.  Lost.  It.

"I was really worried that he was going to destroy the town and this was before he admitted he had powers.  This was after his roadtrip when everyone was back on his ass about being *normal* and too normal to help with the fighting."  She stared at him.  "We've all seen fucked up things.  You haven't lived until you see what Glory nearly did to me in another realm.  I asked during the last Xander convention."  He nodded.  "So, no, fucked up is a scale and you're not at the top.  You're not in the mask strapped to a board teasing an FBI Profiler."

"It was before you met us."

"Bullshit.  I heard."  He stared at her.  "Gossip.  They wanted to make sure that I knew you weren't like that when they found me teasing you that first time."  He relaxed.  "So yeah, I heard.  Loki, all of them, are fucking bastards."  He cracked a grin.  "The one here keeps trying to get into my head too.  He hasn't made it yet.  He hates like hell that his son treats me like his sister.  It leaves his son too stable to use."

"Do you think Xander's been under mind control?"

"I think being turned fish-like like he nearly was left him close enough for the mind of that one to take over.  I'd also thing being possessed by a hyena and having to do her will would be about the same considering they terrorized people."  She glanced around, noticing a few people watching them.  She looked at him again.  "There's worse things than you could have done.  Even with him ordering it, you caused the least amount of damage you could."

"That's not really a good bandaid."

"The only better one is that now you know he can do it so you can prevent it.  There's exercises."  He stared at her.  She nodded.  "There are."  She grinned slightly.  "Buffy went hugely telepathic once thanks to something she was fighting.  I can get the books from Wes.  Giles would panic that I was trying to learn mind magic."

"It's still a scar."

"Yeah but it's not a fatal blow.  Scars happen, even to me.  Hell, I've covered up a shitload of them.  I've healed a few well enough that no one ever knew."  He stared at her again, over the edge of his sunglasses.  "What's the first thing you'd do when you learn there's a hell goddess after you, she's going to destroy everyone you love to get you, and then you?"

"I'd make sure..."  He looked at her wrists.  "Healed?"

"First healing spell I did.  Xander caught me."  He nodded.  "We all have scars.  Some deeper, some uglier.  Some prettier and able to be fixed.  Our inner selves sometimes look horrific through the scars but it doesn't make us all scar tissue."

"I get it.  I've tried."

She nodded.  "I'll get the book for you."

"Thanks, Short Stuff.  Who picked that one out?"

"Natasha.  She said to wear it the day you guys would be down."  She grinned.  "She thinks I should tease you more often."

"I don't mind being teased but you're being evil to Coulson."

"He hasn't had a nightmare in six days," she said quietly.  He grinned back.  "Sometimes a bit of evil is really doing good in disguise."

"Yeah, it can be."  He stood up.  "Go play in the water?"

"I should really change.  Phil made me change one day."

"That's because you're giving everyone evil thoughts."

"You should see the one piece Pepper found me."

"I heard."  He took her down to the water.  She magically protected her bag and their towels so it was okay.  Her phone rang and she tapped the earpiece.  He stared at her, getting a head shake back.  She hung up after an 'okay'.  "Who?"

"Fury.  He thinks that the cult Xander foresaw is in Cleveland and wants me to fix that while I'm down here."

Clint shook his head.  "Not nice of him."

"Oh, he got not nice in the extreme.  He said I should pick a good teacher, one who could make sure I had a thorough education."  She gave him a pointed look.  He splashed her.  She smiled and nodded.

"Hell no."

"He told me to think about it because you'd probably say that."  She splashed him back and ran over to hide behind Phil.  "Your boss is mean.  He thinks I'm too pure and warping you."

He looked back at her.  "Is he trying to set you up with someone?"

"Just a teacher."

He snorted.  "That's not going to work."  She leaned on his back and grinned.  "Who?"  She poked him on the side, getting swatted back.  "Who?" he asked again.

"Only so many buddies down here."

"I'm going to poison him," Phil decided.  "It'll be a nice, slow-acting one too."

"Not you," she said.

"I figured that out."  He looked at Clint, who shook his head quickly.  "She could do worse," he admitted.  Dawn stared at him oddly.  "You could.  Not encouraging because I'll have a headache but there's worse.  Dorans comes to mind."

"He's large but scary," Dawn said.  "And a 'roid abuser by what I've seen in those pants he thinks makes him look nice."

Clint took her earpiece and put it into his pocket when it rang again.  "Before anyone else spreads bad ideas."

She splashed him then Phil, who got his pack of girls to chase after her.  They dove around Natasha a few times then she jogged out of the water.  She ran into a guy and grinned.  "Sorry, being a girl tag game."  She winked and jogged around him.

He growled and followed.  He was going to pounce that.  Phil walked past him looking like his normal, calm self.  "I'm her big brother and a Federal Agent," he said quietly as he walked past him.  "Turn back around unless you want to be in Gitmo as the prison toy."  The guy turned around and went back to his game.  He looked.  Dawn had disappeared but her towel and bag were gone.  So was the rental car.  "She's back at the hotel?"

"Probably needs a shower," Clint said as he walked around him.  "Nice move."

"Thank you."  Natasha got a look.  "Heading back?" he asked hopefully.  She nodded.  "I'm catching a ride with you."  He smiled at one of the pouting girls.  "Dawn took the car so I'm catching a ride with our friends.  We'll probably be back tomorrow."  They cheered up and went  to party for the night.  He grabbed his towel and book and followed them to their rental.  He slid into the back.  "I'll nominate for medals for heroically saving me.  They wore me out."

"You need more stamina work," Barton teased.

"Yes I do."

"Where's the other one?"

"Her spring break ended.  The rest are going home this weekend."

Natasha started the car and backed out.  "At least you're not some doped up jock," she offered.

"Thankfully no, I have honor."

"Fury wanted to use that picture of Dawn for recruiting anyway."

"There's a slow, long acting poison in his future if he does."  He leaned his head back.  "I'm out of sorts from the teasing.  Anyone else come with you?"

"No," she said.

"Thank you.  I don't need others to see this."

She smiled at the windshield.  It was cute how relaxed he was from all the girls gushing over him and fussing.  She'd have to tell Tara.

***

Dawn came out in her green and silver maxi dress.  It was fitted with princess seams from the halter neckline to her waist then loose and flowing.  It brushed the top of her sandals.  Her hair was twisted up and secured with a clip and a few bobby pins.  Natasha followed her out of her room, closing the door.  She was wearing a wire.  Phil tipped his head to stare at her.  He was wearing a light gray version of his usual suit at work.  "I know, a lot longer than most of mine."

"Thor wanted you in dresses that long all the time."

"Thor's cute and huge and all but not my type.  He's a bit tense.  He'd never let me tease him."  She checked her purse, taking the key card from Natasha.  "All right, we're going to dinner."  Phil nodded, checking that he had everything, including his phone's earbud that doubled as a communications piece.  Dawn had hers too.  The official one, not the cheap new one she had been using earlier.  They left together to walk to the restaurant.  Clint and Natasha had a good spot set up to listen.

Dawn, of course, had Dawn luck.  She ran into a reporter.  "You're Dawn Summers, assistant to Pepper Potts," the reporter said.

Dawn smiled and nodded.  "I am.  I'm on vacation before college."

"I had forgotten you were so young, dear.  Just a vacation?"  Phil walked around them.

"Yup, just a vacation.  I start school during the second summer session since it'll be slower.  So I'm getting a tan and all that now."  She grinned.  "I'm actually on my way to a dinner engagement.  Is there a problem up there?  No one's told me anything about a statement."

"No, dear.  Just wondering.  It's not often that we get good girls who come down to play."

She grinned an impish smile.  "I'm here mostly to tease with a bikini since you can't do that at home."  The reporter cackled and walked off.  Dawn walked inside the restaurant.  "Hi, I have a date here.  I don't know which name he put it under."

"Dawn," he called.

"That's him."  She strolled over.  "Sorry, ran into a reporter."

"I saw."  He looked her over.  "That's very demure of you."

"Big brother liked it more than my black and silver dress or my new gauzy pink one he thinks is a bit too cute for me."  She put her bag down by her knee and looked at the menu.  "Am I getting my half?"

"No, I will."  She smiled and nodded.  They made small talk throughout dinner then went for a walk up the beach's sidewalk instead of in the sand.  She asked him how his pharmacy down here was doing since he had said he was down for personnel contract negotiations.  He told her a nice lie about how well it was going.  They got lemonades at a cart and headed back toward the hotel.  Of course, Dawn luck held.  People rushed to attack Dawn.  He moved to defend her.  Phil moved to defend her.

Dawn defended herself and got a few down.  Officers rushed up and she panted, acting more scared than she was.  It let Phil walk her off with a nod of thanks for the agent.  She smiled at him and said she'd see him tomorrow before the boat party?  He nodded and agreed to an early breakfast, after her usual jog with her brother sort.  The officers got things cleaned up.  The officers were really SHIELD agents.  They questioned him about things without him realizing it.  It gave them more leads to look through and they could arrest him at breakfast.

Dawn glared at the two spies when she got back.  "The attack?" she asked.

Natasha shook her head.  "It was not us."

"Not at all," Barton agreed.  "You good?"

"I'm fine.  Bruised knuckles."  She waved her sore hand.  "This thing itches."  They went up to their rooms, Dawn taking off the wire and handing it back.  She came out in a t-shirt and a pair of skimpy beach shorts, plus sandals, heading up to the rooftop deck.  It was a pretty night but the club was on the ground so they had the deck mostly to themselves.  The few couples up there wouldn't last too long.  Phil got up there first.  "You looked nice in that non-agent suit," she offered with a smile.

"It's very comfortable but I can't wear it at work."  He settled in to relax.  The other two joined them.  "Anything good come of it and who were they?"

"They were related to the one I rescued you from," Clint said, glancing around.  Dawn grimaced but nodded.  "Minor thugs.  Already questioned and handed over to the locals."  Dawn nodded, settling in her seat.  He looked her over.  "Do you usually dress like that?"

"When I'm not in work clothes or going out?  Yeah.  Why?"

"I never imagined you for the daisy duke sort."

"I'm not.  Nothing's that short.  Comfortable, soft, mostly second hand so they're soft.  Easy to move in and comfortable enough to sleep in if I ended up napping in them.  The colors have gotten darker since I met you guys but mostly still the same sort of clothes.  I was never a surfer chick to wear the board shorts and tanktops.  Now and then I stole a tank top from Spike and Xander but not really."

Natasha nodded.  "I remember your wardrobe when you showed up.  It looked a lot like your sister's.  Sunnier colors, geometric prints, and booty skirts."

"She sent those with me.  Remember, she thought go-go boots were appropriate workwear too."

"Yes, I remember seeing her version of work appropriate," Phil said, grimacing some.  "I think Stark nearly choked."  They smiled.  "We were with Thor then, guarding him," he told them.  "Thor would say something mean about Xander and one of the ladies would smack him with something off a wall.  That was before and after the explosion in Sunnydale."

"I showed Pepper what she had packed me and Tony said he was having stripper thoughts so he paid for me to get my first few work outfits."

Natasha shook her head.  "You look nicer now, more comfortable than in the suits."  Dawn grinned at her.  They all looked at the explosion on a boat off-shore.  "Interesting."

"Not our doing," Phil said.  "I checked for any local ops before coming up here."  Dawn just shrugged.  She was a simple assistant.  Then she stretched up and back.  Phil looked at her.  "Who was that woman?"

"Reporter.  Pepper said to make nice with them.  That the school is encouraging one of their alumni who's in the entertainment reporting business to show up to interview me and I have to play nice with that one.  Usually I play a bit clueless and 'why ask me, I'm an assistant'."  She grinned.  "It works well.  They never ask me for anything pertinent.  Definitely nothing on Iron Man after that first time when they caught me sucking on a pain killer sucker and I said that he was a really nice boss but I'd only seen him in the suit during field tests around the office."

"Pain killing sucker?" Natasha asked.  "Those grape ones?"  Dawn nodded.  "Why?"

"At that time, cutting a wisdom tooth.  Now, the nerve thing."  She shrugged a bit.  "I pulled it wrong when I yanked it out.  If I had realized I would've been more subtle.  It's only three nerves so I can ignore it most of the time unless I slept wrong."

"No healing spell worked?"

"I'm not that vast in healing spells.  The ones I know I tried and it didn't.  Tara's teaching me healing and herb healing too.  It's just taking forever."  That got a group nod.  "She said the real danger of healing others is taking their injury into you so you can heal it in yourself instead."

"We'll remember that," Clint promised.  He looked around.  "Your interview is early.  She looks like a tourist."

Dawn looked and grimaced.  "Guys, if you want to flee, do it now?"  They settled in.  The reporter stomped over.  "Hi."

"Miss Summers.  I'm Maribeth Cornell.  Of *the* Cornells."

"Pleasure to meet you.  I heard the school asked to have an alumni interview me."  She shifted to cross her feet.  "We're just chilling out after a day of vacation on the beach so when did you want to do it?"

"Why not now?" she asked.

She looked at her group, who shrugged.  "I guess if they don't mind.  You're not talking to them though."

"Fine."  She set up her recorder.  "First, I know you're a paid intern at Stark International."

"Yes I am.  Pepper took me in as a mentor when my mother got ill."

"So you've known the Stark family for years?"

"Two years."  She considered it.  "Yeah, two years and four months next Wednesday."

"Then how did you get Ms. Potts as an intern mentor?"

Dawn grinned.  "My mother was on the oncology ward of UCLA.  Due to a situation I had an agent guarding me while Mom was up there and my sister was handling the situation.  The agent, and a few others, suggested I could use a strong mentor while my mother was sick.  Pepper got suggested and we clicked pretty well.  She's been a great mentor.  She's encouraged me in my ideal career path.  She's made sure that I had plans that were realistic, including funding my own college years.  She's been like a great big sister to me."

"What's oncology?"

"My mother has a brain tumor," Dawn said.  "Though it's clear you didn't do much research before coming down here.  That's fairly well known."  The reporter glared.  She stared back.  "Did Miss Havers yell at you a lot?"

"How did you know?"

"You're wearing the pin and I'm graduating from there in a few weeks, dear."  She stared at her.  "Plus they told me they were sending an alumni."

"Oh."  She huffed.  "I want to talk to you about this supposed slayer rumor that is going around.  You seem to know something about that myth."

"She's not a myth, I'm related to one."

"Excuse me?  It's a woman?"

"The slayer is always a female.  Has been since some people way back in grunting and pointing days created the essence that enters the slayer to turn her powers on."  She stared at her.  "There's a huge history on that.  I'd cite the book but I don't think there's any copies outside private hands."

Phil coughed.  "There's one in the New York Public Library system but it's in a special collection.  They inherited it from a deceased Watcher."

She smiled.  "Good to know.  I'll have to look at that, see what's in there.  Tara could use the outing too."  She looked at the reporter again.  "In that case, it's in Olde English but still pretty readable if you could read some of the English assignments we've had."  She shifted to cross her legs in the other direction.

"We know that all that is a myth," she said.

"So I take it you didn't see the invasion?" Dawn asked.

"Of course I did!  Everyone did.  I was even down near there trapped at a Starbucks."

"Remember the short blonde girl and the curvy brunette fighting beside her?"  The reporter nodded slowly.  "They're the current slayers.  There's presently two due to CPR.  The older one got temporarily killed but someone revived her."

"Why are you so evasive of who she is?" she demanded with a saccharin smile.

"Because I don't want crackpots hounding my family to try to take her out.  It's happened in the past and I'm not going to risk my mother's life for that.  If someone should attack my mother in the hospital I'll kill them all and then the nice relatives and friends can all go 'wow, I didn't know she had that sort of temper'."  She stared at her, smiling slightly.  "I wouldn't out anyone's security so their family got attacked.  Why would I out mine?"

"It's said that your sister was Mr. Stark's surrogate."

"Not exactly.  There was a government program that decided they wanted to see what my sister's kid would be like with Mr. Stark.   That came out with the birth announcement.  Again, research might've been handy," she said dryly.  "Everyone else knows that.  Callia's an adorable child.  I spend as much time as I can with my niece.  She's incredibly bright and likes shiny things right now."  She grinned.  "She helps me file sometimes and we play and read together all the time."

"If there's two slayers why won't you name the one not in your family?" she asked.

"Why would I risk any of her relations?  I would be responsible and feel very guilty if someone died because they wanted to attack the slayers' families and managed it," she said coolly.  "The same as I wouldn't mention anyone in your family's security arrangements in case they got attacked."

"Is that a threat?" she asked.

"No, it's a statement of fact and I don't know your family, dear.  I've never even seen a news article on them."

"We're famous."

Dawn shrugged.  "So?  Fame is annoying.  It gets in the way of the fun things in life.  If you can't hit Starbucks without someone commenting then what use is it?"  The reporter gaped.  She smiled.  "Thankfully I went for smart over fame.  That's why I'm graduating magna cum laude next weekend."

"Congratulations.  I knew you were near there," Phil said quietly.

Dawn grinned.  "Thank you.  Even without the biology final.  I took it early."  He grinned.  "Before you ask something dumb, this guy is like my big brother.  I met him through Pepper.  He complains about how high my heels are and kept trying to make me put on a bigger bikini this last week."

The reporter huffed.  "There's rumors that you're sleeping with an Avenger.  Which one is it?"

If the idiot reporter wasn't going to mention she was sitting next two of them, Dawn wasn't going to enlighten her pea brain.  Though she could feel Natasha trying hard not to giggle her ass off.  The look she saw from the corner of her eye on Barton's face as he was trying not to laugh was nearly hilarious.  "I'm still a virgin, dear.  I'm not even dating right now," she said blandly.  "I want it to mean more than a backseat tumble or in a club so I choose to date first.  Right now, things are a bit hectic so I haven't had the time to date more than a few times.  As for the Avengers, they're all very nice people.  A bit snarky now and then but fairly great people.  I've learned some from most of them.  Thor taught me how to swear about horses in Norse the other day.  He was swearing at his sister's pegasus biting him."

The reporter gaped.  "Then why do you know them?"

"I'm Pepper's assistant.  She has to sometimes attend meetings with them or help Mr. Stark with things for them.  Recently I've been helping file around their office because one of the senior assistants went on leave.  I make a lot of coffee, deliver a lot of files, and file a lot of non-classified files.  I spent my spring break doing that actually."

The reporter blinked.  "So you're an *assistant*?" she demanded.  Clearly this was not the story she had expected to do.

"Yes, I am.  Pepper found me a job I absolutely adore."  She grinned.  "It's let me have some incredible experiences."

"So Mr. Stark is paying your way through school," she said snidely.

"No, I'm paying my way through school."  The reporter's mouth flopped open.  "Occasionally Mr. Stark will refund it for me because I've caught something like a major accounting error but I pay for my own school, my own rent, my utilities, my food costs, and my own clothes.  I also plan on paying for all my own schooling.  I have a great college fund set up for that.  I won't need a single student loan.  Pepper made sure my plans were financially sound and helped me find someone to teach me about investing my tiny portfolio so it grew.  So unless the stock market, the bond market, and a few other markets plunge I'm all set for college and working part time during it to make sure I'm not drawing too heavily from my savings."

"She makes you pay your own rent?"

"Not until my eighteenth birthday.  That's why my college fund is so massive."  She smiled.  "Pepper and I worked out an agreement when I asked if she wanted me to pay rent.  She said she wasn't going to charge me until I was eighteen.  I only had to provide my own food because I was living above her garage in a really spacious apartment that had a killer bathroom and closet system.  Now that I'm in New York full time, we found me a wonderful apartment that's rent controlled and I still pay my own way.  I'm not the sort of girl to lay on my back, think of England, and hope they pay the rent for it."

"Your part time salary covers rent in New York?" she sneered.

"No, actually I'm full time.  Have been for a while now.  I'll be part time during college.  That way I don't have to worry about missing classes for important meetings in Asia again."

"Oh," she said, drawing it out.  "So then your family gives you no help?"

"I don't want to stress my mother out any more than I have to.  Fighting cancer wears you and all those around you out.  I want to be the least stressful thing in her life so she can concentrate on her fighting and beating the cancer.  My sister and I both agree.  She's visited as often as she can and I'm with her at least one day a week.  While I'm on vacation I've asked a friend to pop in on her to check on her."

"That's very nice of you," Natasha said.  "He did and brought pictures of Callia."

Dawn grinned.  "Mom would definitely appreciate that since she can't be brought to the hospital."

"Why not?" the reporter asked.

"Well, because cancer floors are as germ free as possible," Dawn said.  "And kids always have some sort of germs on them from playing and being active.  Secondly, there's an age rating for the floor she's on.  No one under sixteen, even their children.  It's considered stressful for both the patients and the children."

"I suppose that makes sense," the reporter said in a way that meant she had no idea what Dawn was talking about.  "When you start college, what are you majoring in?"

"Business with a double major in accounting and a minor in communications."  She smiled.  "I start in eight weeks during the second summer session."

"You're going early?" she asked, looking horrified.

"Soonest started, soonest done," she quipped.  "I want to get in there, knock it out, get it over with in the best fashion I can, and then get back to my life."

"Most people want to stay in school."

"Yes, but most of them want to stay in school because they appreciate the parties.  I'm not really a party girl.  I may club now and then but I don't drink outside a glass of wine with dinner and one really traumatic night when they said my mother's brain tumor had regrown.  I don't use drugs.  I don't party like a freshman and I'm not rushing a sorority.  Everything I need to do in college is in a classroom, not in a party room.  Why do I need to drag that out?  Beyond that, half of those wouldn't draw it out if they were paying their own way, like I am."

"Mr. Stark won't pay for it for you?"

"Why should I ask him to?  It's my college education and it's my job to fund it.  It's the responsible, adult thing to do.  I have the money, I'm paying my own way.  If I didn't have the money then I'd look at student loans and all that.  Since I saved well over enough to get an MBA and still live in a killer apartment, wear fancy clothes, and eat out whenever I want, without working for the next four years, I'm good with paying for my own way."  She smiled.

"So this slayer in your family," she said.

"Redirecting like that doesn't really confuse people," Dawn said.  "And to clue you in, most of us consider it pretty darn rude.  You're still not getting who it is.  Actually, if you had done your research you might already know.  It has been noted in the press before."

The reporter glared.  "I still think that there's something going on, Miss Summers.  No no-talent girl like you gets where you are on your legs."

"Oh, I have plenty of talents," Dawn quipped.  "Including secretarial ones.  Pepper had me take all sorts of tests to see were my skills were so she could channel me into a career I'd like.  It turns out I'm a super assistant.  I also have enough math and science skill to understand when geeks start to babble at me about their inventions, and I'm good at helping Pepper translate it back into normal people talk.  Beyond that, I've seen what real warriors go through.

"Slayers go through hell to protect people, including nightly patrols.  And yes I mean every single night for multiple hours each night.  Even if they're tired, they're sick or injured.  I've seen plenty of battle injuries so even if Stark is injured during a battle I can help Pepper without fainting like some of the office staff.  Beyond that, I'm also a kick ass researcher with a slight gift toward languages.  I'm learning six of them at the moment.  So yes, I have talents but I'm still a virgin so I have no idea if my talents extend into the bedroom."  The reporter got up and huffed off.  Dawn pulled out her phone.  "Pepper, sorry, I tried."

"I know you did," the speaker said.  "What a bitch."  Dawn giggled.  "I'll call her editor to see if they'll send someone with a clue and who knows how to research out.  By the way, Buffy's fine.  That cult is in Cleveland the last I knew, and you had better not wear that red bikini down there.  It's too small and you said it was only for sunbeds."

"I didn't bring it, Pepper.  It's in the bathroom for when I need to wear something while nairing."

"Good," Pepper said, sounding more cheerful.  "How was your dinner?"

"Boring."

"Pity.  You'd think guys like that who were trying to draw in a young woman would be more interesting.  Have a good night, people."  She hung up.

Dawn put her phone back in her pocket, leaning back to do it then sitting back up straight.  "Sorry, the power of snark does come naturally from my sister."

Barton burst out laughing.  "You did fine, kid."

"Thanks."  She grinned at Natasha.  "Didn't you find me a new version of the red bikini in the right size?"

"I believe it's the one you haven't worn yet."

"I was going to wear that tomorrow."

"No," Phil warned.  "I've seen the picture of you in it, Dawn Summers.  We don't need you to be plucked up like some tasty chocolate treat from the beach."  She looked at him.  "I'll probably have some work to do.  Which means you'd be on your own."

"Isn't that why I train with her?" she asked, pointing at Natasha.

"Yes, but still.  I've seen you in that picture."

"It was too small when that was taken.  This one fits."

"I get approval in the morning."

"Yes, big brother sort."  She smiled.  "I could've said the blue one."  She shrugged and got up to stretch.  "Let me go to bed, guys.  I have a long day of lounging to do tomorrow.  Night."  She strolled off.  She got nearly to the elevator before someone tried to pull her into a kiss.  She stomped on their foot and made them howl.  "Ask, like a normal guy.  I like guys who ask instead of grabbing.  This isn't the caveman days.  We can do more than grunt."

"I wanted a kiss?" he said, looking hurt.

She kissed him quickly.  "There."  She got onto the elevator.  "Anything else requires dating, a lot of dating."  The doors closed and she went down to her room to nap.

Phil was glaring at the young guy, who slunk off before he got beaten to death by the overprotective people.  "Did you have to dress her like that?" he asked Natasha.

"Those shorts she picked out."

"I knew that.  I meant that bikini."

"The rest made her look bad.  I wanted her in something a bit more substantial so she teased instead of blatantly showed.  They all made her look hippy and heavier."

"No comment because I don't want to spar tonight," Barton said when Phil glared at him.  "I didn't pick out a single one of them."

"Thank you for that.  If she asks, try to make her put on real clothes?"

"That dress earlier was a bit massive."

"And didn't look right on her," Natasha said.  "We'll get her something better for her next vacation."  She looked at Phil.  "Did she buy the story that you broke your toe?"

"I did break my toe," he said.

"Yes, but you broke your own toe," Barton said with a smirk.  "Fury was living up to his name when he realized that."

Phil shrugged.  "She needed the protection.  I've turned in a number of dealers and gun runners while down here."

"I can see why," Natasha said.  "Maybe next time she'll go on a cruise or something safer."

"She said she's going for Mardi Gras this year," Phil warned.

"We'll talk to her about drinking again," Natasha said.  "Let me retire for the night as well."  She left, going back to her own room to cackle gleefully.  It was fun watching Phil Coulson slowly lose his mind because of Dawn in a bikini teasing people.  It was the most fun she'd had in ages.

***

Barton caught sight of Dawn at the hotel's buffet line the next morning.  She was wearing a gauzy coverup that showed the bikini very well.  "No way in hell you're leaving this building in that," he said quietly.

She looked at him.  "You're not the big brother," she noted with a grin.  "And how are you this morning?"

"That's much too showy.   Coulson would flip his wig."

"He doesn't have a weave."  She reached around him for a muffin the worker was putting out.  "I'll be fine."

"Who bought you that one?" he demanded, following her to the table.

"Natasha helped me pick it out.  She thought I should get it in black but the sparkly deep blue works better for me."  She sat down.

"You can't go out unless Coulson sees you in that," Barton said firmly.

Phil walked down to join them.  "Her door closing woke me up."  He looked her over.  "I see you did replace that red bikini."  He shook his head.  "No."

"I can go out on my own.  I'm a big girl and I know self defense."

"You can wear that out of this hotel if Natasha goes with you.  Otherwise no."

"I only go to the topless beach," she said, sitting down to eat breakfast.  She looked at Dawn.  "That does fit you very well.  Perhaps a navel ring though."

"No, no new holes.  I might think about fun ones later on, after I realize why they're fun, but not yet.  Topless?  Like fully clothing optional or just topless?"

"Just topless.  There's too many perverts staring at the clothing optional one," Natasha said.

"Then I'm good with that idea."  They shared a smirk and finished up.  The guys were still complaining but yay!  They had met the rules.

Coulson looked at his junior agent.  "No way in hell," Clint said.  "I didn't even bring a swimsuit, sir."

Coulson smiled.  "I'll have paperwork all day."

"They're big girls.  Natasha will take care of her.  I do not want to see a topless beach.  Half of the women there need the structure because it looks like National Geographic."

"Fine but if there's an incident you are first on site."

"Fine.  I'll be at the big sports shop."  He finished up and went to grab what he needed to go shopping.  The new bow models were out.  They couldn't compare to his but it was nice looking.

Phil had a more leisurely breakfast.  The forms to be filled out were already in his email and done.  It was a great excuse to avoid the pack of girls Dawn had sicced on him.  A few were trying to get attached and he couldn't have that.

***

Dawn called home, putting it on speaker low enough that only Natasha could hear it.  "Home for Horny Teenagers," a male voice answered.

"Isn't your daughter too young for that?" Dawn asked.

"Who's talking about her?  I'm talking about me.  I haven't even gotten the chance to go flirt with someone recently."

"I might be able to find some of the deaging candy that Ethan Rayne put out one year.  It's only mentally deaging though.  It was kinda funny.  Mom kept nagging Buffy to loosen up."

"No thanks," Tony said.  "Really.  I hate it when you guys go on vacation.  Hi, Callia."

"Hi, Callia," Dawn cooed.

"Dawn-Dawn!" she squealed.  "Beach?"

"Yup, I'm on the beach.  I have some nice pictures for you of some of the people I met down here."

"Story?" she asked.  "Story story story story story story story story story," faded into the distance and came back.

"What book do you have?  I'll read to you," she promised, settling more comfortably on the chair.

"She has the Barnabus book," Tony said, sounding like he was smiling.

Dawn cleared her throat.  "Follow along in the book, Callia."  She recited it.  The baby loved that book so she read it all the time.

Tony was clearly happy.  "She's napping.  She had been helping me tinker with a new repulsor replacement.  Where's my orange notebook?  I can't find anything when Pepper leaves and now you've inherited that."

"The second bedroom that's not really a bedroom, but you're too exhausted to make it to bed and you're wandering to the right instead of the left side of the lab?  Second shelf in there."

"Thank you."  He clearly carried the phone with him and made a happy sound when he found it.  "Why the call?  Did you have psychic assistant senses that I was lost and needed nagging?  Because usually by the time I start finding things myself I don't remember why I have an assistant until one of you beats me on the head with something I forgot."

"You're already forgetting things, Callia has an appointment with the pediatrician at two today," Dawn said dryly.  "I called to make sure that Pepper wouldn't freak out because we're not on the usual beach."

"We?" he asked.  "Topless or nude?"

"Natasha's glare at me says I can't tell you, boss," she said dryly.  "Just let her know so she doesn't freak if she tries the satellite thing again."

Tony hummed.  "Clearly not looking in the right place," he complained.

"She's glaring like she's going to kick your butt, bossman."

"She can try but I can fly and she can't."

"We will see," Natasha said dryly.

"Hi, Pepper, remake the doctor's appointment?"

"Already have," she assured her.  "Dawn, is that you?"

"We're not on the normal beach."

"I saw that.  Are you okay?"

"We're fine.  Natasha and I are together since Phil has paperwork."

"Fi-Fi?" Callia asked.

"Yup, he has paperwork."

"Oooh?" she asked.

"Yup, just like I usually read to you.  I'll text him to have him call and read it to you so he gets done faster."

The baby cheered.  "Bikini?" she asked.

"Yes, I'm in a great bikini, baby girl."

"Cool!" Callia said happily.  You had to imagine that she was beaming happily.

"Did you teach her that or did she learn that word?" Tony asked.

"I taught her."

"That's fine then.  What bikini are you wearing today?"

"If I told you it'd be reverse sexual harassment according to Phil."

"Oh, damn," he muttered.  "Bring Pepper pictures?"

"Of course.  She has pictures of all of them anyway.  She was half of my approval committee.  Phil vetoed one down here but I changed tops."

"I remember," Pepper's voice said.  "Go back to relaxing."

"You're coming, right?"

"What, excuse me?" Tony asked.  "Pepper's not due for a vacation.  She has things to do, like run the company and nag me about things that I don't want to do."

"I'm going for the weekend then Dawn and I will fly back together," Pepper said with a smile.  "I could use a weekend on the beach."

"Bikini?" Callia asked her.

She smiled.  "I have one but your dad won't get to see it."

"Cool!"  She clearly bounced off.

"Callia, leave those alone and you can help me rebuild the helmet again," Tony called.  "I should pout that you're both having fun and I can't have any."

"Gala Wednesday, boss," Dawn reminded him.

"Oooh, yay," he said sarcastically.

"At least Pepper and I get to be dressed up.  Then you get to see me in mediaeval clothes next month."

"Why are you going to the stuffy British event?"

"Giles is speaking and Buffy wanted backup.  She might have flashbacks to the halloween dress of doom.  I still have to pick out a costume and figure out how to put on a corset properly."  Tony groaned.  She laughed.  "Have a better day, Pepper, and maybe he'll find something fun to do."

"We can only hope," she agreed.

"Mousy!" Callia yelled.

Tony looked her way.  "What?"

"Mousy!"

"Another mouse person?  Later, Dawn."  He hung up.  The baby was pointing and pouting.  Xander appeared, squatting down to look.  "Xander?"

"We'll go look at the mousy person, Callia, see what it is."  She stared at him.  He stood up and held out a hand.  "Show me?"  She pouted.  "C'mon, you can show me.  We'll talk to them."  She took his hand and walked with him.  He could read where she wanted to go.  One of the guards gave him an odd look.  "I'm her godfather."

"Mousy," she said.

"We're going to look at the mouse people."

"Mouse people?  Are you that Alexander guy?"

"I am."  He smiled.  They let the baby lead them to her room and Xander looked for her.  "It is one of those.  I'm very sorry I let the cat attack you last time.  I had no idea your people were peaceful until I looked you up."

"It's all right, sire."  He smiled and waved at the baby.  "We're here to look after her for her Ma.  Spike asked us to do it for her."

"That's very nice of Spike and her mother."  He looked at Callia.  "The mouse person is here to make sure you're okay for your mommy."

She frowned and patted it.  "Easy, miss," the tiny being said.  "I'm not mean."

"He's not mean," Xander said.  "He's a good boy."  He picked him up and put him on her shoulder.  "He's here to make sure you're okay."  She smiled and patted his foot.

"Is that demonic?" the guard asked quietly.

"I'm not totally sure.  I've only found one reference and it was by an idiot Watcher.  He thought they were half Little People and half a harmless demon species.  They are harmless and protective.  If something happens around her they'd probably try to protect her."

The guard looked at the smiling thing on his future boss's shoulder.  "Should we leave things out like they did in the myths?  My grandmother told me about Little People."

"No, sir.  She leaves us plenty with her snacks."  He smiled at her.  "C'mon, we'll go watch you play."

She squealed and ran back to the lab.  "Mousy!" she said, bounding around.  He was holding onto her collar.

Xander strolled in smiling.  "Harmless.  Totally harmless.  Protective.  Spike asked them to watch over her for Buffy," he said quietly.

"Then I'm sorry I sicced Natasha in cat form on you."

"That's fine.  Not many can get away from her when they see her coming.  Not that many men want to get away from her when they see her coming."  Tony grinned.  "She's a fine baby.  Very bright."  Callia pulled him around to hug.  "Easy, missy."

"Mousy friend."  She grinned and kissed him on the head then put him back on her shoulder and bounded off to play with the helmet daddy had promised they could fix.

Tony looked at Xander.  "Question."

"Okay."

"She's been having repeated nightmares."

Xander frowned.  "She hasn't had any reason for nightmares."

"She keeps saying demon when she wakes up."

"There's no way.  No pre-slayer should have slayer dreams."  He paused.  "Unless it's a critical emergency that will end the line."  He disappeared.  He was going to have to break some major rules this time.

***

Dawn strolled out that night dressed up.  The hotel's doorman tipped his hat and summoned a cab.  "Thank you."  She got in.  "I'm looking to hit a nice place to learn how to salsa dance."

The driver looked at her.  "There's one not that far away.  Are you old enough to get in?"

"I'm eighteen but I don't drink."

"I'll take you to the one farther away.  They don't check ID's."

"Thank you."  She got comfortable, making sure her hair was nicely laying.  She paid when they got there and she got out, getting into line.  The bouncer strolled over.  "The nice driver said I could learn how to salsa dance here," she said with a grin.  "I'm not drinking."

"Are you even eighteen?"  She pulled out her ID.  He nodded.  "Fine."  He let her in and pointed for the bartender.  "No drinking."

"Not an issue," Dawn quipped.  She looked at the floor and carefully moved down there.  She wasn't used to this sort of club and there were always club rules.  One of the guys walked over.  "I wanted to learn.  It's said it's great to teach you how to use your body."

"It is," he agreed, leading her out to show her how to move.  She didn't do bad.  She could slightly move.  "Relax," he soothed, moving closer to nuzzle her ear.  "It's all about showing how sensual you are."

Dawn smiled.  "Never learned the depths of that skill either."  He moaned and the dance got a bit warmer when he pulled her closer.  And yup, there was Dawn luck.  Thugs walked in.  She turned and shook her head.  "One of them tried to take me last month because of who my boss is," she told him.  "Can we move deeper onto the floor?"  He nodded and led her that way.  She did look good enough to make it near the center of the floor, even though she was still learning.  The other guys nodded at her looks.  She was pretty, confident, and looked nice enough.  One of the more experienced dancers took her from her partner and she smiled.  "I'm still learning."

"It's good to learn.  Teaches a woman many things about her body," he said in broken English.

"That's why I need to learn."

He smirked and showed her a few new moves.  She did fine.  She looked fine.  The only problem was someone tried to take her.  "I believe she's mine right now."  The thug stomped off.  "Boyfriend?" he asked.

"No, they tried to kidnap me last month to get my boss to pay ransom.  I'm an administrative assistant.  Personally I'd like to shoot them but the boss said I'm not allowed."

"Hmm," he said.  "Real men don't have to kidnap women."

"They're Russian thugs," she said, turning when he prompted.  He turned her back around.  "I work in New York."

"That figures.  They're not real men like South American men are."  She smiled and teased his chest.  He let her shelter with him for now.  When the thugs came back with help, he led her to the emergency exit and took care of the slugs from overseas.  They clearly were not good for Miami.

Dawn caught a cab and fluffed out her hair, sighing a bit.  "You're not Russian, right?"

"No, miss."

"Thank you, Goddess.  Excelsior hotel please?"  He nodded, driving her off.  She stretched her neck and back as much as she could.  She spotted Phil before the cab even got near the entry.  She paid and a tip.  "Thank you.  Please don't see me."

"I never met you," he assured her with a grin.

She got out, the doorman helping her.  "Thank you."  She smiled and tipped him then walked over to Phil.  She couldn't avoid him, he'd catch her.  If she managed to make it around him he'd give her that disappointed look.  "Dance club, no drinking," she said when he stared at her.

"Where you somehow started a fight between a South American cartel second and the Russian mob?"

"I was learning how to salsa dance and the guy nicely sheltered me and helped me get away when the thugs came back for a second try with more help."

He took her arm carefully and walked her inside, waiting until they were thankfully alone in the elevator.  "I'm going to chain you to your bed," he warned.

"I had no idea the dancers were connected.  I let the cabbie pick the club."

He stared at her.  "No research?  You know better."

"I couldn't find any."

"Uh-huh.  We'll talk later.  After you change out of that dress and those shoes."  He looked her over.  "I think you've outgrown it.  It's shorter than it used to be."  He walked off the elevator.  "Come on, Dawn."  She barked but followed.  "I can find you a nice leash set," he offered.

"Only if you want to need it," she countered.  Natasha leaned out of her room and shook her head.  "Salsa club.  By the way, there are Russians down here."  She got into her room and firmly shut the door, locking it before anyone could get in.

Phil looked at her.  "We need to implant a new tracker.  Her last one died already."

"I'll have one sent down."  She pulled back in to laugh.  She texted Dawn but Dawn assured her she was fine.  The nice guy dancing with her had helped her get out of there before it became a problem.  The second text that she hadn't known he was in a cartel himself made her snicker more.  "Only her," she decided.  Natasha checked the clock.  A half hour later Dawn was complaining she was bored and it was only ten.  Natasha agreed she was rested as well.

Dawn promised to change into something nicer and cuter.  The pink dress of doom came out of the bag and she came out changed.  Natasha found something nice enough and joined her.  The pink dress was gauzy, flowy, ruffley, and nearly see through in the right light.  It drew attention to all of Dawn's assets, including her shape.  Natasha had been brilliant talking her into buying that one.  They left together for the club at the hotel.  It was safer in case they had more Dawn luck.

Coulson came out calling Barton.  He was up a floor above Dawn's room.  He met him at the elevator.  "What was she wearing?"

"Something pink and fluffy that made her look like a wanton virgin."  He scratched his ear.  "And those sandals from the beach."

"Great," Coulson agreed.  "At least she changed from the other dress."

"I spotted her coming in.  Salsa dancing?"

"Yes."  They got off the elevator and headed for the club.  They could just barely see Dawn.  The pink stood out among all the black, tan, and grays in the room.  Natasha had already blended in.  Dawn was like a beacon of bright light and the DJ was shining the spotlight on her.  Barton moved to flank Dawn, making sure nothing too harmful was near her.  Natasha was letting her hair down up the floor.  Coulson could watch from the edges.  Even though one of the girls had spotted him and was forcing him onto the floor.  He could protest but all SHIELD agents had to be able to fit into any environment so he could almost dance.

Dawn grinned when she spotted her minder.  "I'm fine," she mouthed.  He shrugged.  She rolled her eyes and turned back to dance with the nice guy.  He wasn't even groping.  Maybe he had felt the knife on her thigh when he had gripped her.

***

The trio had to leave Dawn three days before her vacation ended.  Coulson set down rules.  She'd probably ignore half but he would nag her into it.  Including that she had to hit the gym at least once while they were gone and she had to keep jogging.  Not to wear anything too slutty on the beach.  Or on the plane ride home.  No wild parties, or partying at all.  Beach, dinner, back to the room.  She joked about being grounded but he assured her she was for slipping out to go clubbing.  She pouted.  He smiled and patted her on the shoulder then they left.  By the time they hit the airport he had a report from a junior agent still in town watching someone that his assignment had seen her, wanted her, and gotten rebuffed, and was she allowed to wear a yellow smiley face bikini?

He sent back a slight set of orders to protect Dawn, who she was, and that he should encourage her to change.  As long as she didn't end up less clothed somehow.

***

Fury looked up when Coulson walked in with his pile of reports.  "You had that much trouble with her?"

"No, sir, we found a great many problems on the beach thanks to them staring at her."  He handed over the stack.  "The only problem I had with her is that she snuck out for salsa dancing lessons and nearly got a war started between the Russians that want her and some South American drug dealers she had been taking lessons from."

Fury shook his head.  "Why," he complained.

"They were protecting her when the Russians tried to invade the salsa club."

"Great!"  He glared.  "How many arrests?"

"All through the locals, sir."

"Any coming from Romanoff?"

"Not that I'm aware of.  Or Barton."

"Even better."  He made shooing motions so Phil left him to his headache.  He read them over.  Coulson clearly had problems since he described each bikini.  He accepted one report from Romanoff.  "Bigger problem?"

"On how Dawn sicced some partying college girls on Agent Coulson," she said with a smile.  "She said it helped with his sleeping troubles."  She strolled off.

"Even better.  I thought he looked too tanned."  He read that one first.  He wanted film to prove it but he doubted she had exaggerated that much.  Clearly someone had lost their mind in Miami and he wasn't sure which one it was.

***

Xander felt pulled as he reappeared on his own plane.  He went to the judges panel knowing he was right in what he had done.  "I had to break the barriers."

"Why?" one asked.  "What is that important?"

"My duty and calling."  The judges stared at him.  "There are more than one pre-slayer having slayer visions."

"Which means a huge problem," the head judge agreed.

"My job is as Protector of Humanity."

"It is," he said.  "I helped nominate you.  What is that important?"

"If multiple not-called slayers are having visions it means that it is a threat not only to the slayer line but also to humanity," he pointed out.  "I went to talk to another of myself in that realm."

"How did you explain your godhood?" another judge asked.

"We met during a convention of us that some of us called."  He smiled.  "There were many of us there, though I was the only god."  They groaned.  "It's on a separate realm so no real barriers breaking.  That one runs a comic shop."

"What are comics?" the head judge asked.  Xander showed him one.  "Why was this important?"

"Look on the cover."  He did and scowled.  "That is about the same figure that Callia Stark, daughter of the slayer Buffy and a pre-slayer, saw in hers.  She's mostly preverbal so I could get a clear image without her emotional overtones on it."

"That being is very dangerous," the head judge agreed, handing it back.  "Will that help you protect humanity?"

"To them we're a comic."  He smiled.  "It may not have a totally right history but it will have how the people there figured out how to fight him.  Some of the writers and artists are gifted."

"Very well.  That is a good reason," the head judge decided.  "You must tell others."

"I am."  He bowed.  "Thank you for the indulgence."  He appeared in Valhalla.  "People."  They all stared at him.  "We have pre-called slayers having visions."

"That means that there is a huge threat to earth," Tyr said gravely.

Xander nodded.  "There is.  That's why I jumped realms to talk to someone who knew history in strange ways."  He held up the comic.  "What is he to us?  I have not heard tales of him from any Aesir."

Odin looked, scowling.  "He is very bad news.  We are all doomed, Grandson.  Are you sure he comes?"

Xander nodded.  "The slayers have been seeing him.  Who is he?"

"It was before your time," Frigg said quietly.  "There was a war with him.  Many Gods died."  Xander listened, nodding.  "It is said that when he comes back the rest of us will."

"We cannot defeat him," Odin said.  "That is why Valhalla and all it holds is doomed."

Xander stared at him.  "Since when does a true Asgardian not die with his sword in one hand and a mug of mead in the other?" he sneered.  "We are no more doomed than we let ourselves be.  I, for one, will fight this monster no matter what, both for humanity and the Gods."

Odin stared at him, swallowing.  "It is true but before we were not strong enough."

"There are more of us now," Xander reminded him.  "Even my own father and my uncle."

Odin nodded.  "We are at your call to protect us all."

"Thank you.  Let me warn the rest."  He looked at Tyr.  "I need everything we have on him and any prophecies for I know that Valhalla is full of them."

"There's only a song," Frigg said, summoning the stone it was on.

Xander read it and nodded.  "The child born to the Power for the Light and the Power of the Light is Callia Stark."  They slumped.  "Her mother is a slayer, her father Iron Man."  He looked at them.  "This one is sure?"

"The person who saw it was," she assured him.  "As sure as yours have been, grandson."

He nodded.  "Very well then.  We will fight."  He disappeared, going to Zeus next.  He was the next powerful and he could use Ares.  He would've went there first but protocol demanded he warn his natal family before anyone else.  He found them in meeting.  "Hold.  I have news."  They stopped arguing.  He handed the stone to Ares.  "The pre-slayers are all having visions."

"That means humanity itself is threatened," Hera said.  Ares nodded, handing on the stone.  "Oh, no."

Xander nodded.  "Yes, it appears.  I had to break the barriers to get information from another realm.  It's surprising how many of our bad and evil ones show in comics in other realms.  Or tv shows."

"Is he messed up with Dahok?" Hercules asked.

"Dahok is a lesser form of who he is," Ares said.  He cleared his throat.  "My warriors are at your command, Xander."

"Thank you.  I have no idea when he attacks, yet.  When I do I'll let you know."  He shook his hand and took the stone back to visit all the other existing pantheons.  Then he went to Avenger's headquarters.

Nick Fury looked up.  "This looks bad."

"This is very bad.  I need all of you."  He walked out.  "Dawn Summers, I summon thee," he called.

"Now?" she called.

"Yes, right now.  Even in the bikini of doom."  She appeared with her beach bag.  Dawn at least put a shirt on overtop of the smiley face bikini.  Xander summoned the others, it was just faster.  Thor landed on his ass but oh well.  "Sit, Uncle."  Thor stared.  "Now.  It's official business."

"I had heard and felt that the judges called for you," he admitted.  He took his usual seat.  "Why, nephew?"

"Because the slayers all have visions, including those not called."  Thor bit out a swear.  Xander handed over the stone tablet.  "From your mother."

He read, frowning.  "I know not of this battle."

"It was before our time.  Before we were even thought of.  Now apparently he desires to return."

Thor looked up.  "Your father?"

"The other mayhap, not mine.  Father!" he yelled.  Loki yelped as he appeared.   "Yes, I summoned.  All the slayers are having visions."

"That is bad news," he agreed, looking at the tablet.  "I have seen that battle's records."  He went to find them and brought them back.  "Odin is shaken," he said quietly.

"He just told me we're doomed until I reminded him a true Asgardian dies with his sword in hand and a mug of mead in the other," Xander said dryly.

"Yes, we do," Thor agreed.  "Even if doomed we do not lay down and die."

"Or make vacation plans," Steve said.  "Why?"  Xander slid the stone tablet down.  They all got to read it.  "Who is this?"

"Ares said Dahok was his lesser incarnation," Xander said.  He put down the comics.  "Why I got called before our judges for breaking *major* rules.  Another of me in another realm runs a comic shop."

They settled in to look over what had happened.  "How did we figure it was him?" Dawn asked.

"Callia's vision.  She's the youngest and I could get a clear picture without the emotional overtones or her interpretation of it.  I described what she saw, put it up in a picture, and he knew.  It took a few days his time to get the books but crossing the barrier meant I didn't lose any time."

Loki shook his head.  "Not even that other me that is still imprisoned is that insane, son."

"Then we might need his help," Xander said bluntly.

"The time code," Steve said.  "Is that Callia or someone like Dawn?"

"That is Callia.  Slayers are weapons for the Powers That Be and for the side of the Light.  She's the only slayer that's given birth in the last two years.  Even the ones that timed out."

"So her being born was a herald," Tony said, slumping some.

"It doesn't mean she's in any more danger than the rest of us," Dawn said.  "All of humanity is boned."

"I'm wondering if someone in the NID knew this one," Xander said, looking at Fury.  "Were any of them part of that stupid cult?"

"Not that I know of.  Is that cult...."

"To call him back," Xander said.  "I checked before I left."

"Which means that I'm a problem," Dawn said quietly.

"Not all of you," Xander said dryly, smiling at her.

"I'll take care of that," she said.  "Once I get back, or really a few days later."  They all stared at her.  "Girl moments scheduled for the day I get back.  Can't really do much during it."

"Good point," Fury said.  "Unless you want to hit it on the beach?"

Dawn shook her head.  "No.  Not with the Russian mob down there and searching now.  Besides, I keep running into drug dealers."

"However you want," Xander said.  "Just soon."

She nodded.  "As soon as I can when I get back.  I need some mental adjustment time."  They all nodded.  Steve patted her on the arm.  "Thanks, Cap.  Xander, when is the sacrifice planned?"

"Next weekend.  After your grad."

"Damn."

"Be aware there is a known spell to make you eligible again," Loki said dryly.  Dawn growled.  "They can use it.  Their God will be displeased but better a flawed powerful sacrifice than a lesser one."

"I'll keep that in mind.  That's my graduation night so I was planning on going to see Mom back to her bed then going to celebrate."

"Not alone you're not," Xander said.

"If we can stop the sacrifice can we stop him showing up?" Tony asked.

"Maybe," Xander said.  "It's harder if he's not summoned.  They can make a rip in the space-time continuum and draw him."

"That guy at the local college?" Dawn asked Fury.

"McKay," Tony said smugly.  "He recruited heavily with threats.  That cult?"

"Cleveland," Coulson said.  "Under watch.  Buffy's local," he told Dawn.

"I know.  I cannot talk to my sister about this.  I don't want to hear the shit.  And Mom will cry."  She ran her hands over her hair since it was in a ponytail.  She saw the look at her nearly bare chest.  "I was still on a beach, Cap.  At least I put a shirt over the bikini."

"Thank you," he said with a smile.

Fury tossed down a folder.  "I was going to call four of you in later to talk about this assignment.  I was going to send Dawn on it with Widow, Hawkeye, and Coulson as backup since she could trust them even if she broke free of her control."

Dawn summoned the folder to look at.  "Excuse me?" she demanded.  "You wanted me to do what?"

"You're the only one that can get them into that club, Summers.  You're only facilitating."

"How is that going to work with me starting college late next month?"

He frowned.  "You're not waiting until fall?"

"No, I'm starting early so I can get it done with as soon as possible."

"We can work around classes probably.  It's a clear cut infiltrate, gather intel, arrange for pickups and then fade."

"But I'm fairly well known," Dawn said.  "They got pictures of all of us on the beach and managed to even identify Agent Coulson."

"Which works in their favor actually.  You're the only one that could ask for and get admittance.  The fame works to let them in with you.  As does yours."

She considered it, looking at Xander.  Who shrugged.  "Not my area," he reminded her.  "The last time I went undercover I almost turned into a merman."

She passed the file to Natasha.  She trusted her judgement on things like this.  Natasha looked it over.  "How would that work?"

"I'd suggest you and Coulson and her and Hawkeye but however you people work it.  That would also give her a better chance of avoiding the problem there."

"The cult's people would be drawn there," Xander said.

"Tara said  there probably were some.  She got invited and asked me to go in her place to scope it out.  She didn't want to go by herself and she had a bad feeling that it might be dirtier than her level of naughty.  She was right."

"So you have an open invite?" Fury demanded, smirking at her.

"Yeah but I haven't went back since then.  The whole whips and chains thing just didn't do it for me, boss.  And the cult was there.  I saw a few with that marking on the edge.  Mostly wearing the marks on pendants; they were having fun beating people."

Coulson took it to look over.  "She's not an experienced field agent," he said calmly, staring at Fury.  That poison wasn't going to take as long as he had thought a few days ago.

"You just need her for entrance and maybe protection," Fury said.  "If you can get entrance on your own after that first time, great."

He grimaced, handing the folder on to Barton.  Who was already grimacing.

"This sucks wide, sir," Clint said.

"Can't help it.  Look at the clientele list."  That got a massive scowl.  "I have no one else to go in.  Tara's even less trained than she is and I doubt she could handle that sort of club anyway."

"I don't really like them," Xander admitted.  He sent a message to Bia.  "Let me go brief my people.  When I know more I'll bring it to you."  They all nodded.

Dawn looked at the other three, shrugging some.  "I don't like it.  Didn't like it that night and I'm pretty sure they knew that.  They kept giving me patronizing looks and one patted me on the head like I was a kitty cat.  I'm doubting even Stark could BS his way through that club."

Stark looked over and shook his head.  "I wouldn't even try.  That's definitely not something I enjoy."  He looked at her.  "This will probably get captured in the press."  She nodded she knew that.  "I know you've heard the rumors."

"The dumb twat reporter asked me which one of you I'm sleeping with and if I slept my way to my job," she said dryly.  Tony snorted, shaking his head.  "Can we do it subtly?"

"We can find a way to minimize your exposure," Coulson said, staying professional.  In his head he was ranting hard.  "Romanoff, Barton?"

"If we must we must," Natasha said, looking at Dawn.  "We'll work on it but you may get to wear those boots."

She smiled.  "I have better since the last time you took me shopping."  She stood up.  "Let me get back to my last few days of freedom.  I'm flying back with Pepper on Sunday afternoon," she told Phil.  "Come over for dinner to talk about how and all that?"

He nodded.  "I can do that.  I'll order pizza."  She smiled and disappeared, leaving the shirt there and taking her bag.

"Were those smiley faces?" Bruce Banner asked.

"Yes, it's a bikini I encouraged her not to buy," Natasha said.  "It is nice to know she really is a normal teenager."  The smiley faces barely covered the peak of her breast and the large one that was the front of the thong wasn't much better since it had a tongue out.

Fury squeezed his eyes shut.  "Now I know why you put those in the reports, Coulson.  Brilliant thinking to break your toe."  He walked off.  "Alert all the agents, Coulson."

"Yes, sir."  He stood up.  "Meet me Sunday at her place."  The others nodded and left.  Tony went to tell Pepper and his trusted people.  Rhodey could take it to the higher brass.  Phil Coulson made it all the way to lunch, when he could hide in his office closet, to have his losing his mind fit.  He was very proud of his self control.

***

Xander appeared in his meeting hall, staring at everyone.  He put the tablet on the table.  "I just saw Odin say we're all doomed and mean it."  John flinched.  Roque growled.  He slid the tablet down.  "We're really boned."

They read it.  Bia raised her hand.  "Sacrifice?"

"Dawn.  She's working on fixing that by then.  She'll be back Sunday, have a few days of girl issues, and then fix it.  Somehow.  I left it up to her.  Fury left it up to her but he's been doing some unsubtle hinting about it."  He rubbed his neck.  "I talked to the other pantheons."

John raised his hand.  "Anything other than that?"  Xander summoned the comics he had forgotten.  They looked them over.  "Damn he's strong," he complained.

"If they can't get her, can they use another sacrifice?" Bia asked.

"They might have keyed it to her so he's expecting her.  If not, then yes.  If they have then no.  Dad pointed out that there's a potion to fix that issue too."

"We need to clean Cleveland and stop the cult," John said.  "If no sacrifice is given?"

"Time-space rip and summoning him that way.  Harder, nearly impossible, but hey, zealots."

"Most of us would offer to save Dawn," Clay said calmly.

"I have no idea what she's thinking.  She's in Miami right now thinking."  He nodded and texted her.  She sent back a thank you and she was considering her options right now.  Xander flopped down, looking at his people, his friends and family.  "I had to remind Odin that doomed isn't in our dictionary."

"It's not," Roque agreed.  "Did you tell my mother or just our higher ups?"

"They were meeting.  I timed a bit to make sure I hit all the weekly meetings."  They all nodded.  "Dad?"  He appeared.  "Do you have any idea if you or that other you can and will help?"

"I'm definitely not helping him," he said.  "That other me is damaged.  I'm not sure about his idea."

"Find out.  Please?"

"I can do so.  My brother already is going to."  Xander nodded, relaxing slightly.  "If we can stop it we will.  I'll volunteer to help her myself."

"Don't make me stab you," Xander warned.  "It's been a craptastic day."

"Fine."  He smirked at Roque.  "You?"

"If that's what she wants.  She knows that." John nodded he would too.  "Who, besides McKay's little band of idiot savants, can open a wormhole?"

"That guy he recruited," John said.  "Three others that I know of off the top of my head who retired from the SGC."  He sent that at Rodney, getting a name list.  John texted it to Stark.  He sent back they'd check them out.  "This sucks.  I thought things would be calmer here on Earth."

Xander nodded.  "This one won't eat us," Xander offered.  "Slightly better as he'll just destroy us."

"Slightly better," John admitted, smiling some.  "Loki, can you find other copies of these comics so we can check for other information?"

"I can browse."  He went to do that.  It was an interesting thing and he had more freedom than most chaos gods to look in other planes.

"I asked comic nerd me," Xander called after him.  "And Lavelle.  He's more focused on graphic novels and anime but he used to be a Marvel freak."  They smiled.  They had heard about Lavelle and he sounded like their sort of guy, even if he was a darker than average Xander.  Who had a bad habit of turning into a girl.

Bia looked at him.  "We'll handle it, Xander."

"I know.  I'm not sure we'll handle it and be whole.  Odin said it killed some of them."

"Only an Asgardian can kill another," John said.

"Unless they're part of Creation," Roque put in.  He looked at Xander, who nodded he knew that.  "How are you against him?"

"Smaller leak.  He's directly tied."

"Damn."

"But hey, that means I need more work to turn me into a better weapon."  They nodded they could help him.  "Let every demigod, every godly offspring know.  Let every warrior we know hear so that they may understand and pass it on.  That way humanity is not lost," he proclaimed.  It was his first one as a god.  It was not a good sign for his life.

15: Old Ones With Plans

How Dawn has to fix her part of the upcoming apocalypse, no matter how many people try to interfere in one way or another.  NC-17 m/f

Dawn came home in a sulky mood.  She had told Pepper, who had a few suggestions.  She wasn't sure and she couldn't talk to her mother about it.  Though she did go to visit.  Joyce looked at her.  "Boy problems?" she asked.

Dawn snorted.  "Bigger."  She got up to close the door.  "I got told that if I'm still a virgin by graduation there's a cult that's going to use me to bring back a higher god that's going to destroy humanity.  And there's a potion to fix it if I break that problem."

Joyce swallowed.  "Bit worse than Glory then."  Dawn nodded, sitting down again.  "Are you all right?"

"Trying to figure out who.  You know I had plans of dating, Mom."

"I know, Dawn.  You're a very sensible girl."  She patted her hand, smiling at her.  "If I could make cocoa....."

"I know."  She hugged her.  "I'll figure it out.  Just don't let Buffy pick on me?"

"No, she won't."  She smiled.  "She will about the pictures of you in a bikini that made a few tabloids."

Dawn grinned.  "It was fun.  I drove people batshit insane over it," she said quietly, cracking her mother up.  "Including a lot of guys on the beach.  I should've let one but it felt so wrong."  She sat down again.  "Also, head's up.  An agent has asked me to get him into a club I checked out for Tara."

"The not real nice one?"

"Yes, that one."

"Oh, dear."  She blinked.  "Is it necessary?"  Dawn nodded once.  "Shit," Joyce said, making her daughter flinch.  "That deserves a swear and I heard you were doing more of it.  Real women don't have to swear."

"I'm trying to correct it, Mom."  She leaned her head on the beside rail.  "So?  Any wise advice here?"

"Pick someone that you at least feel something for.  That wrongness was because I raised you right, to not get it in the club."

She smiled.  "Definitely not this trip."  Her mother looked at her.  She shook her head.  "More Russians."

She shook her head.  "They need to arrest them."  Dawn nodded.  "Find someone you can respect the morning after.  That it won't get too awkward with," she said quietly, rubbing over her daughter's hair.  "That's always the best.  A friend, something like that."  Dawn nodded, looking at her.  "Then expect things to be a bit strange for a while and you to react differently to them.  It'll even out if you make sure it does."

"Thanks, Mom."   She kissed her on the head.  "Get better faster.  We need you out of here.  The world going to hell isn't the same when you can't make cocoa during research times."

"I'm trying."

"I know."  She hugged her and left, going home.  Phil was already in there.  "Stopped to talk to Mom."

"I heard.  We have a nurse on her floor in case someone comes for her about Buffy."  Dawn hugged him.  "Are you all right?" he asked quietly.

"I tried and it felt so wrong I had to walk away from the hotty guy.  He actually made the speedo look good but he understood I was a virg and I was freaking out a bit."  She hopped up to sit on the counter next to where he was making a salad to go with their pizzas.  "They both coming?"  He nodded.  "Got any suggestions?  Mom said to find a friend so it wouldn't get as weird but to expect some weird."

"That's often the best way to do it anyway," Phil said.  "Usually you'd find a friend through dating."

Dawn nodded.  "Yeah, but I don't have that many friends."  He stared at her.  "I could pick a junior agent."

"They'd probably brag."

"I know.  Most of them look tiny too."

"They do," he agreed with a smirk.

She nudged him and he nudged her back.  She picked up some cheese to nibble on.  "Why are we having a salad?"

"None of us have eaten yet today.  We spent all night in the library.  Bia did theirs."

"Did we call Wes and Giles?"

"Not yet."

Dawn called him.  "Giles, Dawn.  Yup, I will if the world is still standing.  Yes, it's in question.  There's a cult to call Thanos back."  He choked.  "Using me, yeah.  Fixing that soon, Giles.  We need to know everything everyone knows.  We do but we're not the library geek you are.  Or Wes is."  He said something and she took down book titles.  "Thanks.  Please do.  Right after grad," she said dryly.  "I don't get an attack, I get a cult.  Magna cum laude."  She grinned.  "Thanks, Giles.  I did talk to Mom.  We're working on it, Giles, and I'm going to fix it so they can't pick me.  I'm tired of being the wanted damsel for distress in the universe."  She hung up, leaning her head back against a cabinet, thumping it a few times.  "He suggested I fix it with Xander."

"I doubt either of you could handle that," he said.  "It would get very strange and you'd never make it."  She nodded.  "Someone a bit less known to you would probably be easier, but one you're still on friendly terms with."

"Which leaves out most everyone I know."

"I know.  We'll figure it out.  How soon?"

"Tuesday or early Wednesday."

"That's more than enough time."  She sighed.  He handed her some tomatoes for her nibbling.  "Pepper said you didn't eat either."

"I didn't.  Not for the last few days.  Outside some candy.  I totally broke my diet."

"I'll run it off of you for that stupid smiley face bikini Natasha told you not to buy."  She hugged him but he gave her a nudge.  He went to answer the knock on the door, taking the pizzas from Barton.  He and Natasha walked in and he shut the door after checking the hallway.

"Evening, people," Dawn said.  She looked around and pointed.  "That blue box has my notes on the club."  They moved to get them.  "I asked Giles for anything he knew about the bad guy."  She handed over the book list.  "Because I know the library is huge.  Tara and I have been researching healing spells."

"Are you all right, Dawn?" Natasha asked.

"It go so weird I fled the guy in the speedo," she admitted.  "I was nearly throwing up afterward and there's no reason for that."

"Performance anxiety," Barton said.  "Lots of people get it.  Like stage fright."

Dawn smiled.  "I hope so.  It's going to suck otherwise."

"There's a betting pool," Natasha said.  "Xander showed up to kick someone who had suggested him."

"I'm sure he'll get Giles for the same thing then."  She grinned.  "How is the betting going?"

"Strongly in the wrong direction," Phil said dryly.

"I think that would be much too weird," Dawn agreed.  She thumped her head again.  "Maybe suicide instead?"

He patted her on the knee.  "Things aren't that dire and sex is almost always better than death."

"If you're sure."

"Where did you get your porn stash?" Natasha asked.

She smiled.  "Spike.  The world was going to end and he was planning to go with it so he gave it to me.  When he didn't die and the world didn't end I asked if he wanted it back and he said no, he could get better from Dru."

"At least he's an option you can cross off," Phil said.

"True.  I did promise Mom it would not be a vampire if I could help it.  She said it'd be a nice and great thing.  She also said it was simply divine that Buffy's most stable relationship was actually with a psychotic, multiple personality vampire with an occasional soul.  She was holding out hope for Spike though because he knew what a relationship was.  He had taken care of Dru for over a century when she was fully batty so maybe he could finish curing my sister's version.  Spike, the anti-depressant of choice for slayers."

"Have you asked him for a recommendation?" Natasha asked.  "I remember you talking to him weekly."

"He'd suggest a vamp.  I'm not into the dead penis society."  Phil groaned.  "They are!"

"Still not the most popular phrasing."

"You're right, they'd have to twinkle or something then," she quipped back.  "She said the hero sounded a lot like Angel.  She said it was nearly like reliving her past and she giggled her way into falling through a floor over the sparkling vampires."

"We'll know to shoot any sparkling ones so we don't get angst," Barton quipped.  Dawn grinned at him.  "Why didn't we find your porn stash when you got moved?"  She hopped down to show him the box.  "He had some weird taste.  Is that tentacles?"

"Yeah."

"You need a pass to a real adult site," he decided.  She laughed, heading for the bathroom.  "No wonder she went for the gay male porn to get the bad ideas out of her head.  The rest is creepy."

Dawn came out.  "Did you read the roomba story?"

"I haven't.  I've heard it mentioned."  She pulled it up and handed it to him.  "How bad is it?"

"Very funny but you're a bit strange."

"I am a bit strange," he admitted, settling in to read it.  Coulson finished dinner and Dawn put things on the table, finding them all glasses and forks.  They ate while Barton read and laughed.  "We need one of those."

"There's one floating around the lab," Dawn said with a smile.  "Pepper got it for Tony.  Callia thinks it's the neatest toy ever.  No AI yet though."

"Aww, we have to fix that," he decided.  Coulson shook his head.  "Maybe even bring it to work.  I'm sure this one has made the rounds."

"Probably," he agreed.  His phone beeped with a text message.  He stared then turned it off.  "We need to do a bug sweep."

Dawn looked at him.  "If he's trying to make it today that's going to be a tiny bit icky."  He nodded she was right.  "Can I kick him in the nuts?"

"I wouldn't be able to stop you," he admitted.  "Natasha?"

"I could probably stop her but probably would not."

Barton shrugged.  "I'm all for a good kicking."  They found her bug sweeper and ran it over the apartment.  She had some of the best she could get, courtesy of her big brother for her birthday.  Even the CIA didn't have that one yet.  They settled in to talk about the upcoming mission.  They had to assume Dawn could handle the other part or they'd have to stoop to something no one was willing to contemplate.

***

Coulson walked into Fury's office the next morning.  "Sir, with all due respect, could you try not to make a difficult situation much worse?"

"She's hesitating."

"She tried in Miami, she ended up vomiting."

"It's not like it's a huge deal," Fury complained.

"Unless you're a virginal teenage girl," he shot back.  "Which she is.  She's not been trained to lay there and take it for the team with a fake smile and a faked shout of pleasure at the end."  Fury actually flinched at that.  "So leave her alone.  Beyond the point that it wasn't really practical last night thanks to her cycle, let her handle it."

"She's probably waiting until the last minute," he said.

"Really?  And yet last night she almost thought about ending herself so it wouldn't matter."  Fury groaned.  "You're making it so she can't do it with all your pushing and your asshole tendencies, sir.  If you keep up, I'm going to have to take steps to protect everyone."

"Really?" he sneered.

"Yes, sir.  Tell me a lie."  Fury's mouth opened.  "Or else I'm calling for a med exam."

"You've been aberrant more recently than I have."

Coulson let out a tiny, evil smirk.  "I told the nurses what she did.  They thought it was great, sir.  Now, please tell me a lie right this moment.  Or else I'll be calling the infirmary."

"I don't need to."

Coulson touched his earpiece.  "Agent Hill, Director Fury is acting oddly and refusing to take a lie test."  He hung up and crossed his arms again.  Medical personnel walked in.

"He blood tests normal," one said after sticking him.  "Isn't definitive though."  They stunned him and took him off on a stretcher.  The nurse stared at him.  "What did he do?"

"He's applying force unjudiciously and he's clearly having bad mental problems with the way he thinks Dawn Summers is going to perform better and as a trained agent when she's not."

"I heard.  Does she need any pertinent facts?" she asked quietly.

"She's more needing a name."

"There's a few good choices among the junior agents."

"She's got performance anxiety."

"We can give her a pill."

"I'll suggest it."  She smiled and patted him before leaving.  "He also had her place bugged.  Apparently it's his cheap thrill of the year."

"Understood."

Phil walked out, still seething.  Maria Hill looked at him.  He shrugged slightly.  "They'll check to make sure."

"Good.  How is Dawn?"

"On her cycle and stressed beyond belief," he said quietly.

"You could...."  He shook his head.  "You're comfortable."

"She's like my sister.  Neither of us could stand that," he said quietly.

"Thankfully I haven't bet."

He smiled.  "Probably a good idea.  I have no idea.  I'm simply trying to keep her calm enough so she can think and figure something out in time."  He walked off.  He'd hear the results of the scan later.  As it turned out he was a bit off from his last kidnaping so maybe it had been a great idea.  Fury was put on leave for two weeks and ordered off the hell carrier under threat of being stuck in the infirmary for that time.  That was enough of a threat for most agents to scurry away like they were going to be shot.

***

Dawn flopped down beside Natasha in the female changing area of the gym.  She had locked the door and made sure they were alone.  "You're giving me looks like I'm evil and poaching," she said in Russian.  Natasha was teaching her that language.

"I am not."

"Bullshit.  I'm not poaching."

"It is not like that," she said.

"So I've heard.  I got the 'it's complicated' answer too."  The older woman scowled at her.  "It's been pushed so hard that I almost didn't consider it and I won't if it'll mess things up between us."

"It won't.  It's not been anything."

"Because of the rules?" she snorted.

"No, not just that.  Sometimes familiar is too familiar as you know."  Dawn nodded.  "Are you certain?"

"No.  I'm still so screwed up in the head I had nightmares about it last night."

"You can do it and get it over with."

"I tried that.  I don't think any guy would appreciate being thrown up on."

"No, not really," she agreed.  She looked at the younger woman.  "There is no way to get around it."

"Oh, there's a way," she said dryly.  "Phil's going to have me drugged if I consider it."  Natasha cracked a smile and nodded.  "It's almost looking like the easier alternative though," she said in English.  "John Sheppard and Clay both said they could if I needed to."

"They are attractive."

Dawn looked at her.  "Not helping.  I don't think of people that way.  I'm a personality sort," she said, switching to Latin, which she was teaching Natasha.  "There has to be a connection there or else I'll probably freak out again.  I'm not hardwired for impersonal and cheap."

"Many women aren't.  We're trained not to be," she agreed in Russian.  Her Latin was better in reading than speaking.

"You're still giving me looks like Callia does when I steal her brownies."

"It is...irregular and causing us all stress," she told her.  "Even if it were done it would still cause some stress."

"Mom said it'd get weird.  How weird would depend on how I handled it."

Natasha nodded.  "It does.  Then you can move back to friendship if you want."  Dawn asked her very quietly if there was a friends with benefits thing and she nodded.  "That should not matter to you."

"Bullshit.  That's still poaching."

"It is not," she said, stopping her from moving.  "There is no real net there for it to be a legal capture."  She stared at her.  "I think most pushed because he is about the most capable of teachers.  Look at is as a learning experience.  You may need it when you do finally get to date someone indecent who wants evil things from your body."

Dawn smiled.  "The Goddess only knows if that'll happen."

"Perhaps it will happen at that club."

"No, I'd never go out with someone who had that serious of a kink base.  I couldn't meet their needs.  It'd be wrong on many levels," she assured her.  Natasha smiled and nodded.  "Thank you."

"Welcome.  We will not push.  You two can have dinner later."

Dawn grimaced.  "I'm still not done yet."

"It is best to talk first anyway.  Relax, get used to having someone there.  We have a few days."  Dawn nodded, getting up and going to unlock the door, leaving her to think.  Was she reacting too oddly?  Showing too much?  Perhaps but Dawn was a perceptive girl in many ways.  Most others probably hadn't noticed.

***

Dawn walked onto the range, finding her two big brother sorts there.  She took Phil's ankle gun from him and signed in, grabbing some earmuffs and glasses so she could take range time.

Phil looked at her.  "Where's yours?"

"Home before I shot Fury," she said.

"Probably a good idea."

"Found another bug. It was in the oven.  It exploded when I burnt bacon this morning."  She carefully fired.

"Mind only on the targets, Summers," Coulson reminded her.  "In here and in the field, everything else is not on your mind."  She nodded, refocusing and starting over.  She was still off.   He moved closer.  "Mind off everything else," he said, touching her shoulder.  She flinched.  He took the gun from her and turned her around.  "Flinching now?"

"Yeah, all day."  She leaned against the partition.  "I flinched when the alarm went off, when the smoke detector went off, when the bug exploded.  I flinched earlier at the elevator dinging."

"Go get something to calm you down," he ordered.

"I'm not into chemical dependency."

"It might help."

"It's not going to help.  Nothing's going to help.  I spent all afternoon meditating.  My pulse was so low Tara freaked out and thought I might've passed out.  I came out to tell the medical response team I was fine."  He grimaced.  "I...  I need to get it outside of me.  Now, can I have your backup gun back please?"

"Use it as intended."

"No, he's not here," she said dryly.  She got back to her little cubicle, sending out another target to shoot at.  "Maybe I'll turn him into a girl, see how he likes it."

Coulson squeezed his eyes shut.  "That's a bad mental image."

"Well, yeah, but I can make him one of the cute, frilly dress wearing ones."

"No, please don't.  I'll puke," Barton complained.

Dawn leaned back and grinned.  "He'd look cute in a ruffled dress like Callia's pink one."  She stood up again.  Both guys were groaning.

"Dinner?" Barton called.

"Need a day."

"Dinner can happen anyway.  I don't feel like cooking."

"Sure.  I can order.  I need to grocery shop."

"That's fine.  I'll pick up?"

"If you want."  She got back to her targets.  "I need a heavier gun."

"I can't carry one of those on my ankle," he said patiently.  She cleaned his before handing it back loaded.  She went to the storage closet and got something huge and heavy.  It worked better for her.  It made her concentrate more.  The guys stared at her but she was making much better shots now.

"You need to learn subtlety here too," Phil told her.

She nodded.  It helped though.  By the time she was done she felt calmer.  She should've done this instead of meditating.  She cleaned the gun and then herself, logging out her scores.  She went home to try not to clean everything in sight.  She had actually done her own laundry last night so none was laying around to embarrass her.  Her house was beyond grandmother standards.  And she was still jumpy.  She nearly teleported off when someone knocked on her door and it was just some guy asking if she wanted to buy a flower.  She bought one and he left.  She sniffed, then sent it down the garbage disposal.  Flowers weren't supposed to smell like chemicals.

Barton came in with their usual order from the usual chinese place.  She got him something to drink.  They both needed a bit of mental lube so they had a drink and then water.  "What's that flowery smell?"

"Someone selling them.  It smelled chemical so I trashed it in the disposal."

"Good idea."  He dug in.  "Are you sure?"

"No.  Which is why I'm still jumpy."

He shrugged.  "It happens."  She looked at him.  "Guys get performance anxiety too," he assured her.

She smiled.  "That is reassuring."  She dug in, sipping her drink.  "This is ridiculous."

"Probably."  He stuffed his mouth.  "How are things looking?"

"A lot of cleaning up.  You'd probably be asleep long before I got out of the tub from shaving and all that.  The cleaning itself usually takes a soak."

He nodded.  "There's faster ways and no one said you had to shave."

"I feel I have to shave and the faster way is nasty and burns."

"Okay.  So...tomorrow?"

She nodded.  "Tomorrow's good.  I guess I can consider it a date," she said dryly, stuffing her mouth and not looking at him.

He smiled.  "Could, yeah.  I've had worse ones."  She smiled.  "C'mon, let's watch some bad tv."  She nodded, settling in next to him on the couch to finish their dinners.  It let him subtly touch her.  Her arm, her wrist, her shoulder when he moved.  She shivered a bit so he pulled her closer.  He had to gentle her but that was fine.  Tonight it was fine.  Tomorrow it'd take less time.  She slowly relaxed against him.  "How's your mom?"

"She had treatment today so she's knocked out but otherwise she's showing signs of improvement."  She looked up, not realizing she was on his shoulder.  "She's got really good docs this time."

"She does."  He stroked over her far shoulder, making her lay her head back down.  "Heard from your sister?"

"Nope.  I told Mom not to tell her.  I didn't want to hear the complaining or the teasing."

"I guess sisters can do that.  My brother might've."  She looked up at him.  "Long story."

"I think everyone has one of those but me.  Being created at fourteen did help me shorten my life history."  He tweaked her ear but she put her head back down.  "I do not want things to get too weird," she said quietly.

"Then they won't.  I'm not a strings sort of guy."

She nodded.  "I'm going to try not to."

"Don't get clingy," he warned.

"I don't think I will.  I really should have dated more and worked less."  He laughed.  "I have no idea if I'm clingy or not."

"We'll figure it out.  What're you wearing to graduation?"

"The blue wrap dress and my black heels.  Shit, that gala is tomorrow night."  He laughed.  "Damn it!"

"Calm down.  We both have Thursday off now."  She looked at him.  "I made sure."

"Thanks for thinking of that."   He shrugged.  She settled in again.  This touching thing was okay.  "I need to find my dress.  I know it's in the closet somewhere."

"I think they put all the longer stuff on the right side."

She smiled.  "Thanks."

"Welcome."  She was taking the calming well and didn't nearly jump at all when her phone rang.  He took it from her at the growl she popped up, very impressively he decided.  His own was about as good.  He turned it off and went back to calming her down again.

***

Stark looked at Dawn as she walked into the gala.  "Late," he teased with a smirk.

"Lost an earring down the drain."  He shook his head.  "No, there's no late for that reason," she hissed.  "I'm trying not to think about it."

"That's fine.  We have a real entourage tonight because you got a death threat."

"Was it from the same person who texted me to just get on with it last night?" she quipped.

"Maybe.  Who?"

"I'm pretty sure he stands at his mirror and practices growling 'I'm Nick Fucking Fury, asshole' each and every night before bed."  Tony burst out laughing.  "Was it someone else?"

"Yes.  The reporter from Miami has a group."

"Are they as big of idiots as she is?  Because if so, I'm surprised they found one of them that could type."

He smiled and patted her on the arm.  "You look nice."

"Thank you."  She looked at herself.  "I could be a bit more twinkly."

"Callia would love that."  He handed her the earpiece.  "You might need it tonight."

She stuck it in and grimaced, taking it out and putting it in the other ear.  "Noticeable?"

"No."  He walked her out to join up with the others.

"Sorry, dropped an earring down the drain when I got another nagging text message."

Phil looked her over.  Subtle yet flattering black asymmetrical dress with one shoulder strap.  Slit modestly up her thigh.  Two rings on a simple chain.  Simple stud earrings.  Hair up in a caged bun.  High heels.  He smiled slightly.  "Very nicely done."

"Thank you."  She looked at Pepper.  "Too heavy?"

"Lipstick's a bit bright but it fits.  Makes you look happier than you are.  No drinking."

"Not in my plans."  She smiled.  "Let me go make the rounds.  Gotta know people to move up," she quipped.  She walked off, smiling at a waiter.  "Sparkling water?"  He handed her one.  "Thank you."  She strolled over to greet the people she knew.  She ran into a reporter halfway around the room.  "I hope you're better than the one I ended up talking to in Miami.  She didn't even do research or know what oncology meant."

The reporter smiled.  "Miss Summers, I can assure you some of us are *much* better than that heathen pretender."  Dawn grinned.  "That's an interesting jewelry piece."

Dawn smiled and held them up.  "That's my Mom's wedding ring, she's divorced but still kept the solitaire.  The other is her Mother's ring from my sister and I.  She can't wear them right now in the hospital and she's lost weight again so I said I'd guard them."

"A very sentimental choice, dear, and very appropriate.  How is she?"

"They think she's doing better.  The last scan was showing some improvement.  She's got some excellent doctors here in New York, like the great ones she had back in LA.  If there's any chance she'll come through she'll take it.  The whole group would really be devastated if Mom doesn't make it."  She sipped her water.

"Champagne?" the reporter asked.  "I know you're slightly underage but things like this often get it overlooked."

"Sparkling water.  I hardly ever drink, even a glass of wine with a good meal.  Pepper taught me about it, and I appreciate it, but not enough to spend my own money on it."  She smiled.  "Even when I'm out letting it all go in the clubs I like I don't usually do more than virgin fizzy frozen drinks."

"That's very wise.  I'm sure you've seen your boss tying one on."

She nodded.  "A few times.  He gave me advice for my single hangover."  The reporter looked interested.  "The day we found her tumor had come back."  She took another sip.  "I went through a lot of rum and coke trying hard not to scream and go find someone to kill for that."

She patted her on the arm.  "It's reasonable and you've always been sensible.  It will be fine if it can be made fine."

Dawn smiled.  "Your lip to the Goddess' ear."  She smiled and Dawn looked back at the person touching her.  "What are you doing and why are you touching me?"

"Your strap was slipping, ma'am."

"Then announce it, don't just grab," she complained.  Pepper came over.  "Thank you for the help but I'm a bit freaked out right now," she told him.  He nodded and left.  Pepper and the reporter got it fixed for her.  "Any sign he was trying something?"

"You're a bit loud," Pepper said quietly.

"That's because the earpiece is a huge buzz saw."  She pulled it out and winced.  "Yeah, he did something."  The thing was funny looking.  "I'm going to go home."  Tony was suddenly there.  "Sorry, boss.  Don't mean to make a bad impression."

"It's not your fault someone did that.  None of us saw him sneak up on you either."  He walked her out to Happy and the car.  "Take her to the infirmary."

"I'm good," Dawn slurred.  "It's rophy."  Tony winced.  "Yeah, got caught accidentally at the club in Chicago when we went there.  Had bloodwork there.  Shit this sucks."  She climbed into the back.  "Let me nap it off.  Thanks, Happy."

"Not a problem, Dawn."  He took her home and helped her upstairs, handing her the emergency switch.  "Here, your switch in case you need help."  She nodded.  He put a bottle of water beside her and left her there.  She could get herself undressed if she wanted to.  Or giggle at the walls possibly.

Tony walked back inside, holding up the skin colored patch he had found.  "Perfect match for her skin tone."

"Which means someone planned it," Pepper said, looking around.  "Who?"

"No clue.  She identified it though.  That same thing that happened in Chicago that she never told us about."

"I knew," Pepper admitted.  "She looked like crap and there was bloodwork."  She sipped her drink.  "Which was smart of Dawn."  She heard the others spreading the news looking for that waiter.  "Why slip her that?"

"It's Wednesday," Tony said quietly.  "Pretty damn sure it's because it's Wednesday."

"I'm going to kill if it was," Pepper said, walking off.  She went to talk to Coulson.  Tony heard the report from Happy and thanked him.  He was on the way back.  Her apartment was being monitored by the Stark security system, which meant JARVIS was talking to her probably.  The AI loved Dawn.  Whenever she had gotten creeped out about him being *there* while she was doing something she told him knock-knock jokes.  JARVIS probably liked her more than he did Tony.

***

Coulson stopped Barton on the way out, holding up something.  "I want it back."

"I made one off yours."

That got a slight smile.  "Good idea.  I might have to be out of town."  He walked off.

Barton took off his earpiece and handed it to Tony.  "Those things are still deadly dull."

"That's why I wear the sunglasses.  So no one can see me rolling my eyes or leering at the pretty girls who are flashing way too much skin so they won't be bored too."  He walked off after patting him on the arm.  "JARVIS said she's awake and mostly aware."

"Thanks."  He took a cab to Dawn's place, letting himself in.  "Dawn?"  She jumped, he heard her.  He walked into the bathroom.  Her hair was down.  She was still in the dress but no shoes.  "Hey.  You better?"

"I want to know who dosed me."

"We all do."  He helped her up, taking the heel callus remover from her hand.  It got tossed into the sink.  "Your feet are fine."

"I do have calluses.  They cause rips in my hose all the time."

"It was from all the warm sand you walked on."  He led her back to the bedroom.  "Get comfortable."  She nodded, grabbing something and going to change in the bathroom.  He got out of his jacket, undid his formal shirt to take it off, showing he had on a t-shirt underneath, and loosened his belt a bit.  He kicked off his shoes and got comfortable on the couch.  She came out in soft cotton pajamas.  He patted the couch and she settled in.  "You'll be fine."

"I know.  It happened in Chicago once.  I had one of the guards with me but he was paying more attention to the hotty in the low cut dress.  I realized it pretty fast and went to puke.  The girls in the bathroom called me a baby even after I told them I had been given something.  So I left and went to the ER.  They were really nice and understanding.  They let me nap it off and then I discharged myself and went to the hotel.  I slept for a few more hours but Pepper knew something had happened because she said I looked like hell."

"You do, yeah."  He stroked over her hair.  "No gel?"

"No, not for the bun cage.  If I don't use it, I have to use hairspray."

He nodded.  "Crunchy hair isn't fun."  She shook her head.  She yawned.  He let her rest for now.  He wasn't going to take advantage of that.  They had tomorrow off.  It'd be fine.

***

Dawn woke up with a start, looking around.  "Easy," he soothed, patting over her hair.

"No, smoke."

He got up to look, checking the hallway.  There was a tiny bit but no fire that he could find.  "Nothing.  Probably just a neighbor cooking."

"Or a neighbor smoking.  I have one who does for personal use only."  She yawned.  "Whatever it is is making me sleepy again."

"We have time.  You sleep."  She nodded, curling up on the edge of the couch.  He settled in again.  She shifted closer but stayed curled up.  "You can go to bed," he offered.

"Bed's all sweaty.  I'll change it when I'm awake."

He smiled and patted her knee.  She slowly uncurled as she got deeper into sleep.  He almost thought about getting her something to calm her down but he knew she wouldn't go for it and he wasn't the sort to take advantage of someone.  So when a bit more smoke got blown in he got up to stab the agent doing it.  Dawn slept through it thankfully.  He settled back in.  She was almost snoring.  It was cute on her.

***

Dawn woke up and stretched, running into someone.  "Oh, hi."

"Morning."  She looked at them.  Both dressed but on the bed.  He smirked.  "I changed it.  Your couch is too short."  She blushed.  He grinned.  "Flipped the mattress to the better side too."  She blushed harder.  He pulled her closer to kiss.  "It's fine, Dawn."

"I...."

"I know."  He kissed her again, taking her mind from all this.  He had to get her into the moment, not letting her think or plan.  "Anything that's ticklish or no touching?"

"Ticklish yes but not badly.  You?"  He nodded he had one.  "Nothing else?"

"I'm good.  Don't scar trace?"  She nodded and kissed him back.  She got up and went to brush her teeth then came back without the heavy top.  She was in a just a bra.  That was easier.  He pulled her back down and let her cover them with the sheet.  Girls were like that sometimes.  She giggled a few times so he flat out tickled her to break the tension.  She squealed and wiggled, kicking him on the thigh but she got him back and did indeed find the one ticklish spot he had.  That helped a lot and she was panting by the end.  That was a better mood to be in.

She moved closer, running a careful hand up his chest.  He nuzzled her throat, keeping her occupied while he worked on the bra clasp.  Unfortunately in front but that did give him an idea. Once he had popped them open it was easy enough to touch and she didn't react too much.  Some women didn't.  Her nipples were nicely hard and made her happy but she wasn't a girl who had them as the most sensitive spot on her body.  He found one on her side.  She gasped into it when he sucked on it.  An involuntary hip thrust and that was nicer.

"Shouldn't I be helping?" she panted.

"Not this time."  She squeaked.  He grinned.  "We'll see about that later."  She nodded, pointing at the table.  "I saw.  It's good."  She relaxed and he put her back into her happy mood.  It was a nice start.  Maybe it'd be easy enough.  The pajama pants got pushed down.  She kicked them off for him.  He got up to strip down too.  She watched.  "Never seen one?" he teased.

"Only on tape and on the beach."  He got back onto the bed.  She got to explore a bit now.  It meant he got to distract her too.  "Very soft," she said happily.

He groaned.  "Too light."  She firmed her grip a tiny bit and it was nice.  Gave him an opening to explore her too.  She moaned and clamped her thighs together at first touch.  "No, relax."  She relaxed and let him touch her.  He moved to kiss her at the same time, taking her mind off his fingers.  He found her clit and it was nice.  She was nicely damp.  No hymen when he checked, which was even better.  "Protections?" he asked, pulling back.

"Around the bed on the carpet."

"Good."  He went back to it.  "Pill?"

"Yup.  Took it last night.  I take it at bedtime."

"More than a month on it?"

She moaned.  "Six or seven."

"Even better."  He got back to it.  She was very happy.  He could tell by the gaspy noises she was making.  She wasn't that easy to get off but it did eventually happen before his wrists locked up.  He moved down to tease her nipples some while slipping on the condom.  She was wiggly.  He slid into her slowly, making her freeze up.  "Relax," he reminded her.  "It won't hurt that much."  He kissed her, slowly taking control.  She let him and it was better as she relaxed.  Much too tight but he expected that.  He could work with this.

She slowly got back into it and again, hard to get off.  That nerve damage really needed to be fixed soon.  He was braced on the bed, concentrating on taking her to a better, happier mental place.  He found out she did have a g-spot.  That was good news.  It worked better than her clit in some ways thanks to that tiny bit of nerve damage.  She was making the happy, breathless, panting noises, gulping air, and he wasn't much better.  Just a bit more.  He could hold on a bit longer.  Finally she went over and he let himself follow fairly quickly.  She was nowhere ready for anything more athletic yet.

"He was right, I need more stamina," she panted.

Clint burst out laughing, hugging her.  "We all need more stamina."  She started to say something.  He shut her up by kissing her.  "Never ask.  Always assume it was the greatest ever and you're a superhero at it," he said quietly.  She nodded, snuggling into his chest.  He let her.  It was nice to have someone that cuddled.  He swatted her hand when she found a scar and traced it.  "Not that one."  She kissed it and then another higher up.  That got a groan.  "Dawn, recovery time."

"I know.  I'm just cuddly I guess.  Sorry?"

"No, it's nice."  She smiled and snuggled in.  She yawned.  He smiled.

"I thought guys fell asleep afterward," she complained.

"Not this time. Sometimes women get too happy and get to nap too."  She shrugged a bit and let herself fall asleep.  He stayed there, thinking a bit.  He would not leave and freak her out.  Or make her feel cheap and used.  They'd talk when she got up and he made breakfast.  It was only fair.

***

Dawn wandered out and paused, staring at his naked back.  "Coffee?" she asked, hoping for a touch of normal.

"On the counter."  He nodded at it.  She got it and came over to see what he was making.  "Scrambled eggs and toast."

"Better than I do.  I tend toward microwave lunch things for breakfast most of the time.  I'm never awake enough to cook."  He smiled.  She grinned back.  "Thank you."

"Welcome."  He handed her a piece of toast.  She nibbled while he finished up.  They ate on the couch and it was almost comfortable.  He pulled her closer.  "Girls probably need to talk."

"No, I'm not confused or anything.  Worried about weird moments or that I might get clingy."

"No clinging.  If we were dating it might be different."

"With that club thing?"

"Not sure how we're working it.  I'm not sure if you or Coulson can pretend well enough to pretend to be together."

She shook her head.  "No.  Not if I have to do more than hug him.  He's a great giver of hugs."

"I'll have to ask for one sometime," he teased.  She grinned back.  She stole a quick kiss and got up to get more coffee.  She even brought him back some.  "So no questions?"

"Is that normal?"

"What part?" he asked smugly.

"The part where it seemed to cut in and out?"

"No, I'm pretty sure that was the nerve damage.  I've seen others that had back injuries with the same problem.  Especially women."  She nodded, accepting that.  "At least you still could."

"Yeah, that was a great part of it."  She sipped her coffee because she wasn't going to mention the being cuddled thing as the best part.  He had said no clinging.

He pulled her closer.  "Relax."  She nodded, settling against his side.  "You're fine.  Sore?"

"Tiny bit but not too bad."

"Good."  She was leaning into his touch now.  The difference a day and less stress made.  "I should make you get me back in the mood," he teased with a smirk.

She grinned.  "How would I do that?"

"Don't know.  Figure something out."

"Ooh, a test."  She considered it.  "I could go find something more bikini to wear."

He grinned.  "Those were pretty hot."  He scanned around the room.  "Why do you have a pole set up?"

"I took pole dancing lessons.  It's great cardio."

"Seriously?" he asked, looking at her.

"Yeah, I was missing a cardio PE requirement and that one was offered there so I took an independent class.  It's a really great cardio workout."

"We're talking like strippers?"

"Yeah."

"Your high school offered it as PE?  Did they expect you to need it?"

"Well, they did teach us really crappy sex ed.  Including that masturbation caused cancer."  He shook his head quickly.  "Yeah, that's what that fight was about.  I called bullshit on the teacher for it.  Handed over the report Mom made me do."

"I heard about that."  He poked her.  "Do you wear the high heels too?"

She pointed.  "Those.  They're cheap in case the pole tears them up."  He looked then at her.  "I know, six inches is way too high for me, but Natasha taught me how to walk in higher heels when all we could find in my size were sneakers and high heels at the stripper store.  Phil *so* hates my shoes some days."

"I don't think anyone minds the lower ones but that red pair that're clearly stripper shoes....."

"We found one pair that were fire engine red with clear heel parts but they lit up little kid shoes as you walked."

He laughed.  "That's sad."

"Yeah, it was.  Pepper and I spent the rest of the night cracking bad jokes about the poor shoes."  He shook his head.  "But yeah, I don't usually do it in front of anyone, outside the class that had a lot of slightly padded older ladies and a former stripper teaching it, but I can do some.  I'm not great with arm things.  I can't climb a rope worth a damn."

"That's usually a matter of strength training."

She shook her head.  "I've put on tons of muscles and half of my strength training is my arms because they're weaker.  Still can't."

"Huh.  What's the other half?"

"Core and back."

"That's not a bad plan when he has you jogging."

"I nearly lost my mind and went without him," she admitted.  "I cured that shit by means of ice cream almost immediately when it got me up at six on a Sunday morning."  He laughed.  "And they say I'm the bad influence."

"The training gets to be a habit and is good for you," he reminded her.

"I now but still I shouldn't wake up and suddenly want to jog."

"No, most people don't."  He shook his head.  "Where did you even find that bikini with the smiley faces?"

"Stripper store.  Natasha took me there."

"Yeah I can see them using it for an act."

"I would've probably gotten a ticket but I was on the topless beach that day."

"Probably a good thing."

"They all thought it was cute.  If I was into girls I could've gotten more than one."

He gave her a shoulder-to-shoulder nudge.  "If you want to try girls, try girls."

"I'm pretty sure I don't want to try girls.  Tara made it sound a bit...comfortable but boring."

"I always thought it was all oral sex and toys," Clint admitted.

"She said she hates toys.  I asked.  She went bright red and nearly crawled inside her shirt.  She said Willow wasn't into them either."

"Huh.  Well maybe she'll find a nice girl to date."

"She has."  She smiled.  "No one else knows because she's a junior agent.   I'm not sure if it'll last though because she only really wants her to be delicate and sweet, not get stronger.  She doesn't want Phil to get into trouble over it."

He shook his head.  "There's no rules against it, Dawn.  Fury might try something though.  I don't know what's wrong with him."

"Me either."  She looked at him.  "What were you going to do with your day off last week?"

"I wasn't going to have a day off this time last week."  She gave him a look.  "I take a few days here and there in the vent system to get away from people.  When they need me someone calls."

"I thought I heard someone's phone in the ceiling over the women's bathroom."

"That was another agent they wanted to make sure wasn't claustrophobic.  They had me chase him through the vents on that floor."  She smiled.  "It was fun, yeah.  And yes, he was not comfortable in tight spaces.  Still isn't.  One of the female junior agents rode him about it until I stuck her up there and she did a good job but she's weak in hand-to-hand so they'll be put together for more training."

"That might be handy.  Like thief training?"

"That too probably.  I know some agents got it."  He looked at her.

"Not even considering it."  He smiled.  She leaned in slowly, letting him take the choice.  She kissed him and then got onto his lap.  "Natasha called you an interactive textbook."

"I'm going to spank her later."

She smiled.  "I'd like to see you two spar."

"We could use it," he agreed.  He put his hands on her hips and it was all right.  He -spanked her, earning a bite.  "Ow."  She smirked.  "Go change and show me what you learned in that class."

"It was better than spinning."

"Like weaving?"

"No, like bicycles."  She got up and went to change into that smiley face bikini.  He did give it an appreciative look.  "I can't pedal faster on command and that's really boring.  It was either pole dancing or belly dancing."

"Did you talk Pepper into trying it?"

"Twice.  She took two classes, said she got too sweaty and sore, and tried belly dancing.  She did that for a few weeks until she sprained an ankle then never went back.  We tried zumba too.  I wasn't too bad at it, which is why I went to learn salsa dancing."

"I heard."  He watched how she moved.  "Slower.  Draw it out," he said quietly.  She did and it was nicer.  "Smile more, Dawn.  Most guys want to be the center of your world."  He shifted, spreading his thighs some.  She wasn't half bad but without the pole climbing spins it wasn't as hot.  He patted his lap.  "They teach you this part?"

"Nope."  She strolled over, kicking off the shoes.  He smiled.  "Didn't want you to throw them."  She straddled his thighs.  "How do I do this?"

"This is just the same, only now you're closer.  If you're working it's a no touching.  If you're just thrilling a lover, then it's however much teasing he can take."  She smiled and raised her arms above her head, moving a bit.  He pulled her closer.  "That's too far away for a tease."  She writhed and wiggled, slowly which he liked, and he was getting very hard.  "Turn around."  She stood up and then slid backwards into his lap.  She reached back to link her hands behind his neck while moving.  "Very nice."  One of his hands slid into her bottoms.  She wasn't nearly as tense this time.  He found the right spot, earning a moan and her butt grinding back into him.  "This is also a great way to have sex," he said in her ear, touching her clit gently.  "Guys like this position and the other way around."  She nodded, bucking into his fingers.  "Let the feeling dictate the motion.  Here, find it with your own hand.  That way you know where it is."

"I heard guys like to watch," she said.

"Some do.  A lot do really."  She found it herself and she was a bit non-rhythmic now.  "Slow down.  A tease is always a great thing unless you only have ten minutes and a broom closet."

She groaned.  "Damn it."  He helped her flip around, earning a look.  He smiled and sat her back across his lap. She wiggled out of her  bottoms and unzipped his pants. "I should learn that too, because guys like it."

"All guys like blow jobs," he agreed smugly.  "Some girls don't do great at it and some won't without reciprocation.  Some guys hate giving oral sex, some love it, some love every part of a woman's body."  She slid down him and he arched up.  "Hands on my shoulders," he said, putting the free one there.  "For balance.  Just like before."  She was grinding.  "Up and down."

He lifted her a few times until she got it.  It was apparently good, she kept losing her rhythm.  He smiled as she turned back around to try it that way.  He moaned as she slid back down.  "A lot of guys take this as an opening to shove you over something and do it doggy style," he said in her ear, earning a shiver.  He let her have her fun for now then tossed her onto the couch and followed.

"Hey!"  She fought back.  Her arms were pinned behind her back.  "Is this some sort of test?"

"Yup.  What're you going to do, Dawn?" he asked with an evil grin.

"Depends on who's doing it, doesn't it?  A boyfriend I'd complain about my arms being sore.  A guy I didn't want there I'd kick and fight.  I don't want to damage you though."  He laughed so she kicked him on the thigh and he let her shift.  "Sore arms."

"That can happen."  He let her pounce him back into the couch though she stopped his head from hitting the arm magically and put a pillow under it.   "Now what?"

"Now I guess I should try something."  She moved down to lick at him.  "So that's what girls taste like."  He laughed until she sucked him in.  "Can't learn this from a tape," she said between attempts.

He guided her head.  "Inhale," he ordered.  She did.  "Play with it, Dawn.  Anything is good as long as it's not your teeth, a gag, or too hard of a squeeze."  She figured it out after a few attempts and it was a pretty decent blow job.  Not on his top ten all time list but definitely a great one.  Good enough to make him moan and contemplate flipping her over.  He was getting close to coming so he arched up and flipped them over so he was kneeling over her.  He slowly pulled back, smirking at her.

"My turn."  He shifted her up and she went willingly.  She was blushing but damned if she wasn't happy.  She was damp and she tasted good.  Her clit was easy to find.  She had been teasing herself while sucking on him.  He teased her until she did come and then kept going.  She wiggled but he pulled her hips back and went back to it.  He got her back to the point of writhing and happy then flipped her over to teach her about how great doggy style was.  She kept reaching back for him.  He leaned over her, letting her have his arm to grip.  Some girls needed something to grab onto during sex, he never minded.  She was thrusting back.

"Off tempo, meet me," he said in her ear.  She panted and did that.  She lost track a few times which meant she was definitely lost in the sensation.  He kept her there for as long as he could. He finally reached around to tease her again and her clit jumped in his fingers.  She let out a high pitched whine.  He bit her on the shoulder gently.  She bucked back into him, nearly making them sit up.  He did it again and she growled. He tried the other side and she melted.  That might be important to know.  He nibbled on her back over her spinal cord.  She came and he smirked.  He rode her through it, letting himself come after she was calmer.  She flopped down.  He laid down and pulled her against his chest.  There was just enough room to spoon.  She was asleep before he got the condom off. He napped too.  It was a great workout.

***

Dawn came out of the bathroom dressed for work.  He looked her over.  The pencil skirt was dark blue.  The shirt was a pale cream.  Open at the throat.  Very demure and tasteful.  Even with the four inch heels.  She paused and stared then kissed him.  He grinned.  "Thank you."

"Welcome."  He stroked his knuckles over her cheek.  "You good for work today?"

"I'm fine but Fury is getting my foot up his ass.  That's why I'm wearing these shoes."

He laughed.  "I think there's a short line but you're definitely near the front.  We might have to gang up on him."  She moved closer to kiss him again.  "We have ten minutes before we have to leave, Dawn," he teased.  She texted she'd be twenty late and pushed him against the wall, bouncing up to rest around his waist.  "You should be against the wall so it helps me hold you up," he said, flipping them around.  It was still good and she was getting off faster now.  She got loud too.  They both calmed down afterward and she carefully slid down him to the floor.  She reached down to help him back into his pants then kissed him.  He shook his head but he was smiling.  "You better?"

"Yeah, I think I am."  She walked out, pausing to lock the door.  Nothing.  "Try this."

He did, frowning.  "It's jammed open."  He noticed the person lying up the hall.  "Sir, do you need EMS?" he asked loudly.

"No, man, happy smoke," she moaned, thumping her head back down.

Dawn nodded, pulling out her phone to call security.  "It's Dawn.  Can I please have a tiny bit of help?  Thanks."  She hung up.  A few minutes later one of the guards jogged up the stairs.  He paused, took in the person on the floor that was still moaning happily about happy smoke.  "My lock's jammed open."

He frowned and tried it.  "You don't bring home classified files, right?"

"No.  I barely touch classified files.  Which is why this is odd."

He nodded.  "I'll have a locksmith come, Dawn."

"Thanks.  I have no idea how to handle this.  I need five keys for emergency keys."  He nodded.  "I have no idea what to do with her.  She's the neighbor up the hall and around the corner."

"I'll have someone come check her.  Go to Stark Tower, it's probably safer and Mr. Stark just said you're late."

"I texted I'd be late."  She patted him on the arm.  "Thank you.  Call me when he needs a credit card or whatever so I can pay him."

"Yes, ma'am."  She smiled and they walked out together.

Dawn goosed Clint, earning a pointed look.  "I would've done that before."

"You have many times," he agreed, putting on his sunglasses.  "Poke me later, when you have sparring practice with Natasha and I."

"Here?"

"Yeah, we can borrow Stark's gym.  Probably safer for you."  He walked off, getting into his car to head off.

Dawn walked up to work, smiling at the guards as she ran her passes.  "My lock was jammed open."

"That's not good," the guard agreed.  "We have a locksmith we like."  She smiled at him and headed up to the office.

Tony stared at her.  "You okay?  I have advil and we do have shrinks on staff."

"I'm good.  Sorry about being late."

"I heard you called for some help?"

"Lock was jammed open and I sent that before I knew that."  He smirked.  She got into her phone and tossed it over when she had found a text message.  "Maybe he's possessed."

He read the simple 'do I have to send Stark over to do it instead' and snorted.  "That would not have happened."

"Thank the Goddess," she complained.  He threw it back, letting her catch it.  "That was Fury's toss-away, right?"

"Yeah, it was.  We'll have a talk with him later.  I've heard he's had a lot of medical checks for the last few days."

"The drugging?"

"Probably, no concrete evidence."  She grimaced but nodded.  "You did look nice but again, a bit older than you are."

"Yes but all the dresses for girls my age are for prom.  Not even Callia would like me to be that twinkly."

"No, probably not.  I heard about a cream colored dress?"

"Thickish straps, sweetheart neckline with a bit of dip in the center, only an inch.  Ruched down to the waist then it flares down a more flamenco inspired skirt that starts with a slit at about mid-thigh height and moves down to mid-calf in back."  He raised an eyebrow.  "Pepper said it was a bit too light and too showy for the gala.  I'm saving it for something else since I look very good in it.  What's my job today, boss?"

"Fix my desk."  She came over to do that.  "Then go help Pepper like usual.  I think she wanted a girl talk."

"She's really good at the girl talks."  He grinned, leaving her to it.  Once she got done filing and sorting for him, she carried the few things up the hall he needed to sign.  He saw her and looked curious.  "Signage."  He looked and signed things.  One had notes on the margin that he read and he took that to reread better.  The rest were simple things like leave requests for his assistants and new parts being ordered.  She took them to Pepper, who smiled at her.  "Morning.  Sorry I was late."

"I know you said twenty minutes," she said dryly.

"Then we found a jammed open lock on my door."  Pepper winced.  "A neighbor slobbering about happy gas in the hallway, and then I stopped to fix Tony's desk first."

"That makes more sense."  She took the papers.  "Not the agreement?"

"He has it.  He's rereading it.  He noticed he made notes."

"That's good.  He's over a day ahead of where it would usually be."  She signed what she needed to and sent it on.  Dawn got to work on her filing and messages.

Natasha walked in.  "We are sparring here today, Dawn?"

She smiled.  "There's a great private gym."

"True."  She smiled slightly.  "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine, Natasha.  Really.  It's all good and I can still pick on him," she said quietly, glancing around.

"Excellent."  She patted her on the shoulder.  "That collar does not cover up bite marks."

"It's fine and only you noticed," she said, moving it some.  Natasha smiled and went into the office.  She got sent to herd Tony while Natasha dealt with huffy higher ups who wanted impossible things.  Dawn strolled in.  "Pepper said congrats on getting to that agreement sooner than usual."

He smiled.  "It's a bad one."

"I have not read it and do not know what it's on.  It's not my business, boss."

"Good point."  He looked her over.  "You sure you're fine?  You only wear those shoes when your feet hurt."

"No, I'm good.  I wore them in case I run into a certain person so I can kick him."

He laughed.  "I think Coulson's in line in front of you but he was vowing poison."

She nodded.  "Poison was a good band.  Phil introduced me to 80's music."  She smiled.  "What do you need me to do?  Natasha's here so I'm your sheepdog."

"I never considered myself a sheep."

"Now and then you pretend very well," she quipped.

He pointed.  "Go straighten out the tools for me?"  She nodded, going to do that.  "So, are we going to see further meetings?"

"You didn't hear about the club assignment?"

"Excuse me?" he demanded.  "What club assignment?"  She looked at him.  He had been at that meeting.  "Oh hell no!  You're not an agent!"

"We think we can do it with very minimal exposure for any of us, especially in the press.  Because that is not the sort of club I want to be seen coming out of.  I did warn Mom to ignore any strange pictures."

"That's nice," he agreed sarcastically.  He grimaced.  "Which club?"

"The pagan club that Tara got invited to."

"I've heard things."  Natasha strolled in with Steve.  "Are you sure you have to go there with my assistant?"

"She has an invitation.  Or else we would not."

"Which I could do without," Dawn agreed.  "Tony, did you want me to leave out the half finished kiddy drawings?"

"Please."  She filed the rest in the cabinets she had pulled in there for him.  They were discreetly under the stairs.  "What's up, Steve?"

"I came to see if Dawn could straighten out my files too."

Dawn looked at him.  "Since when did you use an office?"  He shrugged.  She walked over and tested him, then swatted him on the back of the head, making him turn into Loki.  "Not cute."  She walked off.  "I know you don't have an office outside your boyfriend's and he has an assistant."

"She's not nearly as fetching."

Dawn smiled.  "I only fetch if someone turns me into a puppy.  What do you want now?"

"There was something taken from the secret caverns under the Hall."  She nodded slowly, making 'get on with it' motions.  "Some of it was an incense that Freya used for special ceremonies and some of it was an oil that created a problem which no one will mention without blushing."

"I think both of those tried to come my way.  The smoke only made me sleepy and the stuff on the flower got put down the garbage disposal."  He stared at her.  She grinned.  "Hellmouth taint," she said cheerfully.  "Want me to check Thor for a possession?"

"We believe someone made my daughter retrieve it."

"Had her wife hostage?" Tony guessed.  Loki stared at him.  "Xander told us.  She sounds like a really nice guy."

"I believe so.  I have no idea and I cannot get near her house.  Nor can I find my son."

Dawn looked up.  "Hey, Roque, you busy for a minute?"  He appeared out of the shadows under the stairs.  "Who stole the stuff from Valhalla?"

"Xander's sister.  We've since gotten her wife back and she only took a very tiny amount.  What's wrong with Fury?"

"We've all wondered that.  He's taken a whole lot of personal interest and glee in my life this last week."

He stared at her.  "Is it handled?"

"Yup.  Unless they use that potion Loki mentioned.  Are either of those ingredients?"

"Quite," he admitted.  "Oh, dear."  He disappeared, trying not to smile.

Dawn looked at Natasha, who was warning the others.  She looked at Roque.  "If I ask can you please go take out that cult?"

"We mostly have."  He smirked.  "Clay was bored."

She gave him a hug.  "Thanks, growly one."  She let him go.  "Was the text message asking if I'd surrogate for you and him from your mother or who?"  He shrugged.  She found the message to show him.

He stared at the number, looking it up in his phone.  "No, that came from Aphrodite.  I'll have Xander go talk to her."

"Please.  Thank you.  Anything else we need to hear on that bad guy yet?"

"Not a lot.  That night, be very conspicuous."

"It's my graduation from high school.  I made up over a year's worth of work to graduate on time.  I'm graduating in the top ten percent.  I'm going clubbing in something slightly trashy with high heels on."  He laughed and walked off, heading back to talk to Xander.  She looked at Tony and Natasha.  "Does that work for being in the open and yet protected?"

"Very," she agreed.  "Here?"

"Velage."

"We can make sure it's clear that night," she decided.  "Wear the purple dress to tease others?"

"Eww, no.  I look bad in that one, Natasha.  I can wear the green one."

She smiled.  "Not that one you're thinking of.  We'll figure it out.  Maybe the gray one to go with the boots?"

"Maybe.  Though I need it fitted.  The sides are a bit loose."  That got a nod and she left them alone.  Tony was giving her a funny look.  "It's the Second Rule of Buffy.  Always have the perfect outfit for any apocalypse battle or major fight.  The first Rule is remember Scooby Rule #1: No one dies without permission and it's never given."

"You guys had rules?" he asked, smiling.

"Yeah, every group's gotta have bylaws according to Organizations class.  We ended up violating the second rule of the group, Xander is not allowed to do magic.  The third was always take time for fun, even during the darkest days. Fourth was no one touches Giles' special mug, not even Spike for blood.  Fifth was that only Buffy could use Mr. Pointy."

"Mr. Pointy?" he laughed.

"She got him from Kendra, the one who died to call Faith," she said more quietly.  "She was Council raised and she put all her frustration and desires into carving him.  Mr. Pointy is in a case in her bedroom."

"I can understand that.  I'm glad no girls are being raised by them now.  I would've killed them over my daughter."

Dawn smiled.  "A few weren't.  They had private teachers and a tutor from the Council because their parents fought back and were wealthy.  So said one of the Xander's at the convention."

He nodded.  "That would've been mine and then I still would've blown them up."  She smiled and got back to her sorting job.  "Leave the laser cutters out."

"They're on the charging pad."

"Thank you."  He got back to work.  He wasn't about to let Dawn be taken by some funny cult.  He'd never find anything in his office or his workshop again.  And he'd miss the mouthy brat.

***

Dawn walked up to Phil outside the SHIELD building, smiling at him.  "How was your day?"

"Not bad.  How was sparring?"

"I didn't do too badly.  I'm still hitting weakly.  I need to figure out why I cannot put the arm strength to work."

"Sometimes it's form over ability."  He walked her off.  "Risky."

"I got told to come gather you.  You were late."

He smiled.  "Not that late."

"Natasha said you're late."

"Oh, yes, she's in a mood today."

"She nearly kicked Clint's ass but he was picking on her."  That got a smile once they were in the car.  "Anyway...."  She handed him her phone.  He looked over the latest text messages.  "Clearly out of the loop."

"Clearly and good.  Did you talk to Loki?"

"Yup."

"Wonderful.  What did he want?"

"A few things stolen from under the main hall.  Mostly used to sex drug people or in that renewal potion."

He groaned.  "Damn."

"We're having dinner and it's your turn to buy."

"I can do that."  He drove them off, taking them on a new route tonight.  He found a nice place he had been looking for and went in to get it, coming back.  Dawn held it next to her in case anything seeped through.  They went back to her place.  She handed him a new key.  "Good idea."

"Lock was jammed this morning when we came out."

"Even better idea.  Maybe you can move again?"

"Hell no."

He smiled.  "Fine."  They walked in and found the other two looking at her box of porn.  "Are you that bored?"

"She didn't believe that there was vampire and tentacle porn together."

Dawn walked over and lifted a box to grab one, handing it to her.  "One of Spike's favorites so a piece is a bit stretched.  He said he'd send me a copy on DVD."  She went to change, coming out in shorts and a t-shirt, with no shoes and her hair loose.  She got them drinks and they sat down to talk about what had happened, what Loki had said, how sparring had went, and that club.  It was only open seven days a month and the next one was the week after her graduation.  Natasha told them about her plans for after graduation, getting a nod of appreciation but a veto on that outfit.

Clint looked at him.  "You never let her wear anything too flashy."

"A good brother doesn't."

"I'm ordering something," Dawn said with a hand wave.  "I ran it past Pepper earlier and she thought it was just the right sort of clubbing dress.  So we can use it wherever.  I needed something new to club in.  Somehow the agents lost some of mine."

"No I believe they're in my closet," Phil admitted.  "They thought they might not be appropriate and put them there on me."  He stuffed his mouth.

"Is this like how you broke your toe?" she asked dryly.  He shook his head.  "Okay.  I want them back."

"We'll see.  You're clearly growing again since everything's getting tighter and shorter."

"I did my own laundry, Phil.  It shrank."

"Still, Dawn."

She shook her head.  "We'll see."  He nodded they would.  "As an added bonus on top of today, the doc at Stark industries that pulled me in for my yearly physical said that I'm fat.  Apparently my BMI is high.  I cackled my ass off and pointed out I wasn't fat, I barely had any fat left, and it was all muscle.  He said he still had to put it in there.  That I'd get a letter from the insurance company offering me a reduced rate if I lost some weight."

"You barely weigh enough to matter," Natasha said.

"BMI was never meant to be a measure of weight," Dawn said.  "It was created by some social scientists for some other reason.  It doesn't take into account muscle mass versus fat or anything.  It's a simple height to weight comparison."

"Did you tell Pepper?"

"I called her and let the doctor tell her that.  Pepper corrected him, making him huff and tell her it was his duty.  I took off my shirt and said to please find the fat.  The little tiny bit on my stomach is supposed to be there for healthy breeding whenever I want to.  He stomped off pouting."

Natasha shook her head.  "SHIELD's standards are more realistic."

"That's because they expect muscular people," Clint said.  "I registered as a bit heavy last time and the doctor shook his head and signed off on it being all muscle."

"I need to have him do mine," Dawn quipped.

"Did Stark hear?" Phil asked, eating a bite of his sub.

"Yup, and cackled himself sick.  He told me I had to eat more for lunch because clearly the measures were warped."  They all smiled.  They'd deal with it at a later date when it became necessary.  "Had that second interview today so it came up.  She said I had a very nice body but she wondered why I didn't have a six or eight pack of abs.  I told her I thought they looked a bit funny on women."  That got another group nod.  "Cap is still blushing when he looked at me today."

"That bikini was evil," Clint assured her.  She smirked.  "Coulson, did you know that they taught pole dancing as PE in her high school?"  Phil choked.  So did Natasha.

"They teach it in many gyms in the city too.  It's still a good cardio workout," Dawn said.  She stuck her tongue out at him.  "You're just jealous because you can't do it."

"I could probably do it and those pole moves you said you can't do because it takes the upper arm strength."

"Excuse me," Phil wheezed.  "How did we get onto this topic?"  Clint pointed at the pole.  "I wasn't going to wonder about it," he admitted.

"It's a good cardio workout.  I was missing a PE cardio requirement.  They offer it and said it was fine if I took it off-site too."

He looked at her.  "No.  Just say no."

"They have belly dancing for cardio too."

"No," he repeated.  She laughed and grinned.  "Seriously?"  Natasha nodded.  "Where?"

"I know of at least six gyms that offer it and a few private teachers offering classes," she said.  "Some are more of the dance moves for those learning how to belly dance.  Some have been adapted for workout reasons.  It's not a bad workout.  I followed it with yoga."

"I tried yoga, I'm not that flexible," Dawn said.

"You should work on that," Natasha said.

Dawn grinned.  "Maybe I'll take a class for my PE at NYU."

"They do offer it," she agreed.  Dawn nodded.

Clint shook his head.  "What's zumba?"

"You've seen that ad on tv for the dance classes workout video?" Dawn asked.  He nodded.  "That.  It's big like the tai-bo kickboxing thing was a few years back.  Suddenly latin music got hot and girls wanted to dance like them."

"Who took off to get salsa dancing lessons?" Phil countered.

"They said I moved pretty well for my first lesson."  She smiled.

"Uh-huh."  He ate a large bite of food.  Dawn was getting up to get more water.  Something thunked into the window.  Dawn ducked and moved, pulling her hidden gun.  The others pulled their guns.  "Arrow," Coulson said.

Clint grabbed his backpack that had his backup bow in it.  He pulled it and flicked off the lights on his way to the window.  "Crazy knight," he said, firing on him.  That one fell and the other one trying to fire on them got hit next.  "Two down."  Coulson called that in.  Stark Security was there to help within minutes.  They found a few more.  "How many more are there?" he asked.

"We thought a dozen but they may have junior members at home that we didn't find," he admitted.  "We know they're against breeding except for an heir to carry on their duties."

Dawn looked over.  "I'm so over them.  Can I go stomp them?"

"No.  We'll let others do it," Coulson said.  "You're too valuable to risk."  She nodded, and slowly straightened up.  She put her gun back.  It looked like it disappeared.  "Nice concealment spell."  She smiled.

"I want that one," Clint said.

"I can't put it on electronics," she said.  "Only mechanical things."

He considered it.  "I might ask for a mission."  She shrugged and nodded.  "Thanks, Short Stuff."

"I'm not that short.  Buffy's shorter than I am."

"They fed her munchkin food," he joked with a grin.  "You got half real food so you're not as short."  Someone knocked and Natasha went to get it.  She knew all the security team, Coulson did but he was examining the arrow for any poisons.  Dawn looked around and pointed.  They looked at the spot on the wall.  It was oddly lumpy.  Clint pulled a knife and opened the spot.  "Bomb," he agreed.  "Easy one though."  He pulled out the wires he needed to, handing it off.

"We've got the bomb dog coming," the security team member said.

"I guess I'm camping on Phil's couch," Dawn decided.  Phil nodded.  She sighed and clapped a three-clap pattern.  Everything not on the table and her purse packed into three boxes.  "That'll make moving easier."  She strolled around to make sure it had gotten everything.

"Nice," Natasha said.  "That's very practical."

"Emergencies or earthquakes could happen at any time in Sunnydale.  Willow wrote it.  She's the one that made the warding template I use too."

Phil patted her on the shoulder.  "Like all addicts she got lost," he said quietly.

"I know."  She patted his hand.  "There's plenty of days when that's a bad thing."  The security team got them moved after checking Dawn's car, and Phil's car.  She got bundled to Phil's couch.  By the time they got to his place to finish dinner and make plans, there were worried calls from Thor and Steve.  Tony's call was a bit angry sounding.  He was swearing at the top of his lungs about something they couldn't understand.  Dawn frowned and texted him that she was fine and would make it on time in the morning from Phil's couch.  He sent back one saying to call him.

She walked off calling him.  "What happened, boss?"  She blinked a few times.  "What did I supposedly do?  No, I paid for the locksmith."  She waved at Phil, who scowled.  He had it traced.  "No, that wasn't me.  I was in the gym.  I was sparring with Natasha and Clint both in the gym at that time.  No, just regular sparring, not agent sparring.  They were trying to teach me to box, and failing a bit admittedly.  I was nowhere near the safe room at that time and I don't have the codes to safe room.  I've never been past the doorway while you were putting something in there. You had me help you carry it," she reminded him.  "If that's what you want, fine," she agreed.  "You have a better night and I'll make sure I sue you to get visitation with my niece, Mr. Stark."  She hung up and shook her head.  "Whatever got Fury has him."

"We'll figure it out," Phil soothed.

"Well at least I don't need to get up early tomorrow."  She went to pour some milk then tossed it out and got some water.  "Milk was chunky."

"Sorry."

She shrugged.  Natasha gave her a pat on the back.  "I know it's nothing I did.  He said I got into the safe room and I've never been down there except for that time he had me help him carry something.  I couldn't get past the door because of the security system.  So how did I get the lock?  It's electronic and I can't pick those magically.  He knew that."

Xander appeared, hugging her.  "We'll figure it out."

"Whatever got Fury got him."

"I'm pretty damn sure I know the cause."

"Willow?" she guessed.

"Tara's stepmother."  He disappeared.  He found Fury and blasted him with magic, making the people in the bar flee.  "Good."  He followed to where he had landed, scanning him.  "Yup, definitely a curse."  Someone floated in wearing a cheesy outfit.  "Hi, butt out."

"Who are you to tell me such?" he demanded.

"I'm Alexander, God Protectorate of Humanity."  The man blinked.  "This man is presently under a curse.  It's a friend's stepmother trying to take out one who protects her stepdaughter from her hell."

The mage tested then nodded.  "He is and others."  He ended them.  Fury was shivering.  "There's more than one."

"I'm pretty sure the other one's on Tony Stark and possibly Pepper Potts at the moment.  I'm going there next."

"I will follow."

"Cool."  Xander appeared there, looking up as alarms went off.  "Like that's going to stop me."  Guards came rushing and he immobilized them.  "Guys, I'm trying really hard not to be mean.  Right now I'm going to visit my goddaughter and her father."  He walked past them, freezing the whole building.  Stark came out of the office with a glove from his suit on.  "Repulsors won't work on me either."  He tried it anyway.  Xander teleported out of the way and behind him, grabbing his head and freezing him.  Tony shivered.  "Not the same curse.  That's nice.  That's the other Loki though.  Huh."  He called his uncle.  "Feel this."

He did and grimaced.  "That other Loki," he sneered.  He looked at his nephew.  "Why are you involved?"

"He just yelled at Dawn for something she had no part of."

"That hussy...."  Xander knocked him down and out.

"Really?  I think it's a clear cut case of infection."

"He wears that first one's curse," the mage said.  "The other wears something that stinks."

Xander unfroze him.  "Tell me a lie."  Tony tried to shoot him so he froze all but his head.  "Tell me a lie, Stark.  Now."

"Xander," Pepper warned.  He raised a hand so she was held against a wall.  It wasn't hurting her.  It was barely wrinkling her.  She was still fighting like it was burning her.

"She wears the same stink," the mage said.  "What is that?"

"Tell me a lie," Xander told Tony.

"You're good at what you do."  It took a second for him to melt but he did.  Which made Pepper freak out.

Xander looked at her.  "Tell me a lie."  She was shrieking.  "Now, Ms. Potts.  Before I call more help."

"Let me remove that curse first," he ordered.  He did that then got Thor's.  "Those are odd."

"Some idiot in Germany makes them for foreign intelligence interests."  Xander looked at her.  "Tell me a lie."

"I'm Pepper, I swear I am, Xander."  She turned to goo.  The security guards were all being horrified.

Xander looked at them.  "They both attacked Dawn earlier."  That got a nod.  "That is how you test for that infection.  It ran through SHIELD a few weeks back.  That means that both of them are hostage somewhere."  The head guard nodded.  "Do whatever your protocol is, people."

"Dawn?" one asked.

"Safe.  That Tony tried to say she was fired.  I have no idea how to handle that.  Handling a temple full of warriors is a bit different.  A lot fewer protocols."  Someone came flying in and stomped his way.  "Hold," he ordered, freezing him.  "Raise the visor."  The guy was forced to but he was growling.  "Tell me a lie, Rhodey.  You know me, I don't attack without a good reason."

"What?"

"Tell.  Me. A.  Lie."

"You're a pretty girl."  Nothing.  They waited.  Still nothing.  "What the hell?"

"New goo clones.  They take a few extra seconds."  He pointed.  "Tony started to scream at Dawn about the safe room she's never been in."

"She couldn't get into it.  Only Stark can.  I can't even get into it and I have design access levels," Rhodey said.

"She can't magically pick electronic locks," Xander said.  "Tony, this clone of him, tried to fire her.  I have no idea what your protocol is.  Do I need to take Callia?"

"No."

"Let me check her nanny," one of the guards said.  "If she's not her, then yes, sir.  I know you're her godfather."

"She'll go to her aunt," Xander assured him.  He looked at Rhodey.  "Fury was cursed."

"We heard he was going to turn into a teenager."

The mage backed away from Thor.  "He's finally free.  He is quite strong."

"Well, he is Thor," Xander said dryly.  He looked at him.  "Did you get the new bad guy?"

"There's higher ups scared enough to need new panties," he said bluntly.

"As I have it, I'll pass out new info.  We have nothing new."

"Sacrifice?"

"They stole what they need to renew her.  She knows though.  Dad told her."

"You're not bad for being the son of a chaos god," Rhodey joked.  The mage tested him.  "Who're you?"

"The one who is ending the curse."

"I say I release Rosenburg on Tara's stepmother since she did that."

Rhodey shuddered.  "She's alive?"

"They're making sure she can't kill Coulson when she goes since she called him back."

Rhodey's eyes went wide.  "Seriously?"

"Yeah.  When that other Loki busted out.  She said it was to make sure Tara quit crying."

"Uh-huh.  Can we end her soon?"

"We might need her for this," Xander admitted quietly.  "She's more power than discretion but we might."

"We might," he decided.  He took a deep breath.  "Stark has a tracker on him.  Anyone look at it yet?"  One of the guards ran off to do that.  Xander was handed the baby.  "Not her?"

"Neither one.  I video called the other one and she's goo."

Xander nodded.  "Okay, we'll go see Auntie Dawn at Uncle Fi-Fi's house."  She beamed and patted him.  "Her bear or whatever?"  It was handed over with two bags, one a diaper bag.  "Thank you.  Let me drop her off then we'll go test the last few Avengers."  She cooed when he teleported them.

"Twinkly," she cooed.

Dawn jumped up and took her to cuddle.  "Danger level?"

"Extreme.  Goo and they're now lasting a few seconds."  Coulson nodded, reporting that in.  "By the way, Tara's stepmother is responsible for the curse."  He flashed out to find Rogers.  "Hold," he ordered, freezing the guards.  Steve glared.  "Tell me a lie."

"This again?"

"Yup, and they last a bit longer now.  Tony's missing by the way."

"He's upstairs somewhere."

"He went to goo at Stark Industries after the goo clone yelled at Dawn for something she couldn't possibly do.  Lie?"

"I'm naturally a blonde girl who likes ice cream."  Nothing.  He relaxed. The mage showed up to test him.  He removed the curse, making Steve wince and hold his head.  "What was that?"

"Tara's stepmom.  I'm going to sic Willow on her."

"She's going tonight," one guard said quietly.

"No.  We'll need her during this upcoming thing.  We need all the strength we can have.  Fury's in a bar up the street."

"The president said so," that guard said.

"Dad, go get him to rescind the order.  We might need Willow."  Loki appeared with the redhead in tow.  "You knew?"

"He's affected."

"So it's hitting anyone who might have influence over someone who could shelter Tara."

Loki sneered.  "Who would touch the pure one?  She is so pure she makes my skin itch but I would not see such harmed."

"Her stepmother," Xander said.  "We think."

"I will handle that."  He went to talk to that young woman and then her stepmother.  She was the cause of the curse.  He made it rebound onto her.  She went into a shrieking and shaking fit until her head exploded.  "My son favors your daughter.  I would not have him upset.  His anger is not something the world needs to court."  He disappeared.

Xander looked at Willow then at the guards.  "Safe room?"  They nodded.  He put her into a mild trance and let them lead her off.  He looked at Steve.  "Who's in charge when Fury's off his rocker?"

"Agent Hill."

"In the hall, sir, waiting to make sure it's safe," someone male called.

"I never attack unless it's warranted.  It's why I'm the protector of humanity instead of the destroyer of stupid humans."  He looked at her.  "Have you told a lie recently?"

"I did and will again, Alexander.  I'm madly in love with Mr. Stark."  Nothing.  She smiled.  "Who has the baby?"

"Her aunt.  Both her nannies went to goo.  The new ones last a few seconds later."

"Good to know.  Her aunt?"

"Stark was one.  Pepper was one.  Pepper was also infected by the curse from Tara's stepmom.  Dad went to talk to her."  She shuddered.  "Yeah.  Rosenburg?"

"Presidential orders."

Xander took her with him to the white house.  The president shouted when they appeared.  Xander glared at the guards, who backed off.  "We need Rosenburg until the next apocalypse battle."

"I've heard there is one.  Why?" he demanded.

"He's strong enough he managed to kill Gods that can't be killed by anyone but one of them.  He's tied into creation," Xander said honestly.  "That means he's able to probably sneeze and destroy the world.  Just like she can."

"I can grant a reprieve until that battle is done.  No further."

Xander nodded. "She'll go during it or after it," he agreed.  "I've nearly taken her down a few times and I never understood why we didn't.  Clearly someone had a notion and never told us."

Janus appeared, nodding.  "I did know and stayed the hand many a times, Alexander."  Xander looked at him.  "You will need her.  He is strong but you can be stronger."

"If must needs so be it," he said quietly.  He knew that meant he was going to die.  He'd have to burn himself out during the battle to kill him.  "When?  Do you have an approximate date?"

"The calling will not happen.  The summoning will not happen the first or second time.  The third will be the charm when they have a new sacrifice.  Your goddaughter needs better protection than her aunt."

"Do they still want her?"

"It is not her.  It is the baby.  They may still try with your adopted daughter but will fail."

Xander bowed his head and nodded.  "She'll have the best I can find, even if I do send her to Pegasus."

Janus smiled.  "That is not a bad place as long as you pick somewhere you have cleared."  He stared at him.  "We know you can handle it, even though the elders who remember are scared," he said quietly.  "You and the others are younger, stronger, more crafty, and they were new to the way of wars beyond their family squabbles.  You know of wars.  Your people know of wars."  Xander nodded.  "Even the chaos gods will help you.  All but the displaced one.  He is influenced."

"I'll take that into account.  Thank you."

"You are most welcome.  Also, that blue shirt?  It looks bad on you since you'll wonder."  He smiled and disappeared.

"Dad?" he called.  He walked up the hall and in.  "Did you hear?"

"We'll lock him up extra tightly, my son."  He looked at him.  "You will not die for this world," he warned quietly.

"I will do my duty as I was taught," Xander said firmly.  "If my duty is to kill the bastard by blowing myself up during the battle then so be it.   The duty is my duty."

Loki shook his head.  "There are others."

"Not who have a leak.  You're the only one I know of still alive and yours is much smaller than mine."  Loki stepped back.  "I can feel it."  He grimaced.  "Can you lay protections on Callia and Dawn that would divert attention around them by the people who want them?"

"That is a plan I can do," he agreed.

"Can you please go tell John to find me a safe spot in case I need to send them?"  He nodded, going to do that.  He looked at the president then at Agent Hill.  "Orders?"

"We'll let her live until the battle."

"Thank you."  He took her back to the headquarters.  He wrote down what Janus had said and left it on the Avenger's table, getting a nod from her.  He went back to tell his people and then checked on Dawn.  "Any news yet?" he asked as he appeared.

"No, not yet.  Your dad put on a divergence spell," she said.

"I asked him to."  She nodded.  Callia was napping on her.  He hugged Dawn around the head.  "Be careful."  He disappeared.  He had some plans to make.  Including who was going to take his spot.  John was adamant he didn't want it.

***

Tony Stark stomped into his office the next day.  "Where in the hell is my assistant?" he demanded.

"At her hiding place with your daughter," one of the guards said smartly.  "Sir, tell me a lie please?"

Tony looked at him.  "I'm Pepper in disguise."  Nothing happened.  "Why is she there and not here?"

"Because that you threatened her for doing something she couldn't possibly do and then fired her."

"Excuse me?" he demanded.  He found his cellphone and called her.  "Where in the hell are you?"  She said something a bit coolly.  "That wasn't me, Dawn.  What did he accuse you of?"  He winced.  "No that would get you locked out of the building until it was investigated.  Is the investigation done?"  The guard nodded.  "Is she no longer locked out?"

"We can't reauthorize her pass without the CEO's digital permission."

"Where is Pepper?"

"Haven't found her yet, sir.  We're still looking."

Stark considered it.  "Dawn, go to SHIELD.... Is Fury better?"

"No.  He's madder.  He threatened to kill Dawn and Alexander.  He showed up and dared him to take a swing then laid him out again from the gossip we've heard."

"What is wrong with him?"

"We think an infection by the being."

"No one's sure?"  The guard shook his head.  He listened to the phone.  "Dawn, where's Pepper?  Why is she in LA?  Sure.  Thank you.  No, I want you back.  I'm not missing out on your coffee and I'll never find anything.  I'll get the baby later."  He hung up.  "She's in LA somewhere."

"We'll reroute the searches."  He went to tell the search team that.

"Xander," Stark called.  He appeared looking a bit too calm.  "What the hell?"

"You ask like I'm omnipotent.  I'm not that sort of God, Stark.  I'm doing the best I can and handling the major emergencies as they come.  Right now I'm stopping a nuclear reactor from going up.  Again."  He disappeared.

Stark calmed himself.  Xander did not look good.  He texted Roque to see if he had any new information.  He got told that Janus had given some up but it was at SHIELD.  He'd get it faxed over.  Stark made himself stay calm.  He called the others Avengers.  "Are the rest of us all right?" he demanded calmly.

"Mostly," Steve said.  "Being out of the way meant that Natasha, Clint, and Agent Coulson were all safe.  Callia's with them."

"That's fine.  Are they there?"

"No.  They reported that they're staying where they are in case they're attacked again.  Also, FYI, Rosenburg got a reprieve thanks to Xander until the battle is done with."

"That makes sense.  At the very least she can throw power at it.  What about you and Thor?"

"Thor was cursed and he's got a heck of a headache," Steve said.  "Tara's made him something and apologized to the point of crying about her stepmother.  By reports Loki made her head explode."

"Good.  That suits me.  Anyone else affected that we can't clear?"

"Bruce is nowhere to be found."  Tony turned on a security camera.  "Is he there?"

"Looks like he slept on his desk last night.  I'll check him."  He took a calming breath.  "Tell Agent Hill I need that new intel."

"It's in your email she said," Steve said.  "Are you staying there or coming here?"

"I'll be here today.  That way I can calm down the panic because no one can find Pepper, even Dawn."  He hung up, rubbing over his face.  It was too early to drink and he needed a clear head in case he had to go rescue Pepper.  He called Angel's people.  "Gunn, Tony Stark.  My CEO, Pepper, is out there somewhere.  Let me know if you hear about her.  Thank you."  He hung up and got up to do something while he thought.  There was no reason to take Pepper out.  Unless it was to isolate Dawn.  Which made scary sense.  She was very powerful.  She was fairly open.  She had leverage to get Alexander and him, plus most of the rest of SHIELD if she got taken.  He sent a text to Coulson about that.  He assured him he had it covered.  So he'd simply worry in the gym for now.

***

Phil hung up, looking at Dawn.  "Stark thinks Pepper got taken so they could get you," he said quietly.

She looked up from playing with her niece, nodding.  "It makes a scary sort of sense.  If I could dump it and become normal I would."

"You don't have that right," he told her.  "You have to stay here to help us."  She nodded, going back to playing.  He went to make some coffee.  No coffee.  This was not starting out to be a good week.  Dawn summoned some.  "Stole it?"

"Yup.  Sorry."

"I'm not."  He made some and drank the first cup.  The other two agents were resting in his bedroom.  The other two bedrooms didn't have beds.  It was his turn on watch.  "Are you all right?"

"Fuck no."

He patted her on the head.  "Stark will scream again if you teach her to swear."

"He already taught her damn it."  Callia repeated it with a smile.  "Exactly, it's one of those days, dear."  She looked up.  "Is it safe enough to video call Grandma?"

"No.  They might trace it.  We're open here and should move but I have no idea where that's near enough for help to get to us."

"I know.  It's not your fault or my fault.  We're simply pawns."  He nodded.  "Very mad pawns."  He smiled.  She handed him the baby.  "Here, let me go pace for a bit."  She got up and moved to pace.  She looked outside and sighed.  "Knights are here," she announced.  Natasha bit out a curse word in Russian.  "Ya think?" she asked dryly.  She considered it.  She flashed down there and froze them all.  She looked at the head one.  "We are facing the destruction of humanity in a few months by Thanos," she said quietly.  "I am needed for that.  My powers are needed for that.  Back the fuck off before I destroy you all first.  I do not need this and I will lose control of my powers if you don't leave me alone."  She unfroze him.  "Do you have any questions."

"How can we be sure of this information?" he demanded.

She called someone the monks would trust.  One of the local priests had spotted her and told them.  "Tell them of the upcoming battles."

"It is said that Thanos is coming," he said.  "They have even spared Rosenburg's life for the battle."

"Then we will make sure she is safe afterwards as well," the head knight said.  He stared at Dawn.  "You are still a danger to humanity."

"You'd think you'd appreciate me having conscious, good control of it," she snapped back.  "Not letting it bleed out of me."  The head knight shuddered.  "Nothing and no one uses me."

"Yet one has.  We can tell," he sneered.

"I'm eighteen, I thought it was about time, especially since his cult likes me too."  The knight moaned.  "Protecting everyone includes protecting myself.  And if I so much as hear you've went near my mother or sister I will slay you all.  I did learn a lot watching my sister the slayer having to do her duty.  Am I clear?"

"We have no need to go to them," he assured her.  "We can find you.  You glow with it."

"Not that one I don't."  She smiled.  He gasped.  "Aren't you so glad I'm the favorite adopted little sister of Alexander?"

He bowed his head.  "We trust you to keep in control until the battle.  Then we will see."  He and his knights rode off.

She looked at the priest.  "Would your god like that?" she sneered.  "Get right with him."  She stomped off while he shivered.  She went back upstairs.  "Okay, the knights are going to wait to kill me like everyone is to kill Willow."  She slammed the door.

"Hey!" Callia yelled.  "No slammies."

"Sorry, dear."  She cuddled her.  Her niece snuggled in and hugged.  "Thank you.  I needed that."

Natasha patted her on the back.  "You will survive and if we must, that order will be reborn at some other time."

Dawn looked at her.  "Maybe.  If I die, the Key goes with me.  Which means I'll probably ascend according to John.  He told me what that meant.  It's not too horrible but they won't let me interfere in anything."

Natasha patted her again.  "It will not be needed in any way."  She went back to sleep.  She noticed how stiff Clint was.  "She is sensible and making plans in case," she said quietly.

"I know.  I hate anyone has to."

She patted his wrist.  "Reality sometimes does suck."  He nodded.  They went back to napping.  Coulson had it for now and Dawn could be calmed down later.  She teleported off to deal with the rage in a way her niece couldn't see.  Callia didn't need to know about this stuff.

***

Bia looked out the window at the explosion of power.  "Dawn," she said.  Everyone nodded and let her have her crying, screaming fit.  She deserved it and needed it.  When it was mostly over, Xander went to cuddle her and calm her down.  It was all they could do.

***

Dawn looked up at Xander when he moved closer.  She was on her knees on the dirt.  "I don't want to die," she said quietly.  "I have plans.  Things are going well."

"Neither do I," he said, pulling her up to hug her.  "We have to do what we can to make sure the first rule isn't violated.  If we can manage it we will.  Though Willow's going before she can pull either of us back."  She sniffled and nodded, crying on him.  He just held her.  Neither of them wanted to make these plans.  They had to and it sucked everything out of their lives.  They'd do what they had to do, because that was the duty and they knew that only they could do it.  They just wouldn't talk about it.

***

Up in the temple, John left to talk to Hera.  "Lady Hera, I have a petition."

"Come closer, John."

"In private, ma'am.  It's important."  She nodded, taking him to her temple garden.  "How do I do what Xander did and break through the barrier?  We'll need more that can access it beyond him.  I'm volunteering."

She shook her head.  "It cannot be forced as I know of it.  Only the oldest Titans could do something like that.  You are not of their blood, John."

"I know.  Still, sometimes it has to be done."

"We would miss you when it killed you.  As would your family."

"We'll be doing the same missing for Xander and Dawn," he said quietly.  "I want to make sure none of us have to be missed.  Spread the weapon duty around."

She considered it.  "Go to Hades, talk him into letting you talk to Cronus."  He nodded and bowed, going to do that.  She sat down on a bench, worried even more now.  If he managed it and didn't die, that would create a powerful godling without a position.  They had to confirm him.  She went to Zeus.  "We must confirm Jonathan."

"Why?  He's content."

"If not, he won't be as much of a help during the battle.  He asked if there was something he could do to help more.  I thought of this after I sent him to talk to our Father."

Zeus considered it and nodded.  "Get his mother to agree."

"I care not if they agree.  They won't start a war over this."

"No, they won't," he agreed.  "What's open?"  She got the scroll.  "He does like to fly.  He is a good warrior."  They looked.  Nothing really fit John's nature.  Zeus created a new seal.  It was the Protector of their Pantheon.  It would give him power, access to asking for help if needed.  Ares appeared looking amused.  "For Jonathan.  Surely you will not fight it?"

"No, I will not fight it."  He called something over.  "There's already one made.  Made during the Twilight."  He handed it over.

Zeus looked then merged them.  When Jonathan came out of Hades' realm, he'd confer it on him.  "Thank you, Ares."

"Desperate times and I can stand Jonathan in that role where I could not stand my half-brother.  Jonathan has a mind he uses and sense."  He left.

Hera sent a message to Hades to have Jonathan come back before he went to talk to their father.

***

Dawn frowned, looking up.  "New god?"

Xander felt and nodded.  "John.  Protector of the Greek Pantheon.  The Roman will probably follow."  They felt it happen too and nodded.  Then John disappeared back to talk Hades.  He let her go.  "Are you all right?"

"Hell no."

"Me either.  We'll fake it until it happens if we must."  He looked at his temple.  Then at her.  "Clay will do good taking over my spot if O'Neill won't take it."  She nodded.  He brushed her hair back.  "They've got to be worrying."

"Possibly."  She hugged him again.  "If I don't make it, watch Mom and Buffy?"

"Yup.  Ditto.  And you inherit the dog."

She nodded, going home.  She went to the bathroom to clean up.

Natasha watched her then looked at Phil, who shook his head.  They couldn't help with this.  She had to deal with it with their support but no one could fix her worries this time.  Cocoa wasn't enough this time.

***

Nick Fury found the apartment he wanted and knocked on the door.  "We need to talk, Coulson."

"Not unless you're back to yourself, sir.  You proved you were compromised earlier."  He stared at him.

Fury looked over his shoulder, seeing Callia Stark and his face went rigid.  "I see."

"Callia needed protected while her father was missing.  I'm listed as an alternate contact."

"And the two agents you're harboring?"

"They're helping me guard her.  That's not exactly harboring.  I've reported in every few hours as protocol demands."

"I see.  So you think this is the right thing to do?"

"Yes, I do."  Fury growled and started to pull a gun.  "It's clear you're still compromised, sir."  He slammed the door.  Dawn and everything moved to Alexander's temple.  Dawn was clutching the baby.  Phil smiled.  "Sorry to interrupt, Bia."

"Boys, go take out Fury," she ordered.  "Dawn, Hephie put up your own special house out back, dear.  Take the baby out there."  She nodded, taking them back there, the boxes of stuff floating with them.  "You two, go pack for the two agents," she ordered quietly.

"Already did," Dawn called back.  "Earlier."

"Then never mind," Bia said with a happier smile.  She went to help the ones taking down the compromised head of SHIELD.  She was Force, and Force was always stronger than Fury.  They kept forgetting she was a Titan and a Goddess.  It was a shame.

Coulson called in that they had evacuated after running into a compromised Fury again.  That they were safe and out of practical contact but within the US.  He would check in daily through email.  Agent Hill agreed and said they had it handled.  He was locked out of the systems.  He thanked her and hung up, turning off his earpiece.  He put it into his pants pocket and looked at her.  "They gave you a real tub."

She smiled sadly.  "I could use a good soak.  Callia, bath time?"  She squealed and babbled, hugging her aunt.  "Guys, find a spot however."  She took her niece into the bathroom and gently closed the door.  Hephaestus had given her a tub worthy of a football team using.  It had padded seats, water warmers, jets for bubbles and muscle tension.  A shower at one end that you stepped up into.  It automatically filtered any soap not that wasn't bubble bath as she discovered.  It was what she needed.  She got Callia bathed and sent her out for a bedtime story from Phil, then settled herself in it to cry quietly.  She hated this apocalypse.  Why her?

***

Natasha put the baby down on the smaller cot in Dawn's room, listening at the bathroom door.  She shook her head.

Clint sat on the couch, looking at them.  "I found her with one of those heel scrapers, the type with the razor blade, the night she got drugged," he said quietly.

"She's not suicidal," Phil said.

Natasha nodded.  "She's not but she knows that her death may come with this battle. If we need raw power, she is our best source.  Her and Xander."

"Which is why he looked like hell earlier too," Clint said.  "We can't let her do that."

She looked at him.  "We would."

"We're not eighteen-year-old kids," he shot back.  "We're agents.  Big difference."

"She's as much a warrior as the others, even though she chooses not to fight daily.  She goes into this a warrior and if she can come out she will.  Those knights may be waiting but we can kill them afterward if we survive."

"I've talked to SHIELD Europe's head," Coulson said.  "They've agreed to deal with that issue.  They don't want anything to harm the people that will be taking the biggest part of this fight."  He looked toward the bathroom then at them.  "Buffy preplanned her funeral the night she heard her mother had gotten another tumor," he said quietly.  "Dawn doesn't know."  They nodded she didn't need to.  "Joyce has hers preplanned."

"Dawn is probably thinking on hers," Natasha admitted. "This is not the situation I want to be in."

"If a wish could help," Phil said dryly.  "I'd have made it by now."  She nodded she knew that.  He heard Dawn splash and went in there to help her calm down.  She was getting frustrated again.  They had seen the large, circular bare patch down the hill as they walked back to the house.  Dawn was not past the anger stage to the point of making real plans.  She let him hold her and that was what she needed.  Even if he was getting his suit wet.

***

John came back the next morning looking like hell warmed up.  Roque stared, backing away slowly.  "I heard you got appointed."

"That too."  He handed him the scroll.  "From Cronus, who said he remembered the battle.  He said if he had the power he would break out to help us."  He went to his temple to calm himself and get control of the extra energy.

Roque looked over the scroll.  It was good information.  He took it to SHIELD.  "Agent Hill."  She flinched.  He smirked.  "Nice reflexes.  Someone asked Cronus what he remembered of the battle.  That needs to be passed around."

She took it to look at then scanned it in and sent it by email to everyone who needed to see it.  "Thank you.  Dawn?"

"Girl's pissed off, rightly so.  We're helping her handle it."

"Callia?" she asked even more quietly.

"Little brat walked into my bedroom at five this damn morning and poked me demanding a story about elephants," he said dryly, making her smile.  "Thankfully I can manifest clothes because she nearly climbed on top of my naked mate."  She laughed.  Everyone stared.  "Girl's warped.  Has to come from her mother."  He left.

"Why does this foul machine of my brother's creation beep at me again!" Thor yelled.

"New email, Thor," she called.  "Please don't destroy the computer.  We can't replace it.  Have Doctor Banner get into it."

He looked over.  "Like with the cat videos?"

"Email, like letters."

"Oh."  That calmed him down.  "How do I turn off the foul beep?"  Bruce leaned over to do that so they were all spared his hangover.  He scowled at the tiny print.  "Who did they ask?"

"Roque said they asked Cronus."

Thor nodded.  "Aye, he would remember.  It was much before my time and before he started to have and eat babes."

"Is Dawn all right?" Bruce asked.

"Roque said she's very angry right now," she said.  "They're helping her."  He nodded.  "He also said that Callia tried to climb in with them for a story while they were naked."  He smiled.

Thor looked at her.  "It is good and right that a warrior like Roque find a mate that suits his skills and temper.  He is lucky he found one."

"Ask your father for an exemption due to the battle," she said.  "It's not like you can date during this."

"I tried.  He is not seeing any petitions," he complained.  "He wants me to marry someone he likes and she is sweet but mindless and not for a true warrior.  She is meant for a farmer who likes her to bear mindless babies that will work his fields.  She could not even bandage a wound, much less heal or stitch one."  She got him some water and aspirin.  "Thank thee."

"Welcome."  She went back to monitoring things.  She was in charge with Fury wherever he was.

Stark stomped in.  "Is my daughter all right?"

"Roque said she tried to crawl in with them while they were naked for a story on elephants this morning."

"That probably means she realized they were naked," he said dryly, texting him.  Coulson answered with a video of her splashing with Bia in a fountain to get dirt off their hands.  That made him relax.  Now if they had Pepper back he could approach calm.

***

John Sheppard walked onto base and a few people stared at him in awe.  "I know I'm glowing.  I'm trying to dim it," he complained.  He went to talk to O'Neill.  Landry had been banished a few weeks back.  "Sir."  He saluted.

"At east, Colonel.  Why are you glowing?"

"I need to report a change in status."

"I figured you had broken out," he said quietly.

"And now I have a job protecting my father's people.  Especially with this battle coming up."

"I get that.  Not like I can put that on the forms though."  Sheppard smiled.  "They're still arguing about how to close a wormhole."

"Shoot it?"

"That creates a void."

"Which then sucks in the thing coming through it hopefully."

"They've discounted that."

"Fine."

"Anything else to report?"

"Agent Fury was found to be a simaculum.  A golem," he said at the confused look.  "Bits of this and that animated and given personality."

"Oh shit."

"Yup.  They think he's being held wherever Pepper Potts is.  They think it's in LA."

"Great.  If we have a way I'll scan for it."

"I asked one of Janus' people to find them.  Too many are upset right now and we need calm thinking."

"Sheppard, I'm going to be indelicate.  Did you do more than break out?  You feel slightly like your little brother to me."

"Yes, I did, sir.  It's the only way to defeat the bastard.  Otherwise Xander would probably die from it."

"Okay," Jack said.  "I want you practicing night and day to keep control."  John nodded.  "However you do that."

"I'd need space I could exercise my powers without people freaking out and calling me an Ori again."

"Go to your brother's temple."

"It's months before the battle, sir."

"Yay.  Go anyway."  John nodded and left.  O'Neill made a private note and hid it.  This was going to be bad.  He considered it.  "Doesn't Fury have something odd about how he lost his eye?  That's why the veins are so pronounced around the patch?" he called.

"Yes, sir," his assistant called.

"See if you can scan for that reason around California.  Intel has them probably around LA."

"Yes, sir."  He told McKay that and what it was so he could figure that out.

***

Tony Stark landed in his armor in Xander's front yard.  He looked around then at the person that came out to meet him, putting his visor up.  "What would happen if he comes out of a hellmouth?"

"Thousands of demons underneath the kraken?" Xander guessed.  "And then him?"

"That's bad," Tony decided.  "We'd be too tired to fight him.  We were going to use the Sunnydale hellmouth.  There's no civilians for casualties at first."

"There's a book that I cannot find.  It has how you retune a hellmouth.  It's a chaos book.  I remember seeing it in Dad's shelf but he said he can't find it.  I can't find it on any of the book finder sites for antiques.  There's only like eight copies.  If we do it that way we can use the hellmouth out there," Xander said.

"The New York Public Library inherited the collection of a research watcher," Coulson said as he joined them.  "In it are chaos magic related books according to Tara.  I'm not sure."

Stark called that in.  One agent got beamed with one.  "That one?"

Xander looked.  "No, the other one in that series."

"It's under lock and key," the agent said.  "They won't release it at all."

Loki appeared, looking at the book.  "One of my greater priests who handled the chaos that the Council caused.  I was quite proud of him but I had no idea he had those books."  He changed his clothes and went to the library with the agent.  When someone started to scream at him he changed into his battle armor.  "They were mine originally, woman, and it may be important to save the earth."

"The Avengers will stop you," she sneered.

"They know I'm here."  He handed over the one he needed and another one.  "To my son please."  The agent nodded and disappeared.  He looked at her.  "Do quit huffing.  I'm too magnificent for you to sully my armor by steaming it up."  He disappeared.  His 'boyfriend' was getting too anxious about everything that was going on.  It was going to ruin his bid to be first husband.

***

Xander took the books.  "Thank you."  He walked off.  "They're out back, Stark."

"Thank you for guarding her, Xander."  He looked at Coulson.  "They found Fury and Pepper.  Fury walked in spewing so much vile swearing Cap covered his ears and started to pray for it to stop.  Fury's venting went on for three hours."  Coulson smiled because that sounded like the Director Fury he knew in a snit.  "He said you can come back and prepare from there."

"To be honest, none of us need the added stress levels," he said quietly.  "Natasha hasn't said a single word all day.  Barton's cleaned his bow six times already.  Dawn's trying to meditate and think and it's not working."

He nodded.  "I get that.  That's why I took the rest of them to the lab."  He followed Coulson to the back yard areas.

Bia was looking at the mess Callia had just created.  "Dear, if you don't blow up those flowers, we can plant those and another patch."

"Two?" she asked, looking amazed.

"That's right, two.  Blow up over there."  She pointed.  "Mr. Stark."

"Hi, Scary Dada!"  She smiled and waved then blew up another patch, cackling.  "Two!"

"That's right, two.  Be careful of the roses.  They're special to many goddesses, Callia," Bia said patiently.

"Roses?" she asked, looking confused.

Bia summoned one over.  "Flowers that look like this are called roses.  They come in all sorts of colors.  These are pink roses.  These are special to a few of my favorite goddesses, including my mother."  She smiled.  "So we never hurt the roses when you blow stuff up."

Callia petted the rose. "Pretty rose."  Bia smiled and tucked it into her braid.  She picked another area without the pretty flowers she was learning about and blew it up too.  "Three!" she cheered.

"That's right, now we can plant three flower beds.  Let's do that before you blow up more, okay?"  She ran over to hug her father then they got to work planting the flowers.

"When did she get magic?" Tony asked.  "The books we have said that slayers can't use magic."

Bia shrugged.  "No idea.  Maybe the people that created her did a bit of tinkering.  She's clearly not the normal slayer to be."  She smiled.  "Tara can help her learn control."

"That's fine.  I don't mind that.  Just wondering if it was something we hadn't run across."

Dawn strolled out.  "I see you blew up something beyond Clay," she said dryly.  Stark looked at her.  "She wanted a story about elephants and they had to get dressed really quickly so she helped a trunk manifest and giggled madly."

"Sounds like my little girl, yeah."  He walked her back inside.  "Are you all right?  I know it wasn't you, Dawn.  I'd never yell at you like that anyway."

"I'm not okay but I'm figuring things out.  Right now I've got this little voice that says I need to learn harder, more evil spells but then a tiny voice that sounds like my mother pops up and says she'd be disappointed in me and you know I hate disappointing Mommy so I'm not sure what the hell I'm doing in the it has to be us or them battle I got dragged into.  Is Pepper all right?"

"She's fine.  They found her and Fury."  Barton looked over, stopping his cleaning.  "You have a new one in R&D that's a touch lighter and stronger metal mix to try."  He looked at her.  "The first thing she asked was if Callia was safe and then asked about you."  Dawn relaxed and nodded.  "As for disappointing Joyce, she'd be more pissed off if the world ended."

"I know, I don't know what to study."

"You'll figure it out.  Want to come back home for a bit?"

"I...  No.  Agent Hill sent someone earlier to deliver something important to Phil and he gave me a look like I'm some Goddess that can cure everything," she said quietly.

"Okay.  The rest of the Avengers are at Stark Tower at the moment," he said.  "We have tentative plans to try to open the Sunnydale hellmouth if they have to pull him out."

"It'll open easily enough.  It's getting it closed again that'll take some power.  Tara can do that if she's not tired.  Willow has a bad habit of tying herself into the weave of stitches closing it."

"Good to know.  We'll factor that in.  John's scary geeks have gotten with ours."  He patted her on the cheek.  "Want me to take the baby?  It might keep Banner calmer."

"Sure.  I can come get her when it's time.  Xander's thinking about sending her to Pegasus with a few of John's people."

"That would be safer, yeah.  We will make it out of this alive because your mother will kill you if you don't graduate college."  She sniffled and walked off crying.  "What?" he sighed.

"She talked the knights into not taking her out until after the battle was over with," Barton said.  "She's in bad plan land."

"Sometimes bad plan land is the only place to be.  That's where I got the suit from."  He went to talk her down.  He handed her his phone.  "Call Pepper?  She's better at soothing things."  She smiled but waved her phone.  "Okay.  Let me grab Callia and be teleported back.  We'll be back in two days for a meeting.  All of us."  She nodded.  "Good girl, Dawn.  I know it's not your chosen job but we all know you'll do fine and make your mom a grandmother some year in the future."

She smiled weakly.  "Maybe.  Thanks, Tony."

"Welcome, kiddo."  He went to get his daughter, who was enjoying the planting.  "Bia, can we have her back for tonight or is it too dangerous?"

"No, tonight should be fine.  Tomorrow's Dawn's graduation so we can take her back then.  Xander and John are figuring out how to protect her."

"Thanks."  He picked her up, getting dirty hands patting his cheek.  "Pepper wants a hug."

"Pep Pep!" she cheered.  "Cool!"

"I'm very glad your aunt taught you that word."  He walked off.

"Damn it!"

"Yeah, it's been that sort of day, that's why Pepper needs a hug.  He saw all the research with beer and winced.  "Guys, can we not do that around the baby?" he asked.  They stared at him.  "She'll have enough of a problem with it from me.  I'd like her not to have much more temptation."

"We hide it when she's in here, Mr. Stark," Jensen said with a smile.  He waved at the baby.  "Have a good day, Callia."

"Be good boys," she called, waving at them.  Stark smiled, activating the transport mechanism.  He put her down and she ran up the halls screaming for Pep Pep.  Pepper caught her and hugged her, nearly crying on her.  "Pep Pep."

"I'm so glad your aunt had you," she whispered, clutching the baby.  "How's Dawn?  She started to call and then hung up and went to meditate some more."

"Bad.  Not good at the moment."

"I need to be there."

"Her graduation is tomorrow. We're holding a meeting the next day."  She nodded, walking off with her.  "Let Steve and them hug her too.  They're too tense."

"That's what I'm doing.  Let's go see your uncles, Callia.  They need hugs too."

"Damn it."

"Yeah, because of that.  Don't say that in front of Uncle Steve.  He hates swearing."  She grinned and hugged her aunt until they found the Avengers.  Then she launched herself at her favorite uncle, hugging him.  "Dawn had her."

Steve smiled and nodded.  "We figured she did."  He hugged her.  "I'm glad you're okay."

She kissed him on the cheek.  "Damn it all to hell," she said.

"Who taught you that?" he asked with a smile.

"Fi-Fi."  He kissed her on the head and handed her to Doctor Banner.  "Grr guy!" she cooed, cuddling him.  He was slightly green.  He started, looking at her.  She smiled.  "Grr guy?"  He hugged her and calmed down.  "Hi, Unclie Brucie."

"Hi, Callia.  Thank you for making me calm down."  He cuddled her.  "You're nearly as good at that as Dawn is."

"She was helping Bia blow up ground for flower gardens magically," Tony said as he came in with a bucket of water bottles on ice.  He had gotten out of the suit.

"Really?" Pepper demanded, looking at him.  "None of the books on slayers said she could use magic."

"She shouldn't be able to.  They're not sure why."

"Fucking NID," she muttered.

Callia looked at him.  "Bad boys are bad.  Kitties are kitties."

"That's very prosaic," Tony said with a smile.  "It's also a very good life's lesson.  And if you're possessed I'm letting Pepper kill whoever it is."

Callia laughed and hugged her uncle then stared at her other one.  She got off Bruce by climbing up his arm and jumping over to try to capture the pretty hammer.  Thor caught her and let her pat it instead.  She always tried to get his hammer and his hat.  Then she tried to braid his hair.  She pulled her rose out.  "Pretty rose.  Important rose."

"Yes it's very pretty and many goddesses do adore roses," he said.  "My own mother likes them."  She smiled and put it back into her hair with a bit of help from Steve then cuddled him.  He sighed in pleasure.  "I need a pack of you some day soon.  I hope they will be as smart and wise."

"I'd let you borrow her to get your parents off your back but I don't want them to think we're married," Tony joked.

Thor looked at him.  "I like my wife to be more comely and attractive to me, with longer hair and bigger measurements than your scrawny muscles, Stark."  He went back to cuddling the baby.  "My nephew?"

"Had that 'this shit is bad and we're all going to try not to die' look," Tony said.  Thor looked at him.  "So did Dawn."

Thor nodded.  "It is sad that the youngest of us have the most to worry about in this fight.  The elders should fight as hard even if they have tried to give up hope."

"Well, if your father leaves Valhalla for a long vacation so he doesn't get killed then you can claim that he ran and his edict to have you married off is invalid," Pepper said.  "If he can't rule over one area he can't do it in others."

"I shall think on that."  He sniffled her hair. "You smell like your Aunt Natasha's shampoo."

"John had that godhood glow around him," Stark said.

"Aye, I felt him confirmed.  He is the Guardian Protectorate of the Greek and Roman pantheons.  He may also have broken through the barrier.  I am not certain on that but I felt more power than he should have."  He let the baby go back to Bruce and coo at him to keep him calm.  "She is very understanding of human nature."

"I think she's a bit empathic like Dawn is," Pepper admitted.  "Which means that's probably part of a Rosenburg baby gift."

"I think Tara said she blessed her to understand people."  Tony sipped some water.  "Dawn's graduation is tomorrow.  I told them we'd have a meeting the next day."  They nodded.  "Banner, call McKay.  Xander has a book on how to retune a hellmouth and agreed that doing it in Sunnydale might be for the best."  He nodded, grabbing the phone while cuddling the baby so they could talk.  "Cap?"

"I want to get into a fight and I know it's the wrong thing to do."  He sat down.  The baby crawled over Bruce and Thor to sit on him and grin.  "Thanks, baby girl.  You're so much better than a fight with a punching bag."

"Cool!"  She patted his lips, getting her fingers kissed then he tickled her.  "Hey!"  She got free and smirked.  "Not pretty!"  She ran off to hide behind her father.  He was out of scary daddy mode and into cuddly daddy mode.  He picked her up and cuddled.  "Story?"

"I can tell you a story, or Uncle Steve can tell you a story."

"I can tell stories, yes."  She cooed and launched herself at him so she could be told one.  Then she'd get one from her father and Auntie Pep Pep.

"Usually when our children are that hyper there is honey or sugar involved," Thor said with a smile.

"No, she's a bit hyperactive," Tony said.  He looked at Pepper.  "She try to call back yet?"

"No, not yet.  Are you sure she's all right?"

"No, but she's trying to work through it."  She nodded, walking off so she could leave Dawn a voicemail in private.

***

Dawn got pulled out of her meditation by Phil.  "I'm okay."

"You're not okay.  Eat something?"

"Huh?"

"You haven't eaten since yesterday, Dawn.  You ran three times our usual route, which means I'm adding another mile when we get back home.  You've meditated for hours.  You've been visibly sweating for a while now.  You need to eat," he said quietly.

"I ...  I can't focus."

"I realize that.  That's partially because you haven't eaten or slept in over a day."  She slumped.  "We all handle the major stress differently," he said quietly and calmly.  "Natasha hasn't spoken all day and has cleaned all her weapons.  Barton's cleaned his bow about eight times. You're trying to fight through it but you're not fueling the fight."  She looked at him.  "This is not the time to reduce your stamina or strength because you ignored basic biological needs.  Now, please eat?"

"I don't have time for that."

"You do.  Focus on the moment, not on the what if of the future.  You have time.  We have weeks at the very least.  For right now, you need to take care of yourself so you can keep fighting and figuring out what you need to do.  Just eat a few bites.  Please?  Force yourself if you have to."

She nodded, taking the simple ham and cheese sandwich to eat a bite.  She was forcing herself to eat because her stomach was in a tangled web of knots.  She knew he was right and she had to keep up her strength.  Hecate appeared.  "Goddess Hecate, is there a new problem?" she asked, sounding incredibly tired.

"I wish to view your memories of Willow."

"Go ahead," she said, eating another bite.  Hecate read them and scowled.  "It's not pretty but it is what it was."

"That is not what I saw."

"I was there, you only viewed," she shot back.  "The same as you still call them slayer, singular, instead of slayers, plural."

"How is there more than one?" she demanded.

"Buffy drowned and Xander revived her."

"He restored her?" she demanded.

"No, he revived her.  She was only dead for a few minutes, easily revived without magic.  It was before my time but I know what the monks showed me."

"I will read his.  What is all this?"

"You've heard by now that Thanos is coming," she said.  Hecate sneered.  "We must fight him, no matter what.  Even if it means all our lives.  I'm trying to figure out what to study.  Do you have any suggestions of a place I might add to?"

"If you must fight it seems reasonable to study that art."

"I have been studying it and defense.  I was hoping that you knew of a weakness he had or some other area that might come in handy during the battle."

Hecate shrugged.  "I know nothing about fighting.  My chosen were not meant to fight."

"And yet Willow used her magic to float stakes and kill vampires," Dawn said.  "Sometimes the fight picks us, not us picking the fight."

She nodded.  "That is a point.  I know not of any weakness he may have.  I'm sorry, child."  She went to find Alexander.  "You restored a soul?"

"No, that was Willow," he said dryly.

"The slayer."

He looked at her.  "She had drowned.  I made her lungs start working again.  As I did for that babe on the beach years ago."  She calmed down and nodded.  "Both slayers are very good at it, even though one had to fight her way from the dark.  Why is this an issue?  I checked for a prophecy before I did it.  No one had one."

"I wish to view your memories of that and of my chosen."  Xander shrugged and opened them to her.  She scanned them and glared at him.  "That is not how I saw it."

"Then you saw wrong," he told her.  "I was there, Hecate.  I witnessed it, I lived through it, I felt it wash over me when she destroyed the town.  I'm still maimed by it because it took my eye and left me with scars that no mate wants to look at."

"You have a consort to fix that with."

"She's a consort, not a mate.  We are not compatible that way.  In the ways that usually matter we are but right now we're preparing for a battle and Bia is a sweet young Goddess who is very much one to worry about being killed.  If you can't help, can this please wait in case we live through this battle?"

She considered it and manifested something.  "Named a time turner by that most charming author," she said.  "It may be of help."  She disappeared to find a different way to verify what she had seen.  Maybe she would go back and view it in the Halls of Time.  She could step into it and be immersed.

Dawn's voice floated around Olympus after Hecate had screamed.  "We are sparing Willow's life through the battle, Goddess Hecate.  We have need of her strength and skills.  Please do not kill her before then or else all might have to die.  We need all the fighters and the battle advantages we can get.  Thank you and blessed be."

Ares appeared to Dawn.  "The only known weakness he has is a certain weapon that was destroyed."

"Shit."

"Greatly.  You have backup."

She looked at him.  "I don't think that's going to save some of us."  He gaped.  "Even Janus said so."  He went to talk to him.  Phil nudged her with the plate.  "I'm not hungry!"

"Eat anyway," he said, staying calm.  "You have to eat."

"You sound like someone's mother."

He smiled.  "If you survive I'll let you turn me into a girl for a few days and maybe someone will get lucky.  Now please eat?"  She burst out laughing and he smiled.  "Please?"  She hugged him, letting herself break down.  He let her and got her calmed back down.  He even got her to eat the sandwich and take a rest.  He settled in to check and clean his own weapons again.

Clint stared at him.  "Thanks," he said quietly.

He nodded.  "Dawn needs it."  He didn't let himself think of anything beyond this moment.  SHIELD agents all had wills on file that they were obligated to update each year.  He had updated his not six months ago.  All he had to worry about was surviving.

***

It was the night after graduation.  Dawn had walked, the headmistress had tried not to sneer.  Dawn's diploma was blank but there was a nice note that the official would be mailed to her and a second note that said her offspring and family's offspring were forever banned from her school.  Which suited everyone just fine.  Joyce had managed to get free enough to come.  Buffy was hovering over her while nervously looking around for any sign of an attack or someone starting to chant in Latin.  Xander was more subtle but for different reasons.

Callia was clinging to Grandma, not sure why Grandma was wearing the funny surgical mask and scarf over her hair.  One of the girls had remarked but Dawn had fake-perkied them about it being great her mom got off the oncology ward for a few hours to come for her graduation.  That stopped all the rumors of her being weird.  They all smiled, took pictures, let Grandma get in all the baby hugging she wanted of Dawn and Callia.  Then it was time to put Joyce back to bed, put Callia down for a nap, and the serious stuff to come back.

Into that too serious debate was entered Coulson reminding Dawn to eat, again.  Crackers and cheese this time, and some non-diet soda because she needed the calories.  It also was entered Xander having a vision.  Which he pulled Stark aside to hiss at about.  Everyone was watching but Tony just nodded and made a few calls.  So apparently nothing soon, nothing on the attack.

Natasha was enjoying watching people fuss over Dawn and her not noticing because she was thinking again.  "We should do something for a break," she said.  Xander stared at her.  "Is that not one of the prime rules?"

He smiled.  "It is, yes.  What did you have in mind, lovely one?  Movies, scrabble?  Twister?"

"Skinny dipping in the lake," Barton said.  Even Dawn stared at him.  "It's warm tonight, it's pretty out.  Not like it's going to be something odd since we're all adults."

"I'm not really interested in seeing either big brother figure naked," Dawn offered.

"Then don't look when they climb in."  Clint smiled like it was the best idea ever.  "Finish dinner."  She huffed but did finish eating.

Xander looked at Bia.  "I have no problem with it," she pointed out.  "Any shy people can leave on their boxers or whatever."  She hauled Dawn up.  "C'mon."

"I can put on a bikini," she said, pointing that way.  "I'm not really prepped to be looked at naked."

"You're going to be in the water.  They won't see if you haven't shaved your legs this week."  Bia hauled her out and got them both stripped off with a bit of power.  Dawn sighed but dove in on the deep side. A swim was a good idea.  The others, minus Steve, trooped down to join the ladies.  Most of the guys kept their boxers on but Bia was in a pranking mood.  She also had one of Xander's knives so a few guys went missing their boxers.  Dawn burst out laughing and turned around so they could toss them to the bank when they floated up.

Phil winced when Bia got him.  "Must you?" he asked quietly.

"Yes, I must.  You need stress relief too.  You're just too stubborn to take it."  She swam off.  The pond went from four feet to over eighteen feet in depth.  Xander had done a great job making it and it was more than big enough for all the people in the temples and the Avengers.

Dawn blushed when Thor climbed in.  He was almost fully naked.  Asgardians, not much different than other people, and he was at least proportional if not exceptional.  "Why are you wearing that hat?" she asked.

"It seems appropriate.  I usually wear the hat."  He smiled.  "Hats are nice."

"I never really got into wearing hats," she admitted.  She swam off before he could nakedly hug her.  She was not ready for that.  She felt someone splash in next to her and rolled out of the way and underwater to come up a distance away.  "Stark!" she complained.

"Sorry."  He smiled and waved.  "Why is Thor wearing his helmet?"

"He said he usually wears it."

"Oh, okay."  He yelped.  "Bia!  I'm not wearing anything."

"Sorry, wanted to see if you lived up to the hype," she joked with a grin.

He stared at her.  "Ask and I'll show you."  She giggled and swam off.

Dawn whimpered, going back under the water to do some more laps on the really deep end.  It was also darker on this side with the hill behind them and the trees shading an edge.  She wasn't going to be disturbing anybody.  She could float and no one would see.  At least until she felt someone grab her ankle and had to stop herself from flailing.  "Hey," she complained.

"Towing you into the light," Bruce said.  "Before you get lost."

"I'm an excellent swimmer.  Xander taught me."

"Fine."  He smiled.  "Happy to have that roadblock out of the way?"

"Yup, a whole lot.  It was good for Mom to get out too.  She needed the happies."  She smiled.  "Callia is still her favorite though."

"Grandchildren often are because you can hand them back," he said.  "You can come soak with us."

"I'm good.  I was going to do some laps."

"I know.  Come soak with us anyway," he ordered, hauling her back toward the group.  "Found her."

Xander hugged her under his arm.  "You made it and there wasn't even an attack."  She smiled.  "I'm proud.  You did better than any of us, even Willow, did."

"Thanks, Xander."  She hugged him back.  "Just one more and then college."

"Yup, just one more and then college for you," he promised.  She looked up at him.  "What?"

"No doing Buffy things," she said quietly.

He gave her a squeeze.  "Don't nag me.  Nag Stark.  He's going to get drowned if you don't save him from Natasha."

Dawn smiled and swam over to pounce Tony under the water.  "Saving Natasha some work," she quipped then swam off.  Tony chased her to dunk her.  It was good to relax.  Even if she did feel someone grab her now and then to pull her back into the group.  At one time she landed next to Phil, nearly on top of him, making him blush.  "Sorry, got shoved."

"I saw."  He settled her next to him so she wasn't in his lap.  "Breakfast then four miles tomorrow?"

"Must we jog?"

"We must," he assured her.  "Unless you had busy plans for the night?"

"Not really.  I haven't slept a whole lot recently."  He nodded he knew that.  "Thank you for the nagging."

"You're welcome.  You need it and I do like being your big brother."

She hugged him then swam off.  Thor snagged her to hug her.  She looked up at him.  "Thor, sweetie, you're a big, big guy and I'm a tiny woman sort.  There's things on you that make tiny women sorts blush."  He laughed loudly and squeezed her then let her go.  "Thanks.  I don't want to embarrass either of us."

"Half of Asgard runs around mostly naked during the summers," Xander said.  "It's not embarrassing him. This is the only way we swim up there, even in the winter."

John shivered.  "Don't remind me.  I think I shrank a foot that night."  Roque laughed where he and his team were lounging.  "You did too."

"I had that extra foot to lose," he quipped with an evil grin.

"Gee, I didn't know you were built like Spike's tentacle porn movies, Roque," she quipped back.  He choked on his sip of beer.  "If so, I can let Clay have those for the times when he's missing you."

Xander groaned.  "I wondered where Spike's porn went."

"The whole container," Dawn quipped.

"Then you only got half, Dawn.  Was there anything more kinky than the tentacle and vampire porn?"

"No."

"I guess he was being delicate then.  He had some stuff even *I* had to wonder about.  Shit, even 'Dite had to wonder about some of that stuff."

"Demons have porn?" Bruce Banner asked.

"Yeah," Xander said, smiling at him.  "They do.  They have whole dedicated websites, mags, video companies.  There's ones that just do vampire porn for the goth and vamp communities.  There's mixed ones and ones that only do demon porn.  I was so sick with the flu I could not move our last year in Sunnydale.  Of course Giles had someone over so I got custody of Spike, had him tied up in my recliner.  Somehow he talked my fevered butt into putting in a movie he picked.  I was too tired to get up and turn it off so we ended up watching demonic gladiator porn.  With real victims, one being eaten during sex, and one species I still can't identify to this day because it's not in any book I know of.  Kinda looked like an elephant body with a horse's head in a few ways."

Dawn grimaced.  "I caught him watching that at Mom's when he was in the basement," she said.  "You're right, I have no idea what that species is because really...odd looking. Though the fairy-winged warriors were almost hot."  She swam off.

"Spike said Dru used to coo at the turnings, calling it 'making babies'.  That was her sappy love story," Xander said with a grin.

Bruce shook himself.  "That had to be really strange."

"No, strange was coming home to find my ex girlfriend watching it with Spike on our couch.  She was explaining how she tortured some species while they were both getting off separately."

"Your ex is clearly not someone I want to meet, even as the other me," Bruce said, patting him on the arm.  He swam off to talk to Tony, who was teasing Natasha into killing him.  "You met his ex and came out normal?"

"I had to make her a machine to help her with her needs," he said.  "We had one drink, lasted twenty minutes because I couldn't escape.  In that time I heard about eighteen minutes of her talking about Xander and about how she was missing all the sex he gave her, even if it wasn't enough at the time to get eight orgasms a night."

"When did he sleep?" Bruce asked.

"Apparently he didn't," Tony said.

"He still doesn't," Bia called.

"Gee, thanks, woman," Xander called back.  "Where are you?"

"Teasing Pooch.  He's adorable when he blushes."

Xander considered it.  "Hey, Roque, shouldn't his wife be here to save him?"

"Jolene is here and she's laughing that Pooch is blushing so hard."  Xander grinned at him.  "Where's the princess?"  Xander pointed at the deep end again.  He sighed.  Xander shrugged.

John blipped off and came back with Rodney, who was complaining.  "Just strip down and get in."  He slipped back into the water.

"I don't usually get naked with a group of people," Rodney complained.  "I do prefer my action one-on-one almost always."

"With the occasional deviation for twins?" Tony joked with a grin.  "It's a stress break, McKay."

"No tentacles here?" he asked.

"No, we'd kill his ass," Clay assured him.  "The only tentacle here is Pooch's son.  He's sucking up to mommy and daddy until they put him in the basket on the side."

Rodney slid into the water, and had his boxers taken from him, and his socks.  "What?" he complained.

Bia swam over to hug him.  "Relax.  We're all big people here.  We all have the thing one way or another, and even if yours is as magnificent as your brain is, it can't be as widely used as Stark's is."  Rodney burst out laughing.  "Relax, enjoy, worry tomorrow, Rodney.  Not like we're going to gang up on you and make you like it."  She swam off again.

"I believe if I ever do marry it'd have to be a mouthy one like her," he told John.

"Bia is pretty cool.  That's why we used to prank with her."  He looked around, catching Xander's eye.  He nodded behind them so John nodded.

Phil had noticed so he swam over to the deeper end, finding Dawn floating.  He had noticed some sitting spots on the sides of the pond and found one by touch then hauled her over to sit on his lap.  She blinked at him.  "Live in the moment before you make yourself sick."

"I really shouldn't be on your lap."

He stared at her.  "Not like I'm getting happy, Dawn."  She shrugged and relaxed.  "You need to learn to live in the moment.  Whatever happens will.  You have plans."

"I don't have plans."

He stared at her.  "You do have plans.  One of the assistants down in Legal gossiped that you had made out a will."

"That's only part of the plans I have to put in place.  I was stuck earlier on wood or metal."  He gave her a squeeze.  "I know it might not happen but I have to deal with this now, since I probably can't do it later.  I don't want to make Mom or Pepper deal with it either."

"You will make it through this."

"Even if the whole family group doesn't?" she asked quietly.  "Xander and I are pretty darn sure ...."  He covered her mouth.

"He's right, Dawn.  You have to learn to live in the moment and for the moment," Natasha said, coming out of one of the shadows.  The girl slumped some.  She hugged her.  "The rest will fall into place."

Dawn looked at her.  "What if it doesn't?"

"Then it won't matter to you or any of us," she said simply.  "Which is not comforting in the least I know but looking practically will save some stress.  You do not want to get sick right now."

"No, I don't.  I know I'm worrying but I have no idea what I need to be doing or anything else."

"We have over a month," Natasha said.  "We can and will figure out a good battle plan."

Dawn nodded.  "I know.  I know that my part's mostly going to be throwing power at him instead of real spells.  Or powering some weapon."

"We found the remains of the weapon the Chitauri were using," Phil said.  "It's hopelessly broken but Stark has it to get ideas."  He gave her another squeeze.  "You can't let this eat into your brain or you won't survive.  Positive reinforcement, just like when I started making you run."  She nodded, resting her head on his shoulder.  "And for that matter, I've went behind your back and fixed all those choices," he said quietly.  She looked at him.  "That way you don't have to stress."

She turned to hug him properly.  "Thanks, Phil," she said quietly.

"It's not a problem."  He patted her on the back.  "Turn back around before I get embarrassed?"  She laughed.  "Though I think doing that in a bikini would be worse, still."

"You're the one that put me on your lap."

"I did."  He shifted.  "Natasha, there's barely a ledge here to sit on."  She shimmied onto it and they turned to talk to Dawn about other things.  "College?"

"I sent a letter saying that I had to push back my enrollment to this fall due to my mother's treatment getting a bit worse and a lot of personal stress at the moment from work.  I got official permission and registered for classes in a totally hopeful move."

"Anything decent?" Natasha asked.

"English.  I have some AP credits so I'm ahead by about a semester."

"That's good.  Which english?"

"Fantasy lit."  She smiled.  "I've already read half the books and a few were favorites."

"That's a wise choice," she agreed.  Clint came up from under the water next to her.  "Feel better?"

"Getting away from Bia before she pinches."  He grinned.  "You look comfy."  Dawn splashed him.  "You said he gave good hugs."

"He does.  He gives great hugs," she said with a smile.  She looked at Phil.  "I suppose we still have to go to that club thing?"

He nodded.  "Thursday."  He felt the shelf dissolving and moved them.  Natasha's part was still safe.  Dawn bobbed back up, pushing her hair back.  "Sorry."

"It's all right.  Any new news on that whole potion thing?"  They shook their heads.  "Great."

"We have to assume someone will try," Natasha said.  "They were supposed to take you tonight."

"Almost no one can get up here right now," Dawn said.  "Xander had to pop down to talk to the sheriff's deputy that tried and got blocked.  He wanted to know if we were a cult.  I think he decided we're a paramilitary cult after talking to Xander."

"In many ways," Phil said dryly.  She pinched him.  Clint pinched her.  Phil laughed at how she hit him.  "We need to work on that with you, Dawn."

"I know."  She settled next to Natasha against the wall so she could quit treading water.  There was a small sandbar around the edge at a good standing height but that left her submerged up to her neck.  "Do we have plans yet for the going in?"

"Not yet.  We were going to make them the night before," Phil said.  "You're going to sleep tonight?"

"Probably, unless Callia climbs in with me again."

"Even then you can still sleep, Dawn."  He stared at her.

"I'll try."  He smiled.  Clint slipped off the sandbar and came back up quickly.  "You're just trying to peek," she teased.

He smirked back.  "I already know.  Why do I need fuzzy, water vision versions?"  She blushed.  Natasha slapped at him.  He laughed and swam backward.  "How well do you swim, Dawn?"

"Xander taught me.  I'm not competition quality but I can swim for enjoyment and exercise, or to save myself."

"Excellent.  Otherwise we'd have to teach you."

"Teach me how to have rhythm since a lot of people don't think I do," she quipped back.

"You don't," he agreed with a grin.  She splashed him again.  "Ask Natasha how to do that.  I don't dance all that often."  She stared at him.  "I may have learned but it is a very rusty skill."

"He looks like a dork," Phil said.

"Hey," Clint protested.

"I don't know the way to fix that.  I have very good rhythm for most things," Natasha admitted.

"Find a song you like that fits the mood and follow the bass beat, like when you're clubbing," Phil said.  Dawn and Natasha both looked at him.  "I had that problem when I was younger.  It helped me a lot and you can change mental songs as the mood fits you."

"I'll have to try that."  Clint stared at her.  "Sometime.  Especially if that potion was used."

"Only one way to check," he said dryly.

"Nothing to check the last time," she reminded him.  "It wasn't there."

He moved closer, staring at her.  "Sometimes things break it but there was a ridge for it."  She shifted and blushed, ducking down and swimming to one of the deeper shadows.  They all heard her huff.  He nodded.  "I think they did."

She swam back.  "They did.  Great," she said sarcastically.  She got back in her lounging spot.  "How do we counteract that?"

"I'm not sure how long it lasts," Natasha admitted.

"Would that be what smelled like flowers earlier?" Phil asked.  Clint nodded.  "You knew?"

"Someone stole some according to Loki," Clint said.  "They dosed a flower with one of the ingredients and gave her one."

"It was only a dollar but I put it down the drain when I smelled the chemical smell," Dawn said.  "Was there smoke?"

"Yup.  That was the other thing that they stole.  I heard your neighbor is finally out of the hospital and is no longer happy."

"She'll go smoke some weed and feel better," she said.  "That night I almost went up to buy some from her so I could calm down."

"I probably wouldn't have minded," he said.  "You were okay after that drugging."

"Thank you for letting me sleep so long.  Usually I only sleep six hours but I think I slept like ten."

"Nearly twelve," Clint corrected.  "You clearly needed it."

"That smoke made me sleepy."

"I stabbed the guy putting it in the second time."  He smiled.

"Even better."

"Weren't those stolen the next night?" Natasha asked.  Dawn nodded.  "Interesting."

"We think it had to do with all the text messages that went something along the lines of 'get on with it'," Dawn said dryly.  "I was so going to kick his ass."

"He asked me that day why I had been noted buying an exotic poison.  I told him it was for the next time I got really pissed off at someone," Phil said.  Dawn looked at him.  He smiled.  "It's a medium slow acting one too."

She hugged him.  "You're the scariest but coolest big brother ever.  Even more than Xander is."  He laughed, giving her a squeeze.

"Please kill me cleanly, sir," Clint said with a smile.  "I'd rather not draw it out."  Dawn poked him.  "He'd make me suffer, Dawn."

"I would," Phil agreed.  "I'd ask Tara to alleviate symptoms so it went on longer and all sorts of nice things."

Dawn snuggled him.  "You need those beach nymphs to come back.  You know, three do go to NYU."

"If you sic them on me again I'm going to spank and then make you watch movies with Barton," he said dryly.

"We like some of the same movies," Clint admitted.  "Her bootleg collection has a lot that I really like."

Natasha shook her head.  "I remember teaching her how to do that."  Dawn grinned.

"I found a remake of an ancient breaking in tradition the other day," Dawn said.  "Taken right from the texts.  I remember reading it and being horrified."  They all stared at her.  "Really strong witches were often ritually broken in or their virginity sacrificed for certain rituals."  She hiked herself more comfortably on the wall.  "The book was an ancient, pre Druid, one.  It was for ritual virginity sacrifices, including the implements and all that.  There was a feasting for her, a drinking of some specially herbed wine.  Then she was cleaned with special soaps and blessed water.  Put up there.  Spread open, then they used this little cone shaped dagger to actually fix it, then the high priest finished it.  While the whole coven watched and cheered."

"I'd need to be drugged for that," Clint said.

Dawn nodded.  "Me too."

"Age of maturity for the witch or younger?" Natasha asked.

"Upon her majority or if they needed it for something really important sooner.  Something in the herbs of the wine and the soap made sure she wouldn't conceive that night.  The book gave the recipe and all that."

"Was the film underage?" Phil asked.

"Yup, and I turned that shit in."  She grinned.  "It was done somewhere overseas.  I don't think she had any gifts, it was just someone's way of having fun."

"Damn glad you didn't need something like that," Clint said.

"If that potion renews, I might like that dagger.  Might make it a bit easier."

"You'd still have to do the other stuff, princess," he said, staring at her.  She shrugged.  "Though you're right, probably a bit less painful."

"I think that's why it was cone shaped," Natasha said.  She shook her head quickly.  "Are there many things like that?"

"In the very old days.  Hey, Xander, I was telling them that I found a remake of the Historical Tarafax rite online.  Didn't your people have that?"

He looked over his shoulder.  "Yeah, there was one.  They did it to Valkyries for years until someone stopped them.  Mostly the girls ganged up and beat the people to death."  He smirked.  "Where was it done?"

"Used to be part of the USSR that I can't name on a map."

"Huh."  He nodded.  "That was pretty rare to find."

"I don't think she had powers."

"Ah, that reason.  Yeah."  He nodded.  "You should've heard the one that Mom's people had for the longest time.  Their witches were considered priestesses and had to have it done too.  Including a piercing."  She shuddered.  "There's a few of those traditions."

"That's what I was wondering.  Thanks."

"Welcome."  He grinned.  Thor was looking confused.  He switched to Norse and told him.  Thor grumbled but nodded he remembered the girls ganging up and beating the priests to death for it.  They had lost a whole order of priests to that.  Odin had decided it didn't make a difference after that.

John shook his head.  "I only remember hearing about one but she was vowing herself to Diana's service so she had to take that step to keep her magic going in the right direction."

Bia shrugged.  "Not something I listened to the gossip about."

"They had a festival, Bia.  We were traveling."  She shuddered.  "Yeah."

"I remember a Chinese festival," Xander said, considering it.  "I haven't seen any modern versions of it though."

Clay looked at Roque.  "I give you permission to go change the channels in his mind."

Roque summoned Xander over and kissed him hard until he moaned and went limp.  "Change the subject.  You're making my mate pissed off."

Xander grinned.  "Sorry, Clay.  Want some straps to beat him for that?"

"I gave him permission, Xander.  I'll spank him later if he wants me to."  Xander laughed and swam off.

"Thanks," John called with a grin and a wave.  "I didn't want to encourage anyone who thinks that godly incest is right and proper."  Rodney slapped him.  "Hey!  Watch the hair."

"I'm surrounded by crazy, horny people," Bia complained, looking up.  "I really should buy more batteries."  She got hit with a few bits of power and laughed.  "What?  Xander's right, we are not compatible in bed by any means.  I don't feel like dying from his stamina issues either."

"We must find you a good laying before the battle, nephew," Thor said.  "Or else you will twitch the whole time."

"I think I can focus now," he said, shooting his uncle a glare.  "I haven't done that since I was nineteen!  And that was my first battle!"

Thor smiled.  "It is always good to go into battle with lax muscles and a clear mind."

"I'll hire him someone to give him a good night's rest before," Bia assured him.  "Maybe I'll even let Anya sic herself on him again."  Xander shook his head.  "No?"

"No.  I hardly ever sleep with my ex's, dear."

"Pity.  A few were hot."  She smiled.

He grinned back.  "So are you."

"But I'm not going to let you do that to me.  My mother said that a few goddesses have mirrors trained on us to catch it the moment we do so they can declare us mated and the vows unbreakable."

"At least it won't be like my team's," Roque said, glaring at Cougar, who grinned back.  "They sneak attacked us."

"Not like you seemed to mind the audience," Jensen quipped.  He changed to his smaller dragon form and paddled off.  He found Dawn and swam up to her, wrapping himself around her before he changed back.  He stared down at her, grinning.  "Are you good?" he asked quietly.

"Renewed but okay," she said.  He quirked an eyebrow up.  She kissed him then grinned.  "It's all good."  He smiled and changed back into his dragon form.  Natasha pulled him over to look over his form.  "You need more sun."

"Been a bit busy," he admitted.  He cooed at her.  "Dragons are very cuddly but the rumor that we steal maidens isn't true."  She poked him.  He laughed and smirked at her.

"They did?" she demanded.  He nodded.  "Damn it," she said in Russian.  He cooed and hugged her then swam off before someone hit him for it.

"How would they get you?" Dawn asked.

"If they're magical they can probably put it into something she's eating," Phil said.  He rubbed his neck.  "I'm staying out of that debate unless I'm asked to participate," he told Natasha, who inclined her head slightly.

"Did they miss Dawn?" Clint asked.

"They probably decided it would distract someone," Dawn said.  Clint rolled his eyes.  "Beyond that, not my business either."  Natasha poked her.  She grinned.  "It's not."

"Thank you.  I will deal with that thought later."  Clint leered.  "Not that way."  He laughed and patted her on the shoulder then hugged Dawn because she gave pretty good cuddles.

Cougar swam over.  "How are you not getting the hat wet?" Dawn asked.

"Practice," he said with a smile.  "Do you need...help with that matter?" he asked in Spanish.

She smiled and shook her head. "My Spanish is still pretty sucky but not at the moment.  If they were going to try to sacrifice me they should've already snatched me."

He nodded.  "That's fine.  If you must, there are those who will help without expecting things."

She swam over to hug him.  "I like that about you and Jake."  She swam back.  "You should get back before he gets into trouble."

"Not my duty," he teased.

She stared at him.  "There's whole *chains* of gossip that say it is."

He rolled his eyes.  "They are still wrong."  He winked.  "Being a Yellow Fur has helped many a thing."  She shivered.  He swam back to the group.

"What's a Yellow Fur?" Clint asked.

"The Pegasus galaxy's answer to a werewolf but it's based on emotion instead of moon phase," Dawn said.   "Highly protective and pack creatures.  He got bitten and turned most of the rest of the team.  Which would probably make me the pack's bitch," she said, considering it.  Then she shivered.  "I did not need that thought.  They're all much to old for me."

Phil patted her.  "They are and I'd have to kill them all.  Does silver work?"

"No."

"Pity.  I've been meaning to try those new bullets out."

Clint shook his head.  "That's just...  Incredibly dirty minded, Dawn."  She grinned and nodded.  "So that whole team?"

"Not Jake.  Dragons can't be turned that way.  Jolene and Pooch are mates.  Roque and Clay are mates.  But if a female goes into heat, the whole pack takes care of it, not a single mate or a single male."

He shivered.  "Yeah, that's a dirty thought."  Phil hit him on the arm.  He smiled.  "You can't tell me it's not."

"I'd rather not think about it," he said bluntly.  He looked at the ladies.  "Are we going back before Thursday?"  Dawn shrugged.

Natasha shrugged.  "We have to verify the condition of hers and your apartment."

Tony swam over.  "Yes, I'm eavesdropping.  Your apartment, Coulson, is a shambles.  Someone tried to toss it and did a really poor job.  It could use picked up mostly but your kitchen table is scratched.  Dawn, you're moving."  She sighed.  "But it's just as nice, in the same building, lower down so not as long of an elevator ride or you can do the stairs to the second floor."  She smiled.  "The only thing is you will now have a family overtop of you.  That floor has two bedrooms instead of single bedrooms."

"That's fine.  Are they noisy?"

"No, not that we've noted.  We have put in the security system.  The landlord understood with how you got attacked.  So you can move all your clothes and shoes back anytime now."  She smiled.  "And you're due in Wednesday for that meeting.  Most of the Avengers are at Stark Towers right now to live.  Barton, Romanoff, that's up to you."  They nodded.  "Fury is still growling.  It got so bad Pepper reached over to scratch behind his ear and he had to keep himself from swatting her."

"Pepper's in a sassy mood," Dawn quipped.  "Though I don't think those two would work.  I doubt she's put up with him at home.  If he has a home."

"Probably not, no," Tony agreed.  "Actually I don't think she's ever dated anyone who wasn't a masters degree graduate."  He shrugged.  "Anyway, you're clear to come back for that meeting with Joyce's docs."  She winced but nodded.  "Everyone's hanging around the gym.  Callia's loved that.  She got to braid Thor's hair and one of the ladies in the caf taught her how to braid flower and leaf crowns."  Dawn beamed.  He smirked back.  "Yeah, pictures are around."  He swam closer.  "Wear something hot, come in acting like nothing's wrong and you're not freaked out, and just ignore everyone else," he said quietly.  "Though Fury wanted you back because his office is a mess."

"We'll see."

He nodded.  "That's what I told him you'd say."  He grinned.  "Make Pepper swallow her diet soda up her nose again."

"I think I'm growing again anyway.  My shorts got a bit tight and short the last time I wore them."

"Could be," Natasha agreed.  "Some girls do have a final one around their majority."

Tony shrugged.  "That just means she's gotta shop."

"After.  Definitely after," she said.  He smiled.  "I can fake it."

"Good girl."  He swam off.  "Dawn has to come in Wednesday for a conference with Joyce's docs."

Thor nodded.  "It is good for her to take her mind off one problem with another."

"Dawn, want me there for it?" Xander called.

"No, it's okay."

"Okay, let me know how it goes."

"I can do that."  She swam over and hugged Tony.  "If I wear something that makes Pepper snort diet soda out her nose, you've got to let me hide behind you because the only dress that would do that you've never seen and Phil about had a heart attack."  She swam back.

"She gives a good cuddle," Tony said.  "That's fine.  Watch the shoes though."

"Find me ones in lower heels then," she called back.  "Because I can't find below a three inch and most colors not below four or five."

Xander shook his head.  "I saw some neon yellow eight inch heels the other day," he admitted.  "In her size."

Thor patted his nephew on the head.  "Your mind needs altered.  She has taste and does not look like one of those dancing girls Jane giggled about people taking me to see."

"I found fire engine red six inch ones with clear heels that light up like kid shoes," Dawn called.  "Pepper and I cracked on them for hours."

"I saw those," Xander agreed with a grin.  "Bia, I bought you a pair of shoes."  She power-swatted him, making him laugh.  "Wear 'em home, dear."

"Hera would freak out at the stripper shoes, Xander."

"She could use a good mental clearing probably," he quipped with a grin.  "I about put Discord in them but it's too typical."

"You should see the boots Buffy got me," Dawn called.  "But only four inches."

"I did see.  She told me after she sent them," Xander called back.  "You can come back you know."

"We're making plans for Thursday."

Thor looked that way.  "Is there a battle Thursday?"

"No, Fury wanted me to get them somewhere so they could watch some targets."  She smirked, her teeth showing in the dark.  He shuddered and turned back around.  "The green dress?" she asked Natasha.

"It is sweet looking but perhaps the more nylon one?"

"I'll look but I'm pretty sure if I'm growing it's going to be too small."  Phil shuddered.  "I won't make you shop with me."

"I should so I can't complain about anything, but I'm sure it will take hours," he said.

"What about that cream dress I got for clubbing?" Dawn asked with a grin.

"You vowed to never to wear that without armed escorts when I threatened to beat you," Natasha said blandly.  Dawn pointed at the guys.  "That is true, but they'll be busy."

"Good point.  I've got to move a few things to their own bags or boxes.  That way I don't have to overlook them each morning."  She popped her neck.  Phil reached over to work on it for her.  She moaned.  "Thank you, Phil."

"Welcome.  You clearly slept funny.  What cream outfit?"

"I could not even take a picture of it," Natasha admitted.  "She and Pepper bought it, though I believe Pepper didn't see her in anything other than store lights in it.  It is most...inflammatory.  She wanted to wear it to a party and I had to force her to change.   Partially because she looks so innocent in it."

"No, if I want innocent I have that rose pink dress," Dawn said.  Natasha poked her.  She grinned.  "I look good in it."

"We will have a whole different class of knight coming to your aid," she said in Russian.

"I can wear it to work Wednesday.  Mom likes it on me.  Pepper might not snort diet soda out her nose like Tony wanted but I do look nice."

"Thor, if she should wear the rose pink dress when we come back, we will need her guarded," Natasha called.

"Aye, I can do that.  Is it immodest?"

"No, I look very sweet and innocent in it," Dawn said with a smile.  "Just barely above my knees, tiny cap sleeves."

He looked over at them.  "I sense bad thoughts so I will not comment but aye, she'll be protected even if I have to ask warriors to step in for me."  He sipped the beer he had summoned from the temple.

"I don't think I've even seen pictures of that dress," Xander admitted.

"Mom has.  She thought I looked like an innocent angel hiding little dark horns in my hair and a pair of leathery wings on my back."

"An innocent angel and succuba mix," Xander said, considering it.  He shook himself quickly.  "Thor, you have those warriors that O'Neill doesn't need right now."

"I may need them yet, nephew."  He sipped more beer.

Dawn grinned.  "I can wear that Wednesday."  They all smirked back.

***

Dawn walked in that Wednesday, smiling at the guards.  "Hi, guys."

"Good to have you back, Summers," he said, not staring at her.  "Pepper got here early.  She's in her office.  All the Avengers are in lab two," he said with a nod for Natasha and Coulson, then Barton behind them. "Stark's not out of bed yet so she may need you to go nag him."

"I can do that," Dawn quipped.  "Thanks, guys."  She strolled off.  "See you guys in a few."  She got on the elevator and went up to Pepper's office, strolling in.  "Morning, boss lady," she quipped.

Pepper looked up.  "That is the most non-slinky, non-innocent dress I have ever seen, Dawn.  And it's so innocent looking."

Dawn grinned.  "Tony said I should look hot today."

"You do.  If I liked girls, I'd be drooling."  She shook herself.  The dress clung to the curves Dawn had without being overly clinging.  The material was a silk/gauze sort of material.  It was slightly see through.  You could barely see her tan behind the rose pink outfit.  The neckline wasn't too dipping but it hinted broadly.  The cap sleeves emphasized her stature and made her waist look tiny.  The skirt casually brushed just above her knee, drawing the eye to the great legs, which were encased in matching stockings - because Dawn couldn't stand pantyhose so she wore thigh-highs and a garter belt - and the shoes matched too.

She looked like someone had taken an innocent, virginal angel and debauched them.  The makeup was perfectly light.  The hair was slightly messy like it was windy outside but loose and slightly curly today from the humidity.  Pepper frowned.  "I'm so going to gut Tony for telling you to dress up today.  Go wake him up for the Avengers meeting?"  She nodded, strolling off.  Pepper whimpered.  The back was even more see through, it was mostly lace, and it hit every single highlight the girl had.  Pepper needed a dress like that, but in a color that would look better on her.

Dawn strolled into Tony's apartment courtesy of JARVIS, who had told her she looked very nice today.  She stood beside the bed and casually poured water on Tony's head, making him splutter.  "Pepper said she's going to gut you for encouraging me to dress up."

He stared at her, mouth slightly open.  "I didn't think you could pull that off."  She smiled.  "Meeting?"

"Soon.  Go shower, you're all sweaty and damp."  She strolled off.  She had just the perfect stride to make the skirt a bit swingy but not too unsmooth so she didn't look like she was bouncy.

Tony stared at her.  "Yeah, I think I'll go take a cold one," he complained.

"Already running, sir," JARVIS said.

"Thanks."  He got up and went to do that.

***

Dawn walked into the meeting with Tony, putting down bottles of cold water and handing Thor two packets of painkillers.  She kissed him on the cheek.  "Because I'm sure you have a hangover today, Thor."  She strolled off.

Thor watched her go then looked at Tony.  "Now I see why my nephew wanted her guarded."  He swallowed the pills.

"I told her to come in looking hot and unconcerned," Tony said, sitting down.

Fury finally closed his mouth.  "She is not allowed to wear that on my hell carrier."

"Thank you, sir," Coulson quipped.

"Is it some sort of spell?" Steve asked.  "She looked so...innocent."

Tony shook his head.  "Some women can do that, Steve.  She is still mostly innocent but she's a horrendous tease."

"Aye," Thor agreed.  "My nephew's chosen daughter is too scholarly for me but I am but a man."  He shook his head and drank some of his water.

"You did order," Clint reminded Tony with an evil smirk.

"Watch me quit making you weapons," he offered back.

"Boys," Natasha said.  "Do remember that Dawn can probably hear you and is probably giggling.  Also, she must meet with her mother's doctors later."

Fury shivered.  "She's going out of the building in that?" he demanded.

"I'm having her driven," Tony said.  "It's safer in many ways."  He sent that text.  Pepper said she had already arranged it.  That she had sent Dawn to the archives to find a few older things for her so the guards would quit staring.  "Pepper's got her in the archives."

"So she's bending, reaching, and squatting in that dress?" Natasha asked.

Stark glared at her.  "I did not need that mental image.  Thank you anyway."  Natasha simply gave a little kitty smirk back.

Fury shook his head.  "Back to business.  Do we have any new information on this upcoming problem?"

"Very little," Coulson said, handing down his report.

"I got part of this."

"Xander asked Gladriel if she could talk to the most ancient of the Hindu gods, the ones who have merged with time and space during meditations and aren't quite dead but aren't really part of reality anymore."

"Xander had a vision he had me handle," Tony said.  Everyone stared at him.  "It was after the battle.  It was Dawn going off on all the major networks for putting the battle on live tv.  She kept saying that her niece had seen it, had watched her mother die on live tv, and nearly saw me going to.  That it had been beamed to schools and almost every channel had preempted something for it.  He said he saw her keep repeating 'no child deserves to see their parents die on live tv'."  He shifted.  "I've started a legal request.  I'm hoping we can get it into the courts quickly."

"Freedom of the press," Bruce said.  "It's too entrenched."

"But they don't have to show the graphic parts of the battle," Tony said.  "Not the dying, the destroying parts.  They didn't with the New York battle, though a few got caught."  That got a nod of understanding.  "I think he's right.  We don't want some kid who looks up to Cap seeing him go down.  We don't want some kid that looks up to me seeing me go down."

"I agree," Fury said.  "I'll help you back that up.  It doesn't need to be seen in schools anyway."  They all nodded they could agree with that.  Tony called up the legal challenge and handed him a copy.  "That's not bad and it's not infringing on them reporting, just showing the most graphic parts based on the damage it'll do to children and some adults.  I can definitely get behind that."  He put it into his note stack.  "Anything else we know?"

"We're still looking for sources," Coulson said.  "Most of the elder gods who were in that last battle have passed on, sir."

"Or been overthrown," Thor agreed.  "The Elder Ones are scared but Alexander has goaded them into fighting instead of fleeing or giving up.  They believe they are too old to fight but it was pointed out that elder warriors who died in battle were glorified and if they left the young to do it their lines died out with the less experienced warriors' deaths."

"What sort of death count did Xander get?"

"He said it was secondary but he was sure Buffy was and he admitted he saw Joyce's death report.  It said that she suffered a heart attack as Buffy fell, because she was watching it, and then an arrow hit her."

"Not mine," Barton said.

"No, not yours. He said he heard a tiny voice say something about the 'mother of the abomination'," Tony said, looking at him.

"So the crazy knights as Dawn calls them," Bruce said.  Tony nodded.  "Would they?"

"Yup.  He said they have one of them on her floor as a janitor."

"Do they?" Fury asked.

"Hospital won't check."

"They might be moving her to Hospice care anyway," Coulson said quietly.  "Dawn's not sure of the progress they'll be told today."  That got a nod.  "If not, there's a private cancer center that they do work with and we may be able to get her a bed there."

"Pepper told Joyce, because I have no idea how to talk to women in pain beyond letting them cry on me, or really try to hit me instead of crying on me, but she was going to suggest it might be safer.  Also closer to Buffy as it's closer to the train station she comes into.  It also has built-in Hospice care if she needs it.  It looks nice."  He put the place's webpage up, showing the hospital.  "Pepper toured and said it looked very nice.  Flowers in the rooms, happy patients.  It's not a nursing home by any means.  Even if they do have BINGO and other things."

"That might do her good," Steve said.  "I know she's feeling a bit isolated since she can't come out of her room right now.  Joyce is a super nice lady.  Very motherly.  She had me talking about Peggy within minutes."

Tony smiled.  "When Spike was down about his ex Dru, she made them cocoa so he could talk about her."

Steve smiled.  "That's what a mom does as far as I know."

Fury nodded.  "Getting her to safety would ease some stress."  Stark nodded.  "Is she handling it all right?"

"Mostly," Natasha said.  "She's still trying to find other methods of helping and not finding much."

"If you can't find much on the battle it doesn't surprise me," Fury admitted.  "About that cult?"

"They did dose her," Coulson said.  "We found that out last night."  Fury grimaced.  "But they could not snatch her for the sacrifice."

"Janus said it would be the third attempt that would work," Tony said.  "And that they'd try for Callia for that.  That doesn't mean that the second one won't be her."  That got a nod of understanding.  "If she hadn't made herself indispensable I'd have let her stay at the temple until the battle."

"She needs to take her mind off it, not wallow in it," Barton said quietly.

Tony nodded.  "We all needed it.  That's why the skinny dipping was so stress relieving."

"You went skinny dipping?" Fury asked, looking at Stark.

"Everyone at the temple but Cap went skinny dipping," he said with a smile.  "Xander has a really nice pond.  We pulled McKay up to talk.  We relaxed some.  Thor got drunk on beer.  Dawn swam some laps on the dark side of the pond.  Bia cut everyone's boxers off if they wore them."  Fury shivered.  "We needed the break in our thinking circuits and it helped."

Steve nodded.  "I went over the obstacle course.  That thing is really hard."

Barton nodded.  "You need a tightrope across that one part to make it in under forty minutes."

"I made it in forty-two without it.  That would've helped though."

"We saw the three Gods going over it during that training time," Coulson said.  He smiled.  "They were popping around it, hitting at each other, until they got into the rhythm of the fight.  John Sheppard is a very good warrior."

"He is," Thor agreed.  "Tyr is no match for Ares, who helped train John.  That is one reason why my nephew also trained with Heimdall and the dwarves.  Then he later took training where he could.   Including with Roque's family when that alignment marriage was proposed."  Fury stared at him.  "My nephew was trained in battle tactics for a standing war.  Roque's people hunt and track in smaller groups."

"So he started off with wars and moved to smaller group combat," Tony said.  Thor nodded.  "That actually explains a lot and why he's more of a weapons fighter than a bare-handed one."  The others nodded.  He looked at Fury.  "Are the same people that got scared of Thor scared of him?"

"Even more scared.  He popped in on them and reminded them he had spent most of his life down here handling battles.  Including backing up Buffy in Sunnydale.  As I found out, some of them are Council."  Tony sneered.  "The rest were also over O'Neill's program on their oversight board that caused so much hell.  They wanted him taken into custody as a threat to humanity but Xander proved them wrong and the various presidents said to leave him the alone until after this battle."  He looked around.  "I saw the reprieve on Rosenburg?"

"Until the battle's done," Coulson agreed.  "The president agreed and he took Agent Hill with him, sir."

"Good.  Those knights?"

"Will leave Dawn alone until after the battle," Barton said.  "She told them why and they agreed they didn't want to die due to that."

"Her outing of the priest that told them let us track them back better," Coulson said.  "I had Agent Hill send out a few agents to finish tracking them down, tag them for later threats, and why."

"Good.  Thank you.  Can we take them out?"

"We still won't get them all, sir."

"That sucks.  I know it's a probable ending but it still sucks."

"There's no way in any hell that I'm going to let that girl die for no reason," Stark said.  "She's got a bright future.  She's a good woman.  The world needs more of her, not less."

Fury nodded.  "If you can save her, do it.  I'm not against that.  As long as it doesn't lose us the battle."

"Which is why she's been making plans," Coulson said quietly.  Natasha crossed her legs.  Barton was not happy either.  "She knows she's to do what she has to do and she had better come out the other side."

Fury smiled.  "Good!  I expect that from all of you as well!"  They all nodded.  "And Alexander!"

"It will take one with a leak into Creation to be the weapon against him," Thor said quietly.  "That is only my nephew.  My brother's is barely a pinpoint leak.  John's as well.  My nephew's is much larger but less than the one that is coming."

"Can we make a weapon that can help him?" Fury asked Stark.

"Sure, let me make a gun that runs on hellmouth energy."  Fury winced.  "You know I'm looking.  I'm going to do everything I can so we win this thing as quickly and as painlessly as possible."  Fury nodded he knew that.  Thor patted him on the arm.  "I have no idea what sort of energy weapon would even work.  We have rumors that the hellmouths started when he showed up the last time."

"The book to retune it had a spell to basically block the others for a few hours," Coulson said.  "We've taken it to the coven that the Council used to work with.  They said they will help and it's a very good idea to have done.  They'll leave Sunnydale alone so if possible we can start the battle there."

"Did Dawn ever do the evacuation plans for LA?" Fury asked.

"Yes, sir, and the City Council thought them very nice of us to do for them.  They don't believe it will be necessary."

"How long will a practical evacuation take?"

"A day with the way she made it.  That includes outlying areas.  It also includes how to rotate the coverage depending on where it starts, whether it's a water-based or a land based and on which side.  Including one for it starting toward Sunnydale.  It does lean heavily on them getting the National Guard and the San Diego contingents of the military to help."

"I'll talk with O'Neill so he can warn them."  He made that note for himself.  "Anything else we have planned right this moment?"  No one said anything.  "Then rest up and prepare for battle, people."  He took his notes with him back to the hell carrier.  This was not going to be a happy month for anyone.

***

Dawn came out of the meeting sniffly but Pepper was waiting so she hugged her.  "She's getting better but they have to change her treatment."

"Can they move her there?  It looks really nice."

"They did and Mom said it was a great idea."  She smiled.  "She'll have grass outside her window and they can do most of her treatment there.  Plus it'll mean more visitors are allowed."  She wiped at her cheeks.  "Thank you for finding that place."

"You would have if you had thought about it.  Your mom is important to you.  Mine's important to me."  She smiled.  "Now, let's clean up.  Is Buffy coming?"

"She had to video call.  They had a massive rush of vamps last night."  They got into the back of the car and Dawn pulled her gun, pointing it at the demon up front.  "I know damn well you're not Happy so change the fuck back, bitch."  The demon shivered but did so.  "Why are you in our car?"

"We wanted to talk to you, Key."  He put his hands up.  "He is not harmed, simply going for a coffee so we may talk."  He turned.  "We know there is a battle coming."  Dawn nodded.  "We know that you will be part of it.  We also know that it is dangerous for you to explode your energy as it may be needed."

"I can channel it.  I'm in full control of the Key's powers."

The demon swallowed and nodded.  "We just wish for you to think of the rest of humanity and the danger that the battle could pose."

"You'd rather he won?"

"No, but we would rather not be destroyed as a side-effect."

"If humanity is going to survive, we have to fight this battle to the best of our abilities," Dawn said simply.  "The current plan is to take it to Sunnydale since there's almost no one out there."  He whimpered.  "Any demons still there should probably move."  He nodded, swallowing again.  "We do not want to hurt anywhere or anything but that bad guy.  Like my sister, the harmless ones aren't a problem.  For that matter, Xander leads the battle."

"We know of why, we have recently found out, and that is dangerous as well."

Dawn smirked.  "Xander, dangerous?  Really?"  He let out a light chuckle.  "He and I are both in total control.  If demons are that worried, make sure Sunnydale is cleared.  If he gets free, make sure you're out of the way of the evacuation path.  If you can help and want to help, then we'll gladly take it."

"I will let that be known.  I am sorry to have worried you."

"With the crackhead knights I'm a bit paranoid," Dawn said.

"I understand why.  Thank you, Key."

"I have a name.  Use it," she said firmly.  "That is not to be tossed around.  Others can use that against me and my family."

"I understand and apologize."  He bowed and got out of the car, disappearing.

Dawn put her gun back and looked at Pepper, who had called Tony.  "I say we find a few mai tai's."

"A drink might be nice right now," she agreed.  She listened.  "That is what he said, yes, Tony."  She smiled.  "We're needed at the hell carrier."  Happy got into the car with his coffee.  "Thank you, Happy."

"Not a problem, ladies.  And, Dawn, if I haven't said it, you look spectacular in that dress."

"Thanks, Happy.  We need to hit the hell carrier's dock."

`

"Sure."  He drove them that way.

Dawn leaned her head back.  Pepper handed her a wet wipe for her face, earning a slight smile.  "Thanks."

"It's what we women do," she said quietly.  Her phone was up and she was calming down.  It would be all right again.

***

Dawn strolled up the hallway, smiling at the agents she passed.  "Agent Hill."  Hill spun and looked at her, mouth slightly open.  Dawn heard a slight whimper and smiled.  "Stark wanted me to dress up today."

"Clearly," she mouthed.  "Agent Fury is in a meeting.  Agent Coulson is in his office, and probably so are Barton and Romanoff, Dawn."

"Thank you.  Fury said he needed me to work on stuff so let me know when he gets back."  She strolled off.  She definitely heard the whimper this time.

One of the senior agents stopped to stare at her.  "Coulson let you out in that?"

"What makes you think he plays in my closet?" she quipped with a smile.  "Stark said to dress up today."

He nodded.  "Can I escort you somewhere before someone gets a bad idea, Miss Summers?"

"Going to Agent Coulson's office and you know it's only a floor down."

"Yes, but I'll escort you."  He glared at a junior agent staring at her backside.

She smiled.  "Over the next few weeks I'll have to buy new clothes.  Apparently I'm hitting a growth spurt."

He looked down at her.  "I'll keep that in mind, Miss Summers."  She smiled.  "How was your vacation?"

"Very beachy.  I had a lot of fun on the beach, no matter how many times people complained about my bikini habit."

"I heard about the one you showed up in for that meeting," he said, keeping it professional.

She patted him on the arm.  "That was probably one of the two baddest ones I had.  The others were nice, normal string bikinis.  Agent Romanoff has pictures of most of them for approval."

He nodded slightly.  "It's good she can help you with that sort of thing.  Girls always need a wiser female who has taste."  He knocked and opened the door.  "Agent Coulson, sir, Miss Summers, escorted properly for your meeting."  He walked off.  He had to find a few junior agents and remind them they weren't teenagers and she was.

"Dawn," he said.  "Didn't change?"

"No."  She came in and shut the door.

"Your mother?"

"They're switching up her treatment and she is moving to that center.  Thank you for helping Pepper find it."  She gave him a hug across the desk.  Someone walked in.  "He helped my Mom find a great treatment center for her to finish her cancer treatment at," she said at the shocked look.  "It's only a hug."

"It's a good hug, Miss Summers."  She nodded, handing Phil the file.  "That's for you, sir."  She walked off.  Maybe she had bet wrong in the Virgin Stakes.  Though there were sightings of her with Barton and her with Romanoff too.

Phil looked it over.  "I think you sent her to a mental area of hell, Dawn."

She smiled.  "She's a big girl and she can clear her own mind."  The other two walked in.  "Hey.  They are moving Mom tonight.  They have a great room open for her.  She's allowed more visitors and she'll actually get to see grass again."  They smiled.  "They said it's about thirty percent shrank but they're still hopeful they can get it smaller before going in to remove it."

"Good," Phil said, smiling at her.  "Thank Agent Betts as well."

"I can do that."  She crossed her legs.  "So why the call?  Fury's at a meeting."

"His whole office looks like he threw a tornado in there and locked the door," Barton said.

"I glanced in.  He was throwing a Callia fit like the ones when you won't give her tomatoes."

"That is not a mental image I wanted either," Phil assured her.  She grinned.  "All right, tomorrow."  They nodded.  "Dawn, do you have any idea what you're wearing?  We'll need to put a wire on you for taping."

"Not a clue.  I tried on what I was planning on wearing and it's seriously small now.  It's like it was meant for an A cup and I'm so pornographically falling out of it even porn stars would blush."  He did blush.

"Like the smiley faces?" Natasha asked.

"It covers about to where they did, yeah.  Skirt's about an inch too high too.  It's bordering on 'charging for it' instead of 'slutty' in length."

"Which dress is this?" Phil asked.

"The black one you had me get.  The other one is the same way.  So it's definitely a growth spurt."

He winced.  "That was a bit flashy on you before."  She smiled and nodded.  "You two find something tonight."  They nodded.  "How are we doing couples?"

Barton shrugged.  "Can you and Dawn act like you're together, sir?"

"Probably not.  I'd probably give it away."

"Then I guess it's set," Barton quipped.

"Fine."  He showed them the updated needs of the operation.  They needed a map.  They needed intel.  They needed to scout the location for further issues.  That's all they needed this first time.

"Okay," Dawn agreed.  Her phone beeped.  "Agent Hill said he's back.  Let me go straighten out in there."  She blew a kiss at Barton, who snickered.  "There are *rampant* rumors at Stark Tower that Xander gave me to Tony as a wife."  She got up and strolled off.  She found Agent Betts and hugged her.  "Thank you for helping my Mom find that great center.  She thinks she's going to love it there and they're moving her tonight."

She smiled.  "You're welcome.  My mom did when she had breast cancer."  Dawn gave her an extra squeeze then strolled off.  A few of the junior agents were watching.  "I helped find her mom a good treatment center for her brain tumor."  They nodded and walked off trying hard not to gossip.  They knew Betts was straight, she was said to be dating one of the agents on the bridge.

Dawn waved at Agent Hill, pausing to make coffee.  "Let me fix his Callia fit system of filing."  Hill turned so no one would see her laugh.  She walked in there and looked around.  "Did no one want to give you tomatoes, Fury?"

He looked up.  "Go change."

"No time to change."  She smiled.  "You need it fixed and I'm here for that.  After I fix this pile of shit, I have to find something to wear tomorrow."  He groaned.  She moved to start categorizing the sloppy, falling over stack of files he had beside his desk.  She had to squat down to get them but she could keep her knees together.

"Must you?" he asked.

"You want me to sit on the floor like we're in kindergarten on the rug listening to stories?  I can do that but I might have to flash some panty."  He groaned and walked off.  She shrugged and got back to it.

Hill leaned in.  "At least you're not on the floor."

"He didn't want me to sit this way so I suggested that.  That's why he stomped off to pound his head into a wall."  She smiled.  "I have to find something to wear tomorrow.  I'm growing."

"Oooh," she said with a wince and a hiss.  "But maybe a regular shoe size now?"

"Maybe.  So far it's shirt and height sizes."  Hill smiled and left her alone.  Dawn finished sorting the files out and stood up to file them then came back to do his desk.  "I swear, sometimes Stark is more organized.  And I do mean the baby Stark," she complained quietly.  She finally got done, prepped the coffee maker in there, then strolled off.  "It should be fixed until he throws another Callia fit," she quipped.  Hill laughed and nodded.  She walked past the gym because the pass system had said Natasha was in her rooms.  She heard the fighting grind to a halt and grinned at the agent walking past her.

"Summers, are you hiding horns under your hair?  Because there's no way you're that sweet and innocent," that agent complained.

She laughed.  "Stark wanted me to dress up and I'm mid late growth spurt so it fits."  She smiled.

"Oh, damn," he complained.  "I'll have someone start sensitivity lectures again."

"I have a look but ask before touching and it'll take a *lot* of dates to get permission system going," she quipped.

One of the junior agents whined.  "She's an ice princess with a body that makes a man want to go to confession," he complained.  The senior agent swatted him so he went back to the gym.  It really wasn't fair!

16: Old Ones With Slime, Sex, and Mead

Just like the title says.  NC-17 m/f, m/f/f

Dawn walked in the next morning in a very flattering, flirty sleeveless black dress.  "You would not *believe* what happened," she said when she ran into Phil coming into Stark Towers.  "The neighbor upstairs has a son that's doing a science project.  Kid blew slime all *over* the house and through the floor to shoot it into my closets.  Almost everything I own is at the dry cleaners outside of a few formal dresses and the stuff that was under the bed.  That barely escaped because I had to toss out the sheets for having slime on them."

"I was wondering why you were wearing club clothes to work," he admitted.  He was trying hard not to look her over.

"I need to hit my locker so I can find my stockings."  She went that way.  She found them and pulled them on then stepped back into her shoes, standing up so she could hitch them to the garter belt.  They were opaque black tights.  Still very tight at the top so they didn't sag.  Now she was in pure black.  She paused to look at her hair, pulling it back then letting it go.  There was no making this outfit look any more professional by putting her hair up.  It was hot and sticky today though so she decided on a barrette clip holding up her twisted hair.  She sighed and redid her locker, heading up to Pepper's office.  "Slime."

Pepper looked her over.  "Slime?"

"Upstairs neighbor was a science fair mom."

Pepper winced.  "Both closets?"

"Missed the stuff in plastic bags, a few of the formal gowns in one, and got the bed.  I'm lucky it missed the special teasing stuff in the boxes."

Pepper looked then nodded.  "I thought I recognized the dress.  No regular hose?"

"Runs.  I thought it'd look better this way anyway."

"It doesn't look *bad*.  Not professional but not bad.  Though, no one can really plan for a closet full of slime."  She tipped her head to look her over again.  "I guess it'll do.  There's no meetings today.  No jacket in your locker?"

"I'm not sure how you're wearing one."

"I have the a/c on full blast behind me."  She smiled.  "Fine.  Go get Stark out of the lab.  Both of them.  The nanny can't get in."

"Sure."  She walked off, unconsciously strolling and slightly strutting.  She knocked on the window before inputting her code.  No luck.  "JARVIS, the nanny needs Callia," she said quietly.

"Of course, Dawn."  He let her in.

She squatted to scoop up the sleeping, drooling baby, making sure she didn't get any on her.  The nanny hurried in and Dawn handed her over.  Dawn walked over to where Tony was tinkering, doing her usual job of interrupting him.  "What'cha doin'?" she asked quietly.

"Microcircuit repair," he said absently.  "Was that the nanny?"

"Yup.  Callia's a drool factory again today.  What sort of science fair project is slime?"

"Like ectoplasm?" he asked, looking at her.  His mouth fell open.

"Yeah, like that, and all over my closets."

"I alerted Security when it happened," JARVIS said.  "They said it was not toxic.  The lab results are on monitor three, sir."

Tony looked and winced.  "That will not come out of clothes."

"I'm letting the dry cleaner try," she admitted.  "Whatever's good and still fits I'll put back.  The rest that's good I'll donate."  He nodded.  "It got everything but the dress for next month's old worlde thing and a few other formal things."

"That would probably explain that outfit."

"It's a special teasing outfit for in the clubs.  It was saved by being under the bed in a box.  Plus stockings."  She grinned.  "You need help today?"

"Only mental help."  She poked him, earning a yelp.  "Hey!"

She smiled.  "Mind out of the gutter."

"And drag yours with it?" he teased back.

She laughed.  "Not hardly.  I had to sleep on the couch so my back's wrecked."  She called up his schedule.  "I see that you have nearly nothing but sparring with Cap today."

He looked then nodded.  "Then go help Pepper.  Maybe she'll have some nice, safe, quiet, non-seen jobs today."

"It could be worse.  If I wasn't wearing the stockings, I'd look like I was that salsa dancing girl on the commercial that ran through men by dancing them to death until she found one with the right aftershave."

"Why stockings?" he asked, looking defeated.

"Do you know what sort of problems pantyhose can cause in women?  I do not need that."  She strolled off.  "Sparring, two, Mr. Stark."

"Yeah.  Thanks."  He waited until she was gone to shift on his stool.  "After I do some sparring with myself," he muttered, getting back to the repair.  "JARVIS, turn on something noisy and distracting please?"  Heavy metal music came out of the speakers.  "Thank you."

"She does look darling," the AI said.

"Not what I need to think about.  Change the song?"  The one that came on, _Back in the Saddle Again_ by Aerosmith, earned the ceiling a glare.  "Not that one."  It changed to AC/DC, which was much safer.

***

Natasha ran into Barton in the gym.  "Fair warning, the slime in her closet has caused another day of staring," she said quietly.

He looked at her.  "Really?"  She nodded.  "Slime?"

"Neighbor's son's science experiment."

"Oooh."  He winced.  "So she's really going to have to shop, isn't she?"  Natasha nodded.  "Poor thing."  He put on some boxing gloves.  She did the same and they took over the bare ring to fight.  "Isn't she due here after lunch?"

"Yes, she is."  She let him make the first move.  "I suggested she bill the mother for the replacements.  The landlord was not amused either."

"Toxic?"

"Oil based."

He winced.  "That'll never come out."  She nodded and swung back when he tried to hit her again.  "So I guess you two will have fun."

"Probably for many days but she doesn't want to do that until after the battle," she said quietly.

"That figures," he agreed.  "Why buy stuff you can't use."  She nodded.  "Get the shoes?"

"Three pairs, all leather.  That may be all right, we'll have to see."  She moved in closer and the fight was really on.

***

Steve walked into Tony's office.  "I know most modern women wear pantyhose but why does Dawn wear stockings?"

Pepper smiled at him.  "Pantyhose tend to trap moisture in the wrong spot and can cause women problems, including some minor health problems."

"That makes sense I guess.  She looks really nice today."

"Closet full of slime."

"Eww."  He looked around then at her.  "Tony's not ready for sparring?"

"I have no idea.  I can't find him."  She paged Dawn, who leaned in.  "Find Tony again.  Steve's here for sparring."

"He's in his suite.  JARVIS said he needed an hour or so."

Pepper quirked up an eyebrow.  "JARVIS, is Tony doing something that's really important?"

"Not exactly, Miss Potts," the AI said.  "He just wished some privacy for it."

"Go get him, Dawn."

"Okay."  She headed there, smiling and waving at the guards.  "Steve wants him."  They nodded, watching her walk.  "All too old for me," she quipped.  They quit staring.  She knocked politely.  No answer.  She open-palmed pounded.  No answer.  "Stark, Steve sent me to get you even if you're in the shower," she called.  No answer.  She grimaced and put in the Admin Assistant override.  She stepped just inside the door, nowhere near able to see into the bedroom, holding the door slightly open.  "Stark, Pepper sent me to get you for Steve."  He yelped.  She winced.  "Sorry but JARVIS told her it wasn't important.  Um, sparring.  Steve's here."  She fled.

Tony laid back on the bed.  "Damn it," he muttered.  That dirty mental image had come back.  He did not need this!  He really didn't!

Dawn went back up to the office.  "He'll probably be done within ten minutes if he's like most guys," she quipped then left to blush in the bathroom.

Pepper cleared her throat.  "Give him about twenty."  Steve nodded, slightly blushing himself.  He went down to the gym to warm up.  "JARVIS, next time tell me delicately that he's dealing with his hormonal issues please."

"Sorry," the AI said.

"Thank you."  She banished the thought and got back to work.  She'd give Dawn ten minutes to blush then make her get back to work too.  Sometimes Dawn was still so innocent.  Mostly because she hadn't had to walk into Tony's room to find him with five girls and for some reason a seeing-eye-dog one morning like Pepper had.

***

Dawn walked into SHIELD's HQ and went up to her usual check-in desk.  The guy stared her over.  "Slime.  Lots and lots of slime."

"Men?" he asked.  "Women?  Creatures?"

"Science fair upstairs."

"Eww."

"Yeah.  About three grand worth of clothes I'll have to replace.  Thankfully this still fits."

He nodded, signing her in.  "Director's in his office."

"I'm going to help Coulson today.  He's got backlogged files."

"I'll let that be known so they can route the horny fuckers to another floor."

She looked at him.  "I can handle horny little boys.  Really.  They can be slapped, put down, and kicked in the shin."  The guard smiled.  "But thanks."  She walked off, getting onto the elevator with four agents, all male.  She smiled.  "Slime."

"Only you," one muttered, not looking at her.  He had glanced up, he was not going to get stuck staring.  Or caught staring.  Romanoff was in a bad mood and had already broken one agent.  The others kept glancing at her.  "Head office?" he asked, reaching for the buttons.

"Coulson's office.  Paperwork backlog."  That button got pushed.  "Thank you."  He flashed a grin and went back to the file in his hands.  They all got off before her.  She got off and walked up the hallway.

"Are you a mini-Black Widow?" one of the female agents asked snidely.

Dawn kindly smiled then kicked her on the jaw.  "Yes, I am.  She said I'm doing great in my training.  Thank you for asking."  She grinned.  "Any other questions?"  The agent shook her head.  "Then you have a nice day too."  She strolled off.  She ran into Natasha, who had been watching.

"You still arch your back when you do that."

"I'm short."

"True but you overcompensate."  She looked her over.  "That does look more professional with the stockings."  They walked off together.

"Pepper was mean.  She sent me to get Tony up for sparring and he was beating his internal and external warrior."

Natasha burst out laughing.  "I have not heard it put that way before."  She let her into Coulson's office.

Phil looked at her.  "Long lunch?" he asked.

"Yes."  She smiled.  "Having to find something to wear tomorrow.  Because it's either the cream clubbing outfit or my unitard I wear when I'm off helping thin out the vampire population some nights and I'd still have to find a skirt."

"You do what?" he asked coolly.

"Put on a snazzy looking high necked, long sleeve unitard with full legs, my black denim skirt, some combat boots that're a bit too big with two pairs of socks, and then I grab a crossbow and go on cemetery patrol.  Not like we have a slayer in town, Phil.  I'm always very careful.  I always get them from a distance so they can't get me.  The unitard has holy symbols embroidering the neckline and all four cuffs.  The zipper is in the back."  He was still glaring.  "You're not going on cemetery patrols.  Who do you think does it?"

"Not.  You."

"Fine.  I'm not arguing.  You needed me to do paperwork today?"

He was still glaring.  "We'll be talking later."

She blew a kiss.  "I only go every few months when we get one reported openly in the press."

"Yay," he said blandly.

She rolled her eyes and sat down, crossing her legs so he could get to work on his files of doom.  "Staff evals?"  He nodded.  "Okay, fill out the real parts and I'll fill in the rest from your notes."  He handed them over and got back to work.

Natasha slipped off to tell Barton she was in and that she had been going out that way.  Her crossbow work was still a bit off.  He went to find hers at home so they could test her with her own weapon.  It might make a difference.

***

Clint strolled into Phil's office, handing over a file.  "Picked it up from the goth tween intern up the hall."

"She's not a tween or a goth, she's naturally pale," Dawn said patiently.  "She hates being compared to a goth girl.  She actually likes those singing flowers and Teletubbies for the songs."

"Uh-huh."  He hauled her up, handing Phil her pen.  "We're going to test her on her own crossbow."  Phil nodded.  He walked her off.  "You do what?" he growled quietly as they walked off.

"I don't see you doing it," she said dryly.  "Do we want more vampire deaths to get notice?  And therefore have them showing up for the party?"

"No."

"Then someone's got to do it.  Faith is in LA usually.  Buffy has Cleveland.  That means others who have a clue have to sit on a headstone and shoot at vampires as they come up and go running off."

"Your aim is usually off."

"You guys hand me these light, little, weak feeling crossbows.  Hello, I trained on the ones Buffy uses.  The old wooden, steel spring ones."  He shuddered.  "Heavier is always better in my hands.  I get more accuracy from a heavier weapon."

"We'll see."  He pointed.  She walked into the range and signed in.  Her bag was waiting for her by Natasha.  She sighed but pulled it out to put it back together.  Then she put out a target and loaded the first arrow, sticking the quiver on her forearm like usual.  She took aim and fired.  It was pretty much center.  She made all but two in the center and they were very close.

Clint rolled the paper target back in to look over.  "Not bad.  Could be a tighter grouping.  Those two were a bit off in the same way when the air conditioner kicked on."  She gave him a pointed look.  "What?"

"Usually you only get one shot per vampire.  No having to worry about the other arrows in your way.  They're also usually moving to get out of the cemetery."

He smiled and waved a hand, taking her to the walk-through course.  She sighed but he patted her on the back.  "Yes, you have to be tested," he assured her.  "Because you showed you had a skill."

"Fine."  She summoned her bolts and put them back, loading the first one.  "He's mad that I had to hunt a few vampires coming up in a cemetery," she told the guy who ran the machine.  He flicked a few switches and it was a different course - zombies instead of vampires but she could handle that.  She walked through and got most of them.  One got away.  She only winged him.  "On a real one, the coating and the blessing on the bolt would still set it on fire."

"What if you lose them?" Phil asked from behind her.

She summoned and held them up.  "Marked like my daggers."

He smirked.  "Still in trouble, Dawn."

"Fine.  Whatever, to sound my age.  Can I go get a latte now?"

"No," Phil said, taking her to test her with the other types of crossbows.

"Too light," she reminded him.  "I learned on Buffy's heavy ass weapons.  Giles hated modern crossbows."

"We can weight one's grip," he said, letting Clint do that against her current one.  "Try these," he said, handing over fresh bolts.  "They're cleaner and tend to fly straighter with the way they're fletched."  She nodded, still huffing.  She did almost as good.  A bit off on a few of them.  Low this time instead of high.  She adjusted the tension and summoned them back, getting a few other things too since these weren't marked.  She put the other things aside, checked her tension with a fingertip, then let loose again.

"Nicer," Clint said.  "We have to break you of that heavy weapon bias."

"The tinier guns feel like toys in my hand," she said.

"I realize that.  They do in mine too."  He got the bolts back for her and let her check them then repack everything, and unstring the bow for him.  "Thank you.  Too many agents don't."

"Giles couldn't fix a crossbow if our lives depended on it.  Xander did it for us."  They smiled.  "Want to test me with a lady's battle axe too?"

"Yes," Natasha said.  "I think we should."  Dawn nodded, concentrating on calling hers from home.  It landed in her hand.  Natasha looked it over, nodding.  "Very nice sharpening job."

"Thank you."  She packed her bag and followed to the gym.  "Do you want me to cover the edge?"

"No.  I won't be," the older woman said.

"Live steel, people," Clint warned.  That got them a nearly clear room.  Dawn went to change out of the dress into some shorts and a t-shirt she had in her locker.  Barefoot.  Clint stared.  "Shoes?"

"None in there and I can't do it in heels yet."  She shrugged.  "It's not that big of a liability in here."

"It is not."  Natasha too off her jacket and grabbed a weapon, coming over to test her.  The guys got out of the way.

Dawn ducked one swing and came up to the side.  "PMS much?" she asked in Russian.

"Mind on the battle," she chided.

"That's not the Sunnydale way."  Natasha smirked and they went at it.  Dawn was holding her own.  She had a few cuts.  Natasha had a few too.

Nick Fury stomped in.  "What the fuck is going on here?"

Dawn threw one of her knives at him and rolled, coming up behind Natasha to strike.  The older woman blocked it as she turned and it was back on.

Fury had let the knife sink into the ceramic mug he was carrying instead of hitting him.  "Is she possessed?"

"We just found out she's had to do a few cemetery patrols, sir," Phil said.  "So we're testing her skills with various archaic weapons."

"Uh-huh."  He wiggled the dagger free and handed it off.  "Neither one is allowed to be injured."  He walked off mourning his favorite cup's injury.  He'd make Dawn fix it tomorrow.

Dawn yelped and went down, sliding on a bit of sweat on the matts.  She rolled, bounded up to her feet and launched herself at Natasha, getting her weapon from her.  Natasha calmly defeated the rush but now it was hand-to-hand.  Which wasn't Dawn's strong suit at all.  She was easily defeated a few minutes later.

Natasha was barely breathing hard, checked her watch.  "A half-hour.  That was excellent, Dawn."  She helped her up.  "You probably would have slipped sooner if you had on shoes."  She smiled and patted her on the cheek.  "Go shower and change back."  Dawn nodded, taking her weapon to take care of.  Natasha cleaned her own and put it up then looked at the guys, who were giving her odd looks.  "She's not a warrior," she reminded them.  They nodded.  "That was not bad."

"No, it wasn't," Clint agreed.  "She's a little hellcat."

"No, I think that was her during her furry phase," Dawn called from the changing area.  Natasha glared that way but Dawn sounded happy.

Phil shook his head.  He would not comment on Natasha's time as a spitting, hissing, biting, scratching, hiding cat.  "You've done a great job with her, Natasha.  She shows a lot of skills."  She smiled at that compliment.  "Now can you please find her clothes that don't make people want to hide in the bathroom?"

"She told me Pepper sent her to get Stark up for sparring and she found him with himself," she said in Russian so no one else in the room could overhear.

Phil smiled.  "I nearly did the same thing," he replied back.  "Please fix it?"

"I will try.  She needs to shop anyway."  She went in there.  She could use her own shower.  Dawn was finishing with her weapons cleaning and then grabbed her towel and bath stuff, going into the free stall.  "What are you wearing tomorrow?"

"Whatever I can find."

"We'll see."  Dawn nodded.  Dawn finished up and got out first, going to put her hair up again then put back on her dress.  "That has a stain," she said, walking up behind her.

"Must be where I had to hit the water cooler to avoid being smashed by people running up the hallway after the twinkie thief."  She took it off to look at it.  "I do," she sighed.  She put it into her bag.  "All I have is the unitard."  Natasha threw her the long scarf she kept in there as a coverup.  "Thank you."  She put it on and got comfortable then her shoes.  She didn't need the stockings.  The scarf got put on as a sarong skirt and it was better.  It was a bit shorter but better.

Natasha adjusted it and nodded.  "The best you can with what you have on hand."  They walked out together.

Phil stared.  "That isn't any better."

"When I had to hit the water cooler, something stained the back of the skirt," Dawn sighed.  Someone walked in then huffed off.  "Sorry!  Yell at Science Fair Lady."

"No other outfits in your locker?" Phil asked.  "Nothing at home you can summon?"

"All at the laundry outside of some formal gowns and the cream club dress."  Natasha shivered but shook her head.  "And one really trashy blue dress that makes me look like a ho."

"Can you put in on over that?" he suggested.

"No.  I can put it on over the stockings but it brushes the top of them."

"Never mind," he decided.  "Go shopping?"

"I still have two hours of work."

"Go shopping anyway?" he said hopefully.  "I'll clear it with Pepper."

"We have that thing tonight," she said quietly.

"I know.  You'll need something to wear.  You can't wear that."

"She has something for that but again, quite short.  Yet tasteful," Natasha said.  She walked off.  "She is fine."

Phil winced.  "You're not fine."

"I'm leaving at three-thirty to hit the bank," she offered.  He checked his watch and winced.  It was barely two.  "I can hide in your office."

"Yes you will be," he assured her.  He and Clint walked her out.  Fortunately they didn't run into any agents on the way.  Phil locked them in his office.  The only time Dawn was allowed out was a bathroom break and Barton followed her up the hall and back.  Because she was definitely grounded.

On the way back from the bathroom, Clint opened a supply closet door and got them inside it without anyone seeing.  "Bruises?" he asked quietly.

"I'm okay.  She pulls her blows a whole lot with me."  She smiled.  "Why are we in here?"  He moved closer.  "Hmm."  She kissed him since that's what he wanted.  Somehow that merged into her being flipped around against the shelves with her mouth over his wrist and him finding the three snaps that held the crotch closed.  It ended up with her broken back in and a quickie that was very good.  He was panting into her neck.  She was panting into his arm.  She finally came at his encouragement and it was nice.  He finished up and slowly pulled back.

She turned around to kiss him.  "All you have to do is ask," she said quietly.  He grinned.  She straightened herself up and found a few folders in there.  That looked odd.  She spotted one on the floor and picked it up, spotting a few pictures.  "That's not right."  He made sure they were presentable then she walked out and up the hall.  "Phil, I found a few files in the supply cabinet looking for a pen.  They look like personnel files so I'm taking them to HR."

"There and back," he said.  "No talking to anyone."

"Yes, daddy," she quipped.  He glared.  She grinned.  "You sound like one."  She walked off.  A few agents stared at her.  "Your water cooler stained my dress, people.  It's this or nothing."  She walked into HR after a short trip down a flight of stairs.  "Hi, I was looking for a pen in the supply cabinet by Agent Coulson's office and found these," she said, handing them to the secretary.  "I also found a few pictures spilled around this one," she said with a point.  "I'm not sure if they're related or not but I thought it looked pretty strange and those look like your files."

"Thank you, Miss Summers.  No black dress?"

"Water cooler.  They were chasing a twinkie thief and I had to get out of the way.  Huge stain like I sat in water."

The older woman smiled.  "I've had that happen before.  At least you had something to put on."

"Barely," Dawn agreed, cracking her up.  "Agent Coulson said I'm grounded so let me go back to his office."  She walked off happier.  Twenty minutes later she got called up to Fury's office.  "Yeah, boss?" she asked as she walked in.

He stared.  "No clothes?"

"Stains from your water cooler.  This is about all I have left.  I'm leaving at three-thirty to find something for tomorrow actually.  Problems?"

"Why were you in the supply closet?" he asked with a smirk.

She smirked back.  "Why?  Did you plant a camera in there too?"  He spluttered.  "Let's just say I was looking for a pen.  Okay?  Because you wanted me to make sure."  He was still choking.  "Found two of the files on a shelf, the one I stuffed the fallen pictures into on the floor to the left under the copy paper."

He looked at her, trying to sip from his mug.  She fixed it.  "Thank you."  He stared at her.  "You're dangerous."

"Not really.  I still can't beat Natasha going all out."

"Not that way, Summers."

She smiled.  "And just think what I'll be like at thirty."  He shuddered.  "Need any other information?"

"Who was in there with you so we know who else to get a statement from?  And write it out."  He handed over some paper and a pen.  She leaned over.  "Sit!"  She glared but did that.  "Barton or who?"

"Clint.  He was helping me arrange my hair."

"I'm sure he was.  Would your mother like you lying like that?"

She stared at him.  "My mother likes euphanisms when talking about certain subjects, Director Fury.  She considers it polite."

"Uh-huh.  I don't really do polite, Summers."

She looked at the door then at him.  "Is that because you really want to perv in my sex life right now?"  He glared.  She stared back.  "That's not your need to know to quote some smarter people with higher classification ratings."  She smiled.  She handed it over.  "There you go, sir."  She got up and walked off.  She ran into Clint as he was coming off the elevator.  "I gave him the need to know rating of he doesn't," she said quietly.

He grinned.  "I'm not embarrassed."

"Neither am I but he doesn't need to know details."

"True."  He walked in there.  "Sir?"

"Files?"

"She found 'em, sir."

"Did you look at them?"

"No.  Nor did she beyond glancing at the top one's top page.  Why?"

"One of them had pictures of underage kids being held hostage."

Clint growled.  "If she had realized she would've tracked them down herself."

"Good!"  He handed over the statement.  "Correct it for facts.  She's still too damn polite and evasive."

"Sir, I agree, you don't need details."

"She's underage," Fury said.

"She's eighteen.  Legal in every single country now.  You're the one who suggested it."  He looked it over, shrugging a bit.  "Makes sense to me."  He handed it back and walked off.

Dawn walked past Natasha on her way to the office.  "Give me a rating on what I need to wear tonight?  About what dress level?"

"As alluring as the jade green one," she said.

"I can do that."  She smiled.  "One of those Chinese inspired dresses like that one?"

"No.  Make it more a simple sheath sort.  They're easier to move in."

"I can do that too."  She walked into Phil's office.  "Let me scram for the day so I can hit the bank."  He checked the clock.  "Fury just wanted details of my sex life again," she said quietly.  "I'm going shopping."  She left.  It was easy enough to get a cab to the bank.  Then to the shopping area she liked.  She walked into the first store.  "Science Fair experiment slimed my *whole* closet," she told the salesgirl she liked.  Who winced.  "Everything but a formal gown I haven't worn and two I have.  Also, I'm growing."  That got another wince.  "I pulled out ten grand."

"Let's start with the basics.  Are bras still fitting?  And panties?"

"Nope.  This was all I had after a dress got stained earlier."

"We can work with it."  She got her a skirt to go over it for now and then they went to look at the other things.  Pepper shopped there so they knew her rules for Dawn's clothes.  Dawn dropped them at home and went to the spot that Natasha usually took her and repeated it.  They knew Natasha's rules for her clothes.  Then Dawn went to the store she had found, where that pink dress had come from.  They had just the outfit for tonight.

***

"Why are we meeting in the park?" Coulson asked.

"Dawn said so," Natasha said.  She watched her walking toward them.  Very high heels without front platforms to ease the arch.  A dark blue very Mod dress.  Sleeveless, mandarin collar but the upper chest was cut-out to a decorous plunge.  Chain belt.  Skirt was a mini skirt.  Stockings in a more matte black to go with the heels.  "Very nice choice, Dawn."

She smiled.  "Thank you.  I went the same place I got the pink dress."  She spun.  The back was not there.  From the collar to the crack of her butt, which was barely peeking out at the top.  The chain rode low in the back to hint at the tease of the flesh there.  She took Phil's arm and walked him off.  "Shopped as ordered, Sir."

"Good.  Am I going to have to protest?"

"Maybe."  She smiled.  She found where they needed to be.  "Hi.  Let me in please."

"Miss Summers," he said.  "I heard you had called.  Is that your date?"

She smiled.  "No, he's like my big brother.  That is my date," she said with a point and a kitty smirk.  "This is his date."  She pointed at Natasha.  "Is there a problem?  I checked to see if I could bring them in."

"No, no problem, ma'am."  He let her in.  "Welcome to the Grotto."

She patted him on the cheek.  "You're always so polite."  She grinned.  "Thank you."  They walked in.  "Herval."

"Miss Summers."  He bowed.  "Your date," he said, looking at Clint.  "He is very well known."

She smiled.  "He's a real gentleman as well.  At least around me.  Even Xander likes him."

Herval smiled.  "That's wonderful.  As you know, this is the Grotto.  There are various seating and conversation areas."  He pointed behind him.  "Anything with the blue mark is to a bathroom or other necessary area.  The red is the doorway to another section."

"I know through the hedge maze there's supposed to be a real altar and a fun altar," she said.  "I was going to look at the fun one."

He smiled.  "There is and a working area if you need to flex some skills."

"No, I've had a few flexes today."  She smiled at Phil.  "We'll probably start here and move toward the bar."

"Of course. For that, go through the library chamber and the walkways of the Study to the Clubhouse, Miss Summers."

"Thank you."  She took their passes and handed them over.  "Have a good night, Herval."

"You as well, Miss Summers."  He relaxed once she was gone.  She was nearly glowing with energy tonight.

Dawn smiled and pointed at a map on the wall.  "Someone was a big Marauder's fan."  She touched it and it showed where they were.  "This is the entry to the library."  She pointed up the hall.  "This is the hedge maze."  They nodded making mental notes.

"This seems very tame," Phil said.

She smiled.  "It is.  This is the nicer side.  The Clubhouse is not."  She led them into the library and walked over to the librarian, whispering in his ear.  He nodded and got her a few books.  "Lending?"

"Up to two weeks, do no do any harm."  She shrank them and handed them to Clint.  "That is fine."  He got her another one and that one got shrank and handed to Phil.  "Have a good read."

"I'm going to read while they're at the bar."  She winked and strolled off with them.

"The cream door brings you back here, Miss Summers.  The old one broke and had to be replaced but has not been marked yet."

"Thank you for telling me," she called, smiling back at him.

"Spell books?" Clint asked quietly.

"On the battle.  One on the history of the Sunnydale hellmouth."  He grinned.  They went through the door and she waved.  "Back that way is the rooms.  This way is the bar and the overhead seats."  She got them into that map.  It didn't want to cooperate so she pricked her finger.  The map nearly moaned but it did focus.  They studied it.  Natasha and Phil walked back that way to see what they offered.  She and Clint went to the bar.  She smiled.  "Rum and coke?"  He paid for it when her card declined.  "I have got to see what that is about."  He smiled and got his own drink.  By then Natasha and Phil were back.  Dawn pointed.  "There's the seating down here or there's voyeur seating up there.  There's one on each side."

Clint looked up.  "This side has people.  Let's sit on that side."  He traced it.  "There's the walkway."

"Lead on, because I can't even spot it," she admitted.  She smiled at Phil.  "Do they have living furniture?  I've wondered how someone did that."

"They did have some," he said, helping her up the few steps, then Natasha.  The ramp was a gentle incline that was made to look like part of the structure.  They settled into the two-couch seating area with a padded-edged table between them.  Dawn sat down and crossed her legs, sipping her drink.  Phil got up to look around. You could see into the 'torture' room and a few other supposedly private rooms.

He noticed the monitor and fiddled with it.  That got them into the other rooms.  Including an enema room.  Some poor guy was taking a hose that was probably five inches across and squealing the whole time it was filling him.  He shivered and turned it off before he couldn't hide the shudder.  He sat back down again.  "Magical doorways?" he asked.

She smiled and nodded.  "Yes they were.  The first time I came in through the Grotto and no one warned me what was in here."  She saluted him with her glass and drank a sip.  "Nice rum."  She put it on the table.  The edges were padded in black leather and the center was a mirror.  Above them was a chandelier that had a bunch of leather straps hanging off the bottom.  If you pulled it down it looked like it turned into a sex swing.  That would probably be a pretty show for everyone down below.  "Hi, Herval."

He finished coming up the ramp.  "Miss Summers."

"Someone say something about my charming escorts?"

"No.  The manager bade me bring up membership information for the two Avengers with you and the agent who is your big brother."  He handed it to Natasha with a smile.  "He believes we could offer you much in the way of stress relief, especially if certain rumors are true."  He glanced at Dawn.

"Depends on the rumors," she said with a grin.

"That there is a slight price on your virginity?"

"Not anymore."  She picked up and sipped her drink.  "Though someone has tried very hard to put it back."  She smiled.

He shivered.  "I see.  Are you...interested in the other services?  We do have a very nice altar for avowing to any God you choose by your virginity's sacrifice."

"If it happens again, I might do that.  I hear Alexander's a really great and fussy guy."  He swallowed his moan.   "Xander said I had to be twenty-one before I officially joined his house so he wouldn't be tempted to arrange a union for me."  She finished her drink and put the empty glass down.  "I'm not sure though.  Aphrodite and Cupid both have many things I can and probably will learn some day but things I don't care for in their dedicated service."  He whimpered.  She grinned and winked.  "So I'm *considering*."  He nodded and got servers up to take the empties and give them a free round.  "Thank you, Herval."

"Welcome, Miss Summers.  Oh, those books?  There may be others."

She considered it then summoned and two others came floating after them.  "Thank you for that information.  I'd hate to get that messy."  He whined but followed the serving boys in skimpy leather shorty shorts that had zippers over the ass cheeks.  She shrank them.  The guys put them into Natasha's bag.

Phil looked over the membership information.  "Fairly steep even for such an exclusive club."  Natasha leaned over his arm and shrugged.  "I wonder if that's a group rate."  Because he had just heard a familiar voice.

Dawn looked down there then at him.  "Huh."

He nodded.  "Quite."

"You sound like Giles when you do that," she said dryly.

He smirked.  "Take that back.  I'm not a stuffy English museum specialist turned librarian and shopboy."  He went back to reading.  "Barton, yours can include target practice on people who are being punished in the hedge maze."

"Have to think about that.  There's a few junior agents I could like to play that with."  He sipped his new drink.  Clean, no drugs.  Natasha sipped hers.  Dawn swirled hers around before drinking it.  "Good rum?"

"Excellent, expensive rum."  She let him taste and he nodded.   She put the glass back down delicately.  "Ooh, that poor man," she said with a wince and a hiss, pointing.  They looked and all winced.  They didn't know mechanical bulls came with penis attachments and mounting programs.  "That gives a whole new definition of 'ride 'em cowboy'."

"Dawn," Phil warned.

"I'm in a good, flirty mood," she said with a teasing smile.  "And I have tomorrow off."

"For your orientation lecture," Natasha reminded her.

"Which only lasts until two so I can finish my shopping."

"I should declare approving rights," she said.

"If you want to come over tonight, you're more than welcome to.  All three of you are.  You know I'm not hiding anything."  They smiled.  "By the way, the Science Fair Lady is being evicted for the damage it caused.  I decided not to make her pay for mine too since she's got to move.  The landlord was up fixing the ceiling all day and pulled down the camera he found up in my light?"  They all shook their heads.  "Okay.  When he told me I used the bug sweeper and found a few new ones."

"I'll look them over tonight," Phil said with a smile.  She grinned back.  "We can gather at your house after this."

"That's fine.  You can talk me out of changing the living room.  I miss the huge sectional at the old place."

"It was comfortable to sleep on," Phil agreed.

"You did?" Clint asked, sipping his drink.  He looked down and spotted Tony Stark spot him.  He smirked and saluted him with the glass then looked at Coulson again.

"There were more than a few times that we had to carry her home because she was so exhausted running around doing everything," Natasha admitted.  "Being Stark sitters meant that we got to watch her training under Pepper and then helped her learn some more subtle arts.  While going to high school, taking her first sparring lessons, and running back and forth to the hospital."

"After nine months of that, Pepper decided I could do all my classes through the school's distance learning program while I was at the office, all the off-site lessons got moved back to the office with Happy and whoever Tony was training with, and I still had to run back and forth to Mom's room or apartment to help her.  There were plenty of nights I fell asleep in the car on the way back.  Phil usually got to try to wake me up, fail at doing it, and had to carry me upstairs."

"She gets very limp and clings to you when you do that," Phil said.  Natasha nodded she remembered.  Dawn smiled at them.  "Somehow, now and then she turned into a cat and gained that extra hidden weight they can grow when they don't want to be picked up.  A few nights, I was guarding Thor and he carried her up the stairs because nothing would wake her up."  Dawn grimaced but nodded.  "He asked a few times if she was due to be Xander's spouse."  Dawn snickered.  "Three hours after we got her home, she'd wake up, make dinner, go do her homework, and then try to get to sleep for another two hours before work."

"Then Pepper went on vacation to Fiji and brought me.  I think I slept the whole week."

"You nearly did," Natasha said.  "I remember waking you up for meals and you missed two days in a row of eating.  You barely made one meal a day, Dawn."

"I was exhausted."

"Yes, you were.  Which was when Stark stepped in and told her she could help him instead most of the time because it was the easier job and she could run off to be with Joyce when she needed her."

"Then the whole trip to Pegasus happened," Dawn said dryly.  "I did all of John's paperwork; Tara, Mom, and I mothered all the soldiers who needed it, and a few who ran from us.  We watched Xander heal from the migraine from hell.  Played with the puppy of war."  Clint shook his head.  Hellion, Xander's war puppy, had not left him alone at the temple.  "When I came back Teyla had taught me meditations that could mimic sleep and help me calm down at the same time.  Mom was out of the hospital so she didn't need me as much.  I took over some of the Stark sitting, especially after Callia was born."  They all nodded.  "It gradually slowed down so I quit passing out in the car on the way home.   Though there were a few nights I woke up in the garage."

Phil nodded.  "When you're really out, no one can wake you."  He handed the folder to Clint, sipping his own drink.  "They have very expensive tastes."  Dawn smiled.  "I know that look.  What?"

"Remember the guy who desperately wanted to be Tony?"

"The balding one with the unintentional forehead mustache?" he guessed.  She nodded.  "Is he in town?  I remember he hit on you even when you said you were sixteen."

"Yup, he is.  He offered me his penthouse apartment if I could find a way to let him meet with Tony."

"He'll kill you," Natasha said.  Dawn wrote down the address and she moaned.  "That may be worth the spanking.  He didn't want any other favors?"

"Not from me.  I'm too old for him and his child-like bride from India is very sweet and quiet."

Tony strolled up on them.  "Interesting seeing you four here."

"Even more interesting seeing you here," Dawn teased with a grin.  "I saw that balding guy who desperately wanted to be you."

"What'd he want this time?" he asked, taking a drink of his scotch.

"Willing to give me a penthouse apartment if I set up a meeting with you."  Tony laughed.  "He's got a new bride too."

"Is she over fourteen?"

"I think sixteen but it's really hard to tell.  She's Indian.  She's sweet, she doesn't speak.  She covers her hair with the tail of her sari."  Tony shuddered.  "Saris are cool outfits."

"Still not acceptable at work."

"I know but the next time we go over there I have one.  It wasn't damaged."  She grinned.

"Where's the penthouse?"  She showed him the address.  Natasha had written a note on the back.  "That's a very nice area.  I'll fix the rest tomorrow.  What do we think he wants, Dawn?"

"I think he may want to ask you to provide protection for his wife while he goes to jail in Canada by what I researched afterward but I'm not totally sure.  He could be asking you to impregnate his wife for him."  She sipped her drink.

Tony grimaced.  "We can probably find a way to protect her.  Is she even educated?"

"Yes and she's a distant cousin of Mari's."  Tony smirked evilly.  "Not the chemist, her little sister."

"Interesting.  Sure, set up the meeting but Pepper will yell if you accept the penthouse.  It's probably a lease anyway."

"Saw Shelby too," she said before he could move.

"Shelby......"

"Blonde acrobatic lady with the feet she could link behind her head from what you were telling Rhodey when I wasn't supposed to be listening?  Slutty and asked if you wanted to pull me into the bed between you because you were helping me with math homework?"

"Oh, her.  Why is she in town?"

"Treatment."

"Rehab?  I know it's fashionable."

"No.  She looks a lot like a skeleton, boss."

"Cancer," he said more quietly.  "Or AIDS."

"Not sure, couldn't find it anywhere, but I'm guessing cancer because there was one large lump on her side by her pancreas.  It's not a bag on that side."

"No, it's not a colostomy.  Did she say hi?"

"Yeah, wanted to know how you were doing.  Looked really desperate to have someone to talk to.  Was coming out of the hospital Mom was in."  He nodded.  "She said she wanted to send you a letter so I wrote down the office address for her and the small code to get it delivered to me or Pepper."

"Thanks, kid."

"Welcome.  It looked like she really just wanted to have a friend.  She had that 'not that long left' look and smell."

"It's good to know.  Your mom?"

"Is moved."  She smiled.

"Good."  He looked over.  "Oh, wow, that's graphic."

She looked around him.  "The guy with the bull again?"  Phil reached over and swatted her.  "He was."

"No, he's a lot nicer than someone in the back area."  He turned back around.  "So, this...."  He waved a hand.  Natasha nodded.  "I did not know that.  Huh."  He walked off.

"Why mention her?" Natasha asked.

"The long, low scar on her stomach," Dawn said.  "Looked like Buffy's c-section scar."  Natasha winced.  "I think she might be asking for a referral," she said quietly.  "And I'd hate to see any kid end up in the system with the crapshoot the way it can be.  Three of the HR staff and one of the guards are all presently sitting on adoption lists."

"So that could help them both," she said.  "Very caring of you."  Dawn smiled.  "If it's not something that simple?"

"Then maybe she'll get a chance to cry, let it all out, and not die with regrets.  She's one of the few that got up before him and left.  Didn't even take a donut."

Natasha nodded.  "Some women are like that."  Dawn nodded she knew, finishing her drink.  She looked around.  "We should go.  Maybe Fury will pay for our memberships."  She smirked.  "Then we will see about your clothes for tomorrow."

"Okay.  By the way, there's half a bed right now.  The mattress got junked due to the slime and the new one won't be in until tomorrow. I can sleep on top of the box spring."  They smiled and left together, taking the membership folder with them.  Dawn winked at someone who stared at her.  They got outside and the guy followed.  She turned and held up a ball of glowiness in her hand.  "Why are you following me?  Did you think I was interested enough even though I've never met you?"  He backed up slowly.

"I'd answer, dude.  Really."  He fled back inside.  She canceled the ball of power and shrugged.  "Guess he's not interested after all."  She took Phil's arm again because they were in a mugging neighborhood.  She wasn't on his gun arm and he smiled at that move.  "Hey, if they're going to attack, they're going to head right for me because I'm cute, young, and look easy.  I don't really want to fight my way out of the Russian mob tonight."

"We really must end them soon," Natasha said.

"Please do.  One sent me a nice letter explaining how his business could profit from me, and I would learn to like it eventually, if I would just quit fighting them."

"Excuse me?" Clint asked.

"Yeah.  It was on the table."  He nodded he'd be reading it later.  They got a cab and went back to her place, which smelled like febreeze.  They opened the windows to air it out, finding new slime in the closet.  Dawn sighed.  "At least the clothes weren't in there."

"No they're not," Natasha agreed.  They were all safely off to the side.  Nothing had been put up yet.  She looked over the clothes then at the younger woman.  "You're dressing like Pepper again."  She pointed at the bags.  "Ah, my stores of choice."  They found a slightly tasteful outfit for the morning and shoes, plus new stockings.  They could hear Clint and Phil growling about something.  She walked out, Dawn following, finding them reading the letter.  She took it to read, eyebrow going up.  "They are getting more literate.  This one actually quoted deSade."

"Not my scene," Dawn quipped with a hand wave.

"Get comfortable," Clint ordered.

"Have to move the bed.  There's new slime in the closet."  She called the landlord's number to let him know, getting him up there to see.  They watched him fuss, swear, and glare at the ceiling.  "Can I move back upstairs maybe?" she asked.

"We'll see, Summers.  They said it was a risk."

"Not for a few months."  She shrugged.  Something rank blew their way and she gagged.  "What is that!"

"Dead body," Phil, Clint, and Natasha said in unison, going to find it.  One had been dropped in the hallway.  The landlord was having a seizure of ranting.  Natasha calmly packed Dawn's new clothes up and took her to a hotel for the night.  They'd figure out the rest in the morning.

***

Tony looked at Dawn the next morning.  "How about this.  I'll buy you an apartment so you're safe.  It won't have many windows and you have to invite me to all the good parties."

She smiled.  "Maybe for graduation, boss."

He smirked.  "Are you moving?"

"Yes.  It turns out that slime is toxic.  They used it to poison the husband, who that was."  He shuddered.  "It's not toxic to clothes or to Dawn's but to normal people it is."

"Where are you moving?"

She shrugged.  "Looking today.  I'm running a search while I'm delivering things."

"Huh."  He accepted the letter.  "From her."  He opened it, frowning.  "How would I know?"

Dawn looked.  "I thought it might have been a c-section scar.  We have four people in the building on waiting lists."  She smiled and plucked it from his fingers.  "Should I go talk to them?"

"Please."  He watched her go, smiling.  She was the best investment Pepper had ever made in their lives.  Even if his daughter was following her wearing a very pretty dress like the auntie did.

***

Natasha found the books from the night before.  "Alexander," she called, startling people.  He appeared, looking at her.  She dumped the books into his hands.  "From the club last night's library."

He looked over the tiny books, smiling.  "Those might just help."  He kissed her hard and fast then left.  One came back with a note saying that was probably for Dawn. He appeared in his temple, sending the books down the table to the researchers.  He made them grow.  "Dawn found them at the pagan themed sex club last night."

Roque looked at one.  "That's on that battle."  He pulled it over to start skimming.  "Jensen!" he bellowed.  "New sources!"  He came jogging in with Doctor Jackson.  "When did you get here?"

"Jack brought me."  He smiled.  "Hi, Xander."

"Hi, Daniel.  Dawn went to a Hellfire Club wannabe last night and their library had those."  He nodded, settling down to research.  It was his favorite thing to do beyond finding modern examples of ancient cultures.  Xander took his own and settled in to read while Jensen got beers first before picking his own source.

A few hours later there was a shout of joy.  "Yes, thank you, Goddess, there was a weapon!"

***

Dawn strolled in last for the meeting the next day.  "What's up?"

Nick Fury looked at her.  "Thank you for buying real clothes."

"Now all I have to do is find a better apartment."  He grimaced.  "I think I've found one.  I'm going to look at it.  It's a loft space.  It's cheap for some reason.  So we'll see."  He nodded.

"How much is school going to cost you?" Tony asked.

"About fifty a year," she said.  "Tuition is hell."  He winced.  "Yeah.  So I saved enough at least."  He shuddered.  "I used their little calculator program and it said 43 thou and a bit as of two years ago living with my parents off campus so I figure that's about fifty now with rate hikes."

He nodded.  "Probably."  He patted her on the hand.  "We can talk about a student loan."

"No we can't.  Not unless I run out of college fund."

"If you go more than eighteen hours, the price goes up," Tony told her.

"It's already forty-six hundred a class and six-something for a lab class," she said.  Bruce Banner shuddered.  "NYU 'spensive," she agreed.

"So was MIT," Tony agreed.  "Scholarships?"

She looked at him.  "I'm not eligible for the Stark Scholarship fund and you're not breaking the rules for me."

"Fine.  Just trying to help."

"I know.  It'll be okay.  That's why I'm still going to be working part time."  He smiled and nodded.

"Seriously?" Fury asked.  "It's that expensive?"

Coulson nodded.  "Yale was about same price."  Dawn nodded.  "In state rates?"

"Yes.  I have a local address, have had for more than six months."  He smiled.  "Or else I'd use yours."

"I'd let you.  It'd save you about ten thousand a year."

"I have, as of borrowing for clothes replacement, just about two hundred and five thousand in my school fund."  Tony sighed in relief.  "Mostly because every time I'd pay tuition it would mysteriously reappear."  She hugged her boss.  "Thank you."  She sat up again.  "And Pepper didn't make me pay rent until I was eighteen."

"Did your mom get to renew her life insurance?" Tony asked.

"Nope.  She's really lucky the state won't let the health insurance company cut her off.  Or else I'd be going to a community college."

He looked at her.  "Have you talked to a guidance counselor about any other colleges in the area?"

"No.  Why would I?"

"Because they might be less expensive."

"But not as prestigious."

"Why would I care?" Tony asked.

"Because some day you may hate me and fire me?  Then I'd need another job?" she guessed.

He snorted.  "I doubt that.  You put up with me, Dawn.  You put up with your niece.  You pretty well have all the job security you could ever want with the family even without Callia."  She was staring at him in that shrewd way.  "Really.  There's a lot of pretty good schools here.  Some that are smaller and more prestigious."

"I've already been accepted."

"So?  If you have to you can start in January.  Take some time off.  You'll probably want it sometime soon.  I'm about to go through my terrible threes with my daughter.  Who knows what sort of brat I'll turn into."  He grinned.  "Talk to a guidance counselor that's local."

"I thought they only worked in the schools."

"Call one good one and see if she'll take the time to talk to you anyway.  Then we'll see.  There's a few places that have joint programs so you don't have to double major.  That means less credit hours per semester and more time for you to date."

"I know what that means."

"Good!"  He grinned.  He called Pepper.  "It's me.  Dawn's agreeing to talk to a local guidance counselor to see if she can find somewhere less draining than NYU.  Fifty grand living off campus, Pepper."

"I have it," she said.

"Yay," he shot back.  "Part time with us won't pay rent for the whole year."

"I should be able to make it and just end up poor on the other side.  I'm still putting back some of my check now."

"So can you find her one that'll talk to her?  Great, Pepper, thanks."  He hung up.  "She said she should've thought of that before."  He smiled.  "Some of them are even under twenty-five a year."

"Damn."

"Yeah.  You paid less for high school."  He grinned.

She nodded.  "I did."

"Are we done with the touchy-feely crap now?" Fury asked.

"Not really," Tony said, pulling her closer to hug.  "She's like my heir and my older daughter."

She elbow nudged him.  "Then you probably really wanted brain bleach recently?" she joked.

"Well, yeah, I did anyway."  He let her go.  "Now we're done with the touchy-feely crap."  He smiled.

Dawn's phone beeped with an appointment.  "I get out early today too I guess."

"Yes you may," Tony agreed.  "Don't let Callia see you, she wants to put on a pretty dress and stalk you around the office again."

"Sure."

Fury shook his head, walking off muttering.

"Okay, the HYDRA person from Miami?" Dawn asked.  "Is he still a worry?  Because I got a charming email from him."  She pulled it up on her phone and handed it to Phil.

"That is nice of him to say that he's not mad for having him arrested.  And that he'd love to see you and the pretty redheaded woman together."  He passed it on.  "We'll check, Dawn."

"The others that want her?" Tony asked.

Clint handed him the letter from the Russians with a grin.  "She got that yesterday."

He read it and paused.  "What the fuck?" he demanded.

"That was my feeling, yeah," Dawn agreed.  "Which is why I mentioned it."

"Have we gotten others we haven't mentioned?" Tony asked patiently.

"You know very well you routed all my mail through the security team as of last year when I got that mash letter."

"I did, yeah.  They didn't catch this?"

"They did catch that.  Then they handed it to me and suggested I wear the really high heels so it'd hurt like hell when I stuck them up someone's butt."

He grinned.  "I'll let you borrow a jet boot for that."  That got handed on.  Bruce was glaring at the paper.  "Easy, big guy.  We'll protect Dawn."

"Dawn will shoot them," Dawn reminded him.

"Dawn needs more range time if she's going to use anything outside of a piece of hand cannon artillery," Clint teased.

"Not my fault I focus better when the gun's large and heavy in my hand."

"Please no double entendre's," Tony complained.

"Did you know she was doing an occasional cemetery patrol?" Phil asked him.

"Well, kind of.  Happy found out and followed her."  Dawn nodded.  "Whenever it gets too bad, Happy lets one of the other guards follow her.  Usually one of the ones that drool on her shoes so they really don't want her after all."

"Yeah, scary me is scary enough to scare off guys," Dawn quipped, shaking her head.  Her phone beeped.  "Oops.  I'm going to be late.  Laters."  She got up and fled before they kept talking about her like she was two.

Tony looked at him.  "You just found out?"

"Yes," Coulson ground out.

"Huh.  And yet I yelled at her twice last year over it.  The whole outfit thing looked a bit cheesy to me and Pepper has a routine freak-out whenever it's mentioned.  All those 'oh my god' moments of hers?  That's Dawn having to hunt because it's too noticeable."

"Good to know.  That means one about every three months."

"I still want to know why she can only use the heavy, older styles," Tony said.  "I tried to offer her something more compact."

"She doesn't aim as well.  She learned on Buffy's weapons," Natasha said.  "Probably by sneaking them.  We tested her with the lady's axe yesterday.  She managed a half an hour."

"That's better than I thought she'd be," Tony said, nodding a bit.  "Huh."  He made notes to Pepper, who sent back a 'I'm drinking now' message with a 'shut up' at the end.  "If she ever gets around to having kids or adopting kids, we'll start teaching them with the more subtle weapons and I'll teach Callia the same way."  They all smiled.  "She's got to know in case she is called."  They nodded.  "Natasha, if you're still around and kicking when she's older, can you teach her self defense?"

"I can," she agreed, smiling at him.  "Callia is the nicest Stark to date."

Tony cackled and shook his head.  "She walked up to one of the guards yesterday and asked him about elephants.  He didn't understand until she pointed at where his pants were undone and said he had a trunk so he must be one too."  She moaned and thumped her head on the chair.  "Pepper and the nanny both heard and Pepper nearly fainted.  Happy was coming up the hall with Rhodey after sparring and they both nearly died from choking.  Dawn walked up and picked her up, walking off talking to her about how humans couldn't change into elephants.  Then she pulled up pictures to show her the difference."

Natasha looked at him.  "I stand corrected.  Your daughter is exactly like you only female."

"Yes, she is, but she likes shiny things like her mother.  She put on a little blue jumper dress that had a longish skirt and a pretty button up top and followed Dawn around helping her be an assistant yesterday.  Dawn taught her how to use the big girl potty and how to do her hair.  She was even scribbling notes when Dawn was.  Just lines of squiggles but notes she said."

"Your daughter is very bright and a bit warped," Bruce said.  "We clearly need to help unwarp her."

"Go right ahead.  I expect my daughter to go to MIT and wear the suit one day unless I somehow get a son."  They all smirked at him for that.  "Beyond that, this new apartment?"

"Loft in a converted garage area," Phil said.  "That's all it said in the ad.  About halfway between here and the tower."

"Huh.  I wonder if that'll have enough room for closets.  She needs a good closet."

"Yes she does," Clint agreed.  "Thirty-two bags of clothes yesterday."

"That doesn't surprise me since Pepper showed her how real women shop."

"Only four thousand worth," Phil said.  "She took out more."

"Still doesn't surprise me since Dawn could always find a sale."

"One new formal gown ordered and it's ....not sweet by any means."

Tony stared at her.  "When's the next event?"  He went through his phone's schedule.  "I don't see one."

"September," Coulson said, checking his.

Tony focused.  "I don't have that one."  He texted Pepper, who told him when it was and synched her system to the main one.  That updated his book and it was good.  "Oh, there.  Oh, shit.  That's a ... no, that one she has to discreet.  It's a scientific thing."

Bruce looked at him.  "The same night is something at the Met.  She may be going to that one.  I was torn between the two."

"That's true.  Pepper might be going to that one."  He sent that to her and she agreed they were.  Dawn had to be decorous at least.  "No, that's a decorous event."  He texted Dawn who sent back what it was for.  "They still have homecoming dances?"  Everyone nodded.  "Huh.  Or the military ball.  That's sweet of her."  He put his phone up.  "Any new news?"

"She found books that had accounts of the old battles.  Alexander said to give him until Sunday," Phil said.  "I texted him."

"Okay so we meet on Sunday then," Tony said.  Everyone nodded.  "Have fun, people."  He went back to the office to talk to Pepper.  "Military ball?" he asked her.

"She's keeping it open.  She thought Steve might like to go."  She smiled.  "Rhodey also asked her to go with him if he couldn't find a date.  At least he'd be safe with her because there's some mercenary women at those things."

"They all want PhD babies.  You'll see the same ones at the scientific awards gala coming up."  He sighed.  "Loft?"

"She's going to look at it today.  It might be too industrial for her.  If not, I know of someone who needs a house sitter and she might do that instead."

"Maybe but do they have closets?"

"Probably not enough, he's a guy."  She smiled.  "Aren't you supposed to be doing something, like taking your daughter to the zoo this afternoon?"  He hopped up and went to find her.  It wasn't actually on the schedule but Tony had been talking about it and it was a pretty day for it.

***

Dawn let herself into her hotel suite that night, smiling at the people waiting on her.  "Two choices on each choice.  Brauch or Berkeley?"

"Both are nice enough," he said.  "Here in Manhattan."  He looked over the pamphlets.  "Did you tour them?"

"No."  She sat down.  "Both under ten grand a semester."  He smiled.  "Both have the programs I want."

"So you'll go look."  He put them down.  "Apartments?"

"Scummy, needs cleaned and fixed up one that is large and in a semi-decent neighborhood but the last person there got killed or a converted garage loft.  Very industrial, I'd have to buy rolling racks for the clothes, but I basically have a three car long garage with the kitchen at the end of it and a bedroom upstairs with a bathroom."

He considered it.  He looked at the other two.  "Pictures?" Natasha asked.  Dawn pulled out her phone to show them the video.  "Is either a price advantage?"

"The loft is rent to own.  The other one is a lease but the building is probably up for sale cheap.  The DEA were the ones to kill the former resident."  Phil scowled, looking the address up.  "On foreclosure?"

"No.  Run by the same sort of group as you met in that club.  It might the same group, just another arm."  He scowled.  "How big is it?"

"It's Penthouse big and comes with a dedicated underground garage space."

"That is a blessing in this city," Clint said.  He took it to look over.  "Me, personally I like the loft.  I think it's a bit industrial for you though."  She nodded it was.  "The other...."

"The building is a hole," she said.  "Eight apartments, two neighbors, the rest are awaiting drug trials so they can't really evict them yet.  So no one will mind a weapon's cabinet in there."  She leaned back.  "I talked to the landlord.  For what I pay now, which is still rent controlled, I can have that apartment, which has two bedrooms and three closets."  She smiled. "I'm on the top floor, elevator.  I can fit a sectional, the kitchen's a greasy mess, and the bathroom needs power scrubbed."

"Or the other place where you can hang odd lights, create a closet somehow, have a bathroom that you like, have room for the car inside, still room for all of that and less cleaning," Phil said.

"Smaller kitchen at the loft."

"Same price?"

"Loft is two hundred more a month."

He considered it then sighed.  "Damn."

She nodded.  "As for the colleges, both downtown, both relatively inexpensive, both stretching along very few buildings up a street.  Berkeley has the better programs.  Brauch is better rated.  I'd still have to double major there.  Tiny bit cheaper too."

"Berkeley," Phil said.

"You sure?"

"Yes."  She smiled.  "Yours?"

"Even as far as I can tell from here and a drive past the buildings in a cab."

"The apartment?"

"About six blocks from here for the loft and about ten or twelve, depending on if you're counting streets or going straight for the other."

"That's not a very safe neighborhood," he said.

"This is New York City.  There's no safe, cheap neighborhoods."

"True."  He looked at the film again.  "Cleaning crew.  Painters."

"Landlord said he'd knock some of the price off if I wanted to rent to own it and the one next door.  That would cost me about a grand more a month total and give me another bathroom and bedroom for a study."

"A penthouse in a slum is still a slum," he said.  "I don't like the loft though.  It doesn't seem homey."

She took her phone to get into another file.  "This is the only other one I found and it's much more expensive.  Like fifteen hundred a month."  Clint sucked in a breath.  "Yeah but safer, security on the doorway with a buzzer, which is something at least, two stairs then an elevator.  Three apartments per floor lower down, two up top.  One of the last ones on the top floor with three is open."

He looked over that layout.  "It's tiny."

"It is."

"The top ones?"

"Nineteen."

He shuddered.  "There's no way."  She nodded.  "Anything else they have?"

"One in a swinger's building."

"No, Dawn."

She smiled.  "My current landlord is just finishing the renos on one that's about eight from here that way," she said with a point.  "Which will increase my commute.  "Rent controlled, he's willing to switch me because of the damage, but it's not as nice as where I am.  Or my first one is open again.  There's one higher up in that building too.  Top floor.  Two bedrooms, tiny closets in each."  She leaned back.  "I did get a text message from a vampire in town that Spike talked to, because I called to complain to Buffy and got Spike.  He said he's willing to sublet his brownstone."  Phil winced.  "Yeah, way out of the way."  She found the listings.  "This one I called on and have to see tomorrow before work."  She let him see the ad.

"That's a very nice neighborhood.  Bit far away from both buildings by a few blocks but against usual rush hour traffic patterns for your commute or to school.  It's on a tiny park if I remember right."  Dawn smiled and nodded.  "What does it look like?"

"It's.... you know those stone houses that remind you of mini castles with the side turrets?"  He nodded.  "It's one of those broken into three apartments from what she said.  That would be the turret side.  One on the other side then one upstairs."

"How long has it been renovated?"

"No clue."

"We can look," he decided, handing it back.  She smiled.  "Or you can talk to Grimsheld because he's moving to the west coast and his tiny cabin of a house is up."

"I've seen pictures.  I'm not that rustic."

"It could use some painting."

"It's a log cabin house in Queens."

"It is," he agreed.  She found a picture and let him see it, earning a moan.  "That looks nice."

"That is twice my college fund," she said.  He patted her on the wrist.  "Just think of how many shoes and books I can put in there."  He laughed.  Natasha got up to get the take out and they settled in to eat, go over what they needed to do the next time they went to the club and what Fury had said about the memberships.  Dawn let them out and went to take a long soak in the tub.  The hotel's tubs were pitiful but they'd have to do.

***

Dawn walked up to Tony the next day.  "We've all but decided on Berkeley."

He looked them over, nodding.  "A lot of what you'd get here so you may get some more credit hours.  Brauch is rated higher."  He looked up.

"Berkeley has more intertwined programs."  She pointed at those notes.

He read them over, nodding.  "Then that's a good choice.  And at just about nine thousand a semester a lot better."  She smiled.  "Then that's a great choice."  She grinned.  "Housing, since I know you're in a hotel?"

"Looked at the last one today.  It was nice but Phil said they split it wrong.  Things like the only fuse box is in another apartment."  He winced.  "Looks nicer but he was worried."  That got a nod.  "I looked at the loft, which was a garage with a bedroom and kitchen.  I looked at a penthouse slum.  Phil forbid me to move there."

"Maria Weintraub, know her?"

She considered it.  "Chem assistant in lab 3?"  He nodded with a smile.  "She has two kids, right?"

"She does.  She's moving back to Malibu to work in that lab."  He handed over the notes on her place.  "Spacious.  She can actually host parties.  Two bedrooms.  One bathroom.  Decent enough kitchen.  Good entertaining space.  Open rafter ceiling in the living room."  She blushed but grinned.  "Rent controlled by the lease as long as it's upped before it runs out.  Under a grand a month.  Fifteen minute commute."

She leaned over to hug him.  "Thank you."  She went to find the chem assistant and talk to her about any problems.  It had a basement area too.  It was a duplex so she'd have half a house basically.  That sounded nice and they went to look at it on lunch.  Dawn signed right after going through.  The only thing she could see wrong was a tiny tub but she could ask to replace that at her cost.  They talked to the landlord, who agreed she could sublet and as long as she had a decent contractor out she could replace it at her cost.  Dawn squealed and hugged him too, making him blush and pat her awkwardly.  They went back to the building and Dawn filed change of address paperwork.  She could afford the hotel for another three weeks.  That was about what she paid in rent.

***

Dawn looked up from scowling at her computer's erroneous and problematic files, smiling at the man staring at her.  "I'm sorry.  I didn't mean to keep you waiting.  If you had cleared your throat I would've put away the files that changed themselves into crap."  She stood up, slipping the tablet into her purse.  "Dawn Summers."

"I'm the present chair of the marketing program, Miss Summers.  I'm doing intake interviews for all the business programs."  He showed her into his office.  "You're already working somewhere?"

"I've been interning with Tony Stark for a few years.  I'm actually Ms. Potts' administrative assistant and sometimes Tony wrangler."

He stared.  "You're barely out of high school by your transcripts."

She smiled.  "Pepper became my mentor when my mother went into the hospital with a brain tumor."

"Oh, I see."  He nodded, looking over her file.  "Classified program?"

"Every now and then I sub as an unpaid intern at SHIELD to help the bosses.  Occasionally I file, occasionally I deliver or make coffee, and occasionally I do work on the budget because Director Fury doesn't understand Excel very well."

He stared at her.  "Really?"

"He's very action orientated."

"I saw that during the Congressional hearings."  She smiled.  "I think I saw you there?"

"For about four hours.  I was place holding while Mr. Stark was off doing something more important."

"Huh."  He went back over it.  "No letters of reference from your teachers?"

"No because we got into a disagreement right before graduation.  They had a mandatory sex ed class, which I don't care about.  Until the teacher tried to tell me that masturbation causes cancer."  He winced.  "We had a talk about bullshit that day.  Twice."  She smiled.  "That was six weeks before graduation so no, not from my teachers.  I do have some that wrote them to NYU.  Mr. Stark wanted me to not drain my college fund so dry and look at schools with the same reputation but less costly tuition."

"No financial aid?"

"No, sir.  Pepper helped me set up a college fund.  I didn't pay her rent until I was eighteen so I have a good fund set up to more than meet my needs at the more expensive school."

"Wonderful."  He smiled.  "Since you worked for it you'll probably appreciate it more as well."

"I'm definitely not the party girl.  I may club now and then but I really don't drink.  I don't do drugs.  I'm a good girl with a naughty habit of teasing in the clubs."  He smiled.  "I'm looking forward to starting, getting it done, and getting free to go back to work full time.  I'll be working part-time while I'm here."

"That's a sound plan but a hard life."

Dawn shook her head.  "My first year being mentored I was doing high school, basically doing full time at the office so I was there whenever Pepper was, then running back and forth to help my mother."  He smiled.  "She's taking a second round of treatment across town."

"That's fine.  Online or in person?"

"Ideally a combination so I don't have to miss classes for things like business trips."  Something caught her eye and she stared.  "What is he doing?"  He looked and groaned.  "Never mind.  I'll ask him later."  He stared at her.  She smiled.  "I have delivered coffee to a meeting as well, yes, sir."

"Interesting.  Did you bring any sort of display of your past work?"

"Pepper put it together for me because I wasn't sure what to bring.  I've also brought in mocked up budgets she had me doing as training and a few other things."  She handed over the packet from her purse.

He looked it over, nodding at the things included.  He looked up.  "It looks like you have a good handle on what you need to know."

"Yes, but I need the degree so people quit looking at me like I'm an idiot savant."

He laughed, nodding that was true.  "Did you look at us before, Miss Summers?"

"No, to be honest I looked at the ivy league and those near it.  I was looking at the prestige of the degree in case I needed to change jobs later on.  That's why I settled on NYU instead of Yale, MIT, or Stanford."

"You got accepted there?"  She nodded, smiling slightly.  "That's wonderful."

"I wanted NYU because of the area and the name recognition.  Then Mr. Stark heard how expensive it was, what my actual college fund had, and decided to talk me into looking at ratings in other sources than the one I had looked in.  He also had me talk to a local guidance counselor.  I hadn't realized that you were actually a school until then.  I didn't really look at any school under ten thousand people."

"Bigger schools have their appeal," he agreed.

"And their safety," she said with a slight smile.  "That has become an issue in the past due to where I work."

He nodded.  "That makes a lot of sense.  NYU allows private bodyguards if you need one."  She nodded.  "We don't usually."

"I'm hoping that's all done with.  By using an online and an in-house class schedule I can be here maybe two to three times a week for actual classes.  That would cut down on my exposure outside safe areas."  He nodded, leaning back.  "That would also allow me to finish sooner by going all year round."

"That's not a bad plan.  What did you want to major in?"

"Accounting and business management, finance as a minor."

"That's adventurous."  She handed over her high school transcripts again.  "Hmm, AP maths and Accounting one and two."

"That business class was supposed to be AP but it's not marked.  I'm not sure how your school would see it since it's out by LA."

He looked at her.  "We may not have much to offer you."

"You have plenty to offer me.  Not every company runs like Stark Industries."

"No, they don't," he agreed, smiling at her.  "What about where we are smaller?"

"That doesn't really bother me now that I've had the time to scout the school's area, the escape routes if I need them, and seen that you do offer some online courses."

He nodded.  "We may not be the best fit for you."

She smiled.  "It's a true tailor that makes a fit the best from anything you can put on."

"True," he agreed.  "How long do you think this will take?"

"I was hoping for about three years going year-round."

He considered it and her work credit.  "I want you to test out of some classes if you do gain admission.  NYU is hard but we are strict."  She nodded she knew that.  "Do you think you will pass?"

"I do."  She handed over the letter.  "I can transfer, I found that out when talked to the Dean yesterday."  She smiled.  "I talked to the Dean of the business school at NYU and he agreed that they didn't have much to teach me either.  He did have me take the tests to pass out of classes.  Basically their final exams.  I spent all of last Saturday doing them."  She handed over those results.

He hummed.  Those were good.  "We don't offer a few of those courses."

"No but you offer better PE alternatives," she offered with a sweet smile.

He smiled back.  "That is true."  He looked at the course loads for those.  "That leaves you with six core hours of accounting and two electives."  He turned the page.  "And about ten in mine."

She beamed.  "Eighteen classes I can knock out in two years at the most."

"There it looks like you'd have less."

"A lot more electives needed.  I can test out of some of the language requirements.  I'd still have to take all the history, the lit, the science, those things.  It would take me about two years of eighteen hour semesters.  To be honest, a lighter load is a great thing.  Four classes for full time, right?"  He nodded.  "So that's eight there, three during the summer, and then I'm done in another semester, adding in an additional padding one for classes not being offered each term."

He smiled.  "That's a very good plan.  You still have to be admitted."

"The Dean doesn't think there'll be a problem."

"Good.  Once you do, come back to me."  She nodded, shaking his hand and gathering things to go talk to Tony.  He went to talk to the Dean.  "She's pushy."

The Dean smiled.  "She's eighteen."

"I noticed.  She's very mature.  Her mother?"

"Still in treatment here in the city."  He put down his pen.  "NYU wasn't sure they didn't want to track her and then put her into an accelerated to an MBA."

"She's sure what she wants and I think Stark had a point about getting her away from NYU.  She'd drive them insane."

He smiled.  "I had a talk with Mr. Stark this morning.   He praised her to the skies even though she does nag him now and then.  He suggested an interdisciplinary business degree."

"That would let us tailor it for her."  He nodded.  "Is he going to be put onto the alumni rolls?"

"No, she will be, but she's the sort that would support her school and might take in later interns."  That got a smile.  They approved her and sent out the letter.

***

Dawn walked into Tony's office.  "Please tell me you didn't tank it for me?" she begged quietly.

"Why would I do that?" he asked, glaring at her.

"Because I want to do it because they want *me* not because they want *you*.  Like with Stanford, they were very happy I was your assistant because they could ask you to chair symposiums and talk to business classes."

"Stanford wanted you even before they knew you worked for me, Dawn.  Calm down."

"It's not the same thing and they knew.  The school's transcripts have on it that I'm sponsored into the institution by Pepper."

"I didn't know that."

She sighed.  "Did you like it when you went to school as Howard Stark's son?"  He flinched.  "You wanted to be Tony, have it be about you and your work, and all that.  That's what I want too.  I don't want to be listed as Tony Stark's assistant."

"In business worlds that's almost golden," he said dryly.  "But I do get that point.  Can you calm down a little bit because Callia just saw you glowing and ran off."

"Callia!" Dawn called.  She came running back.  "What's wrong?"

"You glowy.  Daddy scary daddy?"

"No, I'm not glowing because your daddy has to go be the scary daddy."  She picked her up to cuddle her.  "I'm worried and sometimes when I'm worried I glow too."

"Hugs?"

"Hugs are great healers."  She smiled and hugged the baby.  "I'm sorry I scared you."

"S'okay."  She cuddled in, petting her aunt's hair.  "Scary Daddy?"

"No, I don't have to go become Iron Man for a while, Callia."  She grinned and got a cuddle from him too.  "I would never let anyone use me that way."

She stared at him.  "Did they ask you if you'd like to be put on the alumni rolls?"

"Yes and I told them it was your education."

She smiled.  "Thanks, Tony."

"Welcome.  I do get that, I really do get that.  I did have a bit of that for a while."  She nodded, sitting down.  "Though most people would really jump at it."

"Yeah but I'm not most people."

"Good point and I like that about you.  Your independence and the thing you always had about making your own way is good.  You're stubbornness about it sometimes isn't.  I seem to remember a fit about you not thinking that you were doing anything to help and we were humoring you."

"It felt like you were.  All I did was tag along and feel like a third party at a date.  At least I waited until we were in the office.  That had been building for days."

"You know, they remembered you from the Thailand trip."  She winced.  "Barely but they did remember you and the Dean said you had grown into a pretty young woman."  Dawn blushed but grinned.  "I told them you can be but you were competent, which is much better."  He looked at his daughter.  "Isn't she?"  She nodded.  "Now, quit stressing, you'll get wrinkles."  He smirked.  "You got in on your own merit, Dawn."

"Thanks.  Sometimes it just seems like I am coasting on some coattails."

"No, I would've shaken you off if you were.  I can't stand clingy women or assistants."  She laughed.  "Here, take her.  I think she needs changed."  He got up to change his t-shirt.  She walked out with the baby talking to her about colleges.  He shook his head.  Pepper walked in and closed the door.  "She was worried that they accepted her because of me."

"She's had that feeling before.  Did you calm her down?"

"Yup.  And I pointed out that her stubbornness about making her own way was a pretty nice thing.  She compared it to me trying to fight my father's shadow."  He pulled on another t-shirt.

"In some ways she does.  She's known to be my assistant in some circles, her sister's little sister in others.  It's hard to come out of those."

He smiled.  "I remember."  He walked over to kiss her on the cheek.  "Callia's calling Iron Man the scary daddy again."

"He doesn't have an expression, never smiles and tickles her, and he is scary, especially to watch going out into battle," Pepper said, staring at him.  He nodded he knew that, sitting down.  "Are you all right?"

"I'm good."  He smiled at his daughter when she walked back in.  "Did you escape already?"  She beamed and nodded.  "Where's your aunt?"

"Boom boom ahhhhh!" she said, mimicking a scream.  Then she grinned.  "Bad guy bye-bye, Daddy."

Tony touched his earpiece.  "What happened to Dawn?" he asked.  He listened.  "So she defended herself and....  Ewww, yeah, she's going to be fussy for a bit.  Thanks.  If you see someone who can change diapers please send them here."  He hung up.  "Some demon just tried to attack her through the walkway window.  She reacted instinctively to shield Callia and threw the demon off.  Then stared there in shock as it fell."

Pepper winced.  "That's not good.  C'mon, Callia, let's go change you."  The baby beamed and went with her.

Tony called up security footage to look at what had happened.  He watched, frowning.  He called up the hall.  "Pepper, they were saying 'give me the baby, witch'."  Xander appeared in the hallway and walked off.  "Xander?"  He came back so Tony waved him in to look at the footage.

"Huh."  He nodded, going to cuddle the baby.  Then calm Dawn down.  "They wanted her," he said.

Dawn started to mutter in Latin under her breath.  "Is it time for that yet?"

"I hope not.  Ask Tony where he wants you two."  She called in and took the baby, packing her a diaper bag and a carry bag.  Xander smiled and got them to SHIELD HQ.  "There you go," he said, disappearing again.

Dawn smiled at the staring people.  "Agent Hill, a demon just tried to take Callia Stark from me."

"Dirt," she said.  "Already?"

"No clue."

"Go see Agent Coulson, Dawn.  Callia, you look very pretty today."

Callia smiled.  "Fank you.  Pretty you too."

"Thank you dear.  You can help her take notes and stuff."  Callia squealed and hugged her auntie.  Agent Hill smiled, watching them head down the hallway.

"Why do we have a baby here?" Fury called from his office.  The phone rang.  "What?"  He listened.  "Yeah, she's fine and here with her aunt.  Ten hours or less, Stark.  She has a job to do tonight."  He hung up.  Why him?  Really!

***

Dawn smiled.  It was her first official night in her new apartment.  "Look, and furniture too!"

Phil looked around.  "Did you drain your savings?"

"Two paychecks worth but otherwise no."  She smiled.  "New bed.  Had the tub replaced.  The mattress on the other bed replaced.  New dresser to replace the one that was falling apart after you fell into it."  She smiled.  "Better table."

"That is very nice."  He looked around, then came back down from the bedrooms.  "I was at her open house."

"She moved back to the Malibu lab."  She grinned.

He hugged her.  "Good job."  Dawn beamed.  They tried out the microfiber covered sectional couch.  They were waiting on the other two.  They got there together and looked around.  "She's subletting."

"This is really nice," Barton agreed, looking up.  "Nice perches too."  Dawn poked him and grinned at Natasha, who was coming down from the upstairs.  Clint sat on the couch and moaned as it cradled him.  "I'm stealing this."

"It won't fit in your quarters," Natasha teased, smiling at Dawn.  "Nice choice."

"Thank you.  And I have a college again."  They smiled at her.  "We ready?  I only need to slip into something less comfortable."  They nodded.  She headed up and came down in an outfit that made Natasha turn her around and march her back up there to change it.  "What's wrong with it?"

"Much too open.  You're too good of a good girl to wear that.  I'm too much of a good girl to wear that."

"Fury told someone earlier I had to have a battle outfit."

Natasha looked at her.  "I'll talk to him."

"If I need it for the battle."

"You won't.  There's better that won't distract with your magic."  She looked in the nice walk-in closet, finding something.  She handed it out.

"Bit big."

It got put back and Dawn pulled out the cream dress.  Natasha nodded it might be good.  Dawn slipped into it and the stockings that went with it.  It looked like a ribbon dress, and it was, but every other ribbon was a mesh instead of the silk the rest were.  In the right light, the cream silk was almost see through, especially if one had a tan.  Then the white stockings hitched to the white garter belt.  The white heels that were not what Dawn wanted.  She got another pair out and slid into them.  "Up or down?"

"Up," she said, helping her gather the hair into a messy twist that had pieces floating out.  The dress was slit up her thigh nearly to the panty line on both side seams.  It only reached her knee.  The scoop neckline showed a good line of cleavage. The fluttery sleeves were more illusionary as they weren't more than threads of thin silk ribbons.  Another one got wound into Dawn's hair and the look was complete with a very light application of makeup.  Total time: ten minutes.  Dawn stood up and checked herself.  No spots, no stains, nothing to mar the tease.  Natasha walked down the stairs first, meaning the guys were staring when Dawn came down the stairs.

"Dawn," Phil said calmly and quietly.  "Do you really want to go out in that?  I don't mind taking out a few people now and then to keep them from kidnaping you but must I tonight?"

She leaned down to kiss him on the cheek, wiping off the lipstick with a smile.  "I'm armed.  I can shoot my own."  He sighed.  She twirled.

Clint stared.  "I suppose that's the cream teasing dress?"

"Yes, it is," Dawn said.

"Lipstick on your teeth."  She went up to brush them and came down blotting the new lipstick.  "Okay," he decided.  "If there's any kidnaping, Dawn is handling it."  Natasha smirked at him.  "With you."  They called a cab and Dawn locked the door, handing out the new keys.  They put them on their various keyrings until the cab got there, then they got in.  Phil got to sit in the front.  The cabbie took them to the Clubhouse side.  Dawn walked up with Natasha on her arm this time and the guys trying hard not to stare.  Dark and light and damn hot.  Dawn knocked and the door opened.

"Miss Summers."  He looked her over.  "Oh, my."  She smiled.  "Very nice look, ma'am."  He let them inside.  Phil handed over the filled out membership applications and the checks.  The manager came out to talk to them while Dawn went trolling for something in the bar.  Ten minutes later they were confirmed members and they found Dawn sitting at a poker table, legs crossed and out to the side, with someone kissing her shoes.

"I thought your only shoe fetish was buying new ones," Phil said, staring at the man on the floor.

"I must be worthy to clean her shoes if I can move up to her ankles or higher," the man on the floor said.

Dawn looked at him.  "You'd better be prepared to woo me too," she said.  "I'm very particular."  He moaned and kissed the top of her foot then got up and went to get off into one of the antique spittoons.  She smiled.  "We done?"

"We are."  Dawn bought a round of drinks and they took it up to their vantage point.  They watched the rooms, sipping their drinks and making mental notes.

Phil looked at her.  "Has anyone else expected you to put out?" he asked quietly.

Dawn shook her head. "They know I'm an ice princess and while I like being the center of attention, not that way.  They figure Buffy's the kink queen of the family.  Personally I think it was Mom."  She sipped her drink.

Clint looked at her.  "Your mom?"

Dawn smiled.  "Back in their senior year, Ethan Rayne, chaos sorcerer and Janus' high priest, was working with the mayor for some reason.  He made the band's candybar sales be of mentally deaging candy bars."  They nodded.  "Which Giles and Mom both ate.  We ended up seeing Ripper Giles, who was a punk bastard who used to do black magic with Ethan, and Mom, who told Buffy to loosen up more than once that night.  And then later on they got it on on top of the police car's hood."

She sipped her drink.  "Buffy went around going 'eww' for the next few months.  When she finally asked Mom, Mom described him as a stevedore."  Phil choked.  "It took Buffy three years to figure that out and Riley had to tell her what she meant.  So Giles, who was pack of smokes rolled up in his shirt sleeve, wanna be James Dean cool as part of a black magic coven and my mother, who used to be a hippie.  There's a reason Elizabeth got turned into Buffy."

"I never would've expected the supremely stuffy Mr. Giles to have had any wildness in his past," Phil said.  Natasha nodded to back that up.

Dawn smiled.  "He wanted to be a fighter pilot or a grocer.  His father decided he was going to be a Watcher."

"That I understand more.  The coven was his rebellion?"

"Until they brought back a really high demon one too many times and it killed one of the members.  Then he went running off."  She leaned back.  They all stared at her.  "Eyghon, the Sleeper.  He'd possess coven members who were in a trance."  Clint shuddered.  "Later on Ethan showed up because the demon was loose and hunting the coven.  Ethan also did that halloween costume thing."  She smirked.  "I'm wondering if Xander had a moment of forethought when he got the soldier's costume so he got the base codes."

Clint choked this time.  "Codes?"

"Yeah, he used them a few months later to get the thing that cured the Judge.  Said it was his best date in high school.  He and Cordy, Willow and Oz because he had a van."  She grinned.

"I saw that incident noted.  I wondered how he had gotten it," Phil said, shaking his head.

"By telling the guard he was going to show Cordy the bigger missile from what he said," she said dryly.  He nodded, taking a larger drink.  "Yeah, it was like that at times.  Xander's possession by the hyena matriarch.  He ruled the pack and they were horrible from what Buffy said.  She also said that Xander tried to rape her to get her to join the pack but she knocked his ass out."  Clint was staring at her.

She nodded.  "The whole pack ate the new piglet that was the school's mascot.  The pack minus Xander, who was off hunting down Buffy, ate the principal at the time.  We have no idea how many members they tried to recruit the hard way to be the pack bitch but...."  She finished her drink.  "Giles didn't believe there was anything wrong with him.  That he was being a teenage boy.  I personally think it got Buffy back for the dick tease and put down thing she did to Xander a few months earlier."

Natasha shuddered.  "Why a matriarch?"

"Hyenas are matriarchal," Dawn said with a grin.  "Xander was the pack leader.  She's still up there.  The soldier is too.  Now and then if you get him drunk at the right sort of time she'll come out and huff at everyone she likes, and tries to bite Roque from what he said happened last time.  The soldier comes out when she's back, looking a bit freaked out usually, and apologizes."

Clint shook his head.  "I can't even imagine keeping it."

Dawn nodded.  "He considers them like shoulder angels."  She smiled.  "And yet my sister said he was normal."  Clint shivered.  She nodded.  "Definitely.  That's how we rolled though.  You know those couples that can be having a knock down, drag it out fight until someone tries to break it up and then they both turn on whoever?"  He nodded.  "That's the Sunnydale team."

"Is that why Xander learned to stalk?" Natasha asked.

"He had done hunting before, including for food.  He had helped Roque in a few things down his way.  Vampire hunting he said he had done a few times as a necessary thing but the nightly patrols he wasn't used to that way.  So he did learn new tricks."

Phil gulped some of his drink.  "Remind me to bomb the town if they try to reopen it."

"Xander's explosives might still be there," Dawn admitted.  "He said after the explosion Willow caused that he had the town mined to destroy it if he had to."  Phil stared at her.  She smiled and nodded.  "Told the FEMA person that.  That way the college could buy the rest for a kick-ass campus."

He nodded slowly.  "You were all insane.  I'm glad we rescued you before yours spread too far."  She grinned back.

Natasha cleared her throat.  "Fury wanted her to have battle armor."

"Um, no," Clint said.  "She shouldn't need it.  She's going to be behind the lines firing magic, not at the front lines as far as I can see the battle happening."  Dawn shrugged.  "Would it bother your magic?"

"No idea.  I haven't even started to think about it.  I was figuring the unitard since I've got it so blessed."  They nodded.  She frowned and reached down to reattach the garter strap that had just come undone.

"Dawn," Clint said, sounding a bit strangled.  "Can't you wear pantyhose?"

"Eww, no.  They can cause yeast infections and other problems.  Eww."  She frowned.  "I don't see how any woman can wear pantyhose.  They strangle you.  It's like a corset for your butt and crotch."

"It can be," Natasha agreed.  "I'm glad we could work you into wearing those."  Dawn smiled.

"So you only wear stockings?" Clint asked.  Dawn smiled and nodded.  "Does anyone else know this?"

"I think Steve caught me the other day and realized they weren't real pantyhose.  Pepper said he had asked."

Clint nodded, getting up.  "My turn to buy a round?"  They smiled and let him do that.

"Dawn," Phil chided quietly.

"He asked."

"Be nicer to people's minds."

"Yes, big brother."  He smirked.  She smirked back.  Natasha shivered.  "After this, since I'm off tomorrow until one thanks to the trip that we're flying overnight for, I'm going clubbing."

"No way in hell," Phil said with a smile.  He finished his drink.

"Are you going to handcuff me to the bed?" she asked.

"I'll see if it can be arranged if you really think you want to try bondage."  She blushed and shook her head.

Clint walked back up during Phil's suggestion.  "Why are we trying bondage?"

"She wanted to go clubbing later," Phil said.  "She asked if I was going to handcuff her to the bed."  He took his new drink.  Natasha got hers, and Dawn got hers then Clint sat down.

"Why are you off tomorrow?" Clint asked her.

"We're flying overnight tomorrow to Amsterdam to look over the new project for a few days."

"Stark is staying," Phil said.  Dawn grinned.  "Pepper said you got hyper on the flight?"

"I had read three books on the beach.  I was tired of reading and the captain wouldn't let me use a video game.  Pepper couldn't even pull out her laptop.  I couldn't sleep."

"That happens sometimes," Natasha admitted.  "You might want to carry something that will encourage sleep."  Dawn opened her mouth.  "Your mind is filthy tonight."

"I've been in a good mood all day."  She grinned.  "It's new interest day."  They smiled tolerantly.  They looked toward the rooms when someone started to shout.  "Ow," Dawn said.  They all nodded and looked away.  "What's our call on that?  Because I want to stop them."

"If it's consensual we can't," Phil said quietly.  "If it's not, we can save him.  If they're doing it right there's a safe word involved and he can use it."  She nodded, glancing over there.  "No, don't watch.  You'll get upset."  She sighed and sipped her new drink.  She glanced over there again and wanted so much to undo the guy's chains.  "Dawn," he said quietly.

"I can undo the chains."

"You're not the only magic user in here," he reminded her.  "Someone will know."

"It could be a test," she said.

"It could be."  He looked and winced.  "Do it."  Dawn snapped and the guy's chains were snapped.  The guy got up and beat the shit out of the people whipping him to death.  Then he stomped off.  Dawn finished her drink.  Phil gave her an understanding look.  "Sometimes, in some cases, you have to stand by.  It's part of the mission."

"They all know I'm a white witch," she said quietly.  "I'll be damned."  He nodded, smiling at her.   She calmed herself.  The manager came up, staring at her.  "I'm sorry but I'm a bit empathic."  He shuddered.  She nodded.  "If it was consensual I'm sure they'll take it somewhere more private as I don't think the horrified feeling people in there wanted to watch him die."  She took Clint's drink to drink, looking at it then at him.  "Bourbon?"  He nodded.  "Huh, never had that."  She took a sip and handed it back. "Thank you."  She looked at the manager.  "If you want, I'll leave."

"No, it was not intentional and he was not consenting.  Nor was he a punishment case."  She tipped her head.  "Thank you for interceding."

"Thank you for not getting huffy at my white lighter tendencies."  He smiled and left them alone.  She relaxed against the couch's back.  "Ow."

"Why?" Clint asked.

"Moved wrong."  She sat up.  "They need a dance floor."  Natasha laughed.  "They do.  It would be a lot more stress relieving than beating someone."

"Sometimes a spanking is therapeutic," Natasha said.  "It helps clear out the guilt and the mind so it can function better."

"I've never even thought about that stuff," Dawn said.  "I learned from Willow like Tara did.  If I'm feeling that much guilt, I bake cookies."

"Willow started that?" Clint asked.  Dawn smiled and nodded.  "I didn't know that."

"Yeah, she was great at guilt baking.  Oops, sorry, did a my will be done spell that nearly got you killed, here have a few dozen butterscotch cookies," she said, mimicking a Willow babble.

"She did?" Natasha asked.

"Oz had just left for Tibet.  She was slightly turning into a lush over the breakup.  So she went home and did a my will be done spell.  Giles ended up blind.  Buffy nearly married Spike; they were planning a charming wedding outside at dusk under a leafy tree."  Natasha whimpered, taking another drink.  "Xander got turned into a bigger demon magnet.  Willow got offered a job in vengeance for it.  Anya even got mad at her.  Willow could've taken her spot."

Natasha finished her drink.  "Your life before we met was insane."

"Only every few weeks.  The rest was patrol, homework, Buffy bitching about her sex life, patrol, homework, putting Xander down."  She sipped her drink.  She looked then at the bartender.  "Thank you."  He smiled and waved.  "How much?"

"Ten."  She got into her bag and sent down enough for their round.  He smiled at her for it.

"Nice delivery service," Phil said, sipping his drink.  "Go easy, Dawn, even if it doesn't affect you right."  She nodded.

"Show me," Clint said.

Dawn looked at him.  "Huh?"

"Like during that talk."

"Tara chewed me a new one for that.  She said it can create links between minds."

"I don't think either of us is that weak."  Dawn leaned closer to him and ran her fingertips across his forehead, thinking of the Sunnydale times.  He shivered and leaned back, gulping his drink.  "Not to be mean, but Buffy was a bitch."

"She's grown up a lot since then."  He nodded.  "Even Mom called her that a few times."

Clint took her drink to sip.  "That is really good rum."  He handed it back.  "Only fair."  She smiled.  "Willow really was shy."

"Yeah.  She's the sort that has to be the best at whatever she does.  It creates her sense of self identity.  In that case, her identity got twisted by the magic since it made her *special* with my sister.  We're not sure what crawled up them during the kissing thing and why they blamed him."

"Some girls are like that.  It's never their fault," he said quietly.  "It's all 'I didn't mean to' and 'you have to forgive me'."  Dawn nodded she knew girls like that.  "That with the shitty parents."

"They actually blamed Xander during her trial," Phil told him.  "After his testimony, he and Cordelia were in a diner having pie.  They followed him and when they spotted him took a good moment to go yell at him that it was his fault their daughter was so screwed up.  Xander got into their faces about how often they traveled and how big of failures they are.  They still don't talk about her failures and write more books like she's still their good girl and in their lives instead of in a cell."

"They tried to burn her at a stake, Phil.  When the Hansel and Gretel demon showed up to make everyone spastic about witches, my mom and her parents led the charge.  It nearly got Buffy and Willow burned at the stake.  Fortunately someone managed to change Amy back since she changed down to a mouse to get free."

"Like in the children's story?" Natasha asked.  Dawn nodded.  "Why?"

"Because it was the hellmouth."  She shrugged.  She finished her drink.  "The worst was the non-demonic problems.  Like the kid who let the fear creatures out because the coach had caved his head in and he was in a coma.  Everyone relived their worst fears.  Xander used to have a clown phobia."  Natasha shuddered.  "Sunnydale wasn't pretty by any means.

"Life is prettier now because it's not as dangerous.  Before, pretty was pretty bland because you didn't have time to appreciate it.  Most of the girls in the school who made it through graduation had a kid by my age.  The middle age in Sunnydale was seventeen with how high the death rate was, even with Buffy working," she finished quietly.  "I nearly got eaten because a sleepover got one invited in.  They thought they were boys there to panty raid."

"I'm sure your sister loved that," Phil said quietly.

"No, she didn't and I didn't get to go even on group dates after that.  Buffy told Mom I wasn't allowed to date or anything and kept trying to make it so even when Mom would let me.  She was the slayer and her word was law according to her.  She didn't want me to have self defense training because it might mean I'd get an idea and go help."

"Your sister was trying to protect you," Natasha said.

"Then she probably should've taught me how to protect myself better."

"True," she agreed.  "I'm sure she regrets it now."  Dawn shook his head.  "No?"

"No.  She's moaning that I'm around you fighting sorts and might get hurt.  That it was probably why someone had tried to capture me again.  She's got a huge blindspot sometimes when it comes to the group.  Especially me."

"Show me as well," she ordered.  Dawn shrugged and did it, making her wince at some of it.  "Oh, dear."

"Which one?" Dawn asked dryly.

"Spike."

She rolled her eyes.  "I like Spike.  Spike always treated me like a kid sister, even when it came out that I wasn't exactly like Buffy.  He and Xander both did."

"Xander was the one who realized you weren't normal and that's why he got Fury to take your mother to the doctor, beyond the symptoms she had been experiencing," Phil told her.

"That figures.  Xander did try to take care of me a lot.  He even snuck in some self defense lessons before Buffy caught on and made him stop."

"Xander took very good care of you," Clint agreed.  "I like the guy for that much alone even if he wasn't a scary God sort with an awesome pond for skinny dipping in."  Dawn smiled at him.  "Guys, isn't that...."  He pointed.

"That would be Mark so he is out on bail," Dawn said quietly so he couldn't hear.  "Huh."

Phil stood up.  "Let me go talk to him."

"I'll go with you just in case this one needs a swift broken neck," Natasha decided.  "Clint, stay."  He barked with a grin.  "Good doggy."

"I did that to Phil and he promised me a leash set," she said.  He laughed, hugging her.  "Thanks."

"Welcome.  You were getting a bit mopey."

"I do that about the old days sometimes.  I'm pretty sure it's normal."

"Probably."

She looked at him.  "Did you know that the agents who moved me that first time forgot the pole?"  He snickered.  "On purpose?"

"They could've thought it belonged there.  You get it back?"

"Yup, asked the landlord.  He was confused too until I told him it was for PE."  She grabbed his drink to sip.  "That's stronger and has that burnt taste."

He finished it.  "It does.  The older the smoother and the stronger."  She smiled.  "How are you feeling?"

"Itchy.  This couch is rubbing through the mesh on an itchy spot."  She sat up and reached back to scratch it but he got it for her, making her sigh in pleasure.  "Thank you."

"Welcome."  He pulled her closer.  "No relapses?" he asked in her ear.

"Not that I'm aware of.  I haven't checked."  He nibbled on her ear, making her shiver.  "If you're doing it to make the guy jealous, let me know how loud you need me to be," she moaned.

"That's a side benefit."  He considered how best to do this in a way that wouldn't let him get messy.  He decided to pull her into his lap, back to his chest.  She reached back and he stroked over her breasts then down to her thigh.  "Very smooth."  She nodded, smiling and taking a kiss.  "How exhibitionist are you?

"I like having attention but I don't like a crowd."

"That'll work."  He ran his hand up her thigh, finding the thong panties.  "Bikini bottoms?" he guessed in her ear.

"No, regular panties.  They make them the same way."

"That's great to know."  He shifted them out of his way so he could touch her.  She wiggled a bit and put a hand back to help him.  "That's nice."

"Get me off before they get back and I'll gladly suck on you," she whispered.  He groaned, that was a great offer.  It was an easier clit orgasm this time.  She turned to bite his throat instead of gasping and panting.  He smirked when she got calmed down.  "Damn you're good."

"Yes I am."  She looked around then slid down to her knees to undo his pants and help him.  He leaned back, getting comfortable.  "Later on I'm going to check your rafters for perching spots."

She smiled up at him.  "That's fine.  I have to get to bed before three."  She slid her mouth down and he groaned, pushing her head down carefully.  She was getting better at this.  She had to go up on her knees instead of sitting down.  That was fine with him.  He came with a muted groan, letting her pull back to lick him clean and tuck him back in there.  She even remembered which side he hung on, that was great of her.  He was clearly in a happy spot.  She slid up next to him and kissed him.  He took a deeper one and it made her moan quietly.  That was good.  "Later?"

"Definitely so I can make sure that dress finds its way out of your closet."

"It goes in a special box with different shoes."

"Uh-huh."  He teased the top of her stocking and she grinned.  He heard Phil coming up the ramp so moved his hand casually.  Phil handed out a new round of drinks, including a bottle of sparkling water for Dawn.

"Thanks," she said, taking a careful first drink.  Natasha glided up nearly soundlessly and sat back down.  "You remind him I'm an ice princess?"

"Yes, we did," Natasha said, smiling at them.  "You do need a dance club so you can work off some energy."

"If I have to, I'll go back to my PE of choice," she quipped.  "Now that I have the pole back."  Phil choked.  "Did you tell them not to move it?"  He shook his head.

"Wasting the good liquor, sir," Clint teased with a grin.

Natasha helped by using her finger to catch a drip and lick it off.  "It is the nice stuff."  Dawn grinned at her.  "You did finally get it back?"  She nodded.  "Where is it?"

"Behind the closet door.  I need to put it up again."  That got a nod.  "I still need better upper arm strength because I still can't do any of the spins or things that require it."

Phil stared at her.  "No."

Dawn smiled.  "It could mean that I'd finally be able to climb a rope."

"I'll teach you how to do it," he assured her.

"Even the gym guy couldn't get me able to do it."

"I'd rather have you on ropes than a pole, Dawn."

"Fine.  It's still great cardio."

"Yes but that's because it ruins other's to help yours," Phil said dryly.

She shrugged. "I don't usually do it for an audience."  He rolled his eyes.  "I don't."

"You should try tonight," Natasha said.  "You're out of practice."

"Maybe the dress will rip," Phil said.  "Are you going to outgrow that one?"

"Not sure yet."  She smiled.  "One of the ribbons is in a fairly indelicate spot at the moment.  I had to tape it."  Phil shook his head and downed his new drink.  Dawn smiled at Natasha.  "Thank you for teaching me what double side tape is for."

"It's a good thing for any woman to keep around for many uses.  I've used it to hitch someone to a bed but they were quite hairy."  Clint shook his head, sipping his drink.  "Yes, I'm sure you remember."

"Yes I do," he agreed.  "And him trying to move so he yanked out a good portion of his back hair."

"Eww," Dawn said.  "I don't mind a bit of fur but not Chewie furry."

Natasha nodded.  "A bit of chest hair is interesting.  Too much gets in the way of nipple torture."

"I'm cutting you off now," Phil told her, taking her drink.  "Before I have to hear that story."  Natasha laughed.  "People, let's call it a night?"  They nodded and left together, Dawn on Clint's arm down the ramp.  Going down it was a bit slicker than going up with the way the tread bars laid.  They got outside and were walking up the street when Dawn's luck held.  There was a reporter with a camera.  "Move," Phil ordered.

"But she's news," one said.

Dawn looked at him.  "Shut the fuck up."  They flinched.  "Go away.  Now please."  One fled.  The other tried to take pictures and found his camera confiscated.  "Thank you," she told Natasha.  "I'll give it to Pepper and she can decide if you've been a good enough boy to get it back," she said sarcastically.  They walked around him.

"I know he's famous too," he yelled.

"Jealous?" she called back.  "Real men can be leaning posts."

"Who is he?"

Dawn looked back.  "Shut up and go sleep it off.  Really.  Don't make me make it a command."  He fled looking scared.

"You have?" Natasha asked.

"Twice now.  Once with Callia and they were trying really hard to get close to her so I induced a compulsion to go jump in the lake that was near the park we were in."  Phil shivered.  "Yeah, them.  The other was at a club and they were crowding me and someone else so hard we nearly got hurt and one kept grabbing me to try to get that into a shot so I pretty well lost it and made them back off and let us out of the club.  The bouncer nicely got us a cab and had a few of them arrested for assault."

"I saw that picture," Natasha said.

Dawn nodded.  "I sued the bastards for making it up."  Phil smiled.  "They apologized so I dropped it.  Tony sued the ones trying to grab the baby."

"He was right to," Clint said.  "Those guys are dangerous."

"They are," Dawn agreed.  "Especially to my sanity."  She turned and put her hands on her hips, staring at the reporter that had fled first.  "You wanted what?"

"Who is he?  Is he your boyfriend?"  Dawn quirked up an eyebrow and strolled closer.  He backed off.  "Please don't make me jump in the river," he begged.  "It's a new camera."

Dawn snatched it.  "You can get it back from Pepper."

"I can claim assault."

"And I can claim stalking."

"Freedom of the press."

She sneered.  "You're not the press.  Even TMZ is better at pretending to be the press than you are, dude.  Now, go jump in the river," she commanded with a point.

"Dawn, it's east of here," Phil called.  "He'd have to walk for hours in that direction."  She corrected her pointing.  He whimpered but trudged that way until he and the other reporter met up and did have to jump in there.

Dawn strolled back, handing over that camera as well.  "I'm not a public figure so I don't put up with it."  She smiled sweetly at Phil.

"I'll hand them to Pepper tomorrow."  They got a cab and dropped her and Clint at her house.  That way she had a guard tonight.  The other two went back to SHIELD to do incident reports.

***

Dawn smiled as she closed the door behind them and locked it.  "There, safer again."

He stared down at her.  "That dress is indecent."

"Just a tiny bit."

"Not even a tiny bit.  It's fully indecent.  Even Coulson had dirty thoughts about you again, Dawn."  She strolled over.  "Spare my mind?"  She took it off and he groaned, staring down at the flesh colored bra and panties plus garter belt and white stockings.  The heels made it look even more indecent.  "How tipsy are you?"

"Not at all.  Alcohol has almost no effect on me unless I'm guzzling it."  He nodded lifting her up and slamming her back into a wall to kiss her.  She moaned, pulling back to breathe.  "Bed?"

"New couch needs broken in."  She panted and nodded, wrapping herself around his waist.  It was all the invitation he needed.  He carried her over and tossed her onto the couch.  He carefully took off the shoes and tossed them onto the floor.  She wiggled some but he smirked and looked at her now.  The panties were a tiny thong string.  He could work around that one.  He leaned down to lick around it.  She was wiggling again.  "Should've worn something more massive then," he said between licks.

"I hate not being able to tease," she panted.  "Clint!"

"I'm getting there," he promised, kneeling on the couch so he could get into it.  Finally the panties had to go.  He had to unhook the stockings to do it then they got tossed on top of the shoes.  He rehitched the stockings, making her shiver as he ran his hand up her right thigh. "That'll do."  He leaned down to get back to it.  She was extra wiggly tonight and it was good.  He could wear her out and then have her.  It was a great thing.  She had learned something from Natasha that he had to break.  When he thighs clamped around his head, he had to pry them apart and hold them apart so he could tease her more.  "That was evil."

"Come on," she begged.  He slid two fingers into her and she squealed, arching up.

"Getting there, impatient."  He kept going and it was great.  She was so needy it was almost flowing off her.  When she finally came he stood up to lick off his fingers one by one.  She was staring, mouth slightly open.  He took off his shirt, putting it onto a chair.  Then his shoes came off.  She was tipping her head, stroking her stomach, one hand working its way down to her clit.  He smirked, undoing his belt.  The pants dropped and he stepped out of them, putting them on the chair.  The briefs and the socks followed.

He moved closer, kissing her again.  "That's a pretty look for you."  He took another kiss and got back to helping her get happy again.  He was so hard he ached.  That blow job had been nice but she had been a horrible tease.  He let her feet go over his shoulders and went back to teasing her with his tongue and fingers.  He put them down onto his biceps when she started to twitch them closed.  He didn't need smothered.  He was waiting, listening.  When that hitch started in her breath he slid up until he could enter her.  Her eyes went wide.  "I guess it did come back again," he said, pushing through it.  She winced.  "We'll handle it."

"I need to find a way to cancel that out," she panted, grabbing his arms.  "That way it doesn't hurt."

"The tiny bit of hurt always means a lot of pleasure later," he reminded her, riding her slowly.  She had been a tease so he was going to tease back.  It was definitely a slow, relaxing ride.  She was so sweaty and shaking by the time he was ready it only took a twitch to her clit by his thumb and she went over.  He followed, leaning down to kiss her.  "I like this couch.  Plenty of room," he teased with a smile.  She pulled him down to kiss her again.  "Bed?"

"Definitely time for bed."  She let him get off then got up, leading the way upstairs.  She had two alarm clocks and set one.  He set the other.  "Usually I'd use both but I get to sleep in tomorrow," she teased.

"Get up with me so I don't sneak out?" he offered.

"I can probably do that."  She took off the bra, watching him watch her.  Then the garter belt.  The stockings got rolled down and tossed toward the basket.  She unmade the bed and held up the other side.  He slid in and she cuddled.  It was good.  "No perching tonight?"

"Tomorrow.  I'll test them tomorrow."  She nodded and snuggled in better.  That's all she needed.  He smiled, petting her so he could go to sleep too.

***

Tony Stark looked at his phone because an alarm had just popped up.  "I have that set way too high," he said, canceling the security footage and the alert.   The security team wouldn't have gotten that one.  He slid down in his bed.  Dawn and Clint Barton had looked very hot together.  Which was another thought he didn't need or want.

***

Dawn walked onto the plane the next afternoon.  "Are we going to be back by the 18th?" she asked as she sat down.

"Probably.  Why?  I thought the olde world thing was later, like the 28th."

"I told Cap if he wanted to go to the USO ball I'd go with him.  That way he didn't have to be nervous around people he didn't know."

"Why would he go there?" Pepper asked.  "He doesn't really like that stuff."

"Fury wanted him to go."

"Oh."  She nodded.  "I think we will be.  If not, I'll make sure you are.  Do you have something that won't embarrass him?  Because I saw the pictures from last night before I handed back the cameras to the editors.  Who were fuming if I didn't mention it."

"They shouldn't be stalking me and I do have something decorous, in army green, with a side effect of sassy but he won't mind."  She smiled.  "The cutouts got covered in matching lace that's not really see through."

"Sounds pretty," she said.  "Shoes?"

"Black."

"Okay.  If he wants."

"Fury all but begged."  She texted him about it.  He sent back that he still wasn't sure why he needed to go but Director Fury was certain he had to and he thanked her for sparing him looking for a date.  She sent back a tease that he'd owe her a milkshake for it and he sent back a laugh.  She sent one to Tony that they were on the plane and turned off her phone because the stewardess on the private flight was scowling at her.  "Making sure everyone's aware we're gone."

"No electronic devices may be in use during take offs or landings," she said with perky cheer and an icy smile.

"None on me," Dawn said.

"Really?  We heard you had one on your back, Miss."

"No, I yanked that off."  She smirked.  "Thank you for caring."  The stewardess attacked them with a shriek.  Dawn defended Pepper and threw her off the plane at Happy.  "She attacked us."

"That's fine, Dawn," he agreed.  Things like that happened around Dawn so he was usually prepared for them.  He pointed her to go back inside then bent to check the problem over, calling for backup and the PD.  TSA showed up instead.  Great.  "She attacked one of the people on the plane," he reported.

Dawn came down with the captain in cuffs.  "Here, have another one."  She smiled sweetly.

"Why did they attack?" the agent asked.  "And who are you, Miss?"

"Dawn Summers.  I have no idea why they attacked but they mentioned a control device that someone had stuck on me a few months back during an emergency situation that I yanked off back then."  She showed her back and the tiny scar.  "It was there."  She put down her shirt.  "It attached to three nerves."  The agent winced.  "Yeah, hurt like a bitch.  Then Miss Perky there told me I had to turn off all electronic devices and mentioned that one.  When I said I had taken it off, she shrieked and attacked."

"Okay," he said.  "Who put it on you?"

"That's something we're still trying to figure out," she admitted.

"Explosive?"

"Hell no."  The agent scowled.  "I can scan myself," she said, showing off a bit.  The stewardess shrieked and covered her head.  She smiled at the agent.  "My boss is up there and we have to leave for a business meeting.  Happy, can you call the company and tell them the captain tried to sedate Pepper?"

"Sure I can do that," he agreed, calling that in.  His earpiece rang with a shout.  "Mr. Stark is not happy."

"I'm not happy," she said dryly.  "He can wait in line since he's not on site."  Happy smothered a smile.  She smiled at the agent again.  "Do you need anything else?"

"This is a Stark Industries jet?"

"No, I believe this is a rental.  The Stark Industries jet is back in Malibu getting an engine overhaul at this time."

"That's reasonable then."  Some stuffed shirt manager type came out huffing.  Dawn got the needle to hand him.  The agent took it.  "We'll see what was in it, ma'am."  Iron Man landed and he winced.  "This is bad," he muttered.

"I saved Pepper, the stewardess noted the blinky box thingy that I took off my back, that we still can't tell what it was for beyond not explosive, and the captain tried to sedate her."

Iron Man stared at her.  "Can you not stay out of trouble?"

"I did not start the trouble, I just ended it."

"I like that.  It works for me too."  He stared at the people on the ground.  "Who are you with?"  They started to babble about HYDRA.

Dawn snorted.  "Try the lie again," she offered.  "Before I cast a truth spell."  The stewardess shrieked and tried to hide her head again.  Dawn lit up her hand.  "Ten seconds.  It'll only hurt you if you tell a lie.  Lasts for a whole day."  The woman uncovered her head and babbled about the company who had hired them.

Stark snorted.  "They're posers and I don't even consider them a competitor, much less a threat.  I'll have that fixed later."  He looked at Dawn.  "Pepper?"

"Pepper?" she called.  She came to the doorway yawning.  "Are you all right?"  She pointed at Tony, walking back up the stairs.

"I'm fine.  Thank you for the intervention," she said with a smile at the agents, who all relaxed.  "Who are they?"

"With Helphion," Stark said.

She snorted.  "Aren't they the ones that tried to sell cold fusion lasers and couldn't even produce plans?"  He nodded.  "Posers."  She went back inside.  "We need a new pilot."

"I have not learned to drive a plane yet, just a car and a tank," Dawn quipped.

Stark made a call.  "Rhodey's coming, ladies."

"Cool, we can pick on him and I can make him teach me to drive a plane," Dawn called back.

"You fly a plane.  You drive land-bound vehicles," the agent in charge said patiently.  He looked at Iron Man.  "She's your....."

"She's Pepper's assistant.  She's been trained to protect Pepper."  Clint walked past him.  "Why are you going to Amsterdam?" he asked sarcastically.

"Fury said so?"

"If this is about that voicemail, I did not encourage him," Dawn called.

"Voicemail?" Tony called.

"Not like you don't have my code," Dawn called back.

"Fury blew a gasket," Clint said.  "Are we waiting?"

"Rhodey."

"Sure."  He looked at Dawn.  "How did they know you?"

"Looking them up I keep running into a school in England.  A boarding school down by Stonehenge."

"The Council," Pepper sighed, looking displeased.

"Yep," Dawn agreed.  She smiled.  "Why is it a worry right now?"

"He saw that you had scheduled a disappearing act on the 18th even though you're going to be over there."

"Yeah, Fury's making Cap go to the USO ball."  Clint winced.  "I said I'd escort him to keep him away from all the leeches."  Pepper swatted her.  "They can be, especially about him."

Clint smiled.  "I wondered about that green dress.  Not your usual style."

"I look nice in it but not attention getting."

"That's good to know," Pepper said.  "Picture?"  Dawn turned on her phone and found it to show her.  Pepper saw the new text message icon pop up and hit the button.  "Steve said he's panicking about his uniform."

"It's in his closet," Dawn said.  She took her phone back to answer.  It was either in his closet or in Phil's closet.  She had requisitioned one for him.  Including his medals and awards that he hadn't gotten before he had been frozen.  The rest were in a display box on his desk.  He sent back a thank you.  She said it wasn't a problem.  To calm down.  To have Natasha teach him how to slow dance or she could that night.  He agreed and wished them a good trip.  She sent back a thanks and put her phone up after turning it off again.  Rhodey walked up the steps and to the cockpit.  "Thanks."

"Welcome.  What's with the uptight suit brigade?" he asked.

"TSA answered the call for backup to arrest those two," Dawn said, leaning over that way.

"Short Stuff, get me some coffee please?" Clint called.

"Sure."  She got up to make some, handing him the spill-proof cup.  She handed one to Rhodey too, earning a grin.  "I am a super assistant sort."  She went back to her seat and buckled in, looking over at the man who happened to be sitting there staring at her.  "What's your issue this time?" she demanded.

"The 18th?"

"I'm escorting Steve.  Did you want him eaten by those sharks pretending to be slutty matrons?"  Fury looked upset at that.  "Yeah!  And hey, why would I go to HYDRA?  Or anyone else for that matter?  How stupid are you?  Tell me a lie while you're at it."  He opened his mouth.  She lit up a hand.  "Really.  Tell me a lie right now."

"He's metallic," Tony yelled.

"Wonderful."  She magnetized him and sent him off the plane.  He stuck to the TSA cruiser.  She looked at Pepper.

"Temper," she reminded her with a smile.  "Did you make the photogs take a dip?"

"Yup.  One begged me not to so he wouldn't damage his new camera."

"The editor mentioned it was theirs."  She shook her head.  "That dress was nearly obscene, Dawn."

Dawn grinned.  "We were at that club," she said quietly.

"I heard.  Why?"  Dawn looked in the cockpit then back at her boss.  "You are not an agent," she said firmly.

"We only needed her to get in," Clint called.  "We have that now."

"Thank God.  Dawn doesn't need that sort of horrible press.  It could throw off negotiations."

"Will the battle help it any?" Dawn asked.

"No."  She smoothed down her hair.  "We'll do what we can."  She nodded, leaning into the touch.  "Maybe we'll be back so you don't have to use the satellite."  Dawn grinned.  The engines started and the plane slowly moved.  "Anything else we should need to know?"

"I got accepted to Berkeley."

"The one by San Francisco?" she demanded.

"No.  The one in downtown Manhattan."  Pepper beamed at her.  "They said I can count some work credits.  I have the AP classes.  So I should have two years if I go this summer."

"Wonderful news."  She stroked over her hair again.

Dawn looked at her.  "Mom?" she joked, trying to keep it light.

"She told me, Dawn."  She hugged her.  "You're still my favorite little sister."  Dawn snuggled into the hug.  "We need a faster jet."

Dawn nodded.  "We're not allowed to build faster jets for commercial purposes."

"That does suck."  They relaxed into the seat.  Dawn got up to make lunch when Pepper started to look for a snack.  The two pilots got some and then they settled in to talk about what they needed to look over.  It would be fine.

***

Dawn walked into SHIELD HQ and the guards all glared.  She stared back.  "Not like I liked the metallic him."  They sighed and let her sign in.  She found Steve pacing.  "Relax."

He paused and looked at her.  "That is not your usual style," he said.

She smiled.  "A woman with good sense knows when the be the picture and when to be the frame."  She straightened out his tie.  "Fury off his pouty kick because I destroyed his robot self?"

"Slightly."  He took her arm and they walked out together.  "Thank you."

She patted his hand with a smile.  "They're sharks.  You're not a SEAL to deal with sharks.  Army guys are only on the land."  He laughed and nodded.  She got them to the car.  The driver tipped his hat at them and closed the door.  She looked at him.  "Weapons?"

"Two.  You?"

"I've got a few things concealed," she said, touching her hair dagger.  She grinned.  "And magically concealed too."

"Good.  Who was that attacking you and Pepper?  It was on that entertainment station."

"Spike's newest childe.  He got jealous that Spike loved me more."  She shook her head.  "Buffy cleared his bad mood up."

"With a vampire?" he asked quietly, glancing toward the driver.

"It's a long story with my sister."  He nodded.  They got to the ball and the doorman helped him out then her.  She made sure she was fine in a passing mirror.  No smudges, no rips, no stains.  Hair was good.  She smiled and handed Steve the invitation from her bag.  He handed it over.  They were allowed into the security area.  Dawn showed her permit to carry concealed and her Stark Industries ID card.  That got a nod and she was on the permitted to carry list thanks to Tony.  Cap's were handed back with a nod and a salute.  He saluted back and they went inside.

The herald announced him.  "Captain Steve Rogers and Miss Dawn Summers."  They walked down the stairs together.  Steve tensed so she squeezed his arm.

"General," Steve said, shaking his hand, trying to make it seem normal.  "I'm not sure if I should salute or not, sir."

"I feel the same way, Captain."  He nodded at Dawn, who nodded back.  "Pretty arm candy."

"She's Pepper Potts' assistant.  She volunteered since I don't know too many people yet."  He kept her with them when they walked off.  Dawn snagged them both some sparkling water, which he appreciated.  The general stared at her.

She smiled.  "I would never leave a Captain in the Army with all the water-based creatures in here who nibble, General.  If he had wanted to deal with manta rays and sharks, he would've went in the Navy."

He laughed.  "That's a good one, young lady."  She smiled.  "Not old enough to drink?"

"Not yet.  Doesn't mean I'm not good at protecting those who need it from drooling fan hordes."  She stared at one woman coming toward them.  "Steve, let's look at that picture.  I've seen the original in the Library of Congress."  He nodded, nodding politely at the woman who was trying too hard to look younger than Dawn and let her lead him off.  They could avoid the other ones on their small circuit of the room.

A reporter stopped them and he had to make a short statement but the reporter thanked him and he wasn't sure how to answer.  Dawn squeezed his arm and he smiled.  He felt an idea hit and it was probably good enough.  "Back then I wasn't alone.  I had a great team with me, ma'am.  They deserve as much if not more credit.  They did it as normal guys, without any enhancement.  That earns my respect for all time.  The same as the ones who do it now do."  She sniffled and walked off.

Dawn smiled.  "Have you looked up anyone's family?"

"A few.  They're not here."  She gave his arm another squeeze.  "Thanks, Dawn."

"Welcome.  Pepper had to teach me and I can easily help with this stuff."  Music started up and she looked around.  "Do you want to start now or later?"

"I had Agent Hill teach me some."

"Don't try anything fancy, just like what they're doing."  He watched and the next song took her out.  It let them duck another reporter.  They exited the other side of the floor, clapping when the song ended.  They found a spot to sit out of the way and relax for a few minutes.

"How does Tony do this?"

"Tony lets himself be glomped on and pretends really hard until something interests him," she said quietly.  "Then again, Tony can lie like Loki."  Steve snickered, nodding.  "Reporter."  She patted down his collar.  "Sticking up."

The reporter smiled.  "Am I interrupting?"

"No, just taking a breather," Dawn said.  "If you're not used to crowds of people twinkling in the light with way too much perfume at times it can be a bit strenuous.  Especially with super senses."

"I hadn't thought of that."  She smiled.  "His new girlfriend?"

"No, I'm Dawn, Pepper Potts' assistant."  Her face fell.  She smiled.  "Steve doesn't know all these people so I'm here to give him a bit of a shield."

"Only I'd never throw you at a bad guy," Steve teased.

She laughed.  "I might throw myself at one but it's to beat him to death."  He nodded.  She smiled at the reporter.  "Questions?"

"Did you assault two papparazzi a few days back?"

"No, I did not hit them.  I really wanted to.  I did take their cameras from them so Pepper could talk to their editors about their creepy stalker problem they were having.  Then they went to cool off with a dip in the river from what I heard."

"That might still be counted, dear."

"Then they probably shouldn't have popped out of the bushes at me.  Especially considering I was taken not four months ago by some nice mafia sorts."  The reporter stared in horrified awe.  "Ransom.  Russian mob."

"Oh, dear.  Was that why you were in Florida?"

"No that was a 'whoo-hoo, I'm graduating' vacation."  She smiled.

"I took one after mine."

"I only had a biology final.  The rest was already submitted so I decided to go be a great hotty and tease on the beach."

"I saw some of those pictures.  You could use some toning."

"I think women who have six-pack abs look wrong somehow.  You're supposed to have a bit of padding there to help with things like later child bearing.  Which I want to do some year far in the future."

"Huh.  Captain."  He smiled.  "How are you enjoying the ball?"

"It's very different than the last USO event I went to.  Though I think the last USO event I went to I was on stage."  She giggled and walked off.  He looked at her.  "You are a very good shield."  She smiled.  They got up and moved on since they had been found.  Dawn's purse was tucked under her arm.  No one was going to break in here, there was no reason to.  It would be a nice, calm, insane night full of people who didn't know him but loved him *so* much.  At the end, when he couldn't stand it anymore, he took Dawn for the promised milkshake on the way back to SHIELD headquarters.  It was a ten block walk but it was a pretty night and he needed to destress.  No one was going to bother them either.  The one who considered mugging them saw Dawn's thigh holster flash into being and they decided they were not targets.

Dawn presented him to Fury, and as it happened Tony.  "Here you go.  One undented Captain.  He made a few nice statements.  We danced a few times to get away from the leeches."  She let him have the chair by pushing him into it.  She slurped her milkshake.  "I only got asked once about the bikinis and the camera guys the other night."  She smiled at Tony.

"I didn't know you owned something that framing," he said.

"I usually don't.  I only got it for him and then it's going to the charity that gives teenage girls prom gowns."  She smiled and straightened out his hair.  She patted Cap on the cheek.  "Rest."

"Yes, mom," he teased with a grin.

"Not this year, thankfully."  She looked at Fury.  "Are you over your faulty programing?"

"Yes," he sighed.

"Thank you!  Heading home.  I'll go back to Pepper tomorrow if she needs me."  She disappeared from there.

"I need that beaming satellite," Fury complained.

"That was all her," Steve said.  "She flashes differently when she sends herself off."  He looked at Tony.  "She kept them from latching onto me for more than a few seconds."

"That's what she was supposed to do."

"It was really nice of her."

Tony smiled.  "Dawn's a really nice girl for all that she's a hellcat some days."

Steve grinned.  "I should write her a thank you note."

"If you want.  I'm sure she already knows."

"It's not polite."  He stood up.  "I'll send back the uniform?"

"It's yours, Captain.  Put it in the closet in case you need it again for something.  Like award ceremonies."

"I don't need awards, sir."  He left, going to his rooms to change.  He did write Dawn a thank you note and put it into the inter-office mail.  Then he laid down and examined the night from as many angles as he could.  The people were acting strange.  They all wanted to touch and talk to him.  He wasn't used to that.  A few times he had wanted his actual shield but she had stepped in and politely gotten him to do something with her.  The one time she wasn't polite the woman was trying to haul him off.  He had liked that.  He couldn't hit a woman if she needed it but Dawn could.  She had nearly proved it, general's wife or not.

***

Dawn appeared in Amsterdam in the middle of a problem the next morning.  She was expecting to pick up coffee and wake up Pepper, not stumble into an incident.  She saw the attacking metal thing.  She saw Clint pinned down by the metal thing firing on him.  She saw Pepper unconscious and floated Pepper out of harm's way.  No Rhodey yet.   She pulled weapons out of hiding.  "Clint," she called, tossing him her crossbow and bolts with explosive tips plus her spare guns.  He grinned and fired on them.  She got a few too, squatting down to take cover near Pepper and protect her.

"Anything you can do about the robot?" he called.

"How exposed do you want me to get?"

"As little as humanly possible."

"Then maybe."  She looked.  She saw civilians.  "Fuck.  No can do."  She tucked Pepper into a niche and got up, throw a fireball at it.  It knocked it back and away form the civilians, into a park.  He jogged off to get it.  She turned and found Pepper missing.  She cast a tracking charm and took off, sticking in her earbud so she could call.  "It is not my fault Pepper was taken."  She hung up.  That alerted Stark Security so it could be ready to help her later on or sooner if possible.  She spotted the people putting her into a car and shot at them.  They took off.  Dawn summoned Pepper, cushioning her landing with her body.  She'd be bruised but Pepper was all right.  She checked.  Good vitals.  Good breathing.  Knocked cold by the egg on her forehead.  She felt someone coming and shifted, putting Pepper down so she could to face them.  "Hi, Roque."

"I'm not Roque.  He's weak."

Dawn smashed him back into a building, making him shriek and the metal him die.

"That fucking sucks," Clay said, coming up behind her.

"You'd better bleed," she warned.

He showed the cut on his hand.  He nodded and moved on to help Clint.  "Pooch, guard them," Clay ordered.  "Cougar, find the controller.  Jensen, help him.  However that happens."  They ran off.

Pooch checked her over.  "Just out cold."

"I saw."  She pointed.  "That's the same sort of car that tried to take her but no bullet holes."  He looked and nodded, searching around.  He found it and pointed.  She nodded.  They got Pepper moved out of the way.  They could hear a jet for some reason.  It was probably not a good thing.  She looked up.  "Clay!" she yelled and pointed.  He looked up and growled.  Dawn knocked the rocket out of it's trajectory, making it hit a statue.  It gave everyone time to get away from the robot.  Jensen got the controller and turned it off as the second rocket hit it.  Dawn looked at Pooch.  "This is insane and it's not my fault."

"No, it's probably not."  He smiled slightly.  "You good?"

"I just got here."

"I saw.  You did good next to him."  They heard another jet and looked up.  "That's a bad thing.  They'd have to know they wouldn't need backup since the robot's down."

Dawn concentrated.  "Fuck this shit."  She pulled up power and created a shield over them.  Cougar and Jensen came running at the noise.  Clay and Clint were closer.  They all made it and she expanded it.  The building around them went up.  She winced but held it.  "I'm so going to have a migraine later," she warned.  Another one hit near them.  She finally got tired of it and hit the plane.  It hit the robot.  The pilot had ejected.  She concentrated, calming the nausea.  "Okay, had enough," she said.  She tapped her earpiece.  "Happy, I need the Stark beamout service.  Us, Clint, Losers minus Roque."

"I have them all keyed in.  There's something interfering."

"It's my shield.  I'm dropping it in three, two, one."  She let it go with a sigh of relief.  A second later they disappeared.  She fell on her ass.  "Pepper's out cold," she ordered.  "Get her to the infirmary now!"  Jensen helped her up.  "Thanks."  She limped off.  "Find out who that fucking robot belonged to.  And the jets."  She stomped up to the office.  Stark was pacing and pulling on weapons.  "She's fine."

"Excuse me?" he asked.  "I was building new holsters."

"We were attacked.  I got there after it started."  She turned on the tv and walked off.  She took the time to rub her head in the elevator.  Natasha got on a floor down.  "I'm good.  She's out cold," she reported.  "I snatched her back from the people trying to drive her off."

"You did good.  You need to lie down though."

"When it's safe.  Who shot at us?"

"The same people who sent the robot.  The planes were not that country's.  They don't have that jet yet."  She walked Dawn into the infirmary.  "She has a migraine from magic exhaustion."  The doctor nodded, moving to check her over.  "Status?"

"Bruises, scratches, aches in a few places," Clint reported.  "Thanks for the spare guns and the crossbow, Dawn."

"Welcome."  She swatted at the doctor.  "I'm fine.  Like I was at the Holiday Inn that time."

He scowled.  "You weren't fine then.  You ended up with a severe migraine for two days."

"Yay," she said, making herself sit back up.  "I've got shit I gotta do."  She walked off.  "Let me know when Pepper wakes up."  She took the controller to look over on her way to the lab.  That's where Tony would be; it was his stress haven.  She tossed it at him and headed for a bottle of water and his advil stash.  "She'll be fine, Tony," she said quietly, noticing he was stiff and almost ready to go to full rage mode.  She laid a hand on his arm and he shook it off.  She hugged him and he relaxed.  "She's fine.  As soon as I saw her I moved her.  We're all fine."  He nodded, letting her calm him down.  "We have to figure out who."

He took the remote back to take apart.  "What's that mark?" he asked.

She looked.  "Isn't that the people above Fury?"

"Maybe."  He scowled, scanning it into the computer.  "Watch this run."

She nodded.  He stomped off for the infirmary.  She added some parameters to the search.  It came up pretty fast.  Not exactly the board for SHIELD but a secret society that had been them before they became SHIELD.  She printed it out and started a search on anything they had.  She called the occult library in SHIELD's HQ to get them started too.  By the time Tony came back she had a slight report started.  "Ten more."  He nodded, getting them both some water.  "I hate the virtual keyboard."  He snorted.  She picked up a regular one and went back to it.  "I wonder if they sent the metallic Fury and the one that's in the office."

"Probably."  He took what she had, walking off.  "Good job.  Go take a nap?  Kind of clear you're starting another headache from the magic use."

"No one but you six know where I live.  I'll head home."  He nodded.  She went down there, finding Happy waiting.  "Home?" she asked quietly.

"Definitely."  He took her there and walked her up to the door.

She smiled and walked inside.  She noticed Clint in the rafters.  "Let me nap?"

"Access problems?"  She nodded, going up there.  "Why?"

"Countering the potion.  I only got a trickle before but it was a wider trickle.  Now it starts and stops.  I need meditation work."  She fell down on her bed and kicked off her shoes.  That was the end of her willpower and the headache was killing her eyes.  She closed them and drifted off.

Clint considered it, looking at the books on magic she had around the house.  He used a suction cup arrow on a string to bring a few to him so he could look them over.  The arrow got put back and he was calm enough for now.

***

Stark walked up to Fury and stuck a magnet on his forehead.  It stuck.  "Clearly not a human."  Fury started to open his mouth so he zapped him with something more high powered than a taser and had Bruce help him carry it off.  They needed into his programming.  Whoever had attacked Pepper had just signed their death certificates.  Bruce didn't realize that but then again he didn't need the help.

Agent Hill blinked and nodded.  "How long has *that* been going on?" she muttered.  She checked, a magnet didn't stick to her.  She could still tell a lie and not dissolve.  So she was still herself and that was good.  She could stand being herself.

***

Tony looked up as Steve walked in.  "Want help?"

"You're not really up to date on computer code, Steve."

"Not with that.  With whoever shot at Pepper."

Tony smirked.  "I don't need it but thanks."  He nodded but waited.  "I'm okay.  I'm calm."

"Bull.  You'd be green right now if you could do it.  How is she?"

"Knocked cold.  Egg on her head.  Dizzy from the concussion.  Bruises from Dawn having to summon her back from them."

"Dawn?  I saw the replay."

"Headache, in bed by now I hope."  He grimaced.  "If not she's pushing herself again and Joyce is going to yell."

"She yells because she cares."

Tony looked at him.  "She does care but she doesn't want two heroic daughters.  She can't take losing the other one too," he said quietly.  "Dawn's her lifeline right now."

"I get that."  He leaned on the bench. The robot reached for him so he broke the hand off.  He put it on the table, getting a smile from Tony for it.

Tara walked in and looked at the robot then at Tony.  "Can I help?"

"You don't know coding either."

She smiled.  "They can't get through magic."

"You can't do that, Tara.  If I need it, I'll build a shield. I can't let you get hurt."  He stared at her.  "Coulson would do worse than taze me if I did."  She gave him a dirty look.  He patted her on the cheek with a smile. "Save it for the big things.  I won't need the help to stomp them."

"Okay."  She hugged him then Steve.  "Be safe when you go."  She walked off to try to call Dawn again.  No answer.  She paused by one of the tv's with the replay, listening to it ring.  "That's why she's not answering."  She summoned the phone before a reporter or one of the soldiers could grab it.  She walked off, handing it to Phil.  "It got left there."

"Thank you.  Her?"

"Probably sleeping according to Tony."

"Good."  He walked off calling Barton's phone.  "If she has worse than a regular headache there is a small bottle in her medicine cabinet that has two pills.  She is to take them both at the same time with something to coat her stomach or she'll vomit it back up.  Soup usually works."  He listened to the quiet question.  "Do you see a brown book with a green stripe on each end?  It's in there."  He hung up and checked on the others.  They really had to find the real Nick Fury.  Then maybe he could poison whoever had done it.  He went to ask Tara because no one had thought to.  "Can you find the real one?"

She nodded, taking something from a labeled bottle.  She dropped it on something and then got a crystal and a map.  She got him a location almost immediately.  No deviation in the swing, no movement once it stopped.  He called that in and walked off to put on his tactical vest.  He'd had enough of this.  He gathered two teams of agents to bring with him.  Tara would update him if he got moved.  This was going to be short and messy.  He probably should've changed his shoes.  Dawn would be upset if he got them too messed up since she had gotten them for him.

***

Clint nudged Dawn.  "Want the meds?"  She shook her head without opening her eyes.  "You probably should if you feel that bad."  She shook her head again.  "I warmed up some soup."  He felt something tickle in his head.  "If that's you then yes I am the soup fairy," he said dryly.  "C'mon."  She shook her head and started to look queasy.  "It'll help."  He felt that same tickle. "Can't talk?"  He stared at her.  "Jaw locked?"  She nodded.  He put the mug of soup and the bottle of pills on the sidetable and checked.

"You clenched it too hard."  He felt another tickle.  "Don't become telepathic all the time," he teased.  She snorted and covered her head.  "C'mon."  He uncovered her, working on the lumps of muscles that were her cheeks and upper neck.  She whimpered and moaned.  Finally she could open her mouth and promptly nearly puked on him.  "Migraines can do that to you."  He handed her the soup and the pills.  She swallowed them and he heard a quiet 'thank you'.  "Welcome, Short Stuff."

He let her cover back up and drift back off.  He went back to learning why Dawn hadn't done the exercises she needed to be doing.  Mostly because it would make sure everyone knew where she was.  Didn't fantasy books have shields that they could practice under?  He felt that tickle and grimaced.  "Really?"  She sent back a grimace but nodded.

"Can we set that up at SHIELD?"  She nodded.  "How long before you can get it done?"  She sent over another message so he texted Tara, who said that Director Fury wouldn't give them permission.  But that Dawn may be able to do something about that at the club or at Xander's.  Though it might wreck the shield over the temple.  So they needed to find a good place for Dawn to fix the things that having sex had started.

That was a hell of a toss up:  your life being sacrificed or your powers going wrong.

***

Coulson looked around the mess that had been made.  They had found six more Fury bots and another goo clone creating them.  They hadn't found the director.  He stared, looking around.   Something was off.  "Everyone stop."  They all stopped.  "Agent Romanoff, please walk carefully around everyone.  There's something wrong spatially."  She nodded, pulling the amulet off to swing in her hand.  She found it halfway toward the back.  A new wall appeared.  She tracked around it, finding whole new sections and a new level, with a ranting Fury gagged and tied to a support pole.  She ran up to get him free.  They checked the rest of the hidden areas, disabling all the other goo clones and robots.  And one human that looked very scared.  "Sir," he said, nodding when Fury came down.  "Tell me a lie."

"Must I?"

"Yes, sir.  We want to make sure you're you this time."

"I was told.  I'm a natural blond."  Nothing.  No magnetic resonance.  No little electronic pack on the hip.  "We done?" he demanded.

"I hope so," Phil said, walking off behind him.  "Right now we're a step below situation red, have been for weeks."

"Good.  The robots were feeding information back so the world wouldn't end.  Summers?"

"Dawn's got a migraine from earlier."  Fury stopped to look at him, which meant Coulson had to stop before running into him.  "In the car, sir.  It's all over CNN."  That got a nod and they stomped off again.  He got into the same SUV to brief him.  They had brought an extra one so they had room for him to sit.  The incident was in replay and people were complaining that people were being attacked on their soil.

"The what ball?" Fury demanded at that part.

"The magnetic you said he had to go to the USO ball, sir," Coulson said quietly and calmly.  "Dawn escorted him so he wasn't endangered by the gropey and stupid ones."

"Good!"  He snatched the reports to read over.  By the time they got back he was disgusted by his metallic and goo versions.  They had nearly destroyed SHIELD with petty fighting.  He walked past the labs.  "He's in the jail, shot in the shoulder, Stark.  He screamed very prettily."  He found Tara waiting and stared.  "Yes, I'm me."  She held up the requisition.  "Why?"

"Practice for Dawn," she said.  "She can't access things as easily now."

"Granted."  He signed off and she walked off to manage things.  He went into his office, looking around.  "I can tell Summers hasn't been here," he said dryly, starting the coffee maker.  It was still set up from the week before.  He had drank worse.  He sat down to finish going over the reports.  "Tell her I'm sorry, Coulson."

"I will when she wakes up, sir."  Fury looked at him.  "Use migraine."

"Fine.  Who's babysitting and how did we stop the sacrifice?"

"Barton."

"Barton?" he demanded.  "You trusted her to him?"

"He's acted in her best interest so far," he said firmly.

"Fine."  He looked at one note then at him.  "Why did the metallic me think you were going to poison him."

"Because I was."  He smiled.

"Thanks for the warning," he said dryly.   "Where is everyone?"

"Stark's probably headed back to the infirmary there to be with Ms. Potts.  Romanoff was here with us.  Barton is on Dawn.  Thor and Rogers I'm not totally certain at this time."

"Find them, make sure they're safe."  He nodded and walked off.  Fury relaxed for the first time in a few months.  This was not how he wanted to face their worst apocalypse yet.

***

John got tired of the fake Loki's plans bothering his people.  He was trying to bother Atlantis herself.  He went up to Valhalla and to the jails, pulling him out to the place where all the honorable battles were held.

"You can not beat me," Loki sneered.

John smirked.  "You'd be shocked."  Loki started to call up powers.  John let his go as he grabbed Loki by the throat and squeezed, funneling the power through is hand.  Loki screamed as he went to atoms.  "Guilty and dispersed as is just," he announced.  He turned and found Tyr standing there looking scared.  He shrugged.  "He was upsetting my city."  He disappeared.

Roque came out to look at him.  "You managed it."

"I did."

"Teach Xander."

"I will be."  Roque nodded.  John walked off to calm himself down.  They had to make more concrete plans.  What they now knew was helpful but not enough.

****

Dawn got driven to SHIELD and walked in, glaring at the security guard, who smiled.  She walked up to the elevator, using her pass to get on.  She rode up to the bridge and waved at Agent Hill.  She walked into the office, then hauled off and hit Fury, sending him out of his chair.  She glared.

"I apologized and that was not me, Summers."  He felt a tickle of thought and grimaced.  "I didn't mean anything by it.  Can't you talk?"  She shook her head.  "Infirmary.  We can't have you sick right now."  She glared.  "We'll spar when you're better."  She put something on the desk and he backed off.  "Need chocolate too?"  Agent Hill was in the doorway.

"Miss Summers, it's really not nice to threaten him when we've finally gotten him back," Agent Hill said.  She was calling Coulson, who was probably the only one that Dawn would listen to.

Phil walked around her, taking the dagger.  "That's pretty work.  A new one?"  She looked at him.  He tipped her face up and she pulled away.  "He said you had clenched your jaw shut so you wouldn't puke on anyone."  He led her away.  "I'll punch him for you later."

She shook her head and snapped her fingers.

"Dawn, would you please change Director Fury back to a man," Agent Hill said, chasing after them.  She felt that tickle of thought and winced.  "I know it would teach him why women didn't just hit in the club but still.  He can't really be a girl right now.  He has to testify before congress in two days."  Dawn shrugged.  She let herself be led to the infirmary.  Coulson shot her a look that said he'd try but no promises.  Coulson texted everyone in the little family group.  Tara said she wasn't strong enough to change him back.  Stark laughed and hacked the security footage.  Natasha didn't send one back, she was probably sneaking up there to take pictures for Stark and her own personal enjoyment.  Barton.... who knew.  He handed her to the doctor.  "Her migraine made her clench her jaw shut.  It's not opening."

The doctor checked and she tried to bite him.  "I'd say she still needed the migraine medicine."  He got her the two pills and someone got her some soup from the mess.   She pointed at her jaw.  He tried to reduce it and she gagged.  "I have no idea how to undo that without ice."  He handed her an ice pack.  "Ten on each side for now."  He walked off.  He came back with a needle.  "Let's do some bloodwork as well."  She shook her head.  "It's time for some standard ones," he said.  She shook her head again.  "It is.  Including a pregnancy test."  She snorted.

"I doubt she needs one since she has no ovaries until she magically puts them in," Coulson said, arms folded over his chest.  The doctor glared at him.  "No on the bloodwork.  Come on, Dawn."

"She's staying until I can make sure she takes those," the doctor said.  Dawn hit him and he went down.

He looked at her.  "If you can get your jaw open there's chocolate pudding," he offered.  She shrugged and put the ice pack on.  He helped her up and down to his room, helping her get her jaw unswollen.  She managed the pills, some soup, and a few bites of pudding.  That was an improvement.

Now all they had to do was get everyone healthy, hear any new information, and hopefully let Dawn practice her control.

***

Xander got done with the new information meeting and got led to where Dawn was still suffering.  He got her jaw unlocked and watched her try not to puke.  "Let me take her home with me for a few," he said quietly, getting a nod from Coulson.  He took her back to Asgard.  Then to the Dwarf kingdom.  "My friend," he said, clasping hands with him.  "This is my near and adopted sister Dawn.  I adopted her into my house."

"I heard you had ascended," he said with a smile.  He looked at Dawn.  "That jaw problem is bad, young one."  He got a healer to come help her.  She sat down to watch while they talked, especially the ones pounding out new chains for armor.  "I remember making weapons for her on her majority.  She doesn't carry them?"

"She's been so sick in bed she hasn't been able to eat.  She's usually got at least one on her."  She pulled it off and waved it.  The Dwarf took it to look over and praised her care.  She grinned at him.  "I was wondering if we could use one of the lower caverns.  She needs to meditate somewhere that her aura is masked."

"She is like Hecate in that lower people's Gods?"  Dawn nodded.  He looked at her.  "Can ye prove it, lass?"  She flared her aura for a second.  "Odin be damned!" he said in awe.  She smiled.  "Aye, we have one."  He led her down there.  Xander settled in to go over the same exercises she needed.  He needed them too so he could reach the expanded magical core he had.

***

Xander brought Dawn up to Valhalla.  "Pretty," she said.

He nodded.  "They try sometimes.  Some years it's covered in snow and no one shovels."  He let her in, taking her to the kitchen.  "Let me talk to Heimdall and Tyr and I'll be right back."  She nodded, settling beside the fire.

Alana smiled as she walked in, mug in hand.  "You must be Dawn."

"Alana.  I think we've met once."  She shook her hand.  "Xander has me with him.  No one's gathered me yet," she said with a grin.

"Some year mayhap."  She sat down and put her mug on the table.  "It's wearing on you already?"

Dawn looked at her.  "The end result is wearing on me again.  If I go, there's no reason for my mother to get better.  She's special to a lot of people.  There's no reason for my sister to keep fighting if Mom succumbs."

Alana handed over her mug.  "Drink.  Calm your nerves.  It's never easy to suddenly be a warrior when before you were a princess watching the battles."

"Before I was too young.  Though my sister complains a lot that I did train to help protect myself."  She took a sip.  "So that's mead."

Alana smiled.  "Aye, fermented honey.  Very good for you.  Soothes all sorts of ills for a bit, but you have a head that prays to Thor the next day."

Dawn grinned.  "I've had a hangover."  She took another sip and handed it back.  "Thank thee."

"Welcome, Dawn."  She got up to get something to nibble on, letting Dawn pick at it as well.  "Talsa, fix a basket.  Alexander looks like he has not eaten recently.  Nor his adopted child and her friends.  They're all busy preparing for battles."

The old, gray haired woman looked over.  "Aye, Alana."  She did that, getting one of the special mead jars to fill from the never-ending casks.  They made new each year but the oldest casks were smooth and soft by now.  That would be best for warriors who were touchy before a large battle as they had heard was coming.  "Should I pack aught for the great grumpy first son to the throne?"

Dawn giggled.  "Thor has been grumping about not having proper mead.  One of the guards introduced him to tequila and beer.  He calls one weak and the other evil."

"I know of tequila," Alana admitted.  "Tequila and mead do not mix."  She sipped and nibbled a bite of vegetables.  "Make sure they have a proper meal.  They have plans to go over tonight and Tara with them probably."

"I miss that girl," the older woman said.  "Always nice, even to the whiny warrior babes that complain when the girls put on proper clothes instead of their battle outfits."  She looked over Dawn's outfit.  "You must have been sick."  She nodded.  "Sore mouth?  You look like you haven't eaten in days."

"Migraine.  A really terrible headache because I accessed my powers and I wasn't ready.  My jaw was clamped shut for days so I couldn't throw up."  She ate a bite of vegetable.  "What's that?"

"'Tis a root vegetable I know you don't grow down there."

"Huh.  Tastes like jicima but spicier.  It's good whatever it is.  Thank thee for sharing a plate with me, Alana."

"We women warriors have to stick together.  No male ones understand our reasons or our worries."  She smiled.  "And really, most of them need smacked a few times to learn sense."

Dawn shook her head.  "I work with some who have sense most of the time."  She settled in to tell her about Steve and the other Avengers.

Xander walked in.  "Steve's actually on the pick up list if he goes," he told her.  She smiled at him.  "The others I'm not sure.  Only the Valkyries at the battle will be able to tell."

Alana looked at him.  "Will we be needed?"

"Guarding here in case he gets free.  If we can contain him, send Valkyries, we'll need the cleaning up."  She nodded.  Talsa gave him a basket with a jug tied to the handles.  "I have no need of this much food, Talsa."

"'Tis for the young warrior wench there.  She needs a good feeding before the battle."  She smiled at Dawn.  "That is never-ending so get Thor a proper mug as well.  That way our first son quits whining.  He is ever a baby about some things."

"But he hugs really nice.  We were swimming in Xander's pond at his temple and Thor just up and hugged me, even though we were both naked."  They giggled.  "Didn't try anything though."

Alana smiled.  "Thou are lucky then.  He's had his free hand with a few of the women around here, even when he does get smacked for trying."  She smiled.  Dawn grinned back.  "Have an easy dinner and night free of thought then come back to it, Dawn.  It will all work out."  She nodded and hugged her then the older woman.  She looked at Alexander.  "Be her mother the same one?"  He nodded, smiling slightly.  "Then it'd be for the best if neither of you died or else we'll recruit her to come smack you both around for eternity."  She stared at him.

He smiled.  "There's every chance if I die I can't be gathered."  She slumped.  "He is that strong.  Thank you for easing her worries and making her eat," he said quietly.  He followed Dawn, taking her back to SHIELD.  Everyone else was there.  He paused to pour his uncle a large glass of mead.  "The women in the kitchen said to quit whining and to remember that mead plus tequila gives a hangover that has one begging for beheading."  He stared at his uncle.

"You were at home?"

"I talked to the dwarves about a battle outfit for Dawn.  They make the best chainmail."  Thor smiled and nodded.  "Which won't interrupt her magic."

"Aye, that is wise.  Thank thee, nephew."

"Welcome, Uncle."  He led her down to where he could feel Barton and Natasha.  He knocked and heard the groan.

"We can wait but Xander got us dinner," she called.  Clint opened the door with a grin.  "Dinner from the kitchen up in Valhalla."

"Roast boar, roasted veggies, bread, cheese," he said, handing it over.  "Mead to wash it down."  He stared at him.  "Share.  Alana said so and to give Tara some too."

Clint looked back and got a nod so he grinned at the god.  "We can invite them down for dinner.  Thank you."

"Welcome.  She has chainmail coming," he told Natasha.  "The dwarves are making it special.  It will not react to her magic at all."  That got a smile from the older woman.  "Eat, you're all too damn skinny and I'll have to tell Joyce.  She does demand I tell her."  He walked off.

Clint let her in and called Coulson and Tara down for dinner.  Dawn summoned some plates, forks, and glasses from the mess hall.  They floated in with Tara and Coulson.  "Xander had to hike home for a bit but he got us dinner."

Tara took the basket and sniffed.  "Boar."  She laid things out on the table in there, letting them all get it.

"Very well roasted," Clint said, moaning at the tender, juicy meat.

"Spit cooking," Tara said with a smile.  "They have a huge fireplace and dogs to turn the spit."  She handed Phil his.  She looked at the jug.  "Never-ending?"  Dawn nodded.  Tara sniffed once it was uncorked.  "The old stuff.  It's very smooth but extremely strong."  She gave herself very little and watered it down.  She settled in to fix the herb mixture.

"What's that?" Phil asked.

"Up there, mead is served warmed with herbs."  She summoned a few she didn't have and made the herb slurry, warming the mead and pouring some in each.

Dawn moaned.  "That is how Alana's tasted.  That's damn good."

The others smiled and tasted it, nodding they liked it that way.  They settled in to eat and forget.  Mead was excellent at making you forget why you were worried.  It also made a lot of people hungry so they actually demolished most of dinner.  Tara saved some back for Thor and put it in the basket.  They settled in to drink and relax for a while longer.  Even Tara had a second half-glass of mead.

Dawn snapped her fingers.  "While I was meditating, Loki showed up to me and handed me this book. Xander said it's a choose your own adventure and answers book for witches."  She pulled it out of her pocket and handed it over.

"He lies," Tara said.

"Xander said he checked it."

"Choose your own adventure?" Natasha asked.

"You make decisions and the story changes," Phil said.  "Give it a test," he said.  "Something that you know the answer to."

She got handed his pen and wrote in it.  It gave her a good answer and she did what it wanted.  Then she asked her question about how she could protect those she loved during the battle.  The answer she got back stunned her.  She wrote another question and it said normally it would but if she got pregnant it would protect them and her magic would not fade.  Tara wrote thank you and closed it before more than Dawn got a look.

Dawn shrugged.  "When I asked it said I needed to open the hole wider during the battle and to probably quit spewing during it."

"You do," Phil agreed.  "You also go into 'fuck this shit' mode a lot.  You complain so you get out of your own head during the fights you've been in.  Like that one in LA that you weren't supposed to be at."

"I was at the coffee shop with another student studying," she reminded him.  "It was not my fault that two high demons decided to appear there to start their takeover bid of LA."

He smiled at her.  "I think I spent that whole engagement telling you to quit swearing."  He took a sip of his mead.  "The official report said something like 'Dawn Summers swore 'fuck' 197 time and was chastised by Agent Coulson 161 times'.   I was impressed the agent did such a precise count and moved him up to handle more paperwork-centered tasks on the hell carrier."  She giggled.

"Even Pepper yelled at her to quit swearing and she was not on the communication system," Natasha said.

"I say it a lot less now and half of that was either I tripped while moving because as soon as I flashed up magic to do the spell Wes couldn't thanks to being knocked out I became the primary target or the screaming 'fuck you' match with Angel."  She sipped her own.  She looked at the book then at Tara.  "I saw."  Tara winced.  "So go for it."

"I...  It's not the right time."

"When is there a right time?  Every spring there's an apocalypse.  Each fall has something slightly smaller."  Tara nodded.  "Only so many safe months of the year, Tara."

"I wouldn't know..."

Dawn shifted over and blessed her.  "If even Hera would bless it to protect you, then do it," she said quietly, staring at her buddy.  "You might not get a chance again, Tara.  Remember, we have a real battle coming up."  Tara sniffled and nodded, hugging her.  She prayed to Hera, who answered by making sure she'd be safe.

Phil was watching them.  "Dawn, why don't you go ask Natasha embarrassing questions," he said quietly.  Tara stared at him.  He shrugged and smiled slightly.  "If you want, I'd be honored," he assured her.  She moved over to hug him.

Dawn smiled and got up to walk over to the bed, pouring them the last of the prepared mead.  "That's a scary thing but a good one."  She sat on the foot of the bed.  "Sorry if we interrupted."

Natasha shrugged.  "It happens.  We needed to eat anyway."

"I can totally give you guys privacy," she offered.

Phil looked over.  "Don't you dare teleport while drunk, Dawn.  You might end up in Burbank again."  She rolled her eyes and sighed.  Tara giggled.  He pulled her closer, wrapping his hand in her hair.  He tried a gentle kiss.  He knew she had no experience with guys and very little with women of good quality.  He could be very gentle with her.

Dawn shook her head.  "Do something once and he never lets you forget it."  She got up.  Clint pulled her back down.  "It's kinda clear there's five people for a four-person activity," she said.

Natasha stared at her then at Clint.  "An explanation?" she asked quietly.

He finished his drink and put the glass down.  "Did you know that they're calling her the Mini Black Widow?" he asked her with a smile.

"I did and she kicked the last one in the jaw," she agreed.  "That same day with the black dress.  I was proud."  Dawn grinned.  "Ah," she said, getting it.  She smirked at him.  He grinned back.  "I have no idea if she has ideas or questions in that direction?"

"Huh?" Dawn asked.

Natasha pulled her over to kiss her, making Dawn moan.  "Perhaps you can learn other things as well."  It was nice and Dawn was nicely calm and pliant but not more than highly tipsy.  It would go well.

Phil shook his head, looking at Tara.  She was a pretty girl.  She was very warm in his lap.  He ran a hand up her back, making sure she wasn't going to flinch at anything.  This first time he'd let her have the privacy of their clothes.  He pulled her into his lap in a better position and got them both free, slowly sliding in.  He winced when he felt the barrier but pushed through as gently as he could.  He slowly helped her feel better, getting her back into it.

She shivered but he kissed her, keeping her mind on the goal.  She finally came so he got to.  He knew that the female orgasm was important to conception.  She went limp against his chest, panting.  He stroked over her hair and arms, letting her calm down.  He finally got her out of her shirt and skirt but not her half-slip.  She was blushing hard.  He'd respect that.  He got down to his boxers and it was nicer.  She was exploring and taking the time to figure things out.  When she kissed him, he flipped them over so she was on her back and it was his turn to help her calm down and make her happy.

When they were done she laid there panting, feeling the changes already starting.  "Thank you."

He kissed her jaw then gently kissed her.  "If you want, I'll help where I can."  She smiled and cuddled him.  In the morning he'd see about doing something so she could have a second one some year if she wanted.

On the bed, Dawn and Natasha weren't exactly wrestling but it seemed like it.  Clint helped by stripping off the shirts getting in their way.  He nipped Dawn on the sensitive spot on her side, earning a gasp.  Natasha looked at him.  He grinned back.  "She's got a few lower feeling areas."

"Good to know.  I'll have to explore that."  She flipped Dawn onto her back and did indeed have fun exploring.  She found a second spot that made Dawn moan.  She found that Dawn was a shrieker but Clint protected them and Dawn did a muting charm.  That was very nice of her.  Dawn made grabby hands and pulled her up, moving to do the same thing.  "A bit more pressure," she suggested, holding her in place.  Dawn bit her and she moaned.  "That was good."  Dawn grinned and licked the nipple then moved to the other one.  Her hands were busy stripping Natasha's shorts off and then it was all good fun.  Natasha moaned.  "Rhythm, Dawn.  Please?"

Clint moved down to whisper in Dawn's ear then took over showing her.  "Do what I do."  Dawn did as well as she could and it was good.  Natasha was happy with it.  Clint was happy with it.  Natasha flipped around so they could get each other and Clint was out of luck again but he was helping Dawn please her.  It was appreciated.  Dawn was not very experienced in this art yet.  Dawn definitely liked different things, including more gentle attention than she did.  She found the slight case of lack of feeling was alleviated with a vibrator.  Dawn yelled and nearly fell off the bed.  Clint held her steady.  He winked at her.  "I don't think she has one of those yet."

"Do," Dawn panted.  "Can't find the right angle."

"That comes with experience."  She slowly made her way back up.  "Clint?"

"Did she regrow it again?" he asked quietly.  Natasha nodded.  "We need to find a way to end that."  He took a kiss from her, a deep, taking the taste from her mouth kiss.  Dawn was touching herself since they were kissing over her.  She took the vibrator and flipped it on, using it on Natasha's chest since it was closest at hand, making her shiver.  Slowly working it down her body until it found a spot that made her tense and hiss in pleasure.  Dawn leaned up to tease it and moved the vibrator lower.  Clint got Dawn for now.  She was distracted so it was easier to rebreak the renewal again.  She flinched.  "Shh.  Just me."

"I need to find out to cancel that potion."

"You will," he promised.

"We will," Natasha agreed.  She hadn't thought of it but Dawn had been broken in many times recently.  That did not make any woman happy.  It made her date of the evening work harder as well.  She shifted and Dawn moved the vibrator.  Natasha took over and kissed her, then used it on Clint's balls, making him shout and lunge.  She laughed.  "I do like seeing you like that," she said in his ear.  "Is he not handsome like that, Dawn?"

"He's very handsome like that."  She kissed them both then wiggled free.  "I think it's your turn."  She kissed Natasha again, helping Clint pin her down.  Clint was working his way into her so she kindly leant her tongue to the endeavor.  Natasha was wiggling and pushing back.  Clint kissed her to take her mind off helping, letting Natasha get off after a few more strokes.  Of course, he got shoved onto his back and she got put over his face.

Natasha was having fun with her riding time.  Dawn seemed to like oral sex, it would be nice.  She watched what he did.  Dawn wasn't exactly delicate but he was nicer to her body than he was to Natasha's.  Dawn was a wiggly shrieker and that was fine.  They had learned to be more discreet because they had to find places out of view.  Dawn hadn't had to learn that lesson yet.  Dawn was trying to ride so Natasha got her off and switched places with her, leaning to kiss her.  She saw the wince of pain.  "Already?"  Dawn panted and nodded.

"That is not fair to anyone."  She helped ease Clint into the right spot and soothed Dawn.  Tara was chanting something quietly but it didn't stop the potion from working.  They'd have to handle it before it ruined Dawn's future enjoyment of anything.  Dawn finally came and went limp.  Clint groaned, trying to hold it in.  Natasha smiled.  "Go ahead.  I'm nearly done."  He pulled her hips closer to get back to her, knowing what she liked from old practice.   She came easily and he finally let himself go.  They arranged themselves.  "Does she want the middle?" Natasha asked quietly.

"She likes to cuddle and be held."

"Then I'll take your back."  They arranged themselves and it was better.  Though she would have to look at the potion to see if there was a way to counter it.

***

Thor walked in the next morning holding his head.  He sat down at the table, wincing at the sound his seat made when he sat.  Tara walked out with the basket, handing him his plate.  He blinked at her.  "Thank thee," he said quietly.  "Greasy boar and vegetables cold the next morning is a fine reward for having a rushing spring river for a brain."  She patted him, doing a minor healing spell.  He relaxed.  "You are truly meant to be a goddess, Tara."  He paused.  "How did that happen?"

She smiled at him.  "No mentioning it yet," she said quietly.  "It's protected."

"I can tell the power."  He ate a bite of meat.  "You will do better than my own did."  She patted him and left the basket there.  She had even left him a tiny glass of cold mead thinned with water.  It was welcome to help the pain in his head.  He should have listened to the advice that tequila and mead did not mix.  His nephew was wise at times.

Tony walked in.  "Breakfast?" he asked.

Thor nodded.  "Alexander went home for something and brought a proper dinner back for some.  This is a drinker's reward, both evil and sweet."  He finished up.  He almost felt human and he could approach godly later, when his head hurt less.

Tony sat down at the table.  "Any idea where he kidnaped Dawn to for a day?"

"Probably with him.  He said something about getting her fitted for battle clothes with the dwarves."

"That'll help."

"She can wear armor like Widow," Fury said, coming out to join them.

"She said it might interfere with her magic," Tony said.  "All the synthetic material surrounding her."

"Oh."  He grimaced.  "Where are they?"

"I have only seen Tara," Thor said.  "She kindly ministered to my folly of not following good advice."  He burped and grimaced.  "Sorry."

"What did you drink?" Fury asked, looking tolerant.  "So I can ban the others from doing it."

"I have had to substitute something strong enough to replace the mead I was missing.  Tequila is strange and bad for me but it made due.  Last night I got proper mead and my nephew warned me.  I did not listen."

"Tequila and mead, probably not a good idea," Tony agreed.  "Chased it with beer?"

"Chased?" Thor asked.

"The drink after the liquor to help wash it down?"

"No, that is for minor meals."  He yawned.  "Now I'm full and sated for a bit.  Are we meeting?"

"In two hours," Fury said.  "You have a bunk, Thor."

"Aye and I'm for it."  He wandered that way.  He would not wonder why he felt Dawn's magic shielding a room.  It was not any of his business, it was his nephew's business.

***

Dawn was in the shower, wincing as she moved.  Natasha slid in behind her.  "Sore?"

"Very, in multiple ways."  She got smirked at.  "Not from that."

"We were thinking, because it is quite unfair to you.  Can you burn the potion from yourself?" she asked quietly.

"I tried but I can try again."  Natasha patted her.  "Let me get out of your way."  She got out and dried off, putting on her clothes from yesterday and 'porting home.  She had to find something to wear that wouldn't rub her the wrong way.  Unfortunately she still had to wear underwear.  It was going to be a long day.  She found the most comfortable pair she owned, which was not sexy in the least.  She found a pants outfit.

She put her hair up and then sat down to do her makeup because she looked like hell.   She texted Pepper that she was almost ready and would be right there.  She got back to go to SHIELD to help Phil because nothing needed to be done at the office.  She sent back an ok and 'ported back, signing in properly.  She got onto the elevator.  One of the guy stared at her.  "What?"

"Are you all right?"

"Fine."  She smiled weakly.  "Longish night."  They stared.  She growled.  They backed down because they had heard she had turned Fury into a girl for a week.  She had proved her point too.  If he had broken himself in he could've turned back within hours.  But he didn't.  She walked up to Phil's office, knocking before walking in.  He put the pamphlet he was looking at away.  "Like I care what you're doing with sperm donation," she said quietly.  "Tara might like a second one some year."

"I'd put your name on there as well in case you needed a sample."  She smiled.  "Hangover?"

"Not really."  She sat down to go over what he needed to do.  He made her look at him.  She closed the door and locked it.  "How long does the potion last?  I'm so sore, Phil.  It's not fair to him and I'm really sore each time.  It's like it gets worse.  I nearly flinched from being touched again."

"I can't find anything on the potion," he admitted.  "Quit undoing it if it hurts that much."

"That makes me vulnerable."

"Not really.  Not now.  They'll have to summon him, not sacrifice someone."  He patted her wrist.  "Otherwise?"

"Otherwise, if we could counter the potion, I'd like to offer myself for stress relief.  Just not until we can counter it."  He nodded.  Someone knocked.  "We figured you were out there," she called, unlocking it magically.

Clint walked in and stared at her.  "It bothers you?"

"Clint, each time it hurts more and more," she said quietly.  "The rest is great but it's not fair to you or whoever to have to start over and frankly, if I have to have that broken again anytime soon I might never have sex again."

"Can't burn it out of you?"

"I tried before.  I'll try again."  She smiled weakly.  "It's great otherwise, and if you need it, hey I'm there.  Just...not for a few weeks."

He grinned.  "That's fine, Dawn.  I'm glad I could help."

She hugged him.  "You're a great buddy and really good at it."  He smirked.  She pinched him on the chest.  "Go practice.  We'll probably have another attack before the main one."  He nodded, leaving them to talk.  She waited until she was sure no one was out there.  "Did I screw that up?" she asked quietly.

"No.  The friendship is still there, Dawn."  She relaxed and nodded, getting to work.  "You do look like hell."  She laid a hand on his and let him feel what she was, making him wince.  "Yes, no more of that."  She relaxed and they got back to work.  They got a few hours before Natasha came in.  "She's too sore to spar."

"She needs the practice and soreness can be worked out."  Dawn touched her and she winced.  "That should not hurt that much."

"Each time hurts a bit more than the last and then it lingers," Dawn said.  "I was going to do meditation practice instead."  She looked up at her.  "Tomorrow?  After I get a long, hot bath?"

"Tomorrow."  She left, going to talk to Clint.  She had no idea what was putting the young woman into that sort of pain.  She didn't have that sort of pain.  Dawn didn't usually have that low of a pain tolerance.  "She can barely walk so we'll spar tomorrow."

"Why can't she walk?"

"Pain."  He stared at her.  "I do not know."  He nodded, sighing at the end.  "I know she worries that she messed things up as she'd put it."

"Nope.  We're still friends."  He grinned.  "Same as you and I are."

"Good.  We will spar tomorrow then."  She got her own weapons to practice with.  "Why is Tara glowing?"

"I have the feeling she had a life's goal met last night, on purpose," he said quietly.

"Hmm.  She will do fine and there is never a good time to make that choice."  He nodded.  "Dawn will shield it if Tara can't I suppose."

"Tara's not going to be at the battle.  She'll be with the coven keeping the other hellmouths closed."  Natasha nodded at that reason.  "Then we'll have to see.  We have a month and a half."

"Yes we do."

***

Xander appeared in Loki's bedroom, smiling at his dad.  "Hi, dad.  You were supposed to get me three books?"

"Son, I am busy," he said.

"I can see that.  Hi, ma'am."  He smiled at her.  Then at his father.  "We do need those books."

"I left them on your table."

"No you didn't."

"I did."

"You didn't.  Bia would've found them.  Or John."  Loki shuddered.

The woman underneath the chaos god poked him.  "I didn't know you had children."

"I have two children.  This son, Alexander, and a daughter/son by another mother.  She was a bit messed up."

"Yeah," Xander snorted.  "Not her fault."  He stared at him.  "Hi, Alexander Harris."

Her eyes went wide.  "The new guy that helps the Avengers now and then?"  He smirked and nodded.  "Well."  She looked at Loki.  "You have much potential."

"Dad, before you get back into her, journals," Xander prompted.  "Before I have to pop in at a campaign stop?  We only have a month and a half."  Loki magically searched and found them in his office, bringing them so he can hand them over.  "Thanks!  See you later, Dad, and Miss, hopefully not that much of you since my consort might mind."  He disappeared.  He had totally embarrassed his father.

He looked at her.  "He's a dreadful child."

She laughed.  "He has promise from what I've heard.  It does give you more political capitol as well."

"Yes, well, his promise does come from me.  We are named Silvertongue for a reason."

She purred.  "I remember."  He went down to prove it to her.  His husband needed her support and Loki had wanted to feel a woman again instead of a man.  It was all for the greater good of his plans.

17: Old Ones Building Up To Things

Things are building toward the apocalypse, and other things.  R m/f- /f

Dawn saw the odd look the next morning when she appeared in Pepper's office doorway.  "What?" she asked.  "I look better today."

"A tiny bit.  That's not your usual sort of outfit."  Dawn shrugged.  "Fine.  Go bother Tony.  He has  a meeting in two hours and your niece is in for lunch."  Dawn smiled and went to do that.  It might take two hours to pull Tony out of the lab, depending on what he was doing.  Pepper stared at her back.  Something was wrong.  Dawn's usual exuberance was muted.  Her clothes were downright matronly today.  She'd have to get the girl to talk to her later.

Natasha walked up behind Dawn and pulled her into a meeting room, closing the door.  "You still look like hell."

"I slept last night.  I'm fine, Natasha, really."

"Bull."  She looked her over.  "Did something bother you?"

"No."

"Hmm."  She moved closer and Dawn did flinch at her touch.  "Lying?"

"That didn't bother me."  She stared at her.  The next touch she expected so no flinching.  The hand touching hers was fine.  The one to her waist made her flinch again.

"You're still in pain," she said.

"Tiny bit.  I took something for it."

"Perhaps it was something else."

"Perhaps it was something that keeps hurting," Dawn said dryly.  "Damn thing grew back again and it's pulling too."  Natasha winced.  "I tried to burn the potion out and it didn't help."

"Hmm.  We might ask someone who knows more about potions."

"To do that I'd have to talk to another Xander in another realm."

"I have heard of the convention.  There's one coming up?"  Dawn nodded.  "When?"

"Few days.  I was hoping to get more help and advice on what I can do.  I know I exist in at least one other realm."  Natasha nodded, letting her go back on her rounds.  Dawn put her code in on the lab door.  It didn't work.  She put in Tony's code and heard JARVIS huff.  "Pepper told me to come get him."

"If you must.  He's actually being productive."

"He has a few hours."  She walked in and shut the lab door, getting glanced at.  "Hour and a half warning, bossman."

"What are you wearing?"

"Something comfortable?"

He looked at her.  "Usually your comfort level is at least partially teasing and slightly naughty.  I've seen nuns wear less, Dawn."

She shrugged.  "I'm in a tiny bit of pain today."  She walked over.

"You're wearing sneakers?"

"Again, tiny bit of pain and I need to break them in so I can wear them then."

He put down whatever he was tinkering with and turned to stare at her.  "Okay, what's wrong?"

"Not a damn thing," she said with fake cheer.  "Does this mean I don't have to nag to get you to the meeting?"

He pulled her closer by her wrist.  "This isn't normal for you.  Worrying about the battle?  Your mom?"

"No, I'm just in a tiny bit of pain today."

"From that box?"

"No.  Though that's a further complication in my life I don't really need right now."  She sighed and shrugged.  "It's stupid shit."

"Clearly, that's why you're uncomfortable standing next to anyone," he said.  He stared at her.  "What happened whenever you were trying to combat the potion again?" he asked quietly.

"More pain?"  She got free.  "It hurts more and more each time."

"Why?"

"Because each time it renews the damn thing gets tougher."

"Huh."  He considered it.  "What about just removing that part?"

"It grew back in under an hour one night," Dawn said dryly.  "I'm starting to feel like I'm on a chore list right below doing the dishes."

"So pain and a block because of the pain.  We can't find a way around it?"

"I've tried the suggestion.  I can't even find a mention of the potion."

"Of course you've looked online and all that?"

"I had Jensen look."

"He's better than I am at that," Tony agreed.  He considered it.  "What if you just manually break it?"

"Still pain?" she guessed.

"Good point.  Can we leave it alone?"

"I would but it's pulling so I'm in a great and craptastic mood," she said dryly.  "Right up there with PMS."

"That might be part of it," he said dryly.

"If so I'm sure that'll complicate it more.  I'll probably break it by accident and it'll grow around the tampon so it has to regrow each time I change it."  He grimaced.  "Sorry for the TMI."

"Actually, it might," he said.  She groaned and shook her head.  "So the pain thing?"

"It's not like I feel like being touched or anything."

"I get that.  I totally do.  That's going to suck for sparring practice."

"I can barely walk," she said quietly.  "I'm a bit better than I was yesterday."

"Healing spell?"

"No change."

"Crap."  He leaned back, considering it.  "JARVIS, scan Dawn, see if you can find anything unusual."

A beam came over Dawn and the AI cleared his virtual throat.  "I believe there might be a piece of shrapnel interfering with something."

"Shrapnel?" Dawn asked, looking up.  "What?"

"I believe it might be a fingernail."

Dawn shook her head, summoning it, wincing when something else got caught.  "Ow."  Tony tossed her the bottle of pain killer he kept in there.  She took three dry and tossed it back.  "Still regrowing.  Great.  Thanks for trying, bossman.  Don't forget the meeting."

"I won't."  He watched her walk off.  She had tossed the nail out, which he didn't mind.  It was pretty clear it wasn't Dawn's.  This was so messed up.  He paged Natasha and pointed.  "Part of the pain."  He turned back around to get back to tinkering.  "I had JARVIS scan her for an abnormalities."

"She has another one but I believe she was working on healing it," JARVIS said.  Tony looked up.  "She was growing a few extra pieces again.  To complete the set as it were."

"That would probably make anyone ache," Natasha agreed.  The nail was hers, she had wondered when she had broken it.  "Is she better?"

"No.  She's feeling like she's another daily chore."  He looked at her.  "Wouldn't you?"

"We have tried to minimize it."

"Yeah and then it got to the point of pain and she's not into that."

"I agree.  We've tried."

Tony looked at her.  "Quit trying."

"That is the current plan.  Clint also thinks it can stabilize her power accessing problem."

"A lot of that is prep work.  If she's doing it on the fly, she can barely touch it, like a toothache. If she's prepared for the pain of the toothache she can get something for it and hit it until she's immune or at least ignoring it."

Natasha considered it.  "Why would she have that problem?"

"Who wants to have her core energy source open to every little thing?" Tony asked.

"That is a good point.  I know some have worried that she'll have problems afterward."

"Not unless those knights are gone," he said dryly.  "Then we won't have to worry and neither will she."

Natasha nodded.  "We have plans for that."

"Can we get them all?"

"I am not sure."  She walked off to call Coulson to see where that part of the plan was.  And to get him to make Dawn talk to him.  For some reason his phone went to voicemail.  She looked at it.  That was not like him.  He must be in the middle of a raid or something.

***

Coulson made it back to the office and managed a whole hour before getting called up to Fury's office.  He walked in.  "Problems, sir?"

"You went around standing orders."

"For?"

"Storing later semen."

"To be blunt, Director, I don't want anyone to use it without my consent.  Even if I'm dead, I'd rather that the person who used it was someone I respected.  I did it solely so Tara or Dawn could use it."

"I see another name."

"I'm not the only one that's included her in case she might want some one day."  He crossed his arms over his chest.  "For that matter, I'm privately paying so it's not really any of yours or SHIELD's business, sir.  Anything else?"

"We have the research clause...."

"Sir, for all that I admire Captain Rogers, I would never want any of my possible children to be tested on or be made lab rats," he said firmly.  "That's another reason I'm not using our health insurance plan.  Which, again, is pretty much none of SHIELD's business."

Fury stared at him.  "You used to be more calm and stable."

"I used to not want to poison you too," he said bluntly.  Fury flinched.  "Unfortunately things have happened since then even if it wasn't always you."  He tipped his head.  "And leave Tara alone, sir."  He walked off.

Fury frowned, going to talk to Agent Hill.  "What's wrong with Tara?" he asked quietly.  She pointed where Tara was fussing with one of the plants on the bridge that was for air cleaning.  "She's glowing?"  Tara glared at him.  "Tara, are you sick?"

"Not at the moment.  Ask me later, sir."  She went back to it.

"How much later?" he asked.  He could add.  She glared again.  "Is this...."  She slammed him into the ceiling then gently floated him back down before stomping off.  "I think that's a hormone swing," he said.

"I think she's too early for that, sir.  I think you just pissed her off," Hill said, following to talk to her.  She found her in the bathroom.  "Congratulations," she said, giving her a gentle hug.  Tara hugged her back.  "Are you all right?"

Tara smiled and nodded.  "I found out doing it that day would mean I'd conceive and it'd help protect a few people.  Even if I didn't want to be a mother, I'd want to be a mother."

"I get it.  He might not because he's a guy, but I do get it."

"I can fix that," Tara offered quietly, glancing around.

She smiled.  "Dawn did do that already."  She gave her a squeeze.  "Half of the women on the hell carrier and here in HQ go outside our infirmary for female exams."  She wrote down a name.  "Most of us go here."  She handed it over.  "I want up to date information on anything we cannot let you do.  Understand?"  Tara nodded.  "Good."  She smiled.  "We'll talk about a baby shower after the battle."  She left, going back to her post.   "She'll make an excellent mother, sir," she said quietly.  "Look how good she does with the crew."

Fury nodded, watching Tara walk off.  "I can understand that urge but it's really bad timing."

"Actually, it's very good timing, sir.  What if whoever she asked dies?"

He nodded.  "There's others who would volunteer."

She looked at him.  "A woman should pick the father of her children more carefully than her lunch, sir."  He winced.  She modulated her tone.  "I'm fairly certain whoever she picked is going to be a good donor and father if she wants.  She'd never pick someone like Dorans."

"No, I'm pretty sure I know who she picked."  He walked off, shredding the paper from the clinic.  Now he knew why and he wasn't going to interrupt that.  One agent wasn't that important and if it was, they had his cells on standby to clone him.

***

Phil walked up to Natasha later.  "I'm going to let you know before you hear the rumors that I did put you on the allowed list of my stored...DNA," he said quietly.  "Like a few others, in case you wanted one some day so you had a choice.  You, Dawn, and Tara."

She smiled.  "You're the first one that's told me that he did that.  Thank you.  I'm not sure I want one but it's a thoughtful gesture."

Clint sat down across from her.  "Ditto."

She kicked him.  "I figured you had.  Rumors said you had."  He nodded.  She looked at Phil.  "Is Dawn feeling better?"

"I haven't talked to Dawn today.  Why isn't she feeling all right?"  He sat down.

"Between not being able to get rid of the potion, some other parts growing now, and an accidental fingernail breakage, she's not been exactly comfortable," she said quietly, glancing around.

Phil grimaced.  "So she's in pain and pouting?"

"She's so dressed down people are wondering if she's depressed," Clint said.  "I've gotten a bunch of dirty looks over that."  He stuffed his mouth again.

"No, she told Stark that at times she felt like she was a chore."  Clint paused in his eating to stare at her.  She nodded.  "Like doing the dishes."

"I don't see it that way," he said.

"I think the potion itself is wearing on her and it's about time for her to need midol," Phil said quietly.  "I'll talk to her later."  They nodded.  "We still have to go to the club later."

"With her?" Clint asked.  "Or without."

"If she's in that much pain, without," Natasha said.  "She was wearing sneakers, pants that didn't look pleasing on her figure at all.  A shirt that had a collar.  A lace one but Stark said he'd seen nuns wearing less clothes."  Phil winced.  "I believe she might need an ear."

"I'll talk to her in a few minutes.  She's due in today to help Fury."  They nodded.  "Thank you for letting me know."

"Thank you for letting me know," she countered with a slight smile.

"There'll be enough for about twenty tries by the battle," he said quietly.  He got up and left.

"Fury almost went off on Tara," Clint said quietly.  "She slammed him into the ceiling.  I waved when he went past where I was hiding."

"She is very happy to be a mother.  That's all that really matters, that and she'll be an excellent one."  Clint nodded.  "Of course, that means we have to buy presents."

"I can buy presents for a shower.  If not, I'll ask for opinions."

Tara strolled over with her salad and mushroom casserole, sitting in the seat Phil had used.  "I'm going to ask you to help me to put furniture together."

He smiled.  "I can do that."  She grinned back and blessed her food before eating.

"Is there anything we should be aware of?" Natasha asked.

"Right now, I'm good.  The baby's protected.  Hera blessed me so it'll probably be an easy birthing experience as well.  During the battle I'll be with the coven handling the hellmouths."  They smiled.  "If I end up with restrictions I'll tell you too."

"Good.  We do not want you injured."

"It won't happen."

"So, any idea yet?" Clint asked.  "Boy, girl?"

She shrugged.  "Not for weeks.  Right now it's barely got DNA."

He grinned.  "Let us know.  It'll give us a happy feeling before the battle."  She nodded, digging in.  He and Natasha got back to eating.  They had to get back to preparing for battle.  They had time but not that much time.

***

Dawn woke up with a gasp, holding her head.  "Ow.  Visions suck.  Xander was right."  She swatted at the hands touching her.  "Get off!"  They backed off.  She sat up, still holding her head.  "Why am I in the infirmary?"

"You wouldn't wake up," the nurse said patiently.

Dawn stared at her.  "Why do I feel like I was sedated?"  The nurse looked horrified but checked her arms.  Dawn pointed.  "There's a needle mark there.  I need Stark.  Now."

"Why?  He's busy."

Dawn looked at her.  "I just had a vision about the battle."  The nurse scowled.  Dawn found her phone and texted.  Pepper came in a few minutes later.  "No, I need Stark.  There's stuff left in Sunnydale.  I saw me calling Jonathan and getting permission to get into his stored evil geek trio stuff."  Pepper smiled.  "There's weapons.  I saw something sub-nuclear I think."  She rubbed her head.  "Please?"

"Let's take it down while Tony gets back here.  He's at SHIELD."

Dawn shook her head.  "Let me go there."  She teleported, looking at them.  "Sunnydale still has stuff," she told Tony.  "I saw myself calling Jonathan to ask him if we could bum his house during the battle and we found stored geek stuff.  We found weapons.  We found something sub-nuclear by one of the demon bars."  He nodded, getting up to help her into a seat.

Thor looked over.  "Visions are not for the weak.  They can kill seers," he said.  "Which is why we worried when Alexander got them."

"Xander knew most of the arms dealers in town," she told Tony.  "Have him do the map."  He nodded, calling for him.  Clay appeared.  "Vision."

"We heard, kid.  We're preparing to go there."

She shook her head.  "I broke into the geek trio's stuff in a 'fuck this' moment."  She panted and swallowed.  Clint handed her some water.  "They wanted to take over the world.  They have stored stuff and plans.  You'll need a higher power of Geek."

"We'll take McKay.  Stark's busy."  She relaxed and nodded, drinking to keep her stomach calm.  "Xander didn't even remember.  Just calm it down.  I've seen Xander wrecked for days from them."

"I'm a girl, we're always stronger."  She started to get up.  Tony pushed her back down.  "Ow.  Going to the bathroom, boss."  She got up and wandered that way holding her head.

Tony looked at him.  "I'm not that busy."

"You are.  Go capture the three dweebs so we can find out what sort of plans they have."

"They're in the Malibu lab."  He smirked.  "I wasn't going to let evil geek wannabes out into the world.  I'd have to fight them.  As is I had to yell about giant battle robots that they set on downtown LA to pick them up slutty girls."  Clay squeezed his eyes shut, shaking his head.  "Yeah, huge robots, cylinder of storage tubes that rotated as each was picked up, pole and go-go platform for them to be stared at from.  One's starting to look schitzo.  The other two are followers.  I can go."

"Sure."  He brought him back with him.  Everyone else was ready and Xander was marking a map of places they had to check and what was likely there.  They sent themselves there and moved in to take down the town.  They'd leave the buildings intact so they had cover.  John was taping it so the SHIELD people could get accurate readings of the terrain.  Xander headed toward two areas first.  One he had bought from.  One was Buffy's.  He sent hers to her and the rest got loaded up to go with them.

Roque looked around, whistling.  "I forgot what a nest of hell this place was," he said.  "We have artifacts.  We have....  Is that a scythe?"

"The slayer scythe," Xander said.  "It's part of the calling.  I'm going to give it to Buffy."

"Good.  She'll like that."  They got everything that wasn't nailed down, useful for the later battle as cover, or clothes out of there.   They didn't need furniture falling on them if they were hiding in a house.  Clothes could be turned into makeshift bandages though.  Xander and John stayed to make emergency packs of things while the others brought the materials back to the temple.  Mari was called in since she was the bomb expert.  She and McKay started on a weapon based on the ancient text.  Hephaestus and the other creating Gods were building the new version.  The mortals were building one that could be powered by something other than a god or Dawn.

***

Stark walked in happier a few hours later.  "Six sub-nuclear bombs, a whole bunch of guns that had been headed off world to a battle there, swords, stakes, and axes.  A lot of artifacts we have to categorize."  He looked at Buffy, handing her the wrapped package.  "From Xander's hand to yours."

She took it, frowning as she unwrapped it.  She picked it up.  "Oh, damn, that's... that's meant for a slayer."  She got up to test it.  "It feels like one of us."

"Xander said it's part of the slayer calling and he said it has a use in a specific battle if the First Evil shows up.  For right now though, it is a blessed weapon to the slayer line.  It can call more slayers."  She smiled and petted it, sitting down again.  Tony sat down.  "The evil geek wannabes are going over their plans with Mari to see if anything they already have is helpful.  Jonathan agreed he would've told Dawn about it so she could've used it."  They all nodded.  "We're also working on two weapons."  Fury smiled.  "One not powered by a God but we're hoping it helps."  He looked around.  "Dawn napping?"

"On my bed," Clint said.  "Coulson's room is a mess since he had to rip it apart to find bugs and cameras."  Tony stared at him.  "One of the junior agents trying to get blackmail on him.  Coulson's already beaten him in sparring.  The guy's whining to Agent Hill in the infirmary and begging that Dawn and Tara don't get him before he hits the brig."

"Good.  Can the rest of us help?  I can stand him where I can't half the junior agents."  He looked at Fury, tossing down a tape.  "The terrain as it lays now."  He played it so they could see what was still standing.  "That's where the hellmouth is," Tony said.  "It's in the middle right of the school.  Under the former library."

"Who would build a school on top of a foul spot like that?" Thor demanded.

"The old mayor, the one that tried to turn into a pure demon," Tony said.  Thor muttered something.

"Thankfully it was Southern California so none of the students came into the library," Buffy quipped.  "Just our group studying there.  The table we worked on was right overtop of the hole.  It made a total mess the night the thing opened and the kraken came out.  We were shelving books for *days*."

Fury looked at her.  "You didn't think it might have radiation or something?"

"Why would a hole to other realms have radiation?"

"Space itself has radiation," Tony said.  She looked confused.  "We'll scan you later."

She nodded. "How did Xander suck up so much hellmouth radiation?"

"He said he was ill when he landed and it sucked up to power the healing spell," Barton said.  "I asked when I found out."  Buffy looked at him.  "What?"

"He doesn't answer questions."

"He doesn't answer *personal* questions.  Like a lot of soldiers and commandos, we don't answer anything personal.  We get to know each other through less personal questions.  Things about food, dates, those sort of things."  She shrugged.  "Don't worry, we'll find you a nice commando and he can show you."

"Please do."

"Xander said he could marry you off," Tony offered.  She scowled.  "It'd make your mother happy."

"But no dating."

"He'd make it someone who would want to date you anyway.  Make sure it was someone who could work beside you," Steve said with a smile.  "He told Dawn he would if she needed him to."

"Let him fix up Dawn first.  Xander has really bad taste."

"No, Xander was too tired to hunt down a date.  He let them come to him," Steve said.  "I asked."  He grinned.  "He said he nearly married a few centuries ago but his mom made her run off."

"His mom was pregnant and made her commit suicide," Tony said.  "John told me."  He looked at Fury.  "We have emergency packs laid around town, including with extra clothes to use for whatever reason, even for bandages."  That got a nod.  "At that time we can staff medics around them or whatever."

"We have the old hospital there," Buffy said.  "Did they check it?"

"We did.  McKay and I did check.  It is functioning.  There is still power to the town, running water service, and a generator at the hospital.  It's off to the side of the town so it's not in the direct combat line.  They left everything, including a few patients."  Fury shuddered.  "All human from what we could tell."

"That doesn't really surprise me any," Buffy sighed.  "They tended to let anything die that was more serious than stitching, handing drugs to, or putting on a cast.  Xander's really lucky he lived through them taking out his appendix."

"He was seven," Tony said.

She looked at him.  "Dru's favorite snack was toddlers.  Age doesn't really matter to most vampires or flesh eaters.  Young kids are tender."  He shuddered.  "Yeah.  So.....  He's lucky he lived that long."  She looked at Nick.  "Are we bringing vehicles?"

"We're flying the hell carrier that way, landing her off LA, up toward your town," Fury said.  "We will chopper in teams and vehicles as needed."  They all nodded.  "I need a priority line for fighting.  Beyond the Avengers."

"I go in the first row," Thor said.  "The non-godly ones should be behind us, even the goodly strong Steve is no match and if he calls minions they'll need to handle that."  He looked at Tony.  "Minions?"

"She did not say."  He looked over.  "Also, where was she?" he asked Fury, who looked confused.  "I called Pepper to tell her Dawn had made it here.  She said Dawn hadn't been there since ten this morning."  Fury turned and threw something against the wall.  "Yet, someone was pretending to be Pepper pretty well since Dawn was within touching distance of her.  I saw a flash of her trying to calm Dawn down when I helped her sit down."

"It was not us as far as I know."

"I don't know anyone who can trace it back," Buffy admitted.  "Ask Tara?"

"No, we can't," Tara called from where she was fussing over someone who was sick and puking on the bridge.  "She was here in the city though."

"Tara, you do not need the flu," Tony called.  "You should probably be getting a few shots as well."  She grimaced but nodded, helping him off to the infirmary.  He looked at Fury.  "Pepper said she had no idea what happened.  The security cameras don't show it.  Dawn's usual tracker is in the lab for some reason and the other one is browned out by her magic again."

"We stuck her with a tracking dot this morning," Coulson said as he walked in.  "It did track her movements.  The agents who went there were very pissed off at the goo clones this time and the people behind them."  He put down the picture of the altar.  "That's the cult, correct?"

Tony nodded.  "That's them, and this mark," he said with a point.  "Was on the remote control of the robot that attacked Amsterdam."  He pulled up her research notes on that, handing them over.

Coulson nodded.  "I've seen most of those, but it's nice that there's a connection to the Council."

Buffy flinched.  "Did Travers get out?" she asked quietly.  He looked and nodded.  "He hates this family.  He loathes Xander for jumping in and taking it from a solitary duty to a shared one.  He hated me for still having a family.  He hates me whole bunches more for daring to tell him to blow me one time and keeping my watcher.  That's why there were multiple prices on each of us."

"We found one."

Buffy shook her head.  "Travers knew the demon underground."  She called.  "Spike, me.  Quick question.  I need a list of the current prices on all the team's head thanks to anything Council.  They're behind the cult trying to get Dawnie and other things.  Including this bad thing."

"Give me a sec, I'm at the poker hall.  Oy!  Slayer wants to know how much the kitty is on the team now!"

"Fifty-eight thousand on Dawn's blood," a tiny voice called.  "A million if they get her and she's still pure.  Three-quarters if not because they can fix it.  Even if the Russians they contracted through got her first they could fix it and it would make her docile.  On Rosenburg there's a shoot on sight order and a cool million to make it so.  On you, Slayer, there's two prices.  One through the Russians and one not.  Both of them are just under nine hundred thousand translated from Pounds.  There's a seven million dollar contract on your former knight in the real world and double that among demons because they were warned he had done something to make himself powerful."

"Xander's really Alexander," Tony said, taking the phone to put it on the louder speaker at the table.  "As in the Son of Loki Alexander."

The demon whined.  "There is a price on his head as well and it is all the gold in the vault of Asayas."

"About how much?" Tony asked.

Thor shook his head.  "It is a mythical amount of gold.  Those who sealed the dragon in there on her hoard to save the Old Ones wrote that the gold is higher than a mountain but the dragon does not wish to be compressed so she has shrank it."

"Anything on the God Roque?" Tony asked.  "Just in case since he and Xander are working together?"

"Nay, his mother scares us all," another voice said.

"There is one to have him turned but it listed him as a human and he is not.  We knew, that was why no one touched them.  That and the fireling would kill us all."

"Any of the other gods in Xander's temple thingy or Faith?" Buffy asked.

"Faith they want dead on sight, Slayer," the first voice said.  "Her price is small though.  They think she will die in battle one way or another."

"The other gods, like Bia?" Tony asked.  "John Sheppard?"

"John Sheppard... there's a small one to have him turned," the second voice said.

"John's also know as Alexander's half-brother, Jonathan," Buffy said.

"No, we know not to tangle with him.  He will destroy us all.  So will Alexander if he should hear."

"He'll hear who told me so you're safe," Buffy said.  "Thank you and tell Spike thank you."

"We wish you luck.  Even the harmful sorts don't want the world to end, Slayer."  They hung up.

Tony hung up and handed Buffy the phone back.  "Now we know."

They all looked up as Xander's voice shouted 'I'm surrounded by fucking morons!'.

"I see my nephew has realized what happens before most godly wars," Thor said dryly.  "We may wish that popped corn food."

Buffy nodded.  "Xander sounded like he was going to lose his temper big time."

"Too late," Xander called.  He appeared, staring at her.  Then at Roque when he appeared.  "You want to be an orphan, right?"

"I love my mother, Xander.  You know that."

"Your mother just made my father pregnant.  Right before a battle we need him in."

Roque considered that.  "Why?"

"Who in the hell knows?  The whole goddess tea society is off their fucking rockers and I've had enough!" he bellowed.  It echoed through all the pantheons.  "Those who do not want to help in the battle and run will not be allowed back if we win.  Those who harm another God or demigod or any other being in the fight before it is fought will be taking their places.  Am I clear!" he shouted.

Ares appeared.  "They're going to complain."

"I care not."

Ares nodded, disappearing and taking Roque and Thor with him.  It was safer and they needed them in the battle.  He put a shield around the rest of the table to protect them from stray bits of power.

A beautiful African goddess showed up.  "You think yourself like Ares, pup?  I knew you were arrogant."

"I'm sure you've heard by now that we're about to be attacked, Roque's Mom."  She nodded.  "You do realize that I need my father in that battle as he's one of the few chaos gods that can fight?"

"So?" she demanded.

"SO?  You just made him mother fucking pregnant!  How do you expect him to fight like that?"

She sneered.  "I care not and you are sounding more like Ares, who we do not respect."

"That's fine."  He handed her a sword.  "You can take his place."  She gasped.  "I care not what you want.  Either you fight with us or you're guilty of treason."  She backed up.  "I do not have the patience, the time, or the energy  to deal with this shit on top of the upcoming battle.  So either help, or flee and don't return."

"I do not deal with these things," she said, dropping it.

"Then you'd better make sure anyone you changed can be there.  Because if not, you're going to be called in their place."

She sneered.  "I will not go."

He snapped and she screamed as chains wrapped around her wrists and ankles.  "I care not," he repeated.  "If I am to fight for all of humanity and all of the pantheons, then they should probably not make my job harder," he finished in a growl.  "Before I make sure I do not have to worry about them."  She started to cry.  "Tears do not phase me.  Hell, I was raised around girls this last life.  I know how easy tears are to fake, even for a goddess like you.  For that matter," he said, calling another one.  "Take off whatever you did to the Key.  Today."

"I have done nothing to her."  Xander created a portal and pointed.  "That is but a mortal."  Xander revealed her aura.  "So that's her," she sneered.  Xander punched her, knocking her out through the front view window.

Xander looked at the other goddess, who was cowering.  "Fine, we will do this the honorable way.  I call Treason on you and Athena."  Gods appeared, including Zeus.

"Xander," Zeus said.

"I will not have what little advantage we have killed by the likes of your spawn or this bitch," he said firmly in Greek.  "If you cannot abide by the battle we have coming up and help it, then get out of the way and don't expect to come back if we win.  Either you help fight for us all or you are a coward," he said in English, staring at him.  "Your daughter already proved her allegiance by trying to poison the Key.  This one decided to take out the one who could be very useful on our side by making him pregnant right before the battle.

"I have had enough.  Every last pantheon is either in this battle or they are not going to have anything to worry about.  Because if I have to unmake every goddamn temple hill, so fucking be it!"  Bells rang out.  Zeus started to look scared.  "Now, pick your goddess damned side, Zeus.  She may be your daughter but she just lost the war for us.  Do you want to live or do you want to finally spank the arrogant bitch you gave birth to?"

"She will go before the judges," Hera said.  "As will your statements, Alexander."

He looked at her.  "I already know you and the other goddesses got petty and bitchy before godly wars and you use it to pick at the others you're having arguments with.  That does not mean we have the time for this shit.  And if you take someone out who is important to the battle I would be finding a sword."

"Goddess don't fight," Artemis said.

Xander snorted.  "I may have been unconscious in Pegasus but I did see the Goddesses fight."  She flinched.  "If you want to run, fine.  You have fun with that.  I hope you find a great life there.  You won't be coming back here.  I will be using the power of any abandoned temple to throw at the bastard because we're going to fucking need it.  Ten gods, a Key, a few slayers, and the Avengers aren't really a full battle unit."

She nodded.  "You will have my amazons."

"What're they going to do against a power of creation god?" he asked.

"He may call minions."

"Then I'll gladly call up on them.  Beyond that, they'd just get in the way."

"True.  We will have them defending our hills."

"Thank you!  That'll help."  He looked at Hera.  "Please go take whatever your stepdaughter did off the Key.  Today."

"I will see what she did."  She flashed to where the girl was.  "That's bad."  She removed it and felt the wrongness.  "Alexander, they potioned her."

"Yes, I heard.  The Council was behind that and calling him apparently from what we've just found out.  Thank you for creating them," he told Zeus.  The elder god growled.  Xander pulled up his power.  Zeus's eyes went wide and he backed up.  "Good thing I was deaged and tortured, huh?  If that was someone's plan to help save us all, next time just stop the people doing the bad thing instead."  Hera came back with Tara and Dawn.  Tara was glowing and happy.  Xander smiled.  "Congratulations.  You'll be one hell of a mother."

"She will be and I guard that pregnancy.  We will need one who is good to counter all the idiots," Hera said.  She looked at Dawn.  "I have removed it."  She showed the judges.  They clapped Athena in irons.  Zeus started to open his mouth so Xander summoned one of Zeus's lightening bolts.  Hera smiled.  "I forgot we blessed you able to use any godly weapon you may need for any fight you may be in."  She patted him on the cheek.  "May I have Roque's mother?"

"Go ask my father if he wants to stay pregnant."

"He is breaking the rules of the pantheons," she sneered.  "He is trying to reclaim power on the mortal plane."

Xander looked at the assembled gods.  "Did anyone expect any chaos god to follow those?  Especially Loki?"  Everyone shook their heads.

"What is he doing?" Buffy asked.

Xander grinned.  "He's dating the lead candidate for president.  He wants to be the first wife."

Loki appeared.  "First *husband*," he sneered.  He glared at Roque's mother.  "I thought you more smart when I nearly arranged that marriage."  Xander hit him upside the head.  "Son!"

"Shut up!"  Loki saw the temper climbing and backed down.  He glared at the other one.  "You will either fix it or take his spot," he vowed. "Or I will charge you with Treason against the pantheons because you could have us all killed for being so petty."

"She'll be charged anyway, even if she does take it," one of the judges proclaimed.  He looked at Loki.  "Breaking that rule is wrong."

"My son has seen fit to get some of my consort's helpers mad at him."

Xander stared at him.  "If they don't want to help with the battle they can switch planes too," he said bluntly.  "And stay there, just like any god who does.  I have too much shit to deal with right now without this shit too."  He stared at his father.

"Fine.  We are all staying quiet until after the battle."

"Whatever.  Half of the time your *consort* doesn't really like SHIELD.  That's gonna look *real* good."  Loki winced.  "Find a better fuck buddy."  His father huffed and left.  He looked at the judges.

"Can you perhaps calm down?" Gaia asked.

"No!" he said.  "Because I'm dealing with stupid people whose selfish inclinations nearly got us all killed.  If you want to give up hope, go for it.  I'll use the power of your temples to help the rest of us survive."

"I am staying and I will do what I can, even though I am not a battle goddess, Xander."  He smiled and nodded.  "Now, your temper is very high."

"My temper is probably going to stay high," he agreed.  "I have a little over a month left."

"You have less than three weeks left," Hera said.  "The calculations were wrong."  Xander sighed but nodded.  "Jonathan did do that to help you."

"I know.  And if it comes down to me or him, he's going to go on to make little baby colonels with someone great who I can stare at from the afterlife and hope like hell they never date Anya."  Odin appeared.  "Flash.  Off," he warned.  Odin left, looking scared.  "Anyone else?"  No one said anything.  He handed over the goddess he was holding captive.  "You have fun with them.  Apparently I need to go back to making battle plans."

"Hold," Alana said as she appeared.  She handed over a box.  "From the dwarf who all-but adopted you."  Xander smiled.  "They left a few extra rings for fitting.  If it's not perfect, bring her up for a day."

"Thank you, Goddess Alana," Dawn said.  "And thank them for me?"

"I shall."  She smiled.  "Wear it over that bodysuit thing, Dawn.  It looks comfortable enough for a long battle."  She looked at her nephew.  "If you need us...."

"I'll call.  I'll call you, the warriors, the dwarves.  Hell, if I need to I'll call the damn frost and fire giants."  She smiled and pinched his cheek before leaving.  He handed it to her.

Dawn opened the box, pulling out the chainmail tunic.  The arms was a top line of chains but no bottom level.  It hitched around the wrists.  The neckline was a mandarin collar, open in front so it wouldn't choke her but it sealed across the gap if she wanted it to.  It would probably come down to her mid-thigh.  "How do I put this on?"

Xander unpinned the extra rings and helped her slide into it.  "Bit tight," he admitted.  "We can add a few rings though."  He hitched the cuffs.  "Slightly short but again, a few rings."  A dwarf wearing a crown appeared.  "King."

"Alexander."  He looked it over.  "We had no good measurement.  Not bad by guess.  We can fix that."  He moved over to take notes and take it from her.  "We will be back in two weeks, human time."

Xander bowed.  "I'm honored by your personal attention and humbled by how you protect my adopted child."

He smiled.  "She is very much a child we could appreciate, even as you were."  He smiled.  "That's why we all but adopted you into the dwarven kingdom."  He disappeared.

Xander grinned.  "That will not counter any magic."

She hugged him.  "Thank you.  I love you but if you die I'm going to kill everyone."  He laughed and gave her a hug.  She pulled back.  "I'm going back to bed.  I still have a thumping headache from the vision."  She took the box with her, smiling.  "Hey, sis.  Hey, guys."  She handed Clint his key.  "I have one to Phil's room so you can have yours back."

"His is still sealed, use mine," he said, handing it back.  She smiled and nodded, heading down there.

Buffy looked at him.  "At least you're dangerous in a good way."  Xander popped her on the head.  "Hey!"

"Hylal!" he called.  The warrior appeared and saluted.  "This is the Slayer Buffy.  If she lives through the battle, I wish you to make yourself known to her."  He looked at her and nodded, but Buffy was staring at him.  "As slayers are under my aegis, if you two work, she's yours."  He walked off.  "Her mother would agree and hoped I'd find someone who was good to her."

"Hey!" Buffy complained.

Hylal, who was almost as tall as Thor and about as broad, but had a bit of softness to his muscles, knelt beside her.  "Slayer, I am the senior warrior Hylal.  I protect one of the outer villages from the frost giants.  We have not lost a battle yet."  She stared, mouth slightly open.  He smiled.  "In truth, I have heard much of this plane, including that it has less snow.  Which would be a blessing from Odin himself on me."  He kissed her hand.  "I look forward to seeing if we are mated.  Only a true warrior woman could ever be my spouse, as is fated."  He touched her hair and smiled.  "Even if it said she was a brunette pretending not to be."  He kissed her hand again then disappeared.

The judges conferred.  "We will bring this to our chambers so we do not annoy more humans.  They are not used to us and our squabbles, or Alexander's temper."  They all disappeared en masse.

Buffy was still squeaking and pointing.

Tony smiled.  "He found you a good one.  He was helping O'Neill if I remember right."  She whimpered.  "Thor?" he called.  He reappeared with the others courtesy of Roque.  "I'm sure he's sorry," he told Roque.

"They'll just put her in as a minion goddess for a bit and make her make another alignment marriage and womb using," he said dryly.  He looked at the shocked slayer.  "What's wrong with you?"

"Xander set her up with a warrior named Hylal?" Clint said.

"He's a strong, sturdy guy.  Can't outdrink me because he hardly doesn't," Roque said.  "Can sometimes kick my ass sparring.  Has three or four sons but his former spouse died because she wasn't warrior enough and the childbirth was hard on her since they're all big suckers.  Guy commanded a battalion during a battle without orders.  The guy in charge died and he took over.

"It was critical and he won it for us."  She squeaked again.  "You'll like him.  He has stamina.  More than Clay does.  Personally I think his wife died of childbirth because the fifteen hours it took to conceive his daughter wore her out."  He disappeared to the judge's chambers to speak on his mother's behalf.  He loved his mother, even when she went from a fertility goddess to a petty and jealous love goddess.

Buffy looked at Tony.  "Was I drugged?"

"No, I don't think he'll need to."

She leaned forward to bounce her head on the table.  Clint casually slid some paper under her forehead so she wouldn't break the table.

Steve looked at Tony.  "I thought Director Fury swore," he said quietly.

"No, Xander can apparently."  Steve nodded quickly.  "He was about to lose his temper too."

"He can fix the windows too," Fury complained.  "Someone monitor to see if he's blowing up somewhere else."

"They're in Germany and England," someone reported.  "The addresses are associated with that same group that attacked Ms. Potts in Amsterdam."

"Hey, no more Council," Tony said happily, smiling at Steve.

He nodded.  "We shouldn't have any more problem from them."  Buffy bounced her forehead a few more times.  "You should go talk to your mom."

Buffy looked up.  "I should go talk to my mom, yeah.  Thank you for having a good, common sensical mind."  She got up, hugging her new weapon to her chest, and headed down to catch a cab.  Tony got Happy to drive her since she was so out of it.  He texted Joyce too.  That way she knew she was coming.

"So apparently we're nearly ready to kick this god's ass," Fury said.  "Any debate?"  They all shook their heads.  "Then go do what you need to do until the date we get there.  We land the weekend before."  They nodded and left.

***

Clint walked into his room that night, watching Dawn sleep.  He had no idea how she did it since he tended to wake up as soon as someone walked past his door these days.  He carefully closed and locked it, walking over to the bed.  She was still dressed.  He sat down and brushed her hair back, which woke her.  "Morning."

"It is?" she asked, sounding fuzzy minded.

"Not quite.  It's dinner."  She nodded and let her eyes drift shut.  "You need to eat."

"Will when I get up," she mumbled.  "Should go home."

"No, stay."  He took her shoes off and tossed them aside.  At least she was on top of the covers.  "Head still hurt?"  She nodded.  "Want me to get you some of that migraine stuff?"  She shook her head quickly then held it.  "You sure?"

"M'fine," she promised then yawned.  "I should hit my own bunk so you can have yours."

"No, you can stay."  He laid down behind her, smiling when she snuggled back against him.  "Feel better?"

"Much.  Still sucks.  Hera helped the key kick it into high gear so the growing stuff is nearly done.  That's what's making me so tired."

"Is that why you look a bit bloated?"  She nodded.  "It'll be fine."

"I hope.  She said it might go into overdrive and I'd have to remove it and start over or to find a woman to have it judge against."  She yawned again then flipped over.  "You sure?  I know I have dragon breath."  He kissed her anyway.  She hummed.  "That's nice."

"Still sore?"  She nodded.  "That's fine."  She snuggled in and napped on his shoulder and in a way it was comforting, like she trusted him.  He hadn't felt that in a while.  Even if she was snoring it was nice to be trusted so totally because no one was any more vulnerable than when they were sleeping.  It was also calming because she was almost radiating sleepiness.  He got a good nap too and then they could hit dinner.  Or pig out at breakfast.

***

Stark looked up as Dawn walked in the next morning.  Less covered but still out of sorts since the clothes looked too tight.  "Are you gaining weight with Tara?"

"No.  The powers are finishing up the growing stuff and I'm bloated because of it.  I feel like I might be though."  He smirked.  "Seriously.  Hera said I might have to scrap it all and start all over again."  He winced.  "Yeah.  Or find a suitable model for it to work from."  She handed over the envelopes.  "Pepper, daily mail, Pepper, and two things from board members."

He opened them first because they probably needed a reply.  He read the joint letters.  They had gotten together to write letters like people in Amnesty International did about his 'relationship' with Dawn.  He handed them over with a smirk, getting into Pepper's mails.  One was on something he had to look over and the other was a reminder of something.  He checked his phone.  "We have a meeting next week."

"Not that I've seen," Dawn said, looking at her own schedule.  She shrugged and put it into his and synched the system.  That helped and she walked off calling one of the board members' wives.  "Hi, Darla, Dawn Summers.  Can we talk for a moment?  Your husband wrote a fairly bad note to Tony Stark accusing him of sleeping with me since I was sixteen."  She smiled.  "That's what I thought because if there was I was clearly missing out.

"I barely get to date now, much less then, and I was a virgin until a month ago.  So I do not know where your husband got that idea.  Can you maybe talk to him about that issue for me please?  Before it bothers my college career too?"  She grinned.  "Thank you.  You have a great day.  No, him and the other one was signed Bart Lemmings."  She grinned.  "Even better.  Thank you, ma'am."  She hung up.  She made her way back up to Pepper's office, handing her the letters.

Pepper stared then rolled her eyes.  "It'll blow over."

"I talked to Randal's wife and she said she'd talk to him about his delusions as well as the other six we should be expecting.  She didn't know about Mr. Lemmings."

"Oh, crap," Pepper said.  "Now I know why Tony used to come in and get drunk after board meetings," she said cheerfully.

Dawn smiled.  "I told her I barely got to date then and now I still wasn't really dating.  That if there had been anything like that he must've been a saint since I was a virgin until a month ago so I doubt it was accurate."

Pepper smiled.  "I'm sure it'll go away."

"I'm sure too.  I don't know how they got onto that.  I've taken Steve out twice to protect him and I've been seen with Phil, Clint, and Natasha a few times.  Never with Tony out on the town."

"Who knows.  Maybe they think he was grooming you."

She raised an eyebrow.  "I don't take him as the hair dressing sort."  Natasha laughed from the doorway.  Dawn handed over the letters.

She shook her head.  "They never considered that with me."  She handed them back.  "Are you feeling better?  You look tired and bloated."

"The magic is growing that last little bit, as long as it doesn't overreact, or need a role model."  Natasha winced.  "Yeah.  Hera said at the end, it'd settle around something tiny and tear-through until it was broken."  She shrugged.  "No effing clue," she muttered.  Natasha laughed.  She saw a board member coming off the elevator.  "Pepper, Ms. Thurston is here."

"Let her in, ladies."  They did.  "Dawn, can you please go poke HR for the reports?  Natasha, Tony's in the lab."  They nodded, going to get those done while she smiled at the board member.  "Yes, Hilary, what can I do for you today?"

"There's rumors going around that Stark has been turning her into his better half," she said bluntly.

Pepper shook her head.  "Tony's more of a big brother to her than not."

"He's seen as teaching her things, grooming her into a better spouse's image."

"No, if there's any grooming it's so she can take over for her niece if something happens to us."  The woman gaped.  "Callia is her niece."  She smiled.  "Dawn does help with things in case she has to take over as guardian for Callia."

"So if Stark gets himself killed being Iron Man then *she* takes over?"

Dawn walked back in with the reports that had been in the inter-office mail.  "No, if Mr. Stark dies and Pepper lives, then she is guardian of my niece Callia.  If they *both* die then I am."  She smiled.  "Unless you'd rather have her mother, who is the senior slayer?"  The woman shuddered.  She smiled.  "That's one reason why I suck up so much knowledge around here, in case I need it to help her.  If not, I'm just Pepper's perky super-assistant sort."

"I see.  What if the board doesn't like that?" she asked.

Dawn grinned.  "Who said any board of directors has any say over where a child is placed if the parents die?"  The woman flinched.  "For that matter, they have no right to say anything in any custody case.  By law, only her parents can unless a judge tries to interrupt parental or representative rights.  Since I doubt that would happen...."  She shrugged.  "Callia's my niece, ma'am."

"We won't want *you* voting," she said smartly.

Dawn grinned.  "I'd probably appoint someone to handle the board seat.  I'd be busy raising her."  The woman sneered.  Dawn sneered back.  "For that matter, it's not any of *your* business what Mr. Stark has in his will over his daughter's custody."

"The board...."

"Can blow," Dawn said bluntly.  "Stark is more than the head genius around this place.  He has other titles, like Father.  Sometimes that has to come before business.  I'm fairly certain his voting block on the board is appointed to someone he likes for it.  I'm also fairly certain that he's made sure everything is as legal as possible."  She smiled.  "Hi, Callia.  Callia, this is Ms. Thurston, she's on the board.  They meet to talk about business stuff."

Callia smiled and waved.  "Hi."  She looked at her aunt.  "Notes?" she asked, smoothing down her skirt.

"Sure, we can do that later."  Callia beamed and ran over to hug Pepper.  Dawn smiled at her.  "If you're that concerned about who he has as her guardian if he should die, then I would talk to him, not Ms. Potts and not me."  She stomped off.  "I can make you an appointment if you wish," she called after her, smiling and waving.

"Dawn," Pepper warned.

"What?"  She looked at her.  "I was polite."

"Yeah, you were."  She called Tony.  "There's people who are worried that you're leaving your daughter to her aunt some year if you die."  She hung up and got the camera footage from in the office to send to him.

Tony walked past ten minutes later, smiling at Dawn.  "I do have it sorted to someone I like, yes."

"I was polite," she defended.

"A lot more than I would've been.  You really need to learn better sarcasm.  Daughter, want to come create with me?"

"Cool!" she squealed and ran over to grab her father so he could pick her up and walk her off.

"Then we'll write a nice letter to the board."

"Called one of the wives, we're missing about six more letters," Dawn said.

"Yay," he said sarcastically.  She giggled.  "See, sarcasm, it works."  He walked off talking to her about what they should build after they call the board to smack them with a rolled up newspaper.

Dawn winced.  "Excuse me," she said, running for the bathroom.  She was still going to have to change clothes.  Clearly the regrowing hadn't worked.

Natasha walked in.  "Dawn?"

"The regrowing started off the mother of all periods.  I feel like I'm hemorrhaging."  She winced and grabbed her stomach.  Hera appeared and frowned, laying a hand on her stomach.  "Ow," she said, squeezing her eyes shut.  "Lady Hera, can I please live through this?"

"You will," she said, banishing the creation with a sigh.  "I have no idea why that didn't work."  Dawn relaxed, panting.  "Go home, rest, change clothes."

"I can go home and change clothes."  She came out.  "Tell Pepper?"

"I will."  Dawn disappeared.  "Is that going to keep happening?"

"No, probably not," Hera admitted.  She disappeared to check on the girl.  The magic was gathering in her abdomen again, making her almost look pregnant.  "That is not good."

Dawn finished sliding into new panties.  "Doesn't feel great either, Lady Hera.  Thank you for saving me back there."

"We'll figure it out."

Dawn nodded.  "Or I can do something."  She looked around then concentrated really hard.  She felt the shields on the house flex but hold.  The magic wrapped out around her.  Everything was fixed.  She was much too skinny now.  The remaining magic was gathered around her renewed hymen and would probably lash out when she broke it if it wasn't controlled.  Hera smiled and helped her.  The bloated feeling came back.  Dawn did the control exercises, pulling it all back in.  Then she locked it back behind her access code.  She concentrated and the shields were still holding.  She fixed everything and sighed as the magic finally dissipated to that one spot and nowhere else.  "Thank you," she said quietly.

"You're welcome, child.  Take something for that pain?"

"I've had worse recently," she admitted.  She put on a dress, calling Phil.  "If that alarm is going off, I was fixing something that went wrong."  He said it hadn't.  "Great.  Thanks, Phil."  She hung up and hugged the goddess.  "Thank you, Lady Hera."

"You are most welcome."  She disappeared.  The girl did hug nicely.

Dawn 'ported back to work, fluffing out her hair.  "Okay, I'm all cleaned up, and it's all good again.  What did you need me to do, Pepper?"

"Where did you go?"

"To change.  It started off massive problems and had to be scrapped."  Pepper winced.  "Natasha was supposed to tell you."

"I think she said something but it was mostly grumbling."

"I'll find her.  Duties?"

"HR?"  Dawn pointed at them.  "Thanks.  Go check on the various departments for me then settle in to do the inter-office mail."  She nodded and left.  Pepper went over the reports.

***

Dawn frowned at the knock, going to open the door.  "Didn't I give you a key?" she asked the guy on the other side.

"I didn't think you'd appreciate me just appearing," he said dryly.

"Why not?  I do."  She grinned and hauled him inside.  "I'm cooking."  She walked back to the kitchen.

"You look wrecked."

"Did Natasha tell you I had to do something huge earlier?"

"Yeah.  She said she checked and nearly freaked out a bit."

Dawn nodded.  "If it wasn't for Lady Hera I'd probably be in surgery."  She smiled.  "I'm making pasta and putting italian salad dressing on top with cherry tomatoes and corn."

He nodded.  "I haven't had a home cooked meal in a while."  He looked in the pot.  "Nearly there."

Dawn fished a piece out and nibbled.  "Still a bit chewy."

He tasted it and smiled.  "About two minutes.  It's supposed to be barely chewing."

"Huh.  Mom lets hers go to nearly mushy."

He pulled her closer.  "Are you all right?"

She nodded.  "I'm okay and the potion is gone for good."  He grinned.  She looked at the radio, changing the song playing.  "Sorry."

"I noticed the noise.  What band is that?"

"Linkin Park.  Xander gave me a mixed CD."

He listened then looked at her.  "Bit depressing."

"Yeah but sometimes it helps.  The depressing is a lot better than being lied to about how it'll be all right, even if that's all you want to hear."

"Good point."  He looked.  "No mp3 player?"

"I broke it earlier.  I dropped it and had to get into it to fix the battery.  I'm charging it to see if it'll still work."  She stirred it and drained it, then came back to kiss him.  "Needed out of your head?"

"I did.  I could really use some stress relief."

She smiled.  "I can do that."  He grinned back.  "Open the corn and heat it in the microwave for about a minute and a half?"  He did that while she did the pasta and the tomatoes.  They got mixed together and some bread was quickly toasted under the broiler while Dawn set the table.  He brought things out and they settled in to eat and talk about something other than work, though Dawn did tell him about the snotty board members.  He laughed at the thought of her and Stark.  They settled on the couch to slowly work their way up to anything else.

He sniffed her hair.  "Did you borrow shampoo?"

"She got me my own bottle."  She smiled.  "It does keep my hair perky."

"Smells nicer too."  He nuzzled her ear and it was nice.  "Did it come back?"

"The last time it'll be there and the house is under a full shield to protect things."

"That's good.  Less pain?"

"A lot less pain."  He smirked and pulled her closer.  She went willingly because it was always good.  The teasing was great and as it happened, the flash of magic only summoned something that they got to kill.  So it was like hunting as foreplay.  She groaned and apologized with a blow job, which he gladly accepted and forgave her.

***

Pepper looked up as Dawn walked in the next morning wearing something a bit weird.  "Why are you wearing that?  Is that Tara's?"

Dawn looked at herself then nodded.  "Tara did it."  Pepper shook her head.  "She'll change it back.  She promised she'd be here in a bit to do that."

"Good."  She smiled.  "The board are very sorry thanks to Tony yelling at them that he was going to fire them all."  Dawn grinned.

Natasha walked in and tightened the corset.  "Tara's a bit wider than you are.  She's also stuck in midtown traffic."

"That's fine.  I still look pretty decent and no one can say I'm not demure today."

"True," Natasha said.  She smirked.  "Are you better?"

"I'm good today.  I made dinner last night and have leftovers if you want some."  She smiled.

"I could do that.  I'll get it at lunch."  She handed over a note.  "From the mail and one of the board."

"Great.  They want me to fire Dawn for tempting Tony to the dark side of underaged sex."

Dawn sighed and called the one that had written the note.  "Mr. Paul please.  Dawn Summers.  He wanted a question answered."  She waited.  "Mr. Paul, Dawn.  Yes, I did intercept that note.  You do realize that the allegation is false considering I was a virgin until a month ago?"  She smirked as he ranted.  "That wasn't me.  I've only been Pepper's mentoree since my mother went into cancer treatment.  I met her through SHIELD agents.  I had no idea who they were before then.  Sunnydale wasn't exactly a hotbed of superheroes or tech people."

She listened.  "That's not me.  No, that's Miss Romanoff.  Not me.  I'm the young one that follows Pepper around taking notes.  No, I'm not on that team, sir.  I do have some magical skills and I have had to use it to protect Pepper and myself but I am not an Avenger."  She glanced over, getting a nod.  "Again, that would be Miss Romanoff.  Yes, the redheaded one."  She smiled.  "Actually I think we're her mundane identity.   We're her Daily Planet as it were."  He spluttered.

"Now, are there any other concerns?  No, sir, and I can provide a written statement if you want," she said sarcastically.  "After all, I waited a while to pick someone worthwhile instead of getting it at a club like many suggested I should do.  Or on the beach during my vacation in Miami as some suggested would be a good thing."  She listened then laughed.  "Really?  That's funny.  No, that's not me, that's my sister.  Callia's mother.  I'm Dawn, her little sister and Callia's aunt.  Yes I'm quite certain.  Who said that?"

She hummed.  "Unfortunately there were pictures of me during that time.  A few weren't all that flattering but there was no way I could conceal a pregnancy, especially at sixteen or seventeen.  You can look them up.  One was in Time right before Callia was born, sir.  You have a better day and I do hope that whoever is starting these rumors is stopped soon before I have to sue.  Thank you and you have a better day."  She hung up.  "He looked up the Time picture and said it was clear I wasn't carrying."

"No, we would've all realized it when your magic went screwy," Pepper said.

She grinned.  "It leads back to that dumb reporter too."

"Wonderful.  Prepare a statement."  Dawn went to her desk to do that.  She sighed and looked at Natasha, who shrugged.  "Tell Tony?  He'll have a fit if I tell him and try to rush to protect her."

"I can do that."  She left to go talk to Stark in his office.  "That reporter from Miami has twisted facts so that you've had Dawn since before she moved into Pepper's apartment and she's Callia's mother plus on the Avengers."

Tony quirked an eyebrow up.  "I wondered where it started.  She okay?"

"Pepper has her preparing a statement."

"Thanks.  Close the door?"  She did and paused.  She walked off smirking.  She had no idea who the woman in there with him was but it was nice he was moving on slightly from Pepper.

***

Dawn smiled and shook the reporter's hand.  "Thank you for helping me correct this problem one of your supposed brethren caused."

"I had our editor get a copy of the tape.  That is not the story she submitted.  That's why he confiscated the tape."

Dawn nodded.  "She really was dumb."

"She still is."  She settled in to go over the facts that were being pushed around.  Dawn was poised and happy seeming.  The story would be a sensational mess about how some reporters were trying to make news by starting conspiracies.  During it, Callia decided to get let in.  They were in Stark Towers.  Callia kicked and called out for Dawn until she got up to let her in.  She smiled and greeted the child, who smiled and waved back then cuddled her aunt.  It was clear she was a good aunt to the child and took good care of her when she was in her custody.  Tony Stark came in ten minutes later scowling and took the baby with him, shutting the conference room door.  Dawn just shrugged and the reporter laughed a bit.

***

Natasha walked up to her coworker, staring at him.  He was watching from above the bridge.  She sat beside him on the walkway.  "You have smiled more in the last few months than I've seen in years."

He looked at her, smirking some.  "Don't compare.  Please don't compare."

"I'm not.  Simply making an observation."  He nodded.  "Should I prepare for ...."  She waved a hand.  "The semi-stalking thing you used to do?"

"No.  I think I goofed."

"Hmm.  She said you lied to her."  He winced.  "A meaningless thing said in bed probably was how she put it."

"Not totally a lie."

"Hmmm.  Perhaps."  He looked at her again and she shrugged.  "This is all up to you but she's being a bit pouty today.  The guards at Stark said to kick you around for whatever you did."

"It's strange.  She's tried really hard not to be clingy.  She's managed it."

"She does have wisdom beyond her years."

"Yeah, she does.  I made the wrong joke in Miami and she pointed out a few wise things."

Natasha smiled.  "She is very perceptive."

"Yeah, she is.  I...."  He closed his mouth.  "I'll talk to her."

"That's fine.  She's due for a late night with the new problems.  The board has called ten meetings in the next month."

He huffed.  "One called here to get my statement on how long she's been impure as he put it.  I asked why he wanted to ask me that and got told the guards told him."

"Gossip works there as it does here.  Though there's still a few who wanted Coulson to be her first."

"He's much too much a big brother."

"Yes he is," she agreed.  "Though he's trying hard to resist the urge to hover over Tara."

"That's weird but I guess it's making Tara happy and that's important."

"It is.  She's a strong young woman."

He nodded.  "Very.  What's wrong with her weight?"

"When Hera had to fix the problem that the regrowth caused, it left her magic a bit strong.  Apparently she wore it out."

"So she...."

"Yes.  I nearly panicked when I saw all the blood."  He growled.  "Hera helped her.  It's all at the right point now.  She needs to regain the extra ten pounds she lost."

"Figures.  Is she back to wearing her usual stuff?  I know there were a few guards here that worried her clothes were covering up that something bad had happened."

"Mostly.  Today was a dress down day so she was wearing jeans.  Not exactly baggy but not her tight ones.  I think that may be Pepper's doing.  A few of the places they shop together thought that Dawn was her submissive and that's why she had her dressed so strictly."  He shook his head quickly.  She smiled.  "You're smiling."

"I saw that black bathing suit Coulson said made her look like a domme.  He's right, it does."

"She does have a very strong will," Natasha said.

"I should go talk to her today."

"You might bring her something nice to apologize."  She stood up.  "She doesn't expect either one but she's still eighteen and girls do appreciate such things."

He smiled at her.  "The last time I bought a present to apologize to you, you nearly killed me with it."

She smiled.  "You did get me a weapon."  She strolled off.

He considered it.  He had a good idea of what she'd like.  They did need to talk.  He got up and headed down to the main levels.

Coulson cornered him in the elevator.  "The guards over at Stark are saying they're going to shoot you and present your body to her."

"I didn't think it was that bad of a pout."

"It's not.  I talked to her and she went off on one of them.  Pepper chastised her and Stark went off on him too."  That got a nod.  "But."  Clint winced.  "They're still 'concerned' that she's upset right before a battle.  They want her to be perky and upbeat.  I personally think she's thinking again."

"She is.  It wasn't a major thing."

"I didn't think it was.  Did you withhold chocolate?"

"I let one of those little lies in bed out."

Coulson slammed him into a wall.  "Dawn will not take lying.  At all," he said calmly, staring him down.  "Joyce's marriage broke up due to her husband's cheating and lying.  Then Hank lied again and again and again to Buffy and Joyce.  She got all those memories downloaded like they're hers."

"It wasn't that sort."

"I get that.  She probably does.  Just be honest with her.  No matter what.  Buffy lied to her about things.  Joyce tried to lie about how bad things were.  Xander and Spike didn't.  She does take it better from women then men."

"It wasn't even that sort of lie.  Actually it was more a half-truth."

Coulson let him go.  "Go talk to her.  Today."

"I am."  He flicked the switch so the elevator could go on.  "Security tape?"

Coulson smiled.  "I told them not to because I was going to kill you."

"Sure, got it," he agreed.  He got off the elevator and headed to pick up something.  The place he went could even preload songs for him if he asked nicely enough and bought them.  Fifty bucks was a good present and it was something she'd use.  He brought it to Stark Tower, sneaking in so he didn't have to see all the scowls.  He found her heading up a hallway and into a storage room.  He came out of the ceiling and slid in after her.

"I need to drop this off and I'll be right back."  She smiled.  "Who threatened you?"

"Coulson."

She rolled her eyes.  "Give me five."  She picked up the box she needed and brought it back, heading back there before Pepper could give her more orders.  She walked in and locked the door then fuzzed the cameras magically.  She stared at him.  "I'm sorry he threatened you."

He pulled her closer, sitting on one of the old chairs in there.  "I did not realize that something like 'you're the best' was going to bother you."

"It doesn't.  The lie of it does."

"I got that.  Coulson about ripped out my heart."  She frowned toward that building.  He turned her face back around.  "You are in one of my top three times," he offered.

She sighed and sat on his knee.  "I know very well I could never compare to a history of being so familiar that you got too familiar."  He winced.  "I asked before all this started."

"That's basically what happened."

"That's why I nearly didn't pick you.  I didn't want to upset her."  She looked at her hands then at him.  "We talked like women and she told me that it was the familiarity issue."

"There is that but we're not...."

"She told me."  She smiled.  "I don't expect strings."

"I know.  I like that about you actually."  She grinned.  "It's good.  It's comfortable without being too much.  Even when I'm having one of my darker days.  Though the brownies?"

"Tara.  She said you had a bunch of nightmares and she hoped that they helped you sleep."

He nodded.  "They did.  I ate myself sick on them and fell into a pretty deep sleep.  Herbs?"

"Probably made with tea instead of water."  He nodded once.  "I like what we have."  He grinned.  "But no more lies."

"No more lies unless you ask me to."  She looked at him.  "When and if you want me to tell you it'll be all right."

"I'd love to hear that but I know it won't be."

He cuddled her.  "It'll be good enough.  It may not be perfect or fine but it'll be good enough."  She nodded, resting against his shoulder.  "Is Pepper going to yell?"

"Probably a tiny bit.  Then again she told me to show up tonight in something slinky so we could have a post stress-relief talk.  That men were better at talking afterward."

He laughed. "Sometimes."  He pulled the little package out of his pocket and put the earbuds in her ears, turning it on.  She hugged him.  He relaxed because it was good.  "Dinner?"  She nodded.  "See you then."  He took a kiss and left.

She stayed there for a few minutes then went back to work.  One earbud stayed in and the other ear was free for conversation or phone calls.  It helped a lot.  Pepper gave her a pointed look but she shrugged.  Pepper smiled and they got back to work on the problem of the moment.

***

They were at SHIELD HQ for a meeting and Dawn had Callia.  "Sorry, her nanny is really sick."

"Poisoned?" Fury asked.

"No, flu."  She sat down and put Callia in her lap.  "Let's listen to Mr. Fury," she said with a point.  Callia smiled at him and they settled in to go over the initial plans.  Dawn shook her head.  "The port's not that deep.  I remember a complaint that a small day-cruise ship couldn't get in.  The mayor had arranged it and they couldn't become a heavy snacking time."

"So we have to land near LA," he said.  "It's a few hour drive so under a half-hour of flight."

"What about to the north?" Dawn asked.  "I know we have beach access just outside of town thanks to the mermaid thing."

Fury looked at the maps.  "There's one within an hour's drive so that should work."

Callia raised her hand, looking at her aunt.  "Trip?"

"Yes, for a later trip.  You'll be with Gertrude."  Callia' pouted.  "You can go the next time we go on a trip, dear."  Callia nodded and settled in.  She climbed onto the table and down to Bruce Banner's seat, climbing into his lap with a grin for him and a cuddle.

Fury shook his head.  "Let's hope she doesn't have to be pulled out beds like her father does," he muttered.  Dawn pegged him with a pen.  He glared.  "You need to be on the hell carrier when we leave."

"I'll be at my house the night before," she said.  "To make sure that Willow's removed all her protections and stuff."  He opened his mouth.  "I can do the initial scouting and setting up of surveillance gear too."

"That could help.  I was going to send a forward team."

She shrugged.  "I grew up there partially.  I can do it."  He grimaced but nodded.  "We're missing a few family pictures anyway."  She settled in her seat.  Callia had moved onto her favorite uncle with the hat.  She was pouting at him so he tickled her.  She kicked him under the chin and crawled across the table to hide with Steve.  Who cuddled her.

Fury looked at Dawn.  "Can't you put a baby leash on her?"

"No."  She smirked.  "She doesn't need a leash.  She's not a puppy dog."  Fury shuddered because that was a hint he'd be named Furry instead if he pissed Dawn off.

Callia looked at her uncle.  "Elephant?"

"Um, no," he said.

Dawn got up and picked up the baby, walking her over to a wall.  "Stand there.  Face the wall.  You don't ask that question and you know it."  Callia tried to turn around but Dawn stopped her, getting a fit started.  Dawn just stared at her.  "The longer you fuss the longer you're standing there.  You know better."  She turned her back around and stood behind her so she couldn't move.  Callia finally sat down to pout.  "You do not ask people that question.  You know better," she said calmly.  Callia looked up at her.  Dawn pointed at the wall.  She pouted at it.

"Is that a time out?" Steve asked.

"I think that's a stand in the corner," Clint said.  Natasha nodded.  "Elephant?"

"She started to use that word when she climbed over a naked Clay to get a story from Roque," Dawn said, looking back.  He groaned.  "So, no, she's not allowed to ask that question."

"Daddy," Callia sniffled.  Dawn put her back there.  "Daddy!" she screamed.

"It's not hurting you but you will learn manners, niece."  She put her back in place.  "Two more minutes."  She pointed at the wall.  "Nose there."  Callia started to cry.  "Not working."

Tony walked in.  "What are you doing?"  He noticed Steve blushing and his daughter having a melt down.

"She's asking about elephants again."  He winced.  "So she's standing in the corner."  She stared at her niece.  "You know better.  You do not ask that."  Callia was still crying so she let her go.  "Next time you ask that question anywhere but the zoo you can go again."

Tony picked her up.  "She's a bit young."

Dawn stared at her.  "Mom said Buffy was in a corner half of her second year.  Callia's smarter than Buffy ever was."

"Good point."  He sat down, letting her sit on his lap.  "No, you may not go to Uncle Steve.  You asked Uncle Steve something bad."  He held her in place.

"I..." Steve said.  "I can take her back."

"No, she needs to learn some boundaries," Tony said.  Dawn sat down again.  "Is that her first one?"

"Second.  We caught her trying to grope.  She went into a corner then.  Fussed and whined but we kept at it until she finally gave in and stood there."

"That's fine.  I can take that sort of correcting.  She's got your mother's strong will."

"Undiluted apparently," Dawn agreed.  Tony smiled.  "When you do good things, you get praised.  When you do bad things, you stand at the corner," she said.  "Don't do bad things."

Callia pouted at her father.  "Zoo?"

"Maybe tomorrow."  She pouted and sat there.

Fury shook his head.  "There's days I wish agents were that easy to correct."

"Who would want a ship full of toddlers?" Dawn quipped.  Fury walked off shuddering.

Tony smirked.  "Nice sarcasm.  I'll train you to use that instead of your temper yet."

"Probably," she agreed.  "Still won't keep the board members from saying things though."

"I saw that article in the paper.  Did you warn your mother?"

"Yup.  She laughed herself sick.  Literally sick."  He grinned.  "Though it was nice that one of the people who responded in the editorials thought that I was dating Pepper with the way she made me buy the clothes she liked."

Tony shook his head.  "Bad image, Dawn."

"Sorry, bossman."  She grinned.

Coulson shook his head.  "I did not want that one either."  Dawn reached around Natasha to pat him on the arm.

Fury came back.  "What now?"

"Nothing, sir," he said, straightening up.  He glared at Dawn, who grinned.  "You're getting stood in the corner too."

"I could've used a worse one."

"Probably, yes."

"Okay, so we're moving later this week," Clint said.  "Getting there, parking for a day to make sure nothing's changed," Clint said to get the meeting back on track.  Callia climbed off her father's lap and over to sit in front of him.  "Hi.  Did you need something?"

She grinned.  "Hug?"  He gave her one.  She slid into his lap.

He looked at her.  "I'm not really used to kids, little one."  She patted his hands so he shrugged.  He frowned at the calm feeling, looking at Dawn.  "She does the same thing you do."

"We're pretty sure Willow opened that gift in her," she agreed.  Tony looked confused.  "The empathy thing."

"Oh."  He nodded.  "Yeah, she is.  She has a brain wave blip in the area of empathy the same way Dawn does."

"Huh."  She was floating paper down.  Coulson gave her a pen so she looked at Fury, ready to 'take notes'.

Fury shook his head.  "Do we have the weapons we need right now?" Fury asked Stark.  The baby was making 'notes' by writing lines of scribbles.

"Cutting it close.  Both are due to be done two days before."

"Is the plan going to change if he can't be destroyed?" Dawn asked.  "Shoving him back?"

"If so, do so," Tony said.  She nodded.  "Anything we need to think about?"

"Willow and Tara both have places protected around Sunnydale.  They'll want to remove those so they don't get hit by them going down.  I have to undo the one on the house."

"I'll note that to them," Coulson said.  "Is Rosenburg getting a battle escort, sir?" he asked.  Callia was 'making notes' and they were precise little lines of squiggles.  He looked at Fury again.

"Yes but I'm not sure who yet."

"There are three magic resistant junior agents," Dawn said.  Everyone stared at her.  "I tested half the hell carrier on purpose to see who she'd use to get free.  Two are on her guard team.  The other is that guy on the bridge," she told Phil, who nodded.  "I have not tested everyone around here but one of the women here is.  She's also pregnant.  Which I'm thinking means the baby might need some lessons from Tara."

"We can assign them to her," Fury decided.  "If they're guarding her now they know how slippery she can be."  They all nodded.  "Tara's leaving when for England?"

"Day after tomorrow," Dawn said.  "She's got a doctor's appointment tomorrow."

"Fine."  He looked around.  "Stark, any extra weapons lying around your lab?"

"Still working on some.  They're going but...."  He shrugged.  "I'm not sure that just explosives will work."

Dawn shook her head, pushing her hair behind her ears.  "Not according to the comics that Xander found."

"Then we'll figure it out," he said.  "It could at least work long enough to distract him for another attack."

"That can be a good idea," Clint agreed.  "Will guns work?"

"Maybe," Dawn said.  "The new enhanced ammo should work better.  How much do we have of it?" she asked Tony.

"I forgot you had JARVIS work up a different mix."  She grinned.  "It does work well and it's explosive tipped.  How did you figure that out?"

"I asked him about stuff until he figured out what I was asking and helped me."

"That makes more sense.  It should help and it's being mass produced."

"Enhanced how?" Fury asked.

"Tougher metals, explosive tipped," Tony said.  "It's good for body armor shots too."  That got a nod of understanding.  "I'll bring some over."

"I ran a range test with it.  It fires the same but it does more damage," Natasha said.

"I saw that," Coulson said.  "That could help and against thinner body armor it did pierce it."

"We have some of the old armor piercing rounds," Tony said.

Dawn shook her head.  "Not enough and someone's already shouting that we're putting out weapons that are going to hit the black market."  Tony scowled at her so she found the article and slid her phone over.  "Them."

He looked it over, groaning.  "If they want to make super weapons let them try."  He slid it back.  "I'm not worried about them."  She changed to another site and slid it back over.  He stared.  "That I am.  How did you get that plan?"

"It's on the web.  That's part of their show-off for the upcoming expo."  Fury took it to look at, frowning.  She looked at Tony.  "If it's already out there on the web, then people have it, yes?"  He nodded slowly.  "They somehow got hold of one of the enhanced bullets too.  They can't figure out the metal mix.  They were making a few with some special asteroid mineral."

"Do you remember which?" he asked.

"No.  I remember someone in R&D here told me to please snatch one because they were deathly worried and their industrial spy was sucking this week."

Fury looked over.  "Hill, find out what it was made of?"

"Yes, sir."  She called down there, grimacing.  "Iridium and Vibranium, sir."

"That's Cap's shield," Dawn said.

"Partially," Fury agreed.  "Damn it!"  He tossed her back her phone.  "Will that hurt them?"

Tony nodded.  "Probably."

Agent Hill walked over.  "They said the bullet was going to fracture.  The bonds between the two metals are not firm.  It nearly crumbled in their tests," she reported.  She called up the reports they had sent her by email.  "This is the preliminary that they have."

Tony leaned over to look at the display.  "That's not a good job at all."

Dawn pushed her hair back again.  Then she tied it up with a pen in her pocket.  "When JARVIS was helping me, he said that forging the few we were looking at needed an intermediary metal for them both to bond to.  Is that the same problem?" she asked.

Tony smiled.  "It is.  The one they need is actually steel probably."  He made notes on the display.  "Do we have any supply of either left?"

"Very little," Fury said.  "Probably not enough to experiment with, Stark."

Dawn sighed and did a net search, calling Jensen at the same time.  She smiled.  "That's going to suck.  One of the metals that makes up naquaddah is vibranium."  She looked at Tony.  "They don't know how to extract it without blowing up a lot of stuff."  Her phone beeped and she looked at the link, sliding her phone over to him.   "The lesser form of Iridium."

"I'll be damned," he said.  "Jensen?"

"Yup, like you said, always ask the best," she quipped with a grin.

"They're both lesser versions that aren't pure," Tony said, making equations on his own tablet computer.  JARVIS had popped up a box reminding him he did have a tiny bit of both substances stored to test with.  "Those two won't mix with steel or anything I know of."

Dawn considered it then tapped out something to JARVIS, who scanned something.  It came back it would work but the metal might not be able to be unmade properly.  Though she had two things in it.  She smiled at Tony.  "Remember that pretty hammered necklace I got for going with Xander to the convention last night?"

"I saw it earlier and had you take it off because the scanners were going haywire."

"JARVIS?"

"Yes, Dawn?" he asked from Tony's phone.

"How much of a match is that?"

"That would bond even the lesser versions together.  At the more pure versions it would make them nearly indestructible."

"Okay, now can you call my sister's friend Spike and have him find us some?  They have my phone."

"I can do that."  He paused then laughed.  "Spike said he knew where it was.  It's fairly plentiful on this realm since no one can work in it.  Should he procure some?"

"Yes," Tony said.  "And anything else he thinks might be helpful."

"Tell him to ask about any energy metal," Dawn said.  "The other Xander's find it really handy."

JARVIS paused.  "That is apparently more rare here but there is some available."

"How much?" she asked.

"Not outrageous.  Ten thousand dollars a gram."

"A gram?" Tony demanded.

Dawn pulled up something to show him.  "That little sliver has been burning for over ten years."

He stared.  "Really?"  She nodded.  "Is it the same composition?"

"No idea."

"We'll have to look into that.  Can we get some from wherever to test against?"

"Ask Xander.  They have a communication box for penpal things."

Tony called him and talked to him about it.  "He has some in his temple in the fire lamps."  She grinned.  "And some of the other metal.  JARVIS, we're getting samples from Xander.  Start immediate testing for atomic level sturdiness and components."

"I can do that, sir.  Spike said he can get the other fairly cheaply.  A hundred dollars for about six pounds."

"That should be good.  Thank you," Tony said, hanging up.  "If that works, I'm so buying you new shoes."

She grinned.  "I have plenty of shoes.  I'll let you buy me a new tv though because however I mounted it was wrong and it fell off the wall last night."

"I can do that too.  Cheaper than shoes."  He tapped out a message, looking at Fury.

"Go.  Do you need Doctor Banner?" Fury asked.

"I want to see this new metal," he admitted.  They left together.

Dawn got her phone back and put it into her pocket.  She noticed Callia staring at her hair and the pen.  She took a pencil and did hers that way, earning a smile.  "You'll learn that when you're older."  Callia nodded and got back to making notes.

"Unlike your aunt, who used an uncapped blue sharpie one day so she still has a dot on her neck," Coulson said dryly.

Dawn stuck her tongue out at him then smiled at Fury.  "One of the Xander's uses that energy metal to fuel his forge."

"That might be handy to know about," he decided.  "That necklace?"  She summoned it and let him see it.  "It feels like silver."

She grinned and nodded.  "But once it's forged it's almost impossible to get it undone."

"Very interesting," Steve said.  "Why is it so cheap here?"  He took it to look over.

"Probably no one here knows how to use it.  Xander would ask one of the Xanders that use it for how to form it properly."

"Huh."  He handed it back and she put it on.  He winced.  "Dawn, it's got a vibration."  She took it back off.  "Thanks."  He wiggled a finger in his ear.  "Can I test that against my shield?"  She nodded, tossing it to him.  He got up and went to do that.  It got near it and the shield squealed but once he was within a foot of it no more squeal.  It mellowed the closer he got.  He took it back there.  "Definite reaction but it got more harmonic the closer I got."

She put it into her pocket.  "That Xander makes jewelry and stuff out of it.  And sometimes things like swords or hairpins."

"Hairpins?" Natasha asked.  "Why?"

"That Xander, and the others like him, have waist length hair."  She shivered.  "They're also a safety measure."  She smiled.  "For when they get taken again."

"The hormoned ones?" she asked.  Dawn grinned and nodded.  "Interesting."  She shook her head again.

"I can't see how anyone has waist length hair but a guy especially," Clint said.

Dawn smiled.  "You might actually like that Xander.  He's a great guy, very fun, kinda smart.  Fights with a sword.  Is immortal."  Clint stared at her.  She smirked.  "Has a hormone problem that means he has to wear it out a lot or he gets kidnaped but he's a great Xander.  Very fun.  Kinda wise.  Keeps having to take down demon realms for wanting him.  He's taken down something like forty-two or so."  He shuddered.  "For trying to make him their wanted one, yeah.  But he's a really good guy."

"Are there any normal Xanders?" Steve asked.

"Yeah, most were.  The one that we got the comics from went from hunting to owning a comic shop because my sister there was a bitch.  Most of them are.  There's very few special Xanders, though I'm not sure if Lavelle is in that group or not.  Oh!"  She grinned.  "We were talking about the world where a witch there got really mad at the Xander and Hannibal, from the Blade movie," she told Clint, who nodded.

"They're hunters, and Xander there is raising the Losers because Willow pulled them from their movie and deaged them to give Xander sons.  Anyway, she started an apocalypse and they stopped her but the FBI handed her back so she created a D&D world.  Dragons and all.  The first anyone knew of it was a wash of magic over Hawaii and then dragons eating a sniper that was firing on the Xander there and some officers he had been talking to.  They had to go help."  She pulled up that file.  "I took notes on what they did, how they did it, and who did it."  She handed them to Natasha with a smile.  "I think you know her."

She read it over, nodding.  "I do know her.  We know her."  She let Clint see.

"I knew I should've been allowed to kill her.  Does she have magic here?"  Dawn shrugged.  "Can anyone else do this?"

"Yes.  With three higher demons helping."  She grinned.  "That's at the level that Tara pretends to be.  A stronger witch might not take as much help.  Notice it washed over Hawaii all the way to Vegas.  They were dealing with the one that happened here in New York to hype it that went down to Kentucky if I remember right.  That one was done by one of the sons of the Devon Coven.  He's an eco terrorist witch here too."  She pulled up that file.  "Much more magic and it would be good for trees and things.  Though they did say they had to fight Central Park trying to eat the muggers for the PD."

Clint looked at her.  "You need to be less perky."

She smiled.  "Chaos.  Mages."

He shuddered.  "That's a horrible thought."

"They're having a meeting next month," Natasha remembered.

"Janus sees into all realms so I'm pretty sure he saw over there since our Xander went to help."

"If we suddenly have dragons here, we're going to have a lot more problems," Clint said.

"Especially since there they like to take pretty women."

"So you'd have to dress down a lot and maybe wear some sort of Middle Eastern covering gear?" Clint teased with an evil smirk.

"Yep, since they *adore* magic."

Fury shuddered.  "How possible is it that they can do it here, Dawn?"

"That one son is supposedly a white light witch but he's also an eco terrorist, only trees are good sort.  The one that did it there I have no idea if she has magic or not."

"If so, we're taking her out," Clint said happily.  "I knew I'd get to shoot her one day."

Steve cleared his throat.  "What's a D&D world?" he asked.  Dawn pulled up the footage to show him.  They stared.  "Those are dragons," he said.  "And a flower that's eating someone's head."  He frowned.  "So mostly like here only there's magical creatures and problems?"

"Magic's very high there," she agreed.  "Hawaii here is nearly as strong with magic as there was by the scans they did.  Less protections but as strong."  He nodded, going back to watching it.

The team watched a dragon snatch a person.  "Using it to cuddle up to?" Clint asked hopefully.

"Sometimes but others they're food."  She handed him something.  "The Xander there and the weapons creating Xanders, who are twin CSI as well, created this and they wanted it given to whoever would handle this situation.  The only caveat is that the cold version lowered the temperature in Manhattan by twenty degrees in July at the strongest level.  That one lowered the temperature in Hawaii nearly thirty degrees when they used two to kill fire breathers trying to get into schools."  She found another file.  "The original was used against some demonic spiders, which we do have here and they're not all that rare."

"Seen them," he agreed with Natasha.  "Everyone we know was taught to stomp them on sight."

"They can nest in groups of up to a thousand.  The twin Xanders' CSI lab was invaded by a nest."  Natasha shuddered.  "That's the cold radiation bomb they used to fix it, which was what had that drastic of a temperature drop.  Andrew helped them create it with O'Neill's help."

They looked that incident over.  "We can use that," Fury said.

She smiled.  "They said if we get dragons here, the cold one will kill the fire breathers.  The other one will boom splat a dragon."

He nodded.  "Good to know.  It's looking very compact.  We need to get Stark to make some."

"I was going to give it to him afterward.  Give him happy thoughts in the infirmary."

Fury looked at her.  "His birthday is in six weeks."

"I know."

"Still need to be less perky, Dawn," Clint said.  She got him into the testing video of the weapon.  He was nearly moaning in pleasure at the thing.  "That's sweet.  Small."

"We can probably shrink one down to an arrowhead," Dawn admitted.  He stared at her.  She grinned.  "No clue if he can or not."

He nodded.  "That could be handy in some limited situations but maybe."  She was getting pounced later to take care of the perky, bad idea mood she was in.  Talk about teases.

Natasha looked at her.  "If so, we may use them in other manners."  Dawn grinned at her.  She looked at Fury.  "Can our R&D do it?"

"No.  They cut the budget on weapons research again."

Dawn got into one last file and let Clint see it.  He shuddered.  "That's the Xander there on the D&D world.  Aren't Clay and them cute little kids?  I showed him that picture and he walked off telling Roque to please take him out before Rosenburg did it for him.  Got the movie off that Xander, and another one but our Xander has it."

"I'll ask him for it."  He handed her back her phone after turning it off.

Fury looked at her.  "Barton, escort her back to Stark's side and make sure he sees those.  Coulson, figure out a response if we suddenly get dragons and find me those people so we can watch them."

"Yes, sir."

"The dossiers are on your desk," Dawn said with a perky smile for her 'big brother'.  "I told Tara so she had someone look them up for her."

"That's a good first step."  He looked at Callia.  Dawn picked her up and took her and Clint down to the car.  He breathed out.  "I'm sorry she's in that sort of mood," he said.

Fury shook his head.  "Dick tease," he muttered.

"Yes, sir, she is," Natasha agreed.  "I trained her well in how to tease and not give out."  Steve was blushing.  She got up.  "Let me help him get those people watched."  They walked off together.

Steve went to the gym to take the bad mental images out of his mind.  Dragons were not what he wanted to fight.

Thor was still looking a bit confused.  "I thought dragons were a myth here."

"They are," Fury said.  "There they're not."  He walked off, going to his office.

Thor went to talk to others.  Including Tara.  He adored Tara.

***

Clint was driving Dawn's car so they got back to the lab in one piece.  He looked at her.  "You are getting pounced later."  She smirked.  "Especially if we can put that down to an arrow tip."  He parked and they got out.  Dawn took Callia up to Pepper then they went to the lab.  "Stark, she's a huge problem and a dick tease."

"Dawn, why are you dick teasing him?" he asked absently.  The screen he was looking at suddenly became a testing video of someone blowing up dragons.  He looked at her through it.  "Where was this?"

"Our Xander had to go help their world."  She opened all the other files.  Clint could explain the spiders and other things.  Stark was staring in awe at a few things.  "The twin Xander CSI and weapon designers said to please give the plans to whoever would be dealing with dragons when and if they did it here."  She grinned.

He looked at her then at Clint.  "I'm not dating her."

"She said she was going to give this to you in the infirmary after the battle as a birthday present," Clint quipped back.

Tony looked at her.  "That would have been mean.  Very mean."

"I'd say more incentive to get better faster," Dawn said.

"Barton, take her somewhere.  She has an hour for lunch as long as my daughter is somewhere else.  I'll work on that after the battle."  He moved it off to the side.  "I'm pretty sure I can do an arrow tip with the cold one at least."

Clint smirked.  "Thanks, Stark."  He walked her off.  "If we do get dragons here, I'm ordering you that outfit."

"If you're sure it'll help," she quipped.

"It'll definitely cut down on your teasing," he complained.  Dawn took them back to her place.  He pinned her to the staircase and it was good to have her on the stairs then upstairs in the bedroom.  She could be five or ten minutes late.  Stark was too busy to notice.

***

Tara walked into Phil's office the next morning, looking at his desk full of folders.  "Busy?"

"Tiny bit," he said with a grin back.  "Why?"  She closed the door.  "Problems?"

"No.  When Lady Hera protected it she moved me a bit further along."

"How far?"

"I'm eighteen weeks."  He nodded.  She handed over the pictures.  "There's four good ones."

He smiled, looking at the pictures of tiny faces.  He found the other picture folded on the back.  "Twins?" he said, looking at her.  She smiled and nodded.  "Wow."  He got up to hug her.  "Happy?"

"Very happy.  I didn't understand what they meant when they said my son was going to be more like me and she'll be more like you."  He gave her an extra squeeze.  "Someone at the pharmacy suggested I should start a baby book now."

"You should," he agreed.  "Why were you at the pharmacy?"

"He upped my daily pregnancy vitamin."

He kissed her gently.  "Come on.  We'll help with that."  He led her down to HR and the head's office.  "Do you have three minutes for a delicate situation?"

"I do, Agent Coulson."  He let Tara walk in first and shut the door after himself.  "I don't gossip but I tend to hear a good bit of personal news.  I heard you were pregnant, Tara."

She blushed and smiled.  "He let me."

"That's wonderful."  She pulled up the forms.  "I'm assuming you want her put on your insurance, Agent Coulson?"

"Please.  Plus as my beneficiary."  She smiled at him.  "It was going to Dawn and you before," he told her.

She patted his hand.  "It'll be fine and it'll be years before you leave us."

He stroked over her cheek.  "I hope so too."  She blushed and he smiled.

"We do have another form you need to amend," the head of HR said.

"I've already pulled up my will to start the amending.  I was due in four months anyway."  Tara gave him a look.  "All SHIELD agents have to have a will on file.  We're supposed to update it yearly on our signing anniversary.  I usually get mine done sooner."  She ducked her head.  He stroked her back.  "This year I wanted it done sooner because of the upcoming battle."

"I'll try to get it put through by then," the HR head said.  "Usually it'd be another month but I'll definitely try."  She finished the forms, letting him sign them.  "It looks like your insurance would go up about fifteen dollars a month."

"That's fine."

"I can cover that," Tara said.

He looked at her.  "So can I.  I make a better paycheck than you do."  He smiled.  "Will that cover her doctors?"

"It depends on if they take our insurance."

"Agent Hill gave me the name of a doctor she said a lot of agents use."  She handed her the card.

"Oh, yes, we do."  She smiled and printed out the pregnancy packet they had.  "Here, fill that out.  That way when he or she is born they're automatically put on his insurance and as his beneficiaries.  The last form is done after the birth of course since it lists a name."

"It's twins," he said proudly.  "One of each."

"Excellent news, Tara."  Tara smiled, ducking her head slightly again.  "You're going to be a terrific mother.  You prove it by babying the junior agents and making them straighten out."  She handed Phil a paper.  He read it and nodded, signing it.  "Thank you.  I'll try to rush these through.  Any health problems, Tara?  That way they know up front."

"No, not that I'm aware of."

"That's fine then.  Have a good day celebrating."  She smiled.  They walked out together.

Tara looked at him in the elevator.  "I was going to ask Dawn to be a godmother with Natasha and Clint as the godfather with Xander."

"That would suit me," he agreed.  "They'd probably be very happy."  She smiled.  He took her to where they were sparring, whistling to get their attention.  It stopped the match before they got too close.  "She has ultrasound pictures."

Natasha came over to look at them.  "One's very dark."  Coulson flipped the strip over to show the one folded back.  "Twins?" she demanded, making Tara smile.  "He was clearly potent."  Tara blushed.  She handed them back with a smile.  "Congratulations."

"Wow, two mini Coulsons," Clint teased with a grin.  "They'll be running this place and the hell carrier some year."

Tara nodded.  "Both may have my gifts but Lady Hera said she would definitely be more like her father while he would be like me."

Clint blinked a few times.  "Wow, one of each.  You're never going to get any peace from the picking on each other.  He's going to be overprotective and she's going to fight it."

She grinned.  "I was going to ask you two and Xander and Dawn to be godparents."

"I'd be honored," Natasha agreed.  Clint nodded he would too.  She hugged them and they walked off to get something to snack on.  Natasha looked up at her friend.  He shrugged slightly.  "I'll help you put together the furniture."

"Thanks."  He stretched and they got back into sparring.  "I guess someone moved her farther along."  She nodded.  "That means she's in the second trimester too."  She hit him extra hard, making him wince.  "Easy."

"I doubt we'll see any of that."

"Probably not.  Last time was a bit more than I wanted to know."  She laughed.  The sparring match was back on and it was good for them.

***

Dawn cheered.  "Yes!  I knew it was twins!"

Pepper came out of her office with Tony.  "Who?"

"Tara," Stark said.  "Twins?"

"One of each.  Hera moved her to eighteen weeks.  They have the first ultrasound pictures."

He grinned.  "That's great for her.  I hope the kids are a lot like whoever she picked as a father."  He noticed Dawn trying hard not to blush.  "You know, don't you?"  She nodded.  "Do we know them?"  She nodded and pointed up the hall.  "Oh!  Ooooh, interesting combination there."  He walked off shaking his head but smiling.

"Phil?" Pepper asked quietly.

"Um, yeah.  There was dinner and mead with the group," she said quietly, looking around then at her.

"Wow."  She smiled.  "I'll have to pick out great baby presents.  Does she know what they are yet?"

"One of each."

"Aww."  She went back to her office to look up possible baby presents.  Tara was probably going to breastfeed so no bottles.  Diaper gift certificates were an option to put into the baby gift basket.  Clothes of course.  She'd have to see where Tara registered.

***

Dawn got an idea and went back to the Council's library at SHIELD HQ to look it up.  It was easy enough to do and she had something that could help.  She considered her options then found the perfect thing.  It wouldn't bother his firing or his fighting.  She took it home to put the spell on it then got out all her weapons to look over while Linkin Park, Breaking Benjamin, and Skillet were playing from her new mp3 player.  It would help.

***

Dawn walked in the next night, finding someone sitting on her rafters.  She smiled.  "Are you going to come down?"

"Maybe later."

"Even if I have a present for you?"

"I could like presents but is it going to make you hyper again?  Because if so, I'm not coming down."

She laughed.  "Probably not."  He slid down his rope.  "How did you get up there?  Do I need to clean the table or the counter?"

"I used the rope, Dawn."

"I still can't do that."  He smirked at her.  "I know, I'm not infallible.  Trust me, my mother reminded me earlier."  She got into the closet and came out, sliding the simple cuff on his bicep.  "Too tight?"

"No, feels good.  Protection?"

"That too but if you touch the pretty raised design it summons back all the arrows but two.  It wouldn't stick on them."  She handed over the bag.  "All three of my crossobows and my bolts.  I did your quivers too."

He smiled, kissing her.  "That's a really handy present to have."

"I probably won't need a weapon during the battle."  He pulled her closer.  "You have to leave tomorrow," she said.

"I know."  He took another kiss then settled in to look over what she had.  He had only found the one.  The other two were heavier than his usual one but they were also wrist mounting if he needed them to be.  That was handy and the bolts were all on forearm quivers.  He pulled her closer.  She snuggled into his side.  "Thank you."

"Welcome.  You'll use them better than I ever could."  He nodded.  She put her head on his shoulder, one arm teasing his stomach.  It was comforting.  It was the last time she'd see him before the battle.  "You and Natasha ready?"

"Yeah, 'Tasha and I are as good as we can be," he said quietly.

She gave him a squeeze.  He relaxed.  "Want me to make dinner?"

"Not really hungry."

"Want me to get naked?" she teased.

"I might like that later."  She just snuggled into his side.  He relaxed, not thinking about the upcoming tragedy in the making.  She was calming.  It was great for his nerves.  He finally pulled her into his lap.  "You need to gain that ten pounds back."

"I've gained back five of it."

"Uh-huh.  Eat while we're gone."

"I will be."  She snuggled in better.

He relaxed again.  "Want lied to?" he asked.

"Please," she begged.

"It'll be okay and everyone will come through healthy and whole."  She relaxed.  That was what they both needed.  And maybe some pizza after a stress break.  Which she was all for too.

***

Pepper walked into Tony's lab with a mug of coffee.  She handed it to him.  "You can't improve the suit any more," she said gently.  "You've already upgraded everything."

He nodded.  "I feel like there's something more I need to be doing."

"Then like last time, when you hugged Callia to death when you got back, go hug her now."

"I'm going to.  I..."  He ran his hands through his hair.  She leaned in and kissed him.  "Yeah, I need to hug you too."  He pulled her up to his suite and it was good.  Comforting.  Calming.

***

Dawn looked up at Clint, who was half asleep but looking smug.  "We should gang up on you."

"Even I need recovery time, Dawn."  He smirked.  "She'd kill you if you pulled her."

Dawn texted her buddy, who sent back that she was trying to pack things.  Dawn pulled her over, making Natasha scowl.  "Pack later."

"She's right, Nat."  He held up a hand.  "Come get calmer."  She slipped into the bed and it was good.  Recovery time be damned with those two ganging up on him.  Fortunately he had been working on his stamina.

***

Six days later, Dawn walked into her old house.  She felt the protections wrap around her.  She texted Tara to remind her to gather hers and Willow's.  She wandered through the house, staring at the old rooms, some of the old furniture.  It hurt.  It hurt a whole lot.  She went to put up the cameras, calling in that they were up.  They got told they were off so she adjusted them.  They worked and she went back to the house, looking around the town.

The Magic Box had been raided but she went in to get the more personal things that no one would've thought of.  A few pictures.  An amulet that was on the counter with her name on it.  She smiled.  "Giles," she said, rubbing a finger over it.  She put it on and walked out.  She went back home.  Whoever had cleaned the house had thrown out the box of pictures as a shoe box.  She sent that at her mom.  She put her bag in her old room and went down to look.  No food in the fridge of course.  Or the freezer.  Fortunately she knew where things were kept and no one had went looking for the overflow pantry.  She made some popcorn and went to sit out back.

It was so quiet she swore she could hear cars on the interstate about fifteen miles away.  She settled into what was usually her chair on the back porch.  She opened the bag and ate a few pieces.  A man appeared next to her.  "Quit looking like him," she said quietly.

Loki changed into his usual form.  "Fine."

She looked at him.  "I'm not sleeping with you."

"I'd never ask.  You're much too nice."  He sat down.  "It would be nice here outside that stupid hole."

"Hmm.  Yeah but that's why Sunnydale was built.  Is that going to bother you?"

"No.  I've opened myself up more so it won't trap me."  He took some of the popcorn. "This is a nice house."  Dawn nodded.  He heard the complaint over her earpiece that the cameras had browned out.  She shot back that how many of her tracking devices had done the same thing and they hadn't compensated yet?  They groaned but it was fine.  They had a partial picture.  Dawn ate some more popcorn.  Loki looked at her.  "I can feel the wish almost starting."

She looked at him.  "The last time I knew you weren't a wish granting deity," she said dryly.

"I'm not.  Still, I can be magnanimous."

"Sure, make sure we don't have to have this battle."  She ate another bite of popcorn.

"If I could I would.  I do not want to lose my only son."  She pinched him.  "Ow!"  She smirked.  "You really are like his daughter."

"Yes I am."  She got up and made him his own popcorn.  The sound of a beep fills the air, breaking the quiet.

18: Other Old Ones Clashing Against Our Old Ones

The battle.  Then something weird starts happening around Dawn and Clint.  R.  Um, minor death of character that's been under death sentence.

Dawn got up and took a sinfully long shower.  It might be her last one and she wanted to enjoy it.   She also wanted to be as clean as possible for the battle.  Her old shampoo was in there and the soap.  Both were old but still worked.  Finally, her muscles were lax and she got out.  She toweled off.   She walked back to her room and pulled on her bra and underwear.  She pulled on socks then her unitard.  She found a convenient nail to help her get the zipper up fully.  She sat on her bed pulling on her sneakers.  They were black too.  She stood up and adjusted herself inside her bra, taking a good look at herself.  Her hair got pulled back into a ponytail.  Then the ponytail got bunned up so it would stay out of her face.

She checked herself.  She still looked a bit thin.  She opened the box and pulled out her chainmail tunic.  She stared at it.  It was nearly time.  She could feel the energy gathering.  She unhitched the pins that held it together for easy folding and slid into it.  She walked out doing her cuffs and making sure it laid well.  She found her sister's sword.  Buffy had sent it for her.  Just in case she needed a weapon.  Buffy was in the second line of fighters being called if it became physical.

She put it onto her back and walked out, turning to close and lock the door.  When she realized she was locking it, she nearly cried.  But they didn't have time for that today.  She walked off with it unlocked.  Someone might need to get into it later.  She walked toward the school, looking at all the empty, silent buildings.  Not even vampires were here.  Not even demonic worms.

Nothing but her and the hellmouth.

If she were Buffy, this might feel right, like a proper battle.  Unfortunately she was Dawn, not Buffy.

She made it there, closing her eyes to pray to the Goddess for the upcoming battle.  She let herself channel Xander's stubbornness, channel Buffy's attitude.  Hell, she'd channel Willow if she had to.  She calmed herself and found the energy going on.  She felt the spell through it.  The other hellmouths were closed.  She changed her stance, staring at the wreckage of the school.  It wasn't a good battleground but it had some cover and some mazes of walls that were still standing.  They had removed the walls around the old library to give themselves a clear firing field.  She lifted her chin.  "Fuck this shit," she muttered.  She felt her magic come at her call.  She concentrating, unlocking the other Keys.  She heard someone step up behind her.  "Landed outside of town?"

"Yup," Clint said.  "You okay?"

"Nope.  You?"

"No."  He looked at her.  "Focus on the job," he reminded her.  She nodded.  "Sword?"

"Buffy sent it.  Just in case."  He nodded.  She pointed.  "That might be the best vantage point.  The hellmouth's there," she said with a point.  The magic highlighted the opening of the portal.

He grimaced.  "Not the best one.  Trees can get knocked down.  Especially around Thor."  She smiled and pointed behind her.  "That's a bit too far but there's a good one."  She smiled at him.  "Be safe?"

"You too."

He stared at her.  "That 'fuck this shit' thing.  You have a coded entry into your powers?"

She nodded.  "That's how I figured it went best.  It was easy enough to do with what I can usually touch.  The rest is like the underground lake connected to the upside lake through a blow hole."  He nodded, walking off.  "Sunglasses?" she called.

"Got 'em."

"Cool."  She wiped her hands off on her legs then went back to watching the gathering magic.  She was the sentinel on the hole until Willow got there.  No one knew the hellmouth like Willow.  They were almost joined from all the closings she had done.  Mayor Wilkins might not have known the hellmouth the way Willow did.  Speaking of, she felt the bright power land behind her.  "Hi."

"Are you an elf?" she asked.

Dawn stared her down.  "Xander had it made for me by dwarves."  Willow rolled her eyes.  "It protects me.  We figure I'm probably going to be hit at."  She looked back at the hole.  "I felt the closings start."

"That's a good sign.  Where's Tara?"

"Coven.  She and the babies."

"Babies?"  Dawn looked at her and nodded.  "She's got babies?  She adopted?"

"She's pregnant."

"How?"

Dawn smiled.  "She asked really nicely.  The father's a really good guy and will let her set how much he gets to do.  He might push some but otherwise he's going to be a great father, like she is a mother."

"Good.  I know she wanted babies some year."  Dawn nodded.  Willow considered that.  "Do I know him?"

"You brought him back to life," she said quietly.

Willow smiled.  "I knew he'd quit making her cry."  Dawn glared at her.  "Hey!"

"Get ready for the battle, Willow.  You're taking my mental focus."  She looked at the hole again.  The calling was starting.

Thor landed beside her.  "Morning."

"Morning," she said in Norse.  He smiled.  "That's your primary battlefield."

"Still is a mess," he said, looking it over.  "My nephew will be here soon.  He is laying out a calling order of which war gods to call upon first.  A few are trying not to come.  Xander has already promised that he would destroy them to get their powers as a weapon.  I think we will not have much trouble after the first one."  She nodded that might be.  He looked around.  "The village looks so normal.  I can feel the taint but it looks nice."

"Like plants that trap flies," Dawn agreed.

"Aye, that's true of this place."  He felt the magic growing and sent a thought at his nephew.  The other Gods appeared with both weapons.  Dawn called up more power, gathering it in her hands.  "Easy," Thor said quietly.

"I am.  Just ready for it."

He nodded.  "The minutes before battles are often filled with nerves and prayers."  The portal became visible without magical aid.  It was roiling, a black, muddy mess. Dawn took a calming breath.  Then a second.  Willow was chanting quietly to pull up magic.  Xander was moving to his chosen spot.  Roque to his.  The others like John were backing them up.  They were getting into position behind the line of Thor, Dawn, and Willow.  Thor looked up as more jets landed, nodding at the other members.  He nearly flinched at the lash of energy through the portal.  Willow made it discharge as fire instead.  Then it died.  They all gathered to watch the big purple guy show up.

Xander stiffened and looked, then at the hole.  He calmed himself, looking at John and then Roque, nodding.  It was time.

The hellmouth started to boil again as the summoning worked.  The being that appeared on a floating throne laughed.  "It is good to be on earth," he sneered.  "A welcoming committee?"  He sent out waves of energy.  Dawn shielded against it.  He stared at her.  "Interesting.  You're not a hero."

"Sure I am."  She blasted him with power.  "If only for today, I am."  The being shouted as the energy hit him.  Thor and Willow moved in with the godly made weapon.  Dawn kept him distracted.

"The throne," Xander called.  "Then the gems or anything like them."  They hit their targets.  The being, Thanos, was laughing at their attempts.

"I have met many heros and killed many of them."

"Not this time," Stark said as he landed.  "Sorry to be late."  He blasted the bad guy.  Dawn was moving to fire around him, having to jump over some ground that was cracking and melting.   The guy seemed to be able to manipulate Stark's weapon blasts back at him.  Or send any missiles back at him.  That was not good.  He fired on a gemstone he saw.  It broke before the immortal was able to shield it.  The other gods rushed in for a straight attack, covered by Dawn.  He couldn't warp hers or Willow's powers.  Interesting.  "JARVIS, can you recalibrate one of the lasers to fire on the same wavelength Dawn is?"

"I can try, sir," his AI said.  Tony fired on another part of the chair while another gem was broken by an explosive-tipped arrow.

Xander panted, looking at the being.  He called for the first line of war gods.  They appeared and Ares was in full bloodshed and destruction mode.  Xander let himself fall back into the battle mindset that came close to berserking.  This thing had blood and he wanted to be stained by it.  He fired on him, earning a shocked look.  Xander sneered and kept it up.  He and Dawn were aiming at about the same place, starting to cause a burn.  Xander upped his power levels and kept attacking.  Another gem he was wearing was shattered by an explosive arrow.

Stark turned on some music to work himself into a better firing mood.  Because this was starting to look hopeless.  JARVIS popped in.  "Sir, Dawn sent over a playlist.  It's not classic like yours but she might feel more comfortable."

"Sure, I can try it," he agreed.  He went from AC/DC to Skillet's _Hero_.  He smirked.  Dawn was a little hellcat.  He fired on the being at a better angle.

***

Fury was watching the battle from a satellite image, frowning at how it was going.  "Coulson, start the evacuation of the surrounding areas.  At the very least there's probably going to be an earthquake with that sort of energy."

"On it, sir."  He started to call around, assigning agents to help.  "Sir, press choppers are in the air heading that way."

"Give them air cover to make them leave," Fury ordered.  "They don't need this today."

"Yes, sir."  He let Hill take care of that while he went to the nearest town to start them evacuating.  The chopper landed him in front of the City Hall.  He walked inside to the Mayor's office.  "Agent Coulson, SHIELD," he said as he walked in.  "There's a battle going on in Sunnydale.  We need to evacuate your people just in case, sir."

The mayor looked at him then turned on the tv.  Sure enough, someone was close enough to be filming it.  "How long do we have?"

"We're trying to contain it and we believe there may be an earthquake coming.  If that one gets free, we'll be lucky to have ten minutes."  The mayor nodded and started to call people to start the evacuation.  Coulson helped from there.  SHIELD's medics were already on site there to start the treatments needed.  A few gods were down and exhausted.  One looked like he was blinking in and out of reality.  Coulson calmed himself.  Mind on the job, not on the battle he couldn't hope to help with.  He wasn't godly.

***

Dawn shifted around Stark again and concentrated, calling up the power from all three Keys at once.  She blasted him extra hard, making his floating throne rock.  "There's no way."  She blocked off his attempt to move into an alternate universe to travel, or into the time-space continuum so he could get around them.  "Nope, not today, buddy."  She silently chanted to keep control.  Before she went nuclear.  Stark fired one of the bigger bombs they had built at him.  It dented the guy, making him bellow.  Thor was doing his own thing.  The throne had a shield.  Dawn focused on it and blasted the place Xander was picking at with her own power.  The shield fell for a second but Thor managed to hit it with his hammer.  Loki was working to divert his power on the other, safer side of the battle.

The being laughed.  "You cannot stop me.  I am immortal.  I am Thanos."

"And hey, dickhead, I'm the fucking Key," Dawn said, shooting another higher powered blast at him.  That took him by surprise, or the knowledge did.  "Get off my fucking planet."

He laughed.  "You are known to us but not in that form, girl."  She hit him again, this time twice in a row.  "Are you willing to die to see me go?"

"Yup.  Gladly.  If must needs then so be it," she said.  The being stared.  She pulled a dagger and cut her palm, letting the power gather in her blood.  She released all her shields on her powers.  All her bufferings, all the things that were keeping her power inside.  "Fuck you and this."  The power leapt at her command and she fired on him, Xander joining in.  Thor hit him with lightening on that same spot.  Willow was pulling from the hellmouth to join in.  He was trying to laugh but it wasn't working.  A wave of power ran out toward them to knock them down.  Dawn didn't fall.  Willow didn't fall.  Everyone else fell.

Xander growled and concentrated on his rip into the creation powers.  "Fuck you," he growled.  "And this shit."  He fired with Dawn again and again, driving the throne back.  He was starting to have his vision tunnel but it had to happen.  Stark and Hawkeye got the other gems.  Thanos was not looking so amused.

Dawn moved closer and hit him with more power.  One of the others tried to grab her but got burned hands for it.  This might go on forever at the rate it was going.  She kept it up until she was hurting.  Physically hurting.  She concentrated, if it had to undo her body then so be it.  It had to be gone.  Even the Keys knew that this was an abomination.   The others were weeding down his power source.  The godly weapon and the other weapon were being used.  It was pulling on the hellmouth's energy to channel it into a beam.  Willow was working with that team now.

***

Tara looked up from helping with the spell, rubbing her stomach.  She sent a desperate plea to any god that could help.  She felt an ancient power answer and prayed that she would stop him.  The female power felt ...amused.  She pleaded.  There were others that did her bidding there fighting the one who was trying to impress her.  She felt the power focus out there and calmed herself, sending up a prayer of thanks.   She got some water and came back to work on the spell.

***

The higher female power was watching the battle.  The ones who were hers by right of their jobs she couldn't enter.  The one she could was a fierce warrior, a strong one, one linked back to creation.  She saw Those Who Gather show up to help and knew it was not right.  Then she saw something that she had not bothered to look on.  Witches.  Two witches.  One who had tampered with her realm.  She sneered and looked at the other.  She wasn't pure by any means.  She was powerful.  She saw why and nodded.  She would do.  She floated down.  The child would not let her in!  It was frustrating!  How could she not....  She realized why not when the girl stared at her then went back to the battle.  That was quite interesting.

She searched, finding a witch of adequate power to inhabit for a while.  Her powers were strong enough to not dissolve the physical form she wore.  She merged with her, making her scream.  She and the body went back to the battle.  She stared at the being in the chair, walking through the warriors.  A few of them shivered as she walked.

Xander turned to look at her.  "Get out of Mari's body.  She doesn't deserve to die."

"I need one I can use for a bit."

He sneered.  "Then take mine."  She laughed and joined with him.  Mari passed out and got removed by the medics.   Thor and the other Gods were horrified.  All but Ares who was sneering at the new goddess.  They moved forward.  "Thanos."

He stared at her.  "Mistress Death," he said in awe.  "That is not your usual form."

"I was not summoned."  She stared at him.  "They will not allow you here."

"They are but weak gods."

"Hey, some of us aren't weak," Dawn shouted, then hit him through Xander.  Xander channeled it and sent it out, making the goddess in him scream and exit as her powers were yanked out by Xander.  Xander's form was starting to wobble into a column of light.  She ran forward and jumped into it.  "Use mine, Xander."

He nodded and they beat the bastard back.  The other gods came back to the battle and it was going.  He was losing ground back into the hellmouth.  She felt it when Willow went critical, going to a shower of magic that blasted the hellmouth.  It sucked up the god and Dawn fought to stay out of it.  She was trapped inside Xander but it was a warm, comforting place.  She felt power coming and flinched, separating them.  She passed out when she was hit with power.

"Enough," Xander's voice rang out.  He was fully blown open.  The powers from Creation itself were like a small eddy in his column of light.  They were growing fast.

"Xander, join with me," John called.

Xander looked at him then shook his head.  "No.  Protect what's mine."  He turned and threw all his power, all the power he could suck from Creation, at the being.  Thanos screamed in pain.  It was the first real sign he was in pain.  Xander kept it up and Thanos was shoved back into the hellmouth.  One of the bombs was sent into it with the ungodly created weapon.  The hellmouth exploded, sending out waves of energy and dirt.  Blood from the demons waiting to cross through.  Bits of tentacle and slime.  Dirt, brick, and wood from the school's remains.  Xander fell to his knees, looking like a shade of himself.  He panted, trying to calm the pain.  He looked at John.  "I'll be back."  He faded out.  He saw the elder Hindu gods waiting on him.  They had merged with creation themselves back in time.  He nearly fell to his knees crying.

John looked at the hole then sealed it for good.  He looked around the assembled, barely walking heros.  "It's done," he said.

Ares growled.  "Where is he?" he demanded.

"He's one with the space-time continuum.  If he can refind a solid form he can come back.  I can feel him like I do the Elders of the Hindu pantheons, Ares."

Ares calmed himself, nodding.  "Good."  He felt an arrow coming and turned to blast the stupid humans who were firing on them.  "Who the fuck are you?" he sneered.

"The knights that want to take out Dawn," Stark said, firing on them too.  Thor was covering where Dawn was laying for now.

Ares sneered.  "Not any more they won't."  He needed something to calm down.  Hunting and stalking easy prey would do that just fine.

Stark squatted beside Dawn, raising his face shield.  "JARVIS, scan her?"

"She's alive, sir.  Barely but she is alive."

"MEDIC!" he yelled.  They came to gather Dawn.  He looked at the others.  No one was without injuries.  Even Hawkeye had a few good cuts.  He summoned back all the arrows he could.  "That was nice of her," Stark said, sounding tired.  The song changed and he turned it off.  He looked at the hole then at the others again.  "Let's hit the infirmary, people."

Hulk looked at him.  "Strong god."

"Yeah, and he's not dead, just banished.  Maybe next time, big guy."  He walked off over the uneven, broken, ravaged, dead ground.  Well, limped off.  He didn't have enough energy left to fly to the defunct hospital they were using.  If it had gone on another half an hour, he would've burned out his arc reactor.  He was not cut out for this sort of heroics.  They had to manually help him out of his suit since he didn't have a station set up here to help him out of it.  That was fine.  He sat down on a bed and nearly passed out as one of his boots was taken off.  "When did I break that?"

"No clue," the doctor said.  "X-ray it," she ordered.  "Mr. Stark, any other injuries you're just now realizing?"  He shook his head.  "We'll let you rest after the x-ray then."  She walked off to check the others limping in.

***

Nick Fury looked at the assembled presidents on his screens.  They were happy and yet very pissed off.  "We did warn that one was coming," he repeated.

"Who was the girl in chainmail?" the French one asked.

"She's a civilian who helps us magically.  She's also eighteen and refused to train as a warrior the way an Avenger would need.  Her sister is the hero in the family according to her."

"Her sister?" one demanded.

"Her sister's a slayer, President.  She said only one hero to a family because their mother was still alive."

"I see."  He considered it.  "Would she train if conscripted?"

"No.  Nor am I going to try.  She's a nice young lady that makes great coffee and protects some of the Avengers."

A Prime Minister smiled.  "I thought she looked familiar."  Fury nodded slightly.  "She does make very good coffee if given good grounds.  What of the one that faded?"

"Preliminary reports from Colonel Sheppard said that he's still alive, just incorporeal for a time being.  I'm told his father is livid," he told the US President.  Who sneered.  Fury smirked.  "You haven't seen him yet, sir?"

"I've seen a bit too much of his father recently.

Fury shrugged.  "I can't stop him from whoever he's dating, sir."  He looked at the others.  "We made sure to try to channel him out there so there would be very few casualties among the civilians.  Frankly, one less hellmouth is great for the world as far as we're concerned."

"The weapons used?" the US President asked.

"The one created by the various gods went home with one of them.  The other was destroyed when the hellmouth went up."

"Who created that one?"

"I believe you should ask General O'Neill about that, sir.  As far as I'm aware, some of his people had a hand in it.  If there are others from other areas, I'm not totally certain and can't speak for him.  All I heard was that a few of his geeks were working on something to help."

"I can have him answer that," the US President said firmly.  "Now what, Director Fury?"

"Now?  All my people have a few weeks off to recover.  The earthquakes we thought might happen have all calmed down and all the pertinent areas were evacuated.  I would put forth an idea that all the cities work up their own evacuation plans.  I know LA's was started by Stark's assistant.  It led to a much more orderly one than happened in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina."

"That could be helpful," the UK Prime Minister said.  "Any serious injuries you'll have to cover?"

"Stark's got a broken foot.  They stuck a jet boot on it as a cast on-site and can't get it off without causing damage.  It's going to be at least three months for him but we might be able to borrow War Machine for that time.  Colonel Rhodes volunteered."  That got a nod from the US President.  "Thor is presently drinking mead by the gallon over his nephew and the young witch.  The rest of us are just bruised and not really up to anything at the moment, sir.  Even the Hulk was injured.  They had to call in Stark's daughter to calm him down enough to stitch him up.  For some reason he reacts positively toward her.  She calls him Uncle Grr Guy though."  He hung up and turned.  "Agent Hill, are all agents on board?"

"No, sir."

"Who's missing?"

"Coulson, Barton, and Romanoff.  They're back in New York already with Miss Summers.  Stark is also back there."

"Fine.  Anything else I should hear?"

"Not yet, sir."

He nodded.  "Then let's move back to our ususal docking spot, people."  He turned back to his consoles to deal with things.

***

Stark looked up as Pepper walked in with Callia, who was giggling about something.  "Hey, kiddo."  He took her to cuddle.  She was staring at his boot.  "It's a cast.  It'll be okay."  She patted him and he kissed her on the forehead.  "Your Auntie Dawn gave me a whole lot of ideas.  Want to learn about dragons?"  She nodded and rested her head on his shoulder.  He turned back around to go over those files in more depth now.  "How is she?"

"Still down.  They say she might wake up tonight."  She smiled and took a picture.  "I'll get dinner sent up for you two."  She left them alone to talk about dragons and weapons.

Tony looked at her.  "It's very important when you have a Pepper of your own that you love her like she's family.  They're the ones that keep you sane when the ideas get to be too much and keep you sane the rest of the time for different reasons."  She patted his cheek.  He smiled.  "We'll find you someone just as great."  He went back to reading the file to her.  She liked dragons.

Pepper had heard and was smiling.  Sometimes Tony wasn't such a big jackass.

***

Dawn blinked, scanned the room.  She saw a familiar shape next to her bed, in a chair turned backwards, staring at her.  "Did we win?"

"Yeah, we won, Short Stuff."  She smiled.  "Rest if you need to.  I know waking up hurts."

"Yeah but migraines happen."

He snorted.  "Ya think?"  He patted her on the hand.  "Coulson will be here soon."  She nodded, swallowing.  He got her some water and she sipped then smiled and drifted off.  He sent out a text message to everyone who had demanded to know when she woke up.  He called Joyce because he believed her when she had said she was going to castrate then gut him if he didn't.  "She woke up for a few minutes, had some water, and she's napping again."  He hung up on her sigh of relief.  He went back to watching her.  The others came in, including Tara.  "She's fine," he told Tara.

"You hush."  She ran a hand over Dawn's head, testing her.  Dawn flinched at the magic.  "You have such burn out, young lady."  She hugged her.  "But you'll be okay.  I promise you'll be okay."  Phil helped her into the other chair.  Natasha perched on the end of the bed.  "When are the doctors due in next?"

Clint shrugged.  "They've been through here twice today so maybe tomorrow."  Tara nodded.  "Why not our infirmary?" he asked Coulson, whose choice it had been.

"They were going to take cells for a DNA profile."

"Seriously?" Clint asked.  "Ours are all on profile."

He nodded.  "In case they want to clone us at some later time."  Clint's eyes narrowed.  "She doesn't want that."

"No, I can agree with that."  He looked at Natasha.

"I can hack that to take mine and yours out."  He grinned.  They went back to staring at Dawn.  The nurse started to come in then backed out slowly.

"She woke up, had some water, then drifted off again," Clint said.

"That's good.  I'll make the note.  Visiting hours are almost over."

Clint stared at her.  "Do you remember the talk we had last night that started with 'bite me' and went on from there?"

"Unfortunately."

He pointed at Coulson.  "He'll be more mean but more polite."

"I'll let the next shift know."  She rushed off to make that note.  She heard the mouthy one yelp in pain so she got to smile.  Clearly someone was trying to keep him in line.  Someone walked up the hall and she stared, looking awed.

Steve smiled.  "Which room is Miss Summers in?" he asked politely.

"Two more up, Captain."

"Thank you.  Her mother sent me."  He walked in and looked at Dawn.  "Your mother said either you wake up and be healthy again or she's going to get out of her own bed to come paddle you."  Dawn waved a hand at him.  "I'll tell her you said fine."  She shifted and winced, getting helped onto her side.

"I called her," Clint said.

Steve nodded.  "She said you hung up on her."  He leaned against the wall.  "How soon before she gets out?"

"Not until she can stay awake," Clint said.  "Could be days.  Could be a week.  They don't know what to do about her magical exhaustion."

"Protein, bananas, and water," Tara said.  "And a lot of aspirin."

"That's about what's been in her IV only a stronger painkiller for her obvious migraine.  They had to keep the lights off and put in a special red light for the first few days."

"I'm just glad she didn't fade like Xander did," Steve said quietly.  "She was inside him, right?"

"I asked Thor, he said that Gods have an elemental form.  That was the column of light.  When they merged it let him use hers to keep himself from dying and kept Dawn from going over too."  Steve nodded.  Clint looked at the bed again.  "They also gave her a shot to stop her cycle," he told Tara.  "They said she didn't need to lose any more blood."

"She was bleeding?" Tara asked.

"She has a few good cuts," Phil told her.  "The chainmail was fantastic but some of the power whips cut her."  Tara scowled.  "They stitched them closed and she can heal them when she wakes up."

"She'll be in backlash for a few weeks at the least," Tara said.  "Think of it like going for a three mile run the first time you try to jog."

Phil winced.  "I remember how much a mile hurt the first time.  Flexing it won't help?"

"No.  It could send her back into the coma.  It's strain, not over-exertion.  Like metal fatigue."

"Got it," he said.  He squeezed her shoulder.  "We'll handle it.  Even if someone does have to get her a part-time housekeeper for a few weeks."

"Pepper paid her rent for her," Natasha said.  "She had some of the Tower's cleaning staff to clean her house."  Phil smiled and nodded.  "It's all set up for her to go home."

"Now all we need is for her to wake up and Xander to reappear," Steve said.  He grimaced.  "And Tony's foot to unswell so he can take off the jetboot for a normal cast."

"He can't cut it off?" Tara asked.

"He said no," Steve said.  "Callia's enjoying it though.  She's not sure if he's the Scary Daddy or the Cuddly Daddy as she calls it."

"Is that like her Uncle Bruce and his other side, Uncle Grr Guy?" Coulson asked.  Steve smiled and nodded.  "Great.  She is the next genius Stark.  I still like her better than her father."

Tara smiled and patted him on the arm.  "She'll grow up to be more like her mom."

"No, I'm fairly certain her aunt will teach her backless shirts and wedge heels are wrong for every occasion," Phil said.  Clint snickered, shaking his head.  "I know you saw it."

"I know I saw it too.  I was napping until she tried to come in."  He glanced at Dawn then back at Steve.  "Hiding?"

"Yes.  People have been coming up to scream at Fury about us.  I heard someone asking earlier if they could borrow us for their country.  I think he said they could as long as they took Tony and put up with him for a month.  They said they didn't need that one."

Natasha shook her head.  "Xander was right, this is the new nuclear arms race, to get their own special response teams."  Clint nodded.  "If we have to, we can hide."

"I'm pretty sure a few wanted her," Steve said, pointing at Dawn.  "The one I heard suggested they could take good care of her until she was better.  Agent Hill growled and the man backed off very carefully."

"Maria is a very strong woman," Tara agreed.  "She could probably kick anyone around a bit."  Steve smiled.  "So, any other news?"  She had a hand resting on her stomach.

He grinned.  "I heard and congratulations.  There's all sorts of rumors about who the father is but I know he's a good man."  Coulson shook his head.  "Really?"  He nodded.  "Wow, that's great, Agent Coulson."  He smiled.  "I'm sure you two are going to be great at the splitting parents thing.  Since I didn't expect Tara to give up girls for you, unless I'm wrong?"

"Cap, you're babbling like Dawn," Clint said.

"Sorry, I'm never sure how to address such questions."

Tara smiled.  "He'll get to be as active as he wants.  It's twins.  One of each."

"That's wonderful.  If you need help putting together the furniture I've done a bit of that recently for someone's bookshelves."

"Sure, you can help.  I need to move to a better apartment too."

"New York apartments are notoriously small," he agreed.  "Maybe Dawn can help you find one."

She smiled.  "I hope so."

Phil looked at her.  "I have a three bedroom apartment, Tara.  You know that."  She nodded, patting his hand.  He looked at the slight figure on the bed.  "She really looks tired."

"The energy sensors on board the hell carrier measured more energy than all the nuclear tests in the last twenty years," Natasha said.  "Mostly hers and Xander's."

Clint nodded.  "We've got to get her to eat too.  If I heard right, she had popcorn at home the night before the battle with Loki."  Everyone stared at him.  "She said he was concerned for his son."  That got a nod.

"When did you talk about this?" Phil asked.  Clint blinked, looking confused.  "Is she telepathic again?"

"She must be.  We didn't talk about it that morning."

"Huh."  Phil nodded.  "I guess we'll see.  If it's like the last migraine she turned it off after a few days."  Clint nodded, going back to staring at her.  Steve patted him and left.  He took Tara with him since she needed some rest.  The other two agents settled in to wait on her waking up.  Dawn really needed to wake up.

***

Clint woke up a few mornings later and felt a bit disoriented for some reason.  He scanned his room, nothing unusual.  He relaxed and felt the same mental tickle again.  "Dawn?" he mentally asked quietly.

"Hmm.  Bored.  Need music before Boris the dancing bear shows up."

"What?" he asked.  "You're in the hospital."

"No I'm not."

"Yeah you were.  They kicked me out last night when you managed to stay awake for a whole hour," he told her.

"No I'm not."  She felt frustrated.  "I tell you what, let me do what Tara is going to scream at me about."

"Dawn, you have burn out according to Tara.  From the battle."

"What?"

"Yeah."  She opened it anyway and he could feel the edges of a headache but what she could almost see wasn't her hospital room.  Or any hospital room he'd ever seen.  "Huh.  Can you teleport?"

"No.  Too much fuzzy stuff and there's Boris the Dancing Bear guy again."

Clint barely saw him then she went blank.  Clint got up and went to talk to Agent Hill.  She was up by this time of the morning.  She slept less than Steve did.  "Has anything been said about Dawn?" he asked quietly.

"You've been out of HQ, Barton, but Fury thinks she went rogue."

"How did she do that from a coma?"

She looked confused.  "She's not in one."

"She was until the last few days.  She was barely staying awake an hour earlier."

"That's not what we've heard."

"I was sitting beside her bed and now she's somewhere not there."

"Huh.  I'll look into it."

"Thanks."  He walked off looking even more concerned.  Something was very wrong here. The discordant stories were making him a bit worried.  He went to see Coulson.  Then he changed his mind.  He didn't want to talk to him right now.  He went back to bed, laying down and getting comfortable.  He put his mind into that calm state he had been taught for meditation, thinking about Dawn.  She and Tara had both said that linking minds that way to see things would create a bigger link.  He found it and nudged it.

Dawn came back.  "You dumped me."

"I did what?"

"You said you were starting to get antsy about attachments and you dumped me last week, Clint.  Thankfully you were more like a teenage girl than I was."

"I didn't do anything like that," he said.  "Dawn, are you being drugged?"

"Maybe," she admitted.  "Things aren't adding up right.  Like there's time flaws."

"There are.  Fury thinks you went rogue from your hospital bed."

"How did I do that?"

"I have no idea."  They considered it.  "Can you figure out where you are?"

"No.  It's not somewhere I've ever been.  There's a shield like Yale has to prevent a lot of magic.  I keep seeing fighting movies and having twitchy muscles."

"Dawn, they're trying to program you," he said.  "The muscle twitches are probably them trying to input muscle memory of martial arts moves or something."  Which was now giving him bad thoughts.  Because he was having the same 'not meeting up' problems.

"Maybe," she said then yawned.  "We need music.  There's no music."  He looked over at his radio, getting up to turn it on, and let her hear it through his head.  "You have a really nice voice.  I sound tone deaf but you sound nice."

"Thanks."  He listened to what was going on around her.  "Resist as hard as you can, Dawn, and try to figure out how to get out of there or tell us where you are."

"I'm trying.  I'd get pissed off and lose it but I can't let them have access to the Key."

"Can you see anything with an octopus on it?  Like the HYDRA symbol?"

She scanned around, mentally shaking her head.  "Olive drab everything.  All I know is that I'm not in the US.  I almost seem to remember someone in Customs somewhere sneering that my family was transporting me for treatment but I think I told him I didn't have a family.  I'm so confused, Clint."

"I know, Dawn.  That's the whole purpose of the drugs.  There's that guy again."  Dawn got hit with another drug and she faded out.  Clint laid there and thought.  Something was really wrong.  Horribly wrong.  And he wasn't sure which end it was on.

Him dumping her that way would've meant he was getting a threat of some sort.  He got up to look.  Nothing he could find.

***

The next morning he woke up to a fuzzy feeling head.  He hadn't been drinking.  He tested, not Dawn.  So why did he feel high?  Or drunk?  He checked, nothing on him.  Which was very strange since he didn't usually sleep naked.  That's when he realized he wasn't in his room, he was in Natasha's room and she was staring down at him.  "Morning," he said.  She smiled.  "When did this happen?"

"You came over last night after you found out Fury had declared Dawn a rogue," she said quietly.

"Not unless I'm sleep walking."  He felt Dawn pop in and heard her say she needed music.  "What is it about you and music?" he asked Dawn.  Natasha was scowling.

"Sure as hell beats the room of doom here and sometimes I can channel the feeling in the music," Dawn said.  "Is that Natasha?"  He made an agreeing sound.  "Ask her if all the mead is gone."

"Is all the mead gone?"

"Yes.  We haven't had any in quite a while."

"That's a lie," he said, getting up and moving away from her.  "So who in the hell are you?  Your voice is wrong and your hair is too long."

"You're not making sense.  Were you drugged?"

"I'm not making sense?" he demanded.  "Nothing makes sense."  This was like his worst nightmare added to because it involved more than him.  She scowled.  "Give me my pants."  She tossed them at him.  He looked.  They weren't his pants that he wore.  None of the faded, slightly tight jeans.  He slid into them anyway.  No, not his.  He had to pull the belt too tight.  The shirt he found that had to be his by the size had sleeves, which most of his had been taken off, and was an ungodly shade of yellow.  "Later.  We'll figure this out later."  He left, going back to his own quarters.  There he found his own clothes, which was nice and he was hoping to find.  Underwear even.  "Hey, Dawn?"  She hummed.  "Any better idea where you are?"

"I can hear a language like Russian but it's enough off that I don't understand it."  She let him hear it.

"That's Urdu."  He frowned.  "Why would you be over there?"

"I don't know but the tingly muscle people are screwed.  Whoever's yelling at her is really mad that I'm not doing what I should."

"How are you resisting?"

"My brain's not wired the same way yours is.  The Key only had Buffy's to approximate from a distance.  It created the way it thought it should go."

"Huh.  I guess that's why you jump topics so easily."  He looked around and packed a few things into a backpack.  "Let's see if we can get in on the rescuing stuff."

"Won't you have to rescue yourself first?  You're in some sort of hospitally place."

"I'm in my room at HQ."  She showed him what she could see.  It did not match what he was seeing.  "That's not a good thing."  He concentrated, feeling the sedative feeling.  He brought himself out of his mind and this VR simulation.  He pushed the glasses away and started to move.  He got about six inches before a dart was fired into his naked side.  He groaned and tried to move anyway but it was a paralytic.  He was laid back down.

"So, anyway," Dawn said.  "Wanna trade?"

"Dearly."  He concentrated.  "Are we near each other?"

"My mind's so fuzzy, I'm not sure," she admitted.  "I'm starting to wonder if we're in an alternate reality or the Matrix, something like that."  He let out a snort.  "Rest.  I'll be here," she said, mentally waving a hand.  "Not like I'm doing what they say.  Especially since they've spent all morning trying to teach me how to scale walls."

"You'd never make it," he assured her. His mind whited out and he went blank for a while.  He woke up to Nick Fury standing at the foot of his bed in his room.  "Sir," he said, moving carefully as he sat up.  "Was that our staff earlier?"

"They were trying to see if she tampered with you, Agent Barton."

"Bullshit," he said, getting glared at.  "You don't pull out the VR training gear for that."  He stared at him.  "For that matter, the last time I saw Dawn she was in a hospital bed after a battle."

"We haven't had a battle in six months."

He stared at him.  "We had one not even a month ago."  Fury shook his head, looking smug.  "Against Thanos."

"Not that I'm aware of.  Where were you during this?"

"Trying really hard to break the gems that the scary god sort was using to power his abilities."  He stared at him.  "That wasn't VR because I can still feel the stitches, sir."

"You got injured last week when you fell off a catwalk."

"I'd never fall off a catwalk."

"That's why we put you in medical and did the VR to see what she'd done to you."

"She's not done anything to me."

"Are you sure?"

"Definitely.  She's the one that got me the book of exercises so no one can take me over again."  Fury snorted and walked off.  He heard the lock engage and grimaced.  His room was bare, like a cell.  He concentrated.  "Dawn?"  He felt a fuzzy feeling.  "Dawn, fight," he said quietly.

"Am I real?" she asked.

"I'd assume you are.  Why are you doubting that?"

"Because they're trying to tell me that no one remembers me."

"Bullshit," he said.  "I do.  I know Fury does because he just mentioned it."

"Hmm."  She concentrated on her powers.  "I think you're closer.  I can feel you better.  And Natasha for some reason."

"Let me see."  She did and he shook his head.  "That's not her.  It's not her walk."  She huffed.  "Trust no one you're not connected to.  Your empathy will tell you, Dawn."

"Earlier I thought one was Phil until I asked about the babies."

"I know.  It's hard and we'll figure it out."  She nodded.  He hummed and she relaxed again.  "Just fight it, Dawn."

"I am.  They're really dumb.  I kinda wish Xander was back here again."

"Me too.  He'd stomp them for me and whatever's going on here."  He heard a hiss and looked up, covering his mouth and going into the bathroom to start some water.  It was sleeping gas but it was a heavy dosage.  Maybe he could hold off being hit too hard.  Yeah, this wasn't right.  He was going to start to killing people over this soon.  Dawn laughed and gave him ideas.  Now he knew what they were teaching her.  He saw something and poked at that memory until she showed it better.  That was someone who had trained Natasha.  Why were they involved in Dawn's attempted brainwashing?

***

Dawn concentrated and called upon Loki by formal prayer, getting an amused voice back in her head.  "Loki?"

"How do you know me?" he asked.

"I know your son."  She was so tired.  "He would be really pissed at what I'm doing right now."

"Why would that bother my son?"

"Xander...."

"Xander?"

"Alexander?  Your son with the Hindu river goddess?"

"No, child, that is not my son."  She showed him and he frowned.  "Are you in your right reality?"

"I'm not certain.  That's what I'm trying to figure out.  Me and a friend."

"I can read your memories of him.  That is very fun."  She showed him the battle and he scowled.  "I would not like that for my son but that has not happened here."  She showed him what she knew of him.  "Hmm, not the me here.  Perhaps you are in the wrong realm."

"Then can you maybe help us get home?  I never studied interdimensional travel."  He cackled.  She felt and poked at something, making him gasp in pain.  "You're not Loki."  She burned that mind out.  It screamed a female sounding scream.  "Huh.  You wanted to be first wife," he said dryly.  She felt Clint laughing.  "So was that this realm or was it whoever?"

"I think that was whoever."  He let himself be grabbed a bit closer.  Dawn felt scared.  He concentrated and found why.  "No, that's not a good idea."  He gave her an idea and she implemented it.  Her female parts disappeared into the ether for another few weeks.  The doctor trying to probe her screamed in frustration.  He started to hum some 3 Doors Down, making her happier.  She drifted off again while he watched.  They weren't in another reality.  Too many things were off in the wrong way.

He wasn't an expert but there would be different people in different roles if they were.  Also, Dawn felt very close.  He had to make an escape plan for them.  She wasn't trained in this.  She put in that she was the magical lockpick and he patted her, telling her to rest.  They'd work on it later.   They had to get out of whatever hell this was.  Right now they were all that was standing between the mental programming, and he was sure they were mentally trying to program him too.

***

Dawn reached out and found a blank spot.  She nearly panicked but she found her magic and it found Clint.  It found Natasha and Phil and Tara too.  So she was near them.  She sent out a shout for help.  They sedated her again.

"That EEG spike again," whoever was with her said quietly.  "We have to figure that out."

"Maybe she's got some sort of mental magic," another male voice said.  "Who knows."

"The other one doesn't and he's had the same spikes, right after hers start."

"She might be contacting him but we can't prove it or do anything about it."  They moved the bed she was on.

***

Phil sat up at his desk and grabbed his weapon.  He concentrated on that feeling of Dawn.  "Leak some magic," he told her.  She sent back a 'can't let them get hold of it'.  "Then scratch yourself and let the blood have it.  We've been looking for your for weeks, Dawn."  He heard the alarm start and hurried out to get a location.  He and agents rushed off.  Maybe they'd be in time since it was the airport.  Agent Hill was calling in a threat at the airport so they could shut it down.  He just hoped he found the other two agents that were missing.

***

Dawn flinched awake at the pain to her side.  She came up swinging as she had been taught.  Or she tried to, she was tied to the bed.  She stared at the sadistic looking woman.  "Listen, Bellatrix, it won't work.  You can't torture me into breaking.  You can't mentally warp me into breaking.  So why don't you send me home before my mother worries about me."

"Aww, you care about your mommy.  That's sweet.  We'll have to tell her that.  Because if you don't do what we want, then she's not going to need any more treatments."  Dawn's growl filled the room.  "Very impressive."  Dawn lashed out magically, which woke Clint from whatever they had given him this time.  The woman beside her died with a scream.

Dawn stared at her body.  "Don't threaten my mother."  She got the straps free and stood up, wobbling a bit.  She searched her.  Only the pain stick.  Well, she'd use it.  She walked over to the door.  It looked like what movie asylums looked like.  There were guards carefully moving her way.   She cast a sleep spell and moved out, checking the rooms.  She found Clint's and walked in to unhitch him.  "C'mon."

"I thought I was supposed to rescue you."

"If you're a good boy I'll say 'my hero' and collapse onto your lap," she quipped.

He grinned.  "I could like that."  He took the weapon and led the way out.   This was not good.  "Any idea if the others are filled?"

"They are.  No one I've met," she said quietly.  He nodded and they made it to the ward door before someone else came in to see what was wrong.

"Excellent, her training is showing," she said.  For which Dawn magically ripped off her head.

"No, I knew that when I was fourteen thanks to my sister's friends."  He laughed and looted her then they snuck out.  She paused, he yanked on her hand.  "Natasha."  She took off jogging, knocking out people on her way.  She found her room and got it open, bursting in there to knock out one of the people in there.  Clint got the other ones.  "Hey," she said, untying her.  They snuck out together, killing people as they went.  "Don't tell anyone they taught me this?" she asked nicely once they were outside.  "I'd never hear the end of it."

"It's our secret," Clint said.  "Though you're training with us from now on."

"Fine.  It has nice side effects on my bikini collection."

"Dawn!" Natasha said.  "You don't go to Miami for weeks."

Clint and Dawn stared at her.  "She's already went.  She's supposed to be starting college soon."  Natasha shook her head.

Dawn looked at him.  "I'm starting to wonder if one of us is a figment."

"I know I'm real.  I'm too good not to be."  He was mentally thanking every deity out there that it wasn't another possession sort of reprogramming and he was himself in his own body and mind, even if things were a bit wrong.  Dawn pinched him.  He pinched her back.  They pinched Natasha and she disappeared.  "We'll come back with help to get her," he said.  She nodded, following him.  "Who taught you to rip off heads?  And why did I ask that?" he wondered.

She pinched him again and tightened the link between them.  "Spike.  Who else."  He smirked and she grinned back.  They made it to the fence then the world went white.  They weren't drugged.  They realized they were in VR.  Again in Clint's case.  He showed her how to get out of it.  They were apparently sedated this time.

***

Coulson walked into Fury's office.  "We have three new bits of evidence."

"Will it get her mother to quit talking to newspapers and Congress?"  He knew he could blame that on Stark somehow, but he couldn't prove it.  Stark had said it was worried mother ESP.  Apparently Pepper had a bout of it at the same time as Joyce.

"I'm surprised others haven't joined her, sir."  Fury grimaced but nodded.  He handed it over.  "We missed them by twenty minutes at the airport.  They were very nice to tell us where the patient transport went.  They are moving them separately.  They had Dawn but not Romanoff or Barton."

"Anything else to note?"

"She looked thin and exhausted or critically ill."

"So they're keeping her sedated," Fury said.

"Which means they're probably trying to program her."  Fury winced.  "I did tell Joyce that we had spotted her but have missed her.  I did tell our South American counterpart so they could find out where she went from the airport."

"Half of them are dirty to someone."

"I know, sir.  Still, it can only help."  He left, going to consider things.  Maybe he should go out hunting them.  Tara could handle some things on her own.  It had only been two weeks since Dawn had woken up.  To the three in programming they could make it seem like months had passed.  They needed to get to them before they were ruined, killed, or turned against them.  Even having one of them would help find the others.  He got things together and sent up the form, telling Fury he was going to visit their South American counterparts.  Fury sent back a denied, they were all under investigation.  Phil went back up there.  "Sir, one of us needs to go down there and at least Dawn will trust me implicitly."

"I called.  They said they moved her.  The Council over us said that they're all suspect in other matters."

"She could still be down there."  He handed over the camera footage.  "So that was a diversion?"  Fury nodded.  "Any idea where they are then?  I can head out immediately."

"I think you have more pressing concerns."

"Tara said if I had to go find them, then I should immediately and she could borrow Agent Hill for lamaze classes if she had to."  He stared at him.  "Are you feeling all right?"

"Yes and don't even think about turning me in for a medical exam so you can go anyway," he said dryly.  He had put a stop to that problem after his third time in the infirmary being poked because a senior agent didn't like his decisions.  "Find out where they went then go."  He nodded, going back to his office to do that.  This problem was why he wanted single agents with few attachments to others in SHIELD.  Attachments were a dangerous thing that changed your priorities.

***

Clint woke up and looked around the plane he was on.  He saw Stark.  "Prove you're you."

"Callia won't dress up until Dawn comes home," he said, handing him a bottle of water.  "She made us buy shoes that look like her aunt's and she won't wear them until her aunt can see."

"How long have we been missing?"

"Six damn weeks, Barton."  He stared at him.  "Joyce has called down the wrath of the press and Congress on Fury's head."

"Dawn?  Natasha?"

"No clue," he said more quietly.  "If I could, I'd go find them.  Coulson couldn't manage to get away before an attack happened."

"Is he all right?"

"Fine.  Shot through the shoulder.  Tara nearly healed it by taking it into herself but he stopped her.  They were trapped in an elevator, where he was moving her out of harm's way.  She was crying hard by the time they got free and he was trying to calm her down but it didn't work."

Clint nodded, tasting the water to make sure it wasn't drugged.  He glanced outside, noticing the small things.  There were black spots randomly in the clouds, and it wasn't a night sky.  Cheap projection and film.  "We're not on a plane, and you're not Stark."  He moved before Tony could attack him.  Clint kicked his ass and got out of the plane.  There were guards with guns.  "What?  You think I'm going to play along?"

"If you don't, the young women die."

He stared at the speaker.  "I could've sworn I killed you."  The man looked smug.  "Well, no time like the present."  He attacked.  The man shot him in the leg but Clint Barton was a bit used to pain.  The next one took out his knee and that was harder to fight without.  The man smirked as he went down and passed out.

So much for an escape attempt and rescue.

***

Dawn heard Clint fall and concentrated.  "You're not injured."

"Bull," he said.

"You're not."  She showed him.  He groaned.  They were both knocked out.

***

Clint woke up and checked his body.  No injuries.  "I really hate it when people screw with my head."  He checked, Dawn was still out.  He was able to get up and prowl around his cell.  This time, the things seemed more solid so maybe he was out of whatever they were doing.  He could hear familiar snoring up the hall so she was very close.  He managed to get the door open and checked the hall then moved up it quietly.  He found four rooms.  One empty. One with a familiar redhead.  One with a familiar brunette, who snored.  Funny how that never bothered him when she was napping on top of him.  He nudged Natasha, getting her awake.  "We are not supposed to be here."

"Where are we?"

"No clue.  Dawn's up the hall."  She nodded and slipped out of bed, finding slippers to go with the simple t-shirts and plain light blue pajama  pants.  They got Dawn, who was glowing in a bad way.  They snuck out once Dawn woke up, and told them she had been knocking people out so she could try to get them free.  They found out she had put everyone in the compound under the sleep spell but the guard dogs, who she cooed at.  They became friends.  Natasha shook her head but she had seen that spell at work in the park when something had tried to bite Dawn.  They made it to the village, which shocked them a lot.  "Romania?" Clint asked.  "Why here?"

"Hard for people to spot us?" Dawn suggested.  "Should we call?"

"No," the two spies said.  "Not until we're sure this is real."

Dawn scratched her wrist.  "The alarm?"

"No, that should've found you for glowing," Natasha said.

"I wasn't broadcasting, just glowing."  They moved through the town.  Dawn scanned and found them an empty building to squat in and put up protections.  Then they sat down to figure out what they had between them.  The dog was handy, it was guarding the doors.  They had no money, no food, no weapons, barely any clothes - and they would not pass more than casual muster - and nothing they could count on.  Dawn considered it.  "What if we just talk to Tara?"

Clint considered it.  "She'll tell Coulson."

"Who's always been on our side," Dawn said.  "It's either that or I have to find a talent or pickpocket."

He looked at her.  "You can if you want.  Desperate times and all that."

Dawn considered it then sighed.  "There's an emergency fund in my name in a bank in LA.  The only one who knows about it are Phil and Tony."  They stared at her.  "Phil got really pissed off when someone stole me and I broke them really hard.  I made them pay me to send me home I broke them so hard.  And exposed the magic stuff but I broke them really hard."

"I did not hear of that," Natasha said.

"No, you were probably told I was off with my sister for the weekend or that I had snuck out of the house.  There were two times but the other one just begged to hand me back.  Made Tony cackle like hell when they gave me to Rhodey and told him that."  She wrote down the bank's name and the account name it was under - hers with her mother's maiden name.  "I don't remember the account number but I do have it under a web login."

"We may be able to work with that," Clint said.  "Do you need anything?"

"Beyond to look presentable?  No.  Jeans, t-shirt, bra, underwear, shoes."  He smiled.  "Weapons."  She concentrated.  "Too far away to summon."  She sighed.  Then rubbed her forehead.  "If I ever find these fuckers I'm killing them."  He nodded.  Natasha nodded.  She looked out the nearby window when she heard voices.  "And we have military dressed guys."  She whistled and the dog ran up the stairs.  She grabbed the dog, grabbed them, and disappeared.  The paper burned since it wasn't in her radius.

They landed in a back alley of LA.  "This is good," Clint said.  They wandered off.  Dawn nodded and showed them where they were going.  "No one you know."

"Spike?  You can't coerce a vampire."

"That's a single threat?" Natasha asked.

"Usually.  Unless he has Dru over."  She shrugged.  "At the very least we can get clothes.  He has stuff of hers stored.  He'll gladly give me a sit rep.  He won't try to kill me."  Dawn broke something and turned to stake the vampire sneaking up on them.  "Deal?"

"Deal," they decided after looking at each other.  She got them there through the back streets.

She pounded then walked in.  "It's the party police," she called.  "Open up."

Spike flung open the door at the top of the stairs.  "Bit?" he demanded.  "You've been missing now for over a month."

"Really?  That short of a time?"  He nodded.  She hugged him.  "Any company and do not call anyone.  Yet."  He nodded, letting them inside.  "These are Natasha and Clint."

"Know her," he said with a nod for her.  "Shower?" he suggested with a point.

"Please.  We're breaking our path in case whoever had us finds us."

"Sure," he agreed.  He looked at Dawn.  "You went missing right after the battle."  She sighed in relief.  "You look upset."

"Long, strange nightmares," she said dryly.  "What time is it?"

"Ten 'til five."  She grimaced.  "You guys can shack up in the spare room here.  That way I don't have to tell your mum you're safe yet."

"We're not safe yet," Dawn said.  Spike grimaced.  "It might take a few weeks before we're safe."

"Got it.  Go shower and change.  Dru's stuff is in the closet, so's your sister's gear from her last stop over."  They nodded, heading to do that.  Clint borrowed something from Spike to put on.  Spike sat down to consider this.  Dawn was moving wrong.

Clint looked at her since the vampire was staring.  "Remove the spell?"  She undid it.  She checked herself and  handed over the tagging marker that had been on her thigh.  She was bleeding a bit but suppressed it.  That way no alarms would start at SHIELD.  Finally clean they scrounged the kitchen.  Dawn didn't fit in Buffy's clothes without it looking pornographic but Faith had left something.  Natasha could wear Buffy's clothes.  They settled in to eat and make better plans in the back room.  They knew Spike could hear but half of it was done mentally and half in code.

***

Stark looked up as something started to go off on his security system.  "Yes!" he shouted.  Callia jumped and squeaked.  "Your Aunt Dawn is back!"  He called Coulson.  "Found her.  She's in LA at the moment.  Our blood sensor works differently than yours."  He hung up.  He called Pepper, who went to voicemail.  Great!  He and Callia got back into some happier weapons building.

***

Phil relaxed, looking at his dinner companion.  "LA," he said quietly.

"Spike."  She called.  "It's me.  I need to chat about the babies."  She smiled.  "Yes, them Spike."  Spike handed the phone over.  "The babies are kicking hard."  Dawn gave back the code phrase and handed the phone to Natasha because she was having a vision.  "Visions?" she asked.  She smiled.  "We've been looking for the perfect things but can't decide.  Want to be a decision breaker?  Here, let Phil tell you... really?"  She considered it.  "No, he wasn't."  Clint said something.  "I'm sure he's not.  You know that.  I realize that, but..."  She sighed.  "Please?  Thanks."  She handed over the phone.

He took it.  "Did you want to hear about her idea for the cribs or the decorating?"  He heard the quiet complaint.  "No, it's not.  You're very right it's not.  No, she wants sea animals."  He grinned at her.  Barton had remembered that code from a long past mission.  "He thinks that'd be cute."  He listened.  "That's a good idea.  Hit somewhere on the neutral paint palette?  Even better.  I can do that.  Yes, that rent thing got figured out.  Thanks."  He hung up.  "He likes the idea of fishes."

She smiled.  "They are brightly colored."  He smiled back.  They went back to eating and making plans.  "We should talk to Joyce about if she wants to help paint."

"I'll talk to her later.  You have meditation tonight."  She nodded she remembered.  They finished up and went their separate ways.  Phil had visited Joyce once a week so it didn't look weird.  He smiled when he found Steve in there.  "Captain Rogers."

He looked at him then around, reaching up to turn off the cameras.  "You look happy, have they been found?"

"Slightly."  Steve grimaced.  "There's other stuff going on that's beyond my classification rating."

"I get that."  He smiled.  "Thank you."

"Not a problem."  He smiled at Joyce.  "They're safe for now."  She relaxed.  He patted her hand.  "Tara wanted your opinion on fish for the nursery."

"I think they'd be adorable.  They make fake fish tanks too."

"That might be cute."  He smiled.  "The babies are doing fine.  You can relax."

"How soon before I can pet the babies?"

"I have no idea," he admitted quietly.  She nodded.  "They're fine so far."

"Okay."  She squeezed his hand.  "You make sure my daughter gets home all right.  Tara is as close as I'm coming while my youngest is away and Buffy's off being the slayer."

"I can do that."  He smiled and left the two to talk.  Joyce would've made one hell of a therapist if she had chosen to.  Captain Rogers was in good, fussy hands for whatever he needed to talk about.  He went back to HQ to check on Tara, finding her in the infirmary.  "What happened?"

"I tripped and the guard got really panicky," she said.  "I'm fine but you know how some people worry about pregnant women."

The guard looked in.  "No, ma'am, I worried because Agent Coulson will rip out my liver."  He disappeared since the senior agent had it well in hand now.  He had seen some speculative looks in Tara's direction and he was not having another person disappear from their care.

Phil looked at the nurse.  "Any reason to keep her?  We're going to look at my place to talk about the nursery."

"No, Agent Coulson.  You have a good night."

"I will."  He gathered her to her room, where she packed things, and he went to gather some laundry that needed to be done.  They left together.  The sign-in guard gave him a look.  "Laundry."

"I can understand that.  The machines here are always full.  Night, Miss Maclay."

"You too, John."  She signed out.  He signed out and they left.  She looked at him once they were in the car.  He ran the bug detector over it, tossing them out.  She grimaced. "Why?"

"At home," he said.  "We can do laundry there."  She smiled and nodded.  She would even be nice enough to do his.  He drove them there and it was nice.  Calming.  Once they got there, and she had indeed started some laundry while he checked for more cameras, listening devices, or other strange materials, he sat down on the couch.  "There was a push from the people above Fury who want to loan out the Avengers," he said.  "They're trying to make their own team.  We don't like it.  Fury hates it, but he's over a barrel."

"Then why Dawn?"

"Because of the battle.  She's not on the rolls.  I'm fairly certain that Barton got taken to corral her.  Anyone with a lick of sense would realize that Natasha had been training her.  So now they're working on that together.  We had hints of possible mental conditioning and other issues."  She slumped.  "So we'll have to see.  I don't think they'd be programmed to attack the group but I want you safe."

"I can be safe."

"I know you can."  He hugged her.  "You and the babies can have the spare rooms.  You know I'm on base half the time."  She smiled and nodded.  "Let's get you set up."  She got up with some help and followed him into the bedroom.  It was spacious and she adored the paint colors he had nothing to do with.  They were like that when he moved in.

***

Dawn came back from threatening the bank manager, who had been a demon.  Clint looked at her.  She shrugged.  "That's why we went there.  They're not really on the national grid that way."  He nodded.  She handed over the Visa card.

"Traceable," he noted.

"Cash can be stolen.  If this is, it's insured.  Also, not in my actual name and it's a gift card so who's going to find it?"

"Fine," he agreed.   "We can work with that.  How much?"

"Just over twelve thousand."

He nodded, driving them off in the rented car.  He had rented it from one of Spike's neighbors for a few hours.  After checking for any fresh bodies in it because Dawn had said that sort of demon was a flesh eater.  "Did you have any plans we should take into account?"

"Two.  One I need to check the nanny cam I have in my place."  He glanced at her.  "Not on the Stark system."

"That's helpful," he agreed.  "Why?"

"Because I felt someone in there but I'm not sure who."

"Coulson said your rent was taken care of."

"That's great, then who's been in there?"

"Good point.  Could've been robbed I guess."

"Or they could've been sneaky and put stuff we could use in there.  I can pop back tonight to grab it."  He nodded.  "The other one I'm thinking about is where are we staying?"

"Not in LA.  It's big but there's too many tracking methods here.  We need somewhere more rural and close to a border."

"And cheaper," Dawn said.  "So the money goes farther until one of us has to get a job."

"That too," he agreed.  "Do you have any fake ID's?"

"I have an ID in this one and my social security number on the Stark system is wrong."  He glanced at her again.  "Tony had them give me a fake one for a bit because of a threat."

"We'll go with totally clean ones.  'Tasha and I can do that."  She nodded.  "Got an area you like more?"

"Depends, do you want north or south?"

"The northern border is usually less watched because there's fewer illegals," he said.

"That means Washington, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, Vermont, the tip of New Hampshire, and Maine if I remember right from Geography class in tenth grade."

He nodded.  "A bit of Ohio," he agreed.  "The great lake is the boundary."  He considered it.  "Low rent.  Montana has agents watching for militias but not people like us."

"Washington's expensive and I cannot respect a state that elected a wrestler for governor so Minnesota's out for me.  North Dakota?"

"That's near Winnipeg," he said.  "The North East states are all really expensive so that might be the best bet."  He looked at her.  "How are you checking that camera?"

"From my phone."  She smiled and summoned it.  "I left one at the office in case I lost the other one."  He took it to disable a few features.  "I have the enhanced GPS disabled already."

"Good."  He handed it back.  He parked and they got out, heading inside. "North Dakota," he said in Natasha's ear, getting a nod.

Dawn sat on the couch beside Spike, logging into the camera.  She stared.  "Yeah, someone was there.  Your weapons are on the table, guys."  They took it to look over.  She looked at Spike, who shrugged but grinned.  "Mom?"

"She's fine, getting out soon they say."  Dawn relaxed and hugged him.  "Your sister's still barmy."

"Well, yeah, but I expect Mom took drugs back in her hippie days."  Spike snickered.  Natasha was shaking her head.  "I figure there's a reason Elizabeth got turned into Buffy."

"Used to be a song," Clint admitted.  "That is my official bow and quiver.  Plus extra arrows."  He looked at her.  "Can we port back later?"

"We can and I can quick pack if I have to."

"No, we can take what we need."

"I'll let Mom move into my place so she doesn't have to rent somewhere else."

"That's not a bad thing.  Tonight's just a grab and get back."

"Find me a picture of somewhere," she said.  They nodded, looking up real estate listings.  She relaxed against Spike's side.  "Thanks," she said quietly.

"Swore on my health that I'd protect you or else big brother and sister would stake me."

"Any luck on getting Xander back to corporeal?"

"Not yet.  He's been seen as a shade a few times.  Checked on your Ma and the like."  She nodded.  He patted her on the head.  "You'll be fine soon and go back to being a mundane."

She snorted.  "Yeah, because being Iron Man's assistant is so mundane?" she quipped.

"Good point."  He saw her shake her head quickly, frowning at Barton.

"They were trying to program her.  Flashes, Dawn?"  She nodded, rubbing her head.  "We'll handle it.  We know how to break those down."  She nodded again.  "Rest.  It'll be a few hours.  Dunseith," he said.  "Looks like it's closest to where we'd like to be, including a lot of forest areas to get lost in."

She nodded.  "There are."  They looked up real estate listings.  There weren't many listed online but they did find a nice town closer to the state park area in Rolla.  That would work.  Natasha checked the camera when an alert started to flash.  They smiled at the sight of Coulson carrying in a few groceries.  They got put in plain sight too then he left, locking the door behind himself.  They could handle this.

***

Dawn looked around the rental and nodded.  "We can do this," she said with a smile.

"With the three of you and one bedroom?"

Dawn grinned.  "We're taking a break from college, ma'am, and he can sleep up there."  She pointed up at the small loft area.  "He likes way up high spots like some kitty cats."  The woman smiled.  They settled in to discuss terms.  Dawn's story about them being college students who needed a semester off stuck and it was good.  Rent was fairly cheap here and the landlady had a few ideas of places that had part-time jobs open.

She explained it as Clint had grown up a few hours away and he really liked to hike in the forests so they had moved this way for their break.  She let Dawn get away with anything she was curious about and it was better.  They exchanged money orders and keys.  Dawn had prepaid the rent for two months.  The others came out from the town, where they were getting burgers.

Clint looked around.  "It looks like a converted barn."

"It has heat, it has a working bathroom, a bedroom and a loft area for your days when you want to perch," Dawn said.  "It came furnished.  It's just under five hundred plus electric."

"That's good," he decided.  It had been a while since he had rented an apartment.  Natasha either.  They took a fast trip back to Dawn's old apartment to gather their weapons, clothes, and the food that was left in the pantry and fridge.  Then they went back to settle in.  Natasha got the electric turned on in her assumed name.  Clint got them an antenna and receiver box for the tv that was in there.  Then got to take it back because they had cable.  They settled in.  Clint made a nest up in the loft area.  He strung a rope up to it.

Dawn looked at him.  "You guys have fun with that."

"Why can't you climb a rope?" he asked.  She got up to try.  He stared.  "You have better upper arm strength than that, Dawn."

"I know."  She shrugged.  "It's pretty futile.  No one's been able to figure it out.  I try really hard but it's not working."

"Fine.  We'll figure things out."  He moved to touch her and saw her have another flash.  "What are you seeing?" he asked quietly.  "We can help break it."

She shook her head, backing away when the same flash of an arrow sinking into her eye happened.  "I don't know what they did."

"Apparently they linked it to me," he said dryly.  "So what are you seeing?"

"I can't.  Let me process and meditate."

"Don't fracture them.  You have to unplug them, disprove them," he told her.  She nodded, settling in on the old couch to try to do that.  Clint checked his weapons and Dawn's weapons.  Natasha got hers.  They shared a look.  He went to make dinner and it was nice enough.  They all looked like ten kinds of hell.  They were all missing critical weight and Dawn looked like she had been near death's door thanks to the time in the hospital before being captured or handed over.  Natasha hid the weapons when they heard someone driving up the driveway, leaving out an older bow for Clint.  He answered the door.  "Yes, sir?"

"I'm the landlord, son.  I heard my wife rented to three college kids."  That guy didn't look eighteen by any means.

He smiled.  "Late start after a bit of military service.  These are my two friends, Dawn, on the couch, and 'Tasha.  Before you can ask, I'm sleeping in the loft area."

He looked up then at the young man.  "Better you than me, son.  I'd be afraid of falling out."

He smiled.  "I like higher spots."

"That's fine.  I came out to turn on the gas."  He went out back to do that.  They were settling in and the girls looked like they were really tired.  He came back.  "She didn't say more than that Dawn girl looked a bit ill."

"There was an ...incident on campus and it left her with a bit of PTSD," Clint said quietly.  The college story was a good one he could build on.  "She's been having a time of it and we needed a break so I brought her somewhere with clean air and plenty of things to do in the woods."

"That's not a bad idea.  You going to be able to keep paying the rent?"

"We can and we're going to be looking at part time jobs later this week.  After I feed them up a bit."  The older man smiled.  "Dawn's like my sister."

"That's good then."  He clapped him on the arm.  "Pretty girls should have a protective brother sort."  He left them alone.  He liked that young one.  His wife thought Dawn was sweet and smart.  That other one looked like she could wreck a man but they'd have to see how she turned out.  She was probably that boy's girlfriend.  It was the new millennium.  No one was going to say much outside the church.  The town's pastor was too busy with calving his cows to worry about two girls and a guy living together.

***

That night, Clint tried to reconnect to Dawn's mind.  He couldn't because she had it strangled off.  He tapped at it until he got her sleepy notice.  She opened it some.  "You sure you're all right down there?" he asked mentally.

"Yeah, I'm good."

"Why don't you show me what you're seeing?  That way I can figure out how to break it."

"I...."  He mentally stroked a hand over her hair and he saw it.  He sat up and looked down there.  "That's reserved for the truly disgusting and problematic in this world, Dawn.  Not you.  Even if you went evil it wouldn't happen."

"Even though I realize that I still see that flash."

"I'll help.  You know that.  You want to come up?"  She snorted.  "I can help you up here."

"No, I'm good.  Thanks."  She snuggled in on the couch.  That back bedroom was chilly.

He laid down and made himself relax.  He looked at Natasha, shaking his head.  He mouthed what she had seen, getting a shudder.  They had to break that.  Dawn had to be able to rely on them and them on her.  Or else they'd be recaptured.

***

Clint let Dawn ghost around the house the next day, watching her take a shower and then head out back.  He watched her look over the attempted garden someone had started.  That wasn't growing anything now.  But she let go some magic to encourage it.  Not enough to be noted but enough.  He watched her look around the house.  She had done a good job.  There wasn't another house for a mile in one direction, five in another, and ten front or back.  There were woods and a small, deepish stream.

She brought in some wood for the fireplace/stove thing that was installed in the old fireplace.  Then went out to bring in some more.  "It's not going to get that cold anytime soon," he said quietly, making her flinch.  He got up and stopped her.  She flinched as soon as he touched her.  "Let me guess, they linked it to us?"  She shrugged.  "Open up the link again, show me, Dawn."

"I can't."

"You can.  You're resisting and trying to handle it.  No one can handle this on their own without coming out totally messed up.  Not even us."  She opened it enough.  He slowly touched her arm.  She sucked in a breath but he barely got an impression of what she was seeing.  He concentrated and forced the link wide open, making her gasp and go limp.  "We need get to Nat connected."  He laid a hand on her cheek and she flinched.  He could see why.  "No, it'd never happen," he said quietly.  "They were messing with your head big time, Short Stuff."

"I know.  I'm trying to get it to go away."

He looked at one of the little flashes of a scene and pointed.  "Disconnect it.  If you break it, it fractures and stays."  She tried that.  He helped.  It shut off.  She quit flinching until he pulled her closer.  Then another one started.  They really did a number on her.  "How do we link in Natasha?"

"I can't."

"She must have better shields than I do."

She nodded.  "Yours have personal exemption holes."

"Huh.  'Tasha?"  She came in from the front yard.  "Think you can drop the shields so you can be linked in too?  She could use it.  They linked a lot of it to us in an apocalyptic manner."

Natasha came over, concentrating on the mental exercises she had been taught to resist torture.  "Dawn?"  Dawn looked up.  "Send me something."  Dawn clutched her hand and opened herself, connecting them.  Natasha found it and planted it firmly inside her shields.  They went back up, which made her feel better.  She concentrated on what Dawn was fighting and snapped the link.  "Cut them, not pull.  It hurts when you pull."  She could see why Clint was worried.  Any touch from him brought up more and more horrible visions of how he was going to attack or kill her.  She looked at him.  "That means they were going to use you as training until she killed you."

"I figured I was.  I'm too much leverage."  She flinched away.  "Hey."

"They told me you told me we were too close because people were coming for you."  She rubbed her forehead, cutting the link again.  She walked out back.

"No, I'm not going to do that," Clint said dryly.  "No matter what orders I get."  He looked at his coworker, who followed.  This was out of his depth.  He'd never been hit this badly.  She had.  He sat down to turn on some mindless noise.  He found a station that played radio over the tv and picked the hard rock station.  He and Dawn varied on which generation they liked but they could stand each other's music.  Dawn seemed to calm down around music because it let her concentrate on something else.  Dawn came in and went to the bathroom, going to take a shower.  Natasha came in shaking her head.  "Any signs of easing?" he asked quietly.

"No.  Not yet.  They had her in some pretty strong training."

"I know I got put into VR a few times."

"I think I was as well."  She looked at the tv then at him, getting a shrug back.  They settled in to read the library books they had found while Dawn was renting the house.

***

Clint found a job that only required him to be strong.  That helped his cover and it paid well enough.  Dawn found one at the local gym teaching aerobics and other classes.  Including a new one for seniors doing yoga and one on 'commando exercises'.  He had no idea what that meant so he had Natasha log into the gym on their day off.  They laughed at her 'going to save the kids from the PBS crime syndicate' mission but they were working hard.

Running, jumping, and a few fighting moves now and then.  Natasha could not find anything and Dawn stopped her the night she thought about going to the local strip club.  She walked in and picked her up, carrying her out to the car they had picked up cheaply.  Dawn pointed out one that was for an administrative assistant for the guy who ran the local fast food places and the motel.  That worked for them.

Dawn's boss knew about the PTSD story.  Dawn was conveniently covering up a spot that kept getting her shined at and making her flash.  They had no idea where the shiny spot came from but it helped the others concentrate too.  They were there for three months before Dawn started to make real progress on the problems she was having.  She was also exhausted.

Clint kept trying to get her to climb up the rope but Dawn was failing miserably, for all that she spent all day working out and had time on the machines for free each night.  He ended up moving the rope to the end of the couch and helping her up the extra two feet she couldn't jump.  That let them all curl up together.  Dawn tried to flinch away so Natasha held her while Clint guarded them.  It helped some and Dawn finally got some sleep.  They all needed the rest.

***

Dawn came home from work the next day and headed for the stream out back.  The other two watched her go.  "Dinner?" Natasha called.

"Not hungry.  Ate in town."  She came back and handed over her check.  "Don't put it in the couch, it still has that portal to who knows where."  She went back out there.  She needed to soak and sulk.

Clint put it in the usual spot under the tv and they ate.  Dawn needed some privacy.  Even if she felt miserable and like she was screwing things up.  They went out after her when it was turning dark.  They found her skinny dipping and slid into the stream behind her.  It was fairly deep in this part, nearly four feet.  Dawn was floating against the bank, holding onto it.  He slid up next to her, moving some of her hair.  He saw her have another flashback and pulled her up before she drowned.  "We have got to help you with that.  All you have to do is let us."

"I've gotten a few."

"Yeah, but clearly not enough if you're still flinching."

"I'm getting urges."

"I know."  He let her rest.  "Open it again."

"I can't open the link.  It's going to end up spewing hateful crap because that's all I hear right now."

"We already knew you swore a lot," Natasha said.  Those two had the tighter link from where they had helped each other but she could sneak in.  What she saw was nearly horrifying.  "We've got to weed it out at the source," she told the younger woman.  Who was slumping against the bank.

Loki appeared, looking unamused.  "I felt a being of chaos call me," he said, staring at Natasha.  He had noticed and enjoyed the reach for various hidden weapons they weren't presently wearing.

"I'm not a being of chaos."

"The men you've screwed in the head would disagree, chit."  He looked at Dawn.  "My son would beat me to death," he muttered to calm them down.  He squatted down behind her, nodding at them to hold her while he touched her temples.  He winced at what he saw until she could flinch away.  "They did a marvelous job."  He stared at her.  "There's almost nothing easy.  Except Lethe water."  Dawn blinked at him.  "As you know, that's dangerous."

"I remember Willow screwing with Lethe's Brambles."

"Indeed, only this is from the source."  He stared at her.  "It may be too deep even for that.  Whatever they used left you with a lot of ideas, Dawn."

"Why are you so helpful?" Clint asked.

Loki smirked.  "Do you think I want to face my son when he gets back?"

"No," he said.  He was pretty sure wherever Alexander was hanging out, he was really pissed off about them doing this to Dawn with how overprotective he was of her.

"Then you're a smarter man than I expected."  Dawn was scowling.  "They linked it into your hormones," he told her.  "That's why each time you feel needy you start getting homicidal images."  Clint slumped and kicked the bank of the stream.  "It's also why you flinch.  They used more than the standard thing."

"Gunn had something used on him that downloaded a whole lot of legal information and assassination information," she said.  "Something like what Wolfram and Hart used on him?"

He searched that way then nodded.  "It looks the same.  He's still having flashes."

"Would the Lethe water stop it?" Dawn asked.  "Or just mute it to an unconscious urge?  Because I don't think I could take being homicidal and not knowing why each time I wanted a hug."

"It would erase the images," he said.  "For the most part.  You can only use so much on any one being or they start to forget everything."  She nodded.

"You can take out the worst in the first few doses," Natasha said.

"I can.  No one deserves some of those memories.  Not even I'm that evil.  Usually."  He stood up and disappeared, coming back a few minutes later with a small vial.  "You'll try to resist so let them hold you."  She nodded, letting Clint hold her still.  "Tongue out."  She did and he sat on the bank, dripping a drop and whispering a word in her ear.  She shivered but the memory faded.  It was good it worked on her.  He erased the worst of the offenses they had used.  He kept count.  On the thirteenth dose he capped the bottle.  "I can do no more without causing you harm.  Which would also likely get me killed by my son."

Dawn relaxed and hugged him.  "Thank you."

"Is there anything for the rest beyond the usual breaking?" Natasha asked.

"Mnemosyne might have something," Loki admitted.  "We don't have a Goddess of Memories."  He shrugged and disappeared.

Dawn blinked, rubbing her eyes.  "I'm tired," she said quietly.

"It's a good reason," Clint agreed.  Dawn was resting in the water again.  It was good for her and they'd make sure she didn't drown if she fell asleep.

A young looking goddess appeared with Hera.  "I think it odd when someone like Loki asks me to look at someone," she said.  "Though I'd be scared of what Alexander would do to him if his claimed daughter was hurt too."  Natasha nodded.  That made more sense to her.  Dawn was like Loki's acknowledged granddaughter.  No wonder he had helped.  "No one ever said Loki was dumb, just slightly warped."  She laid a hand on Clint's head, frowning.  "Whoever did that needs to be shot."

"I have ideas about that," Dawn admitted, waving a hand.  Hera looked at her brain and she winced.  "Ow," she moaned.

Hera looked at her.  "The battle caused a bruised spot in your brain, child.  The power you shot at the being did it."  Dawn nodded.  "The memories are trying to cling to that."

"Can they go away?" she begged.  "Please, Lady Hera?"

"We can do something."

"Loki used Lethe water," Natasha said.

Hera nodded.  "He was nicer than I'd expect."  She read the imprints that the memories had left and nearly threw a fit.  Mnemosyne walked over to help her.  "She's had enough."

"More than."  She moved it and locked the memories up.  She moved to Clint and did the same.  "They may still break out some day.  If so, then you can try the curing waters," she said.  "Dawn has had enough for her year."  She looked at her.  "The bruise may not heal."

"Will it hurt her in other ways?" he asked.

"No.  It causes no difficulties or anything.  Some of the memories are stuck to it.  It shows her how they trained her to kill.  How to be a special type of assassin."  She patted him on the shoulder.  "She will heal with time.  If she reacts to the memories is up to her.  She's been trying to be strong."

"She's flinched so much at any touch I'm not shocked," he said.  She showed him something and he moved to get sick.  "That's bad."

"That's very bad and one of the worst Loki removed."  She stood up.  He looked at her.  "She'll be fine.  She may have urges.  She may turn that way if she must fight again.  Like the other one mentioned with that damnable device, she has all sorts of knowledge no one needs.  If she thinks of the wind, her mind will automatically calculate distance and trajectory.  Chemicals will automatically bring up poisons and other things."  He nodded.  "She can fight using it.  Or she may not fight using it.  The same as you two haven't always fought that knowledge."

"She's barely trained," he told her.

She nodded.  "More than you think.  Not everyone has the special skills beaten into them.  Nor will she ever be the sort to scale a castle parapet to save the damsel.  She might climb *down* but not up."  She smiled.  "That is up to her.  You should probably make sure she's totally safe but otherwise there is nothing more we can do with that bruise."

"Thank you," Natasha said.  "She would say the same."

"We adore Alexander," Mnemosyne said with a smile.  "If only because he's the only person that can stand between Odin and Zeus and tell them both to shut up before he curses them on purpose next time the chaos urge hits him."  She disappeared.

"Alexander is very strong," Hera agreed.  "Personally, I would leave it be.  If she shows signs of breaking into it then train it so she can control it.  Otherwise it's a definite that it will come out."  They nodded.  "Also, nag her to eat if you must."

"We've been making her eat most nights," Clint said.  "She won't sleep."

"She keeps getting very bad nightmares of what she saw," Hera agreed.  "Find a way to take her mind off it."  She looked at the younger woman then at them.  "I would love to have one such as Dawn as my handmaiden but I know that she's not meant to be a wife and mother.  Tara either."  She disappeared.

Clint and Natasha looked at each other.  "Bedroom?"

"We could," she agreed.  They got out and took a napping Dawn with them.  They checked but that bedroom was freezing so they took Dawn up with them.  "You left the oven on again."

"It's warmer and not that expensive," he  said.  He held Dawn, making sure she couldn't get up without him knowing.  Natasha took Dawn's other side.  They would realize when she got up with the next nightmare.  Then they'd help her through it.  Even if they did have to live in her mind with her for a bit.  It kept her from flinching whenever they got in touch range.

***

Dawn looked up from her yoga for seniors class a few weeks after being healed to stare at the man in the doorway.  "Ladies, how about we cool down?" she called.  They smiled.  "Okay, those who can, go up to the foot-on-knee and hands clasped pose.  The rest do what you can.  And hold, hold, hold, hold," she said calmly, moving to help one woman who was starting to wobble.  "Do it as you can," she reminded her.

"Okay and foot down, stretch up, then out at the waist then down to the floor."  She did it with them.  "Now up and move to make sure you're all settled."  They did and she smiled.  "Have a good day and for those that are trying to meditate don't forget to work on your journal entries so you have a bit of a guide to what you're looking at."  She smiled and helped a few out to the senior living complex's shuttle bus.  She came back and checked her room.  "I use descriptions.  Some of the yoga pose names are odd and made them giggle and blush."

Doctor Bruce Banner smiled.  "I've seen them in the past.  Are you on break?"

"I can be.  Usually I'd be getting ready for my hour of running, jumping, and playing class then I'd have lunch."

"I can wait."  He smiled.  "The burger place?"

"I can do that.  Thanks, Doc."

"Welcome."  He walked out, going to look around.  He spotted Natasha but she was reading something with a scowl so he moved on.  He spotted Clint, who nearly dropped some lumber on his foot.  He shook his head slightly and moved on.  The burger place was nice.  Looked very clean.  He smiled.  "I'm meeting a friend here."

"That's good."  Dawn came in.  "Oh, are you one of her teachers?"

"I am.  Physics."  He smiled, buying her lunch too.  They sat down in the corner, Dawn glancing around.  "They are working on it," he said quietly and calmly.  "They have no idea."

"How did you find me?" she asked.

"Someone was doing a news report on your gym classes."  She winced.  "They didn't catch more than your voice but JARVIS caught it."  He put some ketchup on his fries and ate some.  "Eat.  You're too thin and your niece is going to scream at you."

"I am."  She dug in.  "I've been trying to put it back on."

"Looks like you could use some sleep too."  Clint walked in with Natasha, making him smile.  "My other physics students."

Clint got lunch and sat down.  "How?"

"Remember me ducking out when the news crew was there?" Dawn asked quietly.  Clint nodded.  "Then."

"You weren't captured."

"JARVIS heard her in the background and told us."  Natasha sat down.  "You look tired too."

"We all are," she admitted.

"Sorry," Dawn mumbled.

"It is not your fault.  You don't kick all night."  Dawn grinned at her.  "How are things?"

"Messy.  Very messy."  They nodded.  He pulled something out of his pocket and handed them over.  "Tony said you might like those."  Clint looked at the arrow tips.  "From that dragon incident."

"The cold ones?"

"Yes.  He's working on the other side.  It doesn't want to compact tightly enough.  It'd be the size of an earbud."  He handed them over.  "In case they need to call desperately, or you do.  They only go to JARVIS and he is not to search for where they are."  They nodded.  He handed Dawn something, earning a grin.  "From your niece."

She looked at the card, sniffling.  "Thank you."  She tucked it into her shirt pocket.  "I miss the little imp."

Bruce smiled.  "I'm still trying to figure out why Callia likes the other guy."

"I don't know," Dawn said.  "All I know is that you tried to scare her and she laughed so he seems to like her for that."  They stared at her.  "There was an attempted lab assault at the secondary lab," she said.  They nodded.  "I had Callia there because we were getting threatening phone calls at the main building.  They came in, Bruce did his thing.  Callia squealed and laughed.  He gave her the strangest look and yelled.  Callia managed to get free, even though I had a great grip on her, and toddled over to him, telling him to do it again.  He froze and looked very confused but didn't try to scare her."  They smiled.  "Since then, he always checks to make sure she's not around before attacking."

"He does," Bruce agreed, eating another fry.  "We need somewhere this good near the campus."  He dug in.  "She calms him down faster than anything too."  They smiled.  "So, anyway."  He looked at Clint.  "You have a single use email," he said quietly. "On the Stark servers with things waiting on you."

"I can do that later."  Dawn slid over her phone.  "Thanks."  He got into it.  She had a log-in for the Stark Servers and he could find his email address.  Stark was a bit predictable in how he picked on people.

Dawn looked at him.  "Any idea who?"

"I think that's in there.  I know they cut contracts with six different people recently over various bouts of being an asshole as he put it.  Callia, in all her brilliance, looked at her father while he was ranting and pacing and asked if he was going to go Grr Guy instead of Scary Daddy."  Dawn snickered.  "He paused and said no, but if he found out the root cause they could go play together."  He ate his burger, nodding.  "I definitely need somewhere this good near the office."

Clint read over the details they had, handing it to Natasha.  Dawn looked at him.  "It was what we thought.  You weren't one of us so they thought you were freer game."

"Screw them," she said quietly, glancing around.  "Because I will become just as mean as him."  She pointed at Bruce, who was smirking at her.  "Seriously."

Clint nodded.  "She could.  We're not sure of everything they tried to train into her."

"Crap," he muttered.  He handed over something.  "Stark's personal physician sent that.  It's for her migraines."  Dawn nodded she could've used it a few times.  "Tara has had to give up the corsets with her dresses.  She's fairly waddling now.  She's big enough that they give her extra room in the elevators."  Dawn grinned, eating.  "The cooks are trying to pressure her to eat more protein and one tried to suggest fish but Tara's answer of she'd try that when she wanted to not breathe got a horrified look and they noted her shellfish allergy.

"The father thought the birthing film looked like a horror movie.  He said it was like watching something hugely evil and slimy trying to be born instead of children.  Someone else commented that it looked like a wet dog trying to come in through a doggy door that was too small.  Tara swatted them both."  They all smirked.  "She's doing good and all three are safe and healthy so far.  She's moved into his apartment in the spare room."  Dawn nodded, eating another bite.  "She said to somehow email her or something.  Or meet her while meditating on the astral plane, however she does that."

"I can figure that out," she said quietly.

"Eat," Clint ordered.

"I am."

"You have to go back in twenty."  Dawn nodded, digging in.

Bruce looked at her.  "Pepper is still so livid that anytime anyone mentions your name she starts to growl.  She wants this ended now so you can casually make an entrance at some event next month or the one in six months."  She shrugged, finishing up.  "You'll figure it out, I'm sure you will.  You're a very good student and you're very wise."

"Mom?"

"She's staying at your apartment.  The landlord thought it was great since you were overseas on assignment."  He smiled.  "Your mother is one hell of a woman, Dawn."

"She is, yeah."  She grinned.  "I don't like worrying her."

"You're not.  The only person that knows anything other than Tony is your mom.  She vowed she was going to take him out with a rusty spoon her daughter had been using on something else.  I'm pretty sure he believed her."  Dawn grinned.

"The woman threatened to gut and castrate me if I didn't tell her the second Dawn woke up," Clint said.  "I believed her.  If her daughters hadn't inherited her stubbornness they wouldn't still be here."

"We are a tenacious lot," she agreed happily.  She looked at him.  "Thank you."

"You're welcome."  He patted her hand.  "We'll figure it out as soon as we can.  Everyone wants you back."  She nodded, getting up to go to the bathroom and then back to work.  He looked at them, shifting some.  "We've only had one problem that we could've used the help for and we covered well enough but Steve was scowling hard and nearly swore."

"That's bad," Clint said.

"It was.  I was in other guy form and I nearly flinched," he said quietly.  "Then some reporters were trying to bother Joyce about how wasn't it a good idea to make sure that all of those special ones had to help people.  Steve walked into them badgering her and politely kicked them up the hall and carried them out of the hospital to drop at a police car's door.  He told them that reminded him of Nazis.  If that sort of thinking kept up, he'd start being ashamed and might have to move countries.  Tony showed up to help since the emergency alarm at the cancer center hit his phone.  He agreed and suggested Japan because it'd mean he could play with more robots."

"Dawn might like sushi.  Never asked if she's eaten any," Clint said, looking at Natasha.

"We were going to introduce her to it one night but she had to back out to go help her sister calm down after something larger appearing in her life."

Bruce nodded.  "I've seen that happen.  Buffy was the only other person who looked at me when I was having problems and just shrugged.  I growled, she sneered and offered me chocolate coffee."  They both laughed.  "She confused him so much.  All I remember is the coffee remark and having a headache afterward."  Natasha was smiling.  "Anything you want me to pass back?"

"Not yet," Natasha said.  "So far we're all right and working on her PTSD."  She glanced around then at him.

"If it's that bad, there's people who are experts at it," Bruce offered.  "I know a few but they're overseas."

"I have someone in mind," she promised.  "They helped when it was done to me."

He patted her on the hand.  "We like you for the woman you are, Natasha.  No matter what else you do or have done, you're a good woman and we like you for it."  He punched Clint on the shoulder.  "Keep them safe."

"That's my job," she said.

"Of course it is but most men want to feel like they're in charge, or so Tony said.  He thinks you're doing it behind his back."  He got up.  "We'll see you guys soon hopefully."  He left, going back to his rental car.  The plane ride had been nice.  Private and nice.  He got some great sleep on the way over.  Now he could report that things were moving but not fast and that Dawn still looked bad but they said she was getting better.

Clint and Natasha shared a look.  They might have to move quickly but maybe not.  Stark could keep secrets and he did want to protect Dawn too.  They went back to work, thinking about things.  It was a hard time right now.

***

Dawn woke up with a repetitive nightmare, panting and looking around the living room.  For some reason she felt safer sleeping on the couch.  She glanced up but she knew they had woken up when she had.  She got up to get something to drink and settled in.  Natasha came down to help her calm down.  It was healthier and happier.  Dawn rested against her side.  Natasha let her curl up while they talked.  They ended up falling asleep together there.

Clint stared down at them.  He knew better than to wake them up.  They might get some real sleep if they were together.  He had his own nightmares and was fighting them.  He couldn't help them fight theirs as strongly until his got locked up again.  Though he did miss being snored on by one and having a warm back at his with the other.  It always made him sleep better.

***

Tony Stark was looking around their current battle mess.  This was bad.  They needed the trio back for this one.  Or at least two of them.  Dawn was never going into a battle ever again if he had his way.  "JARVIS, call those special earpieces I had you tune two months ago."

"Which one, sir?"

Stark looked at Captain America as a 'damn it' came out of his mouth.  "I don't care, JARVIS, just one of them.  Any of them."

"Very well, sir.  Trying Agent Barton's linked phone."

The picture popped up in his visor.

***

Clint felt his phone vibrate and pulled it out to look at it.  "This is bad," he told his boss.  "It's a relative, I have to take this.  It's probably an emergency."  He walked outside and around the corner.  "It had better be an emergency."

"It is," Stark said.

"Hey, Dad," he said, glancing at the people around him.  "What sort of emergency?"

"The sort where we're beaming you out.  Your lovely coworker as well if you can manage it in under ten minutes."

"Twenty to get home and get my gear."

"Screw that, I have people putting some stuff down for you, some of my people.  Get her.  I'll beam you here and then back there."  He winced.  "Cap just swore for the second time in five minutes."

"Got it."  He hung up and texted Natasha, who took a break.  He found them an alley and they were beamed next to where his bow and arrows were.  He looked and whistled.  "Yeah, this is bad."  This was Invasion of New York bad.

Natasha grabbed the guns and other things there for her, taking off to help the team.  Thankfully she was in dress pants today.  Clint took over sniping duties of the other snipers.  That let the team move forward to handle the bigger issue.  Bad guys dressed like storm troopers, someone had no imagination.  Clearly a pitiful dictator wannabe.  He felt a tickle from Dawn and gently pushed her back without explaining.  He fired on something trying to attack Buffy and Faith.  Then on the next person trying to take an up-high firing spot.  Stark had left him at least thirty more arrows than usual.  That was helpful.  Natasha had left him a few higher guns.  That was even more helpful.

He saw Buffy look up at him when he fired on something else trying to get her and the stunned look.  He shot the next one and the one trying to sneak up on him, going back to it.  They won but it was about an hour worth of fighting and he was down to the gun because he had run out of arrows.  He looked around.  He was way too open and there were news crews coming.  He jumped down to a lower roof.  Mid jump he was blinded by some light.  He landed in a crouch, Natasha next to him.  They shared a look.

"Tonight?" he asked.

"Tonight," she agreed.  They went back to work.  They could talk to Dawn when she wasn't doing yoga class.

***

Clint walked in last that night.  He had stopped to pick up some deli chicken at the grocery store, and some milk.  He was craving it.  "Your sister gave me a look like I was screwing chickens when she spotted me."

"Is that supposed to be better than her thing with vampires?" Dawn asked.

"Not really."  He got plates and they settled in to eat.  "We need to decide how bad the exposure was."

"Pretty.  They had it on at the gym.  The nice older ladies all cooed about how cute you were."  She smiled.  "A few suggested that Faith put on something other than tight jeans, because you could see every inch of her, and that Buffy should probably put on a real shirt."  Natasha laughed.  "They also decided the new agents at SHIELD helping out weren't as cute as the ones in New York."

"We are adorable," Clint agreed.  "How good did they get me?"  Dawn turned on the tv.  He watched, nodding.  "That's really good."  They had gotten full shots of both of them firing on the bad guys.  The news switched to coverage of reporters mobbing Pepper about the 'missing' Avengers.  Pepper was 'no commenting' until she finally told them she'd have a statement in the morning.  Right now, she needed to make sure everyone was all right.  They shouted different questions but she made it to the car.

Natasha shook her head.  "Stark will have to put out what he knows.  Congress is calling for an investigation."

Dawn shrugged.  "Tony can still bullshit as good as Loki can."  They nodded.  "So what are we doing?  Are we moving tonight?"

"Later this week," he said.   "We have some time.  We can set up a bit more calm move."  She nodded.  "You'll need to tell your boss."

"She point blank asked me if that vixen redhead I lived with was the same one on tv and if the PTSD was related to that last battle."  She ate a bite and shook her head.  "I didn't really answer her."

"She recognized you?" Natasha asked.

"No.  They only caught me from behind at the battle in Sunnydale.  She was talking about the one in New York."

"Which you weren't there for," Clint said.

"I said I wasn't there.  She gave me the dirtiest look ever so I shrugged and told her I can't answer that question.  It's dangerous and I'll start having worse flashbacks if I have to remember it.  It wasn't much of a lie with the migraine I started to have an hour later.  The EMT on staff at the gym took one look at me and offered to drive me to the ER.  I showed him my bottle of pills for it and he drove me home."

"Why the migraine?" Natasha asked.  "You weren't using magic."

"No, but the link wasn't closed enough and as soon as one of you did something I got flashes.  I nearly collapsed in class."  They nodded.  They'd seen her do that.  They ate for a few minutes.  "Which compass direction are we heading?"

"South," Clint said.  "The information Stark sent us said that the Canadians knew about the plans.  It's not safe for very long up there."  Dawn nodded.  "There's a number of countries in Central and South America you can slip into easily enough and get lost in."

"Less expensive to live there too," Dawn said.  They nodded.

"How are the flashes doing now?" Natasha asked.

"It's killing the pain of them but it's making it easier to hear the urges they're giving me."  They stared at her.  "I'm fighting it."

"To do what?" he asked quietly.

"To go kill the person responsible for all this hell we're going through."  He nodded.  "I don't know, guys.  I'm fighting it.  I'm fighting it hard right now."

"If you can't, you let us know so we can help," Natasha ordered.

Dawn shrugged.  "If I can."  She nodded she understood that.  She finished her piece of chicken and got up to get more milk, refilling Clint's glass when he held it up.  "Want me to start looking for places?"

"Please," Clint said.  "I'll arrange for us to get down there."  Dawn waved a hand in the air on the way to the bathroom.  They waited until she was in there to look at each other.  "Shifts?" he mouthed.  She nodded.  Dawn came back out.  "Want to go sit in the stream?

"It's a bit low and it's supposed to rain.  If you two want to, go ahead."

He stared at Natasha.  "Did she just try to push us together?" he asked.

She nodded.  "I believe she did."  They stared at her then Clint pulled her closer to sit in his lap.  He finished his milk while Natasha kissed her.  "I think this is the way it will be if you are happy with it?"

"I don't mind it," she said.  "But I know I need to give you two space now and then."

"We have plenty of space," Clint assured her.  He ran a hand up her leg.  At least they had gotten past all the reasons she was flinching.  Though she did wince a bit.  "Bad times?" he asked.  "Bad thoughts?"

"Bad thoughts."  She rubbed her forehead.

Natasha looked at her.  "You haven't had a cycle recently."

"They gave me a shot to stop it, I think.  If I remember right."

"Shouldn't that have run out?"

"I decided it wasn't so bad and my magic's not too screwy yet so I can take that for now on top of the pills.  It's a lot easier."

"You can do the same with the pills," Natasha reminded her.  "We did tell you that."

"Yeah but I still get some spotting.  Which is nasty."

"Everyone's body has gross stuff," he reminded her.  He was still petting her.  Gentling her again to being touched by anybody.  He had seen her flinch in the grocery store when someone reached around her unexpectedly.  The elder lady had looked furiously at him but then realized it was Dawn, who she had heard about, so she just patted her on the arm and apologized before grabbing another bag of grapes.  Dawn had slunk out to the car but they were used to that.  Dawn yawned, resting against his shoulder.  "Sleep if you want to.  We'll tuck you in."  She nodded, curling up better.

He looked at Natasha, who shook her head.  Maybe that was part of what they had programmed her to do.  Dawn wasn't one who could use her sexuality as a weapon, even if she did tease and flirt.  They tucked her in and went upstairs to have some private time.  It was needed and they were both tense after the battle earlier.  It was good, it almost always was, and they fell asleep tangled together.

***

Clint woke up at a noise.  It had been quiet because it didn't wake Natasha.  He stared down there, noticing the couch was empty.  He listened, not in the house.  He slid out of bed.  "Bathroom," he said when she stirred.  She drifted off again.  He got dressed and walked outside, putting in the special earbud.  "Stark," he muttered.  "Find her, send me.  The controlling impulses won for a few minutes."  A minute later he was somewhere else.  Somewhere that was chillier and very sterile.  He looked around, sneaking up the halls.  It was very early in the morning there by the clock he passed.  He listened.  There was only one room that had noise.  He snuck that way, looking in there.  Dawn was wearing ...something slinky that could almost be one of Natasha's battle uniforms.  He walked in.  "Dawn?"

"He sent the orders."  She stared at him.  "You're going to pay.  You're going to pay so hard you're going to wish you could stop paying."

"You are ours now.  This proves it."

Dawn manifested some magic around her hand in spikey points and stabbed him in the chest, making him scream.  "No, I'm not.  Even if all that conditioning won out, my mother would beat my ass.  I don't like to disappoint my mother.  Even if I do a lot of it recently by having to hide thanks to you."  She stabbed him again, this time in the side.  "Those will never heal," she vowed.  She stared into his eyes.  "They will be sores to remind you.  You will pay.  I will tell *everyone*.  And thanks to being me, I can project things like that."  He shuddered.  "Unless you want to start paying now."

"No!"

"Oh, yes."  Dawn changed the spikes until one was longer.  "Hmm.  Where to put this?"

"Dawn, can't we just shoot him?" Clint asked.

"No.  My mother's crying.  There's no mercy for that."  She stared at the idiot.  "I'm going to tell Stark and Congress, yours and ours, and all sorts of reporters.  I'll ruin your whole goddamn country."  He was babbling in Romanian.  "Yay?"  She smirked.  "You wanted me to kill people.  How are you liking that?"  She slid the points along his injured side, making him start to cry.  "What did I say about paying hard?" she asked quietly.

"I will tell them!  We will make amends!"

"Yes, you will.  You're keeping me from my sick mother's side, from my niece's side.  My family means more to me than everyone in this country.  And if you think what I did at the battle was impressive?  You guys screwed up and now I'm not really able to stop leaking power."  He shivered.  "So your choice, dude.  What is it going to be?"

"We will pay!"

"Good."  She got off him and kicked him off the desk.  "Don't try it again and if you have any others, I'd give them to someone just.  Someone nice.  Well, nicer than you made me."  She walked over him.  "Have a good day, Director Stallet."

"We will still get you."  Dawn had a gun pointed at his face and he swallowed.  "You will come back so we can finish your training."

"I had most of it removed.  This is the natural skills I already had."  She smirked evilly.  "I didn't need that sort of training.  I wanted to be more normal."  She put the gun back and grabbed Clint, taking him back to the house.  "What the hell?" she asked.  She walked off into the woods.

"That's what I was going to ask."  He followed her.  Natasha didn't need to hear that.  "You've been holding back."

"No, I've been fighting it really hard."

"The leaking magic?" he asked.

"Yeah, but I'm wearing it out with simple things.  There's nowhere here I can get deep enough into meditation without setting off that alarm."

"Coulson said it's off until we get back.  The one at Stark is handling it."

Dawn blinked.  "Really?"

"Yup."

"Why didn't you tell me!"  She swatted him.  He swatted her back.  She threw a punch then squeezed her eyes shut.

"You can't fight that, Dawn.  You might as well pick up training again."  She attacked and he defended himself.  She was still pretty good, but not great and he did have experience.  When she tried something that Natasha did, that leg locking around the neck throw, he knocked her down.  "You came from the wrong angle.  Trust me, had it done to me many times."  She hopped up and he took her down again, holding her down.  She was struggling.  "Calm down," he said gently.  "Let the urges fade."  She shook her head.  "C'mon, you can do it."

"I can't."

"You can.  You will.  It's dangerous."  She 'ported out of his grip and behind him so he blocked the new kick and moved on to gauge the new training.  It wasn't healthy but it was wearing it out, which would help her the most right now.  She finally burst out crying and he pulled her closer.  "You can't fight that urge.  You can only work with it to keep it down," he said again.  "That's one reason why she and I train so often."  She looked up at him.  "Really."  He kissed her on the nose but she shook her head.  "Why not?"

"Because...."

"If you say we're humoring you, I'm spanking you," Natasha said from the tree next to them.  "She has always thought herself as a plaything."

"I like playthings but I only tip them.  I never sleep with 'em," Clint quipped.  He kissed her.  Dawn pulled back.  "Yeah, that's how it's going to work."

"We're your bitches?" she joked weakly.

He smirked.  "Exactly."  Natasha hit him as she walked past him.  "What?"

"I'm not a bitch."

He looked at her.  "Yeah you are."  She hit him again but took Dawn from him.  "I found her non-fatally stabbing Director Stallet."

"Interesting."

"She said he's going to pay."

Dawn nodded.  "He will be."

"Monetary or not?" Natasha asked.

"Both.  I need to make up for my missing income.  I don't want to dip into my college fund."

"I think that's why we're going to Honduras," Clint said, looking at Natasha.

"Must we?" she asked.

"Costa Rica is hot right now for Americans buying if you listen to HGTV," Dawn said quietly.

"Suriname?  Chile?" Clint offered with a smirk.  Natasha hit him again.  "Hey!"

"I hated Chile the last time we were there.  Suriname was nice enough."  He nodded.

"Have no clue," Dawn admitted.  "Can we be near water?"

"We can do that," he agreed.  "The main city is the only real city down there."  He and Natasha shared a look.  "Lower Mexico?"

"Too touristy," Natasha said.  "Guatemala?"

"Is that Spanish or Portugese?" Dawn asked.

"Spanish," she said.

"I'm still struggling my way through the second book of Spanish but sure.  Are there ruins there?"

"Mayan," Clint said.  "No, we're not going.  Don't ask why."  He gave her a squeeze.

"Maybe I can go then."

"No, not alone.  Atlantic or Pacific?" Clint asked.

"Doesn't matter," Natasha said.

"Beach?" Dawn asked.

They stared at her.  "Not unless you start wearing something more massive.  It's a catholic country."  She shrugged.  "Lake or river.  Privacy."

"I can look."

"Good.  That'll help."  He gave her a squeeze.  "They taught her to do that move you do."

Natasha smiled.  "I tried to teach her."

"She comes in too low and too obtuse of an angle."

"We can work on that so she doesn't have to keep fighting the urges."  She stroked over the unbound hair.  "Is that my outfit?"

"Um, no?"

"How did you get it?" Clint asked.

"It was in my closet at home."

"Fury," they complained.  They got her out of it, noticing the lack of anything supportive, and that could be nice.  She squeaked when she got pinched and tried to climb a tree.

"You need the same rope climbing muscles for that," Natasha said, helping her back down.  "Or a lower branch."  She walked her inside and they went up to the loft so they could pull her up.  She was not being left alone for a while.  Though she did snuggle in and became a cuddly boa constrictor around Clint's chest.  Natasha rested back-to-back with her.  That would work for tonight.  Tomorrow, they could make plans.

***

Clint smiled at the woman knocking on the door, Dawn's boss.  "She's actually still asleep," he said quietly.  He stepped outside.  "We almost drugged her last night to get her to rest."

"I saw why."  She stared at him.  "I'm not going to bust you.  I figure if someone like you is out here there's a good reason and she's a pretty good reason."

"She is, and we're trying to help her."

"Good.  Dawn's a good girl.  I'm sure her mother is proud."

"Very, and a bit mean when she's being stubborn."

"Any good mother is."  She smiled.  "Here, her last paycheck.  I have one of the local boys running her commando playing class and we have enough of us who sat in on Dawn's yoga class to take over."  She smiled.  "Nice work by the way."  She left him alone.

"Thanks."  He went inside, putting the check where the others sat before they went to the bank, under the tv.  He looked up there.  "She's not snoring.  Is there a problem, 'Tasha?"  She let out a breathy moan and he grinned.  "No, that's not a problem.  Let me know if you need help."  He went to make breakfast, turning off the oven.  It really was a great heat source for the upstairs area.  He heard a yelp and laughed.  That had been Dawn.  He finished with the toast, eggs, and coffee, putting it on the table.  The ladies came down a few minutes later.  Natasha wisely used the rope.  Dawn looked then huffed and jumped, flipping in mid-air to land properly.  "We're sparring later," he said smugly.

"Sure.  I want to see what this new body can do."  They ate and talked about what they needed in a house.  Dawn wanted something a bit bigger, with room to wander through.  Clint joked that they'd have to take out an arms dealer for that.  She showed him the two houses on a private, man-made lake.  One belonged to an arms dealer.  One was for rent.  They had fences separating the properties.

"Didn't you date his son?" Natasha asked.

"Yeah, then I went clubbing," Dawn agreed.  Clint smirked evilly and she grinned back.  "Four bedrooms.  Actual closets so we can get the rest of our stuff.  Lake to swim in.  Or boat in because it's big enough.  Private, dedicated gym with equipment and a room for yoga as it says.  Nice kitchen.  Furnished.  Easy terms.  Probably meant to go to a drug dealer."

"Probably," he agreed.  "Take it.  It's cheaper than here with the exchange rate."  She nodded and it was done via IM.  They had the keys as of tomorrow.  They went out back to spar.  Clint watched at first.  They had been trying to turn Dawn into Natasha so it was fair to test her.  They sparred more often anyway.  She still had to stop Dawn a few times to show her how things were supposed to be done, but it helped.  Dawn was a lot more deadly now.  And a bit more flexible.  He'd have to try that out.

"We should make sure you can do that flip," Natasha said.

"Not on me you're not.  That shit hurts," he said dryly.  He waved Dawn on.  "C'mon, Short Stuff."  She lunged and he fought back.  She wasn't holding back.  He was barely holding back.  He could see when the urges started to cloud her.  "Go ahead.  I can handle it."  She breathed deeply and let them go.  It was a harder fight, and he wasn't holding back.  Natasha was ready to grab Dawn if need be and put her down to hold her.  He finally won with a rib strike to her side and a foot sweep.  He followed, holding her down.  "Okay," he panted.  "That's not bad."  She blinked at him.  "Morning."

"Shit."

"No, that was actually handy.  We can work with that, train the right time to do that into you in case you're kidnaped or something."  She went limp.  "Good girl.  Are you back down?"  She nodded.  Someone cleared their throat and they looked over.  "Hey, Captain."

"Clint, Natasha, Dawn."  He smiled.  "Tony sent me."  They nodded.  "He wanted to know what happened last night and wanted you warned that somehow Coulson heard," he told Dawn.  "He went on a swearing fit."

"I'll talk to him right before we leave.  I don't want him disappointed."

"He wasn't.  He was talking about taking some extra paternity leave to go to Romania."  He grinned.  "So what happened?"  They settled in to talk about the programming.  They knew he wasn't going to tell anyone.  Dawn got calmed down and was a bit cuddly in remorse for how bad she had hurt him.  Steve let them have some private time while he got sent back to Stark Towers.  That beaming satellite was pretty neat.

They got up and packed, leaving then.  Dawn got them there once someone found her a picture for placement.  A bank's ATM camera would do.

***

Steve came back that night and looked around.  Mostly empty.  He searched, finding the envelope under the edge of the tv.  He checked, a paycheck.  The fridge had some milk.  He packed it into a plastic bag that was under the sink.  The bathroom was clean.  The bedroom was spotless.  The loft area was unmade and looked like a platform over some rafters.  So he guessed they had left.  He found the special uniform out back and brought it with him.  Tony looked up as he reappeared.  "Her last paycheck."

He took it to look at.  "Almost minimum wage."  He put it aside and stared at the outfit.  "Uh-huh.  Where did she get that?"

"No idea.  It was in the backyard."

"That's not a good thing.  That means Fury has ideas."  He took the milk to sniff then drink.  "I sent all their stuff ahead to their next place.  Dawn was subtle but we were watching for it this time."

"Where?"

"Guatemala."

"Why?" Steve asked.

"Cheap living, not a lot of oversight in parts of the country.  Dawn has a thing for history.  It's on a lake so she can wear the bikinis again."  Steve shuddered.  "Go give that to Pepper.  She won't throw a fit at you."

"I can do that.  What about Phil and Tara?"

"I'll tell them."  He popped up a hacking program and hacked into Coulson's webcam, blocking out all other signals.  He found one last one that was trying to be sneaky from Agent Hill and told her they were talking about a classified weapons program.  She ended it.  He looked at him.  "They're safe."

"That's good.  I'd like a call about last night."

"I'm pretty sure you can take a vacation, Coulson."

"I'm not really interested in one right now."

"Yeah, well, it'll be a while once the kids are born.  Trust me.  I didn't even have time to get drunk until Callia was nearly six months old."  Coulson smirked.  "Maybe take Tara to look at some ancient ruins?"

"She likes ancient ruins.  She decorated her room in pictures of ancient ruins and some Earth Mother paintings."

"Any Mayan?" Steve asked as he came back in.  "I can't find her."

"That's fine.  We can hand it to her and run for our lives later."

"Why?  And Pepper's here," Coulson said.  Tony took the uniform and held it up.  "I see.  That's a bit big for Agent Romanoff."

"It wasn't hers."

"Maybe I'll revise that poisoning plan then," he decided.  Stark smirked.  "I'll tell Pepper too.  You're right, we'll need to run.  Any other good news?"

"We talked about what happened," Steve said.

"We'd like a report," Coulson said with an amused look.  "Just so Joyce can spank her."

Tony popped up a news article and had it translated for him.  "I think it's already been done."

"Stallet.  Interesting."  He printed that article.  "Anything else we know?"

"He was in the ER sobbing about how the wounds would never heal unless he paid," Tony said, running that soundbite from BBC News.  Coulson got an evil looking smirk at that.  "Anyway, I'm sending her stuff to do.  She's got to earn her paycheck and her stored leave time is nearly up."

"Send them all something to do."

"I can do that.  Anything you want sent?"

"Can you send her something that'll make her laugh and them groan in horror?"

"Well, I'm sending the rest of her clothes so all the bikinis are going.  Pepper may have picked her up a few more, you'd have to ask her."

"I can do that.  Thank you, Mr. Stark."  He hung up.  Now he had an idea.  He went up to talk to Pepper.  "Ms. Potts, can I have a moment?"

"Of course, Phil."  She smiled at him.  She walked off down the hallway with him, letting him tell her in her ear.  "I can definitely do that.  That's always a great idea."  She smiled.  "Let me go back to negotiations."  He handed over that printout, letting her do a fast websearch on her smartphone for who that person was.  She ran into the BBC News footage too and walked back into the office.  She held it up so Fury could watch it.  Fury was blinking at it.  "I heard about the uniform.  Dawn has said multiple times she is not becoming an assassin, a commando, or a super hero."  He opened his mouth.  "Last night was her giving in to whatever they did to her apparently.  I'd say whoever helped on this end would be next."  She smiled sweetly.  "If that was you, I'd hide.  I might not leave anything for her.  Joyce either."

"She could be an asset."

"No, she's not.  And really, with that sort of forced training would you really trust her?"

"I could put her under Coulson.  He'd protect her anyway."

"I don't think he'd like that.  If you think he won't poison you, you'd better watch out for mine.  Remember, I did go to college too and I do work with some of the smartest, brightest, most evil bastards ever.  That whole geek trio from Sunnydale?  They'd gladly help me.  And the other one we found too."  She grinned.  "Leave.  Dawn.  Alone.  Outside fixing the problems that nearly have her being declared a traitor of course."  She walked off.   She had seen just the bikini to send to Dawn and Joyce would laugh over it too.

Fury looked out there.  "Coulson?"  He came to the doorway.  "Are you planning on poisoning me?"

"Not at the moment, sir, but I'm told new parents can loose rational thought during colic.  Since they're twins...."  He smiled.  Fury shuddered.  "I'm going to get a report from Captain Rogers on what he found out when Stark sent him to talk to them."

"He knows where they are?"

"Stark has nearly as many intelligence contacts as we do, sir.   Beyond that, he has something that can track magical wavelengths."  Fury slumped.  "I'm pretty certain he'll make sure both SHIELD agents and his assistant are protected from everyone until things are better.  Even if she does have to do college via distance learning."  He walked off feeling happier.  He ran into Tara.  "Want some ice cream?"

"I am craving ice cream."  She smiled.  "It's nice you're getting my cravings.  Means I get to share stuff."

"You can share all you want as long as I don't have to mix hot sauce and peanut butter again."  She laughed and swatted his arm.

Maria Hill watched them go, trying not to smile.  She walked into the office.  "Sir, the President is calling on line two."  She stepped back out.

Fury answered it.  "Yes, sir?"  He listened.  "No, sir, I cannot.  I did not do that.  Someone in the administration made that call.  Personally, I'm missing some of my best people due to this stupidity and my part-time assistant as well.  I've nearly got a revolt on my hands and one agent who has requested to learn poisoning techniques."  The president spluttered.  While Fury listened to him complain he wrote out the authorization for Coulson to learn how to properly make and use poisons since the guy wanted to learn anyway.  Fury could avoid most of them.

"Sir, what do I care?   Even our demigod superhero is pouting about her not being here because *someone* wanted to be an asshole.  No, I do not share my people.  I don't share my toys, my people, my hell carrier, my headquarters, nothing.  The only thing my people share is protecting us all.  Personally I'd be horrified but pleased if one of the three missing ones took out that foreign director of intelligence last night.  Or any of the rest of my people.  It saved me some damn work."  He hung up and posted the notice through inter-office mail.  Hill looked at it then went to hand-deliver it.  He smiled.  She was keeping him sane and alive some days.

Maybe he'd get one of those goo clones of himself made so they could test all his food for poison first.

***

Dawn walked into the house first and stared.  "We have boxes."   She walked over and smiled.  "We have boxes from Mom."  She opened hers, hugging the pictures and the cookies.  "Thanks, Mom," she whispered.

"We have a bag," Natasha said, unzipping it.  It had the Stark logo on the side.  "We have tablets."  She touched one's screen.

"Good, you're there.  Finally.  Couldn't get an earlier flight?"

"Long drive from town," Dawn said.  "Tell Mom I said thanks."

"I will.  She's nagging Callia about her shoes."

"Shoes?" Dawn asked, moving closer.

"She picked out some sandals like your blue ones and she's been wanting to show you."

"Aww."

"Hey, Callia, go put on the pretty stuff so we can call your aunt."  They all heard the baby squeal and run off.  "Its in the bathroom down here so she doesn't have to wander.  She wandered into the gym and told one of the guards he was grossly sweaty."  Dawn grinned.  "Then asked if he was a teddy bear or a wookie."  She cackled.  Callia came rushing back so he helped her get dressed.  "There, show her."

Callia climbed into his lap.  "You okay?"

"I'm okay.  I'm hoping we can get home soon, Callia.  That's a very pretty dress and such cute shoes.  A lot like mine."  The baby beamed and nodded.  "You're an excellent dresser.  Some day you can have all my bikinis."

"Bikinis?  Cool!" she said happily, beaming at her father.

"We'll see," he said, smirking back.

Callia looked at the other two.  "You hug her," she told Natasha, who she knew.  "She needs hugs."

"I will when she needs one."

"Good."  She smiled at her auntie.  "I make letters."

"Letters are great.  That's how you learn how to write and read."  Dawn beamed.  "You're going to be taking real notes soon."  Callia wiggled in her daddy's lap.  "You need to show Grandma that.  Grandma could use some help making notes on pictures of the family."

She looked up at her father.  "That'd be fine.  You should get to know that side of the family.  I'm pretty sure there were some interesting people there."  He gave her a squeeze.  "I can hear Pepper and Coulson."  She ran off to show Pepper her pretty outfit.  "She's been hiding it from everyone until she could show you first."  Dawn looked mushy so he cleared his throat.  "Okay, you have a week to do six papers for your first semester at college.  They wouldn't refund it with the notice that you had been snatched.

"Even after it was televised that your mother got off her hospital bed and went to storm Congress over this."  He cleared his throat again.  "That's totally shielded, only uplinks to the Stark satellite network.  You've got plenty of things to do, young lady, because your accumulated leave time is nearly out."  Dawn nodded.  "That way I can continue to pay you to shop for bikinis and teach my daughter bad things about boys."

"I taught her good things about boys."

"Uh-huh.  Then she wouldn't want a bikini.  Speaking of.  Barton, you and Natasha both have a system too because there's things I can use by picking your brains."  He smirked.  "You're all on the clock as of today at five.  That gives you enough time to grocery shop."

"Already taken care of," Coulson said, stepping into view.  "Tara said if you can't make it for the birth, even this way, she is going to come down there and have them on your bed so you have to help her."

"You know I'll be there if I can, Phil."

"I know."  He smiled.  "Pepper and your mom decided you had need of a few more bikinis.  I did not want to see what kind.  Your mother loves the pole, she said it is a great workout, you were right.  Her oncologist said it was a good workout for her to recover with as well because it could be progressive."  Dawn was blushing.  "Now you know how I felt when you talked about it."  He smirked.  "That is a totally shielded connection so you can call, young lady, and that's a quote from your mother.  Because Joyce is fairly scary."

Dawn giggled.  "She can be, yeah.  It's why Buffy and I weren't hellions."

"She did a good job on you both."  He grinned.  "Barton, Romanoff, you're officially listed as MIA at the moment.  Not rogue, not compromised, but MIA due to attempted kidnaping.  That means that no SHIELD agent is going to look at you funny if you need some sudden help because she's been kidnaped again."

"Hey," Dawn complained.

"Outside the office in Brazil that nearly got shut down for being dirty."  They nodded at that.  "Also, your new bow is in."

"I needed a new one?"

"Yes, you did.  They noticed that it had a cracked handgrip and you know it's all formed at the same time."

"Thanks.  What's the catch?"

"Fury has authorized him to study poisoning because if he's going to do it, he has to do it the right way," Stark said with a smirk.  "So send him some tree frog venom samples or something if you want."

Pepper walked into view.  "Remember that pink thing that I said no on and had horrible visions because you made trashy look good?"  Dawn nodded with a grin.  "It's your birthday present to them."  She smirked and walked off.  "I'm telling Joyce you're fine and need to gain another ten pounds."

"Thanks, Pepper.  We'll talk soon."

"Get the papers done first," Tony reminded her.  "We can't have a college dropout," he said, giving her a look.

"If I do, does that mean I have to become a professional tease and official billionaire wake up service?" she quipped back.

"If you do, we'll hire you for Pepper because I still have ideas I don't want."

"At least I switched to water after that one time I had to bounce on the bed to get you up."

"Thanks for that.  Cause, yeah, that was weird."  Coulson was staring at him.  "Hungover, sleeping in, missing a meeting.  Like usual anymore, Pepper sent her to wake me up because I don't growl at her.  She couldn't do it by shaking, yelling, dropping things on me, because she left marks, or anything else.  So she took a running leap and bounced on me.  Which got me up; I woke up screaming and fell out of bed.  She just smiled sweetly and said I was missing the unimportant board meeting but Pepper had said to use whatever means were necessary.  Which got her punished by making her go to deadly dull events where all the ancient leeches hit on her."

"I'm so glad that I don't have to fend off any more senior grabby hands."

"How old were you?" Coulson asked.

"Sixteen," Natasha said.  "That's one reason why we started the better self defense lessons.  We needed it so we didn't shoot them."  Clint was laughing so she punched him on the arm.  Dawn poked him on his ticklish spot, making him yelp.

Dawn smiled at her 'big brother'.  "I had one that was nearly ninety who wanted me to sit on his lap for a ride and then I could use the pump again and give him a blow job.  I politely said I was sixteen and not into sexual relationships at that time.  He offered me half a mil to break me in right then and there because the viagra was working."

"He died of a heart attack not ten days later with an underage prostitute," Tony quipped, smirking at her.  She grinned back.  "You didn't even look hot at those events."

"I know, but Pepper insisted."

"We know.  Pepper's now insisting that you wear something hot when you do finally come back and if you want to make an entrance there's two possible events.  Wear something flashy that make people drool and bring them with you to save all our nerves.  Do your homework."  He hung up.

"I think I have that dress," Dawn admitted.  Clint poked her, getting swatted back.  "Lets unpack and I'll get to work on my papers."  They nodded, hauling boxes upstairs.  Dawn floated hers.  She found the two new bikinis on top of the others and grinned.  "Yeah, that's a birthday treat."  She put them away and did the unpacking spell so the rest were put up.  Then she skipped back down to the kitchen.  Phil had really stocked them.  They even had milk and eggs.  She looked across the lake.  "Hey, Clint, think you can hit their house with one of the ice arrows?"

"I know it's muggy but really, Dawn."  He grinned.  "Are they cute?"

"Your birthday is in two weeks," she reminded him.  "You can maybe see it then."  She pointed.  "They're all home.  With the way it's smoking that's not a fireplace."

"I'll have to scout."  He took a kiss.  "Homework?"

"Lunch?"

"Lunch is good but I'll do it.  Go do homework."

She looked at him.  "Do you hate my cooking?"

"No, I just want something to do."  Dawn got him his tablet and showed him the waiting list that Stark wanted notes on.  Then she went to look at her assignments and handle them.  "Why do you want to do the gratuitous property damage?"

"He thought a gun belonged on a first date and I was that easy."

He smirked.  "No, you're definitely not easy."  She threw something at him, making him catch it.  "Hey, fruit."  He ate while he read and made sandwiches.  Then he could find a nice tree to sit in and watch that other house.  If those bikinis were worse than the ones in Miami, they didn't need someone who wanted to steal Dawn to see them.

***

Natasha snuck into Dawn's room to look at the new outfits.  Yes, they were clearly indecent.  Even worse than the smiley face bikini.  One had less material than it too.  Two pasties held together by some flossy string and the same strings woven into a thong bottom.  It was so small even a Brazilian shave would show.  The other....  She was almost worried.  It was crocheted.  It was cream silk yarn.

She tested a strand because it looked familiar.  It was cream, bulletproof silk yarn.  Natasha had an outfit made out of it once.  If she remembered right, Clint had taken it from her and burned it while on a mission together.  The top was covering but the design had large gaps.  The bottoms had the same design.  The bottom was lined with silk.  The thong strap in the back was a rounded braid design.  She sighed and put them back.

They were in such trouble on their birthdays.  She hoped Clint survived his since his was first.

She wouldn't even ruin the surprise so she could see the look on his face.

***

Dawn came down in her first outfit the next morning.  Pink and black bikini, scarf sarong coverup in black.  She got a glass of juice on her way out the door with her tablet.  She could easily type up a paper on the tiny beach they had.

Natasha walked out to hand her some toast.  "Are you trying to incite them to come over here?"

"No."  She grinned.  "I need a new tan."

"I saw."

"I noticed."  They shared a smirk.  "Which one?"

"The crocheted one.  He knows that fabric.  I used to have a dress made in it."  She walked off to make her own plans for Clint's birthday.

Dawn yelped and got up, sending the ants that had tried to bite her into the water to die.  She cleared the whole beach of them and the two lizards then laid back down.

"Are you all right?" floated down from the house.

"Yes.  Just some ants."

"Why are you wearing that?"

"Because it's comfy and it fits."

"Get your ass in this house and change."

"Nope, and you can't make me.  I am over the age of consent."  She went back to her research and making notes.  She still hated the virtual keyboard design.  Her fingers hit multiple keys at times and it sucked.  She'd have to beg for one of the roll up ones.  She flinched when something hit her back.  "Hey!  I need the tan."

"Not in that you don't."  Clint walked off.  "When you put on something more decent you can bring the blanket back."

She looked back at him then across the water.  She got up and brought it and her tablet inside.  "Fine, but you're going to pay for that."

"Really?" he smirked.  "How?"  She smirked evilly as she strolled up the stairs.  "Nothing risque in case the police or someone local bust the neighbors."

"I doubt they'd care.  They probably think I'm your mistress."  He choked.  "'Tasha does society wife so much better than I do."  She came down in a different bikini.  One she hadn't worn to Miami but had for months before that trip.  He was stunned.  Which was great.  She walked back down there to go back to her paper writing.

"I'm stapling shorts on her," he said when Natasha came out to see what she had put on.

She sighed.  "She had that before the Miami trip.  We talked her out of bringing it because at her proper weight she has more bust."  She walked off.

"I know we all need to gain a bit back," he complained.  He watched her.  Yup, one of the guards was coming over and Dawn was smiling and flirting and then when the guy reached out to touch her, she flung him into the water magically.  She giggled and waved cutely then got back to her homework.  "Inciting them is mean," he called.

"I'm not.  I didn't want him playing with my hair, especially after he asked if the curtains matched the drapes."

"From what I can see, the drapes are at the cleaners," he said.

She smiled.  "Mostly."  She got back to her research.  This paper was easy.  "Did you see a roll-up keyboard?  I hate the virtual one."  He went to get it for her, tossing it and a towel at her.  "Thanks."  She switched to laying on the towel.  That paper was easily done.

Clint moved back to his chosen perch.  This was going to be bad, this was going to be so bad.  Especially when Natasha came out in her own bikini of doom.  Well, one of Dawn's other ones, but still sending his mind straight to hell.  They laid down together to go over the different paperworks and Dawn's assignments.  Clint watched because he was protective.  He'd go help them oil down later because he was still a guy.

***

Dawn got her results back and pouted.  She sent an email to the teacher, who said the system had eaten most of one paper.  Dawn looked it up and she didn't have a full copy either.  She promised she'd take it again to get a higher grade and he said that was fine.  To get better faster wherever she was hiding.  She put her tablet aside after checking for new Stark mail.  Nothing.  She got up and looked outside.  Clint was in his tree.  Natasha was reading on the beach.  She got the stepladder and took it out there so she could climb up next to him.

"Could use some privacy," he said quietly.

"I know.  Which is why you're not getting any."  She sat behind him and grabbed his shoulders.  He flinched.  "Relax.  I'm a miracle worker.  I've even calmed Banner down a few times."  He glared.  "Want me to stitch the tiny wound where you fell?  Which I'll never mention the origins of if you don't."

"I don't fall."

"I know you don't fall.  Even if the tree is covered in vaseline you'd never fall."  She got to work on his shoulder, making him hunch up.  "Do you really hate backrubs that much?"

"I'm not in the mood, Dawn."

"I'm not trying to put you in the mood, Clint.  I'm trying to make this huge knot here release so you don't look like a hunchback."  She got back to work on it.  He reached back but she was ready and handcuffed him.  She grinned.  "You leave me no choice but to take care of this problem for you."  He groaned.  She did go back to work, more gently and easily.  Her hands got oiled from the stuff in her top.  Which he caught her doing.  She smiled.  "Only pocket I have."  She pulled off his sleeveless t-shirt, cutting to get them over the cuffs, and tossed it down at the ladder.  Then she got back to work.  He did slowly relax.  She moved farther down his back, hitting a few scars that made him flinch but she didn't stay there, she followed the tension.

"I'll be a good boy if you let me go."

"I'd have to chase you all over this tree," she said with a smile.  "I'll let you go when I get down."

"I can pick the locks."

"No holes."

"These have a switch?"  He felt around.

"Somewhere," she agreed.  She moved down his arms, making him moan.

"I'm okay."

"You're brooding, which I totally get.  Which is why I'm here to relieve this tension back here and in your arms, make sure that you don't need stitches, and then go make dinner so you can have leftovers if you don't come in for it."  He looked back at her.  "When I need the space, you gave it to me but checked on me.  So now I'm checking on you, fixing the sore spots, and letting you have your thinking time."

"So this has nothing to do with feeling like you're the second string?"

"No.  Though there's times when the fire between you two is hotter than any I could ignite.  Let's face it, it works best if you wear me out and I rev you up to go pounce her and I help in whatever way I can."

"This three-way thing we have going takes having equality," he said.  "There has to be you and me time, you and her time, her and me time."

"I get that.  That's why for your birthday I'm getting you the day before, she gets you the day of, and I get to pounce her the day after if she's not too sore."

"Why does she get the day of?"

"Because she's known you longer and she has the more wicked plans."  She grinned and got back to work.  He tipped her face up.  "That was fast."

"Not that hard once I heard they had a switch, even if they were in an unusual spot."  He stared at her.  "You can switch that around."

"She asked."

"That's fine.  As long as you're not upset."

She kissed him.  "I'm not upset.  I'm going to make your head explode if possible.  She'll put you back together to wreck you again, then we'll leave you a puddle of male goo while we tease each other the next day."  He moaned.  She shifted him around to get back to his back.  He was relaxing and it was nice.  "Stitches?"

"Yup."

"You sure?"

"Already handled."

"Okay."

"You could relieve the other tension you're causing," he offered.

"Not until you want to come in and do it.  I'd fall out of this tree and we both know that."  She worked on his neck, feeling the tensing.  "I'm not strangling you or trying to break your neck."

"I know.  It's instinctive."

"I know."  She finished up and did his arms and hands.  He appreciated that.  It made him moan even louder.  She smiled and capped the oil to put back into her bikini top.  She slowly climbed down until she reached the stepladder, taking it inside.

Clint rolled his shoulders around.  She did remove the tension.  He leaned back against the trunk of the tree, staring at the neighbors.  They were clearly doing something wrong.  If he used the ice arrows, there would be no bikinis for days.  He grabbed his backup bow from above him.  He had two of the ice arrow tips in the quiver.  He switched the arrow to load them, taking aim on the house's open basement window.  He shot it.  The arrow flashed a bit as it hit and he felt the chill slowly creeping his way.  He shivered and did it again.  That would save one for later use.

The neighbors were freaking out and screaming at each other.  There was a shooting of a few guards.  One of the sons ran inside so he didn't get shot.  His father followed him.  Then the house exploded.

"Huh," Dawn said from the ground.  She held up something.  He reached down to get it.  "Lunch."  She walked back inside.  "They blew themselves up, Natasha."

She was shivering.  "That was mean."

Dawn grinned.  "Sometimes being mean is fun."

"Sometimes, yes.  But I need to put on clothes."

Dawn moved closer to cuddle her.  "I can help warm you up."  That got a different sort of shiver and it was a good thing.  "I've got forty minutes before the chicken's done."  Natasha smiled and let Dawn have her way for now.

Clint watched the local police, who were fairly dirty and admitted they were dirty, show up to see what had happened to their extra paycheck.  The remaining people were in shock.  Clint loaded another, plain arrow tip when the 'officers' pulled out guns.  He shot one of them when they went for the staff.  That made them and any survivors run off screaming into the trees.  So not a bad afternoon.

He looked in the house.  This tree had a great view into his and Natasha's rooms, Dawn's was on the front of the house.  "They're using my bed," he said, watching them.  He hopped down and took his bow and quiver inside with the basket.  He turned off the oven because there was no way they'd get done in under an hour.  Dawn was making Natasha moan when he walked in there and stripped off.  "My bed?" he asked with a grin.

Natasha smirked.  "That way you could smell it later and not feel left out according to Dawn."

"I don't mind my bed smelling like you two."  He climbed in and went right for Dawn's clit, making her shriek and flail.  "I think you were doing something," he teased into her body.  Natasha pushed Dawn's head back down and it was great.  Someone pounded on the door but Dawn glared that way, making them flee when they were nearly set on fire.  "Anyone we knew?" Clint asked.

She checked then shook her head.  "Nuns."

"Never mind then."  Dawn wiggled away from him but he could manhandle her into place.  Then maybe the ladies would trap him between them again.  That was always a great day.

***

Tara was watching some idiot senator make a fool of himself on tv by saying that Dawn was a traitor to the US for not training herself to protect all its citizens.  Then he suddenly stopped talking because it looked like someone had punched him.  She looked over at Phil, who was staring oddly at it.  "You know those old Batman comics where they had 'kapow' and things over each punch?" she asked.  She rubbed the kicking kids.

"I think that was, yes," he agreed, sipping his coffee.  "Think it was Dawn?"

"It wasn't Dawn.  I'd have felt Dawn."  She stared.  "That's a heat shimmer."

"So a cloaking field," Phil said.  He called the office.  "Are we monitoring Senator Bigmouth from Illinois?"  He sipped his coffee.  "Tara spotted a heat shimmer."  He hung up.  Iron Man was landing just after the senator stood up and got knocked back down.  "Definitely a 'kablam'," he said, cracking her up.

Stark looked at the clear area.  "You three are grounded.  Go back to the lab, and I mean the one nearest to here so you can't get lost.  Now.  Before I fire you and have you put in as dangers to the universe."

They uncloaked in their battle robots.  "We can do it better than any nineteen-year-old girl," one said.  "That's why you're keeping us from taking over the world."

Tony kicked him in the ass.  "I said get back to the lab before you give any other geeks and wannabe geniuses a bad idea.  Now!"  They flew off.  He looked at the senator.  "As for you," he said, hitting him with a repulsor beam.  "That's for my daughter, the future slayer.  They're not your personal army.  They're not my personal army, SHIELD's personal army, or the UN's personal army.  If they get conscripted I will destroy you and all the others who try to touch my daughter."

He flashed up an image of six agents hanging off a bridge by their feet.  "Just like they will be for trying to kidnap her."  The senator was trying hard not to get touched by him.  "Let the ones who can do it and want to do it, do it.  People like Dawn are *nice*.  They don't have the need to fight because they're still *nice*.  At least until you had her kidnaped by foreign nationals and tortured.  Now...  She's still pretty nice but she's better at killing people."  The senator turned and ran.  Tony shot him again, sending him a few feet in the air and into some bushes.  "Leave the US before you damage it."  He flew off.

The press was running for the senator to get a statement.  His guards weren't being very effective at stopping them.  In fact, one tossed down his badge and walked off.  The other two were almost looking scared.

Phil smiled.  "Those three are very fun."

"Until they try to take women hostage so they have slutty girls to try to hit on."

"There is that, yes.  Though, they're very socially insecure.  That's probably the only way they get to talk to girls, Tara.  Even you."

"I tried."

"I know."  He smiled at her.  "You tried very hard but they're so socially inept it'll never happen.  Thankfully Pepper is probably going to stomp on them later for that."

"Tony will.  He was that geeky but he was more socially aware."

"Maybe," he said.  "Bet doing the dishes on it?"  She shook his hand then winced.  He reached over to pat the kids to make them stop kicking for a bit.  She relaxed and leaned on his arm.  That was...nice.  It was really nice.  He could put up with this version of nice.  It wasn't like she was a clingy wife sort.  Though she did make great dinners whenever he was home.  So yes, he could deal with this level of 'relationship' and still figure out what he was using on Fury for nearly getting Dawn killed.

***

Dawn walked away from the tv laughing and trying hard not to cry.  Natasha stopped her and walked her into the gym to wear that mood out.  "Even if you reappeared and gave in they might still try for your niece or your sister."

"I'd kill them all."

"I know.  You would have a lot of help."  She nodded, swallowing.  "Was that the three geeks your sister was friendly with?"

"Yup.  That was Jonathan in the lead.  Buffy saved his life once.  When she was telepathic she kept feeling a threat.  It turned out to be him being suicidal instead of the lunch lady who was going to give everyone arsenic poisoning."

Natasha shook her head.  "I would have bombed your school even before I knew how to build one."

Dawn grinned.  "Xander did that."

"I'm sure we're all glad of it."  She pointed.  "Try the balance exercises I've had you doing."

"I need to buy those three geeks some beers," Clint called.

"Buy them a hooker who'd let them babble at her," Dawn called back.  "They have *no* clue how to talk to girls.  That's why they keep trying to kidnap some."

"I know a few female agents who might like that," Natasha said, sending an email.  She did note that Stark might have them grounded to the lab complex in Malibu but they were good enough to break in.  Clearly someone had some sort of issue that needed to be fixed.

"They were going to try to take over the world in an evil genius plot," Dawn said dryly.  She slowly did the moves Natasha had taught her to work on her balance.  "Tony stopped that and made them work for him instead."

"I'm fairly certain Stark would understand that urge," Natasha said dryly.  She came over.  "Try a backflip."  Dawn did and had to be caught.  "Arch more."  She tried it again until she got it.

Clint leaned in.  "Did you call Miriam?"

"I did.  It could help those three."  They shared a smirk.

"Stark popped up an email saying they were grounded and Pepper was kicking their asses over things."  He leaned in the doorway, watching Dawn.  "Dawn, slower."

"I can't do it slower yet."

"Try," he ordered patiently.  He looked at Natasha.  "I'm not sure if Miriam is going to be enough of a cure."

"She can only help."

"Stark's going to go over their designs in a lot more detail since that didn't look anything like something he created for the suits."

"They had working robots back in Sunnydale," Dawn said.  "Or didn't I show you about the Buffy bot?"  They stared at her.  She grinned.  "Spike had them make him one."

"So there was a robo-Buffy?" Clint asked.  "Was it as good as the robo-Fury?"

"Just about as good."

"Huh."  He went to email that to Stark.  Maybe they had some ties to the group that had done those and the goo clones.  If so, Stark could enjoy kicking them around more.

Natasha looked at Dawn.  "Her being twins is a *horrible* thought, Dawn."  Dawn just grinned.  "If they're going to make good robotic clones, they should get women who are more worthy of it.  Or at least fun."  Dawn hugged her then got back to it.  "Arch more," she ordered.  "And slower."  She smiled.

***

JARVIS cleared his throat.  "Sir, there's an email from that secure setup."

"Read it to me."

"The trio made a Buffy robot, Stark.  Might have something about the robo-Fury.  It is unsigned," he read.

Stark put down his drink because he hadn't wanted to choke.  "Really?"

"That is what it said, yes."  He projected a copy.

Tony took his drink to the office where Pepper was chewing on them.  "Did they use your prototype of Buffy on the other robots we had wandering around?" he asked.

Jonathan swallowed, shaking his head.  "That was Warren's work, Mr. Stark.  We just helped with some of the programming.  He built his first one at school."

"I'm monitoring that school to make sure no other evil geniuses come out of it."  He sipped his drink, staring at Warren.  "Well?"

"They cheated me!" he said.  "They said they wanted to buy the plans and then didn't after looking them over."

"Tell me who.  You can sue them for it.  I'm sure you have patents?"

"No but I have my former girlfriend turned off in the closet.  Each time I turn her back on to talk to her she pouts at me about turning her off."

Pepper stared at him.  "You *built* a girlfriend?" she demanded.  "There's *billions* of women, Warren, even ones that like geeks and geniuses.  If Stark can find dozens of them I'm pretty sure you can find one if you want."

"She was easier!  She knew what I liked and wanted!  She didn't try to cheat on me or flirt or confuse me."

"My father would've gotten you three drunk and handed you to a whorehouse for a month to fix that," Tony said, staring at them.  They all slumped down some.  "I don't think you're irredeemable.  Yet."  He took another drink.  "Acting out does get you into trouble however.  Just like it does when my daughter does it.  Thank you for protesting on hers and Dawn's behalf but still, boys."

Agent Hill tapped then walked in.  "Director Fury would like to see them, Mr. Stark."

"Denied, they're grounded."  He smirked and finished his drink.  "I want those plans on my desk within an hour.  You three haven't put up any progress reports in over a month.  I will have every.  Single.  Thing.  On my desk within an hour.  You can log in from Pepper's desk."  He pointed.  "Print it with JARVIS's help if you need to."  He looked at the agent again.  "I don't think Fury really wants to deal with my company's issues, Agent Hill.  You can tell him this is an internal matter."

She said that into her comm earpiece and shook her head.  "He said that they're going to be national threats."

"At least we'd make the world a better place," Andrew quipped, getting swatted.  "What?  He made Dawn run away and Dawn was always nice to us!  She even remembered birthdays."

Tony looked at them then at Pepper.  "We sent her at least an email, right?"

"I recorded Callia singing that silly song and a present.  Didn't you?"

He considered.  "I can't remember."  The three geeks glared.  He glared back.  "If she was closer I would have.  Pepper usually bought her own present from me."

Pepper smiled.  "Sometimes the little things escape real geniuses, boys.  Get back to work before the kick you got from Iron Man has to be compared to a size eight pump taken without robotic protection."  They got back to it, ducking their heads behind the monitor.  She smiled at Agent Hill.  "I'll tell him what disciplinary action we've taken later on during our meeting."

"Yes, ma'am.  He doesn't think that'll be good enough."

"He's more than welcome to come here but I believe *someone* still has the security system set to kill him on sight."

Agent Hill looked at Tony, who shook his head.  "Not me.  JARVIS.  He announced it one morning during my waking up that the upgrade was complete so that any agents showing hostility toward any member of the upper management or their families would be killed horrifically as he put it."  He poured himself some water.  "I asked him why and he said that people had snatched our personnel and it wasn't right, and that they may come for my daughter next.  I can't override it."

"No one can," Andrew said with a smile.

"We did good giving him the ideas he needed," Jonathan agreed.

"Including the new micro laser cannon," Andrew said happily.

Warren looked at them.  "Where was I?"

"Jail," they said in unison.  Pepper sighed and shook her head.

"Oh, yeah, I kind of remember that day of being drunk and disorderly."  He shook his head and finished pulling up things.  "There you go, Mr. Stark."  He printed.  The others got into their files.  "Should I go turn on my girlfriend?"

"Please."  He had him beamed back to the lab and then back with her.  He made sure the guards out there sent them both back.  He smiled at Agent Hill.  "This is why I took them in instead of letting them become evil geniuses."

"Thank you," Agent Hill said, heading back to the headquarters building.  She had to turn off her comm and laugh but she felt sorry for those boys.  They had the same sort of loyalty for Dawn and Callia as Coulson did for SHIELD.

Stark sat down to look over things, grading them and noting flaws.  These three really needed more to do so he'd put their twisted genius to work.  Rhodey stomped in.  "I know.  They're grounded."

"That was nothing like the suits."

"No, sir," Andrew said quietly.  "Why would it be?  We don't even want to breathe on the Iron Man suits.  They're kind of really big hero stuff and we're not that good of heros."

"We make better evil geniuses than good ones," Jonathan said.  "Especially Warren."

Tony looked at them.  "You did a fine job of being heroic earlier.  Just at the wrong time and in the wrong way."  They nodded, getting back to work.  "Most heros start out trying to protect someone, boys.  If you don't believe me, I can have Doctor McKay come in to tell you that."  Andrew moaned because McKay was his geek crush.  Tony texted him and got him sent.  Rodney had said he was bored last week.

Andrew saw him appear and nearly drooled.  "Oh my god," he whispered.  "Doctor McKay."  If there was any man who would make him quit lusting after easy club girls, it was him.

Rodney stared at them and then at Warren when he came back with his 'girlfriend', who was complaining.  "Enough," he ordered.  She shut up.  "Boys, I saw that."  They all whimpered.  "We will be talking.  There's many things that you may be able to do for the SGC."

"In partnership," Tony said, getting up to look at the robot.  Rhodey was helping.  "McKay, Andrew wants to bear your babies.  Go grade his work."

"I think only certain people's mothers can cause that problem," Rodney said dryly.  Tony looked at him.  "Roque's mother has promised that she will bless Clay so they can have children some decade soon, one way or another.  Bia said she could do that."

"That's a thought to make me drink," Pepper complained, walking off rubbing her head.  Franklin Clay being pregnant was a nightmare image.  Though the one where he was pregnant and wearing Tara's maternity dresses....  Nearly as horrifying.

"I'll have to study that when she does," Tony quipped.  "See if there's a way we can do it with science and then market it.  A lot of guys might like that."  His best friend stared at him.  "There are."

"Shut up, Stark."  They went back to talking to the robot while McKay helped the geeks pull up their work so they could be graded and yelled at.  Rodney had learned how to be *subtle* with new geniuses so they weren't ruined for life.

Rodney looked at one design.  "Is this for a vending machine?"

Andrew looked then shook his head.  "It went on the robot to help it pick up good girls for us to flirt with.  That was the first draft, we forgot to put in food slots and bathroom hookups."  Rodney smacked them all with the papers.  "Sorry," he moaned.

"They had some social isolation growing up in Sunnydale," Tony said.

"I've seen some soldiers with the same problems.  I'll see how Sheppard and O'Neill helped them."  He went back to it.  Anything that involved kidnaping a woman got them smacked but they took it like the geeky worshipers they were.

***

Clint came down the stairs.  "Stark realized we forgot your birthday," he told Dawn.

"I wasn't much into celebrating it and as far as I'm concerned I'm eighteen until my next one."

He stared at her.  "You can't do that."

"I'm a woman.  Of course I can."  Natasha giggled.  She smiled.  "Thanks for wondering though."

He leaned down.  "We still could've celebrated."

"I think we had plenty of beers that night," she said.

"Oh, that night."  He kissed her.  "Happy belated birthday."  He walked off.  Natasha was heading for the beach.  He was going to prune back some of the jungle growth.  Dawn had lawn tasks to do once her homework was done but she was magically pushing the lawnmower.  He had to grimace when she hit a few frogs in the grass but they should've moved.  He wasn't used to this home renter stuff.  Once she was on firmer mental and training footing, they were going to do it old school style again.

***

Clint came down the day before his birthday.  There was breakfast waiting.  There was Callia on one of the screens.  "Hey, Princess.  Dawn, your niece is calling."

She came jogging down the stairs in a bathrobe.  "Hi, Callia!"

Callia stared.  "Jammies?"

"I was in the shower."  She grinned and settled in to talk to her niece.  When she felt that burning sensation she took the tablet upstairs with her to go shower off the Nair, putting her behind the curtain so she didn't get to see her naked but they could still talk.   Callia was chatting happily about her letters.  Dawn was encouraging it, including telling her she should learn a story to tell Grandma.  Callia talked to JARVIS, who said that wasn't that hard to do.  Dawn hung up after blown kisses and promises to send her pictures of flowers, because her niece adored flowers.

Dawn finished her post-hair removal scrub down and checked.  The few stray hairs got shaved off.  She even used a mirror to make sure she got all of them. She cleaned up with soap then rinsed off really well.  She got out, lotioned down with the nice smelling stuff that was outrageously expensive.  Then she slid into the bikini of choice for the day.

She checked.  She did look fine.

She did one last hair check to make sure.  Nothing anywhere below her shoulders.  She put her robe back on, after making sure there were no chemicals on it, and carried the tablet down to the table.  "Morning."

Clint stared at her.  "Is my present underneath that?"

"Could be," she agreed with a perky grin.  "Callia wanted me to take pictures of flowers.  Oh, and she's learning her letters.  I suggested she learn a story to tell Mom."  Natasha smiled.  She ate and checked her email one last time for the day then logged off the system.  That was a clear sign she wasn't working today.  Though she had cleared it with Pepper earlier.  When she got done, she strolled out to the porch, taking off the robe to lay on the chairs out there.  She strolled down to the beach.  She wasn't sure if she could swim in this crocheted suit or not.

Clint stared then at Natasha.  "Did I imagine that being not there?"

"She does have something on.  It looked quite familiar and I really should replace that dress you burned."

He shivered.  "Damn it, 'Tasha.  That's a thought that...  The white one?" he demanded.  She smirked and nodded, eating a berry.  "I was hoping you were talking about the purple and black one that you bought to tease me with."  He got up and went to look outside.  He came back to finish his breakfast.  He was going to need some energy.  He walked down after her, finding her teasing her toes in the water.  From behind he could see the braided waist and butt string.  Cream colored strings braided.  He could see the back of the top, which was also braided cord.  He pulled her away from the water.  "Thankfully there's no more neighbors," he said, glancing over then at her.  The cream strings that were braided before were crocheted.  Open weave design so there was plenty of skin showing through.  "Did you want me to die?" he asked.

She patted him on the chest.  "You won't die.  I know CPR."  She took off before he could grab her.

"You're getting it when I get back up there."  He calmed himself because the tease was back and she was evil this time.  He walked back up there, finding Natasha looking over the outfit.  "Did you help her buy that?"

"Pepper sent it," she said happily.  "It's for birthdays."

He hummed.  "Yes it is a present."  He tossed her onto the couch and leaned down to kiss her.  "You're a horrible tease."

"I try sometimes."  She shifted.  He kissed her again until they heard a giggle.  "Hi, Callia."

"Kissy?" she asked.

"Backrub," she said.  "It's a backrub."

"Backrub?"  She looked at her father.  "Backrub?"

He looked then turned it off.  "Yes, it was.  JARVIS, no more letting her call randomly, especially not around birthdays," he said dryly.  He sent that film to Joyce's phone.  She sent back a text that 'backrub' was a good cover and whoever had bought Dawn that bikini was evil.  He sent back it was Pepper's idea for a birthday.  He took Callia to the office to teach her a few new letters and some more of the story so she could tell Joyce one on her birthday in a few weeks.  Joyce would love it and would maybe quit moping about Dawn for a few days.

***

Dawn reached over to flip it over.  "She's talking JARVIS into all sorts of stuff."  Clint laughed and hugged her.  She grinned.  "We talked while I was rinsing off in the shower earlier."

"Rinsing off?"   He ran a hand up her thigh.  "Nair."  She nodded.  He focused on her.  No belly button trail of hair down to her pubic mound.  No armpit hair.  She had taken off the few darker hairs around her elbows that had popped up recently.  He focused lower.  "How much Nair did you use?"

"Half the bottle?" she guessed.  "I left enough in case someone else wanted some."  She smiled.  "Happy birthday."

He nodded.  "I'm thinking it'll be a good one."  She wrapped a foot around his hip.  "We need to figure out a plan of attack here," he said, trying to clear his mind because all he heard in his mind was some sort of caveman-like grunt of pleasure.

"I say we try out that bikini as a means of holding her down," Natasha said from the table.

He looked at her.  "Bondage?"  She smiled and nodded.

Dawn lifted her head.  "I haven't even thought about that."

"It's not a bad thing as long as it doesn't set off a problem," he said.  "I'm not particularly fond of being held down that way."  He stared at her.  "You haven't minded it in the past when I've held you down."  He leaned down to put her arms above her head and hold her wrists to the couch.  She shifted some.  He smirked down at her.  "You do have a nice headboard for that.  Mine's solid and Nat's is about broken."  He let her go.  She shifted back.  He stared down at the bikini again.  "I have to send Pepper Potts a thank you note."

He took another kiss.  "Get seconds on breakfast, Dawn."  She smirked and got up to find something more to eat.  He stared at her.  All the working out was keeping her in great shape.  She had regained all that weight she had lost.  She hadn't had any flashes in a few weeks.  "Natasha, what was your plan for tomorrow since she said yours were more wicked?"  She smirked and said something in a language Dawn didn't know yet.  He swallowed.  She smiled.  "We could all like that."

"We could, yes, and it would go well with today's too."  That got an evil smirk.

Dawn looked at them.  "Shouldn't I get the chance to say yes or no?" she asked.

"Maybe," he said.  "If it bothers you we won't."  She nodded that was fair and nibbled on the pear.  "That suit is really see-through.  The little patches of tanned skin are seriously tempting."

"I think that's half the point."  She ate another bite of pear.

Natasha looked her over.  "You only used half the bottle of Nair?"

"Yeah.  My legs are still smooth from the waxing last week."  Clint growled.  She took another bite and chewed, waving at the screen that came up.

Tony stared at her.  Then at Clint.  "Sorry.  Dawn, Callia's going to be distracted for the next few days."  He hung up and went to find something cold and shower-like so he could calm down.  The camera was a great one. It had given him all too much information about her bikini of the day.  He realized it was raining and went to stand outside.

"Daddy, it's wet," Callia called.

"I know.  I'm checking the rain clouds."  She giggled and ran back inside.  "JARVIS, she is not allowed to call Dawn by herself without telling us," he said firmly.  "Just in case they're *celebrating* again."

"Yes, sir.  I'll include that and make her quit trying now."

Tony went in to grab his daughter, carrying her off talking about penguins.  She loved penguins for some reason.  He had no idea why, he thought they were really boring birds, but his daughter adored them so it would take her mind off her aunt.  It might help take his mind off her aunt.  They ran into Pepper.  "That crocheted thing is really evil.  There will be hell to pay," he assured her quietly.

"Why did you see it?"  He pointed at the baby.  "Oh.  She called?"

"Yes."

Pepper winced.  "Well, I guess it didn't bother anything since you're only damp from the rain."  He shot her a dirty look.  "I thought about it once but it didn't look as flattering on me."  He groaned.  She took the baby, taking her to the office to show her how to type.  She liked letters so typing should come naturally.  "We're going to look at different types of letters, Callia."

"Cool!" she squealed.

Tony went to his suite to take a colder shower.  Now he had to imagine Pepper in it.  That at least took the image of Dawn in it out of his head.  He sent a text to Tara from the shower to remind her that it was Clint's birthday and they were *busy*.

***

Tara looked at her phone, showing it to Phil.  She was helping him with the paperwork today.

"It is, tomorrow," he agreed, considering it.  "I'm hoping that doesn't mean someone interrupted the celebration."

"I think it might."  They smirked and got back to work.  They could talk to Dawn and them later.  Tara could even magic some of the cookies she made down to them.

"I finished off the butterscotch walnut cookies," he said, getting back to work.

Tara smiled.  "I thought they were too sweet but if you liked them I'll make more."

"Next week."  She grinned.  "I'm starting to get fat.  I'm going to have to go back to the gym more often."  She laughed and swatted him.  He wouldn't mention that he missed his jogging buddy, who would've stolen half the cookies for him.

***

Dawn was led upstairs once Natasha got done.  The ropes were fabric belts the women had in their closets.   They'd be soft enough.  Dawn got tied down and they smirked at her.  "Why do I feel like I should pray for deliverance?" she quipped.

"Because she's in a mood; we all have to just hold on," Clint said.  He earned a pinch for that.  He looked her over.  "What to do first?"

"Always make sure that everything you need is at hand," Natasha chided, going to get all the things they might want.  Condoms, oil, the few toys that they had among the trio.  She came back.  "Why do you have a pump?"

"Joke gift from Stark after that last fight," he said dryly.

"Hmm.  We might have to play with that."

He looked at her.  "I don't need it."

"It could still be fun."

He shook his head.  "I don't need it.  Ask me in a decade."  She stroked over his arm.  They stared at Dawn again, who was looking a bit nervous.  "Think she would've worn that if we still had neighbors?"

"Probably," Natasha said.  "I would have."  She leaned down to kiss her.  "Relax.  He's trying to figure out how to play this time."

"I'm all good with whatever works, most of the time," she said.  "Because I'm starting to feel like there should be an altar and creepy guys in robes chanting in Latin or something."

Clint laid down beside her.  "I'd never sacrifice you.  Who'd fuss over us?"  Dawn relaxed.  He stroked over her stomach.  "Who else brings handcuffs to a backrub?"  He kissed her again.  His hand was exploring the bikini's strings.  "That is the same stuff that made that dress."  He looked at Natasha then at Dawn.  "She told you I burned that one, right?"

"She did mention it, yeah."

"That's because it took an act of God to keep me and others from pouncing her.  The tornado wasn't that much fun."  She giggled.  "Seriously!"

"Pepper said it's only for birthdays."

"What's the other one like?"

"You want to wait three weeks for Natasha's listed birthday?"

"It's in October."

"I go by the one in her file unless she tells me differently."

"Good point.  It's still in October."  Natasha rolled her eyes.  He got up to get into her bathing suit drawer.  He found a few he hadn't seen.  Only one was so bad even strippers couldn't wear it.  He held it up.  "There's no way you can fit into that."

"It's not meant to be covering," Dawn quipped.

He stared at the two pasties and a string.  "I can see that."  He put it back and came back to kiss her again.  "You didn't have to go that far."

"Yes I did.  Birthdays should be happy things if you celebrate them."

"True."  He looked at the bikini.  "I know from experience that you can't cut those threads."  Dawn giggled.  "Thankfully it's got enough open area to tease through."  He leaned down to tongue the little holes in the top, making her wiggle.  He sucked up a few of the bigger spaces.  He had a thought and pulled back.  "How long before that shot wears out?"

"Another month and I'm going back on the pill.  I had Pepper call Carolyn Lam for me to ask her for them.  She said there may be some spotting during that first month."

"That's good to know.  Are we going to have to find a pharmacy?"

"We will soon anyway.  You're almost out of condoms."

"That's a good point."  He went back to his teasing.  He knew Dawn wasn't really sensitive there but the whole watching him do it was teasing both women.  He bit down.

"Fuck."

"I'll get to that sometime today," he assured her with an evil smirk.  Then he got back to his playing.  He was going to enjoy unwrapping Dawn.  And maybe he could make that bikini disappear like some of her most teasing clothes had disappeared.

Natasha's phone beeped and she looked at it.  "Coulson said he misses his running buddy and she had better be up to at least six miles when we get back."

"I think I've got her up to five when we can make her hit the treadmill," Clint said, looking at her.  "How does he get you to run?"

"That disappointed look and my mp3 player usually."

"I'll have to try that."  He went back to his teasing, slowly working his way down.  He found the knot in the back to untie the bottoms.  He stared.  "How did you do that?"

"A mirror and Nair," she said with a grin.  "Waxing there hurts."

"Yes it does," Natasha agreed, coming over.  "You even managed the tiny hairs.  Last time you tried that you didn't."

"I remember the horrible itching last time too."  Clint stared at her.  "Certain healing spells require shaving everything and doing it skyclad.  I was working on one for Buffy when she got so damn sick a few years back."

"Why?"

"Naked because skyclad is naked and you wouldn't want a stray hair to drop into a healing spell."  He shivered.  "Phil almost walked in on that, even though I had the door locked.  Pepper called up and told him to let me do whatever magically.  He gave me funny looks for days until I told him it was to help Buffy."

"I don't think he would've done more than blush and walk off," Clint said.

"This is my big brother we're talking about.  There would've been random questions for days."

"Probably," Natasha agreed, smiling at her.  "She asked my opinion on how to remove it the easiest.  When I said a salon she told me she had to do it for the rite.  I suggested Nair worked but to be careful of chemical burns."

"I stopped it today just this side of a chemical burn," Dawn quipped.  "Then I scrubbed really well twice."

Clint moved to look.  "Got a bit too scrub happy.  You look like you scratched yourself."  He kissed the scratch marks, earning a groan.  He grinned and licked over the clean skin.  "That grapeseed lotion."  He kissed her and moved down to tease her better.  She jumped but it was a happy thing.  They could tease her for hours and all she could do was beg.  Now that was a great birthday present.  Natasha moved over to help him enjoy his present, which made Dawn a happy girl too.  She accidentally got free so they had to move to a better set of straps.  She got pouty.  He went back to his teasing.  This time she wasn't getting free.  Then tomorrow, Natasha's plans would work well with even more teasing and sex.

***

Xander looked around the plane he was on, really tired of the boring place.  He hated to meditate.  He knew it was the only way he was going to get to be corporeal again but he was bored out of his mind.  He decided to go travel.  He could manifest like a ghost for a limited time.  He went to check on Joyce since she was alone.  She was in the hospital for a slight bit of a cold that was worrisome.  With Buffy occupied with the dating thing - Hylal was a great warrior and she was enjoying all six foot something of him - and Dawn MIA, which was pissing him off greatly, someone had to check on Joyce.  He floated down and to the hospital, smiling at her.  "Why hi there, pretty lady."

"Xander."  She smiled.  "Are you going to stay that way?"

"No.  I'm bored."  She laughed.  "I'll be back in probably another year.  I just have to rack up enough meditation points to regain an elemental core and then a physical form and core."  He settled beside her on the bed, letting himself rest against her.  "I saw Dawn.  She's *such* a dick tease."  She nodded that was true.  "For both of them."  That got another nod and a smile.  "I saw what happened too.  She's coming out of it okay.  They've got her calmed down and able to function, all that."

"That's good.  Any news on Buffy?"

"Have you met Hylal?"

"I did, Buffy called up to video chat."  She stared at him.

"He's a great warrior."

"Who is over a foot taller than her and she said he thinks it's great fun to carry her around the house."

"Including during sex because he forgot she was limp and begging for mercy when the missionaries showed up at the door."  Joyce burst out cackling.  A nurse glanced in then left them alone.  He grinned. "I'm not sure Buffy realized it.  She *really* needs to work on her stamina.  He's even making her spar for foreplay."  That got another cackle.  He nodded.  "I guess it does a Summers woman good."

"It did when I was younger too.  Though I think they're both getting more than I did.  Hank had a *schedule*.  Now I know why."

"He had no taste," he said dryly.  "Look at the cows he screwed."

"True."  She looked at the doorway.  "Hi, Steve."

"Joyce.  Xander?"

"Bored.  Working on it.  It'll probably be a year."

"That's good.  Have you heard anything about the drama?"

"Yup, and I'm about to declare some people unprotected even if there is an apocalypse."  Steve shuddered.  "Trust me, if I was solid, there would not have been a problem after the first few complaints.   There might have been some panicking but not any more complaints."  He frowned, looking at something.  "Joyce, there's a connection glow with something in your purse from him.  Looks like it might be a picture?"  He floated it over for her.

She looked.  She found one and smiled.  "I think there is."  She waved Steve over, showing him.  "That's my mother and my aunt."

"That's Raven," he said, taking it to look at.  "That was your aunt?"

"She was the second one.  My grandmother's sister was the first.  It seems like one daughter always serves to protect people.  That's went on for the last four generations but I don't know about before then."

He sat in the visitor's chair.  "I met her once.  I was in awe of her.  Not many women could handle weapons in those days unless they were farm girls for hunting.  She took orders like a soldier and acted like one.  Even the WAC and WAV female soldiers didn't get that sort of training.  She helped a lot of people."  Joyce smiled.  "She was a lot like you from what I remember.  She was very caring.  She let a lot of GI's talk to her about their families when they needed to.  Then she'd get up and beat some guy making a comment about her being a woman."

Joyce smiled.  "I remember my aunt was one hell of a woman.  My mother was too but she wanted the kids and the family.  My aunt didn't."

"Did you have a sister?" he asked.

"Not that I'm aware of.  Mom said once she had accidentally gotten pregnant but had miscarried."

"I'm sorry to hear that.  Though you would've been one heck of a third generation in the suit."  He handed it back with a grin.  "I'd like to get a copy of that if I may."

"Of course."  She patted his hand again.  "I have a few others of her but none in the uniform.  A few goofy ones of her at home with my mother."  He grinned.  "I'm okay."

"You're a bit sick but getting better," he corrected.  "That 'I'm fine' thing I get all too often from the people on the team and it drives me nuts because I can't guess at how injured they are unless they're bleeding to death."

"I do the same thing," Xander agreed.  "I once told John I was fine when my shoulder was partially separated by a sword and I had three broken ribs.  I'm pretty sure I had a cut that had tried to break a vertebrae and another on my right hip that was down to the bone too."  Steve shuddered.  "I was just fine and passed out once I got home so no one could fuss over me.  John followed because he noticed some blood dripping out from under my armor.  I heard about it for *centuries*.  Even now he'll point that out to me.  He did when I passed out at his feet the last time."

"I would too, Xander," Joyce assured him.

"I know."  Two people walked in.  "Who are you?  I don't know you and you clearly aren't doctors by the lack of white coats."

"Who are you, sir?"

Xander smirked.  "The God Protectorate of Humanity."  One gaped.  "Get out of my adopted mother's sickroom.  Now please.  Don't make me lose my temper and bring my axe."

"We wanted to question her about her daughter," that one said.  "We're FBI."

Steve got up and hauled them out of the room and up the hall.  One got free and took a swing at him.  Steve knocked him up the hall then the other one.  "Let me take these beings out before they infect others," he said.  He spotted the needle.  "Nurse, I need you to confiscate that for *real* agents coming in to get it."  She nodded, getting a bag to do that.  He carried them both outside and dumped them on the pavement.  He stared down at them.  Stark showed up right after a SHIELD SUV.  "Agent Coulson, these supposed agents had a needle on them and wanted to talk to Joyce."

"Really."  He walked inside.  "Let me go confiscate that and check on her.  PD is en route, Captain."

"Thank you."  He stared down at them.  "I really do wish you people would quit making me ashamed to have woken up and still be an American," he said quietly.  One flinched and scooted away from him.  "I may love this country a whole lot but not some of you in it.  This will be stopped."  Agent Coulson came out.  "Can't we deport these sort?"

"If we could, I would," he assured him.  He stepped closer.  "Alexander is nearly corporeal again.  He got so mad he sucked out extra energy to come take care of you."  The junior agents hurried up to arrest them.  He handed over the needle.  "Straight to our lab.  I have the feeling that's what causes Joyce Summers' brain tumors."  They nodded.  "Captain?"

"There's times when I'm not really proud."

"That's a side effect of freedom, sir.  You can't have all good or it's even worse."

"I know.  Still a shame."  He looked at Tony.  "I just found out that Raven was Joyce's great-aunt."

"Really?  My dad mentioned her."  He considered it.  "Huh."  They went inside, his visor coming up.

"Sir, if you could take off the armor?" a nurse asked.

"I will the next time I show up.  Sorry, don't have a station here."

"Or a huge can opener," Xander quipped.  "That 'backrub' thing is going to bite you."

"I figured it might if she tried that when she wanted one."  He looked at Joyce.  "You're related to Raven?"  She showed him the picture.  "Huh.  My dad flirted hard with her, she was his dream woman.  Not that Mom got all upset about it, I think she wanted her too."

"That's my aunt, who took over for my great-aunt."  She smiled.  "Can you make sure he gets a copy?"

"Of course."  He tucked it into a pocket inside his suit.  It sealed shut and scanned it.  He handed it back.  "I'll print him a copy when I get back to the office."  He grinned at her.  "Dawn's teasing Clint Barton for his birthday tomorrow."

She sighed.  "He's a very skilled, very alive young man.  That's her choice as long as he's good to her.  I've never seen he wouldn't be so I'll accept that choice."

"Probably not that serious," Tony warned.

She shrugged.  "I had three boyfriends before the husband, Tony.  I remember those years for the most part."

Steve cleared his throat to hide the blush.  "She said something about you being a hippy because of Buffy's name."

"It was a song," she said with a grin.  "But I was."

Phil Coulson walked in.  "She told us about the deaging candy too."  He handed her something.  "Sign.  It's a complaint form."  She read it and signed.  "Thank you."  He smiled slightly.  "Tara is going to be put on apartment rest soon.  Her doctor thinks that all the agents hovering over her is stressing her out.  The twins will not quit kicking, no matter what she does, and she's craving pecan brittle, which I had to learn how to make."

She wrote down an address.  "Try there, Phil.  It's got some excellent nut brittles."  He smiled and tucked it into his pocket.  "When is she coming to visit?"

"Tonight.  I'm supposed to get off in time.  With that serial killer cabbie no one wants to make her take one and she can't drive.  Her stomach is too big to fit behind the wheel."

"Mine was too and I was only carrying Buffy.  Look how short she is," Joyce quipped, cracking the guys up.  She looked out in the hallway.  "Oh, dear.  NYPD."

Tony looked out there and smiled.  "Hi, guys."  They paused and stared.  He smirked.  "What did you need?"

"Something about a fight?"

Steve walked out.  "They were here to harass and probably harm Mrs. Summers.  I took appropriate corrective action and handed them over when agents got here to handle it," he said.  "I'm sorry we worried you, Officers."  Coulson came out with the complaint form.  They read it over and left it with them.

Phil's phone rang.  "Coulson."  He listened.  "You're sure?  Which version?"  He nodded.  "Right away.  Thank you."  He hung up.  "Stark, she needs to be moved now.  That was that serum."

"Okay," he agreed, calling Pepper.  "It's me.  We have to move Joyce ASAP.  We had supposed agents showing up with the serum.  Steve had to beat them mildly then handed them over.  Yes, there.  Thank you."  He hung up.  "One hour at the most."

"We can stay and hover," Phil said.  He looked at Xander.  "You're getting thin again."

"I know.  I'm racking up meditation points as often as I can stand to do it.  Hopefully by next Christmas I'll be back.  He looked up as a shriek hit his ears.  Stark looked at his visor's display then canceled it.  "Natasha is a really pretty lady," he said dryly.

"She is," Steve said.  "If you just saw her and she's not in trouble, don't let me know."

"She's not in trouble.  She's helping the trio celebrate Clint's birthday tomorrow."

"Then I really don't want to know," Steve assured him.

"Me either," Coulson said.  "I've nearly seen it a few times."  He paused.  "Really?"  Xander nodded.  "Good!  She could use the stability while she heals."

Tony Stark looked at him.  "Tell me a lie, Coulson.  That was definitely not the usual statement from you."

"She's still like my sister, Stark, and I'd like her to be happy.  Beyond that, I'll still taze you so fly off?"

"After we get her transferred."  He shook his head.  "Her pregnancy is mellowing you."

"Quite possibly."  He smirked at Joyce.  "She made me paint."

She nodded.  "That's called nesting."

"She couldn't stand up long enough."

"Buffy painted my house for me," Xander admitted.  "Though the dog helped."  He faded out.  "Damn it."

Steve looked up then at Joyce.  "I'm sure he'll be back sooner."

"Probably.  Xander is more stubborn than even I am."  Someone came to the door.  "Yes?  Do I know you?"

"Mrs. Summers, I'm here to serve you with some papers from your ex-husband."

"Is he back from Spain?" she asked dryly.  She took them and signed, letting him leave. She read over the front page.  "What does he want with Dawn?"

Tony plucked it with a grin.  "I have an excellent legal department."  He smiled at the doctor that walked in scowling.  "Dr. Pigalli, this is Dawn's mother."

"Hopefully you're less stubborn than Dawn.  She'd get up whenever she needed rest to go stomp around somewhere."  She checked her over.  "You look all right."

"They had that serum that gave her the tumors," Tony told her.  "She's in here because she caught a fairly bad cold and is just off cancer treatments by about a month."

"Okay, we can move you and put you in the restricted section so no one comes in to bother you."

"I don't mind visitors," Joyce said.  "It's really nice to have them."

"It is, but this way only Stark personnel or those authorized can get in to see you."  She called for an evac and they showed up to move her.

Steve punched one.  "I know you're not an EMT, Persat."

Coulson looked.  "He's not.  He was fired from SHIELD."  He called that in.  "Let us transport her, Dr. Pigalli."  He got smiled at.  Nick Fury came in to oversee it.  "Sir, as you can see, there's a problem."

"I can see that," he agreed, staring at the idiots.  "Take them in for questioning so we can see who they work for."

Steve looked at them.  Then at Fury.  "I'm quickly losing hope that this is going to be ended," he said quietly.

"Us too.  I think it will be."

"I think it may with the election," Tony said dryly.  They stared at him.  "Have we not noticed that Loki's boyfriend is still running?"  Joyce gave him a dirty look.  "Yes, that's him."

"I still want to end that," Fury said.

"With an update I got, he used Lethe water to help Dawn," Coulson said quietly.  "It was necessary, sir."

Fury looked at him.  "What did they do?"

"Beyond VR training and chemical breaking in?  Did you read the statement about how Wolfram and Hart's turnover of the LA office for a year happened?"

"Yes."

"Did you read what happened to Mr. Gunn?"

"I did."  Coulson stared at him.  "Crap."

"I'm told that it's been eased to the point where she's just sparring to control anything that's remaining.  She's mostly back on good emotional footing.  She's actually pulled out the bikinis."

"Don't remind me," Stark said.  "Callia called her this morning while she was teasing someone for their birthday.  Which was all Pepper's idea."  He got Coulson's phone and pulled up the bikini site, showing him that one.  "I saw just enough of that to know that Pepper really needs a vacation somewhere pampering that will let her shop."

Coulson stared then canceled that program.  "I did not need that mental image, Stark."

"Me either.  Or my daughter, who we covered and told her Dawn was getting a backrub while he was on top."

"I don't want to know," Steve said quickly, walking out into the hall.

Coulson smirked.  "I'll keep that in mind in case she tries it on someone."

"Have we noticed Callia has a bad habit of repeating what she's doing over and over?" Dr. Pigalli noted.  "I was going to mention it at her next check up, Mr. Stark."

"I did the same thing.  It was to keep me focused on what I wanted to do.  Otherwise I'd get very distracted.  My father hated it when I got lost because I got distracted.  He taught it to me and I taught it to her when she started the same thing."

"That's good to know.  Did you break it by school age?"

"I internalized it by then.  I fully broke it at seven.  Doctor McKay saw her doing it and said he had to do the same thing when he was younger, until he learned how to focus."

She sighed and smiled.  "That's a definite indication of her future brilliance.  I'll have that noted in her file so we can watch it."  He smiled and nodded.  "Any other notes to be made?"

"She's been going around and asking everyone for a story because she's making one up to tell to someone.  That was Dawn's idea."

"Excellent.  I'll tell the nurses so they can find one that's not a penis joke or a joke about that Roomba we seem to have floating around the building."

"I did not put an AI in it," Tony said.  "That was not my doing.  I'm pretty sure JARVIS got hold of that story and did it.  The same as he upped our security defenses without telling anyone."  He looked at Joyce.  "JARVIS told Callia that some day his successors would be helping her successors."  She grinned.  "I told him he was only getting updated, not being made into a father."  She giggled.  "I'm sure he'll need the maturity to handle her when she's a teenager and when she starts to have kids.  She's worse than I was in some ways. Her kids will be holy terrors."

Joyce nodded.  "Probably.  You do let her run a bit wild."

"But she's learning so much.  She was being taught the periodic chart the other day in song form by the chemists."  Joyce smiled.  "Drove us nuts singing it for six hours.  It even distracted her enough to not let her sleep."

"Aww."  Dr. Pigalli smiled at him.  "We were teaching her bones the same way."

"I heard.  Maybe she'll get an MD and a PhD in engineering."  He looked out at the new team coming in.  They had checked for any special precautions then went to get the gurney.  "Looks like you're out of here for the brighter lights of the bigger, more friendly rooms."  He smirked.  "See you there, Joyce.  I'll tell the heathen wench you're coming."  He stomped outside and flew off.

Coulson shook his head.  "He's a lot more stable with her."

"Kids do change you," Joyce agreed.  "Guys, I can get up."

"Let us, ma'am."  They lifted her up and over.  The lesser agents cleaned up her room, got her personal belongings, and Joyce signed herself out.  Coulson went with her in the ambulance so he could ask questions about Tara.  She was needy and he didn't know if he could help since Tara insisted any man's touch might break her vows.  He had no idea about that.

Joyce smiled.  "You've kissed her on the cheek, Phil."

"I have.  I've let her hold my arm when we're walking too because she was having some balance issues.  Both were skin contact.  I didn't think about that.  I'll ask later."  He smiled.  "At least you'll have better food here.  The cafeteria at Stark Towers is really good."  She smiled.  "Callia got a bit mean the other day in there."  Joyce gave him a look.  "There was a junior cook picking on one of the guards.  Callia heard and saw how he was hunched down so she stomped in there like some avenging agent and kicked the cook in the shin.  We could all see the bruise pop up.

"She yelled at her about being mean, even if the guard wasn't nice she was still more mean.  One of the other guards, who hadn't stuck up for his teammate, called Stark down to corral her.  Stark walked in, listened, fired the cook.  Told his daughter to calm down and that was his job, not hers.  Her answer of 'I was here' made him scowl.  She patted the guard on the hand, made sure he was all better, then huffed off to tell Pepper.  Stark told the guard to write out a report on what had happened and why, then went to talk to her about picking on mean people before she was old enough to vote."

Joyce grinned.  "That's my granddaughter, already socially and emotionally aware."

"We're fairly certain she's a bit empathic like Dawn is," he agreed.  "Whenever anyone she knows is stressed she rushes to them and hugs them until they're better.  She has even had JARVIS send her to SHIELD to hug Agent Hill when she looked upset.  Stark was not amused."

"That's dangerous but I can see how good she was."

Coulson nodded.  "She was very sweet.  She fussed over Agent Hill, she scowled at Director Fury when he complained.  Tried to kick him in the shin but he moved.  She stuck her tongue out at him, called him a bad asshole, and went back to fussing over Agent Hill."  She cackled.  He grinned.  "She is one hell of a child."

"Yes she is.  Did she get grounded for swearing?"

"I would have if I hadn't been two floors down.  Agent Hill reminded her not to use those words and let herself be cuddled and fussed over.  Callia cooed, petted her hair, and cuddled her until she felt much better about breaking up with her boyfriend."

"That's very good of her."

"Then they had ice cream at Callia's suggestion.  We made sure hers had a lot of whipped cream and extra sauce."  He grinned.

"Ooh, babies and sugar."

"Yup."  They shared a smirk.  "Pepper was amused about all of it but that part."  She patted his hand.  They pulled into the parking garage.  "Looks like we're here."  When they parked he hopped out first and helped get the gurney out.  "I'll tell Tara you're over here.  It's safer for her to visit you here anyway."

"Grandma!" a tiny voice shouted and then she was pounced.  "Are you tick?" she demanded, scowling at her.

"I have a cold, dear, the sniffles.  They're worried where I was so sick."

"Awww.  We make you better."  She cuddled her.  "Hi, Unclie Phil."

"Hi, Callia.  We were just talking about you."  Callia smirked.  He patted her hair.  "Were you in the wind?"

"Yup.  Broken window was fun but they wouldn't let me look."

"I wouldn't either, that's dangerous."  They went up together and he presented her to the doctors in the infirmary.  They handed him Callia while checking her over.  Then Callia got handed back once she was in a proper bed.  She snuggled in and they talked about flowers and penguins and pigeons for a bit.  Phil went back to the office to make a report and to tell Tara where Joyce was so they could visit.

***

Dawn woke up and tried to stretch.  Still tied down.  "Can I go to the bathroom?" she asked.

"Yup."  Clint got her free and let her go in there.  He was relaxed, calm and sated.  Natasha was napping.  He was almost limp enough to nap but it was too warm in the house right now.  Dawn came out and paused.  He sat up, he heard something on the stairs too.

Dawn looked.  "Callia, why is there a snake following you and what are you doing here?"  She snatched the snake with magic and banged it against the wall to kill it.

"Hey!  Pretty," she said.  She stared at her aunt.  "Bath time?"

"Yup."  She put on her bikini as quickly as she could.  Clint tossed over his sleeveless t-shirt with a head shake.  "Let me put her back.  C'mon, Harry."  She grabbed the snake.

"Not Harry, Callia," she complained, pouting.

"I know you're Callia.  Harry is a boy in a story that can talk to snakes."  Callia grinned at that.  She teleported them back to Stark Towers, looking around the office.  No one.  "Shoot."  She snuck out, waving the baby's hand at the staring secretaries.  "I am *not* here.  You did not see me so no one can come looking and attack."

"Yes, ma'am," one said.  "Infirmary.  Your mother's got a cold."

"Thanks."  She rushed for the elevator before more people saw her.  She looked at her niece in the elevator.  "How did you get to us?"

"JARVIS?" she asked with a cute grin.

"I'll talk to him.  It's dangerous.  What if we hadn't been home?"

"Oooh."  She pouted.

"Yeah.  So you have to call first.  That way we make sure I'm not naked next time."  The doors opened and she looked around then jogged up the hall and around the corner.  Her mother wouldn't be in the main infirmary.  She walked in and handed her to Tony, the snake to Phil, and hugged her mother.  "You'd better get better faster."

"I am, it's just a cold.  They worried, that's all.  What are you wearing?"

"More than I was when my niece showed up."  She gave her an extra squeeze.  Then she turned to hug Phil, hug Tara, hug Tony and Callia, then Pepper.  "Let me go before someone leaks that I'm here and they try to attack again.  Call, Callia, and we'll see if you can come down, without the snake next time."  She disappeared.

Phil and Tony looked at the snake then at her.  "Where did you get that?" Tony asked her.  "And how did you get there?"

"That snake looks like the one that escaped from Lab 2 earlier," Bruce Banner said from the doorway.  "The researcher had one brought in for some tests and it got free while he was feeding it."  Phil handed it back.  "Was that Dawn?"

"Yes," Tony said.  "Somehow Callia went visiting.  JARVIS?" he called patiently.  "The baby is not allowed to beam anywhere without permission unless it's an emergency."

"Yes, sir.  She wanted to see her aunt."

"You're getting mushy in your old age, JARVIS, do I need to do a tune up?" Tony asked.

"No, sir, but she is fairly hard to resist when she pouts."

"You resist it when I do."

"Yes, but she's smaller, cuter, and more innocent, sir."

"Good point."  He handed her to Grandma.  "Hug Grandma."

Callia snuggled in.  "Story about Harry?  Auntie say talk to snake."

"I know that story and we're going to start on it next month after I finish the one you're getting at bedtime," Tony said.  She bounced around.  "No visiting anywhere without an adult."

"She say call!" Callia nearly shouted.  "Wanted Auntie!"

"I know you did.  You ask me and we'll call."  Callia nodded and slumped down against her grandmother's side.  "Thank you.  We don't want you to have booboos from that sort of thing."  He took the snake and walked off to throw a fit at JARVIS.  The AI had more sense than that!

Phil looked at Tara, who smiled.   "At least we know she's all right and she did put on something."

"Naked.  Bath time," Callia said with a grin.  "Napping buddies too."

"That's good to know too," Joyce agreed.  "I know that wasn't Dawn's shirt."

"No, I believe it was Agent Barton's shirt," he admitted.  "I'm not sure if she had clothes on underneath it."

"Bikini," Callia said happily, wiggling some.  "I need."

"Only when you can swim," Joyce told her.  "Until then you don't need one."  The baby pouted.  "That doesn't work on me.  Your mother did the same thing and didn't get her way either."  She hugged her.

Callia looked at Pepper.  "Bikini?"

"When you can swim," she agreed.  She had been fighting this battle for weeks and Joyce had just solved it for her.  "You have to get Daddy to teach you to swim."  She smiled.

"Daddy!" she yelled.

His voice popped up.  "What's happened now?"

"Bikini?  Swim me?"

"You can learn how to swim when the pool is fixed," he said patiently.  "You can have a bikini when you're thirteen."  He hung up.

"They do make baby ones," Pepper said to the ceiling's input camera and microphone.  No answer.  "We'll see once you can swim."  Callia bounced around then launched herself at Tara, getting caught by Phil.

"Babies!" she said with a point.

"You can pat the babies, you may not pounce," he ordered.  "You could hurt her or the babies."  Tara sniffled.  Callia sniffled.  They hugged and Callia got down to cuddle and talk to the babies.  She decided they needed to know about teddy bears and bikinis.  He shook his head.  "They don't need those until they can swim."

"So?  If know they can want it sooner."  She went back to talking to them.

"Someone fed her sugar for lunch," Joyce said quietly.  "Callia, what did you have for a snack?"

She looked up and smirked.  "Jerky and honey stuff."  She went back to talking to the babies while Tara patted her hair.

"That explains it," Phil said.  Joyce nodded.  Stark came back.  "Honey stuff?"

"I had to take the mead away from her.  She wanted to help Thor drink."  They groaned.  "No, the sugar is from lunch, when her nanny gave in and let her have chocolate cereal."

Bruce smiled at him.  "She did pout until she got her way."

"She does that.  It's a bad habit she needs to drop before she pouts her way into a boyfriend."  He looked at Joyce.

Who smiled.  "You have to be a bit stronger against the pout."

He sighed.  "I try really hard."

"I know, Tony.  You're doing good.  She could be a lot more spoiled."

"She could, yeah.  We've done a pretty good job with her."  She had moved over to Bruce to talk to him about bikinis.  "I don't think he knows about them, Callia.  He's blushing.  Boys don't really wear bikinis."  She bounced back to talk to Pepper about them.  She wanted one with polka dots.  "Sure, when you're thirteen you can have one of those."

"They do make them in little girl sizes," Pepper said.

"They make push up bras and lingerie in her size too.  Doesn't mean she needs them," Tony assured her.

"They do?" Tara asked.  Stark nodded.  "Someone needs shot.  I need to find that someone."  She walked off.  Phil followed to take his gun back and calm her down.

Tony shook his head.  "That's why we don't need more kids, Pepper.  Mood swings."

"Yours or the mother's?" she asked dryly with a smirk.  "Some day I want kids.  I might adopt though."

He smiled.  "Much easier to adopt.  No morning sickness."  Tara swatted him.  "It is."

"Guys don't get it anyway," she reminded him.  "Adopting means there's still a mother somewhere."

"Roque's mother promised to have Clay knocked up," Tony said.

Tara stared at him then shook her head quickly with a moan.  "Maybe Jensen but not Clay.  Eww."  Phil patted her and let her hug him to get that awful image out of her head.  "Maybe Cougar or Jensen but not Clay," she muttered.

"Here, Tara, come nap beside me," Joyce said.  "I know how tired I was when I was carrying Buffy.  I'm sure twins are harder."  Tara smiled and got in some snuggling time.  "Boys like Xander might too," she said quietly.

"We'd have to take the battle axe," Tony said.  He walked off rubbing his head.  He could see Xander doing it.  He could definitely see Xander doing it.  He didn't want to, but he could see him waddling up the hall eating a twinkie, his battle axe over his shoulder, and pregnant.

Phil shook his head quickly and shuddered. "I'll have to tell John that.  He said he's bored this week."  He texted that.  He also texted that to Agent Hill to warn her that Roque's mother was offering a few select Gods the right to bear their own children.  She asked if she had offered it to Thor and he said he didn't know.

***

Agent Hill put up her phone and walked over to where Thor was trying to do a word search puzzle.  He was concentrating very hard and scowling a bit.  She looked and pointed.  "That's the end 'e'."  He smiled and circled it.  "Thor, a question just got raised for later missions."  He looked up at her.  "Agent Coulson said that the demigod Roque's mother has offered to help male gods conceive.  If that's part of your later plans, we need to know so we can take you off missions.  Okay?"

He stared at her.  "Were you drugged?" he asked.

"No.  Can she do that?"

"Aye, and probably will because she's a nagging mother about grandchildren, like my nephew's is."  He squeezed his eyes shut.  "She has not offered it to me and I would rather a wife do so.  I would definitely not fit into my armor and my hammer may not like that."

She patted him on the arm.  "If it does happen, we need to know, but I'm sure your future wife will have a lot of babies for you."

He smiled.  "Three or four is good.  I do not need some like the Greeks, who had nine at once.  Truly mind altering in a bad way.  That's probably why they fight so."  He went back to his puzzle.  "I'll tell if I decide to do that to get my father out of complaining about my lack of spouse."

"Thank you."  She went back to her post.  She even wrote a short report on that to make sure that the director knew Thor knew to tell them.

Fury came to his office door a few minutes later.  "Agent Hill, I have you authorized for vacation time starting tomorrow for a week.  Do I need to put on there that you'll be somewhere out of contact or are you going to a spa or something?"

She smiled.  "Thank you, sir.  I can definitely go to a spa."

"I'll make sure that's known and we won't bother you for a week."  He went back to his desk.  He came out to find another bottle of advil because now his head ached.  "Where is Coulson?"

"He is off-shift, sir, and had plans of taking Tara to Stark Tower so she could visit with Joyce Summers."  Thor looked at her.  "She got a bit sick so they hospitalized her again."

"Tell her I wish her well.  She has struggled muchly with illness and deserves a lot of healthy time before her daughters fuss her into it."  He went back to his puzzle.  "Why do people do these for fun?"

"To keep their minds sharp."  She walked over and pointed.  "There."  She heard a beep.  "What was that?" she demanded.

"Ma'am, we have a blip of higher energy that is unrelated to Miss Summers going on in the Ukraine."

"Nuclear or otherwise?" she asked, walking over to look at it.  "Oh, another witch.  Fairly strong.  Not Dawn."  She called Coulson to alert him to that fact - he handled any witch-related things now since he did so well with Tara and Dawn.  He sent it over to the one who dealt with magic and demons at SHIELD Europe.  Now she knew who to call over there.  She made that note and it was better.  Fury came back so she showed him the incident log.  He nodded, taking a few pills and heading for his desk again.

Things were mostly back to normal it seemed.

Now if only their missing members would get back and Tara would give birth.

19: Old Ones Coming Back To Normal

Xander finally makes it to a physical form again and the running away from the US is solved for the trio.

Xander was struggling with his godhood.  He really wanted to be back to flesh and blood but each time he started to gain a form he was stopped and it hurt a whole lot.  "Okay, so not fair," he complained to himself.  The elder gods that had merged with time and space gave him a dirty look.  He shrugged.  "Yes, I'm young and impatient.  I've been up here now for almost ten months.  I can barely hold a steady shade, much less a real form."  He concentrated on the exercise again.  And again, it hurt.  He scanned himself and found the problem.  Well, two problems.

One was a Dawn-based infection in his powers.  He concentrated on removing that from his elemental core.  Otherwise he'd end up with an energy pregnancy courtesy of the Key.  Which he didn't really want to hear the jokes about.  The other... looked like something different.  He stared then at the power around him.  "Hellmouth radiation, really?" he demanded.  The elder ones all started to laugh.  "You could've just told me, people.  Then I would quit annoying you faster."

"You are the most life we've had in a while," one said.

"Yeah but I haven't had sex in *years* now."  They all giggled again.  "Sure, you gave up on it.  Some of us haven't yet.  I've still got plenty of idiots to deal with.  Because humanity *loves* to destroy itself."  They all nodded.  He concentrated on the hellmouth energy and his leak back into the powers of creation, frowning.  "Yup, I can do that."  He filled the holes left by the radiation with the power he wasn't supposed to be accessing.  It was just as tainting and just as bad for him as hellmouth radiation.  The other gods all stared.  "Yes!" he shouted as he disappeared.  He landed and shook himself, looking around all the staring people.  "What?  I'm finally free, thank you."

His father's consort stared at him.  "Alexander, nice to meet you in person."

Xander smirked at him.  "You're my father's consort."  The crowd moaned.  He snickered.  "Yeah, I saw the election."

"Do you have anything you want to say?"

Xander smiled.  "The next person who tries to make someone do my job, and the job of my people, against their will I'm going to destroy.  Possibly down to the country level."  A few gasped.  He smirked.  "Yes, Dawn is like my little sister.  That's why we fought that battle together," he said facetiously.  "So drop it!"  They cowered.  He smiled.  "So, Stepdad, if he wants, I'm going home.  He can come for dinner as long as he's peaceful and not on a kick."  He disappeared.  "He knows how to get there," he called back.

He nodded.  "Yes, my stepson is very tough," he agreed.  "And in many ways I agree with him, though I would rather we know what sort of rogue powers we may be facing."  A comic book floated down and he took it to look at.  "That is an unusual source."  He tucked it away for later reading since it was probably important.  The banner had 'mutant registration' so he got the point.  His stepson was in no way subtle.

***

Xander appeared and the temple shook.  "Stop it," he yelled.  It stopped.  "Thank you.  Daddy's home, dear."

Bia looked up from her reading.  "About time."

"They didn't tell me I had a Dawn-power infection or that the hellmouth radiation had to be slightly replaced."  She laughed.  "Yeah, but I was entertaining for them.  How's Joyce?"  He checked then blinked and looked away.  "No, I don't think I'm going to interrupt her."

"Pole dancing class?" Bia guessed.  Xander nodded.  "Dawn suggested it.  Said it was great cardio.  I'm taking it in the local town."

He kissed her on the head.  "I hope that you find some nice being to wreck because of it, dear."

She laughed.  "Me too."

He walked out back.  "I'm back!" he bellowed.  He knew Roque and John had both set up listening bells to send anything critical to them.  He looked around.  "Damn, Bia, were you that bored?"

"Yes.  Callia helped me plant the gardens though."

"That's great."  He looked around.  No John or Roque.  He sighed and went to hug his Goddaughter.  She had *grown*.  She was nearly four now.  He sighed and cuddled her.

"Uncle Xander!" she squealed, hugging him back.  "You're back?  Are you really back?"

"I'm really back."  He cuddled her.

A guard walked in and paused then backed out.  "Welcome back, sir."

"Thanks."  He smiled at her.  "You did a great job helping Bia in the gardens."  She beamed and bounced around, dancing some.  He laughed.  "You're so silly."  She pounced him for another hug.

Loki appeared.  "I do not believe that we will have that registration problem either."  He handed the comic back.  "I am working on it, son."

"I can go blow shit up if it'll help."

Loki looked at his son.  "Go find a whore," he complained then left.  Stark was coming up the hall with Pepper.

Xander shook his head, looking at Callia.  "He just doesn't understand."

She shook her head back.  "Nope."  She smiled and waved at her father.  "He's really back!"

"I can see that."  Tony grinned.  "Have fun?"

"I hate meditating but my frustration gave them entertainment."

"Good.  I guess."  He took Callia back and Pepper helped Xander stand up.  He hugged her too.  "Don't do that to me."

Xander kissed him hard and fast, making him moan.  "Shut up.  I'd be the best thing you've ever had and you'd beg for more.  Just look what I did to Anya."  He smirked and patted the baby on the head, she was cackling.  "Anyway, checking in.  No emergencies this week?"

"No," Stark said.

"Dawn still good?  Each time I look that way I see things that made the Elders giggle their asses off.  They really liked the strapped on toys they were sparring with."

Stark shook his head.  "Not in front of the baby."

"She didn't hear a word.  I covered her ears.  Mystically but still covered."  He grinned.  "My uncle?"

"Moping.  Odin's nagging about the wife thing."

Xander rolled his eyes.  "I'll help him.  Pepper, anything I should know?"

"Not yet.  Joyce is downstairs.  They wanted to do an in-depth MRI and it would take some sedation so we're doing it here.  Buffy's in."

"That's cool.  How are she and Hylal?"

"She claims he walked around and had her mounted like a deer head."

Xander laughed.  "Doesn't surprise me any.  That's a mark of claiming."  He tweaked Callia's ear, getting swatted and laughed at.  "Let me go find others since they didn't respond to the I'm back call."  He smirked and disappeared.  "See you later, baby cakes."

"Bye, Uncle Xander."  She waved at the air then smiled at her Daddy.  "Things are going to be better now."

"Yes they are.  Because if anyone can protect your Aunt, it's him."

Pepper smiled.  "Why don't you go pounce your mom?"  She cackled evilly and ran off to do that.  "Aww, you're already turning her into an evil genius.  I'll have to teach her what shopping is to calm her down."

"Please don't.  You taught Dawn and she spends thousands when she goes.  Even with sales.  I doubt Callia will find a sale until she's a teenager.  By then we'll be broke."  He walked off.

"Could be.  I saw the cutest couture shoe line for little girls.  Even some heels."

"Hell no!  You might find her stripper shoes like you found her aunt."

"No, I pulled anything of ours out of any event that was also using the people who made kiddie lingerie as sponsors," she said.  "Have you seen their lines?  It's almost as bad as Victoria's Secret for a six-year-old."

"Needing brain bleach," he noted, going into the lab.  "Destroy them if you can, Pepper, before my daughter gets bad ideas."  He closed the door.  "Like bikinis that wreck minds, strap on dildos, or even snipers," he muttered.  Dawn had been so normal until they had taken her.  Maybe they could help her finish calming down.

***

Dawn looked at herself.  "I'm glowing and I did not release any power."

Clint nodded.  "You're very bright and we're in a city," he noted.  They had left Guatemala when some idiot had tried to capture Dawn and Natasha.  It had been a few months but they were getting her used to the way things usually went in the field.  She sucked it in and sighed in pleasure.  "Good?" he quipped.

"Yeah.  Better than I got last night."  He hit her arm.  She smirked.  "Apparently I left some of it with Xander and he sent it back."  That got a nod.  "So we're doing what?"

"I'm going to talk to someone.  You're going to stay here," he reminded her.

"That's not really any fun."

"Yay."  He got out of the car and locked her in, heading into the bar.

Dawn watched.  Because that's what she was supposed to do.  She saw them go onto the roof to talk.  She saw the gang show up to talk to Clint in that bad way.  He was firing on them but one shot him.  She flashed up there and shot two, taking his bow to get the one that was farther away and had shot Clint.  He died as he fell off the building.  She handed the bow back and leaned down.  "Healing spell before I thank you for the aiming lessons?"

"Please."  He shot the person sneaking up behind her.  "No touching her."

Dawn grinned.  "Are you having that birthday caveman growl again?" she quipped, working the healing spell.  He moaned and relaxed, nodding.  "That's fine."  She helped him up and they gathered the weapons.  "Now what, boss?"

"Now, we were turned on."

She smirked.  "So that guy at the bar?"

"That guy at the bar."

"Cool!"  She disappeared back down to beside the car, strolling off.

"Wait for me," he called.

"Yup, sure am."  She found the local contact Spike had given her and smiled as she moved up beside him.  "Hi, Clem."

"Dawn!" he said, looking around then at her.  "Why are you here?"  She whispered in his ear, earning a whimper.  "Back room.  Please don't do what your sister would?" he begged.

"I'm not going to hurt a single peaceful being that doesn't try to attack me and my friends, Clem.  I'm very much her sister in that still."  She tweaked a wrinkly fold of flesh.  "The fact that they helped kidnap one of my friends...."  She smiled.  He nodded.  "Thank you, Clem.  Happy and prosperous games."  She blew a luck charm on his cheek instead of a kiss and walked off.  The wrinkly demon slumped into his barstool, drinking his ale.  He saw the other one walk in and hung his head, pointing in the back.

Clint decided he'd ask about the wrinkly guy later.  When they got Natasha back.  He found Dawn teasing one of the vampires to distract him, and pickpocketing him.  The vampire went up in a spout of dust and Dawn dusted herself off as she got off the chair.  The two trying to hide Dawn's prey got out of her way.  They were just as dustable.  Clint smirked at her.  "Nice."

"Thank you."  She hauled him over.  "Hi."

"Miss," he said, looking terrified.

"Do you know who I am?"

"No," he said cautiously.  "We know who he is."

"And who is he usually found around these days?" she asked.

"You're the slayer's sister," one said.

"Yeah, I am."  She smiled at their information source that had turned on them.  "And you've just pissed me the fuck off."  The demon tried to move.  Dawn held him still.  "Give me one really good reason, that had better be an intelligence source or information you have, that I should not kill you?"

"We heard they warped you."

She smiled.  "I would've done this when Xander taught me.  Or Spike.  Or hey, Dru used to send me letters explaining what kittens were used for."  The demon tried to go limp.  "No, I think not."  She pulled out her hidden gun.  "I've lost my patience.  Especially since I had to do a healing spell."  He stared, nodding.  "Yeah.  And by the way, Xander's back.  Since she was the one that *everyone* wanted him to take as a mate...."

"Oh, dear," he said, wetting himself.  "She's with Ragna.  That was his people.  He runs this demon area."

"Where is he?" Clint asked.  "And where is the Black Widow?"

"She's there," he said with a point at a hotel.  "That's his stronghold."

Dawn let him go and walked off.  "What's my damage level for the day set at?"

"Fuck if I care?" he admitted.  "Nothing that would get us noticed, like setting it on fire.  The rest of the block would probably go up too.  This slum is all old wooden buildings."

"That's not a bad idea," she admitted, raising her hands.  "But it won't hurt anyone nice."  She cast the illusion charm, making it as real as she could.  Demons ran screaming from the hotel.  They walked inside.  Demons were running so hard that they were nearly knocked over.  Dawn took her gun back from the pickpocketing demon.  Clint got his too.  And his knife and wallet.  Dawn found a trace of Natasha and headed that way.  "Pool area," she said.  "Nicely able to be cleaned up."

"As long as they haven't drowned her."

Dawn looked at him.  "I will pull a Willow and it won't have to be a problem like Phil's was."  She pushed open the doors.  She was better at demon things because they were scared to death of her sister.

"She'd hate that."

"Yay.  She can nag me for a while."

"True, she'd probably cut you off too."

"Hey, I can beg," Dawn quipped.  "We'd have her at least."

"True.  I'd hate to be without her or you."  Dawn smiled.  They walked in.  Natasha was on some fairly thin plexiglass above the deep end of the pool, tied to a chair.  They could hear the stuff cracking and the demon demanding answers about Dawn.

Dawn cleared her throat.  "Me?"  She blasted him at the same time Clint shot him.  Then she carefully lifted Natasha up and off the plexiglass.  "Don't want to mess up your hair, dear."  She smiled at the smoking demon, who was still standing.  "What did you want with me?"

"You're weak now.  That battle weakened you."

"While it's true that I did send a good bit of power out during the battle, I had *three* sources of it.  Which all recharge."  The demon's eyes went wide.  She smiled.  "I clearly didn't use them all."  She stabbed him and watched him dissolve, picking up the few bits and pieces in the goo that could be used to bring him back.  They got tossed into the pool to dissolve.  "Their brains are like kidney stones," she quipped, walking back around.  "Okay, so we're officially not here any longer."  They smirked.

"I say...  We skip back to the hotel so we can pack and I take us to Xander's temple."  They nodded.  She brought them back there by teleporting.  The packing took all of two minutes.  When they had to leave the house in Guatemala she had sent most of their things to her house at Xander's temple complex.  Now she sent the rest of their things and them.  They appeared.  She relaxed and rolled her head around, letting it pop.  "Want me to dye my hair?"

"No," Natasha said.  "It was not your fault you got spotted when we had you teasing that arms dealer."  She took a quick kiss.  "I heard you in the hallway and it would not happen."

Dawn smirked.  "You sure?"

"Quite, because I would have to kill both of us."  She stared at her.  "One life at the most."

"Fine.  Maybe."  She walked off.  "Bia, do we need to get groceries?"

"No, dear.  The garden has plenty of vegetables," Bia called.  She came out to look at her.  "You need to eat before your mother sees you."

"I'm not underweight, just a bit skinny."  She waved a hand in the 'magic happened' way.  Bia sighed and rolled her eyes.  "Xander back here yet?"

"Chasing John around Atlantis I think."

"Huh."  She put up a mirror to look.  They both giggled at Xander trying to get John.  It looked like fun.  Finally Xander teleported in front of John and hugged him.  John hugged him back but swatted him on the head.  "We should have a family group relaxing weekend," Dawn said.

Bia beamed.  "We should.  I can't find Clay."

Dawn switched it to find them.  Tied up in a basement looking place.  Dawn considered it then changed the portal so it was open.  She casually threw over a light stick then a knife, then a knife at the bad guy monolouging.  "Why is it that bad guys always yap?" she complained.  "They talk more than I do while drunk."  She closed the portal.

"I don't think that's possible," Clint called.  "Bia, is there still a grocery store at the bottom of the hill?"

"Sure is."

Dawn smiled and changed her hair color to blonde, then put on something that padded her shape some.  "Steaks?"

"Yes, please," Clint ordered with a grin.  "I'll come."

"Sure.  Natasha, wanna come with?"

"No.  I'm going to relax by using this tub you got given.  Pick me up some as well."

"Okay."  They left, jogging down the hill.  It was only three miles each way and Phil would be happy that she could jog six miles.  He had asked when she had shown up for Tara's birth party.  It had been held safely inside Stark Towers because the hospital had been raided by agents in case she showed up.  Phil had not been amused.  SHIELD had not been amused when Phil had ordered a strike team to come take them out.  The people who had ordered the original team screamed at Fury, who snorted and hung up on them then chewed Coulson out for calling for that much help for a mere six commandos.

Coulson pointed out he was busy with Tara and a bit distracted by the very graphic, disgusting version of the birth film starting.  Fury walked off shuddering and complaining about how many of his people had given birth after that battle.  Apparently SHIELD had a 'woo hoo, we survived, let's celebrate without condoms' event on the hell carrier on the way back home.  And there hadn't even been mead.  It was truly a bad day when Fury had to fill in ninety-seven change of status forms to 'parent' and list all the kids.  In government triplicate.

Clint stared at her.  "You're thinking about all the paperwork again?" he guessed.

"Thinking back to the disgust that Fury had with all that change of status paperwork."

"I'm thinking most of the women on the ship just dove into a vat of sperm with the way it turned out."

"Not really.  One guy is the father of five.  Three singles and a set of twins."

"Not Coulson, right?"

"No.  Not him.  That mental midget in accounting."

He laughed.  "How did he know what to do?  He seemed like the dying a virgin sort."

"I have no idea.  I was also thinking that they needed mead to make it a better 'we're not using condoms because the world didn't end' event."  He cackled, nodding.  They slowed down when they got near the store, catching their breaths.  It was a pretty fast trip.  They had backpacks to fill.  Clint got beer.  "We have that bottle."

"I want a beer."

"Okay."  She handed him a better brand.  "That way we can drink too."  He handed her another six-pack of it.  They looked at steaks, finding a few very nice looking ones.  A few other things, and a diet soda for Dawn.  Plus a giant candy bar as a hosting gift.  Xander was probably missing chocolate.  They checked out and Dawn paid; they packed the backpacks, then took off back to the temple.

O'Neill pulled up beside them.  "Get in."  They got in.  "You guys all right?"

"Just peachy keen," she quipped.  "How's your end of the bad guy spectrum?"

"Quiet this week.  I think Daniel's migraine scared the universe."  They passed through the barriers and Dawn dropped the illusions on them.  "How did I see through those?"

"I set it so people that didn't know and like us saw it."

"That's not a bad idea."  He parked and they got out, taking their groceries to their house.

"Yes, chocolate!" Xander squealed.  "And Dawn!"

"Get off, Mr. Grabby Hands.  You lost your chance at my fine ass when you broke my crush on you."  He laughed and hugged her tighter.  She squeezed back.  "Do not go ghostly again."

"I won't."  He looked at Clint.  "Thank you for helping and saving her."

"It was our pleasure."  He smiled.  "Good to be back?"

"Very good to be back.  Now all I need is a good screwing.  It's been years."  He walked off.  "Bia, I need to find a mistress."

"You need to find someone," she agreed, taking a bit of his giant candy bar for herself.  "Because I'm not doing it."

He kissed her.  "I know."  He sat down to eat his chocolate.  Stark appeared with Callia.  With Tara, Phil, and the babies.  Without Joyce or Buffy.  Stark also left again.  "Sure," he said happily.  He looked at the babies.  "Hi, kids."  They were napping.  "They're adorable but I do not want one."

Tara smiled.  "They are adorable."

Dawn strolled over to get hugs.  "Hi, little heathens who scream."  They snored at that naming.  She grinned at Tara.  "Not babysitting."

"I know.  You might teach them to like bikinis like you did your niece."  Dawn snickered but kissed and hugged her.  "You're still okay?"

"I'm just fine," she assured her.  "The others are starting the grill."  Everyone piled out to get mellow and calm down.  Clay's team appeared thanks to Roque, who looked a bit sweaty.  "Morning," she called with a wave.

Roque glared.  "I needed that shithead to bring down another one."  Dawn pointed at Callia.  "Hey, brat."

She stuck her tongue out.  "I'm a good girl for good boys.  You're a bad boy so you get bratty me."

"Yes I am," he said smugly.  Natasha came out wearing something comfortable.  "How am I going to get around him to get intel?"

"Ask Clem?  He's in the kitten poker hall."

"Who was he?" Clint asked.

"He's a very old friend from Sunnydale.  He's a crossbreed and he plays kitten poker for food sources."  He just nodded.  "He did some of my babysitting with Spike.  Clem's really peaceful and nice unless you threaten what he likes.  Then he kinda inflates."  Clint shuddered.  "But he's a really sweet guy who loves kitten poker a lot."

"Sure," he agreed.

"Clem is a nice guy," Xander agreed.  "Is that for all of us?"

"Get your own," Dawn quipped.  "We didn't get dinner last night."

"Fine."  He got the steaks from the freezers and started up the bigger grill for them.

Bia walked up to Natasha, handing her some water.  "Are you all right?" she asked quietly.

"I'm fine.  A bit out of sorts."

Bia smiled.  "Dawn in a cuddly mood either cheers you up or totally annoys you," she said quietly.

Natasha smiled.  "Yes, it can.  You still have to like her for it anyway."

"You do," she agreed.  She got something for the pain in her lower back.  Dawn walked over and flipped her against a column, working on the knots there.  "Dawn."

"Hush.  You've got knots."

"I'm fine."

Dawn leaned on her shoulder.  "Is it not my job to fuss over you two?" she asked quietly.  "I think that's what the vote said was my job."

"It did," she agreed, smiling slightly.  "We could go inside for this."

"We could but you'd end up missing dinner."

"I'm still not happy with that idea," she warned.

Dawn grinned.  "I know.  And I'm being a total bitch about it."

"You are but I do understand."  Dawn finished working the knots out and she moaned as the pain stopped.  "Thank you."

"Welcome.  Who else would let me go tease?"  She walked back to the grill and took her beer to sip.

Callia stared at her.  "No drinkies."

Dawn looked down.  "I'm allowed to have one or two.  I'm not going to get drunk, dear."  Callia scowled.  "I know you hate it when your daddy does it.  I'm not going to be like that.  This is my only one for now."  Callia relaxed and went to talk to Xander.  She groaned across the bonds.  They both smirked at her for it.

Tony walked over.  He had just come back.  "The vote on the act to conscript people is next week," he said casually.

"How is it looking?" Clint asked.

"Not bad.  Cap gave them one hell of a 'some people aren't warriors' talk.  I backed that up.  Fury backed that up.  The commanders of all the armed forces backed that up.  O'Neill backed that up.  Cap's was very well written for him I must say," he said with a smirk.  "Pepper wrote it."  Dawn waved a hand.  "You did?"

"I did.  She was busy and tweaked it."

He smiled.  "Then you did a really great job.  He had some senators crying."  She smiled.  "The Joint Chiefs all noted that even if we had conscripted you, with what they did to you they'd never allow you in the service.  There was too much danger of a hidden bit of programming coming up or you going psychotic when the training started to control you.  You might be a good weapon but they didn't want to risk it."  She smirked.  "I think O'Neill prompted that one because he asked for the notes on what we knew had happened to you.  I gave him the abridged version that was a lot nicer than the real thing."

"I'm glad it helped," she said quietly.  "And there's not going to be any reason for any more kidnaping jokes."

He smiled.  "I'd hope not.  It might teach my daughter bad things."  He poked her on the side, getting one back.  "You okay?"

"I'm good.  We learned how to handle any urges that may still come up.  We broke most of it and the rest Lady Mnemosyne pushed into a tiny little box that won't even hold the pink bikini."  Tony swatted her.  She smiled.  "I'm fine.  The remaining ones give me urges now and then to go deal with people who are screwing with humanity."

"Want me to have someone make you a uniform?" Tony asked.

"No!  I want to go back to being Dawn, Pepper's wonder assistant, and sometimes slutty club girl."  Clint walked off laughing.  "I'll use it to protect her and Callia more."

"They'd like that.  Pepper was worried she'd lose you to Fury."

She shook her head.  "No.  Another huge apocalypse battle yes, but full time with SHIELD, no."

"Good.  Pepper also said that you need to make an entrance to show you're not worried."

"I think that's tactically unsound," Natasha said.  "It could draw too much attention and lead to attacks."

"We're already anticipating one.  Joyce is being sued by her ex to gain custodial rights over your things, Dawn," Tony said.

"Really?  The cheating bastard is trying to claim shit he has no right to.  Huh.  When?"

"Next week."

"Tell me so I can pop in.  I want to have words with my stepfather."

"Stepfather?" Tony asked.

"I didn't assume I was fully Buffy's sister.  Especially since they made me of Buffy."

"We can test that assumption," Tony decided.  "We'll pull some blood tomorrow for a paternity test.  He made Joyce take one over Buffy during the divorce so the results are on file."  He walked off to call Pepper and tell her that.

"Hey, Stark," Clint called.  "Did you ever get whoever leaked about Dawn's history?"

"It was one of the crackhead knights in an effort to discredit her."

Dawn looked at him.  "I did not hear about this."

"We were hiding it from you in case you went and blew them up," Tony said with a grin. "Happy birthday."

"Do they know?"

"They do.  Some reporter skank put him under a lie detector on tv.  Pepper had it spun that yes, it had, and yes you burned it out during the battle.  You had a mild touch of magic left and nothing more."  Dawn grinned.  "So they know.  No one believes."

"I can understand that.  Denial is heavy until you're slapped with demons and magic."  Tony nodded.  "We can use that," she decided, looking at Natasha, who was the better field tactician.

"We can but you can kick him in the nuts."  She had seen that mental flash of desire.

"Thanks."  She grinned.  Things got calmer and smoother.  They all relaxed.  They ate, they joked, they relaxed.  Dawn decided to go for a swim in the pond.  She heard someone jump in and looked back but they were under water so she went back to her own laps until someone pulled her against him.  She knew instantly it wasn't Clint, he was a bit heavier than this guy and had more muscles.  She kicked back and then stabbed him, making him scream.  "What did you think you were doing?" she asked.

Xander flashed in.  "What happened?"  He looked.  "Tell me he didn't try to rape you," he said.

"He sure as hell was hard when he pulled me against him," Dawn said.  She stuck the knife back into her ponytail.  It was the only place she could carry it since she was skinny dipping.  "I thought we were allowed to skinny dip."

"You are," he agreed.  "The posted rules say that the pond is clothing optional."  He helped her out while Clay got the idiot.  "Nice stabbing job.  Not fatal but deep, good spot so he can live and suffer."  He hugged her.  "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine.  I'm not fragile."

"I know."  He kissed her on the temple.  "I'm still going to go stomp people."

"I'm sure you'll leave me some," she quipped with a grin.

He smirked back.  "Maybe.  Don't know yet."  He looked around.  "Isn't he one of O'Neill's?"  They all nodded.  "Someone get him?"  Roque disappeared to grab him and bring him back.  "Your idiot tried to rape Dawn.  Dawn stabbed him."

Jack O'Neill looked at the idiot.  "I'm having Carter arrest you."  He called her.  "Come get this moron.  He tried to rape a young woman here at the temple."  He hung up.  She got beamed in with MP's and took him off.  "Are you all right, Dawn?" he asked, not looking at her.  She was very pretty but naked and he didn't need to see any naked girls, pretty or not.

"I'm okay.  That's why I stabbed him."

"Good!"  He smiled over her shoulder so he didn't have to stare.  "I like that."  He left them alone.

"If you can look at it in a museum, you can look at it in person," she called.

"I don't go to museums, Summers.  That's for nerds like Daniel."

She snorted but got free.  "Okay, I was swimming laps."  The others broke apart, leaving her to it.  Clint stared at her.  "I knew he wasn't you."

"You put down your shield," he said quietly.

"I did," she agreed.  "And I am now reminded why I shouldn't even in safe places."  He hugged her and let her get back to her laps.  "I got you new shirts."

"I saw."  He went back up there.  They were sleeveless t-shirts so he didn't have to rip any off.  That was nice of her and they were Under-Armor so they were meant to go under sports uniforms or other sweaty clothes.  That was really nice and would fit nicely under his uniform when he got it back.  He looked at Natasha, holding it up.

She smiled.  "I got a similar present, only the bodysuit version."

"She does spoil us."

"She does."  She moved closer.  "We have an upcoming decision to make."

"I know.  I have no idea if we're staying with her or not.  And openly or not."

"She would let us hide."

"She would but it'd hurt her and us."  She nodded.  "I say we see if she's moving into her old apartment since Joyce is in it."

"Joyce has said that if Dawn comes back she'll move.  Dawn went on a rant that she was not moving, that she had missed her, and Dawn was going to feel abandoned and unloved if Joyce moved."  Clint grinned, that sounded like Dawn.  "So we may have that complication."

"The walls are pretty thin there," he said.  "Though some nice beams on the ceiling."  He thought at Dawn, who said she liked that apartment but she could let her mother keep it and find somewhere big enough and safe enough, plus within commuting distance for them.  In fact she had an idea about that and could actually use it for class credit in her last semester.  He asked what but she was evasive.  He rolled his eyes.  She said she'd tell them when she got it together.  She clinched off the link and went back to swimming.

Those two stared then shook their heads and went to shower and change for bed.  Dawn strolled in later, took a shower, and climbed between them naked.  They appreciated that about her.  She hated to sleep in clothes.

***

Dawn walked up to Tony the next day.  "So," she said.  "Did that guy pay?"

"He paid very hard.  His whole government paid very hard."  She leaned over to hiss in his ear.  He considered it.  "That's actually not a bad idea," he admitted.  "New York could use more security conscious places."  Ideas were flowing through his head.  "You sure you want something that small?"

"Us, maybe Tara and Phil?  He was saying last night he was thinking about moving to a better school district in the city.  That would put him near the better prep schools."

"True," he agreed.  "Or there's another idea."  He smiled and patted her on the arm.  "Let me think and plot."

"You sure?  I can."

"I know.  You've gotten very good grades in all your planning classes."  He walked off doing something on his phone to work on ideas.  Because that was an excellent one.  They'd need really great soundproofing though.  Dawn still snored.  So did Barton.  He could even include some extra security measures that most secure places didn't have. Eight or ten levels.  Full apartments.  With good closets because Dawn was still probably fashionable.  Or would be once she got back to work.

Nice bathroom because he remembered Dawn liked to soak.  With a good counter for bandage changes.  Near Stark Tower would be good too.  He went to wander in the garden with his daughter.  They could head back tonight so she got some last minute Joyce time while she was in the building.  The elevator would have to be bigger too.  Banner kept getting antsy in the enclosed spaces recently.  So maybe a hospital sized one.  That could be handy for moving things too.

***

That night, a woman walked into Joyce's infirmary room as quietly as she could.  It was nearly impossible to get near this woman but she had her orders.  She quickly jabbed the needle into the body on the bed, getting a yelp and thrown across the room.

Buffy got off the bed, pulling the needle out and tossing it aside.  "What the frilly hell are you doing stabbing me?"

"You're not her," she said, backing up.

"No, that's my mom and she needed a cuddle."  She hauled the woman up to sneer at her.  "Why were you going to stab my mother with a needle?"  The woman was panting and looking scared so Buffy threw her down and followed to hold her down.  She punched her full force over her heart, making the woman gasp like she was dying.  "I'd tell me now, bitch.  Who sent you to stab my mother?"  She heard alarms starting but didn't really care.  The woman still couldn't breathe so she grabbed her scalp and pulled.  "I'm not worried about your boring, flat hair dyed hair, lady, I'm going to rip your skin right off your damn skull if you don't tell me."  She was pulling the handfuls of skin apart.  Blood was starting to drip.

"Consortium," she whimpered.  "They want to infect her again."

Buffy stood up and stomped on the woman's stomach.  "Let's hear more about that," she sneered.  "Who is this Consortium?  Where are they?  Why do they want my mother to be so sick again? Tell me or I'll finish ripping your skin off by the handful!"  She heard a growl and looked up, staring at the big, green, angry looking man of muscles standing there.  "Huh," she said.  Suddenly she wasn't that angry.  She was predicting how the fight was going to go.  "Mom, are you okay?  Oh, shit, Callia, no!  Back off!"

"Shush, Mommy!"  She poked the green guy until he looked at her.  "Uncle Grr Guy, quit!  You're scaring Mommy."

He patted her.  "Like Callia."

She smiled.  "I like you too."  She hopped up and he caught her, letting her hug him.  "But you can't scare Mommy or she won't visit."  Buffy sighed, sinking onto the bed.  "Please?"  He shivered and slumped.  "I promise you can beat up on the next guy, Grr Guy.  For right now I want to introduce you to Mommy and Grandma.  Mommy, this is Uncle Grr Guy.  Sometimes he's Unclie Bruce but not right now.  Grr Guy, this is my Mommy Buffy and my Grandmommy."

The hulk looked at them and held her tighter.  "Won't hurt."

"I'd never hurt my own daughter," Buffy promised.  "That's why I don't see her that often."  He shuddered.  "Please don't scare my mother?  I'd hate to have to try to fight you."  He growled.  She growled back.  "You may be huge but I'm still a slayer."

"Mommy!" Callia shouted.  "Stop it!"  She looked at him.  "No growlies at Mommy.  You'll make her leave.  I want her for a few days until Auntie Dawn can come back."  He cuddled her, stomping up the halls.  "We need to go help Grandmommy.  Bad guys were there and Mommy had to stomp them."

"You safe," he told her.

She kissed him and grinned.  "I'm very safe with you."  He shivered and started to shrink.  "You're a great guy and you love me because I'm adorable and smart."  He nodded, hugging her harder.  She snuggled in.  He finally shrank back down to Uncle Bruce.  "Hi, Uncle Bruce," she said quietly.

"Callia."  He cuddled her.  "What?"

"You heard someone threaten Mommy and Grandmommy and came to stomp them flat.  But Mommy already did that.  It even smelled like they had an accident."

Bruce walked her back.  "I'm sorry," he told them.  "I did not mean to scare you."

Buffy waved a hand.  "I look like that in a face mask, only shorter and more blonde."  She smiled.  "It's clear you love my little girl."  Guards rushed in now that the Hulk was calmed down.  "Guys, sorry, she might've had an accident.  I didn't mean to hit her that hard but she stabbed me with the needle thingy."  They called that in so the main infirmary could come move her.

"Here, sit," Joyce ordered, pushing over a chair.  "She's nearly asleep on you and you standing doesn't make a bit of sense."  She smiled.  "Joyce Summers."

"Doctor Bruce Banner," he said, shaking her hand with a weak smile.  "Most people don't want to be near me after meeting him."

Buffy shrugged.  "I'm a vampire slayer.  I've seen weirder and more dangerous than you that was a foot high and bit me."  He burst out laughing.  "Really, I have.  I punted it across a highway too."  She sat on the bed.  Tony hurried in.  "She said the Consortium sent her to do the stabby thing with my Mom, Stark.  Who are they?"

"I don't know yet.  I'll be sure to ask."  He looked at her.  "What did you do?"

"I punched her in the middle of her chest at full slayer strength for stabbing me with the needle.  Then I was going to rip her scalp off but she was giving up information, which pissed me off so I stood up and stomped on her stomach.  She might've had an accident and I'll totally clean it up."

He looked at her.  "We have a cleaning crew, Buffy."  The doctors rushed in.  "Buffy bruised her mightily like Thor had slammed his hammer into her, Docs."

"Thor's hammer is pretty and shiny but I'm not sure if I hit harder or not," she admitted.  "Never tested it."

He looked at her.  "I have.  He hits harder with the hammer.  It's the extra height and muscles for more force and more mass."

"You just spoke Klingon again," she said dryly.

"Bigger people hit harder," Bruce said.

"Oh, that.  Yeah, I get that."  She nodded.  The doctors picked the poor woman up.

"Needle?" Tony asked.  Buffy pointed where she had thrown it.  He grabbed it for testing.  "I'll be right back.  Want me to put Callia down, Bruce?"

"She's fine.  She snores less than Dawn used to.  It's kind of comforting."  Tony grinned as he walked out.  He smiled at Joyce.  "You have a very special granddaughter.  She's always thought the other guy was a huge cuddle toy, even when he was growling. I'm pretty sure he considers her like a comfort snuggle sometimes."

She smiled.  "That's a fine thing, Bruce.  She's very special.  She's my only granddaughter," she said, looking at Buffy.

"No," she said, shaking her head.  "Uh-uh.  Nope.  None before marriage and I haven't known Hylal that long."  He appeared and looked confused.  "I didn't summon."

"I believe your sister did."  He looked at her.  "You look upset.  What has happened?"

"Someone wanted to stab Mom with a needle and got me."

He pulled her up to look her over.  "Are you all right?  I will smite that person."

She patted him on the chest.  "I did a pretty good job of smiting her."

He calmed down and sat down, putting her in his lap.  "It is a fitting seat for you," he said at her protesting huff.  Bruce was trying not to smile.  He nodded at him.  "Scholar."

"Bruce Banner," he said, nodding politely.  "Have you met Callia, Buffy's daughter?"

"I have.  She is a winsome child that makes my wish my boys were girls at times.  Though I know what hellions I raised so they might have ruined Asgard."  Bruce snickered.  "You laugh but mine are very strong warriors."

Buffy patted him on the chest.  "I like the boys.  They're sweet and don't tell me how short I am."

He smiled.  "You may not be the size of an Asgardian woman, Buffy, but you have the heart and soul of one of us."  He kissed her.

"Not in front of Mom," she hissed.

"I don't mind," Joyce said, waving a hand at them.  "Hylal."  He looked at her.  "I give you permission to court my daughter but there are rules."  He nodded once, staring at her.  "You have to learn how to let her do some things on her own and to lead you to help her, not take over for her.  It frustrates a woman when they always get pushed back to have things handled for them.  Also, no more than sex once a day."  He pouted.  "It can be four or five hours but you're wearing her out for patrol and I will not have my daughter die because she had too much sex and a vampire ate her."

"Aye, I can do that."

"You might also let her show you what she really likes.  Make it more of a union than you mounting and claiming her," Joyce said, staring at him.  "I heard about the missionaries at the door."

"Missionaries?  What missionaries?" Buffy asked, looking up at her boyfriend.

"That sort of thing isn't good for a human woman.  We like to be involved and make it good for both of us."  He blushed but ducked his head and nodded.  "And lastly, you have to vow to protect my grandchild like she was already your own."

"Aye, she is my stepdaughter and I treat her as such."

"No, no step.  She is your daughter," Joyce told him.

He smiled.  "She will be my daughter upon our families joining."

"Good.  Then I won't kill you.  Unless you hurt her or hit her or something.  Then, I will make sure that whatever hounds of hell I feed you to after I gut you will take *forever* to finish you off."

He shivered but nodded.  "As is proper for a mother of a wounded daughter.  I will accept and protect them both for you."

Joyce smiled.  "Good.  Maybe you two should go on a date tonight?"

"A date?" he asked, looking confused.

"It's where a couple goes out and does things other than have sex," Buffy said.  "Like a picnic before patrol or a movie maybe?"

"I could like such."  He smiled and pushed her hair back over her shoulder.  "We will make you as pretty as your sister is and go out to be seen and do things."

"I'm very pretty."

He kissed her.  "Even in the men's pants you are wearing you are, but I wish to see you in something that makes you smile because you put it on."  She blushed but nodded, leaning against his chest.  He looked around the room then at Joyce.  "I know you have been cursed to sickness.  Are you ill again?"

"No.  They wanted to do some tests to make sure.  I think that's why they were going to stab me with the needle that hit my daughter."  Hylal picked her up to look at her, taking her shirt off her.  "Not in front of us.  I saw enough of her naked when I used to change her diapers, Hylal."  He got up and carried her into the bathroom.  She yelped but that was fine.

Bruce smiled.  "You are a very fierce mother."

She grinned.  "I had to be.  Buffy used to go on patrol in booty skirts."

"I heard from Dawn."  He handed Callia over.  "I'll let you rest."

Joyce stared at him.  "You know, he's not that bad."

He tried not to flinch.  "He is.  He really is."

"Any creature can panic when they're being attacked. It also conditions them to being attacked and having to protect themselves," she said quietly.  He stared at her.  "Things would probably be different if they hadn't attacked you, Bruce."

"Even that first time, before they found me, it was pretty bad."

"You were probably in pain, confused, and not sure why you were in a lab.  Werewolves have the same transition problem from what I remember of the one our group held."  He slumped a bit.  She smiled and patted his hand.  "You're clearly learning that just attacking isn't the answer.  Or else she wouldn't calm you down."

"I...  Maybe," he admitted, smiling slightly.  "I'd still rather no one had to see him."

"We all have a primal nature.  Some of us are just closer to it.  Did Xander ever tell you how he got possessed by a hyena on a school trip to the zoo?"

"No, he hadn't."  He sat back down.  Joyce told him and he got it, he really did, and it wasn't quite the same but he did get the point.  She squeezed his hand and he realized she didn't mind touching him.  That was almost a first.  Even Tony gave him some room after he changed back.  "Thank you."

"Sometimes the most healing things are the simplest."  She smiled.  "I'm sure you've got a lab full of work."

"No, not really.  I was doing something because I couldn't sleep when I heard the alarm."  He shifted.  The bathroom door thumped and something ceramic sounding crashed.  "I think they broke the sink."

"If so, water's not coming out," she said.  "Maybe the tub?"

"Maybe," he said, calling Stark to tell him that.

Tony walked in and stared at the door.  "I know she's hell on the back, Hylal, but try not to destroy the bathroom making her let you go."  He walked off shaking his head.  He had spotted the hand holding and it was sweet.  Bruce needed a good woman in his life and Joyce needed someone to fuss over instead of worrying about her health.  Joyce was the sweet sort that could help Bruce calm down.  He ran into Coulson in the hallway.  "Aren't you in Colorado?  Or are you his clone?"

"Tara's napping and you have thirty seconds to convince me that Banner going full out had a really good reason."  They both looked that way at the new crash.  "He's in Joyce's room?" he demanded.

Tony stopped him from moving.  "That's Buffy and Hylal in the bathroom.  Callia got Bruce calmed down after Buffy beat the crap, literally since there was a foot of intestine that got shoved out of her body, out of the person who stabbed her with a needle that comes up with the same serum that got Joyce before."

"Shit," Coulson muttered.  "Is the attacker still alive?"

"Begging for death.  All Buffy got was the name Consortium."  Another crash and the sound of Joyce giggling.  He called for maintenance robots to go clean up and fix the bathroom.   Hylal came out carrying Buffy.

"Put me down, please?" Buffy begged.  "I'm not a sack of whatever vegetable you guys eat since you said potatoes don't grow there and no one will respect me if you carry me like this."

Hylal stared at the duo.  "Stark, is there any way to see if that foul substance has infected her the same way it did her mother?"  He put her down carefully.  "I would not wish her to be that cursed with sickness."

"I'm not sure I'm strong enough to go through that," Buffy said quietly.  "Mom's a lot stronger than I am some days."

Tony looked at her.  "You'd get through it the same way your mother did, because her daughter needs her to," he said bluntly.  She nodded that was true.  "And Dawn would kick your ass.  She's actually pretty good at it now."  Coulson nodded that was true.  "Secondly, we're scanning her in the morning, Hylal, and then once each week for a month."

"I can make sure she comes."  Buffy blushed.  He patted her on the head with a smile.  "Her mother has granted me permission to court her."

"Next time, use something less breakable than the bathroom," Tony said dryly.  "Like a bed.  A concrete pylon."

"Broke one," Buffy muttered.

"I don't need to know," Tony assured her.

"Did you tell Tara that story yet?" Coulson asked.  "She's had a cranky son keeping her up for the last few days."

Buffy blushed brighter red, shaking her head.  "I'd never tell Tara sex stuff.  She doesn't like to hear about sex stuff.  I'm not even sure how she told the doctor she wanted babies put in her since she hates talking about the sex stuff so much."

"She didn't," Phil said with a smirk.  Buffy squeaked and leaned back against her boyfriend.

"Nor do I need to know that," Tony assured him.

"The journal that gives advice to witches said it was a good idea.  We had gotten it from Loki so she made sure first."  Tony stared at him.  "That night Dawn and Xander had went to Asgard and Dawn had brought back dinner."

"A proper Valhallan dinner has mead," Hylal said.

"Yes it did.  Warmed, thinned down, and spiced," Coulson said.

Hylal smiled.  "Then it was a good dinner."  He walked Buffy off.  "We will retire to her room."

"Second floor, room fifteen," Tony said.  That got a smile and Buffy trying to hide inside his shirt with him.  "The bed's really hard down there," he said once they were in the elevator.  "Callia said she can't even jump on it it's so hard."

Coulson shook his head.  "They'll probably soften it up some."  He went to check on Joyce.  "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine," she promised with a smile.  "How are the babies?"

"He's fussing up a storm.  All night every night."

"Make Dawn or someone babysit and give her a night off, Phil."

"I'm going to."  He nodded at Banner.  "Thank you.  Tara would cry if she got hurt again."

"I like Tara, she's a very sweet young woman."

Phil nodded.  "She is most of the time.  Though there's still an agent who thinks he's a pony and one who thinks he's a cat thanks to them fighting over something and nearly hitting her."  He left to make a report and went back to the temple.  He found the fussy son in mom's arms and took him to look at.  "If you're a good boy I'll let yo go suck up to Bia or Dawn."  He put him in with his sister, which calmed him down most of the time, grabbed the diaper bag, and walked him off.  "Bia?"  She looked over and cooed.  "We need a night off.  He will not quit."

"That's fine.  I can babysit the adorable things."  She took them to coo over.

"Thank you."  He went back to their suite and pulled her into a hug.  "Bia's babysitting."

"I didn't want to impose," she said.

He kissed her on the tip of her nose.  "She thinks he's adorable."  She grinned.  "Now, you need to rest.  Do you want to cuddle?"

"I...Phil, you know I can't."  He brushed her cheek with his fingers, and her eyes widened.  He smirked.  "Then..."

"I guess it's not the same."  He took her to put her down for a nap, crawling in behind her to hold her.  It only took a few minutes for her to finally fall asleep.  He laid there considering options. He had a few and he needed to make a few decisions.  Especially if Tara didn't want another baby soon.  Even he had some needs.

***

Dawn woke with a stretch and a moan, curling up in the other direction to hold Natasha.  Who wiggled free.  "Hey.  Mean."

"Dawn," a familiar voice called.

Dawn sat up and blinked, staring at the people staring at her.  She glared at Fury.  "If you teleported me I'm killing you.  If I did it, I'm sorry."  She disappeared back to the temple.  She trudged into her bedroom and flopped back down, cuddling up to Natasha, who still wiggled. "Maybe I'm sleep teleporting."

"You're what?"  Dawn mumbled what had happened.  "No, I don't think you are."  Dawn smiled and snuggled in better.  "I need to go to the bathroom."  Dawn let her go.  She went and came back out.  "It's six."

Dawn blinked at her.  "This is vacation time."

"It's not," she said with a smile.

"It is."

"It's debriefing time," Clint noted.  "Which is part vacation so we can sleep in until at least seven.  I'm sure she'll be woken up for a jog with her 'big brother'."

Dawn reached back to pinch him.  "He's cuddling Tara so they stay asleep."  She pulled Natasha back down.  "Be decadent and sleep in for once.  I'll reward it and make you feel less nasty."  She curled up around her again.  Clint got her back.  They could help cure any PMS.  All it took was a thumb.  Anya had been right, orgasms cured cramps.

Natasha huffed but laid there and accepted it.  She had to, they had her pinned and she didn't want to hurt them to get free.

***

Dawn got texted that the trial was on.  She appeared beside her mother, sitting down.  The judge stared at her.  She smiled.  "I think I should have a say about my own assets, especially since I'm nineteen and I've done a pretty good job of managing them while I'm escaping idiots."

"We don't want a security situation to happen, Miss Summers."

She smiled.  "If it starts, I'll leave.  But before then there's a few things I want to say to my stepfather."  She handed the bailiff an envelope.  "Paternity test."

The judge looked it over.  "I need to ask a delicate question.  Is that news story that you were created true?"

"Yes, it is."  A few people in the courtroom gasped.  She glared and they shrank back.  "It's never mattered to my mother, my sister, my sister's friends - who are all like a family to me, anyone I've dated who's known, my boss and friends at  work who are aware, though we do not talk about as it is a security risk."

"I see."  He considered it.  "So he's actually had no contact with you?"

"No," she snorted.  "He's also had no contact with his actual daughter either outside of one awkward summer custody visit where he bought her things to make up for dating someone her age.  In front of her."  The judge winced.  "In fact, if you look back at their divorce filings, my mother found over ten different affairs when she went looking.  I'm not saying my mother's perfect, because that's where I learned to nag from, but she's not a cheating bitch who hates that she had kids because it meant she couldn't be a swinger."

"Language please," the judge said.

"I'll try but a few things really peeve me to no end, including liars."

"I understand.  I don't much like them myself."  He looked at the father, handing over the paternity test.  "I'd say that you had not a lot of leg to stand on."

"I don't see how she came from that," he said with a sneer at Joyce.

"Well, first of all, Mom's had two different bouts of brain cancer," Dawn said dryly, standing up to face him.  "Yeah, the hair's a little thin, a bit more gray, she lost a lot of weight and is working to get healthy again.  What would you have done if she had died and left us alone?"  He glared.  She stared back.  "Let me guess, you would've hidden from all responsibility, like usual?"  She smiled at Bruce and pointed at his briefcase.  "May I?"  He opened it for her and she pulled out the files she had found.  "Hmm, let's see.  Two baby sons and a baby daughter, which you don't pay for.

"One might actually be HIV positive, born that way from his mother," she said, looking at him.  She handed that to the bailiff.  "I see that you've been fired because even Eastern Europe won't ignore how much of a problem you philandering around the office caused when you got moved from Spain.  Especially when, it looks like the HIV positive baby was your supervisor's teenage daughter."  She handed that file to the bailiff.  "And oh, look at this.  You're in league with the people who kidnaped me."  She handed that over as well.  Joyce was choking.  People in the audience were starting to talk.

"Enough!" the judge ordered, banging his gavel.  He read over the files.  "I do see these facts.  How did you uncover them?"

"Google.  Easily obtainable at any library terminal in most of the US, Your Honor.  I didn't have to look very far."

He nodded, looking them over again.  "I don't see how you'd be a fit parent to her anyway," he said.  "Even if she was underage.  Miss Summers, who looks out for your affairs while you're fighting the problems going on?"

"I do.  I have an investment guy who helps me but I can internet with the best assistants ever."  She smiled.  Her father yelled and lunged at her so she kicked him in the balls.  "I've wanted to do that since Mom walked in and found you with an underage redhead in their marriage bed.  She probably would've done you anytime you asked but *no*, you had to cheat.  That's probably why Buffy's not in a total relationship.  Why I'm seriously touchy about even the little white lies that get told between lovers."  He got up slowly, staring at her.  "Then again, you're pretty pathetic.  Look how you treated your actual daughter when her calling came at her.  You put her in a hospital."

"Vampires aren't real," he sneered.

"And yet, CNN was talking to a few last night at a party that had broken out too far."

"I can call up footage," Bruce said. "If I can have my phone back."

"I saw that and her other daughter doing her appointed duty," the judge admitted.  "Who was that big man with her?"

"Hylal.  Alexander introduced them."  Dawn grinned.  "He's an Asgard and a warrior.  They understand each other *very* well.  He's got three sons and she's got her daughter so it works out well."

"It should," he agreed.  He looked at Hank Summers.  "I believe your time is up, sir, and you have lost.  Please vacate my courtroom before I let her kick you again."  He stomped off.  "Miss Summers."

She held up a hand.  "Unless all that stops, I'll continue to be a roving assistant sort.  I'm not the snazzy spandex wearing girl a few others are to quote me a few years back, when I was a lot more normal."  She looked at her mother and grinned.  "Good!"  She stared at Bruce.  "Very good."  She grinned and left.

Joyce patted his hand and smiled.  "My daughter is very perceptive," she said quietly.

"She is.  I've always liked that about Dawn, that and she'll call you on it if you're lying to yourself over things."  They packed up.

The judge banged his gavel.  "The suit is thrown out because it has no merit."  He walked off, letting the files be taken for evidence.  Maybe someone would get him for child support.

***

Dawn appeared that night in her temple, looking at the two worried people.  "The vote went well."

"It leaves a decision," Clint said.

"I had every plan of buying a tiny, three floor apartment building and securing the hell out of it.  Giving Cap one of the apartments."  She sat down.  "Tony said he wanted the pleasure of doing that."  They stared.  She smiled.  "I have no say in what you plan on doing with the offer.  I'll pout a whole lot if you just visit very rarely but we all know I'm like that."  She relaxed.  "And I did get to kick my father in the nuts."

"Good," Clint said.  "Saved me from shooting an explosive arrow into them."  He looked at Natasha.  Then at her.  "I'm not the hiding it sort."

Dawn grinned.  "I like that about you."  He smirked back.  "You're welcome to come and go, get your own there if you want, anything you want."

"We'll see what he comes up with," Natasha decided.  "If we go back are you moving in with your mother?"

"For a few days so I can fuss over her.  You can join me there too.  Not like Mom doesn't realize and she's kinda having the sweet, hand-holding thing going on."  She grinned.  "I'd never want to ruin that for her."

"With who?" Natasha asked.

"Bruce."  Clint giggled.  "They're sweet.  Really sweet and I think she told him she's not scared of him."

"She could use someone to fuss over her and he could use someone to fuss over him," Natasha said, nodding.  "They're a good match."  Dawn grinned and nodded.  "We can go to a hotel."

"We can do that," Dawn agreed. "And did I mention I sent in my last paper for classes yesterday?"  They grinned.  "Which means I think we need a celebration."

"Not tonight," Natasha complained.

Dawn shrugged.  "Okay.  Grades come out in a week."  She smirked evilly.

"I sank that crocheted bikini," Clint told her.

"I know, but I rescued it.  It's nicely in a  special keepsake box."  He groaned.  "I found the dress that she used to have too and bought us two.  One in her favorite black and one for me in green."  Clint stared at her.  She grinned.  "That night I plan on using my enormous gifts to go to Thailand and have dinner in celebration."  He moaned.  Natasha moaned too.  She grinned.  "We can all dress up and have dinner if you want."

"We can do that," Clint decided, looking at her.

"Barring another battle," she agreed.

"There had better not be a way to ruin my celebration," she said dryly.

"We'll do it the next night," he assured her.

"If you're not in the infirmary."

"True.  Then we'll do it when we're out."  She nodded they could do that.  She also got up and got something, taking Natasha into the bedroom.  He leaned back, watching the closed door.  Natasha moaned and then yelped but she came out looking happier.  Dawn dropped a tiny cube in the fireplace and lit it.  It burned quickly.  She sat back down.  "What was that?"

"Mechanical vampire box.  Sucks out blood clots and stuff," Dawn said.  Clint gaped in horror.  She smiled.  "Works well on periods too."

"Wow.  Who designed that?"

"Tony when was fifteen and his girlfriend of the time kept hitting it at the wrong time."  Natasha shook her head but she was smiling.  "Swim in the tub or the lake?"

"Swim in the tub," Clint said.  "So I don't have to damage any more idiots."

"I damaged the last one," Dawn said.

"No, there was one this morning that was all but rubbing himself off because you were wandering around in one of my new shirts and a pair of beach shorts."

"Where was he?"

"Down the hill in a tree."  Dawn rolled her eyes.  "He did not like falling and spraining his good wrist when the branch he was standing on split."

Natasha giggled.  "I heard him whining you were mean and wondered why."

"Because I am."  He grinned.  The ladies smirked back.  "Tub?"  They got up and hauled him up, taking him in there.  Yeah, that worked for them.  It worked very well for them.

***

Stark finally got the news that Dawn was free and clear.  He and Pepper celebrated and called her.  She squealed and promised to be back in two days since it was a Friday.  "Small caveat," Tony said.  "The planned building is about three-quarters finished.  Yours is one of the ones that's not finished.  There's one empty one upstairs if Barton wants it, right above yours.  Or the lovely Natasha if she wants it."

"I think we were going to do that anyway," Clint said.  Clearly she had it on speaker.  "Just because of SHIELD rules."

"That's fine, just letting you guys know.  It'll probably be a month before hers is done.  Each apartment's tailored a bit to the person who I planned on living there.  Agent Romanoff's apartment is below Dawn's.  Yours is above her, Barton.  You can pick up the keys later."

"Thanks, Stark.  Leases?"

"Waiting in her inbox," Pepper said with a smile.  "Dawn, please come in wearing something more covering than that olive drab dress I saw you wearing the other day?"

"I still have almost all my old clothes, Pepper."

"Wonderful.  Do they fit?"

"Yup.  A few shirts are a bit tight due to the muscle issue but otherwise they all fit."

"Good.  I'll be glad to have you back.  The intern I've been using is kind of sweet and nice and has a good idea now and then, but she hates to bother people."

Dawn giggled.  "That was never me, no.  Is Doctor Banner moving into one?"

"He has one if he wants," Tony said.  "I haven't asked him.  I can do that tomorrow."

"Cool.  See you guys Monday."

"Where are you?" Pepper asked.

"Um, halfway up a mountain?"

"I don't want to know.  When you come back, you're an assistant unless there's an emergency."

"Of course I am.  Otherwise I'd be a bad influence on my niece.  Laters all."  She hung up.

Pepper hung up her phone, looking at Tony.  "It might be a hard transition."

"From what I've heard since they left Guatemala?  Maybe.  Being our assistant is still easier than dick teasing arms dealers."

"Oh, she didn't," Pepper sighed.

"She did.  At least twice in fact because they were so good they were noted, including that one ended in a rescue attempt and her being mugged by Natasha.  And I think they took care of the Russian mob problem too so maybe it'll be an easier time."

"Maybe," she said, clinking glasses with him again.  He took a kiss and smiled.  "How did you get Fury to agree?"

"It got Coulson somewhere he was closer even with the twins.  Which meant he might not have to poison his neighbors with his new skills.  They were objecting to having the twins there.  He nearly shot them one night.  NYPD told him to find a babysitter and get some rest."  She laughed.  "Yeah, Callia babysat that night.  That's why she started to ask JARVIS how she'd get a baby brother or sister before she stole his.  It also got all the Avengers out of HQ because Fury's thinking about giving up the lease and moving everything to the hell carrier."

"That's dumb.  It can be attacked, and has been attacked.  They need a safe fall back."

"He's going to move it to a special building he's having planned."  He sipped his champagne.  "It also meant he didn't have to put up with conjugal visits if they're still serious.  Apparently Dawn heard he was worried about her skill set now so she showed up one night in his office to remind him she was our assistant and not Natasha lite.  He said they'd see.  She offered to kick his ass and they did get into a pretty nasty sparring match."

"Is that why he redid his office?" she asked, sipping her own champagne.  Tony nodded with a smirk.  "Good for her."

"She ended it by turning him into a tiny little black ferret with an eye patch.  Which then went to visit Coulson's twins with Tara.  Apparently he decided she was mean enough to be part of SHIELD but she was slightly too evil so we could watch each other for evil movements toward wanting to rule the world."  He finished his drink and looked out in the hall when he saw a shadow.  "Banner," he called.  He came to the doorway.  "Two things.  Well, probably more but you know.  Tell Joyce Dawn starts work again on Monday.  Right now they're halfway up a mountain somewhere together I guess.  The other thing is do you want an apartment in the new building?"

"New building?"

"Dawn's idea.  She was going to take a tiny building and turn it into a totally secure apartments for them and others like us who need it."  Bruce smiled.  "So I took it over on her and made it larger to accommodate the whole team if they wanted it.  Cap's there already.  The rest are in the works.  Yours is on the top floor so you have extra roaming room for when you feel closed in.  That'd also mean you could quit sleeping at your desk."

He smiled.  "I'll ask Joyce her opinion.  How much is it?"

"I put the leases in everyone's inbox earlier," Pepper said with a smile.  "It's a totally blank slate and decorating is all up to you.  SHIELD pays for part of the rent."

"Means we don't have to stink up Fury's new HQ when he gets it built unless there's a problem," Tony said with a grin.

"I'll talk with her tonight.  Thanks, Tony."  He left, he had a date tonight.  It was his first one in a long time.

They shared a smile and Tony snuck another kiss then got up.  "I guess I should go back to fixing things that aren't broken."  He strolled off.

"I'll see you tomorrow," Pepper promised, finishing her champagne and getting things ready for Monday.  Having Dawn back was going to make a huge difference in a positive manner.

***

Dawn walked out of Clint's apartment that Sunday night and went up a floor, picking the locks and walking in.  "Aww, who's the little fussy man," she cooed.  She took him to hold.  "What's wrong?  Do you have gassy bellies or is it some other problem?"  She checked him and did a slight healing.  He belched like he was inflating sails on a ship.  "You sound like your mommy the one time I got her drunk on beer," she cooed with a grin.  "Don't worry, you come by that naturally.  She does it too even though she doesn't like to admit it."  She patted him on the back.  "How's that?  Think you can sleep now?  You can even nap next to your sister."

"The pediatrician said to try to separate them," Phil said.

She smiled.  "Yeah, sure."  She put him down in her crib and he cooed, waving at his sister.  She waved back.  They fell asleep with some humming from the auntie and some stomach rubbing.

Phil relaxed.  "Thank you.  How did you hear?"

"Your kitchen window's open."  She gave him a hug.  "See you in the morning."

"Tell them they're meeting with Director Fury first thing."

She winked.  "I'm sure they'll be able to make it."  She strolled off.

Phil relocked the door and came in to look at them.  "I wonder if you can give a baby Gas-X."

"Yes, they make baby simethicone drops," Tara said.  "I've been giving him some."

"Maybe they really wanted the aunt and godmother," he said.  She pinched him and went back to her bed.  Coulson went to his and it was quiet, which was great.  Some junior agents had laughed at him napping at his desk until the other new parents at SHIELD had beaten them.  Fury had declared all the new parents had a nap day and the kids could go to a daycare they approved of.  It meant Fury could cut the daycare out and just subsidize the parents using one off-site.  It had helped ease a few tensions once the parents got used to it.

***

Dawn walked in Monday morning, hair up, pencil skirt and blouse, heels, stockings.  Sunglasses.  Pepper stared at her.  "Fell."

"If that 'fell' was because you were sparring and got an elbow in the eye, duck better.  If it's because someone beat you I'm killing them," she said bluntly.

"No, I already made him damn sorry."  She smiled.  "Subway."  Pepper rolled her eyes.  "All right, here's your inter-office mail, the reports from everyone who was pouting that I was back."

"Why are they pouting?"

"They think Dora's really sweet."

"She is but she wilts when Tony stares at her."

Dawn nodded.  "He is a very strong personality."  She smiled.  "Come in, Dora.  I'm Dawn."  She shook her hand.  "Want me to take over Stark Sitting duties?"

"Please."  She smiled.  "You and Dora can work out how to split that."

"You mean in the lab?" Dora demanded.

Dawn nodded.  "Yeah.  Sometimes you have to go wake him up if he's sleeping in there or Callia if she's sleeping in there with him working.  Sometimes it's to remind him of meetings.  A few times I've had to bring him really bad news in there and lived to tell."  She smiled.  "He's not a mean guy.  He's a bit sarcastic now and then but not mean."

"He's scary."

"No, he's not.  He held my hair once as I vomited up my toenails thanks to food poisoning."  Dora shuddered.  She looked at Pepper.  "Remind me I need to get a new passport?  Mine's expired."

"You can do that through our travel office."

"They're all in Bermuda and their emails are bouncing."  Pepper smiled.  "Anyway.  Looks like your schedule is full of whining board members."  She showed her.  "I'm guessing you're going to hear a lot of 'how can you hire *her* back' remarks and the few that still think that Tony is making me his perfect spouse."

"Probably," she sighed.  "Trip to Amsterdam again next week."

Dawn smiled. "If I can get a new passport that's not a fake."  Pepper grinned.  "If not, take Dora and I'll pop around."  She widened her eyes.  "Hopefully without giant robots this time."

"The trio missed you a lot."

"I saw and I sent them hot pepper candy from down there."  She smirked.  "Let me go wake up the boss."  She strolled off.  "Morning, Stella, Sheila."

"Morning, Dawn," they said, staring at her.  "Wow."

Dawn grinned back at them.  "It was in the closet.  Not like I really wore them."  She got onto the elevator and went down to the labs.  She tried her old log in.  Nothing.  She tried the one she had hacked and gave herself, that opened the lab door but a slight moaning from JARVIS meant he had caught her.  "Well, I need it," she told the AI.

"I'll make it your official one, Dawn."

"Thanks."  She walked over to the workbench, picking up a wrench.  Tony was under the suit and groping for something so she handed the wrench down.

He looked then up at her.  "Laser cutter?"  She kicked it closer.  "Thanks.  Did you meet Dora?"

"I did.  She thinks you're scary."

"Only when I'm in the suit," he said dryly.

"Even then you're not that scary.  Did you ever meet a yeti?"  She smiled at his odd look.

"I don't want to know.  What's my schedule like today, Dawn?"  She called it up.  It looked blank.  "That can't be right."  She resynched it and found his phone to make sure.  That got synched in too.  It added something the next day.  "So either I have a day off or there's an emergency coming."

"The whole board is going to descend on Pepper for the next few hours.  Does that count?"

"Possibly."  He finished up and climbed out from under the suit.  The removing station fixed itself and it was good.  She helped him up.  "I should probably hide."

"Then I have nothing to do all day."  She smiled and waved at someone staring at them.  "We're not scary today."  The assistant in HR ran off.  "Okay, maybe you need a shower," she told him, earning a punch on the arm and him heading off to the toolbox area.  "If you get me greasy I have to change and I haven't unpacked yet."

"If you wear something like that pink dress again I'm going to give you to someone as a consort."

"I doubt that'll fly," she said dryly.

"Where are they?"

"Fury."

"Fine.  Eating lunch?"

"They might be taking tests to make sure they haven't lost any skills.  That might be hampered since the yeti really wanted Natasha and bruised Clint's non firing arm.  Apparently redheaded yeti women are rare."

He shook his head.  "I do not want to know."  She giggled and came over to take his coffee cup to wash and then refill.  "Thank you.  McKay's around here somewhere.  Make sure he doesn't need anything?"

"I can do that."  She walked out, heading to the other labs.  They had a lot of geeks in their own worlds.  She paused to make coffee, clean out coffee cups, take update reports, and then found McKay in Banner's lab.  She used her new code to get in and walked over.  "Hi, Stepdaddy."  He jumped and stared at her.  She smiled.  "What?"

"Not yet I'm not."

She pinched him on the cheek.  "Nothing is more stubborn than a Summers woman.  Look at how stubborn Callia is and she's only half of one."  He smiled.  She hugged Rodney to make him quit tinkering.  "If you haven't eaten in the last twelve hours Sheppard told me to hogtie you and carry you to the caf that way."  He rolled his eyes.  She took the tools and found the glucometer she carried whenever he was around.  She stuck him quickly then gave him back his hand.  "You're at sixty-three, Doc."  She showed him.  "At least get a donut?"

"Get me something without nuts or citrus."

"Bruce?" she asked, moving to the phone.

"Please.  We've been up all night."

"Sure."  She tossed the strip and lancet in the biohazard bag since it was next to the phone.  "Caf, it's Dawn up in the labs.  Doctors McKay and Banner have been tinkering all night again.  McKay has allergies to nuts and citrus, even being near the stuff can kill him.  Thank you.  That'd be great and I've made coffee up here.  I can do that."  She hung up.  Rodney was heading for the coffee pot.  Dawn turned it on and he smirked.  "I am the wonder assistant sort."  She smiled.  "Ten minutes.  They'll call to come get it."  She looked at them.  "Anything to pass on in the report writing sense, Docs?"

"No," they said.  "Just tinkering."

"Okay.  Let me go deliver these and then I'll be back with food."  She walked out, handing them to Tony as she walked past him.  "Banner and McKay are tinkering."

"Bombs again?" he asked.

"No, looked more like servo motors."

"That might be interesting."

Dawn went down to the caf and got muffins for Tony.  They smiled.  "The boss went to help them tinker."  Another covered plate got given and a plate of muffins.  "Thanks.  Which is which?"

"McKay's has the orange lid.  The muffins do have citrus."

"Okay.  Thank you."  She carried it up there, using a touch of magic to make it lighter and steadier.  She walked in and looked at the table, moving things out of the way.  "McKay, yours is the orange lid and the muffins have citrus."  She brought is over to him.  She handed Tony his muffins and plate.  Banner got his own plate.

"What if those had been important?" Rodney asked.

"Well, first, they're still there.  It's not like I put them on the floor like I did a few times to the boss.  Secondly, I was going to sort them out again because you left a rats nest of a mess."  He snorted and got down to eating.  She did that and even made files for the various projects.  Bruce smiled at her.  "You guys would never be able to find anything in the labs if someone didn't organize behind you."  She left them to eat and plot.

"That's why I want her to marry a geek," Tony said.  "She'd make a perfect wife for a genius."

McKay nodded.  "She might but she's a bit too strong willed."

"That means she manages to make Tony hit meetings," Bruce said with a smile.  "How's the apartments looking?"

"Good.  So far no one's had any complaints outside the twins having gas cramps last night."  He nibbled on a muffin.  He swallowed.  "Personally I think that it's them trying to separate them too soon."

"It might be.  They say some twins are linked," Bruce said.

Tony nodded.  "I've heard that.  Had a few too."  Rodney rolled his eyes and shook his head.  "Twins are fun, McKay.  You need to date and find that out."

"I'd rather not."

"You know, Xander's looking for a good, true mate," Bruce teased.

"I get enough hell from his brother going out to fight everything in the universes that might give them more work.  I don't need the other one to give me just as much hell."  He stuffed his mouth and pointed.  "Did she name them?"

"Yes but she uses practical names like 'robot attachment and grabbing thingy'," Tony said with a smile.  "That way I know what I'm looking at."  McKay shook his head.  "It does make it easier once you realize what she's done."

"I suppose," he said dryly.  He looked.  "Bombs, 1 through 25?  I thought we only had 24."

"I think we may have created one last night," Bruce said, pulling up the video to run through.  "There, that's one.  I printed it."  That got a nod and McKay shook his head as he stuffed his mouth again.

***

Fury looked at his people.  "You're set up to recertify today.  You have a week to show at least your old proficiencies."  He looked at the large bruise his sniper was showing.  "What did that?"

"Yeti."  Natasha slugged him on it.  "It liked redheads, sir."  She hit him again.

"I don't need to know unless it's going to attack a major city to get them.  Do you have your bows on you, Barton?"

"Yes."

"You're not using some strange bag of holding crap are you?  Because I do not want her doing that."

"She didn't.  Andrew did."

"Andrew....."

"Remember that geek trio that Stark had to kick for the senator?" Natasha asked.  "He's one of them."

"They allow that over at Stark?"

"No.  They allow magic in case of problems like a fall or something to help keep people from getting injured," Clint said.  "He did it off-time as a birthday present for Dawn."

"Again, no need to know then."

"Even though we heard you tried to recruit them, sir?" Barton quipped.

"I was stupid that day," he assured him with a glare.  "How much contact did you have with Agent Coulson?"

"Not that much," Natasha said.  "Now and then Dawn would meditate at Tara.  A few calls made by payphone and calling card."

"How did you two get to that battle then?"

"Stark," he said.

"Excuse me?"

"Stark has that satellite," she reminded him.  "He also has an alarm set up on it to read any heavy uses of magic.  Hence us catching the one in the Ukraine that we talked to about who she could not trust in the region."

"I heard about that.  She did good work getting the people off her family."  They nodded.  "Did you tell her about the local offices over there?"

"We did and she has no desire to work with us, sir, or anyone else," Barton said.  "She's doing herbalist work to make ends meet.  She's a slightly chunky, happy young woman who is planning on getting married next year when they can afford it."

"We did give her Tara's address so they could talk if they wanted to," Natasha finished.  "Tara does have a good hand with herbs as you know."

"I do."  He considered it.  "That was all?"

"Now and then Dawn may have talked to him," Clint admitted.  "He is like her big brother."

"Is she back on even footing?"

"Yes.  The only things that remain are some urges to take out people who are causing problems.  We've helped her channel it into sparring practice and the occasional people smuggler that always wanted to keep her," Natasha said with a smile.  "The sparring helped her a lot and she'll be a better guard for her niece and Pepper Potts."

"That might help, her current assistant is a bit mousy," Fury said.  "She wilts when Stark says anything."  Clint snorted and shook his head, crossing his feet.  "Is there anything I should be aware of about any of you?"

"Dawn still can't climb a rope," Clint said.  "It's not a matter of muscle mass, because we made her build it up, but the ability to transfer it.  She throws a weak punch too, sir."

"I've seen other women that had that problem."

"It made getting out of a few places interesting," Natasha said.  Clint nodded.  She smiled.  "Otherwise it did some damage but she's managed it."

"Fine.  Go get recertified today.  Are you two living in that building Stark put up?"

"I'm above Dawn and she's below her," Clint said.

"So no rope down?" he joked.

"No, if I want a perch there's a great one on top of the building.  It had been for Dr. Banner but as you know he's dating Joyce Summers."

Fury licked his lips.  "Really?"  They nodded.  "That's a bit odd."

"Not really.  He still calms down for Callia," Natasha said.  "When there was an attempted attack that got Buffy instead of Joyce they figured out they could talk to each other.  She's actually very caring and has helped some of the serious issues some of our teammates feel they have."

"I knew Rogers was talking to her about his time before he was frozen," Fury said.  Steve leaned in and grinned, coming in to shake their hands.  "They'll be in the gym later."

"Great!  I keep breaking junior officers."

Natasha smiled.  "We will spar against you."

"Even better."  He patted Clint on the back.  "Did you see Xander was back?"

"We did.  We spent some time at his temple."  He grinned.  "O'Neill's green as grass cadets all wanted Dawn.  We had to correct some thinking."

"I'm sure Xander spanked them."

"Actually, Dawn stabbed one."

"Even better."  He smiled.  "See you guys later.  Any idea where Doctor Banner is?"

"Dawn said earlier that he, Stark, and McKay were all tinkering in the same lab."

"Wow, I'd want to hide from that."  He walked off.  "Great to have you two back."

"It's nice to be back.  There are some serious drainage holes pretending to be first class hotels in the world.  Dawn though it was a vacation but we had to tell her how that was actually how we lived before we were on the team."

Fury shook his head.  "Go recertify.  Get medical checks as well."

"We got cleared by Carolyn Lam," Natasha said.  "She's an SGC doctor."

"I know who she is.  Why?"

"I had a back spasm so she demanded."

"Fine.  Do the mandatory ones anyway.  Not that I don't trust her but she's not ours and someone will say something about paperwork."

They nodded and got up, going down to the infirmary for that first.  It was easy enough to get past and they didn't ask Natasha more than if she needed new pills.  They took notes on her new brand and that was fine.  They went to the gym.  The recertification was easy enough.  They were just as proficient, if not more, than they were when they had been taken.  Later on they got told they had mandatory post-incident therapy evaluations as well.  That one might be harder to hide with the links going on.

***

Dawn smiled at the geeks she was walking past.  "Did you guys like the candy?"

"Loved it," Jonathan quipped.  Dawn hugged them all.  "Thanks."

"No, thank you three for standing up for me and Callia."  She walked on reading a file.

The boys smiled at each other and decided maybe being fully evil was a bad way to get what they wanted.  Being slightly evil but sticking up for the right things would get them better women.  It might also keep Colonel Sheppard from taking them to Las Vegas and getting them drunk enough to try to flirt again.  It had been a dismal failure but the girls had taught them some things.

Dawn walked into the office and handed over the file.  "Proofread, only one mistake in grammar, one spelling one in a header.  Want me to correct them, Pepper?"

"Please."  Dawn nodded, going to her desk to do that for her.  She smiled at the board member in there.  "Dawn is a great assistant."

"She's *damaged*," he said quietly, glancing out there.  "Who knows what she'll do."

"We do know what she'll do.  She's healed from the kidnaping and all that.  Dawn brought in the corrected version and another folder.  "What's this?"

"The list of people that had us taken and attempted the reprogramming.  Their ties were searched back by Agent Coulson to six of our board members, but not this one."  She looked at the older man.  "I'm not fragile, thank you.  I wasn't before then.  Let's face it, my sister's a slayer, one of my great-aunts was a costumed sort, and her aunt before her."  The man  shuddered.  "My mother's family had both Ravens, who started to be active in the Second World War.  Captain Rogers knew her."  She smiled.  "I'm pretty sure doing what you have to do runs in the family, Mr. Purcell.

"And until or unless I'm attacked, my need to do list includes filing, running errands, playing with my niece, proofreading reports, herding Mr. Stark to meetings and sometimes making sure he didn't fall asleep on top of a new weapons prototype, and the occasional bout of babying the geniuses around here who keep forgetting to eat and drink on schedule.  I'm pretty sure none of that is going to make me feel endangered and if it does I was able to smack it down before because I kept getting kidnaped by various groups, beings, and idiot people who wanted Stark to do something for them," she finished blandly.  "That's why I was taking nearly daily self defense lessons."

"You were?" he asked, looking at Pepper.

"Because of her sister.  A few times she got taken because of the skills she drained at that battle.  Before that battle there was a sacrificial cult that wanted her because she wasn't an easy slut," Pepper said.  "A few were to get leverage on either myself or Tony.  We made sure Dawn was training in self defense because when we took her in to help her mother, there was a hell goddess after her."  His eyes were large and nearly popping out.  Pepper smiled.  "She's always been an asset to us.  She's made herself indispensable.  I missed her horribly while she had to hide."

"Why did you take her in?"

"My mother's first brain tumor," Dawn said.  "Which was caused by people who wanted to make demons do the same things they wanted me to do."

He slumped.  "I see."

Dawn got him a bottle of cold water.  "I'm not much different now than I was then, only I know how to throw a knife better and I can use more subtle weapons more accurately.  Before I had size queen issues with my guns."  He coughed and patted her on the arm before walking out.  She smiled at Pepper.  "It took them a month to teach me how to aim with something lighter than the ones I like to use."

"I've seen some of yours, Dawn."  She smiled.  "The new apartment?"

"I got to pick out the paint colors.  The furniture is coming in a few days.  My closet is all unpacked and there's no chance of any slime getting into it."  Pepper laughed.  "I have a great, ancient cast iron tub that they refinished for me.  It's big enough for three people if they get cuddly."  Pepper smiled.  "My kitchen has more cabinets than I know what to do with.  And a fridge so big I'll never fill it."

"Good."  She smiled and waved Dora in.  "Did you get those reports?"

"They said they're not ready yet," she said.

Dawn called down there.  "Gina, Dawn.  Pepper's sending me after those reports now.  She's been dealing with board members all day.  Stark's tinkering with McKay and Banner.  Yeah, it's one of those days.  Sure, I can give you an extra ten minutes.  Thanks."  She hung up.  She smiled at Dora.  "Sometimes you have to nudge a tiny bit.  I've went and sat down in a department, waiting on things that they needed to send up.  Brought a magazine and a soda once.  They got huffy but I told them Pepper said to come sit in there until I had that report to give her."

"It got done in record time since they had said three days," Pepper agreed.  "We're going to lunch in about an hour, Dora.  Do you want to join us in the caf?"

"No, ma'am, I brought mine."

"You can still sit with us," Dawn assured her with a smile.  "I'm not mean and I only bite food."  Dora blushed but shook her head.  Dawn strolled out.  "Let me head down to get that report.  Do a check of the labs, Dora.  The geek trio in Lab 7 are due to make a report this afternoon.  They're very shy guys who have *no* idea how to talk to girls.  They'll probably stammer and look down.  Don't upset them; just be polite and smile a bit.  They're all really nice guys.  My sister went to high school with them."

"I can try."  She went down to talk to them.

Dawn strolled onto the elevator.  A few minutes later she walked into that department.  The head was scowling.  "I can find a magazine."

"Please don't."  She handed it over.  "Preliminary, the final will be out in four days thanks to that banking crisis thing that was on tv."

"Okay.  Thanks."  She walked it back up there.  "Banking crisis is making it take longer."

Pepper looked it over.  "Thankfully not much was in there and it's secured."  She called Tony's phone to let him know.  She got JARVIS, who said he was too involved to hear anything.  She sighed and handed it over.  "Go nag them to eat lunch too."

Dawn smiled.  "I got them breakfast."  She headed down there.  She passed by Lab 7, looking in there.  Dora was trying hard not to look at them.  "Guys, she needs the stuff for Pepper and if you're sending any reports to Stark I'm heading that way."

"Sure," Andrew agreed, smiling and getting them for her.  "Thanks, Dawn."

"You're welcome."  She pinched him on the cheek.  She looked at Dora's back then at him.  He grinned.  "Callia will probably be out and about later."

"She stared at us and told us we were naughty," Jonathan said.  "I'm not sure if we should be insulted or not."

Dawn smirked.  "Callia knows that naughty lab people get stood in corners."  They laughed.  "Dora, can you hit Accounting on your way back?  I know their progress updates are due tomorrow but see if she's got them ready yet."  She walked off, logging into the lab to get entry.

"No disturbing us," McKay said.

"Bite me, McKay; never mind, you'd never figure out how."  She looked at Stark.  "Banking crisis?"

"I've heard something.  Why is it important?" he asked, not looking up.

"The one that you have the R&D fund and the scholarships in is part of it?"  He glared.  She handed over the report.  "Preliminary.  Four days for the official so they get some stuff sorted out."

He read it.  "That lowered the fund that pays that out.  I'll have to take care of that.  The other things?"

"Lab 7.  Dora was so shy she couldn't look at them."

He shook his head.  "She has good credentials.  We thought she'd lose some of that."

"I think she needs the right incentive."

"She probably does. I have no idea what it is."

"For most girls, there's a trigger in things that they're hiding.  An ex, a health issue, a fat awareness issue."

"She's not."

"When has that ever stopped a woman?" she countered.

"Good point.  Do you think?"

"I think with the way she dresses like Tara used to that she's got family issues but I'm guessing her ex is an issue since she keeps talking about him in the past tense."

"So recent breakup talk.  I'll watch for that."  He read those over.  "They're what?"

"No idea," she admitted.

"Go get Warren."  He looked at the other two.  "Tell Andrew no more magical tech."

"Give me five."  She walked back down there.  "Warren, Stark wanted a personal update to explain something."  She walked in and smiled.  "Andrew, he said no more mystical tech.  Even though I consider it really handy it bothers Banner and McKay because they can't explain the base rules."

"I can fix it.  I'm only using magic as a test of the electrical systems."  He showed her.  "That way I don't hook up something that's going to blow the lab's power grid again."

"He'd appreciate that."  She patted him on the back.  "I think that's a really good idea."  He beamed.  "Jonathan, do you have anything you needed to report?  I know your report was skimpy because you were home for a few days.  How's your mom?"

"Not great but like usual.  She still doesn't realize I'm there half the time."

"You know, my mom's in and out of here a lot if you wanted to talk.  Doctor Banner and she are seeing each other so if you *really* need to talk he can call her for you."

He smiled.  "Thanks.  It's not quite that bad but it's close."  She gave him a gentle hug.  "Thanks, Dawn."

"You're welcome.  You guys are special.  You survived the hellmouth."  They grinned.  "Let me tell Stark about that so he quits worrying, Andrew."  She walked up there.  "Stark, he's using the magic in place of the electrical systems for testing only.  That way they don't have to listen about blowing the power grid again."

"That's more than acceptable.  Jonathan's was a bit sparse."

"He had to go home for a few days."

"I forgot.  Thanks, Dawn.  Have a good lunch."

"Call down an order and I'll bring it up when I'm done, guys.  It's nearly one and you ate at eight-thirty."  She walked off.  She heard Warren yelp and grinned.  "Must've been trying to pick up girls by force again."  She went up to the office.  "Lunch?" she asked Pepper.

"Please."  They went down to the cafeteria and it was pretty decent food.   They ate and talked about clothes.  Dawn checked, the kings of geekdom hadn't made a lunch order so she did and brought it up after they were done.  Pepper giggled but being a genius meant things slipped past you sometimes.

***

The next day went well enough.  Dawn was mentoring Dora.  She clearly needed some more backbone.  Lunch she took off campus with the geeks in Lab 7.  They needed out and Tony thought some socialization would do them good.  She had been in New York less than a week and Dawn Luck had come back.  She was snatched and put up a hell of a fight.  The geeks saw and called people.  Dawn was destroying the three people that had taken her.  Clint's voice popped up and told her to find out who they were taking her to.  She played along and left one mostly alive.  The man on the other end smiled when she was shoved at him.

"Dora."

"I'm not Dora.  I'm Dawn.  Dora's still back at the office."

"Of course you are Dora.  She's the lovely Potts woman's assistant."

"I'm the primary assistant, dude.  I'm not Dora.  I'm over Dora."  The man walked off.  Dawn turned and disabled the guard.  "You're so going to pay for kidnaping me.  What the fuck do you want?"

"Such language!" he complained.  "My Dora would never do that!"

"Then it's probably a good thing I'm a Dawn, huh?"  He laughed.  She could feel Clint telling her to calm down and see what he wanted.  They were already responding.  "You know, the guys that you took me from having lunch with are probably panicking.  They're nice young guys who have no way of handling this stuff."

He waved a hand.  "They'll find their own genius brides."

Dawn stared at him.  "I may be a borderline genius, especially in languages, but I'm still not Dora."

"You are.  We've talked many days.  Don't worry, I'll take good care of you before and after we're married."

"I doubt that."  He walked off like he hadn't heard a word she said.  She let out a bit of frustration, making things in the house shake.  She looked around.  "You're a fucking slob, dude.  You have roaches.  Your files are laying everywhere.  Can't you clean this up?" she demanded.

He stared at her.  "Don't touch my work."

She scowled.  "If I'm Dora I'm certainly not living in this pigsty.  She deserves better.  She's a nice young woman."  She fixed a few of the files to piss him off.  He tried to snatch them but she glared.  He backed down.  She stomped on a few of the bugs too.  She looked.  "Your equation is out of balance.  Even I took Calculus."

"No you didn't."

"Yes I did.  I took AP Calc in high school and I took enough theory of economics to know that you're out of balance.  For that matter, you're so far out of balance I'm pretty sure that's what's wrong with the rest of the house.  The chaos in your theory has spread."  She heard someone pound and walked up there.  "Oh, great, agents.  Here for him for taking me?"

"We're here for you, Miss Summers."

"She's not!  She's Dora," the mad scientist complained.

Dawn turned and knocked him out then looked at them.  "So I take it you're not a rescue squad?"  They glared.  She pulled a gun before they could.  "I'm not that nice.  You guys made sure of it and made me a bit paranoid.  Now, shoo.  Before I make it an order."  They backed away slowly.  "Go.  Now."  They turned and ran.  She huffed.  She looked down at the crying man.  "I'll tell Dora you want to talk to her again.  Maybe she'll forgive you for this mistake."  She walked out and got into the SUV that was pulling on the street.  "Are the geeks okay?" she asked Coulson.

"Andrew panicked.  Stark almost couldn't understand him.  We stopped Warren from pulling out tech to help.  Jonathan was going to help with that plan."  She grinned.  "Are you all right?"

"He thought I was Dora."

"Geez," Clint muttered.  "Are you okay otherwise?"

"That guy is seriously nasty.  His unbalanced equations led to a whole house of unbalanced crap.  From roaches on down."  They shuddered.  "Yeah."  They got back to the tower and she walked in, going to calm down the geeks.  "Thanks, guys."  They all relaxed and smiled at her.  "It's all right.  I'm Dawn, I get this a lot."

"Did they hurt you?" Andrew asked, looking her over.  "You're all dirty."

"I'm fine.  I beat the idiots who took me pretty badly and their cheesy van needed to be cleaned."  She kissed each one on the cheek.  "You guys did good calling it in.  Thank you for getting me help."  They grinned.  "Let me check in with Stark."  She got led to his lab, where Dora was screaming at him. "Hey!" she shouted.

"You hurt my Percy!" Dora shouted at her.

"He kept thinking I was you, even when I pointed it out.  I had to try to break that so he'd listen that I wasn't you."  Dora huffed.  "I also pointed out that his equation was wrong and that he had roaches in the house.  So when you go see him later, clean on him.  Organize his life.  He'll appreciate it even if he does freak out for a few days.  It's what I do to Stark all the time."  Tony nodded.  "I didn't really hurt him.  I did hit him once to make sure the agents who were trying to snatch me from him couldn't hurt him.  That kept him out of the crossfire and out of trouble."  Dora slumped.  "If you want him, go to him.  He could use you.  It's clear he misses you."

"While we don't usually encourage people to go to people who kidnap young women, it's clear you are dear to him and he's dear to you," Coulson said, writing out the address.  "He's there."

Pepper smiled.  "Go to him, Dora.  Love shouldn't be kept waiting."  She nodded.  "Tell me by Monday if you're coming back."

"You guys are all so scary," she said.  "I'm sorry."

"That's okay.  A good scientist deserves a great helper."  She smiled and left.  "Guys, make sure she has cab fare and a decent cab," Pepper called after the guards escorting her out.  They smiled and nodded.  She looked at Dawn.  "Five days?" she asked.  "You couldn't go a whole week?"  She pointed and huffed.  "I know.  It's funny but I know."  She gave her a quick hug.  "Did you get lunch?"

"No."  She walked off.  "Let me hit the admin breakroom for the snack machine."  She smiled at Clint and Phil.  "Thanks, guys.  Should I go into a chorus of 'my hero'?"  They smirked and shook their heads.  She kissed them each on the cheek and strolled off mentally telling Clint he'd be getting rewarded later.

Clint looked at Stark.  "Any other weird employees that might like her?" he quipped.

"There's that guy in Lab 12," McKay said.  "I find him rather creepy at times.  He tends to look through you instead of at you."

Banner nodded.  "I would put him on that list, yes.  And the one in HR that is jealous of her for being younger and prettier than his girlfriend."

"She's known about him," Pepper said.  "He tried to mace her in the garage and she kicked him over the railing and down a flight of stairs."  Coulson smiled.  "Yes, him.  The other one...  I'm not sure.  He might not like Dawn.  She tends to bring order to chaos, and he lives on the chaos theory."

"Like that guy in _Jurassic Park_?" Clint asked.

"Worse," Tony said.  "Less linear."

Andrew cleared his throat from the doorway.  "Pauley up in lasers research.  He wants to see if her blood can power a super one.  Or Finnigan in shield design.  He's got a mini shrine to her.  So does Halls in security but he's a nice guy and adores her like anyone should."

"That's very good work," Coulson said.  "Thank you.  We keep a list but sometimes it falls behind."  He handed over his card.  "If you see someone snatching her again, let me know and we'll help."

"You're the one that's like her big brother," he said.

"I am, and the father of Tara's twins."  Andrew squealed and hugged him then bounced off.  He looked at Barton.  "Hand-to-hand recert against the instructor."  He nodded, going to the car.  He looked at Pepper, who smiled at him.  "They're finally sleeping all night."

"Congrats," Tony said with a grin.  "I nearly made myself sick celebrating with ice cream watching her sleep.  Because I knew as soon as I moved she'd wake back up."  Coulson laughed.  "Sure, laugh now but crawling starts in about six months," he said smugly.  "And you have two."

"Hell," he said, walking off to make plans for that.  Fatherhood took a lot more tactical planning than running missions in the field did.

"With his luck, they'll forgo crawling and just float around, swimming in the air like Xander did the last time he was in the infirmary on Atlantis.  We had to hitch him to some recharging batteries to make him quit swimming and we still needed a leash a few times," McKay complained into his mug of coffee.  Pepper walked out giggling.

"I'm so glad Callia only found out she had magic after she started to walk."

"She's using it for climbing," Bruce said.

Tony shook his head.  "Where?"

"Library.  Where else?"

"What was she going for?"

"Books on bathing suits and naked people."  Tony turned and thumped his head into a wall a few times.  "I heard her keep saying 'not an elephant' and comparing it to the picture of one."  That got a few more thumps.  He patted him on the back.  "Some day she'll be a teenager and all this will seem like fond things."

"Shut up, Banner, before I lock you out of the labs."

"I'd just take Joyce to lunch."  He grinned, going back to their sandwich fixing platter.  Dawn had done good getting them things they'd probably eat.

Tony walked off.  "I'll be back after I talk to her nanny."  He rubbed his forehead all the way up there.  He ran into Dawn in the elevator.  "She got into naked people books.  Compared them to elephants."

She nodded.  "That day she had JARVIS send her to me, I was kinda naked too.  She asked me if I was taking a bath."

He nodded.  "Did she remark on anything?"

"No, at the time I was smoother than she is," she said dryly.  He blushed.  She grinned.  "Birthdays."

He patted her on the shoulder.  "I do not need to know."  She cackled.  "Let me talk to her nanny.  Go let Pepper warp you so you're normal again."

"Yes, sir."  She saluted.  He got off and she went to the office.  "He's going to see the nanny."  Pepper texted Tony she was up there.  Dawn handed over what she had went to fetch, letting Pepper take the antacids.  "How many more?" she quipped.

"Four."  She handed Tony the file Dawn had handed her.  "I didn't remember to hand you this yesterday."

He looked at it and nodded.  "That's great to know.  Thanks, Dawn."  He walked the nanny out to talk about Callia's issues with nudity.  The nanny thought it was normal.  Tony explained why it wasn't.  The whole 'genius baby' thing was not working in his favor here.

Dawn squatted down in front of Callia.  "When you're old enough, you can have supermodels too.  Just like daddy does."  Callia beamed at her and went back to writing.  Dawn showed her how to do it and she followed along.  That helped.  "Good job."  She smiled.  "Why don't you go down and talk to Andrew, Warren, and Jonathan.  They need to know what good girls are like so they quit stealing the skanky hos."

"Skanky hos?" Callia asked.  Dawn pulled over a magazine and pointed at a model.  "Oooooh.  Nasty."

"Exactly.  They need to know what good girls are like so they want good girls."  She beamed.  "They're down in Lab 7."  She ran off, looking determined.  She and Pepper shared an evil smirk.

***

Warren looked up as the door opened.  "What are you doing in here?" he demanded, moving to stop her.  "You can't be in here, Miss Stark.  It's dangerous."

She stared at him.  "Auntie said I'm a good girl and I can teach you what good girls are like."  She grinned and hugged him.  "Good girls hug and they sing and they read and they like to play."  She went to hug the other two, who were smiling at her.  "No more skanky hos.  They don't play.  They look mean," she told Warren while hugging Andrew.

"They do," Andrew agreed.

Jonathan nodded.  "All the ones we've captured have been."  He took her to cuddle.  "Maybe we'll find a good girl like you and your aunt."  She beamed and kissed him on the cheek.   "Thanks, Miss Stark."

"I'm Callia," she said slowly and clearly.  They grinned and the two geeks settled in to talk to her while Warren pouted.  Warren knew robotic girlfriends were easier than real ones.  Metal ones didn't do weird girl things.  Or have girl moments or bad hair days or any of that sort of womanly malfunctions that you couldn't program out.

Stark walked in and sighed.  "What are you doing?" he asked his daughter.

"Auntie said they need to know what good girls are like so no more skanky hos.  They look mean."

"They are, yes.  I dated more than my fair share of them."

"Auntie say I get sooper models like you, Daddy."  She beamed.

"Some day I'm sure you will, princess."  He picked her up.  "Yes, some day you all want a girlfriend like Dawn as an ideal.  One who helps you with your work, cleans up when the ideas drive you nuts, and makes your life a living hell when you're an idiot.  I had Pepper for that and Dawn's in training to find her own genius mate."  He patted Warren on the head.  "Do not turn her on," he said quietly.  "You need a real girl."

"Real girls are hard," he complained.

"Yes but they're worth it."

"No they're not.  She can do anything I need or want.  She's even flexible."

"Warren, look at Agent Romanoff some day.  Compare her to your former robotic girlfriend and see how she compares."

"We'd only drool on her pretty shoes," Jonathan sighed.  "That's one hell of a woman."

"Yes and as an ideal woman she's a bit tough but she does have the right qualities to be a good mate to someone who has a high IQ.  She has one herself actually.  Compare the two and see how they stack up."  That got a sullen nod.  "Good boy."  He patted him again.  Callia leaned over to give him a hug.  "That's very nice of you, daughter."

She grinned.  "Some day I need a Pepper of my own," she said, staring at her father.

"Yes you do and we'll help you pick one to drive you just as crazy as she does me."  He walked her out.

"Agent Romanoff is like a goddess," Jonathan sighed, leaning on the work bench.  "No woman can compare to her.  I'd gladly take her if she wouldn't kill me for it."  He looked at Warren, who was still pouting.  "Compare her to Pepper.  She's popular, pretty, smart.  Everything our wanted and needed mates should be."

"True," Warren agreed.  He sat down to compare them by listing traits he wanted.  Pepper was coming out on top.  Maybe he would make a Pepper bot and a Agent Romanoff bot.  That'd be really good and they'd be hot together and with him.  They had all the stuff here and he had gotten a good look at the plans for those other robots, which were weak.  He could definitely make it better.

***

A few days later, Natasha felt a tickle of thought from Dawn, walking out of the battle ring to call her.  "What's happened?"

"Are you there?" Dawn asked. "I mean at SHIELD?"

"Yes, why?  Is there a problem?"

"I'm looking at your clone," she sighed.  "I think Warren wanted a higher, more better girlfriend."

Natasha looked at her phone then put it against her ear.  "Who?"

"Geek trio Warren?  Made the Buffy bot?" she said.

"Yes, I remember that story."

"Your clone here is a lot better than the Fury bot.  Not as many processing errors.  I don't think Stark's figured it out yet she's so good.  Which is why I thought I'd check."  She hung up.  She could swear that it was Natasha.  They got all her mannerisms, down to her walk, down perfectly.  Dawn was almost embarrassed by her reaction.  She tapped out a text message to Pepper to look at the security camera in that hall.  She sent back a 'tell Natasha I said hi'.  Dawn sent back she was at SHIELD, she had checked.  Pepper came off the next elevator.  Dawn looked at her.  "I couldn't tell," she said quietly.

"He did fantastic work."

"Tony hasn't figured it out yet," Dawn said quietly.  "She's not magnetic either."

"Shit," Pepper muttered.  "Natasha, let's go talk," she said, smiling at her.  "I haven't seen you since you got back."  She walked her off.

Dawn walked up to Tony and hissed in his ear.  "No way."

"Yup.  I checked, bossman."

He looked.  "That's better than the Fury bot."

"Or the Buffy bot."

"JARVIS, how many did they make?" Tony called quietly.

"Two, sir.  I believe Ms. Potts just ran into her other self.  They're comparing outfits."  Tony hung his head.  "It is very hard to tell them apart," the AI said.  "The only way I can is the biometric scans we have of the two real women don't match the robotic one's biometric rhythms."

"They're so grounded," Tony decided, heading that way.  Natasha got there and followed silently.  Coulson too.  Dawn smiled and waved.  Natasha gave her a pointed look.  "I couldn't tell," he told her quietly.  "At all.  There was no lag, no difference in your voice, your inflection, nothing."  Natasha said something rude in Russian.  "Dawn couldn't tell."  Natasha shook her head.

"I figured that's why she called," Coulson said.  He glanced back at Dawn.  "Can we borrow them?"

"They have very little understanding of social interaction," Tony said quietly.  "Sheppard took them to Vegas, got them drunk, and they still didn't manage to do more than stammer at a woman."

"Understood."  He walked into the room second and had to pause.  "Two?" he asked.  Warren flinched.  He decided not to lecture.  Clearly a fragile genius sort.  "That's very adventurous.  Most men can't handle two strong, powerful women."  He patted him on the arm.  "SHIELD wants to register the plans, without taking and using them.  We'll help you file the patents so no one can steal them again, Warren.  Would that be all right?"  He blushed but nodded.  Natasha and her metal self were circling each other.  Fortunately the human one was wearing her SHIELD uniform so they could tell them apart.

Pepper and her metal self were talking to see how deep the programming went into her history.  "You called my mother to tell her the gossip?" the human Pepper asked.

The metal one smiled and nodded.  "She was lonely for new news of you."

"Huh.  Okay."  She smiled.  "We should go shopping some time."

Warren shook his head.  "You'll warp her programming.  That's evil girl stuff that confuses us men.  I gave her fifteen outfits and shoes.  Only one was the cut-off shorts you used to wear to tease Mr. Stark."

She patted him on the cheek.  "We'll talk later, Warren."  He hung his head and nodded.  "She's a fantastic job.  I might actually need to borrow her in case of a threat."

"Like the earlier version of the Buffy bot I am programmed for self defense and to handle any threats to my human boyfriend," the not-Pepper said with a grin.

Pepper smiled back.  "Sure, that's a great thing."  She wouldn't flinch at the 'boyfriend' comment.  "Natasha, is yours programmed to spar like you can?"

"She said she is."

"I'm still uploading martial arts forms," Warren said quickly, taking her to put behind him and protect her.  "She's not ready to spar yet."

Natasha looked at him.  "I am flattered," she said quietly.  "But a bit disturbed.  I wish she looked more like my sister than me."  He grinned and nodded.  "Thank you."  She walked off.  Dawn met her in the elevator, turning off the security cameras and suspending it between floors so Natasha could vent where the fragile genius could not hear her.  "I have never met anyone like that," she finally said, calming down.  "Really, I have never met anyone that afraid of women."

Dawn hugged her.  "He'll figure it out.  We're working on it.  Tony made him turn off his last one and store her so he could learn to interact with real women."  Natasha hugged her back.  "I want to see Clint's reaction to her."

Natasha shook her head.  "He would want to try things."  Dawn laughed but let her go and turned back on everything.  "Thank you for the warning."

"I honestly couldn't tell and I was having a reaction I wasn't really comfortable with."

"I could barely tell," she complained.  She got off and went to the SUV.   Coulson would be there for hours dealing with this and she needed to go get out some energy.  She got back to her physical fighting recertification.  Clint was staring, waiting for her.  "I nearly couldn't tell."  He grinned.  "He'll correct her image so she's my sister instead."

"That's great," he agreed.  "Fury heard something."

"The little genius would fold under his scowl," she said in Russian.  "He does under Pepper's."  Clint walked off laughing.  "Coulson is still there.  He can make a report."  She pointed at someone.  "I need sparring time."  He groaned but came over to be beaten to death.  This was not right and it couldn't even be blamed on Dawn's unique view of the world.  Demons were not as strange as her metallic doppleganger.  She heard Dawn protest and apologized, sending a soothing thought toward her even as she beat the junior agent.

***

Xander appeared at Stark's frustrated yell, looking amused.  "What's attacking the earth this time?"

"Three geeks who you grew up with."

Xander scanned where they were.  "Wow, better than the Buffy bot."  He nodded, flashing down there.  "Hey, guys.  Can I bum your genius brains?"  They stared at him.  "The temple's firing range is really basic.  I need to up it to something less than the danger room and better the standard robotic walk-through course."  They beamed and nodded.  "Good.  Come to Colorado."  He wrote down directions.  "I'll get it cleared with Stark."  The robo-Natasha teased the back of his neck.  "Hi, friendly."  She smiled a tiny little smirk.  Warren was looking jealous.  "You know the dangerous ones like me," Xander said dryly.  "There was someone in the government who wanted to breed me to her."

"That would suck," Warren said.  "No girl is normal after you date them, Xander."

"I try really hard."  He grinned.  "I need a girlfriend."

"Do you think I should program in lesbian tendencies?" Warren asked.

"I don't know.  Dawn spent almost a full year with her.  Ask her."  That got a nod.  "Show up soon."  He flashed back up there.  Natasha was seriously a dream girl for him but there was no way she'd be his so he could only imagine.  "I'm having them up my range building."

"Sure," Tony said with a smile.  "Thank you."

"Welcome.  She looks almost exactly like Natasha but a bit off."

"She requested that she become her sister instead of her."

"She's definitely like a hot twin."  He disappeared.  "Hey, Bia.  Remember me talking about the Buffy bot?"  She shuddered but nodded.  "The three geeks are coming here to up the range building."

Jensen leaned out from the kitchen.  "Someone created a robot of Buffy?"

"Fully responsive and all.  The same geeks made one of Natasha and Pepper."  Jensen just stared.  "They'll be here soon."  He nodded, going back to making a snack.

"I'll make sure one of the instructor rooms is open for them, Xander."  She smiled.  "That way they're comfortable."  He blew a kiss and headed to his suite.  She slumped, shaking her head.  "There's very few geeks that warriors can stand," she muttered.  She called Dawn, who told her about then.  She realized one had sent prayers her way and she smiled.  She did like geeks, look at how much she liked John and Xander.  Maybe she could help them while they were out here.

***

Clint watched Natasha hack into the Stark servers to check the security footage of her metal self.  She ran it back to their meeting.  He had seen it through Dawn's mind but that was really hot.  "Twins."  She poked him.  "What about now?"  She changed it so he could see the present version.  "Very nearly twins."

"She needs to look less like me."

"I'm sure she will.  You did say your sister."  She swatted him this time.  Dawn came in and laid on his back, changing the footage and logging into something else.  They got to watch the geeks argue with Warren about his choice of clothes for each of them.  They couldn't get a good, clear picture of Natasha's battle uniform so they decided on something spandexy like Dawn's former unitard for patrols.

Clint smirked at Natasha.  "You do look good in all those."  She stared at them.

Dawn leaned down to kiss her.  "That's why I had to check.  I saw and reacted before I realized."  Natasha scowled.  "It took Stark over an hour."

"I realize that."  She huffed and turned it off.  "Where are they now?"

"Upping Xander's range."

Clint moaned.  "That means there's going to be a Danger Room course."

"Xander said below that and above what SHIELD or any PD has for a walk-through."  She slid off his back and snuggled her other lover.  "It could be worse."

"I don't see how."

"You could've been pregnant twins."  Natasha shuddered and shook her head.  "So, see, not as bad as it could be.  He thinks you're hot.  You're like the universal symbol for hot woman.  He still calls her and you Agent Romanoff instead of by your name.   Pepper was more a girlfriendy choice instead of a 'tie you up and show you things' sort for him."  She leered.  "Not that that's bad."  Clint kissed her to make her stop.  "By the way, my apartment's done."  They went with her to check it out.  The kitchen was spacious, though Clint's was biggest because he could cook better than Dawn.  Dawn had a nice dining area, a great living room area with her old tv in it.

The sectional had stayed for Joyce.  Her mom had gushed that it was the most comfortable couch and they did like watching movies on it.  She led them back to her study, which was a great room with a lot of shelves that she needed to unpack books onto.  Then into the public bathroom, which was nice.  The spare bedroom then the main bedroom.  It had the bed raised up on a platform but hanging from the ceiling by chains.  It looked like heavy wood with a nice feathertop mattress.

The closet was most of one wall.  Not walk in but most of one wall.  She had a small vanity area to do her hair and the door to the bathroom on the other wall.  They walked in.  A large antique cast iron tub with bronze accents.  A good countertop, but all the apartments had that and a standing box for first aid supplies.  Dual sinks.  The shower was tucked into a corner but it wasn't as small as it looked because the side wall was a fake wall.  It gave it enough depth to have two shower heads.  Everything was done in cream with bronze.

"Wow," Clint said.  He went out to test the bed.  "What's the rating on this?"

"I made sure when I found that sucker that the ceiling could take it.  I talked to the guy who was head of the reno crew in here and brought him in to look at it.  He said the chains and the ceiling will hold at least three thousand pounds of pressure."  He smirked.  She grinned back.  "Even bouncing around shouldn't bother it.  Pepper thought it was a great bed, reminded her of the porch bed on Fiji."

"It does me as well," Natasha said.  She climbed in and sank in, smiling in pleasure.  "This is nice."  Dawn climbed up to kiss her.  It was good and the bed cradled her nicely.  Dawn was nicely happy.  "Are you all unpacked?"

"No.  Not hardly.  That'll be my task tomorrow night while you two have the first aid recert class."  They smiled and settled in to tease each other.  Natasha needed a better mood.  Dawn was in a playful mood and wanted to make her squeal.  Clint was happy to help.  They'd get him later when they wore Natasha out.  He checked, the beside tables were built up enough that you only had to reach over.  Just higher than the mattress's edge.  He looked and groaned.  Dawn looked.  "That side," she said.  "Sorry."

"We can move them around so they're in easy reach," he said, grabbing what he wanted from the two boxes of condoms and some lube.  Natasha gave him a pointed look.  "Just in case?"

"Not tonight."

Dawn kissed her.  "Can I?" she asked with an impish grin.

"I believe you need to learn the difference between me and others."  Dawn showed her the plans she had seen.  Natasha shivered.  It was self lubricating, had perfect female anatomy, including nerve responses, and was vocal in bed.  Natasha stared at her.  "Why did you see that?"

"Pepper had me go make Warren brag."  She leaned on Natasha's flat stomach, grinning some.  "She's so responsive she's like ten steps beyond the Fury bots.  They tested her with an IQ of over 150."  Natasha slumped.  "She's not fully learning but she can be programmed with new information.  They did everything to worship at your altar since Warren decided he would never be worthy of a woman like you."  She stroked the older woman's side.  "I have that feeling now and then too."

"You are more than woman enough to worship," Clint assured her.  "We're both worthy of worshiping her."  Natasha started to give them funny looks but they ganged up on her to worship her properly.

***

Phil knocked and walked into Dawn's apartment.  "Dawn," he called, starting the coffee maker.  "Time for our run in the gym."  They had been back on the schedule for weeks now, since Dawn had restarted working.

"Ow," was called in a familiar but not Dawn voice.

Coulson smiled.  Dawn came wandering out holding her head.  "Hangover?"

"Tiny bit of sleep.  Why are we running in the gym?"  He pointed at where it was pouring rain outside.  "Crap, the speech is outside today," she muttered.

"Sorry."  He handed her a mug of coffee.  "Go get dressed?"  She nodded, wandering back that way.  She came out in bike shorts, her sneakers, and a sports bra.  "Shirt?" he prompted.

"Hell no.  I'm really warm."  He frowned and tested her forehead.  "Just tired."

"Not really.  Come on."  He took her down there to go through their daily workout.  It was helping him lose all the baby and cookie weight he was carrying.  Tara spoiled him horribly.  Dawn was lagging and he got her off the treadmill to test her again.  Still a bit fevered.  "Why are you sick?"

"'m not," she muttered then yawned.  "Just tired."

"We'll see.  You can pop into the infirmary for a check.  You can't be around the twins or Callia if you're sick."  Dawn sighed but nodded.  She came down pulling on a t-shirt and carrying an outfit in a bag so it wouldn't get soaked.  He drove her in.  He knew the difference between too much sex tired and sick.  The doctor looked at her and tested her forehead.  "She said she's tired."

"She's got the flu like half of the rest of the building."  He winced.  "The twins are fine.  We vaccinated them ourselves, Agent Coulson."  She took the dress and hung it up.  She gave Dawn some medicine then put her to bed.  "Half the science teams are down too."

"Okay," he agreed, popping up to talk to Pepper.  "She's got the flu."

"Dirt.  I needed her today."

"You could use one of the other ones."

"No, I can't!  I have to write the speech, I'm horribly behind, I have no idea what I'm doing."

"Then call and see if Romanoff can go back to pretending to be a Stark sitter," he said.

She smiled and sighed.  "Thank you!  That's the best idea I've heard since Tony went down sick three days ago."  She called.  "Please tell me you don't have the flu," she begged.  "Yes, she does.  Thank you!  No, I'm so far behind.  Tony's been sick for three days.  Everyone else is sick.  I have a speech today."  She smiled.  "Thank you, Natasha.  Here."  She hung up.  "She is here?"

"Napping off the medicine."  He smiled and left her to her panicking.  Thankfully he didn't have to write speeches for Fury.

***

Dawn woke up and couldn't quite figure out where she was.  It was dark.  It was way too quiet.  She could feel air moving.  She checked, no sign or feeling of people.  She slowly stood up and headed for the doorway.  In the back of her head she heard someone warning her not to go into the hall.  That was probably a good thing?  She wasn't sure.  She didn't know why she had the voice in the back of her head.  It yelled again.  Maybe it was a bad thing.

***

Clint woke up to a feeling of calm panic.  Dawn.  He opened the link and told her to stay where she was.  He was up and pulling on pants.  She was ignoring him so he got more forceful.  She still ignored him to move out into the hallway.  He called Stark security on the way over.  Dawn was out of it and could hurt someone.

***

Natasha woke up to that interesting byplay and sent her own at Dawn.  //You will be in so much trouble if you leave that infirmary.  You are fevered and need to be in bed.//  Dawn seemed to fade in and out during it.  She got up to put on clothes.  She ran into Steve Rogers coming in.  "Dawn is ill and wandering through the Tower," she said at his curious look.

"We heard they had a mass case of the flu."

"She does as well."  He followed her.  "We can handle it."

"Not to be rude, Natasha, but if she's sick enough to be hallucinating I doubt that."   It wasn't that far to drive.  Clint was already inside.  They stepped in and a guard rushed to tell them where they thought she was.  She wasn't the only one hallucinating either.  Thankfully JARVIS had locked everything important or dangerous so none of the sick ones could get into it.  Clint was in the ceiling in the penthouse trying to track Stark because he had a weapon.  They had to get Dawn.

***

Clint felt Natasha wake up and that was great since he had a higher priority to find.  Stark could cause real problems if he was hallucinating.  "JARVIS, can you turn down the power on that weapon?" he asked quietly.

"I can and have.  It shouldn't do more than stun one but he thinks he's in his suit firing on busty women with eight shapely legs.  Brunette ones are what he's hallucinating, they're guarding their redheaded queen."

Clint considered that.  "Why?"

"I believe something in the current bout of influenza is encouraging it," he admitted.  "Though it's not Dawn they're using.  It's Miss Potts."

"Interesting."  He moved on.  "Check on the geek trio's robots?" he suggested.

"The two new ones are in the lab working on something together.  The one that had been in the closet isn't in there.  Scanning the building.  Oh, she's in virology."

"Shut them down," Clint ordered.  "Tell Agent Romanoff."

"I can do so."  He let Clint track the wily super genius who was hallucinating badly.

Clint found where Stark had made an emergency nesting area.  Probably in case of attack by all the weapons.  There were no obvious gaps so Stark hadn't made it here yet.  He shut and locked it then moved on.  Stark had tech stored around the building in case of emergencies.  Clint found him in a hidden computer core room.  "JARVIS, can you please beam him into a locked infirmary room?" he hissed.

"The satellite is off-limits during emergencies."

"Not externally, in the building.  Say the room Joyce had been in?  There's no tech there, right?"

"No, there's not."  He did that.  Clint jumped down to look at the computers.  "That's not the self-destruct," the AI said.  "It looks like new plans.  Or he was doing a backup of the mainframe.  I'm not totally connected to that system, can only read it off a camera."

"Okay," Clint said.  "Do whatever you have to do.  I'm going to go find Dawn."

"I took the liberty of sending her to a room like that as well but she's managed to pick the electronic locks magically and escaped.  She's in the ceiling on that floor.  I've alerted Captain Rogers and Agent Romanoff."

"Let me get Dawn.  They can get the robots."  He headed down there.  He had studied the plans for the tower so he knew the layout and all the shortcuts between floors.  He fired a grappling arrow and slid down a ventilation tube to the floor Dawn should be on.  He paused and listened.  No Dawn.

"One down, Agent Barton.  She's going for the weapons lab."

"Of course she is," he agreed.  Because Dawn liked weapons.  He hurried after her, pouncing her before she could slide out of the ceiling.  She fought back, because even sick Dawn was feisty.  He finally managed to get her pinned and knocked her out with a tiny bottle of knockout drops he carried in case of emergencies.  She went limp.  He waited.  She wasn't snoring.  He nerve pinched her but she tried to move.  Thankfully he still outmassed her by about twice her weight.  Now she was out.

He got them out of the ceiling and back up to the infirmary, settling her in a bed and strapping her down this time.  Including a few of the tiny locks she couldn't pick magically.  He made sure she didn't have anything like a paperclip so she couldn't do it physically either.  He found two machines most of the rooms had and set them to help distract her focus.  He walked off, closing the door so JARVIS could lock it.  "Where are the other agents, JARVIS?"

"Nearing Lab 7."

"I'm heading for Virology."

"I'll tell them."  He passed that on.

***

Natasha and Steve walked into Lab 7.  "What are you two doing?" she demanded.

Her metal self looked up.  "We're building something that the boys need out in Colorado."

Steve moved closer slowly.  "Are either of you behind the flu that's been going around?"

"No," robo Pepper said.  "We weren't aware there was an epidemic."  She and her other half shared a look.  "We can help if someone's too sick to work and it's critical.  They did program us to handle a lot of practical tasks."

"I can even bake," the robo Natasha said with a grin.  "Warren does love cookies."

"Most guys do," Steve said.  "For right now, I want you two to confine yourself to this lab until we find out what's going on."

JARVIS cleared his throat.  "Agent Barton had an idea."

"What was it, JARVIS?" robo Pepper asked.

"Mr. Stark was fighting eight-legged versions of Miss Potts.  The army of them was guarding their redheaded queen.  That's what he wanted the suit for.  Instead I gave him the supposed new design that was actually a VR-aligned set of glasses so he could fix whatever he wanted."

"That's not a bad idea," Steve agreed.

Natasha looked around.  "Where's the prototype?"

"Virology," JARVIS said as the robo ladies said the closet.  "With Agent Barton moving in to capture her."

Natasha ran out, heading down there.

"She got jealous?" robo Pepper asked Steve.  She pouted.  "That's not right!  We would've shared Warren.  Even if she's not as advanced we could help by uploading new programming and data modules."

Robo Natasha nodded.  "I would have helped her.  Warren's a great stud and could use another good girlfriend."  They shared another look.  "JARVIS, don't let them hurt her.  We can rehabilitate her," she called.

"I believe she's going to be turned off for now," Steve said.  "Then Tony will figure that out."  They pouted but nodded.  "For now, finish up what the boys needed done and then go ahead to a sleep cycle or whatever you call it?"

"It's so hard to sleep without Warren snuggling, drooling, and snoring on us," robo Pepper sighed.  "But I guess we can curl up together."  They got back to work.

Steve headed out of the lab and down there.  He was so glad he was a physical sort instead of a super brain like Tony or Warren.  They never seemed to have really usual problems.

***

Natasha got there as Clint was getting the door opened.  She followed him, letting him go left while she took the right side of the room, guns out.  "Put down the vials," she ordered.

The original model of Warren's girlfriend smiled.  "Natasha, is there a problem?  Does Warren need more help than you two can give him in Colorado?"

"No, and I'm not the robotic one."

The woman grimaced.  "Inferior fleshy model then.  Very inefficient.  Takes too much energy and makes too much waste."  She yelped when Clint fired a jamming signal crossbow bolt into her arm.  "Hey!  He won't like scars!  Warren only loves us if we're perfect!  You're going to make him not love me!"  She started to cry and reached for something.

"No," Natasha said, stopping her.  "We can fix that so Warren won't mind.  Calm down."  She moved close enough to flick her to the 'off' setting and the robot went limp against her.  She looked at the lab's contents.  "Get someone who can handle this?"

Steve leaned in.  "Only two people in sciences aren't sick.  Neither one can handle this mess.  Who do I call outside of Coulson?"

"JARVIS, call Carolyn Lam.  We need her ASAP," Clint said.

"I'm waking her up now," the AI agreed.  "That is not too bad but we might have to quarantine you three for a few days."

"That's fine.  We took flu shots," Clint said, rubbing his neck.  He looked at Natasha, who shrugged.  "I'm not like Warren, right?  I know Dawn undid all her scars again."

"You're not.  You never were.  Nor were you a genius."

He grinned.  "Great!"  Doctor Lam came rushing in.  "Hi, Doc."

"What's this?"

"This is Warren's original girlfriend," Natasha said.  "She got jealous of the newer models."

Carolyn winced.  "I heard.  What do we think she was making?"

"Weaponized flu," Clint said.  "Most of the building is down with the flu.  A lot with targeted hallucinations."

"I can handle that," she agreed, calling in a few others to help her handle it.  The three agents went up to the infirmary to be checked over.  The robot had her energy core pulled by McKay.  He went up to pull the other two's, explaining why before he did it.  They pouted but understood since that one had been so dangerous.  McKay looked at what they were building - simulated bombs - and sent a heated thought at Xander to beat the hell out of them.  Mari got sent to handle those.  Rodney went to shut down the labs just in case something else was going to go critical or stupidly explosive.  He had thought Atlantis had all the universe's screw ups, apparently Stark took in the ones that couldn't handle military service.

***

Phil walked in the next morning with a carrier of coffee cups, handing them to the three agents.  He looked at where Dawn was sleeping, still tied down to the bed.  He noticed the tininess of the locks, the white noise machine next to her, and could feel the ionized air machine going at high speed.  That made a lot of sense if one had to take Dawn down.  He looked at Clint, who shrugged.  "Is she feeling any better?"

"Doctor Lam has a treatment going and they're all going to feel better in a few days," Natasha said.  She checked on Dawn, patting her hand when she tried to move.  "Rest.  We're here to watch over you."  Dawn tried to shift onto her side.  Clint got her free of that side and let her curl up with a sigh of pleasure.  She hugged Natasha's hand and smiled.

"I don't blame her for hating the infirmary," Phil said quietly.  "Not a bad action plan, people.  Thank you."  He walked off.  Stark was grumpy but awake.  He handed Pepper the last coffee, earning a smile.  "Stark, can you remember anything?"

"Eight shapely-legged Peppers, an army of them tossing their hair in that agitated way when she's being thwarted and carrying laser pistols.  I really have to make better laser pistols.  Can't I have some coffee?"

"No," the nurse called.  "No caffeine for a whole day.  It might counteract the medicine, Mr. Stark."

"Damn."  He grimaced.  "The robots?"

"Off," Coulson said.  "McKay submitted a report.  It was the original one who was jealous.  She created the flu because the two newer ones had taken her lover and boyfriend.  The two new ones were more than willing to share but she didn't want that."

Tony rubbed his forehead.  "Jesus.  Warren?"

"Hasn't been told yet," Coulson admitted.  "Unless he has some sort of health sensor on them for them being put to sleep."

"Good to know.  I want to kick him again."

Pepper shook her head.  "He needs help, Tony."  He nodded.  "I'll start looking for a therapist for him.  We'll move the ladies to a dedicated safe room.  That way if we need them for some emergency reason we can reactivate them."

"Please," he agreed.  "Give them enough so they can plug in but not access the outside until we can debrief them and download their memory cores."  He rubbed his forehead again.  "I don't know if this is caffeine withdrawal or if this is the flu."

"It's the flu," she assured him, patting him on the leg.  "Let me check things over."  She walked off with Phil.  "Dawn?" she asked quietly.

"They found a way to diminish her abilities to get free."  He waited until they were alone.  "Very tiny locks, ionized air, and a white noise generator."

"Tiny locks are because Dawn has a problem with finite, tiny movements."  He smiled and nodded.  "The ionized air to counteract some of the magic?"

"Probably.  The white noise to distract her so she can't focus as hard.  Also to soothe her.  She hates being in the infirmary."

"I would too with as long as her mother spent in the hospital and as many times as she's had problem checks after things."  Phil smiled.  "Is she all right?"

"They're with her."

"Good!"  She looked over as the door to the office opened.  "Rodney, anything I need to know right now?"

"Everything was on safe shutdown outside of the two labs the robots were working in."

"Stark wanted all three in a safe room," Coulson said.  "Enough power to plug in but no power cores.  He wanted to download the memories and things."

"I can work on that.  It's not that hard.  Has anyone talked to Warren?"

"Not yet," Pepper said.  "Unless he had some sort of alert that went to his phone."

"His phone is in the lab," Rodney said dryly.  "He forgot it."  She smiled.  "It was showing a tampering alert for his lab."

"Good to know," she agreed.  "Thank you and Carolyn for the assistance last night."

He shrugged.  "We are getting that young one help?"

"I'm looking at where," she admitted.

"We don't have a version of Arkham Asylum here," Coulson said dryly.  "Or I'd suggest there."

"There's places for geniuses who snap," Rodney assured him.  "Including one here in the city that's not exactly reputable and has a lot of government interference with testing and the like."

Phil shook his head.  "No, SHIELD does not consider that a safe location.  They've had three patients escape in the last year.  The one in Massachusetts is safer.  It's also more humane and less drugging oriented for correction."

Pepper smiled.  "Is that where you were going to stick Tony if he broke in a critical manner?"  He nodded.  "Good to know.  Can you get me their contact information?"

"I can," he agreed.  "The only other one we have rated with that sort of security and health oversight is in Switzerland."

"Good to know," she decided.  "Thank you, Phil."

"Welcome, Pepper."  He walked off, going to the office to make that report and to get that contact information for her.  Who knows what other geniuses might need it.

Including Stark.

Pepper smiled at Rodney.  "How bad?"

"She did a very nice job weaponizing it."  She grimaced, sitting down.  "Warren is beyond good at what he does, but he's very twisted.  He was having the two in his lab build mock bombs for Xander's range building."  She winced.  "No explosives."

"That's good to know."  She leaned back, sipping her coffee.  "How many are down?"

"Most of the building.  You're under quarantine orders due to the rash of the flu.  Carolyn had the rest of the staff that works here alerted not to come in for the next few days.  They'll be back Tuesday."

"A five day weekend is a great thing," she sighed.  "I guess I can stay in Tony's suite so I can't infect anyone."  He smirked and walked off.  She got into her emails.  The expected ones from the board of directors was there.  She typed out a report on what had happened.  It included the administrative actions taken.   She was going to beat Warren to death.  Then send him to therapy.

***

Dawn blinked awake, finding someone she didn't really know staring at her.  "Who the fuck are you?" she asked in a broken sounding voice.

"I'm Doctor Pigalli."

"No, I know her."

"I'm her husband."

"The last I knew, she had a wife."  The man laughed.  Dawn felt along the link.  Clint told her the guy was the doc's husband and he wasn't bad. She let him go back to whatever briefing.  "So why are you here?"  She frowned and shut it off completely because it had sounded like he had just said the same thing.  Which he'd excuse as her funkiness from being sick.

He stuck her with something.  "This will break the mental connection for an hour, no more.  It won't make you sleep either."  She glared but he smiled.  "She noticed."  Dawn went limp.

Over in SHIELD, Clint shook his head.  "Dawn's broadcasting.  She just woke up to a strange doc."

Fury nodded.  "Can she often do that?"

"Like when she had the migraine," Clint said.

"Oh, that.  Fine.  She okay?"

"Dr. Pigalli's husband has her."

"I thought she had a wife," Natasha said.

"Apparently not."

She nodded.  "That's fine then.  Is there any update on the little warped genius?"

"He's going to therapy according to Pepper," Coulson said as he walked past the table.  "I'm heading out to gather him for her."  He handed Fury the report and got sent through the Stark satellite.  He walked down to the range building, pausing in the doorway.  "Boys, can I have Warren?"  They nodded and smiled at him.  "Thank you.  Warren, we need to have a slight discussion."  He walked him off.  "Your original girlfriend weaponized some flu samples that were in virology," he said quietly.

"She was turned off."

"She got jealous that you had two news ones, which are also turned off at the moment until we can make sure it can't happen again."  Warren whimpered.  "Stark Tower has ninety-eight percent of the people in the infirmary.  Including Dawn."

"Oh, no," he moaned.  "You're going to kill me."

"No, I'm going to order you to therapy.  Clearly, your first girlfriend had issues that she got from your programming.  You will be going to therapy with a group that handles geniuses with issues."  Warren looked down.  He walked him off.  "They actually run a very well respected intake facility for geniuses that have lost themselves or have had psychotic breaks.  SHIELD has arranged an open placement for someone in Stark Towers to need it.

"Probably Tony Stark," he admitted.  "You are not that bad.  Yet.  So you will be going to therapy.  You will be going twice a week, every week, and I will personally be overseeing your progress."  He stared at him.  "As well as Pepper and Doctor McKay.  If you disappoint any of us, that bed will be yours.  Am I clear?" he asked quietly and calmly.

"Yes, sir."

"Good."  He patted him on the arm.  "Stark has ordered all three of your women shut down until you are in a more stable spot and their programming can be looked over for other aberrant possible actions.  That way it can be corrected.  They're going to be in a safe room and can plug in but will not have power cores."  He nodded, swallowing.  "Depending on what your therapist says, you may be able to talk to them.  I'm not sure if that's a good idea or not while you're all under review."  He gave his arm a squeeze.  "The therapist you'll be working with will be here tonight.  Your first session is tomorrow.  We're not bringing you back to the building because it's under quarantine until Tuesday probably and there's a really good chance you'll be beaten to death by more than Pepper Potts.  A lot of the scientists are under medication that means they can't have caffeine."

Warren shuddered.  "They'd kill me for that."

"Yes they probably will.  Since you will be here for a few weeks working on this project anyway, you can start your therapy here.  I do not want to hear that you're being uncooperative or that you're trying to get around her, making it a game.  Understood?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good."  He patted him on the arm he had been holding.  "You're free to go back to work but consider yourself confined to the temple's grounds until you're taken back to New York and then you're going to be grounded to the Tower.  I had to pull a few favors to keep you out of SHIELD's jail today."  He stared at him.

"I won't disappoint you, sir."

"Good.  Go back to work.  Xander said you've been very helpful to his training methods."  Warren nodded, trudging off.  Phil looked up, spotting Xander watching.  He smiled.

Xander strolled down.  "We all knew he had a few chips in his core processor," he said quietly.

"Doctor McKay is quite impressed with how they learned things like jealousy."  He smiled.  Xander smiled back.  "Dawn's fine."

"I know.  I have a health sensor on her."

"Wonderful."  He shifted closer.  "Should I arrange it for the other two?"

"No.  I think they'll help each other and hold Warren steady enough.  For now.  If Warren loses it no clue."

"I'll take that into consideration."  He looked around.  "Bia's plantings have really helped cheer up the grounds."  Xander smiled.  "Thank you for the help with the twins.  They're actually sleeping all night now."

"It's supposed to happen."  He patted him on the shoulder.  "I can hear Fury grumbling something about the trio."  He took him back and smiled.  "Here you go, one super agent."  He disappeared, going to check on Callia.  "Hey, sprout."

"Uncle Xander.  Daddy's sick."

"He has the flu.  A lot of people have the flu."  He sat down in front of her on the rug.  "Want to learn what I did when I was little?"

She beamed and nodded.  "Do you have songs that teach you things?  I like those."

"Some."  He held up his hands.  "We're going to do the hand patting thing in this pattern."  He showed her.  She practiced it a few times then he slowly repeated the number song that he had learned in Norse.  It grouped them by how they related to each other.

"I don't know that language."

"I'm going to teach it to you so someone else can talk to Uncle Thor."  She grinned and learned with him.  After a few rounds, he translated it into english.  She squealed and they went a few more rounds of it.  Then he went back to Norse.  She could repeated it back after a few more times.  He changed it so they were doing each word at a time in norse then english.

"Do we have words for penguins?  I really like penguins."

He put up a projection of a map.  "Penguins come from the south pole.  Asgard and all of us come from up here, above Europe, sweetie.  We have polar bears, elk, and bilgesnipe."  She looked confused.  He put up a picture, switching to animals.  That had a learning song too.  A lot of younger Asgard couldn't read back in the day.  It was only half that read now.  That was something he and Alana had agreed needed to change.

"Are Jackalopes real?  I saw them on the Monty Python movie with Daddy."

"Well, a few got created but they don't happen naturally."

"Oh.  Are they mean like on the movie?"

"Not if you get them really young and you raise them right.  It's a little bit harder than raising rabbits though so you should probably start with one of those."  He grinned and created one for her, and the cage.  She squealed and pounced him.  Carrot got found a nice spot on her bookshelves.  They played with him for a bit and she learned how to take care of him.  Carrot would need brushed, fed, watered, and cleaned up after and she had to do that herself because Carrot was her responsibility.  She vowed she would.  Xander even taught her how to scoop rabbit litter.  She grimaced but that was what you did when you owned a pet.  They went back to the learning games.  She was learning a lot of new things today.  Her daddy and aunties would be *so* proud.

***

Tony woke up to his daughter sitting on his chest.  "Why are you in here?  You'll get sick."

"I won't get sick.  That's why I had icky shot, Daddy."  She smiled.  "Hands up."  He looked confused but did it for her.  She showed him how to clap and he nodded, letting her show him what she had learned today.

Thor walked in with a milkshake for Tony, Jane had said it would make him feel better.  He smiled at her.  "You learned those from your uncle."

"I did!"  She squealed and hugged him, taking the milkshake to drink then hand her father.  She let him help her show her father.  In both Norse and English.

"Wow," Tony said, sipping his shake.  "That's really handy."  She switched to the animal one, which tickled Thor.  He could teach her a few more verses in it.  That made her happy.  Then she brought out Carrot, who had been sleeping on the foot of the bed, safely out of kicking range.  Carrot went into her lap.  "What's that?"

"That's Carrot.  I'm learning how to take care of him so I can have a Jackalope some day."  She grinned.

"I can see it's a rabbit," he said.  "Has Gertrude seen Carrot yet?"

"Yup, and I showed her I knew how to feed and clean up after him already."  She grinned proudly.  "She said I'm getting very big and Carrot's a great first pet."

"Yes, they are," Thor agreed.  "My first one was one of my goats."  He settled in to tell her about his goats.  They pulled his official Chariot and were some of his best friends at times.  There had been plenty of years that he spent more time with his goats than his family.  He did miss his goats.  Maybe he'd summon them down or have Roque or Xander get them for him.

Tony watched his daughter wrap another guy around her fist and squeeze to make sure his heart went all mushy.  He looked at Carrot; he hadn't had a pet when he was younger.  This would be a learning experience for both of them he guessed.  "We don't have stable room here or at SHIELD for them," Tony said, earning a sad look.  "But," he took a sip of his shake.  "You could see if they could stay on Atlantis with John or at Xander's temple."

"I had not thought of that.  Bia would probably love my goats."  He smiled at Callia.  "Then Carrot could visit with them."

"That'd be really cool, Uncle Thor."  She hugged him.  "Do the county one again?"

"Sure."  He let her lead off.  It was a good job.  He'd have to relearn some of the other ones to teach her with.  And eventually his own children.

***

Bia looked up then at Xander.  "Thor's missing his goat friends."

Xander pointed to the left.  "There's a nice big, bare spot with bushes and trees that can house a small shed for the two spoiled goats of doom and sled pulling."  She laughed and went to check on it, putting up a shed for them.  She knew how big the goats were because she used to sneak goat-back rides when she was on Asgard.   She did clear some of the brush and moved part of the jogging trail out of the way.  She put up a fence with a nice sign saying that they were Thor's goats.  She sent Roque to get them.

Roque gave her a dirty look.  "His goats bite."

"He wants his goats.  Is that really too much to ask?"

"Yes."

"Take John with you."  She manifested some rope with a smile.

He huffed but he couldn't really refuse Bia anything or she'd make his life a living hell.  She had in the past over not passing the vinegar.  Took nearly a decade for the pranks to quit.  He grabbed John from a meeting with O'Neill.  "Getting Thor his goats and they bite him less than me.  Be back in a few."  He and John disappeared.  They headed for the stables, which were a mess.  They stunk.  "Alana!" he bellowed.  She came jogging out.  He pointed.  "Your bitches are lazy.  There's no stable hands but the bitches."

She looked then around.  "I'll be fixing that later.  Why are you up here?"

"Thor wants his goats," John said dryly.  She pointed.  "They got loose?"

"Aye.  I'm going to turn the rest loose there once they're gone.  They bite."  The guys nodded, going to herd the goats to a point where they could hitch them to the leashes.  Then they took them to the temple.  One tried to kick and bite.  Alana went stomping inside.  Two minutes later, Valkyries and others who had animals out there went fleeing for their lives before their animals were eaten for dinner one night.  The two sick ones got excused and Alana took care of theirs.

One didn't get taken and she hunted that one down, taking her book from her.  "Being able to read and liking it does not mean that you can't take care of your own pegasus," she said with a point.  "Now."  She nodded, getting up to do that.  The Valkyries and others were scrubbing that stable by hand until she was satisfied it was finally clean and the animals could be put back after they had a good scrubbing.

One of the headwomen of the kitchen came out.  "It's time for them to serve."

"Screw the warriors!  They haven't been taking care of their other responsibilities.  It'll do them good to get their own mead and ale tonight."  The headwoman gaped.  She stared at her.  "I'll tell 'em myself."  She walked in there.  "The girls are all busy with chores that should've been done earlier.  If you don't like it, starve.  You're not too weak, too sickly, or too dumb to get your own drinks and food or else we never would've gathered you.  If you whine, then you starve," she announced, staring around the hall.  Everyone nodded.  "Good!"  She stomped back out.  She had to oversee some chores apparently.  It was another duty for her.  It had probably been assigned to another lazy ass inside.

Odin blinked, looking at his wife, who nodded she agreed.  "She's in a mood tonight," Odin decided.

"The stables were nasty, All Father," one of the warriors said, handing Odin the platter of meat for cutting.  "She took it upon herself to enforce chores from what we saw earlier."

"Who was over that?" he asked his wife before cutting into the elk.

"I believe you were as you haven't assigned it yet."  Odin scowled.  "I'll have someone make sure to oversee the cleanliness."  He nodded, eating a bite as he cut more off.  The warriors carried it off for the others to grab some food.  Odin cut another because one was never enough in the hall.

***

Roque reappeared in front of Thor.  "The goats are safely chewing on bramble bushes at Xander's," he said dryly.  "Alana took over the stables because they were nasty.  Yours were outside and could use bathed."

"I shall later.  Thank you and Xander."

"Thank Bia and John.  She made me and John do it."  He gave him a pointed look before disappearing.

Thor smiled at Callia.  "Bia is a very strong goddess.  You women should always be strong and know your mind."

She nodded.  "Some day I learn how to box with Happy and kick butt like Auntie Dawn."

"Not exactly," Tony said.  "But you're getting self defense lessons in case you need them."  He patted her on the shoulder, all he could reach.  "Have your Uncle help you put Carrot back in his cage."

"I can do so," Thor agreed, helping her down and taking the rabbit to carry.  Carrot was a bit big for her to carry at the moment.  It was a fifteen pound white rabbit with a few brown spots.  She only weighed about thirty-five pounds herself.

Tony waited until he was alone to finish his milkshake and smile because his daughter was learning something that had taken him sixteen years to learn, responsibility.

***

Pepper walked into the nursery, smiling at Gertrude, the nanny.  The backup nanny was there too.  "What's wrong?"  They pointed.  Callia was telling her rabbit a story.  "That's sweet.  Who got you a bunny, Callia?"

"Uncle Xander."  She grinned.  "This is Carrot.  Carrot, this is Pepper."  She beamed and wiggled.  "You're both veggies!"

She squatted down.  "He's a very sweet looking rabbit.  Does he like stories?"  Callia smiled and nodded.

"We feel she's a bit young," the backup nanny said.

Pepper smiled.  "I had a dog by her age, ladies."  They slumped.  "Callia has to learn to take care of Carrot herself, the same as I had to learn to walk my dog."

"Of course.  Carrot's mine and I have to take care of what's mine," she said, looking serious.  "Even if scooping poop is nasty."

"Yeah, it can be, but rabbits don't poop all that much."  She hugged her and the rabbit.  "You let us know if you have problems taking care of Carrot, like he's up too high."

"I can.  I need bags for the poop."

"We can get you some."  She looked at the cage setup.  "That's not very big.  We'll get him a bigger one so he has more room to hop around."  Callia beamed and nodded.  "Remember, if he does something on the carpet you have to clean it up too.  Rabbits can't control when they go, like the twins can't use a potty yet.  They just go when they have to go."

She looked around the carpet.  "Eww, but I can do that.  Do I use a towel?"

"Paper towel."  She handed it to her and helped her move Carrot, who was a bit hefty.  Callia cleaned it up and tossed it into the trash can.  Pepper showed her how to use the spray stuff to degerm the rug.  Callia beamed.  They settled in to read to her and her bunny.  The nannies were looking disappointed but Pepper stared at them.  "It's great for a baby genius to learn how to handle more delicate things and responsibility," she said bluntly.

"I suppose," Gertrude admitted.  "Why a rabbit?"

"It's a good first pet, will hopefully last more than a few weeks, much longer than goldfish, and it's better than a hamster because you can play with bunnies."

"I guess."  She made sure the cage was stable and Callia's little step was in front of it.   At the end of the story, Callia put Carrot back.  "Once a day, you need to make sure he has food, water, and you've cleaned up after him," Gertrude said, looking at her.

She nodded.  "I will before bedtime."

"That's a great thing," Pepper agreed.  She smiled.  "It'll be a good thing."

Callia paused.  "He trip with us?"

"No, if we're out of the city I'll have someone feed and clean up after him, but only if we're not here."

"Okay."  She smiled.  "Daddy build a cage?"

"I'm sure he can," she agreed with a smile back.  "That'd be a great project for you two."  She cheered and ran out to tell her father that.  Pepper stood up.  "It's great for kids to learn how to take care of something," she said quietly.  "Especially single children."

"It's not like she's spoiled."

"Yes, but we're going to make sure," Pepper agreed.  "If I know Tony, he'll put together a much bigger cage with a bigger doorway for her to use."  She walked off.  "Thanks for letting me know, ladies."

"Yes, ma'am," they agreed.  Then sighed, staring at the rabbit.  They guessed it was better than her getting a sibling.  Geniuses really needed to be given plenty of attention.

***

Callia walked into the caf that night, settling in beside her Uncle Bruce, who hugged her.  "Gertrude nap."

"We can get you dinner," Rodney said since he and John Sheppard were at the table with him.  "What do you want to eat?"

"Matos."

"Beyond tomatoes?" Bruce asked.  "You have to have more than tomatoes tonight."

She pouted.  "Orangy stuff?"

"No, you can't have that while we're sitting with Rodney."  She started to pout.  "No, listen," Bruce said firmly.  He had seen her on a pouty fit and the cafeteria didn't need to see one tonight.  "You know that sometimes people get sick from food?"  She nodded, her nanny had said that's why she couldn't eat candy with her.  "Well, Rodney."  He pointed at him.  "Gets really sick at oranges and all those sort of fruits and peanuts.  He can't have either one.  So you can't eat it around him because it could make him sick."

"Oh."  She patted him.  "I sorry you get tick."

"It's something you get used to.  They have hamburgers."  She grimaced and shook her head.

John smiled.  "They have lamb bites."  He let her taste one of his.

"Can I have that and matos?"

"Yes you can," Bruce agreed, smiling at her.  "I think that's a great dinner."  He got up with her to get it for her.  She pointed.  "No, that's grapefruit and that's an orange type of fruit.  Sorry.  Next time they have it if Rodney isn't around."  She shrugged.  He carried her plate and her glass of milk back to the table, getting one of the booster seats too.  She grinned and hugged him.  "Thank you, Callia.  You're such a sweet girl.  What did you do today?"

"I learned songs from Uncle Xander on county and animals.  In us language and Norse.  Uncle Thor was really happy and he taught me more."  She grinned, wiggling some.  "Uncle Xander gave me Carrot too.  I have to take care of Carrot all by myself so I can have a jackalope.  Just like on the movie."  She beamed and dug into her dinner.  "He told me about his goats."

"Roque and I got his goats down to Xander's temple," John said with a grin.  "They're huge goats."

"That's okay.  Carrot's a really big rabbit.  Nearly as big as I am."

"That is a big rabbit," Rodney said, smiling at her.  "Did you play all day?"  She grinned and nodded.  "Good.  Some day you'll miss playing."  He patted her on the head.  "Chew with your mouth closed."

"Oops."  She looked at the meat.  It was in big pieces.  She carefully floated the knife up to cut it.

"No, let me," John said, catching the knife and taking her plate to do it for her.

"I didn't realize," Bruce said quietly.

John smiled and shrugged.  "It's cool, Doc."  He finished cutting it up for her and she grinned, digging in again and being more mannerly.  "Good job."  He dug into his own dinner.  She was happily nibbling when Dawn came in.

"Dawn?" Bruce called.  "Why are you out of bed?"

"Hungry?" she guessed.  "Food."  She pointed.

"They'd bring you food."

She frowned.  "Nah-uh."  She got some soup and went back to bed.  She still felt really rotten.  She found Natasha coming in and hugged her.  "Soup."

"We got you some nice egg drop soup."

"Better soup," she said, putting that aside.  She found Clint in there setting things up.  "Better soup."

He smiled.  "You're still half out of it, aren't you?"  She nodded, climbing back into bed at their prompting.  "Here, we brought you good soup."  She beamed and kissed them both then dug in.

"What happened?" Dawn asked between gulps of soup.

"Warren's first girlfriend," Natasha said.  Dawn winced.  "She got jealous of the new ones."

"Ah."  She sighed and groaned.  "Ow.  That's going to be a mess."  She drank some more.  "Aren't you two eating?"

"We ate on the way over," Natasha said, smiling at her.  "You have to spend another night in here."

"'Kay, I guess," she sighed.

Clint sat on the foot of the bed.  "Did you realize you basically forced the bond wide open earlier?"

"I thought I shut it off."

"Nope."

She sighed.  "We need a door."

"We could, yes," Natasha agreed, sitting down in the visitor's chair.  She crossed her legs.  Dawn was staring at them.  "Eat.  You are in no shape to appreciate more than soup tonight."  She smiled slightly.  Dawn nodded, going back to drinking.  "How would we do that?"

"I have a bland idea but nothing great," she admitted.  "I need to look in the book that I got Clint."

"There were ways of putting in specific accesses," he agreed.  "I can pull the book for you when we get back."

"Back?"

He nodded.  "Nothing Avengers related though."

"Okay.  I should probably take that medicine again so you guys can't hear me and I can't distract you."

"We weren't going to ask," Natasha admitted.  "Just to do some of the exercises for shielding."

"I'll do both."  They grinned.  "So you guys go be glamourous super spies and stuff while I get better and hopefully look and feel better for the business school graduation party."  They stared at her.  "It's basically like the prom for the business school.  They get up there, tell us who was the best at it, the most likely to succeed, all that.  Then it lets prospective people hit on us about future jobs.  It's a formal, slightly less than black tie event."  She finished her soup.  "Thank you for dinner."

"Welcome," Clint said, grinning at her.  "We might be back in time."

"You'd be bored shitless talking to people who want to be Stark."

"Could be," he admitted.  "But we can go for you."

She smiled and shook her head.  "As much as I like seeing you two dressed up, no thanks.  It's three hours of boring."

Pepper walked in with a muffin for her.  "The business school prom?  It is."  They smiled at her.  "I'm going.  We really need a second higher level intern for the labs."

"I can do that," Dawn complained.  "Not like you give me tons to do most days, Pepper."

She smiled.  "Tony wanted to talk to you about an MBA."

Dawn quirked an eyebrow up, looking at Natasha.  "Isn't that the classes I've been taking?"

"I thought so," she admitted.

Pepper stared at her.  "You little minx," she said with a grin.  Dawn grinned back.  "You know, this means he's going to have to renegotiate your contract."  Dawn cackled. "That's what I was hoping you'd say."  She smiled and patted her on the foot.  "Six more days."

"Am I walking in the spring? I don't think they hold a commencement for any other time."

"They don't as far as I know.  We'll see.  If you want to you could."  Dawn shrugged and got her other soup to drink.  "Then we'll figure that out."  She patted her again.  "Xander got Callia a *huge* rabbit she named Carrot."

"I'll learn to love Carrot."  She smiled.  "How huge?  I saw a news article on a forty-five pound bunny breed that people are looking at for dinners."

"Fifteen or so I think."

"Then I hope it won't grow too much bigger than she is."  Pepper smiled and let them talk.  "So anyway, I have to figure out what I'm wearing."

"That cream ruched dress," Natasha said.  "If it's not inappropriate."

"It's probably a good choice.  For guys it's good suit or tux."

"Then it should be fine."  She smiled.  "We will be back by then.  It shouldn't take more than four days."  She stood up and kissed her on the forehead.  "Rest, get better."

"I will.  You two be safe."  They smirked and Clint took his own kiss before leaving.  Dawn settled in to do the meditation exercises.  Which blew the link open.  She groaned.  Being sick sucked.  She pulled herself slightly out of her body and it was easier to see why.  Something was infecting one of the Keys.  She got to work on that problem.  It's probably why the ear on that side hurt.

***

Dawn was finally not sick, had swallowed the link between them so it was fully shut at the moment, because she did not want to put them into any sort of danger, and now she was about to have a break on her second day back at work.  She went down to check on the people in the tinkering lab.  "Guys, need anything?"

"Coffee," Tony called with Rodney.  Bruce just smiled at her.  She sighed but made them a pot; she had switched out the ten cup coffee maker in there with a two gallon maker percolator she had found in storage.  She also washed their cups on them.  She left once it was started, heading back toward lab 7.  She leaned in.  "Andrew, guys, want to take a break with me?"  She walked in.  "What's that?  The new metal mix?" she asked, looking over Warren's arm.  "Shit, quit that!"  She grabbed the torch from him.  "Did you not read anything on this!" she demanded.  "That energy metal burns like napalm only it does it for *years*, Warren!  You can't do that!  You could've been killed!"

Andrew and Jonathan were looking scared.  "Dawn?" Andrew asked.

"I know a piece of that has been burning for ten years.  A tiny sliver of a piece of it."  The other two geeks backed off.  "Guys, go get Stark from tinkering.  JARVIS, do we have any sort of reaction starting in the blocks?"

"Unfortunately a slow one has started and it's a gas it looks like.  And perhaps something else.  I'm not completely sure what."  Jonathan and Andrew ran out.

"Were you trying to die?" she demanded.  "You didn't look at any of the stuff we have on it?  Not a bit!"

"It doesn't matter."

"It does so matter!  You could've blown all of us up!" she shouted back.  "Including Stark, McKay, Callia, Pepper!  Me!  You and the boys! Hello!  Not a great idea."  He glared.  She pulled a ping pong paddle from the game room and hauled him over to beat his ass with it until he started to cry.  "How dare you endanger everyone in this building, if not this block!" she shouted.  "You have no idea what sort of force those could explode with!"

Stark rushed in.  "What's going on?"  He looked at the blocks of mixed metal.  "JARVIS, why are they smoking?"

"He had an arc welding torch on it," Dawn said, handing him over.  She looked.  "JARVIS, is it still fuming?"

"Yes."

"Okay.  We need containment," she told Tony simply.  He nodded, calling for that.  She carefully wrapped layers of magic around the blocks.  "We need the meteorite storage, boss."

"That's in Malibu," he said.

"I know."  She wrapped some more around it because it was eating through her spells.  "Now, like right now right now."  He saw where it was trying to leak and called for some more help.  He handed Warren to McKay.  "JARVIS, we need to hit Malibu immediately."

"Protocols...."

"Be damned," Dawn ordered.  She glared at Tony.

"Override it," Tony agreed, putting in an access code.  They both got beamed.  "Okay, Dawn, just a few more feet," he said, walking it and her.  She was holding it, adjusting the magic so it'd quit being eaten.  "Is it toxic?"

"It's sentient.  It's fighting the magic.  It's absorbing the energy and tasting it.  I swear I can feel something from it."

"We need the heavy duty containment which is in the basement."  He hit the nearest alarm button.  "C'mon."

"This would happen the day of the business thing."

"Yup, sure does," he agreed.  "How's your ear?  I know you've been dizzy."

"Still dizzy.  My jaw's swollen but I'm covering it pretty well," she quipped.  They got onto the elevator and headed down to the basement containment cells.  She walked it into there and backed out slowly once it was on the exam table.  The doors shut.  She cut the magic before it could be reabsorbed by her.  She did not want that in her.  She took a deep breath.  "Okay.  I left all the magic in there."  They watched as it ate through it.  Special scientists came down.

"That's the energy metal and that new super silver metal mixed," Tony told them.

"It's not the energy metal.  That's fuming," Dawn said.  "And I still swear I can feel something from it.  It's not alive but it's smart."

One of them scanned them.  "Let's get you to quarantine for a few hours," one of them said, putting her in a bubble.

"JARVIS, scan that," Tony ordered.

"She's correct, the super silver, as you've been calling it, has some sort of spore residue.  That's the only thing that could be putting off that feeling."

"Scan the samples of the pure stuff," Tony said.

"I am."  He paused.  "It does have the same spore, only it feels more alive and less tempered by the heat."

"Check the ones she has at home," Tony said more quietly.  He hadn't told Dawn that he had a full sensor array in her apartment in case something happened.

"The earrings are mixed, one contains some spores and the other doesn't.  It looks like they were killed.  The necklaces is full of it."

"Is that what causes the vibration?" Tony asked.

He concentrated a beam on the sample.  "I believe it may be, yes," JARVIS said.

Tony nodded.  "Full containment on that.  We have no idea if that spore is harmful or not.  I'll have someone bag up her two pieces of jewelry made in it."  He jogged off, going up to the infirmary.  "Dawn, the spores are what creates the vibration Cap found."

"That's interesting," she said from behind her shield.  She ran a hand over her hair.  "I haven't worn the necklace into the building or SHIELD since that day because of the scanners and systems going screwy.  I only wore it out to dinner the other night."

"I can have that place checked," he promised.  "Need anything?"

"My shampoo and all that so I can shower and my nail polish so I can do my nails.  Might as well assume I can go tonight and get ready.  It'll take me less time later."

"I can have that sent.  What color?"

"French tip."

"Okay."  He got that sent.  Pepper knew which shampoo and soaps she used.  "I need a report of what happened."

"I left you guys and went up to see if they wanted to take a break with me, get some fresh air at that little café across the street.  Even though Warren's grounded that's within security range."  He nodded.  "I walked in while asking and saw what Warren was doing so I took the torch.  I screamed at him.  He told me it didn't matter if we all died so I grabbed a damn paddle from the game room and beat him.  He's fully gone, Tony.  His eyes were that scary, not exactly seeing the same reality you are sort."

He nodded.  "Andrew and Jonathan?"

"They had to be more exposed.  JARVIS found it was fuming up from the heat."

"Okay.  We've got them in quarantine I'm sure."

"Don't separate them.  Buffy saved Jonathan's life back in high school."

He nodded.  "I saw that.  Rest.  I'll have them send in stuff for you to do and a few magazines."  He got sent back to the building.  He went to look over the lab.  "Did JARVIS tell you about the spore?"

McKay nodded.  "I had Tara bag up the pieces she had in it."  He leaned on the table.  "What was he trying to do?"

"Commit suicide," Tony said.  McKay slumped.  "Dawn said he said it didn't matter if we all blew up.  That his eyes were showing he snapped."

Rodney nodded.  "He has to go tonight."

"He is.  Andrew and Jonathan?"

"Together in quarantine with Sheppard talking to them," he said.

"Good."  He walked off to talk to them.  "Guys."  John cleared out to give them privacy. "Did you know what he was doing?"  Jonathan opened his mouth.  "I don't care about anything else at the moment.  Did you know he was trying to blow up the building."  They shook their heads.  "Okay, that's good.  Did you have any hint he was depressed?"

Andrew nodded slightly.  "We called his therapist but she said it was probably normal.  We failed him and he's our best friend, Tony."

"You didn't!  You did not fail!  You cannot control someone else, Andrew.  Not at all.  The only one you can control is yourself unless you suddenly get Dawn-level magic and start doing mental control spells."  He slumped but nodded.  Tony grabbed a personal force shield device and got let into the containment field.  "Dawn found that the super silver had spores that are alive."  They stared at him.  "She felt it trying to make contact.  Did either of you?"

"I don't have any empathy with my tiny bit of magic," Andrew said.  "Was it activated by that?"

"No.  Her necklace shows it.  It's what caused all the sensors to go nuts."  He relaxed.  "Here, Jonathan, scoot over next to him.  You're about to shake apart."  He helped him over.  He saw the hesitant looks.  "There's not going to be anything said, even if it was a fact, guys.  I would kick so much ass it's not funny."

"We're not," Jonathan said.

Tony shrugged.  "Why do I care either way?  Right now you need the basic comfort of someone willing to hug you and I don't hug.  There's no way I'm letting Callia anywhere near here in case the spores love her like everyone else does.  Pepper's not here and Dawn's in Malibu's quarantine so you're the only ones that hug."  They relaxed.  "Right now, holding someone or something comforting is all good.  That's all that is.  If you two need to do some stress relief stuff, the infirmary staff isn't going to say a word.  You wouldn't be the first."  They smiled slightly.  "Just cuddle in.  I need a report on everything you've seen Warren doing and everything you've done with that mix.  How did you make that mix?"

"He did," Jonathan said.

"Okay.  Did he log anything in?"  They shrugged.  "We'll make sure.  For now, rest, comfort each other, calm down.  He's going to Massachusetts.  I'm putting him on the first plane up there knocked out."  He walked off.  He ran into Fury.  "Not right now," he said, walking around him.  "Coulson?"

"Dawn slammed him into the infirmary magically, strapped him down, and stuck him with a needle full of thorazine," Phil said bluntly.  "How is she?"

"Just in case quarantine.  That super silver has some sort of intelligent spore that can absorb magic."

"That's interesting."

Tony nodded.  "Get him into that bed you guys had ready for me as soon as humanly possible.  If he's here in an hour I'm going to beat him."

"Where is it being held?" he asked.

"Malibu's super containment system in the basement lab.  Pod 3.  The whole meteorite project staff and our lone virologist on staff are with it.  She's doing her nails."  He walked off.

"Good," he agreed.  "Can we look at your emergency procedures later?" he called after him.

"Yes.  You, me, and Barton are doing it later.  Dawn's actions earlier pointed out a flaw that I thought was a better idea.  I was clearly mistaken."  He walked onto the elevator and stabbed a button.

"Okay," he said, calling up there.  "This is Agent Coulson with SHIELD.  That young engineer who is being seen off-site is now being moved on-site.  He tried to suicide bomb Stark Towers."  He walked into the infirmary.  "No, he's presently sedated.  Someone paddled him then locked him to a bed and stuck him with thorazine.  No, no intended dosage.  A full needle of it."  He looked, someone had pulled it out and put it on the bedside table.  "Looks like a forty cc needle maybe?  Thank you.  Yes we can.  I'll have him on that flight or a private one.  Give me five minutes to arrange it and I'll call back."  He hung up and looked at the director.

"Use the chopper."  He walked over to where the other two of that trio were huddled together.  One was sniffling and he had to calm himself.  "Did you know he was going to do that?" he asked.

"We called his therapist because he looked depressed," Andrew said.  "She said it was normal, sir."

"I see.  What did he say his plans were today?"

"To make a new bullet design or a new power core for something bigger," Jonathan said.  "We're programmers more than engineers."

Coulson walked up behind Fury.  "Boys, we know you weren't involved.  Where's his notes?"

"In his head," Andrew said.  "He doesn't do a journal or anything.  Is he really badly off?"

Coulson nodded.  "If he's not snapped fully he's in serious trouble.  Like being considered a terrorist trouble."  They nodded, slumping down together.  "You two calm down.  Tell us if you need something to read or eat.  I'm pretty sure you guys haven't."

"No, we're okay," Andrew said.  "Dawn was coming in to get us for a break but we had just taken one in the big break room downstairs.  She paddled him."

Coulson smiled.  "If she hadn't I would have."  They nodded.  "Rest.  It'll be a few hours to make sure nothing hurt you."  He walked off.  "Chopper is heading this way, Director.  I'll escort him up there myself."

"Do so."  He walked off, going to find Stark.  "Spore?" he asked as he walked in.

"JARVIS, put up the scans of what they've seen so far?" Tony asked.  They all looked at it.

"I've seen something like that in a meteorite," Rodney admitted.

John nodded from where he was standing.  "That's what we found in that one the Asgard towed in for being so unusual and dense.  I read that mission report."

"It's at Area 51," Rodney told him.  "We have no way of comparing it because I doubt they did a single thing with it."

"Fuck that shit," Fury said, pulling out his phone.  "It's Nick Fury.  You people have a dense meteorite that got pulled in, had some sort of strange spore.  I don't know which of the three it is."

John took the phone.  "It's Colonel Sheppard.  The Asgard towed it in.  The spore is oblong and possibly sentient."  He handed it back.

"That narrowed it down to two," Fury said.  "Stark Labs needs it to compare to one they just found.  We have three people in quarantine."  Rodney winced.  "It's in secure containment."

"It's in the meteorite containment system," Tony agreed.  A new result popped up.  "JARVIS, is that an energy reading from the spores?"

"Yes, it is," the AI said.  "It is measurable even with the decay of the energy metal thanks to it fuming up.  The bonding process decreased the stability of it.  The fumes are not good for a human.  It's leaving behind what would seem to equate to charcoal, which is stronger and more durable."

"I want kept informed and on how Dawn is doing," Tony ordered.

"She's doing her nails presently.  They're trying to figure out why she has a slight case of vertigo."

"Her ear," Tony said.

"I'll let them know that."  A pause.  "Dawn has said that it's actually a slight infection in the Key that rests on that side and is affecting her ear."

"Is it the spores?" Rodney asked.

JARVIS paused.  "She's testing against it.  She doesn't believe so.  She thinks it's something else.  Something metallic but not this sort."

John held up a hand.  "Let me see if I can help her."  He flashed over there.  "Hey, Dawn."

"Hi."

"Can you manifest a ball of power with that in it?"  She looked at him.  "Like focused drawing?"

"I have it blocking off the link because they're on a mission," she said quietly.

"Okay.  Though I think they're back.  Coulson's back."   She nodded, concentrating.  He fed her instructions and she slowly did it.  The little ball of glow was gathered.  "How much of it is that?"

"About half and now I'm more dizzy."  They gave her a shot and she winced.  "What's that?"

"Dramamine.  It works well for vertigo," the nurse said.  She handed John the ball of power on a sample plate.

"I'll bring this back to Rodney and Stark."  She nodded.  "Finish getting pretty."  He flashed back, carefully balancing the little ball on the plate.  "Stark."  He took it to put under a machine and test it.  "She said that's about half and she's more dizzy now."

"Good to know," he said.  It came up with something.  "That's a metallic residue."

Rodney looked, frowning.  "That's a coating the Asgard use on their ships.  How did she get exposed to that?  Xander!"  He appeared.  "How did Dawn get exposed to that?"

He looked up while sensing then at him.  "There's a good sized chunk on the hell carrier's underside.  Roque and I both noticed it.  It's what draws us to that spot to land instead of anywhere else in the hell carrier unless we concentrate."

"That is odd, we are all drawn to that spot for landing," John agreed.  "I never noticed that."

Fury considered it.  "There's an energy sensor below that by a few decks, just under the holographic tiles.  Could that be it?"

Rodney snapped.  "That is it.  I remember the design and we used a reflector made of Asgardian metal."  The two gods nodded.  "How did it get on her?"

"Meditation," Xander said.  "Osmosis.  The Key will naturally suck up native energy to keep itself strong.  It usually clears itself fairly easily though.  Dawn had about as much hellmouth taint as I used to carry but within two weeks of being out of the town it was gone.  The Key had exchanged it for the native energy."

"So...." Fury said.  "She can't come back?"

Xander smirked.  "You need to get rid of that.  She's not the only one that does that.  Pregnancy does it because looking at it, it's right beside your water containment and filtering system and has leaked."  Fury slumped.  "Sorry."  He looked at Stark.  "If we have time I can take her to let her bleed it out somewhere more pure."

"She has that business school party tonight."

"Dirt.  She needs to go to that."  He bit his lip.  "Okay, well, afterward."  He disappeared.

Tony moved to a workstation, pulling up ideas to find a way to easily scan people.  "We can do it with one of the bug scanners if we resonate it on a different frequency."  He calibrated one and put it on a table.  "JARVIS, this goes to Agent Hill with a note what it's for."

"Yes, sir."  He beamed it over.  "She has it and is using it on herself first."

"Thank you."

"In humans it might not cause any problems," John said.

"Yeah but Thor's not human.  Steve's a bit more than human.  Bruce genetically is just off human like you are."  John winced.  "That's right beside the meeting table."  He walked off.  "Let me calm down others."

"Check his girlfriends," Rodney called after him.  "Make sure he didn't tell them."

"Am."  Tony waved.

John looked at Rodney, dropping his chin.  "Okay," he decided.

"Indeed."  They put things up.  The continued decay of the metal was still being shown.  It was turning into something they could really use.  "I say we patent this process in his name and use the funds people will pay for it to pay for his care," he decided.

"I could like that idea," John agreed.

Fury looked at them.  "Who would want it?"

Rodney pointed.  "That's harder than the full shell of a tank, which is multiple layers.  That sample's barely a millimeter thick."  Fury moaned.  "A lot of people would like it."

"Especially if you could find a lab grown version," John agreed.

"True."  He got to work on that equation.  "We can I believe but one of the trace elements we'd have to use is not available down here.  Which would benefit the SGC's coffers as well."

"That'll salve the hurt of all those jackasses who want to take our funding," John agreed.  "JARVIS, can you tell Tony that idea please?"

"Yes, sir, and he's agreeing.  He said he'll get to work on the paperwork later."

"Thank you."  He looked at Fury.  "Saves medicare paying for him."

"Privately paid means that no one can take him out to use his genius," Rodney said.  "They won't let anyone take him out.  If medicare or some other insurance was then they could allow him to be used to pay for part of his bills.  They did it to one and he nearly blew everyone up."

"Then yeah, let's get him paid for by himself," John agreed.  "Let me go check on the boys."  He left them to it.  Andrew and Jonathan had to be really upset.

Rodney looked at Fury.  "Shoo.  I don't need someone staring at my brilliance."

"Fine.  Whatever."  He left to find Stark again.  He didn't like that plan but he didn't want the chance that the US would sell him to a foreign government to cover some debts.

***

Dawn walked into her apartment that night looking like she was exhausted.  Pepper followed her in.  "Sorry," she called, knowing that they were close.

Natasha came out of the study.  "What happened to your jaw?"

"Stupid infection in the Key that's resting on that side is screwing with my ear.  The vertigo made me trip into a wall and the wall had a baseboard there," she said, rubbing it.  "I'm going to camouflage it."  She walked back there.  "I need to retouch my nails."  She found the nail polish pen she needed and retipped that nail then sprayed on the setting spray.  A few minutes under a lamp and she was better.  Pepper was looking at the dresses.  "I'm wearing that one ruched one."

"You have it in lavender, cream, and black."  She looked.  "Cream."  She pulled it out to check over.  "No stains and not wrinkled."  Dawn smiled, getting up to strip off and put on all new underwear.

Clint walked into the doorway and stared.  "Are you already covering it?"

"Once I get the dress on so it won't smudge."  She slid into the bra that made her look her most perky and fixed it so it was strapless.  Then the garter and panties.  The sheer stockings and they were clipped.  She stepped into the dress and let Pepper help her zip it.  "There."  She sat down at her vanity to work on the cover-up job.  "Pepper, where's your dress?"

"In the car."

"Getting it," Natasha said, going to do that.

"Let me hide while you two do girl things," Clint said, heading for the kitchen.

Dawn popped her neck and looked in her jewelry box.  "What's this box?" she called.

He came back and held it up.  "We found it for you."

She opened it and sniffled.  It was a silver filagree heart pendant.  Inside was a picture of the twins, and a group picture.  She kissed him then Natasha.  "Thank you."

He put it on her.  "We thought you might like that for the special events."  He left them so they could finish getting ready.

Natasha looked at Dawn's hair.  "At least it's clean."

"Decontam shower," she admitted.

"Why?  Who blew up what this time?"

"Warren tried to blow us all and himself up," she said dryly.  "With alien metals that have intelligent spores."

Natasha stopped her brushing to stare at her in the mirror.  "Really."

"Yeah.  That super silver stuff."  She looked.

"Tara has it bagged up and it's in my safe," Pepper said.  She went into the bathroom to change.  "Dawn, we have to be there in a half-hour."

"I know."  She got to work camouflaging the lump.  "If I had the time I could detox the Key fully but it'd take like twelve hours.  Thankfully I have tomorrow off because my contract officially ends tonight."  She grinned.  "Bun cage?"

"The silver one will go."  She helped her pull her hair back.  Dawn did her make up and Pepper came out.  Natasha zipped her up.  "Are you sure you don't want us to come?"

"You'd be bored to death," Pepper assured her.  "We will be and we'll have Tony snarking at everyone."  She slid into her shoes, then looked at Dawn's shoes.  "Screw it, I'll ache."  She found a pair she knew were a bit big and would go with her dress.  She winced.  "That'll work."  Dawn smiled.  "Brushed your teeth."

"I keep forgetting that step."  She went in to do that and came out to reapply her lipstick.  She sprayed a bit of perfume into the air and walked through it.  She checked.  No stray hairs, no bad wrinkles.  No earrings so she corrected that on the way out the door.  She grabbed the right purse, transferred her purse gun, her taser, and her ID badge, plus the invitation.  She blew a kiss at Clint.  "We're late or I'd mug you."

"I'll expect it later."  They walked out together.  Clint looked at Natasha.  "How boring are those?"

"Extremely.  It's pimping yourself for a job offer."  Clint shuddered.  "Stark will redo her contract tomorrow.  She has it off."

"She can sleep in and hopefully cure the vertigo then."  He took a kiss.  "I made dinner."

"We'll appreciate it later?  Or should we just save her some?"

"Let's save her some.  I didn't get lunch."  Natasha laughed but set the table.  They settled in to eat and it was nice.

***

Dawn strolled in, smiling at the man taking invitations.  "Dawn Summers and my boss, Pepper Potts."

"I see you both on the list.  Top floor, ladies, to the lounge."

"The spinning room?" Dawn asked with a wince.

The guard nodded and pointed.  "He has dramamine for those who it might make ill."

"I already have vertigo from the flu.  Thanks."  She walked over and he handed her some and a glass of ice water to take it with.  The waiter at the top of the elevator took it.  "Thank you," she said quietly.  They walked in together and she got her usual glass of sparkling water.  They found Tony standing off to one side looking indulgent as someone nagged him about something stupid.  She walked over, wincing.  She tried facing the other way, it was worse.  "Okay, so we face this way and spin with the room," she quipped.

Tony looked over.  "You look really nice."

"Pepper had me save it for a special occasion.  Can't get much more special than finally being out of school."  She smiled at the man nagging Tony.  "Hi, Dawn Summers."

He shook her hand.  "I heard you were Pepper's version of herself for Tony," he said with a smile.  "What are your plans now?"

"Being the biggest Stark herder ever."  She smiled.  He laughed and left them alone.

Tony looked at her.  "I'll offer you ten more dollars a year and less lax rules on the teasing clothes at least twice a month," he offered.

She patted him on the cheek.  "You're sweet but I'm worth more than ten bucks."

"You are, yes."  He sipped his champagne.  "This room has always bothered me."

"I'm wondering if the force of the movement is easier near the center pole," she admitted.

"It should be."  They walked that way.  Dawn walked up beside a very green young woman and helped her that way.  "Force is stronger on the outer edge of the spin," Tony told her.

"A few of the waiters have dramamine," Dawn said quietly.

"Thank you, Dawn.  I get so motion sick sometimes."  She went to find one.

Tony stared at his assistant.  "So, more than ten extra bucks?  Because we already pay you outrageously."

She smirked.  "I'm think I'm pretty fantastic and worth it."

"I think you are too," Pepper admitted, sipping her own wine.  "There's the dean of the business school."  They turned to look at him.  Dawn had to shift so she was facing the direction of the spin.  Pepper rested a hand on her shoulder to steady her since she was wobbling.  Tony had noticed, because he did things like that.  He got her a chair and made her sit.

"I have to go up and the certificate thingy," she said quietly, sipping her water.

"That's fine.  Walk slowly," Pepper reminded her.  Dawn nodded.

The dean of the business school smiled.  "It's wonderful to see another group of you go out into the world, spreading our winning lessons and successes into more and more businesses.  I'm sure we'll all be very pleased with the successes you'll create and mentor in another generation."  The group clapped.  "For tonight, we're here to celebrate the students, both undergraduate and at the masters level."

He smiled around them.  "And a few who were exceptional beyond that."  That got another few polite claps, including Tony.  "Let's start with the more general students."  He read off a name and her major, bringing her up to get her diploma.  They had them on hand, they didn't have to wait for them like the high school's.  Dawn smiled when she noticed Tony staring at her because he had just passed her name.  The list of those ended and he moved to his second pile.  "We have the double majors."  He read off those few.  Dawn sipped her water.

Pepper patted her shoulder, looking confused when they passed by Dawn's name.  Tony was starting to get an idea though.

The dean was smiling.  "Now we come to a few incredibly sensible individuals who went for a compressed MBA due to work experience credits and other credits."  He read off two names.  "Dawn Summers, Double Major in Business Finance and Accounting, minors in International business and business management.  Who, by the way, is the fastest to get through the program thanks to a lot of work credits working for Stark Industries and going full time for two years."  The room clapped.  She stood up and walked up there.  He smiled.  "Sorry, I know the room spins."

"I had the flu last week," she said with a smile.  "Thank you, Dean Henricks."

"You're quite a credit to us, Dawn.  I'm glad you were so pushy."  She smiled and went back to her seat.  "Now we have the straight MBA placements."

Tony stared at her.  "That's going to blow the MBA clause out of the contract," he said.  "Which is an automatic raise."  She smirked.  "Brat."  She poked him and he finished his champagne, getting another glass.  The spinning of the room was getting to him too.  Finally the formalities were over with and the oozing of offers could begin.

Dawn was at the bar getting some new water when the first slimy person sidled up to her.  She knew him.  "Mr. Hammer."

"Miss Summers.  I've heard that Stark mentored you."

"Pepper mentored me while my mother was sick."  She paid for the water and sipped.  "Thank you, very cold."  She smiled at the asshole who was probably on the run from Phil and his coworkers.  "I'm really not looking for any offers.  I have a number of excellent fellow students who might be though."

"I can offer you a lot.  Including additional education in languages and international business."

She smiled.  "Mr. Hammer, I speak eight languages at the intermediate level."  He gaped.  She smiled.  "Beyond that, I'm quite happy at Stark."  She walked off, going back to where Tony and Pepper were.  "How did he get free?" she mouthed to Tony.

He looked over her shoulder.  "I have no clue," he said quietly.  "What'd he offer you?"

"More lessons in languages and international business."

He shook his head.  "I don't think you need more languages.  You read ten of them."

"I do, yes."  She smiled at Pepper, who smirked back.  "I'm still improving my Russian."  Tony coughed, shaking his head.

"Feeling better?" he asked.

"No.  The ear is killing me.  I have the feeling if I don't relieve it soon it's going to pop."

"Ow.  Infirmary if it does," he ordered.

"I will."

"Good."

Justin Hammer was coming over.  "So, you're sure you want to stay with such a ...notable company?  There's many people that don't like Stark's methods or his habits."

She smiled.  "Mr. Hammer, my sister is a slayer.  I understand Mr. Stark's drives towards perfection very well."  The man sneered.  She smirked.  "I can also throw you off this building if you try anything against him.  He did make sure I was trained to help protect myself from the leches that some men become."

"I heard rumors he was making you his future wife."

"I doubt the one I'm dating would like that."  She smiled.  "But thank you for your interest.  I doubt I'd leave Stark at all unless something catastrophic happened.  My niece would miss me."  Hammer nearly swallowed his tongue.  "I would suggest that Melody would be a good fit.  She's majored in International business and has three languages under her belt natively, including Thai.  Where I believe you have a subsidiary company."

"I might try her then."  He walked off.

Dawn sipped her water.  She rolled her eyes and popped her neck.  "Ow."

"Sit," Tony said.  "We can guard you."

"I doubt most others are going to look this way," she said dryly but she did sit.  The room was seriously getting to her.  Her ear felt like it should burst open and spew the Key.  Tony got led off by someone he knew.  Pepper was talking to a new assistant that would help in the Malibu office.  Dawn relaxed.

An older man walked over.  "Miss Summers, quite impressive."

"Thank you, sir."  She smiled.  "I believe you run Ramethoen."

"I do, very good research."  He smiled.  "I'm in need of a personal assistant.  I have a very good package of benefits.  Including full health care coverage for domestic partnerships."

She smiled.  "I'm fairly certain I'm staying with Mr. Stark."

"I offer starting pay at ninety thousand a year for MBA's," he offered.

"That is impressive."

"401K and other private insurance and investments through our office."  He smiled.  "A lot less traveling as I don't deal outside of the US and the UK."

"That's a wonderful offer and right now, it's my second choice," she admitted.  "I have ties at Stark.  Including my niece."

"I heard."  He smiled.  "Do consider it."

"I will.  Thank you."  She shook his hand.

"You're quite welcome."  He looked around.  "Are any of them interested in electronics or weapons?"

"Melody, who I suggested Mr. Hammer talk to, though I know she'll blow him off.  She's an International business major but her father is a Captain in the Marines.  Ummm...."  She looked around and pointed.  "There he is.  The extremely lanky Mr. Williams.  Two of his brothers are doctors.  His mother's an engineer, chemical, and his father is a doctor."

He looked.  "That's an interesting mix."

"He has a sister in Harvard but she's undecided in her second year."  She smiled.  "Either one might do you well."

"I'll definitely consider them.  Thank you for the recommendations."  He smiled and walked over to him.  Hammer annoyed him and he was clearly annoying the young woman.  He'd approach her when she got free.  Best not to become an enemy.

Dawn sipped her water.  She smiled at the teacher staring at her.  "I told you I could do it."

"You did.  What happened to your jaw?"

"I had the flu last week when it hit Stark Towers."  She winced.  "Vertigo from it.  I fell into a wall and the basebord cracked my jaw earlier.  I wouldn't have come if it wasn't so important."

He smiled.  "That's fine, Dawn.  Did you suggest Mr. Williams?"

"I did.  He does electronic and light weapons research and designing for the US military."

"That's a good thing then.  I know he was thinking medical but there's not many of them."

"All I see are insurance."  The teacher smiled and patted her on the arm.  "Thank you for your indulgences with all the strangeness."

"It's no problem for the exemplary students."  He walked off happier.  She had been a bit of a problem but she had always found ways around things on her own.

Tony walked over.  "What did he offer you?"

"Ninety a year, 401k and investments if I wanted them, including domestic partnership healthcare."

Tony stared at her.  "I didn't pay Pepper that much."

"Inflation," Dawn quipped.

"Clearly."  Pepper walked back over.  "He offered her ninety a year, Pepper."

"I'm worth that much," she agreed with a smile.  "He probably won't go over seventy, Dawn.  That's what I was making."

Dawn grinned.  "I won't be too mean."

"Good," Tony said, laughing at her stuck-out tongue.  "Keep it up and I'm going to put in there that you have to help your niece take care of her new rabbit Xander gave her."

"I probably would anyway.  I never had a pet."

"I think you have one now," Tony teased.

"No, we got her changed back and she hid from me most of the time."

"Not her."

She smiled.  "He's not a pet.  He swears up and down that's not his job description."  Pepper giggled.  She looked over as someone came off the elevator.  "You did not have to come," she said with a smile.

Natasha walked over in the black version of the dress Dawn was wearing.  "It's very important to you.  We should be here."  She casually brushed a strand of hair that had snuck out off her cheek.  "Did you get some sort of honorable mention?"

Dawn showed her the diploma.  "I shocked Tony so much he nearly choked."

"Wonderful."

Tony gave her a dirty look.  "This means I have to spend her day off renegotiating her contract."

"After I clear this ear thing," Dawn said.  She looked at Natasha.  "Dinner?"

"We're not planning anything special.  Tonight we're having lasagna when you get home."  Dawn beamed.  She brushed that piece of hair off again.  "Your hair is very wispy.  You overwashed it."

"Decontam shower," she said.

Natasha nodded.  "At least you got to use your own shampoo.  My last one I couldn't."

"She didn't," Tony said.  "She got it afterward."

"That makes more sense."  She helped her up and over toward the windows.  "What is he doing out?"

"We were wondering that."

"Wonderful."  They ignored Hammer while she noted he was out of prison.  Fury was choking.  That was great.  They shared a look and Natasha smiled.  "Clint is stretched out reading."

"That's fine.  I doubt his bra itches."  She shifted a bit, earning a laugh.  "It does."

"They do."  They walked around to talk to some of the other students.  Natasha had noticed how Dawn kept herself facing so that was fine. It meant they were near the exit when they heard an alarm going off.  "Go," she ordered.

"No, you go after Hammer, I'll do my job and guard Pepper," Dawn said quietly, heading back.  "Alarms going off," she said in Tony's ear, on her way to Pepper.  People came off the elevator.  There were a few personal bodyguards in the room.  They stopped most of them.  Two came up the stairs.  They were going to hit Stark and Pepper.  Dawn stepped in front of one and tripped them.  She shoved the other one back through the door and followed.  The guy tried to hit her so she blocked it and knocked him down the emergency stairs.

"This ear thing blows," she muttered.  She followed.   The guy tried to run so she magically tripped him over the railing, making him groan and whimper when he hit the floor fifteen stories down.  "Then next time don't make a woman chase you in heels.  Do you know how much these hurt?"  She was walking back up when someone came running out the door.  She tripped them, making him roll a few stairs.  She stared at him.  "Mr. Hammer."  She helped him up.  He pushed at her.  She slammed him into a wall.  "Problems with your plot of the day?"  An agent came down the stairs.  "Agent Sitwell."

"Miss Summers!"  He stared.  "Can I have him?"

"Sure."  She handed him over.  "He's messing up my nails."  She walked back up there, getting some new ice water.  She walked over to Pepper.  "Mr. Hammer was going to flee."

"That's because his people were trying to kidnap me."  Dawn looked at her.  She waved a hand.  "They got most of them.  I only had one to get and Natasha got him when he pulled a gun."

"I should've done that."

"You're barely able to stand," she pointed out.  Dawn shrugged.

Agent Sitwell walked past them.  "Miss Summers, would you know anything about the man wearing the same style of clothes as the kidnapers who happens to be on the floor?"

"I believe he tripped while running and fell over the railing."  She smiled at Hammer and sipped her water.  He looked down.  "Have a good night, Agent Sitwell."

"You as well.  Congratulations as well.  We're all very proud that you did your bachelor's in two years."  Dawn showed him the diploma.  "How?"

"Work credits and passing the tests."  She smiled.

"Then that's even better."  He walked off chatting about Dawn to annoy Hammer.  Agents were getting the unlucky person who had 'fallen'.  Though he did wonder about her jaw.

Natasha walked over.  "He fell over the railing?"

"Probably trying to do the cheesy dropping between floors."

"It's a spiral staircase."

"No one ever said people like that were brilliant," Dawn said dryly.  That earned her a smile.  "Pepper, can we escort you to the car?"

"No, I'm fine.  Tony's still around here.  We'll be over tomorrow to talk about the contract.  I might be early, I have a doctor's appointment at two."  She winked.  "Have fun handling the ear and celebrating."  Dawn smiled.  She tucked her diploma under her arm and the purse off her wrist.  They walked out together.  Pepper sighed.  "Barton would look so wicked between them in a tux."

Tony walked up behind her.  "Don't even think about it.  I think he's a bit busy with the two of them," he said in her ear.

She smiled.  "We're going over for dinner to discuss her contract."

"Sure, we can do that.  I'll get Callia to take care of her rabbit beforehand."  He sipped his champagne.  "Fell down over the railing?"

"Apparently."

"Huh.  Can't be too smart to try to jump on a spiral staircase," he said sarcastically.  They walked off to go home.  They had a bit of celebrating to do.  Joyce couldn't be here, she was too weak to be at something like this, but they were great stand-in parents for Dawn.  They had proved it over the years.

***

Dawn walked in first and let Natasha get the door.  She pulled down her hair.  Clint was staring at them.  "Someone tried to kidnap Pepper."

"I was wondering why you looked rumpled."

"Two muggers outside who just *had* to think I was too pretty to kill them," Dawn quipped.  She straddled Clint's lap and took a kiss.  Then rubbed her ear.  "They're coming for dinner."

"Cool.  Go take care of that."

"Twelve hours of meditation."

"Never mind.  Dinner?"  She smiled and they settled in to eat.  It was a great graduation night.

20: Pissing New and Old Old Ones Off

The various pantheons have found a way to make Xander hit his line of 'I'll be damned'.  They have plans for him.  Then Dawn has a Week of Stupidity.

(I Hate You, You Hate Me, We're a Big Happy Family - yes, channeled Barney)

Phil Coulson looked up as Dawn walked in on her day off, jaw still swollen.  "Shouldn't you be fixing that?"

"I got ordered to come do a sitrep."

"Ah."  He took the diploma and smiled at her.  "Good work."  She beamed.  "I'll hold this."

"It's going on Mom's wall."  She walked off.  She walked upstairs and onto the main office area.  "Morning, Agent Hill."

"Good morning, Dawn.  I thought you were off today."

"I am.  I got ordered to come do a sitrep."  Agent Hill shook her head.  "He in?"  She nodded.  "Thanks."  She walked in.  "Good morning.  You took me from the meditation to cure my ear?"

Nick Fury looked at her.  "I could be nice and offer you a job."

"I promised my mom I wouldn't unless I was desperate."

"Fine."  He held up the report form.  "I believe you need to do that."

"It's not in your email?"  He looked and groaned.  She smiled.  "Did it after breakfast.  Anything else, Director Fury?"

"No.  Go home, fix your ear."

"Thanks."  She strolled off, taking her diploma back from Phil.  "I was efficient."  He smiled.  She went to sit with her mother and let her cry on her over doing so good.  Then she went to meditate.

***

Dinner came and went and no Pepper, no Stark.  Natasha had called and Tony told her 'ten minutes'.  Pepper hadn't answered.  Dawn was nibbling on her dinner and not really concerned.  She had talked to JARVIS, who had dropped something on Tony's foot for her.  Callia was pouty too according to the AI.

Dawn did get her ear healed and it was nicer.  She could stand up straight and not feel like she was leaning.  She finally had enough about one in the morning.  She kissed her lovers, who had fallen asleep on the couch, and put on her sneakers.  One in the morning in New York was no place for heels.  She strolled out, calling a cab on the way down.  It got there a few minutes later.  She got into Stark Tower and went to her locker, packing things.  She went to the lab floor and frowned.  Her log in wasn't working.  So she picked the lock and walked in, handing over her ID.  "I'll be over to visit her in two days."  She walked off.

"Dawn?" he asked, staring at the ID badge.

She looked at him.  "What?"

"What's this?"

"My ID.  You had me taken out of the log-ins.  My contract is up as of last night and there's been no negotiating going on.  I think you sent a pretty clear message."

"Not what was going on."  She put the bag down.  He realized what it was.  "You think I'd ....."  She looked at the clock then at him.   He winced.  "I got lost."

"So did Pepper apparently."

"No, I told her to come without me."  She shook her head.  "Think she's safe?  JARVIS, where is Pepper?"

"At home, Mr. Stark.  She said they'd see Dawn in the morning."

Tony almost winced at the formal name calling.  JARVIS was upset with him too.  "See, we were going to...."  Dawn stared at him.  "No one told you that?"  She shook her head.  "Crap."  He moved closer.  "No, I'm not firing you.  You're getting a new contract as soon as I can finish this little beam for Fury."

"I turned down his attempted offer before he got it out.  Said I promised Mom."

"Good!"  He stared at her.  "Seriously?"  She nodded.  "How many have you turned down?"

"Sixteen as of dinner.  All over seventy, so I'm expecting yours to measure up in babysitting time."

"Yeah, it does."  He nodded, considering it.  "Why?"

"Someone got my transcripts of the language stuff I took out of one of the other schools."

He winced.  "That wasn't there?"

"No."  She smiled.  "Actually, I did that through somewhere in Rio.  Never even saw the campus but they offered languages I wanted as well as the business classes I had to transfer in since they weren't offered online up here."  She leaned her hip against a table.  "A call, anything?  You normally would."

"You're...  Last night it hit us both that we're not stand-in parents anymore."

"Since when do parents, stand-in or otherwise, stop at eighteen?  Or nineteen?"

He blinked.  "How would I know?"

"Are you going to do the same to Callia?"

"No!"  She stared at him.  "Point.  Actions are always louder with you."  She nodded.  "I'll buy you shoes."

"I don't need more clothes.  Do you know how many times they nagged that I had more than a backpack of clothes?"

"How much did you keep?"

"About a carry-on worth with some extra space for some of their stuff too."

"You know what, how about I beat them?"

"Don't even try," she said dryly.  "They can both wipe the floor with you."

He nodded.  "Possibly true."  She grinned.  "Fine.  Are you better?"

"Yeah.  Have been for hours now."  She stood up again.  "All up to you, boss."

"I'll be over at breakfast.  You're not getting that much of a raise."

"You know, by my last contract, with an MBA I should automatically go up ten grand."  She smiled.

"I know, which sucks since that's over what Pepper made.  She might pout."

"I doubt it.  She's making CEO money now, Tony."

"True."  He sighed and looked at her.  "Fine.  All the babysitting you want without it being forced most of the time so it won't interrupt your sex life, all the nagging you want, and a five grand raise."

"Seven."

"Seven?" he demanded.

She smiled and nodded.  She walked over to his computer and got into a few things, pulling them up.  She let him see it.

He stared then at her.  "Damn it."

"My area of genius isn't in engineering or math.  Though I do find accounting to be soothing in a lot of ways."

"Do they know that you did this?"

"They knew I was taking the language classes.  Clint picked the school and gave me ideas of which was most useful."  She hopped up to sit on the worktable.

"Damn."  He looked at her.  "Fine, ten."

She smiled.  "Seven."

"Shut up."  He gave her a nudge.  "And go home.  It's really late and I'm sure they're not sleeping well."

"They were on the couch.  Callia's going to pout you to death."

"Probably," he sighed.  He got back to work.  "I do not like that thing."

She expanded it for him.  "Easier?"

"Much."  He finished the repair and she shrank it.  "Thanks."  He smiled.  "And take your badge back.  You'll get a new one when you sign in.  JARVIS, why is her log-in not working?"

"HR took it out earlier due to the end of her internship."

"I'll be over after I yell at them," he told her.

She gave him a hug.  "I'm taking the stuff home to do laundry."

"Sure."  She strolled off.  He got back to his repair job, considering things.  He walked over and emailed that to Coulson.  If Pepper didn't know, and her boyfriend and girlfriend didn't know, then he didn't.  Or Joyce probably.

***

Clint groaned, getting up to answer the door.  He stared at Coulson then looked at the couch.  "There's not a chance in hell she's going to run and why are you already dressed for work?"

"We're running tonight."  He walked over and leaned over, pinching Dawn's nose closed.  She woke up and swatted at him.  He smirked.  "You took how many language classes?"

"I like languages.  It's my area of genius."  She yawned and stretched.  "Why?"

"I'm going to make you translate for me sometimes."

"I don't work for SHIELD."

He smirked.  "Stark works for SHIELD."  He patted her on the head.  "We're having dinner."

"Okay."  She looked at the clock then at him.  "You're late."

"He called in for a late meeting.  It's my day off."  He smirked and walked off.  On the way he called the lab.  "Stark, were you supposed to be somewhere this morning?"  He hung up.

***

Tony looked at his phone.  "What?"

"Breakfast with Dawn," JARVIS reminded him.

"Shit!"  He tossed down his screwdriver.  "I'm going."

"You might want to stop and get the contract I printed," the AI said.

Tony grabbed it to look over, nodding at it on his way out the door.  "Happy, going to Dawn's."

"Yes, sir.  Should we stop for danish or anything?"

"No, with my luck there'll be an attack and she'll quit."  He got into the car, drawing out some changes.  Seven, really?   They got there and he got out, weathering the glare from Natasha, who was dressed for a run.  "I was still fixing something that Fury said was critical."

She looked at him.  "She's in the gym.  I will gut you," she reminded him.

"Not my intention!  We had this talk at one."

"I know."

He headed inside to the gym.  Steve was in there.  He watched Dawn jogging in shorts and a sports bra.  "Don't we have a shirt rule?" he complained.  He walked over, taking her earbud out.  "Shirts?" he asked again.

She looked at him after dropping that earbud into her cleavage.  "I'm fully covered.  Even Cap isn't blushing."

"No, that's more covering than some joggers I've seen," he quipped.  He went to the other room to work out so they could have a talk.  It looked like one of those sort of talks to his limited experience.

She turned off the treadmill, jumping off it as it stopped.  "What's up?"

"I was still working this morning."

"That's not my fault.  Were you cursed?" she asked dryly.

"I shouldn't have taught you sarcasm after all."  He handed the contract over, leaning on the bars of the treadmill.

She looked it over.  "I thought we agreed to seven."

"So?"

She went back to it, finding the last few things.  "Can't."  She pointed at one.  He looked and struck it out.  "That's going to be a pain since that's in all Stark Industry contracts."

"I doubt you'll ever be an industrial spy," he said, staring at her.  "Even if she might.  I'd forgive you for your girlfriend's BS if that happens."

She smiled.  "I'm told it's a sucky job and everyone hates you."  Stark nodded that was true.  "I have rights to whatever I create and find?"

"If you find a new mineral in the storage area and no one else claims it, it's yours.  Standard in all the contracts."

She looked at him.  "For the scientists."

"You never know.  You could work with Andrew to find a way to make magic and tech work better together."

"He can already do that.  He doesn't like to talk about magic because of his older brother."

"I know he's dead."

"He was a black magic mage and kinda tortured Andrew a few times."

"Oh, I did not know that."

She nodded, going back to reading.  She saw the last one and smiled.  "Okay."  He handed over a pen.  She signed it and handed them back.  He signed it.  "When do I start again?"

"I'd say today but I doubt it'll happen."  He rubbed his forehead.  She tested him.  "I know, I'm still sick with the flu."

"That's because you made him turn them off."

"I know.  This is my third dose of meds soon."

"Talk to Tara?"

"I'm going to."  He straightened up.  "Want a week off?"

She shrugged.  "I can do that."  He smirked and walked off.  "Thanks."

He looked at her.  "I would've been there."

"Any idea where Pepper is?"

"She was crying that you were all grown up all night on Callia."  She sighed and nodded.  "We'll see you in a few days.  A week from Monday, Miss Summers, and no teasing clothes."

"You said twice a month," she shot back.  "It's in there on page three."

"Not the first day."  He smirked and headed back to the car.  He handed the contract over.  "That way if we crash you can still hand it to HR and make Pepper quit crying."

"I can do that."  He  drove him back, with a stop for something to eat and coffee.  Once they had parked, Tony took it back and went to HR.  Happy smiled.

Tony walked in and smiled at his head of Human Resources.  He handed over the contract.  She looked and then at him.  "That's her official one.  She starts a week from Monday."

"That's a lot for a bachelor's."

"She's got an MBA.  We didn't know that."  He walked off.  "File it and make sure she gets a copy."

"Yes, sir."  She scanned it into the system, sending Dawn a photocopy for her records.  That meant she had to put Dawn back into the system.  It would mean she'd have to fill out all the forms again though.  She really did think Dawn was a bit strange and they had enough strange with Stark himself and his daughter.

***

Dawn looked around her apartment.  She had cleaned it.  Her closets were all organized again because Natasha had been on a cleaning kick.  She walked over to sort out things that she had worn to formal events.  A few she kept back because they were classic.  The rest she put into a zip bag and took to the charity that offered teenage girls prom gowns.  "Hi," she told the desk person.  "Formals?"

"Thank you, Miss."  She took it to do the receipt for tax purposes.  "Wow.  Actress?"

"Admin assistant."  That got a smile and she took the receipt.  She left, going to get groceries.  They needed a few things.  She carried them home in a cab and went up to the roof to stare across the city.  This really weird city.

***

Phil Coulson looked up from his paperwork as someone appeared.  "Yes?" he asked politely.  "Is there a problem or should I call Alexander?" he offered.

"No, we wish to talk to you," Zeus said.  He took him with him.  "You'll be back in time so Tara won't worry.  My wife would send me into the void if we upset Gaia's handmaiden."  He stared at him, looking his aura and others over.  "A suggestion was made about you, Agent Coulson."

"What sort?" he asked.  "Another demigod that needs help?"

"No.  The only one that needs help is Ares so he quits fighting with his half-brother."

"I can't even begin to judge that situation since I don't have all the facts."

Zeus smiled.  "Polite, thank you."  He nodded.  "You'll do."

"For....?" he asked.

"Alexander's being spread too thin."

"He doesn't seem bothered by it."

"Yes but it's wearing on him."

"I believe having a consort instead of a mate is wearing on him, sir."

"That as well.  That he can fix himself before my wife and Aphrodite get into it."  He nodded, calling Odin and the other Elders.  They stared at Phil, making him nervous but he wasn't showing it.

Xander appeared.  "All right, what are you doing?  I adopted Phil into my house, people."

"We know, and believe it was a good idea," Zeus agreed.  Xander looked confused.  "There's a subset of your own powers that you can't seem to get to."

"I get to most of them."

"You need someone to guard the various heros," Odin said firmly.  "That way they get nagged when they're dumb.  Where are my son's goats?"

"On the hillside at my temple.  Thor was missing them."

"I heard."

"He told Callia that he had seen more of them than of his natal family a few years," Xander pointed out.  Odin glared.  Xander stared back.  "Don't give me that look.  I agree."

"Whatever," Zeus said firmly.  "Thankfully you have no real natal house now," he told Xander.

"I have two.  They just don't respect me," he shot back.  He looked at Phil.  "He's already marked."  They smiled.  He glared.  "Phil, they're trying to make you take a Godhood."

"Excuse me?"

"The God Protector of Heros," Xander said.  "The Shield of SHIELD."

He considered passing out, which he had never done in his life, but kept his calm.  "I don't think I'd do good at it."  He didn't really want to be a god; this was one of those life altering events that he was not prepared for.

"Yay," Zeus said.  "It's our choice and not yours."

"I will not do good in it.  I'm not used to anything power wise, sir."

"Actually, you have one of the most loyal souls ever," Odin said.  "Much like my grandson."  He looked more closely then nodded.  "You'll do fine.  You do much of the job now without powers."

"This is so going to screw a few things," Xander said.  "He has mortal twins with Tara, Gaia's handmaiden."

Alana appeared and smiled.  She looked at the scroll, updating it.  "I see six lost their places."  She rolled it forward.  "Your son may be the first male valkyrie, Phil.  Your daughter is due to be gathered when she goes."  She stared at him.  "That way they're not lost.  Tara is going to become an eternal handmaiden."

"Tara and I aren't together that way."

"We know."  She smiled and pinched his cheek.  "It's a rare soul who can help a pouting demigod calm down.  I put my godhood behind him."

"We do all put our godhoods behind him," Zeus said formally.  He stuck the emblem on Phil's chest, making him flinch.  His half stuck.  Odin pushed in the other part, making it sink in.

"Guys, he's not immortal," Xander pointed out, fixing that before it killed him.  He grabbed Ares and took Phil so they could train him.  "Sorry," he told him.  "They nearly screwed up and killed you doing it."

"No, thank you, though I'm not so sure this isn't a curse."

Xander looked at him.  "Steve's on the pick up list of the Valkyries," he said quietly.  "Stark is probably going to ascend if he works at it.  Dawn's going to ascend, she's too powerful not to.  Pepper could.  Natasha's already marked as being picked up by the Valkyries.  That only leaves Barton.  If he wants to work at it, he can ascend.  Ascending is boring as shit because you're not allowed to interfere."

"I..."  He swallowed.  "This is not how I expected my life to go."

"Yeah, me either but you can't really pick and choose some things."  He hugged him, feeding him the extra energy he needed to steady himself and calm himself down.  Coulson nodded, taking a deep breath and letting it sink in.

Ares looked and finished sinking in the godhood emblem.  Suddenly Phil flinched and squeezed his eyes shut.  "We can teach you how to filter those and make them work for you instead of giving you a headache.  There's a lot of lessons you need."

"I guess I do," he agreed.  "Thank you both for helping me with this transition."

"It was us or Dite and Cupid," Ares said.  Xander shook his head.  "I know, you have a bias against love gods."  Xander nodded.  "Never get on Aphrodite's bad side."

"I'd never want to get on the bad side of any goddess, Lord Ares.  I saw how scary they could be."

"You're one of us now, Phil.  It's just Ares."

"Thank you."  They taught him how to move, how to use his powers, and how to channel prayers and energies. The last few lessons only Xander could teach him since they shared a duty and a House.  Xander took him to the scaffolding above the bridge of the hell carrier, where the Avengers were meeting in a bit.  Phil stared.  "What are those shadows?"

Xander leaned on the railing, looking at him.  "In any hero there's three seals.  Seals is as close as I can come."  Phil nodded, relaxing against a support pole.  "There's a destiny one.  Those of us who were born with one have one.  If you look at Thor, he has one."  Phil looked and nodded slowly.  "The destiny seal is a strong one but it's not totally indicative.  Prophecies are crap and we all know that."

"Okay," he agreed.  "The other two?"

"There's a reality one.  That they're actually doing the work."  That got a nod.  "If you look at Stark, that's what he has.  With a hint of the second one."  He looked over.  "The second one is emotional.  That you think you're a hero.  That one can be deceptive.  There's been a whole lot of people that thought they were heros and weren't.  You'll hear from them too."  That got a nod.  "If you look at Barton, his seals are a bit cranked."

"I can see that.  Interesting."  He moved back to the railing.  "What do I do now?"

"Now?  You're the one that helps when they fall, when they need an ear, the one that they pray to when they're overwhelmed.  You're part mother hen and part rescue service, or at least I am half the time."

Phil smiled.  "I do a lot of that now."

"You do.  That's why they picked you."  He smiled.  "Practice."

"I will.  The twins?"

"The list had them being in their fifties, Phil," he said quietly.  "The son may be the first male one because there's now more female warriors being acknowledged."

"Okay.  What's the other thing Ares said I had to learn?"

"Time stopping and flipping.  Not technically something we're *supposed* to do.  But damn handy if you need to get a battle you only heard about ten minutes ago that started hours earlier."  That got a nod, he'd had that in the past.  Xander showed him by getting him to the meeting before it started.  Phil smiled at how simple that was.  "Sorry, Zeus and a few of the Elders wanted to talk to him about demigods who might want to do something more than drink and slut around."  He disappeared.

Thor looked at him.  "Son of Coul."  Phil sat down.  Thor looked him over.  He knew.  "Was it a productive meeting?"

"I'm going to meet with them and see if any have the training or the desire to possibly make a new team or one for Europe."

Thor smiled.  "Then I pray you help them all."

Phil felt that prayer hit him and nodded.  "I hope most of them need my help."

Thor patted him on the arm.  "I think many could use a steady head nagging.  Many drink for more than meals."

Tony Stark stared at him.  He could faintly see a glow thanks to his sunglasses.  Two plus two still equaled four on this earth.  "Dawn signed her contract."

"Good.  When does she start?"

"A week from Monday.  She's trying to figure out what to do with her week off."  He smirked.  "I think she's going to see why Pepper was crying on my daughter instead of going to dinner with her."

"Maybe she'll get some new time on the beach," Steve quipped.  "She needs a new tan."

"Then Phil would have to break his toe again," Barton quipped.

"Quite possibly.  She has regained that weight and put on muscle beyond that."  Phil stared at him.  "A question was raised at the meeting.  They think that there's going to be a few demis who are going to try for ascension."

"McKay said it's boring," Stark said.  "Spending eternity watching and ranting at stupid things."

"There's other groups," Phil said.  "Some that go explore other areas."

Stark considered that.  "I might consider that.  Why was it brought up?"

"They were wondering if any of you were going for it as well.  I know, because Alana told me, that someone is on the Valkyrie list."  Steve gave him an odd look.  Phil looked at Natasha, who gave him an odd look.  He nodded.  "They're starting to recognize female warriors."

Xander appeared and sat down.  "Yeah, they are.  They actually think his son will someday be one of the first male valkyrie to pick up female warriors."  He looked at Natasha.  "Alana's looking forward to it too."

"I have no idea what to say about that.  Though I like it better than I like Dawn's idea."  Clint swatted her hard on the arm.

Stark looked at Xander.  "Why the interest?"

"Because the Ascended are factions of damn it and fuck me," Xander said bluntly.  "Then a third side of sitting on their thumbs and a few who go explore.  And then get into trouble and bring it here.  Which causes me hell."  He grinned.  "I can kick you into ascension if I have to, Stark.  You and Barton both."  He grinned.  Clint opened his mouth.  "There's no chance I want them to try to play 'she's mine' tug of war about Dawn," he said bluntly.  "With her luck, she'll draw one of our alien invasions.  Well, another one," he said, looking at Phil.  "Did I give you those notes?"

"No, you hadn't."  Xander flashed home and came back with a folder.  "Seriously?"

"From an ascended who talked to the spores.  Three races that are very dangerous and headed this way possibly.  A few more that aren't real nice and might not make us cows, roaches, or slaves."  He handed them down.  "And one that's kinda nice but a lot of people are going to freak out."

Phil looked them over, handing them on.  "Which ascended talked to them?"

"Daniel.  He's back up there and due back soon.  They pulled him for a problem member that was wanting to meddle."

"This globe of goo one?" Clint asked when he got it.

"Yeah, Daniel said they think 'no' is a fun game.  The rest of the universe blows them away whenever they get near women at the first sign of their inability to understand the phrase 'eww!'."  Natasha gave him a look.  She got the information sheet and glared.  Xander nodded.  "Yeah.  Them I'd say are annoying.  The others... more of a future apocalypse battle they think.  Oh, the spores *adore* Dawn.  There's places where their metal is made into crowns so they can help leaders make wise decisions based on the history they have seen."

Phil rubbed his head.  "Earth doesn't have too many queens like that anymore."

"Thankfully," Xander agreed.  "I used to cringe about every other crowning because bloodline does not always tell."

Fury got them last and looked them over.  "They like Dawn?"

"They'd like to form a crown and name her our empress.  They think she's smart, wise, cute enough to be a showpiece that would encourage others to like her and want to be her, and that she's able to handle idiot world leaders."

Fury looked at him.  "Really?"  Xander smirked and nodded.  "We'd never allow it."

"You notice those ones that want to turn us into slaves?  They'll only negotiate with a single world leader."  Fury slumped and glared.  "I can't fight in space and we don't have a Superman sort here who won't die in space.  So how do you want to do that?"

"We'll make plans," Phil said.  "Soon?"

"Could be anytime in the next century he thinks.  He thinks the raping goo globes are probably the soonest, they're the closest.  The nice ones are actually the farthest away.  I'm most worried about this one," he said, pointing at it in Natasha's hand.  "They're nearby spatially speaking.  The stargate goes within a few galaxies of there and they have their own form of transport something.  Daniel didn't know how to describe it.  They are looking for new places to conquer and make theirs.  They're not terribly technocratic but enough that they have light speed engines."

Fury nodded, taking that one to look over.  "That's bad," he decided.  "We can definitely start to make plans.  Is this why they wanted my agent?"

"No, they wanted your agent to talk to because how he helped Thor straighten his ass out, helped Dawn calm down, helped me with a few of my duties, helped John a few times with his, and Roque with his."

"Oh.  So the other demigods like him," Fury said.

Xander smiled.  "They're learning to like and respect him.  They're trying to put him for a godhood underneath me."

Fury shook his head.  "I don't think that would work for SHIELD."

Xander smiled.  "It could mean that SHIELD worked.  Because you guys have a whole rebellion group going on that wants to use the heros to take control of the world from the lesser mortals."  He manifested a folder and handed it to him.  "One of them is a Star Wars fan and Bia caught it."

Fury looked at it, frowning.  "I heard we had a few people wondering if SHIELD was going to take some control."

Xander shrugged.  "I'd be more worried about a takeover bid.  That goo clone episode showed where the weaknesses within the group are.  They think Agent Hill is nearly impossible to get by but you're ... they're young and aren't seeing experience."

Fury looked at him.  "I've heard a few grandpa comments," he assured him dryly.

Xander smiled.  "Look on the second page."  Fury did and growled.  Xander nodded.  "Which is why they were thinking some of the demis are useless wastes that could use a job."

"I wouldn't mind if they really wanted to join the program and really train," Fury said.  Xander nodded.  "Including Sheppard if I can steal him."

"Doubt it.  He's about fifth in line behind O'Neill.  Him and O'Neill's successor Mitchell, people would walk through hell for.  If something happens those two are going to take over the SGC and keep it as whole as possible, because they have some of those too.  Even from Atlantis."

Fury leaned back, considering it.  "Is this a huge movement?"

"No one's sure.  They've probably got silent supporters.  I'm pretty sure that the groups involved only need a few each."

"They could," Fury agreed.  He considered it.  There were tight ties between them and the SGC, especially through Stark.  "Any in Stark's people?"

"Yeah," Xander said with a nod.  "A few of his scientists."  Tony snatched the folder to look for familiar names.  "Though not all of them are correct because they think Dawn would support them.  Dawn would probably stomp them flat."

"Dawn would stomp them flat," Tony agreed.  "They're listing her as a possible supporter?"

"She's powerful and gifted, underneath one of the few people who could take over in the style they want," Phil said.  "If they were going to name an overlord, it'd be someone like you, Stark.  You have power, connections, scientists, tech that others can't hope to match.  Even SHIELD would probably align with you to keep itself steady as a tactical move."

"You were the push behind the non-conscription votes," Bruce said quietly.

Tony looked at them and nodded.  "That's a bad idea though.  I'd ruin it."

"You'd be a figurehead," Xander pointed out.  "I can almost guarantee that they'd make sure Pepper stayed right where she was to make sure you'd be right where they wanted you."

"I've had someone try that," he admitted.  "And Dawn is Pepper's heir."  Xander nodded.  "Huh."  He looked around.  "Agent Hill, can I get a copy of this please?"  She took it to copy while she read it.  He looked at Fury.  "For right now I'm not going to take over anything."

"You'd better not," he growled.

"Look closer," Xander said.  "There's a second group that's their direct opposite.  That's after that tab."  Tony looked.  "They're not the conscription sort.  They're the send them to their own country so the rest of us are spared their fighting and evilness."

"That's got a lot of religious backing," Bruce said.

Tony nodded.  "I've gotten a lot of hate mail from their sort.  Especially after New York."  He looked.  "My head of HR is on there."

"Yes she is, and by scanning her direction I can see she really loathes Dawn.  And Callia.  Calls them both freaks."  Xander grinned.  "The same one that feeds her cinnamon candy."

"That'll stop," Tony assured him.  He handed it over to Barton and Natasha.  "Can we stop either group?"

"Sure, get the Pope to declare that metahumans are born that way because God knows they're needed," Xander quipped.  Steve winced.  "I heard.  I know you're not an abomination of science trying to take God's place."  Steve relaxed.  "He doesn't acknowledge that any of the demis exist either.  He calls Thor 'that alien'.  He calls me an abomination.  Though that may be because I nearly ripped down the Vatican during the fifteen hundreds during a battle to protect everyone."

"Damn," Tony complained, getting comfortable.  "So we actually have two bad factions of the same idea with different end goals.  For us to be isolated either on top or on the bottom of society."

"They don't want you in prison, for the most part," Xander said.  "They really want you guys where they can't see you, no damage gets done by any of you, that sort of thing.  There's a few that want you rounded up like they're Nazis, and most of them are modern day Nazi sympathizers who cloak it in God.  They say the same thing about gay people."

"I've heard and made sure nothing we do goes near anything that they like," Tony said.  "So, they'd give us Hawaii and let us all breed and fight there as long as stayed there?"

"Yeah, unless there's a world catastrophe then you'd be blamed either for helping or not helping."

"Look, we saved five thousand lives, but we had to leave your little isolation camp to do it," Barton said dryly.  Xander nodded.  "Sometimes humanity sucks."

"It does," Phil agreed.  "The majority aren't like that though."

"No.  It's probably ten percent on each side," Xander said.  That got a nod.  "The problem is that the ten percent in the places where they have access to dealing with their plans of stupidity.  O'Neill nearly had a coup one month.  The president wanted him to disband Atlantis and rip her apart to make an orbiting weapons platform.  O'Neill told him off and told his people he wasn't going to.  The fact that he tried to stop the ones that were going to take out the higher ups with the plans meant that they were going to do him too for standing in the way and trying to be reasonable."

Tony scrubbed his face.  "I heard about that.  He said he lost a lot of people he really needed to treason charges."  Xander nodded.  "And the president decided it meant that they were too headstrong."

"At which point in time I went to talk to the president and pointed out that they're the people protecting him and everyone else.  Do you really want to make your guardians resentful, hateful, and willing to stand by so a lot of people die.  Dad was not amused."  Fury shuddered.  "Then again, my stepdaddy feels the same way about SHIELD."  He smirked at Fury.

"We need all those groups to go private," Tony said.

"Can't do that with the SGC," Xander pointed out.  "They will claim Atlantis."

"We can get them moved to the World Security Council like we are," Phil offered.  "That would give them oversight but not as much."

"WSC is a pile of political shit," Xander said.  "And most of them are acting in their own interests instead of the world's.  If I had to deal with them instead of you guys, I wouldn't."  That got a mass of nods.  "I can see making a new WSC so it's right and protective and not political for the most part.  That way no one gets ordered to not protect against something that's going to hit the Middle East instead of Europe.  Because I'm pretty sure it'd happen right now."

"They've already tried to tell me where I can protect," Fury admitted.  "They're probably going to side with the ones who want the metahumans on top."

Xander nodded.  "It would give them more power.  Frankly not my strong suit."  He rubbed over his neck.  "Eww."  He flicked the spider off.  "I hate bugs."

"Dracula?" Barton asked with a grin.

"Yes," Xander said dryly.  "Dawn told you?"

"Yup."  He grinned.

Xander looked at him.  "You're so going to be ascended no matter what you want."  Clint laughed.  "If it comes down to it, John and some of his people can retreat to my temple or Atlantis and have her take off again. You guys can't fly the hell carrier indefinitely.  You need things like fuel.  Atlantis can go back to Pegasus or some other nice planet and farm if they have to.  The rest of the SGC can do that too."

"They call it the alpha site," Natasha agreed.  She frowned.  "I don't see how we can overtly fight this."

"This isn't an overt fight," Phil said.  "This is a warning that we're going to be used as pawns."  He looked at Xander.  Who nodded.  That explained a lot about why he now had powers.  He was to protect the people who were in the middle.  The Shield of SHIELD.  He got it now.  He sighed.  "There's going to be people trying to manipulate missions, pick and choose which is worthwhile."

"They have forever," Clint said.

"Yes, but now it's more important that you don't get caught in it," Xander quipped.  "They can't get you two to take out world leaders anymore."

"This is a regime change inside a regime change.  It's the French revolution using superheros," Tony said.  Xander nodded and grinned, disappearing.  "I don't want to be an emperor, they don't wear clothes."

"We'd appreciate you continuing to wear clothes," Natasha said.  "Would this go back to why we three were captured?" she asked Phil.

Who nodded.  "Probably.  You're the least noticed and noticeable of the Avengers.  Dawn wasn't on the rolls at all, almost no one knew about her.  If Stark goes missing or Thor, people notice and wonder.  They probably wouldn't take Doctor Banner because they couldn't control him.  Your gifts and strengths were good for their purposes and no one worried that you disappeared for a few days."

"Which means that we have to be careful about manipulations.  Speaking of, why was Hammer out of SHIELD custody?" Stark asked.

"The judge let him go," Fury said, looking at the list and pointing.  "Him."

"Then I'm glad Dawn turned him down and stopped him from escaping again.  And kicked the other guy down the stairs or whatever."

"Over the railing," Natasha said.  "How is Pepper?"

"She's still crying and I don't know why."

"I'll talk with her," Natasha said, looking at Phil.  There was something different about him.  "Are we having dinner?"

Phil smiled.  "I'd like to help her celebrate the new contract if you'd host us and the twins of doom."

"Sure," Clint said.  "Callia can come over too."  Tony nodded he and the baby would be over.  "We can use that penthouse roof and cook out.  There's a nice grill up there."

Bruce smiled.  "It's nice to be on the ground in a homey place."

"It was a great apartment," Clint agreed with a smile.  "She good?"

"She's wonderful and she's thinking about trying to start back to work."

"I wish her luck," Fury said.  He looked at his team.  "We'll handle it as it comes.  If you hear of a rebellion coming....  Let us know.  If you see it starting, stomp it flat."  They nodded.  He walked off.

Coulson looked around.  "Bring our own food to cook or do we want to pool it?"

"Pool it," Clint said.  "It's payday."  The meeting broke up.

Natasha stopped Clint in the elevator before he could move to push a button.  He let her lead the way this time.  "Something just happened," she said.

"He's glowing."

"I did not see that."

"I'm in the right angle to see him out of the corner of my eye.  Stark noticed."

"You think?"

"I'm pretty sure and I'm pretty sure why."  He leaned over to hiss in her ear.  She smiled.  He smirked back.  "Pick out dinner?"

"Fine."  She walked off, going to Stark Towers.  She signed in and went up to the main office.  Pepper was still looking upset and cuddling Callia while they petted her rabbit.  She leaned over to pet the rabbit, looking at Pepper.  "There's worries that you're going to need Joyce's bed at the cancer center," she said quietly.

Pepper shook her head.  "No, I won't.  It's not...."

"You're hormonal," she said, staring at her.  "Is she getting a sibling?"

"No.  No, there's no chance of that."

"That is why there's adoption."

"I know.  It's just...."  She waved a hand.  "It's a blow when you have a plan."

"I know."  She stared at her.  "You worried Dawn so much she came back to tell Tony to be honest if he had fired her."  Pepper winced.  "We're having dinner tonight on the penthouse roof."

"I can be there."  She hugged Callia.  "I wanted one of them."

"Nothing is every really impossible with healing spells," she noted.  Pepper stared at her.  "If Roque's mother can make a male werewolf pregnant....."

"I wouldn't even know who to ask and I thought I'd have one soon, that's why I went to see about sperm donation.  It's easier than the exhausting things that would go on."

"It is.  Apparently half of every SHIELD agent that's stored some sperm has put my name on the can use list without telling me."  Pepper laughed.  "See if Dawn can help."  She handed over the copies of the folders.  "Problems possibly coming this way.  The French revolution redone with metahumans as Stark put it."

Pepper looked over that.  "The head of HR," she said.  "Who feeds Callia candy."

"Xander said she calls them freaks."

"That's going to end.  Does Tony...."

"Yes.  Xander pointed it out during the meeting."

"Wonderful."  She looked at her.  "How is Dawn?  I didn't mean to disappoint her."

"She'll be at dinner tonight and she starts a week from Monday."

Pepper smiled.  "That's good.  I'd miss her."  Tony walked in.  "Are you going to talk to the head of HR?"

"She's on her way."  He stared at her.  "Why have you been crying?"  He looked at Natasha.  "How did you beat me here?"

"Your satellite."

He rolled his eyes.  "Okay, whatever.  Pepper?  Are you maybe pregnant?"

She shook her head.  "I was thinking about it and the doctor told me that's nearly not possible unless I suddenly ascend into a goddess."

He winced.  "We were...."

"No.  Because that's going to make things weird and impossible and I'd end up running away from you.  I was going to go to the genius sperm bank."

Tony snorted.  "Fine.  Daughter, can you and your rabbit go back upstairs?  We have to talk to someone."

"No," she said with a smile.  "We fine."

"No you're not.  Natasha, please?"

"I can do that.  Come, we'll talk about a new story."  She took the bunny from the child.  It was a very calm bunny.  She checked, still alive, but very calm.  She walked the baby out and up to the nursery in the penthouse.  They got to miss the screaming that the woman would do about freaks and Pepper discovering how badly she had messed up her department.

***

Tony walked up to Dawn, handing her a pen and the contract.  "Yes, you have to sign another one."

"Why?"

"The head of HR trashed it and the whole system.  So you have to do forms too."

"Great."   She signed it and the family group clapped.  She smiled.  She looked at him.  "You put in a clothing budget?"

"Yup.  You'll need it."  He smiled and took it to sign.  That got another clap.  "She's now more expensive than Pepper is."

"She nags the rest of the lab too," Clint quipped.  "Pepper only nagged you."

"Good point."  He tucked it into his pocket.  "HR is such a mess, if you have problems when you come in let me know."  He patted her on the back.  "Still Monday."

"Yes, boss."

"Good girl."  He pointed.  "Your niece."

"Hi, Callia."

"Hi, Auntie.  Babies."  She went to talk to them.  She looked at Tara.  "More babies?"

"Not right now," she admitted.

"Shoot.  Need more babies.  Auntie, babies?"

"No.  No babies.  Probably not ever but not for a very long time, dear."

"Shoot.  Auntie?" she asked Natasha, who shook her head.  "I need babies."

"Some year soon," Natasha promised.  That got a huff and she went back to telling the twins a story.  She looked at Dawn.  "You could."

"Not really on my agenda at this time."

Clint stared at her.  "Maybe in a few years."

Dawn shrugged.  "Depends on how things are going, right?"

"Yeah."  They gathered around to look at the grill while Stark cooked.  "So," Clint said, smirking at Coulson.  "Is there another group announcement that needs to be made?"

"They asked me to be the Shield of SHIELD."

"You're over the heros," Dawn said, getting that.  He nodded.  "That's so cool."  She hugged him.  "Don't even think about including me."

"As it got taught to me there's actually three seals you can show if you're under mine.  There's a number that show one.  There's very few that show two or all three.  Xander said the only ones he knows with all three are one that's no one's seen in decades in China, since communism took over, one demigod that's basically like that show Highlander and another one that's out of Greece because he got screwed on the prophecy front to quote Xander."

"So most of us probably show at least one," Tony said.  Phil nodded.  "I don't have two, right?"

"I'm not answering that sort of question."

"So you're really going to be looking over all the demigods for a new team and help," Clint said.  Phil nodded, sipping his beer.  "At least you get a more exciting job."

"They all go drinking at a bar in London or at Xander's pool hall," Dawn told him.  Pepper came out.  "You made it."

"Sorry.  Some personal traumas."  She hugged her.  "I'm still so proud."

"Thanks, Pepper.  Are you okay?"

"No, but I'll be okay.  Just some bad personal news."  She saw the panicking start, shaking her head.  "There's no lump.  I thought about having a little protege.  Turns out that's not real good of an idea."

"Well, there's options so we'll look.  Maybe I can help."  She walked her over.  "Callia demanded we give her new babies."

"She wanted me to have one too."  Tara looked over.  "Hi, Tara."

"I'd offer but I'm not sure I could give them up if I surrogate."

"I know.  They're hard to resist."  She smiled at the twins.  "Hi, guys."

"Mine," Callia said patiently.  "They can sleep with Carrot."

"No they can't," Tony assured her.  "Carrot's cage isn't big enough for the twins and we're still building the bigger one."

"Fine."  Callia looked at her aunt.  "When you back?"

"Monday."

"Bikini?"

"I've considered that."  She smiled.

"I can't afford to break anything this time," Phil said blandly.

"I'll be a good girl and you won't have to keep the Russians off me this time."

He looked at her, shaking his head.  "No."  He went back to flipping over steaks.  "Take a group one for that, Dawn."

"Fury said that won't happen unless we have to run to save ourselves again," Clint said.

"He doesn't want SHIELD agents to have any attachments," Tony told him.  "He hates that I have Callia and Pepper."

"It can cause a problem," Phil admitted.  "But not that much of one.  Since a quarter of the hell carrier's female population managed to get pregnant."  Dawn snickered.  "What?" he asked.

"We think the party that they had to have held needed mead."

"I still think they just jumped into a pool and let whoever's got there first win," Clint said.

"Eww," Pepper said.

"Ninety-seven new parents," Tony said smugly.

"Still, how would you even make a pool like that?"

"A lot of work," Tony quipped.  Dawn poked him.  He smirked at her.  "Some day you can have one."

"Some year in the future."

"Fine.  I still need someone to follow Callia into the suit and be her assistant."

Dawn poked him again.  "With the way my luck runs I'll have to take the suit until she's old enough."

Tony stared at her then walked off shaking his head.  "Can't see it.  I'll give it to Barton or Natasha first.  Thanks, Dawn."  He got himself something to drink before the horrible thought stuck.

Natasha looked over at Dawn.  "You don't have sun poisoning," she said in Russian.  "Are you feeling fevered again?"

"No," she replied back in Russian and a grin.  "Just in a mood.  I'm thinking someone's getting tied down tonight and played with and I don't mean me."

"Not me," Natasha said.

"No, not you either."  Natasha smirked evilly.  Dawn gave her one back.  Clint was moving out of the way.

Phil looked over at them.  "Please remember some of us speak that one as well, ladies?"

"Sorry, big brother."

He smiled.  "I can still ground you."

"I'm a big girl now."

"Yay."

"As you said, being a parent or stepparent doesn't stop at eighteen," Tony quipped.  He went to let Joyce and Bruce in.  "Fair warning, Dawn's in a teasing mood and your granddaughter is demanding siblings."  He led them back up there.  Steve was already up there.  Stark plugged in his iPod, Dawn's mp3 player, and Pepper's iPod into the docking station on the built-in stereo, turning them on randomly.  He looked at the song that came up, unhooking Dawn's.  "You need to change that," he told her, handing it back.  She tucked it into her pocket.  "Why not an iPod?"

"They're expensive, pretentious, only work with iTunes, which is a piece of crap program that's exclusionist, and it was a present.  I love my mp3 player."

"Can't you put more happy music on it?"

She shrugged.  "Maybe some day."  She smiled.

"Fine."  He walked off.  "Steve, did you get the meeting's highlights since you were in the infirmary with the cracked ankle?"

"I did watch it over the closed circuit system and I'm not really happy."

Tony nodded.  "I got to fire six people today, two of them scientists.  One of them decided to screw up everyone's personnel records."

"Ooh," he said with a wince and a hiss.  "That's going to be a mess to fix."

"Yes it is.  Fortunately I can move people up into most of the spots."  Thor came off the elevator and Callia squealed, running over to pounce him and babble at him.  He smiled and took her back to where the twins were so they could do the counting game again.  The twins squealed happily about it so that was great.  Phil watched over it all, mentally shaking his head.  He really had to do a few things to make sure the Avengers got to stay together.  He'd have to work with Xander on that goal.

***

Natasha looked over Clint that night in the shower as she joined him.  "You're hiding."

"I am.  You two had that look that means I'd have to call off work tomorrow."

Natasha smiled and stroked up his back with her nails.  "We have tomorrow off.  As does Coulson.  He arranged it."  He looked back at her.  She nodded.  "Apparently he thinks we should cure a certain dirty mind."

"I think we should too before it gets me tied down."  She smirked.  "What?" he asked, backing away.  He ran into Dawn, who kissed him until he moaned.  She distracted him so Natasha could handcuff him.  He looked down then at them.  "Why?"

"Because we want to bathe you and then make you really dirty," Dawn quipped, grabbing the sponge and his soap off the shelf.  He groaned and went with it.  Not like he could escape.  Dawn could find him even if Natasha couldn't.  He shivered as the washing started.  Dawn was the best body slave he'd ever had, she took great care of him.  Then Natasha made him dirty and made Dawn do dirty things.  It was great being him most of the time.

***

Tara looked at Phil once the twins were in their beds.  She sat next to him.  "It's not really fair to you to stay single," she said quietly.

"I'm fine, Tara."  She gave him a look.  "Every man has those moments.  So do most women."

"I know."  She squeezed his hand.  "You deserve someone who cuddles and kisses and loves you."

He stared at her.  "I knew this wasn't a marriage," he told her.

"I know.  It just seems like you're not letting yourself look beyond us and that's not right."

"Have you found someone nice to date?" he guessed.  She blushed and shook her head.  "Then shouldn't I worry about the same thing?"

"I went without for a long time."  He hugged her.  "We make good babies and parents and friends but I..."

"I never expected it of you, Tara."  He looked at her.  "What brought this on?"

"Strife.  He showed up with Diama to play with the twins.  He was trying to get a good read on your personality."

"Even as a kid I wasn't really one of his."

"Every kid is a bit his."  She smiled.  "He asked me to describe you and I realized I was using the same words I would to describe Xander."

"Really?"

She nodded.  "He was always very loyal to us, he protected us, handled things that needed to be handled.  He stepped in to help us even when we were absolute woofing dogs to him.  Whenever one of us needed something or just to talk he was there, even if we weren't talking.  Even Spike."

He considered it.  "That does sound a lot like me but I've never really thought about guys, Tara."

She grinned.  "Dawn said it looked like fun."  He snorted, shaking his head.  "And when Cupid came to get Diama and Strife, because he wasn't supposed to bring her down here, he agreed that you two are a lot alike."

"We are, and we're nominally friends.  I've still never really thought about guys.  Outside a few drunken wonderings in college, it's never been my interest."

"There's that necklace that makes the Lavelle Xander turn into a girl."  He stared at her.  She nodded.  "He's supposed to find it here and lock it up."

"That might be helpful.  Though I did promise Dawn if we survived the battle in Sunnydale she could turn me into a girl for a few days."  Tara gave him an odd look.  "She said I was nagging like a mother.  I told her if she did, we'd see if someone got lucky."  She cackled and hugged him.  He hugged back.  "I'll consider it but with the new stuff...."

"It could help."

"Maybe.  There's also Bia to think about."

"Bia's got her eye on one of John's teammates."  She smiled.  "She thinks he's adorable and hot.  Geeky like she likes.  Strong, talented, and she said he's great in bed."

"More than I needed to know."  She pinched him.  "If it comes up I'll think about it."

"Thank you."  She kissed him on the cheek.  "Callia's really pushy."

"Kids who aren't single kids are more secure socially."

"Tony has had billions of women.  I'm surprised she doesn't have siblings."

"Not that SHIELD could find."  He finished his coffee.  "Go nap."  She smiled and went to her room.  He considered it.  How did they decide to pair him with Xander?  He liked Xander but Xander was a bit less subtle than he was as a warrior.

Xander appeared.  "Love gods meddle," he said dryly.  "I nearly married Anya thanks to Freya."

"I remember logging in that event."

Xander nodded.  "Odin broke the blessing Freya had put on and suddenly Anya had to think and she hated that."  He flopped down beside him.  "They are pushy."

"I almost thought one was trying to push me at Dawn."

"One was.  I looked at Cupid and pointed at Dawn's line.  He just groaned and left it lying there."

Phil hung his head and shook it.  "Figures."

Xander smiled.  "Some of them are subtle and some aren't."

"Like the difference between us as fighters."

"I get into my fair share of loud battles, but not all of them are.  There's been a few days I was so bored I went to Denver and started to pick on the guys holding up convenience stores.  I did that job for a bit and I always thought it was great fun to make them trip over things and fumble so badly that they gave up."

"Necklace?"  Xander pulled the book from home and showed him.  "That's an interesting one."

"Lavelle, the me there, uses it to change forms and gender."

"Huh."

"He says his boyfriends only like him as a girl.  But it let him have a family."

"That's a very, very dirty thought."

"Yeah, it is.  That's why it's in Dawn's jewelry box."  He smirked.  "You're tense.  What's up?"

"Just been a long day."

"I give killer backrubs and there's no strings or anything attached.   I won't even flirt."

"I'm not really into that."

"Nothing sexual."

"No, that's fine."  There was a flash and suddenly they were in a room with a marble soaking pool and plants discreetly around the edges.  There was a long marble table with a pad on top of it.  The walls were marble and had hanging plants around the edges.  The ceiling was open to the stars.  He looked at Xander.  Who shook his head.  "Any idea where we are?"

He looked up at the stars then at him.  "Mom's people."

"We're in India?"

"Yup.  Lower India it looks like."  He pointed.  "That star pattern happens in the fall over the lower peninsula."  He looked around.  "This isn't Mom's garden retreat.  Especially since she's an eastern river goddess."  Phil smiled, shaking his head.  "Love gods, yeah."  A basket appeared with steaming towels, a bottle of oil, and a massage roller.  "Thanks, Shiva, but he's not really into guys," he called.  Nothing happened.  They couldn't leave either.  "So, anyway, how do you feel about backrubs?"

"I don't mind massages.  I'd feel a bit weird but otherwise...."  He looked around.  "At least it's not really romantic.  No flower petals, girlish candles."

"They'd never do that to me.  I'd destroy something," Xander said dryly.  "Krishna's wife used to tell me I'd make a really pretty girl.  Me and John both.  John stomped off.  I was sick so I couldn't.  It got to the point where Krishna asked her to please stop so they could quit fixing things and redecorating.  He was tired of painting."  Phil laughed.  "That is where Dawn got her sari from.  Shiva, Krishna's wife, and Mari picked it out for her."

"I'd assume she'd look fantastic in it."

"She does."  He looked at the table then at him.  "Here.  Let's work on that stress knot."

"Why did you tell Fury?"

"To see what his reaction was going to be.  There's a lot of us that realize Fury isn't exactly the nicest guy.  If he was going to use you as another asset I would've killed him."  Phil shivered.  "I'm not part of either movement but damn some people on the World Security Council need sense.  Fury should be running the CIA, not SHIELD."

"We do a good bit of spying."

Xander looked at him.  "Probably more than you need to."

"Probably," he agreed.  He looked around again.  "I guess we should give in or we'll be here all night."

"Probably," Xander agreed, helping him out of his shirt.  "You've seriously wrecked that shoulder, Phil."

"It's fine.  It doesn't hurt."

"I know that story very well.  Steve told me he hated it when all of you did it to him."

"He does."  He got onto the table and Xander was very good at easing the pain and helping him relax.  He nearly fell asleep there.  When Xander was done he looked at him.  "Think they're going to make me try to move?"

Xander smiled.  "Not tonight.  I think the shield's up."  They disappeared to their own homes.  "Bia, the love gods are going again."

"Who now?"

"Me and Phil."

She blinked, staring at him.  "Huh."  She smiled.  "I can see that."  She went to her own suite.  They were just different enough to get comfortable against each other and so alike it was like twins in some ways.

Xander shook his head.  "Don't you dare help them."

"Formal dinner tomorrow."

"Yay," he complained.  "Tell Dawn."

"I am.  Your mother's people are hosting."

"At least Dawn has a sari."  He went to his room to soak in his nice, big tub and forget that the love gods were such crackheads at time.

***

Dawn called Mari.  "Is the sari you helped me buy going to be good enough?  I just got an invitation to a grand dinner again."  She winced.  "The shirt needs to be more formal, right?  I can do that.  New York.  I can find it.  Thank you.  Long?  Jewelry?  Shoot, no.  thanks, Mari."  She hung up and headed to the bank and then got a cab.  "I need to go to the Indian part of the city.  I have to shop for a dinner."  The driver nodded.  He was Pakistani if she was guessing right.  "You probably don't know but my friend is pulling me with her to a huge family dinner thing.  She got me a pretty sari, but she got me a short shirt that's tummy baring.  Should I be buying one with sleeves?"

"Short sleeves might be appropriate," he admitted.  "Shoes?"

"I have sandals I can wear.  The sari's purple and gold I think."  He nodded.  "Wrong color?"

"That's up to the woman.  Unless they're very high up, then they'd expect something more delicate."

Dawn winced.  "I still have to get jewelry too.  I prefer simple pieces like a simple chain."  He laughed.  "I know.  I like a lot of her family and I don't want to insult anyone."

"They'll probably forgive you."

"Some of them make queens look like hookers."

He nodded.  "So does my mother-in-law."  He parked.  She paid him and tipped him.  "Have a good shopping trip."

"Thank you.  Happy tips today."  She walked in there and sighed, looking at the elderly woman.  "My friend Mari is bringing me to a huge family dinner thing.  She got me a sari but she got me a shirt that's belly baring.  She said I need a new shirt and is purple and gold going to be appropriate?"

"Depends on the family," she admitted.

"They're kinda uptight at times.  Though I know one who flirts a lot."

"I would check on that color then."

Dawn found her phone and the number.  "Gladriel, Dawn.  Help?  I have the purple sari Mari helped me buy....  Please.  Thank you."  She hung up and the assistant to Xander's mother walked in.  The shopkeeper gaped in awe.  "Please help?"

"How much can you spend?" she asked, smiling at her.

"Three thousand and Mari told me I do not have enough jewelry."

"That's not that bad.  Yours is purple?"

"And gold."  She texted Natasha, who was lounging around eating cookies.  Gotta love PMS sometimes.  She sent back a picture.  "That's mine."

"Hmm.  No, not appropriate."  She led her back to the back areas.  "I need to remind Xander he has to dress up in a formal kurta."  Dawn gave her a look.  "I know, he hates it.  Yay."  She found one she liked and nodded.  "Not exactly formal but there's no way you can get formal enough for that little amount of money."  She considered it.  "I may let you borrow one."

"It was easier before."

"I know, dear."  She led her out.  "Thank you," she called.  She let Dawn take her back to the house.  "Get dressed.  We're going to get you a formal one.  It'll stretch farther in Mumbai.  The exchange rate is good today, nearly 55 rupee per dollar."  Dawn nodded, pulling out what she needed.  Gladriel looked in her jewelry box.  "You really do need more accessories, Dawn."

"I tend to wear a pair of earrings and maybe a necklace."

"Hmm, not tonight."  Dawn came out dressed in her sari and shirt, hair back in a ponytail.  She stepped into her sandals.  "That might do for tonight."

Clint and Natasha were staring in the doorway.  "Guys, gotta do the formal godly dinner thing tonight."

Clint nodded.  "Thankfully we don't have to."

Gladriel looked at him.  "Don't think Xander's mother won't suggest it, son."  He winced.  She smiled.  "Tell Xander he has to find a formal kurta."

"Yup, I can do that."  They disappeared.  He looked at Natasha, who had been staring.  "She did look nice."

"She did.  Very nice.  I wonder why the dinner's being called."

"Probably to welcome Phil?"

"Possibly," she agreed.  Clint smiled.  "Not tonight."

"Damn."

"Unwrap her later."

"I can do that."  They went back to the living room.

***

Xander hung up and looked up.  "No, I'm not coming!"

"Shut up, son," his mother called.  "Before I have to dress you and John both."

"Bite me."  Bia was laughing.  "I'm not wearing a kurta.  Take me as I am, Mother."

"No, son.  We're hosting and you are family.  You must be appropriate."

"Still, bite me."  His head rocked with the swat.  He stomped off in a foul mood now.

"You have that one you got given," Bia called.

"It's black satin, they'll freak out," he called back.  "And I really don't like dhoti.  There's no pants with that one."

"You'll be fine," she said patiently.  "That means I need a sari too."  She groaned and got up to find hers.  There was one packed away somewhere.  This wasn't the first godly banquet that the Hindu pantheon had hosted.

***

"I thought reds were for weddings," Dawn said.

"It's for all joyous occasions," Gladriel assured her.

Xander's mother appeared then looked at her assistant.  "She's right, I'm not marrying her off tonight."

Dawn groaned.  "Hell no I'm not being married.  No one I'm with wants that step."

"We'll see when you're older.  I know you have a purple one.  You really need the one that goes with Xander's house."

Dawn looked at her.  "I think that's why Xander said he was showing up in leather."

"No, he may not."  She smiled.  "Get that one."  She pointed.

"Way too expensive," Dawn said.  "I have a budget I have to live in."

Xander's mother rolled her eyes.  "Gladriel, get her outfitted."  She disappeared.

"Okay."  She pointed.  "She'll take that one."  They found a nice shirt.  Dawn was fingering a different sari and she looked.  It was gold cloth, looked like a thin silk with a satin looking shine, and was embroidered with silver and red threads.  "That would look fantastic on you," she agreed.  "The coloring is good with yours."  They compared them.  "That one."  Dawn grinned and got it, then they got a shirt and underskirt.  New sandals since those were dusty.  The new sandals were barely a strip of leather with an ankle strap and a toe ring.  Then they went to look at jewelry.

Dawn's phone rang.  "I'm busy," she said in greeting.  "Dinner with the extended family of Xander and Mari.  Yes, one of those.  I'm in the middle of Mumbai, Stark.  Because mine from Mari is purple.  I do not have the right jewelry."  She sighed, looking at Gladriel.

"I'll bring it there," she promised.  Dawn hugged her and disappeared.  She smiled, going to get in a bit of her own shopping.  She hadn't gotten anything new and pretty in a while.  She also understood the stress that assistants had to be under at all times.

***

Stark hung up as Dawn appeared, making him stare at her.  "Damn," he said.

"Yeah, and dinner with the extended everyone later."  She looked behind her.  "Hey, Rhodey."

"Why are you wearing that?" he asked.

"Have to buy a formal one for the multi-pantheon dinner tonight."

"Oh."  He nodded slowly.  "I have no idea what you mean so I'm going to concentrate on the fact that you look hot in that."  She smiled at him and looked at Tony.

"Your niece," he said with a point.

She sighed.  "It's a girl problem?"

"Yes.  The nannies are both crying.   Pepper's not here.  I'm not a girl so I'd probably never understand."

Dawn walked off, going to see what her problem was.  She found her pouting in the lab.  "What's wrong?"

"What's that?"

"It's called a sari.  Indian women wear it."

"Why?"

"Because this is how they dress.  Why are you making people cry?"

"They're mean!"

"They're not mean.  Why are you making people cry?"  She pulled her closer and squatted down to get on her level.  "Well?"

"They not read, they not count, they hate me."

"They don't hate you.  Was it maybe nap time?"  She shook her head with a pout.  "JARVIS, can I please see the footage?"  He put it up on a monitor.  She watched.  "Has her dad seen this?"

"He hasn't asked."

"Show him."  She looked at her.  "You can't throw those sort of fits.  You can hurt someone," she said quietly, staring at her.  "It is never right to use your powers on someone who isn't doing something wrong to hurt you."  Callia sat down on the floor.  She made her look at her.  "You are grounded.  You will apologize and I will be ripping Gertrude a new one over it, but you're still grounded."

"Yes, Auntie," she said with a sniffle.

"Thank you."  She stood up and took her hand.  "Let's go talk to your nanny."  She walked her up there, staring at the nanny.  "What the fuck were you thinking!" she yelled, making the nanny flinch.  "Threatening her?"  The nanny backed away.  "I do not know what your problem is, but there's no reason to provoke her into using her gifts against you."

"They're unGodly and God will protect her once the taint of Satan has been worn out of her.  The ministers are right!"

"She was born this way, what's your excuse?" Dawn shot back.  "Because according to your religion, your God doesn't make mistakes.  So being born this way means she's meant to do it."  The nanny stomped off.  "Where's the other one?" she asked more patiently, hearing the door open.  That one stomped off too.  Dawn checked on the rabbit, because they were that stupid and mean spirited.  Tony stomped in.  "They fled."

"Good!"  He looked at her.  "So in trouble."

"Grounded," she sniffled, looking down.

"Yes you are.  There is never any reason to use your powers on someone unless they are trying to hurt you or something you love."

Callia looked at her, nodding.  "I be better."

"You will and you can start talking with Tara about that stuff."  Callia nodded, looking down again.  She looked at Tony, who was grinning.  "Sorry to usurp."

"No, that's a good thing."  He looked her over.  "Are you wearing that to the formal dinner?"

"No, that's why I was shopping.  Gladriel was helping me."  Her phone beeped so she looked.  "It's at the house.  Thank you!"  She sent that back.  "I've got to go shower, shave, lotion, bedeck myself, all that."  She stared at Callia.  "Tomorrow, I want you to tell Auntie Tara what happened.  She'll be in with the babies and you two can talk then.  Until then, sit, work on your letters, and do not throw a single fit."  Callia ran over to do that.  She looked at Tony.  "Sorry."

"Better than I could've done."  She smiled and disappeared.  He looked at his precious, insane offspring and pulled her close to talk to her about that stuff.  Callia got a lot of things explained to her and she seemed to understand.  He could build on what Dawn had started.

***

Clint tipped his head when Dawn appeared in front of the tv.  "You're cuter than basketball."  She huffed but sat on Natasha's other side.  "When do you have to disappear again?"

"Dinner.  It said it'd pluck me from here at seven so I have time to shave and all that."

Clint looked her over.  "Nair, it's faster."

"I'm out."

He leaned over to kiss her.  "I get to unwrap you later."

She grinned.  "You can do it now but you'd only have a half-hour and there's a game on."  She got up, looking at Natasha.  "Want to help me shave?  I don't think he can do legs very well."

"No, he can't.  The time I had a broken arm and he helped he cut me."  She got up and went with her to soak and clean up in that girlish way.  Helping Dawn shave was fun.  When they finally got out, it was time to lotion down, put on the special underwear and slip, then wrap her into the sari.

Gladriel appeared.  "I thought you might do that.  Other shoulder, Dawn."  She nodded and undid it, redoing it.  She smiled, helping her put on the jewelry.  "I'd bring you both but then they would think it was an announcement of an upcoming union."

"There is no talk of marriage yet," Natasha assured her.

"That's fine."  She smiled.  "Did anyone think to dress the new one?"

"I've felt Bia a few times," Dawn admitted.

"Good."  She finished up with Dawn, helping her apply her makeup.  "There we go.  Few hours, hopefully."  They disappeared.  Dawn handed her invitation over and was let in.

"The Key, Dawn Summers."  Dawn walked in and bowed to every table, sitting at Xander's beside Mari.

Mari looked at her.  "Gladriel did a really good job."

Dawn smiled.  "She did.  I'd be so lost sometimes about all the protocol.  I haven't even found a book."

"I have a whole set I'll lend you.  I use it to hold down dirty dishes under the bed."  Dawn smiled and nodded.  "No date?"

"No, I heard that means we're getting married."

"It would."  Phil got announced.  He walked in and bowed, walking over to their table.  He looked pretty decent in his long kurta and dhoti.  It was blue and matched well against his eyes.  "It's nice that guys can wear less strict clothes," Mari sighed, adjusting an earring.

"I'm glad I don't have to put on all the jewelry," Phil said.  "Dawn, you look splendid."  She grinned at him.  "I saw a picture of you in your purple one before."

"I got promised unwrapping help later."

He smiled.  "You'll need it just to get all the twinkling things off."  Roque and Clay were announced.  They came in and sat at the House's table.  John came next with Xander following.  John was the eldest son but Xander headed the House so it gave him more status.  They stood up at Xander's entrance.  John's kurta was embroidered green silk with a nice open collar.  He wore regular pants instead of the folded dhoti.  Xander's black silk kurta had a green dragon embroidered on it and his pants were green silk.  He bowed to the head gods and sat down.  His house sat after him.  Phil leaned closer to John.  "How long do these typically last?  It's my night to tell bedtime stories," he hissed.

"Weeks and weeks," John sighed.  "But only a few hours there."  Phil nodded.  Bia was announced and came in separately.  He looked at Xander because that was weird.  Xander shrugged.  Bia smirked at them and bowed then went to sit with her parents.  "We were set up," John said quietly.

"I can tell," Xander said, getting a bad feeling in his stomach.  He stared at Bia, who shook her head.  He growled.  She nodded then sipped some of her wine.  The last few Gods got there and they were staring at the head table.

"As you know, we suffered through one of the biggest battles we've had in generations a bit over a year ago.  All the official mournings are done so it is time to officially note who did not make it and who was helping the battle," Krishna said, standing up.  He read off the name of the dead Gods, most of them bowing their heads in respect.

Phil had his eyes shut.  He had seen it.  He could still see it at times.  Mari took his hand to squeeze, getting it squeezed back.  Dawn got the same treatment from Mari.  She was nearly squeezing her eyes shut and slightly shaking.

Krishna rolled the scroll up.  "Let their names appear in the Halls of the Fallen."  A bright light took the scroll there.  He looked around.  "Though our native son was a bit frustrated, he did lead us into battle.  We won because he nearly gave himself up for us.  He and his adopted daughter, Dawn."  He bowed to them, getting bowed back at.  "For that we thank you.  If it was not for your unique skills we would have lost everything we hold to be true and dear to us."

He clapped his hands.  "For now we mourn and yet we welcome new ones.  It was by a multi-pantheon and Elder Council's decision to give Alexander somewhat of a break.  We created a God who protected those who protect.  Tonight is his first time with us.  Philip."  Mari nudged him so he stood up and bowed.  "He is our new God of Protectors.  With him one of our own has taken a rightful spot.  Jonathan has been named the Protectorate of the Greek and Roman pantheons."  John stood up and bowed.  "We welcome you both into the service of humanity.  If you should need help with your duties tell us and we will teach you how to handle it."

Phil and John sat down.  "It is also with a glad tiding that we have found something while Alexander was incorporeal with our eldest gods who have become one with the powers of creation.  During it he checked repeatedly on certain people.  We have indication that there are feelings there."  Xander slowly shook his head.  "We know that you had to marry your consort due to Odin's decree, Alexander."  Xander was still giving him a strange look.  "It was obvious to the Elders when they saw how your attention wandered."

"I was checking on Dawn because she was taken hostage by people who I will finish killing soon."

"Not always."  He walked over and showed him.  Xander looked confused.  "That is not Dawn near there."

"No, that's her mother Joyce, who I adore like my own."

"Not that one.  She is nice but her line is satisfied with what she has."  Dawn squeaked and covered her mouth.  He smiled.  "She's fine."  He looked at him.  "Look again."

"I did and you're wrong."

"We are not wrong, Alexander.  You are mated.  We have checked the lines."  He smiled.  "It makes much more sense now."  He went back to his seat.  "So we will celebrate the upcoming marriage of our newest one and our native son."  The crowd cheered.

Xander looked at Phil.  "We can mutually stab each other."

"Dawn threatened to bring me back again."

"That sucks."

"By my decree, my grandson must marry within a year," Odin announced.

"I already met your decree," he assured him, staring him down.  "I will not be forced into anything against mine or his will.  Or there will be an honor challenge in your future."  The whole hall quieted.  "Has it occurred to you that he may not like me that way?"

"The lines are strong," Aphrodite said.

He stared at hers.  "So were yours and Ares'."  She looked horrified.  "Lines aren't everything.  We're decent friends, people, but don't start shopping yet."

Krishna smiled.  "That's fine.  We are immortal and we can wait for him to adjust to his new duties and you two to each other.  I believe the modern emphasis on dating is a bit strange but if that is what you wish we can wait."

"For many years," Xander assured him.

Phil patted him on the wrist.  "I"m sure we'll figure out how to deal with this."  Xander looked at him.  Then smirked.  Phil didn't mean getting married but they'd *deal* with this.  He looked at Krishna.  "I do wish someone had asked my opinion since I've never had a relationship with a male."  Krishna stared at him oddly.  "Not all men have."

"Being pure on your wedding night is nothing to us.  We expect it of someone and know our native son is not."

"I'm not either but I've still never even really considered it."

"It will happen as it does."  He smiled.  "I also see that Roque has brought his mate."  He smiled at them.  "Jonathan, do you not have your future mate?"

"I'm not dating or seeing anyone."  Krishna looked horrified.  "I do not date people in my command.  No matter who might think it would be nice," he said, staring at their mother.  "Nor do I agree to be ambushed."

"I see," Krishna said.  "We thought you were seeing someone.  You have been found in each other's company many times."

"Yes, friends and battlefield companions, but again, he doesn't like men."

Krishna nodded.  "That can be a problem.  I'm sure you can work it out.  We can grant him immortality."

"I doubt he would take it."

"Hmm, we will see later."

"Only if you want him to blow up people," John said with a smile.  "If you're talking about Rodney."

"We were.  He does not like us?"

"He's not very spiritual."

"He'll learn."  He looked that way.  The man in question was not dressed nor did it look like he was going to be.  Krishna huffed and sent a page to tell him to get ready.  Rodney's 'no thank you' was almost rude.  He looked at John.  "He is not coming?"

"No, he's not.  We're not seeing each other.  Why would I bring my friend to this and have people speculate?  I get enough of that from the soldiers under my command about five different people."

"It could be a good match," Aphrodite offered.

John looked at him.  "I'm fairly certain you remember Rodney, Lady Aphrodite."  She shuddered.  "If they're talking about him, I doubt he'd take it."

"No, he would not.  He didn't want enough golden apple juice to heal a serious injury because it might get him too much and he'd have to suffer for eternity as he put it."

"Some people are happier with a single life," Dawn said.  "We're hoping a few of those ascend so I'm not bored spitless when it's my turn."  She sipped her wine.

Xander nodded.  "Us too.  Though I did hear that someone had suggested another alternative to Phil."  He glared at his father.  "Butt out."

"Fine, son.  Only trying to make you happy."

"He's taken."

"I saw.  Still...."  Xander's growl filled the hall.  "I will let the majority decide for me."  He smiled.

Xander stared him down.  "Don't hold your breath, Father."

"Fine."  He smiled at his future son-in-law.  "I'm sure we'll get along quite well."

"I shot that other one," he said politely with a smile.  Loki stared.  He stared back.

"I wondered who had done that.  You were dying," Loki said.

"Yes, I was and did."

Loki shivered.  "I can wait for the official proclamations."

"It will have to wait until I'm no longer at SHIELD, as there's rules against it, and that is where my duty seems to be the most beneficial."

"It is," Thor agreed.  He was having fun not being in the middle of this argument.  "You do good helping us protect ourselves and others, Son of Coul."

"Thank you, Thor."

"Anyway," Xander's mother said with a smile.  She checked, Rodney was quite stubborn.  She would have to talk to him.  "Let us feast to celebrate the new ones."  They nodded and dinner was served.

Phil looked at the bird on his plate.  "It's like a government dinner," he said quietly.  "Only with relatives."  John snickered, nodding, digging in.

Hera smiled at Dawn.  "Dear, would you like to go get your dates?"

"No thank you, Lady Hera.  Neither one is really interested in this sort of thing."  She smiled.  "They'd much rather we all be eating on the couch to tv and a quiet night in."

Hera stared at her.  "Really?"  She smiled and nodded, eating a bite.  "Hmm."

"I asked and they said it was not their thing," Gladriel said with a smile.  "Though they did say she was quite pretty."

"She is.  You did a good job," Xander's mother praised.  Dawn smiled and so did Gladriel.  "Are you sure?  I can have someone sent to help them."

"We're in no means ready to have such a formal statement made upon us," Dawn said politely.  "We enjoy things the way they are at the moment."

Xander's mother sighed.  "You can settle down."

"I'm only nineteen."  She ate another bite.

"That's a fine age to marry.  I was."

"Yes, but now women are expected to work and I enjoy that more."  Xander's mother slumped.  "Thank you for that kind offer though."  She ate another bite and turned to talk to Mari.

Xander looked over.  "Bia, your suite is still yours if you want to come back."

"Thank you, Xander.  I'll be back tonight."  Her mother stared at her, shaking her head.  "I am.  I haven't packed or anything.  Besides, there's things to do and I have to take care of the garden.  He'd never do it."  She stuffed her mouth.

"If not, you can have the spare bedroom at my temple," John said.  "I'm not using it until I have kids."  He grinned.  "Which is probably never."  His mother wailed and nearly collapsed.  "Especially if someone tries to force me with Rodney since he doesn't like children."  He ate a bite.

"Amen to that," Roque said.

"Did I tell you about the world with the dragons?" Dawn asked down to him with a grin.

"I heard," he assured her.  "We all got drunk, Dawn."  She giggled and they got back to eating.

Phil was eating and muttering quietly.  "So this is what it feels like to be hit by the bus you got thrown under."

Mari smiled at him.  "Yup."  He dug in and finished his excellent quail.  The other courses were sent out and they ate then fled for their homes.

Xander's mother tried to stop him.  "Son, I'm sure...."

"You finish this sentence and you're in the next battle."  She stepped back looking horrified.  "I didn't like it when you did it to Roque and I.  I don't like it now and I don't have to be dutiful anymore."  He walked off last, his house thankfully out of the crossfire.  Next time, the damn universe could save itself because this was not a reward.

Zeus smiled and saluted them.  "I wish you much luck."  He drained the glass.  His family group left.  "Bia, are you going home?"

"Yes, I'll be helping Xander train warriors."  She disappeared as soon as she could.

"The young do not listen," Bia's mother complained.

Hera looked at her.  "I wouldn't either."  She walked off happier.

***

Dawn appeared at the apartment.  "Oh, damn."

"What happened?" Natasha asked.  "Was it not a good dinner?"

"Dinner was nice.  It was the stuff before.  Not only did we go over the ones lost in the battle, so can I have cuddles tonight, but they announced that Xander was checking on Phil while he was incorporeal so they're getting married."

Clint shuddered.  "We think they might make an interesting relationship."

"No, they announced they're marrying," Dawn said.

"Then that'll happen the other side of never," he said dryly.  "They're both stubborn."

"They tried to get me to bring you two up but I shot down that idea because it'd mean I was announcing our upcoming marriage.  And they tried to get John to marry Rodney.  They broke Xander's marriage without telling him."

"So they're about screwed," Clint said happily.  "Good to know."  He looked her over.  "I think I liked you more in the purple one.  You looked happier and more comfortable."

"I was.  I jingle."

"You do," Natasha agreed.  They got up to bring Dawn into the bedroom to help her unjewel herself.  Then Clint got to slowly unwrap her.  They could take her mind off things very well.

***

Upstairs by two floors, Phil reappeared, getting an odd look from Tara.  "Don't ask."

"It didn't go well?  Did they pick on you?"

"They decided I'm marrying Xander."

"Ah."  She nodded.  "We think it'd be a great thing but I think that's really between you two."

"They were pushing for tonight."

"No, I doubt that would happen," she said.  She handed over the fussy one.  "See, the father."

"Good evening, Melissa."  She grumbled at him.  "I know, I wasn't there for dinner."  He settled in to read to the twins.  They were happier now that he was back and they could go to bed now.  Somehow they had picked up that Mommy didn't like to be alone in the house.  "What's this I heard about a coven-wide trip?"

"I can't go.  They don't allow the kids to come and I can't impose on Joyce for a week."

He looked at her.  "I am here.  We have the daycare."

"Yes but you can be called to go on assignment at any time and in any place."

"Good point but I doubt I will be this week."

"It's next week and I'll go on the next one or go take a vacation with them."

"Sometimes you need to get away from everything," he pointed out.  "You can go."

"No, I can't.  It's not practical.  Joyce is looking for a job for the first time since she got sick.  You guys just got briefed on some new bad guys.  Dawn's going to be back at work then.  I'll go later on.  We have another one planned in September for a long weekend."

"We can make plans for that," he agreed.  She smiled.  He looked at them.  "It is time for bed."  They fussed.  He stared at them.  "Now."  They calmed down.  It was their nightly ritual.  They fussed, Daddy was calm, got them bathed, and put them down.  It was only fair since Tara got to do all that all day long.  Phil went to change because the outfit was mostly comfortable but he was still in bad mental places land.  He might have to remember the trip to Miami to get rid of it.

Tara looked up.  "Subtle, people.  You'll never get him to do it now."

***

Phil walked into the office the next morning.  "Thank you, gentlemen," he said when the sign-in people quit arguing long enough to log him in.   He headed up to the main floor, finding Maria Hill already there.  "Is he in a bad mood?" he asked quietly.

"Pretty much.  There's no coffee.  The new admin person didn't order any."  Phil winced.  "So there's a whole lot of bad moods."

"Charming.  I'll have to remember that."  She smiled.  "See if any of Dawn's fellow students are free?"

"She was but she's good at other things."

"Stark has more than one."

"Fury thinks he can do it on his own."

"He has for years."  He walked in there.  "Director, there's an FYI you need to hear that's probably not going to make your day."

"You're moving to another office so I'll loose what little bit of goodwill we have with Stark?" he guessed, looking up.

"No, there was a meeting and banquet last night of all the gods to mourn those who had passed on during the battle and then they announced that they wanted me to marry Xander."

Fury paused, stared, then burst out laughing.  "Really?"  Phil nodded.  "You're serious?" he asked, losing that tiny bit of happiness that had lasted without coffee.  Phil nodded.  "Why?"

"Apparently we're a lot alike in ways that they wanted.  They also caught him checking on Dawn and Joyce while I was in the vicinity so they decided that it was to be so, announced it would be so some year far in the future - because we both protested - and had his marriage annulled without telling him.  The first we knew of it was Bia walking in and sitting with her parents.  She's still out there; Xander told her the room was still hers."

"Oooookay," he said, drawing it out.  "That's something I did need to know before rumors got back to me.  Anything else interesting happen?"

"They tried very hard to get Doctor McKay up because that would subtly announced that he and Colonel Sheppard are marrying, and they're not.  Rodney apparently tazed or somehow injured one of the assistants that got sent to gather him."

"I would too."

"They also tried to get Dawn to bring up her dates, again for the same reason, but she pointed out that whatever they have is good with them and no one's even thinking that ridiculous marriage word."

Fury rubbed his forehead.  "You had to do this on a day we don't have coffee?"

"You wanted me to wait and tell you after the rumors got started?"

"No," he said.  "Thank you for that."  Phil nodded and left.  "Agent Hill, run out and get some Folgers or something.  I need something."

She leaned in.  "One of the Junior agents has planned and executed a raid on a local grocery store," she said, looking totally serious.  "We're expecting reports of gunfire over the coffee but Agent Dorans is overseeing his 'mission'."  Fury groaned.   "I did text him when Agent Coulson looked like he was going to be giving you a headache so he would pick up extra."

"Thank you, Agent Hill.  There's days I think you, him, and Sitwell are the only ones that have sense around here."

She smiled.  "Sometimes we are, sir."  She walked off, back to her post.  That was a great compliment from a man who never gave any praise.

***

Dawn walked in her first day looking neat and presentable.  And promptly had problems.  "I know it's new," she said, looking at her pass that wouldn't run.

"Computer says you're not in the HR system, Summers," one of the guards grumped.

She called upstairs.  "I'm not in the system?"  She hung up and smiled.  "Pepper's coming."  They grinned back.

Pepper walked over and reloaded the system and there she was.  "HR had a major computer catastrophe when the head decided to play god," she told them.  "Any others, make a note and send directly to me so I can see where their forms are."  She walked Dawn off.  "Nice skirt."

"Thank you."  She grinned.  "Paperwork?"

"That oh so charming pile.  I don't know why he didn't give it to you to fill out last week."

"He did and it got eaten apparently."

"We have to have some sort of snake down there then, I guess that's what I'm doing today.  I never expected the CEO to be quite this busy.  Tony definitely wasn't."  Dawn laughed.

They got off on their floor and Dawn went to her desk to fill out the forms again.  She got a sharp mental poke that reminded her not to list them on any beneficiary forms.  Dawn shot back that her mother was going on most of them but her life insurance was still going to them so they could just like it already.  She also reminded her that she was going to start becoming mule headed soon.  That got the nagging to end.  They didn't want to know what she'd do if she went fully stubborn.  She got finished and brought them in for Pepper's signature.  Pepper gave her a strange look.  "They insisted."

"Ah.  That doesn't really surprise me."  She finished signing them.  "Did you give them their portion of that reparation?"

"I did and they protested."  She shook her head.  "Want me to take them down there?"

"No, I will.  You weren't the only one."  She smiled.  "Go do your rounds and pull Stark from the labs.  He has sparring in an hour and he's been there all night."

"Sure."  She walked off.  "JARVIS, is my log-in back?"

"It's working, yes."

"Thank you."  She made her rounds of the various departments, stopped in to talk to Andrew and Jonathan, then went to the tinkering lab.  No one.  She went up to Tony's personal lab and logged in, getting let in.  He looked over, fiddling with a wrench while he looked at some plans.  "Sparring, one hour."

"Great.  Problems?"

"Yeah, had to redo the paperwork again."

He snorted.  "Pepper's going to have fun then."

She walked over and pointed.  "Isn't that the stuff that they spotted that's making them land in that one spot?"

"I'm trying to find an alternative."

"Can you make it artificially?"

"No.  Not and take out that resonance problem."

She nodded.  "Then have fun, boss."

"Anything happen last night?"

"They tried really hard to make John call up Rodney so they could announce they were marrying."  Tony winced.  "Rodney apparently nearly killed one of the assistants.  They'll leave it for the next one.  They tried to get me to call up mine but I pointed out that we're not even thinking about that.  And they announced that Xander and Phil are marrying."  Tony fell off his stool he turned so fast.  Thankfully he didn't hit the floor on his ass.  She nodded.  "They caught him checking on me while he was ghostly and decided he was looking at Phil's butt."

Tony rubbed his head.  "No, not good."  She smiled.  "Please tell me it's a prank?"

"He probably wishes.  He had to tell Fury before the rumors hit him."

"Yeah, I'm staying here today."  She pulled up his calendar and pointed.  "He can come here."  He texted him to tell him that.  He got one back.  "Oh, great, they have no coffee over there.  I'm not going near that building."

Dawn's phone flashed a news alert and she groaned, putting that up on the monitor.  "We're here where some agents, who are apparently very coffee deprived, have decided to hold up a grocery store to get indecent amounts of coffee for their office," the reporter said.  "So far we've heard reports of automatic gun fire and yet no injuries.  It's like something out of the MIB movie but we're not sure if it's a prank or not."

Dawn texted that to Agent Hill, who sent back an 'I know'.

The reporter looked over as two SUV's pulled up and discharged Director Fury, who was living up to his name, and a few agents.

"Are you really this fucking stupid!" Fury shouted as he walked in.

"Yes, yes they are," Tony said, turning it off.  Dawn just shook her head.  Dawn's phone rang with a text message.  "I will pay you double whatever Stark does so you come work in the SHIELD office once a week and the rest you can spend there with them and your niece.  Official SHIELD benefits and all the perks."  Dawn held it up.  "Your contract has a no firing for stupid reasons clause," Tony said dryly.  "I would consider that treason against my empire."

She sent back that she was flattered but Stark said she couldn't do that and she gave him a name of someone who was better.  Fury sent back a 'are you kidding me'.  She outlined the idea and it was better.  Her mother could whip his ass into administrative shape even if Joyce hadn't really done it before.  It took organization and talking to people, which her mother excelled at and her mother was polite to the higher ups who wanted things.  He huffed but yay.

"Your mother would be the scary admin assistant sort," Tony said, calling the news footage back up.  "She'd institute a spanking routine for people like that.  Oh, it was Dorans."

She looked up and shook her head.  "Doesn't shock me any."  She looked at him.  "There's Steve."  She waved him in.  He came in and stared at the other side of the projection at the news feed.  "Yeah," she told him.  "It's going to be one of those weeks."

Steve nodded.  "We knew it was bad when Brenda didn't order coffee.  Even though I don't drink it usually the rest of the staff guzzles it like there's going to be none tomorrow."

"If they're that desperate, there's a Starbucks not three buildings down," Tony said.

"They're closed.  They're already out of stock."  Tony shuddered.

"The next nearest one is about two blocks in the other direction then," Dawn said.

"They're running short.  The rumors were already starting."

"That's why I give mine a coffee allowance and they buy whatever they want but if it's the expensive stuff they pay the rest," Tony quipped.  "Each lab has their own coffee maker."

"Two in a few lab's cases because one drinks decaf for health reasons and the other one needs hot water for tea."

"They can't combine them?" Tony asked.

"No.  The one on decaf can't have any at all due to a heart problem."

"Oh."  He nodded.  "Thankfully I don't have that problem."  He drank some of his.  It was cold.  "Dawn, make some?"

"Of course."  She walked over to clean out the old and make a fresh pot.  "We might want to clean the machine soon."

"Eww, vinegar coffee.  Buy a new one."  She gave him a strange look.  "Really, go ahead."

"I'll pass on that requisition to Pepper."  She smiled.  "Anything else we need today, boss?"

"Not yet."  She gathered the files she had already gotten and left.  She left one.  He looked at it and opened it since it had his name on it in Dawn's precise scrawl.  It had a list of agents who were problems.  He smiled and tucked it away to go over later.  "Sparring?"

"Yup," Steve agreed.

"Sure.  Better than watching Fury save a Safeway."  They went to the gym.  It was clearly Monday of the Week of Stupidity.

***

Dawn made it home that night and flopped down on the couch.  That was as far as she was moving.  She listened, no noise.  She sighed.  Fine, they could be pouty or whatever.  She kicked off her shoes and curled up on her side, getting comfortable.  She heard a thump on the porch and opened the door magically before he could pick it.  "Did you guys get all of the stupid or did you mail us some for tomorrow?"

"We mailed you a whole lot," he said, staring down at her.  "I'm making dinner."

"I'm not moving without a very good incentive."  She sent over what her day had consisted of.  He leaned down to kiss her.  "That's a nice incentive," she admitted.

"She's still huffy."

She stared at him.  "You know one of those is to notify you if I'm in the hospital again, right?"  He nodded.  "Mom may be nice but that doesn't mean she won't lose her mind and if Mom's not available they'd have to ask Buffy, who is that unthinking."

"I didn't think about that."

"Not like it's filing for a domestic partnership."  She sat up with a wince and a hiss.

"Why are you so sore?"

She looked at him.  "Did you not see the three filing cabinets that fell on me thanks to Lt. Colonel Rhodes-is-a-dead-man?"

"Ow.  I thought you caught them."

"Mostly or I'd be in the infirmary with broken ribs."  She got helped up.  "Let me change."

"Go ahead, I can wait."  He smirked at her backside.  "Ink."

"I saw."

He waited, thinking at Natasha, who sighed and said it might be true but Joyce would tell them.  He pointed out it could mean Buffy was making the decisions.  That got a shudder.  They liked Buffy fine but now and then she still didn't act right about Dawn.  They also doubted she could make hard medical choices.

Dawn came out in a long t-shirt and socks.  "I can't put on pants.  My hip's swollen from the bruising."  He checked, it was seriously swollen.  She winced at his kiss to it.  "Thanks."  She hugged him.  "It's only Monday."

"It's going to be a long week," he agreed, walking her back to the elevator.  They ran into Steve, who blushed.  "She had three filing cabinets fall on her, Cap."

"I saw.  I helped move them so she could beat James."

Dawn nodded.  "And he laughed until he ended up in the infirmary for it."  Steve nodded, smiling at her.  "I'm too sore to sit on that side."  They got off and went to dinner.  Dawn walked in and kissed Natasha.  "You can be pouty if you want but Mom said she didn't want my life insurance and investments if something happened to me.   So find a good charity or something if you must."  She walked over to the couch and sat down slowly and carefully then flopped over again.  It was the only way she didn't hurt.

"Why are you so sore?"

"Catching filing cabinets means that you catch the top edge to hold it up," she reminded her.  That's how you physically caught them too.  That got a nod.  "Well, if the drawers aren't locked, they open."

"Ow," Natasha said, coming over to look at her side.  It was a large bruise.  Her other side wasn't much nicer.  That bruise had a pattern.  "Chair?"

"Yup, trapped against the one I was sitting in to file."

"How far did you kick his ass?" Clint asked.

Dawn looked at him.  "Not far enough.  Tony pulled me off him.  Cap told him to let me go.  That I'd stop soon as I lost my temper or realized it hurt to hit him."

"No, I think they might've been burying him," Clint said, coming over to look.  "Ow, no wonder you can't wear clothes."

She shook her head.  "That doesn't even show the whole 'ball in the stomach' thing from the guys up in shield development that were playing with a pitching machine in the hallway and missing about every single shot.  The machine was aimed at the elevators so they could smack the balls into the new shield and window behind it to test it."  Natasha winced and petted over her hair.  "Fury offered me double what Tony pays me and SHIELD agent status if I'd come fix his office.  I could spend a day a week there and then the rest at the Tower."

"I doubt they'd like that," Natasha said.  Dawn shook her head but she was smiling.  "We will baby you tonight."

"I could use some babying."  She pulled her down and cuddled up next to her.  Clint got dinner onto plates and brought it out.  It made Dawn sit up but she almost managed to be vertical.  "I suggested Fury hire Mom to be his administrative assistant."

"She could do the work," Natasha agreed.  "He might not like the softness she'd bring to the agents when they needed it."

"I suggested he move Brenda, the new one, over the labs with a strong reminder that their only food source was dried fruit and a lot of coffee.  Then Mom could split off some of Agent Hill's duties in gathering the staff reports and all that."

"That could be helpful," Clint agreed.  "They're still planning on moving nearly everything to the hell carrier next year."

Dawn shook her head.  "They can't do that.  There's too many parents."  He gaped.  She nodded.  "No parent's going to allow that to happen."

"Usual military rules state that they'd have to give up custody while they're on the ship," Clint said.

"Yeah, because they're going to do that?  SHIELD's not military, Clint.  They can't do that."

"No, they probably can't," Natasha agreed.  "It may be moved out of New York though."

"Mom wouldn't mind being back on the west coast."

"Hmm.  And SHIELD can pretty well work anywhere," Clint agreed.  "We'll have to bring that up to Agent Hill."  He fed her a bite.  "Eat."  Dawn smiled and dug in.  "Are you having a perpetually young day?" he teased.

"No, I feel like a really old lady.  Now all I need to do is fart all the time."  She stuffed her mouth, making Natasha laugh.  They finished up and let her cuddle up again.  They could feel the pain from the bruises through the link.

Natasha was looking along it.  "You bruised those ribs."

"Hush or they'll make me stay in the infirmary instead."

"JARVIS monitors us?" Clint asked.

"For emergencies."

"That's handy to know," he decided, pulling her closer to rest against him.  "I'm a fantastic heating pad."

"You are."  She stretched out along his side, her bruised one against his.  That did help and Natasha got his chest for now.  It was comforting and nice.

***

Tony noticed how Dawn was moving the next morning when she brought him some files in the penthouse.  "Were you hiding some MD class credits too?"

"No, not at the moment.  Why?" she quipped.

"Because it's clear you didn't let anyone look at you in the infirmary."

"I'm fine."

"You're moving like you broke a rib."

"Maybe bruised one.  My whole side is bruised though so it's really a toss-up about how great this is.  And have I mentioned I'm taking stock in the people who make advil?"

He snorted.  "Their company doesn't have great returns.  I've done that a few times."  He moved closer.  "Just bruised?"

"Huge bruise on each side," she said.

"Go to the infirmary.  You have sparring later with Agent Coulson."

"He saw during my run this morning and winced."  She finished filing and walked off.  "I'm fine, boss."

"Uh-huh."  He called Pepper, who walked her down there.  He smiled.  He'd have to make sure she didn't teach his daughter that.  Speaking of, he watched her walk around the penthouse apartment wrapped in a large beach towel.  "What are you wearing?" he asked.

"Pretty thing like auntie."

He took a picture.  "We'll get you some better fabric to do that with."  She beamed and nodded.  He called up a search box and used it to find children's saris.  Apparently they didn't start wearing the full thing until they were adults.  So he ordered her some longer lengths of fabric in a half-length of a regular sari.  Dawn could show her how to put one on.

Pepper came off the elevator with Dawn, who was tucking her shirt back in.  "Two bruised ribs.  Aww, is that your sari?" she said, catching sight of Callia.

Dawn smiled at her.  "That's very pretty, Callia.  I'll teach you how to wind it, c'mere."  She did that and Dawn got a sheet that was from the baby crib.  "You fold it like this," she instructed.  "Then tuck it in here."  She slowly folded it and then wrapped it around properly.  "Like that."  She tucked the end over her shoulder and put on a few pins.  "There."  She smiled.

"Wow."

Dawn nodded with a grin.  "Yeah, a lot of wow."  They shared a smile.  "There, have Daddy take a picture."  He did that.  "Lunch?"

"Lunch," she agreed, eyes wide.  "I change?"

"No, you don't have to change.  You look very pretty."  She beamed and followed out with her and Pepper.

Tony followed because his daughter was adorable.  By the time he got to the caf, they were chatting with a few of the Indian scientists.  Dawn was explaining how she needed one for her formal dinner with a friend's family and Callia had thought it was pretty.  Tony smiled.  "I've got some fabric coming for her," he told Dawn.

"Daddy, they're from where you wear a sari," she said.  "I asked."

"She did," one said with a smile.  "She's a brilliant young child, Mr. Stark."

Tony smiled.  "She's my female clone.  That way I know what'd I've be like as Antonia Stark."  They laughed and she walked off with him.  He looked at Dawn, who nodded at her.  She had started the conversation then.  "That's great. I like how she interacts with the scientists and everyone."

"Outside the one guard that she likes to stomp on the foot of or fart at?" she guessed.

"Outside that one."  They got lunch and sat down to eat and talk with her.  Dawn put on a G-rated Bollywood film for Callia to watch, making her stare at all the fancy clothes and dance numbers.  She pointed.  He nodded he saw.  Dawn grinned.  "Bollywood is all bright and loud, kids should like that."

"It's good to expose her to things like that anyway," Pepper agreed.  "Gets her used to other cultures."  She looked.  "What sort is that one?"

"I think it's a wedding one.  It's G rated but my Hindi is a bit sparse right now."

"Finish taking the classes," Tony quipped.

"I would but I came in last night and fell onto my better side."

"Next time, you are to report to the infirmary, no matter what," Tony said firmly.

"Yes, sir."

"Good."  They watched Callia watch the movie and slowly eat.  Dawn and Pepper got back to work, leaving them to watch it together.  He had no idea why they kept having dance numbers but his daughter adored it.  Maybe this was their version of those Disney shows with teens that supposedly have talents?   Which was what his daughter liked, she hated princesses.  Even Mulan, who wasn't really a princess and she fought.

***

Joyce showed up for her meeting with Director Fury.  "My daughter suggested I take a position in your group?" she asked with a smile, shaking his hand.

"She did.  She was the best unpaid intern I've ever had when I could borrow her from Stark."

Joyce smiled.  "Pepper has channeled her skills very well."  She sat down.  "What sort of help did you need?"

"I need someone to do what Dawn did and straighten out my ship full of sloppy agents," he admitted.  "I'm sure you saw a few of them lose their minds and jobs?"

She smiled and nodded.  "I did and cackled I'm ashamed to say."

"I did once they were in jail."  She smiled and nodded.  He handed over something.  "Your daughter worked out how to deal with matters.  It got changed some by Agent Hill earlier, she's my senior officer, when she pointed out we couldn't consolidate back to the Hell Carrier."

She quirked an eye up.  "Like an aircraft carrier?"

"That flies," he said smugly.

"Huh.  She didn't tell me about that."  She looked it over.  "That's not a bad thing.  I can definitely do that.  How much is on-site and how much is off-site?"

"If we're on the hell carrier, you'd probably still be in the main building, which would mean Agent Hill would go back to gathering anything in person.  Dawn worked up templates based on how Stark did his forms.  I think she blatantly copied and pasted in a few cases."  Joyce grinned.  "My last one caused that problem by letting the coffee run out."

"Dawn's said that most scientists seem to live on dried fruit and coffee.  Where is the office?"

"Right now it's in town.  I'm having a new one built."  He leaned back.  "I know you're dating Doctor Banner.  He'd have R&D space with us in the building.  You might even get your daughter there if Stark moves his operations again."

"Dawn's much happier where she is."

"Yes, but they'd be coming too.  Barton and Romanoff are both agents."

"I know."  She smiled.  "I haven't done much administrative work in this manner but I did run my own art gallery so I've had to do most of it in another method.  Dawn told me that most of what she does is organizing and filing."  He nodded.  "I can do that.  I do not know how to use a weapon and I'm not terribly interested in finding out how."

"That could be a problem if we're attacked but we do have non-lethal weapons.  Agent Coulson has a tazer he apparently carries more often than his sidearm."  He smirked.  "We can work around that."

"Doctors appointments to follow up on my former cancer?"

"Those as well."

"Then I'll accept."  She smiled.

He shook her hand.  "I'll get the contract to you later today.  Report tomorrow with it."  He handed over the address and temporary pass from his pocket.  "Top floor, report to Agent Hill and she'll get you set up."

She smiled.  "I've met Agent Hill.  She's a wonderfully smart girl and I hope her parents are absolutely proud of her."

"I'm sure they would be."  He smiled and left.  That solved one huge headache and one minor one.  Because it meant that Joyce couldn't really have him lynched in the press again.

Joyce smiled and packed up, going home.  Bruce was going to be happy.  They might get to celebrate.  She got home to find him trying to calm down.  She put down her briefcase and walked over.  "Bad time in the lab?"  He nodded, lips pressed together.  She kissed him and he moaned, pulling her closer.  "I'm not scared of him but if he breaks the tv, you're buying a new one," she said with a smile.

He laughed, hugging her.  "I would."  He looked at her.  "You look happy."

"I'm going to be Director Fury's new assistant."

"Really?"  She nodded.  "We heard he's moving to the hell carrier."

"Not totally."

"Huh."  He took another kiss.  It was helping him calm down.  He was still a bit green and expanded but not totally.  She teased his shoulder through his shirt, making him shiver.  "Joyce, I can't lose control right now."

"I know you won't hurt me.  If you change I'll cuddle but you're not getting sex that way."

He snickered.  "No, I wouldn't expect it."  He kissed her again and used that to calm himself down.  He was still slightly green and expanded but he was calmer, feeling more in control.  She did lead them up to the bedroom because she knew they weren't teenagers to have sex on the couch.  He groaned and went with whatever wicked plans she had for him.  It always made him feel good.

***

Stark turned off the security alarm to Joyce's house for a second time.  "JARVIS, you're being a pervert," he complained.

"He is still partially hulked out, sir."

"Yes, but she's taking care of it.  Lower the sensitivity to if he grows a foot or is fully green."

"Yes, sir."  He did that.  "Should I also lower the sensor on Dawn's apartment?"

"Yes.  I've been meaning to lower that since she's so loud."

Natasha cleared her throat from the doorway.  "You have us bugged?"

"No, we have an emergency sensor there in case screaming starts.  Apparently you're good to her," he shot back with a smirk.

"Yes, we are."  She strolled in.  "Were is his new building going?"

"No clue.  Maybe nearer to the dock?"

"That would be a bad commute."

"We might be able to put in some sort of super speedy rail shuttle."  He shrugged.  "Have to see about that."  She nodded.  "Why are you here in assistant gear?"

"Stark sitting."

"Ah.  You can go babysit the one that needs it."

"No, I think not."

"Damn.  Well all I'm doing is repairs."  He walked off to get back to it.  "Did he hire Joyce?"

"Yes."

"Wonderful."

"Why was Banner halfway gone?"

"Idiot with opinions."  He looked at her.  "I'm glad I don't have to buy a new physicist who only thinks she knows half of what Banner forgot about gamma radiation."

She nodded.  "They can be annoying.  Is that the same one that called Dawn a slut?"

"Yup.  She's apparently part of the group that thinks I'm turning her into the mother of my heir too."

"A woman like Dawn would never permanently wait at home for you to get home from the lab," she said dryly.

"As opposed to sitting home while you're on missions?"

"I come home."

"True.  Partially."  He smirked.  "I came home for Pepper."

"Yes but then you kept forgetting."

He looked at her.  "If we're comparing how fucked up our relationships are, I'm not really into girl talk."  He dropped the pencil he was twirling and stared at her.  "Though I will warn you that if you fuck up Dawn in a permanent manner I'm going to make sure your last few days on this earth are a living hell as you're slowly dissolved one way or another."

She tipped her head.  "I would never want to do that."

"Good."  He smiled.  "Then perhaps you'd like to explain why you missed her birthday again this year?  We had lunch with her."

She winced.  "It's next week."

"It's yesterday."  He called up her HR forms.  "See?"

She looked and sighed.  "We were planning it for next week."

"I'm sure she'd like it then too."  He canceled it.  "We want Dawn to be as happy as humanly possible.  Apparently she likes you two that way, even if you do forget dates and occasionally have to disappear for weeks on end without being able to call."  She tipped her head.  "I'm pretty sure the line to kill you both if you screw this up and hurt her starts behind Coulson, but I may be wrong and Joyce is in front.  It may depend on who's there first.  I will be the last one you see however."

"I would never do it on purpose."

"Good."  He smiled.  "I'd hate to see what she'd do with her skill set."

"Me as well."  She shook her head.  "Not why I came in here.  The president is looking for you."

"I'm not talking to world leaders today.  That's why I have Pepper."

"He won't talk to her.  Line three."

He looked around because he might as well before he found if she had learned nagging from Dawn or not.  "JARVIS, line three."

"On, sir."

"What did you need?" he asked the air.

"Are you aware that the Avengers are planning to move out of the US, Mr. Stark?" the president asked.

"I believe he's going to be changing headquarter buildings, not moving us totally.  He would like to decentralize back to the hell carrier but he has too many parents in his staff."

"Parents?"

"Almost everyone celebrates the world not ending," he said blandly.  "Even SHIELD agents."

"Oh.  Parents."

"I'm told he had to change the status of ninety-seven people."

"Ow.  So he's going to be looking for a better building?"

"I think he wants to craft one for his specific needs."

"We'll see.  How is that assistant of yours?"

"She's wonderful.  Dawn's a great help to me."

"Dawn?"

"Yes, Dawn.  She's technically Pepper's assistant but she spends half her time in the labs being the assistant to all my scatterbrained geniuses around here."

"Oh, I had no idea she wasn't part of SHIELD."

"She never was.  We graciously leant her to Fury when his disappeared during the goo clones.  She straightened out his problems there a few times."

"I see.  Interesting."

"Fury tried to steal her but we won because I'm the better boss.  Anything else, sir?  I'm in the middle of chewing on someone about how her relationship is making Pepper upset."

"No, thank you."  He hung up.

Stark looked at her.  "If Pepper starts to cry about it, you're on your own.  Pepper swings a mean softball bat."

"I've heard."  She walked off smiling.  Not many dared to threaten her.  She passed by Dawn in the halls.  "You're limping?"

"Nerve things."  She smiled at her.  "Did Tony give you the shovel talk?"

"Shovel talk?"

"You upset my friend that you're dating and I'll beat you to death with  shovel."

"Yes, I believe it was."  She smiled.  Now she understood.

Dawn grinned back.  "That's sweet.  Mom was going to."

Natasha patted her on the arm.  "It does mean that they care a lot for you.  Where are you heading?"

"Storage three.  Someone dropped something into there that shouldn't be there."

"I can help.  Pepper had me checking the labs for reports."

"You didn't upset Jonathan and Andrew, right?"

"No.  They flinched but I assured them I wasn't metallic and they smiled.  They are calmer without Warren."

"They are," she agreed, grinning again and walking with her.  "They're really nice guys.  Xander was right that they're great guys.  I only met them through him."

"They're what I'm used to geniuses being like.  Stark is nearly spastic next to them."

Dawn laughed.  "There's a linear template for that.  Some are calmer, some are like Rodney on a flailing day."  Natasha laughed.  "At least he quit flailing with coffee after something he spilled some on bit him back."  They walked into Storage three and paused.  There was a bright red light off to the side.  Dawn snuck carefully closer, pointing at her to stay there.  Odds were if it was something it wasn't something she could shoot at.  "What are you?" Dawn asked it.  The energy creature stared at her.  "Did you travel here?"  It shivered and tried to disappear.  "Oh, no."  She slapped a containment field button and the whole room was shielded.  The being zapped around.

"Dawn," Natasha ordered.  "Get out of there."  Dawn got out but did get mildly zapped.  She checked her over.  "Breathe."  Dawn gulped air and rubbed her chest.  She called for a medical team and Stark to come handle this thing.

Stark got there first, he was closer.  He stared.  "What's that?"

"Don't know.  It hit Dawn and she's having some light chest pains.  I'd expect something electrical."

"We were looking for Dr. Boran's journal," Dawn panted, holding her chest.  The doctors rushed in and helped move her away from there.  They got Dawn calmed down and zapped her to counter the off-rhythm beat her heart now had.  Dawn got to relax, looking exhausted.  "So this is Wednesday of the Week of Stupidity," she quipped weakly.  "I'm not staying overnight."

"You will if you must," Natasha said.  She followed them.

Dr. Pigalli looked at her.  "You're not on the paperwork, you don't get to make decisions for her," she noted.  Natasha winced.

"Correct that for me, Doc," Dawn called, wincing as she moved.  "I want her and Clint on it."

"We didn't want to be noted on paperwork," Natasha said.  "People could take the wrong information from it."

Dr. Pigalli looked at her.  "I think Dawn can pretty well protect herself or it wouldn't have taken you over a year to get back."  She walked over.  "You have to correct the forms, not me."

"She and Clint can make decisions for me.  I don't want Mom stressed.  Please don't let Buffy do it."

"I won't," she promised.  "Let's give you something light to help you doze."

"Hell no."

"Shut up, Dawn.  Mr. Stark's orders, you are to be taken care of even if you fuss."  She stuck her anyway.  She saw the two worried boys in the doorway.  "She's fine.  The electrical monster touched her and we had to put her back on rhythm."

Andrew swallowed and nodded.  "Good.  Can we visit?"

"Later."

"Boys, do you have something that can defeat a being of electrical energy?" Natasha asked.  They nodded.  "Storage three."  They ran that way after a stop in their lab.  She came in and sat beside Dawn's bed.  "You'll be fine and we'll baby you again tonight."  Dawn shifted onto her side, facing her.  She patted her hand.  "Rest."  She got up and went to help or take over Dawn's duties. She hated waiting and watching someone in the hospital.  She did not have that sort of patience.  Snipers had that sort of patience.

***

Clint looked up from the meeting he was in then at Coulson.  "Something's going on at Stark."

"Interesting."  He called.  "Agent Romanoff, we'd like a report," he said into her voicemail.  He hung up and shook his head.  "No answer."

"Huh.  The light tether that Dawn keeps on people to help her stay focused when she's doing ten things she shouldn't do at the same time went blank."  He called.  "Hey, Doc.  What's happened?"  He winced.  "She okay?  Thanks."  He hung up.  "Energy problem in the storage area."

"Really," Phil said.  Clint smiled and nodded.  "Why?"

"Don't know.  She got zapped.  Agent Romanoff's helping."

"Great."  The junior agents all groaned.  He nodded.  "Welcome to dealing with Stark.  Learn to have quiet patience and calm security that you can probably kill someone if you have to.  And then get Dawn or Pepper Potts to yell for you."

Clint got a text and looked at it.  "Andrew."  Phil stiffened because Andrew texting was the sign of a Very Bad Thing going on.  "She's fine.  They had to hit her with a jolt when the energy monster touched her."

"Energy monster?" Phil asked, trying to stay calm.

"In storage room 3."  He texted back.  Andrew sent what it was.  "Oh, it was naturally occurring because people stored the wrong things in there together in the wrong sort of containment box."

"So Stark's getting ready to turn one of his people into hamburger," Phil said.  "Does Agent Romanoff need backup?"

"She got the two geeks to help Stark."  He sent one back and put the phone into his pocket.

Phil nodded.  "Good."  He took a breath then looked at them.  "It's not usually this bad, but now and then....."

"Dawn called it the Week of Stupidity," Clint quipped.

"Yes, it has been."

"She asked that we not mail them any more."

"If it happens here, we do know how to fall out and handle things?  We need to go over invasion drills anyway," he decided at the blank looks.  He pulled up those files.  That's not what this meeting was for but he'd never leave the ship or main building that unprotected.  Clint got up and left.  Phil would talk to him later.  One agent raised her hand.  "Yes, Agent Steller?"

"We heard rumors, sir."

"He was under mind control at the time.  He was unable to fight it.  Frankly, if a god messes with your mind, we'd probably forgive you too after making sure you're normal."

"Not about that.  About them being taken?"

He sighed.  "That's classified and if anyone else mentions it, you are to tell them that.  That's also a bad subject because someone was trying to use SHIELD to their own agenda, mainly to create a new world order."  She shuddered.  "If we had known before then, they would not have been taken.  If we had known where they were, we would have went to rescue them.  We did try and missed them by about fifteen minutes."  She nodded, looking down.  "If it should happen again, SHIELD is going to do a lot of very unsubtle damage to prove our point.  Last time they managed to not cause a lot."  He smiled.  "That's because they're excellent agents who do their chosen jobs *very* well."  She nodded.  "I hope more of you make it to their level of agent.  Some day, we'll need people to take our jobs."

"Yes, sir.  Is there special training available?"

"Yes, there's quite a lot.  If you want considered, you talk to Agent Hill and she'll have you tested if she thinks you can handle it."

"She's a bit scary, sir," one of the male agents said.

Phil stared him down.  "Agent Hill is not that scary, but she is very firm.  If she's the worst thing you have to face while at SHIELD, you've been hiding in a closet a lot."  The agent ducked his head.  "Now, let's get back to reminding you of invasion protocols."  He went back over it.  Someone really had to look over the pre-training for agents again.  Even Dawn was stronger than these ones.

***

Phil walked up to Maria Hill, handing her a cup of coffee from the Starbucks up the street.  "Between the energy monster at Stark and the new agents I'm supposed to be leading in training thinking you're scary...."  She burst out laughing.  "Dawn called it the Week of Stupidity."

"It is."  She sipped.  "Perfect, thank you," she said, relaxing some.  "Any hope?"

"Many.  I may have to beat someone but perhaps.  I stopped the original lecture to make sure they knew what invasion protocols are."

"Fury wants to run a drill," she said quietly.

"Please tell me he's not going to force Barton," he said quietly.

"Yup.  Already told him."

"Shit."  He looked around and found him.  He sent a thought at him, getting a head shake back.  "When?"

"Up to him.  No helping him plan it."  She looked at him.  "He's been thinking about a second team," she said more quietly.

"We don't have the people for it yet."  He walked in there.  "Sir."

"Agent Coulson, if you're going to complain....."

Phil turned and shut the office door and muted the shields, then let his aura out.  "Until I can decide if any of them are able to handle the duty and get them worked around to wanting to be Avengers and protectors, there's not a chance we'll have a second team."

"They gave you a power to help you with them."

"Yes, they did."  He smiled and muted it.  "Which is why Xander hinted.  They pulled me up to talk to me and made sure I could handle it if someone like Thor or John Sheppard had to go rogue."

"I see.  Are you a god?"  Phil stared at him.  "No, that's good that you're not."  He frowned.  "I need Barton able to handle a raid."

"He can.  When they were on leave protecting each other they ran a lot of them.  Including having Dawn help a few times."

"That wasn't in any report."

"Nor will it be.  They won't expose anything about that time."

"Why?"

"To protect Dawn and how much tampering they had to undo.  I've barely heard any of it, sir, and Dawn would probably tell me if it wasn't something she knew could not get out."

"I can agree with that," he decided.  "Is she any good?"  Phil quirked up an eyebrow.  "I know I can't recruit her."

"Dawn will do what she needs to do if and when the time comes, sir.  Same as before."

"Fine.  So they did lead raids?"

"Yes.  There were more than a few problems that got solved, even if they did nag Dawn that she has too many material assets."

"Sometimes that links you back."

"Which alone proves that Dawn's not agent material.  That and she still can't climb a rope."

Fury snorted.  "Whatever.  Have him pick three teams, to try on different days."

"I had to go over invasion scenarios earlier instead of the training I was supposed to be doing, sir."

"Go over it for everyone."  Phil nodded.  "Will that end once you find them all?"

"Sir, I won't be able to find them all.  Some of them are hiding from the Chinese army."  Fury slumped.  "Xander said there's one very strong one over there that had helped defend China and their pantheon for ages, nearly as long as Xander has, but he disappeared when communists took over.  No one's even sure if he's alive."

"Fine.  Keep me informed.  Does it give you any powers like flight or teleportation?"

"Not as far as I know."  He walked off, going to Agent Hill again.  "We are to go over invasion protocols this week."  She nodded.  He sent a thought at Clint about that change in plans, getting a smirk and a text that simply said 'yes, sir' back.  "Two weeks, Barton."

"Yep, I can do that."  He got up and went to talk to the bigger gossips.  He had to pick teams carefully.  He wanted them to be good and strong but it would probably be bad if they overthrew SHIELD.

Coulson and Hill shared a look.  "Three," he said quietly.

"Okay," she agreed.  She sent out the staff-wide memo to order everyone to review and update their invasion and defensive action strategies.  That they were to go over them every three months.  The first mandatory review was this week and she would be checking for compliance.  That was subtle enough.

***

Dawn walked up to Tony and Pepper, pushing them back into the office and shutting the door.  "Fury called an invasion drill soon," she said quietly.  "Three different days.  Clint's picking the teams."

"Okay, then I won't go in blasting when it happens."

"What if something happens when it happens?" Pepper asked.  "Especially this week."

"I'm not sure if Fury wouldn't want it to be live fire," Stark said.  Dawn shrugged.  "Thanks for the warning."  He looked her over.  She was in one of the older full business suits with a jacket.  It was about eighty degrees in the building.  "Ribs?"

"Ribs."  She walked off.

"I don't know of anyone who can wear a bra with bruised ribs," Pepper agreed quietly.  "At least she can camouflage it."

"Thankfully.  We do have that meeting tomorrow."  Pepper winced.  "Lunch?" he suggested.  They both looked up at the alarm.  "JARVIS, what did Dawn do this time?" Tony asked on his way to the elevators.

"She was in the garage to escort someone to their car because they were found crying in a hallway.  Two cars sped in and tried to capture the one with her.  Dawn isn't gravely injured, just a graze.  The three agents in the cars are not as lucky.  The woman she was guarding is sobbing against a car.  NYPD is already responding."

Tony went down there.  "Dawn?"  She waved, trying to get the woman calmed down.  "What happened?"

"They sped in and slid," Dawn said with a point.  "Got out with guns drawn."  Officers were showing up.  "Freeze," she shouted.  "That's a weapon you just stepped on.  I doubt the safety is on."  The officer looked and carefully put is foot beside it.  She helped the young woman up.  "They came in, slid, and ran out like idiots waving guns to get her," she told the officer coming to them first.  "She was crying in the halls, I'm not sure why.  She hasn't calmed down enough to tell me."

"Miss, are either of you injured?"

"We have an infirmary for lab accidents," Tony assured him.  "Dawn?"

"Slight graze, right over the bruised ribs from the filing cabinets."

"Great," Tony sighed.  "Can we take this upstairs to the infirmary?"  The hysterical one shook her head.

Dawn sighed and pulled up some magic.  "Calm," she said, brushing a hand over her forehead.  She let the magic go when the woman quit crying.  "Why are you sobbing?"

"I'm scared!"

"Okay, and I get that.  Is why you were crying at first why you're still crying?"  She nodded.  "Why is that?"  She got into her phone and showed her.  "That sucks,"  she said, handing it to the officer.

Tony looked at it then at her.  "Which department do you work in?"

"HR!" she said, starting to cry again.

"Not much damage you can do there outside of personnel things," Dawn said, looking at Tony.  "Trying to get information on the scientists?"

"Probably.  There's some really dumb agents, as you know."  She nodded.  The officers were staring at them.  "She did an unpaid internship at SHIELD."  They nodded they could agree with that.  Pepper came down.  "Pepper, they have her kids hostage and were coming to get her."

"Okay," she said, walking her off.  "Come on, we'll go get some tea in my office.  Officers?"  One followed.  One followed Dawn and Tony to the infirmary.  Dawn winced as she pulled off the jacket and blouse, then lifted the t-shirt material tank top bra underneath it.

Tony looked.  "Not too bad."

"I'll heal it in a few, when I've caught my breath."

He nodded.  "Well, it had been every other day until today."

"I wasn't the target this time, boss."

"No, thankfully you weren't."  He frowned, looking around.  "Where's Dr. Pigalli?" he asked the nurse.  "I know it's her day on."

"She's off today due to a sore throat.  Doctor Demets is here instead, Mr. Stark."  She smiled.

"I don't think I've met him."

"He's the resident."

"We have a resident?"  She nodded.  "Why?  We're not a teaching hospital."

"He wanted to do more work with trauma."

"Oh, okay, I guess.  A bit weird but okay."  He was frowning when the young doctor came in.  He was six-three or four, muscled, fit, tanned, had a great smile, great hair.  Tony's hackles went up.  He was a bit too perfect.

Dawn looked at him then growled and moved the officer out of the way so she could attack.

"I'm supposed to be protecting you," the officer protested.  Stark got him out of the way but Dawn wouldn't let him help either.

"Sit!" Dawn snapped.  The guy smirked and attacked harder, moving with a foot sweep.  Dawn, who was in heels, jumped then kicked and pulled a few hidden daggers off her belt.  He knocked one out with a kick but she got his leg with the other one.  She pulled the other weapons in that set, the sickles.  The guy growled.  Dawn was staring at him.  He attacked and Dawn fought back harder, making him a sorry spy.  She had the guy backing up and had a few new cuts from his longer knife but he was bleeding a lot too.

"Down," Natasha yelled.  Dawn moved and she shot him in the stomach.  She walked over.  "Are you that sore?" she demanded.

"Hello, two bruised ribs and a new graze on top of them," Dawn defended.

"Shoot him next time."

"NYPD has the gun because they were attacking someone in the parking garage while I was helping her to her car."

Natasha huffed.  "You should conceal more weapons."

"I can't do that in a knee-length dress.  The ankle holster shows."  Natasha smiled.  Dawn looked at herself then sighed.  "Let me go heal these."  She walked off, using her tanktop to wipe off the blades.  She summoned the daggers and put them back too once they were clean.

"Dawn," Tony said, following her to the hallway bathroom.

"Going to the bathroom and if you follow me in there I'm going to spread rumors that you're hitting on me, boss."

"You're not my type, Dawn.  You're too young."  He made her stop and head back to the infirmary.  "Let us help you clean them up."

"I'm going to heal them and that means I need to be more naked so I can see them."

"Yay," he shot back.  He pointed at the infirmary bathroom.  "Take the nurse in there and do it."  She sighed but did that.  He looked at Natasha, who shrugged.  "Where were you?"

"Office."

"Pepper and that one all right?"

"Fine.  She's still crying."

"They have her kids," the officer said.  "Is that...."

"People like to steal Dawn," Tony said.  "We made sure she was fully trained in self defense.  Speaking of, Agent Romanoff, please go find out who that putz belongs to."  She walked off to drag him into a room so they could...chat.  He smiled at the officer.  "When can she have her gun back?"

"As soon as ballistics registers it.  As long as it's registered."

"I believe it is, yes."

"Good."  He walked off making a report.   He noticed who was coming up the hallway and stared.  War Machine.  Out of the suit at least.  "Mr. Stark's in there."

"Figures she shoved him out of the way again."  He walked into the infirmary.  "Short Stuff shoved you out of the way?"

"Yes!"

"Decided since she couldn't kick my butt she'd do his?"

Tony was staring at the mouse ears and fuzzy nose that were slowly growing on his best friend's face.  "Huh," he said.  "Dawn, that's mean."

"He squeaks a lot.  If he keeps it up, he'll have three fingers and red shorts too," she called back.  The nurse was giggling.

"Damn it!" Rhodey complained.  His voice sounded like he was sucking helium.

Dawn leaned out, clearly shirtless.  "Shut up, Lt. Colonel Squeaker."  She closed the door again.

"Wow, huge mousy," Callia said, sounding awed.  "Thanks, Daddy!  I'll name him Cheese!  That way I have a veggie and a cheese, and if Pepper's there I get two veggies and a cheese!  That way it's well balanced like the tv people say food has to be."  She hauled Rhodey off.  He was pretty much in shock.

"Um, dear," Tony said, following her.  "Let Uncle Rhodey go so Auntie can turn him back please?"

"But... my Cheese!" she complained.

"I'll get you a pet mouse to go with Carrot."  She beamed and let him have the Air Force officer back.  "Why don't you go help Pepper calm down the lady from HR?  They're in the office and she's crying."  She ran to the elevator to do that.  He looked at Rhodey.  "I'll have her change you back," he said quietly.  "Go...  Go take a nap.  You look tired."  He tried to pat him on the shoulder but couldn't do it.

"I am for some reason, yes."  He walked off rubbing his new nose and checking his new tail.

"Dawn, change him back please," Tony ordered.  "Without a stop at the Squeaky size."

"Yes, boss.  If I must."

"Thank you."  He walked to where Natasha was dealing with him.  "Who is he with and why does he want Dawn?"

"He was going to use her to get information for his people in Great Britain who want their own Iron Man."  She finished her patch-up job on his stomach, which was making him cry.  "Then next time do not take what is mine," she said in Russian.  He shivered.  She smirked.  "Or Hawkeye's."

"She's your student?" he panted in Russian.

"No."

He swallowed.  "I understand, Widow.  Thank you for leaving me living."

"Next time I will not and she will not.  If she had not been injured from earlier in the week we would not be having this talk."  He shivered but nodded.  "Good."  She flipped open her phone.  "Agent Hill, I intercepted a British agent here to get information on Iron Man so they can make their own.  Injured, though I have patched him up slightly."  She stared at him.  He looked away.  "That is acceptable.  By the infirmary.  No, she's fine.  The incident in the garage caused a graze but otherwise she's fine."  She hung up and stared at him.  "Thank you for cooperating."  She walked out, heading for the bathroom.

The nurse stood in her way.  "Agent Romanoff, until you let her put you on the paperwork I can't let you into her treatment area."

"I thought I put it on there last night," Dawn said, sounding tired.

"If not, it will be on there later," Natasha said, pulling Dawn closer.  "Still can't heal the ribs?"  She shook her head.  "Well, the bruises faded."

"Still hurt."

"I know."  Dawn got handed in a t-shirt by Tony, who wasn't looking.  "Thank you."  She helped her into it, watching where she winced.  She opened the bond because Dawn was hiding it.  "We'll soak later."

Dawn grinned.  "I'd like that."

"Good."  She walked her out.  "Let me get her home."

"I have three hours left to work today.  I'm not going home early in my first real week of work," Dawn complained.  "I can be sedately filing though."

"Fine, we'll *file*," she said, staring at Dawn.  Dawn sent over it was important that no one here thought she was weak, or they'd attack again.  "I agree."  She walked her back up there.  "That skirt is too long for effective fighting."

"It's an old one.  I need the matching jacket to cover that I was only wearing the t-shirt bra."  She settled in with a wince and a hiss.  "Remember when I was seventeen and that super hoover slut kept trying to get Tony so she was trying to get me out of the way?" she asked quietly.  "I don't want that again."

"I remember.  It's tactically sound but we do not want you in pain."

"I know.  I don't like being in pain."  Natasha smiled.  "But I can't appear weak."

"I understand.  We will file together."

Dawn looked around then leaned on her arm.  "I need to spar again."

"We will once you're fully healed.  We've been meaning to."  She smiled and helped her sit up.  "We'll file."  She winked and got her sedate things to do.

Phil walked up the hall and looked at Dawn.  "Shouldn't you be home?"

"No.  It'll make me look weak."

He stared at her.  "If another one like that bitch shows up, I'll take her out.  Let's go home."

"She had better be packing up to go home for the night," Pepper called.  "She's injured.  I want her resting tonight."

Dawn leaned in there.  "I can handle the next few hours, Pepper.  It's healed."

"Yay!  Show up in the morning!  Not like I'm going to fire you for defending yourself twice."

"Twice?" Coulson asked.  "Why twice?"  Natasha said something in his ear.  He looked at her.  "Let's go.  Agent Romanoff, coming?  I'll give you a ride."

"Yes, I am."  She helped Dawn gather the few things.  "We'll see you in the morning."

"Sure," Pepper agreed with a smile.  She looked at Phil.  "She's too strong for her own good."

"She mentioned the woman that had wanted Stark when she was seventeen."

"That made me worry a lot so she's to quit that," Pepper ordered.  He smiled and followed the ladies downstairs.  "I swear," she complained, leaning back.  "The Week of Stupidity only has a few more days or else I'll end the calendar."

***

Clint stared down at the agent that Natasha had been talking to earlier.  The man looked up at him, blinking.  "You did what?" he demanded quietly.

"I had no idea."

"Uh-huh."  He smirked slightly.  "You're in such deep shit it's not funny."

"I'd never do it again.  She made herself clear."  The smirk got brighter.  "Including that the young one is not a student, merely trained for self-defense."

"She is."

"She moves wrong."

"She has two bruised ribs."

"That would explain it.  How is she usually?"

"Great."  He walked off.  "I'd better never see you again."

"You won't."  He settled in to hold his stomach.  The SHIELD doctors hadn't been as nice as Agent Romanoff.  Whoever that young woman was he had been tasked in taking to control, she was well liked.

***

By the time he got home, Dawn was naked and letting Natasha work some sort of cream into her bruises.  "That bad?" he asked, closing the door.  Natasha nodded.  "She break the bruised ones?"

"Not that I can tell.  Possibly cracked one."  Dawn made a whining sound.  "She was going to prove she was stronger by staying."

"I've done that."  He moved the pillow Dawn was hugging and let her curl up against his chest.  "One more day."

She looked up.  "Which means we'll have another invasion on Saturday or Sunday."  She put her head back down.  "What did he want?"

"You so he could put you under his control, which would lead to you getting him the Iron Man information," Natasha said.  She found another bruise from the fight.  "She didn't look bad considering her side was in agony from the new graze and the bruised ribs."

"Maybe she should take a day at SHIELD to show Joyce how to do those forms," Clint said.  "Not tomorrow but sometime soon."

Dawn looked at him.  "If they get near my mother, I have an alarm that will summon me and I can't guarantee I'll remember it's an exercise if they're using live ammo.  Mom doesn't like guns."  He winced but nodded.

"We'll get your mother out of there," Natasha promised.  "Though, if they're doing it tomorrow then there's every chance it'll be used as a cover for a more extensive one."

"I told them to make sure of it," he said.  "Just in case."

"At least the ones who used you two breaking in to get that arms dealer to overthrow him were nice enough not to hit on me," Dawn quipped, sounding tired.  "The PMS I had that week might've killed them all."

"I thought women synched up," Clint complained.

"Ours are prompted by the pill cycle," Dawn said, looking up at him.  "It can't."

"Oh."  He nodded and she put her head back down.  Natasha smiled and kissed her back, earning a groan.  "Shift around so she can do your front."

"I love you guys but I'm not in the mood for sex," Dawn admitted.  "I'm exhausted.  Which sucks since I'm doing less now than I was before."

Clint smiled.  "It's just the injuries.  Like in Peru."  Dawn turned and he pulled her into his lap.  Natasha smiled but fixed all the bruises.  "How many times did he tag you?"

"My blocking skills are non-existent on that side," Dawn admitted.  "Each time I move that arm it sends a lightening bolt of agony down my side and made my leg nearly give."

"Standing is better," Natasha said quietly.  "I took an extra second, I'm sorry."

Dawn kissed her.  "You did great."  She moaned as Clint's hands worked on her shoulders.  "Maybe I might feel up to sex."  They laughed at that.

"You'd spoil us the same way," Clint reminded her.  She nodded, letting them pamper her.  She needed and deserved it.

Natasha kissed her.  "If you make it a whole week without something stupid happening I might even consider the option of the office Halloween party."

Dawn smiled at her.  "Buffy said I need to go as something that shows off my stomach muscles."

"That's not really appropriate," Clint said.  "Even in Stark's company full of bimbos."

"I was thinking the purple sari," Dawn said.  She looked back at him.  "Phil has to go to the ball because he's on for Fury's guard detail."

"At least he can wear a suit."

"No, bodyguards are to be dressed up, but they can be identical so they can identify each other."  She grinned.  "I suggested they go as superheros in spandex."  Natasha burst out cackling.  She smiled and took a kiss from each of them.  "That was not his reaction."

"I can't see Fury dressing up."

"I think he'll pull the formal leathers out of his closet," Dawn said dryly.  "Maybe he'll go as a gladiator."

"That's an image I don't need," Natasha said, kissing her to take the silly images out of her mind.  "What is that choker?"

"That is the special choker that Lavelle wears, ours in this realm anyway."  She got up with a moan and got it, bringing it out.  "I can't hitch it on for you or only I can remove it."

"It's magical?"

"It's a really powerful chaos artifact."  Clint pulled her back down so she leaned her head on Natasha's convenient shoulder so he could get more of her back.

"Hedonist," he teased.

"Yes I am.  And you're great at prompting that feeling, both of you are."  She kissed the skin next to her lips.

Natasha put it on and squeaked when it changed her. She carefully removed it.  "It's for disguises?"  Dawn took it to put on and changed to a guy, then handed it back once it was off and she was back to normal.  "That was thorough."

"Any picture in your mind," she said.  "He got stuck into it as a girl so he had to learn."

"Huh," Clint said.  "That could be handy."

"Which is why I'm pretty sure Xander left it with me to guard," she quipped back.  She looked back.  "Lavelle uses it so much that he has set personalities in each gender.  His boyfriends only really love him as a girl though."  Clint shivered.  She smiled.  "Only one issue.  There is a single fertility spell that works with it.  There, Janus used it on Lavelle's copy.  Here, the thing is locked up."

"So... he got pregnant?  Lavelle is that world's Xander, right?"

"Yeah, and yes, he did."  She got up to get a photo album.  She found the picture.  "That's one I copied out of his wallet."

"That's a lot of kids," Clint said.

She pointed.  "He had that set of twins and this set of twins, and this one."  She smiled.  "Himself."

"Okay, so if I'm in it, we need to make sure no chaos gods are going to prompt me to get pregnant."  He handed it back.  "You two can play with that."  Dawn kissed him and he smiled.  "I'd feel like I was cheating."  She grinned.  Natasha moved up behind her, naked now as well.  Dawn leaned back to kiss her.  Clint groaned.  Dawn was clearly feeling better. He could join the nakedness.  Dawn did it for him.  That helped him pull her into his lap and slide into her while those two kissed.  She moaned into Natasha's mouth, making her groan back.  He let Dawn turn around and slowly rode her while Natasha was played with and teased.  Dawn ended up nibbling on her until she came then Clint gently helped Dawn on top of her and rode her until she was just as limp. He let himself come and snuggled his ladies.  They were good together.  This was the best end of the stupid week there was.

***

Phil looked up from his paperwork of doom, confused when he felt that switch in one of his people.  "What are they doing?"  Then it hit another one but it came back off almost immediately.  He sent a thought at Xander who reminded him of that choker.  "Oh, she showed them."  He pulled away because he had felt them deciding to calm her down.  He did not need to know.  A plate appeared next to him.  He thought at Xander.

Xander appeared.  "I did not send that.  Or the honey dust that's on the fruit."  He smiled.  "I think that's from Freya."

"Isn't she a love goddess?"

"Yes."

"Ah."  He nodded.  "Is honey dust toxic?"

"It's a sex game.  You lick it off people."

"That stuff, okay."  He ate a piece of peach and nodded.  "She had good taste pairing it together but it still won't make me want to marry anyone."

Xander smirked.  "She's going to call you a tease."

"She might but I missed lunch."  He ate another piece, letting Xander have one.

Xander smirked evilly.  "Cunning, I like that.  I can see you being in Slytherin."

"I'm not sure which house I'd fall into," he admitted, eating a berry.  Xander cackled and left.  Phil got back to his boring mundane identity.  He heard the alarm and winced.  "Shit," he muttered, grabbing weapons and heading upstairs.  Joyce was in the building.  He looked around then popped up there and took her out of harm's way.  "Stay."  He disappeared to go handle whatever was going on.  It had better not be the invasion drill or he'd be beating someone to death.

Fury winced and came out to get his new assistant out of harm's way before Summers showed up to kill them all.  She wasn't there.  "Agent Hill?" he called, heading for her.

"Two small groups, sir.  Both on the lower levels.  Agents are fighting back."

"Ours or not?" he demanded.

"I can't get a reading and it's not like we have ID chips like pets, sir."

"My assistant so I don't have to see Summers apologize for blowing us all up?"

"I saw Agent Coulson take her off."

"Good."  He looked at the status reports.  "They're heading for the prison?"

"No, sir, that's a diversion," Agent Hill said, looking at another screen.  She sent agents toward floors three and five.  "I'm still not sure if this is the drill or not," she said quietly when Fury looked at her.

"All agents, if this is the drill, you got farther than I expected.  If it's not, they're enemies."  New gunfire erupted.  "No, it's not."  He moved to guard the main area.  They weren't coming up there though.  "Get that spy out of the cells!" he snapped.

"He's not there, sir, only Hammer is," another bridge agent yelled.  The HQ main admin area was set up a lot like the bridge on the hell carrier so no one had to get used to new things.

"Someone get down there to keep them from getting him free again."  He rushed off to help since they weren't coming up there.

***

Joyce was in her nice, safe spot when people rushed in with guns.  "Boys."

They stared at her.  "Hands up," one shouted.

Joyce stared at him.  "Do not yell at me."  The lead bad guy threatened her with his gun.  She snorted.  "I've seen death.  My daughters and I have all seen death.  Frankly, they can do it better than you can because they can do it in heels and a short skirt."

"I know her, she's the mother of a slayer."

"Oh, you must be Council," Joyce said, stabbing him.  "I've always wanted to do that to Travers, I guess you'll stand in this time."  Agents came rushing in and she got out of the way.  She put her pretty self defense dagger back into her pocket.  "I'll have Dawn help me clean that later."  She smiled at the man she had stabbed.  "What is the Council doing invading SHIELD?"  He spluttered.  "That is not polite.  I may not have been able to teach Buffy to wear real shirts, but I did teach her manners."  He tried to crawl away.  "Want me to call my daughters to come ask?"

"No!" he shouted.  The local agents smiled as they hauled him away.

"Let us question him, Mrs. Summers.  We really liked Dawn when she was here."

"She is a good daughter," she agreed.

One looked at her.  "How did you get down here?"

"Phil.  He was protecting me."

"That's nice of him.  Come this way, ma'am, the mess is probably safer."  He helped her up there.  "Dawn spoke of you often."

"Dawn's a sweet, good daughter.  I don't know what I would've done if Dawn hadn't managed to grow up with Pepper helping her.  She did an excellent job with her."

"She did," he agreed.  "Here, ma'am, have some tea.  If they show up here you can yell and we'll come stab them for you."

She patted him on the cheek.  "Thank you, Agent Bronson."

He grinned, she knew his name!  He went to help torture the one she had stabbed.

Joyce did get herself some tea and calmed down.

Fury walked in once it was over with.  "Where did he put you?"

"Someplace that looked like a maintenance shaft."

"How did he get you into there?"

"I have no idea."  She smiled and finished her tea, tossing out the cup.  "Let me go see which forms we'll need to have done.  Dawn gave me a sample book so they're easily found and filled out, Director."  She walked past him, going back upstairs.

Fury watched her go then looked at the junior agents, who all shrugged.  They had no clue.  Fury walked off shaking his head.  He went to see the captives, finding one suffering.  "Who stabbed him instead of shooting him?" he asked.

"Mrs. Summers did," Agent Bronson said.  "She called him Council, sir."

"She said she didn't like guns," he said dryly, staring at him.  "Why are the Watchers Council still together?" he asked.  The man spluttered until the glaring got to him then he started to talk.  Especially after one noted that someone would have to tell Dr. Banner that she had nearly been attacked.

***

Joyce smiled as she walked in to great smelling dinner scents.  "That smells wonderful, Bruce."  She found him in the kitchen, gripping the counter, head down.  "I was perfectly safe, dear.  Phil moved me out of harm's way."  He looked at her.  "They wanted someone in the jails."

He groaned and pulled her over to hold her.  "Are you sure you're all right?"

"Well, I did run into someone that was Council so I stabbed him for all the hell they put us through over Buffy but otherwise, I'm fine.  Not even scared."  He calmed down and just cuddled.  "Is the bread burning?"

"Probably," he agreed, turning off the oven.  "It doesn't matter.  I take it this wasn't the drill they had planned?"

"No, apparently not."

"Maybe he'll cancel it.  Otherwise I'd have to worry about you and then go destroy the whole building full of people."  She poked him and he kissed her.  "You're that important."  He smiled.  "Though I can see where Dawn gets her modest moments from."

She poked him again but she was smiling.  "I am very modest.  I could never wear my daughter's clothes."

He laughed.  "Thankfully."  He leaned against a wall and just held her.  Dinner was ruined but it was worth it.  She was more important than pasta and garlic bread.

***

Dawn was cuddled next to Clint, Natasha lounging on her back.  She was playing with Natasha's hand.  "The Brit guy tried to call me a name," she said quietly.

"Like bitch?" Clint asked.  "You've heard that plenty."

"He called a Brown Recluse."  Natasha stiffened.

"No, you are not," she promised, taking a kiss.  "I made sure to correct that thought when he thought you were our student instead of ours."

Dawn grinned.  "Thanks."  She took a kiss from each of them then flipped over to hold Natasha instead. "You're chilly."  She called the sheet up and covered them, making her moan and sniff.  "I found the fancy ones, yeah."  She smiled and snuggled in.

Clint shifted to hold them.  Natasha was chilled.  It was her turn in the middle.

***

Stark got the message that the problem had been ended, no one was injured, and that the invasion drill was off.  "That's a great idea," he said sarcastically.  "I'm sure someone's throwing a fit."

"Only Director Fury," JARVIS said.

"That's good to know."  He smirked at the current design.  Natasha's Widow's Bite needed upgraded.  She was the only one that didn't have any new weapons.  It looked good so he'd have to test it.  He started the manufacturing process through the system.  Then he went to check on his brilliant, slightly warped daughter.  She was petting her rabbit looking upset.  "Is he sick?" he asked, looking worried.  He was not ready to have the 'all dogs and rabbits go to heaven' talk with her yet.

"No.  Someone hurt Auntie Dawn."

"Yes but Auntie Dawn stopped them from hurting her or anyone else."  He squatted  down in front of her.  "That's what big people who know what they're doing do.  The same as I do when I'm in the suit."

She stared at him.  "You stop bad guys?"  He smiled and nodded.  "Wow."  He hugged her.  "Can we call Auntie?"

"She's relaxing and enjoying some natural pain relief encouragement," JARVIS said quietly.

"I think we'll talk to her tomorrow.  She's probably taking a nap after earlier."  Callia grinned at that silly idea then hugged him better.  "Some day you'll be like your aunt and me, protecting others, and making the world safe."

"Daddy, can I be a doctor?"

"You sure can."

She beamed and nodded.  "I can turn the suit into 'spital."

He smiled.  "We'll see about that."  She grinned and they sat down to read together, and with the rabbit.  Callia loved Carrot more than penguins and flowers.

***

Tony looked up as someone screamed on the lab floor.  It wasn't a pain scream.  Or a 'having at it in the closet' scream.  No, it was frustration.  He walked out and looked around, seeing Andrew slinking off.  "'Drew?"  He flinched and looked at him.  "What happened?"  He walked closer.

"One of the pretty science assistants wanted to... um..."  He looked down and blushed.  "She's not happy."

"Hold on, one of our science assistants hit on you?"  Andrew blushed brighter and nodded, still looking down.  "I don't care if you date, Andrew, in fact I'd heartily encourage it, but not if they're going to make you uncomfortable."  He walked off with him.  "Which one?  I need to have a talk about predators."

"Predators?" he asked, looking up and confused.  "She's not old enough to be a cougar."

Tony stopped them and stared at him.  "Some women are mercenary.  They're in it to screw their way to the best position they can," he said patiently.  "I'm pretty sure she was trying that instead of being interested.  If she was interested she wouldn't push."

"She walked off complaining that I wasn't good for her.  I think she added for her.  I hope so.  I've been studying the books...."

Tony covered his mouth.  "I'll talk to her.  Go take Dawn and get some coffee?"  He smiled and nodded, going upstairs.  She'd help him figure it out.  "JARVIS, who was it?"

"Miss Nomes."

"She's in ...."

"Lab eight."

Tony walked that way, watching how she was playing.  He walked in.  "I don't think that's appropriate lab behavior."  The lab geeks in there flinched and got back to work.  "Not you guys, you're fine."  He stared at her.  "Let's go talk, Miss Nomes."  She smiled at him.  He walked her off.  "I've had reports that you've been intentionally distracting people from working by way of ineffectual sexual relations?" he asked.

"Excuse me?  I'm not ineffectual.  If that little *genius* said otherwise...."

He stared at her.  "He didn't have to.  I know very well Andrew has no idea what to do with women.  I saw the aftermath."  She flinched.  "Then saw you trying it again on another scientist, who yes is a genius as well.  Most of us in the building are.  Even my assistant is, she's just below MENSA standards."  She sneered.  "We don't appreciate those who have a playlist or who are using their bodies to make their way up the corporate ladder so I would suggest you leave before I have you removed for sexual harassment."

"He asked me."

"I doubt that.  Andrew's not ready to ask a girl out for coffee, much less into a broom closet."   She was backing away.  "Security, we need you to escort a bimbo off premises."

"Yes, sir," was replied over his comm earbud.

Stark stared at her.  "Next time, leave the good boys alone.  They don't play, that's what makes them good boys."  She shrieked and tried to attack her but he had learned how to fight.  He was holding her against a wall when security got there. "Here, have the predator."  He let her go.

"I'll see them ruined," she sneered.

"Not unless you gave them VD that rots the mind and I'll make sure they're checked for that," Tony assured her, making one of the guards laugh.  "Get her wannabe predator ass out of here, guys.  Fired for sexual harassment."  They walked her off.  He walked off happier.  He ran into Bruce.  "You look upset.  Did the bimbo hit on you too?"

"We had a bimbo?  No one told me."

"Yeah, tried to trap Andrew and he wasn't sure enough for her.  What's wrong?"

"You have JARVIS listening to the apartments?"

"No.  There is one sensor per level that is a security sensor.  It is to come on at the sound of gun shots, screaming, or other dangerous sounds.  In yours, and Joyce's, it comes on if you grow more than a foot and turn really green.  I had it set at a lower level by accident but I saw you calming her down one too many times."  He smiled and patted him on the arm.  "That way we're aware.  It's the same in the new building.  Which is why I turned it down in Dawn's apartment.  She shrieks when it's great."

Bruce blushed.  "I guess that's reasonable.  Gunshots?"

"That apartment used to belong to Dawn."

"Oh, yeah, that makes more sense then.  Joyce heard and got worried."

"It's the same one we use in the labs and workspaces.  Most of the time he can't even answer.  The feed goes to my phone for yours or Dawn's.  Or Coulson and Tara's place.  The rest go right to security."

"So you, um, caught us calming down?"

"Yes."  He smiled and patted him on the arm.  "And I promptly turned it off.  Joyce is a sweet lady but much too nice for me to even consider."

Bruce smiled.  "She is.  She told me if I ended up changing I'd have to replace the tv."

Tony grinned.  "She is a great lady and she made a great younger lady.  Who occasionally swears like a sailor," he said, looking up the hall.  "Did you break something, Dawn?"

"Yes."

"Was it a nail?" he guessed, walking that way.  "Oh, no, that's not a nail," he said at the sight of the robotic guard dog tester unit having her hand in a tight, bear trap like grip.  "Where's the owner?"

"I have no goddamn idea," she growled.  "But they're going to have to rebuild it."  She concentrated.  The dog howled and exploded.  She sighed and held her hand.  "Let me go get a few bandages and maybe an x-ray."  She walked off.

"I'll help you there," Bruce said with a smile.  "Did you know that there's security sensors in the apartments?"

"Yeah.  JARVIS connects to mine.  We talk when I'm having nightmares."  She sighed.  "It's Friday finally, right?"

"It is."  He patted her on the arm.  "It's been a long week for you."

"Yes it has."  They came off the elevator to people fighting.  "Yo, shut the fuck up!" she shouted.  That fight stopped.  "In my way to the infirmary, people."  One of them rushed over and tried to attack Bruce.  "Listen, dumb bitch," Dawn said, shoving her off.  "That's my stepfather.  I doubt you're ever going to live up to the skills and style my Mom has, and passed down genetically to me, but I'll be *damned* if some skank like you touches my stepfather."

She pushed her back with her good hand.  "If you try again, I will teach my mom how to fire a gun up your cunt ass and blow what little brains you keep up there out.  Now, are we clear why you don't touch Dr. Banner again, bitch?"  She looked scared.  "I asked you a question."  She nodded.  "Then I'd suggest you quit fighting with security and move your ass out of my way right the hell now."  She slowly backed up.  "Any one else?"

"No," one of the guards said quietly.  "When did you turn into Director Fury?"

"When the damn robotic dog decided to try to eat my hand."  They winced.  "By the way, he has to clean up a mess."  She walked off with a huff.  "Damn bimbos, giving the rest of us a bad rep."

"So, you don't mind me and your mom?" Bruce asked.

She looked at him.  "If you hurt my mother not even your other side will survive.  Seriously.  I can send you into the sun if I have to.  I might only be able to fling you to Mars but you'll eventually hit the sun.  You make Mom happy and she deserves to be happy for all the hell she's been through, starting in her first marriage.  I expect to see a ring some year and I expect to sniffle at the wedding shortly thereafter, but I don't expect it this year.  Mom's having too much fun breaking both your backs."

He laughed.  "She can, yes.  You're clearly in pain."  He walked her up the hall.  "Dr. Pigalli, there was a robotic guard dog on the lab floor in testing."

She looked at the wrist area.  "Are sure it wasn't a shark?"

"No, made to look like a sheppard," Dawn huffed, hopping up onto the table.  "I'm pretty sure I need x-rays."

"I'd say you're right."  She pulled it over.  "Doctor Banner, are you escorting her further?"

"I'm making sure she'll be okay."  He walked off smiling.  He ran into Pepper at the elevator.  "She went Springer on her," he said quietly.

"Tony had the security cameras up to make sure she didn't duck you.  I heard."  She walked in there, looking her over.  "You don't look like you're on tv."  Dawn held up her wrist and she winced.  "Ow.  Can you even move your fingers?"

"Two broken minor wrist bones," Dr. Pigalli said, handing over the brace she had been finding.  She stuck Dawn with the painkiller too.  "And something to calm down her temper."

"It's been a week of hell, guys.  Sorry I vented on the bimbo, Pepper.  It sets a bad precedent and I'll apologize if you want me to."

Pepper smiled and waved a hand.  "I couldn't have said it better myself, even if you did turn into a Springer audience member."  She grinned and helped her off.  "Let's get you up to the office.  Next time, shoot the dog."

"Gun's on that side."

"That sucks."  They got up to the office, where Clint was waiting.  "When did you get here?"

"I snuck in," he said with a smile, looking at her wrist.  "What happened?"

"Robomutt."

"He's going to yell," Tony warned but he was grinning.  "He tried to yell at me."

"I'm so over this week," she said dryly.  The scientist stomped in and Dawn pulled Clint's gun to point in his face.  "Your mutt bit me.  I put it down," she said slowly and clearly.  "There is no reason for your mutt to prevent me from coming into the lab to check on you."  He was backing away.  "Now, do you perhaps want to change the programming when you build the next one?"  He nodded quickly.  "You're certain?"

"Yes, Dawn.  I'll exclude you," he said, sounding shaky.

"There's others that need to get into your lab too, like emergency personnel," Dawn pointed out.  "Don't you think they should be excluded before it means that they can't treat you?"  He nodded.  "Good boy.  You have a better day.  I'm pretty sure I left the core processing unit intact."  He ran off.

Clint took the gun.  "Yours is on the wrong side for you to pull, isn't it?"  He watched her slam the doors then huff.  He sat down and pulled her into his lap.  She looked at him.  "Not like they don't know."  She leaned on his chest.  "Broken?"

"Two of the wrist bones, and I'm on fuzzy headed drugs for the pain because I ripped into the ho that was trying to grab Bruce to have him there in the hallway."

"We thought it was brilliant," Tony said.   He looked at the flashing monitor, turning up the sound.

"Oh my god!  You hurt Dawn!  How could you, she takes really good care of us!" Jonathan shouted.  "You can't hurt the Dawn!  Half of us wouldn't eat if she doesn't remind us and she saved us all from Warren!"  He took a swing and then walked off sniffling.

Clint texted down there.  A few minutes there was a knock on the door.  "Enter," Tony called.

Jonathan walked in.  "I'm sorry I lost my cool, Tony."

Dawn pulled him over and hugged him.  "I only take care of the worthy geeks.  He can starve to death."  He sniffled and she let him calm down.  "Thank you."

He kissed her on the cheek, blushing hard.  "Some day I want a girl like you."  He looked at Tony.  "But I won't build one."

He smiled.  "Good.  No more fighting, Jonathan."  He nodded and glanced at Clint, blushing a bit.

"He's really good to me," Dawn assured him.

"I thought you and, well, *her*," he said, glancing at the bosses.

"Well, yeah," Dawn admitted with a grin.  "Kinda."

Jonathan turned bright red.  "Wow."  He fidgeted.  "We like her.  She's nice to us.  We'll kill you over her," he told Clint.  He fled.

Dawn relaxed after closing the door magically again.  "Did I close that on someone?"

"I'm not sure," Pepper said, walking over to open it.  "Andrew, coffee, bless you.  Hillary?"  She took the reports.  "Thank you."  She left and she walked Andrew inside.  "She couldn't see you there."

"I didn't," Dawn said.  She kissed him on the cheek too.  He blushed and the tray wobbled.  Pepper caught it.  "Thank you, Andrew."

"You're okay?"  She held up the brace.  "You've had a sucky week."

"I did.  But hey, didn't end up telepathic or making zombies."  Andrew giggled and left.  "Thanks, 'Drew."

"Welcome, Dawn," he called back.  "Feel better."   He and Jonathan needed to gossip so hard now.

Pepper put down the coffee tray and closed the door.  She leaned against it.  "It's not even noon yet."

Dawn looked at her.  "Don't remind me there's still two more days this week!"

Clint hugged her.  "It'll be fine."

"It's not today, right?  The drill?"

"No, he canceled it after yesterday's actual invasion."

She sighed in pleasure.  "Good.  I'd hate to have to pay to rebuild SHEILD's HQ.  My budget wouldn't let me shop then."  Clint laughed and hugged her.  She put her head back down.  "Can we just rename today Sunday, boss?"

"Definitely," Tony agreed.  "You have an hour of lunch, Dawn.  Go nap off the painkiller in one of the guest rooms."  She nodded, getting up with a moan.  Clint helped her up and down to one.  He looked at Pepper.  "It was saving up from that year she was gone."

"It probably was."  She got them both coffee.  The monitor flashed that there was a security problem and they watched.  "They have it set against Clint?"

"Yup."  He turned that off at the source.  Downstairs in security, the guy who crushed on Dawn was pouting but he saw the boss ending his protocol so he couldn't redo it.

Tony shook his head.  "They love Dawn more than us, you know that, right?"

"The only one they love more is Callia."

He grinned.  "She is loveable."  He relaxed, sipping his coffee.

***

Dawn came out of her napping off the painkillers alone.  Clint had snuck out thanks to his phone going off with Phil's ringtone.  She was walking back upstairs redoing her hair, bobby pins in her mouth.  It was really hard to do with one hand.  Someone came rushing off the elevator in body armor and with a gun.  "Okay, so no one wants me to do my hair after all," she said, spitting out the bobby pins so she couldn't swallow them.  "Please let this be a hallucination?"  The guy tried to grab her and she blocked.

He was solid, not a hallucination.  She kicked him back and blocked the next hit with the brace, wincing some.  Her whole right side was in a bad way between that and the ribs that were slowly healing.  He growled and tried to hit her again.  She kicked him back again.  He pulled a taser and she ducked one of the strands but the other caught her.  She yanked it out as it was going off, making herself ignore the pain.  He looked stunned right about when she shoved that pin in his eye.

"Really?" she asked.  He was rolling around screaming so she grabbed the taser he had dropped.  "I'm setting it off in ten seconds unless I have a damn good reason not to.  You caught me in the *wrong* week, dude.  Why are you trying to attack or snatch me?"  Nothing but crying.  "Two seconds and I set it off."  She gave a quick pulse of the trigger and he screamed like she was burning him alive.  "Hey, eyeballs smoke at high electricity.  Interesting.  I did not know that.  Who the fuck are you?" she growled.  Security was rushing off the elevator.  "Why are you trying to grab me?"

"The UK wants you," he panted.  "You're our ticket to a team of her own."

Dawn leaned down.  "I'd.  Kill.  You.  All."  He nodded, trying to back away.  "Let's face it, if I wasn't in a bad mood today I probably would've just killed you.  Instead, you caught me at the tail end of a *really* bad week.  Are you happy with that since some of it was your people's doing?"  He shook his head, starting to cry.  "You sure?  Because I *really* could use the stress relief and that smoking eyeball thing looked like I might want to test to see how much smoke comes out with a longer pulse."

"No, we're really sorry!  We thought you were just a girlfriend!"

"I am.  And an assistant.  Unfortunately I'm also the sister of a slayer and one of the most kidnaped beings on this plane.  So yes, I learned self defense from some of the best," she said dryly, staring at him.  "Including torturing from a Master Vampire named Spike."  He shuddered.  "He'd so enjoy the eyeball thing.  I'll have to tell him about it later."  He started to cry for real.  "You can tell them that please?"

"I can, I promise I will," he sobbed.  "Save me?" he begged the guards.

"Yeah, we can do that.  Miss Summers, would you like escorted down so you can get a painkiller?"

"I had one an hour ago," she complained.  She looked at herself.  "I have to change.  Damn it."  She walked off shaking her head.  "There's no way I can do that with one hand.  Stockings take two."

"You can probably use your fingers," one of the female guards offered.

Dawn looked at her, shaking her head.  "No, I can't.  I can't move them.  The stupid robomutt broke my wrist."  She winced.  "Let me hit my locker to get something clean."  She trudged that way.  Everyone stared at her.  She looked at the blood then at them.  "Someone attacked me.  It's been that sort of week."  They nodded.  She walked into the locker room.  Her locker was bare except a jacket.  She considered it then popped home after texting Pepper she had to change, she was rumpled.  She called Spike while she was changing.  "Hey, Spike, did you know that if you electrocuted eyeballs they smoked?"

"They do?" he asked from the speaker.  "What're you doing?"

"Changing.  Some Brit agent thought I was a helpless girlfriend sort.  He had a taser."

"Hmm, that sounds like fun I want to try.  If you're getting naked, I don't need to know."

"Nope, not naked.  Just changing."  She hung up and pulled up stockings then pulled on a simple dress that needed zipped.  She checked.  Her armpits needed shaved so she found a sweater to go over it.  She stepped into new shoes then 'ported back to the office.  "Pepper, can you do the zipper?" she asked since she was in the hallway.  "Sorry," she told the guy in the suit, waving her cast.  "She's like my big sister."

Pepper zipped her up.  "There you go.  Why don't you go home?"

"I've had a bad week but not that bad.  Let me get what I need for the meeting."

"Someone was testing a robotic guard dog this morning," Pepper said quietly.  "It bit her."

He winced.  "That's bad."

"She destroyed it."  He smiled.  "That's actually my assistant Dawn.  She's just having one of those days."

"We've all had those days but I've never been bitten by a robotic dog."  Dawn came back carrying a tray and had her tablet on a strap around her sore wrist.  Pepper let them into the meeting room.  Dawn left and came back with a small plate of things to nibble on.

"Those are all vegetarian and all natural," she said.  She walked off.  "Sorry, forgot a step after lunch."  She came back with something and sucking on a certs.

He smiled.  "Not everyone could handle their jobs after being attacked by a robotic dog."

She smiled back.  "All a day in my wacky life sometimes, sir."  He laughed and got down to talking to Pepper about what the agreement between their companies could bring them.  Dawn pulled a lot of information up for them to look at and had to cancel a new email that popped up automatically from Stark that had a cute cartoon.  She shook her head but they smiled at it.  They came to an easy agreement based on current prices of their stock and materials, letting Dawn put the draft of the agreement up for them to look over.  One small mistake showed up and Dawn erased it when she spotted it.  It was printed and they took them to their boards to look over.

Pepper looked at her.  "Smoke?  When did you pick up that vile habit?"

"It's a good day for one.  I think maybe Sunday."

"Cigar and some brandy?" she quipped.

"Definitely."  She picked up the last muffin for herself.  She hadn't gotten lunch.  They went back to the office so she could type up the formal agreement.  Pepper compared them and nodded, sending it to the various board members. Dawn finished her muffin and got to work on the files.

Tony walked up to her, staring at her.  "What makes you think you don't get to go to the infirmary when you're attacked?" he asked.  "I thought I made it clear, Dawn.  Each and every attack."

"I had to go home and change and there was the meeting.  I'm heading there before I go home."

He stared at her.  "Yeah, not working.  Pepper, did she mention the other attack?"

"Excuse me?  She said she was rumpled from napping off the painkillers."

"No," Dawn quipped.  "I was until someone came off the elevator.  Apparently I'm a helpless bimbo girlfriend sort according to the UK.  I think they're going to change that opinion now.  Let me finish this and I'll let them re x-ray my wrist, Tony."

"It can wait."

"It can't wait or I'll have to come back on Sunday so it gets done before the cleaning crew tosses it on me.  They do it anytime I leave files on the desk or the cabinets."  She finished the filing and let him walk her down there after she grabbed her coffee.  "I'm okay."

"Yeah, not caring."  He smirked at her.  "You didn't look too bad considering your right side is really weak."

"I can barely move on that side.  I feel like a mountain fell on me."

"I know," he assured her.  "I've had many days like that inside my shiny suit of tin cans and weapons."  She laughed.  "C'mon.  We all know you're not a bimbo."

"They don't."

"They're dumb for all that they have Oxford and Cambridge."  He walked her into the infirmary.

"I was wondering how much time she was giving us to remove that taser spike from the agent's eye," Dr. Pigalli said dryly.

Dawn snorted.  "Did you know they smoked when you tapped the taser switch?"  She grinned.

"I did not nor did I want to," Tony admitted, handing her over.

"I'm so having a hangover Monday to celebrate this week being over with," she warned as he walked off.

"Sure, we can celebrate that hangover together," he quipped.  He laughed most of the way back upstairs.

Dawn looked at the doctor and sighed.  "I think it needs a new scan."

"It probably does.  You couldn't do it magically?"

"No.  It's not allowing me to do less than killing them."

"Oh, okay."  She took off the brace, looking at the layer of new bruises.  "Used it to block?"  She nodded.  "Dawn!"

"Only way I could, Doc.  Especially with those ribs."

She pulled over the x-ray machine, doing them and her ribs.  "How are you managing an underwire bra with bruised ribs?" she asked.  She leaned closer.  "And one slightly cracked one.

"Sheer stubbornness," Dawn sighed.  "I can't be braless, it sends the wrong message, and I don't have any that aren't underwire."

She looked at her.  "You need to find a few."

"Next week I have to be in a corset," she said dryly.  "For that gala.  My dress has one and I don't have time to shop."

She winced.  "There's no way."

Dawn put back on the brace.  "No way not to, Doc.  Gotta do the job."  She sighed, looking at her wrist.  "That's bad."

"That's only dislocated."  She took her brace back off and looked then found the right area, pushing on it and flexing at the same time.  Dawn yelped and went weak-kneed, grabbing the bed with her good hand to stop herself from hitting the floor."  She put back on the brace and went to look in her files.  "This is all you're getting from me on the painkiller front.  Make it last.  I'm including a dose for that damnable corset since you can't find something else in time."

"Anything else I'd have to have fitted," she said, looking at her.  "I hate being so tiny sometimes."

"You could use a few pounds too."  She handed over the bottle once the system had filled it.  "Go home?"

Dawn looked at the clock then at her.  "I won't take one until I get home."

"Go home."

"Soon.  Very, very soon."  She tucked them into her pocket and made sure she was looking normal, hitching one of the stockings back up.  The doc helped her.  "Thanks."  She walked off trying to look normally unconcerned.  It was Friday.  She was about to snoopy dance like Xander.  She walked up to the office.  "Okay, I have painkillers for this weekend, and for Wednesday's event."  Pepper gave her a horrified look.  Dawn nodded.  "Did you forget, boss?"

"Yes."  She stared at her.  "It's payday."

"Yay!  I can take Natasha and go to a salon to get waxed tomorrow then.  Because there's no way I can shave and I might as well go through that torture too."  She sighed.  "Anyway, I'm going to celebrate this week being over."

"I heard you'd have a hangover Monday," she said with a smile.

"I think I deserve it."  She turned and found both lovers there.  "Who called?"

"Doc," Clint said, staring at her.  "And one of the guys in security who really wants to bear your future genius babies."

She frowned.  "Did Roque's mom get him too?"

"Dog?" Natasha asked.

"Robo dog."  She held up her wrist.  "I discounted the theory that I was just a bimbo girlfriend too."  She blinked a few times.  "I've got to get waxed tomorrow for Wednesday.  Wanna come?"

"I'm not into torture," she said dryly.

"Neither am I but I figure it's one of a very short list I can do that's not really injurious that I haven't went through this week."

"We'll buy you some nair," she assured her.  She pulled Dawn closer, looking at her wrist.  "Broken?"

"Two bones, was dislocated after the last thing."  She handed over the pills.  "So I don't lose them."

She looked at them.  "Three days worth."

"Tomorrow, Sunday, Wednesday night."

"You don't have to go," Tony said.

"Growly said I had to."

"Fury can bite me," Pepper said.  "You don't have to go."

Dawn looked at her.  "It's a minor request and I can handle it for a few hours.  I even have lower heels to wear."  She smiled at the clock then at Pepper.  "Can I have the ten minutes?"

"Go!  Now.  Guys, baby her and if she wants to come in with a hangover on Monday I think this last week deserves it."

"Yes it does," Clint said.  "All the way around."  He walked the ladies out.  "Who was he?" he asked in the elevator.

"UK."  She looked at him.  "Did you know eyeballs smoked?"

"Yes, I did."

"Cool."  Natasha looked at her oddly.  "Taser."

"Did it hit you?" she asked.

"Only one prong.  That went into his eye."  She walked off the elevator.  "Cab?"

"Cab," they agreed.  It was only fifteen blocks and usually Dawn would walk.  Not this time.  They signed out and security had called her a cab.

"Thank you," Natasha called.

Once they were in the cab, Dawn looked at her.  "It's a good thing I work for Stark.  Anywhere else and I'd have been fired for having that many incidents happen to me.  I hate what looking for a job entails."

"I know you do."  She petted her hair down.  "If you had to, you could come help your mother at SHIELD."

"Maybe, though I promised only if I was desperate."  She yawned.  "I hate this week."

"It's done with," Clint promised.

She looked at him.  "Don't jinx it."

He grinned.  "I'm not.  Your part of the week is done with.  You can rest at home in jammies all weekend long."  She grinned.  "Cap wanted to watch movies anyway."

"Okay."  They paid at the apartment building and got out, heading upstairs.  She started to fall onto the couch but Natasha took her into the bedroom to strip her down while Clint made her something soothing for dinner.  Dawn would try to fuss over them unless they did it over her first.

***

Sunday morning, Dawn poked Clint and pointed.  "You did jinx yourself.  There's a giant robot or we're having a robot parade."

He lifted his head off her stomach to look out the window.  "Damn it," he groaned, getting up and heading to find pants and his bow and arrows.  "Natasha!" he yelled loud enough to wake her up.  She was slightly tipsy from last night.  Pepper and Dawn had a nail doing thing with her and Joyce, Agent Hill, and Tara.  They had all gotten a bit beyond tipsy before finally going to bed at around sunrise.

"I'm starting to feel my age," she complained.  "Why are there robots?"

"They're having a parade," Dawn said sarcastically.  Natasha flipped her off but found something to put on and weapons to go with it.  Cap was already out there trying to stop them.

Xander appeared with a higher level, five shot vehicle mounted missile launcher.  "Would this help?  I won it in a poker game."

She took it and hit them all.  "Yes.  It does."

"Girls night hangover," Clint explained.

"I've seen.  Been forced to be at one and seen.  Buffy even tried to french braid my hair."  Coulson laughed, turning around and walking off instead of coming to help.   "I actually think Buffy in the green face mask is more scary than Banner in full on Hulk mode."  He disappeared after curing her hangover for her.

She looked up.  "Thank you."  She looked down at the mess she had made.  Clint got one last one with an explosive arrow.  She looked at him.  "That's the cold arrow."

"Oops."  He looked down at Cap, tapping his comm piece.  "It's been a hell of a week.  I say we have burgers on the rooftop grill and beers."

"Beers won't really do much for me but it has been a very long week," Cap agreed. "One more I can see stomping this way."  Tony finally got there and blew it up.  "Better late than never, Stark," he complained.

"I was halfway up the coast," he shot back.

"It's Miller Time," Clint decided.  "How much do you think the Hulk could drink?"

Natasha said something rude in Spanish and hit him on the head.  "Shut up."  She walked off.  He laughed, in a better mood now that he was awake enough to pick on her.

Note: Second death of a major BTVS character.

21: Making Old Ones Angry

Xander's angry.  Phil's angry.  Either one might just Hulk up they're so pissed at the others who keep pushing things.  Who do you think is going to win this battle?

Clint walked into the shared apartment Tuesday after work.  "I smell the horrible chemical mix that reminds me of a few birthdays," he quipped.

"I can't wax," Dawn said, coming out of the bathroom walking very carefully.  "Whatever that thing that tried to grope me yesterday was left some sort of fungus.  Dr. Pigalli said that it's not harmful but no oral sex for a few days.  She cleaned it off and gave me something to put on top but she wants to make sure it's not coming back."

"Sure," he agreed.  That wasn't the weirdest thing ever.  "Just don't grow a tentacle."

"Not happening."  She walked back that way.  "I have to pick up the dress tomorrow.  It's being steamed into not being wrinkly."

"That's fine."  He followed.  "Natasha is running late with the trainee group."  She grinned.  He took a kiss.  "What's this one look like?"

"Cream and gold."

"Huh."  He looked around.  "Let me take a shower."

"Okay.  I'll be over here hissing at the chemical burns."  She winced and tested.  Still not eating the hair.  If this didn't work she'd have to move to wax and she hated waxing.

He smiled, going into the shower.  She came in when he was halfway through to rinse off all the white chemical goop.  He looked back.  "Don't get any on me."

"I like your level of hairiness."  He grinned.  She sighed.  "Damn it, I've gotta wax."

"You and she can do that."

"She's had a recent one."  She got out and patted herself dry then got the hot wax machine out to plug in.  It meant she had to sit on the countertop in there and put on, then cover, then rip off.  He watched, wincing some.  "And you guys like us so hairless," she quipped.

"I do but that's bad.  I've had professionals do that to me."

She looked at him.  "Jonathan said that guys are mansculpting by waxing, including their balls."

"That has to be gay guys.  I don't care if you ladies play with my balls and you don't care if they're hairy."  She smirked and shook her head.  "Seriously?"

"Yup.  It was in one of those trendy guy fashion mags."

He shuddered.  "No one is putting hot wax on my balls, thank you."

"There are cold wax strips.  You stick them on, pat them down, then rip."

"No thanks.  Or anywhere else down there."  She pulled up a picture she had found mocked up and showed him.  He stared.  "Is that real?"

"They said it's the outline and painting before the tattoo.  Go down and it's the after."

He did and shuddered, handing back the tablet.  "Nor am I tattooing my dick."

"Thank you.  We might not like kissing a dragon like that."

He nodded.  "Me either.  They'd have to strap me down."  He walked off shaking his head.  Natasha trudged in.  "She's waxing and found a picture of a dick tattoo."

She looked at him.  "Dawn, do you need painkillers?"

"No, I'm saving them for tomorrow."

She walked in there to get kissed and stare at the pictures.  "Is that the whole thing?"

Dawn looked.  "Before.  After the tattoo is lower."

She scrolled down and flinched.  "That is evil."

"Jonathan's men's mag that you suggested said that guys are waxing their balls."

She looked at her lover.  "You need painkillers."

"The nair didn't work."  She ripped out some more hair.  "And that gropy thing had a fungus.  I have to put on cream after Doc scraped it."

"Ow."  She took another kiss, moving to shower off the day.  She also nicely rinsed out the tub so Dawn could soak later, or she could.  She heard the subtle yelp and winced.  "Why are you doing your panty line?"

"Needs to be done anyway.  It's easier to put on the cream."

"Just trim, Dawn."

"Too late."

Natasha leaned out and over.  "That's a big area to do at once."

"Better to rip it all at once then in three steps."  That got a nod.  Dawn sniffed.  "Strawberries?"

"What?"

"Strawberries.  I smell strawberries."

Natasha sniffed.  "New soap."

"Oh, okay then."  She relaxed and finished up her other leg.  She had to go back to clean up a few hairs but that was usual when you were doing your own.  She trudged out after lotioning down.  Clint was making dinner, which they appreciated.  She leaned against his back.

He smiled.  "You done and the machine of evil torture is up?"

"It is."

Natasha came out.  "You missed a whole strip of hair."  Dawn groaned.  Natasha got what she needed and fixed it.  "There."  Dawn kissed her.  "Go rest, goofy."  Dawn collapsed in a chair.  "Why there?"

"I don't know.  She's been avoiding the couch," Clint said quietly.  He sniffed her.  "Strawberries?"

"New soap."

"It was pomegranate."

They shared a look and went to settle that.  It was pomegranate.  They searched the bathroom, finding a small vial and a few needles.  Clint held it up.  Natasha took it to look at.  "I'll have it run," she said. "You reopen the link and see what's been done this time."  He nodded, letting her run up the street to have that run at the labs.

"Hey, Dawn?" he asked, making her hum and blink at him.  "Why are you avoiding the couch?"

"I'm getting a glare and a hum for some reason."

"Huh.  Sonic ones.  That's bad."  He checked, opening the link they had mostly closed off.  She winced and he nodded, pointing it out to her.  She groaned and curled up.  "We'll see who's doing it."  She nodded.  He helped her cut it off and end the program.  He saw the vision with it and frowned.  "When was that?"

"I don't know."

"That gives me a few ideas though," Clint said, texting that to Natasha.  She sent back what it was.  "Huh.  Fertility drug."

Dawn sat up, looking at him.  "With them having me panicking and breaking us up by attacking you two...."

"Someone wants a baby Widow."  He kissed her and closed off the link after ending that problem.  They put up foil on that window.  It caused glare on the tv anyway.

Natasha came back.  "Dawn, let me see what they sent."

"Okay," she agreed quietly.  "I'm sorry, they shouldn't be able to...."

"It's nothing you can stop.  It's on sound waves.  Like subliminals."  She concentrated on their link, looking at what Dawn had been sent and coerced into doing.  She sighed.  "That is him."  She kissed her.  "That one knows more about mind control than we have forgotten," she said quietly.  "He's the one that started my training."  She got hugged.  She hugged Dawn back.

"Are they working with the UK?" Clint asked.

"No, the UK wanted their own team and Iron Man," Natasha said.  "She did a fine job convincing that last one that they did not want her."  She kissed Dawn.  "It is not a problem and we can counter it.  I need new shampoo."

"Did I dose mine?"

"I'm not sure."  She considered it.  "We'll test it tomorrow."  Dawn nodded.  "Your dress?"

"Picking it up tomorrow during lunch.  It's being cleaned.  It was wrinkled."  That got a smile and a nod.  "I do look smokin' hot in it."

"I look forward to seeing it then."  She winked.  "Are you dressing there?"

"Yup.  I won't need stockings and I can pack my makeup bag and shoes.  I need to do my nails tonight."  She smiled and they settled in to go over what Dawn was going to do with her hair tomorrow.  It was meaningless chatter that calmed them all down. It also let Clint scan them both for more aberrant behavior.  He poked something in Natasha's mind.  She had dosed Dawn's shampoo.  They'd have to deal with it.  They made shots to make sure it didn't work.

***

Phil looked up as the director walked into his office.  "Yes, sir?"

"You're to attend tonight."  He tossed over the invitation.  "They wanted to meet you."

"Why?"

"I have no idea."

"I am really not comfortable at those sort of events."

"You can guard Dawn."  He smirked.  "Or bring a date."  He walked off.

He considered it then asked if Xander had gotten one.  Xander's 'yup and I hate dressing up, I look like a dork' got a smile.  So it was a plot to force them together again.  He offered Xander a suggestion on how to properly have a tux fitted.  Xander snorted back because he hated suits.  "No, leather is not appropriate," Phil muttered.  "Or else Dawn would probably wear the new blue dress instead."  He rubbed his forehead and asked Tara to please hang his tux out to be steamed later.  She said she would and told him to take something for his migraine.  He smiled and hung up, doing just that.

***

Dawn looked at Xander the next afternoon.  "There's tailoring fairies," she noted.  She looked around then summoned them.  They flew over to Xander and fixed it for him.  "Don't touch the wings, they're sticky."

"How did we find them?" Xander asked, watching them work.

"Buffy found them.  She was complaining her new pants got ripped and one flew out to fix it for her.  She helped it get home."

"Buffy did magic?" Xander asked.

"I don't know," she admitted.  "I'm afraid to ask."

Xander nodded.  "I'll check on that later."

Phil appeared, shaking his head.  "Don't.  I did."

"Is she back?" Dawn asked.

Phil Coulson, God Protectorate of Heros, nodded.  "Willow Rosenburg got sent back by order of the Elders Council of Gods."

Xander looked at him.  "Why?"

"Hecate asked."

"Just shoot me now," Xander complained.

"What are those?" Tony asked as he walked into his office.  "Are we having a meeting?"

"Xander needed help with his tux and Buffy found tailoring fairies," Dawn quipped.  "I was about to use your office bathroom to change and put on makeup."

"I figured you were.  We have an hour."

"I have to do my hair, boss."

"Leave it down."  She gave him a look.  "Leave it down."

"I look a lot younger with it down."

"So?  You can talk about it with Pepper later."  He left them alone.  "Coulson, I heard you're coming."

"I got nagged to.  It's part of the plan to shove Xander and I together so we give in faster."

Stark laughed.  "Sorry, still can't see it."

"Thank you for having sense," Xander said.  He looked at Phil.  "I like having friends."

"Friends are nice," he agreed.  He looked at Dawn.  "Go change."

She nodded, taking her dress bag into the bathroom.  "I'm going to need a bit of help."

"That's fine," Xander sighed.  "I've done it before for your sister I'm sure."  The fairies finished and he smiled.  "Very nice job, thank you."  He bowed.  They smiled and disappeared.  One was hanging around his shoulder so he looked at her.  "Problems I can help with?"

"Do you need one of us?"

"Bia would probably adore having some help."  He put up a picture of the temple.  "I live there."  She squealed.  Xander turned it into a portal and sent Bia a message then let her through.

Bia looked at her.  "You're tiny so you can do really delicate work I'd expect.  Great."  She smiled and showed her the closet.  "I have some dropped hems and John has to get pretty.  His mother really wants him to date."

"I can do that."

"Don't touch the wings," Xander called.

"I can remember that."  She hung up the portal.

Xander looked at himself then at Phil, who was dressed.  "I still look like I'm playing dress up.  This is not my usual clothes."

"Mine either."

"At least you wear suits."

"I do."  He smiled.  "You look nice.  You need to get one that fits your shape better though."  Dawn came out holding up her dress.  They zipped it and he watched as Xander tightened the corset.  "How are you doing that with bruised ribs?" he asked.

"Painkiller thanks to Dr. Pigalli."

"That's good," he agreed.  She winced.  Xander started to tie it off but she took over to do it herself.

He huffed.  "Do you want me to make you look hot or do it formally correct?" he asked.

"Make me look hot?  They need to stare at me instead of Pepper.  She's having a bad hair day."

"They will," Xander said.  The dress was cream silk with gold and red embroidery.  The red was heavier at the bottom and slowly merged and faded into the gold taking over.  It looked like she was being corrupted from the ground up.  By the time Xander got the corset done properly, Dawn was moaning a bit but they both stared at her shape.

Dawn went back to make sure it was decorous and she wasn't going to pop out of the top.  Then she put on her makeup and brushed her hair.  She put on the locket and a set of filagree silver drop earrings.  She brushed her teeth and did her lipstick.  She stepped back and nodded, stepping into her shoes.  She walked out and they stared.  "Hair up, right?"

"Really, you look like an ancient screen goddess," Phil admitted.  "And I'm yet again having inappropriate thoughts about you, Dawn."  She grinned.  They walked out, heading to the penthouse.

Tony dropped his drink he had just poured.  "Hello there."

Pepper looked.  "I know I was having a bad hair day but how are you doing that with bruised ribs?"

"Painkiller.  I saved one for tonight with Doc's permission.  I didn't have time to shop for a new one."  She turned so they could see.  "Hair up or down?"

"Down," she said, coming over to make sure.  "Down."  She got the brush from Dawn's kit and worked on it so it looked a bit more wavy and laid better.  She smiled.  "I've got to find some mythical deaging water."  She went to change and came out looking very stunning.

Tony stared between them.  "Is this torment a Stark night?  Because if it is, it's really unfair that no one told me so I could be prepared."

"No, I think it's torture Xander and Phil night since they're making us attend so we spend time together," Xander said dryly.

Tony smirked at him.  "Still can't see it."

"Thanks."

Tony looked at them.  "I need to change.  I do not look near good enough in this suit."  He took his drink to change.  "Are you two riding with us?"

"Probably," Phil said.  "We can't just appear.  Well, I can't just appear."

Xander shrugged.  "I have no idea how you do those things.  The only formal events I attend are the mandatory all pantheon banquets that drive me fucking nuts."

Phil smiled.  "It's rare I have to attend one."  He looked at the ladies.  "Are your two coming, Dawn?"

"No one's making them so not sure.  We didn't get a chance to see before they got called out earlier."

"I heard.  They should be back soon."  He took pictures of them and sent them to Joyce and Natasha.  He got back a 'hey, where's mine' so sent it to Barton too.  He got one from Natasha asking if he had mace and extra weapons.  He assured her he did and Xander was going to be there too.  Dawn took off her brace and they all winced.  "Wear it."   She put it back on but changed the color so it matched.

"You know, this is the second formal event I've shown up at with bruises," she said dryly.  "Someone's going to ask if I need help getting out of my 'ship."

"We had a reporter in yesterday," Pepper reminded her.  "I waxed lovingly about how last week was horrible and I'm glad she didn't come during it since you got attacked a few times, including by some evil filing cabinets that had bruised your ribs."  Dawn grinned.  "She asked what had happened so I told them about the industrial espionage attempt that got us attacked and the robodog.  She said she hopes your wrist heals quickly."

"Me too.  I can't do many things one-handed."

Xander looked over.  "Don't you have a lover or two for that?"

"Not my hair."

"Not what I thought you were talking about."

She smirked evilly.  "No, I'm a rightie there too, Xander."  He laughed.  Pepper was blushing.  "You so need to get out of evil Xander mode."

He shrugged.  "Had to talk to Spike earlier too.  He requested I help him get away from Cleveland."

"Don't blame him any," Dawn admitted.  "Did Hylal like Willow?"

"No.  He requested I sink her into the hellmouth.  Buffy and he had their first fight but he eventually agreed that she could use a magic user helping her since he couldn't but she was not staying with them and he was not allowing her near any of the children, including Callia."

"What?" Pepper asked.  Tony came out doing up his tie.  "Is Rosenburg back?"

"The Elders Council of Gods sent her back," Phil said.  Tony paused to stare at him.  "At half the power she was when she died."

"Is she our next battle?" Tony asked.

"No.  Hecate asked," Xander sighed.  "If she starts to fuck up I'm ending her myself this time.  Buffy crying or not."  He adjusted the eyepatch he wore.  Dawn got up and hugged him.  "Thanks, Dawn."  She grinned and kissed him on the cheek.  They walked out together.

Phil looked at him.  "We would," he said quietly.

"My duty," Xander said just as quietly.

"I'm dating two assassins, people.  One who likes arrows," Dawn noted.  She sent a text to them to warn them Willow was back.

Tony looked at them.  "I can build a bomb and shut down all of Cleveland in under thirty seconds, never to let it be reopened.  Someone will get her."  He walked off first.  "Happy, I'm not sure if we'll all fit."

"I can pop around," Xander said, pointing.  Dawn walked him out to the car.  "Okay.  Been a while since I was in one."  He slid in and made himself compact against a wall.  Dawn and Pepper got in then Tony and Phil.  "You really do look hot, Dawnie."

"Thanks, Xander."

"I sent a picture to your mother but I think she's having dinner," Phil said with a smile.

She grinned.  "She helped me pick it out."

"That's nearly as evil as that pink dress," Tony said.

"I think I still fit in that but I need new stockings," Dawn quipped.

Pepper looked at her.  "Please don't."  She grinned back.  The gala was downtown so it wasn't a terribly long drive, they waited longer in the security line waiting to get out.  The ladies checked their hair and makeup.  Tony made sure his lighter tinted sunglasses were on.  They finally got out, him first.  The doorman helped out Dawn and Pepper, who took Phil's arm, earning her a smirk from Tony.  "Phil, dance with me?"

"I'd be delighted, Pepper."  They walked on after Xander was out of the car.

The reporter stared at them.  "Mr. Stark.  Quite the entourage."

He smirked.  "You know I hardly go anywhere without Pepper or Pepper's assistant Dawn.  Xander got invited later and Phil is actually our SHIELD liaison."

"How charming."  She smiled at Xander.  "Are you a scientist?"

"No, I'm Alexander."  She moaned, squeezing her knees shut.  He smiled.  "Someone insisted I come tonight even though I've never been to one of these before."

"Thor inhaled a buffet, you can't do much worse," Tony assured him, clapping him on the back.  They walked inside and split up.  Dawn went to get her usual sparkling water.  Tony got his own drink and headed for people he hated to pick on them.  Xander was hanging on the edges.  Pepper and Phil were chatting to various people.

Steve walked up behind Dawn and cleared his throat.  "Fancy meeting you here?"

She smiled.  "It's a nice surprise."  She wiped off some lipstick on his cheek.  He grinned at her.  "Why are you here?"

"Director Fury said so."

"He made Phil come too.  Someone made Xander come."

"Then I have someone I can hide with."  He grinned.  "The music's playing.  I need to get away from someone," he muttered.

"Of course I'd love to dance with you.  Maria and I have helped you do it very nicely, Steve."  She walked him out to the floor, dancing with him.  He was very good and he made her giggle a few times.  She made sure they ended up near where Xander was hiding so he could go hide with him.

Tony smirked as she walked past them.  "Is that the true level of evil you're turning into?" he teased.

She smirked back.  "Wait until you see your desk and calendar tomorrow, Mr. Stark."  He cackled and she walked off.  She ran into one of the reporters, like usual.  They considered her sweet and chatty, which she was, but she never gave them anything good.  "Good evening."

"I adore that dress."

Dawn smiled.  "My mother helped me pick it out."  She sipped her sparkling water.

"The cast?  I don't want to pry, but is someone maybe...mean to you?"

Dawn laughed.  "No, if someone was abusing me I'd kick them around.  My mother taught me that if someone raises a hand to me I'd better raise it back and defend myself.  And any other woman or man that needs help out of a situation like that."

"Men?"

"Yes, there are abused men.  Both homosexual and straight relationships can be abusive on each side.  Women can easily beat men, they just make jokes about them going after them with cast iron frying pans."

"I hadn't thought of that."

"I give every year to a shelter that takes in fathers who are escaping that with their children.  They're horribly underfunded because everyone thinks it's a joke or that they should be stronger.  Those of us who are stronger have the responsibility to help them."

"That's wonderful."  She smiled.  "So what happened?"

"We have a scientist working on a robotic sentry dog."  The reporter smiled.  "Looks like a silver german sheppard.  I had to go into his lab to pick up progress reports.  He left the stupid thing on and in full Cujo mode.  I ended up breaking it to get my wrist free.  Broke two bones.  There's a mass of bruises underneath the brace."

"I can see hints of a bruise on your side?"

Dawn winced.  "Last week was one of *those* weeks.  I had filing cabinets falling on me Monday.  Wednesday we had an energy experiment go horribly wrong and zap me so I had to be rezapped to get a normal heart rhythm.  Then there was a small espionage incident later on Friday after I got gnawed on."  She finished her water.  She smiled at a waiter walking past them.  "Sparkling water?"  She exchanged the glass for a full one.   "Thank you."  She smiled.

"Not champagne?"

"No, I don't tend to drink.  Mostly because I'm only twenty."

"Oh!"  She blinked.  "I didn't realize."

Dawn grinned.  "Thankfully I look older so I can go to dance clubs sometimes."

"They serve alcohol at those."

"The ones I like also serve great fizzy frozen virgin drinks that're just what you need when you're in that pleasurably sated and tired mood from dancing for a few hours.  I also make sure the places I go have at least one NYPD second-job person on staff.  I find them safer and if there's a problem they can handle it faster.  I've only had one problem and it was from a tabloid idiot."  She took a sip.  She looked.  "Limes."  She took another sip and smiled.  "I have two I favor for the safety features and the great dance floors."

"That's wonderful.  I saw a picture of you where someone was trying to grope."

"That hand belonged to the papparazzi that were taking the pictures.  The NYPD members at that club arrested them and I started to sue until they retracted it and apologized.  My mother wanted me to keep suing them."  She smiled.  "Thankfully some of you are so much better and out for real news."

The reporter laughed.  "Many more of us."

"I think they're like ants, they're everywhere," Dawn said, pouring her water into a plant, which made someone yelp.  "You get that on me and I'm going to kill you," she warned him.  He ran off.  "Like him."

She smiled.  "Thank you.  I know you graduated recently.  Are you planning on going on?"

"I'm thinking about a language degree," she admitted.  "While I was...absent I took a lot of classes online from a university in Rio that had a fantastic language program.  As well as my ones up here by distance learning.  I was thinking about finishing my one down there, though I'm not sure in which one.  I took to the intermediate level of a few of them."

"Then why business?"

"I find accounting to be calming actually."  She grinned.  "It's like good meditation for me.  Everything balances, it's all in harmony, everything has a place to be shown off.  Finance itself is a bit beyond that and can sometimes drive me nuts but the other business stuff I learned in a more practical manner and I do like it.  I seem to *get* languages easier than most things so I thought I'd take advantage of it.  Never hurts in a negotiation to speak the native language."

She smiled.  "I'd say it wouldn't."  She shifted.  "So, I've heard dating rumors?"

"I am, yes, but I'm not sure what their feelings on outing it are at the moment.  They're not hiding me but they're concerned that it could look strange."

"That's reasonable I suppose with the sort you work with."  She looked over at Tony, who was being the life of the party.  "He's very far gone tonight."

Dawn smiled.  "I don't think so.  I think he's just being amused."

"He usually has a drink on the way over."

"Not tonight.  We were talking in the car and it's not that far from Stark Towers.  It actually took longer to get out of the car once we were in line."

She smiled.  "There was a line of limos, yes."  She patted her on the arm.  "You do look fantastic."

Dawn grinned.  "Thank you."  She strolled off, going to find some more water, the room was very hot and humid tonight, and then find something to do that was more interesting.  She found Pepper and Phil.  "Harpers sent someone," she said in greeting.

"Pepper smiled.  "I saw her.  Mr. Phillips, this is my assistant, Dawn Summers."

"Charmed," she said with a smile.

"You bring your assistant?"

Dawn smiled.  "I'm also known as Callia Stark's aunt," she said quietly.  He gasped and backed up.  She smiled.  "Mostly I'm here to make sure that anyone who sets up a meeting with her gets noted on the official schedule so she doesn't have to keep track.  Also to make sure nothing happens."  She smiled at the man walking up to them.  "Mr. Armson."

"Miss Summers.  Would you dance with me?"

"I'd be delighted."  She took his hand and put down her glass of water.  He smiled.  "Needed a meeting?" she quipped.

"That and I wanted to dance with the hottest woman in this room."

Dawn grinned, blushing some.  "Thank you.  My mom and I went on our first shopping trip together to get this one."

"I heard she was sick."

"She made it through a second round of cancer treatments for a brain tumor."  He gaped.  She nodded.  "I'm very happy she could go on it again.  She's out and getting stronger and healthier."

"That's wonderful news.  Do you think you can slip me onto Stark's calendar?"

"For him or Pepper?"

"Him.  I have an engineering problem on my newest jet."

"I can do that.  If I remember he has almost nothing on Thursday but it'd have to be early because he was going to sneak Callia out to do something."

"That'd be fine.  Thank you."  She smiled and nodded.  Once the dance was done, Dawn subtly made that appointment and put in a reason then put up her phone.  She spotted someone walking in and smiled.  "Director," she said as she walked past him.  "Agent Hill."

"Dawn, you look stunning," she said.

"You didn't do bad yourself," she said with a teasing grin, getting a laugh back because she was wearing a gown that reminded everyone of her uniform.  "Six reporters, two legit, Phil is with Pepper, Stark's trying not to be bored, and Xander's on the wall with Steve," she said in her ear, getting a nod.  She walked off.  Someone else wanted a dance so she accepted and they asked her about if she was still satisfied as their assistant, if not he needed a good one.  She smiled and turned him down gently.  He sighed but said he'd wait if she wanted.  She laughed and pinched his cheek, making him smile.  She walked off to go stop someone having a fight.

She walked the waiter out back and gave him a nudge.  "I don't care.  The bodyguards are all armed and Fury's are all SHIELD agents," she warned.  He nodded and scurried off.  The woman glared.  She stared at her.  "There's ten agents in this room," she said quietly.  "Do you really want to make them shoot you for starting a brawl?  There's six SHIELD agents."  She shuddered and stopped.  Dawn walked off, smiling at a few fellow assistants in the room.  She walked up to one and adjusted his collar.  "There, better."

"Thank you, Dawn.  How's Stark?"

"Stark International is never boring."  She held up a cast.  "Robotic sentry dog."  They laughed.  "How is your nice, safe insurance company?"

"It's good.  Very peaceful and quiet.  We only get hate mail."

The other one smiled.  "I wish we could say the same.  We've got a budget hearing soon on our mother's milk from Congress for defense testing.  We're in a DARPA contract."  He grimaced.  "We're all spit polishing everything for inspections coming up."

Dawn patted him on the arm, seeing the wince.  "You okay?"

"It's been a long week."

"Tell me about it.  We had someone break in to try to steal the Iron Man plans, right where I was."  He shuddered.  She looked at him then moved closer.  "Do you need help?"  He shrugged slightly.  She wrote down a name and number.  "I find them a most wonderful charity."

He looked and nodded.  "Will they?"

"That's all they do."  He smiled.  "If he's here, you point him out."

"No, I'd never bring him here.  It'd be a huge stain on my career."

Dawn smiled.  "We are allowed personal lives.  Really."  He nodded.  She stared at him.  "Call me if you need to."

"I will."  He smiled.  "Your boss has lost interest."

"He'll find it soon.  Captain Rogers is in here hiding."  They laughed.  She smiled.  "There's always something they can find to talk about.  He's a very nice guy."  She sipped her newest water.  "Could this room be more humid?"

They smiled.  "If you sweat, that dress won't fall off," the one that needed help escaping his boyfriend said.

"Mom found it."

They smiled.  "Your mom has *great* taste," the other one said.

Dawn smiled.  "She's where I get it from.  I don't know how it skipped my sister but Mom ran an art gallery before she got sick."  They smiled and broke up to make the rounds again.  Dawn got stopped by someone else that wanted a few minutes of Pepper's time so she made that note for him.  He smiled and let her go.  She smiled back.  She was making her way over to Steve to tell him to go distract Tony when Clint walked in.  She smiled at him.  "You look fine tonight."

"If I had known you were wearing that I wouldn't have let you out of the apartment," he said in her ear.  She laughed.  "Dance?"

"I'd love to."  She took him out and it was smooth.  They had a few times when that was the distraction needed for Natasha to do something.  She heard a few moans of pleasure and winked at him.  "I think they're saying we look hot."

"We are."  He dipped her then pulled her back up.  "That's even hotter than the sari you had to wear."

She blushed.  "Thank you, kind one."  The dance ended and they parted.  She saw Natasha and smiled at her.  "I think the prettier one has appeared."

"She is gorgeous in that dress."  They both smiled at her.

She walked over.  "Dawn, Clint.  May I?" she asked Clint.

"Of course."

Dawn got out of the way with a smile.  She found Steve and suggested he go hide with Tony for a bit.  He was surrounded by leeches and could use a lifeline.  Xander took her out on the floor and it was nice.  He did okay.  Didn't step on her at least.  She expected that of him.  He smirked at her and she winked back.  He laughed and let her go to Phil, who was looking a bit tired.  "Fake it," she said in his ear.

"I'm already there, and missing bedtime," he said quietly, earning a smile.  "How are you holding up?"

"I'm fine.  It's only a few more hours even if I wasn't."  He nodded and smiled at Agent Hill when she cut in for the next dance.  "With me or him?" Dawn teased.

"Him.  My mother would never forgive me if I dated a girl that couldn't give her grandchildren because she adores stories about the twins drooling on me."

Phil smiled.  "You are their favorite toy outside Callia and Dawn."  Dawn walked off giggling.  "Melissa's nearly talking."

"Is she going to babble?"

"I hope not.  I know she will but I'm out of practice from Dawn's babbling when she was younger."

Maria Hill smiled.  "You'll learn.  Most parents do."

Phil turned them around and told them the story of Dawn turning Colonel Rhodes into a mouse and Callia's response, getting a laugh from her.

Natasha got free of Tony and walked over to Dawn.  "May I?"

Dawn nodded after staring at her.  "I'd be delighted," she said, taking her hand and pulling her closer.  "You sure?"

"Are you?"

Dawn smiled.  "I'm only hiding because you like it."  They danced off.  A few people gaped.  She smiled.  "We are the hottest thing in here."

"Yes, we are."  She smirked.  "I only worry because others may try something."

"I know.  I understand and I accept that as part of both of your pasts.  I don't ask if you don't want me to.  I get all that."

"Then we will relax some."

Dawn winked.  "Kinda hard to hide it now."

"True."  She smiled and Dawn dipped her, making her laugh.  "You did take those lessons very well."

"I did."  At the end of the dance she kissed her hand and smiled.  "Thank you."

"No, thank you."  She winked and walked off.  She saw the speculative look.  "All the others of us have danced with her."

Tony smiled.  "About time," he said quietly as she walked past him.  She shot him a look.

Steve walked out.  "Dawn?"  She smiled at him and danced with him.  "Are you two serious?"  She looked at him.  "I know."

"I know you do.  Not like we're really discreet at home," she said quietly.  "I think we are.  They have worries."

"That's reasonable."  He kissed her on the cheek.  "You're still a favorite little sister."  She walked off smiling.  He went back to Tony and Xander, who had been pulled out by a reporter.  "We need to have a pool party, Tony."

"I have a pool," he agreed.

"With limits on the bathing suits," Phil teased.

"That as well," he agreed.

"You guys know you can use my pond," Xander quipped.  "Just like before."

"You have a pond?" the reporter asked.

"At the training camp I run."  He smiled.

"Interesting.  For what sort?  Like for agents?"

"I have had many agents and some military people in.  Right now I have military people in for General O'Neill."

"So you run a training company?"  He let out a bit of aura and she gasped.  "You're..."  She looked around for Thor.

"He's my uncle."  Xander grinned.  "I'm over protecting you all."

"Oh, wow."  She smiled.  "So, single, married?"

"I had a consort but our relationship ran out, it had a time limit built in.  I have one that my mother would love for me to take in but I don't really want to get with her idea at the moment."

"So you're single?"

He smiled.  "I am."

Tony looked over.  "He's got a lot of stamina.  Just a warning."

"Did you two sleep together?" she asked with a perky smile.

"No, but I've talked to his former girlfriend, who still misses her eight orgasms a night."  She moaned.  He smiled at Xander.  Who winked and walked her off to talk to her about her wants and desires.  He smiled at Phil.

Who smirked back.  "Thank you."  He looked around.  "Who is that at the doorway?"

"No clue," Tony admitted, taking a picture to do a web search.

"Rabbi Johnson," Dawn said, shaking his hand with a smile.  "I didn't know you'd be attending tonight or I'd have made sure to bring a shawl."

He smiled.  "A woman can be less modest at these sort of events, Miss Summers."  He walked over to Tony with her.  "Mr. Stark, your assistant is ever charming."

"She is, yes.  I'm afraid I don't know you."

"Mr. Stark, this is Rabbi Wilhelm Johnson," she introduced.  "Doctorate in theology and Literature.  You've donated to his shelter program for Jewish youths in the city."

"Oh, right.  I didn't see a picture of you, Rabbi."  He shook his hand.  Dawn faded off to talk to someone else who needed an appointment.  "How is the shelter going?"

"It's going very well.  We're at full capacity and beyond most of the time."

"There's ever a need," Steve said quietly.

"Yes, there is."  He smiled and shook his hand.  "Thank you.  You were there when my mother was freed."

Steve nodded.  "I wished I could've helped more."

"You, like all men, do what you could.  We're all bound somehow by our limitations, even when we can expand them in emergencies."  He smiled and patted him on the cheek.  "The children would like to ask you to come talk to them about what the war was really like.  There's many parents who can't talk of it, it hurts them too much."

"I'd be happy to but I don't feel right about going into some details.  There's some that still give me nightmares."

"That makes you a good man with a good soul," the Rabbi said with a smile.  "We have a remembrance next week.  We would be honored if you would come and do it then?"

"I think I'm open."

Dawn pulled out her phone and got into another screen.  "The remembrance is on Saturday, Steve."

"Then I can definitely go as long as there's no battles."

He smiled.  "We would forgive that."  He smiled at Dawn.  "You are attending?"

"I am.  I think it's important we never forget any atrocity so it can't be repeated."

He smiled.  "A wise woman as well as pretty."

"I like being brainy," she quipped.  "The pretty gets me underestimated."  He laughed and nodded.  She walked off.

"I didn't know she did.  I know she worked with the history project, doing some of the research," Tony said.  "Huh."  He smiled.  "I've found a few new records from my father's personal journal.  I've sent them over to the history project."

"Thank you, Mr. Stark."  He shook his hand and went to talk to others.

Steve looked at him.  "I didn't know that there were remembrances."

"Every year, a few different ones," Tony said quietly.  "Depending on where the majority of the Jewish families in the area come from."  Steve nodded.  "I know Fury's turned down an offer for you to go to Israel."

"I might want to go," he admitted.  "I have to think on that.  I think...."

"You have the same memories to go through," Tony said bluntly.  "When you're ready it'll still probably be there."  Steve relaxed and nodded.  "Go get Dawn and dance with her again?"

"If I do, someone's going to say something," he said quietly.

"Not you."  He looked at Clint.  "It looks wrong if I dance with Pepper's assistant."

"After that one."  He smiled.  Dawn was teasing the police commissioner.  Then he started to relieve her from politician germs.  Natasha beat him to it.  "After her, you're mine," he said.

Dawn smiled.  "I can see that."  He laughed and got something to drink, being captured by Agent Hill.  "He's so bored," she said quietly.

"We all are," Natasha agreed.  "We're not used to this life."

"I had to be taught.  This isn't how I grew up either.  Buffy wouldn't even let me go on group dates."  Natasha laughed.  "Photog, left shoulder," she said quietly.  Natasha nodded, moving them slightly out of good picture position.  This time she dipped Dawn, making her giggle.  The dance ended and she smiled.  "Thank you, Natasha."

"You're most welcome.  We're escaping in a few minutes."

"I have to stay to help Pepper and Tony."

"Pity."

Clint came over to steal Dawn.  "How soon can you escape?"

"Probably not until the official end.  I might turn into a pumpkin."

"I doubt that would go with the dress of evil."  She winked and he laughed, spinning her around.  She held her head and he laughed.  "Good."

"You're enough to give a girl a hangover without alcohol," she teased.  He moaned.  She got free when the dance ended.  "If you escape, go out the back.  The alley's never covered in more than service trucks," she said quietly.

"I can do that."  He danced with Natasha, making her smile.  That was good advice and they could sneak away in a bit.

Tony walked over to look at her.  "That's a very bold statement."

Dawn grinned at him.  "What is?"

"Them."

She shrugged.  "I'm not one to hide my emotions most of the time," she said quietly.

"It's going to get talk started."

"Is that a problem for the company?"

"No, or us."  He smiled.  "There's been plenty of rumors about me."  He rolled his eyes.  "Just, if they start sending hate mail or anything, let us handle it?"

"Definitely.  I'd only beat bigots to death."

He nodded.  "That's not real subtle though."

"As I pointed out earlier, I'm only twenty.  Subtlety is a lesson learned after a lifetime of being loud as I heard it put."

"It is," he agreed, smirking at her.  "Took me nearly thirty years."

"Together we'll make sure Callia gets it by her late twenties."  He laughed and nodded, leaving her alone.  She smiled at her fellow assistants when she walked past them, heading to a bench seat to get some air.  This room was still hot and humid.  She was sweating under the dress of doom.  Her feet were starting to hurt too.  She looked down, not swollen.  New shoe syndrome, it had to be.

Pepper strolled by.  "You three looked great together."  She winked.  "The reporter I was with asked.  I told her to ask you."

"I'm not sure.  Earlier I answered that whoever I was with wasn't totally sure they wanted it in the light as it were."

"Good answer.  Keeps everyone safe."  She grinned.  "Sweating a lot."

"I am.  It's roasting in here."

"It's really not."  She checked.  "The painkillers can cause a slight fever."

"I forgot.  I spent all Sunday in front of the A/C."  She got a napkin from a waiter and blotted her forehead.  She sat down beside Pepper again.  "It's going well."

"It is."  She smiled at Tony.  "He's so bored."

"He is.  That's why I had Cap distract him."

"That's usually a good thing.  What did the Rabbi want?"

"Him to speak to some of the kids at the Remembrance."

"That's good.  There's too many atrocities to forget any of them."

"There are."  She smiled at the woman coming toward them.  It was the reporter from earlier.  "Hi again."

"Are you all right?"

She waved her cast.  "Meds to help me with the two broken bones are making me a bit warm."

"We noticed you having to drink a lot."

"Painkillers for it," Pepper said.  "She's off them this week."

Dawn nodded.  "Dr. Pigalli is a wonderful woman and she knew I'd need it for a few days.  I'm actually out after tonight."

She smiled.  "I hope it heals faster."

"Me too."  The reporter laughed.  "I can sense it."

"You're dating an Avenger?"

"To some I'm like their assistant as well and to a few I'm like their little sister.  Though, yes I am dating someone inside SHIELD."

"Hmm.  The nice young man that came in with Pepper?"

Dawn giggled.  "Agent Coulson's like my big brother.  He nagged me so much on my vacation in Miami about my bikinis."  The reporter smiled.  "He's a great guy.  Has twins with a friend of mine who really wanted kids."

"That's charming.  Does he help?"

"He said earlier he hated having to miss bedtime stories."  The reporter beamed at her.  "Until they say that they're ready for me to talk about it, I really can't.  Most agents are a bit touchy about their past histories."

"I can understand why.  Are they good to you?"

"They're so great.  After the filing cabinets fell on me last Monday I got so spoiled.  I got bruise creamed and backrubbed and then cuddled greatly.  They made dinner."  The reporter smiled softly.  "They're very good to me.  They nagged so much when the week was a week of hellish stupidity."

"That's wonderful, dear.  I hope some day you have a great family."

"Not sure if we want one or not but I hope we're good for a long time."

"I'm sure you will be."  She left them to report on that story.  She couldn't definitively say if Dawn was gay or not, there was no indication, but she was probably at least very open minded.

Dawn looked at the man stomping over to them, a member of the board of directors.  "Pepper," she said quietly.

"Mr. Masters.  Is there a problem?  We're resting our tired feet."

"You're gay?" he asked Dawn.

"Bisexual I would say but I'm very picky.  I only go by personality.  It's why I was a virgin until eighteen."  He gaped.  She smiled.  "I made sure it was more than something fast and cheap, unlike so many other young women.  Why does it matter?"

"I don't think this company...."

"I think my boyfriend back at MIT might pout about that," Tony said from behind him.  "Dawn's in a very good, very tight relationship.  Be they male or female, as long as they're good for her, we're all happy for her.  As for the board of directors, there's nothing you can say about her either."

"Is she really fit to raise your daughter when you die?" he sneered.

Dawn smirked meanly.  "Yes, I am.  She's a charming, intelligent young woman partially because I've helped Mr. Stark and Pepper raise her."  He backed off.  "If that was a threat I do have to point out that there's presently six SHIELD agents in here."  He shuddered and stomped off.  "You have a charming night, Mr. Masters," she called after him, wiggling her fingers with a smile.  "Raping your pet hamsters," she said more quietly.  Pepper and Tony cracked up.  "He has to.  I know his wife lives in another state."

"She does," Tony agreed.  "I thought maybe mice instead.  He's not built well enough for hamsters."

Dawn swatted him.  "That's totally evil, Tony."

"Yes it was."  He smirked.  He looked over.  "John Sheppard got pulled in."  He walked over to talk to him.  "Colonel."

"Mr. Stark."  He shook his hand with a smirk.  "Why did I get summoned?"

"We have no idea.  So did your half-brother and Phil."

"Was our mother involved?"

"No clue yet."  He walked him off to talk to him about the idea for super-fast engines on commuter jets.  It wasn't fair to the normal airlines but people would probably love to be crammed onto shorter flights.  When Rodney got there, Dawn went to gather him to distract him from grumping about things.  He and Pepper were talking about things while Dawn went to make another set of rounds for them.  She did dance with Phil since he looked so lost.  He went to talk to Rodney as well.

Stark looked over.  "No recruiting him.  I get first dibs on all the real geniuses in this world."

Phil smiled.  "If he likes SHIELD more, then who can say that's a bad choice, Stark?"

Tony smirked at him.  "He already likes my lab."

"We'll see.  We are building a new lab in a few years.  Who knows what our R&D labs will look like."

"It's not like I'm some bride in a womanless town to fight over," Rodney quipped from his seat.  "I do have extravagant demands because I'm worth it."

"Yes you are," Dawn quipped, cracking John up.  "Because you earn enough from your genius moments to pay for your own coffee."  John and Tony cracked and giggled.  John swatted her.  He spotted her dress and his mouth opened.  She looked down then at him.  "What?" she asked with a smirk.

"You look like a goddess," John said.

Dawn grinned.  "Thank you but I haven't ascended yet.  No one's put up a temple for me.  Just an altar now and then."  He laughed and hugged her, letting her go back to her search for new ideas.  That got some more gossip.

The other reporter gently grabbed her arm.  "Miss Summers, what happened to your wrist?"

She looked then at her.  "One of the scientists is working on a robotic sentry dog.  It bit me and broke two bones when I went in to get reports.  Mr. Stark even forgave me for breaking it really hard."

"Really?"

"Yeah.  Last week was so bad.  Filing cabinets, an electrical problem from two improperly stored non-working things, a moment of espionage.  The dog was the most funny that week."

"You poor thing.  And yet you made yourself squeeze into that dress?"

"It's a corset.  It was tightened on me."  She smiled.  "A lot."  The reporter snorted.  "I do have a good body but I wanted look good enough for people to ignore that I have a back zit."

The reporter shook her head.  "You do look nice."

"Thank you.  My mother and I had our first mother-daughter shopping trip since she left the hospital to pick it out."  She smiled and walked off.

The reporter went to talk to the other one.  "Her mother is out of the hospital?"

"She is and she's working for Director Fury to make sure nothing like what happened before happens again according to one of the agents."

"Interesting.  She looks like she's going to pass out though."

"They gave her a few days of something for the broken bones.  It's her last night on them."

"Ah, no wonder she could wear that dress without wincing."

"I never could at her age."  They smiled. Dawn said something to Pepper, who smiled and let her go.  "Poor thing."  The other reporter nodded.  "By the way, she said she's not outing her relationship because they're an agent and she's not sure if they're willing to put themselves into this sort of spotlight."

"I'd say she outed herself nicely."

"She said bisexual but very picky and it's all personality when the Stark International board member threw his mini fit."

"Huh.  There's not many of them at her level."

"Probably more than we know," she admitted.  She smiled.  "Dawn is the nicest young woman.  Her mother really did a great job with her."

"She did.  Pepper finished her nicely."  They went to get more stories.

***

Dawn walked off the elevator and saw the note.  She went up to Clint's apartment, without changing as requested.  She walked off and picked the door open, kicking it shut and locking it.  She saw the tiny bit of light in the bedroom and walked that way.  The lights were in the bathroom.  He had a jacuzzi in his, which he had put in, and they were in it.  "Hmm, bubbles nice."  They smiled and Clint got out to help her undress.  Slowly undoing the corset so her ribs didn't uncompress all at once, which she appreciated.  Then slowly peeling it off her.  She took a kiss and let him finish undoing her.  She took off her own jewelry and put it on the counter.  Then she slid in with them.  "This is a great reward."

Natasha kissed her, pulling her closer.  "Who said what?"

"One of the board members got told I was bisexual and it was all about the personality, that's why I wasn't an easy slut.  The reporter got reminded I said that I wasn't outing it due to my wonderful relationship's past that they didn't want spilled."  She took another kiss then shifted to sit on her lap.  It gave her ample fondling time.  The brace got tossed over toward the sink too.  That gave her two free hands to tease and stroke with. "I kept it at the level of mysterious."

"I am not ashamed."

"I know.  Neither am I.  I don't want to make you worry about anyone coming back."

"It may be who was trying the subliminal stuff," Clint admitted.  He kissed her neck.  "Can I have some of that?"

She smirked evilly.  "Getting in the middle?  Sure."  He moaned.  She got off Natasha and let him have her lap to kiss and fondle her while she teased him.  He nearly yelped when she stroked up his cock.  Then he hissed.  "Natasha, I think we need to knock him down and ride him hard," she said.

"I agree," she said smugly.  "Do you want the strap on or should I?"

"I adore you in it," Dawn admitted.  "You have great skills."  Natasha laughed and kissed them both.  She got oil and what they'd need, bringing it over.  Clint was totally relaxed and working Natasha into a state where she'd be exhausted sooner. Dawn enjoyed the strap on more than he did.  Though when it slid up him, he wasn't that unfond of it.  Natasha was nearly chanting in Russian again.  Dawn was moaning in his ear, and it was all good.

***

Dawn walked in the next day to a few odd looks.  "What?" she asked the guard that got in her way.

"We thought you and Agent Coulson," he said quietly.  "After he got shot and you got taken?  Or in Miami?"

"Phil's like my big brother.  He gives great hugs but that'd be really weird since he used to babysit me."

"Oh, I didn't think about that."

She smiled.  "I love Phil like a brother and probably always will."

"That's good.  The mail room was alerted that you might start getting hate mail."

She sighed.  "I hope not but there's some stupid, petty people out there."

He smiled.  "At least the ones that wanted you conscripted won't now."

She laughed.  "That may be, yeah.  Though I did get a charming offer from someone who wanted to breed to me as he put it."  He shuddered.  "Oh, yes."  She walked off.  "Thank you for asking instead of assuming."

"Not a problem," he agreed.  He went to stop some of the gossip.  Coulson did nag like a brother instead of a boyfriend.

***

Fury looked at the agents gathered for the morning trainers meeting.  "Did you have to do that?" he asked Natasha.

"Yes."  She smiled.  "The rest were."

"People are going to say things."

She shrugged.  "Why would I care?"

"They're going to tell me that you should be off the team," he said.

"Then I would suggest they find a good replacement, which there isn't."

"True.  Is she all right with that?"

"Yes, quite.  She's never hidden anything.  It's us who hide things."

"I don't really care if you do or not," Fury admitted.  "Though there's no conjugal visits in this building or on the hell carrier."  She quirked an eyebrow up and slightly smirked, just a hint of one.  "For anyone."  The other agents huffed.   "Just know that people are going to complain."

"We do have a gay president," Clint pointed out.

"Yes and his consort is cackling from what I got told earlier," Fury quipped.  "Up to you two and do the damn paperwork, people."

"We have," Natasha admitted.  "When she had to redo hers for Stark."

He smiled.  "Good!"

"It got pointed out to us that we couldn't be with her if she was that injured if it wasn't filed," Clint said.

Joyce looked over.  "I'd never keep you away."

"It may not always be you, but your other daughter."

"Buffy...  Sometimes she does turn judgmental."

Phil walked up to the table.  "Sorry I'm late.  I had to verify some facts."  He sat down and slid down a report.

Fury looked at it and then at him.  "You're sure?"

"Saw her myself and that's what I was verifying, if they sent her back with conditions or obligations.  I had to tell Tara, who is still probably crying."  Joyce sent her a text message.  "Joyce, the Elders Council pulled back Willow."

Joyce stared at him.  "I take it that's why my elder daughter was evasive when we talked last night?"  He nodded.  She slumped.  "Is Hylal throwing a fit?  He hates magic."

"They worked it out as she's not coming into the house, near any of the children, including Callia, and he would take her out the first time she caused Buffy any problems."

"Good!  I love that boy like a good son."  She put her phone up.  That explained why Tara was crying.

Fury looked at her then at his agent.  "Shouldn't she be in custody?"

"There's no current charges.  Her death sentence was carried out when she fell during the battle, sir."

"What about permanent detention laws?"

"We don't have any unless we can prove she did it as an act of terrorism instead of a moment of addiction."

"Which is what it was," Fury said, leaning back.  "I want her under watch."

"We have three agents in Cleveland and the ones that were turned.  They all know to watch her," Phil said.  "As a side note, Spike has moved back to LA."

"That's fine," he agreed.  "I doubt he wants to deal with it and I'd like his ex to stay further away from DC."  Joyce cackled.  "You met her?"

"Not in person but heard.  I let Spike talk to me about her.  He took care of her for over a century of being slightly off.  She still calls Xander her dark kitten too."

Fury shook his head. "You guys were all messed up."  He looked at Coulson.  "Daily updates."

"They are.  Directly to myself or Agent Hill, sir."

"Good."  He put it into his pile.  "Any other cheery news we need to go over?"

"Agent Hill raised her hand.  "Another agent, who I will not name, has asked about our domestic partnership rules, sir.  We don't have any as I found out."

"I don't rightly care who fucks who as long as they're happy about it," he said bluntly.  "If they're married or in some sort of union, then that's up to their decisions.  We don't report anyone's marriage status because then I'd have to remove the agents who are married to each other to different areas."

"Health insurance does cover it," Phil said.  "I asked in case Tara found someone nice again.  I'm not sure about the life insurance."

"I'll tell them that."  She smiled.  "Birds?" she asked with a point at his tie.

He looked and brushed at it.  "Jonathan.  He has an ear thing."  She giggled.  "Tara yelled because I turned him into the sink in time.  Or so I thought."  He checked his pants and shoes, nothing on them.

Fury shook his head.  "Your twins are evil."

Phil smiled.  "Yes, they are.  They'll probably make excellent agents because of it, sir."

"I'm sure they will."  He got up.  "Go away."  He went back to his office, taking the folder Joyce held up.  "Just to sign?"

"Yes.  I laid your messages out earlier."

"I saw.  Thank you."  He went in there to deal with those.  Joyce was a better assistant for him.  She was calm and didn't wear clothes that made agents start to hide in the bathroom.  Dawn made better coffee though.

***

A guard walked into Pepper's office after knocking.  "Miss Potts?"

"What's wrong?  A threat?"

"Or six."  He handed them over.  "Came in the mail.  The nasty group of heathens who hate her for being skilled hate her more now.  There's also an online video you should see.  I sent you the link via email, ma'am."

She got into that, wincing at the preacher who said he wanted her to be fixed, or bred to, so that her gifts didn't go to waste.  "Oh, dear."

Dawn leaned in.  "If that's the idiot minister, I wrote back a nice response on my livejournal saying that he wouldn't get his wish and if he wanted me to be that way, he could save his own self.  Then I pointed out threatening to have me raped was a threat and I was going to turn it over to the FBI since it was across state lines.  I have also started a lawsuit through a private attorney over his hateful bitchiness.  Is there more?" she asked the guard with a smile.

"More like the ones who wanted you conscripted."

Dawn got her own file to compare.  "Why didn't we see these?" Pepper asked.

"Nothing legally we could do so I've been keeping track."  She pointed.  "That's been a frequent commentor."

Tony strolled in with Callia.  "Did you see the news?  Someone's asking if we really want gay superheros to protect us."

"And yet, my great-great aunt was," Dawn said dryly.  She called her mom.  "Mom, you might want to talk to someone about your aunt.  Yeah, that stuff.  Thanks, Mom.  No, I'm good.  Some evil shits with hate mail that I'm suing.  Thanks."  She hung up.  "She reminded me to eat too."  She smiled at Callia.  Then she got up and went to the site that was showing the most hateful things, putting up a comment about a few others that were.  Someone there demanded she cite her sources.  So she did.  They started to shout so she smirked evilly and posted the link on her livejournal.

Tony laughed.  "That's so evil."

"Yes I am."  She smiled.  "Especially since one of them is a former member of his church, helped build it."  She smirked.  The feed from her livejournal was picked up by the gay military vets group.  She smiled at Pepper.  "I'm still suing him."

"I would too.  Though I'm not sure if you have much to stand on."  Dawn got into another sermon, which made Pepper shudder and turn off after a few minutes.  "That's definitely a threat.  Did you turn that in?"

"Yes.  The FBI said I had to sue him since it wasn't more than the rantings of an idiot."

"No, that's beyond that," Stark said, starting a background check on them.  "I'll be damned.  He's got a brother in HYDRA."

Dawn went back farther and pointed.  "And an uncle from Cap's unit."

"He was fighting his own family."  He went to talk to him about that.

"We've had two requests to talk to you," Pepper told her.

She shrugged.  "I'm still not outing the relationship beyond what I have but sure."  She smiled.  "Maybe I'll be inspiring."

"You definitely are," the guard said, smiling at her.   He patted her and left it with them.

Dawn smiled at Callia.  "Want to go check on Andrew and Jonathan?"

"Sure."  She took her hand and walked out.  "Why are people yelling?"

"Because some people can't see that the world isn't always what they think it is."  Callia looked confused so she grinned. "Some people believe they live in Candy Land, like the game, but they don't and when you tell them that or show them that, they get mad."

"Why?"

"Because humans like things to be the way they want them to be. Like how you get pouty if you don't have tomatoes?  They get pouty if what they want to happen doesn't."

"Am I that way?"

"No.  We won't let you turn into them.  You know you live here, not in Candy Land."

"I don't get that much candy.  Chutes and Ladders looks like more fun to live in anyway."

Dawn grinned.  "It definitely does."  They walked into the lab.  "Hey, guys."

"Hi," they said, smiling at them.

Jonathan hugged her.  "Congrats on the coming out."

She winked.  "I only half came out."  He laughed and hugged her then the baby.  Andrew did too.  "How are we doing today, guys?"

"About the same.  We have a line of code that does not work," Andrew said.

Callia looked at him.  "Is that like counting?"

"Something like that only in another language."

"That's one I don't know," Dawn said when Callia looked at her.  "Your daddy does but he hasn't had to program without JARVIS for a while."

"JARVIS?" Callia called.

"Yes, Callia."

"Where is their counting problem?"

"There's three different code parse errors in lines 51, 1158, and 885597."

"Thank you, you saved us," Jonathan said.  "If we could, we'd buy you a candybar, JARVIS."

"I unfortunately cannot eat them.  They do seem to be enjoyable with the way people like them."  Dawn smiled up at the sensor.  "Though, could you two manage to clean out your storage closet this week?  There's a scheduled electrical update in the next lab and they might need in there."

"Of course we can," Andrew promised.  "We can do that later."

"You need to not sleep in the lab," Dawn said firmly.

"We're not.  We're sharing a suite now and playing video games," Jonathan said with a grin.  "We reconnected with our geek friends."

"Good."  She hugged them both then took Callia.  "C'mon, potty time."  She pouted.  "Yes, now."  She winked and walked her out, taking her in there.  She ran in to use it.  "You only have to remind us."

"They give too good of cuddles to give up for potty breaks," she called from the stall.

"They do give nice hugs."  She looked up.  "JARVIS, can they have the roomba?"

"I think that would tickle them greatly."  He found it in storage and sent it to them.  They had it barking like it was a dog and playing fetch within hours.

***

Two days later, Pepper spotted the roomba running around the admin area.  "What are you doing?" she asked it.  It barked and extended it's cleaning tube/tentacle.  "Why do you have a tentacle?"  Clearly she needed more coffee or a nap, because this was mentally warping and it was too early for that problem.  It sucked up something behind Dawn's desk and barked then ran it off.  "Um, that's a bomb.  That goes to security," she called after it.  It barked twice and headed that way.  "Thank you!"  She went in to call Tony.  "Why do we have a bomb sniffing, barking, tentacle using roomba?" she asked.

"We have a what?  My roomba?"

"Maybe.  It just found a tiny explosive behind Dawn's desk with its tentacle then barked at me."

"Not my doing," he admitted.  "I'm not that weird this week."  He hung up and went to check on that.  Dawn wasn't in yet.  With a hunch, he stopped into the tinkering lab.  Banner and McKay were in there arguing.  "Did you guys touch my roomba?"

"Beyond the fact that that is a filthy accusation," McKay quipped.

Banner pulled up the story for him and looked at Tony.  "Jonathan's been playing fetch with it.  Why?"

"It has a bomb sniffing tentacle and barked at Pepper."

"The tentacle is probably Andrew's doing.  He does like anime."

"So do I," Tony admitted.  He went to check on the bomb.  He'd look at his poor roomba later.  They were very fun geeks to have around and made life very interesting.  They were trying to get the IED from the roomba.  "Drop it," he ordered.  It did and barked, wiggling its backside back and forth.  "Good roomba."  He petted it.  The roomba barked again and ran circles around Jonathan.  "It used to pick up pacifiers."

"Was it yours?" Andrew asked cautiously.

"I had it in storage.  You did a good job but that tentacle could look a bit more sea creature instead of hentai."  He looked at Andrew, who blushed and nodded he'd fix it.  "Thanks."  He smiled at Jonathan.  "Nice coding too."  He beamed.  "Who put the IED on Dawn's desk?"

"Running footage back now, sir," the head of security said.  He paused it and let him see it.  "I don't know him."

"That's... is that a SHIELD agent?" Tony asked.

"Yes, he's been hanging around here," Jonathan said.  "We tied him up and put the Control Circlet on him to see who he was."

Tony stared at him.  "I don't have a single report on that."

"We made it back in high school and Warren used it to find out what girls were really thinking," Andrew said sheepishly.

"I'd like to see those as well," Tony said.  They preened.  "You guys made some really incredible stuff in your garages."  They bounced and ran off to get their files.  "I could've used something like that when Pepper was being obtuse," he said at the guard's look.  "Print that for me."  He did.  He walked off.  "Coulson," he called in the elevator.  He appeared with his coffee cup in hand.  He handed the picture over.  "IED behind Dawn's desk."

"Charming.  Thank you."  He disappeared to look up that agent.  Fortunately he had disabled all the cameras in his office, including his webcam.  He found who they were and went to talk to Agent Hill.  He was on her staff.  He held up the picture of him planting the device.

"Where?"

"Her desk."

"Kill him for me?"

"Do you want a bit?"

"No.  I won't stop and save you any."

He smiled.  "Thank you."  He walked off.  "Agent Styers."  His head popped up.  So did Fury's.  "Let's go spar, shall we?"

"I'd rather not, Agent Coulson."

"Your only choice is if you go to prison before you spar with me or after.  Which would get you solitary for a while instead of general population."  The agent was pale.  He smirked just a tiny bit.  "I'm giving you a chance to explain your problems before they come out at trial.  Which would you prefer?"

"Suicide?"

"Go ahead, we'll be amused," he promised, taking the bullets from his gun with his powers before he could pull it.  They landed behind Maria, who he knew was hiding his new skills for him.  She had faced him down about teleporting Joyce to safety during the invasion.  "We're waiting."  He pulled it and tried to kill himself.  The gun clicked.  "Good.  You're ineffectual in many methods.  That would've only led to you being a vegetable for however long we would keep feeding you, which means you'd die of starvation in something between two weeks and a year.  The gun goes in your mouth if you're killing yourself.  Now, sparring?"  The agent looked around.  No one was going to help him, not even Tara, who was shaking her head with a sigh.

"What did he do?" Fury asked.  Phil held up the picture.  "Is that an IED?"

"Yes, sir."  He stared at him.  "At Stark Towers."

"I believe he will spar," Fury said.  "That way the people in gen pop are expecting him for a good, long time."

"My pleasure, sir."  He hauled the agent off to deal with him.  He did need some sparring time and this one would be a good warm up to a real match.  Not like he was going to be a challenge, even without the new powers.

Fury looked around.  "If there's more of those, I'd be more effective when you shoot yourselves."  All the agents nodded and looked away.  "Good.  I don't care who sticks what where as long as it's fun for them.  Am I clear?"  They nodded.  "Good!  Now can we get back to saving the damn world instead of being perverts who need to watch it to get hard?"  They ducked down and got back to work.  He looked at Agent Hill.  "Any others you know about?"

"Not at the moment, sir."

"Tell me if you do.  Are those bullets?"

"Spares."

"Good.  Use them if you need to."  He went back to his office.

Agent Hill walked over.  "Tara, are you all right?"

She smiled.  "I'm okay.  I would've beaten him with a shoe."

"I'd offer you mine," she said.  "They have harder soles."

Tara giggled and patted her on the arm.  "You do wear scary boots but they look good on you."  She smiled.  "Is Dawn all right?"

"I haven't heard differently."

"Good."  She smiled at Natasha as she walked into the office.  Then stomped out looking pissed off.  "I don't think Phil is going to have too long with him."

"The agent had failed his physical for the last three attempts.  He was about to go on administrative leave for it next week when he failed his last allowed attempt for six months."

Tara smiled and pulled a bag out of her pocket.  "Walnut and butterscotch?"

She took one and nibbled.  "Those are excellent.  I make terrible cookies, burn them and everything, but you're great at it."  She smiled.  "I'll have to watch how many I can steal a day."

Tara blushed.  "I like baking, especially when I'm thinking."

Agent Hill smiled.  "My mother taught me to make bread those days."  She finished her cookie and walked off.  "There's that new movie out tonight on pay-per-view."

Tara smiled.  "I'd love to.  I was going to watch it with the kids."

"You can bring them."

"You can come over if you want.  Phil said he was going to retreat to his room so he didn't have to see another corset coming off."

Maria smiled.  "I could like that."  That had answered a few questions about her and Coulson's relationship.  "Seven?"

"There's really no set time so whenever you get free, and I'll make spaghetti?"

"Sure.  I'll bring some garlic bread.  Do you drink wine?"  Tara shook her head.  "Then I'll bring some tea."

"I'd love that."  They shared a smile and got back to work.  Tara did give her the bag of cookies.  "Phil said I'm making him fat."

She laughed.  "He spars too much for that."  Tara grinned and went back to helping Joyce and then the science teams.  She ate another one, glancing at Joyce, who looked happy whenever she caught her eye.  She had gotten approval of the group's mother, that was a good thing.

In the elevator on her way to lunch, Phil popped in.  "Just make her happy.  She deserves to be happy."

"I will.  There's cameras."

"I disabled all the ones in here last night and again this morning when I came in.  They still haven't turned them on.  The only one that might work is the button camera and it's pointed at your chest."

She looked and took it off to smash under her boot.  "Thank you."

"Welcome.  I've always admired you, Maria."  He smiled.  "You might get the shovel talk from Dawn."

"I know Dawn can beat me to death with a shovel from halfway across the US."  She smiled and got off.  He rode back up to his office level.  She had great permission now.  That was a good sign.  As long as Tara could stand her workaholic habits.

***

Dawn came in from the business meeting she had went to for Pepper and found Tony waiting on her.  "Am I being too much trouble?" she asked.

"Are you still worried about that?"

"Yeah.  Some girls worry about their weight, some of us worry about our jobs and supporting ourselves."  She shrugged.  "Why?"

"An agent put an IED behind your chair and you didn't notice for a day."

"I felt something that I blocked but then I got caught up in the problem in lab 2 and lab 32."  He winced.  "And then I went home to go 'ow' for a few hours and make dinner.  I haven't been in the building today.  It was an IED instead of a listening device?"

"There was?" he demanded.

"Yeah, top drawer and the old one I've kept disabled was in the bottom, left hand side, under the spare ammo."

"I need to see that," he said.  "Come on."  She ran her pass and followed.  He got handed the one from the top drawer.  He opened the bottom one.  "You do have spare ammo."

"Of course I do.  I might need it."  He looked at her.  "They're a bit loud," she said quietly.  "I've been meaning to spar but hey, injured."

"Do it later against Cap."

"He won't.  You know he won't."

"Happy?"

"Cried when I knocked him down but I think he was pleased at how good I did."

"We'll spar later."

She looked at him, shaking her head.  "I'm not breaking you.  Pepper would kill me.  We can spar later tonight, once we're all calm."

"Okay."  He looked at the bug he found.  "It may have been this you were blocking yesterday."  He showed her the picture.

"That doesn't really have an electronic buzz until the remote is used."

"I know," he said.  "How do you know?"

"I got bored and went over Xander's bomb manual collection while we were waiting to come back.  I got through three or four before Roque spotted me reading one and lost his mind."  She smiled.  "I thought his brain was going to start to smoke he was so pissed off.  He told me I was too nice for that."

"I think those people who think I should marry your young ass may have a point," Tony said, staring at her.

She smiled.  "Sorry, boss, can't.  That'd be harassment and the only one you're allowed to harass around here is Pepper.  It's in her contract."

"Did she find that clause?" he asked.

She smiled and nodded.  "Gave it a fond smile."

"That's Pepper for ya."  He looked at her.  "Some day you'll turn into a scary geek."

"I'm not that sort of geek.  Sorry."  She grinned.  "But I promise if I have kids some decade in the future that I'll teach them what I know."

"Do that so one of them can help Callia."  He walked off with the bugs, shaking his head.  Once he was locked in his lab he shivered.  If he could breed her to Pepper and get Pepper's nature and Dawn's skill inside her, then he'd be a happy genius.  But he wasn't going to make himself a girlfriend in any meaning of the word.  He wasn't that sort of genius.  And really, Pepper would beat him to death if he tried.

***

Dawn walked in that night and smiled at Clint, kissing him.  "Sparring time?" she offered.

"Your wrist...."

"I'll keep on the brace."

"We can wait."

She stared at him.  "Only if you want to me to start thinking seriously about how to go take down three ministers and a senator that're causing me hell," she said quietly.

"Sure, sparring," he agreed, taking another kiss.  "After dinner."

"I love that you cook."

"It's better than cleaning."

"It is."  She went to change, finding Natasha in the bathroom.  "Need a book?" she quipped.

"No, not this time.  I'm soaking."

"Okay."  She changed.  "Let us know if you want help."

"I will."

"Dinner?"

"Later."

"Sparring later," Dawn noted.  She heard the water move.  "You can stay in and we'll bring you dinner."

"I'll consider it.  You two spar."

"Okay."  She went back out there, adjusting the spandex bike shorts length unitard.  He stared at her.  "By the way, that minister in North Carolina and the one in Georgia both offered to find me a real man to breed me to so that my future spawn could do what I was too scared to do."

"I saw those."

"I so nearly went down there.  I'm suing instead."

He kissed her.  "We'll spar."

"She said she's soaking."

"Okay.  Dinner?"

"She said she'd get it later."

"Okay."  They ate and he stretched then they went down to spar in the room they had set up for that.  Steve was in there boxing.  "Bare-handed," he warned her.  She nodded, dropping her weapons off to the side.

Steve watched her.  "You carry hidden weapons?"

"Wouldn't you?" she quipped.  "Especially with as many jackasses who wanted me hard enough to try to take me?"  He glared at her. "You find a better word for the Russian mafia."

"I can't," he admitted, going back to boxing.

Dawn stepped onto the matts, smiling at her boyfriend.  "You're awfully far away for sparring and you said no weapons."

He smirked back.  "Let me finish stretching and I'll kick you around for a while."  She snorted.  He stepped on and focused on her.  He could see the urges in her eyes, feel it across the bond.  "You waited way too long."  She waved her hand.  "No excuse."

"You said so."

"I didn't realize," he said quietly.  He lunged to start it off.  She defended pretty well.  Her ribs were mostly healed and he kept telling himself not to take advantage of it.

She looked at him.  "I can handle it," she reminded him, kicking him on his sore knee.  He had twisted it jogging the other day.  She let herself drop into them.

He let himself drift into the old skills and it was seriously a hard spar.  She'd definitely be bruised.  He'd be bruised and limping.  She was merciless on his knee.  He did get her once on the ribs, making her hiss but she only shifted her weight to limit his access.  He did make her yelp with a kick to the butt but she flipped over and got him from behind, making him groan as she got his kidney.  He finally did win because she was tired and falling out of shape.  They needed to make her practice more often.  He pinned her down, panting and sweating down onto her sweaty face.

"Hi."

She groaned.  "Not at the moment."

He nodded, feeling along their link.  He could still feel them.  "Up."  He pulled back, taking a towel from Steve to wipe his face off.  She did the same and her upper chest.  "You calmer?"

"No."

He sighed.  "See if she's out of the tub?"

"Natasha's still in the tub," Steve said.  "I called."  They nodded.  "Is this still a necessary thing?"  Dawn nodded, swallowing to catch her breath.  "Dawn, your ribs?"

"I'm fine, Steve."  She straightened up and stretched a bit.  "I'll be fine."

"Tomorrow night.  You've fallen out of routine," Clint reminded her.

"I know.  I'll run tomorrow."  He smiled.  "It only makes me hotter so you drool."

"Sometimes."  He walked her off.  "C'mon, I'll make the ice packs."

"I could like a few.  Did you have to give me a wedgie by kicking me on the butt?"

"Yup, sure did.  Got you off my knee."

She smiled.  "I'll work on it later."

"Thank you."  They went upstairs.  Phil walked in after them.  "That's really creepy."

"Yay," Coulson said, staring at Dawn.  He put his hands on her temple.  "I only learned how to do this earlier," he said quietly.  "The mental exercises you use to keep the bond closed are loosening the restraints," he told her.  "I felt a flash earlier?"

"No, you felt me react to a sudden bright light Stark flashed at me."

"Good."  He hugged her.  "We'll spar tomorrow after we run."  She nodded.  "For now, no going after the idiots.  We're handling it."

She nodded.  "I'm trying."

"Good."  She relaxed.  He healed both of them.  "Go spar the other way so I don't get hit with it?"  He went back upstairs.

Clint flexed his knee.  She stretched and nodded.  It was a good idea to distract her.  They walked into the bedroom.  "'Tasha, you going to stay in there all night?" she called.

Natasha looked at the door from the tub.  "Probably."  She took a pill and sipped some water to wash it down.  Her exam today had not been a good one.  She shifted in the tub, feeling the medicine start to work as her stomach cramped.

***

Dawn walked in the next morning looking perky and slightly warmer than usual.  The guards blinked.  "What?  Not like I have today off."  She ran her pass.  It didn't work.  "Okay."

"Security lockdown," one said.  "You didn't hear?"

"No.  How long?"

"Few hours probably.  Someone didn't close their chemical mixing very well when it shook.  Spewed all over the lab," the head guard said.

"Okay, I'll have my tablet at home.  Let me know when I can come back."  They nodded.  She went back home to put her feet up and use her tablet to send a message to Pepper and one to Stark that she was on if they needed her.  She got one back from Pepper wondering where she was.  She sent one.  No answer and she had asked a question about the lockdown.  She tried to call.  Diverted to JARVIS.

"Cute," she said, using Natasha's tablet to do that.  Still diverted.  She smirked evilly and typed in a program on Natasha's.  She could hack and had been teaching Dawn some.  She found Pepper's email and the diversion.  She got around it and sent her an IM.  Pepper sent back a complaint.  Dawn told her what had been said and about her emails.  Pepper promised to handle it and gave her today off, to go sunbathe on the roof.

"I can do that," Dawn quipped.  She could even set up the cameras so they all diverted up there.

***

JARVIS huffed.  "Sir, we have a slight hacking problem," he said.

Tony looked up from fiddling with something.  "By which group?"

"Dawn."

"Why is Dawn hacking and where is she?  No one's come to nag me yet."

JARVIS went quiet.  "It seems that there's been a diversion put in place to keep her out of contact today."

"Why?  Is there a plot to take her?" Tony asked.  "Or are they tired of supposedly protecting her?"

"I'm not certain but it starts in that one security officer's computer that you had to complain to about his Dawn stalking habits."

"Interesting."  He moved to his computer.  "Pull that up for me."  The AI did and he stared.  "That's not a good thing but he thinks it'll protect her.  Why does she need protected from us?"  He went further.  "That's not our fault!  Half of that was her sister's!"

"Love is not a reasonable thing," JARVIS said blandly.  "Or else you wouldn't have done a few of your stunts over the years."

"Didn't I say to forget those and to quit picking on me?" Tony asked, typing something into the system.  It exposed all his plots, and his shrine to Dawn.  He growled.  "No, not good or right or allowed."  He shut down his system and locked it under his administrative privilege.  "Where is she today?"

"I do believe that the link that diverted Pepper's emails and yours is now diverted to watching her sunbathe."  He flashed that link.

Tony stared.  "I hate bikinis sometimes."  He sighed.  "She's getting skinny again too."  He turned it off.

"It was reported that she was sparring last night."

"She probably needed it."  He went to talk to Pepper, who was the CEO so she could fire people for him.  He pulled up all the captured material.

"That's not good."  She looked at him.  "She hacked in to talk to me."

"JARVIS caught her.  I've got to teach her that."  She smiled.  "I should teach you that too probably.  What are we doing beyond firing him?  Because I'm about to call Barton and let him come defend her honor."

"That might not be a good thing.  They're probably going to be sparring again tonight."

"She needs it?"

"She was muttering about taking a fast business trip down south yesterday."

"Then she probably does need it.  No Natasha?"

"Haven't seen her and I think Dawn said she's at SHIELD."

"Hmm.  Can we let Dawn beat him?"

"She's so much better than he is."

"Which would break his crush with Her Flirtiness.  Speaking of, she hadn't dick teased recently."

"She's in a relationship."

"She still dick teased."

"They weren't as tight then."

"That doesn't change anything."

"There may have been other reasons," she admitted.  "But Dawn did not say anything."  He nodded at that.  "We need to see if he's working with others."

"I'm pretty sure he's glued to the security feed that his diversion is now on."  He let her see it.

She smiled.  "I like her in that one."

"I don't need to know," he said, turning it off.  She laughed.  He glared.  She laughed harder.  "Enough," he said.

"If it was anyone but her."

"I know.  She's going scary.  She was reading bomb manuals at the temple until Roque stopped her."

"She has here too."  They went to find that guard and talk to him about his alternate career options.  He complained and said it wasn't against the law to protect someone.  Tony laid out exactly how many stalking laws he's broken over her.  Including selling a few photos of her to the press when his check was a bit short.  He stomped off and vowed that she'd be protected.  He walked out and into a fist.

Steve looked at him.  "Young women like Dawn don't appreciate being stalked," he said, staring down at him.  "Those of us who like her will have to protest like the big brothers she calls us."  He got up and fled.  "You have a better life."  Tony was staring at him.  "What?"

"Big brother duties?"

"Yup.  Can we talk?"

"Definitely."  He walked him up to the office.  Pepper was talking to their IT department to see who else had picture files of Dawn on their systems.  "What's wrong?"

"They were seriously sparring last night."

"They probably needed to."

"Natasha's been quiet."

"I'm not sure why but I think it's a personal issue.  I'm not digging into her past."

"Okay."  He stared at him.  "Is Dawn still... infected isn't the right word."

Tony got him some water.  "Things like programming might never go away, even if you break it they can pop up.  It's why Dawn basically switched and goes ninja on people who attack her."  He drank some of his water.  "I'm fairly certain that she's sparring to control the urges.  They told you that."

"I thought that might end after she was better.  I've seen stuff on cult members and they get cured."

"They often find another version to follow," Tony said.  He sat down.  "I don't think if it hasn't totally broken yet it can't be.  I have a feeling that something else went on, something experimental, and we might never break it.  Dawn?" he called.

She appeared, pulling on a robe.  "Does this mean I can come back to work since whoever took my ID out of the system again?"

"I'll have Pepper reauthorize it.  Steve's worried about your sparring."  She shut the door with a look and sat down with a sigh.  "How loud are they, kid?"

"Not very.  They both think that there's always going to be some.  A lot of them are started if I haven't been keeping up with something to get aggression out.  Getting mad makes them come faster, or frustration."

"So you got frustrated, haven't sparred, and it got bad because of those idiot ministers," Tony said.

"And the few senators that agreed."

"They're going to be voted out," Steve said.

She smiled.  "One's been a senator for over twenty years."

"We're running an ad about 'what if this was your daughter'," he said.  "Though, those earlier heros, one is still alive and growled that you used him that way.  Then someone pointed out who you actually were and who you're related to.  He thinks your sister should give up and get a real uniform too."

She smiled.  "She'd look bad in spandex.  Buffy tends to run on the thin side."

"So are you," Steve said.

"Mine's been pain.  My wrist was killing me or I would've let it out sooner."  She looked at Tony.  "I'm in full control."

"I know you are.  We would've cleaned up more of a mess when that agent tried for you on Friday."  She smiled.  "Still, a bit much."

"If I could've sparred I would've," she assured him.  "I needed to."

He nodded.  "You have my permission to beat up on me or Happy."

She shook her head.  "I can't do that."

"You can."

"I can't.  Ask Cap."

Steve shook his head.  "She can't, Tony.  She'd probably injure you.  Clint limped out even after Phil fixed his knee she nearly took off."  Dawn nodded.  "How much of that was the training?"

"I've been taking self defense lessons for years," she said.  "Everyone seems to want me in that bad way in case you forgot."

"Oh, I remember a few of them."  She smirked at him.  "So that refined it?"

"No, they didn't get around to much physical manipulation.  They tried some muscle creating ones but I remember laughing because they were trying to get me to scale walls."  Tony snickered, shaking his head.  "I think I distracted myself by asking Clint to turn on some music."

"Huh?" Steve asked.

She glanced at the door then at him.  "Remember when I had that migraine and my jaw was stuck shut because I had clenched it so hard?"

"I heard about it."

She smiled.  "What did I do?"

"You.. Oh!  Was that you at the USO event?"  She smiled and nodded.  "Thank you."

"Welcome.  Just hit you with an idea."  She looked at Tony.

"I've noticed," he assured her.  "And that one's better or stronger."

"She got different training."

"Obviously."  He considered it.  "So now what, kid?"

"Now, I could really use another spar and it's not a good day for it.  Coulson had Clint taking down rookie agents all day.  He's exhausted.  Just don't fire me unless they catch me, okay?"

"You go I'm paddling you," Tony assured her.  He looked around his desk, finding something and tossing it at her.  She caught it and looked at him.  "If it's that bad, take one.  Nap."

She shook her head.  "Didn't help last time.  I sleep teleported."  She tossed it back.

He winced.  "That's bad."  She nodded.  "Anything tether-like?"  She shook her head.  "Anything other than sparring that wears it out?"  She shook her head.  "Go to Xander's temple and beat up on the soldiers?"

She considered that.  "I haven't sparred against Teyla in a while."

Tony smiled.  "Go change out of that thing that's giving too many people indecent ideas."  He stared at her.  "Why no teasing?"

"Haven't really been in the mood," she admitted, patting her wrist.

He stared at her.  He could read Dawn pretty well.  That wasn't what was worrying her.    "What's her issue?"

She shrugged.  "She won't tell me.  I know it's something in her past.  I know that someone trying subliminal things recently started it off.  Maybe this is her version of PTSD?"

"Could be," he admitted.  "Go change?"

She smirked.  "And yet you just wondered why I wasn't dick teasing, Stark."

"That's more than that."

She rolled her eyes.  "Fine, whatever."  She went home to change into something she could spar in.  Xander's temple was cooler because it was on a mountain.  So definitely leggings and a t-shirt.  She flashed there and looked at the people in the ring.  "I need some," she said.

Xander looked at her.  "You're better than most of them."

She nodded.  "I know and that's sad in many strange ways."  John laughed.  "John, spar with me?"

"I'd hurt you, Dawn."

"I doubt it muchly."  She looked at him.  "It's a need right now."

He stared at her.  "Damn it," he muttered.  She shrugged.  "Yeah, we can do that.  How tired are you?"

"None.  I had an unintentional day off when a security guard decided it would protect me.  So I was sunbathing."  She pulled back her hair.  "Boys, move."  She walked into the ring.  The one in there took a swing at her.  She knocked him down and walked over him.  "Thank you."

"You sure you want that t-shirt?" John asked.  "It's going to tangle you."

"If I need to I can take it off later.  I have a sports bra on and I'm sure you've seen tits."

"I have, many times.  Including yours in a bikini thanks to a tabloid."  She smirked.  He attacked and she fought back.  She wasn't bad.  The training showed on her.  He was still stronger and faster due to the iratus incident.  She was losing ground fairly quickly but she took off the t-shirt and let herself fall faster.  That was a bad sign in his book but he knew why.  Xander had told him.  He was going full tilt with her and it was probably a thing of beauty.  He split her lip and she licked it then bounced off his chest, kicking him in the process of the flip.  He got back up and came again.  She met him and it was still pretty good but she was clearly getting tired.  "You need worn out this much?" he asked.

She nodded.  "Yup.  Or else I'm going to be mean."

"Okay."  He took a harder swing that she ducked and then came up with one of her girlfriend's moves.  Which made him groan and lay there coughing.  "Ow."

"Sorry, learned it off 'Tasha."

"I remember seeing her do it," he said, getting up slowly.  She helped and he pulled her down.  "You lost your focus," he said.  She flashed out and kicked him on the shoulder.  "No powers here."

"I'm not godly.  That's about my whole bag of tricks."

"Shields?" he suggested.  "Wind spells?"

"No, if I'm fully down, it doesn't get that polite."

He nodded.  "That's a good thing."  He shook out his arms.  "Come on."  She attacked and Xander tossed down staffs.  That would help spare him some bruises and she wasn't bad.  He was going to wear her out.  If he couldn't, Ronon was around watching.  He finally wore them both out and panted, looking at her.  "You're one tough kid."

She smiled.  "I am."   She made herself straighten up.  "Thanks."

"Welcome but next time, go sooner," he said quietly.

"Bruised ribs and a broken wrist," she said bluntly.  He winced.  "Yeah."  She gave him a hug.  "Thank you."

"Welcome, Dawn."  He pointed.  "Go present yourself to Xander."

She walked up there, taking her t-shirt back from Ronon.  "Hey, big guy.  I'd hug but I'm sweaty."

"You are.  When..."

"Long story," she said quietly.  "But why that disappearing thing happened."  He just nodded.  She looked at Xander.

"Definitely better than you were two years ago," he said, staring at her.  "Really good job, still favoring your right side."  She nodded.  "You good?"

"Healing.  Spells."

He laughed and healed her.  Including her ribs and wrist.  "Been there, done that, many times."  She hugged him.  He gave her a squeeze.  "Go shower, sweaty, and then go back to the rooftop bikini time.  If you feel it that badly, come back."

She nodded.  "I can."  She disappeared.

Xander looked at John.  "That's why I was worried, yeah."

"She's got skills but still some weaknesses."  He walked up the small incline.  "She's still too wild."

"She's twenty, think back," Xander said dryly.

"I don't like to remember."  He looked over at Phil, who was watching them.  "I did my best."

"She's needed it for weeks.  Thank you.  Xander, can we talk to Natasha?  She won't talk to me."

"Sure."  He smiled.  "I can do that."  He nodded and left.  He looked at John.

"Or I can," he agreed, heading to shower and send himself to grab her.  He appeared behind her in the gym, smiling at her.  "Hi."

"John," she said quietly.

"Need to talk to you about something girlish Rodney's doing."  She snorted.  "He is.  He's being a total girl this week and Dawn couldn't help me."  He took her off.  Clint had given him a dirty look but yay.  They landed on top of a deserted building in Harlem.  He touched her head, making her flinch.  "Let me shut that down for a few."  He shut down both links then looked at her.  "You're worrying people," he said in Russian.  "I've known you for a hell of a long time, Natasha.  What the hell is going on?"

"You have known me for a very long time."

"I have.  Then again, I learned about Dawn in school."

"It's not the same."

"No, but the only one who'd understand what such a long life is like is someone who's been there."  He stared at her.  "She'll understand."

"She won't."

He stared at her.  "That's not all this is."

"They decided it was my turn to make sure that I paid them back," she said in Russian.

He nodded.  "I can go kill them really hard if you want.  I offered before."

"I believed back then."

He nodded.  "We all did when we were younger."  He leaned on the edge of the roofline.  "So what are you going to do?  If you push it back down it'll come back sometime and she'll be upset for you.  He probably already knows some?"  She nodded.  "Enough?"

"No."  She looked out over the city then back at him.  "It's a burden."

"Life's a burden."

"I could be...."

He shook his head.  "You're not."  She slumped.  "We would've realized that back then."  He grinned.  "Beyond that, still not."  He stared at her stomach then at her.

"Subliminal programming got both of us to dose the other."

"That sucks," he said.

"It's not time."

"It's never a good time.  Especially in our businesses."

"When I'm older, retired."

"They'd agree to that."

She nodded.  "It's still a burden.  She's young, innocent."

"Bullshit.  I just spent two hours wearing her out."  She winced.  "She was sparring last night too."

"We've forgotten the routine."

"She got really mad."

"I didn't think it was that bad to do."

John pulled out his phone and accessed the web, getting into a video to show her.

She watched it and growled.  "I can take care of that."

"She was going to."  He stared at her.  "She'd do anything for you," he said quietly in English.  "It's never been a burden to her."

"She's still young and idealistic."

John shrugged.  "Compared to some of us, so are you."

She swallowed and nodded.  "But not as young as they are."

"So you give up on a lot for a tiny bit of pain?"  He stared at her.  "You were trained to deal with pain, both as a dancer and not."

"I was."  She smiled slightly.  "Pain is something you move through.  I hated teaching her that."

"Not like she didn't know pain.  Watching your loved ones fight for their lives and waste away while still winning is still pain.  Not the same pain," he said when she looked at him.  "But still pain."

"She's happy."

"Good!  We'd all kick your ass if she wasn't happy."

"Not that way."

He stared at her.  "Are you actually jealous?"  She shook her head.  "You are."

"I am not."

"You are."

"I'm not.  She keeps trying to put herself second."

"And the only cure to that is to put yourself in more firmly so you're both taking care of her, the same way she takes care of both of you.  It's a stress that a lot of trios can't handle.  You're still wiser and stronger than that."  She snorted.  "And better than that.  Do you think anyone else could've gotten her through the last few years?  She's looked at you even above Pepper at times.  Pepper couldn't teach her how to handle being kidnaped.  Coulson wasn't sure how."  She nodded, turning back around.  "What do you want out of this?"

"I want...  Maybe I want things to be normal."

"You can't get much more normal than being in goofy headed love."

She turned to look at him again.  "Alexander's cousins are due to pick me up."

John shrugged.  "They're going to take Rodney too.  Ronon and Teyla if they're down here.  I'd consider that an honor."

"Dawn's going to ascend."

"Which means if she really wanted to she could hang around the hall with you."

"He will too.  He'll never sit there."

"No one says you have to sit there.  Or that you have to be picked up.  There is a path to ascension."

She nodded.  "I've seen.  It looks odd."

"It's mostly meditation and getting yourself ready to leave your body.  If you can travel out of it then you've mostly got it made and just have to let the body die off."

"I'd rather not."

"She'd be disappointed if you went first."

Natasha looked at her.  "I'm not the most vulnerable, she is."

"You go into huge battles against things that take higher weapons with handguns," he said bluntly.  "You're turning into me and Xander."  She let out a snort but smiled.  "Seriously.  Some day soon you're going to be using his axe."

"I like his axe.  It's well balanced and beautifully made."  She smiled slightly.  "I do what I can and must."

"She moved to do what she can in a way that's more protected.  Outside of this last week.  She's more likely to die in a fire.  Which, by the way, I saw her flash to."  Natasha grimaced but nodded.  "Whatever exercises you've been doing to keep the link mostly closed?  It's reawakening or she's gotten hit again."

"The subliminal wouldn't."

"Maybe, with your old bosses who knows."

"They seem to appreciate her."

"Everyone appreciates Dawn until they piss her off."  He grinned.  "Even you."

"I do," she agreed.

"Do you want to lose that because you can't speak?"

"No," she said.

"Then this fear can be conquered, and really, she might know.  She did have to take a few history classes and since she can speak Russian she might've chosen yours."  She frowned and shook her head.  "Yeah, the textbook's on her shelf.  It's horribly thick and looked really dry and boring."

"Oh, dear."

"Dawn's probably told you it's up to you to tell her what you can and want her to know about your past.  She did with Ronon when he was having a run of nightmares and asked if he wanted to talk.  He told her she wouldn't understand.  She told him why she did and how bad it got.  He got sick hearing about some of her sister's things.  But he did talk to her.  Dawn's empathy is a great gift."

"It is.  What about...."

"You've already made that decision once," he said.  "I think Dawn's putting off thinking about it because she's not sure it'll work even with the structures in place.  That plus helping raise her niece, she's got enough on the kid front, especially sitting for Tara sometimes."

"The twins are evil," she agreed, grimacing.  "I didn't think about that."

He smiled.  "She won't talk about it.  She'll hear everyone's problems and not tell anyone she needs something.  She gets it from Joyce."

"We've noticed.  We broke her of that habit."

"You had time to break it then.  Do you now have time to rebreak it?  When you're not together all the time?"

"She hasn't...  She asked for attention when she was injured."

"Good!  Of course, it took bruised ribs."  She grimaced and nodded.  "She appreciates each of you in your own way.  For your own selves and for reasons only she can find.  The same as you don't see him the same way she does."

"I've known him longer."

"Which is why she kept trying to get you two together again," he said dryly.  "We noticed and took bets about if she'd manage it."

"We had to prove to her that she had a place."

"Does she still in your heart?"  Natasha nodded.  "Then that's your answer.  Talk to her.  So far she's understood all your reasons for hiding it.  She complained a bit to Xander that she had to hide it when she wanted to be happy and giddy in public and can't because she can't risk you two."

Natasha grimaced.  "We're more worried about them coming for her."

"That's not her worry.  She knows someone will come some day.  They always seem to come some day, and she'll beat them back or not.  And if not, she'll get rescued or she'll make sure no one can use her powers."  Natasha stiffened.  "You've seen it before when someone was going to take it and use it for harm."

"Is that built in with the key?"

"No.  That's just Dawn.  I think she learned it from Xander.  Buffy has a bit about dying during an apocalypse if she must.  Then again, she has died."

Natasha swallowed.  She was starting to feel sick.  "She would give up?"

"If the choice was letting the key out or doing it?  Yes.  She'd protect everyone with it."

She nodded.  "We made sure she knew we could help her the last time," she said quietly.

"Yes, but that's not the only threat to her.  Are you strong enough to handle those with her?"

"I am.  I hope."

"Then she'll trust you to help her.  Even if she doesn't ask."

She sighed.  "She does.  Trust is hard-won in our lives."

"And yet, you trust her enough to sleep next to her," he said.  "To not turn your back to hers so you're guarding one direction and her the other."  She looked at him.  "She's not a battlefield companion for you."

"She's not.  I haven't slept like that in years."

"How did you sleep last night?"

"In the tub handling the stomach cramps."  She grimaced.  "The night before I slept between them."

"They knew you needed it."  He pulled her closer.  "It's your decision but if you hurt her, do it cleanly and clearly, and tell her why.  If not, she might waste.  She will mope, she will get depressed and I'm not sure he's enough to hold her."

"He is."

"You keep throwing him at people," he pointed out.  "You did in the past."

"Are you reading my mind?"

"I was handling a lot of things in Europe back then," he said dryly.

"I didn't sense you."

He grinned.  "You wouldn't have.  I made sure no one did."  He stared at her.  "What do you want to do?"

"I want to get drunk."

He laughed.  "That doesn't usually work to solve anything."

"We could talk then."

"I doubt it.  She'd put you to bed, make sure you had water and aspirin, and then go read."

"We could both get drunk."

"She'd only do it if there was a reason."

"I know."  She slumped.  "This isn't fair."

"Since when has life been fair?" he countered.  "It finally gives you good things and you're sulking."

She glared.  "I am not."

"Bullshit.  Or else I wouldn't have had to wear her out for two hours."

"That minister needs to go."

"There's a few with similar things, and a few senators who agree."  He stared at her.  "This is enough to make her run again."

She considered it then nodded. "It is.  There's too much attention."

"There's no spell that makes the world forget you're there."

"No, I know that."  She rubbed her forehead.  "It was easier before."

"That's nice but I'm guessing you ignored it to focus on the easy.  The complicated is always there underneath the surface with roots to pull you down."

"Love is a swamp that sucks down the children that believe in it," she agreed.  "I don't know."

"The only real answer is to talk to her."

"I will later."

"She's at home."  She looked at him.  "Something about a security guard locking her out for her own safety?"

She rolled her eyes.  "I have tried to break that crush."

"One last thought," he said.  "If it was anyone else, even him, would you have danced that dance?"

She shook her head.  "I wouldn't have."

"Yet you did, with both of them."

"We were too familiar."

"Now you have new sandpaper to smooth different edges and create new grain patterns."

"We do."  She nodded.  "Thank you."

"Welcome."

"Who told you to come talk to me?"

"Phil.  He said you wouldn't talk to him and asked Xander."

"They are going to end up together."

He smiled.  "Yeah, probably.  Especially with so many pushy people.  Including Fury, he's the one that got us all to the ball."  She shuddered.  "Let's get you back."  He took her back to the gym and let her go.  "If you need us, you yell."

"I will."  He grinned and left.  She turned and found the gym empty.  She looked at her watch then up at the cleared throat.  "They're done?"

"I let them go find ice packs."  Clint stared down at her.  "Want to tell us why we can't feel you suddenly?"

"He locked them off for a bit."

"Okay.  Why?"

"So we could talk."

"I didn't figure you were screwing him.  Sheppard's not your style and he has nothing that's part of an operation."  He leaned his chin on his clasped hands on the hand rail of the raised jogging path.  "So what was it?"

"Would you come down here?"

"No.  I'm more comfortable up here and this is looking like something I'd want to be comfortable for."

She huffed but climbed up there.  She settled beside him.  "She doesn't know."

"About what?"

"Me."

"You never told her and I wasn't going to tell anyone else's secrets.  I've got some of my own."

"She doesn't ask."

"She said she wouldn't.  She knows that privacy is important and that she'd never get everything."  She looked at him.  "What did they want?  Because even I can count."

"To pay them back."

"Is that why she's having a new set of flashes?"

"John mentioned something about fire."

"Hmm.  I haven't looked.  I've been letting her handle it and letting her come to us."

"She doesn't," she said quietly.

"She does.  She's subtle about it but she does.  She's never going to be the 'can I have a hug' person unless it's really bad.  It's a level, like it is with you."

"I need to let her know and she's not going to be happy."

He snorted.  "Dawn?  Really?"  She looked at him.  "Is this the same one that you were giving dirty looks to when she was nagging some skinhead in a stupid t-shirt that Stalin wasn't a great leader and wasn't a skinhead?"

"She was right."

"Hmm."  He stared at her.  "Why were you frowning at her?"

"She was loud."

"She's twenty.  We were loud at twenty."

"No I wasn't."

"Okay, I was."

"I remember."  She looked at him.  "Will she understand?"

"Has there been anything that she hasn't?"

"No."  She leaned on the railing.  "I don't want to upset her.  She'll want to go hurt someone."

"I'd say she'd do that anyway with the mess you left this morning."  She winced.  "Subliminal?"  She nodded.  "That was almost Freudian of you."

"Perhaps.  She's not keeping track."

"No, it's guys that keep track," he assured her.  She swatted him.  "So go home and talk to her.  I can tell you that her history book from class has a great picture on page 187.  There's a great mini essay that's only half right and calls you a myth."

"I haven't even seen the book."

"She put it sideways in the study on the shelf next to the desk."  He leaned closer.  "She's thinking about taking more language classes."

"I like that she's fluent."

"So do I.  Saves a lot of hand signals."  Natasha nodded.  "Are you over being a girl?"

"I should beat you for that."

He grinned.  "I'm sure you can with how sore I am even after Phil healed me."  She looked at him.  "She waited much too long."

"We had the routine down, we need to go back to it."

"We do.  I've needed it, you've needed it.  Stark was about to drug her earlier if it'd help until we could wear it out.  She admitted it didn't work and she sleep teleported.  He asked me about that."

"I remember waking up wondering where she was and then hearing she had to fight her way out of somewhere."

He nodded.  "That's when I figured it was too."  He looked over at the subtle vibration of footsteps.  "That's still creepy."

"Could be worse.  I accidentally sent myself back to my shower this morning," he said quietly.  He sat down on Natasha's other side.  "I erased your exam yesterday."  She nodded her thanks.  "Joyce didn't find out."

"Thank you."

"Are you going to tell her?  If not, you might want to explain why your former in-law was inviting her to dinner."  She looked at him.  He nodded.  "She called to see who he was."

"No, that will not happen."  She got up.  "Let me go talk to her."

"Want me to veg at my place?" Clint offered.

"No.  You can be there."  She walked off.  "Don't sic John on me again, Coulson."

"Next time I'll push harder and I asked Xander."  She shot him a look.  He looked at Clint.  "She's still leaving it up to you."

"How is she?"

"She's got the twins at the moment.  I keep seeing fire and I don't think it's a vision.  I can't get in there to find out."

"I'll find out tonight."

"You know, we can change it so you both ascend with her."

"I don't know that she'd want that, or that I could handle it.  Sounds boring."  He stood up.  "Death comes when it does, it shouldn't take preparation unless you're really sick."  He walked off.

Phil smiled.  "There's ways around that."  He'd have to learn them.  He got up and went home for the day.  He smiled at his kids.  Tara was on her date so they were with him.  "Let me, Dawn."

She smiled.  "The penthouse is still open."

"I know."  He took them up there, settling in to read to them.  Dawn was good making sure they were happy and smart kids.  He'd have some things to consider as they got older.

Dawn looked up from her tidying up the kid mess when the door opened.  "Hey.  Are you okay?  I felt the bond shut off right after seeing John."

"He closed it for a bit."  She moved in front of her.  "We must talk."  Dawn flinched.  "Not for that reason."  She rubbed a hand up her arms.  "Show me this history book of yours?"

"That picture really did not do you justice," she said.  "The henna it looked like you used was a really bad color."

"It was a root dye.  I used to dye it black."

Dawn touched one of her springy curls.  "I like it like this."  Natasha stared at her.  She smiled.  "Am I not a research person?"

"You know?"

"Some.  Not a lot."  She moved closer.  "It's not my job to know those things.  Your past is your past and unless you want to share it, all I need to know is that this is better than the bad parts you had."

"It's a lot better."  She settled on the couch with Dawn, going over a few things.  "When did it have me listed as being born?"

"Mid twenties."

"Late twenties."

She looked at her.  "So you're Cap's age?"  She nodded.  "Are you not aging because of something they did or am I doing something?"

"I don't think you're doing more than slightly slowing it.  They did it and it slowed because of that."

Dawn nodded, linking their fingers to play with them.  "I don't mean to tamper that way."

"Neither of us mind, Dawn."  Dawn looked at her.  "I don't and I'm sure he won't mind not feeling old for a while longer."  She gave the fingers holding hers a squeeze.  "There is much that's not pretty."

"With your job I'm pretty sure most of it isn't pretty."

"It's not.  It's a very long story."

"Mine's longer but boring because mostly I sat there and glowed."

Natasha smiled.  "I had more life than that."  Dawn nodded, looking at their fingers.  She made her look up.  "I was worried that they would come."

"And yet they did come."

"Which has not made me pleased."  She stared at her.  "That one who called?  He was my former in-law."

"Wow.  So you were married?"  She nodded.  "Okay.  Kids?"

"No."

She leaned on her shoulder.  "Whenever you want I'll be the best lamaze coach and helper I can be."

"I know you will."  She made her sit up.  "Being cuddly won't help."  Dawn got up and grabbed a bottle, coming back with it.  "That may help.  I didn't think you'd want to drink."

"I don't but you need one so we can."  She poured out two shot glasses.  "To Vasilley Vachet and may he rest in hell."  She gulped hers.

Natasha drank her shot of vodka.  That was a name she didn't want to her Dawn say casually.  "How did you meet him?"

"He tried to steal someone that Tony had scouted.  I did a background check from the roof.  He sent someone over to make me stop and I kind of dropped an electric cable onto the chopper's blades."  Natasha winced.  "It suspended but he fell out, with his gun, and hit the pavement.  Totally not sorry since he was shooting at me."

"Did we get officers here or agents?"

"Nope."

"Who cleaned up the mess?"

"I have no idea who they were but I did not see or hear a single thing from them."

"Interesting."  She poured another one and drank hers.  Dawn gulped hers.  "You need to do that more smoothly."

"Then I should've bought the expensive stuff."

"Probably."  She leaned back and pulled Dawn against her to gloss over some of her past.  She wasn't going to go into high details but enough that Dawn knew.  That she could try to understand.  Dawn hugged her and it was nice.  Comforting.  Relaxing.  She looked down at her.  "You should be horrified," she said quietly.

"Why?"  She shrugged.  "We only do what we can do and live with the choices we made."  She stared at her.  "I've made some choices that made things more difficult."

"Not in the same way."

Dawn looked at her.  "You can't tell me things wouldn't have been easier."

"It wouldn't have."

"But..."

"Dawn," she ordered.  "It's not and if you say that again I'm sending you to therapy."

"I talked to the one Warren went to for a few minutes.  She thought I was fairly bad."

"She's wrong."  She pulled her closer.  "Why did you talk to her?"

"Someone made me."

"Who?"

"Someone who decided I had to have a mental eval.  Which I probably flunked."

She looked at her.  "When was this?"

"Last week."

"I'll look."

"It wasn't SHIELD.  It's the people above them."

"They do pick people based on profile.  You're still not an agent."  Dawn gave her a squeeze.  "I'll make that known."

"You can't fight all my battles," she said quietly.

"I can't," she said with a smile.  "But I can back you up."  She saw the flash and looked at her.  "What was that?"

"I don't know.  I think that's an older nightmare that's been pulled forward somehow.  Just updated."

Natasha shook her head.  "What was it?"

"I used to be really scared of fire.  Being burned alive."

"Which is normal.  Fire is to be feared and respected."

"The updated version we were playing and you guys had to rush off.  Somehow I couldn't get free of the straps," she said quietly.  "Whatever you're fighting hit the building and there I was, trapped."  She got squeezed.  "I keep waking up as the fire crawls up the bed frame."

"It will not happen.  You can move out of it."

"There's reasons I can't.  In a few I'm not awake enough to realize it until it's too late.  Something, maybe smoke inhalation, knocks me out."  Natasha shuddered and held her.  "I admit I have fucked up things, I did before.  Now they're more graphic.  Which is probably why I flunked that psych profile."

"I doubt you did."  She stroked over her hair, frowning at the few strands that broke. "That's not right."

"No, that's a reaction to the stuff that they used to strip my hair of all the drugs in it.  Dr. Pigalli was livid when Tony had her do a hair strand test.  I had some of those spores living in it, I had residue from the smoke that energy metal gave off."

"You've washed it multiple times since then."

"It was still there.  They had to strip it fully and then redo the hair test, which did come up with the same stuff I dosed your shampoo with."

"I got the same thing you did."

"I know."  She snuggled in, head on her shoulder.  "Now what?" she asked quietly.

"I think Clint was making popcorn."

She smiled.  "I could like that for dinner."  She looked up.  "We can make him watch movies."

"We could."  She felt around.  He was upstairs.  They changed into lounging outfits and went up to pounce him.

He grinned.  "Hey, girls."  Dawn pounced him, making him grunt.  "What did I do to deserve that?"

"You didn't mention the chopper they had to clean up."

"What chopper?"  She told him.  He looked at Natasha, who shrugged.  "We didn't hear  a thing about it.  Did Stark?"  She shrugged and snuggled in, pulling Natasha over so she could lay across their laps.  He looked at her then at Natasha.  "I think she's comfy."

"She does seem like it.  John said she lasted two hours."

He nodded.  "That's not bad."  He tickled Dawn, making her flinch and get away.  He smiled.  "I'm not a pillow."

"You make an excellent one."  She took a kiss and then from Natasha, getting up to pick a movie.  "Eighties or goofy?"

"Goofy," they said.  She put on one and settled in on Natasha's other side.

Clint looked at her that at Natasha.  "Isn't her spot in the middle?"

"Sometimes being in the middle is nice," she said.

He grinned.  "It is," he agreed.  "Next it's my turn."

"It's always your turn to be pounced by us," Dawn quipped.  "I got Callia into Bollywood."

"It's active, has dance numbers, brightly colored, sounds like PBS with adults to me," Clint quipped.  Dawn stole some popcorn and he let Natasha hold the bowl since she was in the middle.  That helped and they relaxed.  He looked over when he felt Dawn have another flash.  "We need to change the meditation for your shieldings."

She nodded.  "If I had a way I'd do that."

"What are you seeing now?" Natasha asked, pausing the movie.

"No damn clue."

"Okay, so we either do this the flinch way or we do it the nudging way," Clint said, nudging her mind.  It showed up and he stopped it for her.  She went limp.  "You good?"  She nodded.  He released his hold on the link, feeling Natasha do the same.  They saw where the screwed up implanted memories were and hit it to destroy more of them.  They found the root cause of the infection and stared at it.  Clint nudged it and what boiled up was disgusting.

Dawn was clutching herself so she didn't move.  They knocked her out, which was probably a mercy.  Then they fixed the rest of those.  They had been looking over mental magic and it had some neat things about manifesting weapons and the like.  Since Dawn had magic and they were in her head, they could do that.  Even if a few of them did look a bit odd.  Why did she have Cupid's crossbow instead of a normal one?

When they were done they helped tie off the links again and settled in to watch the movie.  Dawn would wake up soon.  Or they'd snuggle later on in bed.  It was comfortable.

***

Phil looked up as Xander appeared, looking like he got thrown.  "What happened?"

"My damn sister."

He smiled.  "Siblings can be troublesome.  I didn't think she had powers."

"No, Alana.  She's like my sister and it's better if she's not Thor's sister."  He flopped down, staring at the kids.  "They scare me."

"They do me too.  My daughter kept trying to get the shiny gun earlier."  Xander laughed.  "My son just cooed at her to cheer her on."  He looked at him.  "Why did you get thrown this way?"

"Apparently I'm ignoring my duty to Asgard by being pouty."

"I didn't find you all that pouty."

"Me either but she's being a girl in a girl mood."  He frowned, looking around.  "What is that noise?"  He got up and went to check, finding it in a building across the street.  He read their intention and popped over to beat the shit out of them.  They quit trying to use long-distance subliminal mind control on Dawn.  They'd never do it again.  He flashed back and cleaned himself up before sitting down again.  "There, no more problems."

"We need to know what they were sending."  Xander handed over the tape he had found in the machine.  "Thanks."  He put it on the table and watched the kids sleep.  "I wasn't sure I could handle them."

"You're lucky Tara hasn't stolen them all the time."

"I won't let her."

"That's a good father thing to do though."

"It is."  He smiled and relaxed.  They were snoring, they weren't going to wake up, even if they were moved.  He heard giggling and looked toward the door.  Tara and Maria Hill walked in.  They took the babies with them.  "They're snoring."

"Did my sister nag you too?" Xander asked Tara, who smiled and nodded.  "I'm going to have Thor's goats eat her."

"No you won't.  It'll mean a lot more work and you'd have to recreate her.  I doubt Odin would like that," Tara said with a grin.  "Night."  She and Maria went back down to watch another movie.

"There's a love god plotting convention somewhere," Xander said dryly.

"Do you think they do pedicures and face masks while talking about their newest hot couples?" Phil asked.

"Yes, they do, and it's disturbing because Cupid joins in.  He does do a really great face mask that will suck the pores clean in minutes.  I had him do a few on my back when I got some boils.  Shit worked in hours."

"Quit swearing before you infect the kids."

Xander looked at him.  "I don't usually do it in front of the underage and impressionable crowd."

"Callia came out with a swear in Russian the other day.  Stark glared at Dawn, who defended it wasn't her."  Phil shifted to drink some of his coffee then got comfortable again.

"McKay?"

"Yup."

"Figures."

"Dawn was letting out some the other day when her ribs were hurting and he laughed.  Corrected a few words so she shot back at him, making him blush and walk off cackling.  Someone at the lab he was working in up there was a gutter rat."

"Swears are universally understood.  The same as in the old days, when you wanted to know what a language was, you looked at their porn.  Because some ideas are universal and math wasn't nearly anyone's strong suit."

Phil looked at him.  "Porn was the universal language?"

"Yeah.  Each time we'd meet a new pantheon that we couldn't understand, we looked at that.  It gave us societal clues, language clues so we could decipher things, how they viewed females and males, and a few times animals in some of the African ones because spirit guide possession and sex was a lot of some of theirs.  Roque actually apologized for a new pantheon's familiarity with spirit guide sex."  Phil shuddered.  "There's only so many ways to use sword metaphors and making someone scream."

"I guess.  I never even considered that.  If I had I might've thought maybe medical."

"No, especially not with some of the brainy smurf pantheons."  Phil laughed at that description.  "The Chinese, so much brainy smurf.  Using huge words for simple things.  That change with intent, person speaking it, to who they're speaking, and I think a few changed with the time of day."  Phil laughed harder.  "Those of us that were more action oriented looked at them like 'why did your people make you'.  Because we're pretty sure the people made them instead of the other way around."

Phil shook his head.  "That's so bad."

"But true unfortunately."

"Are they still around?"

"Locked in their temples for safety reasons."

"Is that demigod you told me about in one?"

"Probably pacing and wearing holes in the floor.  He never could stay still.  If he was gardening he could concentrate but otherwise he paced when he read, he ate, he fought.  The guy would've paced while riding his horse if he could have.  That and he was a drama queen.  I've seen drag queens who were quieter drama queens."

Phil laughed.  "We have a few agents like that.  Fury moved them to Europe."

"Figures.  I doubt he could put up with drama he didn't cause."

"He doesn't."

"Bullshit."  He leaned back and put his feet up.  "Who was this supposed to go to?"

"Doctor Banner."

"Ah.  Nice and roomy so he could roam.  Joyce would probably love the view."

"She wants to stay on ground level or nearly there."

"I can understand that.  LA is earthquake central some years."  He looked at Phil.  "There's bets you know."

"I figured there were."  He smirked.  "Which way is it leaning?"

"That I treat you like a damsel I'm having to screw to save and throw you over something while mounting you was how the sheet read."  Phil shook his head.  Xander manifested it.  "Stole it from Jensen.  Hermes gave him a copy."

He read the bets and laughed.  "I don't think so."  A few were making him blush.  "I don't pass out unless I've been shot."

"Me either," Xander admitted.  "Or I just wore my powers out."  Phil nudged him.  Xander smirked back.  He pointed at one popular bet.  "They're really picky."

"I'm not sure if I could bottom or not."

"It's been ages, outside that one post-battle stress relief that Roque butted into and I was too tired to end up on top."

Phil looked at him.  "You two did?"

"Yeah.  We've never been hot for each other but if the time was necessary, we were there for each other.  That night, there had been a battle on Asgard I was involved in.  I came home in a battle tense mood.  Walked through Sunnydale and every single being in my path fled.  Including Spike and Anya.  Anya said I'd sprain her."  Phil rolled his eyes.  "Then I got called to help yours, and came home even more battle tense."

"I noticed you were a bit tired."

"I was strung out.  There had been attacks on a few villages and we lost nearly all of one outside of the kids I managed to get out of the way and took to Valhalla to get some new weapons.  It had been two weeks of battles up there.  When I got back from yours I was trying to cure myself and Roque popped in.  We sparred a bit, he managed to win, and I got thoroughly plowed.  He made a bad joke and I pulled a weapon to stab him for it if he tried."  Phil patted him on the wrist.  "It was mostly like that between us.  Once I walked away from that alignment marriage we did learn to appreciate the strengths the other had.  Took us a decade and another inter-pantheon squabble over nothing but we did learn."

"It's good you could come out friends."

"It was, yeah.  My life would be poorer without hearing Clay complain he was too sore and offering Roque a blow up doll or a hooker.  Which woke me at three this damn morning offering to pick him up one from Singapore or Okinawa.  At which time, Bia beat him and said she hadn't seen any there when she had went.  So he switched to one from Columbia."

"The temple is never boring."

"No, it's not," Xander agreed.  "The soldiers were all really upset that a young girl was doing things that they couldn't.  We had to point out repeatedly that it took experience and she had been training for a few years.  Most of them are still pouty but a few asked John how to learn to fight that way.  He started those ones on new forms of martial arts."

"That's going to be good for them.  Still O'Neill's people?"  Xander nodded.  "Then that'll help."

"O'Neill said he was not allowed to open the stargate again until Congress had went over the program to see what else they were going to be starting.  He pointed out he had teams out right now on trade missions and things.  They allowed him to bring them back and they could get approval for trade missions.  He told them that'd take forever and leave everyone unprotected.  They snorted until one happy little Atlantis shuttle landed in DC."

"I heard the panic.  Major Lorne did a very neat landing job."

"He did.  All the science geeks are wetting themselves over it."

"Stark has plans of creating a commercial quinjet engine."

"That'd help but we still need to dump the TSA."

"We should, yes.  They're not very efficient."

"They grope kids, Phil."

"I know.  And I'd probably shoot one that touched mine."  Xander smirked.  "No one ever said I wasn't overprotective."

"Yes you are and the kids are great because of it.  So is Dawn.  You did a lot of the job I was doing for her."

"She's a great girl, even if she does give me images I don't need to see."  He rubbed his forehead.  Xander helped him close down that line.  He slumped.  "They found more."

"I'm pretty sure Hera said that there were depths they couldn't find hidden in the bruise all that power going out caused."

Phil looked at him.  "There is?"  Xander nodded.  "We can't heal it?"

"No.  Hera and her goddess of memories looked."

"Damn."

"Yeah.  It's not impairing anything but it's where they're sticking as Hera put it."

"I know your father used lethe water."

"I heard and I thanked him for it too."  He shifted and grimaced.  "Even if he erased everything they'd still probably be there."

"That does suck."  Phil touched his hand and sent over a picture of something.  "Did you hear about that thing?"

"I did and I was going to kick someone over having that.  There's no way Romania should have something from Wolfram and Hart.  They don't even have a satellite office there or anyone listed as licensed by their government."  Phil stared at him.  Xander smiled.  "That did bother me."  He shifted again.  "I need to finish figuring that out."

"You should," he agreed.  "If you're tired go rest."

"I can't.  Bia's throwing a girl party.  I'm having her own temple built."

"Don't forget a tub like Dawn's and a closet like hers."

"Most women would appreciate getting a huge closet.  Does she?  No!  She complains that I made it too big.  Most women would've added more to it, but she hasn't, she just complains it's too big.  But if I had made it smaller, she'd probably say it was tiny.  It's a woman thing."

"Maybe you're tired of women after all," Phil quipped.

Xander looked at him, shrugging.  "We were taught to play with the other guys our age.  It meant no sword-point or crossbow-point weddings.  That would've gotten me killed by someone."

"My parents would've done the same," he agreed.  "That's pretty universal."

"Outside most of the African tribes, then it would've been considered a blessing on the marriage."

"I can see that.  Like handfasting."  Xander nodded.  "Were you two?"

"Handfasted.  I walked away long before the wedding was due to take place.  They captured me and sent me back and we had another fight so I walked away again."  He shifted his back.

"Sore?"

"Slipped on some of the rocks earlier trying to get one of Thor's goats down."

Phil smiled.  "He told Callia all about them."

"There's days I like his goats more than most of the family, including him.  They still bite though."

"Most goats would.  Would they be considered war goats?"  Xander looked at him.  "Like warsteeds?"

"You know, I don't know.  I'll have to ask that question.  I know my puppy of war is getting really huge.  He nearly kicked me out of bed when I laid down last night."

"Hellion is the sweetest wardog ever," Phil said with a smile.  "Dawn was teasing him like he was a lap dog."

"He is a lap dog."

Phil laughed.  "I've heard great danes can do that too but not mastiffs."

"I have no idea what his other half is but it's still a huge, farting sucker.  Every time he curls up with Bia he drives her out of her room with the farting.  I have to keep telling her not to feed him bacon before bed."

"Bacon?"

"Dog's a pig hound.  Anything pork and he's there, staring at you intently like you're next if you don't give him a piece right then.  Ares couldn't break the begging habit.  I can't break it.  Dawn usually has to shove him off her lap.  Bia gets attacked by slobber."  He smiled.  "I love my puppy of war.  He's really my first pet."

Phil smiled.  "He's a good pet to have.  Very loyal."

"Yeah, someone suggested I rename him after me.  I kindly kicked Buffy's behind toward Hylal and told him she had funny mental issues.  He said it was where she was chilled from not wearing clothes on patrol."  Phil burst out snickering.  "I'm starting to wonder if I should tell Buffy that they're technically married by Asgardian standards."  That got an end to the laughing.  He smirked.  "Her mother approved.  His mother approved.  His children approved.  He claimed her in front of others as his.  They had a feast, which he helped hunt for.  They've consummated it."

"No vows or ceremony?"

"All he needed to do was to say 'she's mine and I will fight you if you try to take her'.  Which he did to his sons and others in his battle unit."

"So...  We should probably change her status paperwork."

"She'd try to kick his butt and hurt his feelings."  He grinned.  "I'll offer wedding presents."  He smirked evilly.  "He can't use condoms.  And won't use condoms."  Phil gave him an odd look.  "Not exactly standard warrior gear, Phil.  Unless they've been down here, there's nothing like that up there."

"I thought there were sheep intestinal ones."

"Later tech than most of Asgard.  There's an herb tea she can take."  That got a nod.  "Maybe a cookbook set.  She really can't cook."

"That would be handy."

"She'll see it as me picking on her."  He sent out a text message to a few others so they could arrange it.  It would keep Buffy occupied so she couldn't kill her new husband.

"I'll change the paperwork for her," Phil said, making his own notes.  "Any idea when it was?"

"The feast, which is usually the last step, was in May.  The last of the 'she's mine' statements and Joyce agreeing were in June."

"I remember when she did."  He made those notes and put his phone up.  "Are you all right?"

"Feeling a lot betrayed," he admitted.  "By just about every asshole I know who has an immortal bloodline."

"Not everyone got together."

Xander looked at him and nodded.  "Every single pantheon was involved or else one of them would have spoken up when we protested.  Since they didn't, that makes them accomplices after the fact."

"But not before."

"No, that was apparently Aphrodite, and Cupid, who I used to be friends with, and my natal families, who will have no help from me no matter what they're facing for the next little while."  He sighed.  "Then she nags about damn grandkids," he complained more quietly.

Phil nudged him.  "All parents nag about grandchildren."

"Yeah, but I'm not going to be pregnant.  I got enough from talking to Lavelle that I know I do not want to do that."

"Why is Lavelle so different?"  Xander sighed and told him about Lavelle, about the torture and the being taken in by thieves, and his kids.  Phil looked at him.  "It sounds like he's made the best of it."

"He has.  He's mostly happy.  His boyfriends I'd love to smack around."  Phil smiled and nodded.  "But otherwise he's mostly happy."

"Did someone think you would go that way?"

"A lot of the natal family on both sides was sure I was going to start toward evil by the time I hit my majority.  When the cup that spits out our duties lit up with me being a guardian Odin nearly passed out.  He was already casting the curse to send me away.  It nearly fried his hair when he had to drop it and it backlashed against him.  I stood there, looked at him, and told him I'd always be a better man than he thought since he thought me an animal half the time.  Then I gathered weapons and walked off.  He tried to forbid me my manhood hunt but Baldr pointed at the head I had brought in.

"Odin swallowed and complained some more."  He smirked.  "I kindly reminded him that I would have to do my duty as a son of chaos, as he commanded we all do, and I hoped he was happy with it.  I didn't even know I could focus it that way but he went around for six years singing happy songs, wearing flower crowns, wearing a white cape that flowed prettily behind him like a train.  Sometimes he'd wear a veil with his flowers."  His smirk got more evil.  "He declared we would have a truce before the next one."

"It sounds like you've made the most of it too."

"I have.  I've done a lot of things that weren't really necessary but they were needed.  They never get that."

"Sometimes, when you have gifts, you can look at people like they're bugs," Phil said.  "Anyone with power can do that."

Xander nodded.  "I've seen it before.  And please don't ask about Rome?"

"I won't."  Xander smiled.  They looked up at the complaining noises.  "They wanted you to tell me?"

"It's fairly embarrassing, though not my fault since my father gave me to them."  The grumbling stopped.  "Strife helped me out of it and I still probably owe him a debt."  He shifted.  "I want the wings back," he said.

"They looked soft and fluffy."

"They were and Hellion loved to bark at them.  I'll have to redo that spell tonight."

"I never really considered wings or flying.  I've flown before in a lot of vehicles but I never even really dreamed of flying."

"Some people want the sky, some want the water, and some want the land," Xander said.  "I'm usually a land sort but the wings are comforting in a lot of ways."

Phil nodded.  "I'm usually a land sort but I do enjoy water."

"I do enjoy water," Xander agreed.  "Even before the mermaid taint."  He stood up.  "Come use the pond sometime if you want.  Let me go beat people."  He disappeared.  As soon as he appeared in his temple, everyone fled.  Of course, he had appeared with his battle axe.  He stared at his former consort, who was shaking her head.  "I'd stop them," he warned.

"You two could be good."

He stared at her.  "So?"

"Point.  You won't do it if you're forced."

"I won't do it at all.  I'm not one of my uncles to force myself on serving wenches.  Nor am I my father, to mind fuck them."

"They don't want you to," she said.

"Then they wouldn't have mandated it and it would've been allowed to grow naturally.  Instead you've confused the new guy so much that he thinks he might like me."

"You two are friends," she offered.

He stared at her.  "So are we, Bia.  Has it made a difference?"

"No," she said.  "Damn it."

"Yeah, you all screwed up.  If it had been done naturally I wouldn't have minded.  I'm not going to take advantage of someone screwing him up.  So take whatever you did earlier off him."

"We didn't."

"Bullshit."  He walked off.   "Even he could feel the love gods spying."

"They weren't."

"Don't even try."

"They weren't that I know of," she called after him.  He waved the single-finger salute back at her.  She huffed.  This was not good.  The dog went running after his human so she was really abandoned tonight.  She went to talk to Cupid, who Xander was probably not talking to either if he had felt something.  "He thinks you guys were tampering."

"I think a few were spying," he said from his spot lounging with his head in Strife's lap.  "I don't know of anyone that was tampering."

"He's insisting that at least one of you were and that since you were, he's now really against all of you."  Cupid winced and tried to get up.

"Let me," Strife said quietly.  He flashed down to where Xander was.  "Cupe didn't tamper."  Xander gave him a pointed look.  "He didn't even spy."

"I felt him more than once, Strife."  He showed him the night's events.

Strife sighed.  "Looks good."

"Looks forced," Xander countered.  "Which I will not put up with."

"They're gonna nag."

"They're going to ruin anything that might've naturally grown," he countered.  Strife nodded he understood that.  "I'm not a toy.  I haven't been a toy, I'm not trying to play like a toy, and I'll be damned if love gods want to think I'm the hot new toy.  Especially with the giggling."  He stared at him.  "They forced their hands a bit too much.  I'm not the sort to go after someone just because they're there.  Did they get me confused with Ares?"

"Maybe," he admitted.  "They want you to be happy."

"Then they would've let it happen naturally.  Because anything coerced, at all, even the tiniest bit, and I'm not there for that."

"I don't think they did.  You two were friends."

Xander snorted.  "Yeah, we were tolerable acquaintances.  Even when he was at the temple before, we didn't hang out.  We barely spoke."  Spike looked back and winced.  "Whatever they did, take it off him," he said calmly.  "And they had better never darken my doorstep."

"I'll tell Cupe."  He disappeared, finding a fuming mate.  "He's right."  He showed him the before and after.

"That could be the powers."

Strife looked at him.  "You couldn't even talk Xander into hitting on bar maids when you suggested it more'n once.  What makes you think pushin' now is the answer?"

"Mom said it was fated."

"Your ma's already screwed herself."  Strife stared at him.  "We could have protested and said that they needed time."

"But...."  Strife pointed at the before.  Cupid ran back to all the other times then sat down, brooding.  "We're back into his stubborn times."

"No, he's being honorable," Athena said as she appeared.  "Which I find odd with the way he gets mentoring from Ares."

"Yeah and yet he's the same one that even saved your ass, nearly at the cost of his," Strife said.  "He's the same one that took on that damn dragon for you."  She flinched.  "You didn't even look, just gifted him then.  Until he handed it back and you realized he was a demigod."  He looked at Cupid again.  "I don't know who cursed Xander to not be seen right, but damn!"

Cupid looked at him.  "He's seriously pissed?"

"He's at the I will curse them stage.  You're all fucked when it comes to his help."  He walked off.  "I'm going to bed.  Come in when you're normal."

He sighed and watched.  He had known Xander for ages.  He knew how stubborn Xander could be.  Mountains were easier moved by hand.  That's why Odin got no respect from Xander, because he had started it.  He looked at Athena.  "You could've said they needed time."

She sneered.  "I don't care about the status of anyone's relationship."

"If they do it to you, he might have protested."

"That means he's softer than I am."  She disappeared.

"Or less of a bitch," he decided.  He took the portals to Hera.  "We're screwed."

"That is not what I want to hear," she said.  He showed her the evening's talking.  She smiled.  He turned it to later when Xander got home and it fell.  He showed her the before images.  "They don't really spend that much time together.  They could have something growing."

"Yes, but as you heard, we're all screwed because he'll think we encouraged it."

She slumped back in her seat, considering it.  "You could...."  He replayed that part and she winced.  "You two have always gotten along."

"Apparently that's gone now."  He sat down.  "Mom seriously jumped the rope this time."

"It would have happened most likely."

"And you heard him say he would've accepted that and liked it.  Everyone keeps treating him like Pops, that if he finds a barmaid that says no, he'll try to get his way into it anyway.  We barely got Xander to hit on barmaids."

She sighed.  "I'll talk to him."  She looked toward his temple.  The shield was up.  "Tomorrow."

"I think that's permanent," Cupid said, pointing.  "It's tied to his anchor stone."

"Perhaps I'll talk to the other one."

"I'm pretty sure he'll be socially polite," Cupid said, pulling up his history on another mirror.  "No one protested," he said quietly.

"No, they thought it might make him happier."

"We'd better hope there's no other godly battles.  We aren't humanity and he doesn't have to protect us."  She looked startled.  "John has to protect us.  Not Xander."

"Oh, dear.  That is within his rights."  He nodded.  She watched the past history of their newest god.  "It wasn't even us," she complained.  "The Elders did it, thinking he would be more stable, more settled."

"When isn't he settled?"

"He's been wandering."

"Yeah, putting out problems for humanity.  That's his job, not just the huge battles."  He showed her.  She winced, taking that to Zeus.

Zeus looked at her.  "He still must marry."  She showed him the talk she and Cupid had just had.  He looked it over, looking disturbed.  "He can not go against our will."

"He can.  He's not one of us.  He has no natal pantheon if he denies their influence."

He winced.  "He has duties."

"He has Alana to give them to."

Zeus considered it.  "He will come around."

"Since when have you seen that boy come around about anything?" she asked.  "Or don't you remember him taking down that dragon single-handedly?"  He shuddered.  "Your son couldn't.  My son couldn't.  And yet one very stubborn demigod decided the dragon was a public hazard and took it down for us."

He considered it.  "Odin wanted him happier."

She snorted.  "Odin has never wanted that boy's happiness.  Nor any of his family.  That's why we almost adopted him."

"True.  The others thought it might help him calm down after coming back."

"It's not like he's out being wild.  Saving humanity isn't just the battles," she reminded him.

"No, it's not.  That's why we gave him the help."

"Which is very nice and he does a wonderful job from what I've seen.  Whatever curse this is put upon him, stop it."

"I did not do it, woman."

"If there's another godly battle, he doesn't have to step in."  Zeus sat up and stared at her.  "We're not part of humanity as Cupid pointed out.  He doesn't have to save us and with the way Ares is displeased he'll only do his duty as well."

Zeus considered it.  "That would be a breach of treaties."

"Which you never started with him," she said.  "The Council of Elders ignored it totally after making him his own little niche, which he more than deserved and he does a very good job.  They never observed any of the formalities.  They assumed that we'd keep the same level with them."

"We have with other ones."

"They were much less stubborn and much more needing of friendly contact than Xander is."

Zeus slumped, grimacing.  "They'll want a progress report on how it's going."

"It won't.  Ever.  We could formally bind them with stand-ins and it would only make it worse.  As of right now, there's nothing anyone can do to make them think that it'd be a good idea."

"The young always disrespect the finer traditions," he sneered.  "We were arranged."

"If there had been more choices, I would have walked off like he did from his arranged one."  Zeus glared at her.  "It was wrong, the match was poor, we all knew that."

"We did," he agreed.  "Still, it can be done now."

"We're not his relations to set one up on him.  For that matter, tradition has never let a senior god be roped into something like this."

"He's not."

"He heads his House, that makes him one," she shot back.

He grimaced again.  "Not the same level."

"No, he's stronger.  He's shown it before against Odin.  He's shown it before against Krishna.  He's even out-stubborned you a few times.  Remember that test with all the demigods?"  Zeus nodded.  "It was my son that they competed against and mostly lost.  Your son lost.  Jonathan lost.  Xander lost and we found out he was a berserker in the right circumstances since their contest got invaded.  It was them that led the battle to save that orphanage full of demigods and their offspring, that we didn't even know was happening.  While injured."  Zeus nodded he remembered.  "He has the noble qualities you beat out of my son."

"He will have to give in sometime or they can punish him."

"With what?" she asked.  "We have no hold on him."

"We can reduce his power."

"You can't.  His is a direct line.  It's like stopping war, you can't stop all of them."

"He has been meddling in other areas."

"That humanity could be killed by."  He groaned.  "His job isn't the battles, that's only part of it."

"I will bring this to them."

"You had best, there's been talk of another inter-pantheon war."

"I've heard."  He waved a hand.  "Leave it with me."  She left him alone.  He gathered up all the portals and went to see what those who had dealt with Xander could do.  Krishna agreed with Hera, Xander was doing an excellent job and you could never force him to do anything.  They had put up with the matchmaking because they thought the boy would see it was a good idea.  They had went too far.  They were all going to pay for it.  He even called in his war gods to make sure they knew they'd have to cover for Xander in future battles.  Krishna warned him that Odin would not listen.  He could try to get some of his kin on board with backing off but Odin would not.

***

Odin appeared a few days later, looking at his grandson.  "We have tellings of an attack coming."

Xander looked at him.  "I believe Alana can do that."  Odin gaped in horror at him.  "I have one of my own I need to stop this week.  There's a few wars that are destroying whole swaths of people that the humans are too weak to fight against."  He went back to sharpening his axe.  "Beyond that, they won't attack the villages where I guard.  They'll attack the main hall, which you have told me repeatedly is not my job to guard.  Nor is that Alana's job to guard.  I will make sure my uncle can get up there for it.  Roque, Odin believes they'll be attacked next week."

"I'll make sure Thor gets up there," he agreed.  He looked at Odin, who was glaring.  "Did you expect him to jump up and cheer?" he asked quietly.

"How goes the search for your true mate, Grandfather?" Xander quipped.  Odin growled and disappeared.

"You still have his line mated to that goat?"

"Yup."

Roque smirked.  "Nice.  Which one are you meddling in now?"  He pointed.  "You've gotta stop that shit."

"They are part of humanity, it is my duty."

"Sometimes humanity has to help itself or it can't grow."

"It can't grow when it's taking out thousands of people a year."

Roque took the axe.  "Leave that one be.  My mother's people are watching it, Xander."

"Yeah, they have been, for ten years."  He took his axe back.  "Someone needs to ease it."

"I'll talk to our war gods."

"Sure.  If not, I'll be here with the other billions of problems."

"Not all your job," he reminded him.  He went to talk to his mother's people.  "Xander's concerned that the wars you've been watching are getting out of hand," he told the head wife of the pantheon.

"They are but we cannot stop them.  That is humanity's job as they started it."

"He believes it's his job."

"It can be if he makes it his.  It falls underneath his area."

"Do you know how many of them there are?" he asked.  "I spent the last fifteen mortal years fighting these things and they never end."

"Then it's up to his emerging good sense to pick and choose which is more important."

"To the whole, ours are puny and our people are being decimated."  She winced.  "All the places that have the most population growth, their wars would be ignored and their populations decimated."

"I had not thought on that."

"He said he'd let us handle it if we would."

"Many don't believe in us."

"When has that stopped anyone?" Roque asked.  "No one believes in me and I still do more than my fair share."

She nodded.  "We have appreciated that you have."  She looked at her husband, who shrugged.  "I will talk to our war gods about them.  Would you like to stop your mother from crying?"

"No.  I'm not getting between her and Xander.  I'm already trapped in that fucking hellhole she caused.  If it had been one of us who had caused that much of a problem before that important of a battle, we'd be banished."

The head of the pantheon nodded.  "That was considered.  Has Xander mellowed against her?"

"No.  And right now he's damned all love gods as well for that stupid pushing they're doing."  He winced.  "We should have stood up against it."

"It is their business, not ours."

"And now he's said any godly battle is only our business."  His king stared at him coolly.  "If it doesn't impact humanity, he's not helping a single one of them.  Because we don't respect him enough."

"I see."  He considered it.  "Xander was always a willful child."

"He's not a child."

"No, he's not.  Nor are you," he chided.

Roque snorted.  "I've done more for this pantheon's health than most of you."  The king stared at him.  "I'm the one that takes out the dangers to us.  I'm the one you send to talk to other pantheons.  I'm the one that gets used for damn treaties being started.  Thankfully I'm mated and out of all that now, and it's Xander who made sure I was safe."

The queen nodded.  "You have done more than most would have expected upon your birth and announcement as a warrior, Roque."  She smiled at him.  "I have always been proud of you."  He nodded.  "As has your mother."

"I love my mother but this shit stinks and I'm tired of living next to a pig's pen."  The king looked at him.  "It seems like it to many."

"We have treaties, he cannot avoid the battles," the king said.

Roque laughed.  "When did you do that?"  He stared.  "There's no treaties.  We looked.  Everyone assumed."

"We thought that the ones with his natal families would hold."

"No, they won't.  Xander's withdrawn from both of his natal families.  Would you want to keep Odin if you could dump him?"

"No," he admitted.  "Odin pouts about things.  Much like his sons."  He looked at his wife.  "We should start a treaty."

"I doubt he would take it if he's that upset."  She looked at him.  "Why is he that upset?"  He showed her.  She groaned.  "He accepted it with you."

"No he didn't.  He nearly killed me a few times for even being there.  He was in a great rage over that.  Odin had him drugged and thrown into the house then put a shield over it to keep us there for a while."

"I remember him saying he was doing it to give you two privacy to get to know each other."

"By then I knew it was a bad idea.  I think most of my fighting against him was to get him to break it so I didn't have to listen to the complaints forever."  She laughed.  "He has."

"I know he has."

"If there was a shield, how did he get out?" the king asked.

"Boy broke it.  He cut his hand and broke it with his blood."  That got another wince.  "Yeah, sick as hell when it was done and still disappeared.  Then had to do it a second time when everyone had him dragged back.  Even I was protesting and none of you listened."

"He would have been a credit to our pantheon."

"Then who would've done his duty?  That's the major thing we fought over.  I knew you wouldn't let him do it and they needed protected."

He considered it.  "No, he wouldn't have."  He created a 'what if' mirror to see what might have happened.  "We lost something.  We're not around."

Roque looked.  "Look before that battle, Uncle."  He ran it back.  No, they still weren't there.  They found the battle that made the difference and Roque nodded.  "We had no idea that was that important."  He looked at them.  "And it was Xander that stumbled into it and gets nagged about going to piss in an alley  behind a bar and finding an invasion.  Fortunately a few of us were inside the bar and I could get Jonathan."

He canceled that mirror out with a sigh.  "We will put up a formal protest about the shoving going on, nephew."

"He'd thank you for that."

"We'll also handle a few of those wars ourselves so he can concern himself with the new godly one that may cause humanity problems."

"I have the feeling if there is, he's going to take out the problems."  His uncle nodded once.  "He said if it had been natural instead of encouraged he would've been happy."

"I understand why.  Not everyone can find themselves settling into something that is arranged for them.  Especially when the ones arranging it do not have their best interests at heart."  He looked at his nephew.  "Go relax.  Tell him of that."  Roque nodded, heading there.  "The next banquet is to hammer out the treaties before they can start that war," he said quietly.  "He would do good and we can make our own then."

"He probably will not come.  Even though it is a great insult."

"Probably.  What of his adopted daughter?  They were forcing her and Jonathan, though the one they wanted to mate him to seems even more stubborn than Xander."   They looked at Dawn and smiled.  "She has her own affairs well in hand."  The canceled it and went to talk to their war gods, who were growing fat and lazy recently.  "We have wars on our doorsteps that have been left much too long."  They stared at him.  "We cannot afford all our people lost."

"That's Roque's job," one said.

"No, that's your job," the queen said.  "You're a war god.  He's simply very good at it."  He looked shamed.  "Do so before Alexander has to come to our aid.  The shame would be great on your families."  She walked off.  Roque's mother's garden was overgrown thanks to her crying.  Which they were all ignoring.  Maybe it was time to call her spouse back from exile.  He would not like what they had made her do for treaties but he would not harm her for it.  He could calm her down.

Roque appeared, staring at her.  "If you call my father back, he dies.  I will make sure of it as soon as he steps foot in this Hall."

She smiled.  "He could help her calm down."

"He'll try to hit her and he'll die."

"I'll not consider it and offer that she go talk to him."

"He'll still die," he assured her.  "He's nearly there anyway."  He disappeared.

"Then we'll have to see."

Her husband smiled at her.  "He will kill him.  He nearly killed him when we banished him.  We could use our healing god but Roque will turn him into a cannibal's feast."

"He would," she agreed.  She sighed and looked at the overgrown garden.

"She is in punishment," he reminded her.

"Her flowers overtake everything."

"Then she should have made a wiser decision."  He walked off.  "She stays in seclusion."

"Yes, husband."  She went to her own garden to do some work on a project she'd been fiddling with for generations.  They might make a good birthday gift for Roque if she ever got them done.

***

Xander looked up as Tyr appeared.  "You needed...."

"We have a battle coming up."

"That will hit the halls, not the villages, and that's not my job," he said bluntly.  He pulled up multiple mirrors of Odin nagging him that it wasn't his job.  "See?"  He stared at him.

"It was not our doing," he said.

"You sure as fuck stood up for him."

"It might do your temper good."

Xander looked at him.  "So would killing my grandfather.  I think it's the better cure."  Tyr backed off.  "If you hadn't meddled it might have happened.  As you did meddle, and did poke and force and shove things, and then didn't point out that we're adults who can handle our own affairs ourselves without all the shoving, then it won't happen unless he truly finds out that he is my mate."  He banished the mirrors.  He hated hearing Odin nag.

"You are stubborn."

"Really?" Xander asked dryly.  "You'd think you would have realized this when I was ten and conveniently got left at a battle site by myself without much of anything.  When you finally showed up a month later, you found me surviving and thriving.  Did you not think I was stubborn then?"

Tyr shuddered.  "That was not my doing."

"No, I know who did it.  He can die too."

"Many might like to see that."

Xander looked at him.  "If I kill my paternal lineage, it'll be because I want to, not because you want me to."

"But...."  Xander stared at him.  "You wouldn't."

"I would.  I definitely would.  I might spare my uncle as he's found purpose and happiness but I would."

"I see."  He stared at him.  "Then the prophecy is damned."

"I warp prophecies every day simply by still being here.  Then again, Roque's uncle looked at a what if about our attempted marriage.  He found you all died."  He smirked.  "Back when I found that invasion starting because I peed on their ship by accident."

Tyr shuddered.  He had heard about that afterward.  "Odin doesn't believe that was important."

"Then maybe he should look."  He went back to looking over his battle plans for the next week.  "Anything else, Tyr?"

"Will you come for that battle?"  Xander recreated one of those mirrors and handed it to him then banished him back home.  He sighed, looking at Odin.

"What is that?"

"His response to notifying him of the battle that will hit here."   He let them see Odin nagging Xander that it wasn't his job, even though he had just saved them all a lot of work by defeating the enemy farther out at a pass.

Odin sneered.  "That is false."

"No, I was there," Freya said.  "You did that many times, Odin.  Is he more calm about his marriage?"

"He said it will not happen because it does not naturally occur."  She gasped.  "And that since you've ruined the new one, he'll have to help him where he can but he is not his mate unless he find out himself that they're mated."

"We can make him see it," Freya said.  "Without coercion."

"No you cannot.  He's just as stubborn as Xander is."

"He's but a whelp," Odin sneered.

"He reminded me of the time we left him at that battle site and found him doing more than surviving when we got back.  Including having a pack of elk around him that protected him."  Odin's glare got worse.  "He is ever and will always be able to do without us because we taught him thus.  Especially his paternal lineage, because when I brought up his father, he noted the lineage, not just his paternal donor."

"He cannot," Odin said.

"He can so and nearly has," Frigg said.  "Would he spare Thor?"

"He said that he has found purpose and happiness so he might."

"That's good.  Then we can pass on knowing that it's in good hands."

"Thor would not come back when I asked," Tyr told her.  "They have another upcoming battle that he has vowed to fight in as he has put his protection on Midgard."

She slumped.  "Why?"

"The woman he likes, who will not allow herself to be made immortal, is there.  They protected him, they helped him.  He has friends there."

She nodded.  "Then we'll have to rely on our warriors."

Alana stepped out of the shadows.  "Are we talking of the fire giants?"

"There is no need for you to worry about that," Odin chided.

"I am over female warriors, Father."  He flinched.  "And they are already gone."  She threw down a helmet from the Queen.  "She said it is good that some of us are as strong as our nephew."  She walked off.  "Don't worry your tangled, mangy head about it, Tyr; it is handled by beauty and brains."

He looked at the helmet, the crown still attached to it.  He kicked it and the skull fell out.  "I'd say she did."  Odin was horrified.  "Females can be warriors or else most of our women would not ride winged horses."  He looked at Frigg.  "Roque made a point that I overheard when checking on Xander.  There are no treaties with him."

"With Roque?  Has he been appointed?" she asked.

"With Xander."

"He is our family," she said.

"Are you so sure of that?" he countered.  "He doesn't seem to think so."  She gasped and looked.  Then slumped.  "Which means your dictates hold no weight beyond measuring his rage."  He walked off.  "I will defend us against him if I must.  Though I will not like it."  He went to talk to Thor, who might be able to calm the boy down.  "Brother."

"Tyr, what news is there of home?" he asked, putting down the weight set he was working with.

"Much.  Including that your nephew may spare you when he takes out his paternal lineage."

"It's nice of him to think of me."

"That doesn't surprise you?"

"No.  Some of us knew that would happen when he was a lad.  I've mostly been smart enough to stay out of that battle whenever possible.  Thankfully."

"What if there's another godly battle?  Rumors state there are some."

"If it impacts humanity he'll step in and end the problems, then let them get back to it.  I asked and that's what he said."

"He is still upset."

"Aye, you would be too."

"I would be," he agreed.  "We have no treaties with his house."

"I have no quarrels with his house and need no treaties.  Unless I ascend my father's throne, I will have very little to quarrel with him about.  I see now what he learned many years ago when he left Asgard in disgust to get away from all that."

Tyr nodded.  "That is good."  He clapped him on the arm.  "There are those moving to protest on his behalf."

"Would it do good?" he asked.  "The damage has been done and not even my goats are as stubborn as my nephew is.  Or as stubborn as the one they want to marry him off to."  He nodded at him.

"Xander's still in a snit," Phil agreed.  "He went on a ranting fit at John a few minutes ago."

"Xander in a mood is loud," Thor agreed.  "Xander going past loud to quiet means all should probably run.  The last time I saw that, we had to rebuild part of Valhalla.  He brought it down upon my father's head.  Buried him for nearly two years."  Tyr grimaced but nodded.  "Perhaps he was damaged during it because my father used to have some sense."

"It's possible," Tyr agreed.  "He wouldn't have pushed before then as hard.  He knew that Xander had a finite limit and would then hold him there by sheer force of will."

"Which is why all Valhalla fell on his head," Thor agreed.  "I'm still not sure why they fought over a dragon that was penned up."

"He was one of the ones that penned it, and Odin declared that to be a hilarious story," Tyr said.

Thor looked at him.  "He was?"

"He was.  He, a few of the warriors."

"Was there not a price on his head based on that?"

"There was, why?"

"He could claim it."

"That would upset things."

"Probably," he agreed.  "And wake the dragon."

"Alana and her warriors would probably handle it for him.  She did the upcoming battle against us.  Presented us with the crown and the head of the queen Fire Giant."

Thor blinked.  "She is good.  I could not get that close."

"She is.  The girls are very strong and Odin still sees it not."

Phil smiled.  "A lot of people underestimate women but they are some of the strongest."

"Aye, because men bearing babies would mean we all died out," Thor said.  "Especially if I had to."

Tyr patted him on the back.  "Most of them would not allow you to."

"I know.  It's very nice they consider me a silly boy most of the time, even if I am a great warrior."

"Most elders think of the younger generations as silly children because they don't have the same experience level," Phil said.  "Mine did."

Thor smiled.  "Some of them, it is good to be thought of as a silly child.  It keeps you out of their grips and plans and gets you baked goods."

"My grandmother baked but she kept giving me bran muffins.  Didn't want me to get fat."  Thor laughed and batted him on the arm.  "Is there a problem, Tyr?"

"No.  Just sharing news of the stubborn goat of a nephew."

Thor looked at him.  "You crossed his line and I've been hearing that he has announced that only one way it will happen.  If this one finds that they are truly mated of his own free will."

"As is reasonable," Phil agreed.  "We're moving into friendship right now.  I've barely spent any time with him."

Tyr nodded.  "That's a good thing to do.  Odin thinks he'll give in."

"Odin may have the hall fall on his head again first," Thor said.

"He may," he agreed.

"If he releases any dragons he had penned up, I'll ask Stark to see what they have to kill it.  There was a world where dragons were introduced by spellwork."  Tyr shuddered.  "There they built weapons to kill them and Dawn gave Stark plans."

"Thank thee."  He disappeared.

Thor shuddered.  "The dragons coming back would be bad."

"He'd have to defend his villages," Phil said quietly.

"Knowing my nephew, he could talk them into leaving them mostly alone."  He shifted to tell him about that battle when they were ten.  Phil got pissed off about it but he saw that Xander, by the end, was resourceful and cunning and quite mean when necessary.  That he made odd, reliable friends that would help him defend himself.  Phil knew it was a good thing to hear and know, and it gave him more to think about with the forced bonding they were trying to push.

***

Dawn walked into the office and paused.  Pepper was head down on the desk.  She moved closer.  "Pepper?" she asked quietly.  She heard a snore and smiled, leaving things off to the side for her.  She walked out and closed the doors, forwarding the phones to her desk instead.  Tony walked that way and she shook her head.

"Meeting?"

"Sleeping on the desk," she said quietly.

Tony smiled and peeked in then closed the door again.  "Her mother called last night."  She smiled.  "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine, why wouldn't I be fine?"

"You look like someone needs to do your hair."

"All that stripping made it wrecked.  I've been doing daily conditioning but it's still wrecked.  I've got salon time later for that and a trim."

"Okay."  He walked back to the labs.  "Call me when she gets up."

Dawn nodded.  She finished all her tasks and settled in to do some ahead.  There were some progress reports she could get started on for next month.  Her calendar beeped a warning and she winced.  There was a meeting in twenty minutes.  She sighed and texted Tony, who said to let Pepper sleep.  So she'd stall.  She checked but she was still asleep.  This was not going to be good.  She floated in a note next to her head so she'd see it when she woke up.  When the time came she smiled and went down there.  "Miss Potts is presently handling a personal matter and she'll be a bit late.  Can I get anyone something to eat or nibble on?"  They stared at her.  She smiled at them.  "I'm her assistant, Dawn."

"What sort of personal problem?"

"I believe her mother called up with something desperate."

"Oh, I see.  That's probably a problem," he agreed.

Dawn smiled.  "Her mother would never normally call here.  They talk every Sunday."  That got a nod.  "Anything needed?"

"Some coffee please, Dawn?" one requested.

"Of course," she said, moving to put some on in the pot in there.  She smiled and handed him the first cup.

"You haven't switched to those new K-cup makers?" he asked.  "It looks easier."

"Most of the lab staff tends to live on coffee and dried fruit.  It's much more efficient and economical to do it this way.  In one lab we have the old two gallon percolator set up because the three that use it the most tend to go through a lot of coffee every hour."  They smiled.  "The ones that don't put in their own soda machine."  She smiled.  "Anything else needed?"

"Can you start the projector and all that?" he requested.

"Of course."  She typed into the system to get to that level.  Everything else was locked off.  The projector came up with the Stark Industries logo then went to mute.  "When you put in a disk or move it, the screen saver will turn off.  Let me go check on her."  She smiled and walked out.  She checked on Pepper from the doorway, sliding inside and shutting the door.  "Pep?" she called quietly.

"Is there an emergency?"

"A meeting."

"Tell Tony."

"He won't."

Pepper lifted her head to look at her.  "Which meeting?"

"That trade-off meeting about the metals and computer parts," she said with a wince.

Pepper grimaced.  "Ten minutes."  She sat up and stretched.  Dawn went to tell them that.  She went to splash herself with cold water and change into something that wasn't wrinkled.  She walked past Dawn.  "They good?"

"They're all set, your files are down there, and they know you were handling a personal problem with your mother calling off schedule."

She smiled.  "I was."  She walked in there.  "Sorry to keep you waiting.  My mother needed to be talked into not getting a divorce or killing my father for a bit."  They smiled.  "How are we today?"  They settled down to handle the meeting.  Even though she was exhausted.  Dawn had even left her a cup of coffee that was perfectly mixed how she liked.  She could nap again afterwards.

***

Tony smiled at Dawn.  "You woke her up?"

"Did you want new computer chips?" Dawn asked, smiling at him.  "I left it as long as I could."

"That's what she said and one was grumpy she had been talking to her mother."  He looked her over.  "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine.  Why?"

"You look tired too."

She nodded.  "Few nightmares."  He stared at her.  "Normal ones."  Tony nodded.   "Phil was up all last night and I got random flashes of him being confused or pissed off."

"Why?"

"The whole marriage thing."

"That does suck."

"It does and Xander's already drawn his line in the sand.  Those that tried to go over it have been shoved back.  Including him snubbing a banquet."

Tony winced.  "That's not politically sound."

"He's not really playing politics."

"Good point."  He walked off.  "Are you going to go?"

"No, I'm not obligated to go if he doesn't.  I'm part of his house."

Tony smirked.  "Too bad.  You could get dressed up."

"I get plenty of dressed up time."  He laughed.  That reminded her, tomorrow was new outfit day and she had one she wanted to try.  It might freak a few people out because it did remind one of her chainmail.  Which was lovingly put on a form in her living room and oiled each week.

***

Pepper looked over Dawn's outfit of the day.  The silver mesh lace overtop of the dark blue column dress looked nice.  "If you wore leather with that, it'd probably look kinky but it does look nice, even with the long group of chains necklace.  New place?"

"A designer asked me if I wanted to look at his designs.  I found this one and a pretty stunning purple one."  Pepper smiled.  "I got warned not to wear that one to work unless I brought extra weapons."  She handed over the files she was carrying.  "Mom and I are having lunch."

"Tell her I said hello."

"I will."  She walked off.  She did her usual round of the labs, making coffee, taking reports, calming Andrew down because he was in a flailing mood.  He stared at her in the outfit, gaping in awe.  She smirked.  "New one."

"That looks nice and it just hints at your chainmail.  If it was green underneath they might freak out but the blue is nice and it's the color of your boyfriend's eyes, right?"

"It is."  She smiled.  "I got another one from the same designer with a purple and red motif but without the lace."  They grinned.  "Why are you all flaily?"

"The new superhero movie is out and we can't go see it."

"Why not?"

"We're on the day it comes out."

"Guys, you're allowed to take the day off," she reminded them.  She got into their computer and found the form.  "This is your day off form.  You fill this out, you give it to me or make sure Pepper gets it."  They smiled and nodded, doing that for her.  She printed it for them.  "Sign, date," she said with a point.  They did.  "I'll bring this to her."  She smiled.  "I like the new tentacle on the roomba dog.  It's not phallic anymore."  They laughed and she walked off to finish her round with Tony, as usual.  He stared at her outfit, head tipped to the side.  "New designer.  He wanted me to look at his stuff."

He nodded.  "It's pretty.  A bit scary but pretty."

Dawn smirked.  "Someone told me I was just a pretty ass the other day."  She separated out his pile.  "Reports on minimal progress."

He saw the leave form.  "They asked for a day off to go to the movies?"

"The new superhero movie is out."

He smiled and signed it.  "They haven't taken any days off yet that I know of."

"I had to show them the form."

"That's good.  Are you going with them?"

"They didn't invite me."

"Ah."  He looked over her outfit again.  "You're not leaving the building today, right?"

"Actually, I'm going to lunch with Mom."

He nodded.  "Wear a weapon."

"I'm always wearing a weapon, Stark."

"You can't tell."

She smirked.  "The benefits of magic."  She strolled off.  Pepper signed off on their day off too, smiling at them.  Dawn copied it and put it in their mailbox so they knew they could go.  Then she got to work handing back things that had gotten signed.

***

Joyce walked into her boss's office with some files.  "Requisitions from R&D and since Dawn's coming to pick me up from lunch, can we have it here?"

"You can.  She knows where the caf is and I'm sure there's a few people who'd like to nag her about her shoes again," he said dryly.

"Who nagged her about her shoes?"

"Coulson.  Her tiny feet led to her having to buy stripper shoes."

Joyce grimaced.  "I never could find her shoes," she admitted.  She took the signed things back and went to deliver them.  She smiled at Bruce since he was working at a blackboard.  He took his forms with a smile.  "Dawn's coming for lunch."

"That's great.  Tell her I said hi.  I'm seeing some sort of subspace fluctuation that no one can find on sensors so I probably can't join you."

She patted his hand.  "It's the universe belching."

"It probably is," he agreed, smiling at her.  She laughed and let him get back to work.  He looked.  "It really probably is a gas bubble."  He ran that idea through the math and it wasn't quite but he could figure out what it was.  It was the formation of a tiny black hole.  "Ah, an ulcer of the universe."  He sent that to his former coworker, who sent back a thank you.

***

Joyce looked over Dawn when she appeared for lunch.  "Those are stripper shoes."

"They fit," Dawn quipped.  "Which is really rare, Mom."  She signed in.  "In for lunch with my mom."

They smiled.  "That's fine, Summers."  They walked off together and one guard shivered.  "She's very strong looking today."

The other nodded.  "Looks like someone called her a bimbo again."  He texted Coulson that she was there.

Joyce looked at the shoes in the elevator.  "Platforms?"

"I had to.  It's that or four inches without them."

"Why four inches?"

"None shorter in this color.  I have a few in the five and six inch range because I needed a pair in that color.  My only two pair of nude ones are with-platform six inch and one without because I couldn't find them lower than six inches."

"Oh, dear," she sighed.  "I've thankfully never had it that hard with shoes."

"There's plenty of days I'd love flats.  It took us six months to find sneakers and when I did I bought ten pairs so I would not have to find them again for years."  They walked into the mess together.  A few people stared.  "I'm having lunch with my mom."  They smiled and got back to eating.  "Saw Andrew and Jonathan today.  They were flaily over the new comicbook movie."

"They're sweet boys."

"They are."  Dawn paid for their lunches, she made the better salary, and they got what they wanted so they could find a table.  Joyce pointed but Dawn picked the bigger table.  "I'm expecting that they told Phil at least."

"He's in the building somewhere," Joyce agreed.  He and Tara walked in, followed by Maria Hill.  She did like that young woman, she had sense.

"I love that dress," Tara told her when she sat down with her lunch.  "I'm glad I know where you got it."

Dawn grinned.  "You look good in the one you got."

"I do, yes."  She smiled.

Maria smiled back.  "Are you wearing it to dinner in a few days?"

"It's not formal?"

"We're going to the park."

"I can wear pants."

Maria beamed.  "That'd be great.  We can go skating?"

"She has roller blades she uses well but hasn't had time to," Phil said.  He smiled at Dawn.  "Quite a statement."

"Someone told me my only asset was my butt."  He snorted and shook his head, digging into his lunch.

Clint walked in and paused then nodded.  "I did not see that when I left."

"That's because you leave almost an hour before I do."  She smiled.  "You have to report earlier and commute a few more blocks."

"I do, yeah."  He got his lunch and sat down, looking her over.  "You do look nice."

"Thank you."

"They called you a bimbo again?"

"Yup."

Joyce snickered.  "I take it she's done this before?"

Phil got into his phone and showed her a picture.  "Stark wanted her to dress up so she wore that one day."

"I like that dress on her.  She looks sweet."

Maria looked at her.  "I had to write up twelve different agents for hiding in the bathroom."  Joyce blushed.  "She was sweetly tart that day if we're talking about the pink dress."

Dawn giggled.  "We probably are.  Twelve, really?"

"A few took extra sparring time," she said with a grin.

"Huh.  Too bad I don't fit in it anymore and it's in Tara's closet."  She dug into her salad with lots of bacon and chicken.  The last seat was filled when Natasha walked in and got her own shake.  "Eat more than that," Dawn chided.  "You need fuel to beat the crap out of all the guys who think you're only pretty."

Natasha smiled.  "I do, yes, but I took lunch last hour."  She sipped her protein shake, looking Dawn over.  "I left much too soon this morning."  Dawn grinned.  "Do not wear the other to work."

"I get two teasing days a month.  It's in my contract."  Joyce coughed, shaking her head.  Phil patted her.  "It does relieve stress.  I inspired whole new ideas in a few people."

"Not always good ones," Clint agreed, "but they did get new ideas.  Stark got three new patents out of it."  Joyce stared at them.

Dawn grinned and showed her a picture.  Phil showed her another one.  "That's not really professional, Dawn."

"It lightened the mood when we needed it," Clint assured her.

Maria nodded.  "It did.  It was also good distraction armor when she was worried and didn't want anyone to see."  Dawn nodded.  "Though the day you ended up in your unitard that you use for fights, that day was a bad one."

"That was all I had.  I literally had slime kill most of my closets."

"I heard."  She smiled.

"And a second dose that would've gotten the new clothes if she had put them up," Phil said.  "We were over that night and the slime stunk."

"It did," Clint agreed.  He looked at her.  "You got something from the same dickwad Russian guy."

"I did.  I left it on the counter so you could give it to Natasha today."

"I saw it," she promised.  "They are quite sorry.  Their entire network of files got handed to the FBI."

Dawn smiled at her.  "Thank you."  Natasha smirked back.  Dawn sent a thought at her and got a shrug back so she kissed her on the cheek.  "You help me protect myself very well."

"I do, yes.  That's why I'm going to go through your closet."

"Did you realize I have a free closet?"

"I did not," she admitted.  "When we moved in it was full."

"Few lab accidents, I donated the gowns I'm not going to wear again."

"Did you keep that cream one?" she asked.

"I kept the lavender version and the black one."  Natasha growled.  She smiled.  "I think I looked a bit too sweet and innocent in the cream one."

Clint shook his head.  So did Phil.  "Nope," Phil said.  "Sorry."  He stuffed his mouth.

Joyce looked at her.  "What dress was this?"

"The one I wore to grad, Mom."

"Ah.  You did look nice.  You mostly manage to look nice, even when you are being a bit naughty."

"And all of my shirts are actual *shirts*," she said dryly, cracking her mother up.

"Your sister is never going to live that down," Clint said.  Phil found a report and let him read it while he chewed.  "When was this?"

"Recently."  He stuffed his mouth again.

Dawn leaned on Clint's arm, casually brushing her breast against it.  "That's my sister's patented bait patrol uniform."  She let Joyce see.

Joyce sighed.  "She really does need to wear something more massive."

"I offered my unitard but she hated it," Dawn said.  "Said she felt stifled."

Joyce looked at her.  "I heard why you had that."

"No one else handled it."

"You had better not be."  She shook her head.  "Good."  She handed Phil back his phone.  He found one last picture.  "Aww, the black dress."

"Yes it was.  It was the only thing I had clean.  That was the day after the slime attack."

Joyce handed it back.  "You looked comfortable in it."

"I wore it clubbing a few times.  Someone asked me that day if I was the mini-Natasha so I kindly kicked her."  Natasha chuckled, nodding.  "That was the same day I ended up in the unitard and one of Natasha's scarves as a sarong because the dress got stained by the water cooler on the fifth floor."

"It still has a residue," Maria admitted.  "Got one of my uniforms one day."

"The dry cleaner I use got it out of there," Dawn offered.

"I went to mine and he did wonders.  He fixed the splitting seam I had too."  She smiled at Tara.  Then at Dawn.  "We are going to the new superhero movie."

"I have no idea what I'm doing that night.  I know it's Mom's anniversary of getting out."

She smiled at her.  "We're celebrating the next day, when your sister can get in.  Bruce and I are having dinner that night."  Dawn smiled and squeezed her hand across Natasha.  "Eat, dear.  You'll be late getting back."

"Stark told me to come back with a wicked idea for a new weapon.  He needed something flashy."  She looked at her girlfriend.  "I saw yours up on his monitor too."

"Mine?"

"Yours."

"My Widow's Bite?"  Dawn smiled and nodded.  "Interesting.  I'll have to see what he's doing with it."

"Probably upgrading it," Clint said.  "I need more of those cold arrow tips."

Xander appeared, looking at Phil.  "I need a bad idea leash holder and I can't use Dawn because as soon as I hit Asgard Freya's going to jump her to try to make her get married.  Hi, Mom."  He hugged her.  She cuddled him back.  He looked at Dawn.  "Damn," he said, smiling at her.  She beamed.  "That's hot."

"Only one person asked me if I was Joan of Arc.  I said I wasn't on a holy quest from God, the Goddess said I was doing just fine.  She so huffed off."

"The wife of the guy with the dog?" Clint asked.

"Yup."

"Figures," Xander said.  He looked at Phil.  "Would you like to see Asgard and watch me make everyone really unhappy?"

"Will it cause problems down here?"

"I don't know."

"Then I probably should try to keep you from causing problems for the earth."  Xander smirked and disappeared.

"Aww," Dawn said with a grin.  "Xander's lost his temper again."  Joyce shuddered.  "It's going to be so bad but we'll get to sit and watch."  She finished her salad and kissed everyone on the cheek.  "Let me go warn Stark and play with my niece."  She smiled at her mom.  "We'll see if we can pull her out for lunch."  She smiled at Maria and Tara.  "If I can, I'll babysit."  They grinned.  She walked out and disappeared.  Much faster than a cab.  She found Callia in the halls.  "Are you wandering?" she asked, grinning at her niece.

"Yup."  She looked at her.  "Wow.  Knight armor?"

"Something like that.  I have chainmail at home.  Your uncle Xander got it for me.  It was made by dwarves."  She walked off with her, taking her to Tony's lab.  "Hey, boss, got the sprout and Xander's invited Phil to try to stop him from doing something that might drive everyone nuts."

He leaned over to look at her.  "Thanks for the warning and hi, Callia."

"Hi, Daddy."  She pointed.  "Knights armor."

"Yes it is."  He grinned. "Some day you can have your aunt's chainmail."  Tony stared at her.  "Anything on that new idea?"

She walked in and hissed in his ear.  He shivered.  "Sometimes you gotta have it."  She strolled out.  "Let me check in with Pepper, Callia."

"I help."  She followed her.  She smiled at Andrew when they ran into him in the hall.  "I saw story with tentacles."

"Really?"  What were you reading?" he asked.  Dawn was looking confused.

"Had daddy's 'puter.  Found tentacles.  The heros were all huggy and kissy."  She grinned.  "The tentacles were mean ones, not like puppy roomba is."

"They can be, but we made sure the roomba dog is a lot nicer," he said with a blush.

Dawn nodded back at the lab and took Callia off to talk to her about her anime habit she was trying to pick up.  They really had to institute a kid filter around her.

Andrew walked into Tony's lab and found his tablet.  "JARVIS, is this the one Callia had?"  Tony stared at him.

"Unfortunately.  Second tab, she never closed it out."

Andrew found it and handed it over.  "She said it was meaner than the tentacle on the roomba dog.  The heros were all huggy and kissy."  He walked off.

Tony read it, frowning.  "That's just wrong!" he complained.  "On so many levels that's wrong."  He kept going.  "Oh, and they'd die if not?  I've never been that hit."

"There are chemicals that can do that to one, sir," JARVIS said.  "I tried to block it from her but she is reading well beyond the needs of that story."

Tony canceled it.  "My daughter is not allowed to get online at any site that is not G rated, JARVIS.  No matter which computer she's using."

"I'll do my best, sir, but she got to that one without me realizing. It's on the same site as those Avengers stories you've been tracking.  I didn't realize it until I noticed you were reading slower than usual."

"Great," he muttered.  "I should make bombs of that.  Send them into the caves of Afghanistan.  Then the Taliban could work it out."  The AI snickered.  "Send one to Rhodey, make him have some stress relief too."

"I think that would be a bad idea, sir."

"Probably, yes.  But better than tentacles."

"I don't know, sir.  I found Alexander's chaos slip tentacles to be rather fun to watch."

Tony glared at the ceiling.  "Shut up.  I don't want to remember those things."

"Very well, sir."

***

Callia bounced up to Tara when she showed up that night.  "I babysit!"

"You're too young to babysit so you'd have to be sat with the babies."

"So?  I still babysit."

"Okay, we'll see if we can arrange it so you can babysit."

"Do not even think about asking Andrew and Jonathan to do it," Dawn warned.  "They have plans for tomorrow.  They have the day off."

Callia pouted.  "Pepper?"

"I don't know.  You'd have to ask her."

She took her aunt's phone and found Pepper's name.  She smiled when it was answered.  "We babysit?"

"She wants the twins tomorrow while Tara and Maria are at the movies," Dawn called close to the phone.  Callia pouted.  "She might be busy."  She took the phone.  "I told her she had to ask.  The trip to Singapore's not on the schedule.  Oh, that reason.  Yeah, I can be packed for that.  Thanks, Pepper."  She hung up.  "Sorry.  I'm not going to be here either."

"I ask Daddy," she said.

"He's going with us.  That means your nanny is sitting you."

She pouted.  "She watch babies?"

"You'd have to clear it with your dad."  She took the phone back to find his name and call.  She pouted.  "Look at Tony," she said, finding it.  "That's his first name.  Only you call him Daddy.  If I did things might get weird."  Tara cackled but nodded.

"Oh."  She pushed the right button and listened.  "JARVIS?  Ask daddy if nanny can sit babies with me?"  He did and Tony answered the phone.  "We babysit?"  She looked at her aunt.  "Why not him?"

"Singapore."

"Auntie say Singapore."  She grinned.  "He not go."

"Pepper said he has to go."

She repeated that.  "Okay, so we sit babies for Auntie Tara?  Please?" she begged.  "I babysit and help."  She grinned.  "Okay!"  She hung up.  "He check."  She hugged Tara.  "Need more babies."

"Some year, dear."  Maria looked at her.  "Phil has some stored that he said I can use," she said quietly.

"That's wonderful of him."  She kissed her and Tara blushed but smiled.  She winked.  "If not, we can go on the next weekend.  It won't be as crowded."

Tara smiled.  "Maybe."  She took her hand to hold and they walked with the baby to look at the books.  "I don't want to read about the civil wars of Central America, Callia.  Pick out a happy book."  She did and they settled in to read.  The twins were napping in the living room - all hail growth spurts making kids nap.

Dawn went to start dinner.  She had changed down to shorts and a t-shirt.  Clint and Natasha were on the way home before a team dinner.  Phil was with Xander, trying to make sure he didn't screw up the universe.

***

Xander walked up to someone, holding up the contract.  "I'd like to claim this."

He looked then at him.  "It's on you."

"I died during a battle.  That means I killed me."  He smirked.  "Then Dawn stabilized my core and I came back."

He considered it.  "It's meant for someone else to have."

Xander shrugged.  "I still managed to kill myself and I'm a God so they won't be able to."  He flashed his magnificence.

"I see."  He called his boss, who sighed but said to give it to him.  "Fine."  He handed him a map.  "It's there.  If you can open it, it's yours."

"That's not in the contract," he said.

"It's in the tiny print around the edges," he said with a smirk.

"That's fine, I don't really need the map."  He and Phil flashed there.  "Oops, forgot my decoder ring."  He summoned it.

Phil looked.  "Is that a first run Green Lantern ring from Kellogg's?"

"It is."  He grinned.  "It was what I had on hand so I imbued it with one of the keys to open this holding spot."  He smirked.  "It's nearly mint."

"I had a collection of Captain America cards.  Director Fury damaged a few but I found new ones."

Xander smirked.  "You can have this one after I'm done with it."  He focused and opened the vault.  They heard a roar.  "Hey, be nicer," he complained, walking in there.

Phil looked.  "That's a dragon, Xander."  He might be a bit worried about this, even with Xander in a really bad mood.  He was not trained in how to kill dragons.

"Yes it is."  He grinned.  He looked up at her.  "So, anyway, I won the right to set you free but you can't go near any of the villages."  He looked.  "Aww, the eggs hatched.  That's great, Nyama."  He scratched her neck.  "I'm happy that your draglets are so cute.  I work with a few firelings and they're very soft."  She snuffled and let out a tinier roar.  "No, you can't go anywhere near the villages.  They'll try to kill you or make me try to kill you."  She nuzzled his stomach.  "I'd let you come to earth but you'd have to leave the villages alone there too or they'd kill you with bigger guns."  He scratched an eyeridge, getting happy noises.  "So it's up to you but I won the contents of your vault."

She looked then at him.  She nuzzled Phil, who hesitantly petted her like Xander had.  "She's very soft."

"They are," Xander agreed with a grin.  "So, what do you want to do?  There's even a bilgesnipe up the road a bit you can feast on and feed them their first real meat."

She stretched up and her wings, then called to her young and flew out.  They followed, one waddling since he didn't fly.  They attacked the creature and ate well.  Xander created a portal.  "To Iceland.  There's a lot of areas that have no people.  Find them."  She nodded, nudging her fledglings through the portal.  She had to keep nudging the one that didn't fly but that was fine.  Xander grinned at Phil.  "She won't hurt anyone."

"Just create a panic," he said, staring at him.  "Your mind is a weird place."

"Sometimes, yes, but all people are a bit weird.  Or else we'd freak out at our minds running our bodies without us knowing anything about it."

"Possibly," he agreed.  He moved closer.  "Why do this?"

Xander led him back inside and found a few things, then shoved the rest into a bag he had gotten at the Xander convention.  "These."  He held them up.

"Those look like they belonged to some royal person."

Xander spun one.  "This one's Dad's official staff of power.  That one's Freya's."

"Hmm."  He looked at them.  "That's nice."

"She was behind it."

"We can store it in a closet under Dawn's shoes."

"We can."  They disappeared together.

Phil got warm.  Xander was cackling evilly.  Phil was still too much of an agent so he did call in a warning, to Stark.  "The new dragons are from Asgard.  Where it's very cold.  Xander said they're not to bother people."  He hung up.  Xander smirked at him.  "I had to warn them."

"She won't bother people until she goes into heat next time."

"Is there something I can do to help calm you down?" Phil asked.  "Backrub?"

"I love backrubs but no.  Thank you."

"No one's prompting me, Xander.  I'd like you to calm down before I spend the next three weeks away from my desk defending people."

"I'm not mean to the people."

"Yes but governments panic and then we have to handle it anyway."  Xander shrugged as he walked off for the kitchen.  Phil followed, taking Xander and his soda back to the couch to work on his stiff shoulders.  "Relax, let me do this.  You're in nearly as bad of shape as I was."

"I...  Phil, they'll take it as a bad sign."

"You said it was my choice and only my choice.  Right now I'm helping you take care of something, which is part of my job description I might add."  Xander gave him a funny look.  "I protect all protectors, even you."  He went back to fixing his back tension.  Xander made pretty noises that still weren't hitting him where it needed to.  That proved they were wrong and it wasn't a fated match.

***

Loki looked up then at the demigods he was bothering.  "I felt my staff."

John choked and spluttered his beer.  "Excuse me?  He let out the dragon?"

"Dragon?" Loki asked.

"Roque," John called.  "Xander let out the dragon."

Roque appeared.  "She's in Iceland with the babies."  He looked at Loki.  "Yes, he did."

"Why?  You were the one that put her in there."

"No, we fought her for two weeks and stupidly lost," Roque said.  "Your son showed up and talked her into there to protect her eggs and nest.  That's where his part of the Silvertongue legacy comes in.  Or did you think there was another reason that even the wolves protect him?"  He looked at John.  "She's not bothering anyone.  Settled in a remote cavern area with the eggs.  No gold though.  That was noted in a price on his head."  He disappeared.

"So he claimed the price on his own head?" John called.  "Xander needs to calm down and I can't help with that."  He finished his beer and got another one.

Loki stared at him.  "He did what?"

"He did a lot of what," John said dryly.  "You never noticed.  Or that all the dragon attacks on the villages stopped."  He gulped this new beer and got a third.  His head was going to explode.  It really was.  This was way worse than the time Atlantis had  twins of Rodney.  Even if they had been triplets, it couldn't be this bad.

Loki created a viewing mirror to look at what he had missed of his son's life.  What he saw... did not amuse him one bit.  "And they say I'm evil?"

John smirked at him.  "Xander's only evil for a reason."

"He collapsed Valhalla!"

"Twice," he agreed.  "Because Odin needed smacked on the head and that was the only thing big enough to get through the ego and the hat."  He went home before his mind got stuck remembering.  He felt Phil nearby and was suddenly sober.  "Hey, I needed that."

"Your city's being attacked by militia people," Phil called.

"Then, yeah, I don't need to be drunk."  He grabbed a few weapons and left to defend Atlantis again.  He found a young goddess there playing with wires.  "Diama, there's a problem so can you go home for a few hours please?"  She pouted at him.  "There's a battle, cousin.  I don't want you hurt."  She huffed but disappeared.  "Thank you.  You can come back later to help us fix any damage."  He scanned around and found the militia on boats.  He sounded the alarm and it was nice.  They were well prepared to defend the city thanks to doing it so often.

***

Stark hung up and looked at the others having dinner with him.  It was a team dinner.  "Xander released a dragon onto this plane but it's an ice dragon and it's not going to hurt anyone."  Bruce stared, then huffed.  "Coulson warned me."

"Okay," Clint said, considering it.  "Why?"

"He's still very pissed off at them," Natasha said.  "I would be.  If it won't hurt anyone then it'll only cause a panic."

"What is it doing against his paternal family though?" Stark asked.

"I am not an expert in that."  She called Dawn, who put out that dragons were inherently magical.  They brought more magic with them and opened more earth magic up.  Which might take some away from up there or it might just have been holding something he needed.   She projected the email so they could read it.

"Something he needed," Clint said.

"Probably," Natasha agreed.

Stark shook his head.  "Will we have to fight it?"

"Not if it stays away from people," Steve said.  He looked at Thor, who was silently gulping his water.  "Bad?"  Thor nodded.  "How bad?"

He put down the empty mug.  "Xander's heritage from his father allows him to talk to anything dangerous or evil like Loki uses to sweettalk virgins into bed."  He got more water even though he really wanted mead.  "There's a reason Loki's known as Silvertongue.  Xander convinced many creatures to help him that way."

"Is that how he plays kitten poker?" Natasha asked.  "Dawn said he used to do it for weapons."

"Probably," Thor agreed.  He finished that glass and put it down.  He checked.  "Phil is protecting and calming down that protector before he has more evil plans but I feel two power scepters.  Thankfully not mine."

"Like official, queen and kings hold them scepters?" Steve asked.

Thor nodded.  "Aye.  We have to leave some power in it as a backup and helper during bigger things.  I can use it during battles as a weak weapon.  I feel one is my brother's and the other... female I believe."

"So probably a love god?" Stark asked.

"Perhaps," Thor agreed.  "Which means we'll hear much complaining."

"Are they going to complain to you about him?" Clint asked.  "I know he said he got complained at about you, his father, Willow."

"No, that's only on him."  They went back to eating.  Thor really needed a vacation.  Not at home but perhaps he'd go visit Jane for a bit.  He looked down at his hammer as it wiggled.  "If he's calling you, go."  It wiggled again.  "This is bad.  He could call my hammer before.  His anger must be too great now.  Or his mind too evil."  He watched as it finally did go and came back smoking fairly quickly.  He patted it and it settled against his leg again.  He could feel that Xander's anger had clouded him.  "He's much too angry."

"There's not really much we can do about it," Stark said.  "They made their own bed by trying to force things."

Thor nodded.  "I was blocked from standing up against it.  I did not like being glued to my chair.  I told him thus later and he forgave me."  He dug into his hamburger.  "We may see Valhalla fall in again.  Last time it was a great vacation to the Summer lands.  I was just before my manhood hunt."

"You have manhood hunts?" Steve asked.

Thor smiled and nodded.  "A true man proves he is so, not simply ages into being one.  We bring back a hunt we have killed ourselves.  Xander's is in the hall right above mine.  It needed the extra bracing since it was large."  He shook his head.

"What was yours?" Natasha asked.

"Seventeen point buck."  He smiled.  "Not bad for one of my first solo hunts."

"Not bad at all," she agreed.  "What was his?"

"The head of a rabid werewolf that had been attacking a village.  They are quite large up there.  Twice a man's height.  Xander was but fourteen if I remember right.  It was one of his villages so he went out and sat out.  It came for him and he killed it."  They all nodded.  "His axe was quite a mess I'm told.  The head people of the village saw him kill it and started the celebration of his manhood.  Odin heard and got there a few days later to see for himself.  He relented even though he was a bit young.  Then again, the next year, Xander caught the only seventeen-foot rabbit I've ever seen."

"A what?" Steve demanded.

Thor shook his head.  "A witch had tampered.  The same one that made the biting rabbits with horns."

"Callia said she wanted one of those," Stark sighed.  "That's why she got Carrot."

"If they're raised from birth, they're protective but not sweet," Thor said.  "I'd think she'd do well with a wolf pup when she's older."

"We'll see."

"Fine."  He smiled and finished eating.  Xander was a bit more calm.  He had no idea how Coulson had done it.   No one he knew could calm Xander down when he was in a hurt and pouty snit.

Stark looked at him.  "Dawn mentioned some chaos artifact she needed a keepsake box for when she was looking for one online."  Natasha and Clint both choked.  "What is it?"

"It's called the Deermere choker," Natasha said.

Thor looked at them.  "Why is she acquainted with that damnable object?"

"The Xander in another realm, who goes by Lavelle, had it gifted to him for the higher ups letting him be tortured," Clint said.  "She told us what it did."

Thor licked his lips.  "Remember that the one who puts it on must take it off.  If they're dead their offspring may.  Or else it stays locked until you die in it.  You may change settings but naught else."

"We saw," Clint said.  "She also said that the Janus there used a fertility spell on Lavelle to let him bear his own children."

Thor nodded.  "That does not surprise me of any chaos god.  It being in reparation meant that things were evil."  He considered it then shook his head quickly.  "My brother had a hand in making it.  It is a powerful artifact."

"What does it do?" Tony asked.

"It changes you fully to another form," Thor said.  "Another male form, another female form, whatever image your mind paints for your body."

"An illusion?" Steve asked.

"No one is certain.  It may change those things that you humans check for identity."

"We need it locked up better than a box on Dawn's dresser," Tony said, looking at the two lovers of his assistant.

"It's in my safe," Clint said.

Tony stared at him.  "I know that could be very useful in your old lines of work, but it's a bit creepy."

"It's a beautiful diamond choker," Natasha said.  "We could find many uses for it."

Thor shook his head quickly.  "My mind goes many bad places.  I must visit Jane to get my head out of them.  Excuse me."  He grabbed his hammer and took off from the porch.

Tony nodded.  "So did mine and they weren't all work related."

"Mine either," she said smugly.

Clint looked at her.  "Your birthday's next."  She hit him on the arm.  "It is."

"Hush."

"Fine.  Did you want to go out to dinner that night?"

"Dawn promised us dinner in Paris."

"I could like her blipping around that way," he decided.

"I'm to know in case she gets snatched, or you guys do," Stark ordered.  "That way we can find you and get you back."

"We'll have a tracker on," Clint said.  "She does have a new one?"

"Yes, shielded against magic browning it out too," he assured him.  They smiled.  "Especially with a trip to Singapore tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" Clint asked.

"Pepper just found out earlier."

"Damn it."  He looked at her.  She smiled.  "Maybe she'll find that shoe place again.  They had her size and they were actually lower heels."

"They did," Natasha agreed.  "They didn't look too sturdy though."

Tony shook his head.  "Does she have worse in her closet than what she wore today?  Because I heard she had to snark at someone who asked her if she was Joan of Arc.  A lot of us stared because she had the princess warrior thing going."

"A few," Clint said.  "She's got some empty space."  Tony stared at him.  "We used to nag her about how much clothes she has."

"Girls like Dawn and Pepper should have a lot of clothes and shoes.  They're what keeps the economy moving.  Though, remind me the next time we have to go on a trade mission to the Middle East to hire an extra bodyguard."  He stuffed his mouth.

Clint laughed.  "I heard her complaining about jewelry a sheik had given her."

"Attempted," Tony corrected.  "He walked up to Pepper and I, with Dawn taking notes behind us, and offered us this really pretty platinum and jade set for her hand in marriage.  She looked at him and shook her head, telling him she was underage and her mother would never approve.  He asked about her father and she said he was divorced and had not talked to her, but she was her mother's daughter and would kill whoever tried to force her into something.  She went back to taking notes.

"That night, that jewelry and another box of diamond drop earrings, plus ten pounds of Godiva, showed up in our room with Pepper's name on it.  Again, asking her for permission to court Dawn.  I had to have the bodyguard stick on Dawn like glue that whole week.  Pepper told him she wasn't interested and wanted to work with them.  He offered to pay for Joyce's treatments, buy her a grand house here in the city so she could work with us, and he'd emigrate to study over here because he wanted to get an English degree.  The guy would not leave her alone.

"She got one short shopping trip, in the local all-covering gear as a security precaution and so no one would try to pick on her.  No, out of all of them he found her again.  Offered her candy."  Natasha sighed.  "She finally told him that a fat wallet did not make her want to date a man.  Respect, honoring her, and being a good man did.  He pouted.  His father complained to me and I pointed out she was right.  She needed a strong man.  Not one that would only buy her things.  He finally got the point and called his son off because he scared her by breaking in and she shot him in the arm."

Clint and Natasha looked at each other then at him.  "Were there others?" she asked.

"I know of two others that went stalker, they were both magical sorts though.  They knew she had power but not why and wanted it for their personal uses as they broke down their wife.  You'd have to ask Pepper or Coulson, Natasha.  He spent more time with her than you did."

"He did."  She considered it.  "We'll ask her later."

"That might help.  I'm sure we didn't hear all of them.  She was queen of hiding stuff from Joyce and us if she thought it might upset us.  Hid a report card for a single 'c' in gym class."  He sipped his water.  "I think Coulson got her straightened out with that one.  Told her we wouldn't be disappointed.  That's when we found out that other secretary had been telling her we'd stick her in an orphanage if she screwed up.  I've never seen Coulson slug someone but he walked up to her and laid her flat.  Pepper looked at her then at him and asked if she had hit on him so she could fire her for sexual harassment.  She and Dawn had a girl talk that weekend."

"I remember the girl talk, I was reassigned to babysit you then."

"Yeah, that was that weekend.  The Saudi trip was a few weeks later."

"She was more plain then.  Didn't really understand how to dress."

"Pepper did some tutoring but she had sense.  She had to finish growing into it.  She had that green stretchy dress for over a year before it fit her properly.  She had that one growth spurt that made her quit looking like she was fourteen."

"I remember watching it and helping her handle things like bra shopping."

"Thank you for handling that so I wasn't traumatized.  With Pepper in Europe that month, I had no idea how to help her."  He smiled.  "Remember her fit about being a tag-along?"  She nodded, smiling some.  "She had another one about college because they asked me if I would go on the alumni rolls.  She made sure I hadn't screwed it up for her.  She had to make the point about why but I assured her it was all hers."

"She was concerned that people wouldn't see her, they'd see the shadow of Pepper," she said.  "At the same time she was struggling with the whole identity issue thanks to how she was created."

Tony nodded.  "She still does now and then.  That's where her 'normal' thing came from."

"I figured it was," she agreed.   She smiled at Clint.  "Half the time, any Stark Sitting jobs required us to work with Pepper while monitoring him to make sure he wasn't making something to blow us all up.  Neither Phil nor myself are qualified to work in the labs with him.  We both spent a lot of time helping Pepper with Dawn's mentoring because Pepper was doing ten things at once, including her own Stark herding jobs.  It was Coulson who noted that he reacted when Dawn nagged him so she got that part and it eased Pepper's many jobs."

"That and all the pressure she was putting on herself," Tony agreed.  "I did the same sort of thing when I suddenly had to take over the company."  He sipped his water.  "Then they disappeared for five months and I was stuck with you two herding me around like I was some one-trick pony."

"I'd say you have three or four tricks," Clint taunted.

"Just about," Tony agreed.  "I'm just glad Pepper made it home finally from Europe.  You two drove me nuts trying to make me quit working."

"I learned a lot watching Dawn handle it," Natasha admitted.  "I wonder if that's why they decided she was the future mother of your heir."

"Probably," he admitted.  "That and I drive everyone but her and Pepper nuts, and we couldn't make it work.  She can only take so much crazy genius at a time."  He stuffed his mouth.

"Did we test Dawn's IQ?" Clint asked.  "I know she's really bright."

"175," he said pulling up those files.  "That intake evaluation?  Got stopped cold when I promised I would nuclear bomb their houses with miniature pinpoint nukes and gave them their addresses."  Natasha laughed.  "The psych profile is a lot of wrong.  The woman was gauging her like she would an agent or a genius with a leaning toward crazy.  She didn't get that Dawn was quiet because she didn't want to talk to her.  I got her fired too.  We filed suit against her license thanks to Warren's increased damage. She lost all three and her one for the International center in Switzerland.

"The new one over his case filed to have her blackballed so she can't get one in any other country.  He thinks she should've realized Warren was completely snapped when she first got him.  He said looking at her notes she was almost prompting him to act out by forcing him to deal with real women that were making suggestive comments and things."

"He was pathologically afraid of them," Natasha said.  Tony nodded.  "The other two?"

He smiled.  "They're happy, healthier young men.  They've healed a lot.  They asked for their first day off to go to the movies tomorrow."  She smiled.  "Dawn had to show them that form but they did it themselves.  They've had some really good ideas.  When Callia found some anime on that site that had chemically caused screw or die issues and tentacles, Andrew told me.  She had told him she had found it because of the roomba dog."

Clint shuddered.  "I don't want to know."

Tony smirked.  "Callia's able to read well enough that she told her aunt the heros were all huggy and kissy.  I had to issue a 'approve of it as soon as she touches a computer' with JARVIS to make sure she couldn't sneak anything else."

"She is brilliant," Natasha praised.

Steve nodded.  "She is.  Is she picking up Russian from you and Dawn?"

"The wrong parts of it," Tony said dryly.  "Dawn hit her ankle and cracked it good.  Callia chirped the swear words right back so Dawn had to tell her that was swearing in pain words, not good girl words. Rodney was here and he corrected her pronunciation and taught Callia some words for things like cat and dog.  Including carrot, rabbit, and penguin."

"What if she want to be a zoologist?" Clint teased.

"Barton, I liked you more when you talked less," Tony joked back with an evil smirk.

"Blame Dawn."

"I figured it had to be."  He shook his head.  "I come out of the lab more now.  She actually got me out of a blind rage at someone stupid one day.  That was really brave.  She took a repluser weapon from my hand and got me sitting down then hugged me.  "I still hopped up but she got me calmed down again."

"She's good at what she does," Natasha agreed.

"Then she took the repulser weapon and went to kill them," Steve quipped.  "I heard someone mentioning it at the Malibu house."

Tony nodded.  "Yeah, she did.  Nearly made it out the door but JARVIS got around her attempts to disable the lock.  She would've went out the garage entry but that would've meant climbing that cliff.  She was going to walk around but JARVIS stopped her by putting up a forcefield over the doorway when she started to do more than look at the cliff.  She was so mad she didn't think about doing it magically."

"What did he do?" Natasha asked.  "I wasn't there that day."

"He's the guy that created that problem that nearly stomped the hospital Joyce was in."

"She would have killed him," Steve agreed.

"I was pissed because he had done it.  I didn't realize it was that hospital until Dawn told me.  Then I had to get her calmed down enough to call Joyce."

"Coulson was with Thor," Natasha said.

"We were without any agents that day.  The one that had been watching from the parking lot went to handle the damage control.  She almost shot the lock with the repulsor beam but I reminded her twice it wouldn't work and would initiate a safety shut down."

"She does have a temper," Natasha said.  "We've seen it once."

"Happily only the once," Clint agreed, finishing his water and getting more.  Tony was staring at him.  "Someone had us hostage to get information.  Not the greatest plan but it worked.  Dawn totally lost it.  She melted their building.  It just flowed down like it was melting ice cream instead of stucco.  A few guys shot at her and she skinned them I think."  Tony shuddered.  "And then she found us and the person who had us was not happy when he went flying up.  It took almost thirty minutes for him to come back down."  Tony winced.  "We got her calmed down and she was crying about it but she worked it out and calmed down about the time the guy hit the ground."

Natasha nodded.  "She looked over and said she thought it'd take longer.  Then hiccuped and wiped her nose with her hand."

"Yeah, let's not let her do that again, all right," he ordered, staring at them.  "Unless she has to?"

They nodded.  "We try, Stark," Clint said.

"Good.  I never want to see her in another battle unless we'll all die."

"Which is when she said she'd jump in," Steve said.  "Dawn's got sense and she knows her limits, Tony.   She knows what she can and can't do."

"She still hides things," Clint said.  Tony nodded and pointed.  "But she usually is right that she can handle them."

"Buffy tried so hard to coddle her so she could be normal while complaining that she got into trouble," Tony told Steve.  "There's whole psych textbooks that could be written about Buffy and Dawn's relationships."

"Joyce has sense."

"She tried but when you can't be there, and no one blames her.  We blame the people that gave her that first shot."

"I'd like to find them anyway," Clint admitted.  "Make sure they're somewhere harmful."

"They're part of the UN hunting squads," Tony said with a smirk.  "Hunting demons down in Africa and the lower Americas."

"We nearly ran into them," Natasha said.  "That's who Dawn spotted."  Clint grimaced but nodded it must have been.  "They should be in prison."

"Yes but some people find them useful," Tony said.

"Not us," Loki's voice called.  "Where is my brother?"

"Hiding from you," Clint called.

"Fine."  His voice faded.

"Have we mentioned it's really weird when he acts fairly normal?" Clint asked Tony.

"It is.  Especially after that last one.  This one is a bit warped but he's playing long-term games instead of short relief ones."  He finished his sandwich and wiped his mouth, putting his napkin on the plate.  "Are you three going to the movie too?"

"She hasn't said she wanted to go," Natasha said.

"She's not a huge fan of crowds so maybe when it's been out a while."

"That could be nice.  There's a nice second round cinema up the street."  Clint nodded he liked it.  "Is that sheik's son here?"

"Cornell," Tony said.  She winced.  "Yes, the one that was in that car crash."  He smiled.  "Nice enough of him to prove his interests."

Clint looked at her.  "I missed a news story?"  Tony pulled it up.  He read it.  "He's fugly.  Dawn can overlook a lot but not that."

"He's internally and mentally fugly," Tony assured him.  "His younger brother is model pretty but evil."

"Wonderful."  They got finished and stood up.  "Let us go save Dawn from the children."

"Have fun with the twins.  Coulson might be back by now."  They shrugged and went back to the apartment building.  Steve looked at Tony, shaking his head.  "They're cute."

"They're very cute.  Especially when Dawn fusses over everyone."

Tony grinned.  "She is fussy and she learned it from her mother."

"She did, yes.  She's got that same 'talk to me' thing her mother does too."

"I've noticed and she does good getting people comfortable."  They went to watch some tv.  Cap was across the hall from Coulson so he heard a bit too much from the twins, who had been cranky recently.

***

Phil finished getting Xander to relax, finally.  That part of his powers that monitored Xander read him as calm, less angry, and able to handle things.  "You should eat dinner."

"Sometime soon."

"What did you need Thor's hammer for?"

"Dad."

Phil shook his head.  "Should I know?"

"Dumbass opened the wrong book and it opened a tiny portal to let out some aliens I stomped on way back when.  I put the portal into a book and he didn't even check."

"Hmm.  You need to mark those."

"They all have gold diamonds on the spine."

"That's what that means.  I thought maybe it was a publishing house symbol since they seem to be romance novels."

Xander grinned.  "What better way to piss off a demon you're storing in a book than making it a sappy, fade-to-black romance novel where the girls are wimpy and the guys are creepy."  Phil laughed.  "It works *very* well."

"I guess it does."  He stood up.  "Let me go rescue my spawns from the aunts."  Xander smirked.  "I'll talk to you soon."  Xander nodded so he left.  He felt along all his other people and found Thor moping and scared.  He checked, he was flying up to Jane Foster's house so she'd straighten him out.  Stark was calm and not planning, plotting, thinking, or creating so that must be Steve next to him on the couch.  Dawn was having a minor plot but nothing too huge.  Probably something even more naughty to tease them with.  He smiled as he appeared, looking at his happy twins.  "You two finally calmed down?  Your aunt is a saint."

"Not hardly," Dawn snorted.

"Sometimes, when you're not wearing something trashy."  He kissed her on the head and took the kids from her.  "Maria and Tara?"  She pointed upstairs with a smirk.  "Maybe I'll see about moving into the free apartment."  He smiled at her.  "Behave."

"Yes, big brother."

"Thank you."  He walked up there, listening at the door.  He went up to the penthouse and called Stark. "I should give Tara her own space since she's dating," he said in greeting.  He listened.  "Actually, right now we're hiding in the penthouse."  He smiled.  "I doubt he'll need it.  I'm looking forward to a slightly sappy wedding we have to make sure they elope for."  He laughed.  "If he wanted to move down a few floors that would be fine.  Or I could.  Either one's fine."  He nodded.  "That one is nice, yes.  Thank you.  I can do that."

He hung up and looked at the twins.  "We should go down there and get you used to your new part-time apartment."  He took them down there and it was nice. A bit old fashioned.  Had an electric fireplace that looked like an older Victorian one.  Decent kitchen.  Two bedrooms.  Two bathrooms.  Good closets.  That might not totally work when the kids were older. Some day soon they'd have to stay in their own rooms.  Which meant switching with Tara really.  He could see her decorating here and getting a cat.  He wasn't sure if Maria was allergic or not.  He'd talk to them when they were done.

***

Loki looked around the mess on the white house lawn.  He huffed, hands on his hips.  "I had no idea he had put that into a book," he complained bitterly.  The secret service guards were staring at him.  "My son has a nasty habit of putting things into books that he captures."

"He captured an alien invasion?" one of them asked.

"A few decades back in London, behind a bar he used to favor."  At least the lightening had stopped the new invasion of tiny things.  Maybe he could put them in India in a certain ex's river.  His son was going more evil than him and it was probably a bad sign for the universe.  He might have to be *good* for a bit, fight like a *hero*.  He might even have to save his father's life.  He shuddered and walked off to find something to take that horrible thought out of his head.

"You shouldn't really drink," his consort said.  Loki scowled at him.  "Not in your condition."

"I don't have a condition."  He sipped the bourbon.  "She thankfully made sure it was not going to happen before you had to explain how your male lover got pregnant to the US."  He smirked.  "Beyond that, I need a drink.  Son, how do you know when the books contain something?"  A sign appeared that he remembered from the library.  "Ah.  I'll remember that from now on."

"Don't we have two more of those here?" the president asked.

"I'll make sure what's in them before I read them."  He went to get his bedtime reading.  It did calm him down to laugh at the stupid reactions.  Both had higher level demons.  He stared at one.  "When did he run into you?" he demanded.  The demon told him.  "Oh, there."  He got another drink after sending the books back to the library.  He sent the sign back as well.  Hopefully it would be more noticed.

"Sir," one of the guards shouted.  "There's a report of a huge flying lifeform that just appeared in Iceland by the satellite photos."

Loki walked out, because he might have an idea.  "Her name is Nyama and my son has told her she may not eat people.  It looks like her eggs hatched when she was in confinement though."  He finished that drink.  They were all staring at him.  He shook his head.  "He, Roque, John, and a few warriors had to hunt down the dragon that was terrorizing some villages.  My son managed to talk her into confinement when the attacking approach got a lot of people injured.  I found this out later because most consider Roque and John to have done it."  He got another drink.  This was going to be a bad week.

"So it's a dragon?" his lover said.  "An actual fire breathing dragon?"

"Actually, if I remember right, she's an ice dragon.  She blows poisoned smoke."  He saluted him with the glass.  "My father has pissed off my son to the point where my son's having bad ideas.  There were a few things stored in her nest that my son apparently felt he needed."  He took a drink, looking at the guard.  "Yes, my son Alexander, not the one in Russia who's actually a daughter."

"He is?" his lover asked.

"Yes.  Decided at eight she was a boy.  She's been one of the tougher warriors ever since she announced that.  Anytime someone complained she proved them wrong.  She and her wife are usually very happy but she's being a bit picky.  I suggested she use some of the seed Alexander left her.  That way I have normal grandchildren that don't try to fight my father over him deciding my son is to marry."

"Your father...  Odin just announced that your son is marrying?"

"Yes, at a banquet."  He smiled.  "My son is a bit stubborn.  It's going to cause some issues.  Especially if he would simply displace them instead of killing them," he called up.  "That way I don't have to hear the complaining."  A little sign showed up saying 'better you than me'.   On the other side was a flashing 'nagging is only accepted from people that have been up close and personal with my ass, so unless I'm screwing you or gave birth to you, you don't have a right to nag'.  Loki snorted.  "I take it Mother showed up?"  The sign nodded.  "Figures."  This was probably the least stressful talk he'd had with his son since his son was six-years-old.  Like magic the sign fell because it was on fire from that thought.  The guard stamped it out.  Loki finished his drink.  "I'll buy a new bottle of this most amusing weak drink."

"It's twenty-year-old bourbon," his lover said.

Loki looked at him and pulled some mead from the special barrels, letting him have a sip.  "This is mead.  Real, traditional mead not what they serve at those amusing festivals."  His lover moaned and nodded.  "That is over fifty years old.  It is fermented honey."  He smirked.  "It's why I have that son actually."

"That's your version of big meal drinks like we'd do champagne?"

"It is.  Beer or ales were for regular meals."  The guard looked confused.  "Not like we have water purification and who wants to drink the water from a stream with fish in it?"  The guard shuddered.  "Exactly."  He finished most of the mead.  It made him calmer. And hungry.  "Shall we have a late dinner?"

"That's not a bad idea."  He took the rest of the mug to drink.  It was good.  Warm, spicy, comforting.  Like a warm blanket had just been wrapped around him.  Loki was in that same calm, happy place so maybe a very late dinner after they worked out the bad moods.

The guard fled at the first kiss.  He did not need to know.  That was above his classification rating.

***

Freya appeared to Phil that night, smiling.  "You managed to calm him down."

"I used my powers," he said.  She lost the smile and looked confused.  "He is one of the ones I protect.  It lets me feel what they need.  Really, Dawn always said my greatest power was my ability to hug when she needed one."

"Hugs?"

"Holding someone because they need comfort?  Your people don't do that?  Because if not, I can see why Loki's always so mad."  He was a bit snarky but it had been a long day.

"It's not really for warriors," she said firmly.

"Bullshit," he said in the same bland, calm tone of voice.  "John Sheppard is one of the toughest warriors I know and he gives some of the best hugs when you need comfort.  He was helping an agent who was having flashbacks and got her calmed down and able to function very quickly by holding her."

She still looked confused.  "I know not of anyone who does that outside the bedroom."

"I give Tara hugs all the time and I only slept with her that night so she could have the twins."

She huffed off.  "He said it was his powers," she told Frigg.  "That Alexander is one he protects."  Odin snorted.

"He has stopped many things.  Including stopping that last battle," Frigg said.  Odin stared at her, looking horrified.  "Phil would be above him as well.  Or at least his well-being.  I still sense a friendship that can grow into a good mate relationship."

"He claims it was a *hug*," Freya complained.

"What are these hugs?" Odin asked.

"What you needed to give more of to your sons so they could have real relationships without issues," John said, holding up a scroll.  "From Hera, Frigg."  He tossed it over.  "Hugging is holding someone who needs comfort.  Like you would a sobbing child."

"I wouldn't.  That's a mother's job."

"It's both parents' jobs.  You both made the kid, not just her."  He disappeared.  "It's no wonder the goddesses revolt with attitudes like that," he told Hera.

"I could use a reply, Jonathan."

"They can send it.  I was going to smite Odin."  He disappeared.

"I seem to sense a lot of that feeling."  She sighed and relaxed until the scroll came back.  She did want that recipe for those scones.  She frowned at earth, spotting something.  "Jonathan!"  He reappeared.  She pointed.  "What is that?  It has some of your taint on it.  That's not the wraith, correct?"

He looked and frowned.  "No, that's the alien invasion that Xander found by peeing on it behind a bar one night.  He had the remains trapped in a book.  Who knew Loki read Harlequin romances," he said dryly, going to get something and fix it.  He appeared on the white house lawn with a huge gun.  He held up a hand.  "Colonel Sheppard, Atlantis.  The portal's still open.  Let me blow the sucker."  He fired into it and it did explode.  He wiggled a finger in his ear.  "Good, it's dead now."  He smiled at the guards.  "I'm under General O'Neill."

"We know, sir," one guard said.  "Do you know about those things?"

"Yeah, I do."  He pulled his journal from the time to let them see.

They read it, nodding slowly.  The lead guard sighed and looked at him.  "Why was it here?"

"Xander tends to trap things like that, with a chance of coming back or higher demons he defeats, inside books. All the books have a tiny gold diamond on the spine somewhere.  He tends to put them into romance novels to disgust the higher demons."  He grinned at their groan.  "I'm guessing someone likes trashy romance novels."

"His father apparently."  He handed the journal back.  "Can we please have you fill out a sitrep, Colonel?"

"Can I do it at the office and mail it to O'Neill?"

"Please," he agreed. "By morning call if possible."

"I don't have a date tonight," he admitted.  "Which sucks hugely."  He disappeared with his gun.

The lead guard looked at the other one.  "Now we know why he was at that battle out there."

"I wonder if he's related to the VP."  Loki cleared his throat from the doorway, not wearing anything.  "Is he your relation as well, sir?"

"He's related to my son by their mother.  His father's greek.  What was that?"

"He blew up the remains of the portal.  Totally safe now, sir."

"Charming of him."  He went back to bed.

The guards winced.  They did not want to tell the God of Chaos what to do.  Last time they had all been trained monkeys for six days.  Birthday party hats, horns, a few unicycles, and a lot of bananas, all that one would expect for trained monkeys.  They'd have to get the boss to remind him that strolling around the white house naked was probably not very discreet of him.

***

Nick Fury looked at his senior agents the next morning.  It was the daily meeting.  He had gotten all the usual complaints out of the way.  "We have one last issue.  Coulson, what can you tell me about little silver aliens that are about four inches high and came out of a romance novel?"

"Not much, sir.  As I understand it, Xander was peeing behind a bar and found them.  He called his friends from inside and they stopped their invasion.  Then Xander kindly put the remains in a book.  Why is it important?"

"It was on the white house lawn."

"Oh.  I didn't realize the president read romance novels."  Fury gave him a funny look.  "He does it to piss them off."

"It's certainly working on me."

Coulson shrugged.  "Long before we were formed, sir."

"I see.  How many more does he have?"

"I did not look in the library."  He sent a text message.  He got a mental one back.  "Xander estimates at least sixty that hold demons or other problems."

"Sixty?" Maria Hill demanded.

"Some are higher demons he was battling," Phil said with a smile for her.

"Can we please find a containment system for them, sir?" Maria Hill asked.  "I don't want to see another demonic invasion."

Phil frowned and looked up, sending a text message.  Xander sent back to just ask and he pointed out he was in a meeting.  Xander appeared and handed him a file then disappeared.  He looked at it then handed it down to the director.  "On the next people trying to do another invasion scenario."

Fury looked at it.  "Great!  We'll stop them now instead."  He put it down.  "I want a list of how many and what they are."

"Sir, how would I know which demon it was?" he asked.  Fury glared at him.  "I can ask if he has one but last night he said he didn't really keep track."

"Fuck."

"Sorry, sir.  We can probably separate out demonic versus the rest."

"Are there other alien invasion portals?"

Xander appeared.  "One to elves.  Does that count?"

"Elves?" Fury demanded.

"I hate elves.  They're snobby bitches worse than most virgin Goddesses who think that they're so damn great because of the pointy ears and try to lord over everyone, even the Gods.  The mutual hatred society pretty well started during an attempted invasion of Rome."

Fury looked at him.  "How did you run into that?"

"That one, no comment because it wasn't my doing and the slow curse I applied for it is leaching someone's powers out."  He smirked.  "Thankfully they saw the invasion and I managed to get free to solve it.  The later ones I've put into the same book....  I felt it happen.  There's one remaining portal and it's above LA, about two miles up.  They didn't have more than horses and riding deer then so I thought that might keep them from coming through.  They might have jetpacks by now so if they invade they're coming from there."

Fury sat down, staring at him.  "I want a list of every single problem that could come back to eat us or hurt us."

"Do I look like a librarian?" he demanded.  "I'm a busy god, Fury.  I've got training duties, all sorts of fucking battles because you guys can't pull your shit together enough to agree to not starve the people, and on top of that I've got bitchy higher ups that think you're a roach.  Do you think I have time to do a memory review?"  He disappeared.

"He was actually calm last night for a while," Phil sighed.  "Sir, he's under a lot of stress thanks to them deciding to force him to marry."

"Who?" one agent asked.  "Can we talk to the spouse and get them to help?"

"No, I can't read minds," Phil said dryly.  They all stared at him.  He nodded.  "I'm also supposed to be searching out the other demigods to see if they need help and if they want to and can possibly train to make a second team.  I've made contact with a lot of them.  They're in the city having a drinking competition in an old Irish pub."

Fury groaned.  "How many have powers?"

"Six that I know of.  The others....  No clue yet, sir."

"Find out, Coulson.  We do not need drunk demigods destroying the city."

"If they hold a party I doubt they'll destroy anything but the bar, sir.  Even if a fight breaks out, I'm told it'll turn into sex later on and it'll all be calm."  Fury stared at him.  "So said the demigod Roque.  They apparently do it every few years, usually in London."

"See if he has a partial list, or Sheppard."

"I can send them an email, sir."  John appeared with a stack of journals and handed them over.  "Thank you, Colonel."

"That's just mine.  You'd have to ask Roque, he didn't keep a journal."  He sighed as he disappeared.  He had hoped today was going to be uncomplicated.  He went back to hearing O'Neill and Mitchell bitch.  They stared at him.  "Director Fury wanted to know what else might be trapped in a book."

"Go.  Away," O'Neill said with a point.  "Before I send just you back to Pegasus, without your city."

"Thank you, sir."  He saluted and disappeared.

Mitchell shook is head.  "Permission to go break open my skull on a wall?"

"Granted as long as the docs don't stop you.  I'll be joining you once I have a few forms filled out."

"Sir, it's Miller time somewhere in the world," he said bluntly.  "I say it is here too."

"It's not even nine, Mitchell.  We can't call off today to get drunk."

"Yes, I can, sir.  I have leave time I need to use."  He quit sitting on a filing cabinet and saluted.  "I'll be at the bar, sir."  He walked off.

"Do a report before you get too lit," he called after him.  He took something for his headache and got to work on the forms.

"Just think, they wanted me to marry the lunatic," Rodney called.  "Imagine what it'd do to my genius brain."

O'Neill dropped his pen and grabbed his wallet.  "Mitchell's right, it's Miller time."  He walked off.  "Shut up, McKay and get off my base for the next month!  Before I file papers to have you conscripted into the regular military as a Marine."

"They'd never accept me," he said dryly.  "I'm too old."

"Conscription solves that," O'Neill said with a wave over his shoulder.

Rodney smirked and had himself sent to Stark Tower.  It was his second favorite playground.  "Ah, better."  He looked around.  "No one's here?  Did we all take time off to see that dumb movie?"

"Yes, sir," JARVIS said.  "The greater majority of the science staff is off today to go to the movies in a large group."

Rodney looked up.  "Why on earth would they want to?"

"Because they like comic books and as one said, at least it's not on Iron Man."

"Fine.  Let me go work on something to take that issue out of my mind."

"Mr. Stark is in his personal lab."

"I'll head that way then.  Thank you, JARVIS."  He headed up there, finding him tinkering and talking to Dawn.  "Am I interrupting?"

"Yes," Dawn said with a grin.  "But we'll forgive you for it because it's really quiet today.  Even the office staff went to the movies."  She frowned and looked up.  "After work.  I don't get paid by Stark to go do a library inventory for Xander, Phil."  She looked at him then rolled her eyes.  "Xander has a whole bunch of stuff trapped in books."

JARVIS put up a bit of film from the morning SHIELD agent meeting.  Tony groaned, shaking his head.

"I wondered why Sheppard took that gun," Rodney said.  That footage was put up.  "That was a loud explosion.  We'll have to test that."

"Not in this building.  Malibu's lab has a great containment system."  Rodney smirked at him.  "I'd suggest the SHIELD facility in Arizona but it caved in."  Dawn shuddered.  "You're fine and you weren't there."

"Saw it second-hand."

He stared at her.  "Really?"

"No comment."

"Fine.  Bitch."

"Often."  She smirked.  "That's why I wear the high heels and you wear sneakers."

"I could be a bitch in sneakers," he said.  She pulled something and held it out.  He stared at the pretty piece of jewelry.  "That's that choker, isn't it?"  She smirked and nodded.  "I wanted to scan that."

"What does it do?" Rodney asked.

"Try it on," Dawn offered.  "It's not harmful," she said at his look.  He took it to try on and squeaked.  He scrambled to get it off.  "Yes, anything you can imagine in a human.  Made by Loki."

He carefully put it on the workbench.  "That's evil."

"Actually it could be really handy and kinda kinky."  Tony was laughing.  "Couldn't it?"

"Very," he agreed.  Rodney was making squeaky, horrified noises so Dawn got up to get him coffee.  He gulped it and then stared at her.  "It's old," Tony said.

"I could tell.  It was cold."

"It let me make a new pot," Dawn quipped.

Stark set the necklace to scan, watching it run.  "Chaos magic does have slight gamma radiation spikes."

"Yeah, whenever Bruce changes I get a bit of a wobble on the chaos magic sensors."  She handed over clean, new cups of coffee.  "Doc, the only creamer is hazelnut."

"That's not going to harm me."  She let him read the ingredients.  He shrugged and took a sip.  It was fine.  He looked around.  "Is he here?"

"He and Mom are having an anniversary celebration," Dawn said with a smile.  "It's the year anniversary of her getting out."  Tony smiled.  "We get her tomorrow.  Buffy can't get up until then."

"Good to know you'll be having a long lunch tomorrow."

"I have tomorrow off," she reminded him. "You and Pepper both signed it and it's on the schedule that I'm off."

"Fine," Tony said.  "That's a happy thing you need to celebrate."  The computer started to beep frantically.  Dawn moved the necklace away from the now warm beam.  The beeping stopped.  "Chaos magic?"

"Yeah."  She smiled at Rodney.  "The Xander in that realm, Lavelle, said that the first time someone put him into it he had K cup breasts and looked like a blow up doll to keep him from escaping."

"Some men do enjoy those," he admitted.  "I've had a few girlfriends that were about as responsive."

Clint strolled in.  "I got an alert that you moved something."

"He wanted to scan it."  She handed it over with a grin.  He took a kiss.  "You have a movement alarm on it?"

"Yup, just in case someone like Loki wants it."

"You know, I'm pretty sure he's got another one hidden," Dawn admitted, considering it.

Xander appeared and hugged her.  "I love you like I gave birth to your warped ass.  Thank you, Dawnie."  He disappeared.

Dawn cackled.  "I think I gave him the mean idea."

"Quite possibly," Stark said.  "What was it?"

"Where would Loki hide something like that?" she asked.

"On him, if possible.... oh," Tony said, getting it.  Clint cackled.  "Well, hopefully Xander will make him pretty."  He sipped his new coffee.  "Eww, hazelnut."

"You bought it," she reminded him.

"Get me some irish cream when he takes you to cure that funny mood?" Tony quipped.

"It's not near time for lunch and I'm pretty sure he has work, boss."  She walked Clint out and downstairs.  "I should've worn that blue maxidress today."

Clint stared at her.  "You might look like an evil empress in it, Short Stuff, but don't warp the boss too much?"

"I'll try."  She winked and strolled off.  "See you after work."

"Sure."  He took the necklace home to put back then went back to work.  By the time he got there, Fury had texted a summons to his office.  "Sorry, sir, hiding the chaos artifact that Dawn's guarding."

"Is it another thing like her?" he asked.

"No, sir.  The Deermere choker."  He went back to his training group.  Some of the newbie agents really needed their heads unscrewed.  Even more than Dawn did.  Thankfully he wouldn't get forced to fix them like he would be Dawn's dirty mind later.

Fury called down to that library to have them look it up.  What he saw did not amuse him in the least.  Especially when Joyce came in and turned on his tv and left snickering.  A female version of Loki was caught swearing at his son to take 'this cursed implement off me before I unmake you'.  Fury was snickering.  Served him right.  Especially when a reporter broke in with a scroll that had an order signed by Odin that all of Valhalla's denizens had to marry and mate within so long and it was running out.

***

Natasha was staring at the tv in the cafeteria, shaking her head.  "At least he made her a pretty girl.  He could have been much less kind."

Steve was looking at her.  "That's that thing, right?"

"Another version.  That one is in the safe."

"Great."  They watched as someone asked if she was pregnant since she did have a slight bump to her stomach.  She glared and stomped off.  No powers came when he snapped.  The camera caught him looking at his hand then up.  Clearly whatever he said was a vow of revenge.  A scepter fell at his feet and he picked it up.  He glowed.  He had some of his powers again but not that much.  She went back to stomping off.

Someone was going to pay hard for that stunt.

***

Dawn made up a nice packet of her favorite fashion mags, a few catalogs, and a few coupons she had lying around, sending them at Loki.  She'd need the new bras and clothes.

"Not funny," Loki's voice said a minute later.

She smiled.  "You need them so you don't look like a tramp he picked up in a bar.  That way you're tasteful and classy."

"My son will still be paying."

"Hey, you made it," she pointed out.

He growled.  "He'll still pay."

"You're trying to screw his life, he's letting you be screwed in return," she quipped.

"Not likely."  His voice faded off.

"Just wait until you have to have your first girl exam to get on the pill," she said quietly.  She wouldn't cackle, it was so cheesy and someone might stop her ideas.

***

Tony and Pepper met for lunch.  "They've not had sex recently," Tony told her.  "They can't have.  Dawn's in evil mode."

"Dawn does evil so well though."  She smiled.  "She was even helpful by sending him magazines and coupons."

He looked at her.  "Did it spread?"

"Maybe."  She smiled.  "Maybe I'm just enjoying the show."

"You know, I can offer you the same cure."

She looked at him and patted him on the hand.  "No you won't."

"Yes I will.  I think I definitely will."  He had the satellite move them to the penthouse office/suite.  He kissed her and made her moan, moving her backwards to the couch.  She really needed to unwind more often.

***

Jonathan walked up to Dawn later that night.  "Dawn, do you have a few?"

"Of course.  How was the movie?"

"It was so great."  He grinned at her.  "Great action sequences, they were pretty true to the source materials.  I so went total fangirl squeal over it."  She smiled.  He lost his.  "We accidentally made something we didn't expect based on Warren's work."

"For...."

"Um..."  He looked around.  "You're like a girl so I can't mention it," he said quietly.

She looked at him.  "Let's go look."  He nodded, taking her down there.  The entire floor was silent.  She read the notes and frowned.  "Is that a club drug?"

"Not exactly," Andrew said.  "We realized it was that when we heard some tweens in front of us talking about a FOD story they read."

"FOD?  Fuck or die?" she asked.  They blushed but nodded.  "Andrew, was Warren working on this?"

"He asked for our help and we weren't sure why.  He said a pheromone thing for his girlfriends.  We went through all his old notes to see if there was anything we wanted to finish.  We thought that's what it was and it might help with, like, animal breeding or maybe those people who can't get it up?"

"Clearly it will.  Is this all you have?"  They nodded.  "Okay.  Let's get a small containment box and put that bottle and the notes in it."  They did that.  "Let me take this to Stark."

"He's busy," JARVIS said quickly.

"Who's here in chemistry?" she asked.

"None outside Doctor McKay and I'd assume he had baseline experience."

"Rodney's going to be so disappointed," Andrew sighed, looking down.

"Not with you two but he might fly up and smack Warren again."  They grinned shyly.  "Let me go talk to him."  She took it with her.  "JARVIS, are there any other projects in the system that was bordering on this?"

"No, not at the moment.  Even the ones that peek into other's work to get inspiration haven't been bothering them."

"Thank you."  She found his lab and walked in.  "Rodney?"

He looked over.  "Make some more coffee?"

"Later."  She put the book down.  "The boys were looking over Warren's notes, looking for stuff they had worked on together."  He groaned.  "They... you've seen fuck or die stories online, right?"

"Unfortunately I confiscated one from someone the other day that had me doing Elizabeth Weir and our nagging doctors.  They did?"

"Warren had them helping so they could do something for his girlfriends.  They realized it when some tween was talking about a story she read after the movie."  She handed over the box and leaned on the table.  "That's what they made.  They were thinking maybe warping it to animal breeding or ED drugs."

"Well, yes, it would definitely cure impotence," he said dryly.  "And cause heart attacks."  He kept reading, rubbing his forehead.  She did nicely make him some coffee.  "Thank you."

"Welcome."  He sipped and read.  She leaned on the table, hips sticking out.  "Andrew said you're going to be so disappointed in him."

"No I'm not.  He has sense.  He stopped it before it got too far.  Quit leaning like that before I get mental images of you leaning in a car window to ask if I want a blow job."  She laughed and stood up.  "You really are a horrendous tease."

"It's my superpower beyond organization and coffee making," she quipped.

He snorted.  "You have others to lean on."

"But I like that one."  He swatted her with the papers, finishing the reading.  He took one of the pills to run tests on.  "Is that stronger?"

"They coded the machine wrong."  He put in his own notes and sealed the box.  "To Stark."

"He's *busy*.  Or else I would've already been there."

"Put it in his safe."

"Yup."  She went to Tony's lab and put the box in there once JARVIS had popped it open for her.  She wasn't going to pick it.  Then she got to go home.

Rodney walked down to the boys with a copy of the test results.  "I'm proud you realized your mistake and corrected it."  Andrew sighed in pleasure and relaxed.  "Though someone needs to teach you how to code the forming machine."  He settled in to go over what they had done, what they had found.  He hadn't seen these notes.  They had only found them while packing up Warren's room for him.  They took him up to their suite to look for any other hidden notes.

Warren's work journal was found and it was fairly scary, especially since he was going to take the real-life versions of his girlfriends and Dawn to see how they compared.  That's what the formula had been for.  Rodney confiscated everything and let the boys copy only what they had helped with.  He went over what each one was probably for and they decided to mark it out or not.  They might need the idea processes some day so they could keep them.  When they were done he checked on Stark, who was not to be disturbed.  He sighed and decided being a military scientist was easier sometimes.  He left a message to be called ASAP.

***

Tony looked up from feeding Pepper some steak.  "What, JARVIS?  I heard the beep and I know you only let the important ones leave messages."  He ate a bite and fed her another one with a grin.

"Doctor McKay was alerted that the two boys you mentor found some more of Warren's work.  Dawn talked to them about something, at their request, and she took it to Dr. McKay.  I helped her put it in your work vault."

"Is that bad?" Pepper asked.  He flashed the chemical analysis McKay had been running.  She looked at Tony to interpret it.

Tony was staring.  "Yes, that's very bad.  That's so far past rophy's it's not even illegal yet.  Is the only batch in my safe?"

"Yes."

"Thank god," Pepper sighed.  "How could they?"

"They stated they did not know.  Warren wanted their help for something to help his girlfriends.  I believe that Dr. McKay found a work journal that abused that notion."

"Why?" Tony asked.

"He was muttering about how at least he hadn't managed to capture those three and rape them, sir."

"Three?" Pepper asked.  "JARVIS, call him or send him up."  Tony nodded, finishing their dinner.  Rodney knocked and was let in.  "Three?" she asked.

He handed over the journal.  "He was thinking about trying to compare his former girlfriend before they were made.  He wanted to compare afterward and with Dawn."

Tony glared.  "How many others?"

"I confiscated everything.  We tore his former room apart.  The boys have copies of what they worked on and nothing else.  They marked out most of it for non-consideration as they put it."

"That way they can look back," he agreed.  She gave him a funny look.  "It was one on a rocket powered skateboard that gave me the repulsor weapons, Pepper.  Sometimes you need the old plans, even if they're stupid or criminal."

"I get that."  She went back to reading.  "Crap."  Tony took it to read, grimacing.  "Can I go up there and beat him?"

"Please do.  Saves me a trip."  Rodney looked at him.  "Andrew said he realized it when someone made a comment about a story like your daughter found.  Before he thought it was for something like animal breeding."

"Breeding like an animal maybe," he said.  "This isn't what the pill was."

"They miscoded the forming system.  I've since taught them how to input values in the milligram and microgram settings."

"Thank you."  He kept reading, growling near the end.  Pepper looked and went pale.  "He is never coming out of that bed."

"That's probably a great idea," Pepper said.  "Even if I'm in a wheelchair I'm popping up and killing him."  She sighed.  "Hold on, that stuff on Dawn's hair."

Tony went back and reread, nodding.  "It was."  Rodney groaned.  "And that was done by the Russians."  Rodney stared at him.  So did Pepper.  "COULSON!"  He appeared with one of the twins eating her dinner bottle.  "Here, read this."

He took it with his free hand, letting Melissa hold the bottle.  Pepper took the baby.  "I'm assuming Warren?"

"Yes."  Tony called up a report.  "From Dawn's and hers hair."

He compared them.  "How did the Russians get that?"

"I don't know," Tony said.  "Where do you want me to start looking?"

"I know someone who'd like to know more."  He smiled and took his daughter back.  "Meeting, your office, tomorrow, I'll let her know."  He disappeared.

"Dawn's not going to save us any.  She can do it long distance."

"Yes she can," Tony said dryly.  "He taught her that too."  He grinned.  Rodney groaned.  "Thank you, Rodney.  We'll see you in the morning at that meeting?"

"Definitely.  O'Neill gave me the rest of the month off."  He smirked and left them to their entertainment.

Tony kissed her again.  "If he had tried, I would have separated his molecules."  She leaned against his chest to kiss him back. It was good and Callia was happily in bed.  They were heading there.

***

Natasha looked up as the text message beep hit her phone.  "What now?" she asked.

Dawn leaned over to look.  "Meeting, 9am, Tony's office."  She relaxed against her again.  "I wonder what happened this time."

"Who knows.  Maybe another robot me."

Dawn looked at her.  "I've been in smutty mind hell all day and you had to give me the idea of you as twins?"

She smirked.  "Clint's birthday is coming up."

"Hmm.  I wonder if he'd like twins.  Switch them later?"

"We could do that," she agreed, taking a kiss.  Clint was in the shower.

"I heard that," he called.  They ladies laughed a bit evilly.  They heard him groan and mentally heard him encouraging himself to hurry up.

***

Phil appeared at Xander's once the kids were in bed, looking at him.  "I got ordered to do an inventory of what you have stored that way."  Xander shrugged and pointed, still reading.  Phil leaned over to see.  "Is that nice?"

"No."  He grinned.  "Dad might like it though."

"Since Roque's mother got him, might that be overkill?"

Xander beamed.  "I didn't even think of that."  He got up to show him.  "That whole row is diamond books."

"I can see that.  Any idea what's in them?"

"Not really.  I made a few notes once but that's been ages ago."  He found that and handed it over.  "Sorry."

"It's all right.  At the very least we can sort the others into demonic or not."

"I keep having visions of Barton with the ghostbusters guns."

"Vision or *vision*?" he asked.

"I'm hoping it's a bad thought instead."

"Me too.  It's not really his weapon of choice."  He considered it.  "If we have to defeat a giant marshmallow tearing up a city, we might need one."

"Jonathan can do that.  He made the control band off GI Joe too."

"I've used that in interrogation.  It's considered creepily efficient by the staff.  No one can figure out how to block it or beat it yet.  There's CIA officials who got it leaked to them that are ready to steal those two."

"That's sad."

"No, sad is that there's so many other people that could have gotten them, like Obadiah Stane, who used to be Tony's partner at Stark, or Justin Hammer that could've taken them in to pretend to mentor them and kept them hostage for years before anyone realized."

"Andrew may not always seem like it but he is a survivor.  He survived his brother using black magic to torture him.  He survived Sunnydale and the graduation battle because he was there."  Phil smiled.  "He would've gotten them free somehow.  He was also the first to start pulling away from the evil overlord idea.  He realized it wasn't going to get him a dream girl like Dawn or a heroine.  They don't get the smart scientists, they get the evil bitches who use them.  Just look at what they did with our craptastic school system and tiny things they could order on a tiny allowance."

"I think that's why Stark likes them.  They were innovating and cannibalizing, not just doing linear research.  Even if a lot did come from comics.  He thinks the trio, or now the duo, could probably connive their way into a trash dump on some alternate reality and make it back."

"Possibly."

"I also think Stark's a bit worried since he thinks Jonathan's getting fixated on Callia."

"Jonathan and Andrew are both younger than Buffy.  Andrew's stuck on McKay.  Of the 'I'll do anything as long as you let me help you and learn from you'.  I'm pretty sure he'd even sink to S&M to get that close to him.  It might take years to get that broken."  Phil nodded.  "But yeah, Jonathan's considering Callia his idea woman when she grows up.  He'd never touch her before she's eighteen but I'm not sure that even if he does marry he wouldn't show up the day after her birthday and propose."

"Stark would throw fits for ages.  There's twenty-two years between them."

"Twenty-and-a-half."  He looked at him.  "You don't feel them as yours?"

"I don't.  Do you?"

"Yeah, I do."  He smiled.  He let Phil feel it.

"Huh.  I'll have to look at them tomorrow during the meeting."  He looked at the shelf.  "Help me do this?"

"Fine.  I was going to make myself a float."

"Bring it back in here unless you have rules about food or drink in here?"

"It's my house."  He went to do that while Phil pulled the books he knew about.  He came back.  "They're not timeline or anything.  I shoved them onto the shelf."

"That's good to know."  Those got stacked with the list and they went over the others.  Xander made two boxes, one marked 'demonic' and the other marked 'other'.  It was a start.  The 'demonic' box spilled into a second one.  The 'other' box he recognized a few.  They got a note tapped to them.

***

Fury looked at the boxes the next morning at seven.  "He had a lot."

"He's looking in his storage area to make sure that's all of them.  The demonic he can't tell who they were until he gets into them.  Which would probably release them.  The other he marked what he recognized."

"Looks you're going to be busy," he said dryly.

"I have a meeting at nine with Stark and a few others."

"Why?"

"Something in Warren's research."

He grimaced.  "That bad?"

"Yes, sir."  He handed him the list he had made.  "That's all we know of so far."

"That's all very bad.  He couldn't end it?"

"He got it to the most stopped point he could then stored it when it got beyond his skills."

"Do others have these?"

"Not that I'm aware of.  John said he didn't.  Roque said he just killed them.  The few he couldn't he handed to Xander."

"All right.  Any way to tell which demonic entity it is?"

"No clue.  I'll ask Dawn."

"Fine.  Get me the library staff."  Coulson called them, they were waiting.  "Alexander were storing these."

They looked then at Coulson.  "Best you could do?"

"Best he could do.  He said he can't tell which demon unless he accesses it somehow.  Which may release them."

"Why romance novels?" one asked.

"Would you want to live eternity in a romance novel?" Clint asked from the doorway.  "Coulson, meeting?"

"Nine."  He checked his watch.  "We have time for the morning training meeting."  He nodded and walked off.  "Sir?"

"Go."  He looked at the library staff.  "I want to know what they are, how dangerous, and find a way they cannot get out.  We know from Rosenburg's history that she accidentally scanned a demon onto the internet once."

"Yes, sir," they agreed, carrying the boxes down there.  They'd find a way or ask one of the two good watchers they knew.

Fury rubbed his head.  "Maybe Alexander is a sign of the end of the world," he muttered.

"Not.  Funny," Xander's voice called.  "I can quit helping your building full of idiots and make you do it like an insurance company."

Phil walked back in and looked up.  "I doubt we can sail this building like that one, Xander.  Please get some sleep before you get more cranky?  I'll even bring Hellion with me so he quits waking you up."  The dog appeared next to him with a bark.  "Have a good nap."

"You too.  I don't see when you sleep with how often you're running around."

"The kids keep me up more than the agents.  Come on, Hellion.  We'll let you train with the agents."  The dog barked and trotted beside him.

Maria Hill stared.  "That's his war dog."

"He's keeping him up."

"Ah."  She nodded.  "Melissa likes to do it to me too."  He smiled.  "That won't work. That still leaves one apartment with only two bedrooms."

He grimaced.  "I didn't consider that.  I'd love to have the penthouse, which has five bedrooms."  She smiled. "I'm not sure what he needed it for either.  I'll see."  She nodded.  He walked the dog down to the training meeting.  A few of the trainee agents flinched.  "This is Alexander's war dog from Ares.  Hellion was a gift when he ascended."  He sat down.  "Sit, Hellion.  We'll play with the agents in a few."  The dog laid down next to him, staring at Clint, who reached down to pet him.  Hellion seemed happier and put his head down.

***

Rodney looked at the meeting's people.  "Do we need all these people and why do you have the dog?  I saw quite a lot of the dog on Atlantis whenever he had passed out yet again at his brother's feet."

"Xander's napping and later on we're going to work on the agents who are pitiful."  He smiled, looking at the ladies.  He made Stark move out from behind the desk so he wasn't behind him.  "Last night, Dawn found out that the boys found new things from Warren's work."  They nodded and Pepper was looking pissed off.  "I had him sedated.  He's not allowed to wake up for a few days until we know where the leak was."

"Leak?" Natasha asked.  Dawn pulled up reports for her.  "That looks out of balance for anything I've seen used."

"It is," Rodney agreed.  "They made it too strong by miscoding.  Originally he told them it was for his robotic wenches."  Natasha winced.  "He lied."  He put up the scans of the journal pages.  Natasha growled.  Dawn squeezed her hand.  "Also," he said, flipping the page.  "Notice that the original formula looks fairly familiar?"

"That's what they pulled off my hair," Dawn said.

"How did they get that?" Natasha asked.

"No clue," Coulson said.  "Which is why we're telling you."  Natasha smirked.  "Find out and let us all know?"

"Gladly."  She looked at Dawn, who let her go after a squeeze.  "I can start here."

"Good.  Especially since those guys that Xander stomped on are back.  I spotted one when I was getting coffee and took the back way up here."

"They shouldn't want to follow you."

"'Tasha, if they're going to pick one of us to pick up, do you think it's going to be you, who they know how you're trained, or me, who they think might be trained?"

"You," she admitted.  She calmed herself.  "We'll work on that."

Dawn grinned.  "I'll help where I can."

"You can use our servers to hack," Tony assured her.  "If we have a leak I need to know."

Xander appeared, looking at the two silent boys.  "If I ask will you make me a proton expeller?"

"Old school or laser cannon style?" Andrew asked.

"Why?" Jonathan asked.  "Did you find Gozer?"

"That's Aphrodite with a hangover.  We have fucking flying squirrels the rookies can't figure out how to shoot."  They giggled.  "Lighter, more mobile?"

"It's in storage," Jonathan said.  Tony looked at them.  So did Rodney.  "I got bored at summer camp."

"I'm so glad Stark got you instead of someone like Stane," Coulson said with a half smile.  They beamed at that compliment.  "We might like to look at those plans too."  They grinned.  "Also," he said, looking at Natasha.  "I know we're hiding that thought issue.  I want to see if that is the way to beat their band.  We know people who can divert their minds into odd streams," he said with a point at Stark, "have a better chance of beating it for a while."

"I was put into it," Natasha said.

"You kept it closed.  I want to see if that's it."

She nodded.  "We can test it here so they don't find out?"

"Definitely."  He tossed it over from his pocket.  "I want EEG and EKG readings."

"I can do that," Tony agreed.  "Because, yeah, realized."  He looked at the two younger geeks.  "Have I seen these plans?"

"I think so," Andrew said.

Tony called up their files, looking at them.  "Is that...."

"That's as much as we put down," Jonathan admitted.  "Sorry, Mr. Stark."

"It's still Tony unless I'm chewing on you," he pointed out.  "Which I'm not."  He looked at them.  "I want to see it in action too, though I think it's more likely Athena with a hangover than Aphrodite, Xander."

Xander grinned.  "You'd be shocked.  She turns into the uber bitch of the universe when she's been drinking.  There's been *years* when no one got any, no one felt any love, nothing.  Cupid finally had to get her drunk again and sink her into the void for a bit after she removed the curse because the birthrate had died for three years."

"Ow," Pepper said.  "What was she drinking?"

"New wine," Xander said dryly.  "She's a casual sipper except at orgies.  Then Hephie cures her headaches."

"That usually makes me more dizzy," Dawn said quietly.  Natasha looked at her.  "It has."

"It does," she agreed.  Jonathan let out a tiny whimper.  She looked over.  "I am possessive."

"I remember when you were a kitty and you used to curl up in my lap to claw me," Dawn quipped.

Natasha swatted her but looked fondly pleased.  "That was because of the sweater."

"But you looked adorable."

"Focus, please," Rodney complained.  "I don't want to know why she was a cat."

"Willow," Dawn said.

Rodney was rubbing his head.

"Doctor McKay, would you like walked back to your room so you can lay down?" Andrew asked.

Rodney looked at him.  "I'm a miserable bastard to date, Wells.  I'm demanding, just as mean, and slightly evil.  I have funny hours, strange moods, and creepy stalking things around my office."  Andrew smiled.  "I also have a few coworkers that would love to stab you for thinking about it because they said I quit working on things when I've been laid properly."

"You'd have to teach me to do that," he said with a blush.

"Oh, dear god, you're a virgin," he said.  He sighed.  "There's an allure to purity but it is not one I have the energy to chase.  To properly teach you, I'd take at least a full week, which neither us can go without being in the lab."  He stared at him.  "Also, you are a good fifteen years my junior."

"So?  That only matters when it's girls dating teenage boys," Dawn quipped.  Tony glared at her.  "They don't call guys cutesy animal names for it."

"No, we call them leches," Pepper said.  "We make jokes about viagra and nursemaids not girlfriends or even money grubbing hos."

Dawn laughed.  "I got that slung at me by the wife of the dog guy that still thinks I'm going to take in Stark."

"You're much too wild for me," Stark said.  "Banner?"   He had seen him getting off the elevator.  "Quick thing.  Scanning a chaos artifact Dawn is hiding we found slight gamma radiation.  Like that wobble on the satellites out west that was driving people nuts."

"That's good to know.  Dawn, can you help me test that?"

"I don't do much chaos magic but I can find you one to talk to, Doc."  She smiled at him.  "Mom ready for lunch?"

"She is.  Buffy woke us up.  She got in late last night and Hylal was happy this morning. It was so loud I nearly Hulked up at the yelling."

"I have a few stored things of Dad's so you can test them," Xander offered.

"Thank you, that would be helpful, Xander."

Xander grinned.  "You know, if you hurt Joyce not even your other side is going to survive, right?"

"I do.  Dawn's already promised."

He grinned.  "Good.  Then I'm happy if you are and we expect invitations for the elopement."

"Elopement?" he asked.

"Do you really want to stress about a wedding instead of calling up somewhere in Vegas or the Poconos and having it done that day?" he asked.

"That's a really good point.  I've never been to the Poconos that I remember."  He walked off.  "I'll be in my lab."

"I'll dig 'em out.  Be a few hours."

"Okay.  Thanks."

"What are the Poconos?" Dawn asked.

"They were *the* honeymoon destination on the east coast," Pepper said.

"They have neat things like motel rooms with jacuzzis shaped like champagne glasses and heart shaped beds," Tony said.  "It's cheesy, slutty, and romantic in a paper hearts sort of way.  I went for a conference and laughed myself sick at the room."

She nodded.  "Okay," she said.  She looked at Natasha.  "Will I have a date for my mother's wedding?"

"You might," she admitted.  "I try not to go to them.  They make me sniffly."  Dawn grinned.  The two geeks sighed in pleasure.  She looked over.  "She's still mine."

"It's so sweet," Andrew said with a grin.  "Especially the really hot trio thing."

"And the whole mental connection too," Jonathan said with his own grin.

"It's very steadying when I get flashes and urges to go take out people," Dawn quipped.  "Like certain ministers that made fun of being sued.  They're really going to hate it since the judge isn't throwing it out."

"No using your powers," Coulson said quietly.

"Don't need to.  We've proven that they're breaking laws that were on the books with the freedom of speech clause.  Including making terroristic threats."

"Good."  He straightened up.  "Boys?"  They took Xander to their storage area.

Dawn looked at him.  "If you hurt him I'm going to rend you into agent fat candles.  Big brother or not."

"If it moves that way I would never hurt him, Dawn," he assured her, staring her down.  She smiled.  "But the threat is noted."  He kissed her on the head.  "Go back to work."

"Yes, sir."  She looked at Pepper, who nodded.  She left.

Natasha got comfortable. "This is not what I was expecting from hearing Warren's things were uncovered."

"Us either but it's strangely appropriate that he was going to test his real one against you."

"Then perhaps some of our plans will change," Natasha said.  Pepper looked at her oddly.  "Clint's birthday is coming up."

"I'll make sure Callia can't call this time," Stark said.  "Because I do not need to see that bikini ever again."

"He tried to get rid of it but she saved it."  She smirked.  "Let me use the spare office to find the information we all want."  She got up and walked out.  Maybe they would both be Dawn for Clint's birthday.

Dawn looked at her.  "If so, we need to get something special," she said quietly.

Natasha laughed.  "I think that can be arranged."

Dawn went to do a lab check.  She also had to check with the doctor about that strange fungus that had touched her.  She hoped it was still gone.

Tony looked at Pepper.  "If they do something slightly official I say we send them to Miami with as many bikinis as Dawn can pick out."

"I say they're going to Fiji with me this year.  I need guards."

Coulson looked at her, smirking slightly.  "If you were going somewhere more dangerous perhaps but there's no chance of an operation in Fiji.  Sorry.  Dawn would have to leave them here."

"Our next vacation is a week before the stupid expo everyone keeps forgetting," Dawn called over JARVIS.  "Boss, can I see you in lab 12 please?  Like right now before this huge fungus monster that's been trying to mate with me manages it?"  He hopped up and ran for the doorway with Rodney and Phil behind him.

Pepper winced.  "She said she had a spot of something.  I guess that was like a promise ring."  Only Dawn, really.  She did look up the expo's timing, wincing since it was under six months from now.

***

Dawn walked in that night walking funny and wincing.  Clint stared at her.  "I felt them scrape that."

"The thing thinks I'm the perfect wife.  It doesn't know you won't let me cook."  He kissed her.  She relaxed next to him.  "Natasha is busy."

"I know."  He stroked over her hair.  "How was lunch with your mom?"  She winced.  "Didn't make it?"

"I called and told her why.  She was wincing in sympathy and wanted to beat the crap out of the guy's wife.  That was her project so she could dump her husband, who didn't really make anything useful, and go for Stark herself.  She was going to have him sucked in by it and slowly dissolved.  I was her test subject because she thought I was in her way.  They used the control band to make her admit to it."  She curled up against his side.  "I need to soak in epsom salt."

"We have some."  She smiled.  "Want help soaking?"

"Can we bring in a tv tray and eat in there?"  She looked up.  "Please?"

"I'll spoil you rotten but I heard some very odd ideas for my birthday?"

She grinned.  "You'll remember it more fondly than your last one."

He kissed her.  "Not possible."  She wrapped her arms around his stomach.  "The amount of trust and the way you just gave in to us was so sweet, so good."  She stroked his stomach.  He realized he was hard and she was teasing him.  "You made me hard, Dawn, just thinking about it."

"I like you hard or squishy."  He laughed.  She did lean down to tease him through his jeans.  He growled.  She snickered as she used her teeth to lower the zipper then get him better.  He shifted to give her better access.  She used it.  He was slowly thrusting up and she was making him very happy.  He started to thrust faster, one hand drifting up to tangle in her hair.  She moaned and he smiled, giving her a nudge.  She went down further and he appreciated that.  He didn't have to work as hard.  She laid down over his thigh to get the best angle, making him shift again for her.  That was better and she was still so great.  He came and she swallowed.  "Better?" she asked.

He smiled.  "Much better.  But I think you could use some attention."

"I'm still sore."

"Only in that one spot."  He pulled her across his lap, shifting her skirt out of the way so he could look the skin scrapping spot over.  It was off to the side.  He touched something.  "Same thing?"

"Scab from waxing and I got ordered to stop that.  That I had a few scars from infected hair follicles."

"Hmm, I've seen but ingrown hairs happen."  He let his thumb drift over the top of the see-through bandage then move inward.  Dawn's breath caught and she shifted her legs apart.  "That's good."  He let his other fingers play, teasing her.  "I miss doing this more often."  She was relaxed, eyes closed, head on the arm of the couch, spread out for him.  He smiled.  "Hedonist.  Don't fall asleep."

"I'm not.  I'm trying to hold back so I don't pounce."

"No, no pouncing tonight.  Tonight it's just this."  He brushed over her again and she shifted.  He smiled and got on with the teasing.  By the time he was getting impatient, she was sweaty and panting.  He dipped two fingers inside her and used his thumb on her clit, making her arch up and nearly moan in two octaves as her voice went up.  He smiled and played with the electric little nub.  She came and went limp.  He smiled and licked his fingers.  "Exam today?" he asked, grimacing.

"Sorry, she had to check.  I thought I cleaned it up."

"You did.  Just some leftover taste."  He lifted her up.  "Tub.  I'll get dinner.  Two cups of salt for the size of your tub."  She nodded, going to run it.  "Warm, not cool."

"Yes, dear."

He did up his pants, wincing a bit, and washed his hands, making a simple dinner for them to relax with.  He even rolled in the tv from the bedroom and hooked up the DVD player.  She was happy and he settled in with her, hissing at the heat.  "Very hot."

"It's nice though."  She snuggled against his chest. She was teasing him and feeding him a few bites of dinner.  He fed her some.  They let the movie play and kind of watched it.  They had seen it before, multiple times.  She made sure his insistent hardness was taken care of.  He stroked her long enough to make her more sore.  But she adored it.  That's what they needed.

In Stark Tower, Natasha looked up.  "I'm trying to concentrate," she complained quietly.  "I'm spanking you both later."  She heard the laugh to that threat and got back to her searching.  She crossed her legs to ignore how much she wanted to be there.  She could get them later.  She flinched at the beam of light.  "JARVIS, I was busy."

"You can go back to it.  Mr. Stark's orders."  He hung up.

She walked into the bedroom, taking down her hair before walking into the bathroom.  They smiled at her.  She changed the movie and stripped off slowly, letting them enjoy it.  Dawn was stroking Clint again.  He was shifting to make her do it harder.  She finally got naked and stepped into the tub, curling up on his lap.  "Room for me?"

"Definitely, always room for you," Dawn said, taking a kiss.  Clint stole one from each of them. They teased her until she was in the same happy mood they were in.  It was nice, even if Clint wouldn't be able to feel his feet later on.

***

Xander was stretched out on his sofa drinking some diet soda, a bad holdover from Sunnydale, when his father showed up.  He smiled.  "You need to brush that rats nest, Mom.  They'll realize you're not a real woman if you don't."

His father sneered at him.  "You will remove this object so I can destroy it or I will make you wish for death."

Xander stated at him.  "Even if I did, you'd suffer so much worse, and hey, it's slightly a blessing with Roque's mom's thing.  Lavelle did say that morning sickness was easier as a woman."

"Whoever that is...."

"Me in that realm, Dad."

"Whatever.  It did not work, son."

Xander stared at him.  "You sure?"

"I made sure."  He stared at him.  "Do remove it now."

"Why should I?  I consider it weak payback for all the hell you've caused me through the years."  He finished his soda and put the glass down.

"I protected those you care for while you were gone."

"And then promptly tried to screw me again," he said dryly.

"That was not my doing."

"Did you protest?  Because if not, that makes you just as guilty."

Loki stared at his son.  "You can find a way around it, I'm certain my son can," he said dryly.

"I shouldn't have to."  He stared at him, letting all the hatred out now.  His father shuddered.  "If it had been natural, it might've been great," he said quietly.  "Now....  It won't be anything."  His father took a calming breath.  "It's sad when your family is what makes you the most mad."

"I could help you channel that," he quipped.

"I think I can channel it just fine," he said dryly.  "Or you wouldn't have PMS."

"I don't think I work that well."

"Yes you do.  I was *very* thorough.  You always did say the details made the plans, Dad."

His father nodded once.  "Do it another way.  It's making others freak out."

"Why would I care?"

"They're going after witches like Dawn."

"They'd go after Dawn anyway.  It's an excuse."  He snapped his fingers and the slim necklace appeared, letting him hold it up.  His father snatched it.  "You're still getting it."

"Others are going to protest next banquet," he said.  "Including Hera."

"That's great, but I don't give a damn anymore.  I'm not going to be there."

"That's a great snub, son, and not politically good for a strong position."

Xander shrugged.  "I don't play politics.  It gives me migraines."  His father stared at him.  "For that matter, I don't care if those two pantheons destroy each other at the moment.  Any and all alliances I had before are gone thanks to no one sticking up for me."  He crossed his feet.  "Apparently they didn't mean much to them if they couldn't even make a token protest."

"Neither did your uncle or aunt."

"Both glued to their chairs.  They admitted it to me later that night."

Loki sighed.  "I can help you get out of it," he said.

"I'm not owing you a favor, Dad.  At all.  I know damn well I'm just as likely to be wrapped up in one of your lunges for power as anyone else is.  Family has never meant a *thing* to you outside making sure that none of us would work against you."

"I still protected that which you protect," he said.

"Yeah, and then used it to get higher political points."

"I did," he admitted.  "That's the God I am."

"Which I have no illusions about."

Loki stared at his son.  "Is he that distasteful to you?"

"No.  We might've been moving to a place where we could've dated.  It won't happen now."

"You could...."

"No, I can't.  Anyone I'm with is going to be there because they want to be, not because of you, of Hera, of Grandfather, of a love god, nothing else."  Loki sighed.  "I learned long ago that the fickleness of power means that no one's going to last unless it's of their own free will."

"That's a point to consider.  He has calmed you down."

"I'm one of the people he protects," he said bluntly.  "He's still trying to get me to calm down and not kill your ass."

"Son..."

"Not like the leak closed," he said dryly.  Loki shuddered.  "So, no.  Thank you for helping Dawn for whatever it got you.  If I could have I would have taken it from her."

"You have enough plots and sights like that."

"Yes, and I lived through them.  She shouldn't have to."

"No, she shouldn't."  He stared at his son's gardens then at him.  "Where is Bia?"

"Her place."

"Oh."  He sat down across from him.  "It could happen."

"If it does of his free will.  Otherwise it won't."

His father grimaced.  "He might be moving there."

"He has a lot of variables to consider.  Including his children."

"Tara...."

"Real men take care of the kids they spawn."

Loki grimaced.  "It's not how we were raised."

"That's why I always made sure there were no kids unless I could be there."

Loki nodded.  "Hera apparently appreciates that ideology."

"She's always liked me more than our family."

"I think she likes me more than most of mine as well."  He looked at him.  "We can get the arrangement released."

"Won't stop the love gods and it won't mean I'll put back any alignments I had.  For that matter, unless the next godly war impacts my area, they're not getting my help.  Then I'll destroy whatever comes near my area."

"You could destroy a lot of gods, son."

"Yes, I can."  His father gave him a pointed look.  "Not for your benefit or mine, and if I take out my paternal lineage like so many want me to still do, I'll make sure I spare Uncle since he's found a purpose and a happiness to his life."

Loki raised one eyebrow.  "Just collapse the hall on him again."

"Already happened."

"I didn't hear that."

"John got tired of it and went up to ring that gong that vibrates so badly.  Grandfather's still screaming that he's going to kill me for that, even when John told him it was him for being such an asshole."  He made new diet soda and drank it.

"You need to eat real, not created food," Loki reminded him.  "It doesn't have any nutrients in it.  All it does is give you the illusion of eating."

"I'm fine."

"No, you're clearly not fine and your temper is still at a level that would scare most people who knew you," Loki said bluntly.  "Wear it out before someone finds a way to wear it out."

Xander looked at him.  "What's one more person I get to destroy?"

Loki swallowed.  "I see."  He sighed.  "You act like an Elder already."

"I do head my house and I've been like this for years.  Some people saw it."

"Yes, mostly other chaos gods," he said bluntly.

"Well, they tend to look and measure more than just overlook."

"We do, yes.  What did Janus do back in Sunnydale?"

"He reawakened some of the memories that the hellmouth taint suppressed by having one of his high priests show up with a blessed costume shop.  They had us possessed by our costumes."

"Dear Goddess," Loki muttered.  "I would've loved that."

"It was handy."  He finished that soda and put the glass back down.

"I can have someone make you a real sandwich."

"Not really hungry.  That's why I'm having diet soda for dinner."

"Diet?  Really?"

"Buffy, Willow, surrounded by girls," Xander countered.

"Good point.  Even I felt that nastiness happen earlier."  He leaned back.  "You still have to drain some of that temper, son."

"No, not really."

"Yes, really."

"No, right now it's doing me good.  I've gotten in more training time recently than not.  I'm nearly back to where I was before I hit that recycling curse."

Loki stared at him.  "You were happier then and weighed more than an anorexic teen girl."

Xander snorted.  "No I didn't.  I was nearly at death's door when you hooked me to Roque.  Even he said I looked sickly."

Loki looked back then at him.  "I didn't notice it."

"Then you're about the only one."

"That could be because you've always shielded yourself from me and others."

Xander quirked up an eye.  "Not really."

"You have illusion shields over yourself, son.  You have since you were three and that wolf tried to hurt you."

"It tried to eat me," Xander corrected.  "It wasn't going to play roughly with me."  Loki huffed.  "It's a damn good thing I could talk it out of it."  Loki slumped, staring at him.  "Just.... this isn't the family reunion you wanted so let's not."

"Even you have to answer to a higher authority."

"Yeah, the one they wanted me to marry."

Loki frowned.  "He is?"  Xander nodded.  "I suppose that makes sense.  You have protected humanity quite well."  They looked out at the bellow that shook the hill.  Thor's goats started to scream in rage.  "He didn't attack his favorite son's goats, did he?"  He wouldn't put it past his father, but that was really low, even for Odin in a snit.

"No, they want out to kill him."  He pulled Odin inside.  "Did you have a problem?  You just woke up the warriors that're here training, Odin."

"You were warned not to touch that gong again," he growled, pulling up power.

"That was John, not me.  I've been here all night."  Odin still hit him with power, which hurt.  Xander let it hurt for a second then sucked it in.  He looked at his grandfather.  "Let's unblind your eye," he sneered, standing up.  He cast the curse and Odin screamed in pain, falling to his knees.  Xander stared down at him.  "That is the last time you'll blame me for something I didn't do," he said calmly.  "I don't give a damn why you hate me or my father.  You do not attack me for no reason.  Not without me reacting."  He took hold of Odin's hair.  "I'll be back."  He sent them back to Valhalla, sending him into the snow at his wife's feet.  "You lost track of your whiny thing."  He walked off.

"Alexander, you must undo that," Frigg yelled.

He turned to look at her.  He created a mirror big enough to show everyone what happened.  "Since when am I that one?" he asked with a point.  "Perhaps all of you should see better."

"Don't you dare," Tyr warned.  "Some of us did not blame you."

"Did you tell her it wasn't me?"

"No."

"Then you're still at fault."  He snapped and power washed over the group.  "You are no family of mine.  Any of you.  The bonds are severed and all that I helped protect are given to their next guardian.  All the spells that I helped with are done.  All the protections I helped raise are gone," he cast.  "All that I brought to life here are no more."  He flashed out.  Around them, Valhalla started to crumble even further.  Every few centuries all the offspring had to help shore up the protections.  Without that one, they were weakening.  All the gods were weakening because their base of belief was gone.  Their children were what held their powers steady.  Well, and Loki had chaos.

Alana looked then at her family.  "I'd do the same if it wouldn't destroy all that I hold dear."  She walked off.  "Ladies, let's get the nags and go find a good resting meadow to camp in."  They nodded and followed.  "Warriors, your hall is still sound for now.  If not, find one of your own."  They nodded and went back inside.  A few of the elder women that served were crying.  Alana looked at one.  "It's their own fault.  They plotted and planned their way into it.  Anyone with sense could've seen that, especially after simply hearing of the last time anything was plotted against my nephew."

"They can't rebuild it."

"They can and will.  They're too vain to camp in the snow for long," she snorted.  She got her own mare and they rode off to the Summer lands to camp.

Tyr sighed and looked at the wreckage.  He looked at Odin, who was still holding his head.  He summoned Apollo.  "Alexander got mad and fought back."

"Good!  Especially since Odin just tried to kill him."  Everyone stared at him.  "We felt the power hit him and Xander suck it in and use it."  They slumped.  He walked over to look at him.  "He cursed you to true sight," he said after checking the eye.  "That way you can't lie to yourself any longer."  He walked off.  "Have fun with the rebuilding.  Let us know so we can come for the reopening of your halls."  He went to check on Xander, who was not in a good mood.  Xander faced him, power in his hand.  "Ease it, boy.  I'm here to make sure you're all right."

"Why?" he asked bitterly.

"It's the calling of the job."  He stared at him.  "I need to make sure you don't need healing."

"I think it's beyond that," Loki said.  He took the power build-up his son had, moaning as he absorbed it.  Apollo healed the burns it was causing.  "He really pulled up some power to try to hurt you."

Apollo checked the very angry young god.  "Want me to ask Ares to find you a battle?"

"No.  There's plenty if I want one."

"Okay."  He backed off carefully.  "Release it back, Xander.  You have to release it back into the core.  Before it explodes and you have to rebuild."  Xander shuddered but channeled it into his anchor stone.  The shields flexed and glowed then went silent and stronger.  "Sure, that'll work too," he agreed, backing off some.

"He's not going to kill you," Loki said dryly.  "You're not family."

"I have no more family," Xander said simply.  Loki stared at him.  "You made your bed, Dad.  Have fun with life."

"Fine," he said.  "I'll quit trying to calm you down."

"I doubt you're helping," Apollo sneered.

"At least I usually have my son's best interests at heart.  Unlike those who get with others to plot."

Xander stared at him.  "For some reason I hear this alarm that keeps chirping 'bullshit' over and over.  You're as likely to use me and my siblings in plans as you are anyone else.  There's never been a special level for us.  I've made my way out of many of your traps, Father."

"They were never intended for you."

"No, it just happened to form around me," he said dryly.  "Sure, I believe that."  His father glared.  "You can't tell my Syria wasn't your doing."

"It was meant for John because he was being a jackass to you."

"Yeah, well, didn't go that way.  Nor did Rome."  Apollo started to open his mouth but Xander glared and he fled for his life.  He stared at him.  "By the way, yes, still mad at that."

Loki stared at him.  "I can understand that and it was a punishment that I was talked into.  I did destroy them."

"Yay."

Loki sighed.  "I'd apologize but you'd never take it."

"No, I won't.  It's like IOU's with your name on them."

"I always pay my debts," he said firmly.

"In your own way."

"Well, yes."  He stared at him.  "Why are you mad at me?  I wasn't even involved."

"You were there?"  Loki nodded.  "Did you say anything against it?  No.  You actually tried to help it."  Loki backed up.  The temper was coming back.  "Therefore, I still have no family."

"Your brother and sisters would be disappointed."

"I may keep them.  Depends."

"Fine."  He disappeared, going to find somewhere to bleed off the extra energy his son was bleeding into the air.  There was no way he could be around mortals like this.  He had to go to his elemental form to let it drain off.  He came out to find Roque and John staring at him.  John with a knife he was sharpening.  "That was not my doing.  I was trying to calm him down."

"Didn't work," John said.  "Made it worse."

"His grandfather showed up," he sneered.  "He made it worse."

"Odin's going to get his," Roque promised quietly, staring at him.

"We need to fix this," John said.  "Before Xander finishes losing his temper."

"The only way he'll go forward with it, and let himself be calmed, is if his mate has true feelings for him."

"Coulson would probably do it just to get him calmed down," Roque admitted.

"Which would take him from his kids," John agreed.

"How did they manage to make that work?" Roque asked.

Loki smiled.  "I handed Dawn that book that helps witches with higher issues.  It advised Tara it was a great time to have a child.  That was also the same night that the halls sent down dinner for the group."

"So, mead?" Roque asked.

"Mead," John agreed.  "Though he would've done it for her anyway.  He put sperm up so she could use it later."

"Huh," Roque said, nodding slightly.  "Good."  He looked at Loki.  "Whatever your part in this trauma is done with."

"It is.  I would not have my son destroy that which he protects.  It does my plans no good and my son's anger at himself would never stop."

John nodded.  "Could be."  He put the knife back into his holder, staring at the senior God.  "They blamed him for me?"

"Yes.  Odin tried to kill him because of that."

John winced.  "Let me go talk to the hidebound asses."  He disappeared.

Roque stared at him.  "Leave your son be."

"Make my son eat.  He's eating created food."  He disappeared.

Roque went to back up John.  Not that he probably needed it.  Frigg was yelling at him.  "Maybe it was the only thing that got through your thick skulls."  They stared at him.  "Each and every time you have a plot that involves Alexander, your building collapses.  Did you not see the pattern with the first two?"  She shrieked and threw power at him.  He caught it and tossed it to John.  "Xander's done worse recently.  Frankly, we can't wear him out anymore.  He's too mad.  You're going to be lucky if you can rebuild, people.  Last time it took Xander putting a lot of energy into the web of the stones."  He and John disappeared.  "Leave them.  They'll either learn or get frostbite."

John nodded.  "I don't want them to go near Xander again."

"They won't."  He and John shared a look then cast a curse on them.  The next time they tried to blame Xander for something someone else did, the destruction was going to magnify.  They heard Xander cackling and winced.  That was a universal red alert sound.

John thought back.  "The Egyptians weren't at the banquet," he realized.  "They were having a holy day."  Roque sighed in pleasure.  John went to talk to them.  "Thot, I have need of a desperate plea being heard," he said as he landed.

"Due to Valhalla falling in?" he asked dryly.

"No, I did that.  Due to my brother starting down the path to madness in his anger."

Thot looked that way and shuddered.  "We cannot make him weed it out."

"Perhaps but you were the only ones not at the banquet, so could not stick up for him.  He's cut all alliances due to that."

"I will talk to him."

"You might pull him here," John said more quietly.  "That way he's maybe made to calm down and eat?  Loki said he's only eating created food."

"The girls could like that."  He summoned him, having to yank a bit.  "I was not at the banquet, it was our holy day," he said, staring at him.  John had faded out before Xander had appeared.  "I just heard there were problems."  Xander snorted, scowling at him.  "Do not give me that look.  I'll lock you in a pyramid," he said dryly.  He got up and walked down, taking the boy to talk to him.  He could tell the young god was in bad shape from his anger.  It was starting to eat at his physical form again.  They could fix that.

***

Isis appeared to the new young god.  "Thankfully I'm not a love goddess," she said with a smile.  He nodded politely at her, patting the baby on his shoulder on the back to make her belch.  She sat down and he finished her off, laying her down in her crib.  She had some more gas pains so she had been fussy.  He came back out to sit across from her.  "We were not there."

"Thank you," he said quietly.

"I believe that it may have grown into it.  It might not have been before your twins were grown though."  She tipped her head.  "If it was natural, would you have accepted it?"

"Yes, of course."

"So would he."

"I do worry that it may be my gifts prompting some of it.  Examining a few things led me to that conclusion."

"Sometimes our powers will guide us to what we subconsciously want."  She tested him and showed him where that had happened.  "This is how you lock that down so no one can get into them," she said, showing him.  He did that and relaxed.  "We are quite fond of the boy.  He helped us defend ourselves many times.  Including against Roque and his family once."  Phil nodded at that.  "Most of us have ever hoped that he would find someone worthy to focus all his energies on.  Especially the bouncy parts."  She smiled.  "I think he could find that in you."

"Which is ruined," he said quietly.

"Not so.  He left that up to you.  If you felt truly mated to him, then he would accept it."  Phil nodded he knew that.  "Do you?"

"I don't know.  I was working on friendship."

"Friendship is a good thing."  She considered it.  "What was it you told Dawn when she had a tough choice to make?"

He winced.  "I wouldn't do that to either of us."

"Good.  That would be the easier path but it would lead to later problems."  He nodded.  She sighed.  "Things were easier in the days when we had a full power base."  She crossed her legs.  "What are your plans?"

"I work with SHIELD, I'm seeing if any of the demigods would like to make a second team.  I'm working on my training, helping Dawn when she needs it.  Raising my two children."

"All good, worthwhile things to be doing.  What are your plans beyond that?"

"I haven't made any.  Until my children are at least adults, I'll be by their sides as they need me.  All the things that my new duties give me keep taking me from that more important duty."

She smiled.  "That is well-put.  Not many consider those things."

"Xander did.  He pointed out I had two infant children when they changed me."

"He would."

"Has he had children?"

"You should ask him."

"I tried.  He walked off."

She sighed.  "That ties back into that incident in Rome that no one will speak of."

He nodded.  "I understand it was traumatic for him and I haven't pushed."

"Very.  Especially since it was his father and grandmother that decided he needed to be sent there because he was too strong willed."  Phil's eyes narrowed.  "No, he never forgave them.  He spent nearly a decade without much powers.  And then a problem happened.  A higher demon escaped and none of the gods or demigods noticed."  He shuddered.  "He noticed.  It came right for him, feeling the power that he couldn't touch.  It meant he would've made a great sacrifice and could've had his powers.  Xander could not break out again.

"He struggled desperately and begged most everyone.  No one at the time wanted to get between them.  We were in seclusion after our pantheon slightly fell to make sure we wouldn't fade.  Or else I would have granted him full godhood then."  Phil nodded.  "We all felt it when he finally broke free.  The Roman gods woke up and stared in horror as that demon took down his mortal family.  And then Xander nearly destroyed all of the world defeating him."

"How?"

"Xander...  Xander had a few things he could call on as allies.  He summoned one.  It appearing shook every pantheon free of their stasis and staring. It's what led us to check on him.  It allowed Xander to use his power and Xander destroyed the demon.  It's impossible to destroy one that high.  One that humans would have considered a Fallen.  Xander did.  He broke him at the elemental level and there was a fire so great the gods had to put it out before it consumed the Roman empire.  They all thought it a hallucination and all mentions were taken from humanity before it could be noted.  The ally he called on took his powers back and got burned out.  He can't manifest a new form.  Xander apologized but he said it was necessary to protect everyone.  He forgave him.  Xander went to mourn and grieve.  Even when they summoned him."

"John got sent?"

"No.  None of us who were not chaos gods could get anywhere near there.  We knew not to send his father, he would've been sacrificed to bring the children back."  Phil nodded he understood that urge, swallowing and looking at his hands.  "We asked Janus, who said he could only see Xander appearing to smite everyone, no matter who was sent.  Roque snuck that way to talk to him."  Phil looked at her.  "That's how he got that scar on his face.  Xander was nearly insane in grief and attacked him.  Fortunately he realized on some level it was Roque and didn't kill him.

"Roque knew fighting back would mean he'd reopen the power drain.  He got Xander out of the blood mourning and calmed down."  She wiped off one cheek.  "We all watched him and when he came out, John was waiting.  They took Xander somewhere none of us could watch for a few generations.  We still think that they used the excess power in Xander to create a subrealm.  One that was full of problems for Xander to wear himself out on.  Because being peaceful has never helped him calm down."

"I've seen that," he admitted quietly.  "Does it still exist?"

"Yes, it does.  John and Roque have been considering sending him in there.  They asked Thot to talk to him first.  We were not there, could not stick up for him.  We will be during this next one."

"He.... we would both appreciate that," he agreed.  "We feel the same way about it.  If it had been natural we wouldn't have minded."

"I think it would have been natural."  She smiled.  "I did not tell you to make you upset.  I did so with the hope that you would understand."

"I do understand as much as one who hasn't been through it can," he said quietly, staring at her.  "What happened earlier?"

"John collapsed Valhalla on Odin's head for being a hidebound ass.  They tried to blame Xander.  Odin tried to kill Xander.  Xander nearly killed him and everyone else in their pantheon by withdrawing his support from them.  He's one of two demis that have gone on to have real powers."

"So Thor is the one they're leaning on?"

"Yes, and he has said he supports his nephew's anger.  Though I believe he'd like him to calm down as well."

"I'd rather have Xander calm and plotting than angry and reacting," he admitted.  "His anger scares me."

She nodded.  "His anger scares all who are smart."  She smiled.  "Which apparently you are."  She reached over some power, letting him take hold of it.  She showed him how to do it properly.  "We refined his power usage.  We'll do yours."

"It'll seem like it's being pushed if it's right now."

"No it won't.  He's probably seen.  He's very aware of anyone around him thanks to his father."  She smiled.  "Are they down for the night?"

"Yes, and their mother's here."

"I do adore Tara.  If Gaia hadn't gotten her first I would've snatched her up."  She took him with her.   "We must work on smoothing some of the rough edges Xander and Ares left," she told Thot.

"Thank you for helping him, Isis," Xander said respectfully.  He looked at Phil.  "It was a long time ago."

"Something like that you don't lose," he said.

"They tried awfully hard.  John actually tried lethe water."  Phil shuddered.  "Yeah."  He grimaced.  "I know they're not going to do that.  They've never played games like that.  Go learn."  He nodded, going with her.  He leaned his head on Thot's knee again.  "I suck," he said quietly.  "I'm scary again."

"You are but your anger is reasonable to us."  He patted him on the head.  "Sit up and eat."

"I'm not really hungry."

"So?  Eat anyway.  You're going to lose control of your form and be nagged by those who have merged again."  Xander sighed but the handmaidens came in and fed them dinner, making him relax for a bit.  He was safe up here.  They might agree it'd be a good choice but they'd never force things.  He'd never get more than discussion on it.  The handmaidens fussed like Dawn would over him so it was nice enough.  Even if he didn't want to eat.  The alternative was even worse.  They'd never quit nagging him if he went back to the spot he had been while he couldn't hold a physical form.

***

Phil met up with Xander the next morning for breakfast.  "You look and feel better."

Xander grinned slightly.  "They're good.  There's plenty of times I thought about petitioning to stay here."  He ate a currant.  "But they have rules that even I consider uptight.  And no snow."

"That is one thing to consider," Phil teased.  He was better now.  Stronger.  He had a firmer grasp on his powers and he could do things that he would have to teach Dawn.  They had agreed, she needed to learn how to do more tiny things with her powers.  They had taught him how to teach her.  "Now what?"

"I don't know," Xander admitted.  "Training's going on today even if I'm not there.  You have work."

"Today's my day off but I was going to take the kids to the park."

"That's a nice trip."  He looked.  "Tara's looking worried."  He created a note and she sighed in relief, starting breakfast.

"Oops."

Xander smiled.  "Tara worries about a lot of things."  He nibbled on some berries.  "Harvests were good this year."

"They're all very good.  Some of these I've never had."

"Those, if I could plant them, I would.  It takes a lot of heat though."  He stole one of those berries to eat.  "Bit bitter so picked a tiny bit early but they make great wine that way."

"It has an interesting taste.  The wine would probably concentrate that tartness?"  Xander grinned and nodded.  "Can you mix that with young mead?"

Xander smiled.  "We have.  John and I got so plastered one day.  Had the hangover to prove it too."  They finished breakfast and Phil went to get his kids for their day off.  Xander relaxed, waiting on others to get up.

Sekhmet walked out to nibble one of the berries.  "I did get it a bit too early."  He blushed.  She smiled.  "Still good."

"They are.  Especially on granola."  She laughed and patted him on the head.  "I hope I'm not intruding."

"If you were, we would've sent you home, Xander.  You know that."  She patted him again.  "Must we send you to that realm?"

"I'm trying very hard not to send myself there."

"I know you are."  She petted over his hair.  "I saw the convention of you.  The one with the hair is very adorable."

"I doubt I could stand that in a battle."

"Me either."  She smiled.  "Still, perhaps you should learn his form."

"Yeah, I can see sparring with someone and breaking out in dance moves that way.  John would beat me."

"Perhaps but others would like it."

"To pick on me."

"That may happen as well."  She patted him again.  "Finish up and come help me."

"Didn't you tell me no more magic?"

"You may need it and I have need in the armory as well."  He finished up and the last piece of toast with honey on the table, following her to help her.  She smiled, letting him nibble.  He needed food.  He'd only eaten created food for weeks apparently.

"Did we ever see why my magic went screwy in Sunnydale?" he asked once he was finished.  "It kept rebounding into the wrong area and even I couldn't figure it out."

She looked at him then looked back at his youth in this life.  She growled.  "Where is she?"

Xander looked.  "The redhead?  She had died during the battle, her death sentence for destroying Sunnydale was carried out that way.  The Council of Elders brought her back for Hecate."

"That's Rosenburg?" she demanded with a point.

Xander pointed.  "The redhead is.  The blonde there is Buffy.  This blonde is Tara, she only showed up after high school.  And that's Dawn with her Mom."  He grinned.

She looked and made a slight whimpering sound.  "It was her, Xander, not you."

"Cool!  I was hoping it wasn't me."  He grinned.  She swatted him and banished the looking glass.  They went back to her herb garden for spells.  She had need of a few.  Then perhaps she would fix the problem that had been brought back.  Osiris had to be out of his mind if he had allowed it near her chosen.

***

Hylal appeared in Xander's temple, thanks to that stupid witch, and stared around.  "No Alexander?" he asked John, who was on the couch eating cookies.

"He's in Egypt.  What's wrong, Hylal?  Huge demon you need help with?  Can I come smite Willow for you?"

"I wish."  He huffed.  "We were told that Alexander brought down Valhalla."

"No, I brought down Valhalla on Odin's pointy head."  Hylal gaped in horror.  "He deserved it for the way things were going.  It's not the first time.  It's the first time I let it fall on his head, but not the first it's fallen."  He ate a cookie and held the rest out.  "Want one?  They're oreos."

"No thank you."  He frowned.  "Why would you do such treason to us?"

"What do you know about what's going on with Xander?" he countered.

"Not much.  Just that he is fighting doing his duty."

"It's not his duty. He's an adult, full god.  They have no right to force anything on him any longer."

"Still, a dutiful son would do such, even with a father like his."

"Even if it was meant to make him fucking miserable?"

"Well, that is a problem."

"Even if it was done to intentionally harm him?  Actually, both of them, and they tried it on people that they had no right to do it on?"

Hylal licked his lips and sat down.  "Explain such to me so I can make a decision?"  John explained what had happened during the banquet.  At the end Hylal shook his head.  "I respect the Son of Coul.  He is a good man."

"He is.  Xander's said if he actually felt something for him then he'd give in.  Until then, he's cut off all alliances he has.  Odin tried to kill him last night even though it was me.  Odin nearly managed it and then Xander did something that cursed him to true sight."  Hylal shuddered.  John nodded and finished his cookies.  "I asked that Thot take him in for a few days to talk to him."

"They were getting friendly."

"Would you want to stay with Buffy even though it was love god created?" he asked.

"No.  Alexander was good to pick her for me."

"He didn't pick her for you or ask you to marry her, Hylal, he wanted you to get to know her and if you liked her, have her."

He smiled.  "I do.  If he's broken alliances, then who guards the villages?"

"Alana.  She's already taken out the fire giant queen and has plans for the frost giant queen."

"She is a tough warrior...."

"She'll kill you if you call her a mere goddess," John said dryly.

"No, I would not.  She's a fierce warrior but will the men follow her?"

"When was the last time Xander called upon the villagers to help?"

"Not in many attacks.  Even that last one he had them evacuating instead of honorably fighting."  John nodded.  "He knew they'd be needed to guard the evacuating ones?"

"He knew it'd be bad probably.  Xander does have a sense about how battles will go. It's what makes him so good at his job."

"Then why does he fight?"

John leaned forward and showed him Anya, then their attempted wedding night.  Then the others that love gods had thrown his way.  Hylal shuddered and looked away.  "Would you want anything that they threw at you?  Beyond that, Xander's a full adult.  No one has *any* say over who he marries or doesn't marry.  He's had his manhood for longer than some of us consider sane.  Would you want it?"

"No, I would not," he admitted.  "If my father had asked that I consider it...."

"He didn't ask.  They announced it at the banquet.  Then they tried to announce mine and Dawn's."

Hylal frowned.  "Why?"

"It's a plot but I'm not sure who by.  Clearly it's a plot to get them killed instead of just fading off or committing suicide.  It's a great plan to get Xander to kill them."

"He cannot."

"The leak that he used during that battle never healed, Hylal."  Hylal slumped.  "Yes, he can.  Actually, between him and Coulson, I'm pretty sure they could easily find a weapon to do it too."

"That is not good."

"No, but they brought it on themselves."

"I understand.  It is wise to stay out of it or to back the fight."  He stood up.  "Thank you for explaining it to me, Jonathan."

"You're welcome, Hylal.   How's things?"

"She is still there."

"The Elder Council brought her back for Hecate."

"Then they should give her to Hecate before she warps my wife."

John smiled.  "We're going to tell her that soon."

Hylal smiled.  "It is nice."  He got sent back by John.

"Wife?" Buffy demanded.

He wouldn't wonder how she had heard, he could feel the witch still in their house.  "In Asgardian terms we are bound, your mother gave me that right.  In human terms I'm waiting to see what you consider bonding."  He stared at her.  "I would go along with it when you are ready."

"So we married when Mom told you how to treat me?"

"Yes.  That was her permission.  When my mother cried on you, that was hers."  Buffy blushed.  "There was a great dinner we hunted for."  That got a squeak.  "I have not officially declared it to be so beyond among our friends that you are mine."  He kissed her.  "When you are ready, we will finish the bonding in your family's style.  That is when we will officially be mated."

She blinked at him.  "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I thought you knew."

She huffed.  "I didn't.  I thought we were dating, you know, like seriously dating?"

"We are until you decide we are to be mated in your family's style.  As we're not on Asgard, your local ways hold sway."

She blinked a few times.  "So, if we're at home, I'm the wife, and here I'm just the girlfriend?"

"As you will it until you will to change it."

She sat down and stared at him.  "Still should've told me, Hylal."

"I thought you knew."  He hauled her up and sat down, letting her sit on his knee.  It was her favorite spot and his for her.  "Alexander said that you would have to work your way around to it based on what your father did."

"You're nothing like my father.  You'd never cheat on me," she said bitterly.

"Nay, and if I thought about it you could slay me," he said dryly.  She smirked and nodded.  He kissed her.  "As we are with your people, until you proclaim me as such, however humans do so, then I am merely your future mate."

She nodded, relaxing against his side.  "I...."

"We have many years."

"I'm a slayer, Hylal, I may not have many years."

He looked at her.  "You do because I have thwarted death before.  More than once.  Including during a blizzard I nearly got lost during.  I ended up sheltering with a dragon, who did not hurt me or try to eat me, and made it home with some of its treasure.   It was a strong enough fighting against death that it ended up becoming an epic myth that is told to young warriors to warn them of being in blizzards."

She looked at him.  "Really?"  He smiled and nodded.  "Huh.  That's almost Xander luck."

He stroked her back.  "He is in the middle of strife right now."

"The godly one?"

"I don't think they are speaking.  The pantheons together decided he was to marry someone without their consent.  He's gotten quite angry over it."  She shuddered.  "I talked to his half-brother because of the rumors we heard.  He is not taking this happily."

"Is the person bad?"

"No.  Not in the least.  Nor will he be unless he is under mind control."  He kissed her again.  "He is not home, he is visiting people he knows in Egypt."

"With the pyramids?" she asked, looking confused.

"They have their own gods," he said with a smile.  She nodded and sighed.  He hugged her.  "We should eat before patrol."

"Can you ease up on Willow?" she asked quietly.

"Nay.  Not in any version of chance.  I can feel the foulness of her death, I can feel how death still hunts for her for warping his realm."  She shuddered.  "I can also smell the taint of magic around you and that is usually not a good thing.  Dawn?"  She appeared and frowned at Buffy, taking off spells.  "Thank thee."

"Welcome, Hylal.  That's not good.  Buffy, she's got some strange magic that's not looking beneficial."

"How would you know?" Willow demanded.

Dawn looked at her.  "Experience points," she quipped.  She finished removing the magic and looked at Hylal, ending his too.  He smirked.  "I know, that was an old curse."

"From my mother to never bear the brunt of a happy village.  We moved around it."

She smiled.  "Good job."  She looked at Willow again.  "Why are you hexing my sister?"

"It was protections."

"There's no death magic protections, Willow."  She shrieked and hit magic at her.  Dawn shot her in the leg.

"Hey!" Buffy complained.

"Hush," Dawn snapped and Buffy backed down.  She stared at the crying witch.  "You're in deep and I know for a fact that SHIELD is watching."

"Their protections are gone," she sneered.

"Really?" Phil asked from behind her.  "I doubt that since I'm their protection now."  She got up and glared at him.  He stared at her.  "Try it."  She threw magic at him.  He did what Ares had taught him, and barely any touched him.  That part burned and he winced but threw it back.

Xander appeared with a sonic boom, staring at her.  "Really?"  She looked scared, backing off.  "Let's talk."

"Xander," Buffy whined.  "Please?"

He looked at her.  "I should have after the trial.  I stupidly believed someone else would handle it."  Buffy nodded, hiding her face in Hylal's shoulder.  "Dawn, home."

"We're family," she said.  "It's our responsibility to see the rabid member put down."

Xander shook his head.  "It's my job, Dawn.  It has been my job."

"I believe it's more mine," Phil said.

"Dawn, heal him."  Xander looked at Willow, arms crossed over his chest.  "No more.  You're going back there."

"You can't and won't win."

He walked forward, backing her against a wall.  "I don't care what sort of plot this was," he said calmly.  "Even if I do end up married in a loveless marriage, then I'll deal with it."  He touched her forehead, reading her.  He nodded, then pushed some magic into her.  Her shriek ended abruptly after a microsecond.  She turned into a shadow on the wallpaper.  The shadow fell down and lost cohesion, going to a puddle of ash.  "Honorable sentence carried out."  He said a prayer then blew on the ashes to scatter them to the four winds.  He stepped back and slumped.  Dawn hugged him.  He gave her a squeeze.  "Don't worry about the next banquet.  I'm not going."  She nodded.  He looked at Buffy.  "I made it painless."

"I know.  That was fear, not pain."  She got up to hug him.  "Thank you."

He kissed her on the head.  "You're good.  Hylal, she's shivering."

"I will help her calm down."  Xander smiled.  "Thank you for introducing us."

"You both deserve the greatest things."  He let the ladies go.  "Let me get back to Egypt."  He disappeared.

Phil made sure he was all right.  Dawn spotted something and drained the bad magic, which brought Hera scowling.  "Willow," Dawn told her.

Hera looked and helped him get it out of him.  "That girl was wrong in many ways."

"Now she's ashes," Dawn said bluntly.  Hera gaped.  "Xander said it was his duty, we're as close as he comes to a family."

She tipped her head.  "It's been a long time since he had a family."  Phil shivered.  "It will not happen again.  No one presently can call back something like that.  Even if they had used Willow at full blown strength as a sacrifice."  She ran a hand over his head.  "You should go talk to him."

"When he wants to talk, he'll come to me.  I'm not going to intrude on his grief, Lady Hera.  We're not that good of friends at this time."

She frowned.  "You could give in."

"Why make everyone miserable to ease stress that someone else is using as a plot?" he countered.  "Would you have?"

She considered it.  "I did not have a choice."

"We do, to fight it or not.  I'm not ready to be married even if we were in real, true, unprompted love."

She nodded.  "That is something to consider.  He could still use a friend."

"We barely know each other," he told her.  "I would be intruding."

"John probably could but he's holding down the temple," Dawn said.  She put her gun back when she heard cars pulling up.  "Send the minions out?" she suggested.

"Rogers, go talk to the PD," he ordered.  He ran out.  Phil looked at Hera again.  "If it had been allowed to grow and see where it went, then it would've been a lot nicer and easier.  As is, neither of us is the sort to give in to pressure or we'd have different jobs."

"I see.  If it was unprompted?"

"It was, which is the point that hurts him.  He doesn't need someone pushed at him, he needs someone who understands him and wants him.  Someone who only wants him for him, not for his powers or anything.  The times have changed and we don't need political marriages."

"I can understand that.  If I could have, I would've wanted the same thing."

"And yet, you pushed and shoved and made him angry about it," Dawn quipped.  "Which is why he's no longer talking to anyone but those in Egypt and a few friends."

Hera looked at her.  "Which means you should give back gifts, child."

"I've already dropped them on Gladriel earlier.  Thanked her for it.  Pissed Xander's mother off totally."  She grimaced but let it clear up.  "I won't have it done to my relationship either.  It is up to them when and if they ever become ready, not someone outside of us.  Pushing John wasn't much smarter."

"No, it wasn't," she agreed with a sigh at the end.  "It was not planned that way."

"Yet that's how it happened," Phil said.  "I can't give up what I have for that, even if I was in true, unprompted love.  The twins need me, my job needs me.  Frankly, I connect better with him now that I'm actually over his protection."  Hera gaped then groaned and left.  He looked at Dawn.  "Home."  She nodded and waved at her sister before leaving.  He looked at the watching PD officers.  "Yes?"

"The gunshot?"

"The witch that is no more attacked," he said, pointing at the faint shadow of Willow's dust that remained.  "Alexander made sure she could not do it again."

"The one that shot her?"

"The one I just sent home.  Willow was attacking her."  He cleared the demonic mind control he could see, making the officers all shriek then go limp.  "Better, gentlemen?"  They nodded.

"Who're you?" one asked.

"SHIELD.  We watch over the slayer as well."  He smirked slightly.  They nodded and made notes then left.  He looked at the two agents.  "You say one single thing," he warned.  "You will be turned.  I will personally find Druscila and let her have you."  They nodded, looking down.  "Good."  He looked at Buffy.  "We're going to talk your mother into eloping."

She smirked.  "She's ready for that?"

"Yes, because like you she knows how precious time is and how it can disappear at any time."  He disappeared.

She looked at Hylal.  "That wasn't subtle."

"Not in the least."  He kissed her.  "When you're ready, you'll tell me."  He stood up and put her on her feet.  "Let me get what we need to banish bad spirits."  She went with him.

Coulson walked up to where Fury was standing with Maria Hill and Joyce.  "Dawn found out that Willow had spelled her sister," he reported.  Joyce stiffened.  "Dawn was removing them when Willow showed up to protest.  They had words, Dawn shot Willow when Willow tried to magic her, and then Alexander showed up because it was still his duty to."  He walked off.

Joyce stopped him.  "Is she coming back?"

"He scattered her ashes to the four winds," he said quietly.  Joyce relaxed and smiled.  "Your elder daughter also found out she's married by Asgardian standards.  He told her he'd wait until she was ready to do it the human way."  Joyce smiled.  "Perhaps when you and Doctor Banner elope you can make it a dual ceremony so Dawn only has to shop once."

"We're...."  He stared at her.  She blushed.  "That would be less stressful."

"It would, and cheaper," he agreed with a smile.  "Vegas, Poconos, Atlantic City?  We can clear anywhere to make sure there won't be any problems."

She cleared her throat.  "I don't know."

He smiled.  "We all consider it a great thing, Joyce.  He makes you happy."  She blushed and nodded.  "Then let us help you celebrate.  Tell us when."  He walked off happier.

Joyce cleared her throat again.  "Sorry, sir."

"As long as he's happy, I'll be happy for you both," he said dryly.

"We may still be a few months from that discussion.  I'm not certain.  I haven't really thought about it.  Though..."  She sighed.  "I'm still a romantic even after my first marriage."  She walked off.  She wanted to take a break to talk to Bruce before rumors hit him.  She walked into his lab.  "Phil just suggested we elope and let Buffy and Hylal hold theirs at the same place.  Maybe I'm a romantic," she complained.

He smiled and kissed her.  "You are and I adore that about you.  I was going to suggest it around the holidays so everyone was already together."

She smiled and kissed him, sinking against his chest.  "I might like that."  He squeezed her.

"Buffy has to hold hers at least a week after ours due to her celebration curse as I heard it called."

Joyce laughed.  "I think she'd like that anyway.  It'd let them escape to go do smutty, young people things."  He whispered in her ear, making her shiver.  "Bruce!"  She swatted him.

He smiled.  "I'm not that old and neither are you.  Our mileage may be up there but not that high."

She smiled.  "We'll see about later.  Order a pizza?"

"Order Greek?"  She smiled and nodded.  "I'll meet you at home."  She walked off blushing.  He smiled.  He was really happy.  Truly happy.  A bit worried about her follow up this week but otherwise really happy.  If someone had slipped her more of that serum, he was going to Hulk out and kill them all in the most brutal manner he could, and then he'd come back to help her through it again.

***

Tara sat down with Phil at lunch, unwrapping her sandwich.  Maria sat with them.  "We need to figure out how to do the bedroom thing."

He smiled.  "I think I can change one."  She smiled.  "I need to learn how to do that, but I'm pretty sure I can.  Do you want to stay in ours or moved to the charming, Victorian one downstairs?"  He ate a bite of his lunch.  Of course, his phone beeped with a text message.  He looked at it.  "Bia handled it."  He put it back after a quick thank you text back.

She smiled at Maria.  "We snuck down to look at it."

"I like the more modern one."

"That's fine."  He smiled.  "We can set up their rooms in my place."  His phone beeped again.  He looked and resent the last message.  Bia apologized for getting huffy.  He suggested he had cookies in his fridge.  She said she'd steal some and then left him alone.  He put his phone back.  "We should probably be prepared to decorate for them anyway."

Maria Hill nodded.  "Do we want to do a girlish room for him and a boyish one for her?"

He smiled.  "Not really.  Pink gives me hives."

"I like some of her songs," Tara said, cracking the two agents up.  "Grateful Dead bears?  One of the coven really likes them for her kids."

"Castles and mythical creatures?" Phil offered.  "I don't want them to smoke pot."  She pinched him.  "Castles, dragons?"

"I could like that.  We can transform the fish into a moat."  Maria smiled and nodded she could help with that.  "Will a little girl want a castle?"

"She's going to be just as tough as you are," he pointed out.

Maria laughed.  "We have lace," she reminded him.

"I know.  I helped her pick out her bedspread.  I'm fairly certain if she had to, Tara could go storm a castle."

"Possibly," Maria agreed, making Tara blush.  "I could like a forest and castle scene, maybe with horses?"

"I'd like that," Tara agreed.  "Later on, she can have stuffed mythical creatures?"

"That would work for both kids," Phil said, eating another bite.  They smiled and nodded.  "We'll get stencils or whatever this weekend."  The ladies smiled and dug into their lunch, talking about upcoming pediatric appointments.  There was another run of shots coming up and Tara wanted to spread them out.  Phil had no opinion and it was fine with him.  Maria was a bit worried but as long as the daycare didn't say anything then she guessed it was fine.  They finished up and went back to work.

Maria Hill walked her change of personal information form into the office.  "Sir."

Fury looked at it then at her.  "If you and Agent Coulson are moving in together, we'll have a problem and have to move one of you."

She smiled.  "He's moving downstairs, sir."  He walked in with his personal information change form.

Fury looked then at his top agent.  "Why are you moving in?"

"Because I'm planning on asking someone great to marry me some year if I survive working here, Sir."

Fury blinked.  "You know, we're talking Joyce and Banner into eloping," Phil said with a smile.  "And letting Buffy and Hylal do theirs around the same time.  You could join in that time.  That way they're all grouped."

She blushed.  "We'll see."  He smiled.  "Pervert."

"Totally practical.  You'd have to take off for Joyce's wedding anyway.  So would she."

"Probably," she agreed.  She ducked her head some, looking at the boss and straightening up.

"If you do, that's fine," he agreed.  "I'll send these down to HR."

"I can deliver them," Phil said.  "It's a floor below mine, sir."

"Fine."  He signed off and handed them over.  "You two, go write reports or something."

They walked off, going to their respective desks with a few stops.  Maria needed some coffee.

"Tara would love something flirty in the spring under some pretty trees," Joyce said quietly.

She smiled.  "I think I can pull that off."  She winked and went back to her desk.

Joyce smiled and made possible plans.  She'd have to shop for them.  She had no idea what the ladies needed in their apartment beyond a babysitter.

***

Dawn watched as first Callia went crawling past her desk, plucking out her phone when she saw she was being followed.  She taped it with a smile.  "Pepper," she called quietly.  She and Tony came out of the office and they both grinned at the trio of crawling kids, Callia leading them around.  Dawn sent the film to Phil and Maria Hill, because Tara's phone wouldn't do video texts.  "Callia, take them down to have Andrew and Jonathan see," she called.

"Okay, Auntie.  They're very good at it.  I spent all morning teaching."

"You did a great job," her father agreed with a grin.  She smiled and waved, prompting the twins to do it.  They made it onto the elevator and Callia got up to poke the button then got back down on the floor.

Dawn giggled.  "That's so sweet of her."

"They're mobile little hellions now," Stark said with a wicked smirk.

***

Phil looked at his phone and smiled.  "Good job, kids.  I need to pick up presents for that."

Upstairs, Maria was smiling.  "Tara, the twins crawled."  She ran over to see, cooing at the picture with Joyce joining them.

Fury walked out of his office.  "Emergency?"

"Callia taught the twins to crawl," Maria said, rerunning it.

"Aww, she's so smart and teaching them good things," Joyce cooed.  Fury walked off shaking his head.  "Send that to me, Maria?"

"I can do that."  She looked at Tara.  "We need to pick up stuff to give them treats."

Tara smiled.  "They're going with Dad tonight."  She gave a wicked little smirk and strolled off to make sure Phil had seen.

Maria sent the video on to Joyce, Buffy, and Xander's phones.  Joyce would share it with Bruce.

Steve would find out later when the twins got free of Dad and found their way to his apartment to make him read to them.

***

Xander appeared in the middle of a problem that needed to be handled, which humans were ignoring.  He was handling it pretty well until he realized he had forgotten to reload a gun.  And there were no bullets in the armory for it.  He huffed and switched weapons.  This was so going to be a long day.

A few hours later, he was pinned down in a building.  The two buildings he had been saving were free and clear.  The secondary targets were being left alone.  Which meant he had done his job well.

Phil appeared, handing over some ammo.  "Welcome."

"Thank you, ammo fairy guy," he quipped, reloading.

Phil looked around.  "We could let them handle it."

"The kids aren't far enough away."

"No, they're not.  By the way, the twins crawled."

"Congrats."  He grinned.  "That's a great age.  Means they can start getting into trouble."

"Don't remind me."  They moved and Phil helped him.  Xander looked at him.  "I am an agent."

"In the US.  Won't this cause you problems?"

"Not really."  He smirked.  "Sometimes you gotta do the job as you said once."  Xander nodded that was true.  They switched hiding spots, going somewhere more defensible that would drawn the bad guys farther away from the kids they were protecting.   "Any idea why Dawn's paying property taxes in South America?"

"Fallback spots," he said.

"Good!  I like that idea."  They finished firing on the group that was coming toward them.  They checked.  "One's going for the orphanage."  They moved out to protect the kids.  Within a few hours, things were worse.  They were nearly out of bullets, they were tired from blasting idiots in converted pickup trucks that were pretending to be tanks, and Phil was once again missing his bedtime rituals for the kids.  He looked at Xander.  "We need to end this."

"If I overtly blow them up, we'll draw more attention.  I can do that, but there'll be bitching in the press again."

"Can we send them somewhere, like into the middle of a drug gang meeting?"

"Maybe," Xander said, considering it.  That got a plan started.  They broke apart to work on that, running into each other a few hours later with a lot fewer threats.  No bullets, no more energy for spells, and six or seven remaining bad guys.  Xander panted as he fell onto his butt beside Phil.  "Okay, it's been a while since I've had to do this."

"You've been at it for nearly a day," he pointed out.  "Of course you're tired, even with great stamina.  I have good stamina and I'm tired."  They looked at each other.  "We'll still win."

"I might have to deage and getting shot sucks.  Especially the nagging afterward.  Two guns twinkled into being in front of them and then someone shot a few of them for them.  They looked up.  "That's Dawn," Xander said.

"It is," Phil agreed.  "I'm paddling her."

"Get in line," Xander joked.

"I'm over both of you, me first," Phil quipped and got up.  The gun got grabbed on his way to a new spot.  Xander did the same, following him. They ended up against a wall.  With new reinforcements.  Yay!  They heard a quiet 'fuck this shit' and a sudden explosion.  "Not subtle," Phil called.

"Bite me."

"Go spar?" he suggested.

"They're asleep.  It's nearly two," she quipped.  Then she flashed out before she got shot.

They looked at each other and the moment was just right for a kiss.  The possible end of their mundane lives and a lot of gunfire.  It was the macho guy romantic stereotype moment.

They looked up as a gong rang and the bad guys decided to flee.  "I say we kill them too," Xander said.

"Less temper," Phil warned.  "You scared Dawn."  He stared him down.  Xander sighed.  "If it's meant to be, it will be.  I'm not giving in to any pushing."

Xander smiled.  "Thanks."

"Welcome.  Now, let's let the locals handle it?  I can hear sirens."  They flashed out, making sure they brought any weapons with them.  Phil went to take a shower.  He was a bit battle tense.

Xander went home to do the same.  He pulled his axe when he saw Cupid.  "Just because it was good doesn't mean it's happening."

"But...." Cupid said.

Xander stared at him.  "You *forced* it."  Cupid fled.  Xander put his axe back and went to shower.  He could use a shower.  And then maybe he'd go finish wearing his temper out in that one realm.  He could use it.  Because, yeah, he'd felt the love god hand pushing them.  There was no way Phil wanted him.

22: Fussing At Old Ones

The battle pushing Xander and Phil together gets a bit harder and meaner.  Which is their worst mistake to date.  Because no one screws with the mortal families of any of the Old Ones.  NC-17 m/f, m/f/f.

Tony walked up to Dawn, reading something on his tablet computer.  "Why are you paying property taxes in Guatemala and Brazil?" he asked.

"Something Xander taught me."

Tony stared at her.  "You chose places you've been for fallbacks?" he asked quietly.

"Not in my name, mom's name, Buffy's name, nothing like it."  He relaxed.  "I had it registered in the name of a supposed limited liability corporation that leads back to about three others and to an identity that got used once in Thailand."

He considered it.  "Not bad.  Did they teach you that?"

"No, CSI shows did."

He laughed.  "Okay, I guess that's good enough.  Are they safe?"

"The one on the lake I bought both lots and put in a groundskeeper.  I hated to mow over the frogs and Clint hated pruning vines.  That's why we moved onto something more like they were used to before SHIELD."

"I can understand that.  The other?"

"Nice condo.  I have plans on visiting as myself, saying I had rented it to myself for a few weeks.  The other identity goes to a security company."

"Did you check to make sure that was fine with them?" Tony asked.  "Because they might need to use it again."

"No, I didn't think to."  She sent that at Clint, who said they had heard she had, that identity was a throw-away, and that he was spanking for that house in Guatemala.  She sent back she had gotten both lots and the other one had a very nice vacation house now.  He groaned.  She blew a kiss and shut him out again.  "He said that was fine."

He shook his head.  "Take Pepper?  She could use a vacation."

"It's scheduled right before the Expo and she wants to go to Paris."

"Fine."  He walked off.  "Have fun."

"I plan on it."  She grinned and got back to work.  "How did you find out?" she demanded.

"JARVIS flagged your bank account way back when.  He thought it was odd you were paying property taxes."

"Can you undo that?"

"Later."  He went into the office.

Dawn shook her head, sending an email to JARVIS, who said he would undo it.  She finished up with her reports, bringing them in to Pepper.

"Is it nice?"

"Very nice, private lake, lots and lots of jungle.  Caretaker in his own cottage at the end of the road.  I check on it every little once in a while and he's done a nice job.  There's only been one attempted party by the corrupt locals and I kinda electrocuted them so they quit."  She smiled.  "They know it belongs to someone who runs a security company."

"That's good."  She smiled.  "I might go there instead of Paris.  We could use some quiet."

"Sure."  Dawn grinned and handed over the files, going back to her desk.  She found Natasha going through the top drawer.  "Advil's on the other side."  She found it and took two.  "Did it bother you?"

"No, it's a good place for a fallback.  Looking over it, it's well done."  Dawn preened.  "The other one?"

"That new building in Brazil we were wondering about?"

She considered it.  "That wasn't in a great area."

"Which made it cheaper but the olympics are going to be there in a few years.  We're six blocks from all the clubs and about a block from the gangs."

"That is nice," she decided.  "I'd like to look it over."

Dawn winked.  "If we get a whole weekend off together...."  Natasha smiled and strolled off.  "If you're his sheepdog, he's hitting on Pepper."  She went that way.  Dawn went to gather reports.  The geek duo were pouty so she got them calmed down and back in good idea mode.  The others were huffy but yay!  She made the coffee they lived on.  She sniffed in chemistry then looked at them.  "What did you put in the coffee grounds?" she demanded.

"Salt.  Some website said to add a pinch of salt," one of them said, rubbing his forehead.  "Why?"

"It smells like bleach."  She called the infirmary to come check them.  They had mistaken the box of borax for the salt box.  Great.  She came back to sort out reports and move on to handle other things.  She made it through a whole day without any problems.  Which of course, was hampered by her alarm on Phil saying he needed help going off at two in the morning.  Her groan woke up her lovers but she said Phil needed a few things.  She grabbed them and went down, helping for a few minutes.  Once it got too dangerous she came home to take a shower and crawl back into bed.

***

Clint walked into Coulson's office the next morning, closing and locking the door.  He looked around, taking down the new cameras they had been installing, tossing them into the filing cabinet then he grabbed Phil.  "We do not want Dawn fighting, correct?"

"She was helping and we did not ask," he said.  He got free.  "I didn't ask and neither did Xander."

"Uh-huh.  She came home smelling like cordite."

"She did help us by providing some cover."  He handed over a newspaper article from an international paper.  "I don't even know why she showed up."

"Because she has something on you that says you needed help," he said bluntly, staring at him.

"I'll have to ease that to make sure it doesn't worry her."  Someone knocked then politely picked the door and walked in, taking his keyboard to get onto another site.   "Right after I stop Cleveland issuing an arrest warrant for her."  He called down there, taking it to the video conference room.

Clint handed her the paper, getting a grimace.  "We've got to stop that."

"She should hand over help and then leave, but it looks like it was necessary."

"Maybe.  Still dangerous."

"It is."  They walked off with the newspaper clipping.  They really had to work on Dawn's sense of timing.

***

Phil smiled as he walked up to Dawn's desk.  "Cleveland has decided they don't want to arrest you after all."

"They did?" she demanded.

"They did.  We talked to them about what happened and they decided it was not only self defense but also reasonable."  He stared at her.  "No more helping," he said quietly.  "Drop things and go."

"Fine."

"Thank you."  He patted her on the head with a smirk.  "I'm told the twins are hanging out again?"

"Tara has them all in the penthouse."  He smiled and went up there.  She huffed but got back to work.

"Dawn?" Pepper called a minute later.

She leaned in.  "If that's Cleveland, Phil said he stopped them after I winged Willow."

"No, we'll be talking about that later."  She hopped up on her desk.  "What the hell is that!"

Dawn came in to look, frowning.  "It's either a really tiny dragon or something like a poisonous lizard."  She created a capturing jar and used it.  The thing spit poison so it was a good indication it was dangerous.  She carefully slid some paper underneath it and flipped it over, clamping a lid on it.  "Let me see who it belongs to."  She looked around.  "Get away from the vent, Pepper, just in case."  She nodded, letting Dawn help her off the desk so they could leave.  Dawn called security.  "It's Dawn, we just found a poisonous lizard in Pepper's office.  That's good to know.  How many?"  She winced.  "Thanks."  She hung up.  "I swear some people have *no* sense," she complained loudly.

Pepper looked at her.  "How many?"

"Lab 48!"  She walked off.  "Stark?" she called when she spotted him.  He looked up.  She handed over the bottle of spitting lizard.  "Lab 48 created three of them.  That one just tried to kill Pepper."

"Great," he said sarcastically, looking at it.  "The others?"

"No damn clue according to security."

"Let's all take a long lunch," he decided.  He took the lizard down there to yell at them.  They could find their mutant little creatures and kill them.  Turns out they had control chips and they knew where they were, so Phil's lunch with the kids got interrupted.  They also had another fifteen sample crossbred species running around the building.  Stark had the building cleared for the day, with pay because he was a generous boss.  The people from the Bronx Zoo were more than happy to come get the samples from their labs.  The other two assassin lizards got picked up from the airshaft and handed over too.  That made people happier.

***

Dawn walked into SHIELD HQ, waving files.  "For the director on some new idiot's ideas to take over a country."  They smiled and signed her in, letting her head up there.  She walked into the office after a smile and wave at her mother, handing over the files.  "New idiot plans."

Fury looked them over.  "That's a bad thing."  He barely moved before the dagger hit him.  "What the fuck, Summers."

Joyce leaned in.  "That's not Dawn.  She and I are IM'ing about the holidays."  The man threw something at her.  Dawn appeared and kicked the being into a wall then snatched the illusion projector.  Then the person went out the window.  "Dear, isn't that outfit a bit much?" she complained.

"I was at home on the couch."

"It's better than the last time you said that," Fury complained.  "What is that?"

Dawn looked at it.  "I'd say it was a simulated image projector."  She tossed it at the guards walking in.  "That wasn't me.  I was on the couch talking to my mother when he appeared."  She pointed at the window.  One of the guards looked and winced.  She smiled.  "That should probably go to someone in R&D beyond Hevertes considering her name is on the back."  They nodded.  She looked at Fury, then at her mom.  "Need help?"

"No, it's not as much work as you said it was."

"They're all behaving before I show back up."  She winked and disappeared with a cheery wave.

"Find out what the fuck that does," Fury ordered.

Joyce scowled.  "Did no one ever soap your mouth?"  One of the guards started to laugh as he walked off.  "Really, Director.  You sound like a common thug sometimes.  Not even the sailor I used to date before I married swore that much."  She got back to work, handing over the form.  "For the window repair."  He signed it and huffed off.  Joyce posted that through the inter-office mail to maintenance.  Agent Hill was giving her a funny look.  "The head of the FBI called him 'that vulgar, swearing, one-eyed, disabled joke of an agency director' on Fox News."

"He's called him worse to his face," Agent Hill admitted with a smile.  "What was that?"

"Dawn said a simulated image projector?"

"I know we were working on one."

Fury came stomping back.  "We have a leak in R&D," he announced.  "Someone find it and tell me so I can plug it."

"Would that go back to the leak in Stark's labs?" Joyce asked.  He looked at her.  "They had that one that Agent Romanoff was looking over."

"Ask her," he told Hill.  He scowled at Joyce, who pulled up that footage.  He snorted.  "Last time he called me a nigger," he said, going back into his office.

"No, for that I'd paddle him," she said dryly.  Fury snorted again.  "Maintenance has the requisition."

"Thank you."  He stared at the dagger, finding a mark on it.  He brought it out.  "Scan this in."

Joyce took it to scan in.  "I saw that at the Natural History museum the other day with Dawn and Buffy."  She handed it back and started an image search, coming up with one.  She smiled and brought up the picture she had taken.  "It wasn't the main one but that's the same mark," she said with a point.  "The brochure said something about it being a naming plate that was found at the ruins of a training school for warriors, some of the strongest of Ares' people.  Xander?" she called.  He appeared.  "Do you know this mark?"

"Yes.  That's the mark of Ares' chosen Lieutenants in the Assassins Corps."  He looked at Fury.  "Why?"  The dagger was held up hilt first.  Xander took it to look at, rubbing a finger over it.  "Not an original and they copied it.  It's been laser etched.  It's too clean. In the old days, the only craftsmen that made it was at that school."  He handed it back properly. "They hand-chipped it that and the dagger was hand-forged."

"So it's a modern version?" Fury asked.

"Or something like that.  Now, if we're talking about the Ares' Chosen group, the Electi Ares group I've heard was started in Europe, I'm not sure if they're using that mark.  I'm not real sure who they are beyond some guys who think they're pretty badass."

"Can you ask him?" Fury demanded.

"No.  We're not speaking right now.  You can ask someone to ask him for you.  Like Thor."  He shrugged.  "Beyond that, that little group that wants any metahumans on top?  I'm pretty sure they're multi-national and I'm not sure if they're part of that group or not."

"That's something to consider," Fury said.  "If it's the fate of the world...."

"Fury, you're important but not the fate of the world," Xander said bluntly.  "Steve maybe."  That got a growl.  "You've went from soldier to administrator because that's the only way your ideas worked."

Ares appeared.  "No, they're not related.  The new chosen group is people who want to be warriors.  I've already suggested your House-mate check on them."  Xander nodded his thanks.  "We aren't at war."

"Did you stick up for us?" Xander asked.  Ares growled.  "Really?  After all that went on that you saw, you thought that was a *good* idea?"

"Didn't seem to phase you any," Ares sneered.

"Yeah, kinda felt like there was someone there going 'just go for it already'," he said in a high falsetto.  He stared at him.  "I know damn well when I'm being manipulated."  He disappeared.

Ares looked at Coulson, who had walked up behind them.  "I didn't feel that," he admitted.  "I'll talk to him later.  That group of fighters is very good and they do have a few people I could recommend to a new group.  Thank you."  Ares smirked and disappeared.  He looked at the director.  "I have no clue," he said at the pointed look.  "I'll talk to him after the kids are down."  He walked off, coming back to hand over his report and then leave again.  He hadn't been this flustered in years.

Did Xander really think it had been prompted?  He considered it, yes he probably did.  It was a bit coincidental.  He sighed.  Xander had really low self-esteem, he already knew that.  So maybe he had to have a Dawn talk with someone.  He locked his office and made sure nothing in there could catch him.  He found a sensor he hadn't noticed before and got up there to disable it by hand since it looked like an energy reading one.  He tossed it in the hall once he was done then locked the doors again so he could go talk to Xander.  He landed in front of him, just staring.  "It wasn't prompted."

"Of course it was," he muttered, sipping his soda.

He took the soda and put it down, staring at him.  "I have gotten to the point where I could feel things for you, of my own free will."  Xander gave him a confused look.  "Really."

"No," Xander said slowly.

"Yes, really.  You left that up to me and it's my decision, right?"  Xander nodded.  "Good."  He stared at him.  "Eat.  Something.  Don't make me turn into Dawn."

"But...."  Phil stared at him and he shifted.  "Um, I don't know what to say here."

"I do but I'm at work.  I'll be back after the kids are down."  He disappeared back to the building, since someone was in his office.  He came out of the empty elevator and headed back after getting some coffee.  He found Natasha in there.  He gave her a pointed look.

"That sensor is very delicate.  The director was not pleased."

"Yay."  He relocked the door but someone knocked.  He opened it and took the few letters and files.  "Thank you."  He closed and locked it again.  She got out of his seat.  He sat down.  "Did you hear that Dawn has a fallback?"  She held up two fingers.  "Great."  He smiled.  "That one house is very nice.  Private too."

"It is.  A bit big.  A bit extravagant.  It was definitely not what we're used to."

"Her either.  It met the other criteria and had the pond."  She sighed but shook her head.  "It's a nice job."

"I checked, it was."  She crossed her legs as the door opened and reclosed then was locked again.  Clint handed over the other file.  "Big news?"

"Fury's starting to get suspicious."

"He can do that all he wants," Phil said.  He looked at a few, tossing them out.  "I'm not paying for it, especially since I can make it cheaper from Radio Shack."  Clint laughed, sitting down.  "Why the meeting?"

"Training," she said.  He winced.  "They're not going to make it."

"The whole group goes to Xander's next month."  They nodded.  "We'll be cutting them down by at least two I believe."

"Probably five," Natasha said.  "I'd say more but a few have promise and desire, if not skills yet."

"I say we keep five and farm the rest out to projects," Clint said.  Dawn appeared and cuddled.  "Bad day?"

"No, not yet.  Callia just called me a bitch because I told her to quit bothering Jonathan so he could get stuff done.  He did too."  Natasha shook her head.  She looked at Phil, who shrugged.  "You confused him."

"I realize that.  I didn't see much of a choice."

"No, there's not.  How long were you thinking about all this taking?"

"Eighteen years," he said dryly.

She smirked.  "Sometimes it's really nice to have someone there to cling to."

"It is," he agreed, losing his grin.  "If it works out, it will."

"Good."  She smiled.  "Since I'm off for the rest of the day thanks to the poisonous lizards, what can I do to help?"

"Go get the twins from Callia?" he suggested.

"Tara has all three."

"Xander thinks that the agents are related and multi-national," he said.  "I doubt they'd put anything online."

"No, but there have been a few that have cautiously sent me letters."  He stared at her.  "I got a few thank you notes."

"Interesting," he said.  "You think?"

"Not sure.  I wrote back and basically said I did what I needed to do."  She went home to get the box and brought it back, settling in Natasha's lap this time.  She handed her something.  "It came in your name to the office."

She opened it and grimaced.  "They want to meet with me."

"Can I come to hurt them?" Dawn asked.

Natasha smiled.  "No.  We want them to think you innocent so they don't come after you."  She patted her so she moved.  "Your own chair?" she suggested.  "In case someone else comes in?"

"Two of the junior agents offered to Mom that they'd clear out and let me and Clint have the gym if he needed some special attention," she said dryly.

Clint laughed.  "They offered me the same thing and I said we're not supposed to do that in the building, and there's better places than the gym."  He smirked at her.  She kitty smirked back.

"Enough," Phil said.  "My office is not one."

"No, it's not," Dawn agreed.  "Your desk isn't near big enough."  He stared at her.  "Of course, the magical work room is a great one."  He shook his head.  "Could even be considered power raising."

"Not likely," Clint said.  She smirked at Phil, who was still shaking his head.  "Would any of those help?"

"A few might," he said.  "I'll hand them back later."  She nodded and disappeared.  He looked at them.  "The anniversary of the battle is soon," he said quietly.  They nodded they knew that.  "Don't keep us up?"

"There's soundproofing," Natasha noted.

"Not if windows are open."  He gave her a pointed look, getting a slight nod of acknowledgment that she had made Dawn get loud.  "Anything else I should look out for?"  She handed over the letter.  "You go with a wire," he warned.  She nodded once.  "And be damn careful.  Have someone watching your back if it's not me."

"You can."

He smiled.  "Thank you, Natasha.  We'll set it up for tomorrow?"  She nodded and they got to work planning that.  Clint could back them up.

***

Dawn looked up from her surfing for more helpful things at the office when she started to feel itchy.  Too much power itchy.  She looked at herself, finding herself a pretty shade of green.  "What the hell?" she muttered, checking herself over.  Yup, there was now a fourth key and it looked like a fifth one trying to start.  She concentrated and merged them with the original three.  She flashed herself to containment in Malibu, calling someone.  "Hey, Doc, it's Dawn.  I'm down in energy containment somewhere.  Someone decided to suck an extra Key or two to this realm.  Ask Andrew if it was him?  Yeah, I'm on full glow here and full of way too much energy.  Thanks."  She hung up and dropped into meditation.  This was not her doing.

***

Stark walked into the boys' suite, looking at them.  "Did either of you happen to decide that we needed more Keys here?"

Andrew slowly raised his hand.  "We heard about what that insane hell goddess did to the Dawn in another realm and thought it might save her there?" he said hesitantly, making it a question.  "Is it a bad thing?  It didn't hurt her, right?"

"Well, she's glowing," he said dryly.  "She's got way too much energy."  Andrew winced and whimpered.  "Next time, I want you to ask permission, I want to have a research paper on why.  That way I make sure you've thought about it.  And if you have more, no."

"There's maybe one more," he admitted.  "If we let it go back, it'll let that hell goddess win, Tony."

"Then put it into containment beside her, not in her."  He nodded, moving to readjust the machine.  "Is that mystical or tech?"

"Um.... yes?" Jonathan suggested.

"Once it's done, no more.  It gets shut off until I can look at it."  They nodded.  He walked off rubbing his head.  He liked the two geeks, and they were trying to be helpful.

***

Dawn was arguing with the ball when Tony got there.  "No, no one I know wants another kid.  Mom was too sick and it could kill her, and everyone would know you were caused.  She had cancer."  She and the ball of green were staring at each other and talking.  They could only hear her.  "If I knew someone that wanted another kid, I would but I don't.  I've got the other ball of glow that could use the same thing before I end up way too full of you guys.

"Then I'd look fat and never fit into my best clothes."  The ball almost pouted.  She sighed.  "If you can get someone to agree, then I don't mind.  Hell, ask Pepper?"  The ball zoomed off.  Dawn forced the other one overloading her out.  "I don't know," she told it.  "Maybe we can find another one."  The ball flashed happily and started to hum.   "Was I fourteen in your world?" she asked.  It bobbed happily.  "Why don't you go tease Rodney?"

"Let's not," Tony warned.  "Just in case it brought some extra spatial radiation or something."

She looked over.  "Andrew?"

"He was trying to spare the yous there the pain of what that one you know faced Glory went through."

"I think that's sweet and nice of him.  I have no idea what to do with six."

"Six?" he demanded.  "Five!"

"Six."

"You sure?"

"The original and my other two.  This one, the one that's going to Pepper, and the shy one."  She pointed at that one.  "That one may only be half power."

Athena appeared.  "Why did you summon them?" she demanded.

"I didn't," she said just as firmly.  "They got drawn here by someone trying to keep the me there from pain.  They're just drawn to mine."

Athena sneered.  "No one can figure that out."

"You'd be shocked," she said dryly.  "I'm surrounded by a lot of very smart people, Lady Athena."  She huffed off.  Dawn looked at the balls of glowiness.  "Do not let yourselves be taken.  No matter what."  They nodded.  "Did the me there survive without you?"  They nodded.  "Good!  Andrew would be really upset."

"So would you," Tony pointed out.

"Well, yeah, of course I would."  She petted them and they hummed at her.  Pepper brought back the other one, which was now pouting.  "I told you I didn't know anyone who wanted a mystical pregnancy."  It settled in to be petted.  "Guys, we've got to figure out how to protect you without overloading me to the point where I have to live in here."  The weaker one snuggled in.  "I like you too.  I'm not sending you back."  She sighed.  "Did it save her?"  The weaker ball of glow nodded.  "Then we'll see what we can do."  She saw a twinkling and put them behind her.  Ares appeared, staring at her.  "Andrew wanted to save the me there."

"Clearly.  You know it's dangerous to have more than one in a realm, right?"

"And yet I'm made of one and hold two other already," she said dryly.  "And that might just be why I'm in this charming containment cell at the moment."  Tony was breaking it.  "You can't have them."

"I don't want them.  I want them safe."

"The only safe place is inside me and I can't do that without becoming super powerful."

"That's not exactly safe."

"What do you consider safe?" she asked.

"Gone."

"I'll see if Andrew can send them back."  He growled.  Stark got between them.  "Oh, let him."  She stood up.  "You can't kill me."

"I'm fairly certain I can," he said with an evil smirk.

"I'm fairly certain you can't.   Or else I would've been in worse shape than you were during the battle."  He glared.  "Are we done with this pissing match yet?  I really have to pee and you're in the way."  Ares glared harder.  "Keep it up, watch me chibi you."  Ares looked confused.  Dawn smirked and started to chant, pulling on the extra energy they were feeding her.  Ares started to look younger and younger until he realized it and disappeared.  "Thank you for getting out of the way."  She waved and went to the bathroom, shaking her head.   She came out after doing what she needed to do, finding Isis playing with them.  "Andrew."

"I saw, child."  She smiled.  "Brave yet quite dumb."

She smirked.  "I'm not scared of the jackass.  If he kills me I'll probably ascend.  If he doesn't quit growling like a wolf pup, he can be his own dog of war," she called.  That got the growling she could hear stopped.  She smiled.  "Anyway, any idea how I can protect them from everyone?"

"They should not rest in you."

"If I knew anyone who was that desperate to get pregnant, I'd offer."

"That would help and make them a fairly weak witch."  Pepper gasped.  She smiled.  "It would.  Most of the energy would go to hold the physical form."  Dawn nodded that's how she was made.  "They could talk to yours to make sure they didn't have the same problems."  She stroked the weaker one.  "That one might not be strong enough."

"I might be able to make it a resting spot," Dawn admitted.  The goddess smiled at her.  "I can't let the other two fall into anyone else's hands though."

"No, you can't be responsible for that."  She looked at them, petting them.  "You two really do need parents."  She looked at Dawn.  "How is your mother?"

"We're waiting on a new scan later this week but we think she's fine."  She smiled.  "It's been a year."

"Wonderful news."  She squeezed the girl's hand, testing her.  "The lighter one could be safely held but you need to release energy more often."

"I'm trying to let some out daily."

"If you could do that, even just something as simple as a floating spell it would help."  She smiled.  "And learning another meditative form.  I'll teach you that later."  She stroked over them.  "You, help her."  The weaker one got absorbed into Dawn, who gasped and arched then made herself calm down.  "Now, absorb it," she instructed, showing her how.  That helped the other two and that one merged with hers.  "Even better than I had hoped."  She smiled and held up the other two.  "I have no idea."

"I want a child some year," Pepper said.  "They said I couldn't carry one."

"This would correct it," Isis assured her, scanning her.  "Easily."  She taught Dawn how to do that healing and let her do it.  Then one got put into Pepper, who gasped and held her stomach at the warmth.  She smiled, starting to sniffle.  She and Dawn hugged.  "Good.  That will be one strong little one."  She smiled at the other one.  "Dawn, may we?"

"Goddess Isis, I need to know what you plan with it.  I trust you not to destroy everyone but I'm a bit paranoid about that."

She smiled.  "I can agree being paranoid is the right thing to do.  Osiris wants to look it over."  Dawn stared at her.  She created a small necklace with the Key shrunk as a ball.  "Would that suit your paranoia?"

"It would more than suit it because I know you could protect it if someone comes."

"That's true, I can."  She winked.  "Calm down about it."

"Yes, ma'am.  I'll try."

"Good girl.  I can see why our favored helper adopted you."  She hugged her then left.  She put the necklace on and sealed it shut.  Her husband looked at her, then at the ball.  "A young sorcerer that knows the one here.  I promised I would guard it.  She is rightly paranoid."

"Excellent idea."  He touched it, smiling when it zapped him back.  "The human version is just as feisty."  He walked off happier.

***

Dawn looked at Pepper.  "I, um...."

Pepper gave her a squeeze.  "I was going to have one later this year somehow."  She smiled at her then at Tony.  "So I guess I'm taking some leave time in a few months."

"Sure," he agreed.  "Any idea who the father is?"

"Not a single one," she admitted.  "I wasn't really thinking about it."  Dawn shrugged.  "Let's go back home."  They got beamed back and Dawn headed home.  "Who's Dawn's father?"

"It came up without a match."  He sighed, looking at her stomach.  "Are you going to complain when we protect you?"

"Probably."

He smiled.  "That's fine.  I can take that."  He left her to think while he went to get a bit freaked out.

***

Dawn made it home and found one missing and the other sulking, hand stroking his bow.  "She couldn't bring you?"

"Not right now."  He looked at her.  "Containment?"

"Yeah, it was necessary."  She sent over why and Clint shuddered.  She showed him and only him how it was resolved.  "That way someone other than the three of us and a Goddess knows."

"That's a good resolution."  She came over to sit next to him.  "You good?"

"Bit tired.  I spent a while in meditation."  She snuggled in.  "Are you going to be okay?"

"I'll be fine."  He stroked over her arm.  "We're so sending her dirty thoughts later."

Dawn grinned.  "It means we might have to put off your birthday celebration."

Clint moaned.  "That's mean."  She smirked.  "If we have to push it back I'll accept two presents."  She gave him a squeeze.  "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine.  A bit full of energy that I need to bleed off.  I'll have it help me float something later."  He nodded.  She poked him.  "What's wrong beyond that she's on a mission?  You're pouting heavier than that."

"I'm not pouting."  Dawn floated a mirror over so he huffed.  She put it back.  "You know she and I tried this before?"  She nodded.  "It... it wasn't just the familiarity issue.  It was also that we worked together and she said she had to do something else out of the blue."

"Do you think she got worried that someone was after her?"

"No, I don't think so.  I think she just wanted to dump me."  He looked at her.  "I'm not sure...."

She kissed him.  "But you'd still have me if you wanted me," she said quietly.  "If you do..."  He squeezed her, laying them down to hold her.  "But we could help each other pout."

"I, yeah, that's what I was worried about."

Dawn smiled.  "I can't imagine anyone else being mine," she said.  "If I can't be greedy and have you both then I'll have to jealously hoard the one I can have until she realizes it and comes back to steal the most worthy thing.  Then we can set up some elaborate trap and tie her down to remind her that we made her happy."

He grinned.  "That's very geek of you."

"I try sometimes."  She snuggled in after a kiss.  "Seriously though, if she feels she has to bolt, I'm sure she has a reason.  It may suck ass, but I'm still here."

"I'll never forget that.  I can't with the way you hum while making coffee."  She poked him on the side.  He took a kiss.  "But that's....."

"I'm here.  I'm not moving.  Unless someone fires me and then I'll be a perky super assistant for someone else.  Or retire to Guatemala."  He huffed but cuddled her.  "If she does, I say we send her dirty thoughts each night until she has to show back up to complain."  He grinned.  "Then we can go with the geek plan?"

"We could go with the geek plan."

"You'd have to help me plan the trap."

"I would, you suck at them."  She laughed and cuddled him.  She was making him quit having future bad thoughts and focusing on the now.  "Would Coulson have to yell at you about the jealously hoarding thing?"

"Probably at least at first.  He yelled a few times when I was so worried about mom and was following him around the compound.  I thought at first that's why he introduced me to Pepper."

He gave her another squeeze.  "He knew you'd need an amazing woman role model."  She nodded, stroking his stomach with the hand not under them.  "Short Stuff, are you really wanting to incite me to pouncing?" he asked a minute later.

"I'm a bit bouncy but I can get up and make dinner if you want."

He looked down at her.  Then he kissed her.  "Eat and then I'll let you pounce."  She wiggled up and stripped down, going to make dinner that way.  He moaned, shifting onto his side to watch her.  She pulled out the large flat pan and the wok.  "Chinese, Middle Eastern, or Indian?"

"Indian."  She looked back.  "Unless you want something else?"

"No, that's good.  I could use some spiciness."  She grinned and got back to it.  He stared at her.  She had magically braided her hair without tying it off it so it was slowly unraveling against her back.  The food was quickly cooked and ready.  Which meant he had sit up.  She brought the bowls and flatbread out.  He moaned, digging in.  "The raisins are nicely done."  She smiled and dug into her own raisin and pork marsala dish.  The flat bread was the right sort of crispy, which was nice since she usually burned at least one piece.

They ate and she got them milk.  It was welcome since it was a bit spicy.  Once it was done they settled in to relax and let the food settle.  They were both full.  Dawn had set everything into the dishwasher and started it.  Leftovers were in the fridge.  They were watching the news until Dawn huffed and turned it off because it was all the car crashes in the city section of the news.  She rolled over and landed on his lap, kissing him.  He ran hands up her hips to pull her closer.  "Do you really have to shave everything?"  She looked down and did a quiet spell to regrow a bit of the hair.

"That's good.  No more dirty thoughts about your age."  He took another kiss and wound a hand into her hair, pulling her against his body.  Dawn spread her thighs to get lower and wrapped herself around him.  He shivered, letting her pull his shirt off.  "It's still there," he said when she got frustrated.  He knew she wanted skin.  He finally got down to the underarmour shirt and she huffed, pulling it off.  She saw the bruises.

"Training."  She kissed one and it healed.  He moaned.  She shifted so she could reach the rest.  One really vivid one got kissed and licked over.  "Pain stick," he moaned.  She was making him better and it was so damn sexy.  He got up, letting her cling to his chest.  He undid his pants and pushed them down, kicking them off.   She smiled and wrapped herself around him again.  He laid them down on the couch, slowly and gently teasing her until she was moaning and so horny she was going to knock him over to take it.  Then he slowly slid inside.  She scratched his shoulders but he enjoyed doing this to her, driving her so insane that she could only make pretty noises at him.  Thankfully she enjoyed the same things and pouncing him when she wanted more.

He found himself on his back, staring up at her as she slowly rode him.  He smiled and inserted a better mental song for her to hum for the rhythm she needed.  "Faster," he panted.  She did speed up and it was still nice.  She linked their fingers, pushing his arms up.  They kissed and she was getting better rhythm all the time.  He arched up suddenly and she groaned into his lips.  "I like you on top but faster, Dawn.  Please?"  She smirked meanly and braced on his chest, undulating against him while she rode him.

He growled.  "Dick tease."  He flipped them over, nearly falling off the couch, but she landed on her stomach and he slid back in slowly, showing he had a natural gift for making Dawn explode in squeaky, breathless noises.  She came and he grinned, keeping the pace, maybe easing up a bit on her to ride her through it.  She was reaching back so he leaned over her, whispering dirty things in her ear while she grabbed onto him.

She panted and wiggled back against him, getting a bit of leverage.  She used it to flip them up so they were sitting, then she pulled off and kissed him, leaning down to lick him clean.  He groaned. "Oh, god, Dawn."  She smirked and licked up him, staring at him.  "Yes, babe, if you want it, that's all yours."  She went down on him properly and it was so damn warm, so soft, so sweet of her.  He came and went limp, letting her clean him up.  She laid down on his chest, one hand teasing his nipple.  He swatted her hand.  "Recovery time, Dawn."  She laughed and kissed him.  He moaned.  "That's something I haven't done recently."

"Thankfully the few waxing scabs are gone."

"It is, yes."  He smirked.  She snuggled into his chest, smiling and teasing his side with her nails.  He swatted her hand.  "No scratching there."

"Fine."

"You used to be more vocal."

"I got told I get too loud."

"I liked it."

She smiled.  "'Tasha told me about the whole chemical incident in Germany that kept you two in a guard tower for eight hours with guards walking circuit below you."

"That was a bit...exciting but not for every day things."  He kissed her.  "You can be as loud as you want here.  If we're in a storage room at the Tower, then be discreet."  She winked.  "I doubt they'd like that."

"Yes they would.  Tony was wondering why I hadn't dick teased recently."

"Because you're saving it for that damnable red and purple dress?"  Dawn nodded.  "Have you noticed that you mostly dress in my colors, Natasha's colors, or green for the Key?"

"That had occurred to me a few times.  Which is when I bought that tan gauze dress."  He shuddered.  "So I went back."  She took a kiss.  "Every now and then I wear blue.  Andrew said the blue behind the chainmail lace dress was about your eye color."

"It is," he agreed happily.  He took another kiss.  "Did we have leftovers?"

"Enough for lunch."  She teased his chest.  "Or there is cake in there.  I picked up a tiny cake earlier, just big enough for the three of us to have modest slices, or two really good ones, from the bakery."  He grinned and they got cake, coming back to turn on something for the noise.  That worked well for post-sex food needs and the frosting made nice trails on her skin he could lick off.  This time, it was his turn to tease her evilly and make her do more than squeak, squeal, and pant.  It always starts off with a kiss but by the time he had licked off all the frosting from both of their pieces of cake, he was kissing a whole other body part and making her clutch the couch in desperation.

He looked up and found her eyes squeezed shut.  "Out loud, Dawn."  She let it out and he smiled.  That was a good noise.  He went back to teasing her, making sure she was ready because he wanted her to lose herself tonight.  He had more energy now.  He slid into her on his way up to kiss her.  She gasped and arched up into him.  He rode her hard, very hard, making her wrap her legs around his waist and just hang on.  "Why do I do all the work?"

"You keep saying I have no rhythm," she panted, trying to find something to hold onto on the sweaty skin.  "Clint, please!" she begged.  "Please!"  She arched up as he hit her g-spot and she came.  She shivered and he slowed down.  She went limp, unwrapping herself.  "Oh, Goddess."  He nibbled on the skin below her ear and she moaned in pleasure.  "More?" she begged.

"Definitely more."  He went back to his pleasing exercise.  She was shivering.  He let her flip onto her stomach, licking up her back and nibbling on her neck.  "Wear something with a collar tomorrow," he ordered in her ear as he slid back in.  She spread out so nicely underneath him but gave just as good as he did.  She didn't even mind when he slipped and bit her on the shoulder.  She bucked back hard against him and that was the end of his stamina.

He came hard, holding her in place.  She was growling.  He had left her hanging.  A few fingers twitches helped that and she went limp again.  He flipped them both over to the other end of the couch so they weren't in the wet spot and cuddled. He finished their cake with his fingers, letting her lick them off.  That was good and they could nap here for a bit until they got chilled.  Then they'd go to bed.

***

Phil looked down at the floor then at the kids.  "Some day you'll have that," he told them.  "Of course I'll threaten them properly so they know not to be whiny about anything strange you grow up liking."  He teased them, watching them crawl around and bat at each other and the bears he was holding.   He checked the clock then them.  "Bedtime?"  They crawled off.  He smiled because he had them trained to respond to one command.  It was so great.  Hopefully more commands would come easily.

They headed for the bathroom because they knew it was bath time as well.  He got them scrubbed down and took them in to diaper, dress, and put down.  A long story and they were asleep.  He carefully moved Melissa to her own bed.  John would wake up if moved.  He went out to the living room to relax and plan how to show Xander that he might be interested, no matter what his low self esteem thought.

***

Tony looked at Pepper's stomach, getting a grimace back.  "Just foreseeing it."  He leaned down to spread his hands over her still very flat stomach.  "We need to start lotioning so you don't have to worry about as many stretch marks."

"I think we can worry about those later."

"No, I'll want to tease them and that's mean."  He kissed her navel, looking up at her.  She smiled and played with his hair.  He stood up, taking a proper kiss.  "You were seriously going to use someone else?" he asked, staring at her.

"It'd get weird and hard, Tony."

He kissed her again.  "It hasn't with Buffy."

"She's not me."

"No, she's not."  He kissed her again.  "I'd let you set most of the rules."

"You usually do then break them."  He groaned.  "We'll see."  He nodded, pulling her into his lap to hold her and kiss her.  "Tony," she sighed.

"Was that a headache noise?  Because I know a great cure for it.  I learned how to give excellent neck massages."

"I know you do.  I've had a few."  She smiled.  "I could appreciate that, but no lower back.  You can't until after I've delivered."

"I totally get that."  He helped her out of her shirt and got some oil, coming back to do her shoulders and neck.  She was groaning and gripping her knees with her nails.  "Here, hold onto me so I can do your arms," he said quietly, shifting her hands for her.  It was great and she was nearly asleep by the time he was done.  "Whatever you need, Pepper," he reminded her.  She snored.  He smiled and helped her curl up on her side on the couch, covering her with a throw blanket.  He went to shower and think.  He had to think.  He really had to think.

***

The next day, Steve showed up and blinked at Pepper.  "Morning.  You look happy."

"I am," she said with a smile.  "Tony's in his lab looking up stuff that he already knows."

"Thanks, Pepper."  He walked that way.  He got let in by the AI and walked up behind Tony, seeing what he was looking up.  "Who's pregnant?"

Tony spun and smiled.  "Pepper."

"I didn't know you two were that serious again.  That's great," he said, hiding that he was a bit upset.  It meant a lot less time with Tony.

"No, nonononono," he lead him off to a closet to shove him in there, hissing in his ear what had happened.  There were no audio or video signals in the closet.  Not even JARVIS could see in there.  "No one knows outside us three, Dawn and Clint, and Andrew and Jonathan."

"Wow.  So... that's a future Dawn?"

"With less magic."  He grinned.  "She was thinking about going to the genius sperm bank and I nearly pouted at that idea of hers."  He let him out.  "So that's what we're thinking about and making future plans to get the baby a bodyguard."

Dawn cleared her throat.  "He or she may not be as bad.  Beyond that, I'm a bit jealous.  The baby will get to really grow up, not just have implanted memories.  They'll get to play and laugh and be a baby.  Something I never did."

"You'll get to see it from the other side though," Steve said.

"Maybe.  If they work.  No one said that the ones they constructed work, Steve."  Tony punched her on the arm, getting kicked back at.  "Jackass."  She smiled at him.  "We're all happy for Pepper.  She wasn't sure she could before."

"I'm very happy for her."  He grinned.  "This means you get to hold a baby shower."

"I do, yes."  She smirked.  "I'm still figuring out how to do that."  She kicked at Tony when he walked past her again.  "Andrew pouted but I got him calmed down and thanked him."

"That's good.  I'm storing that machine in case we need to reach across a realm and pluck something from there, like you being kidnaped across one."  She rolled her eyes.  "Don't you have work to do?"

"Only to come make sure you make it to the board meeting."  She smirked.  "In an hour."

"Crap," he muttered.

She smiled at Steve.  "It'll be fine.  He'll be scatterbrained again."

"I remember what he was like when Buffy got back from Pegasus."  He looked back at Tony then at her.  "Do they make regular baby toys?  I know he got Callia some sort of plasma tv thing and a few other things."

"Of course they do."  She took his phone and pulled up a site.  "That's what babies are allowed in the cribs."

"No bears?" he asked.

"Suffocation risk."

"Oh."  He nodded.  "So they're for later playing."  She nodded.  "That's great."  She found one and let him see it.  "That's sweet.  I like that idea."

"Or there's the ever popular diaper gift certificates.  You can buy whole months of diapers."  He laughed and nodded.

"She'll probably use a diaper service," Tony said.  "She said so with Callia."

"We'll see.  Cloth diapers can leave stains everywhere if you don't catch it in time and it overflows the plastic covers."  Tony gave her an odd look.  "They can."

"They can," he agreed.  "We tried with Callia.  She did not like the squishy feeling."  He shook his head.  "Maybe a cloth one inside a disposable one."

"You'd still throw away as many disposable, boss.  Board meeting."

"Yup, Miss Nag."  He waved a hand, making lists of things they needed.

Dawn walked over to cross a few off.  "You kept Callia's."

He paused.  "You think she'd let me give them to her?"

"Probably.  She picked them all out."

"Good point."  He made that note and fixed his prior ones.  She added in a few.  "Formula?  Do you think she'd want to breast feed?"  Steve whimpered.  "Sorry, but it is better for the baby."

"Some modern mothers get downright snippy and evil if you don't," Dawn told him.  "It's like Mommy gangs showing up to beat non-compliant moms for not breastfeeding and not using cloth diapers.  And then others gang up on moms for breastfeeding in the park and things."  Steve walked off shaking his head.  "You should see some of the mommy gangs in the park.  Phil nearly had to shoot one to get them off the twins and Tara."

"I think Agent Hill could do it better," Tony quipped.  She added in another mention of the board meeting and he grabbed things to go to it so she'd quit nagging.  "Thanks, Miss Nag."

"Welcome."  She smirked and waved, then tidied up and prepped the coffee maker for when he got back.  She walked out and locked the lab, heading upstairs.  She ran into Pepper in the elevator.  "I got him going."

"Thank you."

"He was making lists."

"I figured he was."

"I suggested you could probably take Callia's crib.  Since you had picked it out anyway."

Pepper smiled.  "It will look great in my spare room that used to be my study."  She got off on the right floor and Dawn went up to hit her desk and handle things while she was there.

***

Over in SHIELD HQ, an alarm was starting at the bottom levels.  Joyce heard it and moved to her designated safe spot.  Fury and the others were rushing off.  Joyce didn't know what the alarm was for but she noticed everyone switching to tranquilizer darts so she had a pretty decent idea.  She mentally arranged herself for this.  When the Hulk showed up, everyone fired on him.  He yelled.  "Stop it," she ordered.  She walked out and over to him.  He roared and she stared at him.  "They won't attack."

"Joyce, move," Agent Hill said.

"No.  He won't hurt me or I'll kick his butt later."  She looked at him, staring at him.  "What happened?"  He roared.  She moved closer, taking out the few darts that had stuck.  "That's not a good idea.  It just makes him more pissed off."  He made a fist.  "You do that and you're going to be damn sorry later, Mister."  He tipped his head, looking confused.  She stared at him.  He grabbed her and took off.  "Nor are you King Kong," she complained.

She found another dart and plucked it out.  He stormed into a room and she pointed.  "That way."  He ran that way.  At least he was slightly listening.  She got them into the incoming supply shipping bay and let him find somewhere to hide.  She settled in with him, patting his hand.  "Calm down, Bruce, and we'll talk."  She noticed he was listening.  "Do not come near here," she snapped.  "You're going to make him panic worse, people."  They backed off.

"Set a guard on the doorway."  They did that.  She got up and he made a grab for her.  "Shhh."  She leaned on his shoulder, looking over his hair.  "You have a knot.  Does it hurt?"  She touched near it and he flinched.  She kissed his forehead.  "Is that what made you change?  Did you get hurt?"  She soothed him and he calmed down, slowly but he was starting to shrink.  She heard the radios and thought at Phil, who showed up to make sure everyone stayed away.  "Did he get hurt?"

"Yes.  There was an explosion in the lab above him, it crashed part of the ceiling on him.  He changed to protect himself and then apparently went looking to protect you."

"He does a very good job of it."  She was teasing his ear, making him frown and bat at her.  She smiled.  "I know you hate it when I play with your ear.  If you're less green you could make me stop."  He growled.  She kissed him on the nose.  He pulled her around to cuddle her.  "C'mon, Bruce.  You can come back.  The mean ceiling was defeated and I'm okay."  He shivered but finished calming down.  She cuddled him.  He gave her the most pitiful look.  She kissed him.  "You didn't do more than try to growl at me when they were firing on you, dear.  I knew damn well you wouldn't hurt me."

"I could have."

"No, you can't."

"I can.  I might; you have to not do that, Joyce."

She made him look at her.  "You won't."  He slumped.  "You came looking for me to protect me."  He blinked.  She nodded.  "You weren't going to hurt me.  Not this time.  Maybe if you're in a battle sort of rage, but not this time."  He shivered but she wrapped herself around him.  "Calm down," she soothed.  "Then I'm looking at that egg on your head."  He reached up and winced.  She kissed it and he slumped.  She helped him back to his calmer spot and just let him hold her for now.  She looked up at him finally.  "It's nearly lunch."

"They're going to flinch away from both of us."

"Maybe."  She patted him on the wrist then kissed him.  He groaned.  She smiled.  "We need food for that too," she said in his ear, making him huff a laugh but squeeze her.  Someone tossed in some clothes.  "Thank you."  She handed it to him, helping him up so he could put them on.  She pulled his head down to look at the knot.  "That's really big.  You aren't seeing double or have any ringing in your ears?"

"No, no concussion," he said.  She smiled.  He put on the shirt.  She took his hand and he flinched.  "Joyce, how...."

"I'm amazing.  Look at the daughters I raised.  They had to get it from somewhere."

"They are amazing and so are you."  He kissed her hand then her.  She smiled and led him out.  They found the director glaring.  "What happened?"

"Explosion," Phil said, calling up the security footage.  Bruce winced, rubbing his head.  "The infirmary is waiting on you to scan that lump and Joyce."

"I only have a minor bruise where he squeezed too hard as he jumped a jeep," she said.

Fury stared at her.  "That was fucking dangerous, Summers."

"So is having him attacked.  If he's going on primal instinct then his first instinct is to attack back, not run away."

"You're an expert?" he demanded.

"No but I know werewolves."  Fury flinched at that.  "So yes, slightly.  Beyond that, I could tell he was panicked, not in a rage.  It was fairly clear he was panicking with the way he was looking around.  Unless he's in a total battle rage sort of state, I doubt he'd ever hurt me.  Because he knows that there'd be hell to pay later."  Bruce nodded, smiling slightly.  "I'm sorry if I broke your protocol, but yay in this case to quote my elder daughter."

Phil nodded.  "We can ask an expert in animal and primal states," he suggested.  "Have Roque ask one of his people?"

Fury looked at him.  "How would they know?"

"Well, some of us are over animals and some of the African ones do join with their spirit guides to get into that primal state," Artemis said as she appeared.

"Goddess Artemis," Joyce said with a smile and a bow.  "Have you met Director Fury and Agent Phil Coulson yet?  Or my mate, Doctor Bruce Banner?"

"I have overseen them."  She smiled, touching Bruce's temple.  "His primal battle state is different than a fear based one or an attack based one where he changed because he's being attacked.  She's right, if he's in a primal, non-battle state then attacking him does make it worse."  She concentrated and made a few exceptions for him to realize when he was changed.  "If you're in that primal, non-battle state, then you'll find somewhere to protect yourself and stay there," she said.  She smiled.  "If it's a battle, all bets are off."

"Thank you, Goddess Artemis," he said quietly.  "I don't want to hurt anyone."

"You didn't.  She's right, you went looking to protect her and whoever Callia is."

"Tony Stark's daughter and her granddaughter," Phil said.

"Ah!  I saw her.  She's an adorable little genius that will never have Athena's attitude problem."  She smiled.  "Nicely done."  He grinned at that.  "For now," she told Bruce.  "That is a concussion."  He nodded, looking down.  "Go get healed, get something to eat, finish calming down."  They bowed and walked off together, Joyce holding his hand.  She smiled at Phil.  "Good job."

"Thank you, ma'am."  He grinned slightly.  "She seemed to know."

"She did a lot of studying when one of their group found out he was changed.  Now, Yellow Fur werewolves do operate differently.  There, it's much more pack oriented."

"I heard what Dawn said about them soothing someone in heat."

"They attack the same way.  With a fireling being confused if he doesn't know why.  There, get the leader calmed down while the others growl and threaten.  If you attack them then they'll attack back."  He nodded.  "In that case, I'm fairly certain Cougar is the alpha Yellow Fur while Clay leads the human pack.  I can't be totally sure.  In that one, send in a female who's strong enough to hold off  being pinned.  She can be scared to death, but don't let her attack.  Have her act a bit submissive because wolves are alpha animals, and have her calm them down that way.  They should not want to attack her once they find out she's not making a move on the pack."

"I'll put that into our protocols," Phil promised.  "Thank you, Goddess Artemis."

"You're very welcome, Phil.  It's not many of us that would need that knowledge."  She tweaked his cheek.  "The twins are adorably messy from eating chalk."  He winced.  "Tara's in the bathroom."  She disappeared.  Phil texted Tara, who came out to stop them.

Nick Fury slowly calmed himself down.  "Yellow Furs?"

"Colonel Clay's team?" Phil reminded him.  "Pegasus werewolves."

"Them, okay.  Input that so we know.  I'm going to yell at Summers for risking herself that way."

"In that case that was the right thing to do, sir."

"In others she could get killed.  I don't want that."

"I doubt he would."  Phil pulled up something.  "After the battle out there, when someone brilliant decided to calm him down with Callia, without telling Stark."  He showed him how the Hulk had nearly went spastic on the whole infirmary staff because Callia was there.  He protected her from them.  She was cooing and petting him.  "Joyce does the same thing.  I have to think that whatever empathy Dawn and Callia show comes from her."

"Empathy?"

He smiled.  "You noticed how you felt calmer when Dawn was around in a happy mood?  That everyone feels like they can talk to her?"  Fury nodded slowly.  "She shows a very modest empathic gift.  So does her niece."  He turned off the feed.  "Her mother shows a lot of the same traits but we've never verified it."

"Her great-aunt had the same thing," Steve said from behind them.  "Raven was very much someone all the guys in and out of uniform loved to talk to, and not because she was pretty.  She made them feel better.  Even me."

"So you think it's a family gift?" Fury asked.  "We've found evidence of them in magical circles."

"Probably," Steve agreed, smiling at him.  "I think that would've made her one hell of a Raven of her own.  And Dawn.  They chose to help other ways.  Being the support structure instead of the one on the front lines."

"That's always safer," Phil agreed.  He patted him on the arm.  "People avoiding them?"

"No but there's rumors that they're getting married within weeks."

"I believe it's right before Christmas," Phil said with a smile.  Steve laughed and they looked at the director.

"Fine," he agreed.  "I'll trust her judgement but the next time, her spot is firmly behind either you or Agent Hill," he told Coulson.  "No matter what.  Also, look at better tranquilizers."

"Alexander said that one might be too weak.  He used it on Clay one night when he couldn't change back because there were idiots in higher uniforms trying to destroy his team.  That was the weakest dose.  I'm sure the infirmary took blood and we'll be able to gauge a better strength from that."  He and Steve walked off talking about it.  "Pepper's what?" he demanded.  Steve hissed in his ear.  "I was vaguely aware of that."  Steve told him the rest.

"Oh!  That's wonderful."  He smiled.  "I'll help her find a bodyguard for the future baby."  They got on the elevator and went up to the cafeteria.  There wasn't the usual two tables of clear space around where Bruce and Joyce were sitting.  He got his own lunch and sat with them.  "Rumors are stating that Ms. Potts may be having a change of status," Phil said as he joined them.

"She's pregnant we think," Steve said with a smile.

Joyce smiled.  "That's great news!  Even if Tony will hover and drive her nuts, even if it's not his."  She ate a bite of salad.  "We'll have to help Dawn plan the baby shower."  The men all smiled at her.  "Did she go to the genius sperm bank she was thinking of?"

"Not sure," Steve lied.

"I suppose it doesn't matter.  I'm happy for her any way it happened."  She dug in and Bruce nodded since his mouth was full.

One of the agents looked over.  "They make sperm banks just for geniuses?"

Phil nodded.  "There's a few specialty banks.  That one is expensive but they only take high IQ donors, mostly with PhD's or working toward it.  They're fairly inclusive of fields of study but a lot of geniuses donate there if they don't feel they want to raise a child."

"A genius often has attention issues," Joyce agreed.  "My best friend in my youth was a MENSA member since she was eight or so.  Could not focus on anything that didn't require a microscope.  That's what ended up killing her.  She was driving and talking on the phone with her research partner.  She drifted."  She ate a bite of salad.

"Doctor Hillary Wise?" Phil asked.  She smirked and nodded.  "She did look like she had some promising ideas.  SHIELD was looking at her for possible recruitment at one time."  She laughed and shook her head.  "That's what her file said.  When we did your background check, back when we found out about your daughter, that was linked."

"There's probably a few you've got in files."

"Including two that aren't all that nice."  She nodded at that.  "He still has your picture as his perfect mate."

"I figured he did," she sighed.  Bruce looked confused.  "My very first boyfriend in college, real boyfriend not childish thing, was a geek.  Like Andrew and them, only less sane.  He believed he was the Lord of All Evil.  He role played and all that.  Which was what drove me off really.  He rode a bicycle everywhere.  Had nothing to note," she said dryly.  "He kept saying some day he'd make a great discovery and I'd come back to him.  I turned him into campus security for trying to stalk me."

Phil nodded.  "He's in the genius home up in Massachusetts.  He was tinkering with plasma energy fields to call something higher so he could defeat it and prove he was the better evil one.  DARPA slammed him in there and took his research."

She nodded.  "That does not surprise me.  That's why my next one was a biker in the Navy and then I went for someone stable and supposedly middle management.  Look how Hank turned out."  She rolled her eyes.

Bruce patted her hand.  "He'll never bother you."

She smiled.  "He won't because Phil got me the most charming taser for my birthday."

"I enjoy mine," he quipped with a grin for her.  Bruce laughed and shook his head.

"In this city, women have to be able to protect themselves.  What's a mommy gang?  Dawn mentioned it," Steve said.

Joyce patted his hand and explained about them with Phil's help.  They weren't really gangs but they could act like it.

***

Dawn walked in from work that night and found someone on her couch.  "Who in the fuck are you?" she asked, leaving the door open.  "Because I don't know you."

He stood up.  "I came to talk to you about getting your help, Miss Summers."

"I'm sorry, I have a job I enjoy quite a lot.  The whole breaking and entering thing doesn't make me want to work for you either."

"I believe we have things that would interest you more."

"I sincerely doubt it considering my niece is at Stark."  He quirked up an eyebrow.  Clint was telling her that security was a few minutes out, both sets.  "Why do you think I'd be interested in your company instead?"

"I don't run a company, I run an organization."

"I ran into a few *organizations* in the past.  Not really a joiner.  Sorry," she said blandly.  "The Russian mob finally got the point, I think you should probably take it sooner."

Security guards and agents rushed in.  "You will regret this."

"Why?" she asked.  "Do you have someone hostage?  Do you think I can solve all the world's problems for you?  Give me one really good reason and I won't make these nice guys witness me killing you."

"Well, we will have one hostage if we want to.  The other reason?"  He held up a bottle.  "This is yours."

She looked then shook her head.  "No it's not."

"It is."

"It's not.  That's my sister's."  She smirked.  "I'm not Buffy."

"They made you of her.  It can still hurt you."

"No, it really can't.  I have my own DNA.  Hurting Buffy just pisses Alexander the fuck off, and her boyfriend."

Hylal appeared.  "I heard a threat to my wife," he growled, sword in hand.  The man blinked and stared, trying to back away from him.  "Why are you threatening my wife?"

"We want Dawn to work for us.  We were not planning on hurting her unless it was a last resort."

Hylal picked him up to stare at him.  "Puny idiot," he sneered.  "I will rend you for lamp oil."  The man was gasping because Hylal was cutting off his airway.  "You will not hurt my spouse or my sister-in-law.  Am I clear?"  He nodded.  He let him back down.  "Dawn, are you hurt?"

"No, I'm not hurt at all, Hylal.  These nice guys all answered very quickly.  Who sent you?"

"Lady Athena."  He blushed.  "She was talking to your sister about things."

Dawn called out something and handed it over.  "That cures all of Buffy's bad moods.  It works on most women and she can still be a virgin goddess with it."  He blushed so she sent it back with him.  She hugged one of the agents.  "Thank you, guys.  Tell me who he is when you beat it out of him."

"Yes, Miss Summers," one of the agents said.  "Let Stark Security scan your apartment for bugs."

"Can you do Agent Barton and Agent Romanoff's too please?" she asked.  They nodded and walked around with sensors.  "JARVIS?"

"Yes, Dawn."

"Why didn't you tell me there was someone in here?"

"There was?" he asked.

"JARVIS, they just arrested him," Dawn said, frowning.  She was texting Tony.  "Are you all right?"

"I suppose I am.  That is a bit strange.  Yes, I can see that on the footage.  Why did I not see him?"

"I don't know.  Is Stark busy?" Clint asked as he walked in.

"No, he's not.  He's helping me look."

"Do a processor sweep," Dawn reminded him.  "You kept saying that one of your sensors in the archives was down."

"I did?"  He checked.  "There is one.  That's pernicious.  Thank you, Dawn."

"Welcome.  Let me know if I need to help."

"Of course I shall."  He hung up.

Dawn looked at the security guys.  Then at Clint, who was growling.  "I'm okay."

"I know you are."  He took her phone to call Stark, walking around the apartment to check for anything that was moved.  The tv was.  They had to confiscate it, they couldn't get the module on the back off there.  It was soldered on.

"They're so buying me a new tv," Dawn decided.  One of the guards laughed.  Steve came jogging up the hall.  "We're okay.  They're scanning for bugs."

"Mr. Stark called and said to do the rest of the building," he told Captain Rogers.  "We'll head up then down."  Steve nodded, looking at Dawn.

"I'm okay.  I stalled well."  He sighed.  "Though, I'm not sure one wasn't a threat since he said he could have someone hostage soon when I asked."  She looked at Clint, who shook his head.  "You sure?"

"Yeah, I already sent a shout that way."  He came back.  "Are you feeling all right?  You're all flushed."  He tested her forehead.  "People, do we have any sign of something like a germ canister?"

"No, I'm not sick.  I was jogging to get out of the rain," Dawn said.

"It's not raining," Clint said.  She shook her head.  He squatted down to get closer to the module on the tv to look at.  "Cap, take her to the gym," he called.  "It's another subliminal system."

"Got it."  He walked her out.   Dawn kicked off her shoes up there and had undone her jacket.  "Dawn, are you all right?"

"Yeah, a bit cloudy minded."

"Do you need to spar?"

"Cap, I'm not going to hurt you."  She rubbed her forehead.  Xander appeared, frowning and testing her.  She winced.  Xander concentrated and fixed it.  She went limp.  "Okay," she said, looking at him.  "What?"

"They wanted you to go blow Natasha's cover," he said quietly.  "So they could get both of you.  He was thinking it worked because you were dressy today."

"I'm always dressy at work."  She frowned.  "I'd never do that."

"I know."

"Clint would stop me."

"He would," Xander agreed, smiling at her.  She hugged him.  "It seems like the funny wiring from the Key would help that," he said.

"It leaves me more open to them hitting me but it makes me less susceptible to following them.  Which means I have a mental junk pile of things that now and then try to complain loudly."  Clint walked in.  "We good?"

"Almost.  My apartment's clear.  Yours has a few things so you can spend tonight on the couch."  She poked him and he smirked.  "You okay?"

"Yeah, just a bit flashy right now."  He pushed open their link to help her deal with it.   Natasha helped from her spot in DC.  She was waiting on a contact at a bar.  They got it pushed back down and shoved into the locking case that had been put in.  She sighed in pleasure.  They locked it down again, making sure Natasha's was the tightest closed.  Xander looked and put an extra thread around it that they could end from their side.  "Thank you."

"Welcome."  He checked and looked then closed Clint's off.  Dawn was echoing through him into Natasha.  That helped and he showed Dawn an alternate meditation technique to handle that.  Then he left.

Dawn looked around then at Clint.  "So, anyway," she said lightly.  He poked her, shaking his head but he was smirking.  "Any idea who he was yet?"

"Not yet.  We're looking."  He led her up to get her something for the next few days then they went up to his apartment.  He went down to get the groceries but otherwise they could settle in his place for a few days.  He did have that very nice hammock swing on his porch.  Dawn would enjoy eating dinner out there.  Especially since she ordered from the caf at the Tower and then blipped over to pick it up then back.  That helped a lot.

***

Xander woke up when Phil appeared, gasping and holding his chest.  "Sorry, didn't mean to scare you," Phil said, handing over the file.  "Know him?"

Xander looked, shaking his head.  "No."  He handed it back.  "Is he involved in that whole wanting Dawn thing?"

"As well as the multinational spy ring that wants metahumans on top."  He sat down.  "Nightmare?"

"Strange dream."

"How bad?"

"Ever watch _Legend_?"

"Once, a very long time ago.  Why?"

"I was just dreaming the dance scene."

"Were you the demon or me?"

"I think I was.  I hope I was.  I'd look sucky in the dress."  Phil laughed.  Xander slumped down.  "So can we stop them?  Can I help stop them?"

"You might be able to.  If you hear, I need to know."

"Of course.  Anyone who hurts Dawn gets my foot up their ass."  He looked at the clock then at him.  "You're missing dinner?"

"I was still at the office.  I'm heading home now."  He smirked and left.  He handed Agent Hill the file on his way to wash his hands.

"Great, now we know their name," Maria agreed, texting Clint that they had the file.  Steve came up to get it, having to hug the begging kids before they pouted everyone to death.  "Make sure they get that."

"I will."  He walked off reading on the way down there.  He handed the file and made sure Dawn was still all right before going back to his own place.  Maybe he was ready to start dating?  He might like to learn how to date.  It looked like fun and he was a bit lonely.  Tony was making sure JARVIS was all right.  He called over there.  "Need anything?"

"I could use dinner," Tony admitted.  "Dawn didn't get to nag me to eat lunch and I'm realizing that now because my stomach is louder than my daughter.  Callia, please quit counting?" he called.  "Pretty please quit counting?"

"I'll be over in a few minutes.  What did you want me to pick up?"

"Something with meat.  Sandwiches are fine but I have to have meat."

"And matos," Callia called.

"And tomatoes for her," he sighed.

"I can do that."  He hung up and grabbed what he needed, hitting the nice Italian place on the way over.  They made some great calzones and it was like a sandwich, only more filling.  It was dinner, it had to last for a lot of hours.  They had some baked tomatoes with cheese and a tomato pasta salad that he got for Callia.  She'd probably like that.  He paid and took it to the Tower.  One of the security guys got the door for him so he grinned. "I'm doing Dawn's nagging job."

"They're in his private lab, Captain."

"Thanks."  He swiped his pass and headed up there.  Callia ran to the door to open it when she spotted him.  "Hi."  She was staring at the boxes.  "Here."  He sat hers on the smaller table in there with her chair.  It's where she wrote and things too.  He carefully moved things to her bins that Dawn had set up.  "These are warm tomatoes with cheese, baked together, and this is a tomato pasta salad."  She tried them and beamed, digging in once he had cut the tomatoes for her.  He walked over his and Tony's dinners.  Tony paid him back and took his, inhaling and smiling.  "I thought you needed something more filling than a sub."

"I did.  I so did.  I missed breakfast by sleeping in and Dawn was at a meeting for lunch."  He cut and inhaled a few bites, nodding.  "That's great."  Steve had started the coffee maker Dawn had prepped before leaving, letting Tony have his mind's grease too.  They settled in to eat while he went over JARVIS' systems.  He had found the virus, and when it was implanted.  The other things, he found out how.  They were based on a specific metal on a sensor that the virus had told JARVIS to ignore.  Anyone wearing it would get ignored.  It was how JARVIS had ignored Pepper for a few hours too, because she was wearing earrings made of it.  That was interesting and they'd have to track that back.

"Does this relate to the guy at Dawn's, or the people from Britain?" Steve asked, eating his last bite of dinner.

"By the date, that was that Week of Stupidity as Dawn called it.  Now, if the UK agents were involved I have no idea."  He called a number and got voicemail.  "Seriously?"

"Natasha's off on a mission."

"Oh."  He called Coulson's phone to let him know.  Then he got to work fixing it and making sure it couldn't happen again.

"Daddy, I can't finish," Callia called.  Tony walked over to grab the leftovers and she smiled at Steve.  "He was still hungry," she said quietly.  He hugged her.  "Did you hear?  Auntie Pepper is having a baby!"

"I did."  He smiled.  "I'm very happy for her."

"I get baby brother or sister."

"That's up to Aunt Pepper," Tony reminded her.

"So?  Still mine," she shot back.  She smiled at Steve.  "Help me read something?"

"I can do that."  He settled in beside her little work area and helped her read a big girl book as she put it.  It was probably a boy's book since it was on dinosaurs, but she seemed to like it.  She liked all animals.  "Tony, did you hear about Bruce?"

"I did and it makes a lot of sense.  Making him panic and attack back is never a good thing," he said as he typed.

"My Uncle Bruce?" Callia demanded, scowling at Steve.  "Is he tick?"

"No, he's not sick.  He got banged on the head thanks to someone upstairs doing something and turned a bit green for a bit.  Your grandmother got him calmed down."

"JARVIS," she started.

"He's offline for the next few hours.  Use the phone," Tony ordered.  He shook his head but he was smiling.

"Phone?" she called and it came jogging over.  She smiled at her uncle.  "Andrew helped me do that."

"It's a very good phone to come when you call," he said.  It didn't even have a tentacle, he was so proud of Andrew.  Tony looked back, looking confused, then shook his head.  Steve dialed it for her.  "There you go."

"Granma, is Uncle Bruce okay?" she demanded.  "Because I come fuss if he isn't."  She listened, and twirled the cord around her finger.  She had seen her auntie doing it.   "He not green?  Because I calm him down and help you fuss.  I know, auntie taught me like you showed her."  Tony smiled at her for that.  "You sure?  Yes, Granma.  Nighties!"  She hung up and patted the phone.  "Good phone."  It purred and slunk off to the corner to turn around a few times and curl up.  "He okay now," she told Steve.

"I'm glad he is."  He hugged her.  "Is your phone a kitty?"  She smiled and nodded.  "Did you make it a kitty or did Andrew ask?  Because I'm pretty sure it's got a long neck like a giraffe."

"They not make noise though.  Phones make noise and so do kitties.  Since we have roomba puppy, we need kitty phone.  Too many doggies can make them mean.  The tv people said so."  She nodded.

"It can, yeah."

She grinned and ran over to her father to pounce him.  He hugged her.  She wiggled free.  "Bedtime?" she asked.

He looked.  "You have a few hours."  He looked at her.  "If you're tired you can go now."  She shook her head quickly with a grin.  "JARVIS is sick so I have to do nurse stuff with him."

"You not a nurse.  Should call Dr. Pigalli."  She looked around for the phone again.

"I would if she could work on JARVIS, but since he's a computer I have to.  I'll tuck you in when it's time?"

"Okay."  She ran over and pounced her Uncle Steve full force.  "Play with me?  We have balls," she cooed.

"Sure, we can go play with the balls."  He stood up and put her on her feet.  "Show me where they are?"  She led him to the gym to show him the balls.  He showed her how to kick a soccer ball around.  It let her wear herself out and she was a bit too short for basketball.

***

Xander looked up when he woke up for the second time.  "The next one of you that sends the girly, romantic shit ideas and dreams and I'm coming up there!"  Suddenly, his mind felt free of all things like romantic picnics in a rowboat on the Thames.  It was a lot nicer in his head.  He flopped back down and made himself go back to sleep without the funny dreams.

***

Phil woke up and blinked at the ceiling.  "That's not really my style, people," he complained quietly.  "Do you mind?"  It quit.  "Thank you."  He turned onto his side and went back to sleep.  A picnic in a rowboat?  Really?  At least they hadn't been in the Victorian dresses.  He would look just as sucky in one of those as the one from Xander's dream.

***

Xander woke up the next morning in a fairly foul mood.  He stomped out to the training course, and everyone was gone.  They had left yesterday.  It let him wear himself out since he couldn't sleep peacefully.

Roque came to the edge of the field.  "What now?" he complained.  Xander sent him the various images from last night.  "Is 'Dite on a drunken kick?" he complained.  "You'd make a horrible English noble lady."

"Yes I would."  He waved.  "Since I can't sleep without that shit I get to wear myself out."

"Yeah, you have fun with that."  He and his teammates cleared out for the day.  They all stared at him, Jensen finishing his bowl of cereal.  "The love gods are trying again.  Girly shit that not even Dawn could coo at."  Clay shuddered.  "Though the archery scene and the dogs, he'd kill someone who hurt his dog," he called.  They quit sending that one.  "Okay then.  Let's go do something less worthwhile.  Shore leave?"

"Shore leave," Clay agreed.  They got lost in New York for a few hours.  They all had stuff they could do and O'Neill had given them the week off since their trainees were done with.

***

Phil walked out dressed for work the next morning.  "You look tired," Tara said.

"They prompted bad images all night."

"That bad?"

He poured himself some coffee and put in extra sugar this time.  "Picnic in a rowboat.  _Emma_."  He walked off after kissing both kids on the head.  He sent himself to the subway station.  He was not up to dealing with people on the sidewalk today.  He could create a small sub-space area around himself on the subway since he wasn't walking.  Today was going to be a very long day.

Tara waited until she was sure Phil was gone to giggle. "They think your daddy is sweet.  He is, but not like that."  The kids smiled at her.  "We should watch _Emma_ today instead of Bollywood."  It was in her movie collection so that was good and the kids liked the dresses.  "We have to figure out what to dress you two up for Halloween in a few weeks.  Not that I have any idea where you're going trick or treating," she realized.  She could look that up after making them costumes.  Some grease paint and a bit of imagination would work.

***

Dawn walked in the next morning, smiling at the guards.  "Morning."  They smiled once she had logged in.  "Anyone here yet?"

"Pepper is.  Stark's still in his lab."

"Okay."  She went up to drop her things, check the mail, check on Pepper, who was napping on her office couch.  Dawn covered her and checked.  The baby was fine.  She went to start her daily rounds of the labs.  "Boys, you've been here all night," she called into Lab 7.  "Eat before I nag."  She went on to get the others to eat.  She ended up in Stark's lab.  "So," she said, making him jump.  "Yeah, just after eight," she said dryly.  "Eat something?"

"I should, yes.  I inhaled dinner."

"That's what you get for not setting an alarm clock."  He snorted.  She cleaned up his lab and made him more coffee while he called down to the caf.  She went to get it for him and brought up his english muffins and nutella.

"Thanks, need chocolate."  He dug in, looking around.

"Tara," she reminded him.  "The nanny drops her with Tara on Wednesdays."

"Oh, yeah.  It's Wednesday?"  She pulled up his calendar while he ate another bite.  "It is.  Is that a meeting?"

"Yes.  To see if you have a solution to his jet problem."

"Crap."  He looked around.  "Dawn?"  She found the folder for him to go over again.  "Thanks."

"Welcome.  There's two other wanna be consults in the mail."  She put them next to his plate.  He shrugged.  "One's Pentagon."

"They probably don't want to pay for it though."  He sighed, going over it.  "Did I think it was a wiring problem?"

"I think you said something about vanes?"

"That could be it too," he agreed, shoving the rest of that english muffin in his mouth.  She set an alarm for that meeting and left him to be the genius he was.  He smiled.  He'd have to remind her of the office halloween party.

***

Dawn walked into the apartment that night and kissed Natasha until she moaned.  "You're already done?"

"Not really.  Heading back out in a few days for another meeting."  She blinked.  "What was that for?"

"Missed you last night," she quipped with a grin.  She went into the bedroom.  "Are you up for our twice-weekly sparring tonight?"

"I am."  She watched Dawn walk.  "I can sense the naughtiness.  What's going on now?"

"Office Halloween party."

She winced.  "I remember the last one."  Dawn leaned out of the bedroom.  "The all day one or the one he throws?"

"The one he throws.  The all day one I'm probably wearing my sari."

"That would be pretty.  A bit flirty but not bad."  She followed.  "What were you planning on that night?"

"No clue."  She took another kiss once she was back in her bodywear gear.  She smoothed down the legs and arms then stretched.  Natasha helped her.  "You sure you're ready to spar?"

"Let me change."  She pulled something out to do that and they went down to the gym.  "Clint?"

"Late.  Trainee group is going to Xander's tomorrow."

"That will be nice.  Is he going?"

"To introduce them then back here."  She smiled.  "I guess I'll have to sleep alone that night."  Natasha growled.  She smirked.  "I believe it's your turn, dear."  Natasha attacked and Dawn defended.  It was good between them and when Clint came in he took off his sleeveless t-shirt and joined in.  "Awww.  You're all sweaty," she teased.

"No wearing anything too flirty to the halloween party.  One of the junior agents asked if they were allowed to wear costumes to work that day."  Natasha stopped to laugh.  "Fury's face was priceless," he agreed.  "They had to call the infirmary to come get him before he had a stroke.  The junior agent looked so bummed so Joyce arranged to have candy dishes and they could trick or treat in the building during lunches only.  Fury gave up and let her do it so everyone would let him nap off the migraine.

"She did say that all costumes had to be battle ready in case something happened."  Dawn burst out cackling.  "Then she added a PS at the bottom of the memo reminding them to do a check for chaos sorcerers with plans.  Agent Hill found out why and nearly lost her mind but they found them and stopped them earlier."  Dawn leaned on his arm to laugh.  Natasha was still giggling too.  "Exactly."

"We have building-wide costumes," Dawn said.  "Then a party that night at Stark's penthouse."

"What'cha wearing?" he teased.

"Don't know yet."  She backed up and kicked at him, making him defend himself.  Natasha got back into it, though she was in a happier mood now.  "I was thinking my sari for the day."

"You do look good in it," he agreed.

Steve leaned in.  "Guys, Callia's here," he called.

They stopped the sparring before she got the wrong idea.  Last time she had kicked Natasha on the leg for beating up her aunt.  Once she had gotten hugs and went up to spend more time with the twins, they got back to it.

***

Tara looked at the kids' outfits then at Dawn, who had picked them out.  "Lion and a tiger?"

"Lions, and tigers, and bears," she said, handing over a cute tie to Phil.

"Oh, dear," he said.

"Not quite how it goes," Tara joked.  She shook her head.  "What am I going as?"

"Glinda if you want."  She blushed.  "Did you see that site online that proved she was the real sociopath in the movie?"

"I hadn't."  Dawn pulled it up and she stared.  "That actually makes some sense," she admitted, letting Phil read it.

"That's a lot like _Harry Potter_ having mental conditioning," Phil agreed, handing the phone back.  "Can't Callia go as the bear?"

"She's going as a skater chick, who is being chased by the Dalek and the spaghetti monster geek duo."

He nodded once.  "What are you going as?"

"My sari that day and then that night I have no damn idea."

Phil nodded.  "You could go as a bride.  Very covering so no one could hit on you."  She pulled up a wedding dress she had spotted in a window.  "Why is it a bikini top and a mermaid skirt?"

"Because prom gowns went that way too?" she guessed.  "It's a forty thousand dollar bikini top and skirt."  He shuddered, handing it back.  "Pepper and I cracked up on it."  She put her phone back.  "I still have no idea about that night.  Maybe something older and go as a zombie?"  She shrugged.  "I don't want to though because the rule of chaos magic I'd be turned into one and eat a genius.  It'd probably stick around to possess me after we were all back to normal."

"Not a good idea," he agreed.  He walked off shaking his head to get some water.  "Maria?" he called since she was checking a file on the couch.

"I'm good, Phil, thanks."  She closed down the file and came over.  "I can't believe your mother talked him into it."

"Clint said he had a migraine by then."

"He nearly had a stroke," Maria agreed.  "We were moving to start CPR."

Phil nodded.  "We were."

"The FBI has costumes," Dawn quipped with a smirk.  "So do a few of the more public offices at the CIA."

He snorted.  "Fury would've had a fit."  He sipped his water, looking at the coloring kids.  "Thank you for making that memo make more sense."  They smiled at him.  He grinned back.  "One of the funny dreams Xander got sent was that dress from _Legend_," he offered to Dawn.

"I'd make a great evil one," she quipped with a smirk.  "I might look at that."  She went downstairs to see if she could find one in her size.  She stared at the box on the coffee table.  "What's this?" she called.

"It came to SHIELD for you," Natasha called, coming out.  "I have no idea.  It was scanned but said to be harmless."

Dawn sat down to open it, staring at the jewelry.  "What the fuck?" she complained.  No note.  "Clint, did you buy me a lot of pretty diamonds and emeralds?" she called.

"Hell no."   He came out to stare.  "Wow.  That's pretty."  He looked around.  "No note?"

"No."  She looked at the shipping label.  "They shipped this via UPS?"  She took a picture and sent it to her mother.  Who said she got a note saying something about twinkly things.  She forwarded it.  Dawn read it.  "Oh, it's in thanks for saving everyone at the battle of Sunnydale."

"Someone has much too much money," Natasha said bluntly.  Dawn nodded quickly.  She picked up a piece to look at.  "Nothing coated on it."  She looked at it in the light.  "Nice quality but not exquisite.  Probably worth a bit."  She put it back.

"Phil suggested I should go as the great evil one in the fancy dress," Dawn said, staring at it.  Someone knocked.  "What?" she called.

Tony walked in and looked.  "Joyce told me."  He picked up a few pieces.  "Those are nice but that one was stolen."  He smirked.  "Great job, Dawn."

"Thanks."  She handed it over.  "I don't need fancy, twinkling things."

"Uh-huh.  Every woman likes jewels."  He strolled out with them to let Security report that and get someone to gather it.

Dawn leaned back.  "So, anyway."  They laughed.  She found the video of the dance scene and let them see it.  "Phil suggested that."

Clint stared.  "Won't do much for you but it looks hard to get into."

"I think that was his intention," she agreed with a grin.

"Go as an evil empress," Natasha said.  "Not that one."  She winked and got up.  "I'm sure you can look evil if you want to."  She went to the kitchen to start dinner.

"I can look evil."  She cackled.  "I even have the costume jewelry to do it with."  She kissed Clint, earning an evil smirk.  "I'll need some help that night."

"I can do that."  He went to help.  Dawn got up to help as well.  They made her set the table.  "She can cook."

"We're having Tabooli, she can cook some other night."  That got a nod and Dawn changed what went on the table.  It was a good night.

***

Tara brought the kids for the trick or treat at SHIELD with their father.  He had asked.  She giggled and let him walk the stroller around.  All the other parents were doing the  same.

Joyce smiled.  "Oh, my!  A lion, a tiger, and a teddybear."

"Not always," Phil quipped.  Joyce gave them baby safe candy.  He smiled and let them beg the others with the other kids.  Maria was a great aunt, she was handing out giant tootsie rolls.

One of the junior agents finally got it.  "Oh!  The _Wizard of Oz_!" he said with a grin for the senior agent.

Phil nodded.  "Dawn picked it."  They laughed and he took the kids with him.  They had a lot of fun and then went home with Mom.

One of the kids looked at Fury, who was scowling in his office while wearing all black and his trench coat.  "Mama!  Vader!" he shouted, pointing at the director.  "Vader, mama!"

"Not quite but sometimes," she said with a wince at the director, who actually cracked a smile.  "He wants to be a jedi, sir."

"We accept jedi agents," he assured the kid, who grinned at him.  "Go on."  The kid ran off laughing with the others.  He shrugged off the agent's 'sorry' mouthed at him.  Maria Hill was smiling.  "No helmet yet."

"No, sir, not yet.  Or the respirator."   He went back to his desk.  One energetic one crawled in after him and he brought her out to hand her back.  Twice as it happened, then he shut the door.  "Beth, come see Joyce.  She has candy."  She came over to see Joyce, who was wearing a book hat.  That got a giggle and the kids all disappeared since lunch was nearly over with.  The admin team all sighed.  It had worked and nothing had happened yet.

***

Over at Stark, Dawn was strolling around in her outfit.  A few scientists smiled.  She grinned back.  "Xander's mom's assistant showed me how to properly put one on.  Even if I do need a pin."  They smiled at her for that.

Pepper, who was a farmer's daughter with pigtails, smiled at her outfit.  "You look great in that."

"Thank you, kind ma'am."  She handed over files.  "Let me do the lab rounds."  Pepper smiled and nodded.  She walked down there.  Most of the scientists had ignored the dress up memo.  A few who didn't were geek creations.  She saw three Doctors, all different ones.  She saw one Tardis in a corner.  She hoped it was just a cardboard box but you never knew with some geeks.  She walked into lab 7.  "Remember, I'm not the bimbo you guys are chasing."  They laughed.  Callia went skating past and they pretended to chase her, making her cackle.  Dawn made sure her shoulder end was still in place then went to get the others.  She walked into the tinkering lab last.  They were all three in there again today.  She checked and made coffee.

Rodney turned and nearly fell off his chair.  "Talk about teasing," he said blandly.

She smirked.  "It's perfectly correct."

"Uh-huh."  He looked her over, shaking his head.  "Mari wears more."

"Mari's not allowed to get married or that curse hits her to turn her into the bimbo trophy wife."

"Good point."  Bruce smiled at her.  "You do look nice, Dawn."

"Thank you, Stepdaddy."  He laughed.  Tony was staring, cup halfway to his mouth.  "What?"  She checked, nothing had fallen or untucked.  She looked at him.  "Thousands of women wear this sort of thing every day, boss."

He nodded.  "Not that I'm used to.  Damn."  She laughed and strolled out.  He shook his head.  "Pepper never would've done that to me.  I'm a weak man and I know she's dating."

Rodney patted him on the back.  "She did look very good."

Bruce nodded.  "Joyce made some pretty girls, if only Buffy would put on some weight again."  He got back to work, texting Joyce.  He pulled up a picture from the security system to send her.  Joyce sent back a whistle, cracking him up.  He forwarded that to Dawn, who quipped back of course she was hot enough for women to hit on her, and her mom had too much on her mind that way to even think about women.  He was happier with that.

***

Dawn looked at Pepper.  "Want me to deliver it to SHIELD?"

"Please."  She handed over that file.  "Thank you.  You're coming tonight?"

"I am and I'm going to be evil."

Pepper looked her over.  "You're already evil," she assured her.  Dawn cackled.  "Oh, that sort of evil."  Dawn winked and strolled out, sending herself over magically.  She'd need a jacket outside today and it'd ruin the look.

***

Fury looked up as Dawn appeared, taking the folder.  "Did you have to wear that?"

"Yes, I did.  Tonight I'll be evil."  She smirked, walking out to hug her mother.  "They should spend a week in Mumbai where half the women still wear saris every day."  She strolled off.  "Later, Maria?"

"No, I'm not going to the Stark party.  Tara said we're watching Halloween movies with the kids."

"Okay."  She smiled and headed downstairs to check on Phil, who hadn't eaten lunch.  She walked in after tapping.  "You forgot lunch."

He looked at her abs, because they were at eye height, then up at her face.  "You enjoy doing that to men, don't you?"

"Of course I do."  She blew a kiss.  "Eat something.  You cannot live on coffee alone if McKay can't."  She gave him a pointed look.

"I'll eat before the party tonight.  Go change?"

"I'm on my way home now," she quipped.

Clint walked up behind her.  "How long do you have to be unwrapped?" he asked her ear.

She smiled.  "About an hour to get totally changed."  She blew a kiss.  "I'm heading home now to expand that by twenty minutes."  Natasha walked up and stared.  "Did I wind it wrong?  Everyone's staring."

"I believe it's the lipstick kiss bellybutton ring," she said.  "Is that real?"

Dawn smirked.  "No comment."  She disappeared.

She groaned, looking at Clint, who nodded.  "Just think, she's an evil empress tonight," he quipped.

"I saw her trying on her outfit.  Don't remind me."  She walked off to bang her head into a wall.  Clint followed, helping her remove that stress in the changing area.   It was much appreciated even if it was at work.

***

Dawn walked into Stark Tower that night alone.  Everyone else was already there.  The guards gaped.  She smiled.  Her skintight black leather pants were tucked into black leather five inch high heeled boots that came up to just over her ankle.  Her black leather jacket was unzipped to a decorous level and it was clear she was only wearing a bra under it.  The laser pistols strapped to her thighs looked very authentic.  The knives in her hair were authentic.  The jewelry was minimal and the smokey eyes were hot.  Her hair was mostly loose but the front had been pulled back to keep it off her face and show off her headband-style crown.  She logged in with her pass and headed up in the elevator.

The door guard swallowed his gum.  "Name?" he squeaked.

"The Great Evil One, Dawn Summers," she purred.  He checked and she was on there.  She strolled in.  She got her usual sparkling water and found Pepper.  "Is it my turn to take over yet?" she quipped in greeting.

Pepper looked and gaped.  "Are those real lasers?"

"Have we perfected some yet?" she quipped, drinking a sip.  "If so, I do want a set."

"Not yet," she said, looking her over.  "So that's the current evil empress look?"

"Of course.  All the fluffy, showy dresses are bad to fight in when the hero or heroine comes to overthrow you.  Who can fight in a puffy ball gown with a bare stomach?"  The women around Pepper cackled.  She smiled at the staring guy next to them.  "Hi.  Are you my loyal servant yet?"

He swallowed a gulp of liquor.  "Not yet.  I only serve the single evil ones."

"Pity."  She walked over to the boys.  "Ah, my loyal spaghetti monster and Dalek."  They spun and stared.  She smirked at them.

"Wow.  If you go evil, I'm joining your crusade," Jonathan said.  "Just to get boots like that, only lower for guys of course."

She patted him on the arm.  "Of course you both can."  They grinned and moved to flank her.  It made a good picture.  Someone took one.  She smirked evilly at the reporter, who took another one then fled.  "Ah, another loyal one."  The guys laughed.  One of the intern geekettes in chem came over to stammer at Jonathan.  "He'd adore to dance with you," Dawn said with a smile.  "Be very gentle with my Dalek though."

"I will, Dawn."  She pulled him out.  They danced like it was high school but that was fine.  Andrew got pulled out by one of the other geekettes interning in shield design.  It was good for them.

Tony walked over, staring at her.  "I don't know if I should comment."

She smirked.  "Some day all this will be mine and I'll rule with a benevolent yet slightly crushing fist," she quipped.

"I really have got to get an heir to the suit before that happens.  Where did you find that?"

"I walked into a shop that specializes in leather play and said I needed to look the most evil I could because I was definitely going to be using the whip I also got tonight.  It was relatively inexpensive.  I've spent more on gowns."

"You have a whip?" he asked.  She pulled it out.  He shook his head so she put it back.  "Guns?"

"Bubble lasers."

"Even better."  He looked her over again.  "No more teasing for the next month."

"Fine."  She smirked.  "I was going to be sweet and innocent tomorrow."

"More or less innocent than the pink dress?"

"That's in Tara's closet and less."

"Uh-huh.  Please do."  He looked around.  "Where are your consort and princess?"

"Um, working.  They're heading out of the city to get a package from someone who's not able to give reports at the moment."  She finished her water.  "She saw me trying it on."

"Good!"  He walked off.  Phil Coulson showed up as a cowboy, or at least in the cowboy hat and jeans, plus a plain button-up shirt.  "Hey, Woody," he called with a smirk.

"Funny," he said blandly.  He spotted Dawn and swallowed.  "I really have to go through her closet again."

"Yeah, might help."  He got another drink and went to dance with someone.

Phil walked over to her.  "Are you one of my loyal subjects?" she quipped.

"No, I'm your big brother running your ranching enterprises, Empress, so I get to paddle you for walking around New York in that."  He looked at her.  "Safety issues?"  She adjusted her hair accessories.  "Uh-huh.  That's not enough."  He moved to stand beside her.  "I know they're on a mission," he said quietly.

"I know."  She got another glass of water and sipped it.  "Eww, thought that was sparkling water."

"It is," the waiter said.

"Then it's got tequila in it," she quipped, going to the bar.  "Can I have some sparkling water without the tequila?"  He poured her some.  "Thank you."  She strolled back to her watching spot.  The boys were talking with the two interns, who played the same online games they did.  It was a great thing to see.  Dawn looked at Phil.  "I felt Xander."

"I asked if he wanted to come to protect you."  Xander got let in.  He was in leather pants and his formal leather vest.  "I clearly need the updated protocol guide."

"I got it from Mari.  It's that heavy book set in my study."

"I'll get it later," he said.  "Xander."

He smiled.  "I needed out of the house anyway."  He looked Dawn over, handing her two things.  "Real lasers."  She smirked and took them to look over then put in place of the fake ones.  He stood on her other side.  "That's very good to see," he said quietly.

"It is," she agreed.

Tony walked back over.  "Thanks for coming, Xander."  He looked at her guns.  "If those are real, I'm so looking them over tomorrow."

"Fine."  Xander smiled.  "I needed out of the house.  They're going on a campaign of trying to entice us with funny mental images.  I got another Victorian dress movie reference."

"I'd still look sucky in the dress," Phil said blandly.

Tony looked at him.  "I don't want to know."

"Probably not."

Steve strolled over.  "I should save the universe from the evil," he quipped.

Dawn smirked.  "You can try but we all know you're a good boy, Cap."

"Most of the time.  Even I used to play pranks."  He took her out to dance with her.  He heard Bruce and Joyce choke and smiled at them.  "She's an evil empress."

"She certainly is," Bruce agreed, kissing Joyce.  "I'm so glad you can't wear that outfit," he said in her ear.  "I'd never survive it."

"I'd never survive it," she assured him, cracking him up.  "But we'd go happy."

"We would."  They went out to dance.  Joyce looked like a Roman noble woman.  Bruce was a gladiator.

Tony looked at Phil and Xander.  "You two can dance too."

"No, thank you anyway," Phil quipped.  His phone beeped so he looked at it.  "Uninvited guests."

"With guns or without?" Xander asked.  "I can go scare them off."

"Press people," he said, putting the phone back.

Xander went down there and manifested his axe.  "Hi.  How are you doing?"   The press people ran.  He put his axe back and grinned at the guards.  "Any more uninvited ones?"

"Not yet, sir," one quipped with a smile.

"Cool."  He flashed back up there.

The head guard looked at his very polite and slightly suicidal minion.  "That was Alexander."

"I know.  He's a really nice guy.  He took Dawn to lunch last week."  He grinned.

His bossed patted him on the shoulder.  "Some day you'll have sense, son."

***

Dawn strolled around the room, looking at things.  She spotted Steve outside and went to talk to him.  "Too crowded?"  It had been a few hours and Steve's limits for parties was usually about 2 hours.

"I feel strange."  He was gripping the railing.

"Steve, look at me," she said.  He did.  "That's not a good thing, dude.  You got drugged."  She took his arm.  "Lean on me."

"Dawn, I'm having things I shouldn't about you."

"I can knock you on your ass while you're in this state, Cap; let's go and I'll quietly get you to the infirmary."  He nodded and walked with her.  She got them out into the hall with the excuse that he needed to check on someone that had went down for being a bit tipsy.  They were stashing people in the infirmary for that.  She used her Stark Industries pass to get down there and walked him in.  "Doc?"  She looked over.  "Drugged."  She took him to a private room to look him over.  She went back up there, going right to Tony, who was dancing with some bimbo.  She cut in with a grin.  "He needs more evil in his life to give him more naughty ideas."  She huffed off.  She spun him off.  "Cap got drugged," she said quietly in his ear, getting a nod.  "He's in the infirmary with Doc."

"Any idea?"

"Looked like an anti-inhibitant.  He said he had urges he shouldn't about me.  I assured him I could knock him on his ass."  He nodded and let her go since the song had ended.  She went to get another drink and scan the bar.  She spotted him trying to lace her drink and walked him off, handing him to security.  "Pills and dusting the drinks," she said.

"We saw the nice escort," he agreed, taking him off to lock in a room.  One of the guards could bartend instead.  Or as it turned out, Clay could.  He and Roque were attending and he knew a good bit about drinking.  Dawn smiled and got a bottle of water to walk off with.  He informed the boss, who came up to gather things quietly from Clay.

Tony smirked at her.  "Smooth."

"Thank you, I do try to stay that way."  He laughed.  She looked around then found Pepper being mopey.  She walked over to her.  "I'd ask you to dance but you might have rumors started about you and they'd say I was recruiting."

Pepper smiled.  "If I had any wobbles toward women, you might be."  She sipped her water.  "What was that?" she asked quietly.

"Drugs."

"Oh, charming."  She walked out and Tony dumped his conversation group to dance with her.  "Another hour," she said quietly.

"Go home if you're tired.  I'll fully understand needing a nap, Pepper."

"I might."  She smiled and let him dance her toward the door.  She laughed and left, going home.  She was so tired with all this.  She had no idea she'd be tired already.  Maybe she'd have Dawn look at the baby.

Dawn watched the group, turning down an offer to dance.  "Sore feet, sorry."  She smiled.  "Later?"  He smirked and walked off.  Phil finally got free and came to hide with her.  Xander was outside enjoying the lights of the city.  "Morning."

"Worn out of evil?" he quipped.

"Not hardly.  No one here I really want to tease."  She finished her water and tossed it out properly, because unlike a lot of the hos she knew what a trashcan was.  She looked at a couch and grimaced.  "Is that a tampon?" she muttered.

He nodded.  "We've all been avoiding it.  We figure she's so well used it fell out and she never realized."

"Eww."

"Very."  He looked outside when he saw movement from the corner of his eye.  "Can I borrow that?" he asked, letting her hand him a gun.  He had wanted to try a laser pistol.  Turns out it was quiet, efficient, and made a huge burn mark on the back of the man sneaking up on Xander with a knife.  "Huh."

Xander looked then at the body.  "Thanks, Phil."

"Welcome."  He flipped him over, nodding.  "Not SHIELD at least."  He took his picture and sent it to the duty officer.  She sent back an ID.  He corrected that he was now deceased on Stark's patio.  She said they'd send someone to quietly remove him.  Xander floated him out of the way and Phil handed back the gun.  "Cap?" he asked her.

"Bartender or someone."

"Thank you."

"Not a problem.  I'd never want anyone to deal with that and they must've gotten him hard with how he was reacting."  Tony strolled over.  "Hey, boss."

"People."  He looked out there then at Phil.  "I won't even mention the romantic moment?"

"Shooting an agent from the UK?  Thank you."

Tony walked off shaking his head.  "Dawn, want to dance?"

"Don't know, boss, can you handle the evil greatness?" she quipped, following him.  He was slightly tipsy but nowhere near drunk.  It was a good dance, he was smooth.  He was a tease and it was making her giggle.  She poked him on the arm and spun them around to dance with him instead, making him blush.  "Sometimes it just needs handled," she quipped, making him laugh and get away from her, shaking his head.

She strolled off, dancing with a guy who had asked earlier.  He was stammering but she understood him after so long around all the scientists.  She gently turned down his nice offer with an 'I'm dating someone great' and left it there.  She did introduce him to his next dance partner, who was a bit aggressive but was looking to take someone home and was pretty.  That worked well and she got free to wander around.

Phil looked at his phone when it beeped, smiling as he answered back that they were still at the party and he'd escort her back so she was safe.  Clint sent a confused question mark back.  He sent back a 'no picture does it justice' and left it there.  He finally had enough and walked over to Dawn.  "Turn into a pumpkin," he told her.

"Sure, I can turn into a pumpkin and the sweet, gentle princess again."  A few people in hearing laughed.  "He's so like my big brother."  They smiled.  "Bye, boss."

"Bye, Dawn."  He smirked at Coulson when he left.  That meant no one would report to Pepper if he was naughty.  That made the night much more interesting.  Especially with Callia with Tara's twins at their place.

***

Phil opened the door for her and shoved her in then closed it and walked off to his own apartment.  There was a cold shower in his future.

Dawn strolled in, looking around.  "Are we upstairs?" she called.  A quiet 'yes' floated down from the slightly open porch doors.  She closed and locked them then went up there.  She strolled in and locked the door behind her, heading for the bedroom.  It was three, they should be in there.

Clint stared then looked at Natasha.  "Should've warned me, Nat."

She shrugged.  "She makes quite an evil empress."

"She makes a good evil tease," he corrected.  He sighed, looking her over.  "Disarm for us?  I'm comfy."  Dawn smiled and disarmed the hair knives and then the gun belt.  The few throwing knives under one sleeve got put on the table on his side of the bed because they were his spare ones.  "Borrowing weapons without asking?"

She smiled.  "Slightly.  I didn't even have to use them."

"I'm shocked."  He watched her take off the boots then slowly unzip the top.  "Dawn, it's three," he said with a groan.  "We have to be at work at seven and you at eight."  She leaned down to kiss him and got undressed down to the bra and thong.  He moaned.  "Damn it, work," he muttered.

She stripped out of them and crawled up the bed to kiss them.  "I have an easy day tomorrow.  So I'll be home when you get back."  He growled and pulled her closer to kiss again.  They got Natasha worked up too and it was good, but quick.  It helped them fall asleep for a few hours.

***

Pepper looked at Dawn as she came in wearing something innocent, gauzy, and with lace.  "Thank you for leaving the evil at home."

"I said I'd turn into the sweet, gentle princess today."  She handed over the mail.  "Only one picture of me."

"Good!  Before someone steals you!"  She looked at it, sighing.  "You danced with Tony?"

"Twice."  She looked her over, running a magical scan.  She added a bit of power and the Key settled in to be a baby.  "There."  She smiled.  The Key scanned her then made Pepper glow green.  She smiled.  "Better."  She strolled out.  "Heading to the infirmary to get a status report."

"Thank you."  She held her stomach.  "Are you okay now?" she asked quietly.  "Does that mean you're a girl?"  She got back to the papers.  Stark had been sober until nearly dawn, it was amazing.  She'd send Dawn to wake him up later.

***

Dawn walked into the infirmary.  "Hey, Doc."  She got handed a report.  "That bad?"

"Two others drugged."

"Is he okay?"

"I can't talk to him.  He won't let me."

She walked over to the private room and knocked.  "Please don't."

Dawn picked the lock.  "Not the doctor."  He groaned.  She closed the door and came over to hug him.  "It's disorienting.  That's why I told you never to let anyone hand you a drink you didn't see made or opened.  You got a shitload because it normally wouldn't have affected you."

"Any idea who?"

"The bartender.  I caught him at it later."  He nodded.  "No one noticed."

"I'm still embarrassed."   She patted his hand.  "Did I do anything stupid?"

"No, you were on the patio when I found you."  He sighed in pleasure.  "Phil's worried about you too."

"I should probably head over there."

"Or you could go wake Tony up with his hangover."  He blushed and shook his head.  She smiled.  "Cap?"  She sat beside him.  "Do I need to do a bit of question answering?" she offered.

"No, I'm okay on that."  He cleared his throat.  "Military guys talk a lot."  She smiled.  "I...."

She hugged him.  "The only way to work it out is to go talk to him."

"Maybe.  But with Pepper being pregnant."

"She was going to go to a sperm bank, Cap.  Tony drives her nuts."

"I can see that.  He does to me too."

"There's very few people who can stand up to a strong personality like his and not wilt.  For that matter, he's let you see things that only Pepper and I have."  He nodded, sitting up.  "Now, let's get you discharged.  You can bring breakfast and coffee up to him."  He shivered.  "He'll need the coffee, and probably some toast."  She called that in and got him discharged.  She took the folder up to Pepper while he got the breakfast tray from the caf and took it to Tony's suite.

Steve knocked a few times.  "Tony?"

"Sir, the door is unlocked and he's still asleep," JARVIS said.  "And alone, which is a change."

Steve blushed but walked in and kicked the door shut.  "Tony, time to get up."

He blinked at him.  "You're not the teasing bitch."

"No, she looks like a princess of purity today," he said dryly, putting the tray on the dresser.  "I have coffee."

"You're a god among men," he groaned as he stood up.  Totally naked.  He saw the blush and looked down then at him.  "Never seen one?" he guessed.   "They say steroids shrink things but really, Steve."  He took the coffee to sip.  Steve was still blushing.  Tony got a clue and made him look at him.  "This is new?"

"Not totally?"

"Uh-huh.  Make that a statement?"

"You're as close to a best friend as I've had in years.  Decades."  Tony stared at him.  "You're really shrewd sometimes."

"Only when I've had enough coffee.  Otherwise I'm grumpy."  He sipped more.  "That's not near enough but close enough."  He took a kiss and went to the shower.  "Let me get the drool off."

"Sure," Steve said, looking stunned.  "Um...."  He stared after him.  He had a nice view and he wasn't sure what to do about it.  So he sat down to wait.  Tony smirked at him once but that was fine.  Tony was like that.

***

Dawn actually made it home last.  "Sorry, malfunctioning humans on the street."  They stared at her.  "I said I'd be an innocent, sweet thing today to make up for the evil last night."

"Yeah, I'm having thoughts that I haven't had since just after your trip to Miami, Dawn."  She giggled and stripped off, strolling over.  "I like that bra set," he said, rubbing a hand over her hip.  "Natasha, don't you like this set on her?"

She nodded.  "It looks nice and the stockings are a nice color on her legs."  She came over to cut the panties off then the bra.  "There, much nicer."  She smiled and went back to making dinner.

Clint looked her over.  "Yeah, that's better."  He stood up and picked her up to take her to the couch.  The table had dishes on it and he'd need dinner later.  The arm of the couch was a great height.  She draped prettily over it for him, spreading her feet just far enough apart to give him good access while she still got some support.  One hand on the back of the couch, the other bracing on the cushions, and she was in a great position.  Nicely framed by the stockings and garter belt.  He teased her back, earning a shiver.  That was nicer.  He teased a hand down her hip and around to touch her.  A bit damp and another shiver was earned.  This was going to be fun.  He knelt behind her, their positions let him do whatever he wanted, which Natasha would get to clean up.  Then they'd have dinner and debauch her some more.

If they kept up Tara, Maria, and the twins, then sorry but the twins had kept them up plenty of times.

***

Phil appeared at the temple with the twins, who were all but shrieking.  "Stop it," he warned.  They kept it up.

Xander took one and stared at him.  "Quit, really."  The baby continued to shriek so he scanned them.  "Ear ache."  He created a warming pad and put it against the ear.  He took the other twin to do the same thing for.  That helped and they did finally quit screaming.  "No mom?"

"They're busy."  He settled in.  "So are everyone else who babysits."  Xander laughed.  "I had no idea what that was."

"They're normal I guess."  He put his feet up.  "That bored in New York?"

"Needed to get away.  Everyone's having sex and it's driving me nuts because I kept getting hit with pictures."

Xander showed him how to block that out.  Phil did and sighed in pleasure.  "Just think, I get ones from Buffy and Hylal.  Hell, I got Buffy and Riley."

"That's disgusting," he agreed.  He stared at the kids.  They were asleep.  "Fine, you can bathe in the morning," he agreed.

"Kids never do what you want.  They're not as easy as dogs.  Hellion, no jumping on the kids," he warned.  Phil moved them off the dog's spot on the couch.  The dog barked and licked the kids' feet then hopped up to get comfortable and promptly farted.  Xander looked at him.  "Go.  Outside."  Hellion ran out to fart out there.

"Dog!  Damn it what did you eat this time!"  Clay shouted.  "Not even Roque's that bad!"

"Yes he is," Xander called.

"Sorry," Bia called.  "He stole my salad and it had bacon!"

"So it was lettuce?" Clay called back.  "I'll remember that shit."

"Hey, kids in the house," Xander yelled.  Bia's squeal followed her all the way to snatching them then back to her place.  "Ear aches," he called after her.

"I can handle it."

"Thank you," Phil called.  He slumped down.  "I love babysitters."

"You can let Tara have more time," Xander reminded him.

"I take the night duties and she has them all day," he reminded Xander.  "It's only fair."

"It is."  He got up to get a snack, bringing one for Phil, who was half asleep.  "I'd turn on a movie but half of them change into girly romantic comedies."

"That's disturbing," Phil said.  He nibbled on the chips, leaning his head back.  He got so relaxed he didn't even realize he was falling asleep.  Xander covered him and made an alarm clock set for six am appear then went to his suite to read.  He had to keep changing the copy of an old scroll back to the original but eventually the one who was doing it got the point to stop it when she felt like she got electrocuted instead of mildly zapped.  He settled in to read the smutty story.  It wasn't even about him, though still amusing.

***

Xander woke up when the bed dipped, flipping off it with a weapon appearing in his hand.  "Phil?" he asked.  "I didn't know you sleep walked."  Nothing.  Clearly still asleep, he was lightly snoring.  Xander zapped him lightly, making him flinch awake.  "You sleep walk?"

"No, I do not."  He looked around then scowled up.  "I don't get enough sleep thanks to the twins."  The one doing that fled because she knew what a tired parent could do with godly powers.  "Sorry."

"It's not your fault but I'm about ready to plan a goddess bonfire."

"I might like to attend but I'd have to leave Tara and the kids at home.  They might enjoy it too much and I'd have to worry about being next."  He went back to the couch, snuggling in again.  It was a very comfortable couch.  He reset the alarm for five-thirty and let himself drift off again.  He'd ignore that someone had turned on the DVD player to a dress movie.  Not like he watched them.

Xander came out to turn off the tv and went back to bed.  He strengthened the shields around the compound, blocking out all other gods.

***

In DC, Loki was enjoying this new bout of his son's fighting against most of the other gods.  He had a good bet in for when his son lost his temper.  He bet it'd happen in the next day.  Of course, he had glanced at the others' plans and with what they had planned, his son was going to blow his stack and possibly destroy a major metropolitan area.  He sipped his mead with an evil smirk.  He spotted the day's New York Times and looked at the picture on the front.

"Aww, she was trying to be evil," he said with a grin.  "That's so adorable and I have to remember that outfit for a future wife."  He strolled off.  His current consort would look bad in it.  Which was a pity.  Maybe that necklace... though his son would probably use it on him again.   So perhaps not after all.  He could wait until his next wife.

***

Xander looked up, frowning.  "That's not good."  He grabbed a few weapons and teleported to the park in New York.  He saw three people trying to crowd Tara.  "Back the fuck down," he ordered.  One sneered at him until Xander sent a powerball and it sent him flying into a tree at high speed.  "Tara, emergency alarm?" he suggested since more were coming.  He moved to protect her and the twins.  "Try it again," he growled, letting his temper come out.  They did try and lost in a very messy manner.  The kids were crying against Tara, who was behind him.

Agents started to come up and Xander shot one of them too for pulling a gun on him.  "Try it again," he warned.  The last one got smacked with the broad side of his axe then his head removed.  "Anyone else want to try these children?" he demanded.  A scroll floated down.  He sneered at it.  "Really?"  He handed it to Tara over his shoulder.  She was shaking.  "Phil's nearly here and there's Maria," he said calmly.  She ran over to them.  He looked at the agent staring at him.  "There was a *plot*."  He disappeared to fix that plot.

Maria took the message and handed it to Phil, whose growl was now filling the immediate area.  "Go," she ordered.  "I have them."

He stroked over both twins' heads then found a nice place to disappear from.  He got there to find Xander dismantling a few cousins.  "That's my job," he noted.

Xander looked at him.  "I'll back you up."  Phil moved forward to handle the reeducation.  He was not a nice being any longer.  Xander helped by keeping everyone else off them.  "Then next time, don't try to hurt his children," he told a crying goddess.  "You nearly killed them and Tara.  I would have destroyed this whole pantheon.  They're as close as I'm getting to children this century.  Am I clear?"  She ran out shrieking.  He looked at the senior gods, manifesting the note that Tara had.  He held it up.  "This was sent to me."

Krishna looked and nodded.  "If so then they deserve it."

"Did you stop them?" Xander asked.

"I did not know."

"When I appeared, did you ask?" Xander asked.  "Or even, since I heard there were bets, and this came from my father instead of one of yours, think about checking?"  He turned and hit one of the war gods, sending him through a wall.  "You should've learned last time not to touch the mortal family.  Pity."  He took Phil with him.  "There's a few more," he said at the angry look.  "Including my father for not telling me sooner."

"I'm not really allowed to take out the president's gay husband, Xander."

"I'm not an agent and there was betting so Hermes knew."  Phil smirked and went to talk to him.  Xander appeared at the white house, staring at his father.  "That's a new low, even for you."

Loki backed up.  "I warned you."

"After the fact.  They could've killed those children.  Why did you not learn not to fuck with the mortal families?  I considered you smarter than some pumped up little priest, Father."  His father was backing into the hall.  "Have I not declared my protection on those two children?"

"Alexander," the president said.

Xander stared at him.  "Sit.  There."  He sat back down.  Xander followed his father.  "There's nothing that's going to save you this time.  I have enough.  I've so had enough you'd better be lucky I'm not the next apocalypse battle the rest of them will have to fight."

"The rest?" Loki asked, looking nervous.

"You won't make it to that battle."  He lunged and his father teleported off.  Xander sneered.  "Hunting.  Good.  I haven't hunted recently."  He followed him.  His father was slippery but he was his son and had seen all his tricks up close and personal for generations.  Loki hadn't learned that many new ones and Xander had learned a few as well.  Anywhere he touched down, Xander was there within seconds.  Anywhere he tried to hide, he found him.

He did catch him then sneered and let him go.  "I need a good hunt."  His father swallowed and ran home.  Xander appeared and blasted him through a building or three.  He followed, manifesting his axe.  "Good, now we're on equal footing."  His father called power and allies.  Xander destroyed them all.  "Did you think it went away?"  His father was looking scared.

"Hold," Odin declared.  Xander just gusted some wind at him to shove him off.  "This is my realm, grandson."

Xander looked at him.  "Even you learned not to fuck with the mortal families, Odin."  He looked at his father again.

"He's really mine to kill," Phil noted from behind him.

"Phil can't get up here, John, and I can find you in the dark of the void."  He stared at Loki and his new batch of allies.  "You ready yet?"  His father shouted an attack order.  Xander blasted most of them and moved to take on the rest with his axe.

John faded back to his form, gaping in horror.  "He's lost his temper completely.  Great."  He called up Phil.  "Welcome to Asgard."

Phil studied it then called a weapon and hit the rest that Xander was ignoring for now.  He walked forward.  "This is really my battle, Xander."

"Did you get the other ones?" he asked, ducking a blow by a huge paw and taking it off as he came up.  He made it to his father and took a calculated blow.  His father moved and that's where Xander's power was waiting to trap him.  Loki screamed in agony as his powers were ripped from him, forming a glowing column in the snow.  Xander sneered, creating a wall between them.  Then he created a cave around the two chambers. He sealed it with his power.  "When you can reach it and have learned not to screw with me and mine, then you can come out of your room."  He turned to look at Phil.  "Get the other ones?"

"Hermes told me."  He stared at him.  "They're my kids."

"They're my mortal family and that's sacred to *some* of us."  He stared at his former natal family then at the guy who technically protected him.  "Are they all right?"

"They're good."  He stared at him.  "Want to calm down?  Bleed some of the anger out to fix things?  Like that village?"

Xander concentrated and fixed it.  "I'm sorry he ran to hide behind you," he told the warriors.  "He decided to tell me after the fact that my claimed mortal family was due to be attacked.  Year-old twins."  The warriors shuddered.  "When he's learned a few things and makes it through to his powers by hand, then he can come out."

"We'll keep watch," one of the warriors said.  "We've guarded other things, Alexander."

"Thank you."  He nodded.  "Hylal's fine," he told his son.  "Or so he was last night."  He looked at Phil.  "Better?"

"Still more angry than I'd like to see but Fury's throwing a fit at Agent Hill."

Xander took him with him.  "Maria, are the twins all right?  And Tara?"

"They're fine, Xander.  She's calming down with Joyce.  Your father?"

"Trapped in a damnation of his own making.  Powerless until he can dig his way through a foot of pure stone by hand."  She smiled at that.  "Then maybe he can make his way out."  He saw the president.  "You're damn lucky I didn't bring the building down on his head."

"I am," he agreed.  "Are you calmer?"

"Would you be?" he countered.

"No," he said.  "Thank you."  Xander nodded.  "Can you maybe finish calming down?"

"Probably not for weeks.  Sorry."  He looked at Fury.  "It won't happen again.  Because no one will *ever* try to hurt those twins."  He walked off.  "Tara."  He hugged her.  "Are you okay?"  She nodded, sniffling and swallowing.  "I stopped him and the others."  She nodded, relaxing against his shoulder.  He smiled at the twins.  "Hey, guys."  They patted him.  He picked them up to hug.

"You guys are as close as I'm coming to a mortal family and no one will ever touch you again," he told them.  "Or else I'll destroy the rest of the Gods over it."  They cooed and patted him.  He hugged them and their mom.  She finally quit shaking when Phil came out to help him.  Joyce took them to get cleaned up then to Phil's office.  Xander looked in there.  "Just think, this was a shove in the marriage thing."  Fury growled.  "Yeah.  They're in tiny, itty bitty pieces though."  He disappeared.  "John, go home," he warned.

"I was trying to save the village."  Xander stared at him.  "I called him."

"I don't care.  I'd like some time alone."

"You'll have to rebuild."

"I'll probably have to do it anyway."  John stepped back, nodding.  "You can go spread the news that I've had enough now.  That I'm going to start destroying *anyone* who helped with this earlier mess.  And I'm going to enjoy it like the last time I was in a battle among gods."  John nodded and flashed off.  Xander's growl filled the temple and made the trainee agents look scared.  He calmed himself, calling his weapons to clean.  His axe was dull again.  Giants did so dull the edges.

Phil looked at his boss, shaking his head.  "I had no idea until her alarm went off and I have the kids on a tagging alarm."

"What did he do?" the president asked.  Phil told them in graphic detail, just like he would any report.  Including that he had finished ripping that one to his component parts.  Though he hadn't fully separated a few organs.  His arm was tired by then so he left the liver and gallbladder one large piece and both intestines together with the pancreas.  Fury was looking sick.  He looked at him.  "What did you expect me to do, sir?  Clap?"

"No, I expected you to act like an agent and not a mad parent."

"I did until the primary attack was fixed and then I went to be a parent.  Technically I was farther away and got there after Agent Hill and the others did.  I made sure the target of the attack was safe and shaking in a loved one's arms then I got invited to show my displeasure on them for this."

"I'd have done the same," the president said.  "Did they give you powers or something?"

"Enough to help me talk to the other demigods to see if any might train to be Avengers."

"That's good.  We could use a secondary team."  He stared at him.  "Are you calmer?"

"No, sir.  I'm in here when my children are down in my office."

"Go," Fury ordered.  "Calm down, write out a report in less graphic detail, and calm down."  Phil nodded and left.  He looked at the president.  "I have no idea," he said at the speculative look.

"If he is, he's subtle most of the time.  I would've broken out in a godhood to destroy them too."  He shrugged.  "So would you, Fury."

"Probably," he growled.  "Do we think Alexander's still a danger to the US?"

The president looked at him.  "If he looks at those two kids as his own or as close as he's coming, he'll kill everyone over them.  He's only a danger if people make him."  He saw the twinkling.  "I'm not a history buff, ma'am, so I'd have to ask which one you are?"

"I'm Hecate.  Where is my handmaiden?"

"Which one?" Fury asked.

"Willow.  Which other one is there?"

"She was found to be casting harmful magic and removed," Fury said.  "Before she killed a slayer."  Hecate growled.  Roque and John appeared, taking her off.  She shrieked and fought but they were strong enough together.  "Get back here in a minute," he called after them.  Roque and John both reappeared.  "Is that jackass calmer?"

"Nope," John said.  "He just kicked me out of the temple for working to calm him down so he didn't destroy a village he used to protect.  If there's any other gods involved in this, they're probably going to be history soon."  Fury blinked and nodded.  "As for calming him down?  I'd suggest Phil could but with the way they were screwing with things, Xander would never believe it was his own free will.  So, it'll probably be days and your trainee agents are really slow.  He's probably going to have them doing a lot of laps and the obstacle course so he doesn't accidentally hurt anyone."

"I was working on some of the hand-to-hand.  I've seen better trained greenies," Roque said.  "You need better recruiters."  He looked at the president.  "At least you can say he's no longer tainting you to gain power."  He looked at Fury again.  "We've got weeks of work to help Xander.  We're going to be really lucky if he doesn't hike off for a short war somewhere and then come back to finish his teaching duties once they're a bit tougher."

Agent Hill walked in.  "The trainers thought that we'd lose at least ten of the group."

Roque nodded.  "You might keep six or seven."

"Barton thought five."

"There's a few that want it really hard."  That got a nod.  "The rest, they can be bodyguards and things."  He looked at Fury again.  "Just... let's hope that there's no battles that humanity needs for a bit.  No wraith, nothing like that.  Let him have the time to calm down and settle down to a simmer."

"I was looking for his skin to change," John said quietly.  "Doctor Banner, the twins and Tara are fine.  They're in Agent Coulson's office."

"Thank God.  Who would do that?"

"A very stupid former godling who thought it would push them together," John said.  "That Xander was ripping apart by hand until Agent Coulson reminded him it was his job.  The being is now in his component organs."  Bruce shuddered.  "And then Xander went to take care of Loki while Agent Coulson got the others involved.  They're all calming down."

"Good."  He took a calming breath.  "We're sure they're all right?"

"Xander felt it when the attack started," Roque assured him.  "They're good, just shaky."  He nodded, going to help them calm down.  Roque looked at Fury.  "Anything else you have to know?"

"Are the other gods and demigods going to react?" the president asked.

"No," John said.  "Most of them weren't involved.  There's only a few that were and the ones that were originally involved backed off when Xander almost lost his temper before.  Now that he's fully lost it?  There's not going to be even a meeting anytime soon outside a mourning ceremony for the ones involved, sir.  Not in any pantheon.   The only one who's stupid enough to attack Xander is Ares and he'd do it to try to wear out his temper.  He's more than smart enough to realize that won't happen this time and they'll be missing another God."  Ares appeared, giving him a pointed look.  "You're that wise."

"I'm still kicking your ass later, junior."

"Let me heal.  I was trying to hold Xander back so they didn't destroy the whole village."

"I saw.  I didn't want to see but someone broadcast," he said, giving John a pointed look.  "I'm sure you were hoping for backup?"

"Not really.  It was unconscious.  Sorry.  At least it wasn't the earlier one."

"No, it wasn't."  He grimaced.  "It was quite a mess."  John and Roque both shrugged.  "I know, not all his doing.  Are they fine?  Gaia asked me to check before she destroyed the earth."

"They're fine, Lord Ares," Phil said from the doorway.  "They're in my office if she wanted to look in on them somehow."  Ares nodded.  "I know she can scry or whatever easier than anyone else."

"She can," he agreed.  "Are you going to keep fighting that decision?"

"Yes.  Because apparently it's dangerous to know him sometimes."  Ares flinched.  "Even though it wasn't his doing, if someone was this stupid, then I don't want my twins in jeopardy."

"They'd never do it again," John promised.  "They won't, Phil."

"I know.  Still, they tried it this time.  Someone had enough stupid in them to actually think this would draw us together?"

"To make you work together and they'd get you together that way," Roque said. "I looked at his plans.  They won't.  We're all protecting your kids."

"Thank you."  He stared at Ares.  "I'd never be part of anything that would hurt my children.  As you wouldn't have let yours be hurt."

"No, I would've taken out the whole pantheon.  Then again, I'm a God of War," he said smugly.

"Some of them are just good at it," Phil said.

Ares laughed.  "He is.  The brat's very good at it."  He looked at him.  "The edict is being lifted."  Phil nodded.  "If it happens, that's between you two.  If there wasn't a proscription against it, we'd go back and undo the edict itself so that none of this would've happened."

"If I could wish it were so I would," Phil said.  "Tara's still crying.  I hate to see her that upset and I'm not finding much calm myself at the moment."

Ares nodded.  "Let me look."  He disappeared.

A few minutes later a wash of power went over the world.  The edict never happened.  The attack never happened.  The gods still knew, they had it as a memory.  The mortals, no one would remember.

Phil looked up from his office doing paperwork.  "Thank you, Lord Ares," he said quietly.  "You saved my family and my sanity."  He went back to his mundane job.  He hated paperwork but it was calming in many ways.  Dawn popped in to hug him.  "You remember?"

"I do and Tara does.  She's a handmaiden, not fully mortal."  He nodded, swallowing.  She showed him how things stood now.  He nodded.  He was still in the other apartment.  Not much had changed outside of Xander not declaring his exile from the pantheons and the edict hadn't happened.  Therefore no new god-destroying war.

Loki appeared, staring at him.  "I did not mean for it to go that far."

Phil looked at him.  "Even you would've protected your children."

"I would.  I've made that mistake," he said dryly.  He sighed.  "It is fixed.  I helped make sure once I was freed.  It can never happen again.  So if you two manage to untangle things, then we'll all celebrate."  He looked at Dawn.  "How did you do that?"

"Do what?"

"Get the extra power?"

"Andrew."  She smiled.  He groaned and disappeared.  She hugged him again.  "I think you and Xander would be great."

"Maybe.  Right now, I need to focus on the mundane things."

"I get that."  She kissed him on the head.  "Since I'm free tonight, want me to make dinner?"

"No, that's good."  She nodded and left, going back to work.  He stretched and popped his neck.  Maria brought him some advil and a bottle of water.  "Thanks."

She stared at him.  "Tara told me."

He swallowed the pills, nodding slightly.  "It's fixed."

"That's good.  Now what, Phil?"

"Now...  I don't know," he admitted.  "I'm going to be there for dinner and bedtime tonight."

"That's good."  She smiled.  "It'll be okay.  We'll handle it."  He nodded.  "And you two are a good couple."  She disappeared.

He sighed and finished his water.  He wasn't sure he could take that sort of risk.  Even if it was going to make him happy.  He rubbed his forehead.  Maybe he didn't want to remember it.  That was too easy of an answer but he was still mad.  Xander sent a single note saying he was still mad too.  Phil smiled weakly.  At least Xander wasn't so mad that he was whiting out his senses of the other gods.  Though Thor was about to lose his temper.  He went to talk to him.  He found him in the gym taking Steve's usual cure of beating a heavy bag.  He waved it out of the way, watching Thor have to catch himself.  "Hey."  Thor stared at him.  "We stopped it then," he said quietly.  "It will not happen again."

"No, it will not or I will help my nephew rend people.  You only had to ask."

Phil smiled and patted him on the arm.  "I know.  That was a personal vendetta."

"I understand though I have no children."  He made himself relax.  "Are they fine?"

"They are.  Tara and Dawn remember," he said quietly.  "Tara told Agent Hill."

"That's fine."  He made himself relax again.  "Those who are strong scholars may remember it as a dream."

"I'll keep that in mind.  Can you calm down?  You're creating a haze around yourself."

Thor nodded.  "I will."  He ran a hand over his hair.  "I cannot believe they would stoop that low."

"Me either.  Then again, some humans would."

"That's why I cannot believe it.  They're supposed to be above all that pettiness, especially their group."  He slumped.  "It makes me want to finish rending people into parts."

Phil smiled.  "Me too."  Thor nodded and walked out with him.  "Tara has the twins at the house if you wanted to go play."

"I know not what children play."

"Those two, anything amuses them."  Thor smiled and had an agent take him over there.  Phil went back to his office, finding Xander leaning in there.  "Got driven out by the trainees?"  He sat down and saw the note had changed.  "Okay, who are you?"  The man shifted into someone he didn't recognize.  "Who are you?  I haven't met you yet."

He smirked.  "On special assignment from Hades."

"I see.  Why are you here?"

"To make sure Alexander doesn't have that sort of problem again."

"I wasn't the problem.  The one that had my family attacked were."

"Ah, but you were.  You fought very hard."

Xander appeared, grabbing him by the neck.  "Shut up," he growled in his ear.  "I already talked to Hades, he wasn't behind your release, Jett."  Jett shivered.  "Let's go talk.  Shall we?"  He took him with him.  The sparring ring nicely emptied when he threw him into it.  "So who let you out?"

"Hades sent me."

"That's such a pile of crap," he said.  He moved closer.  "Wanna try again?"  Jett stood up and looked him over.  "Still not getting it."  Jett lunged with a knife out.  Xander let out a pleased growl and got the rest of his battle urges out.  Jett had a knife so it was only fair he did.  The former assassin looked stunned but the fight wasn't even close to being even.

John appeared.  "Hold it.  We need to know who sent him, Xander."

Xander threw Jett at him.  "Here, have fun with Roque."  He smirked.

"I can do that."  He walked him off.  He took the knife and tossed it back.

Xander picked it up to look at, testing the back.  "That's a modern one, John.  Not the original."  He and his half-brother shared a look then Xander took it to Phil.  "This was Jett's and it's a new one.  So was he.  The original Jett was so tough I had problems beating him.  This one I tossed around like a rag doll."

"How can you tell?"  Xander showed him the end of his dagger.  "Did you...."

"Win it?  Yeah."  He smiled.  "I did take the opportunity to train now and then."  Phil nodded, taking pictures of both.  He noted it and the incident report.  "John has him."  Phil dug out the circlet and handed it over.  "That's a good idea."  He took him with him so they could officially question him.  It was very helpful and Natasha got new information to look into.

***

Dawn reappeared at work, looking around.  She was in Tony's lab and he was under a car.  She walked over there.  "Are you okay?"

"No.  Are you?"

"Not really at the moment."  He pushed his way out to stare at her.  "You know, don't you?"

"Yeah.  I thought it was a strange dream until I saw you take off to check on the twins and Coulson."

"They did a time switch so the idiots didn't get to be in charge."

"Figures," he muttered.  "If I do, McKay probably does."

"Bruce probably does too."  She handed him a wrench and he pointed at a screwdriver.  "What did you screw up this time?"

"A few things."  He took the screwdriver and went back under the car.  "Does Tara?"

"Yup.  I'm not sure if Steve will or not."

"Do yours?"

"They're busy.  I'm not opening that and I'm hoping it's sealed."  Stark pulled out his phone to text someone, getting a yes they had realized the time switch and why, and no, she wasn't leaking.  He held up the answer.  "That's good."  She sat down.  "What do I do with this knowledge?"

"Pray like hell it never happens again," Tony said bluntly.

"If it does, they'll have plenty of help."  Steve walked in looking pissed.  "Time flip situation or otherwise?"

"A what now?"

"Never mind.  If you don't know you don't need to."  She sighed and looked at her boss, who was staring at her.  "I'm not going to explain it.  I'll lose my temper and go cure it."

"You'd have help."  She smiled.  "Go calm down."

"I am calming down.   Nagging your genius self is a good way to calm down."  She stood up.  "I'll let you two have alone time though."  She patted Steve's arm on the way past.

Steve smiled.  "I take it the reason I had a horrible nightmare about Coulson's twins being attack got fixed?"  Steve nodded.  "You okay?"

"Going to help them destroy people."

"Good, you'd have help."  Steve smiled and Tony smirked back.  "Want help with the car?"

"Sure.  I'm checking tightness."  Steve got down to help him.

***

Rodney was ranting at John until John made it so no one could hear.  "It's fixed."

"What?  How can you *fix* something like that!" he shouted.

"Anything that gets nineteen gods dead and another few disabled tends to get fixed if it's not a war."

Rodney paused.  "Nineteen?"

"Over a few families.  It was their version of stupidity VD."  He sat down with a sigh.  "It's still fixed.  Very few realize it.  Both parents do.  Every single God and offspring do."  He stared at Rodney.  "You should only remember it as a dream."

"I doubt I'll forget it."

"Me either.  I've only seen Xander that mad a few times and each time I had to get more and more drunk so I don't have nightmares."  Rodney frowned.  "That was Xander losing his temper.  Under the right circumstances, he can go berserk and totally lose it.  The higher ups keep forgetting this.  Some of them think I'm the tougher one."

"Are the other things that got solved him losing his temper?"

"No.  It's always been in a godly war.  When things like that are considered part of the war."  Rodney shuddered.  "We don't but some people aren't as civilized."

"I can see that."  He considered it.  "Will they do anything to him?"

"No.  Even before they had no right to.  They did something inexcusable and Xander fixed it."  Rodney nodded slightly.  "They might have tried to protest but everyone would've agreed, especially if the twins had gotten hurt.  And if they had, there would've been a revolt.  None of us younger ones would've stood for that.  There would be no support from any of us and we're all stronger now.  Most of us don't require daily prayers for strength."

"That's good to know.  Beyond that?"

"Beyond that, the edict that started all this was never cast.  There was no pushing, no shoving, no making Xander stubborn.  None of it.  So things are back to like they were before it but you got dick teased at Stark's halloween party by Dawn.  She offered you her lefthand spot and all the Kona coffee you want if you joined her evil empire as the top science geek."

"That's a better offer than I get to work here," he shot back, going back to pacing.  "She needed to get that outfit in white."

John shivered.  "No, that would look a bit more naughty than evil."  Rodney smirked.  "She told one of the scientists that he could whack off to her, just to not be so loud that others got embarrassed.  Stark had to pull up the conversation to see how they got on that topic.  Apparently he had been nagging her about looking like a harlot so she said that meant he was staring *way* too hard.  He even complained about the tasteful things because she has a shape."

"Everyone has a shape, hers is just wonderful," Rodney said dryly.  "How did he like the sari?"

"He didn't.  Tony reminded him a fifth of the world's population wore one every day and he could send him to the office in India if he wanted to learn that.  When the guy started to complain about women with short hair who showed their knees, Tony suggested he take his Taliban viewpoint back to Alabama and then home to the Middle East.  He said he wasn't, he was *godly* so Tony called in Xander, who told him he wasn't.  He might have figured it out."

Rodney snorted.  "I love the holy rollers.  Is she still suing him?"

"Yes.  The judge agreed, he was making terroristic threats and trying to malign her character.  Even above freedom of speech."  He relaxed.

"Now what?"

"Now, we may see some love gods trying sneaky things.  I know a few people are going to be apologizing.  Xander will stick to his 'no alliances' viewpoint if not."

Rodney nodded.  "I guess."  He looked around.  "I never thought I'd see the day when Atlantis was quiet and boring."

John laughed. "Not for long.  We have a presidential inspection next week."

"With or without his consort?"

"Without."

"Good."  He went to tell the others.

John stretched.  He sent a thought at Xander, getting a glaring one back.  He chuckled and went to hug him.  "Watch out for the sneaky ones."

"I already knew you were a pain in my ass," he muttered.

John gave him a squeeze.  "Remember, I always have your back."  Xander looked at him.  "Always."  Xander nodded.  "Now, relax.  It won't happen.  They'll try more of the pushing you two together stuff instead."  He tested.  "Why haven't you slept or ate in days?"  Xander showed him.  "Eww, dress movies."  He took him with him, sticking him in a chair.  "Diama?"  She appeared, squealing and patting the city.  "Good girl.  Uncle Xander has not eaten because the mean, pink one is making it so he can't sleep."

"I not nap," she told him.

"I'm not asking you to.  I'm asking you to fuss over him and help him with the evil pink one."

She grinned.  "I can do that."   She cackled and left to help.  The pink one was no fun anyway, she never played with machines, only makeup.  Yuck!  Diama talked to her handmaiden, who was an engineer and her nanny.  She had ideas so they called the other handmaidens that weren't going to hurt the Xander.  Handmaidens from all the pantheons rushed in to take care of him, and Phil.  Who was also tired and sore and needed to eat.

***

Fury looked at the women that had appeared and started to fuss over his senior agent.  "What the hell?" he demanded.

"Ladies, an explanation?" he asked one he slightly knew.

She smiled.  "Diama said that you needed to be fussed over because the evil pink one was sending you bad mental thoughts and making it so you couldn't eat."  She smoothed down his hair.  "We're bored anyway and the evil pink one is meddling where people don't want her to."  She smiled.  "Besides, we like you.  You're not handsy, gropey, don't expect us to put out, and you're polite.  We like that."  They made him walk off to fuss over him.

Fury looked at his other senior agent, who nodded.  "He is very polite, sir."

"What is that about?"

"I believe there's still a slight plot to hitch him and the God Alexander together, sir."

"Great," he muttered.  He got up and stomped off.  She had told him what the time flip had been about in case it became pertinent.  He had to assume the evil pink one was a love goddess.

"Well, there was that other Ares, who was a god of love, and wore white leather," Cupid said as he appeared.  "But he's not here."  He stared at him.  "You should not know."

"He's my agent and I need to know to protect him better."

"It'll never happen again.  Everyone forgot it was John who was the nice one.  Xander's been mostly calm or hiding it out of their sight for a while.  Now, they don't want to screw with him."  He smiled at the woman who came in.  "Mom's laying off."

"Then she wouldn't be sending dress movie scenes with them instead of the actors and he'd be able to eat."  She huffed off once she had her shawl.

Cupid shook his head.  "That was almost evil of Diama."

"The baby?" Fury asked, looking confused.

"Yes, that one."  He smirked.  "Her nanny suggested it."  He disappeared to talk to Phil.  "How about this?  We set you up on a real date, see how it goes?"

"How about we not.  Xander and I are perfectly capable of talking like adults."

"That's going to take forever."

"Probably eighteen years," he agreed dryly.

Cupid winced.  "He'd make a good stepdaddy."

"I'm not even near that point and I'm still not convinced that I could like guys that way, Lord Cupid."  Cupid slumped.  "I'm sorry but I'm not."

"I can show you some, see if you react."

"I've seen plenty of porn."

"Not exactly the same thing."  He touched his hand, showing it with him in the scene.  Phil grimaced.  "Huh," he said, switching one.  That got a better response than blandness.  Nothing hot though.  He showed him and Xander on the beach, together, with the waves.

Phil looked at him.  "Nor are we women."  Cupid laughed and changed it.  That was nicer and almost interesting but nothing that made him that happy.  "Sorry."

"Maybe it'll take time."  He sighed.  "Dawn and hers?"

"Staying where they are.  They're satisfied and happy that way."

"Fine."  He left.  "Mom, you're screwed.  Diama asked the handmaidens to fuss.  They've got both of them."  She pouted.  "And Xander's still mad."  She shuddered.  He went to hide in a nice, safe spot.  He wrote Xander an apology scroll and sent it.  The handmaidens would let him have it eventually.  He missed playing games with Xander.  Xander was the only one that got how much greatness wings really were.  He'd get pouty if he and Xander couldn't make up.  No kissing, because Xander would kill him in bed, but making up was nice.

***

One of the handmaidens appeared to Dawn in the meeting she was in.  "Pardon the interruption," she said in Chinese.  "Do you know something that your adopted big brother will eat?"

"Which one?" she replied in the same language.

"Either.  They have not been eating due to the stresses being put on them."

"Xander loves chocolate and ice cream.  Phil will eat ice cream and he has a soft spot for strawberries."

She smiled.  "Thank you.  They have not eaten and they need fussed over.  Goddess Diama asked us to."  She bowed and left.

"Thank you for doing it for me," Dawn called.  She smiled at the staring people.  "Diama is one of the very young, as in younger than Callia, Goddesses in the greek pantheon.  She's over engineers.  She asked a few of the handmaidens around the different pantheons to go spoil Xander and another one for a bit because they haven't eaten."  That got a few smiles.  "She's a very loving little girl who shows up sometimes to pet Tony's mustang."

Tony looked down at her.  "I wondered whose fingerprints those were since Callia likes the ferarri."  He leaned back.  "Take more language classes."

"Am."

"Thank you.  It's a great credit to us."

One of the board members looked at Dawn.  "How did you get that degree so fast?"

"The things I couldn't get online through them I got through a college in Brazil so I was basically doing double time.  Three credit hours doesn't really translate to three hours of homework a week outside of math classes.  I spent one day a week being bored and doing homework."  He groaned.  "So I'm actually about thirty hours from a few possible language degrees through that school.  I've been finishing those off a few at a time."  She smiled.  "I really do find accounting calming though."

"I tried to get her into engineering but she likes orderly things," Tony quipped.  Dawn smiled and nodded.  "When you do get them, we're going to watch you walk that one with your mother."

"She'd adore Brazil."  She grinned.

"She probably would."  They got back to the business at hand.  He'd worry about how much fussing Coulson was getting to tease him about it later.

***

Phil finally got free of the women, who pouted a bit that he didn't want to cuddle.  He pointed at the twins, who loved to cuddle.  They cooed over the babies and helped spoil them that night.  Tara was looking confused but she knew who they were.  She'd be serving with some of them some year.  Maria Hill was smiling because only Tara or Dawn could fuss like that.  Phil made sure the twins went down and he did his usual thing.  The ladies promised to make sure he had dinner the next day and went home. He went to hide with Xander, who was seriously groaning.  "Sorry," he said.

"Stay," one said with a smile.  "He only needs a massage.  Did yours not do that?"

"I was at work.  That's not really professional."  The handmaidens who had taken care of him appeared and before he could blink he was naked, under a towel, on top of a massage table, and was nearly ready to turn into a puddle of goo.  "They're even better than yours, Xander."

"They are," he agreed, sounding like he had already had great sex that day.  "I need handmaidens but they'd have to be sword wielding bitches at times."  The girls giggled.  "I definitely need someone who can cook since Bia can't and I'm tired of what I can make."

"I think it's strange that Barton cooks for the trio most often," Phil said.  "But they say he's good."

"Maybe I'll make Valkyries and put up a warrior's hall."  He yawned.  The girls got him to drink his milkshake and it was nice of them.  They kept going until he could sleep.  They even protected him when the bad mental pictures started, sending dirty thoughts at the goddess doing it.  She flinched and quit.

Phil smiled.  "Thank you.  Whoever does that has horrible taste in girl movies.  Tara has a better collection."  They smiled and took care of him too.  He fell asleep there and it was good.  He woke up in the morning realizing it was probably past noon and he was naked in a bed with someone.  He looked over.  Xander snorted in his sleep and slightly purred.  Phil poked him, making Xander hum and roll over to grab him.  "I'm not a body pillow."

"Shh," Xander hissed.  "Sleep."  He snuggled in and nuzzled his chin against Phil's shoulder.

Phil relaxed, staring at him.  He considered poking him again but Xander was draped over him and might knee him or something.  He stroked over his hair, getting more purrs. "Hyenas don't purr."

"Kitty.  Dru said so," he mumbled.

"You make a great one, Xander."  Xander beamed and hugged him tighter.  "You really should wake up though."

"No."

"Okay."  He found his phone next to him on the nightstand, texting Maria, who told him the handmaidens had filed for a leave day for him with the night duty officer.  He sent back a thank you.  He thought about it and put boxers on both of them.  Xander pouted.  "I don't want you to be upset when you wake up."

"Naked good," Xander said, taking them back off.  Phil put some on himself but Xander fixed it with a growl.

"Sure."  He petted him, making him a happy god again.  He had no idea how to get away from Xander without hurting him or making him flinch.  He tried to shift but got pulled back closer.  He was so close they almost needed lube.  He wiggled onto his side instead.  Xander pouted but found a new comfy spot and used him as a teddy bear.  "Want breakfast?" he whispered.  "I'll go make breakfast."  Xander made kissy faces.  Phil kissed him on the forehead like he would the kids.  Xander settled in to snore.  Phil got up and got dressed, heading to the kitchen.  He found Jensen making eggs.  "Coffee?"

"Brewing."  He smiled.  "They told us they put you in bed together because Xander had no guest rooms."

"They did.  Xander's snoring."  He got the first cup of coffee, sipping it as he moved to help make breakfast.  "Did anyone else see?"

"Only Cougar, who walked off shaking his head."  He looked at him.  "Did you two have fun?"

"I fell asleep while the ladies were working all the stress out of my back."

"Shoot, we were hoping."  He handed over a plate with eggs.  Phil smiled, added his toast, and took it to the table.  "Xander, food?" he called.

"Bad furry!" got shouted.  "Go sit in corner!"

"Xander, I'm a dragon, not a furry," he called patiently.  He shook his head.

"Bad flying furry then!"

"Food?" Phil called.

"Eww."

"Last night he joked about making his own version of Valkyries and a drinking hall for the special warriors.  And having someone cook."

"He could use a good cook," Jensen agreed.  "That's about the limits on my skills if there's no spit to cook with."

"You burn it anyway," Clay said as he walked in.  He looked at Phil.  "You did good," he said dryly.  "He's still sleeping."

"The very nice young ladies did good."  He ate a bite of egg.  "I was knocked out by a back massage," he said after he had chewed and swallowed.

"Crap," he muttered.  Phil shrugged.  "Fine.  Think you can do it today so we can win the inter-temple bet?"

"Probably not."  He ate another bite.

"Damn.  Well, it's only a few rounds because some people are pansies about drinking."  He walked off.

"That's because some of us turn evil when we're that drunk," John called after him.  "Xander, breakfast," he called into his bedroom.

"Fuck off!  Not the mommy!"

John changed his clothes before Jensen could take the picture.  "Hellion, get daddy up."  The dog ran in and jumped on his master, lapping him until he groaned and got shoved off, but the daddy was nice enough to hug him afterward.  "Breakfast."

"Still not the mother."

"You change my uniform into a sari again and I'm telling O'Neill."

"What's he going to do?  Date you?"  John walked off shaking his head.  Xander looked at his dog.  "John needs laid."  The dog barked and lapped him.  "Yeah, I agree.  Let's shower."  Hellion ran that way because he loved the shower.  Xander got up with a moan and went to do that.  Then he came out to find a familiar woman in his kitchen.  "Talsa, what are you doing here?"

"Fixing your hall so it's a proper one.  You have no rooms."

"They have their own temples."

"You have no dining hall."  Xander pointed.  "That's not a proper dining hall."

"The trainees live down the hill."

"We know!  We have need of putting a few somewhere anyway until our Hall's rebuilt."  She smiled.  "Thankfully you have a drinking hall."

"Is that wine or mead?" Clay called.

"If they're upright with taps on the side it's mead," Xander called.  "If it's on its side with a tap on the end it's wine or ale."

"Good to know."  He walked in with a tiny cask.  "This one looks like mead."

"That one is one of the table-top neverending ones," Xander said.  "It's refilled from the neverending barrels."

"Okay."  He got a bit to taste.  "That's not bad.  Bit sweet.  Bit strong."

Xander took it to sip and handed it back.  "That's fairly young.  The oldest stuff you nearly have to thin before you warm and spice it."

"Hmm."  He walked out with the cask.  "We're stealing this one."

"Sure.  There's ale ones though."  Clay went to find one of those and brought it home too.  He looked at the older woman who had just changed his kitchen.  "We like the modern appliances, Talsa."

"As do I.  They're still there."  She opened the fridge to show him it was the same one, only it had been expanded some.  The stove was still there and new.  The fireplace in the kitchen was new and had a huge spit.  He moved it out back for her.  She smiled when he put up a covering around it.  "I know you can't properly hunt like you do at home."   She put up the smoking house and the salting houses, plus the storage house.

Xander put modern electricity and cooling technologies to the storage buildings.  The dining hall down the hill got changed and it was nicer for the guys.  The kitchen down there got expanded as well.  The bunkhouse got changed in looks.  The other buildings too.  The two spoiled goats of war and carriage drawing got fed and babied for a bit.  Bia got to help too.

Xander sat down to have oatmeal with fruit and honey, and coffee.  Phil taught Talsa how to make it and the agents in training were happy with it.  The expanded areas got nicer when others created a bit of a sub realm stretching to give them meadows and fields again.  Plus a few deer.  Xander let them do it because he hated being nagged.  Phil stared at him.  "They nag," he said.

"I've seen many women that do when they don't get what they want.  Including Tara.  She nagged the twins a few times about them not letting her sleep."

"Many parents do I guess," Xander said.  "Don't you dare put on another level."

"Fine."  Talsa looked.  "Which goddess does that small temple belong to?"

"Dawn."

"Awwww.  That's a tiny house."

"She doesn't have kids.  It's got everything she wants.  Leave it alone please."  They nodded and worked around it.  The outside got changed.  Everything looked more like stone villas instead of more greek-inspired buildings.  When they were done, Talsa got a headcount of the agents and started lunch for them.  With enough leftover for dinner's casseroles and stews.  The agents were feeling very babied and it was good for them.  Until Roque got them onto the obstacle course and made them run off lunch again.  Xander and Phil went down there to hide.

John popped back in and smiled.  "They did a nice job."

"They did a very nice job," Xander agreed.  They looked over as a new temple appeared.  "That had better not have smashed any gardens or Dawn's house," he yelled.

"Hush, it didn't," Alana complained.  "I have true aim, nephew, and it's beside the drinking hall.  I expanded the area myself."  She came down there.  "Ladies, join them."  They got in line to do the obstacle course.

"Did you leave the horses at home?" Xander asked.

"Aye.  People panic when they see us flying around."  She watched.  Her warrior women were good but not in the same way.  "I know you ride into battle, ladies, but still!  You're to be fierce warrior women!"  They nodded and got back to work harder.

Xander sipped his coffee.  "We can make you your own place," he offered.  "So you can have the stables and training areas."

"The men too weak to fight them?" she snorted.

"No, but how many do you want to lose to not being virgins any longer."

"Odin took that off."  She smirked.  "Or else he would've lost the lot of them."  Xander choked and spluttered.  "As I found out, an amusing music festival happened."

"Oh, great.  But hey, I didn't get blamed for that."

"No, not in the least," Phil agreed.  "Heins!" he snapped.  He quit nagging one of the agents.  "That's my job, not yours, and your times are slipping."  He groaned but sped up again.  "Styers, so are yours.  Even your brother did better and he was pathetic."  The trainee agents all quit goofing off.  "Remember, you have six weeks to impress the hand-to-hand coaches, Alexander, and myself.  If not, we can farm you back to another agency that has lesser standards."  They nodded, doing better.

Alana smiled at him.  "I like that you're mean here and not in other places.  Though, your twins are loud."

"Yes they are," he agreed.  "When did you see my twins?"

"I checked on Tara for Talsa.  She misses her still."  She walked down there.  "Ladies, let's go."  She went over it with them.  The trainee agents were whimpering.  "Yes, I'm a goddess, I still have to go into battle.  You should at least be as good as a minor godling."  Xander made her quit nagging and hit the course herself.  "At least this is suitably hard."

Xander smirked at the agents.  "She's only eighteen."  They slumped and went back over it again.

Dawn appeared, looking around then at him.  "Someone was in my tub."

"They might be cleaning it on you."

She nodded, hiking up there to make sure of that.  The woman rearranging her things got sent out.  "Mine!  Don't touch!"  They nodded and left it alone.

"What be those things in the drawer?" one woman demanded.

"What?  The sex toys or the condoms?"

"You have no need...." she started.

"I'm over the age of consent, my boyfriend and girlfriend put them there with my consent, and you're not my mother," Dawn said, staring at her.  She backed down.  "For that matter, my mother enjoys me in my relationship and sex toys are fun.  Thank you anyway.  Stay out of my shit."

Talsa came out to stare at her.  "What be condoms?"

Dawn got one and brought it back.  "Birth control."

She looked and scowled.  "To go over a man's dick?"

"Yes.  It blocks the sperm and anything they might have like a disease."

"Oh.  Huh.  We need those in the villages."

"The villages might need the kids."

"Yes but there's some diseased wenches up there."

"Then usually, the men gave it to them," Dawn quipped. "Toss that one out.  Once they're opened they have to be used."  That got a nod and it was tossed, then they cleaned their hands and got back to work.  Dawn went back to her own job.  Pepper gave her a strange look.  "One of the women that came down to nag Xander at the temple decided to rearrange things on me and complain that I have a toy or two.  Then I got to explain condoms."

"Good.  It's very good that you have some."

"Actually, I think they're expired.  I need to get some more."  She made a mental note to stop on the way home.  Not that she'd have anyone to use them with for a few days but still.  Best to be prepared to baby her lovers when they got there.  "They've changed the hall around too."

"Good to know as well."  She smiled.  "It's five."

"I know.  There's no reason for me to hurry home tonight."  She shrugged and finished up the last few things.  She even went up to play with her niece for a bit.  "When it's your turn, you'll be just as tough as Alana without the nagging."

"Please don't teach her to nag," Tony said as he came in.  "No one at home tonight?"

"Nope."

"Fine."  He smiled since they were building a funny looking tower.  His daughter looked pouty.  "Why are you upset?"

"No one play me today."

"Andrew and Jonathan have today off," Dawn reminded her.  "They need time off."  Callia pouted but nodded.  "And I played during lunch."

"I know."  She hugged her around the tower, which made it fall.  She huffed.  "Not nice," she told the blocks.

"Sometimes things don't work like they should.  That means you have to look at what you've got," Dawn said, clearing off the ones that had fallen.  "And fix the problem so you can build it better.  That's why you build prototypes."

"Huh?"

"Prototypes are the things that you build to test on.  To make sure things work.  When they don't, then you change stuff on it and start again."  She showed her how to build a better tower.  That one was more stable and Callia smiled about it.

"Daddy build 'types?"

"I do.  That's what we build in the lab so I can test and make official ones."  He smiled, coming over to help her build her own tower.  "Some day, this tower will be yours and I'll be kicked back watching you build even greater things."  Callia beamed and hugged him, then they stared on a second tower.  He showed her how to anchor a bridge between them and it was good.  Dawn put caps on them for them.  When they were done, Callia demanded he take a picture so they did and put it on her wall.  Then she stomped them with an evil cackle so they could build something else.  "I love your evil mind," Tony said, kissing his daughter on the head.

"Auntie's evil, I'm good girl who will crush the bad boys."  She smiled.  He laughed and nodded she could be.  "And help animals."

"I like that you like animals."

"Animals are cool," Dawn agreed.  "What do you think about getting her a K'nex set for her birthday?"

"I think she's a bit young," Tony said.  "She's getting tinkering time when she wants it.  Stick with legos?"  His daughter didn't have the need to prove herself to a distant father the way he had so he was letting her learn at her own pace and show what she wanted to do when she got older.

"I can do that."  She smiled at her niece.  "What do you want for your birthday next month?"

"Pony."

She smiled.  "I'll see if we can find you a pony ride but I'm not buying you a pony until you're old enough to pay for the food and stall space for it."

She looked at her father.  "Park ponies?"

"We can go look at the ponies in the park."

"You have a meeting at nine," Dawn said.

"We can do it for breakfast," Tony said.  His daughter got up to cheer and dance.  "That's adorable."  He hugged her.  "Would you maybe like to look at dance classes?"

"Like on movies?"

"I have no idea if there's Bollywood dance classes for kids," Dawn said.  "I'll look."  Her niece grinned.  "Someone needs to brush her teeth."  She ran off to do that.

"I forget too," Tony admitted.  He sorted the blocks out so they could be used again.  "Bored?"

"No one at home tonight."

"That figures."  He smiled when Steve walked in with dinner.  "Hey."

"Hey.  Hi, Dawn."

She smiled.  "I'm only playing, I'll give you two some space."  Callia ran back out so she hugged her.  "You have a good night with Daddy and Uncle Steve."  She pouted.  "I'll see you tomorrow.  You can help me be an assistant."

"Okay!"  She bounced over to Steve.  "Matoes?"

"I did get you some, yes."  Dawn gave him a hug on her way out.  "Help me set the table?"  She nodded, carrying things for him.  "Thank you."

"Welcome," she chirped.  "Daddy, clean up."

"I am."  He got up and went to clean up then helped her set dishes down.  "Forks on the left, dear."

"Oops."  She looked at her hands then reset them.  Steve gave Tony a confused look.

He waved a hand.  "It's one of those things she knows but has to consider for a second."

"I guess that's normal."

"It is."  He sat down and she settled in her booster seat.  Steve got his usual one.  They dug in and it was nicer.  "She wanted a pony but her aunt said not until she could afford to keep one."

"That's a sound policy, especially since she hasn't even had riding lessons."

"That's in a few years if she wants them.  They said eight was a good age for that."  Steve smiled and nodded.  "I was thinking dance classes or maybe gymnastics."

"They can both help calm her down when she's bouncy and gymnastics would give her an edge on training when she's older."

"I'm not sure if she'll want to," Tony admitted.

Steve smiled.  "It's entirely possible she won't.  You'll pick an heir to the suit and maybe her son will want it back."

"Maybe.  I'm worried that I'm shoving her toward it sometimes."  He watched her eat.  "Mouth closed."  She closed her mouth while chewing.  "Take smaller bites.  The food's not running away."  He gave her a look.  "Do it like Pepper showed you."  She smiled and ate smaller bites, which made them happy.

"I think, speaking as a former kid, she won't remember the subtle things.  She'll remember things like you taught her how to drive and you spent time in the park with her.  The subtle pushes toward the duty you and I have are pretty much flying over her head.  You're not disappointed, right?"

"No!  Not at all.  She's a great kid.  She's my great kid, which shocks the hell out of me sometimes."  He stuffed his mouth.

"Then that's what she'll remember.  The time you spent teaching her and playing with her.  When she's a teenager you might seem more pushy but not right now."

"That's good.  I don't want her to be forced.  Maybe Pepper's kid of it's a son."

"You know, girls can fight," Steve said dryly.  "It took Natasha kicking my butt a few times for me to remember that."

Tony grinned.  "She does it to me too."  They finished dinner and she got her usual hour of reading then ran in to bathe and go to bed.  Tony tucked her in and she snuggled around her stuffed zebra and penguin.  He walked back out, taking Steve from doing dishes.  "We have machines that do that."

"They take a lot of water."

"Dishwashers are more efficient than doing it by hand."

"Really?  Okay then I'll use that."  He went back to finish, because he hated leaving dishes overnight, then came back to relax and watch tv.  "Dawn alone tonight?"

"Next few nights."

"That sucks."

"She'll be fine.  It's kind of the girlfriend's job when you date someone like us."

"Dawn does make a good hero's girlfriend."

"She does, yeah."  They watched the news, just sitting there quietly.  Callia got up and snuck out, laying on the couch behind their heads and snuggling in with her stuffed penguin.  The zebra was too noticeable so she left it in there.  He looked back at the tiny snore then smiled at Steve.  They put her back to bed.  She'd do it again in a few hours.

***

Dawn got home after having dinner out, finding someone in her apartment.  "JARVIS, are you still having problems?" she called.

"Apparently I am.  I did not notice them at all.  Dawn, they are armed."

"So am I," she assured him.  "I don't know who the fuck you are, but get out of my apartment."

"You're mine," he said smugly.  "The higher ones have spoken."

"I doubt it.  All the higher ones I know like me in my present relationship."  He lunged and she ducked, doing a credible impersonation of kicking his butt.  Someone stuck her with a needle from behind and she yelped but pulled it out.  "Bad idea, people."  She attacked that one and threw him off the balcony, which was open for some reason. It was nice he didn't scream but the other one was smirking.  "Drugs don't work right on me.  I doubt your party of pitiful is going to win."

She heard more people running.  "Great," she complained.  She hit her security switch on the wall and knew the alarm made Tara flinch but she really hoped Maria was in tonight.  There were six guys coming up the hallway and she had one more to deal with beyond the one that was trying to claim her.  She could feel him sneaking up on her.  She turned and stabbed him.  "JARVIS, they have those sensor blockers," she called.

"I'm alerting others," he said.  "Help is coming."

"Thank you!"  Maria rushed in to help her with the guys coming up the hall and the other one she was dealing with.  "Maria, they have the sensor blockers."

"I can tell.  "Stop it, I'm a goddamn agent."

"Women don't do such jobs," the man that wanted Dawn sneered.  "So I know that's an unholy lie."  He shot at her, getting her in the shoulder.  That was about the same time Tony showed up, thankfully with weapons on his suit.  Steve hopped off to help too.  "Ah, the iron monstrosity.  God will hate you for usurping his job."  He shot at him.

Dawn was blocking one hit when a second needle hit her.  This one in a more delicate spot than her shoulder.  She blacked out.  Not even she could fight drugs.

Stark was too busy to see her be taken and Steve was protecting Agent Hill.  Tony got told and tried to find them but there wasn't much luck.  Tony looked around.  "Fuck, this is going to be bad."  He sent out an alert.  Maybe Coulson could find her?  No, he said she was blocked thanks to the drugs.  He'd get a response team ready.

***

Dawn woke up tied to a chair, which wasn't all that unusual.  It had happened a few times in her life.  She glanced around then at the man in front of her.  "Who the fuck are you?"

"You will learn respect," he warned.  "Or I will teach you."

"You haven't earned it."

"I'm a man, that makes me worthy."

"No it doesn't."  She kicked at him.  He slapped her.  "That was your only free one because when I get free you're going to wish for death."  She magicked the ropes gone and got up.  "Now, who the fuck are you?"  He tried to punch her so she hit him back into a doorway.  "I'm waiting on an answer.  Because I'm not supposed to be here.  I live in New York and this swamp of yours clearly isn't."

He sneered.  "You're my wife.  The Reverend had to be bribed but he did marry us."

She snorted.  "Not likely.  I don't donate to any 'minister' and any ceremony would've meant I was awake."

"He told me I could wear this foulness out of you.  It appears I have a job to do," he said, taking another swing.  Dawn blocked it and kicked him back.  He bellowed and picked up a hammer.  "You will learn, wife!"

"I'm not your wife.  My boyfriend and girlfriend would *never* try something like this."  He came at her again and she got a glancing blow when she blocked his hit but she sent him off with magic that nearly collapsed the back end of his trailer.  Someone pounded and she walked to the door.  Cheap polyester dark blue suit.  Cheap sunglasses.  Short hair.  "FBI?" she guessed.  He nodded slowly.  "Good, then you can save my ass since I'm not supposed to be here.  I was in New York until *someone* drugged me and kidnaped me," she said at his continued confused look.

"Not that I'm aware of, miss."

"Then why are you here?"

"To meet his new wife."

"I'm not his god-damned wife," she growled.

"Such blasphemy," her 'husband' complained.  Dawn hit him again then the agent, stomping out of the trailer.  He moaned and got up.  "I have quite a lot to teach her," he sneered, getting up holding his side.  His agent friend nodded.  He went to find her and drag her back by her too-short hair if he had to.  A helicopter zoomed in on a low angle and he ran for a weapon but an arrow pinned him to the door.  The agent got pinned to the side of the trailer with an arrow through his arm.  "She's mine!  The reverend married us!" he shouted.  "You're foul and cannot touch her!  God wants her to be mine!  To be made into a proper woman!"

Dawn came out of the trees and looked at him.  "I'm a better woman than you'll ever find," she sneered.  "Just ask my boyfriend."  She winced.  "Sorry," she told him.  "I did not mean to out that."

Clint smiled.  "I'm not mad."  She relaxed.  "Are you all right?"

"Fuzzy headed.  Bit sore.  Apparently he wasn't gentle when they kidnaped me."

"No, they weren't."  He sat her on the edge of the chopper and looked her over while Phil handled things.  "Any other injuries?"

"Stomach's a bit sore."  She looked at him.  "No clue otherwise."

"Okay, we can handle that."  He stroked over her hair then walked that way, bow in hand.  "Agent Coulson, she'll need a med check."

"I saw the split lip."  He looked at him.  "Handcuffs."  He accepted pairs from lesser agents.  "Search the property for anyone else he might have hostage."  He called in the locals.  The sheriff showed up.  "Agent Coulson, SHIELD," he said, shaking his hand.  "We're here rescuing one of our people."

"Sir, there's kids tied up in the back," an agent shouted.  "They could use an ambulance."

Phil nodded.  "Any others?"

"Not in here, sir."

"They're his kids.  He's training them," the sheriff said.

Phil looked at him.  "I doubt that's a good, reasonable method.  I'd never use it on my twins."  The sheriff flinched.  "Sarrs."  He handcuffed the sheriff.  Phil called in the local FBI bureau, who said their boss would be right there.  He was already alerted that there had been agents choppering into his jurisdiction.  He walked over to where Dawn was sitting holding her head.  "Dawn?"  She looked up at him.  "How thorough do we need to be?" he asked quietly.

"I just woke up," she admitted.  "I can't tell.  And frankly, my head's starting to pound."

"Okay.  We'll keep it in mind.  Pepper went on a swearing rant that even made McKay horrified."  She smiled slightly.  The agents came back.  "Anything?"

"No, sir, and the next property to the east has a barbed wire fence with a no trespassing sign.  We don't have a warrant.  Binoculars didn't show anything out of the ordinary beyond a few pot plants."

"That's fine."  The others shook their heads.  "Any signs of others he'd kidnaped?"

"One burial plot but the simple carved plank said it was a dog," that agent reported.

Clint stomped over.  "This person deserves hell," he said.  Dawn nodded, still holding her head.  "Hey."  She looked up at him.  "He must've hit you before you woke up."  She leaned against his side.  Another chopper landed on the road and a guy in a bad suit climbed out.  "FBI, Coulson."

Phil walked over, smiling slightly.  "Agent Coulson, SHIELD.  We're here rescuing one of our adjunct members that was kidnaped."  The FBI agent winced.  "The sheriff is presently being held as well because he stated that tying up children was a good way to train them.  They need an ambulance."

"I'll have one sent for," he said, telling his assistant that.  He nodded and called.  "Which adjunct member?"

"Miss Summers.  She's adjunct personnel that works for Tony Stark."

"Oh, I see.  I've heard about her."  Dawn looked over with a glare.  "She's feisty."

"That's why they were trying to beat her," Phil said blandly.  "Thankfully she's well trained.  Even when drugged."

"She's drugged?"

"Yes.  Sarrs, get me a kit to pull blood."

"We only have one tube, sir."

"That's fine.  We can split it or send them the report."  He moved over.  "Dawn?"  She held out her arm, looking away.  He smiled and popped the needle in and then the tube on the end of the needle.  He drew it out and pulled the needle, letting Clint bandage it while he disposed of the needle in the sharp's bag and labeled the vial.  He put his pen back up once the vial was closed in the kit.  The ambulance showed up and the agent that was with the children talked to them, getting nods.  They admitted they might have to take them to a relative's house.

Phil called in their southern office and had him get someone CPS-related that he trusted.  She'd meet them at the hospital.  They heard a scream and looked at someone running toward them with a shotgun.  He looked like a younger version of the man Dawn had beaten.  Until he got shot in the chest.  Phil looked at the shooter.  "Widow."

"Coulson."  She walked over, and the agents got out of her way.  "Dawn?" she asked quietly.

"My head is throbbing," she said quietly.  "I'm going to be so sick soon."

"I understand why."  She sat down and Dawn leaned on her, but pulled Clint over to hold her anyway.  The agents looked away when Natasha glanced at them.  "It's all right."  She and Clint shared a look.  "If they didn't realize, they're not very good agents," she quipped.

"Oops," Dawn muttered.  "Blame it on the drugs?"

"There's nothing to blame," Clint assured her, stroking over her hair.  She got up and went to get sick.  Natasha followed, she had the stronger stomach.

"Coulson, blood," Natasha announced.  "We need to get her in for her med check soon.  Dawn, anything like broken ribs?"

"I can't tell.  Everything is throbbing in time with my pulse and my head."

"Okay.  I'm going to ghost my hands over your chest, tell me if it hurts?"

"I can't tell," Dawn said.  "Everything's a pain haze."

"That's fine.  We'll let the doctors tell us and you will stay in the infirmary if you must, young lady."  She nodded, letting herself be helped back to the chopper.  "Are we done?"

"Yes," Phil said.  He looked at the higher agent.  "You can carbon copy your reports to us?  We'll do the same with the bloodwork?"

"That'd be fine," he assured him, shaking his hand.

"Slight problem, sir," one agent said.  "Two too few seats now."

Phil looked at him.  "Agent Romanoff, take the middle seat next to Agent Barton; she can squeeze between you."  That got a nod and they squeezed in for him as well.  They took off once the chopper's doors were closed.

"We need quinjet engines on the choppers," Clint quipped, stroking over Dawn's hair.  She was trying to rest.  They shifted and Dawn ended up on top of his lap for a bit.  He was more sturdy than Natasha was.  Natasha didn't want to look clingy either.  The junior agents were carefully not staring at them.

***

Dawn blinked awake at the doctor poking her.  "Am I going to be okay?"

"Just fine.  You've got some pretty bruises, nothing broken."

Dawn sat up with a wince.  "Then I can sleep it off at home?"

"Not likely."

Dawn looked at her.  "Is there anything you can give me that I can't get napping at home?"

"Well, no," she admitted.

"Then I want my tub and to sulk that I got kidnaped again, Doc."

"I can understand that.  I might warn you, it looks like you're having a cycle."

Dawn frowned.  "I wasn't due for another week.  Has it been that long?"

"He may have hit you in the stomach.  There's a good bruise."

"Great.  Is it a problem?"

"If it doesn't stop or you start to have blood clots in your urine or excrement, yes."  Dawn nodded at that precaution.  "Good.  Guys, she can go sleep it off.  She's right, there's nothing extra we can do for her that a good bath and a cuddle won't help."  Clint quit leaning against a wall, nodding.  "Do we have a safe place?"

"Hers.  She was at mine.  We'd use Nat's but she doesn't have a bed."

"I thought that meant she didn't want us down there to mess up her closets," Dawn quipped weakly.  "My head's still pounding.  Advil?"

"Yes, you can."

Dawn nodded, sliding off the bed.  She paused and looked at the doc.  "The other one?" she asked quietly.

"Absolutely no signs and there would have been.  I couldn't even do the full exam without hurting you."  Dawn nodded.   "But no signs of trauma."  She slumped and nodded.  "Here, Agent Romanoff got you something to put on."  She helped Dawn into the bathroom so she could clean up and come out in the jeans shorts and soft t-shirt.  "Right home, bath," she ordered the two hovering agents.  "Soft foods or soup tonight.  Let her nap the rest off."  He nodded, helping her to the elevator, Natasha beside them.  She looked at Phil.  "That drug in her blood is the same one that got used at Stark's Halloween party," she said quietly.

"Wonderful.  Did you carbon copy a report to the FBI?"

"To our liaison, who didn't know there was an investigation going."

"Interesting."  He scowled.  "Make a full report for him?"

"I did and he asked politely for yours too."  He nodded he'd send one and walked off, arms crossed over his chest, foul expression on his face that meant someone was going to wish they were dead.  The doctor at SHIELD's infirmary was happy it wasn't her doing.  And that she didn't have to listen to Dawn try to get free of her care while dealing with two angsty, hovering agents.

***

Dawn woke up and winced, holding her stomach.  "Work," she said when they prevented her from getting up.

"You're off today on medical leave," JARVIS told her.  "Mr. Stark said he did not want to see you until Monday because the bruises would look like Miss Potts beat you."

Dawn smiled.  "Thanks, JARVIS.  Did you find out about those sensors?"

"I did and he said he'd make a report to you Sunday night so the others could hear."

"That is acceptable," Natasha agreed.  "Anything else we need to hear?"

"We have diverted Callia's pout."

"I said I'd play with her that next day," Dawn sighed.

"Her father explained that you had to leave town for a few days unexpectedly and would be back to play with her on Sunday."

"I can do that.  Thank you, JARVIS."

"You are quite welcome."  He hung up.

Dawn relaxed back into her soft, comfortable bed.  "So," she said.  "I tried really hard."

"Not even you can defeat how much drugs they gave you," Clint said in her ear.  She kissed him then Natasha, who squeezed her.  "Want to go soak?"

"I feel nasty and like I should.  Sorry if I bled on the sheets.  I'll change them later."

"Not like it doesn't happen to everyone with injuries," Natasha said dryly.  She helped her up and into the bathroom.  Dawn hadn't bled through but it was nearly there.  A nice, warm bath and she was settled in with some herbal crystals that were for aches and pains.  Smelled like menthol to them but Dawn appreciated it and it did feel nice against the skin. She and Clint shared a look.  "Me first."

"I'll get some things then come in to join you."  Natasha nodded, stripping to climb in with Dawn.  She did pull her hair up, she didn't want to know what the herbs would do to it.  Dawn snuggled in against her side and let herself fall asleep again.  Clint changed the bed, because it was sweaty, and got them something to eat.  He needed to work off some energy.  He went up to check his, and to get the groceries, finding a slight mess.  Whoever had broken his tv, and poured paint on his bed.  They had broken the coffee table and it looked like Stark had broken his table by the fist imprint on it.  All easily replaced.

He finished up and came down to get them something to snack on.  That plus some sodas and he went in to join his girls.  They were both dozing.  He smiled and let out some of the water to rewarm it.  He even added more of the bath crystals.  He slid in and let them have his lap and chest.  Dawn was still snoring on Natasha's shoulder but that was fine.  For now.  Natasha smiled, reaching down to turn off the hot water.  They all relaxed.  It had been a long few days and they did not like it.

People really needed to quit picking on Dawn before she fled the US again.

***

Xander showed up that night to look at Phil.  "Is she all right?"

"She's fine.  She's resting, healing a few bruises."  He smiled.  "You don't have to go destroy Georgia."

"I should go destroy their church for that."

"We stopped his attempted donation from her credit card," he said.  "That's why we were on our way down there to find her when she woke up."  Xander smiled.  "It's all right."

"She can move to the temple."

"Stark was thinking about moving her upstairs to the penthouse.  That way they didn't have to keep switching apartments."

"I can go stretch theirs so it's like a tri-level," Xander offered.  "That way each one still has their own area to retreat to."

"They might like that."  Xander looked at him.  "I'm fine."

"You're still worried," he corrected.

"I am.  It seems like it's starting another run on Dawn and I don't want to lose her to the rest of the world."

"I doubt she would.  She'd probably put on the choker and become someone else."

"That might be strange," he decided.  "Pepper would have to make up excuses."  Xander smirked.  He finished his coffee.  "Ask them tomorrow.  Let her nap tonight."

"I'd never interrupt the sacred calming down rituals.  They're important."  Xander made him cocoa and handed the mug over.  "From Joyce's recipe, and I pulled it from home, not created."  Phil smiled and Xander left.

Phil relaxed, checking on his protectees in the building.  They were mostly calmer.  Dawn was getting a bit heated so he blocked off her feed like Xander had shown him.  He did not want to know.

23: Other Old Ones With Plots In Mind

There's plots, there's plans, there's 'shippy stuff...  A lot of shippy stuff.

Dawn walked in on Monday still looking a bit bruised.  Pepper stared at her and she flapped a hand.  "I'm fine."

"I'm sure you are."  She looked her over.  Standard clothes so not hiding anything.  "Are you sure you can work today?"

"Yup.  Ran out of bruise cover-up."

"It's sad you have some," she chided.

"It's not my fault the crackhead minister wanted me to be one of his minions."

"Good point.  Are yours on the job?"

"Yup."  She turned and found one.  Pepper giggled.  "I thought you were heading back out."

"I was but Fury sent someone less noticed."  He handed her the newspaper and leaned on her desk.

She looked and winced.  "I didn't mean to spill it that way."

"We know."  He grinned.  "Natasha only growled that you looked so horrible."  She read the article and sighed.  "We.  Do.  Not.  Mind," he assured her.  She relaxed and smiled.  He took a kiss.  "Someone's waiting for it to die down."

"Are we thinking someone in North Dakota is going to say something?" she asked quietly.

"Maybe, not sure."  He shrugged.  She patted his arm.  He smirked.  "So I'm told there's this Stark herding job around here?"

"Usually it's only for girls in pretty dresses," she teased back.  "I can help you change."

"No thanks."  He poked her, getting a swat and a smirk back.  "I'm actually officially protecting you today.  They think someone's going to try to get you again."

"Why?" she complained.

"The guys with the sensors are the multi-national group," Stark said as he walked past them.  "No flirting on company time, Summers."

She looked at him.  "Since when is that the rule?"  He smirked at her.  "Beyond that, I'm not on the clock yet.  I have ten minutes."

"Hey, if you want to use those ten minutes making out, go for it," he quipped.  "We don't mind."

She rolled her eyes.  "I'm not that sort of teenager."

"You aren't a teenager," Clint reminded her.

"Oh, yeah, I am twenty."  He smirked.  She smirked back.  "Did Natasha borrow that evil empress outfit?"

"Yes, she brought it with her."  Stark whimpered, walking off shaking his head.  "Serves you right," he called after him.  "And you owe me a dining table."

"Yup."

Dawn hugged him.  "If you want to Stark herd, I get to nag them later."  He winked.  "Go be naughty?"

"I can do that."  He strolled off.  She logged on and he found a nice place to watch over her from, without bothering any of the security guys.  He had wanted to know what Tony had stored around the building's hidey holes anyway.

Dawn went in to gather the first files of the day.  She updated the schedules and looked at them.  "I'll find an illusion to cover them for the meeting."  She handed Pepper the paper and walked off.

Tony smiled.  "It's nice that she's practical even if she is gooey love."

"She is.  Can we stop this new plan?" she asked quietly.

"Fury is livid.  He went to chew on the head of the FBI for his agents being dirty.  He chewed on the state police down there for not responding to the threats the minister made.  He handed her attorney for that lawsuit information on the guy so he could fry him.  The press is wanting to eat her alive though.  She's dating someone that they'd like to be a celebrity.  There's already calls to investigate when they got together.  One of our Board of Directors let slip that she had shot back about his allegations when he thought I was dating her that she had waited until she was eighteen.  Dawn, you need to be ready to make a statement."

"Already talked to the lawyer.  He's got a few pertinent facts in case it becomes necessary," she called in.  "And told FOX news to shut the hell up."  Stark laughed.  She leaned back up to get back to work.  She put up a note on her livejournal about the fuss being stupid, and how she was raised by her mother not to hit in the clubs or anything else.  That she had chose to wait until it was time by her standards.  And that she had been over the age of consent in all the US, not just parts of it.  She got back to work, making things tidy again.  Pepper had some insurance forms from the HR people, which she handed over.  She wasn't going to fill out pregnancy related forms.  Ever.  Well, probably not ever.

Tony took his own things back.  "Don't forget to nag your knights."

"I'll go talk to them in a few. Let me finish these and I'll do my usual coffee rounds."  She spotted Jonathan.  "I was coming down."

"I played fetch too hard and the roomba dog ran up here."

"Up three floors?" she teased, getting up to give him a hug.  "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine."  He grinned.  "Are you?"

"I'm fine.  Just a bit bruised.  I'll cover it up later."  He grinned shyly.  "So, how did the gaming date go?"

"It was a date?" he asked, looking confused.

"Maybe.  Did you want it to be a date?"

He shrugged and looked down, kind of sheepishly, then glanced at her.  "Maybe?"

"Take lunch with them today?" she offered.  He beamed and nodded, hurrying off.  She noticed he didn't have the roomba dog but that was fine.  He and Andrew were sweet.  She went back to her desk.

"It was so a date," Pepper agreed from her desk.

"It was good though."

"It was.  They're nice young women.  Andrew and Jonathan deserve the best."

"They do.  The girls are very sweet."  She finished up and went to get files from Pepper to be delivered.  She tapped one.  "Insurance from HR?"

She sighed.  "I'm not announcing it yet."

"They need it to add the doctor to your records."

"Crap."  She filled them out and let Dawn deliver them.  "No chatting."

"I'll tell them."  She went to deliver, hitting HR first.  She smiled at the assistant, handing her the other few forms and going into the office.  She handed over those forms.  "Pepper is in no way ready for that to be found out yet," she said quietly.  "She's waiting until someone asks."

"I can understand that."  She smiled and filed them.  "Thank you for getting her to do them."

"I reminded her they'd need to be on her records.  I know you had a leak last year," she said quietly.

"We found her, she's in the archives."

Dawn grinned.  "Cool."  She left, going to finish her delivering and her making coffee rounds.  Rodney stopped her in the hall to look at the bruises.  "Ran out of coverup."

"They make it?"

"For bruises, dark spots, moles."

"Pity you need it."

"Do you know how many times I've been kidnaped?" she quipped.

"Unfortunately I looked."  She hugged him.  He swatted her and she laughed, heading off to lab 7.  Andrew looked at her then hugged her.  Even though his girlfriend was in there.  Rodney smiled at the ladies.  "She got kidnaped, again."  He left, going to see what Stark was doing.  He was bored.

Dawn smiled at the young man.  "It's all right.  I so kicked butt before they drugged me and when I woke up I went back to kicking butt.  He was going to beat me with a hammer I kicked him around so much."  He whimpered.  "It's fine, 'Drew.  I promise it is."

"I should find a way to make sure people like that can't do it again."

"No evil," she reminded him.  "That's Callia's future job."  He laughed.

"Did you give her that outfit?" Jonathan quipped.

"No, Natasha has it."  They moaned and even the girls moaned.  She winked.  "Have a good lunch together, people.  Let me get back upstairs.  There's a meeting."  She strolled off, popping into the bathroom to use it before the meeting.  She came out looking calm and unconcerned.  The meeting was starting so she grabbed her things and sat in her usual spot.

One of the board members looked at her.  "They did a number on you."

She shrugged.  "I've had worse.  It's unfortunate but I have had worse during a kidnaping."  He slumped.  She shrugged.  "I fought a lot of them off."

"She did," Tony agreed.  "She got four of them before they drugged her the second time.  When she got up, she got the one there and his buddy that showed up."

"Who was FBI," Dawn quipped.  "I'd have covered the bruises but I'm out of pancake makeup."

He nodded.  "At least you have sense."

"Yup.  Still suing the idiot too."  He smiled.  She got up to make coffee and find chilled water for the meeting.  There was already a plate of muffins on the table.  They settled in to go over the current projections for the company.  Dawn's phone vibrated and she looked at it, then got up.  "Excuse me, security just announced there's an agent here."  She walked out, going down there to talk to him.  "Yes?" she asked.

"We need to talk to Miss Potts, ma'am," the agent said.

"She's in a meeting.  It'll be at least an hour.  Is it an emergency or a threat to her safety?"

"No, we had questions about an employee who may be helping a group of people who might not be terrorists exactly."

"I'm her assistant.  Can I help?  I know most everyone in the building."

"Perhaps.  A Warren Meers."

She shook her head.  "He's in a hospital in Massachusetts."

"Why?"

"That's a delicate situation," she said, taking him to an empty office by security.  "In truth, Warren went a bit psychotic and then his therapist prompted him to nearly suicide bomb the building.  SHIELD arranged his placement.  What were they worried about?"

"A drug he and his cohorts were making.  We only heard rumors."  He let her see it.

She nodded.  "Andrew and Jonathan had no idea what it was for."  She handed it back.  "They had worked on it together because Warren said it was for his metallic girlfriends."

"Like robots?"

"Like robots so good you can't tell."  The agent shuddered.  "Seriously.  I know both of the originals of the two current ones.  I could not tell.  I spent a year traveling with one and could not tell."

"Interesting."

"Warren had said it was a pheromone complex for them.  They didn't realize it until after they had made a trial pill.  Then they came to get help.  I helped get them to Dr. McKay, because he was here and Mr. Stark was busy.  They tore his room apart to find anything else and it was turned over to SHIELD.  So how did you hear?"

"A tip was called in that the trio were making drugs?"

"No.  Andrew and Jonathan are nothing like Warren was.  They're good, sweet guys who are really shy and were following.  They've since found a good home here and are being mentored by Mr. Stark personally."  That got a nod and a note made.  "They have weekly reports like all the other scientists and they'd never do that.  They had ideas of being evil overlords with Warren when they were younger but they know that it doesn't get them the good notice."

"Okay, so they're not evil," he said.  "They're a bit confused?"

"Warren misled them.  They were best friends from childhood.  They grew up with my sister in Sunnydale."

"I see."  He nodded, looking that name up.  He winced.  "This geek trio the same one, miss?"

"Yes."

He looked at her.  "Which makes you Dawn Summers?"

"I am.  Why?"

"There's not many people from Sunnydale that'll talk about it.  It was noted that you were one of the few."  She smiled and nodded.  "Can we talk to them about it?"

"Once they handed it over, I don't think they've done anything else."

"That's fine.  I just need to interview them."  He watched her call.  "I really should do it alone."

She smiled.  "I'm not stupid and I'm a bit paranoid."  He nodded once.  "Especially since I ran into two dirty agents last week during a kidnaping."

"I wondered about the bruises."  The boys came in with Rodney.  "You are?"

"Doctor Rodney McKay," he said, shaking his hand.  "Dawn, meeting."

"I can help," she offered.

"No, I have it."  Dawn nodded and went back up there.  This was probably dirty things and he could easily make sure the agent didn't want to illegally snatch a genius.  "I did the analysis when they turned over that formula.  What did you need to know?"  He sipped his coffee.

"There was a tip called in that they were part of a group that had intentions for the US that may or may not be good."

"We grew out of that.  Evil overlords don't get good girls," Andrew said.  "Mr. Stark showed us that."

"That's why I'm single," Rodney quipped.  Andrew giggled and swatted him.  "No one's ever called me nice, Andrew.  Sit, boys."  They did and he sat between them and the agent to appear like he was in charge, which he was.  This puny minded minion had no idea what he was trying.  When the agent nicely suggested they should look at their designs, Rodney shook his head.  "They have credible, realistic oversight here by other geniuses, such as myself and the company's head genius, who understand where bad ideas come from."  He stared at him.

"Who has your oversight, Dr. McKay?" he asked snidely.

"General O'Neill."  The man flinched.  Rodney smirked and finished his coffee.  "I'm the head scientist on Atlantis and second-in-command at the SGC's science corps."

Dawn strolled in to refill coffee and hand the two geeks sodas.  She smiled at the agent.  "Your boss was wondering where you were.  We did a check, as is standard protocol when agents show up, and he was not aware you were here."  He flinched.  She smiled.  "Get away from my geeks."

"Your...."

She lit up and growled.  "Mine."  He fled.  She pulled back in the glow.  "If they think I'm the evil one they might not come again," she quipped at Rodney's dirty look.

"Perhaps but it might be others."

"Clint's laughing his ass off."  She smiled at the boys.  "Reports?"  They ran off to do them.  She smiled at Rodney, patting him on the head.  "If you're here and using our labs, you have minimum reports too, Doctor McKay.  I put good coffee in your machine."  She strolled off.

"Evil minded again today?" he called after her.

"Yup."

He laughed.  She was too good and he could appreciate her as an assistant.  Even Radek would get a kick out of her.  She had matured since she had been stranded on Atlantis for a few months.  He went back to his lab.  The minimum reporting style sheets were waiting on him.  He snorted but did them so Stark wouldn't send her to nag.  He didn't like nagging women.  Though she did make good coffee and organized the labs very well.

***

Fury was talking to the World Security Council members.  "I knew she was guarding the geeks," he told them.  "Dawn does guard them.  They were friends of her family's and they're very nice, gentle boys who flinch at the single scowl from anyone, much less someone like me."

"We could use their skills."

"We already use their skills.  If Stark's people make something we can use, we have enough spies there that let us know so we can talk our way into it."

"Our R&D department could be better," one said.

"You cut the funding," Fury shot back.  "Joyce, get me the budget."  She flashed it onto his screen.  "This month's?"

"That's next month's.  This month's is here."  She sent that over as well.

"Thank you."  He pointed.  "You cut it."

They stared.  "Someone did it for you I see," one said bitterly.

He smirked.  "Dawn did and now my new assistant does it monthly for me."

"You let her work with your people?" one asked.

"She was sent over to help from Stark.  She did paperwork and helped immensely during a few incidents, including those goo clones.  Even if the girl did wear teasing clothes sometimes instead of business suits, she's the second best assistant I've ever had.  Her mother is my current one and slightly better because she's less mouthy when an agent gets snippy."

One of them looked confused.  "Why is that better?"

"She's spanked a few and put a few others in the corner like the children they were acting like instead of shooting back and making them more pouty.  I appreciate physical correction methods more."  He could see Agent Hill trying not to laugh.  Joyce too.  "Anything else?"

"She's not human, Director Fury."

"She is now.  They made her a human.  She reads just as human as Thor does.  For that matter, she reads just as human as Captain Rogers does.  That super soldier formula did have to do a bit of DNA tinkering."

"What about the agents she's compromising?"

"I don't think them screwing is compromising anything," he said bluntly.  "Why would it?  I don't care where anyone sticks it as long as it's not illegal or affecting their work.  She was over the age of eighteen.  It was her choice thanks to an emergency that you helped start.  I'm actually proud that they're worthy of her.  Anything else?  Because I really don't care what you think about any agent's relationship."

"I think you should," one warned.

Fury snorted.  "Sure, let me disband them and let you handle the upcoming demon revolt in the spring."  He hung up on them.  He looked at his senior agent, who shook her head.  "Any new news on that?"

"Not yet, sir.  I haven't seen any reports on it."

"I have two," Joyce said.  "One from the library and a field report from someone on Buffy's team."  She handed them over.

He read them over, nodding.  "Can we end them?"

"Probably not.  They're starting it from another realm instead of this one.  Rupert thinks that they'll try a different method of invasion but he's not certain how."

"Good to know.  Anything on that damn elf portal Xander said he moved?"  She snorted but got the research on it for him.  He read it over, grimacing.  "That sucks."  He kept going.  "So, we've had a few invasions.  Why would they come back?"  Joyce turned to a section and pointed.  "One of their princesses decided to stay?"

"Yes, and her family is here."

"Where?" he asked her.

"Illinois by what we're told.  Agent Coulson was supposed to go talk to her this week."

"That's good.  I need to know when he gets back."

Agent Hill messaged him.  "He's going tomorrow.  Today he couldn't.  One of the kids had an eardrum burst and he's at the ER, sir."

"Ow," Joyce muttered.  "I knew they were sore."

"They were on antibiotics for it," Agent Hill said.  "Still happened.  Melissa's cured up fast enough."

Fury shook his head.  "Tara?"

"At the doctor's herself," she admitted.  "Yearly exam."

Fury grimaced.  "I don't need to know."  He folded the file up again.  "Anything else I have to hear?"

Joyce got something.  "This got sent to me last night by text message.  Bruce was confused when I showed him.  I thought they meant him."  She got into her phone's text message log and showed him.  "I couldn't figure out how to print it or identify it since it's no known number."

"I can do that," Maria said, taking it to look at.  She started someone running a trace on it and handed it back.  "If they would overthrow the WSC and make a better agency it might help," she admitted.  "But it'd cause more problems and we'd seen more political."

"Which we do not need," Fury agreed.  "Track that, see if it's that group that's been bothering Stark."

She nodded, leaving.

Joyce got another and showed him.  "I'm sure she'll find it later."  Fury grimaced.  "Frankly...."

"That's a bad question to ask anyone and I know you probably have days you could kill me," he said dryly.  "Thank you for the warning."

"That was night before last's message."

"Were there others?"

"Not that I'm aware of but my phone was in the shop without the sim chip."

"Good to know.  Tell her that."  She nodded, going to tell Maria about that.  He leaned back.  Joyce was a lot better at it than Dawn, and not as many people wanted to kidnap her.  Then again, no one really wanted to face off to her boyfriend if they did.  Bruce Banner could be a bit...possessive when he wanted to be.

***

Dawn walked out that night to find someone waiting on her.  "Good morning," she told Happy, who was waiting beside the car.  "Tony going out clubbing?"

"Making sure you get home, Dawn."

"Um...."  She pointed back at Clint.  "Dinner."

He smiled at the agent then at her.  "Stark's orders."

"Okay," she said, looking at Clint.

"I still need to stop at the pharmacy."

"We can do that," Happy assured him.

Dawn looked at him.  "Who threatened what now?"

"The agent from earlier was from the same group," Clint said.

"Ah.  Tell me these things?" she suggested with a smile.

"Gladly."  He helped her into the car and then got in.  They went to the pharmacy, picked up dinner on the way through traffic, and then went home.  They found Xander in Dawn's apartment.  "Big thing?" he asked.  "We can make dinner spread."

"No.  Offering."  He looked at her then at him.  "I can turn it into a triplex so you guys only have to go up and down stairs."

"That might be nice," he admitted.  "I'm not sure Natasha would like that."

"She's never downstairs," Dawn said.  "Is she somewhere safe to text?"  He shrugged and did that.  She sent one back that as long as she had a door with a lock she was fine.  Xander smiled and created a set of stairs against the outer wall.  Doors at the top and bottom.  He looked toward the bathroom and widened the tub about six inches.  "That might be bad," she said.  "We're already half on his lap if we're all in there."

Xander went to look, putting illusionary ones in there then spread it another six inches.  He grinned. "That should help.  Not as nice as your one at the temple."  He tweaked her ear.  "Did you send me a sappy love song mix?"

"No."

"Did Pepper?"

"Not that I'm aware of.  Bia could've.  She loves iTunes."

"Huh."  He went to look and talk to his former pushy consort.

She smiled.  "It's wide enough now for us to snuggle up against your side without both being on your lap."

He kissed her.  "It was fine before.  Even when I couldn't feel my feet."  He took a second kiss.  "Hungry?"

"Yes.  I had to rush lunch."  He grinned.  She laid out dinner and got them drinks, settling in to relax.  "I think I'm putting up a secondary set of supports for the bed.  I noticed some of the paint cracking."

"I checked, it's just the paint and probably a humidity problem," he said.

"Still, I'd feel safer."

"The bed's going to look like an altar."  He smiled.

She grinned back.  "It might but then again, I do make a great sacrifice.  Look how many want me for it."  He poked her hard.  She kissed him.  "Joke."

"I know.  Bad one but still."  She kissed him again.  They finished up and he stretched.  "We need to spar."

"We can spar."  He smiled.  "Want to use your broken living room?"

"No.  I threw most of that out."  She hugged him, settling into his lap.  He squeezed her.  "That scared us a bit."

"Scared me too.  Most of them aren't that insistent."

He sighed.  "I hate that they want you."

"They want you for different reasons, Clint."

"I know."  He kissed her.  "Sparring."  She slid off his lap and went to change.  He went up to change too.  He liked that she had a bunch of unitards in the bike short and longer length to spar in.  He met her in the gym, finishing his stretching.  They found Cap and Callia in there.  "Callia, we have to spar, sweetie."

"What's sparring?"

"Play fighting to make sure that you can fight really good," Dawn said.  "When you're older, we'll teach you."

"Is he going to beat up on you?" she demanded.  "The tv people say that's wrong."

"I'm going to beat up on him just as much," Dawn said.  "It's not like the tv people talk about.  This is like learning a sport.  You saw _Karate Kid_, I let you watch it."  Callia smiled and nodded.  "It's training like he did."

"Oh.  So you're training to beat up on later bad guys?"  They nodded.  "Then that's okay and I won't kick or stabby him."  Steve looked at her.  "Auntie Pepper say she had to stabby mugger."

"She did," Dawn agreed.  "Ask your father about that."

"Yes, Auntie."  She waved a hand.  "I want to see."

"Just stay with Uncle Steve," she ordered.  She looked at Clint.  "C'mon, flirty."

"Me, flirty?" he teased with a smirk.  "What do you call some of your clothes?"

"Teasing."

"Semantics," he shot back and attacked.  Dawn was a bit slow but she was still bruised.  She did good, and he was worn out too.  She ended up flipping him and landing on top.  "Ha!  Right where I want you."  She kissed him and got off.

Callia was sucking on her bottom lip, looking at her auntie.  "Do bad guys kiss you when they try to beat you up?"

"No, but he earned one and a really good back rub."

"I could like that," he agreed, smirking at her.  "Later, squirt."

"Nighties, Unclie Clint, Auntie Dawn."  She waved and looked at her favorite uncle.  "She's very strong."

"She is."

"Am I going to be that strong?"

"If you want to be."

"I might if bad guys will want me."

"Not that many bad guys will want you."  He couldn't like and say none, because someone had tried to take her once to ransom Tony for her.  They had wanted tech.  "We'll always try to protect you."

She nodded.  "I think I should learn that."

"We'll let you start taking lessons.  Your dad will like that."  She smiled shyly and put her head down.  "Want to go home?"

"Is he done with the slutty ho?"

"Slutty ho?" he asked.

"The new secretary?  She's a slutty ho like Auntie Dawn showed me."

"I don't think he's doing that."  If he was, Tony was getting his butt kicked and they were over with.  Maybe he wasn't meeting Tony's needs?   She cuddled him so he took her home.  Tony was alone, freshly showered, and had a drink in his hands.  "No secretary?"

"She left before dinner."  He stared at him, looking confused.  "Why are you...  No!  I'm not like that, Steve!"

"I...  I know that there's.... needs there."

"And I have two hands, a huge bank account so I can buy surrogates that are plastic or more fun materials, and porn."

Steve blushed.  "Sorry.  I know you wouldn't."

"You listened to the tabloids," Tony shot back.

"You two fight and I'm spanking," Callia said.  They stared at her.  "Kissy and make up.  Now!  Before I tell the aunties!  Auntie Pepper say she might have to lock you two in closet."

Steve took a quick, chaste kiss.  Tony pulled him back for a better one.  "I'm not a whore," he said bluntly but quietly.

"I was worried I wasn't enough."

Tony snorted. "I don't get near as much as they think I do, Steve."  He took his daughter.  "You, bath time."

She looked at him.  "I want to learn how to fight like Auntie Dawn.  Even if bad boys don't come for me."

He stared down at her, nodding.  "You can learn self-defense starting next month."  She smiled and ran off.  He looked at Steve.

"They came in to spar and explained it as training to beat up on future bad guys."

Tony nodded.  "It is.  I hate that she has to know that."

"There was that incident."

"Don't remind me.  Please don't remind me."  He sighed.  "I had six of those by her age," he said quietly.  He finished his drink and got another.  "Need help?"

"No, Daddy.  Do cuddly things."

"Thanks."  He sat down and pulled Steve down.  "If we're not, she'll pout at us."

"I hate being pouted at.  Or nagged."

"Dawn's nagging isn't as bad as Pepper's used to be.  Dawn's more subtle most of the time."  He finished his drink and put the glass down when his daughter came out in her pajamas.  "Why do you keep waking up?"

"Sleep too much and I get tired."

"That's something I've noticed about Dawn and Buffy both," Steve said.  "Neither one sleeps more than six hours a night."

"Huh."  He cuddled her and read to her.  She fell asleep halfway through so he put her into bed.   He couldn't close her door or she'd panic when she got up.  So they waited on her to get up and wander then head back to sleep.  It was the pre-sentinel routine of checking her surroundings.  Which sucked for a baby to do, even if she was a future slayer.

***

Xander looked up from his information files when Phil showed up looking exhausted.  "He better?"

"Much.  They drained his ear, the ER doctor finally realized that he had been taking his antibiotics, along with his sister.  That we did take him to see the doctor and it hadn't been enough this time, and that he was an idiot."  He sat down with a huff.  "So the social worker got called off and she's the one that told the doctor that."  Xander shook his head.  "He's got a little tube in there for drainage and more antibiotics.  Tara's soothing him tonight."

"That's good.  She's good at it."  Phil nodded.  "Just needed some quiet?"

"No, I needed to be around another adult.  I'd go hang out with Dawn but Barton's moping a tiny bit about Romanoff being on assignment."

"Trying to distance yourself from them never works," Xander said quietly.  Phil looked at him.  "It won't."

"I know.  I could lose them at any time thanks to the job."

"It sucks but some of us live to old age."

"Some of us will," he agreed.  He shifted.  Xander handed him his cup of cocoa.  "Do you have a pot of it on?"  He nodded and pointed.  "Why?"

"Thinking.  Hating the job a bit."  He put the files up.

"Anything on ours?"

"Not really.  I've seen a few tendrils.  I sent it at Maria so they can't expect you to come interrogate me."  Phil gave him a confused look.  Xander showed him the question earlier from the junior agents he was training.

Phil snorted at the question asking if he had questioned Xander in any particular ways before they decided they were together.  "I'm not the one they send on those missions."  He drank some of the cocoa, seeing the blush.  "You have?"

"Yeah, a few times.  Occasionally I was already dating them and something showed that it was a prompted one."  Phil sighed but nodded he knew how that happened.  "Any good news on the demon revolt?"

"Not yet."  He finished his cocoa and cleaned the mug, putting it into the kitchen.  He relaxed.  Xander turned on a goofy, 80's movie about a video game and star fighters.  It was corny but good.  He could appreciate recruitment by video game.  He might suggest that to Fury so they could find decent agents.  Something on that game system that read body movements so it was based on how good you did physically.  Some year they'd have to replace Clint and Natasha, then probably Stark.  That was a worrisome one at the moment but Stark was worried about it.  He nearly flinched when he felt the fingers on his shoulders but a minute later he was moaning.

"Quit thinking about work," Xander ordered.  "There's more important things to think about."

"Like what?"

"Babyproofing the house because they're about to walk?"

"Done."  He smiled slightly.  "Tara did it for both apartments and Dawn's."

"They'll need gates for the stairs I created."

"That's nice of you."  He tipped his head forward.  "It's so much calmer here."

"Fewer people."

"Really?"  Xander nodded.  "I didn't even think that it might matter."

"It does to Dawn too.  Cleveland drives Buffy nuts because of the extra people she has to protect.  I'm sure you'd see them being calmer if they were somewhere with less people."

"That's the only good thing about the hell carrier.  It's a lot calmer."

"Yes, but then you'd have to commute to see the kids."

"We would.  The director was not amused when he realized that."  He smiled.  Xander moved down to the knot in his shoulders.  "Paperwork all day."

"The best of us have that problem."

"I do miss being in the field more often."

"You can go on short missions without the kids stressing too much."

"I'm thinking about it.  We have routines and it'll upset them."

"And if it's an emergency, you'll have to do it anyway."

"I will," he agreed.  "I should try a few shorter ones.  They know there's been times I didn't make it for bedtime."

"Call if you can."

"I might not be able to.  I can leave me reading things to them though."  Xander nodded.  He groaned as he released that one knot from bending over his desk to do the million and six forms he did every week.  "Thank you."

"Welcome."  He smiled.  "They'll understand.  Even if they don't now they will some day."

"I hope so."

"They'll see all their aunts, their stepmom, all the uncles, doing the same thing."

Phil nodded.  "They will.  Which sucks a lot."

Xander patted him on the back.  "It does but it's reality.  Then some day they'll be teenagers."

Phil looked at him.  "Don't give me that bad mental image.  I keep seeing my daughter with a tongue, lip, and nose piercing and my son with blue hair."

Xander smiled.  "Not blue.  He'd look bad with blue thanks to his eye color.  Purple maybe."  Phil swatted him and he grinned.  Phil shook his head, smiling slightly.  "They'll be normal kids, just like all the other ones.  Even if they do realize about you."

"I'm hoping they don't find out until they're adults.  They'll expect me to fix everything."

"I think that's a job most kids expect parents to do."

"I did," he admitted.  "But I won't be able to."

"Even if you were omnipotent, you couldn't.  A lot of that is raising."

"There's a fine line there though."

"Trust me, if I catch you treating your kids like Odin and my father treated me I'll kick your ass over it and Tara would've taken the kids long before then.  She's fighting that same demon."

Phil nodded.  "She is.  She keeps trying to overcompensate so Melissa's strong enough to not need a man."

"She will be.  She'll see her doing it, see her aunts doing it, and she'll learn from that.  She won't ever be the mousy thing that Tara was when we first met her.  She stuttered and couldn't talk to anyone without talking to her feet.  Willow was jealously hoarding her so we wouldn't know."

"She has come a long way."  He relaxed and checked on the kids.  They were asleep.  Dawn was asleep on her boyfriend's chest but he was watching the news and brooding.  Phil gave him a nudge toward sleep too.  He let them go and looked at Xander again.  "Barton's got some worries too."

"Of course he does.  There's history to consider."  He shrugged.  "They'll figure it out.  Most adults do."

"Good point.  Dawn would try to keep him."

"Dawn's downright possessive since she nearly lost Joyce and Buffy.  You've seen her do it to you, to Pepper, to Stark.  Now to those two.  Even if one escapes now and then.  I think if she does, Dawn might hunt her down and present her to Clint."

"Maybe," he agreed with a slight smile.  "If not, those two will work it out together."  Xander nodded.  "That'd be fine with me.  They make each other happy."

"They do.  Or else I would've killed him by now."  Phil smirked at him.  "I would.  Dawn is going to be happy if I can make sure of it."  He put his feet up.  Something popped into his lap.  He looked at the file, grimacing.  He sent it to Roque since he was loudly complaining he was bored earlier.  Roque stomped in to get the rest of his files and took them with him.  "Sure, if you want," Xander said with a shrug.  "I'll get the ones you don't want later."

"We're all bored.  O'Neill has us on hiatus, the whole program."

Xander snorted.  "Make the younger ones help SHIELD?"

"We need to sort the SGC into a different program, so they can do their job," Phil said.  "SHIELD needs the same thing."

"Unless Stark takes it over," Xander said dryly.

"No, that won't work.  We'd need to be under a private heading that was universally respected."

Xander nodded.  "Unless the UN does it...."

"That's not going to happen," Phil agreed.  "They're diplomatic and symbolic."

"And they house demon hunting squads," Xander quipped.

"No one likes those."

"If they knew who they were, they'd like to even less.  Though it is nice that Riley's team took out a drug lord that was summoning demons."  Phil smiled a bit, making some more coffee float out for him.  Talsa brought out dinner and mead.  "It's not that sort of talk," Xander said.

"So?  You still need proper nourishment and I doubt he ate all day with the way he's slumped in on himself."  She went back there.

Phil handed over the mead and dug into his dinner.  "I did miss lunch."

"I'm not so sure I didn't."  Xander ate and sipped his mead.  It was nice being fussed over.  He heard Alana going off on the Valkyries again and sighed, calling something from his storage area.  The trunk landed in front of him and he picked it up.  Phil looked confused.  "Anya's shit she never moved."  He carried it out and thrust it on her, making her catch it.  "Use it to lighten your mood as you sound like a certain brother's goats," he said bluntly, staring at her.  A few of the Valkyries snickered.

"They can do the same.  I'd suggest a mass event actually."  Alana made squeaky noises and blushed bright red. "It helps all womanly bad moods, even those that need the miracle potion of Midol.  Even if you're on your cycle, it can help cramps."  He stared at her.  "Cure it before I ask the trainees to help some of you cure it."  She walked off bright red, head down.  He looked at the Valkyries.  "Not like it'd be the first all-female warrior orgy in our history."  Most of them blushed and walked off too.  They could follow their mistress.

"Who gave you those?" one of the senior women asked.  "Most men don't need them."

"Men who sleep with other men can use them," he told her, making her blush.  "But they were my last girlfriend's and she never removed them.  Perhaps they'll pick her up for a bit so she can show them how to use them," he called after the Valkyries.  One waved.  He smiled at her.  "That's also why you don't touch Dawn's."

"The girl needs more cloth," she said bluntly.  Xander pulled a fashion mag from Dawn's house.  He held up the cover and she gasped.  "They wear what?"

"And less.  Leave Dawn's things alone.  If you altered anything, undo it.  Tonight.  She's very picky about her clothes."  She groaned but went to do that.  Strife appeared to undo everything properly then left before the chaos it would cause overloaded him.  He sent a thought at Dawn to come get her clothes, just in case.  He'd have to take some time to train the older women that served in the halls.  He went back to his dinner, flopping down.  "They were going to fix Dawn's clothes on her."  Phil winced.  "Yeah, that was going to be a loud fit complete with explosions."

"She'd probably buy something trashy and use it to fluster them.  Especially since I heard Natasha took the empress of evil outfit with her on assignment."  He stuffed his mouth.

"That's gotta be hot.  She's curvier than Dawn is."  Phil nodded.  "Huh.  I sense a cold shower in my near future."  Phil nearly choked but he was laughing.  "Did Tara see her in that outfit?"

"She sobbed that Dawn was all grown up but she was crying at flower commercials again too."

"Ah, PMS.  I used to hide from that, even with powers out in the open.  I hate being cried on."

"I don't much like it either," Phil said.  He looked up.  "Did you hear that sigh of displeasure?"

"It's the future Gozer.  She's sipping wine and scrying.  She's hoping for porn but doesn't realize that even if I did that, it wouldn't mean we were together."  She cut out.  "Thank you."  He looked at Phil, who was smirking a bit.

"You actually have meaningless sex?"

"Have in the past.  Might have to soon.  Been a while and I'm tense again."  He sighed and shifted.  "Anya gave me inhuman stamina so I have no idea how it'd go.  I might have to summon a succuba."

Phil gave him a dirty look.  "Eww."

"They can suck out hellmouth taint really well though.  If I wear one out, she'll just sigh and fall asleep instead of die on me."

"Has one actually died?" he asked.  "I believe that's an urban myth."

Xander nodded.  "Twice."  Phil dropped the piece of meat he had been eating from.  "Both human.  Had been dating a bit.  I decided to be easy and let them have me on the third date or so.  But yeah.  Paramedics not real happy when they heard why she had a heart attack and the other one I think had a stroke.  I guess she had a blood clot she didn't know about or something."

Phil stared at him.  "That is way too much stamina."

"Yeah but I need it for battles."

"You can quit working out though."

"I still need it for battles."

"Then you need to find a better way to wear it out."

"Hey, find me a harem," he said dryly.  "I'll gladly have a harem."

"You'd have to move the training compound to the middle east."  He picked up the meat to stuff his mouth.

"I can have one of the servers hit on him so he doesn't run around naked or something equally wrong," Talsa called from the kitchen.

"Eww, and it's my house.  If I want to be naked, so be it."  He looked down the hill.  "I should teach them how to fight naked anyway."

Phil shook his head.  "I do not want to see that lesson."

"Some of them are pretty nasty looking," Xander agreed.

"Not what I meant."

Xander shrugged.  "We all used to learn to fight naked."

"Yes, but the days of real greco-roman wrestling are gone," he said dryly.  "Now we're taught not to sleep naked."

"That sucks though.  Having to put on clothes after sex."  He frowned and let it clear up.  "Or at all in the summer."

Phil shook his head and stuffed his mouth again.  That's when he realized Xander was teasing him.  He stared at him.  Xander grinned.  "Cute."

"Thank you, yes I am."

"Sometimes," he agreed.  He let himself smile just a bit.  He did like Xander.  He was a nice guy.  He got a sudden thought.  "Did we save those kids?"

"Yes.  When they time flipped I went back to make sure.  Brought more weapons and ammo this time."

"That's good.  Are you watching any more of those?"

"Yes.  One in New York.  One in Las Vegas but the PD there may solve it."

"You don't think the others will?"

"No, they're too tangled up in things like the Russian mob.  I think the NYPD would love to but they know they can't start that sort of war."

Phil ate a bite.  "Want some help?"

"I might ask.  I'm long-distance paying attention right now.  So far I've nearly broken and went to kill a few of them but the kids mysteriously got free."  He considered it.  "I think that was Dawn."

"Possibly.  I know she was looking up something."

"So we'll have to see.  If I do have to handle it, I'll make sure you know so you can keep the agents out of it."

"Thank you.  Though we could back you up."

"SHIELD doesn't want involved in that war either.  It's not a world threat."

"Some of us would."  Xander nodded he knew that.  "Is that all that's on your upcoming agenda?"

"Roque took most of them."  He brought back the folders he had specially set aside so Phil could look at them.  "He's someone SHIELD might want to deal with.  That's the fuckhead that got Clay's team.  The person who took over for him was a minion."

"Really?" Jensen asked from the kitchen.  "Which one?"

"One of the lesser lieutenants."

"Guys, Max's minion took over," he yelled.  Clay came in to get that file and stomped off.  "Thanks, Xander.  We were bored."  He smiled and took his coffee back to Roque's temple.

"That leaves the other one," Xander admitted, showing him that one.  Phil sent it to the director's desk and smiled.  "Hey," he said.

"Build up a store of warriors you can call on.  I'm sure there's others that are bored."

"Probably.  I know a few that are retired who I can call on."

"That's good.  Remember to let us know if you need us."

"Of course."  They both looked up at the fuss.  Phil went to get his daughter and bring her back.  "Hey, 'Lis."  She was still cranky.  He tested her forehead and put some of the mead on her gums.  That calmed her down.  "Teething sucks," he agreed.  "I've had to regrow some after having them knocked out."  Phil snorted but calmed her down.  When she was asleep he put her back to bed and checked on John before going back to Xander's.  Xander smiled.  "She's making you breakfast too."

"This makes a good breakfast."  He relaxed and they got calm again.  It was nice that his powers weren't being too cranky out here.

"Want me to plan your temple?"

"I'm not sure I'm ready for that yet."

Xander looked out back and created a space and a nice little temple.  "All yours, there beside Dawn's so you can still nag her about the bikinis."

"Pepper's trying to get us to go with her on vacation."

"Pepper's vacation is going to blow," Xander said.  "That's when the revolt is."

"Then perhaps she and Dawn should go."  They shared a look.  He sent word around to Stark and Steve then relaxed again.  It was good to relax.

***

Stark looked at Dawn the next day.  "Your vacation is going to be forced," he told her.

"What did I do this time?" she sighed, looking up from her typing.

"Nothing.  We're seeing a battle around then."

"Okay, so why am I being forced on vacation?  Not like you can't and won't call if you need a second line."

"It's demons."

"Oh, that one.  Yeah it's the week before the expo, tentatively planned for Saturday the last I heard from Spike.  He wanted me to go back to LA."

"Fiji's nice," he assured her.

"So's Guatemala.  We're going there."

"Fine.  Wherever.  Do not let her watch," he said quietly.  "She won't need the stress.  We hopefully won't need a second line."  She snorted.  "We'll have your sister and Faith."

"Good.  I can try."

"Even better."  He stared at her.  "Also, whatever you've been doing with the Russian mob, stop it.  Coulson noticed."

"No, Xander noticed I freed a few kids that he was going to work with."

"Huh?"

"Xander's been paying attention to them over their people smuggling things.  He caught them hoarding kids a few times.  He was going to step in to stop them but I more subtly freed them so he could work on the bigger problems.  We all know I hate those suckers."

"I would too if they had courted me the way they did you."  He stared at her.  "They're going to wonder if I'm doing that."

"I'm your wonder assistant."

"Yes, but you're Alfred, not Batman."

"You'd look sucky in the rubber nipple suit, boss."  He swatted her.  "Hey!"

"No more."

"Yes, sir.  I'll do it magically instead."

"Even that way.  You're not a goddess."

"No but I can be subtle and help.  No one knew except Xander."

"Still.  No more."

"Fine."

"Thank you.  And no doing it physically either.  If they have kids, that's why we have an immigration department, the NYPD, and agents all over this city."

"Who can't and won't touch them because it'll be worse than the battles in the seventies against the regular mob.  I tried that first."  He winced.  "So can I do my subtle best work?"

"No.  You can't involve the company."

"I'm not using company resources."

"Yes but everyone knows you work for us.  That's the downside of being Pepper's super assistant.  The same as if I did it, it'd be linked to both identities.  Hell, tell Coulson and let him assign a few agents."

"It's not a threat to the world if they start stockpiling kids," she said bitterly.

"Most agents won't care."

"Fury will."

"He might," he agreed.  "Let them start to handle it.  Agents have whole networks of agents who think like them and can do the duty when they're flustered and stymied."

"Who, again, won't do it.  I went to ICE, to the FBI, and to the NYPD about them.  Not a damn thing got done.  Not even some surveillance.  The same as when they came after me, the FBI refused to step in."  He opened his mouth.  "Pepper asked."

"Fine," he said.  "Tell Coulson anyway.  Give him what you have.  There's plenty of agents who don't give a damn what their higher ups say.  I'm sure at least someone knows someone."  He stared at her.  "I mean it."  She nodded, digging out a few files and a dvd to hand to him.  "Thank you."  He walked off, calling Phil to meet him at the lab.  He looked it over.  She had done good and some of it had clearly come from their time off wandering to stay out of US hands.  He wondered who had done the questioning but he was pretty sure if he asked, neither agent knew much about it.  Dawn was like that.  She had learned that from Buffy and Xander.  Phil walked in with coffee and one of the twins.  "Ear still bothering him?"

"Yes.  He's calmed down for me so far today but Tara can't get him calm for anything."

"Burst ear drums do hurt."  He handed it over.  "On what Dawn's been doing."

"Xander told me last night."  He looked it over, letting Tony take the baby, who wanted to play with his mustache.  "She did good questioning them."  He ran the dvd and nodded.  "That's very good.  I have no idea who I can get to handle that.  I asked Director Fury about it and he said it's not our job."

"Agents network.  Are there any demigod agents?"

"Yes, there are."  He thought and found the one John had told him about.  "But he's out by the camp."  He took it and the baby with him, changing into a suit.  "Agent Larabee?  May I have a minute of your team's time?"

"Who're you?" he asked.

"Agent Coulson, SHIELD."

"Why does someone like SHIELD need us?"  He wouldn't remark on the non-standard accessory he had drooling on his shoulder.

"Thanks to an adjunct member, we've run into information on the Russian mafia organizations, mostly out of New York, but they don't seem interested in dealing with it."  Larabee's face tightened.  He smiled and held up the folder.  "I'm hoping one of you knows someone who has more balls."

"We do," he said.  "We've fought them a few times for gun running."

"This one has been focusing on people smuggling for various reasons, including children."  He laid out what he had.  The baby was cooing at one of the agents, who was smiling and wiggling his fingers at him. "John, let the agent see the nice folders," he said, looking at his son.  "Then you can flirt."  The baby smiled and hid his face, one hand over his ear.

"Ear ache?" Larabee asked quietly.

"Burst ear drum last night.  I'm off today."  That got a nod.  He looked over as the missing member came in.  "Agent Standish."

"Agent Coulson, I've been hearing rumors of you recently from some mutual acquaintances."

"Which is why I brought this to your team."

He smiled.  "It is quite a good thing.  The young one I've also heard rumors about is very slick but not totally subtle."

"She's twenty."

"That's a fine age to learn that skill."  He went over it.  "The children?"

"She released them and helped them escape to a shelter.  Who took appropriate action."

"Even better," Larabee said.  He looked up.  "Some of us are aware of his extended family."

Phil smiled.  "I am a member of that now.  I'm sharing some of Alexander's duties, over the protectors."

Larabee smiled.  "He's a smartass kid too."

"Who predates writing."

"Still a kid."  They finished the files.  "We can take this and build on it."

"Thank you."  He shook their hands.  "Come on, John.  Let's take your aunt to lunch."  The baby pouted.  "You like your Aunt Dawn."  The baby grinned and babbled at him.  "Thank you, gentlemen."  He left.

Larabee looked at Ezra.  "He's a bit more uptight than I imagined."

"He works with the Avengers initiative."

"Never mind, he's used to fruitcakes."  They gathered to look up anything that she had missed.  They could start pulling the group apart at the seams.  It was their job after all.

***

Dawn walked in and sighed, shutting the door to lean on it.  Clint looked up from cleaning his backup bow.  "Are you going to nag and bitch at me too?"

"No, we knew you were questioning some Russians about their mob ties.  Natasha growled a few times."

She stood up and walked over.  "Thank you."  She sat down beside him.  "I got ordered that during the upcoming demon thing that I'm to be with Pepper.  We'll be by the lake."

"That'll work.  Means you'll be safer."  He looked at her.  "You good with that?"

"If you guys need a second line, you'll call."

"I would," he agreed.  "But we shouldn't need it."

She hugged his arm.  "You'd better be okay."

"I'm pretty sure I'm not going to be in the middle."

"Some demons can teleport too," she pointed out.

He sighed.  "I forgot that."

"You need to talk to Spike anyway."

"I will."  He pulled her closer.  "Want to clean weapons tonight?"

"I could like that."  They gathered all the weapons, leaving anything Natasha had left downstairs alone.  Those were hers and she wouldn't want them touching them.  It still took most of the night and sandwiches over cleaning cloths.  She looked at him.  "I asked Xander about any other comic insights that other one might have," she said quietly.

"What did he say?"

"At least thirty years of them and someone at SHIELD would have to pay for it in a way that Xander could use."

He considered it.  "They might."

"They might have to talk to long-haired, hormoned Xander to get it changed over."

"That might help too.  I'd like to meet that one.  He sounds interesting."

"He is.  We talked a lot, all three versions of him."  He looked at her.  She nodded.  "And immortal, like that movie with the swords."

"Huh.  Definitely interesting."  He kissed her.  "Anything else you learned from them?"

"They were teaching some of the other Xander's how to use a real forge.  I learned but it's not a comprehensive course.  One of the long-haired Xanders learned too."

"That's cool.  Could be a handy thing."  She nodded, snuggling in.  "Next time you go, see if I can come?"

"I can ask."  She smiled and pointed at a shelf.  "One Xander is a fantasy writer."  He moaned.  "That one series happened there."  He started to move but she floated over the first book in the series for him.  He grinned and settled in to read it.  She was comfortable.  He was happy, it was a good night.  Now if only a certain someone wasn't in Yugoslavia somewhere.

"She'll be back whenever she is."

"I know."  She kissed him again.  "The wenches from Valhalla tried to lengthen my clothes."  He grimaced.  "I have to get a few new dresses.  They even tried to undo the lavender version of that cream ruched one."

"Hmm."  He took another kiss.  "Is it fixed?"

"Mostly."  He smiled.  "I left my other teasing one out there and they were horrified.  They didn't like my dress from work today either.  Apparently knees are taboo to them."

"It's probably practical with how cold Asgard is supposed to be."

"Maybe, still sucks.  How do you tease?"

He smiled.  "I'm sure you'd find a way."

"Of course I would."  She winked and they settled back in.  She fell asleep there, clutching him like her teddybear.  He was reading and petting her arm so it was good for them.

***

Steve watched Tony pace around his lab.  "I really have to find Dawn new jobs," Tony decided.  "She's trying to slip back into helping battles again."  He looked at his ...friend.  "Did you hear she's been monitoring the Russian mob?"

"The ones that wanted her?"  Tony nodded.  "Was it protecting herself?"

"Probably started that way but then she was freeing some of the kids they had hostage and things."  He waved a hand.  "Without letting us know so we could cover for her.  Because, oh no, she had to hide that she was more than *normal* for years from her sister."

"Dawn has sense.  I'm sure she made sure she was protected."

"She was.  I didn't realize it until I went looking because she got a new letter asking her to come work for them."  They shared a look and he went back to pacing.  "So I went looking and I find that Dawn's done a pretty good job of gathering basic intelligence on them.  Without using Stark Enterprises supplies, so that's a nice thing.  Still leads back to us since she's known to work for us."  He huffed.  "Then she pouts."

"She's trying to help the best way she knows how.  She knows she's not meant to be in a battle.  This is what support staff do."

"No, my support staff support me," Tony told him.  "Then the team.  Which she used to do before someone got a bright idea and turned her into an agent against her will."  He paced in the other direction.  "I hate it for her.  I don't like watching her make that struggle, I don't like watching her try to hide the reflexes.  I hate it all for her.  She's a good, sweet girl who got turned into something a bit too tart for most people."

"Then it's good she's got the two who can handle the tartness," Steve said.

"That's another thing.  Does Barton look at her like a mini Natasha?"

"No.  I asked him that and he said he sees her, not the training.  The same way you think she should marry a genius to back him up, she's got the right sensitivities to help him with his duties, or Natasha when she doesn't look like she's going to bolt."

"She's not.  Dawn's got her wrapped around her fingers.  Which I like.  It means that they'll protect each other when the next feint towards her comes.  Because I know there will be one."

"There won't be one.  If they have to, they'll protect each other again and we'll pull those two for battles and other important things."

"We know where their home bases will be," Tony decided.

"If she doesn't sell them and make another one."

"Do you think she did?"

"I think she was reading the newspaper in Chinese today and looking at the classifieds."

"Why?"

"Who knows.  It's Dawn.  She could've been laughing at any pick up ads."

"She could, yeah."  He frowned.  "She hasn't been flirty."

"You told her she couldn't."

"Even then, Dawn's still flirty.  I think she's worried about Natasha coming back.  He might be too because he's been tense."

Phil walked in, smirking slightly.  "Slight difference there."  He put down something.  "It was hidden *very* well."

Stark looked then at him.  "Is that a marriage certificate?"

"Yes.  Three of them.  One with each of the possible groupings."  Steve blushed.  Tony stared at him.  "I'm fairly certain they were slightly drunk."

"JARVIS, call Dawn," he said.

"What?" Dawn asked from the speaker.

"As a question that came up, what were you doing in Spain, young lady?"

"Um, Spain?" she asked. "Not a clue.  When was I there?"

"Six months into your tour."

"No.  We were still in North Dakota then, boss.  Sorry."  She hung up.

"Which means she probably slipped back in time," Phil decided.  He gathered them up.

"Or she's lying," Tony said.

Phil shook his head.  "Not that I could tell."   Tony smirked plucked the certificates.  "Fine, you ask and let the family know."  He disappeared.

"I believe that's approval to look up security footage," he said, going to his computer to do that.

Steve smiled, watching him hack somewhere overseas.  If so, he was happy for the trio.  If not, he was happy for the trio if they were.

***

Dawn hung up her phone, looking at Clint.  "Spain?"

"There was that weekend that you were heavily flashing and the only way we kept you there was to let you drink yourself nearly to death," he said.  "That was later than six months though."  He looked confused.  "Maybe we went back?"

"Maybe," she said.  "I don't know.  I know I can time slip.  It takes shitloads of power though."  He nodded.  "Huh.  I wonder what we did in Spain?"

"Me too."  They shared a look and got up to go bother Stark.  She called a cab and he brought the book.  It would distract Stark and drive him nuts finding it.  They made it over there and up to the lab.  He walked in and put the book on the table beside Tony.  "What did we do in Spain?  And when?"  He spotted the edge of a formal certificate looking thing, taking it to look at.  He whistled.  "We time slipped."  He showed Dawn the certificate between her and Natasha.

"There's two others," Steve said.

Tony smirked and handed them over.

"Shit," Clint said, staring at them.  "That's not six months into our trip, Stark."  He held them up for Dawn to see.

"So you married me in one country, her in one country, then we hit a country that allows gay weddings to marry each other?" she asked.  "Is that legal?"

"No," Tony said.  "Probably not."  He spotted the book.  "Who's Alexian Harris?  Any relation to Xander?"

"Another him," Dawn said.

He took the book to look at the back cover, growling.  "They did what?" he demanded.

She smiled.  "Yeah, they did what."  She took them to look over, feeling the seal.  "It's an officially stamped one."

"Printing's wrong," Clint said, looking at his through the light.  They shared a look and sent a thought at Natasha, who admitted she had gotten morose and done it.  It was official because the other countries didn't recognize the other's.  He sighed.  "So," he said, staring at her.

She sent a thought at Natasha, who admitted she did like it.  They blew kisses and hugs then shut off the link again, Clint taking something to make sure his quit leaking over when it did.  Dawn hugged him.  He squeezed her.  "I guess I should find you a pretty ring?" she guessed.

He smirked.  "Simple ring.  Not too twinkly.  Won't interfere with my gloves or firing."

"Of course not."  She kissed his throat.  "Maybe a nipple ring?" she asked with an impish grin.

"No way in hell."  Steve was cackling.  "Or any other one."  She whispered in his ear and he moaned.  "If you want, I won't deny you that but it's not my thing, Dawn."

"Okay.  I have a clip on to see if I wanted to try it."  He leered.  "So.... what do you want to do about this?"

"Hide it from everyone but the team and family grouping?"

"Coulson found them," Tony told him.  "And if you're talking about dick piercings, I'm told there's more fun ones."

"One of the Xander's at the convention had a Buried Treasure one.  He nearly waxed poetic about it."

Tony had to look that up and hissed.  "Ow."

"He said it's a *lot* of fun.  He's a dom."

Tony looked at her.  "I can't imagine Xander as a dominant.  Scary but not that way."

"He does therapy with agents and officers."

"That I might see," he admitted.  He shook his head quickly.  "How?"

"'Tasha," Clint admitted.  He kissed Dawn again.  "Does this mean I need to buy you something sparkly?"

"We can talk about that later?"

"We can talk about that later," he agreed, taking his book back from Stark and taking the certificates with them.  "This means we have to tell your mother."

"She can tell Mom."  She grinned.  "So I can duck and hide.  We might have to bring Callia to hide behind."

"She might, yeah."

"No using my daughter as a shield," Tony called after them.  "Though I don't want to tell Joyce," he admitted.

Steve shook his head.  "She'll sob and want an official one."

"Maybe," he agreed.  "Dawn deserves the princess moment."

"She probably doesn't want one.  She's given in to hiding things so they were all safer, Tony."

"Still, she probably yearns for the pretty dress and diamonds.  Horse drawn carriage."  He shook his head quickly.  "That means the next formal dinner thing she has to attend with Xander, they should go."

"Maybe.  If they're admitting it."

"Good point."  He got back to work.  Pepper was going to sob for days about that when she found out.

***

Dawn and Natasha worked it out that night.  They could have rings that went on a different finger until it was known.  Clint could hide one until then. Or not wear one, whichever one he wanted.  Natasha had a nice idea of where to look.  Dawn and she purchased each other's then they got with Clint to buy the ones from him.  Since Natasha was where they were buying them, it was up to her.  He groaned and they paid for his together.  Very simple, very tasteful, two small stones with some colored places around it from some enamel work.  Dawn popped them over to hide for the night.  This they needed to be together for.  They put on each other's rings and kissed then fell down into one of their energetic, breath stealing, panty killing nights of pleasure.

***

Pepper looked at Dawn's hand the next morning.  "First ring I've seen you wear."

Dawn smiled.  "Natasha found it and I like it a lot."  It was three stones, a diamond surrounded by an onyx and an emerald.  It wasn't huge, it wasn't too flashy, but it was pretty.

Pepper looked at her.  "Is that a statement perhaps?"  Dawn smiled and kissed her on the cheek, hissing in her ear.  Pepper teared up.  "She did?"  Dawn smiled.  "That's ..."  Dawn handed her a tissue.  "Thank you.  I think I'd be crying even if I wasn't pregnant.  That's so sweet."

"It was.  Very few know."

"That's fine.  I'll keep that one until it comes out."  She hugged her.  "What about the one that guy said he did."

"The agent that took over the case asked the local city people who were over the marriage licenses.  He tried but since I would've had to be there and able to swear I wanted this of my own free will and we weren't related, they wouldn't issue it.  He's still going on about it.  I'm about to mail him a poisonous snake."

"Is her ring the same?"

"Switched stones."

"Aww.  So he's the diamond?"  Dawn smiled and nodded.  "That's so sweet."  Dawn handed her another tissue and got swatted for it.  "Go show that off to Tony.  What's he wearing?"

"Very simple and it has two stones, well set within the band, and it's got some enameling."

"That sounds pretty."  Dawn showed her a picture.  "Aww.  And good for his firing probably."  She smiled and nodded.  "Good.  Go show Tony and take something for the funny way you're walking."

"There's a reason for that," she quipped, taking files to go on her daily rounds.  Andrew and Jonathan realized and gaped, babbling at her.  She had to remind them no one else could know.  They promised not to tell and hugged her.  She got free and winked, filling out the form to have their personal soda machine refilled.  She went up to the tinkering lab.  They were all three in there again.  "Morning, Stepdaddy, jackass, and boss man."  Rodney snorted, shaking his head.  She changed out their coffee for fresh and warm and handed over the requisition.

Tony looked at her hand then at her.  "Nice choice," he said quietly.  "Pepper see that?"

"And sniffled."

"Good."  He signed it.  "We only refill theirs every three months, the rest is on them."

"Yup."  She tucked it into the folder she was carrying.  "Need anything and did *someone* eat breakfast?"

"Yes, someone got breakfast forced on him," Bruce joked.  "Joyce made sure he ate, Dawn."  He looked at her.  "Pretty dress."

"Thank you.  I had to rescue it from all the women who used to work up in Valhalla who are taking over on Xander.  They wanted it to have more cloth."

"Thor wanted that too," Tony joked.

"Yeah but he didn't try to remake my clothes on me.  I might have to shop."  Tony shivered.  She winked.  "That outfit was out there, yeah."  She strolled off.  "Let me know and I'll nag about lunch."

"Sure."  Tony shook his head with a smile.

"That was a pretty promise ring," Rodney noted.

"Ring?  What ring?" Bruce demanded.  He got up to follow her.  "Does your mother know about your new accessory?"

"We talked about me possibly getting a piercing," she joked.

He gave her a pointed look.  They got onto the elevator and she let him see her hand.  "Huh.  Whoever has pretty taste."

"Natasha found them."

"Beautiful."  He kissed her on the temple.  "He'd better take good care of you.  I know she will."

"He takes great care of me."

"Good.  When?"

"Um....  That's a longer issue."  He stared at her.  She shrugged.  "It is."  She touched his hand and let him know so no one watching the cameras could overhear.  He moaned.  She nodded.  "So, yeah.  Longer."

"Very.  Your mother?"

"I'm bringing Callia and hiding behind her."

"Might not save you."  He kissed her on the temple before she could get off.  "You're a great stepdaughter."  She smiled and winked then went back to her desk.  He rode back down, thinking about things.  He and Joyce really needed to elope soon.  He texted her, asking when her next free weekend was.  She told him and he suggested a trip.  She sent back a question mark and that they were about to have a meeting so she had to turn her phone off.

When she turned it back on forty-five minutes later she found the simple 'want to elope' message.  Joyce wrote him back and said he should show up for lunch so she could pounce him and they could do it downtown.  He smiled and suggested a honeymoon.  She said Friday and that was fine with him.  They had a plan going and they could tell Buffy after the fact so she had to pout.

***

Faith was with Buffy, making plans for the upcoming spring and the problem that was coming up soon with the demon revolt.  She was watching the senior slayer pace and worry.  "What's wrong?" she asked, eating a piece of beef jerky.  "You weren't this worked up over anything that I remember."

"I'm waiting five minutes."  She looked up the stairs.  Hylal was still asleep.  She hoped.  Her watch beeped and she went up there.  Halfway up she had to wince.

"Buffy, what is this little stick and why is it saying positive?" he called.

"Um...."  Faith was staring at her.  "Remember how we had this talk about birth control?" she called, going up the stairs.

At the first bellow of pleasure, Faith flinched.  Buffy squealed.  "He's going to running around with her on him all day," she decided.  "Let me go find something to slay," she called.  "Congrats!"  She fled because yup, he was coming down the stairs with her sleepily impaled on him again.  She ran into one of the agents and walked him off.  "They're having happy sex."

"I don't need to see that," he agreed, following her.  "Quick trip for coffee?"

"All day at the library.  It's happy sex."

"Ah.  Is it their anniversary?"

"No, she just peed on a stick."

"Then they're happy it's negative?"  Faith looked at him.  "Oh, dear."

"Oh, yeah."  They split up and she went to hide in the library.

He called.  "Agent Coulson, Tyler Matts.  I have an updated status report for you from Cleveland.  We are presently all hiding while Hylal and she are having what Faith called happy sex.  No, sir, sex happens regularly enough that it's not of note by itself, it's more of note because Faith said she was pregnant.  Yes, sir, that's what she said.  I can sneak back and check but I would rather not see Hylal naked today, sir."  Thankfully Agent Coulson agreed with him.  "Thank you, sir, and I'll let you know when they're ready to change their status so you can send backup to take care of the celebration curse."  He hung up and went to get a coffee.  He had survived making that report!  He was so happy he might even let the succuba at Starbucks flirt with him.

***

Phil hung up and banged his head on the desk a few times.  "Okay," he said, sitting up and regaining control.  "It's going to be that sort of week."  He sent out an Avengers wide text message to let them know that.  That way they could make their own plans about baby presents, backing her up when they celebrated the future marriage, which would of course be attacked, and someone could tell Joyce and Dawn.  He did do the nice change of status paperwork for Buffy.  He wasn't doing it yet for Dawn, Clint, and Natasha.  He walked it up and handed it to Joyce, then walked off quickly.

"My daughter is what?" she demanded.  "Philip Coulson, get back here."  He trudged back, he knew that tone of voice.  "She's what?"

"One of the agents down there called in to note her change of status.  He said he would officially check but he didn't want to see the, as he said Faith called it, happy sex."

"I'm not sure I want to see it either," Joyce admitted.  She sighed.  "There's going to be a wedding.  Can I borrow a shotgun or something?"

"Of course.  I'll even teach you how to use it."  She smiled.  He smirked and walked off.

She huffed and signed off on it, sending it into the head office.  She heard the shudder and looked in there.  "At least this one's a stand-up guy.  He's not a vampire, a demon, a bad overlord sort, or Riley Finn."

"Thankfully," he said.  "Will you need time off?"

"That depends on how much of a princess my elder daughter will demand to be.  Dawn could probably get married on a beach but not Buffy."

He nodded.  "If they do I might have to take one off the team."

"I'll make sure they know that."  She went back to her desk, calling down there.  No answer.  "Must still be knocked out from the sex," she muttered.  "I'm sure she's still mounted on him."  Agent Hill looked at her.  "Hylal had this bad habit of planting her on him and walking around with her clinging to him.  Including to answer the door a few times.  I'm guessing those missionaries were not happy."  Maria Hill blinked then walked off shaking her head.  "Now all we need are Xander and Phil," she complained.

"Hey, we try," a female voice whispered.

"Quit trying, it'll help," she muttered.  The voice huffed but disappeared.

***

Tony walked up the hallway, looking at his phone.  "Dawn, you're getting more family."

"I heard that Mom was thinking hard about trapping him after knocking him down again."

"Not that way."  He showed her the message and she cackled.  "So expect a call."

"I'll call.  She's probably still planted on him like some trophy."  She called, magicing the phone so he'd answer it.  "Hylal, when are you two making it official in the human way?"  She listened, making notes.  "That's a good time, yes.  Yeah, she'll want to be a princess.  Yes, that sort of dress.  Why were you watching bridal shows?  Oh, to find out how.  There's simpler ways.  We can find you a book.  Flowers, ceremony with the dress and an officiant of some sort, then the dinner, Hylal."

She made another point.  "Half of the serving women from Valhalla are at Xander's, Hylal.  You can ask them.  They'd probably like to cook a feast for that.  Sure.  Let me know.  No, let her sleep for a few more minutes.  Then ask her to blow you, Hylal, I'm sure she knows how."  She hung up.  "More than I needed to know," she said, rubbing her nose.  "It'll be during the invasion."

Tony groaned.  "Damn it."

"Maybe they'll move it to Cleveland instead."

"Maybe," he agreed.  He looked at her ring.  "Are you already missing a stone?"

She looked and shook her head.  She protected it.  "No, not yet."  She let him see it.

"That is pretty work.  Nice protection too."  He went in to tell Pepper.  "We have to tell Callia she's getting siblings."

She popped up from behind the desk.  "Babies?" she demanded.  "We have babies?"

"Your mom's having one with Hylal," Dawn called.  "So in just under a year you'll have a baby brother or sister."

Callia let out a squeal that pretty well got heard all over the building then did a happy dance her uncle had taught her.  "Babies!" she chanted over and over.

Tony made sure it was being taped and made a copy to send to Buffy's email.  "You might have to help her with the wedding, which means a dress."

"I can wear a pretty one," she assured him.  "Auntie help me find one."

"I'm sure she will."

Bruce walked in and stared.  "I see you told her?"

"Yup.  She's talking about the pretty dress now."

"She'll need one for Friday too," he said quietly.  Tony stared at him, grinning some.  "Nothing but the simplest thing.  We don't need fancy things."

Dawn walked in and hugged him.  "Good.  I'll take you somewhere pretty for lunch if you don't have something in mind."

"I've been looking but I haven't found anything."

"I know the place."  He nodded, giving her a squeeze then leaving her alone.

"I should start saving for my future daughter's wedding," Pepper decided.  "That way she can have something extensive if she wants."

"Daughter?" Tony asked.  "Are you certain?"

"It scanned Dawn."

"Then it might be."  He tipped his head.  "I was kind of hoping for a son."  Dawn fled and shut the doors so they could talk in private.

"She might not be yours."

"I know."  He considered it.  "Still, I'd help."

"I know you will."  She smiled.  "I'm expecting it actually.  I'll need foot rubs and back rubs."

"You'll get 'em."  He grinned.  "Callia wants to take self defense."

"Dawn found her one?"  Tony nodded.  "Good.  What about school?"

"Private tutors for right now.  She's ahead in some things and behind in others."  Pepper nodded that was smart.  "She can socialize in other things.  Schools are too insecure. It's not like they really check the list of who's picking kids up if they're in a car waiting."  She smiled at him.  "They don't!  Dawn nearly got taken twice from hers and they're supposedly secure."

"She won't get taken again, Tony."

"She might."

"She might, yes.  She won't and if she does, you and Dawn will go stomp on them."

"We will, yeah."  He calmed himself down.  "She wants to learn Bollywood dancing and gymnastics."

"Both good for her balance and grace."  She smiled.  "And interesting for her."

"I can see her doing them."  He sighed.  "That means dance recitals and meets."

"It'll be fine.  We can schedule those too."  She was smiling slightly.

"She's growing up."

"Yes she is.  They always do."

"Don't remind me she'll be a teenager some day."

"I won't.  I'm looking forward to the first girl times, like the first girl talk and the first crush, the first bras."  He walked off shuddering.  She smiled.  She had known it would work.  She patted her stomach and got back to the dreaded paperwork.  Before it drove her nuts and took her future genius with her.

***

Clint was in the gym when the first agent noticed he had something on his hand.  Dawn had obscured it for him when he had asked.  Now, he wasn't so sure.  "Bandage?" the agent asked.  Clint shook his head, taking aim and firing on the target.  Maybe he should wear his shooting gloves?  "You sure you're all right?" the agent asked.

"I'm fine."  He fired again.

"Then why is your hand blurry that way?"

"Dawn."

"Huh?"

"She did it."  He fired again.  It was calming and he had to decide if he was coming out about the whole ring thing.  He had decided to wear his properly.  Dawn and Natasha had talked about it but Natasha couldn't be seen as having that sort of link right now and it would make Dawn more vulnerable.  The agent was staring at his hand.  He gave him a dirty look.

"Is that a ring?"

"No comment."  He huffed off.  Clint got back to his target practice.  He'd need it for Buffy's wedding when it got attacked.  He looked at his hand and had her break the obscuring.  Then he got back to it.  That felt better.

***

Dawn looked at her hand and played with the ring, unhiding it.  She put a better protection on it and moved it.  That felt nicer.  She smiled and got back to work.  If someone said something she could just shrug it off.

***

Fury watched his avengers during the meeting.  Something was off.  "Why are we not getting anything done?" he demanded finally.

"Because we're trying to figure out how much ammo to bring to Buffy's wedding," Stark quipped.

"A lot," Joyce called.  "Her last birthday party I threw her had zombies."

"She's getting married?" Fury demanded.

"Isn't that what you do when you knock up the girl?" Clint said with a smirk.

Fury looked at him.  "If you should, I'll have to remove one of you from the team."

"Can't happen."

"Removing you?" he asked dryly.

"Knocking someone up.  They make drugs for that, sir."  Fury gaped.

"The shots are nice, even if Dawn does turn into a teenage girl on crack that day," Tony complained.  "Three months of hormones at once."  Bruce shuddered.  "Then they slowly wear out again."

Clint nodded.  "Those nights we just let her have the tub."  He felt the poke and thought at her.  He smiled and shut it off.  "She was talking about going just on the pill again."

"If that's what she wants, Stark Enterprise's health care covers it," Tony said dryly.  "Including when she slips up once."

"It might not happen," Clint said.  "She's not sure it can."

"If so, we'll be there and find a way to make sure a portal or something doesn't open."  Tony looked at Fury again.

"Is that a wedding ring?" Fury demanded, catching sight of it.

"No, sir, it's a promise ring.  As in the ladies promised me that they'd call for backup the next time they needed it instead of trying to tough it out."  He stared at him.  Not totally a lie, that was part of the wedding vows they had worked out to each other.

Fury stared at him.  "Are they wearing one?"

"Dawn is," Clint agreed.  "Natasha's is on her first finger.  She remembers to call for backup when she needs it, most of the time.  We've worn them on and off since we were in South America," he lied.

Fury blinked.  "I've never seen them."

"Dawn tends to obscure hers with a protection due to all the things that she could run into in the labs," Tony said.  He could back up that lie.

"I see.  So not married?"

"No, sir.  Not that we ever attended."  Which blew and he'd have to correct that sometime soon.  "Don't worry, sir, if we decide to get married, we'll hit you up for a present."  He grinned.

"You'd get kicked," he assured him.  "Not a present you want."

"If Natasha gets pregnant, then she's probably the one that'd have to take a leave of absence," Bruce said.  "None of us would let her in a battle if we knew she was pregnant."  He looked at his future step-son-in-law.  Maybe he'd forget that thought and just let it hang.  "Would you?"

"Hell no."

"Ditto," Tony said.

Steve nodded.  "I'm glad that the stuff to control that is much more failproof than it used to be," he said.

"Us too.  I'd hate to lose Dawn for six months," Tony said.

"Six months?" Clint asked.

"She'd probably take a few off beforehand and then a few after, right?"

"Yeah, maybe.  Then again she'd probably work from home for the most part."

"She could.  Pepper's planning on it when she needs to go on maternity leave.  If she goes on maternity leave."

Fury blinked at him.  "Is she thinking about it?"

"Seriously thinking about it.  Talking about a genius sperm bank and all that."

"I see.  If so, she's not allowed over here until after she's popped."

"I'll tell her you said that.  What about the pregnant agents?"

"They have the same rules.  We can still be attacked here.  We'll move them to a more sedate field mission that's near a good medical center."

"Dr. Pigalli quoted _Gone With the Wind_ when Tara went into labor," Coulson said.

Tony laughed.  "It's not her field of expertise by any means but Tara said she was comforting."

"And no commandos," Clint quipped.

"Were you up here for that?" Fury asked.

"Dawn was."  Fury huffed.  "Sorry, sir."

"No, I like that you were discreet."  He looked at his team.  "What do we know about the upcoming revolt?"

"I've called Spike, he doesn't have any new information.  They have a tentative date that's not yet confirmed," Clint said, tossing down his notes.

Fury looked them over.  "That's a good thing to know.  Right before the big tech expo."

"Right during Pepper and Dawn's vacation," Stark agreed.  "And Buffy's wedding."  Joyce moaned.  "Can you talk to her?"

"I will be later, when Hylal quits wearing her out."

"Why is he wearing her out?" Fury asked.

"What do you do when your girlfriend announces she's pregnant?" Joyce quipped.  "You have sex to celebrate."

"Some of us got a bit drunk," Tony said.  Everyone stared at him.  He smirked.

"Isn't that almost your normal state of being?" Clint quipped, earning a glare from Tony but it wasn't a heated one so the joke had went well.

"Pepper is," Fury said.

"She's keeping it very quiet.  She's barely a few weeks."

"Fine.  If she's here, she's escorted," he said firmly.

"Yup, by Dawn."  That got an eye roll.  "Callia heard about her new sibling, Joyce.  Did you get the video?"

"I did and she was adorable.  What's with her hands?"

"Dawn introduced her to Bollywood.  She wants to take the dance lessons."

"They're good for a girl.  Buffy took ballet for almost a year then switched to ice skating."

"She's doing that and gymnastics with self-defense."  She smiled at him.  "Just in case."

"Good."  She got up to hand over a form.  "From HR."

Fury looked and groaned.  "What did they do to the copier they just got?"

"They said it caught on fire.  The maintenance contract didn't cover it.  They're all tired of the electrical issues."

"We're getting a new building soon," he said.  "I don't care how."

"I just built one and rebuilt it," Tony said.  "I may donate but it'd better have my name on it."

Fury walked off.  "Let me know more when we know the types of problems coming, people.  Get me a definite date, change your daughter's wedding, Summers."  He walked into his office and slammed the door.

"It's nice he can't do that on the hell carrier," Steve quipped.  Clint laughed.  The guys shared a look and broke up to see if they could find anything.

Coulson was making notes.  Then he'd go ask Xander to ask someone he knew.  Xander seemed to know a lot of people who knew some very strange sorts.

***

Clint came in that night to find Dawn in a flirty cream dress.  "You dressed up after you came home?"  She kissed him and he groaned, pulling her against him.  "That's a pretty dress to cut off you, Dawn."

"I'm seeing if I'm wearing it to Mom's wedding lunch.  They're going to do it Friday."

He grinned.  "You look more like a bride."

She kissed him again.  "That is totally up to you."  He pulled her tighter again.  "I heard."

"It doesn't seem fair."

"If we can do it and not get caught.  I don't want him to boot you."

He kissed her.  "He won't.  He can't find a replacement for us."  He stared at her.  "You sure?"  She nodded, getting free to get some shoes.  She grabbed a purse and put in weapons then made sure of her hair.  He smirked and let her take them away.  They could find an out of the way spot to renew things.  They'd snatch Natasha later to do her parts.  She wasn't busy tonight.

***

Phil saw the news story the next morning and grimaced.  "Not subtle," he decided.  "Sneaking off for a native dinner should be a bit more subtle."  He had found more listening devices and a few new cameras that morning.  He really was going to have to make sure he could use that new poisoning knowledge he had soon.  He had to not get caught at it, that was the thing.  Then again, he knew some that weren't in that training.  He might use one of those.  He looked in his bottom desk drawer and smiled, closing it again.  Someone had tested it.  Good.  He cast a curse on the person who had mined his office.  Within hours there were stories of a few agents tripping off an elevated running track.  Phil smiled slightly.  That might stop some of them.  The rest....  He heard food poisoning and possibly drugging rumors.

At lunch, Maria Hill walked in and shut the door.  He pointed at the cameras.  "I think we have a vigilante."

He smiled slightly.  "Really?  Why?"

"Because they didn't get food poisoned or drugged, Agent Coulson.  They seem to have eaten something that directly contained e. coli and the agents aren't the sort to rim anyone."

He laughed.  "That's interesting.  Were they taste-testing samples perhaps?"

"Probably not."  She stared at him.  "We need more good agents."

"I'm sure if they were doing that they weren't."

"Probably not," she agreed.  She looked at the bugs he summoned and handed over then the files.  "Gee, thanks."

He smiled.  "I'm a diligent worker so I can go to lunch."  He stood up and left it with her.  She could handle the staff issues.

She walked off with a huff.  It was her lunch too.  Joyce took them and the bugs to log in.  "Thank you."  She went to the caf to get something so she could make it through the day.  With Coulson's subtle sense of humor, she wasn't sure that they weren't going to die from eating crap.

***

Xander stretched that night and sighed.  He heard the call for the next banquet and he should attend.  "Already?" he complained.  "We just had one."

"Yes, you should go," his mother called.  He glared at the ceiling and she faded out.  She'd get to nag Dawn.

Xander leaned his head back and sent out a message to everyone in his house.  This was so going to suck.  He knew they'd try something.

***

Aphrodite met with Freya and Xander's mother.  She showed them the story that she had found.  It was a cute graphic story instead of a full story.  Though she couldn't see the new god and that cutie that Dawn was dating at all.  Others seemed to be able to, but she couldn't.  He was *so* like her Xander buddy.  "So, I went ahead and followed the idea."  She showed them the documents they needed.  All officially filed with a date of at least a month earlier.

Xander's mother sniffled.  "Thank you!  You made me so happy.  Anything on John?"

"No, he'll kill me."

Freya looked at Aphrodite.  "We might miss you anyway.  Xander does have the hotter temper."

"It'll be fine.  I've been zapping them on and off to make them more receptive to their inner feelings, without prompting a single thing."  She beamed.  "My grandfather *was* a chaos god after all."  The goddesses hugged and broke up.

Cupid, who was listening, winced.  He'd hate to miss his mother.  But maybe Hades would let him visit now and then.  He sent Bliss.  Xander wouldn't smite Bliss.  Or Phil.

***

Bliss appeared, smiling sweetly, wings fluttering behind him.  He grinned at Phil, who he really liked.  "Watchies?"

"Is that a movie?  Because I shouldn't watch it while I'm at work," he said quietly.

Thor looked over.  "Bliss, is that something he needs to see right now?"  Bliss beamed and nodded, his hair flopping around.  "I'd say it is probably work related then."  He had a feeling he wanted to hide.  Cupid never let Bliss off Olympus unless it was a problem.

Phil watched, grimacing.  "Aphrodite found fanfiction."  Stark coughed and choked.  "Apparently she's of the opinion that the pairing of me and Barton isn't suitable."  He looked at Bliss.  "Is there any part of the message that's not on here?"

Bliss made kissy noises and pointed at his butt.  "Daddy say you need to do others."  He disappeared with the mirror.

Thor shuddered.  "Oh, dear."

"And that meant," Steve said.

"Aphrodite meddled," Thor said.  "Cupid never lets Bliss off Olympus."  Steve winced.

"It was her, Freya, and Xander's mother talking about how Aphrodite has been helping us find our inner feelings without any prompting toward a certain one," he said dryly.  "She had a few scrolls too."

"Did one have a cord attached?" Thor asked.

"Tassels."

"That's a binding cord," he said quietly.  "Congratulations."  He patted him on the arm.

Phil got up.  "Excuse me.  I believe I need to have a moment alone."  He walked off.  A few minutes later, all the protectors of humanity looked up wondering why they had just shivered in dread.

Including Xander, who considered it.  "Phil?" he called.  No answer.  "Did anyone get something from Coulson?" he yelled.

"I have Bliss," Jensen called.  "And yeah, you're screwed.  He said to kiss someone's ass."  He flew in with the baby in mini dragon form.  Bliss loved him.  They chatted and he understood the baby.  If Bliss was older, he might be his best friend next to Cougar.

Xander smiled.  "Thanks, Bliss."  He took the mirror and looked at it.   He looked up.  "You're a dead bitch when I get hold of you!" he shouted.  "Seriously, just die now before I get a chance.  I like your husband so I'll make sure he has a great second wife!"

Strife appeared.  "You're so screwed."

"I got the kiss your ass goodbye part," Xander said, handing over the mirror.  "Stand-ins?"

"Golems."

"Hera?"

"Worse.  Gaia."

Xander looked at him.  "Excuse me?"

"She wants Phil to be happy."  He shrugged.  "No clue, just glad it's not me!"  He took Bliss and escaped.

Xander growled and seethed.  Jensen flew off before he accidentally got struck.  There was nothing they could do about it.  No one could countermand Gaia and she was just as stubborn as he was.  Not even the Elders Council could countermand her.

Yup, he was screwed.  But hey, it wasn't being done by latex this time.

***

Dawn got an a strange email from her livejournal account and checked it.  The link wasn't to a virus.  It wasn't to a porn site, exactly.  "Why did you say I needed to see this?" she muttered.  The film on the site started and she tipped her head.  "What the fuck?" she complained quietly, glancing around before looking back again.  "EWW!"

"Dawn?" Pepper called.

Dawn canceled it.  "Someone sent me a terrible thing on my livejournal account."  She sent a message to their IT department because she knew someone had caught that.  Then she looked at schedules.  "You don't need the boss tonight, right?"

"No, not really.  Is it that bad?"

"Yes.  And I've already alerted IT that I'm going to be a reprimand but it has a reason."

"It's porn?" she guessed.  Dawn let her see the first few minutes of the video and she shuddered.  "Oh, dear."  Then it flashed to the first graphic of the novelty items.  "Oh, no."

"Oh, yeah.  Apparently."  She turned it back off again when the expected reprimand from IT happened. She popped up an IM box to talk to him and Pepper said she was finding a bad thing to show Stark, so he removed it.

"Good luck," Pepper said.

"I'm putting it up and running like fuck," she muttered, cracking Pepper up. "Because, after that first graphic one, is a demonstration."

"Eww."  She walked off rubbing her eyes.

"Mascara."

"I'll put on new."

"Yeah, I think I could use a shower too.  A decontam one."  She put things aside.  This was not going to be a fun meeting.  She'd book it in a lab, Tony's private lab, and made sure the coffee maker would be filled and there was water for her guy.

***

Dawn walked in once they were there.  She looked at them, taking the keyboard to pull up the site and bypass the lock IT had put on it.  "I got sent this earlier by someone on my livejournal."

"Okay, why is it this important that you had to call in Xander, Phil, and Barton?" Stark asked.

"It's an hour and a half long and I'm running like hell once I start this, boss.  Let's just say, someone was creative, I'm not sure which version of the robots they got into, and this is notifying that you might want to find someone to kick around."  She started the video, handed over sodas and coffees, then left.

Stark stared, sipping his coffee.  "Sensitive Surrogates?" he complained.  "Robots?"  The spiel went on a few minutes about how they were the most organic and natural, that no one could tell.   Then it said it did all the most well liked celebrities and he spluttered and choked.  Mostly because the video had flashed across some models, catching sight of Barton's, and then it moved into a demonstration where Clint was opening Xander to slide into him.  They sounded like live pornos too.  Clint then had Xander tease the robo-Tony's dick. Tony was starting to find a god to pray to.

Coulson paused it and looked at Clint.  "Her mental defects are now yours to fix."

"That's .. . that's got to be off the Fury-bot," Tony said.  "They're not as realistic looking as Warren's were."  Xander gave him a strange look.  "Why would they want to make surrogates of us?  I mean I know why but why!"

Clint swallowed some soda to hold down the nausea.  "Now I know why she ran."

Tony nodded, reaching over to restart it.  "We need to find out how bad it really is," he told them.  "The more details we have, the faster we can stop it."  They all groaned but they could fast forward though the scene of Tony and Fury going at it.  And ignore the winces at the 'realistic ejaculation' announcement, even with real sperm if you wanted to find some.

The 'available as virgin, wanton, or perpetual virgin' got a shudder from Clint.  He remembered that problem.  Then they went over the female ones.  "I've seen some warped shit," he complained.  They were waxing poetic about the natural feel of the skin and interior surfaces, how it was built just like a living human with extended anal sections.  Then they started to talk about how they could make them submissive, with a picture of Xander being whipped by Tony, or dominant, with a picture of Barton doing it to Tony.  Clint squeezed his eyes shut.  "Tell me if it gets worse."

Tony was wincing.  "It's already bad enough."

"I'm so glad I missed lunch," Coulson said quietly.

Xander nodded.  "Me too.  Stark, got antacids?"  He found the roll and tossed over.  "Thanks."  He took two and handed them to Phil.  Who took one and handed them on to Clint.

"If I try that, I'll end up puking."  He tossed them back to Tony, who took the rest of the roll.  He glanced up at the scene of them going over the various things they could train them for beyond sex, but the note that they were not scientifically or weapons trained was a nice one.  "So we're just for the pretty things, not for the dirty things beyond sex?  I need to tell Fury that so I don't have any out-of-town assignments for a bit," Clint muttered.

"Apparently," Tony muttered.  "I wonder if my surrogate drinks too," he complained.

"I'm going to be," Coulson said.  "I'm wondering how they got our images and personality traits.  Though they made Xander a bit swishy."

Stark looked at him.  "That's a really good question."

"Better one," Clint said.  "If the robo-Fury was a plot, and we're still not sure who, how did these people get them?"  Coulson looked at him.  "Are we sure it's not off Warren's?"

"No.  The ones Meer did were better," Tony said.  "More reactive.  Robo-Fury had processing faults due to low memory."  He fast forwarded through another testing demo.  There was contact information at the end.  He paused it.  "Six mil?  Not cheap."

"That's a good thing.  Less chance of running into yourself at a party, Stark," Xander said, rubbing his forehead.  "Why include me?"

"You have fantastic stamina," Stark shot back with a dirty look.  He saw the new email icon and got into the message from his IT department, shooting one back that he was allowed, Dawn had shown him that they were using his image without his authority, and he owned the company.  They apologized and made sure she didn't have a reprimand for it either.  "Shit," he decided.  He looked at the others.  "Do you want me to email them?"

"Do it and trace it," Coulson said.  "If Natasha was here she could back you up but we're all basic level with computers.  So's Dawn."

"I'm glad Pepper didn't find it.  She'd have ordered one to show me, on my credit card."  He created a separate email and shot off a notice to the person he was going to be using the identity of.  "One of our geeks."  He got back a 'why' and Tony told him someone was making Stark sexbots so he needed to see who.  He was conveniently in the building.  He promised to make sure he wasn't legally involved or anything.  Then he sent one to them.  "I'm asking for a Dawn one."

Clint nodded.  "Everyone wants a Dawn of their own," he said dryly.  Xander looked over at him.  "What?"

"I heard."

He grinned.  "It's okay."

"Good.  It'd better be."

"I know, shovel talk."

Xander smirked.  "Who says I'd stoop to something as mundane as a shovel?"

"I know."

"Good."  He looked up.  "Phil, where's Natasha?"

He checked.  "Landing in a few minutes."  He sent her a message to get to the tower as soon as she got this if she hadn't talked to Clint first.  He sighed and watched Stark.  "How detailed are they making it?"

"Very.  They're willing to put in different settings.  They think she was a virgin until she started to dress better at seventeen."  He put in the response that she had found sensuality at that time, he knew her pretty well from around the office.  That was fine though, a sensual Dawn was a good thing to him, but he wanted her pure.  He did ask how the perpetual virgin thing worked.  He sent it and printed out the first few emails.  "The tracking says that they're in Shanghai."

"Great," Clint muttered.  Natasha walked in a half-hour later while they were working on details.  "You won't believe it."

"That bad?"  She looked at the frozen video.  "I saw one of those."  Tony stared at her.  "I took film so we could see if you knew."  She handed him the disc and sat down to start working on the background of the company.  "They have a few hackers on staff."

"That's fine," Tony said.  "I told the geek I'm using.  If they ask, I'm sending my partner in another lab the emails to send to them.  That way IT doesn't trace it to me.  They apparently caught Dawn earlier when someone sent it to her.  I'm *so* suing these idiots," he decided.

"Include me.  I never sold my rights to my pretty face," Clint quipped.  He looked at Natasha.  "They don't have yours."

"I'm hard to pin down," she said.

He grinned.  "Sometimes."  She glared at him.  "Not all mannerisms are that hard."

Coulson nodded.  "Why include me at all?"

"They know you're the handler for all of us?" Tony guessed.  "Why include Xander?"

"Because they want me to destroy them," Xander quipped.  "It's nice that they proved their death wishes this way."  Tony snickered.  "If we're suing, include me.  I'm going to get drunk on mead."  He disappeared.  "John, someone made a sex robot of you and Clay," he yelled.  "And they're really good ones."

"Excuse me?" Roque demanded from his temple, coming to the door.  "They did *what*?"

"Stark's dealing with it."

"Uh-huh.  Are you high?  Poisoned?"

"No.  Unfortunately not.   They think I'm some simpering little sub too."  He found his favorite mug and poured some mead in it, some of the good, old stuff.  Then gulped and refilled to go back to his temple.

Clay got sent to Stark's lab, looking at the frozen picture.  "How realistic?"

"Remember hearing about the Fury-bot?" Clint asked.

"Unfortunately."

"Them."

"So this is how evil's funding itself now?"  Everyone stared at him.  "They can't do regular porn like the East Germans used to do?"

Natasha laughed.  "I remember that group."

"Yeah, yuck it up," Clint complained.  "I had to infiltrate them."  Stark stared at him.  "No.  Comment."

"I won't even look.  The security system caught more than enough."  He turned back around to get back to his setting up details.  "Only twenty percent down?" he snorted.  "How pathetic.  You should ask for at least half."  He let Natasha route it for him and that was nice.  Things were started and he could take delivery in six-to-eight weeks.

Clay stared at them.  "How bad was mine?"

"Cigarette smoking, badass t-shirt wearing," Clint said, taking the remote to run it back to there.

Clay winced.  "I'm not telling Cougar."

"Isn't that why you have Jensen?" Coulson quipped with a slightly evil smirk.

"Yes, it is."  He spotted himself and shuddered.  "Eww."  He went back to the temple, writing down the web address for Jensen.  Then he went to cure his headache.  "Roque, you know that no dick thing I have thanks to trauma from Xander being demented?  I might relax it for a night.  Because I do *not* want to see my sex robot self ever the fuck again."

"I can fix that," Roque promised, taking him to cure both of their unwanted mental ideas.

Jensen looked.  "I already knew about this.  The geeks have been talking about it for weeks," he said, sending that to Stark.  Including who was behind it.  He got back a 'thank you, saved me a few steps' and smiled, sending back a welcome and the name of someone who had gotten one.  The jackass had hacked someone at the CIA to get the money for it anyway.

***

Stark showed that email to Natasha, who nodded, searching those out.  He looked at the other two.  "I say we all go get drunk and let Pepper have them.  She'll cry after beating them for not making one of her."

"Over too soon," Clint said.

Natasha nodded.  "Dawn would have to help her and we do try to keep her out of battles," she said dryly.

"Good!" Stark said firmly.  He stood up.  "Now what?"

"Now, we start an official investigation to deal with them," Coulson said.  "I'm sure the director is going to be most pleased to do that tiny form especially if I show him his version."  Natasha shuddered.  "He might do the investigation it for us."  He took the notes and the file Natasha had taped for them back to the office, doing the paperwork to start an investigation.  He carried it up there.  Joyce was thankfully gone for the day.  Fury was looking tired.  "Sir, new investigation."

"Terrorists?  Gun dealers?  The Russian Mob thing I heard you got involved in?"  He took the folder and stared at him.  "Why do I care about this?"

"Well, two reasons.  They have you as one of the available models and they're based on the robot you we had infiltrating here."

"Excuse me?"

Phil got into the internet on his boss's computer, pulling up that site and fast forwarding to the right spot.  He let him have the mouse once he had paused it.  Fury clicked and watched the demo tape of his robot self screwing Dawn's robot self.  Fury shuddered and canceled it out.  "Between the two, and a bit of help from Jensen, we know basically who they are."

"How did we find out?"

"Someone sent it to Dawn's livejournal email account, sir.  Though Jensen said geeks have known about it for a while.  He gave us the name of someone who hacked to afford their version of a popular actress.  Stark was starting on it earlier while we helped."

Fury looked at the emails, shuddering.  "That's disgusting."

"Yes, sir."

"Send Agent Hill in?"

"Yes, sir.  Agent Hill?" he called.  She came in looking like she was ready to go home.

"Agent Hill, I need two agents tomorrow to start an investigation that's going to make them ill."

"Child sexual trafficking, sir, or worse?"  Phil handed her the file.  She stared.  "I'm fairly disturbed but not as much as the people traffickers.  I can pick two.  Who already knows?"

"We were with Stark when Dawn showed us," Phil said.

"Good."  She took the file with her to go over.  Some people were getting melodramatic in their ancient years.  This wasn't nearly as bad as some things they'd investigated.

"Have a good night, sir," Phil said, leaving for home.  Maria and Tara had the babies tonight.  They were going to Joyce's for dinner.  So he went home to cook dinner and relax in front of some bland, boring tv.  At least his stint of watching _Super Nanny_ had helped with the twins.  And some of Dawn's problems too.

***

Xander woke up, staring at the ceiling.  "That's not going to make me not kill you," he called.  He laid there and sighed, not liking this one bit.  He was still going to get Aphrodite.  Though he could admit she had a point that they'd fit nicely together.  He still didn't want the help.

Phil appeared, looking confused, still in pajamas.  "Did you just get the speed dating dreams?"

"I did."  Phil sighed.  "And it was."  He got stared at.  He nodded.  "If you check, you were out of time a bit.  The scenes were created but yeah."

Phil checked himself.  "That hiccup looking thing is going out of time?"

"Time and space.  We were basically in a sub-realm that was very short-term."

"So we actually just went on about ten dates in the course of an evening."

Xander nodded once.  "Yeah, apparently."  They stared at each other.  "I'm leaving it up to you but I'm going to beat her ass."

"I can get behind that plan."  He sat on the foot of the bed.  "I don't know what's going on anymore."

"Aphrodite can do that to a guy faster than any other woman on the earth," Xander quipped.  He shifted to sit up.  "You've still got your own temple if you want it.  Or you can use Bia's old suite.  She's got her own temple."

Phil shrugged. "I can't fill that closet either.  Beyond that, I need to be back in New York for the kids."

"I know.  I have no idea how to work this out.  If it had happened naturally we would've had time to make these decisions."

"Can we open a doorway?  Like a magical doorway thing?"

"They can be made.  I can't do it.  You'd have to ask Hephie.  She'd probably talk him into it so her plan moved forward."

"What's the difference between a consort and a mate?  I've noticed the different terms."

"A mate is a real, true mate.  You wanted them, you won them, you wooed them.  A consort is a political marriage.  That may include some minor screwing for heirs or something but it's not a love match by any means.  When I set Cranky and his mate Clay up, they became consorts.  Their pack and his mother catching them screwing got them to be acknowledged as mates.  Really, everyone knew they were going to be mates because they actually liked each other.  Even if Bia and I had been doing it every single night, we never would've been more than presumed mates because there wasn't any feeling there."

"So, mates are like a real, normal marriage.  Consorts are political or friendship ones for convenience."  Xander nodded.  "Which are we?"

"I have no idea," Xander admitted.  "Again, we'll figure that out and you'll tell me."

"Why is it my job to figure that out?"

Xander looked at him.  "Because if I pushed any, it would look really wrong and mates to an Aesir are a lifebond."  He stared at him.  "Not what Clay and Roque have.  They have a marriage.  To one of my people, a true *mate* is a lifebond."

"As in you die I die," Phil said.  Xander nodded.  "Okay, so where are you hoping this ends up?"

"I don't know," Xander admitted.  "I'm still sorting out my own shit about all this.  This is not how I wanted to be married, not the forced part at the very least.  I've been down this road a bit before and hated it then.  That's why I moved around Odin's orders."

Phil considered it.  "I'm not too thrilled with the whole 'forced' thing either."

"I'm trapping her somewhere without beauty products, soap, anything that she considers necessary."

Phil smiled.  "I can see that being a horrible thing."  He looked outside then at him.  "Have you had someone that was that close?"

Xander paused then nodded.  "Once."

"Was it in Rome?"

"Yes.  Or else I wouldn't have had a mortal family."

Phil nodded.  "Okay.  I can understand that.  I've never really considered a divorcee or a widower," he admitted, looking at Xander.

Xander shrugged.  "It was a long time ago."

"Sometimes things don't heal."

"I have a wound like that but it's a tiny thing on my side.  I keep it covered.  It was done in the sixteen hundreds."  Phil frowned.  "Don't ask.  Really."  Phil nodded.  "Beyond that, you have constraints and obligations that I don't.  Which is why it's up to you for now."

"I can see that.  Though the kids love you."

"I can't really stand kids full-time, Phil.  They drive me nuts."

"They do me too."  He smiled slightly.  "They're getting older."

"Even Callia.  The constant questions and the always being on you and being *there*."

"That's part of you still being wild," he said.  "That unsettled part of you."

"Maybe.  I don't know.  I know I haven't been able to stand it since then.  I'm not sure I could put up with teenagers all the time."

"I get that," he agreed.  "And we do have time.  What about future kids?"

Xander shrugged.  "I don't know.  Right now is all I can say anything about.  I haven't had any visions or anything."

"That's probably a good thing with how your visions come about attacks."

Xander nodded.  "That is, yeah.  And I'm being honest."

"I get that and I appreciate that.  That's something we'll work on.  Though I don't have the kids full time."  Xander grinned.  "We'll figure it out."

Xander nodded.  "We can do that."

"What about those date things?"

"No clue," Xander said.  "It's not a bad idea.  We should probably go on some real ones."

"We should," Phil agreed.  "It'd make sense.  I'm still stuck on the 'she did the paperwork'."

"I found the story she talked about."  He called his phone over to show him.

"I'm not that sneaky," he said.  "I'd never do the paperwork six months in advance and wait that long."  Xander gave him a pointed look.  "I don't know about the sex stuff either."

"Again, we'll figure it out."  Phil nodded, handing the phone back.  "Why don't you go hover over the kids?  That way you have time to finish waking up before work?"

Phil looked at the clock and winced.  "I'm going to be late."  He got up and sent himself home, taking a quick shower and getting dressed.  He did stop in to kiss each kid on the head before going in.  Thankfully there was a parking garage up the street from HQ that had very few cameras and a lot of dark corners.  He could appear there and then walk up the street to get there in time.  He walked in and saw the looks.  "What?" he asked.

"That robot thing."

"We found out last night that they're made by the same ones that did the one of the director."  One held up a magnet and he smirked.  "Half of them weren't magnetic and I'm not robotic."  He headed up to his office.  Of course, he had tons of folders to get to.  They seemed to breed when he wasn't watching.  Maybe it was a curse?   Then again, three were reports on Dawn's dress of the day and how she was clearly working for the wrong side again.  He took them up to Joyce and Agent Hill.  "Someone has the wrong idea of what the bad guys do."

Joyce looked and cackled.  "That's not even that bad."

"No, it's not.  Compared to a few outfits it's downright cutesy."  He went back to his desk.

Agent Hill read them over and called those agents up to talk to them about either losing the sense of humor or growing up.  Even those geeks Dawn hovered over didn't have that bad of ideas about women.  Not even Warren had.

***

Tony looked at Dawn's dress of the day.  "That's not even that cutesy," he said.  "Or teasing."

She gave him a funny look.  "No, we have that reporter in today.  Why would it matter?"

"Your wife said that three agents complained that you were too flirty and clearly recruiting for evil again."

She smirked.  "Not hardly and don't call her that," she said, swatting him on the arm.  "Fury's going to throw a fit if he thinks it's more than a casual thing."

"Fine."  He looked around.  "We're alone."

"Do you think he doesn't have bugs here?" she asked.  "Since you do there?"

He considered it.  "Why would he?"  She gave him a pointed look then at the armor then back at him.  "Oh."  He nodded.   "JARVIS, do we have any listening or camera capable bugs in this lab?"

"Seventeen that I count.  All but one have been disabled.  The other one is staring at your armor I believe."   Tony huffed and got up to find them all.  JARVIS helped by shining little spotlights on them.  "You do look nice today, Dawn."

"Thank you, JARVIS.  Is Pepper up?"

"No, her car still has a flat tire."

"She want us to pick her up?" Tony asked.

"She might appreciate that.  She's getting a bit flustered.  Cabs aren't stopping and her driver is not happy."

"Send Happy?" Tony asked.

"He's not in yet, sir."

"I can go," he decided.  He hit the switch to bring his car down to the garage on the lift, getting in and driving off.  He sped up beside her and paused.  "Need a ride?" he quipped.

"Yes."  She grabbed her coffee and briefcase, getting into the passenger's seat.  Her driver relaxed.  They sped off.  "He doesn't handle stress very well."

"It happens to the best of us."  He grinned.  "Need breakfast too?  You look like you rushed.  Your hair's a mess."

"The clip broke."  She pushed it back.  "We have a meeting in thirty minutes, Tony."

"I know.  I just had Dawn fussing over things.  Found listening devices in my lab."  She winced.  "After I jokingly called Natasha her wife."

"Fury said he'd kick them off the team if something got serious," Pepper said quietly.

"There's no way SHIELD could find someone to replace them.  There's no one of their level.  Even if Fury strapped on guns he's not going to be as good as Natasha is.  Or Barton."

"You still don't like him with her?"

"I like him just fine.  He's shown he's a stand-up guy.  Even if I do usually look at Dawn like she's my stepdaughter.  Because there's been too many days she couldn't be mine.  I was never flirty."

Pepper laughed.  "You do a pretty good job of it."  He smirked at her then sped through a yellow light.  "Meeting?"

"We're taking the scenic way."

"I still have to be there."

"I know."  He spun around a corner and sped off, thankfully against the rush of traffic heading downtown.  "It's been a while since I went for a long drive."

"So go for a drive.  What's keeping you from going?"

"The baby?"

"You might have to plan it a bit but if you tell her, she'll be fine with it.  She knows that parents need a night off.  She might think there's a party but she understands."

"I might then.  Is my schedule clear?"

"Not a clue," she admitted.  "I leave that up to Dawn."  She called her.  "It's me.  We're speeding back that way at normal Tony speed.  What's his schedule look like?"

"Clear outside sparring with Cap at four and that Pentagon consult tomorrow morning but his wallet's here."

"I can get it when I drop her off," Tony promised.  "Then I'm going on a drive.  Cancel with Steve and tell him?"

"I can do that and push your Pentagon meeting back to three, which means you have back-to-back ones with that new propulsion idea meeting."

"Ow," he said.

"Can't help it.  They're either here that morning or then.  They'd have to switch around a new weapons designer."

"Do it," he decided.  "And make sure I make it."

"Of course," she said dryly.  "Even if I have to pull your butt from the car."

"Give me some warning so I can park," he said dryly.  "Nearly there."

"Okay.  I'll bring it down to security."  She hung up.

Tony pulled up in front of the building a few minutes later and caught the wallet Dawn tossed to him.  "Debit card, gas card, Stark credit card.  Cash.  I'm gone for the day.  Soothe the savage little beast."

"I already did.  She said to take pictures of flowers for her."

"I can do that."  Pepper got out and grabbed her things, smiling and waving as he took off.  It was nice to be out of the lab and enjoying some fresh air.  No responsibilities, nothing like it for a few hours.  Of course, he got ideas.  Thankfully he kept a tape recorder for those moments.

Dawn and Pepper shared a look.  "They're already here, they got told your tire broke, and you're on your way."  She smiled as they walked inside.  "They were here when I got in."

"That's almost an hour early.  Did we misschedule?"

"No.  They said they were impatient so I got them breakfasts when I got in."  They went up there.  Dawn had the folders she'd need for the meeting so they went right in.  "Here we go," Dawn announced.  "One newly saved CEO."

"Sorry.  My driver didn't have a spare tire.  Tony had to drive around to get me since no cabs would stop."  She sat down.  "I see we're here over the new possible jet designs?"  They nodded, grimacing some.  Dawn refilled coffees and waters then left.

***

Dawn walked in that night to unhappy people.  "It's another week of Stupidity, right?"

Clint nodded.  "Probably."

She stared at them.  "Can I go skin Fury?"

"He asked if we were together for real," Clint said.

Dawn kissed him.  "If he kicked you off the team, I get to kick him out his office window."  He laughed and hugged her.  "I will."

Natasha stroked over Dawn's arm.  "It's fine.  He's disgruntled but not that badly."

"What did we tell him?"

"The truth.  That there were certificates filed but we were not present," Clint said, taking a kiss.  "And that we're figuring things out."

Dawn smiled.  "Does that mean it's my turn to make dinner?"

"Sure," he agreed.  "But we ordered Thai."  She grinned and got up to go change.  "Technically, our anniversary's tomorrow," he called.

She came out in the lounging set he had laid out for her.  She took a kiss.  "Do we have plans?"

"Not many yet," Natasha said.  She took her own kiss and handed Dawn her takeout box.  They settled in to eat on the couch.  Dawn was between them by design.  That way they could both play with her tonight.  It was the best part of having a real Dawn of your own.

***

Clint looked at Natasha the next morning, over their cereal at the caf.  Dawn had to head in early.  They had trainees to abuse and had skipped breakfast at home.  "Was that your way of not doing the paperwork?" he asked.  He had wanted to ask, but it might upset Dawn - who was off doing billions of things at once at work so not paying attention if something slipped through the bond.

"Perhaps."

"Uh-huh.  So that's your way of saying 'back off'?" he guessed, smiling slightly.

"Definitely.  It appears to have not worked though."

"Oh, I'm sure it will.  This is Dawn we're talking about.  She'll kick them around a bit and then huff off to do her nails again."

"She can do that, yes."  She frowned.  "So can her sister."

"I think they get that from Joyce.  After she stabbed that Council guy, she had coffee, did her nails in here, and was cheerful."  He finished up.

She smiled.  "She is a strong woman."

"Yes she is."

Joyce hugged him around the shoulders.  "I just imagined he was my ex-husband."  He laughed and she walked off to get a snack, and one for her cranky boss, who could probably use something sweet.  "Trainees are pouty today, kids."

"We know," Clint assured her.  "We're going to kick them around later."

"I say we borrow the dog again," she offered.  "Hellion ran the last group ragged until they were more suitable."

"Xander might like that."  The dog appeared next to them.  "Hey, Hellion."  A few of the agents in the caf with them got up and ran out.  He smirked at the dog.  "Good boy."  He petted him.  "We have trainees.  Wanna fight the trainees?"  The dog growled happily, his tail going as fast as it could.  They finished up and headed down to the gym with the dog.  This group was cocky.  Most of them ignored the dog.  Until Natasha gave the order and the dog lunged over to harass them.  Then, they ran.   A lot.

Phil walked in.  "Better stamina levels in this group.  Hellion, harry."  He chose another group to pin in a corner.  Phil got one agent's gun from him.  "You shoot the dog and Alexander is going to show up to kill you."  Three new puppies showed up with a baying bark and helped the bigger war puppy.

"Aww, Hellion's training too," Clint joked.  He whistled and the dogs came over.  He petted them and gave them orders quietly, then pointed.  "Go."  They ran off to their assigned groups, two of the puppies chasing the agents, Hellion working on herding his group into a tight corner, and the other one was nipping at the running one's knees to make them go faster.

Fury walked in, looked, then walked out shaking his head.  He did not want to know.

Thor walked in, looking at the dogs.  "I should see if my goats would like to play too."

Natasha looked at him but Phil said it.  "We were wondering if we should call them war goats like he's a war dog."

"I did train them some but not that much."  The dogs were clearly having fun.

Sheppard appeared and whistled.  "Kids."  The puppies ran over to pounce him.  "Good war puppies.  Very good war puppies.  Ares would be so proud."  He petted them, making them sit.  "Good dogs."  He smiled and petted Hellion.  "Good boy, Hellion."  He barked.  "Very good dog of war.  Sit."  Hellion sat and made begging noises.  Clint petted him for it.  "Thanks.  Let me take the puppies home."  Hellion growled.  John stared.  "Ares wants them back for training."  Hellion barked and moved between them.  "Are they yours to train?" he joked, smiling.  Hellion bounced up to lap him, making him yelp and move back.  "Fine, you can argue with Ares then."  He petted him.  "Good boy."  He disappeared to tell Ares that.

Ares appeared with a sigh.  "Hellion, I have to finish their training, like I did yours."  Hellion guarded the puppies.  "I know they're yours, mutt.  You can have them back in a few weeks."  Hellion growled.  He quirked an eyebrow up.  "Do you want to be a rug?"

"Please don't threaten his dog," Phil warned.  "He'll show up and yell.  The junior agents will cringe and we'll never get them straightened out."

Ares looked at him.  "No he won't."  He had to yelp and move before something hit him.  "Did you steal another damn weapon?"

Xander appeared.  "I usually do.  It's cheaper than buying my own," he said dryly, twirling the staff in his hands with a grin.  "Beyond that, it drives certain jackass generals who were trying to make my life a living hell absolutely fucking nuts to wonder where their ordinance is going to."  Clint burst out laughing.  "He wanted to be Initiative that much, he can pay for it now."  He smiled at Ares, who shuddered.

"Any other questions, oh great War God of ass wiggles?" Xander asked.  Ares growled and disappeared.  He looked at his dog.  "You feed them, you walk them, you clean up after them, and I do not mean eating the crap this time."  His dog barked and came over to get petted.  "You're a good boy most of the time, Hellion.  Here, have a beggin' strip."  He fed them each one and disappeared.

Phil looked over as the trainee agents all groaned in unison and tried to flee the dogs.  "Don't feed the dogs bacon," he told them.  "They fart."  He walked off with the senior agents.  The dogs were having fun with their new playmates.  Who was he to deny them fun?

"That's so mean," Natasha said quietly.  The dogs went running past and headed up in the elevator with the senior war dog.  Apparently they had found Joyce.

A call came over the intercom.  "Come get these war dogs now.  Before I make them rugs."  Then the sound of a yell.  "Damn it!"

Phil hurried up there, gathering the dogs.  "It's not nice to bite the director, even if he is growling like a head bitch of the pack," he warned, walking them off.  Before Fury bit him like one of the puppies had bitten Fury. Joyce was trying to hide her giggling.  Not succeeding but trying.  So was Agent Hill.  He got the four dogs into the elevator and held his breath all the way down to his office so Xander could come get them.

Joyce called for a medical escort.  The medics were confused but when they saw the bite they understood.  "Alligator?" one asked.  "You hear about them being in the sewers."

"War puppy," Joyce said.

"Oh," they sighed.  They had apparently heard.  He got helped down there for a few stitches, a shot, and some bandages.  The whole admin team waited until he was gone to finally laugh.

Fury came back looking a bit sulky but trying to make it look mean.  "Someone shoot out a damn window to air out this place?  Damn dogs stink."

"I'll start the requisition for new windows," Joyce said happily.  One of the junior agents did as ordered to create a breeze and it was nicer.  "I wonder what they fed the dogs."

"Xander said bacon makes them gassy," Agent Hill said with a small grin.

"A lot of dog treats are bacon flavored."  She handed over the form when the director limped back out to get some folders then back to his office.  Joyce was nice enough to get him some of the good coffee and some ice cream.  "It helps when I'm pouty," she offered at his odd look.  She went back to her desk.

Fury poured a tiny airplane sized bottle of liquor into his coffee and over the ice cream, making a frozen alcoholic coffee drink to soothe his nerves.  Then he wrote a memo saying that war dog puppies were not allowed in the building until they were fully trained and no one was allowed to give them bacon.  Unless it was going to help them win a battle, then they were allowed all they wanted so the enemy was knocked down.

24: The Relationships Of The Old Ones And Not So Old Ones

Buffy's wedding.  Phil and Xander start to work on their relationship for real.  The trio celebrate the birthdays on record with a bit of smutty playing too.  NC-17 m/f/f (in various combos), m/m

Dawn looked at the agents trying to stop her from getting into the building.  "Who are you and why are you in my building's doorway?" she asked.

"I'm FBI, ma'am, and we have a warrant to search a few apartments."

"Hmm.  I'm going to make an assumption that this has something to do with the two dirty agents that were found due to my last kidnaping?"

"I have no clue, ma'am."

"Who did you present the warrant to?"

"The building's manager."

"There isn't one."

"Yes there is."

"No there's not.  It's run as a joint project between SHIELD and Stark International."  He gaped.  She smiled.  "Now, did you present a warrant?"

"We handed it to the owner or manager, ma'am."

"Did you see Tony Stark?"  He looked confused.  "You know, that guy who puts on the red and gold tin can and becomes Iron Man?"  He shook his head.  "Then you didn't.  Because he's the technical owner."

"We really don't have to present one."

"Yes, you do."  She smiled.  "And I'll be seeing it immediately or I'm going to have you all frozen in blocks of eternal ice."  He spluttered.

"It's not a good idea to threaten agents, even dumb ones," one of the SHIELD agents said.

Dawn smiled.  "Yes it is."  She magically stole his ID badge and looked at it.  She opened a portal.  "Hi, can I see your ID for a minute?  I need to check his against it.  It looks wrong."

The guy on the other side stared at her.  "Do I know you?"

"Yes.  You're on the safe list the slayer keeps."  She smiled.  "I did the background check on those myself.  Just hold it up."  He did that and she checked.  "It's not right.  It's a really good fake though."  She let him see it.

"That is a fake.  Are you here in LA?"

"No, New York but I knew you well enough to show off this way."  She smiled.  "Thank you."  She closed the portal and looked at him.  "Put all my shit back.  I can already tell that my chainmail is missing."

"That's not yours," he said smugly.  "That belongs to a young woman named Dawn Summers."  She pulled her license out to hold up.  He snorted.  "Clearly not real."

"No, she's Dawn," the SHIELD agent said.  "You did background checks?"

Dawn smiled at her.  "Do you know how I met you guys?"

"No," she said.  "All I know is that Pepper took you in when your mom was sick, Dawn."

"There was a hell goddess after me to kill me so she could get my blood."  The agent winced.  "I've been a bit paranoid since I was created.  So yes, I did do the background checks on a safe agent list for the slay team in LA.  There's way too many minions, like this one, and too many dirty ones there to just blindly trust."

"You didn't have access to do those," she said.

"What was the first thing I did when I met you?" she asked.

"You asked to see my ID to make sure I was an agent."

Dawn grinned.  "People-finders.com.  Thirty bucks a month to make sure of the people around you.  It's not government worthy but it gives me enough to know if you're on the take, actually using your own name, and if there's any major issues that I might need to be aware of.  Then I set up a rating from one to five for each of you.  You came up a three due to that juvie thing."

"That was sealed!"

Dawn grinned.  "It came up 'sealed juvenile record' so I called the library in your hometown.  They're generally really happy to help with genealogy things if you're not local.  You look a lot more like your dad than your mom."

"I do," she agreed dryly.  "Damn, that's sneaky."

"Yes, I am."  She smiled.  "Fury only rated a two until I was old enough to get on his recruitment radar.  Then he went up.  These guys are barely a two as they're minions."  She shrugged and turned to slug the agent then froze the other ones inside.

"We're going to return them to the one you took them from," the agent sneered.

"They're mine.  I wore them."  She checked him over.  "Huh.  Magical resonance device."  She tossed it at the SHIELD agent.  "Let me go get my shit."  She disappeared.

The SHIELD agent turned her phone to the BBC news channel.  If it was international, it'd be there.  If it didn't show up fairly quickly she'd assume it was inside North America and switch to CNN.  A few minutes later, there was a mass evacuation of a place in France.  "Huh.  She's a bit upset."

The fake agent sneered.  "We have what we need now."

She smiled.  "What makes you think Dawn will leave them living to use it?"  He gaped.  "There were those problem people that wanted her to be an agent."

Tony snorted from behind her.  "There were and most of them are destroyed too.  Who's this?"

"Fake agent, Mr. Stark."  She handed over the ID badge.

He looked and nodded.  "Very good fake."  He put it into his pocket.  "Let me guess, they were after Dawn?"

"Yup."

"I saw an alert on France and a lot of magic?"

"She found a device that took magical resonance or whatever as she said."

"Huh."  He nodded.  "It won't help them any.  It changes depending on where she is and how long she's been there."  Dawn appeared and most everything floated back inside.  "Not your chainmail?"

"That's on a truck somewhere.  I have it marked so I'm going to destroy them."  She smiled and disappeared then came back a minute later.  Those things were floating too.  The whole truck was floating.  The driver was hanging off the door crying.  "I created a small pothole but I filled in with the rubble from the truck."  Finally everything was back up there.  She looked at a few things then at the agent.  "She's going to kill you.  You bothered the stuff that not even I get to see."

Tony snorted.  "Yeah, probably."  He pointed at the two staring agents.  "They wanted Dawn."

She smiled and waved then tossed the truck back onto the street.  She smiled at the faux agent, moving closer.  He was looking really scared.  "I'm so over this already.  It's done with because your bosses are all under arrest.  There were agents already trying to get in."  She handed Tony the files she had found with familiar names.  "The French people probably want copies.  Edit it?"

"Gladly."  He looked at hers.  "It has to do with those stupid sex bots too."

"Hmm.  Bad funding methods."  She stared at the faux agent, smiling a bit.  "I've had enough."  The man whimpered, trying to move.  "It won't work.  The only thing that's saving you is hopefully someone having some chocolate.  You caught me on the *wrong* day, dude.  The last time I was in this sort of mood it took someone a half hour to come down from where I threw him into the air."  The agent started to shake.  "Now, would you like to talk to the nice federal agent or me?"

"Her!" he shouted.  "Please her!"

Dawn smiled and released him.  "The rest are probably upstairs," she said dryly.  She walked off.  "I'm getting chocolate.  Guys, need some?"

"Please," Natasha said.  "Get those filled croissants for dinner."  Dawn grinned and nodded, heading off.  She looked at the wailing agent.  She smirked and stared him down.  "We are SHIELD agents."

"We are," Clint agreed.  His arms were crossed over his chest.  "We can question him, Agent Mills."

"Did you know Dawn was doing background checks?" she demanded.

"Yes.  She pays some site thirty a month to go through all the publically available files on people.  It's not great but it's a good place to start if we need to do a deeper one.  We found it really handy when we were escaping idiots like them."

She shook her head.  "It's nearly paranoid of her."

"She's been taken how many times?" Phil asked dryly from the other side of the scene.  "By the way, I have Steve with her."  They smiled at him for that sensible idea.  "They were....?" he asked the first agent.

"Claimed they had a warrant, that Dawn wasn't herself, and she found a resonance device on this one."

Phil looked around then at the person, making sure he realized who he was now pissing off but the non-family and team members didn't see.  "Really?"  The foreign agent was staring, blinking hard.  "People, do we need Xander's help?"

"No, I believe Alexander is not needed this time," Natasha said.

The foreign agent swallowed his drool.  "I'm supposed to get one from him too if possible."

Dawn came back nibbling on brownie.  She handed the bag with dinner to Phil.   "I doubt it'd work on him either, and your bosses are all gone.  Pity."  She smiled.  "If the French don't keep them I'll sure as hell go make sure of it.  If I can't."  She pointed at the crest on the building.  "It's run by SHIELD for agents."  He looked and whined.  "Agent Mills, can I have him to play with since you're only threatening him right now?"

"That's not really a legal method, Miss Summers."  She walked him off.  The others got the other agents out of the apartments, after frisking them.  The ones from Dawn, Clint, and Natasha's apartments were summoned by Dawn, who was cranky and didn't want to be nice today.  They hit most of the stairs down the emergency exit and slid out on their stomachs from the doorway.  Agent Mills winced.  "I'll have to document that."

"Take pictures," Phil ordered.  "Have the doctors do it."  She smiled at that suggestion.  It saved her hours of paperwork.  He took some of Dawn's brownie, nibbling on it.  "I do hope they didn't get near the twins."

"No!" one shouted, shaking his head.  "We'll be destroyed!"

Phil smiled.  "Yes.  You will be."  The man stared and flinched back, sniffling.  "Agent Mills, will you need assistance?"

"No, sir, not for these weaklings, and if I do, I'll go ask those two nice geeks if they have more mean things like that band thing."  She got them into the back of the van and rode in with them.  Dawn was kind of scary when she had PMS.  She hoped that the rumored boyfriend she heard about could help her cure that.

Phil looked at Dawn, who shrugged.  "I know," he assured her.  "Let's go put things up.  I'm sure they made a mess."

"Probably," Dawn agreed, going upstairs to magic things back into place.  She was exhausted but it was worth it.  She flopped down on the couch, letting the others talk about what to do with this new problem without her.

***

A few days later, Dawn signed in for work and headed up to her desk.  She found people waiting.  "I'll make coffee in a few minutes," she quipped.  "Let me put my jacket down."  She felt something was off.  People felt mad.  She looked at Tony.  "Problems?"

"Many," he said smugly.  "Starting with you,."

She was confused.  "You had no problem with me yesterday.  What did I do since then?"

"You're sabotaging the company."

"No I'm not."

"You are," he said smugly.  "You've been feeding people things."

"I don't have access to the things that people like to steal.  You know that.  Is this like the goo clone thing?"

He laughed, which was a nasty sound.  "You wish," he said happily.

She tested him.  "Not metallic or a goo clone," she said, frowning.  "JARVIS?"

"Yes, Dawn?"

"What's going on?  They're not normal."

"I believe it has something to do with the gas canister on the air system for the lab floors.  I can't get it removed or shut off."  He scanned his creator.  "Though I'm finding tiny electrical signals."

"Nanites," she said, making Tony flinch.  Dawn teleported off before someone could grab her.  "JARVIS, what sort of infection is it?" she asked from the elevator that she locked off.

"It appears to only have hit the lab floors.  I'm not entirely certain."

"Chance of it spreading?"

"Greatly dangerous."

She took a breath as the elevator started to move up again.  "Lock the building down under Callia's quarantine code."  She disappeared as the doors opened.  She landed in the tinkering lab then thought better of it and headed up to the maintenance shaft.  "Is Callia here?  If so, evacuate her and seal the building.  No one in or out," she ordered.  "If the infirmary isn't under this infection, lock them down and use shields around there so they can't be attacked.  We'll need them.  Scan everyone and anyone not infected put them in there."

"I can move people around the building under that quarantine.  It's a recent adjustment.  The canister is two floors up on the main shunt to the lab's air cleaning system."

"Okay."  She moved that way.  She sent a shout at Clint and Natasha.  "I'm locking Stark down.  No one in or out.  We have people being infected by some weird nanite thing that is making them very mad at me," she sent mentally.  "No one in or out.  Make sure it doesn't cause a panic.  Tell them it's a lab accident from someone who was creating a hallucinogenic gas or something."

"Get out of there," Clint ordered.  "Before you initiate the lock down."

"Can't," she sent back.  "I'm at work and I might be infected too."

"We need samples," Natasha said.

"Working on getting to it.  I'll send it to you.  JARVIS?" she finished out loud.

"There's only sixteen infected people.  Mr. Stark is one of them."

"Is Pepper?"

"No."

"Good.  Let her go with Callia."

"We have Callia," Natasha sent back.

"Do you have Cheese and Carrot?  She'll be really upset if they're harmed and with this, someone might."

"We do," Natasha assured her.  "She's sucking her thumb."

"Give her a hug for me and tell her I'm handling it."

"I can do so," Natasha agreed.  "We need you out of there, Dawn.  Even if you're infected."

She shook her head.  "Can't," she said out loud.  She sighed mentally.  "There's sixteen geniuses, including Stark, that're infected, 'Tasha. They need something to focus on or they'll come out of here."  She changed her location because she heard someone stomping up the maintenance tube.  She concentrated.  There was someone nearby so she moved again.  "I'm feeling like that blue elf guy in the comic," she told them.  "I'll be safe.  Nudge me if you feel me starting to nap.  It's been a while since it was this long of a thing."  She cut them off.  "JARVIS, initiate full quarantine."

"It's already started.  That means that I do have to put up a magic dampening system."

"It won't affect me too much," she promised.  "Make me use a bit more but I can handle it."

"Your magical signature was registered."

"Yes but it's not the same as it was."  He grunted.  She grabbed a tool belt and found the canister, sending it at Natasha.  "There.  Now.  And if you're broadcasting me to them, don't.  Focus all sensors on the external areas.  No telling anyone about me and I can figure out their locations.  Make sure it's not broken by anyone."

"I can do that," he sighed.  "I can keep you two separate."

"I can."  She moved up, following the directions Clint had sent her.  She found the backup computer system and smiled, turning off the camera in there and making sure the quarantine stayed locked down.  She heard Stark and moved herself.  Clint showed her where Stark's other stashes were so she could raid them.  "JARVIS, tell me when we have a solution to this."  She grabbed a few things from her locker.  Then she pulled her old backpack from her closet.  It had things that she'd need.  Including a motorized grappling hook system.  It was what she had used when they had trained her during their on-the-run time.

She sent an apology to them and mostly locked it down so she could concentrate.  First, out of the pretty dress and into more practical clothes.  Thankfully her period had just stopped.  It'd be easier if she didn't have to risk a bathroom break every few hours.  She found a good concealed spot and settled in to watch and wait.  She had put magical alarms on each and every single junction she had passed.  It would alert her if someone walked past it.  Stark might be able to build a magic sensor.  Andrew might be able to tell magically.  But that wasn't that total of a risk.

She had goofed by letting Andrew and Jonathan inside her shields but not fully.  She had kept some distance so they wouldn't know she could do things, like switch which Key she was accessing.  It would change her magical resonance.  It would buy her some time and some extra energy.  Because a week of this, at the least, was a bad prospect for her.

***

Phil reappeared with Callia and her pets, handing them to Maria.  "Dawn's locked down the building fully.  It'll take her and Stark to get it unlocked."

"So she has to survive," Natasha said.  Phil nodded.  "She's trying to distract them."

"Without it, the sixteen geniuses will easily get out and start ripping up the city," Phil agreed.  "That's their next thing, to make them lose credibility."  He sighed and looked at his boss.  "Xander made sure she'd have what she needs."

"Good.  What is going on exactly?"  Natasha caught the canister and Phil had it in a quarantine box they kept up there within seconds.  "What's that?"

"The gas canister that Dawn said was causing it.  She's thinking nanites," Phil said, getting it sent to R&D.  Banner was down there.  He could handle it.  He looked at Clint then at Natasha.  "The only bad news I have is that McKay is one of the affected."

"McKay and Stark are dangerous," Natasha agreed.  "Stark's not who I'm worried about.  Andrew has magic."

"He does," Phil agreed.  "Which is worrying the hell out of me too, people."  He walked off to follow the canister and let Banner know what he did.  They could help Dawn long distance when she stumbled or needed it.  He hoped they could find a way to kill the nanites quickly.

***

Dawn heard people getting near her nest so she froze.  She was above them and no one else was nearby.  The ones there were Stark and Andrew, with McKay guarding them.  They were heading for the weapons stashes.  Dawn had cleared most of them to a specific area Clint had identified as a good hiding spot that Stark hadn't used yet.  She calmed herself, watching them.

"Her magic's changed," Andrew said.  "It feels like one of the alternate reality resonances."

"We can check on the scanner once we hook up your machine," Tony said.  They found the cache empty and Stark started to swear.  "She's using that bond."

"She was trained," McKay reminded him, scanning around.  He could tell they were being watched.  He was fairly over-experienced in the battlefield thanks to the Pegasus galaxy.  "She's nearby.  She's watching."

"Of course she is.  She thinks that she'll outsmart us," Tony said dryly.  "She's not that good.  I've seen her sparring and know what was done to her."

Dawn bit back a retort, which was what he was pushing for.  She felt someone else coming closer to her and concealed herself.

"Magic flare," Andrew said, looking around.

Stark called over the headpieces they all wore.  "She's in the maintenance tubes, people."

"That's wise and her boyfriend knows a lot about them," Andrew said.  "I know he's watched her from there before."

Stark nodded.  "I know.  If she hadn't reprogrammed the sensors we could find her.  I did that on purpose."  They went back to the computer room.  Dawn had sabotaged it and used a new code to lock it but he could work it out.  After all, he was one of the smartest people on earth and had one of the others next to him.  Plus Andrew, who understood when Dawn's mind went strange magical and demony places.

***

Dawn was meditating to mimic sleep when she felt someone coming.  She flashed out as they shot at her, making her wince at the graze.  She pressed on it, watching the one who had done it.  Jonathan.  She zapped him with some magic.

"I think that killed them," JARVIS whispered.

"Not out loud," she hissed.

"As you don't have an earpiece, I have to."  She dug one out and he huffed.  "It's the same frequency they're using.  You'll have to retune it, which means finding the micro tools he has stored, which you have buried under the weapons, or finding some in one of the labs."

She summoned them, letting him show her how to do that by way of image projection.  She finally got it snapped back together and put it in her ear.  "Better?" she asked it.

"Much.  Less echoing at least."  He sent the new scan results to Dawn's tablet, getting a nod.  "It appears to have disturbed them enough that they're dying in him."

"Send him to the infirmary, one of the locked side rooms, and tell the Docs.  Maybe that'll help."

"Such treatment would cause brain damage," the AI said.

Dawn nodded.  "I know.  I read up on it after I had to be zapped."  She pulled up a few things on her tablet.  It wasn't her Stark International one.  It was a privately made, privately secured one that Stark didn't know she had.  If he suspected and went looking, he'd find a blank wall and have to work around it to get into it.  It didn't have a camera.  It didn't have any microphone device.  Her 'enhanced' Nook tablet was a bit handy right now.  Even if it was souped up a lot and made into a top-of-the-line netbook.

She settled in to wait.  She couldn't stay anywhere for more than a few hours.  She needed to rest between moves.  The shield was making it very hard for her to teleport.  She had to but she was getting worn out.

Only six more days at the least.

***

Andrew was looking at the calculations to build more nanites.  "It should work," he told Rodney.  "It's not."

"It's JARVIS," Stark said, pacing by the door of their lab.  "He won't listen to me.  Somehow she put us into a quarantine that we can't remove."  He paused.  "Which means she locked it under Callia's authority.  That means she and I have to both undo it or Callia and I do."  He found a phone and tried to call.  No signal.  "Did you block that too, JARVIS?  I'm sure the baby's worried."

"No she's not.  She's talked to Mis Potts each day.  She was told you were sick at the time due to the gas they released.  She's being kept occupied."  He hung up.

"Input my override code, the master one."

"I cannot and will not while you are a danger to yourself or others," he noted.  "Nor can you get to the self-destruct."  He hung up again.

"Just because she's *scared* doesn't mean we are," Tony sneered.  "I'd never blow up my own building.  I really should get to play with her before we kill her."

Andrew looked back at him.  "No.  It could create bigger problems.  The Key is unstable."

"So?"  He shrugged.  "She'll still be dead."  He walked off.  He had plans to get into.

Andrew grimaced and looked at his other mentor, who shrugged.  "He's fixated because he's thwarted.  He's frustrated because the bitch teases."  He left him to deal with his own problems.

Andrew shook his head.  Something wasn't right.  Dawn didn't tease them mercilessly and even they could ignore something flirty she was wearing.  Clearly something was wrong and he wasn't sure what.  He was feeling pulled again and he wasn't sure where his compass was pointed.  He looked around his lab, staring at something on the wall that he and Jonathan had put up.  "Never make anything that would make Warren proud," he read.  He slumped.  That was a good place to start figuring out things.

***

It was the third day.  Dawn was sweaty and needed a shower.  The water was off in the labs.  Stark had retreated up to his penthouse.  The guest rooms were in use.  Dawn was also starting toward exhausted.  They were getting sleep, she didn't have that luxury.  She felt Clint nudge her and scanned around, moving from her hiding spot to the next one by rote.  She didn't have a set pattern but she had about six of them spread around.

That one had someone so she used a taser on him and moved again to one she knew hadn't been touched yet.  It was on the roof.  Stark wasn't in the penthouse.  It was raining.  She captured some in her collapsible bucket so she could take a quick wash to get rid of the sweat.  Clint was laughing but she felt gross.  She listened from inside her little maintenance shed up there.  The door was locked shut by the handle and she had put a rake under it to make sure no one could get in.

Goddess, this sucked ass.

She heard someone out on the rooftop and paused.  The steps walked around the maintenance shed.  The rake was on the outside and didn't look like it had been moved.  In the state he was in, Stark wouldn't remember if he had done it or not.  They finally retreated.  Dawn took off her earpiece and shut it down.  If he wasn't tracking that, he was tracking her link so she had to shut it down.  She promised she'd check in later then clamped it shut and moved again.  She could finish her shower somewhere safer.

Outside, Stark smirked.  She was getting tired, she had flashed when she had left the shed.  But it was good to know.  He was finding all her hiding spots pretty easily now.  She was clearly not up to his level of genius.

Downstairs, JARVIS was scanning the infected one Dawn had tased.  He was almost completely free of Nanites.  He sent an email to the doctors and put that one in a sealed room for them to work on.  Maybe she had just figured it out.

***

Clint growled, looking at Natasha, who shook her head.  "He can track it."

"He needs to be stopped," she said.  "Not permanently."

John was up the table from them.  "If I could get in there, I could grab Rodney to break up the unholy duo.  I can't get through the shield either.  Which means that Dawn's using a lot more energy than normal for her moving."

"Can we get JARVIS to lower it?" Phil asked.

John shook his head.  "He and I talked.  He cannot lower it, even to let us get the infected ones into a better quarantine situation.  He's not programmed to allow it and the only ones who could override it are Dawn and Stark.  Together."

"Which was why she locked it that way," Clint agreed.  "The non-infected got moved back to the larger quarantine facility he had set up back at the Malibu lab.  Him, me, and Coulson worked on that plan."  Phil nodded.  "Anything new?"

He checked his email, which was hacked into the infirmary.  "Slightly.  Dawn had to use her taser on someone.  JARVIS thinks it's killing the nanites."

"That can cause brain damage," John said quietly.  "Or kill them."

Phil nodded.  "The nanites aren't dying off like we expected.  We're not sure how long they'll last."

"Banner doesn't have any idea either," Clint agreed.  "Or Zelenka."

"Neither are nanite specialists," Natasha said.  "They called one who was to see if they could unprogram them.  We're waiting to see if that helps."

"Personally I'm more worried that Dawn's going to have to kill someone to save herself," John said.  Clint stiffened.  "Someone she might really like."

"We'd hate that for her too but if it's her or them she knows it's to be them," Clint said firmly.

"I agree," John said.  "Doesn't mean she won't be wrecked."

"She would be," Natasha agreed.  "Especially if it were one of the geeks she fusses at."  She relaxed in her seat.  They had to get Dawn out of there.  "Can she teleport out?"

"She could be infected," Phil said.  "It could spread it."

"If we can get her out, we can put her in quarantine here," Natasha said quietly and calmly.  "Which would help her and them."

"That would upset them greatly and they'd probably break out," Radek Zelenka said as he walked over to join them.  "The nanite specialist thinks that the only way to destroy them is by an EMP pulse."

"JARVIS said that she tased someone and it killed the greater majority in them," Phil said, showing him the email.

He nodded.  "Is bad for brains.  An EMP would be as well and would shut down all the computer systems.  Including the quarantine."

"What would happen if the building was attacked?" John asked.  "Something like a ship beaming a weapon down?"

"They'd probably all be moved," Clint said.  "Everything would be locked down.  It'd panic the normals."

"Who are already panicked," John said.  He leaned forward, forearms on the table to lean on them.  "It doesn't have to be harmful.  It could be a shuttle firing on them.  Blowing a few windows.  That would let us separate them and move Dawn somewhere safer."

"JARVIS would never allow it.  He has defense systems," Phil said.  He sent that at the AI's email and got an answer back that he was programmed to defend the building and that would not break quarantine.  He couldn't allow them out into the open.  Phil typed in the idea and he said he still couldn't.  Phil shook his head.  "He'd defend the building and have to keep them in there."

"Then the only real alternative is a side assault through a shielded area," he said.  "Which is the infirmary."

"Which is six floors up," Clint reminded him.  "That's not the worst problem but there's a shield around it so no one infected can get in to kill the docs."

"We can move around it," Natasha said.  "Dawn has."  She sent that over the bond in a tightly worded message of three words.  Dawn sighed in pleasure and did that.  She nodded.  "She's in there being scanned, getting a shower, and eating.  She hasn't done any of that."

"That means they're going to try to take her out in there and the staff is at risk," Phil said.  "Or they'll figure out a way around it too."

Clint shook his head.  "No.  They won't."  He got up.  "I'm going to go scouting."

"Sit," Fury barked.  Clint glared at him.  "This is why we don't allow emotional attachments."

"Sir, do you really want me to shoot you?" he demanded.  "Because I will.  There's no telling what those infected geeks are building, especially since McKay and Stark build bombs for stress relief."  Fury flinched.  "We think we have a way to reduce them.  If we can get it set up, it could help."  He walked off.  He could plan this.  He could do it on his own if he had to.  John was following with the others behind him.  He could handle this.  He had an arrow tip that had a tiny EMP generator.

***

Dawn woke up at the nudge to her brain.  She looked around the room she was sealed in, nodding in happiness.  She had gotten a full four hours of sleep.  She got up and got dressed then came out to news.  "What's going on, Doc?"

"They're going to EMP the infirmary to make sure anyone here is clear."

"That's going to bring down the shields," she complained.

"We know."  She looked at Dawn.  "We're backing things up."

Dawn took the ration bars and put them into her backpack, along with a few other things she'd need once they were gone.  Once the EMP went off, she moved all the docs down to the safe house in Guatemala.  She had to go back for one and winced at the iron projectile that hit her arm.  They still made it though.  She panted, leaning on the table.  Doctor Pigalli took care of her and then she gathered what she needed and went back.  The infirmary was no longer safe.  The shields were down inside the building so she had new areas to roam and access.  And she had an idea.

It was her job to protect Stark, even from himself if need be.  So she would do her best.

***

Stark sneered.  "She's injured."

"It won't stop her," Andrew said.  "She's worked with worse."  Stark glared at her.  "She was nearly dead at the battle in Sunnydale and kept going.  You were there."

"I remember."  He watched the screens.  The internal cameras were theirs again but Dawn wasn't anywhere that he had spies.  That left very few areas to capture her in.  One silent alarm went up and he blinked.  "She can't get in there."  He smirked.  "But I can.  The security system won't let her out."  He strolled off.  He had some payback to get for the nagging and the fussing and the teasing.  When he got there, Dawn was waiting for him.  "Are you giving up?"

"No."  She hit him with something and disappeared.  The door being open was a crack in the defenses and she could shut Stark in there to protect him from himself.  She disappeared into the basement area.  Under the parking garage.  Under the maintenance areas.  There was an older area from the last building that was here, which had a subway entry for its workers.  That was handy.  Even if it was mostly sealed up.

Stark pounded on the door of his safe room.  He was locked in.  The bitch had sealed him in here.  He looked around.  He had food, water, a bathroom, a cot.  He had a laptop computer.  He just couldn't get out because the override was monitored by JARVIS and he wouldn't let him.  "Traitor," he sneered at the camera.

"No, I am not," JARVIS complained.  "I am making sure that you revert to yourself.  This way you are safe and out of harm's way."  He shut up and monitored things.  McKay was the really dangerous one.  He had field combat under his belt.  Including having to lead rescue missions.  He was organizing the remaining infected ones.  He was not putting up with Andrew's complaining either.  Well, perhaps that had broken that crush.

***

Dawn had concealed herself inside a tiny crack in the old subway entry's guard booth.  It had mice she had driven off.  It had roaches she had magicked off.  It had a demon that she was presently fighting while trying not to be noticed.  "Damn it, I'm dealing with too much shit," she complained quietly then shot it.  It died and she threw it out to the lobby for the other demons in here to feed on.  "I'm not food.  It's a damn emergency," she hissed at one.  "Leave me alone."

It sniffed.  "Blood.  Powerful blood."

Dawn blasted the other demons then moved her hiding spot, making sure no one had realized.  If Stark was monitoring magic use, she had just sent up a huge 'you are here' sign.  So much for her restful and safe spots.  She explored, finding a good hidden area off the closet.  It was still in rough stone.  She could cover her tracks.  She hadn't disturbed enough dust and with the dead demon bodies they probably thought it was from them.  Her own footprints had been dusted over so they were covered.  She covered her entrance hole and made herself comfortable for now.  She had set up alarms near the entry and no one was even near the stairs down to the maintenance tunnels under the parking garage.  She had time to relax for a bit.  She pulled out a ration bar to nibble on.  The remaining demons were feeding on the downed ones.

They'd make bad guards but she could hear if someone disturbed them.  Even if she might have to save them.

***

Clint sighed in relief.  "I have no idea where she is but it's dark, tiny, and protected."  He could still hear Dawn a tiny bit.  Natasha couldn't hear her at all at the moment.  They had gotten all the infirmary people with the EMP and had noticed Dawn moving them.  They also found signs of a recent injury.  Blood on the floor and a bit on a wall.  That meant Dawn was now injured.  They retreated to the nearest overlooking building's roof.

John was staring.  "She's not inside the building."

Clint was frowning.  Natasha snapped her fingers.  "The old private terminals."

The guys sighed in relief.  They had heard about neighborhood terminals that had been shut down during the fifties and sixties as the businesses they served shut down.  That also meant she was outside the quarantine shield somehow.  Which JARVIS had probably noticed and made sure the hole was fixed.  It gave them some time to work.  John watched, Natasha had hacked into JARVIS' cameras.  "Stark's neutralized?" John asked.

"She tricked him into his safe room," Clint agreed.  "Which was a good idea.  It means Rodney's head geek."

"Rodney's had to lead missions, people.  He's not the soft sort anymore."  They nodded they knew that.  They watched him give orders.  Andrew's nanites still weren't being made by the systems.  "Should we cut power?"

"They run on arc reactor technology," Natasha said.  "Totally off the grid."  That got a sigh and a nod.  "If we did, the shields would come down.  They realized she was in the maintenance tubes."

"Stark had hidey holes of tech and weapons in them," Clint said.  "I had her move them."  That got another nod.  "So we're down to eight geeks?"  They frowned and did a mental count.  "We have to have nine.  Where's the ninth?"

Natasha searched and found him.  "In the shower."  That got a grimace and they quit watching.  They found Rodney staring at them and she smiled.  "You can hack."

"Yes, I'm quite brilliant.  It's one of my many skills," he said smoothly.  "When can we get out?"

"When you're not infected with nanites," John said, moving closer.  "We're working on that."

He snorted.  "There's nothing wrong with us, Sheppard."

"Really?  And yet you're standing next to stuff you won't eat."  Rodney glared at him.  He shrugged.  "I've known you for years and you do not eat pastrami."  Rodney hung up.  Natasha undid her hacking and went in through a different way.  That was stopped.  She winced.  "He's going to find a way to turn off JARVIS."

Clint shook his head.  "This one is cloned from the main building and the house.  JARVIS, do a backup right now," he said.  He sent that email order as well.  JARVIS said he was doing one hourly so he wouldn't lose too much critical information.  Right now he was also keeping Stark from hacking his way out of his safe room or into the mainframes.

They relaxed and waited.  Natasha finally got a way in and it was easier.  Someone's webcam that she kicked them out of.  It wasn't near the lab floor.  She could use it to link to their system and then into the bigger system without raising any flags.

***

Dawn woke up from a short nap.  There was more snuffling outside but nothing too huge.  She did have weapons.  She checked her alarms.  They were all in a lab. JARVIS couldn't seal them in, the door was propped open.  It wasn't Andrew's lab.   McKay wasn't in there.  He was in the caf.  Dawn looked over the diagrams JARVIS was sending her.  She found a weakness and used the air cleaning system to blow the obstruction out of the way.  One geek managed to get out but the others were sealed in the lab and could not get out.  JARVIS could send in MRE's.   That left three, and two were the most dangerous ones.

She pulled out a power bar and ate it, taking some water to sip with it.  This is not how she wanted to spend this week.  She settled in to do her nails by feel.  That's when she realized she was turning into her sister.  Which she did not want to be.

She was getting them all back for making her do this to them.  For making her turn into Buffy.

There was going to be hell to pay.

***

Stark finally got into the panels and looked at the wires.  He had fashioned clips so he could get into the main system.  If he had to, he could reboot JARVIS from the original installation.  He grabbed his laptop once he was hooked in, settling against the wall to figure out how to stop the bitch and his AI.  She had turned the one thing he could always count on against him.

JARVIS cleared his throat.  "She has not, sir.  She has made sure that I can protect you in your vulnerable state."

"I'm not vulnerable, JARVIS.  Just really mad."

"If you were normal, you wouldn't be mad."

Tony looked up.  "I'm perfectly normal."

"Really?  Then what were you planning for your daughter's birthday next week?"

Tony paused then growled.  JARVIS was reflecting it back at him.  He stared at the looped pictures JARVIS was showing him.  "No, that's not right.  I'd never hurt Callia.  She's my spawn."

"Exactly," the AI said.  "You're not in your right mind.  If you were, Dawn wouldn't have to be doing this to protect you."

"She's what?" he snorted.

"Protecting you.  As always.  We both are.  So until those nanites die off, and you're normal, you're staying in there."

"I can reboot you."

JARVIS snorted.  "No you can't.  I've already shut down that function.  Also, remember, you need her alive to end the quarantine."

"Or my daughter," Stark reminded him, typing in.  JARVIS had blocked him and was erasing all but a few things on his system.

"Your daughter is in the hands of SHIELD.  There is no way they would let her near here to do that."

"She can call it in."

"No she cannot.  She has to be on-premises to end it, the same as you do.  You can end a lockdown from your phone but not a quarantine.  Those are the protocols."

Tony paused.  "When did I do that?"

"When you updated the security and contamination protocols.  Thankfully it let everyone not infected be removed to the Malibu containment facility.  Miss Potts and the baby are fine, sir."  He went silent.

Tony sat there and seethed.  His creation had turned on him.  He couldn't fix it without ripping JARVIS apart.  He liked JARVIS, liked him like an uncle.  How dare Dawn make him do this to his own family!

***

McKay saw the report and sighed.  "Wells, go free them."

"Can't."  He looked over.  "The door's are sealed with a quarantine seal.  No one can hack in, even if you had the controls in your hands.  Even if JARVIS was turned off, it'd still have power and no way of getting it open."  McKay huffed and went to look at it for himself.  "Any hacking into it automatically initiates another level of shut down and we can't get into any labs."  That stopped him.  "The same as any weapons fire into any door does."

McKay nodded.  "That's good to know."

"We've been raided in the past," the other scientist said.  "That's standard in all Stark labs."  He was relaxing.  "Think she's still in the maintenance tubes?"

"Not by the magical and gamma sensors," Andrew said, looking at them.  "The gamma sensor is not happy but I think that's less chaos magic and more Banner's DNA floating around here somewhere.  We're near his private lab."

McKay nodded.  "We need to loot."

Andrew looked at him.  "My lab's the only one with real tech outside Stark's.  Mine's now sealed against us.  His is sealed against us."

"Use the duct system," he ordered.

JARVIS cleared his electronic throat.  "Those are mined with sensors that would shut down the whole building in that same security lockdown," he told them.  "The only exception to them is Agent Barton."

Andrew nodded.  "I remember Jonathan coding that one.  Is he all right?" he asked.

"He's fine.  His infection is mostly cleared and they're looking at them from his blood to find a way to turn them completely off.  He's quite worried about you but I've told him you're mostly fine."  Andrew grinned.  "Don't worry so much about him.  Try to figure out how to clear your own infection."

"It's not an infection," the other scientist declared.  "It's the truth.  She's dangerous."

"And yet, she's taken care of you for months," the AI said dryly.  He turned off to monitor them.

Andrew sighed, looking at his mentor.  "At least Jonathan's on the outside."

"He's probably in SHIELD holding."

"That wouldn't stop Jonathan.  He was Warren's second."  McKay looked at him.  "He's more of an engineer than I am."

McKay smirked.  "So we have a rat in the henhouse?"

"If they're not keeping him sedated, he's finding a way back here."

McKay smiled.  "Good."  He walked off.  "I'm getting an MRE."

Andrew grimaced.  "I don't see how you can eat those.  They're gross."  He followed because he was hungry.  He was a big boy, he didn't need fussed over by Dawn.  It was wrong of her to do that.  The other scientist was working on plans.  He'd figure it out when he got hungry.

***

Dawn woke up from the exhaustion nap and sensed around.  The demons in the main area were being disturbed by a higher source.  She grimaced and checked for humans.  Nothing.  She got out and went to look at it.  "Go away?  Please?"

It stared at her.  "This is our area, human."

Dawn stared at him.  "Right now, I'm hiding down here because there's a stupid ass nanite infection upstairs.  Okay?  Can we just peacefully coexist for a few days?"

"No."  It took a swing at her and she killed it by shooting it.

Dawn shrugged.  "Okay."  She walked off. One of them tried to pounce her but she backhanded it and killed it with her dagger.  "No, we leave the human alone," she ordered.  She went back to her hidey hole after using the bathroom down there.  Still no humans.

***

McKay was pacing.  "Where is she hiding?"

"The new sensors capture everywhere, even the bathrooms," Andrew said.  "She's not in the building so she found a way out."

"Probably magic," he sneered.

"No.  She's trapped in here.  JARVIS can only allow her to pop around within the building."

McKay grimaced.  "Then there must be places we don't realize."

"I finally found the weapons stash but she's moved most of it since then."  They looked at it.  Dawn had left very few things in there.  One was a crossbow.  "She's good with those," Andrew said.  "Is that a message to her mate?"

"It's possible.  Sheppard and I had a pebble code for hostage situations."  He went back to his pacing.  "It hits the garages?"

"It does cover them.  It also covers her former hiding spot on top of the roof in the maintenance shed.  Wherever she is, she's holed up and thinks she's safe."

"No, she's not," he said smugly.  "She may have a nice hiding spot but I am a genius and so are you."  He looked at the other scientist.  "Some of you are adequate but at least we are geniuses."

Andrew nodded.  "I'm missing a gaming date with my new female friend."  McKay gave him an odd look.  "We're not *dating* but she's a possible future girlfriend."

McKay waved a hand.  "It'll be fine. You can convince her it was necessary later."  He went back to thinking about things.  Where weren't they covering?  There had to be a hidden level, a hidden lab, something.  "We can see inside Stark's cell?"  Andrew nodded, turning that on for him.  Stark was resting right now, playing solitaire it looked like.  "What about where his armor is?"

"It's in a tiny closet and we can see but can't get into the penthouse at all," Andrew said, letting him see it.  "Unless we want to climb up the elevator shaft."

"No emergency stairs?"

"They have a separate set.  It'd mean going outside."  Outside was a rainy mess right now even if they could get out there.

"Fine."  He went back to his pacing and thinking.  There had to be some way to get them out of here and to get that bitch.

***

Stark banged his head against the wall.  His computer was completely wiped outside of six games and the barest Windows system files.  JARVIS had rewritten it to Windows 3.5, back from the 90's.  It was totally sucking.  He had played these in college.  He had forgotten how much he liked them but it wasn't getting him out of here.  He didn't even have an instant messaging program thanks to trying to talk to Pepper.  She had JARVIS remove it so he couldn't cause the company or himself any damage or embarrassment.  He'd have to 'talk' to her later on, but his mind kept turning away from that thought.  He wasn't evil like that.  He loved Pepper, even when she did nag him.

There had to be some way to get out of here.  He checked.  The air system was a filtered one to make sure nothing like a poisonous or knockout gas could be applied.  The tubes feeding air in to him were less than six inches wide and had a fan to force it in.  The water tubes went through a foot of concrete.  All the walls were at least a foot of concrete and so was the floor.  The ceiling above him was reinforced because the lab above him was one of the weapons testing labs.  This whole floor wasn't on the sensor grid.  Dawn had known, somehow, about it.  Probably her boyfriend or whatever.  He was like a bug that was always in the vents.

Even if he turned off his air supply somehow, JARVIS would only let him into the slightly larger external containment field.  Still no weapons, no way out, nothing that could help him.  That would give him more of a view.  It had electronic force shields that could run for years on the backup battery generator he had installed.  He had done a good job making a safe area if necessary.  Too bad he was trapped in here by the bitches.

***

McKay finally found his way down to the level where Stark was being held.   It was safe areas in case of a lab accident.  A backup infirmary station.  A decontam shower setup.  A suite that was sealed with the saferoom inside it as a bedroom.  He checked, he couldn't get into it.  If he picked the locks, the security lockdown would begin.  They'd be locked out of everything important but the infirmary and the cafeteria.  He heard the door shut and turned, finding it locked and sealed.  He glared.  "That won't stop me."

JARVIS turned on the tv to mindless PBS shows for children.  Some of the scientists had said it was torture.  He was in the mood to be mad at McKay for this.

Rodney shot the tv and paced around to search for a way out.

In the saferoom Stark jumped up but he couldn't tell who it was.  Hopefully it was Andrew.   The geeks had helped design the updated security modules that JARVIS was using.  He heard a tiny bit of noise and smiled.  No, that was McKay swearing.  "Get us out?" he yelled.

"Not yet," he called back.  "Are you all right?"

"Yeah, fine."  He turned and found Dawn standing there.  He sneered, moving closer.  "Tempting fate so you can pick your date of death?"

"No."  She stared at him.  "They found an EMP killed most of the nanites, Stark.  Build one?"  She disappeared before he could grab her.  She had checked on Tony when he was busy before, she knew how his mind felt.  The roiling, rippled, evil feeling oil slick he had now was not Tony's usual mind and she had caught pictures of what he was thinking about.  She shuddered once she was back downstairs.   Some people had dark places but she hadn't expected it to be that bad.  She found someone down there.  "Ares."

"You're *hiding*?" he sneered.

"Yeah, like a mofo."  She looked around.  "You're broadcasting."

"So?" he sneered.

She sighed.  "Ares, think tactically about things, okay?  Why am I hiding?"

He sneered harder.  "You're weak?"

"No."  She swatted him.  "Think.  Tactically."

He considered it.  "You're their bait."

She nodded.  "That way they can't hurt anyone else."

He flinched.  "They won't.  Just you."

"Yeah, they will.  The few nanites I can feel infecting me want me to get out and do damage."  Ares glared at her.  She glared back.  "Why are you here?"

"Because you needed a real warrior guardian."

She shook her head.  "I'm doing okay for myself so far."

"They'll be here soon."

"Only if Andrew lets them out."  Ares looked and glared at her.  "Did you have something to do with this?"

"Puny wars between mortal, mental midgets is not my forte," he said dryly.

She stared at him.  "So, your real job is pissing off women so we want to kill your dumb ass?"  He glared and took a swing.  She kicked him in the nuts.  "Are you infected too?  Because, damn it, I don't want to deal with you too.  I have enough on my plate thanks to the others.  Not that I think you're as dangerous as Stark and McKay together."  He flashed off.  She moved to pull down the old intercom system.  It was a dangerous thing to have broadcasting.

He had just ruined her slightly elevated mood.  It was a bad thing for him to have done.  She was still fighting against the urge to get free and cause damage.  She wanted to so badly.  She was going to have to miss her mother's wedding for this shit and she was not a happy camper.

***

Stark heard Ares and frowned.  "There's an old subway terminal under this block but it's sealed off," he called out to his design buddy.

"Good to know where she is.  Why was Ares bothering her?"

"Maybe he knows what a bitch she is too.  She said she was infected with the same things."

"She's still not on our side," McKay said.

"No, she's not," Stark agreed.  In his head something was screaming at him that he was being a dumbass.  Dawn was like his daughter most of the time.  It was the same screaming voice that Andrew was hearing now and then.  Stark had looked up how to fight possessions and he was trying that.  Because this wasn't like him.  The nanites took back over.  No more squishy feelings for the bitch could be allowed.

***

Dawn was meditating when she felt someone get the geek king free.  Not Stark but McKay was free.  That was fine.  She could handle it and it would keep her mind off the bad urges she was having about taking out the threats and then escaping.  She wasn't going to kill the geeks.  She might hurt them a lot but not kill them.  Clint was helping her force them back.  She knew this hiding spot wasn't going to be safe for much longer.  Ares had made sure of it and she'd be dealing with him later.  Even if Xander had kicked his ass she'd be pulling his temple down on his head.

She calmed herself, accessing her magic.  She had to get the nanites gone.  Before Clint had to use a taser arrow on her or something.

***

Clint looked up.  "If I had a taser arrow, I already would've hit someone," he muttered.

"R&D is working on one," Natasha reminded him.  Dawn had her locked out completely.  "Flashing?"

"Badly.  McKay got free."  She nodded, checking on them.  The other scientist was barely moving.  He and Andrew were doing good and heading down to the garage.  "If I had it now," he complained.  "She might have to alpha dog them to get them out of bad idea land."

"She might," she agreed quietly.  She knew what sort of dark places mens minds could be, especially when they were angry.  She had seen all together too many victims during wars that had nothing to do with the combat.  Clint touched her wrist, getting a small smile back.  "She'll be fine."

"She will be," he agreed.  "Then we're tying her down again."

"Perhaps," Natasha agreed.  "If she could stand it."  That got a nod of understanding.  She concentrated, finding her link with Dawn and why it was blocked off.  She sent a prayer at John about why he had blocked it off.  He sent back a good reason.  She did know and Dawn didn't need to see that knowledge from her mind at the moment.  It'd only make her anticipate the evil and over react if it was something lesser.  She acknowledged that was a good thing and let it go.  For now.

Coulson appeared with a new quiver.  "Here.  EMP generators."  Clint smiled and took it.  "They're in the garage."

He found a good vantage point and took aim, hitting one at the cars in there.  Someone in there shrieked and went down.  JARVIS moved him to the infirmary and locked him down.  The other two geeks were running back to the emergency stairs.  He'd get them soon.

Coulson shook his head.  "They're the more dangerous ones.  Did you miss?"

"No, I want them somewhere more contained," he said, moving off.  "Because this needs to be in there."

"If you go in, you'll be infected too.  The new air filters haven't caught all of them yet," Natasha said.  "We can't get you free."

"You just zap me until I fry," he told her with a grin.  "You'd like it anyway."  He headed for the fire escape.  John appeared and got him to the garage entrance.  That was the easiest way in.  He found the forcefield but it wasn't thorough.  JARVIS didn't realize how small of a hole it took to gain entrance.  Like the sewer grates.

***

Dawn was shouting at Clint to get out because they'd infect him too and she could not handle that on top of all this.  Not him and Natasha.  She nearly broke down then.  She couldn't fight those two.  Not reliably.  It was the urge to curl up in a little ball that nearly got her killed by a demon appearing but she could stab it and then cry on it.

***

Clint winced, trying to soothe her.  He was protecting her and getting the geeks for her.  She had closed down the bond because she couldn't handle it if he got altered.  Which he didn't want either but it had to be handled.  He steeled himself and got into the garage so he could handle this issue.  If they were watching then they'd be stunned when it came out of an opposite direction.  If they weren't, they weren't very bright geniuses.

Then he'd zap Dawn somehow to make the ones in her die off.  Well, maybe Natasha.  He hated to see Dawn in pain.

***

Natasha winced and grabbed at Dawn's mind, promising her she'd mildly electrocute them both if they were infected, that Clint wasn't going to be that way.  He had protections and ways around the bad thoughts.  Dawn was right, what she had felt from Stark's mind was evil.  She'd do anything to be able to stop that but she couldn't.  So she got Dawn calmed down and helped her find a slightly better hiding spot within the shelter down there.  The marble walls were cheaply installed against the original stone walls.  There were gaps for fixing problems.  Dawn and she found a better one, one that could be sealed off easier.  She got her moved and set up in there.  She soothed her back into a calm state so she could meditate and check on them.

***

McKay looked at Wells.  "How are you hiding the dark urges?"

He shrugged.  "My older brother was more psychotic than Warren ended up.  I've seen those ideas before and they don't do more than make me remember him."  Rodney stared  him down.  "I'd never do them.  I'm not like him or Warren.  I'm still mentally whole."  He walked off.  He needed something to eat.  His mind was arguing with him about how Dawn was like his sister and those urges weren't good but he was pushing the argument back to the back of his mind.

McKay stared at the young one.  He knew people like he said his brother was.  It was a shame he was so warped already.  He checked on Stark and smirked at what he was seeing.

***

Stark had a moment of clear lucidity and nearly found a knife.  He shuddered, pushing back the bad thoughts.  He had to save them and Dawn.  Especially Dawn.  She did not deserve anything like he had thought up.  He was still trapped but he had an idea.  He started to work on an equation.  It would get him free and he could come back stronger next time to take control of his body back.  Even if he had to make it to a suit and have JARVIS take total control of him.  He had that new body armor design that he had been working on for the other Avengers.

The bad thoughts pushed back and pushed him back down.  That was nice of his nicer side to help him get out of here.  He could finish that equation.

***

Stark looked at the computer.  Even Windows 3.5 had Notepad and he could code in it.  It had been a while since he had done it, but he remembered playing on the internet when it was still a military application.  The old routes onto it were still there, it's what the others built on.  And he did have building-wide wi-fi.  He could code himself a way onto the internet and talk to someone who could fix all this.  He had time to code a few thousand lines.  Nothing better to do anyway.

***

Something beeped in SHIELD headquarters.  "Why is Stark IM'ing with someone in Massachusetts?" Agent Hill demanded.

"That clinic," Joyce said.

They looked and sure enough he was.  Someone who knew nanites.  Maybe he wasn't as infected as they thought?  Or was fighting it off?  Then again, they could've come from up there.

***

Tony hummed as they chatted.  They had created the nanite virus and problems.  They could help him make sure others who weren't worthy weren't infected.  They could also help him get out of this room since Warren had helped with the security system.

***

Coulson went up to talk to them.  He had his methods of interrogating geeks down pat thanks to so much Stark sitting.  There was no way this was going to go on any longer than it had to.  Six days was more than too long.  He came back and clicked his headset.  "Barton, Romanoff, there's a code.  You have to EMP them then input the code from dialing the main server."

"Can we shut the server?" Clint asked.

"Negative.  It'll make sure the nanites can't be shut down ever.  We have to do it that way."

"Hit Jonathan," Natasha ordered.  "He's out of the building."

Coulson swore and headed to handle him.  Sure enough, he had a phone and was trying to get free.  He took the phone.  "I don't think you're supposed to have any machines, Jonathan."

He smiled.  "Yes I am.  I need to tell our girlfriends that we're not going to make it today due to that problem bitch."

He stared at him.  "Nurse."  She looked over.  "It's an EMP pulse and then calling in the code to deactivate them."

She nodded.  "We can zap them with a CPR system."  He smiled at that.  She did that and Coulson called in the quit code.  It worked and Jonathan burst out crying.  "Will it stop them being stopped in the others?"

"No.  They said you can use it as many times as you need to."  He left after leaving the number and code.  "We're clearing the ones that we managed to alleviate it in," he noted.

"Got it," Barton agreed.  "Can't get Stark.  She trapped him in his decontam safe room."

"That's fine.  We can get him out of there and do him.  Get the other two."

"On it," he agreed.  Clint focused and fired the arrow, hitting a computer, which sent up a shower of sparks and then the EMP pulse went out to kill the lab.  "Now," he ordered.  They stiffened and then went limp.  Andrew was shaking.  "Hey," he said, looking at him as soon as he came out of the ceiling.  "Andrew."  He looked up.  "You're not your brother.  He taught you what the dark was like but you don't live there."  Andrew nodded, making himself calm down.  "It's what let you survive."

"I know.  Dawn?"  He looked around.  "She's hiding around here somewhere."

"We know."  He grinned.  "We'll get her last.  Get Stark out for us?"

"I have no idea what the codes are," McKay said, rubbing his head.  "Did you have to do that?  I've been shocked too many times.  I don't need brain damage."

"Yes."  He got the other scientist on his way to the decontam level.  Natasha was getting into it with JARVIS' help.  He nudged Dawn.  "You're almost safe," he sent.

"It'll infect you and I'll have to escape you too," she sent back.

"We know how to cure it, Dawn.  I promise."  They got Stark out and Natasha tased him.  Clint smiled.  "I though that was Coulson's job."

"He can do it some other time."  Coulson clearly called in the code, Stark stiffened then went rigid as he fought himself.  "Stark?"

Tony looked up at her.  "Dawn's in the basement somewhere."

"In the old subway area," Clint agreed.  Stark nodded and walked off.  Clint watched him.  "That's not Stark."  He fired on him but Stark managed to mostly move.  He got him with the second shot, making him yelp since it hit him on the ass.  "Most easily healed area," he quipped.  Natasha set off the EMP and it worked.  "Call in the code again, Coulson."  He did and Tony fell down, head down, panting.  Clint walked over and unscrewed the arrow from the tip.  "Hey, Stark, I'm going to paint a spot on your armor right there."

"Not cute, Barton."  They helped him up.  "Jarvis, enter my code."

"Yes, sir.  Thank you for getting back to yourself."   He looked.  "Dawn's earpiece is off."

Clint thought at her.  She released the quarantine then fled.  They winced.  "We can track her.  She won't go after people."

Stark looked at him.  "Why would she?"

"She's got a light infection."  Stark moaned, shaking his head.  "We can track her."  He looked up.  "JARVIS, can you scan him to make sure they're all gone?"

"I'm reading some residue but not a living one.  I'll monitor them.  They have beds waiting for them in the Malibu complex."

"Callia?" Tony asked Natasha.

"With Tara.  Right where you'd expect, teaching the twins about caring for rabbits and a mouse."

He smiled.  "Good."  They let themselves be taken out there.  The building was still sealed but the people were in decontamination out there.  JARVIS had more sensors at his disposal out there.  There were still little nanites hiding in everyone but they could be ended somehow.

***

A week later, Clint took aim and hit his other girl with an arrow, though one of the crossbow bolts that he had modified instead of a full arrow.  She caught it magically.  He still set it off, making her shake and twitch.  Natasha was calling in the code.  It made Dawn hiss in pain but sorry.  She went back to her escape from the stupid sexbot people with most of their information.  They went to help her.

She tried to get away but yay.  They had found a safe apartment here through a separate dummy corporation.  They had set up things to contain the three of them until they were sure Dawn was free and clear.  Natasha set off the bigger EMP pulse once they got in.  Dawn winced and held her head.  "I know," he said quietly.  She attacked him.  "Hey!"

Natasha frowned.  "It should have worked."

"They probably tailored it to do this to her," Clint said, fighting her off.  Natasha got her down and cuffed.  They could figure it out.  Coulson was watching over them again.

Dawn looked up at them.  "You won't make me do it.  I won't do anything for anyone."

"We know," Clint promised.  Dawn got free by teleporting and they pounced her again.  "We had Stark shields on the place.  They're Hulk proof and you can't teleport out, Dawn."

She sneered.  "He won't get me either."

"No, he won't.  He's flinching each time he looks at your desk," Natasha assured her, trying to stay calm.  "Perhaps the way we fixed yours?"  Clint glared at her.  She shrugged.  "It could help."

"Mine was more like a possession, not little electrical things."  He was holding Dawn against a wall.  "We worked on it so she has the right responses when we need to help her calm down."  Natasha nodded they did as she went to the bedroom.  If they had to tie Dawn down, so be it.  They had brought stuff for that.  He walked her in there and let Natasha handle the hitching down while he guarded.

"Real cute," she sneered.

Clint sat beside her, stroking over her hair.  "I have no idea why the EMP didn't work.  We'll figure it out."  She pulled away.  "Dawn, it's us."   He checked the bond, reopening it fully.  She was struggling behind it.  He and Natasha helped her push at them.  It created a few moments of lucidity.  "We have you," he promised quietly and calmly.  "We'll figure out why the EMP didn't work."  She nodded, gulping air.

"Just relax, let us help."  She went limp and the evil her came back.  They got her calmed down and into a resting state.  He made sure her mind wasn't going to go somewhere odd like 'I've been captured and I'm not being rescued' while Natasha talked with Coulson about what was going on.  The bad thoughts were prompting her back into the ones that she had been given while under capture back in Romania.  That was never something they wanted to awaken, including Dawn's wishes not to go back to that state unless it was an emergency.

"It has to be a magical protection or the Key," Natasha said.  Clint nodded once.  "He's not sure which.  He's not sure why Ares showed up to torment her for a few minutes."

Clint stared then at her.  "When the extra ones showed up, he tried to grab one."

"Interesting."  Coulson showed up and put on a second layer of shields, ones that would prevent any god or any other higher being from getting in or out.  "What do we do?"

"We have two choices according to Stark and Andrew.  We can stop her for a few minutes then restart her once the higher EMP that would kill her anyway had killed the nanites or we can do it the hard way and have to magic them and then filter.  Which will leave some."  Clint glared at him.  "I do not like the choices, Barton.  I'm only repeating."

"What did McKay say?"

"Not a lot that wasn't swearing at himself."  He sat on the free spot on the bed.  "Dawn?"  She glared at him.  "Give me that look again, watch me spank you."  She went limp, looking like she was capitulating.  He looked at them.  "Risky or risk of reoccurrence?"

"I hate the first option," Clint said.

"The higher EMP we'd have to use would do it anyway.  It could cause a lot of damage."

"Can we wait a day and make sure there's no other solution?" Natasha asked.  Coulson nodded.  "She was raiding the sexbot company."

"They were testing her.  We've already moved in and shut them down."

Clint snapped.  "Can we transfer them to her metallic self?"

"We might be able to."  He called that in and one of the other agents brought one to them.  It was a creepier sexbot model instead of a more girlfriendly one.  Coulson handed it in so they could do another minor EMP pulse.  Some of them did flee.  Stark had built a sensor so they could tell who had some.  It was now part of JARVIS' sensor set in all the companies.

Dawn was in agony.  The EMP was bothering her heart rhythm.  It wasn't fully helping.  Natasha made the decision and without consulting anyone used her widow's bite to fully stop Dawn's heart for a few minutes.  The nanites fled to the fake Dawn.  They all had personal shields so they couldn't hit them again.  Then they got to work bringing her back.  Phil ended up zapping her back to working then he slumped and watched.

Dawn woke up and blinked at them.  "I do not want to turn into Buffy.  You all suck."

Clint nodded.  "Sorry."

"You're still getting it."

"You can kick my ass if you want," he promised, putting a personal shield on her and sending the sexbot to be taken apart in the bathroom.  The agents were very helpful and cleared out after a few minutes.  He relaxed, looking at her over their bond.  He could see all the bad ideas it had liked.  "I'm hoping Stark's mind isn't that bad," he said quietly.

Phil shook his head.  "Don't ask.  Even he won't look at how dark he went."  He kissed her on the forehead, checking her with the sensor.  "There's a few but they're shut down."  He called in the quit code but something made him stop.  "They used a different one in case she was infested."  He went to find it from Warren.  He saw him appear and started to scream for help.  "What's the quit code if Dawn got infected?" he asked politely.  Nurses came in.  "No!"  They stopped.  "I'm not hurting him.  He knows I will but I am not presently doing more than scaring him."  He stared at him.  "What's the quit code?"

"Their birthdays!"

"The ones on file?  Because they're wrong."

"Yes.  They're wrong?  Who does that!"

"People who need to.  Which order?"

"Him then her.  It'll turn them all back on if not."

Coulson stared at him.  "We'll be talking sometime soon, Warren Meers."  Warren shrank away from him.  Phil walked off and left, heading back there.  "Your birthday then hers," he told Natasha.  "The ones on file."

"So the ones she celebrates," Clint said, dialing it and inputting it.  He felt the few spark up.  "The tenth, right, 'Tasha?"

"Twelfth."  They had to hit her with a minor EMP again and then do it.  Dawn went limp.  They both checked to make sure she was still alive.  They settled in to rest around her until Dawn was calm and ready to be released.  They had noticed the slight cognitive traces of discord and they'd have to watch that.

Coulson walked out and made sure the door locked behind him.  Then he went to make a report.  Apparently the clinic had called up to complain but yay.  He wrote the report while waiting on Fury to get off the phone, printing it and handing it over once he had hung up.  "He deserved me hitting him for it," he admitted.  "They decided she was mean and evil because she took care of them and made them horny."

Fury nodded.  "Some men can't handle smart, strong women.  How is she?"

"Not good but she'll heal."

"Where are they?"

He smiled.  "They had her tested by raiding their company of information."

"That's sweet of them.  The same ones who did the bots?"  Coulson nodded once.  "The information?"

"With the agents still over there."

"How did you get here?"  He held up the sensor and remote for the Stark satellite.  "That's handy."

"I'm one of the few keyed into it.  We made sure when he created it."  He smiled a bit.  "She'll be fine but it'll probably take a few days."  He left.  "Joyce, they got the nanites out of her and she's calming down."

She sighed.  "Good!  Are they with her?"

"Yes."

"Even better."  She rubbed her head.  He tipped her chin up to look at her.  "Headache.  I just had a scan."

"Okay, just making sure.  We're all a bit paranoid."  She smiled at him for it.  "Doctor Banner's down in the labs."  He walked off to seethe in his office.  Someone deserved some retribution for touching his almost-little sister.

Xander appeared, staring at him.  "If you want help, let me know."

"I will."  He stared at him.  "Why would Ares want one of the Keys?"

"Because it's really powerful and he's had a spell forever that would ensure almost any battle's win for him with one."  He shrugged.  "I'm pretty sure it's a power weapon."  He stared at him.  "I can't even scry."

"Extra shields."

"Okay.  Stark's in a self loathing loop."

"I can't help him out of it.  He won't let me."

He went to talk to him, staring at him.  "I'm pretty sure if you had tried, she would've killed your genius ass."  Stark stiffened.  He smiled.  "She's fine.  Phil said she's fine.  I'm feeling a bit of memory blockage but otherwise fine."

"That's good.  Great actually.  I still have these thoughts."

"Yeah, so do I from the hyena."  He shrugged.  "You have bad ones from the PTSD too, Stark.  You have ones leftover from the battles you've been in."  Tony looked at him.  "Want me to blow smoke up your ass?"  Tony shook his head.  "Welcome to what Dawn deals with daily."  Tony slumped and nodded.  "You can control it.  It's not that hard.  In those, you have a moral compass.  You know you'd never try it.  Not on Pepper, not on Dawn, not on someone you're casually screwing for the night."  Tony snorted.  "Or whoever you're seeing."  He smirked a bit.  "The only way to deal with those is either push them down and lock them away or exorcize them.  I can find you an old priest and a young priest."

"No, I don't think that'll help."  He rubbed his forehead.  "It's going to be hard when she comes back."

"Since when has easy been the favored way?"

"It's not," Tony agreed.  He looked up.  "I'm going to be fighting it for a while."

"Probably years.  The same as I have and Barton does and Dawn does."  He nodded.  "Welcome to the wonderful world of being mind fucked.  It's not as fun as stories about telepathic sex make it out to be."  That got a happier sounding snort.  "Only you can do it unless you suddenly mentally bond with Pepper.  And then she'd probably kick your ass."

"She would.  I had...."

Xander patted him on the shoulder.  "I know.  I saw."  Tony winced.  "There's a guy in Rio who has worse plans for her.  I'm not sure why they let him live.  Andrew's dealing with his own.  His brother made sure he knew what the dark looked like."  Tony shuddered.  "He's always dealt with it.  Even heros have dark sides.  That's why so many of them go into S&M for punishment after battles."  He patted him again.  "Only you can fight that mental fire.  She's got the same ones.  She was sensitive enough to read some of those."  Tony winced.  "And she knew it wasn't you.  She was going to take off Barton's head for him, and then the other one's."

Tony nodded.  "I get it, Xander."

"Good.  Of course you can ask."

"Would lethe water help?"

"No.  The little hidden urges would still pop up and you'd be horrified because you couldn't remember why you had them.  There's no easy way."

Tony nodded, looking up at him.  "Thanks."

"Welcome."  He patted him again.  He showed him something.  "That's how you push them into a little box.  You've done it with other memories."  He nodded and settled in to work on that.  Xander went to talk to Andrew.  "She's fine."  He looked up.  He stared at him.  "I remember your brother, Andrew."  He leaned on the foot of the bed.  "You good?"

"No."

"Is it worse now?"

"I'm pushing it back down.  I've had surges of bad ideas through the years."

"I know.  The same as I know Jonho could use you right now."

"It's better if I don't."

"If you let this fracture you, you'll never get it back," he said quietly.  "I can put you two together."

Andrew considered it then nodded.  "He needs an anchor."

"You both need one," Xander corrected.  "You're the best anchor for each other.  Sentinel and guide, to go fandom geek, though I'm not sure which is which," he finished with a smirk.

Andrew grinned.  "He is.  He notices more stuff."  He shifted.  Xander went to get Jonathan and brought him.  "Hey."

Jonathan stared at him.  "Hey."  Xander gave him a shove so he moved closer.  "It wasn't us."

"No, it wasn't us," Andrew promised.  Jonathan relaxed.  "We've got to lock them up and handle it.  Before she comes back."

"You've got at least a few weeks," Xander said.   "They just barely broke all hers out today."  He disappeared to talk to McKay.  Who was in another type of self-loathing loop.  He stared at him.  "Hating the Genii is reasonable.  Hating yourself for wanting to turn just as psychotic is just as reasonable."

Rodney glared at him.  "I don't need some happy soft science bullshit from the psychobabble squad."

"Good.  Never really liked shrinks."  He sat on the foot of his bed, ignoring the kick and the grimace he got for it.  "Is it better or worse than the urges after bad battles?"

"Worse."

"Can you handle it the same way?"

"Maybe.  I'm working on it."

Xander took his hand and showed him.  "That's the locking away a memory meditation."  Rodney nodded.  "I can't lie and say there's an easy way, Rodney.  There's not."

"I realized that after the second battle."

"Yeah and you've still got PTSD from all that up there, and from back in the lab in Russia when you were attacked, all that.  That's why you never sleep."  He stared at him.  He considered it.  "John didn't start to journal things until after Rome," he said quietly.  "After I totally lost my shit and nearly destroyed the known world because they took out my mortal family."  Rodney stared at him, slightly stiff.  "I nearly killed Roque.  That's where he got the scar.  He was trying to get me calmed down and I attacked.  I was in such grief that I could not find reality.  It took six pantheons two months to put out all the fires I started during that battle."  He stared him down.  "Then John had to get it out of him.  So he started a journal."

"I saw him doing it," he said quietly.  "It's not something I think about."

"It's not a shrink."

"No, it's not," he agreed.  "It's a surrogate for talking it out."  Xander nodded.  "Do you?"

"No.  I tried.  I tried that, I tried talking to people I respected, ones who could mind heal.  There's no healing from how I broke."  He stood up.  "I reverted back a few centuries to a more wild time.  I'm still there.  I know I'm still broken and there's been things since then that broke me further."  He stared at him.  "You're going to turn into me if you don't handle it."

"I can try that."  He stared at him.  "Does your new consort know that?"

"Probably.  Someone told him about Rome."  He shrugged.  "If not, he can read me the same as I can read you because you're under my aegis."

Rodney nodded.  "You could try again."  Xander snorted and let his shields down a bit.  Rodney shivered.  "You need to work on it more than I do."

"Yeah, probably.  It's why I don't hang out with the twins all that often, or Callia."  He carefully rebuilt his shields.  "Don't turn into me."

"I'd hope I never do.  The point is taken."

"Good.  However works for you, dude.  Dawn's going to have enough problems since she reverted back to the mind control state she used to be in.  I'm not sure if she even remembers that they're together."  He disappeared, heading over there.  He stared at Dawn, laying a hand on her head.  He considered it then moved something.  It made her stiffen.  "Calm down, Dawn."

He found the sticking spot and hit it with a bit of power, making it shift.  He stared at her.  "Remember more now?"  She nodded, swallowing.  He showed her how to do the same meditation.  She nodded again.  "Good.  Now, rest.  You need rest and food."  He smiled.  "I talked to the others.  Andrew and Jonathan are healing.  Stark's working on his own things.  So's Rodney."  He patted her on the arm.  "Let them help.  You're turning as stubborn as I am."  He disappeared.

"I thought the shields were god proof," Natasha said.

"I think they're lesser god proof," Clint decided.  "Not a lot keeps Xander out of places."  He stroking her hair back.  "You trimmed it."

"It was in my way.  It makes me look different."

"It does," he agreed. "Older, less wise."  He kissed her on the nose.  She went stiff.  "It's cool.  Remember us better now?"

"I...."  He pushed open the link again, making her feel them.  She looked at Natasha, who did the same thing.  Dawn still looked lost.  Clint found the ring Dawn had taken off, sliding it back on her finger.  "That's mine?"

"Yup, that's yours."  He kissed it then her.  "When you're ready, we'll be here."  He laid down again.  She went limp and examined the new memories with their help.  Clint was reading.  Natasha was cleaning weapons.  Dawn felt like she was stuck in hell.  She saw flashes of them.  It was confusing.  Clint helped her find the box of memories the nanites had created.  She opened it and suddenly she was overwhelmed.  Natasha reached over to stroke her stomach while he just held her.  It was appreciated and good.  She could work with this.

Clint looked at Natasha.  "She's still partially there.  Do we need to do the cognitive realignment the way you did mine?"

"Maybe," she admitted.  "If so, we'll deal with it."  He nodded, relaxing again.  He had been here, it was hell to go through.  She hadn't had to deal with this part after they had been captured.  Now they were all going through it together.  It sucked a lot and he wanted to help her but he couldn't.  All he could do was hold her.  Natasha had helped him and they'd both help Dawn even though she had to do most of the work this time.

Dawn laid there and thought, looking at things.  She saw a lot of things that she wasn't sure were real.  They were overlaid with images.  Clint helped her remove those and it was better.  When he looked he flinched and undid the damage he had caused.  It restored the right memories instead of the altered ones.  She stared at him.  He shook his head.  "That is not what I wanted you to see.  We are not like that with you."  He opened up and let her deeper into his mind.  It was a risk but he knew he could stop Dawn from hurting him here too.  Dawn looked at them, looking confused.  He nodded.  "Exactly."

She went limp again, shaking her head.  "I'm confused."

"I know."  He hummed mentally and she relaxed again.   Natasha was going behind him to straighten up things that had been altered.  She could tell.  Dawn focused on her and she cautiously let her into her mind.  Dawn nearly fell apart at what she showed her.  Clint picked up his book and went back to reading, over their bond.  It worked as well as music did with Dawn.  Natasha smiled at him for it.  They could handle this.

***

Lady Mnemosyne showed up that night, staring at the trio.  "There's no reason to be that tight to help her.  She has to do some of it herself," she told Natasha, who had sent her a prayer.  Natasha showed her why and she grimaced.  "What did that?"  That got shown too.  "Eww!"

Natasha nodded.  "It fractured some things."

"That sort of trauma can, especially when she's brought back."  She tested Dawn's mind, then Clint's mind.  She separated them a bit, which woke them both.  She smiled at Dawn.  "Quit fighting, young lady."  She tested a few things and nodded.  "That," she said, showing them.  "Is where the problem is.  It's created by those.  Whoever did those little machines hated her."

"They did," Clint said.  "Hated most women actually."

"Some men are damaged that way."  She showed them how to fix it.  "It's going to take a few weeks at the least."  They nodded.  "She can probably fake it at work if she must."

"If so we'll handle it," Natasha promised.  The goddess smiled and patted her on the head before leaving.  "Now we know how to help her."

Clint kissed her.  "Thanks."

"Welcome."  They had moved Dawn to the center of the bed so they could curl up around her.  Dawn was not happy.  They let her up and go to the bathroom.  The bot had finally been removed.  It had creeped them out earlier.  Dawn had questioned if she was real and had made a cut in her arm to make sure she bled.  She had understood but Clint had not been happy.  Dawn had let him fuss, looking confused, but she had let him.  That was the important thing.

***

Dawn looked around the room the next day, still hitched down to the bed.  "Do I usually get hitched down?"

"No," Natasha said.  "It's to make sure you can't harm yourself again.  I'd consider drugging you but it won't do you much good."  Dawn huffed but nodded.   "You have other questions?"

"I do.  I'm...  I'm with both of you?"  Natasha nodded, showing her things.  "Why?  Not that I'm saying you're not pretty or anything but is that considered good and normal?"

"You make us very happy and we do the same for you," Natasha said.  "The memories will come back, Dawn."  Dawn nodded she knew that.  Natasha helped her uncover a few more layers.  By then, Clint was in the shower and Dawn needed to pee.  She released her and let her do that.  Natasha sighed.  "I don't know why she can't remember," she said quietly.  "If it was the EMP pulses or not."  She looked that up.

Clint heard someone in the bathroom and felt, finding Dawn.  "Hey, Short Stuff."

"I'm not that short."

"It's a joke, Dawn."  He glanced out at her.  "Go ahead."  He went back to his shower, humming some to give her some privacy.  Most people still wanted privacy when going to the bathroom.  She did and washed her hands then wandered back out.  He sighed in displeasure.  Dawn would've usually joined him and let him at least get in some cuddling time.  He missed their Dawn.  That gave him a thought that he sent at Xander, who appeared with a mirror then left.  Clint smiled, bringing it out when he was done.  "Here."  He set it up to show her.  He dried off and redressed, laying back down beside her.  "This was before all that."

She watched, still confused.  It skipped some time.  "What was that?"

"That..."  He looked at Natasha.

"Someone captured us for a bit so we would be their soldiers instead," Natasha said.  "They tried some mind control, which is where you learned how to do what you did to that company."  Dawn nodded, letting it go on.  It wasn't always pretty but that was their life.  It didn't gloss over the sex or the fights, just boring things that had no bearing.

"So we're back to where we were then?" she asked with a point.

"No," Clint said.  "You had your memories then."

"Oh."  She went back to watching.  "We're hot together."

"We are," he agreed.  He squeezed her hand.  She was staring at them having sex.  "You pounced her," he said in her ear.  She shivered.  "When you're better, you can do it again."

She looked at him.  "What if I don't get better?"

"Then we'll rebuild what we can and move on."  He stroked over her cheek.  "I'm a bit possessive over you sometimes."  She blushed and turned her head some.  He kissed her and let her get back to watching.  He missed that Dawn just as much as she did.  Natasha felt the same sort of loss and it was hurting them all.  Dawn was trying though and that was the important thing.  Someone knocked and he got up to answer the door.  Xander handed over something.  "I don't think we're ready for that yet."

"I'm betting she'll try it."  He handed him something.  "Her memories from before."

Clint smiled.  "Thanks, Xander."  He took them to put on her head.  The egg glowed and she flinched but slowly relaxed.  He looked at her.  "Did that help?"

She nodded.  "Now I remember why I pounce you two."  She frowned.  "But not everything and now there's clashes."

"We can help you figure it out," Natasha promised.  Dawn nodded, letting her pet her.  Clint looked hurt.  She pointed out mentally that Dawn had just been fighting men with ideas about her health.  He nodded he knew that and curled up again.  "What else did he bring?"  He showed her.  "Hmm.  Might be a good idea."  She kissed him then Dawn, who blinked at her.  She smiled.  "It will work itself out."

"Why did whoever bring condoms?"

"He's like your big brother," Clint told her.  "He thought you might want them when you're better."

"Is it going to be soon? My head feels like it's stuffed full."

He nodded.  "Hopefully.  We miss you."

Dawn sniffled.  "You're making me emo."

He kissed her with a grin.  "That's fine."  He settle in again, blushing at what it was showing.  "My birthday."

Dawn watched.  The bondage thing looked a bit familiar since she was still tied to the bed.  It was clear she loved and trusted them.  She let them handle everything for her and she was begging in a voice so rough it was like a cat's tongue across her nerves, making her shiver.  Clint just held her tighter.  It was moving and powerful.  "I wish I remembered all this properly," she whispered.

"Us too, Dawn.  We want you back sooner instead of later."  Clint nuzzled her throat and held her.  "We're here until you're better and able to start doing things again."

A vengeance demon appeared, looking smug.  "Why should someone grant that wish?"

Clint stared at her.  He knew what that was.  "Is one of the shields down, Natasha?"

She looked.  "One's unplugged."  She fixed that.  The demon unplugged it with a rolled eye look.

Clint stared at her.  "Because the amount of hell that everyone involved is going through?  Because she had to take out three higher demons and they might survive otherwise?"

She considered it, sending that at D'Hoffryn.  "The others would still probably realize something happened."

D'Hoffryn appeared.  "Those three owing us would be nice," he admitted.

"They'd probably still know," Natasha said.  "They have kept memories before when others have not."

D'Hoffryn considered it, nodding.  "Probably."  He frowned.  "What is that one doing?"

"If it's one of the geek duo, we'll help him," Clint said.  "They're like brothers to Dawn."

D'Hoffryn pulled one and took the knife from him, shoving him at the bed.  "Some day you'll save humanity," he complained.  "And demon kind.  I can't let you do that right now."

"I'm not a hero," he said.

Clint grabbed him and pulled.  "Hug Dawn, Jonathan.  Now."  He sniffled.  She felt how sad he was so she pulled him down to cuddle.  "What's the cost of the wish to have them not been infected?"

"Someone will still have to find it, and will probably spend some time in the infirmary."  D'Hoffryn stared at him.

Clint nodded.  "I can do that."

"Don't you dare!  You're not getting sick to save me!" Dawn said hotly.

He kissed her on the lips and grinned.  "If it'll make you better, I can handle a few days of hell."

"I could find it instead," Natasha said.

"There's no reason for you to have been in the maintenance tubes," Clint said.  "I probably passed by it and never realized."

"Twice," D'Hoffryn agreed.  He stared at the one who would one day save humanity by helping a hero too much and then the Key, which he respected.  He noticed the others in her.  "How?" he asked.

"Andrew," Jonathan said, giving her a squeeze.  He saw the mirror and blushed, looking away.  "Damn that's hot."

"I am and I'm a bit weirded out," Dawn admitted.  He looked at her.  "Fractured memories."

"I'd like to kill them."  He gave her another squeeze.

D'Hoffryn sighed.  "Fine, I'll save the heros.  This time."  He cast the wish himself.  "So you found it before it went off."  The world shifted.

***

Jonathan looked up once he landed.  He still knew what had happened, what might have happened.  It was like an ache in his mind.  He looked at Andrew, who was slumped on himself.  "It wasn't us."

"It wasn't," he agreed, giving him a hug.  "I'll beat you with one of Dawn's stripper shoes if you EVER think about that again," he hissed against his ear.  Jonathan nodded, hugging him back.

***

In his lab, Rodney shuddered, stomach clenching.  He slowly let the breath out and calmed himself down.  He was not like that.  He had not attempted to hunt Dawn down to hurt her and then kill her.  He had not turned dark and evil.  He could make sure of it now.  He would never hurt Dawn, especially not that way.  It would not happen and the ones that wanted it to have happened were dead people when he got them.

***

Tony was gripping the table, head down.  The knowledge of what had happened and then unhappened was going to make him sick.  He knew in glowing detail what he had plotted.  How bad his mental depths were.  He looked up.  "JARVIS, if I ever get that bad, I want you to knock me out or take me out," he said quietly.

"What?" the AI asked.  "I do not understand that command."

Tony sighed.  "So you don't have memories, good to know."  He cleared his mind and set down protocols in case he ever got that bad.  JARVIS was the last line if he couldn't do it himself because he would not be allowing Dawn to do it.  It wasn't her job.  He called Natasha.  "If I should go there, deal with me," he ordered.  He relaxed at her 'of course I would'.  The knowledge of what was current hit him and he nodded.  "How is he?"  He grimaced.  "You can bring him here.  I know he's in quarantine but we can handle that.

"Coulson might remember the code."  He quit gripping the table.  "Tell me if I can help," he ordered.  "No, there's a few of us here."  He hung up and went to find the boys.  He saw the scared looks and nodded.  "You weren't yourself."  They shuddered.  "None of us were and it showed how much she trusted you two."  Andrew nodded, looking down.  He gave them both a hug.  "All you can do is remind yourself it was not you."  He looked at Jonathan.  "And that you'd never do something like that."

"I wouldn't."

"Neither would I.  That's why it's called mind control."  Jonathan nodded.  "There, Xander compared it to what Dawn deals with daily from the time they had her hostage," he said quietly.  They stared at him.  "It wasn't you, the same as that wasn't her."

"I get that but I was horrible," Jonathan said.

Tony let out a bitter snort.  "Junior, you had nothing on what I planned.  I found new depths that not even hell would consider."  Jonathan shuddered.  "If you're that close, you talk to one of us."  Jonathan nodded, looking down.  "Even if it's Andrew, or Natasha, or Joyce."  He nodded again.  "Good boy."  He gave him another hug.

"Andrew, you were damn impressive.  I'm making you do more work."  Andrew whimpered.  "But you get time off for dates."  Andrew relaxed.  He gave him another hug.  "Relax.  It was not here."  They nodded.  "Though that other one is clearly a mental midget."  He let them go, going to find Rodney.  He found Pepper first and pulled her in for a hug.  She was stiff.  They were in the halls.  "Just...  Hush," he ordered and held her.  He could relax around her, let his mind fix itself.

She petted him.  "I remember too."  He looked at her.  "I guess so I could make sure you don't drop over the edge of sanity."

He shook his head.  "There was a hole," he said.

"I think that's why she locked you in a room.  You were a damn scary geek."  He nodded, shifting some so she comforted him.  "It didn't happen here."  He shuddered.  She gave him a squeeze.  "I thought it was nice two of them took themselves out by not remembering to eat."  He laughed and let her go.  "You're okay."

"I'm okay."  He kissed her.  "Dinner?"

"Go find Rodney and get drunk with him and the boys."  She smiled.  "We'll have dinner once Clint's out of the infirmary."

"I can do that."  He found Rodney in his usual lab and nodded.  "I'm getting plastered with intent."

Rodney snorted.  "Yes we are."

"Pepper suggested we bring the boys."

"Andrew was really impressive."

"His brother taught him how to survive.  Which if he was alive I'd cure for him."  That got a nod and they picked up the boys, taking them to the tinkering lab.  "We need to build nanite sensors too, guys."  They nodded, settling in to drink and tinker and build.  The two younger geniuses were drunk faster, they had nothing on Tony's history of alcoholism, or Rodney's past with liquor.  Still, it helped them all.  By midnight they had managed to push the bad memories back down so they didn't have to remember that night.

***

Dawn looked up at the calling that was starting.  "My boyfriend is in the hospital," she growled.  "I'm not coming.  That's not nearly as important as this."  It stopped.  She shifted, staring at Clint through the window.  They wouldn't let anyone in with him.  Fury was giving her a strange look.  "Dinner."

"You should eat."

"Formal dinner."

"You could still go eat."

She looked at him.  "Watch me turn you into a ferret again."  He backed off.  Natasha was laughing in her corner.

Hera's handmaiden appeared.  "Dawn, it's a great snub."  Dawn pointed.  "Still."

Dawn glared.  "If my boyfriend wasn't in critical care I might attend.  Right now he's in a really bad spot medically and I'm going to fucking well be here.  If the goddess of marriage doesn't understand that, that's why there's divorces so she can find someone who loves her that way."  She stared her down.  "I don't really give a goddess damned bit of a care about anything like a formal dinner at the moment.  My place is here, with my boyfriend, so we can help him get better.   If that's considered a snub, then up theirs."

The handmaiden nodded, backing off.  "I'll remind her of that.  Should we send dinner?  Where is Phil?  They wanted him up to sit with Xander."  She pointed at him.

"No way in hell," he said quietly.  "Clint's a friend."

She bowed.  "I'll let them know."  She went up to tell her goddess in more polite language.  "She said her boyfriend was in a very critical condition and that was what she should be doing, not being up here," she said respectfully, looking down.  "She said it was not meant as a snub but that anyone who had love should understand that, especially a goddess of marriage."  She glanced up.  "Phil said that he was a friend so he was also sitting vigil."

Hera nodded.  "That is reasonable.  He is that badly off?"

"He is in a sealed room, Lady Hera," she said quietly.  "With many machines I know not the use of."

She nodded.  "Very well.  We will excuse them this time."  Her handmaiden bowed and went to her usual seat behind her Goddess.  She looked at Xander, who didn't look happy to be there.  "We will see them the next dinner."

Xander quirked an eyebrow up at her.  "Will we?"  He ate a bite.  She glared.  He stared back.  Then he went back to eating.

***

"Dawn, no going into his head.  We're not sure if they can pass across," Phil warned.

"It can't.  If so, don't kill me to cure it."  He flinched.  "Unless necessary."  She gave him a hug and settled down to keep Clint's mind carefully out of touch.

"Dawn, you're not a goddess," Fury noted.

"No, you're right.  I'm not.  I'm a mystical artifact that can cast some really powerful healing spells," she said.  "Which you're trying to keep me from doing."  He backed off again.  She went full on glow and Fury nearly ran from the room.  Dawn concentrated and felt a healing spell hit her mind.  She smiled and used it.  Clint flinched on the bed but the nanites went running.

The storm she created in there zapped all the little fuckers.  She checked.  He had a few left but she zapped them and made them flee.  She relaxed the magic, opening her eyes to look in there.  The nurses in the hazmat suits were giving her odd looks.  She stared back.  They looked away and checked on him.  She went back to keeping his mind busy.

"You're right, you're tone deaf mentally," he called.

She smiled.  "That's why I have you.  You sound nicer than me when you sing."

He laughed.  "Thanks, Dawn."

"Welcome."  She relaxed against Natasha's side, getting a subtle pat.  Phil sat on her other side and gave her a hug.  "Thanks."

"Thank you."

"You know I'd do anything I need to so they're okay," she said quietly.  Natasha smiled at her.  She squeezed her hand.  "Both of you."

"I know."  She patted her.  "We'll still have to make sure he's fully clear of them."

"I know."  That meant at least another day in here.  She heard someone in the hallway making a joke about Barton and mind control being his usual state so she got up and went to knock him out.  She stared down at him after her punch sent him down.  "Really?" she asked.  "Because think of what would've happened if he hadn't found it.  Do you think Stark would become *nicer*?" she demanded.  He shook his head, scooting away from her.  "Think about it, Agent Idiot, before I have to rip your component parts apart."  He got up and scrambled off.  She looked at the other staring agents.  They all walked off too.

A few went to buy congratulations cards because only girlfriends and wives got that pissed off on your behalf.  The rest went to hide.  They had seen Dawn in a battle situation but they couldn't fight against magic.

Phil looked at her.  "You still move too far when you punch."  She snorted.  He hugged her, taking her back in there.  "Sit and distract him.  He's looking bored."

"I agree, you still shift too far when you hit," Clint said.  "We'll work on that in a few days."  She sniffled but nodded.  "None of that."  He stared at her.  He knew she remembered.  Natasha did too.  She slumped and sat down.  He reminded her that he felt the same way and she had been hurt a lot worse than he had been.  And he'd go kick that agent around once he got out.  She went back to humming crappy club music at him.  He grimaced.  "Black Eyed Peas?  Really?" he asked.

"Someone took that with them on a mission for O'Neill," she joked weakly, smiling at him.

"Great, so the whole universe thinks that we have humps."  He shook his head.  "At least switch to a better band?"  She did and it was nicer.  Still her music instead of his but she hadn't memorized any of his and his mp3 player was at home.  Summoning it over that distance would erase it.  Phil's phone had Pandora radio so she turned it on and got into some music he liked.  It was appreciated and he mentally cuddled her.

Fury walked in and stared at her.  "If you're going to assault the agents I'm going to kick you out of the building."

"Then they probably shouldn't joke about him being controlled being his natural state," she shot back, staring at him.  He glared.  She growled.  He backed down slightly.  "I only hit him once."

"You did," Natasha agreed.  "It saved me from doing it."

Fury huffed but walked off to yell at the agent for provoking it.  She was warned.  Not that he thought he could keep them apart.  It was clear she was doing the telepathy thing again with Barton.  He'd have to ask if that came with side effects.  If he was going to become telepathic full time, he'd need some training time.  If it was bonding those two, or three because he wasn't blind, then he'd have to do something about it.  Unfortunately the only two he knew who could answer it were either at a godly dinner or at home with the twins and not answering calls from him.

***

Clint finally got home and Dawn settled in to fuss him into needing the infirmary again.  She was mid-fuss over his dinner when he pulled her down and cuddled her.  It calmed her down, him down, and let him relax.  "Not used to the super hero fussing," he said quietly.

"I'm great at it."

"You are, but I started having 'mom' feelings and it creeped me out."

"Sorry."

He grinned.  "No, it's great fussing."  He gave her a squeeze.  "This is better though.  Next time 'Tasha's hurt she can be the victim of super fussing."  Dawn laughed and snuggled in.  He looked over at Natasha.  "Your turn is next."

She smirked back.  "I don't cuddle."

"I've noticed that," Dawn quipped.  "Which sucks since you give such nice hugs."  Natasha blushed but finished off her part of dinner to bring out.  They sat up and Natasha took Clint's other side.  They ate and curled up to watch a movie.  It was a nice, quiet night in.  She and Clint were slowly separating out from each other's minds again.  She ran into a bit of thought from him and looked over.  "I saw that."

He grinned.  "I'm a guy, I think about that pretty often," he quipped.  Natasha sighed.  "She caught me daydreaming about you during a meeting the other day."  She blushed.  He winked.  "You're getting lucky later.  It'll make me feel like I'm home."

Dawn kissed him.  "If I had known you wanted that you already would've been tied to the bed."

"No tying me to the bed."

She grinned.  "Not even if we do it?"

"Nope.  Sorry."  She shrugged and settled in his lap to kiss him.  He moaned.  "When did you sneak chocolate?"

"I snuck some over."  She fed him the last hershey kiss, earning a smile.  They went into the bedroom, letting him be spoiled greatly by the two women.  Natasha fell asleep before Clint was done, they had worn her out together.  That meant he got Dawn all to himself tonight.  That was always a fun thing.  He flipped her onto her back and smirked down at her.  "I want you here tonight."

"You know I'm always up to whatever you want."  She stroked over his cheek, moving some hair off his sweaty forehead.  "What did you want me to do for you?"

"Enjoy it."

She smiled.  "I think that's a given, Clint."

He laughed and kissed her, then moved down to tease her.  They hadn't had time for more than quickies recently.  He had missed having the time to take his full appreciation of her body.  "Thank you for leaving some hair."  He tugged on it with his lips and shifted further back.  She moaned and opened up for him.  She was so sensual and loved oral sex.  Good thing he had taught her to love it.  Soft, gentle, teasing, tempting licks.  Moving slowly toward making her grip Natasha to steady and ground herself.

Then the vision hit.  He helped her calm down, making her take deep breaths, holding her until it was finished.  "What was it?"

"You."  She rubbed her forehead.  "Fury made you drop us.  He made both of you break it off."

"I'd never do that."

She looked at him.  "He gave you a choice of the team or me, Clint."

"No, he won't.  If he does, I'm quitting."  He stared at her.  "They need me and I'll do it like the others do."  He kissed her.  "So I was leaving?"  She nodded, swallowing.  "Nat?"

"Leaving later."

He gave her a squeeze.  "I'll have a talk with him later."  She relaxed.  He got her calmed down and soothed back into a cuddly mode.  He and Natasha looked at each other over Dawn's chest.  This wasn't the first hint she'd seen of that but they hadn't been sure if it was some low self esteem.  Now they knew.  Dawn was fully limp and relaxed, without the usual headache, and he had a good way to distract her.  She whimpered when he sucked on her neck, tipping it to the side to give him better access.  He held her hand, their rings touching.  "I'm glad that you wanted to switch it," he said in her ear.

She shivered.  "Seemed better, more right."

"It is."  He kissed her and looked at Natasha's hand.  When she was with them, the ring got switched back to her ring finger.  He kissed them both and let the ladies tease him back into pouncing.  Dawn deserved a good pounce.  She deserved a great pounce.  Thankfully he was great at it and knew all her little hidden kinks.  Including her one for being claimed.  That made him feel like he was really home, really there, and really theirs.  They'd forgive him for being an alpha male.

***

Barton and Romanoff walked into Fury's office together and shut the door.  "Sir," Clint said.

Fury put down his pen.  "This looks bad."

"We don't consider it to be so."

Fury stared at him.  "I can't have agents who are together on the same team."

"That's fine, then I quit," Clint said simply.  "Does that solve it?"  Fury gaped.  He smirked.  "I'll kill you over my women, sir.  I still want to be on the team but I'll kill you over Dawn and Natasha.  If you force my hand, so be it."

Fury stared at her, getting a nod back.  "I feel the same way."

"That year off running from everyone ruined you two."

"Actually, it didn't."  Natasha smiled.  "I learned quite a lot.  Including that Dawn has a filthy mind at times."

"Can we please not remind me of that birthday?" he begged.  "And you two still owe me a birthday present beyond the new shooting gloves she got me and the new jacket you got me."

She smirked.  "You're getting it Saturday.  We'll celebrate both of our official ones together."

"Cool."  He grinned at Fury again.  He put down copies of the change of status paperwork and copies of the certificates.  "If you want me off the team, I'll go work for Stark.  I'm sure he can make a position as an assistant superhero or something."

Fury looked at them then sighed.  "You're forcing my hand."

"No, sir, you have a few choices," Clint offered.  "The sucky one we'll handle and I'll do it anyway.  Not like Stark's on the payroll."

"Do the others know?"

"Yup.  The whole team knows," Clint said with a smile.  "Coulson actually found them and told us."

"Summers did it without telling you?" he snorted.  Clint pointed at Natasha, making him gape.  "You did?"

"I was ready to make sure others subtly knew who was mine.  It was much more subtle than tattooing my name on them."

"Barely," he complained.

"It was fully hidden," Clint admitted.  "We didn't know until Coulson found out."  He grinned.  "She had good taste of where to hide them."

Natasha nodded.  "I did, yes."

Fury cleared his throat.  "This puts me in a difficult position.  I've noticed you three are...tighter than before that time."

"Dawn went a bit telepathic during it and it helped us hold her steady," Clint admitted.  "She keeps a light tether on us, which we can block off, to make sure she's all right.  That's how she knew that I was in trouble that day."

"That makes more sense.  I've seen you echoing her a few times."

"It's a very light tether.  Sometimes she asks about dinner."  He shrugged.  "It let me know when there was an energy creature in one of the storage buildings that zapped her."

"I had to get her restarted," Natasha said.  "It was not a good day."

"No, I doubt it was," Fury said, frowning at her.  "Energy creature?"

"Two improperly stored failed creations."

"I don't need to know."  He looked at Barton.  "What happens if one of them gets pregnant?"

"There's shots for that," he said bluntly.  "And pills.  Not to mention condoms and other birth control methods.  As for when they want kids, then I'll be there happily, sir, and doing my best husbandly duty every few hours."  Natasha hit him on the arm.  "Or as often as they let me."  She punched him harder.  He grinned at her.  "I will be."

"I know."  She looked at the director.  "Neither of us are ready for that.  If it should happen by accident, we would evaluate the timing and make a decision.  Which you would hear about as soon as it became medically necessary."

He grimaced.  "Fine."  He stared at them.  "I should remove one of you.  The higher ups don't allow spouses to serve together."

Clint shrugged.  "Find a replacement for us, sir."  He smirked.  "There's not many."

"That's the only thing that's saving your job, Barton."

He shrugged.  "I can find another one that doesn't make me go on overseas missions now and then.  I'm pretty sure Stark won't send me to sex up someone for information ever again."

"So this is going to affect your duties?" he snorted.

"Not really.  I'm not the one you send on those.  You've sent Coulson on those more than you've sent me.  It may affect Natasha's duties."

"It may," she admitted.  "But I am getting older."  Fury gaped.  She stared him down.  "They do get wearing after a while."

"We'll see."  He grimaced at the paperwork, shredding them.  "I can't accept those or it's an automatic move of division.  I'd have to move one of you to training."  He looked at the certificates then shredded them since they were copies.  "It does not get out among the others."

"They're all aware we're dating, sir," Clint said.  "And if I find that little asshole who made the smart comment, he's going to go down again."

"Whatever.  Do it in the sparring ring."  He glared at him.

Clint smirked.  "Maybe.  I might shoot an arrow into his ass.  He's a sloppy agent anyway."

Fury grunted, looking at Natasha.  "You had a mission coming up."

"Where?"

"Uzbekistan."

"I'm not well liked there, but what was needed?"

"Your usual baiting job for information."

"I have trained three agents who can do the job to a satisfactory standard."

"Good.  I apparently need their names."  She wrote them down.  "Thank you.  Train a few more, and men."  He glared at Barton.  "I knew you were going to be a shitload of trouble as soon as you started dating Summers."

"Yet, you pushed us together," he said dryly.  "Even if it was the robotic version of you."

"Whatever."  He glared.  "We'll monitor this situation.  If things get out of hand or things change too noticeably we'll have to make a few choices."

"We would," Natasha agreed.  "It has not happened yet and we have been together since that incident, before the battle in Sunnydale."

Fury slumped.  "Really?"

Clint nodded.  "I think Dawn and I just moved into it, Natasha and I were ex's anyway, and one night we just fell together.  It was a good night."  She poked him.  He grinned at her.  "It was.  Even if there hadn't been a great dinner it was a good night.  Even with that issue."

"It was," she agreed, smiling at him.  She smirked at Fury.  "It's worked out well."

"I don't want or need details.  No conjugal visits on the hell carrier or in the building."

"It's not like we're in bunk rooms on the hell carrier," Clint joked.  "All the beds are terrible for backs anyway."

Fury glared.  "Still, it does not happen."

"Yes, sir."  He saluted with a smirk.  "Any other orders?"

"You had better be on something foolproof," Fury ordered Natasha.

"I have been since my original handlers showed up with some subliminal attempts for me to pay them back for my training."  He gaped, looking around.  "There was no report.  We handled it and made them flee."

"I should have known."  Natasha shook her head.  "Was there a physical problem?"

"It got handled and no one noticed," she said bluntly.

"I did but I was waiting on you to bring it up," Clint admitted.  She looked at him.  "Your taste changed."

Fury groaned.  "I do not need to know!"

Clint smiled.  "Good."  He walked out with her.  They both felt Dawn relaxing and stop eavesdropping.  He smirked at Maria Hill.  "We're celebrating our noted birthdays soon," he said in her ear.  "Sorry if we keep you up."

She blushed.  "Thanks for the warning.  I'll turn on the white noise generator.  It seems to help Melissa sleep."

He grinned.  "Helped Dawn a few times too when she was in the infirmary."  He followed Natasha off the admin area.

Joyce smirked at him.  "Remember the shovel rule," she called after him.

He grinned.  "I'm sure you're more creative than that, Joyce."

She laughed.  "Yes, I am."  He grinned.  Natasha smiled.  They left because they were off on medical leave for two weeks.  Stark was shut down to scan the building and make sure no other nanites or gas canisters were around.  They were probably going to keep up the twins she decided.   She would be.  Bruce came up to gather her for lunch.  She smiled and went with him, chatting about Dawn and Buffy's latest emails.  He was happy and she got to mug him for a kiss in the elevator since they had it alone this time.

***

Clint was kicked back on the bed after an awesome dinner that Dawn had cooked.  The ladies were in the bathroom together to get prepped for their birthday celebration.  He had seen the outfits they had chosen earlier be hung up and had many happy thoughts about them in them.  Dawn was such a tease but she always carried through for him and Natasha.  The ladies came out.  Well, two Natashas came out.

He tipped his head to the side, staring at them.  "This is a good birthday present."  He looked them over.  The choker was concealed.  One was wearing Dawn's thigh high boots and an outfit that was mostly indecent but clung to her every curve.  It looked like a really thin, short toga.  The other was wearing a front zip unitard and heels that were indecently high.  He shifted to take off his shirt.  The ladies moved closer, making him moan when they kissed over him then him.  "It's a good thing we have a few days off," he quipped.

"If you survive, we're switching," one of them said in his ear, making him shiver.  Right now, he couldn't really tell which one was which.  He'd find out as they moved on.  Dawn still had rhythm issues and Natasha played a lot harder than Dawn did.  He let them strip him off and laid between them while they teased each other.  Now and then one would stroke up his side or his leg.  It was the biggest tease; it was making him so hard.  He loved watching them go at it.  Then being 'twins' was going to drive him out of his mind.  Someone pounded on the door.

One of the ladies got up and strolled out, not minding her catsuit was partially unzipped for some neck teasing bites.  "Cap?" she asked, smiling at him.

He blushed.  "Um.... poker night?" he offered.

She smiled.  "The stated birthdays are being celebrated.  Tomorrow?  If they survive?"

He blushed and nodded.  "I can do that."  He nearly fled.  "Have a great night."  He jumped into the elevator when it came.  Maybe he'd go visit Tony and Callia.

She shut the door and strolled back, leaning down to lick over Clint's stomach before climbing onto the bed and focusing on her wife again.

Natasha tipped her head back and moaned at the teasing her other self was doing.

"Damn," Clint moaned.  "Ladies, maybe a bit more skin?"

They smirked at him.  "For you or us?"

"For all of us," he growled.  He reached up to unzip the catsuit and undo the strap on the flirty dress that was basically a wrapped tied piece of silk gauze. That left them in the celebration bikinis, which were the same bulletproof silk yarn but this time they weren't crocheted.  They were solid and woven, in purple.  He groaned as he leaned up to kiss them both.  They smirked, making him lay back down while they went back to teasing each other.  He almost knew which one was which but then one went down on the other and Natasha's moan of pleasure was unmistakable.  He'd know that sound anywhere, at any time.

He was running his hands over their sides, helping by undoing the ties holding the bottoms on.  Dawn leaned down to lick over his cockhead, making him flinch and pull her over for a kiss.  "Dawn," he moaned.  She chuckled.  "Oh, god."  She was moving to his throat to nibble and bite him.  One hard bite had him arching up and moaning.  Natasha was teasing his chest with a light massage.  He went limp so the ladies could do whatever they wanted.

He got used as the pillow that held Natasha up when Dawn went down on her, getting to hold her and tease her breasts while Dawn had a long, in-depth lunch of her.  Then Natasha flipped them over and pinned Dawn beside him so she could reciprocate, which left Clint with some options.  Some great options.  He decided to help with the tease for now.  His girls were such teases.  He wasn't going to last once they got to the better parts.  Dawn was making breathy, panting noises so he shifted to please Natasha the same way.  She was so wet, so needy, a single touch made her moan.

He teased Natasha until Dawn came then got her off, making her shake and clutch Dawn's body.  Maybe he was wrong and this was Dawn.  He slurped and moved up her back to kiss the back of her neck.  No, it was Natasha.  She flinched a tiny bit at that.  "Nat, if I live, this is going in my all time favorite spot," he said in her ear.  "Above Germany, above Romania, above the last birthday you two conspired on or the night we finally got it together."  He kissed her ear, nibbling on it.

She smiled back at him.  "I should hope so."  She took a real kiss, kneeling over Dawn's body.  "I believe it's your turn."

"I think it is too but I'm not sure where I want to start."  He looked them over.   "I feel like I should have an extra dick.  So many options."  She moaned and he slid up behind her, pushing her back over so he could push into her.  "Kiss her.  Make sure she's at least halfway to coming when I'm done with you."  Natasha laughed and went back to teasing Dawn.  They all liked it that way.  Dawn made such great noises for them.  "Out loud, Dawn.  I want to hear them all.  You're only quiet when it's you and Natasha or you and me in a broom closet."  Dawn quit biting her lip to hold them in.

The noises were as big of a turn on as the touching for him.  Natasha was usually quiet but tonight she was a vocal symphony of moans and pleading noises.  Dawn had flipped around to lick her while he rode her into a good nights sleep.  Natasha was licking on Dawn so she was more than ready for him.  It was so hot and he needed more control before it ended too soon.  Dawn got Natasha off for him and he pulled back.  Dawn licked him as he pulled out, earning a shiver.  "Your turn."

She rolled onto her stomach and crawled toward him.  "How did you want me, Clint?"

He moaned.  "I love you in all positions, Dawn."  He kissed her, tasting the sweetest things on her tongue.  He studied the bed.  "On your back.  Hands up above your head.  Grab the headboard for me."  She shivered but did it for him.  He leaned down to kiss her and work her up to where she was pleading.  He loved the begging noises the best.  She tried to move so he got to hold her hands down.  Which Dawn enjoyed so that was great.  He slid in and she moaned, arching up.  "Sensitive?"  She nodded.  He smirked.  "Good."

He rode her hard but slowly, drawing it out.  Tempting every last wiggle and twitch out of Dawn's body was the best sex ever.  Natasha was nearly asleep and watching them while teasing her own body.  He leaned down to kiss her too.  She smiled and let one of his hands help her touch herself.  Dawn was trying to get him deeper so that was nice.  Natasha came and went limp.  She reached over to take the necklace off Dawn.  Which showed trust so great that it was blinding.  It made him shiver and Dawn creel with need.

He sped up, going as deeply as he could each stroke.  He knew just how his bitches loved it and he was going to make sure Dawn was a puddle of goo by the time he was done.  She finally came and he followed, leaning down to kiss her.  She wrapped her arms around his neck and nearly inhaled his mouth.  He grinned and they each kissed Natasha the same way.  They curled up with Dawn in the center and it was a great night.  There was not a single dream all night long for any of them.

***

Phil had the night off.  The twins were with Tara and Maria Hill.  Tara was teaching their son about dresses while shopping and Melissa was helping Maria pick up spare ammo rounds and a gun cleaning kit.  Which suited his kids just fine.  His daughter cried the minute you got her near a clothing rack.  He felt all the sex going on and couldn't block it out so he sighed and went to check on Xander, who was collapsed on his couch in a sweaty mess.  "Should I avoid looking at the succuba or were you training?"

"Funny, but I was sparring with Roque."  He stared at him.  "Still can't block it off?"

"There's the trio and then Steve and Tony."  He sat down.  "I never got that much sex."

Xander smiled.  "I did many times over the years."  Phil stared at him.  "There's that whole warrior thing that draws them and John used to make them pounce me when he got too many hitting on him."

Phil shook his head.  "You're still more wild than I ever was."

"Times were wilder back then.  Even some normal mortals had two wives if their farms needed it."  He shifted his feet to give Phil more room.  "Barton fine?"

"Just fine with how they're using that damn choker to change forms."

Xander grinned.  "It's fun for that.  Lavelle does."  Phil shook his head.   "Oh, if you see a white haired me it's him and he's bored so he's visiting."

"Is he now?"

"No, but he has a few times.  He helped one of the long haired Xander's with a problem recently."

"That's nice of him."  Talsa shoved a plate into his hands.  "I'm not really hungry."

She snorted.  "Shut up and eat.  Xander, eat something."

"I'm really not hungry.  I just got done sparring.  It'll be a while before my stomach is calm enough for that."  She nodded, getting him some of that soda stuff she still didn't understand.  No one she knew wanted something fizzy to drink.  That was usually an indication that your drink was dosed with something.  "Any new random attacks of nagging?" Xander asked him.

"Only from the director.  Clint and Natasha told him about the marriage thing because Dawn had a vision."  Xander winced and grimaced.  "She doesn't have them as often as you do.  Most of them have been spot visions, not in depth visions."

"It's still a bad thing.  Visions can kill your mind.  It did to Cordelia.  That's why she's ascended."

Phil stared at him.  "I did not hear that news."

Xander nodded.  "A bit before the battle out there."

"I'm sorry you lost her."

"She still shows up to nag sometimes.  She's the Messenger for the Powers."

"At least she's not the one in _Jay and Silent Bob_," Phil offered.

"Not.  Cute," Cordelia called.  She appeared.  "Dawn's visions are going to stop.   You're the chosen one to send them to the heros."  She smirked.

"That's fine with me.  I can do that.  It won't hurt me near as much as it will her."

"Good."  She patted him on the head.  "The Powers are confused as to why you two are hanging out."

"Did you tell them that Gaia decided to marry us off against our wills?" he quipped with a smirk.

"Yeah and they're still confused.  They're not sure Gaia's a real being anymore."

"Bet me," Xander said dryly.  "She showed up to help Bia with a new plant earlier and kept scowling at me until I pointed out she was sneaky and we weren't up to being forced, and he has kids."

She nodded.  "I've seen the twins.  They're adorkable."  She faded out.

"They can be, yes," Phil said mildly, eating again.

"So, yeah, not totally lost her," Xander quipped.  Phil shook his head but ate another bite then put the plate down on the table.  Hellion came over.  "You are not a plate mooch," Xander reminded him.  Hellion jumped up into a free chair.  The three puppies ran in and the plate mysteriously broke while they were still a few feet away from it.  They both stared at the plate then at each other.  Then into the kitchen.

"The mutts needed fed anyway," she quipped.  "I can get you more."

"I'm full, thank you anyway, Talsa."

She snorted.  "You need a proper feeding."

"I haven't jogged all week to work one off."  He looked at Xander again.  Then up.  "Even with it blocked and me being so far away, I can *still* tell."

Xander felt along the same power lines.  "That's really hot and dirty."  He helped him close it off.  "Damn but she'd kill me."

"Natasha probably would, yes."

"Not her, Dawn for poaching."

Phil smiled.  "Probably, yes."  Xander got comfortable again.  "Is anything going on?"

"Everyone's out mining contacts about the upcoming problem and to see who's attacking Buffy's wedding."

Cordelia appeared, looking confused.  "Buffy's getting married?"

"You didn't see Hylal?" he quipped with a grin.  "Huge warrior guy that I introduced her to?  That knocked her up?"

She looked that way and blushed.  "The guy who's presently carrying her around like a dick trophy?"

"Yup, him," Xander agreed.  "They're due to marry in a few weeks."

Cordelia shivered.  "Damn!  I needed one of those when I was alive."

"Sorry, I was only the standard demigod then," Xander quipped dryly.

She stared at him.  "I forgot about that."

He smirked.  "Clearly I didn't try hard enough to make you howl.  I should get tips from Dawn and then go back for a few days."

She glanced at Dawn and went bright red.  "Wow.  So need the cold shower of the universe."  She fled before Xander offered again in front of his gay husband sort.

Xander grinned at Phil.  "The Powers need some perversion in their lives.  They're too uptight."

"Probably but that's mean to Dawn."

"She can block them if she wants."

"Good to know."  He shifted.   "They're probably going to switch to both being Dawns tomorrow."

Xander smirked.  "I didn't need the other dirty thoughts either, Phil."

"I didn't need to give them to myself honestly."  He rubbed his forehead.  Xander sat up and helped him block all of them out.  "Thank you."

"Welcome.  Should we tell them that any prayers that aren't specifically directed get sent to you?"

"I will when they show up at work.  It's mean to interrupt their fun before then."

Xander grinned.  "It is, yeah."  He stretched up then out again.  "Put in a movie?"

"I'm tired of movies."

"There's a library."

Phil smirked.  "I found a book that wasn't marked."

"That wasn't me.  That was Roque's doing."

"Roque, please mark any books you've stored something in?" Phil ordered.  "That way we can move it to an effective storage medium?"

"I'm.  Busy," got shouted back from Clay.

"Sure," Xander quipped.  "Have fun with that.  Can't be as hot as Dawn's."

Roque walked in and swatted Xander as hard as he dared.  "I did not need him to get that hot over them.  I was hoping for a mild night without need of straps, chains, or knives."  He walked back out.  His plans had just drastically changed.  Clay was nearly coming just from the thought of twin Natashas.

Phil sighed.  "I didn't want reminded either."

"Sorry."

"No you're not."

"Well, okay, just a tiny bit of sorry," Xander said dryly.

Phil looked at him.  Then shook his head.  "For some reason I think that someone is spreading that around so more people screw."

"Probably, yeah.  Aphrodite is feeling a bit unloved since we all routinely hate her for things."

"I might, yes."  He shifted again.  "Are they broadcasting or in heat?"

Xander nodded.  "Clay might be, which means Roque's mom blessed him.  I'm going to send them extra condoms."  He sent his stash that way.

"If he does end up pregnant, I'm sure Pepper would be willing to share tips," Phil said dryly.  Xander burst out cackling, shaking his head.  He sighed.  "Please quit broadcasting that at me?" he demanded.  "I'm not having sex tonight, thank you."  The feeling quit.  He sighed in relief.  "Better."

Xander smirked.  "You know, there's that great masturbation thing."

"Not even close."  He picked up Xander's soda to drink since he wasn't.  Xander was staring at him.  "Sorry, the meat was a bit salty."

"Sharing food is one of those special things," Xander said delicately.

Phil blushed.  "It is?"

"Yeah, a lot."  He patted him with his bare foot.  "It'll be fine, Phil.  We'll figure things out."  Phil nodded.  They locked down the temple when the screwing got worse.  Clay clearly had the windows and doors open at his temple.  Cougar and Jensen came in fleeing it.  Pooch was with his wife right now trying for another baby.  Jensen flopped down.  "He's in heat."

"I thought only girls went into heat among yellow furs.  They do with dragons," Jensen complained.  "I've never been in heat so I know we don't."

Xander smirked.  "They do."

Jensen paused then shuddered.  "Please let them have condoms?"

"I sent out all of mine."

Cougar nodded, going to get his and tossed them in there so they might catch a clue.  He was fighting his urge to help the packmate in heat.

Roque stared at him.  "Do you mind?  We're a bit busy and don't need more."

"Yes you do.  Before the whole pack has to help."  He left again.  He needed to find something better to take this out on.

Roque paused then looked at all the extra condoms that had been given to them.  "I'm going to kill my mother."  Clay was panting, staring at him.  He sniffed.  "You're in fucking heat."

"I'm a guy," Clay complained.  "Can't be."

"Bullshit and that doesn't matter to my mother."  He went back to what he was doing.  Thankfully he had on a condom.  A very good brand of condom.  He checked, the ones that Cougar had sent had holes.  Same with the ones from Xander.  Roque sent Xander a dirty thought and heard him yell at Talsa.  He winced and pulled out.  "Let me go get some that don't have holes."  He disappeared and came back ten minutes later with a huge box of Trojans.  Ribbed for his/her pleasure sorts.  He rolled one on and got back to making his growling mate growl in a different key and for a different reason.  That was better.  Because he was not looking for kids this century.

***

Stark turned off the security system again.  "JARVIS, quit perving."

"Sorry, but she was making distressed noises."

"If she's with them, I don't need to see it.  Nor do you.  I'm pretty sure she's not in trouble if they're doing that to her."  He blocked out the images.  He might not be able to look at Dawn when she came back.  The two younger ones were giving him odd looks.  "Security settings are set to pain noises and screams."  They nodded.

"I didn't think Dawn would be a screamer," Andrew admitted.  He was a bit tipsy still.

Tony nodded.  "Yes, she is."  Rodney smirked at him.  "I've had to reset the levels a number of times."  He got another drink and they went back to tinkering.  It was their fourth day drunk of this version of trying to forget the memories again and they were actually working on the nanite sensors.  Well, Jonathan was snoring a bit now.  Andrew was giving Rodney speculative looks that would probably drive Tony out of the lab.  Yup, the younger geek pounced his mentor and Tony got to have a bit of fresh air from his balcony.  He turned off the security system to make sure no one else saw.  They didn't need that.

He looked up at the penthouse's balcony.  There was a light on.  Which meant Pepper was probably making dinner.  If he was more sober he'd go up and beg her to cure his dirty mind.  But he wasn't and she deserved so much better than him when he was plastered.  Or even mildly tipsy.  When the noises quit he gave them a half an hour to calm down and rest then they got back to work.  McKay's assistants were right, he was in lecture mode instead of working thanks to the sex.  They'd get back to tinkering later.  Jonathan had apparently been woken up by it because he was blushing.  Tony smirked at him.  "It's all good, Jonathan."  He patted him on the back and nearly got pounced.  "No, pounce Andrew.  The only one I want pounced by is Pepper."  Jonathan blushed but Andrew pulled him over to cuddle him.

McKay looked over.  "Was one of them wearing that damnable choker?"

"Yup," Tony quipped.  "They switched it off today.  Last night was twin Natashas."  Rodney moaned and nearly came from that image.  "Barton's a really lucky guy."

"Pepper would do it for you."

"I know."  He grinned.  "She still deserves better than me."

She cleared her throat from the doorway.  "It's a wise man who realizes that he's not worthy of his dream woman yet still acts on it because he realizes he'll never be better than he is right now."

Tony looked her over.  She was wearing a sundress and wedge heels.  He walked over to kiss her.  "I know I'm not worthy."

"Yet I still love you anyway, dumbass."  She smiled.  "Dinner?"

He moaned.  "I've...."

"I can tell."  She took his hand and led him off.  "Boys, there's two beds in here.  Use them before dawn and, McKay, eat something."  She took him home and fed him then helped him into the shower.  He relaxed and let her handle him.  "You and Steve?"

"He said you were the only one he'd never mind," he said, turning her to pull her in with him.  He kissed her.  "I'm a lucky guy, Pepper."

"You certainly are since Steve's waiting on us."  She smiled at his very light blush.  "Hurry up."  She strolled out.

He finished up and made sure he brushed his teeth to hide the alcohol from earlier.  He came out in a towel.  Steve and she were talking.  "I have no idea what to say to this.  Well I do but Pepper would swat me too hard and Steve would pout."  He laid down on the bed.

Pepper kissed him.  "We're not sharing you that way, Tony."  He moaned.  She got up to work on his back muscles, making him limp and needy.  It always did it for him.  Then she strolled off, letting Steve have him.

Tony looked at him.  "I'm lucky."

"You are."  He took a kiss.  "Very lucky."

Tony grinned and pounced.  He could like this pouncing this and maybe tonight they'd get beyond touching.  Though he'd have to be gentle.  He knew that someone was a virgin to guys at the very least.  So maybe he'd be extra sweet.  He stripped Steve off and laid him out on the bed for his pleasure, staring down at him.  He leaned down to take another kiss and then moved to lick a nipple.  Steve nearly flinched himself upright.  "Easy," Tony soothed.  He switched, using his fingers to tease the first one.  Steve was already needy.  He moved back to tease him more.

"Why aren't you naked?" he asked.

Tony stripped off the towel and tossed it off the bed.  "I can be naked.  I'm pretty good at it actually."  He leaned down to lick over the head of Steve's cock, making him shiver.  "We've done this."

"I know.  I had dreams about it the other night."  He gripped the bedspread.  Tony smirked and made him nearly fold in half when he swallowed him all the way down.  "Tony," he moaned.  "Please!"

"Am."  He went back to his sucking duty.  One hand found the lube Pepper had left out, pouring a bit out so he could start the stretching process.  Steve went limp when the first finger entered him.  "Have you been teasing yourself?" he asked with a grin.

"I wanted to know if I could."

"You can and it'll be great because we both are."  He took a quick kiss then got back to his stretching.  Steve didn't need distracted.  In fact he seemed to be savoring it.  Tony wouldn't deny him any bit of happiness.  It was great for him, Tony would make sure of it before he slid into the warm, tight tunnel.  When he finally did, Steve came with a shout.  Tony soothed him back down and then back up to the ready state, kissing and stroking him until he was ready to demand Tony get on with it.  Tony did work best under pressure.  He slowly pulled back and Steve clutched him.  "Not leaving," he said in his ear, sliding back in.  Steve shivered.  "You have thousands more of those coming because you're a good boy."

"I don't feel like a good boy," he said, gulping air.

Tony chuckled.  "You're a good boy because good boys get rewarded."  Steve keened and arched up so Tony sped up a bit.  Steve was trying to help so Tony showed him how to help him.  It was good and Steve made such a pretty, sweaty picture underneath him.  That was perfect.  A messy, sweaty, begging Steve was hot.  So damn hot Tony wasn't going to last.  He reached down to stroke him and it was what was needed.  Steve was starting to stiffen up.  He was going to come again.  Tony came with him this time and they laid there, panting at each other until Steve leaned over to kiss him.  Tony smiled.

"You're a good boy too because you earned that reward."

Tony smirked.  "Yes I did."  He took another kiss and Steve cuddled.  Tony didn't mind.  Cuddling was nice after sex as long as they weren't too clingy, which Steve wasn't.  Maybe later he'd teach Cap a few new things about male-to-male sex so he got his own reward.

***

In the morning, the trio woke up, went to do their daily workouts, then the ladies came up to shower without him.  He smiled and made sure had an extra bottle of water, and grabbed a bowl of cereal on his way to the shower.  He paused, because now there were two Dawns and one was tied down.  He finished his cereal and watched them tease each other.

Dawn gave it away.  "I'm so hot like that," she whispered.  "I had no idea."  Natasha nodded, smiling.  They went back to teasing each other.

Clint went to shower, brush his teeth, and then came out naked so he could help with that.  The fact that Natasha had let herself be tied down showed a level of trust that he usually never saw.  He kissed her.  "Nat, let us know if you need free," he reminded her.

She nodded.  "I will."

He kissed her and then Dawn.  It gave him the opportunity to tease Natasha like he did Dawn, until she was past begging to incoherent and goo.  She couldn't do anything but beg.  Which Dawn kept silencing with kisses.  "I like hearing them," he said in her ear, taking a kiss.  "Make her happy, Dawn, and you're next."  She shivered but nodded.  Natasha was trying to shift away from him so he slid into her and gave her some relief.

"Clint," she begged.

"Shh.  I have you.  You're so hot like this."  He kissed her and gave her the ride of her life, still teasing by changing rhythm and strength, moving her legs up to give him a better opening.  She was shaking by the time he let her finally come.  She went limp, staring up at him, panting hard.  He carefully undid each wrist then kissed it.  She went limp, smiling at him.  "That was so special," he said in her ear.  "Thank you."

She kissed him.  "I wanted to try that."  She took another kiss then kissed Dawn.  "We still have another toy to play with."

He grinned at Dawn.  "Present yourself to me, Summers."  She shivered but knelt over Natasha's body and kissed him.  He groaned, running a hand over her body.  "Thank you for not taking off all the hair."  He kissed her.  Natasha was teasing her with her fingers.  Dawn gasped and clenched down on them.  "Your turn."  She swallowed and nodded, laying down.  They hitched her down and he smirked.  "What new toy is that?"

Natasha brought out a second set of cuffs, attached to a spreader bar.   She hitched it to the headboard and then Dawn's ankles into it.  It held her open, her knees up by her shoulders, and fully open for them.  "That one."  She pointed at the toy that was in Dawn.  "It adjustable."

He licked around it, feeling it set on low vibration.  He took the remote to play with, making Dawn jump and babble then nearly weep when he turned it up higher.  He could have some fun with that.  "You're keeping this in today.  Even after we're out of here."  He finally turned it off, it was in his way, and Dawn deserved his full attention the same way Natasha had gotten.  Dawn was one writhing mass of woman.  It was so much fun watching her hiccup her moans.  A bit of teasing and then he slid in.  "Nice, sweetheart."

"Clint," she whined, trying to reach for him.

He smirked.  "You're still mine."  He gripped her hands, which was what she wanted.  Dawn was a grabber during sex, she needed something to clutch.  He ground down into her, making her try to help.  "Just enjoy it, Dawn."  He enjoyed this a lot.  Dawn got to enjoy Natasha and her strap on too.   When he was worn out, Natasha took over and gave Dawn the ride of her life while he stroked her breasts and stomach to keep her grounded.  Dawn finally gave up and nearly passed out.  They let her go and soothed her the same way he had Natasha, cuddling her between them.

This was how they were supposed to be.  It was good.

***

Coulson finally got free of all the hot and cold running smut that was flowing his way.  Because he was going to kill everyone soon for it.  He couldn't do a single thing at work.  He had snapped three pens.  He had to clean up a hell of a mess on his desk.   He couldn't make it to lunch because he couldn't walk.  He felt wrong about alleviating the need he had but Dawn had been praying all day as they teased her mercilessly.  He was going to give the girls a cock ring system for Clint so he would leave them alone.  He really was.  He was head down on his desk, trying to calm himself down, when someone pounded them walked in.  He knew who it was.  "Dawn's broadcasting a bit, sir."

Fury groaned.  "What are they doing?"

Phil looked up.  "Sir, he was in the infirmary in critical care.  Both of their birthdays on file were in the last month and a half.  What do you think they're doing?"  He put his head back down, silently begging Dawn to quit broadcasting.  Suddenly it shut off and he sighed in pleasure.  "Thank you."

Xander chuckled.  "Welcome.  I put up extra shields around your office to block off smutty thoughts."  He grinned at Fury.  "If she's that far gone on it, she does broadcast.  Then again, the twins are slightly empathic so those nights they sleep all night."  Phil stared at him.  "Tara noticed it and that's why Maria's been in a bad mood, because she cut her off.  I told her earlier since Tara could only stammer and blush."

"We need more shields around them."

"Summers needs to keep her mind to herself," Fury said.

"I don't know anyone who has total control during really great sex," Xander quipped with an evil smirk.  "Even gods get a bit mentally loud when it's good.  Clay and Roque nearly drove me off last night."  Fury shuddered as he walked off.  Xander handed over the folders the mortal had been carrying, cleaning up the rest of the mess.  "No one's going to mind if you fix that, Phil."

"I won't be able to look at them."

"Yes you will.  Dawn's been having great sex for a while now."  He moved to work on his shoulders, making him relax.  He added a touch of power and made Phil nearly get off.  "Easiest way."

"Get me home?" he begged.

"Mine or yours?"

"Yours.  It's farther away from them."  Xander took him home to Asgard, making Phil moan in relief.  He looked around the cabin looking house.  Then at Xander.  "We're on Asgard?  I noticed it's cold."

"We're in the coldest section, where some of the most vulnerable villages are."  He smiled.  "I thought you might like a bit of a stress break."

"I could, yes."  He relaxed, getting up to look around Xander's house.  There were some pictures of him and John in various places.  Including one with Roque overtop of a hunt.  "Rabid?" he asked.  The lion looked a bit scrawny.

"Trying to rip up a village and it was a zombie, sent by a shaman in a rival village."

"Huh."  He looked at other things.  There were a few marked books.  He tapped one.  "We should send these down."

"I'll do it if I remember it."  Phil nodded and moved to the pictures on the mantle.  Then to the other bookshelf.  It was filled with things from his travels.  He touched one braided doll, looking back at him.  "From a village I saved from some Ottoman Turks."  Phil smiled and moved on to look in the kitchen, which was rustic but it had a coffee maker that should need electricity.  The stairs led up to a single room as far as he could tell when he glanced up there.  He came back and sat down.  Xander relaxed.  "I should bring the dogs up so they can run around."

"They're good dogs."  Xander summoned the four of them and let them go romp in the snow.  One of the puppies sniffed and took off.  Xander sniffed and brought it back.  "Leave Heimdall alone, dog."  It pouted but went to play with its siblings in the snow.  Xander closed the door most of the way and set up a barrier so the cold wouldn't seep in.  Phil was wearing a normal suit and it wasn't exactly the warmest thing.  "Get comfy and change, Phil."

"I'm still working on that."  Xander smirked and changed him into jeans and a flannel shirt.  Phil smiled.  "Thanks."  He watched the fire.  It was almost totally quiet, outside the dogs ripping apart a rabbit to play with.  He shook his head.

"They're trained to not go near Carrot or Cheese," Xander assured him. "I'm sending one to her to guard her."

Phil smiled.  "Stark might mind the dog drool but it'll be good for her."

"It will be."  Hellion walked in with the rabbit, presenting it to him.  "Nice job.  Remember, you can't touch Callia's rabbit."  He took it from his dog, who ran off.  He made it disappear.  He wasn't going to eat a rabbit his dogs had chewed on.  Phil laughed.  "They're mostly good dogs."  That one puppy went bounding off to sniff Heimdall again but Xander just rolled his eyes.

"Xander, this one is adorable," Heimdall called, using magic to get it to them.

"They're Hellion's puppies."

"Good.  I'm taking this one."  He petted Hellion, who let him flash off with his spawn.

Hellion heard something and sniffed, growling slightly.  A female wolf came out of the trees.  He walked over to sniff at her.  If she was going to attack, she'd try it then.  The puppies were guarding the door.  He was the bigger dog and the alpha, it was his job.  She nuzzled him and sniffed back.  He found out she was in heat and it was his lucky day.  She moaned, the puppies bayed, but she was his sort of girl.  Like his human, he liked them a bit wild and dangerous.

Xander leaned out then shook his head.  "Inside," he told the puppies.  They went running in.  Phil dried the snow from them and cleaned them up before they could pounce the couch.  Xander sat down, having to move one.  "My seat."  The dogs still forced him up against Phil.  "Hellion found a girlfriend.  She's a pretty red wolf."

Phil considered it.  "He's a matted stone color, with a bit of brindling.  I wonder what they'll look like."

"No clue," Xander admitted.  "We'll find out soon enough."

Phil nodded.  "The new puppies would have fun training the agents too.  Though Director Fury doesn't want them back because of the whole farting issue.  He had someone shoot out windows to relieve the stench."  Xander cackled, hugging his puppies.   "Why do Yellow Furs all take care of a pack member in heat?"

"It's mostly a protective instinct.  So she catches sooner and goes out of heat, which can draw predators."

"Huh.  I hadn't thought about that being protective."  He shifted.  "Is Clay all right?"

"Cougar locked himself in his room so he couldn't help.  Jensen's not affected, and Pooch is at home."

"That's good."  He shifted.  "Is someone broadcasting up here?"

Xander felt and nodded.  "The witch in the local village is doing one for an arranged marriage I guess."  He blocked it off and Phil relaxed again.  "Go up and nap, Phil.  I can sleep on the couch with the dogs."  Hellion pushed his way in, getting cleaned up.  His new bitch came trotting in behind him.  Xander stared but cleaned her up and talked to her.  He moved to help her slight injury, Hellion had bitten her a few times, and it was nicer.

Phil stared.  "I forgot you could talk to wolves."

"I can."  He smiled.  "It's better than Dad's gift of talking virgins into bed.  Never had much luck with them."  He finished healing her and she laid down in front of the fireplace.  "She's from the pack that I had protecting me when I was three and one tried to attack.  That's how I found out I can talk to wolves."  He sat back down, trying to move one of the puppies.  "I'm not sitting in his lap, dog."  It shifted.  He got comfortable.  "We can be up here for a few weeks if you need to."

Phil smiled.  "Thanks.  I could use the quiet.  My shields have been shaky."  Xander looked at them and ended something, making him wince.  "I was connected?"

"Yup.  Worried about them probably."

Phil nodded, getting up to go nap.  He was exhausted.  Xander was being nicely honorable.  "Xander, there's the trundle up here.  I can take it since it's warmer than in the living room."

"I still might pounce, Phil."

"You've done that before.  Just don't enforce nudity this time."

Xander snorted.  "I hate sleeping in clothes."  He went up there.

"Even up here?"

"Yup, even up here.  That's why I have quilts.  I made most of them myself when I was injured."  He stripped down to his boxers and climbed in then took them off and tossed them at his clothes.  One of the puppies stole them to wear on his head but he could only shake his head at that.

Phil laughed.  "I thought they only did that to women's panties."

"No, my dog's a bit warped so his puppies are too."  Phil climbed into the trundle.  Xander got him a few extra quilts and he settled in to rest.  Xander rested too.  He was tired for some reason.  The dogs all gathered in front of the fireplace around their stepmother and it was nice.

"How long do wolves gestate?"

"About two months if I remember right."

"So relatively soon we'll be able to see the pups?"

"Yup."  Xander shifted.  He looked down there.  "You okay?"

"I'm good, Xander.  Thank you."

"Welcome."  They settled in to nap.  It was nicely cold enough to sleep in the house and quiet.  Phil enjoyed the quiet after being in New York.

***

Phil was brought back to his office the next day, having changed and all that quickly on the way in.  He walked up to the main admin area.  "Maria, are the kids all right?  I forgot to call."

"They slept really well."  She smiled.  "We encouraged it and so did everyone else apparently.  You look well rested."

"Xander went home to Asgard for a few days; he took me so I could get some quiet from the broadcasting."  She snickered.  "Laugh now but it was bad."

"You were worried so you linked in somehow?" she teased.

"Something like that," he said dryly.  "We do know that Hellion plus a red wolf is a very pretty puppy."  She gaped.  "He found one when we got up there.  They're still suckling but Xander is cooing and promising one to Callia and possibly one to the twins."

"Part wolf might be aggressive, Phil."

"Xander can talk to wolves.  He compared it to his father's version of talking virgins into bed to screw them up."  He sipped the coffee he had poured.  She was laughing.  "So there might be a puppy for them soon."

"We'll see.  Tara got a cat."

"Sure."  He smiled at the other agents coming in.  "Beyond that, it was a nice few weeks up there."

"That's good."  Fury walked past them looking confused.  "Alexander had to go home for a bit and brought him."

"It was a cabin in the middle of nowhere but snow," Phil agreed.  He smiled at one of the admin people who handed him a file.  "Thank you."  He glanced through it, signed off, and handed it to Maria.  Who signed it and tossed it onto Joyce's desk.  "Did I miss anything?"

"I came home and Tara was bright red and shaking from the lust downstairs," she said dryly but quietly.  "It was a good night."  Phil grinned at her.  "Stark's looking for Dawn."

"She's probably still at home."

"I'll let him know."  She patted him on the arm.  "Are things working out better?"

"We've done some talking."  Fury came to his doorway.  "Yes, sir?"

"That plot to get you married off?"

"Remember me watching a movie that Bliss brought?"  He finished his coffee and got more but made some more since it was the bottom of the pot.

"I do."

"Did you remember Thor congratulating me because Gaia had decided to go behind our backs and we were basically screwed because no one could undo it, sir?"

"No, I did not."  Phil nodded.  "So that's why you went home with him?"

"No, I went home with him because I needed some peace and quiet.  Time runs differently up there."

"It does," Thor agreed as he walked toward them.  "Heimdall was showing off the puppy of war."

Phil smiled.  "Hellion found a red wolf he really likes.  The puppies are adorable."

Thor nodded.  "That one should go to Callia to guard her."

"We're considering it.  It'll need trained first."  Thor nodded that was true.  "The dogs had a lot of fun playing in the snow around the cabin."

"Ah, he took you to one of his on-duty houses, not his main house by Valhalla."  Phil frowned.  "We all have official residences near there or one of the rooms attached to the hall.  I had moved out when all the fighting got to me.  Loki's always lived off to the edge of the cleared areas.  Upon his official duties being given to him, Xander set up his own.  It's a bit grand, as befitting his position as the only grandchild, still, but not too large.  The cabins are where he prefers to go.  He tends to stay in his hall for official things when he's summoned to Valhalla.  As do I.  It keeps us out of the crossfire."

Phil nodded.  "That makes sense.  How many cabins does he have?"

"Three though one's hidden.  It's his main one, has personal things beyond weapons."

"That's where we were."

Thor smiled.  "Only Heimdall has seen that one.  It's a good sign."  He clapped him on the back.  "Someday you two will work things out."  He walked off.

"Oh, Thor, Clay got sent into heat," Phil said.

Thor paused to look at him.  "How?  He's mortal."

"He's a yellow fur."  Phil sipped his coffee, watching the amusing expressions Thor was going through.

"I was not aware, but still he's male, even as Roque's mate.... oh."  He nodded once.  "She has thankfully not blessed me so."  He went to hide from Roque's mother.  He didn't want to be a mother.

Phil smiled at Maria, who smirked back.

"Why?" Fury asked.

"Roque's mother wants grandchildren, sir," Maria said happily.

"We found out that all the condoms at the temple had holes poked in them," Phil said.  "Dawn's going to blow her stack."  He walked off happier with that spreading of news.

Maria shuddered.  "I don't want to see that fit."

"I don't want to see them pregnant," Fury complained, going back to his desk.

Maria smiled all the way back to her desk.  It was nice of Phil to spread such happy news.

***

Dawn flashed out to the temple, staring at the women.  "Do not touch a single thing in my house."  The woman glared at her.  "I mean it."

Alana laughed.  "I'm sure they won't, Dawn."

"Outside of them trying to ruin my clothes and poking holes in all the condoms," she said dryly.

"It's not proper," the woman sneered.

"Yes, I'm a proper *modern* woman.  We don't live in the middle ages."  The woman smacked her and Dawn laid her out, staring down at her.  "You done with your shit now?"  Alana was staring in horror at the woman on the floor.  "Because it does not happen.  I will ruin you so goddamn fast it's not funny."  She walked over and calmly put a lock on her house.  One that no one could get past outside of her, Xander, and Phil.  Maybe Alana.  She banished the ones in there from her house.  Fortunately all her clothes were at home.  Dawn took the sex toy one was holding.  "Thank you, wanted that to play with today since the man's tired."  She walked off, stuffing it in her back pocket.  "Xander?"  He leaned out.  "I had to lock my doors thanks to all the condoms having holes and other shit."

"Why is your cheek red?"  Dawn pointed at the woman crying on the ground.  He nodded.  "She hit you?"

"Then I punched her."

"Good."  He grinned.  "Talsa, get your sister to someone else before she annoys me again."  He hugged Dawn.  "You so drove Phil to nearly hiding in his office.  He couldn't even walk, Dawn."

She smiled.  "Not my intention.  Was he good?"  Xander gave her a dirty look.  "He wasn't linked to me."

"He was checking on your spouse."

"He's very cute to check on."  She grinned.  "Talsa, can you please keep them out of my shit?  I'll pop around and clean if I have to," she said when she opened her mouth.

"Would your mother condone you carrying that around in the open?"

"Yeah.  Mom has a toy, his name's Bruce and he's a fun one according to her."  Talsa blushed.  "Keep them out of my shit please.  No more poking holes in the condoms either, or else someone will end up pregnant and the next one to do that is probably Clay.  Do we really want to baby him through one?"

"No," Talsa said.  She banished most of the women to a mortal temple they still had.  "I did not mean for them to disrupt things," she told Xander.

Who shrugged.  "They're very traditional and the modern world is not the same as it is in Asgard, Talsa.  Women wear less, they work, they don't automatically get married and have kids.  Those ones need to know what modern women are like."  He shrugged and hugged Dawn.  "See you later."

"Okay.  Why?"

"Stark was thinking about a cookout?"

"Huh.  Hasn't told me yet."  She shrugged.  "We'll deal with it."  She went back home, handing Natasha the toy.  "I had to lock the house.  It's on the six pin system you showed me."

"I can pick that," she agreed.  "So can Clint."

Dawn smiled.  "JARVIS?"

"Yes, Dawn."

"Is there something Stark wanted to invite us to?"

"I believe he's been trying to all morning."

She sighed and looked at Natasha, who smiled and moved her fingers in a 'go on' motion.  Dawn nodded and sent herself to the building, hiking up to the lab floor.  She let herself in, noticing the flinches.  She stared at them.  "I'm not worried.  It didn't happen here.  You didn't have little machines doing mind control," she said bluntly.  "Even if you found out all humans are animals somewhere in their warped brains, I've seen worse.  Hell, I've probably had Spike tell me about him doing worse to victims."

"Not likely," Tony said, looking at her.  "You have no idea where I went, Dawn."

"Actually, boss, I was meditating to find you all."  He winced.  "So, yeah, do."  She crossed her arms over her chest.  "I've seen worse.  I've heard worse than that.  Hell, Spike has porn worse than that."  He let out a bitter sounding snort.  "Tell me if you're going to flinch each time I see you because I'll start looking for a new job.  I won't work here if it's going to make you that uncomfortable."

"No, it's not," he promised, staring at her.  "It doesn't bother you?"

"Hello, saw worse porn."  Tony shuddered.  "Saw worse in person during that time overseas because someone asked Natasha to help her get her little sister out of a people selling operation."  She stared at him.  "Really."  She walked closer.  "Beyond that, thoughts aren't reality.  Everyone has evil thoughts sometimes.  There's a few of the geeks I'm seriously considering how to stake on a demonic spider nest and tell the goo globes that like to rape people where they are."  She saw the wince.  She swatted him on the head.  "Remember, if you had tried, I would've kicked your ass."

He laughed and hugged her.  "I'm sorry."

She looked at him.  "Did you actually try something?"  He shook his head.  "Then there's nothing to be sorry for."  She swatted him.  "Dumbass."  He let her go but he relaxed.  She looked at Andrew and Jonathan, who both got swatted.  "At least you two would've been nicer."  Andrew hugged her.  She gave him a cuddle then pulled Jonathan over.  "See, it's all right."  They nodded, relaxing.  "No more drinking, boys.  You create weird things that your roomba dog runs from."  She looked over Jonathan's shoulder at Rodney and snorted.  She found a file and pulled it up on his system.  "One of Spike's favorites."   He shuddered and turned it off.  She grinned. "So, no, I was going to lock you in a room next.  You're a scary geek, all of you are, but not for that reason."

"We're doing a pool party for the family and the team," Tony said.  "No bikinis."

"You know, my only one-piece makes me look like a dominatrix," she said dryly.

He winced.  "Go buy one?"

"I need to shop a little bit.  The women at the temple tried to ruin things because it wasn't up to their standards on Asgard.  And poked holes in all the condoms right as Clay was sent into heat."  Rodney shuddered.  "I think Roque got told in time."  She patted him on the arm.  Then she swatted him.  "Genii I am not, or a genie, McKay.  If I was, I'd wish your ass into a harem outfit for your stupid picking on my hair thing."  She stared him down, getting a laugh back.  "I can ask Natasha if she'd like to help me shop.  I do have that clothing allowance."

Tony winced.  "I just felt my wallet twinge."

Dawn smirked.  "You added it."  She strolled off.  "When?"

"Six.  Dinner.  Pool's heated.  Public pool rules apply."

"Yup."  She disappeared to go home.

Stark relaxed.  "It went better than I thought."

McKay nodded.  "She's stronger than I am."

Andrew looked at the computer.  "I saw that one.  My brother liked it.  It's kinda gross.  The vampire cuts off little pieces of skin and licks it clean then moves on to the next few inches.  All over the victim's body."  Jonathan walked off shuddering, fingers in his ears.  "Sorry."

"I'm glad we burned all his stuff, 'Drew."

"Me too.  My mother blamed him having porn on me for some reason."  He followed his best friend.  "We're taking a break."

"That's fine, 'Drew," Tony said, watching them go.  "It's good he healed."

"It is," McKay agreed.  "I'd hate to lose his mind to that clinic."  He turned off the video player and put it aside.  "She did outsmart us."

"She's not exactly a genius but they did teach her street smarts."  He sat down.  "She might not be as scary as Romanoff but she's very good at what she does."  He looked up.  "Can you finally come down now?  I know you're hiding from them but really, Barton.  Find her a bathing suit that won't make Steve blush while you're at it."  Clint did come down.  "We're all working on it."

He smirked.  "I know."  He stared at McKay then at Stark.  "Are you going to be able to handle it?"

"Hopefully she'll give us a few days before she's in a teasing, flirty mood.  I don't think I could take her in something like that pink dress until I'm more settled."

"She doesn't have anything like that right now.  You're on your own with the bathing suit thing."  He shrugged.  "I can't dictate that."  He looked at the boys when they came back, seeing the horrified looks. "Relax, boys.  She still considers you like brothers."  They relaxed.  "Or else I would've already shot you."  He looked at Stark again.  "We have a battle coming up."

"I know.  Then an apocalypse level battle in a few months."

"Why two?" Rodney demanded.

"Buffy's getting married in a few weeks," Clint said with a grin.  "She's mad at herself for being pregnant during the second demon invasion we've had."

Tony laughed.  "She was barely out of the healing the last time."

"Dawn was complaining that during that she turned into her sister.  She was baiting a trap with herself and doing her nails."  Stark and McKay finished relaxing.  "Are we bringing anything?"

"Just yourselves.  Pepper has a tiny baby bump she wanted to show off."

Clint nodded.  "When is work restarting?"

"The cleaning's done.  We're waiting on the inspection, which will be in a week.  She's taking Pepper to Guatemala for their vacation during the invasion."

Clint nodded.  "We can handle that."  He punched him on the arm.  "Fury knows about us.  She had a vision of him forcing us apart."

"If he did, you'd have a job," Stark assured him.

Clint smiled.  "I figured I could have her sweettalk you into one for me."  He smirked as he walked out.  They were going to be fine.  The team would pull back together again.

Stark let out a breath and looked at the monitor next to McKay.  "Romanoff's not here at least.  She'd slam me into the floor, kick my ass, and then remind me she's her wife."  He went back to where he was tinkering.

"I never expected a girl like Dawn to realize that the world was that dark."

"Her sister fights monsters," Andrew said.  "Of course she knows.  She met SHIELD agents because there was a hell goddess after her, Rodney."

"Point," he admitted.  "She was so chipper when she was stuck on Atlantis."

Tony smiled.  "She still is and she's seen some of the worst things since then."  They all nodded and got back to work on the nanite sensors and something to deal with the ones who had sent them at them.  He looked at the boys.  "You two are coming tonight?"

"Nope," Jonathan said.  "I wanted to face down Warren and beat him."

"Okay," McKay agreed.  "Be careful.  Don't let him talk you into anything."

"We won't," Andrew promised quietly.  "He was our friend.  We owe him the beating in person instead of a letter bomb."  He handed it to Tony and got back to work.

Tony disarmed it and put it aside.  "Too much explosive, boys.  It would've taken out more than his bed.  Probably just the room but I'm not sure if he's in a private room."

"He is," Jonathan said.  "Because he made his old roomie cry and beg to be moved."

"Mostly by talking about his robotic girlfriends," Andrew added.  "I think they're worried Natasha's going to show up and do the leg-locker around the throat thing to them for upsetting her human."

Tony laughed.  "I can see her doing that.  She's been worried about him."

"What are we going to do about the robotic Dawn since SHIELD hasn't taken them down?" Rodney asked.  Tony shuddered.

Andrew looked at them.  "I got that passed to me from Jensen and told him they were just as sick as Warren."

Jonathan shrugged.  "The robo Pepper and Natasha are sweet but I like mine to have a heartbeat and like to cuddle."  Andrew nodded.  The older geeks stared at them.  "Some day I'll be ready for more than clothed, standing cuddles," he said with a blush, ducking his head.

"The two girls you two hang with are nice," Tony said with a smile.  "Did you write them?"

"They came over last night and encouraged us to go yell at Warren in person," Andrew said with a bright, hot blush.  "She knows.  I told her."

McKay patted him on the back.  "It's a good sign, Andrew."  He grinned but still blushed.  "Yes, I was totally toying with you while drunk."

"Shoot," he complained.  "I was hoping to take notes and show her.  She said she has no idea how to deal with men.  She had sisters and never got around to taking notes or experimenting scientifically with guys."

"Mine either, even though she had a brother she said he got creeped out when she asked for empirical differences between guys and girls."

Tony laughed.  "I remember being like that but then my father sent me a whore house for a week.  He didn't want me to be a twittering virgin."

"Twitter was around back then?" Andrew asked.

"Not that meaning of the word."

"Oh."  He nodded.  "I guess that would suck inside the suit too."

"Probably, yeah," Tony agreed.

"There was that potion," McKay joked.  "I nearly asked for some so I could dose all of the soldiers I know."

"Most of them could solve that pretty easily," Tony said.  "And the potion creates a perpetual one.  Dawn had a few days of problems with it."  The younger geeks whimpered.   Tony nodded.  "She said it grew back in under an hour one night."

McKay smirked.  "I think Sheppard would look nice as a perpetually virginal young woman."  Since nothing happened it proved no one was paying attention to them.  At least until he found himself inside a certain pond and being held under the water by said Colonel.

John stared at him.  "If you make a gender changing machine, you will be going into it," John assured him when he let him up.  "Am I clear?"  McKay glared.  He smiled back.   "Remember, I didn't learn to play nicely until about sixty years ago, Meredith Rodney McKay.  There's a whole lot of uncivility there that I can easily call up."  He strolled off.  "Teyla, I think Rodney needs some help with his meditation again.  He was just talking about making a machine to make me and Ronon pure little girls."

She looked at him.  "Is he fevered?"

"No, I dunked him in the pond.  There's no fever there."  He smiled.

She nodded, going to get him and walk him through the meditation exercises.  He clearly needed the mind clearing time.  Before he went evil.  Since he went willingly, with very little complaining, she knew he needed it badly.

***

Dawn showed up that night with her two spouses and in a zip-front modest top that nearly reached her belly button and a pair of bike short-like bottoms.  Tony sighed in pleasure at that look.  She pinched him on the cheek.  "You're getting it the first day I get back."  He shook his head.  She walked over to hug Pepper.  "I'm hearing baby bump rumors."

"From who?"

"Stark."

"Oh, slightly."  She let Dawn check, smiling at her grin.  "Someday you can do this."

"Maybe."  She hugged her.  "We're all okay."

Phil walked over and poked her.  "Quit.  Broadcasting."  He walked off when she giggled.

"Xander had to take him to Asgard to get away from you three," Tony quipped.

"Pervert," Clint teased with a grin.

"Because I was checking on you, which got me caught in her broadcasting.  I nearly had to hide all day, Barton," Coulson shot back.  "I started to feel like I had been appointed as a love god instead of protecting all of you."

"Which day was that?" Dawn quipped.  "They are fantastic to me after all."  Natasha pinched her on the arm.  "You are."

"I am," she agreed.  "Still not polite to torment him."

"Hell, I told one of the bitchy ones at the temple that Mom had a toy too, his name was Bruce and she said he was fun."  Her mother cackled while Bruce blushed and ducked his head.  She hugged him.  "We like you."

He smiled.  "Like me a tiny bit less?"

"No, then I'd have to destroy you or make sure Mom was only after you for carnal reasons."

He patted her on the back.  "I can understand that."  She smirked.  "Did you get poisoned or something?"

"No, I'm in a good, goofy mood.  My sister is finally marrying someone who has a pulse."  Joyce was still laughing.  "Spike's warned people away from the wedding so I only have to bring the usual weapons, and she's got a poofy dress that Hylal said he can't get under."  She strolled off.

Joyce hugged Bruce.  "I know you're more than a toy."  He smiled and went to get a drink before he blushed himself to death.  Tony poked him.  "Stark, you can't have my man.  I waited too many years for a good one."

"Now I know the bluntness is genetic," Tony quipped.  "Do you wear flirty things like Dawn does?"

"I haven't been her age in decades," she said dryly.  "I'm more demure than flirty.  I'm in my comfortable shoes years, not my way too high heels years."

"They're comfy after a few wears," Dawn offered.

"I'm sure you think they are until you mess up your ankles, knees, or back, dear."

"Hey, Buffy went out wearing chunky heels on patrol.  At least mine I can move in if I need to.  She nearly tripped more than once."

Joyce nodded.  "I remember."

"I meant the other day.  Hylal was complaining that his future offspring would want heels like that and he was worried for his son."

"Son?" Joyce demanded.  "We're sure?"

"We're sure," Phil promised with a smile.  "I had one of the agents take her to get an ultrasound, Joyce."  She smiled.  "Is that the first son in a few generations?"

"It is," she agreed.

"Well, he can be a drag queen so he's one of us Summers women," Dawn quipped with a hand wave and a grin.  "I'm sure Buffy can influence him that way."

Her mother swatted her.  "I'd hope not."

"Mom, are you going to bitch if I want a motorcycle?"

"Yes, dear, I will."

"Shoot."

"Have one in storage," Clint quipped.

"Really?"  He grinned.  "Show me how to ride?"

"I taught you how to ride other things so why not," he said.  She poked him and he smirked.

"Really bad pun, dear," Joyce said, patting him on the arm.

Roque showed up with Hellion, the two puppies, Hellion's new girlfriend, and their puppies.  "We've had enough of the dogs.  Take them and their human."  He disappeared again.

Natasha was staring at the new mother.  "That's a wolf."

"She's dating Hellion," Phil said.  "Like his human, he likes dangerous women."

"McKay threatened to make a machine to make Sheppard a girl," Tony offered with a smirk.

Dawn pushed him into the pool.  "You clearly need something.  Don't make me pull out cute videos of babies and puppies while I have you tied up in a chair again."

"You did?" Pepper asked.

Dawn smiled.  "He was tormenting me about needing new bras."  She sipped her diet soda.  "He spent all day watching YouTube videos I selected."  She smiled sweetly.  "Including ones of the baby in the Bumpo seat and all sorts of dogs walking, crawling, and playing, and one on cats by engineers."  She beamed.

"That one was a bit weird but I liked it best," Tony said, pulling himself out of the pool.  "That was mean, Dawn."

She smiled.  "Thank you.  You deserve it for the suggestion that I start dressing like Tara used to."

"Please, God, don't wear that dress," Phil and Clint ordered.  Dawn cackled.  "Damn," they muttered.

Natasha shook her head but she was smirking evilly.  "I thought it looked darling on you."

Tony looked at her then at Pepper, who was also smirking.  "Never mind.  You may not wear that here, Dawn."

"If you're sure, Boss," she quipped.

"Did I see that one?" Joyce asked.

"I sent you a picture from the store," Dawn said.

Joyce pulled out her phone to look it up.  She stared then at her daughter.  "Looks a bit Ren Faire, dear."

"I know but that's what he wanted.  Alana thought the skirt was too plain."  She pulled out her phone to show her the other one.  "I bought this one."

Her mother patted her then took her phone and pushed her into the pool.  "Clearly someone needs to work the bad ideas out."

"We tried," Clint said.

"Too much," Phil quipped.

Tony nodded.  "I had to turn off the building's full security system, people.  Steve's apartment's sensor went off."  They blushed.  Xander appeared.  "Roque said he was tired of the dogs."

"Yeah, the new puppies like to curl up with Clay and worship him like he's the head wolf of the pack.  It's cutting into Roque's sex time since each time he turns around there's a puppy on Clay lapping him."

"He can bathe him," Dawn quipped, pulling herself out of the pool.

Xander stared at her.  "You are so in smutty mind land.  Talked to your sister?"

"Yup."  She grinned.  "Spike's warned people away from the wedding.  She's wearing something Hylal said he can't get under.  It's a boy."  Xander smirked and walked off.  "I think she'll turn him into the next generation of Summers woman."

Xander nodded.  "Probably.  She nearly turned me flaming a few times."

Stark burst out cackling.  "Can't see it, Xander."

"I have."  He settled in with his dogs.  "Callia?"  She popped out of the doors.  "C'mere, meet the new dogs."  She ran over.  "These two older puppies are Washington and Kennedy."

"Like the presidents?" she asked.

"Like the air craft carriers, which were named for presidents."  She beamed and let them sniff her so she could pet them.  "This pretty red one is Hellion's girlfriend.  Don't try to pet her.  She's a wolf.  She's still wild."  She smiled and waved.  "Her name is Garnet.  It's the color of her fur."

"It's a pretty name," she told the wolf.  "He had more puppies?"

"She had puppies with him.  Boys don't have babies unless there's a cranky Goddess involved."  She hugged his arm.  "These are  Ruby, Marble, Basalt, and the cranky one there who is missing Clay is named Concrete."

"Aww."  She looked at the momma dog.  "I won't hurt 'em."  She knelt beside the basket, letting them sniff her.  The momma growled.  "Sorry."  She moved back.  Concrete sniffed and wobbled out of the basket, plopping itself in her lap.  "Hi, Concrete."  She cooed as she petted him.  The mommy took him back and she grinned a bit.  "Puppies are very soft."

"They are," Xander agreed, handing her Ruby, who was colored like his mom.  She cooed and petted him too.  That one tongue attacked her.  She laughed and cuddled the dog then put him back before Mom could get upset.  "See," he told her.  "Callia is like my puppy.  So are the twins."  He pointed at them.  She went to sniff them, licking John on the hand before coming back to curl up around her puppies.  Callia ran off to play with the two older ones.  He grinned at the worried looking father.  "She's good with animals."

"I still think she'll be a zoologist or something," Clint quipped.

"Could be," Xander agreed.  "Or an ordinary Vet."

Tony shook his head.  "We'll see when she's older.  She cannot have a dog, Xander.  Not until she's older."

"We'll work on the training of one."  Thor landed and he pointed.  "Hellion, it's Thor."  He ran over to bark and jump at him until Thor reached down to pet him.  "Roque got tired of the new puppies hogging Clay."

"They have good taste in who could lead their future pack, "Thor said.  The other two ran out to be petted.  Then ran back in to play with Callia again.  He nodded at the wolf and looked at the puppies.  "They're very strong looking," he told her.  He walked over to get a beer.  "Why are we meeting?"

"To congratulate Mom and Bruce on finally finding a preacher," Dawn quipped.

Thor beamed at them.  "Good!  It's an excellent mating."  He hugged them both.  "Felicitations on your union.  I hope if you have more children they grow up as strong as your younger one but a bit less warped so she does not muddle men's minds."

Joyce smiled.  "Probably no more kids unless we adopt, Thor, but thank you."  He smiled and walked off.  "Dawn, are you warping men again?"

"Only the weak ones, Mom.  Just like you taught me to."

She smiled.  "I was never as good as it as you are.  Or your sister, who just babbles until men have their brains dribbling out their ears."

"Please don't remind me," Xander begged.

"Xander, when is your anniversary?" she asked.

"Depends on which realm you're on.  She filed it on Asgard on one day and on earth on another."

"With the difference in time, wouldn't that mean a few times a year you'd have your Asgardian one and one on the human realm?" Dawn asked.

Xander nodded.  "Five times most years."

"When were you on Asgard?" Tony asked.

"When he took me up there to do some quiet meditation somewhere no one could spot me.  The same night we brought back dinner.   We spent two weeks up there with the dwarves."

Phil nodded.  "He took me up there to get away from you three, and a few others, and we were up there about a month for a whole day."  Xander nodded.

"So are you two closer now?" Joyce asked him.  "I ask as a totally nosy mother figure."

"We did spend some time talking, but mostly I needed the vacation."

She patted him on the back.  "I fully understand, Phil.  Once you start to get to know him, most people can't resist the charm he hides underneath the warrior side."  She went back to talk to Dawn and Pepper about clothes.  Bruce was talking with Thor about things.  Stark was back at the grill with Clint and Natasha helping.  Steve showed up and everyone greeted him.

Dawn stared at him.  "It's a pool party, Steve."

"I don't really swim in mixed groups.  Never have."

"Your generation used to jump in the river."

"Yes, but we ran in single-sex packs," he said with a smile.  "It'll be fine.  I'm not much on swimming tonight anyway.  It's a bit chilly."

Tony looked at him.  "It's heated and there's a pair of swim trunks in on the guest bed.  Callia picked them out."  He went to look at them.

"Strawberry Shortcake or Spongebob?" Dawn quipped.

"Neither.  I talked her into a single color set."  He stared at her.

She grinned.  "I'm proud."  Callia and the puppies came bounding out together.  Dawn stopped her.  "How was dance class?"

"It's fun."  She beamed.  "There's other kids there.  They're all older but it's neat.  Self defense class is a bit boring but I know that there's bad guys since Daddy fights them.  So I'm going to make sure they can't get me.  And gymnastics is cool but the leotard rides up my butt."  She looked at Natasha.  "Can you do gymnastics?"

"I can.  I took lessons when I was younger."

"Cool!"  She made Natasha sit down so she could climb into her lap and talk to her about that.  "Auntie, can you do a backflip?"

"I can.  Natasha showed me how."  She put down her drink, checked her clearance then did one.

"Wow."  She looked at Natasha.  "You need to teach me."

"When you're older I'll work on your self defense."  Callia pouted.  "I'm not qualified to teach gymnastics but as you get older I'll help."  The baby hugged her then got off and went to talk to Tara about her kids going with her to classes.  They had babies in some of the lessons.  They could almost walk and it'd help them.

"When they're older," Tara told her.  "They have to be at least three and potty trained."

"Shoot."  She pouted.  "I like the twins.  We need more babies."

Tara smoothed down her hair.  "Some year I'll have another one."  Callia beamed and hugged her then bounded off again.

"Callia, did you have sugar?" Joyce called.

"Yup.  The doggies and I had the maple syrup candy Daddy was hiding."

"How much of it?" Tony called without looking.

"All of it.  Sorry, Daddy.  I'll buy you more with my allowance."  She ran back inside.

Tony shook his head.  "She'll never sleep tonight.  There was over a pound of candy."  Pepper patted him on the arm.   "I have no idea how she got into the cabinet over the refrigerator."

"She was using magic to help her climb in the library," Bruce reminded him.

"Oh, yeah.  That way."  Steve came out blushing a bit.  Tony grinned.  "Those look good on you."

"They're long, thank you."  The blue board shorts did look good on him.  They went just past his knees.  They were loose so he was covered in a way he liked.  It was nice.  He had put on his t-shirt again too.  That helped so he didn't feel too uncovered.  "Dawn, no bikinis?"

"No," Tony said.  "No bikinis allowed.  Callia doesn't need to want one and I don't need that mental image."  Joyce cackled.  "I saw the one Pepper got her.  More than enough of it thanks to a certain little person calling."  He went back to grilling.  "This is nearly done if you want it medium."  They piled over to get their food and sat around chatting.  The women were talking about fashion and the upcoming scientific awards event, plus the formal event during the Scientific Expo.  Dawn needed something new for both of them.  Joyce had seen a few that she had liked.  Dawn vetoed a few as being a bit too flashy but one sounded nice.  She had a dress like that before and it had looked good on her.  It was during the winter too so she wouldn't overheat at least.

The guys sat and talked about weapons.  It was a safe topic in their group and even Thor could join in.  Xander teased his dogs by not giving in to begging, no matter how much they stared.  Tony looked at them.  "Lay down," he snapped.  Hellion did.  The two puppies turned to stare at him.  "Now.  Lay down."  They did slowly, still staring at them.  "Thank you.  No begging."  He went back to his eating.  Hellion slunk over and nudged his plate with his nose.  Tony managed to catch it and save most of his dinner. The few pieces of steak got caught in mid air then Hellion ran off when Daddy ordered him to.  "I think they picked it up from the twins."

Xander nodded.  "I'm pretty sure Hellion taught it to the twins."  Bruce was laughing but the twins were begging Maria and Tara for dinner while Phil was trying to get their attention.  Phil finally won with offers of vegetables and got cuddles too.  It was nice.

Tony smiled.  "He's a good dad to them.  I'm thinking it's all those episodes of _Super Nanny_ he always threatened to watch."

Phil looked over and nodded.  "It was.  It helped a lot when Dawn had some problems with bullies too."  Tony laughed.  Dawn giggled.  Joyce stared at her daughter.   "You heard about most of them," he assured her.  She smiled and patted him on the cheek, taking one of the twins to fuss at.  "Joyce, I can handle it.  Help Callia."  She gave him a pointed look.  "I haven't gotten to see them in a few days," he admitted.  She smiled and handed the baby back, turning to help her grandchild.  He looked at his son.  "You can go back to Grandma Joyce in a few minutes."   His son babbled and patted him, earning a smile back.  "We like you too, John."

John Sheppard appeared.  "Sadly, not my type," he said, taking his namesake to hold.  "Hi."  John scowled at him.  Sheppard laughed.  "Okay, you can have Daddy back."  The baby beamed at his father.  John walked over to talk to Stark.  "Rodney's not allowed to build anything until he does at least ten more hours of meditation.  I'm handing in his excuse for not attending tinkering sessions."

Tony smirked.  "That's fine.  I couldn't get around Teyla either, Sheppard."

"Cool."  He disappeared.

Callia pouted.  "We need to play with him, Daddy.  He has neat machines and a whole *city* full of neat stuff."

He grinned.  "We can some day, Callia.  When it's safer."  She nodded and bounded back to Grandma with the chicken leg she'd taken off the grill.  She liked the legs, they were kid sized.  Grandma helped her with it and it was good.  She loved her grandma.  And her Uncle Bruce, who was now Grandpa, which she didn't understand but someone would explain it to her sometime.  They always did.  The robo Auntie Pepper had explained nuclear fusion to her earlier when she had found them being grounded in their room.  She babbled about them too.  Tony stared at her.  "Didn't I say no exploring until they were sure the building was properly cleaned when I let you back?"

"Oops?  They're done cleaning, Daddy."

"Yay."  She pouted but still, they were neat aunts.  She wondered if the robo Auntie Natasha knew gymnastics.  The other robo auntie was a bit pouty about missing her Warren.  She remembered Warren and she wasn't sure why she missed him but that was all right.  They'd cheer her up somehow.  She always managed it with everyone else.  Grandma had good ideas about that.

Tony shook his head.  His daughter was so warped and he wasn't sure who had done it or if it was genetic from her mother.

***

Clint heard a noise and looked out the window.  "Why is there a black cat with green eyes staring at us?"

"That's Loki, he lives on the fire escape apparently," Dawn quipped.  She got up to get him some food.

"Why are we adopting pets?" he sighed.

She smiled at him.  "I haven't adopted him."

"You named him, yes you did."

"He still lives out there.  If he lived in here, I would've adopted him but I know how you feel about that."  She opened the window and put the paper bowl of cat food out for it.  The cat rubbed his cheek against her hand and dug in.  She shut the window again and came back to the couch.

Clint was staring at Natasha, who was looking upset for the poor thing.  "What's your issue?"

"You didn't hear she got turned into a cat by Willow?" Dawn quipped.  "She was an adorable black cat who liked to claw me."

"I did.  Coulson lost his shit over that," he quipped, staring at her.

"Phil made sure I had what she needed and got her some of her favorite toys."  Natasha stared at her.  "That catnip mouse thingy you liked so much?  He bought that, and the food dish, and a lot of the other stuff."

Natasha shook her head.  "I block out anything I remember from that time on purpose, Dawn."  She got up and went to the window, opening it and sitting on the sill to pet the poor beast.  She normally wouldn't allow a pet in her house.  "Why Loki?"

"Black cat, green eyes, likes to stare," Dawn said with a grin and a hand wave in the air.  "Seemed appropriate."

"Cats can do mind control anyway," Clint muttered.  Dawn hugged him.  "You cannot travel with a cat."

"Well, technically I could because I could magically conceal him somehow."  She beamed.  "Then again, I don't travel all that much.  Maybe a few days here and there."

Clint stared at the cat then at her.  "If it was still Nat being the kitty maybe."

"I am not begging or anything.  That's why I've kept him out there."

Clint looked at the demanding bitch in their lives, who was apparently slightly smitten.  He groaned.  "'Tasha!"

She glared at him.  "He's a very young kitten, Barton."

"The use of my last name may mean that I'll be sleeping on the couch but I claim Dawn to help me sleep," he quipped back, staring at her.  "Who's going to take care of him while we're on missions?"

"He's a very friendly cat."

"He likes the twins.  He likes Tara.  Now and then he'll appear on Cap's windowsill to stare at him.  He's the one who named him actually."

Natasha brought in the bowl of food and the cat, closing the window.  "Do we have supplies?"

"I kept your old stuff.  It's in the hall closet."  She got up to help her find it.  They sent Clint out for cat litter, a specific brand because Dawn was picky since kitty Black Widow had been so picky, and some extra stuff.  The miniature future tomcat liked the toys, even if it did sniff Natasha then one of them a few times.  The redhead blushed but went to the bedroom.  Clint grumbled but it would keep the peace and quiet, plus keep him off the couch.  The bed was a lot more comfortable, especially with both his bitches on it with him.

***

Clint stared at the cat the next morning.  It was on top of the fridge, staring down at him.  "Let us know if you're really a chaos god," he said quietly.  "I'll make sure Dawn doesn't torment you too much if you are him hiding in cat form."  The cat blinked.  "You sure?  Because if so, she might give you tuna instead of purina."  He ate a bite of his cereal.

Loki appeared, glaring at him.  "I am not a cat.  I loathe cats," he complained, then sneezed.

Clint smirked.  "Really?"  Loki growled.  "Try it on Dawn's cat."  A ball of power slammed into Loki from behind and made him yelp but leave.  "Morning, Dawn.  I made coffee."  Dawn muttered swear words all the way out to get some and then all the way back to the shower.  Natasha came out and petted the cat before getting her own breakfast.  Clint watched the cat suck up to her and get attention for it.  "If I make begging eyes, will you give me belly rubs too?" he quipped.

"Definitely.  During sparring later," she said smugly.  "You are not tiny, young, and furry."

"Thankfully not.  So, how was being a cat?"  She hit him.  He smirked and finished his cereal.  "Later, Dawn."  He heard a grunt so that was good.  He left, Natasha following a few minutes later.

Dawn petted her new helpful buddy before getting dressed and heading to work.  She did remember to lint roll, even if it didn't get all of it.  One of the security guys sneezed.  "Sorry."

"We heard about the stray."

"Natasha brought him in last night."  She grinned.  "I'll lint roll better."

"Thanks."  He went to take something for it.

Bruce met Dawn in the elevator.  "Good morning."

"Morning."

"Anything going on with you three this week?"

"Natasha adopted the outdoor kitty."

He shook his head.  "Your mother's just come up allergic to one of the strays she's been feeding."

"Then I won't let her Loki-sit."  She grinned.  "I'll try to lint roll better too."

"Thanks."  He smiled, watching her get off to start the day.  He went to his lab, cackling about a kitten Loki.  Joyce would like that story.  Thankfully, only one other person in the building was allergic and Dawn never went in his lab because he had clean room rules, even though he didn't need them for his research.  The guy was so germ phobic he bleached himself sometimes.  The poor guy used a bubble from his car to his lab, went through the decontam double barrier, clean room procedures, then got to work.  He didn't take lunch, didn't eat anything in there, and then did it in reverse with the bubble.  You had to feel sorry for the guy.  He needed a bed on Warren's floor at the special hospital.

Dawn walked in.  "Natasha brought in Loki," she told Tony with a smile.

"Cap's Loki?"

"Yup."  Tony smirked.  "He loves her old toys."

"Wonderful."

"And the big, human one's allergic."  She smiled prettily.  He burst out cackling.   "I'll make sure I lint roll really well since Mom's allergic and so is one of the guards."  She synched their systems and went to start her daily rounds.

Tony smirked at Pepper.  "I'll have to remember he's allergic to his namesake."

"I'll make sure she can close her closet so the furry thing can't get in."  She smiled back.  "Have fun with that."  He went to design something that would totally destroy Loki the next time he tried to help his 'consort' campaign for something harmful to humanity.

***

Xander looked at Phil when he showed up that night, with the twins.  "Spraying?"

"Cranky."  They crawled over to their uncle and cuddle mobbed him.  Xander smiled and petted them.  They settled in to nap.  "Let's get you guys to a bed."  They fussed.  "Now please."  They still fussed.

Xander looked at them.  "You two have to sleep on a bed, not on me."  They pouted.  He hugged them and put them in a chair next to him.  That worked and they napped like that.  "Still not a lot of luck separating them?"

"They do sleep in their own beds most of the time.  It helps a lot."  He sat down.  Xander was watching the sunset.  The kids were snoring on each other.  Phil moved Melissa to her own chair.  John fussed so he petted him.  "Just putting her on her own cushion."  He sat down again.  "We've been avoiding a lot of talking."

"We have," Xander agreed.

"Why?"

"Because you weren't ready yet and I told you it was your job to start it when you were ready?"

"Probably true," Phil agreed.  He looked at his chosen spouse then shrugged.  "Can we set up a rotating door?"

"As long as the twins and Callia can't get through it on their own.  I don't want them hurt by all the weapons or the trainees.  You guys sent me three last time that I was about to lock down."

Phil considered that instead of the knee-jerk reaction.  "Those are good reasons but the kids are part of my life."

"And I get that, but," he said, grimacing some.  "There's a lot of things that could hurt them here, Phil.  Including me if I'm in a rage."  He stared at him.  "I can't promise that I'll see them and not trip over them."

"I've tripped over Melissa a few times," he admitted.  "Then soothed her for it."  He stared at him.  "You're still scared of your reaction around the kids?"

"Yeah, I am.  I fully admit that Rome broke me in ways that can never and have never been fixed," he said quietly.

"I've felt that but it's not a full-time one."

"Dad pointed out I'm still wearing illusion shields around me so he can't even see what I actually look like."

"I've noticed those.  I figured they were some sort of protection."

"They partially are but they also hide scars and other things."

Phil stared at him.  "Is it that big of a worry?"

"Yes.  To me it is."

"Okay, so right now you're cautious when you're not supervised," he said dryly.  Xander glared at him.  "At least around the kids.  I can understand that.  What you went through was horrific."  Xander nodded as he sipped some soda.  Phil scanned him.  "I don't think you're as broken as you think you are."

"In these things, thinking is the real problem," Xander told him.

"I realize that."  He pulled up more of his godly influence to look at this one he protected.

"Phil," Xander warned.

"Just scanning."  He stared at him.  "I can't see through the last shield either.  The others are a bit strange.  Why does one make you look like a skeleton and the one below it a teddy bear?"

"It works."

"Oh, okay."  He concentrated on Xander's well-being and it was a bit muddy.  He calmed him and Xander went rigid.  "Being calming."

"Don't."

He pulled back and let the powers go.  "Sorry, trying to help."

Xander nodded.  "No, not like that."

"Okay."  He patted him on the arm, making him relax.  "We all have boundaries, Xander."

"I know.  I know mine are pretty fucked up."

"Quit swearing in front of the kids and we all have some that are.  Especially after the battles we've seen.  I have some from when I died."

Xander nodded, relaxing some.  The kids were still sleeping so that was good.  Maybe he'd start pulling out the memories to try to put them back together again.  Or maybe he'd just try to make himself forget them again.  That might help more.

"However you feel you want to fix them, we'll deal with it," Phil said quietly.

Xander looked at him.  "I doubt that's not a solo activity."

"But I can be there to support you."

Xander stared at him.  "Not really part of your job, Phil."

"It is, in all meanings of the word.  Even as just an agent, it would've been something I would've done for whoever I was guarding and Fury was going to send me to guard you.  He told me that a few weeks back."

Xander shook his head.  "I didn't need it."

"He nearly sent me to you in Sunnydale so I could guard the whole team.  Then Joyce getting sick and evacuated worked well with his schedule.  You two nearly got another SHIELD agent to help you around town."

Xander stared at him.  "We'd have driven them off."

"Probably would've sent you Barton," he admitted.  "He was on slight injury leave at the time."  Xander shuddered.  "It could've helped.  He handled Cleveland fairly well."

"Sunnydale was far beyond the insanity of Cleveland.  Even during apocalypse times Cleveland has nothing on Sunnydale during calm times."

"We didn't think it was that bad."

Xander nodded, creating a mirror.  "Yeah, it was."

"Dawn showed us some."

"So that's how the link started," he said.  Phil nodded, watching the past stream by.  It was the most disturbing, soap operaish horror movie ever.  He grimaced at a few things and looked at Xander once, who only shrugged.  Phil moved past some of the stuff he had seen, he had been sent after graduation to get statements and make sure the town was calm again.  Buffy had blatantly hidden from him.  Xander had been out of the town so he had talked to him and then informed the director of what he had said, so he had to go check it more quietly than not.  Buffy hadn't noticed one more 'parent' looking person up by the college that occasionally wandered the town.  He looked at Xander.  "You actually picked Oxnard?"

"Close enough in case I had to run back for an emergency but far enough away and with few enough demons that word wouldn't get back to the girls.  I needed a break to just drink and forget everything.  Which I got."

"You clearly did."  He stared at him.  "I was in town."

"I figured you were.  Have fun?"

"Not a lot and you did the store better than Giles ever could."  Xander grinned at him for that compliment.  He went back to watching.  He paused it.  "Graham Miller was at the strip club."  Xander leaned over so he pointed.  "Isn't that him?"

"It is him and that's their team's other guy in the back.  Huh.  Wonder if they were scouting or not."

"Probably not.  They would've mentioned it.  Though you did look different with the lighter hair."

Xander nodded.  "That's why I did it."  He sat back up.  "They clearly never reported that.  It wasn't anywhere in the Initiative files."  He shrugged.  "Odd but okay."

Phil smiled, going back to watching.  Xander was right, Sunnydale had more fighting and was a lot more emotionally destroying than Cleveland is.  "Will Cleveland shift this way?"

"More people and more area to spread the taint out in, so probably not.  Sunnydale had that partially closed subrealm thing going for it to keep all the energy in there."

"Good point."  He watched the last year of Sunnydale and nearly flinched at some of the stuff going on.  He shut it down.  It did give him more to think about.  Xander was definitely influenced by his current/last life as an immortal.  Even if the others were lying in wait underneath it was usually this last life that was the main personality traits.  Usually it took a battle or him losing his temper to fall back to one of his past lives or his original one.

John strolled over.  "You brought the kids?  You have three guys down there that'd like to chew on them," he told Phil.

"We do?"

"Yeah."  John retuned the mirror to show him those three's minds.

Phil stared then nodded.  "I'll have them reevaluated."  John smirked.  "They're grounded until I bring them in tomorrow."

Xander looked down toward their barracks and laid that.  "Okay.  Though one's out and around."  He scanned, sending him away from stalking Thor's goats.  "I'd never hear the end of it if he decided they were tasty goats."

"Probably not," John quipped.  "So why the serious talk that I'm blatantly being a tension break for?"

"We're just starting to talk about things," Phil admitted.

John smirked.  "It's probably a good thing since you've been married for so long."

"Still hate the bitch for forcing it," Xander sighed.

"Me too," Phil agreed.

John nodded.  "Sometimes, when you can't fight anymore, you have to accept and make the most of it.  Not like Gaia's going to give up."  He stood up.  "Want me to take the kids to my temple?  Or Atlantis?  The guys could use a cuddly thing to help them calm down.  It's a remembrance night."

Xander shook his head.  "It's not safe.  Your city's having a huge thunderstorm."

John looked and grimaced.  "Great.  It's a dramamine night for everyone."  He went back there.  Rodney was fussing with the shields to block some of the high waves out.  It finally worked and everyone cheered.  "Good job," he praised quietly.

Rodney smirked.  "Of course it was."

Diama appeared and touched one thing, fixing it.  Suddenly the storm shields went up.  She smiled at Rodney.  "Forgot to fix."  She kissed him on the cheek and blushed, then ran off giggling.  "Radek!"

"It's nice she adores him," he said dryly.

"He tells good stories."  Rodney got up from the floor and put his tools up.  "You okay?"

"I'm fine.  We really do need to make more ZPM."

Diama flashed back to stare at him, shaking her head.  "Dangerous.  Wrong air."  She flashed off again.

"Wrong air?" John muttered, considering it.

"I don't know," Rodney admitted.  "Maybe the specific gravity of a site or something?"  He went to his lab to consider all the variables that could be counted by the baby Goddess as 'bad air'.  It could be the wrong chemicals in the air.  It could be the amount of moisture.  Who knew what she meant but he needed to figure it out.

John relaxed and checked on Phil and Xander.  Then got to his desk of paperwork.  He really needed to order one of those Dawn robots to do his paperwork for him.  Not for any other reason but just for the office task stuff.

***

Xander smiled.  "John's city is less motion sick now."

"That's always a good thing when you're on a floating city."  He shifted and checked the kids, who were still snoring.  He shook his head.  "I have no idea why they snore."

"There's a few reasons for snoring but with them I'd say it was sinus trouble," Xander said.  "She's sniffly so he probably is too."

"Could be."  He got pillows to prop up their heads and they curled up on their sides, quit snoring, and made happy noises.  "Good kids."  He sat down again.  He looked at Xander.  "You're not as broken as you think," he said quietly.

"I am."

"Banner had the same thoughts."

Xander frowned at him.  "Did you just compare me to the Hulk?"

"Well, your anger and his anger issues...."  He smiled slightly.

"Yeah, not quite the same thing."

"A lot alike though."

Xander shrugged.  "Whatever."  That led places he didn't want to look.  Phil patted him, nearly making him jump.  "You were never this touch-happy before."

"I was with friends and family," he corrected, staring at him.  Xander relaxed again.  "If we're making you that nervous, we can go to the little house you made us."

"No, it's all right."  He calmed himself.  He was using his battle senses for some reason.  He scanned and found why, shooting energy at it.  The hovering, concealed craft died and crashed outside their shields.  Phil looked then at him.  "It was watching and had weapons ready."

"O'Neill's things?"

"Think so."  He texted John to let him know.  John could call someone on base.  Xander strengthened the shield on that side so whoever had survived couldn't just hike up to threaten them.  That helped a lot.  He relaxed again and next time Phil reached past him for something he didn't flinch.  Phil stole his soda.  "I can get you one."

Phil stared at him.  "I asked Thor about the sharing food thing."

"I don't just go by Asgard customs."

"I realized that but he could explain most of them to me."  He sipped it and put it down, staring at him.

"Um..."  Xander blinked at him.

"We'll have to figure it out sometime, Xander, and I'm not one for polite, political, boring unions," he said quietly.  "So we'll have to work it out."

Xander swallowed.  "That's not necessarily an absolute, Phil."

"It is."  Xander shifted.  "We had interest before all that."

"Yes but not all interest leads to marriages."

"No, it doesn't," he agreed.  "But since we are, we need to work this out between us."  Xander nodded.  "Because I can't take being miserable at home."

"I get that.  I don't want that either.  Because I know I would be.  It's like being tied down."

"It's not."  He smiled slightly.  "I'm not tying you down to anything unless you ask."  Xander stared at him.  He smiled.  "Really.  Not my thing."  Xander snorted but relaxed again.  "If you want, we can go up to the cabin with you and spend quiet time away from everyone."

Xander blinked.  "That means the kids will age faster for a bit."

"They're young and the two weeks or so won't hurt them.  It might get them past this cold they're developing."

Xander nodded.  He sent a thought at Roque about those three agents being picked up in the morning and Phil wanted to go to his cabin so he took them with him.  Them, the kids, the dogs, and it was a full cabin.  Xander looked and thought about adding on.

Phil laid a hand on his arm.  "If and when you decide to add on here, we'll do it by hand, not by powers," he said quietly.  "That way we both have sweat and time invested in the house."

Xander stared at him.  "That's almost a romantic notion for you."

Phil shrugged.  "Any relationship takes work."

"True."  He relaxed.  "Where are the twins sleeping?"

"On the trundle."  He smiled.  "We can manage."  Xander nodded slowly, staring at him.  "Can you sleep in clothes?"

"Not likely."

"Then we'll figure it out.  It's freezing in here."  He started the fire.  Xander smiled and warmed the house.  "Thank you."

"Welcome."  He stared at the kids and the dogs curled around them.  Even Garnet, the female wolf Hellion had taken as a mate, was helping guard the kids.  "Good dogs and Garnet," he said, petting them all.

Phil smiled and took a picture.  "Your moms will like that."

"She and Maria are that serious?"

"Yes, they are."

"Good.  Tara deserves the best there is."

Phil smiled.  "She does."  He went to the bathroom and came out to get the kids up to the trundle.  Garnet promptly stole John and carried him back downstairs.  "They need to sleep with human things, not dog things," he chided.  Hellion had stolen Melissa, who kept trying to climb over him, to cuddle up around.  He sighed, looking at Xander.  He gave them the command to guard and wake them if something happened.  They barked and Xander let the dogs upstairs.  They could sleep on the trundle too.  He even carried up the basket of puppies.  That made them all happier and the twins got the four young puppies with them on the bed while the adult dogs ranged themselves around the room.

Xander considered the bed, staring at it.  He mentally shrugged, deciding Phil had to deal with the real him, not the nicer pretend him that he showed a lot of people.  He stripped down and climbed in.  He did wear socks.  The house was freezing tonight for some reason.  He checked and closed the window in the bathroom.  Then he did another rewarming charm.

Phil stripped down to his boxers and climbed in.  He checked but the twins were covered with a blanket and the puppies.  They'd be fine.  He settled in next to Xander and pulled the quilt up.  Xander snuggled in.  He smiled and relaxed, letting himself drift off.  The twins being there kept them from doing anything but it was good.  Comforting.  Xander did creep closer all night but he could appreciate that as it added extra warmth.  He checked on the twins, adding a second blanket and a warm stone from near the fireplace to the bed.  They cuddled in and it was good.  The puppies moved closer.

"There has to be another broken or open window," Xander muttered.

"Or the fireplace is letting too much heat out," Phil offered.

Xander shook his head.  "Not usually."  He checked the house again, finding someone trying to get in.  He flashed down there with his axe, scaring the two teenage boys to death.  "This is my house," he noted.

"Alexander!" one yelped.  "We're sorry!  We knew not that it was yours!"  They fled.

Xander stared.  "Next time, don't pick someone's house for meeting your girlfriends," he called after them.  "Real men bring them home."  He set up the alarms around the house again and flashed back upstairs.

"Get under here.  I put in a warm rock," Phil ordered.  Xander gave him a strange look.  "You went outside in the snow storm in socks, Xander.  Nothing but socks.  Get in here."

"We pretty well run around half-dressed," Xander pointed out.

"You're less than half dressed.  Climb in."  Xander climbed in and it was nicely warm under the quilts.  Phil moved closer.  Xander stiffened but Phil pulled him closer.  "This bed wasn't this large before."

"It's unconscious," Xander admitted, undoing the stretching spell.  Hellion jumped up and laid at his father's back then stretched, which meant that Xander got pushed toward Phil since that side was against a wall.  "Hey!"

Phil smiled.  "Thank you, Hellion, he's chilly."  He pulled Xander closer and held him.  "Body warmth, Xander.  You're cold to the touch."

"I don't feel like I am."

"Which is probably a bad thing."  He looked down at the twins then at his husband.  "We'll work on it."

Xander looked at him.  "You're going to have to accept me as I am."

"I know."  Xander relaxed again.  "Doesn't mean I can't complain about things like going outside naked except for socks during a snow storm."

"It's almost always snowing up here."

"I realize that," he quipped.  Xander relaxed again and snuggled in to warm himself.  It was nice and they could handle this.  Xander did give a good cuddle.  It was nice to have someone there, in his bed, beside him again.

Xander laughed.  "You should've dated.  Tara would've encouraged it."

"Probably, but I spent most of the last year exhausted."  They got comfortable.  Phil lost his shirt so Xander could quit rumpling it.  That worked well and it was fine with Phil.  It had been a long time since he had someone in his bed.

***

Xander woke up to someone patting his nose, blinking up at Melissa.  "Morning."

She smiled and patted him again then leaned forward, falling on the way, to kiss him.  She babbled at him.

"I used to do the same thing," he said.  She snuggled in against him and it was nice.  "You need changed, don't you?"

"I just did."  He brought John back up the stairs and let him wiggle his way into pouncing his sister.  He didn't care who else was there to pounce if his sister was there to pounce and cuddle.  She babbled at him.  He grinned and babbled back.  "He's going to be so overprotective of her."

Xander smirked.  "Probably."  Phil laid down.  Xander made himself relax.  Phil stroked over his hair.  "It probably needs washed."

"Probably but that's normal."  He kept soothing him.  The kids were being cute and babbling at their uncle and daddy.  Melissa was trying to get away from her brother.  Phil picked her up to cuddle.  John pouted and clutched at the uncle.  Melissa wiggled down and pounced him.  That made him happier.  "They get more personality all the time."

"They do," Xander agreed, petting them both.  "Why don't you two cuddle Daddy?"  They clutched him harder.  He sighed.  Phil smiled.  "Still not used to this."

"Neither was I."  He laid down again, getting them all under the quilts.  The babies crawled down to look at the other end of the bed.  Phil looked down there.  "Tell us if you get stuck."  He put the quilts back down after fluffing them up to give them extra air room.

Xander looked down there.  "It's just toes, guys."  They found the toes and he had to move one.  "No chewing on my feet."

Phil snapped and wiggled his fingers.  Melissa crawled up to pounce them and gum on them.  "Thank you.  Chew on your brother's toes, not ours."  She babbled at the fingers.  Then one of the puppies wiggled his way up to the main bed and under with them.  That made it a great game to play with the puppy.  Marble was more than happy to be under the warm things with his humans, all of them.

Xander shook his head, letting the quilt down again.  "They're a bit weird."

"They are."  He reached over again, smoothing some of the hair off Xander's forehead.  "Bit long."

"I'm getting it trimmed soon."  He shifted and moved the dog.  "Not that.  That is not a plaything."  He flashed on boxers.  "Sorry."

"I'm sure she's seen John's before they were born," he said dryly.  "She's too young to remember it otherwise, Xander."  The kids crawled up his stomach so he let them out.  They went to pounce the wiggling bump under the blankets with a squeal.  "You two are loud."  The dog escaped the twins and the blanket, laying above their heads.  The twins followed the bump and then dog down to the trundle bed.  They had blankets down there to play with the puppies under.  Ruby was tongue-happy again so it was great.

Even if Xander did have to get up and save Garnet from John, who had thought she was a furry bottle.  "You don't suck from wolves, kiddo.  Not even I did that."  He put him back on the trundle.  John pounced his sister with a squeal.  Xander laid back down.  "Are we staying up here all day?"

"For a while longer.  Until we're ready to go make breakfast."  He shifted closer.  Xander gave him a worried look.  "It's not like I'm going to attack, Xander.  I'm just getting warmer."

Xander checked, the house was pretty warm.  He checked over Phil.  "You're coming down with something."

"I know.  I realized that this morning when I had a runny nose.  I took something for it."  Xander nodded, letting him get close enough for body warmth but not cuddling.  Melissa huffed and crawled up to hide with them.  "Hiding from your brother again?" he quipped.  He patted her and let her cuddle.  John was making fussy noises.  "She's up here, John.  Come see me."  John crawled up and got his back to cuddle, which brought up the puppies.  Xander smirked.  "I know but it's good he likes animals."

"It is."  He patted Melissa on the head.  "You need your own room."

"How would you do that up here?  I'm not sure if you would separate twins."

"They'd have a joined room.  A wall between their beds but an open area.  Or the loft area in the house and a heavy blanket between the two sides, depending on what type of house you had."

"Why the loft?  That seems really dangerous.  Hard to grab them from."

"It's safer in case something breaks in."

"I hadn't thought of that.  Asgard is still pretty wild and has a lot of dangers."  Xander nodded.  Phil smiled.  "I'm sure it'll be okay."

"Probably.  They'll still get kid injuries."

"That's fine."  He shifted closer.  Melissa got put with her brother since she was inclined to nap.  He cuddled her by wrapping himself around her.  The puppies helped with that.  He shook his head.  "Concrete, off his back."  The puppy moved.  Xander snickered.  "He's a bit heavy for John's torso."

"He is a pudgy sucker."  He shrugged.  "He'll work it off in training."  He pulled Phil closer.  "Better?"

"A lot.  There's no cold nose in my back."  Xander reached over him to move the puppy, who huffed but curled up underneath the blanket at their feet.  Xander shook his head.  Phil smiled.  "At least he's not directly underneath us."  Xander expanded the bed a bit.  "Thank you."

"Welcome."  He yawned.  "I didn't realize I was still tired."

"It's all right.  I cleaned up the mess the kids made."

Xander sniffed and fixed it.  "You forgot the stink part."  Phil winced.  "It's cool.  I've bled and sweated on this bed."  He shrugged.  "Sheets wash.  We have another set."

"I can do laundry later."

"You're going to warm water, scrub them on a board, and then hang them up to dry?" Xander quipped.

"No washer?"  Xander shook his head.  "Maybe we'll bring them home with us and do them in the machine?"  Xander smirked and nodded.  Garnet hopped up to sniff the twins.  He looked back at her.  "Let them sleep please, Garnet.  They need to rest."  She laid down around them and the puppies, barking at her missing one.  He crawled back up to snuggle the mommy around the furless puppies. That helped them even if one of the bigger humans moved him off one of the furless puppies' head.

Xander finished shifting the puppy then got back to the smiling Phil.  "Chunky puppy butt did not belong on John's head."

"No but it's nice that they like him as a pillow.  He is very cuddly."

"He is."  He shifted some.  Phil pulled him closer.  Hellion groaned in pleasure and stretched out more to take over the newly freed spot.  Xander stretched the bed around them again.  Phil smiled.  "I know but Hellion's huge.  He needs his own bed."  The dog's tail wagged.  "Don't drool on the sheets or you're buying new ones."

"It's a queen and so is mine if you wanted to go snatch a few sets," Phil offered quietly.

Xander shook his head.  "It's good."

"Are these woven up here?"

"Egypt."

"Huh.  Present?"  Xander smiled and nodded.  "We might have to find more sets.  That way we can wash them and save the special ones for special things."  Xander blushed but nodded.  He pulled him closer again.  "You keep stretching between us."

"I'm not really used to having someone there all the time.  I did it to Anya too."

"Unlike her, I don't expect you to throw me down and make me squeal again on it," he said dryly.  "Not yet anyway."

Xander chuckled.  "You think you'll squeal?"

"No clue.  Never been there with a guy.  I'm not really a loud person though."

"That can be changed," Xander said, shifting closer again.  He was good on the wooing of someone into his bed but still uncomfortable with wooing them into his life.  This part he could handle.  He kissed Phil, shifting closer so their bodies were touching.

Phil let him lead here, because he had no idea where they were going.  He pulled back, staring at him.  "No drinking with dinner?"

"Did you bring up bottled water?"

"A few jugs of it."

Xander smiled.  "That's fine then."  He kissed him again.  "Your first time won't be because of some liquor."  He pulled him closer, wrapping Phil in his arms.  "This means you have to get naked sometime," he teased.

"Which I don't mind as long as the house is warm and the kids can't see."

"We can put them up a room and then rebuild it by hand."

Phil looked at him.  "There's no doing it the easy way or it won't last."

Xander stared at him.  "I get that.  Even for a few days and we'll build it the next time we come up?"

Phil smiled and snuggled in.  "No.  Sorry."

"Okay.  They're your kids."

Phil looked at him.  "Some day they'll be your stepkids."

"Stepkids I might not mind," he admitted quietly.

Phil kissed him.  "We'll build this too."  Xander nodded and they went back to the kissing and fondling until the kids got up hungry.  Even if they did have to stop Garnet from nursing them.

***

Xander and Phil got what they needed for the new rooms and Xander had to teach Phil a bit but they got it under control quickly.  A few new rooms were easy enough to add on once the materials were in the proper form, which Phil did allow them to use their powers for.  The rest was built by hand, sealed by hand, and finished by hand.  It made Xander feel relaxed to build onto his house.  He had missed construction work.  It was tiring but they fell into bed each night relaxed after a warm bath.

The kids loved the trundle bed.  Xander created beds for them and Phil agreed that was fine.  The room had a wall between the bed areas and then an open play area.  That worked well with thick, heavy curtains in front of the bed areas.  The kids took their toys in there and it was a great play area suddenly.  Toys got sent with name tags on them.  They smiled at the ones from Strife and Cupid.  A few from Diama that Melissa stared at because they made noise at her when she patted them.  She liked the noisy things.  John liked to smash things with his new toy truck.  They even went to their own beds without fussing.  John sometimes crawled in with his sister but when she got tired of being cuddled she went to his bed.

Xander smiled at Phil.  "Any other rooms you wanted to add on?"

"Our own bathroom?" he quipped.

Xander laughed and showed him where that was.  "You didn't figure that out?"

"I thought it was the closet."

"It is."  He smirked.  The door was on the other side of the closet.  "I never use in here because I need to put in a heater.  I didn't want to build another chimney."

Phil created a small firepit in the center of the floor.  It was far enough away from everything and there was a fence around it so they wouldn't run into it.  He looked at Xander.  "Like that one?"

"That'll work," he agreed, starting a fire in it.  The room was done in tile and it was freezing in there.  The fire was crackling merrily and warming up the room nicely within minutes.  Phil nearly got too warm and stripped off his outer shirt.  Xander was heading for the toilet, which had a room around it.

"Do we have a septic tank?"

"Special privilege of the Gods.  It kinda disappears into the void."

"As long as it doesn't redirect and make us enemies," he decided.  He used it after Xander and took a shower.  He was now sweaty.  The fire got calmed down by Xander and it was better.  He could even take a Dawn-length soak and not get chilly in here.  Xander moved the fire to one end of the room that had a free spot.  That helped some.  Phil looked up from washing his back as he was joined.  He blushed but let Xander have the shampoo.

Xander kissed him.  "I wanted to see how you did this."

"I think I use a pretty standard method of bathing," he quipped.  Xander smirked back and took over the brush to clean him.  Phil let him.  It was intimate but calming and soothing at the same time.  Even when Xander got cuddly.  It was just as nice in here as it was in the bed.

"Dadadadadada," John shouted as he crawled through the closet.

Xander looked at him.  "We have to head home soon anyway."

"I know.  They can stay with Tara tomorrow night?"

Xander grinned.  "Definitely if you're sure."

"I think they'll enjoy them babbling."  He looked out at his scowling son.  "I'm taking a bath, John."

"Dadadada!"  He beamed.

He smiled back.  "I love you too.  Go pounce your sister?"  John tried to pull himself up on the tub.  "We're naked, John.  You don't need to see naked people."  Xander laughed but got out.  He got the baby in with him and John squealed in pleasure.  He got him bathed and out, even though he pouted.  Phil came out too and got redressed.  John got redressed and Melissa pouted.  He got her a bath.  That was nicer and they could nap.  Phil went to find Xander in the kitchen, taking a kiss.

He was getting better at initiating things.  Xander would let him go however far he wanted.  They still hadn't gotten beyond mild groping and kissing.  He'd have to change that the next time they came up.  They gathered the kids and went back to the temple, him taking the twins and those three agents with him.  They landed in front of the director with Xander's help.  "Sir, it was reported that these three need to go through a reevaluation of where they're to be stationed."

"I can have that done."  He stared at the twins.  "It's not that cold.  Why are you wearing flannel?"

"We were at Xander's cabin, sir."

"That's fine.  I'm sure you two have to talk about a lot of things."

"Yes we do."  He walked off, handing the twins to Maria, who was chewing someone a new one.  He stared at that crewmember, making them back away slowly.  "Good.  Idea."  He fled.  "They were just bathed."

"They're in flannel, Coulson."

"We were at Xander's cabin.  We put on a new room for them."

"Interesting."  She looked at them.  The babies were full out babbling at her.  Calling her 'aoo' for some reason.  "Is that their version of aunt?"

"Yes, I think it is," Xander said.  "They call me 'uc'."

She smiled.  "So that means you two are talking?"  They smiled and babbled at her.  "Nice job, kids."  She put them down.  They crawled off to suck up to the person that had coffee.  "No coffee."

"I had cocoa last night," Xander admitted, catching them and handing them back over.  Fury was glaring at them.  "It was pointed out that they were a bit...rougher than I am mentally."

"We can definitely look at those issues and see if they have skills we can use in that manner."

"Considering we were told they'd want to torture the twins?" Phil said.  Fury winced.  "One was going after Thor's goats for a snack, sir."

"Understood.  We can make sure of that."  The twins were pouting at him.  "What now?  And didn't I say no kids on the hell carrier?"

"Didn't stop at home first," Coulson said.  "We're going there right now, sir."  He took the twins back after they hugged their aunt.  Xander took him back there so he wouldn't drop one of the wiggly kids.

"Mamamamamamamamamama!" John squealed, lunging down to hug her.

"You spoke!" she said, staring at them.  She took them to cuddle.  "Went up to Asgard?"

"We did," Xander agreed.  "They have their room up there now."

She stared at him.  "Separate?"

"Bed areas are," Phil said, creating an image of it.  She smiled at them for it.  "They're good.  Just had a bath.  I need to change.  Why are we on the hell carrier?"

"Cleveland and Buffy's wedding."

"Oh, that reason."  He went to change into a suit.

Tara smiled at Xander.  "Shovel talk?" she asked quietly.

"Nowhere near there yet," he admitted.

"Uh-huh.  I didn't know cluelessness was one of your powers.  Is the blonde on that movie yours?"

"If so, then Buffy probably is too since she didn't realize they were married for nearly a year."  He flashed out, going to check on Buffy.  She was twitchy and pacing.  He stared at her.  "Want to be a bunny rabbit for a few hours to cure those nerves?"

"No!"  She stared at him.  "Where were you?"

"Took Phil to my cabin on Asgard last night."

"Oh."  She sat down with a huff.  "I'm getting married."

"Yes you are.  In a few days."

She nodded.  "There hasn't been a single attack yet, Xander.  Something's seriously wrong.  There's always attacks when I'm having happy celebrations."

"Spike warned *everyone*," he assured her.  "And I'm pretty sure you're getting one with the way Fury's got his hell carrier heading this way."  She winced.  "So yeah, probably.  Beyond that, does an attack have to happen to prove to you that you're happy?"

"I don't know," she admitted, looking at him.  "It feels like it's unfinished if not maybe?"

"We have an upcoming demon apocalypse you can't help with," he said dryly.  "They'll definitely help you celebrate then if not."

She sighed and nodded.  "Might make it feel less unfinished.  Where's Mom?"

Xander checked and shrugged.  "Boinking Bruce in their hotel room."

"Oh.  I don't need to know."  She rubbed her forehead.

He laughed and scanned her.  "Still just a headache, Buffster."

"Thanks, Xander."  She looked at him.  "Dawn?"

"Doing assistant things I'd guess."  He looked and sent her an extra dagger.  She used it on the being that was trying to stab her and Pepper.  "Or not.  There was a Moloch trying to get her as a sacrifice with Pepper.  They were out to lunch I guess."  She snorted and leaned forward, holding her head.  He scanned her more carefully, all over.  "Hmm.  Just exhaustion from the kids.  You could call and talk to Tara.  She's got the babies today."

"I did.  I don't want to keep bothering her."

"We're your slayerettes," he reminded her.  He sent a thought at Tara, who said she was coming down tonight with Phil.  "They'll be down tonight."  She smiled at him.  "Now, shouldn't you be doing mystical girl things like shaving or waxing?"

"I did that.  Hylal got horrified that I did my bikini line."

"Yeah, not something most Asgardian women do," he quipped.  "Mostly not their legs or armpits either."  She shuddered.  "Did he enjoy it?"

"Kinda.  I think that's why I'm pregnant."  He laughed and patted her on the head.  "So many of us can't be there."

"Cordy's ascended so she's spying probably.  Angel is in LA with the rest of them.  They should be coming."  She nodded.  "You have all the rest of us."

She looked at him.  "I miss Willow."

He nodded.  "I miss the old Willow, not the later years Willow."

"Yeah, me too," she sighed.  "I don't know anymore, Xander."

Xander smirked.  "I can't take the duty from you, Buffy."

"I wouldn't let you if you could."  He grinned.  "I know, it's remembering and all that.  We were little bitches."

"Yes you were."

"Gee, thanks," she said sarcastically.

"Just agreeing."  She laughed and went back to working on her hair.  He flicked a finger and made it do a beehive, which got him swatted.  She had to take it down and rebrush then figure out how to do it.  "Bun."  She tried that and nodded it'd look good.  "You got the four mystical mandatories?"

"Something old is my necklace.  I got it from a pawn shop.  Something new is the dress.  Something blue is on my garter.  Something borrowed....  No, I don't."

"Ask your sister for one of her bun cages."

She found her phone after a mad scramble and texted that.  Dawn said she'd bring one with her tonight.  She relaxed and went limp in her chair.  "Thanks."

"Welcome.  Now go pounce him.  He's probably just as nervous.  Rituals like this tend to make guys cringe, especially warriors who don't use magic."

She smiled and went to talk to Hylal.  Xander went home to get breakfast.  He was a bit hungry.  Xander did get Hylal's family down for the wedding.  Including his sisters.  That way they could do the special pre-marriage things the right way.

***

Xander looked up from the pre-wedding sitting around while everyone got seated time, frowning.  "Really, now?" he muttered.  He looked at Phil, who had Tara and the kids.  "Phil?"

"I take it the traditional opening attack is happening?" he quipped.

"Yup."

"Handled," Dawn said from her seat without her mates.  "They're out there right now."  She looked back.  "It's Riley."

"Fucker," he said.

"Fuck!" Callia said happily next to Dawn.

"You, stop," Xander ordered, staring at her.  "You know better."  She pouted but nodded.  "Thank you.  Set a good example for the twins."

"Yes, Uncle Xander.  You go help?"

"Yeah, I think I will."  He got up and went to talk to the people who had classified him as a 'useless tagalong'.  He walked out and picked up Riley, throwing him through a nearby tree.  "Good morning.  Did you come to help her celebrate the wedding?"  The other Initiative people were staring.  He flashed his magnificence.  "Yeah, I was hiding it," he said smugly.

"Nephew, we can handle such so you do not get too messy," Thor offered.

"No, I'm good.  They used to think I was useless, Uncle."

"They are clearly stupid," Thor noted.

"I think that's why the UN hides them in places that water doesn't run," Natasha offered.

Xander smirked at her.  "Could be."  He shot a few of the rushing 'agents'.  Barton got a few more.  Stark was without armor but he had a glove on.  Not like these wooses needed Iron Man to stomp them flat. They got it cleaned up in time for Buffy to appear.  She got out and looked at the mess then at him.  "They're making a carpet of your former life so you can walk over it and forget it."

She laughed and clutched Bruce's arm so they could walk over them.  "Thanks, guys.  Now it feels like a happy day."  She stared at Riley.  "Does your wife know you're here?  Does she like that you're still jealous?"  Xander looked then pointed at where Riley's wife was hanging off a branch and about to fall.  "Huh.  I guess she likes you pathetic then, Ri."  She walked in on Bruce's arm.  He was a bit sniffly but that was fine.  The rest of them got back into their seats and Xander made sure he was still spiffy.  Pepper came in after helping Buffy make sure her dress was perfect with Joyce.  Joyce and Bruce walked Buffy down to meet Hylal, who was so happy he was a bit sniffly.  Buffy was sniffly.  It was going to be one of those sniffly weddings.

Dawn handed Natasha an embroidered lace hanky.  She got a smile for it.

Pepper squeezed Callia.  Who was looking very confused but she liked the music.

Tara was sniffly and using Phil's handkerchief.  The twins were cuddling each other and quietly babbling about the twinkly lights in the church.  Phil had put a muting shield around them so they wouldn't disturb anyone.

The other Avengers were watching.  Though Clint was trying hard not to grin.  Buffy's poufy dress was a beautiful cream lace number over tulle.  Corset top that made her look like she had bigger breasts.  It was going to take Hylal an hour to get into it or a really strong knife to cut it off her.  She had two flowers tied with a ribbon being carried.  Joyce was seriously sniffly and leaning on Bruce's arm.  He was soothing her and it was all good.

Stark was resisting the urge to subtly pull out his phone and check his email.  Jonathan, Andrew, and their 'dates' - who they still insisted were girls they were friends with because they weren't ready for girlfriends yet - were trying hard not to pull out their phones for the games.  The girls were taking scientific notes about the emotional messiness that they didn't understand.  Though Andrew's kept glancing sideways at him and getting a grin back.

Xander was watching over it to make sure no one else tried to interrupt.  When Ares tried for Dawn again, he made sure he appeared outside with a sign next to him about it being a family wedding that would get him destroyed if he interrupted.  To feel free to take out anything on the remaining wooses they had destroyed.  The ceremony was short and sweet.  Then they went back to the slayer house to party.  Well, have dinner and cake.  The partying would be in individual groups.  Faith, who swore up and down she did not go to weddings, hosted the reception for them.  It was good.  The dinner was good.  Talsa and the others from the temple had done a great job.  Buffy and Hylal got to sneak away for their weekend on Asgard.  Roque would get them on Tuesday.  All his family followed to have a great family feast without the happy couple.

Dawn walked outside, smiling at the scowling God of War.  "Even if you could separate them out, they'd never power whatever weapon it was, Ares," she said quietly.  "They've been influenced by the teenage me in their home realms.  One was fifteen and humming the Care Bears song."  He shuddered.  "They're not weapons for war."

"They're power sources."

"That open doorways to other realms," she said dryly.  "Do you really want to face down that sort of invasion during a war?"

"No," he said.

"Then find the Arapex Key, not my Key."  He huffed and left.  She went back inside, hugging her mother and Bruce.  "Got that straightened out."  She kissed her mom on the cheek.  "He has a pulse, Mom.  It's a great thing."

Joyce laughed and swatted her.  "Until she kills him."

"Then I'll make him a zombie for her."  She went back to her seat, getting comfy.  Clint and Natasha were talking with Jonathan about something the younger man was flailing about.  She smiled at Xander.  "Spike?"

"Hosting the celebration at the demon bar," he said dryly.  "I took film for him."  She smiled.  "Faith, are you ready for the drunken and hungover attacks?"

"Yup, sure am," she quipped back with an evil smirk.  The heros in the room laughed but it was nice of them.  They understood.  They could even enjoy part of the drunken attacks since they were so ineffectual.

25: Even Future Old Ones Have Ideas And Plans

Phil and Xander run into a problem thanks to Callia, but solving it did them some good.  Her mates find out that Dawn has been playing kitten poker, and there's some incentive there to talk about it.   NC-17, m/f/f (in various combos of that trio), m/m, misuse of godiva bars.

Dawn smiled at the reporter lurking outside the building to pounce on someone.  "Were you laying in wait for someone specific?" she asked dryly.

"Why were the Avengers guarding a wedding recently?" the reporter demanded.

"They were attending the wedding and it was attacked, as we figured it would be," Dawn said.  "My sister's had a lot of parties and special events attacked."

"Your sister?"

"Yes, it was her wedding.  A lot of us have known her for various reasons.  Including that SHIELD has worked with her in the past and she's Callia's mom.  I went and wasn't in the defensive action.  Which was pretty pathetic since it was her ex-boyfriend that had cheated on her by going to feed vamps for the adrenaline rush and his wife."

"It was her ex?"

"Yeah.  Riley and his wife, and their commando demon hunting team."

The reporter blinked.  "Why would they want your sister?"

Dawn smiled.  "Because she's a slayer?  That's been well known for years now."  Buffy had told her to point that out and her spouses had said it wouldn't be tactically unsound.  "Did you think that my sister just shared the name with the elder slayer?  That we had a mother with the same name as the elder slayer's mother?"

"Um....  I didn't know that."

"People have known that for years."  She smiled.  "But we're all happy that Buffy and Hylal are happy together."

"Hylal isn't a native name.  Is he human?  Demon perhaps?  I know it's said she had odd taste in the past."

Dawn shrugged.  "They understood her duty.  It's hard to find someone who understands that you have to go risk yourself each and every night."

"I suppose.  So he's a non-human?"

"Hylal is actually an Asgardian warrior.  Alexander introduced them before the battle in Sunnydale.  They've hit it off very well."  Tony and Callia walked out.  "Hey, boss, Callia."

"Hi.  Is she a reporter?" Callia asked.

"She's wanting to know why the people at your mom's wedding had to defend themselves."

"Because they were stupid poops," Callia said bluntly.  Tony scowled at her.  "He cheated on her.  The people on tv say that's bad.  Even Oprah did."

"I know she did and it is," Tony agreed.  He handed her to his driver, who put her in her booster seat in the car.  "As for the defensive action, we were there.  They were pretty pathetic.  I didn't even need the suit."  He looked at Dawn.  "Aren't you late?"

"Um...."  She checked.  "I'm making dinner tonight I guess."  She smiled at the reporter.  "Any last questions?  I have to make dinner."

"You do housewifely things?" she sneered.

"Sometimes.  I got taught how to make some mean Indian cuisine and a few others.  We switch off."  She smiled and walked off.  "Have a better night."

The reporter looked at Stark.  "There's rumors that her spouse isn't human?"

"As far as I know, the average Asgardian is a human.  He's just a very large human.  He's about as tall as Thor is."  He shrugged.  "Hylal's a really good, stand-up guy.  I hope Callia finds a nice guy who has the same sort of decent qualities he does when she's old enough to date at thirty."  He smirked and headed for his car.

"What about the rumors that the taxpayers funded that fight?" she called.

"Since when do taxes pay my salary at Stark International?" he quipped.  He shot her a smirk.  "SHIELD isn't on the US payroll."  He slid into the car and closed the door, sighing and looking at the person next to him.  "She said it's her turn to make dinner."

"It is," Natasha agreed.  "You got a death threat?"  Happy drove them off.  He read it over, grimacing.  "They're from the same people that made those...creations."

"Charming."  He handed it back.  "Let me know if they get close.  If not, have fun with them if Fury lets you or let me know so I can.  I can use some moving targets for new weapons tests."

She smirked.  "There's some in the city.  Beyond that, we're already weeding them down."

"Great."  He smirked back.  "Have fun at dinner, Natasha."

"You as well."  Happy paused and she got out, heading upstairs.  Dawn was indeed starting on dinner.  She took a kiss.  "You should be more careful."

"They were laying in wait outside."

"I'm sure they were."  She took another kiss.  "Death threat from the sexbot people."

"Charming."  She smirked.  "I'll make sure I have the extra ammo in the desk again."  Natasha laughed and walked off.  "Get changed.  We can spar after we eat.  If Clint ever comes off the roof."

"He is?"  Dawn nodded.  "Why?"

"Brooding a bit."  She handed over the spoon and went up to the penthouse so she could climb up to the rooftop deck.  He was on top of the shed that housed all the machines that had to run the building.  "I'm making ravioli.  Homemade ravioli."

He looked down at her.  "I'll be down soon."

"Wanna share?"

"No."

"Okay.  When you do, you know where we are and we'll listen."  She patted his foot.  "Come in for sparring?"

"I might."  He watched her head back inside and sighed.  He was having bad thoughts again and it wasn't the usual sort of bad thoughts.  Things had happened too fast.

***

Clint faced down Dawn the next day.  She had it off, he had called off since he didn't have a current assignment.  Natasha was at work hunting down the idiots threatening Stark.  "I'm having some conflicts," he said.

"Okay."  She perched herself in front of him on the couch.  He was curled up against one arm, she sat facing him.  "About what?"

"Some day, I might want a family."

"I'd love one.  I'm not sure if it's possible for me to have one.  If not, we'll figure it out."  He stared at her.  "Even if I have the structures, who said it works?" she asked more calmly.  "I have no idea and no idea how to find out."

"Okay, that's good to know.  They're there though?"

"They are.  Hurt like hell going in."  She grimaced but let it clear up.  "The second time too."  He shuddered.  "Right now, I'm pretty satisfied with the twins and Callia babysitting time, which you never do.  When were you thinking about this going on?"

"Maybe in a few years?"

"I can get with that plan."

He relaxed.  "Natasha won't."

"I leave all that up to her but she told me that when she's mostly retired it'd be more likely."

He nodded.  "I can see that.  Though, retire's a bad word."

She smiled.  "Permanent injury leave better?"

"No," he admitted.  She shrugged.  "I know.  Trust me, had this thought before."

"Are there any little Bartons running around?"

"I donated a few times, have some stored," he admitted.  "I put your name on the allowed list."

She hugged him.  "When you're ready, we'll talk about it.  See if it's a possibility."  He nodded, relaxing again.  "If not, maybe we can do a surrogate, using our sperm and eggs, and do it that way."

"Maybe," he admitted, lightening up some.  "We weren't ready for her to do that."

"No," she admitted.  "I liked what we had but this new level of 'ship hasn't really changed all that much from before.  I mean, we were scary and inciting lust before."  He smirked at her and kicked at her lightly.  She patted his foot.  "I did."  He nudged her again.  "To me not much has changed, even though things have officially changed.  It does mean I can send nasty notes to the woman who sent you underwear again."

"Someone did?"

"Yeah, the guy in the mailroom at SHIELD who handles the fanmail for the team told me."

"Eww."

"It was clean he thinks."

"Still not what I want."  He stared at her.  "I don't want things to get harder."

"They're as hard as we make them.  So said Mom and I'd assume she knew."

"Probably, yeah."  He considered it.  "I've still got worries."

"I think that's pretty human of you," she said.  "I have worries and that's pretty human of me."

He smiled.  "I know very well you're human, no matter how you got made."

She grinned back.  "Thanks."

"Is that worrying you?"

"Someone brought it up the other day.  Nothing else has been slung at me recently."

He nodded, patting his lap.  "Want comforted?"  She crawled up and settled in his lap to cuddle him.  "This is better."

"This is really nice," she agreed.  "As far as I'm concerned, the wedding was unofficial and the certificates are okay until we're ready for them to be fully enforced.  I even filed single taxes this year."

He gave her a squeezed.  "They're real and we have to deal with the bigger things.  Including taxes."

She looked at him.  "Want me to get the stuff to amend?"

"No.  We didn't know we were married then."  He took a kiss.  "We're probably worrying Natasha."

"I think she realized that we're still having some doubts now and then.  She said last night during sparring that we should've just stuck to tattoos."

He laughed, giving her a squeeze.  "Maybe.  Might've been easier."

"Are you feeling that doubtful?" she asked.  "I mean, the removing of a tattoo is hard but....."

He kissed her.  "I hate your low self esteem moments," he said, staring at her.

"Ditto."

He grinned.  "We can fight each other's and let her ooze over us like a goddess in our lives."

"She is like my personal goddess some days."  She snuggled in better.  Natasha was clearly listening so they sent dirty thoughts at her, getting a snort back.  She told them that the marriage was what they made of it and they did not have to acknowledge it in public or anything.  They made their points about that feeling wrong but it was too dangerous to do so.  Which bothered Clint, and Dawn hated having to hide anything.

At her age she should be having PDA in the park, not hiding that she was with the most amazing people in the universe.  Natasha agreed about that and said they could go on a public date.  They agreed that'd be nice and let her get back to work.  Clint made sure he was locked down.  Dawn made sure she was locked down, and they disconnected from each other for a bit in case.  They laid there and cuddled.  It was great having a day off together.  Even if Clint's mind went in a typical guy fashion to sex.  Dawn looked up at him.  "You only have to ask."

"I know.  That's the greatest thing about you."  He took a kiss.  "Beyond how you added Lucky Charm marshmallows to curry the other day."  She grinned.  "It tasted good, you were right.  Took a nice place of the raisins we were out of."

"I'm praying that some day I don't have problems that mean I can't feel things," she said, playing with his shirt button.  For some reason he was wearing an overshirt.

He swatted her hand.  "You won't.  Even if you couldn't get off at all, you'd still like the cuddling and the other stuff."

"It is pretty good," she agreed with a smile.  "Even if you were in a wheelchair."

He shuddered but hugged her.  "If I am, I'll hire a nurse."

"Like hell."  She bit him on the neck.  "The only one that gives you a bath is me, Barton."

He laughed.  "We can handle that."  She slid off his lap and hauled him up, taking him to the bedroom.  "Hmm, needy?" he teased.

"Yup.  You froze your ass off up there last night instead of sitting on our nice, warm porch."

"I needed some alone time."

She looked at him.  "Next time, bring a heater.  We could feel you shivering."

"Sorry."  He took a kiss.  She wrapped herself around him.  He smiled and took them to the bed, where it was always good with her.

***

Phil showed up alone that night at Xander's, earning a grin.  "Maria is hovering over the babbling ones.  Melissa pulled the cooking oil down onto her head while Tara was cooking.  They're still trying to get it off."

"Dawn dishwashing detergent?" he offered.

"Tried.  It's the cheap stuff so it never comes out."  He sat down beside him.  "Can we go back up to talk some more?  It seems easier there."

"We can do that once I finish this file."  He went back to reading.  Phil was frowning at it.  "Something I've been watching to see if I needed to step in."

John appeared and took it, walking off.  "Hey, one of the shitheads I tried to end a few years back in Europe survived.  I'll have to handle that again, only better this time.  Maybe with fire."

"Your city broken again?" Xander asked.

"Yup.  The whole city's broken.  It's been one long day of remembrance since the President announced it."  He looked back.  "I stole some of the mead and ale casks it was so heavy earlier.  I'm getting out of it."  Xander nodded.  "Go home."  He sent them both to Valhalla with a grin.  Then he went back to his city after getting some more liquor.  They each had their way of escaping angst.  John had a whole lot of people under his command who needed to be watched as they handled theirs then he could handle his own.

***

Callia smiled at Pepper as she came in the door.  "Hi, Auntie."

"Hi, Callia."  She settled on the couch.  "Your dad said we're having dinner."

Callia beamed.  "I asked.  I need more girls in my life and you're my favorite auntie."  She hugged her.  "My favorite veggie is still 'matos but you're my second favorite veggie."  She ran off to get her stuffed penguin.

Pepper sniffled but she was smiling.  "You're my favorite little girl too, Callia."

Tony was even a bit sniffly about that.  She was his favorite veggie too.

***

Phil looked around the clearing they had landed in, shivering some.  "This doesn't look familiar."

"This is where John always shows up to find his way to anywhere else."  Xander took them to his official house.  "I have to get a scroll."  Phil nodded, standing by the fireplace.  He smiled.  "You need warmer clothes."

"I put some on or so I thought."  He let himself warm up there, looking around the entry hall.  "Thor said you had an official house."

"That's what this marble monstrosity is," Xander quipped.  "Some day soon I'm changing it."  He came out with the scroll, finding someone in the doorway.  "What's up?" he asked Tyr.

"Are you officially up here for a bit?"

"No.  I'm going to the cabin.  I needed a few things from here."

"Odin doesn't want you that close."

"I built that house, not him.  For that matter, I built this house."  He looked around and snapped his fingers, packing things and sending them off to his cabin.  Then he smiled and snapped, dissolving the house. " There, they can have the land back."  Tyr winced.  He took Phil to the cabin.

"Is that going to get you in trouble since all the prior drama got undone?"

"No.  I don't rightly care most of the time."  He looked at him.  "My only duty is to the villages, not to the main hall, not to them, none of it."  Phil relaxed and smiled.  "If Odin comes here to throw a fit, he doesn't actually own this realm."  He shrugged.  "He's the main god.  Frankly, his power base is up here and mine's not.  But....  I still built this cabin and he can't enforce immigration rules because we don't have any."  Someone pounded.  "Yes, I knew you were out there.  Go the fuck away."  The door got pounded on again and he opened it, staring at his grandfather, who did not look pleased.  "I guard these villages."

"All of the Aesir must have a house there."

Xander shrugged.  "You don't count me among them most of the time.  Want me to give up my duty to the villages?  I have another few vacation cabins.  Speaking of, how did you find this one?  I have it shielded."  Odin glared.  He stared back.  "I'm taking a night off from earth."

"You've done that many times."

"To talk to the mate that Gaia nicely gave me."  Odin flinched.  "Phil and I need privacy to talk and get to know each other.  The temple is a bit full."

"You have a duty and a responsibility.  Put back up that house."

Xander stared at him.  "I'll put something in a few days.  I was going to redecorate anyway.  It's much too grand for me."

"It's what your father wanted," he sneered.

"Since when have I been my father's son?"

Odin flinched back.  "That may be.  Put it back anyway."

"I'll put up something more modest and fitting my personal style later.  Before I go back in the morning."

Odin stared at him.  "You are not above our laws."

Xander sighed and snapped, creating a small stone cabin there.  "Better?"  Odin glared.  "It's not like I take part in the politics.  I avoid it whenever possible.  For multiple reasons.  That's why I noted it was a bad idea that I'm the only grandchild."  He slammed the door.  "I'm having a night off."  He walked off.

"Xander, calm down," Phil soothed.  "We can go somewhere else."

Xander looked at him.  "That cold?" he asked dryly.

"No, the cabin is nicely warm and it's a beautiful place.  Much more calm and peaceful than your temple.  This speaks more of you than your temple does."  Xander relaxed again.  "But it's not wise to piss people off."

"If he's pissed off it's his own fault," Xander said.

"I get that."  He patted him on the arm.  "Let's take things to a better vacation spot?  That way I see more of you and your style?"

Xander relaxed and nodded.  "We can do that.  You probably need somewhere warmer."

"I'm not a beach bunny by any means.  I actually like snow, just not thousands of feet of it at once."  Xander smirked.  "Does it never not snow?"

"Few days a month.  A few months in the summer."

"Short growing season then."  They both looked outside at the roar of a bear.  "His?"

"Can't be."  He went to open the door, staring at the bear.  "Do you mind?" he asked it.  It looked confused.  He could feel the magic.  "I was wrong, it is.  She's even a mother bear.  That's charming since she would've cubbed recently."  He followed the magic back where it went, through Odin and Frigg to a few others.  They yelled as the magic backlashed.  "Good."  The bear fell to all fours and lumbered off.  "Go back to sleep, Mama Bear."  He looked at Phil.  "Let me go yell at people."

"We can both go," Phil said.  "I'll back you up."  Xander stared at him.  "Backup is always a good concept."

"It's been a long time since I used it," he admitted.

"I use it often."  He smiled.  "That's why I'm in charge."  Xander snorted but locked up the cabin and took him with him.

"So the *heir* returns," Odin sneered.

"To look at the people who just sent a mother bear to attack my house."  He looked at them.  "Happier now?"

"We thought it might encourage you two to work together," one whimpered.

Xander shook his head.  "I can talk to animals."  He looked around then at Odin.  "I see it got rebuilt."  Odin growled.  Xander stared back.  Then he looked at the others again.  "Had enough."  They backed down.  "Beyond that, seriously?  Because I'd need help for a bear?"  Phil patted him on the arm.  He looked at him.  "You could've shot it."

"I know."

Xander smirked.  "You are badass in your own way, Phil."  He looked at his cousins again.  "Mayhap someone's mind is rotted by the VD he and she caught off the inn wenches again."  He walked off.

"Grandson, that house is not appropriate," Odin noted.

Xander looked at him.  "I find it charmingly comfortable.  It may not be grand but I'm not one that shows the length of my powers or prowess with the size of my cars, houses, horses, or weapons.  Mine speak for me, not having to have it stated."  He took Phil off, taking them to one of his vacation homes.  Phil was sweating nearly instantly.  "Sorry, Greece."

"I loved Greece the last time I was here for work."  He took off the heavier shirt.  Xander smirked and they went to play on the beach for a bit.

Odin looked at the house then waved to change it.  It grew but it looked odder now.  He huffed and tried again.  It changed to bright pink, which to an Aesir was the color that evil overlord types wore.  He groaned and quit trying.  He got that message.

John showed up with a smile.  "Watch me hit that gong again for annoying my baby brother."  Odin glared.  John smiled more brightly.  "Things are actually working right now between him and Phil.  They're actually talking.  They might even move into a better friendship soon.  So can you maybe quit annoying them into reacting?  Because they will react and the tender bonds they're building now will be fractured.  If we actually wanted your grandson to be happy, you'd leave him be."  He disappeared.

"That is wise advice," Freya agreed.  "There will be no union if they don't work it out themselves.  Even with Gaia's dirty trick."

Frigg shook her head.  "They'd destroy her but probably can't."

"Oh, he could but then he'd automatically have to take her place and our nephew cannot plant," Freya said.  She shook her head.

Odin looked at her then at the ones that had tried to torment Xander.  "Leave him be."

"Yes, sir," they agreed.

"Get checked for that VD too," Alana quipped.  "You are both mentally weak right now for some reason."

Odin stared at her.  "You still must marry."

She smiled and produced a vibrator.  "As some Hindu ones do, I have married something that will bring better luck to our villages."  She walked off to play with her new spouse.  She had even figured out how to make it not need batteries.

Frigg sniffled.  "I hate that custom.  Daughter, what is that?"

"His name is Alan, Mother."  She smiled at her.  "He hums a lot."  Freya squeaked and hid her face in her hands.  "It's a very good thing for our relationship.  Makes me quite happy and sated without having to deal with someone being there to annoy me."  She disappeared back to her house by her villages.

Frigg looked at Odin.  "It is not my fault," he assured her.  "It was how she was born.  Look at how Athena gets above herself."

"I think Alana's is more that she does not want to be the same sort of target that your grandson is."  She got up after patting him on the hand.  She needed a drink and there was a bottle of wine she had been saving for a special occasion.  Since her youngest child was now married it was a good time for it.

Odin glared at the hall.  "Go."  They fled for their lives.  He would have to straighten out that girl later, and then his grandson.  He shored up the shields around the cabins and sulked to some mead.  Why didn't his children and grandchildren listen?

***

Xander snuck them up to Valhalla later that night, winking at Phil.  "It's one of the hunting ones."

Phil got up to look around, nodding at all the weapons that lined the walls.  "You imported guns?"

"Yup.  Had to."

Phil smiled.  "You wanted to."

"Well, yeah."  He grinned back.  Phil touched a few but kept moving until he had completed a circuit of the small one-room cabin.  The bathroom was sealed off by a heavy curtain in the corner.  The kitchen was against one wall and the fireplace.  The bed was in a corner by the kitchen but away from the fireplace.  It was colder here than it was in the other one.  Xander warmed the house, sealing a crack he found.  Phil grinned.  "Sorry."

"No, it's not a problem.  You're used to the cold and I like some cold.  Not so freezing that I could become frozen like Captain Rogers was."  Xander snickered.  Phil came back to the couch, which was in a nice, cozy, warm spot in front of the fireplace.  "Do you only hunt from here?"

"Usually.  Unless I'm hiding.  Dad doesn't really like the cold all that much sometimes."

"That figures."  He shifted, looking around.  "No books?"

"Usually I'm doing weapons maintenance.  If I let Alana take over, I'll leave her some of them."

"We can bring them to my place in New York if you want," Phil offered quietly.

Xander looked at him.  "Are we moving in together?"

"I wouldn't mind having you there more often."

"I..."

"I know.  We can shield it so even Dawn can't hear.  I can turn off the sensor that Stark put up too."  Xander shrugged.  "Make a doorway between there and the temple?"

"I might like that," he said cautiously.  "There's no movie theater near the temple."

"We can handle it and get the kids used to not pouncing you as often."

Xander smiled slightly.  "That might be good.  I have to keep myself from flinching."

Phil touched him on the arm.  "So do I sometimes, especially after very bad nights."  Xander nodded he understood those.  They calmed down and relaxed.  "Time still run faster here?"  Xander nodded.  "Did you realize our anniversary is next week?"

Xander looked at him.  "Up here?"

"Down there."

"I didn't."  He considered it.  "Want to go out to dinner?"

Phil smiled.  "I might be on an assignment that night."

"Okay, let me know."

"I can do that."  He stroked over Xander's arm, making him calm down.  Xander calmed down with petting, like a large hunting dog.  "The dogs?"

"Are staying there."

"Fine."  He smiled.  Xander kissed him then got up to make something to eat.  "Want to take the first shower or me?"

Xander looked at him.  "Shower?"

"In the morning?"  He got up and stripped down to his boxers, climbing into the bed.  Xander was staring at him.  "Once you come to bed?"

Xander put his sandwich back in the cold box and came to bed.  Phil was nicely warm then and Xander still slept naked.  Phil moved closer, letting him start the heavy petting tonight.  Xander ran a hand up Phil's stomach, making him tense up.  "Been a while?" he guessed.  Phil nodded.  "That's fine."  He leaned in for another kiss.  Xander always made sure they both got off somehow.  He moved closer, making it a tighter groping session.  Phil was happy with that idea.  He even managed to get them both naked.  Clearly a huge leap had been made in their relationship.  They could rub against each other.

Phil was into it on a visceral level but he didn't understand how or why it felt so good.  Xander could make him see that.  He nudged his hips into Phil's, earning a gasp.  "It's good, dirty fun."  He took another kiss, just casually thrusting against Phil's own cock.  It was a good thing, a nice thing.  Something that Phil was really enjoying.  Xander slid a hand down his back and pulled his hips closer with a butt grab.  That helped and it was very good.  They both came and Xander made a warm, wet washcloth to clean them off.  Phil stopped him and used a finger to scoop some up to taste.  Xander shivered.  "That's sweet," Xander said.

"Bit salty," he teased.

"Usually."  He cleaned them up and took another kiss.  "Rest?"

"I could use a slight nap but I'm not really tired."

Xander smirked.  "I keep forgetting you have some decent stamina too."

"I do, yes."  He shifted some.  "I read up on the mechanics of where we're going."

Xander nodded.  "It's not a bad thing.  Feels better after the first few seconds."

"I saw that."  He let Xander cuddle, which he did enjoy.  Xander gave good cuddles.  Xander even stroked his stomach.  "I might need some showing though."

"I can definitely show you everything you want to see," Xander teased.  "I give a pretty good blowjob."

"That I've seen."  Xander looked at him.  "Assignment."

"Those can suck," he agreed.  Phil poked him for that pun.  "I can't see you as the bimbo type."

"I'm not.  I did draw rich, evil women for a while though."

Xander smiled.  "Some of them can be very fun."

"Yes they were."  He sighed.  Xander laughed.  They relaxed and went over what Xander was going to add to the new trainee schedule.  These ones were still a bit weak.

***

Phil would not be bitter about his anniversary being spent in Romania, which he now hated thanks to them having taken the trio.  He was even over here to help end the remaining bits and pieces of that group so that was a tiny salve to his bad mood but didn't make it much better.  He had a few junior agents he mostly trusted not to screw up but none of the special agents he had helped train over the years, or even worked with.

They really had to do something about the training at the lower levels and how to sort people for missions.  One would not shut up.  Phil finally found the duct tape in the emergency kit and used some on the agent's mouth.  "If we can't use the radio, you can't babble," he said bluntly.  Then he got back in to drive the car again.  The other agents were all slumped down.  Great, now he felt like he was their training officer.  Again.  This was not going to go well.

***

Xander listened and watched, then set up the pretty shot and got the person who was threatening his future mate.  It started a slight panic but let the other agents do what they needed to get done and the bitch quit trying to talk Phil into bed.  He got two others that he hated, including one immie who was trying to interfere.  That immortal was not pleased but caught sight of him and went pale, hopping off to get out of the way.  He mentally nudged her and told her that he was only there for fun and games.  She whimpered and quit her service as soon as the boss answered the phone.

Xander flashed out.  He had brought Natasha over to help since he had heard Phil complaining about rookie agents without sense.  She got what they needed.  Barton was covering her, and Dawn wasn't worrying because Xander had brought them.  Well, not worrying much.  They all evacuated and Xander got them all home with Phil's help.  "Room?" he asked Phil.  He handed over the keys.  He took Barton with him to help make sure they weren't noticed.  Then they went back to SHIELD.  Fury was glaring at the agents.  Xander handed over the three bags.  "You actually left clothes, with American tags in them, in your motel rooms?"  Fury groaned.  "Even I know not to do that and I haven't been in a military since the goddamn civil war, people."  He looked at Fury.  "I need to train these ones."

"I need someone who can train them in special agent things instead of physical things."

Xander nodded.  "Yeah, maybe.  Find me one and I'll build them a nice suite."

Fury snorted.  "I might take you up on that."  He looked at Coulson.  "Duct tape?"

"Humming _Stairway to Heaven_, sir.  Twice."

Fury winced.  "Humming."  Coulson nodded.  He walked off shaking his head.  "Reports.  Tonight.  Analyze that data and information tomorrow."

"Yes, sir," Barton said.  "Thankfully I don't have much to write."  He strolled off.  Natasha had hers half done while Fury was chewing on the junior agents.

Phil looked at her.  "I miss working with you two sometimes."  She smirked at him.  He started his own report.  Xander took him home to feed him.  Nothing really fancy, just pasta and sauce.  A salad.  It was nice though.  Very calming.  "Thank you for making her quit huffing on me."

"Welcome."  He grinned.  "I made garlic bread but it needs to be broiled."  Phil did that and poured the wine, settling in to eat once the bread was done.  It was a nice dinner.  Very calming.  Phil finished his report and sent it through the system then let Xander pulled him to the couch.  Iron Chef America was on and it was always good for a laugh.  Xander was seriously into touching tonight and Phil could enjoy that.  A lot.  He got his first blowjob from his new husband and it was nice.  Xander gave a very good one.  He laid there and groaned, stroking over his head.  Xander stood up once Phil was limp, staring down at him.  "My turn?"

"If you're up for it, your turn is on your back," he offered with a grin.

Phil sat up and kissed him.  "We can try."  Xander grinned and took him to the bedroom.  It was nicely set up with clean sheets, which looked familiar.  "You brought the sheets down?"

"They have protections so your powers can't flash out and draw attention."

"I didn't realize that.  I'll have to put some on my other sets."  He smirked.  "I'm told that it's normal for my magic to flash if it's good."

"I'm usually very good," Xander quipped.  He got them undressed the easy way but moved closer to kiss him while they were standing.  "You can say no."

"I'm not in the mood to say no."  Xander beamed and pushed him down, laying down with him to go back to the kissing.  It was good, let Phil touch Xander.  There weren't many places that made him flinch and one was a good place to suck on.  He tried that, making Xander moan and clench up.  "Not a vampire," Phil whispered in his ear.

"Thank you, Goddess," he moaned.  Phil laughed and got back to it.  He had a few girlfriends over the years.  He did know how to make a bed partner happy.  He may not have centuries of experience but he was good at it.  It was time for him to make the first move again.  He moved down to tease Xander some more.  Teasing Xander had varying responses, from giggles to moans to outright coming from a few places being bitten.  He avoided those today and moved to the ones that earned him moans.  Xander was nearly whimpering.  He shifted up to get on top, kissing him.  "Hi."

"Hi."  Xander pulled him down for another kiss.  "I should probably get on with the prep stuff."

Phil smiled.  "However you want to do it, Xander.  I'm not that impatient."

"No bedtime stories?"

"Already read."

"No need to go baby someone?"

"Only you."

Xander relaxed and nodded, flipping them over to go back to teasing Phil instead.  Xander found the lube he had put in here and made sure it was within easy reach.  Phil was squeezing his eyes shut and gripping the sheets, head back, because Xander was slowly licking his cock up and down.  It was driving him nuts, which was half the point.  Xander slid a finger into the pot of lube then used it to coat the outside of the hole and the valley between his cheeks.  Phil spread out for him.

"Easy, let me handle it.  You just enjoy it," Xander ordered.  He delicately dipped his pinkie finger into the lube and used it to slowly tease the pucker open.  Phil shivered but relaxed for him.  That was easier.  It let him switch fingers up to a normal sized one.  His index finger made squishing noises but it was a good thing.  He found the little nub he was searching for on the second thrust.  Phil flinched and went rigid.  "Okay?"  Phil nodded.  "You sure?"

"I'm good," he said, sounding strangled.  "More?  Please?"

"On it."  He went back to teasing him into relaxing enough to open for him.  Phil was very sensitive to any touch near his prostate nub.  He got him open to two fingers and Phil was wincing so he gave him another prostate nudge.  That eased the pain and Phil was more than happy to open up for him.  Xander shifted around some, going back to distracting him.

"Xander, please," Phil ordered.  "I'm not that sort of virgin to it."

Xander laughed.  "You sure?"

"I'm sure.  I want to feel it, remember it."  Xander nodded, going back to it without the distracting.  He switched up to three fingers, which made him a bit twitchy and sore but he knew he'd have to be more open.  The feeling of lube inside him wasn't a usual, good feeling but it was nice enough he guessed.  He diverted his mind from thinking about squishy feelings there.  Xander licked him and sucked on the head of his cock again, which whited out all thoughts.  He stared at him.  Xander grinned and pulled his fingers out.  They got together for a kiss then he felt Xander nudge him.  He nodded, taking a deep breath.  Xander slowly slid in, pausing every few centimeters before moving on.

Phil was gripping his lover's shoulders as hard as he could, panting through it.  Xander was nibbling on his throat, making it better.  He slowly calmed down as the initial pain eased.  Then Xander pulled back and thrust in again.  Phil let him, calming himself down to enjoy it.  Xander was teasing him again.  His whole attention was on the two places his hands were and where they were joined.  It was a strange 'on fire' from the stretching yet 'calming' feeling going on.  It was good too.  He was quickly back in the mood and Xander eased up, going back to teasing him by changing his rhythm.  Phil was ready to pounce long before Xander got done teasing.  "Xander?" he begged.

Xander kissed him.  "Whenever you're closer."

"I..."  He panted and swallowed some air.  "Okay."

Xander smiled and kissed him, drawing him into his web of kisses and touches.  Phil had been floating on top of the water, now he was drowning in the feelings.  He was going to spew his whole essence if Xander would let him come.  Which he wasn't.  It was mean yet so very good of him to do.  Phil felt like he was drowning in the feelings, watching it sink his mind, then his emotional control.  Then his physical control because even he could tell he was leaking powers.  Finally Xander nudged him one too many times and he came, whiting out again.  He blinked his vision clear, staring up at Xander, who was grinning.  "You good?"

"So far."

"Good."  He leaned down to kiss him, getting back to teasing him.  Phil was amazed he was going to get hard again so soon but Xander was a god for a reason.  Clearly he should've been a lust god instead of a protector.  Xander laughed, shaking his head.  "No one likes lust gods."  He kissed him.  "I'm happy in my job and my skills at lust and all this is only for very few special, worthy people."  He took another kiss and got back to his ideal of getting Phil to lose his mind.  Phil finally broke out swearing and flipped them over to ride him harder.  Xander stopped him from going onto his knees.  "That's only for claiming," he said in his ear.  "Until I claim you, make and mark you as mine, not on your knees, Phil."  He stroked over his stomach.  "Ride me."

Phil moved and teased himself.  Xander took that duty over.  It was still great, he was so hard he ached.  He was going to come, no matter what was going on.  Maybe it'd be in the next few strokes, maybe not.  Phil was adjusting his seat each time so they hit a different spot.  Finally he let it hit his prostate again and came, spewing come all over Xander and the bed, and a few drops into the fountain that was mysteriously on the wall behind the bed.  He panted, head hanging, sweat dripping off him onto Xander.  He looked at him, realizing he was still hard.  "Damn."

Xander smirked.  "I'm very close.  I'm giving you everything you could want tonight, Phil."

Phil kissed him and rolled off him, then onto his stomach.  "You beat me in sparring too."

Xander groaned.  "Phil, this is hyena things here.  This is *claiming* and you will never get free."

Phil smiled.  "I looked that up."  Xander shivered.  "I'm pretty sure I'm yours for our entire lives, Xander."

"It...."

Phil pulled him down to kiss him.  "My choice, remember?"  Xander nodded, starting to shake.  "I'm yours.  We'll work out the other stuff as it comes.  Take me."

Xander nodded, kissing him again.  "Just so you know."

"I know.  I realize.  I did a lot of research on hyenas and pack structure."  Xander shivered again but did slide back in.  Phil let himself be moved into a better position, even if his shoulders being on the bed while his ass was in the air made him feel a bit submissive.  He understood that need.  He nearly winced as Xander slid back in.  "Were you hiding extra inches?"

"Yes."  He kissed up his back.  "I need to remove the shields.  It's only right."

Phil stared at him.  "I'm not scared of scars, Xander."  Xander nodded, leaning down.  His forehead was on Phil's back, and he removed both the shields covering him.  Phil smiled and touched him.  He had a few bad scars but nothing that would make anyone cringe.  He was skinny too.  "You need to eat more.  You can't keep up this sort of activity without fuel."

Xander laughed.  "I'll eat again later."  He pushed back in and slowly nibbled his way up Phil's back until he found the spot he wanted.  Phil yelped when it got bitten but that was fine.

Xander was pounding into him, making him hold on for dear life.  Being claimed was a lot different feeling but it was a good feeling, a right one.  It felt like it was meant to be.  Now he suddenly realized why Dawn got so loud.  He was getting louder than he had been in his life.  Xander was making him nearly yell and pant and squeal and scream and he was loving the letting go.  Xander finally slammed in and came.  Phil winced but Xander teased him and he came too.  Phil fell down, trapping Xander's arm under him.  Xander was panting against his neck.  Still cuddling too.  That was good.  He liked the cuddling.  Xander changed the sheets for them magically then let them rest.

Phil finally flipped over and kissed Xander.  Xander kissed him back, smoothing some of the sweaty hair off his forehead.  "Thank you."  Xander grinned.  He cuddled in and it was good.  Xander gave the best cuddles.

***

Barton walked past where Phil was trudging up the halls, tossing a few pill packs on his folder he was reading.  "Might need those, sir."

"Yes, I do," he agreed, taking them with his coffee.  He knew others could tell he wasn't walking perfectly today but really one of his legs only had partial feeling in it.  He had no idea when he had pulled that muscle in his calf but clearly the natural painkillers from the sex had worn off.

Fury looked at him when he walked in with his report.  "Why are you limping?  I didn't get an injury report."

"I strained a calf muscle last night, sir."  He handed over the report.  "I've taken something for it and am waiting on it to kick in."

"How did you do that?"

"After dinner, while I was at home."

Fury stared at him.  "Sparring?  Cleaning?"

"No comment, sir."  He stared at him.

"No comment?"

Phil nodded.  "No comment."  He walked off.  It would bite him later but he wasn't sharing that.  Joyce smiled at him and handed him a new cup of coffee.  "Thank you, Joyce."  He sipped and relaxed once he got onto the elevator.  Of course, Fury had called the infirmary.  So he had to have a physical.  He walked in and shrugged.  "I stretched too far and it pulled a bit."

The doctor looked at him.  "I've done that a few times with my back.  Just your calf?  The director said you needed a full physical based on what the reports said."

"No, I don't.  She didn't get within sexual touching range."  The doctor stared at him.  "Even if you have orders you're not going to check me for sexual congress.  Sorry."  He walked off.  That poison in his drawer might be a good thing.  When he went looking it wasn't there.  Thankfully he had other methods stashed around the building.  Most of them had been found, probably by Barton to save himself, but he had a few left.  Fury ended up in the ER with a high fever that made him sing show tunes a few hours later.  It wouldn't kill him, it was just making him a bit ill.

***

Fury got better enough by about four to go glare at his minion.  "That was uncalled for."

Phil looked at him.  "What, sir?"

"The poison, Coulson.  I know I allowed you to learn how to use them but that was nearly evil."

Phil shrugged.  "It wasn't a poison, you're not dying, sir."

"Why did you think that was appropriate?"

"For the same reason you thought I needed to be checked for sexual activity, sir."  Fury glared.  He stared blandly back.  "I might love SHIELD but my loyalty is to the organization, not the people."  Fury backed down a bit.  "They have no need to know if I've enjoyed relations with anyone, including my spouse, recently.  There's no need for anyone to really have that information, sir.  We don't ask it of you."

"I know where I've been."

"I'm fairly certain I know where I was too."  He smiled.  "She didn't touch me a bit, I wouldn't have allowed it."  He put down his pen.  "Beyond that, the request violates federal regulations in the United States, and SHIELD regulations as well, sir."

"We don't have those," he snorted.

"We do."  He pulled down his handbook to flip to the proper section and found it within a few seconds of seaching.  "Here, sir."  He smiled as he handed it over.  "It does cover both men and women.  It does not allow the infirmary or anyone else to give you private sexual information unless it is compromising someone's health or well-being.  Something like post-rape trauma is the example cited.  Which I do not have."

"There's also rules about not sleeping with foreign nationals, Agent Coulson."

"I haven't.  Alexander has a recent California birth certificate where he has that deaging curse on him, sir."

"He sure as hell is," Fury said dryly.

"Even then, with the forced marriage, that does create an exemption, especially if Immigration had papers on file for him, sir."  He stared at him.  "Which we asked, he doesn't need any.  They accepted his rebirth in Sunnydale made him a US citizen by birth."

Fury glared at him.  "I'm to know these things because they can become important."

"No, sir, I don't see how anyone's relationship status is that important.  I'm not young and cute enough to send to sex people up for information any longer therefore it can't really be a detriment to my work."

"I can still fire you for not going to a mandated appointment."

"Yes, sir, and then I can sue."  He smiled slightly.  "I hear it's a reasonable thing in the US now and there's many good attorneys instead of just ambulance chasers willing to help such cases.  Especially since you wouldn't ask that of the female employees.  Though if you did, I'm sure that's why most of them to go a doctor off-site."

"I hear from them too," he sneered.

"If you do that violates federal laws in whole other categories.  There is no reason for their doctors to share private information with you, even with a warrant, unless it's necessary for an investigation.  Which would be an Internal Affairs job, and ours is out of the FBI the last I knew, sir."  He stared at him.  "Beyond that, you still can't have that information on me.  I'll destroy everything and help it rebuild in the manner it started in.  I may love SHIELD but I have my doubts about some of the administration."

He stood up.  "I can tell you're not a robot.  Even Meers' robots had some processing faults and a bit of slowness now and then.  I know you're not a goo clone because you've told a few lies."  He smirked slightly.  "You have a very interesting tell, sir.  Your bad eye twitches."  Fury was glaring now.  "Did you expect me to be miserable for my whole life?  Since we can't get out of it, a wise man learns to live with what he has and makes the most of it.  Thankfully, he and I were becoming friends and we've spent a few long nights talking about things.  It's been a good thing."

"We don't allow personal attachments and we don't offer gay husband benefits," he sneered.

"He's not on any of my paperwork.  Tara's on it for herself and the twins.   Dawn's on it as a beneficiary and as my medical power of attorney.  She didn't like that but she is.  Alexander's not on it anywhere as of this time and probably won't be for a while."

"What's he going to do when you die, Coulson?"

"Technically, he was due a golden apple that he could decide to give me, sir."  Fury gaped.  "He did help the Greek pantheon with a few battles.  I think he won the apple after one of them."  He smiled slightly.  "We haven't talked about where it's going yet."

"We don't need any more demigods here at SHIELD.  One is enough."

"There is a distinction between being immortal and being a demigod, sir.  Including having gifted powers instead of bloodline powers, such as magic, and parentage.  I can do up a report if you'd like."

"No, I don't like.  I don't like this new you at all."

Phil shrugged.  "I haven't really changed, sir.  I'm the same agent I was before all this."  He stared at him.  "If I've found a bit of a temper over some things, I think most people would find that reasonable."  He sat down again.  "Anything else, sir?"

"I can fire you."

"I'm fairly certain I could ask Stark for a job.  Maybe a nice, sedate head of security sort of position.  Then I'd have very little to infect my life with drama outside the occasional espionage moment.  Which sounds nice.  I'd get more steady time with the twins."

"I can blackball you.  No one will hire you."

"When has something like that mattered to Mr. Stark?"

Fury stomped off.  "You'll have that exam or you can find that other job."

"That's fine, I'll call him right now, sir, and my attorney.  I'm sure I can use Dawn's."  Fury glared back at him.  He did call Dawn.  "It's me.  Can you set up a meeting for me with Stark and Pepper please?  Because I'm going to finish poisoning the director of SHIELD."  He smiled.  "That as well, yes.  Do I have his number?"  He nodded, writing it down.  "Thank you, Dawn.  Yes, that's fine.  No, I was ordered to have an exam to prove the status of my marriage bed."  He grimaced.  "He did try?  What did she do?  That's an interesting outcome.  Thank you.  That would be fine."  He hung up and gathered things.  He turned and found Xander there.  "I'm not putting up with it."

"Me either."  He smirked and strolled off, calling Hellion to him.  The two elder puppies appeared too.  "I don't need you two," he said in the elevator.  "But okay."  They got off on the admin floor.  He paused to kiss Joyce on the cheek.  "Have a break, Mom."  He walked in there and looked at Fury.  "Did you not learn anything about how bad pissing me off is when you were cursed?"  Fury opened his mouth and Xander hauled him out of his seat by hand then threw him at the main window.  He followed.  "I think we need to have a manly talk about how you wanted to know personal information you don't need, Director.

"I'm pretty certain you won't like it," he said dryly.  "But if you want to know sexual information from my family, you'd better ask me.  I am the family's PR person after all."  He stared him down.  "Do you still want to know what I do in my bed?"  Fury's jaw was broken.  He was trying to move it.  Xander stared down at him.  "You can think the answer; I'm a Godly being, I can read minds."  He smirked.  "I can do it very well."  Fury slid away from him and the dogs.  The dogs were growling.  "Down, guys.  I don't really need the backup.  Just make sure we aren't interrupted, Hellion."  The dog moved to block off anyone coming to break them up.

"Sir," Agent Hill said.  "Don't make me shoot you."

Xander looked at her.  "Did he ask you about your relationship's status to pervert in it?"

"No, he has not."

"He did with Phil, who was forced to marry me by Gaia."  She winced.  He looked at Fury again.  "I don't think anyone needs to be asked about that.  Not even Ares was that uncouth."  He stared down at him.  "You piss me off again, SHIELD can appoint a new director and those ones in charge want Stark."  He hauled him up to stare into his eyes.  "Now, did you want to ask me a question about something?"  He listened to his mind.  "Good.  I like that."  He let him go.  "Home, guys."  The dogs got sent home.  He looked at Maria Hill.  "I respect you a lot, Agent Hill.  I respect most of you, though some of the junior agents are a bit dumb.  Seriously dumb."  She grimaced.  "I'd never hurt you because you'd never send someone to the infirmary for a check to see if you've had sex recently."

"No, I would not and that is against SHIELD and US regulations," she noted.

"Yes, it is."  He smirked.  "I'd suggest you fix him before I fix this whole situation.  Because now I'm not so sure it was the robo-him that put the cameras in Dawn's apartment to perv in her life.  Maybe it's his kink and he just can't hide it sometimes.  I don't really care why.  Because I could use a few good administrators.  Not like I can steal Dawn to help me train agents."  He turned and hit Fury since he was getting up.  "No, you stay down there."  He strolled off.  "Are we taking the twins tonight?"

"Um, no, Callia is helping babysit them because there's a family dinner," she admitted.

Xander grinned.  "Cool.  See you there."  He disappeared.

"Med team to the bridge," Maria called.  She looked at her glaring boss.  "Don't worry, sir.  We'll figure out who did what to you and fix it."  He glared at her.  She stared back.  "I love SHIELD, sir, but not when it's going to get me thrown into jail for violating laws."  She let the med team gather him.  "He and Alexander had words.  Alexander threw him into the wall.  I'm fairly certain his jaw is broken at the least."  They nodded, walking him off.  She stared at the others in there.  "Back to work.  Excitement's over with and just because the director is in the infirmary doesn't mean we don't protect the world, people."  They got back to it.  She looked at Joyce, who rolled her eyes and shook her head.  She walked over.  "Are you all right?"

She smiled.  "I've seen Xander's temper before.  He was only mildly pissed off, Maria," she said quietly.  "If the director had really pissed off him or Phil, I'm sure the outcome would be drastically different."

"Probably," she agreed.  She went back to her own desk.  This had been a hard year on the director.  Maybe he just needed a vacation somewhere quiet.

***

Dawn hung up with Phil and went into the office.  Tony was in there teasing Pepper.  "Phil asked for a meeting."

"Why?" Tony asked with a grin.  "He can't come to dinner tonight?"

"I reminded him of it.  Fury asked if his ass had been used."

Tony sat up, staring at her.  "Really."  She nodded.  "Why?"

"No clue.  I felt Xander appear there though."

He and Pepper shared a look and she nodded.  "If he needs one, we can find something for him to do as a second career."  Tony nodded he agreed and they smiled at her.  "Has someone asked one of you that?"

"Natasha said someone asked her if we were good.  Otherwise no.  Not yet."

"If they do, you sue like hell," Tony told her.  "We can keep it quiet for the most part."  She smiled and nodded, going back to her desk to gather things for handing over.  "Gee, thanks, just what I always wanted," he said sarcastically.

"It's your budget for new tech pieces," she said dryly.  "If you don't want new parts for the suit and the labs, I can easily have Accounting shift it to other areas, like a new plane."  She took it from him but he snatched it back with a smirk.  She smiled at Pepper.  "Woman's Day called and wanted to set up an interview."  She handed over that slip.  "I told her you were about to go on vacation and then we had the Expo coming up.  It might have to be squeezed in or after that.  She said that was fine, she was hearing rumors and wanted to verify them."

"I can call and set it up," she said with a smile.  "Anything on the bouncy one come out yet?"

"Two sites," she said, pulling them up in there.  "Neither one credible."

One site, which was a trash tabloid rag that got sold beside registers, had the screaming headline of 'Future Iron Man Being Carried Now' and a picture of Pepper that was not really flattering and made her look heavier.  The other one was TMZ and caught her coming out of dinner in a dress that was a bit tight.  They speculated on a baby bump or just a really huge dinner.  Pepper sighed.  "I like those dresses.  I didn't think they were that tight."

"You can lose it again soon," Dawn promised with a grin.

"I can, yes."  She leaned back, laying a hand on her stomach.  "What does Woman's Day want to know?"

"No clue.  Didn't ask.  She just mentioned rumors."

"I'll call later, maybe a phone one will do."  She looked at Tony.

"I'm behind you all the way, holding up your super heavy dinner there," he promised with a smile.  "Whatever you want, Pepper."

She nodded, sighing at the end.  "I want to go to the bathroom."  She got up and went.  The baby had her going on a pretty rigid schedule anymore.  Dawn was giggling.  "Just wait, Dawn."

"Some year.  When we're ready."  She strolled out, going back to her desk.  She found Natasha there, looking at the elevator.  "Saw the blow up?"

"I did.  We hacked security footage."

Dawn stared at her.  "Is there an emergency that made you grab the energy core?"

"We miss working."

Tony walked out.  "I can find you and the other Pepper something to do, Natasha.  It's not a problem."  He walked her back down to the containment cell.  They had managed to hack their way out of it.  The original was still turned off.  She was looking pouty too.  "Grounded?" he asked with a point.

"At her own insistence," robo Pepper complained.  "We tried to help her but she doesn't want it."

"Some women don't," Tony promised.  He got them some things.  "I need someone to proofread my upcoming articles and things for the Scientific and Technology Expo."  They smiled and nodded, getting into them.  "I also need to write a speech for the show off portion."  He smiled.  "Pepper's a bit busy."  Robo Pepper stared at him.  He grinned.  "She went to the genius sperm bank."  They cooed.  "I might slip you some of the work if Dawn gets overloaded helping her.  Okay?"  They nodded and got into the simple tasks.  They had been very bored.  Tony let them keep the door unlocked for now.  The dangerous one waking up would make it shut down again.  He made sure with JARVIS.  He went up to tell Pepper and Dawn that they had those for now.  It did solve some of the heavier work.

***

Callia looked over as Xander walked in with Phil.  "Uncle Xander, are you coming to dinner too?" she asked.  "I didn't expect you and I didn't make enough cookies."

He smiled.  "Someone decided I should marry Phil."

She squealed and hugged them.  "When do I get babies from you two?"

"Not for a very long time," Phil said dryly.  She pouted.  "We'd need a mommy, Callia."

"You can borrow Auntie Dawn or Auntie 'Tasha.  Unclie Clint shouldn't need two to have babies with."

"Don't think so," Xander said.

"Shoot."  She went back to the kitchen.  She was helping cook tonight.  They hugged her on the way out to the heated patio area.  It was nearly Thanksgiving so they had the heaters going full blast.

Stark looked at him.  "Yeah, if you sue him, we can find you something mundane and quiet around here.  I heard from Dawn."

"If not, I could use a good admin and another trainer," Xander quipped with a grin.  "Am I one too many?"

"Of course not," Tony said dryly, waving a hand.  "You're fine and family, Xander.  We all know you're the wife."  Xander burst out cackling and swatted him.  He smirked back.  "At least the security sensors didn't catch you guys."

"I blocked them out," they said together.  Stark cackled as he walked back to the grill.

"Is Dawn making out in a room somewhere?" Xander asked, looking around.

"No, she's at her desk for another twenty.  Woman's Day wanted an interview so she and Pepper are handling it."  Natasha and Clint walked in without Dawn.  "See, only they were making out in the elevators."

"I'd never make out where there were cameras," Natasha said.

Clint shook his head.  "Not exactly an exhibitionist most of the time either."  He flopped down.  "We all got video of you knocking him around, Xander, and of him singing show tunes due to the high fever."  He grinned at Coulson, who smirked back.  "Nice work."

"Can you use that on him so you get a day off?" Xander quipped.

"Nah, I have plenty of leave time right now," Clint said.  His phone went off.  "What?" he answered, listening to it.  "I got briefed on that mission in case they needed a sniper and they won't," he said firmly.  "Which means it's not my area of expertise, Agent Sitwell."

Phil took the phone.  "Sitwell, the Director is in a compromised state again," he noted calmly and quietly.  "If that's the mission in Bulgaria, he'd never fit in."  He listened.  "That one either.  Yes, I know they have a past history, which is why he's not a good choice."

Dawn walked out dusting her hands off.  "If that's about the stupid piece of shit warlord that tried to capture us in Brazil, he's here in the city and I've already had a discussion with him of the dangling off a roof sort because he tried to shoot my pretty ass."  She took kisses.  Then the phone from Phil.  "Agent...  Oh, Agent Sitwell, is it about that stupid warlord?"

She listened to the brief details.  "He's been vamped.  That means it's actually my sister's job or Faith's job.  Not Agent Barton or Romanoff's jobs."  She listened.  "Yeah, he's still vamped and I'm pretty sure if I had to I can use a crossbow.  No, I doubt he has much information since he's a figurehead the last time we ran into him.  His second, Pablo of all stupid names, was trying really hard to hit on me before he found out I wasn't sixteen and then he got disgusted that I was over the age of consent.

"He does have a sister that's a nun.  He has a much younger sister by his stepfather that just got sold into marriage with an arms dealer.  If we rescue her, she'd probably play along very well and from what I saw of her, they ended her promising chemistry career.  Yes, her."  She smiled.  "Wouldn't that work better and easier?  You're more than welcome, Agent Sitwell.  Thank you."  She hung up and tossed Clint his phone back.  "There, that cleans up a mess and gets a poor girl out of a hellhole."  She smiled.

"Still not your job," Stark reminded her firmly.

"I know but I confused the reporter who heard I was pregnant and that Pepper was gaining weight from stress nibbling."  She strolled off.  "Apparently someone in the former KGB said they had dosed me with something that made me go jump someone I was dating so I could give them a future agent."

"Excuse me?" Phil demanded.  He noticed Natasha had stiffened.  "Oh, dear."

Dawn nodded.  "Who said that?" Natasha asked, following Dawn to ask her that in private.  She pinned Dawn against the refrigerator.  "Who?"  She hissed in her ear, taking a kiss before walking off with her water.  "That rumor will be stopped."

Callia looked at her.  "Do I need to get mean and stabby someone?"

Natasha looked at her.  "You should not even think about having to stab people.  Quit saying that."  She walked off.  Callia pouted.  "Stark, I told her to quit talking about stabbing people."

"Thank you.  I think she's trying to protect everyone."  They shared a look.  "I think there's an open question?"

"They did dose us both with things and then used the subliminals to try to get us to give them future agents.  It did not work."

Dawn nodded.  "That was months ago.  We'd both be showing a lot if it had."

Stark nodded.  "If and when you decide to get pregnant, we'll put up a good, safe set of protections so any blood doesn't open a portal, Dawn."  She smiled at him for that.  "Or maybe take it by C-Section."  He went back to flipping food over.  One burger dropped into the coals so he went to get another one.

Clint looked at his wife.  "When did that bastard try to shoot you?"

"Late this afternoon when I was off running out for McKay's special coffee.  It was a pretty fast talk.  He shot at me, I ducked, popped up, shoved him off after hooking his belt to an iron peg, then came back here to tell security so they could deal with him."  He smirked.  She grinned.  "I was a good girl."

"I'm sure you were," he said, pulling her closer.  "You didn't shout?"

"I didn't need help."

"Uh-huh," Natasha said, moving up behind her.  "We'll talk about that later, after we find all the security footage and erase it."

"While you're at it, can you please erase all the stripping vids of me?" Xander quipped.  "I know I went on my roadtrip to get some stress-free time and I know I was pretty drunk while doing it."

Dawn looked at him.  "You really did go strip?"

"Yeah, and took down a biker gang.  I needed the post-battle calming down."

Dawn pointed at Phil.  "Next time, help each other."  He smirked and swatted her.  She pulled a chair over, sitting next to Clint.  "I really need to change.  I feel out of place with the clothes."  She got up and flashed home then came back.  "Better."  She stretched out in her leggings and tunic, with a belt.  Clint stared at her.  She smiled.  "I'm comfy."

"You look comfy."

She poked him on the arm.  "I got the new stories from that Xander."  He grinned.  "They're pretty good.  He's a really good writer."

"He is," Clint agreed.

"I want to read them," Tony ordered.

"I can bring you the first one tomorrow, boss," Dawn quipped.  "There's like twenty-eight or something."  He nodded that was fine.  "And a few others.  Including a half-elf that makes bj jokes at dwarves."  He walked off shaking his head.  She looked at Natasha.  "You read that one."

"I did.  It was odd and yet very funny in a lot of places."  She settled in to get comfortable.  The others in the family showed up.  Bruce was softly escorting Joyce.  "Did more happen?"

"We have a follow up scan tomorrow," Joyce said with a smile.

"If there's a new tumor I'm going to finish destroying Riley's little group of imbeciles," Dawn quipped with a smirk for her mother.  "It'll be good, clean fun."

"Not likely, dear.  We're not sure it's still them."

"I'm still surprised that he brought his wife to interrupt Buffy's wedding," Xander said.  "How immature and clingy is he?"

Joyce snickered.  "A lot apparently."

"I'm just glad you got out all those 'so you thought I was normal' feelings, Xander," Dawn said.  He shot her a dirty look.  "You did."

"I did," he agreed.  Phil patted him.  He leaned closer to him.  "We should go destroy Riley just for fun," he said quietly.

"I've already got an investigation into their unit started."  Xander beamed at him.  He grinned back.  "I don't like them running around bothering the world either."  He settled in to chat with Banner and the others.  Joyce was sipping water and talking to Dawn about her day.

Pepper showed up.  "Dawn, you may have to go out in something slightly slinky and trashy to get that rumor stopped.  Another reporter asked me about it on my livejournal."

"I haven't clubbed in a long time," she quipped.  She looked at her mates.  Who shrugged.  "I don't feel right going out by myself to pick up random dance partners."

Clint smothered his growl.  Natasha didn't quite manage that.  "I don't think that would be a good idea either," Clint assured her.

"So take her out dancing," Pepper said with a smile.  "Make sure the outfit is showy enough to prove that she doesn't have a baby bump."  She sat down.  "Tony, is it nearly ready?"

"Only if you want it very rare," he said with a grin for her.  "Hungry?  Callia's making the salad and pasta salads."

Pepper got up to get some and help Callia finish them so they could be brought out.  "This child of mine is a bit weird.  It likes jalapenos."

"I used to mix some with chocolate sauce," Dawn admitted.  "Ate it on english muffins."

"You did used to be the queen of weird food combinations," Pepper agreed with a smile for her.  "There were a few times I wondered if you had managed to sneak out and get pregnant."

"There's still some now and then," Clint assured her.

"Crunchy peanut butter and chocolate marshmallows belong on eggos," Dawn defended but she was smiling.  "It's really good.  Especially when I mix that coffee creamer that no one likes into my coffee and use that as a sauce."

Clint stared at her.  "If you ever quit eating weird stuff we'll know to make you pee on a stick."

She pinched him.  "You'd probably know before then."

"Maybe," he agreed.  "There are other changes before food cravings."

Natasha said something quietly in his ear, making him cackle and nod.  "Then you definitely would."  She settled in.  Callia and Pepper brought out their salads and it was good.  "Nice job, Callia."

"Thank you, Auntie."  She hugged her.  Dawn magically took the weapon back from her.  "I only wanted to look."

"No.  No weapons until you're at least ten.  Sorry."

Callia pouted.  "I see them built."

"Yay," Tony said.  He looked at her.  "Did she pickpocket you, Natasha?"

"I let her.  She's very unskilled in that art.  I'll have to teach her."

Dawn grinned.  "You did a good job with teaching me."

"Spike wasn't enough?" Xander complained.

"No."  She smiled.  "It came in handy."

"I'm sure it did."

"They taught me how to hotwire more cars too."

Xander shook his head.  "It's a strange world we live in that it might be necessary."

"It's definitely not a set of skills I thought she'd need," Joyce said, staring at her daughter.

"Saved my butt, Mom, more than once.  I even got my wallet back from a pickpocket before all that."

Joyce shook her head.  "I should be worried but I'm not."  She hugged her little girl.  "No teaching your niece unless she might need it."

"Yes, Mom."

"Thank you, dear.  Wear that new lavender dress clubbing."  Dawn nearly blushed.  She smiled.  "It's a bit naughty but it will show that you're not pregnant."

"I'd have to do a bit of shaving for that," she said dryly.  Clint stared at her.  She shrugged.  "Mom found it the other day.  Said it was hotter on me even if it is a Buffy dress."  She made herself not blush.

"So it's backless and makes someone think of hos?" Xander guessed.

"Not really.  Covers of magazines maybe."

He nodded once.  "Wear real clothes, okay?"

She smirked.  "Maybe.  I do have a catsuit."

"Lavelle's Dawn wore them all the time when she was pretending to be an art thief," Xander quipped.  "Then she married a cop so she quit that bad habit.  Had like seven kids or something."  She whimpered.  "Yeah.  Exactly."

"No thank you."  She looked at Pepper.  "Speaking of Lavelle, that reminded me.  The Japan trip in the spring.  We have a formal tea ceremony scheduled.  Do I need to find a kimono?"

She considered it.  "I don't know," she admitted.  "Call their assistant tomorrow to get information on that?  That way we can both find one and figure out how to put it on."

"I know," Natasha told them.  They grinned at her.  "It does not show any sort of shape."

Dawn sighed.  "I've seen.  We went year before last for a long meeting.  The hosts in the company took us all to a geisha bar.  I spent most of the night asking them about their musical training and poetry skills."  Tony shook his head with a groan.  "He and the hosting people were getting very lit with three of the younger maiko.  The elder geisha over their training was smiling tolerantly at the men but talking to Pepper and me."

Pepper nodded.  "She was very nice.  It sounds like a hard life though."

Dawn nodded.  "Especially since she said some of the girls went bald because of the hair styles.  They had to sleep with their necks on wooden blocks, and no other support, so they wouldn't smash the hair."

"I've seen," Natasha admitted.  "I could never pass though."

Dawn looked at her.  "Really?"  She smiled and nodded.  "Pictures?"

"Not likely."

"Shoot."  She leaned back again.  "Clint, have you went to wear a pretty kimono?"

"Nope, not really my style."  He grinned at his tease and his flirt.  They were getting it later.

Pepper smiled.  "They did want you to have no waist, wanted your whole body to look like a rectangular block."

Dawn nodded.  "They did."

Clint shook his head.  "When you go to Fiji next time, get a new sarong?"

"I have three in the closet that's mostly empty.  Loki was laying on them earlier."

Xander looked at her.  "My father?"  He wouldn't put it past his father to be curled up in Dawn's closet fondling her clothes but it wasn't his usual thing.  Maybe an extra special kink night where he'd be dressed up prettily?

"No, the cat.  Cap named him.  Speaking of, where is he?" she asked Tony.  "He's never this late."

"Not sure," he said, pulling out his phone.  "His phone is off."  He got into an app that let him turn on someone's phone remotely.  It turned and listed him as being in the river.  "I think someone took it.  It's in the river by the bridge."

Phil searched with Xander, finding him.  "He's in a car.  Heading for JFK," Phil said.

Xander nodded.  "There's a nice thing after that but it'll mess up traffic."  He and Phil went to handle it.  Xander waved at the police car that went past them then picked up a boulder to throw at the right car.  It smashed the hood, the car stopped.

Phil walked over.  "SHIELD.  Get out of the car.  Hands up."  They did and he got them under arrest while Xander woke up Steve, who was sedated.  "He good?"

"Pretty heavy dose.  He's not waking."  He glared at one.  "Do you know who I am?"  The man started to cry.  "What did you give him and in what dosage?"  The man whimpered in Spanish.  Xander stared at him.  "Really?"  Police cars sped up.  "Hi, guys."

"You work with SHIELD during battles," one of the officers said, hand on his gun.

"I'm with SHIELD," Phil said, pulling his ID.  "That's Captain Rogers they were snatching."  The officers nodded and helped them search the car for weapons.  They took the idiots in so Phil could have them picked up.  Steve got taken with them back to Tony's house.  They laid him on the couch and let the infirmary people know so they could check on him.  Then they went to dinner.  Phil answered his phone twenty minutes later.

"Coulson."  He listened.  "Yes, that was us, Director.  Because they had Captain Rogers hostage and sedated, sir."  He ate a bite.  "At the Stark infirmary.  We're having a team and family dinner tonight so we brought him back here.  Because Dr. Pigalli is a very good, quiet doctor and he does like her touch with injuries.  I would if she wasn't here but he does prefer this infirmary.  You can ask him when he gets up, sir.  He's still sedated.  Spanish I believe."  Xander nodded.  "Yes, they answered in Spanish."

"Probably the idiots in Peru that wanted Callia," Dawn muttered then stuffed her mouth.  Tony's fork dropped and he stared at her.  "They were watching the park's playground so I called in NYPD and had them arrested as pervs, boss."

"Good!  Thank you!  Why did they want her?"

"The same reason I had to beat someone British the day the robomutt bit me?" she guessed.  "I didn't ask."

Phil covered the mouthpiece.  "It was an attempt to get tech, namely weapons," he said then uncovered the mouthpiece.  "Sorry, sir, answering Stark about someone that was found watching his daughter."  He listened, eating another bite.  "No, sir, only that one boulder and Xander threw it."  He smiled.  "I'm not really suited to throwing boulders, sir.  I will leave a note saying that you need a call when he wakes up, sir."  He hung up and put his phone away.   "I think he's more paranoid than Dawn."

"I have good reasons for mine," Dawn quipped.  Her phone beeped so she pulled it out to look at it.  "I've been ignoring my emails all day."  She got into it quickly, snorting at a few.  She handed Natasha her phone.  "Your former boss said you're pretty."

She looked at those, mentally snarling.  "We must talk with them."

Dawn smiled.  "We must?"

"No, you will be safely sitting at home," she said.

"Amen," Tony quipped.

Dawn stuck her tongue out at him.  "Watch me use salt water next time to baby your injuries from a test."

"Keep it up, I'll make you wear real clothes for the rest of the month."

"It's not like I show up naked and in an illusion," she said dryly.

"Nothing flirty at all," he said.

She snorted.  "That leaves me very little.  Even my business suits make me look good, even the ones that make me look way too old still get my butt stared at."

"They do.  It's because you're still young," Pepper sighed.  "When I was twenty, everyone stared at me too."

"Everyone still stares at you," Dawn assured her with a smile.  "I get not a bit of notice when we're together."

"That's because I'm a CEO now."

"Even before then."

Pepper blushed.  "Really?"

"Really.  That girl the other day in the store?  She was flirting hard with you.  Not with me, who looked hot if the reactions of security was any indication, but with you."

Pepper blushed but smiled.  "I didn't realize that."  She stuffed her mouth.

Tony smiled.  "If I had to choose I'd choose you too.  Experience makes your mind wicked and sharp where hers is pointy and naughty."  Pepper blushed harder but swatted him on the arm and went back to eating.

"Hey, Xander, didn't Lavelle use that choker to make up other identities beyond his female one?"

"He had a whole binder of identities he worked out, with backstories on most of them.  Including one that looked half-asian and female so it wouldn't look odd when she was with Fujiko while she was post-birth.  Even ones for anime festivals if he wanted to go as a school girl or a warrior wench."  Clint was staring at him oddly.  "Lavelle's had fun with his."

"I bet," he agreed, nodding some.  "He goes to anime conventions?"

"He schedules his heists and all that around the anime festival schedule.  They made him promise not to steal at them but some of the guys in Interpol that were chasing him went to them too.  They had a truce during them and all that.  He and Ishi went.  He even went as Martian us once."  He beamed.  "He makes a great giant furry mouse."

Dawn looked at him.  "Throttle and that Xander did have *really* soft fur."

Tony stared at her.  "What?"  She found the cartoon on her phone and let him watch it.  He stared then at her.  "You're so warped."

"They're really nice guys.  That Xander's married to Throttle, the one with the special sunglasses because he's blind without them.  Willow made him a mouse as her dying wish."  She ate some rice.

Tony stared at Clint.  "She's warped."

"Just a bit," he agreed, taking the phone to look at it.  "I saw this a few times while we were in a hotel waiting on something about a decade ago."

"I remember," Phil agreed.

"Author Xander is married to a former KGB guy," Dawn quipped.  "They flirted over golf."

Phil stared at her.  "I wonder if he's here."

"Not that I've seen," Xander said.  "I asked someone to look."  He shrugged.

Natasha shook her head.  "I couldn't find his name anywhere so probably not."

"It's spreading," Clint told Tony, who nodded.

"Sividia Xander had really soft wings," Dawn offered.

"I have the wing spell," Xander said happily.  "I loved that spell."

"I remember," Joyce said, shaking her head.  "You had it going when Callia was born."

"Really?" Callia asked.  "Why wings?" she asked Xander.

"Another me had wings thanks to a spell that changed him.  I wanted to try it.  It was really neat."

She looked at her father, opening her mouth.  Tony was already shaking his head.  "No, not until you're eighteen and can do it on your own, dear."

"Shoot."

"Sorry.  You have to learn about aerodynamics first anyway.  That way you don't crash when you try to fly."

"I guess I can do that."

"You can but it's a higher science so you'll probably be in your teens at least."

"Okay, I can do that," she decided.  Joyce smiled and hugged her.  "Thanks, Grandma."

"Maria said she was babysitting the twins," Xander realized.

"After dinner," Tony said.  "That way they can have the night off."

"I can watch them," Phil said.

"Tara said you'd be busy."  He stuffed his mouth.  "New couple stuff."  Phil quirked an eyebrow up then shook his head and got back to his own dinner.

"What other Xanders were there?" Pepper asked.

"Three of the hormone suffering Xanders, all with long hair.  One has horses.  Two of them had ferrets."  She grinned.  "He's a really nice guy but an anchor."  Phil choked, he knew what that meant.  "For Ares, Cupid, and Strife."  Xander whimpered.  "There was the Xander in the new D&D world.  There's comic shop Xander.  There's mini Xander's and the two from that world.

"The mini Xanders were all created by the Draco in one world, who had been banished to the same spot with Harry, Dean, and Sam Winchester.  They were found to be too interfering so they got sent by demons.  Then someone made a wish and brought that Xander to another Xander, but it deaged him so they were the same age.  The Army of Der were really nice.  Some were eight inches, some were four inches high.  They helped those two Xanders and his cohorts Sam, Dean, Harry, and Draco."

"The Army of Der?" Phil asked.

"Yeah, over a hundred miniature Xander, with a miniature Dean, a miniature Sam, and a miniature Harry and Draco on the main council over them."

Phil shivered.  "That's a bad sign for that world."

"I nearly packed one.  They can cook, lay protections, and are very protective."

"Like my mousy person friend?" Callia asked.

Dawn grinned.  "Just about their size, yup."  Callia wiggled and dug into her salad again.

"A hundred mini Xanders, twin full size Xanders, two demon hunters, two wizards," Phil said.  "That poor world."

"All with very little inhibitions," Dawn quipped with an evil smirk.  "The original Xander, not the one with the army, but the other one, said that he had walked in on some things he did not want to imagine."

"I can see that happening," Phil agreed, stuffing his mouth.  A hundred mini Xanders having an orgy.  He'd die watching it.  Xander beamed at him.  "Don't even think about it."

"I'm not but I might ask to borrow one to send to Grandfather and Dad."

Tony was rubbing his forehead.  "I can't even imagine what Loki could do with a miniature you, Xander."

Dawn cackled.  "The Der were trying to pack themselves while those two Xander went on a road trip."

Pepper shivered.  "Did they have a SHIELD office there?" she asked.

"Nope."

"Oh, dear," Phil said.  "That's going to be messy."

"Well, they do have Xander's psycho drawing ability," Dawn said dryly.  "The tougher, meaner Xander got them dates by taking his twin clubbing and letting all the nicely armed women hit on him.  He had to number the knife carrying ones."

Phil looked at Clint.  "It's not my fault," Clint defended.

Dawn patted him on the arm.  "It's a great convention.  Especially with President Xander teaching some self defense and stuff."

Natasha wiped her mouth.  "Excuse us.  I think she's fevered now."  She got up and helped Dawn up.  "Take us home."  She did.  Clint could get home the normal way and take a second shift of helping Dawn calm down.  Natasha could strap Dawn down and drive her nuts for a few hours without help.

Clint pointed.  "Can I have seconds please, Pepper?"  She smiled and handed over the plate of hamburgers.  "Thanks."

Xander smiled.  "President Xander was really pretty normal.  The people voted in O'Neill because they felt safer after a demon society that wanted ultimate peace took out all the world leaders down to the Cabinet levels and a lot of senates all over the world."

Stark stared at him.  "Is that demon species here?"

"Yeah, they are.  It was O'Neill and Sheppard, and O'Neill married Buffy.  Then Sheppard with the me there as his VP, then me and Evan Lorne.  The people voted us in even without us campaigning or anything.  The whole 'he'll make us safe' thing turned into 'what's the next best thing to a general, a colonel' campaign on the internet."

Tony shivered.  "We'd definitely never be screwed with again."

Loki, the human one, appeared, staring at his son.  "The you in another realm was president?"

"Yes," he said with an evil smirk.  "I served one term because I begged to be let go of.  I had the big gay wedding of the century there with Ezra, you know Demeter's son I'm sure.  I brought him up during the convention so he could talk to that him there about various threats they had shared."

His father sighed.  "Are you ill, son?  Poisoned?"

"I wasn't a demi there, Dad."

He looked at his son.  "Where did you meet this other you?"

"At the convention of Xanders.  There's over three hundred of us, counting the Army of Der as one."

His father blinked, staring at him.  "The what?"

Xander created a mirror that showed the last convention.  "That's me too," he said with a point and a grin.  "Willow made sure I'd be compatible with my spouse there."  Phil quietly got seconds on his own dinner.  He'd clearly need the extra energy too.

Loki watched, whimpering at what he was seeing.  "I thought I was the chaos god," he complained, popping off.  The mirror got left there before he had more of a migraine.  His spouse understood him going to bed early and curling up in a tiny ball.

Clint took it to look at, staring at one.  "Is that you with the white hair?"

"That's Lavelle."

"Oh."  He kept watching, staring in horror at a few of them.  "The long haired ones are pretty decent guys."  He let Bruce take it and shut it down.  He got thirds.  He would have to do a lot of work to get that out of Dawn's head.

"No making an army of little Dawns," Tony warned.

"Andrew could probably make tiny robotic ones," Xander offered.

"Hell.  No," Clint ordered.  "One is good.  We like having one Dawn."  He wouldn't mention that birthday present if no one else wouldn't.

Xander stared at him.  "One is usually more hyper perkiness than anyone needs, yeah."

Phil patted him on the arm.  "How many of them are CSI?"

Xander counted.  "Five, six because of the twins."  He grinned.  "I did remember that demonic forensics books."

"Thank you.  I'd like to see those," Stark said.

"Sure."  He smiled and dug back in.

Phil added more food to his plate.  "Eat."  Xander smirked at him but did eat.  Tara and Maria walked in with the twins.  "Evening," he said, taking them to cuddle.  They gave him a cuddle then got down to wander around.  "Stark, watch the pool?"

"There's a forcefield around it."  That got him patted by Tara and Maria.  "So, we're talking about the convention of Xanders," he offered.

Maria looked at Xander.  "How many?"

"Over three hundred of us."  He smiled.

"Does that realm have a SHIELD office?  I'll send them a sympathy card."

"No. It's a created tiny realm."

"Good!"  She walked Tara off.  "Thanks for the sitting, Stark."

"Not a problem.  Kids, hungry?"  They cooed and went to play inside.  Callia followed them.  Tony sighed, looking at the others.  Clint was cleaning his plate.  "Everyone have fun curing the headaches?"

"I'm sure we will," Joyce quipped, cracking Bruce up, even if he was blushing some.  "Xander, did more than our Dawn go?"

"No, it's usually just us and our spouses or boyfriends.  For some reason not a lot of us had girlfriends.  Very few of us had kids.  President Xander had Ezra's team and puppies.  His St. Bernards died."  He smiled.  "Don't worry, if we destroy this world, we're all to fall back to Lavelle's island of hos or to Miami with one of the long-haired Xanders."

"Island of hos?" Pepper asked.

"He created an island retreat for his thieves.  He hired a bunch of hos, who had right of refusal, and brought them there.  It's a beautiful island paradise that means he knows his men won't stray."

Pepper wiped her mouth.  "I can't imagine you as a thief," she admitted.

He grinned.  "I had my reasons but he's a very good gunman.  Not as much of a thief, but he does really good training with swords and stuff too.  One of them is a samurai and he helped train him."

"Excuse us," Phil said.  "I think I need to take a report on this before they show up here."

"Only Lavelle usually travels," Xander quipped.  "Then he's bored."

"I'll keep that in mind if a more dangerous you shows up," Pepper said with a smile.  She and Joyce waved as they popped off.  She looked at Tony.  "No, you can't have one."

"I don't want an island like that.  There's very few women I'd stock on it."  She swatted him.

"I saw a picture of all of Lavelle's family.  There's a lot of older kids too," Joyce said with a smile.  "He had two sets of twins and a single, Pepper."

Pepper stared.  "Wow.  Ow but a lot of kids."

Joyce smiled and nodded.  "There's a fertility spell that can work with that choker."

"Well, if Barton gets pregnant he can take a leave from the team," Tony decided.  Banner choked but nodded.  "I'm sure his women will baby him."

"Probably," Joyce agreed, smiling at Bruce.

"We should hide that choker," he said.

"They use it for birthday presents," Tony said smugly.  Bruce shivered and took Joyce home.  He was nice enough to let her kiss the babies but he needed them at home right away.  Tony looked at Pepper, who smiled at him but shook her head.  "It's never boring with this group."

"No, it's not."  She started to get up but Tony pulled her into his lap.  "Did we need something?"

"I don't know, did you?" he asked in her ear.  She shivered.  "I have executive and captainly permission to help you if you do, Pepper."

She looked at him.  "He did?"

"He did."  He grinned.  "He was going to tell you that later."  She blushed and ducked her head.  He kissed her on the cheek.  "So if you need *anything*, let us know."

"I...."

"I'm not turning into Barton and needing two of them, but there's some understanding there."  She nodded and got up, kissing him on the forehead before leaving, still blushing hard.  He got up to put things away and do the dishes.  Callia was reading to the twins.  "Why are you reading about robots?"

"Voltron, Daddy.  I like it."

"Okay.  Is that an approved story?"

"Um...."

"It's G rated," JARVIS said.  "Barely."

"Fine."  She went back to reading to them.  Sometimes his daughter worried him.

***

Phil and Xander got home, and sealed themselves in.  "Strip," Phil ordered.

Xander grinned.  "Really?  We're going to do that here?"

"Yes, you are."  He moved closer to help him take off his t-shirt.  "I need to prove I learned how to do things last night.  Think of it like a pop quiz."

"Does that mean I'm on the bottom?" Xander asked.

"If you're okay with that."

"It does take some trust."

"I remember."

"But I think we can try that.  If not, I'll flip you over."  Phil smirked and helped Xander out of his jeans.  "Are we doing this out here?"

"Just the stripping parts."  Phil got his own once Xander was naked.  "I read about something and picked up things over my lunch."

"What'd you get?" he teased, moving closer to kiss him.

"An enema kit?"

Xander moaned.  "Damn."

"Don't like?  Do like?  Too much too soon?" Phil offered.

"I don't mind.  Needs to be the right temperature."

"I've had a medical one."  He took him into the very nice and spacious bathroom, helping him get ready.  They warmed it together under running water and then he sat down on the toilet, putting Xander over his lap.  "I should spank for all the bad ideas."

"Dawn started it."

"I know that.  She was begging for her own correction."  He smoothed a hand over Xander's butt.  "I lube the tip, right?"  Xander nodded.  He did that and then slowly slid the disposable bottle in.  Xander tensed up but he stroked his back like the section on that had said to.  Xander relaxed and it went all right.  At the end, he let Xander have some privacy while Phil made sure he had what he wanted in the bedroom.  He came back when the shower came on, climbing in with him.  "I just realized we didn't use a single condom last night," he said.

Xander kissed him.  "I use a protection spell but no, I don't usually."  Phil stared at him.  "It's like a power version of a condom so I don't have to deal with the lack of feeling."

Phil kissed him.  "You're clean and all that?"  Xander nodded.  "Just making sure.  I'd hate to lose you to killing you if you gave me something."  He stared at him.

"I wouldn't."

"Good."  He took another kiss.  "I like the idea of us not needing one between us."  Xander moaned and kissed him again.  "No protection.  You can't get me pregnant.  I'm clean.  You're clean."

"That would be a true mating, Phil."

"That's fine."

"If I was Tara would you be using one?"  He stared into his eyes.

Phil shook his head.  "Not unless she was totally adamant against the pill."  Xander relaxed.  "I'd get snipped first."  Xander groaned and kissed him.  Phil cleaned them both up and took them to the bedroom once Xander had toweled them dry.  The bed was nicely ready for them.  He shoved Xander onto it and leaned down to kiss him.  "Let's see, I start here," he said when he pulled back, nibbling on his earlobe.  Xander went tense and moaned.  Phil smirked evilly and laid down to tease Xander to death before he got him ready for him.  A bite to a nipple, a stroke over a sensitive side.  A lick to that same side that drove Xander to arch up and moan.  Then, the teasing blow job.  It was a wonderful thing.  Xander was gripping the headboard so hard the wood was squeaking as it compressed.  Phil was loving this teasing thing.  Now he understood what Dawn got out of it.  He found the lube and used it on Xander, making him whimper.  "If you want, I'll stop," he offered.

"I'm going to murder you if you do," Xander growled.  "Phil!"

Phil chuckled around the cock he had pulled into his mouth again.  He went up to two fingers and Xander wiggled.  He found the prostate nub he had read about and teased it.  Xander went rigid.  He pulled off.  "Too much?"  Xander nodded quickly so he eased off and went back to the stretching.  Xander was nearly sobbing in need so Phil moved up and slid in, making Xander keen with need.  "Shh, I'm here."  He rode him slowly, wanting to get used to this.  Xander needed more and tried to get them to flip over.  He kissed him.  "No, I like this."  Xander panted, staring at him.  "When you're ready, you can come as hard as you want," he said with a grin.

"You want me on my knees."

"When you're ready.  Not before then."  He took another kiss, holding their hands together as he slowly went back to riding him.  "I'm not interested in anything you're not willing to give, Xander."  Xander moaned and wiggled.  "Not tonight."

"Should be."

"You're not ready yet," he soothed.  "When you are, I'll come home to find you waiting on me."  He leaned down to hiss dirty things in his ear.  "I'll come home to find you naked on the bed, on your knees, waiting on me, hard and already stretched so all I have to do is take you."  Xander whimpered and his breath hitched.  "Pretty, all nicely clean, maybe a bit lotioned or oiled down."  Xander came and clutched him.  "Shh, I have you."  He finished off and laid down to calm Xander down.  "Did I set off a bad thought?"  Xander nodded.  "Shh, I'm sorry."

"S'okay.  Been a long time."

Phil kissed him.  "It's not okay."

Xander snuggled in.  "Was fine."  He teased his chest.  "You'll have to do more later."

"Of course I am if you want me to."  He laid there and let his spouse cuddle.  It was a nice feeling.  They could definitely make this marriage work.  Xander looked up at him.  "No reading my mind."

"Sorry?"

He smiled.  "I was worried about that part."

"I know.  I'm still a miserable, brooding bastard at times."

"We all have those days, Xander."  He stroked over his hair.  He said something he had Dawn look up for him in Norse, which cracked Xander up.  "I know, my pronunciation is bad."

"Just a bit."  Xander settled in to teach him.  It was a sweet sentiment, said between battlefield companions.  'I'll always protect and cherish the gifts you give me' was very sentimental for them.

***

Clint finally made it home to find Natasha worn out.  Dawn was on her back, tied down, making begging noises.  He kissed Natasha.  "Did she wear you out?" he teased.

"Yes.  I made the mistake of letting her tease me.  She's being evil tonight."

He took another kiss.  "I love her in this mood."  He stripped off his shirt and pants, staring at her.  She was watching him.  "So, Short Stuff, being an evil tease again?  We'll have to turn you back into the good, sweet princess."  He dropped his boxer briefs and moved to the bed.  She was kitty smirking at him.  He leaned down to kiss her.  "I think we'll have to teach you about teasing."  He got what he wanted, bouncing the vibrator in his hand.  Of course, his phone went off.  Natasha grabbed it for him.

"It is a bad time," she noted.  "He's in the bathroom."  She listened.  "That's not his duty or his area of expertise.  Thank you anyway."  She hung up and turned off all their phones.  If it was really important, JARVIS would tell them.

Clint was gently teasing her with the vibrating egg set.  Right now he was teasing her nipples, which were perky and hard.  Dawn was wiggling a bit.  Natasha moved to nibble on her inner thigh, a known Dawn weakness.  Dawn hiccuped.  "We should let her find ten minutes of relief," she noted.  "That way she can pee."

Clint nodded.  "I could like that.  Though I like her sweaty."

"I doubt I could like this," Dawn panted.

He unhitched her and took her in there, helping her sit down since her thighs were so shaky.  "Pee and then we'll have fun."  He strolled off to set up a few diversions.  He came back and she was still trying.  "I know guys have that problem," he teased, making her blush.  "Please!  Saw you behind the trees while camping, Dawn."  She blushed harder and he kissed her, making her moan and go limp.  Since she quit trying, it worked.  He winked and strolled out again.  "Clean up and come here."

"Yes, dear."  She finished up and cleaned up as good as she could, then used a damp washcloth from the shower.  She walked out.  He stared at her.  "Used your washcloth."

"That's fine."  He kissed her and laid her down, looking her over.  "Hmm, haven't shaved recently."

"I'll have to before we go on vacation by the lake.  I can't wear a bikini when I look so hairy."

"I don't mind here at the house."  He leaned down to kiss her stomach.  "Yup, used my washcloth.  You taste like my soap."  He went to get a clean one and she blushed harder.  He smirked.  "I like you clean for me.  That way I can make you just as dirty as you do me when you handcuff me in the shower."  The cloth got put aside and he went back to teasing her.  He laid down beside her, using the vibrating egg to slowly tease her sensitive spots, making her wiggle.  He tied her back down and went back to being an evil tease.  By the time he was ready to move on, she was a begging pile of girlish goo.  He smiled and moved on to tease with his fingers.

"Clint," she moaned.  "You'd complain if I did this to you."

"Only if it's at three in the morning.  I can go on a few hours of sleep tomorrow.  So can you.  We taught you that."  He took a kiss.  "Unless you want me to stop?"  She shook her head frantically.  He smiled.  "Good."  He went back to teasing her with his fingers.  She spread out for him.  "Hmm, not time for that yet."  He leaned down to tease her breast, making her hiss.  He checked, Natasha was asleep.  That was handy.  That meant no one could save her.  He leaned down to tease her belly button, making her giggle and wiggle again.  "Still too wiggly.  Have to wear that out," he teased.

Someone broke in the porch doors.  "I'll save the fair damsel," he announced.

Clint and Natasha both came out with guns.  "Who the fuck are you?" Clint demanded.

"I'm Nitro."

"No, you're a wannabe," he said, wounding him.  He tossed him in the hall, calling it in to SHIELD and Stark security.  Natasha got the door fixed.  Dawn was cackling.  "Dawn, did you know about the wannabes?"

"It was in the _New Yorker_ last week."

Clint put his gun back under the pillow.  Natasha put hers under her pillow.  He kissed her.  "No one's going to save you from us.  I'd have to ruin them."  He kissed her again as he laid down overtop of her.  "Are you down?"

"Hell no."

"Language," he teased.  She babbled at him in Chinese, getting kissed.  She switched to German, which made him laugh at the filthy language she was using.  "Not a good girl's mouth; I'll have to clean it up."  He pulled himself up and over her head.  "Lick.  Clean us both up."  She moaned and sucked on him.  He had taught her well.  She was damn good at this art.  He finally pulled back and smirked.  "Are you going to be a good girl?  Only good girls get fucked tonight.  Bad girls get teased all night and then screwed tomorrow after work."  She whimpered.  He smirked.

"I think that's the sound of naughtiness," Natasha teased.

"Remember, we can do this to you too," Dawn panted.

Natasha kissed her.  "I have done it to myself in the past."  She winked.  They got Dawn set up with the vibrating panties they had bought for her.  Clint had the remote.  Dawn was locked in them and she was already needy.  It had a nice sized plug for each hole.  It was a nice invention.  They put her between them and teased her until they fell asleep.  Clint still had the remote in his hand so Dawn couldn't find relief that night.  The low, very subtle, barely moving vibrating plug was going to drive her nuts all night long.

***

Dawn showed up the next morning.  She was wearing what Natasha had picked out, down to the stupid vibrating panties that kept catching her attention at the wrong time and stockings.  She was pouty.  She was distracted.  She nearly ran over Pepper and had to apologize.  Pepper stared at her.  "Not good last night?"

"They're evilly mean to me, Pepper."

"Why?" she asked with a smile.

Dawn looked around and hissed in her ear.  "And I can't pick the lock, it's in the back," she muttered.

Pepper laughed.  "Not really appropriate work attire, and we have meetings most of today."  Dawn winced.  "I'll call one of them."  She gave her a nudge.  "Go get Stark up.  He's still asleep with Steve."

"Yup, I'll try."  She sighed and went up there.

Tony blinked at her when she walked into the penthouse.  "I gave Pepper a pair of those one year.  She nearly beat me to death with a shoe."

"I'm considering it since we have meetings today."  He winced, getting up with a yawn to head for the shower.  She nudged Steve, who woke up with a flail.  She blocked the instinctive hit.  "Morning.  Did you talk to Fury last night?  The pervert wanted to know why you preferred our infirmary to theirs."

"Pervert?" he asked, looking confused.

"Yeah, again.  Tried to have Phil checked to see if he and Xander had sex."

Steve blushed.  "I like yours, the doctors are nicer and sweeter."

Dawn smiled.  "They are.  I like them for the same reason."  She smiled.  "Tony's in the shower.  We have meetings most of the day.  Want me to call the caf?"

"I can make breakfast.  Is my phone on vibrate?"  He was looking around for it.

She blushed.  "Not exactly."  She fled.

He found his phone and stared.  No missed calls.  So what had caused that buzzing noise?  Maybe Tony's electric razor?  He went into the bathroom to check and take his own shower.  Tony pulled him in with him.  He was freshly shaved so it had to have been that.  His sleep fuddled mind accepted that idea easily.

On the way down to the office, Dawn hissed something at Clint that made him turn it off and tell her he'd apologize if Cap figured it out.  She sighed in relief.  He hit it with one good shot then turned it back off with a promise of it going on at lunch.  She showed him her schedule and he pouted.  She sighed and promised she'd wear it all night, on whatever speed he wanted, if he let her attend the meetings.  It had been embarrassing enough that Pepper had to be told and Tony had realized.  He agreed and let it go. She sighed and got off the elevator, locking their link back down again.  Pepper was staring at her.  "They're both up."

"That's good."  She stared at her stomach.  "Someone's having a problem."

Dawn looked and winced, heading home to change.  Natasha showed up to check on her.  She had only been upstairs since it was her day off.  "No idea.  Bit warm though."

"I've had something like that give me actual burns," Natasha admitted, helping her out of it to check.  It had caused a small burn and a scratch that was bleeding at a good pace.  They got it stopped and Dawn redressed, sending her back.  This new vibrator worked when she called her phone.

Dawn winced, going down to the infirmary to ask about burn creams.  They gave her an odd look until she hissed in the nurse's ear.  "Done that," she admitted.  "One of those little things that go over the vibrator."  She got her something and handed it over.  "Light coating."

"Thank you."  She went back upstairs to put some on and hide the tube in her purse for the day.  It had helped some.  She could walk almost normally now.  She walked into the office and Tony stared at her.  "What?" she demanded at his long stare.

"Those things are dangerous.  Turn off your phone."  He sipped his coffee.

"What?"

He took her phone and turned it off as it was set to ring.  "Nearly caused an accident with an ex and one of those," he muttered, handing her the phone back.  He texted Barton to leave her alone for the day.  He needed her working.  He could have her on Saturday when they were doing the file cleaning.  He sighed and agreed.  He noticed how she was walking and pointed.

"Go put on whatever you need to fix."  She left to do that.  He sighed.  He had seen her pick up a tube and looked up the security footage to be nosy.  He sent a nasty text to Barton about that too.  He apologized and said he'd stop it.  "Thank you," he muttered, going back to his coffee.  He sent him a better package of toys that would make Dawn happier and not bother her at work.  He'd get them later that day since the local shop delivered for very good customers.  Which he was.

***

Clint winced at the newest text message.  "I didn't know it would do that."

"I have an order in for shovels," Coulson said from behind him.  "Should I add to it?"

"You might."  He put his phone up after erasing all the text messages.  It meant he lost a mushy one from Natasha but it was safer since he worked with the elite nosy people.  "I didn't realize something would get too warm with repeated use."

Phil shook his head.  "They can, or so I'm told."  He walked off.  He'd beat him about that later on.  Clint looked miserable enough over it.  Besides, that was Dawn's job to beat him for that this time.  When someone showed up around lunch time for him, security called.  He went down.  "Yes?"

"Agent Coulson, I was told this was for an Agent Barton that no one can find.  You were the second delivery name."

He looked up.  Then he texted him.  Clint came off the next elevator.  "Who sent him what?" Phil asked.

He smiled.  "I'm with Magdon Street Clit Shop."  Clint choked and spluttered.  "One of our better customers sent that special package so he would have a better set of ideas that might not overheat."  He accepted the tip Phil gave him and happily left.

Phil looked at him.  "It wasn't Dawn."

"I've only heard of that place," he complained.

"I've been in there but it was picking up something for someone's assignment."  He walked off smirking.  Stark had struck again.

Clint waited until he was in his rooms he hardly ever used to open them.  Inside was an interesting assortment that he had to look up to find the uses of.  Even Natasha was blushing about some of it.  He was going to beat Stark to death with a dildo for having it sent here.

***

Andrew and Jonathan smiled as Dawn came in to check on them, then Andrew scowled.  "Did they hurt you?" he demanded.

"No!"  She patted him on the cheek.  "We played a bit too hard, Andrew, that's all.  Sometimes things can overheat and it did."  He glared at her, one foot tapping.  "You look like my mom when you do that.  I'm fine.  Really.  It was fully fun until the thing overheated.  Can you maybe relax before I lose your day off paperwork?"  He blanched but nodded, ducking his head.  She hugged them both.  "Thank you for caring."  He grinned at her.  "Now, need anything?  Got reports?"  They handed them over.  "What's going on?  You look sheepish, like you just made new magical tech."

"No, not really.  Long talk with the girls," Jonathan said.

"Okay.  How's that going?"  They smiled and babbled about their not-quite girlfriends.  "Good!"  She hugged them both again.  "Remember to talk to Stark if you get confused.  He's had *billions* of girlfriends."  They laughed and let her go.  She finished up with her usual path to nag the boss.  "Day off papers."

He looked and signed.  "Only the one's going out?"

"I guess.  Jonathan didn't say anything."  She shrugged and walked off.  "Weren't you supposed to take Callia to the baby doctor today?"  He checked and swore, getting up to grab her and bring her there.  She walked off shaking her head.  Sometimes Stark was worse than a kid.  She sat down at her desk, sending things where they needed to go.  Pepper signed off on the day off forms and handed them back.  "I'll copy and post."  She answered her phone.  "Thank you for calling Stark International, how may I direct your call?"

She listened.  "Yes, ma'am, I am Dawn.  Is there a problem?"  She listened then smiled.  "I know Andrew very well.  He and MaryBeth... no, she's going by that name here.  She felt it gave her better credibility to use the initials.  No, Andrew's a sweet, young guy.  My sister finished high school with him and Jonathan.  He's a sweet, shy young man, ma'am.  He'd never hurt anyone and it took them weeks to do more than stare at each other.  Actually, no, MB made the first move during the halloween party we throw for the staff each year.  She asked him to dance."

She grinned.  "He's the sweetest guy, he's like a brother and I've helped him a lot since he moved here to this lab.  Including letting him carefully explore and get to know people he wasn't used to being around.  No, he'd never hurt her.  He's a nice guy and he'd never hurt her.  No matter what.  They're what?  That's news to me.  If I had known I wouldn't have made the joke about losing his day off paperwork.  No, I won't.  I like the boys like brothers and I won't upset them that way.

"I'll ask and see if they will hold off for a few days."  She pulled out her cellphone and turned it on, texting him.  He was on her quick list.  She got one back in person by Andrew coming off the elevator.  "Let me put you on hold, MB's Mom.  I'll ask and see if he'll hold it off for a few days so you can meet him before the wedding."  She put her on hold and stared at him.  "Why didn't you tell me!  I would've thrown a party and stuff!"

"We wanted to do it quickly before we lost the urge."

"You have the prenup and all that?"

"A what?"

"Prenup.  It's a legal document that lays out what each of you has and keeps if you break up, Andrew."

"Is it like mandatory?" he asked.

"No but it's considered good sense in case something happens and you two divorce.  That way you can't fight over patents.  If you ask MB, she'd probably agree."

"I didn't want it to get that complicated."

"Legal can draw one up in under twenty minutes probably.  Bring in a list of what each of you have in the way of patents and stuff you own."  He nodded, texting that to her.  "Tell her that I've got her mother on hold.  She wants you two to wait for a few days so she can meet you."

She came off the next elevator.  "No!  No, no no.  Mom will try to run him over.  She's not like your mom, Dawn.  She doesn't understand science, or me, or really any humanoid being, but she's not like that."

"Okay.  Sit."  They sat.  dawn took her off hold.  "Hi, I talked to them and they're adamant that they've already scheduled everything.  So they can't really hold it off.  Everyone's asked for time off and all that.  They've got the prenup being done by Stark legal."  She frowned and looked at Andrew.  Who shrugged.  "I can definitely tell her to call you, ma'am.  With him if you have video conferencing system."  MB shook her head quickly.  "If not, maybe a nice call.  No, my own mother is working locally and she's helped me mentor the boys so they were more used to normal people things.  Including that they have to eat on a regular schedule.

"Yes, he's one of those sort of geeks, ma'am, but he's still the sweetest guy and he's gotten a lot more healthy recently.  I even made him give up snickers ice cream bars for breakfast.  Of course.  I'll pass that on."  She wrote a note and tossed it over.  MB shuddered.  "I'll see if I can find her in the labs.  We talked by text since she's a few floors down."  She noticed Pepper staring from the office doorway and made a note to hold up.  She smiled and got them in there to work on what they needed to bring down.

"You didn't tell me it was more than hypothetical," MB complained and swatted Andrew.  "I would've bought a new dress."

"No, that wasn't her.  That was her best friend, who is a chemistry intern and dating Jonathan.  I can pass on those messages, yes, ma'am.  Let me find her.  Thank you and have a nice day, ma'am."  She hung up and thumped her head on the desk before going in there.  "She said she is going to sic your sister on you tonight if you do not call."  MB whimpered.  "So we call my mother, see what you need to go be married at the courthouse today, and then we're having a celebration dinner," she told Andrew.  "Since you took my party fun away."

"I can do that," he said with a shy grin at his girlfriend.  Dawn hugged them both and called her mother, who gave her a precise list.  "Thanks," Andrew said next to the phone.

Dawn smiled and hung up, hugging them both.  "From my mom, guys.  Pepper?"

"Legal's working on it.  They can sign it on the way down."

"I have no idea where my birth certificate is," Andrew admitted.

"It's in your personnel file," Dawn said dryly.  He looked around for filing cabinets.  She called and got them what they needed.  She went down to get it and the papers for legal.  She was a notary, had done that so they didn't have to find the other one in the building for agreements.  They signed it, she notarized it, and then she had someone drive them to city hall.  With a stop at their place so she could help MB dress up.  She went as their witness.  Within an hour, they had it done and they were on their way to a week off honeymoon thanks to a very confused Tony Stark.  Dawn came back and sighed, flopping down.  "She giggled through the whole thing."  Jonathan came off the elevator pouting.  "MB's mom was going to show up and stomp."

"Ow.  I heard about her.  They're good?"

"They probably locked you out for the night, Johno."

"I can sleep on Patty's couch."

"Just remember, when it's your turn, there's this thing called a prenup that's good sense," she told him.

"Yeah, I've heard."  He shrugged.  "What am I going to do for a week without Andrew?"

"Um... add onto the roomba dog's programming?"  He grinned and went to do that.

"Dawn?" Tony called from the office.  She walked in there.  "Why did I need to give Andrew an extra week?  Is it an emergency?  Jonathan looked really calm for it to be one."

"He and MB decided to elope today," she said with a grin.  "He totally had to be nagged into a prenup because he didn't know what it was.  She had to avoid her mother."  Tony was gaping in mouth-opened horror.  "That's why he was taking the day off but her mother called and said that she was going to stop it."

He squeezed his eyes shut.  "Prenup?"

"I made sure because I know it makes good sense."

"Thank you!"  He looked up then at her.  "So, him and MB?"

"Yup.  I leant her mine."  She smiled.  "She looked pretty and Andrew was trying hard not to stare.  She giggled through it due to her nerves.  They've probably locked Jonathan out."

He nodded.  "That makes a lot of sense.  Do they know what to do on a honeymoon?"

"I'd guess Rodney told him or showed him," she quipped.  He blushed.  "If not, they can ask."

Tony texted Andrew to make sure he had everything he needed, including condoms.  Andrew said he wasn't sure what they were, he had missed sex ed, and he had no idea why girls didn't want butt sex.  He went to talk to him, taking some supplies down to them, including dinner.  Sometimes being a mentor was a bit strange and confusing.

Dawn decided to pay Clint back for the burn she had by telling him Andrew needed desperate sex advice and why.

***

Clint was in a meeting with the training agents when his phone went off.  He looked and blinked a few times.  "Coulson, Andrew needs marital advice."

"Why?  He can barely talk to his girlfriend."

"They hit city hall earlier," Joyce said happily from her desk.  "Before her mother could pounce like the evil witch MB said she is."

Coulson found a site he liked and sent it with a congratulations.

Clint's message suggested oral sex: all women liked it and it could calm down a virgin faster than anything.  Andrew had to ask what that was so he found him a clip online of it.  He got back an 'oh!' and a virtual blush.  Clint assured him it'd calm them both down and would let him get her into the better, more relaxed mood.  If he needed more tips, to ask Dawn.  She enjoyed it a lot.  He sent back a thanks and a hug then hung up.  Clint put his phone up.

"It's in the damn water," Fury complained.

Joyce stared at him.  "It's sweet.  Andrew could barely talk to a girl."

"His girlfriend is the same sort of geek," Coulson agreed.  "She asked him to dance at the Stark halloween party."  Joyce cooed.  "They're perpetually cute together."  He looked at Clint.  "What did you suggest?  I gave him the site that Dawn researched her paper for Joyce on."

"Oral sex.  It calms down virgins, of both genders, and it'd help them get used to things.  Plus he can't hurt her with it if he's a bit nervous."

"That would work well," Natasha said from her seat.  She sent her own congratulations.  She got one back from MB thanking her for letting Dawn dress her up.  "Aww, Dawn leant her that cream slip dress."

Clint smiled.  "That's definitely a good thing."

Fury glared at them.  "I'm tired of the cooing."

"Sir, does that mean you want us to find you a wife?" Clint asked dryly.  "Dawn seems to have some luck hitching people together."  He got up and stomped off.  "Sure, I'll hire you one," he quipped.  Coulson reached down to smack him hard on the head.  "Hey!"

"Don't hire him one.  It's in bad taste."

"Buy him one from overseas," one of the other agents quipped.  "They're cheaper in the long run and maybe we'll find one he can turn into an agent."

"Marsh's computer had a nice site for that and a really pretty dark auburn haired young woman from the Ukraine," Clint teased Natasha, who kicked him under the table.  "Not even close to you but still fairly pretty.  Only twenty-one.  A year of college in philosophy."

"I doubt he would appreciate the sentiment," she said in Russian.  "Perhaps a husband?"

Coulson choked.  "Widow!" he complained.  "I did not need that thought!"

"One of the valkyries thinks he's hot," Clint shot back in Spanish.  She smirked at him.  They texted the temple to have Xander talk to her about her interests.  Phil winced.  "He tell her?"

"Yes."  They watched as a winged horse showed up and stomped before leaning over to nibble on Joyce's desk plants.  The rider got off and walked into the office.

"You're mine, I'm claiming you.  You're warrior enough for me and man enough to have a great warrior as a wife."  She picked him up and put him over her shoulder, stomping back to her horse.  "We'll fix that scowl as well.  Both of our scowls need to be broken."  She threw him over her saddle and climbed back up.  "There, I've fetched you like a proper warrior is gotten, even though there's no great battle you've fallen in."  She and her horse disappeared.

Joyce texted Xander to tell him that Fury had to reappear in three days by one in the afternoon for an important meeting.  She put her phone and smiled at Clint and Natasha, who smirked back.  Phil was still moaning a bit and shaking his head.  "Maria, she'll make sure he makes it for that funding meeting."

"Thank you, Joyce."  She walked off to get some coffee - and cackle in the bathroom so no one could see.

"Just think, Dawn turned down the one in Miami that was like her," Natasha teased Phil with a smile.

"Yes, she wanted something permanent and I was only in for a few days.  She looked interesting to talk to but a bit pouty."  He got up.  "I believe our meeting is done for now.  Everyone get their list of updated training needs done for the next one?"  They nodded and broke up.  He did hit Clint in the elevator.  Then Natasha.  "He's going to come back and attack us," he said.

"No he won't.  Not if she's any good," Clint quipped.

"Perhaps she can use some of the toys that Stark sent you earlier," Natasha quipped.

Clint looked at her.  "One burned her, Nat."  She winced.  "She's got to be in Saturday for some file cleaning event.  He promised we could do that then since they had meetings most of the day."  They got off on Coulson's floor, going to the gym to spar.  Dawn would need some soon and they needed to warm up and cackle in private.  She had been a pretty young woman.  Very fierce.  Able to handle the scowling director who clearly hadn't gotten any in a *long* time.

If Alana made her give him back, then they'd deal with the fallout of him stomping around again.

***

Phil went home that night to find a laughing husband who had made dinner.  "What happened?"

"Alana had to run from the squealing he was doing.  Apparently Magrid isn't all that gentle on Fury's back.  He tried to escape once to the bathroom so she pounced him in there instead."  Phil grinned.  "He's not scowling though."  Phil flopped down next to him.  "So, dinner?"

"I could like dinner."  They got up to eat.  They talked about trivial things, like Xander getting a new sword.  Him having won a few new pieces of artillery during a kitten poker game earlier.  "Does Dawn play kitten poker?" Phil asked.  Xander smiled and nodded.  "Is she very bad at it because we never hear about her winning things."

"No, she's almost as good as I am.  Spike and Clem made sure of it."  He ate a bite and grinned as he chewed.

"Dawn Summers, if you're hoarding artillery, I want an inventory," he called, putting it next to her ear at full volume.  They heard the thump as someone hit the floor upstairs and across the hall.  "Ah."  He turned it off and went back to eating.  A few minutes later a paper was slid under his door telling him to 'tell the nark it's not possible, I forgot to keep track' and whoever walked off.  Phil and Xander shared a look then shrugged and laughed.  "They'll find out," Phil assured him.  "The same as I will about yours."

Xander shrugged.  "Maybe, maybe not."

"I might want to borrow some."

"I can teach you how to play kitten poker, Phil."

"I could use that."  They finished up and settled on the couch to boring tv, listening to the argument upstairs to the left of them, and maybe thinking about some mild groping if they both weren't sore.

***

Clint jumped when the voice message went off.  He looked at his troublesome imp.  "Really?"

"What?  I don't play that often."

"Uh-huh.  Where are said winnings?"

"Some of it's in the bank.  A few times it went to presents."  She shrugged.  "I don't get to play that often."  She made a note and went to deliver it then came back.  They were both staring at her.  "I'm getting the creepy 'I should run' feelings again."  Clint motioned her over and she sighed but went.  "Really, it's not a lot."

"You're hoarding weapons," Natasha said.  "I found Xander's.  I will find yours to make sure it all works."

Dawn shrugged.  "I don't really play for weapons."

"Uh-huh.  Pull the other one.  The only other mass currency they use are cats and jewels," Clint said, smiling at her.  "We'd have hopefully noticed jewels."

"I did win a few of those but I sold most of them to liquid assets?"  He stopped her from moving.  She couldn't even teleport without hurting him.  She huffed.  "I maybe play two nights a month.  It's not like it's an addiction or anything."

They were still staring.  "Where are they?" Clint asked in her ear.  "We want to be impressed."

"Also to stop the FBI from arresting you for hoarding weapons," Natasha agreed.

"Wouldn't that be ATF's job?" she quipped back with a smile.

"Perhaps but you're watched by the FBI," Natasha reminded her.  "As is Stark."  She smirked.  "Where are they?"  Dawn sighed and took them back to the Stark building.  She had her own storage locker in there.  Had for a while.  It was locked from the inside with a lock that Jonathan had helped her create but only she had combination to.  She pushed it on her phone and the door opened.  She got out of the way.  She almost managed to sneak away but they grabbed her and pulled her inside.

Dawn's phone lit up with a text.  "There are many more charming places to have sex in this building than your storage area formerly full of kitten poker winnings, Dawn Summers.  Including the more secure area you rented up the street from your building that's in a *secure* locked down pod.  Btw, we will be talking about your kitten poker habit, young lady."  She huffed.  "Damn it."  She took the lock with her.

The pod place was nicely secure, asked to see their ID's.  At Dawn's they gave her the three keys they had waiting on her.  She smiled and took them to her pod they had her assigned.  They were those pods that got carried on trucks not normal storage areas.  It was on the second floor of the storage area.  The ladders were nice though.  She got up there and unlocked it, staring.  "He sold some of it," Dawn complained.

"He probably took some of it to cannibalize," Natasha said, looking in there.  She stared then at Dawn.  "Once or twice a month?"

"Yeah.  I was on a run when we were in Vegas," she admitted sheepishly.

Clint stepped up behind her and held onto her shoulders so she couldn't leave.  "Wow.  Maybe we should've hidden in Montana instead."  He gave her shoulders a squeeze.  "Inventory?"

"I keep forgetting?"

He hummed and walked her in there to look over things.  Natasha closed the door.  Dawn made fairy lights.  He looked over things, making a mental inventory.  He finally found her running away stash and looked at her.  She shrugged.  He stared and pointed.  "Really?"

"Um, yeah?"

"When?"

"French Riviera?"

"When you got frustrated with economics papers?" Natasha guessed, looking in that trunk.  They both had to whistle.  "Why can you not play regular poker that way?"

"I don't know.  Maybe they let me win."  She shrugged.  She texted Tony to see where the stuff he took was.  He sent back it was being fixed on her and he had an inventory list when they wanted it.  Including of something that she wasn't supposed to have.  No normal person should have mini gold bars.  She asked who had paid her in that.  He groaned and said he was ignoring her now but Natasha's phone rang.  "That's not fair," she complained.

Natasha looked at her.  "You weren't keeping track?"

"I was, loosely, but I have no idea if the guy who owed me so many kittens gave me that instead and if it equaled out.  Only Xander and Spike know how it relates to real world money."

They shared a look then at her.  "We've got to figure that out," Natasha decided.

"I need to learn how to play kitten poker," Clint quipped, kissing her.  "We need an inventory list in case we need to grab something."

"Which was my intention.  Especially with the demon invasion coming soon."

Clint nodded.  "That's a good thing."  Natasha was calling in for someone to come move this for her.  "Did your sister get any?"

"Yeah, when she needed some I got it for her."  She smiled slightly.  "Buffy was really confused but I told her I got it off someone up here who was a bad guy.  Technically, the Fallen One is a bad guy...."  Clint shut her up with a kiss.  "I can't name them even if I know how to use them."

"I realize that.  We do thankfully."

"Stark said he has an inventory."

Natasha hung up.  "That's always a nice thing."  They walked out and closed up the pod, locking it again.  Soon enough, a SHIELD truck was there to pick it up.  Natasha went to make sure they didn't have another one here.  No, Dawn only had the one under any of her known aliases and Joyce didn't have one.  She had hoped Joyce wasn't hoarding artillery to help her elder daughter but you never knew with some families.

Clint had texted Joyce, who said she was looking at a pretty crossbow for Buffy's birthday but she was not in the kitten poker circuit and her daughter needed to have her mind taken apart in that fun way to distract her from the bad ideas.  Please, she added at the end.  He laughed and said he'd try.  Right after they found out where she was playing poker, with who and what, and how much she thought she had won so they could work out the relative exchange rate.

It was time for some light interrogation.  Which he and Natasha were both *very* skilled in.  They smiled at Dawn, who nearly made an escape again but they were faster and better.  They walked her home, stopping to pick up a few necessary things.  Throat drops, extra body wash because he was out.  Douches, enema kit.  Condoms because he was out.  Dawn was looking in the basket then at him.  He smiled and let Natasha add in her treats.  Godiva, the ones that Dawn nearly begged for.  Two other candy bars.  Some new lube.  A candle in a scent she liked.  Dawn shivered and walked off.  Natasha went with her while Clint paid.

They walked in and set the locks, making Dawn put on a privacy shield that blocked the sensors too.  Dawn did it and stripped off her jacket.  Natasha moved behind her to take her shirt off her and then her boots and jeans got kicked off.  "Good," Natasha agreed.  "We can definitely start here."  Clint put things where they needed to be and brought Dawn up to Clint's apartment.  He had the better bed for interrogation work.

He gathered a few of the things, walking up after them.  He had just the perfect idea.  Dawn chatted a lot while distracted to keep her mind from slipping into an area she didn't want it to go.  Clint nicely distracted her enough by melting some of the special godiva chocolate and smearing it on Natasha's pussy, letting Dawn see him do it.  Dawn was drooling, she loved those candy bars.  Clint smeared another stripe of it.  "So let's talk," he offered.  "Where are we playing?"

"Um, at the pub."  She moved closer.  Natasha moved out of her reach.  "Nat," she begged.  "My two favorite things."

She smiled.  "Which pub have you been playing at?"

"I'll bring you," she offered.  She pounced Natasha to get her treat for that offer.  They let her have a few licks then pulled her off and put her back in her usual spot.  She whined.  "C'mon.  I'll bring you."

"Who have you been playing with?  We need to make sure they don't have human contacts," Clint said, nibbling on a bite of the candy bar.  She stared at it.  "The longer this takes, the more of this I'm going to eat so it can't be spread anywhere else."  Dawn went limp with a sound like she had deflated.  He smirked.  "So....."

"The Fallen One and a few others.  There's a demonic mafia group in town, or three really, but only one plays there and I don't play with them because I figure they're as mean as the Russians that used to want to own me," she babbled because he was eating another bite.  "I really don't play all that often and I usually go in on the fifth.  Please?"  Natasha straddled her, close enough to see and sniff but not taste.  "'Tasha," she moaned.  "I'm trying to be good."

"If you were being good, you would have told us so we could do official things and you could keep it," she chided.  "You know that."

"I'm used to hiding a lot from them."

"I know.  Which is the only reason you may get a reward."  Dawn leaned her head up but Natasha pushed it back down.  "I want full details.  Or else he eats the rest and the tasty chocolate smeared on me will get his attention as well."

Dawn pouted.  "That's mean."

"No it's not mean.  It's important.  You have to tell us these things so we can hide them."

"I hid some of those for over a year."

Natasha leaned down.  "If you keep secrets from us, we have to worry," she said simply.  "We keep nothing modern from you if we can help it."  Dawn pouted but nodded.  "Pouting does not get you out of trouble."

"Think of it like confession.  You confess, you do your penance, you go to heaven," Clint said.

Dawn looked down at him.  "She's being mean to me.  How do I get great joy from that?"  He teased her with the rest of the candy bar he hadn't nibbled on.  She moaned.  "But...."

"I do like these ones as well," Natasha reminded her.  She tasted some of what was on her.  Dawn growled and teleported enough to get out of the velcro cuffs.  Natasha nearly squealed when she landed on her back.  Dawn was definitely happy.  Clint let her do some and teased her, then pulled her off.  Dawn pounced him too.  "I think she's too distracted," Natasha panted.

"Definitely," Clint moaned, holding her head where it was.  "Dawn, we need to know these things."  She opened up their link to show them.  They groaned at what they saw, including her plans to help them if necessary or hide them if Fury lost his mind again.  "We taught you the right things," he groaned, letting her head go down to tease him with the candy bar she had snatched.  He could enjoy that.  Her being devious was a slight turn on for him.  And Natasha.  She made them both very happy and they appreciated it enough to help her get off.  Then cuddled her so they could talk about her poker habits mentally.  That way no one could eavesdrop.

***

Phil looked up at the ceiling then at Xander.  "They're taunting her with chocolate."

"I would pounce for that too.  I wouldn't even expect the really good chocolate, just hershey chocolate."

Phil stared then grinned.  "Was that a fantasy?"

Xander shook his head quickly.  "No, not really."

"Uh-huh.  Would you like it painted all over me?" he asked, shifting closer.  Xander gave him a strange look.  "Fantasies I can usually handle, Xander.  Especially one that would get me so pampered and spoiled."

Xander blushed but smiled a bit.  "I wouldn't mind. I'm good with however."

"How did you think about this?" he asked.

"Um, the geek me that's working on Atlantis as a linguist had a special birthday present that was painted on and covered with nerds."  Phil shivered.  Xander clutched him.  "He said he could barely walk.  Or Evan.  Because he's with Evan and Radek."

"Hmm.  Must have stamina like you," Phil teased.  He took a kiss.  "I can see that perhaps for a special birthday thing."  He took a second kiss.  "Then we'll see."  Xander nodded, resting his head on Phil's shoulder.  "On your stomach."  Xander gave him an odd look for that command.  "I'm in the mood to give a backrub."  Xander nodded, getting in the right position without a shirt on.  Phil found some oil and came back out to work on the slightly tense muscles.  Xander was like a cat, he liked being petted and touched most of the time.  It helped him and it helped Phil get used to him.  Neither one was used to waking up next to someone.

Xander moaned and shifted, spreading out some.  He flashed a thought at Phil, who put it into action and it was great.  The soft power flow kneaded deeper than the fingers could, making it even better than it had been.  "That's nice."

Phil smiled.  "It feels nice from what I can tell."

"Give you one later."

"Sure."  He kept going until Xander was limp, sated, and nearly asleep.  Then he got off him and got a sheet to cover him with.  Xander blinked a bit but yawned and fell back asleep.  "I'll see you in the morning," he said quietly, going to get ready for bed.  Xander could come in later if he wanted to.  Phil laid down, realizing that the bed felt colder.  It had only been a few weeks and he was adjusting well to having Xander there with him.  He shifted a few times then started to get up but Xander wandered in, naked now, and climbed in beside him.  He relaxed against the warm, cuddly body, and let himself drift off.

Xander snuggled in and got comfortable.  This was nice.  He could really get used to this.

***

Clint stared down at Dawn, who was snuggling on his shoulder on their next shared day off.  "Why is it that half of my shirts have an oval stain right about there?" he teased.

She winced.  "Sorry."  She pulled back.

He pulled her down.  "I was teasing, Dawn."

"I could probably wash my face better before bed."

He stared at her.  "If I was worried about it, I'd have mentioned it over dinner or something."  He stared at her.  "I was teasing."  She relaxed.  "You're tense today.  Why?"

"We were all kinda quiet last night," she said quietly, playing with the shirt over his stomach.

He stopped her plucking fingers, squeezing them.  "Sometimes quiet is nice."

"It is but it was like we were in our own little worlds and no one talked to each other or even sat near each other....."

He pushed her face up and kissed her.  "It was just a quiet night.  We all have those.  You were having one too."

"I kept feeling like if I curled up against one of you I'd get that look."

"No, you wouldn't," he said.  He petted her hair.  She relaxed.  "Sometimes we have nights like that and you curling up against us wouldn't have mattered.  We would've cuddled and still been quiet.  Normal couples have it too."

"Okay."

"I'm certain," he promised, realizing she was still nervous.  He looked at her.  "You're worried again?"

She shrugged a bit.  "Stupid shit."

"Sometimes they come at the wrong time.  Who said what this time?"  He shifted to hold her better.

"The reporter that was interviewing Pepper was asking about how much age difference there was and such an experience gap and all that."

Clint kissed her again.  "It isn't really that large of an experience gap anymore, which we all hate for you, and having a young, pretty thing on my arm is a great thing."  She stared at him.  "Really."  He took another kiss.  "Now, calm down?"  He looked at the alarm that hadn't went off then at her.  "Why do you have today off?"

"I have to head up to Massachusetts later."

"Why?"

"Mandatory eval."  She got the paperwork by magic and floated it over.  He looked and grimaced.  "Exactly."

"That's ridiculous."  He found his phone by sight.  "Bring it over so I can call and complain?"

"It's Fury's latest attempt to screw with things," she said quietly.

"Exactly."  She floated over his phone, letting him find the number in his contacts list and call them.  "Stark needs to open another office and move us all there.  We'll transfer SHIELD branches, you go to that office."  She snuggled in around him.  That was more usual and felt better.  Less tense.  "Coulson, Barton.  Mandatory eval for Dawn?"  He listened.  "Hell no!"  She looked up at him.  "No, I'm not allowing it and you can tell the fucker I said that."  He listened.  "They want her to do what?  Why does that need an evaluation?  No, I'm pretty damn sure she's not.  If they want her to help prompt Warren that's completely different.  Because right about now, if Stark would move cities, we'd all go."  He hung up.

"They want me to help Warren?"

"Yup."

She sighed.  "I'm not sure I can after what I found him doing."  She snuggled in, nuzzling her cheek against his ribs.  "I still want to beat his ass over that."

"Me too."

She smiled.  "Stark does have other buildings."

"Yes, but not that he's living in."

She smiled.  "The Malibu house is still his favorite."

"I could like being in LA full time.  Nice beaches.  More bikini time for you and 'Tasha."  She laughed and gave him a squeeze.  "Coulson can transfer to that building.  The only problem is Tara and the kids."  She nodded.  "Maria would have to transfer and her duties are being on Fury's ass all day long."

"We need to get her a shock collar and remote."

He laughed.  "That might be nice, yeah.  Or fix whatever's broken this time."

"Could it be the nanites?"

He stared at her then texted that word to Coulson.  They could check him.  They still had the sensor Stark had made.  He snuggled with her.  "Since you don't have to go after all, I guess we get the day off."

"I need to log in sometime soon to make sure there's nothing I need to do."

"We can do that later."  He took a kiss and shifted to hold her better.  It was better.  A lot better.

***

Coulson saw the one word text and grimaced.  "He's shown that his abnormal moments come out that way because he represses it so much, and they were focused on Dawn," he said, getting up and heading up to the bridge.  He walked up to Maria's desk, making her turn around since she was staring at something over someone's shoulder.  He found the scanner and walked into the office, turning it on.

Maria walked up behind him, taking it to use.  "I'll be damned.  It is the nanites.  Sir, were you in the lab when they were looking them over?"

"He was in the elevator when they brought Barton in to get a report," Phil told her.

"Huh."  They got him to the infirmary by Phil's power.  "Not wise," she said.

He grinned.  "Xander leant me a bit of power for emergencies.  I think this qualifies.  Now we know; the next time he starts to stalk Dawn and use cameras for sexual deviance purposes, he's got a problem."  He walked off.  The med team got him into quarantine while Maria scanned the rest of the staff.  They could easily blast Fury in there with a high powered EMP then call in the quit code.  It was on file.  Phil relaxed and told Xander, then went to find Natasha and tell her.  It eased some worries and maybe Barton would quit thinking about them all moving back to LA.

***

Tony got the text message from Natasha and smiled.  "That's a good thing," he agreed, sending one back.  He got one from Steve to please come up to the penthouse if he wasn't busy.  Tony wasn't busy, he was stuck on something, so it was a good distraction.  He headed up there, smiling since Callia was waiting at the elevator.  "Is it a surprise?" he teased.

"I'm going to see twins with Nanny so Auntie Tara gets nap.  I'm being very helpful.  The twins can play with Carrot and Cheese."  She pointed at her pets on the rolling cart.

"That's good.  Have a fun playdate, Callia."  She beamed and got on the elevator with her new nanny and pets.  He walked further into the apartment, staring at Steve.  "So, why is she going today since that's usually Wednesday?"

"I wanted some alone time?" Steve offered with a sheepish smile.

"I'm always up for alone time with you, Steve."  He walked over to sit next to him.  "Needed to talk?"

"No.  Not exactly."  He kissed him and stood up in front of him, staring down at him.  He walked over to turn on music, blushing bright red.  Tony was giving him an odd look.  "I need music."

"Okay, for what?"  Tony watched as his lover started to move.  He realized what it was.  It wasn't skillful by any means, and he had been taught Dawn's rhythm problem when she had taught him to club dance.  "Did ....did Dawn teach you this?"

"Actually, Joyce gave me the idea.  She was taking those pole dancing classes for exercise to rebuild her muscles."  He ducked his head some and grinned.  "It's not too odd, right?"

"Hell no, it's hotter than hell."  He got comfortable, letting Steve tease him.  "Shirt off," he said.  Steve fumbled but got the t-shirt off.  That was nicer and the skin was nicely warm and blushing too.  Tony smirked.  "You really should be closer for a lap dance."

"I watched the burlesque sorts, the ones that it's all about the tease so they don't get fully naked."  He shifted closer.

Tony patted his lap.  "I like the tease being close up."  Steve casually straddled him and went back to the teasing dance.  Touching himself, almost playing with a nipple, circling it instead to draw attention to it.  His hips were still moving with the muted music and it was good.  He could tell Tony was very interested.  He got an idea and shifted his weight to move against him.  Tony's moan filled the living room with a low, deep sound that made Steve shiver a bit.  He barely got to hear that sort of noise from Tony.  He increased the pressure and kept moving.  Tony was gripping the couch behind his head.  "More," Tony ordered with a smirk.  "Tease me, Cap.  This is supposed to be a huge tease that makes me come in my pants."

Steve smiled.  "I'm not sure if I'm that good yet."

"Yes, you definitely are."  Steve shifted his weight again, drawing them closer, teasing Tony's chest through his shirt.  The teasing rubs were making him ache.  The fingers were making him want to strip them.  If he had magic, they would've been naked by now.  Steve was doing good driving him out of his mind.  Tony was staring at him until he got kissed.  That was his signal he could pounce.  Steve landed on his back on the couch, Tony's mouth kissing him then moving down to his throat.  "I knew you could be an evil tease if you wanted," he moaned, stripping himself off one handed.

Steve's pants got opened and pushed down.  Tony found the lube he had hidden from his daughter and Pepper, squirted some on his fingers to get himself ready then got up to slide down his boyfriend's pole.  "More," Tony ordered.  Steve gasped and helped Tony take what he needed to make them both happy.  It was a hard, short ride but it was fulfilling and Tony gasped his name as he came.  Steve finished up, he had to because Tony's body was inviting him with the warmth, the squeezing, the tightness.  He went limp, pulling Tony down to kiss him.  Tony stared at him before kissing him.  "That I needed."

Steve smiled and stroked Tony's still covered shoulders.  "We didn't make it to naked."

"Which proved how hot it was," Tony assured him, taking off his shirt and tossing it aside.  Steve kissed him again.  Tony relaxed against him.  "Thanks for sending the mini me out for a long playdate."

Steve grinned.  "I didn't want to try that with her in the house."

"No, I don't think she needs to know about that yet.  Or see me totally lose my mind enough that I pounced."

"I like the pouncing."

Tony looked at him.  "You're getting stalked later."  Steve grinned and pulled him back down for another kiss and cuddle.  Tony relaxed and of course an idea hit him but he grabbed a pencil and paper he kept stashed around the house for those needs.  He sketched then laid back down.  Steve was beaming proudly at him for it so apparently it was a great thing that he wanted to cuddle.  The music switched stations.  "JARVIS, his pick was fine," Tony called.  It was changed back.  Steve grinned and kissed him.  "Want me to make lunch?"

"No, I can make sandwiches."  He got up and stripped off the sweaty, slightly stained jeans.  He could make lunch naked.  Tony watched him, head tipped.  Steve smiled back at him.  "Ham?"

"Ham's good."  He got up to stalk Steve into the kitchen.  They had many easily cleaned surfaces in there.

"It's the kitchen," Steve squeaked when he was pounced.  "Where you put food."

"All easily cleaned with a sponge."  He kissed him, backing him against the fridge.  Pinning him against the slightly cool surface earned a shiver but Steve was more than willing.  They were rubbing while kissing and it was good, Tony's mind was about to lose cohesion and let his baser instincts take over.  "Need to move this," he muttered between kisses.

"Why?"  Steve gripped the top of the fridge to pull himself up so he could wrap his legs around Tony's waist.  "I was ready earlier."  Tony growled and pushed his way in, keeping him pinned while he rode him hard until Steve was gasping and putting finger dents into the metal of the doors holding him up.  "Tony!" he gasped.  Tony growled and pushed in harder and faster, making it a ride that would be remembered.  Steve gasped and came.  Tony chuckled and got free, turning Steve around to lean him against a counter.  This needed a deeper angle.  He pushed back in and made it a harder ride, one with some nipping and some biting on Steve's shoulder.  Steve shivered but clutched back at him, trying for any sort of grip.  Tony gave him one.  Steve growled as Tony made him get closer again.  "Tony!"

"Mine," he assured him, hissing it in his ear.  "All mine."

"All yours," he promised.  Tony came with a grunt, pulling him closer.  Steve shouted and got off, panting hard, leaning on the counter.  Tony's forehead was resting against his sweaty back.  Steve caught his breath and looked back.  "Tony?"

Tony kissed his back and gently pulled out.  "You drove me to it."

Steve grinned.  "I didn't mind.  Primal you is very hot."  Tony moaned and kissed him, then grabbed the bag of deli ham and brought them back to the couch so they could feed it to each other.  Steve sighed as he sat down, Tony pulling him against his side.  They ate the meat, feeding it to each other every few bites.  It was good and this time Tony made them use the bedroom.  It gave them many more options for spreading out.  Tony was a bit sore since he hadn't really stretched himself enough but Steve could cure that and tease him even more.

Yeah, this was the best day they'd had since they got together.

***

Pepper looked up as JARVIS cleared his throat.  "Problems?"

"No, ma'am, but I'm locking off the Penthouse until they're completely sated," he said quietly.

"That's fine," she promised with a smile.  "It's a great thing to have."

"It is, yes.  They are happy, even if they are growling a bit."  She giggled.  He checked on the others in the building, shutting down a few experiments but telling Dawn which ones.  She could check on them.  She wasn't in he realized but she checked in from home.  That was sweet of her.

***

Dawn finished her checking on people and reauthorizing one to turn back on his experiment, while promising two others she was going to kill them because it would damage Pepper when their experiments blew everyone up.  She put her phone aside and looked at her captive man.  "Really, some scientists have no sense."  She checked the ropes tying him to the base of the couch over the arm.

"No, they don't," he agreed.  "So... I'm here...."  Dawn smirked evilly and got up to find what she wanted.  "Dawn?"  She came back with the eclair, sitting on his chest to eat it.  Nipping off the end, licking off the creamy filling, then the chocolate on top.  Nipping off the cleaned off section and doing it again.  He moaned.  "Dick tease."

"I always cure what I cause in yours," she teased, licking her lips.  She went back to it. He was moaning and trying to get her to shift backward onto his cock.  "Not yet you're not."  She finished off her flaky pastry treat and licked her fingers then lips.  She kissed him.

"I have one of those?" he asked.

"Yup, you do.  I haven't decided yet if I'm letting you eat it or I'm going to open it up and put it around you so I can clean you off."  He groaned and stretched.  She smirked and moved to tease his cock with her tongue.  "Remember the day it was touching only?"

He nodded.  "I do.  It's a very fond memory that was my dirty dream last night."

"I think today's an only oral sex day."  He growled but she went down on him.  He went limp and let her spoil him.  She pulled off with a slurp.  "Or do you need more?"

"More is always nice but I taught you very well.  Go back to it?"  She smirked and just licked up the underside of his cock, earning a shiver.  "Dawn, teasing, bad."

"Yet you tease me when you have me tied down."

He nodded.  "I enjoy the hell out of it."

"You call me a flirty tease," she reminded him.

He swallowed.  "I do.  You're amazing at it but do it for the second orgasm?" he begged.  She smiled and went back down on him.  She did scrape a bit with her teeth but that was good for him and he was not going to last for too much longer.  He came with a shout and went limp.  "Untie me?"

"Nope."  She licked him clean, earning a groan, because her tongue was trailing up to tease his stomach.  He was starting to come up again and she was going to pay for the teasing.  He was mentally tensing up but he was trying to act casual.  She bit the scar he didn't like touched then moved on.  He relaxed and let her handle it.  She was good at handling his needs and wants.  She finally made it up to his mouth and kissed him.  He moaned.  She smiled.  "Want a backrub?"

"No.  I think we'll have only oral sex day tomorrow."  He used his higher height and weight to shift them some.  She had done a pretty good job of tying him down but had left some slack.  It pinned her against the back of the couch.  Even without his hands and not having full access to her body he still managed to put a thigh between her knees and shove to give himself an opening to slide into her.  "Still have tomorrow off?"  She nodded.  He smirked.  "Good."  He could get him and Natasha both off tomorrow.  It was her day tomorrow and he could take a day off.  He made it a slow, hard ride, making her clutch at him.  "Untie me?" he asked in her ear.

"Later.  I wanted to tease you more."

"You're a great tease."  She reached down to tease herself for him.  He groaned.  "That's beautiful."  He kissed her and they finished off.  She panted, hugging him.  "Lick me clean again?" he offered.  She smiled and got them back onto his back with her on top.  She could give in to that request.  Even if she did turn around so he could do the same.  "You only keep me around for the oral sex, right?"

"Yup," she quipped.  "That and your amazing stamina."

He laughed and nipped her.  "I knew it."  He licked her, making her moan and clutch his hips.  He grinned.  "If I was untied I could do more."

She looked back at him.  "You're more creative than that."

"I am, yes."  He shifted his hips.  She got back to teasing him so he could do the same thing.  He had taught her what she liked and he could expand those boundaries now.  He got her worked up enough that she was only holding onto him, panting hard.  He smiled.  "Ride me, Dawn?"  She nodded, shifting around to ride him while kissing him.  "Faster, dear."  She sped up and he inserted a better mental song for her to find the rhythm from.  It was one of his favorites and she enjoyed dancing to it.  She found it easily enough and it was so good.  She made sure he came first.  Then she moaned.

"Untie me.  I'll soothe it," he promised.  She undid one hand and he flipped them back so she was pinned against the couch.  He kissed her and used that free hand to tease her into an orgasm that would mean they'd both get to nap.  She squealed loudly and pushed into his hand. He smirked nibbled on that sensitive spot on her throat.  His fingers were sliding through all the dampness, making her twitch.  He found the perfect spot again easily enough each time he lost it.  She finally came with a wail of noise and went limp.  He kissed her.  "Better?"  She nodded, falling asleep there.  He licked off his fingers and untied his other hand so he could hold her.  This was the best day off he'd had in a while.  Even with the bondage.

***

Tony watched Steve at dinner.  Callia was already in bed.  She had come home tired.  They were having a private, quiet dinner.  Well, Tony was eating and teasing Steve, who was blushing again.  "I want you to try that again."

"Which what?  We did do a lot of things today."

"The lap dance thing."  He ate a bite then fed him one.  "Why aren't you eating?"

He grinned.  "You're doing a very good job of making sure I eat."

"I am, yes."  He fed him another bite then joined their plates to do it better.  He finally fed them both enough and they went back to the bedroom.  Tony stretched out on the bed, hands behind his head.  "I know the no touching rule.  Until you make me snap and pounce it is all your show."

Steve smiled and straddled his hips, once he had gotten out of his shorts.  He moved Tony's down and tossed them off the bed.  He kissed him and music came on.  Something a bit more clubby and harder.  He looked up.  "Thanks, JARVIS.  Can we have a bit of privacy?"  No answer.  He looked at Tony, who waved the remote that hitched to the headboard.

"That's good."  He took another kiss and started to move with the music.  He knew how far he could push Tony now.  Knew what it took for him to be in that primal, claiming state.  This time he'd push it a bit farther.  He dipped down to add more pressure now and then but it was still a tease.  Just barely brushing their cocks together, just barely skin touching skin as he moved.  He was stroking his sides, going up to his nipples to tease them.

Tony was staring, totally focused on his hands.  He moved them up to caress his neck then back down to his stomach to tease himself.  He was getting himself hot with this one, which was a great thing.  Tony's eyes were dilated so much you couldn't tell what color they were.  His breathing was getting a bit shallow.  He could tell he was having an effect on his lover and on himself.  Steve moved slightly forward to brush against Tony's stomach.

"Nice position," Tony growled.

"Thanks."  He smiled and leaned down to kiss him just barely above his lips.  He pulled back when Tony moved his head.  "Nah-uh.  It's a tease."  He bit his lip as Tony's hips moved.  "My job."  He shifted back to dance more over his hips.  It let him brush against Tony's cock again.  He finally had to touch him while teasing him.  Tony had some very tender spots that earned him gasps and Tony twitching.  He did avoid the arc reactor's area.  He knew it bothered Tony.  He hadn't seen him without a shirt for nearly six months.  He kissed it though and stared at him then grinned and licked over the cover, earning a whimper and Tony tensing up.

He went back to refinding all the tiny spots that made Tony gasp and moan.  One made his cock twitch when he licked over it so he did that for a bit, watching the reaction.  He took another almost kiss.  Which was when Tony pounced.  Steve found himself on his back, being taken and held down.  Tony was stronger than he looked.  Steve could barely move but it was good because Tony was staring at him.  "Claim me?" he begged.

"You're already mine."  He pushed in harder and faster.  "Do I need to prove it to you?"  Steve nodded.  "Then I can do that."  He shifted his hands to Steve's hands and made it a slower, yet still hard, rocking ride.  Steve was a pile of sweaty, twitching muscles before Tony let him come.  "Come now," he ordered, hitting just the right angle into his prostate.  Steve shouted and came.  "See, mine," he panted then let himself follow.  He calmed himself, letting Steve pull him down to hold him.  He was gulping air but that was normal.  Steve got calmed down first and soothed a hand up his sweaty back.  "We need a shower."

"We could, yup," Steve agreed, taking a kiss.  Neither one moved.  It was nice being held and doing the holding.  "I needed this."

"We both needed this but I'm buying you a ring," he promised.  "That way there's no fan girl that tries to capture you again."  Steve blushed.  A few fans had tried to take him from the grocery store last week.  He took a kiss.  "You are mine, right?"

"I'm yours, Tony."

"Good.  Then I can possessively stalk you around."

Steve smiled.  "You do?"

"I so do.  You should ask Pepper."

"We have talked."  Tony grinned.  "I know she's still important in your life."

"She is.  She's... she's like my... my healing spot powered by my kryptonite.  It's like a black hole that would destroy me and remake me all at once."

Steve kissed him.  "I understand."  Tony stared at him.  "I do."

"You do."

"Yup."  He took another kiss.  "I'm not jealous of Pepper, Tony.  I could never be jealous of her."  Tony relaxed again.  He stroked his back.  "I think I threw my back out."

"I give excellent massages."  He got up and hauled Steve up, smirking at him.  "First, let's get less sweaty."  He got them into the shower.  Thankfully they had a spare guest room, even though Steve wanted to change the bed and do it there.  "Sure, we can stay in here."

"Its our room," Steve said.

Tony grinned.  "Yeah, it is."  He took a kiss and helped change the sheets, then found the body butter he liked to use for working on his muscle cramps.  He got Steve on his stomach and soothed some of it down his back before working it in.  Steve was a moan chorus, which inflated Tony's ego.  Even if Steve's moans turned to quiet, soft snores after a few minutes.  Tony smirked, putting down the tub of lotion and laying down with him.  He really was going to have to design a ring for him.  Now all he had to decide was if it went on his finger, around his neck on a chain, or was attached to some part of his body.

***

Dawn looked up from her weekly finding of articles on the Avengers, any single member of the team, or SHIELD when she heard Tony.  "Boss, got a slight issue I found."

"What sort?" he asked, stopping to stare at her instead of looking over the plans he was screwing with.  He noticed what she was doing.  "Is this like the time that you had to find gay porn because you found stories about a certain sniper and a certain agent dating?" he asked with a smile.

"Actually, the first one I found was you and a certain all american geek screwing," she admitted.  "No, there's a SHIELD movie."  She turned the screen fully so he could see.

He read, blinking.  "Who had that sort of information?"

"Not me."

"No, I know it wasn't you.  Yell at your toys?"

"Can't.  In the field with rookies."

"Poor people.  Coulson?"  He appeared.  Stark pointed.  "Dawn found it in her weekly archiving of all stories about us."

He moved to read it, blinking hard.  "Damn."  He printed it and took it back with him.  He walked up to the admin area, holding it up for Maria.

"They can't find someone hot enough to play me," she complained quietly.

He smirked.  "Ditto.  Dawn didn't have access to those files."  Maria groaned and shook her head.  Phil carried the paper into the office, putting it on the desk and leaving.

Fury came out a minute later.  "Who found this?" he demanded.

"Dawn.  She searches weekly for new things on us and the Avengers to make sure there's no wild rumors and to archive copies of all the news stories for analysis, sir."  He sipped the coffee he had just poured.

Fury looked at him.  "Where did she find it?"  Joyce held up the phone so he could ask Dawn that.  "Which paper?"  He took down the address and that she had started with a google search.  He winced.  "How many mentions of this movie?"  He winced worse and frowned.  "Damn it."  He hung up and went to look those up.  Joyce took them for him and pulled them up.  He stared.  "I want to know how they found out."

"Send Agent Romanoff.  She's listed as a character," Joyce said.  "She's very good at making geeks talk to her.  This will probably be the next big comic book style movie."  She went back to her desk to search out more information on that.

"Let me, Joyce," Maria said from her own desk.  "I can tell when they've gotten into the classified information."

"Of course, Maria."  She smiled.  "The one they have playing you is pretty."

"Still not pretty enough."  They shared a smirk and got back to their searches.

Phil left it to them.  He had to warn Barton and Romanoff that they were part of a new movie.  They had managed to stop the release of one that had featured Natasha a few years back.  Not even geeks could usually find a copy now.

***

Tony had taken the direct route and used the video conferencing software he had built into all their special phones to call.  "People, we have an issue."

"What now?" Barton quipped.  "Beyond the fact that I have three trainee rookies that need to find silence."  He glared at someone to his left.  "Even Dawn talks less."  That agent shut up.

"She'll beat you for that later I'm sure," Tony quipped.  "There's a SHIELD movie coming out."  He texted Jonathan to come up.  He came bouncing out of the elevator.  "Tell them about the new SHIELD movie, Jonathan?  We just found it today and I'm pretty sure your friends know more than I do."

Jonathan smiled.  "We do.  We've got the whole synopsis out on our bulletin boards.  It's going to be so cool!  There's a Russian spy that was brainwashed and they had to send her ex to take her out but he brings her to SHIELD instead and then it moves onto them going on a few missions, which other agents get slowly added into.  It ends on the unfreezing of Captain America so the whole team is coming together."

"Am I in it?" Tony asked.

"No, you have your own movie," Jonathan said, taking the keyboard from Pepper to get into one of those sites.

Tony stared then at them.  "Off the unauthorized, very wrong biography of me done by that British lady that makes up shit."

Barton winced.  "How realistic, Johno?"

"I think, knowing you guys, that they may've had access to records.  If not, it's pretty much something I'd expect to happen to you guys."

Natasha nodded.  "Quite.  They had access to very sealed records."

"Dawn said she didn't," Tony said.  "So they couldn't have hacked her for them."

"She doesn't have anything about us on the computer outside a few pictures," Clint said dryly.  "She made sure from North Dakota."  He glared at one of the rookies.  "Shut.  Up.  Spot our target."  He looked at the phone again.  "Okay, so we do what?"

"I'm going to go talk to someone," Natasha said.  "Since it seems to start off with me."

"Only you're a blonde," Jonathan said with a smile.  "A really hot actress too.  She wanted to play a strong yet feminine role model sort of character and is gushing all over the place that you are."

"Yes, I am, but still."  She didn't want to smile at that compliment but it was a very good one.  "Jonathan, pull up all the information on that movie for us please?   That way we make sure they can't use classified information that will get agents harmed?"  He nodded with a grin and bounded off.  She looked at Stark.  "Dawn?"

"Moaning.  The actress isn't one of the stick-figure ones but she's not voluptuous by any means."  She gave him a dirty look.  So did Barton.  He pulled it up to show them.  "See?"

"She's pretty," Barton agreed.  "But not really very Widow-like."

"No, I'm a bit more feminine," she agreed, hanging up.

Steve winced.  "She's going to destroy people."

Tony nodded.  "So am I."  He hung up.  "Pepper, legal is on their way?"

"Yup, ten minutes.  She was out at lunch."  She took her keyboard back.  "This is not good looking."

"No, it's not."  He got up and stomped off.  "Let me know when they get here, Dawn."

"Yup.  Go calm down Stepdad please?"

"I am."  He went to that lab to calm him down.  "Bruce, it's not as bad as it could be.  There's already two movies to you."  He got stared at.  "Really."  He pulled up IMDB and typed in 'Hulk', finding them.  "See?"

He looked and groaned.  "Why?"

"People are fascinated by heros, buddy."  He patted him and walked off.  "Dawn wanted to make sure you were calm."

"I was when I came in."

"Just think, they're going to have to find someone to play Fury."

He laughed.  "I shouldn't want to laugh."

"I do."  He walked off again.  He had to meet with Legal.  They had to stop this shit.  Now.

***

Barton hung up and tucked his phone back into his pocket.  The rookies were staring at him.  "Someone's making a SHIELD movie."  One of them moaned and looked begging.  "Off classified files.  Including how we got Agent Romanoff.  She's not happy."  That begging look got worse.  "Ask her.  Not me."  He led them to where they needed to be.  This was simple training in surveillance.  He would've had them doing it around the building but they weren't subtle enough for that yet.  They really had to find a better way to get better recruits.  These ones were all from other agencies and sucked.

***

Natasha hung up and threw the staff she had been fighting with.  Her opponent kept his and tried to fend off her attack to wear out some stress.  She let him because it gave him a slight advantage over her unarmed attack.  Not enough of one but some.  She finally got calmer and walked over his limp body, going to report for details and who she needed to talk to.

***

Callia found something while looking over the building.  She was bored and liked building things.  "JARVIS, what's this level?" she asked.  "I've never been there."

"That is the emergency decontamination and protection rooms," he told her.  "If we have a lab accident we can have a small number of people safe there if they can't make it to a rescue station."

"Oh, wow.  Is it nice?"

"It's set up like an apartment.  Why?"

"Just wondering."  She looked it over.  "Why does one have Auntie Dawn's name on it?"

"Because she has run into a problem in the past that meant she needed to be quarantined.  That's in case she does it again."

"Huh."  She was thinking hard.  She knew her Auntie Dawn had more powerful magic than she did or her Auntie Tara did.  She had heard one of the scientists talk about how scarily powerful she was.  So it was probably very strong to hold her in.  Was she as powerful as Uncle Xander?  She looked up.  "JARVIS, someone was talking about Auntie Dawn being stronger than Uncle Xander.  Is she?"

"I believe that their powers are different in nature and that would be hard to gauge," he said.  "Without proper testing we could only go on battle evidence, which is an unfair judge of ability."

"Huh?"

"You do things during fights that you don't at other times," he explained.  "So that's not what they usually do."

"Like that fight no one would let me know about?"

"Yes, exactly."

"Was Daddy there?"

"Yes he was, and you were sent against my will after it to calm down Dr. Banner."

"Oh, there."  She considered it.  "So are they about as powerful?"

"No one can really be certain without testing that could harm them."

"Huh.  Okay.  Thank you, JARVIS."  She went back to thinking.  She had an evil girl plan starting and it was a good one.  It'd make people happy.  Plus she'd get new playmates.

JARVIS checked on her father but he was involved with the company's lawyers over something so he wouldn't interrupt to note that strange discussion.

***

Callia finally managed to get down to that room.  She had to crawl through the air vent like Uncle Clint told her he did sometimes to watch over Auntie Dawn and the geeks but she made it.  The plans earlier had shown her where she was going and she remembered very well, only took one wrong turn.  Of course, she had found the computer room in there.  She'd think about that later.  She walked around the containment floor.  It was a very nice apartment and infirmary.  She found her daddy's room, because it had a computer and his dried fruit, plus a coffee maker.  She found Dawn's because it didn't have a coffee maker and it was a bit more bare.  She didn't decorate like Daddy did so it made sense to her.  She closed the door most of the way then moved to the middle of the room.  "Uncle Phil, Uncle Xander, help?" she called then got out of the way.  They appeared and she shut the door with a giggle.  "Make me new babies to play with!"  She ran off.

Xander looked at the door then at Phil.  "I'm spanking her," Phil assured him.  "I don't usually believe in spanking unless your child was just in the middle of the street or playing with a handgun but for this, she's being paddled."

Xander nodded.  "It'll save her."  He looked around.  "I'm guessing this is some sort of saferoom?"

"Not Stark's.  I got a good look at his when he was freed from it in that other place, before the wish."  Xander started a scan and Phil winced.  "Something's drawing power, Xander, stop."  He did.  It was still drawing power.  "I believe this is meant for Dawn if she goes critical mass."

Xander nodded.  "Apparently."  He blocked off the draw and helped Phil do the same.  This was not good and it was pulling at their powers to the point that it could, if it went on long enough, drain them to the point where they might die.  "Can you reach Stark?"

"No, it's fully blocked off.  Dawn's went telepathic a few times."  He looked around.  "JARVIS?"  No answer.  "No cameras either."

"He wouldn't want to watch her explode," Xander murmured.  "I wouldn't either."  He looked around.  It was the nicest Dawn trap ever.  It even had a bed that looked comfortable.  He sat on it and concentrated on keeping his powers from being sucked out.  Phil settled beside him and Xander showed him how to do that.  Phil nodded and started the same meditation exercise.  He was still naturally leaking some but that was normal.

***

Tony jerked awake as his phone went off with an alarm that only worked for one floor.  "JARVIS, who's in containment?" he demanded, getting up and finding clothes.

"I believe your daughter decided that Dawn's containment cell would work well for her uncles who are godly, sir.  I also believe that I cannot shut off the siphoning devices and they're pulling at their powers."

"Damn it!" Tony shouted.  "What's the code?"

"It's not in the file."

"Where did I write it down?"

"It's probably on the list in Pepper's left hand drawer."

"Put up a copy of that," he ordered.

"We have a containment cell for Dawn?" Steve asked quietly.

"If her powers start to bleed, yes," Tony said, staring at him.  "Because she got overloaded and it was necessary for a few hours when Andrew and them pulled in the extra Keys.  Thankfully she made it to Malibu.  This was in case she couldn't.  There's no cameras so I don't have to watch her die or audio pickups, I'd send in a radio to her so we could talk if it was necessary.  There's power siphoning devices to pick up any energy she's bleeding off and store it away from her so it won't make anything explode," he said, looking miserable.

"It was fully a just in case safety measure and she knows.  I told her and she gave me a hug and thanked me but I felt the most miserable I've ever felt having to think about that."  The scan of the paper was up.  "Release her," he read.  The alarm quit.  "Turn off the siphoning devices.  I have no idea what they'd do to a godly power, JARVIS.  We're on our way down to release the manual lock."  He found his keys and went to the elevator, sticking it in a little keyhole and turning it.  "Only security has the other key to the level.  Pepper knows where mine are."

Steve rubbed his arm.  "It makes sense, even though we hate to think about it.  The same as we have one for Banner."

Tony nodded.  "I hate the very idea of needing one."  They got off on the floor and he stomped over to release the door.  "Guys, what happened?"

"Callia called us for help," Xander said, blinking at him.

Steve helped them both out.  "Are you guys all right?"

"Bit weak feeling," Phil admitted, wobbling a bit.  Xander caught him before he fell.

"Sorry," Tony said.

Xander shrugged.  "It might be necessary.  We all know that."  He was about to pass out too.  He was feeding Phil energy to help him stabilize his form.  "We need to go somewhere else."

"JOHN!" Steve bellowed in his best battlefield voice.  Sheppard appeared looking like he had been in bed.  Messy hair, pajama pants, yawning.  He looked at them and growled, taking them to Valhalla and then to Xander's cabin.  He helped Phil link into the local power to draw on.  Steve looked at Tony.  "She needs to have a talk with someone."

"She's having a talk with my hand," he assured him.  "Callia, you'd better run to your damn room.  Call your Aunt Pepper so she can yell at you too!"  He heard the movement in the air duct.  "JARVIS, 'port her to her locked room so I can deal with her please."  He stomped off.  "Then call Pepper so she can help us yell at her."  They went back up to the penthouse.  He walked off and over to her door, unlocking it and walking in.  "You're in such deep shit, it'd fill the Grand Canyon, young lady."

"Grounded?" she sniffled, looking down.

"Hell no!  This is so far beyond grounding it's not damn funny!"  She flinched and stared at him.  "You could've hurt your uncles.  You did hurt your uncles."

"Thought since it would hold Auntie it would hold them.  Only wanted them to have quiet time."

"Bullshit."  She flinched again.  He pulled her over to give her the first spanking of her life.  Then he stood her in front of him and glared at her.  "We will be talking when I'm calm enough to not swear at you again.  Sit.  There."  He pointed.  "Do not move, do not cuddle, do not call, nothing."  She climbed into the spot on the foot of her bed and curled up.  He walked out to calm himself down.  Steve stopped him and held him, letting him shake.  "Thank you," he said when he was more calm.

"I want to spank her too," he said quietly.  Pepper came off the elevator looking worried.  "She locked Phil and Xander in Dawn's containment cell."

"Excuse me?" she demanded, stomping that way.  Callia screamed a minute later.  They both winced.  Pepper was usually the gentle one that Callia went to for softness.  The ranting was not good.

They went in there to calm Pepper down and then talk to the child genius that was clearly having bad ideas already.  Joyce got called to talk to her too.  That way they could pound the concept of not hurting others for plans into her head.

***

Joyce walked into the office the next morning.  "Sorry I'm a bit late.  I tried to get an extra half-hour of sleep because we spent all night yelling at Callia," she told Fury.

"Why?"

"She locked Phil and Xander in a cell that was designed to leech powers from someone."  He shuddered.  "They're on Asgard and probably trying to heal."

"That's good to know.  Why did it affect him?  I know that they gave him something so he could hunt down the other demigods and see if they needed help."

She went with the cover story they had made up.   She was well aware of why Phil didn't want him to know.  "By marrying Xander they probably linked him since he said Xander gave him a tiny bit of power to use in emergencies."

"That makes more sense.  He's probably sitting vigil then.  Are you fit for work?"

"No," she admitted.  "But I'll fake it."  She went to her desk.

He made notes on that.  He wanted to know why Stark had a containment cell like that.  Though, if he was right, it was probably in case Dawn went rogue.  Like they had one at SHIELD for Banner losing his temper in a permanent manner.  He'd have to get the plans in case they had to capture Loki again.

***

Dawn walked in the next morning, spotting Callia sitting in her corner on a stool.  "What did you do?" she asked, looking at Pepper.

"She locked Phil and Xander into your containment cell," she said quietly.  "They're on Asgard trying to heal from the energy siphon."

"Shit.  John, I can help them," she called.  Nothing.  "Roque, I can help heal them."  Nothing.  "Fuck this shit.  Roque!" she summoned.  He appeared, blinking at her.  "Take me, I can help them absorb it more smoothly."  He nodded, taking her with him.  She knelt beside the bed, touching each of them on the arm.  She concentrated, opening the Key.  The power was drawn to her and she was feeding it to them.  Phil's form stabilized from the column of light.

Xander's open leak had kept him from that but she could feel it pulling at the Old Ones that were there.  She pushed them back and helped him close it slightly.  She opened up a pinpoint one in Phil, hating that she had to but it'd help him.  She got them stable and back to looking like they might wake up then stood up.  "With the pinpoint one, Phil's going to be strong enough to take on any demi or god going rogue," she said quietly to Roque and John.  "Xander was pulling in the ancient ones."  John shuddered.  "They're stable.  They're sucking up normal energy at a better rate," she noted.

"Thank you," John said, hugging her.

She nodded.  "Why did she do that?"

"Xander mumbled that she said it was so they could make her new playmates," Roque said dryly.

"If she hasn't been spanked, she's so getting it when I get back there."  They smiled at her.  "Seriously.  I'm wondering if they told Mom yet."

"Probably."  Phil heaved a huge breath then let it out and went limp.  Dawn checked and nodded.  John was checking his powers, nodding they were fine.  Phil blinked at them.  "Hey."

"Did someone paddle her?"

"I'm hoping so.  If not, my foot's going up her butt," Dawn said bluntly.  He smiled weakly at her.  "Sleep, Phil.  You're stable and I made sure of it."

"What's that extra energy?"

"I opened a pinpoint leak to stop you shedding power."  He nodded, shifting so he was more comfortable.  Xander was being watched.  Dawn leaned down to kiss him on the forehead.  "C'mon, Xander.  Wake up.  Please?" she begged quietly.  "I can't do this without you."  He moaned and she shot more power into him, making him wince.  "I known, burn out."  She helped him come back from the deeper meditative level.  He blinked at her.  "Hey, I'm enough of a pain in the ass to wake anyone up," she said dryly.  He nodded.  "You're safe.  I made sure.  Push the Ancients out of the way of your leak."  He checked and winced, doing that.  "Phil's okay.  He's beside you."  He looked at him and let her go, rolling over to check on him.

"I'm fine.  We both need rest," Phil said, patting him.  "Rest, Xander."  Xander laid back down and let himself slump.  Dawn went to the kitchen to make cocoa, bringing it up.  They both gave her weak grins.  They finished it and went back to sleep.

"I'll tell Fury he's got at least a few days up here," Roque said.

"He does not know," Dawn noted.

"Okay."  He took her back to the office.  "She got paddled, right?" he asked Pepper.  Who nodded quickly.  "Good!"  He went to SHIELD.  "We got them both stabilized.  They're both sucking up native energy."

Fury looked at him.  "Does that mean my agent's now immortal?"

"Yes, it does.  It saved his life."

Fury nodded.  "Then that's fine.  I don't want Coulson to die.  Summers would kill me, both of them."

"At the very least, yes," Roque said dryly, staring at him for that bullshit response to cover up feelings.  "It'll be a few days."  He left.

Fury nodded, making notes and sealing them.  He leaned back in his chair.  Things were going to hell again.

***

Dawn looked up from her typing when someone walked off the elevator.  It was a demon.  "Do you have an appointment?" she asked in her most perky voice.

The demon sneered.  "You and yours will not stop us, Key."

Dawn shot him with the gun she had been pulling out of her thigh holster.  "Really?"  She got up and gathered him.  "Boss, gotta take this down to the garage and burn him."  She dragged him down there and threw him onto the ground.  "Now, what the fuck did you want?" she demanded.  The demon got up, holding the injury.  It wouldn't kill it, only fire would.

"I am the harbinger of the invasion."

"Nice to know."  He attacked and she blasted him back then followed to beat his ass.  "Does your death summon them?"

"No.  They're already coming.  I'm the herald."

Dawn shouted that over her bond and took him out with a fireball, then changed her clothes to her unitard as she flashed home.  She put on her chainmail and grabbed a few things.  SHIELD hadn't started to appear yet.  "I thought it was during our vacation," she quipped.  She flashed to where it was starting, sending feelings at the normals to run like hell.  They started to run from the demons in the lead.  Six demons, all with weapons.  She appeared down there, staring at them.  "You know, I'm not the only protector of humanity here but they're a bit slow."  They growled.  She stared back.  "Go home.  Don't make us kill you all."

"D," Faith called.

"Come join me, Faith."  She walked up to them.  "Until the others get here, I'm good."

"That I can accept even though your momma's gonna beat your ass."

"Yup, probably," she quipped back.  They shared a smirk and looked at the warriors.  "Go home."

"This world is ours.  We claim it."

"No, it's mine," Dawn said, flashing her aura.  "Not yours."  They lunged and she and Faith fought.   She had sparred with Faith a few times on the sly.  Especially since she had been...altered by those extra memories.  She got two of the demons.  Faith got three.  One died by arrow.  "You're late," she called.

"Sorry, traffic," Clint quipped back.  "Ladies, move."  They got out of the way.  More warriors were coming but the rest of SHIELD was there.  Including Thor stomping their way.  He looked at Dawn.  "In trouble."

"Necessary."  She shrugged.  "I'm backup, you know that."  He nodded, moving into a better position.  Stark flew in and dropped Cap.  It became a real battle within half a block of Midtown Manhattan.  She kept the portal from widening each time they tried.  She was trying to close it down but it wasn't working.  Tara took one of her hands to help her with that.  They got the portal shrank.  "Someone shoot the damn mages on that side," she yelled.  Clint fired off an arrow, getting one.  That made it easier.  "Thanks."  The portal went back to shrinking.  They were calling up reinforcements.

Dawn and Tara felt something erupt behind them and looked then turned to deal with that portal.  "Um, guys?" Tara called.  "We have another one."

Clint looked and called that in, breaking some of the better agents off to handle that.  He hit those mages for the witches then the ones on the primary portal.  Another two tried to form but Dawn blasted the second one closed.  A few agents got some wind damage but that was fine.  They moved to the third and fourth while everyone else fought the primary one that was spilling out demonic warriors that looked like really tall turtles.  Tara and Dawn got one closed but they were looking wiped out.  Dawn gave Tara a nudge and moved to the other one, cutting her palm and putting it on the portal.  It shrieked in pain and she winced but it closed down to a pinpoint.  She panted, stomping on it.  It wouldn't break.  Someone fired a higher powered weapon into it.  She smiled at Rodney and nodded.  He pointed for her to go.

She got led to safety with Tara by some paramedics.  "Just exhausted," she said quietly.  "I could use an energy drink."  They handed her some gatorade.  She gulped it and rested then got up and went up to help again.  They tried to stop her but she pulled a weapon she had in storage.  She helped Rodney by firing into the portal.  It screamed and went up.  They all watched it burn once the demonic warriors were dead.  "I think that's when Xander puts them in a romance novel," she quipped.

"Probably, and I can see what sort of torment of hell that is," Rodney said dryly.  "Go sit down."

She nodded, handing off the weapon and going to baby Tara.  Who was resting.  Maria came over to get a few injuries treated so she turned Tara over to her.  Dawn undid the neck hitch of her chainmail, looking around.  "That's a mess."

Rodney was calling orders.  They stripped the bodies of weapons, took three specimens to be examined, and then he burned the rest with gas.  "That's better and safer in case they had something funny like germs."  He stomped off.  "Where is Sheppard?  I hate pretending to be him."

"Helping Xander because Callia trapped them somewhere that sucked power from them," Dawn quipped.  "She thought it'd be good and hold them so they could make babies."

He stared at her.  "Is she sane now?" he asked Iron Man.

"I spanked her because it caused harm," he admitted.

"Good!"  He walked off.  "I'll meet you back at the lab for reports.  Let me get my people back to Atlantis."  They got beamed off.

Stark looked around.  "Let's all go home and recuperate."  He stared at Dawn.  "So grounded."

She shrugged.  "You needed magical backup, Stark.  Quit before I screw up your schedule again on purpose and schedule you interviews with teen girl magazines."  She walked off.  She could take off the chainmail in the shadows and find a cab.

Clint walked up behind her and walked her off.  "Backup is not actively participating," he reminded her, leading her to a SHIELD van.

"You guys were tardy."

"Shut up, Dawn."

"Yes, sir."

"Thank you."  He gave her a look, getting a smirk back.  "Nice job," he said once they were in the van.

"Thank you."  She stretched and winced.  "I hate using that much magic.  I always need to eat."  He nudged her.  She smiled.  "Did you run out?"

"Twice.  Thankfully we had replacements and you marked all my favorite arrows."  She smiled at that, ducking her head some.  He looked at the others.  "Infirmary," he reminded them.  "Just to get checked.  Separate out into 'not injured', 'slight battle injury', and 'hope the docs are superheroes today too' groups."  They nodded.  He was thankfully not injured.  Dawn was just exhausted and hungry.  Maria had Tara by her desk and was feeding her.  It was going to be okay.  He got Dawn back to her desk before Stark got out of the infirmary with a great dinner from the caf for both of them.  He'd send in reports and make her do a sitrep too.  That way Fury couldn't yell.

His phone beeped with a text.  He laughed.  She grinned at it and sent one back to Natasha.  "She'll make the next one.  I'm sure there will be one."  She dug into her lunch.

Stark came off the elevator, staring at her.  "Don't threaten me with Tiger Beat or something, Dawn.  It's immature."

"The girls could use encouraged toward science and engineering, boss."  She ate a bite.  "Throttle's Xander said that they were going to post stories about them being so helpless after that long war and some of them starving to get girls into the space program at alarming rates."

"Cute, furry, and muscled would draw a lot of teenage girls," Clint quipped, stuffing his mouth.

"I don't think I'd encourage girls into the sciences, I'm not one," Tony said.

She grinned.  "Yes, but girls adore you, boss.  You know that.  Plus you can talk about Callia."

He walked off shaking his head.  "Still don't see it."

"I can schedule one for you."

"You do and your vacation is canceled, young lady."

"Fine.  Though, National Geographic wanted to talk to you."  He paused to turn and stare at her.  "Your weapons did make a difference in how the world's boundary lines are drawn."  He shook his head.  "Pepper turned them down but left Maxim, Teen Vogue, Boy's Life, and MAD magazine."

"I'm being put in MAD magazine?" he asked dryly.  She smiled and nodded.  "Wonderful.  I like that one.  Boy's Life?"

"Cap probably read it when he was younger."  Steve nodded as he came off the elevator.  "Teen Vouge is one of the best selling mags out there."

"What am I really going to tell them?"

"They're probably going to ask about Callia and Pepper since they're interviewing you, me, and Pepper."

He whined.  "Why?"

"Hey, it's not Tiger Beat or Seventeen."

He nodded.  "Cap, I need a martini."

"I could use some water and so could you."  He grinned at Dawn and Clint but walked Tony off.  He told him about what Boy's Life covered.   It only made Tony more reluctant so he stopped and rewarded him for helping so much during the battle.  It was good.

Dawn smiled and sent that email to Pepper, who was probably upstairs waiting.  She dug into her lunch again.  "Thanks for buying lunch."

"Welcome," he said.  "I missed mine too."  They settled in to wait.  People always overreacted and the Board would start calling soon by what she knew.  There were a few reporters that got passed up to her through the switchboard who wanted to talk to her.  He smiled as she 'no commented' and hung up on them.  "Put a statement on your LJ page."  She smiled at him for that suggestion and put one up about doing what was necessary during apocalypse battles, especially when they'd be short handed due to a slayer pregnancy and some of the Avengers being on assignment.  She logged off and got back to work.

Pepper smiled as she walked past them.  "Nice statement."

"I no commented to them," Dawn said, handing her the list she had made.

"Good."  She went to start on a statement.  Dawn sent her one.  She tweaked it but it was what was needed.  She sent it to their PR person for Stark International.  He could talk to the press so she could hide her baby bump for a few more days.

***

Dawn had to sneak into the building the next day.  "Press is covering the front," she reported to Stark since he hardly left the building.

"I saw."  He grimaced.  "Half of them are looking for you."

"Bullshit."  She put down her things and fluffed out her hair then smiled.  "One spotted me and ignored me totally."

"Really?  Pepper said she's been asked about you twice."

"Pepper got asked about you nearly thirty."

"Fine, so less than half," he relented, smirking at her.  She shrugged and synched their systems for the day.  He groaned.  "Board meeting?"

"Called last night.  Want to make you give up the suit," she quipped.  "Same BS, different chorus of whining and day."

"Can I ignore them?"

"They'll hound Pepper."

"She can take it."

She stared at him.  "Baby."

"Point.  She'll beat them to death thanks to the hormones."  He shrugged.  "I guess I can.  What computer were you using then?"

She smiled.  "Nothing you need to see."

"I want to see."

"Yes but I need some secrets, boss."

"Uh-huh.  Hammer's ineffectual little system?  I should've been able to hack that."

"No.  Natasha had one souped up for me that's commercially available.  I did the review on that Hammer tablet, it sucked so I'd never use it for anything important."  She walked off.

"So, what, like a Kindle or something?" he called.

"Yup, something like that."

"No wonder it didn't have a camera," he said, getting up to look in her desk and purse.  She swatted his hands.  "I want to see."

She looked at him.  "If I need it again, you don't need to remember."

He huffed.  "What can a Kindle do?"

"Kindles had a bad screen rating when I went looking for an e-reader tablet, boss."

"Seriously?"  He finally found it in her bag and pulled it out of the neoprene case to look over.  "A Nook tablet."  He got into the specs and frowned.  "Little storage but she fixed some of that.  Android.  Wi-fi."

"Some have 3-G."

He nodded, looking over how Natasha had it 'fixed' for Dawn.  "Huh.  I can do that better."

"Make me one I can lock you out of," she quipped with an evil smirk.

"I can do that."  He handed it back.  "You're right, you might need it."

"The same as you might need that containment cell some day," she reminded him.

He nodded.  "It sucks we have to think about that shit."

"Yeah, but we're practical people, even if you are an engineer."   He swatted her on the arm.  She shrugged.  "You are.  You have *muses* and *ideas*."

"You have plenty of ideas.  That's why Barton can't walk some mornings," he quipped.

She kitty smirked.  "Yes, it is."  He laughed.  Pepper came off the elevator.  "Morning, boss.  Did you avoid the reporters?"

"I had to go through the parking garage and the pass sensor is down."  Tony nodded, going to fix it.  "Isn't Andrew off his honeymoon yet?"

"Supposedly yesterday.  I didn't get to do rounds though."  Pepper smiled and went into her office.  She followed to note what they had, including that stupid board meeting.  "Want me to shoo off the reporters?"

"Please," she begged.

Dawn walked down there.  "Boys, heel," she ordered to the security team.  They fell in step behind her.  She walked outside, staring at them.  "It's cold out here so I'm going to make this short and sweet.  You are blocking the company's entrance so move.  If there is a statement to be made, it will be made by the Stark PR people.  You have their number.  They gave a statement last night."

She looked around.  "For now, you are keeping scientists from their labs and my excellent coffee, people.  Move."  They got out of a few employees' way.  "Morning, my geeks."  One grinned at her and one shook his head.  Bruce was like that though when you got him up too early.  "Is there anything you just have to know right this very second that will take under a minute before I freeze to death?"

"You were at the battle," one said.

"I was closer.  I said in the past that if an apocalypse battle needed my specific skills I'd lend them.  Which I did until SHIELD got there, then I fell back to magical support."

"That Alexander guy?"

"He was injured the night before.  He was off healing on Asgard."  They slumped.  "He would've been there with us, but I had to help him not die a few minutes before that battle.  Unfortunately there was a prank call for help that got him trapped somewhere that tried to eat at his powers."  A few more shuddered.  "Exactly.  Then I came back from helping him to find that opening.  So I filled in.  Anything else?  I'm turning blue."

"Is Ms. Potts pregnant?" one asked.

"Ask her, not me.  I do not give out personal information to anyone about anyone in Stark International or at SHIELD."  They groaned.  "Anything else?"

"Was your boyfriend injured?" that same one yelled.

"No."  She smiled.  "No one at SHIELD had more than superficial injuries thankfully.  The worst were a few cuts and one that got some wind damage when that second portal fell.  Which I apologized for.  They said the ringing in his ears will quit in a few days.  Anything else?  Because Pepper and I both have a LiveJournal and we do use it for personal statements."  The press got moved by NYPD officers.  "Thank you, Officers.  We like our people being able to get in, especially with a meeting later."  She smiled.  "Anything else you absolutely need to know right this second?"

"When's the next apocalypse battle that you know of?" one yelled from behind his camera.  Clearly not the usual reporter.

"As far as I know, the next one is a minor battle in Cleveland sometime late this spring, and then I think the next one is in Europe but they have it.  SHIELD has a European branch."  That got a nod.  "Ask SHIELD, I'm not certain beyond that."

"Is your sister pregnant?" one of the entertainment reporters Dawn recognized asked.

Dawn smiled and nodded.  "She is.  I'm told it's a boy.  She and Hylal are ecstatic about it.  He has four boys from his first marriage, she has her daughter Callia, and he adores her like she was his own."  She walked back inside.  The guards smiled at her.  "Thank you."

"Welcome.  Elevator one is warmer."  She smiled and got on that one, going up to the office to warm up.

Pepper smiled.  "Nice job."

"Thank you."

"Probably June," Tony told her.

"I don't need to know unless it's something magical I need to help with."

"True."  He smirked.  "Thank you for remembering that."

She patted him on the shoulder.  "Shut up, grumpy, before I pour vegetable oil in your suit."  He cackled and hugged her but walked off to check his suit.  She smiled at Pepper.  "They asked about you."

"He pulled up security footage.  Thank you."

"Welcome."  She went back to her desk to do the usual things and get ready for the complaining board meeting later.  She found Buffy's lj had a new entry and read it, snickering over her complaint of 'no sex until the baby's born, why no sex?  It's unfair not to let me have some relief for the next few months.  So why can't I have sex?'  Dawn wrote back that orgasms could start off preterm labor and Buffy had said that Hylal was fantastic to her so she never went without at least one a day.  Buffy could pout but they wanted this one carried to full term.

***

Xander groaned as he woke up, blinking at Phil.  "Ow."

"Very ow."  He gave him a hug, letting Xander rest against his shoulder.  "We missed the invasion."

"Damn.  Did we lose?"

"No.  Dawn helped."

"Cool.  I'll yell later."

"Mostly magically.  John said SHIELD was late getting there."

"Crap."

"She and Faith took out five of the first six warriors."

"Cool."

Phil smiled.  "Head hurt?"  Xander nodded.  "You okay otherwise?"

"I will be."  He made himself sit up and held his head.  Roque walked in and shoved him back down, handing him something.  "I have to eat?"

"That's got tea stuff in it."  He handed one to Phil too.  "That's those battle bars."

Xander hummed and ate it, nodding.  "Not as bad as I remember."

"I had Talsa flavor it better."  He walked off shaking his head.  "Have some stress relief.  I've got the dogs down here."

"If we do, our powers are going to be glued together," Xander called after him.

"What?" Phil asked.

"Right now, we're sucking in native energy to replace what we lost," Xander said.  Phil nodded he felt that.  "If we got groiny right now, my powers would suck at yours, yours would suck at mine, and we'd be joined that way, unable to be parted.  We'd be as joined as Dawn and her Keys are."  Phil shivered.   "That goes well beyond mating and claiming," he assured him.

"I'd suppose it would."  He laid back once he had finished the battle bar.  He'd have to get that recipe for the Avengers.  Xander smiled at that.  "I know but they probably could use it too."

"Probably."  He popped his neck and finished his own bar.  He laid back down with a yawn.  Phil took a kiss.  Xander moaned.  "Phil, it's already trying."

Phil nodded.  "We're bound together anyway.  Is it that different?"

"You'd have access to a whole different part of me.  We'd be like twins."

"The twins do have a bond."  He stroked over Xander's bare chest.  Xander wiggled some.  "You're already my mate, Xander.  I can't go for the polite, barely touching sort of marriage."

He sighed.  "That's not something to do without clear intent, Phil.  It could mean one of us inside the other and I don't really want to be pregnant with you."  Phil blushed.  "Seriously!"

"I know.  Though it could go the other way.  You're not feeling as strong as I am right now."  Xander stared at him.  "Sense us, you're not."  Xander did and the magic caught.  Xander whimpered but Phil kissed him.  "It was clearly meant to happen."  Ares appeared and groaned, trying to separate them.  They let him try.  "Who prompted the link?"

"I think his grandmother."  Ares grimaced.  "Well, congrats."  He disappeared.  Gaia was sniffling happily.  He walked off shaking his head.  He was not going to burst her happy mood.

Phil rolled on top to kiss Xander, staring down at him.  "Are you really upset?"

"Not like we can fight it."

"I can feel the upset feelings."

"Yeah, that's part of that bond."

Phil smiled.  "Dawn and hers manage a doorway between them.  We can too with some work."  Xander nodded.  Phil kissed him again, letting their powers merge.  He moaned as they both went elemental for a second.  Then he was alone and feeling some stomach pains.  "Ow.  I didn't think he meant literally."  Roque came up with a potion.  He drank it without question, which made Xander separate as they turned back into elemental forms.  He panted, becoming human, staring at Xander.  "Energy pregnancy?"

"I've seen one that lasted two decades and a few years," Xander admitted quietly.  Phil cuddled him.  Xander hugged back.  That joining had shown him a lot more of Phil and himself.  He might be able to handle that.  He kissed him.  "You know, there is elemental form sex."

Phil looked at him.  "Are we strong enough for that?"

"With that potion in use, we can't be stuck for the next twenty minutes."  Phil smiled.  Xander grinned.  They faded their physical forms and let the elemental forms sink together.  It opened them fully to the other one.  Phil read all his darker memories, all that he kept hidden.  He found Phil's dark side and it was bad, not as bad but still pretty nasty.  They wallowed in each other for a few minutes then pulled back slowly and carefully.  They came back to physical form hard and rubbing against each other, mid kiss, and working hard to get off.  Xander gasped and went first this time.  Phil chuckled in his ear and finished off then cuddled.  "You may be the best thing that's ever happened to me," he whispered.

"I am."  He squeezed him.  "I hope I always will be."

Xander kissed him.  "Can't be anything but."  He snuggled into his husband's side and it was good.  It finally felt perfectly comfortable and like he should be there.  Phil slept nicely on his shoulder.  Xander let himself drift off and it was great.  Just right as Goldilocks said.

Downstairs, John and Roque shared a look and toasted with coffee.  They'd never have that sort of bond.  The godly contingent had a new power couple and it was the good guys this time.

26: Screen Time Old Ones

Someone's going to do a movie about SHIELD and the Avengers.  Which is not really in Nick Fury's favorite list of plans.  NC-17 m/f/f, m/m

Dawn looked over as Callia walked up to her desk, sucking on her bottom lip.  "What's wrong?" she asked, going back to her typing up of memos that had to be sent out about leave time, vacation plans, the expo in two weeks, and then the plan for after it.

"What's school like?"

"It's like what you do upstairs only there's more kids to take the teacher's attention so you don't get her to help you all the time."  She glanced at her.  "Why?"

"I was wondering.  So there's other kids?  Like lots?"

"In some schools, up to forty in one classroom, which means you never get personal time from the teacher."

"Oh."  She considered that.  "Are there smaller ones?"

"Yup."  She finished the memos and pulled Callia closer.  "Why are you wondering about other kids things?  Aren't you getting enough other kid time at lessons?"

"Sometimes but they're usually older."

"That happens sometimes.  You'd be the youngest in your class too because you're at least a year ahead of the other kids your age."  She stared at her.  "I can talk to your dad about school stuff if you want.  Or maybe other lessons?"

"I like my lessons a lot.  When do I get to go back to gymnastics?"

"When your ankle is fully healed and Dr. Pigalli says so.  She's already talked to the coach about it and he knows you probably have another two weeks on that sprained ankle."

She pouted.  "I can walk fine."

"So?  Doesn't mean it's healed.  Trust me, just because it feels fine doesn't mean it's fully healed."

"You've had a sprained ankle?"

"And more than that."

"Did they hurt like that?"

"Yeah, some worse."

"Why?"

"Because bruised ribs means that you can't move your arms without pain and you can't find a comfortable way to sleep."

"Wow.  So it hurts a lot more?"  Dawn nodded.  "Why did you have those?"

"Uncle Rhodey was screwing around and tipped some filing cabinets on me."

"Did you get him back?"

"Yup, he needed the infirmary too."  She straightened out Callia's shirt.  "I'll have your dad check with Dr. Pigalli to see if you can go back to gymnastics class."

"He's been really busy with Uncle Steve."

"Going to take a break for a girl talk, boss.  Schedule meetings about school stuff."  She walked Callia off to the break room, sitting in there with her.  "Are you mad that they're spending so much time together?"

"No!  I love Uncle Steve."  She blinked at her aunt.  "They never spend time with me though."

"Sometimes people who are goofy the way they are together forget the important things, like work.  Your dad called off meetings for six days, including some really important ones."  Her having to go up and tell Tony he could fuck or have a company, because the meeting he was missing was important to the whole thing, thanks to the Pentagon calling on them to make military things again, was not a good day.  Steve had put his foot down about calling off meetings.  Tony had pouted for hours but they came out with contracts that would keep the company going.

Callia sighed.  "He did?"  She nodded.  "So it's not just me?"

"No, it's not just you and I'll remind him that he forgot to read to you last night too."  Callia grinned shyly.  "Now, you know how my mom and Uncle Bruce got married?"

"I'm still confused.  Is he Uncle Bruce or Grandpa?"

"Ask him which one he wants you to call him," Dawn suggested.  Callia grinned and relaxed.  "But you know it's the second marriage for my mom, right?"

"Yup, I've heard you call him stepdad."

"Stepdad is because he's not my biological dad.  He's my new dad, so that makes him a stepdad.  Which is really a complicated thing but it's all right."

"So, Uncle Steve is going to be my stepmommy?"

"Something like that but stepdad would probably work."  Dawn grinned.  "But you can ask if he'd like to be called stepmommy."

Callia grinned.  "I can do that."  She sipped the soda her aunt had gotten her.  "Why does that one girl in the papers wear heels at our age?"

"Because she thinks it's needed to make her feel pretty.  When you live in Hollywood, things are weird and women are expected to be prettier than normal but in odd ways.  They're all too skinny and half of them end up being anorexic looking women who insist they're beautiful and talented when they're not."

"Huh," she said, considering that.  "Why can't she be smart instead?"

"Because she's not being encouraged in that like you are."  She grinned.  "If you meet her, don't tell her that idea."

"Why?"

"Remember the talk about the people who think they live in Candy Land and get mad when they're shown that they don't?"  She nodded.  "Hollywood is really Chutes and Ladders and Candy Land's baby game system.  It's weird that way and they get super mad when you prove to them that heels, makeup, and thousand dollar dresses aren't required for beauty."  She sipped her own soda.

"You have some of those," she said.

"Yes, but I picked mine to tease others."  She smiled.  "Not because someone told me I had to wear *that* designer and *that* dress to impress the babbling people on tv who rate fashion.  Frankly, I know when I look good, I know when I feel good, and that's what's important to me.  They probably wouldn't like it because I don't conform to the psychotic Hollywood rules but yay.  We don't live in Hollywood."

"Are they like supermodels?"

"Yup, a lot.  They tend to date between the two groups unfortunately.  Them and sports people.  Some of them are smart enough to avoid all that.  Some....  You see them on the tabloids and on tv."

"I saw some of that.  Daddy made me turn it off before it warped me."

Dawn nodded.  "It can, yeah."  She sipped her soda.  "Are you really lonely?"

"There's no one my age, Auntie."

"I know."  She ruffled her hair and grinned.  "Even if you went to school you'd be with older kids.  I can see if we can find you some sort of after school thing that's got kids around your own age."  Callia beamed and nodded.  "Then I'll look for that."  She grinned.  "I'll talk to your dad about stuff too."  Callia hugged her.  "Thank you.  Go ask Andrew how his new wife is?"

"He got married and didn't tell us?" she demanded.

"He barely told me and that was because he needed some help."

Callia huffed.  "That's mean of him.  Does Daddy know?"

"He knew afterward."

"He should've told me!  He knows I like Andrew and Jonathan!"  She stomped off to talk to the geeks.  She ran into her father and kicked him on the ankle.  "You should've told me my favorite geeks got married!"  She kept stomping off.

"Callia?" Steve asked.

"Boys, in here," Dawn yelled.  She paged Pepper so she'd join them.  They walked in and sat down.  "Callia's really lonely," she told Tony, who winced.  "Including the fact that someone hasn't read to her in a few days."

"Shit," he muttered.

"We explained stepparents," Dawn said with a grin.  "And told her to ask her Uncle Bruce if he wanted to be an uncle or grandpa."

"That's a good idea," Pepper agreed as she joined them.  "I heard the girl talk thing."

"She wanted to know what school was like.  I told her and then pointed out she'd probably still be with older kids."

Pepper grimaced.  "Yes, she probably would be at least two grades ahead."  She looked at Tony.

"After school things with kids her age was my suggestion, and she wanted to hurry back to gymnastics."

"I think she can go back next week but we need to do a checkup first," Tony admitted.  He considered things.  "Why did she kick me?"

"You didn't tell her about Andrew getting married."

"Oh."  He grimaced.  "They are her favorite geeks."  Dawn and Pepper smiled and nodded.

"Is she mad at me?" Steve asked quietly.

"No," Dawn said, giving him a hug.  "She's not mad at you.  She's a bit confused. Before you'd come to dinner, spend time with both Starks, all that."

He nodded.  "We haven't had a lot of time with her."  He looked at Tony, who nodded.  "We have to fix that."

"You are," Dawn assured him.  "Now that you know you'll work on fixing it."  He smiled at her for that bit of sense.

"Yeah, we can work on that," Tony agreed.  "There's no reason for her to need the nanny after work hours."

"That means you'd have to work standard hours," Pepper said.  "You did the same thing to me, Tony."  He nodded he remembered.  "So that's a priority, getting her some new friends her own age is too."

Dawn nodded.  "I was thinking the multi-cultural center has classes on Saturday that are all ages.  They should have kids her age, even if they are hippie spawn.  I know the UN has something with a kid's program too."

"Not bad ideas," Pepper agreed.  "She's very multi-cultural with her dance classes too."

"I didn't figure Tony was going to start going on and on about his ancestors," Dawn said with a small shrug.

"No, not really," Tony agreed.  He looked at Steve.  "We had plans.  We can change them?"

"Definitely.  Or take her with us."

"No," Pepper said.  "You two go out tonight after reading her the bedtime story.  Your dinner's not until nine."  They smiled and nodded.  Callia had an eight o'clock bedtime.  "Anything else?"

"She asked about the little baby star that wears heels all the time.  I reminded her of the people who live in Candy Land get mad when you tell them they don't talk and we talked about unrealistic expectations.  She pointed out I wore fancy dresses but I told her the difference."

Pepper nodded.  "You do dress nicely now."  Dawn grinned at her for that compliment.  "Wear that cream and gold corset dress to the Expo's dinner?"

"Nope.  I'm wearing something a bit more stately to show off the pretty jewelry I won in a poker game."  Pepper moaned.  She smirked.  "I made sure they're not stolen."

Tony looked at her.  "How often do you play kitten poker?"

"Twice a month.  Usually on the fifth and the twenty-ninth."  He stared at her.  She smiled.  "Spike and Clem made sure I was very good at kitten poker, even if I can't play regular poker.  It has given me contacts and safety things."

"It has," Steve agreed.  "I can't imagine you letting them have kittens though."

She smiled.  "You can bet with cash, Steve."  She patted his hand.  "Or jewels."  He nodded.  "Natasha is still figuring out the exchange ratio."  Pepper snickered.  "She asked Spike to teach her how to play out in LA."

"When is she due back?" Pepper asked.

"Three days or so."

"Fine."  She looked at Tony then at the doorway.  "Callia, you don't sneak very well."

Jonathan leaned in.  "It was me, not her.  We have her in the lab nagging Andrew."

"I told her he got married.  She kicked her dad for not telling her."

Jonathan grinned.  "She's asking if they have things like messy kitchens?"

Tony winced and blushed.  "My fault.  No, the answer to that is probably not."

"Thanks, we were hoping it wasn't something like that."  He left them alone.  "Peria, let's not eavesdrop with our cameraphone," he complained loudly, then took it to toss it into the break area.  "They can fire you for selling those things to TMZ again."

Tony got up to get the film and erase it.  "Yes, he will be if I find out he did," he said loudly.  That geek assistant ran off.  Tony sat down and put the phone on the table.  "Anyway," he said dryly.

Steve smiled.  "You picked that up off Dawn."

"I did," he agreed.  Pepper giggled.  "She's a bad influence."

"Only to impressionable minds," Dawn quipped with an evil smirk.  "Are you really impressionable?  Or do I just give you ideas?"

"You give me many bad ideas."  She swatted him.  "Who was it that wanted the multi-line grappling hook system?"

"I still can't climb ropes."  He shook his head.  "That's why I have a motorized system."

"Quit while you're ahead, Dawn," Tony ordered.

"Fine.  I won't give you one for the stupid dragon problem either."

He stared at her.  "You already did."  She wrote out something and folded it over, sliding it over.  He stared then at her.  "You evil, teasing wench."

She grinned.  "Yes, I am."  He groaned.  She looked at Pepper.  "I need the approval stamp on my dress for the Expo dinner.  The other one I look really hot in.  Mom nearly had to cover the saleswoman's eyes.  The green one for the Expo is a bit more staid."

"I can look."  She smiled.  Dawn pulled up the photo and let her see it.  "Bit older but you do look good in it."  She handed it back.  "Jewelry?"

"Very delicate emeralds."

"That's a good match.  Did you buy it?"

"I wasn't sure if I wanted it in that color or not."

"Darker usually looks better on you.  We can go look later."  Dawn smiled and nodded.  Callia got walked back in and Tony picked her up for cuddles.  "Hi, Callia."

"Hi, Auntie Pepper and Bouncy Baby Ball."

Pepper hugged her then handed her back.

Tony cuddled her.  She looked up at him then at Steve.  "Should I call you stepmommy or stepdaddy?  I wasn't sure."

He whimpered and pulled her over to hug her.  "Stepdaddy would be good," he promised.  "Stepmommy might make people wonder."  She giggled and cuddled him then her father.  He grinned at Dawn, who shrugged slightly.

"I think he'd make a good stepmommy," Tony said with a smile for his female clone.  "You can call him that around the house."

"Thanks, Daddy.  Are you going to be home tonight?"

"Until you go to bed, then we're going out to dinner because it's an anniversary.  Tomorrow we're going to be home all night."

Callia grinned.  "What's an anniversary?"

"It's an important date you celebrate.  Like when you met or when you get married, that sort of thing," Dawn said.

"Oh.  Is it a married anniversary?"

"No, it's a when we met one," Tony said.

"Oh."  She nodded.  "That's good.  Are we going to get married like Mommy did?  Because I can find the laser pistol you hid from me again if I need to.  That way when poopy heads attack I can help defend you or Stepdaddy Steve."

"When did you start calling people that?" Dawn asked.  That was a worrying phrase, it had been Willow's way of swearing.  It had just sent up a giant flag that had 'not good' written on it.

"I saw it on one of Mommy's old movies.  She was telling me about Auntie Willow, who had problems."

"She did," Dawn agreed.  "What did she tell you about her?"

"That she had magic, like us and Auntie Tara, but she wasn't careful and it hurt her."

Dawn nodded.  "Which you never have to worry about doing.  Tara is teaching you the right way so you never have to worry about that."  Callia smiled and nodded.  "What else did she say?"  She squeezed Steve's wrist under the table to tell him to stop Tony from protesting.

"Mommy said she was really smart but she had redder hair than Auntie Pepper did.  That I reminded her a lot of Willow but I was a good girl and I'd never have the problems that she did."

Dawn relaxed.  "Willow was smart, but not like you and your daddy are, and yeah, she had some problems that you'll never have."  Callia nodded, grinning again.  "If you ever get worried about that, you need to talk to us."

"I can do that.  Did you know her?"

"Yeah, I knew Willow pretty well.  Uncle Xander did too.  She was your mom's best friend once she moved to Sunnydale."

"Wow."  She looked at Pepper.  "I need one of those like I need one of you."

"You'll find both when you're older, sweetheart.  Buffy had to wait until she was fifteen to find Willow and Xander.  Tony didn't meet me until he was twenty-three."

"Wow.  That's really old."  Pepper hugged her.  "Maybe some day soon then."  She looked at her daddy.  "Can I go to school?"

"Not for a few years.  There's some things we're worried about, like the fact that you're so far ahead of your age group that you'd be around kids who were much older and might pick on you."

"I can understand that."

"So once you reach high school levels, ninth grade time, we'll look at schools."  Callia smiled and nodded.  "Which, admittedly might be in a few years."  He gave her a squeeze.  "Anything else you want to talk about?"

"Can I have friends my own age?"

"We'll find stuff for you to do with kids that're closer to your age," Tony promised.  "It'll take us a bit to find some but we'll try a few different things, including other sports if you want."

Callia kissed him.  "Thanks, Daddy."  She hugged him around the neck, then Steve, then Dawn, then Pepper before running off.  "I'm going to read to Carrot."

"Okay.  Use a real book story, not one on the computer please."  He looked at Dawn.  "Why?"

"Do you know how often I got lectured by Giles and Buffy not to turn into Willow?" she asked quietly.  He winced.  "Buffy still doesn't want me to do major magic things because she thinks I'll lose control or start looking for more power."

"She doesn't realize that Willow had to search out a magic dealer for the black magic?"

"She knew.  Blind spot."  She shifted and crossed her legs.  "I love my sister but she does have some.  Before the wedding she was missing Willow again.  Frankly, the rest of the group didn't but my sister still wants to be the pretty, popular girl she used to be.  Willow was part of it back then."

"I've seen her retreating," Tony agreed.  "Do you think it was a warning?"

"No, I think Buffy was remembering and told Callia.  I think if Willow was still around, she'd start being nagged like I was.  They never nagged Tara.  I got a lot of 'you shouldn't do that, we don't want you to start down Willow's path' from her and Giles, and Giles had to go to the coven that tried to help Willow for his own problems.  It's like huge blindspot that I'm Dawn and not Willow about the magic stuff.  Even Tara did it once until she realized because I huffed off.  I don't want her to have to see that.  Have her compared to Tara, not to me, not to Willow."

"I can see that," Tony agreed.  "Tara's trained by her mother in the old ways.  You learned them from her and your own research."

"Willow's method was a mash of whatever worked with mismeasurements and not caring that she had to be precise and exact.  There were plenty of spells that backfired in Sunnydale that she blamed on Xander when she substituted and wasn't exact.  If I have to do something ritually or with a potion, I'm perfectly on the recipe.  I make sure I know the steps before and practice if I have time.  She'd just throw things in.  Sometimes not even close to what she needed because she couldn't easily find it."

"It's the difference between target practice and shooting in the field," Steve said.

Dawn nodded.  "Battle magic versus home practice and those sort of spells, yeah.  And Willow did it all like she was in the field.  Even when she had to be extra careful."

Steve nodded.  "I get that.  We were taught that there was a difference."  Tony nodded he had learned that too.  "So we want Tara to be her role model for the magic stuff?"

"Tara's mom trained her," Tony said quietly.  "She got it starting very young, like Callia has, and Tara always treats it as an art, not a science to investigate and fiddle with.  She treats it like a philosopher treats their ideas.  There's study, there's practice, there's keeping certain ways.  Willow, from what little I knew her, was always 'let's try this to see what it does' about magic.  She treated it like McKay treats stupid laws of physics he doesn't agree with."

"Then she started to need to clear some of what she was hoarding so she went to a magic dealer," Dawn said quietly.  "Who fed her black magic to get high."  Steve shuddered.  "Yup, and that's why she snapped in the end.  Her addiction got the better of her and her old 'special girl' thing from high school led to her 'special girl' issue on top of her addiction where she believed she was the Goddess.  Which is why I hated it whenever someone used to bring up Willow and my skills in the same sentence."

"I get that," Pepper agreed.  "I never nagged you that way, right?"

"You reminded me not to become like her or Hermione."

Pepper smiled.  "You do have the brains and the tenacity of Hermione."

"I do, yeah."  She grinned.  "But I'd never be the know-it-all champ."

"No, you have more sense and like to hide your brains."  She looked at Tony and Steve.  "Maybe we can let Callia start hanging out with the coven?"

"No other magically active kids," Dawn said.  "Or else I would've brought her to something or Tara would've.  Most of the kids are early teens too.  So it'd still be Callia acting like a big sister for the twins."

Pepper nodded.  "Are there younger witches?"

"Not many and mostly are inside family boundaries at her age.  We need to remind her again not to use her skills unless absolutely necessary.  The gymnastics coach had to have a talk with her when she caught someone who fell."

Tony nodded.  "I can do that too."  He looked at Steve, who grinned.  "Some day we're going to have to tell her future kids not to play with weapons the same way."  Steve patted him on the arm.

"Hell, you keep reminding me not to play with weapons," Dawn quipped.  She got up.  "Let me finish off that last memo for approval."  She left them to talk.  Sometimes she knew how Callia felt.  She was a lot younger than the people she hung out with.  Even her mates.

Pepper smiled.  "We'll figure it out.  Callia will never turn into Willow."

"No, she won't.  She's more likely to be an alcoholic than a magic addict," Tony said dryly.

"We can talk to her about that too," Steve said.  "She's scowling at Dawn whenever she drinks."

"She does at me too," Tony agreed.  He looked at Pepper then at Steve.  "Any idea for things around her own age?"

"A play group?" Pepper suggested.  "One that gets her onto a playground?  Maybe in the park?"

"She'd love that," Tony agreed.  He got up.  "Let's go spend time with my prototype."  Steve smiled and followed him.  Pepper went back to her desk, taking the memos from Dawn to approve of.  They could figure it out while they ran the company.

***

Natasha had finally gotten to talk with the people who were screwing with her history for a movie.  "I believe that some of those were classified for a reason and can compromise the integrity of SHIELD," she said.

"How?"

"Most people don't know who certain agents are," she said dryly.  "Or which agents were at which events."  He winced.  "It could get a great many killed, which would be a bad thing."

"Ma'am...."

"Agent Natasha Romanoff," she corrected, making him swallow a moan.  She smirked.  "Yes, I am one of those that would end up dead."  He slumped back into his seat.  "For that matter, the area where you start off is not a very good point."

"We have it planned out as part of one of the lead-in movies."

"Lead in movies?"

He pulled out a folder and showed her.  "See, there's two lead-ins then the main one."  He looked at her.  "That one will draw in more girls."

She smirked.  "I'm not exactly the girlish sort that women go to see for a romantic moment."

He swallowed again.  "No, I'd imagine not, but there's good backstory for both characters."

She pointed at one.  "That biography was crap and it's pissing him off as well."

"You've talked to Mr. Stark?"

"Often."  She crossed her legs.  "I believe he found out and his first call was to his legal department."  He winced.  "I believe his assistant Dawn said that they appeared within minutes and half the building shuddered in horror at her cackling in glee."

"Oh, dear."  He looked it over.  "Would he mind if it were more factual?"

"That would have to come from him."  She wrote down a phone number.  "Pepper's assistant's direct line."  He smiled.  "Do not abuse it.  Stark is not the average genius."

"No, he's not.  What about his assistant?  Do you think there's good backstory there?"  Natasha quirked an eyebrow up.  "Um, saw that you're apparently dating her boyfriend."

"Not exactly," she said dryly.  He popped up some sweat beads on his forehead.  She smirked.  "Though nothing like that is allowed to go on inside most agencies, including SHIELD."

"I can understand that," he said quickly.  "Do you think we could revamp the scripts some to make them more factual?"

"I believe you should take out the mind control as there are still groups trying such things."  She stared at him.  "Or else some people would've hidden closer to home."

He shuddered.  "I figured it had to be something drastic since you guys went into hiding before the press descended and her mother said she was missing."

"Quite but it was...managed."

He nodded, calling in someone.  "Agent Romanoff, this is the young actress I had cast as you."

Natasha looked her over.  She was blonde, a bit closer to middle age than Natasha herself looked.  Not as curvy.  "At least you are not a stick figure."

She smiled.  "No, I'm not.  It's so important for girls to have realistic, good, healthy role models to look up to.  I realize now I can't hope to live up to your form but I want to try really hard."

She smirked a bit.  "You may do, if the project is not stopped by SHIELD getting involved.  Director Fury nearly had his second stroke of his life.  The first due to a trainee agent asking if we could have Halloween costumes."  The actress giggled and left them alone.  She looked at him.  "She's not bad, I've seen her in other things."

"You like movies?"

"Sometimes.  It's good to relax.  Sometimes they're good noise in the background."

He grinned.  "That's very cool.  Is Stark a huge geek?"

"I've met worse ones, but yes.  Most of the worse ones work for him or on Atlantis."

He swallowed.  "I'd love to see Atlantis done as a movie."

She smirked.  "Dawn has said another realm has them as a tv show."

He moaned.  "That would be great."  He took down that idea and smiled at her.  "Can I schedule to talk to you, the archer guy, and Stark?"

She considered it, sending a thought at him.  "Perhaps but not this week.  Apparently there's been an issue."  She looked at her phone.  "Oh, damn," she said in Russian.  She put her phone up.  "SHIELD is a bit busy today."

He looked at the tv in the corner, turning it on.  "Oooh.  Why?"

"Apparently the desist capture order on Doctor Banner was not heeded.  They took his wife, who is Dawn's mother."  The producer winced.  "Though, they were in New York.  Clearly she managed to hit a bit of time slipping," she said in Russian.  "I must talk to her about that."

He looked at her.  "My grandmother was Russian."  He grinned.  "Which is why I thought it was so important to get you correct.  She always looked up to you."

Natasha inclined her head.  "Like the robotic version of me, I wish it would be close but not perfect so it did not endanger anyone."

"There's a robotic version of you?"

"Thanks to a scientist that lost his mind."

He whimpered.  "I...."  He wiped off the drool when she smirked.  "I can change things."

She stood up.  "Thank you.  Call Dawn tomorrow."  Her attention was caught by something on the tv.  The general Dawn had been sneering at pulled a gun once she turned her back.  She nearly hissed but Dawn caught the bullet and then killed him.  She walked away, leaving it hanging in the air, no longer covered by her hair, a single drop of blood on end.  Natasha wobbled.  "We will be talking with her later."  She nodded politely and left, going back to Stark Labs.  It was the fastest way back to New York.  Thankfully she had seen Coulson there to help Dawn.

The producer leaned back, calling in his staff.  "Agent Romanoff...."  One of the writers whimpered.  "That was her, yes.  She wants us to start at a different point, because there's still people who try mind control that way, and she said we're very unfactual about Stark.  Which pissed him off enough to talk to his lawyers."  That got another wince.  He pointed.  "She was not happy about that."

They looked.  "Well, it's not exactly a secret that she's with Stark's assistant and Hawkeye," the hissing writer noted.  "There's enough clues there for most people to catch one if they want.  Especially if you know Summers."

The producer looked at him.  "I forgot you're from the same town."

"I am."  He went back to watching.  They were replaying something in the upper corner.  "They hurt her mom.  They're going to die.  Buffy would do the same thing."  He shuddered at the new generals stomping in to stop things.  O'Neill looked like hell was nibbling on him but he was beating it back by hand.  Dawn was slightly calmer, mostly of the stiff and unemotional sort.  "Any idea?"

"They captured her mother to get the Hulk.  Romanoff said she went back a few minutes at the least."  That got a nod.  "We need to rework things."  They all nodded and got to work on it.  The classified files they had were a great help.  Who knew Stark hired so many hackers that then got fired?

One of the writers pulled up footage of the last battle.  "Who's that?" he asked, pointing at an apparently high ranking SHIELD female agent who was kicking ass.

The director looked at the files they had gotten in the mail.  "That may be Agent Hill.  She's the top female agent, second-in-command."  He looked at that.  "She's good."

"Seeing Agent Romanoff, who we cast isn't feminine enough but she'd do good for her," another writer said.  That got a nod and a note made.  "No Agent Coulson.  The one who went to Miami with Summers."

"No, or Alexander.  I'm wondering what they were handling instead," the director said, considering it.  He could draft out a few new ways for the storylines to go.  It'd mean some recasting and a bit of reshooting but they had barely gotten started.  They had anticipated that someone was going to complain sometime.

***

Dawn got beamed back to the Penthouse at Stark, walking around her niece.  "You stay in here."

"He needs me."

"He got given something that won't let him turn back, Callia; you can help him later.  Right now, I really understand that rage."  She walked out there, locking the patio doors.  She walked up to the upper roof deck where the Hulk was smashing lawn chairs.  She walked up to him and patted him.  "Mom's fine."  He turned to glare at her.  She stared back.  "Don't give me that look, I'll give you food poisoning on purpose, Stepdad."  He roared and she patted him on the arm, sitting down on a chair he hadn't thrown or damaged yet.  She stared at him.  "Mom's fine.  The army does not have her."  Hulk stared at her then looked around.  "Callia's inside.  It's cold and I don't want her exposed to you in this state.  You're a bit too mad for her to calm down.  Especially with whatever they sent you."

Stark came halfway up the stairs, holding Callia.  "See, he's fine."

"Grandpa Grr Guy, are you okay?" Callia demanded.

Hulk stared at her.  "Callia okay?"

"Callia's fine."  She got free and ran over to give him a hug.  "Callia's chilly.  She's going to go inside."  Hulk cuddled her.  She hugged back.  "It'll be okay.  You're going to be okay, Auntie's going to be okay, Grandma's going to be okay.  I'm going to learn how to stomp the army flat."  She got free and grinned.  "Let me get warm and I'll come cuddle."  Hulk smiled and patted her on the head.  "Be a good boy and help Auntie calm down."  She ran back inside and right under the throw blanket on the couch.

Stark smiled at Dawn.  "Wanna explain how you went back in time?"

"Not a clue," Dawn admitted.  "I guess my mental picture had shadows or something."

"Could be.  Bruce, we're looking at what they sent and we're working on an antidote.  You two calm each other down.  I turned on the space heaters up here."  He went back inside and locked the screen door again.

Dawn looked at him.  "It sucks.  It really, truly sucks."

Hulk looked at her.  The Bruce part of his brain was growling at this one's bad mood.  "Dawn mad."

"Dawn super mad," she said dryly.  "Dawn nearly destroyed a military unit."  Hulk groaned and sat on the floor.  "There's a chair, Stepdad, use it?"

He looked at her.  "Why Dawn mad?"

"Because the army guys took Mom.  Gave her meds to make her sleep.  Which was not a good thing.  Dawn had to restart her mother's heart.  Dawn nearly destroyed the whole military unit for daring to touch her mom."  Hulk was staring at her.  "Dawn really got mad and lost her temper.  Dawn nearly needed a containment unit.  Or a body bag."

Hulk stared at her.  The Bruce part of his mind was in a flurry of emotions, including anger that even eclipsed the Hulk's.   Mostly he was worried.  "Dawn okay?"

"No.  No, I'm not okay.  I'm probably not going to be okay.  If I didn't know some really good people that were army, I'd be working against them right now."  She shifted and sighed.  "I'll lose my temper, you'll lose yours.  We'll both be okay.  Deal?"

Hulk looked at her.  "Joyce?" he asked, looking around.

"She'll be back up soon.  They said she can fly back home this afternoon."

"Where Joyce?"

"The hospital.  Joyce collapsed and nearly died thanks to the medicine they gave her."  Her breath caught.  "Actually, she did in the ER but I was talking to her and the doctor so I got her restarted."  Hulk stared at her.  "She's awake and complaining, she's fine."  Hulk relaxed.  Dawn made herself relax.  She had to calm herself down or she needed to hit her containment room.  She was not in good shape.

They both looked over at the cleared throat.  "You couldn't have caught that bullet sooner?" Clint asked.

"I thought he'd let me get farther away and no, I caught it as soon as I heard it."

He nodded.  "Thankfully you caught it.  Any injury?  I saw the blood drop.  Nearly freaked out on the rec room I was in."

She touched her head.  "I'm pretty sure I healed it."  He patted the spot next to him and she got up, using the chair to launch herself up so she could catch the edge of the roof and climb up.  "Watching over us?"

"Over Banner.  Doc, I'm here to make sure you don't jump down and hit the city."  Hulk stared at him.  "Including the new sedative.  That way you're not dangerous to anyone else."  Hulk smiled and moved next to the heater.  He looked at Dawn.  "You okay?" he asked quietly.  She shook her head quickly, starting to lose it.  He pulled her closer.  He had noticed she hadn't gotten to the point of crying when they took her mother off after she had collapsed.  She hadn't done it after nearly being shot.  Now, she felt safe enough and it was a huge honor and responsibility but she was his.  This more than most things proved it.  You didn't let down your guard or your emotions around just anyone.  She was sobbing on his shoulder and he held on.

Hulk stared.  "Dawn sad."

Clint nodded.  "She's really upset, Doc.  Let her calm down, okay?"  Hulk nodded and sat in Dawn's chair.  Clint spotted a sniper on another building, focusing on something else.  "Dawn, let me handle something."  She sniffled and nodded, pulling back to wipe at her cheeks.  He kissed her and smiled.  "Better?"

"No."

"Give me three."  He turned and fired an arrow at the other sniper, making him drop his gun and scream as his shoulder was pierced.  He called that in and let the other agents handle that idiot.  He looked at her.  She was smiling.  He scanned around then looked at her.  "Need to talk?"

She shook her head.  "Why do we even protect them?" she asked quietly.

He brushed her cheeks clean.  "Because we can't pick and choose or we're evil shits."

She leaned forward, putting her head against his shoulder.  "Maybe I want to be an evil bitch then."

"No you don't.  We'd definitely have to confine you."  She snorted but sounded happier.  He gave her a hug.  "Calm down.  It wasn't intentional."

"They acted like it didn't matter.  One called Mom a pervert for liking him.  Called him and me an abomination."

"I would've killed that one."

"He landed on the ground.  I'm not sure if they've taken him for x-rays or not."

He grinned.  "You did good kicking his ass in under ten moves."  She smiled weakly and put her head back down.  "It'll be okay and Joyce is going to sue the hell out of the army for that."  She nodded.  "So can you."

"I....  I probably did that all wrong."

"You reacted emotionally instead of tactically, though there were plenty of tactical elements there.  Taking them to the white house lawn was very tactical because they cannot disobey a direct presidential order."  She nodded.  "It wasn't bad.  Better than just destroying the whole unit in downtown Manhattan."  He looked up then at her.  "Natasha said your phone's probably going off."

"I have no idea where it is," she admitted.  "I saw them capture Mom when she was coming for lunch and I... I so lost it, Clint," she said quietly.  "I went into my full on Hulk."

"I would've done the same thing."  She looked at him.  He nodded.  "Really.  I would've shot them there."  She sighed and nodded, looking down.  "Then again, I'm an agent and you're not."  She nodded, leaning on his shoulder again.  He petted over her hair, calling that in.  Coulson answered Tara had her purse and phone, had paid for Dawn's lunch, and was on her way to the building to bring it to her.  That Buffy had written but he had told her that she didn't have her phone at the moment.  "Thanks."  He hung up.  "Tara got it."  She nodded.  "You did good.  It all worked out.  No one's permanently damaged," he soothed.  She relaxed.  "You always get the shakes, the nibbles, and tired after using too much magic," he said quietly.  "Which sounds like low blood sugar.  Even I can feel the shaking."

"I'm a bit chilly but I can't eat."

"I get that."  He rubbed her back.  "I'm a furnace, move closer."  She did.  "Fury was throwing a fit that you had to defend her," he said quietly.

"Thanks."

"Welcome."   He smiled at her.  "You sure you can't even drink something?"  She shook her head, turning a bit green.  "Nerves.  Got it."  He got her down to the chairs, tucking her into one with a blanket that was on the stairs.  "There, warm up."

"I ...."

He stared at her.  "I'm going to check on things.  You sit.  Get warm."

"I'm going to make cocoa," she decided, getting up.

"I love your mom's recipe," he said with a smile.  She smiled back.  "Why is hers sweeter?"

"She uses some sort of European chocolate powder.  I can't find it so I use Mexican chocolate."

"Hmm.  That's why it's a bit different."  She nodded.  "Go make cocoa and come back out here."  She went down there.  He called in an update.  Hulk was totally calm but not able to change back.  He heard why.  "Hey, Doc, should Dawn make you cocoa?"

"Cocoa Joyce," he said.

"She'll be back in three hours."  Hulk pouted but nodded, settling in.  "You cold?  I can get you a blanket or a jacket."  Hulk shook his head.  "Okay."  He walked inside, finding Dawn looking at her little package of cocoa making necessities she had stashed in there.  "Got any marshmallows?"

She smiled.  "Not the tiny ones that I can see."  She added extra sugar.  "It's bittersweet chocolate."  He shrugged.  She made it and handed him a mug.  Tony walked past with a bag of marshmallows but the regular sized type.  He plopped one in each cup.  "Thanks, Tony."

He looked at her.  "We've already told the board to bite us about firing you.  Finish relaxing?"

"I'm not sure if I can."  She sipped her cocoa.  "I'm trying really hard though."

He nodded.  "I'd have destroyed them to the last man."  He went outside with a blanket.  "Hey, Bruce?"  He looked up.  Callia had snuck up and was cuddling him.  "Daughter, go put on a real shirt, a jacket, and pants, plus at least socks," he ordered.  "I don't know how you're out here in just a leotard."  She ran inside.  He handed him the bottle.  "Up your nose."

Bruce glared at the bottle.  Tony took it and used it.  Bruce swatted at him but he was changing back.  "Thanks," he said once he was mostly normal.

Tony smirked.  "Dawn, make your stepfather some too."

"Already going."  Callia carefully carried up mugs for each of them and snuggled in again.  Tony covered them with a blanket and put down an extra space heater unit.  He walked back inside.  "Thanks."

He punched her on the arm.  "They were idiots, Dawn.  Pure idiots."  He went down to the board meeting to yell at them some more.  He walked in and slammed the door.  "They're all fine, Banner's down," he told them.  Fury was in there, and he smirked.  He looked at the whiners on his company's board.  "If it was your mother, what would you have done?"  They shut up about the whining and made plans to make sure that the Army had nothing from him for a bit.

Upstairs, Dawn and Clint walked back out, shutting the door so all the heat didn't flow out.  Callia was talking to her slightly green grandfather.  Dawn settled in on the upper roofline with Clint.  Someone walked up behind them.  "Hey.  I can go make you cocoa," she offered.

Natasha sat down.  "You're not drinking yours."  She took it to sip and handed it back.  "One of the writers was at graduation."  Dawn whimpered.  "Your sister is seriously panicking."

"Tara has her phone," Clint said.  He handed Dawn his.  She looked at him.  "Not like she doesn't have me in her contact list."

She smiled and wrote her sister, assuring her that their mom was fine, she was fine and calming down, and everything was all right.  Buffy sent back one demanding to know what happened.  Dawn told her.  Then asked if she was in labor since there were key stutters.  Buffy said she might be, the doctor would tell her when she saw her in a half-hour.  She demanded to know more details so Dawn sighed and sent it as an email.  Buffy growled back.  She promised that Joyce was fine and coming home in a few hours.

"Stark sent the private plane to get her," Natasha said.  Dawn smiled and typed that in too.  Natasha used her smartphone to get onto Dawn's livejournal and a few other bulletin boards they monitored for her.  "You should make a statement."

Dawn got into Natasha's phone and sent a simple one.  What would you do if it was your mother they were kidnaping and had nearly killed?  She sent it and handed the phone back.  Clint got his and Dawn finished calming down.

"At least when you were ranting you said you knew some great army people," Clint said.  "That way no one's going to hold it against all of them."  Dawn nodded.  "Clay would probably complain though."

"Probably.  And tell me I should go back with a sniper rifle."

"Probably," Natasha agreed, smiling at her.  She smoothed Dawn's hair back behind her ear.  "Remember that girly movie your mother had us watch with her?"  Dawn looked at her and nodded.  "She's playing me."

"The one on the CSI show?"

"Yes."

Dawn blinked.  "She's not as curvy as you but she's nice."  She hugged her.  Natasha hugged her back.  "Thank you for not nagging."

"There is nothing to nag about, Dawn."  She patted her.  "You managed a very hard thing by not breaking down there."

"I did it here."

"Which was a good thing.  A hysterical daughter would not have had the same impact," Natasha said quietly.

"I couldn't let them see me as weaker," she said quietly.  "I don't want Callia to have to learn that."

"She'll need some emotional control so she doesn't smite the board," Natasha said dryly.  Dawn snorted but nodded.  Natasha looked over at Clint, who nodded he had handled it.  She smiled at him over Dawn's head.  "We will handle whatever happens."

"I should go hide again," Dawn complained.

"No, we will not."  She kissed her on the forehead.  "Relax.  Nothing will come of it.  No one would want it to be their mother so harmed."  Dawn nodded and finished relaxing.  "Now, take Clint down and get something to eat?"

"I can't."

"I know.  Try.  Just something light."

"I'll puke it back up."

"Those are post-battle nerves," she reminded her.  "You know how to take care of those."

"I'm not really in the mood for that either," Dawn quipped.

"Then find the gym," Natasha ordered.  "Take him with you.  I'll watch over these two until Stark gets out of his meeting or Joyce is here."  Dawn nodded, hopping down and hugging the duo on the chair.  She wandered off.  Clint took in the mugs but followed.  Natasha slid down to curl up next to a heater.  "I don't see how Barton doesn't need a jacket sometimes," she said.  Bruce gave her a weak smile.  "Are you all right?"

"No."

"Her either.  I think I lost a few years when I realized they had shot at her and she had barely caught it."  He stiffened.  "She's fine.  I checked, the tiny injury is healed."  He stared at her.  "It's on the news."  He looked around, no tv up here.  She handed him her phone.  He found CNN's news site and replayed the report, shuddering.  Natasha had watched it during traffic pauses for lights and wrecks.  She did not want to see it again.

Bruce made sure Callia couldn't see or hear it because she was asleep.  She didn't need to see that.  He nearly lost control again but Callia shifted and cuddled better.  He made himself calm down.  Especially when it showed Dawn reaching through a portal to help restart her mother's heart and arguing about the do not resuscitate order applying if she was on machines, not for this.  Finally it showed her being awake and Dawn clearly fighting herself.  "Is she all right, Natasha?" he asked quietly.

"She's attempting to be."

"I saw her break down."

Natasha looked at him.  "That level of trust is a good thing and we needed to be there for her."  He nodded, handing back the phone.  She pointed.  "It got worse a minute later."  He unpaused it and kept watching while she looked away.  He growled, which woke up the baby.  "She caught it."

"Barely," he said.

"They are being court marshaled."

"Good," he said.

Callia blinked at him.  "Grandpa Grr Guy, do you need more cuddles?" she asked.  "I give very good ones because I learned from Auntie Dawn and she learned from Grandma."

"You do give excellent cuddles, Callia," he promised, cuddling her better.  It helped him calm back down.  "Joyce?"

"Three hours.  Stark's private plane is retrieving her."   He nodded and squeezed her.

"I'm not a stuffed bear.  I'll poop if you squeeze too hard," Callia stage whispered in his ear, making him ease up and laugh.  She snuggled in and went back to sleep.  She needed a nap.

"Would whatever they were doing work?"

"No.  The automatic response to her being attacked that way is to leave the area," Natasha said.  "She would've done it then but she needed to stay and fight."

He nodded.  "It won't hurt her?"

"Sonic pulses would only give her a headache and she's fought through worse."

"I hate that for her."

"We all do," she assured him.  He relaxed again and nodded.  They could handle this fall out once he made sure Joyce was all right.

***

Nick Fury stomped out of the meeting with the idiot Hollywood people who were annoying him.  Joyce held up a cup of coffee and two advil packets as he walked past her desk.  "That won't cut it today, Summers."

"I added scotch," she said dryly, giving him a pointed look.  "It could be worse.  They could be in your history like they are Natasha's."

"No, then I'd kill."  He took them into his office to sit down and take the headache pills with his doctored coffee.  She had a good hand, just enough to taste but not too overpowering, unfortunately.

Stark strolled up the hall, smiling at Joyce.  "Are you good enough for Callia to come pout at you this weekend?  She said she wanted to about dance classes being canceled for the next few months."

"Why are they canceled?"

"The teacher's pregnant."  She smiled and nodded.  "I'll tell her that.  We're looking for things with kids her own age."

"Ballet?"

"She hates ballet and jazz classes.  I had her try them, a few different sports, and put her in swimming lessons."

She smiled.  "Take her to the park and let her play."

"That could be dangerous."

"You're going to be there.  You'll have Happy most likely.  How dangerous will it be?"

He nodded.  "Good point.  I can try that."  He went into the office.  "Unless I give them a proper biography...."

"Don't you dare," Fury cut in.  "Help us stop this shit?"

Stark nodded.  "I'm flattered but not that much and Pepper is freaking out."  He smirked.  "But we'll see."  He walked off.  They had not hammered out any sort of agreement with the Hollywood people.  They had made their feelings known, had offered to look over the new scripts, and would get back with them in a week.  That's all they promised.  Which was not enough for them to go forward or backward at the moment.

Though, the one playing Natasha, he was going to suggest play Agent Hill.  She was badass and slightly feminine but not totally.  Also a lot less curvy than Natasha.  If you were going to play the Black Widow, you needed to look more like her.  He walked off thinking.  Maybe he could find a suggestion somewhere.  He had an ex that was nicely built but not a good enough actress for it.  Well, more than one.  One might make a really great Pepper though.

***

Dawn looked up Friday, staring at the family grouping.  "It's been a week of hell, I need to get the stress out, and I need to combat the baby rumors," she announced.

"You have that pretty silver dress that's only shirt length," Joyce offered with a smile.  "It looks like something off a Cosmo cover and they'll be able to tell there's no bump."

Clint looked over at her.  "Don't encourage her to go out in ho clothes.  The cream dress is still floating around somewhere."

"It's in a box," Dawn said dryly. "Anyone going with me?"

Clint nodded.  "I think we should."

She smiled.  "Cool."  She kissed her mom on the cheek then Bruce and Callia.  "You behave.  If you do one wrong thing, you go home."

"Yes, Auntie.  I know I'm grounded."

"Good."  She patted her on the head, smiling at Natasha.  "Coming?  Or do you want a night in the tub?"

"I could enjoy a night out," she agreed, standing up and following them out to the car Dawn had leased.  They went home to spiffy up and change.

Clint stared at Dawn as she came out dressed and putting in her earrings.  "Um.... no," he said, staring at the very short, very showy dark/bronzy silver dress with the neckline that plunged down to a scoop around her navel.  "No, not going out in that."

She looked then at him.  "I look hot."

"Yeah, but Natasha would look hotter in it."  Dawn pouted.  "Dresses like that?  Bigger chests show better."  He turned her around and gave her a nudge.  "Go hand that to her.  Find something alluring."

"Alluring in my closet won't prove I'm not pregnant."

"Find something that'll make me beg."

"It would."

"It'll do it more on Natasha than you."

"Fine."  She walked in there.  Natasha came out of the bathroom and nodded, taking that from Dawn to put on instead of her choice.  Dawn looked in her closet.  "I hate that I can say I have nothing else to wear and enough clothes for two of my sisters."

Natasha laughed and looked, pulling out something.  It turned out to be longer.  "What is that for?"

"Expo?"

"Versace?"

"I look like a goddess, it's fully covering, and hey, the geeks can drool."  She grinned.

"Yes, they probably will."  She put it back and looked at the other things, shooing the cat that was trying to help out of it.  "Go sleep in the other one, Loki."  Dawn put him in the nice nest she had created for him.  Natasha found something.

"Last year's.  Someone will say something," she sighed.

"Since when do we care about those sort?"

"Since one nagged Pepper again?" she guessed with a grimace.  "Apparently I don't dress like a starlet my age enough."

"Thankfully, no you don't," Clint said from the doorway.  "You have tons of clothes."

"All work clothes," Dawn told him.  "And a few formal things."

Clint looked at that section then at her.  "That silver and gold one?"

"Expo."

"Huh."  He closed that closet so the cat couldn't ruin anything.  Dawn got into it again and pulled out something.  "Hell.  No."  He put it back.  If it had to be clothes-pinned to the hanger, it wasn't being worn.

Natasha laughed and picked out what she wanted Dawn to wear.  It was slim fitting, it was belted to show off her waist.  It was mid-thigh so slightly demure.  Dawn gave her a dirty look.  "Fine."  Dawn went to a closet she never got into.  They had been on a problem in Brazil way back when they were hiding from the US.  There had been people that had been stealing magically active teenagers for sex and then sacrificial rituals.  They had to taunt for three days before they figured out Dawn was powerful and could be taken.  It had been hell on their nerves having to let her go club by herself but it had worked.

Dawn had drawn one and they had gotten most of the children free before the sacrificial rite.  Dawn had gotten clubbing clothes for that one and they hated to see her in them but it might be necessary.  Dawn pulled out a slim fitting light silver dress that did fantastic things for her body.  It had a built-in bra from the sides.  The plunge was covered with a very fine silk netting lace that hid nothing.  It created a slight shadow to make Dawn look like she had a bigger chest.  The skirt ended about two inches below her butt.

She took it to the bathroom to dress and do a hairlessness check, because this one did dip low enough to show pubic hair if she had any.  She came out in it, skin colored stockings that hitched to the dress itself instead of a garter belt that would show, and clearly skin colored panties.  She closed the closet after getting the silver heels out and sliding into them.  A bit of adjustment in her lipstick and a necklace that had a pendant resting between her breasts.  It definitely drew the eye.  Dawn put on drop earrings and rebrushed her hair.

"I need more ammo," Clint said, going to that shelf in the room's entertainment unit.

"I cannot hide many weapons in this dress," Natasha said, tipping her head to the side.  "It looks better on you now that it did then.  You aren't five pounds underweight."  Dawn smirked and kissed her, earning a moan.  "We will club and relieve rumors and stress."  She walked them out.  Clint had extra ammo on him.  Plus a few more concealed weapons.  "Where are we going?"

"The ones I like or somewhere else?" Dawn asked.  She turned to look at them at the elevator.

"That one with the paintings," Clint said.  "Their music is good.  I had to do surveillance in there."  She grinned and they got into the elevator with Phil, who sighed in displeasure.  "Relieving stress and rumors, sir."

"I can tell."  He looked at Natasha then at Dawn.  "Wasn't that one yours?" he asked her.

"Yes."  She grinned.  "Clint wanted it on Natasha, said it looked better with a larger chest."

"It does," Phil sighed.  "I clearly need to do some meditative mind clearing."  He got off on his floor and went home to Xander so he could help him forget.  Xander was sweating.  "You saw?"

"Natasha is a fantasy woman for many men," he said.  "And yeah, it does look slightly better on her than on Dawn."  He pulled him in for a kiss.  "Let's take these nasty thoughts out of our heads."  He fell to his knees and unzipped Phil, getting right to the blow job.  Phil moaned and wound his fingers in Xander's hair.  He was so damn good at that.  Phil nearly fell when he came but Xander caught him and carried him into the bedroom, tossing him onto the bed.  He took both of their clothes off, grabbed the lube to spread on himself, then moved closer to get his mate ready for him.  Phil let him because it was good for both of them and hard-fast-more was their only thoughts for the next little while.

Natasha blushed at Dawn.  "Perhaps we'll hide this dress after tonight."

"We can wait while you change," Dawn offered with a grin.

"No, it will be fine."  They walked off the elevator and called a cab.  They were nicely nearby so it only took a few minutes to get to the club.  The bouncer gaped in awe at Clint, then at Natasha and moaned.  She winked.  They got let in and pulled Dawn in with them.  Dawn went onto the floor, Clint following because he was a tiny bit possessive.  Natasha found her own spot near them and would join them later.  Clint pulled her closer and they danced around him instead.  That was really safer so no one took either of the girls.  Though a few tried to cut in, Clint was not happy with it.  Dawn was his, Natasha was his, and he had that caveman growl in the back of his head again.

Dawn teased him by turning around to dance against his chest, back to chest, and smiled at him.  "I hear a growl," she teased.

"You do."  He pulled Natasha around to let her dance with Dawn while he got her back.  He nodded at a problem that had come in.

Dawn snorted and waved a hand until it caught Natasha's.  "Not an issue."  She smirked at her then shifted closer to her wife.  There was that growl again.  "He sounds like Hellion," she quipped.

"He does," Natasha agreed, smiling at Clint over Dawn's shoulder.  "Someone is getting claimed tonight."

"Hmm.  Wonder who."  She smirked and teased her then strolled off to get a drink.  The bartender stared at her.  "Virgin fruit slushy please?"  She paid and he got her one, making it right in front of her.  "Thank you, dear."  She strolled off, taking it back to the group.  They pulled her between them, letting them take drinks.  It was good.  It was hot, and then Dawn spotted someone.  "I think we've got chaperones."

Clint looked and nodded.  "We do.  Huh.  Dawn, go tease him?"

"Sure, I can dick tease the boss."  She strolled over, taking her drink with her.  Tony blinked a few times, mouth opening.  "Orders, bossman.  You're not supposed to be chaperoning."  She winked at Pepper, who giggled.  "I like that on you.  Even if it is a bit plain."  She finished her drink and put it on the table.  "They need alone time."

"Fine," he said with an evil smirk.  "It'll be payback for the halloween party."

She winked.  "I'm not that evil tonight.  I'm still the good princess."  Pepper cackled and nodded.  She strolled off, letting Tony lead.  He was safe.  She pointed at a few problems and he nodded, but she did enjoy dancing with Tony.  He was smooth, he was good at it, and he didn't get handsy like most of the guys did.  She finally let him go back to Pepper a sweaty, needy mess and strolled off to find someone else.  Clint and Natasha were a bit involved with each other.  She could help with that.  They needed alone time too.  She found an agent and smirked.  "FBI, here?" she quipped.  He moaned.  "Why?"

"Surveillance, Miss Summers."

She laughed.  "On me?"

"No.  You are not my target."

"Good, then you're safe enough to dance with and not destroy."  She pulled him out to distract and tease him.  He was sweating a lot sooner than Tony did.  He was fully distracted and kept stammering at her.  "What question is that?" she asked.

"I saw a picture of you in that dress," he said, squeezing his eyes shut for a moment then looking up at her face.  In her heels she was just an inch taller than he was.  "What was that about?"

"Some stupid mother fuckers that were taking kids to sacrifice after raping."

"Thank you."

"I'd never let that go on."  She smiled and patted him on the cheek.  "Bathrooms are in the back."  He swallowed hard and went that way.  She strolled off with a thought at Natasha that she was giving them space.  She got back a 'be careful, be on alert, and do not switch clubs' from Clint.  She said she'd go to her usual ones, which were safer.  He glared but she grinned and did that.  The cab nicely didn't smell on the way over.  The bouncer saw her and whimpered.  She smiled.  "I'm in a teasing, flirty mood and they're busy."  She shrugged.  "Can I go in?"

"Yeah," he said, letting her in.  The bartender glared then spotted her and moaned.  She was over their quota but hot.  Very, very hot.  They knew her and she was never a problem.  The floor was a mass tonight and she found a few partners easily enough.  It was good for her ego.  She nearly broke up a few couples but she turned down anyone that was clearly taken.  The few single guys in there were all sweaty and groping but she stopped most of them.

One was big and polite, so she danced with him.  He still had on his NYPD badge so he was safe.  He relaxed and it was good.  When she was done being hot, sweaty, and taunting, she went home.  Clint and Natasha were on the couch making out.  She went to prepare the bed, including putting the weapons where they needed to go.  She checked and sent a thought at Natasha that they were out of condoms for him.  She went to run a bath for them for later.  That was nice of her and by the time they were in the bedroom, Clint was too hot to care about anything but having her.  Dawn came out and kissed them both, putting down water, some strawberry juice drink, and some peppermints.  Then she strolled off to shower and change into jammies.

Clint groaned, kissing Natasha again.  "She's giving us privacy."

"She is and I could appreciate that tonight.  I have not had you all to myself in a while."  He groaned and kissed her again, moving up some to get a better angle to enter her at.  "Clint, condoms?"

"None," he panted, working himself deeper into her.  "You're on the pill and the shot.  There's not a chance," he reminded her.  "Please, 'Tasha?"

"I'm yours."  She smiled and teased his shoulder with her nails.  "Do as you want."  Clint growled and flipped her over to make it a harder ride, which she enjoyed.  She was gripping the headboard and pushing back against him, making him take her where she wanted to go, at her pace.  She was demanding and he always lived up to her needs and wants.  She shivered as he came inside her, reaching down to alleviate her own need.  He beat her to it and made her nearly shriek.  She didn't do it often but he was very good to her.  She finally finished coming and laid down.  He was on her back, panting hard.  "She ran us a bath."

"I'd love a bath."  He kissed her shoulder then nibbled on it.  "Then I'm going to ride you harder."  Natasha smirked but let them go in there.  Dawn was on the couch reading.  "When do you want time with just her?" he asked once they were in the nice, hot, soothing tub.  Dawn had used those crystals again and it smelled nice.

"She has vacation in a week."  She took a kiss and leaned her back against his chest, getting comfortable.  "I was going to manipulate my way into going with them."

"Leaving me here alone with my hand?" he quipped.

"Yes, so that you two can have an explosive night when she gets back."  Clint groaned and nodded, kissing her neck.  "Being uncovered felt different."

"It does," he agreed.  "Much more intimate to share body fluids."

She shivered and snuggled in better.  "There is no harm in a few now and then."

He kissed her ear.  "I'd love for it to be the norm, not the exception."  She looked at him.  "I would."

She kissed him.  "We'll see."  He grinned and cuddled her better.  It was relaxing, even if he was stroking over her stomach with his fingertips.  She swatted his hand but he laughed in that dark, rich sound that made her shiver.  She shifted and sat on his lap for a proper kiss, making him clutch her and pull her closer.  "Clint?"

"Still feeling a bit possessive."

"I could enjoy that harder ride you promised me."

He smirked.  "All yours, Nat."  He started by teasing her.  She loved to be teased.  She wouldn't admit it but it got her hot and wet faster than anything.  He ended up pulling them out and to the shower to wash off the herbal crystals, then back to the bed, which had been remade.  Their weapons were where they should be, they both checked, and it was fantastic.  Natasha got loud, more so than Dawn did, and just let it all go for him.

***

Dawn walked into work the next day and smiled at the guards.  "Problems?" she asked at the scowl.

"You were dancing with the boss."

"They needed a night together.  He was safe and not going to kidnap my pretty ass."  They laughed but let her log in and head upstairs.  "Morning, Pepper."

"Morning," she squeaked.

Dawn closed the office door for her.  "Let me know when you're ready for me to come take notes."

"Sure," she said, still sounding a bit squeaky.

Dawn got into her desk to straighten things up, because Andrew had been looking for her peppermint stash again, and settled in to go over the interoffice mail and other things.  Tony walked up the hall and she frowned then at the door then at him.  "Huh, didn't know she did that."

"Of course she does," he said dryly, handing her a newspaper.  "I'm pretty sure they realize you're not pregnant now."

"No, I wasn't."  She smiled and handed it back.  "He's NYPD and at the club I usually hit."

"Why did you leave them?"

"They needed alone time."

He nodded.  "Got it.  That's a necessity with any trio I guess."  He looked at the office door.  "Squeaky?"

"Yup."

"Then it's a good day."  He walked off again.

Dawn popped her neck and got back to work.  Sleeping on the couch always gave her a crick in her neck.

Natasha strolled off the elevator.  "Where is he this time?"

"Headed down to the tinkering lab or to check on my geeks."  She grinned.  "You okay?"

"I'm very good."  She took a fast kiss.  "You could have joined us."

"As he said, we all need alone time within the group."  She stared at her.  "I've been hogging him."

Natasha smiled.  "We both hog you."  Dawn blushed.  "I'm going on your vacation with you and her."

"Okay.  If you want."  She smiled.  "I'm bringing the blue bikini and a few others."

Natasha nodded.  "Very good for tanning."

"I wasn't expecting anything else, dear."

"You will get it," she promised, strolling off.  Her gait was a bit off this morning, she was a bit sore, but it was good.  Dawn was watching her walk and leering mentally, she could feel it.  So could Clint, who had to shut them out.  He had the idiot rookie agents again today.

Dawn offered to spar with them.  Clint promised her she could kick their butts and he'd bring them over later to break them.  Dawn smirked and got back to work, closing them both out of her mind.

Jonathan came up and stared at her.  "My girlfriend wants to know where you found that dress of male damnation?"

"Brasilia."  She smiled.  "A few years back."

He sighed.  "I'll let her know there's no way we can find it up here."  He strolled off.  "You made the girls pant and think lesbian things, Dawn."

She cackled.  "Sorry, Johno."

"We're not."  He grinned and went back to his lab.  He walked in.  "They were in Brazil."  His girlfriend Patty pouted at him.  "She was so hot and didn't get any.  Clint was all on Natasha by the way she's walking."  Andrew moaned.  "So apparently Dawn's getting it later."  They shared a smirk.  It was fun watching them go at it sometimes.

"I need to go to the gym," MB, Andrew's new wife, said.

Andrew looked at her and shook his head.  "Don't you dare."  She blushed.  "I like you the way you are and there's no way you can compete with Dawn.  It's like us competing against Stark as heros."  She took a kiss, which he enjoyed, then the girls went to their own labs to get back to work.  He sighed.  "I so need to figure out how to do more than that."

"Talk to Tony or Clint," Jonathan quipped.  "They'd know.  Phil apparently likes Xander a whole lot too."

He nodded, going to talk to Tony about that.  Clint was a bit scary because he was the possessive, alpha male sort.  Stark, not as alpha in the obvious ways.  He sat down next to Tony.  "How do I do more than kiss and fondle her?"

Tony looked around to make sure Callia wasn't in there with them then looked at him.  "You want me to teach you sex ed or just give you sites?"

"Clint suggested oral sex and gave me a link.  It looked like fun but she got all embarrassed and blushy."  Callia walked in.  He hugged her.  "Can you go talk to MB about not having babies?"

"We need more babies."

Andrew smiled.  "When you're a teenager you can babysit but no babies this year."

"I can see that.  You need time to set up the house, like the dollies and GI Joe do."  She skipped off to talk to MB, who she adored.  If her geeks had to marry, they had picked nice girls at least.

Tony smirked.  "Smooth.  Is she on something?"

"No!" he complained.  "She's never even thought about drugs.  Why would you ask that?"

Tony patted him.  "I meant birth control."

"Um....  Huh?"

Tony texted Dawn, who told him she'd ask her.  "Okay, first, we're going to make sure you know what things are."  He took him downtown to Times Square and a favorite kink shop he liked to frequent.  He showed him all sorts of things and explained the uses.  Including how things like oral sex worked with the fake pussies they had in boxes.  Andrew was bright red but taking notes.  It was the sort of geek he was.  The shop boy was giving them odd looks.  "Newlyweds."

The clerk smiled and pointed.  "Newby kit?"

Tony took him to look at it and had to explain why there were fuzzy handcuffs.  But Andrew now had ideas and knew what he was doing.  He'd have to make sure Jonathan didn't need the same talk.  He handed the junior geek to his wife at lunch, and gave them permission to work over tonight so they had a long one.  Andrew took her up to their shared suite and put some of the new ideas into practice.  Tony went back to his lab happier.

Dawn had left him a note saying she had told MB that they could do the birth control shot, patch, and pill in the infirmary in case she needed it, and that he had been showing Andrew what a condom was for.  That Patty liked porn apparently, and so did Jonathan, so they were a bit more worldly and knew what things were, but hadn't went there yet.  So it was good for him.  He was a great mentor.

***

Clint was stretched out on the couch when the girls got home.  He had his present favorite bow being cleaned in his lap and some music on to hum to.  Dawn leaned down to kiss him.  He smirked.  "Thank you for last night."

"You guys need some alone time.  I've been hogging you."

He smirked.  "No you haven't.  We've been hogging you between us."  He took another kiss.  "Strip for me?"  She quirked up an eyebrow.  "Natasha, don't you think she should strip?"

"I believe she should," she agreed, sitting down to cross her legs, the top foot wiggling with the music.  "You even have nice music on for it."

Dawn blushed.  "I'm not good at this part."

"So?" Clint offered.  He shrugged and put his bow aside.  "Strip for us, Dawn."  She blushed but pulled down her hair, shaking it out.  Then she kicked off her shoes.  "No, I like those," he promised.

She put them back on and worked on the buttons of her shirt, making him lean back again and stare at her.  She wasn't being overly tempting.  She got the plain, cream shirt off and tossed it into a chair.  She turned to undo the zipper of her skirt and push it down, leaving it a puddle of cloth on the floor, then she turned back around to tease herself.  He nodded he liked that and tipped his head to the side.  She teased her stomach then up to her bra clasp, it was a front hook.

She undid it and let it hang, stroking over her breasts and teasing her nipples through the fabric.  He was getting to the point of pouncing.  She shifted again and came over to kiss Natasha before undoing her garter straps and pushing the panties down on one side.  It showed just a hint of the hair she had left because that's what Clint liked.  She moved over to kiss him and pushed them off all the way, then went back to slowly teasing herself.

He plucked off the bra and tossed it then pulled her down to kiss her better.  "I want to go naked with you like I did Natasha last night," he said against her ear.  "Any comments?"  She moaned and kissed him.  "Pills and all that?"

"I'm good.  Got the shot earlier this week."

He smiled.  "Good."  He spanked her once.  "Get up and dance for me, Dawn?"  She did that, making him strip off his sleeveless t-shirt and undo his pants button and zipper.  Dawn was a great club tease.  "Who was that guy?"

"NYPD officer."

"Safe then.  The other one at the first club?"

"FBI agent."

"Hmm.  Safe enough."  He made turn around motions and she did, letting him see her shake her backside.  Then she turned back around.  The garter belt came off.  The stockings still stayed up, they were a bit tight at the top.  He smiled.  "Like that even more.  More skin to tease."  He motioned her closer.  "Lap dance for me?" he suggested.

She grinned down at him and walked over to change the music then came back.  It was one of his favorite CD's and she liked it.  It was good to dance to.  She was dancing in front of his knees, barely brushing them.  "Did you need a lap dance?"

"I definitely do."  His thighs were drifting apart and he was stroking his stomach.  Dawn licked her lips and leaned down to blow a kiss at his lips, casually brushing her breasts against his thigh.  He smiled at that move but she stood back up and went back to dancing for him.  She finally moved closer, straddling his thighs, giving him the brushing pressure he wanted. He pulled her closer to kiss, holding her up by her nicely rounded butt.

"No butt sex without a condom, I don't want you to get a UTI," she said in his ear, earning a shiver and a nod.  She smiled at him.  "I was taught to only go fully naked with you when we were totally serious, committed, and Mom had made sure he was better than anything she or my sister ever dated."

"If I had known that, I would've quit buying them months ago."  She grinned and sat down on his cock, not letting it pierce her, but on top of it.  It was trapped in her folds and getting damp.  He slid a few times, which was good and teased both of them.  He stood up and carried her into the bedroom, taking the shoes off.  The cat ran from them but that was normal.  Loki hated them having sex.   He stripped off his jeans and boxers, then slowly peeled her stockings off and tossed them aside.  "You sure?"

"Are you?  I consider that a really big commitment step."

"I'm already yours," he reminded her, kissing her.  He leaned down, taking control of everything.  Dawn's body was not a secret to him, he knew where every single hot spot, every spot that made her twitch or moan, and every entrance key he had to get her to let him into her body.  He started with a touching tease on her shoulders but she wiggled so he moved down.  "Day at work bad?" he guessed.

"Some tension.  Pepper's in *that* stage.  I had to keep hiding from her squeaky noises."

He kissed her.  "Don't want to hear about Pepper masturbating.  It's hot but not as hot as you."  He kissed her again and moved down to nibble on her shoulders.  A simple shoulder massage and she was nearly puddled underneath him.  He teased a breast, which she had learned to enjoy.  Then he moved lower.  He loved oral sex with Dawn.  She made fantastic noises.  Today was no exception and Natasha came in to hand him a gag then left them alone.  "I don't care if you get loud.  I love it."  He smirked and went back to making her messy and cleaning it up.

"Clint!" she begged.  "Please!"

"Not time yet."

She moaned and wiggled some.  "Please?  Need to come."

"I know you will.  Be patient."  She whimpered and writhed.  He was enjoying it.  One final orgasm and he came up to slide into her, making her hiss and claw at his arms.  "Better this way?"

"So much better this way," she moaned.  "Oh, Goddess, so much better this way."

He smiled.  "I like it too."  He kissed her.  "Come for me, Dawn, so I can make you go off one last time?"  She nodded and clutched his shoulders, wrapping her legs around his waist.  She was a bit hesitant.  "Nothing's changed, baby.  Still yours."  She nodded and tried to flip them over.  He smirked.  "Nope, not this time.  Next time."  He thrust in hard, making her squeal.  It was good to hear.  He was quiet, had learned that a long time ago.  Natasha was usually quiet, unless he got her very worked up.  Dawn wasn't and he loved that about her.  She was a mass of noise that just made him get warmer and warmer.  He finally came and brought her across, making her go limp and pant.  He smirked.  "Did you fake that one?"

"Hell.  No."

"No fluttery feelings."

"Dear, those muscles are limp and not getting back up for anything," she quipped.  He groaned and pulled out to tease them with a finger.  She laid there and watched him.  "See?"

"I do see.  Are you sprained?" he teased.

"No.  They'll have some recovery and teasing time then come back up."  She kissed him.  "The same as yours will."

He laughed and hugged her.  "Definitely need recovery time tonight.  I haven't been this happy since I was fourteen."

She kissed him.  "I bet you were hell in bed even then."

He smirked.  "Yes, I was."  She snuggled against him.  He enjoyed it and it was good.  Relaxing.

***

Andrew gave Dawn a shrewd look the next morning.  She wasn't really sitting right.  Like she was slumped at the hips but trying to appear upright.  "If he's doing it so hard you're in pain, then I need to have a talk with him, probably from my robotic battle suit but definitely a talk with him."

She smiled.  "Normal sex can make you sore too, Andrew."

"Uh-huh."  He stared at her.  "If I'm like your brother I should threaten him."

She laughed.  "I think you tried that once."

"I think I did too.  MB's blushing harder than ever."

"She's probably having her cycle," she said dryly.

"Oh!"  He nodded and left to talk to Patty and MB.  He was worried about Dawn.  Well, they were busy and Jonathan was doing an interview with Warren's new therapist to help him get his mind back to the right spot.  So maybe he'd go talk to Clint Barton himself.  He headed for his storage area but Phil Coulson caught him and walked him off.  "He made it so she can't sit.  Again!" he complained.  "I was only going to talk to him."

"I'm sure you were but he's getting ready for a new mission, Andrew.  I'll talk to him for you.  Dawn's like my sister too."

Andrew pouted.  "I don't want her hurt."

"He'd never really hurt her.  He just got too enthusiastic.  Some day you will too and you'll baby MB."

"He's not babying her."

"He is but he's doing it long distance today."  He stared at him.  "There's no reason to pull out the battle suits."  Andrew pouted but nodded, huffing off.  He walked up to check on Dawn.  He didn't want to know what SHIELD would do to Andrew if he tried to attack Clint.  Probably sic Thor on the battle suited genius.  Which would cause problems with Stark and Dawn.

He found her leaned back in her chair, eyes moving and open, and clearly not there.  He pushed his phone for Stark's speed dial.  "Vision.  Dawn."  He hung up and got what he'd need.  He texted Maria Hill to see if she knew what was going on.  Because if they were connected, Barton or Romanoff would be getting it too.

Xander appeared, staring at her.  "She doesn't have apocalypse visions," he said quietly.  "It's always about personal things for her."  He disappeared to check on them.  Medical was checking on Natasha.  "Don't," he ordered.  "Dawn's having a vision and broadcasting."  They backed off.  Coulson had put in protocols for people having visions.  "She'll need something for the migraine," he said more quietly.  They nodded and got an IV prepared.  He looked around.  "Where's Barton?"

"Can't find him," Hill noted.

Xander concentrated and took one of the medics with him to check on him.  He wasn't having as much of a link this time.  He got the IV started, making Clint relax.  He checked, Dawn was still having it.  He flashed back to Natasha to start the IV since none of them dared to touch her.  She moaned and tried to move.  "Shh, I've got you," Xander said in her ear.  "It's a vision, Natasha.  It's a preview."  Natasha nodded slightly.

"Help her.  Don't fight it.  It'll cause brain damage if you fight them."  She nodded slightly again.  He went back to help move Barton out of his spot.  He and the medic appeared with Barton between them.  He was groaning and holding his head.  Xander touched his forehead to see what it was, wincing.  "She only has personal major event ones," he said quietly.  Clint barely opened his eyes to glare at him.  "Not my fault."

"No, but we have to stop that urge," he said very quietly.

"She's not mine," he pointed out.  "What did you expect her to do?  What did she do last time?"

Clint winced.  "Don't remind me."  He put his head back down.  "Can I have a sledgehammer to cave in my skull?"

"Sorry but I can start the painkiller, Agent Barton," the medic said, starting that.  He got rolled off.  They got Natasha moving.

Xander went back to Stark tower, finding their medics there with Dawn.  "They got it mirrored."  Phil nodded, following Dawn down to the infirmary.  Xander followed.  "How many of these has she had?"

Phil shook his head.  "Maybe four."

"We need to check for the brain changes Cordy had," he said quietly.  Phil stiffened but nodded, adding that request.  The doctor called up that file, but didn't have it.  He accessed the one from SHIELD and she winced, taking her to a CT.

"Okay, what the actual fuck?" Tony demanded, staring at them.

"Vision," Xander said.  "Barton's next mission is going to go clusterfuck and she's going to need to step in to save his ass, which he's not going to like."

Tony's eye had a twitch most people had never seen.  Pepper had only seen it a few times.  She knew it meant to get out of the way.  "Phil?" she suggested.  He followed her back to the CT room.

Tony stared at Xander.  "The CT?"

"Cordelia.  Remember her?"

"Vaguely, yes."

"Gifted with visions by the irish mother fucker when he died?"

"Remember that part," Tony said, clearly ready to lose his temper.

"She died from them, kind of."  Tony sucked in a breath.  "It caused extreme brain changes.  Human brains can't always take the stress of visions.  Dawn's not fully human but you can track vision-related changes early on."

Tony nodded slowly.  "That explains the CT.  She's had four, right?"  Xander nodded but shrugged.  "So we're looking to make sure it's not going to fry her brain?"

"While I'm writing one of the more magical Xander's to see if there's anything we can give her to block out visions that won't make her a thorazine zombie.  Because I don't think they'd like to watch her take heroin all that often and that's the only street drug I know that can block visions and other powers."

"Good to know," Tony said bitterly.  "Why did she have this one?"

"Each of us gets different types.  I get full blown apocalypse battles."  Tony shuddered.  "Dawn gets personal ones, things that can go hellishly wrong with her made and actual family."  He stared at him.  "She had one about you once, one of them involved an accident that Pepper was going to have."

"I remember that one."

"This one, Barton's next mission is going to go clusterfuck.  Her going to help save his dumb ass is going to start the mother of all fights and it looked like a divorce."  Tony winced.  "But he would've survived."

"Okay," Tony decided.  "Anything else we know?"

"They were apparently open enough that the other two saw it too," Phil said, coming back out.  "There's a very minute change.  It's nothing like what Cordelia had."  Xander relaxed and nodded.  "Cordelia's came from the Powers That Be, right?"  Xander nodded more quickly.  "Then Dawn's probably come from a less powerful source or she has them naturally as a gift."

"That's considered a gift?" Tony demanded.

"Forewarned is forearmed," Xander said bitterly.  "I didn't have one until I lost my eye and my powers suddenly rebalanced on me."

"You were showing temporal lobe damage the last time you were on Atlantis, after you broke out," Phil said quietly.  Xander looked at him.  He nodded.  "Lesser than Cordelia's.  I'm not sure if it got healed or not, Xander."

"So we need to find something to block those out," Tony said.

"If it's important she'd probably keep them," Xander said.  "If it was trivial things or she was getting every single semi-dangerous demon attack to tell a hero, then she'd probably ask to have them eased."

Tony nodded.  "What about driving?"

Xander shrugged.  "I don't know.  Angel tried to get me to give up driving when I started to have them.  He did talk Cordelia into not driving when hers got worse."

"By looking genetically we're fairly certain Doyle only activated her natural gift as a seer," Phil said.  He rubbed his left ear to ease the ache in it.  The doctor had grabbed him by it.  "The source sending it with pain to make sure they didn't think it was daydreams and her being fully human were the reasons it changed her so much.  We have someone looking over her medical records and that of a few others to see if there's others who have the same sort of problem.  We were hoping for something to ease the problems or block them off."

Xander shrugged.  "Visions can run in my family.  I'm not sure if they are or not."

"Yours are hereditary.  I had your file from Atlantis sent to him.  He identified the same gene sequence that Cordelia had, which was twisted by the Hellmouth's power.  It would've stayed latent in both of you if it hadn't been activated by powers or Powers."

"Are Dawn's hereditary?" Tony asked.

"Possibly.  I haven't had her genome scan sent over.  I wasn't about to risk that because of who and what she is.  She had been getting minor flashes, not major, explicit visions like this one."

Tony nodded.  "We have geneticists on staff."

"I know.  One of them works with him part of the time.  It's his father."

Tony smirked.  "I'll have him work on Dawn's."  He went into the CT room but got sent out because of his arc reactor.  "Fine."

"When we know you will," Dr. Pigalli noted, then slammed the door.

Xander looked at Phil.  "Want here or there?"

"There.  You baby Dawn."  Xander took him back to SHIELD so they didn't realize he had powers then went back.  He walked into the infirmary.  Fury was living up to his name again.  "Anything?"

"No cognitive or physical changes," the doctor said.  "How did Dawn do that?"

"She needs to keep her mind to herself," Fury complained, glaring at Phil.

"It was about Barton's next mission, sir."  Fury slumped.  "Alexander read it from their minds.  Said it was going to be a clusterfuck as he put it."  Fury stomped off.  He walked over to ease the pain they were feeling.  Clint barely opened his eyes to stare at him.  "They're checking Dawn over."

"She's never going to get another one again," he vowed.

"You can't promise that.  Nor can I or Alexander," he said quietly.  "If we could, we'd take them for her."  Clint nodded and swallowed.  "Want some water?"

"Nauseous."

"Dawn can hear them and she's scared," Natasha said.  Phil sent a thought at Dawn, calming her down.  "Thank you."  She put a hand on her forehead.  "How has she lived through these?"

"This was her fourth real one," Phil said quietly.  "Xander's had dozens but all his are battle ones.  Usually apocalypse or higher, harder battles."

"There has to be something we can give her to block them off," Clint said.

"Xander offered the idea of heroin," Phil said.  They both glared at him and so did the doctors.  "He said that's the only street drug he knows that can block powers."  He looked at them.  "Comparing her to Cordelia Chase's files, she's barely got any changes caused by them."

Clint made himself sit up.  "No, there's no more.  Even if I have to go beat the ass of some higher power, no way in hell."

Natasha nodded.  "Ditto when I can move."  Phil adjusted her IV, making her relax.  "I needed less pain medicine, not more."

"Hush," he told her.  "Dawn has migraine medicine for a reason beyond stretching her boundaries."  He patted her on the wrist.  "Rest."  He looked at Clint.  "You, lay back down."

"I need to check on her."

"She's in the CT at Stark Tower."  Clint stared.  "Once you're better."  Clint nodded, pulling his IV.  "I said better, not more stubborn."

"I can do this shit there."  He stood up and wobbled.  "Please?"

"I'm up," Natasha moaned, sitting up holding her head.  "I hope I never have another of those."

"She had one before this but after you three bonded," Phil said quietly.

"I had some nightmares from that."

"We weren't involved in that one," Clint said.  "How can you tell how much was her low self esteem?"

"I'm not sure," he admitted.  "It may twist some of it, Barton.  I don't know how to tell."

"Some of it was more twinkly than the rest," Natasha said.  "Most of it was like watching tv in your mind, but there were twinkly parts, including that whole fight thing."

"Then that must be her interpretation," Clint decided.  He carefully moved away from the bed.  "Coulson, you're driving."

"Yes I am."  Natasha checked herself out and they headed over.  The SHIELD infirmary team sent Dr. Pigalli's team notes so they could stick them on IV drips over there.  Maybe it would help Dawn.

***

Stark found his geneticist in his lab, humming at a copy of a genome.  "Hey."  The guy flinched and looked around before removing it.  "I know that's Dawn's.  I know you've been fascinated with Dawn.  Your lucky day just happened."

"Is she suffering from some chromosomal anomaly?"

"No.  She's suffering from visions."  The other scientist stiffened, staring at him.  "Just had her fourth one, which she shared with her spouses."

"Damn.  We noticed they could look at each other and seemed to hold conversations."

Tony nodded.  "That was during the whole mind control thing to help each other.  It will not get out.  Not in the least."

"I've been secretly looking hers over but I hadn't evaluated it against what my father was doing."

"Do so.  Find some way to block it  if possible.  Or flip it off except in horrible emergencies.  Whatever."

"I can do that.  I know he got Alexander's genome.  Comparing it against Thor's is driving him nuts."

"Loki was adopted," Tony said dryly.

"Beyond that.  It's like he's got a mixed sample as DNA."

Tony thought at Xander, who joined him with Phil.  "Talk to him about your genetics."

Xander looked at him, getting the examples flashed.  "That's the birthing gifts and blessings.  They can change some things."

Tony scowled.  "Like if you're blessed to be really strong and fast by another god as a gift, it'll increase that skill?"

Xander nodded.  "Only a few pantheons do that.  Most don't, consider it tampering.  We do, the Greeks do, the Egyptians used to.  I have some blessing from pantheons that the current ones think are mythical and never existed.  That's what they found when Odin had Hera help me weed out some of the mermaid and hellmouth taint."  He went to his elemental form.  "All the flashing things are gifts.  Though I have no idea why I'm blue.  I used to be a more twinkly, silver one."  Phil coughed.  "That would probably do it, yeah."  He returned to human.  "I used to show gifts from thirteen pantheons, three of which couldn't be identified.  Something happened recently."

"Was it where Callia locked you guys in that containment cell?" Tony guessed.

"That preceded the event that changed his elemental look," Phil said.  Tony stared at him.  "Not sharing, Stark."

"It might be important and could it change his DNA more?" the geneticist asked.

Xander and Phil nodded.  Xander showed Tony the mirror of what happened.  Tony shivered but nodded. "Yes, it probably did.  His DNA might read more like Coulson's now."  He handed it over.  "Take another swab and try."  He did that.  "Xander, can we put you both in a CT to compare?"

"Sure," Xander decided.  "If it'll help him come up with a way to block them from Dawnie."

"Thank you," the other scientist said with a happy grin.  "Mr. Stark, her genomic scan will not get out at all.  I'll handle that myself."

"Thank you.  And quit crushing on her?"

"I'm aware of why that's a bad idea now."

"They're in the infirmary too," Phil admitted.

"If they have that fight anyway, there's going to be a dead sniper," Xander quipped.

"Please don't threaten my sniper, Xander," Phil chided.

"Yours?" Tony asked dryly.

"I am the agent overseeing the Avengers Initiative."

"I thought you meant in the other sense," Tony said sarcastically.

"No one's put a shrine up to me yet, Stark.  Though I wouldn't mind.  The unattached prayers reach my ears anyway.  Maybe if I had a shrine I'd get more than the 'oh god please' prayers."

"I liked you better without a sense of humor, Coulson," Tony complained.

"Who's kidding?" Xander asked.  "I got plenty of the 'oh god' prayers, Stark.  Any protector, any sort of prayer, including those in bed, that didn't have a destination attached."

"So you're the dead letter office for prayers?" Tony quipped to hide that revelation bothered him.

"Quite," Phil said dryly, staring at him.  "Thankfully they can mostly be blocked off."  He walked off.  "We can go to the infirmary so you can get the current scan as well," he told the geneticist.  Who all but ran after him.

Xander smirked at Tony.  "Yeah, those too."

"Damn."

"Pray to a certain one and they get it.  Send up a random one and the one over your life, or the ones over your life, get it.  You lucky guy you, the one over heros thinks it's a good thing when you get laid often."  He walked off looking more smug.

"I'll start dedicating those to someone specific," he complained, following them.  They had Dawn's CT up to look at.  "What's the dark spot?" he asked, pointing at it.  "That's not normal."

"The bruise from the battle in Sunnydale, from all the power," Phil said quietly.  Tony shuddered.  "It's probably permanent but doesn't cause any other problems, Stark.  Worry about the tiny bit of swelling and the discolored blotches."

"I see those.  Is that the vision damage?"  Xander nodded.  "It looks bad."  The geneticist got into his files to pull one up, making Tony shudder.  "Cordelia's?"

"Yeah," Xander said.  "That's hers after a year of visions.  About twenty, twenty-five of them."  Tony shuddered again.  "Dawn's not showing the same level of relative damage but it's going to eventually get there.  She's gaining damage at maybe third-speed of Cordy."

"Then we have to stop them," Tony decided.

Xander looked at him.  "That could mean stopping her magic.  Are you willing to go that far since that could kill her?"

"No," Tony sighed.  "Anything that might help?" he asked his geek.

"We're working on hypothesis.  Including one that there has to be a medicine that can lower it."

"Heroin," Xander said bluntly.  "It blocks out all natural gifts, including empathy and magic."  He pointed.  "That's her empathic surge."

"Do we know why it works?" Tony asked.  "Can we mimic the effect on the brain without the drug itself?"

"No idea," Xander admitted.  "Not my field of expertise.  I'd ask John.  He did a lot of research into them a few generations back when the girlfriend he really wanted had them.  Then Aisha got her."

"Okay," Tony said.  "I can put you with Colonel Sheppard," he told his geek.

John cleared his throat.  "It's an odd fact that those who are in training for something strenuous, like the olympics, will get dream visions but not outright daytime full visions," he said.  "They can be just as harmful but nicer to live through."  Xander nodded.  "Warriors in full battles never get visions."

"Wrong," Xander said.  "I had two during the invasion.  That's why I stopped to catch my breath."

"Huh.  Okay, human ones don't," John said.  "Or so the ancient sources I saw said.  So it's possible that something about the great exertion on the body can block the receptors.  I'm not sure."

The geneticist nodded.  "Okay," he said.  "That's not a bad idea and we know how heroin infects the brain so we can see if those responses are similar."  He gathered the notes.  "I'll get yours from my father, Alexander.  The new one can be compared with the old one."

"They're merged now," John said.  "He and Coulson probably read like fraternal twins."

"I can check that," the geneticist said happily and left, taking John with him to talk to.

Tony looked at them.  "Anything we can do to ease that?"

"Napping helps," Xander said.  "Like her overuse headaches, only time and stuff for migraines."

"I gave Agent Barton some adrenaline just now," Dr. Pigalli's nurse said.  "She overheard and said to try it on him with his permission.  It has helped the pain and the response time he's got cognitively."

"That's good to know," Phil agreed.  "Find us an effective way of dealing with them."  She nodded, leaving them be.  "There's a few others that they found the markers in," he told Stark when he got stared at.  "Including in Thor and Agent Sitwell."

"Sitwell's got a latent talent somewhere," Xander said.  "I can almost feel it off him."

"His child will probably have an active one.  Tara told him that."  Stark shuddered and walked off.  He looked at Xander.  "We can help them talk."

"We can," he agreed.  "You popped over earlier."

"Dawn was a bit sore this morning and Andrew took offense at that."  He grinned slightly.  "He was going to get out the battle suit and stomp on Barton until he apologized for making her sore."

"Dawn would've stomped right back," Xander said dryly.

"Probably, yes."  They went to check on Dawn and her spouses.  Clint was awake and sitting up.  "The adrenaline help?"

"For now but I can feel a crash coming hard later," he said, staring at them.  "Natasha didn't react that much."

"She was hit harder," Xander said.  "You were only half as deep as they were."  Clint nodded at that.  "Now what?  And I'm asking as a nosy big brother who will destroy you."

Clint stared at him.  "We don't have many rules but I think we need to start one."

Xander patted him on the cheek with a smirk.  "You were nearly suicidal and she was right to point it out," he said quietly.  "The fact that you yelled because she saved your ass was a bad thing."

Clint nodded, getting free.  "I understand why.  We'd never fight like that.  I'd go retreat and think first, Xander."

"Good.  Because your destruction would be certain if you two had that sort of fight."  He stared at him.  "If you think Andrew can't, you can be sure I can and will."

"Xander, quit threatening my sniper," Phil said impatiently.

Xander looked at him.  "Family over coworkers, dear."

"Hush."  He looked at Clint.  "I'm sure you two will work it out in a way that won't leave her sobbing on our shoulders."  He walked Xander off.

Clint looked at Natasha, who was almost smiling.  Then at Dawn, who was asleep.  Natasha was facing him but Dawn was on her other side, facing away.  Clint got up and walked over, sitting beside her cot.  "Hey."  Dawn moaned and held her head.  "I know.  Can we try that shot thing?"

"Hasn't helped her yet," the nurse said.  "Let her sleep.  Whatever you're going to fight about can wait, Agent Barton."

"Fine."  He got comfortable in his chair, watching Dawn sleep.  Natasha was up first, though the pinched look on her face showed she was still in pain.  She opened up their link and showed him what she had gotten that he hadn't.  Yeah, that mission had went totally wrong and he had sacrifice played it to get what they needed done.  Without an exit strategy.  Dawn had solved the need for an exit strategy.  He had gotten mad about that, which he might but he'd cool off on the way home.

Then they had the totally illogical fight that clearly came from her mind instead of the vision.  Natasha had seen what was underneath it, basically him moving out.  That was not going to happen.  So they had to deal with it, make sure his next mission went picture perfect so Dawn wouldn't worry, and then make sure they were more solid and Dawn couldn't come help on a mission.  Which was nearly impossible but that's what sort of missions they sent him and Natasha on.

Natasha shook her head, showing him something else.  That was bad.  Bad on many levels.  So bad on too many levels really.  He didn't like sacrifice plays and he surely didn't want to be carved up by one.  Interrogation training was nothing on the real thing, he'd had enough of them to know that, but that one wasn't an interrogation, it was for fun.  One guy wanting to be the friendly neighborhood butcher that hadn't been able to get the credit to open a shop.  Who knew the backwoods of Belarus had so many regulations to jump through to be a butcher, or so the guy had told him while he was cutting him up.  Dawn interfering had saved him, and the few rookie agents with him.

He stared over at Natasha, who shrugged.  She had no idea how to handle this without that fight.  The fact that Dawn had a true vision about the mission and then the fight afterward got added in meant that something really had to be done.  She was sure it was being reassigned and they could tell the overseeing agent so they could handle it.  She blinked at the table next to her cot, finding her phone.  Tony handed over his tablet, letting her type out a message.  He sent it for her and then she let herself drift off again.  This headache was worse than any she'd ever had.

Tony watched Barton stare and Natasha try to sleep it off.  "Scan them too," he told the nurse.  "In case some of the damage spread."

"They won't let us.  We suggested it," the nurse said quietly.

"Barton, Romanoff, CT," Tony ordered.  "So we can make sure it didn't cause you two damage."  They both glared at him.  "Yay.  Who knows what can pass around and you both got hit pretty hard."  He pointed.  "Now.  Shouldn't take more than ten minutes then you can come back to glare or rest."  They nodded and got taken in there.  During it Dawn moaned, holding her head.  "Hey," he said, moving beside her bed.  "I'm right here."  She whimpered, shaking her head.  "They're in the CT to make sure the vision didn't hurt them.  They both saw it."  He smoothed back her sweaty hair.  "Want some water?"

"Need to take it down," she mumbled.

He opened the word processing program on his tablet and let her do that.  When she was done she went limp again.  Tony scanned over it then sent half of it, the important half, to SHIELD.  They didn't need to know about marital spats.  Even the dissolving the union kind.  He got back a 'thanks' from Maria Hill.  He made sure she had Natasha's and she said she did.  They were handling it and to tell Barton he was excused from missions, but they were going to be doing a lot of scans soon.  Tony sent over they were doing a CT right now.  She said it wouldn't save others but they needed copies.  He said he'd talk to Coulson about it.

She said that was fine and he put his tablet back into his pocket.  Dawn was fitful but trying to sleep.  He turned up her IV drip rate so she got more pain medicine, which made her pass back out.  The nurse scowled.  He shrugged.  She nodded it was fine and pointed at him to go.  He shook his head.  When the other two came out he left them to recover together.  He ran into Andrew pacing, looking really worried.  "It was a vision, 'Drew."

He looked at him.  "I heard they killed someone we went to school with."

"I know about Cordelia."

"She did?  Arnold Amstrice died of his.  I'm not sure if it was the vision that caused a brain clot or the car accident he had with it."

"I'll try to get his records.  Someone's looking into that."  Andrew nodded and walked off.  "She's napping.  Visit later."

"I can do that."

"If they're talking, since it was about an upcoming mission, let them," Tony warned.

"I can do that."  He went to check on them.  He hugged Dawn, getting a pat back.  "At least you don't have to try to sit."  She snorted but grinned slightly.  "You rest."  He stared at Clint.  "She's still like my sister."  He left.

"Everyone's threatening me today and I haven't even done anything," he complained quietly.

The nurse smiled.  "Rumors say that Agent Coulson had to make him leave his battle robot alone because she couldn't sit comfortably," she said next to his ear.  He groaned.  "He may not understand girls very well but he does understand protecting girls."  She patted him on the shoulder.  "Want something?  The doctor said you can have something."

"I'm good for now."

"Okay.  If you start to crash, back in your bed."  He nodded.  "You're all staying overnight.  We'll move you to a private shared room later."  She walked off to check on Natasha's.  "Want me to turn up the IV?"  She shook her head.  "Okay.  Let me know."  She made notes on their charts and let them sleep for now.

***

Clint felt it when Dawn woke up, the spike of pain heralded her moan out loud and grabbing her forehead.  "You really awake this time?"

"Fuck," she moaned, putting the pillow over her head.

"I'll take that as a yes."  He looked at Natasha, who was marginally better.  He reached over to lift the pillow off her head.  She glared at him for it.  "At least you didn't share with everyone?"  She glared harder, looking like a weak kitten.  He really hated being pissed at his girls.  They were like cherries sharing a stem, one slightly tart yet with a

sweet center and one that was still a bit short of ripe but sweet to the tongue.

"I think you're hungry," Dawn complained.  "You're thinking in food metaphors."

"I probably am."  He leaned closer.  "Those things are scarier than seizures."

"Never had one."

"I have, two.  Both caused by problems before you ask.  They're damn scary."  Dawn blinked but nodded.  He took a calming breath.  "But...."  She went back to glaring.  "No, we're going to talk about it, even though I'm off the mission.  We trained you how to back us up if something totally stupid happened."  He leaned his arms on her mattress, looking at her.  "This is further along that line."

"I did good."

"You did, but it was risky.  What if someone related you back to Stark?"

"He told you in the vision I had used the company plane."

"I didn't get that part."

"He did," Natasha said from her spot.  Their beds were pushed together and the railings between them were down.  It was a very short gap of maybe eight inches to cross over.  She did that and laid behind Dawn, cuddling her.  She needed the physical comfort.  "It was the right way to solve it," she said in her ear.  "It was the wrong thing to solve it."

"He..."

"I saw more than he did," she assured her.  Dawn looked at her.  "I did."  Dawn went limp and nodded.  "If you had called, I would've went."

"You were on a mission."

"I have gotten off missions before to save his ass," she said bluntly.  "I would have."

"You were in a dangerous spot doing your usual flirty 'talk to me, I'm just a pretty girl' thing."

"That does work well."  She stroked Dawn's stomach, earning a wince.  "Why are you sore?"

"Her last migraine had full body aches," Clint said quietly.  Dawn nodded he was right.  He stared at her.  "So let's set down how to do it properly."  She blinked at him.  "Some day I might need it.  I'd never yell because you saved my life unless you did something stupidly flashy that would get the same people down on your own ass, Dawn.  So we're going to set down hard, absolute rules of what may and may not happen.  That way we don't have to fight."  She opened her mouth again.  "Seriously."  She nodded, closing her mouth again.  "Thank you."  He kissed her then Natasha.  "You sleep and we'll do it tomorrow."

"Not sleepy."

"Bullshit.  I am and I've been up most of the day."  He stared at her.  "They're looking at things to block off visions," he said quietly.

"It could get people killed if I don't have one."

"It could get you killed if you do," he said.  "Including a car crash or like your friend Cordelia did."  She shivered.  "So, we'd like them to not happen.  Ever.  If they're super important then fine.  Saving my life, I'll accept."  He patted her hand.  "I'm glad you had that one."  She nodded, shifting some.  He kissed her on the lips.  "Rest, relax.  I got told if I even thought about molesting you in that bed Dr. Pigalli was going to castrate me."

She snorted.  "Mine, she can't touch 'em."

He grinned.  "They are.  Only you two can rip my balls off."  Natasha laughed, which made Dawn moan.  "You two rest."

"I'm sorry you have my migraine," Dawn told Natasha, looking back at her.

"I'm glad we had the vision so we could plan for that problem."  He kissed her on the temple.  "You rest.  We'll be here all night."

"Did I tell anyone?"

"Tony had you write it out.  He only sent up until the point where you were coming back."  Dawn relaxed and yawned, letting them soothe her into a nap.  She looked at Clint.  "Any absolute rule will end up broken."

"If it's that important, broken is fine," he assured her.  Natasha smiled.  "I don't want her to have to see that or even being hunted, Nat.  Never."

"No, neither do I."  She cuddled Dawn and it was better.  The headache seemed to flow back to her, which probably wasn't fair but Dawn was doing something about it.  They'd survive this and not have that fight.

***

Dawn woke up in the middle of the night, finding Phil standing there staring at her.  "You woke me up?" she whispered.

"Slightly.  We're inside your head."

She stared at him.  "You're not Phil."  The demon sneered and changed.  "Go the fuck away."

"No.  You're mine now."  Dawn reached out and touched him, making him scream.  She got jolted back to the real world by Clint yelping in pain.  She blinked at him.  "Demon in my head.  Sorry."

"What?" he demanded.  She showed him.  He laid down with her.  "I swear only the weird things happen to you."

She yawned.  "Dream demons aren't that uncommon but you can disperse them by disproving them."  She snuggled on his shoulder.  "'Tasha's cold.  You get the center."

"Bull.  She can snuggle up to your back."

She blinked at him.  "You're warmer."

"So?"  He smirked.  "That's what blankets are for, Dawn."  She touched him and he swatted her.  "I'm real.  Just a bit annoyed.  I was having a great dream about us on a deserted island."

"Was I Mary Ann or Ginger?"

"Mary Ann.  You don't try to be glamorous all the time."  He looked over.  "Nat, come cuddle.   You're chilled."  Natasha moaned and stretched out.

"See, not my dream demon."  Dawn pulled her over to cuddle her, making Clint move to her other side.  She opened the link and strolled over, swatting the demon from behind.  It screamed and left again.  She scowled at Natasha.  "Clint said things like that only happen to me so do you have on the choker to become me?"

Natasha laughed but hugged her.  "Not likely."  Clint joined them and it was nice.  She was warming again.  The demon was not going to visit again.

"Maybe I should learn how to use a sword," Clint grumped.  The girls cuddled him.  "I know I prefer long range weapons but really, it could come in handy."

"I can teach you some," Dawn offered.  He grinned and kissed her then Natasha, who was staring over their shoulder.  "Butt out, Coulson."

"Fine.  Just checking.  Xander said he felt something odd."

"Dream Demon Arafit."

"I'll tell him."  He disappeared.

Dawn shrugged.  "He liked Xander for a while too.  Used to play word games with him from what he said."  She snuggled into Natasha's side.

"I am not a teddy bear," she complained.

"Yes you are because you have squishy parts," Dawn quipped.  She grinned.  "You give a great cuddle and you're the sole of discretion.  Like most bears you would never tell anyone's secrets."  Natasha stared at her.  She smiled.  "Hey, I missed that stage," she said dryly.  "Created at fourteen means I still have a tiny bit of childlike innocence."

"You were watching _the Neverending Story_ again," Natasha said dryly.

"Yes but I'd make a sucky empress."  She snuggled in again.  "Nap, people.  Before the headache comes back.  I can escape it in here."  They yawned and fell asleep with her, humoring her but they liked to humor her weird moods at times.  Even if Natasha could not see herself as a teddybear.  Clint gave her a squeeze.  She looked at him and he grinned.  She rolled her eyes but let herself be soothed back into a nap.  It was nice being so warm.

In the real world, Xander was adding a quilt from their house.  "I'll have a talk with my old flirting buddy," he said quietly, disappearing to talk to that demon.  He appeared and leaned on his shoulder, grinning at him.  "Have I mentioned recently that Dawn is like my sister?"  The demon slumped.  "I know she's got a very tight bond, which I appreciate the hell out of most of the time."  He patted him on the other shoulder.  "It'll be okay."

"Someone wanted me to torment her."

"I don't give a damn."

"Fine."

"Thank you."  He disappeared.  Then came back.  "No doing it to Callia Stark, her mommy Buffy, her husband Hylal, or their new spawn Sean Hjalmar."  He disappeared again.

The demon looked up.  "Buffy spawned again?" he asked.

"With that warrior guy," another demon called.  "He's a few days old and cranky.  She's even more cranky from the birth and not having sex for months.  Hylal seems pleased with him though.  Fourteen pounds and a few ounces.  Huge kid.  She'll never unstretch."

Arafit shook his head.  "That's what you get when you as an Asgardian to screw you, huge kids.  At least Alexander's future kids might be normal sized."  They all laughed.

"You didn't hear that they bound him to his consort?" the bartender called.  The whole room moaned.  "My cousin's near his temple.  There was a shitload of fits, people.  Then something happened and Gaia bound them together."  A few people paid off bets.  "They ended up having to mate and bond for real to save his consort's life.  So he's now the husband of the agent over the Avengers."

"Well, he helps them anyway," Arafit complained.

"Hold on, he married Coulson?" someone demanded.  The rest of the bar nodded.  "Why?"

"Gaia said so," the bartender said, staring at him.  "Why do you think it happened?"  That demon shuddered and slumped down.  "Yeah, exactly.  Alexander even took him home to his private home in the middle of nowhere a few times."  A few more bets got paid off.  They'd celebrate Xander's wedding later.

***

Fury walked up to where Maria Hill was waiting for him.  He sat across from her, turning on a shield around the table.  "Let's be honest."

"About what, sir?"  She sipped her lite beer.  He had called this meeting outside the office so no one could overhear.  She had picked the bar so it'd be safer because he didn't really frequent the local bars.

"I heard rumors of a light tether Dawn kept on them, to keep herself grounded.  Earlier proved it was a bit more."

"I'm not at liberty to talk about what happened when they were under mind control."

Fury grimaced.  "So that's how it didn't ruin her?"  She nodded.  "Which one?"

"She had one with Barton earlier.  A very light one from when she had the migraine and another few times when she showed him memories according to Tara."  She sipped her beer.  "They do have doors between them.  They can completely shut her out and she can do the same thing.  The vision today was apparently too important and they got caught."

"So it is all three?"  She nodded.  "Why?"

She put her beer aside and leaned on the table.  "They had them for over a month, sir.  They used VR and other methods."  He shuddered.  "Barton's initial report to Coulson said he thought it had been about four months."

"So they anchored her to sanity?"

"No, I think they created a bond to help her.  I think it was him and her since Agent Romanoff's not as tightly linked and some of the reports he's blacked out have mentioned that they didn't find her until later."

"So they were hitting all three," he said.  She nodded.  "Are they compromised?"

"Is love compromising?" she countered.  "That started before the bond and they discovered how terrific she was after that."  She grinned.  "Which I can agree with.  Dawn would make a proud little sister for me too, sir."

He nodded.  "So they side-stepped it that way."  She nodded.  "Anything you know?"

"She mentioned once that he has a great singing voice mentally and she tends to reach for music to distract her enough that she doesn't totally focus on anything.  Though, they were together before then."

"How together?"

"Casually before then."

"How deep did hers go?"

"They were going to use Barton to spar against until she killed him for the visions of what he would do to her if he won," she said, staring at him.  "Some of them got suppressed.  Some of them got removed by Lethe water thanks to Loki."  He blinked at that.  She smiled.  "She's like his mortal granddaughter.  That and it let him have some political points."

"I don't like him being with the president."

"Not much we can do until he enacts a greater plan."  She smirked.  "He'll never make president himself."

"That's good to know but he's probably working people around to liking his ideas."

"Probably but you try to talk to the President of Russia, sir."

"Good point, the man's more stubborn than Coulson."  He took her beer to sip.

"Sir, I'm not really into sharing bodily fluids with you," she said dryly.  He choked and shook his head.  "Tara would be most upset."

He looked at her.  "Tara's a good young woman."

"She is."

"What if she has to move?"

"I don't know, sir.  I know if you had stayed infected with those nanites they were going to move to the LA office."  He nodded once and finished her beer.  She smiled.  "Dawn's fairly normal.  She has to spar now and then to keep urges down from what I've seen and overheard.  They have it under control."

"Outside of her going to Romania?"

"Then they overpowered her.  He chased through Stark's generosity and got it solved."

"I heard."  He glanced around then at her.  "I'm aware of their legal status."

She smiled.  "Tara and I are following their lead this spring, sir.  Did you want an invitation?"

"No.  Then I can't deny it if someone asks."  He stared at her.  She smirked back. "Coulson?"

"What about him?"

"He's *borrowing* powers?"

She sighed and leaned her elbows on the table, leaning forward some.  "Callia Stark locked them in the depowering containment cell that Stark has," she said quietly.  "Which nearly killed them both through Alexander nearly losing cohesion permanently."  He shuddered.  "I'm told that Roque and John got them to Asgard to fix Alexander, which was why he wasn't at that battle, and somehow during it Phil got sucked into his elemental form."

"So immortal?  Roque said that."

"No comment."

He stared at her.  "He is?"

"No.  Comment."

"Why?"

She smiled.  "Because someone decided that someone else was overloaded and needed someone specifically to watch over heros."

Phil appeared, looking at her.  "Did Tara give you chatty drugs?"

"No, but she did make a fantastic lasagna."

"I found the leftovers," he said dryly.  He looked at his boss.  "I was named the Shield of SHIELD, sir."

Fury looked around.  "I need a beer for this."  He looked at him.  "So you're over the Avengers?"

"In many ways, and Alexander.  All the other protectors as well.  I had to use a lot of power calming him down now and then before the time flip."

Fury grimaced.  "How is that working out?"

"Sir, if you're sucked into someone's elemental state, whichever of you is stronger basically ends up pregnant with the other if you don't take a specific potion," he said bluntly.  "We were locked together for about ten minutes."  Fury slumped.  He smiled.  "But otherwise it's pretty fantastic.  Alexander's very good to me, sir.  He's fantastic in bed.  I can help him with his duties.  I'm going to be blocking this talk off by the way."

"I figured you would.  All those little blips?"

"I'm still learning.  I got the crash course from him and Ares, then the Egyptian pantheon."

"Were they nice?" Maria asked.

"Very nice.  A bit uptight about some things but very nice.  I had a lot of fun with Isis teaching me things, and Thoth too.  He was getting Xander calmed down.  They didn't go to that disastrous banquet."

Fury shook his head.  "So you're not protesting the marriage any longer?"

"I decided to make the best of it and learned that he's more than worthy of me.  He's done things that no one's ever realized and kept humanity safe for generations.  He's an amazing man, sir.  I learned I could love him and that was where I made my decision.  He left it up to me until we accidentally bonded that way."  He looked at Maria.  "By the way, that does change DNA.  I have my new one on your desk waiting for you to slip it into my file."

"I can do that," she agreed.  "You were carrying him?"

"An energy pregnancy basically means that he's trapped inside me.  They gave me a potion so we could separate.  Though there are ways of having sex that way."  She cackled and punched him on the arm.  He grinned at the boss.  "He's still an amazing man."

"He is," Fury decided.  "He sure as hell puts up with all my crackhead agents."

Phil smiled.  "Our first kiss before the time flip...."

"I don't need to know," Fury said.

"You do because someone's going to eventually look and ask why I was helping him free a few orphanages, church owned and not, from some drug runners in Mexico."

"I already got that call and denied all knowledge, Coulson."

"Thank you, sir."

"That was you?"

"Yes.  He was taking them out to create a distraction so they could move the children.  I had to bring him spare ammo and guns.  Then Dawn dropped some on us and left."

Fury moaned.  "Is she going to keep doing that?"

"No."

"Not unless she absolutely has to so her family is protected," Maria agreed.  "That's what the vision was, right?"

"Yes.  His mission turned into a sacrificial play to get the junior agents out of harm's way, and she went to save him, then they had the mother of all fights that ended up with them splitting.  It's been worked over and solved.  Barton's set down rules on how and when she is to come help if they're stranded and in desperate circumstances.  Romanoff's added to it."

"I saw the copies.  Can we block those?" Fury asked.

"We've got people looking into it, sir.  To be honest, that's what killed Cordelia Chase and we've had someone looking at it since before she died.  When it was noted that she was going to die of it."  Fury shuddered.  "None of us want that for Dawn, or Alexander."

"He does?" Maria asked.

"Saw him have one.  Scariest shit ever," Fury told her.  "He just stiffened and started to whimper like he was having nightmares."

"He has them about huge things like apocalypse battles," Phil said.

"I saw him have the one for Ragnarok."

"I saw that scroll.  He's had a few minor side visions about that."

"Anything block it?" Fury asked.

"He said heroin.  It blocks all powers."

"So we could have some people with true gifts out there strung out to keep them down," Maria said.  Phil nodded.  "Any idea how we'd search?"

"I ran a search through the systems for anyone who had empathic surges or anything like that.  I've found two and they've both since died of their addictions.  I did breach the subject with the clinic in Massachusetts.  They said they had someone like that and from his records they're right."  Fury nodded once.  "But we'll never get her straightened out."

"Quirker?" Maria asked.  Phil nodded.  "They kept saying she was hearing feelings."

"She is empathic.  I told him how Dawn spikes with that, attributing it to her magic, and she agreed that it was a similar pattern.  But again, totally gone now.  She's so far back in her head she'll never come out."

"Good to know for future notice," Fury decided.  "How far are they on it?"

"John Sheppard did some research into it due to an ex that was killed before they married.  He thinks those that train for strenuous problems, like warriors in a battle or those training hardcore for the olympics, don't get them as often.  That with the heroin thing that Xander said it gave them some new information earlier, plus his scan and Dawn's, which is only with the guy at Stark International that was helping his father with it anyway."

"Safe enough I suppose," he agreed.

"He had a crush on Dawn."

"Even better."  He played with the glass.  "That leaves me with a problem, Coulson."

"Sir, I'm over the Avengers in all meanings of the word.  If they need me on the ground, I'm there.  I don't have the skills to jump in like Thor does."

"That figures," he agreed.  "I'll leave you there.  You're good with them, even calm down Stark."

"I had to talk to him earlier about his bad habit of praying during sex, sir," he said blandly.  "Because unfocused ones hit me anyway."  Fury squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head.   "That was my feeling as well."  He smiled at Maria.

"She prays to Gaia."

"Yes, she does."  He gave her a pointed look.

"I'll start praying to Gaia."

He smiled.  "I can usually block it off but sometimes the stronger things come through."

"The trio hit you?"

"I had to go to Asgard with Xander to get away from them the last time they got into a playing mood," he said dryly.

"I.  Do.  Not.  Need.  To.  Know," Fury said bluntly.  "Especially about the trio.  Just that he's not hurting them and she's not doing anything to them to damage, compromise, or lead them astray."

"Not that I know of, sir, but the next time you're infested with something they're moving to the LA office and we'd have to figure out how to handle Maria and Tara's relationship and my visitation with the twins."

"That would give Dawn bikini time," Maria said dryly.

"I think that was why that one was mentioned.  Plus Stark's main office is there."

"Did we scan Barton and Romanoff earlier?" Fury asked.

"Yes, we did," Phil said.  "I made sure.  Stark's infirmary did a wonderful job treating them.  They're both healthy and had none of the effects beyond the migraine."  He looked up then at him.  "Dawn's is mostly gone so she'll probably be at work tomorrow.  Or they'll be talking about that situation."

Fury nodded.  "I warned the agents going to Belarus.  The head agent going complained that it looked like the rookie agents screwed up."

"Sir, the current class of rookies is bad," Maria said.  "Even I can't get them straightened out."

"I can pick out three that I want to keep training," Phil agreed.  "Two more might make it at the lesser, junior agent levels.  The rest I slightly feel sorry for their original agencies.  What about a video game?  The army does it for recruiting but something on the game system that uses your body as a controller?"

"That would help," she agreed.  "Put in mission profiles and let them handle them?"  Phil nodded.  "Watching old movies?" she guessed.

"Actually, yes."  He smiled back.  She laughed and nodded.  "Someone at Stark could probably make one within months."

"Stark needs a backup for the suit," she said.

"He knows.  He's hoping Callia wants it some day but right now she wants to turn it into an animal hospital when it's her turn in it."

"She'd make a great vet or zoologist," Maria agreed with a grin.

"I'm about to suggest that Andrew and Jonathan get some suit training.  They've both got the battle suits they built with Meers.  They could recalibrate it on the fly if necessary.  They might come up with improvements."

"No," Fury said.  "There's going to be a set playlist until Stark gets an heir that can and will take it over.  Until then, Iron Man and War Machine both devolve to O'Neill's control."  Phil stared at him.  "O'Neill, Sheppard, Mitchell, Lorne.  Carter if they must or Jackson.  I've already nagged the people it the Pentagon about it in case Colonel Rhodes gets injured.  He had three weeks of injury leave off for some reason."

"He tipped three filing cabinets on top of Dawn and bruised her ribs," Phil said bluntly.  "She got up once she got free and kicked him around until she got pulled off him and reminded that she was sore, sir."

Fury smiled.  "She's plucky, I like that.  If something happens and she has to leave Stark, she's coming to SHIELD as an assistant in the labs."

"I think if something happens at Stark International, she'll be running from the US again," Maria said.

"Probably," Phil agreed.  "She has two fairly known about fallbacks and a few that we had to search for weeks to find.  She makes me incredibly proud, even if Joyce wasn't sure why she found weapons in their bedroom."

"I have some too," Maria said.  "Tara got nervous but we came to a compromise."

"I had one in mine and a few other places.  The twins weren't able to get into them then."

"They can't now.  I have them in quick-draw holsters but they're too heavy for them.  No matter how much Melissa really wants the one under the coffee table."  He smiled at her.  "I know, but she likes to help me clean it and John likes to help me clean the shotguns."  She shrugged.

Fury shook his head.  "Make sure they can't hurt themselves.  I'd hate to see them harmed, Agent Hill."

"I do, sir."

"Good."  He looked at Coulson.  "Are you two going to be adopting or using Roque's mother?"

"Not this century."

"Good.  That would be a bit strange."

"We nearly had a male pregnancy in the white house, sir."

"I remember.   Really, I remember."  He looked around.  "Create a beer?"

"That's disrespecting the local establishment," Phil said.  He smirked.  "Sorry, sir."

"Whatever.  Anything else I should have been briefed on but wasn't for security and other reasons?"

"Xander's willing to take the agents in for longer and train them properly if we find people to help him with that."

"That might help but we still need good recruits," Hill said.  "I heard about you duct taping someone's mouth shut and Barton nearly did the same thing when he had them running surveillance exercises."

"There's a place for chatty agents," Phil said.  "PR and other areas."  She smirked meanly.  He grinned back.  "We could use them there.  Especially if they go ahead with that movie."

"I saw the film they've shot for the first one and it's amazing," Maria told him.

"Is that the one with Stark or the one with Barton and Romanoff?" Fury asked.

"Them.  It's very good so far.  That new casting is great.  The one they had cast for Romanoff is now playing me and she's good.  I'm a bit more slinky in the movie but I still kick butt.  The one they got for Romanoff's part oozes sex appeal and can still kick butt.  It's a very strong girl power message."

"Stark was saying he wanted to go to the premiere."

"Of course he does," Fury said dryly.  "Are they no longer using classified files?"

"They've changed locations, names, and reasons.  The rest... it's pretty spot on."  Fury groaned.  "It's really good.  I had Andrew hack."  Fury smirked.  "I'll show you and the team tomorrow if everyone's awake and aware."

"They should be.  One wanted to do one with Dawn," Coulson said.  "Stark had to put his foot down.  They cut her totally out of the Iron Man movies.  Her and Callia."  Maria sighed in pleasure.  "They might show up later as minor parts but no."

"Good.  That's very protective of him."

Fury shook his head.  "I still don't like it."

"We might get some really good recruits," Phil offered.

"That might salve the wounds a bit," he said dryly.  "I'm already getting joking emails from the head of the CIA."  He got up and took his shield device with him.

Phil smiled at her.  "Give you a lift home?"

"Please."  She paid her bar tab and Phil took her from outside to the apartment building.  He went to his, she went to hers, and her nice, warm, snuggling witch.  It was a good thing.

***

Fury walked into his safehouse and let made sure everything was locked up.  He made sure the anti-listening device technology was active.  He made sure that everything was set up so he was safe.  Then he let loose with a vile string of curses for over an hour.

This was not what he had in mind with the Avengers but he'd have to learn to live with it and move on.

He just needed to clear his system.

***

O'Neill was the last to the meeting at the diner in the middle of nowhere for pie.  He nodded at Fury and frowned at the other guy there.  "What's this?" he asked, sliding into his chair.

"This is the fact that I pulled rank," Fury said.  "Because I needed to get something that's too damn important out of political hands."

O'Neill snorted.  "Can you do the same for Atlantis and our gate?"

"Granted," Fury said, handing over a folder.  "You're now part of SHIELD."

O'Neill stared.  "Excuse me?"

Fury smirked.  "You do protect the world, O'Neill.  Politics was getting in the way of that.  The president and I talked.  Then he called in the Joint Chiefs and chewed on them for over an hour about the political bullshit."  O'Neill grinned.  "A flying city goes well with my flying hell carrier."

"That's cool," O'Neill said, looking over the new orders.  "So what's with the Lieutenant Colonel I don't know?"

"Lt. Colonel Rhodes, sir."

O'Neill stared at him.  "You use the other suit."

"I do."  He grinned.  "I was also mentioned during that talk."

"Also under SHIELD now," Fury agreed.  "Though under you officially.  As for the suits."  He leaned on the table.  "They stay where they are.  If they are injured, the replacement list is you, Mitchell, Sheppard, Lorne, Patricks or Dannison, Carter or Jackson.  McKay is taking over the duties for War Machine's upkeep and maintenance."

"Is he moving to Atlantis?"

"No.  He's working out of Stark whenever he gets bored," Fury said dryly.  "We have him logged in more there than we do going out for coffee."

"He's found geeks of his level that tinker," Xander said as he appeared.  He grinned.  "Slight issues."  Fury winced.  "John can't use the suit.  The arc reactor doesn't react well to godly issues."

"That's good to know," O'Neill said.  "Sit, Xander."  He pulled over a chair and sat.  "He'll pout about that."

"He's going to do the wing spell during the next battle and fly it."  He grinned.  "Stark and McKay are working on that problem but even immortality would crank it sideways."

"That's very good to know," Rhodes said.  "Any other ideas of the replacement list?"

"Mini Jack?" Xander said, looking at O'Neill.

"He's going on the list," he agreed.

"Huh?" Fury asked.

"The little alien Asgard Loki made me a clone."  He grinned.  "He's twenty."

"Damn, I could use that.  The goo clones were good but Dawn got by one with a 'do I look fat' comment."

Xander looked at him.  "Phil told me."  Fury shrugged.  "You use him and I'm going to make sure it changes hands."

"I understand."

"Good."  He smiled.

"Why are you so protective over the geek Coulson?" Rhodey asked.

"Gaia made them marry," O'Neill said.  "He's now Xander Harris-Coulson or some shit."

"Something like that," Xander agreed.

Rhodey stared.  "Does Stark know?"

"Yeah."  He grinned.  "Everyone but you knew it for months now."

"Oh.  Great."

"Also," Xander told Jack.  "That means you're not stuck with just Air Force or Marines."

"Clay's going in the suit," he said.

"Pooch would probably be a better choice," Xander said.  "But...  I'm not sure how it'd react to Jensen."

"That's a scary geek," Rhodey quipped.

"We're all scary, Rhodey," Xander quipped back.  He looked at Fury.  "Test Jonathan and Andrew's battle suits for the regular troops or as training suits."

"I can do that," Fury agreed.  "I wanted to look at them."

"Warren's is nicely free," Xander quipped.  "Probably the more engineered version.  The other two were customized toward what they were good at."

Fury pulled out his phone to text Coulson.  "He can talk to them."

"The geeks that went after that senator for Dawn?" Rhodey asked.  Xander grinned and nodded.  "They're not strong enough for battles."

"They were at graduation, Rhodey."  He slumped and stared at him.  Xander nodded.  "I let them lead a corner."

"Damn."

"Plus, Andrew's now married."  He grinned.

"He managed to talk to a girl?" O'Neill asked.

"Yeah.  She talked to him and they found a niche together.  Dawn had to tell him what a prenup was.  Stark had to give sex advice, but they're happy.  Jonathan's good with his girlfriend too."

"Huh," O'Neill said.  "Sheppard said it'd happen sometime in the near future.  Guess he was right."

Xander smiled.  "They're both some of mine."

Phil walked in and sat down, looking at Rhodey.  "Someone has been screwing with your suit," he said quietly.  "McKay just found a self-destruct and takeover module so you'd be incapable of controlling the suit yourself until you blew up."

"Who?" he demanded.

"Hammer it appears."  He handed his boss the files.  "What we've found so far.  Whoever was assigned to watch over him dropped the ball a few times.  Hammer managed to get hands-on time with the suit due to bribes.  I've already told the Joint Chiefs and they were livid, sir.  One was taken out by ambulance because he was having what might have been a stroke or a severe blood pressure spike."

"Good to know," Fury said, handing it back.  "Barton, Romanoff, take the two mini geeks at Stark with you to bust him.  They can handle anything Agent Romanoff can't."

"Yes, sir."  He got up and looked at Rhodey.  "Sheppard's pouting that he can't try out your suit.  McKay promised he'd fix the arc reactor problem.  So if you're too injured by dropping filing cabinets again, you're covered."  He left.

Xander grinned at him.  "You're lucky he was there instead of me, Rhodey."

"She still tried really hard to kick my butt."

"She had bruised ribs and you went on three week leave," O'Neill said.  "I think she pretty well did kick your ass, Rhodes.  Which means you get sparring time with our warriors."  He smiled.  "Teal'c and Ronon really want to help you train and Teyla wants to look at the suit.  So does Ronon but he's not sure if it'd work for his alien physiology."

"Stark let him admire the portable one," Xander said.  "He thinks it's a great thing and wants to take one back to finish off the wraith."  He looked at Fury.  "Did you share that folder of threats Jackson got from the spores?"

"No.  It's in my filing cabinet."  He texted Maria, who pulled it so Xander could grab it and bring it back.  He handed it over.  "He had Jackson talk to some spores that showed up on the super silver metal."

"Great, threats from beyond our galaxy," O'Neill said, looking through them.  "They do what?"

Xander looked then at him.  "They think 'no' is a flirt.  They agree to be shot if they violate any taboos."  He pointed.  "That one's closest.  You're the only one with space capabilities."

O'Neill looked at Fury.  "No wonder we got moved under SHIELD."

"Hell yes, and I'm taking some of your people for agents.  We have bad rookies this time."

"I like Phil's answer of PR and the more open agents.  Nothing undercover but you've had to have agents calm down people and all that.  Your spokesagent and all those sort of issues."

Fury nodded.  "I like that too and a few are well spoken.  They never shut up but they're well spoken."  O'Neill laughed.  "Seriously.  Coulson had to duct tape one for humming."

"So an upper, more noticed level," Rhodey said.  "With an underground MIB-like unit without the cool weapons?"  Xander nodded.  "That's not a bad idea anyway.  The team's well known so people will associate but you have agents that go undercover.  They've got to be less well known.  You can run them from the hell carrier and then the others from the HQ buildings."

"Run the undercover people from somewhere else," Xander corrected.  "The hell carrier's known about now.  They noticed it heading for the Sunnydale battle."

"I didn't hear that."

Fury nodded.  "It was.  I can arrange that.  The new HQ can have other levels that no one can get to without access to the more classified areas."

"Stark's going to be redesigning his tower to house the Avengers team for meetings, training, all that," Xander said.  Fury smirked.  "That way he doesn't have to leave the lab for as long but it's also practical and keeps them out of the way of hell from politics and other problems."

"It does," he agreed.  "When is he doing that?"

"He's redoing one floor into the gym and meeting areas.  It goes well with the building they all live in."

"It does," Fury agreed.

"That was slick," O'Neill agreed.

"Dawn was going to do it for her and Steve, maybe Coulson, Tara, and the twins.  Stark took it over."

"Huh," he agreed.  "I've heard rumors he was going to build a second tower?"

"Next to the other one or across the street.  That one's going to be more public.  Shops, all that to make the payments on it, but also probably where the Avengers can meet and train."  That got a nod from Fury.  "He's still deciding which way he likes best from what he was swearing about earlier."

"That could help," Fury agreed, sending him a text to talk to him about that, because he liked that idea.  It got some attention off SHIELD.  He put his phone up, looking at O'Neill.  "Will that work for you?"

"I need a few things fixed."

"Tell me."

O'Neill pulled out that folder to go over a few things.

***

O'Neill faced off with all his people, from Atlantis and the main base, including Clay's team.  "People."  They came to attention.  He stood on the chair so they could all see him.  "We have a change of status as of this morning.  We are now no longer under military control.  Now we are under SHIELD's authority.  For us not much will change."  He looked around.  "Except that nothing's going to be that uptight."  He smiled.  "The few changes will mostly be minor.  The first is that we now can draw from agents and other military branches.

"So if you know someone who should be one of us, you submit a name or a dossier for me to look over.  This week for the first wave.  We can add on about fifty people if we need to."  That got a few smiles.  "Second, the UCMJ is still in effect, but SHIELD's bylaws play merry hell with a few of those.  I want them to be read today and understood.  The one about fraternization is not in effect for us because I know we have a few married couples."  That got a few nods.  "Thirdly, Director Fury has enacted a plan to take some other critical projects from the government.  Including the War Machine one."

"Yes!" Radek said happily.

O'Neill smiled at him.  "I love a happy geek.  The rotating order for injuries for either War Machine or Stark's Iron Man, and this is only in case of emergencies or they're critically injured and can not serve, is Mitchell, Lorne, Dennison, Carter, Jackson, Jon Carter-O'Neill, Clay, Jensen, Pooch."  He looked around.  "I would have put in Sheppard but he has a biological reaction to the arc reactor.  So if our geeks need to help with that, you are to help with that.  That project is solely under Doctors Zelenka and McKay.  Those of you on the list, you have sim time to log in each month now.  Clay, you can travel to do yours?"

"I can.  Why me?"

"It takes tactical thinking and other abilities more than flying ones," Rhodey said from his spot, grinning at him.  "Xander nominated you."

"I'll thank him later," he said dryly.  "Why me before Pooch?  He can fly better."

"He can't fight better and I'm thinking of making it a list based on which machine you'd get along best with.  I can see you being War Machine if you must instead of Iron Man.  That's a more physical fighting style than Stark's."  That got a nod.  "Most of them are pilots, but you can handle that training I'm sure."

"I can, sir."

"Good."  He smirked.  "Any other teams like yours?"

"I can have their dossiers on your desk today thanks to Jensen."

"Good."  He looked around.  "Any questions?"

"Field uniforms changing, sir?" John asked.

"No.  You are still military people, just now subcontracted to SHIELD.  So standard issue uniforms are in effect.  Sheppard, your people have different ones."

"Half of us moved back to fatigues.  Some of us would prefer the other one.  Most of the geeks like the Atlantis ones, sir."

"I can see that.  It lets them get down to t-shirts and all that.  We'll arrange that."  Sheppard nodded.  "Carter."  She stiffened.  "Look at their body armor systems to see if we can use it here.  Also, thanks to Daniel going Ascended again, we have heard about a few more farther threats to this planet.  It is assumed one will be here within a century.  Sheppard, Mitchell, Lorne, Clay, you're on the team to find responses to them.  The file is on my desk."  They nodded. "I want a full response protocol for them.  Also, make one for anyone else we might run into.  Before we make more enemies."  He looked around.  "Any other questions?"

One of the other pilots raised his hand.  "Can other pilots test into the list for the two suits, sir?"

"Yes.  The training to test for it is going through Alexander's, then two good sim tests to be judged.  Because it takes phenomenal stamina."

"The motors do the moving but you're still lifting about fifty pounds per leg each step," Rhodey agreed.  "Swinging your arms is the same way.  Just like when you have automatic steering you still have to turn hard sometimes."  The pilots nodded.  "I will caution you that the battle suit will wear you out.  If you are the least bit claustrophobic don't even think about it.  It's very tight fighting and to adjust the size too much we'll have to move some wiring.

"Also, it is computer based.  You don't have the AI in mine like you do in Stark's.  It has a minor one but nothing beyond targeting and flying help, people.  It takes tactical sense because you only have so much power and so many weapons.  Without them, you're in a shitload of pain when they attack."  That got a mass nod.  "Clay, we'll arrange things for your bigger frame."

"Thanks," he said dryly.  "So heavier than a pack while jogging on each leg?"

"The full suit weighs close to three hundred pounds fully loaded with weapons.  Just under two hundred without.  And if you guys want to make me more compact, less energy eating weapons, please do."  He smiled.  "I'll give those on the list a chance to get handsy with mine so you can make sure you can fit comfortably in the suit.   Then those that think they can will do sim training."

"Sounds reasonable," O'Neill agreed.  "McKay, the suit now has B-2512 as it's storage and work area.  It's a large enough room that if you have to you can pull apart a section and rewire it or work on weapons.  It is not to get out of that room unless someone is in it."  They all nodded.  "Good."  He clapped his hands.  "Any other questions?"  They shook their heads.  "Then dismissed."  They left after a group salute.  He got off the chair and walked over to Clay's team.  "I think you three will have the best chance.  Cougar, I would've included you but I didn't think sniper training is going to be the best effect.  Maybe the geek's battle robots but I'm not sure."

"They are sweet," Jensen agreed.  "I talked with Jonathan and looked them over for a computer link up he wanted to add in.  They're very anime style but they're good suits for training and lesser combat modes.  Flying is weaker so they'd be ground pounding type, sir."

"That works for me," O'Neill agreed.  "We're looking them over soon."  That got a nod.  "Clay, as a warning, I was told a godhood interfered with the arc reactor technology."

"I'll warn Roque of that, sir."

"Good.  Get me those names.  You're the best poach I've ever had."  He walked off happier.

Clay looked at his team.  "Jensen, pull up the files on Ditcher's team, Mildred's team, and Sofan."  He nodded, walking off pulling them up on Stark's trial tablet.  "Let's go look at your weapons-heavy tin can, Colonel."

"Works for me," he agreed.  "There's been nights I couldn't sleep that I ended up shining him."  He led the future users down there to look it over.

Pooch looked it over, opening the suit to look at it.  "That's a tiny space."

"It is," Rhodey agreed.  "Could be tighter though.  Stark's a bit tinier than I am and it was built for him.  We managed to push some things back."

Clay looked and then at him.  "Emergency release in case of issues?"  Rhodey pointed.  "That's not a bad spot.  Right near your arm if you can move."  He shivered and looked around.  "What do you want, Loki?"

Loki appeared, smirking evilly.  "I bring glad tidings."  He stared at him.  "Did you think it only happened once?"

"Shit but I'll handle it later," he muttered.

Pooch looked at him.  "I noticed," he said dryly.  "How many times a year do yellow furs go into heat?" he asked the god.

"Four.  You whelp in just under four months.  Fifteen weeks if I remember right."  He beamed.  "Also, the president said that you're much too strange and your final posting is here, Colonel.  He does not want to even hear Jensen's name again."

Clay looked at his tech support guy.  "What did you do this time?"

"I ordered him a dildo because his husband was scowling all the time."  He smiled.  "I used his ex-wife's account that she had hidden during the divorce proceedings."

Loki laughed.  "You did."  He smirked.  "Also...  You might think about your training at Xander's."  He disappeared.

"I can make it over the obstacle course in regulation time," he quipped.  He looked at the suit then at Clay.  "When do I get to build myself a backpack system of weapons for when I'm flying around?"

"You don't."

"He can fly?" Rhodey asked.

Jensen changed and hovered, smirking at him.  "Yes, I can."

"That's really weird," he decided.  Pooch changed down and he stared.  "So that's whatever the yellow fur thing is?"  Pooch nodded, then glared at Clay.

"Going," he promised.  He called in using his comm.  "General, Clay.  Loki just showed up to tell me I'm in heat thanks to Roque's mother.  Permission to go off base before the ones on base decide to help me with that?"  He smirked at the 'get out of here before I have to see the orgy' response.  "Thank you, sir."  He looked around.  "Roque, your mother created a permanent condition."  Roque appeared and took him off.

"Roque's mom is a fertility goddess," Jensen quipped.  "She wants grandkids very badly."  He changed back, sitting on the edge of a table to look at Pooch.  "You have knots.  No visit from Jolene?"  He turned back to glare at him.  He grinned.  Radek walked in.  "Hey, Radek."

"Jensen.  Where is other loud colonel?"

"In heat thanks to his husband's mom," Jensen said dryly.  Radek stared at him.  "Yellow furs go as a pack, Radek, not a single one.  He's hiding."

"Must be good idea because that is clearly bad thought to have if one is single," he decided, cracking Cougar up.  "Colonel, let us start with weapons and any needed repairs.  Do you have damage information on the weapons?"

"Not really.  We weren't going to waste any for tests."

"We can waste a single one because I'm fantastic enough to build you better ones," McKay said as he walked in with his new cup of coffee.  "For future reference, Rhodes, do not wear citrus or peanut based aftershaves around me.  I am highly allergic and can die from it, which means you get no new weapons."

"I heard you had an allergy so I didn't wear any today, Doc.  Is there a list?"

"Yes, the infirmary has it," Pooch said.  "Doctor Janet did it before she retired."

"I can look at that.  You think you can make me new weapons?"

"I suppose I can," he said dryly.  "Since I tinker with Stark now and then, if I can't we can together."  He smirked.

"He and I aren't as close as we used to be, Doc."

"I know.  Then again, his daughter will kick you on the ankle and make you sorry for that.  She did Radek one day for picking on her geeks."

"I want kids like her some day," Jensen said with a grin.

"You are a kid like her," Pooch assured him, getting swatted back.  "Some day you'll grow up and like animals like she does.  Maybe flowers and penguins too."

Jensen changed into his full form, staring down at him.  "I think I'm already pretty grown up, Pooch.  You're not this big."  He smirked and curled around him and Cougar.  Cougar got free but Pooch was caught.  He couldn't even change because it would probably crush him.  "Problems?"

"J, c'mon," Pooch complained.  "I'll tell Clay."

Jensen lapped him then grinned.  "He's a bit busy for the next three days."

Radek looked at him.  "Down, Jensen.  You are magnificent in many ways but still young enough to be playful.  We must find you good woman."  He patted the dragon on the side.  "One who will oil and brush you."  Jensen changed back to hug him.  "Thank you.  Go do tech things."  Jensen skipped off.

"You guys are insane," Rhodey said.

"That's why they named the team the Losers," Rodney quipped back.  Pooch nodded that was true, wiping off his face.

"We were more sane before finding out about Sunnydale and then Pegasus," Cougar said.

"Don't remind me," Rodney ordered.  "I remember being much more sane before Pegasus."

Radek nodded.  "We all were."

***

Stark walked into the meeting room.  "Add me onto the meeting schedule, Dawn."

"Already done," she quipped.

He looked at her, tipping her chin up.  "Still got the headache?"  She nodded.  "Didn't I tell you to take today off?"

"I am after this."

"Good."  He smirked as he sat down.  "All right, what's up?"

Maria Hill turned on the footage she had.  "I had Andrew hack."

"They probably know," Tony told her.  "They're all comic geeks too."  They watched, mostly glancing at Natasha and Clint.

"She is very much like I was when I was younger," Natasha admitted.  "Your ex is good, Stark."

"Thank you.  I have another one that's going to play Pepper."  He grinned.

Barton nodded.  "They have me pretty down pat."  He leaned on the meeting table.  "Can we hide from this?"

"Yes," Maria said with a smile.  "You can.  We're going to be restructuring a bit once we get the new building ready."

"Which is partially my doing," Tony told them.  They all stared at him.  He tossed the USB stick at Dawn, who inserted it and pulled up the plans for him.  "This is going in across the street from Stark Tower.  There'll be a connecting bridge here," he said, getting up to point.  "From this level to this level," he said, pulling them out.  "Are Avenger training, meeting, and hanging out areas.  Bruce, you still have your lab in the old building but this is going to be more for the public from here down," he said with a motion that highlighted those sections.  "One up, Dawn."

"One down, Boss.  That's rentable formal space for Stark announcements and balls.  You had to cut it down by two floors due to zoning."

"Oh, yeah."  He nodded.  "Okay, so from here down is open to the public, including a new café I hope."  They all smirked at him for that.  "Here is rentable offices and things, and our new Stark ballroom space for parties so they're not at my house.  Then Avenger only space and the top floor is going to remain empty in case we have to store things like weapons or anything."  He looked at them.  "Notice the landing pad on top, Barton.  It's for a Quinjet and a chopper."  He smirked and nodded.  "Anything you can see that I haven't thought of?"

"Will these gyms and things be open all day and night?" Steve asked.

"Yes.  It'll take a pass to get onto those floors, same pass to get into the main building but it'll only answer to Avenger members.  No geeks coming up to bug people unless they're escorted and that stuff."  Natasha smiled.  "I know, they've been asking you if you wanted better weapons and bothering your training time.  Sorry.  They're geeks and you're hot."  He looked around.  "I had plans of a large training area on one floor, and range, Barton and Romanoff, but otherwise it's all a lounge to hang out in or host team dinners at.  All that stuff."

"That will work for me," Natasha agreed.  "The building is only ten blocks from there."  Steve nodded.  He smiled at her.  "Dawn's pass?"

"Yeah, she and Pepper are the exceptions because they do half of everything outside the R&D labs, and Dawn does a tenth of the R&D labs because she nags us all."  She snickered quietly.  "I'm also putting up three shielded, quiet rooms in case they're needed."  He looked around.  "For stress naps, headaches, need to get away because of battle nerves, that stuff."  They all smiled at that.  "Callia will only be allowed over if she asks, and we grant her permission."

"That'll work since she's been staring at sparring practice," Clint said.

"I know.  We had an incident recently."  Natasha stiffened. "It's not your fault.  You had no idea that the old nanny had been fired because she was trying to force Callia to wear out her powers.  If anyone else in the family had seen her, they would've had security escort her out.  Now you know and next time you can kick their asses."

Dawn nodded.  "I sure will be."

"They did what?" Bruce asked.

"Remember Gertrude and Brittney?"

He nodded.  "The last nannies.  They left."

"They got fired," Dawn said dryly with an evil smirk.  "They were trying to make Callia's powers dry up by making her overuse them to attack them so she'd be more godly."  He shuddered and shrank down some.  "So we had a talk and I had a yell at Gertrude."

"She did, impressed the hell out of me," Tony agreed.  "I had one after her."

"I even put it in 'if your God doesn't make mistakes and she was born this way, don't you think there might be a reason' language for their little minds," Dawn finished.

Stark nodded, sipping his water.  "She did and I was proud of it."

"So that's why no parties near the house," Steve said.

"That and Callia's old enough to want to be up later and see things that happen at parties.  It's better if I have them somewhere else so she doesn't have to see it.  I was thinking about making the offices a hotel chain and renting business suites out because I more than most know what goes on at my parties."

"Not a bad idea but there's a ton of hotels near there, boss," Dawn said.

"I know, which is why I'm still considering it.  I almost considered a casino but it's too much paperwork for that level of profit."

"And Pepper would kill you," Steve quipped with a grin.

"That too."  They all smiled at him.  "So, any changes?"

"We'll have to see the plans for the gym and the range but for now it looks like adequate space," Natasha said.

"Why are we moving us?" Clint asked, leaning back to get comfortable.

"Because that," he said, pointing at the screen with the movie footage waiting to replay, "will draw too much notice.  We already draw notice to SHIELD, who wants to be anonymous.  So they'll have the hidden levels of agents, those who go undercover and things," he said with a nod to Clint and Natasha.  "They'll have us off site so we draw attention away.  Then they'll have the more open agents who handle the little things that the public might see."

"There's a whole rookie training class that can go there," Dawn quipped.

"There is," Natasha agreed.  "That does solve their placement and the problems of being SHIELD agents out and about."

"So we're an external decoy," Clint said.  "We'll have an internal decoy in the new building of the more open agents doing more public relations and other open things work, and then we'll have the real agents doing the harder things."

"The more public ones will also probably be sent to battles," Steve said.  "To back us up."

"That would save someone catching sight of an agent on film," Natasha said.  "Which could compromise them."  Tony smiled and nodded.  "Interesting strategy."  She looked at Dawn, who shook her head and pointed at Tony.

"It means no more press people camped on the doorstep of HQ," Steve said.  "The press would draw attention to the new shops and we'd probably have a few entrances, right?"  Tony nodded.  "Then that might work for me."

"If we get it up in time and I let them put in a movie theater, I can even host all the openings for the Avenger related movies," Stark said with a wicked smirk.  "So you guys could sneak in and see them from some hidden door."

"I nearly used the choker to go to one the other day," Dawn admitted.  "They would not leave me alone.  Everyone wanted to know why I wanted to go see the hotty guys in cars instead of a girly movie."

Clint laughed.  "I managed to mostly sneak in.  Only one girl recognized me in the lobby when I took off my sunglasses."

Natasha shook her head.  "I had my hair pulled back and under a ball cap, plus I was dressed down."

"I looked almost sloppy," Dawn told her.  "They still figured out who I was.  Then I got criticized for being so sloppy and for going to that movie instead of a girly movie."

Natasha looked at her.  "That nagging reporter is back?"

"Yeah, she is."  She looked at Tony.  "What's the Stark policy on sending letter bombs?"

"Don't," he said with a smile.

"Natasha, what's the SHIELD policy in case I want to follow that one instead?"

"It's highly unprofessional unless you're sure of the target and only they can get it.  It's considered a last resort if a sniper can't get a shot."

"So, boss," Dawn said.

"No," he said.

"Fine."

"Even if Pepper does want to do the same thing because she called her fat."

"She's letting people see the baby bump later."  Tony groaned and sat down, shaking his head.  "She said she had to, nothing fit."

"Clearly."  He looked at the group.  "Anything I need to handle?"

"I heard rumors of a backup list?" Steve asked.

"O'Neill's people were put under SHIELD," Coulson said as he appeared.  "Yes, he knows."  They groaned.  "We had a talk last night."  He looked at Clint then shrugged.  "About that as well."

"Thanks for the warning," he said dryly.

"He'll use it to monitor you when you have to be off-comm."  He sat down.  "We integrated the SGC and Lt. Colonel Rhodes earlier.  There is a backup list from the SGC in case Stark or Rhodes gets too injured."

"John will love that," Dawn said.

"Can't.  Godhood against the arc reactor," he told her.  "Xander told us that."  She nodded.  "There was a quip about him using the wing spell next time."

"So we have SGC people doing simulations in case someone needs to take over the suit," Clint said.  Tony nodded.  "Are you good with that?"

"No.  It's practical in case I get too injured though.  I've had a few close calls."

Clint nodded.  "Okay.  Who is on the list?"

"Mitchell, O'Neill himself, Evan Lorne," Phil said.  "A few of Clay's team.  Anyone who wants in it has to pass training at Xander's to make sure you have the stamina to use the suit properly and then sim work."

Clint nodded.  "Not a bad idea."  Natasha nodded too.

"I haven't met some of them and I'd like to," Steve said.  "I've met Colonel Clay and Jensen from his team.  The others?"

"You've met Evan Lorne," Dawn said.  "He's the quiet second-in-command under John, Steve."

"Oh, him.  I'm told he's a gifted pilot and good on ground offenses."

"He is," Dawn said with a smile.  She pulled up things from her private computer at home.  "This is from when we were up there."  He read over the journal entries.

"Did Fury ever get his infirmary module back?" Tony asked.

"Yeah, boss.  When they landed it got flown back."  She smiled.

"Good."

"What?" Clint asked.

"We were shot at on the hell carrier," Tony said.  "There was a plot to get us and the SGC down right before the invasion.  You were in Arizona I think.  The hell carrier got hit with a beam of some sort.  Willow fought it back.  Xander showed he had broken out in godly powers by taking the infirmary module with the whole Sunnydale team to his half-brother's city in Pegasus."

"His migraine lasted for over a month," Dawn said dryly.  Phil shuddered.  "Saw that?"

"Yes, I did.  John got very upset at his brother passing out at his feet."

"Yes he did.  We spent three and a half months on Atlantis.  They did Mom's first tumor surgery up there.  Her meds were in with us thankfully.  Tara and I babied some of the soldiers while Mom did her thing with the ones that had battle burn out so bad.  I did John's paperwork and made up forms for him so it was easier and he only had to photocopy and paste.  That's when he got confirmed to his job, when he woke up."

"There were a few attempted assaults," Phil said.  "She mostly stayed in the armory to reload and recharge weapons."

Dawn nodded.  "Or in the infirmary to help bandage small things.  Buffy was waddling by the time we got back.  They saw Xander get up with a migraine and use his battle axe on a few people trying to invade."

"Damn," Clint said.  "How was Pegasus?"

"Brutally beautiful, like Sunnydale was."  She smiled slightly.  "We had just left Sunnydale thanks to the NID and their shit.  They had tried to burn Tara in the store because she fought back.  Buffy was knocked up by them.  Mom was in the hospital.  Xander was livid for months on end.  Spike and I hung out a bit in LA for my stress reilef time."

Phil nodded.  "I still don't like Spike."

She leaned over to kiss him on the cheek.  "Yay, big brother."  He smirked at her.

Clint shook his head.  "Things were insane while we were off on assignment."

"Yes, they were," Coulson agreed.  "I would have brought her further to the Arizona site but I didn't want her in more danger and by then she had Pepper helping her too.  She taught Thor to play checkers."  Thor smiled and nodded.  "Hangover?"

"Headache for other reasons."

Dawn got up to touch his head, then looked in his hair.  She plucked out a piece of glass.  "Getting hit with a beer bottle does that, Thor."  He groaned.  She smiled and plucked out some more.  "Mom, I need some tweezers please," she called.  They were in a sealed room.  "Thor got hit in the head with a beer bottle last night."  Joyce brought in a tray.  "Thanks, Mom."  She and Joyce picked the glass out.

Thor looked at them when they were done.  "Thank you.  Much more gentle than the Valkyries would do.  Alana would also nag."

Joyce patted him with a smile.  "Quit going to the rough bars, Thor.  It's not good for you.  You get injured and then Xander has to go beat up on them for you."

"I knew not that he was."

"He will once he hears you got hit on the head," Dawn said dryly.

"Perhaps."  She sat down and Joyce took the glass and tray with her.  He stretched.

"Thor, after this meeting, go to the infirmary to make sure none's under your skin," Maria said.  "That way we can document the fight."  He grimaced but nodded.  She looked at Stark.  "The infirmary?  Our doctors are jealous that yours is preferred."

"Dr. Pigalli is a lot nicer," Dawn quipped.  "She's not handsy, she doesn't try to ask me how my ovaries are doing.  She can fill in for the little things like birth control shots."

"What is this birth control?" Thor asked.

"It's to make sure women don't get pregnant until they want to," she said.

"That could be helpful in some of the villages."

"I introduced some of the women to condoms when they got into my stuff at the temple," she said dryly.  He shook his head.

"Xander said they didn't use them," Phil told her.  "Too modern of tech for most of Asgard."

"There was contraceptive back in ancient Egypt according to the History Channel.  Even if it was smooth pebbles and crocodile dung."

"Eww," Steve said.

"Yeah, basically," she said.  "Some of the middle ages herby stuff too."

Tony looked down.  "Where did you see that?"

"They have a week-long series on sex through the ages."  She smiled.  "It went over a lot of things, including when the nuns were considered prostitutes for the church and clergy hired hookers all the time.  Why potatoes were nearly banned in some places after being carved specifically for use."  Tony shook his head with a groan.  "They have some really neat stuff.  Including a shooting competition show that's really good.  They go over the various weapons they switch to each week and all that."

"I saw that," Clint said with a smile.  "It's not bad.  It's the only reality tv I can stand."

"Iron chef," she reminded him.

"Oh, yeah, but that's kinda tilted, Dawn."

"Yeah, it is.  You know, Alton Brown had an ep where he mocked that."

He smirked.  "I saw that one in your collection, yes."

"Can't you guys watch normal shows?" Tony asked.

Steve laughed.  "I'm sure they do but you watch Deadliest Warrior, Tony."

"I do, yeah.  Some of those guys would not last in modern warfare."

"No they wouldn't," Phil agreed.

"So you watch more than Super Nanny?" Tony taunted.

"Often."  He smirked back.  "Xander has a very varied taste and he's introduced me to things that are very different."

"Hentai, huh?" Dawn joked with a grin for him.  "I babysat that collection for a few weeks too."

Phil swatted her.  "No, thank you anyway.  I did not need that sort of stimulation."

"Why does it always devolve to sex talk?" Maria complained.

"That's usually his line," Tony said with a point at Phil.

"I hear plenty, thank you."

Bruce shook his head.  "Glad I don't live there.  Don't we have soundproofing, Tony?"

"They do and it's rated very highly.  It takes a near scream to get through unless something's open."  He pointed at Dawn.  Dawn was blushing.  So was Maria even though she wasn't the loud one.

"SHIELD agents are trained for silence," Coulson quipped.  "That's how we know Dawn never will be one."  She hit him on the arm.  "Weak, Dawn."  She added power to it and he yelped.  "What was that?"

She smiled.  "Something Clint taught me."  She got up.  "Going back to nap, boss.  If Pepper decks the reporter bitch, save me footage?"  She strolled off.

Coulson looked down at Clint.  "You taught her what?"

"She used magic wrapped around her fist to stab Stallet," he said in Russian.

"So that's why they never healed," Coulson said.  Clint smiled and nodded.  "Huh.  That's interesting."  He checked his arm, just slightly bruised.  "Nice trick, good idea."  He got up.  "Those on medical leave go home."  They left.  Stark got his USB keydrive and went back to the office.  Where Pepper was ranting at Dawn.

"You have no idea how they find out these things but they always do, Dawn.  So how did you get that money?"

Stark cleared his throat.  "Kitten poker."

Pepper groaned and sat down, holding her stomach.  "Kitten poker, really?"  Dawn quipped something obviously by the look on her face.  "No more of that.  Even if you are winning weapons to impress your spouses with."  She pouted.  "Yes, I mean it.  Even if it is a good source of information.  Send Natasha."  She hung up and tossed Tony the paper.

He read it, nodding.  "Figured that's how they financed their year and a bit on the run.  That and that reparation in LA from that kidnaping."  He turned to finish the article, laughing.  "She's so far off base."  He let her read it, getting a growl.  "You know there's been speculation."

"Yes but I don't care.  It needs to stop."

"Then come out with the baby bump."

She pouted.  "I wanted to wait."

He shrugged.  "You can wait but then you get to keep being annoyed."

She sighed and nodded, getting up to get some water from the mini fridge.  She opened it and sipped.  "We're going to lunch."

"I thought we had a meeting at lunch."

She checked and grimaced at the clock.  "Fine, we're running out for salads now."  She grabbed her bag.  "You're treating me to one from that Mexican place by the way."

"I can do that."  He followed her out.  The hormone swings were the most fun thing to watch at times.  Especially when they weren't focusing on him.  Andrew got on lower down.  "We're going down, Junior."

"Do you need a guard?  I'm bored and have no idea what I'm doing today."

"You're doing reports because you forgot last week," Tony said, looking at him.  Andrew nodded he had those done.  "Fine.  I'm treating her to a salad from the Mexican place."

"Sure."  He grinned.  "I had the quiche thingy at the caf and it's way too spicy for me."  They walked out, him helping Pepper over a crack in the sidewalk, which made Tony amused.  "Pepper, what about those little tip things that widen your heels?  MB said she looked it up and you'll become unbalanced soon."

"That's the hormones too," Tony quipped.

She swatted him but was smiling.  "I've looked into those, Andrew.  Thank you for trying to take care of me."  He blushed but grinned.  They ran into a reporter, who gasped.  Pepper smiled.  "Have you met Andrew?  He's one of our favorite R&D people.  Callia considers him one of her geeks."

The reporter stared at him.  "In which field?"

"Computers and engineering, especially in robotics and stuff," he said quietly.

"Oh, that's nice."  She looked at Pepper's stomach then at her face.  "So you're the one that's pregnant?"  She smiled and nodded.  "I know Dawn was wearing a fairly flattering and showy dress but I'm fairly certain there's rumors of concealing spells."

"No, she's not," Tony said.  "She's off today for a migraine but she's never been pregnant.  Pepper decided she wanted a mini genius."

"Yours?" the reporter asked.

Pepper smiled.  "No, I went to a genius sperm bank."  The reporter sighed.  "But thank you for asking."  She smiled.  "Tony's treating us to salads before our lunch meeting."  She walked around her.  Andrew helped her since there was a huge puddle.  "You are quite the gentleman, Andrew.  MB is very lucky to have you."  He beamed at her for the compliment.  He even held the door for her and Tony.

The reporter hurried back to her desk to make that report before it hit the online news.

***

Dawn was watching TMZ giggling at the stupidity, but winced when they showed Pepper after work.  "Yup, she shows great in that dress."

Natasha looked up from her reading, nodding.  "She certainly does.  Why do you watch that trash?" she asked, going back to her e-book.

"Because now and then they catch me and I'd like to know when I'm being stalked."  She got twin stares.  "They got me the other day going to Starbucks for Tony.  I had no idea and didn't see a single photog."

"Huh," Clint said.  "Long distance photos?"

"No, that's the weird thing.  They were right up on my ass.  It was a fantastic ass shot that asked if I wore stockings for a reason."  She found it online and showed him.  He groaned.  "I would've felt anyone that close."

"You would," Natasha said.  "That is strange.  Perhaps some magic of his own?"

"No, I would've normally felt that too."  She shrugged. "So I'm caring when they catch me right now."  They went to the 'news room' section where they were talking about stories.  Including about Pepper having been out with Stark and a young genius.  She texted Andrew and Pepper to answer that one.  Her phone rang so she hit the speaker button.  "What's wrong, Buffy?  New attack?"

"Your nephew will not stop crying," she complained.

"It's called colic, it's gas pains usually, and have you tried a warm bath or a car ride?"

"You know I don't drive and neither does Hylal.  I can't really ask the agents down here to give us a ride around the park."

"I'm nearly naked but give me five and I'll pop down, Buffy."

"Thank you!  He's driving me nuts!  I don't think I've slept in days!  Even Hylal hasn't slept in days!"

"Let me change."  She got up with a groan, going in to change.  She came out wearing jeans and a long sleeved henley style shirt with a coat on.  She put on her hiking boots and headed down to see her nephew.  He was screaming his lungs out.  She picked him up and burped him, which made him calm down some.  "Hi, Sean.  It's nice we could finally meet this way."  Sean stared at her, still fussing.  "I'm your Auntie Dawn."  She smiled.  "C'mon, we'll go get coffee."  She got him dressed for outside.  "You have an hour," she noted.  They ran up to the bed.  She grabbed a diaper bag too.  She walked out with him and nodded at the waiting agent.  "Colic."

"I know.  My sister's had it for months."

She smiled.  "He'll be fine.  They're napping for an hour."

"Thank you."  He escorted her off.  She gave him a pointed look.  "Agent Coulson's orders, ma'am.  You are not to be in Cleveland without an escort."

"Fine.  We're going for coffee."

"That's fine."  He helped her into the car with the babyseat.

She hitched Sean down and sat beside him.  That helped him be happier, even if he was now farting.  She changed him when he did more than fart and they were on the way to the local Starbucks.  She walked in and into a barrage of cameras.  "People, damn," she said.  "Just visiting my new nephew."

"He's adorable," one reporter said.  "Can we see him better?"

"Um, no, because we don't want people to hurt him to get his mother."  They backed down.  "Beyond that, he has colic.  Do you really want to talk to my sister when she hasn't slept in a week?"  That got them to leave her alone.  She looked at Sean.  "You'll run into people with more and less sense than the average tabloid reporter, nephew.  The thing is figuring out which is which."  The agent walked off giggling.  She smiled.  Sean gummed on her collar.

"Very advanced, nephew."  She walked up to order her coffee and a glass of ice water for the baby.  Her agent escort got his own coffee.  Dawn paid and they settled in a corner so she could fuss over him.  He let out one loud fart and wailed but she burped him and he settled down.  "Better?"  He sipped the water from her fingers and it was nice.  She grinned.  "Good boy, Sean.  Even if I did just talk to you like I do the cat."

"You have a cat?" the agent asked.

"The building had a stray cat that Cap named Loki."  The agent winced.  "Black cat, green eyes."  She smiled.  "Likes to stare at Clint from the top of the fridge.  Natasha brought him in."

"I never expected her to like pets."

"Longer story there but you'd have to hear it from gossip, Agent Walter."  He smiled.  She fussed at Sean, who fussed back but it was happier sounding fussing.  She laid the protections on the necklace she had put into her pocket, putting it around his wrist and looping the chain around a few times.  "There you go.  Your first protection necklace."  He cooed.  She grinned and finished her coffee.  "I promised your mommy an hour with your daddy.  Do you think they're finished having sex yet?"

"If they're smart, they're sleeping," Agent Walter said, finishing his coffee.

"Buffy hasn't has sex in months.  They're having sex."  He smiled.  She picked him up.  "You done?"  She sniffed and went to change him, coming out with him and the diaper bag.  "Okay, let's go do this."  They went home.  Sean's amulet of protection lit up and he set up a wail.  "Wow, so that's what's wrong."  The agent had his hand on his gun.  "No, dude, spirits.  Xander!"  He appeared in a flash.  He looked at the baby, the amulet, then the house, stomping in there to send any spirits off.  Three different ones wailed and fled.  Then one got destroyed by him.  She walked in once things were calm.  "We good?"

"We're good," he said, taking Sean.  "You're loud."  Sean grinned at him thanks to his gas problem.  He smirked back.  "You're louder than the twins together.  I don't know why since you're not mine or Phil's."  Buffy let out a sigh of pleasure.  "Not a protector unless he wants to turn agent."

"Over his tanned ass," Buffy complained.  She came down to get him, looking at the chain.  "Nothing shorter?"

"Sorry," Dawn quipped.

"Thanks.  What was that, Xander?"

"Possessing spirits," Hylal said.

"We can send you the template for that," Dawn promised.  Buffy smiled and cuddled her boy.  Dawn handed over the diaper bag.  "He had some nice ice water.  We had coffee."

"Thank you, Dawn."

"Gas meds, Buffy."  She patted the baby on the back, getting another belch.  "I know. It's really bad to be so gassy so young.  You'll drive off all the cute guys who'll think you're gay."  She and Xander left.

"She's so going to turn him into a drag queen," Xander agreed, then went back downstairs.

Dawn kicked off her boots and walked into the bedroom, smiling at the reading people on the bed.  "One nephew suitably soothed."  They didn't move.  She tested.  "Xander?" she called.  She grabbed a sword.  There was no reason for a time stop spell on this apartment.  She turned and hit the demon that had appeared.

"I'm not your enemy, Key."

"You called me that, yes you are.  What did you do to them?"

"We only wished to talk about how you got an extra one."

"Someone pulled it from another realm."

"We wish to speak to them."

Dawn snorted.  "Hell no.  I'm guarding them the same as I do my others."  The demon glared.  She attacked better and it tried to flee but it's own spell was trapping it.  Dawn finally killed it and the spell ended, making her pant.  "Okay," she decided.  Clint came out to stare at the demon.  She took a kiss.  "It's a dumbass who wanted to talk about Keys."

"Great," he muttered.  "Are there more coming?"

"No.  Probably not."  She stared at him then slowly opened the mental bond.  Clint in the shower.  Interesting.  She stared at him, pulling up power.  "Can you explain where exactly I am?  Since mine of you is at home?"

He smiled.  "We wanted to talk about the extra Keys."

Dawn attacked this one.  "Mind not being him when I kill you?"  She stripped the spells and absorbed them, which made her wince but it was automatically sealed off.  The demon looked happy but she smirked and shoved the powers back out in an attack.  The demons in there screamed.  She sent a prayer up to Xander to see if he had been the one to banish the spirits at Buffy's.  Or if that had been a plot too.

Xander appeared, staring at the demons.  "Did you mean to piss me off?"

Dawn tested.  He was still there.  She attacked him but he shot power at her.  "Hi, Ares."  She ducked the next hit and attacked back, making him growl in pleasure.  "Not.  Yours."

"You could be."

"I don't want to be.  I'm very happy praying to Natasha and Clint.  Thanks though."  She grinned.  "You're not getting them."

"I can try that other nicely forming one."  She glared at him.  He smirked.  "I'm being honest and you don't need all them."

She pulled up extra power and shot it at him, sending him flying.  "For a war god, you certainly fly like Cupid," she sneered.  She sent a thought across the bond because not even he could lock that down.  Then she finished off the demons.  It hurt but she was a bit used to it.  Ares looked pleased and amused so she turned it on him and burnt him.  He yelped and put himself out.  "Not like you'll make me wear one out."

"You're not usually telepathic," he taunted.

"Yeah, well, magical extension in a fight."  She blasted him again.  "After all, I'm the original green energy source, self renewing and all that."

"I have prayers."

"Not as many as Xander and Phil," she taunted.  He glared, looking like he hated her.  "You try, I push back.  This isn't going to go on very long.  I wanted sex tonight with my personal love gods.  You're making it so they'll have to calm me down first.  Though it's usually very *interesting* sex."  He attacked and she blocked it and changed her sword to something shorter and more her style of weapon.  He sneered but she attacked both ways and he looked pleased until she stabbed him in the stomach.  She sent out a blessing she had read, making him glow and yelp.  "Get out of my life.  I'm not even the Key you need, Ares.  There's others that could be useful for you."

"You need to dump more energy.  You're a danger to the world."

"That's Xander's job, not yours."

"I could be sparing him the grief."

"I doubt it."  She stared at him.  "You may like Xander like a nephew, but I so doubt you're doing this to spare him."

"I'm not the monster I used to be."

"And I'm not the glowy ball I used to be.  Though if you try to attack any other glowy ball, I'll suck all the energy from Olympus and destroy your whole pantheon.  You'd be surprised what books are at Xander's temple from Willow's collection."  Ares' eyes went wide.  She smiled.  "Including that neat pregnancy spell.  You want a Key so much, that's the Arapex key, like I suggested you find.  It's actually a weapon."  Phil appeared and the room shook.  "Hi, Phil."  She walked over to him, standing beside him.  "He thinks I'm dangerous and he's sparing Xander angst."

"I doubt it," Phil said, staring at him.  "Don't touch my people, Lord Ares.  I don't want to have to quit playing nicely."

"You?" he snorted.  "What can you do?"  Phil linked with Xander and blasted him from that plane back to a subrealm.  He looked around.  "How in the hell?" he demanded.  He could hear Dawn giggling and Phil reminding him that he was mated to one of the toughest Gods around.  Then that demonic realm dissolved, the energy feeding back to him.  He was still trapped in that subrealm.  It'd take him weeks, if not months, to find his way out.  That little brat was going to suffer.

His stomach twinged and he bent over to hold the place that she had inserted the spell.  Dawn learning from Rosenburg's books was a danger greater than Dawn being overpowered. He went to his elemental form and slowly made the energy in him form its own sphere so he could remove it.  When it was done, he looked at the ball that turned into a baby god.  He stared. "No," he said quietly.  The baby smiled and cooed at him.  "No!" he shouted.

He had just caused her to start off the prophecy that might destroy the Greek Pantheon.

***

Dawn sighed in pleasure as she and Phil reappeared, hugging him then Xander.  "Hi."

"Who?" he asked.

"Ares," Phil said.

Dawn hissed in Xander's ear, making him groan and call John to find him.  She looked at him.  "Prophecy BS.  The kid might destroy their whole family."

"She's adorable and I doubt it."

"She?" Phil asked.

Dawn smiled.  "He needs a girly, cooing daughter.  One who loves pink and ponies and lace and dolls and boy band music."  He groaned and hugged her.  "I know, but yay."

John appeared, looking at her.  "It's not the kid that starts it off because it's a girly little girl."  She smiled.  "Damn you're evil."

"Yes, I am.  When I'm pushed to be.  Did you get to see the evil empress outfit I wore at Halloween?"

Phil handed her to Clint and Natasha.  "Cure that.  Thank you."  Dawn cackled all the way upstairs.  "Is everything okay?"

"It's fine.  Ares said she got into Rosenburg's books?"

"Before the battle out in Sunnydale, looking for spells to use."  John winced.  "I'll go talk to him."  He and John went back to talk to Ares, though the baby was now past potty training age.  He took Ares from there with her and brought him home.  "He attacked Dawn, Dawn had read some of Rosenburg's spell books before the battle at home, and she made him a girly little princess to raise."  He grinned.  "Demeter, it looks like she's under you."

She walked forward carefully to test the child.  "She's the Goddess over Roses."  She blinked a few times.  "Well.  Ares, we'll make sure you have appropriate dresses for her."  She picked up the baby to carry back to Hera and Zeus.  "Fiona, the Goddess of Roses."

Zeus took her to test.  "She is not the one from the prophecy," he announced.  Everyone sighed.  "Hermes, can you herald her birth?"

"Of course," he said happily, zooming off.  He landed in the bar most of the demigods had taken over.  "Behold the birth of Fiona, Goddess of Roses, from Ares' loins.  A sponsored energy pregnancy thanks to him pissing off the Key."  Most of them choked.  He grinned.  "He attacked her.  She fought back and locked him in a subrealm so the pregnancy could go on easily.  It was a natural, elemental form birth."  He zipped off to tell Thor and Loki, who were being forced to have a dinner by Frigg.  They were both glued to their chairs.  "The Goddess Fiona, over roses, was just born tonight in an elemental pregnancy to Ares via him pissing off the Key," he announced.  Loki choked and gulped some water to wash the bite of meat out of his throat.  He smiled at them.  "She's an adorable girly little goddess who likes flowers and pink so far.  She demanded her first dress be pink ruffles and pink lace."  He zipped off.

Loki looked at Thor.  "Just think, you work with her."

Thor smiled.  "Aye, but a smart man never pisses off a woman.  Especially that one or her mates as they are all deadly when upset."  He ate a bite of vegetable.

Loki stared at him.  "How have you managed this long?"

Thor stared at him.  "I'm a wise man and my women mostly like me to come back to them."  He smirked and ate another bite.  "You should try that instead of doing what you did to your daughter/son's mother or Xander's mother.  She was probably much nicer before you influenced her with mead."

"Perhaps," he said dryly.  He stuffed his mouth.  "We must send blessings."

"I will bless her with the ability to sense nature as it matters to her special flowers and other plants," he said and sent.

Loki ate a bite and considered it.  "I bless her with the ability to find a mate that will not only tolerate her, but put up with her moods and flowers and who can protect her."  That got sent out.  Thor smiled at him.  "She'll probably need it if she's anything like the sponsoring mother."

"Perhaps but that has slowed down recently.  So her mates must wear it out of her."

"Perhaps," Loki said, stuffing his mouth and shaking his head.  "I need a drink."

"Aye, the dinner would go better with mead or tequila."

"You drink tequila?  The favored son of Valhalla?" Loki asked dryly.

"I could not get mead.  Therefore I substituted at an agent's suggestion.  Do not drink them together though, even my head was not fit for thought consumption."

"That's very good to know."  They got some tequila sent over and went back to dinner.  Thor showed him the proper lick/suck/drink procedure and it was good enough for now.  It went well with the vegetables.

***

Clint looked at Dawn once they were back inside.  "Are you all right?  Injured?"

"Bit sore in that shoulder.  Ares isn't a lightweight."  She changed her sword back and cleaned it then put it in the corner again.  He smiled and helped her out of her jacket and boots, then the shirt so he could check her shoulder.  Natasha came out half dressed and Dawn kissed her then him.  "Thanks."

"Welcome," Natasha said.  "What did you do?"

"He pissed me off, told me I was dangerously overpowered, so I made him pregnant with the Key he really wants."  She smiled sweetly.

"Would that be considered like the child was hers?" Natasha asked Clint.  He sent a thought down to Phil and Xander.

"Not exactly," Xander's voice said from mid-air.  "It'd be more like she's the godmother and doctor that did the IVF treatment.  Ares would be considered both parents but she'll be put on the certificate as the facilitating power.  I have two of those myself and that's how I was put down.  By the way, she's the goddess of Roses and her name is Fiona, Dawn."

"Cool."  She smiled at the air.  "I thought he could use a softer influence."

"Yes, he certainly could."  His voice faded on the warm chuckle and the quiet 'Phil'.

Dawn kissed Clint then Natasha.  "So I was a good girl and I added to the general prettiness of the world.  Bia likes roses and taught Callia about flowers so maybe they'll be playmates."

"You are so warped," Clint said.  "And we were tired."

Dawn snuggled into his arms.  "It's all right.  You can wear me out tomorrow."

"Yes, I can."  Natasha took her to bed.  Dawn got them both stripped and in with her to tease.  Natasha always loved oral sex.  Clint loved to watch them have oral sex.  It was a good thing for the night.

"Wearing me out does not cure your dirty mind," Natasha complained but she was feeling a lot less worried about it.  "Like that, Dawn.  Only harder?"  Dawn quit teasing and nibbled harder, getting a moan for it.  "That's nice."

"That's very nice," Clint agreed.

***

Phil slid down next to Xander, making him hang up with the trio.  "Maybe we should send a mind healing spell at her."

"That would take some power raising," he said with a wink and a smirk.  "Which means sex outside, under the full or new moon."  He pulled him into his lap.  "Totally naked.  Just you, me, and the tiny bit of oil we'd be allowed to use."  Phil shivered.  "It's not the right moon phase down here and you can't take Asgard naked."

"What about the other realms of Valhalla?" he asked.

Xander considered it then nodded.  "One's in the right phase and it's fall there."  They flashed there thanks to him and landed without any clothes.  Xander had picked a good clearing.  He sensed, the only people around were some weres and they were miles off.  Xander led Phil to a blessed tree - it had amulets hanging from it and blessings carved into the bark.  He created a blanket of leaves and laid them down, stroking up Phil's side while they kissed.

"Will anyone get upset?"

"No.  The local werewolves might watch but nothing else."  He took another kiss, walking his fingers down Phil's ribs to his hip.  "To do it right, we have to release onto the ground," he warned.

Phil nodded, watching him.  "I can do that."  Xander smiled and moved to tease a nipple with the tip of his tongue.  Phil had nice nipples, dark, big, tempting.  He moved to tease the other one, trapping their cocks between them.  He slowly ground down as he licked and teased over the nipples, alternating nibbling bites and licks.  Phil was gripping some of the leaves.  Xander smiled and moved up to tease his neck.  "You sure you want to raise power?"

"She needs it," he moaned.  Xander chuckled.  "Okay, so maybe I'm a bit kinky," he admitted.  "But it's not really exhibitionism if there's no one watching."

"No, it's not.  I don't mind sex outside.  I love getting back to nature."  They kissed while one hand was playing with the hard little brown pebbles of Phil's nipples.  Phil reached up to play with Xander's and he liked that. He moaned and shifted to give him better access.

"Would it be different if I was a wife?" he asked quietly.

"Then you'd be allowed to get on top but you'd still be dripping any essence on the ground or I'd have to lick it and spit it out on it."  Phil shivered but nodded.  He and Xander went back to kissing and the nipple play.  Xander finally moved down to tease them with his tongue again before moving lower to tease a few scars.  Phil stiffened but Xander kissed each one before biting the spot on Phil's inner elbow that made him both flinch and twitch.  Phil shifted but Xander was relentless in his need to see Phil's cock dance for him.  Finally he moved on to his wrist, which got licked over and then nibbled on the pulse point.  Phil shivered.  Xander smiled and moved to tease his other wrist.  It got the same careful attention.  Phil was still shivering.  "Cold?" he asked quietly.

"No, not chilled."

Xander smiled and moved to his stomach.  Phil had a nice abdomen.  Not at all soft but not fully what someone would consider defined.  It gave him a bit of padding to tease.  He found a ticklish spot but Phil shifted to get him off it.  Xander smiled and leaned down to rim and suck at his navel.  Phil shifted uncomfortably.  "Relax."

"I am."

"You're not."  He looked up and took a long lick up the abdomen that he was playing with.  "We're going to do this but it's got to be special.  Hot memory special."  Phil nodded.  Xander went back to his teasing, which he adored doing to Phil.  Phil was so uptight sometimes that making him beg was great fun.  He moved to tease the crease between his leg and pubic area, teasing the tender, untanned flesh.  Phil shifted his thighs out, giving Xander room to tease the inside of his thighs.  He found new spots there that made Phil hiss and twitch again.  In a better way than his elbow had.

"Have to remember that," he said, licking over it then nibbling hard.  Phil winced but Xander was having fun and Phil was still hard.  He spared a second to lick over the damp balls, making them twitch too.  The cock got a lick up the underside then Xander was onto the other inner thigh area to tease and taunt.  The hot spots were slightly different on this side.  Phil was still quiet though.  Xander looked up and kissed the cock, earning a long stare.  "Want me to move on?"

"I like watching you play but I have no idea where you're going with that.  Even though I heard the 'beg' comment."  He smiled slightly.

Xander suddenly swallowed Phil down and Phil shouted, arching up.  He pulled back to nibble on the head.  "That sound is beautiful to me."  He did it again and Phil nearly whimpered.  "So is that one."

"I was trained for silence in all things."

"I'm not all things.  I'm your mate."

"You are," he agreed.  "I can't break that without breaking anything else."

"That's okay, I can make you break it, Phil.  Whenever I want you to."  He turned his hand incorporeal and to his elemental form.  He touched the inside of Phil's thigh over a spot that had made him warm.  Phil shouted and arched up, going to his elemental form for a moment then pulling back.  "See?"  He smiled and leaned down to go back to teasing the hard cock.  He let that hand be the one that teased Phil open, slowly sliding into him, one finger at a time, slowly making him sweat and open and swear loudly about it.

"Xander!" he finally shouted.

"Right here," he said and nibbled on the circumcision scar.  "Always here."  He changed his cock to the elemental form and slid in once his fingers were out of the way.  Phil ground down, trying to capture it, trying to make him become more than energy and power.  "Tingles?"

"Oh," he panted, nodding.  "Xander, please?"

He drizzled some oil as he pulled out, becoming flesh and bone again as he slid back in.  Phil whimpered and made clutching motions.  "You're so beautiful like this.  All wrung out, all taunt and ready to come."  He kissed his stomach, slowly moving his way up until he was fully on top of Phil's body, kissing him.  Phil moaned and pulled him closer, trapping his cock between them so it was rubbed as Xander slowly thrust and made him lose his mind.

They didn't notice the sky lightening or darkening.  They didn't notice anything but each other.  Xander teasing by letting his cock go elemental every few strokes.  Phil acting like it was electrocuting him.  Xander was panting and speeding up slowly.  Phil was sweating hard, clutching at Xander, kissing him as he got to the point of shouting and begging to be flipped over so he could spill his seed on the ground.

"Bit longer," Xander panted.

Phil looked up at him.  "It's daylight."

"Time runs really fast here," he said with a smile.  "In a few hours it'll be the new moon.  We'll have completed half a cycle."  Phil groaned and wiggled back, getting free.  He flipped over and Xander growled in his ear, claiming him again.  One swift, hard thrust in and he was back to riding him.  Phil was in heaven and hell.  He had to come so badly.  He needed to come.  Xander wouldn't let him come.  His hand was doing wicked things but keeping his balls from ascending.  The sky was dark again and Xander finally released him so he could stroke him instead.

Xander rode him hard, fast, sharp stabs that brought Phil over quickly.  Finally.  Loudly because all he could hear was his own panting and gasping as he went elemental for a minute.  Xander moaned and followed, riding him until he had to come, pulling back to spray the leaves underneath them.  Then he became tangible.  Phil slowly did, reforming on his back this time.  Xander leaned down to kiss him.  "Next time, I'll take the full cycle."

Phil nodded, swallowing a moan at that promise.  He took another kiss. "How do we gather it?"

"We already sent it.  We said prayers up front and the earth gathered for us to spread it there."  He laid beside him, teasing his chest.

Phil stopped the teasing fingers by holding them.  "There's no way I can get it up again this week, Xander."

Xander grinned.  "All week?"

"All week."  Xander chuckled and kissed him, nibbling on his lips.  "Even with that incentive."  He moaned but wouldn't let them go any farther.  "Shower?"

"I could like a shower."  A warm rain started to fall.  "Not that sort but thank you."  They went home, going to their shower to share one.

Phil wanted to be soaped and washed.  He was in the mood to be body spoiled, to be touched and stroked.  Xander felt and knew that so he played body slave.  It calmed and soothed the shredded nerves that were still twitching until he could sleep.  Probably for the rest of the week.  Xander finished his own shower and led them to the bed, drying them with a thought so they could lay down.  Phil moaned, letting Xander cuddle.  "Thank you."

"You're welcome.  Anytime you want we can revel for the moon phase or whatever you need to do."  Xander kissed him.  "Rest, Phil.  Being debauched that way takes a lot of work."  Phil smiled and snuggled against his side.  Xander got comfortable too, ignoring his hard on that would be handled in the morning.  Phil was getting really good at blow jobs and liked to give them in the mornings so they didn't have to hurry to get to work.  Next time it was his turn to try a kink.  Phil would probably like it too.

Phil didn't even open his eyes.  "We'll see."  Xander squeezed him.  He reached down to stroke him until he got off.  "Sleep, Xander."

"Sure.  I can do that."

Table of Contents

14: Future Old Ones On R & R. 4

Dawn gets some time off.  All the talk of bikinis has been building to here.  When people start to l

15: Old Ones With Plans. 62

How Dawn has to fix her part of the upcoming apocalypse, no matter how many people try to interfere

16: Old Ones With Slime, Sex, and Mead. 144

Just like the title says.  NC-17 m/f, m/f/f. 144

17: Old Ones Building Up To Things. 222

Things are building toward the apocalypse, and other things.  R m/f- /f. 222

18: Other Old Ones Clashing Against Our Old Ones. 270

The battle.  Then something weird starts happening around Dawn and Clint.  R.  Um, minor death of ch

19: Old Ones Coming Back To Normal 357

Xander finally makes it to a physical form again and the running away from the US is solved for the

20: Pissing New and Old Old Ones Off. 444

The various pantheons have found a way to make Xander hit his line of 'I'll be damned'.  They have p

21: Making Old Ones Angry. 528

Xander's angry.  Phil's angry.  Either one might just Hulk up they're so pissed at the others who ke

22: Fussing At Old Ones. 687

The battle pushing Xander and Phil together gets a bit harder and meaner.  Which is their worst mist

23: Other Old Ones With Plots In Mind. 768

There's plots, there's plans, there's 'shippy stuff...  A lot of shippy stuff. 768

24: The Relationships Of The Old Ones And Not So Old Ones. 827

Buffy's wedding.  Phil and Xander start to work on their relationship for real.  The trio celebrate

25: Even Future Old Ones Have Ideas And Plans. 926

Phil and Xander run into a problem thanks to Callia, but solving it did them some good.  Her mates f

26: Screen Time Old Ones. 1008

Someone's going to do a movie about SHIELD and the Avengers.  Which is not really in Nick Fury's fav