Chapter 24
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They’d had a few quiet days, Ward being unable to do much with his sore shoulder. Bruce had appeared and given him a quick check up, saying that he would be fine in a couple of days. Unfortunately this had led to them staying in for a few days. The children had quickly become bored, fights breaking out frequently. Although they all normally got on well being in a close space wasn’t doing much for their tempers.
“Ok I’ve had enough.” Ward commented, as they got ready for bed. Sitting on the bed he winced as he removed his shoes. He still couldn’t move his shoulder without pain. Doing everything one handed was getting annoying as well.
“Of what?” Turning as she brushed her hair she noticed him struggling to change. Standing between his legs she lifted his shirt, helping him ease it over his sore shoulder.
“The kids fighting. Tomorrow we’re going out.” Wincing he glared at the PJ top on the bed and decided against it. He’d tortured himself enough for one day.
“You sure? I know you’re still having problems with your shoulder.” Moving onto the bed she knelt behind him and gently began massaging his back. Bruce had shown her how to relax the muscles. Besides it was nice just to run her hands along his body, she would swear he had muscles where most people had none.
“I know but I can’t deal with another day of fighting.” He sighed leaning into her touch.
“Ok. There’s a kid’s club they’ve been to before. They seemed to like it the last time apart from Tripp. He was bored.”
“You took them to a kids club?”
“Nat checked everyone out and Fury signed off on it.”
“Ok. We need to find something for Tripp to do then.”
Nodding even though he couldn’t see her she gave his back a final rub, before pressing a gentle kiss on his shoulder.
“A kiss to make it better.” She murmured, shuffling across the bed to her side.
The next mourning their decision was validated with two fights occurring before breakfast. Mel and Tripp had fought as they both wanted to watch something on the TV, while Phil and Leo had torn a toy in half, both wanting to play with it at the same time. Only Jemma was behaving, too busy reading a book on the bones of the body to notice anyone around them. As they both rushed to stop the arguments they shared a glance, knowing that if this continued they would both go insane. Having glared the kids into silence over breakfast they quickly packed up the car and headed out.
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Arriving and seeing the crowded room Mel clung onto Dad’s hand as she scanned the people there. Leo and Jemma had already run off, noticing one of the computer games was free. Phil was rolling around in a padded play area but she didn’t feel like joining him. Tripp had turned his nose up at everything here so Mum had taken him away.
“Don’t you want to play Mel?” Dad asked, bending down so she didn’t have to look up as much.
She shook her head. Everyone already had a partner or was busy; she didn’t want to disturb them.
“Do you want a drink?”
“Please.” She ran over to the counter, picking apple juice while Dad chose coffee, horrible bitter drink. Sitting on his lap she watched as Phil giggled as he sat on a spinning pole, giggling as Leo spun him faster. As Leo had abandoned her Jemma was playing with some other girls, dressing dolls in different outfits. She’d never been that fond of dolls finding them occasionally crept her out. Jemma had asked her to join them but she was happy watching Phil laugh. As she was considering going and making a decorative glass for mum she noticed a familiar face moving towards her.
“James!” She screamed, waving manically as the blonde haired boy noticed her.
“Who’s James?” Dad wiped up coffee that had been spilt when she’d waved.
“I met him last time. I’m going to go play with him.”
“Ok. I’ll be here.”
“I know. Don’t worry about him Dad. He’s my boyfriend.” Running and grabbing James’ hand she failed to notice the shocked look on Ward’s face.
‘Mel has a boyfriend!’
‘Ward?’
‘Mel has a boyfriend’ Ward could barely hit the keys quick enough.
‘Oh I know! Isn’t it sweet?’
‘No! She isn’t allowed boyfriends! She isn’t dating till she’s 30!’
‘You do know that you’re freaking out just a little bit! She will be fine. She’s not that old. If she was Tripp’s age then it would be a problem.’
Ward rolled his eyes at Skye’s message. Of course it was an issue. She was his responsibility. Besides who knew what the boy was thinking. He was a little boy once and he didn’t want anyone thinking about Mel the way he’d thought at that age. He was going to have to keep an eye on them.
Jemma had finished playing with the dolls as her friends had to leave. Not being able to find Dad she joined Leo and Phil.
“Where’s Dad?” She sat down beside the boys as Phil began using her as a climbing frame while Leo kept spinning around. Reaching out and stopping him, he pouted at her before replying.
“He’s watching Mel. He doesn’t like the boy she’s with.” Having said his piece he continued spinning again.
“I liked him. Dad is strange!”
“Dad!” Phil called, leaning away from Jemma to try and find him.
“I need a drink.” Whined Leo, his face blurring as he spun faster.
“It would probably make you sick.” Jemma muttered, watching him with disapproval.
“Drink.” Phil pouted, copying Leo. Rolling her eyes Jemma hoisted him onto her hip. Surely she could find something for them to drink here. She’d seen the adults go into a room and come back with a drink. Striding over she heard Leo cry behind her before hurrying to join them. A heavy door blocked the area where all the adults disappeared. Even with the two of them they couldn’t open it. Fortunately Leo had been reading a book about forces given to him by Bruce, so knew if they used a bit more leverage they could open it. Grabbing a small bar that was lying in a toolbox he managed to open the door enough so they could all slip through. It closed with a band behind them making them all jump. They were in a kitchen, like the one at home but simpler. Seeing the sink Jemma grinned, now all she needed to do was find some glasses.
Ward had sat close by Mel while she played with her ‘boyfriend’. Just thinking that word made him cringe. Frequent glances at the others told him that they were still having a good time and in no danger. It was about an hour later when Skye and Tripp found him as he glared at James as he brushed Mel’s hair behind her ear.
“Leave the poor boy alone.” Skye grumbled at Ward as it took all his restraint not to pull Mel away from the boy.
“Did you have a good time?” Ward barely looked up from the pair of laughing children in front of him.
“Mum bought us more games.” That made Ward look up, blinking at Tripp and taking in the slightly guilty expression on Skye’s face.
“Where are the others?” Skye diverted his rant swiftly. Glancing back at the play area he found it empty.
“Honey I lost the kids.” He spoke; using the code word to tell her he thought they’d been taken.
“I’m sure they’re around here somewhere.” Skye soothed as she began scanning the room. “Tripp get your sister.”
Ward swiftly moved around the room checking any hiding places there might be while Skye asked parents if they’d seen the children. When they’d both exhausted all options they met up beside the entrance.
“Anything?”
“No. They were there a few minutes ago. Jemma had just joined the boys.”
“We’ll find them Grant.” She laid a comforting hand on his arm, knowing that although he looked calm he’d be freaking out on the inside. Behind them there was a lot of banging going on. They paid no attention to it until there was a sudden squeal.
“You don’t think?” Skye asked.
“I wouldn’t put it past them.” Ward strode towards the noise, pushing open the fire door. Entering the kitchen he froze as he took in the site.
“Dad.” Phil yelled from where he was sat in the sink. Striding forward Ward picked up Phil, while Skye lifted down Jemma and Leo from the bench. Without speaking Ward strode from the room and headed towards the car. He couldn’t really say anything.
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Owls were hooting as they approached the house. It was completely in darkness, silent apart from the alarm, beeping to be turned off. Before it could scream and alarm the neighbours one of the group reached out and silenced it. Avoiding the toys that lay beside the stairs they moved almost silently upstairs towards the only light within the house. Pausing outside one of the bedrooms they found someone standing beside a crib talking to the child who was lying up at her. Taking out a silenced gun one of the group pried the door open more. Taking aim he shoot the woman in the back, watching as she fell to the floor. Stepping over her they plucked the baby out of the crib, slightly surprised he simply watched them without crying. Having got what they came for, they left as silently as they had entered.