Tears of an Angel

True to T'Challa's word, Payton was finally able to go home by the end of the week.  Although she did have another surgery this last week. One that would insert a panel in her stub that would make it easier to attach the prosthetic arm when it was finished.

'For when we finish making the arm.' Shuri explained. 'We inserted a similar one into the White Wolf when we were working on him.'

Johnny was currently pushing her down the hall in a wheel chair, She couldn't walk on her own just yet. More importantly though she was finally able to go home. She missed New York. She missed the skyscrapers, the city, the people.

"You good?" Tony asked hovering close by. "Need anything else? Pillow? Blanket? Huge bag of weed?"

"Tony." Pepper lightly scolded, the small smile on her face betraying her.

"I'm fine." Payton assured for the nth time. "Just so ready to go back home."

"And I may be able to assist with that." They looked over to see Strange walking towards them with T'Challa and Shuri. "Miss Parker, a pleasure as always."

"It's good to see you again, Doctor Strange." Payton smiled up to him, ignoring the tug of her skin. She laughed as his cloak wrapped around her shoulders like a hug. "Hi Cloak-y." She looked back to Doctor Strange. "Did you bring me a balloon animal?"

Johnny and Shuri burst out in to laughter as Strange rolled his eyes. "I can make you a balloon worm, or a snake."

"I want a spider."

"How about a caterpillar?"

"I'll only accept the spider."

Strange's smile disappeared as he looked up to Pepper, a sliver of fear entering them. "Miss Potts."

"How's your jaw, Stephen?" Pepper asked in a voice Payton hadn't heard her use before.

"Did you hurt your jaw during the fight?" Payton asked as she mentally shifted through her memories. He seemed fine when she last saw him on the battlefield.

"Something like that." Strange said looking back to her. "But I am here to offer use of a portal. Beats air travel at least."

"Sounds good." Tony said a little tight.

"We will miss you." Shuri said putting a hand on her good shoulder.

"You should come by New York some time." Payton encouraged. "I know Morgan will love having you around at least."

"She is a delight."

"You and your family will always be welcomed here in Wakanda." T'Challa said with a kind smile.

"Thank you." Payton smiled at him. She looked over to Okoye. "I may miss the next few meetings."

Okoye gave a small smile. "Take all the time you need. I'll make sure everyone stays in line."

Payton smiled as Strange did his circle thing.  "After you Miss Parker."

She smiled up to Johnny, as he pushed her through the portal.

"Payton!" She was barely through the portal when Morgan's voice echoed the room, turning the corner and running to her.

"Morgie!" Payton greeted, as the girl carefully climbed into her lap. She ignored the pain in her shoulder as she helped Morgan up. "It's good to see you again."

"Miss Parker." She looked over to Helen who was walking with Happy and Rhodey towards her.

"Dr. Cho." Payton greeted. "How are you doing?"

"I'm doing fine." Helen assured smiling down to her. "And thanks to you, I have several of my students back."

"That was Bruce's snap."

"Yes, but it was your research that made it possible." Payton smiled shyly.

"Cho." Strange greeted as he closed the portal behind him.

"Stephen." Helen smiled at him. "It's been a while."

"I guess it has." Strange shrugged shyly.

"You two know each other?" Johnny asked confused. "Or know each other?"

"She's a world renowned scientist." Strange said as if it were obvious as Helen's nose scrunched. "I studied her work for years. And had a chance to work with her shortly before she developed her Cradle."

"Only the best." Tony shrugged smugly. "Cho."

"Mr. Stark." She greeted. "It's good to see you again."

"It's good to be back." Tony greeted.

"Miss Parker, let's check your progress." Cho suggested as they began to walk towards teh med bay.

"Come on, Little Boss." Happy said lifting Morgan off her lap.  

"But I want to go with Payton." Morgan whined, but let Happy carry her.

"I have something better in mind." Happy said walking her out.

"Is it juice pops?"

After arriving in the med bay, Johnny quickly moved by her side, wrapping an arm around her waist. "Ready?"

Payton nodded, holding in her groan as Johnny helped her up. She grabbed onto his shirt as she got to her feet. Her legs still felt like jelly, threatening to give out any second. And apparently, Johnny could feel it to. He quickly moved her onto the bed. She let out a soft sigh as she sat back down.

"You good?"

"I'm fine." Payton forced a smile up to him. She looked over to Pepper and Tony's concerned looks. "I'm fine."

"Alright." Helen said looking at a tablet. "It does appear that your healing has been working double time. But your still healing."

"Can't you use that Cradle thing?" Johnny asked.

"Unfortunately, her blood is too mutated to work effectively." Helen explained remorsefully.

"So how long until I'll be better?" Payton asked shakily.

Helen and Strange shared a look.

"That's not exactly an easy question." Strange said. "It could be weeks before you'll be able to walk by yourself, but even then you still need some physical therapy."

"And your eye may not get better." Helen said softly. "I'm looking into it, but it doesn't look good so far."

"But hey," Tony said encouragingly. "Shuri is working on that prosthetic for you."

"Right," Payton said looking up encouragingly.

But what if it wasn't enough?

****1 Month After the Return****

Pepper helped Payton change into a one arm mid sleeve black dress that went slightly past her knees, a white belt wrapped around her waist. Pepper was wearing one of her own, hers was a simple short sleeve black dress that ended below her knees.

When Pepper stepped away, Payton looked at herself in the mirror, something she's done only a handful of times since she woke up. Her skin was still pale, almost gray. Scars travelled from her shoulder up to the left side of her face almost like lightning, covering part of her neck too. Her once blue eye now took on a more grayish shade to it. She lifted a hand to the scars. It was rough like sand paper.

She could barely recognize herself. It was then she noticed a tremor in her hand. She made a fist, willing the tremor to stop. As if to mock her it continued. She grabbed the brush on the dresser, it subsided slightly. She moved to brush her hair, only for the brush to fall out of her grasp.

"Dang it!" Payton put her face in her hand, looking away from the offending object.

"It's alright." Pepper assured as she bent next to her to grab the brush.

"It's stupid. I can't even brush my hair!"

"You're still building up your strength."

"I used to be able to lift a concrete building with nothing but my bare hands, and now I can barely lift a brush."

"Payton." Pepper pushed some hair behind her ear. "Things like this take time. You can't expect all your strength to be back in a day." Pepper looked away. "Speaking of time, if you need some more, you don't have to go to-"

"Yes." Payton swallowed her tears. "Yes. I do."

********

During the entire service Payton felt strangely disconnected. As if she were watching someone else attend a funeral. They had gathered at the Barton farm, even the Guardians and royal Wakandans came. There was no body to be buried, but they still had a casket. Distantly, Payton wondered what was in it, but couldn't bring herself to ask.

His body laid twisted at the bottom of that mountain. Blood pooled under his head as his heart beat stopped.

She took a deep breath forcing the mental image away.

The remaining Original Avengers each gave a small speech about the archer. Yet none of the words seem to click.

She watched silently as the empty casket was lowered into the ground.

Payton had been sitting on the porch, the others scattered across the field in their own little groups. She could spot Nathaniel and Morgan running around the field, playing together. What would Clint think of this? Would he be annoyed there were so many people on his property? Or just happy to see his son playing?

Nat was standing to the side. Talking to Lila, Cooper and Wanda. Would they hate her now? Hate that she lived and he didn't? Would they resent Clint for leaving the same way she had her parents?

She looked over as Laura approached her. Payton looked away. She should've known it'd be too much to hope she'd forget about her.

"Hello." Laura greeted holding out a small plate of cookies to her.

"Thank you." Payton said accepting the plate, putting it on the table besides her.

"I hear I should be thanking you."

"Don't." Payton said with a shaky breath. "Please don't. I don't deserve it."

Laura sat next to her. "Because of you my children have a chance at a full life now."

"Because of me your children don't have a father."

"Nat told me what happened. You didn't have a choice."

"I did though. It was going to be me or him. I should've found a way to save him."

"Clint wouldn't want you blaming yourself like this."

"Then why can't I stop?"

"You and Clint were close. I think it's only natural to feel that way." Payton released a shaky breath looking away. "Would you mind if we talk inside?"

"Sure." Payton moved to roll the wheel, already feeling her hand shaking.

"Do you want me to-"

"Go ahead." Payton sighed, letting Laura push her, ignoring the bitterness that rose in her at the thought of her weakened legs.

After a few minutes, they stopped in an office like room.

"Nat came by while you were unconscious." Laura explained. Payton watched as she walked over to the desk where a large case laid. "She dropped these off." She turned the case around, opening it to reveal the bow and sword. "I want you to have one of these."

"I can't." Payton shook her head. "These aren't- I mean Clint- They should go to y 'all's children."

"Payton-"

"Please. They deserve them. I can't take this from them too." Payton said gently.

"Payton." Laura stood in front of her. "I want you to know that you're a part of this family too. If you were important to Clint you're important to us too."

"And I want you to know we'll take of y'all too. Anything you need, just name it."

"I need you to know it wasn't you fault."

"Please stop saying that."

Laura stepped closer. "You did everything you could."

Tears stung her eyes. "Please."

She knelt in front of Payton. "It's not your fault."

"Stop."

"Then say it."

Payton shook her head tears finally falling, her throat tightening.

"It's not your fault." Laura said resting a hand on her knee.

A sob tore it's way out of her throat before she launched herself forward into Laura's arms.

"It's alright." Laura whispered petting her hair softly.

She didn't know how long she sat there in the older woman's embrace before they finally separated.

"Better?"

Payton nodded wiping away the last of her tears. "What are y'all going to do now?"

"I think we've lived enough of our lives hiding." Laura said thoughtfully. "I want to talk to the kids about it, but I'm thinking of moving us to New York."

"New York?"

"I've been thinking about it for a while," Laura confessed. "I wanted to talk to Clint about it. As soon as house arrest ended, but now..." She sighed softly. "Besides Pepper said she will do anything she can to make the move easy."

"Well if y'all do decide to come, I can show you around the city."

"I'd like that."

********

Payton and the Starks had offered him a ride from the Barton's and to stay another night at the tower. He accepted the ride, but he didn't stay. There was something he's been putting off.

Flash took a deep breath as he stopped the car in front of his father's house.

'What are you waiting for?' Venom asked.

"What if he doesn't want me anymore?" Flash said quietly. "How can I face her?"

Rosie was the closest thing he had to a mother before Pepper. But she barely tolerated him. Basically kicked him out after his father's death.

'You don't need them.' Venom pointed out. 'Besides if he's rude, I can always eat him.'

"You're not eating anyone." Flash said turning off the car. "Now behave."

'Only if they do.'

Flash took another breath before walking out of the car and up the walk way. He looked at the large mansion. When he was little he used to pretend the mansion was a castle and he was the brave prince tasked with protecting it. When his dad didn't work he'd play with Flash too.

Flash didn't realize he was at the door until he was already knocking.

"I can't do this." Flash said turning around, starting to go down the steps- Only for him to be stopped in his tracks. He looked down to see Venom had oozed out from his feet and was clinging onto the step. "What are you doing?"

'Making sure you don't pussy out.'

Before Flash could respond, the door opened. Flash turned around to see "Dad."

"Eugene." The older man said softly before rushing towards him. Flash rushed forward embracing the man. He cupped the back of his head. "My boy."

"Dad. I've missed you."

When the two separated, his father slowly looked him up and down. "You've gotten so big." Flash smiled shyly. "Come on." He kept an arm around his shoulders as he ushered them in.

Flash took in his old home. It was almost exactly the same, except the couches were different.

"Eugene." He looked to see her walk in to the room. She was wearing purple pajamas and her blonde hair was trapped in a messy bun.

"Hi." Flash said, trying to stay neutral.

"Eugene," Rosie said softly, guiltily. Before either could continue talking a phone rang.

Flash held his sigh, and eye roll as his Dad answered the phone. This had always been a common occurrence. His profession as a lawyer kept him busy.

He looked at Flash apologetically. "I've got to..."

"Go ahead." Flash smiled reassuringly.

Now it was just the two of them, three if you counted Venom.

"Please, sit." Rosie said as she took her own seat on the couch. Flash obliged, sitting on a near by chair. She smiled at him. "How have you been? What have you been up to?"

"What did you tell Dad?" Flash said shortly.

"What?"

"It's been a month since the dusted return. Dad would've asked you where I was when I didn't answer. What did you tell him?"

"I told him that after high school you decided t travel the world, but that we lost touch."

"The truth and not the truth then." Flash summarized, his voice quiet so his Dad wouldn't hear. "You didn't mention that when I left you cut me off from my family resources."

"Eugene-"

"I almost died." Flash said quietly, surprising himself as his eyes began to sting. "I would've died if it weren't for-" He cut himself off. He hadn't even told Payton everything that happened.

"I am so sorry." Rosie said tears streaming down her face, "Every time I looked at you, all I could see was Harrison and I- I realized I couldn't live without him. And there you were, a constant reminder of him. It's unforgiveable I know. And I'm not asking you to forgive me. But... Please don't tell him. I can't lose him again. Please."

Flash stared at her for a moment.

'You're not actually going to agree to this are you?' Venom asked.

 Flash took a breath before going to sit next to her. "I think you know the answer already." She hesitated, a sliver of fear entering them. "I won't tell him."

'You what?!'

"But you can never kick me out again. This is my home, my family. And you can't take that from me."

'You're too soft.'

"Sorry about that." Harrison coming back in as Rosie wiped her cheeks before he could notice. "That was Jack. He said he got an interview lined up for me."

"Honey, that's great." Rosie got up and kissed his cheek.

"Enough about me." Harrison went to go sit across from Flash. "Tell me about you. What have you been up to?"

"Well, like Rosie said, after high school I travelled. Stayed in Europe for a while. And then I got in touch with a friend from school. I don't know if you remember me mentioning a Payton Parker?"

"The show off?"

"She's not a show off." Flash shook his head, a guilty smile on his face. "After everyone was dusted, Payton's aunt had died. But as it turns out, that internship was real. Pepper Potts adopted Payton. So when I ran into Payton in Europe, we got to talking and she offered me a position with Stark Industries."

"That's great." He smiled at him.

Flash smiled shyly. "I'm at one of the lower R and D levels, but it's a good start."

"And this Parker girl?" He had a teasing smile on his face. "Are you and she...?

"No." Flash quickly said with a laugh. "No. She's got a boyfriend already."

"They serious?"

"Dad!" Flash jokingly scolded.

"Alright. Alright. But what about you? You got a girl?"

"No."

"A guy?"

"No." Flash laughed. "No one at the moment. Just spending too much time at Stark's I guess."

"Well," He put his arm around Rosie. "I hope you find someone soon. But you seem to have your life pretty together. What have you been doing this last month? I was hoping to see you sooner."

'You didn't rehearse this lie.' Venom teased.

"I um-" Help me think of something.

'Nope.'

"I was on a business trip with Payton and a couple of others. But after everyone started returning we struggled to find a ride back."

"Well I'm glad you're back."

Flash smiled broadly. "I'm glad you're back too."

********

Later that night after all of the heroes left, Laura quietly cleaned her house. Pepper and Natasha had of course offered to stay and help, but she sent them home. She just wanted to be with her family.

Nate she knew was asleep. Cooper and Lila were likely pretending to be asleep. They needed time she knew. But she had to admit she was a little sad they didn't want to talk to her at the moment.

She just finished the last of the dishes. She looked over to a picture frame of the family. It was the last one they'd ever take as a family.

Lila and Cooper were sitting on chairs. Clint stood in between the two, one hand on the back of Lila's chair, the other arm was wrapped around Laura's waist. Laura was standing behind Cooper's chair, holding onto Nate with one arm and a hand on Cooper's shoulder.

She wished she could return to the moment's before they were turned to dust. It was the perfect moment. She was making food. Cooper and Nate playing catch in the field. Clint and Lila were closer to the barn, target practice.

Out of all of their children, Lila was the only one who had picked up Clint's affinity for archery. So of course Clint took it upon himself to teach her. And she seemed to be a prodigy of it herself.

With a sigh, Laura walked out of the kitchen. She would have to go through the living room to get to the stairs and to their room... Her room. The bed was suddenly too big and cold now. She hasn't even brought up the idea of moving to the children yet. What would their thoughts be?

Laura paused as she walked through the living room. On the table was a large duffle bag. She didn't recognize the bag. Had someone left a bag behind? But she didn't remember anyone having a bag like this one.

She walked closer to the bag and finally noticed a note on the bag. The paper itself was white with poor drawings of unicorn, chimichangas, and a figure in red. On the other side of the paper was a note reading 'A gift from Uncle Wade. PS sorry I couldn't make it to the funeral. The author doesn't know how to write me yet. and too lazy to try. Hopefully this'll help you and the baby chicks.'

Wade Wilson. He was one of the few people she had met from Clint's SHIELD life. And definitely one of the most memorable. He did make good food though.

She slowly opened the bag to reveal a grocery bag with foil wrapped chimichangas sitting on piles of hundred dollar bills.

Oh Wade...

********

Payton woke with a small gasp, rapidly blinking, the dream already forgotten. She looked over to see the clock reading seven am. She put her hand over her eyes releasing a small groan. She so didn't want to be awake. Being awake meant dealing with the pitying glances, blurred vision, unearned admiration, and the missing arm.

"Miss Parker." She moved her hand away, looking over to see Strange walking closer to her, cloak less.

"Doctor Strange?" She sat up, now realizing the cloak had been laid over her like a blanket.

"How are you feeling?"

"Tired." The cloak, now awake, readjusted itself to around her shoulders. "Hey you." She looked back to Strange. "Not to be rude but why are you here?"

"I told you I will do what I can to help you in recovery."

"There's no magic spell to make me instantly better?" She weakly joked.

"Afraid not." Strange said.

"Can't even use the time stone?"

"He can't." Payton looked over to see Nat walking in. "How you feeling?"

"Getting a little tired of being asked that." Payton smiled. She looked closer at Natasha, who was dressed in uniform. "Where you going?"

"Rogers and I are going to return the Stones."

"I didn't realize they finished the remake."

"Well Richards was a big help."

"And the past stowaways?"

"They're not coming with us, but I suspect they might be leaving soon. So it'll just be me and Steve."

"When will you be back?"

"To you it will only feel like a couple of minutes, but it'll be however long we need. Scott even convinced Pym to give us more particles."

"Speaking of Pym, we need to find a new training for Cassie."

"Later." Natasha assured. "Now rest."

"Only if you promise to tell me everything that happens."

"Promise." Nat smiled before kissing her forehead. "Now rest." She looked to Strange. "If I come back and she's in worse conditions I'm taking a finger."

Strange looked to Payton. "She's joking right?"

"If that helps you sleep at night, yes." Payton smiled up to him as Nat walked out. She noticed Strange was staring at her, a strange gleam in his eyes. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"This wasn't supposed to happen to you."

"It had to happen." Payton reasoned. "We had to get everyone back and stop Thanos." She sighed, closing her eyes, leaning back against the pillows. "Whatever it takes."

"It shouldn't have been you though." She opened her eyes as Strange sighed, sitting on the edge of teh bed. "I saw 14 million different possibilities. But this..." He shook his head. "It shouldn't have been you."

"We call it Parker Luck." She put a hand on Doctor Strange shoulder best she could. "I don't blame you for what happened. Not for a second. Don't blame yourself either. You did everything you had to to get us here."

"Payton I-"

"Payton!" Morgan giggled as she ran in. "Guess what?!"

"Hey," Payton smiled apologetically at Strange before looking to her younger sibling. "What are you doing up?"

"The sky's awake." Morgan said simply. "So I'm awake."

"Is that right?"

"Yes! But you didn't guess what!"

"My bad." Payton chuckled. "What?"

"Mommy said Nate can come over for a sleep over!"

"That's so cool!" Payton said in the same excited tone as her as Pepper walked in, a purple robe over her pajamas. "You two are going to have so much fun!"

"Yeah! And Daddy said we're going to get a pet al- mac- a."

"A pet al- mac- a?" She raised an eyebrow to Pepper who shrugged exasperated. She probably met alpaca, but why would Tony get an alpaca? "Well you got to come up with a cool name for it."

"That's why I need your help!"

"How about... Gerald?"

"Gerald!"