Legend

"Thank you both for the incredibly generous offers," I said. "I wish I could take them both. But I'm going to accept Tony's offer, Bruce," I said, and he nodded.

"It's a loss for my company," he said nicely, "but I can see why you'd want to work here. The opportunity to learn more from your uncle must be very attractive, take over from him eventually."

"Carrying that on is very appealing," I admitted, and he gave me a rare smile.

"Can you and Damian come for dinner this weekend?" he asked. "We haven't seen much of either of you lately."

"I'm sure we can," I said. "Thank you."

"If working here doesn't pan out again," Bruce said provokingly, "let me know. I'll always be open to working with you, Alex." We grinned at each other as Tony sputtered a bit, then Bruce got up to go, patting me on the shoulder as he passed by. After he passed through the doors, Tony turned to me.

"Take a couple weeks off, Barnes. I won't be ready for you til then. Then come back ready to work." He slid a folder over to me. "Sign these and it'll be official." He waited, not so patiently, as I thoroughly perused each page, signing and dating and initialing as I went. I handed him back the completed paperwork and he bounced up. "Great. Let's go." I followed as we went down to HR to have my badge access in the tower upgraded and the paperwork turned in. I thought he'd turn me loose after that, but we went downstairs to the training rooms. "I'm going to continue the clinic down here, make sort of a substation in your old offices for the street heroes," he said. That way they can still get treatment when they need it and we'll have a second facility for crisis events." I nodded, glad that the street heroes would be taken care of.

The elevator doors opened on an interesting scene. As I watched, Kate hopped off the regular treadmill to join the crowd around Bucky and Pietro. My uncle looked exasperated, if you knew what to look for, and Pietro looked mulish. It seemed they were clashing again over his training. Wanda was trying to get her twin to see reason, but he wasn't having it. Everybody turned as Tony strode up. He just looked at Pietro and shook his head. "You get the snot beat out of you, it'll be your own fault," he said crisply, then addressed Bucky.

"I've found somebody you can train to take over for you when you've had enough," he said, and Bucky brightened.

"That might be sooner rather than later," he said, shooting a look at Pietro. Then he saw me and came over for a hug. "Hi, sweetie, get things settled?"

"Yep," I said, smiling at him. "I'll be working upstairs researching novel energy sources, but a few hours each day down here. I'm going to be your replacement eventually." He hugged me again.

"That's a huge relief," he said, letting me go. "I know the program will be in good hands when I'm done, sweetie." We beamed at each other. Then he dumped me in it. "What do you think of Maximoff's refusal to learn self-defense, preferring to rely on his superspeed?"

Thanks, Uncle Bucky. "I think it betrays an inability to focus or the lack of enough self-discipline to learn." Pietro looked furious; I looked at him calmly. "The easiest way to take out a speedster is to attack the legs. If one or both legs is injured, just how would you keep yourself alive?" I asked him. His sister looked worried, glancing between the two of us. He looked at her and deflated.

"I can learn if I want," he insisted.

"Do you?" I challenged, and he looked rebellious, but his sister poked him.

"Yes," he muttered.

I walked over and put out my hand. He started to extend his, but I did a leg sweep to put him on his back and positioned the heel of my pump just above his knee, where one of the quadriceps attaches to the bone, and pressed hard enough for him to feel it. "You see, you weren't expecting an attack and it wouldn't be hard at all for me to injure you in such a way that your ability to access your speed would be very limited. Do you understand why you need some training?"

He grabbed at my ankle in an effort to knock me off balance, but I was expecting retaliation and shook off his hand easily, ending with the heel over his jugular. He sighed and conceded, and I stepped back. I pivoted swiftly and deflected my uncle's attack. "This is someone who takes her training seriously," Bucky told Pietro, giving him a hand up. "And while nobody's perfect--you can't be aware twenty-four hours a day and ready for an attack from any direction--she has learned to keep herself attuned to indicators of an incoming attack. Sound, certainly, but also things like changes of airflow, shadows, even just a feeling that something is off. She is skilled enough to put up a hell of a fight when she is taken off guard, and that makes her a difficult and dangerous opponent. And she'll get better, so by the time she's ready to take over, you can be sure that you'll be getting the best quality instruction."

"What makes her so good?" Wanda asked, sounding genuinely curious.

"Physically, she's suited for it," my uncle said after a moment of assessment. "She is very coordinated and has fast reactions. She's a natural athlete. But equally important is her attitude. She has determination and the ability to focus. She originally started working with me for self-defense against a boy at her school who was harassing her and it grew into a replacement activity when she gave up ballet. It's fun for her, which makes it easier for her to persist. And look at her now. Even in street clothes, in high heels, she is unimpaired and ready to act."

"I also have been targeted because of who I know," I said, deliberately vague. "And I put my attacker in a coma. So it's not just a matter of me being suited for it or enjoying it. It has literally saved me. If you've ever been a victim, you know what drives me." The room was silent.

"Ok," Pietro said. "When do we start?"

"I won't be ready for you upstairs for a couple weeks," Tony jumped in, addressing me. "But if you want to start down here sooner, go ahead."

We made arrangements for me to start downstairs the next day. I knew I still had a lot to learn, and I had to learn how to teach. I'd worked fine with Sif, because we got along well and she was far from a novice herself, but I'd need to teach everyone to the best of my abilities, even people I didn't like. Which meant no more beating up of deserving Asgardians, probably, unless I could package it as an exhibition.

Tony and Bucky came up with me to the outside door. "Congratulations on your new job, sweetie," my uncle said, kissing my forehead. "I'm proud of you. And I'm relieved that you'll be taking over the training program from me in time. I'll be leaving it in the best hands."

"I'm just doing the hand-to-hand program," I said, and Tony nodded.

"It'll be easier to find a weapons master," he said, and Bucky agreed.

"Alex!" I heard, and turned to see Aslyn waving to me from the by the elevator. She hustled over and we hugged briefly.

"You know my uncle, don't you?" I asked. "Anyway, Aslyn, this my uncle, Bucky Barnes, and of course you know Tony Stark." She rolled her eyes at me slightly and smiled, shaking Bucky's hand.

"I'm sorry for the loss of your friend," Bucky said gently to her. Bucky is sweet now that he's not killing people anymore, but sometimes it's hard for some to get over his past.

"Thank you," Aslyn said.

"You work for me in... IT," tony said, narrowing his eyes slightly as he concentrated. "Security."

"That's right," Aslyn said, surprised.

"I heard you did good work with that attack from Russia," he said, and she smiled. It's always nice to be recognized for your accomplishments.

"See you tomorrow, sweetie," Bucky said to me. "Nice to meet you, Aslyn," he said to her, and he and Tony strolled toward the elevator.

"Do you have time for an early lunch?" Aslyn asked me. "I was at a good stopping place at work."

So we went to lunch, where I told her about my new jobs. "I was worried," she admitted, looking really relieved. "The fire and Margaret, your business...it was a lot to deal with. So now you have a couple of weeks where you don't have to worry about anything, you can really relax." She poked me. "Too bad your boyfriend has to work." I laughed.

We chatted, getting caught up, not mentioning the memorial service or anything sad. It felt like things were finally getting back to normal. A new normal, anyway. After lunch, I texted Damian my news, along with the notice that we were going to his dad's for dinner this weekend, then hit the stores. I'd need more suits for my upstairs work, but I had a couple of weeks and didn't have to settle for things I liked ok but didn't love because I was in a rush. I came home with an asymmetric jacket and a blue and white cotton/silk skirt that would be nice for the summer. I wasn't going to want to wear the heavier wool suits I'd just bought in the heat. Ug, seasons.

When I got home, there was a big bouquet of lush blooming roses in pale pastels. The card indicated that the message was that the roses should be in a crown, but it would have taken too much time. I looked up a crown of roses, symbol of superior merit, and smiled. I texted him--I hated to call while he was at work in case he was doing something important--and put the bouquet, beautiful in a cut-glass vase, in the bedroom where its heady perfume could concentrate better. Then I called my parents, leaving a message for my mom and talking to my dad. He sounded relieved too, glad that I'd gotten another job so quickly and pleased that I was going to like it as much as I thought I would. I texted J, feeling real relief because I was feeling like this was going to suit me a whole lot better than our plans would have. I spent the rest of the afternoon researching professional organizations that would be helpful. Since we were out on the cutting edge, I decided to incorporate organizations that would cover parts of the whole, and selected the American Society for Microbiology, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the American Chemical Society. I also sent in my alumni dues for Phi Beta Kappa, Tau Beta Phi, an engineering honor society, and Sigma Xi, the scientific research honor society, which I'd joined at MIT. Then I shut off the computer, prepared dinner for that evening--pounding chicken breasts flat, adding cheese and a slice of ham and rolling it up for a version of chicken cordon bleu, then picked up a book. I loved the public library here, and my favorite librarian from high school still worked there as head of circulation.

I was deep into a new cozy mystery when I heard the lock in the door and looked up, smiling, to see my handsome boyfriend removing his coat and setting down his briefcase. I crossed to him for a welcome-home kiss and snuggle, then popped the chicken and some small potatoes in the oven to cook. We'd also have asparagus, but roasting that didn't take much time. Damian mixed cocktails while dinner roasted, and we talked about our days, mostly my new job. "Dad really wanted you to come work with us, but he understood why you took the job with Stark, especially considering that you'll be working with your uncle. Family's important." He stroked my hair as I cuddled up to him.

"Well, Tony's also made it clear that he's gotten help for his anxiety problem and I have full authorization to lock him out of the lab if he regresses, so I think it will work. And once I really started to consider it, I'm not as in favor of working on mutations as I used to be. I'm honestly wary about the outcome of that kind of research. I worry that somebody could have mutations induced against their will, or have the ones they have taken away. I've gotten used to mine, and I'd miss them if they were gone."

"I understand," he said, kissing me lightly. "And Dad was really pleased that you accepted his dinner invitation."

"Should I have invited him and Alfred here sooner?" I asked, startled. "I didn't even think about it--"

"Relax, sweet pea. Me having a girlfriend who is this important to me is new to us too. I told Dad I didn't want you to get spooked, so he's been keeping a distance. But they're interested in getting to know you better now."

"I don't want to offend anybody."

"He's not, though Alfred was fussing the other day when he came over with the soup. He thought you looked peaky." I smiled, then a new thought hit me.

"What do I wear to dinner with your family in a mansion?" I asked, serious although I used a light tone.

"Dress?" he seemed baffled too. "I'll be wearing a suit..." Then he rubbed my side gently. "Let's go shopping Saturday."

And we did. We went to several stores where I found a suitable dress as well as a couple of dresses I could wear to work with jackets or cardigans, and since they were putting out summery clothes, a couple of sundresses too. Damian insisted on paying, saying he was having a great time. He certainly was; he had excellent taste and opinions on everything I tried on. Since our opinions mostly coincided, we both had fun. I let him pay this time, but we were going to have a conversation in the near future about that. Now that I had a very well-paying job, I wanted to take care of my needs myself. I got a couple of pairs of shoes and a nice clutch, then he took me to one last store, high-end lingerie. It apparently wasn't unusual for gentlemen to come in with their ladies as there were a couple of dressing rooms fitted up in two parts; a cubby for changing and an exterior cubby where the man could wait to be dazzled. That was also fun and when we got home I modeled some very sexy Agent Provocateur pieces that I hadn't let him see, and we finished just in time to get ready for dinner.

Dinner was delicious--Alfred had gone all-out and done a standing rib roast and there was a bakery-worthy custard tart for dessert, crowned in delectable fruits. After dinner we adjourned to the library; Damian had to take an unexpected business call, but Bruce showed me how he'd organized the library and we walked along the shelves, discussing our favorite books and ones we didn't like. He pulled a couple of history books off the shelves for me to borrow, and shortly after Alfred joined us, Damian came back. He needed to discuss the call with his father, so Alfred took me down to the bat cave to show me a couple of new things in the medical suite. Now that I had my paramedic certification, I was much better situated to appreciate the complex engineering and diagnostic capabilities. Just before we went back upstairs, he gave me a portable tissue accelerator for the suite. As we passed back by Batman's enormous console, a bat fluttered past, making me gasp at the unexpected flight. It landed on a perch at the end of the console. That was new. Alfred smiled and picked up a toothbrush, gently grooming the little bat's fur. It seemed to like the attention.

"I found this one last year, just a pup with a damaged wing," Alfred explained. "So I fixed it, but he's remained fond of us and very much enjoys his groomings." I smiled. It was a cute little thing.

"How long do bats live?" I asked, moving a little closer, but the little bat seemed nervous, so I stopped.

"Up to thirty years," Alfred said, finishing up with the tail. "They've just come out of hibernation."

"I didn't know bats hibernated."

"I don't know about all bats, but these ones do," Alfred said, putting the toothbrush down. The little bat chittered, drank some water from a saucer, and flew off. "This is a good place for bats; they hibernate in the cave and roost here the rest of the year. There's a little pond not far away on the property. It's fairly swampy and there are a lot of insects by it that the bats enjoy, so they stay close. Master Bruce likes the colony."

We went back upstairs and I set the accelerator by the door. We returned to the library, and Alfred brought in coffee. After talking more, Damian kissed me and said that he needed to go out that night.

"Ok," I said. "Alfred just gave me a portable tissue accelerator to take home. Be careful, I'd rather not use it tonight." He grinned at me.

"I'll try not to," he said, then gave me his keys.

"I could also drive Miss Alex home," Alfred volunteered.

"I wasn't planning on coming back out here," Damian said, and after I finished my coffee, all three men escorted me to the door. I think Alfred felt his rights as butler were being stepped on, as he walked quickly and got to the door first.

"Thank you for dinner," I said to Bruce, who smiled slightly.

"I enjoyed it as well," he said, surprising me with a peck on the cheek. "I look forward to the next time I can lure you both back out."

"Thank you," I said to Alfred as he held the door. "Dinner was delicious." I surprised him with a peck on the cheek.

"My pleasure, Miss Alex," he said. Damian picked up the accelerator and escorted me to his car.

"I'll see you at home, sweet pea," he murmured in my ear. He kissed me and closed the door; I waited until he moved away before starting the car and pulling down the long drive. I enjoyed driving his car a lot more when he wasn't in the passenger seat, bloody and beaten. It didn't take long to get back into the city and I reflected that if things continued to go well between Damian and me, invitations to Bruce's mansion would continue and it might be a good idea to get a car of my own. Especially now that I had a good job, I could save the down payment. I'd have to be crafty, though, keeping it to myself so that Damian didn't feel obligated to get one for me. I parked the car in the garage and ambled into the hotel, plotting. As I crossed the lobby, a tall, beautiful woman intercepted me and placed her hand on my arm. I looked at her and stepped away, making her hand fall to her side.

"I did not mean to offend you," she said in a cool alto. "I merely wanted to meet the... girlfriend of my son. Since you've ingratiated yourself with his father."

I looked at her calmly. "And you are...?"

"Talia al Ghul," she said, a little impatiently. "Ibn al Xu'ffasch is my son." I crooked an eyebrow. "Has he not told you his true name? Then you know him as Damian Wayne."

"Does Damian know you're in town?" I asked.

"Not yet, but he will when you tell him. Tell him I look forward to... what's the phrase... catching up with him." I watched as she pivoted on her heels and sauntered out the door. I had the sense that she had come alone, but I couldn't be sure. I took the elevator partway up and took the stairs the rest of the way, wishing for the first time that the suite wasn't farther down. The accelerator was heavy. I put the equipment away, then went to the safe where I knew Damian kept a bug detector. The suite was clean, and nothing was out of place. Nevertheless, I called Alfred.

"Good evening, Miss Alex," he said.

"Good evening, Alfred. I just have a quick question."

"Go ahead, miss," he said encouragingly.

"Do Bruce and Damian know that Talia al Ghul is in town?"

There was a sizeable silence on the other end. "I do not believe so," he said slowly. "How do you know?"

"She approached me downstairs," I said. "She told me that she wanted to meet her son's girlfriend since I've already met Bruce and that she looked forward to catching up with Damian. She called him Ibn al.... something."

"It means 'Son of the Bat,'" Alfred sniffed. "Unoriginal. I will communicate this information to Master Bruce and Master Damian. Do not leave the suite until Master Damian returns and briefs you on his maternal parent, please."

"OK. Thanks, Alfred," I said; he said good night and hung up. I changed out of my dress into yoga pants, a t shirt, and hoody, pulled all the draperies, and waited as Alfred had asked.