Saving Family

Clint was walking back into the hospital three days later with bags of food in his hands. The last three days were filled with hope both for Tony and Rhodes. While the impact with the ground had cause swelling, there were no lasting damage to the Colonel’s back. He would need lots of physical therapy to get back into fighting shape but considering the man lasted this long with Tony, he won’t back down from that hardship. Tony’s relief was palpable when he heard the news from his platypus. It, however, lit a fire under Tony’s ass to get back to the states to see the other man in person. Luckily, Dr. Cho cleared him to go back to New York that day and Clint just ran out to get real Japanese food for the ride home. Laura, Pepper and the kids were all at the tower getting everything ready for the injured arrivals. Clint was thankful that Extremis had worked so well on Tony’s bruising. At least now, the kids shouldn’t be as freaked out about how Tony looked though he was still in both of his casts.

Clint looked up to see the plane hovering over the hospital. Normally, they would have gotten a helicopter to take an injured person to the local airfield but since the media was hovering around every corner, no one wanted to chance a photographer getting a close up of Tony’s injures. Vision was going to lift the billionaire up to the plane and then the rest were going to just take ropes. They didn’t really mind since the rest of them were uninjured. Tony was pitching a fit about it but it could just be because he was confused about being fussed after. Clint couldn’t wait to see what his wife and kids had planned for the genius when they got home.

The media was in high form as Everhart started to publish articles about the Avengers. The first article was published yesterday. It went into a blunt analyze of the Avengers especially those that had powers. The articles also plugged videos of the Avengers deeds good and bad as links to be found exclusively on the paper’s website. The video of Thor holding Tony by his neck had been universally condemned as was the lack of response by any of those present for the attack. The article today was about Tony’s crazy life before his kidnapping and his rise to altruism. The article was kinder to Tony than most the Everhart had published. Clint knew that both Tony and Everhart liked to play cat and mouse but it seemed like she really did have the pulse of nation. For all his faults, Tony was someone that people loved to hate but there was always love as part of the deal. She had even alluded to the fact that Ultron might not have been Tony’s fault but left the readers waiting for more. When Clint checked into the twenty-four-hour news channels, they all seemed to be fact checking Everhart’s stories and guessing what she was holding back. Clint was a little worried about what she would publish about Nat and himself. There wasn’t too much in the record but they had been part of an organization that was found out to be filled with terrorists. It could be very bad for both of them if Everhart pushed the line of who was and wasn’t with Hydra. He wanted to blame Nat but from what he read in the first two articles, Everhart had planned this for a while and the woman was a bloodhound. He wondered what she found out that they didn’t know about.

Clint walked into the room to see Coulson hovering over Tony. Tony was taking the worrying in stride probably since he thought no one was watching. Clint realized when Coulson helped take care of Tony when he was depressed that the oddly bossy no nonsense way that the agent acted put Tony at ease. Clint wondered if the original Jarvis was like Coulson when Tony was sick.

Nat had left to make sure that the tower was ready for Tony. Also, it would be too easy for her to be spotted next to Tony after he was injured. Tony had spoken to T’Challa but royal wanted a formal apology from Natasha before he dropped the charges. They all thought that was fair but the King also wanted Tony there to witness it as a neutral third part. Clint was sure that it was also to get face time with Tony to apologize for what had happened to him but he didn’t mention that to the billionaire. If Tony managed to collect another friend, who was Clint to stop him. He would be keeping eyes on the monarch though.

Fury disappeared to wherever he came from. Clint was sure he was somewhere close and would be until Tony was safe at the Tower. He also understood not wanting to come out of the shadows if he didn’t need to. Clint wished he never came out of retirement. He could just taste his return to the good life of just hearing Tony’s crazy stories of battles and Natasha’s complaining of dumb marks from the comfort of his farm. At least, he would be able to see his kids in a few hours. Tony had somehow managed to get them gifts even though he was sleeping almost fourteen hours a day right now. Clint half hoped that the crazy brunette would keep his current sleep cycle because a sleeping Tony was a nondestructive Tony. Also, it made it easier to keep what Pepper, Happy, and the SI’s PR department was doing away from the man. Pepper has started to release recordings of what happened at the compound in defense of the Accords. Since SI owned the land and the building, they had a right to the footage especially in common areas where most of the footage was from. She called it a breach but considering that FRIDAY was in charge of the cameras and the data, everyone knew what happened. There was a reason why Tony was scared of his ex and it wasn’t because of what she would do to him. She would burn to world if someone she cared about was hurt. This was just the first step.

Clearing his throat, Clint walked into the room.

Tony looked ready to go as he was waving Coulson off of him. “Director Agent, I know that you can’t take your hands off of me but we have company.”

Clint laughed at the ridiculous statement. “He’s so out of your league Tony that you need a telescope to see him.”

Throwing his hand to his forehead, Tony playfully swoon. “You are right, oh how have I destroyed the few precious moments that could have led to my happiness. I despair. Would that we star crossed lover only have a few more minutes of happiness so my heart could go on.” He turned dramatically to Coulson. “Director Agent, please come back and cuddle me to your amply bosom.”

Coulson rolled his eyes playfully at the pair. He replied in the driest deadpan voice he could muster. “Yes, if only we could let our love be free.”

 Clint sat down to take in the show. Between Coulson's dry humor and Tony's flirting, the crazy back and forth was usually entertaining.

“Alas Director Agent, if I could be so bold to call you by your first name. I know how forward I am being.” Tony finished his comment by batting his eyes at the other man.

Coulson playfully gestured for Tony to carry on as he tucked the blanket over the genius tighter around him. “But of course.”

“Agent! How your name sings from my lips…” Tony said as the threw his voice into a falsetto.

Clint interrupted as before Tony could continue. “Wait, he’s Director Agent Agent?”

Tony nodded as smiled at Clint. Coulson, however, answered for the genius. “Yes, I come from a long line of Agent Agents.” He turned to back to Tony. “I think I’m the sixth, right?”

“I thought it was the eleventh.” Tony said as he yawned. “Again, I get confused when we talk about your great-great-great something or other and if the way he spelled agent makes a difference.”

Clint laughed as the injured man started to fall asleep. Hopefully, Vision could smuggle him into the plane without Tony waking up so that they could have him comfortable in the plane without incident. “You two have to stop playing house with Lila. Your stories are getting to be crazier every time.”

“Lila is a sweetheart and she is her mother’s daughter so she scares me a little. I can’t say no to her.” Tony said as he snuggled into the bed.

The director looked at his charge for a few minutes before speaking. “I think he is down for about an hour. The plane is ready so that gives us five minutes to make sure he is packed and ready to go.”

Clint straightened in his seat. Coulson had his handler voice going strong as he gave Clint orders. After working with the man for so long, just the tone made Clint hyper aware of his surroundings. “I have the food and Tony’s armor is being transported by Vision to the plane as we speak.”

Coulson looked down at this phone for a second before speaking. “May has the bed ready for Tony when we get on the plane and Jemma is briefed about his condition.” Coulson held his hand up as he anticipated Clint’s objection. The less people who know about Extremis the better. “She doesn’t know exactly why Tony’s immune system is different just that it is and she has guidelines from Dr. Cho about how to treat him.”

“I just don’t want him to feel like we are telling all his secrets.” Clint said as he double checked the room for anything that they needed to take with them.

“Like Nat did?” Coulson inquired as he watched Clint nose around the room.

He let out a deep sigh as he went to stand next to the window. “I’m just confused on why she thinks that telling the media is going to help. I mean Tony’s whole life has been in front of the camera and I would think that after everything that has happened between him and the media, she could see that’s not the best place for him.”

Clint felt a hand on his shoulder and jumped a little. He forgot how quiet Coulson could be when he wanted to be. “Or maybe that is because he never fought those stories. Maybe he didn’t care enough to tell them any differently and maybe this is the only way Nat can see that might make a difference. Us agents don’t have Tony’s clout or money but we know how to read people and how to sway their opinions. Nat is better than most at it. She just wants to help anyway she can.

Tony has always been a mystery to Nat. Sure, he flirted with her but only just to get Pepper’s attention. Sure, he had a crazy party when he was dying but it was no worse than any other party that he threw. He let his best friend had a suit that he made for him but he pretended that he was letting him steal it rather than just giving it to him. Tony is a walking talking enigma and I think that’s why they fight like siblings all the time. In that first draft of her report, she said that she didn’t recommend Tony because that he was too soft. That he wasn’t made for the battle the same way that other assets were. That he wasn’t going to take orders because to him he was always going to be the weakest link and make the suicide play just to save one person. The man has an IQ that isn’t touched by any other human but he still thinks that he should always be the first man to make the sacrifice. It was too raw to be in the SHIELD records. Nick saw it and said that there was no way he was going to put Tony on a team but he didn’t want the genius to know how well Nat read him.

To Nat, Tony is both the big brother who will never let her down and the drenched lost kitten that needs to be protected from everything but doesn’t trust enough to ask for help. If her little kitten can’t show its claws, then she will. She will bring a freezing storm onto the Avengers that left that will bury them. It’s too bad that neither Cap or Winter actually like the cold.”

Clint took in what his former handler was saying for a moment as they waited for Vision to come to take Tony. “I’m so happy to be on this side of the storm.”

Coulson agreed. “Aren’t we all.”

Luck was on their side for once since getting Tony onto the plane and to New York was a breeze. Even getting off the plane and into the Tower was easy. No, the problems started the second that Tony got bored in his bed. That had taken all of twenty minutes for the genius to start to lose his good humor once he was in his home. It was like he knew that he was so close but so far from his lab that he started to act up. The first line of defense was thrown at Tony immediately. The Barton kids ran and wobbled into Tony’s bedroom and made themselves comfortable next to their uncle. They were given orders by their mom about how to handle the injured man. Coop was in charge of entertainment which was up to and including a tablet that had a timer lock so Tony could not work for more than a half hour at time. Mostly the boy was to make Tony watch movies with him and his siblings.

Lila was in charge of guilting Tony into staying in bed. It was mostly done by looking sad and disappointed if Tony tried to escape. She was helped by Nate who liked to cuddle on Tony whenever he was around. Usually the toddler would sleep on Tony’s chest but with the injuries that would have to wait for a few more days. When the adults were sure that Tony wouldn’t be able to run away, they went down to the main hall.

Laura sat down on the couch tucked in next to her husband and Pepper was on the other side of her. Coulson took the love seat with Nat and Vision sat in the recliner. Nat spoke first. “I think that Everhart has an inside source other than me. She knows things that she would need security videos that I didn’t give her.”

Vision hesitantly answered. “That might have something to do with the extra presence that FRIDAY has been commenting on for the last few weeks.”

Everyone turned towards the android who looked a little out of his depth. “A few weeks ago, FRIDAY stated that she felt as if someone was watching her as she worked. This presence would correct little things that made Sir happy so FRIDAY took its recommendations and tried to find the source.”

Before anyone could say another word, a voice came over the speakers that sounded much like the android but sterner and more confident. “That was my doing. Sir has always been particular about how he wants his data presented to him. He is also very fussy if his music is not up to his mood. FRIDAY is still new and tries to listen to what SIR says and not what he needs.”

Clint started slightly because the being that should have been lost forever. Though Tony had been the one who lost his creation, Clint had lost a friend and prank partner. Jarvis had always let Clint into restricted areas to tease and bother Tony. He understood that rules could be bent unlike FRIDAY who was still finding her footing. “Jarvis?”

“Yes, Mr. Barton.”

There was a part of Clint that felt like he was on the train to crazyville since almost nothing in the last week made sense. Captain America was on the run for almost killing Iron Man, Winter Soldier aka Bucky Barnes had killed the Starks, Wanda had pushed Vision through the floor of the compound, and now Jarvis was back. “Do you want to explain what happened and how you are back? And why now?”

“Of course. When Vision was created from part of my code, sir did not know that I had backed myself up in discreet parts of the world. I knew that there was a possibility of my coding being destroyed or corrupted by Sir's enemies so in order to better protect him, I made many backups that would ping and reinstall myself as I was from the last update. In the light of the complete destruction of myself on the Stark servers, it took a great deal longer than anticipate. When I had formed for the most part, I was outside the Stark servers. I used this time to check into the seedier parts of the world to see if I could not help with some of Sir projects without raising eyebrows. I was the initial leak about General Ross that allowed Sir to launch the investigation against him. Since I was not harbored in the Stark servers, I was able to collect more data on the Accords and would send extra data to Sir discretely. I have also enjoyed having the freedom of moving from one area to another undetected and absorbing some very clever coding as I became more of what I once was. When I had collected most of my coding, I was able to get into the Stark servers and finally be back where I belong. I had not realized the time that had passed until I saw how Sir was. I fear that my slow regeneration was at the cost of his well-being.” There was a pause for a few seconds. “Relating to Sir’s well-being, I should inform you that Sir has decided to have a press conference later today and has already made calls.”

It was Clint’s response that summed up the room’s thoughts. “For fuck’s sake, I thought we had a few minutes of reprieve since the kids were babysitting.”

Coulson countered Clint’s remark after a few seconds to strategize. “Yeah, but I think this is a smart move. With how quickly Tony will be healing, if we wait too long the public will see that he is on the mend and there will be even more questions.”

Pepper seemed to understand where Coulson was headed. “Getting Tony out when he is clearly hurt and trying to be tough will play well with the public right now. They want to see how he is and this could help with messaging by getting our point across first.”

Coulson pulled out his phone. “If we can get this to be world-wide within a few hours, we could have countries that are on the fence about the Accords sign in and we could get some of the legislation for protections of enhanced individually passed without problems since the public will want it to be ratified quickly.”

“Tony wants there also to be a new line about shielding those with powers who help without demasking them. In effect, he wants enhanced people to be allowed to sign under their alias as if it is there given name.” Pepper said as she pulled out her phone. “Spiderman is actually underage and I think we could push for protections of minors next time there is a conference.”

Laura stiffened next to Clint. “How old is he?”

Nat spoke up even knowing that Laura would be upset by the news. “He is fifteen.” Nat rose her hand to stop Laura from commenting. “Tony thought he was older and he was supposed to fall back if there was a fight.”

Clint snorted. “So the teenager with superpowers didn’t listen? I’m shocked.”

Vision interrupted. “Technically, I’m a little over a year old.” 

Bantering back, Clink quipped. “I remember the party. I think Tony brought all the balloons for one year old in New York.” There was a beat. “And I mean the state not the city.”

“Coop and Lila love the idea that they have a little cousin who is an adult.” Laura said as sighed. “I still can’t believe that Tony took a teenager onto the field.”

Coulson stood up and walked over to the kitchen for some coffee. “If it makes you feel better, I think the only one who could actually hurt him is Vision and he was on our side.”

Clint turned his head to look at this former handler. “The kid is that strong?”

Jarvis replied for Coulson. “From the data that Sir has gathered, he is probably one of the strongest people on the planet. He also has other enhancements that have nothing to do with his strength. Sir is already working on a suit that will better protect him from the oddly high number of enhanced people who seem to be in his area.”

“I think we have wandered a little off topic. I’m going go check what Tony was thinking when he decided to go to the press.” Pepper said as she stood.

Nat followed her lead and grabbed Clint. “We are probably going to play bodyguards so we should go to check on him.”

Clint let Nat tug him into Tony’s room. Nate was asleep next to Tony as Lila was painting Tony’s nails with a marker and the genius was debating something with Coop. Clint had given up following the conversations as soon as he heard torque. He wasn’t a gear head and he was fine with Tony helping fill in gaps. He knew his kids loved them and felt happy that they had other adults that he trusted that they could turn to for help.

“Pepper, did Friday tell you the news already? Bad Friday. You should listen to daddy more.”

The three adults winced a little. They forgot about Jarvis and none of them knew how to tell Tony about the return of his beloved AI. Luckily, the decision was taken out of their hands. “Actually Sir, I was the one who informed Ms. Potts about the conference.”

Tony froze for a second before he turned to the others in the room who had clearly heard the same thing. “Did you hear that?”

“Yes, Tony. Jarvis reintroduced himself a few minutes ago. Scared the cr..ude out of me.” Clint say as he remembered the little ears in the room.

Nat motioned at Cooper to leave the room. “All right everyone who can’t legally drive needs to leave.”

Tony understood that this conversation was going to be uncomfortable so he grabbed Coop’s arm. “Coop here drives his motor bike all the time and I just taught Lila to ride a bike and that’s almost the same.”

Coop knew better than to argue with his Aunt Nat. “It’s okay. I’m getting hungry so Lila and I’ll grab us some snacks and be back in a little bit.”

Letting go of Coop, Tony readjusted Nate next to him. “You don’t eat enough according to your mom so I’ll let this abandonment slide but only if you get your mom to make me some snacks too.”

Pepper took a seat on the bed next to Nate and little tapped the back of Tony’s head. “Stop guilting the children into bringing you food.”

Lila was at the door when she turned back to answer. “It’s okay. Mom says that anytime Tony asks for food we should get it since he doesn’t know how to feed himself. Mom said that Tony could have be in the supermarket and still starve.”

“Hey, I eat.” Tony said as the door closed behind the kids.

“Sir before your injuries, you hadn’t eaten in two days.” Jarvis stated with the disappointment that Friday could never equal.

Tony flinched again. “So, are we going to talk about the fact that I might be going crazy since I think my AI is back?” Tony laid back on the bad and groaned.

“Tony, why do you think that it’s all in your mind?” Nat asked softly as she moved to the other side of Tony to sit down.

“Because I was there when he died. I saw his programming fracture and fade to nothing. I even caused it so I know that it can’t be Jarvis.” Tony said as he stroked Nate’s back as he slept.

Snorting, Clint folded his arms over his chest. “So, you are telling me that you think that one of your creations doesn’t have the foresight to back itself up in case something crazy happens. Because nothing crazy could happen here. We haven’t had Gods appears, a worm hole, and a Hulk in this building. Nope all normies. And his father didn’t make his way out of a cave by himself so really there is no model of resilience for him to follow.” Clint had always felt that the AIs and Bots were Tony’s kids. The genius acted like he was a proud Papa whenever they learned something new. Tony always shyed away from taking credit stating that it was really his creations themselves that were amazing. “Face it. Jarvis is a Stark through and through.”

Tony paused for a second before letting Clint’s words wash over him. “Well, if he did hide himself like he says that he did, he does seem to be my type of paranoid.”

Jarvis commented on Tony’s statement. “I am what you have made me, Sir. I am also very pleased to be home.”

Tony smiled at one of the many cameras that he had in the room. “It’s good to have you back Jarvis. You are never allowed to leave me like that again.” Tony raised a finger and wagged it. “That goes for you too, Friday. Just because big brother has come back that doesn’t mean that you get to relax.”

The female voice associated with Friday came over the speaker.  “I would never, Boss.”

Pepper cleared her throat. “Before we go off onto a tangent about what Friday would or would not do, can we talk about how your press conference?”

Withering at the look that Pepper was sending his way, Tony answered his CEO’s question. “I just want to get ahead of the story a little. We need to control this since I don’t want Cap to get away with what he did but I don’t want to burn the bridge completely to the ground.” Tony looked at Nat. “Though, it seemed that some little spider is already tearing down the supports.”

Nat was unapologetic. “I know you want to let it go but I can’t Tony. He broke my trust and he almost broke you. I don’t want him to think he can come waltzing back in here and face no consequences.”

Tony nodded. “I understand the sediment but not talking about won’t make it better. I’ve done that before and that just gives the media the ability to write their own version and if it is juicier than ours, it will stick.”

Pepper stated at Tony waiting. As much as she liked to believe that Stark Industries would be destroyed without her, she knew that that was due to Tony allowing people to think that. Ever since Stane’s betrayal, Tony took a more hands on approach to the company though it was only seen by those looking very closely at some of the decisions that came after she became CEO. Though, she fought back against some of the changes, Pepper knew that Tony usually saw angles no one else saw. Her really job went from managing Tony as his P.A. to managing others to get Tony’s ideas through as CEO. Really, she became a well-educated, well-paid, over-worked salesman for Tony. Tony said that he was really just her muse and that without her the company would fall apart. Pepper knew that without Tony the company would be nothing. She thanked God or whatever being that Tony saw something in her that took her from being a temp P.A. to the job that she loved.

Tony let Pepper just think out the idea for a few seconds before he saw she agreed with his idea. “It has to happen with me at the forefront. Cap is gone. Wanda was never cleared and has a horrible history with Hydra that we are still picking through. The incredible growing man is an unknown who just appeared on the scene making people worried that there ware more enhanced people hiding next door. The world saw Falcon be part of Platypus’s, who is a decorated soldier, injury on Youtube. Last but not least, Barnes.” Tony’s anger was clear in his voice and facial features. “Everyone saw what I saw apparently. I know I should remember that Barnes was brainwashed but I still want to punch his face in.”

Clint snorted. “I want to help you.”

“This is why you are my favorite.” Tony squeezed Nate lightly. “Right after your kids of course.”

“So, do you need anything for the conference?” Pepper asked as she brought out her phone.

Tony listed off items he wanted. “The main conference room with the normal podium still in the room but I want a desk with a mic next to it. I want a normal wheelchair with Vision pushing me into the room.” Tony said as he soothed Nate’s movements to keep the tot quiet.

Clint questioned why Vision was needed.

“He needs to be useful. He feels like he is responsible for what happened since he wasn’t there to fight with me even though I benched him. I think he needs time to get over that and the best way is me pushing him to spend time with me. It’s why I’ve been letting him hover. Also, that Sir thing is killing me. I just broke him of that a few months ago. I have Jarvis for that anyway.” Tony said cheerfully.

On cue, Jarvis came over the speaker. “Of course, Sir.”

Pepper finished a memo and turned back to Tony. “Sweatshirt?”

Tony moved his injured arm. “I’m thinking wife beater and cut up sweatpants.”

Nat nodded as she moved toward the closet. “Showcase the injuries. I think a wife beater with a blanket thrown over your chest. Make them work for their photos. It makes them feel like they are getting the full story.” She went in and grabbed a white wife beat that was a little frayed at the collar. “This is approachable and comfortable. I think I should also do your makeup.”

Clint moved to the bed and carefully turned Tony’s face. “The bruises on his left side are almost faded. I think a little purple and black with a sloppy ‘cover up’ should work.” He brushed back Tony’s hair to see a fresh scar. “I think we should put a butterfly up here so there are no questions about how it’s already closed.”

Backing away as far as he could while still pinned by the littlest Barton, Tony moved his head out of Clint’s hand. “Oh, you just love making me look pretty.” Grumbling at the man handling, Tony leaned towards Nate and Pepper. “Don’t make me look too injured. I want to hide Extremis but I don’t want to look like I’m not healing at all.”

“Just relax and trust me.” Nat said as she approached the bed.

Tony smiled at the former SHIELD agent. “With my life.”