The Good With The Bad

Tony and Steve had taken Kate’s and Isabella’s reports in stride. They both already felt that this was how things were going to go or near to it. They were going to need Serena and Peter on this one though. Everyone they could get. Tony had 3 specially designed suits but the third one was just a prototype for Serena. It was largely untested and Tony was concerned that there would be malfunctions as she channeled energy through the suit’s palm based beam amplifiers. The suit had the ability to absorb several different forms of energy through several points of contact with Serena’s flesh. Her HUD read out gave her how much energy she had in the collectors and how much more the suit could actually take before it shorted itself out. She could choose to take in that stored energy or use it how she wanted. That and only a very little amount of energy was needed to create powerful blasts from her palms. Like the other suits she could fly and release countermeasure of differing types depending on the attack type. The suits were not as bulky as Tony’s normal suits. A sign that they were not as well armored either.

Tony, Isabella and Serena were going to be the birds for the cats, the mutants with ranged powers to try and bring down. Steve, Kate and Pharaoh were going to deal with the SSB and Peter and Logan would deal with what was left. Natalya had only one true purpose. To shoot Magneto and take him out of the fight. Without him Loki would have to engage directly for any chance of success which would expose to everyone who he truly was. The plan was to head out before dawn. Right then it was about 10:30pm and Peter came to Serena’s room.

“Hey...are you asleep?” he whispered through the door. “I can’t sleep,” He said.

Steve rubbed the oil on his large, strong hands and began to rub it into Kate’s shoulders. They had just made love and Kate sat naked with her legs crossed on their bed. Steve was behind her and his hands were like magic as they began to knead the meat and muscle of her shoulders. He was very good at this and his touch had forced out a soft moan from her.

“You’re like iron tonight Kate,” he said softly as he continued. “Are you worried about tomorrow?” he asked.

Tony took a long swallow from his drink as he moved back up toward the bed. He was dressed in a black and silver Kimono and Isabella was half covered by the red satin of the sheets of their large bed. Tony jingled the ice around so that it cooled the dark amber liquid as he went onto his knees before her and took in her sexy shape. “I sometimes wonder if you’re getting more beautiful...maybe that’s your mutation,” he said with a smirk as he leaned down and kissed the side of her exposed breast. She shifted onto her elbow in order to take up the proffered glass from him.

Logan laid in his bed. His arms were bent back under his head as he stared up into the ceiling. Tonight of all nights he could not gt Natalya out of his head. He was restless and more than a little horny right then and there was only one person right then who he thought might alleviate it all. The impossibility of that nearly made him chuckle. To keep their friendship whole and alive made it impossible but he surely wished it wasnt! ‘Fuck me,” he said.

Serena was laying in bed awake going over everything from the meeting they had had earlier that day. She had been surprised but pleased to hear that she would be helping out. She wanted to be a part of the team, but she knew her parents would always try to keep her safe. She wasn't a child anymore though and she wanted to show them that she could be an integral part of this team. She had to admit that she was scared though. So much could go wrong and this would be her first real fight. She also knew that her suit was just a prototype. It wasn't complete, but she would have to deal with that.

She was about to text Peter when suddenly she heard a soft knock on her door and his voice. She got up and walked over and opened her door to let him in. "No, I haven't been able to fall asleep. I've been thinking about tomorrow."

Kate knew that she should be relaxed after their love-making, but she still felt tense. She felt Steve's strong hands on her shoulders and she closed her eyes as she felt his fingers knead into her flesh. It hurt a little, but also felt incredible. She opened her eyes when she heard his question and nodded a little. "Nick doesn't seem to think we should trust Natalya with the rifle. He actually told Natalya that the SSB would not have a reason to help Loki if Logan had done his job and killed her. I think there's more to her than we have all been thinking. Clearly Logan trusts her and I trust her as well."

Isabella knew that she wasn't going to be able to sleep. So many things could go wrong tomorrow and her only child's life might be at stake. She would do everything she could to keep her safe. She looked over at Tony as he walked back over to the bed with a glass of whiskey. She smiled a little at his comment and took the glass from him. She felt his lips kiss the side of one of her left breast as she took a sip. The liquid was cold, but felt hot as she swallowed. It burned down her throat and into her stomach, but she took another sip. "Are you sure Serena is going to be safe in that suit?"

Peter came in and shut the door behind him. He was dressed in blue jogging pants and a blue t-shirt. He wore nothing on his feet and didn’t smile as he usually did when he saw Serena. He was worried about tomorrow as well. Worried that Serena was new to this kind of thing. Worried that her suit was a prototype and worried that She was going to like the fighting and the danger. Peter knew that he and Serena were going to end up together as if he had gotten some premonition of that fact. And it was fact in his mind anyway. But he wasn’t certain he would want her doing this like Isabella did. He had thought on all the possible arguments he could beseech her with but none of them made him want to test them on her. He didn’t want an argument but he felt one brewing...somewhere between them. Making love to Serena was easy and probably the most pleasurable, for him at least than he had ever felt in his life. Tieing her down or even suggesting such a thing is not going to be well received if she didn’t haul him out of her room bodily then refuse to sleep with him ever again.

“I want you to stay by Isabella,” He asked. It was her inexperience that was driving him to this. The fact that she really had no true combat experience and simulations did not do the real thing justice. When she looked at him he moved quickly up to her and put his arms around her waist. “Stay close to her and do as she does,” he said. Peter had ALOT of combat experience and had worked alone besides. Having a team at his back was a luxury as far as he was concerned.

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His fingertips found a small knot and gently he rolled the tips of his fingers one way then another then deepened the rubbing. Kate had small, tight muscles all over her body. Her body resisted his attempts to soothe them but Steve had extremely strong fingers and he used them with patience. Eventually they succumbed to the constant repetitive application of pressure and the knots began to loosen.

“I don’t want to hear about Nick. I sense that he wants to hold onto what he has and is willing to sacrifice us and his own agents to keep it. I don’t trust him,” he said plainly then paused for a few moments. ‘I was going to ask you this earlier but I might as well now. I’d like our...relationship to move forward but I want you to cut ties with SHIELD. I know you are here, I’m touching your shoulders right now but you are also...there and having to keep things from me. I don’t like it Kate and I don’t think I ever have,” he said honestly. He had worked with SHIELD before, long ago but once he saw their true colors, much like those of the US government, he stopped wearing them. He wore his own now, a dark blue and black.

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“I was going to talk to you about that...later but we might as well hash it out now. I want you to keep her by you at all times tomorrow. I know it sounds sexist but she has no combat experience. She can get that by watching you so I want you to hold her back and fight where you direct her to fight,” Tony he had pulled back from her but even as he spoke he was looking at her breasts. He liked how they had a slight lean to them. They were real and matronly and he just liked to look at them. Tony was probably one of the few men she had ever met that could talk about something so important and also be thinking about sex. In the past he had told her that some of his best inventions happened while they were actually having sex. The things she did to his body opened up avenues into his creativity that would likely have never happened otherwise. He was considering seeing if he could make her orgasm again but held himself back do to the importance of what they were talking about. He had set all women aside when he met Isabella. And he had also made a deal to the devil himself to get her back. Something he would do again and again.

Serena knew that she and Peter were going to end up together, but she wasn't sure if they should eventually get married without having dated other people. She and Peter were still young and had their entire lives together ahead of them. She wanted for them to grow up some more before settling down together. She felt it would be better overall for their relationship and their relationship would be stronger in the end. She wasn't sure however how Peter was going to react to this. She looked over at him and felt his arms encircle around her waist when he told her that he wanted her to stay near her mother tomorrow during the fight. She wanted to argue, but she had no valid argument for not doing what he wanted, which she was certain was also what her parents would want. She was an inexperienced fighter and she knew that. She needed to learn some more and learn to follow orders if she wanted to be a part of this team.

"Alright, I'll stay near my mother. You promise me though that you aren't going to do anything stupid, right?"

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Kate listened to Steve when he talked about SHIELD. She felt torn when he told her that he wanted her to leave SHIELD. She knew that she needed to and that she wanted to be here with Steve and not have to keep things from him, but at the same time SHIELD had been her home for as long as she could remember. She was quiet for a moment before finally speaking gently to him. "When I was younger and my parents were still alive I wanted nothing more than to be like them. SHIELD has really been the only home I have ever known. I feel a strange loyalty to the organization and I suppose that has to do with my parents. However, SHIELD has changed and I'm not sure if my parents would want to be a part of this SHIELD."

She turned and looked into his blue eyes. "I will leave SHIELD. It's time."

“Muah doing something stupid?” Peter said in feigned insult but his mouth cracked a wide smile for her as he gestured his right hand toward his chest. They laughed together but as the kissing began it became clear that in a few more minutes they weren’t going to really care that they wouldn’t be getting any sleep.

It was about an hour before dawn and Isabella had been moving about getting those that were still sleeping up. She opened up Serena’s door and what she saw made her eyebrows draw up. Her initial reaction was to slap the both of them silly but then she saw how Peter was holding her as they slept. Obviously he cared for Serena a great deal and they looked so peaceful like that. She sighed, closed the door then pounded it on. “Serena, time to get up, get dressed and suit up!” She said loudly then moved down toward Logan’s room and did the same.

Before long everyone was up, dressed and had their fill of coffee and protein bars. Logan physically tugged at Natalya’s leather support webbing and she looked like a GI JOE action figure with that sniper rifle slung onto her back. Kate was dressed in something similar and Logan wore his suit that had been designed for him as well. Steve had his shield on his back and Peter was costumed up as well. The Starks were in their suits, lither, less bulky versions of what Tony usually made but no less impressive for that.

“Natalya, I programmed the jet for advanced autopilot, select program 5 when you bail out on the roof,” he said. “We 3 will scout it all out and Natalya will drop you on the main roof. She’ll go to the opposite building across from their main HQ with Pharaoh as her spotter and set up for her shot. Kate, your side arms have the same tranq darts if Natalya can’t get a clean shot. Understand, we can’t stop them all and we aren’t going to try. Get Magneto out of the way first, protect SHIELD agents second,” he said as he looked at them all in turn. “If the Baron shows himself, make him your third priority. Give him hell and force him into revealing himself. Any questions? Good, lets go,” He said. Peter looked at Serena one last time as she stepped away with her parents.

It was a cool November morning. So cold that they could see their own breath. The sky was a light gray but it didnt feel as if there would be any rain. The suits were working fine thus far and indeed they felt much more nimble than their other suits but also less protective. “Serena, keep an eye on your energy readouts. Don’t overtax your suit or allow it to take in to much. Vent if you have to however you can,” Tony suggested.

Natalya dropped everyone off then piloted the jet across to the opposite building. They hopped out and the jet moved off and landed in the eastern parking lot. Pharaoh tested out his sights and watched as Natalya assembled the rifle. As everyone waited they saw as several SHIELD agents in full combat gear began to move around the building. They were setting up to repel the mutant attack and most of them were using non metal gear and tranq rounds just like they were. To hide them Pharaoh made the edge of the building seem a bit higher so it settled over them. Now that they were part of the building anyone who looked near them would only see the building. Natalya’s field of view was limited but she had an excellent vantage point though only from the South. As the first few mutants arrived the battle for the Tesseract had begun.

In Peter's arms Serena felt safe and secure and for the moment nothing else mattered. She hadn't intended for them to fall asleep together after, but it felt so good just laying there with them. It was their first time spending the entire night together. She was breathing in Peter's familiar scent and listening to his heartbeat when she was suddenly awoken by her mother's knock. She had no idea that her mother had walked in and seen them together. She and Peter quickly got up and got dressed and Peter snuck out of her room to return to his room. Serena dressed in black leggings and a black, long sleeve shirt and her combat boots.

Natalya hadn't slept very much that night and was awake by the time Isabella began going around to wake everyone up. She couldn't let everyone down. She needed to be sure that she got the shot. Everyone was going to be counting on her. She dressed in the suit Tony had made for her and pulled her hair back to keep it out of her face. She had additional leather support webbing and Logan took time to ensure it was completely secure. She wanted to tell him it was fine, but she decided to just let him continue since it would make him feel better.

After they were all assembled and suited up Tony gave the rundown of what was going to happen. Natalya felt a lot of pressure on her to get the shot, but she knew she could do it. Once they were ready they boarded the jet and Natalya piloted it out to the building. Already she could see SHIELD agents assembling. Once everyone was out, Natalya selected Program 5 and got out of the jet and then watched as the autopilot took it over to a nearby parking lot. She then began to assemble the rifle. She and Pharaoh were on the roof and had a good vantage point, but she needed to ensure the shot was clear before firing. She would ultimately only have one shot. If she missed then he would be alerted to what they were doing and their plan would be spoiled.

With the rifle assembled all she could do now as wait...

Mutants, some young, some older and in differeing vehicles broke through the front gates and sent SHIELD Agents either flying to their deaths or running for cover. The gates and guard post was torn from their foundations and ripped out of the ground itself as if they were weeds that needed to be plucked. The ground shook as the pieces were thrown toward the building with so much force that part of the exterior wall had caved in and not far from where Steve, kate and Logan were. Natalya was on the opposite side of the first building. Magneto and his mutants needed to move around her building to the one presumably where the Tesseract was hidden in. Bolts of fire, ice, energy, globs of acid and earth were hurled at the SHIELD agents and into the air when they saw the Starks. Mutants using their powers to create a front of carnage in order for Magneto to get a good look at the building. The Baron and his 2 guards were there as well and Serena recognized the woman in the dark blue suit. The one that shot and killed Truman if she had her guess. Her HUD gave her her name, Anrea Strocker the Baron’s daughter.

SHIELD agents returned fire and though several mutants went down several others took up their places as they marched toward the building. The Starks began to lay down a good deal of firepower but they were usually dodging as many more attacks came toward them. So far Serena’s suit was working wonderfully. Her reserves allowed her to fire with impunity and though she had to dodge the non energy attacks, she didn’t the energy ones and her suit never fell below 50%. It was Logan, Steve, Kate and Peter that were in trouble. They were mainly on foot and in a very close melee. Well outnumbered they still seemed to hold their own. The Avengers were far better trained than those mutants that attacked them. That and they knew how to fight as a team. Peter used his webs to divert and confuse. Kate used her Telekinesis to allow Steve and Logan to pummel their opponents.

No shot for Natalya yet and it was unclear to her nor Pharaoh where he was. He was definitely inside the SHIELD grounds but they didn’t see him. Suddenly the corner of the building heaved and pieces of glass, metal and concrete blew apart in all directions. Tony caught 2 SHIELD agents mid air but as he began to descend with them a large piece of metal slapped onto him. The men dropped onto the ground as it bent around him and sealed his arms to his sides. He crashed to the ground and the two women heard him groan in their headsets.

As Natalya looked up she saw Magneto flying directly above her. He was focused on the other building as he began to rip a hole into the ground and it didn’t seem as if he were having any kind of difficulty. He wasn’t alone though. The woman in dark blue was crouched on the balcony above her along with a man with a longsword who Flanked a Balding older man with glasses that she presumed was the Baron who was actually Loki.

“Something is...wrong,” the Baron said. “I don’t feel the Tesseract, I know that it is still there but I can not sense it,” he said. “Bring it down Magneto, bring it ALL DOWN!” The Baron cackled.

Below Natalya she saw Steve overwhelmed by 3 mutants. He was fighting them hand to hand without his shield. Logan was being held down and Kate seemed pressed by some unseen force that she appeared to be battling against. Peter was still fighting but he was about to be overcome as well.

Isabella was trying to fight and keep an eye on Serena at the same time, which was proving difficult in this battle. As promised, Serena kept close to her mother and if she had to move away to dodge an attack she came right back over. The suit was able to enhance her mutation and also was able to keep her energy reserves from falling too low. She remained cautious about using too much energy though. She didn't want to kill anyone since she knew that these were all just people that had been lied to and used and so she only fired to injure or incapacitate. Suddenly, though, she looked over to see the corner of the building heave and then pieces of glass, metal, and concrete flew outwards. She watched as her father saved two SHIELD agents, but as he was taking them down to the ground a piece of metal hit him and then, as he dropped the agents, wrapped around him and pressed his arms into his sides. Isabella began to panic, but kept in the air.

"Tony?! Are you alright?!"

Serena suddenly noticed that Steve, Kate, and Logan were being overwhelmed by mutants. She began to fire energy blasts at them, being careful to only hit the mutants and not Steve, Kate, or Logan.

Natalya wished she could be down there helping the others, but she knew that her job was up here and she would help them by taking down Magneto. She could see him now flying above her and she knew that now was the time. He didn't see her and because he was in the air he was unobstructed. She looked through the scope and aimed towards him. He was wearing a metal helmet, but she saw part of his neck exposed. She took off the safety and drew in a breath. She held it and then squeezed the trigger...

“He’s trying to crush my suit! Serena, can you cut it off?” He asked in between breaths of agony. Isabella could have as well, their suits had laser torches but by the time it cut through the metal he’d likely be squeezed to death. Already his HUD cracked and his suit began to bend inward. Soon his arms were going to snap and after that was his ribs and body.

Natalya’s dart zipped in right underneath the ridge of his helmet at the neck. Magnato felt to his neck but nothing immediately changed. What did change though was that the sultry woman in the dark blue suit began to fire down at Natalya. Well, in her area at least. Obviously they couldn’t see them, Pharaoh’s camouflage illusion was just too perfect. Soon or later though she would hit someone and the Swordsman looked down toward them as well. They had been made but also not but they both looked about to jump down after them.

The Baron smiled as several mutants dragged out a man in a black outfit. He was young with jet black hair and fair skin. They also brought out a metal case. Right after them Nick Fury hobbled out of the deep hole that Magneto made. He was injured and bloody but he didn’t appear to be giving up just yet. The power Kate was up against was eventually just to great. They broke through her telekinetic shield and she was knocked back violently to roll over and over on the concrete. Steve and Logan had been subdued and as Serena cut her father free only Peter and Isabella remained fighting. As Isabella launched several gas missiles a large ethereal blue hand grabbed hold of her then bashed her into the ground over and over until it just threw her into a lightpost and her body cracked it in two. Magneto suddenly dropped and when he struck Natalya’s balcony she and Pharoah wee suddenly exposed.

“I think I’m in trouble! Peter said through the comms but there was no help for him right then.

Suddenly exposed, Natalya knew she had one shot left. She aimed for the woman in blue and hit her in the neck as well. The swordsman watched his sister lose consciousness and fall to the ground and then he rushed towards Natalya with his sword drawn. Natalya dropped the rifle and engaged the swordsman and just narrowly missed the swing of his sword. She landed a kick square to the chest and sent him stumbling back a few feet.

Meanwhile, Pharaoh focused on Loki. Anyone watching the Baron would see his expression suddenly change to one of anger and confusion and suddenly his form changed. Instead of a short, bald, older man there stood a tall man with dark hair down to his shoulders, green eyes, and was wearing a helmet with horns that were curved backward. He was dressed in green and gold with a long, green cape. All around them the mutants just stared in shock as it became apparent that the man they had been following was not who they thought he was.

Natalya threw herself onto the ground to avoid another swing from the sword. However, as she did she suddenly heard a blast and then heard the clang of the sword as it hit the ground. She looked up to see Serena hovering in the air above her. The swordsman was now unarmed and Natalya flipped herself up onto her feet. She then sprinted towards him and got her legs up around his neck in a grapple and then swung him down to the ground.He hit his head and immediately blacked out.

Loki looked at the blonde woman and his staff glowed blue with the mind stone but he had come for the Space Stone. He hopped down near Pharaoh as Natalya fought and struck him with his staff. Pharaoh fell and then he only held his staff atop Pharaoh’s chest. Once Natalya stood she’d see him standing there in all his splendor looking at her quisitively.

“I came only for the Space Stone. Once I have it I will leave...I will promise you that,” he said as he glanced down in between the buildings. Serena cut her father free but something was wrong with Isabella’s legs. She couldn’t feel them and her suit was an absolute wreck. There was no more fighting. Loki’s forces had won and they held the metal container that supposedly held the Space Stone. He grinned at her as his eyes looked her over. Nick Fury stood by the mutants that held the case with a loaded pistol. He managed to get his arm in a sling but appeared ready to take the case back. Mutants and SSB agents held Steve, Kate, Peter and Logan by either knife or gun.

“I could take you with me, a pair of misfits in a world populated by gods? I could ‘make’ you a god if you wished it. Or as good as,” he said as he smiled at her. Pharaoh’s hands held the bottom of his staff and he groaned as if it were extremely heavy on his chest. Loki did not seem to notice nor care what he did to Pharaoh. “Bring me the case and it will be done Natalya Sokolova,” he said.

Natalya eyed Loki as he stood before her. He was quite impressive and every bit the godly figure he was supposed to be. She could see Loki eyeing her as well and he grinned at her. She knew that Loki had won, but he still didn't have the case. As she looked around she could see that many of the Avenger's team members were hurt. She also knew that Loki would just come back again and hurt more people if he didn't get the Space Stone. She didn't want that.

She glanced at Logan and saw his face and the look in his eyes when Loki suggested her going with him to Asgard. It was a painful, heartbroken look and she knew then that she had so much more here than she could ever have anywhere else because she had Logan.

"If I bring you the case, you will heal everyone here who has been injured. That is the only deal I will make with you."

“No, Don’t Give it to him!” Kate said. Not quite a yell but her voice carried. “Think about it Natalya, Think about what you’re doing!” Peter said. The mutant that was holding him shook him hard. “Why not just let him have it Kate? Its not benefitting anyone here on earth,” Steve said. “You dont know that Steve,” Kate said.

Loki was beginning to like this game. These were the Avengers and they had differing opinions on what to do about the Tesseract. He looked over at Serena. “You there...The Stark girl. You will decide on the Tesseract. I will take it and in exchange heal everyone hear or I will leave it sitting on the ground in that case and leave,” he said. Isabella crawled a foot or two then stopped. Tony held his side and he took off his helmet and tossed it aside. He was a mess but he had had worse...possibly. Peter shifted his face toward her. “Serena, please, don’t give it to him,” he said just as Kate said. “He’ll just come back more powerful,” Kate said. “No Kate!” Steve said. “It was not meant for this world!” He said. Logan was...decidedly mute on this. He only looked at Natalya.

Serena blinked when Loki pointed at her and made her the sole decision on this. She hesitated and glanced over at Peter. At first, she was going to side with Peter and Kate, but then she looked over and saw her mother. She could tell something was terribly wrong. Tony was near Isabella and she looked at him. "Tony...I can't feel my legs." Serena suddenly saw the panic in her father's eyes. She felt like all the air had been sucked out of her lungs. Her mother was paralyzed from the waist down. She felt sick to her stomach as saw the tears in both her parent's eyes as her father got to her and cradled her in his arms.

Serena quickly looked back at Loki. "The case in exchange for healing everyone and helping my mother."

“Bring it to me then,” He said as he lifted up his staff off of Pharaoh. He looked back at Natalya and smiled at her. “It could have been fun you know? He said with a mischievous twinkle in his eye. He waited patiently as Serena flew the case up to him. As soon as he received it he opened it and smiled. He nodded then took the glowing cube out of the case. He looked at it and then with a flourish it was gone. He lifted up his staff and a blue glow emanated from the large blue gem. It began to glow brighter and brighter until everyone had to shield their eyes from it. As the light touched them they felt their wounds inexplicably begin to heal. There was a group loss of time for just a moment but as everyone began to move again Loki was gone and everyone who had taken an injury, save for the dead, were healed.

Serena immediately rushed over to her mother and knelt down beside her. “Are you ok?” Isabella was relieved to be able to feel her legs again. There were tears in her eyes and she nodded as she sat up. “Yes, I’m fine.” Serena began to cry and hugged her and then her father. Natalya made her way over to Logan. “Are you alright?”

Logan nodded. The mutants began to collect their people and file off SHIELD property. Peter ran over to Serena, isabella and Tony. He had seen Isabella go down and he was in wide-eyed amazement that she could stand. Their suits wee thrashed nearly beyond repair but it was over and no one else wished to fight. Steve, Kate and Pharaoh soon came up to them but Logan stood apart and waited for Natalya to come closer to him.

“Well you look no worse for where, I knew you wouldn’t take his offer,” he said as he grinned at her. He saw her look over at him after Loki asked and he knew what she was going to say. It was likely tempting but he knew.

“Lets get to the jet and go home,” Tony said. As soon as Isabella stood he took hold of her and kissed her quite profusely in front of everyone. Back at the Tower everyone’s suits were stowed for either repair or disposal and everyone had had a long, hot shower. Peter went home to his Aunt may and an awkward silence filled the large penthouse floor. Well, save for Logan who was in the gameroom playing the large, old fashioned pinball game.

There was an awkward silence between Serena and Peter as they sat next to one another on the jet. Serena had turned her hand over so Peter could take it and hold it, but he just looked away from her and she slowly pulled her hand back. She knew then that things were not alright between them. After they got back to the Tower Peter left and Serena returned to her room alone.

Natalya had showered and changed into something more comfortable but didn't feel like just remaining in her room. She stepped out into the hallway and then heard a dinging noise coming from one of the other rooms. She walked down and found Logan in the game room. She walked in and closed the door. She walked over to him and stood to the side and just watched him play. There was a silence between them, but it was a comfortable silence. The kind of silence that two people who just wanted each other's company enjoyed.

Steve and Kate were getting ready for bed. Steve wanted to address what happened but kate didn’t really want to talk about it. Steve decided to let things go unsaid and let it all settle for a while. Things were just to raw right then and he agreed that time needed to pass before they really figured out o they all felt about everything.

Tony knocked on Isabella’s door. When she said for him to enter he did and shut the door behind him. “How you holdin up kiddo? I saw Peter leave, he’s pretty upset with what happened/” he asked as he put his hands into his pockets. He was wearing gray jogging pants and black pajama top.

Serena had changed and was just sitting on her bed with her back up against the headboard. She looked over at her father as he walked in. She sighed a little and looked away. "What was I supposed to do? Mom was...seriously hurt. There was no other choice. Why can't he understand that?" There were a few tears in her eyes.

“Serena,” he said and came over and sat next to her on her bed. “He had a difference of opinion. He’ll come around, just give him time to process what happened. Hell we all could use that. Did you feel the chill between Steve and Kate? I thought the jet was 10 degrees colder than it really was. Peter is used to being on his own but he found us and he will come back, you’ll see. He’s a smart kid after all,” Tony said assuringly. “I wouldn’t have done anything different than you did. And Peter didn’t know how badly injured your mother was. Kate either. So try not to judge them to harshly nor yourself,” he said and he leaned forward and placed her forehead on his like they used to do when she was very little.

“You kept our family safe Serena, tats what really matters,” Tony said and lifted her face up and held her by the chin. “Now get some sleep, Logan said something about pancakes tomorrow morning. Have you ever seen him cook anything? I certainly haven't,” He said.

Serena wasn't entirely sure it was as simple as her father was making it out to be, however she decided not to say anything. She would wait and see what happened. It made her feel better to know that her father agreed with what she had done. Perhaps it hadn't been the right decision in the long run, but for now everyone she loved and cared about was safe and that was what mattered to her.

"Logan's making pancakes?" She paused a moment and thought about something and then looked at her father with a little smile. "You don't think he's making them for Natalya, do you?"

Tony chuckled. “I think I did recall her eating quite a few of them when we all went to that diner a few months back. So maybe he is making them for her. I never know what is going on with those two. They are close but keep one another at arms length,” he said as he got up. “Get some sleep and we’ll talk again in the morning,” he said and left her alone.

The next morning Logan was up early and he was making pancakes and bacon. He had made several pounds of bacon and had it all in a metal bin to keep it warm and he had another bin right next to it with pancakes in it. He was mixing more batter as Peter appeared in his street clothes and all cleaned up. “Oo, pancakes?” He said and Logan nodded. “Dig in Pete, there’s plenty,” he said and put more on to cook. Peter went and got several plates down from the cupboard and began setting pancakes and bacon on his plate. He put a couple pads of butter on them and doused them in maple syrup. “Yum!” He said.

Natalya finally was able to get a little sleep. She was awoken the next morning by the smell of...was that bacon? And pancakes? She got dressed and then headed out to the kitchen where she was surprised to find Logan standing at the stove cooking everything. Natalya picked up a plate and put a few pancakes and strips of bacon onto it. "I didn't realize you could cook," she said to Logan with a little smile.

Steve and Kate came out next. They had remained together in their room the night before and had talked a little that morning, though things still weren't quite back to normal between them. Kate pour them each a cup of coffee though and prepared Steve's the way she knew he liked it. Serena emerged from her room a few minutes later. She saw Peter, but found she didn't quite know what to say to him. She just walked over to get some juice.

“I was...inspired,” Logan said with a grin. He had on a cooking apron that looked as if he were a woman in a pink bikini holding a cocktail. “I can make breakfast stuff...and burgers...and steak,” He said as he flipped more pancakes.

Peter waved Serena over. “Hey, Serena, come sit by me, these are awesome!” he said with his mouth half full. He was on his second plate with no signs of stopping. Peter usually never ate so much or so well. Food cost money and he was still struggling to make ends meat.

Tony and Isabella had not yet come out of their room. Tony had her wrapped up in his arms and refused to let her go. This was the second time they had avoided some horrible fate. Isabella had nearly been crippled, possibly for life. They were both naked under the sheets and the feel of her against him. Her warm and her life was everything.

“I want you to put up the suit for a while,” Tony said. “I don’t want you in danger anymore,” Tony said.