Chapter Text
With the quinjet on final approach, Jarvis informs Tony and the rest of the Avengers of the returning team members.
“Sir, we have a quinjet inbound. It will be landing on the roof in approximately 5 minutes. It appears, Sir that the Avengers are reassembled.”
“Thanks Jarvis. Bruce, Rhodey, Sam, Carol, meet me at the landing pad a.s.a.p. We have visitors inbound.” Tony calls them out over the buildings internal communications array.
As they assemble at the landing pad, the quinjet lands. The rear hatch opens and the rest of the team steps out. Now completely reunited after several months, Tony is the first to greet them all.
“Welcome back to the tower Avengers. Now we can hear all about your adventures while you were away and we were left to save the world.”
“Come on, Tony, we just got back. Can we a have a little time to unwind before you go stir crazy,” Steve jokes.
“Uh-uh, Cap. The team rec floor is all set up for the party. You all have ten minutes to get changed and meet us there, or we’re starting without you.”
Tasha speaks next with the sly smile on her face that Tony will never admit he missed.
“Steve I could just hit him with the Widow’s bite. It would knock him unconscious for a bit, and we could have that downtime we need.”
Gulping, Tony ducks behind Steve to try and protect himself.
“Don’t let her do it Capsicle. Pepper would be very upset.”
“Actually, Tony, Pepper would probably say you got what you deserved,” Clint jokes back, and elbowing Tony in the ribcage.
“All right, guys that’s enough picking on Tony. Maybe my hopes were too high that he would outgrow the party life when he settled down with Pepper,” Steve says. “Let’s go get changed and get this over with.”
The Avengers all leave the landing pad and head to their rooms. Ten minutes later they all meet on the recreation floor, changed into civilian clothes. As the older members of the team gather in the main room around the T.V., Becca, James, Freyja, and Talia go into the small kitchen, hoping for some quiet relaxation. The question James asks catches his sister off guard.
“So what’s this about you leaving the Academy, sis?”
“How did you know about that? I only told Hunter a few hours ago.”
“You can’t hide anything from me Talia. You’ve felt like going to the Academy was a bad idea since our first weeks there.”
“I’m leaving because I’ve learned all I can there. I want to be more than just a SHIELD agent.”
“Okay, but what about Hunter? How did he react?”
“He’s leaving as well. He got his first assignment. He’ll be liaison to the Avengers, courtesy of Phil. Anyway, let’s not talk about my decision. I want to know more about Freyja.”
“Yeah, what did you mean when you said your Father thinks you’re in need of a lesson in humility,” Becca asks.
Freyja is unsure of how to answer the question. She just met these three, but she feels comfortable around them. As a warrior she has trained herself to never get comfortable in any one place or situation.
“Father brought me here because of a fight I was drawn into with the Enchantress and her sister Lorelei. I was eager to prove myself against more than just trolls and dark elves. Our battle was glorious, but it nearly destroyed the throne room and the Bifrost. Had Mother not intervened, I do not know what would have happened.”
Hearing this young warrior be so open and honest surprises the trio. They’ve heard Thor’s stories of battle, but they’ve never heard them from someone near their age. Talia and Becca have been in several fights recently, but compared to Freyja, they’re just beginning. She is already a seasoned warrior. After a few moments of silence, Talia poses a question to their new friend.
“So will you be staying with us, Freyja? I’m sure Uncle Tony can find you a place here in the tower.”
“Father says I can return to Asgard whenever I wish. But he spent many years living with mortals. I would like to understand why he loves this planet so much. At home I am expected to be a warrior. I will stay because I want to know what it is like to be young, with friends who don’t measure their life spans in centuries.”
Becca, James and Talia are not sure if that was a compliment, or just the way Asgardians speak of friendship. However they are intrigued to learn more about Asgard that Thor has not yet shared. As they continue talking, JARVIS provides them with drinks. Freyja’s reaction to her drink would be just like that of her Father.
“Another!” She shouts as she throws the glass down.
While Talia cleans up the mess, and explains Earth customs, James and Becca move into Tony’s movie theater to talk on their own. They finally both admit their growing feelings for each other. They both realize they were foolish to deny the truth for so long.
“So, if I leave the Academy, what are you going to do James,” Becca asks.
“Well, looking back, Talia was right. We really didn’t belong there. I know we can do more here with the team, than we could cooped up in a classroom. Truth is, Uncle Phil wants me to be Hunter’s partner. We’re both SHIELD Agents, but we’re Avengers now as well.”
As the party ends, Phil, May, and Hunter arrive at the tower. They all heard about the confrontation with Fury and Hill. Naturally, Phil was upset that Fury kept him in the dark about Maria’s involvement. But she explained it was a one shot deal, and she was staying at Stark Industries. Phil also promised Tasha that if she kept her position as Deputy Director, he would make sure Fury doesn’t do this to them again. She agreed, Clint and Bobbi also decided to stay with their positions, and Steve was set to return to his position as Secretary of Defense. Agent May made the final announcement that Phil named her Academy Director. All this began a long successful partnership between Coulson’s SHIELD and The Avengers. A few years later, Talia and Becca would remain as Avengers, but also strike out on their own. Liberty and Sharpshot would have many more battles with Chase and Destiny, and as the original Avengers began to retire, a new team would be born.