Chapter Text
Prologue: Six Years Later
Steve and Natasha were proud of both their children. James and Talia had grown up with the best qualities of both of their parents. They were honest, always worked hard and had an unerring drive to do the right thing. They both excelled in school. Talia was always more interested in the academic side of her education, and James chose the athletics. While his sister went on to become the valedictorian, James was the starting quarterback for the football team. Their parents tried to keep their lives as normal and grounded as possible, but when you’re the twin children of Captain America and The Black Widow, normal isn’t a word that enters into your vocabulary. As James and Talia’s next birthday came around changes would be in store for all of the Avengers.
Growing up in Avengers Tower wasn’t easy. You hardly had any privacy, and you constantly had to be on guard for the possibility of an attack. There were the quiet moments as well. These were times that the team enjoyed the most. They’d seen surprise marriages and engagements. Births and returns of old friends thought long gone. The one they all looked forward to the most was the day the twins reached their 21st year.
“Good morning, kids,” Steve says as James and Talia enter the kitchen of their apartment.
“Morning, Dad. Where’s Mom this morning,” Talia asks.
“She’s still on a stakeout with your Uncle Clint. This request from Phil was a big one. SHIELD is under the gun with this new threat. This required the best Agents that have ever worked for the Agency.”
“So, Mom’s not going to be here for our birthday,” James asks. “She’s never missed one. This is our most important birthday, she should be here.”
“Hold on son, I know you must be disappointed, and she wants to be here too. She left a note for you both.”
“James and Talia, Happy Birthday. I hope to be back from the mission with your Uncle Clint before you both wake up. If I’m not, your Dad is going to make you breakfast, don’t worry I left him the recipe that I’ve made every year since your fifth birthday. I know you’re probably both disappointed that I’m not there. Your Uncle Phil really needed our help with this, and we couldn’t say no. I promise that it’s just a simple observation mission and I will not miss the rest of your day. Have fun, and I’ll see you soon.”
“Love, Mom.”
“At least she’ll be back. Mom has never made a promise she couldn’t keep,” Talia says.
“She’ll be here, kids. So, while I make breakfast, why don’t you two open the presents she got for you? They’re over on the couch.”
James and Talia are tempted to open their gifts, but decide to wait until their Mother gets back. While they are eating breakfast Steve receives a call he couldn’t have expected.
“Excuse me Captain, but I am receiving a call for you,” Jarvis says.
“I’m cleaning up, Jarvis, play it over the loud speaker,” Steve replies.
“Good Morning; is this Captain Rogers,” a voice asks.
“Yes it is, what can I do for you?”
“I’m sorry Captain, there seems to be some interference, could you speak up?”
“I’m washing dishes. Give me a minute.”
“Captain, if I may, this is an important call, and it is requested that you put aside your domestic chores for the moment.”
“All right, I’m going to have to take this in my office, Jarvis could you put the call on hold please?”
“Of Course, Captain. I am routing the call to your private phone line.”
“Guys, I have to take this, hopefully it won’t be long.”
Steve enters his and Tasha’s office, and as the door closes, she enters from the stakeout she was on.
“Hey, Kids. I told you I’d be back for your birthday,” Tasha says. “Did you have breakfast? Where’s your Dad?”
“He just had to take a call in the office. Sounds big,” Talia says.
“I hope you two aren’t being called away for a mission, today of all days,” James says.
“If it is a mission, I’m sure we can get another member of the team to handle it. I’ve been out all night, if your Dad finishes the call; tell him I’m in the shower.”
As the kids discuss what mission their parents could be going on next, Steve is on the call and thoroughly confused.
“Okay, so I’m in my office and we’re on a secure line. So who may I ask is calling me so early this morning,” he asks.
“Captain Rogers, first of all I appreciate you taking the time to speak with me. My name is Phillips, and I’m President Jacobs Chief of Staff.”
“So what can I do for you, Mr. Phillips?”
“It’s not what you can do for me Captain. I’m calling on behalf of the President.”
“So what can I do for him?”
“President Jacobs has asked me to inform you that you have been nominated to serve as Secretary of Defense.”
Steve is a little taken aback at the announcement. He’s a soldier, a desk job has never been something he even considered.
“Doesn’t he already have a Secretary of Defense? And no offense Chief Phillips, but politics really aren’t my thing. Captain America is first and foremost a soldier, I have a duty to protect the American people.”
“That’s exactly why the President wants you in this position. Every war you’ve fought makes you the perfect man to be in charge of our nations’ defenses. He believes that only a soldier with your experience against HYDRA, the Chitauri and the Skrulls can effectively prepare our soldiers for any threat that comes our way.”
“I’m not really sure what to say,” Steve replies. “I appreciate the confidence he has in me, but I think I should discuss this with my family, and the Avengers.”
“Of Course, Captain. This is a big decision. Please take what time you need, but the President and I do both hope you will take the offer.”
“I will take that into consideration. Have a good day.”
As Steve has Jarvis disconnect the line, he sits down at his drafting desk to think about how this will change his life. Meanwhile, Tasha has finished her shower and comes into the office with him.
“Steve? You were on that call for a while. We have a mission to take care of?”
“No, Tasha. I just got a call from the President’s Chief of Staff.”
“Talia said this sounded important. You’re a lot more distracted than after you found out I was Natalie Connors.”
“How do I say this? Jacobs has nominated me to be Secretary of Defense.”
“Couldn’t that be a good thing? I mean, think about every battle you’ve been in. Your experience far outweighs any one else he could have picked.”
“Yeah, but Tasha, think about what this means. It means we uproot back to D.C. We potentially have to leave the Avengers. We’ve got a good life here in New York.”
“Why Captain; after all this time I didn’t think you’d still be afraid of change,” Tasha jokes.
“It’s not the change. It’s giving up…,” he pauses.
“It’s hanging up the shield and uniform. You’ve been Captain America for so long it’s all you really believe that you’re good at.”
“Well, yeah, I always had a feeling I might have to give it all up someday. Now that day is here, and I don’t want to retire.”
Tasha comes over to stand behind him and wraps her arms around his shoulders.
“Steve, I know this hard. You’re only looking at the negative though. You’re a hero to millions. You’ve given more than enough for this country. You’re good at a lot more than just being Cap. You’re a great friend, every one of the Avengers respects you. You’re a great father to our kids. Most importantly, you’re a great husband. You’re the man who taught this ex-Russian spy what love really is.”
“So are you saying I should take the job, sweetheart?”
“Like always, I’m saying that whatever you decide, I support you. Besides, if you do take the job, it will make it easier for the both of us.”
“Not sure I follow, Tasha. You want me to retire?”
“I’ve got news too. After the stakeout, Phil called me. He let me know that Nick is on the Council now. With Maria still full time at Stark, they both want me to be the new Deputy Director of SHIELD.”
“That’s a great opportunity for you,” Steve realizes. “Did you say yes?”
“I said I’d have to think about it. I wanted to discuss it with you first.”
“This is a lot of change for the both of us all of a sudden. Let’s both take some time to think it over. Right now, we’ve got something far more important to take care of.”
“Did the kids open their presents yet,” Tasha asks.
“No, they wanted to wait for you to get home. Let’s go get this party started, I’m sure the other Avengers are waiting, and you know how Bruce gets when he has to wait on the cake,” Steve says laughing.
“Bruce is not the one I’m worried about, Clint is far more dangerous when he doesn’t get his sugar rush.”
As Steve and Tasha exit the office, both their kids look at them expectantly wondering why they were in there so long.
“So what’s the mission this time,” James asks, breaking the silence.
“There’s no mission, we do have some news though. We’ll tell you both after the party,” Tasha replies. “It involves the entire team, so we want everyone to know.”
“Come on guys,” Steve says. “This is your day, we can talk shop afterwards.”
As the family takes the elevator down to the recreation floor, James and Talia can’t help but notice a certain level of excitement in both of their parents. It must be good news if they want to reveal it after the party, James thinks.
For two hours the Avengers celebrate the twins reaching adulthood. Phil brought his team in. Carol, Rhodey, and Sam all made it back in time from their missions. The presents were all unwrapped, while Bruce and Clint fought over the last piece of cake. Betty finally had to step in and resolve the situation before Hulk smash was heard. As the group settled down, Steve and Tasha decided it was time for their kids to make a choice for their own lives.
“So, guys,” Steve says, “You know we always wanted you to choose what you want for your future. Your Mom and I know that growing up in our shadows couldn’t have been easy. We protected you, we trained you. We don’t want you to feel that you have to take up our way of life.”
“Your Dad is right. I hope all of us have trained you well enough to be able to defend yourselves from anyone who would seek to do you harm. The choice of what you do from here on out is your own.”
Curious as to where this is going, Talia speaks first.
“What’s going on, you act like you’re not going to be around anymore. Does this have to do with the phone call Dad got?”
Knowing they can’t keep this quiet any longer, Steve and Tasha reveal the news.
“Talia, the phone call I received was from the President’s Chief of Staff. I’ve been nominated to be Secretary of Defense for President Jacobs. I haven’t made my decision yet, we wanted to know what you and your brother think.”
“What about you, Mom,” James asks. “What’s your news?”
Phil speaks up before she can, and has an offer for the twins as well.
“Kids, I’ve asked Natasha to be the Deputy Director of SHIELD. While I hope she takes the job, I know that neither she nor Steve would do this without talking to you about it first. To that end, I want to also offer both of you a position as Agents as well.”
“What about the Avengers,” Talia asks. “What happens to the team?”
“We’ll still be here,” Tony assures them. “Just because things are changing, doesn’t mean the Avengers are disbanding.”
“Of course it doesn’t,” Phil says. “It means we’ll be working closer together. It will actually benefit all of us.”
James is excited about the prospect of becoming a SHIELD agent. He was always concerned about following in his father’s footsteps and having to take the mantle of Captain America. He would have done it, but he did have reservations.
“I’m in,” James says. “I’ve even already chosen a code name.”
“Do tell, son.” I know you had trepidations about taking up my shield. It’s why Tasha and I wanted the decision to be yours,” Steve says supportively.
“Dad, I don’t feel anyone should be Captain America but you. Joining SHIELD is a dream come true. I chose the call sign Brown Recluse.”
“We always knew you did take more after me, James,” Tasha says with a laugh. “It’s a good code name.”
“Somehow I knew he’d go with a spider theme,” Clint laughs.
“What about you, Talia? Do you want to take Phil’s offer and join SHIELD,” Steve asks.
“Actually, Dad, I thought I’d stay with the Avengers. James was right; you’re the only one who should be Captain America. You and Mom have been our heroes our whole lives, but the world still needs someone to fight for freedom. I want to follow you, call me Liberty.”
Tony is unsurprised at the code names his niece and nephew have taken, but the old Stark snarky attitude has to pop up.
“It’s official, your kids are just as lame as the two of you are,” Tony says with a laugh.
“Maybe so, Tony. But you’re still a man in a can,” Steve jokes back.
“Are you ever going to get tired of giving me a good burn, Rogers? Never mind, James, Talia, seeing as how you made your decisions already, I have a gift for each of you.”
As Tony opens up the footlocker he had specially designed for their final gifts, Steve and Tasha already know what is in there. The three of them all worked together for these, expecting the choices the children made. In addition to the book on American History Talia received and the 101 ways to outthink an opponent book James got, the next presents were even more exciting.
“Talia, Steve and I thought hard about this one. While I wasn’t able to recreate the process my Dad used to make the vibranium shield, I was able to fuse it together with an adamantium alloy to reinforce your Dad’s original triangular shield. It will absorb vibration, and it’s stronger now than it used to be.”
“Please tell me you didn’t steal this from the Smithsonian exhibit,” she asks.
“No, we didn’t steal it,” Tony replies. “I simply made them another replica. Besides it was Mr. All-American who stole his old uniform from them.”
“So what about me, Uncle Tony, what did you make for me,” James asks.
“For you James, I’ve designed a new set of weapons based on Nat’s Widow’s bite. You can call the weapons whatever you want. What I think you might like the most is this.” Tony pulls a small device out of his pocket. “This device is coded to your D.N.A. It’s a special tracker that attaches to the butt of any pistol.”
“Which means what,” James asks.
“It means that if anyone takes your firearm from you, it will set off an electric shock, immobilizing them, but not powerful enough to kill,” Tony replies.
“Why didn’t you ever develop anything like that for me, genius,” Tasha asks.
“Because you didn’t need them, I’ve never seen anyone take a gun from you.”
Tasha has to admit that Tony is right. As the party winds down, one last guest arrives late to the party. She is a little perturbed that they didn’t wait for her.
“I can’t believe you guys finished the party already, and without me. You couldn’t wait until Mom and I got back from the airport,” Becca asks incredulously.