ᴛʜʀᴇᴇ ᴅᴏᴏʀs ᴅᴏᴡɴ

Chapter Eight - Homecoming

It hit me like a block. I wasn't sure if it was a good one or a bad one. But Clint, Hawkeye as my father. Is probably what I needed right now. With me being a superhero and having to leave my friends. Peter told me that he had Ned as his guy in a chair, like over comms. Then it hit me. An idea.
***
Clint strides into my room, carrying probably the third tissue box I used this weekend. I have my headphones on, watching Riverdale. I'm so behind on the series but I'm still watching it. I glance up and see my father walking towards me. I pause the show and take off my headphones. "Yes Clint?" I say with a raspy sick voice. I clear my throat. He sets the tissue box on my nightstand and he has a smile on his face. "Call me Dad, annnnnnnd I have a surprise for you." Clint says. "And?" "Come out!" He yells. Maddi bursts into the room and hugs me. We both squeal as we engulf each other in bone crushing hugs. "Maddi I missed you so much!" "I missed you too." She says blankly. She releases and sits next to me on the bed. "Mads, I have an idea so you can stay here, with me, with Peter." "But what about school?" "I'll have that covered....and Dr. Banner here." I look at my door and see Mr. Stark leaving on the doorframe and Dr. Banner with his hands folded neatly in front of him, looking nervously around the room. "Dr. Banner and I can homeschool you." Tony says. "But I don't have a teaching license, Tony. And shouldn't they do online school? That would be better..." Banner says. "Come on." Tony scoffs. "Use one of your PHD's." Tony slaps him on the back and walks away. "Tony that's not how it works..." He trails off as he walks out of the room. "Who else thought that was extremely weird and cool at the same time?" Maddi asks.

Months later, Stark needs Banner form an experiment because he claims he can cure Bruce of the gamma. So Stark is asking Nat a ton of questions and stuff.
(Elizabeth is now sixteen)
I scratch my forehead and swipe a strand of my braid away. "Steve." I whisper. Rogers walks up beside me and wraps an arm around my shoulders. "What's wrong Beth?" "I just don't think I should be here. I mean I'm only sixteen." "You're fine." Steve whispers.
"So where the hell is Banner exactly?"
Natasha buries her hands in her red locks.
"Tony I don't know! I called and he hung up! He was still green when he hung up!" Natasha exclaims. Tony swipes data files and pages off the desk.
"WE NEED AN ANSWER ROMANOFF!"
"I don't know Tony! With your programming I can't hack the damn thing and Bruce is out there somewhere!"
I press a hand to the one way mirror and frown. "It's okay. Just go in there." Captain Rogers says.
I run to the door and press a button on my com link and summon two guards. I swipe my key card and enter in, putting Mr Stark's bloodshot eyes, and Nat's teary ones, fall on me. "Anthony Stark, get the hell out of here or we will use force." "Why should I." I scoff. "Let's just say, it looks like you had one drink too many." Tony laughs. "This is not a joke, Tony. Bruce chose to not turn the ship around. It's his fault he's missing. There's nothing we can do." I walk over to Nat's chair and put me hands in her shoulders. I lean down to her ear. "Run. It's gonna be messy." She gets up and walks out of the room, Tony's eyes following her as she goes. "Why." He pleads. "Because." I walk up to him and smile. "Not so high in the system Stark? It's a new era." "Shut up." He spits at me, words laced with venom. "It's not your fault, Stark. We have new recruits. Ones who didn't play around with a tin can and new elements. Just for the purpose of helping you, and become a super hero. Those damn suits can be taken away at any time possible." I snap my fingers and point to Stark. The guards grab his arms and lead him away. "Go to hell." He says. My heart drops to my stomach as Tony says that. He was a mentor, an uncle, a friend to me. It hurts.
***
I sit in the gardens. I close my eyes and think. I suddenly heart my phone ring. The caller id bears my fathers name. I immediately pick up the phone. "Hi dad!"
"Hi Lizzy! What's going on? Are you busy?"
"No. I really need to talk to you though."
"And I want to see you. Come to the farm."
"I'll be there in a few hours."
I hang up the phone and run to my room.
***
I scale the aisles and aisles of fish for my little siblings. I roll my eyes as I know a stupid fish is not enough. No offense to fish lovers. I just want to get something my baby brother can feel in his soft little baby hands. I got an idea.
***
"Miss, are you sure you want this one?"
"Yes. I'm sure."
"Okay."
The cashier swipes my card and hands me the box with holes. "Thank you." I carry the box very carefully. I get into my car and I rev the engine, and I drive to the Avengers Tower.
***
Yes, it was abandoned, but we still work there sometimes. I park the car and I go to the iconic platform. Perfect. A quinjet. I run inside, still careful for the box. I set the box down in a seat and I please my hand on the ID board. Name and password required. F.R.I.D.A.Y says. I roll my eyes and clear my throat, placing my hand on the tech. "Renegade, Spider-Woman." Access granted. "Well shit." I laugh. I close the ramp and take a flash drive out of my pocket. I shove the drive into a slot and press a button. "Hello Karen." "Hello Ms. Hart." "It's Barton, now." "Okay. Switching name to Elizabeth Barton." I nod and walk over to the cockpit. "Karen?" "Yes Ms. Barton?" "Can you you please autopilot us to this location?" I ask as I type in the coordinates. "Wherever you want, Ms. Barton." The engines start up and we start to lift off.
***
I see the farm and our house with the white peeling paint, the American flag still waving and our barn, where I spend all my time as a child. This, this was home. The ramp opens as I button up my flannel. I brush some dust off my ripped jeans and smile. The thumps of work boots come up the ramp. "Hey Dad." "Hey Peanut. How's work?" "Rough. Talk over dinner?" "Gladly. But first I need a hug." I laugh and walk into his warm embrace. We release and he kisses my cheek. "Oh! I brought a gift for the littles." I exclaim. I grab the box with holes in it and I smile. "No you did not." Clint says, pressing a hand to his forehead. I walk past him and chuckle. "Oh yes I did."
***
"Can you get the door please?" "Yeah I got it." I enter into my home, looking around in awe. "Honey! Liz is home!" "Liz!" My little brother and sister yell in unison. I laugh and set the box down, crouching down and hugging them. "Liz! Mommy pained my nails! Pink!" My sister shows me. "Wow! Mommy did a good job!" "Beth! I colored Captain America's shield! I was gonna send it to him but I didn't know the address. And daddy isn't going back he says." I shoot a look up to my father and he mouths, We'll talk later. I take the coloring and smile. "I'll bring it to Cap when I go back. I'll FaceTime daddy and he'll be able to say hi. Alright?" "Okay!" "Alright kiddos. Beth is going to go see Nate and she'll unpack her stuff and Daddy and Beth are gonna talk. The she can play with you later. Okay?" "Okay!" They exclaim, running away from the door, not bothering to notice the box on the floor. I still hold the picture of Steve's shield. I neatly fold it and take the box to the living room. I set it on the couch and walk to the kitchen. "Hey sweets." My mother says. I give her a hug. "Where's Nate?" "He's at the table." I look over and make at my baby brother. I pick him up out of his high chair and kiss his cheek. "Hey buddy, how's it going?" I ask sweetly. My dad walks in and says, "it's time to talk about what your little brother said." "In a few days. Okay?" "Okay."
***
I plop myself down next to the maple tree and lean back in it. "How's Queen's?" "It's good. We're stationed in Upstate now. I live there, at the facility." "With Peter?" "Yeah." "If I call Tony, he better not tell me that bed's been creaking." I punch my dad in the arm. "Dad! Shut up I'm only sixteen!" "But Peter is probably really ho-" "Dad just don't!" I yell. We stay there for two hours after that, just talking. About anything.
*** (Three days later)
"So you're quitting?" I exclaim. "I have to. I'm getting too old and now that Nate's been born, it's just crazy." "Visit, though." "I will, I promise." "Goodbye Peanut." "Bye Dad." I tear slips down my cheek and he gives me a warm smile. My lip quivers and I start to cry. "Honey wants wrong?" "I just can't do this myself." I say in between hiccups. "It's okay." I rubs soothing circles on my back and I eventually calm down. "Thanks dad." "No problem." I walk up the ramp and press the button. "I promise I'll call!" I say as the ramp seals the only thing keeping my father and I apart. I walk to the pilot's seat, set Karen up to autopilot, and I pick up my phone. 35 MISSED CALLS. PETER PARKER
"Oh shit." I mutter. I grab my phone and immediately dial his number. "Peter?" I say. "Lizzy?" Peter asks. "Yes, Peter?" "Oh thank god. Where are you?" "Um- uh- in a quinjet on the way back to Upstate?" "Why didn't you tell me you were going?" "Because...I forgot..." "You sound like you were crying what's wrong?" "My dad isn't coming back. He quit." "Hang on. I'll go get Mr. Stark." "Peter! No!" The line clicks dead and I'm left with no voice of my lover.

NOTE: so so so so so sorry that took so long! Now it's time for IW! I'm so sorry y'all it's gonna kill me to write this