Grant

Chapter Four-Recruiter

^^Little Morgan!

It was late when we all finally left the hospital, so when we got back to the facility Pete and I decided to just crash there. Our rooms are side by side and it feels a bit like stepping back in time walking back in there. Drawings and watercolors from Victoria and Steve color the walls as well as photos. A bookshelf is against the wall covered in small inventions like the mechanical arm I got from Tony a long time ago. A smile is on my face as I look at the cast I made to look like Bucky's arm just beside it. Sighing, I sit on the end of my bed and rub my eyes.

"Hey, bud. Someone wanted to see you before she went to bed." I look up to find Morgan in Tony's arms.

"Hey, baby doll. How's my favorite girl?" I ask instantly, accepting her when Tony allows her to run over to me. I pull her close and she hugs me back.

"I'm good! Just wanted to say hi before bed." She says as I set her on my knee.

"Oh, I'm glad you did. It always makes me happy to see you." I boop her little nose and she giggles with a wide grin.

"Alright, come on troublemaker. Mommy will have my head if I don't bring you back." Tony says and Morgan hops up.

"Promise you'll say bye to me 'fore you leave tomorrow." She demands and I laugh, nodding.

"Course, Morgan. You got it." I promise and her little pink lips stretch into a smile before she trots back to Tony. He scoops her up and pecks her forehead.

"Head back to mom. I've got to talk to Grant." She kisses his cheek before he puts her down and she sprints out of the room.

"Little mean to let Pep deal with that ball of energy, Uncle T." I chastise as Tony sits next to me with a heavy sigh.

"Pepper has been putting me to bed for years, she can handle Morgan." He says and I admit he's probably right. "Saw you and Destiny talking today. How'd that go?" I nod and clasp my hands, leaning forward with my elbows on my knees.

"Good, I think. She's wary of people and that's different for me. I'm used to people liking me right off the bat." I explain and Tony chuckles smoothing a hand across the top of my back.

"Pepper hated me when we first met. Victoria too and Steve and...well, that's enough examples. Point is you never know what'll come of hatred. Lifelong friendships and love for me. Seemed a bit warmer towards you this afternoon." My fingers reach up and feel the necklace she gave me with a small smile.

"She said she'd give the team a try. Do you think..." I clear my throat a moment. "think I could try training her? Since she's relatively okay with me?" Tony grins and pats my back before standing and embracing me. I hug him back tightly.

"Sure, kid. Good luck." He winks at me before heading out and shutting the door behind him. Sighing heavily from exhaustion, I strip and climb into bed. I'm asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow.

Morning comes quick and I'm up and running with the sunrise. Steve and I would usually talk on the phone during our run, but today he didn't call. Assuming he's busy with a newborn, I run alone. When I get back to the facility I shower and when I find Des still isn't up, I decide to get creative. I slam my fist against her door until she whips it open, butcher knife clasped firmly in her hand and anger twisting her face. Laughing, I hold my hands up in surrender.

"Time for training. I'm your S.O. Change into workout clothes and meet me back here. You have ten minutes." The grip on her knife tightens before she makes it disappear and slams the door in my face. "Ten minutes!" I shout and jog to the kitchen. After making waffles and jogging back it's been a little more than five minutes and she's leaning in the doorway. "Nutrition." I hand her the paper towel with waffles on it and the water bottle under my arm. A smile pulls at her lips and she follows me as I start to walk.