Posted originally on the Archive_of_Our_Own at https://archiveofourown.org/
works/5344934.
  Rating:
      Explicit
  Archive Warning:
      Choose_Not_To_Use_Archive_Warnings, No_Archive_Warnings_Apply, Underage
  Category:
      F/M, Gen, Multi
  Fandom:
      The_Avengers_(Marvel_Movies), Thor_(Movies), Marvel_Cinematic_Universe,
      Captain_America_(Movies)
  Relationship:
      James_"Bucky"_Barnes/Darcy_Lewis, Pepper_Potts/Tony_Stark, Jane_Foster/
      Thor
  Character:
      Darcy_Lewis, James_"Bucky"_Barnes, Steve_Rogers, Tony_Stark, Pepper
      Potts, Jane_Foster_(Marvel), Thor_(Marvel), Bruce_Banner, Clint_Barton,
      Natasha_Romanov, Phil_Coulson, Nick_Fury
  Additional Tags:
      Songfic, Coudn't_get_it_out_of_my_head, BAMF_Darcy_Lewis, First_Time,
      Unplanned_Pregnancy, Natasha_Is_a_Good_Bro, Bucky_Barnes_Feels, Bucky
      Barnes_Remembers, Protective_Bucky_Barnes, The_Avengers_love_Darcy, So
      does_Shield
  Stats:
      Published: 2015-12-03 Completed: 2016-01-11 Chapters: 10/10 Words: 30481
****** Red Lips & Rosy Cheeks ******
by LadyAztec
Summary
     Darcy Lewis grew up with a shadow for a best friend. He shaped her
     life and now she's a science wrangler and assistant to the Avengers.
     She's been keeping a secret and now has to face the consequences of
     her past.
     When her childhood friend reappears she has to make a choice.
     She has two questions that burn in her mind.
     "Will he remember me?"
     "How do I tell him?"
     This is my first attempt at this fandom, and I'm hoping for some good
     feedback. This is all un-betaed. Mistakes are mine.
     Idea came from hearing Taylor Swift's Wildest Dreams one too many
     times
Notes
     As always I don't own these characters I just like to play with them.
     I've also had this posted to Fanfiction.net while I was waiting for
     my invite to AO3. I've revised and added a little if you've read it
     there.
     I welcome any and all creative criticism.
***** Darcy Lewis meets the Winter Solider *****
When Darcy Lewis was 12 years old, she met the Winter Soldier. Granted, at the
time she didn’t know who he was or what he was going to do with the weapon on
his back. She had escaped her mother’s lecture about playing in the mud and
“how it wasn’t very lady-like to be covered in dirt.” Darcy had promptly
ignored her; her father had always said it was a life skill to get dirty.
Elizabeth Lewis wasn’t always a strict, straight laced woman. Before Darcy’s
father was killed in action, “Lizzy,” had been the stereotypical mom. Sundays
were baking days and messes covering the kitchen counters, and Mondays was
fairytale day, where Lizzy and Henry would perform live action fairy tales for
Darcy’s entertainment before bedtime, to get the week started right.
Darcy Marie Lewis had enjoyed a typical childhood…
Until the morning of her 10th birthday; she’d been swinging in the front yard
and a man dressed in a uniform, just like her dad’s, came to door. He looked at
her, the regret and sorrow in his eyes said it all even at that age Darcy had
come to understand how to look into people’s eyes and see the truth. Grandma
Lewis said it was gift. Darcy thought it a curse after the screams that pierced
her ears when the man handed a letter to her mother. She would never forget her
mother’s cries or the fact that her father would never come home.
Those screams stayed with Darcy every year on her birthday. She’d sat on the
swing at the city park, her 12th birthday just about over. As the sun began to
set against the distant sky a gleam caught her eye. Just a glint but it was
enough to draw her to the edge of the park, just before the tree line began.
A tiny peak around a tree and she saw him.
A man in dark clothes and a gun at his side. He glanced up at her and she saw
his eyes. Blue, like hers, no, more like a smoky grey, like the sky just before
a storm.
“Hello,” Her mother had always told her, her sense of preservation was sorely
lacking. Just like your father. She’d say.
“Hello,” He responded, his voice gruff, but not uninviting. She tucked her
knees and sat on her legs across from him. His eye tracked her while she nearly
drowned in his. She began to babble about her life, how much she missed her dad
and wondering off handily when her mother would like her again.
He listened, all the while he absent mindedly unassembled the rifle and packed
it away. The girl-child was amusing? He wasn’t really sure what he felt. He’d
completed his mission, he was heading back to base when he stumbled upon the
girl alone in the park. He’d normally dismiss her. He’d watched emotionless as
terrible things happened and he didn’t blink an eye. But lately…his higher ups
hadn’t been forcing him back into cryo. Memories would surface, but he hid them
extremely well. His days were good and bad. Nothing concrete. Nothing that told
him who or what he was. Just fleeting emotions or thoughts. Someone speaking
but it was never clear.
Her eyes.
She reached out and touched his arm. The silver one that had a red star painted
on. The silence between was peaceful. She just studied it while he studied her.
“You should get back. I have to go, Doll.” His voice was soft, quiet and Darcy
nodded without thinking.
“Yea, my mom and all.” What else could she say? She talked and he listened.
Didn’t really matter to Darcy if her mom would rage at her. That was all her
mother seemed to do since the death of her father, Darcy was just too much like
him, and her mother couldn’t stand it.
“Let’s go.” He stood up and began heading in the general direction of her
house. Darcy stared at his back for a moment before catching up to him. Her
first friend.
After that, James, began appearing on her birthday, not every year, and
sometimes when it wasn’t her birthday. But Darcy was content in knowing that
someone cared? No. He was tolerant? She wasn’t sure what he thought of her, at
least he’d given her a name. “Hey” and “Hello,” only go so far as a greeting
and attention getter.
He didn’t display emotions much and his answers were vague when she questioned
him. Darcy chose to ignore it all. He was there and he was her basis for the
other men in her life. He had manners and respect, he looked out for her, she
expected the same treatment from others. Which most of the time it wasn’t the
case. James set the bar extremely high.
On her 13th birthday it seemed overnight she’d grown a rack, and he once
tomboyish body, had developed curves and the baby fat she’d carried seem to
melt away. It was hard. Her mother constantly berating her about her body and
the other kids at her school staring and gossiping. Just an early bloomer love,
nothing to worry about Grandma Lewis doted on her but it didn’t make her life
any easier.
Darcy was crying when James showed up a few weeks after the torment began.
She’d taken over the spot where she first met him when she was down or needed
to clear her head. Her quiet place where she could escape from all the noise.
“What’s the matter Doll?” He sat next to her, tugging her into his side, like a
big brother would. Well at least she thought, she didn’t have any brothers or
sister, and besides James the only families she really knew were the ones from
TV.
“Look at me! Everyone calls me names because of my body.” Darcy tugged on the
sleeve of her sweater, wiping her face to hide the tears. She’d started wearing
bigger t-shirts and loose fitting jeans, just to avoid the names. It didn’t
help. Now her teachers disapproved of her clothing because they weren’t the
dress code accepted. She didn’t fit in.
“They just don’t understand and are jealous because you’ve started to become a
lady, not some little girl like they are.” Darcy sniffled against his shoulder
and nodded.
“A lady?”
“Yea, I always see woman and girls trying to damn hard to show off their bodies
to get a man. Which is fine if that’s what they want. But I know personally,
I’d want a lady. Someone who knows how to act in public and when they’re alone.
Someone confident in themselves.”
He ruffled her hair before moving to sit directly across from her. He’d started
to care for Darcy, a bad thing in his line of work. If his higher ups found out
about her. He shook the thought from his mind. Right now he need to reassure
Darcy she was just fine.
“Be confident in yourself, forget what everyone else says. Just be you. People
will love you for it.”
It was Darcy’s 17th birthday when James returned. She would admit she’d been
concerned when her friend had disappeared without a trace after that day in the
woods. Four years was a long time. Darcy had started to make her college prep
plans, leaving behind everything and everyone who doubted her. James’s words
her to that day had shaped her personality.
She stood up for herself, wore what she wanted and ignored everything else. Her
mother despised it, while Darcy had taken the “Lady” comments seriously, she
wasn’t the lady her mother expected. She wanted Darcy to be calm, demure,
someone who would attract the right people. Darcy wanted otherwise. She dressed
sensibly, doing her best to reign in the twins, but she was outspoken and gave
her opinion very decisively.
She’d been fascinated with the 1940’s after they studied it briefly in history,
and channeled that her into her looks and outfits. Nothing totally from the era
but little bits here and there.
She was wearing a polka dotted sundress when James showed up. She was swinging
absent-mindedly at the park. The same park when she was just a kid. Now almost
grown.
“You look the same. Y’know?” He pulled the swing back and began to push her.
She tucked her feet under to keep them from dragging. Her question hung in the
air.
“I know. You look like quite a Doll. All grown up.” His fingers brushed her
hair. Something changed. She wasn’t just little kid Darcy anymore. Now she was
a proper lady. He would ruin her.
“It’s my birthday.” She said quietly. With her back to him he pushed her again.
Waiting for the swing to slow on its own. He’d ruin her but he was too selfish
to stay away.
“C’mon.” He slowed the swing and held his hand out for her. She looked up at
him with her big doe eyes. He knew she’d changed to, he saw it. Her eyes gave
her away. She placed her delicate hand in his rough one. The touch
electrifying.
He said let's get out of this town
Drive out of the city
Away from the crowds
On the back of his bike Darcy knew she shouldn’t want this, want him, but James
was her best friend, been her constant her whole life. She looked at him
differently now, she noticed he looked at her differently too. Wanting.
Waiting. She’d be lying if she said she didn’t want to experience everything
with James. A tiny part, a secret part of her often wondered what it would be
like, if she just ran away with him. He probably wouldn’t let her. His job and
all. But secretly Darcy kept her wish tucked in her heart.
I thought heaven can't help me now
Nothing lasts forever
But this is gonna take me down
He's so tall, and handsome as hell
He's so bad but he does it so well
I can see the end as it begins, my one condition is
It was different, a big open field, full of flowers, the sun still high but
sinking down against the little pond. James slowed the bike and helped her
down. Pulling out his jacket to her to sit on. They kept the silence, nothing
really needed to be spoken, but the tension hung in the air.
“Why do you leave?” She questioned as they laid on the ground, cloud searching.
“It’s my mission. I do what they tell me.” She wondered who they were. “I
forget…a lot. I don’t know who I am, I know my name…or part of it. I don’t know
who I was before the cold.”
Darcy nodded, she didn’t pry just let him tell her what he could. She reached
for his hand, the metal one, interlocking her fingers with his. She bit her
lip, she didn’t know how the night would end, where they would leave things,
but in that moment she didn’t care.
Say you’ll remember me
Standing in a nice dress, staring at the sunset, babe
Red lips and rosy cheeks
Say you’ll see me again even if it’s just in your wildest dreams
“But you remember me?”
“Always.”
Darcy let out the breath she was holding. She didn’t know anything about
relationships. Her only picture was of her parents before her father’s death.
James would always be gone. He might not even remember. But she would. She
could hold this night in her heart, forever remembering him. She took a breath
and leaned up towards him. Her lips inches from his own.
I said "No one has to know what we do,"
His hands are in my hair, his clothes are in my room
And his voice is a familiar sound, nothing lasts forever
But this is getting good now
As the moon rose Darcy experienced what love was for the first time. James
taking every measure to keep her from harm, his touch gentle and soft. Darcy
was lost to the pleasure, of their bodies intertwined. In the empty field they
didn’t have to be quiet, James’s moans only spurred Darcy on, and her cries of
“more” only increased the intensity.
He's so tall, and handsome as hell
He's so bad but he does it so well
And when we've had our very last kiss
My last request is
The next morning she woke up in her bed, sore but content. She knew he would
leave. He had to. Her last memory was falling asleep in his arms after he’d
taken the time to clean her up, wiping away the evidence of her innocence. She
didn’t question how he got her back home and in her room without her mother
finding them. She didn’t really care to know. Only that she’d made him promise
not to forget her.
Say you’ll remember me.
I will. Always.
It would years before Darcy would see James again. It would quite be quite a
different scenario.
***** Darcy Lewis - Enter The Black Widow *****
Chapter Notes
     Hello all! I've taken all your suggestions into consideration,
     adjusted rating as needed and made notes on my future chapters.
     Chapter two took longer to edit that I thought, and I actually like
     this chapter. Chapter three I absolutely hated when I published it on
     FFN.net, hopefully once I begin revisions I'll like it better.
     As per normal, I don't own the characters, I just play with them.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
“Jarvis can you seal the labs at 3pm? Jane has a date with the spa, Tony and
Bruce need fresh air and quiet time.” Darcy slide a coffee cup into Jane’s
hand. She had exactly 45 minutes to get all of the scientist three all out of
the labs and Jane into the waiting car with Pepper.
“Jane! That’s enough science for today,” Darcy, now 25, was science wrangler,
best friend and all around assistant to one Jane Foster and six Avengers.
“Thor’s coming back and you need to get dazzled up! Pepper promised us a spa
day.” She knew any mention of Thor would immediate get a reaction and that was
good enough to get her out of the labs.
After the battle of New York, the super team had gone off on their own, but
each making their way to the redubbed Avenger Tower. Tony Stark and Pepper
Potts had quickly and forcefully, (Thank to Thor who had demanded, Tony watch
over his lady love) nabbed up Dr. Jane Foster before SHIELD could. Darcy in
tow.
Going from the unpaid intern to official assistant was a huge relief for Darcy.
After James left her life had taken a different road than she or her mother
expected. Grandma Lewis just called it destiny. You’ll see Hun, fate has a way
of turning things around for the better. Darcy didn’t see it, she was grateful
for her life up to this point. The way it came to be could have been smoother
but all around it was good.
“Yeah, yeah, I’m coming.” Jane hung up her lab coat and tossed her safety
goggles on the table. She was extremely happy with the way everything had
worked out. After London, Jane feared Thor would be forced back to Asgard.
Thankfully that wasn’t the case, he made trips now and again to check in, and
if he was truly needed Heimdall would summon him. With Thor having his own
apartment in the Tower it was easy to see Jane would follow, it made sense for
her logically seeing as how her lab was in the Tower too.
“So when are you moving into the tower?” Jane had been pestering Darcy about
moving in wherever she was at. New Mexico? Darcy fought for her little
efficiency. London? Her tiny flat. New York? Her studio in Brooklyn. Darcy
would have loved to live in the Tower, but she had other obligations, ones that
would always take precedence in her life.
Granted, she knew it would make Jane’s life easier; Tony and Bruce’s too. The
Avengers and co. in general. The science three couldn’t survive unless Darcy
was working or cooking or handling things from people who attempted to hand
them to Tony.
Pepper called her was a godsend and loved having an assistant who didn’t need a
play by play to be useful. Darcy was extremely competent and through. Pepper’s
safety had been called into question when one of HYDRA’s agents applied and
almost got through if it wasn’t for Jarvis’s extensive background. Tony felt
much better knowing Darcy was an in-house candidate. Jane and Thor’s
recommendation didn’t hurt either.
“I’ll think about it.” Darcy bit her bottom lip as they rode the elevator down
to meet Pepper. “You know I really can’t Jane. Family issues.” Darcy always
used the excuse of family issues when people pressed to hard. It wasn’t a lie
but it wasn’t the truth either. It was her biggest secret and while she knew
she could trust Jane explicitly…once she told Jane. She’d have to tell everyone
else. It’d be a risk. More and more that Jane pressed, the more and more she
wanted to accept.
She wasn’t ready to give up James. Her first love, first kiss, first and last
everything. She held him in her heart and while she hadn’t seen him since her
17th birthday, she never wavered. She hadn’t dated, couldn’t date, she focused
on school and her life and then Thor fell out of the sky. Grandma Lewis hadn’t
been wrong.
“You always say that Darcy, but with what’s going on in DC and now this? Tony
is pulling rank. He would really feel more comfortable with all of us here.”
Jane might have been tiny in comparison to the God of Thunder but she had him
wrapped around her finger.
Put Jane up against Tony? With Thor behind her? Well Tony didn’t have much to
say after Thor flexed his arms. “You know protected, safe. Thor agreed and even
he worries about you.” Tony was no exception and if she had persuaded Tony to
pull rank in order to keep her friend close…well who would judge?
Darcy mumbled a half agreement, rubbing the side of her face with her sleeve,
as if that would stop the pressure Jane was putting on her. If Jane persisted
she would really have a hard time saying no. Her first little scientist was
definitely her favored one.
“I’ll seriously consider it.” She reached for her bag, feeling empty air by her
side realized she’d left it upstairs in the lab. “I’ll meet you and Pepper by
the car, I forgot my bag.”
“Hurry up.” Jane called as she exited and Darcy rode up again. Darcy truly
enjoyed that the elevators didn’t waste time.
“Jarvis if I haven’t told you lately, you’re the best.”
“I’m fond of you too Miss Lewis.” The doors slide open and Darcy nearly ran
into Nat, who apparently was expecting her, once the doors slid open.
“Oh my Thor! What is the deal! You gave me a heart attack!” Natasha simple
raised a perfect eyebrow a smirk on her face. Darcy eyed her suspiciously. The
assassin and she had become good friends. Nat had her back when she couldn’t
wrangle Bruce from the lab and when Clint wouldn’t stop playing pranks on Cap.
“Actually Miss Lewis your heart is in perfect condition, but your blood
pressure is elevated.” Darcy exited the door. One hand over her chest and the
other shaking her fist at the redhead, whom merely shrug.
“Thanks J.” She sarcastically snapped, Jarvis was supposed to be her bro. Her
backup! Not Natasha’s accomplice.
“Anything for you Miss Lewis.” He smarted.
Darcy slipped passed Nat towards the labs.
“So what do I own the pleasure of your company milady?” She quickly pressed in
the key code and swiped her badge. Nat following behind her, her quietness just
barely touching on Darcy’s radar.
“How long will you be able to avoid telling Jane?” Natasha’s voice pierced
Darcy’s ears. She quickly maneuvered around Natasha’s lithe form, walking
toward her bag, where it lay tossed on her desk.
“Telling Jane what?” She did a double check that she had all her important
items and notes from the day’s works, she could transcribe then once she got
home ready to be scanned and uploaded for Jarvis.
“About your son.” Darcy felt her knees buckle, and she gripped the wall for
support. Her words ringing between her eyes. Did she really just…No. Darcy had
taken every precaution. EVERY PRECAUTION! Despite the fact that Darcy consider
the Avengers and Jane her family she held this secret close to her heart.
“What?” she choked out, spinning to face the Black Widow.
Praying…hoping…Natasha hadn’t said what she thought she said. She felt a panic
attack building her chest. Breathe Darcy, just breathe.
“No one besides me knows. I do much more extensive background than Tony and
depending Jarvis.” Nat hoped up on the lab table, careful not to touch Darcy
while keeping an eye on her young friend. She knew she should have told Darcy
she knew when she found out. But she thought her friend had reasons to keep her
son a secret. She could certainly understand. Every one of them had a target on
their back, anyone associated with them had the same target. With a child?
Especially someone in Darcy’s position? It could be disastrous.
“Not true Ms. Romanova, I have known since Miss Lewis became an employee of
Stark Industries, I have not divulged the information due to its irrelevance in
relation to Miss Lewis’s ability.” Darcy knew becoming close with the AI would
pay off. At least she had that in her favor. “Given Miss Lewis’s reluctance to
divulge the information I’ve taken the liberty of burying it even further.”
“You’re a real pal J. Remind me to give you some tune ups,” She grinned, her
mind momentarily relaxing knowing with Jarvis on her side it would be even less
likely it would be discovered. Her son’s safety was her top priority.
“Of course Miss Lewis.”
Natasha brushed it off, focusing back on the young woman in front of her. Okay
so Darcy’s ability to turn even the most loyal of AI’s against his creator was
a little terrifying, she didn’t let it show. It served as a reminder of how
loved Darcy was.
“I must agree with Jane. You’re both much safer here, not that I doubt your
abilities you’ve done quite well in training, but you’re still just a young
woman-”
“Lady.” Darcy automatically responded, cutting off the redhead. “I’m not a
young woman, or a girl. I’m a lady, quite capable of taking care of myself and
my son. I’ve done it for the past 8 years.” It was a habit. James had reshaped
her how view of her self-worth and appreciation that day in the park. She spent
the rest of her life being confident and assured. If anyone called her
something other than a capable woman she automatically corrected them. Her
mother had quite a time remembering so she wouldn’t be interrupted.
She would secretly admit, when Thor arrived, she wrapped herself up in his old-
world courtesy. He was the exactly the type of man she thought James would be.
If he could remember, that is. She was quite happy when Jane and Thor fell in
love. She knew her friend would be taken care of. Thor adopted her as his
lighting sister and being called “Lady Darcy” gave her the stamp of approval
that she didn’t know she was craving. The absent father-figure or really Thor
was the male presence in her life she’d been missing. She regretted that she
couldn’t introduce her son to him.
“Darcy, I didn’t mean to make upset.” Natasha’s voice had shifted. Darcy was
close with all the Avengers, even a few SHIELD agents. She trusted them that
they didn’t pry, which honestly, they were spies. She shouldn’t be surprised.
“I’m sorry. I should have told you when I found out. I didn’t because I assumed
you had your reasons. The only reason I’m asking you now is that The Winter
Solider has been sighted. He trained me, Darcy. Trust, he didn’t teach me
everything he knows.” Natasha stood next to her, even brushing her hand through
Darcy’s dark locks. “We all care for you very much, you have made us more than
just a team, and we’re a family because of you. If you can’t trust us to keep
your son safe, we’ve failed as Avengers.” It wasn’t a plea at sympathy. Darcy
knew that. Natasha didn’t speak in half-truths or lies. When she was with her
team, her family she gave her honest opinion.
“It’s not that Nat, it would down right insulting to say I didn’t trust you
guys.” Sliding down the wall, her head between her legs as she tried to calm
her breathing. It wasn’t that she wanted to hide her son. She wanted him
protected. Her work with Jane, her association with the Avengers, it was all a
target. Even though her position wasn’t doctoral or super; she was close,
attached, someone HYDRA or some other badie could use. “I’ve had to hide him
for so long. It’s a very long, complicated story.” She released the breath she
was holding, leaning into Natasha’s side. “If I agree to move in, I’ll explain
it to everyone.” She peaked up at Nat, seeking her approval. The redhead gave a
short nod in response.
“Whatever you want Darcy.”
“Miss Lewis, Ms. Potts and Dr. Foster are concerned. Should I alert them?”
Jarvis’s voice cut through the cloud around her mind.
“No, thank you, I’ll be right down.” Shaking off the panic attack, Darcy
gathered up her things and glanced up at the Black Widow. Nat had gracefully
gotten to her feet and held her hand out to Darcy. With a quick tug, Darcy was
righted and Nat gave her a quick hug.
“We’re here for you Darcy, whenever you’re ready.” With a sharp nod, Darcy
darted into the hall and elevator, torn between seeking the comfort Natasha so
easily provided and seeking refuge in her tiny home.
“Jarvis, it’s going to be long day.”
“Agreed, Miss.”
Chapter End Notes
     Dun...Dun...Dunnnn! Anyone guess the big reveal?
     Nat's a good friend so is Jarvis. I hope everyone's still with me!
     I have a poll I'd like to ask of you guys. Does anyone want a POV
     from Bucky? Should this be strictly Darcy POV? I added a few points
     where thoughts refer more to Nat or Jane but only when I thought it
     would work better. Please let me know! I love reviews and getting
     those email notifications really makes knock out chapters!
***** Darcy Lewis & Co. *****
Chapter Notes
     As always I don't own the characters I just play with them.
     Oh my gosh you guys! I never expected the kind of response I've been
     receiving. Ya'll really know how to stroke a girl's ego!
     Lots of things happening in this chapter, and I originally only had
     about 900 words when I had published on FFN.net now it's up to about
     2000.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
Chapter Three
Opting to skip out of spa day, Darcy use a stomach bug as a reason to go home
for the day, all the while telling both Pepper and Jane she would seriously
considering moving into the tower. Even touching on the encounter with Natasha.
Of course not on the subject details, just that Nat had suggested she move into
the tower as well.
“We can cancel the spa day Darce, if you need me to go to your place and watch
over you.” Jane had picked up on the sickening look on her face, this one, not
fabricated. Jane couldn’t go to her place. She wasn’t ready yet.
“You can stay here Darcy you know Tony would only be too happy to dote on you.”
Pepper was already reaching for her phone while Happy was close by ready to
catch her should her “ailment” require it. She needed to nip this in the bud
quick. Darcy loved Tony and Pepper, even if the former was a little hard on her
nerves. Upon meeting Darcy Tony had demand a DNA test because who else could
embody that much sass and not be his daughter.
Needless to say Tony was extremely disappointed. That didn’t stop him or Pepper
from using her as a surrogate child when the felt like it.
“Guys, really, probably just a little 24 hour bug, I’ll go home and get some
sleep. I promise to check in with both of ya’ll tonight. Possible with an
answer.” That was enough to get the two of them from prying further and Darcy
waved as the taxi drove away.
“I’m home.” Darcy had loved her little place in Brooklyn, it hadn’t been
tainted by the high traffic of New York just yet. The neighbors were friendly,
inviting and look after one another. While it took her a little longer to get
to the Tower, she felt safe and protected. Almost like time hadn’t touched this
part. Darcy heard the stomping of little feet before the shrill cry that rang
out.
“Mom!” A little blur of darted out the living room and bombarded her with a
hug. Luckily, she bent down just in time to avoid being knocked over. Leaning
precariously on her knees she greeted her little man.
“Hey baby, how was your day?” Jamie gave her a toothy grin before relaying what
had happened at school that day and his time with his babysitter, Jenny. How
the school was doing some big projects and a career day that was coming that
Darcy “Absolutely had to had to be there.” She peaked behind Jamie to see Jenny
coming out of the kitchen. The young woman flashing her a thumbs up and undoing
the apron around her waist.
“He was great as always, homework’s done, and dinner’s just about ready. I’ll
see ya’ll in the morning!” The blonde teenager nodded with a smile, she was a
neighbor and had been a godsend when Jane had uprooted them from London to New
York. Jenny took Jamie to school, filled in for Darcy if she couldn’t make
school functions and took care of the household as far as clean up and
groceries.
Thanks to her salary with SI, Darcy could afford it. Before had been a
nightmare. Darcy had to take precautions and had thoroughly vetted the girl and
her family, thankful she came back clean as a whistle. It helped having help
like Agent I-pod thief in her corner. She smiled to herself, recalling the
conversation she’d had with Phil as to why she need a SHIELD through background
check.
“Thanks Jenny, I’ll see you tomorrow?” With a quick wave and a nod, Jenny was
gone and Jamie looked at her expectantly as she stood up and took up the apron.
“What?” Darcy checked on dinner and dropped her bag and coat by the door. Jamie
frowned and raced to his backpack before he came back with a Captain America
folder in his hand. Darcy remember how excited he’d been when she’d come home
from back to school shopping.
Darcy was an expert shopper and she’d picked up all the supplies while doing
her weekly runs to the market. Jarvis took care of the mass groceries but the
little things Darcy to personal pride in buying.
“Mom are you listening?” Jamie turned sharp blue eyes at her. She sucked in her
breathe, with every passing day he looked more and more like James. She blinked
away a tear.
“Sorry munchkin, I was thinking about work.” She turned her attention the
folder and the assignment he was pointing at.
“I can’t do this assignment?” With her brows furrowed, Darcy took the paper.
Jenny had said Jamie had done all his homework. It was then she realized it
wasn’t a typical homework assignment.
Family Tree – Who’s Who in Your Family?
This was meant to be an on-going project with multiple steps and check in’s. It
listed that the school was putting together a big archive and tracing back
generations of its students. The first step was to create a family tree,
listing every family member, living and deceased.
Well crap. This is going to be fun.
Heart in her throat, Darcy took Jamie and the paper and sat down on the sofa.
She ran her fingers through his dark hair while she thought about what to tell
him. He looked at her with worried eyes.
“Jamie, do you remember what I told you about your father?” She questioned
softly. When Jamie was a baby and inconsolable, Darcy had taken to making up
superhero stories; stories specifically about his father. Yes, Darcy didn’t
know anything about James other than what he shared which wasn’t much, and the
metal arm wasn’t average but she’d assume it was a updated prosthetic, a side
effect of war.
“’Course I do. You said Dad had to go away ‘cuz he had a very difficult job
protecting people. That’s he’s a hero.” Jamie created a superhero out of his
father. Darcy didn’t fight the issues because how could she? James had saved
her, been there for her and truly shaped who she was as an adult. She
understood why Jamie would be hesitant to complete the family assignment. Her
mother had pretty much disowned her, and her grandmother had passed away when
Jamie was only 4. Other than the nanny’s Jamie didn’t have anyone else besides
Darcy.
That’s not true, he has a whole family you’ve been denying him. Her mind shoved
the thought into her mind and Darcy bit her lip.
For his protection. She protested.
For yours. The truth was there. Did Darcy really keep Jamie from the Avengers
because that meant she’d have to finally let go of James? She’d finally have to
share him and maybe selfishly she didn’t want to. No. It was time. She had to
do this. The threats weren’t just of the human variety now. She took a breath
and quietly exhaled.
“You can do this Jamie. Your family is little, and we’re a little broken right
now, but we’re still a good family.” Darcy was adamant about keep Jamie as
child for as long as she could. Childhood was precious and as long as she was
able, Darcy would protect that. “I’ll help you in any way I can.” Even if I
have to drag Elizabeth Lewis into this. She thought angrily.
“What about what my teacher will say?” Darcy had done her fair share of
defending herself and her son to teachers. Most had dismissed her as Jamie’s
sister, until it was known she was, in fact, his mother. If she wasn’t being
belittled by teachers they were constantly questioning her ability as a mother
and provider. Now that she was older it had lessened but she occasionally had
to go to bat for her son. Which she did, with all the power that came from
being a mama bear. No school teacher or administer liked it when Darcy got
anger. When she was pushed that far she doubted even Hulk could stop her.
“Then they’ll deal with me. Besides, I have better news, something I wanted to
discuss with you. How would you feel about moving?”
“Moving? Again?” Jamie liked moving from place to place he learned a lot and
meet lots of different people and made new friends in new schools. Moving was
an adventure and Jamie was always up for an adventure.
“Not far, still here in New York, but you know I take care of a lot of people
where I work. The people who I help, well…they’re like family,” Jamie set his
assignment aside and gave his mother his full attention. She normally didn’t
get nervous, she was always straightforward and honest with him. He knew she
told some little white lies sometimes. Like when he’d walk into her room and
hear her cry, only for her to say she had allergies. His momma didn’t have
allergies but he let her think he didn’t know.
“A family?” He hung on that word. Darcy nodded her head.
“You were so little when I started working with Jane, some things have come up
and I think we’d be better off in a new place, closer, safer. You know?” She
wasn’t telling him everything, he knew that. But the idea of a new adventure
pushed that from his mind.
“You know what, before I lose my nerve, hang on.” Jamie watched as Darcy darted
for her bag and pulled out her phone. He peered over the sofa as she finished
dinner and spoke to someone on the phone. “Pepper? I’m in. Please call a non-
emergency assemble, if I’m going to do this, there is sometimes you need to
know, and I need everyone to know.”
~
You see me in hindsight
Tangled up with you all night
Burnin' it down
Some day when you leave me
I bet these memories follow you around
He remembered. Her smile, her dress. She was like a dream. Soft. Pliant.
Unconsciously he reached out for her touch to find the cold wall of his room.
If you could call it a room, a cot, working door, private bathroom, it was
better than most had.
But only just.
James stopped resisting and because of that he was rewarded. Since he didn’t
fight, he wasn’t required to be put in cryo much. He bent to their will just to
keep his memories. Memories of her.
The door banged, a guard called out to be in the assignment room in 15 minutes.
James knew what that meant, a new assignment a new death on his conscious. It
was getting easier to go between James the Solider and the Asset. He quickly
assembled his gear, letting the Asset take over again. In the emotionless void,
the deaths didn’t add up and weigh on him.
“Asset, this is your new target. Take him out.” One of the guards tossed down a
file and a picture of blond man slid out. A quick glance he could see they were
nervous whoever this man was, could potential bring them down. That was
unacceptable.
“Mission accepted.”
Now he had a new assignment, his first in about 4 years. The last time he was
on assignment he had absolutely no time for a detour and he had a handler with
him. The higher ups had begun to question him, wondering where he’d need extra
time. The mission were being completed ahead of their timelines but he wasn’t
returning immediately.
Even without his memories he knew instinctively that he had to protect Darcy.
Could never draw any attention to her. Hydra was a fate worse than death.
~
“Bucky?”
“Who’s Bucky?”
~
“I’m with ya, till the end of the line.”
The man on the bridge wouldn’t fight him. His memories bombarded him. He had to
fight him. He needed to finish this mission, his timetable was closing and if
he had any chance of seeing her, he had to finish this mission. The man’s voice
rang out in his mind, things that were said before. Before HYDRA, before his
arm. Camaraderie. A team.
“Punk”
“Jerk”
“BUCKY!”
The memories were too much, it felt like his brain would overload, he couldn’t
function. He couldn’t let him die. A tiny memory pricked at his brain. A name.
Steve.
He dropped him, Captain America, on the shoreline. Knowing he’d be found. He
needed time. He was free from HYDRA he wasn’t sure which side he was on, but he
had one objective. Find Darcy.
Mission parameters: Accepted.
Chapter End Notes
     I have a hard time writing from a man's POV much less one who has had
     as much trauma and torment as Bucky. I hope I've done him justice. I
     expedited a lot of events in Bucky's timeline because of the next
     chapter, a lot will be revealed, I don't have a timeline for this
     story or how many chapters it's going to be. Probably not every long
     because I don't know how to draw things out. I hope you all enjoy!
***** Darcy Lewis Explains *****
Chapter Notes
     Okay, so there's something that for me trigger a flinch, it's not
     graphic AT ALL or sexually in anyway. It's a personal thing but maybe
     someone else has a trigger and it's just a word, there are some
     abusive things that go on in this chapter between darcy and her
     mother finding out she's pregnant. Lots of backstory in this chapter.
     So here's your warning proceed with caution. It's probably
     unnecessary but i'd rather be safe than sorry.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
Chapter Four
The Avengers were nervous.
Pepper’s call for a non-emergency assemble was the first one in a long time,
really since they became the Avengers. All she said was Darcy’s request and
that’s all the information she had. She was just as concerned as the rest of
them. So with that in mind, they sat around the common room dinner table (extra
sturdy because, duh, Thor and Steve) absent-mindedly waiting for Darcy’s
arrival.
“She’s pregnant.”
“Tony!” Pepper swapped him upside his head, while he shrugged his shoulders.
“First of all…when would she have the time? Secondly, if she is. We embrace it.
As we should, we’re a family.” If Darcy was the glue that held them all
together, Pepper was the reason Darcy was still sane.
“No, my lightening sister is not in the family way, but if this her agreeing to
move into the Tower I will be most joyous.” Thor, was quite protective of Darcy
and even the All-Father had to accept Darcy as Thor’s little sister.
“She did tell Pepper and I yesterday she was seriously considering,” Jane
touched a finger to her chin, glancing at Natasha, “She said you’d talked to
her too, right?” Natasha nodded her head, keeping her verbal confirmation
silence.
Before the Avengers could continue their speculation, Jarvis alerted them to
her arrival.
“Sir, Miss Lewis has arrived.” Natasha had an inkling about what was sure to be
going down and prepared herself for the questions and logically noted who she
would have calm down in order to allow Darcy to speak. Jane and Thor would be
the most hurt, they were closer to her than most of the Avengers. They knew her
first before the Avengers were even a thought. Jane especially, the scientist
and her wrangler were closer than most sisters.
The elevator doors pinged and slide open; out walked Darcy…with a young kid
behind her.
“Darcy, you babysitting for someone?” Jane questioned. Darcy shook her head and
held her hand up for silence. She’d need them to give her time to explain.
Getting Jamie settled was priority before could address the odd looks from her
friends. She’d debated on leaving Jamie at home with Jenny while she explained
everything but then thought maybe just thrusting everything at once would be
better, like ripping off a Band-Aid. Right? Right. Well that’s what she hoped
anyway.
“Jarvis, please direct Jamie to the living room,” The AI complied without
compliant and Darcy was extremely grateful for distraction. “Wait for me there
okay, I’ll call you when I’m done.” His mother had briefly explained on the way
over and asked him to be a big boy and wait for her to call him before getting
too excited.
“Of course Miss, Mr. Lewis, this way.” The lights along the walls directed
Jamie and with Darcy’s nodding he eagerly followed excited by all the new
technology. Jamie was extremely interested in technology and Darcy always found
STEM programs either at his school or within their neighborhood for him to
participate in. Darcy was immensely proud of him, she hated the hard sciences.
She just never had a knack for it, but people? Darcy was good with people.
“Darcy?” Pepper glanced between the direction Jamie had gone and back to her.
The feeling of disappointing her mother flooded her, but she shoved the
thoughts aside, Pepper wasn’t Elizabeth, and even though she might be…upset,
Pepper would hear her out. She sighed and plastered a smile on her face. Let’s
do this. She sat down at the table and took a quick drink of water.
“I’m going to explain everything, but I need you to listen before you start
questioning me. It’s a very complicated story and it’s something I’ve kept very
close to my heart because…well you’ll understand once I explain.”
“You whore, who did you sleep with? Do you understand what this will do for
me?” Elizabeth Lewis was screaming at her daughter, as she threw her guts up
into the toilet. Her gagging only further infuriating her. She had a reputation
to uphold. It seem like her life was a walking disaster, first her husband is
killed in action, by a senseless war, then her wayward daughter starts
rebelling and failing in school, and even looking her at hurts. Now she’s
pregnant will some boy’s baby. A boy she refused to name. Elizabeth had an
image to maintain and Darcy fought to dash that every chance she got. Grating
her teeth Elizabeth hurled every honest she had at her daughter.
Darcy remained silent. Her mother could rage all she wanted. She refused to
James up, refused to…to. She couldn’t bring herself to even say the ugly word.
If she never saw James again she would at least have a piece of him, and her
son would love her without conditions attached.
“You will have an abortion Darcy Marie, I will not have you and some bastard
child in my house!” Her mother screeched as Darcy used the sleeve of her
sweater to wipe the spit from her mouth. She would happily suffer all day
morning sickness if her mother would stay away. An abortion was completely
utterly out of the question, her mother could disown her for all she cared.
With all the coldest she could muster Darcy stalked away from her mother and
into her room.
“You won’t have to. We are leaving. Trust me, I don’t want my child around
you!” With as much speed and efficiency as she could she packed everything she
cherished and with her little stash of money; Darcy Lewis walked out her
childhood home leaving her mother screaming at her fading frame.
~
“Oh Darcy,” Ann Marie Lewis gathered her only granddaughter into a warm
motherly hug, one Darcy desperately needed and she clung to. “Don’t you worry
dear, Grandma Ann is here now.” Darcy had spent a good chunk of her money on a
one-way ticket to her Grandmother’s house, the only family she knew she could
truly rely on. She hadn’t had any contact from her father’s side and really, if
they hadn’t reached out by now, she was sure they didn’t want anything to do
with her. She did miss them from time to time, the last time she saw them was
the day they buried her father.
“I love him, Grandma.” Darcy wailed. Her hands protectively around her little
bump as her grandmother ushered in her foyer. In retrospect, when Ann heard
Darcy cried out her love; she thought it was motherly love for her unborn
child, she should have known it was for baby’s father. She cursed herself for
not doing more to make sure her daughter and granddaughter were faring well
after Henry’s death. Henry was a good man and she treasured him as a son-in-
law, he tamed Lizzy’s temperament and Ann was relieved to see Lizzy become such
a wonderful mother and wife. After his passing, Elizabeth shut down and shut
out, everyone. She thought she needed time, space to heal after having her
heart so destroyed. Never did she think Darcy would be neglected because of it.
“I know baby, it’s gonna be alright, you’ll see, fate has a way of turning
things around.”
~
The months went by and Darcy graduated high school via online education.
Despite the baby bump she was sporting she began college the following fall,
bound and determined to be a better mother and provide a better life for her
son than she had. She had her plans and her goals and with the support of her
grandmother, Darcy actually felt confident in herself that she hadn’t had since
James inspired her at 13.
Some nights she hated James for not coming back, other nights she begged any
god who would listen for his return and a tiny hope they could be family. Sadly
reality usually shook those thoughts from her head, for all she knew he had
gone back for her at the park and hadn’t know she left. That thought just left
her even more pitiful, she’d left out of fear without thinking of the future.
She wouldn’t repeat that mistake again; she had no way to leave messages for
James but she swore to herself that if fate would be so kind to reunite them
she wouldn’t waste their next encounter.
Just as she took her last final and was making her way to her grandmother’s old
Ford to go to work, did her contractions start. Darcy had thought her day of
back pain was just normal pregnancy, not the onset of labor. Little James Henry
Lewis was born 10 hours later, on December 10 at 7 lbs., 2 oz., and 18 inches
long. Darcy demanded skin to skin right after he was born, delaying his bath
and any procedures that weren’t absolutely necessary. Darcy had done a great
deal of research and she found common ground with the doctor she had as well as
the hospital staff. She was ecstatic that Jamie was such an easy baby, latching
to her breast immediately. Darcy delighted in the bond they struck within the
first few moments. Grandma Lewis was a tremendous help to Darcy and Jamie while
she juggled a newborn and the start of the spring semester just a few weeks
later.
That’s the way they lived for a time, Darcy did everything she could, work-
studies, part time diner shifts and homework all while tending to her son and
Grandma Lewis manned the house. It was good life and Darcy was all set for
graduation until she realized she had miscalculated her credits for graduation
by one class, specifically 6 credits. Grandma Lewis, ever the rescuer, offered
the only logically solution.
“It’s in New Mexico. I can’t believe I didn’t take a science course, this is my
only option!” Darcy paced restlessly while Jamie slept nestled in his toddler
bed. Grandma Lewis ever patient waited for Darcy to calm herself down.
“It’s very simple dear, Jamie is older now, he’s just about 4, he can stay here
with me while you finish this last thing. Once you graduate you’ll have
options. I know its hard dear, but you’ve come so far.”
It was a difficult decision, but once Grandma Lewis made her mind up it was
decided, Darcy did bully her way into hiring a housekeeper because chasing
after Jamie was more work than her grandmother should be doing.
~
Upon meeting Jane and going through everything in New Mexico with Thor. Darcy
did in fact receive her credits and graduate. That happiness was overshadowed
the next week, when Ann Marie Lewis, passed away. Darcy was numb, with Jamie at
her side while her “family” surrounded them as they lowered the casket into the
ground. Rain pelted the sides of Darcy’s face, piercing her skin like needles.
“I can’t believe she did all that for her.”
“She’s always been her favorite.”
“It was for pity. I’m sure we’ll be fine, the will reading is a few hours”
The whispers and harsh words didn’t hurt nearly as much as the thought that
she’d been using her grandmother for money. They weren’t well off, Darcy fought
for every dollar she had, making sure Jamie and her grandmother had everything
they needed, refusing to dip into her Grandmother’s retirement. Even paying her
own way through school.
“Momma, where did Nana go?” She bent down, wiping away the tears from his face.
He understood that she was gone, but how did she explain death to a four year
old? Darcy didn’t explain, she just held him close while keeping him dry.
~
Surrounded by cousins and other family members Darcy and Jamie sat in the back
of the lawyer’s office, waiting for her grandmother’s last wishes to be read.
Darcy only hoped that she would inherit her Grandmother’s perfume bottles. She
loved the petite antique bottles and as a girl playing dress up with her
Grandmother, pretending to be old 1940 Hollywood movie stars.
“Mrs. Lewis donated a portion of her estate to charity in the name of Wounded
Warriors, a sum of 2,100 dollars to be equally split among her five nieces,
nephews and her only daughter; the rest she has placed into a trust for her
granddaughter, Darcy Marie Lewis and her great-grandson, James Henry Lewis, for
educational and living expenses, outlined here.” Before the lawyer could
continue her family’s menacing gaze turned on her and her son. Darcy pushed
Jamie behind her, full mama bear waiting, daring them to attack her son.
“I should let you know, if anyone contest the will or attempts to overturn the
decision, they will forfeit their share and it will be donated to the
aforementioned charity.”
That stopped them real quick. Spinning on their heels to face the lawyer. He
ignored them and caught Darcy’s eyes. She saw them to, too clear, but honest.
Darcy knows she can trust him.
“You may leave Miss Lewis, my office will get into contact with you within the
next few days while we sort out the rest of your grandmother’s estate.”
~
“C’mon Darcy it’s gotta be hard being all alone raising a kid all by yourself.”
One of her distant cousins (gross) was attempting to get her to go out with
him. He came by often, would run into her while she shopping with Jamie. Darcy
hoped he’d back off after her repeated rejections. Ignoring the fact that they
were distant cousins the man was too much. Brand name suits, fancy, expensive
cars, and designer sunglasses that probably cost more than most of Jane’s lab
equipment.
“If you don’t stop harassing me, I will go to the police.” The icy venom in her
tone left no room for argument and while she caught a glimpse of fear in his
eyes she also saw his promise of retribution.
The next day her car was vandalized. The day after that, Jane needed Darcy to
go to London.
“It hasn’t been easy, Jamie’s 8 now, and before I…I kept him secret because of
my crazy family, trying to use us for my grandmother’s money. Which I don’t
even use now. It’s all in a trust for Jamie’s college expenses.” Darcy had
tears in her eyes but she refused to let them fall. Would they still
understand? It was a seriously betrayal. The secret she kept from them. All of
them had immense loyalty and any sort of breech of that trust…? She shuttered.
“I love you all, you’re my family and realizing that, I’ve denied Jamie the
only thing I ever really wanted for him. I hope you all will forgive me. I let
my fear control me when I should have trusted you.” She took a chance and
looked up at Tony and Pepper. The strawberry blonde had her hand over her mouth
and when she caught Darcy’s eye, darted out of her chair so fast that it fell
backwards with a crash.
“Oh Darcy,” Darcy buried her face in Pepper’s blouse, clinging to her. Having
Pepper and Tony act as surrogates parents rubbed off on her and she allowed
herself to be comforted by their closeness. Tony may have had his issues and
Darcy’s pulled him back from more than one science bender, usually with Pepper
in tow, but he was the next best thing to having her dad back.
“Darcy…I should have known.” Jane talking more to herself than to Darcy. Her
brown eyes caught Thor’s and she frowned. He wore a scowl and his arms folded
over his chest. “I remember when you went home after graduation, I told you I’d
contact you when we left, I remember leaving a message but must have been when
your grandmother passed. I was so glad you came with me to London.” She gasped.
Like Heimdall had opened the Bifrost before her. “That’s why you fought for
your space. Because you brought Jamie with you.” Darcy nodded, still clinging
to Pepper while Tony paced anxiously behind them.
“I had to. I didn’t have anyone else, I was lucky there were plenty of nannies
in London,” She tried to infuse sass in her tone but it came more like a quiet
response. C’mon Darcy, make everyone laugh, Cap looks like he’s been punched in
the gut and Bruce looks a little green. A quick survey proved to be Darcy’s
downfall, she strived to make those around her happy and being the cause of
their pain wasn’t something she enjoyed.
“Who’s Jamie’s father? You didn’t really elaborate on him? I’m curious as to
why a “veteran” would up and leave his girl like that,” Steve, ever the hero
and gentleman, gazed at her with soft kind eyes. Cap would pick up on James,
she hadn’t deliberately left him out, it was just that she truly didn’t know
much else about him.
“I don’t know his last name, our story is a little harder to explain, and I met
him when I was just-”
“MOM! MOM Come quick!” Jamie’s voice rang out over the Avengers’ talking and
all of them bolted from the dining room to living room, Steve and Thor jumping
over the sofa, arms at the ready while Tony was already locking down the floor.
Natasha and Clint had both draw up their weapons, and poor Bruce was counting
his breathing, the Other Guy definitely didn’t need to make an appearance just
yet. Jane and Pepper were at Darcy’s side quickly surveying for the enemy.
“Jamie?” 8 years of mothering had granted Darcy the ability to asses a
situation and make split second judgment calls. A quick survey of her son,
excitedly pointing at the TV and she called off the Avengers. “Stand down
guys,” Before Jamie could turn around the group quickly composed themselves,
sans weapons. She approached him quickly checking to make sure he hadn’t broke
something or hurt himself. Which of course would be unlikely but Darcy still
checked.
“It’s dad!” Darcy wasn’t quite sure she’d heard him right. Wait, what?
“What?” Jamie merely pointed at the screen again. The news was on. Doing an
update on the events in DC. Specifically the Winter Solider, the man who’d gone
toe to toe with Captain America and walked away. Darcy hadn’t seen his picture
only what Natasha had told her about him. The color drained out of Darcy’s face
as she got an up close and personal look at the Winter Solider, AKA her James,
AKA Jamie’s father.
You see me in hindsight
Tangled up with you all night
Burnin' it down
Some day when you leave me
I bet these memories follow you around
 
“I’m sorry Miss Lewis, Mr. Lewis informed me he’d prefer to watch the world
news and today’s new feed didn’t have anything deemed violence by the ratings.”
Jarvis’s voice chimed in.
“Son, what do you mean, it’s your dad?” Steve bent down to meet Jamie’s level,
he’d had enough time with kids to know how to interact with them. Between the
publicity stunts and his own time among other orphans after his mother died
while he waited for Bucky’s mother legal stuff to go through. Subconsciously
maybe it was his way of replacing what he wouldn’t have. Jamie, seemed to
forget who all was in the room with him before he launched into the stories
Darcy told him as a baby.
“I knew it was him when I saw his arm.” Quickly darting around Steve to Darcy
he hugged her close, a smile on his face. “I knew he’d find us again.”
Say you'll remember me
Standing in a nice dress, staring at the sunset, babe
Red lips and rosy cheeks
Say you'll see me again even if it's just pretend
Everyone turned to Darcy who didn’t even try to hide the tears as she used Jane
for support to keep standing.
“I met James when I was 12. I didn’t know.”
~
James took his time. Working his way back to Darcy’s hometown. Realistically he
knew it’d been 8 years, she might not even be there. Or worse, she was there,
but with someone else. Maybe she’d move on without him. Would she have a
family? A home? A husband who was there all the time? He growled to himself.
Realistically he knew he shouldn’t be upset if she had. He’d only appeared a
handful of times while she was growing up. He knew it was wrong, she was on the
cusp of becoming a proper lady and he’d taken her virtue from her.
You act like she wasn’t an all too willing participant. He really couldn’t find
it in himself to feel guilty though, perhaps it was the way she stayed in his
mind when everything else was forgotten. Lost to the memory wipes. Focus on the
good things. He shoved the annoying voices from his mind and wandered into a
diner to eat.
Halfway there he picked up some under the table work, cash only at a
construction plant. Place was seedy enough and no asked questions except if he
could do the work. It was easy enough to hide his arm, and if someone happen to
see a little bit of metal, he made sure to tell them it was a side effect of
war, no one wanted to insult a veteran.
James scoffed, he wasn’t a veteran he was a monster of war. A weapon Hydra
created. What if they had created safeguards? Would he inadvertently hurt Darcy
if he found her again? No. He’d do whatever he had to, to keep Darcy safe, even
from himself.
He only stayed around long enough to build up a decent cash flow, rationalized
that if he found Darcy and on the off chance she still wanted him, he’d have to
provide for her. Prove he could.
Always had a way with the dames. Steve’s voice popped into his mind. He pushed
it aside. He wasn’t ready to look at those memories yet. Compartmentalization
at its best it gave him time to sort through what were his memories and the
Asset’s. He did recognized the difference. Coming to terms with it was
different though.
Once he made it to Darcy’s hometown he checked the archives first. It was a
small town and it seemed like the place where everyone knew everything about
their neighbors. But James wasn’t a people person and he had a hard conversing
with normal humans, he hoped to find the information he need quickly. Of course
it wouldn’t be that easy.
“Can I help you with something dearie?” An older woman, probably in her 70s,
came up to him while he was scanning through folders and files. “Looking for
something in particular, I’ve been here a long time. Happy to help.” James
wasn’t having any luck since he didn’t know Darcy’s last name, just where
lived.
“Um, yea. I’m looking for a friend, she used to live on Dennings Drive, number
23.” The woman’s eyes lit up and quickly fell again.
“Oh you mean Darcy, Darcy Lewis. Poor thing. She left town when she was 17,
almost 18. Oh yes, quite the scandal. She and her mother had a terrible fight,
no one is quite sure what it was about, but Darcy left the next day. Most
people assume to her Grandmother’s. Those two were close as thieves.” A simple
question and James had access to Darcy’s life since he left. James absently
wondered why he didn’t utilize it when he first came here to gather information
his lady. “Unfortunately Elizabeth informed me that her mother died about 4
years ago and hasn’t heard a word from Darcy.” James felt his heart sink. What
had he done? The last he saw Darcy she’d just turned 17. If she was almost 18
when she left? He temporarily forgot about the elderly woman chatting at his
side as he racked his brain for a reason for her sudden departure.
“Actually it was one of the science students who noticed her. Let me find it…oh
yes here it is.”
James turned his attention back to the woman who pulled out an article on some
bridge, after scanning the first few sentences he realized why it was in the
archives, Darcy Lewis was named as sole intern/assistant to one Jane Foster
who’d made a breakthrough recently. Finally, a lead he could follow.
“Thank you.” He was gone before she could turn around.
~
Tony and Pepper were a godsend. Before Darcy could get any more words out,
action sprung. Tony had Jarvis ordering furniture and supplies while Pepper
sent out movers to her place in Brooklyn.
“Darcy why don’t you and Jamie come up to our place? I’m sure Thor would be
more than happy to entertain Jamie with stories from Asgard. Wouldn’t you?”
Jane was taking guiding Darcy to the elevators while Thor had swept up Jamie
and was eagerly recounting his sparring match with Hulk. Darcy mumbled an
agreement, wanting, needing time to process what she’d just seen.
James. Her James was the Winter Solider, Captain America’s lost friend, Bucky
Barnes, Hydra’s greatest asset. The man she was still in love with.
Steve Grant Rogers was hardly ever at a loss for words. The discovery they had
all just made left him speechless. When Darcy had walked in with, who he now
knew was, her son. He felt like he’d been punched in the gut, they boy looked
just like Bucky did when he was that age.
He brushed it off as maybe a coincidence, Darcy was entitled to live her own
life, maybe the man she’d met just had those same characteristics. Until he
heard Jamie’s shouting from the living room and saw the news feed of the Winter
Solider. Darcy didn’t know. He saw that in her eyes, he saw he wanting to fall
to her knees but kept standing for her son. Darcy was stronger than he ever
was.
Bucky saved him. Could have let him drown but didn’t. He’d gone off with Sam
searching only to come back empty handed. Sam, he thought, would have field day
picking is brain apart with this new information.
Chapter End Notes
     This only took me so long because I was out of town for two days.
     I've gone back and edited about twice now. I'll start work on chapter
     5 tonight. Hopefully I'll have that out soon. Still looking for a
     beta. If anyone wants the chance to read Red Lips and Rosy cheeks
     before it's published feel free to message me! I really hope you guys
     enjoy the story as much as I like writing it.
***** Darcy Lewis Meet James Barnes *****
Chapter Summary
     InDreamsIDoWander beta'd this chapter for me, and she really helped
     me with some direction!
     At long last, they meet.
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
Chapter Five
If Darcy knew that Tony and Pepper had all this waiting for her, she would have
given them an ecstatic yes! when Jane first moved into Tower. She would have
accepted eons ago to have this family for herself and Jamie.
Jane and Thor had entertained them for the rest of the night until dinner when
Steve demanded that family dinner go on as normal. Saying that Darcy and Jamie
were family and families ate together. It was nice, no awkward silences and
everyone engaged Jamie; peppering him with questions and talking to him as an
equal instead of a child. Darcy could see Jamie just thrive on the attention.
“What are you studying in school lad?” Thor’s voice boomed over the others and
Jamie launched into the school’s family assignment. How it was hard because it
was just him and his mom while his other friends had loads of family to trace
back. He didn’t bring up his father. Darcy had explained everyone knew his dad
and that they were coming to grips with it. To give them time to process.
“It’s just me and mom, my grandma went to heaven when I was little.” Jamie
quieted at the statement, letting it linger in the air. He didn’t want to bring
up his dad but he hoped now that he was back he could trace his family just
like everyone else.
“If I may be of service Mr. Lewis, I can assist you with your ancestry
research.” Jarvis had taken quite a liking to Jamie and Tony pouted even more
as the Lewis's took over his AI. But really what did Tony expect? He created an
AI that learned and adapted and if that AI adapted and chose which humans he
doted on, well that was Tony’s fault. Darcy would happily reap the benefits.
“Awesome! Thanks Jarvis!” Jamie bounced up and down in his seat, as the
melancholy look on his face was replaced with sheer happiness.
“Jamie, we don’t bounce at the table. Sit down and eat.” Darcy’s mothering
voice cut through the chatter and Jamie immediately resettled in his seat. She
and Pepper set out the plates of take-out to everyone while Steve brought
everyone their drinks. Darcy had attempted to push all the new information she
learned into the back of her mind until she had time to privately process
everything. James was the Winter Solider. James was Bucky, Steve’s best friend.
“Darcy?” Bruce’s voice cut through the thoughts that were overwhelming her. She
quickly shook her head and looked up. “Are you still with us?” His brown eyes
gazed at her with concern. She had done her best to normalize things for Bruce.
Her hugs and touches, checking in on him, it paid off obviously. Natasha and
Bruce were a thing now. Thank God, I bet Laura feels better having Clint home
more often than not. With Natasha being 'looked after' by Bruce, Clint made
trips to the Barton farm more often and it showed, he was much better at his
job when he’d seen his family.
“Yes, sorry. What were we talking about?”
Bruce looked at Natasha, who merely raised an eyebrow and spoke.
“We were talking about letting Jamie have some time to adjust to life here at
the Tower. Possibly keeping him from school for the rest of the week.”
Natasha had posed the statement as a question. While Darcy knew she had the
final word, it seemed like the decision had already been made. That didn’t sit
right in her belly. She’d always been the sole rule in their home and didn’t
want Jamie thinking he could persuade the Avengers to overrule her. Tony
especially.
Steve glanced at Natasha and then to Thor and Jane. This was going to end bad
if Nat tried to strong arm Darcy. Everyone loved her while she’d been the “Team
Mom” before. But now, they all had to understand she was Jaime's mother, who
had the final word.
Steve remembered Mrs. B and his mom back in the day. Between the two of them,
they were force to be reckoned with. Especially when Bucky and he would come
home with black eyes and bruises.
“No one is making decisions unless it’s Darcy. She’s trusting us with someone
more valuable than gold and more precious than diamonds. All decisions have to
be run by her with her full input.” Steve did his best to put all his Captain
America authority behind his statement but when Darcy looked at him he feared
he’d overstepped his bounds.
“Thank you Steve, I appreciate that.” Darcy sipped her water and looked at
Jamie, who was in a deep discussion with Tony. Uh oh, that can’t be good.
“Natasha is right. Life in the Tower will take some getting used to. It’s
Wednesday, letting Jamie play hooky won’t affect him too much. He’s had perfect
attendance up to this point.” Steve quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
“I’ll handle the school Darcy, I have to go down to Brooklyn to meet a
shareholder for lunch, I can swing by and pick up any work he’ll miss.” Pepper,
ever the organizer, took care of her next item for discussion. Darcy nodded her
head in Tony’s direction. Pepper’s gazing following her own.
“Should we be worried about that?”
~
Armed with a last name and a place of employment; James saw no reason to seek
out Darcy’s mother. He recounted the many conversations he had with Darcy. Most
of them centered around her mother. The woman seemed like she could put his ex-
handlers to shame. Not something to think about. He shoved those thoughts aside
and continued on his way back towards to New York. After the events in DC, it
seemed that all the Avengers, their significant others included, had made Stark
Tower their place of residence. He wasn’t sure if he was ready to see Steve
again, but if anyone would help him bridge the gap it would be Darcy.
He’d forgotten how much he loved New York. How much it had changed but stayed
the same. He didn’t immediately attempt to see Darcy. He took time to clean
himself up. Finding a place in his old neighborhood wasn’t much trouble. He
used a chunk of his money to pay at least 2 months' rent, and purchase a new
set of clothes and gloves. Darcy had never had an issue with his arm but he
didn’t know if that had changed in the past 8 years.
8 years. Would she even remember him?
Regardless, even if she had no idea who he was, he would either get the closure
of her rejection or the elation of her remembrance.
~
Over the course of the week, Jamie spent more time getting to know the Avengers
as people instead of just superheroes who saved the world on a regular basis.
He also got close to Jane and Pepper, learning the ins and outs of the lab
floor and Pepper’s office in the Tower. Darcy knew, logically, time away from
her son was good, it had plenty of benefits for Jamie to develop into a
functioning member of society. She couldn’t coddle or suffocate him. What
surprised her the most was how liberating it was. She talked to Sam, the
Tower’s newest resident, aside from her and Jamie.
Sam was easy going and let her lead the process of getting everything out in
the open. Sometimes she’d invite the others to hear her vent other times it was
just the two of them. While Darcy really only wanted to be buried under a
mountain of blankets she had to set an example for Jamie. She had to get her
emotions out and about. Talking was good.
“Jarvis, I’m going out shopping. If the lab burns down, call me.” Darcy swept
up her bag up with her coat and headed towards the elevator. With Thor around
she wasn’t worried about Jane over doing it or forgetting to eat.
Her son too had picked up on her habits with the scientist three. He would even
lock down the labs with Jarvis as his back up. Darcy made sure to get copies of
the video when Jamie would put his hands on his hips and demand Tony play with
him or teach him something in order to get him away from work.
“Of course Miss, shall I send for a car?” Darcy rode the elevator to the lobby
while she debated. She was going to pick up Jamie at 3:00, and she could always
call for a car later. No, a good walk would clear her head. Monday afternoon
she hoped the shops around the Tower weren’t too packed.
“No thanks Jarvis, I’ll call with my location closer to 3. When I need to pick
up Jamie.”
“I will send out a text promptly at 2:30 PM then.”
As Darcy was making her way out of the private entrance she ran smack dab into
the Steve. Her face hitting the brick wall he called a chest. He wasn’t dressed
like he’d been running but he wasn’t dressed up like he’d been dealing with
Shield or the press.
“Ow. I forgot how hard your rippling pectorals are.” Steve grinned, rubbing the
back of his neck a tiny blush covering his cheeks.
“Ha, I got that reference.” Before Darcy and Jamie moved into the Tower, she
and Steve had been steadily catching up on pop culture references and all
things Darcy deemed important for survival in the 21st Century. She was proud
of him for picking up her Hercules reference. “Where are you off to today?”
“Just going out to clear my head until I need to pick up Jamie from school.
You?” Darcy didn’t miss the irony that she was becoming closer to James’ best
friend. It wasn’t because she was interested, because honestly any woman with
pulse would want Steve, but that it seemed like she was jumping from one super
solider to the other. That’s the farthest thing from my mind. Steve is like a
big brother. Yes, Steve was great, but she had never let another man into her
life after James. Two big reasons, first, she had no time; second, Jamie never
approved of her dating. He asked of course, why he didn’t have both parents,
and that’s when Darcy explained that James’ line of work, or at least what she
had thought was his line of work.
“Oh, just getting back from the park. I like to sketch in the morning. Mind if
I join you? I’ll buy the coffee?” Darcy smiled figuring having some company
wouldn’t be so bad and Steve was easy to talk to.
“I’m not a cheap date Rogers, you know how I like my coffee.” She teased.
“You got it Doll,” They set off down the block to the hole in the wall coffee
shop.
~
What is this feeling? James touched his chest, he’d was making his way to Stark
Tower hoping to do some surveillance, maybe catch a glimpse of Darcy. Instead
he saw Steve and Darcy making their way down the street, both of them grinning
and talking easily. He sank down on the fire escape he was using as a look out.
Was Darcy with Steve? He knew it was a possibility that she would move on - he
promised himself he would accept it if she had. But Steve? He had never felt
more jealous in his life. Okay that was a lie. It felt like they were back in
war together after Steve been turned into Captain America, and all the dames
were falling over themselves to get his attention.
Would he mind if that was true? Steve would cherish Darcy, treat her like she
deserved. Better than he could, with his stained soul and broken pieces. He
trailed them for the afternoon. James’ assessment of Steve growing smaller and
smaller. He wasn’t exactly hiding. If Steve had been searching for him like he
promised he would, then Steve should have figured out he was being followed.
Seriously Punk, did you lose your edge? While Darcy and Steve shopped and
talked, James was taking note of all the things Darcy pointed out: things she’d
like for their new kitchen, a book she’d been wanting. James raised an eyebrow
when Darcy and Steve got into a car than had driven up. That was something. He
quickly changed position, leaping over rooftops to keep up with the swiftly
moving vehicle.
~
Darcy and Steve stood outside the school building with the other parents who
picked up their kids. Happy had driven around the block to avoid any press or
notice. Steve kept his ball cap low with his aviators over his eyes. Incognito,
he claimed. He was a lot more noticeable than Darcy was. While the press and
public knew of her they didn’t consider her important enough to bother.
“Miss Lewis,” Darcy groaned. The assistant principal Mrs. Cross waved her over
and Darcy just knew she was in for a fight. Steve said nothing but noted how
Darcy reluctantly walked over. He followed close behind. “Oh and is this
Jamie’s father? Back from deployment?” Steve didn’t like the way her voice
dripped with sarcasm. He may be in the dog house after this but he couldn’t
stand bullies and that’s exactly what this older lady was. A bully. He stuck
his arm around Darcy and grabbed the woman’s hand.
“Yes Ma’am, James Barnes. I was on special assignment took me away for a quite
a while.” He could see the expression on the woman's face morph into shock and
surprise. She took a step back looking to Darcy for confirmation. “Is there a
problem with Jamie?” Steve pressed.
“Oh no, no. Just checking up on Darcy. Jamie had filled in his father’s name on
our tree and since Darcy had never said there was a father we were concerned.”
Steve knew she was lying about her concern but he said nothing.
“Yes, it was very new. That’s why Jamie missed the end of last week, we moved
and were getting adjusted.” Darcy linked her arm around Steve’s and played up
the doting wife and mother.
“Yes, a Miss Potts came by and picked up Jamie’s assignments. I didn’t know
Stark Industries’ CEO made personal visits.” Darcy took a step back and when
the bell rang she looked for Jamie to come barreling out the school doors, like
he always did.
“Mom!” Darcy caught up with Jamie before he could make his way to Steve and
Mrs. Cross.
“Do me a favor, pretend Steve is your dad.” She whispered as she bent down to
hug him. Jamie gave her a funny look but when glanced back and caught Steve
with his assistant principal he understood. Mrs. Cross liked to pick on the
kids with only one parent, since she didn’t think they could be as smart as
kids with both. Jamie didn’t like her but he learned quickly better to say
nothing than end up in detention.
“Dad! You came!” Jamie played it up running to Steve’s waiting arms. As Darcy
came around to grab his backpack from him.
“Goodbye Mrs. Cross we must be going!” Darcy and Steve, with Jamie on his
shoulders made their way out of the school yard and down the block.
~
James felt what was left of his heart shatter. Darcy had moved on. With Steve.
She had a son. With Steve. He looked at the family happily walking away from
the school to the waiting car that Stark provided. It was obvious that they
were a complete and happy family, which was something Steve always dreamed of
but never thought he would have because of his illnesses. James slunk down
against the brick wall behind him, letting his breath out slowly.
Maybe he was too far gone. He’d been working on himself, separating Bucky’s
memories from the Asset’s and deciding who he was in the process. He wanted to
be James, Darcy’s James. He was a fool to believe he was worthy of love. Hydra
made sure of that. Destroying anything good and snuffing it out.
Darcy would be taken care of. Steve would love her and now that James had seen
just how happy she was he could move on. This way he could maybe stay in her
memory untouched. She would remember him the way he was before. Yes, he was the
Asset at the time, but he knew he was her sole companion growing up. Visiting
her with his extra time had kept him sane, he thought she was like him. An
outsider, someone who understood differences. Especially when he saw her
crying, tears streaming down her face when she’d become a lady before the other
girls in her class. It wasn’t a lie. What he told her. He believed it, meant
she was more mature than those other girls. A lady was to be admired and
respected. He wanted that for Darcy. Another thought entered his mind. Would
Steve forgive him? For stealing Darcy’s virtue? He understood nowadays it was
different. Women weren’t judged if they weren’t virginal when they married. On
closer inspection he realized Darcy wasn’t wearing a ring and neither was
Steve.
During his time recovering his memories he’d learned everything he could since
Steve woke up in the ice. The Avengers' lives were anything but private, and
logically James knew not everything he read was true. He knew for a fact Steve
hated apple pie. If Steve and Darcy were married it would be all over the
internet. Pictures would be at his fingertips.
Damn Punk couldn’t even do that right.
Without second guessing his decision James stalked towards Stark Tower.
~
“I’m sorry Darce if I overstepped my boundaries at the school.” Steve was
helping Darcy prepare dinner while Jamie sat with Thor and Jane going over his
homework for the day. Darcy didn’t have much notice to give Jenny, but Tony
promised he would fund the girl’s college degree for her services. Tony may
have acted like he was cold but Darcy knew better. Pepper even sent Jenny a
gift certificate for an all-inclusive spa day as part of her severance package.
Darcy didn’t even realize that babysitters for Stark employees got severance
packages but as long as Jenny was taken care of she didn’t care to argue.
“Oh no, I hate that woman. She’s a damn harpy. Jamie told me she picks on kids
of single parents because she doesn’t think they have the same advantages other
kids do.” Darcy stirred the rice while the brisket was finishing off in the
oven. After Steve’s talk on her behalf all the Avengers had sent various emails
or talked to Darcy about what rules she had for Jamie - what they could bend
and what was strictly enforced. They also discussed what would have to change
since living in the Tower meant different procedures for assembles and
emergencies. Darcy was more than happy with the arrangements and now that they
were on the same page their lives were running pretty smooth. Except for one
thing: an ex-Hydra assassin to be exact.
“Good, I just, you know me. I don’t like bullies.” Darcy nodded. It was
painfully apparent. Hello World War Two propaganda. But it was nice to see the
look on that old bird’s face. Darcy only wished it really had been James.
“What bullies does Rogers not like?” Tony strolled in wiping his hands on the
towel he normal kept in his back pocket. Darcy blocked him before he stuck his
finger in the dessert she was making. A look sending him to the sink.
“Nothing, Tony.”
“The assistant principal at Jamie’s school” Darcy didn’t see the look Steve and
Tony exchanged. Steve wasn’t above calling in the big guns to make sure Jamie
had a good educational experience. Steve remembered what it was like to be
bullied in school, to have a father who was gone. Tony remained silent and
strolled over to Jamie.
Pepper waltzed in a few minutes later grabbing a bottle of water and heading
off Tony before he called the school to complain about Jamie’s math homework.
“But Pep! What the hell is Common Core? This shit isn’t even math! Who does
this?” Darcy, personally, would have loved to be a fly on the wall when Tony
ripped into the school district. Common Core was stupid. Plain and simple.
“I’ll be right back, just going to make sure Bruce heard the dinner bell.”
Darcy disappeared out of the common kitchen and headed for the elevators.
~
Well, it was now or never. James was determined to make sure Darcy was being
taken care of, in every sense of the word. Steve had always been one for
propriety and James didn’t think the 21st Century would rub off on him that
quickly. He stood outside of what he now realized was Avengers Tower, not just
Stark. The assassin in him told him to just scale the building, or sneak in
with the normal staff but something told him that might not work. He couldn’t
exactly toss stones at Darcy’s window, like back in the day.
“Here goes nothing.” He walked into the main lobby.
~
Darcy was just about to return from catching-telling Bruce and Natasha that
dinner was being served in the common room, when they were done bonking like
rabbits. Bruce blushed while Nat simply ran her fingers through her hair and
tugged her blouse down.
“Miss Lewis you have visitor in the main lobby. I don’t perceive a threat but I
sense enhancement. Should I summon the others?” Jarvis’s voice broke her train
of thought and she was immediately viewing a security screen from the main
lobby on the ground floor.
James.
“Jarvis, alert Steve, please sound causal we don’t need the others to break out
the welcoming committee. And Jamie stays put. No exceptions.” Darcy took a
moment to collect her thoughts. She hadn’t had time to process. She was still
adjusting. James was here. She wasn’t ready. She was ready. No. Yes. Her panic
consumed her and she was trying to steady her breathing by the time she made it
to the elevators.
“Miss Lewis, Captain Rogers is waiting for you.” The doors opened up and Steve
saw the overwhelmed look on her face and quickly helped her collect herself.
She couldn’t even speak, let alone tell him his best friend was waiting for him
just down in the lobby.
“Darcy! Talk to me!” The elevator dinged and Steve looked up to see Bucky
standing in front of the reception desk. Darcy relaxed beside him and he
momentarily forgot she was there. He made his way towards Bucky trying to
decipher the look on his face.
James caught the scene between Steve and Darcy while they exited the elevator.
Darcy looked like she’d been attacked, her hair a mess and a terrified look on
her face. When Steve caught his eye he looked like he’d seen a ghost. Well
James would show him what ghosts can do when you hurt a dame. He never imagined
Steve could stoop that low, not after what he witnessed that afternoon. But
then again, you never knew what monsters lurked under the surface. He knew that
intimately.
Steve was making his way towards him, hands by his sides but shock on his face.
He reached out and James reared back, cracking him across the jaw. “What’s
wrong you with Punk? Thought you knew how to treat a lady?”
When Darcy heard James’ voice again, not so cold and functional she couldn’t
control herself. She ran and launched herself into his arms, tears streaming
down her face. “I thought I’d never see you again!”
James was startled as Darcy clung to him, he went back and forth between the
brunette and Steve, who was recovering from his hit. Granted, James had used
his right arm instead of the left. While he wanted to knock some sense into the
Punk he didn’t want to necessarily hurt him.
“James, there’s so much I have to tell you.” Darcy stopped when James didn’t
immediately put his arms around her like he used to. She hadn’t really thought
it through, it was possible he was here because he remembered Steve and not
her. She wiped her tears quickly, and took a step back. “You don’t remember me
do you?”
James hadn’t caught up with what happened. He hadn’t wrapped his arms around
Darcy because she was Steve’s gal. Steve whom he had just punched in the face.
But God did Darcy smell good, like homemade vanilla and strawberries, just like
she had 8 years ago. All he wanted to do was bury his face in her hair.
Say you'll remember me
Standing in a nice dress, staring at the sunset babe
Red lips and rosy cheeks
Say you'll see me again even if it's just in your wildest dreams
“Always.” Darcy sobbed and stood up on her tip toes and without thinking of the
consequences, kissed him.
Chapter End Notes
     I love to hear your feedback! Finally James and Darcy meet up again!
     With Steve! I know, such a terrible cliffhanger! I hope you all can
     forgive me.
***** Enter Jamie the Wirlwind *****
Chapter Notes
     Beta'd by InDreamsIDoWander
     Finally, the reunion and Team meet up
See the end of the chapter for more notes
Chapter Six
Jarvis watched the scene play out with his favorite person (well at much as a
AI could favor a person). Miss Darcy was like the physical embodiment he
sometimes needed to manage the Tower and Sir. She had a sense about her that
made her an exemplary person. He would always do his best to assist her in her
endeavors.
The talk between the three of them would take some time before they would join
the rest of the team for dinner. He alerted Dr. Foster to make the necessary
rearrangements. “Dr. Foster, would you be so kind as to take out Miss Lewis'
brisket? I fear this delay will be longer than expected.”
~
If James was surprised before, he was completely disarmed now. He remembered
the feel of Darcy’s lips 8 years ago, her soft, pliant body against his and her
cries of pleasure. Kissing her now only intensified the feelings. He longed to
deepen the kiss to take his time to relearn everything about loving Darcy,
but…he couldn’t do that. He had to stop himself. Not when she was Steve’s girl.
He gently pulled away from her. Fighting every bone in his body that
desperately wanted to reclaim her.
“I can’t kiss ya, Doll. It’s not right.” Darcy blinked back in shock. Had she
misread the situation? He said he remembered her. Darcy just assumed he’d want
to be with her. Why didn’t he want to kiss her? She looked over her shoulder at
Steve who was sporting a busted lip but nothing else, standing there in shock
and awe. Maybe he remembered her and their time together and regretted it? She
bit her bottom lip, if he regretted it then what about Jamie? Could she do
that?
“James, it’s me. Why? Why can’t you…don’t you remember?” Her voice barely
escaped her mouth, the pain she was radiating was just as disarming as the look
in her blue eyes. Betrayal, hurt, Darcy could never hide the emotions in those
eyes from him. She looked tiny, shrinking in on herself instead of the force
he’d known her to be.
James straightened up and looked above Darcy to Steve. At that moment James
wanted nothing more than to punch the punk in jaw again. What was he playing
at? How could he just stand there while he had his hands on her? If Darcy had
been his girl and she was in another man’s arms, James would see red. Action
before questions.
“Darcy, let’s take this upstairs.” Steve’s voice carried behind her. Darcy
stared at James with sorrow in her eyes and nodded in agreement. They turned in
the direction of the elevators and James followed, while his mind was running a
million miles a minute. Had he read the situation wrong? Darcy and Steve hardly
touched each other as they walked, completely different from this afternoon.
Darcy looked like he punched her instead of Steve. Her shoulders slumped
underneath her sweater dress. Were they not a couple? If not Steve than who?
That boy couldn’t be more than 8 years old ….Shit. The realization hit him and
before he could get a word out his body took over and he was fighting the pain
in his chest. The pain coming swift and knocking the wind out of him.
He didn’t realize he was having an attack until Steve and Darcy were trying to
get his attention, their worried looks pierced his heart. Between the two of
them they could get Bucky to do anything - well he wouldn’t tell them that
until he was clear and stable. He reached for elevator panel and he slide
against the wall.
“Steve he’s having an attack! We have to let him come down on his own.” Darcy
turned and pushed Steve away as hard as she could in the small elevator. She
crouched down, grabbing James’s hand and placing it over her heart, while doing
the same to him. “James, breathe with me. Feel that? That’s my heart, feel the
way my chest is moving. Match that for me. Please.” James understood what she
was trying to do, and he did his best to mimic the breathing. They were long
deep breaths. They repeated the process until James shook off the attack.
“Tell me. Everything.”
~
Darcy and Steve led James up to Steve’s private floor, all of them in stone
silence. Darcy’s mind was firing on all charges and she bit her lip worried
about Jamie…and James. Steve was busy processing the fact that his best friend
was back. Well sort of. James it seemed was back. Steve wasn’t hurt just he
needed to know to proceed, but after the encounter between Darcy and James,
Steve thought he should let them get sorted first.
“Jarvis please let everyone know we’ll be joining them later; Jamie is to
finish his dinner then go through his bedtime routine please.” Darcy waited
until James was out of earshot to give out instructions. She wanted to tell him
herself about Jamie, about their lives after he left her.
“Of course Miss. Shall I enact a privacy protocol?” Jarvis was always thinking
7 steps ahead of everyone else, Darcy smiled softly.
“Yeah, that’ll work. Please make sure to relay any messages for us.” Darcy
grabbed three water bottles out of Steve’s fridge and made her way to the
living room. Steve and James were in deep conversation already and Darcy felt a
little pang of jealousy. Steve had an entire lifetime with James, they grew up
together and fought together. She shook the feeling away, Steve missed James
just as much as she did, if this was going to work they had to communicate. All
of them had to communicate.
“Hey Doll,” Steve motioned for her to sit down at a such an angle they were all
points in a triangle, no one on one side or the other, they were equal. “I was
just telling Bucky about my apparently pointless search for him and the
dynamics here in the Tower.” And avoiding anything about you he managed to say
wordlessly. She nodded and took a sip of her water, handing the other two to
the men on either side of her.
“Darcy, you have to tell me. I thought you were with Steve. I only came here
because I wanted to be sure he was treating you right.” James stared at her
with an unreadable expression. Darcy had always been able to read people though
their eyes but something had masked that with James. She couldn’t gauge what he
was thinking or feeling.
“First of all, me and Steve have never been item.” Darcy was interrupted before
she could continue her explanation.
“I saw you both at the school. You have a son.” It was an accusation more than
a statement or question and Darcy felt her anger bubbling up to the surface at
his presumptuous tone. How dare he judge her? How dare he imply that he knew
more than what she did? She was there! She knew the interaction far better than
he did. She lived it. Everyday.
“You self-righteous bastard. I was there! I know what was said! That old harpy
loves to pick on Jamie and me because I was a single parent. SINGLE.” Darcy was
on her feet and raving. She couldn’t believe he would honestly think he knew
more than her. He just admitted he was stalking her and instead of just asking
her, coming to see her to check on her, he assumed she was with Steve, like
that meant she was in capable hands. I’m a grown ass woman, I don’t belong in
anyone’s hands. “Steve was just helping me out, and honestly now I really
regret even letting him cover your ass.” James stood up with her, waiting for
her to admit was his mind had been screaming at him. That Darcy’s son was his
son. His flesh and blood and innocent. If she was telling the truth which he
never doubted, Darcy didn’t have it in her to lie. Let alone lie about
something like that. “You want to know what happened?” Darcy’s blue eyes were
electrified as she stood toe to toe with the former assassin. “I got pregnant
that night. On my 17th birthday.”
Let it be known that Steve “Man with the Plan” Rogers, didn’t have a plan for
what just happened. His best friend was back, if only because he’d been keeping
his distance under the assumption that he was dating Darcy. Darcy just dropped
a huge bomb on him. Though from the way Bucky’s jaw twitched he knew - he’d
figured it out and was just wanting Darcy to confirm his suspicion. He’d always
enjoyed Darcy’s presence in the Tower and with her recent move their friendship
had been cemented. He desperately wanted to say something, anything to break
the stare down between them but he stayed silent. Just watching them as Darcy
laid into him and Bucky taking it all in stride. Steve’s mind did go on the
alert because he wasn’t quite sure how healed Bucky was - would he snap back
while Darcy was yelling at him? Would he be forced to stop his friend? He
pushed the thoughts aside before he could delve too deep since going there
would solve nothing.
“You and Steve never dated. I have a son, and up until the battle in D.C you
lived alone with him. Natalia bullied you in to moving into Avengers Tower
because I was more dangerous than she was. Is that just about it?” James caught
the unspoken words. Darcy hadn’t been with anyone else since him. She’d devoted
her entire life to providing for their son and making it all on her own. The
fire still burned in her eyes and without the obstacle of Steve; James did the
only thing he could. He closed the inches between and crashed his lips to
Darcy’s. His right hand cradling her cheek while his left held her against his
chest. “You saved me. Every time I went under, you were there. I dreamed of
you.” His forehead was pressed against hers, both of them breathless. It was
just a soft clearing of a throat that broke through the haze.
“I’m going to go check on everyone, maybe you should join us before it gets too
late.” Before Jamie goes to sleep and Bucky has to wait to meet his son. Darcy
heard the silent words, and a quick glance at the digital clock over the T.V.
told her not very much time had passed. They stayed quiet as Steve left the
apartment. The two of them sat back down on the sofa, her head was spinning and
she just wanted the world to re-right itself.
“What’s his name?” James broke the silence. “I want to know everything about
him.” James looked at her like his whole world depended on her answer and the
only thing Darcy could see was Jamie’s eyes reflected in James’s.
“James Henry Lewis. He weighed 7 lbs. 2 oz. and he was 18 inches long, his
birthday is December 10th…” She retold her labor, Jamie’s childhood, (the quick
version) some of his favorite activities and characters while keeping an eye on
the time. “We should head up to dinner, if we keep this up, Jamie will be in
bed before you can see him.” Darcy stood up and stretched trying to act like it
wouldn’t matter to her either way even though her heart was in her throat.
James jumped up faster than Darcy thought possible and he grabbed her hand
racing for the elevator.
“I’ll take that as a yes.”
Jamie eyed Steve as he walked into the dining room. Jarvis had Aunt Jane pull
out mom’s brisket and Uncle Thor had ended up disintegrating his math homework
after his other uncles and aunt, Tony, Bruce and Pepper had collectively
decided to talk to his mom about his education. He didn’t want to leave his
friends and when he voiced his opinion, Aunt Pep promised it was something
called a “present-ence” for him to do one class at home. They agreed between
the two scientists, CEO and Jarvis they were more than qualified to teach him
the math he needed to know.
“Steve, where’s my mom?” Everyone had been waiting on his mom to get back, even
when Auntie Nat and Uncle Bruce strolled in later than usual. Jamie saw the way
Steve stopped and then turned to him.
“She’ll up be in just a minute Son, give her time.” Jamie frowned. Steve wasn’t
telling him everything. He took the plates Steve handed him and help set the
table while everyone else snacked on a fruit plate Aunt Pep set out. Jamie made
his way around to Auntie Nat. She never lied.
“Do you know what’s taking my mom so long? It’s getting later, and I don’t want
to eat or go to bed without her.” Natasha heard the footsteps at the same time
Steve did. Both of them looking at the door.
“I think we’re about to find out,” She raised an eyebrow at Steve who gave her
a strange look but said nothing.
“Miss Lewis wishes for me to convey a message.” Jarvis voiced silenced the
room, which held the daily chatter of everyone’s lives. “No weapons, no
questions, she will explain. No need for surprise.” Was all Jarvis said before
the door slide open and Darcy appeared, her hand intertwined with someone else.
Specifically, a metal one. Before anyone could even breathe, let alone stop
him, Jamie was charging forward.
“Dad!” James instantly dropped to his knees to brace himself as the little ball
of energy crashed into him. “I knew it! I just knew you’d come back! Mom never
lies!” He wasn’t sure what the protocol was for this. He’d never been around
children. James had vague memories of his childhood with Steve, helping his ma
with his siblings, but that was a lifetime ago. He did what he thought was
right and wrapped his arms around the little boy cling to his chest. Soft brown
hair brushed against his cheek and he nuzzled his chin against Jamie’s head.
“Jarvis are you getting this?” Darcy quietly asked, leaning against the counter
watching the Hallmark-esque scene.
“Of course Miss, uploading to your personal hard drive now.”
“Alright, I hate to say this but, someone explain! Lewis!” Tony’s voice rang
out efficiently ruining the beautiful reunion in front of Darcy and Steve.
Jamie popped his head up and grabbed James’ hand, all but dragging him to the
dinner table. The poor kid was on cloud nine as he went around introducing his
dad to the Avengers. Thankfully everyone humored Jamie. Even Natasha held her
tongue while James just nodded his head at the introductions.
“This my Auntie Nat, she’s a super ‘sassin and the best grill cheese maker.”
Jamie made his way over to Jane and Thor for the round. “This is Uncle Thor and
Aunt Jane. He’s the God of Thunder. I’m not ‘fraid of thunder anymore! She’s
teaching me about super space stuff!” Jamie was extremely proud of the family
that adopted him and he was eager for his father to like them too. He hoped if
explained all their great points maybe he wouldn’t have to leave again. “Clint
is teaching me to climb in the vents, but only when Mommy’s not around.”
“Damn it Barton I said boundaries!” Darcy’s voiced shouted from the kitchen
where she and Pepper were doing their best to get dinner on the table and
everyone fed and Jamie off to bed before anyone could inadvertently break the
veil the little boy was under. “Jamie, let’s eat. We can finish introductions
in a minute.”
The dinner was quiet, no one touched on why the Winter Solider had a little 8-
year-old boy on his lap while they both ate dinner. No one questioned when said
solider went through the bedtime routine or even why he stayed with Jamie until
he was fast asleep. No, they simply waited in the common room for Darcy and
Bucky to return and explain the situation to them.
Natasha hid her surprise when Jamie first exclaimed dad on the news feed. When
she’d done more research she'd discovered that the Winter Solider had a mission
close to Darcy’s hometown 13 years ago. She suspected that’s how Darcy had come
to know him. She shared a look with Bruce and could see that he was doing his
best to keep his mind calm and collected.
All of the scientists loved Darcy and Bruce especially doted on her. Not in the
same way as Tony and Pepper, but in his own way. Natasha loved that about
Bruce, while their meeting had been unorthodox, she was glad to have him in her
life. For so long she’d only had Barton and the red in her ledger. Now there
was green to help wipe it away, even if it was only temporary.
Steve sketched when he was nervous and at home. He couldn’t do it during
missions obviously, but at home he was free to relax and if that meant taking
his nervous energy and putting it to use, well then. He doodled out a family
picture of Bucky, Darcy and Jamie at the park, of just Bucky and Darcy, then of
just Bucky, all sorts of things, Bucky from Brooklyn, the Howling Commandos,
and finally the Bucky he was now. More than anything he wanted to hug his
friend, to reminisce with someone who would understand what it’s like to be in
this new century with no one from their past lives. Darcy and the team were
like bright lights, gleaming and pushing the darkness of the memories away.
“Ready to do this?” Darcy bumped James’ shoulder after they put Jamie to bed.
She could see the fear in Jamie’s eyes, he was terrified James would leave if
he didn’t cling to him. She ached wishing she could take the fear and pain from
her little boy.
James was amazed to say in the least. Between the dinner and the motions of
going to bed, Jamie was a ball of energy. But once in bed he was fading fast -
he begged him to stay until he fell asleep and then begged him to be there in
the morning. How had he, the Winter Soldier, with the countless amounts of
blood on his hands, received so much love from this tiny kid? Jamie looked at
him like he was reason the sun rose and set. It was a new feeling for James.
He’d only ever felt close to Darcy but now, it was like his heart had made room
for Jamie as well. Could he really be freed from all his past mistakes?
Darcy looked at him with a small smile on her face, and for a moment, James
thought, yea, he could.
Chapter End Notes
     Did you like it? Was it everything you wanted? Terrible? Sound off in
     the comments! I live for reviews!
     Also, if anyone knows how to remove a co-author please let me know. I
     thought it was a separate thing, and I meant to tag InDreamsIDoWander
     as my beta, not my co-author.
     She's the best though!
     Thanks all!
***** Whirlwinds Bring Fury *****
Chapter Summary
     Beta'd by InDreamsIDoWander
Chapter Notes
     Answers, more questions. Darcy's just wants a little bit of peace
See the end of the chapter for more notes
Chapter Seven
Together James and Darcy walked back to the common room where the Avengers and
their significant others were waiting. Darcy wouldn’t lie, she was a bit
terrified of the discussion that was about to happen, but she hoped for the
best. James looked worse for wear - he’d been on the run a long time and had
taken in a lot of information in the past few hours. He was about to face even
more to process before their night was over. She squeezed his hand for
reassurance and he flashed a small smile before they entered the room.
“About time Lewis, I could be ravishing Pepper by now,” Tony said, braking the
tension as he lounged on the big sofa, his head in Pepper’s lap while he
flipped through channels. He finally landed on a music station. Pepper for her
part swatted Tony and pushed him off her lap. She motioned for everyone to sit
around the coffee table so they could all see each other. Darcy dragged James
to her side on the loveseat that wasn’t taken up by a couple.
“Shut up Tony, or I’ll deny you your music in the lab.” She could see the
retort die on Tony’s lips and he pouted in his seat.
“Привет Джеймс.” Natasha nodded her head in James' direction and it was then
that he realized why she was so familiar. He’d ignored the feeling nagging him
at dinner but now with Jamie as a deterrent he remembered.
“Наталия.” The Russian spilled from his mouth before he could stop himself and
he shook the thoughts from his mind. “Natalia, I guess I have you to thank for
Darcy and Jamie being here.” James fought against the memory of shooting her.
But he recalled deliberately missing because at the time he subconsciously
remembered her as an ally from their missions together. Even when he shot her,
he was giving her one more chance. He was glad he had enough awareness to do
that. He watched as Bruce placed a hand on her thigh and leaned against
Natalia’s side, as if to calm her. The interaction was new, but then again, he
hadn’t really processed everything at dinner.
“We all love Darcy and Jamie. They're family and are under our constant
protection. We have a few things to talk about.” Natasha was careful to keep
her voice neutral but the threat was there.
Steve interjected before Darcy or James could. “We talked about this Nat. Bucky
isn’t a threat and he’s Jamie’s father. He has every right to be here just like
Darcy. We don’t get to take over that little boy’s life just because we thinkwe
know better. We don’t.” Steve had already set his things aside and made the
subtle changes to his body posture in case things got out of hand.
“Natasha is just concerned like we all are Steve, after all that’s why we’re
all here, to talk.” Bruce, ever the mediator, spoke up.
Steve nodded his head and looked to Darcy. He nodded toward her, indicating she
should get her information out before anyone else decided to interject.
“Right, okay. I’ve told you the story of my life, now we’re talking about the
here and now. Yes, James was the Winter Solider. Obviously he’s used the time
between D.C and now to get right in the head and he’s here to be Jamie’s
father.”
James grabbed her hand and cut her off. “Not just Jamie’s father. You’re my
girl. I’m your guy. We’re in this together. I let you go once, I’m not gonna do
that again.”
Darcy blushed and nodded quickly before continuing “Whether or not that means
joining up with the Avengers, is up to him. James has rights and choices. No
one is going to force anyone to do anything.” She stressed that, because James
had had his choices taken from him and she never wanted him to feel like that
again.
“You are going to do right by my Lightening Sister are you not?” Thor was
relaxed next to Jane but his tone conveyed something else. “She has been
accepted as my sister in the eyes of the All-Father. As her brother it is
important we understand each other.”
Jane swatted him with her hand but Thor ignored the movement. “Do you not
agree, Stark? The Lady Pepper and yourself have made it clear you claim her as
daughter. Does this not concern you as well?”
Darcy didn’t believe what she was hearing, now? Now they wanted to do the
shovel talk? This was not up for discussion.
“You know this is the 21st Century? It’s Darcy life she can do as she pleases,”
Jane huffed and gave Darcy a 'I’m sorry, I’m trying' look. Thor was very
protective and while Darcy loved the big guy. She and James had lot to talk
about and their personal lives were not a topic on the table right now. She
turned to James and found him smirking. She balked. He winked at her and shook
his head.
“I got this Doll,” She looked to Steve for help and he was smiling just like
James.
“This is not what we’re talking about right.” She argued.
“Thor, Tony, I’m not going anywhere. Our relationship is just that, ours. We’ll
be happy to talk to ya’ll when we’re on solid footing. But you can trust, I’m
going change their last names.”
Darcy was thrown off guard by his last little statement. She knew logically it
would make sense, but they couldn’t just pick up where they left off. Could
they?
“Ya’ll are forgetting something very important.” Clint finally spoke up, “Fury
is going to want information, or even capture of the Winter Solider. He’s
committed a lot of crimes.”
Darcy felt her heart drop.
“I’m sorry Kid, but we’re ignoring the elephant in the room. He’s dangerous and
Nat’s right. What if he has some programming that he hasn’t worked out yet?
Huh? PTSD isn’t a game, and being re-programmed takes a toll.” Clint shuddered
as memories of Loki washed over him. It’d taken him a long time to get over the
events. Laura was a saint for putting up with him.
“What are you saying Clint? You’re going to arrest Jamie’s father? Give him up
to Fury to experiment on?!” The shock was evident on her face and the betrayal
was conveyed in her voice.
“Младшая сестра, it’s for your own good. You and Jamie. I told you before.”
Steve jumped up and stood between Bucky and Clint, keeping a tight grip on his
emotions. James stayed oddly quiet as Darcy raged.
“Don’t!” She jerked away from Natasha, “We just got him back and you want to
arrest him?” She raised her voice without drawing much noise. She looked the
others. “Well do you agree with them?” Steve stood right next to James, Tony
and Pepper were caught in the middle while Thor and Jane backed up Darcy. Bruce
was doing his best to calm himself and Darcy immediately regretted her actions.
“I’m sorry Bruce, I just…I can’t think right now.” James gathered her into his
arms and when her tears hit his chest he finally spoke.
“Я понимаю, Наталья, защитить свою семью.” He looked to Steve, then back to
Clint. “I’ll submit to testing but on the condition they can be done here. I
won’t leave Jamie. I promised him.” Clint nodded and disappeared up and into
the vents. Steve looked green and moved to talk to Tony and Pepper quietly.
Natasha nodded and soon she and Bruce left to their floor, leaving just Thor
and Jane.
“I hate when they do that. We agreed to let ya’ll have time before springing
this on you.” Jane flustered and mumbled under breath. James could see she was
a loyal friend and sister to Darcy. Her opinion meant a lot.
“I fear this will not end well. Do not fret Lady Darcy, Warrior James, I will
defend you from any who would destroy our family.” He tucked Jane under his arm
and ushered her out of the room. Darcy sat on the couch her face in her hands.
That was not how she had expected that conversation to go. She knew there would
be complications with James’s past but she didn’t think it would come so soon
or that her own family would be the one pulling the strings.
“We’ll take care of it Darcy, I promise, they aren’t gonna take Bucky away. I
won’t let them.” Steve was in full “When the whole world tells you to move,
your job is to plant yourself like a tree beside the river of truth, and tell
the whole world — "No, you move." mode. And hey, it was a good mode. Darcy
wished she could be like that. James was standing against the floor-to-ceiling
window that over looked the balcony and the city. Darcy looked up at Steve and
nodded. She might not be as strong as Steve or as fast as Natasha but Darcy
knew how to love, and that was her gift. She stood and made her way over to
James wrapping her arms around his waist.
“It’s okay Darce, maybe Tony can do a complete overhaul on the arm. I won’t be
a threat then.” She didn’t move, just buried her face against his back. Steve
looked at the pair and his heart broke. He silently backed out of the room, the
sounds of Darcy's sobs piercing his ears.
~
“Mr. Lewis, it’s time for school. Remember to brush your teeth and comb your
hair. Your mother and father are waiting for you in the kitchen for breakfast.”
Jamie stirred until he heard the word father and then his eyes popped open.
“Thanks Jarvis!” He dashed around his room, getting dressed and going through
his routine as quickly as possible while he double checked his backpack for his
family tree assignment. He skidded into the kitchen, desperately calling for
his father.
“Dad?” He stopped short when he saw James sitting at the breakfast counter with
a cup of coffee and his mother on the other side cooking eggs and bacon. It
wasn’t a dream; he really was there. His dad quickly turned and met his glaze.
“Jamie, are you okay? What’s wrong?” James stood up and before he could take a
couple of steps Jamie launched himself against him, squeezing tightly.
“I’m glad you weren’t a dream.” His heart constricted. Instead of breaking
down, he flashed his son a grin, picked him up and sat him down on the adjacent
chair. James made a promise to himself, he’d never fail Jamie. Never give him a
reason to doubt him. Not if he could help it.
“Me too Kid,” Darcy grinned as she set plates down. She handed Jamie a glass of
milk and refilled James' coffee cup. She was drinking her crazy concoction of
coffee; the stuff was too strong- strike that- too sweet for James to down.
While they ate James noticed Jamie pull out some paper and a pen as the boy
finished off the bacon on his plate. James finished his own and with a quick
tilt of his head, questioned Jamie about it. It looked like a tree, sort of.
“What’s all that?” Jamie turned on his blinding grin and quickly went through
the assignment of a family tree, and how the school was going to trace their
ancestors back as far as possible. He rambled about how all his friends had
already gone back several generations. He'd only gotten his mom’s side down.
But even then it was only a few generations. James decided he’d ask Steve if he
knew how he could help with the project. They’d grown up together after all.
Steve had kept up with Peggy, even after her death. When they talked the night
before, he'd mentioned her granddaughter, Sharon was a Shield agent.
Darcy was quiet throughout the exchange, she was trying to give James and Jamie
space to bond. She was perfectly happy to step back for a minute. It was easy
to see James was a little nervous about taking on the role of father. He’d
occasionally look to her for cues and she’d steer him in the right direction.
With a small hint, he picked up on the time and easily ushered Jamie to get his
bag for school. Darcy expected what happened next.
“Can’t I just stay home today? Please!” James was standing by the elevator with
his hands over his chest doing his best to look like a no nonsense father,
really his face gave it away. He kept looking at Darcy for help. Jamie turned
his puppy dog eyes to her.
“Oh, no. Not today mister. You’ve maxed out Mom approved missed days. We’ll
walk you to school if you hurry.” Sullen but moving, Jamie grabbed James’s hand
as they into the elevator and didn’t let go until they reached the school which
was thankfully sans Mrs. Cross (Darcy did not want to open that can of worms -
while James and Steve looked similar and Cap had been wear a hat and shades
that day, he still had short hair while James didn’t). She watched as James
promised left, right, up and down that he'd be there promptly when the bell
rang to pick him up. Even after he had to pinky swear before Jamie would
willing go into the building. They waved until he disappeared behind the doors.
~
Darcy and James stopped by a little bakery on the corner of Avengers Tower to
pick up breakfast treats and coffee for the Scientist Three. Darcy placed an
order to be delivered for lunch. She grinned at James as she ordered another of
her coffee concoctions to his disgust. He made a face but said nothing. Darcy
was explaining the parenting “style” she wanted to use with Jamie and how they
would take time to compromise on what they wanted for him. She was just getting
into the weekly routine at the tower when they got back up to their floor,
where they were confronted by Natasha, Clint, Steve and to Darcy’s utter
amazement, Fury.
Steve had the “I’m very disappointed” face and honestly that made even senators
rethink their positions, he was glaring at the assassin twins. Shaking his head
at her and James. James wrapped his arm around Darcy’s shoulder and pulled her
close. She sensed the change in him immediately and her mind was racing to do
damage control.
“Miss Lewis, it seems you have some explaining to do.” Fury gazed down at her
and she narrowed her eyes.
“I don’t see what my personal life has to do with my job. In fact, I don’t work
for you. I work for Stark Industries. Therefor it's none of your business.” She
snarled, her chin jutting out in defiance.
Fury remained unfazed much to their annoyance. “Agent Baron and Agent Romanoff
have informed me the Winter Solider has turned himself in to Shield custody.”
His singular gaze turned to James, who couldn’t be further from the threat they
thought he was. His hair was tied back in a bun, he wore normal blue jeans and
his shirt was a novelty item Darcy picked out for him. It had Captain America’s
shield on the front. He wore a white over shirt to hide his arm.
“I agreed to questioning, not custody. I won’t leave the Tower unless my family
comes with me. I’m not about to uproot my son’s life anymore.”
Natasha turned her gazed on Fury, the confusion quickly masked. Obviously Fury
hadn’t informed them he intended to arrest James.
“That was not the agreement.” Her voice cut through the tension as Steve
prepared himself for a fight.
“We need to know if he’s a threat, just because he turned himself in doesn’t
absolve him of the numerous murders and destruction he caused.”
Clint didn’t give away his actions, slyly shifting his position. Granted, he
didn’t like the situation with Darcy and the Winter Solider but he couldn’t
deny Jamie is father. He’d only gone to Shield to make sure they found every
program floating around in Barnes’ mind, not to jerk him away from his kid.
“We will Sir, but here. On our turf. Stark will work on the tech. Natasha,
Clint and if you really insist you can have an agent sit in on the talk.”
Steve’s voice left no room for discussion. Fury could see the fight coming.
“I want answers.” With that a flick of his black duster, he headed for the
elevator to leave the Tower.
Darcy released the breath she didn’t realize she was holding.
“One day. That’s all I want. One day to get my relationship on track!”
Chapter End Notes
     Well now that's probably not what you're expecting. I hope it's all
     going okay. :) I've got a few more twists and turns before I end this
     story :D
     Oh, and Translations! Taken from Google Translate
     "Hello James"
     "Natalia"
     "Little Sister"
     "I understand Natalia, protect my family."
***** Just A Little Side Trip *****
Chapter Summary
     As per usual, I don't own any characters or notable things
     The plot and original characters are mine
     Marvel owns everything
     Beta'd by InDreamsIDoWander
Chapter Notes
     Happy New Year!
     Sorry this took so long! I thought I'd attached my chapters and I
     hadn't, so don't blame anyone but me for the lateness!
     Good news is Chapter 9 is already done and beta'd!
See the end of the chapter for more notes
The Avengers were highly aware of Darcy’s plea for a single day without
interruption. Pepper specifically gave Darcy the week off from babysitting
duty. She called up her assistants to manage SI, while she and Nat watched over
the scientists. Thor took over Jane duty for a while, which meant less stress
on Pepper who hand her hands full with Tony. Natasha, of course, wrangled
Bruce. She’d gotten the easiest scientist if she did say so herself.
In the meantime, Steve had gone through the same channels that Pepper had gone
through to get Bucky his back pay, social security and military awards. Of
course there was some debate and red tape to get through, with Bucky’s time as
the Winter Solider, but for all parties involved they declared him a P.O.W and
not held liable for his actions; as far as the American Military was concerned
anyway. The government and Shield were a different story. The government wanted
answers. Answers and money. Money Stark could handle, Tony had already begun to
repair the damage and really no one complained. It was more about how they
could use Bucky, and if they had to have him arrested, it seemed the government
didn’t have a problem with that.
Shield on the other, fought the government, if only because they wanted to
contain the Asset. Neither options looked promising and since the Avengers were
officially their own group, they didn’t have to operate with Shield, much less
give up one of their own. Tony had already taken over the legal aspects of
James’s likeness, only as a precaution, so no one else could make knock off.
“Whether you decided to join the Avengers or not, you have to protect your
image and likeness. Steve does it. All the money he makes goes to a multitude
of charities.” James could appreciate that about Tony, he was all talk, sure,
but deep down, the man had a good heart.
True to his word, James submitted to testing, questionings, drills and medicals
(those were the worse) between the hours of 8 am to 3 pm every day. (It seemed)
Bruce and Tony had pretty much reconstructed his arm and upgrade the tech,
while Natasha, Clint and an Agent Coulson interrogated him. When Darcy saw him
she called him I-pod Thief and the Very Undead Son of Coul. James didn’t ask
what she meant and she assured him she’d explain later. Darcy was a very
dutiful gal. She attended each of his appointments, or stood outside the door
when they wouldn’t let her in. Really it didn’t matter, the only people who
stood between her and James were Natasha and Clint, and even then they let her
watch from the observation room. She wasn’t above banging on the glass if she
could see them agitating him. Thankfully it never got that far. Even when they
tried to use code words to active his subconscious. That hadn’t gone over well
with Darcy and even though it failed, she’d rung all three Shield agents out
for putting that kind of unfair pressure on, at the least, a little warning.
Thankfully they didn’t have to wait long for the results. Tony’s came faster
than them all, of course.
“You’re free and clear from the weapons department Barnes.” He tossed a folder
on the common room dinner table. Since he’d been accepted into the family, they
had dinner every night, even if some of the team was off on a mission. James
never missed a dinner with Jamie and he could see the boy relaxing a little
more each day. He stopped running full speed to the kitchen in the morning, or
bursting from the school doors every afternoon. Sam said he was making amazing
progress in his new found fatherly role. That was the only report James really
cared about. Jamie was his everything and he embraced his role as father.
His role as significant other to one Darcy Lewis? That one he was still working
on. Their mini vacation as Darcy called it was more for James’s testing than
Darcy’s relationship establisher. Of course every night after Jamie went to
sleep Darcy and James would sit up talking, catching up, occasionally kissing.
He didn’t push Darcy into a physical relationship because truthfully he wasn’t
sure he was ready for that yet either. She’d laid all her cards out that night
when Fury had first come to the Tower, they both agreed to get on steady
footing before jumping into anything that could damage Jamie. James was more
than happy that Darcy was the kind of dame that was honest, she’d call him out
if he was being pig headed, or too lenient on Jamie. The boy was definitely his
son. Always pushing boundaries and testing the waters.
“You’re free and clear Barnes. Neither the government or Shield legally could
do much to you after the military awarded your rightful dues. Shield’s gone
down every code word, file and note they have on Hydra and the Winter Solider
and it looks like you took them all out. So you’re just you’re normal crazy
super solider, like Steve.” Clint stuck his tongue out and dropped the folder
on the lab table. “How boring. I was hoping to shoot you.” He teased. James,
Darcy and Tony were doing some research on some improvements James and Darcy
had thought up. Mostly security measures in case something happened to Jamie or
Darcy, and reluctantly, at Darcy’s insistence, James.
“Finally!” Darcy cried out. Jumping up to her feet she kissed James’s cheek and
dashed out of the room, talking to Jarvis as she did.
“What just happened?” James questioned, Tony shrugged, he was use to Darcy’s
antics and learned to roll with them.
“Good luck lover boy.” Clint nudge him playfully and he ducked out. “Tell Darcy
I’m off the grid for a while.” Tony mumbled an agreement and turned back to
James.
“You know you never told us what to call you. Darcy’ calls you James, Steve
calls you Bucky.” James had tried to remind himself that this was Howard’s son,
even though the man looked so much older than he remembered Howard ever
looking. Even after that night…he shook his head. No he wouldn’t go back there,
that was the Soldier, not him.
“Don’t really care, Darcy’s the only one who can call me James. Everyone else
I’ll answer to anything, Buck, Bucky, Soldier, whatever.” It was true, he
didn’t care what the others called him. As long as he was Darcy’s James, he’d
survive.
“We never had the father to future son-in-law talk.” Tony was off looking at
different metals as he spoke, swiping the ones he disregarded away from the
holographic screen.
“Thought we sorted this out the first, not so welcomed, night here.” James
looked down at the improved arm, it was cleaner, smoother, didn’t whine as it
moved, and with the skim Tony had invented with that prick Reed Richards and
Bruce he had a realistic arm, honestly some days he couldn’t tell the
difference. Darcy said she didn’t care. She’d fallen for the man, not the arm,
whether or not it was silver.
“Yea well Pepper and I 'unofficially-officially' adopted Darcy. Pepper had the
papers in her office for a while now and even before Jamie entered the
picture.” Tony mentioned it like it was common knowledge and James sat down the
desk across the way from the man. He’d always seen Tony has someone who didn’t
have a care in the world. Now he realized Tony played his emotions close to the
vest. He did unusual things as his way to show his love. “We really do care for
her so I’ll only say this once. You mess with her or that kid’s lives and
you’ll wish Steve had left you to die on the Helicarrier that day. This has
nothing to do with your past, I don’t give two shits about the Winter Soldier.
Yeah he killed my parents, but that wasn’t James “Bucky” Barnes. You.” He
pointed at James. And boy did James feel two inches tall for the first time in
his life. “You’re who I care about. So if you’re really gonna stick around,
we’ve got nothing but open arms, the second you mess that up? The moment Darcy
tells me you broke her heart? It’s war like never before. Not even Steve will
want to save you.” James just nodded because really what could he say? Darcy
meant the world to him and if he messed that up, well he’d imagine he wasn’t
worth the mud on his boots.
“If I mess that up, you’ll have to get line. I’m sure Darcy will beat ya to it
first,” Tony smirked as he turned the screen for James, a new metal on display.
“I have no doubt.”
~
Darcy was on cloud nine when she made it back up to the floor that she shared
with Steve and James. Granted, James only ever slept in his apartment. Darcy
was extremely grateful that Pepper had given her and James the time they needed
to really reestablish their relationship. They were on solid footing, even
after the week of freedom had passed. They still had to endure the weeks of
testing, interrogation and tinkering.
“Jarvis, please send out an Avenger wide notice of a celebratory dinner this
evening, and send Happy to pick up Jamie please. Tonight’s special.” Darcy
slipped into her apartment and quickly began prepping for the dinner she’d
planned. Now that James was free and clear, all was right with the world.
It wouldn’t last very long.
Halfway through cooking dinner, warning sirens went off and Jarvis alerted her
that Happy and Jamie had been in a car accident. She dropped the ceramic bowl
she was holding and scrambling out the apartment. Screaming for Jarvis to get
James.
~
When the sirens went off James went on full alert, Jarvis relayed the message.
Happy and Jamie were in a car accident, that other communication had been
disconnected. Either on purpose or because the SUV was too damaged. He grabbed
his jacket off Tony’s chair and they both dashed out of the lab.
He nearly crashed into Darcy and Steve, who’d come running from the gym to the
garage. It seemed like all the Avengers had received the call and were
descending into different vehicles. Steve on his bike, Natasha and Clint took a
sports car, Tony, Darcy and James clamored into another SUV, Pepper on the
line, already calling for police and EMTs to the last known route of the SUV.
Bruce opted to stay behind and set up medical in case they got to Jamie and
Happy before the EMTs did. Tony swiftly maneuvered the vehicle through traffic
with Jarvis’s help, routing traffic signals. (Totally not legal, but Tony was
so far beyond legality at this point.)
James held a shaking Darcy in the back seat. Her hair was in a messy braid and
there were traces of flour on her cheek. Her jeans splattered with whatever she
was making in the kitchen. James was glad he’d already finished the updates on
his arm and had the skim back in place when the sirens went off. His heart had
sunk when Jarvis said Jamie’s name. He’d just gotten them back; he couldn’t
lose them. Wouldn’t lose them.
“Damnit Jarvis don’t you have anything on their situation?” Tony was talking a
mile a minute, either to Jarvis or Pepper.
“I’m sorry Sir. Attempting to access security cameras.” Was the AI’s reply.
“Darcy it’s gonna be okay. He’s strong kid, he’s gonna be okay.” James
whispered, hoping his words weren’t lies. The sounds of engines revving pulled
his eyes from Darcy to outside. Steve speed by, as did Natasha. Arriving at the
scene just seconds before they did. The police were still a few minutes away
according to Pepper, EMTs even less. Too long.
Darcy threw the door open and she scrambled out, crying out Jamie’s name. James
close behind her.
The SUV was slammed into a building, an Explorer smashed into the side while a
Hummer was behind them. Smoke and engine fuel stained the air. James exploded
into action, working frantically with Steve and Tony to free Jamie and Happy.
The other two drivers tumbled out of their vehicles mostly unharmed. Natasha
and Clint already making their way over to help interrogate them.
Darcy kept circling the SUV looking for any sign the boys might have missed,
loose car parts or brick that could fall over. The sounds of police sirens
alerted her that she was the only one left to talk.
“Ma’am did you witness what happened?” The officers bombarded her with
questions and she rung her hands, looking over her shoulder continuously.
“N-No, my son…Jamie…” She jerked away from the officer and followed the path
that James had started. She could hear Tony and Steve straining to pull the SUV
apart.
“I got him!” James called out. Got who? Darcy’s mind was sick with worry. Happy
was driving and the front end was smashed into the backseat. “Steve, hold this
up, Tony come here.” Tony made his way to James’s side and grabbed Happy as
Jamie clung to James’s chest, his face buried in his neck. Once they were
cleared Steve let go and the roof caved in. Darcy’s cry caught in her throat.
~
James and Steve worked seamlessly as they inspected the SUV the front end was
smashed to bit so they started at the back. The Explorer hadn’t smashed in
much, and it was mostly intact. Tony was working on pulling the back door open
without much luck. Steve jerked the back seats out and it was there that James
saw Happy slumped over glass embedded in his back and arms, blood seeping out,
a bright contrast against his white shirt. He’d obviously forgotten his black
jacket, James spotted it torn on what was left of the dash board.
“Happy?” Steve called out, and the man stirred just a bit. James motioned for
Steve to hold up the roof while he got Tony. With Happy cleared he could see
Jamie had been tucked underneath Happy’s larger body. He was completely free of
injury, at least on the outside. He wasn’t moving, but the barely there
movement of his chest assured James he was alive.
“Jamie, Son? Please…” He balanced himself and grabbed the boy’s arm shaking
softly.
“Dad?” Jamie squinted his eyes and tried to look up at the voice calling him.
“My body hurts.”
He reached up and James grabbed him, holding him close to his chest.
“Hold on to me best you can, I’m gonna get you outta here. Look Uncle Steve is
here; you know you’re safe with us.” James whispered anything to keep him calm,
if Jamie started freaking out he’d do more damage to his body that he’d already
sustained.
“Mom?” Jamie tried to speak but James just shushed him.
“She’s here. Just listen to me breath Jamie, we’ll be out in just a second.” He
worked his way passed Steve, thankful that Jamie had enough strength to cling
to him without needing his support. Once they cleared the SUV he switched
positions and cradled Jamie in his arm, Tony and Steve in front of him with
Happy, the man’s arms on both of their shoulders. It would have been funny if
Jamie wasn’t lying his arms breathing quietly. Seeing Tony and Steve with their
different height trying to let Happy rely on them.
“Jamie!” Darcy cried as she reached them, as they made their way back from the
SUV, letting the police take over the scene. She tentatively ran her hands over
him, checking for injuries.
“No exterior injuries, he said his body hurts, probably his head too.” The EMTs
showed up at the moment and James and Darcy clamored around them as they loaded
Jamie on to the stretcher, a second one loading Happy.
“We’ll meet ya’ll at the hospital, once they’re stabilize we’ll transfer them
to the Tower.” Steve’s voice rang out. James nodded and before the doors closed
he saw Natasha and Clint talking with the police.
~
Happy had sustained the most injuries, lots of lacerations but overall not
nearly as bad as it was first thought. Jamie only had a mild concussion and
some internal bruising from being slammed to the floor of the SUV and having
Happy on top of him. James would forever be indebted to the man. If Happy
hadn’t reacted like he did, when the second vehicle hit, Jamie would have worse
injuries.
Darcy refused to leave Jamie’s side and once the doctors cleared him for
transfer. Tony and Pepper took over communications between the hospital and
medical back at the Tower. Natasha and Clint had gone over every inch of the
accident and concluded it was indeed just an accident. Some soccer mom was
texting on her cell phone while she was trying to change lanes when she
sideswiped them in her Explorer. The over compensating college kid in the
Hummer simply wasn’t pay attention because he was grabbing a cigarette from his
backpack when the first car hit. Thankfully he’d already been slowing down so
the impact wasn’t quite as hard.
“How’s Happy doing?” Jamie was sitting up in a bed that looked too large for
his small body. It’d been a few days and while he’d just received his release
that morning, Bruce wanted run one more CAT scan before signing off. All of the
Avengers had stopped in to check on the boy and his parents. Darcy had never
had something like that happen. She’d never felt the dread that ran through her
body watching and knowing she couldn’t have done a thing to prevent it. It was
an accident. She almost wished it had been AIM or Hydra or some thug on the
street, but she could have some sort of satisfaction in their retribution. The
team would have made them pay for daring to attack them. She couldn’t find it
in her to forgive herself because she was the one to send Happy out. She was
the one who decided to have Jamie picked up early. She was the reason Jamie and
Happy were lying in hospital beds.
She was closing off, James could tell. She was fighting a battle he couldn’t
participate in. As much as he wanted to protect her from feeling any pain, he
knew all too well the look of internal struggle. He reached for her hand and
rubbed his finger over her knuckles.
“He’s good kid, little more cut up than you, but he’s all patched up.” James
through up a thumbs up sign and Jamie smiled.
“Awesome!” James tugged gently on Darcy’s hand.
“Jamie, we’ll be right back, Uncle Steve’s gonna come sit with you okay?” James
watched as Jamie pulled out his family tree assignment from his backpack. Even
being in the hospital didn’t stop Jamie from finishing his work. Pepper had
informed the school of the accident. While they would waive any missed worked.
Pepper picked it up anyway. Jamie would need something to do to distract him.
“M’kay, can you ask Uncle Steve to bring his pencils?” James nodded in
agreement. Steve had introduced Jamie to drawing and the kid took to it like
water. If he wasn’t learning with one Avenger or another, he was with Steve
sketching.
“Sure Jamie.”
Darcy reluctantly got up and followed James out of the medical wing. She hadn’t
left Jamie’s side and her guilt was like a cloak wrapped around her, squeezing
and gripping, threatening to consume her. She hadn’t even touched on her
relationship with James but at that moment she realized she couldn’t have done
it without him. He’d been there every step of the way during Jamie’s recovery.
Hell the man rescued Jamie and Happy. He wasn’t wallowing in self-pity. Darcy’s
anger was palpable in the air, like electric currents ready to pop off.
“Doll?” James was trapped in the elevator with Darcy, he could feel the rage
radiating off her and he began to wonder if pulling her from Jamie was a good
idea. “You alright?” He touched her hand and instead of getting slapped, like
he’d imagined, Darcy was crying into his shirt, her fingers gripping the fabric
tightly.
“I’m falling apart and if it wasn’t for you and the team I don’t even know what
I’d do!” For the first time her life. In that moment, everything clicked. The
world righted itself, and Darcy realized, her and James had been doing
everything normal couples did, minus the actually couple part. Yea everyone
knew they were together, but Darcy hadn’t really admitted it to herself yet.
She thought she was still rediscovering her lost love, and he was supposed to
be developing his relationship with Jamie. He’d made their lives whole, and at
that moment it all seemed clear.
“Darcy, Doll, we’re a family. I know you aren’t really sure of about us. But I
need you to understand this, I’d die to protect you and Jamie. I’d kill for you
both. I have a past but with you it’s manageable. You’re my wildest dream come
true.” He brushed the hair away from her face, running his fingers down her
cheek. “I’m the newest member of this team but we’re family. They love you and
Jamie. You need to know you aren’t alone anymore.” His forehead was pressed
against hers and her breath caught her throat.
“I love you Darcy,” He brushed a chaste kiss against her lips “I need you to
know that.”
Darcy felt her heart skip a beat and she reached up with both hands on either
side of James’s face.
“I love you too.” Pulling him into a passionate kiss.
Chapter End Notes
     I'm pretty sure I'll be tying this story up in about 10 chapters
     total. So really only two chapters to go!
     As always I love your responses and comments, it helps me write!
     Please feel free to drop me a line or request!
     Find me on Tumblr!
     https://www.tumblr.com/blog/ladyaztec-syren
***** Darcy Meet James (Again) *****
Chapter Summary
     Darcy and James (Finally) get some alone time
     As per normal, I don't own the characters just the plot and Jamie.
     Beta'd by InDreamsIDoWander
Chapter Notes
     More family dynamics, tying up some loose ends
     Requested Sexy times ahead!
     You don't really need to read it to continue on with the plot but it
     helps.
     I'll mark the start with * so you can skip over it.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
Chapter Nine
To everyone’s relief, Jamie and Happy both, made a full recovery; each being
spoiled in their own way. Tony created new armored protection plates for any
vehicle in which Happy was driving, and doubled the safety on Darcy’s primary
vehicle (though she rarely used it). Pepper had given Happy a raise, (again)
and a week’s vacation with all-inclusive perks. Of course Happy was more than
content to be working and promised he’d use the vacation closer to the holidays
which were right around the corner. They’d just celebrated Halloween in the
Tower, with a movie-thon and candy since Jamie hadn’t been up to going treat or
treating. Darcy was concerned since Jamie had always gone trick or treating,
until she realized he’d only ever gone with her or his current babysitter. She
made a mental note to invite some of his friends from school for an end of the
semester party.
Jamie got personal attention from each Avenger in some way or the other. Nat
and Clint took to teaching him spying and self-defense. Of course with Darcy’s
permission on what was and wasn’t acceptable for an 8-year-old kid. Thought
Darcy and Clint butted heads on that notion a couple of times. Especially when
Darcy caught Jamie in the vents “practicing” as he called it. Natasha had
promised to monitor Clint’s lessons from then on. James hadn’t exactly been
happy about Natasha being so close to Jamie and truthfully it was because he
was desperate to live up to Jamie’s expectation of him. Jane and Thor,
respectively, kept him close, either in the lab or in the common room. Jane let
him assemble some of her machines, small ones, and non-explosive. Even teaching
him about the Bifrost and the other Nine Realms - the science part of it. While
Thor entertained him with stories of Asgard and the ways of fierce warriors -
he covered the “magical” part of it. Darcy didn’t mind when Thor talked about
Loki. Even if his brother had gone rogue for a while, Darcy knew it helped Thor
to have someone to talk to who didn’t have grudge against the man in question.
Bruce shared the quiet afternoons and he helped Jamie with his math studies.
There had been a bit of a battle with the school in regards to Jamie’s math and
the whole Common Core in general. But Darcy, in her defense, she did try to
stop them. Thankfully Pepper stopped Tony from making a personal visit. That
would have set the media up and brought a lot of attention she didn’t want.
Pepper, on the other hand, had quite a forcefully conversation with Mrs. Cross
and Mrs. Lang, the principal of the school. One, drawing attention to Mrs.
Cross’s behavior against students without the supposed advantages. Mrs. Lang
did not appreciate that, and to Darcy’s knowledge Mrs. Cross turned in her
resignation. Two, arguing for Jamie to be home-taught. After much debate, and a
sizable donation from SI to the school’s technology department, Jamie was
allowed to do his math credits with the scientists. Darcy didn’t agree that the
donation was needed, in fact, she was stubbornly against it. Pepper overruled
her and Tony about diplomacy and politics but she tuned it out when Tony did.
Steve took Jamie on field trips. Museums, art shows, farmer’s markets, anything
he hadn’t explored yet and wanted a companion for. Which just made Jamie’s day
to help Steve navigate some pop culture. After each adventure Jamie would come
home and retell their trip with fun anecdotes and jabs. Steve usually ducked
his head when Jamie would spill a detail that he hoped he’d leave out. Like
when they had taken a trip kid’s museum and Jamie wanted to go the technology
exhibit. Steve had fumbled around some of interactive parts and gotten a few
questionable glances, but Jamie was quick to correct him and steer him in right
direction.
“Ha ha ha, so I’m a little inept with technology.” Steve brushed it off and
glared as Bucky ruffled his hair.
“Aw it’s okay Punk, you’ll catch up.”
Pepper and Tony did finally tell Darcy she and Jamie were the heirs to Stark
Industries, in the unlikely event something happened to the both. The formal
adoption was a shock to the system but it felt nice to belong to a family, in
name as well as love. Darcy explained to Jamie that Pepper and Tony would
officially be his grandparents as they had adopted her. Jamie shrugged it off,
to him their family dynamic just became official on paper. He didn’t start
calling them grandpa or grandma, but they knew they were loved just the same.
So Pepper took Jamie to work with her and Tony brought him to the lab almost
daily for an hour before dinner. To keep the disasters and explosions to a
minimum.
Darcy did manage to finally get her dinner together, it just happened to be
Thanksgiving when she did. It was a defining moment not just for the Avengers
Family but for Darcy and James. The Avengers officially extended an invitation
to join their ranks. James wasn’t schooled in hiding his expression, at least
around the team; especially Steve. He didn’t answer for a long time, even with
Jamie’s shouts of excitement. He plastered a smile on for his son and told the
team he’d think about it.
When James and Darcy professed their love for each other, Darcy knew that
everything clicked and their relationship took a drastic change. Thankfully for
the better. After that day, James formally moved into Darcy’s apartment and
they redecorated to suite the family. Tony even expanded the apartment for
them, setting Jamie’s room clear across the apartment from Darcy and James’.
Jamie was all too happy to design his own room. Steve and him had a great time
drawing on the walls and painting. It seemed each Avenger had some hand in
decorating his room. When it was all said and done, James took Darcy for a
night on the town; Jamie bunking with Steve for the night.
“Are you sure this is okay?” Darcy did a quick 360 looking down at her outfit,
tight black jeans, peep-toe heels (thank you Pepper) and a red, lacy baby doll
top with an almost scandalous sweetheart neckline. Darcy hadn’t worn anything
quite so daring since Jamie had been born. Sure she’d dressed up for work-
related events, like when Cap needed a date and he didn’t want Natasha
searching all through Shield to find him one. Her hair was done up in soft
waves pinned back just so, and her makeup was natural with red lip stick that
matched her top.
“You look awesome Mom! Dad’s gonna flip when he sees you!” Jamie was ecstatic
that his parents were making a show of going out and dating and all around
being what he deemed a “normal couple” like his friends’ parents. Steve gave
her a nod of approval. She couldn’t help but giggle at the thought of the
headlines “Captain America’s seal of approval”.
“Trust me Doll, he’s not gonna know what hit him.”
James racked his brain as he stared into his closet. His date with Darcy was
getting closer by the minute and thus far he’d only managed a shower and order
her potted flowers. (Darcy though flowers without roots were a terrible idea to
show one’s affections, after all they’d die.) He was taking her to dinner then
to a dance club Steve, of all people, directed him to.
“Might I be of help Sargent Barnes?” Jarvis’s voice chimed in. James hadn’t
really been worried that Jarvis was spying, he actually felt kind of nice that
he was around. Just in case he went off the deep end.
“Lay it on me.” James pulled on his boxer briefs and an undershirt as Jarvis
spoke.
“As you are taking Miss Lewis dancing, I suggest either your dress blue jeans
or black slacks, paired with a gray over shirt, with the sleeves rolled up
three-quarter. This allows for functionality while still maintaining the dress
of the occasion.” Well then, James was not one to doubt Jarvis’s intelligence,
especially when it came to Darcy. Seemed like the AI knew her best after all.
“Thank you Jarvis.” He grabbed the nicest blue jeans he had, the ones that sat
just at his hips and pulled on a dark gray over shirt, rolling up the sleeves
and leaving one of the buttons undone. He grabbed his boots quickly lacing them
up and doubled check the mirror. If everything went as planned James hoped
tonight would be another step in securing their relationship. Ever since Jamie
had been released from his accident, Darcy and him would have to steal away any
alone time, usually ending with severe frustration on both sides.
Grabbing the potted flowers and checking his watch, James headed down the hall
to their shared apartment. He’d only gotten ready at Steve’s place to keep some
semblance of a date.
Right at 7 o’clock on the dot, Darcy’s door rang out with a swift knock, or
series of knocks she should say.
Knock knock knock
“Darcy”
Knock knock knock
“Darcy”
Knock knock knock
“Darcy”
“I’m regretting introducing you and Steve to the Big Bang Theory, and you are
definitely not Sheldon. As much as I love the show, I’d have killed him by the
end of the first episode.” Darcy swung the door wide and let James in as Jamie
and Steve joined them in the hall. James kissed her cheek and handed her the
pot full of sunflowers. She grinned dashing to the kitchen to add some water
and place them on the ledge in front of the window.
“I love them! I don’t remember telling you sunflowers were my favorite.” James
and Jamie shared a fist bump and Steve shook his head at them. James was not
above getting information out of his son.
“C’mon kid, we’re going out for a movie, I heard that new superhero picture is
supposed to be good. Batman Vs. Superman.” Jamie giggled as his mom came back
in the room.
“I guess, but I think Superman verses Goku would be a better match up. Batman’s
too smart.” Steve and Jamie debated back and forth on their way out. Jamie
darted back and gave each of his parents a hug and kiss. Darcy still wondered
where he picked up Dragon Ball Z from, but she’d grown up on Sailor Moon so she
couldn’t judge.
“Bye guys!” They waved as the duo disappeared from sight.
“If I haven’t told you yet, you look amazing. Gonna get me in trouble Doll,”
James extended his arm and Darcy happily wrapped hers around his.
“Oh good, we’ll be sure to have fun then. Emergencies only Jarvis.” Darcy
called as they made their way to the elevator
“Of course Miss Lewis. Have a wonderful evening Sargent Barnes.”
~
The diner was a throwback to the 1940’s with a soda jerk and everything, Darcy
looked like a perfect pin up to rival any of the dames up on the wall. James
made it a point to tell her so. She just nodded him off and made an off handed
comment about baby weight she never got around to losing.
“What are you talking about?” He questioned, as she tossed a fry into her
mouth, care of her lipstick.
“Oh, I just never lost all the weight I gain when I had Jamie, I still have my
stretch marks too, even with all the cocoa butter my grandmother made me rub on
every night.” She said it like it was something she regretted, the tone in her
voice was acceptance for something she couldn’t change. James couldn’t fathom
why she’d be upset, she was perfect. Her body had created life, the marks on
her skin proved that she’d provided and nourished that life, how could anyone
think she was less than amazing?
“I don’t understand. You had a baby, you created life, took care of it,
nurtured it, your body with all its marks are amazing. If anything they should
serve as reminders of how powerful, you are.” James didn’t understand the new
notion that women had to be sticks to be attractive. Honestly all he saw was
girls who desperately needed a sandwich. Darcy put down her milkshake and held
his gaze. He immediately thought he’d stuck his foot in his mouth, overstepped
and she’d get upset with him. To his shock he saw tears developing in her doe
eyes.
“Darcy, please, I didn’t mean to make you upset. You’re so gorgeous I hate that
you think you aren’t beautiful.” He quickly reached out grabbing her hand and
quickly moving around the table to be next to her.
“It’s not, that.” She sniffled. “No one’s ever said that to me. That I should
feel empowered by them.” She smiled softly and turned her face up to his.
“Definitely tiger strips Doll, ‘cuz you’re a little hellcat.” He caught her
smile and brushed his lips against hers.
“Is there any way we can skip the night out and go back to our place?” Darcy
did feel empowered and she wanted to express her love to man who made her feel
that way. James nodded with a slight gulp and Darcy grabbed his hand, he tossed
some bills to cover dinner and a generous tip before they disappeared of the
diner.
“What’d you have in mind Doll?”
~
The December was air was cool against their skin and Darcy was snuggled up
James as the made their way back to the Tower. Her fingers played against the
sliver of skin that peeped out of his jeans. The muscles contracting and moving
under her touch. It sent shivers down her spine knowing she could elicit that
respond from him, even after all this time.
“Doll, you’re playing with fire.” He breathed as the elevator doors closed and
Jarvis took them up to their floor. She turned and pressed her lips to his
forcing his silence. Her hands going under his shirt and drawing patterns on
his chest. He groaned as she pressed her chest against his, the scent of her
shampoo tickling his nose.
“Let’s burn up.” She whispered against his ear. She was up on her tip toes, her
tongue darting out and licking the side of his ear. He bit his lip to keep the
moan from escaping. His every sense was heightened and all he wanted to do was
throw her against the wall and have his way with her. He fought the urge
because she deserved more than a quick fuck in an elevator.
“Miss Lewis, Sargent Barnes, we’ve arrived.” Jarvis broke through the sex haze
and Darcy gripped his shirt and pulled him towards their apartment.
“Please James.” She whimpered, her lips nipping against his neck.
*
“Oh fuck.” He couldn’t stop himself, he picked her up, throwing her legs around
his waist as they fumbled to their door, thankful for Jarvis opening and
locking it up as the made their way to their bedroom. He yanked on her jeans as
he kicked off her heels.
“Do you really like this top?” he asked as he pulled off his shirt and
undershirt in one quick motion.
“Yes, so don’t you dare rip it.” She giggled as she undid the button on his
jeans. He growled in frustration but delicately took her top off and tossed it
on the growing pile of clothes.
“James…” She sat up on their bed in matching bra and panties that looked
straight out of a 1940s pin up calendar. He swore he was drooling at that
point. He hadn’t really been paying much attention until she called his name.
Her hair falling out the pins and her lipstick slightly smudged made her look
like the perfect fantasy. With a final kick of his legs he shoved the last of
his clothes off and climbed on the bed with her, snuggling into her open arms.
He laid her back, mouth absently teasing her ample breasts. Her little moans of
pleasure spurring him on. His left hand trailed down her stomach before
trailing right back up to the sensitive skin between her neck and shoulder. She
arched her back and he kissed his way down her stomach admiring the curves of
her hips and the marks around her belly button, taking special care to kiss
each and every one.
“Mmm James you don’t…oh God.” Darcy’s hands flew to his hair as he dipped his
head and his tongue teased her lower lips. Didn’t have to? What is it
considered a chore now? James wanted to. He ached to taste how sweet Darcy was,
he wasn’t disappointed. The more he licked, sucked and teased the more he was
rewarded with Darcy’s cries and her sweet spicy taste.
“Jam-James…oh-” Darcy arched her hips and raked her nails over his shoulders.
She was right on the edge and that only spurred James on. He doubled his
ministrations, eager to taste Darcy’s sweet release.
“Cum for me Darce, let me taste you.” He murmured against her clit, tongue
darting out punctuating each word. James bathed in her response, her legs began
to shake, she was moaning and crying out his hand, he knew she reached the peak
when she screamed and gripped his hair and pulled.
“So good for me Doll,” He licked his lips and kissed his way back up to her
shoulder, nipping and biting the tender flesh.
“James…please…” She begged, he was only too happy to oblige her. He slid up to
his knees, her thighs parting to accommodate him, he pulled her to him, her
chest to his, his lips on hers while he flipped them over so Darcy was
positioned on top of him. Her slick heat teasing his hard cock making him
groan.
Darcy smiled coyly and tousled her hair back over her shoulder, half attempting
to braid it out of the way, half just hoping it would stay out of the way. If
James wanted Darcy to take point, she’d definitely take point.
“I didn’t think you liked a girl on top Sarge.” She bent down peppering kisses
along his jaw to his neck, every so often shifting her hips to ground against
him, eliciting a moan or soft cry of her name.
“Doll, you’re killing me.” His hands pulled her chest towards his face and he
suckled one nipple into his mouth while rolling and teasing the other. “If you
don’t open those pretty pink lips for me, I’ll spank you.” While Darcy held
herself up on her arms, James’s hands moved her breasts to her ass, groping and
grabbing, even teasingly spreading her bottom. She worked her hips just so and
before she could stop him, James rocked his hips up firmly implanting himself
in her warmth. She cried out, arching back, moaning his name as he continued to
buck his hips, his hands holding hers to steady her.
“James, James…oh James…yes.” Darcy added her own rocking hips to match his
thrusts, increasing the friction. Both driving closer and closer to the edge.
“Oh Fuck…Darcy…Baby doll so good…” He speared his hips up, knocking her off
balance so she fell to his chest, where he smashed his lips to hers. All at
once the world seemed to explode as Darcy moaned/screamed his name and he felt
his release mixing with her own, milking him for all his worth.
Once they slowed down, Darcy fell to his side, completely spent but not quite
sleepy. James kissed her neck as he spooned her, despite the stickiness between
them.
“I love you.” He murmured brushing her hair away from her neck and up on the
pillow so it would overheat her. She sighed softly, her hand coming up to brush
his cheek.
“I love you too.”
Chapter End Notes
     So just one chapter to go! I hope I did them justice!
     Leave me some comments/reviews! It makes the writing process so much
     easier!
     Also I have a new storyline in mind that I'm starting to work on as
     well!
***** Darcy & Co. Meet Ever Ever After *****
Chapter Summary
     We made it to the end!
     As always, I just play with the characters, I don't own them.
Chapter Notes
     We've made to the end of the story! I probably wouldn't even have
     gotten to the end without all you lovely people! You really inspire
     me to continue writing!
     So hopefully, this chapter ties up any loose ends and finishes off
     the story.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
Chapter Ten
Darcy smiled from her place in the crowd while Jamie’s school went over the
findings from the family tree project. James fidgeted nervously next to her,
he’d been to the school numerous times but never as a decorated war hero. Now
because of the findings, him and Steve were in their dress uniforms waiting to
escort Jamie to the stage to place his tree on the big mural the school had
designed.
Thanks to Jarvis and some serious research, Jamie had traced his family line
all the way back the 1900’s. Okay granted he used James and Steve’s knowledge
and connections. Especially to one Peggy Carter, but that was beside the point.
The connection was there and Jamie was named the student who’d traced his
family back the farthest.
It gave Jamie a huge sense of connection. She watched as her son blossomed with
the knowledge that he was connected to two war heroes, a founder of Shield, the
current personal assistant to three world renowned scientists, one being his
aunt, and one his grandfather. Jamie took everything in stride and Darcy
wouldn’t lie, it was awesome to see Mrs. Cross’s face when their family
strolled in for the presentation. Apparently her resignation wasn’t final until
the end of the school year. Thankfully that was just a few short months away.
Darcy couldn’t fight the smirk that was plastered to her face as Steve and
James flanked Jamie, looking amazingly handsome and intimidating.
~
They celebrated Jamie’s 9th birthday in an extravagantly small party in
Avengers Tower. Tony and Pepper had gone overboard but it the best way.
Honestly Darcy had hoped they'd rein in it, considering Christmas was just
around the corner. But she let them have their fun. Anything to see Jamie smile
and laugh like that.
Tony gave Jamie all his own access codes and surprised him with a mini lab
connected to his. Bruce and Natasha gave him a chemistry set to run as his
first experiment. Darcy knew it was no ordinary chemistry set and only asked
that it was safe, which of course Bruce assured it was.
Clint and Laura, respectively, gave him a custom bow and nerf arrows and a new
drawing set. Laura loved that Jamie was artistic and while she and her kids
weren’t present she sent their love with Clint. Darcy and her, as regularly and
safely as possible, conversed about all the trials of loving an Avenger.
Jane and Thor were a little more out there. Thor gifted Jamie with his own
Asgardian weapon and the promise of training him to use it. Jane gave him codes
to assist her with her own projects and even had a star named after him. She
beamed as Jane presented the plaque from NASA.
Pepper, thankfully kept things low key and simply gave Jamie a watch. Of course
on further inspection it had Jarvis integrated into it, as well a panic button
and tiny tools for emergency. Darcy thanked Thor for small favors.
James’ gift came later. He took Jamie out for a father-son trip and when they
got back Darcy was listening to Jamie telling their adventures for the next
week.
~
Christmas was even more extravagant. Darcy threw her hands up in the air at
trying to keep costs down. She just accepted Tony’s Stark Card and went
shopping. All her gifts were baked treats. Of course she splurged a little on
Jamie and his friends for the school party. The team thankfully kept it semi-
low key so when everyone disappeared around 11:30pm Darcy didn’t think anything
of it. Really she should have known better.
James had definitely kept his promise of solidifying their relationship. On
Christmas Eve, at the stroke of midnight, he asked Darcy to marry him.
“Jamie, kid can I ask you something?” James was in the gym with his son,
showing him some self-defense moves while Steve was working out on the bag.
“What’s up Dad?” Jamie expertly dodge the punch and “play” stomped his foot to
show the proper technique.
“I want to ask your Mom to marry me, but you’ve been there with her for your
whole life. Will you give me permission to ask her?” Jamie stopped as James
bent down to his level, looking into his eyes, a mirror of his own.
“You and Mom aren’t already married?” He asked. James gave him a sad smile.
“No kid, I had to go before I could. I’m sorry I had to be away so long.
Believe me there is nothing more that would want than to see you grow up. I’m
glad I didn’t miss it all.” James gathered the little boy in his arms and Steve
silently made his way out of the gym.
“Mom used to tell me stories about you. Then I saw you on the T.V and people
were saying you were bad guy. Jarvis explained it to me. That bad people used
you. I understand why you had to be away.” James’s heart constricted, he’d
hoped Jamie would never have to be tainted by his past. By the monster he had
become. “You aren’t a monster Dad.” James looked up at his son “You always
protected me from them.” Jamie launched into stories about his mom took him to
a build-a-bear shop and she helped him make a bear, one that she said was
magic. Connecting Jamie to his dad, who was a soldier. It helped the boy
understand why his dad wasn’t around like the other kids and why his mom worked
so hard.
“I love you Daddy.”
~
The clock had just struck midnight and the Christmas lights on the tree
sparkled and gleamed, dancing off the ornaments. Jamie had fallen asleep on the
sofa trying to stay up for Santa like he did every year. Even with some of the
kids trying to ruin it for him. Darcy smiled at the sleeping boy. Her son was
strong in his beliefs; no one could take that away from him.
James sat on her left, his arm thrown over her shoulder, absently playing with
her hair, pulling the pins out to let it fall in waves down her back. She
smiled at him and cuddled into his side.
“Doll, I gotta grab something, hang tight.” She pouted as he stood up walking
to the tree and plucking a small ornament out of the tree. It was a Disney one,
a collector’s edition of Tangled Ever After. Rapunzel and Flynn were in wedding
attire staring happily into each other’s eyes.
Darcy furrowed her eyebrows with piqued interest. James smirked at her, and
then he bent down on one knee in front of her.
“James…” She whispered, her hands flying to her mouth to prevent her voice to
wake Jamie. James looked up at her, his heart in his eyes and a soft smile on
his face.
“Darcy Marie Lewis, will you make me an honest man and marry me?” She knew it
was coming, how could she not? But at Christmas? With the perfect setting? She
could swoon. It took her a moment to regain her breath, and she passionately
whispered.
“Of course I will, Sarge.”
James didn’t see the point in waiting a year to get married. Darcy argued she
needed time to plan. James disputed that Pepper would be too happy to throw
them a wedding at any speed. Darcy fought to plan it herself. A few weeks
later, and a week of throwing up in the morning. Darcy moved up their time
line.
~
Darcy wiped her mouth, having rinsed it out again. She’d finally broken down
and snuck off the retail floor of Avengers Tower. It was nice to have the
convenience of not going out. No one batted an eye at her purchases. Except of
course from the older woman who was probably around when Steve first became
Captain America. She was sweet and doting and definitely a firecracker. She was
always silent but her eyes…Darcy just ducked her head and scurried back to the
safety of their apartment.
“Jarvis please find James.” She stared down at plastic in her hands, and the
other 6 on the counter. All positive. She was pregnant. Damn those super
soldier swimmers she mentally cursed. Though…she was secretly giddy.
“Miss Lewis, Sargent Barnes is on his way up as we speak.” Darcy’s eye went
wide and she quickly disposed of all the test, except one. It’d been a week of
vomiting that forced her into buying the tests in the first place. Now with
James on the way up she wanted to throw up all over again.
“Darcy? Doll?” She heard him come in, searching for her.
“James?” She popped out of the en-suite and met him in the bedroom. He was just
coming back from a team meeting; he was in normal clothes but not gym gear.
“Hey babe.” She tried to sound normal, but failed miserably.
“Darcy.” His voice took on the playful tone of annoyance. She blushed and
tucked her hair behind her ear. James grabbed her left hand and kissed her
knuckles the ring on her fourth finger shining in the light.
“Okay, so don’t freak out.” She began, he sat down with her and she motioned
for him to stay there while she ducked back into the bathroom.
“Doll you’re already freaking me out.” He leaned back to see what she held in
her hands. She slowly brought it into his view. A small thin piece of plastic
was placed in his left hand. He turned it over and saw two thin lines and a
small box that show two potential outcomes and what they meant. “Doll, what
does this mean?” He knew, logically, what it meant, but he needed confirmation.
Darcy blushed, terrified of his response but hoping for a good outcome. “I’m
pregnant.”
The passionate love making that followed answered her question. Jamie was so
excited to be a big brother. The team was on the verge of combustion at their
announcement. So Darcy relented and allowed Pepper and Natasha to plan a quick
wedding. James was downright insufferable. His only demand was that Darcy be
his legal wife before the baby was born. Darcy didn’t particularly care to have
a shotgun wedding so she allowed James to conspire with Pepper.
She loved the dress she’d found at a little resale shop. It was long-sleeved,
lace, with a billion buttons running down her back, it wasn’t a princess gown
but it wasn’t an A-line either, the perfect mix of the two, shoulder less, the
lace danced along her collarbone. Pepper found a veil that matched perfectly.
The morning of the wedding came faster than Darcy imagined. She woke up alone,
with a single sunflower on the pillow where James normally slept.
Darcy couldn’t tell you what color the tablecloths were or who was there other
than the team and Jamie. She couldn’t tell you if the dinner was chicken or
fish or whether or not the Irish Catholic ceremony was a little long. All she
could tell you was that James mesmerized her in his tux. That Thor gave her
away, as was his right as Prince of Asgard and her brother. That Jane was
beautiful in her blue maid of honor dress, and that Steve was just as handsome
with Jamie standing next to him a grin on his face. She didn’t particular
remember the vows but she did remember how James’ lips looked and how badly she
waited for the father to give them permission to kiss.
“By the power vested in me, by the State of New York and God, I now pronounce
you husband and wife. You may kiss.”
There is said to be only a handful of kisses that were so magical and full of
love that none could rival them. Darcy didn’t care, at that moment she only
cared about the man in front her and the bond they sealed.
~
Darcy bit her lip and squeezed the towel, bracing down as Bruce ordered her to
push. 7 months after their wedding, Darcy was stuck with Bruce in the Hulk
containment room as stupid Doom Bots attacked the Tower. Apparently Dr. Doom
got bored with the Fantastic Four and distracted them with another attack at
the Baxter Building. So while the two teams worked to contain the damage, Darcy
felt her water break and immediately sought out the only doctor still in the
building, or at least had clearance to help her.
James had been called into help and he was currently on the roof of the Avenger
Tower picking off strays. Tony and Jarvis had pretty much secured the Tower
after the first attack, Tony had taken Tower security to a new level and Darcy
had to admit the instant zap that came when the bots first hit was deliriously
funny.
Thankful Jamie was off at summer camp at Xavier’s school for the gifted,
otherwise known as the X-Men. Darcy made friends with Wade Wilson through Peter
Parker, whom Tony had introduced as a rookie Avenger, aka Spider-Man. Really
Tony was asking her to vet him and Darcy in true fashion adopted the young kid
into her brood of wayward superheroes. Wade aka Deadpool followed after that.
Darcy didn’t jerk back when she saw him without his mask and apparently that
gave him open invitation to hang around as often as Peter did. James liked the
merc with a mouth turned hero and they often went out on missions together if
only for the training.
Wade and Peter both accompanied Jamie to summer camp and it was all Darcy could
do to thank Thor that Jamie was out of the Tower when the attack came.
“You’re doing so well Darcy; James is on his way down.” Darcy nodded but the
sweat had her braided hair sticking to her neck. She didn’t scream and cry when
Jamie was born and the doctor said it actually wasted energy to do so. She was
quite amazed at Darcy’s control and praised her as one of the strongest woman
she’d seen give birth. This time around the stress of the attack didn’t make
for an ideal birthing scenario but Bruce helped, allowing her to move in
different positions as she labored through.
James punched in his code to get to the Hulk Containment room. Once Cap gave
him the all clear, he raced down to Darcy, knowing his wife was about to give
birth and he’d miss it, again. He doubled his time. Sure the team would be
close behind once they met up with the Fantastic Four. James didn’t care for
two of the four. Johnny made too many comments about how beautiful Darcy was,
even while she was pregnant and Reed was just a prick of epic proportions.
Once he crossed the threshold his eyes locked with Darcy’s and she reached a
hand out, mumbling his name. James raced over to the large pool she was
currently hanging on to. Thank goodness the Hulk likes baths after a battle. He
met Bruce’s eyes and they were both thinking the same thing.
“Ready to have this baby?” Bruce motioned for James and he slipped in behind
Darcy, the water warm and comforting. James slipped his arms under her legs and
she used him a brace.
“I’m here doll.” He whispered and she nuzzled her head against his chest.
“On the count of three Darce, just one more big push.” Both Darcy and James
braced themselves and all at once their world become four.
“Sarah Ann Barnes, welcome to the family.”
Chapter End Notes
     There you have it folks! I have a few little one shots I will
     probably add as deleted scenes
     basically they'll have Jamie already established. I may create a
     series for them.
     Also I'll be posting the first chapter/prologue depending on how it's
     received or a new story! (Working title: The Soldier)
Please drop_by_the_archive_and_comment to let the author know if you enjoyed
their work!