Fic: All my life I've been good, but now...
[Pepper is a jerk in this scene, but she's just (over)reacting to the High Emotions floating around. Everyone is. 5 days after Dani and Amelia fought and Amelia ran away from the team and hid for hours; she's only seen Ginny in school but Pepper's been making noise the whole time and has now 'requested' a meeting.]
She was supposed to listen and speak only when spoken to. This wasn't an official meeting and nothing binding would be decided. Mrs. Stark had some serious concerns, her words, explained Carol, not mine, but she wants to discuss them within this small group. The small group turned out to be Ginny (the subject) and her parents, Amelia (concern number one) and her parents, and Dani (concern number two) and her mother. Luke somehow got out of the meeting, proving Pepper can't bully everyone. And Ben was there because he lived there and refused to leave.
Tension had taken over the Parker-Danvers living room. Ginny sat next to her mother, both with impeccable posture and perfectly still. Opposite them Peter, Jessica and Dani took up the sofa, all appearing slouched in comparison. Tony sat off to the side looking bored and Carol stood, arms crossed, leaning on years of military posture to stop herself fidgeting. Without any years of military training to lean on, Amelia fidgeted in her seat by the table, Ben beside her. Maybe it wasn't an official meeting but the lines were pretty clear. Pepper was there to talk with Dani about Ginny's future with the team, but the blame was on Amelia and Carol.
It was clear, said Pepper, that Dani couldn't guarantee the safe environment Pepper required in order to allow her daughter to train with the Young Avengers. She didn't hold Dani responsible for the reckless behavior of one troubled member -- Amelia wasn't sure if reckless or troubled was the greater insult, but finally decided that Pepper's implication that Carol and Peter were responsible was worst -- but if it was not addressed she, Pepper, could not be expected to allow her child to play games with her life. This was so over the top even Peter bristled, but Pepper wasn't finished. This incident had brought a very really problem to light, she said, in the same annoying polite tone she was making her whole statement (tirade!) in. These children, particularly Miss Danvers -- Amelia sat a little straighter in response to the glare being sent her way, she was never so proud to have her mother's surname, but the fact that her brother was being included in the look of condemnation was not lost to her and she unapologetically glared right back -- clearly have no comprehension of consequence. Therefore there must be some now. In the pause before Pepper explained what she wanted Carol, Peter, Jess, Dani, Ben and even Amelia had to agree with her last sentence. Tony was still bored and Ginny knew what was coming. Pepper put forth her ultimatum: Amelia should be off the team or Ginny will be.
All the adults, except Tony, started talking at once. Jessica said that was too harsh, it was her first strike. Pepper argued she had been a consistent troublemaker and it was never addressed. Peter said maybe Amelia could move to another team, like the Allies, temporarily while things settled but it should be up to the team, not Pepper. Pepper said she didn't care where Amelia was so long as Ginny's life didn't depend on her. Carol shouted that Pepper was being ridiculous and raising the whole issue to a level of melodramatic insanity when it was just a kid acting out! Typical patented Pepper Potts absurdity! Pepper countered that if Carol had a handle on her kid she wouldn't be such a spoiled brat but it takes one to raise one after all. Carol's response was waylaid by a harsh whistle that cut through the chaos. Everyone looked to Dani, now standing, and every inch her father's daughter.
When everyone was quiet and returned to their seats, Dani apologized calmly to Pepper, taking responsibility for the situation, and stating she agreed there had to be direct consequences. Then Dani turned deliberately to Ginny to ask what she wanted. Ginny blinked as every eye in the room, even her father's, turned to her. She took a breath but Pepper spoke before she could.
"This isn't about Ginny."
And Amelia was done listening and not speaking. She stood up. "Amelia, don't," said Ben, pulling on her hand, but Amelia swatted him away and addressed Pepper.
"That's the stupidest thing you've said tonight and believe me, you've said a lot."
Ben, Peter, and Carol sighed. Jessica, Dani, and Ginny watched her with interest. Pepper nearly smiled in the smug assumption she was about to be proven right.
"You're talking about Ginny. About her future and her position and her feelings about it should be the most important! What this isn't about, Mrs. Stark, is YOU." Amelia raised her eyes to take in everyone in the room. "This whole stupid meeting is about two things and the first is Ginny. So don't you dare, any of you, claim she doesn't get a say."
"The second thing is me and it's just as true that I should get to speak to that. " She took a breath. "I messed up. I know that and I will accept whatever consequences there are, including being put off the team if that's what's agreed on. But consequence doesn't mean punishment and it's wholly wrong for Ginny to be punished for something I did. If you have a problem with me -- and you clearly do -- you bring it to me. You don't take it out on Ginny and you don't take it out on Ben and you don't take it out on my mother. I am responsible for me." Another breath, and her hands clenched into fists of their own free will.
"But you are all so busy blaming us for everything you don't see what you are doing yourself. What you're saying. I'm playing games with Ginny's life? This is not a game. We would never treat it like that. Never! And Mom..." Her voice shook as she looked to Carol. "You can expect us to act like adults when we are given adult responsibilities. That's fair and right. But you can't treat us like children and not expect us to act like children." Amelia moved her gaze to her team leader.
"Dani, I'm sorry this all happened like this. And you're right that I'm not a team player. But you don't treat me like I'm a part of the team. You treat me like I'm a problem and so I am one. I don't want any special treatment, I don't what to be more important than anyone. I want ... I need to be respected. I don't ask stuff to question your authority, I ask because I want to understand the reasons. I thought that's part of what training is for." Dani pursed her lips and Amelia turned around to address Ginny.
"And the same way -- Ginny, I'm really sorry that I haven't shown you the respect you deserve. I got used to it being a certain way and I was … jealous that you were getting the attention I wanted. I've been really unfair to you and I'm sorry. I know you can do anything you set your mind to, and you shouldn't let anyone make your decisions for you." She pivoted again, to look at her brother.
"I'm so sorry I didn't tell you where I was, BBB." Tears sprung to her eyes but she pushed through them. "It's just, I didn't want you to come to my rescue. I didn't want you to try and fix everything for me. I know you always always would. And I need to fix this myself. But I should have told you that. I should have given you the chance to listen to me." Her voice was breaking, she suddenly realized how much she'd been saying and a part of her wanted him to come to her rescue right now. "If you agree to listen I promise you'll be the one person who always knows where I am." Ben stood up and answered her with a hug. It gave her just enough courage to finish her thoughts.
"There's stuff I should say to other people and they aren't here and I think that's maybe a problem. And if you're talking about sending me to the Allies or something, I think Rikki should be here for that, too. I think the way this not-official meeting happened shows that you adults are the ones playing games with our lives and I think that's wrong. And I'm not going to be a part of it anymore." Amelia walked out, not looking at anyone, and the room was silent.
"I like her," said Tony. Jessica smothered a laugh, Pepper nursed a headache, Ginny broke into a big smile. Carol, Peter, and Ben exchanged looks, having a wordless discussion about who would follow Amelia; they decided on Carol since Ben wanted to talk with Ginny and Peter was best at handling the group left. She slipped out as everyone was taking turns apologizing and explaining and making excuses to leave so they didn't have to agree that Amelia was right. Carol definitely didn't want to be a part of that.
"You okay, kid?" Carol had half-expected to find her on the phone or computer with Jake (she half-expected to find him in the room, really) but Amelia was lying on her bed, staring at the ceiling. She nodded once at the question.
"Really?"
Amelia tried to nod again but tears threatened. "I want my cat!" she cried and possibly because it sounded so childish but possibly because it was simply true, she burst into tears. Carol crossed the room and pulled her into a tight embrace. Amelia had been crying on and off for days, and arguing with her mother on and off for as long. "I'm sorry."
"No more sorrys for this." She kissed the top of her head. "We're gonna move forward and makes things right, deal?"
Amelia nodded. "Deal."
"I have some ideas that should placate Pepper, but you have to trust me, okay?"
Amelia nodded again. "I love you, Mommy."
"I know. We all love you, too." On cue, Peter and Ben appeared and the family portrait was marred only by the absence of the cat. But Ben had plans for that.
She was supposed to listen and speak only when spoken to. This wasn't an official meeting and nothing binding would be decided. Mrs. Stark had some serious concerns, her words, explained Carol, not mine, but she wants to discuss them within this small group. The small group turned out to be Ginny (the subject) and her parents, Amelia (concern number one) and her parents, and Dani (concern number two) and her mother. Luke somehow got out of the meeting, proving Pepper can't bully everyone. And Ben was there because he lived there and refused to leave.
Tension had taken over the Parker-Danvers living room. Ginny sat next to her mother, both with impeccable posture and perfectly still. Opposite them Peter, Jessica and Dani took up the sofa, all appearing slouched in comparison. Tony sat off to the side looking bored and Carol stood, arms crossed, leaning on years of military posture to stop herself fidgeting. Without any years of military training to lean on, Amelia fidgeted in her seat by the table, Ben beside her. Maybe it wasn't an official meeting but the lines were pretty clear. Pepper was there to talk with Dani about Ginny's future with the team, but the blame was on Amelia and Carol.
It was clear, said Pepper, that Dani couldn't guarantee the safe environment Pepper required in order to allow her daughter to train with the Young Avengers. She didn't hold Dani responsible for the reckless behavior of one troubled member -- Amelia wasn't sure if reckless or troubled was the greater insult, but finally decided that Pepper's implication that Carol and Peter were responsible was worst -- but if it was not addressed she, Pepper, could not be expected to allow her child to play games with her life. This was so over the top even Peter bristled, but Pepper wasn't finished. This incident had brought a very really problem to light, she said, in the same annoying polite tone she was making her whole statement (tirade!) in. These children, particularly Miss Danvers -- Amelia sat a little straighter in response to the glare being sent her way, she was never so proud to have her mother's surname, but the fact that her brother was being included in the look of condemnation was not lost to her and she unapologetically glared right back -- clearly have no comprehension of consequence. Therefore there must be some now. In the pause before Pepper explained what she wanted Carol, Peter, Jess, Dani, Ben and even Amelia had to agree with her last sentence. Tony was still bored and Ginny knew what was coming. Pepper put forth her ultimatum: Amelia should be off the team or Ginny will be.
All the adults, except Tony, started talking at once. Jessica said that was too harsh, it was her first strike. Pepper argued she had been a consistent troublemaker and it was never addressed. Peter said maybe Amelia could move to another team, like the Allies, temporarily while things settled but it should be up to the team, not Pepper. Pepper said she didn't care where Amelia was so long as Ginny's life didn't depend on her. Carol shouted that Pepper was being ridiculous and raising the whole issue to a level of melodramatic insanity when it was just a kid acting out! Typical patented Pepper Potts absurdity! Pepper countered that if Carol had a handle on her kid she wouldn't be such a spoiled brat but it takes one to raise one after all. Carol's response was waylaid by a harsh whistle that cut through the chaos. Everyone looked to Dani, now standing, and every inch her father's daughter.
When everyone was quiet and returned to their seats, Dani apologized calmly to Pepper, taking responsibility for the situation, and stating she agreed there had to be direct consequences. Then Dani turned deliberately to Ginny to ask what she wanted. Ginny blinked as every eye in the room, even her father's, turned to her. She took a breath but Pepper spoke before she could.
"This isn't about Ginny."
And Amelia was done listening and not speaking. She stood up. "Amelia, don't," said Ben, pulling on her hand, but Amelia swatted him away and addressed Pepper.
"That's the stupidest thing you've said tonight and believe me, you've said a lot."
Ben, Peter, and Carol sighed. Jessica, Dani, and Ginny watched her with interest. Pepper nearly smiled in the smug assumption she was about to be proven right.
"You're talking about Ginny. About her future and her position and her feelings about it should be the most important! What this isn't about, Mrs. Stark, is YOU." Amelia raised her eyes to take in everyone in the room. "This whole stupid meeting is about two things and the first is Ginny. So don't you dare, any of you, claim she doesn't get a say."
"The second thing is me and it's just as true that I should get to speak to that. " She took a breath. "I messed up. I know that and I will accept whatever consequences there are, including being put off the team if that's what's agreed on. But consequence doesn't mean punishment and it's wholly wrong for Ginny to be punished for something I did. If you have a problem with me -- and you clearly do -- you bring it to me. You don't take it out on Ginny and you don't take it out on Ben and you don't take it out on my mother. I am responsible for me." Another breath, and her hands clenched into fists of their own free will.
"But you are all so busy blaming us for everything you don't see what you are doing yourself. What you're saying. I'm playing games with Ginny's life? This is not a game. We would never treat it like that. Never! And Mom..." Her voice shook as she looked to Carol. "You can expect us to act like adults when we are given adult responsibilities. That's fair and right. But you can't treat us like children and not expect us to act like children." Amelia moved her gaze to her team leader.
"Dani, I'm sorry this all happened like this. And you're right that I'm not a team player. But you don't treat me like I'm a part of the team. You treat me like I'm a problem and so I am one. I don't want any special treatment, I don't what to be more important than anyone. I want ... I need to be respected. I don't ask stuff to question your authority, I ask because I want to understand the reasons. I thought that's part of what training is for." Dani pursed her lips and Amelia turned around to address Ginny.
"And the same way -- Ginny, I'm really sorry that I haven't shown you the respect you deserve. I got used to it being a certain way and I was … jealous that you were getting the attention I wanted. I've been really unfair to you and I'm sorry. I know you can do anything you set your mind to, and you shouldn't let anyone make your decisions for you." She pivoted again, to look at her brother.
"I'm so sorry I didn't tell you where I was, BBB." Tears sprung to her eyes but she pushed through them. "It's just, I didn't want you to come to my rescue. I didn't want you to try and fix everything for me. I know you always always would. And I need to fix this myself. But I should have told you that. I should have given you the chance to listen to me." Her voice was breaking, she suddenly realized how much she'd been saying and a part of her wanted him to come to her rescue right now. "If you agree to listen I promise you'll be the one person who always knows where I am." Ben stood up and answered her with a hug. It gave her just enough courage to finish her thoughts.
"There's stuff I should say to other people and they aren't here and I think that's maybe a problem. And if you're talking about sending me to the Allies or something, I think Rikki should be here for that, too. I think the way this not-official meeting happened shows that you adults are the ones playing games with our lives and I think that's wrong. And I'm not going to be a part of it anymore." Amelia walked out, not looking at anyone, and the room was silent.
"I like her," said Tony. Jessica smothered a laugh, Pepper nursed a headache, Ginny broke into a big smile. Carol, Peter, and Ben exchanged looks, having a wordless discussion about who would follow Amelia; they decided on Carol since Ben wanted to talk with Ginny and Peter was best at handling the group left. She slipped out as everyone was taking turns apologizing and explaining and making excuses to leave so they didn't have to agree that Amelia was right. Carol definitely didn't want to be a part of that.
"You okay, kid?" Carol had half-expected to find her on the phone or computer with Jake (she half-expected to find him in the room, really) but Amelia was lying on her bed, staring at the ceiling. She nodded once at the question.
"Really?"
Amelia tried to nod again but tears threatened. "I want my cat!" she cried and possibly because it sounded so childish but possibly because it was simply true, she burst into tears. Carol crossed the room and pulled her into a tight embrace. Amelia had been crying on and off for days, and arguing with her mother on and off for as long. "I'm sorry."
"No more sorrys for this." She kissed the top of her head. "We're gonna move forward and makes things right, deal?"
Amelia nodded. "Deal."
"I have some ideas that should placate Pepper, but you have to trust me, okay?"
Amelia nodded again. "I love you, Mommy."
"I know. We all love you, too." On cue, Peter and Ben appeared and the family portrait was marred only by the absence of the cat. But Ben had plans for that.