Series: Turtle War (Part Five)
The media circus outside the Osborn family hanger was eclipsed only by the circus of superheroes surrounding the Osborn family inside the hanger.
“I want to go on the mission.” Norma-Jean had been pestering her mother since she’d learned of the situation.
“No.” Mary-Jane had been putting her foot down about this since before Norma could walk.
“Will there be cabana boys?” Jess Drew had been ordered to go into hiding with the Osborns. Ridiculous.
“I'll be your cabana boy,” offered Kit who was now considered part of her family. Weird.
Jess rolled her eyes. “Will there be cabana men?”
“I'll be your cabana man,” offered Clint who appeared out of nowhere. Or Jess just had Not Clint Tunnel Vision unless he addressed her directly. Possible.
“Winona is going on the mission,” Norma pointed out, determinedly.
“Winona has been doing this a lot longer than you,” protested Mary Jane. “You're still in training!”
“For missions! Not vacations!”
Jessica frowned at Clint. “What are you doing here?"
"You, Bobbi, beach, bikinis? No brainer."
Bobbi stepped in between them before Jessica could land a punch. "I called him."
"Why?"
"We're leaving the country, I felt like he should be made aware."
"Why?"
Bobbi sighed. "Bobby is his son. If he's in danger--"
"He's not in danger!" Jessica found this entire thing ridiculous.
"You were threatened," countered Clint. The severity in his voice indicated he didn't find it ridiculous. Or he was playing with her mind. Jessica wasn't even sure which her's mind she thought he might be playing with. She shook her head.
"Bobby wasn't threatened." Clint crossed his arms. Bobbi squared her shoulders. Jess threw up her hands. "No one was threatened! It was a turtle!"
Peter stepped in front of Amelia, blocking her path to the jet. "You’re grounded."
"You can’t ground me, I’m going on this mission." He held up his phone, with streaming images from outside the airport. Winona’s work had yielded a flurry of paparazzi all reporting on Harry and Amelia running away together, Mary Jane yanking her daughter from school, sudden travel plans for everyone involved, and everyone involved was a long, strange list. "It's just noise."
"Mmmhmm, saying 'you're grounded'."
Amelia rolled her eyes. “I’m eighteen years old.”
“Exactly!” agreed Peter, shaking the phone.
“And I don’t live with you.”
“You do according to taxes.”
"And I didn’t do anything wrong!"
Peter pursed his lips. "The point, young lady--"
"Who the hell authorized this?" Carol's voice cut through the crowded hanger, halting conversations and turning heads. Jamie blinked; she'd arranged the two flight plans and hanger meet up on what she'd been told were Carol's orders. Told by...
Jamie turned to scowl at Amelia. Slowly everyone's eyes followed and Amelia raised a resigned hand.
"Start pre-flight," Carol told Jamie and crossed the room to her daughter.
Peter raised an eyebrow. "You were saying?"
"It’s only wrong according to her definition."
"We are your parents," Carol hissed.
"No, you’re my superiors." Amelia crossed her arms and focused her gaze on a spot on the wall behind her mother. "You can submit a formal complaint. It won’t be the first or last. But you can’t punish me as my parents. I’m not a child."
Carol and Peter exchanged a look. Amelia set her jaw.
"We'll talk about this later." Carol turned away from her family and clapped her hands to get everyone's attention. When the room was quiet again she started directing people to their planes.
It was a toss up whether Jessica Drew or Norma Jean Osborn were more reluctant to leave on their plane to an undisclosed island getaway but it was clear Max was most reluctant. Most people wouldn't complain about an island getaway as punishment -- for losing track of Winona -- but Max wasn't most people. He'd rather prove himself to Ben and Carol and Winona and Jake and Jamie and whoever by fighting turtles than babysitting dysfunctional families. Also, everything in that sentence was absurd.
But finally Mary Jane, Emily, Bobbi, Bobby, Clint, Kit and a reluctant Jessica, Norma and Max set off toward their island adventure and Carol's rescue teams minus Max plus Mal as his replacement and Harry as her headache set off toward the turtle's secret lair.
The final mission briefing took up the first third of the journey. When it was complete Carol told everyone to get some rest, when they landed they'd begin. She and Jamie relieved Jake and Lindy in the cockpit. Jamie was doing her best to hide how excited she was to be leading a mission and flying a plane with Carol Danvers…but she was pretty excited. Carol ignored it and took the opportunity to quiz Jamie on flight protocol and mission ettiquette.
Winona found a comfortable couch to fall into. She had her laptop going with a bunch of tabs open to various news outlets, a history of their destination in Thailand, and the wikipedia article on Turtles and was trying to read all of them all at once. Ben and Lindy followed and focused on making sure Winona was okay without being obtrusive.
Mal sat in a corner, scowling. Jake sat beside her, not scowling, and kept up a steady dialogue as the evening progressed. They both watched the others and made the same mental notes. Winona tapped her nails in anxiety. Ben's attention was split between Winona and Amelia because Lindy didn't worry him in these situations. Harry's eyes flickered around the cabin, stashes of alcohol they guessed, correctly. Amelia chewed her nails and tried not to show how isolated she felt, even here. She was watching everybody, too, but looked away when they noticed. Mal scowled. Jake hid a sigh.
Peter settled into a seat by the window to read a book, and having no idea what else to do, Amelia followed. But Harry caught her eye, fidgeting even worse than she was, and she nudged her father. He nodded and dropped the book in her lap.
"You look like you could use a drink."
Harry laughed, but there was no humor to it, and Peter hadn't intended any. He held out a bottled water. Harry knocked hand and bottle away from his face. "Whatever MJ told you, I don't need a babysitter." Peter sat down beside his friend. Harry shook his head. "I'm sorry."
"No need."
Harry looked up. "You're right. You should be apologizing to me."
Peter blinked. "What do I have to apologize for?"
Harry glared over crossed arms. "For not telling me what was going on."
"You should know by now I don't really get a say in any of that."
Harry shook his head. "That didn't stop Winona or Amelia."
"Winona and Amelia are just kids." Peter sighed. "I'm sorry for not saying anything, but the people in charge decided it was for the best. It's complicated."
Harry uncrossed his arms to point at Peter's chest. "Just because you are a genius superhero does not make it complicated because even I, the idiot billionaire, can tell what you just said was contradictory!"
Peter grimaced. "Amelia and Winona went rogue, obviously."
"Because they care about me."
Peter sighed again and decided to change tactics. "Are you worrying about Cooper?"
Harry threw up his hands. "Of course I'm worried about Cooper!"
"Well, you don't have to be." Harry's expression was incredulous. "This is what we do, Harry. Not just me and Carol and everyone here to rescue her and Teddy, but also her and Teddy. She's a superhero, she'll be okay."
Harry rolled his eyes. He wanted to believe Peter -- because he was his oldest and best friend, because of everyone in his family Cooper was easily the most capable, because he wasn't any good at worrying. But he thought not worrying could be read as not caring and would make him an even worse father than he already was. "They wouldn't need rescuing if they…" His voice trailed off.
Peter snorted. "If I had a dollar for every time a superhero was in trouble, especially one of the young ones, I'd buy OSCORP."
Harry fell back in his chair, deflated. "Stop making fun of me. You're the most overprotective father I've ever met."
"I'm not making fun!" Peter made a 'cross-my-heart' motion over his chest and was awarded a small smile. "Of course I'm an overprotective father. And if our positions were reversed I'd be just as mad and just as worried. But someone would be here telling me that Amelia will be okay, and they would be right."
Harry sighed. "So I'm just supposed to trust you?"
"No, but you're supposed to not worry as much."
Harry huffed. "Give me something else to do."
"Want to play chess?" Peter pulled a travel set out of his coat pocket. Harry shook his head, fondly.
"All right, but we're using my set." He pushed a button and a panel slid back to reveal a cabinet full of games.
Peter looked over at Amelia, pretending to read his book. "Come on, May-bell, you can be on my team."
"Chess isn't a team sport, Daddy." But she happily joined them.
The game took hours; lights dimmed and eventually they started to drift off to sleep one by one.
Amelia tried to get comfortable but something was keeping her up. She stood to look for a quiet corner.
"I’m a horrible father."
Amelia cocked her head. Harry had spoken so softly she thought maybe she wasn't supposed to have heard and therefore wasn't supposed to answer.
"I’m a horrible daughter."
Harry chuckled without humor. "Your father would disagree."
They both looked at Peter, asleep in the chair across from Harry.
"Yeah." But her mother had barely looked at her since boarding the plane. "I can be horrible." Harry reached out and took her hand in his. "I’ve disappeared for days and I’ve kept secrets for months. I talk back constantly." Harry tugged her hand, pulling her closer. "I lie. I… I don’t listen."
She bit her lip. Harry pulled her into his lap.
"That’s pretty." He nodded at the ring on a chain around her neck that had slipped from beneath her sweater.
Amelia closed her hand over the ring. "It was a birthday present."
"I thought it was an engagement ring."
"It is." She looked away. "But it was my birthday present."
Harry looked thoughtful. "Why’s that important?"
Amelia pulled her lips in over her teeth. "I don’t have to give it back." She slipped the ring back under shirt and raised her eyes to meet Harry's.
"What happened?"
Amelia was quiet a long time, and finally shrugged. "I got scared."
Harry's lips curled into a small smile. "You think you're not worth all the baggage that comes with loving you."
She blinked. "How did you know that?"
Harry touched a finger to her nose. "I’ve known you your whole life. And I’ve known your dad for almost double that." He looked over at Peter again. "As if a bipolar, alcoholic egotist with pumpkin bombs is easier to love than the 'Amazing Spider-Man'."
Amelia watched Harry watching Peter and shook her head. "That's not all you are."
Harry's smile grew. There were her earnest eyes again. "Exactly." She frowned. "Don’t mix up taking responsibility with having control." He reached for the chain around her neck, slipped the ring out and held it in front of her eyes. "It’s not up to you to decide if you’re worth loving this much." She blinked at tears. He replaced the ring between her sweater and pat it, twice, over her heart.
Amelia broke into a sudden grin. "See? You can be a good dad."
Smiling, Harry brushed hair out of her eyes. "Thank you, love." He kissed her forehead and she curled into his embrace to sleep.
Carol and Jamie spent the night in the cockpit, switching between flying and sleeping. Three hours on, three hours off. Neither felt well-rested but both felt ready for the day. They landed in the jungle, flicked the stealth switch and went into the main body of the plane to wake everyone up.
Mal had obstinately decided to sleep on the floor. Jake was seated next to her, propped against the wall where he could view the whole area. He'd slept, but woke when the plane landed and met Carol's and Jamie's eyes when they entered.
Winona, Ben, and Lindy were entwined on the circle sofa. Winona's eyes were circled with red and Ben's brow was wrinkled with worry even in his sleep. Carol touched his hand gently and he opened his eyes. He read her gaze, nodded and started to wake the girls.
Peter was snoring softly in his chair. Across the way Amelia was curled up in Harry's arms. Carol touched Peter's hand as she had Ben's. He kissed Carol before opening his eyes, because once he opened his eyes he would have to acknowledge that they were on a mission. She swatted his hand, but smiled, and headed to the back to get their equipment together. Peter opened his eyes and scowled as his gaze fell on Harry and Amelia. He stood and tugged her hair.
“Wake-up, sleepyhead.” Amelia sat up straight. “Get your stuff.” She glanced at Harry. “I got him, don’t worry.” Amelia hopped down, kissed Peter’s cheek and headed to the back. Peter smiled as he watched her disappear.
“She was wonderful last night.”
If Peter had Carol’s powers, the comment would have gotten Harry blasted. Luckily for him all Peter could do was cycle wordlessly through glaring and staring. Harry laughed the first completely genuine laugh he had in the last 48 hours.
“Not funny,” Peter protested through clenched teeth.
Harry swallowed his laughter and stood. “Peter, you know I would never,” he said with sincerity.
“You know I would kill you.”
Harry smiled. “No you wouldn’t.” Peter started to huff. “You’d let Carol.”
Peter opened and closed his mouth, and finally gave in to a smile. Harry gave him a hug. “Bring her home.”
Peter nodded. “We will.”
Jake and Jamie took their places to monitor the teams’ activities. Mal handed Harry an Orange Juice and took a seat beside him to watch the others leave. Carol and Peter went over the details one last time. Ben kissed Lindy goodbye before turning to his sister.
“Good luck.” Amelia bit her lip. Ben pulled her into a tight hug.
“What if I can't do it?” she whispered.
“You can,” he whispered back. She straightened. Ben pushed Amelia back toward their father and Lindy and took his place with Carol and Winona. Jamie’s voice came quiet and steady over the comm links.
“Avengers, go.”
“I want to go on the mission.” Norma-Jean had been pestering her mother since she’d learned of the situation.
“No.” Mary-Jane had been putting her foot down about this since before Norma could walk.
“Will there be cabana boys?” Jess Drew had been ordered to go into hiding with the Osborns. Ridiculous.
“I'll be your cabana boy,” offered Kit who was now considered part of her family. Weird.
Jess rolled her eyes. “Will there be cabana men?”
“I'll be your cabana man,” offered Clint who appeared out of nowhere. Or Jess just had Not Clint Tunnel Vision unless he addressed her directly. Possible.
“Winona is going on the mission,” Norma pointed out, determinedly.
“Winona has been doing this a lot longer than you,” protested Mary Jane. “You're still in training!”
“For missions! Not vacations!”
Jessica frowned at Clint. “What are you doing here?"
"You, Bobbi, beach, bikinis? No brainer."
Bobbi stepped in between them before Jessica could land a punch. "I called him."
"Why?"
"We're leaving the country, I felt like he should be made aware."
"Why?"
Bobbi sighed. "Bobby is his son. If he's in danger--"
"He's not in danger!" Jessica found this entire thing ridiculous.
"You were threatened," countered Clint. The severity in his voice indicated he didn't find it ridiculous. Or he was playing with her mind. Jessica wasn't even sure which her's mind she thought he might be playing with. She shook her head.
"Bobby wasn't threatened." Clint crossed his arms. Bobbi squared her shoulders. Jess threw up her hands. "No one was threatened! It was a turtle!"
Peter stepped in front of Amelia, blocking her path to the jet. "You’re grounded."
"You can’t ground me, I’m going on this mission." He held up his phone, with streaming images from outside the airport. Winona’s work had yielded a flurry of paparazzi all reporting on Harry and Amelia running away together, Mary Jane yanking her daughter from school, sudden travel plans for everyone involved, and everyone involved was a long, strange list. "It's just noise."
"Mmmhmm, saying 'you're grounded'."
Amelia rolled her eyes. “I’m eighteen years old.”
“Exactly!” agreed Peter, shaking the phone.
“And I don’t live with you.”
“You do according to taxes.”
"And I didn’t do anything wrong!"
Peter pursed his lips. "The point, young lady--"
"Who the hell authorized this?" Carol's voice cut through the crowded hanger, halting conversations and turning heads. Jamie blinked; she'd arranged the two flight plans and hanger meet up on what she'd been told were Carol's orders. Told by...
Jamie turned to scowl at Amelia. Slowly everyone's eyes followed and Amelia raised a resigned hand.
"Start pre-flight," Carol told Jamie and crossed the room to her daughter.
Peter raised an eyebrow. "You were saying?"
"It’s only wrong according to her definition."
"We are your parents," Carol hissed.
"No, you’re my superiors." Amelia crossed her arms and focused her gaze on a spot on the wall behind her mother. "You can submit a formal complaint. It won’t be the first or last. But you can’t punish me as my parents. I’m not a child."
Carol and Peter exchanged a look. Amelia set her jaw.
"We'll talk about this later." Carol turned away from her family and clapped her hands to get everyone's attention. When the room was quiet again she started directing people to their planes.
It was a toss up whether Jessica Drew or Norma Jean Osborn were more reluctant to leave on their plane to an undisclosed island getaway but it was clear Max was most reluctant. Most people wouldn't complain about an island getaway as punishment -- for losing track of Winona -- but Max wasn't most people. He'd rather prove himself to Ben and Carol and Winona and Jake and Jamie and whoever by fighting turtles than babysitting dysfunctional families. Also, everything in that sentence was absurd.
But finally Mary Jane, Emily, Bobbi, Bobby, Clint, Kit and a reluctant Jessica, Norma and Max set off toward their island adventure and Carol's rescue teams minus Max plus Mal as his replacement and Harry as her headache set off toward the turtle's secret lair.
The final mission briefing took up the first third of the journey. When it was complete Carol told everyone to get some rest, when they landed they'd begin. She and Jamie relieved Jake and Lindy in the cockpit. Jamie was doing her best to hide how excited she was to be leading a mission and flying a plane with Carol Danvers…but she was pretty excited. Carol ignored it and took the opportunity to quiz Jamie on flight protocol and mission ettiquette.
Winona found a comfortable couch to fall into. She had her laptop going with a bunch of tabs open to various news outlets, a history of their destination in Thailand, and the wikipedia article on Turtles and was trying to read all of them all at once. Ben and Lindy followed and focused on making sure Winona was okay without being obtrusive.
Mal sat in a corner, scowling. Jake sat beside her, not scowling, and kept up a steady dialogue as the evening progressed. They both watched the others and made the same mental notes. Winona tapped her nails in anxiety. Ben's attention was split between Winona and Amelia because Lindy didn't worry him in these situations. Harry's eyes flickered around the cabin, stashes of alcohol they guessed, correctly. Amelia chewed her nails and tried not to show how isolated she felt, even here. She was watching everybody, too, but looked away when they noticed. Mal scowled. Jake hid a sigh.
Peter settled into a seat by the window to read a book, and having no idea what else to do, Amelia followed. But Harry caught her eye, fidgeting even worse than she was, and she nudged her father. He nodded and dropped the book in her lap.
"You look like you could use a drink."
Harry laughed, but there was no humor to it, and Peter hadn't intended any. He held out a bottled water. Harry knocked hand and bottle away from his face. "Whatever MJ told you, I don't need a babysitter." Peter sat down beside his friend. Harry shook his head. "I'm sorry."
"No need."
Harry looked up. "You're right. You should be apologizing to me."
Peter blinked. "What do I have to apologize for?"
Harry glared over crossed arms. "For not telling me what was going on."
"You should know by now I don't really get a say in any of that."
Harry shook his head. "That didn't stop Winona or Amelia."
"Winona and Amelia are just kids." Peter sighed. "I'm sorry for not saying anything, but the people in charge decided it was for the best. It's complicated."
Harry uncrossed his arms to point at Peter's chest. "Just because you are a genius superhero does not make it complicated because even I, the idiot billionaire, can tell what you just said was contradictory!"
Peter grimaced. "Amelia and Winona went rogue, obviously."
"Because they care about me."
Peter sighed again and decided to change tactics. "Are you worrying about Cooper?"
Harry threw up his hands. "Of course I'm worried about Cooper!"
"Well, you don't have to be." Harry's expression was incredulous. "This is what we do, Harry. Not just me and Carol and everyone here to rescue her and Teddy, but also her and Teddy. She's a superhero, she'll be okay."
Harry rolled his eyes. He wanted to believe Peter -- because he was his oldest and best friend, because of everyone in his family Cooper was easily the most capable, because he wasn't any good at worrying. But he thought not worrying could be read as not caring and would make him an even worse father than he already was. "They wouldn't need rescuing if they…" His voice trailed off.
Peter snorted. "If I had a dollar for every time a superhero was in trouble, especially one of the young ones, I'd buy OSCORP."
Harry fell back in his chair, deflated. "Stop making fun of me. You're the most overprotective father I've ever met."
"I'm not making fun!" Peter made a 'cross-my-heart' motion over his chest and was awarded a small smile. "Of course I'm an overprotective father. And if our positions were reversed I'd be just as mad and just as worried. But someone would be here telling me that Amelia will be okay, and they would be right."
Harry sighed. "So I'm just supposed to trust you?"
"No, but you're supposed to not worry as much."
Harry huffed. "Give me something else to do."
"Want to play chess?" Peter pulled a travel set out of his coat pocket. Harry shook his head, fondly.
"All right, but we're using my set." He pushed a button and a panel slid back to reveal a cabinet full of games.
Peter looked over at Amelia, pretending to read his book. "Come on, May-bell, you can be on my team."
"Chess isn't a team sport, Daddy." But she happily joined them.
The game took hours; lights dimmed and eventually they started to drift off to sleep one by one.
Amelia tried to get comfortable but something was keeping her up. She stood to look for a quiet corner.
"I’m a horrible father."
Amelia cocked her head. Harry had spoken so softly she thought maybe she wasn't supposed to have heard and therefore wasn't supposed to answer.
"I’m a horrible daughter."
Harry chuckled without humor. "Your father would disagree."
They both looked at Peter, asleep in the chair across from Harry.
"Yeah." But her mother had barely looked at her since boarding the plane. "I can be horrible." Harry reached out and took her hand in his. "I’ve disappeared for days and I’ve kept secrets for months. I talk back constantly." Harry tugged her hand, pulling her closer. "I lie. I… I don’t listen."
She bit her lip. Harry pulled her into his lap.
"That’s pretty." He nodded at the ring on a chain around her neck that had slipped from beneath her sweater.
Amelia closed her hand over the ring. "It was a birthday present."
"I thought it was an engagement ring."
"It is." She looked away. "But it was my birthday present."
Harry looked thoughtful. "Why’s that important?"
Amelia pulled her lips in over her teeth. "I don’t have to give it back." She slipped the ring back under shirt and raised her eyes to meet Harry's.
"What happened?"
Amelia was quiet a long time, and finally shrugged. "I got scared."
Harry's lips curled into a small smile. "You think you're not worth all the baggage that comes with loving you."
She blinked. "How did you know that?"
Harry touched a finger to her nose. "I’ve known you your whole life. And I’ve known your dad for almost double that." He looked over at Peter again. "As if a bipolar, alcoholic egotist with pumpkin bombs is easier to love than the 'Amazing Spider-Man'."
Amelia watched Harry watching Peter and shook her head. "That's not all you are."
Harry's smile grew. There were her earnest eyes again. "Exactly." She frowned. "Don’t mix up taking responsibility with having control." He reached for the chain around her neck, slipped the ring out and held it in front of her eyes. "It’s not up to you to decide if you’re worth loving this much." She blinked at tears. He replaced the ring between her sweater and pat it, twice, over her heart.
Amelia broke into a sudden grin. "See? You can be a good dad."
Smiling, Harry brushed hair out of her eyes. "Thank you, love." He kissed her forehead and she curled into his embrace to sleep.
Carol and Jamie spent the night in the cockpit, switching between flying and sleeping. Three hours on, three hours off. Neither felt well-rested but both felt ready for the day. They landed in the jungle, flicked the stealth switch and went into the main body of the plane to wake everyone up.
Mal had obstinately decided to sleep on the floor. Jake was seated next to her, propped against the wall where he could view the whole area. He'd slept, but woke when the plane landed and met Carol's and Jamie's eyes when they entered.
Winona, Ben, and Lindy were entwined on the circle sofa. Winona's eyes were circled with red and Ben's brow was wrinkled with worry even in his sleep. Carol touched his hand gently and he opened his eyes. He read her gaze, nodded and started to wake the girls.
Peter was snoring softly in his chair. Across the way Amelia was curled up in Harry's arms. Carol touched Peter's hand as she had Ben's. He kissed Carol before opening his eyes, because once he opened his eyes he would have to acknowledge that they were on a mission. She swatted his hand, but smiled, and headed to the back to get their equipment together. Peter opened his eyes and scowled as his gaze fell on Harry and Amelia. He stood and tugged her hair.
“Wake-up, sleepyhead.” Amelia sat up straight. “Get your stuff.” She glanced at Harry. “I got him, don’t worry.” Amelia hopped down, kissed Peter’s cheek and headed to the back. Peter smiled as he watched her disappear.
“She was wonderful last night.”
If Peter had Carol’s powers, the comment would have gotten Harry blasted. Luckily for him all Peter could do was cycle wordlessly through glaring and staring. Harry laughed the first completely genuine laugh he had in the last 48 hours.
“Not funny,” Peter protested through clenched teeth.
Harry swallowed his laughter and stood. “Peter, you know I would never,” he said with sincerity.
“You know I would kill you.”
Harry smiled. “No you wouldn’t.” Peter started to huff. “You’d let Carol.”
Peter opened and closed his mouth, and finally gave in to a smile. Harry gave him a hug. “Bring her home.”
Peter nodded. “We will.”
Jake and Jamie took their places to monitor the teams’ activities. Mal handed Harry an Orange Juice and took a seat beside him to watch the others leave. Carol and Peter went over the details one last time. Ben kissed Lindy goodbye before turning to his sister.
“Good luck.” Amelia bit her lip. Ben pulled her into a tight hug.
“What if I can't do it?” she whispered.
“You can,” he whispered back. She straightened. Ben pushed Amelia back toward their father and Lindy and took his place with Carol and Winona. Jamie’s voice came quiet and steady over the comm links.
“Avengers, go.”