RESCUE.

“thank you, your highness. S.H.I.E.L.D. offered to send a few agents, but we don’t want that for obvious reasons. i think we’re the safest we’ve ever been right now.” happy had continued to check in over the years and both pepper and tony had suits of armor. “i’ll definitely keep that in mind, though.”

“when they get what they want. whatever that is.” pepper’s hand lingered on the phone for a minute before she pulled away and moved to her daughter. what they wanted was a story. they wanted access to the stark’s and all the details, even if they were invasive. wrapping her arms around morgan, pepper quickly kissed the top of her head. “they suck, don’t they?”

“as long as it’s not poisoned, morgan will eat anything.” she referred to her five year old daughter. “i’m not sure where she got that from.”

“i’ve been meaning to check in. the donations are still coming through, aren’t they?”

“i appreciate it, clint. really. i know that tony will as well. can i get you a coffee?” it was the least she could do. the barton’s had their farm. the stark’s had their cabin. clint knew what it was like to have a family you wanted to hide from the world. “how’s linda and the kids?”

“thank you. we all appreciate it.” and she did. pepper paused. “i don’t think we’ve met, though. i’m pepper. do you know tony?”

“i’m married to tony stark. i’ve been there.”

“i’m asking as the c.e.o. of stark industries and a mother -- please give my family some privacy right now.”

“i’ve been trying to explain to morgan for the last two hours. she’s excited, but i don’t think she gets it yet. i can’t imagine what’s going on in her head.”