'Sue doesn't know I'm looking into it. I have a team of guys who are good with the bio stuff. Most of the research is being done in Richards Inc. Half of the team is from there, anyway.'
'Nice of you to let me know, Tony.'
'I didn't think you'd mind.'
Pepper rolled her eyes at the man's reply, earning a usual sniff of the nostrils from the stubborn Stark. The long-time friends walked side by side, with Johnny on the end. The scenic walk included the river that flowed by Manhattan, as well as the greenery that was salvaged in the park. Pedestrians walked and cyclists rode by, some turning to gawk at the celebrities.
Johnny took photos with fans and singed edges of his signed autographs with his lit finger. Kids cooed as a small flame appeared on the tip of the Storm's digit and they asked if he could blow something up for them. He declined when Pepper side-eyed him and opted to pat their heads instead.
'So, you think that Morgan is capable of more?' Pepper asked Tony, halting to let Johnny take more photos. Some teenagers asked Tony for a quick picture, to which he obliged before falling back into step with the two.
'Not just her. Susie, too,' he smiled at the mention of his world. 'I always thought there was more to the alteration of her DNA. The fact that Johnny's able to achieve supernova tells me that there's more to what happened on the Marvel-1. And if Morgan's already accomplished all that Sue has, then there's bound to be more.'
Pepper and Johnny had arrived at the Stark residence in Maine and were surprised to hear of Tony's desire to fly to New York. The couple had parked one of Stark Industries' private jets in the forest, so it wouldn't take long to get back in the air and head for the city. They found it odd, but they remembered that Tony was odd. They agreed to the outing and let their pilot know that their next destination was for the big apple.
Sue woke Morgan up from her nap, to made the girl wail and cry at the disturbance. Pepper attempted to help the Storm calm her child down enough to take her to the jet, but it was no use. If she was fussing before the flight, its duration would be no better.
'A screaming baby in a concealed capsule for two hours? No, thanks. It would be like flying economy.'
'Careful, Johnny. Your privilege is showing.'
After a roll of Sue's eyes, she let out a sigh and said she would stay at the house. Tony wasn't in favour of the idea, saying that he would be the one to stay. But Sue smiled and stood her ground. He had been the one to suggest the walk in New York, so he should be the one to go. She didn't mind staying. Any time with their daughter was precious to her, and she had her own ways as a mother to calm Morgan down.
So, the three arrived in New York and were on their stroll. It had been a while sine they had been in the public eye. Ever since Tony and Sue's attempt at a wedding, the Avengers shied away from the media and public sightings. Pepper held the occasional press conference for the companies but was always thrown the off-topic questions about the Avengers. Her association with Johnny and with Tony was enough for reporters to hassle the owner of Stark Industries and Richards Incorporated. But she was a strong CEO. Their questions were never answered, and she would end conferences without hesitation if reporters got pushy. She believed in the privacy of her husband, Johnny, and her friends in the Avengers. That's why Tony trusted the Potts so much. She was reliable, and technically family.
'No more on the marriage?' Johnny decided to ask, his fingers enlaced with Pepper's. The gold rings caught the sunlight that shimmered off the water of the river. The press would love to get a shot of the newly wedded couple's wedding rings, but their appearance in Manhattan had been a surprise. There was no press, only civilians who were polite in asking for autographs and photos.
'Nah,' Tony shook his head. 'We're happy. Morgan's getting the dual parenting she needs. There's no need for another wedding. What about you guys? No bump? No positive tests? Not even the feeling of something swirling around in your womb?'
'Real nice, Tony,' Pepper grimaced at the description. 'If you must know, we're waiting for my name to be changed before moving on to anything like that.'
'Pepper Potts-Storm!' Johnny chimed with glee. 'I think it sounds cool. Once we've got the okay on the change, we're getting started on the baby-making-'
Pepper and Tony were thankful for the sudden woosh of noise that came from their left. The three stopped on their walk, cyclists and other pedestrians doing the same. Sparks of bright orange swirled in the air to create a circle of fireworks. A few screams littered through the park, some running from the sight. Ever since the invasion of New York, the city's residences expected every strange happening to lead to some sort of fight between superhumans and aliens. It also wasn't encouraging to have Johnny Storm and Tony Stark appear in the city after months of being out of the spotlight. Their presence screamed to be challenged in one way or another.
'Tony Stark,' a man appeared from the portal that formed. 'I'm Doctor Stephen Strange. I need you to come with me.'
The man emerged with black hair and a black goatee surrounding his thin lips. He was dressed in a uniform that was blue with a red cape, a large pendant hung around his neck. The portal behind him continued to spin and a dark hallway could be seen through it.
'Oh, uh,' Doctor Stephen Strange cleared his throat at the sight of Pepper and Johnny. 'Congratulations on the wedding, by the way. And with the birth of your daughter, Mr Stark.'
'I'm sorry, are you giving out tickets or something?' Tony raised an eyebrow. Johnny stood behind him, his fingers clenched tightly in his wife's hand . Pepper was never one for the action and was like the rest of Manhattan when it came to portals in the middle of a park; afraid and dreading whatever the world decided to throw at the human race.
'We need your help. And Susan Storm's, as well, if she's here,' Strange looked over their shoulders for The Invisible Woman. 'Look, it's not overselling to say that the fate of the universe is at stake.'
'And who's 'we'?'
The portal shivered as someone else emerged through it. Tony's gaze travelled from the man dressed in the cape and landed on the man he never thought he would see. He was older, just like the Stark himself. His once dark hair had begun to turn grey, but at least it wasn't green.
'Hey, Tony,' Bruce Banner smiled sheepishly.
'Bruce...'
'Johnny.'
'Banner,' Johnny nodded his head to the man, his eyes as wide as Tony's. Doctor Stephen Strange waited for Tony to embrace his old friend, while Johnny mumbled to Pepper that he would need to fly her home. Pepper groaned, the suit he usually made her wear embarrassing and a bright yellow. It was similar to a hazmat suit, only completely fireproof. But judging by the urgency at Bruce Banner's appearance, Johnny wanted to be sure that Pepper was safe.
'Looks like Sue's gonna need to be here,' Pepper mumbled back. 'I know she's not gonna like it. But maybe if I stay with Morgan, she might be willing. But we've gotta get back to Maine. And unless this guy can make another portal thing-'
'I can,' Doctor Stephen Strange interrupted, hearing the hushed conversation. 'Maine, is it?'
'U-Uh yeah?' Johnny said as a form of question.
'Great. Let's go.'
---
Sue let out a shriek when a portal formed in her living room. Morgan jumped and her eyes threatened to water at the surprise. But her mother came to her rescue, scooping her up from her toys and holding her in her arms. Morgan's sniffles were silenced at the comfort of her mother's warmth, unaware of Sue's shaking figure. While the baby hid her face in the Storm's shoulder to gurgle wordless nonesense, Sue tried to calm herself down from the shock that sent her heart pounding.
'What the hell, Tony?!' Sue stood in the middle of the room, eyes wide at the man who walked into out from the portal. Doctor Stephen Strange stood with Johnny, the portal's circle running its sparks behind them. Pepper followed Tony, prepared to take Morgan out of her mother's hold.
'I know. But apparently the world is at stake,' Tony's expression showed that he was irritated, but concerned.
Sue would normally shut down any offer of hero work. She was classed as retired, while Tony was in limbo. He never stated that he was done with Iron Man, but his focus on their young daughter had taken away a lot of his attention in recent months. But Sue had the inkling that he wasn't prepared to hang up the suit just yet. Sue had her own thoughts on Tony's split devotion to Iron Man and Morgan, but she chose to keep it to herself for now. But she was done, finished, and dusted with being a superhero. She wanted to make sure she was there for Morgan. But with the sight of a portal in her living room, Tony's concerned face, and Pepper stood waiting for Morgan to be handed over, Sue questioned whether her decision would remain as firm.
'Sorry to disturb you, Miss Storm,' Doctor Strange bowed his head slightly to show his apologies. 'But it's urgent.'
Sue went to reply, handing Morgan over to her daughter's aunty as she stared at the man dressed in strange clothes. But before her words could form, she noticed the third person who was stood at the door of the portal.
Bruce Banner smiled lightly at the woman, before his eyes fell on the baby in Pepper's arms. He never thought an eight-month-year-old baby would have Tony Stark's eyes. But it had always been evident that Tony and Sue loved each other to the ends of the Earth. It was only a matter of time before they took the next step, and with them getting older, a baby wasn't completely out of the cards.
'Bruce...' Sue's voice was just as shocked as Tony and Johnny's were.
'Hey, Sue.'
Now she knew it was urgent.