"Now, you better be on your best behavior for your Aunt Pepper and Uncle Happy, alright?" Y/N said. She was kneeling down to Morgan's level, brushing the little girl's hair behind her ears.
"Alright, momma," Morgan agreed with a nod.
"Daddy and I will call you every day."
"Can't I just come visit you? The-the com... compod... com-"
"Compound," Y/N gently fixed with a smile.
"Yeah! It's not too far away. I can come and help a wittle!"
Y/N sighed. "I wish you could, honey, but this is grown up stuff. Someday you'll understand." She pulled the girl into her arms, holding a kiss to the side of her head. "I love you, Morgan, so much."
"Don't tell daddy," Morgan giggled, trying to whisper, "but I love you more than 3000."
"Hey!" Tony exclaimed with mock hurt, coming onto the porch after packing the car. "I heard that." He came and joined in on the hug. "But I forgive you." He kissed the top of Morgan's head before him and Y/N pulled back. "Don't give Happy too much grieve, okay?"
"Okay, daddy!"
Tony leaned closer to Y/N. "If we're going to do this, we've got to get going," he whispered, placing a slight kiss near her ear.
"Okay," Y/N whispered in reply. She leaned in and gave Morgan one last kiss on the forehead. "We'll call you later tonight. I love you."
"I love you too, momma and daddy," Morgan responded.
Y/N and Tony stood up. She had an arm around his waist, holding herself close to him. Pepper and Happy came up behind Morgan.
"We'll take good care of her," Pepper promised.
"Thank you guys," Y/N said before Tony led her to the car.
He opened the passenger door for her then got into the driver's seat. Y/N waved and blew kisses to Morgan as they drove off. When they were too far away, she sighed into the seat. Tony reached one hand over and gave her knee a slight squeeze. They didn't talk though, they were both too overwhelmed with what they were both headed to do.
~~~
Steve was standing outside, staring at the ground. His hands were on his hips as he looked beat. Bruce, Scott, Natasha, and himself had just tried to send Scott back in time, to no success. All they did was age and de-age Scott. Steve needed to get out of the hanger and clear his head. It had gotten his hopes up to bring everyone back, but it was looking like their plan wouldn't be a possibility.
As a noise broke the silence, Steve looked up to see a car speeding towards the entrance. The car pulled over to him, passing him slightly, before reversing. As it backed up to stop in front of Steve, Tony rolled down his window to reveal himself and Y/N.
"Why the long face?" Tony asked. "Let me guess: he turned into a baby."
Steve looked away with a slight smile on his face and a nod. "Among other things, yeah," he responded looking back at the couple. "What are you two doing here?"
Tony got out of the car, Y/N following, and walked around to the back. "That's the EPR Paradox. Instead of pushing Lang through time, you might've wound up pushing time through Lang. It's tricky. Dangerous. Somebody should've cautioned you against it." He leaned against the car as Y/N moved to stand beside him.
"You did."
"Oh, did I?"
"Tony," Y/N scolded quietly, knowing Steve did deserve the sass.
"Thank goodness we're here. Regardless, I fixed it." He held up his right hand, device on it. "A fully functioning Time-Space GPS. I just want peace." He made a peace sigh. "Turns out, resentment is corrosive, and I hate it."
"Me too."
"We got a shot at getting these Stones, but I gotta tell you our priorities: Bring back what we lost? I hope, yes. Keep what we got? I have to, at all costs. And... maybe not die trying will be nice."
"Sounds like a deal."
Steve reached out his hand to shake, in which Tony took it. Pulling away, Tony opened his truck. He reached in to pull out Captain America's shield. He handed it toward Steve, who didn't take it.
"Tony... I don't know," Steve said.
"Why?" Y/N asked. "Howard made it for you."
"Plus, honestly we had to get it out of the garage before Morgan took it sledding," Tony added. "She's been way too eager to take it out since she found out it belongs to you."
With a light sigh, Steve took the shield, placing his arm in the straps. It had been too long since it had rested on his arms, seven years in fact. It felt nice to have it back.
"Thank you," Steve replied.
"Will you keep that a little quiet?" Tony asked as he pulled out a few more things from the car. "Didn't bring one for the whole team... we are getting the whole team, yeah?"
"We're working on that right now. You guys might be able to be of some help." Steve began leading them back into the hanger. "Who's with Morgan?"
"Pepper and Happy," Y/N responded. It was clear to the men that Y/N was feeling hesitate to do this and leave Morgan. "You're going to have to join in on the call tonight. She's upset she didn't get to talk to you that much when you guys showed up a few days ago."
"Y/N? Tony?" She heard Natasha gasp. Her friend quickly ran to her, engulfing her in a hug. "You came to help. Thank you so much."
"Woah there, Banner," Tony said, causing everyone to notice him studying Bruce, who had merged with the Hulk. "What did you do?"
"I know, it's different," Bruce responded. "But I finally found a way to live with both my sides."
"That's wonderful," Y/N smiled. "I'm so happy for you, Bruce."
"Thank you."
"What's the plan with the team though?"
"I've called Rocket and Nebula," Nat explained. "They're on their way. Once they get here, Bruce with go with Rocket to fetch Thor from New Asgard. Rhodey needs to finish up a few things before he comes. They should all be here tomorrow."
"What about Clint? Is he still off the grid?"
"I've pinned pointed his location and am going after him tonight."
"Do you need any help?"
"I think this is something I need to do on my own."
~~~
Night had fallen and Tony had already started building a platform for the time travel. Natasha had left to retrieve Clint and Y/N was just finishing up her video call with Morgan.
"It's time to go sleepy night-night, now Mo," she told her daughter. "I love you, and I'll talk to you tomorrow. Goodnight." She blew a kiss.
Morgan blew one back. "Love you, momma!"
Y/N smiled softly as she hung up. Turning the phone in her hands, she looked around the bedroom she was sitting in. This old bedroom was filled was so many memories, good and bad. Y/N honestly never thought she'd ever come back here, again. With a small sigh, she pushed herself up from the bed and walked out onto the small balcony that was attached to the room. She leaned on the railing by her forearms and looked over the once bustling grounds of the compound.
"I thought I'd find you out here," Tony said, snaking his arms around her and pressing a kiss to her neck. She jumped slightly. "Sorry, did I scare you?"
"A little. I guess I was too caught up in my thoughts," Y/N responded.
Tony rested his chin on her shoulder. "Care to share?"
"This place used to be so lively... even after the team broke. There were people running around and working hard. Now... now It's empty. Too empty... I don't want this to be the world Morgan grows up in. I want to her see busy streets and cheer in crowded arenas. I want her to experience what life should be like. Not this... this mess."
"I get it... I want her to meet Peter. I can already imagine the chaos those two could cause."
Y/N laughed. "Me too... And Harley."
"And Harley... we have to get our boys back."
"We have to. And not die trying."
~~~
The next day, Tony and Y/N spent building the platform, while everyone else came and went, going about their assignments. Natasha left to get Clint, having got some concrete leads about him being in Japan. Rocket, Nebula, and Rhodey arrived. Rocket and Bruce quickly left for New Asgard to fetch Thor. Nebula, Rhodey, and Scott began thinking of suit ideas for the time traveling. Steve gathered together everything he could find on the Infinity Stones, the whole time itching to ask Y/N questions. He wondered if she knew more than they had learned from past experiences. And it wouldn't surprise him if she did.
Rocket and Bruce arrived back with Thor first. It shocked the team to see Thor in such a state as he was. His hair and beard were long once again, and he had gained more than a few pounds. It saddened Y/N to know that this had all taken such a toll on Thor. Her and Tony really had been one of the few lucky ones.
Rocket quickly began helping Y/N and Tony with the platform. Which Y/N was extremely grateful for because she could only understand, or do, very little of what Tony was asking of her.
Thor was drinking a beer as he clumsily walked towards the platform. Tony was walking from behind Thor, dragging a long hose.
"Drifting left," Tony warned Thor as he began to pass him. "On the side there, Lebowski." He faced Rocket, who was working underneath the platform. "Ratchet, how's it going?"
"It's Rocket," the raccoon corrected. "Take it easy. You're only a genius on Earth, pal."
"Thank you!" Y/N exclaimed jokingly, pointing at Rocket.
"Hey!" Tony exclaimed, a little hurt.
"I love you!"
Tony scoffed. "Sure."
Y/N giggled as she came up to Tony. "I'm sorry," she pouted slightly as she grasped his hand. "Forgive me?"
Tony sighed, rolling his eyes playfully. "I guess." He gave her a light kiss. "Want to go check out how the suit is coming?"
"Of course."
They intertwined their fingers and headed to where they were figuring out the suit. When they arrived in the room, Scott was in the suit with Nebula and Bruce working on it around him.
"How's it coming with the thingamajigger?" Tony asked as him and Y/N walked over to the Scott. "What's our status?"
"Now?" Bruce wondered. "Yeah, it's just about ready."
"Alright, let me see. Wow. Got a little Pym," Tony pointed, "Stark styling."
"Yeah."
"And the, uh, noggin bubble, courtesy of, uh," Tony turned to Nebula, "Rings of Uranus. What's your troop called?"
"The Guardians of the Galaxy," Nebula answered.
"We just need someone to test it," Bruce said, as he grabbed some small glass tubes with a red liquid and started doing something to Scott's suit.
"Time travel suit?" Rhodey questioned, walking in. "Not bad."
"Hey, hey, hey!" Scott exclaimed, stopping Bruce. "Easy, easy!"
"I'm being very careful," Bruce responded.
"No, you're being very Hulky."
"I'm being careful."
Scott held up a red tube. "These are Pym Particles, alright? And ever since Hank Pym got snapped out of existence, this is it. This is what we have. We're not making any more."
"Scott, calm down," Rhodey advised.
"Sorry. We've got enough for one round trip each. That's it. No do-overs. Plus two test runs." Accidentally pressing a button, Scott quickly shrunk and returned to his normal size. "One test run."
"Shit, Scott," Y/N muttered, shaking her head.
"Alright, sorry. I'm not ready for this."
"I'm game," Clint's voice suddenly came from behind them. They all turned to look at him. "I'll do it."
He looked different. It wasn't just his hair cut and his sleeve tattoo. It was his eyes. Clint had lost his wife and three kids. Y/N couldn't even imagine what he was exactly going through.
"Clint," Y/N gasped softly.
"Y/N," Clint responded with a nod.
Tearing up, Y/N let go of Tony's hand and quickly wrapped her arms around Clint's neck, bringing him in for a hug. Clint didn't hesitate to hug her back.
"I've missed you," she whispered.
"I've missed you too, Y/N/N," he responded. He pulled away and looked back at the others. "Suit me up. Let's do this."
~~~
Tony and Y/N got the platform set up and gathered everyone while Bruce, Rhodey, Scott, and Nebula got Clint situated. As everyone slowly gathered and Bruce came to help Tony, Y/N stayed back and close to the wall. She had started to tremble at the thought of the time travel actually working and all that came a long with it. Her head had also started to get fuzzy. And, from past experience over the years, she knew that a seizure could easily be triggered. Steve had noticed at discretely came over to her.
"You alright?" He whispered.
"I-I-I... I don't know," she responded, shakily. "This all... what if it works? And... what if it changes things? I... I can't lose Morgan. I-I can't."
Steve came around and cupped Y/N's face with his large hands. "You are not going to lose Morgan. I will not let that happen, I promise."
"You can't control that Steve... you don't know... I've seen things. I know things... something's still coming."
"What do you mean?"
She shook her head quickly. "I can't say anymore. I can't."
"Y/N-"
"Don't push this, Steve. I..." She swallowed, getting a tad dizzy. She gripped onto Steve's arm, trying to keep herself steady. "I... oh..."
Steve held onto Y/N's upper arms, noticing that she was struggling. "Talk to me, Y/N. What's going on?"
"Just keep me close. I'm not feeling so good."
"Maybe we should sit you down in the other room."
"No. I want to be here. I need to be here. Just wrap your arm around my waist and keep me close to your side. I don't want Tony to worry."
Steve gave in with a sigh before turning so that they were both facing the platform and wrapping an arm around Y/N's waist. Everyone else was at the control panel and Clint was taking his position on the platform.
"Alright, Clint," Bruce said. "We're going in 3... 2... 1!"
A helmet formed over Clint's head before he went quantum. That was the longest minute of everyone's lives. Y/N could barely breath as she stared at the space Clint once stood. When he finally rematerialized, Clint was on his hands and knees, breathing heavily. Natasha rushed up the platform, crouching down and cupping Clint's cheeks. Scott and Tony rushed up onto the platform as well.
"Hey, hey," she called. "Look at me. You okay?"
Clint held up a baseball glove and threw it at Tony. "Yeah, it worked," Clint said. "It worked."
Tony smiled triumphantly, holding the baseball glove, as he turned towards Y/N. She was the only one that didn't seem excited. In fact, her complexion was off and her breathing pattern had changed. Tony knew what was about to happen before her eyes even rolled back.
"Rogers!" Tony shouted, surprising everyone. "Get her on the ground and on her side. Now!"
When Tony had called out to Steve, that was when her eyes rolled back and Y/N began to seize. Steve quickly did as he was directed, already familiar with the routine. The whole team quickly surrounded them, with Tony and Bruce pushing to the front to help.
"What's going on?" Thor asked, confused and completely worried.
"She's having a seizure," Natasha responded. "She had a car accident a few years back, left her with some brain issues."
"When was the last time she had one?" Steve asked as he kept his sister on her side.
"Probably a little bit over a year," Tony replied, helping Steve.
They all let out a breath of relief when she finally stopped moving.
"Let's get her to her bed," Bruce suggested.
Tony picked her up. "I'll handle it," he said. "I'll get her settled and then we can figure out a plan."
They watched as Tony carried Y/N away.
"Steve," Natasha called gently, looking at her friend. "What triggered it?"
"I have absolutely no idea," Steve asked, keeping his eyes on the pair as Tony walked away.
~~~
Y/N immediately knew what had happened the moment she opened her eyes. She was laying in her bed, all tucked in, and Tony was sitting next to her, reading something on his tablet.
"How long have I been out?" Y/N asked, voice slightly horse.
"Hey, you're awake," Tony said, placing his tablet down and turning to face her. "You had us all worried."
"Sorry."
"What happened?"
"I was just thinking about... well, everything... and I guess I stressed myself over the edge."
"Maybe you should go home, stay with Morgan."
"No. I need to be here."
Tony pursed his lips as he studied his wife. He definitely didn't like the way she emphasized need. "Why? Why do you need to be here?"
Y/N sighed and closed her eyes. "You know why."
"No, I really don't. You've always been so vague around your destiny and the Stones and shit. Just tell me what's going on. What do you know?"
Y/N tossed her covers off and sat up, sitting on the edge of the bed facing away from Tony. "I can't say Tony."
"Like hell!" Y/N stood up, walking onto the balcony with Tony following. "If you're scared of the Stones, no need. They're gone, Y/N. You felt that yourself."
"You don't understand... Things could still happen and I can't have more lives on my hands than I already do."
"Y/N, what happened is not solely your fault."
"But it is. I was tasked to save everyone. And I failed...I failed Wanda, I failed Vision! I failed Peter! And Bucky!"
"Bucky," Tony scoffed. There had always been a question lingering in Tony's mind, fighting for an answer. But he was too frightened to know the truth. Until now. He had to know. "Are you still..." He studied Y/N for a quiet moment. "Are you still in love with him?"
"Tony..." She tried to turn away, but Tony grabbed onto her arms, keeping her facing him.
"No, you don't get to run away right now. I need an answer. If we're going to do this, bring everyone back. I need to know the truth, once and for all. That I wasn't the second choice, that I wasn't just the only option so you went for it... So, tell me, would you have chosen me if Barnes was still here?"