21. Avengers: Age of Ultron (1)

        The team arrived in Sokovia to take down a HYDRA base. We planned for it to be a sneak attack, but that was not the case, as this base had many defence systems that the others didn't have. I was in the vehicle with Aunt Nat and Uncle Clint, wearing my Captain America suit and my hair in my classic two braids. Aunt Nat was driving, Uncle Clint was shooting arrows, and I was using force fields to keep anyone shooting from hitting us. Uncle Thor, Hulk, and Dad were on their own, getting anyone out of our way while Uncle Tony tried to find a way inside. When our vehicle got to a cliff, the three of us jumped out and fought on the ground.

"Shit!" Uncle Tony said after bumping into a shield of some sort. I knocked two guys out when Dad spoke over the com,

"Language!"

I made a confused face but didn't comment and let Dad continue speaking, "JARVIS, what's the view from upstairs?"

"The central building is protected by some kind of energy shield. Strucker's technology is well beyond any other HYDRA base we've taken," JARVIS responded. I did a back walkover and knocked out three more guys.

"Loki's sceptre must be here. Strucker couldn't mount this defence without it. At long last," Uncle Thor informed us. Nat came up behind me and knock out two guys, and added,

"At long last is lasting a little long, boys." She then shot another guy with her gun.

"Yeah," Uncle Clint said, "I think we lost the element of surprise."

"No kidding!" I yelled as I took out two more HYDRA soldiers.

"Wait a second," Uncle Tony started, "No one else is going to deal with the fact that Cap just said 'language?'"

"I know," Dad responded but didn't continue until a few seconds later, "It just slipped out. Katie, I want you with me."

I smiled at his answer and went to go meet up with him using force field steps. As I made my way to Dad, I knocked out at least ten more soldiers. When I landed back on the ground behind Dad, something ran around me at an incredible speed and then tried to knock Dad over.

"We have an enhanced in the field," Dad warned everyone, and I followed him as he ran.

"Clint's hit!" Aunt Nat yelled through the coms. I started to worry but focused on the mission. "Does somebody want to deal with that bunker? Thank you."

"Stark," Dad said, "We really need to get inside." Dad lifted me, and I landed on two guys, knocking them out.

"I'm closing in!" Uncle Tony told us. After a few minutes, he spoke again, "Drawbridge is down, people."

There were more soldiers around me and Dad, but Uncle Thor landed near us and knocked all of them down.

"The enhanced?" Uncle Thor asked us, and Dad responded,

"He's a blur. All the new player's we've faced, I've never seen this. In fact, I still haven't."

I let out a humourless, breathy laugh as we looked around to try and spot him.

"Clint's hit pretty bad, guys," Aunt Nat said, "We're going to need evac."

"I can get Barton to the jet," Uncle Thor said, "The sooner we're gone, the better. You, Katie, and Stark secure the sceptre."

"Copy that," Dad answered while I nodded and then spotted a bunch of soldiers heading our way.

"Looks like they're lining up," I said with a smirk.

"Well, they're excited," Dad replied. Thor raised his hammer, and Dad raised his shield while I took a step back and crossed my arms to put up a force field in front of me. Uncle Thor pounded on Dad's shield with his hammer, and the force knocked down all the HYDRA agents in front of us.

"Find the sceptre," Uncle Thor instructed us, then left to go help Aunt Nat and Uncle Clint.

"And for gosh sake, watch your language!" Uncle Tony added. I giggled as Dad sighed,

"That's not going away anytime soon."

"Nope," I stated, still giggling as we headed toward the central building of the HYDRA base.

"We're locked down out here," Aunt Nat told us, and Dad responded,

"Then get to Banner. Time for a lullaby."

Together, Dad and I continued to the building to find Strucker. After searching for a few minutes, Dad knocked out a soldier, then we ran into Strucker trying to escape.

"Baron Strucker," Dad stated, "HYDRA's number one thug."

"Technically, I'm a thug for S.H.I.E.L.D," Strucker replied, and I got sassy with him,

"Well then, technically, you're unemployed."

Dad placed a hand on my shoulder and spoke again,

"Where's Loki's sceptre?"

"Don't worry, I know when I'm beat," Strucker stated, "You'll mention how I cooperated, I hope."

"I'll put it right under illegal human experimentation."

"How many are there?" I asked with a tone when, suddenly, another enhanced knocked me and Dad down a set of nearby stairs but quickly left. On the way down, Dad held me in his arms against his chest, then we swiftly stood up, and Dad hurriedly warned the others,

"We have a second enhanced. Female. Do not engage."

Dad and I both looked at Strucker with stern expressions when he started speaking,

"You'll have to be faster than-" Dad didn't let him finish and used his shield to knock him out.

"Guys, we have Strucker," I told everyone, and Uncle Tony answered,

"Yeah, I got... something bigger."

We were all onboard the Quinjet and headed back home to Avengers Tower. I stood next to Dad and Uncle Thor, looking at the sceptre and being glad that we finally got it. Dad walked to stand behind me and placed his hands on my shoulders, then spoke,

"You did well today. I'm proud of you."

I leaned back against his chest and looked up at him with a smile,

"Thanks, Dad." After a minute or two, Aunt Nat shouted from beside Uncle Bruce,

"Thor, report on the Hulk?"

"The gates of Hell are filled with the screams of his victims," Uncle Thor stated proudly. Aunt Nat glared at him, and Uncle Bruce groaned in despair. I face-palmed and shook my head at Uncle Thor as he continued to try and fix it, "Uh, but not the screams of the dead, of course. No, no, uh... wounded screams, mainly whimpering, a great deal of complaining, and tales of sprained deltoids and, and uh... and gout."

"Hey Banner, Dr Cho's on her way in from Seoul, is it okay if she sets up in your lab?" Uncle Tony asked Uncle Bruce, who responded,

"Uh, yeah, she knows her way around." Uncle Tony came over to Uncle Thor, Dad, and me and started speaking while looking at the sceptre,

"It feels good, yeah? I mean, you've been after this thing since S.H.I.E.L.D collapsed. Not that I haven't enjoyed our little raiding parties, but..."

"No, but this... this brings it to a close," Uncle Thor answered, and I smiled at him.

"As soon as we find out what else this has been used for," Dad added, "I don't just mean weapons. Since when is Strucker capable of human enhancement?"

"Banner and I'll give it the once before it goes back to Asgard. Is that cool with you?" Uncle Tony stated. Uncle Thor nodded while Tony continued, "I mean, just a few days until the farewell party. You're staying, right?"

"Yes, yes, of course. A victory should be honoured with revels," Uncle Thor boasted.

"Yeah. Who doesn't love revels? Captain? Katie?"

I looked at Dad to see what he would say,

"Hopefully, this puts an end to the Chitauri and HYDRA, So, yes, revels."

I giggled, excited for another one of Uncle Tony's parties as the Quinjet landed. Aunt Maria and Dr Cho were waiting for us. Uncle Clint was to be taken to get fixed up, and I looked to Dad for permission to stay with Aunt Nat and Uncle Clint. Dad nodded, and I took Nat's hand as we made our way to the lab. Once Uncle Clint and Dr Cho were ready, she started fixing up Uncle Clint.

"You sure he's going to be okay?" Aunt Nat asked Dr Cho, "Pretending to need this guy really brings the team together."

I giggled at her comment from my seat behind where Uncle Clint's head was.

"There's no possibility of deterioration. The nano-molecular functionality is instantaneous. His cells don't know they're bonding with simulacrum," Dr Cho informed us.

"She's creating tissue," Uncle Bruce said excitedly.

"If you brought him to my lab, the regeneration Cradle could do this in twenty minutes."

"Oh, he's flattening," Uncle Tony said as he came in, "Call it. Time?"

"No, no, no. I'm going to live forever," Uncle Clint chuckled, "I'm going to be made of plastic." Uncle Tony handed Uncle Clint a drink,

"Here's your beverage."

"You'll be made of you, Mr Barton. Your own girlfriend won't be able to tell the difference," Dr Cho stated.

"Well, I don't have a girlfriend," Uncle Clint said.

"That, I can't fix. This is the next thing, Tony. Your clunky metal suits are going to be left in the dust."

"Well, that is exactly the plan," Uncle Tony responded as he handed me a drink, "And Helen, I expect to see you at the party on Saturday."

"Unlike you, I don't have a lot of time for parties." After a moment of hesitation, Dr Cho added, "Will Thor be there?"

I quietly giggled as she finished patching up Uncle Clint. Once Uncle Clint was all ok, Aunt Nat and Uncle Tony sent me to get cleaned up and start my school work for the day. I groaned, then said goodbye to Dr Cho and left to do my work.

For the next three days, I spent my time doing schoolwork, training and watching movies or reading. When it was almost time for the party, I started to get ready. I decided to curl my hair so it would have loose curls with a headband to keep it out of my face. was dark blue and flowy, and I wore it with a around my shoulders with the buttons undone. After the party had started, Uncle Sam, Dad and I decided to play some pool. Uncle Sam made a good shot and spoke,

"Ooooo, woo. Come back, come back, come back."

Dad and I laughed as we continued. Uncle Sam beat Dad, then I beat Uncle Sam. I was in a really good mood and having a great time. Dad and Uncle Sam seemed to want to have an adult talk, and Dad asked,

"Katie, honey, would you mind if we-"

"Dad, go. I'm a big girl," I said, laughing and not letting him finish. As the two men walked off, I was going to head toward to bar to get a drink when I was stopped by two women.

"Hi, Sweetie," the tall blonde started, "You're Captain America's daughter, aren't you? Kaitlyn? Katherine?"

"Katie. But, yes, I am."

"Very cool. How old are you? You seem a bit young to be at a party like this. Isn't it a little strange for you?"

"Well, when Tony Stark is your uncle, you tend to get used to all the parties and stuff." I awkwardly laughed, hoping to get out of this situation.

"If Tony Stark is your uncle, is he related to your Dad?" the shorter brunette asked.

"No, Uncle Tony and I aren't blood-related. We're just really close."

"Cool," the blonde spoke again, "So, is your Dad seeing anyone?"

I gave her a weird look, and she quickly added, "I mean, that must be weird for you if he is."

"Um, no, he's not. But, I don't think it would be weird, exactly."

"What about your uncle Tony? Is he still with Pepper? I haven't seen her all night," the brunette questioned.

"No, they're still together. Aunt Pepper is busy tonight."

"Right, so where is your Dad? I wouldn't think that he would leave you alone."

"Uhhh," I was starting to get uncomfortable when Uncle Tony came up behind me and placed a hand on my shoulder.

"Excuse me, ladies. I need to steal my niece away for some one-on-one time. Enjoy the party," he said, leading me away from them. I let out a breath of relief and looked at him with a small smile,

"Thank you."

"No problem, Munchkin. You alright?"

"Yeah. I just wish people like that would stop asking about whether or not my relatives were single or something and start asking about me."

"I know what you mean. When I was younger, everyone would always ask about my dad, and I hated it."

"What did you do?" I asked as he sat me down next to him, his hand on my back in a comforting way.

"Well, I resented my dad for it. But I don't want you to hate any of us, especially not me. So, I became the best me I could be, so others wouldn't want to ask about anyone else. Your time will come. Soon."

"Thank you, Uncle Tony," I hugged him, and we continued to talk for a little while until someone came over to have a conversation with him. I politely left and went to get the drink I had been planning on getting. Aunt Nat was behind the bar when I got there, and I crouched beside her to open my personal "Munchkin" mini-fridge. Once I grabbed an apple-flavoured juice box, I stood up next to Nat and put the straw in.

"So," I started, "How are you doing with Uncle Bruce?"

"What?" Aunt Nat asked, startled.

"Aunt Nat, I am not blind. You clearly have a thing for him, and he does for you. Just make a move."

She chuckled at my response.

"Alright, as much as I appreciate your advice, Sweetheart. It's not that simple."

"It looks that simple. Well, I'll leave you two be."

Uncle Bruce made his way over to us as Nat was finishing making her drink. I gave him a smile that he returned and walked away. Most people had left, so I went to talk to Dr Cho about her work.

Once everyone had left, except for the team and Dr Cho, we all sat in the living room area on the same floor as the bar. Everyone was either drinking beer or some other form of alcohol, besides me and my orange juice, while playing cards or joking around. I was laid down on the same couch as Dad and Uncle Thor with my head on Dad's thigh and my legs over Uncle Thor's thighs. We were currently on the topic of how only Uncle Thor could lift his hammer, and Uncle Clint spoke,

"But it's a trick!"

"Oh, no. It's much more than that," Uncle Thor assured.

"Uh, 'Whosoever be he worthy shall haveth the power!' Whatever man! It's a trick."

I giggled at Uncle Clint's argument.

"Well, please, be my guest." Uncle Thor gestured to Mjölnir on the table, indicating that Uncle Clint could give it a try.

"Come on," Uncle Tony urged him.

"Really?" Uncle Clint asked.

"Yeah!" Uncle Thor answered, and Uncle Clint made his way over to Mjölnir.

"Oh, this is going to be beautiful," Uncle Rhodey stated, making me giggle again.