donotseek | Darker Dodge Day #3,932

Tony raises an eyebrow at Jemma, which on anyone else might mean "Oh really," but on Tony it means. "Oh really...and how far did he get?" He sets the bag down and moves where Fitz can see him better. Before the fog he might have used his speed to amuse her, but he rarely used his powers anymore. The living metal in his system slowed him down and tried him out when he did choose to use his speed for something. He plays a round of peekaboo for her.

“He got as far as the saloon.” Iggy has never made it that far before. “And brought back the Star Wars Christmas Special.” Does anyone need to ever see that again?

Fitz, wide-eyed and utterly fascinated by the disappearance and reappearance of Tony’s face. Obviously, she’s never seen anything so fascinating.

Tony makes huffs a annoyed sigh. Normally he would have made a face about this, but he didn't want to scare the baby. He understands Iggy's curious nature he does, but he remembers another young curious man he'd cared about who had been taken away before he should have been. Tony has lost so much since the event. Peter, his wife maybe more. He hadn't spoken a full sentence in years and for years after the event he hadn't spoken at all. New Dodge had finally broken him, but he took his small joys where he could. Like playing with Fitz. He plays another around of peekaboo and then moves back to his work table and starts unpacking the bag.

Tony and Jemma agree that Iggy’s curiosity gets the better of him. That Tony understands Jemma’s concerns means a lot more to her than she can say. So she doesn’t. Instead, Tony is one of the few people allowed to hold Fitz. That says it all, doesn’t it?

Fitz giggles — she has deep dimples on both cheeks. Tony gets a full toothless grin from the baby.

“I hope there’s something you can use.” Jemma gives her daughter a kiss.

Fitz’s eyes follow Tony. She finds him completely enthralling.

Tony had always hoped to be a father after he'd gotten married, but the event had changed that hope. He had channeled that longing into the children of the Bunker making them toys and playing games with them when he had time. He looks through the bag pulling out various bits of wire and metal. Then he spots something at the bottom and pulls it out. The dusty ratty teddy bear makes a sad look cross his face for a second then it turns into a smile. He whistles at one of his robots and shows it the teddy bear. The robot zips out of the room and Tony starts to pull the stitches out so he can get to work on fixing the toy. Every little girl needs something to snuggle.

His hands both metal and flesh fly in a blur as he uses his speed to work. The robot returns with a few computer components Tony had been saving and he takes them without looking up from his work bench. In a few minutes the broken toy has been cleaned, restuffed and had a basic AI installed. He walks over and presents it to Jemma and Fitz pleased with his work.

Jemma can't see what he's doing, but there's a way to Tony when he expects someone to leave, and Jemma's not seeing that. So while Tony is busy, Jemma plays with her daughter. Tony will hear some babbling and giggling while he works.

It's the only time anyone who only knew Jemma before the incident, will recognize her. Fitz may not have been planned, but she's pure joy. Iggy and Elle will go outside. They've seen horrible things. Fitz is still innocent of all hardship, and Jemma wants to do everything humanly -- or even superhumanly possible -- for it to remain that way.

When presented with the bear, Fitz reaches out, opening and closing her hands. It's the classic baby gimme gesture. Jemma reaches out to take it, gently nuzzling her daughter with the bear.

"Look what Tony made you, Fitz. What a special present for a special girl."

Tony looks younger when he smiles his eyes a light with that joy being an Avenger used to bring him. His hair is more white these days with a streak or two of it's original dark hue in it. He also has more scuff then he used to though it's never grown into a full beard. He just wasn't the full beard type. He watches Jemma and her daughter quietly and then reaches over to push a button on the bear's back causing it to speak with a familar voice. "Hello doctor," Jarvis says warmly, "it would be my pleasure to help your daughter as she grows up provided you are alright with that."

It hurt to hear his former AI and friend's voice again, but Jarvis was designed after the real man who had a way with children that Tony had never forgotten. Fitz was in good hands.

Jemma laughs at JARVIS’s voice. In response to that, Fitz laughs too, and then grips the bear with all of her 6 months of strength.

“Absolutely, your help is welcome.”

Fitz babbles as if she’s answering the question too.

"Yes of course I understand you," JARVIS says to Fitz with a warm sound in his tone. "At least I understand the main point of what you are trying to say Miss Fitz." Tony smiles and nods. "Emotion," he explains to Jemma as if one word said everything.

Fitz squeals again at the sound of her name. She's already in love with her bear. Because she's of the age that love can only be shown one way, she starts gumming the bear's ear.

That one word does explain everything for Jemma. "It's a brilliant present, Tony. Thank you."

Tony ducked his head briefly and then looks at her fondly. "Wish," he says wistfully. He wishes things could go back to normal that those who lived in the foglands would come home, he wishes Jemma didn't have to fear for her family and that he had his Emily back. Sometimes the burdens of those left behind is hard to carry.

Throughout the years, Jemma’s become capable of understanding even the most vague of Tony-isms. She wishes too they could go back to a time where everything Tony did was pronounced as awesome — by Tony himself.

“Me too. But we can make things better for her.”

Sounds optimistic, doesn’t it? Almost like the old Jemma? Well, the old Jemma wouldn’t do half of what this Jemma would do to insure it. Why? Some of it’s not entirely sane.

Darker Dodge Day #3,932

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