Women of the Avengers
Darcy Lewis
Wayne Load, was a good child, well he tried to be, at least that is what he thought. He always loved animals, he want to be a veterinarian when he grew up. He loved soccer,baseball, and football, he always tried his best to win. He loved school, Mom, and everyone, he was a happy child.
But there was one person that made him doubt his love, and that was his father. Especially when he drank, or did drugs. His mom worked for a big corporation, she would take him there some times so that he could meet and play with new friends.
Stark Industries always had family activities, so that working parents could spend more time with their children. Darcy Lewis was one of the planners. She helped start the first kickball league in NYC history. This was the first year of the league and the team that won the championship. Would get the best prize ever, an entire day with the Avengers. So each team tried their hardest.
Wayne's team was currently tied for the lead with 5 games left. He was one of the best kickers, well that was until one night his father came home drunk and punched him hard in the leg. Wayne was crying, his father yelled at him, called him worthless, garbage scum, a whole lot of curse words. His father punched him again in the leg over and over.
He reached to pick him up and shake him while screaming in Wayne's face. He threw Wayne down on the bed, but he bounced off the bed on to the floor. The father kicked him in the leg, just as his mom came in room. She screamed and cried for him to stop.
He cursed at her and pushed her against the wall. She backed down afraid that he would hurt her again. He yelled at her, and slap her, calling a worthless whore. He stumbled out of the room.
She ran over to Wayne and picked him up, they both cried and held each other all night long, Wayne was praying for an angel, to save them.
The next afternoon Wayne showed up to play, he was wearing long sleeves shirt and pants to cover his bruising. He told the coach that he forgot his playing clothes. The coach was not happy and made him sit out the game, but because of that they lost the game.
His team was mad at Wayne for letting them down. Darcy was watching the game and noted that Wayne didn’t play,she also could see from the way he moved something was wrong it was May, and he was dressed for October.
"Some wrong my lady," asked Loki, he had noticed that she was staring at some child on the bench wearing clothing that covered his body.
"Yeah there is something wrong with that kid."
Darcy made a mental note to look at his file, she would ask Jarvis or Agent Hall to do it. At the end of the day’s games, the tie was still between the two teams. Wayne's coach noticed that he was walking a little different, he had a thought to ask, but he had too much to do right now.
Later that day, Robert, Steve, and Clint were watching a movie on TV, when Robert, heard from behind him. “Um, Robert, can you look into something please?” it was Darcy, she handed Robert a piece of paper with an address and name. Robert took the paper with a confused look, when he went ask why for the reason, “Something is not right, okay?” Robert nodded his head, he had learned to trust everyone feelings, over the past months.
Robert excused himself and went down to his floor, as he turned on the computer and typed the information. He wondered what he would pull up the person, ‘Hmmm. Wayne Load, nine years old, hispanic, no police record, no gang affiliates, and general a good kid. Lives with Mother and Father, Mother is an employee of S.I., has a good work record., Father has been unemployed for five years. arrested for dui, three times, Oh Fuck, has been arrested for domestic abuse twice, suspected child abuse, but child services never followed through with it, fucking great!!!’
Robert leaned back in his chair, Child abuse was a very touchy subject. It never happened to him, but he had seen it enough times with the FBI, that is made his skin crawl. “Jarvis, ask Darcy to come down here.”
“Right away Agent Hall.”
A few minutes later Darcy came down, with Betty and Jane, Robert raised his eyebrows. “I had a feeling that this was going to be bad, so I asked them to come,”
“That is okay Darcy, I am afraid to admit, but you are right.” and with that Robert read the child’s information. Everything was okay, until he got to the Father, and then Darcy got upset. “What.. what. can you do.”
“Right now, not a lot, I will contact child services, but we are going to need some help here. Photos would help, if there are other child that live at the house, a full confession would be nice,”
Robert stated.
“Okay, just try and help please?”
“I will, and I am being serious okay.” Robert answered
So the ladies left his floor, Robert picked up the phone and called child services, he talked to lady that had just started there, this would be her first case. She would look into it tomorrow and get back to him.
As he set the phone down, He asked Jarvis to find Pepper, she was still in her office, so he called over to her, and explained everything to her. Pepper offered a meeting with the woman tomorrow, Robert agreed with that, for some reason, time seemed important.
So the next day, Child services showed up at the school, that Wayne went to, they talked to him for a little while, Wayne would not let them take photos of himself, he knew that would make his father angry. The lady promised he would be safe, he did not believe her, he was promised that before, he was still healing from that beating.
Kim was told by her boss to go to this room at 11am, as she entered the room, she swallowed hard, there was a man in a suit, a blond hair woman and red haired woman sitting at the table, They explain who each of them were and what the matter was about. Kim denied everything and that they had no business poking their noses where it did not belong. “Mrs. Load, I will remind you that if you are hiding or covering any form of abuse in your home, you will be charged as well.” She got up to walk out the door, “Look, I know you hearts mean well, but please, I beg of you, stay out of my home. Good bye.” and with that she went back to work.
Pepper looked at Robert, who was scratching his forehead. “Not much we can do here, by the law, I mean.” Natasha nodded in agreement.
Wayne was walking home, when he heard his name called, he looked over and it was his mother. He smiled, with one that could light up any room. As he got into the car, his mother asked him if anyone talked to him today. He told her everything that happened, she proud of him keeping his mouth shut, and then they went home.
That night Robert talked to the lady from Child services, she was not able to do anything because the law was clear, they had nothing to go on, so they had to drop it for now..
The next game Wayne showed up, he was correct clothes, even though they were long sleeves and pants. They were of lightweight material, and team colors, he looked good in them, but his leg was killing him. He knew they had to win the game, the other team lost earlier, he played as hard as he could, and in the end they won, they were in first place with three games left to go.
Robert, Darcy, Pepper, Natasha, with Bruce and Betty were all watching, Darcy “He plays with his heart on the line.” It broke her heart she knew he was in pain.
“He is a lot of pain, his body movements aren’t naturally they are planned out,” Bruce noted
One of Wayne’s team members came up to him and slapped in the arm, He howled in pain and immediately grabbed it, tears were in his eyes. “He played it off that he hurt it during the game.”
The Avengers heard the howl, and winched at the sound.
Darcy turned to Robert, ”Can’t you do something?” she pleaded.
Robert just shook his head, “I can do something, it just wouldn’t be legal. I could send a strike team in, but that will solve nothing. They have to come to us for help. I understand that you want to save them, but you have to want to be saved in order for it to work.” as they all walked out of the gym.
“He is right, I have had coworkers that were abused by their spouses, well they were forced out or rescued. Well they went back to it, and it got worse for them.” Betty replied
“Were you ever hit, Robert?” Darcy asked, the question made everyone stopped
Robert took a breath, “Yes, but I earned it” Everyone gasped, “No, I know what you are thinking, but it was the correct punishment.”
“What could you have ever done to say that you earned that?” Darcy almost shouted
“Well, I blew up my sandbox, with ten gallons of gas, then almost burned the garage down with both cars and a motorcycle in it, twice. I poured gas on the floor. and then there was the time I poured gas in a bush by my house.” Robert thought for a second, “yup that is it,”
Everyone was just looking at Robert, like he had a fourth head, “Yeah I would have killed you, I have to be honest.” Natasha
Even Darcy was having a hard time arguing with that point, they started to walk again
Things were okay in the Wayne’s home, his dad was in jail for public intoxication charge, so he would be in there for a week or so. Wayne was happy, he could heal up. and then win next week, they would automatically be the champions if the other team loses. Then he could meet Captain America, Iron Man, or even the Hulk. Maybe he could get the Hulk to beat up his dad, yes it was a good week.
It was a good week, his father came home two days later, and he was pissed off to hell. They left him there, so that they could relax, he would teach them. He went into the house and saw them watching tv, well he picked up the TV and smashed it into the ground, Wayne tried to get away, but the father grabbed him by the next and started to yell at him, calling him worthless and a piece of shit. He slapped Wayne down to the ground with the back of his hand, Kim tried to stop him, but he was too strong, he punched her in the gut a few times and screamed at her for ten minutes. Finally he was done, he walked into the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of rum, he walked upstairs and ordered them, the wimps, the crybabies to clean up the mess.
Kim looked at her son, bleeding, the blood mixing in with his tears. She had to do something, she couldn’t ignore this anymore, she needed help. So the next day at work she asked her boss if she could make a phone call, she picked up the phone. Pepper had given her a card, that if she changed her mind, to call, she started to dial the numbers, With each number she pressed her willpower grew weaker, she had two numbers to go, but she was scared to press them.
What if they couldn’t help, what if it was a trick, he would kill them. He threaten them to that point, his anger was pure evil. She hung up the phone, maybe it will get better, it was her fault.
Wayne did not go to school, he was sick with the flu, all he did was sit in his room, look out the window. He imagine a happy family, his father would come home from work, mom would have made dinner already, there would be hugs and kisses all around for everyone. They would have a dog named Skip, and cat named Fuzzy. He would often have this vision, but it was never true.
Darcy was walking around the tower, when she bumped into a woman in the elevator, she knew who the woman was, from the files. It was Wayne’s mother, and she had bruising around the neck. Darcy wanted to stay quiet, she remember what everyone said., but she couldn’t
“Jarvis please stop this now.” and the elevator came to stop
“As you wish Miss Lewis,”
Darcy, took a deep breath, as she felt her eyes swell up, turned to face the woman who was scared out of her mind. “Look I know I shouldn’t do this, but I have to, Wayne is such a wonderful child, and you seem nice. Let’s help you , I know we can, I know a billionaire, he will build you your own development. I know two master spies that will take out that son of bitch in a heartbeat. I know two demi gods that will take you two to another planet. There are three brilliant scientist that will help you as well, one of which will turn into the Hulk, who is totally loveable guy, as long as you don’t shoot him and it is this guy who works for the federal government will do anything to help.” Then she took a deep breath.
Kim just smile, “I know you mean well, and your heart is true. I will think about it and call you tomorrow.”
Darcy just nodded, “okay. thank you.” as the elevator doors opened and KIm walked out.
“Miss Lewis,”
“J-man, Darcy please.”
“Sorry, that was truly a honorable thing that you just did.”
" I hope so too man, I hope so"
Kim went home saw the house wasn't destroyed. She made dinner it was going to be a perfect night everything is going to be ok. Wayne came downstairs and saw his mom smile the dinner table was set and the food look delicious. Then he came in.
Then he came home once again high on cocaine and drunk. He was cursing at them criticizing them for acting like they were better than him that they were nothing, but worthless garbage. He took the table and he flipped it over and then he punched Wayne in the face and broke his nose is Kim saw the blood from her son's face with tears. She had it, Kim couldn't take it anymore she took the frying pan and with all her might, she nailed him right on the head. He slumped on the ground, she picked up the phone and she called it.
The phone rang and she picked it up "Hello" Darcy said her eyes widened "Kim where are you at?" Quickly Darcy grab some spaghetti sauce and started to write the address on the table "Yes we will be there soon just hold on, “ She looked up and saw that everyone was looking at her, like she had gone completely insane, “Oh yeah,” Darcy quickly explained to the team. “Look I am sorry, I ran into Kim on the elevator and I pleaded with her to get help. Well that was her on the phone, she smack the asshole with a pan, Wanye is bleeding.”
Robert just looked at Darcy for a few seconds and shook his head, "I should have guessed this would happen.” He took out his phone and call a local NYPD branch. He spoke to the stations captain and had two cars dispatched to the location.
"Steve, Darcy with me. Clint and Natasha, Bruce backup, Tony, can you be surveillance from above, let's roll." They all hurried to the SHIELD vehicles, that were equipped with police lights and sirens.
"Why are we all rushing over there?" Darcy asked
"I have seen many times,when the victims are ready to leave. Things get ugly real fast, and deadly," Robert replied with a grim face, as they all piled into the suvs and headed to the location.
Tony arrived at the house before everyone, he did a thermal scan and it showed two signatures on the upper floors and one on the floor below them not moving. He reported the findings to the rest of the team.
The police officers arrived at the house, Tony flew down to greet them and let them know what he found. Unfortunately at that moment the father started to wake up, he saw the emergency lights outside. He pulled the gun out of his back and made sure it was loaded. He then walked upstairs, with one thought if he was going down so were them.
Kim and Wayne had just finished getting the things together and going to go outside. When they turned around and saw the monster pointing a gun at them, their hearts just stopped.
"Sir, my scans show that there are three people on the second floor and the larger heat signature might be armed," Jarvis reported to Tony.
The officer picked his radio, "Dispatch, we have a 1210, suspect is armed, request bus, 10-10 and Cau."
"10-9 all units officers at address 10-10, 10-4 on buses and Cau. Also supervisor on route with Swat." Dispatch replied
"Robert, what the hell is going on?" Darcy asked
"Not good, they have a hostage situation, he is armed, and they sending backup with medical services and child services." Robert answered, he switched channels on the radio, "Barton, did you copy that?"
"Copy 10-4, eta ten minutes. Banner wanted to know his status."
"Roger, status is medical, copy. No, I repeat no code green."
"10-4 agreed."
As they raced to the location, Tony went back up to observe what was happening, the father was enraged accusing them of betraying him.
Wayne was scared as he was held by his mother. He thought he was going to die. But then he saw Iron Man, the Avengers were here. There was hope.
Kim didn’t know what to do, she was glad the police were here. She couldn't believe how her life changed so badly. The man she married and fell in love with, now held a gun at them.
Robert and the rest of team arrived at the house ten minutes later. Swat was on site and setup, they were trying to call and negotiate, but he wouldn't pick up the phone.
The father was pacing back and forth in the room. He wanted to kill them for putting him in this situation. But he wanted her to suffer, the worthless whore bitch.
"Clint get yourself set up on that roof, fire only with a clear line, Natasha do your magic, Steve come with me, we will go in through the back. Leave the shield here, space will be tight. Officer get the Swat on the front" And then Robert handed Steve a gun. Everyone went into mission mode.
Clint got on a roof, he lined up, but he could only see the mom and son. He saw it their eyes, they were scared to death.
Natasha started climbing up to where she was next to the window on the other side but her view was obstructed she also could see Kim and Wayne.
Wayne looked over and he thought she saw a woman in black with red hair, he couldn’t believe it. The Avengers were here to save them. He smiled a little, well the father got really pissed off and started to curse.
Robert and Steve got in through the back, as they moved slowly through the house. Moving with such caution, but also with a little speed. They walked up the stairs ever so slowly.
The Swat was setup on the front, ready to smash the door in.
Darcy just held her breath, she wanted everyone to be okay. She wanted Wayne and Kim to be alright. Why didn't she do more to save them.
The father cursed and cursed, "You think those freaks will save you, I am going to make you suffer and live in hell!!" He moved the gun to point it at Wayne and he took a step forward, and put his finger on the trigger.
Kim decided at that moment, she quickly pushed Wayne out of the way as the gun went off. Then she felt like she had been hit by a truck, darkness was all she could see.
Clint saw the gun, he took aim, took a breath and let it fly. Unfortunately it was a sixteenth of a second too late.
Natasha heard the gun go off, and broke into the room through the window, she saw him and with one roundhouse kick. He was down as the door burst open.
Robert and Steve heard the gun go off, Steve kicked the door open, Robert saw the target down and went to secure him. Only after he was in the cuffs did he hear the screaming.
Swat heard the gun go off, they broke down the door and secured the house. Then they into the room and got on the radio requesting EMT, ASAP.
Darcy heard the gun off, the cops go into the house, but then she heard the bloodcurdling screaming that made everyone stop for a second in their tracks. "MOMMY!!!" Her heart sank to the lower of low
Robert got off the suspect and ran over to Wayne. He was checking Kim vitals they were weak at best.
Natasha and Steve checked Wayne, he was okay physically, but the screams and tears wouldn't stop. Steve just hugged him.
The officers secured the father and pulled him out of the room. The medics came in and started working on her. Banner was with them to help, they tried to stop the blood.
Later that night, Robert had finished talking to Fury. He wanted the reports the next day. He did actually congratulate them on a nice job, he offered his condolences.
Darcy just sat in a waiting room with Wayne holding him, he had finally fallen asleep on her lap. His face was cleaned up. She was staring forward, she didn’t even notice a man kneel down next to her.
"Hey, you alright?" It was Robert , offering a weak smile.
"What, oh, um yeah, I guess,"
"You know that you did everything that you could. That there was nothing more you could have done.”
"Yeah, Clint and Natasha already told me that, what is going to happen to him?" As she looked at the child, whose future was so unclear.
Robert let out a sigh, "Well, I talked to child services, and his grandparents are flying in from Florida, thanks to Tony. I guess he will live with them."
"I wish I could have done more to save them"
"Darcy, you went above and beyond, if you hadn't talk to her, they might both be dead."
"I know, it hurts, why did she have to die."
"Because she wanted him to live." And then he put his arm around her, and held her until Loki and Thor showed up. The grandparents came in, it was so late, Tony and Pepper offered them to stay in a guest room at the tower.
Two weeks later, Wayne’s team was in the championship game, Wayne’s grandparents, stayed at the tower so that he could play. He was determined to play his best, it was a good game. His team won the championship, Wayne won the M.V.P. of the season.
The next day at the cemetery Darcy, Agent Hall, Pepper, Jane, and the rest of the Avengers, watched a boy with two elderly family members.
Wayne was standing in front of Kim’s site, “Mommy, we won the championship. Grandma and Grandpa, said that we are going to head down to Florida. Mr. Stark told them, that I will be able to go to any college I want to, that he will set up a fund for me.” Wayne took a breath, “I miss you, I love you, I am always going to remember what you did for me.” He took off a medal that he was wearing, “I will always remember you, but you deserve this more than me.”
He walked up to the stone, and he carefully draped the medal over the stone. So that it was directly under her name. Wayne walked back to his grandparents, and they had a group hug.
The Avengers just watched, a few of them had some tears fall, then a soft voice spoke,”That boy is filled with honor, and love.”, Commented Thor, everyone just looked at him and smiled. Thor felt someone put a hand on his shoulder, When Thor turned to see, he was surprised to see it was Loki.
“Yes, he is,”
A few months later, Darcy Lewis was in the courtroom for the State of New York vs Bill Load, he had plead not guilty to first degree murder. When asked by the defense, "So Miss Lewis, you were in the elevator with her, why didn’t you stop her. You could have done more."
Darcy took a breath, she looked into the courtroom and saw Robert nod. "I did everything I could, according to what the law allows"
"Oh really, and what does the law allow."
"I can only save someone, if they want to be save."
Three weeks later, Bill Load was found guilty of First Degree Murder and sentenced to Death
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