Shake and Break

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"This doesn't feel right, Tony."

Ana had her arms crossed over her chest as she watched the body of a fallen Avenger be wheeled into the back of a S.W.O.R.D. branded truck. Agents were all over the compound. She didn't like it. Compared it to ants infesting a home. Carol on the other hand was very accommodating, seeing as the government intelligence agency, Sentient Weapon Observation and Response Division, was founded by none other than her best friend, Maria Rambeau. Unfortunately, Maria was bed ridden at a hospital. Ana wasn't privy to the why, but it looked like Maria had sent her successor in her place to tie up a few loose ends. It was the governments way of trying to tidy up the world after the Snap had dusted countless officials in every agency. They were behind in their work. Still aiming to rebuild the nation. Ana thought it was questionable that their first efforts were to procure certain 'weapons' as S.W.O.R.D. had put it, but at the same time, she wasn't surprised.

Tony was standing beside her on the lawn, a coffee in hand. He adjusted the expensive sunglasses he wore and sniffed. The sun wasn't out. He was just tired. He didn't want to admit how much it bothered him that the synthetic android who once embodied the voice he grew up with was being taken away by people he barely knew. He couldn't get the image of the whitened body with a gaping hole in the forehead out of his mind. Tony elbowed Ana, "For the hundredth time, little lady, it's out of my hands." He said.

Ana's eyes narrowed as the doors to the oversized cargo truck locked shut at the press of a button. She could hear the locks fasten one by one on the inside. At least they were keeping him well protected. The agent standing behind the truck with the controls called out to his superior officer that the cargo was secured. Ana's eyes narrowed slightly at the word cargo.

"I don't care. Vision was one of us." Ana muttered under her breath after she noticed the Acting Director and Carol walk in their direction. Since meeting Carol, Ana had some time to get to know her, and the other way around. Despite most of her history being classified, Carol openly shared her past with Ana after realising who Marc was to her. Including the mystery surrounding Fury's left eye. Ana was still in denial on that one. There was a sense of trust between her and Carol. It formed easily and strengthened at every moment. After all, Ana had lost many of her friends. Natasha liked to remind her that it was about time she made new ones.

"You know what they're gonna do to him, don't you?" Ana whispered.

Tony dipped his glasses and faced her with a frown on his tiresome face. "Don't remind me."

Carol stepped up and motioned to the man who was in charge of the whole operation. His hair was greying, showing his age. He wore a black windbreaker over a suit and tie. Looked like your average government guy. Nothing about him bothered Ana — and that bothered her. "Guys, this is Tyler Hayward. He's the man watching over S.W.O.R.D. for Director Rambeau." Carol introduced.

Tony didn't extend his hands and sipped his coffee. "You know who I am."

Ana wanted to follow Stark's inspiring lead so very badly, but the sharp look Carol gave her made her think otherwise. Ana smothered in a sigh and shook Tyler's hand, feeling him tense underneath her grip. "Ana." She introduced herself shortly.

Tyler sent them both a tight-lipped smile. "I know what you're thinking. We're the bad guys taking your friend's body away into secure storage. But the Vision had set this up once he signed the Sokovia Accords. Section 36-B, to be precise. We're only honouring his last wishes." He explained.

Ana eyed Tyler. "Is that all you're gonna do with him? I mean, he's made of Vibranium. He's worth billions of dollars." She baited. The words she spoke left a sour taste in her mouth. She didn't like speaking of her friends in such a manner. Even if it was to lead another potential opposer on. Vision was more than rare metal and computer systems. He had a beautiful soul. Was able to feel sympathy and empathy. Had compassion and kindness. Was more human than humans. His loss cut too deep for Ana, especially since he died twice in the space of two minutes, once by the love of his life and the last by Thanos. Ana still couldn't get Wanda's scream out of her mind when Thanos had pulled the Mind Stone free from Vision. At that moment, she had felt every bit of horror and grief Wanda felt. To this day, Ana couldn't shake it.

"S.W.O.R.D. won't deviate from the Sokovia Accords just to make a quick buck." Tyler argued. There was an underlying tone of offence in his voice. "We're not like S.H.I.E.L.D. or HYDRA. Our agents are vetted thoroughly and then some. Nobody wants another Triskelion situation on our hands. Our division is mainly in observation, just like it says in the name. We also respond to certain threats unlike anybody has ever seen or dealt with before. I could tell you more, but you'll have to sign on first. Isn't that right, Captain?" He chuckled, sharing a smile with Carol beside him.

Carol nodded. "The Snap took out almost half of their workforce. S.W.O.R.D. is struggling to complete their missions in space which is why I've offered my services." She told Tony and Ana. Ana knew this already, though judging by the look on Tony's face, this was news to him. Even he had to admit Carol being on the team was a good thing. They would bicker and poke fun at one another, but they were growing close. Carol had saved him, and she wouldn't let him hear the last of it. Tony seemed a little disappointed at the fact that Carol wouldn't be on the ground for a while.

"Maria is very lucky to have you as a friend." Tyler said. "You'll be doing us a huge favor."

"We're all set, sir." A male agent stated as he stopped behind Tyler. Hayward dismissed the agent with a nod of his head and faced the three.

"It's been a pleasure to meet you. I hope we cross paths again." Tyler went to shake their hands, but stopped since it didn't go well the first time and sent them a fleeing smile instead. He ordered the agents still on the grounds to get into their vehicles and leave.

"I don't." Tony mumbled once he was out of earshot.

Before Carol could follow, Ana reached out and caught her hand. The blonde in the denim jeans and yellow shirt looked back at Ana with a small frown. "Hey, can you make sure they're careful with him?" Ana asked.

Carol could tell the situation had Ana on edge. She sent Ana a determined nod, and squeezed her hand in response. "I will." She promised.

Ana let go of Carol and watched her leave along with the rest of the S.W.O.R.D. agents. They all climbed into their vans and cars, following after the cargo truck with their exterior weapons activated for precaution. A little extreme in Ana's opinion. Tony cursed under his breath when he noticed the state the lawn was left in. Tire tracks were everywhere leaving mud and dirt visible. The garden bed Vision once tended to was in disarray. Ana made a mental note to fix it later. Tony pressed his index finger against the rim of his glasses and requested F.R.I.D.A.Y. to close the front gates once S.W.O.R.D. was gone.

Ana trailed off to the side, holding her phone in her hands. She checked on the messages she had sent to Daisy Johnson. She did this everyday for the past ten months. Still nothing. Ana was beginning to worry. "Can't believe Quake left me on read."

"What was that, little lady?"

Ana looked up at Tony when he joined her and sighed. He was aware of her daily efforts of getting in touch with the Inhuman called Quake and her team. "Have you had a chance to run over that list of old S.H.I.E.L.D. safe houses I gave you?"

Tony rubbed the back of his head. "Not yet. Ever since Pep found out we were pregnant, I've been trying to figure out where we're gonna raise our baby."

At the mention of baby Stark, Ana placed a hand over her heart. She would never forget the feeling she experienced once she learned that her friends were expecting a new addition to their family. Ana couldn't remember being that grateful for anything before. "Oh, Tone, you're gonna be a great dad. I'm so happy for you two. A gift like that in a time like this... it's a blessing."

"I know it's early days, but Pepper and I have been talking. And I want to nominate you to be the kid's godmother."

Ana went pale. "Godmother? Me? Why?"

Tony quirked a brow and removed his shades. "That's easy. I trust you. I love you. And you're probably gonna live for hundreds of years. Who better to take care of my kid when I'm long gone?"

Ana shoved him at the shoulder softly. "Hey, don't say that. You're gonna live forever, mister futurist. Even if you've gotta swap out some parts for armour." Then, a smile he barely got to see anymore made its way on her face, "And I love you too."

"So?" Tony pressed.

"Who is gonna be my godhusband?"

"It's a tie between Happy and Rhodey."

Ana snorted to herself. "Couldn't decide?"

Tony nodded. "I wanted Happy. Pepper thought I shouldn't give Rhodey another reason to be annoyed at me. So we tallied it up to co-godfathers."

Ana reached forward and wrapped her arms around Tony. He slung one arm around her back as the other still held the cup of coffee and pressed a kiss to the side of her head. "I'd be deeply honoured, tin-man. Thank you." She mumbled into his shirt.

"I expect perfection." Tony said as they broke away and turned to walk back inside. "And more attention. If I breathe in the same room as Pep, she just gives me a stink eye. It's all the hormones and whatnot. Last night she ate pickles and marshmallows in the same mouthful. Let me tell you I gagged right then and there."

"I think I just threw up in my mouth a little." Ana cringed also. "Don't know about the attention though. I'm all Thor's until he says otherwise. The big guy needs us. He's not getting any better. I thought the safe arrival of his people would cheer him up, and it did, only it reminded him of how many of them died just to get here."

"God, I don't think there's anything that can cheer Point Break up. Except mead. He loves his mead." Tony pointed out.

Ana grumbled. "A little too much if you ask me. He shouldn't rely on alcohol to make himself feel better."

"You're just bitter because it doesn't work for you." Tony poked her shoulder.

"Yes. Yes I am." Ana said.

Tony opened the front door and they stepped inside. He folded his sunglasses and hooked them at the neckline of his shirt. "How are you coping, by the way? I barely see you around here. Where you holed up these days?" He asked in all seriousness.

Ana tugged the loose strand of her hair behind one ear, and let out a heavy breath through her nose. "The Sanctum out on Bleecker Street. Most days I'm stuck in meditation. Helps a lot. Clears my head and gives me time to come to terms with it all." She told him. She undid the belt around her waist so her coat could pull back. Tony saw the sorcerer robes she wore underneath. The mystic runes in red against the base of black fabric seemed to glimmer. He also noticed the suit had scorch marks and minor tears. "Practising the Mystic Arts also gives me the chance to use all that pent up energy and frustration in a way that won't break the country in half. Just last week Ghost Rider and I were in the Hell Dimension for a bit."

Tony nodded casually at the news, bobbing his head. "Hell. Of course. Seen my dad yet?"

"Nope. Lots of demons though." Ana clicked her tongue. "They're so mean. One of 'em scratched me." She said, and shrugged out her left arm from her coat to show him the gauze Robbie had poorly fitted over the area. There were blotches of blood that had seeped through it. She couldn't heal them away. The pair of sorcerers she met on her trek into Hell with Robbie had supplied her with a salve that would help speed up the process.

"What was in Hell?"

"Flame Brain lost his friend through a portal. Helstrom or something was his name. Dude has a pentagram burned into his chest." Ana explained.

"Very rock and roll." Tony commented.

"Indeed." Ana chuckled.

"Wait a sec... Helstrom?" Tony questioned. "I think I know them. Well, Satana, at least."

Ana's jaw dropped slightly. "You know the Helstroms?"

"Satana was looking to sell, I was looking to buy." Tony answered vaguely. When Ana's brow rose, he elaborated. "She gets her hands on some pretty interesting pieces of history and art. Rare stuff."

Ana went to say a remark when her phone buzzed in her hand and she eagerly looked down at it. The hope of it being Daisy quickly faded when she saw it was just a reminder. "Well, I've gotta go. It's Thor's time." She said, placing her coat back on. She then winced and looked back at Tony. He seemed to have the same thought in his head.

"I totally missed the opportunity to say hammer time."

"I am so disappointed." Tony sighed. "I thought I taught you better."

Ana swatted his shoulder. The Sling Ring she carried around helped her create a portal. Tony placed his shades back on when the bright orange sparks filled the room.

"Don't forget about me!" He called out after her.

Ana jumped into the portal, finding enough time to look back at him before the circle closed completely.

"No one could ever forget about you, Tony Stark."

Ana sighed as she looked up at the afternoon sun, the mystic portal fizzling out of sight behind her. The golden rays shone down on the land of Tønsberg, giving it a warm glow. She closed her eyes and took it in. For the past few weeks, Ana had been visiting the cold and wet village close to the sea, helping the Asgardians build. After everything they had gone through from Ragnarök to Thanos slaughtering them on the Statesmen, the Asgardians needed a place to call home. Somewhere they could rest and live and love. Their days of glorious battle were over. They were stranded on Midgard, on a piece of land their ancestors once occupied. When Thor first introduced the Asgardians to their new home, Norwegian officials had intercepted, stating they couldn't just pick a spot to populate. In response, Thor had paid for the land with pure gold that was thousands of years old and asked them to never return. To leave them in peace. That seemed to do the trick. The officials had even renamed the place as per Thor's request — New Asgard.

Ana was shoved at the shoulder and she looked over at Brunnhilde. The Valkyrie was in human attire consisting of black sweat pants, yellow rubber boots and a matching puffer jacket. A big change from her white and silver battle armour. She was carrying a crate of tools and nails, motioning for Ana to pick up the wooden planks on the grassy hill behind her.

"Nice of you to drop by." Brunnhilde stated, offering her a half smile. "I want a few more cottages to be put up before the sun sets. Come on."

"Right." Ana nodded and lifted her hands, only for Brunnhilde to swat them back down. "No. No magic. We need to construct the mundane way. King's orders."

Ana rubbed the back of her hands and frowned. "Fine. Your loss. I just figured out how to build a mansion."

Brunnhilde gave Ana a side-eye. "Make me one later." She whispered and turned around, walking up the hill to the empty space a few yards away where there was already men and women building a ground framework.

"Yes, ma'am." Ana smiled slightly, and picked up the wooden planks that were much too heavy for anyone else to carry.

On her trek up the path, a few of the kids ran about, playing tag. She noticed the young girl she met during the Battle of Asgard, Solveig, scream out and laugh when she was it. Ana smiled. Solveig had lost both her parents due to the Snap. It was nice to see the joy on her face again. Solveig caught Ana's gaze and waved at her. Ana transitioned the planks to be on one hand so she could use the other to wave back. The interaction warmed her heart. She was grateful the little one was beginning to come out of her shell.

Once Ana made it to the patch of land needed a few more houses, she placed the wood on the ground and dusted her hands off. She greeted the others. Bjorn and Anders, two fathers without any family left, were hammering down nails left and right. She could tell this was a way for them to let out their frustration. After this, they'll head to the inn and drink until the day resets. Ana still couldn't believe Thor had them build the inn first. At the thought of her friend, Ana frowned. She barely saw him around anymore. He lived in the cottage closest to the cliff. Ana wasn't a fan of the sea below. Prevented her from venturing out and visiting Thor on her own. She figured he thought his work was done. His people were safe and they had a home. There was nothing else for him to do. Which wasn't true. There were hundreds of things to do. She just couldn't think of anything on the spot.

"You're not here today, are you?" Brunnhilde's amused voice made it to Ana, luring her out of her own head.

Ana hummed and drew her attention back to the task at hand. It took a few seconds for Brunnhilde's words to process in her mind, and Ana let out a long breath when they did. "I miss him."

"Then go see him."

"He won't talk to me."

"Make him talk to you."

"I don't wanna push it."

"Then don't."

"But then, I kinda wanna."

Brunnhilde rolled her eyes at Ana's indecisiveness. She took Ana's shoulders, turned her around so she was facing Thor's house, and nudged her forward.

"Yell out if you need me."

"I'm scared."

"Of Thor?"

"Of the water."

"Are you serious?"

"It's legit. Look, I'm already sweating."

"That's just the rain."

"It sucks here."

"I wanted to go to Broxton in Oklahoma."

"Broxton is way better. More sun."

"Then again, I'm not the King of Asgard."

"You should be."

"I know."

Brunnhilde let out a sigh and planted her hands on her hips. She looked at Ana for a while, at her creased sorcerer robes and tired dark eyes, before lifting her chin. "This doesn't have to be on you, you know? You're not obligated to be here."

Ana knew what Brunnhilde was referring to. Thor had already rejected the rest of the team's help for building New Asgard, said it needed to be done by his own craftsmen and architects. The Asgardian Way. Ana didn't seek out Thor's blessing. Thought he was being stubborn. Unreasonable. She just showed up one day and did the work regardless. Followed Brunnhilde all over the place like a shadow. She didn't even know if Thor was aware of it. It had gone on too long, and Ana was worried about him. She took a step closer to the cottage on the cliff and swallowed down the nerves of facing the vast sea.

"I know." Ana repeated. "I'm here anyways. Might as well go for it."

"That's the spirit." Brunnhilde said. "If you make it out without crying this time, we're having a bonfire tonight."

"Will Amora be there?" Ana questioned, ignoring Brunnhilde's jab about crying and formed her hands into fists when a sharp gust of cool wind hit her face. Was it too late to pack it up and move to Oklahoma?