James remains silent for a moment, lips pressed together, and the silence drags out for a few moments following Q’s comment. eventually, though, James’ lips break into a sly grin and he leans in just a little closer, uncaring that the room is full of Q’s team as he lowers his voice. ❝ you have to know how that sounded. ❞
"So what do you want to do? This is your call, Kid..." Happy looked over at Mira, who was still watching Peter and EJ get settled in the back of the jet. Not six hours ago, she had been laying on a Spanish beach. And now here she was, in the Netherlands of all places, picking up her kid brother (and their adopted spider!brother) because of some dude with a fishbowl on his head?
"I want to drop them in New York and go back to doing absolutely nothing."
"But...?" Happy had known Mira her whole life; he knew when a 'but' was coming.
"But that's not going to stop this...Mysterio. Or keep the rest of the kids from getting killed."
"Does this mean what I think it means?" Though he had so far been silent, Cal piped up at Mira's remark -- a Cheshire grin gracing his features. While he had very much been enjoying their so-called "Summer of No Responsibilities" (and the fact it had, thus far, been missing one James Rogers), he also wasn't about to turn down the chance to fuck some asshole up. One could only go so long living in their world without itching for a fight.
"It does." Taking a moment to look at Cal, she reached for his hand even as her attention turned back to the two younger boys. "All right. Let's hear it...everything you know about Mysterio. That, and where your class is headed. Cause if nothing else, we need to get MJ and Ned out of there." Whether or not the rest of class was be targeted, they would be for certain.
"Uh..." Peter tried to recall everything they went over during the meeting with Fury...that and their subsequent conversations... "His name is Quentin Beck. He's apparently from an alternate earth that was destroyed by these elementals. But if that's the case, then why would he n...."
"Wait. Did you say Quentin Beck?" Mira turned back to Happy. "I've heard that name before. Can you...?"
"Calling your mom now."
"Thanks. Okay. Continue."
"He said he was from an alternate earth but he had these projectors and drones and..."
And that sounded a whole lot like Stark tech. The sooner Happy got Mel on the phone, the better. "Forget Beck for a second. I know I asked about him, but until I talk to my mom...where is your class now?"
"Headed home, I think."
"Yeah. They were supposed to leave from London, but we went to Berlin to see Fury."
"Which was when Beck showed up."
"Can you confirm they got on the flight?"
Grabbing their phones, the two boys began to try and text Ned. Meanwhile, Happy, now waiting for Mel to cross reference Beck's name, tapped Cal on the shoulder and handed him his phone -- Flash's latest live stream running.
"They're still in London."
"Then looks like we're headed here."
"But our stuff is wrecked."
"Both of you?"
At the synchronized nods, Mira sighed. "Then it's a good thing Starks never pack light. Happy?"
"On it...talk to your mother..." He passed the phone to Mira while hitting a button in one of the front panels that opened up a back section of the plane. "You two should find everything you need there."
EJ grinned, taking it all in. There were multiple stations set up. One clearly intended to be for Peter, the other for him. But then... "Hey, Hap? Who's the third station for?"
At that, the former bodyguard just grinned and slid into the pilot's seat. There wasn't much actual piloting to be done -- everything was automated and controlled by Tony's AI tech but still. It made him feel like he had some control over the situation.
While the boys got to work, Mira listened as her mother filled her in on Beck's background. "So not from an alternate earth?"
"No."
"And not actually super powered?"
"Nope."
"Well that makes this all easier."
"If you want backup, I can call Bex. Have James sent out there. Or you know how to reach MI-6..."
"We got this Mum."
"We?" Mel was more than a little bit intrigued by that declaration.
"Yeah. We. EJ, Pete, Callum, and I...we...we can handle it."
"I know you can. Be careful. And try to keep Happy out of danger."
"Always. Tell Morgie we miss her and are bringing home tons of presents."
"I will. Love you, Baby Girl."
"Love you too, Mum." Hanging up, she handed the phone back to Happy.
"You sure you're ready to do this?"
"No." She wasn't sure she'd ever be ready. But someone had to do it. And she wasn't about to let Peter and EJ go it alone. Not after all they had already been through.
"He'd be proud of you, you know."
"Hap..."
"He would. He always knew you could be so much more than you pretended to be. He was just waiting for you to realize it."
Not sure what to say to that, she reached out and hugged him. "Thanks..."
"Any time. Now how about you show those boys how it's done. I'll cue up the tunes."
And with that, Back in Black filled the air as Mira de-tached herself from Happy and headed back to join EJ and Peter. "Move over..."
"Mira?"
"What? You think I'm going to let you have all the fun. No way. I've been working on this for a while now. You know...just in case...but I could probably use another set of eyes..."
"Let me see!" EJ pressed the button that would set his own suit up for creation before moving to look over his sister's.
" i can't tell if they're suspicious, or if they're just checking you out. "
James hums, swirling his drink in his glass as he feels the edges of his lips tilt upwards. he doesn’t glance at the target though, just in case, and instead speaks against the rim of his glass as he lifts it to his lips. ❝ am i detecting a hint of jealousy in your tone, Q? ❞
𝐒𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐊𝐄𝐃, 𝐒𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐋 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄𝐒, unsure if she heard Q right. Her hands clutched the folders of Blofeld as she looked at him. “Are you sure?” she questioned, brow furrowing. It was no secret that Madeleine had been...entangled with Jame. It was also no secret that there was a duel purpose for her working with MI6. She wasn’t the most friendly of people, but the offer to join Q and a few others for dinner that night took her by surprise.
Slowly, a smile formed on her lips. “If you don’t mind. I’ll come.” She’d have to inform her babysitter of her extended hours but...Madeleine could make it work. It’d been a very long time since she had a friend. Or engaged in a social activity.
" thank you for not asking questions. " @cleverlittleq
Bond’s lips tug up in a small smile at that. “I’d be a bit of a hypocrite if I did.” Besides, he owes the quartermaster for all the times he’s helped James without asking any questions. “You’ve put your arse on the line for me countless times, it’s the least I can do.” If Q needs him to extract information without telling Mallory, he’ll do it in a heartbeat.
“ things must be catastrophic if you’re calling me at this hour. ” @cleverlittleq
“Of course not, this is an entirely social call.” The sound of gunfire on his end of the line gives him away. Probably not the time to be joking, but when has that ever stopped James?
“Would you believe me if I say I’m genuinely blameless right now?” He stops talking for a moment, firing a few rounds and ducking around a corner before he starts back up. “I was hoping you could direct me to the safe house in Berlin?”