Tiny little Tasha 21

Chapter 21:

"Aye, I hath faced this witch before," Thor said grimly. "But I fear she is not working alone. This method of changing.... it is not with any of the potions we have in Asgard."

"But Stark Industries keeps close tabs on this sort of thing. Tony devoted a whole division to it," Pepper explained softly, keeping an arm around Tony's shoulder.

"SHIELD monitors these things too," Phil added.

"Then what if this guy isn't even known yet?" Bruce mused. Clint was about to interject when Darcy began to cry. Tasha toddled around the couch, her head hung in shame as if she was directly involved in the screaming infant. Seriously, there was not enough advil in the world for THREE children in the tower. Pepper sighed and scooped the girl up, setting her onto her hip.

"We can speculate until we're blue in the face. That's not going to feed these kids and put them to bed," Jane said, the exhaustion she felt slip into her tone as she cuddled Darcy to her chest, trying to shush the child.

"I'll call for pizza," Bruce said, grateful for an excuse to leave the room.

"Where is the good Captain Rogers?" Thor asked.

"He should be back tonight. He and some friend of his in DC were chasing down a lead," Bruce explained.

Tony pouted, watching as everyone buzzed around him, feeling very VERY left out.

* * * *

"Reed is going to want to know about this Tony," Bruce said. Tony ignored him, playing with the olives that had rolled off his pizza. "Tony?"

"I'll make sure that he gets the memo," Pepper said, tapping Tony on the shoulder.

"Why can the man of iron not do such things himself?" Thor asked. 

Tony shifted in his seat uncomfortably. He may like attention as a big boy, but when he was little, it could be quite daunting to even have Mommy's attention. Let alone Mommy, seven extra sets of eyes was enough to make him want to hide under the table. "I-I'll call 'im," Tony said, trying to make his voice sound normal, and failing miserably. However, Darcy managed to distract everyone then by knocking her plate on the floor, giggling at the mess she made.

"Darcy!" Jane gasped. "I'm so sorry Pepper."

"It's fine. Won't be the first or the last time I'm sure," Pepper sighed, going to grab the paper towels.

Tasha moved to try the same thing, but Clint instantly put his hand on her plate. "Don't even think about it," He said firmly.

"But Darcy did it!" Tasha whined.

"Darcy's a baby, she doesn't know any better," Bruce said wisely. "You're bigger, you have to show her how to behave."

"Really? I have to help the baby?" Tasha asked excitedly.

"Yes Tasha, and that starts with eating all of your dinner," Pepper said. The little girl smirked, and ate easily enough after that.

"Um, I managed to get what I imagined Darcy would need for the night, but um..." Jane hesitated.

"We do need to get a few things, especially with Darcy so... small," Pepper said easily. "I was going to see if Sue Storm wanted to go shopping tomorrow as well."

"Can I come too Mommy?" Tasha asked hopefully.

"....We'll see," Pepper said. Tasha smiled happily.

* * * *

"Hold still Tasha! You're going to get soap in your eyes!" Pepper scolded.

"But Darcy is bugging me!" The little girl whined. Darcy babbled unintelligibly, crawling on top of the older girl.

"Aww! How cute!" Jane cooed. The adorable moment was shortlived though. Tasha shoved Darcy off of her, causing the infant to begin bawling.

"Tasha!" Pepper scolded again. "I'm sorry Jane."

"It happens," She said with a shrug, scooping Darcy up in a fluffy towel.

Pepper turned back to her own charge. "You, young lady, are in big trouble." Tasha humphed. Why wasn't Mommy being fair?!