Chapter Text
Spring was firmly establishing its grip on New York by the time they gave Eli's uncle his first treatment. Tess went with Doc to administer it, though she spent most of her time going over check lists and warning signs with the two main nurses assigned to him. Doc gave him the shot. Even through the age and illness, Josiah's resemblance to Eli was unsettling. Every time Tess looked at him, she couldn't help picturing the future Eli had spent so long trying to warn her about.
His nurses were both sweet, competent women, one of whom had been a nurse longer than Tess had been alive. They took her checklists, promised regular updates and to be in touch if there was any change, no matter how minor. Tess left feeling he was in good hands.
Unfortunately, there was no immediate, dramatic improvement. Tess knew hoping for him to wake up the next morning chatting and smiling wasn't realistic. But some sort of change would have been nice. On the third week, the nurses reported he was having less belligerent moments, which was something. Josiah wasn't a violet patient - some dementia patients did get very ornery - but he had what one of the nurses described as "opinionated old man" moments. These seemed to be on the decline and both women felt he listened and absorbed more conversation and explanations he was given. It was something.
Doc went alone to give him his second dose, a month exactly after the first treatment, and they settled in for more watching and waiting.
"This is why I didn't want to get into research," Tess commented to the Cassie and Kamala on their way back from lunch a week later. "So much waiting and hand wringing."
"Medical conditions feel just as bad on the other side," Kamala said. "There's plenty of waiting and hand wringing."
Tess knew Kamala had spent a few months trying to figure out what was going on with her after she was injured by vibranium. She imagined it had been rather terrifying. "Eli isn't really talking about it. Sort of. . . around it. But he's hopeful."
"There's not always much to say when you're just waiting."
"I know." They reached the Tower and Tess pulled the door open, holding it for the other two. "I just hate this feeling of anticipation. I just want something to happen."
"Dr. Sullivan," the woman behind the desk called. "You have some guests waiting for you."
Tess looked over in surprise. If the receptionist said anything else she didn't hear her, because she'd looked past the desk at the little group of chairs that made up the waiting area. And there sat her father, her mother, and two of her brothers.
She didn't know what her face looked like. Based on the sudden lightheadedness she suspected she'd gone white. Kamala darted away towards the stairs, which at her pace would be quicker than the elevator, and Cassie stepped closer to Tess's side, poised for a fight.
Her father got to his feet and strolled towards her. For a second she was nineteen again, tired and beaten down and desperate to find whatever she needed to say to get his attention off of her. Then he opened his mouth and drawled, "Hello Esther."
It was like something snapped inside her, like time started back up. She saw him as he was, old and grey and smaller than she remembered. And she drew herself up to her full height and said, calm and cool, "Boyd."
It surprised him. She could see it in his face. She took that moment of doubt to walk past him to her mother and wrap her in a hug. "Hi, Mama."
"Tess," her mother whispered. "I missed you." It was a long hug, and behind her she felt the woosh of air that was Kamala moving, and thumps and shoes on the marble floor. Her father and brothers took a step back in her peripheral vision. It was the sound of glass shattering that made her turn. Nate had come right through the lobby door in his full suit.
They were all in the lobby.
She'd already been choked up from hugging her mother. This threatened to make the tears spill over. "You wanna meet my family?" she asked her mother.
Her father got red-faced. "Now wait a minute-"
"No one asked you to talk," Kate said, twirling a throwing knife through her fingers.
Tugging her mother forward, she said, "Mama, this is Eli. My boyfriend."
Her mother startled a little and she could feel the rumble of anger from the boys. Then her mother stepped forward and held out her hand to him. "It's very nice to meet you."
"Lisa!" her father snarled.
Behind Eli, Peter asked, "You want me to web them?"
Tess grinned. "Thank you, but I'll handle it." She turned to her father and the boys and stepped very deliberately between them and her mother. "You got something to say?"
He seemed to weigh his options, eyeing the group of them and the audience they were drawing. Her father, for all his faults, wasn't stupid. "I didn't come here to fight."
She crossed her arms. "Did you come for money?"
"We saw you on the news. Wanted to come see how you were gettin' on."
"So that's a yes, then." He crossed his arms and for a strange, reality tilting moment she realized she looked a lot like him, now that she was grown. "Do you remember what you said to me?" she asked him. "That last night before I left."
He dropped his gaze, for just a moment, which told her that yes, he remembered quite clearly.
"You were wrong," she said softly. "Lots of people like that I'm smart. I save lives, because I'm smart. I'm an Avenger because I'm smart. I'm sure you think you can stroll in here tellin' people how I'm your little girl and you taught me everything I know. But that's a lie and we both know it. You wanted to keep me small, Daddy. You don't get to brag that I'm big." She fished her wallet out of her pocket, pulled out two dollars, and tucked them into his shirt pocket. "Thanks for the loan. But that's the only money you're ever getting from me."
His face turned red, she didn't know if it was embarrassment or anger. She didn't have to care. Behind her one of them started to clap, and then everyone did.
Leaning close, she added in a stage whisper, "You were right about one thing, though. I am pretty." With that, she turned around to join the others. "If any of them try to do anything but leave, I don't care what you do."
The elevator pinged and opened, and out stepped Ada, pulling a cart loaded with stuff. "Oh, good, they're still here."
"Miss Ada, I told you to stay upstairs," Vision scolded, having come down with the rest of them.
"Look, I was told there were bad guys in the lobby and I have weapons to test."
Tess started to laugh, she couldn't help it. She laughed so hard she had to lean on Eli for a moment while she caught her breath. "Mama? Would you like to come upstairs for some coffee?"
She glanced back at Boyd, then smiled at Tess. "That sounds lovely."
Tucking an arm around her mother, she lead her towards the elevators, feeling the rest of them close ranks behind them to follow. "I wouldn't expect him to be here when we're done."
Eli reached for her hand. "Well done."
She squeezed his hand. "Thank you," she said softly.
"Hey. We've got your back."
"I know. You're my family."
She had a really nice day with her mom, first coffee then dinner, catching up on all the gossip from back home. Her sister had three kids with a fourth on the way. Her dad and older brothers were the same as they'd always been. But her younger brother, Daniel, had a job at the bank and was taking classes at the community college.
"He's got the spark, like you did," her mother said as Tess walked her out to grab a cab.
"You don't have to go back to Harlan," Tess said. "I could find you a nice place here."
Her mother waved her hand. "My people are there. My grandkids. Naomi needs me. And Daniel needs someone to tell him he can be different."
"I meant what I said, Boyd's never getting a penny of my money." Calling him Boyd instead of Daddy felt remarkably liberating. "But tell Danny if he wants to go to a four year school I'll make it happen." She'd probably be sending Naomi a big box of toys and clothes for the kids, too, but no need to make a fuss about it.
They stepped out into the night air and her mother turned to hug her. "I'm very proud of you, Tessie. More than I can say."
"Thanks Mama." She leaned on her a moment. "You sure you'll be all right. Boyd won't cause you any trouble?"
"Oh, after forty years I can handle your father. By the time we get home I'll have him convinced it was his idea I stay back with you."
Her mother had always had a knack for twisting her father the way she wanted him. "Well, if he gets ornery you remind him you have the Avengers on speed dial."
She laughed and touched Tess's cheek. "Be safe. I'll pray for all of you. Especially Eli. He seems a good boy."
"The best," Tess told her, voice tight.
After a few more hugs, she put her mother in a taxi and watched it disappear into the rest of the traffic. Something heavy and tight that had been sitting in her chest seemed to melt away and it was easier to breathe.
She took a deep breath of cool New York air and looked up at the Tower looming over her head. Eli was waiting for her upstairs, as were the rest of them, hoping to hear how it had gone. For ten years she'd thought her family and home were behind her. Now they were bigger than they'd ever been.
Grinning, she pushed the door open and headed inside.
*
When most people started seeing a therapist, it usually wasn't someone whose apartment you hung out in sometimes to watch basketball. The relationship dynamics and blurry lines in the Tower were something Eli had always found unique.
"You get used to it," Sam told him during a commercial break in said game. "It was like that with all of us. She's good at compartmentalizing. And regular therapy is easier on you both than guerrilla therapy."
"Guerrilla therapy?"
"How she deals with the people who don't come see her but need to. Amanda practiced guerrilla medicine sometimes." His daughter, Rei, wandered into the living room and stopped in front of the TV to stare at the beer commercial. "Baby, don't stand there," Sam called.
"I suppose Tess is going to have to figure that out."
"Well, she doesn't have Tony Stark to deal with, who was Amanda's biggest headache. Though the Bartons were a close second. Fortunately, they'd rat each other out. Rei, come sit with Daddy, Mama's gonna lecture me about brain development she sees you doing that."
"I hear Kate is a pain in the ass."
"I have heard absolutely nothing about her trying to skip her PT or use her bow before she's allowed to."
Eli sighed, unsurprised. "I'll talk to her."
"While you're at it, convince her of the merits of therapy," Lani called from the kitchen.
"I really wouldn't hold my breath on that," he called back.
Her sigh was audible from the other room. Sam scooped Rei up and bounced her on his knee. "Kate has caught onto the guerrilla method."
"She and Tess are kind of friends, I can ask."
"Lani can keep wearing her down, too. But coming from you might mean more."
There was a knock at the door. Rei hopped up excitedly. "I'll get it!" They could just have called for FRIDAY to open it, but Rei liked pressing buttons.
She dashed over and hit the button to reveal Tess standing there. She smiled when she saw Rei. "Oh, what a tiny butler."
"Hi Dr. Tess."
"Hey, babe," Eli called. "You come over to watch the game?" Basketball wasn't really her thing, but they tried to keep an open mind about each other's entertainments. Aside from his absolute refusal to listen to Country music.
Her fingers twisted together and her smile turned nervous. "Actually, I have to break it up. Your mom called and asked if we could meet her at your uncle's home."
He lifted his eyebrows. "Has there been a change?"
"Sounds like it. She said she didn't want to talk about it over the phone. I already told Doc, she's on her way."
"Good luck!' Sam and Lani said in adorable unison as he stood. Rei echoed it, though she had no idea why she was saying that.
Tess took his hand as they rode the elevator down. "There should be a car waiting," she told him. I thought maybe we wouldn't be in the mood for public transit."
He waited until they were in the car to ask, "Do you think it's finally worked?"
"I hope so. Your mom didn't sound upset and the reports from the nurses have been consistently positive." She looked over at him. "You should be prepared for it not to be dramatic. He probably just reacted to something, or recognized your mom."
"That would have been very momentous to her."
"I know. And it'll be a fantastic step. I just want to . . . set up realistic expectations."
"I know." He reached for her hand. "Progress is progress."
She nodded and squeezed his hand as they made their way through the city traffic. Uncle Joe was in a very nice care facility in Brooklyn, but it was mid day and Tess drove like she was in a rusted truck in the back roads, which translated to aggressive city driving rather nicely.
The people at the front desk knew them by sight and waved them on after signing in. Joe's room was on the second floor and Eli could hear Doc's voice as they came down the hall. They turned the corner to find her sitting in a chair, talking to Joe, who was in his big easy chair that he all but lived in. He was watching her as she talked, looking more focused than Eli could ever remember seeing him, which was miracle enough.
Then he turned his head to look at them and said, "Eli. Damn, boy, what are they feeding you?"
Eli stared. His uncle was looking straight at him, eyes surprisingly clear. It had worked. He was so stunned he said the first thing that popped into his head. "Lots of hot dogs."
Joe barked out a laugh. Mama made a sound that was somewhere between a laugh and a sob. Tess was grabbing his arm and bouncing up and down. It all seemed oddly distant as he tried to process this.
"This young lady wants to run a bunch of tests on me," Joe said, gesturing at Doc. He spoke slowly, as if hunting for words. But they were clear and coherent when he found them. "But she says we have time to catch up first. Your mama says you're a hero. Like granddaddy."
"Feels weird to describe oneself as a hero. But yeah, that's what I do. Took over for Captain America. Legit, this time."
He grinned. "Good for you."
"And this is my girl," he said, tugging Tess forward.
She waved shyly. "Hi. I'm Tess."
"She figured it out," Mama said. "How to help you."
Joe smiled and reached out for Tess's hand with a shaky one. "Well, then. Thank you very much."
Tess took his hand in both of hers. "It was my absolute pleasure."
"This'll get him fixed up?" he asked her.
"That's the hope. Seeing as how it's working on you."
"That's good," he said quietly. "He's a good kid, he deserves a good life."
Looking a bit teary, Tess nodded. "Yes, he does."
Eli looked at the floor, suddenly afraid he might also get teary. Because it really might actually be true.
There was a moment of awkwardness before Doc stepped in, all business, and took Tess to the side to go over the reports from the nurses and talk about the tests she wanted to run. It gave Eli a minute to gather himself, at least enough to hug his mom and talk with his uncle a bit more. It was still surreal to hear him answering back.
"I didn't think it would work," his mother said quietly. "I hoped, but. . ."
Eli put his arm around her shoulders. "I have faith in Tess."
Amanda came over, in full Doc mode. "We've gotten the okay from the local hospital to bring Josiah in for a few tests. Whenever you guys are ready we should go."
"We have a car downstairs," Eli said.
"Great. You're welcome to come, though there will be a lot of sitting in hospital waiting rooms. I'll need time to sit down and look over all the tests and then you and I can have a meeting about beginning treatment for you."
"I don't mind waiting rooms, but I can go home if I'll be in the way."
She shook her head. "It's entirely up to you."
His mother rubbed his back. "You can head back, if you want. I'll go and maybe we can have lunch with Joe tomorrow. Don't want to wear him out too much today."
"Sounds perfect."
He bent to hug Joe before he left. The old man patted him hard on the back. "Don't worry. I'm not going anywhere."
"Good," Eli said, grinning so wide his face was starting to hurt.
Before they left, his mother hugged Tess fiercely. "I know your road wasn't always easy," Eli heard her whisper. "But I thank God for bringing you to us."
Tess nodded, clearly choked up again, before taking Eli's hand to head back out. He put his arm around her as they went down the hall. "You did good."
"It wasn't just me," she insisted. "But I am very, very happy."
"I love you. Like even more than I did before. Which was a lot."
She laughed, then stopped to reach up and wrap her arms around him. "I love you, too."
When they got outside, he stopped and took a deep breath of the afternoon air. "I'm going to grow old," he said quietly.
"Yes, you are. To a ripe old age, I'm guessing."
"Yeah, I'm. . . really going to need to get my head around that."
She tucked her arms around his waist. "How about I take you home and make you some comfort food as you readjust your paradigm?"
"That sounds perfect."
They took a cab home and Tess beelined for the kitchen to figure out what she could whip up. His phone started to buzz about twenty minutes later. Clearly Doc had told someone - probably her husband - about the miracle with Joe and now Steve, Sam, Bucky and God knew who else was texting him congratulations and offers to listen if he needed them.
He chuckled. "Word is getting around."
"You're gonna get tired of talking about it." She glanced over at him. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"The whole thing is a little. . . disorienting."
"I can't imagine. Really. Everything that was hypothetical is suddenly. . . real."
He leaned against the counter while she fussed at the stove."I feel like I should let it sink in before I do anything or make any decisions."
"Well I wasn't about to make plans for our twentieth anniversary," she teased. "But I look forward to conversations about the future no longer having a pall on them."
"I want my future to have you in it," he told her. "That's one thing I'm sure of."
She looked over at him and smiled fondly. "I'm not going anywhere."
He opened the dish cabinet so he could set the table. "Good."
Near as he could tell, she was making chicken and dumpling soup, so he fished out the big bowls and spoons. He could feel Tess watching him as he did and after a moment she spoke up. "I know I literally just said I wasn't planning. But can I add something to the list of things we're not making decisions about just yet?"
"Sure. Whatcha got?"
"Would you like to move in together?"
He chuckled. "That sounds like a question that requires a pretty definite answer."
She pursed her lips and sucked her teeth, then said, "Would you like to think about moving in together?"
He came over to try and steal a taste of soup. "This is because I have a better window view, isn't it?"
"Yes, only that."
He grinned at her. "Seems like a valid reason."
She looked over at him. "Is that a yes? Because I had good arguments. FRIDAY compiled behavioral statistics."
"Depends, let me taste the soup." He probably should tease about a topic this serious, but he was in perhaps the best mood of his life. And she knew what his answer was.
"I haven't added the dumplings yet," she warned, handing him a spoon, adding thoughtfully, "I was looking forward to the 'living in sin' portion of my argument."
"Start with your statistics."
She leaned over and kissed him, before going back to her soup. "Maybe after dinner."
*
Two weekends later, they moved Tess's things to Eli's apartment. Darcy Bennet, who approved all housing changes, started muttering about "it happening all over again" but Doc assured Tess not to worry about it.
Six weeks after that, they sat down with Doc and had a long conversation about Josiah's progress and what that meant for Eli. Brain scans and cognitive testing showed continued, steady improvement. Once the treatments had started to counteract his body's autoimmune responses, his brain had begun to heal the damage causing the dementia. He had moved out of the nursing home and was living with Eli's mother, with the real hope that he could live alone sometime in the near future.
Eli was young still, far younger than any of his relatives had been when symptoms began, but he did have a stressful job and was eager to start his treatments sooner rather than later. And so, by the time the leaves in Central Park started to change color, he began monthly shots. They both had notifications on their calendars, as did Doc, and FRIDAY was happy to remind them as well. Side effects were expected to be minimal - he barely even felt the shot - and as soon as they began officially, he seemed lighter and more carefree.
Then one morning he got up and came out into the living room. "I think something is wrong."
She was in the middle of her coffee and email reading, but immediately looked up, concerned. "What is it?"
"It hurts to swallow. Like in the back of my throat."
Frowning, she put down her coffee and stood. "Are you having trouble breathing?"
"No." He sniffled. "But my nose seems to be kind of clogged."
"Huh." She had a doctor's bag in the front closet, which she went and grabbed. After checking his throat, nose, ears and temperature she came to a rather hilarious realization. "Eli. Honey. I think you have a cold."
He stared at her. "A cold?"
"Yes." She wouldn't laugh. She would call his mother and let her laugh. "We warned you the treatments might effect your everyday immune system. Remember the vaccines Doc made you get?"
"Yeah, but I didn't think I'd get, like, regular germs. Is this what a cold feels like? This is terrible."
"It's probably going to get worse. They start out pretty slow."
"What do I do?" His bafflement was going to kill her. She was not going to get out of this without laughing.
"Why don't you go back to bed? I'll talk to Doc about whether or not cold meds will work on you." She couldn't resist smiling a little. "And I'll make you some soup."
"I like soup," he said, sounding remarkably like a little kid, particularly given the pitch of his voice.
"Do you want me to call your mom?" she offered. Sarah would probably laugh with her, but would also probably jump at the chance to nurse her little boy through his first cold.
"No," he said. "You take perfectly good care of me."
She smiled, oddly flattered. "All right. Go get comfortable, I'll bring you some tea for your throat."
"I love you. I shouldn't kiss you, should I?"
"No, not for a few days." She really didn't think both of them sick at once was a good idea. "But I love you too." She blew him a kiss.
"I'm going to go lay down now."
"Grab a box of tissues from the cabinet," she called after him as he headed back to the bedroom.