13 Chapter 13: Questioning

I'm sorry for the late update, I was sick these days. I'm still sick, but now it's just a cold lol. Way better than when I couldn't move from my bed XD.

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After having been scold for half an hour, Rick 'torture' temporarily ended with the arrival of the lunch.

And as they sat down around the big table, Amelia finally seemed to notice the guests presence.

"Sorry for not greeting you earlier. But with a child like Richie, if you don't scold them a little, they will think that can do anything without any repercussions. I'm Amelia Carter by the way. The unfortunate mother of that worrisome child."

That introduction caused the son to scoff softly as his 'traitorous' friends smiled mischievously at that. With Clint going as far as agreeing.

"Nice to meet you Miss Carter. But you don't have to be sorry. I also have children and while not as big as yours. I know how it's like to raise a troublesome one like 'Richie'. So even though he quite eventful sometimes, I still manage to make him obey most of the time and get him back to you intact."

"YOU. ARE. DEAD." silently said Rick to Clint while the latter simply reply back with a big smile on his face. Seeing his uncaring attitude, Richard decided to get revenge.

"Yes, mom. This guy, Clinton Barton, did protect me well during the mission. The perfect bodyguard I may say. Well if don't account for the fact that he is the one who threatenedー I mean invite me to join their mission."

Getting such a news apparently didn't enlighten Amelia's mood, but her reaction did make Rick feel better while Hawkeye was threatening him with his eyes. But unfortunately for him, Richie was...eventful.

"Did I mention to you that he was apparently an agent of the most powerful international spy organization on earth? What's the name again? Don't remember, but the abbreviation is S.H.I.E.L.D. Honestly, I feel really honored that trained agents like them need a little nobody without any training like me."

Seeing her mother face worsen, Rick finally stop killing Clint and normally introduce him and the rest to her after Natasha came back follow by Faiza.

"So like I was saying, this is Clinton Barton. You can call him Clint or Hawkeye. That guy, despite being a super spy, he fight with a bow and arrows. Fortunately he's an expert in his domain or I pretty sure I wouldn't have met him alive."

Being stared strangely after knowing his 'special' way of fighting, made it very difficult for Barton to do anything else than smile awkwardly at the crowd.

"I never noticed before you said it, but it's very weird. Why do you fight with arrows? Are you bad with guns?" Asked the ever curious Yelena.

"...No. I just prefer that way of fighting. And like Rick said, I'm very good at it." Replied Clint a bit awkwardly, making them doubt his answer.

"Then this is Yelena Belova and her big Sister Natasha Romanoff, also known as the Black Widow. She's considered as the best female agent in the world today, and contrary to Clint, she and her sister fight with conventional weapons."

As people started to chuckles at Rick's joke, her cousin who until now didn't talk since they came interject. But not to talk politely.

"Well I don't know about being the best 'female' agent, and maybe you don't know. But I can with certainty tell you that she is at least the number one killer. All sex mixed. After all, when being a part of a secret evil organization who only train killer, it's difficult to be something else than a great killer."

As if she didn't notice that the atmosphere start to change, she blond woman in her early thirty still continue with a smile.

"And you know, after hearing your codename I suddenly remember that my grand-aunt used to fight your organization and a woman with the same codename : Black Widow. I'm actually impressed that Hawkeye dare to introduce such an enemy to the S.H.I.E.L.D. that she built."

At the end, while not quite raising her voice, the young woman undoubtedly lost her former smile as he accused Clint.

The latter who clearly didn't like being pointed out asked calmly.

"Your grand-aunt, she's Peggy Carter right?"

"Yes. But even though you know her, you still did something like that?"

Being questioned, Hawkeye was ready to answer, but Rick suddenly start to laugh wildly.

"Hahahaha! Sharon, you're really a big hypocrite. 'This isn't what our grandma would want to do!'. Okay, maybe. Maybe you're right. But you won't make me believe that my grandmother, the first woman who always did as she wanted is the one refusing to see her child and grandchildren just because she married the wrong guy. Don't tell me it is also her that refused her name to be known by me because of that too. Otherwise I really misjudge her character."

As if to confirm Rick guesses, Sharon didn't answer the question immediately. But after some hesitation, she still said something :

"You're right. After Aunt married your father and saw how he dilapidated the money, they took the decision to never inform him of our true activities. And I think they did the right thing. Who knows what he'll do if he knew that he was previously married to the daughter Peggy Carter?

As for you, you were too young to be trusted to keep any secrets. Especially when we saw you becoming a criminal."

Sharon didn't even try to hide the disdain in her last sentence. But being used to her, Rick didn't react to it, but reply with a sneer of his own.

"Your story is good and all, but unfortunately I don't believe it. Let's not talk about my father for a moment. Let's just talk about the fact that after taking all the money belongings to my mother by right. On the ground that she couldn't take care of herself, her son and the inheritance, you simply left her here to die without any way to pay aunt Faiza and the medication my mother need. Just like my bastard father you so much despise."

"Then why is your mother fine until now?"

Replied Sharon with a sarcastic voice. But her question get Natasha and Clinton to frown, because they suddenly remembered that Rick did answer that question when they first met. But at that time, Richard was more carefree than the anger he was currently showing.

"Because... I provide for her. Certainly NOT you! Let alone YOUR PARENTS! I! AM!"

Richard's outburst surprise everyone. Especially Sharon, Faiza and Amelia. Because until today, they never saw him so angry. Frustrated, vindictive and annoyed, yes. But never angry.

So as she saw the anger written all over his face. Faiza who knew that Rick didn't grow up with Amelia, was very proud that he could still show such emotion when it comes to her mother.

But for Amelia who also understood why his son was in such state, guilt and shame was the only thing she could feel as she looked at him.

For a mother like Amelia who loved her son deeply and used to spoiled him very much. Knowing that it was now him that is taking care of her after getting penniless while being so young didn't please her at all. On the contrary.

And her mood didn't get better as Rick continue to talk.

"You always look at me from above, thinking that you are better than me because I chose to become a criminal while you became the agent of the family. But if your parents actually had payed for her health care. Something they should have done after taking away her money. I wouldn't have to follow my father to become a criminal at the age of 14!"

Even Sharon who was a stubborn knew when she was wrong. Having never questioned her parents she felt extremely ashamed after knowing the truth.

"Sorry Rick... I didn't know. I shouldn't haveー"

"I don't care about your excuses." interrupt Rick rudely with a wave of his hand.

"What will your excuse gonna change for me? Nothing. Besides, your not even the person who stole the money. Only the one who ignorantly profit from it. And even then, I'm not even sure if you did, because you were in college or some kind of academy for agents when that happens no?

I really want to know what you're parents need so much money for when they are so old, that they could be my mom's parents."

Even though Rick was talking quite clinically at this point, but at least, he was calmer than before. All the opposite of his question though.

"Actually there's two thing I really wanted to know. How were you able to convince my grandma to not meet me?"

All heads turned to Sharon. Eager to know the answer. For some, it was to know which clever strategies was used to make it happen. While other (Yelena) simply believe that this was Peggy true face and wanted Sharon to tell it out loud. Unfortunately she was wrong.

"She never tried to reach out, because she doesn't know you exist. She thinks Aunt Amelia elope with your father and that's why she never contact her again. Although that might change now that Fury knows about you."

"Well now I'm convinced.All my family are a group of tosser."

"Richard!"

"Of course except you mom."

Seeing the usual Rick back, the tension in the room suddenly dropped a little bit.

"And so, for my second question. How were you able to come so quickly? I mean, we were inside the jet when Hawkeye was talking to his boss. And literally five minutes later, we were here. So how did you come so quickly?"

"Well, because I wasn't sent here for you at first. But for someone else." Saying that Sharon involuntarily look at Faiza for a second before looking at Rick again. Even if she tried to be discreet, many saw that small action.

"But while in the road, Fury called me to tell me that you were dead on a Shield mission. By sacrificing yourself. And that's what I was telling your mom. Well, before Fury call me a second time to tell me that you were actually not dead but quite alive and heading home with...your unusual team."

Surprisingly Rick found himself less interested in the answer, but more interested to who Sharon was looking for. And he wasn't the only one.

"And why are you looking for the armed doctor lady?" Asked Yelena with an innocent smile.

But while looking innocent her words startled the whole Carter family.

The first to take action was Sharon, by taking out a silencer and pointing it out at Faiza. But the latter react almost instantly and took out her own gun with Natasha and Yelena following immediately while targeting both of them.

Rick who finally react shout:

"Bloody hell! What's going on here?! And why do you have a gun?!" He said to Faiza.

The latter replied carelessly without taking her eyes off Sharon.

"Old habits."

"Then those habits should die. Hard. And why do you all still have your weapons drawn? Put it down! All of you! Do you want to hurt my mother? If you want to kill each other, do it outside!"

Unfortunately for Rick, nobody listen to him. But Sharon still pity him a little and try to rassure him.

"Relax, little cousin nobody will die today. As long as this, lady here, follow me obediently. My colleague and superior, who is about to come back soon has some questions to you concerning the 'disappearance' of Captain Britain."