"No, they're super-agents," Tony said with a grin. "Literally, now. Although you keep this up, you'll be one too."

"I don't need to be a super agent," Maeve said, though she was grinning a bit. "Being a regular agent is already a handful."

Tony snorted and shook his head. "Well, keep working with us and you'll end up as a super agent anyway."

"What counts as a super agent?" Maeve asked. "Is there like some sort of grading system? A checklist?" She grinned.

"Not yet, but I'm sure I can make one." Tony grinned. "Jarvis, put that on my to-do list."

Maeve snickered a bit, and then gasped a bit in pain.

"Okay, no laughing, laughing hurts," she said.

Tony had sat up straighter when he saw her in pain. Okay, no, that was bad.

"Need more meds? It's been just about long enough, another fifteen minutes and you're good."

"Yeah," Maeve said, nodding. "Meds sound good. Definitely." She winced again. "Arceus Almighty, remind me never to break any ribs ever again."

"Will do." Tony got her more meds and another cup of water. He figured she could use the bendy straw for a while.

Maeve was inwardly pleased at the bendy straw. It meant that Tony really was trying to take care of her, and she kind of liked it a lot. Quickly, she popped the pills and sipped at the water.

Tony made sure she had enough water before he put the cup back on the bedside table, giving her a few minutes for the pills to start to kick in.

"Feel better?"

"Not sure if the pain is gone or if I just don't care anymore," Maeve murmured as she relaxed back on the cushions. "Don't even care which, either, so probably the second."

Tony snorted. "You'll be sick of it in a couple of days," he said. "You'll only have to put up with it for maybe a month. Ribs take a while."

Maeve just murmured in vague agreement. The meds were definitely the good ones.

"Thanks, Tony," she mumbled as she drifted back to sleep.

A few days later, Julie was feeling better. Ish. Which meant she wanted to go back to her normal duties of baking and going around with Steve to museums and things. Also meaning she was stubbornly ignoring the still black and blue and green bruising covering half her body.

Tony, fortunately, wasn't having so much trouble with Maeve. He kept giving her tablets and toys to keep her occupied, though.

Steve was cautiously allowing Julie to get back to some of her normal self-assigned duties, although he did keep an eye on her while she did and made sure to get her to take a break if she started to sway a bit.

Maeve had no desire to move from where she was. She'd backed off the painkillers some, but she didn't feel like trying to get up and walk around any more than she had to. She had Ditto and Chandelure to keep her company, and Gardevoir kept an eye on both her and Tony.

Julie managed to make some sweets, which she knew would be gone in a day, and got Altaria to take a plate to Maeve. Then Growlithe bossed her over to a chair and sat on her to make sure she sat for a while.

Tony divided his time between keeping Maeve company and working in the lab.

And if he was trying to come up with a way to keep the girls safe, well, he knew Steve wouldn't blame him.

At the moment, Gardevoir was helping Tony in the workshop. Maeve didn't need her assistance for the moment, and besides, Gardevoir didn't mind helping Tony out for a while.

Steve grinned a bit when he noticed Growlithe getting Julie to rest, and slipped the pokemon a treat for her trouble.

Since Tony had the translator working, he had it set up.

"Hey, hand me that wrench, would you? The smaller one." Tony held a hand out blindly from under some contraption.

Julie noticed anyway and huffed. "You two are conspiring against me," she grumbled.

Nodding, Gardevoir handed it to him. Translator or not, she wasn't a very chatty pokemon. She didn't mind companionable silence.

"Just making sure you take it easy once in a while," Steve replied as he handed her a mug of tea.

"Thanks." Tony kept working for a few minutes before he rolled himself out from under his creation. "So, I want your opinion on something. If you can keep a secret from Maeve."

Julie took her cup of tea and sighed. "Well, at least Coulson approves," she grumbled. "Apparently he thinks you'll be good for my health."

Gardevoir trilled, curious.

What is it?

"That's some high praise," Steve said, grinning. "If Coulson approves."

"Hopefully, it will be a way to help keep them safe when they decide to jump into battles like this," Tony said, grinning.

"No kidding." That made Julie smile a bit.

Gardevoir had to admit, keeping Maeve safe was a very, very good plan. But still.

We can keep Maeve safe. She's ours to look after. She paused for a moment. But occasionally some help is welcome.

"I wouldn't dream of taking your job," Tony said in one of his rare moments of insight. "But I figured a little help wouldn't hurt. Besides, it might help Julie too. Maybe."