EDITED AUGUST 3, 2013
Disclaimer: I do not own the Avengers, X-Men or anything Marvel.
Rated: T for Mild Language, Mild Violence, and Minor Suggestive Adult themes.
Full Summary: A young genius painter who wanted to paint the world but her gifts made her someone, forcing her to be hero she never wanted to be. Thrusts into the Avengers, Phil Coulson's niece finds the grey in their black-and-white world and discovers she's not cut out to be a hero. The Avengers try to salvage what is left of humanity as the world begins to crumble at the hands of bloodthirsty creatures causing humans to fall and others to morph into monsters. Eleanor Grey struggles between becoming the hero the Avengers want her to be and the hero the world needs her to be. She has a choice: die a hero or die a monster?
Pairings: Steve/OC. Pepper/Tony.
Author's Note: This is only my second story, my first one is still a work in progress! I just found more motivated to write this! So I hope you all enjoy! Since this is my second story I would love it if you would please leave any comments, opinions, or advice in the reviews!
Also, I am sorry for those who enjoyed "Heroism is an Art" and the direction it was going. I was thinking it through and I want to take it a different direction. I will soon be deleting "Heroism is an Art" so I apologize to everyone who was looking forward to any updated chapters on there. "The Art of Heroism" will definitely be similar!
Chapter One: The Color of Home
She had been sixteen years old when her father died, her mom having passed away when she was five. Eleanor always figured she would have to bury her parents one day, but she thought she would be much older and have much kinder words to say about her father. But she stared blankly as the casket lowered into the ground, her blue eyes not showing much sorrow and no tears were forming in her eyes. The crowd slowly dispersed and many people giving their condolences while others eyed her pitifully as they left the grounds. Finally being left alone, she regarded the bald man in the wheel chair besides her.
"Charles –" She began but was interrupted when the older man place a comforting hand on her arm.
"The arrangements you've asked have been taken care of." Charles Xavier answered for her and she smiled at the man admiringly. She hadn't known why she had bothered speaking if he already knew what she was thinking. Then again, if she wanted to, she could also hear the Professor's thoughts but she preferred having a normal conversation. "As do I Eleanor." The Professor grinned and she grinned back.
"Eleanor." The familiar voice of her Uncle Phil Coulson greeted her and she turned her attention to the man who approached the pair. The Professor regarded the man with a nod and Phil nodded back in greeting.
"Uncle Phil." Eleanor greeted gently, brushing a loose curl behind her ear. Her pink lips were in a thin line as she looked at her Uncle with a sympathetic look.
"I'm sorry Ellie. I should have been here for you - " Phil launched but in a similar fashion that Charles had done earlier, Eleanor interrupted her Uncle.
"There wasn't anything you could have done Phil. I know Fury has been keeping you busy." Eleanor replied knowingly and her Uncle looked regretful. She comforted, "It's okay Uncle Phil. I understand. I'm not a child anymore."
"You're right." Phil responded observing the girl carefully. "You're looking more and more like your mother. Except the hair color, she was - "
"Blond." She finished for him with a grin.
"Is that what you have been teaching her Xavier? Finishing other people's sentences?" Phil turned to the Professor before giving her an exasperated look.
The Professor looked a bit sheepish for a moment. "I believe she inherited that habit from me. I apologize, Mr. Coulson."
Phil looked back at his niece, ruffling her hair. "As long as she doesn't make it a habit, I guess it's alright." Phil paused before continuing. "So, Eleanor will be staying at the Institute?"
Xavier just nodded his head, his words slow. "Yes. She is more than welcome to stay for as long as she wants."
"I would take you in Eleanor - " Phil started but was unable to finish his sentence.
"But your occupation doesn't allow you much free time. I know, Phil." Eleanor said rolling her eyes. "I actually plan on leaving the Institute."
Phil looked alarmed while the Professor just looked at the girl with a meaningful look. "What - "
"I won't be leaving anytime soon Uncle Phil. I already graduated from high school last year and I want to continue to go to Italy to study - "
"I should have known." Phil sighed, looking at the girl with a proud look in his eyes. "You're making quite a name for yourself in the art industry." The girl just smiled at him and nodded her head. "What about you and your father's home?"
"I'm still keeping the estate but I haven't called that place home in a long time Phil." Eleanor answered bitterly. "I love everything that the Institute has taught me and everyone there but, it hasn't really been home as of late. No offense Charles."
"None taken."
"I just want to paint." Eleanor concluded tiredly and both men looked at her knowingly before laughing lightly. "And finding peace and quiet to paint at the Institute isn't easy."
"When do you plan on leaving?" Phil asked concerned.
"I'll be entering the Florence Academy of Art in the fall, a few months after I turn 17." Eleanor answered carefully, anticipating her Uncle to protest and was surprised when he hadn't.
"You'll keep in touch?" Phil asked hopefully and Eleanor smiled.
"Of course."
Five years later.
"Uncle Phil? Can you hear me?" 21-year old Eleanor asked hopefully her hands gently holding one of her Uncle's hands in her own. She had dropped the sketchbook from her lap when she noticed a change in his monitor, not to mention, she had been probing her mind ever since she arrived a few months ago.
The last time she had seen her Uncle was just a few months after she graduated from Florence Art Academy at her first art gallery in Paris that was completely made up of her own work. Eleanor had paintings debut in exhibits before, but she never had an exhibit of only her own paintings and sculptures. Uncle Phil had been proud and Eleanor was sure she was glowing that night. She had left the Academy at 19 and taken to travelling across Europe studying art as well as making her own. She had promptly left her flat in London when Director Fury had appeared at her doorstep informing her that Phil was alive.
"Eleanor?" Phil Coulson groaned, his eyes fluttering open but immediately closed when he took in the brightness of the room. He felt sore all over and his throat was dry. He wanted to speak but he was tired. All he could remember last was being stabbed in the chest from Loki and Director Fury ordering him to stay with him and being awake briefly to catch a nurse putting him back to sleep again. Why was Eleanor here? Was she dead too? Was this heaven?
Eleanor laughed, as she pressed a bottom on the side, calling for some medical assistance. "You're not dead Uncle Phil. I'm alive and you're alive too, thank goodness."
"El - " He began to speak but was immediately cut off by his niece once more.
"Shush, Uncle Phil. We'll have plenty of time to chat. Just rest." Eleanor said as she watched the Doctor and the nurses checking the monitors and his vitals. Her eyes narrowed slightly when they put a needle in her Uncle's arm but visibly relaxed when her Uncle's breathing evened. She sighed and sat back into her chair, never letting go of her Uncle's hand.
The nurses slowly dispersed and the SHIELD doctor asked her to keep them updated if anything else were to happen. They told her that her Uncle was making progress and he should be up to his usual shenanigans in a few months. The stab wound had been healing nicely and the only thing they had to worry about would be Phil adjusting to his long sleep and Eleanor let go of the breath she had been holding after being informed that her Uncle Phil would be perfectly fine, besides an awful scar across his chest.
"I see you're still here." Director Fury said when entering the room glancing at Coulson briefly before looking at the girl. Eleanor just nodded her head, not saying a word, as she looked up at Fury with a blank look.
"Did you need something?" She sneered.
Fury was not affected. "The Avengers - "
"No." Eleanor replied, not bothering to let the SHIELD Director finish his sentence. "You will let them know that Coulson is alive when he's fully recovered." Fury opened his mouth to interrupt but Eleanor lifted up her free hand and continued speaking. "Unless one of the Avengers finds out beforehand." This seemed to answer Fury's concerns since he said nothing.
"I believe Stark has his suspicions." Fury mentioned looking at the girl curiously, who just nodded her head. "Do you plan on meeting them?"
Eleanor looked thoughtful for a moment, "Only if Phil gives his consent." Her words came out slow and deliberate and a little unsure. Fury just nodded his head, taking a look at his best Agent before leaving the uncle and niece pair for some peace and quiet.
Her eyes was focused on her sketchbook that sat in her lap, her pencil in her hand moving slowly in her hand as she tried to held back the giggle threatening to erupt into an uncontrollable laughter.
"And then I told the Captain, 'I sort of met you, I watched you while you were sleeping.' How embarrassing?" Phil Coulson groaned, recalling his incident with Captain America right before the Loki incident.
"I watched you while you were sleeping." Eleanor intimidated, looking up from her drawing and looking at her Uncle with a large grin on her face. She teased, "A little creepy, don't you think? Makes your sort of like Edward Cullen, huh?"
"A what?" Phil questioned glancing in the mirror at his niece. He was currently standing in front of a mirror and putting on a tie.
"You know, Twilight?" Eleanor rolled her eyes. "Actually, I'm glad you haven't heard of it, at least one of us can be saved." She muttered, her blue eyes glittering with happiness looking at her Uncle was standing tall and in one of his suits. "I know Fury thinks you're ready but - "
"Eleanor. I am ready. I know you're mad at Fury but he made the right decision." Phil turned to her with a no-nonsense look. "Fury didn't want you to know I was alive until he knew for sure that I could be back like... this." He motioned to his body and she knew what he meant. Alive - moving and breathing and talking.
She sighed and shook her head. "I thought you were dead for a whole year Uncle Phil. You missed my 21st birthday too!"
Phil just rolled his eyes. "You were in Italy since you were 17, Ellie. The drinking age in Italy is 18."
"But Phil, turning 21 is a big milestone - "
Eleanor was interrupted when the door suddenly flew open revealing the bewildered faces of five others. Coulson looked at the group of people with an expectant look and Eleanor looked slightly aggravated to her time with her Uncle suddenly interrupted but said nothing when she noticed the slightly relieved look on her Uncle's face. She stayed seated, watching the scene unfold in front of her easily.
"You can't just barge into other people's room Tony." Bruce Banner sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose as he looked at Coulson with wide eyes.
"Agent is alive!" Tony exclaimed, pointing at Coulson unashamed and Natasha rolled her eyes being the first to approach Phil and embracing him immediately.
"You're alive." Natasha deadpanned.
"I already said that Natalie." Tony rolled his eyes.
"Shut it Stark." Natasha glowered at Tony after letting go of Coulson and looked at him analytically. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." Coulson responded and the Avengers, minus Thor, seem to look at Coulson all at once. "I'm alive and fully recovered."
"Pepper sends her best." Tony grinned as he lightly patted the man on the shoulder.
"You weren't supposed to tell - " Steve Rogers began and Tony just shrugged his shoulders.
"Blah blah blah. I'm tired of secrets." Tony waved his hand in the air. "We should be celebrating! Phil's risen from the dead! We have to have a holiday for you or something."
"It's nice to see you back Coulson." Clint pointedly ignored Tony and left him in the hands of Natasha who smacked the billionaire in the head.
"Barton." Coulson and Barton shared a brief hug before letting go, glad to see that Barton seemed to have recovered nicely from Loki's spell. Fury and Eleanor had done a good job updating him on everything that he had missed in the past year. Apparently the Stark Tower in New York had unofficially, officially became the "Avengers Tower." "It's good to see you Dr. Banner. Steve." Coulson greeted each the two men with the nod who nodded back.
Steve started cautiously. "If you want, I can sign those cards for you."
Coulson perked up a little but realized he didn't have the cards with him. "Yes. If it isn't a problem but I don't have my - "
"I have them." Eleanor interrupted, standing from her chair and flipping her sketchbook to the back of the page and pulling out the cards carefully. "I had a feeling you would need them Phil." Eleanor grinned. "I took the liberty of cleaning them up." As her words spilled, Tony and Steve visibly flinched, remembering the blood that had previously been on the cards.
"Is this the cellist?" Tony blurted out his eyes looking at the girl appreciatively. He whistled. "She's hot Agent. Good job!"
Coulson rolled his eyes taking the cards and a pen from Eleanor before handing them off to Steve. "She's my niece."
"When did you get a niece?" Barton asked, looking shocked.
"How old are you Eleanor?" Phil asked glancing over at his niece who walked up besides her Uncle.
"I turned 21 a few months ago." She replied, not amused.
"Then, I got a niece 21 years ago Agent Barton." Silence followed Coulson's comment, the Avengers slowly letting the information process.
"When did you get a sense of humor?" Tony joked. "You need to be stabbed more often."
"Tony!" Bruce sighed exasperated as he looked from Coulson to Eleanor, and it seemed that everyone in the room besides the Uncle and niece pair seemed to be doing the same. The only thing similar about the two were their blue eyes, Eleanor's eyes a little brighter and bluer than Coulson's but Bruce imagined it was from Phil's time with SHIELD that had took the brightness of his eyes away. The girl was a little bit shorter than Phil and was probably around five feet and six inches. She had dark brown hair that fell in loose curls across her back and she had a fair, porcelain complexion.
"Eleanor Grey." She introduced and Steve began to open his mouth but she shook her head. "No need. I already know who you all are."
"I would hope you would know who I am." Tony said with a wolfish grin. "I would love to hear more about you though."
Natasha glared at the girl, not caring that she was Phil's niece. "Are you a - "
Eleanor interrupted with a kind smile. "No. I'm not an Agent, just a civilian." She made it a point to motion at her non-SHIELD attire clothes except for the Visitor badge that hung loosely onto her slightly over-sized dark red cardigan that she wear over her pale yellow spring dress.
"You've made interrupting a habit." Phil murmured disapprovingly from beside her and she only beamed.
"This is where I take my leave." Eleanor announced throwing her purse over her shoulder. "It's been a pleasure." She looked at the Avengers who all gave her mixed looks. Natasha looked at her with narrowed eyes while Steve and Bruce both looked at her thoughtfully. Clint looked at her curiously while Tony watched the two's interaction amused.
"You're leaving already?" Phil asked, his brows knitted at her slightly puzzled.
"Yes. I need to get back to work and it looks like you're in capable hands."
"He's in capable hands." Tony winked at the girl suggestively. "You should stay - "
"No." Phil interrupted, glaring at Tony before giving his niece his undivided attention. "Are - "
She shook her head. "No. Charles said things have been hectic over there and it would be best if I avoided the mansion until any further notice."
He looked at his niece with understanding. "Where - " He began before being interrupted again.
"I'll be at my father's house in the Upper East Side. So I'll still be in close by." He stared at his niece with a contemplative look before nodding slowly and she continued. "Will you keep Fury off by back?"
He rolled his eyes. "I'll try to."
"Wonderful." She beamed. She gave her Uncle a quick kiss on the cheek. "Stay safe Uncle Phil."
"Don't forget there is life outside your art Ellie." Phil reminded and Eleanor lifted a hand as if she was waving off Phil's comment.
"Well, it was nice meeting you all." Eleanor politely nodded to the Avengers before leaving their company.
"Is she single?" Tony started but shook his head. "Actually that doesn't matter."
"Tony..." Bruce sighed at his friend's antics.
"But I'm sure Pepper would mind." Natasha forced.
"You have a niece?" Clint asked not fully comprehending that Coulson had a life outside of SHIELD.
Coulson exasperated. "Yes."
Natasha glared at her partner. "We just met her!"
"Right." Clint started slowly. "What did you she mean by, 'Keep Fury off my back?' "
Phil stiffened for a moment before answering. "Classified." He replied naturally and he immediately wanted to hit himself.
"Not for long!" Tony declared taking out his Stark phone out of his pocket. "Jarvis?"
"I am already running the search, sir."
"Tony." Steve reprimanded by Tony just ignored the Captain.
"She seemed quite lovely Coulson." Bruce commented, hoping to make Phil feel more at rest.
"Stark! Don't just hack into things!" Steve reprimanded trying to pry the phone away from Tony's hands.
"And I thought Fury was the Ultimate spy. But even Phil's secrets have secrets! Look at this!" Tony started as he placed the phone on the bed and waving his hands caused several screens to pop up in the air. "She's all over the internet!"
"The what?" Steve asked confused and Bruce sighed.
"The internet, also known as the world wide web." Bruce explained and Steve nodded his head slowly. "People go onto the internet to search for anything you can imagine as well as share information."
"She's an artist!" Clint exclaimed as he looked over Tony's shoulders at one of the screens.
Natasha stood right besides Tony, her eyes scanning an article that popped up. "It says right here she was one of the youngest genius painters to be discovered."
"So Fury wants her painting skills." Steve stated mockingly.
"She was a student at the Xavier Institute?" Bruce questioned lightly his eyes immediately flashing towards Coulson for confirmation. The agent didn't say anything and Tony had immediately stood where Bruce was, scanning over the information quickly.
"She's a - "
"Mutant? Yes." Eleanor appeared from the door with a mischievous glint in her eyes as she walked towards the bed and the Avengers, aside from Steve, seem to tense up. "I forgot my sketchbook." She said, ignoring their sudden stiffness, and lifted the book from the bed and placing it into her bag. Turning to look at the Avengers, she smirked. "I don't bite."
"Well - " Phil started, hoping to turn the attention away from his niece.
She laughed and lightly swatted her Uncle's arm. "I was four Uncle Phil. I didn't know any better."
"Right." Phil noted unimpressed.
"I must get going Phil. Before Fury finds me and talks my ear off again." Eleanor kissed her Uncle's cheek yet again. "Feel free to stop by anytime Phil. I'll see you soon." Eleanor then took her leave and the Avengers relaxed.
"What does Fury want with her?" Natasha looked determined to get answers and stared at Phil pointedly. Tony seemed to be listening but it was obvious his main attention was going through the information on the screens in front of him.
"He's been trying to recruit her ever since she left the Institute." Phil explained, "But all Eleanor wants to do is paint."
"What's a mutant?" Steve asked with a sheepish look, not following the conversation.
Bruce clarified, " A mutant is an individual who possesses a genetic trait called an X-gene that allows them to naturally develop superhuman powers and abilities. Some mutants can fly, some can spit fire out of their mouth, while others can lift objects with their minds."
"Sounds like something from a science fiction novel." Steve responded with a bewildered look on his face.
"Imagine how easy it would be to solve missions." Natasha shared appreciatively.
"Why doesn't she join SHIELD? She could do so much." Steve mentioned.
"Eleanor just wants to paint. Art is practically her life." Coulson explained.
"She could still paint and fight crime." Barton remarked.
"You're making us sound like we're a group of vigilantes Clint." Bruce stated with an arched brow.
"I mean - "
"Coulson I have a mision for you. Oh, it looks like you have some company." Fury walked into the room glancing at the Avengers briefly."Where is Eleanor?"
"She has already left, sir." Steve answered.
"I see." Fury eyed each of the Avengers carefully before turning his attention to Coulson.
"What's the mission?" Coulson asked a little taken back that he was already given an assignment.
"A mission already?! C'mon eye patch, give Agent a break!" Coulson looked at Stark thoughtfully for sticking up for him.
"It's a simple mission." Fury responded blandly.
"Well, what is it?" Natasha demanded.
"Convince Eleanor to join the Avengers." Fury answered.
Silence followed after Fury had spoken, Coulson was taken aback while the Avengers were not amused.
"We don't need another member." Natasha snarled.
"You didn't run this by me." Tony disapproved.
"Is she going to be staying in the Tower?" Barton anxious.
"What about her mutant abilities?" Bruce wondered.
"The decision has already been made. Miss Wayne would be an excellent addition to the Team. She was one of Xavier's top students and she has a handle on her powers. We believe she could be of good use to find out what has been causing humans to turn into these creatures. Are you up for the job Coulson?"
"No." Coulson immediately replied, not even giving it a second thought.
"Excuse me?" The Director looked far from amused and slightly offended.
"My niece will not be joining SHIELD." Coulson stated with a tone that meant he was done having this conversation, but the Director pushed.
"She won't be joining SHIELD."
Coulson blinked, slowly understanding. "Are you saying that she will be joining the Avengers?"
"Exactly." Coulson wanted to wipe the smug look from Fury's face.
"Fine. Only under a few conditions." Coulson said reluctantly not sure if he could even get his own niece to join SHIELD.
"Name them." Fury insisted.
"She is not SHIELD's property." Coulson replied slowly.
"Understandable." The Director nodded his head.
"If she is to stay in the Tower - "
"Hey! You can't - " Coulson ignored Stark and continued.
"I want her to have a room and a place to paint."
"That can be arranged." Fury nodded again, finding the conditions reasonable to far.
"It's my Tow-"
Coulson added."She can leave the Avengers at anytime."
The Director looked thoughtful for a moment before slowly agreeing. "Done. Anything else?"
"I want to be directly involved between SHIELD and the Avengers."
"Done and done. I'll go get everything ready. Will she say yes?"
Phil hesitated. "No guarantees but I can convince her."
"You better."
Phil nodded his head at the Director who only looked at one of his best agents with an expectant look before turning to the Avengers.
"Team, it looks like you have a new member."
"But - " Natasha started.
"It's my Tower - " Tony whined.
"Stark! Stop being so - " Steve irritated.
Bruce calmly turned towards the Director and Coulson, catching both of their attention. "May I ask, what exactly is Eleanor's gift?"
This seem to quiet the Avengers who looked at both Coulson and Fury expectantly. Fury looked to Coulson, not wanting to answer the question about his niece for him. Coulson sighed. "She's telekinetic."
"That means she can move things with her mind, right?" Steve asked, unsure.
"Yes." Director Fury nodded his head and added. "And telepathic."
"What?" The Team was silent, and Steve looked at Coulson waiting for an explanation not understanding what the term meant.
"She can read minds." Bruce stated dumbly, him and Tony both looking away from the screens simultaneously.
"She can read the thoughts and sometimes their emotions of other people. She has an eiditic, or photographic, memory because of her telepathy. Don't worry though, she never intrudes on anyone's personal thoughts." Coulson added a little proudly. He was proud of his niece and her powers and how much control she had over them, of course, the Avengers would think differently of her.
"That makes me feel so much better." Tony rolled his eyes sarcastically. "Not."
"We don't need a mind reader on the team." Clint forced out with a fierce looked on his face and Natasha nodded her head in agreement. Clint was not fond of the idea having someone going through his mind after what Loki had done to him. Bruce looked at the archer in understanding and nodded his head, also in agreement.
"This is not debatable." Fury ordered. "She will be on the team, whether you like it or not. Miss Grey will be a great addition to the team with her abilities not to mention, we have intel that whoever has been attacking civilians has also been keeping a close watch on Miss Grey."
"She would never - " Phil started defensively and the Team seemed surprised when Phil practically growled at his words.
"I never suggested she would willingly help the enemy." Fury interrupted sending Coulson a cold look. "If no one else has any objections - "
"Um, me!" Tony waved his hands up in the air. "I do not want a mind reader in the Tower."
"Stark - " Fury irritated but was interrupted by an upset Agent.
"My niece is not a freak Tony." Phil said defensively, glaring at the billionaire fiercely that caused the man to take a step back. Clint and Natasha both looked at one another, never having experienced an angry Phil Coulson before. "Nor is she the type of person to use her powers for her own personal gain. She's only as dangerous as all of you all." This made everyone in the room, aside from Fury, flinched.
"You're right Coulson. We're being too judgmental." Bruce said in an understanding tone and the Team looked at Coulson regretfully. "We'll do our best to welcome the girl, right team?" Bruce shot the rest of the Avengers a look and they just nodded their heads slowly.
"You all better." Coulson threatened and the Avengers gulped, now more worried about what Coulson would do to them rather than his mind-reading niece.
A/N: Reviews are more than appreciated!