Hey there. So this is kinda my first story really. I mean I've got others in mind but this was the one I wanted to role with right now. Probably because I'm going through an Avengers faze AND a Jeremy Renner faze at the same time.
Well there's really not much for me to say except that I don't own Marvel, the Avenger, X-Men or anything else. I just own the plot line and any OCs you see. But anyways I hope you enjoy.
Rain softly pattered against the window of the small diner that had managed to survive the devastation that crashed upon New York a year ago. New York was almost destroyed, the human race almost enslaved, and despite the horrors that flooded through the city the world spun on. Valerie glanced around the diner waiting for her food to arrive. People were enjoying their mornings with their family, or by themselves reading the morning paper drinking coffee. They didn't have a care in the world. It's almost like they weren't nearly obliterated into nothing. They could all be dead right now, and none of them realized it.
Valerie turned back to looking out the window and ran a hand through her hair. Things were getting complicated in the world, particularly in politics. They were still trying to pass the Mutant Registration Act, something that Valerie did not want. She was a mutant, something she was proud of but she knew that so many feared her kind. And although she hated to think of it, a part of her knew that one day the law would be passed. The other part wanted to think that people would be civil enough not to pass it, to have some faith in mutants to not need that law. But humans were known for not learning from past mistakes. Things like this have happened before, and as long as there were people who were different it was going to continue to happen again and again.
The young waitress snapped Valerie out of her thoughts by bringing her her coffee. Valerie gave her a small thank you as she picked up the cream and poured some into her cup. The bell on the door chimed when Valerie was spooning in her sugar. Looking up Valerie took in the new arrival noticing that the woman was not a regular like everyone else in the diner was. She was beautiful, high cheekbones laid under glowing skin and light brown hair pulled into a tight bun. Valerie could tell she was a woman who knew how to command attention. The woman locked eyes with Valerie and they entered a short starring contest before she started walking over. Valerie's curious gaze turned to suspicion, her guard immediately forming into place as the mystery woman made her way over to where she was sitting. She definitely looked like government, and Valerie did not like that one bit.
"Valerie Dimant?" The woman questioned.
"Can I help you?" Valerie asked eyes narrowing slightly in suspicion.
"I'm Agent Maria Hill of the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division. Also known as S.H.I.E.L.D." She said as she flashed her badge, it looked like an eagle with spread wings. "May I sit?"
Valerie scoffed and took a sip of her coffee, "Do I really have a choice?" She asked sarcastically.
Agent Hill smirked slightly, "No, not really."
Smirking back Valerie gestured towards the seat across from here. "Then please, sit."
Maria slid smoothly into the booth and clasped her hands in front of her on the table. Valerie leaned back in her seat crossing her arms and stared at the agent with a slight look of annoyance. "So, what can I help you with 'Agent Maria Hill of S.H.I.E.L.D'?"
Any amusement fell from Maria's face as she got down to business. "My organization has taken a particular interest in you, and your," Maria trailed off slightly trying to pick her words carefully. "Talents." Valerie tensed up at this.
Maria seemed to notice her change in behavior, clearing her throat Maria continued treading lightly, "I was hoping that you would be willing to come in and talk to our Director. Think of it as a job interview."
Valerie took a nervous breath. "Well, I assume you know all about my 'talents' then."
Maria nodded at her statement, "We do."
"So you should be aware that I'm not completely fond of the government Agent Hill." Valerie said staring at Maria an eyebrow slightly raised. "They haven't exactly been on my side."
Maria nodded her head in understanding. "I recognize that Ms. Dimant, though S.H.I.E.L.D realizes how valuable you are."
Valerie scoffed rolled her eyes and looked out the window becoming bored with this conversation. A black van with tinted windows caught her eye. It was definitely out of place and if it did belong to these 'S.H.I.E.L.D' people Valerie wasn't impressed. They could have at least tried to hide themselves a bit more, unless of course they were positive if she tried anything they could take her down by force.
"Let me guess, if I say yes and I do go with you, you're gunna throw me into a cage and I'll be poked and prodded like a lab rat. Am I correct with that? Or am I being completely out of line right now?" Valerie asked still looking out the window.
The agent's eyes narrowed ever so slightly, Valerie had to appreciate her poker face. "We have no intention of holding you captive. We have a team, comprised of exceptional people, you may have heard of them. They've taken the name The Avengers."
Valerie perked up at this new information. The Avengers were a hot topic for everyone right now. A controversial one at that. Many believed them to be heros while others saw them being responsible for the destruction of New York. Valerie was a little bitter towards them, she was grateful that they saved New York and probably the whole world. But she was jealous that they weren't being hunted like her kind were for being different.
"Let me get this straight," Valerie started slowly taking another sip of her coffee. "Are you saying that you want me to be part of your little crime fighting superhero team?"
Maria's eyes softened briefly before returning to their harder light blue a tiny smirk on her face. "Director Fury is very invested in you joining."
Glancing out of the window Valerie weighed her options. She could say no and continue living like she did knowing that this organization would more then likely be watching her every move. Or she could say yes, risk her life for the world and possibly be turned into a lab rat. Either way there were problems.
While looking out the window she noticed movement on the roof kiddie corner to the diner, it was very subtle. Some random person maybe? Perhaps it just was Valerie's imagination. Or it could have been another agent with a sniper rifle trained on her head ready to pull the trigger if she made any sudden movements. She might of been paranoid but Valerie was going to go with the last option. After all there was that suspicious van down the road.
"You wouldn't happen to have people with guns outside would you?" Valerie questioned eyes narrowing at the agent.
"It's just you and me in here Ms. Dimant." Maria assured her.
Well if that wasn't the biggest lie in the world. "Right, of course it is." Valerie said doubt lacing her voice. "So, say I do decide to join. What's in it for me?"
"A chance to serve your country, to do the right thing." Maria said, her eyes sparkling ever so slightly. Like she was proud of what she did.
"I'm Latvian." Valerie retorted.
Maria lightly pursed her lips in annoyance, "We'd like you to think about our offer. When you've made your decision you can give me a call." She said placing her business card on the table. Valerie just glanced at it.
"If that's all I'd like to enjoy my breakfast in peace agent." Valerie said coldly.
Nodding Maria stood from her seat. "Of course. I do hope you'll choose to join Ms. Dimant. We'll be in touch. Good day."
With that she turned around and headed out the door. Valerie watched her leave before looking out the window to see if she was heading towards the van. She had and it was taking off.
Knew it
Valerie sighed harshly rubbing her face in her hands. She knew they would be watching until she made her decision. But she just didn't know what to do. Realization dawned on her. The professor would know what to do. Putting money down on the table and grabbing the agent's card Valerie got up to leave. "It's off to Salem I guess."
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Slowing down to a stop at the gate Valerie flipped up her visor on her helmet staring at the sign. Xavier's School For Gifted Youngsters. Her eyes softened and a small smile spread across her face as memories flooded her thoughts. This place was her home for a good portion of her life. And it felt good to be back. The gate opened by itself surprising Valerie slightly, she never did get used to that.
Welcome back Valerie
Valerie grinned at the familiar voice in her head. She shut her visor and drove through the gate. Thanks Professor. She thought back. I need to talk to you. Valerie pulled up to the front doors, killed her engine and steeped off her bike. She looked around the grounds taking in her surroundings, everything looked the same as she remembered it. Students were outside running around enjoying the sunshine, some looked at her out of curiosity. She probably was a bit of a weird site, but then again everything around this place was weird.
I know. I'll be in my office. Came his response.
Valerie took off her helmet and placed it on her handle bar letting her hair fall down her shoulders. She attempted to flatten it as she walked up the steps of the large mansion and swallowed her nerves. She hadn't been back in almost two years after she decided to turn down the teaching position she was offered. She loved this school, she loved the people there, just the idea of staying there till she grew old wasn't really something she wanted to do. She needed to go her own way, live her own life. But knowing that she was always welcome at the school was comforting.
Taking one last breath Valerie pushed open the heavy doors feeling a sense of relief wash over her. Laughter filled the hallways as well as shouts, students ran passed her and out the door some carrying sports equipment. She chuckled to herself remembering when she was that excited to have breaks in between classes. Valerie let her muscle memory take over as she took a right down the hallway while looking around taking everything back in.
Reaching her destination Valerie knocked on the oh too familiar door. Though she knew that she didn't really need to since she was expected, she just thought it was considerate to do so. She heard a come in before stepping into the office of Charles Xavier. A smile immediately spread on her face upon seeing the man who had taken her in when she needed it most. He hadn't changed in the past year, maybe another crease here and there on his face but nothing serious.
Charles Xavier was a great man, Valerie truly believed that. To open up his family home to a bunch of strangers who, if they tried, could be extremely dangerous. Teaching young kids how to control their powers and utilize them was no easy task. But he was doing it.
"Ah Valerie, it's good to see you again." Charles greeted her warmly.
Valerie grinned and nodded. "You too Professor, it's been a while."
"It has. Something seems to be troubling you yes?" He questioned a look of concern crossing his face.
"Yes." Valerie sighed.
"Please have a seat." Charles gestured to the arm chair next to her.
Listening she sat down in the leather chair across from Charles and placed her hands in her lap unsure of how to explain her predicament. But knowing that Charles would listen to anything she had to say was comforting.
"I've been offered a position on a government team. Uh S.H.I.E.L.D, well actually the team is the Avengers but S.H.I.E.L.D seems to be in charge of them." Valerie explained after taking a breath. "I'm unsure if I should join or not."
Charles laced his fingers together and placed his elbows on his desk bringing his hands to rest under his chin. "Have they been in contact with you for long?"
Valerie shook her head. She always found it funny that he could just read her mind and find out everything without having to have this conversation though he refuses to do so. "No, one of their agents showed up today at a diner I go to fairly often. You don't suppose they've been following me do you?" Valerie asked him a concerned look on her face.
"If they knew where to find you I would assume that they have been, but there's really not enough information to be certain about that." Charles explained. "Now these Avengers were the ones that saved New York a year ago correct? I remember seeing the news reports." Valerie nodded.
Charles sat back in his wheelchair and looked at her with a small smile. "Well it appears that they're not trying to harm anyone in any way, rather they mean to protect the people. Perhaps they're not much different then the X-Men. They seem to want to keep the peace rather then tear it apart."
"I agree Professor, but the thought of the government..." Valerie trailed off trying to find the words once again. "It's just unsettling. I mean especially after Stryker and the whole Weapon X fiasco, I just don't know if these people will be true to their word. For all I know they could be just like Stryker."
Charles nodded his head agreeing with her. "This is true. If you do decide to join and it turns into a situation like that then you know you can always contact us and we'll be there. But on the other hand, they could be telling the truth. This could be good for the mutant community Valerie."
She looked at him clearly confused. "What do you mean?"
"Many people seem to be fond of the Avengers, it could be beneficial to show the world that they, along with the government are willing to work with mutants." Charles said.
"I see what you mean, that could be good for us." Valerie said softly. "I guess I'll need to think about it. Could you ask Hank to let me know if he has any information on or contacts within S.H.I.E.L.D?"
Charles smiled at her and nodded. "Of course, I'm certain that if he has any information he'd be willing to share with you."
Valerie smiled back, "Alright, well thank you Professor. You've helped, really. But I should get going I assume you have classes today?"
"Yes I have one starting in about ten minutes. Anytime you need anything Valerie you know you shouldn't hesitate to ask." Charles told her moving from behind his desk over to where she stood.
"I know, and thank you really." Valerie said a genuine smile on her face. "I'll visit if I'm able."
Charles nodded. "You're always welcome to return, whether for a visit or to stay permanently. You always have a home here."
Valerie bent down to give the older man a small hug of thanks. "I know." Valerie responded as she stepped back. "I've been doing fine on my own, but it does feel good to walk these halls again."
Charles smiled up at her. "Well I do hope you make the right decision for yourself. And I hope you'll be back."
"Yeah, I'll catch ya later Professor." Valerie said giving him a smile and a wave as she made her way back out the door.
Valerie let out a frustrated groan. She knew she was going to be up all night thinking about this. But right now she really needed a drink. She made her way back down to the foyer slightly hoping that she didn't run into anyone else. Not that she wouldn't be happy to see them, she just wasn't in the mood for catching up. She just needed to go.
"Hey bitch, where you going?" Valerie rolled her eyes and let out a laugh. Of course she wasn't that lucky.
"Nice to see you too Ari." Valerie greeted the smaller girl while turning around.
Her sights landed on a petite girl slightly shorter than Valerie, who was looking at her with a wicked grin on her face showing her elongated canines. Ari was an interesting character. Sarcastic to the bone, loudmouthed, and deadly. Pretty too. Though the small girl actually terrified Valerie, she always looked at everything like it was her next meal. Whenever Valerie thought of Ari the first thing that popped into her mind was the memory of the small feral dragging a enormous dead bear behind her onto the lawn, both covered in blood and a sweet smile on her face. And then proceeding to skin it claiming they that she needed a new blanket.
Ari made her way over not making a sound and bright blues never leaving Valerie's striking greys. "So, you decided to show up randomly after two years and you don't even bother to say hi? Val, Val, Val I'm deeply offended." Ari said with mock hurt laced through her words.
Valerie rolled her eyes. "I didn't come to see you Ari, I came to talk to the Professor."
Ari nodded with a impish grin. "I know. About S.H.I.E.L.D right?" Ari asked in a knowing voice. "I remember those guys."
Valerie's head whipped around confusion written clear as day on her face. "You know who they are? Wait were you listening the whole time?"
Ari shrugged her shoulders, "Hey I can't help it if my hearing's really good. But yeah, I know them. They tried to recruit me several years ago. After being apart of Weapon X, and well that turning around to bite me in the ass. I told them to go shove it." Valerie was always stunned how Ari was able to say important things in such a casual manner. "They're very persistent though, they had agents follow me for a bit. I let them, ya know to humor them but they aren't trained to keep a tail on people like me and after I got bored I dropped off their radar."
Valerie stopped and stared at the fireplace. "The Professor thinks it could be a good idea to join. To show the world that the government is willing to work with mutants, it could do us some good ya know?" Valerie explained as she turned her attention to Ari looking for her reaction. "But, then there's the risk that they're lying. That they don't actually want me on the team, that I'm just going to be their newest science experiment." Ari just continued to stare at her not blinking, Valerie shifted uncomfortably she never did like it when Ari did that.
Taking a breath and trying to think of what to say Valerie removed her eyes from Ari. She knew that her friend had had a bad experience with the government, so had a few other people who lived at the school. "I just, really don't know what to do Ari. I mean I was thinking maybe I could just go to see what it's like, and if I don't like what I see I can run."
Ari scratched the back of her head other hand on her hip, her lips were pursed together in thought. "Well I mean ultimately it is your choice. I advise you to just go with your gut, you can never go wrong with your instincts." Ari said crossing her arms. "You're getting antsy aren't you? Not being part of the team anymore? Oh and don't try to lie to me cuz I'll smell it."
Valerie chuckled knowing that she was caught. She was part of the X-Men before she took off to do her own thing. And Ari was right, she was going slightly stir crazy not being out there using her powers like they were meant to be used. She missed the tension and anticipation that filled the Blackbird before they reached their destination, the feel of energy coursing through her body, and the sense of satisfaction knowing that she was out there trying to make a difference for her community. "Yeah I am. I feel like something's missing ya know? Like all my motivation is gone or something." Valerie told her looking down at the floor with soft eyes. "Maybe this is something I should look into, maybe it's what I need. I just don't know if I can trust them to keep to their word."
Ari let out a sigh, "Honestly, if this is legit this may be good for you. I personally would never, hell I turned them down. But those Avengers have proved to the world that they are here to help. Besides they could use another woman on the team, too much testosterone in one room never ends well."
Valerie laughed as she nodded her head. "That is true." She joked back. "I just don't know Ari, I think I need some more time to think about this. But thanks for your opinion."
Ari threw her arms out a wild grin on her face, "Ahhh anytime Val. Now you need to get the hell out of here before anyone else notices you're here. If they do they're probably gunna force you to stay for dinner, and I heard Kim's cooking to try and prepare for being a soon to be married woman. And well, you and I both know from experience that when she cooks it turns into the scene from Frankenstine when the evil scientist tries to bring his creature to life."
Valerie let out a loud cackle and nodded her head in agreement. "Yeah I should probably definitely get going then. I'll see you around Ari, we'll get lunch or something." Valerie said giving her friend a hug. "And tell Kim to let me know when the wedding is, I wanna be there."
Ari grinned letting go of the younger girl, being a feral she didn't look her age. "Oh I will don't worry. Yeah I'll hit you up soon about that lunch."
With another smile Valerie headed towards the large doors preparing herself for the rain that she knew was just beyond those wood doors. Grabbing the handle she pushed the door open and stepped over the threshold.
"Hey Val," Valerie paused halfway through the door and turned around to listen to Ari. She had an uncharacteristic serious look on her face, Ari only had that look when she needed people to shut up and listen. Ari looked up her brows knitted together in contemplation piercing blue eyes burning into Valerie's. "All kidding aside, if you do choose to join. Just remember to always keep your guard up, trust no one. Believe me, the government has been known to stab people in the back. You don't want to end up like Logan."
Valerie looked away from Ari's intense stare nodding her head slightly. "Thanks Ari." She responded looking back at her friend. "I appreciate it, really. I'll keep in touch."
She walked down the steps to her bike, swinging her leg over she placed her helmet on her head taking one last look at Ari sending a nod her way. Starting up her bike Valerie kicked up the kick stand and started to drive away.
"Oh and Val, if a single hair on the back of your neck stands up. You call!" Ari yelled after her. "I'll come running!"
Valerie pumped her fist in the air signaling her that she heard Ari. She sped away through the gates deciding that she really need that drink.
Well there's the first chapter. Hope you guys liked it, feel free to review. It's not necessary but I would love feed back. I'll try to get another chapter up soon.
