Author's note: Okay, I had started planning this before I saw the new Avenger's movie, so the setting may be slightly AU in that there will be some changes (one major one in particular) to Clint's background compared to what was seen in the movie. This fic is meant to be more episodic in nature, so it'll mostly consist of smaller stories, arcs, and drabbles. But before we get into anything serious, let's let the team have a bit of fun while they get to know Alex better.
Chapter 1: Come Fly With Me
The Avengers Tower
New York, Manhattan
"I can't believe they're running this again." Tony remarked as he, Bruce, Clint, and Natasha watched the news together over a box of pizza. It was a rerun of Natasha's day in court after the government found out about the whole fiasco with H.Y.D.R.A.'s infiltration of S.H.I.E.L.D. "Don't they ever get tired of it? I mean, we all know how this is going to end."
"Actually, I'm still a little surprised they acquitted me so easily." Natasha admitted calmly. It probably helped that S.H.I.E.L.D. was no longer being branded as a terrorist organization with the death of John Garrett, one of the more dangerous HYDRA turncoats.
"Yeah." Tony agreed. "I mean, no offense, but you've done some pretty messed up stuff."
Natasha shrugged. There was no point in denying it.
"Well, it was a government hearing." Clint reminded them. "They can't ignore public opinion if they want to get re-elected."
"What really surprised me was how much pull Alex has." Bruce said, nodding. "To think she was able to get a famous author like Belle Woods to endorse that 'Save the Widow' movement she started on the internet."
"Yeah, that took off like wildfire. I mean, over three billion hits and counting?" Clint said, raising an eyebrow. "You definitely owe that girl a fruit basket or something." He told Natasha.
"Speak of the devil…" Tony remarked with a smirk as Alex shuffled into the room, still in her pajamas.
It looked like Alex was in 'zombie mode' this morning. Over the short time they had known her, it had become abundantly obvious that Alex really only had two morning modes: 'wired' and 'zombie'. She was either wide-awake and ready to carpe that diem, or she was just barely conscious enough not to qualify as sleepwalking. There was no in between.
The four veteran Avengers watched the newbie teeter and totter around the kitchen until she found the coffee pot and clean mug they had left out for her. She poured herself a cup and took a sip. Alex let out a sigh of contentment when that first blissful drop of caffeine hit her brain, and all the gears clicked into place again.
"So, what's on the agenda for today?" She asked as she grabbed her meds and a poptart before joining the rest of them.
"According to Pepper, you and I are supposed to go to Louisiana to talk with your shrink and get some stuff you said you wanted." Tony reminded her.
"You mean Pepper finally convinced you to talk to a professional?" Bruce asked. "I'm impressed."
"Yeah, well, her shrink is already seeing one superhero…" Tony muttered. "Besides, aren't you curious about what kind of environment could have produced that?" He asked, pointing his thumb at their quirky rookie.
The others exchanged a glance before nodding in agreement. Okay, he had a point there. Maybe a visit to her hometown would help answer some of the questions they still had about Alex.