Cracking the Code

Chapter 1

Rated: T for mature language and mature references.

I do not own the Avengers! But I do own Eliza!

This story picks up after Thor comes on earth and now Loki's trapped in the "cell of doom" as I like to call, but starts before Bruce turns into the Hulk.

~Eliza's P.O.V~

-BEEP BEEP BEEP- I hit the off button of my alarm and rise from my bed like a zombie emerging from the grave. I glare at the clock, 6:15. God, how I hated getting up so early.

I dragged myself out of bed and walked through the pile of secret files on my floor. I smiled as I read the text printed on the folder "The Avengers Initiative". I could hardly contain my excitement, SHIELD's most infamous heroes coming together to kick ass and fight crime. This was all really happening.

I next walked into my bathroom and observed the damage that had happened due to my tossing and turning at night in the mirror. Since I can remember I've had such horrible bed head. Every morning my hair practically looks like Medusa's. I turned on my shower and stepped in. I felt myself wake up more as the brisk water ran down my body.

After my shower I got out and blow dried my hair. Finally my crazy locks were starting to soothe down. I figured that I just wear my hair up in a ponytail. I opened my closet and grabbed my S.H.E.I.L.D uniform and identification badge I glanced over to my alarm clock, 7:00. 'Ahh, I got an hour to pass and files to catch up on' I thought while I crashed down on the sofa in my room. I reached for the files down below and brought one up. I opened it and frowned when the opening page read "Tony Stark". I let out a grunt and let the file fall to the ground spilling it's contents over my floor. Something about that man just rubbed me the wrong way. His personality? His cockiness? Ehh there be no way of pin pointing, he was bad news all round.

I reached for another file and felt my heart melt as I read the big bold letters, Steve Rogers. I know, I know, it's quite unprofessional to have a big fat crush on Steve, considering the fact that I will soon be working with him, but honestly what lady in her right mind wouldn't go weak in the knees at the sight of him? I let out a dreamy sigh and shook myself back into reality.

As I reached down for another file my phone buzzed. It was a message from Director Fury. Meet me in the briefing room. I quickly sat up and booked it out of my room and headed straight towards the briefing room.

Let me tell you one thing I've learned while being aboard this hovercraft, DO NOT KEEP FURY WAITING. You do not want to see when that man gets mad. Trust me on that one.

I got to the briefing room in a flash to find Fury sitting in a chair around a table with four other men. Fury stood. "Eliza I presume you know of your new assignment. These are four very important guests you read about in the files I sent you. Your job is to look after them while they're here. That means doing what they tell you to do and helping them out. Do you understand?" I nodded. "Yes, sir."

I looked at the four men and recognized all of them from the files. First of the men was Bruce Banner, a timid and anxiety stricken man. His face had an expression of fear and his actions were hesitant. I warmly shook his hand and smiled. "Pleasure to meet you, Dr. Banner." I said hoping that my actions towards him would release some of his worry.

After Bruce there was Thor. Thor is a meatball of a demi-god, meaning that he was ripped, even his biceps had biceps. Thor surprisingly gave me a very warm hug and said to me in his booming voice. "It is a great pleasure meeting you Agent Eliza of SHIELD." he said. I chuckled. "Just Eliza is fine too." I say.

Steve was next as I tried to keep my composure. I feel myself awkwardly shuffle over to him and can slowly feeling myself being transported back to my high schooler crush days. Steve smiles at me and shakes my hand firmly "Pleasure to meet you ma'am, Captain Rogers at your service. But I prefer you'd call me Steve. Plus I'm really glad that you're the one helping me out." I looked up at him with my mouth gawked opened for a few seconds. I regained consciousness and gave a toothy grin. "It's uhh…a pleasure to meet you too. And you're in very uhh, good hands!"

And finally there was Tony hotshot Stark. "I really don't believe I need to introduce myself. I mean really? But may I just say that I can't wait to get to know you." he said flashing a grin and suggestively winking. I looked at him oddly, was he serious? Was this man actually trying to make a move? "Well I can assure you Mr. Stark there will be none of that." I said snarky. He frowned. "No love for Tony, ehh? Fine. Play hard to get. See if I care." He said waving his hand.

Fury stood up again from his seat after talking to someone on his phone during my introductions. "I have to handle a situation with Loki. Eliza can you please show them to their rooms?" He said while handing me a paper that had all the information I needed . "Yes sir." I said. Fury left the room.

I looked over the list. Thor- Room 3-4 B. Tony- Room 3-9 B. Great, my room was right next to Tony's. I sighed and examined the rest of the list. Steve- Room 3-7 B. I smiled. At least Steve was on the other side of me. Finally, Bruce- Room 3-2 B.

I led all four men to the elevator.

When we got out of the elevator I showed everyone their rooms and told each of them my cell phone number and room number and that if they needed me or anything at all to either text me or in Thor's case to come find me. I showed Tony to his room last. "Listen Eliza, If you ever need someone to fulfill your sexual desires.." he paused as he rubbed his goatee and leaned towards me. "You know where I'll be." he smirked. I pushed him into his room and let out a grunt. "Not interested, Stark." and slammed his door close.

I sighed and angrily hit the wall. "Douchebag." I muttered. I then felt a tap on my shoulder and turned around. It was Bruce.

"Uh…sorry to bother you but I was wondering where the lab was? I would really like to start my research as quickly as possible." He said. I facepalmed myself. "Oh yes. Sorry about that Dr. Banner I was supposed to show you that beforehand." I said. "Thank you. Oh and feel free to just call me Bruce." He said.

Tony came out of his room.

"Mind if I tag along? I would love to help you out on your research." Tony asked.

I shook my head and groaned.

"I wouldn't mind some company." Bruce said.

"Oh don't look so disappointed, Eliza." Tony said. "It'll be fun, you, me, and Brucey.

I walked with Bruce and Tony to the elevator and showed them to the lab. "Alright here you go Bruce. I hope everything is to your liking. " I said cheerful. Bruce smiled and nodded his head. "Again, if you need anything just contact me."

Tony's P.O.V

Heh. Right like I needed the attention of some little worker ant from SHIELD. I glanced down and swallowed my remorse. Why was I programed to be such a dick? Eliza started walking out of the room. I rushed over and stuck my foot in the door. "Hey-uh hey, Eliza." I said reaching towards her. She spun towards me with her eyebrow raised. "What is it now, Stark?" she asked. The diction she put on my last name treated it as if it was a curse. I bit my lip and stared at her angrily. She started to tap her foot at my lack of a response.

She glanced down to her watch. "Stark, I really have things I need to be doing. So if you want to say something to me I suggest you say it now."

I exhaled. "Never mind." I muttered and shuffled back into the lab. Goddamn. That woman really hates me.

Things with the ladies haven't been exactly in my favor lately. Pepper had just recently broke off our relationship with me for a lawyer in Chicago. I'll be quite honest, I've been extremely depressed, and slowly but surely been getting back to my old ways, getting drunk every night, trying to go out and meet girls and to fix that empty space in my life. But inside it was just emptiness. Pure, dark emptiness.

A/N: I hope you enjoyed the first chapter!