"Eira, duck, you crazy bitch!" a member of her team shouted as she leaned up to fire over the remnants of the concrete wall. Moments after his words had registered, she fell to blackness.
"What the hell was one squadron deployed out there for? Stark's experiment killed damn near every one of them except the leader, who's currently fucking unconscious with radiation blowing through her system like no goddamned tomorrow. I could have you killed for this kind of reckless bullshit, General. S.H.I.E.L.D. operations are top priority, and when they can damage human life, like Stark's fuck-ups," Stark put his hands up defensively, "We'd rather it damage the 'bad guys'." Fury brought his hand to the bridge of his nose. He hadn't slept. One survivor, and everything was immediately more complicated.
The General thought to himself, and slowly voiced his thoughts. "She has rank, Director. Best training in the country and a good head to boot. You could let her in on your operations. No danger, anyway. She has pets, and that's it. No friends or family."
"I like it." Tony clapped his hands together. "Pepper and Romanoff get tired of all the testosterone anyway."
"We can't just let people waltz in like that, Stark!" Tony shrugged, and he sighed. "We'll see when she wakes up. All this Alien and Avengers and war on Earth bullshit. "
"Almost two years." she mused to herself, looking at the now faint scars on her body. She thought back. The war. Her squad.
The blackness. Waking up in the hospital, asking why it was so hot. Nick Fury and Tony Stark themselves had explained everything.
They were experimenting with biological warfare in Afghanistan, in a warzone they had thought only to be riddled with enemies. General Walsh had sent her out for information. She had requested an informal squad in case she was to be outnumbered.
She was. While searching an abandoned lab with four other men and women she hardly knew, the concrete wall fell in.
"Two down." she had noted, the bodies already bloodied underneath large blocks.
Gunshots. She glanced back. "Five."
She and 3 men were left, two of whom she recognized as Major Generals.
She positioned her rifle over the crap of the concrete wall that was left.
Burning. Blackness. Nothingness.
"Lieutenant General Derosier," Stark began, "how would you take to being involved in the S.H.I.E.L.D. Operations?"
"If my skills are needed, I'll serve there."
"That's great dollface, but where do you want to be? This isn't rigid military, you're being given a choice."
A choice. She mused. It would be interesting.
"Before I decide, what exactly happened? What's wrong with me right now?"
"We were experimenting with a form of biological warfare. What's supposed to happen is, when you inhale these fumes," he held up a test tube that appeared to have been welded shut, "your entire immune system goes into overdrive, and then shuts down completely. In theory, you would be susceptible to disease at the mere touch of.. well, anything."
She was suddenly paranoid. Had she contracted something?
"Fortunately," the Director continued, "That wasn't the case for you. Instead, it seems to have benefited you in a way we didn't predict."
"Which is?"
"Hold out your arm." Stark commanded, and she did so. And then, he cut her.
"Hell, what was that...for." She answered it herself and she watched the skin web over and heal in mere moments.
"Pretty damn cool, if I do say so myself, dollface." He grinned smugly.
"Thanks for trying to kill me then, I suppose."
"You two are gonna get along swell." Fury rubbed the bridge of his nose. "So, you want the position or not?"
Eira mused to herself. "Where will I be stationed?"
"In Stark Tower."
"It's really just you few? Superheroes and the director?"
"Always a party, Thor is." Stark sipped at a cocktail.
She blinked. It was strange to take it, this position she was being offered.
"Stark, how do you feel about animals?"
He sighed. "If they scratch any of my cars or equipment, they're going up for adoption."
Eira grinned. "Sounds good to me. I'll take the position."
Eira grinned into the mirror, remembering it fondly. Her brother and sister, who had raised her, had died in a plane crash four years before. Barely 18, she had joined the military through a friend, and gained rank quickly. All the way up to Lieutenant General by the age of 23. Only 6 months after her final rank, she had been speaking to Nick Fury and Tony Stark themselves.
She looked around the fancy, loft-like room in Stark tower that she was now accustomed to. The large dog bed in the corner, and cat toys strewn occasionally about the bedroom. Nola, her Tibetan Mastiff, was probably off harassing Tony or following Thor around (Thor had taken a liking to both of her pets when she joined the S.H.I.E.L.D. force, but Nola was like nothing he had seen domesticated in Asgard).
Loka (the name based quite ironically from 'Loki'), a Savannah F-1, stared expectantly at her. Natasha and Pepper had immediately taken a liking to Loka, but she still followed Eira nearly everywhere.
Eira shook herself from the memories of her first being here and got dressed. She did secretly enjoy not having to wear a stuffy uniform, and took even more enjoyment in the extra money she had to buy herself nice clothes. Being the middle of September, it wasn't quite cold yet, so she slipped on a black v-neck and plain jeans. She quietly giggled at the brightness of her snow-white, femininely cropped hair next to the black.
"Good morning Miss Derosier."
"Ahh, good morning Jarvis. Tony need something?" Eira said casually as she applied her maximum amount of makeup, which was mascara and chapstick.
"The Director is here and needs everyone in the lab immediately."
She stopped. Fury never came in person unless something highly suspicious or worrisome was going on. "Alright. I'll be right down."
"The elevator is waiting."
Eira stepped out into the brightly lit hallway and into the elevator. She held it open for Loka, who sprinted in, hilariously dog-like. After about 30 seconds, the door opened to the lab, where the Director, Tony, Pepper, Natasha and Rogers were already waiting.
Tony sipped his drink. "Morning, munchkin. We're waiting on Clint, Thor, Jane and Banner."
"I feel like you could get more creative with the short jokes, tin man." Romanoff smirked, scratching Loka's chin.
"Lady Eira! It has been far too long!" Thor exclaimed, strolling into the room, accompanied by Jane, Fury, Banner, Clint and a slim man with dark hair that seemed vaguely familiar.
And suddenly, tension was cracking the seams of the room. Stark dropped his drink and held out his forearm, which was immediately covered by his signature lethal weapons. Natasha crouched and slipped out her pistol. And she then realized who this man was.
Loki.
"Calm all your asses down." the Director stated. "We got a big problem and I hope you're all ready for it."
Fury had them all sitting down, after Stark arguing ferociously and filling himself another drink. Eira sat down at the end, directly across from Thor, and next to Loki. The Director remained standing, and tossed a manilla envelope to Stark. "Alright, listen up. We got 4 reading of some crazy shit entering the atmosphere, all within a 100-mile radius of this building. Now-"
"That's fucking fabulous, Director, but I want to know what this one," He pointed his thumb at Loki, "is doing on this planet, and moreso, what the hell is he doing in my Tower?"
"Calm the hell down, Stark. Thor, you tell him." Fury pinched the bridge of his nose in irritation.
"My brother is here because of the possible threat of dark magic." Thor paused. "A threat which my brother is knowledgeable of, and has agreed to assist us with... in exchange for not being imprisoned."
Tony stood up. "Bullshit! He needs to be locked up. For good."
"Such a loving welcome." Loki drawled. His tone sent a shiver down Eira's spine, something that was not easy for one man to accomplish.
"Because you deserve one." Tony snapped. I could taste the sarcasm.
Fury wasn't putting up with it. "Derosier! I need to speak to you privately."
"Yes, sir." My military training had taken over due to the immediate threat sitting next to me. I stood up tensely and strode from the room, the Director following behind and closing the door.
"Alright Derosier, listen up. You've done a damn good job these past two years. But it's been calm. Time for a nice challenge. The Avengers are great, but with Loki in on it this time, I need you and Pepper to keep everyone in line and working together. I also need you to keep Stark from making stupid-ass decisions and I need you to tail Loki of Sassguard over there and make sure he don't try any... funny business."
"Will do, sir." she nodded and strolled briskly back into the lab.
"Cheer up, tin man." she ruffled Tony's hair. "You have an extra person to bully."
Tony grinned, despite being obviously pissed off. "You're still my favorite target, shortstack."
"Come at me, Stark." Eira had to do something to lighten the mood in the room, and she had a feeling that this was it. Natasha caught my motive immediately and tossed me a shotglass.
Tony grinned and finished his drink in a couple of gulps. Jane looked confused. Tony stood up, and chucked the glass at her head. As she allowed it to shatter on her arm, he stepped onto the table and jumped over to the small bar (one of many in the building). He began taking out shotglasses and stood haughtily. "This better leave a scar or something to show my triumph this time."
"What triumph?" Eira teased, and threw her own shotglass, causing him to duck. Thor and Banner laughed. Tony continued tossing shotglasses at her as she ran back around the room, sliding behind the bar and knocking him from his feet.
Tony landed on his back, the breath barely knocked from him. Eira bounced back to her feet and grabbed a bottle of vodka, threatening to smash it above him.
He held his hands up in surrender. "Alright, you win this round, Lieutenant Midget." Eira set the bottle down and turned around as Tony stood up.
Glass shattered and she was drenched as Tony smashed the bottle above her head.
Eira turned to glare at Stark, and couldn't help but burst into laughter. Soon, the room was filled with it.
"Alright, alright." Tony finally mustered, reading Fury's notes in the manilla envelope. "Pretty boy," he gestured to Loki, "Eira's gonna show you up to a room. No funny magic, dark whatevers and whatnot."
Eira glared at Tony, and then glanced to Fury's notes. So, Tony knew what her job description was.
Thor and Jane left, followed by Natasha and Pepper. Slowly, every had filtered out aside from Eira, Stark, and Loki.
Tony grinned at her. "You two lovebirds have fun, now."
She rolled her eyes. "You should add 'jackass' to your list of things you are without your armor.
"Right. Genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist, jackass extraordinaire. A toast to me, and my lack of flaws." He handed me a neat shot of rum. Again, Eira rolled her eyes and downed it thankfully.
"Alright." she strolled towards the elevator and glanced back to Loki. "You coming, gorgeous?" Eira decided sarcasm would be her weapon until she got to know him better. He responded with a sigh and followed me otherwise silently, eying Loka, who padded happily next to me.
"Floor 52, please, Jarvis."
"Immediately, miss."
"Where are you taking me?" Loki inquired coldly.
Eira mused for a moment. Honesty was the best policy, right? "Your room will be next to mine and across from Thor and Jane's. I've been assigned to keep an eye on you in case you try anything." She gauged his reaction carefully.
Loki twitched. "I'm to be dogged by a human?"
"Keep in mind that you kindof tried to enslave us and you aren't being held in chains. And I'm not as bitchy as Stark, so you should be able to tolerate me."
Loki glared at me. "You will not disturb my slumber."
Eira shrugged. "Fine by me. Just don't kill my animals." she said as the doors opened to Nola jumping around excitedly. Loki tensed visibly at her dog's approach.
Eira laughed. "She likes you, apparently. Alright Nola, shoo." She scratched Nola's ears and waved her off, to watch her happily trot down the hall and scratch Thor's door.
"I like this one." Loki said mildly as Loka pranced between the two of them.
"You'd better. Her name is a feminine twist to yours. So treat her as you treat yourself." I grinned.
"Hopefully... she lives up to her name." Eira swore she saw the corner of his mouth twitch upwards.
"Oh, she does. She loves ripping the stuffing out of Stark's spare pillows." Eira stopped in front of the room next to hers. "This is your room. I'm about to take a shower and then go get lunch, and I have to keep an eye on you. Steal some of Stark's regular-people clothing and we'll head out."
Loki grimaced, and she realized it sounded like she was ordering him around. "Please?" Eira grinned.
Loki sighed and entered his room. At least he hadn't threatened to rip her head off or have her eaten yet.
She looked in the mirror and groaned. Her hair was plastered to her head and she smelled like an alcoholic. She stripped and handed the vodka-soaked clothes to the Laundry Jarvis (as she liked to call the little robot in her bathroom). She stepped into the hot shower and scrubbed herself thoroughly. Eira dried her hair and stepped out of her bathroom to see Loki sitting on her bed, reading one of her books.
"Jesus Christ! You could alert me to your presence before I scar you with my nakedness, you know?" she complained, wrapping a towel around herself so that she could grab some clothes.
He didn't even look up. "I'm sure your... nakedness would have negative effect, if any at all."
"Gee, thanks." She said sarcastically, grabbing another pair of jeans and a dark green v-neck, and her underwear. She looked at him. "Well, turn around then." He obliged, scooting himself to face a wall, still absorbed in his book, while she dressed.
"Alright, Loka, go harass Tony while I'm out." Eira said cheerfully, scratching Loka's head. She and Loki stepped into the elevator. "Ground floor, Jarvis. And put tin man on the line for me."
"Right away, Miss Derosier."
"The hell do you want, shortstuff?" Tony asked.
"Have laundry Jarvis bring me the keys to the Vanquish. I feel like going on a joyride to get lunch."
"Hah! Like hell I'm lending you the Vanquish. Take the XJ."
"It would be a shame if your best scotch were to drench you. Again."
Tony sighed. "Damn it, Eira. Alright fine, the Vanquish it is."
Eira grinned. "So, what are you craving?"
Loki thought. "Meat."
"So specific. I think I know a place you'll enjoy."
Eira settled herself into the soft, leather seat of her personal favorite of Tony's cars.
"Hey, Jarvis. Call and get me a reservation for two at the best steakhouse you can find within 30 miles."
