"When's your interview?" Monica LeBlanc asked as she rolled over onto her stomach to watch Alexandra hold up two different tops over and over.
"Three, so I have to leave," Alex looked over her shoulder to her alarm clock, "now."
Alex had been trying to decide what to wear for almost a half an hour. It had been a very long time since she had worried about her appearance and what people thought about her. There had been a point last fall, for about a week, when that worry started to appear, but then the constant worry about being kidnapped and killed pushed that out of the way once again. Now that she thought about it, the last time she honestly cared about her appearance was probably when she was flower girl in her aunt's wedding. She was seven. In the end, she hated the dress, but the little cape she got to wear was pretty cool.
"Then put the red one on, like I told you to do an hour ago, and get the hell out of here." Monica jumped up, grabbed the navy blue blouse out of Alex's hands, and threw it onto the bed. "Also, add some lipstick."
"This is an interview, not a date." Alex feverishly undid the buttons and tugged the shirt on. "I'm supposed to look professional. Lipstick is not needed."
"Sweetheart, lipstick is always needed." Monica handed her a deep red from the dresser, a few shades darker than the blouse. "So wear it, go kick ass, and win or lose we're going to have drinks tonight."
"Says the woman who already has a paid internship lined up," Alex checked her hair again in the mirror as she applied the lipstick. New York City was unbearably hot for the end of August, but Alex had decided to keep her hair down to hide her earrings. She doubted that piercings going up both ears would to stop her from being hired, she didn't want to take that chance. She really needed a paid internship.
"What can I say, I'm just that good." Monica flipped her curls with a smile.
"I want to be just like you when I grow up." Alex clasped her hands in front of her and fluttered her eyelashes like a star struck little girl. It was only half an act.
"Growing up is so overrated, babe," Monica laughed as she grabbed her apartment keys from where she had thrown them when she came in. "Seriously though, don't sweat it. If Oscorp took me, Stark Industries would be stupid not to take you. If they don't, which won't happen, I could put a good word in for you with Oscorp. I mean, I'm sure they could use a biochemist if they want a chemical engineer."
"Thanks, Monica," Alex grabbed her purse on the way to the door. "Here's hoping that we'll just be working for rival companies instead of you groveling to get me a job."
"Only good vibes girl, only good vibes." Monica gave Alex a hug on the way toward the door. "Just knock on my door when you get back. I'll have shots waiting."
"You're a true friend," Alex laughed. She locked the apartment door behind the two of them, which felt a little weird. Usually they spent their free time in Monica's apartment, which was two floors down. There was better cable there, HBO, and a much bigger television.
"Damn straight," Monica said with a wave as she headed down the hall. "I'm going to take the stairs, get that cardio in."
"Like you need it," Alex called after Monica as she disappeared into the stairwell and Alex hit the down button for the elevator.
Alex took a few calming breaths to steady herself as she waited for the elevator. It was hard to decide whether it was better for her to be alone or with other people. The smallest sounds made her jump out of her skin and sent her heart rate through the roof. Alex prided herself on being fearless, but since last fall she was always a step away from being an anxious wreck. Then again, an evil organization kidnapped her, threatened to kill her over an alien artifact, then she put that artifact on and it tried to take over her brain. She thought that she was allowed to be a bit more paranoid about everything. Somehow, she had made it through the week with just some bruises and cuts to show for it. Well, that and some emotional and psychological scars that were not healing so well, but she tried not to think about that.
The ding of the elevator made her jump, and she shook her head as she entered and hit the button for the lobby. Once again, Alex counted her blessings that she was alive, in New York City, and had somewhere to live. Her lease hadn't been renewed for her last apartment. While it had added a good deal of stress into her life, Alex couldn't blame her previous landlord. In a span of a week her door had been destroyed, a bullet had been shot into the floor, and a dead body had been found in the building. None of it had been her fault, technically, but management had decided it was time for her to move on.
Fortunately, a person in Monica's building had moved out and she'd pulled some strings with her father to get Alex the studio apartment. The previous owner had lived there for over sixty years and hadn't let any updates be made to the apartment, so it wasn't too hard to convince Mr. LeBlanc to give Alex the same rent controlled rate. There were some major perks to knowing the heiress to a real estate empire, especially in New York City. Unfortunately, the building was on the other side of campus from her old place, which made working at her previous place of employment, Malone's restaurant, impossible. Alex needed this paid internship or she was going to be homeless.
Raymond, the day doorman, opened the front door and flagged down a taxi for her. Alex pushed her financial worries aside as she gave the address to Stark Tower. There was an interview she needed to focus on. When she had first gotten the information about the internship, she almost burnt it. The word superhero made her want to punch multiple people in the face. However, when she was at home on the farm over the summer, she gave the internship some serious thought. It was a once and a lifetime opportunity with two of the best scientists in the world. The least she could go is apply for the position.
"So, what do ya think about that Spider-Man fellow?" The cabbie asked, after swearing colorfully in Italian when he was cut off by another cab.
"Who?" Alex asked as New York slide by. She loved this city with all its flaws. The Midwest was good for a summer in the sun getting a wicked tan, working on the farm, and trying to get her thoughts in order. However, nothing compared to her love for New York and its gritty beauty.
"That vigilante wearing spandex and swinging from buildings. Apparently he stopped some chemical attack or something last year, though I think those lizard folk were a conspiracy. Spider-man takes down thugs and bank robbers. In my day, the mob took care of that sort of thing. Kept the neighborhoods safe. This one time…" the cabbie continued even though Alex stopped listening. Alex had become good at zoning out of conversations since last fall, sometimes when she didn't want to.
"I think he's probably going to get himself killed," Alex said truthfully when she realized that the cabbie was waiting for an answer, even though she didn't know much about this Spider-man guy.
Alex's phone played a couple bars from Surfin' Safari, which meant that Jake had texted her. The message was just a picture of a goat, tongue sticking out between yellow teeth. Three little dots appeared before a text wishing her luck from him and Billy Bob appeared. Then he added that she didn't need it and for her to call him when she was done.
Jake had been texting Alex at least once a day since she had returned to the city, like the dutiful big brother. He felt responsible for what had happened last year. One of his friends had told him about the trouble Alex was having with her ex-boyfriend Markus, but she had talked him out of coming up from Miami to see her. While Alex hadn't told her family the extent of what had happened, with superheroes and HYDRA, she had told them about Markus's multiple assault attempts. They had been supportive, but saying that they weren't happy when she came back to the city was the understatement of the century.
"Here ya are, Miss," the cabbie sighed as he looked back at her. Alex paid the fare and then looked up at Stark Tower, taking another steadying breath.
"If you can't beat them, join them," Alex whispered to herself as she headed into the large glass doors, straightening her spine. She was just coming for an interview, not getting involved with any superhero nonsense.
Alex felt as if she was going to throw up.
"Welcome to Stark Industries, how can I help you?" The receptionist asked with a bright smile. Alex knew she must look like a lost tourist, the way she was looking at everything as she crossed the lobby.
"Alexandra Harper. I have an interview with Doctor Banner at three." The words came out a little faster than she had intended. Alex took a deep breath. Push came to shove, she could always get a waitressing job or three to make ends meet. This was not life or death.
"Yes, I see you here on the schedule. I'll let him know that you're here. Please, fill out these forms while you wait. There are some seats by the windows," the receptionist smiled as she pushed a clipboard across the counter.
Alex didn't mention that the entire lobby was made of windows as she walked over to the small sitting area the receptionist had indicated. The forms were the normal nondisclosure agreements, basic personal information, and all those other forms you fill out at a job interview. There were also a few forms with so much legal jargon that they made her head swim. She hoped that she hadn't signed away her first born child or any internal organs.
"Miss Harper?" Alex jumped and turned to see a woman standing beside her chair. "Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you. If you're ready, I can take you up to meet with Doctor Banner."
"Oh, should I give this paperwork to you?" Alex quickly got to her feet and extended the clipboard eagerly. This woman was tall, with brown hair pulled back into a bun without a hair out of place, and blue eyes. There was this air of authority around her.
"I'll take it." The woman smiled as she took the clipboard in one hand and offered the other. "I'm Maria Hill, it's a pleasure to meet you."
"I'm Alex, which you already know," Alex shook her head and told herself not to be so stupid. "It's nice to meet you."
"Likewise, if you'll follow me." Maria Hill started across the lobby without waiting, her heels tapping satisfyingly on the floor.
Alex had heard of Maria Hill the fall before. Steve had called on an Agent Hill to take care of a few things for him, like setting up her safe house. While there was no way of knowing that this was the same person, she looked as if she was a former S.H.I.E.L.D agent. Alex also didn't know how much about last fall that Hill was aware of. It had never occurred to her to ask Steve. She had a lot more on her mind, and he wasn't exactly easy to get ahold of.
"So what do you do here?" Alex asked as they waited for the elevator, too nervous to stay quiet. It wasn't like being quiet had ever been Alex's strong suit.
"I'm a jack of all trades," Maria smiled as the elevator door opened and they entered. "I keep an eye on thing for Mr. Stark in areas of security and intelligence here at the tower as well as working with the Avengers from time to time. I go wherever I'm needed."
"Oh," Alex looked at the many elevator buttons, telling herself not to say anything else. "No offense, but you seem a little too important to be taking me to an interview. Should I be worried?"
It was meant to be a joke, but there was a slight waver in Alex's voice. Her first impression of Maria Hill was that she was not a woman to be crossed. There was this sense of confidence and put togetherness that Alex didn't think she would ever be able to achieve. Why would someone like this be taking her to an interview?
"Actually, I volunteered to take you to up," Hill explained. "It is rare that Steve asks me to set up a safe house, I loved your apartment by the way, and he was rather vague about the details. I figured if I got eyes on you, I might be better able to assess the situation."
"What's your assessment?" Alex didn't know what else to say.
"You aren't what I was expecting," was the short reply.
Exactly how vague had Steve been? Obviously he wouldn't have said anything about James, but what about HYDRA and the bracelet? Steve had called for agents to come to the school to save her life and others watching her apartment, so there was a good chance that Hill knew about HYDRA. It would have been really helpful if Steve had given her some sort of heads up, she knew that he had a cell phone and had learned to use it since defrosting.
"What were you expecting?" Alex asked as the doors slid open.
"Honestly? I'm not exactly sure, but it wasn't you." Maria laughed and Alex wasn't exactly sure how to take that comment. "If you're hired, I'll take you through orientation and run the background checks. There is a chance of a polygraph test, depending on what clearance level you are designated, just so you're aware."
Before Alex could become too anxious about the idea of taking a polygraph test, Maria was walking down the hallway. She stopped at the second office on the right and knocked lightly on the glass door.
"Dr. Banner, your interview candidate is here." Maria gave Alex one last smile before she started down the hallway. "Good luck."
"Thank you," Alex called after her before turning to look at Doctor Banner. He was a leader in the Biochemistry field, but she really hadn't seen a lot of pictures of him when he wasn't very large, very green, and very angry. Logically she knew that the angry green guy wasn't going to be interviewing her, but for some reason that was who she had expected to see in the office.
"Bruce Banner, it's a pleasure to meet you." He extended his hand, sliding his glasses off with the other hand. Apparently when he was less green and angry, Dr. Banner was only about an inch taller than she was with wavy brown hair and a sweet, though nervous, smile.
"The pleasure is all mine," Alex smiled as she took his hand.
Doctor Banner motioned for Alex to take a seat on the other side of the desk before he resumed his chair. The fact that he was a bit nervous helped calm Alex. While he shuffled some things around on his desk, Alex looked around the office. It was mostly glass, a whole wall of windows and another glass wall that looked into a small lab. Banner's personal touches, wooden shelves filled with items from all over the world and a lovely Persian rug under the desk, stopped the office from feeling sterile. Those touches along with the startling number of plants, which also made the room smell fantastic, helped relax Alex even more.
"I've had a look at your resume and it's impressive, though I have to admit that you're younger than most of the applicants. Usually they are Master or PhD candidates." Dr. Banner slid his glasses back on as he looked through the folder in front of him. "A 3.85 GPA, valedictorian of her high school class, and impressive undergraduate research last year, co-authoring a few papers with your professors."
"I like to keep busy and, to be perfectly honest, I was just a research assistant on a couple of those papers." Alex shrugged, trying not to blush.
It was weird to have one of the most accomplished scientists in the field sit there and read off her accomplishments. What made it more awkward was that her memory of the spring semester resembled Swiss cheese. She had thrown herself into a lot of projects, anything to keep her mind off everything, and not sleeping made it so the particulars of those projects were lost on her. Might not be a bad idea to pull a couple of those papers out and see what the hell she had spent those sleepless nights on.
"You also have a few arrests on your record, though no charges were ever pressed. You always seemed to be in the wrong place at the wrong time." Banner looked at her over his glasses and smirked. "Known to hang out with a number of criminal elements, though you seem to have been avoiding them for about a year. Last contact with the police was in regards to an assault. You seem to have very different sides to you, Miss Harper."
"Don't we all?" Alex tilted her head and let an eyebrow rise.
Doctor Banner looked a little taken aback, but then let out a small laugh. Once again his glasses came off before he leaned back in the chair. One of the ear pieces went into his mouth as he studied her for a moment. Alex attempted not to fidget.
"I'm going to be honest with you, all these papers are pretty much meaningless." Banner flipped the folder closed and put his glasses on the desk. "What matters to me is why you want to work here."
"Who doesn't want to work here?" It was a question that was asked at every job interview and Alex had prepared for it. Yet, somehow, her carefully constructed answer was lost somewhere in her gray matter. So, she just said the first thing that came to mind. Because that never ended badly.
"What I meant is that you're a biochemist, it would make a lot more sense for you to go to a drug company, or Oscorp. Why Stark Industries? We are known more for clean energy and the Avengers, why apply here?" Banner refined his question, though there was still a small quirk on his lips.
"You're a biochemist and you're here," Alex pointed out, but she knew that it wasn't that great of an answer. "To start with, I didn't think that Stark Industries was the right fit, but a friend gave me the information so I kept it. Then I heard about the medical division and my friend seemed to think that I could do a lot of good here. Being on the ground floor of something, something that is led by Bruce Banner and using the technology of Tony Stark, sounded exciting. Plus, it's paid and will look great on my resume."
It was not a refined or pretty speech, but since Alex had already started the trend of being honest she figured there was no reason not to keep it up. There didn't seem to be any reason to lie to Dr. Banner, he seemed to know everything about her anyway. Maria Hill had probably already run all those background checks she mentioned in the elevator.
"You're honest, I'll give you that," Dr. Banner smiled. "Let me tell you a little bit about what I want to do. There's a lot going on in the world, and most of it isn't great. I want to use this lab, and the resources, to do some of the good that isn't seen in the world right now. During this internship you'll be working on vaccines and other medical advancements that can make life easier, things that can save lives. No political pressure to not find the cures to pad corporate pockets. Tony, and Ms. Potts, want this company to be known for more than weapon production of the past and the Avengers. They want to move away from destruction and toward hope."
"It's true that the company doesn't exactly have a squeaky clean reputation," Alex agreed as she attempted to hide her excitement. Everything that Dr. Banner mentioned was exactly what she wanted to do with her degree. What she wanted to do with the rest of her life. No drug companies that were only interested in profits, just focusing on saving lives. To do something more. To help people.
"Yet, you're still interested in working here?" Banner laughed a little.
"Well, I don't have a squeaky clean reputation either, as you know," Alex waved to the folder on his desk. "I think it could be a perfect match."
"Let me show you around the lab," Banner got to his feet, sliding his glasses back on. "If you still feel that way after you get a look at the place, we'll talk more."
The real interview took place during the tour, Dr. Banner asking her questions about the equipment in the lab and if she was familiar with them. There were some things that she didn't know how to use, or what they even were, but she thought she did alright during the impromptu test. Banner corrected her when she got something wrong and seemed happy to answer any of the questions she had. They also got into a rather animated conversation about transcription and RNA processing.
"So, do you have any other questions for me or about me?" Dr. Banner seemed nervous again when they finally got back to his office and resumed their seats. "You've done well at hiding your interest so far, but I'm sure that you have questions about…about the Hulk. Almost everyone does. Usually they revolve around that personal safety."
Alex didn't respond right away, knowing that she had to pick her words carefully. Did she have concerns about the Hulk? Anyone without a death wish would have concerns about a creature that can rip apart one of New York's boroughs with little effort. She had seen the news reports about what he had done to Harlem, and then during the Battle of New York, and the rebuilding work was still continuing. This office, and most of Stark Tower, was glass and if Dr. Banner changed she would be in a world of trouble. Then again, it really wouldn't matter where she was if he changed, she would be in a world of trouble.
"You've seen my interesting history," Alex said with a smile, deciding once again to be honest. "I can't seem to stay away from trouble, no matter the type. However, I'm also pretty good at keeping myself alive. I can take care of myself, no matter the threat."
Dr. Banner looked at her for a moment, studying her facial expression, weighing her words. After a deep breath, he slid his glasses off and looked out the windows. Alex played with the hem of her skirt, praying that it was the right answer. She might not want anything to do with superheroes, or HYDRA, or anything like that, but she wanted this internship. Badly. It wasn't just the need for money, it was a want. During the interview, Dr. Banner had spoken and had sparked so many ideas, and he was one of the leaders in biochemistry. To learn from him would do nothing but help her.
"Well, I think that's everything I need, Miss Harper." Dr. Banner got to his feet abruptly, sliding his glasses back on.
"Oh," Alex got to her feet as well and followed him to the door. "You don't have any other questions for me?"
"Well, since you asked, I do have one. It's a personal question, though." Dr. Banner held the door for her to move out into the hallway.
"That's fine…" Alex had no idea what he would want to know about her personal life. Besides, it seemed to have her whole life on that folder on his desk. He probably knew more about her than she knew about herself.
"How do you know Steve Rogers?" He asked as they made their way toward the elevator.
"That seems to be the question of the day," Alex sighed, trying not to fall out of her heels in shock. Why hadn't she thought that everyone was going to ask about what happened last fall? Then again, she hadn't thought Steve would have mentioned her to all the Avengers. However, it seemed like she was the gossip of the tower.
Alex knew that telling the truth was out of the question. Explaining that she met Steve in an alley while she was harboring his amnesiac best friend, who was also a hundred years old, in her apartment. Or that Steve had a hell of a time keeping her alive and safe from HYDRA, though she really didn't help him, while agents were looking for an alien artifact that could control minds. Or that she had put that bracelet on and used it to control a HYDRA agent's mind and wasn't sure if that had any lasting effects on her as it tried to take over her mind. There was also the fact that she spent some time in a S.H.I.E.L.D. safe house, and also caused a whole assault on NYU. Why couldn't Steve give her a heads up about this?
"Steve would come into the restaurant where I used to work. I recognized him, it's kind of hard not to, and we got to talking. He found out what my major was and passed along the information for the internship. It's nothing all that exciting," Alex explained. Eventually she was going to have to tell Steve all these lies so that they wouldn't get caught by someone. Then they were going to have a long talk about him gossiping about her to everyone in the tower.
"He speaks very highly of you," Dr. Banner explained as he pressed the down button. "He was very excited when he heard that you were coming in for an interview. I'm guessing you hadn't mentioned it to him."
"I don't mean to offend you, but I hope you wouldn't give me this position just because Mr. Rogers gave me the information. I would be truly honored to have an opportunity here, but if you don't think I'm qualified for the position, give it to someone else." Alex wanted the job more than she had wanted anything since last fall, but she wasn't going to take a pity position. Her pride would never let her do that. Sometimes she hated that she still had pride.
"I'm not offended and I didn't mean to offend you," Dr. Banner said quickly as they walked into the elevator. "I was just interested in how you knew each other. He was…very impressed by you."
"What did he say?" Alex was trying to get all the information so that her own lies would have the ring of truth. Also, she was interested in what Steve said about her when she wasn't around. After everything, Steve cursing her name would probably be the most appropriate.
"Not much, just that you were one of the brightest and most inquisitive people that he had ever met, which is what got us all interested," Dr. Banner shrugged. "He really isn't known for meeting girls, let alone talking with them. Some of the group have been bothering him more than others about who you are. It's probably why he's been gone so much lately, working on something with his friend Sam."
Sam had to be Sam Wilson, and their project was trying to track down James. As always, the thought of James made her heart ache. Apparently, Steve was still playing that close to his chest, only having those few people involved as his confidants. She had barely heard from either Steve or Sam over the summer when she was out of the city. It might have been because it wasn't something that they wanted to discuss over the phone because you never know when someone was listening. Even if they had called, she had spent long hours out in the fields with her father and taking runs at all hours of the day.
Alex pushed that to the back of her mind and tried to think of something to say as they rapidly descended to the lobby. Honestly, she had no idea how well she did during the interview. She hadn't been prepared for a lot of the questions and for the ones she was prepared for, she didn't answer them as she had planned. The one thing she could say is that she had been honest, for better or worse. Still, that abrupt end to the interview made her nervous.
"Doctor Banner," a computerized voice with a slight accent echoed through the elevator, making Alex jump.
"Yes, Jarvis?" Dr. Banner shot Alex an apologetic smile.
"Mr. Stark would like you to come to his lab when you are finished with the interview. There is something that he would like to discuss in regards to Veronica."
"Thank you, Jarvis. Tell him I will be up in a minute."
Alex looked out of the corner of her eye at Dr. Banner, wanting to ask who Jarvis was. There were thousands of possible things that Tony Stark would want to talk to Dr. Banner about, apparently about someone named Veronica. Some of them were very farfetched, but then she remembered that Tony Stark flew around in a metal suit that shot lasers he had invented. Was anything farfetched in this place? Veronica could be a person or a code name for something.
"I guess I should introduce you to Jarvis, since you kind of just met him. He's the A.I. system here at the tower," Dr. Banner said with a smile. "Jarvis, this is Alexandra Harper, she was interviewing for one of the internship positions."
"I did see it on your calendar. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Harper." The voice came back, almost sounding amused.
"Uh…Likewise. Alex or A.J. is fine," Alex didn't know what else to say. She was having a conversation with a talking A.I. system. What the hell was this, 2001 Space Odyssey? That thought sent a small chill down her spine as they were plummeting toward the ground in a glass elevator. She really hoped that Jarvis was a lot nicer than Hal.
The elevator reached the lobby without incident and the doors swooshed open. This was Alex's last chance to say something to impress Dr. Banner. She really, really, wanted this internship, but now she wanted Dr. Banner to like her as well.
"I want to thank you so much for this opportunity to interview for the position. I know that I'm younger than who you usually look for, and don't have the credentials that you want, but I would be so willing to learn. Everything you've told me about this position is what I want to do with my degree. I just…I wanted you to know that." Alex stopped rambling before she said something truly embarrassing and held her hand out. "Thank you, again."
"It was a pleasure to meet you," Dr. Banner took the hand he offered her and shook it.
Alex stepped out of the elevator and started across the lobby, her stomach in knots. That was that. 'It was a pleasure to meet you' doesn't sound like 'you're hired.' It sounded like someone sending an impersonal email thanking you for your time, but they are moving on to other candidates. The thought of waiting tables again after being through the lab was depressing.
"Oh, Miss Harper," Dr. Banner said he put his hand in front of the elevator door to stop it from closing.
"Yes, Dr. Banner?" Alex hoped she hadn't dropped something or had something on her skirt. Maybe he was going to tell her right then that he wasn't interested.
"See you on Monday for orientation," Dr. Banner said with a wide smile before he let the doors closed.