Chapter 2: An Unexpected Journey

Ingrid awoke the next morning to discover that she had fallen asleep on the couch with her laptop on her stomach. She glanced at the blank screen and tried to remember how much she had written. She grimaced remembering that she had deleted what she had written out of anger. She cursed her inner perfectionist and hoped that she had not emptied the trash on her computer. After a long while of staring up at the ceiling she slowly got up, shut the laptop cover, put it on the table, and went into the kitchen to make tea. As she turned on the water, she remembered the events of the day before. She remembered her uncle coming over with the Avengers, her making tea, and Steve Rogers. Her heart beat faster at the thought of his Greek-statue like body. Physical aspects of a person mean nothing until you know their personality, she told herself. She shook her head to get rid of the thought of Steve's body. She instead thought about her day's activities. First she would take a swim in the cold lake, that would help invigorate her body and mind, then she would have breakfast and enjoy savoring it on the deck at the lake. Finally she would spend the rest of the day writing.

She made her morning coffee and bun and walked down to the lake to swim. She didn't own a bathing suit, so she ended up wearing a pair of old shorts and a t-shirt. She placed her breakfast directly on the dock and dived into the cold water. She arranged herself so she could float on her back. As she floated in the water, she felt a smile on her face. She was comfortable where she was, and no intention of leaving anytime soon. When she finally had enough of the cold water, she got out and sat herself on the dock and had her breakfast. She watched intently as the water lapped the shore, and imagined herself as a fish. After what felt like mere seconds, she got out of the water and grabbed her coffee, which was no longer warm, but it was the cold temperature that she enjoyed. She swung her legs over the dock and had them grazing the lake, dipping her toes in occasionally. After finishing her cold coffee, she lay down on the dock and slowly ate her bun, while continuing to dip her feet into the water. Soon, she fell asleep.

When she woke up, Steve was looming over her. She attempted to stand up, but instead lost her balance and fell into the water. When she came back up, she came face to face with a laughing Steve. She tried her best to hide her smile, but she too found amusement in her situation. Without saying anything, he extended his hand to help her out of the water. She grabbed it, and noticed how easily he pulled her out, as if she were weightless. Steve handed her the slightly wet towel that she had brought down for her swim. Steve's smile was still on his face as he spoke to her.

"I am so sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. Again."

"That's okay. I am naturally jumpy. Why are you here?"

"Oh, um, your uncle and the team needed to have another meeting, and we saw you lying down on the dock, but you weren't moving, so I volunteered to check on you."

"Oh…thanks…um…I guess I'll head up to the cabin."

"I'll walk with you."

They walked together up the set of stairs that connected the cabin to the lake. When they reached the door, Ingrid's uncle barging through the door and embraced his niece. Ingrid struggled to breathe, because his hug was so tight.

"Uncle Eric, I can't breathe." She exclaimed.

He let her go and grabbed her arms, "I was so worried about you. You lie so still when you think. Some days I hate your zoning out."

"I wasn't zoned out. I fell asleep." She mumbled.

"It's okay. I am just glad you are alright."

Ingrid was confused, she had never seen her uncle so on edge. There have been plenty of times in her life where she would zone out for hours, and it never really seemed to bother her uncle. However, this time was different, her uncle seemed so nervous.

"What's going on? Why are you so freaked out?"

"Come in, I'll tell you."

She walked into the cabin following her uncle with Steve bringing up the rear. The Avengers were sitting much as they had previously, however this time they too seemed more on edge. When Eric walked into the room, she noticed that Natasha seemed to jump to reach for her weapon in her holster, as if anticipating an attack. Ingrid managed to lock eyes with Tony, who grinned his cocky grin.

"I see that someone is still alive."

"Thanks for your concern, Tony. I am glad my living state is pleasing to you."

"Okay, calm down Shakespeare, you don't have to be that formal."

"But good sir, it is imperative that I maintain my current formal attitude with you so that we may be able to converse on the topic at hand without vulgarity."

Natasha snickered at this, cleared her throat, and spoke, "I think it's important that we stick to the matter at hand."

"Thank you Natasha, for getting us back on track. Remind me to put a gold star next to your name on the sticker chart when we get back to Stark Tower." Tony replied.

Natasha rolled her eyes, and Eric began to talk to Ingrid to get her up to date.

"You remember Loki, correct?"

"The trickster God who tried to take over Earth a couple years ago?" Asked Ingrid.

"Yes, the same one. Well, he's back."

"Again? Isn't he tired of trying to take over things?"

"I guess not, because he teamed up with Magneto and Doctor Doom."

"Doctor Doom? Really? That's the name he selected for himself? Does he have a medical degree?"

"This isn't the time for jokes."

"Sorry. Why did they team up?

"Well, first I have to tell you the whole story. Approximately two months ago, Thor discovered that Loki was still alive and had faked his death, and he promptly disappeared. Natasha and Clint attempted to locate him for weeks, going to various locations to seek him out, and since S.H.I.E.L.D. has been taken over by Hydra, they had to do this secretly. They found him in London, meeting with Magneto and Doom. Last week Tony found that there were members of the public who were disappearing at a rapid rate, and returning with abnormal abilities. When we met here yesterday, we had found the location of the latest disappearance, and we were planning to go observe what was going on. Here is where the trouble is. As Thor, Tony, and Steve discovered, these people are being altered."

"Altered?" Asked Ingrid

"Yes, they are being genetically modified. It seemed that Loki managed to get his hands on the super soldier serum, while Magneto managed to create a mutant gene that artificially reconstructs the person's DNA to obtain genetic powers."

"What about Doctor Doom? What's his role in all of this?"

"We have not figured this out yet. That is what concerns us. We see Loki's part and Magneto's part, but not Doom's."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Because, we have the spies," He said pointing at Natasha and Clint, "We have the science and the brain," he pointed at Tony and Bruce, "and the strength." He pointed at Thor and Steve.

"And you need a burglar? Even if I don't look like one?"

"I understood that reference!" Exclaimed Steve.

"Good for you." Remarked Tony, sarcastically.

"We NEED," Eric said loudly to stop the potential fight, "An observer. Someone who thinks outside of the box, and is able to see things for what they are."

"So, you need a hobbit." Ingrid stated.

Eric groaned at her comment. Steve stepped in, "Yes. We need a hobbit."

Ingrid was silent for a bit. She still didn't understand why she was being asked to join in on the adventure. She was determined, however, to keep her solitude.

"I don't think I'll be of any help, I'm good here."

Eric's eyebrows furrowed. He was not surprised by her answer, but he was worried about her. He failed to mention the massive target the Avenger's brought with them, and how he was worried her life was in danger. He needed her to come along, for his own sake. He didn't want to lose another member of his slowly shrinking family. Instead, he attempted to get to her adventurous side, the side he saw in her books, the side he knew she was hiding from the rest of the group.

"Imagine how fun it would be, to come with us to New York City. You can stay in Stark Tower, and enjoy your time, and only have to help the Avengers every once in a while."

"I'm not a child, Uncle. I would not enjoy my time in New York City, there are way too many people there."

"That's why it's called New York City." Commented Tony.

"No. Really. Brand new information. Tell me more of this 'city' you speak of."

"Ingrid. Look. You have to come with us. It's not safe here." Eric pleaded.

"It's safe, Uncle Eric. No one knows where this cabin is. It's off the grid!"

"There are spies every where. Hydra infiltrated SHEILD for years before taking over. They are very cunning and can hide in the shadows. You need to come with us. Just in case."

Ingrid was quiet, contemplating the matter at hand. She knew that her uncle meant well, but she didn't want to leave her solitude and go to a big city. Looking her uncle in the eye, she gave a strong and resounding no.

Her uncle was visibly upset, but he held his ground, "Either you agree and come along, or I will force you."

The room grew silent, the only noise that was audible was the rustling of the leaves and the tweeting of the birds outside. Ingrid was shocked¿Ú˘Ò, he uncle never forced her to do anything, even when she refused to go to school for a month when she was twelve. In anger, she turned to leave the room, but Steve was blocking the doorway.

"Could you please move out of the way?" She asked.

"No ma'am. Not unless you agree to come with us." He replied.

"I told you Ingrid. Either you agree to come with us, or I have to force you." Said Eric.

"Then, you will have to force me." Ingrid challenged, attempting to call Eric's bluff.

However, Eric was not bluffing. He nodded to Steve who scooped of Ingrid and flung her across his shoulder. She let out a yelp.

"Are you serious?!" She yelled.

"I told you, you had to come." Said Eric.

Ingrid was mad. She tried to fight her way out of Steve's grasp, but he was far to strong.

"This is STUPID! I'll be fine on my own, in the cabin!" She tried to argue.

"No. You won't!"

"Fine. I'll come with you, just put me down."

Steve looked at Eric, who nodded. Steve put Ingrid back down gently, and she quickly smoothed herself out. She glared at Eric, who stepped back so as to avoid any potential flying objects. To walked up to Eric and poked him in the chest, "What. Is. Your. Obsession. With. Getting. Me. Out. Of. This. Cabin." She hissed, poking him after every word. He rubbed the now sore area with his hand. He looked at her with a concerned look. "I just need you to be safe." He said softly. Ingrid felt a little guilty for behaving as if she were starring in her own reality TV show. She quietly nodded her head and went into the bedroom to pack up her stuff.