Hello and Happy Thanksgiving! I know it's a bit late for that, but still, I thought I should say it. Soooooo...y'all ready to see what happens? Yeah, that first chapter was a bit...meh. Just meh.
Also I noticed that the space fillers I put in to switch from on point of view to the next were deleted, so that was confusing. Sorry!
Hopefully this'll be better. Thank you all for reading!
~Alison
It was hard to get down the fire escape without making any noise, but somehow, Tali did it. Adrenaline pumped through her veins as above her, in her brother's apartment, she could hear people shouting orders. jumping down the three feet to the bottom of the alleyway, she ran out onto the sidewalk, which was, surprisingly, still crowded. Her shoes splashed in leftover puddles from the deluge earlier.
Drawing her hood up around her face and tucking her copper hair into it so she wouldn't be noticed, she jammed her hands into her pockets, slumped her shoulders, and walked along, imitating some of the boys in her neighborhood. She purposely bumped shoulders with a man in a suit who looked like he had cash and nabbed his wallet, muttering an apology. He would probably figure it out in a few minutes, but the bus station wasn't that far. If she could just get a ticket somewhere...anywhere...
"Split up!" She heard someone yell from behind her. It was the voice of the man she had heard in the hallway outside of Peter's room! Sucking in a breath and trying with all her might to keep herself from sprinting, she shouldered her way through to the door of a convenience store. Standing behind a shelf of Doritos and Twinkies, she peered out through the large front windows as a man in a pair of jeans and a beige jacket whizzed past.
"Is that...Captain America?" She heard someone ask someone else. She frowned. That was strange. It must have been her imagination that someone was chasing her.
Checking her watch, she realized that it was late. Really late. As in Dad-is-going-to-kill-me late. But...her dad might actually kill her. He'd already thrown her through a window.
Sighing and slumping her shoulders again, she discreetly left the wallet she had taken on the counter and left. Who was she kidding? She'd be found by the police before she even got out of the state. At least this way someone would call the owner of the wallet. Nobody would know she was a thief.
Stepping out of the store, she promptly ran into a tall and well-built man, falling backwards with a thud. Setting her jaw, she stood up. "Watch where your going!" She snapped. Her hood had fallen down, and her tangled hair was falling into her face. He turned towards her, mouth open to apologize, but stopped short.
Probably just noticing my black eye. Maybe he thinks he gave it to me, Tali thought with a smirk. "Don't worry." She said, pointing to her eye. "It wasn't your fault." Just then, a taller and broad-shouldered guy with long blonde hair clapped the other one on the shoulder.
"Bruce, I-" But he, too, stopped when he say Tali. She crossed her arms.
"Didn't your mothers ever tell you it's rude to stare?" She snapped. Turning on her heel, she took a step forward and was pulled back by her hood. "Hey!" She shouted, drawing the attention of a few passersby. Twisting out of the grip, she turned around. The blonde man had stepped forward and was attempting to grab her again. She took a step back.
"Thor, stop!" The other man commanded. Then he turned to Tali, who was now gaping. Thor...as in...she gulped and took another step backwards. He held out his hand. "Sorry about my...friend over there. I'm Bruce Banner. We've been looking all over for you, Thaliana."
One thought crossed her mind. They know. It was quickly followed, however, by another thought. Run. And run she did. She turned abruptly and sprinted down the way she had come, weaving through the masses, desperate to disappear. Behind her, she could hear sounds of pursuit, and it seemed that two more had joined in the chase. Her hood had come off, but she pulled it up, slipping into another alley and climbing on top of the dumpster. Reaching up, she grasped a windowsill and proceeded to climb. Up, up, up, until she was on top of the building, rushing across to the other side and jumping the gap. She was about to do this again when a dark-haired man just...materialized in front of her.
"And where do you think your going?" He asked, raising an eyebrow. She turned to run the other way, but stumbled when he blocked her again. She barely avoided him, but catapulted into his shoulder instead. A flash of pain when through the right side of her face as her eye made contact with his elbow when they both tumbled down. A cry escaped her throat as she curled into a ball and covered her eye. Rolling onto all fours and attempting to stand, she threw a frustrated glance at the person she had run into.
"What the hell! Now I probably have a concussion!" Tali yelled. The man stood, rubbing his shoulder, and grabbed her by the hood, dragging her to the edge of the building. Her stomach rolled and her vision went blank, and then suddenly she was down in the alley again. Three men stood in front of her, and one behind her - men that she now recognized as Captain America, Bruce Banner, Thor, and Loki. She was yanked to her feet by the last one, and shoved forward.
"I've had enough of this ridiculous chase! We've got her. We'll take her to the Director, and I can go back to Asgard." Loki growled. Captain America took Tali by the chin, gently turning her face to meet his gaze.
"Did you do this?" He asked, anger edging in his voice. Loki shook his head.
"It was already done to her, not that it makes much of a difference, poor girl," he said, a smirk contorting his features into an infuriating grin.
"That's it! I've had it with you-" Tali started forward, but was held back, and could only scream out her rage at the lean Asgardian/Jotun man in front of her. All of a sudden, however, she stopped. Her eyes widened, and she struggled even harder in the iron grip of the four Avengers. "You don't understand, you have to get back! Before I-" but her words were lost as a high ringing filled the air, causing all the windows around them to shatter. The team was thrown back as if they had hit a wall, knocking the wind out of them. After a few minutes, the ringing passed, and they all got up.
"What the..." Rogers trailed off, looking around. "What kind of accident was this?"
"It was no accident." Loki stated, looking unfazed, though he had been knocked back as well. "It was her." He nodded to the nonw passed-out Thaliana Rhodes, crumpled in a heap on the ground.
THor lifted her into his arms. "Certainly not a graceful one, is she." He said.
NRNRNRNRNR
"...what do we do?" Tali heard the Captain ask.
"We wait for her to wake up. Then, we test." An unfamiliar voice answered. She stirred, and then groaned. Her head felt like it had exploded and then been pieced back together. She pushed herself up, but a pair of strong hands held her by the shoulders.
"It would be a very bad idea," Thor said, "for you to get up."
"I'm fine, you bastard. Lemme up." She slurred. he chuckled quietly, but let go of her shoulders. She stumbled to her feet, and blinked a few times, trying to see only one of each person. "Who're you?" She asked, pointing at Fury.
"My name is Nicholas Fury, young lady, but I suggest you call me Director or nothing at all. You are currently at Stark Tower, a temporary headquarters while ours gets...well, a temporary headquarters. Now, you will not be allowed to-"
"Yeah, yeah," Tali interrupted, waving him away. "Is there a sink and a mirror anywhere?" Captain pointed towards a door, which Tali opened, leaning heavily against it. "Damn," they heard her say, "it really couldn't get much worse, could it?"
"You have a minor concussion," Bruce Banner said, shutting the door behind him as he entered. "I've prescribed bed rest for at least a day or two. No tests." He said, looking pointedly at Fury.
"Am I going to die?" Tali asked. Banner looked at her.
"No." He replied, looking very confused. "Why?"
"Well, if I'm not going to die," Tali said, heading to the door and opening it before anyone could stop her, "I think bed rest really isn't an option." She opened the door and slammed it behind her.
"Should we follow her?" Rogers asked.
"What do you think?" Fury answered sarcastically. Steve raises his hands in surrender, standing up and moving to open the door.
"Oh...uh..." he poked his head back in from the hallway, "any idea where she went?"
NRNRNRNRNRNR
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand she was lost.
"I could've sworn it was just..." Tali trailed off, looking around the corner again. She was standing in the center of where six hallways met. When she'd left her room, she had never anticipated that Stark tower would be so...big.
The clicking of heels drew her attention, and she turned just as a woman with red hair came around the corner in a business suit. "Oh, hello," She said upon seeing Tali. "You must be that girl everyone has been talking about. I'm Pepper Potts, but you can just call me Pepper, if you'd like." She held out her hand, which Tali took hesitantly.
"Thanks." She said, taking a last glance around. "um...do you have any idea how to...y'know...get out of here?" She asked. Pepper smiled.
"I'm sure I can help. Now, where is it you'd like to go?" She asked.
"Outside." Tali answered. Pepper raised an eyebrow.
"Dressed...like that?" She asked. For the first time, Tali looked down at what she was wearing. A pair of dirty jeans, a baggy shirt, no shoes, no jacket.
"Oh...uh..." Tali searched for words to explain her situation. Luckily, she didn't need to. Pepper smiled kindly.
"Don't worry. Follow me. I'm sure I have something that would fit you." Unable to do anything else, lest she be stuck there all day, Tali followed her through the winding hallways and into an elevator.
"Sorry to bother you." Tali said, sheepishly looking at her toes.
"Not to worry. I was just on my way back to my room anyway. You're very lucky, you know." She said. Tali looked up at her.
"Huh?"
"Last night, when you were brought in, you were quite injured. We had one of our...residents," she said, her face turning sour, "work some healing spells on you to mend them. Sadly, we weren't able to get rid of your concussion. Speaking of which, are you feeling alright? Would you like an Advil?"
"Nah, I'm fine, but thanks. I've had plenty of concussions. I even went to school with one, once." Tali stated proudly. Pepper frowned momentarily, but quickly plastered back on a smile as the elevator doors opened. She walked down another hall and opened a door, revealing a large, tidy room. "Whoooaaa!" Tali exclaimed, walking in. Pepper smiled, walking over to her closet and turning on the light.
"I know. I designed it myself." She said. The ceiling was a screen, projecting the constellations. Around the room, bookshelves and small paintings abounded. The lighting was low, and it made Tali feel tired all of a sudden. Just then, Pepper handed her a pile of clea-smelling clothes. "Here," she said, "the bathroom is over there. I'll also lend you some shoes and a sweater." Tali nodded, heading towards the bathroom.
thirty minutes later, Tali was standing in front of the glass doors to Stark Tower, basking in the June sunshine. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail, and she was wearing a fresh pair of jeans and sneakers, along with a white blouse that seemed to sort of...flow around her, and a gray cotton sweater.
"I don't believe you ever told me your name." Pepper said to her.
"I'm Thaliana, but most people just call me Tali." She replied.
"It was good to meet you, Tali. Oh, I almost forgot!" Pepper exclaimed, digging into her purse for a moment before coming up with three twenty dollar bills. "In case you get hungry while you're out." Tali pursed her lips.
"I...as much as I appreciate it, I can't accept that." She said. Pepper frowned.
"Why not?"
"Because then I'll owe you," Tali said. Pepper smiled kindly again.
"Don't worry. You won't owe me a penny. You must be hungry." She took Tali's hand, making her jump, and placed the bills in it. "Get yourself something to eat, and then do whatever you want with the rest." Tali debated refusing, but eventually gave in and placed it in her pocket.
"Thank you, Pepper." She said quietly.
"It was really no trouble at all. And remember, the doors to the Tower close officially at Seven. Be back by 6:30, and tell the guard at the door that Ms. Potts sent you." Tali nodded, repeating the sentence internally to herself.
"Great! Thanks! I'll see you at 6:30!" She exclaimed. Then, she turned and walked down the sidewalk. "Next order of business," she said to herself, "lunch."
NRNRNRNRNR
"Pepper, have you seen this girl anywhere?" Fury asked, holding up a picture. Pepper smiled.
"Oh, you mean Tali? She just left about five minutes ago." She said. Fury internally groaned, but forced himself to remain calm.
"What do you mean, she left?" He asked.
"Well, I lent her some clothes, and told her to be back here at 6:30." She said.
"Thank you." He nodded curtly, and then rushed to the nearest security guard. "Page Dr. Banner and Thor," he said, "and tell them to meet me by the front doors in five minutes or I'll find them myself.
NRNRNRNRNRNR
"Yes, I'd like a hamburger, well done, with everything but mayonnaise, and extra fries, please." Tali said politely to the waittress.
Sure thing, hon," the middle-aged woman said, bustling to the kitchen to yell loud enough for the cooks to hear. Tali sipped her Diet Coke and leaned back against the cushions of her booth. She had found a small burger joint not far from the Tower, so that she wouldn't get lost. It was hot outside, and she let a stray glint of sun warm her arms as she waited for her lunch.
"There you are," someone said, sliding into the seat across from her. Tali opened her eyes and frowned. It was Banner.
"You again?" She asked, rolling her eyes, "I'm just eating lunch!"
"Which explains why it was so easy to find you," Thor said, sliding in next to her.
"We thought you had tried to run off again." Banner explained. Tali scoffed.
"Yeah, right. I'd be an idiot to pass up Stark fricking tower! Anyways, where would I go? You've already been to Peter's place and I'm guessing you know where I live. Not that I'd want to go back there anyway."
"But you could still have taken the money Pepper gave you and gotten away on a bus." Bruce pointed out.
"Again, two words: Stark. Tower." Tali said. "And besides, you have some of the most hi-tech facilities in the world. You would find me before I even got to the bus station. Now, quiet, the food's here." She licked her lips as her burger and fries came into view.
"One hamburger, no mayo, and double the fries." The woman said. "Enjoy, sweeite."
"Thank you." She replied, taking up her nice and slicing through the warm meat and vegetables. Taking a large bite, her eyes rolled back in her head. "It's been a long time," she said, "since I've eaten anything as good as this." Swallowing, she swatted away Thor's hand, which was reaching for a fry. "Hands off!" She exclaimed. Banner quickly reached over and stole one anyway, shoving it into his mouth and chewing before Tali could stop him. "Hey!" She exclaimed, but she was laughing.
"Oh, so you want it back?" He asked, swallowing.
"Banner, Thor, Ms. Rhodes, I suggest you finish ang get back to the Tower soon, or I'll have to escort you." Fury said. They had all been so caught up that they hadn't noticed him standing in front of them. Tali sipped her Coke innocently, but as soon as Fury left, she stuck out her tongue.
"I suggest you finish or I'll have to escort you," she mimicked in a whining voice. "Who does he think he is?"
"He thinks he's the Director. Don't underestimate him." Banner told her.
"I'm not underestimating him, I'm just making fun of him." She replied. Thor succeeded in his quest to steal a french fry, and Tali made a mad grab for it. He ate it with a smug look of triumph on her face.
"We do not have these on Asgard," he said.
"Ten minutes!" Fury shouted, drawing the attention of a great many customers and employees.
"I suggest you eat that hamburger quickly." Thor said, taking another fry. Tali stuck out her tongue at him as well and shoved another bite into her mouth.
Whew! Now I'm hungry!
Anyways, what'd you think? Definitely not as bad as the last chapter, and sorry for any spelling mistakes. I'm looking forward to developing the plot! Sorry for not a lot of action right now, guys!
Until next time!
~Alison