Thank you all so much for all these lovely reviews! I was debating if the next chapter should be in Bucky's Point Of View...any thoughts? All rights go to Marvel, I only own my characters and plot.
"Normal is an illusion. What is normal for the spider is chaos for the fly." –Charles Addams
xXx
The drive to Manhattan, New York was long and Salem was actually worried her old car wouldn't make it, but as she entered the city her worry turned to her getting lost.
Echo had his head hanging out the window and his tail was a blur as it wagged happily as he took in the crowded busy streets.
Enormous skyscrapers and tall building littered the city and cars zoomed by with blaring horns and angry shouts.
There were shops, parks, and restaurants abound with swarms of people weaving throughout cars and other obstacles.
It was a sensory overload from Salem's quiet hometown.
Her Pitbull would bark happily at passing dogs and she couldn't help but to grin when he got excited when the animals would respond.
Salem was in awe at the bustling city.
She eventually found the tall sleek building of the Avengers tower and it took her a minute to locate the underground garage.
She then met a nice man named Happy, who was the head of security, and waved her in with a friendly smile.
The man seemed pleased that she was there and some of the panic that ate at Salem dissipated.
The Pitbull crawled over her so he could sniff the man.
When they entered the garage Echo began to pace across his seat and tried to wiggle his way back into her lap.
That's where she saw Natasha Romanoff waiting for her dressed in black baggy gym shorts, a snug grey SHIELD t-shirt and sneakers.
Her hair was pulled up and her face flushed as if she just got done running a marathon.
Salem was dressed in Light wash jeans that were a bit loose, a pale yellow cardigan with a white button up shirt underneath.
Her sneakers were still smudged and her hair was actually behaving instead of sticking up in every direction like usual.
Echo was ecstatic to see the Agent and the redhead cooed at the Blue Pitbull as he bounded out the car door when she opened it to grab boxes and jumped on her to lick her face.
Afterwards she was shooed into a nice elevator that was bigger than usual and Sterling stared at her blurry reflection over the box in her hands.
Amber eyes were wide, bee-stung lips a dark pink from her nervous chewing and her freckles prominent against her ashen face.
The elevator stopped at a long hallway that seemed to swallow up any sound.
She was handed a key and Echo sat down, staring patiently at the women as she steeled her nerves.
Salem's jaw dropped when she swung the door open to reveal the room and Echo's paws clicked against the dark wood floor as he immediately went to investigate.
"This place is huge!" Salem exclaimed as she shuffled around the massive room that was assigned to her in the Stark tower.
The room had wooden floors and the walls were white, in the living room one wall was completely taken up by a huge television and a large white shelf stuffed full of movies and games.
Placed strategically around were black leather couches and a large iron coffee table placed in the center.
The kitchen was wide and spacious with shining steel appliances and a fully stocked pantry and fridge, there was even expensive dog food.
The bathroom had a shower large enough to fit three people plus her and the bathtub was deep and wide.
It was made out of white and black marble with black tile floors.
There was a spare empty room that she had permission to change it into anything she wanted.
Her new bedroom was probably the size of her old apartment, with an absurdly large bed with white fluffy pillows situated in the middle.
Two elegant ironwork bedside-tables placed neatly beside it on both sides.
The floors were the same dark wood and the closet was a walk in that could probably hold a department store.
Despite the beautiful room, Salem couldn't help but feel out of place in the too large accommodations and when she shyly informed the sharp eyed Agent about her shift in mood the woman hummed thoughtfully.
After her investigation, Natasha sat in the middle of the bed with Echo sprawled out next to her, pleased with his extensive search.
Natasha shoes were kicked off next to the bed and she was slowly emptying one box at a time while Salem found places for her belongings.
"I was thinking that later I can show you around the city and we can pick you up some things to make it homier," the Agent said nonchalantly plucking at the white blankets on her bed, but the hope in her green eyes belied her casual tone.
Salem had a sneaking suspicion that Natasha really wanted a friend and by some odd chance she wanted to be Salem's friend.
"Sure, that sounds awesome," the small woman said gratefully and the Agent beamed.
Looking around the spacious room as she finished unpacking her things, she sighed at the barely noticeable changes.
"Come on, I'll show you around now," Natasha told her when she noticed Salem start to fidget.
Sliding off the bed with a departing pat to Echo, the spysassian tugged Salem along and she stumbled after her.
She closed the door on her pet who had a look of betrayal on his adorable face, but now by herself the blonde felt the anxiety that had tapered off come back in full swing.
All around the building Natasha showed her and it became obvious that what Tony Stark wanted, he got.
There was the latest movies and games, technology that Salem used to believe didn't exist.
Everything was wide and spacious, perfect for the Avengers to mill around after saving the world.
It was in the recreation room that she met Sam Wilson.
He was reading a book that he quickly put down and removed his feet from the wide coffee table when they entered the room.
When she introduced herself his brown eyes widened in surprise as he stared at her.
He quickly swung his gaze to the redhead who stared at him with a pointed expression, he seemed to snap out of whatever his thoughts were and smiled widely at Salem in greeting.
He looked genuinely pleased when she told him what her new job was and she felt herself smile at his reaction.
"Seriously, you ever need anything don't hesitate to ask," Sam Wilson said sincerely as he gave her another firm handshake as she got ready to continue her exploration.
The young attractive black man was the newest addition to the team and she easily relaxed at his friendly demeanor and warm smile.
His brown eyes were sharp and she caught him more than once staring intently at her, but she shrugged it off.
She wouldn't mention it just like he didn't mention her sweaty palms.
He stuffed his hands in his jean pockets and Salem gave a small wave as Natasha dragged her from the large entertainment room that had enough couches, movies, games, and a massive television to make any frat boy swoon.
There was even a full bar to one side of the room and a soft rug that nearly cover the whole area around the couches.
Their shoes made soft pitter patter noises on the stone floors and echoed off the white walls.
Thor the Thunder God was in an absolutely huge kitchen piling an insanely large sandwich on a plate with a look of concentration.
His blond hair pulled back and even dressed in civilian clothes the massive man was intimidating, his broad frame clad in a white and gray plaid shirt and jeans and the very air seemed electrified.
Yet when he noticed them he was all beaming smiles and tight hugs that lifted the small woman off the ground and left her feet dangling.
After overcoming the shock of his show of affection she hesitantly patted his brawny arms.
"Salem Sterling! An honor to finally meet you. Perhaps my Soul Mate Jane and yourself would like to feast together to form the bonds of friendship?" he asked happily and her face turned red at his earnest blue eyes.
Looking to the redhead beside her for help, the spysassian patted Thor's arm.
"Let her get settled first, then the feast can commence," she said and the man grinned happily at the answer.
Thor smiled and clapped a big hand on her shoulder and nearly sent her to the floor.
"I am overjoyed that you will be helping out with my friends, the life of a warrior can be trying at times," he said solemnly and Salem felt herself soften towards the large man.
Romanoff managed to pull her away from the Asgardian and showed her the rest of the tower.
An armory, an infirmary that could pass as a small hospital, they passed the gym when Natasha stated with a tight smile that it was in use, and eventually to the enormous labs filled to the brim with technology and long cluttered desks on each side of the room.
The AI JARVIS informed her quite suddenly, she had blushed fiercely when she all but leapt into Agent Romanoff's arms with fright, that Pepper Potts dragged Banner and Stark to a board meeting.
When they ran into Hawkeye back at the recreation area, Salem didn't miss the way Natasha and his eyes met and held.
She glanced questioningly at the redhead, but didn't say anything, she didn't want to ruin the fragile friendship that they just formed.
Clint Barton was a handsome and cheerful man, his smile was teasing and his intense navy blue eyes were bright with mischief.
"So you're the Soul Mate of the Winter Soldier, huh?" he asked while peering at her carefully, taking in her petite frame and delicate features.
"I hope you can hold your own, he can be grumpy sometimes…all the time actually," he informed her, his muscular arms crossing over his chest and pulling taut his simple royal purple shirt.
Salem instantly felt her good mood shift and she pushed up her glasses and gave a confused look, "Winter Soldier?" she asked.
The blonde ignored the second part of his statement but couldn't help but feel herself pale as she pictured the intimidating man she ran into back home.
Black Widow glared at the man who suddenly had a look of panic cross over his features and he cleared his throat and grinned at her.
"Just playing around! Barnes is a cold one so it's kind of an inside joke," he stated and the blonde's brown eyes were still drawn in confusion.
"So I heard you have a dog?" the archer asked suddenly while rubbing his hands together excitedly and the small woman frowned at the swift change of topic.
An hour later Salem and Natasha were sitting on the floor smiling as Barton wrestled with a yipping Echo.
Salem glanced up when she suddenly felt eyes on her, heart jumping almost painfully against her chest, at seeing Captain America and her Soul Mate standing a few feet away watching them curiously.
The Captain was dressed in sneakers, gray sweatpants and a white under armor shirt that was molded to his well-defined chest.
Blond hair was damp and stuck up in every direction that softened his masculine features into a more boyish appearance.
Sapphire blue eyes were thoughtful and with a start she realized that he was staring intently at her.
He then glanced over at her dog and his face brightened.
Salem scrambled to her feet with Natasha rising gracefully next to her and felt her heart stop when her amber eyes locked on the tall figure of the former Sergeant.
He also had on sneakers and black sweat pants that hung low on his hips with a loose dark blue long sleeve V-neck shirt that stretched over his muscular torso.
The first two buttons undone to showcase the hollow of his throat and a leather glove covered his left hand.
His dark hair was damp and pulled into a knot at the base of his neck and his strong jaw was dusted with stubble, full lips were slightly parted and those ice blue eyes were intense.
There was a split second where their eyes met and her breath caught in her throat and her cheeks heated, his own eyes seemed to darken.
He studied her form almost languidly and she was convinced she could feel the heat of his gaze burn all the way to her bones.
Then her pet caught sight of the men and he zeroed in on Barnes.
After all the dog was used to seeing the man in pictures and in a burst of joy the dog shot off towards him like a gray bullet.
It seems like all those times where he was curled up next to her while she studied pictures and articles on the internet he was actually looking at the pictures as well.
The dog probably figured he was a friend and he wanted attention.
Feeling herself nearly faint in embarrassment as he launched himself at the man who actually seemed surprised, but she did get to see Barton pout from his place on the floor.
Romanoff merely quirked an eyebrow and Steve Rogers grinned at the happy dog. Sterling felt a brief sense of relief that Echo still had his leash on.
She dove towards the leash as it dragged against the smooth floor just as Steve Rogers reached for it as well.
They both leaned down and her skull cracked against his, spots danced in front of her vision and the blond man's blue eyes were horrified when she clutched her head and stumbled back.
"I-I'm so sorry-" she stuttered out but was abruptly cut off as Echo darted behind her legs and she tripped backwards.
She twisted around and slammed her shin against a coffee table that Barton had moved earlier, she fell and smacked her hand against the table knocking over a glass bowl filled with bright fruit.
As she landed sprawled face-first on the floor, the vase shattered and Echo jumped on her back and began to nuzzle at her worriedly.
Her glasses were shoved painfully into her face, her head throbbed and her shin and hand stung.
The heavy weight of the animal on her back did not help. Suddenly she could hear Hawkeye burst out laughing and tears stung her eyes as mortification burned in her chest,
'Goodbye, cruel world…'
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