It was the night shift now. Eliza sat there, hating herself. Wishing she was dead. Wishing she could end her life now. She was a danger to her few remaining friends and to the entire ship. This had to end. It had to end tonight.
She slipped off her bed and slowly snuck out of the infirmary. She knew just where to go. The perfect way to end her miserable life.
"Director Fury," a nurse called, "Sir, Ms Eliza White is missing. We can't find her."
"Shit," Fury sighed, "Understood. Thank you."
He was in a briefing with the Avengers. Stark and Banner had found something of interest and had brought it to his attention.
"Eliza's gone missing."
"That's not good," Stark commented.
"Come on," Barton insisted, standing up, "We have to find her."
"I have a feeling I know where she is," Stark told them, "Try the detention cell room."
They nodded and headed off in that direction.
Eliza pressed the red button that opened the large hatch. The sky outside was dark, but few clouds were in view. She felt the rush of air on her face as the wind rushed out the hole. She circled the hatch so that it was between her and the door. Just as she stepped up to the edge, the others rushed in the door.
"Step away from there, Liz," Barton pleaded forcefully.
Nick Fury walked to the control panel.
"Get any nearer to that button, Mr. Fury, and I'll jump. I swear it."
He froze where he was and turned to look at her. What was it with this young changeling child? Why was she so unique? He had to admit that one of the reasons he kept her around was because it made life interesting.
"Eliza," Romanoff said softly, "Eliza let's think about this for a minute."
"Think about it," she roared, "Think about the fact that I killed six people and injured twenty-seven? The fact that I can't even control my own mind? Yeah, let's all think about that. Maybe then you'd realize the world is better off without me."
"It was an accident, Eliza," Stark reminded her.
"An accident that got people killed. I killed Garrison, for gods sake."
Rogers shook his head, "This is a dangerous life. We all knew that when we signed up."
"No."
"I know what it's like," Banner murmured, pushing in front of the others so he was directly across from Eliza. Looking her in the eyes he continued, "I know what you're going through. To hate the world but hate yourself even more. To feel like you don't deserve to live, and to be secretly hoping that death brings an end to the sufferings of life. I also know how comforting it is to stand on that line between life and death. To relish the control it provides. To hunger for that control amidst the horrors around you. I know what you're feeling. I've been there, Eliza. I went there but was sent back to life after death spit me back out. And I learned something. Everyone is here for a reason. We need to remember that. It may not ever get better, but we are here because we will make a difference, large or small."
"Maybe my death will make a difference."
Eliza stepped out over the edge and fell, fell down into the limitless abyss that was the night sky. Lightning cracked around her, thunder drummed her ears. She barely heard the cry of her former companions on the wind. Down, down, the wind wrapping around her and embracing her like the hug of a friend. Her eyes were closed and she smiled.
Lightning flashed around her again. Suddenly she heard a ringing and then felt something slam into her. She opened her eyes and saw a blur of blonde hair and felt strong arms gripping her. In a few moments she felt herself tossed to the deck of the Helicarrier.
"Thor!"
Eliza scooted away into a corner, shivering from anger. How dare this person stop her from ending her life? He would pay. She stood up slowly and the others stared at her in wonder. Suddenly her eyes grew red: bright red. She raised her arms and thrust them forward, sending a stream of flames at the Asgardian.
Rogers, still dressed in his Captain America garb from earlier, jumped in front of Thor and blocked the flames with his shield. Fury quickly closed the hatch, thankful for the distraction.
"Stop it, Liz," Barton shouted above the flames, "This isn't like you!"
Eliza looked at him and slowly her eyes faded back to normal. Her hands fell to her sides and her breathing returned to normal.
"Liz," Thor mused, "Is that what they call you, then."
"Eliza."
"Why did you jump?"
"Because I want to die."
Thor laughed.
"Why are you laughing," she demanded angrily.
"Because," Thor smirked, "that fall probably wouldn't have done the job."
"What," the others gaped in disbelief.
"Well, I fell from there and survived."
"But what makes you think she would survive," Fury asked.
"She's of Asgard."
"She's Asgardian," Barton replied, surprised.
"No," Thor shook his head, "She's only half Asgardian. She's also half Vanirin. They are a race who cohabits Asgard."
"How do you know so much about me?"
"Freyja told me about you years ago. I've been attempting to locate you for a while now."
"Freyja?"
"My father, Odin, is the Allfather of the Asgardians. But the Vanir have their own kings and queens. Freyja is the Mother of the Vanir, of the Light Elves."
"Why would she care what happens to me," Eliza asked, utterly confused.
Thor looked at them like they were crazy, "Nearly seventeen Earth years ago, Freyja and an Asgardian noble got together and she gave birth to a daughter, a half-Vanirin, half-Asgardian girl. Soon after her birth, a traitorous light elf stole the child and took her to Earth where she was abandoned. Not everyone was thrilled over the treaty that had recently been signed between the two realms and the child was seen as the embodiment of that agreement."
"You're saying," Eliza stated incredulously, "that I'm that child?"
"Of course. Your true name is Gersemi, though you may keep your earthly name. And I've come to take you home," Thor told her.
"Wait a minute," Fury interrupted, "we need her help here. We need your help here."
"What is it?"
"Earth is being attacked once more. The Avengers have been called together again and, with the addition of Eliza, we're putting a stop to this threat," Rogers informed him.