Chapter Five

I woke in the hospital the rebellion controlled. I let out a sigh and felt only a small twinge of pain from ribs. I tried to move but a huge weight was across my legs. I peered down groggily. Li was lying across me in her cheetah form. I rolled my eyes but smiled at her protectiveness.

The door opened and Lady walked in. I gave her a small wave. She smiled slightly and I was surprised. I had never seen Lady smile.

"You and Li did a great job despite the injuries and less than subtle exit," she told me. I ducked my head sheepishly.

"You freed the avengers when no one else could. Thank you Arisa," she said honestly. I blinked at her for a moment then nodded.

"No problem," I replied. She smiled and then glanced back at the door.

"They want to say thank you as well," she explained. I nodded as she went to the door. I nudged Li awake and she stretched.

"Get changed you oversized cat," I told her. She eyed me for a moment then jumped off the bed. I rolled my eyes again and sat up. My ribs ached but I could breathe easier. My blanket fell off me and I saw the tape and bandages. Li came back fully dressed and human.

"Hey kitten, how are you feeling?" she asked sitting down on the bed beside me.

"I'm fine dearest," I replied as the door opened again. The avengers piled in and came over. Then they all stood around me and Li. Clint was the first person to step forward.

"Thank you, both of you," he told us coming over and taking my hand. He brought it up to his lips and gently kissed it. I was horrified to feel a blush rise up on my cheeks. Clint did the same to Li. The others came forward offering their thanks as well. I noticed that Thor lingered around Li. I smirked and slipped out of bed. I stretched relishing in the unique pain. Someone coughed and I glanced down. I was only wearing my undergarments. I chuckled and Li handed me a pair of jeans. I tugged them on forgoing a shirt. The bandages were covering enough.

"So what happens now?" I asked tying my hair into a pony.

"We need to figure out the next part of our plan. We have the avengers out now but we need a plan against Loki," Lady told me. I turned to the avengers.

"Are you ready for some payback?" I asked. They all looked uncertain. I raised my eyebrows and glanced at Li.

"What?" I demanded.

"Well," Steve began, "We didn't beat him the first time. How can we this time?" I stared at him. It was obvious that they all felt this way. I took a deep breath.

"You have something that you didn't have before. Us. You have thousands of people standing behind you. You have the rebellion and you have the thirst for vengeance. Loki took your world, hurt the people you fought to protect. Loki tortured all of you. Now is your time to remind him of your strength." Silence followed my little speech. Finally Clint stood.

"Well, if we're going to stop Loki, we need to get back in shape. We have some training to do," he announced. I smiled at him.

"Then we better get started," interjected Lady.

"I'll take them to the training room. Li, come on. I'll need some help," I told her heading for the door. I headed down to the training room ignoring people walking by. I pushed open the doors to the training room. It was full of people who stopped and stared as we walked in.

I wasn't sure who started the clapping but soon the entire room echoed with it. I looked at the avengers.

"See? People still believe you," I murmured. I raised my voice, "Alright, everyone out!" The training room soon emptied and I went to my locker.

"Kitten, you probably shouldn't be fighting," Li told me. I glanced at her with an arched eyebrow and we both started laughing. We both knew I would fight anyway. I changed into my usual training outfit; shorts, a tank top and boots. I walked out and saw Steve at the punching bags. He was already going at them. I smiled. Tony and Bruce walked over to me.

"So, I have a suit and Bruce can help me make it the very best," Tony told me.

"Yeah, there's a lab two doors over. We managed to save the wreckage of your suit so you don't have to start all over," I told him. He smiled and ran off like a small child. Thor and Natasha were stretching and Clint had found the weapons. I walked over to him as he stared.

"You found her," he whispered.

"We saved her from the wreckage. I hope she still works alright," I replied. He picked up his collapsible bow. His fingers caressed it lovingly.

"We don't have any of your special arrows though," I told him regretfully.

"Tony can make me more. What matters is that I have this," he assured me. I smiled and went to a quiver.

"Why don't you try her out? I'm sure you have a lot of catching up to do. Guards are over there." He went to where I pointed and soon was shooting on our archery range. Li pranced over.

"This is going to work," I told her. She smiled at me and sung her arm around my shoulder.

"Of course it is kitten," she replied.

"Child of the cheetah, will you spar with me?" Thor shouted. I chuckled and Li perked up.

"Definitely, I've always wanted to test my abilities against a god," she announced heading for the ring. I laughed leaning against the wall. Everything seemed good.

That must be why I had such dread.