She flies through the back door
She's my older sister
She throws French phrases 'round the room
She has ice skates and legs that fit right in
She's wicked to all the beaming dreamers
Who'll later boast of an evening by her fiery side…
Older Sister – Carly Simon
-o-
Chapter 7: Her Very Own Protégé
Her very own protégé had been a surprise to Strange when she had told him about it later that evening at the Sanctum.
After her family had been settled into their new home, Ana had returned with Strange to the Sanctum so they could discuss what to begin with in her training. It was during this discussion that Ana revealed that she would be staying in Queens to help her brother, Tony Stark, with a side project.
"I'm going to be mentoring an enhanced," she said, shifting a little in her armchair as she arched her back slightly, a series of cracks emerging and a soft sigh of relief escaping her. She hadn't noticed that Strange had swallowed and looked down at his gloved hands; a pink tinge could be seen around his ears.
When she settled back in her chair, she had crossed her right leg over her left knee and clasped her hands together. "He had helped us out in the Berlin fight over a month ago. There's Avenger potential there and Tony has been keeping a distant eye on him. Of course, my brother being as busy as he is, can't mentor him the way he wants to so he asked me to step in."
"So… You'll be having your own protégé to watch out for while you're apprenticing with me?" asked Strange, finally looking back at Ana once he saw that she was sitting properly. He wondered if it was because she felt comfortable with him now that she had cracked her back the way she had. He supposed that should be considered a good thing… Right?
As he relaxed, a curious smile appeared and a look of interest shone in his eyes. "What will you be teaching him?"
"It depends," said Ana as she propped an elbow on the arm of her chair and rested her temple against her fingers. The look on her face was one of contemplation as she thought over Strange's question. "From what Tony told me, he has been doing vigilante work around his neighborhood: Stopping robberies, grand theft autos, minor crimes, you know? I think Tony just wants him to keep doing as he has been and work his way up until my brother feels he's ready. I would just be there to watch over him, offer advice, and show him the ropes, so to speak."
"If you're going to be mentoring this new protégé of yours, where does that leave you for your studies?"
"He's a fifteen year old young man, still in high school," said Ana in reply, a sparkle of amusement showing in her eyes at the surprised look on Strange's face. "I know, I know… A little too young but he's proven he's capable and I trust Tony's judgment. Besides, Cin had taken a liking to him, he is unintentionally adorable. Anyway, he does have his own personal responsibilities to worry about so my mentoring him will only happen during the afternoon to evening hours. I'll be free during the day to train with you."
"If he's been doing this vigilante work on the side, who has been keeping an eye on him in the meantime?" Strange was interested now, this was something completely unexpected but he could see it working and working well. His own apprentice being a teacher to a young person with enhanced abilities may help her to learn control and discipline over her own abilities. It was as she said, there was quite a bit of room for potential…
"A good friend of the family by the name of Happy Hogan," she said in reply to his question and a laugh bubbled out of her at the look of incredulity that crossed his face. "Don't look like that; he prefers it to his first name."
"Which is what? Smiley?" asked Strange, who couldn't help the smile he gave when he managed to shake out another bubble of laughter from her. He always prided himself in his sense of humor – which he learned had been lacking for certain people. It was good to see he still had it. Either that or Ana was prone to laughing at horrible jokes. He found he didn't mind either way.
"Harold actually," she said once her laughter had managed to subside. "He has been watching over him but with the Avengers Tower being recently sold, he's been busy with getting ready with the move. He hasn't had time to look out for an enhanced individual let alone do his job."
"Ah," Strange nodded in understanding. "Yes, that would be a problem…"
"It's a blessed thing you came along when you did, Dr. Strange," said Ana as she tilted her head, studying the man with warmth in her eyes. "Everything seemed to work out well for everyone I care for… I feel as if I haven't thanked you enough."
"No thanks necessary," said Strange as he glanced down at a gloved hand, feeling the faint heat in his cheeks from the blush of embarrassment that was there. At the sound of her soft laugh at his obvious embarrassment, the jolt in his stomach made itself known and he frowned lightly, confused by that feeling…
"Well, how about I offer to pay for dinner?" she asked, once her laughter had faded and he looked up to see she was watching him expectantly.
"Dinner?" he repeated as he stared at her, the jolt in his stomach turning into a strange swooping sensation that went up into his throat.
"Yes," she said with a nod, not noticing the flush that had crept into his neck and ears. "It's close to dinner time. How about I place an order for a pizza for all of us? Would Mr. Wong be hungry?"
At the mention of his friend, the feeling faded at once and the embarrassment was quick to come back. Of course, she didn't mean it the way he had taken it… That would have been a little bit too forward. He didn't acknowledge the faint disappointment that lingered with the embarrassment. "I… Yes, he'd like that," he said before he cleared his throat and straightened a little in his chair. "That sounds wonderful, thank you Mrs. Banner."
"No thanks necessary," Ana said as she threw his own words back at him, a warm and friendly smile on her face.
The jolt came back and Strange swallowed…
He decided it would be best to ignore the funny feeling. It may be just his body's reaction to Ana's other self, walking on eggshells around her to keep her calm…
Yes, that's all it was…
-o-
(A/n) this story is my guilty pleasure… I just love it. The fact that Ana is unaware of what she is doing to this man is hilarious and the fact he's unaware of what is going on… I know I am writing this but I get this giddy smile on my face when I finish these scenes. I think this story will be just short little scenes at first of Ana and Strange and their growing friendship before it explodes to something dramatic and awesome. OMG, the emotional drama is going to be so awesome. Just so you know there is no beating around the bush: These two are going to wind up together in this story. The entire purpose of this story is for these two and the drama of such a union. -=breathes out=- I'm excited, I didn't even realize I loved stuff like this. Thanks to my favorite readers for leaving feedback!
