Helloooo! Sorry about not updating yesterday, I completely forgot until, like, 12 AM or something and, as much as I care about this story, I wasn't in the mood to get out of bed and turn my computer on just to upload a new chapter, sorry. Anyway, thank you to the new followers and the reviewers, whether they be old or new. Hope you enjoy the story!

Disclaimer: I do not own any characters from Marvel, just my own OC's.

Chapter 8 - The Siren

Alexia frowned but said nothing at Paige's comment. She loved the cousins very much and thought of them as her closest friends, but she could never understand their rivalry. They always found a reason to get mad and, though Lexy understood the death of a family member was serious, she couldn't comprehend how Ryan's funeraly had led to an argument.

When they arrived back at the Avengers Tower, they saw Steve, Tony and Bruce. After raising an eyebrow, they infirmed the two that Clint and Natasha were on mission and Thor was in Asgard. Stark looked particularly excited, but also slightly nervous.

"Brookes, I feel like you're going to get mad at me for this but I need you to understand that I began designing this the moment I heard about your powers. Which was about a month or two ago," he started cautiously.

"Just get to the point, Stark," Steve sighed.

"Right, so Fury mentioned a woman with the ability to control water a couple of months ago and I thought it would be fun to... Make you a costume. Now, I know that you aren't interested in becoming a superhero, but Jarvis had it tailored in LA and showed it to me. I thought you might at least want to see it," Tony retold quickly.
Alexia stayed placid, but a spark of anger was evident in her eyes. Stark hastened out if the room and returned within a few moments, wheeling a covered mannequin on a large pedestal. Stopping it in the centre of the room, Tony licked his lips and faced the four-person audience.

"I present to you, the Siren," he announced, glee eminating from his body language.

He revealed the costume by pulling back the cloth that hid it. Steve's eyes widened but his mouth soon formed a surprised smile. Bruce looked at it, tilting his head with a confused expression. Alexia gasped and stared at the outfit with an unreadable look masking her face.

"I am so confused," Paige stated, utter bewilderment etched onto her otherwise graceful features.

The other four looked at her as if they had only realized her presence. Tony jumped and tried to stand in front of the uniform before realizing that his efforts were futile. Alexia's unreadable fave broke into a look of sudden shock and anxiety. Steve and Bruce looked highly uncomfortable.

"Paige! Oh my god, I forgot you were there! You can't tell Erin," Lexy exclaimed.

"I don't know what to tell anyone at this point. Can someone explain what's going on?" Paige retorted.

Alexia bit her bottom lip with anguish and defeat. There was nothing left to do but tell the truth. How could she have been so stupid as to forget that one of her closest friends was right beside her? She sighed and ran a delicate hand through her light brown hair.

"Can we go to the roof, Paige? I have a lot to say," Lexy offered.

Paige nodded but crossed her arms. She followed the 28 year-old into the elevator, where they informed Jarvis of where to go. Alexia stayed silently, going through what she would say in her head. Paige turned sway from her friend on quiet indignation, having no idea what was going on. When they reached the slightly chilly building top, Lexy turned to her friend and took a deep breath.

"I have powers. Like comic book, sci-fi TV show, superhero movie type powers. I can control water and communicate with fish and occasionally create water myself, if there is enough water vapour in the air. I've had them since before you knew me and I'm sorry I never told you but I was afraid that you might think of me as a threat and when I finally learnt to trust you and Erin, I thought it was too late and that you'd be angry at me for lying to you for so long and so the time kept on building up and an opportunity never arised. I was going to tell both of you at Ryan's funeral but you fell out with Erin and..." she informed desperately.

Paige softened at the worries look upon the young woman's face and dropped her arms.

"Lexy, we wouldn't have minded if you'd just told us after about a year in middle school. We were friends, you could've told us anything. Sure, it's kind of weird finding out that someone you know isn't what you thought they were and I'm mad now but I'm more disappointed that I had to find out by myself," Paige sighed.

"I know and I'm so sorry. When I first saw you with Tony, I thought that this would be a perfect opportunity to tell you and Erin, but when she saw you, you both seemed so distant and I changed my mind. There are so many times that I wanted to tell you. I can tell the whole story if you'd like," Alexia offered.

"No. I don't want to know anymore until you've told Erin. You are way closer to her than you are with me and I feel like I'm betraying her. Tell Erin what you just said to me and then you can explain the rest to both of us," Paige decided.

Lexy nodded fervantly. At that moment, her phone rang. She picked it up and checked the caller ID. Seeing that it was Dylan, she answered.

"Hey Lexy. Just wanted to tell you that Karen and Steve are arriving in New York tomorrow afternoon. They want to have dinner with us in the evening. You don't have any plans , do you?" Dylan stated.

"Don't just assume that I don't have plans," she snapped, "But, luckily for you, I don't. Where are we eating?"

"Some fancy restaurant in South Manhattan. I'll text you the details tomorrow," Dylan responded.

"I'll se you there, then," Alexia sighed before hanging up and turning back to Paige, "I'll tell her at work tomorrow," she promised.

It was Paige's turn to nod and she did so efficiently and swiftly. They both walked back into the elevator, where Lexy stated her desire to return to Stark, Barton and Rogers and Paige informed both Jarvis and Alexia that she planned to go home.

"Tell Stark that I'm staying in a hotel nearby and I left the name and address with Mr Hogan," she ordered both people listening.

"Bye, Paige. I'll see you soon," Lexy waved as she stepped out of the lift.

Jarvis relayed the information before Alexia could even open her mouth. Tony nodded and turned his attention to the woman hopefully. She tilted her head to the side in mild confusion.

"Well?" he prompted, "What did you think?"

Alexia suddenly understood the questions and realised that he was talking about her suit. She looked it over again. She liked the color scheme of the shades of blue and white. Plus, the material didn't look particularly uncomfortable. The skirt was short, but Lexy understood that that was needed for easy accessibility and freedom. The only thing that worried her was the lack of protection it offered. After voicing her doubts, Jarvis was quick to reply.

"That was my thought exactly, Miss Brookes," he added.

"Which is why I added some defense mechanisms," Tony growled at the AI system, "Each of those four gems on the bracer has a different ability."

Alexia walked over to inspect the costume in further detail. It's slightly dark blue color reminded her of the deep Mediterranean sea and the boots were like sea foam, an almost unnoticeable touch of pale blue combined with pure white. The band on her head was plain but pretty. It was thin and made of a delicate satin-like material and extended from each ear. She imagined that if she were to wear it, Lexy would tie her hair in a low bun at her neck. Examining the bracers she decided to continue investigating.

"What do each of the gems do?" she queried.

There were four on each arm. The one nearest the wrist was a midnight blue, dark and mysterious. The one below it was teal, like an English ocean. The third one was an aquamarine, clear and shiny. The last was a soft powder blue.

"The dark one collects water vapour from the air to make it easier to create a new source of water. You still have to be the one to form the water but it helps save your power. The teal one can use some of your energy to create a cloud above you. It's probably the most powerful one so only use it on occasion. The aquamarine sends a signal to any sea creatures nearby, like a warning of danger or a message for help. The animals will wait near the water's edge to help you in any possible way. The powder blue one creates a transparent shield around you and anyone you are holding on to. This is drawn from your power too and, though it's relatively easy to do, don't use it for too long," Tony described in detail, "They only react to your touch and you have to press on them for at least a few seconds."

Alexia was speechless. The amount of effort this must've taken him was incredible.

"How much did this cost? How much time did you spend on it?"

"Actually I put the whole 'each gem has an ability' thing in this morning. Oh! As well as this," he answered, scurrying out of the room and this time returning with a whip.

It was white and made from what seemed to be leather. On the handle was a faint carving of a drop of water.

"Jarvis and I thought that, seeing as we all have a symbol, a weapon that we use all the time, you should have one too," Tony justified.

"Where did you get the idea of a whip from?" Lexy questioned.

"I don't know, to be honest. I guess it's just because the movement of a wave could be compared to the swish of a whip," he pondered.

"Well it's definitely cool. I'm just sorry that I won't be using it," Alexia sighed.

"You still have no intention of becoming an Avenger?" Bruce frowned.

"No. I like my life and I don't really have a reason to change it," Lexy looked at the time, "Sorry, I need to go, it's getting late and an aquarium doesn't take care of itself."

The three men smiled weakly as they watched the woman leave. Once the elevator doors had closed, Tony groaned.

"She's never going to join us. We might as well tell Fury that it's a lost cause," he whined.

"Give it some time, Stark," Steve calmed, "Just because your little marvel didn't work, doesn't mean nothing will."

Hope you enjoyed! If you didn't, politely tell me why. If you did, follow and favourite! Also, although I am having trouble with the new chapters, check out my other story: a Spider-man fanfic called The Firebird (Peter x OC).