Quintessential Hero

Disclaimer: If I actually owned any of this... that would be so damn awesome! Sadly, I do not own any of these great characters.

Summary:Post ME3, and starts during The Avengers movie. Thanks to a certain omnipotent being with a penchant for mind games, Samantha Shepard finds herself in a strange new world.

Author's Notes: The hits just keep on coming! Now over 1,600 Readers in 44 Countries! I'm starting to think you guys really like this story... Thank you to everyone who has read, favored and/or alerted my story! A special thank you to all my reviewers... you glorious Bosh'tet's!

Revenge. Revenge is a dish that is best served... smashed into a pulp.

Chapter 9

Nick Fury currently had a million and one problems right now. The most annoying of these problems had just walked into the Command Center and was in his face, demanding his undivided attention. He tried his best to ignore said walking problem, or at least keep himself from knocking said walking problem the fuck out.

"Damn it! Fine, if I say am sorry for exposing your obvious fear of small children, would you fucking listen to me!", An irate Tony Stark practically shouted at him.

Nick just sighed and replied, "Stark...", and then what Tony had actually said, hit him full force. Wait... did Stark just, sort of... apologize to me, he never apologizes to me. This instantly set Fury on edge, Tony definitely did have his undivided attention now.

Fury looked at Tony, and dreading the answer asked, "Okay, Stark...what is it?" Tony lowered his eyes and quietly replied, "I... we... need your help Nick, please." This started setting off all sorts of alarm bells in Fury's head, now Tony was being nice to him as well, practically begging for help.

Tony handed him a scrap of paper and said, "Samantha Shepard, the woman who helped us out yesterday, and kinda saved my ass? Well, we are absolutely positive that some really bad people kidnapped her right off this ship, and then drove off in a black van. Here's a complete description of the vehicle that these two civilian guys wrote down. Apparently they saw the whole thing go down and immediately came to find us. And one more thing, they said the three guys who took her were wearing uniforms... SHIELD uniforms."

Quickly taking all this information in, Nick quickly called over Deputy Director Hill, handed her the slip of paper and told her, "I want this van tracked down. Immediately. And send out a Department-wide alert, there are currently criminals posing as SHIELD agents... we may even have a rogue cell on our hands..."

Hill just nodded an crisply said, "Yes Sir! Just give me one minute.", as she briskly walked over to one of the other stations in the room. It almost bothered Fury, how grateful Tony looked, as he glanced over his shoulder at Hill.

Less than a minute later, Hill walked back up to them and said, "Sir, we've managed to locate the van, it apparently headed to a heliport a little under a mile from here."

Before Fury or Tony could even ask the next obvious question, she added, "Only one helicopter has been seen leaving that area in the last hour. Our low-level scanning radar picked it up heading out into the Atlantic."

"Hill, can you give us a probable destination?", Tony asked her. Bringing up satellite imaging of the surrounding area at a near-by console, Hill replied, "Looks like she headed out toward a bulk cargo ship, the Hale'meer."

Tony looked back over to Nick and said,"Fury, two things, right now. Get me back to Stark... to the Avenger's Tower ASAP, we'll be borrowing some of your equipment and a Quinjet. Nick hadn't quite ever seen this much determination in Stark's eyes. The only time that was even close was when he had learned about Phil Coulson's death.

"Absolutely not Stark...", Nick replied, and before Tony could unleash his unholy rage, added, "Your getting two Quinjets, one filled with a squad lead by myself. These asshole's took this woman, Shepard, who was under my protection, off my damn ship. I'm going to personally make those motherfuckers bleed. Tony,get your people together, and ready to fight.

Ah yes, "Page Breaks" A literary device used to show the passage of time. We have dismissed that claim.

Clint was sitting at the controls of the Quinjet, looking out the cockpit window toward his wing-man, when Tony streaked in between the two aircraft, and started flying in formation with them.

His Mark VII armor still looked beat to hell on the surface, but apparently JARVIS had pulled off yet another miracle for him, and gotten the suit fully functional in the time since they had initially left his apartment and headed to the Helicarrier.

Clint couldn't help worrying about Shepard, as he glanced over his shoulder to check on a, now calmer but still very quiet, Bruce. Natasha was leaning against him, both belted on their seats, and still murmuring from time to time, not to worry, and that they would rescue Samantha soon. Any other time he would have been jealous of Bruce, but not today.

Why do I always end up caring about people? I should know better than that, to not let myself get attached to anyone, by now. I was cold to and suspicious of, this Shepard, at best, and what does she do? I friggin' end up crying in a front of a practical stranger, and she not only makes me feel a little bit better, but I actually ended up laughing a few times and the hurt didn't seem quite as bad. Fuck it! Some people are just worth caring about, Clint thought to himself.

Steve was next to him in the co-pilot's seat looking as if he was mentally readying himself for the coming battle. Seated across from Natasha and Bruce, Thor was brooding and staring at the floor, just waiting until he could unleash his pent up rage on the enemy.

Suddenly Director Fury's voice came over the radio, ordering, "Red Leader to Red Two and Three we are five klicks out, approaching target in one minute. Everybody pucker up, and watch your asses, we have no intel on enemy strength or firepower."

"Understood Red Leader, weapons armed, proceeding to target", Clint replied. Over the radio he could hear Tony's response, "This is Red Three, I'm scouting ahead to see if I can get a look at whatever hardware these boys have." Tony accelerated past them, streaking towards the fast approaching ship.

As they neared the large ship, it's deck packed with shipping containers, hidden weapons emplacements quickly started reveling themselves and laser painting Tony and the two Quinjets. "These guys aren't fucking around Red Leader! Tony, get ready for incoming!", Clint shouted into his radio mic.

Along with the ringing tone warning him of a locked weapons platform, Clint also heard a radio transmission, "This is World Security Councilman Bowers to incoming SHIELD forces, I'm ordering you to leave this area immediately. Leave now, or you will be fired upon. I repeat, leave immediately, or we will destroy you. This is your last warning."

Before anyone else had a chance to reply, Tony said, "With all due respect Councilman Asswipe, you can take that warning and shove it up your weaselly political ass!"

Fury was the next to speak, "Well... I was going to tell you that you and your forces are under arrest Councilman Bowers, but I'm going to agree with my colleague, Mr. Stark. You can shove your threats up your pasty white ass."

Instantly, the sky was full of metal death as anti-air missiles launched from the ship. Tony began destroying them as fast as possible and the frontal Gatling guns of the two Quinjets claimed their fair share as well.

Fury ordered, "All forces take out those anti-air batteries!" In the next next minute the ships defenses were utterly decimated, along with a few of it's more stupidly aggressive human defenders, by combined ordinance from the aircraft as well as from Tony, along with blasts from his Repulsors.

Finally, Fury's voice gave the order everyone was itching for,"Okay, this is it... all forces prepare for boarding action!"

As the Quinjets started descending toward the tops of the cargo containers, Natasha got up and preceded to lower the rear hatch with Steve, Thor, and a now determined looking Bruce, lining up to exit as quickly as possible.

As they landed Bruce said, "I suggest everyone should just say the hell away from me for the next few minutes..." The personnel exiting both aircraft didn't need to be told twice, as Bruce was already starting to look a lot greener and meaner.

Tony hovered over him for a moment saying, "Time to see you swagger, big fella.", and then he flew off looking for the nearest enemy.

Ah yes, "Page Breaks" A literary device used to show the passage of time. We have dismissed that claim.

Shepard was jolted awake by the sounds of near-by gunfire, and then an ungodly loud roar. In the hall outside her locked room, Samantha could hear panicked shouting about enemy boarders. She was now wearing a hospital gown at least, and was still strapped down, but now to a small bed which was bolted to the floor.

She couldn't help grinning as she thought, well, I'll be damned! I guess that's the cavalry... They actually came for me. But if I stay here, that jackass Councilman is going to send someone to get rid of the evidence sooner or later.

Samantha rapidly went down the list of options in her mind, and quickly picking one, grimaced. Well, this is gonna suck. She remembered back to the few times the Asari Justicar, Samara, had offered to instruct her on increasing her biotic abilities.

One lesson in particular, came back to her now. "Shepard, it is just as important to change your way of thinking, when using your abilities." And then, Samara had levitated herself two feet off the floor in front of Shepard, eyes closed and peaceful, for five hours straight.

Samantha closed her eyes, body flaring bright blue, and began to concentrate, the mantra Samara had taught her came to her lips, "I am a leaf on the wind... I am a leaf on the wind... I am a leaf on the wind." The bed started creaking and as the bolts connecting it to the floor loudly snapped.

When she opened her eyes in ceiling was only an inch from her face. Here goes nothing! A split-second later, Shepard Slammed the bed down against the deck with all the energy she could muster. It instantly broke apart, her Barrier and the thin mattress protecting her from most of the impact.

Just as she got loose, two armed men burst into the room, and raised their assault rifles at her. Samantha shouted, "Down you go, motherfuckers!", picking both of them up and Slamming them down into the deck as well, with a sickening, CRUNCH.

Next she quickly began grabbing clothing, armor, and weapons off both of them. Grinning to herself, she marked a huge 'N7' on the front of the enemies armor, with a marker she had found. No point in getting shot at by the good guys. Time to get the hell out of here, she thought, as she exited cautiously, rifle up and ready.

Ah yes, "Page Breaks" A literary device used to show the passage of time. We have dismissed that claim.

Gently picking up a damaged piece of Shepard's armor, Steve frowned. Oh God, what were they doing to her here, Steve thought, as he, Clint, and Natasha cleared the medical bay of any hostiles. He quickly went over their tactical situation in his mind.

Thor was covering the top deck, watching their backs. Tony was still providing air support and disabling any vehicles which tried to escape from the ship. 'The Other Guy', as Bruce always called him, was obviously raising hell all over the ship, judging by the shouting and explosions he kept hearing. Fury and his squad had split up to take the Engineering section and the Bridge.

Suddenly, a quiet noise caught his attention, and he dragged a cowering doctor out of a near-by medical closet. "Oh Christ! Please don't kill me!", he whimpered, and stammering he continued, "I... I swear... they made me do it! I was... I was only following... Councilman Bowers' orders!"

Something snapped in Steve as he grabbed the man by the throat and slammed him up against the nearest wall. Then, shouting at him, he said, "Listen carefully, you scum, do you know how many men I've killed who were ONLY FOLLOWING ORDERS!"

A loud whistle instantly got his attention, "Hey Captain Subtle, I think you can drop that piece of shit, I seriously doubt he's worth it." Steve, Clint, and Natasha wheeled on the speaker, Shield and weapons up, only to stand slack-jawed in shock, a second later.

There was Shepard, armed and armored, with a rather beat up looking Councilman Bowers, his hands on his head, in front of her. "Are you all FUCKING insane! Don't just stand there! Arrest this bitch, NOW!, the Councilman yelled at them.

As the three of them just crossed their arms and glowered at the good Councilman, Samantha walked in front of him, turned to face him, and slammed her knee into his crotch so hard, that Steve and Clint winced, as they could almost feel it from five feet away.

Watching as Bowers collapsed and started to puke his guts out, Natasha said, "I couldn't have put it better myself, Shepard.", As Steve walked up to Samantha, asking her "Are you alright ma'am? They didn't hurt you did they? I'd just like to say that we're all so sorry for-"

Samantha cut him off before he could continue rambling, "Whoa kid, calm down, I don't seem to have any permanent damage... And could you please fucking stop with all the blushing and calling me ma'am every five damn minutes?"

Steve, unfortunately blushed, even harder than he already was, as Clint and Natasha burst out into fits of laughter behind him and he replied to her, "Yes ma'am... uh I mean, sure thing Shepard."

A/N: Councilman Bowers, good name right, I figured we needed one for him, Powers Boothe played the character so I thought Bowers. :) Also did you catch the ship's name, the Hale'meer, huh wonder how I came up with that one... LOL. Lastly Shepard's mantra... sorry Joker, your my second favorite sarcastic space pilot, after Wash from Firefly/Serenity! Just remember folks, if you don't review... *holds up an adorable little fluffy bunny* ...The bunny gets to be in a nice stew. So unless your hungry for bunny stew... Review! :)