Avengers and any characters related within are sole property of Marvel {and Disney} I make nothing by writing these stories other than a break from real life.

"A costume party?" I looked up from my tablet at Tony's suggestion "why on earth-" I paused doing a mental count of days "Nope. Out of the question" I stated firmly

"Why not. I'm sure a costume party would make for great PR" he smiled

"I know what you're up to and the answer is no"

"Come on it's Halloween go crazy; not literally of coarse, let yourself have fun" he argued

"Have fun with what?" Steve entered the rec area

"Tony wants to throw me a birthday party"

"I think that's a great idea" Steve smiled

"See your boyfriend agrees. You need a birthday party!"

"I just don't think it's a good idea with Hydra and all"

"While I agree with you on that. It's your birthday and you deserve to celebrate it." Steve sat next to me "come on for me?" he gave me the puppy dog look

"Oh come one don't do that" I chuckled "Don't look at me like that"

"Please"

I gave a resigned sigh "fine. Far be it from me to deny the Avengers a party"

Steve gave a goofy smile leaning forward and pecking me on the lips "it'll be fun" he assured

"Yeah. Fun" I muttered

~X~
{Time jump! Halloween}

I was in a knee-length dark blue gothic style dress with black stretch pants and blue ballerina slippers, my hair was done in curls black cat ears resting on my head and matching tail swishing with each step that I took.

Tony cleared off a level in the Tower for the party. It was filled with chitchat and music, waiters made their rounds supplying the guests with refreshments; Shield agents were spread out blending in; you can never be to cautious. I was approached well over thirty times with birthday wishes by people I didn't even know and requests for dances.

I spotted Bruce sitting at the bar dressed in a lab coat and hair askew, he looked terrified. "Let me guess. Mad scientist?" I asked sitting next to him

He chuckled "I was supposed to be Sherlock Holmes, but I lost track of time and Tony had to drag me from the lab. Wouldn't even let me change"

"Still works" I shrugged "still not used to crowds?"

"That obvious?" he took a drink of water "you look good though. Best costume yet"

"I don't know. Natasha and Clint's are better"

"But they're not dressed up" Bruce pointed out

"Sure they are. Clint is James Bond and Natasha is Sévérine. Totally legit"

We had a good laugh at the fact that Natasha and Clint really weren't dressed in costume but a tux and evening gown and I made that up

"Would you like to dance Bruce?"

"O-Oh. I. I don't think-"

"Nonsense" I chided, "Don't deny the birthday girl a dance" I stood pulling him to the dance floor.

~X~

"I have a confession," I said quietly "The reason that I didn't want to have a party isn't because of Hydra. I haven't celebrated my birthday since my mom died"

"I'm sorry that must have been a difficult time for you. I know what it's like to loose a mother. I also know what it's like to have a father who made mistakes"

The song ended "Thank you Bruce" I smiled up at him "for talking with me. I guess everyone in the tower has problems. Perhaps I should suggest the therapy sessions again?"

The lights went out and was deathly quiet

"Self sustaining my ass!" Clint joked in the darkness

"Clam it Barton!" Tony shouted

"I don't think this is because of power failure" I said uneasily then the gun fire began, people began screaming Bruce groaned falling to his knees

"Bruce!" I knelt down

"I've been hit" he ground out taking deep breaths

"Shit. Okay calm. Keep calm" I said "where?"

"Arm. Right."

"Just keep breathing. Deep breaths" I felt in the dark ness finding the wound "okay. Um the bullets still in there, just a second"

"You should be running!" Bruce growled, people were still screaming, I heard my name being shouted

"Bruce calm" I said quietly "you can't become the Hulk here! If I can stop that then damn it I will"

"S-Stephanie what are you-"

I plucked the bullet about to heal the wound when I was grabbed from behind "Keep calm Bruce!" I shouted before the cloth covered my mouth and I blacked out.

Stephanie was gone. . Taken. Hydra had got in somehow.

"I'm sorry Steve" Bruce said shamefully getting his wound wrapped, he had declined stiches "somehow she kept the other guy at bay"

"No. It's okay Bruce" I assured him "she was thinking of the civilians. She did the right thing" Damn Hydra

"Hey I got a live one here!" Bucky shouted a few feet away

"Excuse me Bruce" I said quickly marching over to where Bucky held the guy "watch out" I grabbed the guys face forcing his mouth open and plucked the cyanide capsule from it's hiding place "some things never change" I said crushing the capsule.

So I'm going to leave you with a cliff hanger here. I've decided to split this into two parts and will begin writing the rest momentarily. Until then Review let me know what you think because it helps it really does!

Until next time I bid you farewell ~KittenSparrow~