A/N: I don't own anything but my OCs and story. Here is some action for you guys. Also this is a super long chapter; I decided to be nice and not break it up. So enjoy. Oh also, Coulson is in his early 30s. Actually, just assume I have made everyone around 5-10 years younger than the movies. Why? Because that's my age group and I can. :P Ah the joys of being a Fan fiction writer.

Chapter 10: This was not her day.

Anya was exhausted. It had been fun; meeting Tony's family, well after they stopped questioning her. She got why they did it. It actually made her trust them more in the long run, but that didn't change the fact is that it was annoying.

She liked Pepper a lot. The woman definitely knew how to handle Tony. He obviously liked her, so why the pause on that whole relationship was a mystery to her. Wait a moment – she just found out the guy was her brother a little over a week ago and she was interfering in his love life. She needed help. She guessed sister instincts just kick in.

Natalia was cool, but there was something about that woman she didn't trust. She liked her well enough, but still. Happy was darling and Tony abused him too much. Rhody was nice, but seemed to be staring at her most of the lunch. She also couldn't fully trust him because of his loyalty to the government. She had no doubt he would choose his country over Tony.

The lunch had been humorous and long. Afterwards she made Tony call to have her apartment building doorframe repaired. Tony wanted to go and fix it himself, but there was no way she was going to have that. What better way for the media to find out about her. When they got back from lunch Tony demonstrated his hover board. He wouldn't let her try it though, which made her mad. He also tried to get her to fight Natalia, apparently the woman kicked Happy's ass when she first came. That also aggravated her. Was that what brothers did, Anya wondered. Aggravate sisters all the time? At least her life was more interesting now.

It was starting to get dark when she arrived home. She had just taken her shoes off and was about to change into her pajamas, a default setting for her, when she heard a knock at the door. Odd, no one else was home and she wasn't expecting anyone. She looked through the peep hole and saw a blond man in a suit.

"Who is it?" she called out.

"Agent Coulson with SHIELD."

"What?"

"I am from a government agency. Please open the door."

"I have never heard of SHIELD."

"That is not a surprise."

"Well then this should come as no surprise. I am not opening the door. So go away before I call the police."

"Agent Barton open the door," the man outside said. Moving away from the door, expecting it to be kicked in, she ran for her cell phone which was in her room. The problem was, however, a man was in between her and her bedroom door. The man was in an all black outfit and looked like a mercenary – short brown hair, chiseled muscles, serious face - and oddly enough he had a bow in his hand and arrows on his back.

Eyes wide she looked around for a weapon. Dashing into the kitchen, which was on her right, she grabbed the iron skillet sitting on the stove top. For once she was happy her roommate forgot to put the stupid thing away. No one was behind her. The man hadn't followed her into the kitchen. That was when she heard the click of the front door being unlocked. Shit, was all she could think. The fire escape suddenly called to her, glowing like the Holy Grail Beacon in her mind. She unlocked and forced open the window. She slide out onto the escape and started to make her way down.

She cursed herself for not keeping her shoes on. The stupid thing was rusty and littered with people's crap. She was happy she had just gotten a tetanus shot last doctor visit. She heard a yell and cursing above her, followed by the thumping of feet on the metal escape. Clutching the skillet harder in her hand, she pushed herself to move faster. She was at the bottom, but there was a one floor gap between the last rung and the ground. Also at the bottom was a man in suit who was dressed like the man from her door. Going with instinct, she jumped from the escape and landed on the man.

The fall knocked him down, but she was fine. "Thanks," she said as she used her pan and hit the man in the head. Getting up she ran as fast as she could down the street. Her goal was the gym. They had a phone there. Also she didn't doubt that if there was anyone there they would help her. Once she had been hurt and everyone tried to help her; she decide it was because she was a girl and most everyone there was a guy. Ah, chivalry. Who said it was dead? Maybe Steve would be there too.

She didn't even make it to the end of the street. An arrow was shot in front of her, forcing her to stop. At that same moment a black van pulled up right beside her. The man from before, Barton she assumed, was on her left. Turning around, the man who said his name was Coulson was walking towards her. Why did her life just turn into an action movie? Also why was there no one on the streets when she needed them? Seriously! This was not her day.

"Ms. Marvel, please put down the frying pan," Coulson asked. Her hand gripped it tighter.

"Tell you what. Why don't you have someone order you to open your door, have a man with a weapon show up inside of your home, be chased down a fire escape and surrounded in the street. Oh and let's not forget have an arrow shot at you. Then when all that has happened to you, you can advise me about what to do."

"Huh, I like her," Barton said after Anya's rant. She glared at him.

"We only want to talk," Coulson assured her.

"Then talk."

"Not here."

"Then change your statement. You don't only want to talk. You want to take me to an undisclosed location to talk. Something I am not too keen on."

"We are not going to hurt you."

"Bullshit."

Coulson sighed before saying, "Barton, take the frying pan from her, tie her up and get her in the van." After he said that, he simply walked towards the van and got into the passenger side. At the same time Barton came towards her.

His bow was around gone, she assumed in his quiver around his back, and he held his hands up. It made him look like he was trying to approach a wild animal, which only pissed her off more. He moved slowly towards her. When he was a few feet away, she took one step forward and swung the pan, like a baseball bat towards his head.

In a fluid motion he ducked under it, grabbed her right arm and squeezed, forcing her hand to drop the pan. While she could have held on to it with her left hand, she let it drop. She twisted and used a left hook to punch his face, which he obviously hadn't expect because he failed to deflect it. The punch was only enough to get him to drop her arm.

As her arm was already there, she grabbed his right shoulder, with both hands, and kneed him hard in the stomach. She obviously didn't hit him hard enough, as he, bending over, shoved her to the ground. That not only hurt, but it knocked the wind out of her. By her pausing for a second, he had enough time to capture her arms and pin them to the ground.

Moving quickly, she slipped her right knee between her body and his chest. Forcing her hips off the ground she moved her other foot up and kicked him hard in the face. She did this repeatedly until he let go of her hands. When there was enough space, she straightened her right leg and kicked him in the chest. He rolled to the side, and she took the opportunity to get up. Unfortunately for her he was not out for long.

The moment she got to her feet, she felt something swipe her legs out from under her. Using her training she tilted her head to the side and fell on her forearms – making her look like she was in the plank position. Then there was a knee in her back and two very strong arms yanking hers from underneath her and forcing them behind her. She knew at that moment she was done. Her sense of defeat was only strengthened as she felt cold cuffs trap her hands together.

The moment the cuffs were in place the weight of the knee on her back vanished. She was yanked to her feet by her arms, causing her to inhale sharply in the pain. He pushed her towards the car and shoved her in. On the positive side, when she was in the car, he helped her sit up right. She had fallen on her side and was having a hard time of it on her own. Stupid handcuffs.

As soon as they were in the van, it took off. Looking out the window she watched as they drove out of the city, heading north. After about 30 minutes, although since she had no watch she was guessing at the time, her wrists and shoulders were throbbing miserably. She looked over at Barton. He was either in deep thought or simply bored. She was kind of proud to see a bruise start to from on his left cheek. There was also blood on his chest. She looked down at her feet and saw red. Yeah, not wearing shoes was a problem. She looked back over at him. She stared at him until he made eye contact.

"What?" he said briskly .

"Any way you could take off these cuffs?"

He snorted at that. "Really?"

"Do you think I am going anywhere? You have already shown you can beat me in a fight. I'm too injured to run. Not to mention I am trapped in this car. So yes, I am asking you to take my cuffs off." Barton just rolled his eyes.

If at first you don't succeed, try a different strategy. "Agent Coulson, you said you only wanted to talk. You said you didn't want to hurt me. These cuffs are causing me undue pain. Please take them off."

Coulson turned in his seat to look at her. He looked vaguely familiar. She wondered why. He stared into her eyes for a moment. " Do you promise to cooperate?'

"Yes"

"Barton un-cuff her. Know that if you try anything I will Taser you and leave you to lie in your own drool."

"Duly noted." She turned her back towards Barton so that he could un-cuff her, which he did. She had to force herself not to sigh in relief. Looking at her wrists she wondered how she was going to explain the cuts away when people asked. Of course that was assuming she was ever released. She vowed to keep her cell phone on her at all times if she made it through this. If she had she could have called her brother to save her, but she didn't and couldn't. So now she was in a dark van with 'government' agents, bleeding into the carpet. This was so not her day.

****Clint Focused (CF)***

A little later the group finally arrived at the underground base in upstate New York. Getting out of car, Clint stayed with Anya and Coulson as they walked her to an interrogation room. Clint observed Anya, as he had been doing for the past week. She seemed to be counting the number of turns they made. She would make a good agent, he had to admit. Although, he was still pissed she had managed to land a punch on him. He was about to go follow them into the room when Coulson stopped him.

"Agent Barton, your part in this is over. Everything regarding Anya Marvel is now level eight security clearance. You are to write a report and then prepare for another assignment in a few days."

"Come on Coulson. You had me trail a little girl for a few days. Then we bring her in and write her off as a level eight? Can't you tell me something about her? All I know is that she knows someone in the Stark Tower and works in the same gym as Captain."

"Barton – just do as you're told," and with that Coulson walked into the interrogation room and shut the door.

Muttering to himself Clint almost ran into Natasha.

"Hey! Is your luxurious stay in Stark Tower over?"

"If by luxurious you mean a pain in the ass and boring as hell, I wish."

"You've go to be kidding me. You've been there for how long? A few months?"

"Too long, but what do you care?"

"Tasha you hurt me, we're partners."

"Huh"

"Wait a moment, are you following Tony Stark."

"Is your memory lapsing for some reason? Yes I have been tailing Stark, you know this."

"Sorry, but the connection just came."

"That is really sad. Let's get you to the psych-ward."

"No I mean you are following Stark, so you would know what Anya Marvel was doing at the Tower today."

"Anya Marvel?"

"Yes, they had me tail her for a week and Coulson and I brought her in."

"Is she the reason for the bruise and bloody foot print to your chest?"

"Yeah… she wasn't wearing shoes when she tried to escape down a fire escape."

"Ha! I knew I liked her for a reason."

"So you know her."

"Yes."

"Then tell me her background."

"Why aren't you with Coulson right now?"

"Tasha just tell me."

"Answer me first." This initiated a staring contest, which of course Clint lost.

"Fine! Coulson said she is now a level 8 secret."

"Huh, I better talk to Fury then," and with that she walked away.

"Tasha!" he yelled after her, and she just causally waved her hand.

So much for partners sharing information, he muttered to himself and walked away.

******Anya Focus (Back to my girl) *****

Keep it together, was what Anya kept telling herself ever since they arrived in the underground building. As they took her down an elevator and through a series of turns, she tried to keep track of every direction in her head. She knew it was kind of pointless. She would not be able to escape, but it kept her sane. She almost started to panic when they led her into an interrogation room, which she only recognized because of cops shows like Castle and CSI. There was only a metal table, some chairs and a giant dark window, which she assumed had a room behind it with people watching.

The Coulson guy stopped Barton from entering and sat down across from her. She tried to focus on the coolness of the chair rather than the pain from her feet and body; although, the pain was preferable to the nervous feeling in her stomach. The guy just sat there staring at her. After a few moments she decided ignoring him was the best bet. So she folded her arms on the table and laid down her head. A few minutes later, although it seemed like forever, a man who was cross between The Matrix and a pirate entered in. Truth be told, however, he only looked pirate-esk because of the eye patch. If he didn't have that she would say he was a Matrix mercenary. He wore all black and leather and his dark face seemed to be chiseled with a permanent scowl.

"Anya Marvel. My name is Director Fury. I heard you had an eventful trip in."

"Well that tends to happen when people are taken against their will."

"Now taken is a strong word. It's more like borrowed. Just for a talk."

"I am not a thing to be borrowed!"

"I never said you were." They stared at each other for a few moments.

"Why am I here?"

"You are here because of who you are."

"What?"

"You are the half-sister of Tony Stark: a man who is a consultant for this agency and is privy to some very important and dangerous knowledge."

"So what? That is my half-brother, whom I only knew about two Fridays ago. Something I am pretty sure you knew about because you had me followed."

"We did, just to make out what type of person you are."

"And what type of person am I?"

"According to Agent Barton: a loner who is determined, compassionate, hard-worker, and sarcastic."

"Well that's not a bad summary."

"No it is not. I still need to know your intentions."

"Intentions?"

"With your brother. You could easily steal his secrets and sell them to other companies. You could just as easily manipulate him. According to my agent, you have him wrapped around your pinky finger and it's only been a little over a week."

"Your agent? Last time you named your agent, but this time you didn't. Why is that Director? Is it because it is another agent? It must be. Is it Natalia Rushmore?"

Fury just glared at her. Strategy time, Anya decided. "How about this, I will answer your questions if you answer mine. Deal?" After a few moments he nodded in agreement.

"Fine. My only intention is to get to know my brother. I have no friends or family in the city besides him. He is also the only person in my family who has not lied to me for 25 years. So I simply want to spend time with my brother. I could care less for the money because, despite student loans and living expenses, I am happy where I am in life right now. I have a great job. I live in a good apartment with roommates I can stand. And now I have a brother."

"Okay. I, for now, believe you and yes."

"Wait, yes is the answer to all my questions or just one of them?"

Director Fury ignored her. "Another question, how much do you know about Captain America?"

"Who?"

"Captain America."

"You mean the guy from WWII who was a war hero and ionic figure?"

"Yes."

"Only that."

"Excellent."

"Why do you ask?"

"You don't have security clearance to know that."

"Security clearance? Really? Who the hell are you guys anyway?"

"We are SHIELD – Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division. We are an anti-terrorism and intelligence organization under the World Council."

"Well I'm just learning all types of new things today."

"We will be in touch," Director Fury said as he started to get up and walk away.

"Wait a moment, you brought me all the way here just for that 2 minute conversation? Seriously?"

"Do you want to stay longer?"

"No I'm good, but next time just call."

"You really are his sister," Fury said getting up from the table.

As he was walking out of the room, she called to him, "Director Fury?"

"Yes?"

"Would you know anything about my father?"

At that question he just turned and walked out the door. Anya was sure that was a sign he did know and didn't want to tell her.

"Ms. Marvel-"

"- Anya's fine Agent Coulson."

"Okay. Anya we will take you back now."

***Little while later**

The ride back home seemed shorter. Anya managed to keep it together until she got into her apartment. The moment she entered her door- which had been left unlocked by SHIELD and that was good thing since she didn't have her key on her- she could feel herself start to go into shock. The adrenaline had left her. Her body felt weak and cold. Pain was the main sensation. Using the walls for support she managed to get to her room. Her cell phone was on her bed. Falling onto the bed it took all her strength to pick it up and dial Tony's number.

**TF **

Tony was working out the kinks of his hover board, planning on giving it to his new sister, when the phone rang.

"Sir, Ms. Marvel is on the line."

"Answer it Jarvis."

"Yes Sir."

"You just saw me a few hours ago and you call? I feel flattered."

"Tony, I need help." The weakness in her voice caught Tony's attention more than her words.

"What's wrong? Where are you?"

"I'm at my apartment. I think my body is going into shock." Her voice kept fading. He barely caught the last part.

"Jarvis get the suit ready and her apartment number. Hey Anya, hold on. I'm coming." He told her as he jumped into his latest Iron Man suit.

"I…I'm going to go to sleep now Tony…"

"No! Anya stay awake!" He was in the air flying towards her apartment

"Sorry"

"Anya! Damn it! Jarvis what is her apartment number?"

"It is D3 sir. Her apartment has an exit to the fire escape. That would be your best entrance option. "

"I see it." Tony landed on top of the fire escape and threw open the window, which was luckily unlocked. Not that it would have mattered. He could have just blasted the thing.

"Her room is down the hallway, 3rd door on the left sir." Running Tony arrived to see his sister curled up on her bed, shaking and looking sickly pale.

"Jarvis, scan her."

"One moment, sir…. Sir, she is indeed in shock. She has lost a good deal of blood through her feet. There is severe bruising on her legs and arms. Additionally her wrists have cuts on them."

"What do I do Jarvis?"

"Lay her on her back, elevate her feet, and keep her warm." Tony quickly moved to do what the AI told him.

"She's so cold."

"She will need medical attention. Shall I call an ambulance?"

"No, I'll take her back to the Tower." Tony had a feeling there was something going on that they wouldn't want the police involved in, which would happen if he took her to the hospital. Besides if she wanted that she would have called 911.

"Jarvis, call my doctor and have him come in to the tower. Give him a breakdown of how she is."

"Yes, sir, also you may move her now. I suggest wrapping her up in a few blankets to keep her warm as you are going to be flying." Tony carefully picked her up with the blankets, while supporting her neck. He had a hesitation about going through the fire escape window, but there was a higher likelihood someone would see them if they went out the normal way. He arrived at the Tower within a minute. He left the suit on and took her straight to the small hospital wing they had set up on the 19th floor. The doctor and a nurse were already there.

"Tony, lay her down on the bed."

"Will she be okay?" he asked as he did as the doctor directed.

"She should be, but let us do our job."

Tony didn't want to move from her side.

"Tony, I need you to leave. Go take off the suit and call Pepper. We will take care of her."

"Okay Doc," and then with great effort he forced himself out of the room. When he was in the elevator, heading for his garage/lab, he told Jarvis to call Pepper and tell her what happened. Once his suit was put away he went back up to the hospital area and waited outside of the door on the floor. He really needed to order chairs for this area.

A little while later, a frantic looking Pepper came half running down the halls. "Tony – how is she?" she asked as she came towards him. Tony was still sitting on the floor leaning against the wall.

"I don't know." He answered her quietly but with iron in each word.

"Tony" her voice was full of concern.

"Pepper….I….she…."

Pepper slowly sat down next to him and waited for him to speak. It took him a few moments to control his emotions enough to talk.

"Her feet were bleeding… she is covered in bruises…and her wrists. Pep they look like they had been bounded together…. Who would hurt her? What… what if it was because of me?"

"Shhh Tony," Pepper tried to sooth him, "we don't know what happened, but we will find out. And this is not your fault."

"But-"

"-Nothing. You were not the one who hurt her. You are the one she called. You are the one who gave her emergency medical care."

"What if I didn't get there fast enough?"

"Tony, you got there as soon as you could. Stop with the 'what ifs' and the doubts. Your sister is going to need you to be strong when she wakes up."

"…Thank you Pepper."

"You're welcome."

After a few moments Tony asked, "Where is Natalia by the way? I figured she would be with you."

"She had the day off. I called and left her a voice mail. Same with Rhody and Happy."

"Did I wake you?"

"Tony it's only 10pm. So no you didn't. I was preparing for a meeting tomorrow."

"Pepper Potts the diligent CEO of Stark Industries."

"Well someone has to work."

"Hey I work." At that comment Pepper just raised an eyebrow and decided to leave it alone."Well I do."

"Tony-" Whatever Pepper was going to say was cut off by the sound of the door opening. The doctor seemed a bit surprised to see both of them on the floor. Tony was instantly on his feet.

"How is she?'

"She is fine. I have an IV and oxygen hooked up to help with the shock. Her feet were cut up pretty bad. She needs to stay on antibiotics to fight infection. Don't be alarmed if she ends up having a fever. She should stay off her feet for at least a week and should get plenty of rest. I'll be back tomorrow to check on her. Call me if anything happens."

"Thank you doc." Tony heartily said before going into the medical room. Pepper stayed outside.

Her eyes were closed. It hurt him to see her there- with tubs in her nose and arms. He didn't realize till that moment how much she meant to him. Yeah he had only met her a little while ago, but they had spent a great deal of time talking to each other since. She was funny, loyal, smart and kind. She was the type of sister he always wanted. One who would fight with him, but always love him afterwards.

He sat down next to her. At least there was a chair in this room, he thought. He reached and gently held her hand. Seeing bandages on her wrist he stroked her hand with his thumb and whispered, "I am so sorry." He knew this was his fault. Staring at her, unbidden memories of captivity came to him. He pushed them down and focused on the person in front of him. "I'll protect you. I promise."

******AF*****
Anya awoke feeling warm and pain free but a bit fuzzy in the brain, indicating to her that she was probably drugged. She would have panicked if not for the presence of her brother sitting next to her. That is when it struck her. She thought of him as her brother. Not as Tony, not as her supposed brother, but as her brother.

"Tony?" she called her brother. He was currently staring at her hand with sorrow and guilt etched on his face. His head jerked up and smiled at seeing her eyes open.

"Hey little bird."

"Little bird?"

"Yeah – I think it suits you."

"I guess it could be worse."

"How are you feeling?"

"Drugged."

"You've got to love doctors for that."

"Where am I?"

"My place."

"You have a medical facility in your tower?

"It's the tower it has everything."

"Does it have a swimming pool?"

"…No, but it does have gym."

"Well there you can't say it has everything."

"Do you want me to build a swimming pool? I have extra room."

"Don't tempt me…so how bad am I?"

"You'll be okay. Doc says you should stay off your feet for a week, take medicine and rest."

"Okay. I'll need to call work." That thought sent Anya's mind running. "Tony – how did you bring me here?"

"I flew in through your fire escape that was unlocked. I know you're on the third floor but you should keep that locked."

"It was before I ran out of it this afternoon.- Crap, the front door of my apartment is unlocked. Also my phone is there."

"What? Anyway, don't worry, I'll have someone go, get your stuff and lock up."

"Thank you."

"No problem"

"No thank you for answering my call, for coming and to get me, for sitting there worried about me. You're a great big brother." Anya had to hold back tears saying those words, but she wanted him to know. It looked like he was trying to hide his emotions as well. Leaning over he kissed her forehead.

"Love you little bird."

"Love you too."

A/N: Awwww bonding moment! So cute. Review please – tell me how you liked the fight scene. Loki comes in two chapters.