I sighed as I slumped into the cushioned leather chair at the head of the table in room 15 on floor 25. "Sorry about that guys. I guess I've been kind of keeping you in the dark here." I said with my eyes closed. Fortunately while I was talking to Steve, Gordon had caught a cab over.
"You have every right to say no to what I'm about to ask of you. You can leave now if you don't want to hear what I have to ask of you however if you chose to stay you cannot repeat what I tell you to anyone, no matter what the circumstances. You're all here because I trust you and you're the best for the job. Now don't prove me wrong by spilling the beans okay? I've called you all together because I've been given some grave news. As you know I've been adopted into the lives of the Avengers." I started.
"And after some recent events regarding missions post battle of New York and the discovery of Dr. Abraham Erskine's Super Soldier Serum mutating into a gene Fury has given word that S.H.I.E.L.D has been compromised. This information is highly sensitive which is why I had you leave all of your cellphones outside and that bug jammer is in the middle of the table. Due to the unknown circumstances of the takeover Fury has instructed me to build a new team to protect us should things go wrong. Fury, while we do this, will be investigating the world security council and S.H.I.E.L.D."
"Yeah um, that's all good and all Bonnie but why are we here?" Flash asked raising his hand.
"We're the new team. We're the new Avengers guys. You're here because I believe you are the best people for the job and the best to defend the world from whatever they throw at us. We're here because our homes have been compromised and we need to design a knew base. I'm thinking we go underground. Have a building on top as a cover and have it in the center of the city, equal distance apart from all our houses."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hold up a second Bonnie, you don't even like me and now you want me to help you save the world?" Gwen scratched her head.
"Yeah, big ask, I know. Gwen I don't hate you, you're a dynamite girl and there's been some bad blood between us but I'm hoping to set it right. Now, Gwen should you decide to stay, you Peter are the brains behind the operation. Stark is sponsoring us so money is no problem and he's designing our tech. We also have Dr. Banner on our team. I'm having Stark and Banner recreate the SSS and when it's done I'll be injecting myself with it to become stronger. Hopefully since I already have it in my system everything should go as planned. I'll also be calling in Spiderman. He's a close friend of mine and with a modified suit I'm sure we could become a good team out in the field. Flash, it's time you put your fists to good use. You're security chief. You're keeping my base team safe from anyone and everyone. It's a big ask even if it seems like nothing. For this to work we all need to play our part. Should we get things off the ground we'll expand. Adding more heroes, more scientists, agents, security. We'll build our own safety net and we'll do better then those before us."
"I'm in." Gordon was the first to sign up.
"No, I don't want Gwen to get hurt." Peter replied. Fair enough really, this was dangerous work.
"Peter, that's not your decision to make. Bonnie if we're burying the hatchet then yeah, you can count me in." Gwen replied.
"Well if she's in then I'm in." Peter agreed, finally. Stubborn little shit.
"Bonnie, I'd follow you to the end of the earth. Whatever you need me to do." Flash agreed also.
"Right. Now Fury has an agent in our school to help us. I know he's a good guy and he's not one of the compromised agents. You know him as Principal Coulson. That's why our old principal disappeared so quickly."
"I did wonder what happened to him." Gwen said aloud.
"Now, next order of business." I said. I can't believe this was so easy. It's almost as if something wasn't right.
"Oi! Stark! What's up with Bonnie and her friends?" Barton asked me as I was searching my data banks for Vibranium/steel alloy and Adamantium deposits and collections around the world, natural forming and man collected.
"She's been like that ever since Fury started taking an interest in her. I can't tell you what's up until she give's me the go ahead. She's the boss on this one, I'm just the tech-spert." I replied.
"That's odd of you Stark, what's got your mouth shut?" Ramanoff pried.
"Nope, I'm not telling. Bonnie trusts me and until she's sussed you two out my mouth is staying shut like a virgin's legs." I shut down.
"Stark, we want to help the kid." Barton pushed.
"You wanna help? Let her come to trust you in her own time. You forget you're not the easiest of people in the world to trust. You trust no one, you have multiple covers and you are in fact, trained assassins. If you really want to help don't push for information and offer to train the kids. Bonnie's fine but the other guys are just ordinary teenagers. Teach them to protect themselves before they're in too deep."
"Stark that is the most mature and serious thing you've ever said." Natasha eyed me suspiciously.
"And don't you forget it." I replied sticking my tongue out at her.
"There's the Stark we know." Barton said fist bumping me for my return to character.
"Shut up." I replied, going back to designing a suit and weapons for Bonnie. I already knew she carried a handgun -J.A.R.V.I.S having run a scan the minute she entered the building. I bet Capsicle didn't know though- I wanted to get her ones that matched her weight and strength as well as her fighting style. I'd observed her hand to hand skills and fitness levels in the gym from the security footage and decided to give her duel wielded hand guns made of the same metal as my suit. She'd have them in a holster on her lower back with extra ammo strapped to her thighs and a few knives at her lower legs. She still needs to be light weight enough to move as freely as she usually does so her defensive armor would have to be both flexible and light as well as bullet proof. Cap would kill me if I got his kid killed. Heck, I'd kill me.
We'd been in our office room for hours and I'd told all our members to notify their parents they'd be staying at a friend's place or whatever they were likely to believe and given them a breather. Flash said it didn't matter so he'd stay and work on some security plans. I sat with my eyes closed in my chair just breathing, not thinking for five minutes.
"J.A.R.V.I.S?" I asked abruptly.
"Yes ma'am?" He responded instantaneously.
"Have some food prepared for my team and have Happy deliver it to the floor."
"Yes ma'am." He then presumably went off to notify the appropriate people. I'd hope there was still some catering people left in the building.
I removed myself from my seat and walked over to wear Flash was sitting. "I know you don't want to do a relationship right now and I won't force you." I climbed into his lap anyway and wrapped my arms around him sighing tiredly. "Please just hold me for a minute."
"Okay." He nodded, putting his pen down and pushing away his papers. He held me bridal style shutting his own eyes and just breathing in each other's scent we allowed ourselves to relax for the first time in what seemed like forever but in reality was just a couple of hours.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here? Two love birds canoodling on the Job."
"STARK." I snarled. "I swear to god. You'd better be here for a reason."
"Chillax Bonnie. I'm here because of your suit. I've designed several suits and I want your go ahead on which one. I can't decide myself." He held up printed paper copies of his designs. One was exactly the same as Steve's suit during WWII and the battle of New York but tailored to fit a woman's body. The other consisted of a heck of a lot of bullet proof under armor —mid thigh length shorts, halter-neck/vest type top— and a similar outfit to the pinup girls from Cap's shows back in the 1940s. Both looked great and were very appealing. Each had arm guard attachments that popped out my very own shield made of the same Vibranium/steel alloy. The suits were re enforced with a light weight and thin metal lining. He'd also taken the liberty to design me new holsters for weapons, guns fitted to my weight and fighting style and hidden knives.
"How did you do this so quick?" I asked half glaring at him and half confused by him.
"Oh princess, never doubt me." He replied. "If you asking eight legs for a team up want me to draw up some plans for his suit?"
"Yeah go for it. We've got a location for our base and a coverup plan were just doing the inside now. We called in some food if you want to stay." I offered.
"Nah, I'll just leave you kids to it." He replied. As much as I loved him I am glad he decided to say no. Meant I could relax with Flash just a little longer.
"So, as big of a decision it is to make I was wondering if you'd mind if I called in Principal Coulson and started work upon building and training."
"It's all right with me Bonnie." Gordon spoke first. "I can't speak for the others though."
"It's all right with us, Bonnie." Gwen also agreed.
"And you already know my answer. Although it does feel weird being on the same side of the desk as the principal for a change." Flash scratched the back of his head.
"Very good then. And I remind you you're all welcome to back out at any time. But I must strongly urge you towards secrecy. Now, to the next order of business. I'll send up the cleaning crew, have no worries, they have all signed very extensive privacy and confidentiality agreement that will put them in a fairly sticky situation if they do talk. Word of advise, if you ever get into espionage, don't sign one. Anyway, I'll call up the cleaning staff and have them start on the room. Anyone who wishes so may stay the night in one of the guest suites and I'll be turning in for the night. If you need anything don't hesitate to ask Jarvis."
I was so very tired. I'd barley done anything besides football practice and the road to nowhere walk with Fury but mentally I was shattered. A good night's kip was what i needed. Hopefully Steve wouldn't say anything more about my business 's not that I feel I can't trust him, because I know I can trust him with anything, it's more out of protection. The less he knows the better and he's also a terrible liar so people would be able to steal the information out of him if he was asked the right questions.
I got up from Flash's lap somewhere I'd stayed since I sat down during our intermission. "Where are you staying Flash?"
"Here with you, I said didn't I?" He replied nervously.
"You did yes, but I meant, do you want a room of your own or...Because I wouldn't be opposed to us..you.. I mean there wouldn't be any.. we wouldnt you know but you know I mean." I sighed. "Do you want to stay in my room with me?"
"Well I.." His face had heated up the whole time I was stuttering away."I mean."
Don't get me wrong had I said this several months ago he would have jumped at the chance, maybe even not waiting till we got home but since he'd undergone a complete personality reboot or an alien has taken control of his body he's been more of a shy and sweet gentleman. Either he's smoking something strong or this is the real Flash. No, not Flash, this is bashful Eugene from grade school coming through.
"Please don't let your dad kill me." he whimpered.
"He's not going to kill you. If you remember I used to have sleepovers with Peter all the time. Plus it's me you have to be worried about. If you try anything on me I'm more of a threat than Steve." I laughed.
"Why is that?" he asked.
I didn't say anything I just untucked my shirt from my pants to reveal the top of my gun.
"I did think you were awfully bony." He replied.
I just laughed taking the next elevator Jarvis sent up to my floor with Steve. He had presumably already gone to bed and either Tony or Jarvis had seen the staying guests to their rooms. I kicked off my shoes as soon as I entered my room and grabbed my pyjamas.
"Tomorrow if you need a change of clothes I'll have the staff get you something but for now you'll have to cope with today's boxers." I explained and went into my bathroom to change. I switched into a pair of fresh pair of panties and a lace cropped top bra without the pesky thing called under wire. I pulled on a t-shirt and some short black bike shorts. When I came back in Flash was still awkwardly changing and let out a strangled scream when I came in frantically covering his exposed chest.
I rolled my eyes and climbed into my side of the bed turning on the lamp and having Jarvis turning of the main lights and locking the door.
It was Monday morning, the new Avengers had stayed the weekend but before I was able to enjoy the peaceful sunrise with my eyes closed, the only noise I should hear was birds chirping and fellow New Yorkers getting ready to begin the day A FUCKING BUGLE SOUNDED THROUGH THE SPEAKERS ALL OVER THE TOWER!
"JARVIS WHAT IS ALL THIS FUCKING NOISE?!" I screamed only just louder than the Bugle.
"It was Mr Rodger's idea." He replied.
"Of course it was. Mr Stark helped too didn't he?" I snarled sitting up and tiredly rubbing my eyes.
"Did I join the army?" A muffled voice came from beside me.
"No, it's just my dad's idea of a joke." I sighed leaning back onto my arms.
"Well it's not very funny." He said into his pillow.
"You got that right." I got out of bed and grabbed some clothes and a towel before heading off into the bathroom for a quick shower. When I came back the bugle had stopped and Flash was half hanging off the bed half on the floor, I assumed this meant he had attempted to get up.
"Come on you big baby, time to get up." I cooed. I tapped his face a few times with my palms before he grunted and slid further onto the floor.
"Jarvis will turn the bugle back on if you don't get up. Come on, they'll be breakfast. Yummy, yummy breakfast." I was still patting his face and I have no idea how he was still able to be mostly asleep.
"Fine." He pushed himself fully onto the floor and pulled on his shirt from Sunday, stumbling to the door. I unlocked it for him and we went over to the elevator, heading up to the communal floor.
On the way to the group kitchen I found a sluggish Peter, a barely awake Gwen and Gordon half dressed with his glasses on upside down. Apparently I was the only, kind of, morning person here. Steve was sitting in the center of the table looking proud of himself and drinking a steaming cup of Joe. Thor had made his first appearance and was already devouring several boxes of pop tarts, eggs and bacon with a side of the largest cup of coffee I'd ever seen.
Barton was on top of the fridge eating cereal while Stark was still in the living room tinkering with something. "Where's Tasha?" I asked sitting across from Steve.
"She's with Fury and Bruce in the lab doing some top secret project, they'll be down in a minute. I see your friends enjoyed their wake up call."
"You are a cruel old man and you're going to hell." I piled my plate up with half a pig's worth of bacon, really thick slices of toast and about three fried eggs. Someone had already filled my glass up with OJ and my mug with coffee. I looked over at Flash who had just fully woken up and currently had four coffee cups in front of him. I wouldn't put it past him to drink them all himself but he handed a cup to each of the young zombies at the table.
"Thor, have you met Bonnie?" Steve said after a while. I looked up from my food and over to the Thunder God beside me.
"Hey." I replied and went back to trying not to face plant into my plate. I started stuffing more food in my mouth before I could fall asleep again, shower having down nothing to wake me up.
"Hello daughter of Steve, it is a pleasure to meet a young warrior like yourself." He greeted warmly.
I nodded before yawning and pushing my plate aside to snooze on the table. Someone dumped a blanket over me a short time later and after the dishes had been cleared the kitchen was quiet.
I awoke again sometime later because Tasha was shaking me awake. "Hey Fury filled me in. I'm training you and your team. You don't have to do this remember, he can't make you do anything you don't want to by scaring you. I've got your back and it's your call."
I tiredly nodded and pulled the Letterman's jacket I had previously thought was a blanket off my shoulders. "Seems like that Thompson kid really likes you." Tasha smirked.
"Please tell me you had nothing to do with the morning bugle."
"I didn't." She smiled.
"Okay now you're my favourite Avenger." I returned her smile and yawned. "Where's everyone else?"
"Downstairs going through the boutiques Stark has in the tower. Probably leaving everything on his tab." She smirked. "At least that's what I told them to do."
I grinned at her before fixing my makeup and heading downstairs to meet with my friends. I got a coffee while I waited for them and tossed Flash's keys up and down in my hand. "Y'all ready to go?" I asked after seeing them come on through in their fancy new kicks.
"Yup." Peter smiled and putting an arm around Gwen and kissing her cheek.
"As I'll ever be." Gordon replied. "I mean I am about to get into Flash Thompson's car in the weirdest carpool ever after eating breakfast with the Avengers."
"Yeah not to mention, for a one eyed guy, Fury is terrifying. Way worse than Gwen's doorman." Peter agreed.
"Whatever, we're the new Avengers. Someday we're going to take over and invite a bunch of weird, awkward teenagers to eat with us. We'll shoot for brunch instead of breakfast though." I laughed shrugging on my own Letterman's jacket and returning Flash's to him. "Well kiddies, let's go to school."
"Hey, when do you plan on talking to Spiderman? I'd love to meet him." Peter asked, that little shit.
"No way Pete, I'm not bringing along any fanboys. I'm sure Spiderman is very busy and probably doesn't have time to sign your hoodie." I saw Gwen smirk knowingly and cover her mouth with her hand.
"Damn, there goes my birthday present." Flash joked as he opened the driver's side door for me before walking over to the passenger side and hopping up into the dodge.
It was kinda weird for me that the men in my life just surrendered their vehicles to me whenever I was around. Here Bonnie, you can wear the pants in this relationship. I mean don't get me wrong I love the whole equal rights thing but still it was weird. Traffic was clogged and I almost wished I had Tony FLY me to school. I mean he was Tony Stark he totally could.
Okay fine, it wasn't that bad. Gwen and Peter were laughing in the backseat being your cliche couple and Gordon and Flash were belting out the lyrics to the latest Adele song because the car next to us was playing it obnoxiously loud through their stereo on a cramped road. I'm actually really happy that Gordon is fitting in so well with us and getting on with Flash. I thought this would be the most painful and awkward team up ever. Much like the team up of the real Avengers. Haha.