March, 2014
"The left, back engine is where you're having an issue," I said, hand pressed firmly to the metal wall.
"Which number?" Maria asked.
"Let me see the map again."
She handed me a folded up sheet. I smoothed it out and looked it over, my eyes skipping across the various numbers and labels. It was hard to read when I was trying to focus on my second vision, but I was somewhat managing. It was this 'second vision', my sixth sense, which allowed me to see and feel energy signatures emitting from every living being and every electrical thing on the planet, in moderation. I wasn't totally sold on calling it 'second vision', but Tony had insisted on having a name, and that was the best we had so far.
"Number seventeen," I said, after finally forcing my eyes to focus on the drawn out map. With my hand pressed to this wall I could track the energy of the machines running this ship, and that one near the back had a strange skip to it that didn't seem normal.
"Seventeen? We just checked seventeen this morning," a young agent argued from behind Maria.
"If she says it's seventeen, then it's seventeen." Fury's voice seemed to echo around the room as he stepped in from the hall. His hands were clasped behind his back, that black duster of his nearly brushing the floor as he joined us. His presence was always huge, no matter the situation. I no longer questioned why he was in charge.
"Yes, sir," the young agent muttered, taking his leave.
"Hill, go supervise. Make sure everything gets done," Fury ordered.
"Sir." Maria nodded, following after.
"Thanks for trusting my diagnosis," I said, letting my hand drop to my side.
"Well, you've proved your abilities time and time again. I trust you," he responded. I took a deep breath and tried to stifle the touched smile that crept onto my lips. Compliments, especially coming from the Director of SHIELD, were always a nice surprise—especially to someone like me, who had gone so many years with only fake compliments, courtesy of the men who wanted to bed me at my father's gatherings. Those compliments weren't real. These were.
"Trust means a lot. Thank you," I said, even though this couldn't convey what I was feeling. He seemed to understand.
"Soon, with your help, we'll have all the kinks worked out of these new helicarriers," he said with a smile.
"I think they have fantastic potential."
"Let's hope you're right." He nodded at me, indicating the conversation was over, and, with one swift movement, was heading out the door again. He wasn't a man of many words, but that was fine by me. As soon as he was gone I collected a few sheets of paper from the table nearest to me, tucking them under my arm and heading for the door. I'd been working on the SHIELD helicarriers for several weeks now, living on-site. I couldn't wait to get back to my apartment and sleep in my own bed, where I wasn't being monitored at every possible moment. But, it was thanks to SHIELD giving me the job that I was even able to afford the apartment at all, so I was grateful none the less.
It had been almost six months since I'd found myself in front of Stark Tower that night, battered, beaten, and confused. I felt like it had been an eternity ago, though. It was hard for me to believe that less than a year ago I was sitting alone in that huge house in Japan, unaware of my abilities and wondering why there was so much I couldn't remember. I still wondered sometimes where I would be if I'd have behaved. If I hadn't have gotten upset that day, if I hadn't detonated that bomb in my father's workspace, I would still be there. I shivered at the thought. I liked it much better here, where I had company, and where I was allowed to be myself. For the most part, at least.
After the alien invasion that nearly left me dead, Tony and Bruce had removed the mechanical casing enclosing my heart and unleashed the full potential of my powers. Everything became so vibrant, so breathtaking, like everything I'd lived up to that point was just a foggy memory. Sometimes, it seemed almost too bright, too overwhelming. Still, I couldn't thank them enough, even though I tried. They were up to their knees with cakes and other treats that I baked them whenever I had the time, desperately trying to show my gratitude in the only way I could think of. I think they got the point. There were so many things I had to be thankful for, I just couldn't help myself. Kathrine returned my memories, Steve found me an apartment a floor above his, and Tony helped me create a 'superhero' suit of my own in case I ever needed to use it. Everything was going great. Truth is, I was wondering when it was all going to go sour again.
"Boo!" Naomi Taylor suddenly grabbed my sides from behind, seemingly appearing out of nowhere with her cat-like stealth. I, however, had felt her coming a mile away.
"Good morning, Naomi," I said pleasantly, arching my neck to look back at her. She puffed out her cheeks in annoyance, a gesture that was all too common.
"I don't trust someone I can't scare."
"Yes you do," I stated, fully turning to face her. Her brown hair was pulled up into its usual messy bun, her skin looking slightly more tanned than usual. She kept a stern face for a moment, staring at me, then let a smile creep onto her lips.
"Fine, yeah. Whatever, Annie." She knew I hated the nickname.
"You're a piece of work."
"Pridefully so." She clapped her hands onto my shoulders, her smile growing. "How have you been? I hear Fury's been working you like a dog."
"Not really. I've just been locating machines that aren't working properly, finding electrical issues, fixing the things that I can. It's really just busy-work, not challenging." I glanced down at the papers under my arms. They were schematics, various maps and details about the machines running the giant, flying ships. I'd never been on one that flew yet, though. To my disappointment.
"He still doesn't trust you to do field work?"
"I thought he did. But, I guess I just need more time to prove myself." I tried to say this casually, like the fact that I hadn't been given a real mission wasn't constantly on my mind. Fury was always saying he trusted me these days, and yet…
"Please, you've done plenty," Naomi snorted.
"But, I'm not an agent."
"It's about damn time you become one. Or, even better, an Avenger. Then you and your boyfriend can fight crime together." I flushed, knocking her shoulder. Naomi and I had become close after Fury requested I spend time working for SHIELD and away from the rest of the Avengers. It was easy to transition. After all, the Avengers had their own problems to deal with. After the invasion, Thor returned to Asgard to resolve some sort of issue. 'Something small, I am sure,' he'd said. But, as it turned out, that 'something small' involved a race of elves crashing their ship onto Earth and causing mass terror. Typical. Thor managed to handle it and returned to his home before I could even say hello. Although, I did get sent in to deal with some of the aftermath, including picking up the pieces of the alien ship he'd demolished as well as taking care of a giant creature he'd somehow transported to Earth. I guess I didn't mind the work. Besides, I grew quite fond of the massive creature by the time we found a way to send it back. It was like a giant puppy.
Tony dealt with some problems of his own while I was away, and there were even rumors that he had been killed. I remember I could hardly breathe when I heard the news that his home had been destroyed, and he was declared missing—I thought I was going to have a heart attack. But, just as Thor resolved his own conflict, Tony rose above his villainous menace and saved the day. Alone. For a superhero team, the Avengers didn't seem to help each other out of rough situations. Not that they needed the help, of course, but it wasn't what I expected. From my time with them I'd gathered that they were like a close-knit family. I guess I was wrong.
SHIELD, however, had become my new, temporary family. Naomi and I spent a lot of time together after she took me in and showed me the ropes; all of my animosity towards her had been cleared after it had been explained to me that she and Steve had been engaged in pressure point training at the bunker that day, and not, as I had wrongly assumed, romantically involved with each other. That had been an embarrassing conversation that I wished I could forget.
On the lines of forgetting things, I had begun to see Kathrine a lot now that I was at SHIELD. She proposed that I have a weekly session with her to cope with the memories she'd returned to me, which was actually helpful despite my original unease. Turns out she wasn't just a gifted agent—she was also highly trained in psychoanalysis and therapeutic practices. She was a woman of many talents, clearly. I talked with her about how I was feeling, what I was experiencing, and poured out my thoughts to her. I should have been uncomfortable with someone knowing so much about me, but Kathrine always made me feel so calm, and I trusted her to keep the information between us. Naomi, on the other hand, had proven the opposite for herself. I'd let it slip one afternoon my feelings towards Steve, and by the next day I was basically the laughing stock for the few friends I'd managed to make at the base. After that, I refused to tell Naomi a thing. At least, nothing embarrassing like that.
"Did you meet the new engineer?" she asked, snatching the papers out from under my arm before I could move to stop her. She looked them over before deciding they were boring and throwing them back in my direction. I almost didn't catch them all in time.
"No, I didn't," I said, a bit flustered from all the papers.
"He's hot."
"Is he?"
"Super hot."
"Are you going to go after him?" I finally got all the papers back together and facing the right ways, tucking them under my arm a bit more tightly this time.
"Nah, he's not my type."
"I thought 'hot' was exactly your type."
"Don't be rude," she snapped, but it was lighthearted. She knew I was right. As I'd learned, Naomi had a tendency to go after attractive men without thinking. It had, as she noted, gotten her in many uncomfortable situations. One of those situations ended with her getting a tramp-stamp of a cobra, which she swore up and down she regretted. I, however, could tell she was actually quite fond of it.
We exited the room together and headed to the west building, where I was currently staying. It was a decent enough space to live; all of the rooms were identical, and were provided for all on-site agents in the area. They weren't big rooms, but they were just enough space to get everything you needed done. I didn't have any complaints. Plus, the community kitchen was nice.
"So what are you going to do now?" Naomi asked as we entered through the large double doors, a wave of warmth hitting us. It was surprisingly cold for a March evening, and the heater was turned on high. I'd been somewhat used to the cold after living in Hokkaido for much of my life, where the cherry blossoms didn't even bloom until the end of the season and the temperatures stayed on the lower side. However, I had hoped that living here would be different. I wanted to bask in the heat of the spring and summer sun, like I'd seen in the movies. It was a bit stupid of me, but it sounded so nice.
"I'll probably just sit in my room," I admitted.
"And do what?"
"Read, maybe. I've blown through a lot of books."
"Ooh, I bet you're the type of girl that loves romance books. The really heavy, sexual ones. Am I right?" She nudged me, but I rolled my eyes. I also, clearly, regretted telling her anything about my previous sex life. She'd done nothing but try to hook me up with random men since.
"I've been reading manuals and textbooks left here from the SHIELD academy."
"Ugh, gross."
"I like learning." I fidgeted with the papers under my arm again, mumbling. Naomi was cool, in a way that made everyone like her, and I was afraid one of these days she was going to realize I was boring and drop me. Since she'd become one of my only friends, that was the last thing I wanted.
"You should come out and get a drink with me. My treat," she offered. I bit down on my lip. Would Fury want me doing that? Right now keeping his trust in me was the most important. I liked following the rules. Or, rather, I had a habit of following them due to my past. If there was one thing my father was good for, it was teaching a girl to never break any rule. Ever.
"That would be...nice," I said after consideration. She whooped, trying to snatch the papers out of my hands again. I ducked out of the way, knowing full well she was going to take them and toss them into the air to express her excitement. This, also, was a common thing for her.
"Fine, okay, go drop off your stuff and we'll get going. I'm so excited."
"I know. I can feel it," I said quietly, then shook my head. She didn't realize that her sudden spike of emotions gave me a raging headache, especially when her aura was so uncharacteristically bright. Then again, how could she? I'd never admit it. I didn't want her to try to tone down her emotions just for me. I wasn't worth that.
We continued down the hall and then up a few flights until we got to my floor. As we approached my door I felt a tingle on the back of my neck, a familiar jolt of electricity, and my heart leaped in my chest. I picked up my pace, passed Naomi, and quickly pulled open my door. Usually I'd have used my keycard—a tiny ID that SHIELD gave everyone who was staying at their facility—but my excitement got the best of me. Besides, an electrical locking system stood no match against me.
"—the hell?" I heard Naomi ask, still far behind, but I was staring straight ahead and into my room.
"Tony," I said in surprise, meeting the man's eyes. He sat in my desk chair, feet up, that familiar grin plastered on his face. His hair looked different, shorter, but not bad. Actually, it was hard for me to believe anything would look bad on Tony Stark.
He kicked back from my desk and stood up, arms out, grin widening.
"Long time no see, Green. I love what you've done with the place," he said. I almost opened my mouth to explain that I had not, in fact, changed anything about the room since they'd given it to me, but then I realized it was sarcasm. Naomi was pretty sarcastic herself, but no one was on the same level as Tony. I missed it.
"What are you doing here?" I looked him over, my eyes widening. "Your...is your arc reactor gone?" I couldn't believe I hadn't noticed it sooner. That little glowing ball of energy was just as much a part of Tony as his own aura was, and its absence was a little stunning.
"Yeah, it was about time to get it out. I'm all fixed. Squeaky and brand new." He smiled, dropping his arms. Was I supposed to hug him? I'd assumed it was just one of his grand gestures.
"Hey, look what the cat dragged in," Naomi said, finally caught up.
"Oh, Annabelle, tell me you haven't been hanging out with this sorry excuse for a woman," Tony said. Naomi snorted, a nasally, gross sound.
"You're one to talk."
"You're so right. I am a sorry excuse for a woman as well."
"Such a hypocrite."
"I do so love the banter," I interrupted, "but you didn't answer my question, Stark, come on. Why are you here? What brought this on? I haven't seen you since SHIELD scooped me up nearly five months ago."
"What, can't I visit my friend?" he asked.
"You could have, you know, months ago."
"I've been busy."
"So I've heard." I set the papers down on my desk table, realizing I was still clinging to them. "Does Fury know you're here?"
"Fury? Please, you haven't been sucked into his rules, have you?"
"She has," Naomi said before I could speak. I shot her a look.
"I just really don't want to mess this up. I have a lot to prove. And I want to be a part of this...all of this. I don't have anywhere else to go."
"Sure you do. That's part of why I'm here." He stepped forward, an excited twinkle in his eyes. "I finished it."
"Finished what?" Naomi asked, but I already knew: Avengers Tower.
"Are you serious? It's done?" I watched his eyes glimmer again as he bobbed his head up and down.
"All finished. You have to come see it. You have your own special area."
"I told you, you didn't have to do that," I said quietly, tucking my hair behind my ear. Truth is, I was so completely flattered that he'd thought of me.
"'Course I did. You're part of the family. I can't wait for you to see it. I have to get the others over, too. Make sure everything is in shape for them to move in."
"You think everyone will want to move in right away?"
"Bruce is already settled in. Thor is who-knows-where, but we'll contact him eventually. I already had an idea that his room would be a place for him to stay whenever he's in town, not a permanent residence. And Cap...well, we'll just have to see about him."
"He seems to like his little apartment," I said. Naomi nudged me.
"You'd know, wouldn't you?" She grinned. I flushed and pushed her away gently. Tony raised an eyebrow, but didn't question.
"So. Want to go see it?" he asked.
"Hey, big guy, wait a minute. She has plans. With me. We're going out for a drink," Naomi cut in, crossing her arms. "You can't just waltz in and steal my girl.
"Oh, I think I can."
"Why don't you just come with us, Tony?" I asked, hoping Naomi wouldn't be offended by the offer. She didn't look bothered.
"My treat," she explained.
"Please, if it's going to be anyone's treat, it'll be mine," Tony said, his words accompanied by one of his iconic eye-rolls. "Look at this kid. Thinking she's going to pay for Tony Stark's drink."
"Let's just get going," I cut in quickly, before Naomi had a chance to counter. As much as I loved them both, the amount of sarcastic bickering that went on between them when they were together was just too much. And, considering I already had a raging headache brewing, I didn't need the banter.
"Where are we headed? Somewhere fancy?" Tony asked.
"I was thinking that bar on the corner," Naomi responded, already walking out of the room. I assumed I was meant to follow and started after her, Tony just behind me.
He made a gross sound.
"You're going to that dump?"
"What's wrong with it? I go there all the time," she said defensively.
"Well, I don't doubt that. But seriously. It's a dump."
"I'm offended."
"Good."
"Why is it so bad?" I asked.
"It's crawling with men, and few women," Naomi started, "that's why he's being all snooty about it."
"That is not true. Plus, that doesn't matter. I have Pepper."
"Uh-huh."
We left the building, heading out towards the street. It had been a long time since I'd walked around anywhere outside. I guess it was a habit of mine to stay confined indoors; I hardly even realized I was allowed to leave. Busy streets and honking cars were overwhelming to me, anyway—I figured I wasn't missing much. Naomi, on the other hand, begged to differ.
"I seriously can't believe you haven't been here yet, Annabelle. It's the only bar that's close," she said. I shrugged my shoulders, burying my hands deep in my coat pockets to keep them warm.
"I just haven't been out much. Besides, I don't really drink." Or, at least, I hadn't made it a habit. Sure, there was plenty to drink at my father's gatherings, but I never had much. People took advantage of me anyway, and I did want to make it easier for them by getting myself drunk.
"Wait, you're twenty one, right?" Naomi looked over her shoulder at me, her eyes wide with curiosity.
"I'm twenty three. Don't worry. I'm legal," I muttered. She let out a sigh of relief, as if all of her plans had relied on this. I guess they kind of did. She was rarely responsible, but sometimes she surprised me.
"She's still a baby, though," Tony added, bringing a hand up to ruffle my hair. I ducked out of the way. It took way too long to get my thick mess of hair to look good, and I wasn't about to let him mess it up.
"I'm not a baby."
"Yes you are. You just don't realize it."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"He just means that us two are old curmudgeons, and you're like a spry young chicken," Naomi explained. Tony made an offended sound, but didn't argue. I laughed under my breath, the warmth of it creating a little cloud of fog around my face. I'd almost let myself forget how cold it was.
"Well, here we are," she said as she grabbed my arm and pulled me around in front of her, presenting the place like it was some royal palace. It was, in fact, quite the opposite. The late afternoon sun shined too brightly on the two large windows for me to see inside, but I could see a small amount through the front door, which was propped wide open. The stale smell of old cigarettes and beer wafted through the opening. There seemed to be just a few people sitting inside, at a bar that was long and dull, as if the stone hadn't been polished in a very long time. Naomi shoved me through the door and the smell was immediately amplified, nearly choking me. The man behind the bar whistled and waved, which Naomi returned with a broad smile. Clearly, she was enough of a regular here for the man to notice her.
"Yeah, it makes sense that this is your go-to place," Tony commented under his breath, but I elbowed him in the gut.
"Don't insult it, we're already inside," I whispered. He grunted in response.
"Three drinks, please! And make them all a surprise," Naomi shouted, pulling me over to a stool and forcing me onto it. I had to admit, the stool was surprisingly comfortable, and quite the opposite of what I'd expected. Tony took a wary seat next to me, holding up a finger.
"Uh, no, no surprise for me. I have a very specific taste," he said.
"Of course you do, you stuffy nut sack," Naomi countered.
"Excuse me."
The man behind the bar passed me a drink and I immediately brought it to my lips, taking a long sip. This, like the stool, was unpredictably good. I was glad I didn't have to pretend to enjoy it just to make Naomi happy.
She and Tony bickered even as they got their drinks, but I payed them no attention. This was my life now; I had to be around people who were loud and gave me headaches. But that was okay, because I loved them anyway. I was so grateful for what I had, and I wouldn't have traded it for the world. I thought again of where I would be without this, and took another long drink. I'd never go back.
