p class="MsoNormal"The elevator opened and Nat stepped out, Enya following and me keeping the back covered. "Enya!" Pepper Potts appeared smiling. She was wearing her usual white shorts and short sleeved blue top. "Here, give me all that." She held her hands out as Nat and Enya passed her the winter clothing they wore. I took mine off and then declined to give it to her, putting it up with the others myself. "Would you like some pizza, get some before the animals do." She grasped Enya's hand and led her to the lounge. We followed and as Enya came in, Pepper holding her hand they went silent watching Enya. "I'll get some coffee."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Let me ma'am." I said to Pepper./p
p class="MsoNormal""Nonsense Steve. Sit down and relax. I'll get coffee. Grab pizza before they eat it all."/p
p class="MsoNormal""I'm starved." Nat sat own immediately next to Enya and grabbed a slice. She passed it to Enya who was surprised. She took it and Nat grabbed her own, biting into it. She groaned in pleasure as she devoured the slice. Enya ate hers slower but looked to enjoy it all the same./p
p class="MsoNormal""Not that I am not glad to see you both, but I expected you hours ago, and not with the red head." Tony said rudely./p
p class="MsoNormal""We need a smart person. We found one."/p
p class="MsoNormal""SHIELD tell you where she is?" He asked Nat./p
p class="MsoNormal""No. But they gave an idea. We had to search for a while first."/p
p class="MsoNormal""And where's my brother?" He asked Enya. She didn't answer just biting into her second slice. Pepper appeared with coffee and put them in front of each of us./p
p class="MsoNormal""They only got back. Stop interrogating them." Pepper scolded them both. "So, how is Warren?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Enya started smiling. Her instant guard melted and she almost looked happier now Pepper was back. "Good. He's good. He likes the outdoors there. But he cut his foot on some hidden glass so he's had to stay with Miah."/p
p class="MsoNormal""The poor dear. He's going to be okay though."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Yes. Miah and I took him to the vet. He's okay now."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Good. And how is Miah and your other friends?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Miah misses Pauline, she's got a good job and moved out. And Callie, she's met a nice guy. So our group is smaller now. Miah and Faye don't like missing people."/p
p class="MsoNormal""At least it is for a good reason." She nodded finishing the slice and picking up her mug. "And Loki?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""You don't have to pretend to care about Loki. You don't even have to pretend to care about me."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Nonsense." She slapped Enya's doubts away. "How is he?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""He's healthy." Was all she said./p
p class="MsoNormal""I'll leave it at that." Pepper smiled. "How is the snow? Is it deep?" Enya nodded. "Have you made snowmen yet?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Snowmen?" Enya echoed confused./p
p class="MsoNormal""Jane, I think it is a good idea."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Darcy we don't know for sure." The voices came down the steps and then the two ladies appeared. Both spotted Enya at the same time; but dismissed her and sat down, taking the remaining part of the sofa. Darcy grabbed a slice and sat next to Enya. She jerked and stiffened for a brief second before relaxing and picking up her coffee./p
p class="MsoNormal""How are you Enya? How's Loki? You having a good Christmas?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""I am good thank you Darcy. Loki is good too. And we are thank you."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Built any cool stuff lately?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"She paused before nodding and smiling. Darcy and Jane resumed arguing about something while Tony and Pepper argued in hushed tones. Enya rummaged in her bag by my feet and brought out an electronic piece of equipment. She opened it up and her finger slid across the screen. Images and text slid across and I saw Bruce and his files appear./p
p class="MsoNormal""How did you do that? Tony only managed to collect them yesterday after two days."/p
p class="MsoNormal""I built this server." She replied. "I can break into anything I build because I know where the weaknesses are." She didn't look at me as she spoke, continued to read and scroll through files and data./p
p class="MsoNormal""What else have you built?" She shrugged and continued to read sipping her coffee as she moved through them at a speed. "You built the containment field at SHIELD."/p
p class="MsoNormal"She shook her head. "I gave them the plans on how to build the containment field for SHIELD. I was fourteen and didn't see the problem in building containment fields and defence weapons."/p
p class="MsoNormal""When did you gain morals?" Natasha asked her./p
p class="MsoNormal""I was sixteen when I felt strong enough to act upon them. Before I just did what they told me."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Act upon them?" She pointed to her foot and she knew we had seen the scarring on her ankle. "They did that to you?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""I was usually tortured into building things if I disagreed. They wanted a bomb. I refused. I hate being upside down. It was the longest nineteen hours of my life." She growled as she examined a long complicated science formula. It went silent as everyone watched her and then she stood up. "Can I see Dr Banner now?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""I'll take you." I offered. I stood and gestured to her to move first, and then I led the way up the stairs and down a hallway. She kept focused on her technology as she moved beside me. Her red hair covered her face as she followed. I watched her as we walked, wondering if she was dangerous, and should be considered an enemy, or an ally./p
p class="MsoNormal"I stopped by a door and opened it for the lady. She moved forwards and looked up to see Bruce Banner curled up in the corner; watching us. She moved towards him and I grabbed her arm./p
p class="MsoNormal""He's unstable ma'am." She nodded and when I let go she ignored my warning and moved towards him anyway. He watched her as she approached him and sat down in front of him. She held out her hand. With great hesitation he slowly let go of his knees and placed his hand in hers. He was hesitant but with a look to me for assurance gave in. She turned it over and typed as she examined his hand. I leaned against the wall watching her as she typed endlessly, examining Bruce's hand intricately. A good hour must have passed before she let go of his hand and placed it on his knees. Then she balanced on her knees and leaned over. She kept her hands up in surrender and gave him a soft smile. He nodded and she rested the top half of her body on his knees and then glanced at his face. She stared at him and Bruce stared back. Neither talked and neither moved./p
p class="MsoNormal"I was about to ask if everything was alright when she leaned back; crossing her legs and typing again. It was odd; seeing her work and delve into the world of science as she typed. What was there to write?/p
p class="MsoNormal"Tony appeared beside me, a small bag of dried fruit in his hands. He was munching on them as he stood next to me; leaning against the wall./p
p class="MsoNormal""How it going?" He asked./p
p class="MsoNormal""She just sits and types." I replied watching them. Bruce glanced at us, resuming his defence position of curling up. The wall was against his back, knees drawn up and peering over the edge. Bruce had lost his temper very easily being out in the open. He nearly killed Tony. So he retreated in here and couldn't focus for long enough to tell us much. He was too worried. He already admitted her couldn't kill himself and I think the fear of that he couldn't be stopped kept him recluse./p
p class="MsoNormal"Enya eventually stopped typing and stood up. She gave a small smile to Bruce and then moved back to us. "Where's your lab?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Tony moved away without replying. He didn't like Enya much since she threatened Pepper. No amount of reassurances from Pepper helped him either. He was kind to Enya when he required her; but wanted her to remain distance from Pepper. We were all hoping Enya could save Bruce. The two of them were very close and if Enya healed him; it may just make Tony forgive her./p
p class="MsoNormal"As soon as Enya entered the lab she climbed on the desk and her device started talking to her. It spoke long and lengthy as electronic pieces flew towards Enya and started connecting. She was looking at her tablet at a construction piece as it read data to her and the metal pieced together./p
p class="MsoNormal""She's really intelligent." Tony marvelled. I was surprised he hadn't scrutinized her. He hated anyone in his lab. Bruce was the only one who could go in without the threat upon pain of death./p
p class="MsoNormal""She's here for Bruce." I glanced at him. "Maybe easing up on her for Loki's mistakes would be a lot easier."/p
p class="MsoNormal""She threatened Pepper."/p
p class="MsoNormal""We threatened Loki." I realised. "We would have done the same in reverse."/p
p class="MsoNormal""They are the bad guys. We are the good guys." I heard his tone. He was making excuses. He was awed by Enya. And in that way he couldn't hate her. He just wanted to./p
p class="MsoNormal"She was a sprite thing. Short and thin with delicate features. But her eyes were emerald green. They glistened and shone as she thought or read. She saw everything. Her mouth moved slightly when she was thinking; like she was now. As if the movement solidified her ideas. "Bad guys don't help good guys Tony. Enya is helping us."/p
p class="MsoNormal""I'll reserve judgement." I sighed at his callous voice and watched Enya for a little longer. Something was building up in front of her; eventually she switched manually and started soldering and drilling things together. She was asking Jarvis questions and where equipment was. He responded politely and I saw her relax fully. This was her world. All she wanted was this. I could not see the threat in such small woman. But then I looked to Nat and saw how fierce she was. She was never injured and she was always the boldest of us. I saw a lot of Nat in Enya. But I saw a lot of what was inside Enya was peace. I didn't understand any of her; but she was here to help. And that was what mattered./p
p class="MsoNormal"We left her to it and entered the lounge to see they were all waiting./p
p class="MsoNormal""Well?" Nat asked. She was cross-legged on the sofa reading. Thor was flicking through the television and Clint was prodding Tony's electronic StarkTab, as he called it. Jane was leaning against Thor twiddling his jacket through her fingers as Darcy read an article to her. Eric was watching Clint prod the device and see if he could get it working. None of them had been able to yet./p
p class="MsoNormal""She's working on something." Tony shrugged./p
p class="MsoNormal""I better go see." Eric stood up smiling and moved in the direction we just came from. The scientist liked Enya. He made that very clear when he heard she had died. Supposedly. He was happy to see her alive again and working. He trusted her. I saw Banner trust her, and Jane, Pepper and Darcy. The others not so much./p
p class="MsoNormal""Didn't you want to help, Tony?" Pepper asked him./p
p class="MsoNormal""She seems to be doing fine." He replied./p
p class="MsoNormal""What problem do you have with her? She's here for Bruce. He needs help." I looked to the others who heard her tone too. The tone of 'don't-screw-around' tone she had. Once she threw a hairbrush at him. It hit him in the head. She had a good arm and Tony grovelled for hours. Living in Stark towers with time to do what we liked in the safety of Stark tower was a good opportunity. It made us bond more and be easier to work with one another. But Tony screwed up; a lot. And Pepper was patient with him more than anybody./p
p class="MsoNormal""He relaxes around her." I added. "He let her near him and touch him. She wasn't going to take no for an answer but he let her. And didn't lose his temper. He didn't mind her being so close."/p
p class="MsoNormal""He trusts her?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Or doesn't trust her and doesn't mind crushing her." Tony said with barely a trace of amusement. Pepper winced and then I felt Enya. I looked behind me and her and Eric was stood in the doorway. span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanEric was embarrassed and was barely looking at us. Enya didn't seem to have a trace of care on her face. Did she not hear?/p
p class="MsoNormal""I need to catch up on some reading." She said holding her device. She moved past us and picked up her bag hoisting it on her shoulder. It was at Clint's feet. He didn't move to help her out, but I saw him not look at her too out of embarrassment./p
p class="MsoNormal""Shall I show you to a room?" Pepper asked. She glared at Tony as she stepped to Enya./p
p class="MsoNormal""I'd rather go." She simply said going to the elevator. She heard Tony alright. And although she wasn't angry she was definitely wary. Enya had seemed somewhat relaxed in the journey here; deep in her own thoughts. She warmed to the girls and seemed to give some trust to us out of decency. But that had been revoked. Enya was on her guard./p
p class="MsoNormal""Where will you stay?" Jane asked, fisting the jacket. She didn't like Enya being on her own. I agreed with her./p
p class="MsoNormal""I'll find somewhere."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Do you need money?" Pepper asked standing to face her./p
p class="MsoNormal""I survived without money once before." The elevator opened and she climbed in. There was no anger at her circumstances. There was no worry or pain at the thought of being back on the streets. It was acceptance. The door shut and it disappeared with a barely inaudible hum. Pepper whirled around to face Tony./p
p class="MsoNormal""Why did you do that? What is the matter with you?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""I was joking." Pepper was scary when she got angry./p
p class="MsoNormal""Well, let us see how funny your joke is when you are on the sofa tonight." Our evening was cut short if Tony was going to end up on the chair as Pepper suggested./p
p class="MsoNormal""Pepper." He whined. Pepper shook her head and I looked for an escape./p
p class="MsoNormal""I'm tired. I need to go to bed." I said. The others agreed immediately and within seconds the room emptied except for Pepper and Tony./p
p class="MsoNormal""Let me ma'am." I said to Pepper./p
p class="MsoNormal""Nonsense Steve. Sit down and relax. I'll get coffee. Grab pizza before they eat it all."/p
p class="MsoNormal""I'm starved." Nat sat own immediately next to Enya and grabbed a slice. She passed it to Enya who was surprised. She took it and Nat grabbed her own, biting into it. She groaned in pleasure as she devoured the slice. Enya ate hers slower but looked to enjoy it all the same./p
p class="MsoNormal""Not that I am not glad to see you both, but I expected you hours ago, and not with the red head." Tony said rudely./p
p class="MsoNormal""We need a smart person. We found one."/p
p class="MsoNormal""SHIELD tell you where she is?" He asked Nat./p
p class="MsoNormal""No. But they gave an idea. We had to search for a while first."/p
p class="MsoNormal""And where's my brother?" He asked Enya. She didn't answer just biting into her second slice. Pepper appeared with coffee and put them in front of each of us./p
p class="MsoNormal""They only got back. Stop interrogating them." Pepper scolded them both. "So, how is Warren?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Enya started smiling. Her instant guard melted and she almost looked happier now Pepper was back. "Good. He's good. He likes the outdoors there. But he cut his foot on some hidden glass so he's had to stay with Miah."/p
p class="MsoNormal""The poor dear. He's going to be okay though."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Yes. Miah and I took him to the vet. He's okay now."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Good. And how is Miah and your other friends?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Miah misses Pauline, she's got a good job and moved out. And Callie, she's met a nice guy. So our group is smaller now. Miah and Faye don't like missing people."/p
p class="MsoNormal""At least it is for a good reason." She nodded finishing the slice and picking up her mug. "And Loki?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""You don't have to pretend to care about Loki. You don't even have to pretend to care about me."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Nonsense." She slapped Enya's doubts away. "How is he?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""He's healthy." Was all she said./p
p class="MsoNormal""I'll leave it at that." Pepper smiled. "How is the snow? Is it deep?" Enya nodded. "Have you made snowmen yet?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Snowmen?" Enya echoed confused./p
p class="MsoNormal""Jane, I think it is a good idea."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Darcy we don't know for sure." The voices came down the steps and then the two ladies appeared. Both spotted Enya at the same time; but dismissed her and sat down, taking the remaining part of the sofa. Darcy grabbed a slice and sat next to Enya. She jerked and stiffened for a brief second before relaxing and picking up her coffee./p
p class="MsoNormal""How are you Enya? How's Loki? You having a good Christmas?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""I am good thank you Darcy. Loki is good too. And we are thank you."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Built any cool stuff lately?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"She paused before nodding and smiling. Darcy and Jane resumed arguing about something while Tony and Pepper argued in hushed tones. Enya rummaged in her bag by my feet and brought out an electronic piece of equipment. She opened it up and her finger slid across the screen. Images and text slid across and I saw Bruce and his files appear./p
p class="MsoNormal""How did you do that? Tony only managed to collect them yesterday after two days."/p
p class="MsoNormal""I built this server." She replied. "I can break into anything I build because I know where the weaknesses are." She didn't look at me as she spoke, continued to read and scroll through files and data./p
p class="MsoNormal""What else have you built?" She shrugged and continued to read sipping her coffee as she moved through them at a speed. "You built the containment field at SHIELD."/p
p class="MsoNormal"She shook her head. "I gave them the plans on how to build the containment field for SHIELD. I was fourteen and didn't see the problem in building containment fields and defence weapons."/p
p class="MsoNormal""When did you gain morals?" Natasha asked her./p
p class="MsoNormal""I was sixteen when I felt strong enough to act upon them. Before I just did what they told me."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Act upon them?" She pointed to her foot and she knew we had seen the scarring on her ankle. "They did that to you?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""I was usually tortured into building things if I disagreed. They wanted a bomb. I refused. I hate being upside down. It was the longest nineteen hours of my life." She growled as she examined a long complicated science formula. It went silent as everyone watched her and then she stood up. "Can I see Dr Banner now?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""I'll take you." I offered. I stood and gestured to her to move first, and then I led the way up the stairs and down a hallway. She kept focused on her technology as she moved beside me. Her red hair covered her face as she followed. I watched her as we walked, wondering if she was dangerous, and should be considered an enemy, or an ally./p
p class="MsoNormal"I stopped by a door and opened it for the lady. She moved forwards and looked up to see Bruce Banner curled up in the corner; watching us. She moved towards him and I grabbed her arm./p
p class="MsoNormal""He's unstable ma'am." She nodded and when I let go she ignored my warning and moved towards him anyway. He watched her as she approached him and sat down in front of him. She held out her hand. With great hesitation he slowly let go of his knees and placed his hand in hers. He was hesitant but with a look to me for assurance gave in. She turned it over and typed as she examined his hand. I leaned against the wall watching her as she typed endlessly, examining Bruce's hand intricately. A good hour must have passed before she let go of his hand and placed it on his knees. Then she balanced on her knees and leaned over. She kept her hands up in surrender and gave him a soft smile. He nodded and she rested the top half of her body on his knees and then glanced at his face. She stared at him and Bruce stared back. Neither talked and neither moved./p
p class="MsoNormal"I was about to ask if everything was alright when she leaned back; crossing her legs and typing again. It was odd; seeing her work and delve into the world of science as she typed. What was there to write?/p
p class="MsoNormal"Tony appeared beside me, a small bag of dried fruit in his hands. He was munching on them as he stood next to me; leaning against the wall./p
p class="MsoNormal""How it going?" He asked./p
p class="MsoNormal""She just sits and types." I replied watching them. Bruce glanced at us, resuming his defence position of curling up. The wall was against his back, knees drawn up and peering over the edge. Bruce had lost his temper very easily being out in the open. He nearly killed Tony. So he retreated in here and couldn't focus for long enough to tell us much. He was too worried. He already admitted her couldn't kill himself and I think the fear of that he couldn't be stopped kept him recluse./p
p class="MsoNormal"Enya eventually stopped typing and stood up. She gave a small smile to Bruce and then moved back to us. "Where's your lab?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Tony moved away without replying. He didn't like Enya much since she threatened Pepper. No amount of reassurances from Pepper helped him either. He was kind to Enya when he required her; but wanted her to remain distance from Pepper. We were all hoping Enya could save Bruce. The two of them were very close and if Enya healed him; it may just make Tony forgive her./p
p class="MsoNormal"As soon as Enya entered the lab she climbed on the desk and her device started talking to her. It spoke long and lengthy as electronic pieces flew towards Enya and started connecting. She was looking at her tablet at a construction piece as it read data to her and the metal pieced together./p
p class="MsoNormal""She's really intelligent." Tony marvelled. I was surprised he hadn't scrutinized her. He hated anyone in his lab. Bruce was the only one who could go in without the threat upon pain of death./p
p class="MsoNormal""She's here for Bruce." I glanced at him. "Maybe easing up on her for Loki's mistakes would be a lot easier."/p
p class="MsoNormal""She threatened Pepper."/p
p class="MsoNormal""We threatened Loki." I realised. "We would have done the same in reverse."/p
p class="MsoNormal""They are the bad guys. We are the good guys." I heard his tone. He was making excuses. He was awed by Enya. And in that way he couldn't hate her. He just wanted to./p
p class="MsoNormal"She was a sprite thing. Short and thin with delicate features. But her eyes were emerald green. They glistened and shone as she thought or read. She saw everything. Her mouth moved slightly when she was thinking; like she was now. As if the movement solidified her ideas. "Bad guys don't help good guys Tony. Enya is helping us."/p
p class="MsoNormal""I'll reserve judgement." I sighed at his callous voice and watched Enya for a little longer. Something was building up in front of her; eventually she switched manually and started soldering and drilling things together. She was asking Jarvis questions and where equipment was. He responded politely and I saw her relax fully. This was her world. All she wanted was this. I could not see the threat in such small woman. But then I looked to Nat and saw how fierce she was. She was never injured and she was always the boldest of us. I saw a lot of Nat in Enya. But I saw a lot of what was inside Enya was peace. I didn't understand any of her; but she was here to help. And that was what mattered./p
p class="MsoNormal"We left her to it and entered the lounge to see they were all waiting./p
p class="MsoNormal""Well?" Nat asked. She was cross-legged on the sofa reading. Thor was flicking through the television and Clint was prodding Tony's electronic StarkTab, as he called it. Jane was leaning against Thor twiddling his jacket through her fingers as Darcy read an article to her. Eric was watching Clint prod the device and see if he could get it working. None of them had been able to yet./p
p class="MsoNormal""She's working on something." Tony shrugged./p
p class="MsoNormal""I better go see." Eric stood up smiling and moved in the direction we just came from. The scientist liked Enya. He made that very clear when he heard she had died. Supposedly. He was happy to see her alive again and working. He trusted her. I saw Banner trust her, and Jane, Pepper and Darcy. The others not so much./p
p class="MsoNormal""Didn't you want to help, Tony?" Pepper asked him./p
p class="MsoNormal""She seems to be doing fine." He replied./p
p class="MsoNormal""What problem do you have with her? She's here for Bruce. He needs help." I looked to the others who heard her tone too. The tone of 'don't-screw-around' tone she had. Once she threw a hairbrush at him. It hit him in the head. She had a good arm and Tony grovelled for hours. Living in Stark towers with time to do what we liked in the safety of Stark tower was a good opportunity. It made us bond more and be easier to work with one another. But Tony screwed up; a lot. And Pepper was patient with him more than anybody./p
p class="MsoNormal""He relaxes around her." I added. "He let her near him and touch him. She wasn't going to take no for an answer but he let her. And didn't lose his temper. He didn't mind her being so close."/p
p class="MsoNormal""He trusts her?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Or doesn't trust her and doesn't mind crushing her." Tony said with barely a trace of amusement. Pepper winced and then I felt Enya. I looked behind me and her and Eric was stood in the doorway. span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanEric was embarrassed and was barely looking at us. Enya didn't seem to have a trace of care on her face. Did she not hear?/p
p class="MsoNormal""I need to catch up on some reading." She said holding her device. She moved past us and picked up her bag hoisting it on her shoulder. It was at Clint's feet. He didn't move to help her out, but I saw him not look at her too out of embarrassment./p
p class="MsoNormal""Shall I show you to a room?" Pepper asked. She glared at Tony as she stepped to Enya./p
p class="MsoNormal""I'd rather go." She simply said going to the elevator. She heard Tony alright. And although she wasn't angry she was definitely wary. Enya had seemed somewhat relaxed in the journey here; deep in her own thoughts. She warmed to the girls and seemed to give some trust to us out of decency. But that had been revoked. Enya was on her guard./p
p class="MsoNormal""Where will you stay?" Jane asked, fisting the jacket. She didn't like Enya being on her own. I agreed with her./p
p class="MsoNormal""I'll find somewhere."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Do you need money?" Pepper asked standing to face her./p
p class="MsoNormal""I survived without money once before." The elevator opened and she climbed in. There was no anger at her circumstances. There was no worry or pain at the thought of being back on the streets. It was acceptance. The door shut and it disappeared with a barely inaudible hum. Pepper whirled around to face Tony./p
p class="MsoNormal""Why did you do that? What is the matter with you?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""I was joking." Pepper was scary when she got angry./p
p class="MsoNormal""Well, let us see how funny your joke is when you are on the sofa tonight." Our evening was cut short if Tony was going to end up on the chair as Pepper suggested./p
p class="MsoNormal""Pepper." He whined. Pepper shook her head and I looked for an escape./p
p class="MsoNormal""I'm tired. I need to go to bed." I said. The others agreed immediately and within seconds the room emptied except for Pepper and Tony./p