Niobe sat next to Steve. They were caught up, enjoying one another's presence and avoiding Anakin's glares as they settled in for the night. Steve was still dealing with his own inner demons, but around Niobe, those worries were far away. Helen informed the team that she would arrive tomorrow, leaving Niobe time to get reacquainted with everyone. Niobe squeezed Steve once more. The soldier laughed, blushing at the close proximity.
"So," Tony said. "Anakin. We've heard quite a lot about you from Obe."
Tony took a seat across from Niobe, drink in hand.
"Have you?" Anakin said.
Anakin raised a brow. Niobe raised her hands in innocence.
"Heard you're some kind of badass ultimate Jedi," Tony said.
Anakin laughed.
"Cute," Anakin said.
"You are the chosen one," she said.
Anakin rolled his eyes. Niobe draped her legs over Steve's, nestling into the couch.
"I'm not that special," Anakin said. "I'm just glad I could find that little loser."
Niobe force shoved him back into the couch he sat on. Anakin shoved her in return.
"Children," Tony said. "Please, not on the furniture."
The Jedi put their hands down, laughing at each other.
"Without him, I would be dead ten times over," Niobe said. "Then again...without him, I might not have been in those situations in the first place."
Anakin scowled.
"You got yourself into that mess," Anakin said. "You were lucky I was there."
Steve patted Niobe's legs. Clint walked from the kitchen into the living area and threw himself on top of Niobe. She groaned, crying out for help before shoving Clint off onto the floor. Instead of standing up, Clint remained on the glossy floor, grabbing onto Niobe's ankle that now hung off the couch.
"How long do you think you'll be on Earth?" Steve asked.
"I am unsure," she said. "I assumed we would leave once Anakin is fixed."
Anakin nodded in confirmation. Niobe glanced over to Tony. She could sense Tony's frustration at the idea of her leaving. They both knew what kind of world she was heading back to. She attempted to send Tony a reassuring smile, he refused to meet her gaze.
"Where's Natasha? What happened to those kids?" Niobe asked.
"Nat's out on a mission," Clint said.
"Wanda and Pietro are at the new facility," Steve said.
"New facility?" Niobe asked.
The Jedi sat up in excitement. Tony grinned at her. She began bouncing on the couch cushion.
"Can we go?" Niobe asked.
"Of course, let's go now," Tony said.
Tony got up out of the seat, seating his drink down beside him. Anakin glared at Niobe. His mistrust for the men in the room not swaying. Niobe turned her pouting face to Anakin, holding her clasped hands in front of her. She continued bouncing.
"Please, please, please-," Niobe said.
"Fine," Anakin said.
OOOO
Niobe and Anakin looked at the new building. The aesthetic was so pleasing. Niobe grabbed onto Tony's hand.
"This is amazing," she said.
"Thanks, Obe," Tony said. "Let's go inside."
The group stepped into the building. From down the hall a blue blur sped towards them. Anakin tensed, holding a hand out, stopping the blur before reaching them.
"Hey!" Tony said.
Tony moved in front of what appeared to be Pietro.
"You gotta chill out some, Robocop," Tony said. "This is ridiculous, Obe? Can you?"
Niobe nodded, rolling her eyes. She grabbed onto Anakin's raised arm. Tony stepped to the side.
"Ani," she said. "He's a friend."
Anakin lowered his arm, releasing Pietro who flung himself into Steve, disoriented from being held in place.
"Fuck," Pietro said.
"Don't!" Steve said.
Steve glared at Tony who looked prepared to respond. Tony raised his hands and backed away.
"Glad to have you back, Niobe," Pietro said. "They would not shut up about you. Clint cried for days."
"Come on!" Clint said.
The archer threw his arms up in exasperation.
"Nothing is private anymore," Clint said.
The archer turned away from the group and walked further into the building.
"Should've taken the shot..." Clint said.
"Heard that!" Pietro said.
Pietro hugged Niobe. From behind Pietro, his twin walked towards them. Wanda appeared hesitant, recalling their previous interactions.
"Hi," Wanda said.
Niobe released Pietro and looked at Wanda. Niobe still felt a twinge in the pit of her stomach, but she was grateful to Wanda for fixing her mistakes. Niobe opened her arms to Wanda and brought the young woman into a hug.
"I'm so sorry," Wanda said.
"No need," Niobe said. "You saved so many. You are no longer on that path, this is what matters more than your past."
The tension in the room dropped and Pietro threw himself into the hug as well. In the midst of the embrace, Niobe was pulled back by Anakin.
"Ani," Niobe said.
The twins looked taken aback.
"Who's the Ken doll?" Pietro asked.
Niobe frowned in confusion. Tony gave a slight laugh while Steve sighed.
"Ken doll?" she asked.
"Nothing, dear," Tony said. "This is Anakin Skywalker, Niobe's BFF who just happens to give off massive serial killer vibes."
Niobe sent Tony a glare. Tony stuck his tongue out at her.
"He is still getting used to Earth," Niobe said. "We have lost many. He is still sensitive towards my return and mortality."
"Why don't we take a walk around?" Tony said.
OOOO
Niobe was uncertain of how long she stared at Helen. Seeing the doctor was breathtaking in and of itself. Niobe chewed on her lip. She wondered why this could not be easier.
"You are alive," Niobe said. "I know your team is good, but that did not stop me worrying that you would not survive."
"I should be the one worried," Helen said. "Your team is the Avengers and you still died."
Niobe bit back a laugh.
"I could not leave without saying goodbye," Niobe said.
"So you are leaving me?" Helen asked.
"Not yet," Niobe said. "I need to help Ani."
"Enough about Anakin," Helen said. "Am I the only one who feels this…this thing between us?"
Niobe hesitated. If she said yes, she betrayed the Jedi code, but then again, the Jedi were dead. Niobe fought the pressure in her chest. She did not want to lose someone else. If she became too attached to Helen…
"I-," Niobe said.
"Don't think of lying to me," Helen said. "I know you have a code to follow, but you can't live your life like this. I've seen the way you feel in your eyes. Just be honest with yourself."
"I do," Niobe said. "I do like you…I do not understand these feelings, but I know they are there. Anakin used to tell me the way Padme made him feel. I am certain this feeling is the same. I cannot act on these feelings, but I do want to be honest with you."
The room fell silent. Niobe felt short of breath. The Jedi could see a spark dim in Helen's eyes. Niobe wanted to hold Helen, to renounce the code. Anything to bring her joy back. Despite this, Niobe thought the best course was to avoid the feelings as best she could. Niobe turned away.
"Can you help him?" Niobe asked. "Anakin?"
"Yeah," Helen said. "I won't lie. This won't be quick. I have to rebuild organs, individual limbs, and fix the epidermis."
Helen's voice was detached. They were sitting in this space, filling with what they refused to act on. Niobe closed her eyes. She thought back to her training, but among those memories, she saw flashes of Anakin with Padme. Niobe wanted that too.
"Thank you, Helen," Niobe said.
Niobe faced the doctor and hugged her. The Jedi cherished the feel of Helen in her arms. She still struggled with the images of Helen lying on the floor, struggling to breathe. Niobe grasped Helen tighter.
"I am so glad you are okay," Niobe said.
Helen laughed. They pulled away enough to see each other's faces. The tension choked Niobe. The urge to feel Helen's lips on her own was leaving the Jedi breathless.
"Fuck it," Helen said.
The doctor grabbed Niobe's head and kissed her. Niobe could the world melt away. Everything was a blur. All Niobe knew was she had to be closer, this was not enough.
Niobe's fingers were knotted in Helen's hair when they heard someone clearing their throat. The women jerked apart.
"No, no, please. Continue," Tony said.
Helen rolled her eyes and went back to Anakin's scans.
"So," Tony said. "What happened to the whole no attachment rule?"
Niobe blushed. She knew she should regret the feelings she had for Helen, but there was something inside of her telling her that forgetting would be impossible.
"I do not believe that I will be able to follow that," she said. "I doubt any Jedi truly follows this rule."
"I for one could not be more grateful for this new relationship," Tony said.
Helen scoffed.
"Pervert," Helen said.
Tony gasped.
"Obe!" Tony said. "Your girlfriend called me a mean name."
"As I was saying earlier," Helen said. "I should be able to work on Anakin and bring him back to his previous form. I can go ahead and prep him for the procedure if he's ready."
"I will go ask," Niobe said.
Tony turned with Niobe as she left the room. The man batted his eyelashes at Niobe, holding his hands over his heart.
"Love you, darling!" Tony said.
OOOOO
Niobe watched Anakin become encased in the cradle. He was asleep, alive, but she still felt a pit in her stomach seeing him like that. Anakin would be there for a month or two. She would be left to her own devices, and whatever Tony got her into.
Helen and Niobe stood side by side as the equipment lit up screens with vitals. Niobe smiled to Helen, the women's presence was a soothing balm in Niobe's moment of crisis.
The women turned their head to the doorway when once again Tony interrupted them.
"Obe, sweetie, my little E.T., since you're back on earth for a little while I thought you might want to help out? Earn your keep?" Tony said. "I have a friend in trouble. Wanna lend a hand?"
Niobe looked at the tablet. A man in a blue and white suit swung around the city performing heroic acts. The next clip was of a man transforming into a giant lizard.
"Is this some sort of joke?" Helen asked.
"Maybe in a few days," Tony said. "So?"
Niobe nodded. The situation appeared dire. She turned to Helen.
"I will be back soon," Niobe said.
They shared a quick kiss before Niobe followed Tony to a room holding his suit.
