Maj had managed to get the two men their drinks. She figured she was doing pretty well as an assistant. It wasn't too different than working at the bar. As she approached the room, she heard the tail-end of Tony's statement. It wasn't something she was supposed to hear, but she was incredibly curious. Bruce was supposed to be dead? She remained in her spot, silent and listening for the rebuttal that came.

"So you're saying that the Hulk- the Other Guy- saved my life? That's nice. That's a nice sentiment. Saved it for… what?"

"I guess we'll find out."

"You might not enjoy it."

"And you just might."

That seemed to be the end of the conversation, but she wasn't ready to go back in yet. It would look too suspicious. Instead, Maj waited a bit longer before she walked in and when she did, both thanked her for the drinks, tea for Bruce and coffee with equal parts sugar and cream for Tony. With an excuse she hoped the men would accept, Maj left the lab for her room.

Door closed, Maj flopped down onto the mattress and let out a breath. Her thoughts raced as she tried to sort through what she'd heard. From what she remembered, the Hulk had decimated Harlem a few years ago. If what she had heard was true, then that was Bruce. Maj wasn't sure she could believe it. I mean, he was so quiet and mild-mannered. The man couldn't be a giant rage monster. Yet the more she thought about it, Maj began to realise that the stares were that of wariness and fear. Everyone here was aware of his condition. A part of her was upset that he hadn't told her, but Maj reminded herself that he owed her nothing, and he probably didn't want to lose the one friend he'd made on this ship. She couldn't fault him for protecting himself.

Maj stayed in her room for a while, occupying herself with her game and talking to Alec. She had told him little things, more so about her meeting Tony Stark. Her friend was all over that, asking a million questions that she couldn't answer. As she tried to explain that, the door to her room opened and men in tactical gear entered. She hadn't even been able to say anything to her best friend before she was engulfed by darkness.

Her head pounded as Maj came to. She wasn't sure what had happened, but she was very well aware that she hadn't been drinking. As she cracked her eyes open, she was met with glass windows and a beautiful view of the New York skyline. The world spun as she abruptly sat up. Closing her eyes, she tried to get her bearings before she attempted to move again. When she no longer felt like she was going to vomit, Maj tried again- slower that time around.

She took in the area, a spacious room with a bar. It was nice, although the thought quickly left her when she saw the man standing by the window. Shock flooded through her when she realised it was the greasy looking man from before- Loki. As if he had heard her thoughts, he turned, an amused smirk plastered on his lips.

"So you have awoken. How does your head feel?"

"What do you want with me?"

"We'll get to that shortly. I am not without some care, mortal. Now, how is your head?"

"Fine. Why did you take me?" Maj glanced around, looking for Clint. She knew he had been brainwashed and while she wasn't sure he wouldn't hurt her, she wanted to see that he was okay.

"You are needed. Do you not know what you carry?" Maj tilted her head. She had no idea what he was talking about, but she knew she had to get him to keep talking, to stall him until someone came for her. "The power you hold will help me rule this realm. You are the key to my victory."

"Power? I don't have any powers. You're better off going for someone else." Loki did nothing but plaster that annoying grin back onto his lips. Maj scooted away as he began to move towards her, but not long after her first move, hands clamped onto her shoulders. Looking up, she found it was another Loki. She struggled to get away but his grip was firm. As he stood before her, he pointed the tip of his sceptre at her, bringing it closer to her chest. Maj continued to struggle, but it was no use. The moment the sceptre touched her, Maj was once again out like a light.

Maj woke to someone stroking the top of her head. Before she could realise her action, she swatted the hand away. As she did so, she heard the person say that she was fine. Upon hearing the voice, Maj's eyes snapped open and she launched herself into the person's arms. He was okay! His arms instantly wrapped around her and pulled her close.

"Clint! You're okay! I was so worried!" Maj pulled away and slapped him. "Don't you do that to me again!"

"Promise I won't let a crazy god take over my mind again." Maj rolled her eyes but snuggled back into him. "How are you though? A few of us were worried when we realised that Loki had taken you."

"You were? Um, I'm fine. Loki did something though. I don't know what and I don't feel different. I just know he touched me with his glow stick and I blacked out."

"We'll figure it out." Maj nodded. "Think you can handle a few guests? You've been unconscious for a few days."

"Days?! I need to shower. My hair's probably matted. I have to brush my teeth." Clint burst out laughing, only stopping when she shot him a pointed glare. "It's not funny. I can't have visitors and stink." The young woman shoved herself off of her brother and ran into the bathroom.

An hour later, Maj felt a lot better. She was so thankful for Natasha, as the woman had brought all of her products, even her mango butter and coconut oil hair mixture. Dressed in her comfortable leggings and one of Clint's shirts, Maj re-entered the room. She came to a stop when she saw all of her guests. Tony and Ms Potts were off to the side speaking to Bruce while Clint and Nat were having their own conversation with Steve. She couldn't believe they had all come to check on her, especially when they probably had better things to do. Steve was the first to notice her.

"Maj. How are you feeling?"

"Better." She gave him a quick hug before she walked over to Bruce. "How are you?"

"I'm sure I should be asking you that question."

"Yeah, but you're the one who's uncomfortable with groups of people." The curly haired scientist gave her a small smile and shrug before she was pulled away.

Eventually, Maj had a moment where her attention wasn't demanded. As she sat back and watched everyone, she couldn't help the warmth that radiated through her. She had people. Her family had extended and she couldn't be happier. Now if only she could get them to Sr Margaret's.

It was a few more days before she was deemed okay to leave. The doctors wanted to run tests, but Maj wouldn't allow them. She didn't particularly trust them. Instead, she asked if Bruce would do it. He was hesitant, but the moment she had said she felt the most comfortable with him, he acquiesced. Maj was actually glad that he had. Bruce was a lot gentler than the other doctors she'd had the pleasure of having. As he worked, he told her what he was doing, and made sure was okay with all of it.

During one of his tests, Maj decided to bring up what she'd heard. She didn't outright say it but asked about all the stares he was getting on the carrier. He seemed reluctant, but in the end, Bruce did tell her about his history. Maj told him that she couldn't believe it due to his disposition- a statement that got a chuckle out of him- but she took his word for it. That was the only time it was brought up, although he had asked if it changed how she felt towards him. Maj just responded that she was around dangerous folk all the time.

Speaking of those folk, Wade and the guys at Sr Margaret's were not happy with her. Wade had chewed her out good the day she returned to the bar and told her story. She couldn't blame him for his worry, but she wasn't sure what she could have said to him. Instead, she bought a few rounds of drinks for the guys and promised them that she would tell them the next time something came up.

Alec was harder to explain everything to. He was livid, more so than she thought he would be. Thankfully, his place was away from area zero, but Sean wasn't so lucky. His apartment was destroyed, and in the end, he had to move back in with the family. Alec and his family were pretty upset with her but they were glad she was alive and okay. She paid Alec back with a trip to Stark Tower. After a meeting with the billionaire, Alec was a little better.

She hadn't spent much time with Tony after that. The man was busy and going through his own things. From what she was told, Tony had flown a nuke into the wormhole, lost oxygen, and crashed down on earth. He wasn't badly damaged due to the Hulk grabbing him before he could become a pancake. Maj could understand him having to deal with his sacrifice and the implications of it. Maj made sure to send him a text at least once a week and spoke to Pepper at least twice a week. She wasn't going to see them for a while as they were heading back to Malibu.

The one person she saw most was Steve. After she had returned home, he had stopped by to check on her. It was on a pretty stressful day so they ended up going for lunch. She managed to learn that he was THE Captain America, not a man taking up the mantle but the original. Maj was fascinated and asked him more questions about the 20s and 30s more than anything. She did everything she could to keep it light. It was after that they developed a routine. Every other day, they would go out and explore. He even took her on a few trips out of the state.

At home, things were a bit different. Clint had nightmares just about every night, and those he hadn't were the ones he hadn't slept. Lucky had taken to sleeping outside his and Nat's door, barking when the man would start up. Natasha wasn't getting sleep either. Most of it had to do with Clint. Although she barely showed it, she was worried about him. Both were tense and irate majority of the time and it only caused tension in their home. In the end, Maj told them to go on a vacation. It was the only thing she could think of. They needed time away, and she was sure that being away from the reminders of the Battle of New York- that's what they called it- would do them good.

While things were both good and bad, Maj wouldn't have traded any of what she was had. She wanted her family to get better. Maj by no effect wasn't an idiot. She was very aware that her new friends- The Avengers- were struggling, some more than others. Maj just wished there was something that she could do for them. PTSD was a bitch, but she was willing to let them deal in their own way, as long as it didn't harm themselves or others. She would support them no matter what. They were family and you didn't give up on family.

A new chapter! You didn't even have to wait that long. Honestly, I'm super excited for the upcoming chapters. I think I just really want to get to WS. I'm so ready for some Bucky but no worries. I won't rush it. Also, I'm an idiot. I'm a few chapters ahead in typing, and the last one, I deleted the whole freaking chapter! I now have to rewrite the 20 pages. So I'm now off to do that. Wish me luck.

Anywho... hope you enjoyed it. Let me know what you thought. Thanks for all the reviews, follows, and favourites!

CurlyOne: Glad to hear 3

akagami hime chan: Yay! The longer they're together the better their banter will get.

TimeLordRules: Thanks so much. That conversation is going to be a fun one. I feel like Steve would probably feel bad for her to be honest. But hey, what do I know lol:p

Daisy54154: Thank you.