My heart was pounding as Fury parked the car. He got out and opened my door for me.
"Now, no funny business," the Director warned.
I nodded and began following him. Agent Barton got out of the car and put away his solitaire, trailing close behind me and keeping a watchful eye.
We stepped into an elevator where Fury scanned his ID card and we began rising.
My black wings were left stuck in an awkward position against the back wall of the small space.
From the time spent going up, I could tell we were on one of the upper floors overlooking the disaster that occurred in New York earlier today.
But when we stepped out, the room was not one I expected. I was imagining stepping into a sleek, white-walled office, not some kind of living room.
The entire team of Avengers were lounging on a couch with cuts and bruises from the battle or in the attached kitchen making what looked like smoothies.
They all simultaneously looked up as the elevator dinged.
"Smoothie?" asked the Tony Stark. He proceeded to hold out a purple colored drink with a little umbrella in it. His face was pretty dinged up, more than the other Avengers.
I stared at the scene, unsure of what to do.
"That won't be necessary Mr. Stark," said Fury.
I followed him further into the living room, tucking my wings behind me nervously. I didn't like when a lot of people stared at me, but who could blame them?
"Gentlemen and Natasha," began the Director. The red-headed woman on the couch rolled her eyes. "This is Eve Xavier . . . The girl who help you all win the battle today. Our footage from recovered traffic cameras show she killed a total of one hundred three alien beings as well as saved multiple citizens."
I was a bit shocked at my kill count because well, I don't normally count in the moment.
The Avengers stared more intently at me.
"With what weapon did you kill them with?" asked a long haired man in the kitchen. He seemed very content with his smoothie and hugged it with both hands. His billowing red cape made him look a little ridiculous but Captain America's spandex had the same affect on him. He had been the figure surrounded by lightening on top of the Chrysler.
"A handgun and piece of rebar," I answered.
The Avengers looked to each other, sharing an impressed thought with their eyes.
The Tony Stark stood from the couch to shake my hand. "Welcome to the team, Eve."
"Wait, Stark," said Fury, halting the excited man. "Eve technically doesn't start working for another month."
Tony sighed dramatically.
"And I also promised we'd get her a flight back to her home ASAP," continued Fury.
"But, Director," I started. "I haven't even had contact with Charles and Hank since the battle. I don't even know if they're alive—"
Barton began furiously typing on his tablet. The device pinged and he looked up. "They're fine," Barton said.
"How do you know?" I asked peering over at his tablet.
"They checked into the airport as the designated safety zone about twenty minutes ago."
My whole body heaved a sigh of relief. It felt as if I was no longer running on worry and adrenaline. I swayed as if I was going to collapse after the stress was finally pulled off my shoulders.
"You okay, kid?" asked Captain America.
I stumbled forwards and into Thor who put me upright again.
"Whoa there, young Demigod!" Thor boomed with a smile.
"Thor, she needs the infirmary," said Natasha.
"No, no," I said. "I'm fine, really." I righted myself against the back of the couch. "I just want to go home."
"Bruce, get the Quinjet and set a course for the airport," commanded Fury. "We're going to get you and your guardians back to home on our jet."
The airport was packed and there was traffic at all entrances trying to get in.
Luckily, the car transporting me had emergency lights and sirens causing everyone to move out of our way.
I wondered how we were going to find Charles and Hank in this mess.
Fury said something over his radio-intercom though I wasn't really listening. I was starting out the window and into the onlooking crowd in the airport.
"Eve, Eve!" Barton's voice woke me from my thoughts.
I snapped my head to him. I think I may have passed out.
"You're going to have to go in and point them out to us," explained Barton. "I will escort you inside and back out to the jet for safety purposes seeing the crowd could be dangerous with you being plastered on almost every television in there."
I gulped and nodded. "Got it." I never liked the idea of being famous.
We walked down the ramp of the jet and out onto the pavement where planes were parked against the building before being boarded.
People waiting at the flight gate stared out the window at the strange new arrivals walking towards the door.
I tucked my wings behind me, not wanting attention, but it was no use. As soon as we walked inside, Barton and I were swarmed with interested citizens.
They pulled out their mobile phones and took pictures and videos.
Barton put on sunglasses inside. Yeah, that really helped make us NOT look like we were famous.
He grabbed onto my elbow, steering me towards the gate where Hank and Charles had registered.
I kept my head down as best I could while still keeping an eye out for Charles.
The crowd drew closer into us.
"Everybody back up, now," commanded Barton in a deadly tone.
I tried my best to look scary but I wasn't very good at that.
"Evelyn!" called a voice. I turned, my eyes furiously searching the crowd.
"Eve, it's Charles." He spoke in my mind. "I can see you . . . I'm over here, by the cafe."
I looked up to see Charles piercing blue eyes staring directly at me.
"I see you," I thought over and over. "I see you."
I began pushing through the crowd, raising my wings around me to get people to back up.
I ran into Charles' outstretched arms. He was sitting in a rental wheelchair from the airport. Hank was returning with coffee and nearly dropped the cups at the sigh of me.
The people videoing with their phones smiled at the sight of our reunion.
I breathed in Charles' familiar scent. An involuntary tear ran down my face. He pulled away from the hug, smiling.
"I told you I'd be careful," I laughed.