One month into school, the Avengers called me back as promised.
It was a cool autumn day in New York. The Quinjet landed in the courtyard, kicking up orange leaves. Students gathered around curiously.
Once again, Agent Barton and Fury emerged from the jet and walked down the ramp to greet me.
I grabbed my luggage and walked forward. My brother Warren, Hank and Charles watched me hand off my things to be loaded on board.
I hugged Charles and kissed his cheek, then did the same with Warren. I ruffled the blonde's hair which he immediately tried to put back in place.
I hugged my friends who said their various goodbyes and good lucks.
"We'll be keeping an eye on the news," said Hank.
"I'll call you guys when I can," I said and smiled.
"Don't die," Warren said sarcastically but I could still tell he meant it. He gripped me by my shoulders and gave a little shake.
I shrugged out of his grasp. "Yeah, I know," I said with a smirk.
Charles spoke up: "Be careful, and don't do anything stupid."
"Guys, I got it," I said. I knew they were just looking out for me. "I'll be fine; I always am."
And with that, I boarded the jet to be taken to my new life in the Avengers Tower.
As I stepped out of the jet and onto the roof of the tower, I was greeted by who I could only assume were other agents. They were dressed cleanly in black suits wearing earpieces. I supposed they were some kind of safety system as we were on the roof of a pretty tall building.
I was tempted to run and jump off the roof knowing my wings would catch me but this was probably not a good idea for first impressions.
We took the elevator down to the living room area where I had first met the Avengers.
The Tony Stark greeted me: "Eve, right?"
I nodded.
"Welcome to the tower, Eve. I want to help you out," Tony began. "Now that you're an Avenger, you have to know we tackle some crazy things."
"I'm just gonna say it," Tony decided. "I want to make you a suit."
I didn't know what to say. I felt my mouth hang slightly agape.
Tony continued: "It'd be completely functional, made of woven metal, but lightweight—"
I cut him off by hugging him. "Thank you," I said into his shoulder.
Tony seemed taken aback at first but tentatively patted my back. He smirked and said, "You're a strong hugger."
"You should see what I can do to a punching bag," I smiled.
"I'll tell Rogers to take you up on that offer," Tony said. "Well, let's go find you a punching bag," and motioned for me to come along.
Tony and I took the elevator down to the athletic floor. There were many pieces of gym equipment like treadmills, punching bags, a wrestling ring, a whole room with a padded floor which I assumed was for hand to hand combat training.
Some of the other Avengers were on the floor as well.
"Tony!" called a man who was on a treadmill.
"Hey, Rhodey!" Tony called back.
"Is that the new chick?"
"Sure is," said Tony. "I'm breaking her in today."
Tony and I walked past a window to a room with punching bags hanging down in it. A blonde man was wildly swinging at one. He was very buff and sweaty.
"Capsicle!" yelled Tony through the glass. The blonde kept punching. Tony opened the door and yelled inside. "I'm going to do some tinkering. You get to watch Eve." And with that he walked away briskly so the man couldn't object.
I was left standing in the doorway to the punching bag room. An awkward silence filled the room as the man had stopped punching and realized what Tony had said.
"Eve, was it?" he asked. I nodded. "Steve Rogers." Steve grabbed a nearby towel and wiped the sweat off his hands and face. He extended a hand politely which I shook.
"Tony said that you and I would get along," I explained. "I like punching bags. It's good just to—"
"Let it all out," we said in unison.
I smiled. "I like sparring more, though," I said. "It's better for real life. Though nobody really wants to spar with me because well—"
"I'll do it," Steve offered. "I mean, I don't want to hurt you or anything."
"Ha, you flatter me," I joked, holding up my fist in a fighting stance.
Steve mirrored me.
In a second, I swept Steve's legs out from under him and he landed on his fit butt.
Laughter boomed from the other side of the window. I looked to see Thor holding his gut and pointing at Steve from the hallway.
"Har har," said Steve sarcastically. He stood up and brushed himself off.
Steve suddenly went to sweep my leg but I stepped out of the way and punched him right under his exposed arm. He staggered backwards which caused Thor to laugh even more.
"You may be strong," I commented, "which is good and all, but you have to be faster."
I grabbed his hand and pulled him up. He patted my back.
"You shush," Steve chided, pointing at Thor.