Tense. The only feeling Danielle felt as the car Tony had set up for her pulled up to the very top floor of the parking garage at the JFK airport. Only one other car was parked a few spots over, a familiar blonde leaning against it.
Once Danielle's car came to a stop, she pulled her luggage up from where it sat at her feet and called up to the front, "Thanks, Happy." Tony's driver threw her a friendly smile (she didn't miss the small hint of pity in the gesture) before she climbed out.
Danielle took her time walking across the few parking spots towards Sharon because the moment the blonde looked down at her with her soft eyes, her welcoming smile, and two open arms, Danielle broke. She grimaced as tears fell down her face. She discarded her luggage halfway towards Sharon and ran the rest of the way, lunging into her arms.
Sharon staggered back at the sudden force, but was able to stand her ground against the little girl half her size. Sharon was caught off guard by the affection; Danielle never really was one for girl-talk the few nights Sharon used to try it and they never hugged or anything like that. But from the way Danielle was clinging so dearly to Sharon, she knew it was going to take a lot more than Alfredo and Pulp Fiction to fix this.
After the long hug and small cry Danielle had, the pair separated. Sharon looked down at Danielle and gave her a sad smile. "You ready to go home?"
The teenage girl sniffled and nodded, happy that she had a place to call home. She used to call the Rhode Island house home... but now she hated even thinking about that stupid house. And the Compound was her home for the longest time... now it was just filled with people who gave her sidelong glances, constantly asked if she was 'okay', and pitied her in every form of the word.
But Danielle didn't want their pity, she didn't want anybody's pity. What she wanted was for someone to just help her not to feel. What was she supposed to feel? Angry? Sad? Loss? Grief? All she felt was numb... All that anger she felt before had evaporated. It was like all the things she had done a few days ago had burned away with all her belongings and dead hair ends. Now, all Danielle really wanted was to go back to her old apartment room, go to school with her friends, and pretend like everything was alright.
Sure enough, the next day was like the past two weeks never happened. Danielle woke up, got dressed, brushed her teeth, tamed her hair with a quick brush and a beanie, and grabbed her backpack, keys, and Metropass before heading out the front door.
It took Danielle a few extra minutes to find her way to the subway, but she was eventually able to board the correct train. It had seemed like she hadn't rode the subway in years, when in reality it had only been a couple of months. And just like every other day she spent on the subway, Peter was there in his usual spot by the pole.
Danielle took a deep breath in, mentally prepared herself for any probing questions her might have for her absence these past few weeks, and walked forward. "You don't ride the subway much, do you?" Danielle quipped, quoting Peter from the first time they met on the subway more than half a year ago.
Peter jumped slightly, spinning around to see who it was. Once he processed the fact that it was his long-lost friend Elle, he tore his earphones out of his ears as a smile broke across his face. "Elle? Hey-hi! What- what are you doing here? I thought you moved!"
Danielle chuckled slightly at his inability to talk without stammering before she answered, "I did. I just... moved back."
"Is that why you've been absent these past few weeks?" Peter wondered.
Danielle sighed and nodded. It wasn't completely true, but it also wasn't a total lie. "What else did I miss while I was gone?"
Peter shrugged. "Not much. Decathlon has been slow since our win, I think you missed two tests we had on Algebra, two projects in English, and an essay in History. Everything else, probably just notes."
Despite missing almost two weeks of school work, Danielle couldn't care less. She was back, and for once, the little void inside of her that had been there since her mom died was finally being filled with something again... Hope, content, and happiness. Though it came in only little fleeting moments, like when Peter would tell stories about him and Ned's Game of Thrones marathon, or how Flash got tripped in the hall a week ago, or even how an entire food fight broke out in the cafeteria the other day, Danielle felt it nonetheless.
The subway ride to school went fast, too fast. When both teenagers got off at the same stop, they walked and talked across the football field going into the school. It was just like Danielle remembered: hot, crowded, and smelly, but she missed it just the same.
"Will I see you on the subway after school?" Danielle turned to Peter once the first bell rang, alerting them that it was time to head to class.
Peter grimaced, "Er... I actually have... stuff."
"Band practice?" Danielle supplied.
"Yes! Yeah – band practice." Peter stammered. "Sorry."
Danielle shrugged, turning her head as her someone familiar caught her eye. Down the hall were three girls in uniform... soccer uniforms: Ashley, Maggie, and Amber.
Danielle had to admit, she hadn't thought about soccer after her first game, it was actually one of the last things on her mind after the... incident. She wasn't sure how the rest of the girls on her team would treat her after having disappeared for two weeks with no word on her whereabouts or even a simple text to let the, know she was at least alive. God, she was in for it.
"It's no problem," Danielle brushed off Peter's previous statement. "I have... stuff to do as well."
Peter followed her nervous gaze darting between him and e soccer girls down the hall and began to understand what she meant. "Oh... Oh." Danielle grimaced as Peter let out a humorless chuckled. "Good luck with that."
Danielle pursed her lips and nodded. "I'll try. Have fun with band."
Peter seemed to blank for a moment before nodding, "Yeah, right. Band – got it. See ya." Peter waved before heading off in the opposite direction Danielle started walking to her first class.
The moment Danielle stepped into Algebra, she searched the dozens of rows of desks for the familiar frizzy-haired girl she always sat next to since her first day at Midtown. Danielle let out a sigh of relief when she finally did catch sight of Michelle with her nose in a book seated next to an empty desk. Danielle couldn't help but smile as she crossed the room to take a seat and settle in.
Michelle quickly noticed the presence of someone new beside her and began to lift her head out of her book. She seemed pleasantly surprised to find Danielle seated back in her normal spot. "You're... alive," she muttered matter-of-factly.
Danielle chuckled slightly, "Yeah. Just... a lot going on. Sorry about my long absence."
Michelle shrugged as the bell rang and other students began to settle down into their seats around them. "It's fine. Not like I cared or anything. In fact, I quite enjoyed not having someone sitting there."
Danielle only smirked and shook her head, turning towards the front of the class as Mr. Cobbwell stood from behind his desk to start taking roll. He was listing name after name until he finally got to Danielle's.
"Danielle West. Michael-"
"Here!"
Mr. Cobbwell suddenly stopped what he was doing, nearly skipping over Danielle's name, to look up from his clipboard. His eyes scanned his classroom before landing on Danielle. Her short hair threw him off, but it was definitely her, smiling and waving back at him. "Huh," he huffed as he marked her present for the first time in two weeks. "Welcome back, Miss West."
Danielle smiled and nodded. "Glad to be back..." she whispered to herself as he continued on with roll call and the rest of the class.
After Algebra, Danielle hurried her way to Journalism. She walked into the classroom a bit on edge. Peter and Michelle reacted well to her return, but she unintentionally feared how Liz would react. Liz had no real reason to be angry or upset at Danielle – other than the occasional unreturned call and ignored text – but Danielle still feared for the worst and prayed for the best.
But when Danielle dragged her feet through the Journalism classroom doors and made direct eye contact with both Sally and Liz, Danielle could see the hurt in both of their eyes as they pursed their lips and turned away immediately. Danielle sighed, trying to reassure herself that it would pass and that it wouldn't define the rest of the day, month, semester, or year as she took a seat in a new spot away frm her two friends, if she could even call them that anymore...
Journalism dragged on, Danielle tried not to think too much about the way Liz and Sally tried their best not to look in her direction the entire class period. Gym wasn't any better, Danielle having to change in the locker room a whole five minutes after Liz and Sally did to avoid having to see them again. Then, the most dreaded period of them all came around: lunch.
Sharon had thankfully packed Danielle a sub sandwich from Delmar's along with a Slim Jim, some chocolate pudding, and a Caprisun juice pouch. Danielle figured Sharon was just trying to be a better care taker to make up for lack of–
No!
She wasn't going to think like that. She avoided the topic all day, she was going to continue to avoid the topic for the rest of the day, the rest of the week, the rest of the month, the rest of the year, the rest of her life if she had to.
Danielle took a deep breath, calming herself from her inner turmoil before entering the large cafeteria. Her eyes immediately caught sight of Liz, Sally, Cindy, and Betty's table some way down the many rows of lunch tables, but when noticing how on edge the girls seemed, Danielle thought it better to just give them their space.
She took her lunch, and instead of sitting in the library like she had the last time she'd been upset like this, Danielle did what she should've done a long time ago.
"Can I sit here?" The teenage girl asked Peter and Ned as they were both busy eating their own lunch at a separate table.
Both boys exchanged confused looks with each other before turning back to Danielle. "Why did you even have to ask?" Ned asked in confusion, gesturing to the open seat in front of them.
Danielle let out a laugh of relief as she took a seat. Peter exclaiming, "Yeah, you're always welcomed here. Even by Michelle."
All three turned to see Michelle sitting a few yards away with her nose in her book, completely ignoring their existence until she replied, "I could care less where she sits, just as long as you three don't try talking to me anymore than you already do."
"Got it," Ned replied before turning back to Danielle. "So, what brings you back from the dead?"
Danielle fought off the urge to wince, cringe, or even flinch like she had these past few weeks each time someone even mentioned or said the word 'death', 'died', or 'killed'. After staying completely still and normal through Ned's question, Danielle felt a surge of pride swell within her. She was making progress, just like Jack said she would.
"Um, I moved," Daniele gave him her basic lie, sparking up a conversation about real estate, what it would be like on the Moon, how they would be able to travel to the moon.
"Forget the moon!" Peter retorted mid-way through their heated conversation on the topic. "We should be focusing on getting to a planet, like Jupiter."
"No way," Ned argued. "Uranus would be way cooler."
"You're an anus," Peter replied jokingly followed by a laugh and a snort from Ned. Danielle laughed at the boys' antics while Michelle muttered something about 'childish behavior'. Peter and Ned's argument continued, Danielle occasionally throwing in her two cents and Michelle making a bitter mutter underneath her breath only Danielle seemed to hear or acknowledge. And for the first time in two weeks, Danielle actually began to see the light at the end of her long and shallow tunnel. The fire she once had burning inside her seemed to be dimming with each moment she spent with her friends away from everything that reminded Danielle of Her. And it gave her hope.
After lunch, the school day went by relatively fast. Liz and the crew still ignored Danielle, but her focus stayed solely on trying to convince herself that it was a good idea to go visit the soccer field after school. It seemed to work because when the final bell of the day rang, Danielle found herself standing at the edge of the field where Amber, Maggie, Ashley, Betty, and the rest of the girls had just begun practice.
Ashley was the first to spot Danielle standing off to the sidelines during practice, quickly turning to Maggie and Amber to say something unheard to them. A few moments later, Danielle watched as Ashley and Amber jogged their way over to her. Once they got there, Danielle smiled slightly to try and lighten the mood as she greeted them, "Hi."
"Hey," Amber replied, slightly awkward.
"So..." Ashley started, rocking back and forth on her heels.
Danielle realized that it was going to be a while if neither party of their conversation was going to call out the elephant in the room (or field, in this case). She quickly decided to take matters into her own hands and not beat around the bush like Tony neglected to do... Wow, using Tony as a role model? Never thought Danielle would see the day. "Look," she began. "I'm really, really sorry. I know you're probably super upset about me bailing after the first game and just... disappearing off the face of the Earth. I have no excuse for not calling, texting or giving anyone a heads up to where I was and how I was doing-" Well, she kind of did, but she once again pushed those thoughts aside as she continued on with her apology. "But... I still wanna be in the team... If you'd have me?"
Amber and Ashley both exchanged looks for a few moments before turning back to Danielle. Amber was the first to speak. "We were really angry at first," she admitted. "But... you're a great player, and every player on this team is here to help each other. So, we understand if some stuff is going on with you in your personal life – or whatever is going on with you."
"What Amber is trying to say is," Ashley quickly cut in before Amber continued to ramble, a grin stretching across her face before she exclaimed, "go get in that locker room and get into uniform, because if you want our forgiveness we're gonna need you to do ten extra laps."
"Yes, ma'am," Danielle nodded and laughed before dashing across the field towards the locker room.
After soccer practice and a big group hug from the team, Danielle had to head back to the apartment. The subway was always an option for Danielle, but being alone just walking from school campus already made Danielle's thoughts travel to places she'd rather not go. So, instead of spending twenty minutes on a train, she walked behind a building a couple streets away and teleported just outside her and Sharon's apartment building.
Once inside, she called out into the apartment, "I'm home!" It felt so natural rolling off her tongue, calling the apartment she shared with Sharon 'home'. Probably because it was one of the only places she really felt safe anymore. No big house in Rhode Island, no watchful eyes in the Compound, and definitely no basements.
And the thing that made the biggest difference of all was the reply she got back coming from the living room, "Welcome back!" Sharon peeked over the couch to give Danielle a warm smile. "How was your first day back at school?"
Danielle returned the smile as she walked further into the room, setting her backpack down at the dining room table and kicking her shoes off. "Good. Much better than I thought it would be..." Danielle trailed off as she caught sight of a cardboard box moving by the dining room. "Uh, Sharon, what's that?"
The blonde CIA agent got up from the couch to see what Danielle was talking about. She laughed, however, when she noticed what Danielle was freaking out about. "Oh, well, why don't you open it up and see."
Danielle gave the blonde a worried expression before walking over towards the box. She bent down cautiously and popped open the top flaps, then the secondary flaps. Danielle couldn't help it when a small yelp escaped her lips the exact moment a little feathery head popped up from inside the box followed by a crow.
It didn't take long for Danielle to realize what her gift was. "Quintin!" She shouted with glee as she lifted up the little chicken from the box and held him up. "How'd you get him here?" She asked Sharon, petting and ruffling the feathers of the chicken she had been given for her birthday a couple months ago.
Sharon chuckled at how happy Danielle looked with being reunited with her odd companion. "I had Cho send him yesterday. I figured you might want some company when I go off for business trips and long meetings."
"Thank you," Danielle breathed in gratitude, using her free arm to give Sharon a side hug.
Nothing a little Alfredo, Pulp Fiction, and a pet chicken couldn't fix, huh?
Progress... She was making progress.
A/N: DON'T FREAK OUT! I deleted a chapter and rewrote it. I realized while I was writing a chapter in the beginning of the Civil War Arc that I didn't really like the way Danielle had her mindset because with the way we were headed, she would've ended up on the wrong team and my entire little plan. Had would've gone to shit. Not to mention, I realized I was rushing. I was really rushing to get to Civil War because I know you guys really want some Peter. So, as a win-win situation, we are going to stretch out the time in between the Alice incident and Civil War because I feel like Dani and Jack really just need to cool down and have a clear mind going into Civil War. So, yeah, more Peter though! We get more Peter and more of a set up going into Homecoming afterwards. I did say it was a Slow Burn, didn't I? Sorry...
Chapter song is First Burn by all the fabulous women who played my baby gurl Eliza. Honestly I only remember Philipa Soo and Rachelle Ann Go, I know that Philipa isn't in it and there are like five to four other girls but I don't know their names :/.
Reviews:
intata 1: I am actually really, really happy you caught that wibbly wobbly bullshit Jack pulled because it will become a huge problem (and by 'it' I mean his indecisiveness) later on and that exact incident will be addressed in an upcoming chapter in or after the Civil War arc. I have it all planned out, don't worry, but thanks for catching that. Also, very sorry for frustrations but glad I at least got you hooked.
intata 2: I will definitely try better when it comes to plot holes and logical gaps, I'm working a bit on my own right now, my BETA is on break right now and in AU territory it's just a but hard for me. I guess it makes more sense in my head and it's a but hard to write down and I forget that not everything I write will completely come together like I imagine it will. Thanks for the constructive criticism and for bearing with me.
PondLake: OMFG YESSSSS. Smithereens is so goooood... but Cut My Lip is still my favorite song on the track IM SORRY! Smithereens is definitely in my Top Five from the album though, lol. Absolutely, they have the talk in I believe next chapter. Don't quote me I could be wrong, but I'm not sure about that conversation ending in them watching movies and baking things. Yes, lots of Jack and Dani binding in Civil War, that's for sure and lots of Jack and Tony coming up as well. And... Oof, we love us some Peter and Dani love but that kiss ain't coming for a whileeeeeee. IM SORRY. Petielle? OMFG THAT SOUNDS LIKE A BOMBASS PASTA THEY SELL AT OLIVE GARDEN OR SOMETHING! I love it, it's canon, that's their ship name, it's been decided. But I don't think their song would be smithereens. I'll include it in a chapter maybe but not THEIR song. I actually haven't chosen their song, huh. I'll divert to you for advice on that when their time comes though. Aw, thank you. I'm so glad you believe in me and plan to help me through my journey. I actually can't believe you've been there since the beginning, lol. Yes, we love a dedicated queen. Much love, enjoy this chapter. .3.
Incorrect Quote of the Chapter:
Danielle, Steve, and Wanda: *loses Jack in a crowd*
Steve: What do we do?
Danielle: Desperate times calls for desperate measures.
Wanda: *cups hands together* FREE BLOWJOBS!
Jack: *comes running in all sweaty* WHERE?!
Steve: *dialing on his phone* Tony, come get your child!
