"Please stop talking," Riley claps her hands together, pausing only to face Lucy and put an end to her headache.
"I was just asking-."
"Stop! Just stop. Please. I've told you, my favorite roommates are quiet roommates."
Lucy slices her finger across her lips, "I'll shut up."
"Thanks," Riley shakes, her inner rage ready to boil over as she leads them to the field.
"Morning. Was Riley a good neighbor?" Garrett meets the girls at the back door, addressing Lucy and gives Riley a wink.
"She's so funny,' Lucy pokes their friend, 'Am I a good roomie? Outside from talking too much?"
Riley bites her tongue and moves for the courtyard to prepare her favorite bow. She likes the color, the texture, and the subtle scratches and dents caused by normal wear and tear.
Clint has a two part challenge with a program he's initiated. With a goal of finding a kid he can mentor and coach, it's all based on how well they shoot and work as a team. A top contender gets an article in the paper the next morning which usually leads to getting the public interested in the center, which means more adoptions.
This year, with the adoptions on hold, Clint's motives of finding his protegeé are somewhat selfish. And his money is on the Jameson girl- a kid that can finally shoot and master complex strategies with little coaching. He adores his adopted son more than anything else in the world, but Clint knows Garrett is always going to be left on the bench.
Riley isn't a terrible shot either. Her mind reading abilities give her an edge and her vision is stellar. She can spot dust particles from miles away even without Blonsky's experimentation. Riley's problems stem from a lack of effort and emotional suppression. At least, that's what her mentors tell her. And while it's fun to harness her abilities, Riley is far more interested in getting a family than in being a hero.
Even so, there's a secret bet amongst the children and Riley wants to win.
Michael and Amelia hit the courtyard next, suiting up and taking a few practice shots beside Riley.
Brody is the last to arrive and quickly takes up a bow that's not being used;
"Why isn't our team practicing?"
Riley mumbles only after taking another shot, "If Lucy would shut up for ten minutes, they could get a shot in."
"Garrett! C'mon bro!" Brody yells over his shoulder.
Kat laughs after overhearing Riley, "She's screwed! And you're still supporting her?"
"You know what, Kat?,' Riley lowers her bow finally having enough, 'I'm here to win this year. So focus on your own game."
Lucy eagerly rushed back over to Riley, "Wait, was it my singing last night that you didn't like?! I can totally try to sing less tonight. I don't want to make you mad because we're like, totally gonna get to know each other now and be best friends and stuff and-!"
"Please, Lucy,' Riley's smile looks strained even for her, tears in her eyes while her hand shakes in frustration, 'We have to win today, and to win, we need to practice and focus!"
"Oh, okay," Lucy pivots to take up her white, customized bow to take one practice shot, already pivoting in excitement to talk with Garrett, "Did you see that?! I nailed it!"
Brody checks in with Riley, the shorter boy looking up at her face as she clenches her jaw;
"You look mad."
"I'm tired," Riley is ready to scream, or better yet, shoot Lucy in her vocal cords.
She's relieved when Clint shows up with his rules for the day-long competition; their mission is to hit a target which in turn releases a flag with its corresponding color. Once a team has collected all of the colors, they meet back at the starting line. First team to finish wins it all. The child with the highest points gets one on one training with Clint.
Riley bites the inside of her cheek. She loves aspects of math; Clint plus archery equals more time with Garrett, her secret crush.
Brody addresses his team with a strategy, "Garrett, you and I are on flag duty, the girls will shoot…"
Garrett nods, a little insulted even if he knows it's a good plan, "Riley never misses."
"Exactly. And Lucy has a better shot than I do," Brody admits.
"No Stark tech! It's an automatic disqualification," Clint's last requirement is met with a few groans and Kat takes off her wristband, looking innocent.
Riley's eyes are on the field, spotting two of their targets from a distance and elbows Lucy, "I go right, you go left."
Jameson chuckles, "Wait why?! Why wouldn't I just-."
"If you want to stay here, you'll listen. Go left," she retorts in a whisper and makes firm eye contact.
"You have twenty minutes for the first section that begins…now," Clint starts his stopwatch and watches with high expectations. He takes a point away all of them for being unable to split their teams evenly.
Steve heads outside to stand beside Clint with a basket full of water bottles;
"You started already?"
Clint holds his clipboard, "Yeah? I said ten to."
Steve's eyes shift thoughtfully when he realizes his mistake, "Oh…I thought you said 10:02."
Bruce is scrambling through his notebook, as the traveling crew sit inside of a coffee shop.
Izzy taps the window, lightly kicking her foot against a backpack underneath the table;
"Are you from New Mexico, Vrach ?"
Tony interrupts, "I was born in Manhattan but prefer to take my vacations on the west coast."
Izabella waits patiently for Bruce to answer once Tony is done with his rambling, "Ohio. I moved to New Mexico for School."
"Does it look the same?"
He shrugs, taking a look out of the window, "No. Not at all."
"Why you move?"
Natasha answers with a tired and scratchy voice, "The hulk would've rather explored the world than stay in one place for too long."
"Found her,' Bruce taps a name in the closest thing he can find to a phone book, "Dr. Elizabeth Ross...professor, look at that-!" He coughs, interrupting himself abruptly.
It may have something to do with the way Tony is shaking his head, running his finger across his own neck.
Natasha stands first, rolling her tongue over her cheek and lifts one of the bags, Bruce offers to take it but she's being stubborn.
He sighs while Tony lags behind as they head for their transportation. Izabella is crouching down to study it and Tony is photographing everything.
Natasha leaves the group behind and climbs inside, letting Izabella select a window seat.
Bruce takes a seat beside Natasha and reaches to take her hand.
It's a short train ride that stops within walking distance to a huge laboratory. While Tony is memorized by the lights, Natasha is nauseated by them;
"I'm going to throw up."
"There's a trash can," Tony points, his eyes busy, still taking in the huge exterior of the lab.
Bruce rubs a thumbs on Natasha's shoulder when she barely makes it to the holographic style disposal. She's white as a ghost and the sleep deprivation between the two of them is obvious.
Izabella shifts in her stance, wishing she could wiggle her fingers and take away Natasha's ailments herself. She addresses the bench, encouraging her mentor to sit for a minute.
Romanoff refuses and shrugs Bruce off of her in a firm tone, "I'm fine. Let's just go."
Tony plows ahead, looking like a child on Christmas morning. The first door is unlocked, mesmerizing both Tony and Izabella.
"Quick pow wow; Tony-don't touch that, stop-stop it," Bruce is determined to try and set some ground rules. It's difficult when the engineer keeps wandering off, "Tony!"
Natasha crosses her arms with vacant eyes. Izabella steps beside her and struggles to focus when there is so much to see and explore.
"I should go in first to ensure she's in a good mood-," Bruce continues.
Tony raises his hand, "Question; if she's in a good mood, we get to play here right?"
Banner doesn't need to say it. His eyes close while his fists tighten in a pulsating rhythm, "We're here for Natasha, I'm here for Natasha. Can you give me some focus? We need to find Dr. Ross-."
Natasha spots a brunette coming out of the second door. She taps her Husband's shoulder before pointing as discreetly as a spy can, "Is that her?"
A woman in the lab coat moves closer, a tray full of vials in her hands that immediately goes crashing against the marble tile. When Banner turns around to face her, she spots him at the same exact time.
"Like fate," Tony checks in with Natasha who glares back with an eye roll.
"Bruce…" Betty whispers.
Her eyes are huge, chest rising and falling at a rapid pace. She can hardly address the mess she's made, when the two make eye contact as if they were the only ones in the room.
Bruce looks up with a swallow, a hand behind his neck.
"Hi, Elizabeth."
"What- I…" she stammers, wanting to move closer so she runs to swipe her card at the security gate and meet them at the door. She's smiling, brushing a stray hair behind her ear.
The fiery look in Natasha's eyes isn't entirely what prevents Elizabeth from giving Bruce a hug.
She huffs out a soft exhale, a foot in front of him;
"You look a lot less green than the last time we saw each other."
He laughs, cheeks reddening, "I can explain...it'll take a minute."
"It's okay. Some of the community members from your world who stayed were able to explain the hulk situation,' she says, and bites her lip glancing, finally, towards the mob standing beside him, 'I never thought I'd see you again."
He is unsure of how to interact, "…me neither-."
"Do you... want to come inside? My office is way more comfortable than the lobby."
"That would be great, thanks."
"Great," she holds her smile, greeting a friendly Izabella, shakes Tony's hand and makes eye contact with Natasha next.
Elizabeth smiles politely, even through an icy stare received by the Russian.
"Hi."
"Hi," Natasha has her arms crossed.
"Can I get you some tea? Anything for your friends?"
Bruce tucks his hands into his pockets, to avoid wriggling them nervously, "That sounds, amazing."
Natasha puckers her lips, a bit of red flaring up on her forehead and strong cheekbones when she addresses the broken vials, "Don't you have to clean that up?"
Elizabeth steps ahead to open the various doors, "Oh, no. I'll send the automatic mop out. Come in, what can I get everyone?"
"Coffee," Natasha replies, almost snappily.
Izabella wants to keep exploring with Tony, eager to circle Elizabeth's office as they enter.
Stark shoots a few quick questions that Elizabeth is eager to answer with excitement in her voice as she closes the door behind them. She shares what she can of her projects, her latest creations and the advancements she's making with an injured bird she's rescued, 'Little Guy.'
Natasha crosses her arms and lingers in the corner, trying her best to chime in every now and then while the rest of the four nerd out with a million questions a minute.
Bruce introduces Izabella by name first, focusing on her scholastic interests, genius status and lastly and more cautiously, her extraordinary abilities. Elizabeth has what seems like more than a few questions that Izzy is happy to answer, quickly won over by the sweet biologist.
Natasha frowns over their instant bond, suddenly ready to throw up again. She looks up when Elizabeth appears in front of her and kindly extends a hand to introduce herself officially. Natasha takes her hand and shakes it, "Natasha Romanoff."
Elizabeth nods and looks over to catch Bruce's line of vision;
"Oh, is this where your cover name came from?"
Bruce's face lights up, addressing Natasha with pride and affection, "My wife."
All Natasha wants to do is go over to him and kiss him senseless. She stands where she is, not moving just yet.
"I understand now," Elizabeth turns back, looking somewhat crushed though not entirely surprised.
A green alter ego definitely wasn't Banner's only secret.
"You're beautiful." She adds, throwing Natasha off.
"Thanks," Natasha scoffs, confused.
She doesn't feel beautiful. Elizabeth is prettier than she expected and seeing her in person feels way more threatening. She is so kind and soft spoken. Gentle and happy.
Conversation halts over the appearance of some warm drinks and Tony chugs his, needing immediate answers for the table rising and falling with a hovering hand.
Elizabeth concedes, thrilled to be in the company of her old acquaintance and his friends. She sits on the edge of her chair;
"I guess my most obvious question is, what brought you back to my world?"
Bruce tugs his neck again, "Well. Honestly? There's a problem I can't fix. And I could really use your help if you'd be willing."
"Anything for you."
Natasha tucks her chin and brushes a piece of lint off her top. Izabella twists her jaw, looking up at the redhead over her throat clearing. Tony pauses and taps the table, quiet all of a sudden.
"I'm dying," Natasha blurts out, not wanting to hear Bruce continue to beat around the bush.
Elizabeth's eyes widen with nothing but concern, "Oh I'm sorry."
Natasha takes a deep breath, "Bruce trusts you more than anyone else in the universe. This or any other- for reasons I know he's told you. If you are unable to help, then I may be out of options."
Elizabeth nods with a soft expression. She's too good for Natasha's liking which only adds to her distrust. Almost without thinking this Betty 2.0 is already seemingly agreeing to help;
"I'm willing to try. Anything for Bruce."
Tony muffles a laugh in his hand. Bruce is too grateful to care, finally feeling a sense of relief and a little hope;
"Thank you."
Natasha hugs her arm a little tighter, reading her husband and his visible exhale. Secretly, she's breathing a little easier as well.
"Homeboy! Hop on my shoulders I can throw you up there-," Lucy offers, already lifting.
Brody squirms in initial protest just to go along with it, "Don't throw me too hard - wait! Lucy!"
He crash lands on the balcony, offering a thumbs up;
"I'm good! I'm good! I'm okay!"
The girl cringes, "Sorry!"
Riley pushes them along, handing a flag to Garrett that he couldn't seem to find without help, "We're falling behind."
"Ten minutes!" Clint's shout rattles the group.
Lucy pauses while everyone continues to run for the south exit, "Hey guys?! Wouldn't it, like, make more sense to shoot first?"
Brody rolls his eyes, "Well yeah! Except for the fact that now that you've yelled it, they know our plan and can block us or steal our flag if they climb first!"
Riley pushes backward, "Ignore them. The Cali brat is right and our last two are up there. So, shoot."
Lucy shoots their target on the right and Riley goes for the left, then calls out her plan;
"Garrett and I will climb, you two wait under the balcony-."
The Barton boy starts his accession, aiding Riley even if she protests;
"I can handle myself."
He smiles kindly, "You don't have to do everything alone."
Riley looks over to see Violet coming in quick, "Well crap…"
Garrett looks over his shoulder next and Riley takes her opportunity to cheat.
It doesn't feel good and potentially hurting her sister feels even worse. She swallows with a justification and tucks a hand in her pocket to slow Violet with a piece of tech she's snuck into the pocket of her shorts. It'll manipulate the landscape just enough, and with a quick breaching of Amelia's mind, Riley can pinpoint exactly where to use it.
Violet goes down with a slip, her hands stopping her fall, "Ow!"
Riley looks back the other way with genuine concern, "Are you okay, Vi?"
"Yeah, I think," the girl stands slowly, a little wobbly on her feet. The pause before she takes off again gives Brody a chance to make a run for it, Lucy, Garrett and Riley behind them to lead the blue team across to victory.
The Park girl feels dirty, a weird twisting in her gut while the rest of her team cheers for their accomplishments and over the fact that Lucy made it.
Clint calls for a winner and Amelia steps forward with a challenge, "Really?! What was that?!"
"What was what?" Riley checks her nails and tries to stay calm.
Kat scoffs, "You thought we wouldn't see it?"
"You cheated!" Another accuses from a distance.
"I didn't cheat," Riley defends herself.
"Yes you did,' Kat growls, ratting out her friend to Steve, 'She threw Violet off!"
"I didn't. Next time you want to accuse, bring some evidence,' Riley mumbles, "You're just mad Lucy gets to stay."
Rogers signals for a timeout over the tension, "Let's talk about this calmly-."
Garrett moves to defend, "There's nothing to talk about. Dad, I was with Riley the whole time. We won without cheating."
Brock is frustrated, "Tell them what happened Violet!"
The youngest girl stammers, not wanting to betray anyone, "I tripped?"
"Yeah,' Micheal chimes in, 'and how often have you run across this courtyard and fallen?! Unless Mr. Stark changed the turf and didn't tell you about! Which it doesn't seem like he had the time to do, so maybe someone else did!"
Riley snaps, "Well, it wasn't me!"
He yells, "Yeah! I know! Who else has access to tech? Who else is at the tower all of the time? Who else has been hanging out at the lab? Lucy! It's so obvious guys! She rigged it so that she'd win."
Lucy shakes her head with a laugh, "I wouldn't. I don't even know how-."
"You would! Because you knew the stakes! It's so obvious Lucy, stop lying!"
"I'm not lying!"
"She is,' another girl points, 'she's lying!"
Clint yells, trying to regain control, "Everybody stop it now-."
Michael steps forward, "Check her pockets!"
Garret snaps and pushes him back, "You're being a jerk!"
Barton reaches for his son, "Hands off!"
Lucy takes a step back as she's surrounded, "I didn't I swear!"
"She knows she's not skilled, she needed to cheat!" A boy calls out.
"She hasn't been here long enough to even get how this works," Garrett pushes back.
Lucy cringes, her head pounding. It feels like the world is against her. It's when Brody asks her if she cheated that she finally breaks. Having someone she trusts doubt her feels like betrayal;
"No! Brody, I didn't!"
"Empty your pockets," Clint yells, eyeing Lucy first in pure happenstance.
Lucile Jameson's jaw drops with pain in her tone, "Clint! I didn't!"
Someone is behind Lucy when her eyes flicker, pushing her forward and it sounds like Michael. The idea of having someone's hands on her after all of the accusations feels like a final breaking point.
Her eyes flicker a brighter gold and she takes a swing to knock her attacker to the ground. She's in a sort of red zone with pummeling hits. She knows how to throw punches, unrelenting as her vision and mental state nearly black out. She's zeroed in on her attack.
Riley's screams finally snap Lucy back to the present. Clint and Steve are both trying to pull the elder away.
Lucy covers her mouth, gasping in trembling panic upon realizing the blood everywhere. She switches from one emotion to another;
"Riley! Oh my god! No! I didn't mean to!"
Riley huddles into a fetal position and covers her face. Michael is on the ground, saved by Riley's quick intervention before Lucy could throw her first punch.
Steve stands in between them, while Clint kneels down and tries to get Riley to turn over.
The brave girl who has never cried over anything, is screaming in pain.
The kids stand frozen, hands on their mouths as they try to process what they've just seen.
Lucy is shaking, stepping back as tears stream down her own cheeks in disbelief, "It was an accident! I didn't mean to hurt her, I didn't mean to! Brody-."
He takes a step back from her with fear in his eyes.
"Garrett! I didn't!" Lucy tries the next figure beside her.
"Not now," Clint's son panics with stress in his stare, regretting his snap but more worried about Riley.
"Frickin hell-! Move!" Clint retorts as he lifts Riley in his arms and pushes his way out of the mob and straight to his truck.
When the SHIELD Agents move in to investigate, Steve tries his best to stay calm. He's beyond frustrated and nervous for the Park girl.
The agents' excessive supervision have done nothing to help them stop the fight or intervene for Riley's sake.
Rogers spots Lucy as she runs off, his thoughts on the glow in her eyes. He's already made every connection that needs to be made. Izabella's sketches- the eyes she draws in her apocalyptic universe…those are Lucy's eyes.
She suddenly feels like a loose cannon, a threat he should protect the rest of the center from.
Or maybe that anguish and fear in her eyes resembles that of an old friend, Bucky Barnes.
He's in conflict with himself, and a sense of duty to protect her just might outweigh considering her a threat.