Chapter 4

On her second morning in this new world she woke to find her couch surrounded by heros. She allowed her eyes to open this morning, taking in the activities of those around her. Tony tapped away at a glass screen that fit in the palm of his hand. Black widow had staked out the other end of the couch, her feet taking the middle cushion as she flicked through various news feeds depicting scenes of both the battle and the clean up efforts that would be on going for quite some time still. Bruce sat in the arm chair nearest her side of the couch catching up on periodicals he had missed while traveling. Thor sat at the bar, a large platter of pop-tarts pulled in front of him, The Captain sat across from her in intense concentration, a sketch book propped up in his lap.

She stretched, drawing the attention of the room, she intertwined her legs with Natasha's as she smoothly lengthened her small body.. Flipping herself around she slid up Natasha's body, resting her head on her tummy, her arms pulling her close. The tension in the room rose as each person waited, with baited breath, to see what the assassin would do. The day started with a shock that left them speechless when Natasha reached down and gently began running her fingers through her hair. After a contented sigh the purple haired girl looked to each person in turn, now that she had their attention, with the slightest of eyebrow raises she silently asked the question "well?"

Surprisingly the first question came from Pepper, having joined Tony in his lap, her question was unexpected "did you sleep well" was all she asked. A smiling nod was her answer. The follow up question from Tony followed the same line of thought "you know this tower has bedrooms right? There's one set aside for you if you want it." She looked to Tony, her deep purple eyes locked on to his smooth brown, a feeling of gratitude swept gently over him, unknown to him, the same feeling passed through Pepper as well. Tony basked in the feeling for just a moment before he cut off the doctors greeting. "Your an empath?" He questioned, immediately followed by, "can you read minds too... Nope didn't spontaneously combust, didn't even blush". She felt the smooth tummy under her cheek firm and the fingers stroking her hair pause, her eyes fell, breaking contact with Tony's. Unseen to all but felt by one Natasha made a conscious effort to breath normally, she prayed she not be disturbed. But with the fall of her hands from her sides she knew her doubts were known. She trusted her, she really did, despite everything she had been taught, and a lifetime of training that told her not to, she trusted her. The surprise of this self realiziation had caused her to pause, it had nothing to do with the mind powers she knew the girl possessed. She wanted to reach down and pull her to herself, she settled for resuming her fingers journey through her silky hair.

Pushing herself to a sitting position she stretched again arching her back before crossing her legs under her, leaning fowards she pulled the mug of hot chocolate from the coffee table and took a slow sip. "Ok I have to know, where did that come from?" Bruce asked motioning to the mug in her hands. He wasn't the only one that looked like they would like to hear the answer to that. She replied with a small mischievous smile over the rim of her cup as she sipped. It didn't take a genius such as Anthony Stark, Mr fantastic, or Bruce Banner to see that her lack of answer failed to satisfy Tony's curiosity. Just from the look on his face she could tell Jarvis would be analyzing video in minute detail very soon. On the other side of the couch a decision had been made, Natasha reached out and wrapped her hand around the girls, she gently guided both the girls hands and her mug of chocolate to her lips. The chocolate was smooth and rich, definitely not instant, it seemed to fill her with warmth from the inside out. If Clint had been there he probably would have had a heart attack. The level of trust she was showing in her own way was equal to that she had for himself. "So have you decided on a name yet" she asked nonchalantly. A genuine smile bloomed on the girls face, warming her more satisfyingly than any beverage could. A thoughtful look and a little head shake was her answer. "Ms gray, I'd like to join you today", Steve's voice cut in. "Down there, I'm not really doing much good here. I don't think Thor's letting the cube out of his sight until it's back on asguard. So maybe I can give you a hand. Down there." He finished slightly awkwardly. Even without chocolate to compare to Steve knew what it was like to feel warm again, maybe for the first time in 70 years, as she turned her smile from Natasha at her side to himself.

"You know I would love to help too, I mean, who wouldn't love to spend the day being followed around by every camera in New York, hundreds of fans, while saving people? Actually that sounds like just about the perfect day, just add a nice scotch in the mix and we coulda been soul mates. But sorry I got a date with jolly over there in the labs, you know, if we want reindeer games gone" with the gentlest of squeezes to Pepper in his lap Tony said. Unsaid but communicated clearly to Pepper were the words "away from the people I care about".

Thor boomed into the conversation from his seat at the bar, "Aye, I shall not allow further harm to come to midguard from my own lack of vigilance" he glanced to the side where the cube, perched on a tall pedestal, enclased in glass sat clearly in his line of sight.

"Speaking of cubes, we're going to need that one down in the lab later, probably after lunch so that should give you a little break, point break" Tony quipped. Thor nodded, he knew the cube would be safe with the metal man and the green bezerker. Midguardians may think of him as a god, but he needed sleep and food like all living things. He also had plans to contact shield to see to his brothers keeping.

Pepper listed out her own plans for the day, which mostly revolved around coordinating relief efforts, and authorizing funds and equipment transfers for said efforts. Tony watched in fascination as his girlfriend planned and replanned, making changes and contingencies. He didn't even try to stop himself as he stretched up to reach her lips with his own. "Whatever you need, you got it" he told her after breaking their kiss.

Doctor Banner studied the young lady in front of him. He had felt things from her before, but never considered that she was even more than the considerablely impressive young girl she had shown herself to be. He felt inside himself, the other guy was still there, as always, but still content. Bruce let himself relax the tiniest bit. The other guy remained quiet. Opening his eyes he watched as Natasha sipped from the mysterious cup. He let himself bask in the feeling of relaxation he so rarely felt when he kept such a tight hold on his emotions. When she stood he spoke "I am.. yeah lab. Will you be back tonight?" The first part mostly a stutter, far more sure and with a slight hint of fear, the second part was said while gazing into her eyes. The smile he received was no less warm than the one she had gifted to the black widow or the Captain, but also carried a feeling of reassurance. Her nod put his fears to rest for now. He could work with this, he could bargain with the other guy if he had to. Building the device that would send Loki far away from her would be something the other guy would understand to be the best way to protect her. Just knowing that she would be returning, and the effect her presence had on the other guy gave him a small piece of mind.

Tony's eyes narrowed slightly as she stood, he had been looking at her, at least in her direction since she had woken. She was wearing a gray hoodie and tights, but now she was again dressed in her gray suit she had worn during the battle. It was in perfect shape, not a scratch or tear, it even looked freshly laundered. Her hood was down and nothing on her face gave away the slightest hint that anything had happened. The Captain stood and made his way to the elevator "let me get changed and I'll join you in a minute." He called over his shoulder.

Natasha had failed to share her plans for the day. She was unsuprised when Thor asked to speak with her as everyone separated. "Lady Natasha, I wish to speak with your director, as much as I am lothe to, while he guards Loki he is a necessary evil to be endured" she nodded to him, "I was going to speak to him myself" turning to Tony before he dragged Bruce away she asked "so are rooms only for people who sleep on the couch?" "Jarvis will show you where yours is, your sharing a floor with bird boy if he ever shows up" Tony was use to people taking advantage of his hospitality he didn't think anything of it when people accepted things from him, so the sincerity in the Widows voice caught him off guard when she thanked him. He was equally sincere when he nodded back in acknowledgment.

Steve stealed his nerves as he got back into the elevator, he knew he wasn't the best around pretty girls. Just thinking about how nervous he had been when he had met Peggy and most of their interactions following that, made him want to laugh and cry. He looked at his reflection in the polished metal of the doors, he stood tall and proud in his Captain America uniform. And that's who he needed to be now, the one that people can count on to help, the one that will keep going when everyone else tired. He loosened his shield and slid it off, he wasn't looking for a fight today, he would be ready if one came around, but today a job needed doing that was probably harder. Rebuilding took a sustained strength that had nothing to do with being a super soldier. While he was lost in thought the the elevator had returned, the doors opened to reveal the girl waiting side by side with agent Romanoff. "Ladies" he greeted politely as they both joined him. "Jarvis could you take me to my room please" Natasha asked after the doors had closed. "Of course agent Romanoff" Jarvis replied, the elevator already in motion. The ride down was quiet but not awkward he didn't even notice her leaning against his side until they had arrived in the lobby and she had stood up.

When two heros of New York appeared the explosion of questions from the gathered reporters at the base of Stark tower was deafening. Like the day before, the girl completely bypassed the crowds, leading the Captain forward, she found a crew of people she recognized and began.

Tony didn't say much on the trip to the labs, his mind was going a mile a second, ideas about how to catch the moment strange things happened around the girl, improvements to thors transport device, designs for jewelery, he knew he was going to be leaning pretty hard on Bruce, but he knew the work and the company were something Bruce would enjoy. On arriving in the lab Bruce set himself up at the same workstation he had used the previous day. Tony rolled across the lab in a spinning chair to a large clear space in the middle. "Jarvis bring up the video from this morning, from when she woke up till now" bringing a holographic display into existence in the air in front of him. Bruce had already pulled up the plans for the transportation device but was now watching with facination as the video played. The first thing he noticed was the girl was out of focus. Could have a damaged camera. "Jarvis gimme another view" he instructed. "Of course Sir, but I think you'll find that all of the recordings of ms gray are similarly affected." Jarvis split the display to show several camera angles at the same time. In each the only thing out of focus was the girls face. "Huh, that's interesting"

Steve wiped his brow again, perhaps his iconic leather uniform hadn't been the best idea. Sure it had done its job well, fresh energy seemed to flow through tired workers. Rescue efforts hadn't stopped when gray had returned to the tower, teams of people had swapped with tired teams and the work continued. They had rallied around him as he took his place at the grindstone. That had been hours ago, and the day was warming up nicely, and leather had many admirable qualities, breathability wasn't one of them. He wasn't about to let that slow him down. He watched as gray lifted her hands again, the pulse of purple was expected at this point, it still amazed him to see tons of rubble lift into the air silently. Emerging from the building he handed the two children he carried to a person waiting with stretcher and large red bag ready. That was the last of the lights in this building, he knew the next building was already surrounded with a crew ready to race in as soon as the rubble lifted. Everyone on the crew he was currently working with would move to the second building down, but he had stayed with the girl for every one. She had fallen effortlessly into a pattern and he followed her lead. After what felt like days but was only hours he called for a break, he knew that he could keep going, but he wasn't worried about himself. He had seen how the team had treated her, and nothing would make him face the wrath that would come if he let anything happen to her. He hadn't been in the room when she had returned last night, but it wasn't hard to find out what happened. She had come home too tired to stand on her own and immediately went to sleep. Short breaks every few hours. He would have liked to make her stop long enough for a quick meal or a cat nap, but he wouldn't stop and didn't expect her to either.

They were farther from the tower than she had been yesterday, progress had been made in the night. He guided her slightly away from the busiest buildings and found a place to sit. He wiped his brow again, looking down at her with a tired smile. He let a gasp escape when his suit changed from hot and sweaty to comfortable and dry. He stare at her hand wrapped around his forearm, it took longer than he was proud of for him to thank her, was there any limits to the variety of things she could do? He had seen her limited by exhaustion, but this was different, thoughts of what she could be capable of ran through his mind. He didn't notice at first when her attention was drawn to something in the window across the street. The car dealership had survived mostly intact. On a pedestal that he was sure would rotate if power was on, sat a machine that could only be described as sexy. A bold blue broken by two stripes of white that ran from hood to trunk, the 1965 Shelby cobra screamed power and beauty. It felt natural to hold her hand as she led him across the street. He almost fell on his face when she pulled him through the wall and window as if it wasn't even there. He looked out the window at the street they had just been on, "wha...how.. um I don't think we should be in here" he stammered. Looking back to the girl who had released his hand after he recovered from his stumble, he saw that she couldn't care less, she circled the car, her eyes taking in every detail, and her fingers feathering lightly over the smooth curves. She looked lost in thought as she traced her fingers over a badge on the car. The Captain cleared his throat quietly "I think they're waiting for us" he said softly, this was enough to break whatever trance her mind had her under. She nodded and took his hand as she passed, again pulling him through glass and concrete as if it was as insubstantial as smoke. They returned to their labor, there were a lot of people who needed help, and the day was young.

Natasha gave her new home a cursory inspection, it was spacious, hell it was bigger than anywhere she had ever called home, and that was just the living room/kitchen/dining room/balcony area. Several doors led off from the open floor plan apartment. She kept a slow pace when she cleaned up for the day. She wasn't looking forward to the next few conversations she had planned. Pulling a small box from the bag she had retrieved when she had escorted Loki to his temporary accommodations, she unboxed the brand new phone. She powered it on and dialed a number that was a better protected secret than nuclear launch codes. When her partners voice came on the call she only needed two words to tell him the plan, "I'm out" she said with conviction. there was a long pause on the other end, she almost hung up. It would be a waste of a burner, but she had spares, the two words she heard back were exactly what she had hoped he would say "three hours". She snapped the cheap phone closed and let it fall to the floor. Huh that's interesting, looks like it comes fully furnished, it even had a broom and dustpan, I guess in case the robots recharging.

Thor had delivered the cube as requested and now sat watching as doctor Banner took measurements and transferred them to the light model of what his people had designed to retrieve their princes. He also watched as Tony moved around the room from project to project, a constant source of chatter. He had just begun to dose when the voice of Jarvis addressed him, "Mr. Odinson, agent Romanoff wishes me to inform you that she will be in the main lounge when you are ready to depart to shield." "My thanks Jarvis, I shall join her now". He turned to the men he trusted, "I shall return quickly..." He started to say but was cut off by Tony "we got this, you take care of that" Thor nodded, in his own way Tony was showing how much he had come to trust him. Their first meeting had been a conflicting about his taking his brother from his custody, and now it appeared that the metal man trusted him to handle his brother as part of the team.

Natasha had decided on discretion as the best way to travel, to that end she had dressed plainly and led Thor, who she had redressed, out through the under ground parking garage. They made sure to give the cameras surrounding gray and the Captain a wide berth, with transportation around the city limited to emergency vehicles, it was half an hour before they met with Clint. He waited for them at a rendezvous they had used before. A short walk later and a turn into what looked like a service entrance, and the three heros found themselves with immediate appointments with director fury. Natasha motioned for Thor to go first, she figured that agent Hill would be escorting him today, and she wanted to speak with the director privately. "I will see my brother now" Thor's voice commanded, and it was a command, one issued by a god whos patience had run out long ago. "If he has been harmed beyond his injuries from battle, when next we speak I shall make my displeasure known." Thor made no attempt to veil neither his feelings nor threats to his false ally. "Agent Hill will you show Mr Odinson to the prisoner" was all director fury said. His eyes never strayed from the pair of assassins. Without a word Natasha turned and led them to director furys own office. She waited as the director entered his credentials into the security system, then followed him into the office. She didn't sit, she wasn't going to be here long, Clint stood beside her as he had time and time again. She cut the director off, his questions and orders had begun as soon as the door shut. "I'm out" she repeated for the second time today, beside her Clint spoke up "me too". The director argued their decisions, he pleaded and bribed. When the first threat fell from his lips he knew he had made a grave mistake.

Nick Fury was not someone to be crossed lightly, he was a man use to being obeyed and getting what he wanted. He had served his country and this world bravely for decades, he doubted his chest was big enough to hold all the decorations he had won. Nobody could call Nickolas J. Fury a coward in any sense of the word, and now he knew real fear. He had gotten too close, become too familiar with the people who worked for him, he let his guard down. He wondered if there was an antidote to whatever coated the knife at his throat. He was informed, in no uncertain terms, that he had fallen out of favor with the avengers, and that furture working relations with the team would be initiated by themselves. It was also strongly recommended that any files concerning individual team members and the team as a whole disappear.

When the call came Steve made a command decision. He had been watching her more closely the last few hours, she hadn't swayed but she had slowed down considerably since the sun set. He was a little relieved she had, even he couldn't keep the pace they had started at for long. So when Jarvis informed him that the rest of the team was gathered at the tower and food had been ordered he made the call to end the days work. She didn't need to be carried home this evening, but the Captain found nothing to complain about when she leaned against his side and held his hand on the walk back. The elevator doors opened to reveal the whole team gathered around a massive table that hadn't been there when they left this morning. The table was firmly held down by a mountain of food. Steve pulled out a chair for the girl before seating himself. At Tony's insistence he served himself, and caught up with the progress of various projects everyone was involved in. As dinner wound down, everyone's attention was drawn to the girl as the waved one hand through the air, much like Tony did when calling for a holographic screen. After two tries she gave up and waved her hand differently, in the middle of the room a familiar blue and white car materialised. Steve broke the silence that followed the car into being. "She's got good taste, we saw one of those when we were taking a break earlier today" he said. It wasn't a surprise when Tony spoke next "oh, you like that huh? Jarvis transfer the 65 cobra to ms gray, just leave the name blank for now." He grinned up at the girl who was now standing, and shaking her head. She pointed to the car then back to herself. Yeah it's a great car, and now you own one, I just gave it to you. It downstairs if you wanna see it" by the time he was finished she had made her way to the car and was circling it, her finger tips tracing lightly over it. She reached the name plate on the car and stopped. "This vehicle is called a cobra is that correct Captain?" "Yeah I think so, at least that's what it says on the car." Steve answered. "Then I'm afraid this one is claimed by another, no doubt whoever Shelby is will wish it returned. Before Tony could start on the history of the car and it's designer Clint spoke up, "Shelby? Is that the name you decided on?"

After a quick phone call, everyone decided to spend the night. The party had moved into the lounge, Steve changed and rejoined them. Nobody saw Shelby change but somehow she was wearing casual clothes again. So far every almost answer the girl gave only created more questions. It wasn't long before questions and answers evolved into several conversations about unified theories and hypothetical boundaries. In the middle of all the conversations slept the now named girl. She was stretched out on the sofa she seemed to prefer, but she wasn't alone. During the course of the evening Bruce had ended up on one end of the couch and Natasha on the other, she now lay using Bruce's leg as a pillow with her legs across Natasha's. Finding Shelby's head in his lap Bruce commented during a lull in the conversation, "she's very cuddly isn't she?" Steve replied with a smile, "I've noticed that, I've also noticed a couple of other things too" in hushed tones he told them about her ability to walk through solid walls and how she had pulled him with her. When Steve finished Tony took over, telling everyone who didn't know about the inability to get a clear picture of her face.

Natasha was getting upset with the way the team was talking about Shelby, "so, she hasn't done anything to hurt anyone, so why are we whispering like she's dangerous?" She asked. "She is dangerous Nat" Clint answered. "Everybody in this room is, hell I bet Pepper is probably the most dangerous person I've ever met." He held up to the stares admirably. With one signature you can make or break entire companies, one uncareful word to the press and you can trigger a buying or selling frenzy that effects the global economy. I don't know about you guys, but if that's not dangerous and scary I don't know what is." Pepper protested, she would never do that. She was very responsible in her job as CEO. Bruce was the one to point out that everyone knew she wouldn't, but that didn't change the fact that she could. "Yes she powerful but power doesn't make someone dangerous, it's how you wield power that determines if you're a good guy or a villain." Said Tony, he had been both at different times in his life. "She's not evil I can tell that much, but she's been hurt before, badly." Natasha added. "Doesn't matter, I'm keeping her" said Stark. Looking right at Natasha he said "I owe her a debt". That statement coming from Tony made everyone stop and think.

Thor studied lady Shelby as she slept, he was debating whether or not he should extended asguards welcome to her. Her magic strongly reminded him of not just Loki's magic, but also that of Loki's teacher, Queen Frigga, his own mother. He knew magic users were few in the nine realms, would she welcome the opportunity to learn from the greatest sorceress in all the realms. He doubted the rest of the avengers would appreciate him running off with her. She seemed to be important to each for their own reasons. He recognized the words Tony had used, and understood their deeper meaning. He would speak with his family first, he could easily hear the all father's refusal, but just as easily he thought he knew who would win in the end.

Not long after Tony managed to silence the room the party broke up and each person ended their day in their own way. Almost as an afterthought Tony called up to the ceiling "Jarvis, let's see what we can do about getting replacement copies of all Shelby's paperwork, remember to look twenty two years back." " Yes sir" Jarvis replied. "would you like me to begin searching with any specific last name sir?" No, just one name, like Madonna, or Cher." Tony answered, he glanced slyly at pepper. "no Tony, you are not adopting her without her consent. Just one name on the illegally forged documents please Jarvis" pepper said, she knew it was pointless to try to stop him, but she could at least sway him some. "Of course Ms Potts, I shall have the results of my search by morning, sleep well Sir, ma'am." Jarvis bid them goodnight.

Clint followed Natasha to their shared floor, and into her room. "How long are you staying?" Natasha asked. She herself was unsure of her own answer to that same question. "Not sure yet, I thought I might stick around for a couple of days, help with the clean up and guard duty." He shrugged. Since he had reported in and been thoroughly checked over he was cleared to finish the current mission before being forced to take a mandatory vacation. "I was thinking about inviting Shelby to stay for a while." He finished after a short pause. Natasha couldn't hold in the laugh that followed clints statement, "you may find yourself in a fight between Tony and Thor." She wasn't the only one that had picked up the possessive feelings most of them had developed towards the cuddly girl. "I figured you saw it too." was clints reply. "Just make sure you have plenty of room, she does something to Bruce, it's almost like she can see both him and the hulk at the same time, she can calm them both, and that's not something Bruce is going to want to be far from. The Captains also becoming quite attached." She had slowly been making her way to the bedroom as they spoke. "Consider my room booked too." She told him as she rounded the corner. " You too Nat?" The smirk on his face clear in his voice. The smirk didn't last long when the quiet but extremely sincere "Yes" came from the darkness. Clint let himself out, he had important phone calls to make.

Bruce had resigned himself to sleeping on the couch, as long as she would allow,he would gladly be her pillow. He shifted position as slowly as he could, he hated the thought of disturbing her. Somehow he found himself in a comfortable place, more quickly and easily than should have been, he thought her magic was involved but couldn't be sure. Either way, he was now comfortable and Shelby had somehow ended up wrapped around him with her head resting over his heart. He decided it didn't really matter that he had more questions than ever before about her, he would let himself and the other guy soak in the calm that she induced in him. Not a bad way to end the day.

Thor sat in the mechanical chair Tony had provided for his use. He leaned back, allowing the chair to automatically raise his feet. He waved as each teammate retired for the evening. Thor used the glass panel Tony had given him to look through the book of faces to find how his lovely lady Jane fared this day.

Natasha lay in bed, her mind more calm than she had any right to expect, it seems that having made her decisions it allowed her to relax and sleep like she hadn't in years. She had left the door open, if he joined her she would share everything he wanted to know, she doubted he would be with her tonight, but she was going to leave the offer out there.

A/N seeking beta. Also I've been asked to leave better author notes. This story is best read as a rough draft. Below is something that has no bearing on the story but just a little background on how Clint's wife may feel.

Omake? This phone has only ever received calls from two of the three numbers that could call it. It never failed to stop her heart when it rang. It was her own personal torture device and her lifeline. When it rang in the middle of the night she woke fully before she even reached for the phone. She felt her pulse racing to catch up, it was a long few seconds before she registered more than his warm soothing voice, she hoped he took her confusion about the current conversation as the results of her being woken up in the early hours, and not her moment required to let herself breath again. She caught up quickly, what he was talking about would change everything. His news of Nat went a long way to showing her that everything had already changed. Natasha had been a very complicated situation at one time in her life. She would always wonder what could be happening when they were away together but she knew it didn't really matter, she would welcome him home like the hero he had always been to her, and her too should he not come home alone again.

She was worried, scared even, but she had made her choice, she wouldn't waver now. "You know i trust you, do what you need to, I'll get things ready here. I love you Clint, just make sure you come home soon." After a lingering goodnight Laura Barton laid down and fell into a deeper and more restful sleep than she was before.