So, I need to apologize. I have not updated this in a very long time and Im sorry. I am back though and have written much more. I have a plan for this story, but it is still only the start. Sorry if the pace of the story seems slow, but I need to build relationships before I can progress with the really good stuff.
Serenity sat at her desk in the laboratory, fiddling with a small gadget. She had a pair of dark glasses on as she soldered components together. She hummed a tune as she worked on the product in hand. Natasha had been putting her through very rigorous training over the last few days. She did not have much time for anything other than her mandatory projects. However, Natasha gave her a day off to relax her muscles. So she took that time to make the EMP device she promised Bucky. She was rarely in a bad mood, but Natasha never put her in a happy one when they did their sparing lessons. Natasha would push and instigate to get her more worked up. It was nice to have a day off and focus on better things. Serenity's concentration did not seem to break when Bruce walked up to her desk. He observed her as she worked, but it was not long before she stopped. Turning around, she peeked over the glasses to see him better.
She raised her brow, "May I help you?" She asked, suspicious of his presence.
He smiled slightly and looked down at what she was working on, "Whatcha makin?" He tilted his head slightly, his tone playful.
She rolled her eyes, but smiled slightly, "If you don't realize what this is, then I'm ashamed to call you my colleague." She pushed her glasses back into place and continued.
He nodded, "Yes, I do know what it is. However, my curiosity is wondering why you are making it?" He turned and leaned against the desk. Looking at her instead of the object in her hand.
She continued her work as she spoke, "It's an upgrade for Bucky's arm. I figured it would help on missions from time to time."
He nodded again, pursing his lips as he raised his brow. However, he remained silent, pushing himself away from the desk. He walked back over to his side of the lab and continued his work. She stopped for a second and watched from the corner of her eye as he did so. She returned her focus back to the task at hand. However, it was not long before she was finished. She removed her glasses and gloves before picking up the device. It was about the size of a golf ball, if not a bit smaller. She smiled at her accomplishment. After placing the object safely in the drawer of her desk, she turned around to see Bruce's face buried in a microscope.
"Hey, I'm gonna head down to the cafeteria, what anything?" She asked as she walked over to a hand sink that was nearby.
He did not look up from his position as he replied, "A cup of coffee would be nice."
Serenity finished washing her hands and nodded, "Can do."
Once in the cafeteria, she made her way to the counter, surprised to find there was no line. She ordered Bruce a black coffee and a tea for herself. While waiting for her drinks, she scanned the room. She saw the same familiar faces, but not the one she wanted. Since she was finish with the EMP device, she figured she would let Bucky know. A figure walked up from behind, causing Serenity to jump a little.
"Looking for someone?" Asked Natasha as she looked out into the crowd with Serenity.
"No, just people watching." She replied much quicker than she should have, sounding almost defensive.
Natasha seemed to notice, but refrained from bringing it up, "You have been getting much better on your techniques in training. We still have some work to do, but not to shabby." Natasha stated, looking over at Serenity with a mischievous smile. "You have been back in the rhythm for a few days now, so I think we should switch up your training."
"Your drinks, Serenity." Stated the young man behind the counter.
Serenity grabbed them from the barista and thanked the young man. She turned back to Natasha and sighed, "If you insist, however, I don't think I need such intense training. I don't go on missions, I just wanted a few lessons. That way I could defend myself if needed." She motioned her head towards the entrance of the cafeteria and made her way in that direction.
Natasha followed, crossing her arms, displeased with Serenity's response. "If there ever comes a time when you have to defend yourself, the people you will be up against will be professionals. They will have years of training, you wouldn't last a minute with only a few lessons. We can stop if you want, but I suggest you continue."
Serenity was quiet as they walked down the halls. She could not help but agree with what Natasha was saying. They had been compromised before and it could surely happen again. Her job was simple enough, she was a mechanical engineer. However, the harsh truth was that she was vulnerable. She knew so much about SHIELD and the inner workings of their security. She created weapons and defenses alike. If she was ever taken, there is no telling what might be done to her to get information. She did not realize that she had not spoken for several minutes, she was awoken from her daze by Natasha's fingers snapping in front of her face. Serenity stopped in her tracks and shook her head.
"Sorry. You're right though…I never really thought about that before." She was still in thought about it all. How weak she really was in comparison to the professionals around her.
"So you'll continue?" Natasha asked hopefully.
Serenity nodded and continued walking back towards the lab. Natasha informed her that she must parts ways, there was some sort of briefing she had to attend. They said their goodbyes and Serenity was now back in the lab. Bruce had not moved from his seat. She smiled and walked over to him, sitting the coffee on his desk. He looked up for a second and thanked her for it. Grabbing it quickly, he took a hearty gulp from it, letting out a sigh of satisfaction after.
"Thanks, I needed that." He stated with a smile as he turned back to his microscope.
"No problem, you look like you needed one." She said with a slight giggle at the end.
"Oh thanks." The sarcasm dripping heavily from his lips.
She walked back over to her desk and took a sip of her tea, letting out the same sigh of satisfaction as Bruce. She was just about to sit down when Bruce asked, "Couldn't find Bucky?"
She stopped, but did not turn around, "I wasn't looking for him." It was both the truth and a lie. She had not gone out of her way to look for him, but she was looking along the way.
Bruce smiled under his microscope, "I heard he just got back from a mission. He should be back for at least a few days if not more."
Serenity's brow perked up as she brought her thumb to mouth, biting it slightly. She removed it before speaking again, "Oh. Good to know. I will keep that in mind."
She sat back down at her desk and looked at the different arrowheads neatly placed in a container on her desk. "Do you know if Clint is back too? I'm done with his new arrows."
"Umm…I think so." Bruce looked up from his microscope for a second, "I'm pretty sure he was on the same mission with Bucky."
She shook her head and grabbed the container. She pulled the the desk drawer open and looked at the EMP device. She smiled and shut the drawer back. With her tea still in hand, she tucked the container under her arm.
"FRIDAY, where is Clint?" She seemed to be speaking to thin air.
A female, Irish voice filled the room, "He is on level 4, in a briefing meeting in room 1."
"Thank you." She said with a smile.
"You are welcome." Stated FRIDAY.
Serenity walked out of the lab at a brisk pace, unaware that Bruce was watching her from the corner of his eye. A smile on his face as he watched her walk out of the room and down the hall. She made her way up the stairs to the next level. She walked down the hall and could see through the glass wall into the conference room. Clint, Natasha, Steve, and Bucky all sat around a table speaking with a man in his 40s. She knew him as Agent Coulson, a man many thought to be dead. After the war, he thought it best to announce to the team he was in fact alive. They were all so happy to hear it, but it was hard for others at first. She leaned up against the opposite wall in the hall and sipped her tea. She drank it fast and threw the cup in a nearby trash can. It was only about five minutes before they were all down. She thought it was rather fast for a briefing, but that must mean things went well. The team gathered up and headed out the door.
She walked over to Clint, as he exited the room, but made a glance at Bucky. "Hey Clint, I got your new batch of arrowheads." She stated while handing them over to him.
"Great! Thanks Serenity." Clint was bursting with glee as he took them from her. "Did you up the explosive power like I asked?" He mentioned while pulling one out to examine it.
She glanced at Bucky once more, who was speaking with Steve and Natasha. His eyes flickered over to see her after she glanced, but he quickly looked away. "Yes, I also added a few arrows with a knockout gas. It will put your target to sleep within seconds. Effectively keeping them under for at least half an hour." She stated with a smile as she bounced on her toes.
"Awesome, thanks again. Great craftsmanship as always too." He placed the arrow back in the case.
She leaned forward a bit and whispered, "I also tipped each one with Vibranium, they will pierce anything. It is only the very tip, which will be more than enough to penetrate armor."
He nodded with an impressed look and gave her a pat on the shoulder, "Good work."
She nodded as he walked away, leaving her within just a few feet of Bucky and the others. He looked over at her again, but did not break eye contact until Steve seemed to notice.
Steve smiled at Serenity, "Hey there, how have you been?"
She walked over to them, "Good, just dropping off some new arrowheads to Clint."
Natasha smiled and turned her attention to Steve, "Hey Steve, I almost forgot, I had something I needed to tell you. Mind going for a quick walk?"
He shook his head, "Not at all, ladies first." He said while gesturing towards the hall.
"I'll see you later, Buck." Steve said while patting his friend's shoulder.
Bucky nodded, but did not reply. He simply stood in front of Serenity, trying to avoid eye contact. She was looking down at her shoes, hands hidden behind her back. She played with her fingers as he rubbed the back of his neck.
She closed her eyes for a second, then looked up at him, "I finished that EMP device I told you about."
He looked surprised when she said this, "Really? I didn't think you were serious about that."
She shrugged in a confusion, "Why wouldn't I be? I said I would. I know you don't know me that well, but I normally follow through with things I say I'm going to do."
He let out a small smile, "Well, good to hear."
She brought her hands out in front of her, "If you have time right now, we can head back to my lab." She still looked up at him, her eyes full of hopefulness.
He nodded, "Lead the way."
She smiled and spun around, walking towards the stairs. However, Bucky stopped her with a question. "Why not take the elevator?"
She glanced over at the metal doors and took a deep breath, "I'm good, it's only one floor down anyway." She turned back around and bounced down the stairs.
Bucky followed suit, quickly catching up to her. They walked in silence, which boded well for him. Conversations were not his strong suit. His mind was buzzing on what he would even begin to talk about with her. She seemed so smart, he wondered if he could even speak the same language as her. He was one step behind her the whole way, trying not to in crouch on her space. Soon enough, they had arrived to her lab. She noticed that Bruce was no longer there. She opened the door and motioned for Bucky to enter. He was slightly surprised by her action, but entered the lab regardless. He looked around at the glass walls and metal tables. However, despite it being a lab, it felt rather lived in. There were notebooks and knick knacks on the tables. Even a couch with some blankets thrown on it. Labs were never usually a safe place for him, but some how this place always felt like it was. However, the glass walls were a bit difficult to get use to.
"Feels like we are on display in here." Bucky said as she walked over to one of the walls.
"Oh, yeah. That's an easy fix. FRIDAY, can you give us some privacy?" Serenity asked aloud.
"Of course." Within seconds of her reply, the glass fogged over and was no longer transparent.
Bucky reached up and touched the glass, "wow…" Those were the only words that seemed to be able to slip from his lips.
Serenity smiled at his simple reaction, "Is that better?" She asked giving him a soft look of concern.
He nodded and turned to look back at her, "Yeah. Thanks."
She motioned for him to take a seat at a nearby chair. He obliged as she walked over to her desk. There she removed her black bag from before and the EMP device. She sat down in her chair and pushed herself over to him. She sat the bag on the edge of the desk and began setting up. Bucky watched her as she neatly placed everything out. She turned over to him and brought the device to his view.
"So this is the EMP. I will place it in your arm and once complete you will be able to control it. All you have to do is press down on the right panel and think about activating it and it will activate. This will shut down anything and everything electronic within about a 100 foot radius. Make sense?" She asked as she handed the device over to him.
He took it and looked at it more closely, "This little thing can turn off devices." He appeared amazed by it.
"Eh, it does a lot more then turn them off. It actually makes them unusable. So be careful when and where you use. It could get you out of a bind if need be." She stated as she inspected her gear.
Bucky kept the device in hand as he turned to look at her, "Thanks for doing this, but…why are you doing this?" He raised his brow and looked at his metal arm. "I mean just a few weeks ago, I broke your nose."
Serenity let out a sigh of frustration, "Oh my god! You are going to have to get over that!" Her voice was raised, borderline yelling. However, she took a second and took a deep breath, "Look I'm not worried about it. It was an accident, plain and simple. You apologized, I forgave you, end of story. Bring it up again and I will reconsider that forgiveness part." She stated while shaking a pair of pliers at him.
He smiled, "Ok, I won't."
"Good, and to answer your other question, I'm doing this because I like helping people. Now, I need you to pull the sleeve up on your shirt. That way I can get to the right part of your arm." She said while turning to face him completely.
He nodded and proceeded to remove his entire shirt. Serenity had no time to stop him, for it was off within seconds. She could feel her face heat up as she looked at his body. He was chiseled like a marble statue made by Michelangelo. She turned away trying to hide her face, as well as trying not to be caught looking so intently. She took a deep breath and turned back with tools in hand.