Chapter 1:
The plane ride to the Avengers mansion seemed to take forever. Valli started to convince herself that she would never get to Manhattan... at least in a reasonable amount of time.
"Nervous?" the red haired woman sitting across from her asked. Valli kept forgetting her name, but she knew it started with an N.
"Um... just a little bit," replied Valli, looking up from her fidgeting hands. She couldn't believe that her community service assigned to her from her Uncle Nick was to assist the Avengers in any type of assistance that they might require. In other words, she was to babysit two master assassins, a demi-god, a guy who turned into enormous green rage monster, a playboy billionaire, and a super soldier. Yeah, this was going to be interesting.
"Don't worry," the woman said, giving her a reassuring smile. "You'll be just fine."
Valli returned the gesture with a faint smile of her own. She had a strong feeling that everything would be far from fine. Taking time out of her summer vacation to follow the Avengers around? Not being able to go home? Or hang with friends? Having to wait on six other people? Why would her Uncle do this to her? She would most definitely not be fine!
"Passengers, we will be arriving at our destination in approximately five minutes," announced the pilot over the intercom.
"Oh, great," Valli mumbled. This was definitely the beginning of the end for her. She could feel the plane slowly begin its descent towards the runway. Looking out the window, she saw the numerous buildings that were dotted about the city, some tall and thin, and others short and squatty. She spotted a larger building in the distance, and could barely make out the lettering that hung near the top. It said Avengers.
Valli felt her stomach turn as her anxiety started to set in. That building was going to be her home for the next six weeks. She instantly became homesick.
"Suck it up, Valli. Just get this over with," she whispered to herself.
As the plane came to a halt, she waited for the signal to unbuckle her seatbelt. When she heard the signal, she quickly began to grab her things and scurry for the exit. As she reached the bottom of the stairs that lead down from the jet, she noticed a man in a dark gray suit waiting next to a black limousine.
"Your ride is here," Natasha said from behind her.
"Wait." She turned around to the woman. "You're not coming with me?" she asked worriedly.
"No. Unfortunately, I have to return back to the Helicarrier. I think you can handle it from here on out. Don't worry though, we'll meet again." The curly redhead turned around and headed back up the flight of stairs, leaving Valli standing by herself in the empty airstrip. She swallowed thickly as the stairs began to rise from the jet. There was no turning back now.
Taking a deep breath, she walked towards the black limousine, her luggage in tow. The man in the dark suit took her luggage before opening the door. Valli looked at him suspiciously before getting into the vehicle. She couldn't see anything behind the sunglasses he wore. As she settled into her seat, it was a while before she noticed the person sitting directly across from her. "Hi there," he greeted. Valli jumped.
A man with dark scraggly hair and a goatee sat in front of her. She was in a vehicle with Tony Stark. She sat there staring at him, trying to figure out if what was happening was actually real.
"It's rude to stare... not that I mind it," he said with a smirk and a raised eyebrow.
"I- I wasn't staring," she blurted out, slightly embarrassed. "I was just... What are you doing here anyways?" she asked crossley as she folded her arms across her chest. Tony gave an amused laugh as he rested his head his his hand.
"Yes, you were staring, and I'm here to bring you to Stark... er... the Avengers Tower. Y'know, to get you acquainted."
"Acquainted? Wait... you mean now!?," Valli asked loudly. Stark nodded as he grabbed himself a drink, taking a drink. "But... but... I'm not ready."
"Not ready?" he retorted as he took another sip of his alcoholic beverage. "You seem ready to me. You're here, you're dressed, what else do you need to be?"
"I'm just... not ready."
"Oh, right... You women have this thing with makeup. There's a lavatory in the tower you can primp yourself up in... then you can meet them."
"It's not that," she stated, slightly agitated. Valli had a strong feeling she wasn't going to be quite fond of Mr. Stark. She looked out the window at the passing buildings and cars, seeing the nearing tower. Her heart began to race as she thought about meeting the rest of the Avengers.
Slowly, the car began to come to a halt. Tony grinned a wide grin, "We're home."
"Oh. Great," Valli said sarcastically.
"Oh come on," said Stark encouragingly. "It's not that bad...besides the others are worse than me, so you get the best first." Valli rolled her eyes. Okay...so maybe he was slightly funny, but she could now see why her Uncle had so many worry lines.
The ride up the elevator to the main floor in the Avenger's mansion was incredibly...awkward. Valli stood as far away from Tony as he sang to a corny 80's song that was playing through the speakers. She silently blew a sigh of relief when the doors opened to a hallway.
"Don't be nervous. These guys are losers. You've got nothing to be scared of," Tony tried to reassure her. "Besides, you look like you're sweating and that's kind of..ya know... gross".
"Gee, thanks," she said, dryly.
She really hoped she wasn't sweating. Was she that nervous? What was the big deal about these guys, they were just superheroes? There was nothing to be afraid of...right? The hallway led to a door, which Valli figured was the front door. On the other side, the Avengers would be waiting.
"Hey, do you mind if I use the bathroom first?" Valli asked.
Stark stopped at the door, typed in a code in to what seemed to be a key pad. Without looking at her he said, "Sure. Why not?"
The door opened to reveal four other men lounging around what seemed to be a huge living room. She tried to hurry and go find a bathroom before all of their attention was on her, until Stark grabbed her arm, pulling her beside him.
"What are you doing?!" squeaked Valli quietly. "You said I could use the bathroom!"
"Hmm, slipped my mind," he whispered back.
"What? How could-... "
"Everyone, everyone!" he bellowed into the room, completely ignoring Valli's protest. "I would like to have your attention!"
Valli looked everywhere but the site in front of her as she tried to break free of Stark's grasp.
"I would all like you to meet someone very special," he announced. All eyes turned to look up at them. Valli felt her heart drop into the pit of her stomach.
"Oh God," she mumbled. Stark let her arm go and motioned to her as he spoke.
"This is our new friend and ally who will have the pleasure of staying with us over the summer to make up for lost time while she was unable to work with her Uncle." He paused and watched their faces twist with slight confusion. "This lovely lady-.." Valli wanted to punch him. "Is the niece of our very good friend...Nick Fury." Several heads nodded when they heard to whom she was related. She clenched her fist into a tight ball.
"Gentlemen... "
"What's her name?," Clint cut in.
Tony shot him a perturb look. "I'm getting there, I'm getting there. And don't interrupt, Clint. It's rude." Banner snickered. Stark began in introduction again.
"Gentlemen, this is Valli... " he paused and blinked. "...um... Valli... " He waited a moment longer, looking down at the floor trying to remember the girl's name.
"Avalee," she whispered sourly to him.
"Valli Avalee!" he finished quickly with a flourish of his hand. He paused, thinking about what he had just said. He cocked his head to look back at her. "God, y'know that just rolls off your tongue. It's kinda like... like... " He rubbed his fingers together trying to think of the right word. He snapped them and pointed to Valli. "Like aluminosilicates... but with more V's," he finished smugly. Everyone else gave him a blank stare as Valli rolled her eyes. Bruce chuckled quietly at the back of the room.
"Uh-huh, there, see!?" Tony pointed towards Banner as he looked around at the others. "At least one person gets it," he exclaimed. An awkward silence took place in the room.
"Well, I think I'll go and find that bathroom now," Valli said, hoping with every fiber in her being to escape the room.
"Oh no, not yet," Tony said, pulling her back to him.
"Oh for goodness sakes, Stark!" said Steve. "Let the poor girl to the bathroom!"
Tony looked at him and then sighed, letting go of the girl. "But I wanted to have her look around first," he pouted childishly.
"The building will still be here when she gets out," pointed out Clint.
"Alright," relented Tony. He turned back to Valli. "The bathroom is out those doors and is the second one on the left." She nodded and hurried out the doors on the opposite side of the room.