I am sooo sorry about my complete disappearance. School and work decided to kick my ass, then I got a serious case of writers block. But with the upcoming Ultron movie and the newest trailer being released I have renewed my efforts in finishing this story. So as per usual:

I do not own the characters just my OC :)

Previously:

She slowly dried her tears and slowly turned her heads towards her companions and offered a small smile in appreciation. Slowly they drew towards her as she began to stand, wiping off the sand on her knees and hands.

"Alexis? Is that you?"

Lexi turned her head to the familiar voice. "Riel!" She was frozen in her spot, her best friend whom she called brother was standing in front of her. Her dried up tears resurfaced upon seeing him. He dropped the rucksack he was carrying and ran towards her. She met him half way embracing him in a bone crushing hug. Lexi pulled back enough to take a look at Riel's face. She was met with his megawatt smile Riel could show his smile and anyone was instantly infected, she included. "I can't believe your ok, where have you been? Do you know what happened? I can't believe your ok! You're ok right? Oh my god I have to take you to see the elder council! We've been waiting for you to come home. You are ok, right?" Lexi let loose a small giggle at Riel's ranting, knowing that this would be his reaction to seeing her. He never changes does he? "Slow down Riel, I am fine, the people behind me helped me come home. And I would also like to see the elder council, I have much I would like to discuss with them." While stating this the rest of her companions started to gather closer to Lexi. When she mentioned then Riel moved his head to inspect them. Then with a quick frown that was replaced by his smile he released Lexi from his arms but remained holding her hand. He gave a ceremonious greeting to her companions and thanked them for returning Lexi. After his quick address he turned them around and stated he would take them to the elder council, leaving the totems and the burnt village behind.

God I'm turning into a jealous hormonal teenager. You need to calm down he is from her village, she's grown up with him. Steve walked behind the group of people heading up a steep mountain trail, trying to explain his emotions regarding how Lexi and the man, that was introduced as Riel, walked hand-in-hand exchanging pleasant chit-chat and catching up on what has happened during her disappearance. He wanted to provide his comfort to the grieving woman when she caught sight cemetery, but chose to give her privacy in her intimate vulnerability. Yet when Riel showed up her response to his arrival was more than he expected. He grew jealous by the attention he was giving her and the smile that she gave to him. How I wish it was me that placed that smile on her face...wait, WHAT?!...god I've barely known her 3 days and she's reduced me to an emotional baby. He paused in his musings only to be broke out of them but Tony yelling for him to move his popsicle ass (his words) and catch up.

Time Skip

"Well that could have gone a lot better than it did." Clint was resting overhang leading to the entrance of the village cave. Having met the elder council and asking various questions regarding what happened. It just so happened that Banners assumption of Lexi being experimented on was spot on.

Her father, was a foreigner who claimed had fell in love with her mother. He would leave the village to return to society as a doctor and visit when he could. Lexi's mother eventually became pregnant and gave birth to Lexi and died while in labour. Her granny took over in taking care of the child, the first and last time the village saw her father was about 5 years after Lexi's birth. Apparently he stayed in the village for 4 months before mysteriously disappearing one night and nobody has seen him since. Shortly after his disappearance Lexi began to show signs of sickness and was therefore isolated from the rest of the village, only the elder council and her granny were allowed to visit her. During this time her powers began to manifest. Granny promised to help her control and harness her powers while the elder council wanted to exile her. However changed their mind when granny convinced them she wasn't a threat (Go Granny!). Over time Lexi was able to return to normal life in the village. Until the day they were attacked.

"I still can't believe they would do that to her! I mean yeah; those people were looking for her, but still that's no excuse to exile her." Tony was not impressed with how the elder council treated Lexi, they made him feel uncomfortable and clearly didn't want them there. She doesn't deserve this type of treatment, sure she has powers, sure she might be a little reckless, maybe even a little crazy (considering she hugged Fury) I mean his face will crack if he isn't leering at something. He exhaled a huge puff of air and looked at the woman in question. He couldn't understand why he was so overprotective of her, or what made him drawn to her, he wanted to shield her and make her smile. God I must be getting old, I sound like such a pansy; almost like Capsicle. He chuckled under his breath on that one. He saw the looks Steve gave towards Lexi, he knew that Steve was attracted to her, who wouldn't be with her body, yet Tony didn't appreciate some of the looks that passed between the two. God I sound like an outdate father who is trying to keep a suitor away from his daughter. On that one he outright laughed causing various sets of eyes from his companions to shift towards him thinking he was crazy. A small shrug of the shoulders and went searching for the woman who was slowly becoming his daughter/younger sister.

Lexi looked out over the valley, taking in the various features. The forest, the river, the remains of her village, and the cemetery. She remembered climbing up this mountain and discovering the cave she spent many nights laying in the mouth of it and getting in touch with her earth and air elements. She slowly breathed through her nose bringing in as much oxygen as she could then slowly released it. She would miss her valley, but she needed to find the people who were after her.

She had agreed with the elder council that she needed to leave the valley, she had to ensure that the villagers remained safe and protect them from another attack. She didn't care that they would call her an exile as long as she was able to return and pay respect to her Granny when it was all over. She would miss everyone terribly however she would avenge Granny and all the others that fell, and she would protect her people with her last breath. She had to go; plus I also promised Fury I would return. Lexi gave a soft chuckle to her earlier actions with Fury and how flustered they had both been afterwards. To be honest she was excited to travel, she wanted to see the world and experience everything it had to offer her. She wanted to continue travelling with her rescuers, no that's not right; my friends. She smiled to that thought.

Just then Tony sat down beside her and offered her his lopsided smirk "You know; you can always come back with us. We can help you figure this all out. Plus I think Banner wants to make you his new guinea pig." Lexi let loose a hearty laugh, which caused Tony to break out into a smile. She nodded her head, "yes well as long as there isn't so many loud noises as the last time I was up and I get to keep my clothes I might agree." Tony shook his head at her then proceeded to get up.

The sun was just starting to hide behind the mountain causing its shadow to cast over a part of the forest slowly reaching towards the village. She watched as the shadow slowly engulfed the village and cemetery and reach and slowly creep towards the river. She hadn't realized how long she had sat there for it wasn't until she noticed that Steve was sitting beside her that she withdrew from her hazy mind and looked at him.

"You ok?" Steve inquired, she gave a tentative smile to his rather ambiguous question, "yeah I think so, I understand why they did it; just hurts to hear it I guess," she replied while looking out on the valley. Steve furrowed his brow at her emotionless voice. How is she ok with this? Shouldn't she feel something? She was just exiled for being her. She turned towards him and flashed him a megawatt smile. "Yet I'm happy that I can leave. I have always wanted to see more of the world, I knew there was more out there than this valley but was too afraid to leave. You all have given me a reason to leave and the elder council has given me the means to do so. I'm upset to leave my family, but I get to travel with my new friends." Her smile never faltered and Steve was genuinely surprised. She is so brave even when everything seems like it's working against her.

Steve gently took one of Lexi's hands that was resting in her lap and clasped it in both of his. He looked Lexi in the eye and returned his own smile, relieved to know that they weren't separating just yet, and show that she didn't have to act tough in front of him. She giggled in return and leaned her head against his shoulder and gave a soft sigh. "Just let me sit here a bit longer. Then we can go." Steve gave a small squeeze to her small dainty hand and rested his cheek against her head, inhaling her unique smell. "Take as long as you need."