Two days and one stopover for fuel later, the BUS sat stoically in one of S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters spacious aircraft hangers. Bella had spent the majority of the flight over in the lab with her new friends Leo and Jemma, of whom she was particularly fond of; making sure to steer clear of Agent Triplett (despite being assured he would not retaliate after the incident in the lab); avoiding Agent May (which wasn't all that hard considering she mostly keep to the cockpit or her bunk); and becoming particularly shy and nervous whenever she was approached by Skye, (which thankfully wasn't all too often).
During her time working in the lab it had been concluded that she'd clearly had extensive training in engineering and chemistry, was proficient physics and had a sound understanding of other scientific disciplines. This wasn't all too surprising to the rest of the team considering she had been working in some capacity at Stark Industries. Nevertheless, it did appear that not only was she very intelligent but also, earlier in her life she had dedicated a considerable amount of time to the disciplines. There hadn't been time to try anything outside of the sciences but Agent Coulson assured her they would continue their investigation as soon as they were airborne again.
Upon the early morning landing, Bella was immediately whisked off to another barren and monochrome room, much like the one she had been staying in aboard the BUS. She was left to wait for about forty five minutes, which she did very patiently, before she was debriefed by a awfully stern looking agent who made it abundantly clear that he was not a fan of hers. Despite his outward disapproval, Isabella kept her answers quiet, polite and straight to the point, reasoning that the sooner she gave the man the information he needed, the sooner she would be out of there. Also, it gave him no reason to get in her face much like another agent of S.H.I.E.L.D had done only a few days ago. Instead, the irritable-looking agent was giving her a wide berth and she planned to keep it that way. When he finally closed the grey folder in front of him and stood stiffly, Bella felt instantly relieved.
Eying the tiny girl with a hard look, the Agent spoke gruffly, "It appears you're cleared for consultation duty on Agent Coulson's team." He said before turning and making his way towards the door. "Don't know how the hell he managed to swing it though." She heard him mutter before leaving the room.
Once the door closed Bella allowed a smile to creep onto her face, for some reason she was extremely thrilled at the prospect of staying aboard the BUS with Coulson. Probably in no small part due to the hundreds of things she wanted to try out in that lab of theirs as well as the two scientist she was now immensely find of. Isabella stayed seated, fiddling with the hem of Simmons dress, not too sure as to what the protocol was. She didn't have to wait for too long though. Less than five minutes after the agent had left, the door burst open again, quickly dissolving the smile Isabella was sporting earlier. She jumped up and was on her feet in an instant, not at all fond of sudden movements or loud noises. But she eased up, ever so slightly, on recognizing the intruder.
"Coulson just told me the good news! Congratulations, you're part of the team!" exclaimed Skype before rushing over and enveloping Bella in a hug. Bella's response was, of course, to stand stock still and try to process the quick succession of events which led to this uncomfortable end.
"Ah!" bubbled Skye, finally stepping back and releasing the rattled girl. "Sorry, I'm not usually one to jump in for a hug, but I'm just super excited. This is going to be so much fun! Well, you know, when we're not fighting bad guys or whatever." Skye began making her way to the the door, and after a moment of hesitation, Bella trailed after her.
"Oh, and guess what. Coulson said that you might want something a little more personal than the 'personal' effects S.H.I.E.L.D provided, believe me, I've seen them and you don't want them; you'll end up looking like a clone of May. Anyway, he gave me this." Skype pulled out a shiny black bank card from somewhere on her person with a triumphant flash. "He said, and I quote 'Go crazy kid'. Not that I really appreciate being called kid but- Hey, are you alright?" Skye stopped, perhaps only then noticing that Bella hadn't spoken a word and was sporting a bit of a 'deer in the headlights' look.
"Sorry, I know we haven't properly met I guess. I don't mean to upset you, I know you're a bit… skittish." Syke apologized looking at the girl anxiously.
Isabella faltered for a beat, biting her lip apprehensively. "No, no its okay. Just... nervous is all." She answered with a hesitant smile. Despite the fact that Skye was loud, fierce and blunt, perhaps the exact opposite of Bella, she couldn't deny that the young woman radiated warmth and genuineness, and had only been looking to help her.
"Okay. Good." Replied Skye, offering a smile of her own. "Come on, we'll go and see if Simmons wants to join us." She said turning round and heading off down the hallway again, Bella once again in tow. "I already asked May, but she said something boring about… I can't remember, paperwork probably."
Skye led Bella through the maze that Skye revealed was called the Hub. Apparently it was the headquarters of this S.H.I.E.L.D and that it was 'super cool' that she was allowed in there. Soon enough they came upon Simmons lab, which looked even more amazing than the one aboard the BUS.
"Oh hello there!" Greeted Simmons from behind a computer, looking up as the two entered the lab. "Isabella, I wasn't aware that you'd finished with Agent Bartholomew."
"So thats his name! I swear, that guy gets up on the wrong side of the bed everyday." Skye grumbled.
"I just finished, he said I was cleared for consultant duty." Bella answered Simmons.
"Well, isn't that good news." Simmons replied.
"What's good news?" asked Fitz, entering the room fiddling with a small silver device. "Oh, hi Bella."
"Isabella finished her evaluation and she's allowed to stay on as a consultant." Explained Simmons.
"Oh, congratulations! Good thing Agent Bartholomew didn't decide to muck things up, they've already started putting an extra bunk in the BUS."
"Before we get too off topic, Simmons, we came here to see if you wanted to join us shopping. Coulson gave me his card and I am in some serious need of some retail therapy." Offered Skye.
"Well, I'm not doing anything too important here..." Simmons began, pausing briefly to consider the offer. "I suppose a little shopping wouldn't hurt."
"If you want I can drop you guys off?" Offered Fitz, " I'm heading over that way. Gotta pick up some spare parts from a private engineering lab."
Forty-five minutes later, Bella found herself in the change room of a high end clothes shop. A small collection of items hung in the small room with her.
"Okay, how about this one?" She asked, pulling back the curtain to reveal herself to the two girls waiting on the other side.
"I love it!" Declared Skye immediately.
"I'm not sure. I mean, it's pretty, but how functional is it really." Offered Simmons, examining the garment with a critical eye.
"Who cares if its functional, she looks hot!" rebutted Skye
Bella turned and looked at herself in the mirror. The dress she wore was black and clung to her body nicely. It covered down to her knee but had a slightly lowered neckline, making her look extremely classy. But the dress wasn't all that Bella noticed. She had changed too. She was still fairly skinny, having lost so much weight during the time she was 'drained', but she was putting on weight steadily and beginning to look healthier. Her complexion had improved tenfold, something she had Simmons to thank for. A certain golden glow had returned to her skin, long, dark hair was looking less thin and brittle, the bags under her eyes were far less noticeable and her dark eyes seemed less hollow.
"So, what do you think?" Asked Skye.
Bella tipped her head to the side, scrutinizing her appearance once again, before nodding with a half smile. "I really like it… Thanks guys."
"Hey, don't thank us, thank Coulson." Skye replied brandishing the sleek black bank card once again.
Bella laughed slightly, Skye not quite understanding just exactly what she was thanking them for. After being in that facility for so long, Isabella didn't think there existed a place to start rebuilding herself. But this small group of people had welcomed her so readily. Bellas was beginning to think there might just be a place to fix herself up after all.
An hour later, the three young woman emerged from the shop with five bags between them and a giddy feeling for each.
The rest of the morning, and part of the afternoon, was spent covering as much ground as they could. Simmons opted for more functional clothing, often with a cute or girly flair whilst Skye preferred more fun choices with a slightly tomboyish look. Bella was able to find a happy medium between the two. After hours of intense shopping, the trio decided to stop for lunch at a small cafe.
"... It was, like, huge, I couldn't believe it; but then, Fitz runs into the room and his hair is standing up everywhere, slightly singed-" Skye described to the other two giggling girls.
"He looked like toasted Einstein!" Added Simmons amidst laughter.
"Yeah, and he's screaming about something to do with a- Oh, hang on" paused skye, looking at the caller ID on her phone. "It's Coulson, gotta take it."
"Hey Coulson."
"Skye, we're going to need you guys back here. Maintenance on the BUS has been completed and we've been reassigned. We're flying out in 30 minutes."
"Sure no worries AC." Replied skye
"Not my name Skye."
"See you soon!" Skye replied chirpily, dismissing Phil before hanging up so as not to be reprimanded further.
"Coulson wants us back at the hub, we're leaving in 30 minutes apparently." Skye reported to her two comrades.
"I think I've got more than I need anyway." Said Bella, looking at the copious amounts of bags she had accumulated.
"Not a second too soon. I am exhausted." sighed Simmons.
"What kind of a woman are you!" Jested Skye
"We're cruising at 35 000 feet. ETA is 9 hours and 15 minutes." May announced as she entered the briefing room where the rest of the team awaited.
"Good to hear." Coulson responded before addressing the entire room. "Okay team, we're headed to Houston, Texas. Apparently there's been a sighting of a UFO. Normally we wouldn't be sent out for this sort of thing but it was the local police force who contacted us, and they seemed pretty adamant."
"A UFO? Really, like, from space?" Skye asked
"That's what we're here to find out. Apart from the local PD and the eyewitnesses, there's no one else on the scene at the moment."
"Usual procedure for a 804?" Triplett asked.
Coulson nodded in acknowledgement "As for you Isabella, so far it seems you're best suited with FitzSimmons, just stick with them and they'll show you the ropes. Apart from that, just make sure you all are ready when we land." Coulson finished
"Oh, and one more thing." Coulson added "We need to test out how you are when it comes to combat Isabella. How about you and May set out the training mats and have a go."
Isabella cast a quick glance over to May, meeting her gaze for half a second before dropping her eyes. The very thought of trying to fight someone frightened her to no end, but she didn't dare contradict Agent Coulson.
"I'll meet you down there in 20" May said stiffly before leaving the briefing room, prompting the others to do the same.
Bella felt the nerves accumulate as she made her way down the stairs to the training area which had been set up in front of the lab. She wore a pair of black leggings and a black shirt, each adorned with the S.H.I.E.L.D logo. They had been provided for her along with a few other bare essentials which made up the 'personal effects' S.H.I.E.L.D considered necessary. On her feet though, she had opted for the bright neon pink pair of runners Skye had convinced her to buy earlier that day.
She wrung her hands nervously as she surveyed the area. Simmons and Fitz had come along to support her and were chatting among themselves in the lab. Her new friend Skye had tagged along to, and currently watched from the landing at the top of the stairs along with Coulson. Agent May had been chosen to put her through her paces and was currently stretching out on the far side of the mat. The only person who wasn't there to watch her was Triplett, which Isabella was quietly thankful for.
Bella took her place on the mat adjacent Agent May. "Okay, we don't know how advanced Isabella is, so start with something gentle May" Colson called out from up above.
May only nodded in response before assuming what Bella assumed to be some kind of fighting stance. May then began to move towards Bella quickly, and it was all that Bella could do not to turn and run. Seconds from impact Isabella squeezed her eyes shut braced herself. Next thing she knew she had been knocked onto her backside.
"Not a problem Bella! Just shake it off!" Simmons called out supportively from the sidelines despite the grimace she wore.
May offered her hand out to Bella, helping her to her feet once more. "Try to keep you eyes open this time, they?" May jested.
Unfortunately for Bella, the rest of the brief 20 minute stint on the mats continued in much the same way; and walking away, Bella was certain she would be in pain for days.
"So, not really a fighter then?" Syke offered, catching up to Bella as she made her way towards the bathroom.
"You think?" Bella replied sarcastically. "I feel like I just got run over by a rhino with an eating problem."
Syke laughed slightly before replying. "Yeah, May kinda let you have it. But don't worry, it's not personal, I think she's just kind of programmed like that."
"Well I'm going to see if any of these bruises will rinse off." Bella said, stopping in front of the bathroom.
"No worries, I'll see you tomorrow." Skye replied, turning towards her own cabin.
"Oh and Skye," Bella spoke up, making Skye to turn and face her once more "Thanks again for today. It was really fun."
"Not a problem" Skye replied with a genuine smile "It's nice to hear you actually say more than two words" she joked, half-serious.
Bella smiled, turning her face towards the ground, slightly embarrassed.
"See you in the morning." Skye called over her shoulder, heading off once more.
A little while later, after an immensely soothing shower, Bella exited the bathroom and headed towards her cabin to retire for the night.
That night, for the first time in months, Isabella dreamt. In her dream, she was once again strapped up to that awful contraption in the facility. Around her, people milled about completing tasks that Isabella couldn't determine. Just out of reach, their faces indiscernible; Isabella felt as if she was in the center of a fog. The whole situation filled her with a sense of foreboding and trepidation deep in her gut.
Every so often, something would become slightly clearer, a man working on a strange crimson contraption, a nicely dressed woman carrying a stack of papers, shiny lab equipment in some sort of basement. Isabella couldn't discern what any of it was, which only serving in making her feel even more uneasy.
Suddenly, the fog began to swirl and thicken around her. Voices, which were once a subtle white noise, grew louder and louder, overlapping and crashing together until it became an entirely indiscernible, deafening nonsense in her ears. The fog swirled around her, faster and faster, so thick now that nothing showed through. Then, eyes began to appear amidst the thick fog, but she found no comfort there. They stared at her unrelentingly, some disgusted, some accusing some even hateful. Emotions welled up inside Isabella at this bombardment of her senses. She felt sick with it all, and wanted nothing more than shut her eyes and ears and curl up in a ball to cry.
She woke up abruptly, her breathing fast and erratic and a thin layer of sweat covering her. Her bed had been messed up around her, no longer providing a cocoon of sheets to keep her safe. She was suddenly very glad for the privacy of her new bunk, not wanting anyone to see her in such a state. Running her hand through her messy brown curls and down the back of her neck she tried to calm herself. She glanced at the small digital clock that rested on the built-in bedside table, 5.30.
"Well, now's a good a time to get up as any, I guess." She muttered to herself, swinging her legs out of bed onto the carpeted floor of her new bedroom. Her eyes rested on the tablet Simmons had given her when she first arrived, lingering there as she considered the engraving once more. But it only triggered the sickening feeling from her dream, so instead she pulled on her slippers and made her way down the lab in her sleep shorts and top.