Chapter 3

*Thwack*

I feel myself let out a low moan as I turn over and burrow myself deeper into the soft, down, comforter.

*thwack*

"Hey butthead. How about you get out from underneath there so your amazing big sister can see if you've picked up any of my massive swagger. I was the one out fighting bad guys half the night. Get uppppp"

*thwack*

"I'm awake" I mumble groggily underneath my layers of blanket

"Liar liar bed on fire"

Then with a woosh, my comforter was stolen. Exposing me to. Ugh. Daylight.

It was awful.

I jump up in a huff and shudder as my bare feet make contact with the cold, tile floor.

And then the realization dawned on me

"...sis..?" I screeched.

But she was already there. Enveloping me in a gigantic bear hug.

"Got you" she whispered into the top of my head. Then, she lifted me up as if I weighed nothing at all, and started twirling around the room with me.

It was magical, beautiful, and painful all at the same time. But I couldn't help but relish in the moment as I breathed in her scent. For the first time in years, I felt loved. I felt like I had finally found home. All too soon, she set me down and held me at arms length.

"Here, let me have a good look at you" she said with a proud grin.

I took her in too.

She had gotten so beautiful.

She still has the same fire red hair. Which was basically the only likeness that we still shared. Her green eyes were bright and full of life. Her face had thinned out just enough to highlight her cheekbones. She had the perfect upturned nose. Full lips. And I couldn't help but wince at the gigantic, purple bruise starting at her right temple all the way down to her chin

Apparently she noticed. I saw something dark flicker at the corner of her vision and she lightly brushed her fingertips against it. Then, she squared her shoulders, plastered on another huge smile, and clasped her hands together.

" so, you hungry or what?" She chimed with strained enthusiasm.

"I'm always hungry"

"Some things never change" she said with a chuckle as she ruffled my hair playfully

I had just then, really began to take in my surroundings in the bright morning light. I discovered something very disturbing. I didn't remember much about what I did last night before I fell asleep. But this wasn't right. I was fairly sure that I didn't even change my clothes last night. But the jeans, sweater, and running trainers were gone. I was now barefoot and in a pair of blue, silk pajamas. My trainers looked like they had been polished and were lying on a mat next to the door.

"Uhh.. Sis.." I stammered with an edge of panic after absorbing my appearance. "I don't recognize these clothes. And I left my shoes on last night."

"Oh, it was probably one of the clean up bots, or something. Tony has had them all over the place ever since we moved in. He's a bit of a neat freak. You can't really tell whose going to pop up around here. Someone might just pop in through the wall without even knocking. But you get used to it. Dress quickly, never sleep naked. It works out. So, are we going or not? If we don't hurry, captain beefcake will eat all the bacon and eggs."

"Yes of course. Let me just run to the bathroom and get some fresh clothes. I'll be right with you." I mumble a bit distractedly as I fumble for my toiletries.

"Nope"

"Excuse me?"

Before I even knew what was happening, she's slamming into me at full speed and hefts my poorly hygiened, frizzy haired, pajama wearing self over her shoulder. She makes a grand exit from my room and starts trudging down the hall with me in tow.

So naturally, after repeatedly getting hit in the head by a passing wall and jostled about in a manner that is fit for no human to withstand, I would be lying if I said that I wasn't more than slightly nauseated by the time that my wonderful.. Caring.. Sister actually put me down. We were at the end of a brightly lit, pristine condition, hallway standing in front of a set of large, steel, double doors. Natahsa heaved a sigh and turned to face me.

"So, ready to go in, love? The rest of my colleagues are in there. And you'll get to meet all of them. But a few are.. A bit unusual. Don't judge them too harshly until I get to explain to you what they're really like. Alright?" She inquired with a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

"You really should have let me go to the freaking bathroom. I am far from ready to make first impressions, Tasha! I probably look like a banshee with a narcotic problem" I huffed as I made a vain attempt to smooth my hair and revive my face.

"No way. You always were an insecure little thing. Best they like you for what's inside your head versus what's on the.. outside" she said, making dramatic hand gestures in front of my face. And then, ever so gently, she brushed my hair behind my ears, she smiled at me almost maternally, slid her hand in mine, and threw the doors wide open.

The room was huge. I could tell that right away. It wasn't very wide but it was extremely long. Its high vaulted ceilings were just exquisite and the brightness flooding in through the glass floor to ceiling windows was nearly blinding. I threw my hand up to shield my eyes, and form finally came to the faces of the people who were dotted around the room fiddling with various unidentifiable gadgets and gizmos.

I never hated my sister more than I did just then.

I was surrounded by some of the hottest men I've ever seen in my life. I was frozen where I stood as they began to notice us standing there. I felt heat begin creeping up my throat and my sweat glands seemed to throw them self in overdrive as I stole a sideways glance toward Nat. She just smiled encouragingly and squeezed my hand a little tighter.

"Well good morning ladies"

someone finally decided to speak. I looked around trying to match the voice with a face and felt myself panic at the thoughts of embarrassing myself more than I already was at my unkempt, painfully unattractive, appearance.

Then I saw him. He was on the other side of the room but was cantering toward us with a smothering air of over estimated confidence.. And Oh, lots and lots of pride

He looked like money. He wasn't a large man, but every inch of him radiated it from his dark, over gel-ed hair, the way his eyes were dark and unyielding. Even the cut of his facial hair

I'd bet anything that this had to be Tony Stark.

"So, Nat. You in such a hurry to show her off that you couldn't let her get dressed? My God. Steve hasn't even got here yet. The bacon and eggs were quite safe. At least for a few more minutes." He came to a halt directly in front of me but hadn't broke eye contact with Natasha. He was giving her such a look of distaste that I almost shuddered out of sympathy for her. But it didn't seem to affect her at all I could almost see the air turn to ice between them. Finally he heaved a sigh and smiled as he actually seemed to take notice of me.

"Hi, you must be Anna. I'm Tony. I apologise on behalf of your sister. I'm sure you probably could've used to freshen up with your journey yesterday. I haven't been playing host very well. It was a busy night."

Then he turned to face the others, cleared his throat, and with authority, he made the announcement. "Guys, due to extreme situations we will not be judging our new guest by how she looks at the moment. She had" he paused dramatically "..A very long journey and a very stressful few days."

I saw everyone's head whip to glare at Natasha like they knew exactly what happened, then some of them nodded. Almost as if this was a common thing.

" She needs to rest. So I'm going to take her around the room and introduce you all. Then we will eat. Then she gets to go back to her room and rest while you freaks practice. We had some close calls yesterday. And I'm sure by dinner, miss Anna will look and feel much better"

he looked at me and smiled a sly mischievous smile. He pried my hand from Natasha's and placed it in the crook of his arm. Then he started leading me around the room like the perfect gentlemanly host. We came to the British grape first. Even he was attractive, purpleness and all. That was definitely going to take some getting used to. But he flashed me a kind smile

"Hope you rested well, Anna"

With charm and charisma like that, I really couldn't believe that he was a machine. Still, I had to put an extreme amount of focus into not turning red. I managed a civil smile..which actually turned into more of a grimace. And a small nod.

Then there was the good looking blonde one with the bright, glinting, blue eyes. And a smile that looked like he meant trouble in all the best ways. I liked him.

"Hi, I'm Clint. I'm.. Good friends with your sister"

With the side long glance he gave her at that statement, I couldn't help but wonder just how "good" but just as I was preparing my assault of questions for her later, I was pulled from my inner monologue by a loud crash, just a few feet from where I was standing.

There was a thin, lanky man with dark glasses and salt and pepper hair. He was on his knees and attempting to collect shards of broken glass, soaked in orange juice.

"That's Bruce" Tony said with a small nod in the direction of the man. "He has little accidents like that all the time,it has nothing to do with you" he added as he noticed the slight grimace on my face. He pushed a button on the wall next to us and a panel slid open allowing a small Android through.

"Hi Bruce" I said trying to sound cheerful as the bot began cleaning up his mess.

"H..h..hi" he stammered a bit absent mindedly.

Just then, someone burst through the door behind me and I whirred around before I knew what was happening. I suppose I was expecting something terrible..

It was a man with blonde hair and blue eyes wearing a onsie covered in American flags.

Captain America, of course.

"Enough with introductions then!" Tony said "Anna I'll introduce you to everyone else at dinner, our favorite American princess is here. And if we don't eat now he'll get grouchy. We can't have that. If you'll be so kind as to take a seat. I'll have the droids bring breakfast in."

I couldn't help but smile at that. Princess was a perfect name for the good Captain. But I did as I was told. Sliding into the seat next to Natasha, I couldn't help but take note of the fact that Clint was sitting on the other side of her and I smiled to myself. I got the pleasure of sitting across from the all American Princess. I had to do everything in my power not to giggle. Once I managed to regain a bit of my composure, I introduced myself.

"Hi, you must be Steve. I'm Anna. Nice to meet you"

"Yes ma'am. Pleasure is all mine." He slurred in a deep Brooklyn accent.

Yes. I was going to like it here very much. I smirked to myself just as some more androids were passing out the food.

As Tony took his place at the head of the massive table. He said two of the most beautiful words he could..

"Let's eat"