ThatOneSpirit: Sorry, but I can't do that... romance isn't my thing. ;)

Chapter 12

Cap kept glancing nervously at Erika as she sprawled on the couch, tail flopped down limply on the floor. She had one arm draped over her eyes. The dragon girl had been like that for the past three hours. While the rest of the team was sleeping, he was on 'watch Erika' duty- to ensure the stubborn hybrid didn't try to walk or fly. Well, she couldn't fly, but that was beside the point.

Steve felt himself slipping into sleep, and he jolted himself awake. In his battle to stay alert, he missed the glint of green eyes peeking out from under her arm, and the slight smirk on her lips. He yawned, blinking tiredly. Steve was losing the battle with sleep, and he knew it. So he looked up to the ceiling. "Hey Jarvis?" he whispered.

"Yes sir?" replied the AI, quietly.

"If I fall asleep and Erika tries to walk, wake someone up."

"Noted, sir."

Captain America yawned again. He got up and paced, trying to stay awake. She was still sleeping. He blinked slowly, slumping back into his chair. He closed his eyes for a few minutes...

Erika peeked out from under her arm, acid green eyes following the captain's every movement. As soon as she was sure Steve was asleep, she slowly sat up, being careful not to wake him. She then proceeded stand, arms and wings out for balance. Jarvis piped up. "Erika, do you require assistance? I can wake someone up."

"Nah, I'm fine," she replied.

"Mister Rodgers has given me orders to wake someone if you try to walk."

She glared at the ceiling. "Oh, come on! Can't you give me a break this once?"

"I'm afraid not."

She groaned, standing on one foot. She then hopped over to the window, leaning on it. "Okay, I'm not walking, I'm hopping."

A hint of amusement entered Jarvis' electronic voice. "Do you need to know how to get anywhere?"

"Nah, I'm fine. If you let me walk, I'll give you anything you want. Wait, you're an AI. Do you want things?"

"Not really," he admitted. "But I do need better firewalls."

"I'll tell Tony." she bribed.

"Bribes don't work on me, sorry."

She sighed, opening the window and feeling the cool breeze on her face. Erika closed her eyes and subconsiously spread her wings. The wind, unfortunately, also hit Captain America. He shot up with a start. When he saw Erika by the window, he leapt to his feet and charged over to her.

"Jarvis!" he snapped, betrayed. "I told you to wake me up if she tried to walk."

"I/She didn't walk, she/I hopped." they both said at the same time.

Steve face-palmed. Erika giggled. He took her arm and started to pull her back toward the couch. She huffed, grabbing the windowsill. "Come on! Just a few more minutes?" she begged. He noticed how her wings were spread a little, and the way the wind had brought life to her eyes.

Muttering under his breath, he allowed her to stay. So that was why, on that first morning, the rest of the Avengers came down to see them both curled under the open window, snoring softly. Cap was using one of Erika's wings as a blanket.

That morning (after getting chewed out by everyone but Tony- who looked amused) they tried something different. Clint stayed with the energetic dragon girl at all times, playing games, watching television, and, occasionally, forcefully holding her down. He soon suggested Mario Kart, which, due to her quick reflexes, she won every game (104 times, to be exact).

Clint eventually fell asleep, and Erika got up again. She snuck around, finally finding the tailfin in the kitchen, and spreading it on the floor. The Night Fury hybrid then proceeded to strap it onto her tail, noting how it moved in sync with the other. Erika proceeded to climb out of the window, leaping into the air and feeling the air under her wings.

She flew to the docks, diving into the water. She spent a few hours out there, catching fish, skimming her fingers over the waves, and enjoying the sun. The youngest member of the Avengers then proceeded to terrorize seagulls, practice barrel rolls, and chase laughing surfers.

When she noticed how dark it was getting, she flew back to to the tower, being sure to say hi to Spidey and help him stop a few muggings, say hello to a few other hybrids (who didn't have to hide anymore), and take her sweet time. So it was no surprise that, when she came to a stop on Iron Man's landing strip, the rest of them were gathered there, glaring at her crossly. She smiled. "The tailfin works?" she tried.

They stopped trying to get her to stay down after that. After all, if a super spy/assasin couldn't, who could?

Last chance for suggestions (pranks, jokes, dares, etc.) Almost done! :D R&R!