Greetings! I am so very sorry for the delay. I have been busy this week but I promise to try my very best to make chapters on time. It may seem slow but this story is going places.
DISCLAIMER: I own nothing of Marvel's.
Chapter Five - Light Amid the Gray Morning
Rare was the occasion where Bruce Banner slept through the entirety of a night. The stale heat of his room made him itch and stir in his bed. He rose up, wiping the last scales of sleep from his eyes. The garish floor to ceiling windows in his quarters were obscured soundly by large black out curtains. He stumbled over to peer tentatively out onto the city. The view was exquisite. Cabs and cars moved far below him to and fro, their headlights still glowing in the bleak light of dawn. After the initial breathlessness of the first appraisal of his view all he saw from then on was miles and miles of potential disaster. He shied away from the view. This time of the morning was his to try and forget that he was a walking bomb. No one else in the tower would be awake, it was far too early. No one would disturb him. He even made sure J.A.R.V.I.S. didn't address him until after he had had coffee and sufficient alone-time.
He guided his fingers through his short wavy hair to ensure it looked at least civilized in case he ran into another human. He lazily loped over to his dresser and pulled out a clean navy t-shirt and a pair of khaki colored chinos. They would do until he had to shower and dress later for the business of meeting this 'Lightfoot' or Amira Mizrahi as he know knew her from Fury's correspondence. He slipped into his clothing unceremoniously and tried to avoid his reflection in the mirror on his bureau. It was then as she stood to exit his room that he thought of her – of Betty. He would think of her innumerable times in one day, to be sure. But the first thought of her in each day was special. It was a prayer. Or was it a plea for forgiveness? He was no longer so sure. He exhaled sharply through his nose and exited his room.
Amira was violently shocked awake by the shrill beeping of her watch alarm. She made an immediate move to silence it so as not to disturb the other passengers. Her heart was pounding rapidly from the rude awakening and her breathing came in quick succession. She almost always awoke like this. In an effort to relax herself, she took a moment to blearily survey the dim cabin around her. Aaron was gracelessly snoring – mouth agape – to her left while pale morning light seeped in through the cracks of opened windows here and there in the aircraft. She cringed at the sour taste of her mouth and suddenly felt very inclined to stretch her legs. Awkwardly, she picked her way up the aisle, bracing against slight turbulence. She prayed they wouldn't make her sit back down. Finally she reached the bathroom which, blessedly, had no line.
Amira squeezed herself into the cramped space and locked the door behind her. She set her compact toiletries bag onto the ugly beige laminate sink stand. Her reflection was not a welcome sight. The harsh fluorescent light made her look angular and gaunt, cutting harsh shadows into her face and highlighting the mauve staining below her eyes. Her irises looked like sharkish black pools and her hair, shoddily piled into a bun on her crown, was snarled and fraught with flyaways. She sneered and made a small noise of disgust at her own reflection. Begrudgingly, she unzipped her small black bag and set into repairing her haggard visage.
There would likely be little time for her to do these things when she landed. She had been informed that transport to the Avenger's tower would be immediate. It did not usually occur to her to 'fix herself up' for her work, she felt utterly stupid applying a bit of fine powder across the flesh of her cheeks, yet here she was. She pondered that, perhaps, what truly made her feel foolish was the small amount of hero-worship she was indulging herself in. She had known Clint before he was an Avenger but after she saw the footage of him saving the human race with the rest of them she was fighting a blush when next they spoke. It felt surreal that she was going to meet the protectors of earth. She remembered her ancient '3D' images of Captain America in action during World War II and how she would fanatically gaze at them through her stereoscopic viewer. She couldn't remember if she loved those pictures so much because she idolized the Captain or if it was because they were her father's. He had given them to her when she was very young.
Shaking her head loose of reminiscent thoughts, she set into the task of applying a modest bit of gently tinted lip coloring. She tended to favor darker, muted shades of red for her lips. It didn't stand out too harshly against her golden skin. She pressed her lips together to ensure the coloration was even. Feeling satisfied with the state of her face, she set to work on her angry curls. The most difficult part was combing out the tangles without making her hair explode into a staticky mess. It took finesse and a bit of water to reach an acceptable solution – a neat braid cradling the curve of her neck that came to rest on the shelf of her chest. She did not often find herself to be beautiful, this time included, but she looked adult and professional, which was enough for her.
The aircraft lurched suddenly sending her strewn about cosmetics clattering to the floor. She growled and collected her possessions and shoved them back into her bag. The dull chime preceding intercom announcements sounded throughout the plane. The altitude was dropping, they would soon by landing. Her timing was impeccable as ever. Amira slipped out of the bathroom concisely and strode back to her seat. Aaron had apparently awoken in her absence. He was dreamily looking out of the window over the occupant of the window seat. He looked better after an airplane nap than she did after actually trying to look decent. With a sigh, she collapsed into her seat and looked quizzically at Aaron.
"It's going to be strange." He commented as he neatly organized the cable of his earbuds.
"Is there ever anything normal about what we do?" Amira lazily replied.
"No, I mean- We haven't been back since school." He explained. "It's going to be strange to be in New York again." He mused.
"I kind of missed it. It feels like home." Aaron nodded.
"You clean up good." Aaron noticed. Amira made a throaty noise of dissaproval and then looked down at her attire to check if he was seeing the same thing she was. Her outfit consisted of a plain gray shift dress – the minimal flair of which was a prim, white baby doll collar – and an accompanying black blazer. It was the only thing remotely professional that she owned. That is, if you defined 'professional' by normal standards. She had Stark-made flex-kevlar cat suits for days, and yet, only owned one pair of ill-kept stockings.
"Please, Aaron. I look like Courtney Love, attorney-at-law." She gestured to her ensemble with disapproval. Aaron nodded in agreement.
"You're saying that like it's a bad thing." He reasoned, idly plucking her dress collar. "I mean, it's not as kinder-whore-ible as you think." She rolled her eyes and indulged him with a hardy-har-har. He inclined his head and shifted in his snug seat. "Besides, you don't need a posh wardrobe to prove to them that you're Avenger's material. Your raw talent and professionalism will speak for itself." His eyes were closed and his lips were comfortable set into a calm smile, he seemed to believe every word he had just said. Amira distractedly worried the hem of her dress to hide her embarrassment at his compliment. She hadn't yet informed him yet what her true purpose on the team would be.
"We're going to be picked up when we land. Be ready for a quick transition." She mentioned, trying to change the subject.
"Nice! Limo service and everything. V.I.P. already, I like it." Aaron mooned. He pulled his shades – Wayfarers, not Aviators – out of his shirt collar and slipped them on, attempting to look the part of someone who would ride in a limo.
"If anything I've heard about Tony Stark is true, I think you should be expecting something much more dramatic." She whispered, not wanting his name to be heard by anyone seated around them.
"What else could it possibly be, a Popemobile?" Aaron snorted, removing his sunglasses and looking incredulously at his sister. Amira just laughed and shook her head while the airplane touched down with a discomfiting bounce.
Early May brought a chilly wind that stung Bruce's cheeks and made his eyes water. At this height, the breeze was always inescapable but he found it to be cleansing. Tony had given him twenty four hour access to the maintenance elevator a few weeks into his stay at the tower. It was, as he called it, a gift; something for Bruce to have all to himself. He placed a protective hand over the mug of coffee he had put together on his way to the roof, shielding it from the biting cold. He padded around to his secret hideout betwixt a large air conditioning unit and a covered transformer. It made for a nice shelter from the wind and the view was nothing to sneeze at. He set his coffee down on a small upturned milk crate and lowered himself gently into the faded lawn chair beside it.
He usually went to his crow's nest to clear his mind of all the daily drudgery that plagued him but today he could not stop himself from thinking very hard about this fresh hell that had descended upon his head like pigeon droppings. He sat forward in his chair and pressed the heels of his palms into his eyes. Green and red bursts of color bloomed across the blackness as he applied pressure, physically willing the idea to become more compressed and manageable. He gave up, with a growl of frustration and settle for cradling his head in his hands. She was due to arrive in two hours.
He could always run away. It was easy enough to attempt and, since he had served his purpose tracking down Loki, they probably wouldn't go looking for him again. Bruce didn't want his position on the team to permanently be that of the Hulk. This girl coming in and trying to control his other side cemented this fate. If they could manage it, he would be doomed to be remembered as the violent, green, screaming primate that didn't use pronouns and liked only to 'smash'. And that was never who he was. Not totally. He watched the ghostly city lights flicker and waver below the fog pooling low onto the city streets and thought about fading into it himself. The tracks and grooves in the palms of his hands kept him occupied as he tried to stave off thoughts of cowardice.
"A helicopter?" Aaron sighed. The jet black metal beast was roaring to life as they approached. A sleek white 'Stark Industries' logo let them know that this was most certainly their lift. Two standard issue clandestine organization goons stood suited before them in government black and white. Their ties whipped around their stoic faces due to the gusts from the helicopter's whirling propeller blades. One of them was holding a rumpled piece of paper that read 'MIZRAHI'. Amira stifled a laugh; Aaron didn't bother.
"Not impressed?" Amira raised her eyebrows at Aaron. He just fished his sunglasses out of the open collar of his painstakingly pressed shirt and flashed a toothy grin. Amira shook her head. He was the only person she knew who would wear – and pull off – a linen suit and suede wing tips to such an important event.
"It'll be weird being a passenger for a change." Amira sighed a laugh and then took a hefty step into the aircraft. The pilot turned to face her. Even with the headset and sunglasses she could recognize that face.
"Maria! Long time no see!" Amira crowed jubilantly! She shook her hand with gusto. "Aren't you a little overqualified to be Tony's private pilot?"
"Good to see you, Amira. I thought I'd stand in today and see if you're prepared. Ready for your first day?" The brunette's sharpish voice was gruff over the hum of the propellers.
"I think it's best I don't think about it too much." Amira stuttered, averting her eyes. Maria just smiled knowingly and turned her attention toward Aaron who was bounding into the helicopter.
"Maria! So-" Aaron began excitedly.
"Yes, I am still single. No I am not interested." She cut him off. Her smile was still there but it was less warm and more viperesque. Aaron just raised two placating hands and grinned.
"I was just going to say how nice it is to see you again." He lied. Maria threw her head back and laughed.
"Buckle in before I decide to do a barrel roll and throw you out." She snarked.
"You and I both know that would be a terrible idea." Aaron yelled over his shoulder as he turned to take his seat. Amira slapped his arm as he passed.
The aircraft shortly lifted with ease under Maria's technique. Amira's heart was battered with pangs of anxiety. The moody weather did nothing to improve her outlook. She did her best to swallow her fear and wear her bravest face.
Bruce ran a hand down the front of his indigo button down in an effort to quell the slight wrinkles. Everyone had decided it was in their best interest to leave Dr. Banner alone after seeing how irritable he was. Interactions with him were terse and very brief. He had chosen to be on his own towards the door while Tony Stark and Steve Rogers conversed about the 'new girl' openly on the edge of the helipad against the backdrop of skyline and dense clouds. Tony was pantomiming animatedly trying to communicate an idea with his blonde cohort. Steve had that dutiful furrow in his brow that was ever present.
Bruce was indulging himself in some very pessimistic daydreaming. Surely, this Amira was going to be the most annoying thing that had happened to him for a long time. She would be bossy and rude. Her mannerisms would be off-putting, of course.
'Maybe she'll breathe fire and a hook for a hand.' Bruce rancorously scorned his own childish musings. Obviously, this woman harbored no ill will towards him she was just doing a job. These days he felt more like a chore than a man. His best hope was that his immunity to everything included her abilities.
To his great alarm, the muted sounds of an incoming helicopter disturbed the air. He tried not to glare at Tony when the sharp dressed genius turned around to give him an exaggerated pair of thumbs up. Bruce blew out a puff of air and shook his head. He took his place just behind Tony and Steve to greet the newcomer. The vehicle advanced quickly and was soon elegantly touching down on the helipad on the roof of Stark Tower. Bruce narrowed his eyes to shield them from the violently churning air and also sneakily tried to nonchalantly spy into the cabin. With a mechanical sneezing sound the engine cut off and the whirring blades slowed. Tony glanced at Bruce and gave him a nod of solemnity. Bruce chose not to return it. He could only close his eyes and follow as Steve approached the new recruit.
The so-called Amira stepped down from the helicopter with the familiarity of one who often dismounted from such vehicles. She wavered slightly in her heels as she approached; she flushed when her ankle almost rolled completely making Bruce cringe. She was shorter than he expected in person, her shoulders were slim and he forearms followed suit in their own daintiness. Behind her a taller man hopped out of the craft. He removed his sunglasses and took in the height of the tower. He seemed pleased as punch to be there and turned around to exchange some exuberant words with Agent Hill.
"Miss Mizrahi," Steve smoothly greeted her, he punctuated the salutations with an outstretched hand.
"It's a pleasure to meet-." She reached a petite hand out to Steve Rogers to shake but Tony cut in and intercepted the greeting himself. She looked from side to side with uncertainty as she shook his hand.
"Tony Stark. Master of metal. Armored Avenger. Really smart, handsome guy. It's a pleasure to meet you." He introduced himself proudly. "So what is it? Fury wouldn't say and, well, your file was a little vague. What's your deal? How'd you get your-" The billionaire man-child sloppily gesticulated to the general area of her torso and head, "-thingy?" Amira bemusedly quirked her eyebrows. "Science experiment gone right?" He gestured toward Captain America on his right who proceeded to give a slightly disapproving sigh. "A science experiment gone wrong?" Tony gave an identical indication towards Bruce Banner on his left.
"Was that necessary?" The drained scientist intoned. Tony paused and gave his colleague a double take and then a hesitant pat on the shoulder.
"Neither, actually." Amira confirmed, her umbra eyes lively with amusement. Her chestnut curls had come somewhat undone in the turbulent wind. Tony paused his eyes never leaving hers. Bruce inwardly scoffed. Obviously, he thought.
"Alien?" He ventured. Amira let out a hearty laugh, her eyes were made owlishly round at the suggestion.
"Nothing as impressive as that." She sighed with a smile.
"You're a mutant." Bruce piped up. Steve and Tony both turned their heads in surprise to look at him.
Amira rewarded his correct answer with a smirk and small nod, he could just make out the pearls of her teeth behind her lips. "Beta class." She confirmed. Bruce hesitantly grimaced. He hoped it had, at least, looked like a smile. Tony could be heard mumbling that he was just about to guess that she was a mutant.
"Did you come up out of Professors Xavier's school?" He asked, trying to fill the silence. Then he jumped a little as he remembered that common courtesy dictated that they exchange names. "I'm Bruce Banner, by the way." He offered his hand.
"Amira. And, yes, I'm proud to say that I did." She grasped his hand warmly. He mechanically squeezed her hand in the exchange, not wanting to be remembered for having a weak handshake. "And it's an honor to meet you, Dr. Banner." He scoffed bitterly which was an unbidden reaction.
"Is it?" He intoned, his teeth barely moving and his half lidded eyes meeting hers. It wasn't even a question, really, more like a scrutinizing accusation of her intent. He couldn't read her expression but after a split second the corners of her mouth raised slightly. He hadn't yet realized that he was still gripping her hand in his.
"We're glad to have you on." Amira's gaze darted to the blonde Captain. Her hand slipped out of his own effortlessly. Bruce noted the color that had come to her cheeks. So - she was enamored of the Captain, most people were. He closed his eyes and knit his brow. desperately trying to ignore the scolding look Tony was giving him. Steve was a hero in many ways, and he was able to, blessedly, save the day again by not allowing that moment to continue on any longer than it already had. "Steve Rogers." He attempted to shake her hand without being interrupted by Tony. Aaron strolled over to stand beside Amira to introduce himself.
"Call me Amira." She acquiesced. "And I'm happy to be, well - on!" She stuttered.
"Well, hey, you're a perfect fit." Tony butted in. "I, for one, am eager for a demonstration!"
The chapter in which I show my age with the kinderwhore reference. It was a fashion trend that lasted about five minutes in the early-mid nineties. Google it for a good laugh.
They finally meet! Let me know what you guys think. I hope you like Amira and Aaron c: I hope you like the exchange between the Avenger's and Amira. Find out next week!