A.N. So…this contest had multiple winners, 3 in fact. And they are…*opens shiny envelope* Demigod-GallagherGirl, multi-fangirl123, and The Writer Es! Congratulations to all of our winners! *hands out virtual cookies* Reason that there are 4 winners is that when I checked the reviews, it didn't display the exact time-stamp and sorry about the long wait, I went on a week-long trip and just got back to writing. So enough of me wasting your time, ONTO THE STORY!

Chapter 9

Rena's POV

I sat on the couch, running my thumb over the surface of the dog tags. Just like that, he's gone again.

"Hey," Sam said, getting my attention, "I know you're probably mad at your dad, but let me say this. The Winter Soldier is not to be messed with, he will hurt you."

"I know." I said, rolling up my sleeve to show the bruise, "Already happened."

"What happened?" He asked worriedly.

I shrugged, "I was a smartass to him, nothing new."

He chuckled, "I knew Steve adopted the right child."

"He didn't choose me," I explained, remembering the conversation he had with Fury, "Fury did. I don't know why though."

He sat down next to me on the couch, "Because you're not afraid of anything Cap gets himself into. I mean, you sassed the Winter Soldier!"

I laughed, "No, I was scared. I'm just a hell of a bitch when I feel threatened."

He nodded his head, "I know a lot of people who are like that. They usually have gone through some sort of trauma."

I scowled at the window although, I didn't realize it until Sam pointed it out.

"Man, that window must've pissed you off." He joked.

I snapped out of my trance and noticed my sour face, "Oh, yeah. I guess so."

He sat down next to me, "I know you're upset and you have every right to be."

I raised my eyebrow, clearly confused, "Huh?"

"You heard me right, I think your pop is wrong about ditching you here to go in search of his…friend."

I nodded in agreement, "Yeah, it was pretty stupid. I mean, I could've helped. Maybe it'd be easier for him to talk to me or you."

Sam raised his eyebrow, "How would that be easier?"

I shrugged, "Sometimes, talking to strangers can help more that confessing to your best friend. The fear of judgment decreases as the guilt factor. I mean, it's pretty damn difficult to vent out your feeling to a guy you almost killed…a lot."

"Don't forget his girlfriend." Sam added.

I smiled, "So I'm not the only one?"

"Hell no! In all honesty, they need each other. Cap keeps her grounded and human while Widow introduces Cap to the modern world. Not necessarily technology, but to the new customs and behaviors."

"I know right! The tension is killing me! I swear, I thought I was going to puke from all the flirting."

Just as he was about to reply, my cell phone went off with a strange number flashing across the screen. I handed over the device to Sam who answered the call.

"Listen up, you." He began sternly, "I want to know how exactly you got this number and- Stark, is that you?"

I raised my eyebrows quizzically, how the hell did Tony Stark get my cell number?!

"Yeah, she's here. Wait, NOW?!" He jumped to the window to see a black helicopter in his backyard.

"Sam, what's going on?" I asked, "Why the hell there is a black helicopter in the backyard and tell me why it feels like I'm leaving after I just got here?"

He looked down at me sadly, "I'm sorry, I know this all must be a little fast for you, but-."

I cut him off, "It's fine. I'm the daughter of a soldier, I'm used to quick changes."

Sam didn't say anything and we walked out to the backyard to meet the one and only Tony Stark.

He was dressed in a fancy suit, probably worth more than I am, and had dark shades on to cover his eyes.

"Nice to see you again, Sam."

"Likewise, Stark." Sam greeted.

Tony looked over at me, "So this is Capsicle Jr.?"

I rolled my eyes, "My name is Rena."

"Nice to meet you, kid." He greeted, "Ready to go?"

"As I'll ever be." I turned back to Sam, "Thanks for taking care of me for the time being."

"No problem, kid." He said with a smile.

I shoved my hands into my pockets and followed Tony into the helicopter. He handed me a headset after we buckled ourselves in. After I put the headset on, we lifted off and flew towards New York City. I gazed at the wondrous scenery far down below.

"Enjoying the view?" Tony asked through the headset.

I nodded excitedly, "Never saw D.C. like this before."

He laughed, "You ain't seen nothing yet."

"How long before we're in New York?" I asked.

He grinned, "Depends on how many laws you want to break."

I chuckled, this was definitely going to be interesting.

We landed in New York some time later on top of Avengers' Tower. I carefully climbed out, looking at the breath-taking view.

"Wow, quite the place you have, Mr. Stark." I commented.

He laughed, "Kid, you ain't seen nothing yet."

I chuckled and followed him inside the tower. We stepped into the living room, where there was a mini bar, a kitchen, very expensive looking sofas, and a breath taking view of New York City

"Wow." I breathed, "You sure know how to live, Tony."

"Yes he does." Chuckled a voice.

I whirled around to see Dr. Bruce Banner, a man with breath-taking anger management issues.

"You must be Steve's girl?" He inquired.

I nodded, "Rena Jackson. Nice to meet you, Dr. Banner."

"Please, call me Bruce."

"Wait, where's your stuff?" Tony asked.

"This is it." I said, gesturing to my clothes, "I didn't really have time to pack."

Tony frowned, "We'll have to fix that. I'll call Pepper later today."

I looked over to Bruce in confusion and he mouthed 'assistant'. I nodded and re-focused my attention on Tony.

"So…am I sleeping on the couch?" I asked.

Tony laughed, "Sleeping on the couch?! Good one, kid. You really think you could sleep on the couch at Avengers Tower? Kid, you can get a whole floor if you want to."

All the color from my face drained. A whole floor?! I'm still getting used to the idea that I have my own room!

"Umm, I'd prefer just a room please." I squeaked.

Bruce nodded understandingly and pointed down a hall that entered into the massive room, "I know the first room on the right is empty, why don't you take that one?"

I nodded tensely, still not comfortable with the whole situation. Hell, I was still pissed at Steve for ditching me at Sam's!

"Well," Tony said, whipping out his cell phone, "Why don't you go raid the kitchen while I go talk to Pepper in her office and have her take your shopping for clothes and other necessities. Bruce, why don't you show her the way?"

I followed him into the high-tech kitchen that was only steps away. I sat at the breakfast bar while Bruce grabbed some water bottles from the fridge. Small drops appeared onto the black granite counter from an unknown source. I brought up a hand to wipe away the water, except it wasn't.

Tears, they were tears. I quickly wiped them away before Bruce noticed. He brought back the bottles and I thanked him. We made small talk to pass the time before Tony came back with a strawberry-blonde woman that I assumed was Pepper.

"Kid, this is my lovely assistant Miss. Pepper Potts. She'll take you shopping so you actually have clothing."

She smiled and outstretched her hand, "Hello, call me Pepper."

I retuned the handshake, "Rena."

"Ready to go?" She asked.

I nodded and followed her out. Watching her give Tony a quick kiss and an 'I love you' painfully reminded me of my parents. They used to do little quirks like that. Before it disgusted a five year-old me, but now, I wanted to see them do that one last time.

I smiled sadly and followed Pepper into the elevator down into the garage where Happy, Tony's personnel driver, pulled up in a black sports car that probably had some fancy Italian name that I could care less about.

We both sat in the back and she asked me random questions, not one of them personnel.

"So what's your style?" She asked.

"Comfort." I joked.

She laughed, "So no designer stores then."

I nodded, "They have beautiful clothing, but it's not my style. I'm more of a jeans and t-shirt kind of gal."

"Happy, could you take us to the mall please?" Pepper asked politely.

"With pleasure, Miss Potts." He replied.

And so that's how we spent the next 3 hours of the afternoon, venturing from store to store, trying on endless amounts of clothing. Once finished, we returned to the tower with six pairs of jeans (three were boot-cut), seven t-shirts, 2 fishing shirts (one white and one blue), two pairs of sandal (both Grecian style), one blue and white sundress, two baseball hats (one camo and one for the Dodgers), another pair of black combat boots, a pair of black and blue Nikes, gray sweat pants and a loose t-shirt for pajamas, bathroom supplies (shampoo, conditioner, body wash, etc.), one silver evening gown, and Pepper talked me into letting her buy me a pair of black high heels.

When I assured her I'd somehow pay her back, she just said.

"Think of it as a gift, dear. I mean, it was Tony's money after all and I don't think he'll mind too much."

"You really think so?"

She chuckled, "If he wants to spend his nights making science experiments with Bruce in the lab, he won't mind at all."

I chuckled lightly as we entered the tower and Pepper instructed Happy to deliver the bags first thing tomorrow morning, seeing how it was late. We stepped into the elevator and rode up to the residential floors where we saw Tony and Bruce taking a break in the living room.

"I thought you two went shopping?" Tony asked, surprised at the lack of shopping bags.

Pepper rolled her eyes, "We did, Tony. Happy will bring them up tomorrow morning."

"How much did you buy?" Bruce inquired.

"Way too much." I replied, "Just…way too much."

Tony came over and clapped me on the shoulder, "Well kid, at Sta-Avengers Tower, you'll be living in the lap of luxury."

I chuckled nervously and muttered, "Great."

Bruce noticed my awkwardness and said, "I think we should let Rena go to bed, she's had a long day."

I silently thanked Bruce as I walked away to my room after wishing everyone good night.

After washing my face in the way-too-nice bathroom, I flopped on the cloud-like bed and stared at the ceiling. Hot tears built up in my eyes as I muttered unintelligible things. This whole ordeal felt like a terrible case of culture shock. I shook my head and asked JARVIS to turn out the lights, hoping for at least an ounce of sleep.