Updated chapter 3! Hope you enjoy!
Kara's dreams are rarely pleasant.
Sometimes they take her back to Krypton, those last few terrible days – paranoid soldiers indiscriminately gunning down panicking citizens on the streets, thinking them possible rebels, orbital defense platforms shooting down the few civilian ships that managed to break atmosphere, and Krypton's own fleet raining down fire on innocent towns, confusing them for rebel encampments, all while the planet slowly collapsed in on itself in preparation for the final detonation.
Other times, she dreams of the escape – of the frantic run towards the secret hangar as her father valiantly gave his own life, holding off dozens of desperate civilians who'd heard of the tiny spacecraft, just to give her daughter a chance at life. The fear in her mother's eyes as they hastily programmed launch sequence counted down, Argo City falling apart around them. She bore witness to it all – and was scarred by most of it. The Chitauri and their victims – those she failed to save – are bound to join her nightmares. She counts herself lucky to wake up having dreamt only of her voyage through the nightmarish Phantom Zone.
Kara looks around, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes, feeling – not for the first time – like she doesn't belong. Winn and herself have been granted access to the upper levels of the damaged Stark Tower. Despite the cracks on the plaster and the dust that covers pretty much everything she can see, the place is still much too opulent for her tastes. Every room she's visited looks like a presidential suite.
Winn's snoring form brings her out of her reverie, making her smile softly. He surprised her, to say the least; Winn's a mild mannered nerd, and yet he inspiredly took charge, helping her protect the survivors while she drew the Chitauri's attention. He definitely deserves the rest. Probably a change of clothes, too, if she can find it.
She tentatively looks up at the ceiling. "Hey JARVIS, where could I find clothes in his size?"
The AI – yet another invention of Stark's that throws her back to her childhood – swiftly replies. "I believe the room directly across yours is stocked with a male wardrobe, Ms. Danvers."
"Thanks. Make sure to deduct it from my Avenger salary." –she says, then tilts her head. "Wait. Do I get a salary?"
"S.H.I.E.L.D. has stipulated the equivalent of a United States Army Colonel's wages for any present and future members of the Avengers Initiative. Additionally, Mr. Stark remarks that anything within Stark Tower – with the exception of the contents of his workshop, the various labs, and the Avengers' own personal quarters – is free to make use of as you see fit."
Kara raises an eyebrow, suddenly overwhelmed again. "...alright."
After a much needed shower, Kara leaves for the common room, a couple floors above. Stark told her to head there after she'd gotten some rest. She doesn't find the inventor waiting for her, but instead a very busy looking Pepper Potts. Kara knows of her, of course; Jameson, a proud, bona fide misogynist, practically suffered a heart attack when she'd taken over Stark Industries last year. Kara had to put up with his...venting on the matter for quite a while.
"No, the Avengers will not be under the command of the US Army, Air Force, or any branch of the American military for the foreseeable future. While we realize the current state of the Law may prove conflictive with the team's mission statement and intended course of action, you can rest assured knowing the Avengers will not become a political tool or military asset. It didn't work when Senator Stern was just after the Iron Man suit, and it's sure as hell not going to work with the entire Avengers Initiative. You can absolutely quote me on that. Have a good day." –she spits out, visibly annoyed.
Kara spots an overturned loveseat and restores it, having a seat. She tries to ignore the vaguely man-shaped crater on the black marble a couple feet away. Miss Potts hangs up the phone, rubbing her temples. "I hate Fox News."
She snickers. "I don't think anyone under the age of sixty listens to them, really."
Potts smirks. "I wish that were the case. Still, we need to cover all our bases." –she says, waling over and extending her hand. "Virginia Potts. Pleasure to meet you - please, call me Pepper."
Kara completes the handshake. "Kara Zor-El. I'm a big fan."
The redhead cocks her head. "I thought you went by Danvers."
"I'm, uh, trying out the whole alien thing."
"Right. Tony told me. Y'know, between you and Thor, I'm starting to think that, not only are we not alone in the universe, we're not even unique. We all look so similar."
Kara smiles. "Don't worry, Miss Potts. There's plenty of non-humanoid aliens out there."
"Pepper, honey, I insist; I hear 'Miss Potts' enough in meetings." –she says, walking off and motioning for her to follow. "Tony's obviously been incredibly busy, but he's somehow made the time to whip up a suit for you to use while you're out there, kicking ass and saving the world." –she says, gesturing towards a metallic case with the Stark Industries logo, set on top of a bar stool. "I think he left you a note?"
Kara picks up the case, which indeed has a post-it note attached to the side. Kara reads aloud. "'I haven't yet invented a material that's more durable than your own skin, but this should at least keep up with you better than a cardigan and a Chevy's crumpled up hood."
The case opens by itself, no doubt prompted by JARVIS. She makes a little strangled sound when she sees the contents: inside is a bodysuit, royal blue from the waist up, the waist and legs a dark shade of maroon. Smack-dab in the middle of the chest, a red and gold metallic crest in the shape of a shield bears the House of El's sigil. A golden belt, as well as a bright red cape, skirt, and boots complete the ensemble.
"How did he know?" –she breathes out. "This...it's perfect – almost authentic Kryptonian garb! A warrior could've worn this under their battle armor and no one would've batted an eye."
"Well, the skirt's all me." –she says, winking. "I'm not supposed to know this, but since S.H.I.E.L.D.'s pretty much given us complete control over the Avengers Initiative, they turned over all their files on you, your pod...what you brought from home. I imagine Tony picked up some inspiration from that." –Pepper reasons. "I'm glad you like it."
"I love it!" –Kara says. She pokes the metal shield with some strength, and finds herself elated when it doesn't budge at all. "How did you guys agree to have S.H.I.E.L.D. let you...us, off the chain?"
Pepper sits beside her. "Well, it was actually Director Fury's idea. Clearly, he's not too happy with the World Security Council – we figure it's payback for trying to nuke New York. We've agreed to keep the Avengers separate from their chain of command. In exchange, he expects our support when they have a particularly difficult mission, exchanging intel, that kind of thing."
"Well, I'm glad. I feel bad for saying this, since he, y'know, found me and gave me a family, but I don't really like Fury."
The redhead gives her a sardonic smile. "I don't think anyone does, Kara. Not even himself. But he's a necessary evil, I suppose."
"Right."
Pepper shrugs. "Anyway, feel free to settle in. If you'd like us to move your belongings to your quarters, just say the word. I'm headed back to California for the week, so it'll just be you, JARVIS, and Mr. Schott until Tony gets it into his thick head that he needs an actual bed, food, and a real shower to function."
Kara snorts. "That's ok. I was about to head out, anyway. There's still a lot to do down there."
Pepper nods approvingly. "Make sure you wear your cape, then."
Kara gazes, starry-eyed, at the familiar red cloth. "How could I not? This thing came with me all the way from Krypton."
As always, thank you for your attention! Make sure to comment or message me if you have any questions about this story. Look me up on Twitter as Darthkvzn or Tumblr as darthkvznblogs if you'd like - and on Ko-fi, as Darthkvzn, if you like what I do and have a buck to spare.
Until next time!