Chapter 22: Out with the old, in with the, well old

After she recovered, Alexis began to meander downstairs. As she walked into the lounge, she was knocked down by Tony giving her an attack hug. Luke, Jake and Clint were in there with the rest of the team, and Luke was sitting looking like he didn't want to be there. Clint and Loki were pointedly not looking at each other, which Jake looked amused at.

"Lexi! Don't you ever do that again or I will ground you, actually wait that wouldn't work, I would, um um ….." He grinned at her.

"I missed you too dad, but can you get off me please, your squishing me." Loki, Nat and Steve laughed at that. Tony pulled a hurt puppy dog face.

"You smote me."

Alexis laughed and as she got up said, "Join the club." Luke looked down at his hands. Loki and Jake noticed, and shared a look of "It's your other half's fault" at each other. Alexis noticed the effect the comment had on Luke, and was disgusted with herself.

You shouldn't be babe, he hurt you

I know, but I still feel bad.

You shouldn't. It's like how Thor felt responsible for New York.

Still…

I know it's hard but you have to keep your chin up.

Loki walked up to her and pulled her into a hug. She rested her head on his shoulder and he began to stroke her hair. She was beating herself up because she'd almost got over her depression, nearly out of the woods, of Wonderland but this had pushed further in than ever before. It was worse than before because the person that had helped her had betrayed her, and even though she had people this time she felt more alone than ever before. It was so hard to keep going, to keep fighting. The moment was ruined by a knock on the window. They pulled apart, and when she realised it was Peter she ran over to the window to let him in. As he crawled in through the window, she pulled him into a hug. Loki and Tony looked at each other.

"Lexi, why are you hugging Spandex? You haven't been cheating have you?" Tony asked. Alexis and Peter laughed, and Peter ran his fingers through his hair.

"No dad, he's more like an older brother. He's been tutoring me in science." Tony looked offended.

"Why didn't you ask me? I'm a genius."

"Dad, admit it, the only person who understands you is Bruce. You'd be a crap teacher." Nat laughed really hard at that.

Suddenly a red light started flashing, and Jarvis said, "Sir, there has been a breach of the ground floor." The surveillance feed showed up on the telly.

"Alright guys su-"

"TONY WAIT!" Steve suddenly shouted. The whole team stared at him. "I know him." He turned to Nat. "It's him." Recognition flashed over her face. She stood up.

"Alex, come with me and Steve. Everyone else stay here. We can handle it." Alexis looked surprised momentarily looked confused, and then nodded her head. Nat and Steve began to walk over to the elevator, but Lex shook her head, ran up behind then, and grabbed their shoulders and teleported out. The whole team looked really confused, well, all except for Bruce, who had returned the book he was reading.

In the lobby, Alexis teleported in right in front of the intruder. The intruder stopped, shocked and Alexis took the lead, growling, "Tell me who you are or I will burn you to ashes." To prove her point she created a ball of fire in her hands. The intruder took a step back, and pulled down the hood that had been covering his face. It was Bucky.

"Bucky?" Steve began to step forward, and then stopped, in case Bucky had been brain washed again.

"Steve?" Bucky said, and Steve gave a megawatt grin, and pulled him into a hug. Alexis gave an extremely confused look to Nat, who stood their smiling like a PTA mum.

"Guys, would someone care to explain?"

"Lexi, this Bucky Barnes, a very good friend of mine."

"Oh yere, I remember, The Winter Soldier, right? Sorry I hacked SHIELD a while back."

Bucky looked surprised at the girl. She confused him. She noticed the look. She took a step forward and gave Bucky a hug. He looked really shocked, and then relaxed a little bit. Steve laughed at Bucky's face.

"Don't worry, we won't judge you. Do you know who Loki is?" Alexis asked as she pulled away. Bucky shook his head. "Well he tried to destroy New York, but now he's a good guy and I'm going out with him. You can do the same; well not go out with me but..."

"Lexi, calm down. Maybe we should go introduce him?" Steve noticed that Lex was confusing Bucky a bit.

"That's probably a good idea. Whatya think Bucky? Do you want to meet everyone?"

"Um, I suppose so. They won't hurt me will they?"

"No of course not. If they do Steve me and Nat will kick their asses won't we Nat?" She turned for conformation, but the red head was already gone.

She's up here filling us in. I'll kick their ass too, and Thor probably will

"Well from the sounds of it, the team like you" she told Bucky who stopped. He felt a hand on his arm, and looked to see it was Steve.

"She can read minds, and she had a mind link with Loki. She can also do some pretty nifty tricks with air and fire."

"She seems nice."

They began to follow her but she popped out of existence. Bucky raised his eyebrows.

"Yere she can teleport too. She's a great girl, but she's had a tough time. We all have."

"I'll fit right in. Any pretty ladies?" Steve laughed, and Bucky began to. That was the Bucky he knew.

"None that are single. A quick warning, it's now legal to be in a same-sex relationship, and 2 of the newer members are dating so, just don't be too shocked."

"Oh, um okay I suppose."

"Come on then, let's go find everyone else." Steve said to Bucky, and they got in the elevator.