Chapter 23: Let's take the opportunity to appreciate what we have
The charity ball was rescheduled for that night, and the team were discussing whether Bucky should go. They were all arguing over it, some saying he should, some saying he shouldn't. It got to the point where Bruce slammed his book down on the table, which shut everyone up, and told them it was up to Bucky. Bucky had been sitting there awkwardly, not wanting to upset anyone. When Bruce spoke, everyone looked at Bucky for a decision.
"Um, I suppose it would be nice to go. See what the worlds like when I'm not trying to blow it up." He stuttered. Alexis laughed, thinking of how much he sounded like Loki.
"Well guys, I know you're mainly men and you just have to throw a suit on, but me and Nat need to get ready." Alexis said, standing up. Nat followed suit. They walked out the room, talking about how they were going to do their hair. The men all looked at each other and then laughed. Oh how little the women knew about men. They all began to head down to the ballroom, where the even was being held, to finish preparations. Steve and Bucky were catching up, talking about what had happened since they'd last seen each other.
"So, what's the deal with you and Romanoff?" Bucky asked Steve as they were hanging up the last of the banners, declaring that the ball was in aid of the Avengers World Help charity. They'd set it up after New York to help pay for all the messes they left behind.
"Well, we've been partners for ages, and it just developed. I hope don't think I'm stealing your girl."
Steve gave a quick look around. Luckily everyone else had wandered back upstairs to get ready.
"Stevey boy, of course I don't. It was the Red Room; it was a long time ago. She's yours. Just don't hurt her otherwise I will not hesitate to kick your butt."
"I think you have already spent too much time with us." Both men turned when they heard the drawling voice. Loki stepped out of the shadows with his hands up.
"Don't worry, I already guessed. Luckily for you two, I disabled the cameras when I heard where your little chat was going."
Bucky looked really confused about what Loki was talking about.
"Tony installed cameras in every room. And when me and Lex got together, everyone in the team threatened to kill me if I hurt her. You'll fit right in." Loki elaborated then slunk back into the shadows. Steve and Bucky looked at each other, and then began to head back to their rooms.
3 hours later
They all gathered in the lounge before heading down to the ballroom. Nat and Alexis were the last ones in. When they walked in, wearing the dresses they'd bought from the back street shop, everyone was gobsmacked. They looked unearthly, so beautiful that they looked almost as if they were from legend. Tony had to slap Loki on the back of the head to stop the demi-god from looking at Lex as if she was a piece of meat. Lex laughed in her head at that. Loki and Steve walked over to them and took theirs arms, Clint giving Nat and Steve a shocked look.
Clint was pissed off. He'd been allowed to stay in the team, but was on restricted access. On top of that, he'd been withdrawn from the field. His aim tonight was to get drunk. Luke looked as if his plan was somewhat similar.
As they walked into the ballroom, a bright flash of cameras went up in their faces. They all smiled, and answered the mandatory questions before heading towards different groups of people. About halfway through the night, of which Alexis had spent bored out of her mind talking to some military buff, Tony brought a small brunette over to her.
"Lexi, I would like you meet Cali." Tony said, with a grin on his face. He was positively glowing.
"It's great to finally meet you Cali. Think we're going to get on great." Alexis said, pulling the woman into a hug, and smiled at Tony. They chatted for about 5 minutes, before Lex felt a tap on her back. She turned around; expecting to see Loki but saw it was a man she'd never seen before. He was about 6ft and had silver hair, and snow white skin. He was wearing a black 3 piece, and his cufflinks were snowflakes. His eyes were the colour of ice. He looked as if he was made out of winter itself. He was striking, she could defiantly say that. She felt a small wave of jealousy from Loki, who talking to Steve at the other side of the room, over the bond.
Not my type. You don't have to worry
That's good babe
"May I have this dance, Firefly? And may I say your name does not give you the justice you deserve." The man said, reaching down to kiss her hand. She let him, while thinking up a response.
"You may." They began to walk towards the area in the middle of the room that was being used as a dance floor. The song began; a slow waltz. They danced in silence for about a minute before the man began to talk.
"You've changed."
"Pardon? Do I know you?"
"You used to. But that doesn't matter now. You're in danger."
"I'm an avenger, it's my job."
"Not that sort of danger. A different type. You can't…. how can I put it?" He gave a quick look around, as if he was being watched. "Everything you know, everything you believed in, everything you trusted isn't what you think it is. IF you want to keep things as they are, keep everything you've gained, you have to act now."
"What's the danger? And who are you? I'm not going to trust a random person who claims to know me."
"The danger is a snake in your midst. They're someone you trust, even if you don't realise it. You have to look inside yourself otherwise you won't make it. "
"Why shouldn't I just teleport you in to the cells right now, and torture the information out of you?" She was beginning to get annoyed. The next song had started and they were still dancing. Loki tried to find out why, but she blocked him.
"That's not your style. Well, it never used to be." The longer they talked, the more…human he became. His skin started to warm up, and his cheeks began to colour, like winter changing into spring.
"Who the hell are you?"
"A friend. You may never have counted me as one, but I always counted you as one. I've changed since then, but so have you."
The second song ended and they stopped dancing right in the middle of the crowd. The man kissed Lex's hand again, and held it.
"I must go now. Just remember what I said. It could save your life." He let go of her hand, and all the colour and warmth instantly drained from him. He took a step back, bowed and began to walk away. He took a few steps before Alexis called out," Please, just tell me your name."
He turned around and gave her an impish grin.
"My name is Jack Frost." As soon as the last sound left his mouth, he melted into the crowd. Alexis stood there in a confused daze, and then realised there was something on her wrist. She looked down and on the wrist of the hand he'd kissed dangled a snowflake pendant hanging on a chain that looked as if it was made of frost.
Alexis snuck out the crowd, managing to avoid any of the avengers. She headed out of the room by the emergency exit, and headed to her room. She needed to find out who Jack Frost was.