Tony had given Ezri the tour of his tower, and ended the tour in his workshop where Ezri was just as fascinated as he was when he was working on new projects. Tony wasn't one to shy away from flaunting and showing his intelligence or his new toys, and Ezri clapped each time with a huge smile on her face.

"Sir, the team has arrived."

"Thanks Jarvis," Tony said as he jumped off his platform, Ezri following him as they made their way towards the elevator, "I'm surprised they made it here so fast; they're pretty busy people."

"They must be happy to finally have a chance to take a break though." Ezri signed, adapting to Ariel speaking for her.

"Maybe, but hey, I'm still glad you're here." Tony assured her.

The elevator had opened for them, and the duo made their way into the main top floor where Ezri greeted everyone with a bright smile. Bruce, Nat and Clint stood on one side of the room near the bar as Steve stood at the sitting area in the center, flashing her a small smile.

"Welcome back, Ezri." Nat said with a smile, Ezri bowing to them.

"Welcome back to Earth! I hope you won't miss Asgard too much, we promise we'll make it fun for you here." Clint greeted Ezri.

"I imagine that Tony has a lot of experiments and idea's he'd love to try but, I'm glad to see you again under better circumstances." Bruce spoke, and Ezri nodded in agreement.

Steve slowly approached her, and Ezri looked up at him; he looked taller than she remembered.

"I'm glad to have you back, we didn't think you'd come back to visit us." Steve said, Ezri flashing him a small smile.

"I am a woman of my word. Thank you for welcoming me, truly." Ezri signed, watching alongside Tony in amusement as the team reacted to Ariel's voice throughout the room.

"That's pretty neat," Clint said before flashing Tony an annoyed look, "did you have to voice her Ariel from the Little Mermaid though?"

"It seemed fitting." Tony said with a shrug but thought nothing of it.

"Come sit," Nat said, hooking her arm with Ezri as she guided her to the sofa, "how is Asgard?"

Ezri sat down as Nat sat on her side, Steve sitting beside her as the team sat in front of her.

"Thor and I have been fighting non-stop against the Chitauri, but it seems to have finally slowed down just a bit. Soon, they won't have many places to hide." Ezri signed happily, but Nat could see it was pained look.

"Well, that's good to hear." Clint said, but Ezri shrugged.

"But tell me about your adventures. How is everyone?" Ezri asked.

For hours the team spoke, and Ezri was amazed at how familiar everyone was with each other, yet she couldn't help but feel out of place amongst them. She noticed how close Clint and Nat were to one another, but when Bruce would stare at Nat; she secretly rooted for the two of them. Bruce and Tony seemed to have a connection with one another with their knowledge; like when they first met just recently.

Ezri looked over to Steve, feeling a painful feeling yet a more painful emotion coming off of him, but he seemed somewhat unbothered. His eyes told a different tale, they were distant and yet focused. Ezri was a hunter and healer; she hated how observant she was, but sirens had to fight for survival in the water every day.

And her father used her brutally for this.

Ezri placed her hand palm up towards Steve, catching his attention quickly as he looked down to her hand before he gazed up to her.

"You want my hand?"

Ezri nodded.

"With all due respect- "

Ezri narrowed her eyes at him as she scooted closer to him, refusing to relent. Tony and Nat saw the small blush on Steve's face, the look of awkwardness on his face as Ezri pressed her leg against his.

"Is my wrist, okay?"

Ezri smiled and nodded, waiting patiently as he carefully placed his wrist over her hand, watching her intently to see what exactly she was going to do.

Ezri looked up to him, their eyes locking as she cast her healing over him. She was carefully not to invade his thoughts, but she saw a flash of a brunette woman, and flashes of war; he was in pain. Steve sighed in relief, feeling all his painful memories leave him, his aches that remained disappeared instantly before she released him.

"Thank you, Ezri."

"So, Ariel," Ezri looked over to Tony who now stood up, "I saw in the video that you can manipulate water. And you can heal too? What exactly is it that you are, and what you can do?"

Ezri sighed, not sure where to start or to begin, but she refused to share anything too personal. They were kind to her, sure, but she still had to be careful not to share the truth of how she came here. She didn't want them to be afraid of her.

"I'm a hunter and a healer back in Asgard. I am a siren, and I come from the ocean. Because of this, I can manipulate the water, as you saw. Because I had to survive in the ocean since I was a child, I'm an excellent hunter, and almost too observant," Ezri explained,

"As for healing, I've been able to since I was a child. I can help heal mental and physical injuries and pains, but both can be draining; especially mentally. I…can read people's memories and thoughts if I touch you but it's easier if I have your permission. If forced, it'll quickly take its toll on me; like losing consciousness for several days." Ezri continued.

"That's a lot to endure." Nat said, but Ezri shrugged with a frown.

"That's why I'm thankful of Thor, he doesn't use me in such a way, nor has he ever asked." Ezri said.

"Well, listen, here we use our abilities to help one another, but we will never force you." Tony assured her, but Nat threw him a suspicious look.

"She just got here and already you're ready to throw her into missions?" Nat questioned.

"I don't mind, I'm happy to help wherever you need me," Ezri signed to them, "but I won't kill anyone."

"Good, we expect nothing less, but we do need to prepare you with some training. Maybe do some sparring when you're ready so we know what we're working with." Steve told her.

"I'm good now, whenever you want to test me, Steve." Ezri signed with a smile.

Steve narrowed his eyes at Ezri playfully before flashing a smirk to match it. Steve wasn't one to miss an opportunity to spar with someone, but he had to admit he was curious about her. His mind flashed to the first time he met her on the Quinjet, watching her in her siren form; she was elegant and delicate in the water. Nat had never seen Steve react in such a way, more so to a new person, and she secretly began to root for them. Ezri seemed like a tough cookie when she had kindness to her, like an old soul.

"Hello everyone."

Tony smirked, kissing the woman on the cheek as she smiled. Placing the large bags in her hands on the floor, Tony guided the woman with a hand on her lower back towards Ezri as she stood up.

"Pepper, this is Ezri, the kid I told you about. Ezri, this is Pepper Potts."

Pepper smiled and offered her hand to Ezri.

"Hello, Ezri. It's a pleasure to finally meet you." Pepper said. Ezri looked at her hand for a moment before placing her hand into Pepper's, watching as Pepper shook her hand up and down.

Ezri froze, feeling Pepper's pain and frowned as she looked up to Pepper. Before pepper could ask, Ezri cast a healing spell over Pepper, her hand glowing white. Pepper looked at Tony in amazement as she felt herself back to her old self, her pain and sore gone from her time in the hospital.

"Oh my god, that's amazing!" Pepper exclaimed, making Ezri smile when she released Pepper's hand.

"What is all this?" Ezri asked as the AI translated.

"Oh, well, Tony and I ordered you some clothes while you stay with us. Just let me know if nothing fits or if we missed anything." Pepper told her.

"Wait, you're staying here at the tower?" Bruce asked, and Ezri nodded.

"Just until the compound is almost done, it should be within the month now." Tony assured them.

"Perfect, why don't I help Ezri with the bags and then head downstairs for that sparring in action?" Nat asked.

"It would be good for me so I can work on a weapon and a suit for you, if you're up for it, kid." Tony asked and Ezri nodded in agreement.

"See you ladies in a bit, then." Clint stated, as they went towards the elevator.

Nat had helped Ezri take the bags into the room and waited for Ezri put the items away as quickly as she could, but Nat was observing her closely. Once she was done putting everything away, Ezri pulled her hair up in a high ponytail when Nat saw the tattoo markings appearing from the back of her ear, making their way down her neck, and disappearing into her clothing.

"Do your tattoo markings having any meaning?" Nat asked.

Ezri froze, looking over to Nat and slowly nodded.

"It represents my status: healer, defender…royalty."

"Asgardian's have that? I didn't see Thor with any." Nat pointed out; she knew there was more that Ezri was willing to share.

"Maybe one day I'll tell you about it. I had a more painful life before I met Thor and Loki, but I know you're aware that Thor and I are different beings. I'm…from another kingdom from them and I've been fighting for my life since, that's all I'll say for now." Ezri told her.

Nat watched her reaction, the emotions Ezri showed but tightened up; she and Ezri were too much alike.

"When I joined SHIELD, it was also recommended to me, just like you. Back then, I was the world's deadliest woman assassin and Barton is the world's best archer; he's never missed a shot," Nat spoke, "when he tried to kill me, he instead offers to recruit me here. At first, I didn't trust him, ready to run and fight my way out but now…he's my best friend."

"It took some time for people to trust me, the same time for me to put trust in others. But I'll tell you one thing: this is a good team. If you want to trust anyone, these are the people to start with," Nat continued, "even Tony. His knowledge of things can cloud his judgement although he has the best of intentions."

"Thank you, Nat. I just…it'll be hard to adjust. Thor and Loki were the only friend's I ever had." Ezri confessed, and Nat smiled.

"I know the feeling, but trust me, you'll be just fine," Nat said as she stood, "Now, let's see how you fight. And…remember, don't show all your cards."

When Nat and Ezri entered the spar room, Ezri saw Steve standing in the middle of the room with the team standing on the side; Nat making her way over to them as Ezri approached Steve.

"Why don't you choose your weapon of choice? Just one." Steve insisted as he clicked on his shield and Ezri nodded. Looking at the weapon choices, she frowned when she saw that there were no spears to be seen. There were options for guns, knives and such but she had to, but she finally saw a metal staff on the rack; it'd have to do.

Taking it off the rack, she turned it around to Steve and smiled as she skipped over to him.

"Ready?" Steve asked, and Ezri nodded.

Steve charged at her, and Ezri waited for him until she started to easily deflect his attacks. Her strategy was simple, just deflect, no crazy moves, and no water tricks; Steve wasn't making it easy for her. Steve could tell she was holding back but she was choosing to be smart about saving her strength.

Steve intensified his attacks, pushing Ezri back until he knocked her staff away. Ezri didn't panic though and ran towards her staff as it rolled away from them. Steve took the chance to throw his shield at her, but Ezri heard it coming and slid down, looking back at Steve with a smirk on her face before she grabbed the staff.

Steve threw it again as he ran towards Ezri, but she used the staff to stop the shield, allowing it to drop on the ground before she threw her staff at an alarming speed at Steve. He stopped and caught the staff but when he looked back at Ezri, she shield-bashed him onto his back. As he aimed the staff at her throat, she pressed his shield against her throat.

"Oh my god!" Pepper shouted in alarm.

"Good work, Ezri!" Nat shouted.

Ezri smiled and offered her hand to Steve, who pushed himself up before taking Ezri's hand to help make it easy on her lifting him.

"You handled yourself well, Ezri. I shouldn't have underestimated you." Steve stated but Ezri waved her hand passively.

"I'm used to it, but you're not so bad, Steve." Ezri signed as she noticed the team approaching them.

Tony had observed her and realized that she was agile, the staff was her friend, but she kept her calm as she used Steve's shield against him.

"You did really good work, I didn't think I'd ever see someone survive against Steve." Clint teased.

"It was just a spar; be both weren't trying to harm each other." Steve defended them but he knew it was pointless as Nat took the staff from Ezri.

"You said you fight with staffs, spears, and bows, right? You should really learn how to use a gun as well; they can be found anywhere if you lose your weapons." Nat explained to her.

"That won't be necessary but thank you. I'll make sure to not lose this." Ezri said, smiling with gratitude.

"Well, regardless, I'll need to make a custom weapon for you. I hope you don't mind me taking the liberty of making you a suit. Nothing as amazing as mine, of course, but we need to run some tests." Tony explained.

Ezri smiled, "You don't have to do that, really. I usually just with fight with what I have."

"Even better. Come, let's some missions up for you, hmm? You'll love it." Tony suggested, nodding for them to follow him towards the back of the training room.

The room had glass walls, the center of the room was a rather large round table but on approach, Ezri realized the table was designed from the other tables she had seen around the tower. Everyone had sat down but Ezri and Tony, standing beside him as Tony pulled up windows of files.

Ezri was scheduled to meet Nat for a simple mission: stake-out a target for any leads on a rumor of a group called Hydra, find any leads or proof; including hacking his computer for all his files and gaining access to it in the future.

"Steve and I will be leaving a mission soon, I'll leave you an address to meet me at safe house I'll be at. I trust you guys can get her there?" Nat questioned.

"I'll make sure she get's there, not to worry." Bruce assured her he was willing to escort her there.

"For now, why don't you and I work on putting your voice on-the-go? Are you comfortable with jewelry?" Tony asked, playfully clasping a hand on Ezri's shoulder.

"I am. I can't wait to see what new creation you'll invent, Sir Tony. Can I watch?" Ezri asked, making Tony smirk.

"Of course, I'll even need your help with testing it."

"As long as your arm friends don't try to help me, poor things." Ezri said with a smile as Tony chuckled.

"They're not the smartest, I'll admit."

"So, what are the plans for her after?" Steve asked, interrupting their banter with annoyance.

"Afterwards, I was thinking of partnering her Clint for some espionage work, followed with her partnering with you Cap. After that, I was thinking of creating some modules for in the meantime when she's done with that. I'd offer her to Bruce but we don't want the Jolly Green out unless we have to." Tony explained.

The rest of the day, the team planned out what would and who would work best for her; the missions that would best work for her, but Ezri merely agreed to anything. She was just happy to help, but that didn't stop her from feeling out of place.

Over the next week, Tony, Bruce, and Ezri tested new equipment for the team, as well as for Ezri herself. Tony had placed two cuffs with one on each of her wrists before he suited up, turning on his calms.

"Bruce, can you put on your ear piece also so we can test this out?" Tony asked of him.

"Of course." Bruce acknowledged him before placing on his comms.

Tony guided Ezri over to the end of the room, a good distance away from them before he stood on the opposite end on her right, making a perfect triangular space between them.

"Okay, good. Now, if you could please sign something for us. Anything at all." Tony encouraged her.

"I didn't like The Little Mermaid movie at all." Ezri signed.

"I didn't like The Little Mermaid movie at all." The Ariel AI spoke through the comms.

Bruce looked over to Tony in amazement, their hard work had finally paid off after constant testing with the help of Ezri. To finally see it come into reality, Ezri finally had her voice within the team.

"Holy shit, it works!" Tony exclaimed as he approached Bruce, waving Ezri over.

"Really, that's amazing!" Ezri signed, "you both as so amazing, thank you!"

"Thanks for the inspiration, it feels good to do something like this." Bruce said with a smile.

"Same, here kiddo. I'll set this up for an update in a few minutes, but why don't you go get packed and change before Bruce takes you up to Nat's safe house; today is your drop off." Tony advised her.

Tony grew to enjoying the kid here, her curiosity was infectious and watching her learn about new common everyday items fascinated her; he hated to think it, but she was similar to Ariel- minus Prince Eric.

"Will do, Sir Tony!" Ezri signed in excitement before she ran out of the room.

Ezri had quickly changed into her white muscle shirt with a dark green bomber jacket before she braided her hair over her shoulder. Making her way outside of the Towers, Ezri smiled when she saw Bruce and Tony in the lobby waiting for her.

"Ready to go?" Bruce asked and she nodded.

"See you soon, Sir Tony. Thanks again for opening your home to me." Ezri said.

"Of course, kid. When you're done with Nat, the new compound should finish being built; it'll be our new housing for you and anyone else who wants to stay there. I have a special surprise for you there when you get back." Tony told her.

"Thank you, Sir Tony. Take care." Ezri signed before Bruce guided her out of the building.

Bruce was a man of his word and dropped her off at the safe house. It was an old apartment building, but Ezri was quick to say her goodbyes before she made her way into the complex. Ezri quickly noticed the lobby was empty, but it felt eerie to her. She remained cautious before she made her way up the stairs to the 8th floor.

Following the directions Nat had left her, she made her way into the hall where she was a man in a blue shirt and blue jeans leaning against a door, his arms crossed but he didn't look impatient whatsoever. As she approached closer to him, Ezri realized Nat's room was 8F, and he was standing right in front of it.

He looked over to Ezri and smiled warmly to her; he was genuine and had a gorgeous smile, but she wouldn't lower her guard that quickly.

"Ezri?"

Ezri took a dep back, ready to fun, but the man held his hands up in surrender.

"Nat sent me to get you, my name is Sam Wilson. I'm a friend of her and Captain." Sam told her.

Ezri was hesitant but Sam knew she was going to react this way.

"Let me know what I can do for you to trust me." Ezri's eyes widened when she saw him use sign language.

"Can I see your hand for a moment?" Ezri asked in sign language, and he nodded, offering his right hand to her.

Sam watched as she took his hands into hers, closing her eyes as she read him. He was an open guy; she'd have to talk to him about this later. Ezri was able to see that Steve and Nat had appeared at Sam's front door, covered in dirt and smoke, but it was worse than she thought- SHIELD had been compromised by this Hydra group.

"She asked me to come get you and take you to her before Hydra comes here. Do you trust me?" Sam asked her. She nodded, flashing him a small smile.

"Thanks, let's go."