Settling In

Nat and I discussed a few things already, regarding our relationship. Since I will be the only Avenger with a secret identity it’s important to make sure we don’t give the public the wrong impression. I know her relationship with Darcy hasn’t been made public, nor the truth that they are part of a quad. I could understand it needing to be kept secret, given the list of enemies Natasha has from her past, her work with SHIELD and any future ones gained from being an Avenger.

In my case it has more to do with my alien origins and the powers I have. Fury said I am one of the most powerful individuals he has ever met. That kinda hinted that he knew more, but no matter how hard Natasha pressed him he wouldn’t spill. I am essentially a living solar battery, which fuels all my powers. I have never had a need to go all out before. The thought though does worry me sometimes. In any event, Supergirl is probably going to be classed as the most powerful of the Avengers, next to Hulk. But that’s just my opinion. So as far as the public will know Kara Kent will be in a quad relationship. If the day does ever come where I have to give up my secret identity…we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.

Nat drove us down in to a secure garage at the Tower. Stepping out, I made sure my hair was presentable in its ponytail and not blonde. And that my glasses were on straight. Skye classified this look as nerdy country mouse. Given that I’m in a similar ensemble as Nat right now, only my tank is blue and my over shirt is a tweed blend, I can let it slide. Provided she never share that new nickname with anyone else outside the family. Nat grabbed the only real suitcase I owned while I grabbed my two duffle bags, slinging them both easily over my shoulders. She then took me by the hand and led me to the elevator.

“Relax love. You have Clint as family and Steve is on your side all the way. Once the others get to know you they are going to love you,” Natasha told me, pumping out calming thoughts in an effort to diffuse my anxiety.

“Is Darcy here?”

“She is,” Natasha answered, closing her eyes and chuckling. I guess she’s picking up on something from her through the bond. It seemed to be good so I didn’t question it.

When the doors opened Nat pulled me out to a large room she told me is the team common area. It has a bar, a kitchen. Various couches and comfy chairs spaced out on the two floors. There are also some TV’s and game systems set up. This looks like a cool little hang out. Can’t wait to see what the rest of the place has in store.

“Welcome to Avenger’s Tower,” Pepper Potts greeted us, stepping forward and offering me her hand, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Kara.”

I shook her hand, remembering to keep my strength in check as I smiled gratefully at her. “Thank you Miss Potts. It’s great to be here and even greater to meet you.”

“Call me Pepper, please,” she laughed before moving in and wrapping her arms around me, surprising me with a tight hug as she whispered, “Thank you for saving Tony and the others. It took a lot of guts to come out to the world like that. Just know you have my full support moving forward as Supergirl.”

Looking over at Natasha, she smiled softly and nodded her head, placing my stuff off to the side before moving in to the room. I wrapped my arms around Pepper and hugged her back, touched beyond words at her sincerity and acceptance already. “You’re welcome. And thank you. It means a lot to me, knowing one of the toughest and honest women in business has my back.”

Pepper laughed louder as she pulled away from me. I smiled warmly at her as Steve came over. There was a large glass of ice cold lemonade in his hand. I could smell it from here and knew instantly who gave him the recipe.

“What did you do to get my mom to part with her lemonade recipe?” I asked him curiously.

“Nothing. She gave it to me actually. Though Skye did take a photo of just the two of us for her before your mom snapped one of us. Didn’t she tell you?”

I could hear Nat snickering from here as I processed what Steve just told me.

“Martha probably didn’t want Kara teasing either of them about it. You are after all something of a crush and religious figure to her family,” Uncle Clint teased as he stepped forward and hugged me, placing a kiss to my cheek.

“Thanks for that mental image, Uncle Clint,” I shuddered in his arms.

“Anytime darlin’.”

He hopped back out of reach before I could squeeze the life out of him, landing next to a blushing Steve. He laughed and threw his arm around him, leading him away just as Dr. Bruce Banner stepped towards me. He was calm and smiling and looked like he had a million questions he wanted to ask me. Being a scientist I could understand that. Just hope he treats me as more than just a science experiment.

“Hello and welcome to the insane asylum,” he joked nervously.

Nat told me everyone tries to treat Bruce like anyone else, despite knowing a single stressful aggravating moment might bring the Hulk out. She also told me there are Hulk proof rooms on most of the major floors Bruce uses. Rooms designed for him to enter when he feels the Hulk coming out, where he would be contained until he settled down and reverted back to Bruce. Seeing as how that’s the only way to open the sealed door.

“Why thank you kind sir,” I replied offering him my hand. He took it slowly and we shook firmly, looking each other square in the eye. “You don’t have to be concerned about your partner with me. I tried that Hulk punch on one of those whale things, took it right out. I love the big guy and can’t wait to meet him.”

Bruce looked shocked then let out a genuine laugh as he smiled at me. He could tell I was being sincere with my feelings regarding the Hulk, along with hopefully catching on to my hidden meaning behind that punch thing. That if it came down to it I’m pretty sure I can hold my own against the Hulk. The wink and nod he gave me told me he understood.

“So how come you’re not looking you’re normally sunshiny best right now?” Tony asked as he stood off to the side between us.

“Kara Kent is moving in to the Tower. Supergirl has yet to officially sign on as an Avenger. Didn’t you get the memo?”

“Oh I rarely read memos. JARVIS and Pep usually tell me about the serious stuff that needs my appearance or attention.”

I shook my head and chuckled at him. “You know you and I would be in the same boat. If it weren’t for that ‘I am Iron Man’ line you threw out during your press conference.”

“Who told you about that? The one eyed eagle or Agent Dumbass?” Tony asked a tad angrily at the end there. Though from what I understand its anger directed at Coulson, not me.

Fury and Coulson figured that by the time Steve made it back to the Tower the whole team would know he’s among the living. Coulson was worried, after Clint’s silent hostility through most of his time at the picnic that seeing the others would be ten times worse. But after a while Natasha and Uncle Clint forgave him, just glad to have him back. Steve too. So when or if he shows up with Skye and Melinda I’m sure the rest of them will forgive him too.

Eventually…after a few days in the dog house naturally.

“Neither. We do get the news down south you know. But if it makes you feel better and we are clear and secure here,” Tony gave me a nod, and I felt Nat’s confirmation as well, I took off my glasses and undid my ponytail. Shaking out my hair till it was hanging at my shoulders, I placed my fisted hands on my hips in what Skye calls my ‘Supergirl hero pose’. “Happy now?”

“Wow you’re really blonde,” I heard a female tone excitedly state, despite the blonde crack. Feeling the words on my shoulder heat up, I turned excited eyes over to where Natasha was standing next to a shorter girl with long dark hair and some pretty nice curves.

“Damn you’re stacked,” I replied, instantly causing Nat to nod her head like a bobble head doll, while the rest of the guys either laughed or acted like they hadn’t noticed. In case you’re wondering Tony is the one who outright laughed like a hyena on crack at hearing my words.

My eyes went wide in disbelief as I turned my attention to Nat. “Did I say that out loud?”

“You did and thank you for noticing,” the girl beside her smiled proudly as she came up to me, her smile shifting to a softer gentler kind. “I’m Darcy.”

“Kara,” I breathed, bowing my head and letting my hair hide my blushing face, “Sorry you got stuck with those words on you.”

“I’m not. Beats Nat’s ‘Thank god I didn’t kill you’,” Darcy laughed, the sound so real and full of amusement and life. I couldn’t help lifting my head a little to look at her smirking as Nat shot her a death beam glare from behind.

Darcy just turned her head and blew Nat a kiss before turning back to me. She’s perfect is the only thing I could think of in that moment. Clearly not overwhelmed by having genuine heroes in her life, much less being in a relationship with them. I can honestly say Natasha was right. Darcy is the most down to earth, endearing, goofy and real person either of us has ever met. The thought of the trouble she and my sister could get up to together when they meet both terrifies and amuses me.

“We’ll get to the whole serious discussions later. Right now I want to hear the real deal of your epic rescue of the Mighty Avengers. I’ve heard their versions now I want the genuine article.” The twinkle in her eye as she said that last part made me both laugh and get excited. Natasha sensed it also, assuring me Darcy just has that effect on people. Us especially.

Seriously rethinking the whole not being intimate thing now more than ever.

***

After telling Darcy the whole story, listening to Tony grumble through some of it, we sat down for a late lunch. Tony ordered a wide selection of sandwiches and salads from a local deli. Steve and I seemed to be the big eaters in the group right now, Darcy promising once Thor gets back it’ll be the three of us packing away the pounds. While I don’t really burn a lot of calories using my powers, thanks to my alien metabolism and physiology I can eat pretty much whatever I want without getting fat. Darcy told me she’d have to whip up a batch of her triple chocolate fudge brownies to test that theory. Nat groaned when she pleaded with her not to. Letting it slip that after eating just one of them she was in the gym for three days.

Steve picked up the conversation after that, telling me I had to come down and check out the gym Tony cooked up for the team. It’s loaded with special equipment designed to handle everyone’s strengths. The heavy bags can withstand his fiercest punches and the weight machines can be calibrated to the point it feels like you’re bench pressing a truck. Considering I stopped a falling passenger plane and held up a building, the calibrations might need to be set a little higher. Bruce offered me a tour of his lab and medical. He is sort of the team doctor, with Tony and Pepper working on bringing in more help and even offering labs for a couple scientists whose work could benefit not just the team, but the world as well. They just need the funding and equipment SI can provide. Even though he didn’t come right out and ask for it, I offered to let Bruce run a scan and give me a check-up. Provided all his findings stay in house.

JARVIS introduced himself at that point, stating that pertinent team information as well as medical files are secure and protected by him. I was about to argue that he isn’t exactly hacker proof, but Tony beat me to it. Turns out Uncle Clint and Steve filled him in on my sister when they told them about Coulson. I was a little worried about that, but then Tony told me he would kill to get Skyenet away from the suit. Sadly he understood family comes first, glancing around at everyone at the table with a look that silently conveyed something he didn’t want to say out loud.

“Speaking of family and the team,” Pepper began, translating Tony’s look, smiling softly as he ducked his head in embarrassment as she took his hand in hers, “Through our PR department, and with everyone’s agreement, the Avengers have made a public announcement that Supergirl is more than welcome to join the Avengers. Steve filled us all in on your desire to keep yourself and your alter ego separate. In order to ensure that I’ve come up with a few ideas on how we can best do that.”

It’s been less than a month since I came out as Supergirl. Since then I really haven’t gone out and done much as her. Mostly because I wanted to spend time getting to know Natasha, but also because as expected the media was having a field day with my reveal. SHIELD put out a blanket statement saying they have had contacted with Supergirl and supplied a public redacted account of my origins. Mainly with my home planet destroyed I’m a refugee here to help out my new found home. Beyond that they were leaving any further details up to me to share. That hasn’t stopped the tabloids from spouting out one outlandish theory after another about me. Skye’s favorite is I’m a little green alien piloting an advanced human shaped robot. She only likes that one because next to everything Disney, Men in Black is one of her favorite movies.

I was shocked by Pepper’s actions in that short amount of time and clearly the only one at the table who is. Everyone else, Tony especially, just see it as Pepper being Pepper. Staying one step ahead of any situation that could be harmful to the company or the team. From the feelings I was getting from Nat I’d come to get used to it. Just like a lot of things around here I imagine.

“So what do you have planned for me?” I asked genuinely curious.

“Well, for Kara, I was thinking you could be an intern.”

“What?” Darcy and I exclaimed together.

“Jinx, you owe me a soda,” Darcy replied quickly, earning a childish roll of the eyes from Natasha and a laugh from me.

“It would be in an unofficial capacity,” Pepper continued, not skipping a beat over our antics. “As far as anyone within the company would be concerned Kara Kent would be an assistant to me, specifically a liaison with the team for me when need be. This will make it appear to the public that you have connections within the team, making it more plausible why you’re living in the Tower with them. It’ll also work as a cover story as to how you met your soulmates, Natasha and Darcy, should the day come when you’re status as a quad comes out.”

“Impressive. Ever think of switching careers from business woman to secret agent, Pep? Seriously you got the body of a Bond girl to go along with that mind of yours,” Darcy told her, causing Pepper to blush.

“I can see it,” Nat nodded in agreement.

“Stop trying to tempt my girl. This place would fall apart without her,” Tony said.

“So would you,” Bruce retorted, causing everyone to laugh.

“So would we all,” Steve added, smiling at Pepper, “What do you need from us involving this public statement?”

“I was thinking of a press conference,” Pepper answered with a grateful smile shot at Steve before she looked over at me, her face calm yet serious. “Supergirl is world news now. Everyone is throwing in their two cents regarding who you are, why you’re here and what all you’re capable of. Despite SHIELD’s statement, people are...concerned...with having you around.”

“You mean they’re afraid,” I sighed, knowing that would be their main reaction once the wow factor wore off.

“Yes,” Pepper answered sadly.

Natasha reached out and took my hand, squeezing it tight as Darcy looked ready to kill.

“Ignorant, conspiracy theory, mother’s basement dwelling assholes,” Darcy growled out, “These are the same useless bloggers still blaming you guys for the shitstorm that SHIELD rained down on New York.”

“Darcy,” Uncle Clint began.

“Nuh uh. You said it yourself and Tony proved it. SHIELD wasn’t messing with the Tesseract for clean energy. They were planning on making the same ray guns and shit Cap there fought against. True, Fury was betting on you guys coming together to kick ass in the end. But the whole thing wouldn’t have happened in the first place if SHIELD didn’t poke that cube.”

“Darcy,” Steve shook his head.

“Tell me I’m wrong?” she asked him to which Steve didn’t argue, “Now these same petty jackasses have the nerve to question my girl’s intentions. After she not only saves a space shuttle, a plane loaded with reporters and kids and you guys. But also helps you and Nat save an army base and stop Chernobyl from happening here. No way. I ain’t letting that slide. Let me at that press conference and I’ll set them straight.”

I was wide eyed and in utter disbelief at what I had heard come out of Darcy’s mouth. We have yet to have our sit down and serious talk and already she’s willing to spill blood in defense of me. I could feel the same intentions coming from Nat, but to have Darcy voice them in such a strong way. Well it was beyond comforting and made me fall for her even more then I already have. Nat picked up on that and sent her agreement, having experienced a similar display on her behalf from Darcy. She knows just how I feel right now.

Pepper placed her hand to her chin, a look of deep thought crossed her face that sent Tony wide eyed just like me. But for a totally different reason I imagine.

“Please god tell me you aren’t considering it?” he asked in a pleading frantic tone, “You know how bad I am in front of a microphone. Double D’s there is a hundred times worse. She’ll flay them and the company alive at the same damn time and you know it.”

Pepper dropped the act and laughed, shooting a wink at Darcy before looking at Tony. “As fun as that sounds, I think we’ll be fine the Avengers join me outside the Tower and ask Supergirl to join the team. That way, if she wanted to, she could make a public statement declaring her intentions to stand as one of earth’s defenders right along with the rest of you.”

“Sounds like a public spectacle,” Uncle Clint stated.

“It will be when I fly down and accept the offer. Then give a short statement; followed by full fake interview of Supergirl by Kara Kent explaining her powers and intentions a bit more,” I said smiling knowingly at Pepper, “That would be within my jurisdiction as team liaison to you, wouldn’t it Miss Potts?”

“It would indeed, Miss Kent,” Pepper answered smiling back at me.

“Writing a puff piece about yourself seems a bit self-serving,” Tony declared.

“You’re just jealous because you can’t do one about Iron Man,” I countered, earning a round of laughter from the table and a few high fives at getting one over on Tony, who in turn bowed graciously to me.