Quiet Before
Tony Stark had a problem. Actually, he had numerous problems but the more pressing was the results of every tests that he and Bruce had run on you. No matter how many times they took samples and ran diagnostics, everything always came back normal. No indication of powers or anything inhuman. Now, that wouldn’t be a problem if he wasn’t one hundred percent certain you weren’t human.
“Nothing new?” you inquire as he has Bruce take another blood sample. “Just more blood and perhaps a nice cheek swab? Really, for such intelligent individuals this is rather dull.”
Tony fiddles with his latest inventions and doesn’t bother to look up at you. “Yeah, well if not at first and all that jazz.”
“I highly doubt trying again will get you gentlemen anywhere in this case.” Holding the cotton swab now that Bruce was finished. “The results will never change.”
“Why is that?” Bruce asks feeling more inclined to humor you this week. Lately, he’d noticed that your presence was calming to him and not at all as stressful as he feared it would be. Plus, you were reasonably intelligent on the matters he and Tony study and seemed interested when he spoke of them to you.
You let out a sigh. “Because my body has acclimated to the dominate species of this this planet and that is human. I’m built to blend in and not appear as anything but ordinary. Thus, if my results didn’t come back normal then it would mean I’d stick out, which I’m not supposed to do.”
“That seems… impossible.” Bruce muses as he fiddles with the vials of blood. “Have you always been able to do this?”
“I suppose,” you shrug. “It has never been something I’ve considered much.”
Tony is about to add to the conversation when a subtle cough from the corner can be heard. This is his second largest problem. Bucky Barnes has taken up the unofficial position as your body guard, a job he seems to take very seriously. Unless he is with Steve or training, Bucky can be found somewhere in your vicinity. It is not that it is a problem, per se, for Tony… more of a curious annoyance. Something he cannot fully comprehend as occurring.
“Are we almost done?” you ask on behalf of the silent soldier in the corner.
Bruce nods. “Yeah, you can go now.”
When you stand, Bucky appears behind you like a shadow that never strays too far from its mistress. The team found it concerning at first, even Clint, but as it became apparent that your relationship with Bucky was helping him heal they stopped worrying. He liked to be near you. It comforted him to know that no matter how dark the shadows or black the night there was someone who was standing amongst it. In a sense, he felt protected by you.
The Winter Soldier. A man known for his prowess as a skilled assassin was like a child hiding behind your skirts. That is not to say he couldn’t kill with the same efficiency as before, but he had no need to. And, each night he went to sleep the nightmares plagued him less and pleasant memories invaded his dreams once more.
As you start to leave the lab, you pause to stare out the window. A look of longing on your face as the sun hits it. “Do you know if Fury has permitted to let me out of the tower yet? I desperately wish to breathe fresh air again.”
“No clue,” Tony doesn’t even bother to look up as he responds. Already, his thoughts on you and Bucky are drifting to the back of his mind.
Bruce gives a helpless shrug, but does offer you a sympathetic smile.
“Come on,” Bucky guides you from the room and into the elevator. “I’ll see if I can get Fury to relent.”
You don’t bother responding, too busy caught up in how you’re stuck in yet another cage.
~
“Well?” questions Nat as she munches on her sandwich while eating lunch with Steve. Clint left days ago to visit his family, whom you spoke with more than him (which he often complained about). “Can you talk Fury into letting her outside or what?”
Steve shifts uncomfortably and takes another bite of his sandwich to prevent needing to answer for another moment. It isn’t that he minds helping you get permission to go outside, but that he isn’t sure how much he can sway the direction. None of the others had been able to convince him, thus they turned to Steve.
“I’m going to speak to him right after eating.” He replies as finishes swallowing. “I might be able to convince him to let her outside like on a porch or maybe the rooftop.”
“Come on, Steve.” Nat huffs as she throws a chip at him. “Stop chickening out and do it. None of the rest of us could get anywhere with him so it is up to you. Be Captain fucking America!”
Steve stares down at the remains of his sandwich that is clutched rather tightly in his hands. “Yeah, I know. Big goddamn hero, that’s me.”
“Language!” comes the shout of Tony from the kitchen where he’s making himself a sandwich.
Bruce shuffles into the room carrying his lunch over to the table and gives them both a sheepish smile. “Ignore Tony, Cap.”
“No one can ignore Tony.” Says Nat with an eyeroll. “He’s too damn annoying.”
As Steve finishes up his lunch, he takes it to the kitchen and then gives the team a salute. “I’ll be going on my mission now. If I don’t return you may have my stuff.”
The team snickers as Steve enters the elevator to confront Fury about getting you some fresh air.
~
“She can’t be trusted, Captain.” Fury repeats for the third time as he argues with Steve. “We know nothing and have learned nothing. The answer is no. She cannot go outside!”
Steve leans back and sighs. “Come on, Director. You’ve got to give us something. There will be mutinies if you don’t. She’s corrupting us all.” He gives a small chuckle as he realizes how true his statement is. Slowly, they’ve all come to accept you in their lives. You listen without judgment when they fear no one else will. Without meaning to you’ve become a part of the team.
Fury leans back in his chair. “I can’t offer much. Protocol would have her put back in a tank like she was before. But, I won’t do that.”
Letting out a relieved breath, Steve smiles. “Okay, what are you offering?”
“She can go outside but not leave the tower’s premise. Sorry, Captain, that’s the best I can offer.” Fury spreads his hands.
“Okay,” Steve agrees, standing to go tell you the news.