Lina
Magic Eight Ball
All Katie had wanted since being freed from the lab was to build a new life for herself. One where she could help others as SHIELD had helped her. The Avengers seemed the perfect opportunity for it and she had worked hard. Not just on her telekinetic abilities, but also on herself. She had grown stronger, faster, and more confident during her intensive SHIELD training, slowly leaving behind the traumatized teen they had found cowering in the corner of a lab room in the outskirts of Chicago. Looking at her now, nobody would guess her troubled past.
The day after her introduction to the team and her move into her new room in the Avengers compound, Katie returned to her routine of morning runs. Habits were important, her therapist had told her over and over again. They had helped her settle back into normal life and create a structure for it. After years in a cell, complete freedom had been overwhelming at first. Now she treasured it more than anything. The fresh air, the morning sun just creeping over the horizon, the sounds of people on their way to work, or the chirping of birds were all special to Katie. She didn't even bother putting in headphones to run, much rather taking in the noises around her. She was dressed in dark green and black this morning, her red hair put up in a ponytail, which swayed back and forth at her leisurely running pace.
It still felt surreal knowing she was an official Avenger now. Especially since she didn't feel any different than last week. Then again, how were superheroes supposed to feel? They were just humans after all. Well, most of them anyway. Some were Gods apparently. Meeting the team had been interesting, to say the least, and Katie had been glad that she wasn't the only newcomer. It had helped her not be the center of attention, which she tended to avoid. She had generally spoken only little during the first meeting, preferring to just watch and take everyone in. Having been part of SHIELD for years, none of the Avengers were strangers in theory. But getting to know them in person was different. Tony Stark appeared much smaller yet more friendly than on TV, she thought. Steve Rogers on the other hand seemed more like a shy, down-to-earth kind of guy rather than a national symbol. It all made Katie wonder what they had thought of her. They had received her files in advance of course, but people on paper and people in real life were two very different things. Especially if one's file included at least 10 pages on trauma and therapy alone.
Noticing her thoughts swaying, Katie shook her head and pushed herself to run faster. They hadn't been given a mission yet, but she wanted to keep herself fit to be prepared. Unlike the others, she was no super-soldier or brilliant mind with mechanical suits. At least she had her powers to give her an advantage in battle. Still, getting more stamina never hurt.
Suddenly she noticed footsteps behind her and guessing from the sound, it was someone running as well. She turned her head, seeing none other than Captain America coming into the park's lane right behind her. Katie couldn't say she was surprised for him to be a morning runner as well, but it did make her wonder how to act. Did she say hello and then just leave him to his run? Or should she try and socialize? In the end, a rather awkward: "Good morning, sir." escaped her lips. She wanted to smack herself the moment the words had been spoken. Calling people "sir" had been drilled into her somehow. Even during SHIELD training, she had been taught to address her trainers appropriately. Still, this was beyond embarrassing and somehow she hoped Steve had overheard or would just keep on running. Or maybe she was lucky and hole would open up right underneath her feet and swallow her up. A girl could always dream. But of course, he had heard, leaving her flustering for an explanation or excuse. "Sorry... force or habit.", was the result of a good twenty seconds of thinking for something to say. "You run this course often?", she asked to change the topic, but again smacked herself mentally. Of course, he would be running this course. There weren't that many other options surrounding the compound to be fair. Would she ever get any better at this thing called Smalltalk? Somehow Katie had her doubts. She just hoped that the Captain would not think her a complete nutcase.
***************
If anyone were asked to describe Tony Stark, 'team player' would not be among the words chosen. Not at all. Rich, arrogant, a genius, a philanthropist, or a giant asshole were far more likely. He himself never would have seen himself as anything else but a one-man-show. But ever since the Avengers had been formed, Tony discovered that he liked being part of a team. Did he have to tone down his ego a bit? Maybe. But did it allow him to meet fascinating new people? Absolutely. Did they start to feel like family? That, he would not openly admit to.
And recently, his team had started to expand. With each threat they faced being more dangerous than the last, it was a good choice to get more people on board. And while Tony wondered where in the world SHIELD and Cap managed to pick up a Telekinetic and what seemed to be another super soldier, albeit, without a serum, he was glad for the help. Besides, who could ever complain about two pretty women on the team?
The morning after introductions, Tony walked into the shared living area, heading straight for the coffee machine. He had pulled another all-nighter, having gotten a random new idea for a suit, which wouldn't leave his mind until he worked on it. It wasn't uncommon for him to skip on sleep, but recently it started to drain him more than usual somehow. Rather than change his sleeping schedule, however, Tony decided to just opt for stronger coffee. Alas, the good stuff was in his mansion and not in the Avengers headquarters, so he had to make do with what was available. During that time, most of the Avengers were already out and about, either doing smaller solo missions or living their regular lives. Therefore Tony looked twice when he saw someone around, one of the new members no less.
"Well, good morning. How was the first night in the new home? Good, I hope. We bought special mattresses for ergonomic sleep. Made in Denmark, I believe." He was talking fast and half of it was probably nonsense, but to his sleep-deprived mind, it was all perfectly logical. "I'm making coffee. Do you want some?" While the hot drink was slowly trickling through the machine, Tony leaned against the counter behind him, folding his arms to keep his hands from fidgeting. "Serena, was it?", he asked, unable to keep quiet. "So you and our Captain go way back, huh? How far is way back?" It was a legitimate question to ask when it came to Steve Rogers' acquaintances, he thought. And the answer just proved him right on that one. Was it rude to tell a woman she didn't look almost 100 years old or did it count as a compliment? "Well, I would not have guessed.", he opted for as an answer. At least, he didn't look the least bit shocked or surprised. Spending time with a Russian agent, a scientist who turned into a monster, and a god of thunder did that to people.
"If you don't mind me asking, why join now?", Tony spoke, sounding serious for the first time. "I mean, we have been around for a while now..." He poured his coffee, while he listened to her, happily taking his first few sips. Honestly, he could understand her reasoning and so he nodded now and then to show both his approval and his attention. "Well, I am glad that we got more people to join. This saving the world kind of thing is can get a bit stressful somehow.", he said casually, as if talking about paperwork and not aliens invading the planet.
"Any plans for the day? I still have some errands to run for Stark Industries, so I could drop you off somewhere?", he offered. Although he wasn't as actively involved in the company as before, he still worked for it whenever possible, unable to let go of this legacy. He had started changing Stark Industries into something good and he wanted to see it through. Besides, the company funded a lot of the luxuries the Avengers got to enjoy in their headquarters so it only felt fair to do some work for it. "Also, I figured we could do a group dinner tonight. What do you think of Shawarma?"
The day after her introduction to the team and her move into her new room in the Avengers compound, Katie returned to her routine of morning runs. Habits were important, her therapist had told her over and over again. They had helped her settle back into normal life and create a structure for it. After years in a cell, complete freedom had been overwhelming at first. Now she treasured it more than anything. The fresh air, the morning sun just creeping over the horizon, the sounds of people on their way to work, or the chirping of birds were all special to Katie. She didn't even bother putting in headphones to run, much rather taking in the noises around her. She was dressed in dark green and black this morning, her red hair put up in a ponytail, which swayed back and forth at her leisurely running pace.
It still felt surreal knowing she was an official Avenger now. Especially since she didn't feel any different than last week. Then again, how were superheroes supposed to feel? They were just humans after all. Well, most of them anyway. Some were Gods apparently. Meeting the team had been interesting, to say the least, and Katie had been glad that she wasn't the only newcomer. It had helped her not be the center of attention, which she tended to avoid. She had generally spoken only little during the first meeting, preferring to just watch and take everyone in. Having been part of SHIELD for years, none of the Avengers were strangers in theory. But getting to know them in person was different. Tony Stark appeared much smaller yet more friendly than on TV, she thought. Steve Rogers on the other hand seemed more like a shy, down-to-earth kind of guy rather than a national symbol. It all made Katie wonder what they had thought of her. They had received her files in advance of course, but people on paper and people in real life were two very different things. Especially if one's file included at least 10 pages on trauma and therapy alone.
Noticing her thoughts swaying, Katie shook her head and pushed herself to run faster. They hadn't been given a mission yet, but she wanted to keep herself fit to be prepared. Unlike the others, she was no super-soldier or brilliant mind with mechanical suits. At least she had her powers to give her an advantage in battle. Still, getting more stamina never hurt.
Suddenly she noticed footsteps behind her and guessing from the sound, it was someone running as well. She turned her head, seeing none other than Captain America coming into the park's lane right behind her. Katie couldn't say she was surprised for him to be a morning runner as well, but it did make her wonder how to act. Did she say hello and then just leave him to his run? Or should she try and socialize? In the end, a rather awkward: "Good morning, sir." escaped her lips. She wanted to smack herself the moment the words had been spoken. Calling people "sir" had been drilled into her somehow. Even during SHIELD training, she had been taught to address her trainers appropriately. Still, this was beyond embarrassing and somehow she hoped Steve had overheard or would just keep on running. Or maybe she was lucky and hole would open up right underneath her feet and swallow her up. A girl could always dream. But of course, he had heard, leaving her flustering for an explanation or excuse. "Sorry... force or habit.", was the result of a good twenty seconds of thinking for something to say. "You run this course often?", she asked to change the topic, but again smacked herself mentally. Of course, he would be running this course. There weren't that many other options surrounding the compound to be fair. Would she ever get any better at this thing called Smalltalk? Somehow Katie had her doubts. She just hoped that the Captain would not think her a complete nutcase.
***************
If anyone were asked to describe Tony Stark, 'team player' would not be among the words chosen. Not at all. Rich, arrogant, a genius, a philanthropist, or a giant asshole were far more likely. He himself never would have seen himself as anything else but a one-man-show. But ever since the Avengers had been formed, Tony discovered that he liked being part of a team. Did he have to tone down his ego a bit? Maybe. But did it allow him to meet fascinating new people? Absolutely. Did they start to feel like family? That, he would not openly admit to.
And recently, his team had started to expand. With each threat they faced being more dangerous than the last, it was a good choice to get more people on board. And while Tony wondered where in the world SHIELD and Cap managed to pick up a Telekinetic and what seemed to be another super soldier, albeit, without a serum, he was glad for the help. Besides, who could ever complain about two pretty women on the team?
The morning after introductions, Tony walked into the shared living area, heading straight for the coffee machine. He had pulled another all-nighter, having gotten a random new idea for a suit, which wouldn't leave his mind until he worked on it. It wasn't uncommon for him to skip on sleep, but recently it started to drain him more than usual somehow. Rather than change his sleeping schedule, however, Tony decided to just opt for stronger coffee. Alas, the good stuff was in his mansion and not in the Avengers headquarters, so he had to make do with what was available. During that time, most of the Avengers were already out and about, either doing smaller solo missions or living their regular lives. Therefore Tony looked twice when he saw someone around, one of the new members no less.
"Well, good morning. How was the first night in the new home? Good, I hope. We bought special mattresses for ergonomic sleep. Made in Denmark, I believe." He was talking fast and half of it was probably nonsense, but to his sleep-deprived mind, it was all perfectly logical. "I'm making coffee. Do you want some?" While the hot drink was slowly trickling through the machine, Tony leaned against the counter behind him, folding his arms to keep his hands from fidgeting. "Serena, was it?", he asked, unable to keep quiet. "So you and our Captain go way back, huh? How far is way back?" It was a legitimate question to ask when it came to Steve Rogers' acquaintances, he thought. And the answer just proved him right on that one. Was it rude to tell a woman she didn't look almost 100 years old or did it count as a compliment? "Well, I would not have guessed.", he opted for as an answer. At least, he didn't look the least bit shocked or surprised. Spending time with a Russian agent, a scientist who turned into a monster, and a god of thunder did that to people.
"If you don't mind me asking, why join now?", Tony spoke, sounding serious for the first time. "I mean, we have been around for a while now..." He poured his coffee, while he listened to her, happily taking his first few sips. Honestly, he could understand her reasoning and so he nodded now and then to show both his approval and his attention. "Well, I am glad that we got more people to join. This saving the world kind of thing is can get a bit stressful somehow.", he said casually, as if talking about paperwork and not aliens invading the planet.
"Any plans for the day? I still have some errands to run for Stark Industries, so I could drop you off somewhere?", he offered. Although he wasn't as actively involved in the company as before, he still worked for it whenever possible, unable to let go of this legacy. He had started changing Stark Industries into something good and he wanted to see it through. Besides, the company funded a lot of the luxuries the Avengers got to enjoy in their headquarters so it only felt fair to do some work for it. "Also, I figured we could do a group dinner tonight. What do you think of Shawarma?"
