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punkscowardschampions · 5 years ago

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Meena & Ro

Meena: You missed out skipping on the diner after rehearsal today Meena: I saved you a slice of pie though 😋 Ro: Oh? Ro: Well thank you Meena: It was yum Meena: and Ali convinced the lady to give us a discount by promising her a front-row seat Meena: idk how she does it 😂 Ro: Of course she did Ro: She's Ali, that's the most succinct way to express such a feeling Meena: You are so right Meena: anyway, pie aside, I was just wondering if you'd like to piano practice this weekend Meena: my own playing has been lacking since we started rehearsing so I thought this was a decent way to keep my head in the play and get a selfish bit of piano time in myself Ro: I would love to Ro: Undeniably the songs are much simpler to play than they are to sing, but equally undeniably nerves are a factor even with beginner level pieces Ro: I must confess however to being surprised you aren't dedicating your weekend entirely to your love interest Ro: Perhaps you feel he doesn't require any further rehearsal and is, in fact, perfect as he is Meena: I know they're not remotely a challenge for you but never hurts to be over-prepared Meena: and I can promise you I'm not secretly working to get your spot instead Meena: will not slam the lid on your fingers 🤭 Meena: 😳 shh Meena: is it obvious? Ro: That's very much appreciated on all counts, Meena Ro: I know better than to believe that your denials are anything but, in spite of how that promise would sound to a sceptic Ro: Obvious is potentially an overstatement, nevertheless as I also know you, I can see what's unfolding Meena: 🙊 reading that back, yeah Meena: He's just so nice Meena: and funny Meena: and yes, he's doing an excellent job Ro: It's romantic Ro: What a wonderful story to tell of how you both met Meena: its funny how things like this make you notice people you never did before Meena: but I don't think we're at a meeting outside of rehearsals stage yet Meena: not alone Meena: I'd be too embarrassed to ask Ro: I'm sure it would be possible to arrange more group gatherings afterwards Ro: Until you feel more confident in his company anyway Meena: you can always rely on Ali and Carly for that Ro: We certainly do see more of Carly out of rehearsals than we have within the confines of the stage Meena: I'm sure it'll all be alright on the night Ro: Faith goes a long way Meena: and trust and pixie dust Ro: Exactly Meena: Do you think Jamie likes Jenna though Meena: they seem like they know each other well Ro: Of course not! Ro: He's clearly smitten with you Meena: I'm just so aware of the ultimate cliche of mistaking on-stage chemistry for off Meena: then I'd have to buy a wig and some sunglasses Ro: It is a pitfall, but in this instance, it's one that there are enough people around to prevent you from falling into Ro: In order to allow you instead to fall in a much lovelier sense Ro: And avoid stretching our wardrobe budget even further Meena: Thank you Meena: I'm just fussing needlessly Meena: almost as needless as Sophie having hair options, agreed 😏 Ro: It's okay Ro: A lot of nerves are frayed for a multitude of reasons Ro: None more than your brother's, I suppose Ro: Chosen for his looks and persevering with his talents in an attempt to get them on par is an impressive endeavour though Meena: I am still really surprised Meena: its just so not his thing Meena: but I think its good Meena: I just hope it does get better or he won't wanna do it Ro: Caleb and Ali have both dedicated a lot of time and effort into his performance Ro: I don't think it'll be misplaced for us to have faith in him Ro: And in everything going well Meena: 🤞 Ro: Toes as well Meena: 🩰😘 Ro: Did Ali tell you Tommy is coming home early to help? Ro: He wants to be at the final dress rehearsal as well as opening night Meena: She did Meena: sure it'll be beneficial to have a professional give us their opinion Ro: Yes Ro: But you're allowed to consider it the opposite Meena: Why would I? Meena: I know he's good at this sort of stuff Meena: well, was, sure he's only got better now Ro: He's also very... Ro: Excitable is perhaps the word Meena: Its definitely one word for him Meena: but that's okay, I'm not going to rain on anyone's parade Ro: Carly and Ali definitely do not need the distraction Meena: Like you said, she's Ali Meena: she'll still be able to do it Meena: aren't you excited to see him? Ro: Of course, always Ro: I just don't see why he needs to be so hands on with this Meena: I see what you mean Meena: its just so up his alley, I guess Ro: You're right Ro: There's a chance I'm being unfair Meena: No, I really do see Meena: but I don't think he'll come in and totally takeover, he's not that guy, is he? Meena: like he doesn't think he's better than us just 'cos he goes to that school Ro: I'm sure he just feels as if he's missing out, going to school so far away Meena: I imagine, yes Meena: we're all so involved in each other's day to day Ro: True Ro: There are so few secrets Meena: 🤔🤔🤔 what secrets are you hiding, hmm? Meena: 🤭 Ro: They wouldn't be if I refused to keep them Ro: Or at least try Meena: Too true Ro: If you would like me to trap Jenna's fingers in the piano lid, I promise not to tell a soul Meena: oh, I could NEVER 😏 Meena: no, I can't commit that cliche either Ro: Understandable Ro: I approve of you wishing to rise above them Ro: You do deserve a better story Meena: that's so sweet of you Meena: highly unlikely my story will mirror Sophie's any time soon Ro: Imagine growing up on such a beautiful island though Ro: I do envy her that, in spite of my love of Ireland itself Meena: and having such cool parents x4 Ro: Yes Ro: Although having three overprotective fathers would have its drawbacks as well Meena: You devil, Ro Ro: I was actually thinking of you and your budding romance Ro: I meanwhile remain a pillar of virtue Meena: 👼 Meena: Only getting hitched in the play, I can assure you Ro: For now Meena: 🙉 Oh hush 💛 Ro: Consider me silenced Ro: Simply because the dishes will not wash themselves Meena: Enjoy, Cinders Meena: I'll come to yours tomorrow, about 10? Ro: That's fine Meena: Yay! 'Til then 😊

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valkyrie-echo · 7 years ago

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Project Echo, Part 3: Chapter 38 (Hope)

Part 3 Summary: Seven years after the events of ��Part 2”, Avengers Tower explodes, fulfilling Bucky’s vision. All evidence points to Avengers Shadow-Ops leader Inessa Ryker, who is forced to seek out Bucky in hiding. Together they must determine who the traitor is in their ranks and if their friends are still alive- all while trying to survive deadly ambushes orchestrated by Sam Wilson and his hand-picked army.

Chapter 38: Hope (Final Chapter)

Ciara was an odd sort of girl, but one Brigit took a liking to.

She arrived in Edinburgh aboard the train one winter's day with nothing but a frayed duffle bag and a bad cold. She slipped into the old woman's café minutes before closing and asked simply for a hot drink to cool her cough as she looked for an inn to stay the night.

The girl was dressed well enough that Brigit knew she was no beggar, but she was woefully ill prepared for a Scottish winter. Ciara intended only to take her tea in a paper cup and leave the old woman to close shop. Instead, Brigit sat her down and let her warm her bones as calls were made and a vacancy was found at a small inn a few blocks over.

After that night Brigit saw her quite often. The child never spoke of her past- where she came from or how she'd made her way to Scotland of all places in the cold of December. She spent her days wandering the city or hiking the surrounding countryside as if she'd never done such a thing in her life. Once and a while a young man would work up the nerve to approach her at her morning cup of coffee, but she turned all away graciously.

Brigit knew the look of loss well- and the girl was practically drowning in it. Whatever it was, the loss happened recently enough, and by her face maybe more than one someone was involved. She looked at Edinburgh not as a home, but as a hiding place, a temporary stop from her life- no matter how long she may stay. Whatever life Ciara thought she was hiding from in the Scottish lowlands, it was bound to find her and bring her home.

The only habit the child possessed which Brigit found odd was her aversion to the television, namely news programs. Everyone was enraptured with the heroics of the Avengers, entranced by the mystery of their temporary 'demise', enthralled with the long-anticipated reveal of the heroes from the mysterious Shadow Unit (now simply Black Ops), and enamored with their newest member- the dashing Nomad, Captain America's childhood friend returned from the grave. Ciara, however, seemed to want little to do with them. She turned away from the television coverage and even abruptly left in the middle of breakfast as they pleaded, yet again, for the return of their missing Shadow, fled during some great misunderstanding.

"Who did you lose, love?" Brigit sat down across from the girl the next morning, just as soon as the rush had cleared.

"What?"

"I see how you avoid those Avengers. As many as they've saved there will always be those they did not. You're a shade of a girl- a ghost, nothing more. What did the Avengers cost you?"

Ciara played idly with her napkin before finally answering, "Not them… That one they've been asking after. The Shadow," she struggled with the words for a moment before shrugging and wiping away a tear, "The creature cost me my family."

"Oh love, I'm sorry."

"It isn't what you think, they're alive just-"she shook her head, "-there's no way to undo the damage." Brigit took her hand and held it a moment while Ciara regained her composure, "I'm alright, I promise. You don't have to worry about me."

"Seems to me your family's willing to meet you half way at least," Brigit patted her hand and released it.

"They're not-"

"I have kin of the same name, did I tell you that? I'm quite aware your name means 'dark one'. It suits you." Ciara winced and hung her head, but Brigit lifted it again with a tap to the chin, "I'll take it to the grave, worry not, child. You can't build a life from regrets, remember that."

Winter melted into spring, and spring warmed to summer. Tourists filled the streets of Edinburgh and Brigit saw less of Ciara. She half expected the girl to vanish in the night after their little chat, but if she did think on running it wasn't for long. As vacationers flooded her favorite haunts she struck out further and further into the cliffs and hills- once she even hopped a bus and spent a fortnight in the highlands.

It became more common than not for Brigit to go days at a time without seeing Ciara, not that she had too much time to think on it. There was a bee in the child's bonnet for sure, and a wanderlust that couldn't be denied much longer. She could almost hear the clock ticking before she'd be off for good.

"Excuse me ma'am, may I borrow a moment of your time?" A man with a weary voice nearly gave her a heart attack as she cleaned her shop one late evening.

"Sorry sonny, but we're closed. The coffee machine's already off and I never know how to get the infernal contraption running without one of my helpers," she glanced up and was met with a handsome face. She was hardly even surprised to see the Nomad, disguised as he was.

He pulled his ball cap off and ran a hand through his hair- the right hand, she noticed. He kept his left firmly in the pocket of his jacket (which was much too warm for the summer night), "I'm not looking for coffee, I'm looking for a friend."

"I'll bet you've no shortage of those." She tisked as his face sagged at her dismissal, "Well aren't you the master of the puppy eyes?"

"Please, I've been asking around for a week. The bed and breakfast owner down the street said there's an American who frequents this place in the mornings and you helped her find a place to stay." He held out a photograph, "Please."

"If she's a regular in the mornings then perhaps it's best you come here in the morning."

"She won't come in if she sees me."

"Then you'd best be stealthy."

"Please-"

"You say that too much, lad." He looked from her to the picture a few times, waiting, but did not take it back, "I'm not looking at anything or saying anything until you've told me who you are and why you're asking 'round so keenly after her. If she doesn't want to speak to you then I don't see who I am to help you drag her back into whatever mess she's come from."

He lowered the picture hesitantly, "I'm not here to hurt anyone, I just need to find her and talk to her. I'm trying to keep her from being dragged back in. I know what it's like to need an escape." He transferred the picture to one pocket and pulled out a black leather wallet from another, "I can't tell you who I am, but I can show you this to prove I'm not going to hurt her."

When he flipped back the cover Brigit shook her head, "As I thought," she sighed at the polished silver badge inside inscribed with a silver wolf's head and the distinctive Avengers 'A'. The man returned his badge to his pocket hastily and fished around for the picture, "Keep your photograph." Brigit returned to wiping down the counters, "I know who you're looking for."

"I just want to talk to her, that's all."

"You've a pretty face, but your eyes are ancient and scarred, just like hers. Tell me one thing and I'll tell you where to find your lass, do we have a deal?" she held out her left hand deliberately. After a moment, he shook on it with the metal hand, "If she says she does not want to talk to you, do you promise to leave her be?"

He sighed, "I can't promise the others won't come looking. A few are already on their way. If she doesn't want to come, I'll help her hide from them."

Brigit considered it, then nodded, "Three blocks down on the left. Ask for Ciara."

"Thank you," he turned quickly to the door.

"I'll not be wishing you luck, but I'll wish her peace."

"That's all I want too," he promised, then left.

"Goodbye, dear Ciara." Brigit sighed to the empty room, "God bless and keep ye."

An evening visitor was hardly common at the inn, especially this late at night. Ciara would know, she'd been staying in the same room for months. The knock at her door was soft, measured, not the brisk knock of the owner or a maid. Ciara closed her book softly and sat up a little higher in bed. A shadow moved under the door. She watched it as the owner shuffled side to side for a moment before knocking again.

"You can either talk to me now or them later. Up to you." Bucky heard her footsteps as she finally approached.

The handle turned and the door swung inward, "Hi Bucky."

"Hi Nessie," she admitted him to the room and latched the door. He stepped towards her and when she didn't back away he dared to pull her gently into his arms, "It's good to see you."

"It's good to see you too," she wound her arms around his torso and rested her head on his chest a moment before pulling back, "What's this about the others?"

Bucky held her still a moment more, breathing in the smell of her, before guiding her over to sit on the edge of the bed, "Amadeus is going to figure out where you are soon. He's got a case in the city."

"How did you figure it out?" he didn't seem to be too worried about getting out quickly, so neither was she.

"You walked to the Museum of Natural History, got some cash out of an ATM at 3:25pm, hopped a cab to the bank, cleared out your primary account- which raised a lot of eyebrows- headed to the port, and vanished." He lightly traced her jawline and felt the slightest of scars, "Three weeks later you were in Dr. Johansson's office in Sweden having your comm removed. He helped replace my Hydra arm, he's still a friend of the Avengers. He called Steve to make sure it was alright- I intercepted."

"I'm surprised I wasn't retrieved before the sedation wore off."

"That's when I realized you weren't coming back." Bucky took his hand away and rested it on her knee, "When you were done you hopped three different trains before landing in Edinburgh."

Inessa nodded, "So you knew I was here all along?"

"It's my job. You covered your tracks pretty well- divided your money up between a few different banks, stashed the rest in an anonymous account in Switzerland so no one could find you by matching up the totals and you have no plastic, just cash. It's like you knew what Tony would look for."

"Of course I did. How long before a hunting party is launched?"

Bucky considered it, "Amadeus' eyes will be drawn here in a week, after that… four days." His eyes wandered down her neck to her chest and he frowned, "What-" she had a light jacket on over her tank-top and he pulled the sleeve aside to expose her shoulder, then yanked it down further, "what the hell?"

He'd been wondering how a girl so heavily scarred could hide in a relatively small city so well. Now he had his answer- Inessa's skin was completely smooth. She allowed him to pull the jacket off her other arm and even lifted her pant leg to expose one of her shins- which he distinctly remembered the Winter Soldier peeling the flesh from, "Eoin," she explained.

"How the hell did that slimy-" he caught himself, the man had died helping them, "how did he do this?"

"He used to do it to Mallory before she left on a mission- he can transfer a bit of his power into someone. It only lasts a few hours, but that's all it took."

"When you reconnected the Realms," she nodded, "I wasn't seeing things. You burned."

"I would have."

He shook his head, "What's it feel like?"

"No different. There's just more," for years the thick scar tissue Hydra had marked her with acted as a buffer to the world around her. Now though her skin felt almost too thin. The inn had only a small mirror, so she wasn't entire sure about how she looked, but she'd spent days poking at the soft flesh.

"I'm changing my guess. In light of-" Bucky gestured to her skin, "I'm making it a full week after Amadeus gets here."

"Thanks for the warning," she abandoned the jacket entirely since she no longer needed to hide. Inessa looked around the small room, "I really liked it here…"

"I'm the last message Steve is sending out. He knew if you were out there I'd be the one to find you. In three weeks our floors of Avengers Tower will be reopened and the statues of our dead will be unveiled downstairs. There's going to be a big party. If you don't show, they'll stop looking, once and for all. In the last six months they've issued statements and done interviews all about what really happened. Steve's told the public everything from Red Skull to Loki to the second Shadow. Every fight, every argument, every time you tried to convince them to trust you. The only things they left out were your name and picture. They've taken full responsibility, now all that's left is to apologize to you directly."

"Wait a month. Then tell them I understand, I do, I just… I can't come back. It's not physically possible."

"Because you lost your power, or because you won't use it?" Bucky held a finger to her lips to stop her protest, "You could have been anywhere in seconds, but you paid for a cab and risked a three week trip in some smuggler's hold on what- a shipping freighter?"

Inessa closed her mouth and let her shoulders slump, "A lot of people have died because of me- even before Hydra. Because I couldn't keep Emilie in check she was able to take my own pack- my own power- and use it to flag down Hydra… No, I didn't lose my abilities I just-" she shook her head.

"You aren't coming back home because you feel guilty about what Emilie did?" Bucky almost laughed, which Inessa certainly didn't appreciate, "Ness, no one would have seen that coming! No one blames you for that!"

"They don't trust me like they used to. I don't trust me like I used to. I can't be an Avenger anymore. I can't be their Shadow."

He sobered up as a tear slid down her cheek, "You don't have to be the Shadow, you don't have to be Inessa, you don't even have to be an Avenger. That's what Steve asked me to pass on. You just have to be happy and know that you always have a home, and you certainly always have a family there."

"I've thought about returning… Walking barefoot on broken glass sounds easier."

He hesitated before pulling a business card out of his pocket, "Come home. Give them another shot, let them prove nothing has to change." He handed the card to her, "If you can't… Call this guy. Tell him 'If Heaven cannot be moved, raise Hell instead'. He'll set you up with a new identity anywhere in the world- even right back here, if you want. Best part is that the code belongs to Hydra. They'll foot the bill. In a week his name will come across Amadeus' desk and they'll start their sting. He'll die before he gives up his clients, Hydra will make sure of that, you'll be gone for good." Bucky leaned in and kissed Inessa as hard as he could, "I know which choice I'm hoping for, but pick what's best for you. Believe me, running gets lonely faster than you'd think."

Before she could say anything else he stood, kissed the top of her head, and left Inessa to her thoughts. Like she used to say- he had to trust her.

Avengers Tower.

Talk about déjà vu .

Marie leaned on a building across the street and watched the tide of tourists fighting for space on the sidewalks. The word was out: The Avengers were finally coming home. Six months (and a little Asgardian aid) was all it took to rebuild the heroes destroyed home at the top of the Tower. For the first time since the explosion its residents would be, well, residents.

Most of them, at least.

From her vantage point Marie could see the tops of the black marble statues. She studied their faces, really studied them, for the first time since she arrived in New York. They weren't just statues anymore, they were Avengers. She was finally seeing them the way she imagined anyone around for the Infinity War did- people. Friends. Family.

The two newest statues were surrounded by the thickest concentration of tourists as people stacked bouquets of flowers at the larger-than-life feet of the newly fallen heroes. They'd see what Marie had in the others- two tributes to almost inhuman heroes. They would never know how Geoff, one of only a handful of Avengers proficient in sign language, always planted himself beside his friend Maya so that she could join in the conversation or how he'd giggle every time he played a hand in Cards Against Humanity and mutter about how he was "Going to hell for this". The world would never hear about how Noelle had stepped up and trained the newest Avenger with patience and kindness that just didn't sync with what she turned out to be. They could never hear of the near riotous debates over weather Noelle was ever going to be allowed an honor like this, how it had all boiled down to the fact that while she was serving Red Skull she still saved lives alongside them.

"Excuse me, ma'am?" She snapped out of her thoughts and turned to a young interracial couple who had approached her, "Would you mind taking our picture with the Tower in the background?"

"Sure thing," she accepted the camera and stepped back from the towering black man and much smaller white woman in order to fit both into the frame. She snapped a couple of pictures as they smiled, then handed the camera back to check over the images with them.

"Nice," he smiled at the last picture she'd taken.

"I prefer this one!" The woman laughed at her first try (in which her husband was mid-blink). She spun the dial one too far and a picture from before they'd approached Marie popped up. It was of her watching the Tower, but angled in such a way that half the shot was comprised of the alley behind her. She couldn't be sure on such a small screen, but sitting on the second floor fire escape was an eerily familiar woman.

Marie looked sharply up at the man and stepped back, "This one's probably the best, don't you think?"

"Who are you?" she began drawing heat from the surrounding air, readying for a fight.

He simply clapped her on the shoulder as he passed with his wife, "Thanks for your help Marie. Have a nice day."

Before she had a chance to stop them the couple stepped into the sea of tourists and was gone. She looked for them a moment longer and even considered raising Amadeus on comms, but curiosity won out. She followed the wall to the side of the building and rounded the corner into the alley.

Sure enough, there was a woman sitting on the fire escape with her legs dangling over the edge and her arms crossed on the bottom bars of the railing. She wore faded jeans and what looked like an army surplus jacket, and she watched the Tower with such stillness it was as if she were willing herself up to the balcony.

Marie glanced over her shoulder and made sure no one was watching before she jumped to grab the lowered ladder. As soon as she was on the escape the woman pulled her legs up and turned to face her, "Most of them think you're dead," Marie came closer and sat on the rusty metal steps across from her.

"I haven't decided yet."

"So, who were those people? You won't hire random tourists for that."

"Jessica and Luke Cage. They used to help us out with cases. Now they've got a child to look after so they backed down to more small-game heroes."

"How did you convince them to help?"

"I asked… And I babysat for them last night."

"How did you know I'd be standing out there?" Inessa looked away, "Oh, well, nice to know you're still manipulating the board."

"I'm not, I promise. I just needed to talk to you and there wasn't another way without tipping someone off."

"Why me?"

Inessa shook her head, "I don't know. I think because you're the only one I trust to give me a straight answer."

"You lost me."

"Sam's my friend, Amadeus is like a brother, Bucky was my lover-"

"I knew it."

"-and Wanda's my best friend. The others- they only feel guilty right now, and that's not what I need. I didn't train you, I didn't lead you, I wasn't even nice to you… That's why you're the only one I trust to tell me-"she shrugged and looked back at the tower for a moment, "-are they better off?"

Marie considered it, then nodded, "Absolutely. The dark circles really bring out Steve's eyes, Bucky looks hot when he scowls, Natasha and Clint are much less frightening when they're busy chasing down leads, Tony's never been more focused on creating people-tracking software- which SHIELD is loving, Sam's racking up the frequent flyer miles between his trips to Chicago and Kazakhstan, Thor has all of his Asgardian friends to hang out with while they look high and low for you, the worry's really helping Wanda with her beach bod, Banner's made new friends in every hospital and morgue on Earth looking for Jane Doe's, and Amadeus- well, he's too focused on helping everyone with their hunt to be annoying. Oh, and lest I forget, Heimdall's making all sorts of new friends ferrying search parties around the Realms from Asgard looking for your corpse." She gave Inessa a hard look, "Does that answer your question?"

Inessa looked away once again and Marie felt a pang of guilt. She softened her tone, but only slightly, "Listen, are they safer with you in-house? Probably. But we know someone like you can't help but save people. What little I have seen of your work makes it look like you could managed with or without us at your back. Right now no one can confirm if you're dead or alive, and that's eating them from the insides out. You know what? I misspoke earlier. Most of the Avengers don't think you're dead. They think they killed you."

"The rest?"

"Blind faith that you'll come back."

"And you?"

"I think you've been sitting in the shadow of your own damn home for months because you don't trust them, something which I seem to remember was a big thing with you."

"I was in Scotland. Bucky told me Amadeus was coming, so I left… I just got into the city two days ago."

Over a week ago they'd returned from the Scotland mission. How long had Bucky known where the lost Leader was? How long had he kept it a secret? "So to run away from one Avenger you go to a city full of them?"

"I wanted unbiased advice… I got it."

"Well before you leave you'd better get in that Tower and tell everyone why you're quitting, or at least that you are. It isn't fair to leave them in this limbo."

"You're right, it isn't."

"But you're not going to talk to them, are you?"

"I- I honestly don't know yet." Inessa stood and offered her hand to Marie to shake, "If I don't, I've already arranged for Bucky to give Steve a message… Tell them you saw me- or not- just please, leave Bucky's name out of it." Marie begrudgingly shook her hand, "You're going to make a great Avenger. I'm sorry for not saying that sooner… and for basically everything I said after that first day. Especially the part where I accused you of being a traitor… and the nose…"

"Hey," Marie caught her arm as she circled back to the ladder, "just FYI? I'm willing to go blank-slate on all of that if you chose to stay. If you leave, no hard feelings. Leave without talking to them and we're enemies."

"Understood."

Naturally, the re-opening of the Avengers main base translated to "Big ass party". Camp Hammond, SHIELD, world leaders, freelance Gifted, Powered heroes from other nations, and even King Odin himself were in attendance- but there was no sign of the Shadow. When Bucky tried to join Marie in a corner while hiding from Wade Wilson she simply flipped him off and walked away, leaving him more confused than anything. She wasn't about to break her promise to leave Bucky out of her report to the others, but she wasn't a fan of Inessa's lieutenant at the moment.

Thor couldn't have been happier to see his father amongst his comrades, as he should have been all this time. Odin seemed impressed with the Avengers heroics- and not only because his presence was the product of that very thing. He greeted all who dared speak to the King with a warm smile and a Midgardian hand-shake, and even began talks with several world leaders about opening Realm embassies in most major cities. With his support the world would be defended as it never had been before, and the flow of culture and literature (the only thing the Realms were willing to trade in) would begin.

As the evening progressed into early morning and the last of the guests drifted away to their homes or hotels (or planets), many Avengers found themselves drawn not to their new beds, but to one of the new movie suites in the rebuilt library. Steve, Bucky, Clint, Natasha, Thor, Sam, , Banner, Sharon, T'Challa, Amadeus, Wanda, Vision, Travis, Ellie, Raj, Kelsey, Maya, Castor, and Marie draped themselves across couches, sat together on the floor, or laid over one another to watch a movie no one was really paying attention to. With the exception of Wanda, Vision, T'Challa and Sharon, all were bonded by the strain of their hunt across the galaxy, the recovery of the leaders, and just how far they'd gone before losing Inessa. Still, none would admit she was gone or allow her statue to join Geoff and Noelle downstairs- not until they knew for sure.

"If she was coming back, it would have been now," Amadeus wasn't speaking to anyone in particular, just saying what everyone was thinking. "After the Tower's rebuilt, after the party's over… It would have been now."

Thor watched as dancers twirled around on the screen, unaware of the battle above between a man and a Phantom, "The first time I viewed this film she was somewhere out in a storm. It was at this very moment Mallory Ivaneau- may she feast eternally in the halls of Valhalla- brought her back to sit with us."

Bucky felt something stir his right hand. A space was between himself and Steve (no one wanted to sit across two cushions) and he turned his head to inspect it now. Either his eyes were slow to adjust or she wasn't entirely convinced she wished to appear. He lifted his hand slightly and her own appeared intertwined with his, followed soon after by the rest of her. He felt the pressure of another person as she solidified, but no one seemed to notice in the darkness.

She looked over to Bucky and gulped. He could feel a tremor in her hand and brought it to his lips, then nodded, "Actually," she cleared her throat to steady her nerves as the man in the film fell from the rafters with a noose around his throat, "I think it was this part."

Epilogue

#avengers #marvel #my writing

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