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who approved of her staying at Stark Tower.

That was two weeks ago.

She had stepped over Declan's limp arm, packed a bag, and got the hell away from him. She called Tony crying, and he instructed her to come to the building.

"I guess you should never be late for work then," He had joked.

A couple days after she had starting staying at the tower, the Avengers had to go Germany to collect a potential threat to the city. Apparently, a 'highly dangerous villain' had been making some trouble. She wasn't Nick-Approved yet, so she stayed behind to continue training.

"Are you sure I can't come?" She had asked as Tony gathered some things to leave.

"I'm sorry, Miss Clark, but with everything that's going on, we can't add any stress to the situation."

"Which is what I would do," She replied.

"They're just not warmed up to you yet. This is the first thing that's happened since the Avengers Initiative, so we're still testing the waters." He grabbed her shoulders. "But, I promise, when we get back, Nick will meet our new little secret weapon."

She smiled, nodding. "Please be careful."

"Nothing gets done if I'm careful,"

"Who is this guy, anyway?"

"I can't exactly tell you that,"

"No fair,"

"Jarvis, take care of her for me," He called, winking and walking out.

She sighed, sitting in her chair and running routine tests on herself. Her phone buzzed, flashing Declan's picture on the screen. She had ignored all his calls and texts, not wishing to deal with it.

Although, without Bruce and Tony, she grew bored. She talked to Jarvis in her spare time, and took messages from Tony.

"Hey, Sparky, they have Barton. He's been....evilized, somehow. A couple more days." He had sent a day after he left.

"Good news, we have Loki detained in a big, flying aircraft thing. Once we figure some things out, we'll be back." She received soon after.

She was beginning to grow nervous when she didn't hear from him. She called him and Bruce, not gaining an answer from either.

"Jarvis, do you happen to know Captain America's phone number?"

"No, Miss Clark, I do not."

"I didn't think so. Worth a shot, though."

She had explored every inch of Stark Tower while living there, and found that the top floor was where the fun was. Every other floor mimicked a normal business building.

Between that, and playing Jarvis in cards, she was going crazy.

Until Tony finally called.

"Hey there, Sparky,"

"Tony!" She exclaimed. "Why the hell haven't you called?"

"Gosh, you sound like Pepper."

"I was so worried!" She scolded.

"We've been trying to track down something very important. I didn't have time to chit chat. But, how are your tests? Did Jarvis start taking pee samples like I instructed?"

"You're handling a super villain and you want to ask about my pee?"

"We no longer have said villain." He said, the frustration evident in his voice.

"What!?"

"We're coming back to the Tower. You better have not thrown any parties while I was gone, young lady." And with that, he hung up.

"Wh--" She was cut off by a beep. She groaned in defeat.

<>

Tony finally returned, along with the group. Alex noticed they had a new face with them as well. He was insanely muscular, and had long blonde hair. He carried a large hammer, and walked with a scowl.

"Alex, Thor. Thor, Alex." Tony said quickly. She smiled at him, and he nodded. Then, she looked at Tony's face.

"You look hurt," Alex commented. "Honestly all of you look a bit rough,"

"That's what happens when that bastard's army took out an engine of our helicarrier." Tony grunted. "Alright team, we need to suit up. We don't know when or where Loki is going to attack."

"First, we need to run diagnostics. Stark--"

"Wait, can someone fill me in here?" Alex chimed in.

They all looked at her.

"Is she allowed to be debriefed?" Steve asked Tony.

"Probably not."

"What if we need her?" Clint asked.

"We don't know that yet,"

"What's your plan with her right now?" Nat asked.

"I don't know, but we are wasting time."

"Just fill me in!" Alex exclaimed. "I want to help,"

Tony sighed. "Our guy's name is Loki, and he's a world-class wackjob, alright? Now, he took something that belongs to S.H.I.E.L.D., and he is not supposed to have it."

"Where is he now?"

"Excellent question, we're not really sure--"

He was interrupted by a very loud sound. The team rushed toward the window, where they saw an intense blue light streaming up into the clouds.

"And there he would be."

This was followed by what looked to be a portal opening, with hideously ugly creatures spewing out of it.

"What the hell is that?!" Alex exclaimed.

"Suit up, now," Steve said boldly. The Avengers scrambled to do so.

Alex pulled Tony's arm before he could run off.

"What do I do?"

"You need to stay here."

"What? No." She said, furrowing her eyebrows.

"Yes, Alex, you are not strong enough to do this,"

"I've gotten stronger,"

"This is not just any fight. Natasha almost had you with a broken nose, for God's sakes. This is a villain from fucking space, alright?"

"Let me fight, Tony. I can help--"

"Alex, I'm serious. You need to learn to actually fight before you go out into something like this. What's your plan, huh? Go up to Loki and touch his arm and he'll pass out?"

"I mean, maybe--"

"No."

"Please," She pled.

"Fine. Come with me,"

She followed him, confused when he brought her back to her makeshift room. Once she stepped inside, he closed the door and quickly locked it.

"Tony!" She screamed, banging on the door.

"I'm sorry, Alex, but I can't let you get hurt," She heard.

"Tony, let me out! I won't go out there, I promise!"

She heard silence.

"Tony?"

She hit the door, anger rising in her. She let out a yell of frustration, causing the lights to short circuit. Now in the dark, she sighed.

She slid down the wall, breathing to calm her anger. She had wanted him to believe in her, to let her fight out there. She held her hand up, putting energy back into the ceiling light.

Alex waited for two hours for the team to return. She could hear the explosions from inside her room, and grew anxious. She had no idea how they were doing out there, fighting against those vile creatures. She silently prayed for no injuries.

Alex was torn from her thoughts when someone forced the door open.

She looked up from her spot in the corner, but was met with a blue eyes and a sly grin.

"Well hello there, who might you be?"

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