Finding Death

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Nomad

The new Avengers place is huge. There are so many buildings. And people. Everywhere! I don't see anyone I know for ages until Talia nods at me from across the kitchen. A very big kitchen. She's holding a mug and talking to someone Steve tells me is called James Rhodes- the name sounds familiar. Maybe Tony Stark mentioned him. Yes, I think that's it.

Talking of Tony Stark, I want to speak with him. He's got to be around here somewhere. Steve takes me to his room- seven doors down from my own, I count- and leaves me there. I knock, entering when Tony's voice calls me in. "Hello there," I smile, hanging in the doorway.

"Hey," Tony answers. "When did you get here?"

"About twenty minutes ago. I was hoping we could talk."

"Sure," he gets up from the edge of the bed and leads me to one of many sitting rooms. I love this place! "So. What's up?"

"Have you ever seen this before?" from my pocket I produce the poetry anthology Howard once gifted me, handing it to his son without a second thought.

Tony nods. "Looks familiar. Like one of the books Dad kept on the top shelf of his office where my sister and I couldn't reach. Tori got one down from there once and was grounded for weeks."

Tori. Victoria? "That's your sister, right? Victoria?"

"Yeah," he won't look me in the eyes.

"Can I meet her?"

"You could if I knew where she was. Vic went missing when she was ten years old. Hasn't been seen since."

"I'm so sorry, Tony, I had no idea-"

He silences me with a wave of his hand. "Don't. It's not really something I talk about. Not many people here know I actually have a sister, so keep it to yourself, okay?"

"I can do that. Let's face it, I probably won't remember anyway."

Tony actually laughs at me. Do you know what's really stupid? I've missed my Potential Son.

The door opening distracts me: "Hey, Tony, Romanoff told me you were in here- oh. Hi." It's the guy from the kitchen- Rhodes.

Tony gets to his feet. "Rhodes. This is Rikki Carter. Rikki, James Rhodes. Rhodey."

"We meet at last," Rhodes grins, shaking my hand. He seems cool. "Pleasure. You mind if I steal him for a moment?"

I shrug. "Of course not. I'll be in my room."

Unexpectedly, I don't actually make it to my room. Sam comes straight around the corner in his civvies, no Falcon suit in sight. It's good to see him. Been way too long. 

"Hi," he says, approaching me. To both our utter shock I hug him, feeling his smile against my hair. "When did you get back?"

"Not long," I grin, releasing him. "How've you been?"

"Could be better. We've got a lot to catch up on."

"Can't get a moment's rest, can I?"

"No," Sam laughs. "Hurry up."

I roll my eyes.

*

One morning a few weeks later, I find myself standing in front of the bathroom mirror, switchblade in hand. I might be about to do something really stupid but, to be honest, I am very sick of my hair.

Shall we rewind a bit?

So, here's the deal: a couple of days ago I went to Starbucks by myself (everyone else was busy, so I borrowed a Jeep and went for coffee). I was in the queue and had no idea what to order- when I got to the counter I was still bloody clueless so the bartender (or whatever the coffee version of a bartender is) chose for me. When they had a break they sat with me and we just talked for a while. It was great, to be honest. First time I've spoken to someone outside the realm of Superheroes for a while.