Science and Magick (LokixOC)

Chapter Twenty-Four

"Alright then kid, show us what you've got" Steve encouraged as he sat with the rest of the team. Everyone had gathered in the training room to see Zoë demonstrate her new control.

She took a deep breath and glanced at Nat. "You got this" she affirmed with a warm smile.

Zoë smiled back and nodded before going back to focusing on the metal poles set up in the middle of the room. Following Nat's advice she thought about all the emotions she bottled up, everything she'd told herself not to feel her entire life, and let them go. She lifted her hands, eyes glowing as they had last night and moved the metal, it came easy now.

She formed them into metal ornaments of atoms then into figures of the different avengers, changed the steel to gold then silver and cobalt, forming different shapes and colours until finally she made them into twisted vines of ivy around a metal tree. Zoë finished and turned, grinning proudly at everyone. Thor whooped and clapped, as loud and boisterous as his personality. Bruce, Sam and Steve all clapped too while Clint and Tony nodded in satisfaction, admiring the new addition to the room.

"She's ready, get set up for the mission. Steve, you ship out first thing tomorrow" Tony stated, standing up.

Zoë jumped excitedly and dashed over to Nat so they could enthuse with each other. "I knew you could do it" Steve praised her, joining the two of them.

She grinned and hugged him "We leave tomorrow!" She exclaimed happily.

Steve chuckled and hugged her back "Do you want to go see your mom and uncle tonight before we go?" He suggested.

Zoë nodded and pulled away, looking back at Nat "Do you want to come?" She offered.

The red head smiled and shook her head "I think I'll stay here tonight" she replied, briefly gazing at Bruce on the other side of the room.

Steve and Zoë both caught it and shared a smile between the two of them. The blonde stepped away "I'll go call them" she excused.

As soon as Zoë was out into the corridor, nerves weighed upon her. What if she was wrong? What if she couldn't bring back who Barnes used to be? Steve's oldest friend might be forever scarred because of her.

Suddenly that dream from before flashed through her mind.

"You're so much stronger than you think you are"

Loki's words made her smile, whether it was really him or just a dream, it was still enough to ease her through this moment of doubt. She dialled her mother's number and informed them she and Steve were coming for dinner.

"You want me to help you pack?" Natasha asked, silently joining her in the hall after Zoë had finished her conversation over the phone.

She turned to look at her friend and nodded "I'm not entirely sure what to pack for a mission other than my suit" the blonde admitted.

Nat smiled and took Zoë's hand "I'll walk you through it" she assured.

Zoë was so excited for her first mission tomorrow that she barely noticed the day going by. She had packed with Nat then decided to do some last minute combat practice with her since Nat was the most skilled at hand to hand out of all the Avengers.

"Good!" Nat praised as Zoë rebuffed yet another one of her attacks.

Zoë smiled back breathlessly, readjusting her stance for a counter attack. For the first time ever, she landed it, taking Nat down and pinning her hands beneath her.

The red head looked up at her friend in surprise, face flushed from the shock "Well looks like you don't need anymore combat training" she laughed.

Zoë laughed too and nodded "Watch out Barnes, this skinny little German is gonna kick your ass" she claimed in glee, standing and giving Nat her hand.