The Eternal Avenger

Chapter Eleven: Interim

(Claray's POV):

After my second shift was complete and Natasha grabbed me a second set of clothes – more comfortable ones, this time, the team and I sat around a large living area, staring at each other in silence. It was like we were playing a game, seeing who would speak first. Agent Hill lost.

"Ms. Ridel," she began. I smiled at her. She seemed to struggle with which questions to ask first.

"Look, Agent Hill," she quirked her eyebrow at me at my return to her official title. "I know it's a lot, but I've been around a long time. I don't hurt innocent people, it's just not who I am. She glanced around the room, her gaze lingering on Natasha before focusing back on me.

"How would you feel about staying here?" She asked. My eyes widened in surprise.

"Like a prisoner?" I could feel my blood boiling beneath the surface.

"No!" She exclaimed, immediately. My gaze softened. "I meant like as a member of the team." I shook my head.

"I can't picture a werewolf being a member of the Avengers, Agent Hill," I responded slowly. I looked over at Natasha and caught a glimmer of something that looked like disappointment in her eyes.

"Until a few hours ago, I couldn't picture a werewolf at all," Rogers chimed in. "We think you could be of help to us." I stared at each of them in turn.

"I...I can't," I muttered. "Look, I appreciate the offer, but part of the reason that no one has really heard of us is because we don't flaunt our existence," I explained. Rogers looked down at the ground, nodding.

"If you leave, Ms. Ridel," Stark spoke up, "things aren't just going to go back to normal like this never happened." I frowned slightly.

"What do you mean?" I wanted clarification.

"We would monitor you, make sure you stayed out of trouble." My frown deepened.

"You want to put me under observation?" I scoffed at the suggestion. Natasha broke the uncomfortable silence.

"I'll do it." I looked at her, surprised. I was far from the only one.

"Romanoff," Agent Hill turned towards her, "I'm not sure that's..." Barton cut her off this time.

"Natasha and Ms. Ridel have already established a respect for each other." Agent Hill nodded reluctantly.

"Fine." She admitted, hesitantly. I glanced over at Natasha, who was looking at me hopefully, wanting this to be a successful compromise. I nodded at her, smiling slightly.

"Am I free to go, then?" I asked. I was met by a silent pause.

"Of course," Natasha offered, standing up and approaching me. "I'll show you the way out of here." I stood, following after her, raising my hand in a gesture of both 'goodbye' and 'thank you' to the rest of the team. As we rode the elevator down towards the ground floor, I looked her over.

"Thank you," I offered, barely above a whisper. She smiled in response, maneuvering past me as the elevator door opened. I followed her out.

"Looks like I'll be seeing you around, Claray," she smiled as she held open the front door for me.

"Looks like," I agreed, returning her smile. I left the tower, heading straight home, relieved to have my freedom back, even if it came with a little bit of a cost.

...

(Natasha's POV):

Once Claray left the tower, I made my way back to the lab to talk to Bruce. When I arrived, he was staring intently into a microscope and didn't hear my approach.