ＲＥＤＥＭＰＴＩＯＮ {TONY STARK'S LITTLE SISTER FAN-FICTION}

11. SHIELD

Elizabeth sat alone on the balcony of the Avengers Compound, her legs tucked beneath her as she stared out at the horizon. The sky was painted in shades of orange and pink, the setting sun casting a warm glow over the cityscape. The view was beautiful, but her heart felt heavy, weighed down by Bucky's departure and the chaos that had unfolded over the past few days.

The soft sound of footsteps behind her broke her reverie. She didn't need to turn around to know who it was. "Hey," Steve's familiar voice came, gentle and calm.

"Hey," Elizabeth replied, her tone flat as she continued to gaze at the skyline.

He stepped closer, pulling up a chair beside her and sitting down. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the silence between them filled only by the distant hum of city life.

"I figured you'd be up here," Steve said finally, his hands resting on his knees. "It's... peaceful."

Elizabeth let out a humorless laugh. "Peaceful doesn't feel like it exists in my world anymore."

Steve studied her, his blue eyes filled with concern. "You've been through a lot, Liz. But you're still standing."

"Am I?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "Because it feels like... like I'm just going through the motions, trying not to drown."

Steve's heart ached at the vulnerability in her voice. "You're stronger than you think," he said softly.

She turned to face him then, her golden eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "But it's not enough, Steve. Just surviving isn't enough anymore. I don't want to feel like a victim for the rest of my life."

Steve nodded, understanding. "What do you want to feel like?"

Elizabeth was silent for a long moment, her gaze drifting back to the horizon. "I want to feel like I'm in control," she said finally. "Like I can protect myself. Like I'm not just some genius Stark kid who everyone underestimates."

Steve leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. "You've already started to take control," he said. "The way you fought during the mission with Bucky? The way you stood up to Killgrave? That wasn't just surviving, Liz. That was fighting back."

Her lips pressed into a thin line as she considered his words. "It's not enough," she said quietly.

Steve hesitated before speaking again. "Have you ever thought about joining S.H.I.E.L.D.?"

"Me? A S.H.I.E.L.D. agent?" Elizabeth blinked, turning to look at him in surprise, "You're funny, Rogers."

"Why not?" Steve asked, his tone serious. "You've got the intelligence, the resilience, and the determination. We could train you. Teach you how to fight, how to defend yourself—and others. You'd be part of something bigger, Liz. You'd have a purpose."

Her initial reaction was to laugh it off, but Steve's sincerity made her pause. The idea of becoming an agent, of taking control of her life in such a tangible way, stirred something inside her.

"I don't know if I'm cut out for it," she admitted.

"No one thinks they are at first. But you don't have to be perfect, Liz. You just have to be willing to try." Steve smiled faintly. "Talk to Natasha. She's been where you are."

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, Elizabeth found herself wandering the compound, most of the Avengers were out doing some personal things so there was no one really around.

It wasn't long before Elizabeth found Natasha in the training room, meticulously cleaning one of her combat knives. The room was quiet except for the occasional sound of the blade scraping lightly against the sharpening stone. Natasha looked up as Elizabeth entered, her sharp green eyes softening.