Walking in the Wind // Avengers

A New Beginning

•••

Tony had sent his chauffeur/bodyguard/personal assistant, Happy Hogan, to pick Lexie up. The two hadn't really talked much on the drive over, except for a basic greeting and the man expressing his annoyance over the music the girl was adamant on playing.

He parked the car by the Avengers Tower, causing Girl Almighty by One Direction to stop playing.

"Aw," she pouted slightly, getting out of the car.

"Thank God," Happy sighed, happy that he didn't have to listen to the music anymore, actually preferring Tonys obsession with AC/DC over this.

"Oh, shut up," she laughed. "Just admit it, you loved it. I saw you bopping your head to Little Black Dress."

"You must be imagining things," he responded, taking her suitcase out of the trunk and walking into the building.

The two entered the elevator.

"Jarvis, where's Tony?" Happy asked out of the blue. Lexie looked around, once again, but no-one was in the elevator with them.

"In the laboratory, Mr. Hogan," a male, British voice spoke, causing Lexie to jump, and Happy to let out a short laugh.

"What the hell?" she asked.

"Ms. Williams," the voice greeted. "Mr. Stark informed me of your arrival."

"What?" she asked looking at Happy for an explanation.

"That's Jarvis. Tonys A.I.," he responded.

"Seriously?" she asked in fascination, receiving a nod in response. "That's so cool."

•••

Happy led her into the lab where they found Tony tinkering with one of the suits in his Iron Legion. He turned around when he heard them approaching. "Ah, kid. Good to see ya'," he gave her a small one-armed hug, holding tools in the other hand.

"Hi," she said back. "Um, thanks for letting me stay here."

"Happy to have you here," he turned back to his work. "Come here, Lex. What do think?" He proudly showed the group of Iron Man armors and droids he'd created. "I call them the Iron legion."

"That's really cool," she said excitedly.

Before they could continue, another person entered the room. A tall woman with light auburn hair, dressed smartly. "Tony, she just got here, don't badger her."

"I'm not badgering her, I'm showing her an incredible creation that will make our job easier," he turned back to Lexie. "They'll guard and protect civilians wherever we're fighting."

"I know, I know, but she just got here, I'm sure she wants to settle in first," she turned to Lexie and walked over to her, a friendly smile on her face. "Hi, honey, I'm Pepper Potts. Tonys told me all about you and I'm so happy you're finally moving away from S.H.I.E.L.D., you'll be much better off here."

"Thanks, I hope so," Lexie smiled back, liking the woman, but still being a bit guarded due to the two only just meeting. But she knew this was Tonys girlfriend, he'd told her about her the few times Lexie had visited, she just hadn't had the chance to meet her yet. She trusted her a lot more than she normally would with a completely new person. Lexie had actually never visited the tower before, when she'd visited Tony, they'd mostly been outside, exploring the city and walking in the park. This was somewhat out of character for Tony, she thought, but he'd insisted. What she didn't know, though, was that the reason Tony always took her outside to new places, was because she'd spent her entire life cooped up, and he wanted to show her the outside world and let her be carefree for once.

"Come on, I'll show you your room," she led her out of the lab, the kind smile still intact on her face, and back to the elevator. "I've bought some furniture and clothes for until we go shopping and we can decorate your room however you'd like."

"You didn't have to do that," Lexie said politely, not wanting to be a bother. 

"Nonsense, I'm happy to help," and she really was. Like she'd told Lexie earlier: Tony had told her all about the young girl. She knew what she'd been though, she knew what she could do, and she knew how isolated and alone she must have felt. She'd had some good people around her, but Pepper knew that S.H.I.E.L.D. as an organization, had only seen her as a weapon, something to be used and controlled. Pepper hated that. No child should have to experience that. When Tony had told her about it she'd wanted to march to Nick Fury himself and demand that Lexie was released into their custody, and Tony probably would've joined her, but she knew they couldn't. So when Lexie had called, asking for a place to stay, she was more than happy to do everything she could to help the girl. 

"Thank you," Lexie appreciatively smiled back.

•••

"Here we are," Pepper opened the door to a room that was more like an apartment. It was mostly empty, besides a bed, a large closet built into the wall that opened when she stepped close to it, like the doors at a mall, a small, but expensive couch turned towards a large TV, and a chair turned towards the window, so she could watch the city below. 

This was a big difference to what Lexie was used to.

"Woah," she breathed out looking at the room, somewhat intimidated by the size of it.

"Pretty cool, huh?" Pepper smiled sweetly at her. "I'll let you unpack and relax a bit. Jarvis will let you know when dinner's ready and if you get lost, just ask him for directions. He'll help."

"Okay, thank you," Lexie smiled a bit, excited for her new life here.

"No problem," Pepper took her hand and spoke with a kind voice. "And Lexie, if you need anything, don't hesitate to talk to me or Tony. Talk to Happy even," she chuckled, lighting the mood a little and making Lexie smile a genuinely happy smile for the first time there, which made Pepper feel giddy and proud.

After the redhaired woman left the room, Lexie stood still, almost just soaking up the silence. It was a good silence. It didn't feel empty or lonely, but peaceful and full of anticipation for the next chapter of her life.

She took a deep breath and lifted her suitcase up, laying it on the bed, ready for a new beginning.

•••

I'm going hiking with a friend today and I'm kinda excited for it, but at the same time completely dreading it 'cause I hate all kinds of physical activity.

Anyway, vote and comment. Hope you have a great weekend xx