The Eternal Avenger

Chapter Thirty-Eight: Just Like That

(Claray's POV):

Natasha's voice was venomous, and the woman in front of me shifted her gaze from me to the assassin, quirking an eyebrow. "Where's. Fury." She repeated the question, placing extra emphasis on each syllable. This was a woman who was not used to being questioned. She radiated power, and she appeared to be partially glowing.

"Fury is gone," Steve spoke up, drawing the woman's attention as she quickly sized him up before dismissing him and turning back to me. Her stare was intense, and I am not a person who normally waffles under pressure. Unsure of what to do, I stared back. I felt movement behind me and turned my head slightly to find Natasha has moved directly behind me, a hand resting softly on the small of my back. I smirked uncontrollably.

"What do you mean gone?" The woman asked. I took the opportunity to look at her closely. She was wearing some kind of suit – red, blue and gold that radiated from a star symbol on her chest. Her eyes were golden and still shining, and her blond hair was curly but slightly disheveled. She turned to me fully, crossing her arms in front of her chest in a move that mirrored Natasha's. When I smirked again, she returned it easily.

"There was a fight," I began explaining, unsure of where to start. She nodded, encouraging me to continue. "Thanos – he got the infinity stones and snapped his fingers and a lot of people disappeared." I sighed, unable to think of any way better to explain what happened.

"I'm Carol Danvers. Fury and I were friends. We met a long time ago." She said simply, glancing around the room again.

"He must have set off the pager before he..." my voice trailed off, and I watched Danvers look at the floor in the first act of emotion I'd noticed from her. She nodded.

"What's the plan now?" She demanded. I opened my mouth, but was interrupted by Rocket, who came running into the room, holding something in his hand.

"I found it – the Benatar!" He exclaimed. We all gathered around the tablet in his hands as he eagerly pointed at the screen. "The ship left Titan and seems to be moving." I glanced at the screen but was unable to make any sense of what I was seeing. Danvers glanced between me and the racoon, not following.

"We may have friends out there," I explained. She nodded.

"Got a room I can crash in while I figure out my next move?" She asked, directing the question to me. I glanced around; Steve nodded.

"I'll take you to a guest room." I offered. Danvers smiled at me. I turned around, only to realize I was now face to face with Natasha, who made no indication that she planned on moving out of the way. "Tasha?" I cocked my head at her. She forced a smile through gritted teeth.

"I need you back here after for recon," she hissed at me. If looks could kill, I'd probably be dead.

"I'll be right back," I smiled, leaning forward and lightly kissing her cheek. Danvers raised an eyebrow at me, and I gestured for her to follow as I gingerly moved past the angry assassin, heading towards the living wing of the compound. As we walked, Danvers kept eying me.

"What's your story?" She asked, finally breaking the silence. I looked at her, smirking.

"Sorta super-hero," I responded playfully. "Yours?" She smiled wider.

"Same, I suppose." I nodded, hesitating only momentarily as we passed Wanda's old room. I stared at the floor, and Danvers gently touched my shoulder, causing me to look up in shock. "You okay?" I nodded, composing myself before allowing myself to speak.

"We lost a lot of friends in the snap." I murmured. Danvers nodded her head, understanding.

"I'm sorry." At the end of the hallway on Wanda's floor, we reached the guest rooms.