Hello, Who is this?

48) Home Sweet Home

As the ship landed, Fury was there to welcome Riley home. He had his arms behind his back with a stiff back but his smile showed just how happy he was to see her. She had some injuries from the battle but was no worse for wear so far as anyone could see. She hadn't said much since the Avengers and she reunited but it was obvious she was not the same as when she had been taken. This became even more apparent when Lucifer came over to hug her. 

"No, I killed you. No more. I will not be what you want me to be. I will not help you. I told- I said- I killed you!" Much to his surprise, she hit him, hard. Lucifer touched his lip where she had busted it and looked at her in sheer shock. "Riley, Ry, it's me. It's Lucifer. We are friends. You and I met the morning after you escaped Hydra. I was with Chloe."

"No! I said NO! I will not let you try to trick me again Michael. Archangel or not, I warned you. You will not succeed." 

Lucifer stepped back at the anger in her voice. "What happened to you RIles?"

Rumlow stepped forward to talk to her but before he made it there, Fury hit him hard enough for him to fall backwards. As Lucifer watched the exchange, he remembered his own ability.

"What is it you truly desire Riley? What secrets do you keep?"

Riley fell into his trance as he watched her eyes glaze over, her anger melted away. Bucky stepped closer, watching to make sure Riley was okay while she focused on something nobody else saw, far away. 

"I don't want to be Nephilim. I don't want to be the queen by his side ruling the world. I don't want to be punished again. I want to keep this world safe for those who call it home. I don't want to fight just to survive, never feeling happiness."

Riley looked Lucifer in the eye and said, "I don't want to be alone again."

Riley fell into his arms. "I missed you Luce. I need to get back to my mates though. I just, my head hurts a lot."

Lucifer stood in front of her, hugging her instinctively as he processed his shock. Did she truly just say Nephilim? 

Hearing her, all of of Riley's mates moved closer to her but she froze when they surrounded her. The hair on her arms raised as she tried not to think about the last punishment Michael had her endure. Focusing on the here and now, she tried to calm her breathing, until Thor set his hammer down on something in the plane behind them. It fell and crashed into the floor, making an unexpected loud clang sound. Riley jumped and covered her face, her breathing becoming ragged. Before her mates could react, Rumlow was there again. As much as they all hated him, they watched him calm her down with a few low murmurs and some small rise and fall of his hands. Riley looked at him in thanks before facing her mates again. 

"I'm sorry. Some things are worse now than they once were while others have improved. I apologize for freaking out. She bowed her head in shame and trudged into the compound. The Avengers trailed behind her as she greeted every one of those who fought by her side. She knew their names, preferences, and asked about personal interests with everyone she passed. Fury watched how every single person was in awe of her and how they seemed to truly believe in her. 

Maria and Phil walked in and hugged her tight. She winced slightly and hoped nobody noticed, but that dream shattered when she felt Bruce's hand on her shoulder. He gently pushed her towards the lab. 

"Any chance we don't have to do this?"

"Not going to let it go Riles. Let's get this over with. Anybody you would prefer to be here for this?"

Riley thought long and hard before nodding at Nat. "In case something similar to last time happens."

Nat nodded and swallowed thickly. If Riley was already anticipating the Hulk reacting to her current state, then this wasn't going to be a walk in the park. The three moved into the lab where Riley asked Bruce to please remain calm because as much as she missed Hulk, she couldn't help calm him today. Bruce nodded and moved away to give her some privacy to change into the paper outfits provided. "Wow, I have a sense of Deja Vu." All three laughed as Bruce came over to examine her. Knowing where there was the most of the injuries were, Riley turned to Nat. "Are you okay with me getting completely undressed in front of your mate? I have most of the bruising and such clustered in a couple spots."

Nat and Banner both nodded and allowed her to get completely undressed. The bruising on Riley's inner thighs was very telling. The lines that were across her lower back concerned them since they were deep purple and had some deep cuts in areas. Riley's shoulders and chest had similar lines and Nat was suddenly getting an idea of how they could happen. Before Bruce could ask, Nat ran to the sink. Riley calmly walked over and held her friend's hair before getting dressed again. 

"Now you both saw and it can't be said that I was hiding them from the medical staff. They aren't as painful anymore but I don't think anyone else really needs to know about them for the time being, okay?"

Nat and Bruce didn't agree with her but respected her decision. Banner spoke up before letting Riley leave though. There was one more person who might know about the marks and he wanted to ensure that all of them were on the same page. 

"What about Rumlow or any of the people from Hydra? Do any of them know about this?"

"Bruce, those who knew are dead. None of the survivors are aware of what I have gone through and I would appreciate it if it stayed that way. They need to decide if they want to join Shield or go their own way. I refuse to guilt them into staying by sharing my story."

Nat spoke up. "What about your boys? They aren't going to let you out of their sight. You were gone for 6 months and none of us could find you. They are going to end up seeing at least some of that."

"I'll handle that as it comes. Right now, I am exhausted and in need of  a shower. Thank you both for looking me over and keeping this to yourself."

The two nodded again as they watched her walk to the elevator. Once the doors closed, Bruce turned to Nat. "What did you find out that made your stomach flip inside out?"

"The bruises. Just leave it at that for now. I just have seen something similar that was banned due to how awful it was. I hope I am wrong but I rarely am when it comes to her most days. I am more concerned about the boys and her."

Bruce couldn't help but agree as they looked at the closed elevator doors. Not that they wanted her to come back down, instead that they wanted to think of the good times, the laughter and love. 

Stay safe Riles.