The Raven

COMING HOME - FIVE

After pulling herself together, Sofia spares a glance to the mirror, Making sure her retouched makeup is presentable enough so no one will be able to tell she's spent the better half of an hour sobbing.

Slipping her sais into the makeshift holsters resting on each of her thighs, She strides into the nauseatingly bright hallway and begins her trek to the command room. Hoping there will be some information regarding Barton or Loki waiting when she gets there.

The automatic double doors spring open as soon as she flashes the key card to her room, Knowing it's supposed to act as an access key. Sucking in a breath, Sofia forces one leg in front of the other as she avoids direct eye with the dozens of Shield Agents who race about in every which direction.

A wave of dizziness hits her as the steril smell of cleaning alcohol intensifies upon entering the crowded space. She navigates her way through the maze of computer monitors currently in use, Silently searching for one free.

Suddenly a familiar whistling cuts through the room, Sofia shares a few suspicious and cautious looks with other Agents whom all quickly advert their attention.

Her piercing blue eyes meet her sisters across the room, Gaining a nod from Natasha as she signals Sofia to come to her. Before she has a second to process what, Or more specifically, Who she is seeing, Steve Rogers is meeting her gaze.

Steve...

"I wish you could have met him, Doll. I know Steve would have loved you." Bucky's voice plays in her mind.

Bile begins to rise in her throat as she breaks eye contact with him, shifting her focus around to find the quickest path to the platform in which Natasha, Steve and now Bruce Banner stand.

Her heart beat rings louder through her ears with each passing step. Every cell in her body screaming at her to run in the opposite direction, But that would be suspicious.

As she draws near, Natasha beams a prideful smile, Extending her hand out as if she's presenting Sofia to Steve.

She knows how much her little sister idolized the man standing beside her growing up, He and his group called the howling commandos were at the very center of Sofia's reason for staying with Shield as long as she did.

Poor Natasha... She honestly believes working beside Steve on this mission might just be the thing which brings her sister back to the place she considers home.

If only she knew she was introducing Sofia to a breathing reminder of the man she loved more than life itself.

Steve Rogers, A walking memory of everything Sofia lost.

Sofia's wide eyed gaze goes from Natasha to Bruce who looks as if he's about to fear vomit again, As he counts how many Agents with guns are currently waltzing around the room where he feels trapped.

"Captain Rogers," Natasha beams, Sofia struggles to maintain her breathing, As if her own body is begging her to give up now, To let her world fade to black. Anything to avoid the level of pain she's going to have to endure being around him. "This is Agent Raven."

"Sofia." She sharply corrects Natasha, Finally meeting Steve's eyes as he extends his hand out for her to take.

"It's nice to meet you, Sofia." Steve smiles, His sparkling eyes racking over her frame. Lingering for a moment too long on the cluster of leather straps wrapped around the curves of her hourglass figure, Natasha grins as she envisions sparks flying between her sister and her hero.

Breathe.

Just breathe. Sofia reminds herself, Reaching out to shake his massive hand.