ʙᴀᴄᴋ ғʀᴏᴍ ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴇᴀᴅ || 𝘓𝘰𝘬𝘪

Just Intelligence || Chapter Eight

I was awoken by a delicious smell that wafted into my room like a gorgeous, tempting trail towards the kitchen. I threw on the first outfit I could find and put my hair up into a messy bun with my black silk scrunchie keeping it up, before making my way down to the shared kitchen.

"Morning, sleeping beauty." Nat said as I walked into the room where they all sat, eating pancakes.

"Morning..." I mumbled, feeling way too tired to see everyone at once.

Tony nudged me on the shoulder, "You sound and look like you've just come back from the dead."

I rolled my eyes then smiled gently at his joke, watching as he stuffed a whole pancake into his mouth.

Bruce looked at me with a nervous expression but I just waved my hand in the air as thought to tell him there's nothing to worry about. He had been like this yesterday as well, apparently Dr Bruce Banner wasn't the lying type.

Pepper was stood over the kitchen stove, making the last set of pancakes before passing a plate to me, "It's lovely to have you staying with us, Paige." She grinned.

It was my first time conversing with Pepper Potts. I knew who she was thanks to Tony's love life but I hadn't sat down for breakfast over the time I was here. Normally, I would come in early morning to steal one of Thors pop tarts then went to the lab and stayed there until it was time to get dinner. I hadn't eaten with them for dinner either, I would leave the lab with Bruce but when he stopped at the kitchen I would keep going to get a take out up to my room. Because of this, my mind went blank as I glanced at each face sitting and eating pancakes.

"Um... yeah..." I forced my gaze back to Miss Potts, "Thank you."

Clearing my throat, I made my way to one of the seats and slouched down opposite Steve Rogers. "Ah, Lady Paige!" Thors voice bellowed, "Have you packed yet?"

"No, I'll be packing later today. I graciously appreciate the opportunity given to Dr Banner and I." I put on my professional speaking voice and sat up straight in my seat, "We are both very thankful and once our trip is over, science will be changed forever."

Thor looked at me blankly before cranking a smile, "Of course!... science..." his face looked confused but he shook it off and continued the conversation he had going with Clint Barton which turned out to be more one-sided than it seemed before.

I chuckled softly, taking the first bite of my pancakes. Perfect. "Miss Paige." Captain said from infront of me.

"Just Paige, Cap - no need for formalities." I grinned, letting my proper speaking slip as Steve was certainly not a God.

"Right..." he cleared his throat, "Would you like to train with me today? I saw your robot and would like to see its abilities."

I smiled gently, "Oui! I would love to, Stevie!"

He nodded awkwardly before continuing to eat his breakfast.

~~~

Approximately an hour later: I had eaten breakfast; changed into workout clothes; made my way down to the gym and waited a solid 15 minutes for Rogers to arrive.

Eventually, I heard his voice becoming slowly louder alongside Happy, who I had recently met. Happy was a bodyguard and trainer. Out of the handful of times I had walked upon him in the short period I spent here, I can safely say he lives up to the name. He was so smiley and joyful even if there was no reason behind it. His optimism radiated off his very being, instantly brightening up a room by just entering.

"Ah good morning!" Happy grinned at me as I rose from the bench I had been resting against.

"Good Morning, Happy." I smiled back graciously. "I believe you have wished to meet hope?" I questioned, glancing between the two men.

Captain answered for them, "Yes, it seems similar to Stark technology is it now?"

"No Stevie, it's actually an intelligence with a robotic body which I am able to adjust at a touch of a button." I reached into my bag to pull hope out and pressed the on button.

"Intelligence? Do you mean AI?" Happy asked, throwing his jacket to the side of the room.

"Just intelligence. There is nothing artificial about Hopes brain apart from the wires that created it. He is a self aware being with complete connections to the internet, World Wide Web and security systems. He is also able to recognise emotions and reply accordingly with a store of first aid and minor weapons." I explained, watching as his eyes lit up a beautiful violet. "I have been working hard over the time I have spent here." Pressing another button, Hope grew to human size before his head rotated 180 to understand his surroundings.

"That is impressive..." Rogers stepped closer to look over the robot in front of him. "What kind of weapons?"

I glanced over to Hope who took over the conversation, "I am fully equipped with hand pistols and daggers." As he spoke, a draw opened in his side to show off the weapons built into him. Then another opened, "I also have plasters, bandages, ice-packs, heat-packs, antiseptic wipes," and another, "a wheelchair," then another, "crutches, casts and medical boots."

"And these things stay with... you... at any size?" Happy questioned, so obviously confused.

"Indeed, sir, they compact as I shrink." Hope replied. I couldn't help but beam with pride as I watched the first of many have his first conversation with somebody other than Banner and I.

"Incredible..." Captain America mumbled, taking a closer look at the finer details.

"Why, thank you." The robot said.

"He is yet to create his own personality but just like humans that will be influenced by experiences." I explained, "Now - you wanted to train? Hope could do with fight practice."

As the training perused and ended, Hope easily beat America's hero. I felt like a sports mum at the side of her sons big game, watching him win as I cheered from the sidelines.

I turned off Hopes power and made sure he shrunk back down so I could fit him back into my bag.

"Your robot is... quite remarkable." Steve said, wiping his head with a towel.

"Merci." I grinned, closing my bag again, "Any time you need a training partner, Hope would be glad to beat you again."

He scoffed, "I wouldn't be so sure."

I glanced back to see Happy wasn't following us out, "Are you not coming?" I asked.

"No, no! You go ahead." He smiled at the both of us before we turned around and began to make our way back up the corridor.

"Don't feel too bad, Stevie. It's in his programming." I nudged his side.

"I thought you said Hope had a mind of his own? Non artificial?"

"I did, and he does, but that doesn't mean I don't need to do some programming - Hope just adds to it to make himself... real."

The captain nodded in understanding, "What was your surname again?"

"Montgomery."

"Oh okay... you look like a lady I used to know." He smiled reminiscing on old memories.

"Emilie Harson?" I asked, receiving a nod in return, "She is my mother. Married Arthur Montgomery, my father."

Rogers smile grew wider, "Looking at you is like she's back from the dead."

I tsked, "Yeah... I get that a lot."