Ice Princess

1

"Look, this woman came to us, looking for a way out when she realized what was really happening with her research." Fury shoved the file towards Pepper Potts.

"So, why don't you just get her out. Looks like she's been working as a mole for you and quietly sabotaging various research including her own while passing good intel on to you." Pepper replied.

"The plan is to get her out but she needs some place soft to land, at least for a while. Not only will there be a giant X on her back but look at page three, second paragraph. There are only so many places to hide a woman like her. Dr. Banner would understand." Fury waited for her to look and read the selection. "Now you understand why I'm pushing for you to find that some place soft."

"I'll talk to Bruce see what arrangements can be made. I don't think he would mind her, actually, he would welcome her. However, I think his team might mind her there."

"Keep reading, she's already linked to the team in multiple ways. It's keeping her real identity covered and where she worked before which could cause issues. This is only so much anyone can do for their appearance, speech, and mannerisms."

"If Bruce accepts the terms, then it really is up to her."
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Ok, new city, new apartment, new car, clothes, everything. Mina, her name was Mina. She reminded herself. At least they let her keep her cat. Everest was in a backpack carrier as she walked towards the vet for her check up. Before opening the shop door, she caught her reflection and grimaced. Over the past few weeks, while in hiding, SHIELD changed her name, her hair, even gave her voice lessons to change her accent. The reflection wasn't her but a character, she'd have to play. For the rest of her life. Some of the story was the same, but other parts, she really, really wished were true. Maybe one day she'd believe the lies herself.

Everest was such a good cat. Mina was grateful when she adopted her. Still feisty, the cat loved to be the tallest one in the room and would climb whoever was the tallest, then fall asleep on their shoulders. Luckily, always living alone led to Mina being the tallest. When the receptionist handed her the paperwork, Mina got a look. She knew that look. With this new life, Mina was hoping to not see it again but the job SHIELD did on her made her look even younger than she was. New self confidence was now at an all time low.

Thankfully, the vet updated all of Everest's vaccinations no problem. SHIELD had provided kitty litter and a box, but Mina ordered the robotic one anyway. Why should Evie have to change? She thought walking back to the apartment. Setting the carrier down and letting Evie out for her dinner, Mina set about unpacking all the kitchen supplies washing them and putting them away after drying. Then she got out her tools and started laying the tiled backsplash she wanted using glass tiles of different greens and blues creating a swirling pattern. Doing the work herself made the place feel loved in more. Still, she didn't have furniture yet and was sleeping on the mattress on the floor, she'd wait until she cleaned the crown molding and repainted the walls for that. It would make it easier than covering everything up to paint anyway. At least she could do that with the rest of the apartment and not the bedroom. Still, she felt like her life was a total lie already, what's a little more. And what was the deal with the hair, entirely too long! Too dark, too everything.

She started to new job on Monday. She was kind of excited about it. Not the new look, clothes, accent. God, she'd have to practice that again before going to bed. That and review her cover story, practice her handwriting. Which was ridiculous, still she promised to be good after nearly a year in hiding. The constant moving around and not being able to leave the safe house, the crappy meals. She was glad when the agents finally started to bend and do grocery shopping allowing her to cook fresh meals. Mina missed her daily runs, they were replaced with jumping rope. She'd finally be able to go kayaking again and enjoying nature. The cool spring day ended on a chilly note and what she had in her bag wasn't going to be enough to cut it. Tomorrow, Mina would go shopping for things appropriate with what the stylists at SHIELD told her to wear. She was looking forward to a few years from now getting her life back, being who she was before. Grant it, it was lonely, but at least she knew who she was. Now, she couldn't recognize the person looking back at her through the mirror. It was so stereotypical.