Phoenix <Book 1>

Part 1 Chapter 7

Ashlyn's body flew across the street and collided with a car, "You alright Ash?", she groaned and got up, cuts and dirt scattered across her body, "Just peachy Clint." She walked over toward Steve and Natasha, "Hate to be this person but, none of this will mean a damn thing if we don't close that portal." Steve looked at her, "Our biggest guns can't touch it." Ashlyn farrowed her eyebrows then her eyes lit up, "Maybe it's not about our guns. Think about it." Natasha gave her a look, "You're a genius." Ashlyn shrugged, "You're going to need a way up there." Natasha nodded, "I've got a way, I just need a boost." Ashlyn glanced at the car behind them and then Steve, "Are you sure?", Natasha nodded, "Yea, it'll be fun. I think." Ashlyn smiled and watched has Natasha jumped off the car and then Steve propelled her up and she took over one of the Chitari carriers. "She's a work." Steve smiled and then they two glanced behind them, "Well shit." Ashlyn picked up the car with her powers and slammed it into the line, "How are you holding up Ash?", she sighed, "Doesn't matter, we got to save has many people has we can." Clint smiled at that but could tell she was beat to hell.

Ashlyn and Steve were getting beat when Thor landed and lit the Chitari up with lightning. "Thanks buddy.", the Asgardian helped Ashlyn up then Steve, "You guys got this?", Ashlyn looked at Steve, "Sure." He gave her a soft smile and she turned, red energy snaking up her arms and filling her palms, "Lady Ashlyn?", she glanced at Thor, "I'm fine." She shot an energy ball toward the Chitari and shook her head has they fell, an explosion caught her attention. "Damn it Steve." She ran off and found Steve on top of car with his mask missing, "Come on Rogers." She gave him a smirk and pulled him up. "Whatever Walsh." She chuckled and glanced around, "I can close it!" Ashlyn's eyes shot up has Natasha's voice filled her ears. Clint and Thor showed up beside the pair, "Then close it." Clint went right behind Ashlyn and she sighed, he was okay. "Wait, I got a nuke coming in. I know just where to put it." Ashlyn's eyes widened and filled with tears, "Tony, that's a one way trip. Please just, rethink this." Tony sighed at the desperation in her voice, "I know Asher, I know." She cracked a smile and tears fell from her cheeks, "I seriously hate that." He disappeared into the portal and Clint wrapped Ashlyn in his arms has she turned and silent sobs shook her body. "Close it." Ashlyn watched has it closed and Clint watched her, "Son of a gun." Ashlyn's eyes widened, "He isn't slowing down." Thor went to go get the falling Iron Man but Hulk jumped from a building and grabbed Tony, Ashlyn being the first to take off from their spot.

•••••••••••••••••••• 1 Year Ago ••••••••••••••••••••

Ashlyn stood by Clint has Nick looked at her, "Why would you do that? You could've died!", she rubbed the back of her neck, "Because someone had to stand up with Thor and I wasn't going to let it be someone I love.", her eyes instantly went over Phil, Nick, and Clint but they stayed longer on Clint, "Besides, it would be a honor to die defending people then it would be running away." Nick sighed, "Are you hurt?", she shrugged, "Just a bit sore from the throw and such but I'll be good." Clint smiled at her but his eyes checked her over for serious injury. She rolled her shoulder and winced slightly when it popped, "I'm ready to go home, rest a day or two, and then get back to work. Come on, I'm hungry." She skipped off and the three men laughed. "She's a work isn't she?" Clint smiled and watched his partner, "Yeah, she's quite a work." Nick and Phil looked at the man and shook their heads.

•••••••••••••••••••• Present Day •••••••••••••••••••

Ashlyn got to Tony and ripped off the Iron Man mask, slapping his face, "Tony wake up, don't do this to me and Pepper." Steve and the others ran over and their faces slightly fell at the sight of the two, a tear fell from her face onto Tony's and the Hulk roared, scaring both Ashlyn and Tony. "Tony!", Ashlyn pulled him into a hug and he smiled, "We won." He sighed and Ashlyn stood up has Steve and Tony talked, "We still have business to take care of." Tony looked at the group, "Then shawarma after?", Ashlyn smiled and laughed, "And the Tony, we can have shawarma after." She helped him up and the group quickly made their way to Stark Tower.

Ashlyn had her red energy snaking around her body and softball sized energy balls in her hands, Clint had an arrow pulled back, and Tony had a blaster raised. "If it's all the same to you, I'll have that drink now." Ashlyn rolled her eyes and forced him to sleep with the flick of her wrist and everyone looked at her, "I've had enough bullshit for the day." They all chuckled and she spun, "Shawarma." Tony smiled, "Shawarma."

Ashlyn sat between Clint and Natasha her legs on Clint's, his on hers and Natasha rested her feet on Ashlyn's lap. "This is good, we should all grab lunch more often." Steve and Tony nodded and Thor just chowed down on his massive sandwich. Ashlyn glanced at the blonde with a raised eyebrow and gave a small chuckled before going back to her food. The group set in rubble and the crew was cleaning, but they still fed the people that save New York, and the World, from Loki. Ashlyn looked at Loki and frowned, "I know he is a bad guy an all but shouldn't we have fed him too?", everyone glanced down and Ashlyn woke him up and handed him an empty plate and halfed her fries, "End up. That's the last good meal you'll be getting for a while." He glared at her and she shrugged, "If you don't want it-", Loki quickly began eating and Clint shook his head, "You're too nice sometimes." She looked at him, "Not nice, thoughtful." Natasha and Tony laughed while Steve, Bruce, and Thor shook their heads. Ashlyn was truly her own person, and she was truly a work. Clint smiled at her and the group quickly finished eating, "If we don't hurry Nick is going to kill us.", those words for Ashlyn hurried the group but they still enjoyed each other's presence.