The Soldier and the Spy.

Chapter 8

****Variel****

I hold my breath as they turn around. I look down, not wanting to see the expression on their faces. The most impressive of my scars is on my back. It is a lion's mane of lines centered in my lower back. Then there are the ones from gun wounds and surgeries. And last, the ones I'm ashamed of, the ones that run straight across my wrists and forearms. Those are from when I gave into depression and anger, wanting to end my own life.

I finally gain the courage to look up, and I see them all looking at me, different emotions on their faces. Thor and Clint are staring in disbelief, Steve and Bruce both have expressions of righteous anger, Tony's face is full of understanding and a little awe, and Natasha has a look of unbridled fury. I can see Bruce's face twitch slightly, and he quickly walks out of the room.

"Oh Variel," Natasha says. "I didn't know they were this bad."

I shrug. "It's not like they hurt. They haven't ever really bothered me, and I actually kinda like the lion-shaped one. It turns golden whenever I use my powers. They gave it to me because I reminded them of a lion- I have long blonde hair, and I'm really fierce. Also, because I cause trouble," I say.

"Wow," Tony says, before Natasha smacks him in the head. "Ow!"

I put my shirt back on and turn around, "Now you know why I always wear long sleeves and pants. People would freak out if they saw all of my scars. They always do..." I get pulled into a group hug by all of them.

"Remind me never to mess with you, princess," Tony says jokingly, lightening the mood.

****Tony****

We were all waiting for Variel to come back. Natasha seemed to be the only one who knew what she was going to do, and by the look on her face it was something serious. I looked around and realized how all of us thought of RP2 as a team member already. Steve would probably die for her- but then again, he would die for anybody. Which reminds me, I have to continue my plan to get them together. I just need the help of Green Machine and Blondie. I don't know whether or not to include Natasha.

I hear someone clear her throat, and we all turn around. There Variel stands, in shorts and a tank top. When I really look at her arms, I'm taken aback. They're a mess of scars, along with her legs. She turns and pulls up the back of her shirt, showing us a scar shaped somewhat like a lion.

I can't help but say "Wow." This girl has been through a lot. "Ow!" I say a second later, as Natasha cuffs me over the head.

We can see how hard it was for Variel to show us her scars, so we pull her into a group hug.

"Remind me never to mess with you, Princess," I joke to cheer her up.

This whole encounter gives me an idea for Variel's suit. I'm the one designing it, since none of the other Avengers has anything resembling my supreme artistic talent. As we all head to the cafeteria for lunch, Princess and Capsicle walk in the back of the group. They are talking quietly, and I wonder what they're talking about. As if they could sense my thoughts, Princess looks at me and whispers something to Capsicle, and they both start laughing. I turn around, trying to ignore them. I saw Natasha had an unhappy look on her face, and I turned to talk to her, but Clint was already there.

****Clint Barton****

I looked over at Natasha. Her face bore a troubled expression, so I decided to talk to her.

"Hey, what's wrong? And don't say "nothing." I can always tell when you're unhappy."

"I just feel like I failed as a sister, because I promised to always protect her and never leave her, and I did anyway. I shouldn't have assumed she was dead. Now look at her! She's gone through so much pain."