Ice and Defenders- Book 2 of the Frostbite Series

The Gathering of Defenders

This was the first time in awhile that I had been on a Quinjet, and it was the first time Steve had been in one ever. Phil Coulson sat in the back with us looking at a computer screen with headphones on. I knew that he was a fan of Captain America, so I was anxious to see how he would react to being in the same Quinjet as him. Steve sat next to me with a screen in his hands, looking over the people who would be on the mission with us. This included Dr. Bruce Banner, Natasha Romanoff who was another SHIELD agent, and Tony Stark.

"So this Dr. Banner was trying to replicate the serum used on me?" Steve asked.

I shrugged, not knowing the answer and looked at Coulson. He stood from his seat and walked over to us. 

"A lot of people were." Coulson answered. "You were the world's first superhero, next to Ellie, but no one can acquire her abilities through science." 

On the screen it showed footage of a giant, green monster destroying Harlem. This green being was Dr. Banner in a different form, one that he often cannot control. 

"Banner thought that Gamma radiation might hold the key to unlocking Erskine's original formula," Coulson explained. 

"That didn't work out for him, unfortunately," I said. 

"No, it did not." Coulson replied. "When he is not that thing the guy's like a Stephen Hawking."

I nodded, understanding what Coulson meant, but Steve looked at me for another word that he would understand. 

"He's basically Albert Einstein," I said. 

Steve nodded, and looked back at the screen. I looked up at Coulson and darted my eyes towards Steve as a way to encourage him to talk.

He took a few steps back. "I gotta say, it's an honor to meet you, officially." 

Steve smiled from the side of his mouth. He could sense the awkward tone in Coulson's voice. 

"I sort of met you, I mean, I watched you while you were sleeping." 

Steve's face turned into an uncomfortable expression. My nose scrunched at Coulson's wording.

 "I mean, I was present while you were unconscious, from the ice." Coulson rambled on.

Steve stood up to look out the front window of the Quinjet. Coulson looked at me and I mouthed "Go on".

I took the screen off the seat next to me and read the briefings on the people joining us. I swiped and the file for Natasha Romanoff came on screen. She was another familiar face. Natasha and Clint were close friends, us three had been on many missions together. It relieved me that I wouldn't be the only female on the mission, I had enough of that during the war. Peggy was present but she didn't go on all of the missions with the Howling Commandos.

"Ellie," Coulson said my name and I looked up. 

"Huh?" 

"We brought the last uniform that Howard Stark made for you." He said. "It's a two piece suit now and it's quite interesting, there are skate blades that retract up into the boots, instead of the ice compatible shoes. We kept the blade handles that attach to your belt. We know it's your medium." 

Now that excited me. For the past few years I worked in a traditional black suit for SHIELD operations, and to be honest, I was missing the frosty flair. 

"That sounds great, I'll have to see it myself." I grinned. 

~~~

The Quinjet came upon what looked like a navy ship with landing strips on it. The jet landed and Steve and I followed Coulson off and onto the landing strip. There were other jets, trucks, and vehicles on the ship as well. I looked over to see a red haired woman approaching us.