Color scheme | Pietro Maximoff

Chapter 16

     Eliza woke up in some sort of casing, confused about the world around her. How was she alive? What happened? She looked around from inside the casing, and spotted Tony, Steve, and a lady she was not familiar with.

     "Where am I?" Elizabeth asked in a raspy voice. The three seemed surprised to find her awake.

     "You're in the Cradle," Steve answered. "Don't worry, you're in good hands. Dr. Cho is an expert," he nodded to the lady, addressing her.

     "The Cradle has been healing your wounds. Just a little longer and you will be good to go," added Dr. Cho.

     "Thank you," Elizabeth paused, recollecting the battle. "I'm guessing we won, was anyone hurt?"

     "Yeah, we won. And besides you, no one was hurt," answered Tony.

     "That's good."

———

     Once Elizabeth could leave the Cradle, Steve and Tony helped her to the living room. All of her friends gave her a gentle hug, in which  Pietro definitely held onto her the longest.

     "I was so worried, Eliza," he whispered in her ear.

     "I know, I'm sorry."

     "Do not be sorry, you saved my sister," she smiled in response.

"Well now that everyone is here," Tony interrupted. "We'd like to know why you were contacting HYDRA," Elizabeth shuffled her feet, pondering how to respond.

"I'm sorry. I wanted to tell you right away when HYDRA got in contact with me, but at the time I was afraid you didn't trust me completely. I knew I had to keep contacting them so they wouldn't grow suspicious, and I didn't know how you guys would feel about that."

"Well because you prepared us for the attack, we forgive you," Steve stated.

"Thank you," she paused. "Am I allowed to live here again..?"

"As long as that device is destroyed, we would be more than happy for you to stay with us," answered Steve.

"Thank you, I promise I'll never do something like that again."

———

     Elizabeth followed Steve to the research lab, where the Avengers store and process data. Elizabeth found her old device hooked up to one of the computers. She unhooked the device, and slammed it against the edge of the table, snapping it in half.

"Wow, that was quick," Steve commented.

"Yep," Responded Elizabeth as she tossed the pieces into a nearby trash can. She was about to exit the room, when Steve gently grabbed her by the shoulder.

"Hey."

"Hey," she responded.

"I'm really glad you're with us instead of HYDRA. We missed you."

"I wasn't even gone that long," she joked.

"It felt long for us."

"Yeah, I know. I missed you guys too, I was afraid I would never see you again."

"And yet, here we are," he pulled her into a hug. "And I wouldn't have it any other way,"

she smiled into his shoulder, but then was struck by a sudden realization. She recalled the threat delivered by one of HYDRA's soldiers. There was a new leader, and she was coming for both Eliza and the Avengers.