Fade: Evolved

Chapter 2 - Nick Fury...

Today is the last day of school before I become a senior. It's crazy. Even without the blip, the time has flown by so fast. 

For the summer, I was going to join the science class on their Europe tour. It was the last hoorah for me since I had graduated. Plus with the blip, the word no was barely heard anymore because of some of those who were still going through emotional trauma. 

Walking into the science room, I see Peter and Ned in the corner talking in a whisper. Before I could investigate, MJ walks up to me.

"Going on this stupid trip, too?"

"If you're coming on the trip why is it stupid?" I ask.

"I don't know. It just fits." 

I don't even answer her this time. I just chuckle. I look back over at the boys and notice that both of them are whispering...even Ned. Peter looks excited as his lips still move over and over. My eyes narrow towards them.

"What is it, Stark?" MJ says.

"The boys are acting weird."

"And that's unusual?"

"They're acting weirder then usual." I correct.

"Why don't we go over and do some investigating then?" MJ says with a smirk. 

"Hmm, I like that idea." I say. "Let's go." 

We both walk over to the boys, both of them oblivious to our presence until MJ speaks up. the now startled boys jump up and try to act casual but utterly fail. 

"You guys excited for the trip?"MJ asks nonchalantly. 

"Y-yeah, we were just talking about umm," Peter stutters.

"The women!" Ned blurts and I raise my eyebrow.

"No no no we weren't talking about that!" Peter panics.

"Then what were you talking about, Peter?" I question.

"All the uh sight seeing and the stuff we want to do." Peter says. Before I get a chance to answer, I feel my phone buzz in my pocket. Quietly leaving the room, I quickly move towards an abandoned hallway. Once I'm there, I pull my phone out of my pocket to see that the caller is calling from a blocked number.

"FRIDAY?" I whisper. "Track the caller ID."

Then I pick up the phone. 

"Who is this?" I whisper harshly. 

"Well Ms. Stark, I expected a spy like you to remember me." I hear a familiar voice say.

"Fury..." I groan.

"You and Spiderman are very hard people to get a hold of." Fury points out. 

"There's a reason for that." I point out. 

"Well we need you." Fury says matter of factly. 

Before I get a chance to answer, FRIDAY's voice reappears, telling me Fury's location. 

"Why would you need us in New Mexico, Fury?" 

"That's sensitive information." he says, trying to deflect. 

"Well then I guess I won't be making the effort to come out there. Goodbye, Director." I say before hanging up. 

I slowly slide down from the wall and sit on the floor of the hallway. Of course Nick Fury had to crash our summer. Of course the world is ending...again. It never ends. Being a hero is a constant that I don't know if I can keep up anymore. After everything that happened. The fighting...the Titan...the blip. Watching my father and my family mourn me. Having to sit there idly as they try to move on and can't. Waking up suddenly and having to fight all over again.

I had just worked past my trauma. Only to have newfound trauma. 

"Erin?" I hear MJ say. "Why are you crying?" 

"It's nothing." I say with a sniffle.

"If you're crying it's not nothing." she replies while sitting beside me. 

"These past few years have just been crazy." I admit. "Between being a Stark and a hero, I'm surprised I even graduated. But now it just makes life even crazier."

"Erin. You're a Stark. You're smarter then any of us here. Even Peter. If any of us can figure out what to do, it will be you." MJ states.

I knew she was right. Maybe I just wasn't ready to accept it, or I needed to hear it from the right person. Nevertheless, the cloud that fogged over my mind had now disappeared. And I knew what I had to do. 

______________

"Erin, c'mon we are going to be late!" Peter yells from the front door.

"My bags are already packed in the car! I'll meet you down there!" I yell from our room.

Once I was sure Peter had left, I left a simple text to the unknown number Fury called me on.

'If you need me... I'll be there.'