Dear Guest User Vin,

I'm glad my writing seems to benefit you. It certainly does help me. You are certainly correct about thoughtful remarks; they really do make a difference. I really do look back on the reviews on bad days and on days I need motivation to write. I'm glad you're picking up on the nuances in Paige's seeming mood swings, as you about hit the nail on the head with her energy in chapter 20.

Trigger Warnings: Agoraphobia mention

I knock on the hotel room door tentatively. I wait a moment. And another.

I'm about to knock again, but the door slowly opens. "Paige?" Bruce asks confusedly.

"Um, good morning." I smile shyly.

"What are you doing here? I mean, why aren't you with everyone else?" He runs a hand through his disheveled hair. It doesn't help.

"I thought you might use some company," I say quietly, quickly losing confidence. "I, uh, brought some cards?" I hold up a shopping bag with used casino cards.

"I'm fine. As long as I stay in here, he won't come out."

I frown. "That's not what I meant. I'm not worried about him."

"You should be. But alright, then why are you here?" he asks, a little impatient.

I take a step back. This was a bad idea. I know he doesn't like me. "I'll just go play solitaire or something in my room. Sorry to bother you," I mumble and turn to leave.

I hear a heavy sigh from behind. "Paige, . . . wait." I turn back around. Bruce is pinching the bridge of his nose. "Do you really plan on staying in the hotel all day?" I nod slowly. He steps back and opens the door wide. I look from him to the door and back to him again.

He gestures inside, and I quickly duck in. "Thanks, Bruce."

"Well, I guess I'm not the only one that needs company." He closes the door behind us, quickly setting all the locks. "Why aren't you out with everyone?" I notice that the curtains are drawn. The small room (I don't know how I convinced Tony to rent almost-normal rooms) is almost claustrophobic with just the ceiling light, but if it helps Bruce, I'm not going to complain.

I set the bag down on the table and give a small shrug. "I just don't like Vegas," I respond nonchalantly.

He pulls out one of the chairs and watches me unpack the plastic bag. "Enough to stay in your room all day?"

I sit down and begin opening the boxes of cards. "I'm just not up for it all, you know? The crowds, noise, lights . . . . Vegas is kind of everything I don't do well with." I start dumping the cards out onto the table.

"I guess we're on the same page, then. Now tell me this: why do we need so many cards?"

I smile up at him. "Ever played three-thirteen?"

He shakes his head, and I begin shuffling four decks together.

We're on our third game when there's a knock at the door. Bruce frowns at the sound, so I get up and check it out. Standing on my toes, I peer through the peephole. "Oh my gosh!" I quickly unlock and throw the door open. "Pepper!"

She quickly gives me an awkward hug, trying not to hit me with the bags and boxes she's carrying. "I heard the party was in here," she says, walking in and setting the bags down.

"I wouldn't call it a party, per se," Bruce replies.

"Well, it didn't have pizza yet!" Pepper says cheerily and begins unpacking pizza, paper goods, and some bottles.

"Sparkling cider?" Bruce asks confusedly.

"I'm not going to drink this early, I didn't think you drank, and Paige is underage," she responds matter-of-factly.

Bruce's mouth quirks up a bit at the ends. "That was . . . considerate," he says quietly. I think this is the first I've seen him smile, if that's what that is.

"I didn't think we'd see you again until we got back to New York," I say.

"Well, business in Utah wrapped up quickly, so I thought I'd meet up with everyone here." She turns back to us. "Someone has to keep Tony in check in Vegas," she says with a conspiratorial wink.

"I already put Natasha in charge of that. Besides, they are attempting to go incognito today."

She rolls her eyes. "Unless he's shaved, every employee in the city knows Tony from a mile away." She scrunches up her face. "This might be an expensive trip, depending on how much he convinces everyone to do."

I start shuffling the cards. "It's not the money I'm concerned about," I mumble.

"What's that?" Bruce asks.

I look up to see them both watching me carefully. I sigh and continue my shuffling, refusing to look back up. "I've only skimmed the news, but the government has yet to explain much about 'The Incident' - I hate that they're calling it that. The world is waiting for a Stark press conference. I'm assuming the government is, too, because they will to some extent be following our lead. So today doesn't concern me so much with Tony being caught out as it does with his new friends being noticed."

Pepper pulls up a chair and sits down. "Tony hasn't told me what the approach is besides continuing with the team. I think he was waiting for you."

I frown. "We need a team meeting. I have my ideas, but everyone's priorities and concerns need to be considered."

"Do we want to talk this over while we play?" Bruce asks.

I turn to Bruce. I don't know if he's really enjoying the game or just the distraction. I nod and deal everyone in. Then I explain the simple rules to three-thirteen again.

"This game doesn't take much thought, does it?" Pepper comments as the third hand is dealt. "Not that that's a bad thing; I am enjoying myself," she adds quickly.

I laugh. "You're right. That's why it was a game my mom and grandma played when we camped. You can set it down at any point and pick it back up again."

"Exactly. I was thinking maybe we could talk while we played, like Bruce suggested. Do you two want to catch me up on how the trip has gone?" Pepper turns to Bruce. He just shrugs. She turns to me. "Paige?"

"Well, the itinerary has been a success so far. The parks were really fun with everyone. Natasha and Clint seemed to really like Arches, and Steve liked Monument Valley."

"I actually enjoyed Crystal Geyser," Bruce adds.

"Really?" A grin takes over my whole face. "I wasn't sure how that one would go over."

"It was . . . neat. And Clint liked Hole 'N The Rock."

"What about Tony and Loki?" Pepper asks.

"I think Vegas is Tony's favorite part," Bruce says with an eye roll.

"And Loki?" Pepper asks me.

"I think he liked the Grand Canyon and the bird sanctuary."

"How did Antelope Canyon go? I know you were excited about that."

Bruce goes still. "It was great!" I say quickly. Pepper narrows her eyes but nods slowly. "It went really well, and I think we bonded as a team," I say carefully.

"It was a very revealing experience," Bruce adds quietly.

"I see. You included yourself in the team, Paige," she points out curiously.

"I, uh-" I clear my throat. "I'm an Avenger now?"

"You what?" she exclaims. "Do you know what you're getting into?"

"Yes, actually."

"More than we did," Bruce mutters.

"We discussed this back at the Tower, some, I guess. Loki is going to help me control my . . . ability. I'm going to play support and not go into combat until I'm ready."

Pepper gives a heavy sigh. " . . . Part of me knew this was going to happen. I was going to ask what your plans are, but that partially answers the question."

"I don't really know what's next for me except training," I respond sheepishly.

"What about school?" Pepper asks.

"I live to learn, but school was the old Paige's goal. I don't know anymore if it's mine. I'd already accepted that my educational goals were set back probably five years before I got here."

"Five years?" Bruce asks. "How could you be set back that much?"

"I had a full ride to a great university, but those two years were wasted, as far as credits are concerned. I took some fun classes, and my religion classes certainly wouldn't transfer. The last semester was wasted hiding in my dorm with near-agoraphobia, so no credits there. The plan next was to go to community college to fix my GPA. Next would be a new university, but not full-time, because I'd have to pay for it myself. I should be preparing for my junior year, but instead I'm at square one." I bite my tongue, refusing to get emotional about this. I failed, and that's that.

"Paige," Pepper says slowly. "You do realize you wouldn't have to pay for it all yourself now, right?"

I stare at her with wide eyes for a moment before shaking my head. "I don't know if I'll have time. Not for full-time, anyway. I have to learn to control my ability, and train to become a productive member of this team."

"You could balance all of that with school," Pepper says quietly.

Could I? I have so far I need to go to even be worth acknowledging as a team member. "I'll think about part-time. For now, I need to focus on training. The world won't be the same after New York. Everyone will need the Avengers, and I want to be able to help." How can I think about my goals when the planet is in such danger, and so soon?

"You have time to think about it. Don't worry so much," Pepper says softly. I realize I had furrowed my brows some, and try to relax my face. I don't want her concerned about me.

"What were you going to school for?" Bruce asks. Being the only one really paying attention to the game, he's won the last few hands.

"Genetics. It's been my passion for as long as I can remember, before I even knew what it was."

"Before you knew what it was?" he asks, confused.

"Well, when you're told you get this from your mom, that from your grandpa, and such-and-such runs in the family, that's genetics. Liking animals and evolution and learning about selective breeding - that's genetics. The Jurassic Park movies were huge when I was little, and the genetics aspect fascinated me even then. I love languages, and genetics is the language of life."

"Paige, are you really willing to give all that up?" Bruce asks. Haven't I already?

"Sweetie, the way your eyes light up when you talk about your passion, your dream," Pepper starts.

I shake my head. "I'll do what I need to, be what I'm needed. I have an ability that may prove valuable to the team, and I intend to focus on that first." Pepper and Bruce exchange a look. "My dream is to be useful. I finally have a chance to be just that, and I'm not throwing it away. Genetics will fit in where it may, but I have more important things to focus on."

"You stress too much," Bruce comments.

"Are things really going to be that bad?" Pepper asks quietly.

I look over at Bruce. He shrugs defeatedly. I turn back to Pepper. "Not if we work hard."

We tally points for the game. Pepper won. She speaks up again as she reshuffles the deck. "I suppose that brings us full circle. So, what's the plan? Or can we not talk about that here?"

"We'll catch you up at the Tower," Bruce says.

"But for now, there is something we need to discuss. It takes a team meeting, probably a few, but we can start working on it now. I've kind of brought it up with Natasha, but I'd like you two to start thinking about this as well: what's our PR strategy?"

"As Avengers?" Pepper asks.

"Yes. I've been thinking, and the best protection from the government is the support of the people. If the Avengers are distant ideas, the details of control won't matter. If there's an alien invasion, people will know the Avengers will be there, regardless of who orders us. But if we want to act more than in case of blatant planet-wide danger, the people need to have emotional stock in out freedom to do so."

"Tony and I have already discussed the risks of oversight. We're in the process of registering the team as an independent organization. It sounds like that won't hold for long, though."

"Not everyone will trust the kind of power the Avengers could potentially wield," Bruce says seriously. "Especially not governments."

"So we need to have them trust our judgment," I state firmly. "The US and UN are our main concerns. Both are, to an extent, dependent upon public opinion in such high-profile issues. Therefore, we need to have the vast majority of the public swayed far in advance."

"How do you suggest we do that?" Pepper asks me.

"Above everything, we need to be unified, which we've discussed some." Bruce nods. "We need to be a unified front against any attacks on our independence, and also on any issue we tackle. This strengthens the team, and our image. It also protects the individual members. But as far as a public relations approach, I've come up with a two-part strategy Call it the 'Everyday Hero' strategy, perhaps. First, the team needs to be heroes, not weapons. And second, we need to be rooted into the minds and culture of the public."

"Not to be a Debby Downer, but there's a huge flaw to this, Paige," Bruce says. "You've forgotten about me. The other guy is a weapon, and an uncontrollable one at that. You can't make a hero out of the physical embodiment of rage."

I set my cards down. "I'm not the one that's forgotten about you. You are a hero, whether you believe it or not."

He sets his cards down as well. "But the other guy isn't."

I shake my head. "He's not a typical hero, but he's not a villain, and is capable of being more than a weapon if we let him - if you let him. I'm not saying you have to trust Hulk, or even that we include him on anything but the fringes of our strategy. But don't dismiss him. In New York, did he hurt anyone but enemies?"

"He destroyed buildings with no thought as to the people potentially inside." I don't recall anyone being particularly careful about that.

"Did he not save Tony?" I counter quickly.

"Did he not attack Natasha?" Bruce responds just as easily. He is bouncing his knee noticeably.

"Bruce, I know you don't like losing control, but it's not a monster taking over." He shakes his head. "Think of him more as a child. He is inconsiderate, yes, but not uncaring, and you know that. He is aggressive, but also fiercely protective." Think of Betsy, Bruce. "He is young, and though very angry, most of his approaches are a product of reciprocation, not unadulterated hatred. Ross," Bruce's eye twitches at the name, but I see no green, so I continue, "hated a weapon, so Hulk became a weapon of hate. Natasha feared a monster, and so Hulk was one. Steve trusted an ally, so Hulk fought as one. Tony showed trust, and Hulk proved it was justified. I'm not asking you to love him, or like him, or trust him. But for now, he's here to stay, so you might do well to accept him."

Bruce speaks through gritted teeth. "You don't know the risks involved." Whatever emotion he's fighting, it's not anger.

"I don't. But I know the potential pay-off, and that it's not all that unlikely." Can Hulk hear me? I think so. "I won't push the issue any more today, but it is something for you to consider."

Bruce takes a deep breath. "And what if I don't feel comfortable being involved in the PR campaign. You know, as Bruce Banner."

"Then you don't have to be. The strategy will be strengthened with each active member, but I don't think it will be weakened by some being more quiet."

Pepper speaks up once more. "I agree with Paige. First, you shouldn't do it if you're not comfortable or don't wish to. She's right that we'll need a unified front on issues, but we won't always need a full team present in order to build image, especially if we focus on developing public attachment to the team members as individuals."

"If the public values just a few individuals, like Iron Man and Captain America," I say carefully, "then they will be more invested in what those individuals are a part of. Nothing in this strategy is crucial, it's just a plan to protect against future dangers and risks." Bruce, this plan is in part to protect you.

"I think it's a good strategy even if we aren't looking ahead at defending independence," Pepper comments. Can't Bruce see that being part of the team will do so much for him? For one, it would keep him safe. I glance to the curtains. I know he doesn't feel safe. "Heroes mean something to people; they always have," Pepper continues. "From what you two have said, it sounds like the strength they give the people might be beneficial in the times to come." The strength I know the Avengers give each other is important, too, and I hope Bruce will see that. "I don't believe it is an obligation of anyone to be that, but this team and it's members do have an amazing opportunity to do some substantial good." Which is why, Pepper, I have to focus my energy on the team.

Bruce pushes his cards into the center of the table. "I'll take what you've said into consideration." He speaks evenly, trying to force down his emotions. "Thank you for giving me the opportunity to come to the team discussion prepared. But for now, I would like some time alone."

"Very well." Pepper stands and nods to me. "Paige?"

I quickly clean up the cards and leave them on the table for Bruce. "I plan on sticking with Pepper today, so just call us if you need anything."

Pepper and I quietly exit and continue our discussion in my room. We strategize some more, then talk about plans for the Tower, and about our new living arrangements. Then we watch some movies.