Author's Note

I'm back, glitches!

Sorry it's taken so long, this is certainly happening later than I originally intended, but my hands have not been idle. I've made good progress on writing this story but the plot has been a bit more fluid in my head than usual, making me go back to previous chapters to add or change things. This chapter is pretty much solid though so I figured I could post this now but keep a tentative update timeline of only one chapter per month for now. Sorry, I know that's not a whole lot, but it'll pick up soon, promise.

For those of you wondering, this is indeed my Move Along sequel that's a full-fledged Avengers crossover. The rest of the Avengers will be showing up in this fic to have some fun with Ari and the rest of the gang. This fic is set pretty early in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, after the Avengers but before Thor 2. Thor 2 actually won't be happening at all because of things that happen in this fic. So the whole S.H.I.E.L.D./Hydra fiasco of Captain America 2 hasn't happened and there is no Sam Wilson or Bucky Barnes.

But I will let you in on a little secret: as per the requests of my readers and my own imagination, this Move Along universe will be a trilogy. So just you wait, folks. Sam and Bucky will be joining us momentarily.

Before I forget...DISCLAIMER: I own nothing Transformers, Avengers, or Marvel related. I only own my OCs and the plot. Duh.

Anyway, this fic! I have a longer summary for it that I'm going to go ahead and put here like I did last time (it was hard cutting back from this to the official summary, stupid character limit):

Ari has been Autobot Ambassador for over a year and things are good. The Decepticons are quiet and humans have accepted the Autobots remaining on Earth. She knows this peace isn't supposed to last, but when it's finally disrupted it's by an unexpected source: the Chitauri, the army Loki led to attack New York years ago. Their goals are unclear, but what Ari does know is that it's going to take all of Earth's mightiest heroes to stop them this time. Especially since it is not Loki who leads them but someone far more sinister.

This is going to be a bumpy ride, guys, so buckle up and hang on cause we're taking off fast.

Go onward and enjoy!

Only the Beginning

Light blue eyes stare back at Ari in the bathroom mirror. They're sharp, thoughtful, full of a knowledge many people can't even imagine. But they can tell that she's seen a lot—more than she should—for someone with such a young face.

Though she's not as young as people believe her to be.

She's gotten good at using makeup to make her features appear older but it's still the face of a twenty-year-old who looks like a sixteen-year-old.

Even though she's technically twenty-one now.

A year has gone by since she gained her last AllSpark mark. A year has gone by since she essentially stopped aging.

A year since she stepped into her role of Autobot Ambassador.

She tucks a strand of redish-brown hair back behind her ear that had come loose from her bun and straightens her dark blue suit jacket before picking up her briefcase and exiting the bathroom into a well-lit hallway. One wall of the hallway is completely made of glass, the windows letting in the warm Californian sunlight. Ari moves quickly, her one-inch heels clicking against the tile floor, legs thankfully unimpeded by a pencil skirt today since she opted to wearing a pant suit.

She's been kept quite busy this past year. A lot of people were out for blood after the Battle of Chicago with Sentinel Prime. There were a lot cries wanting all Cybertronians booted off planet, but Ari reminded the world what it's so quickly forgotten.

If the Autobots were gone, the Decepticons would not simply follow them. If the Autobots had really left that day, then the entire human race would be enslaved or extinct right now.

Sure, Earth's mightiest heroes, the group known as the Avengers, were on their way to Chicago even as the Autobots fought in the streets, but there was no guarantee they would have won. And even if they did, how many more would have died by then?

Ari fought tooth and nail for people to accept the Autobots again. Now, a year later, people have finally started to put Chicago in the rearview mirror. They're moving on, some more bitterly than others, but they're allowing the Autobots to stay while allowing Ari to focus on other tasks.

That's why she's walking down a hallway towards the office of Ms. Pepper Potts, C.E.O. of Stark Industries.

The World Security Council has been wanting the Autobots to share their technology for years. They've shared some, in order to help N.E.S.T., but they have so much more to offer. And the Autobots want to; they want to help the human race any way they can. The war against the Decepticons hasn't left them with time for much else though.

But now, with Megatron offlined and the remaining Decepticons either being hunted down or in the wind, the Autobots are willing to start sharing more.

So long as the knowledge is in the right hands, hands that won't twist what they gain into weapons.

Ari has been looking for trustworthy hands for many months now but she thinks her searching might be coming to an end soon.

"Do you really think this could be the one?" Sideswipe asks through the bond they share as sparkmates. He's waiting outside for her, sitting in his alt mode in the parking lot. He wanted to come inside with her, as he has at every other company they've been to, but every time she tells him no. This is something she has to do, alone, as Autobot Ambassador. She's not letting any of these companies get close to an Autobot until they've gone through her.

"Yeah, I do," she tells him. "I have a good feeling about this company, and its C.E.O., and my instincts haven't let me down yet."

She can hear his laughter in her head, though it's less of a sound and more of a feeling. "No, they certainly haven't. Good luck, sweetspark."

"Thanks."

She reaches the waiting area precisely five minutes early, passing the people sitting in cushy chairs to the receptionist desk guarding the C.E.O.'s door.

The receptionist looks up from her computer with a polite smile, eyeing Ari curiously. "Can I help you?"

"Yes, my name is Ari Lennox," she says, showing the woman her visitor badge. "I have a meeting with Ms. Potts at ten 'o clock."

The receptionist's eyes light up in recognition and she stands, moving out from behind the desk. "Ah, Ms. Lennox. Ms. Potts has been expecting you. If you'll just come this way."

Ari follows her to the door to the right of the desk leading into Ms. Pott's office. The walls of the office are glass so she can see through them into the room where the C.E.O. sits at her desk writing something. Pepper Potts is a slender woman with strawberry blonde hair and sharp, angular features. She's beautiful in a way that tigers are beautiful, a beauty that hides a power that isn't to be trifled with or underestimated.

The receptionist knocks on the door and then opens it a crack, sticking her head in. They exchange a few words and then the receptionist motions Ari into the office, closing the door behind her. Ms. Potts stands, rounding her desk with a smile and an outstretched hand. "Ms. Lennox, it's a pleasure to finally meet you."

"Likewise, Ms. Potts," Ari replies, shaking her hand. "And, please, call me Ari. We have so many mutual friends, I feel like I know you already."

"In that case, call me Pepper. I certainly feel the same."

"It's because of some of our mutual friends that I'm here, actually."

"Then how about we sit." Pepper leads her over to a sitting area and Ari takes a seat on one of the plush couches. "Would you like some coffee? Water?"

"Water is fine."

Pepper goes to an end table where a pitcher of water and a coffee machine sit. She pours a glass of water for Ari and a mug of coffee for herself. Ari mumbles a thank you when handed the glass and then Pepper takes a seat on the couch across from her.

Ari takes a sip of her water before setting the glass down on the coffee table between them and beginning her well-practiced speech. "As you know, the Autobots are ready to share some of their advanced technology with the world. They have insights into computers, medicine, green energy, and more that could send us decades ahead in just a few short months. However, they need someone to share their knowledge with, humans who have a hope of understanding what it is the Autobots have to offer. That is why for the past several months I have been visiting technological companies around the globe looking for the right kinds of humans."

"Stark Industries would certainly be interested in the opportunity," Pepper says, casually crossing her legs but Ari can see the eagerness in her eyes. "We are the best in practically every scientific field in the world."

"But I'm not just looking for the best. I'm also looking for the most honest. According to the Non-Biological Extraterrestrial Species Treaty, the Autobots have an agreement with the human race that they will not share any technology dealing with weapons, and humans are not to force them to. That also means that if the Autobots share their technology with you and then Stark Industries turns around and uses what they learn to make weapons, it will be a broach in the treaty. The Autobots will be allowed to act as they see fit, including destroying any technology or plans developed based on what they share with you."

"We would never betray such a confidence," Pepper says firmly, looking almost angry at the thought. "And in any case, Stark Industries ceased making weapons a few years ago. I'm sure someone with your resources can check to make sure. We're no longer in the field of weapons and we're not about to start again now."

Ari's mouth tugs up into a crooked smile. "Oh, I know. Our mutual friends assure me that your company has kept its promise not to make weapons anymore. That's why I left Stark Industries to the end of my little tour. Despite assurances, I wanted to make sure your company really is the best route to go."

"And what conclusion have you come to about the others?"

"That, unfortunately, most companies would betray our trust if given half a chance."

"Let me guess, you went to Hammer Industries?"

"No, I didn't even go to Hammer Industries, not after that stunt Justin Hammer pulled at the Stark Expo." Ari sighs deeply, slumping back against the couch cushions. "The Autobots are my family, Pepper. I will protect them whatever the cost. If I don't have absolute certainty that weapons won't come of this venture, then I'll shut the whole thing down."

"I can definitely understand that," Pepper says, voice full of earnest. "So what about Stark Industries? Do you think we can be trusted?"

Ari reaches for her glass again and takes a long sip of water. While she does, she goes through the doors in her head that contain the knowledge of the AllSpark. All of the past and all of the present is contained inside her head, and Ari uses that knowledge to look into the past and present of Stark Industries.

It is a dark past. A bloody past. The company was built on a foundation of metal and bullets; weapons of mass destruction. Those weapons have done a lot of harm, but not all of that harm was intentional. She can see Tony Stark's guilt, the guilt that he carries with him every day because of the double sided dealings his company was making behind his back by selling weapons to America's enemies. It wasn't his fault, but he shoulders that guilt anyway because it was the fault of someone he trusted. Since the darkness was brought to light, he's been working on making a better company, a better legacy to the world, and not just as Iron Man. Though he is no longer C.E.O., handing that honor over to Pepper himself with no hesitation, he still continues to steer his company into a brighter future.

He wants to help people. He wants to save people. And he wants to hopefully one day give them a peace that he's never been able to feel himself. His company follows him in that dream, diligently and with loyalty.

Ari swallows her water, setting the glass down again with a small smile. "I believe this company could be what I've been looking for, and not just because it comes highly recommended. There are good hearts and minds in this place. I can see it. And I can see us making a lot of good together."

"So do I," Pepper says with an answering smile, only kindness there without any of the conceitedness Ari has seen in so many of the other C.E.O.s she's met with. "We would be honored to work with you and the Autobots."

Ari opens her mouth to say more but then a wave of unease washes down her spine like icy water. The feeling isn't her own, it's coming from Sideswipe, and she instantly reaches for him along their bond. "Sideswipe, what's going on?"

"I'm not sure," he says. "I just picked up this weird energy reading."

"Coming from where?"

"The roof of Stark Industries."

A bad feeling forms in the pit of Ari's stomach. "Can your scanners pick up anything else up there?"

"I...I think so. I'm picking up some form of life but I don't know..." A pause and then a flood of panic down the bond. "Ari, they're not human. They're Chitauri. There are ten Chitauri on the roof."

"Those aliens from the Battle of New York that the Avengers fought?"

"Yeah, and it looks like they're setting up some sort of device."

"Get in here, Sideswipe. Now."

Ari reaches under her shirt for her Autobot pendant, a device that acts as a panic button and radio connecting her to the Autobots. She pushes the red button, signaling to all of the Autobots that she is in very big trouble and needs help right fragging now. Sunstreaker is nearby, patrolling the city, and will hopefully be with them soon.

In the meantime, Ari focuses on the problem at hand—staying alive and figuring out why they're here.

"Pepper," she says, keeping her voice even without a thread of panic, "I need you to stay calm, but it looks like there are Chitauri on the roof."

"On the roof?" Pepper asks incredulously. "Why would Chitauri be on the roof? They were all killed and besides, if anyone was on the roof security would have raised the alarm and-"

A blaring siren pierces the air, emergency lights lowering from hidden panels in the ceiling and bathing the walls in red.

A man in a suit bursts through the door, gun held in his hand at the ready. His rounded face looks worried, eyes automatically locking on Pepper.

"Happy, what is going on?" Pepper yells over the sound of the siren, standing from her seat.

"We have a breach," Happy yells back, briskly walking to Pepper and taking her elbow. "Aliens. It looks like those freaky reptile things from New York. They materialized right on the roof and there are more of them downstairs blocking off all the exits. We need to get you in the safe room."

Pepper plants her feet. "Ari too."

"That goes against protocol," he says with exasperation.

"I don't care! She's coming with."

"No, not until we know what we're dealing with!"

"Ari, we have a problem," Sideswipe says, voice sounding tight inside her head.

"What is it?"

"I can't get inside."

Ari blinks in surprise. "What do you mean?"

"There's some kind of force field around the building. My sensors can't identify the energy signature but whatever it is, it's not letting me through. It feels like I'm hitting a wall."

"What about your holoform? Can you materialize right inside?"

"No. I tried but it's like the barrier shorts it out."

"Fraggit. It must be that device they set up on the roof."

"I don't like this, Ari."

"I don't either. I'll see what I can do."

"Be careful."

"I will."

"We have a problem," Ari says aloud, interrupting the argument Happy and Pepper are still in the middle of.

"What now?" Happy asks.

"Sideswipe, an Autobot, he's right outside but he can't get in. The Chitauri set up a device on the roof and it's blocking him somehow."

"Does that mean they knew you'd be here?" Pepper asks, not sounding accusing but worried.

Happy shakes his head, thankfully not asking how she got her information. "Not necessarily. It could just be that they're blocking any help from getting inside."

"All the more reason she should come with me in the safe room. I won't let her get hurt, Happy, not if there's something I can do about it."

Happy hesitates, eyes boring into Ari with uncertainty, but then he nods. "Fine."

He draws Pepper over behind her desk and places his palm flat on the wall. Something beeps, barely noticeable over the sirens, and a section of wall slides away to reveal a doorway. Pepper steps forward to enter but Ari doesn't move.

Happy holds out a hand to her. "Ms. Lennox, come on."

"No," she says. "Someone needs to go to the roof and destroy the device so Sideswipe can get inside."

"With all due respect, Ms. Lennox, but there are no Decepticons. These are just a bunch of freaks that are just as easy to kill as humans. We did it before in New York. Me and my men can handle it."

"But-"

"It's okay, Ari," Pepper says. "We have the best security teams in the world. If Happy says he can handle it, he can. You'll be safe."

Ari fights with herself. She doesn't like to be the damsel in distress. She wants to help, wants to fight, has never sat out of a battle, ever. But this battle may not even be about her. Yes, this isn't good, but Sideswipe's help may not even be needed, nor her help for that matter. She could sit this one out and everything be fine. The Chitauri having something that can keep Sideswipe out, it could just be a coincidence.

But she doesn't know. She just doesn't know.

But she does know one thing—if this isn't about her, then the only other logical explanation for why they're here is Pepper.

"Alright," Ari says, following Pepper into the safe room. Happy closes the door behind her, sealing the two of them in and cutting off the sound of the alarm.

Bright lights automatically blink on, illuminating a small room no more than ten feet by ten feet. There's a couch and a large T.V. across from it on the wall, along with a storage closet that probably holds supplies. The walls are some kind of metal, something sturdy, impenetrable. This room is made to last…anything.

Pepper falls on the couch with a heavy sigh. After a moment Ari joins her, sitting down with a matching sigh. Who knows how long they'll be sitting in here. All she can do is wait.

"You're making the right decision, sweetspark," Sideswipe tells her. "You keep each other safe until the others get here and we can figure out a way to help you."

"I don't like it, Sides. I hate just waiting."

"I know you do. But right now, it's the only option."

"How long have you been married for?" Pepper suddenly asks.

Ari looks up then down at her hands, realizing she's been twisting her engagement ring and wedding band around on her finger. She smiles softly. "Two and a half years now."

"Wow, so not too long."

"No, but we've known each other for about five years."

"So you met back in high school then, right?"

"Yeah. We've been on this long and crazy ride together from the start. We've fought together side by side through every single battle. That's why this is so hard. I want to fight, to get back to him, but here I am sitting on my hands, waiting."

Pepper smiles ruefully. "I know what that's like. I've always worried about Tony, even before he became Iron Man, though before was certainly a lot easier. Before, I just worried that he'd take the drinking too far. Waiting was hard but it's a lot harder now. Now, I have to worry about him getting shot or blown up or his suit failing him. And then he and I got together as a couple and…."

"It's hard to watch him go off to battle while leaving you behind," Ari says knowingly. "That's why I underwent N.E.S.T. training. I became a trained soldier so I could fight beside my husband."

"I wish I could do that, but I don't think Tony would ever let me. That's why he built me this place, and others like it, so that I wouldn't have to. But that doesn't mean waiting is all I can do."

"What do you mean?"

Pepper smirks, raising her voice, "Jarvis?"

"What can I do for you, Ms. Potts?" a man says with a distinct British accent from seemingly everywhere and nowhere.

"Who was that?" Ari asks warily, eying the room for possible hiding places even though that's slim to none.

"That would be Jarvis," Pepper says, holding in a laugh. "He's an artificial intelligence Tony developed back in his college years. He manages all of Tony's systems, from his houses to the Iron Man suits."

"Including this room."

"Precisely. Tony has him connected to all my safe rooms so that I can stay connected in case of emergencies."

"So what can he do?" Ari asks, noting how Pepper uses male pronouns to describe Jarvis instead of just using "it". She treats him as more of a person than a computer, which Ari finds quite admirable.

"I have many functions, Ms. Lennox," Jarvis answers primly, showing far more emotion than what Ari would think an A.I. capable of. "But I believe what would be of most help to you right now would be the security feeds for the building?"

"Up on the monitor, if you please," Pepper says.

The T.V. on the wall turns on by itself, six feeds from security cameras splitting the screen. The feeds change every couple of seconds, rotating between what looks like dozens of cameras spread all throughout Stark Industries. They're showing hallways filled with people running and screaming, but they mostly look okay. For now.

Ari whistles lowly, standing from her seat and crossing the room for a closer look. "That is quite impressive."

"Thank you, Ms. Lennox," Jarvis says with a bit of pride in his voice. "The security teams have begun leading people to the bunker located in the basement of the building, though progress is slow."

"And the Chitauri?" Pepper asks, joining Ari in front of the screen.

A single security feed fills the screen showing a vantage point with a clear view of the entire lobby. It looks like a war zone. Glass and rubble litter the floor, there's holes in the walls, and lights flash from gunfire.

And a dozen Chitauri have pushed their way through the entrance, taking whatever cover they can while they face off against the security team. This security camera is a lot less blurry than most of the footage that came out of New York, so Ari is getting a lot better view of what these aliens look like. They're about average human height with a strong build and pale, almost gray skin. They're wearing some kind of armor, the helmets including a faceplate that covers the entire face, but she knows that they look kind of reptilian underneath.

They carry guns, long and thin, that fire off some kind of bluish-purple energy that blasts through anything it hits.

The Chitauri and security team are evenly matched in number but the security team is definitely outgunned. Even as Ari watches, she can see the security team losing ground and losing numbers, their bodies joining those of the civilians on the floor who were unfortunate enough to get caught up in the initial assault.

"Your men can't handle this," Ari whispers.

"So it would seem," Jarvis says, sounding almost grave. "Mr. Stark is on his way in an Iron Man suit but his E.T.A. is still twenty minutes."

The screen changes again, showing another team of Chitauri climbing the stairs two-by-two. They find the floor they want and enter, filing into the hallway.

"Where are they headed, Jarvis?" Pepper asks, trying to stay brave but Ari can hear the tremble in the words.

"By my calculations, they will arrive at your office in thirty seconds."

The feed changes to a camera that looks like it must be attached to the other side of the safe room door, almost like a peephole. They can see the back of Pepper's desk, most of the room, and through the glass wall they can see the waiting area outside the office. Ari waits with held breath but she's not really surprised when the Chitauri come into view, entering the office and stopping.

What does surprise her is when one of them comes right to the safe room door looking dead at the camera.

"H-How?" Pepper asks, frazzled. "How do they know where we are?"

"I don't know," Ari says, "but these are aliens we're talking about. They probably have some sort of scanner."

A second Chitauri has joined the first, attaching something to the wall. When it doesn't explode immediately, Ari assumes they're trying to hack their way in.

Thinking quickly, Ari goes to the couch, dragging it across the floor and tilting it on its back as far from the door as possible to act as cover. She takes a distraught Pepper by the hand and sits her down behind it, kneeling down to look the woman in the eye.

"You stay here, you understand me?" Ari says firmly.

"What?" Pepper says, surprised and confused. "You don't really think they'll get in here, do you?"

"They're aliens with more advanced technology than us so, yes, I think they're going to get in here." Ari stands, shedding her suit jacket and stepping out of her shoes so her feet are bare. "And when they do, you keep your head down."

"What are you going to do?"

She rolls up the sleeves of her white collared shirt and unbuttons the top few buttons, shooting Pepper a smile she hopes is reassuring. "I'm going to do whatever it takes. I'm just glad I decided to wear pants today. Do you have any idea how hard it is to fight in a pencil skirt?"

Pepper doesn't answer, just stares at her with rounded eyes, and Ari turns to face the door. She laments the absence of her gun for a moment, picturing it inside her dresser drawer, before pressing the blue jewel on each of her silver bangles. The metal bracelets constrict on both her wrists, fitting snuggly now, and then knives extend a foot long.

A gun would be nice but it's not necessary. She's always felt more comfortable fighting with these knives anyway.

"Ms-Ms. Potts?" Jarvis says, voice broken, choppy. "I-It appears my syst-tems are being o-overwritten."

Ari quickly moves to press her back against the wall next to the door. There's a loud clank as it unlocks and then the door swings open into the room.

She stays hidden by the large door as three Chitauri enter, guns held firmly as they scan the area. The room is pretty scarce. One of them goes to the storage closet as the other two approach the couch, and that's when Ari moves.

She goes to the one closest to her, the alien at the closet, stabbing him in the side before he even sees her. He drops to the ground and the other two turn towards her, but she doesn't give them a chance to fire their guns. She darts forward, inside their reach, stabbing one in the stomach and the other in the neck, going for gaps in the armor.

There's a strange high-pitched sound, like a cry of alarm, and Ari faces the door, ready for more.

The doorway is small, allowing only one person in at a time, and Ari uses the bottleneck to her advantage. She manages to drop one right in the doorway before the one right behind him starts firing. She spins out of the way, back to the wall again. When the Chitauri enters she grabs his arm and gun, pulling him to arch around her and slamming him into the wall next to her.

She eyes the singed holes in the back wall above the couch before making her next move, ducking and rolling out of the safe room and into the office.

There are three sets of feet around her and she slashes at their legs. They fall, crying out, but she cuts them off before they even hit the floor. The next two try to rush her, cornering her between them, but she lashes out with a swift kick to one's groin—thankfully working on aliens as well as it does on humans—and a sharp knife to the other's chest before spinning to finish the first one off.

The last two fire at her from across the room and she ducks behind the desk, something stinging across her shoulder but she ignores it. She grabs one of the fallen guns. It seems to be simple enough to use with something that looks distinctly like a trigger so she pops out around the corner of the desk and fires in quick procession.

The two Chitauri fall with identical thuds and then there's silence. Someone must have shut off the alarm because there's nothing besides her heavy breathing.

After taking a centering breath she stands, dropping the gun and returning to Pepper.

"Is it over?" Pepper asks, head peeking out above the couch.

Ari gives her another smile. "Yeah, it's over."

"Oh, my god," Pepper says, eyes wide and hand reaching for Ari's shoulder. "You're bleeding."

Ari shrugs without even looking. "It's nothing. Just a graze." She then pulls Pepper to her feet. "Come on. We need to get out of here. There'll be more where that came from."

Ari takes point with one of the alien guns, Pepper staying right behind her as they move through the hallways. There are Primus knows how many Chitauri in the building and there's no telling where they are. They can't risk just holing up in an office, though. Too easy to get cornered, way too easy to get outnumbered, and Ari might not be able to defeat all of them mostly unscathed next time.

So they go for the roof, because the only way any of them are getting out of here alive is with some serious help.

Unfortunately, according to Pepper, roof access is on the exact opposite side of the building and the elevators don't seem to be working.

They take the stairs up a little ways, entering a random floor in the hopes that there won't be any aliens looking for them there if it isn't the lobby or executive floor. They move through the halls, heading towards the far staircase. It'll take them right up to the roof.

They're halfway there when they run into the bodies.

Three Chitauri, lying dead on the floor. They must be splitting up to search for them and these guys ran into some trouble.

"Who killed them?" Pepper asks, surprisingly steady but keeping a careful distance. Ari wonders if today isn't the first time she's seen dead bodies. Though aliens are certainly a bit different than humans.

"Not sure." Ari approaches one of the bodies carefully, gun raised just in case it's a trap. She pushes at the body with her toes so he turns over on his back.

There's an arrow protruding from his chest, penetrating right through a weak spot in the armor. The shaft is broken from when he fell forwards and Ari snatches it up, studying it closely.

She'd know that fletching anywhere.

"Hawkeye," Ari says with a grin.

But her grin falls when she hears stomping footfalls headed their way.

"Run!" Ari says, shoving Pepper in the opposite direction just as five Chitauri round the corner at the end of the hallway. Ari opens fire on them, dropping three before her gun clicks.

Out of ammo.

She drops the gun and runs after Pepper, shouting, "Hawkeye!"

Energy blasts fly past her head and she turns the corner, Pepper just feet in front of her.

"Hawkeye!"

She's not sure where Pepper is headed—not sure if she even has a destination in mind—but Ari runs after her, turning as many corners as they can so the aliens chasing them can't get off too many shots.

"Hawkeye!"

More Chitauri appear around the corner straight ahead of them and Pepper veers right down another hallway.

Right into a dead end.

"No, no, no, no..." Pepper whispers, backing up, but there are footsteps coming their way. There is no turning back.

Ari yanks on a few doors until she finds one that opens, someone's office, and she shoves Pepper inside. "Lock the door. Don't open it for anyone other than me, got it?"

"But-"

Ari closes the door on Pepper's terrified face, hoping she can buy them enough time.

But when eighteen Chitauri spill into the mouth of the hallway Ari can feel her hope plummet a little.

She doesn't back down, though. She steps forward, fists clenched. When they don't shoot her right away she smirks. She's not going down without a fight.

The first three who try to take her fall within a few seconds. Then they try to rush her all at once. Her vision—her entire mind—tunnels after that, focusing on the next slice, the next kick, doing everything within her power to stay alive, to keep going. She can feel Sideswipe along their bond, worried and frustrated as he's forced to sit outside, but he's not doing nothing. He's bolstering her up, feeding her energy and determination to keep fighting, but there are so many of them...so many of them.

One of the aliens hits her in the back of the head and she falls to the floor, seeing stars. He raises the butt of his gun to hit her.

Only for an arrow to pierce through his neck.

Ari grins, finding the energy to get back to her feet. She wants to lay eyes on the archer but she forces herself to focus on the task at hand, fighting the aliens in front of her as others fall to arrows around her.

Never does she worry about getting hit with an arrow. Hawkeye is too good for that.

When the dust settles again Ari is standing in the middle of eighteen bodies, sweat making her hair cling to her face. She carefully retracts her knives by pressing the blue jewels again and then turns, letting out a relieved sigh when she sees Clint Barton at the end of the hallway shouldering his bow. He opens his arms and she runs to him, the two of them colliding together in a hug.

"Are you alright, kiddo?" he asks, strong arms wrapping around her and making her feel safe for the first time since the Chitauri showed up outside the safe room.

"Yeah, I'm okay," she says into the tactical vest of his Hawkeye uniform, breathing in the smell of leather deeply into her nose before pulling away. "What are you doing here?"

"I was on my way to the nearby S.H.I.E.L.D. facility when the call came in about the Chitauri, so I parked the quinjet and snuck in."

"Did you see Sideswipe on the way in?" Ari asks, making her way back to the room she stashed Pepper in, Clint following along behind.

"Yeah, I'm actually surprised he hasn't stormed the place already. What gives?"

"The Chitauri set up some sort of force field device up on the roof. It's keeping him from getting inside." Ari stops in her tracks, spinning around to face him as something hits her. "Wait a minute, how did you get in?"

Clint shrugs. "I just walked right on in. S.H.I.E.L.D. teams are setting up downstairs in the parking lot and are about to come in, too."

Ari fidgets with her rings again, foreboding feeling like rocks in her stomach. "Meaning that device was meant to only keep Cybertronians out. They knew Sideswipe would be here."

"Does that mean they're after you?"

"I'm not sure. It's not like I'm the only high-value target here."

Ari opens the office door, revealing Pepper pacing the room inside. When she sees Ari her shoulders slump. "I thought for sure you wouldn't make it this time," she says.

"Yeah, well, I had a bit of help." Ari opens the door further so Pepper can see Clint standing next to her.

Pepper's eyes widen. "I know you. You're Agent Barton, from S.H.I.E.L.D., right? You fought with Tony in New York."

"That would be me." Clint holds out his hand for Pepper to shake. "My friends call me Clint. And you must be Pepper Potts."

"Pepper, please," she replies with a tired smile.

"So, you ladies ready to get out of here?"

"That would be fantastic."

"What about the Chitauri?" Ari asks.

"S.H.I.E.L.D. agents have already started cleaning house and there's no sign that more Chitauri are coming. Don't worry. They can handle it. Let's just get you two somewhere safe."

Deciding to just take his word for it, Ari nods, following Clint out of the building. Her job is done for now.

But she has a feeling that all of this is far from over. It's only just begun.

Author's Note

So, the Chitauri are back and we don't know who they're after. Are they after Pepper? Are they after Ari? In either case, why?

You're just going to have to wait to find out.

And we have Clint Barton aka Hawkeye making a grand entrance, rescue, and epic return. That's one Avenger down, five more to go. They'll be showing up in short order. Starting with, next chapter, a certain billionaire. When that chapter will be, I'm not entirely sure, but it won't be any later than a month from now, scout's honor! (And I was a Girl Scout)

Hope you enjoyed, PLEASE REVIEW, and see you all next time!