(Wow, been a while since I updated. Again I want to thank you all for the reviews, favourites and follows! I means more than I can express. This is the last chapter of 'A Winters Love & Her Tessaract Problem', but there will be a sequel called 'War & Consequences' that will contain loads of OCs and action ;) So if you'd like to read the sequel I'd recommend following me or checking my profile for when it'll be up. Anyway I hope you all like it! Thanks again )

Chapter 11

Slowly and cautiously I cracked open my eyes. I found myself staring at a plain white ceiling. I was lying in the centre of a double bed. A group of pillows had been placed under my head to prop me up. The quilt was tucked around me tightly but comfortably. To my left was IV drip that was connected to my hand. I raised my hand to my head feeling a bandage firmly wrapped around it. As I sat up I winced in pain, my ribs were killing me.

"How long have I been out?" I asked Kubik.

'A couple of days' Kubik replied in my head.

"I've been asleep for two whole days?"

'Yes, or as you would say taking a power nap. I healed you as much as I could with the energy that was available'

"It's alright Kubik, you need rest too."

Wincing, I slid my legs over the edge of the bed. I yanked the drip out my hand as I placed my bare feet onto the floor. I looked down to see if I was presentable. I was dressed in a long white top that was far too large to belong to me. Underneath I wore a pair of my bed shorts, that couldn't be seen due to the top coming down to below my knees. I could feel bandages wrapped around my torso and around the lower half of my legs. Taking my time I walked out of the room entering a small corridor. I could hear voices to my right. Following them I slowly began to recognise them.

"I'm not interrupting anything am I?" I asked as I stood in the doorway. Everyone appeared to be gathered around, lounging on the sofas in deep conversation.

"CAITLIN!" Cynthia cried as she ran over to me, pulling me into a tight embrace.

I placed my hands on her back, wincing as Cynthia crushed my ribs with her stone grip.

"Okay Cynthia... not so hard..." I gasped.

"Oh god," Cynthia cried in panic releasing me, "I am so sorry!"

I laughed, "Don't worry about it Cynthia, I'm just glad to see you safe."

She smiled at that as she walked with me back to the others.

"It's good to see you awake Winters," Tony said smiling at me.

"I second that," Steve added meeting my gaze and smiling warmly.

My heart did a back flip but I remained unflustered as I returned the smile, getting lost in his eyes for a moment.

I remained standing as all the seats looked occupied. Pepper and Jane immediately moved making a space. I sat down in between them.

I looked at my feet before looking up, "I really was out for two days?"

"Yeah you gave us a bit of a scare," Banner replied.

"But the Tessaract being promised us that she would ensure your full recovery," Thor added.

"Kubik promised that?" I asked baffled.

Natasha nodded, "She did."

I felt a smile crept up on my face as I mentally thanked Kubik.

Again I stared at the floor, sighing.

"Cynthia, Pepper, Jane I want to apologise for nearly getting you killed..." I told them.

Pepper and Jane sighed simultaneously.

"Caitlin, do you always insist on blaming yourself?" Jane asked.

"You don't need to apologise Caitlin, what happened wasn't your fault!" Pepper reassured.

"I guess but I can't help think..." I trailed off.

"Just don't think like that Caitlin," Cynthia told me.

I sighed, nodding.

Tony stood up, "Well seen as Winters is awake I say we grab a drink."

I smiled as Tony headed to the 'booze' cabinet.

Once everyone had a glass of their chosen poison in hand, Steve began to raise his glass.

"To Caitlin, the newest addition to the team," Steve toasted.

"To Caitlin!" everyone cried.

It was in that moment when it first occurred to me. I may have lost both my parents, I may have lost Mary, but there was something different now. In all this time I had gained another family...

The elevator door dinged open as I clambered out onto the top floor of Stark Tower. It had been a month since the incident in Brooklyn with Thanos and Loki. Thor had taken Loki back to Asgard with him, and no one knew where Kubik had sent Thanos. Had this black hole taken him elsewhere or was he dead? That was a question I didn't like to think about. Not long after everything that happened I had joined Shield as an Agent. Clint had been showing me the ropes and was my temporary partner. I had surprisingly been extremely keen to join Shield. Despite my distrust of Nick Fury and the secrecy of the place, I had decided it was my best option. It gave me chance to keep an eye on things and to have the chance to do something useful with my powers.

Then the date was finalised about a week after I joined Shield. I had prepared myself dressed in black as I travelled behind the funeral car that bared the coffin that encased Mary's body. The weather had decided to rain and being so caught up in grief I didn't take an umbrella. I stood there watching the coffin as it was lowered into the ground. The rain had soaked through my clothes and my hair plastered my face. Just as the rain got heavier I felt it stop. Steve stood beside me, sheltering us both from the rain with a large black umbrella. I had held his hand, gratefully for him to be there. No I was grateful to have everyone there, they had each made silent promises to Mary that they would take care of me. Steve was unsure whether to stay with me after the service as I stood beside the headstone, but one look into my eyes told him how much I needed him to stay. We had stayed in silence as I stared with watery eyes at the headstone, making a silent promise to her and myself...

I shook my head, not wanting to remind myself of that sad day. Yawning, I began to head to my room, I had just arrived back from a long and tiring mission.

I was stopped by Jarvis, "Miss Winters."

"Yes Jarvis?" I asked.

"Unfortunately Mr Stark and Dr Banner are not here at the moment, but there is something in the lab they would like you to see," Jarvis replied.

"Okay..." I mumbled in confusion as I turned and headed to the lab. The two of them had been working in secrecy for the past month, muttering to each other and stopping whenever I entered the room. I had tried heading in the lab the once and Tony had literally pushed me aside instructing me not to go inside.

Hesitating, I slowly opened the door to the lab. Stepping inside I was directed by Jarvis to stand in front of a large container of sorts. A note was attached to doors. With one swoop I pulled it off the door. It read:

Hope you like it Winters.

Tony and Bruce

The doors then hissed as they slid back. I gapped in shock as I stared at its contents.

Inside was a black suit made of leather that would probably fit snugly around my body. To match were a pair of jet black boots, made to be flexible and easy to run in. Beside them lay a pair of silver metal gauntlets that would fit on my hands like a pair of fingerless gloves. By them were ankle guards of the same colour. All in all it looked beautiful, yet practical. Tony and Banner... no he was Bruce now. The two of them had made me my own suit, to wear in combat and to serve as part of superhero image.

"Jarvis, tell them I love it!" I cried as I stared at it in awe. That moment was the first time I truly felt like part of the team.

I truly felt like an Avenger.

END OF 'A WINTER'S LOVE & HER TESSARACT PROBLEM'

TO BE CONTIUNED IN- 'WAR & CONSEQUENCES'