CHAPTER ZERO.
AVENGERS INITIATIVE.

ALEXIOS WALKED THROUGH THE darkness until the little lights on the wall barely illuminated the apartment door. She bent down in front of the wooden door, taking notice of the manilla folder just slightly peeking out from underneath. She reached over into the pot of the faux plant, digging into the dirt near the rim, her fingertips grasping the cool metal of her key. Alexios then grasped the edge of the folder, sliding it out and quirking an eyebrow up at the red stamp on the front.

A scoff left her lips as she slid the folder under her arm and stood up, sticking her key into the lock. The metal turned over in her fingers, the clicking very audible in her ears.

Alexios turned, pushing the door open with her hip, then leaned down again. Her fingers touched the cool dirt and cool terra-cotta rim of the pot, burying her key once more. Her palm faced up, a small flame igniting on her skin and lighting up the dark room. She removed the folder from under her arm and placed it on the table next to the door, sitting her purse on top of it.

The heel of her shoe pushed the door closed, and she spun around to lock it and lock the deadbolt. The flame in her hand was put out as she snapped her palm shut and flicked the switch, lighting her entire apartment. A sigh of relief fell from her lips as she kicked off the awful black heels.

Alexios ran her hands through her hair, her fingers gently tugging at the blonde roots as she turned back around slowly and closing her eyes. Her blue eyes opened once again, taking a step towards the kitchen before a shriek left her mouth. In a hurry, her hands covered her mouth as she attempted to slow her heartbeat, staring at the man sitting comfortably on her leather couch.

"May I help you?" Alexios asked, removing her hands and placing them on her hips. "I really didn't expect you, Nick."

Nick Fury's face remained stoic, his one eye concentrating on Alexios. "No one ever does, Miss Rhodes."

She shook her head, stepping into the small kitchen. Alexios still could see Nick sitting on the couch over the half wall. He barely turned to see her, not that she didn't mind. She was tired of his visits.

Alexios quipped up, "Maybe had I known, I could've made dinner or bought some champagne and cleaned. I don't get many visitors, especially from the director," she mumbled sarcastically.

"There is no need for the sarcasm, Miss Rhodes." Nick replied.

Alexios rolled her eyes, opening the fridge and leaning down. Her glanced landed on the water bottle, grasping put for it.

"Would you like some water, Nick?" Alexios questioned, ignoring his last statement. When she never received a reply, she took that as a no. She shrugged to herself. "Okay, then. And what did I say about calling me, Miss Rhodes? It's Alex."

Her hand fell off the door, landing on her thigh as her other hand gripped the cold water bottle. She raised an eyebrow at Nick, listening as the fridge door slammed shut.

Nick never turned back, glancing over at the very few family pictures that she had in her apartment. He stood up, quickly and quietly, admiring the other effects in her home.

Nick shook his head. "I don't understand why you won't go by Alexios. Greek, isn't it? Meaning defender of mankind. Fitting, eh?"

Nick deflected her snarky reply, clasping his dark hands behind his back. Alexios scowled at him while his back was still to her. He made her angry at some points. She wanted to rip off that stupid eye patch of his and use it as a slingshot to his face. 

Alexios scoffed, "I'm no defender, Fury. You know that, so I have no clue why you're here."

Her hand twisted off the cap to the water bottle. She brought the bottle to her lips, chugging half of the bottle.

Nick Fury turned around, his hands still clasped behind his back as he faced Alexios. Yet again, his face was stoic and Alex wanted to make him feel something so he would stop staring at her.

"You know that's not true, Alexios." Nick shrugged, "I have a program and I think you'd be perfect. A group of people just like you to save the world when they need it. You're perfect for this Alexios."

"No," Alexios replied, frowning at Nick, crossing her arms. "No chance, Nick."

Alexios was tired of this. The arguing with Fury, the powers she held, the stupid initiative, all of it. She swallowed, raising an eyebrow at Nick when he said nothing to her, just watching her.

"The Avengers," Nick whispered roughly, catching the attention of Alexios again. "Captain America and Iron Man, Black Widow. I'm working on Dr. Bruce Banner."

Her attention was heightened by the name Captain America. She almost smiled softly at the fond memories of the stories that she was told about him as a child. Then she scoffed at the mention of Iron Man or Tony Stark and she knew he was a joke of a so-called superhero.

Alexios pursed her lips and furrowed her brows as she glared at Nick. She exhaled deeply, her shoulders moving with her small frame.

"Fine," she agreed, "On one condition. Only when it's life or death, or when the world is truly in danger. I don't want any of those stupid missions meant for your petty little teams."

Nick's dark-toned lips barely quirked up into a smile. Alexios could only faintly see it, his minute smile causing her to furrow her eyebrows even more.

He nodded, "Deal. Welcome to the Avengers Initiative, Alexios Rhodes."

•  •  •

So, very first written chapter. I've probably already said it, but I'm so stoked for this book. I love Tony, almost as much as I love Steve.

Hopefully, you'll love this book and my character, Alexios, just as much as I do. 💕