𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐖𝐎 || 𝘞𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘖𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘬𝘪𝘦𝘴

   THE HOWLING WIND MIXED WITH THE ROARING OF THE JET ENGINES ON NOVA'S BACK WERE MUFFLED BY HER HELMET. A hexagon spun on her hud, showing where the Quinjet was and how far it was. They were about 1 minute away from the jet and would escort it back. Much to Nova's dismay though.

Looking over her shoulder, she saw Cooper's white figure slowly following close beside her. "How do you like the new suit?" She asked as the blonde turned his helmeted head towards her.

"Oh, man. I don't feel like my balls have shrivelled up inside me." He laughed.

Nova gagged in disgust. "Too much, Coop. Way too much."

This type of banter and conversation always happened over their coms whenever they flew. Despite them escorting a legend and a famous scientist. It didn't take their full attention as it should. Being in the sky, they didn't care for much else than being in the moment for as long as they could.

"Athena, can you patch me into coms with the pilots?" Nova asked as she gradually angled herself upwards. Heightening her altitude that Cooper matched in random. "Same for me, Zeus," Cooper added as he followed Uroso girl elevate to an even higher altitude

They were now facing upwards and flying through the clouds. A smile soon appeared on Nova's lips as she could the blue sky beginning to peak out through the thin layer of the cloud. And soon, she burst through the crowd with a trail of the white mist following her a few feet until she came to a slow stop. Hovering in the air with the energy in her jets easing a bit to keep her in a steady spot.

Cooper appeared as he hovered beside her. Both of them got a beautiful view of the wide ocean that the Hellicarrier hovered above. "I will never get sick of this." He sighed as he looked at the girl beside him.

Even though he couldn't see her expression he knew she was smiling ear to ear. "Me neither."

Their moment was cut off by a beeping noise alerting the two APEX pilots. The beeping stopped and was replaced with a voice wave appearing in the corner of their HUD with the name of Brandon Ward as the pilot.

"This is, Pilot Ward. How far are you two from accompanying us on our wonder flight?" The pilot asked as Nova glanced at Cooper.

"We were just waiting on you, Ward," she announced. "On our way right now." She thrust the throttles forward, propelling her in the direction of the Quinjet. Its location being highlighted by the targeting program in her helmet.

In a matter of seconds, both Cooper and Nova arrived at the Quinjet. Both of them fly on either side of the jet with both their weapons activated just in case of emergency. Never could be too sure nowadays, especially after Clint was taken by a god. Not like it was Nova's first interaction with any of that kind. After years of almost endless silence from Leila Emigold and Thor Odinsson, one was bound to appear.

"Can you get me on the horn with Captain Rogers, Ward?"

From the cockpit, Ward hummed in response and glanced over his shoulder. Steve Rogers, Bruce Banner and Agent Coulson all sat in their seat. "Captain Rogers, one of our APEX pilots wants to have a word with you." The super soldier glanced at Coulson who gave a knowing smile.

"It's Nova."

With that tab bit of information, Steve stood up to his feet and carefully walked to the cockpit. Taking the headset that was held out to him by Ward. Placing it around his head, he adjusted the mic. "Steve here. Who needs me?"

"Captain Rogers, how is your day going?" Nova inquired politely "The flight been all right?" Nova moved closer to the jet, gaining the attention of the super soldier that looked in her direction. Smiling when she gave a salute in greeting.

He looked in her direction and smiled. "Everything is alright here. How's the sky looking?" She looked around for a moment, letting Athena do a quick scan.

Looking back at the Quinjet and lifting her thumb. "All good out here. But I wanted to ask you something about my father. Nick Fury." She told the man, who glanced at Ward. "Don't worry, I switched us to a secure channel. Only my partner and I can talk to you right now. As well as Zeus and Athena."

Steve frowned. "Zeus and Athena?" He questioned.

"Hi, Mr. Rogers. I'm Nova's personal A.I." Athena introduced herself.

"I'm Zeus. Cooper's personal A.I." Steve nodded, now figuring out who the extra two were.

"What'd Director Fury tell you about the mission?" Cooper questioned, now speaking up as he slowly got closer to the Quinjet.

"Told me about the Tesseract and asked me to come help find it. That's all." Nova glanced at Cooper who noticeably sighed heavily.

Biting the inside of her cheek, she nodded in response. "Thanks, that's all. We're approaching the base." She finished before cutting off the coms.

Just as she said that the Hellicarrier's cloaking deactivated. Revealing it to the two APEX pilots and others that were on the Quinjet. It didn't give Nova the same awe as it used to. Maybe it was because it just wasn't the same as she remembered it when her father first brought her. Or maybe it just didn't feel the same because she didn't like calling it her home anymore. It wasn't her home, but she had spent years in this floating craft that had everything she needed. So, even if she didn't like it, she would have to consider it her home. But she knew her home was all the way back in Chicago.

Nova flew down to the flight strip where she let go of the throttles. The mechanical arms attached to the throttles folded up and were held to the back of her chest piece. A few workers rushed past them "So, what do you think?" Cooper asked as he slowly landed on his own two feet. "Think he's keeping everything from everyone on purpose?"

Placing her hands on her hips, she scoffed. "Why wouldn't he?" She said rhetorically. "Imagine telling the super soldier that he'd planned on building a superweapon that used the energy from the Tesseract. The same thing that Cap had been trying to get back when he was in World War 2." She huffed as she watched the Quinjet land on the flight strip beside them.

"We need to tell him, Nova," Cooper advised as he stepped in front of the girl. "If this gets out to the public- to the council! We're all screwed and we'll go down with your dad. All of S.H.I.E.L.D., you, me, Nat, everyone. No one will be safe from what could happen." He described to the girl who stared at the Quinjet that had the back slowly open.

But her attention slowly switched to a familiar rose-haired girl walking towards the craft. Her eyes stuck onto the redhead's face and body that never ceased to amaze the young girl. If it could, her heart would be beating through her chest with hearts around her eyes.

For years, since she met Natasha, Nova had been head over heels for the woman. Willing to put everything off to have a drink or to train with the woman. Of course, they had to be accompanied by Clint or Cooper because apparently Nova wasn't even allowed to have alone time with Natasha. But even in those moments, her feelings grew. Not to the amount where she was stumbling over her feet whenever they made eye contact. Just enough that she knew they were there and that they would stay.

Clearing her throat and looking away, Nova faced Cooper. "Look, we keep this under wraps for right now. When the time comes, you can tell him where to look. I'll send you the message on when." She explained as Cooper's head fell low. Even if she couldn't see his expression, she knew he was annoyed and frustrated with her decision. But he didn't have a say, either way, so she didn't care at this point.

"Got it, Cooper?" She questioned sternly as the blonde lifted his helmeted head. Staring at her for a few moments and giving a stiff nod. "Understood."

Nova nodded before patting his shoulder. "Let's go meet the guests."

The pair made their way over to where Agent Coulson had finished introducing Steve to Nat. Then walking away after Natasha told him that they needed him at the bridge. Which was when the two pilots made their way over.

Upon Natasha noticing the APEX pilots' presence, she smiled. "Glad to see you two." Nova smiled and placed her hands on her hips. "Happy to see you in one piece." She responded as the redhead gave her a smile.

Cooper was the first to step forward and hold his hand out to Steve. "Jack Cooper. Callsign "Icarus"," He introduced as the super-soldier shook his hand. "but you can call me, Cooper or Coop." Steve nodded as Nova took her helmet off.

Her long red and orange hair spilled out and fell past her shoulder as she tucked the helmet under her arm. Smiling and holding her hand out to the man. "Nova Uroso or Nova Fury. Callsign "Pegasus"." The man stared at her in slight confusion which made her laugh. "I'm adopted. Don't worry, you're not the first to look at me and become confused. Nick took me in when I was 14." She explained briefly as Steve nodded. "It's good to meet you."

"Nova was the first person to perfect the APEX suit. She's kinda a big name." Natasha pointed out as Nova rolled her eyes with a flustered smile.

"It's not crazy as everyone thinks. I wouldn't have had help without Cooper here." Nova stated, nudging her co-pilot who peeled his helmet off.

His hair was messy but didn't affect his attractiveness. "You know it."

Steve motioned between the pair with a slight frown. "So, if you don't mind me asking. But what is your guys' job?" He asked as the pair looked at each other.

Both let out laughs before looking at the tall blonde. "Watching over the skies. We escort, recon and attack if commanded." She explained simply with a shrug.

Cooper nodded in response, waving his hand towards Steve with a wide grin. "But it isn't as cool as having you back at S.H.I.E.L.D. in general, sir," he said. "It's a pleasure to work with you, Captain."

Natasha nodded as the four began walking. "It was quite the buzz around here, finding you in the ice." She stated as a smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "I thought Coulson was going to swoon. Did he ask you to sign his Captain America trading cards yet?" She asked as Cooper let out a laugh. "Man won't let those out of his sight anywhere."

"Trading cards?" Steve asked, glancing between the three that nodded.

"They're vintage. He's very proud." Natasha quipped.

Nova let out a scoff with a smirk. "Maybe too much." The redhead turned her head and raised a brow.

"You're too attached to your APEX suit, so you shouldn't be talking, sweetheart." She teased with a raised brow.

Nova blushed but held a smirk. "Yeah, but you love my suit," she pointed out, remembering all the times Natasha had been by her side in the hangar, praising and complimenting Nova's skills of creating such a suit. "I could make you one someday if you asked."

For a moment, Nova saw Natasha's smile soften warmingly. Biting her bottom lip and shrugging. "I guess we'll have to see."

A large smile appeared on Nova's lips as she stared at the redhead with glimmering eyes. Her stomach churned with butterflies tickling the inside of her belly. Turning her attention to her boots as she bit the inside of her cheek to suppress the smile wanting to grow wider.

"Dr. Banner." Nova looked up as they approached Bruce Banner, also known as the Hulk. She'd studied his story and had learned about everything that happened to turn him into the big green angry man. It fascinated her that he hadn't somehow died from the amount of Gamma Radiation that he was exposed to.

"Yeah, hi." He greeted, taking Steve's hand and shaking it. "They told me you were coming." He added.

Steve nodded. "Word is, you can help find the cube." Bruce pulled his hand away and glanced around.

"Is that the only word on me?" He asked as Steve gave a tiny smile.

"Only word I care about," Steve stated.

Cooper glanced at Nova with wide eyes and pursed lips as he turned away. She let out a laugh as she turned to Natasha. "Hey, we're going to go get our gear off. We'll meet you at the bridge?" Natasha smiled and nodded. "Yeah, I'll meet you there."

Giving a nod, she nudged Cooper who nodded and slipped his helmet on and walked to the edge of the Hellicarrier to prepare for take-off. Walking away, Nova was stopped. "Hey, Usoro." She turned back to Natasha who smiled. The redhead smiled. "Meet me in the shooting range after we're done the meeting. We need to sharpen your skills." Nova gave a nod and turned back around and slipped her helmet on.

"I am noticing a rise in your heart rate, Nova. Should I do a scan?" Athena asked curiously.

But from the other end of the comms, Cooper laughed loud enough to get their attention from Natasha. "Nah, it's just 'cause she likes Natasha, Athena." He teased as the girl huffed in annoyance.

"Screw you." She said as she shoved the blonde off the edge of the Hellicarrier.

"FUCK YOU, USORO!" He yelled over the comms as the girl laughed and muted him.

Turning back around, Nova faced Natasha who watched her. Her arms crossed over her chest as she smiled at the girl. Giving a mock salute, Nova leaned back and over the edge and spun around and grasped the throttles that unfolded from her chest piece. Flying in the direction of the open hangar doors.

Natasha watched the girl fly off with a smile. Shaking her head in amusement as the Hellicarrier began taking off. "Idiot." She chuckled.