star.

“I won’t lie, the last few months have been some of the most stressful months of my life. It was all completely worth it, though.”

“You and I?” Ripley waved a hand between the two Dark Avengers. “We don’t do this. This, being heart to hearts. Definitely not why I came.”

“Door will be open,” Kate said, her dark eye’s trying to read Ripley’s features. “It’ll be fun, give you a chance to mingle. You should consider it.”

“Busy schedule...reporting.” The reminder of who she was supposed to be settled over Ripley as she flicked the switch. “If I come, I promise to leave the work at  home.”

“Unorthodox? I think sucker punching the Inhuman queen goes a little beyond that but hey, at least you’re not going to shoot daggers at me.”

“Did she have it coming? My friend did an expose on the Inhumans a while back when her  sister was still Queen. Sounded like a gem even then.” That wasn’t actually a lie and she was, technically, from Crystal’s reality.

“Among other things. Like making you feel things that aren’t important.”

“Oh, so you’re the type who hides from his feelings?”

“Oh, so you have a problem. I’d ask, but I don’t really care either.”

“Doesn’t everyone?”

“False gods, that’s an interesting way to put it. I take it you’re not a fan?”

“A fan of people with too much power heralding it over the heads of everyone else? No, not really.”

“There are other matters to be dealt with, for sure. I need to focus on the city again, or maybe go out into space. I’m not sure.”

“Space has had you for far too long. Don’t you think they can wait?”

“Am I gonna regret asking what you did come here for?”

“Maybe, so you probably shouldn’t ask.”

“So what does that make you, then?”

“A humble reporter?”

“Today I have absolutely nothing to do and you know what I’ve been doing? Scrolling through Twitter. That’s it. And I don’t even care how basic that sounds. What’s your @? And don’t lie to me, I know you have one.”

“What makes you think I’m here to cause trouble?”

“Hm? Sure I have a moment.” Checking his watch he grimaced. “If you speak quickly.”

“Me being here is for you, not me.” It seemed prudent to play nice. Ripley had worn her uniform with her mask in place. Standing there with her hands on her hips, the Infinity Stone hummed in the presence of the Doctor. “Is there something you’d like to ask me?”

“I could ask you the same thing,” Loki inquired, taking to his feet as he tucked away his listening device. Golden circlet glinted in the sunlight from behind dark locks as the Asgardian eyed the girl with curiosity.

“Ripley.” Her voice remained guarded. She wouldn’t be able to lie her way out of this one, so instead she let chest loosen and the Stone glow. “Ta-da.”

“No, no. I’m happy to take the time to address any of your concerns.” 

“Let’s call them terms of agreement.” There would be no Mr. President bullshit when it was just them behind closed doors. Norman had come from Earth-616 just like Ripley and she had written her share of scathing articles about him back in the day. “I’m working with you because you provide easy access to what I want.”

War was exhausting. 

As Carol nursed her black coffee with an extra shot, she wished, with every sip, that it magically turned into an IPA so at least she could calm her frayed nerves. She’d been doing this for so long, not just here, on this planet, but everywhere. Some of the battles at the far reaches of the Universe were just an intense, just as debilitating. That hadn’t mattered less to her, nor did they have a lighter impact, but it was different when people you cared about were on the line. Different when you had to watch your best friend struggle with choosing between being a superhero and being a mom, because she had a duty to both. Different when the only person she’d managed to open herself up to in the last thirty years almost died by, what Carol would’ve considered at a different time, friendly fire. 

As her fingers gripped around the mug, she tried to practice those stupid breathing exercises she’d been walked through the last time she’d thrown a concrete slab through a wall and earned herself a psych eval. She was so full of anger, so full of rage and distrust and it came out in short bursts when she talked to people, especially the mutants. She really did support Krakoa and what it stood for, she just couldn’t see past the bloodshed. Not this time. So she tried to work it out in the weight room, in training sessions, and tried following the namaste order she’d been given, and sometimes it worked. Sometimes she resided at a low simmer, but today she was just so damn exhausted. 

“Carol, hi.”

The soft voice cut through the array of thoughts and emotions and Carol clamped a stone faced mask over her features, first appearing neutral, and then working to soften it around the edges. Standing, she offered a smile that she knew wouldn’t reflect in her eyes and held out her hand. “Ripley Ryan,” she affirmed before settling back. “I’ve heard a lot about you.” Or rather, Carol had learned a lot about her in the short time she could. A reporter, by this world’s standards fairly normal, and also decently nice. At least that was her first impression and it allowed Carol to ease up on her defenses. Relax a little. 

Returning to her seat, she indicated her cup. “Would you like anything? It’s not the best coffee in New York but it gets the job done.” Another smile. “Where would you like to start?” 

( Kill her. Kill her. Kill her. )

Maybe it was going to be harder to live with a devil in her chest than initially believed. Her nightmares were painted red and most nights were cut down the middle as Ripley gasped for air. She had woken up with the Reality Stone in her chest for reasons she couldn’t explain and as much as she wanted to right the wrongs of Carol Danvers there was a lingering fear she’d be her own worst enemy. Where was the confidence of Star? Beautiful, white costumed Star who had swept in and --

( Dead. Dead. Dead. )

Ah, yes. That was right. She had just about died because Carol Danvers had shoved her cosmic fist right into her chest. The humming intensified then, nearly causing her ears to be overwhelmed by a loud ringing. Ripley Ryan, her name uttered once again from a woman who refused to take responsibility for her actions. Blinking away the momentary flash of confusion with a winning smile, Ripley sank down with a carefully practiced grace into the chair across from Carol and straightened out her notebook on the table.

“Really? I’m surprised. Flattered, I mean, but they had me on the women’s columns for ages before I managed to get a full-time reporting gig. Obviously I’ve heard a bunch about you. All good stuff, don’t worry.”

It was hard to remember who she had once been when she felt so different. Her new apartment was littered with ESU sweaters and curling irons. Slacks and lipstick. Ripley couldn’t remember who she was so she tried to become feminine, soft. All curves and no edges. She tried to pretend to be w e a k even though she knew she was strong. 

“Do they have sparkling water? I’m actually on a cleanse, and let me tell you, I miss my espresso.” Her eyes were trained on her bag as she spoke, random facts being overshared while she searched for a pen. Really, she should have won an Oscar. Reality bending bombshell does whatever it takes to take down blonde bitch. With her pen uncapped and posed above the pad Ripley let herself remember how she had  liked to be a reporter for a moment.

“I’m a little old fashioned. I prefer to write by hand. Why don’t we start with the Kree. They were your introduction to the hero life, right? Did you know any of them before Dr. Lawson?”

“So…are we all just gonna pretend like the X-men aren’t imploding?”

“I didn’t come here to care about them, so, it’s not my problem. I have other things to deal with.”