Chapter Text
Y/N fidgeted next to her aunt as the elevator rose to the top of the New Avengers Tower. The woman standing next to her snapped.
"Y/N! Stop fidgeting. I'm taking a chance giving you this job and I need you to tell me right now if you're not up for it."
Y/N scoffed "Don't try to intimidate me, Auntie. I'm not afraid of you, or them but you know I hate wearing pantyhose so I don't know why you insisted."
"It's more professional. You can't skulk around in cut off jeans and tank tops when dealing with the government or the press." She looked her niece in the eye, even though it made her neck ache because her niece was so much taller. "This is an important position so I need you at your best. We need to project a certain image and at least look like professionals who know what they're doing." She looked Y/N over, "You look nice but a little make up wouldn't kill you."
Y/N rolled her eyes at the shorter womans theatrics "I've been doing administrative work including PR work since long before graduation which was almost 5 years ago, this won't be any problem. You know that. You also know that my skin doesn't like make up."
Val nodded "I'm well aware of your experience and education since I paid for all of it but this is more than administrative and PR. I need you to keep an eye on these losers and keep them in line. They can't be trusted. Don't let them get away with any of the shit you pulled in school because just like then, I'll find out everything. And you know that these people don't need to know that we're related or they'll never trust you."
Y/N sighed again "Yes auntie, I know I'm a slut and degenerate but I was never arrested or pregnant, had a great time and graduated at the top of my class so-"
She stopped speaking when the elevator stopped and the doors parted to reveal a large open area with a bar on the side and kitchen area next to it. She grabbed the handle on her suitcase and forced a faux friendly smile that was eerily similar to the one her aunt wore, before following her out of the elevator.
Val spoke up "Hellooo, where is everyone? I have someone you all need to meet. If you- OH!" She squeaked as Alexei popped up from behind the bar.
"Hello Miss Val, who is your lovely friend?" He questioned.
Val shook her head "Get everyone in here and I'll introduce you all to her." She crossed her arms over her chest and tapped her foot on the floor as she waited.
Y/N looked at Alexei with a grin and a shrug as they waited.
Yelena and John wandered in next. John went to speak but Val's glare shut him up. Yelena glared back and leaned against the wall, looking bored. Next, Bucky came out looking annoyed until he saw a stranger and glared at her, making Y/N smirk and wave at him. Bob wandered into the room and looked at Y/N in confusion before looking around the room at the rest of the team. Before he could comment, out came Ava who groaned as soon as she saw who it was but jumped in excitement when she saw who was with Val.
"Poppy! It's my sweet California Poppy!" Ava hurried to give Y/N a tight hug.
Y/N laughed as she hugged her friend back "I'm sorry I didn't call but things have been hectic." She pulled back and looked at Ava. "You look good, better than the last time I saw you. Feels like it's been forever."
Val cleared her throat "Right, I forgot you two were friends. No matter, Team this is Y/N Y/L/N. She has worked for me in other positions and will be responsible for the teams administration and Public Relations. Making sure you have the support staff, supplies and whatever else you need. She will also keep your schedules straight since there will be plenty of congressional testimony, press and talk show guest spots so the people can get to know you and develop some trust. Any questions?" She paused for a few seconds and before anyone could say anything was returning to the elevator.
"Ok, great. Keep me updated..." And the elevator doors closed.
Y/N kept her arm around Ava and smiled at the team "I already know who you all are so, no need for introductions. I've actually spoken to all of you on the phone. Except for Sargent Barnes."
Yelena looked her up and down before turning to Ava "You know this woman?" Ava nodded and Yelena continued "How?"
Ava smiled at Y/N before replying "Poppy worked with Dr Foster, who helped me stabilize my powers. I would have lost my mind without her."
Yelena nodded but before she could say anything else Bob interrupted "But why do you call her Poppy when Val said she was Y/N?"
Ava chuckled "We were at a university in Southern California when we met. I forget which one. Poppy was a student and helped Bill with grading papers and the like. She's from California and went on and on in the spring when the state flower, the California Poppy, blooms. Orange bursts of color everywhere, she'd get so excited and point them out every time we went out." She shrugged "I just started calling her Poppy."
Y/N smiled at her friend "You all can call me Y/N or Poppy if it's easier. I hope we can all get along. Val told me to get whatever you guys need so just let me know and I'll do what I can to make it happen. She told me that one of you could show me to one of the empty rooms? She also said there's an office for me behind the teams reception area, one floor down."
Ava nodded happily "I'll show you, there's an empty room across the hall from me. I'm so glad you're here and she didn't hire someone off the street. We can take your stuff to your room and then I'll show you the office."
Poppy reached for her suitcase but Bucky picked it up before she could. He gave her a tense grin and headed down one of the halls.
Poppy looked at Ava who simply shrugged and they both followed Bucky. He stopped and opened a door, letting the ladies enter the room first, following right behind them before setting Poppy's suitcase down. "Is this all you have?"
Poppy shook her head "No, I have a trunk and a couple of boxes that should be here tomorrow. Val insisted that I needed to be here right away but it doesn't look like the chaos she led me to expect."
Bucky grinned uncomfortably again "You caught us in a quiet moment. They never last." he turned to leave the room "Make sure Ava shows you how to set up your door for the biometric scan so only you can get into your room. So, uh, yeah welcome to the circus." He quickly walked away before she could respond.
Poppy turned to Ava "Did I do something? Or is he always so charming?"
Ava shrugged "He doesn't seem to be great with change, barely talks to the rest of us so I think you're fine."
Poppy's phone buzzed and she checked her texts before rolling her eyes. "Fucking Val. Now she sends me info about getting into the security system and the computer in my office. Typical."
Ava laughed "Yeah she seems to keep everything on a need to know basis but then doesn't trust anyone with the info they need. I'll take you to your office and we'll figure it out together, I seem to recall you are pretty good with computers."
They spent the next 2 hours in her office, chatting and getting Poppy set up. Poppy stretched at her desk and looked at her phone "It's almost dinner time and I think I've had enough for one day. What do you guys do for dinner? Does anyone cook or do you order out?"
Ava smiled "I remember that you could burn water so you won't be doing any cooking."
Poppy giggled and started typing on her phone "You act like that's some kind of punishment. If y'all are nice I might do some baking. Let's see what everyone wants to order."
She hit send and went to set it down but she received multiple replies almost immediately "That was quick and most votes are for pizza or Italian. I guess that's an easy place to start." she pulled up the app for one of her favorite local pizza places and put the order in before looking up at Ava "You know what I miss the most about California? I mean besides everything. Round Table pizza, no one compares."
Ava smiled at the memory "Damn, I haven't thought of them in ages. We'll have to take a trip whenever we get vacation time. You'll have to talk to Val about vacation and pay because she pulled her BS, announced us as the "New Avengers", dropped us all in here. and disappeared."
Poppy scoffed "Sounds just like her, it's exactly what she did when she sent me to work for Dr Foster. You know what she says, she's a "big idea" person and expects us serfs to handle all of the details." she stood and stretched, yawning. "C'mon, lets go to my room so I can put on something more comfortable."
After she changed into a pair of sweats, a t-shirt and slippers, Poppy and Ava went to the common area just in time for the night guard to call and tell her the food arrived. They walked in and what sounded like a robust conversation stopped abruptly with everyone turning to look at her.
Poppy shrugged with a sad grin, "Don't stop on my account, what y'all have to say about me is none of my business." she sighed "I'm going downstairs to get the food if anyone wants to join me. There's quite a bit."
Yelena stood "I'll go." and headed for the elevator.
Poppy looked around and didn't see any more volunteers so grabbed Ava's hand and pulled her along.
The ride down in the elevator was tense, Poppy was quiet waiting for Yelena to start grilling her. She didn't have to wait long before Yelena turned to face her "So you're from California. Where, exactly?"
Poppy smiled "It's a small town outside of Los Angeles, in the mountains. Big Bear Lake. It gets a good bit of snow so is mostly skiers and tourists but it's very pretty."
Yelena nodded "I've heard of it. Do you still have family there?"
Poppy shook her head "My dad died when I was little and I don't have any other family but my mom who passed a few years ago, so it was just me and her when I was growing up. I feel pretty lucky to have grown up in such a beautiful area. I have a friend that still lives there but it's been awhile since we talked."
Yelena looked at her like she was trying to read her mind. "How do you know Val?"
Poppy stammered a bit before clearing her throat "Oh, I uh well you see her ex was friends with my dad. Val felt bad for my moms troubles and helped me get into college. I was in advanced classes in high school and Val let me intern with her in the summers. I've worked for her or with her associates almost as long as I remember. She's the one who referred me to Dr Foster."
Yelena looked skeptical and ready to keep up the questioning until the elevator stopped and the doors opened. They walked up to the main reception area, greeted the delivery guys and grabbed the food. They almost needed to ask for more help but managed to carry everything. 6- pizzas, 3- large pans of pasta, a large pan of salad, 3- twelve packs of soda and 2- large cheesecakes.
Poppy smiled "Sorry about the amount of food. I was told that super soldiers eat more than the average person. Figured it's better to get too much than run out of food and start my time here on the wrong foot."
The ride up was quiet until Poppy's stomach growled, she flinched "Sorry, I guess I am hungry, thank goodness this elevator is quick."
As if on cue the elevator stopped and the doors opened. Bucky and Alexei were waiting and helped grab the food before taking it all into the kitchen. Poppy felt a tingle of electricity when Buckys hand brushed against hers as he took the pans of pasta and her breath caught. She couldn't tell if Bucky heard and hoped he didn't, reminding herself that this was a business and sleeping with the hottest guy in the building, maybe in all of Manhattan, would probably end badly for her.
Poppy found paper plates and napkins and some plastic bowels/utensils for the pasta. The room was full of hushed comments as they all worked around each other to fill their plates and sit at the table. It was almost silent for a bit, except for the sound of chewing and hums of appreciation.
Bucky ate quickly, staring at Poppy the entire time like he was trying to figure her out and could see right through her. It was disconcerting and tied her stomach in knots so she could barely pick at her food. He finished eating, stood and cleaned his dishes before thanking her for the food and excusing himself.
Poppy felt bad, starting her time with the team on a lie but knew Val would have a fit if she told them their relationship so just gave Bucky a shy smile when he thanked her.
The rest of the team seemed to have relaxed a bit around her and after they finished eating and cleaning up they laughed at Alexei's stories before Poppy saw how late it was getting.
"Thank you all for welcoming me. If you aren't busy tomorrow I'd like to have a meeting after I've gone through the instructions Val left for me so I have some kind of clue what's going on. Maybe early afternoon but right now I need my beauty sleep. G'nite."
Ava helped Poppy find her way back to her room "I have some special brownies, you want one?" Poppy offered.
Ava nodded "I could use a good nights sleep." she took the brownie that Poppy offered and said goodnight.
Poppy put some of her things away and set her alarm for 6am to get an early start on her official first day.
In the common room, the team spoke softly until they heard Ava's bedroom door close. Then Yelena spoke up "I don't know if we should trust her, she's hiding something."