Infinity

Chapter 23

Eddie's POV

Two hours later, all signs of my tears erased from my face, an agent arrives with a box of different files. I thank the agent, who leaves. I open the box and grab the first file.

I open it and see my brother's face and I read all about his life. I realize that my brother's banks became the banks that held SHIELD's finances, which is why there was an official file. This made me smile.

I continued through the other files, reading about all that my friends accomplished in their lives. It was bittersweet to read. I grabbed the next file and nearly started crying again. The file was my mother's.

I saw that the file was dated three months after my supposed death. My mother, after my 'death', divorced my father and came to work for Howie. She became successful in the business side of my old job and even worked as a consultant for SHIELD, helping to finish what I had started. Apart of the file was an inquiry written by my mother, where she stated why she wants to work for Stark Industries. Her answer brought tears to my eyes.

I would like to work for Stark Industries for my daughter. I lost the chance of having a relationship with her because of my ex-husband. Marleena never let him define who she was, and it was through her determination to follow her dreams that allowed her to accomplish so much. She has inspired me to do the same. I just wish that it wasn't her death that finally pushed me to act. Working for Stark Industries is all for her. It makes me feel closer to her and I hope it brings her peace if I help finish what she started.

I touch my mother's handwriting as tears stream down my face. She left him. She actually left him for me. She got out from under his influence and finally followed her dream and Howie helped. It takes several minutes for me to stop crying. At least one good thing came from all this. My mother spends the later part of her life free.

The next morning, I check out of the hospital and follow an agent down to the front where a black car is sitting waiting for us. Honestly, it is all over whelming. The car looks so sleek and strange.

All of the technology I've come across is fascinating and confusing to me though. I spent the majority of last night taking apart the television, just to see how it works. We had televisions but never ones so clear and small. Thank God I was able to figure out how to put it back together.

I walk up the car and am greeted by a woman, who is slightly taller then me with vibrant red hair and wearing black jeans, with a black tight shirt, a black leather jacket, and black combat boots. She gives me a smile and sticks out her hand, which I shake.

"Agent Natasha Romanoff of SHIELD. I'll be helping you get settled."

I let go of her hand. Something about her seems very familiar, almost as if I've seen her before, but I just push those thoughts aside.

"Edwards, its nice to meet you." I say. She raised an eyebrow at this but didn't question it. She dropped my hand and we both climbed into the car.

I realized last night that whenever I read my name 'Eddie', all I could think about was my friends and how my entire life was gone. It hurt to much and it almost felt wrong. Eddie was a driven girl who split her time between close friends and her job. I don't feel like Eddie anymore and besides I don't need 'Eddie' anymore.

A few years after meeting Howie I finally got him to tell me why he called me 'Eddie'. His response was because the name helped bring me respect. Being called Eddie caused sexists men to see my work first before passing judgements on the fact that I am a woman. I didn't need that anymore. I've already built respect towards my name and from what I've learned the world is more open to women working.

And Marleena, I've never liked Marleena. The only good thing about Marleena was her mother. Even Jasper stopped calling me Marleena after a while. Marleena was a girl trapped under her father's hold and she only escaped because her mother set her free. The two names I've had all bring me pain now. I don't know what I want to be called now and I don't want to figure it out right now.

The car ride is silent as I look outside at the city of New York. It all looks to different, from the buildings to the people. We arrive at a SHIELD facility in Upstate New York. Natasha pulls the car around the building to a grouping of five trailers. She turns off the car and gets out.

I follow her out of the car and towards one of the trailers. "This is yours to stay in for as long as you like. That one is mine, so if you need anything don't be afraid to ask."

I look to the trailer to the left of my own and give her a small smile. She unlocks my trailer and ushers me inside. It's nicer that I expected. As I enter there is a small kitchen with a breakfast nook that leads into a living room with a couch, reclining chair, and a television. Down a small hallway off the kitchen is bathroom and a small bedroom. Its perfect for one person.

"I know you don't have any food or cloths so I was thinking if you're up for some shopping we could go in about an hour. Here is some SHIELD clothing and some toiletries if you would like to shower first." I just nod my thanks. "I'll be back in an hour then."

She is about to leave but stops. "You don't have to go by Eddie or Marleena if you don't want to."

My shock must be written all over my face. "How did you know?"

She just gave me a smile. "I'm good at reading people."

I've underestimated this woman. I have always been told that I am a difficult person to read and yet she seems to be able to read my mind.

"I don't know what else to go by." I confess.

She thinks for a minute. "How about Marlie? Its kind of a combination of both names."

Marlie? I like it. I give her a smile. "Its perfect thanks Natasha." She just gives me a smile.

"I'll be back in an hour." And she leaves closing the door behind her.