Quiet Months, Deeper Bonds
The months that followed were… steady.
Jennifer received her bonus without warning.
Then Alex invited her out.
Not flashy.
Not public.
Just dinner, conversation, and time.
She laughed more than she had in years.
When the night ended, Jennifer knew one thing clearly—
Her love for Alex hadn't just deepened.
It had settled.
Certain.
Unshakable.
Two Minds, One Trail
In Wakanda, Shuri frowned at her screen.
"That's not human," she murmured.
A cosmic signature.
Old.
Controlled.
Centered in New York.
She leaned back, smiling.
"Found you."
At the same time—
Carol Danvers followed the same trail.
Different method.
Same conclusion.
"New York," she muttered.
Two hunters.
One truth.
Stark Expo
Lights.
Music.
Memories.
Alex stood beside Veronica as Tony took the stage.
A familiar face appeared on the screen.
Howard Stark.
Alex's expression didn't change.
But something tightened in his chest.
Veronica felt it.
She glanced at him—but he smiled gently.
"I'm okay," he said softly.
She nodded.
But stayed closer.
An Unexpected Encounter
As they left—
A woman stood near their car.
"N–Nice to meet you," she said nervously.
"I'm Kate Mara."
Her gaze flicked to Alex.
She blushed instantly.
Before she could say anything—
Veronica stepped forward.
Smooth.
Protective.
Alex laughed and pinched her nose.
"No one's taking your man away," he teased.
Veronica's face turned bright red.
Kate smiled awkwardly and handed a letter to Tony.
A subpoena.
Tony ignored it.
Happy took it instead.
"…Washington," Tony sighed.
Alex nodded.
"Let's go."
Toward Washington
As the car pulled away—
The universe shifted slightly.
Because now—
Shuri had a clue.
Carol had a destination.
And Alex was heading straight toward the next turning point.
The Phoenix Monarch remained unseen.
But not unfelt.