Between Time- MCU

The glass-paneled conference room was full now.

Steve, Natasha, Bruce, Clint, Wanda, Tony, Thor, Sam, and Maria Hill sat around the sleek table, holographic notes floating in front of them. The main file on the console pulsed with its title:

MILLER, ALEXANDRA – STATUS REVIEW

Fury stood at the head of the room. Arms crossed. Silent for a long moment.

"She's doing the work," he finally said. "And she's staying quiet. Which, depending on who you ask in this room, might count as a win."

Tony raised a hand. "I mean, I like quiet. Silence means fewer things exploding. But we're talking about a kid here. One with a hell of a backstory and a time-freezing ability that makes mine look like party tricks."

"She's strong," Thor added, his voice thoughtful. "But... weary. Like a warrior who's fought too long and trusts no ally."

"That's a poetic way of saying she ducks out before dessert and avoids eye contact like it's radioactive," Clint muttered.

Maria nodded toward the data. "All metrics indicate improvement, her energy readings are leveling out, control is measurable, and her training compliance is consistent."

"But?" Fury prompted, turning slowly to face the table.

Natasha spoke up, calm and direct. "She's still on the outside looking in. Barely talks to anyone unless she has to. Doesn't connect. She's only here in the most technical sense."

"She's not disruptive," Bruce added, "but she's not open, either. She keeps emotional distance like it's another defense mechanism."

Sam leaned forward. "She's still in survival mode. Probably doesn't even know what not surviving feels like yet. When I talk to her, it's like she's waiting for the moment we realize we don't want her here."

Wanda's voice was quieter. "She's still waiting to be left behind."

Fury's gaze swept the room.

"That's not going to cut it," he said. "We didn't bring her in to monitor her like a test subject. She's not a prisoner. She's part of this team, or she's supposed to be."

Tony crossed his arms. "Okay, but she's clearly not the 'team bonding' type. You want me to build her a social simulation? A holographic friend?"

"No," Fury replied. "I want her to be invited to dinner. I want someone to sit next to her on the couch. I want her to get used to the sound of someone laughing in the same room."

Thor smiled gently. "She joined me once in the gym. Did not speak much, but she did not flee. That is progress, is it not?"

"Barely," Maria said. "But it's a start."

Fury leaned in slightly. "Look, I know we're not exactly the most traditional support group. But the girl's been through hell. She needs more than sparring sessions and psych evals."

He paused, then looked directly at Steve.

"She needs people who will show up even when she doesn't ask them to. People who don't make her feel like a file or a liability."

Steve nodded once, serious.

"We'll get there."

"I don't want her just managing her powers," Fury continued. "I want her to feel like she has a life again. And a future. Start finding ways to show her that's possible."

There was a beat of silence.

Then Sam said, "I can take her out for air patrol. Just the two of us. No pressure, no mission. Let her see the city from a different view."

Wanda glanced toward the window. "Maybe I could ask her to join me for another meditation session. Something slower. No training, just... peace."

"I'll invite her to help with the lab," Tony offered, shrugging. "Nothing heavy. Just tinkering. That's how I bond with people, over circuit boards and sarcasm."

"I'll try the kitchen," Clint added. "Everyone has to eat sometime."

"And I will offer sparring again," Thor said. "But this time, with cake afterward."

Fury smirked faintly. "Now that's the kind of plan I can get behind."

He looked over the group once more, his tone softening, just slightly.

"She doesn't know how to be part of this team yet. It's our job to teach her without making her feel like she has to earn it."

He gave a final nod.

"Keep me updated."

Then he turned and left the room, leaving the rest of the team to absorb the new mission: show her she's already home.