"Not to be mean, Kia, but I really think we need to have fire extinguishers on hand with you."

I tried to not take offense to Stark's comment, as I had just randomly set the floor on fire, again. He, on top of J.A.R.V.I.S. (with the active sprinkler system in the tower) was helping put out the fire that I had created. For Stark's sake (and his safety), he didn't dare dowse me in the fire extinguisher foam.

This was about the fifth time in a week that this had happened. When I had come back to Stark Tower, everything had been fine. Steve had dropped me off, Natasha had declined and said she'd had something she'd needed to look into for S.H.I.E.L.D. Whether or not it was true, she was just finding an excuse to stay away from me. I knew she feared for her life, she'd seen a fellow agent die by my hand (even if it was an accident). She didn't want to be another one to add to that number.

"You might as well make a suit that shoots the foam at me any time I try to use my power," I deadpanned, staying away from the foam as Stark put the last of the fire out. "I'm using up your supply this way."

"If I had the time and investment to do so, I would." The extinguisher hung limp at Stark's side. "I'm focused on something more important."

"More important that your newly refurbished tower?"

He nodded. "That'd be you, firefly."

I couldn't laugh, even if it wasn't an attempt at humor on Stark's part. I had to watch myself, what I did, how I did something, what I said. I always had to look out for a spark somewhere nearby in case it grew into a blaze. The only perk was that Stark was being hospitable, and he let me keep in touch with Todd since I arrived here.

"You know, if you had your powers under more control, I wouldn't need to use a stove," Stark commented.

"Oh, ha-ha."

"Seriously, though." He started to leave my room, and I felt compelled to follow behind him. "I'm no doctor, but you're still a friend. Maybe I can find something that S.H.I.E.L.D. can't." We both got into the elevator.

"Let's hope that's the case," I murmured. Since Natasha had told me no cure had been found yet, my hope was slowly diminishing. I had to keep fighting through the days.

"You know, you can leave to go mingle or whatever it is you do in your spare time. This place isn't a prison."

"I'd rather be a danger to you and J.A.R.V.I.S. than the population of New York," I said thoughtfully. "I just...I don't want to cause any more damage. No more killings."

"Wait...what killings?"

I bit down on my lip. "Oh, so Nat didn't mention it."

Stark looked at me, brown eyes widened. "Mention what, Kia?"

"Oh, I, uh, might've accidentally set an agent on fire..."

"Wonderful." Stark rubbed his face with one hand.

"It wasn't like it was pre-meditated! It just...happened. And I couldn't save them." I leaned against a wall of the elevator, the cool touch of it surprisingly calming me.

My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I looked at the message. I smiled a bit, but it didn't feel genuine.

How are you today?

Steve seemed to be about the only one, other than Todd, who was taking this seriously and really cared about my wellbeing. I guess it was because Steve wasn't doing any S.H.I.E.L.D. missions and needed something to focus on. Todd's reasoning...Well, he was my best friend.

I typed back: I need to start tallying my fire accidents. Set another just now.

Is everyone okay?

No casualties, except the carpet. I might just burn down the tower.

That wouldn't be such a bad thing.

I looked at that response, then typed back: To you, no. To Stark...

"That Capsicle?" Stark asked, breaking my train of thought.

I kept my eyes on my phone screen. "Why do you want to know?"

Stark grabbed my elbow, leading me out of the elevator. "You seem pretty invested in your phone. What, he's not trying to be a dinosaur and call you?"

I rolled my eyes. "He needs the practice in texting anyway."

"Don't lead her to bump into something, she might set you on fire for that."

I looked up from my phone to see Bruce Banner ahead of me. I should've felt some sort of fear with his presence here, but I didn't. I didn't regard this man as the Hulk. I was more afraid of my haywire powers than the big green guy right now. And that was definitely saying something.

"Bruce," I greeted him warmly. "I would hug you, but I don't want to risk anything. What are you doing here?"

"I recruited him," Stark boasted.

"Let me guess, because of me." I looked at Bruce sadly. "Sorry he roped you into this."

"No, no, I wanted to be here. Tony told me what was going on. We may not be doctors, but we can still try to help you in any way that we can."

I almost felt touched by Stark's and Bruce's gesture. "Thank you, really." My phone buzzed in my hand. Another message from Steve: You need anything?

What would I need?

A friend?

I have those.

Someone for support? Someone who doesn't care if they get incinerated?

I made a noise through my teeth. If Steve wanted to meet me and do something, he didn't need to say it like this.

You could just say, 'do you want to do something?'

You'd say no. You have been.

Right. Steve's constant attempts at me socializing were denied because of my fear of my uncontrollable power.

"So." I looked up at Bruce. "How long is Stark holding you hostage for?"

"Until we find a breakthrough with you," Bruce stated neutrally. "We'll consult with S.H.I.E.L.D.'s medical staff, see what they've got on you, and then we'll go from there."

"So, unless we need you for some testing, firefly, you're free," Stark told me. "My advice: take my hint and get some fresh air."

That actually got a laugh out of me.

* * *

Against Stark's request to be a social butterfly, I kept myself cooped up in Stark Tower. Stark and Bruce had gone to one of the labs in the tower, and I hadn't seen them since.

I bummed out in one of the rooms, having the plasma TV on some show I wanted on for some background noise. I was decked out in baggy clothing, curtesy of me digging around in places I was sure I was restricted to go into. But I was sure Pepper didn't mind me borrowing her clothes, just as long as they didn't end up singed or ash.

Loki? I tried out of a longshot. I'm facing a conflict here. I...My abilities are malfunctioning. I know it sounds impossible, but apparently it's not. My fire is gaining a mind of its own. It's becoming its own animal. I can't command it as well as I used to. I'm sure this hasn't happened to you, but from one Asgardian to another...I need guidance. I know you can't do much from the prison cell, but I need advice.

I waited, and waited. And waited. Maybe the cell had wards on it, preventing my message to get to Loki. I was sure Thor wouldn't want to relay the message to his adopted brother, but maybe he would, if he knew everything.

Your power is faulting, you say?

I started at the silky voice inside my head. How unfamiliar it sounded to me now. Loki.

I'm here, darling.

I winced. You heard every word I said, yes?

Yes.

Advice?

I have not had this happen to me, so I'm not sure how much of help I will be to you.

Please, just...just help me ease my mind. It was remarkable how easily I was able to slip back into my old speech pattern, as though I was back in Asgard.

This has not happened before?

First time.

And this hasn't stopped?

No. It...it's slowly getting worse, Loki. I start fires when I don't even think about them. It's maddening. Yes, this was definitely scary, how I reverted to my old speech pattern.

Hmm...I'm not sure what this is. I would help you look into this, Kiara, I would...

But you're in prison. I blew out an aggravated breath.

Just hearing you, even in my head, is the only good thing that's happened since I've been stuck here. I was beginning to think you'd erased me from your mind.

I smiled softly. I could never forget you. I tried to not make it sound fond, but I didn't want to be overly harsh. Loki was having a rough enough time in prison. He didn't need his former love's words biting into him too.

...have...idea...causing...

Loki? I asked. Loki, what's going on?

Can't...hear...

Loki? I tried again. This time, the connection was lost. Like something was interfering with our conversation. Was it possible that this power was starting to malfunction now, too? I hadn't really used it a lot, it was more a secondary power to me than primary.

In the midst of my confusion and worry, my phone vibrated on the couch beside me. I grabbed it, seeing a message from (you guessed it) Steve. Only...this message was a little peculiar: What floor are you on?

I looked at the message, befuddled, before answering: Fifth. Why?

I'm coming up.

Okay...

I was tempted to put a question mark at the end of that last text. What was Steve getting at? Did we set up something and I somehow forgot about it? I went through today's uneventful events in my head. I didn't remember talking to Steve about any plans.

I rose from the couch, scratching my head, running through the texts to make sure I wasn't totally losing my mind (although, my powers were trying to make that happen). Before I could go through them all, I looked up at the sound of approaching footsteps.

"Hey," I said feebly. Steve was in casual wear, which seemed to be a common thing for him now.

"You ready to go?" he asked.

"Ready to go?" I repeated slowly, feeling like I was missing a piece of this puzzle.

Steve's brows furrowed over his blue eyes. "You knew I was coming."

"Um, no, I didn't. When did we agree to do something?"

"Well, I suggested we go out, and you said yes, and then we started making plans."

My eyes widened. "Steve, I-I didn't do that."

"Are you sure?"

Frantic, I scrolled through my phone. My mouth dropped at the text messages. "For the love of Odin..." The only good thing about this was that there were no suggestive emoticons in my messages. Although, my mind was quick to conclude this hacker. "I'm going to burn Stark for this."

"When did he take your phone?"

"He either hacked into it or stole it when I wasn't looking."

Steve now looked embarrassed.

"But that doesn't mean we shouldn't go out still!" I said in a slight panic. "I don't want you to turn around and go back to your place. That's rude of me. Hold on, let me go change into something more...presentable."

I took my phone with me as I disappeared to find Pepper's wardrobe. Along the way, I dialed Stark's number.

"What's up, firefly?"

"You know what's up," I hissed into the phone. "You violated my privacy!"

"I gave you a push out the door."

"More like a push out of a flying aircraft."

"Hey, I would be thanking me right now," he sassed me. "Capsicle seemed pretty eager, he responded really fast."

I groaned.

"Hey, no tone, Kia. Besides, should anything happen, he'll help you control the situation."

I quirked my mouth. "Thanks, Stark. Just so you know, I'll make sure you pay for this."

Stark had the audacity to laugh at my tone. "I'll have my firehose and extinguishers ready to go when the time comes. Now, you kids go have fun."

**If you haven't already assumed it, Tony Stark is Captain of the Stiara ship. You know it's there when a character ships two people.**