"Listen team, this is it," Tony said, plopping down in the plastic chair. We turned our attention away from the cafeteria chatter, letting my eyes graze over the colorful poster. "The superhero throw-down," I murmured, just as Nat snatched the thin paper. "The 1st place winner gets Shields funding and label as a superhero team," Nat explained, handing it over to Clint. "Yeah, but second place gets approval for a superhero team... And that's about it," he muttered. "I'm guessing after that, no team at all?" Bruce asked, propping his elbows up.

"Yup, they have to continue school," Tony murmured, snatching the paper back. "Which is why we have to win this," I said, slamming my fist down. Peggy who had been listening silently suddenly jumped in her seat, "I know just the person to help with your superhero costume," she exclaimed, racing off to class.

*****

Ask me again why I'm at Stark tower, letting Phil Coulson measure my waist?

"How do you like it?" He asked, showing me a doodle, "I had some ideas for the costume,"

I nodded in approval, picking up the new shield Tony had given me. As I remembered, he said it was the strongest metal out there. If I recall more from that terrifying moment, I will revisit when Peggy picked up a gun and began firing small contraptions of death to test out the shield. My hand traced the outlined star, smirking at the scuff marks from the bullets. "Sorry I'm late," Bruce grumbled, slamming a door behind him. One of the hinges cracked, and fell to the floor. My eyes widened at the green veins protruding from his neck. Tony jumped to his feet, "everybody out!" He screamed, everyone doing a double take. "Now!" Nat shouted, taking shaky steps toward the oncoming hulk. "I know what to do," Clint explained, leading Coulson, Thor, and I to a different room. He quickly began to log on to a laptop resting on a mahogany table. A video screen came up, hacking into the security cameras.

"-Tony you should leave," Nat said, inching closer to Banner, who wasn't quite changed yet. "Not a chance," he said, searching through Bruce's bag. "Found it," he breathed, pulling out the ipod and headphones. Bruce shoved the earphones into his ears, now wavering as his skin started to turn green. We began to think it would get better when the door flung open, an innocent person unaware. "Steve I heard you were here and-"

"Peggy no!" Tony shouted, diving into my girlfriend to push her away. An enormous neon green fist cracked the floor just where Peggy was standing. "No," I breathed, reaching towards the door. "You can't," Clint said, grabbing my arm. "They're going to die if I don't help!" I shouted, narrowing my eyes at him. "You didn't let me finish," Clint sighed, reaching back for something. "You can't, not without this," he said, handing me my red, white and blue shield.

I slammed open the door, wincing as Peggy aimed her gun at the Hulk. "It'll only make him worse!" Natasha cried out, trying to divert his attention. She let out a bullet anyway, ricocheting off his green skin. Without thinking, I dove in front of Peggy, using my shield to crouch in cover. I wrapped an arm around her waist to hold her close, just as the Hulk pummeled us across the room. "Tony and Steve, get out of here!" Natasha screamed, holding her hands up in front of Hulk.

I decided to follow her advice, ushering Peggy and stark into the room. "He's strong, isn't he" Coulson muttered, surprising me. I had forgotten that he was here. "Yes, son of Coul. Quite strong indeed," Thor bellowed, eyeing the screens. "This is not the first time," Tony muttered, plopping down in his chair. "What?" Clint asked, spinning to face him. Tony looked up skeptically, before continuing. "Bruce tends to get bullied at school, and I have frequently had to calm him down so he doesn't kill anyone," Tony admitted sadly. "It never gets too far, sometimes I need to call Nat,"

Clint snorted, "I'm surprised he even gets bullied. The kids must be real stupid knowing the risk they're taking,"

"Not a lot of kids know actually," Tony said, "only people we trust," I furrowed my brow, "I had barely been here and you guys said it straight away," I pointed out. Thor shrugged, but Coulson had an answer.

"You just have that honest, trustworthy face,"

*****

"I'm glad that the little incident today didn't affect our plans," Peggy chuckled as I tucked in her chair. "Natasha didn't want anyone to interrupt her and Bruce, she's helping him," I shrugged, gesturing the waiter for some water. "But let's not talk about school," Peggy said quickly, smoothing out her navy blue skirt. "How about we ask eachother questions?"

"Well, technically you just asked one," I joked, making Peggy roll her hazel eyes. "For example, what do you like in people?" She asked, taking a sip of her sparkling water. "Hmmm... Honesty. You?" I answered. "Loyalty, definitely," she nodded, nibbling on soft bread. "What's a trait that you want to have? Or maybe how people treat you?" I asked, curious to what she'll say. She paused, and looked me in my blue eyes. "Respected," she said simply.

"Brave," I replied, and she furrowed her defined brows. "I want to be brave... courageous, the whole deal," I sighed, sipping my water. "Steve, what're you talking about? You are brave," Peggy argued confused, brushing a strand of silky hair out of her face. "Today, you rescued me from the Hulk. I- I would've died if you hadn't come," she explained, gazing at the hardwood floors. "I don't know," I grumbled, sinking into my thoughts. "What if when it comes to a big decision, I won't make the right choice?" I admitted, worry filling my chest.

"Steve," Peggy soothed, reaching across the white table, "you'll always make the right  choice,"