"Mind control," Steve repeats, his pretty lips pulled down as well. Hey, he hasn't run away yet. That's a win. I incline my head towards him to indicate the affirmative. "How?" He asks, interested, for now.

"Don't try asking me about the science because I don't have a clue. I just tell people to do x and they do it. Without hesitation. Even if they don't want to." I add just to make sure he knows what he's getting into. He's actually taking this really well. Suppose he's been around green rage monsters before. Still, the need to explain is strong. "I swear I don't do it often. I've never purposefully hurt anyone with it and I didn't do it that night. When we met, I mean, and...things happened." I assure him before clamping my lips shut, feeling my bottom lip split open with the force of it. Steve frowns at this.

"I don't understand." He tells me, shaking out a, is that a fucking hanky, loose and walking around the table to press it to my lip. Steve crouches in front of me and my hand is gentle on his wrist as his little hanky absorbs the blood. Nervous energy bounces around my body with him this close, but he emanates warmth and calm. Son of a bitch, he's attractive. "You fought every one of those gang members." The question is clear, but it takes me a moment to catch on since I'm preoccupied with how his lips form the words.

"Right, right. It's not something I pride myself on. I use it when I need it or when it helps people. That's it." My words are firm but muffled behind the little cloth. "Thank you." I murmur and take the light blue handkerchief. "Uh, I'll wash this," I promise while Steve thinks. Reaching out, he grabs his chair and sits it just beside of me. Not complaining, definitely not complaining.

"So, in theory, you could have whatever you wanted? Go up to someone like Tony and tell them to give you a million dollars just like that." He snaps, searching me with his blue eyes.

"No theory about it. I could one hundred percent do that." Steve shakes his head at this answer.

"And you're living in a van. In an alley." He states incredulously with a smile creeping onto his face. I try not to revel in the clear admiration there. "And you fought those men, getting injured, just to keep from using this...ability." Steve chooses his words carefully and I appreciate it. Not sure how I'd react if he'd said 'gift'. "And you called me surprising." A chuckle slips out of his lips at my bewildered expression.

"You know, people don't usually react so well," I tell him, confused by his smile and entertained eyes. Steve shrugs.

"Someone with a skill like this living like you do...it's like a tiger choosing to be a house cat." He says and I blink in shock before laughing.

"Don't mind being called a tiger. Uh, I don't like using it." I admit. "I have everything I need, so." I shrug. Steve is still smiling at me and it's still throwing me off. People usually get mad or call me crazy when I tell them this, so I'm not really sure how to handle this one. I'm saved from having to by a dull ring coming from Steve's jeans. Apologetically glancing at me, he answers it and that lovely smile disappears.

"Got it. I'll see you there in ten minutes." He hangs up and stands. "The gang attacked the hospital. Sam and Bucky are already there." Steve starts heading towards the door, but I stop him with a hand on his arm.

"Jamie?" Steve's eyes darken and tell me he's dead. "Then I'd like to come with you."

*     *     *     *     *

The hospital is a disaster zone.

Bullet holes line the halls from the stairs to the rooms Jamie and the gang members were in. A few blood stains litter the floor and we avoid them as we walk, spying Sam already talking to a police officer. Bucky is just behind him, metallic arm on display from the forearm down as he scans the room carefully. He looks confused when he sees me but doesn't ask why I'm here just yet. Sam sees us and both head over to us.

"Gone?" Steve asks and he nods.

"Members killed him and their own too before fleeing, the bastards. Cameras were ruined, so we don't have any footage. Still, the tattoos from the guys Rea beat up told us they were snakes. Three nurses dead." Sam reports, rubbing his eyes at the end in frustration.

"I'm sorry, Sam," I tell him honestly, placing a hand gently on his shoulder. He sighs and nods in response.

"His dad?" Steve asks and Sam nods.

"Already told him. Burst into tears on the phone." We all wince at that and Steve meets my eyes. It isn't hard to read what he's thinking.

"How about we get a little justice out of this?" Steve suggests and I sigh. Bucky's eyebrows pop up.

"And how the hell are we supposed to do that?" Bucky asks. I take a deep breath, my eyes still on Steve's.

"I have a plan."

So, walking into a gang's headquarters may not seem like a plan, but I swear it sounded okay in my head.

It's only a little past noon, so I'm hilariously identifiable, as are the men at my sides. "This is batshit." Sam breathes and I grin. While I don't enjoy using my gift, using it on assholes is a joy. My worry is Bucky, who has been staring at me with caution since I revealed the ability. Sam just thinks we're crazy. We stop in front of the doors to a basement which apparently leads to the gang's headquarters.

"Just need to stick to the plan. I just need you to wait out here in case I need backup. A girlish scream will be my signal." I can't resist joking and Sam looks at me with real fear in his eyes while Steve only seems mildly concerned. Bucky's eyes are cautious, but with Steve by his side the corner of his mouth lifts.

"And you're sure about this?" Steve whispers, eyes reflexively roaming the small back alley. My lips lift.

"Consider it proof for Mr. Doubtful over here." I wave at Sam who shakes his head at me. After dismissing the four guards we ran into on our way here, he's still doubting. "See you in a few. Still owe me dinner." My hands whip open the doors and I slip down the stairs quickly and easily. I'm thankful for the descent because it gives my eyes a chance to adjust to the dark. Ugh, smells like shit down here. Weed, shit weed, and alcohol drift up to me. I resist gagging at the stench. When I hit the ground floor my mouth pops open. There are a lot of people here. Some are smoking, drinking, cleaning guns, taking stock of ammo, but there have to be at least a hundred people down here. I've never controlled that many people before. Despite what is probably a stupid idea, I walk right in.

"Hey, baby." A man instantly greets me, a wicked knife in his hand. My decision is quick as I allow him to approach me. "Why don't you come have fun with me?" He invites, spinning the knife in his hand. I let him come close before whispering in his ear.

"Drop the weapon." Its thud is dull compared to his breathing in my ear. "Leave this place and don't say a word. Sit outside and let the men waiting there handcuff you." The second I stop talking he's gone. Smiling slightly, I pick up his knife and twirl it around my fingers. Yeah, stealth is definitely the way to do this. Carefully and quietly, I work my way around the rectangular room. I give each the same directions until the room is empty. "Phew." I breathe and tense when I hear the click of a gun and the feel of cold metal against my head.

"Don't move, bitch. I don't know what the hell you're doing, but-"

"Freeze."

"-it's not going to work on me. Go ahead and turn around. Slowly." My eyes widen, but I do as he says. The realization hits me when I see the beats headphones over his ears. "Figured you were a freak the way you were whispering to all my people. Got protection." He tells me and leans forward, letting his scarred knuckles skim my face. "You're a fine little thing, I'll give you that." He says and leans forward just a little more. Moving fast, I move his gun to the side and fold myself to his chest as he fires it into the bricks in front of us. We wrestle for it as I reach up to try and knock his headphones off. I back him up into the wall and elbow him twice before I reach up and grasp the bridge, tossing them across the room. Just as I'm about to speak, Steve storms in.

"Steve, your ears!" I shout and he instantly lifts his hands to plug his ears. "Stop!" The guy finally stops and I take a breath, slipping the gun out of his fingers and tossing them to the side. "God. Silently walk out and let the men outside handcuff you." He walks out and I turn back to Steve watching me with parted lips. My hand waves his hands away and they drop from his ears.

"I heard the gunshots." He explains and quickly looks me up and down. I smile just a tad at his worry.

"I'm fine. Guy had headphones. That's it though." Relieved, I head up the stairs with Steve at my side. There's quite a ruckus outside since I never said they had to be quiet the whole time and the volume cranks up when they see me. "Silence," I command with an outstretched hand. Their mouths shut and Sam stares at me. Steve smirks at him.

"Not bad, Reagan." Bucky allows and I'm happy he seems to have warmed a modicum towards me.

"Can you control it with your hands?" Steve asks, clearly taking this in his stride. I nod.

"To an extent. Harder to control when I'm stressed, that's why I had you plug your ears." He nods and absorbs this while I turn back to the gang. "When the police arrive, you will go with them peaceably and confess to everything you've done the instant they ask. Don't move until then." All of them turn into statues. "You may blink and breathe," I add, digging into my pocket and claiming Steve's handkerchief to pat my bloody mouth. Got to stop breaking this scab.

"Believe her now?" Steve bumps Sam with his elbow, admiring eyes trained on me. Jesus, he's got to stop looking at me like that. Still, I'm thankful I haven't lost his trust. Sam just shakes his head.

"I'm not about that crazy shit. Still, dinner is on me." He maintains our friendship and I perk up at that. Steve shakes his head.

"Sorry pal, I think Rea should meet the team. Come to the facility for dinner." A warning glance is sent his way from me and Bucky, but Sam agrees almost instantly.

"Eh, fine. And I'll make the police call on this one." He pulls out his phone and dials while murmuring under his breath. "This'll take some explaining."

"I'll make sure he doesn't do anything idiotic." Bucky aims a jab at Sam who smirks. Knowing it's most likely him wanting to be away from me, I just nod to the two men. Steve and I walk around to the front and pause in front of his bike. There's something in the air around him. Indecisiveness or uncertainty maybe. All I know is that it's almost certainly caused by me and whatever choice he's making in his head right now.