It was a sobering ride back to the Tower. Bruce was back to himself, he had headphones on, listening to some classical music. Tony was piloting the aircraft, and Clint was lying on a transport, unconscious. I could smell his wounded flesh from here.

"So...that mind thing, how long have you been able to do that?" Aria asked me, giving me a strange look.

"For as long as I can remember. You and I haven't seen each other in a very long time."

"I'll say. First your fire ability, and now the mind thing! When did you grow up and become powerful?"

I chuckled. "It just happened, just like I'm sure that's how you ended up with your ability."

Aria shrugged. "You could say that." Natasha went to Bruce to talk to him. Aria looked around the aircraft. "This thing is incredible, and a tad noisy. Roomy, though. Humans are definitely something."

"They're even better when you get to know some of them." I glanced at Steve, who was on a tablet. He'd come a long way. He (like me) still didn't understand some pieces of technology, but we were working on it.

"How long have you and the Captain been courting?"

My cheeks tinted pink. "It's been a few years."

"Isn't that forbidden?" She tilted her head. "Shouldn't warriors not fraternize?"

"It's not forbidden, probably not recommended." I shrugged. "But things fell into place, and Steve and I are still going strong. We're okay, the team is okay."

"I'm happy for you, Kiara."

"You'll find happiness here, too, Aria." I put a hand on her shoulder. "For now, you're just rolling with the chaos that is our lives."

"Thor, report on the Hulk?" Natasha asked the God of Thunder.

"The gates of Hell are filled with the screams of his victims." Most on the aircraft were glaring at Thor. Bruce definitely looked uncomfortable. "Uh, but, not the screams of the dead, of course. No, no, uh...wounded screams, mainly whimpering, a great dealing of complaining and tales of sprained deltoids and, and uh...and gout."

"You were certainly not crowned the King of Sugarcoating," I teased Thor. "It doesn't look good on you." Aria sniggered beside me. Thor looked embarrassed.

"Hey, Banner," Tony said from up front, "Doctor Cho's on her way in from Seoul, is it okay if she sets up in your lab?"

"Uh, yeah, she knows her way around," said Bruce.

"Thanks."

Aria and I gravitated towards Loki's scepter. Tony had retrieved it just after we had split up in the HYDRA base. I slapped Aria's hand as she tried to touch it. I shook my head at her. It's not something you want to trifle with.

Why not?

Its power is very dangerous. In the wrong hands, it creates death and destruction.

"Is this why Loki was in Asgardian prison?" She looked at me.

I swallowed. "Yes, it is why. He created mayhem in New York a few years ago. He released aliens called the Chitauri on the city. Our team was newly formed at the time. A lot of damage was caused, but we pulled through."

"And you have been a team ever since?"

"Yes." I nodded slowly, crossing my arms, glaring at the scepter. I could feel its power calling to me. But I remembered how dark of an influence it had on the mind. I had been under its control, and it under Loki's control (or maybe it was the other way around on that one). It changed a person, or it enhanced their inner darkness.

"If you would allow it, I would like to train with you all." Aria looked away sheepishly. "If you are taking down HYDRA, I want to help. They kept me locked up for so long..."

"We'll discuss it."

"Why do you have to?"

"What you're suggesting is that you want to fight alongside us out of revenge."

Aria didn't make eye contact with me. "It's not."

"But it is," said Thor, who butted in on our talk. He looked slightly abashed. "Sorry, burning ears. Kiara is right. We don't fight for revenge."

"But aren't you called the Avengers?"

"Yes, we are. But there is a difference. What we do is make sure justice is properly served. What you plan to become an Avenger for...HYDRA has hurt you. They've held you captive. Your instinct would be to maim and hurt them, not to serve justice."

"I'm still not seeing a difference."

"What Thor is trying to say," said Steve, who worked his way into the conversation now, "is that revenge is more personal and has the motive of intentional harm. Avenging is more about punishing those who've done wrong with the intent of making sure justice is done."

"Did you study this to become Captain America?" Aria snapped towards Steve.

"They make valid points, Aria," I told her gently. "When you take the personal aspect of it, that's the difference between avenging and revenge."

"Got a party going on without me here?" Tony asked, joining the four of us by the scepter.

Aria widened her eyes. "Aren't you flying this contraption? Why are you not at the front of this thing?!"

"Relax, kiddo. It's put on autopilot—it's flying itself. Nothing's gonna happen." He clapped her on the shoulder, and Aria looked as though she wanted to bite Tony's hand off. He ignored Aria's gaze and focused on the scepter. "It feels good, yeah? I mean, you've been after this thing since S.H.I.E.L.D. collapsed. Not that I haven't enjoyed our little raiding parties, but..."

"No," said Thor, "but this...this brings it to a close."

"As soon as we find out what else this has been used for," said Steve. "I don't just mean weapons. Since when is Strucker capable of human enhancement?"

"Banner and I'll give it a look before it goes back to Asgard," said Tony. "Is that cool with you?" This was directed at Thor, who nodded. "I mean, just a few days until the farewell party. You're staying right?"

"Yes, yes, of course," said Thor. "A victory should be honored with revels."

"Yeah. Who doesn't love revels. Captain? Firefly?"

"Hopefully this puts an end to the Chitauri and HYDRA, so," said Steve. "Yes, revels."

"Besides, we live with you, Tony," I reminded him. "We kind of have no choice but to attend."

"Putting it that way hurts my feelings, Kia," Tony said dramatically. "What about you, newbie?" He directed this to Aria. "You hanging around or splitting back to Asgard with Thor?"

Aria looked taken aback. I guessed the idea of returning home hadn't crossed her mind. "I...don't know."

"Well, you've got time to think on it."

"I thought you were staying?" I asked her as Tony walked away.

"I asked to train with you, it doesn't imply that I'm staying."

We arrived back at Headquarters. Our aircraft landed, and Clint was escorted out on a stretcher. Most of us filed out, Aria included, with the exception of myself, Steve, and Tony. Maria Hill walked onto the ramp of the aircraft.

"Lab's all set up, boss," she told Tony.

"Uh, actually, he's the boss," Tony replied, pointing at Steve. "I just pay for everything, and design everything, and make everyone look cooler."

"Yes, because our goal as superheroes is to look fashionable," I sassed.

"Always, firefly."

"Speaking of fashion, you were so adamant about making me a suit. And yet...I've seen no result. I hate to keep wearing things that don't belong to me."

"It's a process. Perfection takes time."

I was at Steve's side as he and Maria left the aircraft. "What's the word on Strucker?" asked Steve.

"NATO's got him," reported Maria.

"The two enhanced?" I probed. We were back inside of the building, most of our team probably scattered by now.

"Wanda and Pietro Maximoff. Twins. Orphaned at ten when a shell collapsed their apartment building. Sokovia's had a rough history. It's nowhere special but it's on the way to everywhere special."

"Their abilities?"

"He's got increased metabolism and improved thermal homeostasis. Her thing is neural electric interfacing, telekinesis, mental manipulation."

"English, Hill?" Steve and I shared the same confused expression.

"He's fast and she's weird."

"Thanks."

"Well, they're going to show up again," said Steve. I nodded in agreement.

"Agreed. File says they volunteered for Strucker's experiments. It's nuts."

"Right. What kind of monster would let a German scientist experiment on them to protect their country?"

"We're not at war, Captain."

"They are." He and I hopped into the elevator, and we rode it up a few floors.

Tasha, how's Clint looking?

He'll make a full recovery, she replied.

Steve and I went into our room, and I collapsed on the bed, my body suddenly stress-free. I sprawled out over the covers, eyes on the ceiling.

"Sleepy?"

I snorted. "Just needed a proper rest. What the—Steve." I laughed as he jumped onto the bed, on top of me. I smacked one of his muscled arms, and we rolled around on the bed. I screeched as we ended up off the bed and onto the floor. I was the one not pinned to the ground. "You're a punk, you know that?"

"But I'm your punk."

I sighed dramatically. "I can't deny it." I ran my hand through his hair, which was now a light brown towards the bottom. The top remained blond. "Hey," I grabbed his chin, "I love you. You know that, right?"

"I know." His smile warmed me inside. "I love you, too." I pecked him on the mouth before climbing off. I pulled him to his feet, which nearly sent us both off balance. "So, about Stark's party..."

I groaned. "I know I said we had no choice, but I really don't want to. Remember the last party he threw?" I ended up burning the newly refurbished Avenger Tower, and Seth Joyce had started my powers malfunctioning. Not to mentioned I had kissed the man, which was my biggest regret from that party.

"Nothing like that is gonna happen again, Kiara. I'll make sure you don't go dancing with any other guys except for me. I'll definitely make sure you don't go kissing any of them, either."

I smiled. "Mm, I like it when you get all protective of me." I put my arms around his waist, rising up a bit, our noses touching. "Makes me fall a little harder for you. And for the record, I would never hurt you like that."

"I know you wouldn't."