Many people came and went in the school. I had always known that attachments often led to pain. It is human nature to wish for a place to call home, a stable environment in which you feel comfortable and safe, and then to leave that place for something new and exciting. Some of the individuals I remembered, and then some of them I forgot. Faces blurred, conversations faded, and memories disappeared. In a constantly changing world, it's difficult to recall the teachings and events of the past. They simply fade until they cease to exist.

I can recall when the Avengers came into my life, however.

Fury had discussed the program with me multiple times. I never doubted the probability of its creation; I was simply restrained in putting hopes in its effectiveness. The company Fury kept could be...rugged, at best. There was certainly a wide variety of personalities, which kept it interesting but produced quite the chaos when they were placed in the same room and expected to work together. Needless to say, no work was ever done. Arguments tended to sprout faster than rabbits could reproduce, and it seemed to be a tennis match with how many thinly-veiled insults were thrown about. How could the Avengers Initiative be productive if no work was accomplished?

I was surprised when Fury pulled me into S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters one day to question me on suggestions. I had dressed casually, not expecting it to be a business meeting at this late of an hour. "Why am I here again?"

Fury chuckled. He sat beside his desk, two cups of coffee, a computer, and multiple files covering the top. "I trust your opinion."

I raised an eyebrow. "That's either very brave or very stupid considering my opinion is bias."

He shook his head. "Everyone's opinion is biased, but you know more than the average person. You can see more from an outside perspective."

I nodded. "I understand that, but what is my involvement with the Initiative?" The director shot me a look, and the light bulbs clicked on. "No!" I shouted, jumping up out of my seat.

Fury gazed at me, unfazed. "You were the first person on my list."

I shook my head. "Absolutely not. Do you realize I just turned twenty? How in the hell am I supposed to work as a mentor and be an Avenger? Get Natasha and Clint. Hell, even Stark would be better suited than I would." It would be entirely too much to be both. I wouldn't be able to put as much time into the children as they deserved, and I had to admit the little guys were rubbing off on me. They were my first priority. I made a commitment to Charles, and I would follow it through.

"None of them have your heart," Fury stated.

"I don't give a damn, Nick. There is no way I am working as a superhero! I just learned how not to be a bad guy!"

Fury raised his eyebrow. "Why did you consider yourself to be a bad guy?"

I sighed. "I couldn't control my Abilities, Nick. The damage I could have done...I've had nightmares about it for years. I don't dwell on them because I know they're not real and will only hinder me, but I accept my path could have been darker."

Fury's eyes softened. "That's exactly why I think you would be perfect for this. You care so much, yet you know that when something needs to be done, your emotions should be put aside."

I laughed. The sound was bitter and short. "I'm sorry, Fury, but I cannot accept being a part of the Avengers. I will help you choose your team, but I will not be a member."

He sighed and nodded, pushing the files towards me. I reached out and grabbed the first one. I opened it up to see no other than Tony Stark. I looked up at Fury, knowing that Stark's personality often got on his nerves. He said nothing, just gestured to the file, so I ignored him and read through it.

We spent hours going over possible members of the Avengers Initiative. I was one hundred percent on board for Clint and Natasha. Though I had only met Hawkeye once, I was personally acquainted with Natasha. She could handle anything that was thrown at her, and the way she spoke of Clint made me think he could as well. They worked together wonderfully. I had heard of their grand escapades from Laura.

Captain America, also known as Steve Rogers, was my next choice. The man appeared to have a heart of gold, and I was humbled by his past. He would be a great leader for the team. His beliefs in being just but fair seemed to be a perfect fit. It also helped that he was unbelievably strong and practically immortal. As much as I hated to admit it, Natasha and Clint wouldn't be around forever, and it was comforting to know that someone would be able to carry on the Avengers, even when they were gone.

Bruce Banner took a bit more time to decide on than the other three. The man was incredibly intelligent, and on one hand, I wanted to meet him to talk about some debated topics in the science community. On the other, the Hulk could pose quite a problem. I wasn't sure how much control he had over his other half. I wanted to trust him. I really did. But if he couldn't control a creature of the Hulk's size and magnitude, there was no way I wanted him around civilians. I was also unsure of how well Hulk could distinguish between friend and foe. All creatures become blind when enraged, a dangerous trait when trying to save the world. Who was to say that an enemy wouldn't test the Hulk's patience? The amount of destruction would be phenomenal.

Last but not least was Tony Stark, the man of the year it appeared. He was plastered all over the magazines as the infamous billionaire who had a different woman on his arm ever hour. I had never talked to him, but from what Laura and Natasha told me, the man was insufferable. He could cause the team problems, but no one could deny his technology was impeccable. He could single-handedly destroy the world within a nanosecond, and I believe that Fury was highly aware of that. That might have been why he was willing to put any animosity aside to recruit the Iron Man.

When we were finished, I stood and stretched. "I can't guarantee this is going to work, Nick."

He nodded. "I know, but thank you for your help."

I nodded and stepped out after him. "When are you planning on calling them together? Do you need a ref?"

Fury smirked. "I think I can handle them, but give me a week. I'll let you know when I plan to introduce them to one another."

"Alright, well I best be on my way. Logan will be worried." He escorted me to my car, and a thought popped into my mind. "You know of Mutants. Why weren't there any candidates that were Mutants?"

"They wouldn't be as readily accepted as someone who appears to be a normal being with highly skilled traits."

I sighed. "There's never going to be peace between our worlds, is there?"

Fury shrugged. "Not unless someone is willing to talk quietly and listen loudly."

I left with that thought on my mind and the overwhelming feeling of how true it was.

Love you all, my darlings!