This chapter is dedicated to @cupcake24930. She posted a comment (the first one) on this story, and so I let her have a character in this story, Laura Booth. If you would like to have one, comment! It's that simple!

Also, the young woman above is Kristin.

Love you all, my darlings! 

I first encountered Director Fury, or Nick, when he came to discuss the details of my stay with S.H.I.E.L.D. Charles had thought it to be a wise decision for me to learn under Director Fury for a while. The man was like Charles in a way: they had a good grasp on how to deal with weird. And I certainly fit in that category.

"Ms. Windsor, it's a pleasure to meet you. I've heard a lot about you from Charles."

I shook the man's hand. "I'm sure there's plenty to talk about when it comes to me."

Director Fury chuckled. "Well, you're one of a kind, that's for sure."

I frowned. "Is that supposed to be a comfort to me?"

The dark man shrugged. "It is if you want to use your Abilities to protect the people of Earth."

"So that's what your organization does: employ the weird to protect the normal from the abnormal?"

"Essentially, yes. You should learn the finer details as you become acquainted with the program."

I nodded and looked at Charles. "We will keep in touch, yes? I can still return here whenever I please?"

Charles smiled. "You are always welcome here. Enjoy your stay with S.H.I.E.L.D."

I left with Fury that afternoon. I stayed at S.H.I.E.L.D.'s headquarters for a little over seven months. It was where I was first introduced to the Avengers initiative. Fury wanted it to be put into action. He had me assist him in scouting out potential members. Black Widow was already a guarantee. I had met her in my first week at headquarters. We hit it off instantly.

"Windsor! There's someone I need you and Romanoff to check out for me."

I rose from my seat and turned to Fury who was coming toward the red head and myself. "Yes?"

"A man by the name of Tony Stark has been creating weaponry for the army. We need to ensure this technology doesn't end up in the wrong hands."

I remembered reading about Mr. Stark. "Isn't it already in the wrong hands? Stark is an ass."

Natasha snorted, and Fury chuckled. "Keep it out of the hands of the enemy, ladies. That's your mission. Head out."

I was already in one of Natasha's cat suits, so I simply pulled my long brown hair back into a ponytail. I followed Natasha as we headed to the jet. "Agent Booth will debrief us when he get onto the ship."

I lengthened my stride so I could walk beside her. It was not difficult. I was slightly taller than Natasha. She was 5'5", and I was 5'7". "Agent Booth? I have not met this person."

Natasha smirked. "She's your age. I think you two will get along."

I growled under my breath. "Why does everyone predict who I will get along with?"

Natasha patted my arm. "Don't get upset so easily, young Padawan. She's just another agent."

I playfully pinched Natasha's arm. She hissed and went to swing at me, but I ran into the jet. "I am a princess, Widow!"

A young woman approached. She was about Natasha's height with long, brown hair and hazel eyes. Her hair was pulled up into a ponytail like mine was, and she was holding a clipboard in her tan hands. "A princess, huh?"

My eyes narrowed as I appraised her. "I suppose that title is suitable. Are you Agent Booth?"

She smiled and held out a hand. "Yeah! That makes you Kristin Windsor?"

Natasha chose that time to interrupt. "This is the little kitten, yes."

I rolled my eyes. "I refuse for my code name to be Kitten or anything related to a cat. Y'all need to come up with something more original."

Agent Booth spoke up. "Actually, I might have a suggestion for that." I turned my complete attention to her. "I was looking over your file, just a summary I assure you. But, I was thinking, and I remember reading 'The Glass Menagerie' in high school. So, I was like, Menagerie would be a great code name for you!" Her excitement was rising, and it was cute to see her lightly bounce on the balls of her feet. "I mean, you have a wide array of Talents, right? Menagerie would fit perfectly!"

Black Widow shrugged. "It suits you."

I smiled and held out a hand for Agent Booth. "Menagerie at your service, Agent."

The shorter girl smiled, white teeth gleaming. "Please, call me Laura."

We shook hands. "Laura, it's nice to meet you. Now, I think it's about time for us to get into the air. Would you care to provide us with more information?"

She perked up and gestured for Natasha and me to follow her deeper into the aircraft. "Of course. Okay, so, Fury wanted me to let you two know that your mission is simply to observe. You are to not engage anyone unless absolutely necessary. In which case, you should use your coms to inform him of the situation, for legal reasons of course."

I snorted. "Since when is this organization legal? Isn't it hidden from the president?"

Natasha shook her head. "No, the president knows. That's about it, though."

Laura waved her hand. "Anyway, you will have five hours to scout the area and monitor the movement of Mr. Stark's weapons. Once the five hours is over, you are to report back to the jet which will be situated at the drop-off point, a few miles from the base. If sometimes comes up, such as if you are discovered, call for backup and run like hell."

I glanced at her in shock. "Please repeat that."

"What? The last part? Run like hell? Do you not know how to do that?" Her tone became sassy. "You see, you put one foot in front of the other in rapid succession..."

I groaned as Natasha began laughing. "Sorry, forget I said anything."

Laura smirked. "At least Black Widow enjoys my sense of humor."

"You two are traitors to propriety."

Laura smiled. "It helps to keep a positive outlook on life."

Natasha coughed. "Pessimist," she whispered under her breath at me.

I glared at the two laughing women and headed to the front of the aircraft. This was my first mission, and they were laughing. Sure, it wasn't an intense mission, but it was my first nonetheless. I was nervous, and joking around wasn't helping that. I needed to concentrate. My Abilities were already beginning to slip. The wind was gusting a little more against the jet, and my magic showed in purple sparks around my fingertips. "Get it together, Windsor," I told myself. "There's nothing to worry about. Everything is going to go smoothly. You're prepared for this. You can handle anything."

A more false statement has never been uttered.