1.6

'I need a different angle.'

'Working with the Hulk didn't work so well.'

'I need to have a little faith in my team, too. Nat's skilled; I'm sure she can handle the Hulk.'

'If not, I'll come back.'

'Maybe I can be of use somewhere else...'

----------------------------------

"You know," Steve said, leaning close to Tony's face. "you may not be a threat, but you better stop pretending to be a hero."

"A hero?" Tony asked incredulously. "Like you? You're a laboratory experiment, Rogers. Everything special about you came out of a bottle."

I'd made sure I was far from the desk with the scepter this time. Once I was far enough away from it, the ringing in my ears had vanished. I'd been able to keep a level head easily.

I'd been sure to stand close to Tony and Steve, glancing between them and making sure nothing got too out of hand. Before, my anger was what had cut them short, and then the explosion after that. This time, I hoped I could stop a fight without starting a whole new one.

"Put on the suit." Steve challenged.

I uncrossed my arms, stepping away from my spot against the wall.

"Let's go a few rounds."

I started walking towards them. "Alright." I pushed myself between the two, gently pushing them away from each other. "That's enough. Last I checked, neither of you have walked in the other guy's shoes."

"I'm sorry," Tony drew my attention. "Since when did you start fighting our battles for us? We never asked you to step in when we were bringing Loki in, and we never asked you to step in during our little spat yesterday."

I clenched my jaw, refusing to show any reaction as Tony's frustration switched from Steve to me.

"Why don't you stick your nose in someone else's business?" He asked, taking full advantage of the fact that he towered over me.

I vaguely noticed Steve stepping away as I clenched my fists and straightened my posture.

I met Tony's eyes evenly. "We're supposed to be a team, Mr. Stark. If there's a problem within the team, then I'm pretty sure it's all of our business."

I paused, taking a deep breath. I unclenched my fists.

My gaze softened a bit. "I'm just trying to help."

I saw something flash behind Tony's eyes, but it was gone as soon as it came, hidden behind frustration and tension that had already been there.

"Well," He crossed his arms. "I don't want your help."

"You people are so petty," Thor interrupted, laughing drily. "And tiny."

"Yeah, this is a team." Bruce commented.

"Agent Romanoff, would you escort Dr. Banner back to his -- "

"Where?" He interrupted Fury, gesturing towards the door. "You rented my room."

Everyone's attention drifted towards the two. I felt the tension in the room rising. I had been the one to explode last time; I had no idea what the two were going to say to each other this time.

"The cell was just in case -- " Fury attempted to explain himself.

Bruce smoothly interrupted him with, "In case you needed to kill me."

I couldn't even attempt to control the sharp intake of breath that I took. I was aware of the glances I received from the men next to me, but I didn't really register that they'd been paying attention.

"But you can't." Bruce continued. "I know, I tried."

I shook my head to rid myself of the memories attempting to resurface, causing Steve and Tony to look down at me. The three of us met eyes in silence. I saw their faces, and the mask I'd been trying to hold crumpled. I could see it in their eyes... Steve looked like someone who'd lost a friend before. Tony looked like someone who'd tried before. I'm sure I must have looked so tired; I'm someone who's succeeded.

I swallowed thickly, gently placing a hand against my throat. The first time I had to do it, I didn't have any clean, painless way. I had a large piece of glass, and I had my throat. I'm always so sure that I'll find a long, jagged scar across my neck. Yet I never find one. Technically, it never happened, but the memory comes back every now and again.

This all happened in seconds. None of us said a word, turning back to Bruce as he went on.

"I got low. I didn't see an end. So, I put a bullet in my mouth, and the Other Guy spit it out. So I moved on. I focused on helping other people. I was good. Until you dragged me back into this freak show and put everyone here at risk."

I tensed up the instant he lifted his arm towards the desk.

"You wanna know my secret, Agent Romanoff?" He asked.

He took hold of the scepter. Natasha's and Fury's hands slowly drifted to their weapons. Thor gripped his hammer tightly. Steve and Tony shifted on their feet.

"You wanna know how I stay calm?"

I took a step towards Bruce. Tony put an arm out to stop me. I looked down at his arm as he gently pushed me behind him and Steve.

"Dr. Banner," Steve spoke up, gaining Bruce's attention. "Put down the scepter."

Bruce looked down at his hand, much like I did. He blinked silently. He lifted his arm, and he dropped the scepter on the desk. Then, just as everyone was beginning to relax, the monitor with the "Tesseract scanner" started to beep.

"Got it," Tony said, dropping his arm back to his side.

"Sorry, kids," Dr. Banner started towards the monitor. "you don't get to see may party trick after all."

Natasha followed close behind him in silence.

"You've located the Tesseract?" Thor asked.

"I could get there fastest," Tony announced, already turning to leave the lab and find his suit.

"The Tesseract belongs on Asgard," Thor declared. "No human is a match for it."

As Tony was walking past Steve and me, the captain caught him by the shoulder. "You're not going alone."

Tony slapped his hand away. "You're gonna stop me?"

"Put on the suit, let's find out." Steve challenged once more.

"I'm not afraid to hit an old man."

Tony and Steve took steps towards each other, but I nudged myself between the two once more.

"Mr. Stark, do not put on that suit." I met his eye before doing the same to Steve. "Stop egging each other on!"

There there was the explosion.

Steve, Tony, and I were forced off our feet and towards one of the doors on the side of the room; I was right where I wanted to be. Of course, I was also on the floor wedged between two fully grown men, but I digress. Anyway, I winced as I sat up, rolling my shoulder to ease the pain from landing on my previously dislocated arm at an awkward angle. The other two sat up at the same time as me, and the three of us glanced at one another.

Steve and I both turned to Tony, simultaneously saying, "Put on the suit."

"Yeah." Tony croaked out his reply.

The guys scrambled to stand up. I attempted to do the same, but my shoulder buckled as I pushed against the ground. I fell onto my opposite elbow, wincing once more and trying to hide it. Steve ran ahead, taking a split second to stop Tony from falling into the doorframe. As Tony got to his feet, he looked back at me. I had just made it off the ground, and I was rubbing my shoulder as I started forwards. As I passed by him, he gently nudged the small of my back, urging me to go faster.

Suddenly, Tony put his hand against his ear, speaking into an earpiece. He nodded to whoever was talking to him. "Got it."

He didn't move his hand. I rose an eyebrow at the lack of action. I didn't even think he realized he was doing it. It wasn't anything I wasn't comfortable with, yet, so I didn't say anything. Besides, it's not like I didn't like it. Obviously, I wasn't going to address it right then, or even take it too seriously, but it was something I'd need to think about.

I looked up at his face for a moment, then I shook my head, banning my thoughts of Tony from my mind.

We caught up to Steve fairly quickly, and we all slowed to a stop as we approached the crate containing one of Tony's suits. Tony finally let his hand drop.

He turned to Steve, waving him on. "Engine three. I'll meet you there."

Steve nodded, turning and running without hesitation.

I moved to follow him, willing myself to be excited for the job ahead of us.

"And where are you going, Jamie?"

I looked back at Tony, still walking backwards in the direction Steve took off in. "Engine three."

"But your shoulder -- " He started.

"Will be fine!" I assured him, smiling from ear to ear. "I'm a tough girl; I can take care of myself." I pointed at him. "Put your suit on. I'll see you out there, Stranger!" I sent him an exaggerated wave, turning and running after Steve once more.

I ran down a few more hallways. I passed by plenty of soldiers and workers alike. Then, I saw the sun, knowing that I'd found engine three.

"Stark!"

I followed Steve's voice through an open door and into the open air.

"Stark, I'm here!"

I glanced around, my eyes widening in surprise at the sight that awaited me. The whole area was a mess of flames, embers, and sharp, twisted metal. The ship had a huge, freaking hole in it! Walls, gone. Stairs, gone. Ladders, gone. Guard rails, gone. Floor, gone. I whistled softly at the damage, not winded in the least from all the running I'd just done, and walked towards the only man left in the "room."

"Good. Where's Jamie?" Tony's voice called out through the wind.

I stopped right behind the captain and grinned, tapping Steve on the shoulder before looking up at Tony.

"Right here, Mr. Stark!" I shouted at the flying hunk of colorful metal, causing the man to chuckle.

"Alright, everyone's here. Now, let's see what we've got."

Steve jolted in surprise at my voice and touch, turning to face me. He quickly looked between Tony (who was taking inventory of the damage), our trashed surroundings, and my smiling face. He tilted his head to the side.

I did the same thing, meeting his eyes. "Something on your mind, Mr. Rogers?"

"What are you doing here?" Steve bluntly asked.

I rolled my eyes softly, shaking my head. My grin never left my face. I narrowed my eyes and cocked my hip dramatically.

"I thought we went over this in the jet last night. I'm here to help, and I'm here to stay." I smirked up at him, causing him to shake his head. "You're stuck with me!"

"Oh, I'll say..." He muttered.

I couldn't help but laugh at the comment, and it was a refreshing change of pace to hear him softly chuckle alongside me.

Tony adjusted a piece of machinery, muttering to himself, and I turned to face him in curiosity. I willed my laughter to chill, knowing that he was probably about to say something important.

"I need you guys to get to that engine control panel and tell me which relays are in the overload position." He pointed to a wall above Steve and me.

Steve nodded, and I did the same with a, "Yes, sir."

As Tony flew in a different direction, I looked at the wall next to us and the lack of floor, trying to figure out how I'd even get where we needed to be. Finally, I just sighed, turning to Steve with a resigned chuckle.

"Give me a boost?" I asked him, pointing to the platform we needed to get to, across the gap leading to certain death.

He looked where I pointed, looking back to me in disbelief. "You can't be serious?"

I shrugged my shoulders, shifting my feet. "Just toss me. I'll make it!"

Steve blinked, but shook his head. He took a few steps towards me, placing his hands on my sides.

"If you're sure."

I nodded, bracing myself. "I'm positive. Just don't tell the elf."

Before I knew it, I was flying over the gap. I barely managed to grab the edge of the ledge, digging my fingers into the holes of the grate floor. I grunted as I dragged myself onto the platform and back onto my feet. I sent the man a grin and a thumbs up, but I didn't bother waiting for Steve; I knew that he could get himself up there without issue. I glanced around, my face lighting up as a found the control panel we were looking for. It was a panel that was stored in the wall, so I opened the door and firmly grasped the edge to pull it out. Just as I was digging my heels into the floor, the panel halfway out, I heard Steve land on the edge of the platform. He helped me pull it the rest of the way out.

The two of us stared at it blankly, finding an organized mess of wires and other tech. Neither of us recognized any of it. I faintly heard Tony's voice coming from Steve's ear, and I rolled my eyes at the sight of another earpiece.

"Does everyone have one of those except for me?" I asked.

Steve ignored me, listening to whatever Tony had to say before replying with, "It seems to run on some form of electricity."

I pursed my lips, furrowing my eyebrows at the man in front of me. "Well," I clicked my tongue. "You're not wrong." I shook my head, offering my palm to Steve. "Want me to talk to him?"

Steve took his earpiece out in seconds, dropping it into my hand. "Yes, please. I have no idea what I'm looking at."

I tucked my hair behind my ears and put the earpiece in. "I don't really know too much either, to be honest. But I vaguely have an idea of what I'm looking at."

I heard Tony sigh in my ear, and I did the same as I knelt down to get a closer look at the board.

"Just tell me what you see, Sunshine," Tony said.

"Since when was my name 'Sunshine'?" I asked, a grin finding its way to my face once more.

"Since my name was 'Stranger'. Now, what do you see?"

I rolled my eyes. "Well, all the wires and plugs are the same color, there's some fancy circuitboards and fans in the middle of it all, nothing has labels on it, and," I paused to lean in. "there aren't any buttons or switches on it at all."

"Well, that's fantastic..." Tony muttered, some clanging sounding off in the background.

"Should I be looking for something specific?" I asked, sitting back on my feet as Steve looked around tensely.

"Tell, me," Tony started. "Are any of the cables leading into the wall that you can see?"

My face fell into a deadpan. "The whole board goes into the wall, Mr. Stark."

"Besides what's on the board, Sunshine!"

"Alright!" I shot back. "Hold on!"

I leaned towards the gap. I had to practically stick my whole head between the board and the wall to see anything, but I managed to find some loose chords on the floor inside the gap. I pulled my head out, shoving my arm in. I felt a pull in my shoulder. I winced.

"You okay in there?" Tony asked.

I grunted, reaching blindly towards the cables through the pain. "Fine. Just pulled on the shoulder I dislocated yesterday."

"The one that you fell on not ten minutes ago?"

"The very same. Anyway -- " I promptly attempted to change the subject.

"No," Tony interrupted. "If your gonna hurt yourself, let Spangles do it."

"Mr. Stark," I countered. "I'm fine. Now," I finally grabbed the cables and gently pulled them out of the hole in the wall. "There were a couple cables in the wall that look like they were knocked out of the board when we were hit. What do I do with them?"

Tony proceeded to give step-by-step instructions on what to do with the control panel. It only took a few minutes, and I nodded to Steve with a smile when I'd finished.

"Alrighty," I stood up, backing away as Steve pushed the panel back into the wall and closed the door. "Everything's in. What now?"

I heard a few blasts in the background and more clanging metal before Tony responded. "Even if I clear the rotors, this thing won't re-engage without a jump."

I blinked. 'Don't tell me...'

"I'm going to have to get in there and push."

"And you're telling me not to hurt myself?" I asked, turning to Steve incredulously. "This idiot's about to start the blades himself!"

"What?" Steve's face matched my own, and he leaned towards my earpiece. "If that thing gets up to speed, you'll get shredded."

"That stator control unit can reverse the polarity long enough to disengage maglev and that could -- "

"I get what you're saying," I interrupted Tony. "But we don't have time for me to translate the science in my head. Just tell me the stupid version."

Tony was silent for a moment. "You see that red lever?"

I furrowed my eyebrows. "Red lever?"

"Yeah," Tony continued as Steve and I started looking around. "It'll slow the rotors down long enough for me to get out."

Once I set my eyes on the lever, I made a beeline towards it. I stopped at the edge of our current platform. Steve was quick to meet me there. The two of us met eyes, took some steps back, and made a running start before jumping to the other platform. I took a deep breath as we landed, doing a little step-jog towards the lever.

I rested a hand on it. " 'Kay, we found it."

"Stand by it," He said. "Wait for my word."

I sighed, listening as he started messing with his lasers again. "Just be careful, man."

Just as that sentence left my mouth, I heard footsteps coming from down the nearest hallway. I tapped Steve on the arm, looking towards the door. I saw him nod from the corner of my eye. He pointed towards the ground, and I willingly got on the floor. Someone needed to stay by that lever, and I knew that Steve could handle himself.

I heard a pin get pulled from a grenade, and Steve jumped across platforms once more. He slapped the grenade down, causing it to explode far below us. I listened as knocked one man out, and I peeked over the edge of the platform as he kicked a second one, knocking his gun out of his hand and sending him over the edge. I winced as he fell, taking a quick glance at the man's gun, which flew up and landed right next to me.

I heard gunshots and the sizzling of damaged tech, and I grabbed the weapon without hesitation. I stood up, noting that another soldier was regaining his bearings. He was aiming at Steve, who was already running at him. I noticed two more men behind the first.

I readied the weapon in my hands, narrowing my eyes in concentration. "Rogers, Get down!"

Steve looked back up at me with wide eyes, instantly backing away from the soldiers. I shot at each one as they walked in with unbelievable accuracy. One by one, all of them went down. I smiled brightly at Steve, waving at him as he chuckled. He climbed the only ladder still intact to stand by me.

"Still think I need to sit out?" I asked, handing him the gun.

"Forgive me, Jamie," He smiled back at me. "but all I'd seen up to now is how well you can dodge. I'd never seen you in a fight."

I shrugged my shoulders. "True. True."

My smile vanished as I saw something over Steve's shoulder. "Incoming!"

I grabbed the man's shoulder, turning him to face the door. Steve and the other soldier started to shoot at each other as I dropped back to the ground again. Then, Steve stepped on a loose piece of metal. My eyes widened in horror as he began to slip. I stood without a word. I grabbed the front of his suit and spun him around, using his momentum to launch him back onto the platform.

"Jamie!" He cried out.

I was already falling. I saw a cable loose enough for me to grab onto. I reached for it, but I was already too far away. Tony was still kick-starting the engine, and I wasn't going to call him away from that. I stared up at the clouds and the distant helecarrier, frustration settling on my features.

"Sunshine, I heard gunshots down there. Everything okay?"

I forced a smile, putting a hand to my earpiece as I continued to fall.

"We're all good here, Stranger. Had to gun down some people, but Mr. Rogers and I are in one piece. Seriously, you act like I'm gonna fall off the dang helecarrier as soon as you leave!"

He chuckled. "Nah, you're not that stupid."

I laughed at that, finding the glaring irony of the situation hilarious. "That stupid? Ouch!"

I twisted my body to face the water, noticing how close I was getting. I frowned, biting my lip. "Now, focus on the engine!" I forced a chipper tone. "I'm getting bored just standing by the lever!"

"Will do, Sunshine. Will do."

I sighed, pulling the earpiece away from my ear. I let it go, flying to wherever it wanted to go. I stared at the blue below me. I took a deep breath.

Then everything went dark.