"How many times does this make this, Jarvis? Don't answer that." Tony Stark, hunched over one of his latest projects, took a moment to massage his elbow joint.

"I really need to talk to Fury. If I didn't know any better, I'd think he was putting this off on purpose. Actually," his thoughts traveling back to the previous day, "Jarvis, call him now. Use the emergency line if you have to."

You always do, sir.

Tony barked a laugh. "I do, do I? Well, he should be used to it by now then."

"Tony," the Director's voice coming in over the intercom. "This better be good."

"It's gold, my friend. You know that young lady who comes around to kick our ass occasionally? You know the one we fought yesterday. Remember, she knocked old Cap' out within the first five seconds. You know that one?"

"I remember that good right hook she gave you."

"Ha-ha, if only you were here in person, you'd see the amusement on my face."

"It's a felony to threaten a federal law enforcement officer, did you know that?"

"Aw, don't kill the mood, we were just warming up to each other."

Uncomfortable silence ensued on the line.

"Well, I guess that's a 'no,' Tony finally concluded with a sigh.

THREE MONTHS LATER

"Maybe this is proof enough for you, Fury. If you had issued a warrant when I told you to, this would not have happened. Well," Stark scoffed with a flourish of his hands. "Does this warrant an arrest? You tell me. You're the expert here."

"Tony, I get it. That's enough," Fury raised his own palm up in surrender. "She will be brought to justice for her latest act of harming an Avenger. Perhaps I was too lenient before. But the girl looks like she barely over eighteen. You'll forgive me if I didn't think she'd stoop to murder."

"That's the problem," Hank responded, "A lot of times you develop these premature impressions of people, either seeing them as good or bad without taking in all of the situation. You don't need me to tell you that it's led to many mistakes before."

Fury gave one last glance to all the Avengers as they were gathered in the conference room. He left without another word, and the Avengers found themselves wishing the door would hit him on the way out.

"What is Carol's condition?" Natasha asked.

"Comatose," Hank supplied. "Her heart stopped three separate times, but the doctors were able to stable her. They tell me aside from a mild case of hypothermia, physically she's fine."

"Well, we all know what that girl can do to your head," Thor mumbled.

"They don't know when or if ever she will wake up," Stark finished.

"Then what are we waiting for?" Thor exclaimed. "Let's go apprehend this criminal."

Stark should his head. "Fury already said no. He said the FBI will handle it since she doesn't have any powers of her own."

"When do we let Fury decide what we can and can't do?" Clint added evenly.

Natasha shook her head. "It's true, this doesn't exactly fit the bill of the Avengers Initiative. Should the FBI fail then we intervene."

"Natasha," Clint sighed. "As usual, you are the voice of reason."

"Entering elevator," Agent Wilson reported.

Maria Hill was not happy to be on this assignment. But Fury had been insistent. He had a whole speech prepared, something about keeping the Avengers out of other bureaus' affairs. The spirit of compromise and all that other fluffy bunny stuff that Hill didn't care for.

"Block all the exits. Patrol the stairs. We're following on the elevator. What floor?"

"We think we have her alias. According to hotel records, room 712, seventh level."

Wilson hurried to the elevator. "Remember, no skin-on-skin contact."

Hill took a second to reflect on the data the Avengers provided. Taking out her mic, she compounded the orders, "Don't even get close to her. If she approaches you, back away. That is what your weapon is for."

"And if she doesn't go down," a throaty voice replied.

"Then guide her to me."

"Can you help me? You said you would!"

"Listen, darling. You're the hot topic of the month in law enforcement. I am not sure whether I should risk myself yet."

Rogue rubbed her hand down her face, feeling more desperate by the second. She could feel her newest companion brushing at the edges of her consciousness, itching to get out. "I promise, I'll do anything. Name it! I just need someone to help—What was that?"

Loud footsteps followed the bang which had knocked down the door to her quarters. Rogue shrunk into her couch at the sight of men in dark uniforms rushing in, guns at the ready.

They immediately sized up the subject and fired, a total of three darts pricking her skin. They stayed back as they had been instructed, waiting for the drug to take effect.

Rogue, having not expected such an intrusion, was completely unprepared. She felt like a deer in highlights. When her thoughts finally caught up to her, she realized how stupid it was of her to plop down right by the door. Nevertheless, it wasn't like she hadn't faced surprises before.

Unfortunately, despite all her courage, the drug had begun to take effect, and Rogue in a last-ditch effort fell off the couch and began to crawl away.

"Nightie night, little mutie," someone mumbled, popping off another dart.

"What was that, officer?"

And that was the last thing she heard.

"They got her," Steve briefed Tony.

"They did?" he replied, still tinkering with a new device that would aid doctor's to quickly scan the human body for metals from a distance. He wasn't quite sure what the application would be. He would leave that up to the marketing team. "About time."

"They're actually taking her to the Pentagon."

"What? What for? Don't tell me they're thinking about giving her a deal."

Steve sighed. "Fury assured me she's not." He continued more carefully. "But he still left me with a lot of doubts."

Stark put down his tools and turned his full attention to the Captain. "Well. Don't leave me hanging, big guy."

"Fury pretty much insinuated that the FBI were going to be taking advantage of her…unique abilities."

Stark nodded. "Sounds about right. It's the US government, what do you expect?"

"Tony," Steve said forcefully, "it's exploitation. I'm serious about this."

"Do you know how this is going to look? We're the ones who asked Fury to go after this person. If we suddenly begin defending her, what do you think he'll say?"

'I don't think it matters."

Tony rolled his eyes. "Listen, I can see where you're coming from. However, the bigger picture is it doesn't matter what Fury says. If she's in FBI custody, they are going to do what they want with her. And if they ask her to absorb people and use a lighter sentence as an incentive, that sure sounds like a deal to me."

Stark stood up. "Something's fishy here, Cap. And I intend to find out what."

I get the feeling this plot is moving along too fast. But I have a lot planned. I just need to slow the pace down next chapter, learn some patience. As for Carol's condition, I guess you can say her mind will make an appearance. And we all know what that implies. But it will still give me a chance to explore the character traits I admire the most in her. (Note that I never read past a 90's version, I'm sorry.)

I mostly write on anime topics. This is my first time touching on a comic book movie. I wrote something on Logan, but it doesn't feel very related to the comics if you know what I mean. it just feels like a movie that needed no source material, which is how Fox designed the X-Men franchise and what I like about it.