Chapter 1

It's not easy living on your own for 3 years, when you're still technically a minor and you're wanted by at least 20 secret agencies, 5 countries, and countless royals, dictators, and government officials.

You see, I'm an "unidentified hazard". I hate that term. I'm just a kid, really. A kid who's experienced a lot.

I drag myself out of bed as usual and hastily dress in my disguise for the day. I've been here for too long. I really do feel safe here, but I know as soon as I admit that, something will go wrong. I've even made a few friends. That's rare, because I can't trust anyone.

I go to town and run my usual errands. Hired odd jobs, purchasing food, stealing when necessary. I've been doing well in the past few months, and I'm able to live in a little town close to London. But not close enough to be recognized.

Everything is always the same, but I'm still always paranoid. I notice every little detail that sticks out, that could be a hazard, which could hold deadly secrets for me. That's probably why I noticed the tiny corner of paper sticking out from under my bathroom door when I came home.

Ok, first things first, if someone goes to the trouble to write me a letter, why break inside my flat (rather cleanly I must say, no damage whatsoever) and stick it under my bathroom door? It screams trap, but somewhere inside of me I'm inclined to read it.

Dear Miss Banner,

We're writing to you to inform you that we do indeed know who you are and what you do. That's not necessarily a threat. We've been watching you for a little while now (some of us are trained spies and assassins, don't believe you can fool us.) We know you know about us, and what we do as well. Here's what I'm proposing. Come and meet us, in New York. Enclosed is a one way plane ticket. You don't have to accept it, but I greatly encourage you to. This meeting would be completely informal. Just an information exchange, that might lead to more, if allows. You also don't have to think you couldn't go back to where you are now, just because it's one way. I could arrange for another ticket in a second, don't doubt it. We all believe it would be for the best we had all finally met at last, to possible arrange an alliance or perhaps finalize some debts. I have regrets. I know you do too. I hope you realize the potential of this meeting, and I look forward to meeting you.

Sincerely,

Tony Stark, representing The Avengers Initiative, of S.H.I.E.L.D

I drop the letter, and my jaw drops as well. Those Avengers bastards want to meet me? After all the shame they have brought to my father and I? A part of me wants to rip the letter in half and burn it, as revenge for the jerks. Another part of me really truly wants to meet them. I could give them an earful; make them regret their choices even more. I for damn sure know I'm capable of that.

I don't have to give them any information. They don't necessarily need to know anything.

Besides, I need to get out of this town soon. People are beginning to win my trust.

In a rash decision, I accept their offer and start packing. I'll head for the airport tomorrow.