We all have choices about who we are and what we do. There's never only one path. You and only you decide what your fate is.

But what if it was more difficult to find the right answer?

If you had the chance to manipulate strangers minds, would you? You can make someone dance around, sing at the top of their lungs, or put a bullet in their best friends head.

A gift they called it. To me it was a Pandora's box- to unleash my powers would send the world into chaos. So I try to keep it locked inside.

But temptation is too strong sometimes.

I run, and I run fast.

Feet slapping the ground, spraying crashing waves of murky rain water around my legs. My breath wheezes out in white clouds in front of me. The erratic beat of my heart fills my head like a drum. I never realised how unfit I was until I was running for my freedom.

A sharp pain shoots through my side causing my speed to falter as I press down desperately at the ache. It's no use. Doubling over I wince.

'Not good, not good...'

Straightening my torso I observe my surroundings. Frantically looking around, my eyebrows scrunch up. I'm lost. Very lost. There's no one around me to ask for directions and I can't afford to stop. Looking behind me I glare at the emptiness behind me. Maybe they gave up the chase? Doubt crawls into my head, reminding me of who they are. Who I am. They would stop when they nearly have me. My muscles groan and shudder in distaste as I try to return to running. The world starts to blackened at the edges and I rapidly shake my head to concentrate. I won't let panic consume me.

Suddenly a blinding beam of white light fills my vision, and I automatically cover my eyes against the glare. Slitting my eyes I peer through my fingers, I look at the source of light. A cab!

Blocking out the dull numbness, I jog forwards waving my hands at the driver.

"Hey! Hey!" I shout, with no effect. The car continues to rumble forwards closer to me. It's so close I can see the driver. An older man with short greying hair and kind brown eyes. The idea hits me like a slap- his eyes! I gulp, pushing down the tinge of regret threatening to rise. I hate use my power to manipulate people for my own benefit. The car continues to come at me. Closer and closer. I have no choice. Its my only chance to escape. Striding into the road in front of the car, Our eyes connect.

"please stop!"

At first I think it hasn't worked.

I brace myself for my death. Raising my hands, curling up, eyes slammed shut.

Then the sound of the engine stops.

"Are you ok?" A male voice echoes out into the street. I blink back. Then sprint to the side door, flinging it open into the night. I throw myself in. I'm tempted to relax back into the plush seats, the warmth of the car lulling me to embrace my exhaustion. But I sit forward, wrapping my arms round my shivering frame.

"Please drive!" I beg him, my voice cracking. The man stares back at me, unmoving. Sighing I use the last of my strength to lace my words with persuasion.

"Please Drive!"

The man snaps back to the front, gripping the wheel strongly, and starts the car. Or tries to start it. A hollow emptiness fills me in the silence of the cab. I was so close.

Smoothing the invisible creases on my jeans I mentally prepare myself. S.H.I.E.L.D were the good guys right? But that doesn't explain the heavy sinking feeling in my heart at my capture. They wouldn't hurt me- I'm good too! Realising I'm trying to convince myself, I desperately cling to the fact that I am not evil. I can't be. I tired so hard not to be. I used my powers in self defence, I didn't mean for it to happen. The last time I used my powers like this was 15 years ago and I swore I would never use the again because of it.

Twisting my hand in my lap absentmindedly I shiver as the cold feeling of dread dances around my heart.

A dull click of the door snaps me back to the present. Bitter cold air floods through the open door and seeps into my bones.

Placing my hand on the drivers shoulder, our content again.

"Thank you for your help, I'm sorry I had to involve you." A soft white glow flickers and fades in his eyes as the charm breaks.

"Katie Sheridan?" A man questions from outside. I know he already knows the answer. Swivelling in my seat, I drape my legs out the car and shift my weight forward to get out as gracefully as I can.

"Depends on who's asking." I mutter at the ground, unwilling to look at the man.

"I think you already know the answer to that Sheridan." The voice is playful, friendly almost. Glancing up I take in the sight of two men who I last saw battling on the invaded streets on New York. Plastering on a fake cocky smirk I spread my arms.

"Is a teenage girl that much of a threat they had to send out two valuable members of their hero squad to get me? Or are you boys just saying hello?"

Hawkeyes (who I presume spoke)lip twitched slightly at the corner, like he was fighting the urge to grin. He never put made a move to put down his bow and arrow though. I guess I had found the person behind the broken get away cab. Flitting my eyes to the wheel of said car I noticed a single arrow protruding out of every tyre.

"Nice aim." I nodded approvingly at Hawkeyes excellent marksmanship. Earning myself a laughing smile and a wink.

"Miss Sheridan, are you willing to come with us back to HQ now. You will be safe with us ma'am." Captain spangles assured me. As much as I appreciated his old fashioned respect, I couldn't believe his words. Wrapping my arms around me again, I blew a loose strand of brown hair from my eyes.

"The fact that S.H.I.E.L.D have been practically hunting me for the past 15years doesn't match up with your statement Captain." I sighed. A look of shock flicked across Captain Americas (gorgeous) face, Hawkeye just snickered.

"I think we're gonna get along just fine, kid." Clint muttered to me. At the time I was to busy being cold and tired to notice how Clint talked as if I would be spending time with them.

"How did you know that?" Steve asked baffled.

"Well you just confirmed my suspicions Cap'," I tilted my head to the side "and I know when I'm being stalked. I haven't used my powers majorly since I was only 4 and then as soon as I slip up you guys are on my tail? It's quite obvious S.H.I.E.L.D never really left me alone again." The two men had a decency to look ashamed, even though it wasn't their fault. I pregnant silence fell between our small group, and I became once again aware of my tiredness I had suppressed. Raking a shivering hand through my long hair I looked up at Steve and Clint.

"If it means sleep and warmth I'll come with you guys, but this doesn't mean I'm happy about it."

"That's great miss, we'll call an agent to collect you right away," daringly he looked in my eyes "I promise you won't be hurt Katie." Hawkeye nodded behind him, looking up from his mobile he had just pulled out to call the agent.

I felt safe with The captain and Hawkeye. Maybe it would work?

"Oh and can someone fix this mans car? It seems to have a flat tyre. 4 in fact."

8 months later

"Awh, come on Kat! It's for science!" Tony stark whined at me, flailing his arms around. Fighting the strong need to laugh, I bit my lip. If I didn't act serious I would never get through to Tony.

"Stark I already told you all how much I hate using my powers, once i start it gets hard to stop again. It makes me feel manipulative."

Tiny beads of sweat rolled down my forehead as I squirted refreshingly cold water into my open mouth. Tony Stark had caught me during a training workout with Steve and Natasha (aka black widow and not as scary as you think. We hit it off when I managed to keep up with her during a one on one training fight. Thank you mum for teaching me how to survive attacks!) and was insisting I needed to train my powers as well, mainly because he wanted to watch.

I knew one of the reasons I was training with the avengers was because eventually I might get to join them on the big league. The reason I wasn't already an avenger was because Steve, Clint and Natasha all insisted I needed more training and were very protective of me because I am the youngest member at 19 years old. I also refused to use my powers except when necessary for Bruce and Tony's experiments and to show to Fury what I am capable of. It's silly of me to refuse still when I'm no longer in hiding, but I hate how it makes me feel like I'm using people and I'm afraid of hurting the people I love if I use it on them.

"Maybe you should start training your powers more Katie. Your ready to be an avenger." Natasha interjected.

"Great not you as well!" I wailed, feeling like it was 2 against 1.

"Steeeve please tell me you don't agree with the tin can too!" I cried, making my best puppy dog eyes at Steve, ignoring Starks protests about his new nickname.

The captain scratched his neck awkwardly avoiding my look. Exhaling heavily I put my hands up in surrender.

"Your all mean." I huffed.

" tell me something I don't know," Tony said in a sing song tone "now do your magic kitty-Kat!"

Turning towards Steve and Natasha i nervously tugged at my chocolate brown hair.

"Does one of you mind...? " I let the question hang in the air.

"You don't have too-" I started. Steve stepped forward offering me a smile

"I'll do it Katie."

"Excellent!" Stark grinned clapping his hands together, as me and Cap' walked over to the centre of the training room. Keeping my gaze on the floor I twisted my hands.

"Sheridan," Steve placed a hand on my shoulder, "you can do it."

Nodding forcefully, I got into a fighting stance. Steve also prepared himself.

"Right children, play safe now. We want a nice clean fight- 3, 2, 1," Natasha spoke loudly from the sidelines.

We were both still for a moment, calculating. Suddenly Steve lunged forwards at me, arms forward. Grunting, I twisted to the right out the way using my small frame to my advantage against his powerful one. His reflexes were sharp and he gave me no time to recover, as his hand pulled me from behind so that were facing.

Our eyes connected.

I concentrated. Feeling a slight connecting charge of my power, I inhaled.

"Stop!" I whispered in my mind. Usually I speak aloud, but it was like my battle instinct had kicked in. I was trying a new tactic, but I wasn't sure if I was capable of making it work.

Stevens hand was still wrapped around my forearm.

But then Captain Americas face fell to a neutral expression, his hands falling to his sides. I breathed a sigh of relief. I did it.

"Okay now shake my hand and smile." I thought, Steve acted on the order. If I could persuade my enemies in mid battle to not fight then I could protect a lot of people. Maybe my powers had benefits...

"Now please tell Tony stark he is mean and owes me!" I commanded for the last time, watching as Steve turned towards Stark and repeated my words. Natasha laughed as Tony pouted and muttered something about 'for science'.

"Thank you Steve." I told captain sincerely, then focuses on severing the charm. At first he seemed a little dazed and confused, but then his face lit up.

"Did it work then?" He asked. I was just about to answer when another mans voice spoke for me

"It sure did. Now let's hope it keeps working." Fury stood at the entrance of out training room, in his usually black coat, a glimmer of pride in his eye. The rest of the avengers (Bruce, Clint,Thor) stood behind him all smiling at me. A warm fuzzy feeling of overwhelming love and happiness grew in my heart.

"Welcome to the avengers Sheridan," my jaw dropped " Now Suit up. Lokis sceptre has been located and your going with the team to get it back."

Disclaimer: I don't own anything to do with marvel/avengers or characters and storylines that are marvels. I only own Katie and any storylines/ characters that aren't familiar.

I apologise for any mistakes or parts that don't make sense, it is unedited and im tired, I will edit it when I get the chance. Thank youuuu for reading, I hope it was ok and made sense. I hope I will update soon :D anyway I suck at A/N so I'm going to sign off now aha

~ samanTHOR