Welcome back to the story! I think I said last chapter that this would be a Skye POV, at least I implied it. Well I lied. I attempted the beginning of the chapter, and it just didn't quite work out. So back to good old Max! Hope you enjoy.

I stepped out of the fancy car in front of the plane (apparently it's called the bus but that's so cheesy) and grabbed my duffel. As I walked on board, I heard the murmurs of the end of a conversation. When I got closer, Coulson gave me a smile. "Agent Ride, welcome to the Bus. Good to see you again."

I smiled wide, hoping my annoyance translated. "Good to see you too Agent Coulson. After all, I thought you died slumped against the wall right next to me. Glad to hear that Fury lied to us all."

The woman-Agent May I believe- shot a look to Coulson. So she doesn't know my story. Good. If she doesn't that means nobody else does. Except Coulson. Clearly.

"I'm sorry, but it was the Director's call. You know that. I heard you were badly injured. Are you cleared to fly?"

I scowled. "No. The synthetic implants I need haven't been perfected yet. Or in reality, the director is waiting because he thinks I'll flee the second I can fly again."

Coulson gave a smile. "That sounds like him. You should speak with FitzSimmons about designing the pieces for you. They'd do that."

I smirked. "Actually, I already have someone on it. You forget that I know Tony Stark, who will do anything to give a 'fuck you' to SHIELD."

As Agent Peterson entered the plane, I headed up the spiral staircase. As I reached the top, I heard arguing voices ahead. Looks like I know where to head.

Leaving them to argue, I leaned against the doorframe until Coulson and Peterson arrived.

With an awkward start by Ward, Coulson began to introduce the team. Ward (Cap minus the super), Skye (Hacker Han Solo), Fitz and Simmons (Science androids), and Agent May (Tasha's terse secret twin). Then he turned to introduce me "This is Agent-"

"Max Ride, codename Talon, at your service. I guess I'm here because I'm also modified by science."

"Who experimented on you? I hadn't heard of any super soldier programs that used female subjects-no offence" I believe that was science android: female edition. I need to find separate nicknames for the two.

"I didn't volunteer. I was born as a recombinant DNA experiment. I did not sign up for my life, thank you very much. And I was created by a company called Itexcorp, whose science division recently split and went underground. I escaped their labs with other test subjects at age 10, and grew up on the run from everything and everyone around us. So no, I didn't join a super soldier program. I was born into a weapons program."

The group around me was silent. I leaned against the doorframe again. The awkward silence persisted. I gestured to the table "Please, don't stop just because of me."

A nod, then Skye started right in. "Not much on Po…"

After the group dispersed, I wandered off to find my room. And by room, I mean closet with a bed. Still better than some places I've had to live in, that's for sure.

As I lay down on the bed, I thought over my situation.

I was here because they needed super-human backup. SHIELD was once again using me as a weapon. But because Fury wasn't hanging over my shoulder, I could use this team to get my injury healed and escape. I just needed those feather-like implants.

As I lay there, there was a knock. I sat up and slid open my door. Standing there was super-hacker. Ugh. Nicknames need to improve.

"Hey. I guess I just want to apologize for everyone's rudeness. I guess we didn't expect your life story, or for you to be so different than we expected. Everything around here seems to reference back to aliens or Captain America, so we haven't had to really deal with unethical science experiments."

"That's understandable. I mean you don't usually get people who just flounce in, call out their inhumanity and expect happiness all around."

Skye gave a tiny smile. "Believe me, I know. I may not be superhuman like you but I'm still the "new girl" here. Anyways, Coulson wants you to go be observed by Fitz and Simmons. Something about an injury of yours?"

I gave a small smile and started walking to the lab. "Believe me, you're going to want to see this."

When I reached the lab, I saw that the science pair were just finishing looking over Peterson. Simmons was a little too engrossed, if you know what I mean. So I decided to take a bit of initiative. I motioned for Skye to move out of the way, and slipped of my jacket. As I unfurled my wings as far as I could without pain or hitting stuff, all the attention sprang to me.

"So you need to look at my injury?" All the reactions gave me one of the happiest moments I'd had in months. Peterson seemed shocked but accepted it. Good, he can't overreact right now. Skye looked like those girls once they meet Tony- absurdly confusingly starstruck. And the Science buddies looked at me like I just transformed myself into Jesus.

"How did you get wings?" Peterson seemed to be taking this best. Probably because he's the least sciencey.

"Good question my friend. I do believe I have had them since birth."

Simmons turned away and began looking closely at uninjured wing. "You said you were a product of recombinant genetic engineering? What were you mixed with?"

I rolled my eyes, "Yes I am. My DNA consists of about 3% bird DNA, more specifically, golden eagle. So you wanted to see my injury?"

A quick nod. I pull in my wings so that the injury was next to my shoulder

"Alright it's right here. An evil Asgardian Alien stabbed his spear through it. That same one that stabbed Coulson. But anyways. I need you guys to all do something for me."

A collection of very confused looks. Skye spoke up. Oops, I forgot she was in here. "Well sure. What do you need?"

I give a small smile, "Tony Stark designed me some prosthetic feathers. I need your help to make me temporary ones so I can fly to go get the real ones implanted. And I need this done without higher-ups interfering."

"You want us to WHAT?

Aaaand that's the chapter. Hope you enjoyed! I guess this isn't so much a cliffhanger as much as it's just a good place to stop. Got a few questions though.

1. In honor of Femslash February, would anyone be interested in a (non canon) femslash oneshot from this universe? It wouldn't affect the main story, but just a little fun bit.

2. Would anybody be interested in becoming a beta for this story? I've slowly been feeling I need one, and my usual beta doesn't really know Maximum Ride (love you Jessica).