It's been a week since I last saw Thor, and since I discovered I had powers. So far, I've ended up doing some uncharacteristic things. Yesterday, I was feeding the lions and the big male lion let out a loud roar. I opened my mouth and let out what sounded a lot like a cat being forced into a bath against it's will. Everyone that was looking at the enclosure gave me some funny looks.

Russ has noticed my strange behaviour, as well as everyone else that works here. He's questioned me about it, but all I do is shrug and say I don't feel so good.

It feels strange, having these powers. It's like having an animal inside me, clawing at the surface trying to get out. And as for the man who attacked me... I can't remember a thing about him. Just that he was all clad in black. I don't know what to do.

I sat on a large rock, just out the back of the park. I needed some time alone. I miss Thor already. I miss his strangeness, and listening to the way he talks. Call me weird, but I wish I could see him again.

A man started walking slowly towards me, seeming hesitant. I gazed down at him curiously.

"Um, hello Miss," he called up to me.

"Hello," I said quietly, just loud enough for him to hear.

He cleared his throat. I looked at him more closely. He was a balding man, rather short. He had a kind face, which suited him considering his aged appearance. "Are you Sophrose Collins?" he asked.

I nodded. "Yeah, that's me."

"Would you mind coming down from there, please?" The man asked. "I have an important matter to discuss with you."

Letting out a sigh, I got to me feet and lunged off the rock. I landed lightly in front of him, in a crouching position. "Sure thing."

The man looked both worried and relieved. We walked to a near-by picnic table and sat down, myself across from him, both of us eyeing each other warily.

"So," I began loudly, "you've got me here now, what do you want from me?"

The man looked flustered for a moment. "Huh? Oh, right, sorry. My name is Phil Cousland, I'm from an organisation called S.H.I.E.L.D. My boss, he's... well, he's aware of your newfound abilities."

My eyes widened. How could someone know? I've done everything to keep it secret! "And?" I asked as calmly as possible.

"I've been sent here to bring you to him," Cousland replied. "He thinks you can be of use to us."

"Just what exactly does 'He' want me to do?" I inquired.

He sighed. "I can't tell you. That's for Fury to say, not me."

"What if I don't want to go and meet him?" I challenged, raising my eyebrows.

"I'm afraid you have no choice in the matter," Coulson told me. "If you don't come with me, Fury will come for you himself."

I gazed into the man's eyes, studied him for a moment. "Fine, I'll go."

The flight to S.H.I.E.L.D. was a bumpy one, as it was in a helicopter. After two and a half hours, we landed on a metal ship. Coulson and I got out, taking in the scenery.

"Coulson!" A woman shouted out.

We turned and saw a woman with short red hair approaching us, two other men with her. She wore all black, her tight jacket and pants looking like a catsuit. The men were very different from each other. The youngest looking one had an all American look to him. Blonde hair, blue eyes and wearing the kind of clothes my grandfather would wear. The other man had black curly hair, slightly graying, and had a tired look about him.

"So, you succeeded then?" The red head said with a model smile that made me jealous.

"Yes," Coulson replied happily. "Oh, Sophrose, this is Agent Natasha Romanoff, and these two are Steve Rogers and Dr. Bruce Banner. You guys, this is Sophrose Collins."

I waved shyly. "Hi."

The young man, Steve, came forward and shook my hand. "Pleasure to meet you, Ma'am," he said politely. Huh, a gentleman.

Banner shook my hand as well. "Nice to meet you, Sophrose."

"You too," I said after he let go, stretching my hand a bit from his strong grip.

Romanoff gave me another of her stunning smiles. "Looking forward to working with you."

Suddenly, the ship began to shake. I gripped Steve's shoulder for support. Banner, Steve and I looked over the edge of the ship, only to see that we were beginning to hover in the air.

"Oh, this is gonna be just wonderful," Banner said sarcastically.

"Well, given the circumstances, we have no choice, Doctor," A deep voice said from behind us.

We turned and a man was standing there with Coulson and Romanoff. He had an eye patch and a black cloak.

"I'm Dr Fury, now, come with me."

"Ah, so this is the animal chick? Nice."

The words came out of Tony Stark's mouth slyly, making me roll my eyes. "Nice to meet you too," I said, sarcasm dripping from my voice.

"Well, I'll start explaining why you're all here then," Fury grumbled. "No longer than a week ago, a device known as the Tesseract was stolen by a man named Loki. A God from another universe. We've called you here to help us take Loki down and retrieve the Tesseract before it's too late."

I raised my hand hesitantly. Fury noticed and nodded for me to say something. "I don't understand, these guys are more skilled than me. How could I help in any way?"

"Under the circumstances, your abilities will most likely heighten your senses and reflexes," Banner explained.

"And Natasha will train you in hand-to-hand combat, and using firearms."

I looked to Romanoff, who nodded in agreement.

"So, are you all in?"

Steve nodded. "Yes, Sir."

Banner sighed. "This is going to be a disaster, but yes, I'm in."

Tony rolled his eyes at Banner. "Lighten up man. Yeah, I'm in."

"Are you with us, Sophrose?" Steve asked, smiling down at me.

I took a deep breath, and nodded. "Yeah, I'm in."

Fury nodded, exchanging a glance between Coulson. "Then it's settled. Welcome to S.H.I.E.L.D."