A/N: Oh man it's been a while...I ultimately know what direction I want to take this story in the end. But I'm having a hard time mapping it out right now. I don't have much time to write anymore and it's sad. I always think about these characters. I want to finish Mia's story. I already have started writing Forgotten's sequel and am keeping it under wraps until I figure how to get Forgotten up and running with some headway. Guess I need to watch Winter Soldier and Age of Ultron again for some good material.

Maybe rewatch all the X-Men movies too.

We'll see. For now...bear with me. I want to keep going on this journey and I hope the rest of you do too.

When Mia got back to DC she felt very confused. She felt almost as if the world around her was inside a glass box and she was only looking in not actually experiencing it. The words Tony Stark said to her rung true. Her feelings where at some times not her own. But something rooted deep down in her body she could not explain. She took to taking long silent walks, either around the Shield Facility or out in some park. She always had a Shield Agent tailing her anyways so it wasn't like her wandering was unsafe. And it also wasn't like she couldn't take care of herself.

Today she was at a park. She sat down and looked out at the people around her. Some where walking their dogs, and some where just out and about on dates talking and walking frivolously. She admired the ease of their lives...if they only knew what dangers lurked in the shadows. What kind of world they actually lived in. One filled with mutants, inhumans, government agents...you name it. All silent wars and she had touched her hand in each and every one of them apparently.

Touching her hand to her chest she felt her steady heart beat. It felt normal...but it wasn't until her full self awareness in that elevator got her thinking...

"Am I not who I think I am? Am I just something walking around in someones body?"

She was so self assure when she was with the Brotherhood. She was mutant and proud. She was gifted and strong.

But this whole other life lay before her and she actually had people that cared was kind of eye opening. The super soldier in particular cared about her a lot...too much for her liking but he did. The way he looked at her not but a few weeks ago when he discovered she was back. She watched all the pain flood back into his gorgeous blue eyes.

Her hand fell to her lap again and she sighed before looking out again.

This world was doomed. It was heading down the path of destruction and chaos and it overwhelmed her.

And suddenly she was filled with feelings again that where not her own. She felt her hand clench and unclench and suddenly she stood from her position on the bench and began her trek once more. But as she hit the street a car whipped around and came to a stop in front of her. Mia stopped and watched the window roll down to reveal Natasha.

"Need a lift?" she asked with a smirk.

"Not particularly."

"Well how about we take a drive anyways."

"Mission?" Mia inquired.

"How do you feel about Germany?"

"I don't. But do I have a choice." Mia walked around the car and got in and then Natasha kicked the car into gear and they sped off down the streets of DC. Mia gazed out the window watching people, streets and buildings blur by and it took minutes for Natasha to say anything again.

"What's up you seem distracted?"

"I'm not distracted."

"Well you better not be. I need your head in the game Harper. This mission is important for Shield."

"Trust me, I 'm not distracted. Just thinking a lot. And it's not dangerous thinking okay?"

"Fine." Natasha said offhandedly.

It was a week. A whole week before her and Natasha returned from Germany. She immediately was sent to debrief Fury and then rushed back to her quarters when she was done so she could shower. The hot water was refreshing as it soothed her aching muscles. And once the simple necessities where taken care of she headed to the cafeteria so she could eat. Loading her plate with the basics and a book in the other hand she sat at a table in the corner.

Opening her book she began to read and occasionally push a spoonful of whatever was on her plate into her mouth.

Though she was reading she would occasionally peek up and over her book at the door. Just to see who was coming in and out. It was a trait she picked up from her time at the Brotherhood. Always be alert and aware. Danger is everywhere. Shield was no exception...not for a person like her.

It was then that she peeked up and saw Natasha walk through the front door. The red headed woman came up, took a chair and sat down right across from her. Mia sighed and settled her book down and engaged.

"Hi." she said and Natasha folded her arms.

"So there's something wrong with you. I can tell. Ever since you got back from Stark's you've been off."

"I'm fine. I keep telling you that and you don't believe me."

"Because you're lying. You forget I am trained to pick up on those sorts of things."

"Okay maybe it was because he had said I was someone else walking around in a "Meat Suit" that didn't belong to me. And I quote. It's bothering me a little. I think about it from time to time. Other than that...I'm good."

Natasha analyzed the woman across from her before finally relaxing a little.

"Tony does tend to talk out of his ass."

"I figured as much."

"Well, that doesn't justify you sitting in a corner being antisocial."

"Maybe Baby likes being put in a corner." Mia smirked at her own joke. "Seriously Natasha, I am fine."

"Well have you talked to Steve at all? Since London?"

"No I haven't and why?" she asked now getting kind of upset with this game of twenty questions.

"Because he keeps asking about you and to be frank it's annoying. I don't have time to be pushing you two together. He keeps saying that your talk with him went well, that your time together went well. But then you refuse to speak to him and he's tried calling."

"I've been busy with any and all missions that get sent my way. I am trying my best to cope with a new environment. And get the fact that I have severe memory loss and it get's tossed in my face pretty much every day. I don't have time to console a distressed Super Soldier."

"Just go talk to him." Natasha said after sighing a bit. "I can't work with him if he's always thinking about you. He needs to clear his head."

"Fine." Mia sighed picking up her book and standing up. "Where is he?"

"Should be coming back from the grocery store at his apartment soon."

"I'll meet him there." she trudged along and headed back to her quarters to drop off her book and pick up her wallet, keys to a standard issued vehicle from Shield and a jacket.

She got the car from the parking garage and headed out down the streets of DC to Steve's apartment.

Mia parked on a side street and got out as she saw Steve walking up the sidewalk to his apartment. She put on her best smile and lent on the side of her car watching him for a good moment. He wore his usual casual khakis and a white shirt with a blue jacket over it. He had one brown paper bag in his arm and he was fishing his keys out of his pocket as he walked.

"What's up good looking." she called and Steve stopped and turned to see her.

He couldn't help the smile that came to his face and she pushed herself off the car and walked towards him before taking his bag from him.

"Long time no see."

"Hm yeah. I've been away on a lot of missions lately. Sorry I couldn't call back."

"Heard you met with Stark, how did that go?"

"Okay I guess. Released all of my research and stuff to him and my resignation papers so I'm officially no longer on his payroll."

"Was it tough?"

"Not really." she said as they walked side by side at a good pace. The two entered Steve's building and started walking up the stairs.

They came to his apartment and he took his keys from his pocket and opened the door as they went inside. Mia appreciated his things around his home again as she looked at all the 1940's decor. She loved all his old records sitting on a open cubic shelf that when you turned the corner it went into the living area.

"So why did you stop by?" he asked as he went into the kitchen to grab a water bottle.

"Wanted to...see what's up. How you are doing." she said and he came back from the kitchen and he handed her a water bottle. Her hands outstretched accepting it and he twisted off the cap to his and took a few sips before he did that half smile that was always just a little sad but also a little amused.

"You've gotten better at lying." he chuckled a bit.

"Yeah. Nat might have said something. Truth be told...I have been busy but I don't quite know how to talk to you."

"That's fair. I don't know how to really talk to you anymore either. You're a whole new person."

"And it's hard to remember that fact when you have memories of us." she finished for him.

"Yeah. I mean, you're...where a hard dame to forget."

"Well, we can...hang out?"

"And do what exactly?"

"I don't know. Something fun. Maybe like go to Coney Island? I've heard about it and well isn't that what people do for fun. Go to amusement parks."

Steve looked at her for a moment and he sighed.

"We actually have already been together believe it or not. We had a really. nice time." Steve set down his water bottle and walked over to a shelf separating the hallway from the living area and he pulled a little framed photo from it. He walked back up to her and handed it to her and there was a black and white strip from a photo booth of the two of them and at the bottom stamped across was Coney Island. She stared at it amused looking at the top one as the two of them stared at the camera confused. The second one was Mia sticking her tongue out and Steve held a pink stuffed hippo up in front of his face. The third one they where hugging and the last one...she was kissing his cheek and he clearly looked embarrassed.

"Wow." was all she could say. "We look kinda cute."

Steve beamed at that and he stuck his hands in his pockets.

"You look cute. I didn't know what I was doing."

"Was it a date?"

"No. You were kind of into Banner at the time. We were friends. But..."

"You had feelings."

Steve looked down and Mia settled the picture back on the shelf and she straightened it.

"Can I have a copy of it?" she asked suddenly and he looked up at her surprised. "I don't have much belongings. It would be nice to have a picture to put on my desk back at headquarters. Something...personal."

"Yeah. Yeah I can make a copy of it."

"And well...why don't we go take a new one. Coney Island. My treat." she said happily. "If we are going to make new memories and a new friendship then I'm open to starting off at a place were we left off."

"You don't have to go anywhere or do anything?"

"I'm on leave for a week. I've been on missions since the beginning of the month I think I've earned it. Fury can suck it anyways if he tries to call me in. He calls it insubordination I call it choice."

"I'll drive."

"Sounds good."

The two of them walked out of the apartment and Steve locked his door before the two of them went down a few flights of stairs and back outside. They went to the side curb where his bike was parked and he got on taking the keys out and sticking it in the ignition. Mia climbed on behind him and put her arms around his waist and he put his hand over hers for a moment.

He looked back at her their faces close.

"Hold on."

She held tighter and then he took his hand off placing it back on the handles and then ripped off down the street and through DC.

It was a three hour ride give or take and soon they were parking in a parking lot and Mia swung her leg off and gave a stretch as her feet touched solid ground. Steve shut the bike off and got off as he slid his keys into his pocket. They both looked at the evening sky and then towards the amusement park before them. The lights and sounds of people filled the air and Mia took a step forward as she turned around walking backwards for a moment.

"Well come on! Ten bucks to whomever throws up on the Cyclone first!"

She turned around and jogged towards the amusement park and Steve just grinned as he picked up his pace and ran for her. He caught up with her and she slid her hand into his as the two of them purchased tickets and went inside.

They rode the cyclone about eight times neither of them feeling any nausea from it. Mia just laughed and screamed and when they got off they decided to play some games. The first one was a shooting game and they stood side by side with the old cheap wooden rifles. The game itself had to have been as old as Steve was. They lined up their targets which were rusted and faded yellow ducks as they went back and forth on a belt and when the buzzer sounded they began to fire pellets at it. The two of them were very fast, as the attendant watched with his mouth open.

Mia shot the last one before Steve could and the both of them finished well before the timer.

"Uh...well...you win a prize." the guy said. "The giant plush are the biggest prizes."

"I'l take...that one." Mia pointed to a giant teddy bear and the guy got it down. Mia laughed as she held onto it and turned to Steve as she held it out for him. "There you are. I won it for you."

"Last time I won that pink hippo for you."

"Well...I see we have done things differently."

"Sadly it wont fit on the bike."

"Then we can...give it away." Mia looked around as she then saw what appeared to be a father and his daughter a few booths down. He was tossing one baseball after the next. Mia smiled as she took the teddy bear from Steve and motioned him to stay. She walked up to the pair and looked at the girl before the dad caught sight of her. "Sir?"

"Uh yes?"

"My boyfriend and I can't take this with us home. We rode a motorcycle from DC so...we where wondering if your daughter would like it?"

"Please daddy!" the girl asked tugging on his arm. She had to have been about six.

"How much?"

"Totally free." Mia held it out and the father took it and looked at her gratefully.

"I appreciate it. This games are kinda rigged I feel."

"They are but, sometimes people get lucky. I hope you and your girl have a good time."

"Hey what's your name?" he asked and Mia looked back at him as she was walking away.

"Uh...Mia."

"Mia. Thanks."

Mia walked back up to Steve and she grabbed his hand and led him off to the photo booths. Pushing him into one she scooted in next to him and placed five bucks into it. The timer counted down and Mia stuck her tongue out and Steve laughed at her as the flash went off. The next one she encouraged him to do the cheesy pose as they pretended to stand back to back with guns. As they were both spies it was appropriate.

The flash went off capturing that moment.

The next one Mia lent her head on Steve's shoulder giving a very pretty smile and Steve looked at her. And boy did he really look at her. The flash went off capturing the moment and then Mia looked up at him and he at her.

It was a split decision in that moment as Steve bent down and closed his eyes as he did. Mia knew what was about to happen. She didn't want to deny it but she didn't feel right accepting it either. Either way...it happened.

Their lips touched and the kiss was light and gentle. It was a kiss that made her heart beat fast and her hands become clammy. A kiss that though was tender was incredibly passionate. It was also the first time Mia felt peace.

When the flash went off she pulled back immediately and looked at the camera. The machine whirred and descending into the little slot was the photos. She reached forward and plucked it from the trey and looked at it. It was black and white with Coney Island at the bottom. She looked at the last picture...and in it they were kissing. She looked at him and he at her and she smiled as she held it up to show him.

"Where you aiming for documenting it or was it an accident."

Steve flushed as he stared at the last picture and he opened his mouth to begin to speak but no words came out. Mia waited for a moment and then he began to speak.

"I...I didn't mean...no. I...just..."

"You should copy and frame this too." she said handing it to him.

The two of them exited the booth and walked back into the madness as Steve pocketed the pictures and followed along. She was heading for the Ferris Wheel and she gave the attendant twenty dollars. The two of them sat side by side as it spun around slowly and stopped from time to time to allow others on.

Mia gazed up at the sky and Steve gazed at her.

"Are you okay with what happened?"

"It was a kiss. Why wouldn't I be okay with kissing?"

"Did you...feel anything?"

"Yes. Of course. I don't just let people kiss me for no reason. Hell I don't even remember ever being kissed. But...at this point Steve if I just make things hard on us both it ends up hurting you and me in the end. So I'm kind of just going with the flow. No sense in over-analyzing it. If it happens it happens. All I know is I'm having a good time with you and I feel free. I feel a lot right now. And I like you...maybe not romantically but I definitely admire you and your personality is downright amazing. This...whatever we are doing and wherever we are going is going to take some time. But I'm willing and I think for me that's a big step. Don't you?"

"Yeah...yeah it is." he nodded.

"I'm sorry if that isn't the answer you were looking for."

"It is and it isn't. Honestly I don't know anymore myself what I expect."

"Yes you do." she pushed. "Just be honest. Whatever it may be I'm not going to run away. Our lives are so intertwined I don't think avoidance is in our future."

"I just hope...that if I kissed you or us being here was going to bring back your memories. That it would spark something. It was selfish."

"It was human." she shrugged. She then took his hand in hers and laced her fingers with his. He looked at her and she at him.

Again it was one of those split second decisions but Mia leaned forward and pressed her lips to his. This time he cupped her face with his free hand and pressed more into it taking a deep breath. Their lips glided against one another and when they pulled apart she licked her bottom lip looking into his eyes. Those eyes that could make any other woman weak in the knees.

They left Coney Island around midnight and made their way back to DC. By the time they were back it was nearing four in the morning and they made their way up to his apartment once more. Steve took the photos out of his pocket and set it on the counter of the kitchen as a reminder to frame it and copy it. She had shred her jacket and was sitting on the couch taking her boots off. He came back in and sat on the couch next to her and she lent on her arm merely looking at him.

"Our date was fun." she said and he chuckled.

"Date. Yeah."

"You seem so unsure when I say it."

"You...the Mia who had her memories wouldn't have ever called it a date."

"Well this Mia called it a date. We kissed twice, had a ton of crappy food and also had a lot of fun. Classifies as a date. Albeit a cheesy as hell one but a date none the less. And if my limited memory serves me right it's my first one so."

"So what now?" he asked and she shrugged as she looked out the window. The sky was starting to peak with light just over the horizon. Mia got up as she walked over to his old record player and producing an old vinyl she placed it on, setting the needle and adjusting the volume a light jazz began to fill the apartment. She turned her feet carrying her lithely to Steve as she held out her hands wiggling her fingers.

"Dance until sunrise?" she smiled. It was genuine and that caught Steve's attention. He for a moment, believed Mia was back. He let her pull him up and he stood there unsure.

"I don't know how to dance."

"You mean to tell me you're from the forties and you don't know how to dance?"

"Was never taught. And never had the right partner."

"Well now you do soldier." she said as she placed his left hand on her waist and took his right hand as she showed him how to cup her's with his and then she began to lead in a simple waltz.

The two of them went back and forth in the living room before they loosened up and swayed to the music occasionally Mia spinning out and teaching him to bring her back in. The two danced as the sun broke through the window pane and illuminating the apartment. Mia's hair seemed to burn bright red and her blue eyes filtered with light. It took Steve's breath away as he brought her into him and dipped her low and bringing her back up into him just as the record cut out and silence filled the air.

Her hands splayed across his chest then and all that could be heard was steady breathing.

Mia then winced as she held her hands to her head and pushed him back.

A soft jazz played through a large gala. People on the dance floor dressed in their fanciest. Familiar faces passed by as Natasha stood side by side with Clint. Tony, Thor, Pepper and Bruce talked and laughed. Strangers praising them and revering them. And then there Mia was in Steve's arms. He was dressed in his old Army suit that one would wear to formal events. It suited him well as it was tailored to his broad shoulders and his hair coiffed to the side. He and her swayed awkwardly from side to side before he sighed.

"I'm sorry I'm horrible at this."

"It's fine. We don't have to dance. I'm not great at it either. I just know a little bit from my brothers Senior Prom."

"You...you wanna go somewhere else. It just seems so stuffy."

"What were you thinking soldier?"

"Pizza?"

"Sounds heavenly." Mia put her arm in with his and the two of them slipped out of this fancy gala together.

Mia was thrust out of the memory as she howled in pain and her eyes snapped open to look up and see Steve. He was holding her up from falling on the ground and he held her face in his hands.

"Mia you okay?" he asked and she winced a bit before nodding and standing straight.

"Yes, but I mean no...I mean...I don't know what just happened. I remember...you and me dancing. I was wearing this dress and you were in a suit."

"That was Tony's Gala we attended together when we lived with one another. You remembered that?"

"Yeah. We both sucked at dancing so we left."

"Is that all you remember?" Steve asked and Mia nodded rubbing her right temple.

"If that's what it's going to feel like remembering my memories then I don't want to. It hurts."

"Come sit back down I'll get you some water."

"No, I should just get back to headquarters." Mia shakily righted herself as she made to get her jacket that was resting on the chair in the corner. Steve just gently grabbed her hand and pulled her back to him.

"You're in no condition to drive. Just, let me take care of you. I don't mind. And you can have my bed I can sleep on the couch."

"Always such a gentleman." she smiled.

"Just say you will stay?" he sighed and she nodded in defeat. There was no way he was going to let her go. "Go sit I'll be right back."

Mia sat on the couch as she tried her best to settle and he came back moments later with a glass of water. She accepted it and drank a few sips. He then offered her the bottle of asprin and she chuckled as she popped open the lid and took a good dosage before downing those too. After finishing the water she handed the empty glass to him and he went back to the kitchen before coming back and leaning on the wall looking at her.

"What is it?" she asked and he shrugged.

"I had a really good time with you today."

"Me too."

"Well we should get some sleep. Who knows when we will be called away again."

"Hopefully not anytime soon." Mia stood up and she followed Steve to his room. He opened the door and led her inside as he gathered a blanket and pillow from his bed and headed back out.

"Goodnight." he said and Mia rolled her eyes.

"More like good morning." he gave her a small smile before walking out and Mia walked up and shut the door. Turning around she pressed her back up against the door and rubbed her temple again. She shut her eyes seeing flashes of faces and places she never before had any memory of being. Feeling nauseated she went to the bed and pulled the blankets back before getting in. As she lay down the bed felt far too soft. So she rolled onto her side and took the other pillow and hugged it. It smelled like Steve. Like some cologne that was familiar yet not.

The smell lulled her and before she knew it she was asleep.

A Year Ago: New York City

Mia woke one morning to the gentle sounds of beach waves rolling. Her eyes opened blinking a few times to wipe away the sleep and so she could see clearly. She was in a large room, a giant glass window behind her and all the space she could want. It seemed familiar yet she couldn't seem to place it. Getting up she yawned and walked up to the window.

"Jarvis sixty percent please?" she said.

The window's began to fade from an opaque black to a reveal the view of the New York Skyline. Mia looked down below as she watched people go to and from her day. Sighing she turned around and walked over to her large walk in closet and began to pick out clothes for the day.

"Jarvis, messages please."

"Certainly Miss Harper. You have one email from Miss Potts asking you if you would like to go to lunch sometime later in the day. Second one is from Mr. Stark asking details about funding for your most recent project proposal and the time frame. It says something along the lines of it needs to be complete by next Stark Expo." a cool English accent said as it appeared to come from nowhere.

"What about my cell phone?"

"One text message from Captain Rogers. Asking if you wanted to go for a run later when you are done with work. Currently he went to meet up with a Director Fury."

"Please reply to Steve and tell him that we are on for tonight. Open my emails in my data pad for me as well."

"Certainly. Anything else you require of me?"

"No. A helpful pleasure as always Jarvis." Mia pulled her dress on and zipped it up before slipping on her shoes. She pulled one of her purses from the shelf and then walked back into the room before she shoved a cell phone, data pad, a few things of make up, her glasses in the glasses case and her watch. As she walked to the door she opened it and began to fiddle with the watch as she put it on her wrist. It was a lovely gift from Pepper and probably one of the most expensive things she owned. It seemed Pepper liked introducing her to the finer things in life like wine, make up, shoes and hand bags.

Mia made her way down the hallway and it opened up into a huge suite. It had a large open concept with a healthy mix of modern and furniture you would find in the forties. She walked into the kitchen and opened the fridge to procure a water bottle and a yogurt. Putting both in the purse she then ripped a piece of paper from the notepad on the fridge and began to scribble words onto it quickly.

"Steve, at work. If you need me just text me. I'll be in the lab all day. -Mia"

She capped the pen and slid it to the end of the counter as she placed a black mug on top of the corner to keep it there. She then jogged to the elevator and it opened. Stepping inside she leaned against the back wall.

"Jarvis, R&D Department please."

"Certainly."

The elevator then began to descend and Mia waited patiently. As she got to the busier floors people got in and out on certain floors. She waited until she came to the fortieth floor and got out as she strode down the hallways. As she came to a lab she pushed the door open to see a man in a grey shirt and black slacks standing by a microscope and she smiled as he looked up at her.

"Morning." he said to her his voice a little on the raspier side.

"Bruce." she said and set her things down at her desk. "You didn't sleep again did you?"

"Got caught up."

"You have to stop doing that. It's not good for your health." she walked over to him as she gently pried the pen out of his hands and settled it down on top of his notes. She gingerly pushed the microscope away and looked into his worn but handsome features. His dark amber eyes stared at her with such tenderness and she smiled. "Go take a nap."

"What about work?"

"I'm a big girl I can do it by myself for today. Once you're done sleeping you can come right back. I'll most likely still be here."

"Okay." he said with finality and she pushed him along gently as she followed him to his desk, grabbed his lab coat and brief case and handed it to him. She pat his shoulder then and he smiled a bit.

"See you later partner."

"Yeah. See you later." he chuckled and headed for the door.

Once Bruce had left she looked around the lab and sighed before checking her watch. She had a lot of work to get done before she could even think about taking a lunch break. She started off normally as she reviewed emails, checked samples before delving into some of her side projects.

Five hours passed and before she knew it there was a knock on the glass door leading into the lab and Mia looked up to see Steve standing there. He had on his motorcycle jacket and was carrying a plastic bag in his right hand.

"I have a delivery for a Dr. Mia Harper?" he said with a grin and Mia smiled as she took off her glasses and got up and walked up to him gingerly taking the bag out of his hands and looking into it.

"Ooo, Chinese food. Yum." she said. "Care to share?"

"I might eat all of it." he said with a small unsure look.

"We will split it half. Call it your light snack." she mused and the two of them walked over to her desk and she pulled up a spare chair before they sat and began to divvy out the food.

"So what have you been up to today?" Steve asked and Mia shrugged as she looked around the lab.

"Just working on some prototype stuff. Bruce stayed up all night again so I can't get to work on what I wanted to so I thought I would start finishing up one of my side projects."

"Which is?"

"Oh it's not really anything amazing." she shrugged it off as she scooped some chow mein into her mouth and then took a sip of water. Steve just nodded.

"I would still like to see it."

"Okay." she chimed as she set her box down and got up. She walked to a table and picked up a small metal circlet and she walked back over and sat back down. Mia held it out and Steve took it and examined it.

"So, what is it?"

"Well since I have that little problem with reading people's minds and more so when I'm not trying to, it's to suppress my abilities. But it isn't for me. It's for the normal people you can say. I'm developing necklaces, bracelets...because I know there are people out there that aren't going to use their powers for good. Just something to protect themselves with. I am trying to make one for all the Avengers."

"Why would anyone need protection from you?"

"Careful soldier." she said taking it back. "Or you won't get one."

"I don't think that you will need these or we will either."

"Why is that?" Mia asked confused.

"Because we have you. You're stronger than you think."

"But I can't protect you all from everything. And I can barely float a pencil without it straining."

"You stopped a train by yourself."

"I was angry and I can't do that again. Trust me I've tried."

"It's like any muscle." Steve said taking a sip of water and setting the bottle down. "It just needs to be worked out. You run with me all the time and you've gotten faster."

"You hold back." she said giving him an emotionless look. "So that's not fair."

"Point being, you can still keep up with me even at a light jog. That's fine. It's much better than before. And I'm sure with practice you'll get good at using your powers. As much as you use it for this amazing stuff you develop. And it comes from the goodness of your heart. But, these kinds of things..." Steve took the circlet from her hands and looked at it before setting it down. "can also be used to hurt people like you. You don't deserved to be caged like an animal. You're all perfect the way you are."

Mia smiled a bit and nodded.

"I'm so thankful to be apart of this place. To have you especially. I couldn't ask for a better friend."

"Yeah. Friend." Steve nodded and took another sip of his water bottle.