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On with the story...

He doesn't share, huh? Well, that's too damn bad. She replied with a teasing tone. Little did she know that their silent amusement wouldn't last. The Captain was thrilled to have his best friend back, but he couldn't stop himself from scolding her, "That was reckless and unprofessional." Her eyes widened. James subconsciously shifted away from his old friend and took his place beside her. Her eyes narrowed at the Captain and hissed, "Where do you get off? Hmm? You act like I'm a child. News flash! I'm not."

"Yeah!" Tony murmured to the group. The Captain ignored his friend's childish comment and stated, "He's under your care. You can't do things like that!"

James sensed the tension and anger between the two. He wondered why. When did those two become enemies? The minute you were better. The soldier answered from the dark corners of his mind. The good old Captain wants you all for himself, and she's in the way.

He was torn. His best friend versus his new girl. Was she his? The woman seemed quite attached to him. Her voice brought him out of his musings, "He is not my official patient. I have no notes, no charges, nothing. Technically, I'm just a memory guide. Why do you care if he and I are more than that?"

"Yeah! Why do you care?!" Stark taunted. "Your bro's happy." The Captain rolled his eyes at his teammate.

"Because…" He trailed off.

"Because what?" She pressed, her eyes flashing angrily. James sensed her mutation growing stronger. The Captain had no idea how powerful she was.

"Forget it. We'll save this conversation for down the road. For now, Buck and I are going to get re-acquainted." Bucky nodded in agreement. The duo walked out together.

"Well, was the ridiculous or was it just me?" Tony asked aloud. Snorting at his comment, she gathered her things and asked, "So how about that intelligent conversation?"

"An apartment went up in flames today. The cause is still unknown, but some tenants claim that a mutant child was responsible." The news anchor seethed as he read the teleprompter.

"That's the third time this week that mutants have been blamed for something." Clint noted as his eyes watched the screen hanging on the wall. Tony stood behind the bar and shrugged, "Everyone likes a scapegoat."

Netanya heavily sighed. Climbing to her feet, she prompted Tony, "I'll take that drink you offered earlier." He nodded as he pulled out a glass and a bottle of aged whiskey. James' eyes were on her as she sauntered toward the billionaire. He felt the familiar emotion of jealousy wash over him. He hadn't seen her for the past few weeks—other than his scheduled sessions. Steve had something planned every day. He inwardly sighed as he watched her smile at someone else. James' eyes darkened at the thought that she would move on. They were connected. He knew, and he hoped that she knew it too.

"Well, maybe SHIELD should start taking interest in these mutants?" Steve wondered beside him. Netanya's exotic eyes were instantly glaring at him. Steve immediately felt her anger.

"That's not SHIELD's priority right now." Natasha offered from the other couch.

"Then what? These mutants are dangerous. There's a reason there's a senate hearing coming up next week. This is a national security issue."

Dr. Xavier rolled her eyes at him, "You know nothing of national security issues save what Fury tells you." Her voice was music to James' ears. He missed hearing her real voice—even if it was insulting his best friend.

"And you do?" He challenged with a cocky grin. Netanya wasn't about to share her gift with the rest of the class. Turning her back to him, she downed the rest of her drink. A part of her had to remember that this man was from the 1940s where scapegoating was a commonality and that the news and government were always right. Her Uncle Eric had dealt with much worse, but she had a feeling in her gut that a winter was coming. So far, mutants had lived somewhat in anonymity, but now, every little thing was somehow a mutant's fault. Who was pulling the strings?

She let her mind wander, looking for the men responsible for spreading such propaganda. "Hello? I asked you a question." The Captain pressed, interrupting her concentration. If she hadn't been raised to treat others nicely, Steve would have been sitting in the corner acting like a five year old girl having tea with her imaginary friends.

"You're right. I have absolutely no idea about national security issues." She muttered sarcastically.

"See Bucky, this is why she's no good—her attitude is terrible. Plus she's a…" She noted that he had a habit of trailing off. It was a sign of a slow mind. She mentally chuckled. James was about to step in and tell him to shut the fuck up, but she beat him to it.

"I'm a what, Captain?"

"You're a mutant, and you're dangerous."

"I am?" She asked dumbfounded. The Avengers all tensed. What was she capable of? Only two people remained calm—Bucky and Tony.

"Of course you are. You don't belong here with us. You're going to have to leave eventually." Her face fell. How many times had she heard that?

James glanced at his friend angrily, "What are you saying?" He swore he'd protect her. She was sad, so he was doing a piss poor job.

"She can't stay here once you're deemed healthy." The realization set in that once he was okay, she had to leave.

"You want to leave me?" He whispered. She walked over to his spot, crouched, stared into his eyes, and replied quietly, "No, I'd love to stay or take you with me." Her words startled him.

"Take me where?"

"The school where I work. We don't judge there."

He didn't miss a beat, "I'd follow you anywhere."

Please review...respectfully...excitedly (or any other adverb). I told ya guys that I was going to change the scenery and so it begins!