In spite of this we're doing just fine

Even diamonds start as coal.

Give us time to shine,

Even diamonds start as coal.

MARGARET V

Her whole body ached, muscles crying for a rest, bruises of different colors are starting to show, her palms full of blisters but she refused to heal herself. No, she wanted to feel the pain.

Only two days of training with Sargeant Barnes and her body was already failing. Unlike Steve's approach in basic combat which is perfect in its own way, Bucky's style was more lethal and dangerous if perfected. He also taught her how to use weapons like knifes or a handgun, Steve did say he was an expert with such.

He gave her tips on stealth, because unlike Steve who would rather kick someones ass on their front door, Bucky prefered attacking from the shadows. Of course she sucked terribly during these training sessions and he would laugh at her clumsiness or the way every movement of hers made noise, but she really enjoyed the pain and the knowledge that came with it. He even said that given her small stature she will be able to sneak in to places without the enemy knowing, she only needed more practice.

She would still train with Steve, but not as frequent. She didn't know if they will be productive if she would just end up kissing him everytime he's around. So yes, Bucky's offer to teach her was greatly appreciated.

She wanted to make herself better, so that if there would be a time that she's alone, she would be able to protect herself and the civilians better.

Unlike that time when i felt useless and someone died.

And she won't be healing herself soon. Pain demands to be felt, she was sure she read that somewhere.

"Ms.Santiago, is there any particular reason why your body is about to collapse now?"

Oh Vision is such an Angel.

Seeing him always puts a smile on her face, the innocence that he possess is something she wants to treasure forever.

"Just training." She smiled at him, trying hard not to look tired.

"Hold on." Without words he lifted her off the ground, he floated instead of walking. She noticed how he resorted to walking when he's around the new recruits but now he chose to float around her.

"Why do you always call me Ms.Santiago?" It was so formal, she heard from Tony that Vision was a shadow of his AI JARVIS, who was basically his butler.

"Would you rather i call you Margaret?"

"Nope. I like the sound "Ms.Santiago" with your accent." She rested her head on his chest, smiled and wrapped her arm around to feel his cape.

He smiled and carried her to Bruce's Laboratory, though she insisted that she can walk.

The Lab was full of people, Bruce was there accompanied by Dr.Strange. But she clearly remembered that there was no lesson in healing today, it looked like there was some sort of an impromptu meeting. The wizard spoke.

"The Infinity Stones are what he's after..."

"...We currently have two in our possesion, one is the Time gem that is right here. The other is right there on Visions forehead." He pointed at the weird necklace he wore and Vision - specifically his forehead, and all of them turned to look at them, Steve was there too. She felt Vision stiffen, his grip tighten just a little bit.

"My brother has already given him the Tesseract."

Thor's booming voice interrupted the peoples attention towards them. He stressed about keeping Thanos from completing his quest of collecting the stones.

"Vision, he'll be after you.." She gripped his arm, worried about her dear friend. They need to keep him away, where he'll be safe. But where is that?

"I shall be able to hold myself when the time comes." He smiled at her, and she already knew that he was trying to calm her.

"But.."

"Margaret, are you alright? I told Bucky to ease up a little on your training." She turned to see Steve, lines was forming in his forehead and his eyes were scanning her person.

"I'm fine Steve, i wanted him to go hard on me. I just need to strengthen my core. Vision you can put me down now." She honestly didn't know if she would have enough time for that, for all she know, Thanos could arrive any minute.

"Okay.. Why are you not healing yourself?" He inquired as she settled her footing, feeling her knees shake a little. He steadied her with his hand on her back.

"I think i need to appreciate the pain if i wanna get stronger."

"Captain Rogers, may i have a word.. privately?"

T'challa, the King of Wakanda and also known as the Black panther joined in and asked Steve for a moment alone. She always found him intimidating, with Thor it was a different kind of presence, he may be a god but he was also approachable and nice, T'challa on the other hand was quiet and calculating. She timidly smiled at him and gestured for Steve to go.

"Of course." They went outside. She couldn't help but feel worried, King T'challas demeanor seemed off.

"Jesus! You look horrible. I thought you were supposed to be a healer?" She gasped at the voice. It was Dr. Strange, who already took liberty on checking out her bruises, touching them as if they were in a hospital.

"I know, how's your hands?" She laughed awkwardly but immediately stopped as a she felt a sharp pain on her sides. Did she really look like shit?

"They are perfect. Thank you." He waved his hands and clenching them close and opening it as if he was just seeing it for the first time. He still wore that weird ring on his finger.

She remembered how she met him and accidentally healed his hands when they shook hands, Stephen has been so shocked that he lifted her off her feet thanking her. It appeared that his hands have been a hopeless case and he has already accepted the reality.

"So you two huh? Maybe i should stop hanging around you guys. You'll attract trouble with all that stones on your bodies."

She joked at both of them, Stephen openly laughed scratching his weird facial hair while Vision just smiled, running his fingers on the stone in his forehead. It gleamered even with the low light. A dark feeling flowed inside her and thought about Vision's and Stephens safety.

"Make that three."

They turned to Steve emerging with King T'challa behind him.

"I'll assemble a group.." He whispered at the black panther, who nodded. Okoye was already at his side, waiting for orders from her King.

"Sam, Bucky, Bruce, Nat, prepare your gears. We'll get going as soon as possible." Murmurs were heard from the new recruits.

"Where are we going Cap?" Sam questioned, the rest of names that were called were already walking their way.

"We're going to Wakanda."