[ AU: I know I'm late... had a rough time settling back into college. This time, though, I'm not disappearing. Just delayed. I already have the next chapter drafted out. Just let me get through this hellish week of tests, and there will be more.
Thank you, everyone, for being so awesome!
- KB ]

•~• CHAPTER TEN: ONE STEP CLOSER •~•

Brightness. That was all he could really recall when thinking back to the day of his rescue. After spending day after day cooped up in an underground facility, the natural light of the sun was not just foreign to him—but painfully bright. Jack found himself holding a hand over his eyes, blinking quickly to try and make out the shapes around him. In the distance, though he heard the Director's voice. A sound that had quickly become a source of comfort, and while Fury was far from a good man, he was the only one presently that Jack trusted. "Agent Coulson, Agent Barton—meet our new recruit."

When at last his eyes adjusted, the pale skinned experiment found himself gawking up at a massive contraption. He could tell instantly that it flew, from the large metallic wingspan, but it was nothing like what his fractured memories told him a plane should look like. Though he didn't have long to take in the beauty of the transportation vehicle, noticing Fury standing before the cargo-entrance and waving him over. He swallowed hard before padding over, still clad in his light-almost hospital like garb as he approached the group of agents. All the while his staff never left his palm, resting easily between curled fingers. Odds are it would never leave his side so long as he lived.

"So this is Frost? Hmm, certainly looks the part." A significantly shorter man rattled off, humming in amusement as he looked over the newly freed prospect. He then ran a hand over his receding hairline, imagining just how much work this new kid could cause for him. It had been a long while since anyone on the Index had been given an open spot on his team, and he eyed Fury in silent question. There must have been something about Frost that tiered him higher than the other gifted subjects.

"Yeah, yeah, nice to meet you newbie. Now can we leave this place? Gives me a bad vibe, and I'm sure Frost will agree. The sooner we get this thing air born, the better." The one who Jack assumed was Agent Barton was the next to speak, and quickly drug his own opinion into the mix. The elemental could only nod briefly in response, not quite sure of the conversation at hand but knowing that he wished to leave more than anything.

"Alright, let's get her up." Fury commanded, lightly grabbing Jack by his forearm and ushering him inside just behind the other agents. Coulson glanced over his shoulder, smiling in an attempt to appear friendly, but it was lost on the experiment. All he knew is that he wanted to be gone. Anywhere but the lab, even if that was the only home he knew.

Up ahead, Barton strapped himself into the pilot seat, and raised up the headset that had been previously dangling from his neck. Already he was programming the bird for a direct flight to headquarters, readying the systems as the massive engines tucked beneath the wings roared to life.

"Buckle up kid, and do your best to not freeze my plane." Fury added once they were inside, pointing Jack towards a seat before he took worked up to the cockpit. The white haired male was more than willing to comply, settling into the molded seats and snapping the buckles across his form. Coulson took it upon himself to take up the next seat, strapping in and watching the boy with great curiosity. "You're in good hands now, I promise you." He muttered, still trying to befriend the inductee. In the background there was a loud electronic whirl as the hatch closed up and the flyer prepared for takeoff.

He merely nodded in response to the pleasantries, clearly untrained on how to respond to such nice behavior. "So you are… Agent Coulson?" He asked, trying to at least learn the names of his new co-workers.

"Yes, and your new boss—well, besides the big guy up there. I've been charged with your care and adjusting you to the life of an agent. Sorry you never got a proper recruitment, but well, it was the easiest way to bust you from that concrete sandbox." –and there it was again, that warming smile that offered a small sense of comfort, but even more questions.

Jack nodded solemnly, looking away again as he returned to studying the creases of his hands. Propped up against him, as always, the staff of wood rested. Soon the plane was far above the Earth, and the child couldn't help a tiny sense of excitement. No more doctors. No more white-washed walls. The world had color, and people of all personalities. Frost couldn't even begin to understand where he fit in it all, but he would gladly try and find his place. It was all he could do, after all.

"D'aww, he's definitely cuter passed out. Guessing we can't leave him..?" Barton teased, venturing back into the cargo bay and loading a familiar bow on his back. Such comments gained him a stern look from Fury, that one eye being o'-so-terrible, and with an amused grin, he gave a nudge to the sleeping experimental. "Rise and shine, sleeping wonder."

With a mumble, two iced over eyes fluttered open, the boy just now realizing that he had dosed off somewhere during the flight. "Mmm? …oh yeah." Smothering a yawn with the back of his hand, Jack made quick work of ditching the restraints and hopping to his feet. "..w-where are we?"

"Your new home." Fury responded, never failing to miss a beat. He gestured to the opened hatch with a gloved hand, Coulson already off the bird and waiting for them at the bottom.

Frost rocked on his heels before tentatively moving to the exit, every step causing leaflets of frost to spring up around his toes, creating a beautiful sheen to the rubber and metal. Barton commented something about a 'safety hazard' behind him, but the boy wasn't paying any attention. Instead he joined the SHIELD agent's side and offered a shy smile. Though, he quickly noticed that they weren't alone. Internally, the teen couldn't help but panic as it suddenly came to his attention that they were surrounded by agents. Lower level, elite, task force… everyone moving about the central port with their own duties in mind and nothing else. Out of such anxiety for crowds, Jack moved closer to Phil's side, though soon Barton came up and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Come on, kid. Lets get you up to our hanger. Banner is already waiting." He muttered, leading Jack down a side ramp and towards the nearest door.

Coulson hung back after hearing such a proclamation, looking to Fury with concern. "…Banner? Do you really think that's wise?"

Fury chuckled at such questioning, smile turned back to his agent. "Phil, that kid is going to need reassurance that he's not some freak of nature. Who better than to make sure he's stable and mentally sound?"

Coulson just scratched at his balding head, watching the other two disappear into the branching alleyways. "...I've learned not to question your ways. I just hope that you're right… I mean.. he is just a kid. Didn't even know what he was getting into." There was an underlying tone of silence to his words, imagining so much more than the reports he had been shown years ago. The plans he himself had helped set in motion.

"He's our kid now. It's up to us to make sure that he becomes the asset he was designed to be." Fury responded. Indifferent, though Phil knew better.

"OH. I forgot.." The agent chimed, realizing that he had completely neglected the present he had toted along for the boy. Circling back through the plane, he snatched up a small article of clothing before bringing it out to show the director. "Thought he might want something a little more comfortable.."

Held outstretched between his hands was a navy blue hoodie.