Dedicated to Kyla, who finds it impossible to hate me for more than 5 minutes.

CHAPTER TEN

"She WHAT!" Angel yelled disbelievingly, staring open mouthed at Director Fury, "How did this happen!"

"Apparently she used a bit of your manipulation to charm a pilot into flying her to the mainland. We're currently keeping the pilot in his quarters, waiting for the effect to abate so he can tell us where she went." Fury said calmly, looking at his computer that was searching global cameras for Sharon Carver's location.

"Okay I get that she was mad, but she wouldn't just leave, not without me or at least informing me!" Angel said, feeling completely winded at the turn of events. She understood Sharon was afraid of people finding out they were mutants, but she didn't think she would react this way.

"We need her back here as soon as possible, without her here we have a serious disadvantage. She was last seen with Agent Barton in the boxing room." Nick looked over to Clint, who was leaning against the wall looking frustrated and concerned, "Agent Barton? Care to explain what may have occurred."

"She came into the weapons room and proceeded to go to town on one of the punching bags. I managed to subdue when I saw it was getting out of hand, then she proceeded to breakdown. After I…er… comforted and calmed her down, she stood and left, not before we argued briefly about the nature of her breakdown; which she didn't tell me." He then proceeded to glare at Fury and Angel, "Someone care to share why she had an emotional breakdown and how she managed to use 'manipulation' to get a SHEILD pilot to take her to shore and temporarily forget where?"

Angel sighed and sat down, Fury looked over to her, "I think it's time to let him in."

She nodded her head slowly before raising her head and making eye contact with Clint, "Sharon and I are mutants."

*.*.*.*.*.

Sharon walked the trail in the forest until she was deep in. It wasn't safe for her to enter civilian territory, as shield would be using every camera in the area to look for her face and ID her. She'd packed enough food to last her a day or two along with other survival supplies. She figured she could trek through the wilderness for a few days until she found a remote convenience store where she could stock up for a few more days.

She tried to ignore the nagging feeling of guilt for not talking to Angel before leaving. She didn't want to be stopped; she knew Angel would have just kept her there with the threat of their secrets being exposed.

Sharon knew Angel wanted to tell people, but Angel didn't have the same fears as Sharon. Angel was sure the people would accept them with open arms. Sharon didn't feel the same way; she had her fair share of people throwing her out and running away as if she were a leper.

Sharon shook her head and picked up her pace, refusing to bring up the painful memories that surrounded her early life. She stopped when she reached a meadow and sat down. She closed her eyes for a moment and laid back in the grass.

"You seem lost."

Sharon's eyes shot open and she sat up and looked around her wildly. The meadow was empty. She sat up further and slowly scanned the area, bracing herself to make a run for it.

"Don't worry, no one is here to take you back."

The voice came from behind her; Sharon stood and whipped around. Her eyes widened as she saw a man who wasn't there before. He was tall, with long black hair and a pale complexion. He was dressed in a black suit with a cane in front of him, the head of it glowing blue.

Sharon met his gaze, "Loki."

*.*.*.*.*.

Clint remained frozen, Angel waited for a reaction of any sort, but none came. His mind was moving a mile a minute, he started putting the pieces together and coming to conclusions.

"We met at the Xavier school and became fast friends. I have the ability to manipulate people and put thoughts into their heads. Sharon's power is-"

"Marksmanship?" Clint said, remembering the time in the shooting range when she shot his arrow in half.

Angel chuckled, "Way more than that. Sharon has the ability to absorb other people's talents and powers and use them to her advantage. She absorbs them lightly when she is in certain proximity of a person, but absorbs them completely when she touches them. It's only for a brief period, duration depending on how long she's been in physical contact with the person."

"But it's very useful and powerful, as she can absorb multiple abilities at once and use them to the best advantage simultaneously." Fury added, walking around his computer and looking at Barton, "Ms. Carver was able to pick up on the energy signature when she briefly absorbed Professor Xavier's ability and found out about the incident. She and Angel decided to come to us so long as their abilities where kept secret."

"Sharon is afraid of how people will react. She's had a few… bad experiences." Angel said, shuddering at some of the incidences she recalled Sharon telling her about, they were not for the faint of heart.

Barton was silent, putting it all together in his head. Fury walked up to Barton and gained eye contact, "We need her back Barton, and it is detrimental to this mission that she is here to help. Can you handle bringing her back in one piece?"

"I can." He said, knowing in his mind he'll do anything possible to have her back where he could see her safe. He wanted her back so he could make things right and hopefully hold her again, but first he needed find her and bring her back.

*.*.*.*.*.

She knew him from the files she had read and stories she'd heard. She may not have seen a picture, but she'd seen renderings passed down through the ages of all the Norse gods, and Loki fit his perfectly.

He smiled, "You know my name."

"I know your brother." Sharon said, "Or should I say adopted brother?"

Loki watched her for a moment, "You seem to be in some distress, is there any way I may help?"

Sharon smirked, "From the god of mischief? I didn't think the word 'help' was even in your vocabulary."

"I know your secret." He said, Sharon's smile went away. She took one step back, ready to turn and run.

"Don't run, I mean to help you. You and I are not so different." He took a step forward and began to approach Sharon, "We are both underestimated by others."

"Not all," Sharon said, "Angel and Director Fury know my power, they know they need me."

"But the others don't. They all think you're a mere bit of entertainment for your friend, that you're only used for moral support."

Sharon's eyes blazed, "I'm more than that."

"I know, but they don't." Loki stopped two feet away from her; "I know that with your power, I would appreciate you day and night and never underestimate you. I'd treat you like the queen you were meant to be."

Sharon felt herself flush a bit at his flattery; while she felt complimented by his statements, she could tell he had ulterior motives and had a purpose for luring her with his charms.

"Not to beat around the bush here, but why are you talking to me in the middle of a forest? You don't look like you're going on a nature hike."

Loki chuckled, "How observant of you. I was looking for you, hoping for a moment alone and was pleased when the opportunity presented itself," He brushed a lock of hair out of Sharon's face, his hand was ice cold against her cheek, "I have plans for your planet. Your race could use rulers, and I hope to be the one to usurp that position."

"You said 'rulers', who would be the other ruler?" Sharon asked.

"You." Loki said, looking her, "With your abilities, we could rule over this planet for era's, our dynasty would last forever. You have the power to make the nine realms all fall to their knees before you."

"I'm only a glorified sponge, I soak up abilities for a only a few moments." Sharon said, shivering as Loki cupped her face with his cold hand.

"You and I both know that's not true. Even your two friends don't know the extent of your abilities, I do though," He whispered, smiling as Sharon's eyes widened, "Don't demean yourself, this world was made to be ruled, and you were made to rule it with me."