Carmen woke up an hour later. When her eyes opened, it felt like she wasn't seeing her surroundings straight. Groaning, she tried to sit up.
"Glad to see you up." said Steve.
Carmen nearly jumped.
"What happened?" she asked.
"You were overwhelmed." explained Steve.
"I was trying to go help you." said Carmen, flushing.
"Don't worry about it. We'll make our move soon and it will be over." said Steve.
"I should leave. I never meant to stay."
"What?"
"I'm causing more harm than good. I almost, I almost..." started Carmen, but she felt so ashamed she couldn't continue.
"Carmen, you did your best. You did good."
"Steve, you're Captain America. You are on trading cards, you saved lives and served for your country. You've done good. But I can never do that. I can never be good. I can't even save myself."
"Carmen, what happened?" inquired Steve.
Carmen sighed.
"SHIELD wasn't around yet, but there was a couple of the founding members including Nick Fury that did missions. Anyway, I first found out about my powers when I was 6. A week after my 6th birthday, they had too. Fury and his mentor at the time came for a house call. They insisted they take me to their headquarters until I could control my powers correctly. My parents put their foot down, saying I should have a normal childhood, and help me discover how to use it for good if at all. They didn't like that."
Steve looked at Carmen, taking this all in. He wasn't sure if he even wanted to ask her to keep talking about her past.
"They tried to force me out of there, and my parents were putting up a fight. 'She could be a potential threat if she cannot control herself'' they said. 'She's our child, and we will decide what's right for her.' my dad said. I was confused, scared and angry. My powers were growing and soon it became too much to bear. I lost control, and couldn't tell what was happening around me. When I came to myself, my parents, ...my parents... I killed them. Fury and his friends were a little shaken but fine. But my parents,.. it was my fault.
I learned yoga, martial arts and different styles of boxing. I even went to India to learn the different methods meditation. My powers were only used as a last resort in self defense until I came here, but no matter what I try I cannot change what I did. I cannot clean my hands of their blood."
Carmen couldn't talk anymore. She was consumed by her own tears. Steve was shocked. He didn't quite know what to do. He couldn't stand to see her like this. She seemed so tough when they first met, but now the truth was out. Even hearing this though, he couldn't be scared of her. Getting up from the chair he was sitting in, he sat on what open space was available on the bed. He reached for her hand and took it consolingly. She didn't try to move it, instead she was still crying. Steve couldn't find words to say. She laid her head on his shoulder, and Steve looked at her, but didn't budge.
They sat there for what felt like eternity, when Steve decided he should go see what was going on and their plan. He felt bad for leaving Carmen but she would probably need a few minutes to herself.
"I'm going to go, and I'll be back soon. If you need anything, let me know." said Steve gently to Carmen.
She had fallen asleep. Steve didn't blame her. She had been through so much. What really had him shocked was that she told him her secret. As he left, he looked at her resting. Captain America swore on his life he would do whatever he could to help her be free of this guilt.