Hey, here's the new chapter. In case I haven't said so before, these one-shots have no particular order. More are soon to come, but in the meantime, I hope you enjoy this chapter. After the next chapter, I'll most likely get back to the main story which will shortly take place in Asgard before transitioning to AOS.

Like always, I do not own Marvel, only my Oc's.

Dreamworld/ Recording (I apologize if some people get confused)

Girl's day out

"Ugh!" the youngest of the trio groans. "Can we please do something else? Anything! I'll even pay you guy's if we do something else."

"Not a chance!" the red-head duo chime to the raven-hair girl.

Today the three females, Calliope, Natasha, and Pepper, decided to have a girl's day out. More like the two older females kidnapped the youngest as soon as she got out of class. Pepper concluded some time ago that Calliope needs more female interactions. Natasha didn't mind the plan since becoming friends with the two females, so she agreed to help. This is how the three females found themselves in a limousine on the way to the spa, much to Calliope's horror.

"Come on, you guys! Y'all know I'm not a girly girl," Calliope points out to the two. To prove her point, she proceeds to aim their attention at her outfit. Even with the new clothes, Stark bought the girl (he threw away anything he deemed horrendous), Calliope stuck to the simple side. A plain long sleeve emerald shirt, black high-waist skinny jeans, and black leather boots. The only piece of jewelry she has on are silver clip-on hoop earrings since normal earrings can't pierce through her skin. Her normally wavy black hair is straight for once, reaching her waist.

"Calliope, I understand this isn't what you usually do, but can you please give it a chance?" Pepper inquires as Happy parks the car beside the spa. "Just humor me for today."

"I don't know Pep-"

"If you do," Natasha interrupts the girl mid-sentence. "I'll give that anime you were telling me about a chance."

"Fine!" Calliope agrees as she jumps out of the vehicle before Happy can open the door. For some time now, the younger girl has been attempting to find an anime buddy among her friends. Bruce is not a fan, Steve dislikes it, Pepper doesn't understand it, Clint is annoyed by it, and Tony refuses to answer whether or not he has seen any. The man simply loves to irritate her. Calliope's last hope is to get Natasha on board and hope for the best since Thor isn't here.

As the women enter the building, Calliope begins to feel self-conscious again. This isn't the type of thing she usually goes for during her time off. True, a part of herself has always wondered what it would be like to enter an establishment such as this, but she never did. Due to her discomfort (and lack of money at one point), she steered clear of it. Now, it seems she no longer has a choice.

"Ugh, what I would give to be out in the skies today."

No one?

"You look upset," Calliope bluntly points out to her best friend. "What's wrong?

"Nothing," Steve replies as he takes a sip from his coffee. "Just thinking."

It's Friday afternoon, and the two heroes are off duty. This is the first time the two have seen each other in weeks. Steve suddenly had an influx of missions while Calliope juggled her new training regimen and schoolwork. Exams are coming up and the girl is stressed about anything including math. Nevertheless, as soon as the two heard of their free afternoon, they decide to meet at their favorite coffee shop.

"Don't lie to me, Steve. I know something is up whenever you pull that face. Is it the museum?"

"No, not really."

"Not really? So, indirectly it does involve your exhibit."

"...maybe..."

Not too long ago, The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., opened a Captain America exhibit. It's to honor the man out of time who defeated the odds. However, Steve never wanted to visit the exhibition but was forced to be a show monkey and appear during the opening of the presentation to please the public. Still, he somehow managed to avoid entering the building thanks to Calliope coming up with a lie and swooping down to kidnap the man behind the scenes. For weeks he would lie, promising to enter the building at a later date, but he would slip away before going through the front doors. Calliope never pushed Steve to visit the museum, which the captain is grateful for. Natasha, on the other hand, thought it would be amusing to bring the man to the exhibition, so she convinced Steve to take her there. Once inside, Natasha realized her mistake and called Calliope to come help Steve. To say the radioactive woman was furious with the Russian is an understatement. Since that day, Steve has remained quiet around the redhead unless they were on missions.

"Someone I saw there," The blond quietly replies. "Someone from my past."

"Bucky?"

"No."

"Then~? Oh, you mean Peggy."

Steve merely nods his head at the young woman. Some time ago, late into the night, the two friends opened up about the ones they loved and lost. Neither one went into too much detail, but enough for the other to get the gist.

"I know it hurts, and I can't imagine how it feels, but-" Calliope pauses as she places her hand on top of Steve's. "-you can still see her. She's given you special clearance to visit her whenever you want."

"I know, and I'm grateful. It's just difficult seeing Peggy like that."

"I know what you mean. It's the same reason I limit my visits to Christopher. Tears my heart out to see him in that state, but there isn't a thing we can do to save them. Kind of ironic when you think about it, considering we're hero's."

A silence falls between the two as a waitress walks by to refill their mugs with more coffee. When the waitress leaves, Calliope uses the rest of the sugar packets along with the creamer to sweeten her cup of coffee. Thankfully, Steve drinks his coffee black, so she doesn't need to share.

"It's hard moving on when the love of your life is right in front of you, but still out of reach. Plus, it doesn't help when Natasha keeps trying to set me on dates," Steve groans into his hands.

"Really? Why is she trying to set you up with random hoes?"

"Cal!"

"Okay, I'm sorry," laughed the raven-hair beauty. "With random harlots?"

"I don't know," Steve shrugs, not bothering to correct his best friend as he lifts his mug of coffee to his lips. "She's been doing this since the whole museum visit. She's probably provoking me into speaking."

"I don't think Natasha would do that. Most likely, it's her way of apologizing."

"How is this a way of apologizing?"

"Think of it like this, Natasha is helping you move on by setting you on dates. I guess she feels bad you saw something of Peggy's."

"Well, she didn't actually see Peggy."

"Hmm?"

"Well, we were right about to head into the section with her information when I backed out... That's when-"

"-she called me," Calliope finished for the man. "Well, in any case, this is her way of helping you move on."

"I wish she wouldn't," Steve mutters under his breath, but the Latina hears him nonetheless.

"Can I ask you something, Steve?"

"Of course."

"Why don't you go on a date with one of these women Natasha is trying to set you up with?"

"Because... because I can't."

"Can't or won't?"

"Won't"

"And why is that?"

"Probably the same reason you won't," Steve replies to his friend. "I can't get over my first love."

"Fair enough," Calliope mentions with her hands raised in surrender. "I don't think I even know what it means to date."

"What do you mean? You must have gone on plenty of dates."

"Actually, I haven't. I never went on dates with Christopher. You see, we met during our days being experimented on by that crazy monocule scientist. Our cells were next to each other, and only reinforced bullet-proof glass separated us. We became friends by creating a code only we could understand. When we escaped, we were relatively young, and the only thought we had was survival. To be honest with you, I don't even recall the day we became a couple. It just happened, and neither one of us questioned it. If I were to date someone right now, I wouldn't know where to start."

"Neither would I."

"Really?"

"Honestly, I wouldn't. Sure I went on dates, but Bucky was the one who set them up. Plus, the girl would usually leave me before the date officially started... since we're being honest, I'll even admit something to you. Before Peggy came along, I didn't know how to speak to women. Hell, most of my early conversations with Peggy were a mess. It's a miracle Peggy even stayed by my side."

"I don't know," Calliope shrugs playfully. "You still flounder from time to time."

"Ha ha ha, very funny."

Silence once again reigned between the two, but this one is more comfortable than the last. It isn't until the two finish their coffee's when Steve decides to speak again.

"So, you aren't going to attempt a relationship in the future?"

"Nope."

"Don't you want a family?"

"No... I had my family, but now they're gone. I'd be content to spend the rest of my days without a family to call my own. This is why I've never searched out my birth father. I don't want to love someone who will end up dying because they know me."

"So you're running away?"

"I'm not running."

"Sounds like it, Cal."

"No, what I'm doing is saving myself from heartache. I understand my place in life."

"Which is?"

"To be alone. I had my family, and before I turned 17, they were gone. Dead. In the ground or their minds. I'm done with making families. I can't watch another person die, so I rather stay alone."

"Then what are you doing here with me?"

"Well... I- um..."

"Cal?"

"...Un dia, I'll tell you. Until then, let me be. Por que ahorita, I don't have the courage to speak it into existence."

"Then I'll wait until you're ready."

Together

The hush that fell over their environment is overwhelming. For a month now, the two have met within their dreams as they slept. Like always, a nightmare links the two together, but the nightmares halt once they find the other. Then the world melts away until the two are stuck within a grey room. Like always, they merely stare at one another until they awake from their slumber. Tonight is no different from any other as pink eyes gaze at into green orbs.

"Okay, I can't take this anymore," Calliope complains as she dramatically grabs her cheeks, pulls on them, and then releases them with a groan. "Every night, it's the same thing! Silence! And it's driving me crazy!"

"And what do you suppose we do?"

"...Talk?"

"Why in the world would I, a god, converse with you?"

"First of all," Calliope grumbles as she marches towards him to jab her finger on his chest. "You are no god. There is only one God, and his name is Jesus Christ. Second, I warned you the first time we met after the battle of New York that I hate any form of racism. For a person who doesn't wish to be called a monster due to his bloodline, you sure are full of yourself."

"Silence! We may be stuck within our minds, but I can-"

"You can, what? Torture me? Hurt me? Make me see my past?! Guess what! You can't hurt me anymore than my own mind has! SO SHUT UP!"

Loki remains silent as the woman in front of him seethes with anger. He has never seen the girl angry before. Of course, when Loki first met Calliope in the dungeons in Asgard, she was annoyed by Odin's comments, and now in her nightmares, she's paler than before due to her fear. Nevertheless, she was never angry at anyone, especially not him. Which is odd since she has every reason to kill him.

"I thought you wanted to chat," Loki jokes, his hands raised in surrender. Calliope doesn't respond as she turns from the older being, and returns to her previous space."Perhaps you are right. However, I am accustomed to a particular style of living."

"You mean pushing your status in everyone's face to protect yourself?"

"...yes," Loki confirms, albeit hesitantly. Normally, the man would lie in situations such as this, but the young woman has seen his memories through his dreams. It's pointless to lie if one is already aware of the truth.

"Listen, I understand you don't trust me, but I'm not asking you to. I just don't want to be stuck in a staring contest every night. Believe it or not, I'm an anxious person, and us staring at each other each night isn't helping my nerves."

"Very well, but there is nothing to speak of. We are two extremely distinct beings. What is there to say?"

"A lifetime," the woman expresses as she turns to face the former prince. Abruptly, the room they've been stuck in crumbles away behind Calliope, and a world unlike any he has ever seen before unfolds.

"How are you doing this?"

"If this is simply our dreams colliding together, then we no longer need to submit to it," Calliope says as she gently holds out her hand and takes a step into the new world with one foot inside the grey room to await the man before her. "Will you join me?"

Loki freezes once he hears Calliope utter those four words. No one has ever asked the youngest Prince of Asgard this question. Odin always forced him to obey, and Thor merely dragged Loki along his adventures. His so-called friends never wanted him by their side as they favored Thor along with the rest of Asgard. Even his brief moment with the Mad Titan was a version of enslavement. In the end, Loki never had a choice... until now. The first time in his life, someone asked Loki if he would join them. Of course, his heart will betray him as it flutters with hope. His mind, on the other hand, wants to deny this opportunity. If it's a trick, and she betrays him, Loki will be vulnerable to her attacks. However, if this isn't a lie, then perhaps, just once, he can find happiness for himself.

Slowly, the man who was once a prisoner in his own mind steps into a world of freedom. Hand in hand, the odd pair step into a world of their own creation.

Laoshi

"Um… hello?" Calliope greets the aging man. "Why are you in my apartment?"

It's Friday afternoon when Calliope arrives at her apartment in Washington, D.C. It hasn't been long since her return from Asgard and her discussion with Fury. Many changes have happened since then, but not enough to warrant a stranger to enter her apartment. The man himself probably stands at 5'4. Most likely Asian or islander due to his features. The clothes he wears are that of a monk, but Calliope isn't a hundred percent sure since she doesn't know many facts about their lifestyle. He has graying white hair that's tied into a braid that reaches his mid-back. His facial hair, on the other hand, is short and neat. With tan skin, strict brown eyes, and wrinkles galore, the elder doesn't induce much presence.

"Calliope Rodriguez," The man speaks with a heavy accent. "I am Xiang Tzu Liu. I am here to examine you."

"Why?"

"I hear you need a teacher. I am here to teach, but first, I must test you."

"Okay... but why are you going to test me before teaching me?" The woman asked as she closes the front door behind her and fully enters her home. "Shouldn't you at least teach me some type of form before making me fight?"

"Wrong test," Xiang Tzu replies as he walks into the kitchen. "Tea?"

"Sure... but I don't have any tea," Calliope hesitantly answers as she follows the man. She's only mildly surprised to notice the man pouring two cups with hot sweet-smelling liquid. "Those aren't my cups..."

"Of course not! Why would I use your cups when I have my own."

"Why are you traveling with an entire tea set? AND TEA?!"

"I knew you didn't have any," Xiang Tzu calmly responds as he passes her a cup. "You look horrendous. With tea, you will rejuvenate."

"Say's the 70-year-old man with wrinkles."

"What?! These are my beauty marks. They mark the continual life I have been blessed with. Do not be, as they say, a hater."

"You still look old."

"Well, I am not 70, so of course I appear this way."

"Wait, how old are you?"

"220-years-old."

"220!"

"Yes, my xuésheng."

"Wait, hold up," Calliope said as she holds up a single hand. "What does xuésheng mean?"

"Student. You are my xuésheng, and I am your Laoshi."

"Wh-what about the test?"

"You passed," Xiang Tzu shrugs to the girl. "Now drink your tea."

"You're crazy," the Latina whispers as she drinks her tea. However, the man still hears her and smacks her shoulder. "OW!"

"No whining, it did not hurt," He commands as he smacks her again, this time with a stick he whips out of nowhere. "And do not spill the tea!"

Trust

"I swear that man is everywhere," Calliope complains to Edwards. "School, my apartment, and sometimes NYC."

"He is an odd man," Edward agrees with the younger woman.

"You don't even know the half of it. During our last training session, Laoshi threw me around like a rag doll! He's 220-years-old, and he doesn't have superpowers. Plus, he's addicted to tea. He's like general Iroh from ATLA."

"Who?"

"Edwards, don't tell me you still haven't seen Avatar: The Last Airbender."

...

"Edwards?"

"You said not to tell you," the brunette shyly smiles at the Avenger. The two begin to laugh as they continue their walk through the Academy. "By the way, how has everything been? It's been months since the whole Asgard thing. Do you feel any better?"

"Of course, but you don't have to ask each month. I promise I've changed."

"I know you have, and I'm proud of you. Still, I worry about you. It's not just because of my job that I'm saying this. I see you as a friend, and I want to be there for you like you have for me."

"Thanks, Edwards, but I think you're giving me too much credit. I haven't done anything for you. Saving the world doesn't count since I live here too."

Edwards doesn't bother telling the woman the truth as they continue their walk through the halls of the Academy. She simply continues to enjoy their walk because one day, they'll no longer be able to do so. Not if her boss, Alexander Pierce, has anything to do with it. At this point, she can only pray that Project Insight will be postponed so she can continue to spend more time with Star Ray.

Opinions

6:45 pm

January 10, 2013

"I don't understand? Why do I have to do this?"

"I don't know," Agent Hill replies as she sits on the opposite side from the other woman. "I didn't ask."

"So once I finish these questions, I can leave?"

"Yes."

"Alright, so what are these questions about?"

"You need to describe each of the Avengers. First impressions to current views and power levels. Let's start with Dr. Banner, aka the Hulk."

"Hmmm, quiet man who was afraid of his own shadow. My opinion hasn't really changed since then. The Hulk, I dare say, is nearly indestructible. The only thing that gives me a leg up is the radiation coursing through his veins."

"Are you saying you can tame him?"

"Neither the Hulk nor Bruce are animals. However, I can possibly control his movements if need be. I'm not too sure since I've never controlled someone before, but in a worst-case scenario, I can try this strategy."

"Is Banner aware of this?"

"Yes, and he approves of this plan as a last-ditch effort to settle the Hulk."

"Very well, let's move to the next person on the team. Iron Man?"

"Arrogant genius who is too full of himself. Now? An interesting character who worries about those around him and not enough of himself. A good friend. Equipment? Versatile."

"Black Widow?"

"In the beginning, I will simply say her motives were unclear. Since then, secretive, deceiving, and bewildering. Still, she has shown to be a caring person who cares about those around her. In total, I would say she's a bit of an enigma. The skills Natasha possesses are superb. In a regular setting, she is by far superior to those around her. Next to the Avengers... I worry."

"Why?"

"She has no powers or equipment. Nonetheless, during the battle of New York, she was able to hold her own. I could be worrying for nothing."

"Thor?"

"...I didn't like him..."

"Star Ray, you know what I mean. This isn't about personal feelings."

"Kind of seems like it."

"Let's just get back to the question."

"Okay, okay... um... more of a solo player who followed his own way of thinking. Thought of himself and his people as the perfect beings."

"What about now?"

"A wonderful friend who is willing to move the realms themselves to save the innocent. A trustworthy individual."

"His powers."

"Awesome, to say the least."

"Star Ray!"

"Sorry! Um, well, they are significantly powerful. I'd say Thor is on the same level as myself when it comes to power and ferocity; however, if it comes to mastery of the arts, he is ahead of me by far."

"Hawkeye?"

"There is a lot to say about him... how far should I go?"

"Keep it brief."

"Like Agent Romanoff, Barton was like an enigma. It was unclear what he really cared for, but it was obvious to see where his loyalties lie... He cares for others even when there is nothing he can benefit from. Clint never gives up on you even when you have. He keeps fighting against the odds time and time again. The way he-"

"Thank you, and his skill set?"

...

"I said keep it brief. You were rambling."

"Fine, his skill set is incredible, and his accuracy is deadly. The only thing I would complain about is the lack of weapons."

"Explain."

"So now you want me to ramble?"

"STAR RAY!"

"UGH! It's true, Hill, and you know it!"

"Answer the question."

"Fine, whatever."

"Without the attitude."

"Now that is asking for a bit too much, but hey, I'll try my best. Let's see, to start off, Clint ran out of arrows during the battle. For an agency that prides itself in technological advances, you didn't think to give him more than one set of arrows."

"...Moving on, -ahem- What about Captain America?"

"A strange man who no one can compare to."

"Alright? What about now?"

"A being unlike any I have ever met."

"Skills."

"Unique."

Fury pauses the video right at that moment. He's seen this recording about a hundred times, and he still can't make any sense out of it. Rewinding it doesn't help, so Fury merely shuts it off.

The video of Calliope speaking about each of the Avengers was taped on the second week of January. Some time has passed since then, but it's clear to him what she meant for the most part. Her analysis of the other Avengers is accurate, but Calliope's deduction of the Captain is strange. At first, he thought it was admiration, perhaps puppy love, but that isn't the case. Something else is there, and he isn't sure what it is. What is clear is where her loyalties lie. If the day comes when Captain America becomes a threat, Fury is certain Calliope will still follow him until the bitter end. If that's the case, he wonders what Raja will do to fix it. He hasn't seen the otherworldly being for about 4 or so years. She never even mentioned half of the things he's currently facing! Still, he should be used to it by now. Raja never promised to tell him all of her secrets or plans. As far as he knows they're still on schedule, but...

"She's not even here, and Star Ray is STILL capable of giving me a headache!"

Agent File

Revision as of February 18, 2013

Name: Calliope E. Rodriguez

Code Name: Star Ray

DOB: Unknown (estimated to be 18 yrs)

Document Citizenship: United States

Place of Birth: Houston (Hospital unknown)

Gender: Female

Eyes: Magenta (originally brown)

Hair: Black

Height: 167.64 cm ~ 5'6

Weight: 68 kg

Skin Tone: Porcelain

Ethnicity: Hispanic/Latina

Language: Spanish and English

Identifiable Markings: Eyes

Family: Most of her relatives are deceased. However, it has come to light she may have a father who is still alive. No other details exist.

Highest level of Education completed: Middle school. Calliope dropped out of High School soon after the death of her sister. Currently attending S.H.I.E.L.D. academy.

Current place of Employment: S.H.I.E.L.D.

Titles: Agent/ Avenger

Alias: Cal, Callie, Kid, Sweetheart, Star Ray, Lady Rodriguez

Skills/Abilities: Powers to control, absorb, and discharge radiation. Hand-to-hand combat of Northern Shaolin. Strength, flight, agility, self-healing, enhanced senses (sight).

Weakness: Unknown

Hoped you guys liked the chapter! Please let me know your thoughts on the story thus far. Until next time!