Hey guys I'm back with a new chapter I hope you guys like it! Like always I don't own Marvel only my Oc's

Silence… it was completely silent as we ate our meals. As we agreed earlier all of us met up at the shawarma place like Stark had wanted to. When we first arrived it came to our realization that none of us even knew for sure if the shop was open or not. Most likely it wasn't which made sense because an alien invasion literally just happened five minutes ago but as it turns out it was still up and running. When the invasion first started the couple who owned the shop were inside serving some of their customers food and instead of running home which was a couple of blocks away they chose to stay inside and hide. They actually saw a few of us fighting in the city from where they were hiding behind the counter and they thanked us by giving us some free food. We thanked them for their kindness… especially when I realized I had no money to begin with so I got lucky. What? I'm broke it's not like I got paid to save the day.

Currently, I was sitting in between Thor and Stark across from the infamous assassin twins. Like I said before none of us were speaking as we ate our food. We were all exhausted or in shock after today's events so talking wasn't really on the top of anyone's list right now, plus I just wanted to enjoy the food. It was actually really good and I was surprised I never heard of it until today. It sucks that I won't be able to eat food like this for a while since well… I was going back to prison soon. They haven't told me at what time or what day I would be going back but I know it will be some time soon. I'm not too sure how I feel about going back to prison let alone solitary confinement. To be honest I still don't like people or a lot of other things in this world but maybe it's not as bad as I once thought it was. Maybe I could… my train of thought was stopped when a fry hit me in between my eyes. I looked up and saw Clint giving me za tired smile with another fry in his hand ready to throw at me in any second.

"Do you have a reason for wasting good food and throwing it at me?" I asked him as I picked up the fry he threw at me and popped it in my mouth. It's not like it touched the floor it landed on the table when it bounced off of my forehead.

"I was trying to offer you some of my food since I'm not that hungry." Clint explained to me as he pointed to the remaining fries he had on his plate.

"Well, you could have asked me if I wanted your food instead of throwing it." I told him and to someone else, I may have sounded mad but Clint knew how I was and he only smiled a bit wider at me.

"In his defense, he did try a couple of times but you weren't listening." Romanoff said, "What were you thinking about anyways?" I stared at her for a few seconds before ignoring the question completely and grabbing some of Clint's food and stuffing it into my mouth. I didn't want to even think about going back to prison let alone talk about it with one of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s greatest spies and a bunch of people I hardly knew. Yeah, I know we just fought together to save the world but that doesn't mean they get to know my whole life story or anything. Right? I mean I trust them in a fight but not in my personal life especially not Fury's handpicked spy. I should just keep it in like I always do and try to forget about it.

"Calliope are you alright?" Steve asked me and it was only then that I realized that the whole group was looking at me.

"Yeah, I'm just fine." I mumbled, "Just thinking that's all."

"About what?" Dr. Banner inquired finally joining in on the conversation.

"Just... thinking that's all…" I trailed off looking back down at my plate which was finally empty. I turned back to Clint's food and I saw him scoot it closer to me and I helped him finish his plate of fries as well. It's always been like this between us now that I think about it. I used to be the one who took care of everyone in my life until Clint showed up and decided he wanted to take care of me. Well, he tried to because I sure didn't make it easy for him anyone could tell you that. I wasn't used to being taken cared of so when Clint tried it really threw me off of what I considered to be normal. Still, he was patient and slowly I allowed him to help me that is until I found out about his betrayal and went to prison, yet here we are one year later. For some reason, it feels like no time whatsoever has passed between us… it feels nice.

"Glad to see all of you in the same place." Fury stated from the entrance of the shop, "It makes things so much easier for me."

"Jeez, you're everywhere." Stark muttered, "Look we're just trying to catch a break."

Fury walks closer to our group still speaking, "That's fine Stark no one said that was a crime. I'm just glad you aren't sitting on top of a doughnut this time."

"Technically I was sitting inside of a doughnut." Stark corrected Fury

"What the heck were you doing inside of a doughnut?" I asked Stark stunned that he would be that… I don't know dramatic or maybe crazy. Maybe it was both considering who we were talking about.

"As mentioned before I was taking a break, keep up sweetheart," Stark told me before turning to look back at Fury, and with that final comment he made towards me I began my plans on murdering this smart mouth no good goatee wearing dork.

"As I was saying," Fury starts "This will make it so much easier when it comes to explaining what comes next."

"You mean what happens to us now." Banner pointed out as he began to fidget in his seat.

Fury took a seat at the edge of the table right in between Stark and Banner looking at Thor as he spoke. "Dr. Selvig has a way of using the cube to transport you to Asgard without creating a portal as Loki did. He'll give you more information when you see him, he wanted to see you one last time before you travel back to Asgard. I'll have someone escort you to the Doctor when you finish eating." Thor nodded in understanding and Fury turned to face the rest of us, "The job is done the city is safe and as far as I'm concerned all of you are free to go and live your lives as you normally have up to this point."

"So you aren't going to try and detain anyone of us?" Banner asked Fury still not believing what the other man had just said.

"Doctor you are free to go." Fury told him "You were never our target and you still aren't." I guess that shocked the doctor because he didn't say anything else and just leaned back in his seat trying to digest what he heard.

Stark brought him back to reality as he slapped Banner's thigh and said, "You're always welcome to come to Stark towers and check out the R&D department. Like I said it's like candy land." Banner didn't say anything he just gave a relieved smile and nodded his head.

Once he was finished reassuring the doctor Fury looked to his agents and said, "You two have some vacation time on your hands, use it. When you're ready, feel free to come back to work there are still some things that you need to do."

"Sir about what happened-" Clint started but Fury wouldn't let him finish what he was saying.

"Don't worry about that for now just focus on recovering Agent Barton." Fury told him and it was the first time that I could tell Fury actually cared for someone else. Finally Fury turned to face me and asked if we could step outside for a moment. I knew what he wanted to talk about so I agreed to his request but I guess that didn't go well for the others. Namely one thick headed archer who didn't know when to quit.

"Hold on I'll go with you guys." Clint said getting up to join us outside before Fury and I could even get up from our seats.

Fury motioned for him to stay seated "That won't be necessary Agent Barton."

"Well I think it is Sir," Clint told him, "so I'll just tag along just in case."

"Agent-"

"I'm going." Clint firmly stated looking Fury in the eye.

"What's all of this about?" Steve asked from where he was seated and all of the Avengers turned to face Fury, Clint and myself.

Before anyone could speak I went ahead and started talking, "I'm going to assume this has something to do with what happens to me next isn't it?"

"I just wanted to let you know that after Thor leaves an agent will be there to pick you up and take you to your final destination." Fury informs me

"And where is this final destination?" Steve asked getting up from his seat. Fury said nothing as he stared calmly back at Steve until Thor interrupted.

"Perhaps he meant her home will be the final destination." Thor answered but even I could tell he didn't believe what he had just said. He was just trying to stay optimistic about the situation.

"I wouldn't call that place a home point break." Stark stated from where he was seated already figuring out what this was all about. When Thor tried to ask what Stark had meant I finally had it. All of this tension and these useless questions will get us nowhere especially when half the team already connected the dots.

"I'm going back to prison Thor. End of story." I explained

"YOU SAID WE WERE FREE TO GO! YOU CALL THIS FREEDOM!" Bruce yelled at Fury causing the rest of the Avengers including Fury himself to stand. No one wanted an angry Banner yet from the looks of it they didn't want me in prison either so no one knew what to focus on. I was the only one who remained in their seat and stayed silent as the rest of them began to argue as they did back at the Helicarrier. Fury tried to stay calm about the whole situation and Romanoff did her best to hold Clint back since she wasn't choosing sides like last time. Huh, I thought she would have jumped to be on Fury's side but I guess not. The males, on the other hand, were arguing and saying things like 'How could you?' 'The child has done nothing wrong!' 'She just saved the city she's a hero!' so on and so forth.

I finally stood from my seat causing everyone in the room to quiet down as I made my way to Fury and asked him a simple question, "When I say goodbye to everyone will I be wearing orange or black and white?"

"No.." Fury softly told me "We brought you some of your old clothes to wear before you leave. The whole thing will be quiet, no chains, and no muzzles I promise."

"You muzzled her?" Banner asked in disgust as he looked at the other man, "She's a kid."

"Not my call it was protocol there was nothing that I could do for her." Fury explained to the group before turning back to speak with me, "We'll make sure that you have better accommodations this time around."

"Thank you." I told him and after that Fury left the shop leaving the rest of us standing there not knowing what to do next. No one moved for a good minute and I thought that would be the end of it but then again when have I ever been right?

"No, I'm not gonna let this happen!" Clint yelled

"Of course we're not she is a noble warrior, not a villain." Thor added

"We need to get her out of here!" Banner said

"Take her with you and get out of the country until we can fix this." Romanoff ordered

"In the meantime, I'll call my lawyers and see what they have to say about this." Stark stated

"Do everything you can Stark." Steve told him "For now we have to focus on getting Calliope out-"

"STOP TALKING ALL OF YOU!" I shouted getting overwhelmed by the whole situation "You guys don't understand what's happening or why I'm even doing this."

"Then explain it to us Lady Rodriguez because I quite frankly do not understand why anyone would ask for imprisonment instead of freedom." Thor said "We may have not started on good terms but that does not mean that any of us want you in chains. Whatever you have done we can help you with child. You deserve more than this, so please explain to us why you are agreeing to go through with it?"

I guess I don't have any other choice but to give them a tidbit about my past or at least pieces of it. I agreed to explain my reasoning behind my decision and we all took our original seats.

"One year ago or so I was living a semi-normal life until S.H.I.E.L.D. found me. If you look into my files it'll tell you just a tiny bit of what happened…. The reason it doesn't give you more information is because I made a deal with S.H.I.E.L.D. to keep the majority of what happened under wraps. The only one here who should know the full story other than myself is Clint." I told them as I stared at the man in front of me before looking down at my hands, "I've had these powers for a long time now and I knew if people found out that I had powers we would never be safe again."

"We?" Steve asked

I took a deep shaky breath before I nodded and continued explaining my story, "Myself and two other people… my sister and my boyfriend actually. All of us had been living in secret for years after Christopher and I first got our powers… We moved to Houston and it was nice while it lasted. You see my boyfriend loved to push everyone's buttons and the limits actually so he thought it would be funny to flash his glowing blue eyes at one of the cameras at our school. S.H.I.E.L.D. found us in no time after that and recruited us to save the day. What a joke." I said with a huff

"Kid I-"

"No Clint just no…" I told him before taking another deep breath, "We knew better than to trust S.H.I.E.L.D. or any government agency due to our first encounter with them when we were kids. Still, we were convinced that helping them was in our best interest so we did and they told us that this Aardwolf guy, some enhanced mutated thug, was going to try and destroy the place and take over. Just the normal villain stuff really nothing you don't find on TV. We put together a team to take him down it was me, Christopher, and Clint." I looked over at Steve and just stared at him for a minute before I asked him if he remembered what my reason was for not trusting S.H.I.E.L.D.

I saw his eyes widen slightly before nodding his head and saying, "You told me they kept important information from you that ended with the loss of life."

I continued to look at Steve and no one else as I finished my little yet painful story, "What they kept from me was a bomb that would have mutated or killed the whole city. Did you know Houston is home to around 2.125 million people, I thought that was crazy especially considering the fact that my family was among them. So when we found the bomb which Clint was supposed to disarm but couldn't because he got knocked out amidst the fighting… well, Christopher and I didn't know how to disarm it, so I came up with the idea to absorb the radiation. The thing is I wasn't the only one with that idea because that was S.H.I.E.L.D.'s back up plan. It's why they sought us out in the first place actually. If all else failed and Clint couldn't disarm the bomb in time we were supposed to absorb it. What they also didn't tell us is that the radiation inside of it was unstable and I guess they assumed it wouldn't have mattered and it would automatically fuse with the radiation that was already inside of our body's."

"I couldn't absorb the radiation there was too much and I… I just couldn't so Christopher did." I explained trying to get through with my story, "But it changed him and he mutated right in front of me and proceed to beat the living daylight right out of me. Clint managed to get him off of me when I got knocked unconscious and he hid us until Christopher or 'Nuke' as you people call him left. Once I woke back up they radioed us with his whereabouts. Apparently, he had managed to go all the way back to the safe house which held my sister. I flew as fast as I could to save her and…." at this point, my eyes began to water and I couldn't speak. I took a moment to gather myself before saying "she died in my arms that day."

"I am truly sorry for your loss Lady Rodriguez but I still do not understand how you were incarcerated if none of that was your fault." Thor said and I had almost forgotten that the others were still here since I chose to focus on Steve.

I turned to face Thor next before continuing, "That day I lost everything that I ever held dear in my whole life. Do you know what it's like to lose everything and then finally gain a family of your own? To love, support, fight for and spend every day with them as you run for your life because there are people out there who will tear that happiness to the ground. Do you know how it feels to see the person you once loved become mutated and deformed to the point he doesn't recognize you? Do.. do you know how it feels to have the person you loved more than anything… more than anyone… the person you would give your life for… who was so full of life to die in your arms?"

"No… I do not." Thor whispered

"I am 17 years old Thor and I have felt far too much pain to continue on living in this world, so I gave up. Once I was told the truth about everything and I put my sister to rest I gave up on life and I asked Fury to put me in prison and to throw away the key. The only reason I agreed to help with the tesseract problem is that I wanted to save someone I once considered my friend. Someone I still for some reason care about." I told the whole group. They sat there in silence trying to digest the information I told them so I took the chance to stand up from the table and walk to the front door but I paused there for only a second to say, "I hate this world and everything in it but… maybe you guys aren't that bad."

I left after that not wanting to hear what they had to say in return. When I got outside I noticed a few agents standing to the side speaking to one another until one of them noticed me. It was that agent who approached me, a female who looked a bit familiar actually, and she told me where to go to get cleaned up before the big send off. I went to the destination she told me about and when I arrived they gave me a duffle bag that held some clothing for me and they pointed me to where the showers were. I took a quick shower and put on a simple black v-neck shirt with dark blue skinny jeans and black converse. I didn't bother doing anything with my hair so after I was done I wasted no time getting out of there and flying to a rooftop of another nearby building that had been deserted during the battle. I just wanted some peace and quiet right now and it seemed this was going to be the only way I was going to get it. I felt too crowded earlier like I was being suffocated but maybe that was because I wasn't used to people anymore… it also could have been the fact that I told the Avengers a bit about my past. Granted I didn't want to but to be fair I did know at least half the teams past due to the files S.H.I.E.L.D. had on them. The only two I didn't know about were Thor and Romanoff, well mostly Romanoff.

Well, at least now they understand why I don't want to be a part of this world and why I would rather be alone. Then again is that really what I want? Do I want to go back to isolation or do I want to stay out here once more and live? Will the world let me or will there be a catch to it if I stay? So many questions and I feel like I don't have enough time to answer a single one.

"So this is where you are." I heard a voice say out of nowhere. When I turned to my left it was to find Steve in civilian clothing standing by the stairwell of the building which led to the roof. I guess he took the long way here since he couldn't fly on his own, but I wonder how he found me.

"What are you doing here?" I asked him, "Is it time already or what?"

He shook his head at me and slowly made his way to where I was standing "No they said they would radio us in when the time comes to say goodbye. From what I heard they're still working out a few bugs or something like that." Steve stopped walking once he reached me and it was quiet between us. Still, I couldn't understand why he was here and not somewhere else.

"Why are you here Steve?" I ask him as I looked to the city in front of us and not him.

"Looking for you." He stated as if that was answer enough

"But why?" I asked once more still looking ahead, "Why are you here? This is usually Clint's self-appointed job to come find me."

"Trust me he wanted to come here and talk to you but I told him I would instead."

I was surprised Clint had agreed so easily but I nodded my head nonetheless. Still, my original question had not been answered so I was getting a bit annoyed with the man beside me. "But why did you come to talk to me it's not like we're friends." I told him as some of my irritation crept into my voice as I finally looked at him. I noticed that Steve wasn't hurt or even bothered by what I said and instead he kept calm and continued to look forward. At first, I thought that maybe he didn't come here to talk and just needed an excuse to get away from everyone like I did but after five minutes of silence he finally spoke.

"Maybe because I know how it feels to have next to nothing and finally get that family I always thought I would never have only for it to get snatched away from me because I did the right thing." Steve whispered to me. I nearly forgot about that, he's the man out of time, he lost everyone he ever loved to war.

"Oh.." was all I could say to him as I looked down at the ground, "I'm sorry."

"I didn't say that to get an apology from you I said it because I understand you to some degree." He said, "I also know how it feels to give up and not want to become apart of this new world, or at least not to know how to be a part of it."

"Then how did you throw yourself back out there?"

"I didn't." He simply stated, "I didn't try to get back out there or anything really. I stayed in the past, for the most part, the only thing I bothered learning was how to survive in this new world and who was still alive."

"Who was still alive?" I questioned finally looking back up but not daring to look at the man beside me.

"From the group of people that I knew and cared for." He said softly "There's only one person left who's still alive from my past and I'm almost afraid to say hello to her. I don't think I'm ready to see her just yet when I know things aren't the same anymore."

"So what now then?"

"I think I might just try this new world out for myself. I might even work up the courage to say hello to my old friend and maybe after that, I'll try to learn what's been going on for the last 70 or so years." he told me

"Why would you want to do that?" I asked him frustrated that he would want to do that to himself.

"What do you mean?"

"Why would you want to learn about such a cruel and hateful world that will only use you?" I nearly screamed as I looked him in the eye.

"It's not as bad as you think it is." Steve remarked, "There are some good things about it too."

I let out a bitter laugh and asked him, "Like what?"

"You." I did a double take when he said that. Did he really have that much faith in me?

"I'm not a good person Steve." I told him looking back down at the ground.

"Really because you sure seem like a good one to me. Why else would you come back when you could have easily left before the battle started?" I didn't answer him and we lapsed back into silence but this time it was a comfortable one it lasted only minute though before he asked, "What about you?"

"I don't know what I want anymore or who I am. I'm all alone and I have no clue what's left for me except prison."

"But you're not alone." as soon as those words left his mouth I looked up and I saw him looking down at me with a small smile on his face, "So don't give up."

I laughed a little because darn it what is it with these people that they don't just let me fall already. "Thank you, Steve."

"You're welcome." After that, we were called in to gather and say our farewells to Thor. Steve gave me the option of going with him on his motorcycle that S.H.I.E.L.D. brought to the city so he can go back home when everything was said and done but I refused and decided to fly there instead.

I took my time getting there so I was one of the last to arrive at the scene and I didn't fail to notice two S.H.I.E.L.D. vans parked right beside us. One held Loki, Thor, and the cube while the other was meant to transport me back to prison. We did agree that I would go there when everything was said and done so I'm upholding my part of the bargain. What nobody realized is that I wasn't really given a choice on the matter. It was either work for S.H.I.E.L.D. and do what they said or submit myself and at the time my family, to other less welcoming options. When my family died the options were still there so, in the end, I made a new one for myself and here we are today. Once all of the Avengers arrived we went one by one to say our goodbye to Thor myself being the last one.

"Lady Rodriguez" Thor said, "Although our time together has been short I wish you the best my friend and I hope that one day you find happiness."

"Huh and here I thought you were just some pompous prince." I stated "But I'm glad you proved me wrong. I guess you're not that bad after all blondie. Safe travels Thor." we shook hands and we both left to stand at our spots. Mine by the rest of the Avengers and Thor with his brother as they vanished in a flash of brilliant blue light.

Now it was just us humans and it was time to say goodbye for who knows how long but at least I know Clint will come to visit me in prison. I turn to the others a goodbye on my lips as a hand grabbed my shoulder. A bit shocked I look up to see a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent holding on to me and another one coming up on the other side both of them flanking me. I should have known better than to trust them to let me say goodbye.

"Woah what's going on?" Clint yells at the two agents.

"We're taking the prisoner under custody to resume her sentence in prison under S.H.I.E.L.D. orders by Director Fury." The first agent said. He stood about six feet and his buddy was pretty close in height. Both agents were packing from the looks of it so I guess they meant business.

"What we're not allowed to say goodbye to the kid?" Stark asked them

"As far as we're concerned you already did." The second agent told him

Steve looked like he wanted to say something but I stopped him, "It's okay guys, really it is." I said with a smile. At least I could take one thing away from this experience and that was the fact that people like the Avengers existed and that was enough for me. Christina was right about not giving up on people and maybe this didn't restore my faith in everyone but at least I now have hope in a few.

The guards turned me around and led me to the remaining S.H.I.E.L.D. van and halfway there I stopped in my tracks. As I looked at it I realized that this really didn't feel right and maybe it was meant for another person, not me. I wasn't the same person who wanted to waste her life away in a cell all by herself anymore, that's just not me. It wasn't until I felt a tugging on my shoulder that I realized I still hadn't moved.

"Ma'am it's time to go." The first S.H.I.E.L.D. agent told me. I looked up to him and made my decision right then and there. I freed myself from both of the agent's flimsy grasps and flew back to a foot in front of the Avengers.

"You're right it is time to go but I decided I will not spend the rest of my days in some cell all by myself." I told them a small smile dancing on my face.

"That's not up to you to decide. In case you forgot you are still under S.H.I.E.L.D. custody and even if you weren't a prisoner you are an underage enhanced being who cannot be trusted to walk around with the civilian population who are unaware of what you are and what you are capable of doing."

"Oh, the world knows who she is alright." Stark said somewhere behind me, "She just helped us save the city."

"Now with a story like that how can you fight it." I said with a smirk as I look at the genius standing behind me before looking back at the agents again.

"Ma'am if you don't come with us we will have to force you to comply." the First agent threaten but it sure didn't feel like a threat to me. I mean they look completely harmless compared to the Chitauri soldiers we just faced.

"You're welcome to try." I said with a smile as I rushed forward dodged to my left and came up behind them. "But I wasted too much of my life worrying about what this world might do to me and I think it's time I finally live my life as a free woman." As they turned around to try and catch me I shot up into the sky looking back at the Avengers and waved goodbye. Who knows maybe I'll see them again sometime soon but for now I think it's time that I figure out who I am and what it is that I want in life.

I flew off throwing my comm to the ground without a care in the world as I race forward. I was scared because I didn't know what tomorrow might bring but at least I knew I was finally free and no one can take that from me. Not anymore.

Okay so I just wanted to let you guys know that the next chapter will be a flash back and with some of the present mixed in at the end. hint hint you'll finally read about the big betrayal that led to Calliope being angry with Clint one year ago. After that I will be writing some chapters that mostly explain how the avengers become actual friends since the end of the Avengers movie is 2012 and Calliope wont have her next big fight until 2014. I already have a lot planned but if you guys have some idea's I'm more than happy to write about it. Until next time bye