A/N : Chapter five peoples

Heather's POV

So, I quickly discovered anything faster than a walk was very painful and hunching over was out of the question, my back felt awful. After hunting down the empty lounge I made a pot of coffee and pulled myself together, a bit put out that SHIELD never seemed to have anything alcoholic around.

He didn't mean it. He didn't even know I existed till the other day, much like everyone else at Stark Industries. I wasn't new to the slip ups and stares, so this shouldn't bother me, but still it did.

I sank to the floor with a sigh, trying to get his words out of my mind. My thoughts unwillingly wandering to one of the many times I went missing.

I was twelve at the time. Coming back to Stark tower from an evening trip to Starbucks, yeah, my coffee addiction becoming apparent yet? Anyway, I was attacked and abducted. This time had been particularly nasty, the first time I was ever abducted actually...

"Now child, you will tell us all the passwords you know for your father's security systems, what you know of SHIELD, and everything you know about Pepper Potts. Once you do so, we will consider releasing you. Am I understood?"

I looked up at the sharp-nosed, beady-eyed, and utterly disgusting little old man who stood in front of me. I was scared out of my mind. Who the hell was this guy? Why did he want all of this stuff? And why me? Being alone wasn't enough for the universe? I had to be a target for psychopaths too?

I decided to go for the smart-ass approach. I leaned over in his direction and in a theatrical whisper said, "Dude, I don't know if you know this, but you've got a cobweb hanging out your nose..."

One of the two guards, which I had dubbed Weasel and Booger snickered, and I smiled with false cheer, "Hear that? I'm funny. Of course, I already knew that. So, let me tell you how this is gonna work. I am going to make snarky comments and annoy the hell out of you. You will then try and fail to torture information out of me. After those unsavory events you will lock me away, your wanna-be mall cops are going to slip up. I will escape, I will report you, and if the Law does not take action then I assure you I know people who will."

Beady Eyes, as I saw fit to name my captor, looked shocked, then his face started turning a sunny red. Oh yeah! Score one for Team Stark! Didn't see that coming from a 12 year old did ya punk?

He gave a curt nod to the two guards and left out of the single door. The resounding clang that did not cease made me take a better look at my cell. It was concrete, save for the metal door which had a tiny space occupied by bars that I could maybe squeeze a hand through.

Suddenly I was grabbed from behind and made to look at Weasel. The last thing I saw was a fist making contact with my face.

Boy I'm just teeming with happy memories aren't I? Yeah right. The clicking of heels alerted me to Agent Maria Hill, who offered me a hand. I took it and she helped me up. "Hey Heather, I'm to take you by to get a physical to see if and when you'll be ready to head out."

I smiled and grabbed my crutches, "Well let's get going then."

As I suspected, the doctor was not happy with my condition, but for the parameters given for my health on this mission, I was good to go. He re-bandaged the bloody portion from the jump with Capsicle and sent us on our way. Fury doesn't like sending people into harm's way, but we need the Intel and Capsicle is practically indestructible so this mission shouldn't be too dangerous. I was cleared for tomorrow and Agent Hill set about getting me a suit and weapons.

Have I mentioned that these spy suits are uncomfortable? I like to think of myself as a modest person, and these outfits left nothing, I'll say it again, nothing, to the imagination.

Also, who in their right mind gives me a gun? Really people? If I was aiming for a guy's head I'd end up shooting off his balls. They gave me knives too, lovely things to trip and fall with, I always wanted to be a pincushion. I'm a hand-to-hand combat person only. I just can't do the other stuff.

When I told the other agents this they all laughed, saying I was being too hard on myself.

"Don't worry Heather, I'm sure you'll do fine. After all, from what I heard you successfully scared Captain America."

I grinned at this, "Mhmm, I may have to play a prank on the entire team someday, just to see If I can pull it off. Something really scary..."

Natasha appeared and called me away, last minute training I suppose. She's determined to teach me how to use a weapon. I should probably be grateful, seeing as she's one of the most deadly assassins on this planet. And yet few hours later I swear she secretly hates me and is determined to finish me off discreetly with one of her "training" sessions someday. I told her so and she laughed, "Kid, if I wanted you dead you wouldn't be here."

I raised an eyebrow "Yeah right, you just enjoy my suffering too much to let me off easy."

Natasha headed for the exit and I followed shortly after, and ended up limping right into Capsicle of all people. He tried to catch me as the force caused me to stumble back, but my crutches tripped him and we went down in a heap of limbs and poles and stars.

Well, I was probably the only one seeing the stars.

The Captain looked as if he just ran over a puppy, and quickly pulled us up, remorse etched into his features he quickly apologized. I nodded in acceptance , but noticed he still looked troubled. I started to walk away, but sighed and turned back to him, he hadn't moved.

"What's up Captain?"

The soldier fidgeted and I bit back a smile, why was he so damn cute? Okay fine, I promote you to Steve once more, don't muck up.

"I-I wanted to apologize, Heather. I shouldn't have said what I said. I-it was rude and thoughtless-"

Good God he's stuttering. I held up a hand and gave his shoulder a comforting squeeze, "At ease soldier, no apology needed, we all say things we don't mean some time or another."

Steve looked relieved at not having to blunder on, and gave me a smile filled with gratitude and regret.

My IQ lost. I couldn't resist poking a little fun, "So, you stutter?"