"So, what? This Magnet guy wants to take over the world? Why?" Tony's voice sounded from somewhere to Clint's left.

"In a way, I suppose. He sees mutants as an entirely different species; he wants the mutant population to be superior to everyone else." Xavier looked each of them in the eye. "He is dangerous. He will do everything in his power to get his way. Mystique works alongside him. She can take the shape of anyone she wants, which makes her a very big threat."

Natasha frowned. "So what's the mission?"

"We need Mystique," Xavier said simply. "The majority of the X-men are away on other business; these three are all I have left," he motioned to Storm, Twist and Cyclops. "I can offer you assistance in the form of a safe place to stay for the time being, access to the jet and whatever tools you need. Twist has offered to accompany you to find and capture Mystique. She has valuable information that we need regarding Magneto. Of all of the people I've asked, you're the only ones available. The Fantastic Four are dealing with Dr. Doom. Spiderman is occupied with something he calls 'Carnage'. Everyone else S.H.I.E.L.D. has lent out. I hope everything goes well. If you need anything else, talk to one of these three, or find me in between classes. Thank you for coming."

The Avengers rose and followed Storm out. She handed them all cards and said "These grant you access to the lower levels. The training rooms and labs are down there. If the card doesn't grant you access, you don't belong there." At this she stared at Tony, who suddenly became very interested in his fingernails. "You're welcome to go down there at any time; I believe Twist can give you the full tour. Any questions?"

Everyone shook their heads.

"Okay. You're free to go," Storm smiled and left.

Twist stepped forward from leaning against the wall. "Anyone want to go downstairs now? I can show some people around now, if you guys want."

Natasha stepped forward. "Yes."

Clint grinned and nodded. "I'm in."

Steve said "I'll go, too," ignoring the look Tony gave him.

Twist grinned and turned around, leading them to an elevator. The four of them got in the elevator and Twist pulled her ID card out of her back pocket and stuck it in the reader. "You all need to do this," she said in a bored voice.

They all got their cards out and let the reader process them before the lift door closed. They stood on silence until Natasha turned to Twist. "So, what's your power?"

A grin broke out across the younger girl's face. "I have a sort of sixth sense. It lets me know where people are in relation to me and what they're doing at all times. I get a slight read on what people are thinking and how it relates to me. As a result, I have a distinct advantage in fights."

Natasha smiled. "Would you spar with me?"

The grin on Twist's face grew wider. "Of course."

Steve silently hoped they would beat each other up and have a draw.

The lift doors opened and Steve found himself looking at a white hallway with strange doors. Twist led them to one of the first doors and scanned her card. "This is the training room. Everything for the budding mutant or Avenger in one room." She turned to Steve. "I was told you break a lot of punching bags. You can use mine, if you'd like. We designed it so that not even a knife would break it. It's the camo one over there," she gestured to the corner. "Mats are over there, weights are in the closet, exercise machines in the back right corner, punching bags that aren't indestructible are in the back left." She turned to face them. "Questions?"

Natasha nodded. "Can spar really quick? I didn't get to yesterday."

Twist smiled. "Yeah, okay. You go with shoes or without?"

"Without is fine. Wouldn't want anyone to get hurt," Natasha said, smirking. They removed their shoes and stepped onto a mat. Clint walked over to Steve and prodded his side. "Twenty bucks on Tasha."

Steve turned to him, surprised that Clint had approached him. "You're on," he said carefully, shaking his hand. "I bet Twist gets her."

"On three, okay? One, two, three!" Clint yelled.

It was a sight to see. Natasha moved gracefully, deadly, almost catlike, a sharp smile on her face as she and Twist sparred. They almost seemed to be dancing; Natasha would throw a blow that Twist would dodge, and then block the returning attack.

If Natasha was a cat, then Twist was a lizard. She moved in quick, darting motions, never quite getting caught. It seemed nobody would gain the advantage until Natasha leapt up onto Twist's shoulders and wrapped her legs around the younger girl's neck. Steve pulled out his wallet, thinking Clint had won the bet until Twist suddenly went boneless and dropped to the floor, causing Natasha to loosen her hold slightly. Twist immediately unwrapped Natasha's legs and flipped her to the floor, one leg trapping each of Natasha's and pinning her hands to the floor. Natasha struggled to free herself, her eyes wide and confused. After about fifteen seconds, she tapped out. "I give," she said, surprised.

Clint handed Steve a twenty and then went to help Natasha up. Twist beat him to the punch though, her eyes bright and her face red. "That was incredible!" She said happily. "You've got to spar with me more often!"

Natasha raised an eyebrow, contemplating the girl in front of her before a smile spread over her face. "Of course," she said, breathing heavily. "I'm going to go shower. Clint?"

"Coming," Clint said, following her out and patting Steve's shoulder on the way.

Twist raised an eyebrow. "They together?"

Steve looked at her, surprised. He had forgotten not everyone was used to the weird habits of the Avengers. "No, they're just paranoid. He stands guard while she showers and she does the same for him."

Twist nodded, staring at him intently. Steve, feeling uncomfortable, decided he would follow suit. "I think I'll go, too. Thanks for showing me this. And letting me borrow that," he said, motioning toward her punching bag.

She grinned, flashing her white teeth at him. "Not a problem."

Steve nodded to her and left, running his hand through his hair as he entered the lift and running the past few days through his mind. He shook his head and thought for the hundredth time that he lived a very strange life.

Valarie Volshok couldn't sleep. To be fair, she rarely did, but something about tonight was different. It wasn't flashbacks or misplaced energy keeping her up. It was that fight she'd had earlier with Black Widow.

The rush, the adrenaline that had come from almost being beaten had been incredible. She had been high on it for hours afterwards. Now she felt empty and alone.

Deciding sleep was a lost cause, she stood, pulling on a pair of shorts and a grey tank top as she walked out the door and into the elevator. She went down to the lower levels, thinking some late-night boxing would clear her mind. Once the door was open, however, she decided leaning against the wall was just fine.

Steve had taken Twist up on her offer to share her punching bad; it really was the best one ever. He repeated a pattern he used to calm his mind; left, left, right uppercut, left, right, right kick. Halfway through his twenty second repeat, he felt eyes watching him. He paused and turned around, expecting Tasha or Clint. What he wasn't expecting was a scantily clad Twist.

"Um, hi," he called across the room. "I was just trying it out. It's very good."

She crossed the room, pulling her dark hair into a hair tie and standing on the mat closest to him. "Will you spar with me?"

Steve looked bewildered. "Um-"

"I'm wired. I can't sleep and I'm guessing you can't either. Fighting another person is much better thab hitting the bag." She paused, her features softening as she bit her bottom lip. "Please?"

Steve nodded after a moments thought. He toed off his shoes and stood at the edge of the mat. "How does your power work?" He asked, genuinely curious.

Twist cocked her head at him. "Right now you're twelve feet away from me. There's a spider sixty three feet above your head. There's a small chip in the floor three inches from your left foor," at this she turned around. "Your right eyebrow has gone up fractionally. Your hands just flexed. And you're staring at my ass."

Steve blushed. "Okay, you're good. What about during the fight?"

Twist turned back around. "I see everything slowed down; I can sense everything around me, every movement. I have to cut some of it out, though. If I don't, I'll end up kicking at a fly instead of my target."

Steve nodded. "One more thing. What's your real name?"

Twist grinned. "Beat me and I'll tell you."

And they were off. Steve relied on his strength; Twist on her speed. They danced around each other in a mad race to pin the other first. Steve slipped momentarily and Twist pounced, tackling him gracelessly and pinning him, straddling him and holding his arms. They stared at each other before they both started laughing. Twist stood and offered him her hand, smiling as she said "Thank you. I think I'll be able to sleep now," she paused, to help him up. She walked over to the door and called over her shoulder "The name is Valarie!"

Steve watched her leave, a small smile on his face as he picked up his shoes and moved toward the door as well, feeling better than he had all day.