Sorry this is short and rather boring, but I viewed it as a nessarsary transitional chapter. I promise only a few more till the action heats up again. Thanks for the reviews and support as always I honestly love you guys with all my heart: Mira SeverusSirius Black-Snape, Ms. AnimeCartoonZombieFreak13 and for that matter anyone who had read, followed, favorited, or even just read this ever.

Chapter 17: 2003 New York City

Alice lashed her clenched fist out at Natasha at another training session. She couldn't deny that she enjoyed learning combat skills, but she still didn't want to fight for S.H.E.I.L.D full time. Natasha believed that she had had some sort of previous training, but that it was mostly based on her strange powers, physically Alice was not imposing.

Natasha grabbed her wrist and twisted Alice over onto the ground.

"Can't you give me a break?" Alice said, rubbing her wrist as she sat up.

"Am I the type of person to go easy on anybody?" Natasha gave a slight smile and pulled Alice back up. "You were doing good today. I am sure you could have done better if you decided to use your powers."

"Too dangerous," Alice said. "I don't want to hurt you."

"I doubt you could," she replied. "Alice it has been almost six months, have you even tried to discover your abilities?"

"A little bit," Alice gave a mischievous smile. "I found that I could levitate objects. I gave Agent Coulson quite a scare when I levitated his precious briefcase ten feet in the air after he wouldn't let me attend that weekend seminar. I also have figured out that I can heat food up with my hands, it is convenient when I don't have access to a microwave."

"I can tell you if I had some crazy magical powers I would be using them to fight," the assassin said.

"Well I'm not you," Alice replied coldly.

"Speaking of fighting," Natasha said ignoring the bitterness behind her friend's voice. "They are finally sending me on a mission. As soon as Clint gets back we are going off the resolve a situation in Budapest."

"So you are leaving me," Alice said, only partly jokingly.

"I have wanted to go on a real mission for a long time," Natasha said. "I'll see you when I come back. Until then you can train with another agent, Maria or someone. They are apparently trust you enough not to have you escorted all the time at school now."

Alice nodded, "Well maybe people will stop thinking I'm some princess or rich girl. Natasha I honestly hope you enjoy your mission." She smiled, but inside she was sad the only person who vaguely resembled a friend here was leaving.

Alice had taken to physics and more specifically astronomy very quickly. She seemed to understand it in a very analytically way and was doing very well in all of her classes. She liked it, because she felt like solving crazy problems might solve the mystery of her past. She didn't tell many people, but she genially believed she wasn't from this planet. People on earth didn't have abilities like her.

Alice walked into her astrophysics class a few moments late she wasn't use to navigating the Columbia campus without having Natasha glare at people who were blocking their way. Luckily for her professor was not there. In his place was a small brunette student who couldn't have been, but a few years older than Alice.

"Where is the Professor Lee?" Alice said walking over the strange women.

" Professor Rupert needed some last minute help with a paper that is being submitted for publication today," she seemed excited enough about it. "It's on Einstein Rosen bridges and if it gets published he is going to get a big grant to do an experiment. I'm an assistant to Professor Rupert. They sent me over here to let you know that this class in cancelled for today. Jane Foster." The petite brunette extended her hand to the even smaller blonde.

"Alice," she said as she shook her hand. "Are you a graduate student?"

"No, I'm a senior," she replied. "And you are?"

"Freshman," Alice shrugged, she disliked the term freshman it seemed almost derogatory.

"You majoring in astrophysics?" Jane asked, she appeared genuinely curious.

"Yes," Alice paused. "Is it interesting working with him? I have found myself fascinated by wormholes and ways of traveling across space. I feel as if there has to be a way more efficient than using machinery."

"Me to!" Jane said. "Have you thought about applying to be an assistant to Professor Rupert, he really is the best astrophysics when it comes to this type of research and he tells me he is getting really close to being able to start actual experiments. It would be a bit unusual for a freshman to get it, but according to the Professor Professor Lee really thinks you're gifted."

"Really?" Alice smiled and was very pleased to find out that she was though of as smart. Everyone at S.H.E.I.L.D saw her as an instrument for destruction so it was nice to be thought of for her mind. "I think I would like to apply."

"Excellent," Jane said. "It is always nice to find other women passionate about science. It is so irritating how many men there are." Alice nodded with a soft smile on her face, perhaps she would find a friend in this women.