Ahh! Finally got another update in! I feel like this chapter was kinda terrible mainly because of the fact that I wrote the thing super early in the morning, but I finally got an update in. I also feel really terrible because I've started up writing so many other different fanfictions that I write those instead of working on this. XD *hangs head in shame*

But! Hopefully you enjoy this update! I hope to update this more frequently, especially since we're getting closer to the end. I really didn't expect this to turn out to be as long as it has.

It had been a few weeks since I had passed out, and Steve and I had been spending a lot of time bonding as siblings. He wanted to make up for his absence earlier on, and we often went out to get ice cream and play together in the park. I kind of thought the park games were a little lame, but I went along with it to humor my brother so that he didn't think me stranger than he probably already thought I was. I actually had a lot of fun hanging out with him like that, which was something I never thought I would experience. I had always had to fulfill missions for people and act serious all the time, but now, I could be a kid. It was weird.

However, I always trained with my powers and skills behind Steve's back. I set up a target practice area in my newly acquired bedroom where I practiced with my throwing knives. I'd sneak around the city at night to practice my infiltration skills, often stealing objects from unsuspecting victims' houses. Old habits always died hard. The most challenging thing I had to train with behind Steve's back was with my fire powers. I couldn't just casually use my abilities outside and in the open. When I tried that, I managed to get spotted by one of the neighbors who screamed in fright. Then I had to come up with another set of lies to keep myself from ever getting discovered. So, I elected to carefully training inside our house.

In the end, that probably wasn't the smartest idea I've had. After numerous amounts of accidental house fires, Steve finally caught onto my training. He was mad at first, especially since I could've told him I wanted to train, but eventually agreed to setting up an area where I could practice with my powers without worrying about setting everything on fire. I felt like one of the luckiest people alive, I had a surprisingly understanding brother, and a life far away from the torment I had faced in Hydra. Things were finally looking up for me.

And then, Steve was called back into active service to help out with the war again. The army needed the use of their Super Soldier again when they discovered the base that some sinister man codenamed Red Skull worked in. Apparently, and I learned all of this information through eavesdropping on the conversation, Red Skull had been behind the main research into using the Tesseract for weapons. I knew of it because of the day I had spied on my Headmaster. Did the Headmaster know this Red Skull man? Was that who he was talking to when they were discussing the Tesseract the day I got beaten senseless? I couldn't tell for sure, I never got to know the identity of the man the Headmaster had spoken to, but I'm pretty sure he didn't have a red skull.

Peggy left with Steve to help assist the army in any way she could, apparently the matter was really serious. They left me behind under the watchful eye of my personal scientist, Sir Annoying. Steve was against it at first, but Peggy convinced him otherwise. I still remembered the conversation we had just before the pair had departed.

"We'll be back soon, Robin," Peggy had told me.

I looked at her incredulously, "Wait . . . you're leaving me with this guy?" I jabbed my thumb accusingly at Sir Annoying.

Steve sighed, "I'm against it too, but he's the only one here aside from us that is actually aware of and not frightened of your powers. Hopefully this won't take too long."

"I'm stuck with this guy until you get back?" I asked.

"Pretty much," Steve said.

I glanced between the scientist and my friends before I slumped my shoulders and looked at them in dismay, "Goddammit."

"Hey!" Peggy chided, "Watch your language, young lady!"

"How do you even know that word?" Steve asked with wide eyes.

I stared at him in silence before I suddenly pointed at Sir Annoying, "He's vulgar!"

Peggy glared at the scientist with a raised eyebrow, "Really?"

"I didn't-! I-!" the man tried to defend himself, but gave up and scowled at me, "Spoiled brat!"

I narrowed my eyes at him, "Self-righteous jerk!" He crossed his arms angrily and scoffed, and I crossed my arms and stuck my tongue out at him in reply.

Steve sighed and looked to Peggy, "Are you sure they'll be alright until we get back?"

"If they behave," she responded, and looked at me pointedly, "especially you!"

"Why're you looking at me?" I asked innocently.

"Don't go about causing mischief," she warned me.

"But I like mischief!"

"No mischief!"

I stared at her silently and then sighed, "Fine . . . no mischief."

She nodded, "Good. We'll be back soon, if things go as planned."

"Do things ever go as planned?" I asked.

She shrugged, "Sometimes."

I sighed and rushed forward, giving both Peggy and Steve tight hugs, "Be careful," I said.

Steve smiled and ruffled my hair, "We will be. Don't you go starting any fires when I'm gone, okay?"

"But fire is awesome," I argued, smoothing out my hair.

"Robin," he said in a serious tone, "I mean it. I don't want you burning things down and getting into trouble when I'm not here."

I pouted, "You're no fun."

He chuckled and hugged me tightly, "I don't have to be, I'm the older brother. Take care, okay?"

"Okay," I said quietly, and watched as the two left the building. Once they were gone from my line of sight, I turned to the scientist with a raised eyebrow, "So, what's your name?"

"Alan," he replied flatly.

"Alan? Nah, your name's Sir Annoying."

"Then your name's Selfish Brat."

"Point taken, your name's Alan," I said, preferring not to be called by the guy's nickname for me. "But heed my words, Alan!" I said seriously, "If you even dare to try and take blood samples from me while I'm sleeping, I'll personally kill you myself! Are we clear?"

"This is ridiculous," Alan said, "I'm getting death threats from an eight year old."

"I'm not eight!" I exclaimed, "I'm almost fourteen for crying out loud. Seriously people, are you all blind?!"

"I'm not blind," he argued, "You're just deranged."

I looked up at him and grinned evilly, "And I also control fire," my smile suddenly vanished, "don't cross me."

He stared at me with slightly wide eyes before he nodded, "Point taken."

"Good," I said, "I'm going to my room. Don't bother me unless you have food." At that, I exited the room he was in and headed straight for my training hideout. As soon as I got there, all I did was put all of my fury into my knife throws. I couldn't believe that I was stuck with the guy that kept asking intruding and annoying questions towards me! It was torturous! I truly hoped that this mission Steve had to go on wouldn't take long. And I really hated having to sit on the sidelines for this, especially when I felt like I could've helped in some way. The only thing I could do was wait it out by training and working towards making myself stronger. Weakness couldn't be a luxury for me.