The worst day of my life began at 6 a.m. on a Friday. A Sparring session with Bucky, Nat, Thor, Loki, and Clint; this time my "opponent" being Natasha for the two-hour time slot. Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't need to learn how to fight and defend myself. The past three months altered the path had been on during my time with the Avengers.

I had been recruited three years ago for my unique ability, I was born with the power to absorb both mental and physical pain, taking it as my own. Though it didn't show on my body when it came to the physical side of things, I still felt the pain as it coursed throughout my system. This was limited to only absorption, transferring the pain not being an option. They kept me out the field when I first joined, only calling me in when battles ended, allowing me to deal with the wounded, both the heroes and civilians.

The mental absorption was used for an alternate option for assistance. Though I could block thoughts from coming in if I chose to, sometimes they would slip through, and I would occasionally shut myself off from the world for a few days. For the Avengers. Well, certain Avengers, a few of which I had become close with. Loki, Wanda, Bucky, and Natasha. How they needed me varied among the four, each with their own benefits. The first friend I made happened to be Loki. A shocking choice, most would say. I didn't mind. Once he could reveal all his secrets to me, he gained my trust and it reciprocated for him. He desired someone to talk to, someone who would listen to what was going on, He wanted the physical touch that came with the absorption, though sometimes when I wasn't in control, I'd absorb mental pain without touch.

With Loki, it became intimate. He felt he could be himself knowing I wouldn't judge him or be cruel. We'd stay up late in the night talking; we acted on the attraction we felt towards one another, the talking turning into a steamy make-out session, which led into sex. It only brought us closer, but the relationship itself ended up fizzling out. It did nothing to ruin the friendship afterwards and I still consider him my best friend to this day.

The second choice in friends was Natasha. Funny enough, she happened to be the one who recruited me to the team, but it took her a while to completely trust me. This changed on a chilly fall night when no one else occupied the compound but us. A knock at my door initiated her request for comfort. She had been shy about it, almost walking away when I opened the door to see her emerald eyes glisten with tears.

"Tell me what's wrong," I said to her, sensing pain engulfing her.

"Can you lessen it? The nightmares are getting worse," she stated. She broke down when I nodded, opening my arms to embrace her. That night led to cuddles in bed when she needed someone to spend the night with her. I knew she trusted me when she revealed she had a sister named Yelena. The same sister she decided to introduce me to a few weeks into our cuddling sessions. To Natasha, this meant a lot; it meant she deemed me important to her life.

Wanda was a different story altogether. She managed to hide her pain well. A smile on her face when inside she was hurting. I didn't think anything of it when she pulled me into the living room to watch her favorite sitcoms. I still had no clue when she allowed me to slide under the fluffy blankets, her hand sliding in mine. The first indication became apparent when she fell asleep and let her guard down, flooding my mind with some of her memories. It caught me of guard and because I was tired, it hit me all at once and I cried out, waking her.

'Stella, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. Don't be afraid of me,' She stated that day. Her walls built back up and I melted into her, panting, and trying to get back in control. When my breathing eased, I simply pulled Wanda close and shared her pain, giving some relief for her.

Bucky took me the longest to get to know. He stayed closed off, quiet unless he desperately needed something. I gave him all the time he needed, knowing he would decide when he wanted to come to me for comfort or hang outs. It was a stormy Tuesday when he finally broke the silence and approached me. The team had taken a break from missions, relaxing for a few days before taking on the next one. Wanda and Natasha had gone to the spa, Tony and Bruce were locked away in the lab working on a new project, while Steve was out doing his own thing. I had brought down a couple of blankets and pillows to the theater room for a movie marathon of various genres. Around lunchtime, I got up to get a bite to eat, running into Bucky along the way.

"Can I join you in the theater room?" he asked.

"Sure. Want to grab some snacks to munch on while watching a movie?" I told him.

"I don't want any, but I can help bring some down for you if you would like," I handed him a couple bags of chips and we went to the theater. I settled down on the couch, Bucky placing the bags down around my feet. He didn't immediately sit, wringing his hands as if he was nervous to be close to me.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

"Could I lay my head in your lap?" he asked, his blue eyes meeting mine.

"Sure. If that's what makes you comfortable," I agreed. I patted my lap and he shrugged off the jacket he was wearing, stretching out. I hit play on the next movie on my list and we relaxed in the dark, nothing but the movie on. At one point he brought one of my hands to rest in his hair, a cue for me to run my fingers through it.

We spent the next few hours like this until dinner, the smell of Greek food making our stomachs rumble. After that night, it became a routine for us. A few months later he asked me to ease his mind, trusting me to do no harm to him.

"Why don't you and Loki get back together?" Nat's voice broke me out my memories. She struck out with her fist, and I blocked it, moving to strike her in the ribs…which she avoided.

"It didn't work out with him last time. I don't think it will work a second time," I told her.

"Okay. Well, what about Sam or Stephen Strange? Any interest there?" She used her signature widow move, pinning me to the floor.

"Ow. No. I don't think of them like that," I answered.

"Wanda then? Or Carol?" She questioned.

"Nat? Why do I get the feeling you're trying to set me up with someone? Why does the person have to be one of our friends anyway?" I inquired. I took a swig of water, rehydrating before we continued our training. She arched an eyebrow and shrugged.

"I didn't think civilian life suited you. I'm only trying to set you up with someone because you haven't dated anyone for a while. If it's not romance, you're after, then maybe you could have a little fun," she answered. I laughed, shaking my head.

"I have plenty of time left to find someone. Why rush it? When I meet someone who I want to spend the rest of my life with, I'll let you know," I told her. I didn't know, I'd meet them in the next few hours.

"I want you to be happy Stella. I don't want you to be lonely," Nat said. Right as we were about to move back in a fighting stance, Tony interrupted us with an announcement; a mission had come through. We suited up and got on the jet to fly out to the city.

"You would think they'd be used to aliens by now," Steve stated, surveying the civilians of New York running and screaming.

"They're still allowed to be scared. They do cherish their lives after all," I chimed in. We landed, filing out to be their rescue; Steve gripped my arm stopping me in my tracks.

"Take it easy out there Stella. I don't want you to get overwhelmed. If you need a break, take it," he instructed.

"Yes, sir. I mean, Captain,"

"Promise me," he ordered. I blinked at the sudden authoritative tone. I nodded and he released me. I took a deep breath and got to work.

A few hours later, I realized I had started to feel tired, the pain causing pressure to build up in my head. I had let in the pain more than I should, the thoughts flooding my brain. I cursed when I felt the impact of Natasha's injuries from being slammed hard into the concrete a few minutes ago.

"Are you okay? Need a break?" She asked.

"I'm fine. Go assist Clint," I told her. I was, in fact, not okay. Instead of going back to the jet as Cap ordered me, I took off to a clearing of the woods, not that we had moved to the park. I placed my hand on a trunk of a tree, closing my eyes to breath. I tried to find a bit of relief, but my ability had locked in place, allowing too much in. I barely registered Tony landing behind me.

"Stella? Hey, kid. Can you hear me?" he said. I jolted in surprise but nodded.

"We need you back there. People need your help. Woah, hey there, kiddo. Are you feeling alright?" he told me.

"I-," Blinding pain took my breath away. I dropped to my knees, panting.

"Stella! Dammit! FRIDAY, cut the communication off. Shut it off. Close down your power," he stated. He knelt beside me.

"I can't. It's locked in place. Frozen. I…it hurts. There's too much…pain," I ground out.

"Hey, do you guys need some help?" A new voice – a male voice with a southern accent – called out. I looked up to see two men and a woman approach us. Tony turned defensive, ready to fire if he sensed they intended to harm us.

"Woah, easy there. We were in the area and saw a battle going down. Now, it appears your teammate is hurt. Maybe we can get her to a hospital. I'm Colonel Rick Flag. This is Harley Quinn and Digger Harkness. The other members of my squad are helping others from your team," the male who had first spoken continued. He had his hands in the air once Tony turned on him.

"Tony, don't. I don't-," I cut off as another wave of pain hit me. I groaned causing the woman to begin to cross over to me.

"Don't. Stay back. She's none of your concern," Tony snapped.

"She's in pain. I'm only tryin' to help," Harley stated.

"She'll be…fine. Stella, I'm sorry. I've got to go. They need my help," Tony said.

"What? Don't leave me here. Tony-,"

"You're too dangerous to the team Stell. That ability of yours. You can't control it still. What if you hurt us? Transfer that pain. I can't take that risk," he said. Shock laced through me at his words. I tried to scramble up to stop him but fell to my knees. The first male come to side, catching me before I hit the ground too hard.

"You can't leave your partner behind. We wouldn't do that to our squad. Listen, Tony. We can get her back, get her some help," he said.

"I can't. I'm sorry," Tony stated. He flew off, leaving me in the company of the other three people.

"Tony! Please come back! Steve! Loki! Can anyone hear me?" I called out. Tears stung my eyes as FRIDAY called back "Access denied."

"He…left me. He left me! Why…did…" I couldn't finish my question as the pain became unbearable, my world fading to darkness. The last thing I saw was the panic on the Colonel's face as I closed my eyes.

Rick's POV

The woman in my arms – Stella, the man in the iron suit had called her – passed out. Alarm bells went off in my head, thinking she was dead, quickly checking her pulse, finding one.

"He's an asshole for leaving her. What do we do? Find her team and get them to take her home?" Harkness said.

"Dubois? Are you still helping the others?"

"No, Flag. They've gone. We finished taking out the enemy. There's nothing left to do. Why?"

"Never mind. Report back to the jet," I ordered. I weighed the options held before me. Leave her or bring her with us. On one hand, Waller would have my head if I brought someone new with us. On the other…no one was coming for her. At least that's what I would think for the next couple of weeks.

"Flag?" Harley asked.

"We bring her with us. I won't leave her behind. I can't," I said. I lifted Stella in my arms and walked back to our location of the jet.

"You sure that's a good idea? Waller might not be happy about this," she continued. I paused to take the comm out of my ear.

"Damn Waller. This woman needs our help and I'll be damned if I don't give it to her. Let's go," I said. I placed the comm back in and laid Stella – a woman with waist length blonde hair and stormy blue eyes – on the floor of the jet and awaited the consequences I was about to face. I wouldn't know it at the time, but I had just met my soulmate.