It's a short one but it's important for what will be coming in the next few chapters, I hope you all like what I have in store for the Avengers!

Dedicated to Kyla, who puts up with my poor navigation

CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR

It was a shock to the girls as they sat down at the meeting table and realized that the entire team was assembled and no one was missing. They never realized just how large the team was until they saw them all together. They both felt incredibly honored to be in their presence, as the team was full of incredibly admirable people with intricate backgrounds that would take years to delve into and understand.

As Sharon sat and gazed at the team, she wondered as to why she and Angel were asked to be present. Coulson had said this mission would affect her the most, which had her wondering what was happening that could involve her. The only assumption she could make was trouble amongst the mutants and she and Angel would be their go to people as they had connections in the mutant community. As they were not a part of the Avenger's team, Sharon assumed they would be acting as consultants once again and would be working side by side with the members of the team.

She shot a gaze across the table at Clint, who she saw was watching her intently. She looked away and blushed, peeking through her bangs to see him still watching her, this time with a little grin on his face. She cursed herself internally for reacting in such a silly manner, she was no better than a school girl with a crush. But now that she had admitted out loud to Steve that she had feelings for him, she couldn't very well take back that statement.

Thankfully Director Fury walked in just in time to distract Sharon from Clint's watchful stare, "Thank you all for getting here on short notice. An issue has come up and I need your cooperation to deal with it."

"Are we going to get hit by an army of Aliens again? Because if that's the case then they need to know that is so last season," tony said, leaning back in his chair in his typical egotistic manner while he grinned at his own joke.

"Extra-terrestrials are not an issue," Fury said, pinning Tony with a stare, "And you have just used up your quota of wise-cracks for the rest of the meeting."

"Fun sucker," Tony muttered.

"Loudmouth," Angel threw right back at him, everyone chuckled as they saw Tony's face go a little red and he kept his mouth shut.

"Are we done?" Nick asked, waiting for everyone to settle down, "How many are you familiar with OsCorp aside from the Stark siblings?"

Everyone except Thor knew about the company, Natasha turned to him to explain, "It's a weapons manufacturer in New York run by Norman Osborn."

"More recently the company has been doing more research and testing in bio-chemical weaponry and human enhancements. Our sources tell us that OsCorp is trying to produce an agent that will target mutants in particular."

Both Angel and Sharon sat straighter in their seats and the room grew tense. The girls had dealt with issues of mutant hatred and suppression their entire lives, neither were entirely surprised at this news, but now that it was becoming a reality they felt themselves both go cold.

"Is the government aware of this?" Angel asked.

"They're trying to keep the issue quiet and meet in private. While it doesn't look like they will approve of the agent, there are those who will stop at nothing until they see the mutant race eradicated."

Sharon's mouth went try and a lead weight settled in her stomach as she realized why she was asked here. At that moment Nick turned is stare at her, "Sources have revealed that William Stryker is funding the project and is working closely with Osborn to get it produced. He's selling the pitch as a means to fight enemy mutants, but I think we all know that isn't the entire story."

Sharon closed her eyes and pressed her lips together tight, fighting the urge to vomit and run as far away as possible. Angel looked over to Sharon and put a hand on Sharon's, holding it tight, "Just breathe hun," She whispered.

"Who is Stryker?" Thor asked. It was a surprise to everyone when Steve was the one to answer, "He's the leader of the people who are against mutants, he wants them all dead," He answered quietly, looking over at Sharon who still had her eyes closed while Angel tried to comfort her and keep her calm.

"He is notorious for his hatred of the mutant race and has been trying to eradicate them since their discovery. There was a point in time where he was even taking them in under the pretense of 'curing' them when he was in actuality torturing and testing them."

At this point everyone in the room was aware of Sharon's discomfort, as she seemed to be shutting out the room entirely as she squeezed her eyes shut and tried to repress memories, "Ms. Carver knows more about that than anyone else."

At that Sharon's eyes snapped open and she stood, "Excuse me Director,"

Before anyone could object she was out of the room. Angel stood but was conflicted on whether to follow and comfort her or stay and learn more, she looked at Nick who gave her a nod, "We'll continue this meeting later."

With that Angel ran out and after Sharon. Clint sat still in his seat as her processed this new bit of information he hadn't been aware of. He could easily admit he didn't know much of Sharon or her past, only small tidbits and details he'd gathered from her in the past few weeks. This, however, was nothing he had ever expected.

"He tortured her… the bastard tortured her…" He muttered, seeing flashbacks of the night before when she had howled in her sleep and fought at invisible hands while Clint could only standby and watch without a way to wake her.

He stood and went to Fury, "Director I would like to see files on Stryker and learn more about the mission."

"No one will learn more until I meet with Ms. Carver to discuss her involvement. She was a key factor in our last mission, in this one she is our most valuable asset and I need her on board and coherent before we move forward. You are not to do research until I give the okay, that is an order Agent Barton."

Clint's hands balled at his sides as his teeth ground together "yes sir," he growled. He turned and left the room, making his way to the weapons room to make use of the arsenal of fire power and archery equipment.

Well well well, seems Sharon's past is finally catching up with her. Looks like she's in for an emotional rollercoaster.

Feedback is always appreciated!

Alasiel