OMG, chapter 20 already!

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When Tony had told me that he had wanted to test my abilities... All hell released.

I dropped the box of cereal to the ground, and several vibranium spikes now coated over my limbs.

When I turned, seething and all, Tony had dropped his mug and was staring at me in genuine worry.

"Um," he began slowly. "W-we don't have to, I mean-"

"No," I cut him short. "I... It's fine."

I took a shaky breath, trying to stop myself from lashing out. If there's one thing I have to work on, it's controlling my flaming temper.

He blinked for a bit, before shaking his head. "Okay... so are you free this afternoon?"

I gave him another deadpan look.

"Okay, okay! I'll see you at 1.30."

With that, he left the room.

I released a breath I realised I hadn't been holding, unfortunately releasing several small spikes along with my trembling breath.

"Oh, great," I mumbled. Then, I ate my breakfast before cleaning the exquisite kitchen to the best of my ability.

"Are you sure, Charlotte?"

Steve was pacing around the common area, apparently not caring that he still created draughts when he paced like that.

"Why not?"

Steve stopped to give me a deadpan look. Bucky just looked on, seeming to have grown quiet again. Ugh.

"I don't know," he began shortly. "I mean, what if you lash out and-"

"Seriously, I'll be fine!" I grabbed him muscular arm and shook it playfully. Then, I glanced up, giving him a reassuring smirk.

"Besides, it's not like he'll have me sparring with other people like you!"

"Actually, that's a good idea," came a voice behind me.

Oh hell no.

I turned slowly to see Stark there, a lazy smile across his face. He was writing things on a 'Stark Pad', and he just typed something else down.

"What?"

Steve had strutted up to Stark now, his posture threatening. Obviously this didn't seem okay with him. Argh, did he not just listen to me?!

"I mean, if I take a blood test and see if she's up to it," he quickly added.

"What makes you think she's enhanced?"

"Well," Tony drawled. "I checked through some files. Also, unless you mean to tell me those are contacts in her eyes, she's definitely had some serum in her."

I shrugged. Well, he had a point. Wait, he looked through my files?!

"Hold up," I interfere into their 'friendly' banter. "What files?"

"You know, some that have been released on the net, others I've stolen, 'borrowed', hacked through... you know."

I hesitated for a heartbeat. "What did you find out?"

"That I won't be needing a blood test," he replied. What?

"You've done some impressive stuff, kid. I did not see it coming that you beat the shit outta that guy," he said, pointing to Bucky. Bucky's eyes flicked up, but soon found their place on the ground again.

"Also, I know about your powers. We'll test those too."

My gut churned. I remembered the trials I had been put through when I was with HYDRA. The beatings. The blood. No good deed.

Stars crossed my vision.

"T-test... m-my p-powers...?" I asked weakly. I didn't even know I was stuttering. It was getting difficult to speak, or even think straight or breathe. What is happening? Why does it feel like my body is shutting down and the walls are closing in? Is that darkness I see?

I heard faint voices all around me.

"Charlotte? Come on, what's wrong?" The first echo asked.

"She's having an anxiety attack," the other voice replied, sounding like it was miles away.

Strong, rough hands, one of them rather freezing, grabbed my shoulders, and I hadn't even realised I had sunk to the floor.

The ice, they're taking me back to cryo...

My knees hit the cool tiles, and I was in that stupid HYDRA lab again. Why didn't I feel that whip, though?

Darkness faded through my vision, and I felt something cool flowing down my cheek. Blood? Tears? My breathing was shallow and it felt like my lungs were being cut off of all oxygen around me. It was like drowning, except everyone else around me was breathing.

Then, my limbs went taut and my vision went black.

I shook myself awake in a strange, rather comfortable bed. Huh. What did I do in HYDRA to deserve this?

Then, my eyes fluttered open, and I stifled a gasp as my hands scrambled, touching everything around me to see if it was all real.

Real, real, real. You're not in HYDRA. You escaped.

I sat up robotically, finally noticing that I was back in my room. The sun shone brightly, and I cursed silently as I checked the watch ticking on the wall.

12.50.

I shook my head, making my way to the bathroom to wash my face. When I saw my reflection in the mirror, my hair was messy and sticking out on all sides. I tried to smooth it down, the now crazy curls seeming to have their own will.

Then, I quickly staggered out of the bathroom, stopping at my door.

Should I open it?

My assassin senses kicked in again, and I softly pressed my earlobe against the door which was supposed to be soundproof.

Damn it.

I knew I wouldn't get anywhere with the door, even with my amazing senses, so I carefully cracked the door open a little.

Bucky and Steve were sitting there, minding their business, both of them reading some book.

Huh.

With a lot of sudden modesty, I carefully crawled out of my room, showing that I'm awake. I kept trying to smooth my hair down, as it was still currently hating me.

Suddenly, Steve and Bucky glanced up simultaneously, to see me standing there, edging towards the sofa to sit with them.

"Charlotte!" Steve called, quickly coming to my aid. He helped me sit down and I truly felt like I was 90 years old. Oh wait, I am...

"Are you okay?" He checked my face hurriedly, before sitting back down beside me.

"Fine," I replied, my voice still raw. "How long have I been out for?"

"A few hours," he replied. "Should I let Tony know you're up?"

I smirked a bit weakly. Ugh. Pathetic. "Yeah, and tell him I'll see him at 1.30."

"What? No, you're not testing your- well, no."

"Why not?"

"You just had an anxiety attack, Charlotte!"

It got awfully quiet. Any birds I may have heard chirping stopped and everything froze. Anxiety attack? I never had anxiety attacks. It couldn't be... right?

Oh man.

"Well, I can't just let my fear consume me, Steve," I retorted, getting wonkily to my feet. "And if you won't tell Stark, I'll tell him myself."

"No, no, no," he quickly replied, cautiously setting me back down. "I- I'll go get him. Just... stay here. With Bucky."

Then, he jogged- no, practically sprinted- off to find Tony.

And I saw someone staring at me out of the corner of my eye.

I slowly turned to see Bucky gazing at me, book still in both his hands. His emotionless facade was still on, so I decided if that's how he wants to play I'll join his stupid game.

"So," he said quietly. "This is awkward."

"You telling me," I replied, leaning back into the seats.

"What?"

"Well, I'm not the one who just looked like they've been shot whenever I accidentally bump into you," I drawled, wanting to see him sort of squirm. After all he's put me through, I think he deserves it. Yeah, we've both been through hell, but which one of us was there first?

He did squirm a bit, his stoic mask dropping. He metaphorically picked it up again.

"About that," he said, wincing a bit. "Sorry."

I glanced at him in surprise. He's apologising?

"Oh, um, I- thanks..."

What the hell is going on?! Butterflies in my stomach and having a party in my head?! Am I having the hots for my childhood best friend?!

I didn't have time to answer my question as Steve and Tony came back into the room.

Well, well, well, here we have some lovely interaction with Bucky and Charlotte at the end of chapter 20...

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