Earth, 1989

Carol knew the moment she pulled the trigger that it was a terrible idea. Her father always said that her impulsive nature would get her killed one day; who knew that today would be that day. The look on his face was priceless. He'd shot down her plane, murdered her mentor in cold blood, and then had the audacity to think that he was going to win this battle. It'd be a cold day in hell when she allowed that kind of victory. She fought the urge to laugh when his panicked screams reached her ears.

That was the last thing she remembered hearing before the blinding flash from the core overtook her entire body. She'd experienced many feelings over the years, but nothing compared to the pulsating heat that breached every inch of her being. Her eyes saw only the immense waves of pure energy washing over her. There was one big wave, the initial explosion, followed by several smaller, more intense bursts until Carol lost count.

The stabs of energy were rhythmic and perfectly timed as if they were some type of parasitic being seeking a new host. The pain that was so intense that she prayed for death, paralyzed her entire body… If she even had a body anymore. Her five senses had been overtaken and consumed. She saw light, tasted it, felt it, heard it, smelled it.

Soon all she heard was the low, steady hum of energy pulsating through her veins. The heartbeat that she'd grown accustomed to feeling and hearing, was now replaced with the same steady hum. She'd been changed. And she didn't realize just how much.

Earth, 1995

Although Monica had entered the room quietly, Carol felt the disturbance her field. Carol had been lost in thought watching the sun sink below the horizon. She couldn't remember living in this place. This hot, sticky and miserable of a place called home, but oddly enough it felt familiar. Another bead of sweat trickled down her face as she turned and faced the adorable little girl standing by the door.

"Hi," Monica said with a smile.

"Hi there."

Monica raced to Carol's side and embraced her tightly. "I just wanted to say goodnight. Mom's making me go to bed, but I really wanna stay up and talk."

"Well, you know you need to do what your mom says," Carol said pulling away from her. "There'll be plenty of time tomorrow to chat."

"Tomorrow?" Monica whispered excitedly. "You're going to be here tomorrow?"

"Yes, I will. Remember what I told you? I crash landed here."

"I swear, this is so awesome! I wish I had seen you destroy that Blockbuster."

Carol laughed lightly and embraced the child again. "It didn't stand a chance."

Monica tightened her grip around Carol's neck and laughed. "I always knew you'd come back! You always keep your promises."

Those words: "You always keep your promises", punched through her heart like a legion of Kree soldiers and exposed a tiny room of her mind. One that held a memory of a four-year-old Monica saying those exact same words. When Carol released Monica from the embrace, she caught a glimpse of the same look of love and admiration that was captured in her memory.

"I try," were the only words that Carol could form on her lips. Her heart ached way too much to say anything more. She looked up and saw the child's mother standing in the doorway, observing the two of them.

Carol wasn't sure what was on her mind, other than the fact that the girl was blatantly disobeying bedtime curfew. Her face was blank, devoid of emotion, and cautious. Carol cracked a smile to lessen the tension that had suddenly filled the room. She was rewarded with a slight, but warm smile.

"Looks like you've been caught," Carol said nodding toward Maria standing in the doorway.

Monica froze in place and looked to Carol for help. Carol took her by the arms, "Time for bed, Trouble," she said nudging her towards her mother.

Monica laughed nervously and hugged her mother. "Mom! This is like the best day ever! Please let me stay up so I can talk to Auntie Carol."

Maria sighed lightly and shook her head. "You've had enough excitement for the day. Go to bed and you two can catch up tomorrow."

"But, Mom!"

"Nope. Not happening."

Monica gave up the fight quickly and raced to Carol's side again. "Promise you'll be here tomorrow?"

Carol glanced up at Maria who gave her an assuring nod. "I promise," she whispered and gave Monica a tender goodnight kiss on the forehead. She hadn't intended on that action, that show of such tender feelings, it just happened.

All of this was new to her. This showing of emotion. This all felt like a weird dream, or a really bad trip. Carol shook off those thoughts and smiled at Monica. She watched her walk happily out of the room and disappear down the hallway.

Carol was relieved that Monica had gone to bed. Remembering that she had a life here on C-53, and that home on Hala was not actually home, and that the Kree are not actually her people… Man, that was a lot to process.

Her train of thought was interrupted by Maria clearing her throat. Carol looked up and smiled.

"I guess I should go to bed too."

"Are you sure you're, okay?" Maria asked.

Carol shrugged. "I guess so. It seems that you are the only ones who know anything about me. I don't even know me."

Maria walked cautiously over and sat on the bed. "You don't remember anything?"

Carol shook her head slowly.

"Nothing at all?"

"I mean, just bits and pieces that filter through. But no substantial chunks."

Maria sighed deeply and got up. "So, what's the point in you being here if you don't remember us or your home?"

Carol lowered her head. She'd asked herself that about a million times in the past hour. "I feel like this is where I'm supposed to be."

Maria scoffed. "I can't let Monica get hurt again. You never thought about anyone but yourself! Always wanting to be the first to achieve everything."

Carol heard the hurt in Maria's voice. It seemed like she'd been waiting years just to say those words. It seemed like saying it vindicated her in a way.

"I am so sorry that I don't remember."

"I should have been the one who flew that morning, Carol. It was supposed to be me!"

It was then that Carol realized that Maria was speaking about something entirely different. Carol got up and approached her slowly.

"There is enough time to help me remember what happened, but aren't you glad that you weren't the one who flew with Lawson?"

"Glad?" The look on Maria's face was as if Carol had just insulted her mother. "Glad?"

Carol heard the emotion rise in her voice. "Yes. If it was you, then you would have been assumed dead."

"Do you understand how much pain I've endured over the last six years wondering where you were? Knowing that you were alive because I could feel you out there somewhere, but knowing that you were alive because you were too stubborn to die?"

"I—"

"And you come back here with superpowers and stealing Monica's affection all over again. When I was the one who sat up with her every night in your absence, reminding her that you always keep your promises and that you'd be back one day…" Maria stopped to compose herself. She turned away from Carol and swore under her breath.

"I'm sorry." Carol said.

"I did everything I could to save her from the heartache of losing you, when I was barely holding it myself," Maria said turning to her. "You were my best friend! Someone who was closer than blood and you just left!"

Carol hated C-53 and all of its emotional issues. Emotions were contagious and easy to catch. Just like a Flerken cold. She felt the tightness first in her chest and then in her throat. And then she felt the warmth of liquid betrayal streaking down her face.

"But I am back now," Carol said with as much conviction as she could muster up. "And although I don't remember everything, or everyone, I will. I promise."

"Don't make promises that you can't keep."

"I'll keep this one."

Maria stared her down for what seemed like hours before walking out and shutting the door behind her. She left Carol alone at last to her own thoughts.

Carol wasn't prepared for this double whammy tonight. What kind of life could the people of C-53 have if every day was full of this? These feelings were uncomfortable. Very uncomfortable.

Carol laid down on the bed and stared at the ceiling. "I gotta get off this planet."