Reupload

Thank you to Harliquinn for beta reading and editing

/\/\/\/\

About a week later Skye was on the bus heading towards the Avengers compound. It was her first day of mentorship. She had been asked so many questions by the other girls in the group home. Most of them were jealous and thought they should have been the one chosen because she had so many years left in the foster care system. She was the youngest in that group home, and she was only there because she had worn out her welcome everywhere else. This was her last chance before she ended up in juvenile detention. She figured that couldn't be any worse than the group home, but she also wasn't going to intentionally end up in juvie.

She got off the bus and walked the two blocks to the compound. When she got there she announced herself, and Wanda came out to greet her.

"Hey, Skye," Wanda said. "Come on, let me show you around and introduce you to everyone."

Skye went with her and looked around as she was given a tour of the compound.

Skye was introduced to everyone who was there. The tour ended at an office.

"This is the Avengers' office. Before you can start training I think Steve wants to ask you some questions to try and figure out where the super strength came from and such," Wanda said.

Skye nodded and went into the room with Wanda.

"She is all yours, Cap," Wanda said before she left the room.

"Hello," Skye said.

"Hi, Skye. Come on in. Have a seat." Steve said.

Skye sat down in the chair that Steve indicated with a tilt of his head. It was clear she was nervous.

"How's your week going?" Steve asked.

"Fine. Same as usual," Skye said. "Yours?"

"It's been good," Steve said. "You can breathe. We're just going to talk today. I want to get to know you better," He said with a smile.

Skye nodded and let out a breath.

"So, tell me about yourself," Steve said.

"What do you want to know? You did the background check, and probably can tell me more about what is in my care file than I even know," Skye said.

Steve tilted his head. "You don't know what has been put in there?"

"Not details, no. I get access to it at eighteen, not before," Skye said.

"Why?" Steve asked.

"Because a lot of it is probably exaggerations or people's opinions, not necessarily fact. I'm sure the criminal record shit is all correct, but other things…" She said with a shrug

Steve nodded. "Language," He said.

Skye took a breath. "Sorry."

Steve nodded.

"So, they don't want us seeing the stuff until we are no longer a ward of the state and no longer their problem," Skye said.

"Well, that's not right," Steve said.

"Nope, it's not. Not fair at all, but there isn't anything I can do about it," Skye said.

"Well. I have seen your file, both criminal and foster system. But that just tells me, like you said, the opinions of others and the things you have done, not who you actually are," Steve said.

"Why do you care?" Skye asked.

"Because if I'm going to work with you and train you. I want to know you," Steve said.

"Are you expecting that I will become an Avenger because you are doing this?" Skye asked.

"No," Steve said. "That is your choice. I just want to make sure that, if you choose to use your strength in the future, you do so safely. And that you have been taught not to use it to hurt other people unnecessarily."

Skye smirked "You thinking I'm going to go to the dark side?"

Steve shook his head. "I seriously hope not. But, again, that is a decision you will have to make when you are an adult. Until then, you use it to hurt anyone, you will be answering to me. Got it?"

Skye nodded. "Understood. I have no interest in hurting good people, now or when I'm older."

"Glad to hear it. And just so you know, your identity and abilities will never be shared by any of us. That is something you can choose to do when you are ready, if that time comes." Steve said.

Skye nodded. "I appreciate that."

"And whatever you choose to tell any of us about yourself or your past will also be kept private if you want us to," Steve said.

Skye nodded again and played with the skin around her nails.

"Skye, I don't expect you to tell me everything. I just want to get to know you better, and I'm sure you have questions for me. So why don't we take turns?" Steve suggested.

Skye looked at him. "I can ask you questions?"

"Fair is fair right?" Steve asked.

"Okay. You can go first," Skye said.

Steve nodded. "Favorite color?" he asked.

"Purple," Skye said. "Yours?"

"Red," He said.

"You dating anyone?" Skye asked.

Steve chuckled. "No. I'm hoping you have the same answer since you are thirteen."

Skye chuckled, too. "I am not dating anyone, no. I don't get out much to meet any guys. And, well, the girls I live with see me as the kid in the house."

"You the youngest in the home?" Steve asked.

Skye nodded. "Yup. Technically, I am younger than the minimum age, but an exception was made."

"How come?" Steve asked.

"I have worn out my welcome in the places that take people my age," Skye said.

Steve nodded. "Ah, what is the minimum age usually?"

"Fourteen," Skye said. "And I have been in that home since before I turned thirteen."

Steve nodded. "Do you know anything about who your parents are or were?"

Skye shook her head. "I was left at the hospital when I was born by a woman. They think she must have been my mother, but no names were given or anything. And I have asked if I could do one of the DNA test things, but I have been told no because my biological parents have the right to their privacy."

Steve nodded. "I can understand that to some degree. But I also understand you probably want answers."

"Especially now, with these powers coming into play," Skye said.

"Yeah. You don't know of any way you could have gotten powers other than through DNA?" Steve asked.

"Nope," Skye said.

"You haven't had any testing done on you by the government or anything?" Steve asked.

Skye chuckled. "Not as far as I know."

"Been anywhere where you could have been exposed to any toxins that could have caused this?" Steve asked.

"Not as far as I know. I think if I was, it would be affecting a lot of people and would be big news," Skye said.

"Probably. Have you been bitten or attacked by anything?" Steve asked.

"No. Who got their powers like that?" Skye asked.

"Spiderman was bitten by a spider," Steve said.

"Seriously? Okay." Skye said. "Do I get to know his real identity?"

"If he wants you to know, sure," Steve said.

"Fair," Skye said.

"Do you have any ambitions for your future?" Steve asked.

"I want to find a way to change the laws within the foster care system," Skye said.

Steve nodded. "As a lawyer or law maker?"

"Something like that. I don't know exactly what yet," Skye said. "What was the biggest shock when you became unfrozen in a completely different world than the one you knew?"

"That over sixty years and while a lot has changed, and that some things that should have changed haven't." Steve said.

Skye tilted her head.

"Men and women not really having equal rights is one example," Steve said.

"So you're more on the Democrat side of things?" Skye asked.

"Yes," Steve said. "Although, a lot of people think I would be the other way because of the time I grew up in."

Skye nodded slightly. "I guess I have never thought about what side you would be on," She said with a smirk.

"Good. I don't think it's anyone's business what side other people would take unless a person wants to tell them," Steve said.

Skye nodded. "Maybe not, but you're on the correct side."

Steve chuckled and nodded. "Okay. Good to know."

"Do you play any sports or part of any clubs?" Steve asked.

"Not really. I skateboard some, but I'm not on a team or anything," Skye said.

Steve nodded.

They continued to ask each other questions for a few minutes.

"I have been informed that you are diabetic. And you are on some medication?" Steve asked.

"Yes, insulin with every meal. I was diagnosed when I was just under two," Skye said.

"I have seen some of your medical records. You had health issues as a baby?" Steve asked.

"Yeah, with my heart. But somehow it just healed itself," Skye said.

"Is that common for it to just heal?" Steve asked.

"Nope, it never happened before," Skye said.

"You heal faster than the average person when you get a cut or anything?" Steve asked.

"Um, I don't think so," Skye said.

Steve nodded.

"You're thinking that I might have super healing?" Skye asked.

"Yes, it came to mind," Steve said.

"Wouldn't that mean I couldn't be diabetic?" Skye asked.

"I'm not sure. These abilities work differently in different people," Steve said.

Skye nodded. "Is there a way to find out if I have any other abilities or where they came from?"

"We will test that when we start training. But as for where they came from, we can't discover that without medical testing. I would need permission from the state to do that on you, and it would raise a lot of questions that I don't think you want answered." Steve said.

Skye nodded.

"I know it's unfair, and I have pushed the line to get you here, but I will not break the rules to that extreme," Steve said.

Skye nodded. "Understood."

"You hungry?" Steve asked.

"Starving," Skye said.

"Come on. I bet Pepper is cooking something fantastic," Steve said.

The two of them went to the kitchen. "Have you met Pepper?"

"No, not yet," Skye said with a smile.

Steve introduced them.

Pepper smiled. "Hello."

"Hello, Ma'am," Skye said.

"You can call me Pepper," she told the young girl with a smile.

Skye smiled. "Okay, Pepper," she said.

"I was just telling her that, if it wasn't for you, we would all probably go hungry half the time," Steve said.

Pepper chuckled. "If it wasn't for me none of you would function like humans."

"But we are all not human," Thor said as he came into the kitchen.

"You are worse than the rest of them," Pepper said with a smirk.

Skye giggled.

"Ah, our little strong girl," Thor said with a smile as he ruffled her hair.

Skye blushed and fixed her hair.

Soon everyone was sitting at the table eating.

Skye looked around the table and tried to remember everyone's names. There were a lot to remember, and she knew not all the Avengers were there.

"Everything okay?" Wanda asked her.

"Yes," Skye said with a small smile.

"It's a lot of people. It's normal to be overwhelmed," Pepper said softly to the girl.

Skye nodded slightly and gave a small smile. They finished eating.

Steve leaned over to her and spoke softly. "You do have the medication you need with you, right?"

She nodded. "I do. I can't really do it at the table, though. It's an injection."

He nodded. "Go ahead, go do it, then," Steve said with a small smile.

Skye went to the bathroom.

"She's okay?" Nat asked.

"She's okay. I think Pepper called it. She's just a bit overwhelmed," Steve said.

"Any information on where the strength came from?" Bucky asked.

"Nothing definitive. I'm guessing there's something in her genetics. But, I can't know for sure without further testing. I can't get approval for that without giving away why I want it," Steve said.

They all nodded.

Skye came back to the table.

Steve looked at his watch. "I should get you back home. There is no way I am letting you take the bus."

"I don't mind. I'm used to taking the bus," Skye said.

Steve let out a breath.

"I can take her, Cap," Happy said. He had gotten so used to driving Peter to and from his internship that he missed doing it with Peter being off at MIT, so having someone else to drive around was not a problem for him.

"Happy used to drive one of my interns around," Tony said to Skye.

"That's fine with me," Steve said.

Skye nodded. "If it's really not a problem."

"Not a problem, come on, kid," Happy said.

Skye said bye to everyone, thanked Pepper for dinner, and headed out.

On the drive back to her group home Skye was quiet.

"That intern you drove around must have been pretty important," Skye said after a bit.

"He was and is," Happy said.

"He is still an intern?" Skye asked.

"No. He is away at university, but he became part of the family pretty quickly," Happy said. "So when he comes home he will likely visit the compound for part of his break," Happy said.

Skye nodded.

"You like the group home you're in?" Happy asked.

"Everyone knows I'm a kid in the system?" Skye asked.

"Yes. I'm not privy to the details. But, yeah, I know you are in a group home," Happy said.

Skye nodded. "Well, I have mixed feelings about the home. It's not the worst home I've ever been in, but it's also not the best. And, honestly, this 'mentorship' with everyone not knowing details has made me very unpopular. Everyone knows who is 'mentoring' me, and they are a bit jealous."

Happy nodded. "Does Mr. Rogers know this?"

"No. Are you going to tell him?" Skye asked.

"No. I don't think telling him will change anything for you in that regards," Happy said.

"Thank you. I don't need him worrying about me," Skye said.

"Well, I hate to break it to you, kid, he already is," Happy said.

Skye sighed. "Why?"

"Because you are a kid with superpowers, and, if it comes out, you will be targeted," Happy said. "And we have seen first hand what can happen when a young person with powers gets targeted. Didn't end well."

Skye nodded. "I have no intentions of telling anyone."

"I believe that. But that man who you were able to defend yourself from wasn't shy about telling people it was a young teenager who did that. Thankfully, no one believes him. I do believe he was found with drugs in his system," Happy said.

"Are you supposed to be telling me this?" Skye asked.

"Probably not, but what they don't know I told you can't hurt me." Happy said.

Skye chuckled. "Ah, a rule breaker."

"A line pusher, not a full rule breaker," Happy said.

Skye nodded. "I won't say anything."

"I appreciate that. And know you can talk to me. I have been known to keep a secret or two. As long as you're not in any danger or planning to do something stupid I won't share anything you tell me," Happy said.

"I will keep that in mind. Thank you," she said as Happy pulled up into the neighbourhood she lived in. The limo Happy drove was very out of place.

"How many teens are in your group home?" Happy asked.

"Right now, eight. But we can have up to twelve at one time." Skye said. "Four rooms each with three beds. Right now it's two to a room."

Happy nodded. "Outside of this situation making you unpopular, do you get along with the other teens?"

"Some, yes. Some, not so much. I'm the youngest, so I am seen as the baby and treated as such. For the most part," Skye said.

Happy nodded. "Treated fairly by the people in charge?"

"Yup," Skye said. That was a lie, but she wasn't fully ready to trust him with that information.

Happy saw right through the lie. But he was sure that if there was something serious going on that Cap and Wanda would have noticed when they were there. He pulled into the driveway.

"Thank you," Skye told him.

He handed her a card. "You call me if you need a ride anywhere," Happy said.

She took it. "Seriously?"

"Yes," Happy said.

"Thank you," she said softly before she got out and went inside.

Happy made sure to watch her go inside before he left.

She was stopped as soon as she came in. "Who drove you home in a limo?" Ms. Torres asked.

"His name is Happy. He works with Mr. Rogers and offered to drive me home," Skye told her.

"Fine," She said. "It's late. You have chores to do. That hasn't changed."

Skye nodded and started to do the laundry that was her chore this week. Her roommate came into the laundry room.

"Hey," Kate said.

"Hey. You going to tell me that I'm a bitch for taking the offer and not giving it to you?" Skye asked.

"No. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. I get it. We all wouldn't have had a second thought if it was any of us," Kate said.

Skye nodded.

"What was it like? Did you get to meet all of the avengers?" Kate asked.

"It was a bit weird, in a good way. And some of them," Skye said.

"Thor? God, he is so fucking fine," Kate said.

Skye smiled. "Yes, he was around."

"Okay, super jealous," Kate said with a smile.

Skye smiled. "I spent most of the time with Steve Rogers, though."

Kate nodded. "He helped you with school work or something?"

"Not today. It was just touring the facility, and he wanted to get to know me," Skye said.

Kate nodded. Once the laundry was started Skye went and showered and changed into pajamas before going downstairs and switching the clothes from the washer to the dryer.

"You know, this is supposed to be done before now," Ms. Torres said, clearly not happy.

Skye took a breath. "I know. I'm sorry. Won't happen again."

"See to it that it doesn't." Ms. Torres said before walking away grumbling.

Skye let out a breath and finished the laundry before going to bed. She laid awake in bed thinking.

"You okay?" Kate asked.

"I really feel like getting high right now," Skye said.

"Yeah, I heard her ragging on you. Don't listen. She's just jealous because she has a huge crush on Captain America," Kate said.

Skye chuckled.

"I have some weed if you want it," Kate said.

"No. I can't," Skye said.

"Oh?" Kate asked.

"One of the stipulations of the mentorship is no drugs. And I get the feeling if it is suspected at all I will be drug tested," Skye said.

"Well, I mean when is your next day?" Kate asked.

"Um, a couple of days," Skye said.

"It will be out of your system by then," Kate said.

"I don't know. I think it's better not to chance it right now," Skye said.

"Okay. Your choice," Kate said before they both turned over and went to sleep.

/\/\/\/\

The next couple days were absolute hell for Skye. She was picked on for everything. Nothing she did was right. She was glad when the next day of the mentorship had come. She had made sure all her chores were done before she was picked up by Happy to make sure that she couldn't be yelled at for that.

Happy could tell when she got in the car that she was upset. But he didn't say anything at first. He looked in the rear-view mirror after they had driven in silence for a few minutes.

"You okay?" He asked.

"Yes," Skye said. A small, forced smile came on her face.

"You sure?" Happy asked.

"Yes," Skye said.

Happy nodded. "Okay." He wasn't going to push it.

When they got there, Wanda was waiting for her.

"Come on. You and I are going to be working together today. Steve will be around in a bit," Wanda said.

"Okay," Skye said with a smile.

They went to the training rooms. Skye went into one of the rooms off to the side and changed into clothes better suited for training. She had been told to bring them. She started to work with Wanda, who was trying to figure out what might trigger her abilities. Based on what had happened, fear was probably one of the triggers. But the question was, what would scare Skye enough to trigger her powers now?

Steve came into the room while they were trying to figure it out. Skye hadn't seen or heard him enter. So, when he was close behind her and said hello, she jumped and ended up pushing him about a foot away from her. He landed on his butt.

She gasped. "Oh my god. Shit. I'm so sorry," Skye said.

Wanda started to laugh.

"I'm so, so sorry," Skye said almost in tears.

Steve was taken aback. "It's okay. I know you didn't know it was me," He said as he got up.

Wanda was still laughing.

"What exactly is so funny, Maximoff?" Steve asked.

"This girl is a third of your size, and she still was able to push you a foot away," Wanda said.

"Yes, clearly she has super strength. And I wasn't expecting it," He said.

Skye looked really worried as she lowered her gaze.

Steve stood in front of her and lifted her chin gently. "Skye, It's okay, really. I'm not upset. I'm impressed, in fact."

"You sure?" Skye asked.

"Yes," Steve said.

Wanda calmed down enough to speak. "I can definitely say it's fear that triggers it."

"Great, so I need to get scared anytime I want to use it?" Skye asked.

"Over time you won't need it triggered. It will just happen as you want it," Wanda said.

"Any work on figuring out if she has any other abilities?" Steve asked

"Not yet, we were trying to find a trigger." Wanda said.

"Okay. Well, let's see," Steve said.

"What should we test?" Wanda asked

"Well, she had to have pretty good reflexes to be able to knock me on my butt. So let's test that and maybe heightened senses?" Steve asked.

"Sounds good," Wanda said.

"Skye, stand there and close your eyes," Steve said.

Skye did so.

"One of us is going to move towards you. We won't be saying anything and will be as quiet as possible. If you sense us, point to where we are," Wanda said.

Wanda started to move towards her. She wasn't detected until she touched Skye on the shoulder. Skye jumped and tried to push Wanda. But, Wanda was expecting it and moved out of the way.

"Sorry," Skye said.

"Nope, in these rooms you don't need to apologize for using your abilities. That's what we want you to do," Wanda said.

Skye nodded. "Okay."

She heard Steve coming up from behind. "I hear you Steve," Skye said.

Wanda smirked. "Guess I'm stealthier."

Steve chuckled.

They kept working and trying different things.

"How about we test her agility?" Steve suggested quietly to Wanda.

"How? I'm not about to throw knives at her," Wanda said.

"Really? That's the first place your mind goes?" Steve asked.

He grabbed a stress ball out of his pocket. It wasn't hard. If it hit her, it wouldn't hurt. He tossed it at her, and she moved out of the way fast.

"What the fuck?" She asked.

"Language," Steve said.

"You just threw a ball at me!" Skye screeched.

"I was testing your agility. I didn't mean to upset you," Steve said, going over and picking up the ball.

Skye took a breath. She was almost in tears.

"Let's take a break." Wanda said, seeing it.

Skye went and sat down on a bench on the side of the room.

Steve brought her a bottle of water and sat next to her.

"I didn't think you would have an issue with it. I'm sorry." Steve said

"It's okay. I know you weren't trying to hurt me," Skye said, sipping the water.

"But, obviously, I hit a nerve. You want to tell me what that's about?" He asked.

"I just don't like having things thrown at me, especially when I'm not expecting it," Skye said.

Steve nodded. "Okay. Well, how often does that happen?"

"More often than I'd like. When people find out that I can always tell when it's coming and move out of the way, it's like I'm a party trick," Skye said.

"Always?" Steve asked.

"Yeah," Skye said.

"I think you might have a higher-than-average agility, if that is the case," Steve said.

"Can't we tell all this from my blood?" Skye asked.

"Yes. But we can't do that testing without permission. And, unless you want me to have to tell your social worker and the state about this, I can't get that permission," Steve said.

Skye nodded slightly.

He held out the ball to her. She took it.

"It wouldn't have hurt you if it had hit you." He said.

"I believe that," Skye said.

"I won't try things without checking with you from now on," Steve said.

"No. It's okay. I know you're just trying to help," Skye said. "I'm sorry I swore."

"It's forgiven," Steve said.

They finished training for the day and had dinner again before Happy drove her home.