Chloe Tyler stared up at the tower trying to pinpoint where the building ended and the sky began. It was hard to tell at that angle. She took a deep breath and went inside.

Twenty minutes later she sat in a large office, waiting. She played with her gloved fingers in her lap as her eyes darted around the room. Everything was clean lines and glass. Obviously expensive, but that was no surprise since Tony Stark owned the building.

When Tony came through the door behind her, it startled her.

"Miss Taylor."

She stood. "Um, it's Tyler, sir."

"Oh, I'm sorry. Tyler." He adjusted his suit jacket and sat down without looking at her. "What can I do for you?"

She wouldn't let his dismissiveness faze her. He likely had countless meeting each day just like this that ended up being a waste of his time.

"I would like to join your team, sir."

"Enough with the 'sir,'" he said as he motioned for her to sit. "What can you bring to Stark Industries?"

"Not Stark Industries. The Avengers."

Now he really looked at her, and his eyes narrowed. "The question stands."

"It started about ten years ago. I got really sick, and when I got better I had... an ability."

"Which is?"

"When I touch something I know it's history and composition. If it's a weapon, I can use it like I was trained for years."

"And you want to fight with us?"

She nodded.

"I don't believe you."

"I... I'm telling the truth, I have this ability."

"No, that's not what I don't believe. You don't really want to fight."

"I want to help people."

"Now, that I believe. But that's not why you're here."

She sank back into the chair. "I need help controlling it."

"There it is. How bad is it?"

"Nothing destructive. Well, I break things sometimes. After I use my ability it leaves me kind of... a klutz."

"So, just don't use it."

"It's not that simple. All I have to do is touch something. If I want to be careful I have to wear gloves," she held up her gloved hands, "but I can't wear them all day at work, and when it's hot outside in the middle of summer..."

"You draw attention."

"And sweat."

"Well, while I would love to bring you on board, I'm not the team leader. Just the funder. He has final say."

"Who's that?"

"Captain Rogers."

"Wow... ok. Do I need to come back another time?"

"You're in luck. He's here today." He stood and buttoned his jacket. "Let's go up."

"Up?"

"Top floors are where the super stuff happens. Not to mention where they all like to hang out."

He held the door for her.

"All?"

"The whole team. They're in and out. A few have rooms. Some permanent. Some just to crash for a night or two."

She rubbed the palm of her hand with her thumb as they walked to the elevator. Stark was quiet on the way up, and Chloe was grateful. She preferred silence over forced small talk, and her mind was racing so that she would never be able to focus on anything he said.

They walked down a hall and into a large, open room with a few seating areas, a bar... it almost looked like a club.

Two men sat on the sofa and stood when they saw her.

"Chloe, this is―"

"Steve Rogers. I know."

"Cap, this is Chloe Tyler."

"Nice to meet you, Miss Tyler."

"Call me Chloe, please."

He nodded, and the other man reached out his hand.

"Sam Wilson."

"Nice to meet you."

"Chloe believes she can bring a little something to our team," Tony said.

Steve stared at Chloe for a beat. "You know, we don't really recruit people."

"I understand, sir, but I have this ability and it's kind of a nuisance. It's interfering with my daily life more and more, and I thought... maybe..."

"She thought," Tony said, "that we might be able to help her control it."

Steve nodded and motioned for her to sit. "What can you do?"

Chloe sat with Steve and Tony on a sofa to her right, and Sam to her left on another sofa. She told them what she told Tony about her abilities and their side-effects, then Steve and Tony left the room to discuss what to do.

"So," Sam said, "what kind of klutz are we talking, here?"

"Full-on, trip-over-air-and-land-on-my-face klutz."

"Ouch."

"Yeah."

Sam pointed to her gloves. "It's not cold in here, you know."

Chloe grinned. "The gloves keep me from inadvertently using my ability."

"Which keeps you from turning into a klutz."

"Exactly."

"Understood. So, it really just takes a touch?"

"Most of the time."

Steve and Tony returned, and Steve handed her his shield.

"If you don't mind... we'd just like to see what you can do. Can you tell me what that shield is made of?"

Chloe lay the shield next to her and took off her glove. She lay her hand on the shield.

"Vibranium. It's a very rare metal found in Wakanda."

Sam glanced up at Steve, and he shared a look with Tony.

"Welcome aboard, Chloe," Steve said.

Chloe let out a breath and smiled. "Thank you. So much." She stood and moved to shake his hand. Her toe caught on the rug and she stumbled, but caught herself.

"You okay?"

"I'm fine. But the more I use this the worse that gets. That's why I need help." She put her glove back on.

"You'll get it," said Tony. "Cap and I were discussing it. You said you got these powers after you got sick?"

"Very sick. I was in the hospital for weeks."

"I'd like to let one of the guys on our team examine you and maybe take a look at your medical files. Maybe he can find a connection."

"That would be amazing. Thank you."

"And," Steve said, "considering how unstable your abilities are, we both think you should live here. You can train and you'd be around people who understand."

"I'd have to think about that. I mean, I have an apartment and lots of stuff."

"Keep the apartment," Tony said. "Go there whenever you need, but you can spend most of your time here."

She shook her head. "I really can't thank you enough."

Tony arranged a car for her to go to her apartment and grab whatever she wanted to bring back to the tower. Steve was waiting for her when she returned.

"Ready for the tour?"

"Yes, sir."

"Steve... please."

He smiled, and it managed to settle her nerves. They went to her room first so she could put her things down. It was simple, but nice. More than enough space, with a television and queen bed.

Stark created a small community of sorts, and she wondered why any of them would want to leave. There was the area she first met Steve, suitable for casual get togethers or large parties, several private bedrooms, spaced out for privacy, a fully-stocked kitchen, a gym, a pool, and a large area outside she thought would be perfect for star-gazing, being so close to the sky, high above the surrounding buildings. Then there was the training area. It was a large room with mats across the floor and weapons lining the walls.

"We'll spend a lot of time in here to see exactly what you can do."

She nodded.

"I'll do most of your training, but if I'm ever away there are others who could help you out."

"I don't even know how to thank you."

"No need. You hungry?"

"I could eat."

"Let's get something."

They sat at the kitchen table and chatted. Chloe tried not to pry, but with Captain America himself as her dinner companion she couldn't stop herself from asking a few questions. He didn't seem to mind, and he asked her about her family.

"My parents live on the west coast. No siblings."

"Do they know what you can do?"

She shook her head. "I haven't figured out how to tell them. Everyone's so weird about people with powers. I mean, I get it, but..."

"You feel exposed."

"Yeah. That's why I decided to try Stark. I thought if anyone would understand..."

Steve nodded. "Not everyone here has enhanced abilities. Sam, for instance. Regular guy with a great piece of technology. Natasha... you'll meet her. She's very highly trained, but no powers."

A man walked through the kitchen to the fridge and grabbed a bottled water. His long hair hid his face, but his metal arm gave away his identity. Chloe stared until Steve noticed.

"Oh, hey Buck... come meet Chloe."

Bucky stared a moment then walked over.

"Chloe will be staying here and training with us."

Bucky nodded. "Welcome." He looked to Steve. "I'll be in my room."

Chloe stared after him, and Steve sighed.

"It takes him a while to warm up to people."

"Is that... I mean, he's the Winter Soldier."

"He was. Not anymore. He's a good guy."

"He blew up a building."

"No, he was framed for that. Someone was trying to find him, so they used that to draw him out."

"Still, I've heard horrible stories about him."

Steve lowered his eyes. "You're worried about what people will think when they learn what you can do, right? That you'll be misjudged?"

Chloe knew where this was going, and she felt about two inches tall. She nodded.

"Bucky has a past. It's not mine to tell, but it's not his fault, and he's learning to deal with it. Don't misjudge him. Get to know him."

Chloe nodded.

"It's getting late, and I still have a few things to do. Let's meet here tomorrow. We'll go for a run and see what you can do."

"Sounds good. I have to warn you, though, I'm not much of a runner."

"I'll go slow," he said with a grin.