In the past week I had made several attempts to return to the Helli-Carrier, but always at the last moment I decided against it. Since Clint made his appearance in my living room I had seen nor heard from any of them, which to an extent annoyed me. They wanted me on their initiative, but now they'd lied and manipulated me they couldn't pick up the phone to ask if I would come back? It was silly and I knew it, if they called I'd be annoyed that they couldn't leave me alone.

I hadn't gone back to work yet speaking with Mr Whitman briefly telling him that I wasn't sure I'd continue working for S.H.I.E.L.D, but I needed some time to myself. He was happy to oblige considering what had happened recently.

I sat there with the TV on the morning news playing in the background as I collected my thoughts. I needed to stop worrying and just do it. It was time I took responsibility for my power and used it, instead of fearing it. I grabbed my cell and found Natasha's number calling her.

"Sage?" She answered as she picked up the phone. I breathed deeply I could do this.

"Any chance you can pick me up? I'm coming back, I'll do it."

"You're not going to run again?" I shook my head, but she couldn't see me.

"No, not unless someone pulls a stunt like that again."

"I'll be there in an hour."

"Natasha, just don't tell anyone else ok?"

"Sure." Then she ended the call. I'd done it now, no backing out. I felt like I was going to be sick I took deep breaths and saw my suit just lying there and I smiled.

When Natasha knocked on my door she looked taken aback to find me all suited up minus the face mask. A small curl of her lips showed she was smiling not a full blown smile as I didn't think Natasha was the type.

"What do you think?" I asked, the suit was indeed skin tight fitting to my every curve, but it was malleable so I could move with ease.

"I'm amazed Stark got your size right. But it looks good and it shows me you really are serious about this. And for what it's worth we did try to stop Fury, but what he says tends to go."

"It's ok Clint kind of explained it when he brought me the suit, I understand that Fury is generally an ass."

"But unfortunately he's the boss, though he did manage to pull the Avengers Initiative together so he deserves some credit." I shrugged I wasn't impressed with him and I don't think I would ever like the man. "Anyway let's get going Fury is going to have one hell of a shock." I smiled I liked the sound of that.

I followed Natasha trough the corridors of the Helli-carrier making our way to the comms room where Fury was looking over some files alone. He barely glanced up and only saw Natasha.

"Agent Romanoff I'm busy right now,"

"To deal with Ember?" I asked cutting him off as I stepped round Natasha.

"What the hell?" And I was right the look of pure shock was so satisfying, but he quickly recovered. "Miss Collins, to what do we owe the pleasure?"

"Simple, I'll work for you." He smiled, smugly. "But let's lay down some rules. You will not take advantage of me or my power, if I say no then that's the end of it and if you ever and I mean ever try to set me up like that again I will barbeque your ass. Am I clear?" He looked long and hard at me before a smirk appeared on her face.

"You have yourself a deal. It's good to have you on the team. Natasha if you could get the rest of the team?" She nodded and started to walk out.

"I'll go with her." I said and followed before Fury could say anything. "Natasha, where's Bruce? I think I owe him an apology." She looked at me and simply pointed down towards his labs a knowing look in her eyes. I shrugged it off and walked down the corridor to the labs.

I peered inside and saw him sitting looking through a microscope at something. I took a deep breath tapping on the door and walked in. He held his hand up to stop me, but hadn't registered it was me.

"Bruce…" He looked up quickly and moved from round the table.

"Sage, I, look,"

"Bruce I'm sorry." He tilted his head to the side confused.

"I should be the one saying sorry. I should have told you,"

"No its ok, I should have listened to you guys. You tried to help me and I just threw it in your face. Clint told me you tried to stop Fury, so thanks. And again I'm sorry." I said clasping my hands behind my back.

"It's fine, I'm just glad your back. I hope you can still trust me?" There was a sadness in his eyes, an expectation that I wouldn't and that he'd ruined the start of a good friendship. But he hadn't.

"I think I could manage that." I smiled at him before quickly pecking his cheek. "Come on Fury wants us all in the comms room." I said and found myself linking my arm through his as we walked back to the comms room. The Nordic surfer, Steve and Tony were already sat down waiting as we walked inside.

"Miss Collins?" Steve asked surprise colouring his tone.

"Fire Cracker what are you doing here?" Tony asked walking over to me and Bruce.

"What do you think I'm doing here Tin Man?" I wanted to be as mad at Tony as I was at Fury, but I couldn't I liked Tony, at least when he wasn't being a jerk.

"It is good to have you with us flame goddess." The Nordic surfer smiled.

"Thor she's just a normal lady with an exceptional ability." Steve answered him as I smiled at the man I now knew as Thor. I appreciated Steve assessment of me, he didn't make me sound like the freak I often felt like.

"The suit looks good, you get the mask or did the bird lose it?" Tony questioned.

"No Clint didn't, he delivered it just fine." I said rolling my eyes at him as Clint, Natasha and Fury walked back into the room, Fury clearing his voice.

"So, as you can see Miss Collins has decided to join us. I assume you won't be running away this time?" The man infuriated me like no other.

"As long as you don't mess with me, I'm here to stay as I already said."

"Good, Barton, Romanoff; start her training when you're ready, preferably sometime today." Fury ordered.

"My what?"

"Training, fire isn't going to answer all our problems, you need to learn to fight and shoot at least the basics, Miss Collins. Otherwise you'll be a liability in the field." I looked at him blankly. "And stay sharp, there's something going on and we may need to move out at any time." And with that he dismissed us.

"Sage, come on we'll start some self-defence." Natasha motioned me to follow her and Clint.

"You'll be fine Sage, it's for your safety. Talk to you later?" Bruce smiled as I followed after Natasha and Clint.

"How come no one mentioned this before?" I asked.

"Why you going to back out again?" Natasha replied, I don't think she meant it to sound so harsh, so I refrained from snapping at her.

"No, just I've never used a gun or done any self-defence. I've never had reason to."

"Well this is going to be fun for you." Clint replied, his hands on my shoulders steering me into the training room. I had a feeling this wasn't going to be any fun for me at all.

A/N: Thank you to everyone that has read and reviewed this story you are amazing! Thanks Elven-Rose-4-Life, I'm glad you are really enjoying my story so far. I'd also like to hear who you think should be a romantic interest for Sage, I keep debating back and forth between three of the Avengers. So it would be nice to hear everyone's thoughts.