I could see them exchanging looks all around the circle. Some were worried, some were sceptical. None of them looked too pleased. I looked back at Cap (I made a mental note not to call them by their nicknames out loud - I wasn't their friend, just a fangirl) and caught his eye.

"We aren't a training school, you know," it wasn't Cap that spoke. I spun around to face the speaker, Clint. "We have other things to do with our time that don't involve looking after a child." I understood where he was coming from, but I felt a sour look twist my face.

"I may be a child by your standards," I replied, slightly offended. I'd expected this argument and prepared a counter on the plane here accordingly, but his tone was patronising. "But I can look after myself. Plus, cheesy as this sounds, I'm not your average 17 year old. I've seen more than most people my age could deal with." Clint might be physically my superior, but I wasn't quite a child even by government standards, and I was only just able to stop myself from lashing out.

"Then why do you need our help?" I could see he was slightly doubtful as to whether I should even be allowed to meet with them, but there were also traces of a smirk in his face. I took a deep breath.

"I said I could look after myself." I fought to keep my voice level. "I didn't say I knew what I was doing. In trying to save myself, I'm pretty sure I would lose control, and I don't know how many people I would accidentally kill." That sobered him up. I turned back to face Cap, wishing my hair was down so that I could whip it around behind me. "Which is why I need your help. To learn to control it."

Cap unfolded his arms and contemplated me for a moment.

"Help her." Again, it wasn't Cap that spoke. It was Wanda, standing next to him. I was beginning to wonder if Cap had lost his voice. "It may surprise some of you to know that I know what it feels like not to be able to control your power. How much damage you can do. And how much that hurts."

"Thank you." Before I realised what I was doing, the melted honey dripped into my voice, and then it was too late. "Though you don't even know what powers I have, you are ready to help. I appreciate it."

I stepped towards her, head tilted to one side, and sensed my eyes beginning to glow gold. In her dazed expression I read a deep sadness that gnawed at her from within, a hidden fear that she never spoke of. I held my hand out to her. She extended her arm like a puppet having its strings pulled, but before I could take it -

"No." Vision pushed my shoulder, and I stumbled and fell. From the floor, I glared at him, then got to my feet. I drew myself up to my full height - at 5' 11" I could look him right in the eye. I darted back in front of Wanda and took her hand before she could fully recover or anyone else could try to stop me. The rush that told me she had power (as if I didn't already know) was like an electric shock, and though I knew what to expect, it was still enough to make me pull my hand out of hers and stagger backwards. I felt strong arms steady me, but with them came another zap of power, which had me tearing myself away in an attempt to stop the world from fading.

"Stop!" The cry flew from my lips before I could stop it.

"What?" Bucky's voice was menacing. No one messes with his Steve. I felt them close ranks around me as I tried to catch my breath, trapping me from escaping. Twelve powerful hands of a well oiled clock. "What just happened?" I sensed the urgency in his tone, but also the threat.

"Nothing, I-"

"That's not true, Tia," Cap finally spoke up, his voice measured but not relaxed. "You somehow get around a very powerful AI, take Wanda's hand, and almost collapse. I help you stay upright and you wrench yourself away from me. You told us that you had power. Now you just need to tell us what it might be."

I sighed. This was unavoidable, but it was going to be difficult. I twisted slowly on the spot, trying to figure out to whom I should make my case. I figured either Cap or Tony, but Tony was next to Clint, and Wanda was on my side. Or at least, she had been before I mind controlled her. I wasn't so sure anymore.

And taking another breath, I began.