11 months later

It's definitely not easy waking up every morning to find that jack squat has been found in the search for James Barnes. It's even harder having to deliver the bad news to Steve or Sam each day. I know I told Steve it could take awhile, but I don't think either of us believed it was going to take this long. I mean, today marks one year since the destruction of Sokovia.

I rub my face tiredly as I scan through the running programs on my laptop. Not a single lead. Not a single hit. I knew that The Soldier was a ghost story...but I didn't think it would be literal. I've written so many algorithms in my attempt to locate James, to no avail. I have programs running to scan all cameras I can get into without being detected. I even have programs monitoring satellite images for crying out loud. Still, there's nothing for me to chase down. I'm close to wanting to rip my hair from my head. I'm not big on failure if you hadn't figured that out yet.

I lean back in my desk chair and place my hands on my head. My eyes shift around my room, which has changed very little since the day I got here. The only things new are my laptop, a desk chair, and numerous framed photos of Pietro and I. Although nothing's changed on the front of finding Sergent Barnes, most of everything else has. Pietro and I have been on countless dates and even became an official couple five months ago. Although that was a big step in our relationship, we were still professional about it. With that being said, there was a rule put in place to make sure couples don't go on missions together unless absolutely dire. Pietro and I were both alright with the rule considering the reasoning behind it was so that our attention would never be split during a mission. It was actually a rather reasonable regulation. Since then, the two of us have only been on two missions together -- both of which required the power of the entire team to take down remaining HYDRA strongholds.

Additionally, Wanda and the Vision have become an unofficial couple in the tower. They're the ultimate will they or won't they couple. Nobody's sure how their relationship will turn out. Pietro and I have a running bet that they'll get together. Furthermore, the past eleven months have included tracking down remaining HYDRA related targets, training, training, and more training, and of course my many dates with Pietro.

During training sets we alternate days where we work on combat versus working on honing our abilities -- for those of us who have them. Often times we enhanced find sensors attached to our body so Tony can monitor us in order for us to figure out what it is that needs more work. However much I dislike feeling like a lab rat being watched and tested, I have to admit that the data collected has helped us tailor specific training plans for each of us. It's just made each of us stronger.

Having had two years of previous training under my belt during my time with Fury, I found there wasn't much honing I needed to do. But as for Wanda and Pietro...well...Steve took it upon himself to personally help train Wanda and Natasha did the same with Pietro. I'm by no means offended I didn't get my own personal Avengers trainer seeing as I didn't need it like the twins did. Under the careful care of Steve and Natasha, they've thrived. Soon the three of us were on the same level.

I close my eyes and let out a long exhale before I transfer monitoring to my cell phone. Afterwards I shut the laptop. I stand and head to my closet to grab my suit. It's not unlike Natasha's usual catsuits except that it's looser and sleeveless. It's the same in that it's black, has a small collar, and zips up the front. The material of the suit, however, is much different. It's lightweight and was created specially by Tony to ensure the material doesn't spontaneously catch fire when I use my abilities. Yeah...he was quick to create the suit after I burned through five regular suits during our first week of training. I can't say it wasn't awkward, because it was mortifying.

As soon as I've changed into the suit, I'm out the door to my room. I only spin on my heel when Steve calls my name from behind me as he leaves his room in his tactical suit. "Morning, Steve." I greet him while waiting for him to catch up to me. I can already see the burning question in his eyes. "No, I'm sorry." I answer as soon as he reaches my side. "Still nothing. It's driving me absolutely crazy." I glance sidelong at him. "I've written and rewritten all my programs at least thirty times since I started. I mean, it's not like I'm not trying, Steve, because I really am-"

"Iris," He laughs and places a hand on my shoulder. "I don't doubt for a second that you're doing your absolute best. As much as I want to find him, I know we're not going to until he either wants to be found or if he slips up. I know you'll find him. It just may not be on the timetable I want...but I know you'll find him." I sigh before nodding my head.

"I know...I just, I feel like I keep failing you." I confess before we fall silent as an agent crosses the hall, headed towards the science division of the building.

"You're not failing anybody. Now c'mon. We've got work to do."

"Uh, I think you mean we're about to get our butts kicked in training." We both share a laugh.

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"Tony, you do realize that classifying me as a light manipulator is like classifying Wanda as just a telekinetic." I tell him as I cause a row of targets to implode behind where I stand with my hands on my hips, looking at the rest of the team.

"Alright, so what should your classification be?" Tony asks where he sits, flipping through each of our files.

"An energy manipulator with increased regenerative healing." I look over my shoulder at the smoldering targets. "Add infrared thermography to that too." As I look back at the group, Tony and Vision seem to be the only ones who have any idea what I'm talking about. "I'm like a human thermal camera. I can see and sense radiation or heat someone gives off...I'm just much more powerful than a regular thermal camera." Vision regards me with curiosity while Tony shakes his head.

"I don't believe you." Tony finally speaks and everybody turns to look at him incredulously, me especially. "Someone blindfold her." I huff and cock my hip, lifting a brow at the billionaire.

"Oh my--are you serious right now, Tony?" I question as Pietro zips from the room, only to return seconds later with a cloth that can be used as a blindfold.

"Dead serious." Stark says, taking the blindfold from the impatient platinum-haired Speedster before it gets passed off to Wanda, who walks over to me with a pitying smile.

"Tony Stark, you're ridiculous." I grumble as Wanda moves behind me and ties the blindfold. I close my eyes in the process.

"Alright, everybody move." Tony says as I hear him drop the stack of files onto the floor. Around me I hear everybody begin to shuffle about, the noises soon mixing together before all goes silent again. Just in case, I wait an extra few seconds before I clear my throat. Ever since closing my eyes I've been able to see everybody's heat signatures move about. It's no challenge or guessing game when it comes to locating my team members.

"Natasha hasn't moved." I point to where she's standing crossing her arms, just staring straight at me. As I declare her location she lets her arms fall at her sides. "Steve is at the water cooler on the left, and Falcon is at the water cooler on the right." I then shift my finger to where I can see their heat signatures. Their postures seem to visibly relax when I point them out. "Pietro and Wanda are standing together by one of the targets, Pietro on the right and Wanda on the left." I declare next, turning just enough so I can point at the two of them. "Tony thinks he's smart and is in the hallway leading to the stairs."

"No way!" I hear a muffled voice coming from the hallway. I don't fight my grin before continuing.

"Vision is floating right above me." I smile and then gingerly reach up and brush the blindfold from over my gold iris'. I blink a couple of times as to allow for my eyes to readjust to the light and watch as everybody returns to the center of the training area. Vision lands in front of me and I cast him a quick smile.

"How is it that you are able to get a signature off me if I don't produce any form of heat or radiation?" He asks with a voice full of wonder. This causes me to smile and point at the Infinity stone embedded in his forehead.

"I mostly get an energy reading off that," I pause, my finger still pointed at the Mind Stone, "more than I do...well, you. But you give off a very faint energy signature instead of radiation or heat."

"Quite remarkable, Iris." I beam upon his compliment.

"Thank you, Vision." I lean and glare at Tony over Vision's shoulder.

"So what exactly do your abilities consist of?" Wanda asks with a thoughtful expression.

"Well, they all somehow tie into energy manipulation. Uh, well there's the energy shields and barriers, actually wielding energy in different forms to use as projectiles, bursts or pulses that can leave any part of my body, invisibility albeit without sight, thermodynamics..." I list uneasily. Talking about my abilities is always hard. I never know if I sound cocky or overconfident when talking about them.

"Don't forget you're getting the hang of condensing your energy so you can fly." Wanda reminds. I nod my head. It's rather unstable at the moment, whereas Wanda's a natural at it.

"I'm not sure if there's anything else. I just know the more I use my abilities and the more I master them, the more I'm able to do...but the dangers remain consistent." I stretch my arms over my head before rolling my head back and forth to loosen the tense muscles. I thought we'd be training today, but it turns out we're cataloging each of our abilities for our files. "With my abilities being largely energy based I'm always walking a thin line. I use too much energy my entire body will shut down, remember that, Steve?" I lift a brow at the uneasy Rogers. That had been a particularly rough day. We were attempting to figure out just how hard we could be pushed before we couldn't continue. Let's just say we found what my absolute max was. "There's also the risk of using up all my energy, resulting in cardiopulmonary failure. Or over manipulating light, burning out my retinas and leaving me blind temporarily until my healing kicks in. You know, there's the usual dangers of playing with any form of energy when it comes to my abilities." I lower my arms and then clap. "So, are we done now? Can I get lunch?"

"Yeah, I think we're done for today." Steve answers tiredly. I think out of the lot of us, Steve had it the hardest for once. Tony had him running around the track on the outskirts of the training area for at least three hours among other challenges.

"Great. I'm starving."

"I second that." Sam laughs as he packs up his wings.

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Three hours and two sandwichs later, I find myself back in my room working on updating my algorithms again. I temporarily leave my post at my computer to search for a real shirt instead of sitting around in track shorts and a halter top bra. My head only pops out of the closet when I hear the door creak open. I'm surprised to find that Sam Wilson peering in, his eyes searching the room for me. I quickly duck back into the closet and grab a navy blue crop top. I throw it on before moving out of the closet. "Hey, Sam. I already told Steve I hadn't found anything yet?" I watch in amusement as his head jerks over to where I am, before it lights up with a smile as he steps into the room.

"I know. Cap wanted me to round everybody up, he's got a mission and we're all being briefed." Wilson informs me kindly. I motion for him to lead the way. I shut my laptop and close my door on the way out. We walk silently down the halls. A distant sound of chatter rings through them, probably coming from the new recruits SHIELD is training on the other side of the facility. A faint smile appears on my lips as I think about it.

Soon after, we reach the living area to find everybody already sitting at the conference table. I take a seat next to the male Maximoff twin, who's knee is bouncing up and down impatiently. "Hey." I whisper as I sit and we both share a smile before we turn our attention to Steve, who slides a few files down the table to me. I eagerly bring them in front of me and flip them open. My face contorts suddenly when I'm met with a heavily disfigured face. "Who...what?" I look up at Steve for an explanation.

"That's Crossbones. He's been hitting police stations across the map, stealing military grade weapons and then selling them on the black market. We haven't had a solid lead on him in six months." Steve states from where he stands at the head of the table. I nod, vaguely remembering hearing his name. I was never assigned to the team who regularly followed his movements. That was Pietro's assigned team.

"And now...?" I question, lifting a brow.

"I hope you got your new passport." Rogers smirks at me as he slides another file down the table to me. On the file, in big, bold, red letters reads 'Lagos, Nigeria.' "We're switching up assignments. Testing our adaptability."