(A/N: 1k!!!!!!!!!!!

Also, I'm so not going through again with typing more info on how Amelia was cured. So, no longer testing my science-fictional-ish-imagination on this part anymore. No explaining of more, stuff.

Its like how some Marvel movies don't really explain how they cured themselves off of something. Like Iron Man 3, where Tony didn't really explain on how he removed the arc reactor or solved Pepper's extremis problem. Even on Banner's methods on controlling the other guy. Sure, he's like, "captain, I'm always angry," and stuff, but still... How'd you do that?

Ultimately, she's cured. She's successful. She fought... Pretty much she's fine. For now. Jk, I don't know.

Most of the chapter shall be on her POV.

Its almost over. I'm honestly and actually happy because I update way too frequently, and the thing is, there's the education where most of my focus shall lie so gotta finish this one. And I don't care 'bout the views/votes of this story, for now. I've uploaded 33 parts so far, although, I'll just wait and see how things escalate from there. :)

Also, I gotta edit mistakes. Perks of being a perfectionist... I'm not lazy bout that.

I don't wait. I'll just do it.

With the exception of physical activity because I'm lazy most of the time there.

So, let me rephrase. I don't wait, I just do it and then wait and see on how things get from there. I guess always finish the story then let the world to see it completed. Well, sort of. But you'll get it, you'll know what I mean.

Anyways...

Enjoy. :D)

~ONE WEEK AND TWO DAYS LATER~

~Third Person's POV~

A footage is shown on someone's monitor. It was news of past footage, the footage taken on the same day the Battle of New York occurred. The time was taken when the battle finally ended.

The waitress that Captain America and Amelia Vale have saved from the raided bank by Chitauri soldiers, she was dirty of debree and still spoke on camera. She looked confused when the reporter asked her a question. "What? That this is somehow their fault?"

"Captain America, and-and that girl in the hood... saved my life. Wherever those two are, wherever any of them are, I-I just want to say thank you."

~Amelia's POV~

To start things off, let's begin with one of the most simplest word. Well, one of the most simplest letters. I. I, me, I am feeling all good. For once. I gotta feeling. That today's gonna be a good day. Well, as soon as I step out of my room.

On my lap, as I sat on the made bed of my old room in the helicarrier, besides that infirmary, is my laptop that I've always clung to. I watched as the footage of the waitress' interview ended, some footage that was taken a few days ago. Actually, about a week ago.

Sighing, I finally stood up and packed the remaining of my luggage. Which is my laptop, gently plopping it back to its special bag. After that, I then stood up from the bed and brought the bag next to its other buddies, which are already standing in close to the doorway of my room.

I face the mirror, staring at my reflection, all, neaten up. Then down to the open box in my hand, with the ring. I don't think I need it for now... I understood why my mom won't really bare with the jewel clinging onto my left, ring finger. Its powers are uncanny and very compelling. Same goes to the gloves... But its been three days since I woke up and I still need the healing therefore wearing the ring could get a little unstable.

Let's do the math. Its been approximately five days since I woke up. With a good feeling, in a healthy way.

And the cure definitely is guaranteed. They fixed... Me. Ya', they did. I woke up on the fourth day out of five days, they did it before the time runs out. Perfect. A good perfect.

I smiled at my reflection, but then I just realized. Today's Elizabeth Echard's funeral.

My mom's funeral...

Jeremy Cervetti's was just yesterday.

And Regina and Stella have contacted me two days before that.

~Four days ago~ -------->Brought to you by TARDIS

I woke up with a jolt. Its just a dream, Amy... Wait, conscience... I hate the name Amy... Whatever...

The dream. Its not one actually, like a bad, harmless dream. Weird one. Like those pointless dreams where you really have no idea on what's its purpose to be a vision while you sleep.

Steve and I were on a date, a good vision definitely. Appearances were very appealing, to him, mine is hopefully, but his was very. Fancy and lavish were we enjoying devouring and chatting over a small Italian dinner.

Then, all of a sudden, out of the blue, my, our surroundings start warping, like tearing itself in half. Steve and I immediately got confused, so we stood up from our lavish seats. Leaving the poor spaghetti with breadsticks and wine behind.

Steve grabbed my arm without another word as we ran from the tearing-itself-in-half Italian restaurant. As we ran, the whole place gotten pitch black, dark.

With one hand, I spark up flames. Steve looked at me, giving me a nod as I lead the way. He still clung to my hand.

As I lead the way with the source of light, we eventually stopped in front of a door.

A plain wooden door. Like those plain doors from Monsters Inc. Love that movie by the way.

Without hesitation, Steve opened the door.

Then a flash of a strong shade of violet flickered before our eyes. The flash was so strong, it blinded my eyes, causing me to wake up.

Here I am now, sitting upright on the infirmary bed. And for one of the first times in forever, Steve wasn't by my side or inside the room.

Clint was. Ah, my old evaluating/supervising officer for, that specific project.

He sat on one of those comfy chairs, sounding his light snore asleep. A small, fleece blanket draped over him, a tablet on his lap. Probably was reading the Hunger Games series... I recommended it like yesterday, conscious.

I smiled a small smile.

Sighing I laid back--

~You know what? Fast forward a few more minutes. A sleeping Clint, a breakfast from Steve, and a message from Nick later.~ -------->Brought to you by the TARDIS

Steve smiled whilst I devoured my oatmeal with the berries atop because I am H-U-N-G-R-Y. I ate in a comfortable silence, sneaking small, glances and smiles to Steve, him returning the gestures. "How's that?"

I took a sip of the cinnamon spiced chai tea, "I'm starving. Thank you, again."

"No need. You need the nourishment and I need you to get nourished." He says lovingly, making me flush a little pink as I take another sip. Now for that croissant...

"Seriously though, thanks." As I took a large bite out of the french pastry, I noticed. There. Are. Hershey's Kisses. Inside. Brilliant!! Just like how the Grinch said it!

Steve noticed the surprised, happy look on my face. He chuckles, "how about that?"

I faced him and pecked him on the cheek, "its brilliant. Whoever made this is a genius."

He was silent for a while, turning red as a beet. "Is the genius smarter than Tony?"

Smirking, I took another bite, "depends on the genius."

Then out of the blue, occurred the three classic knock-on-the-door, of my infirmary. "Come in." I say, the door opening to revealing a wild Nick Fury. He looked, less stern. And for once, smirked.

I smiled back, as Steve rose from his seat. Clint, can't really believe this, is still asleep. Wow, Katniss really got him out cold.

Nick turned to Cap, "how's she doing?" I continued munching on the beautifully baked croissant, looking away. Steve nods, "seems like enjoying her food, Director." Oh, it really seemed like it.

"Good. How about her meds?"

I then look at their direction, "taking it approximately three hours after digestion." I say, Steve smirks.

"Better yet, FitzSimmons will lastly do further check-ups. You're improving to be a little more stable since yesterday." Nick reminds me. Smiling, I ask, "how are the others?"

"Amelia, be worried about yourself. Just yesterday was an electrostatic that is alien almost struck your heart for the eighth time. And worse, the brass and copper castings almost corrupted the lungs." Steve nicely counter, while I purse my lips.

Then out of nowhere, Clint adds with eyes closed from the other side of the room, "the old man's right, Amelia." I rose an eyebrow as he proceeds to what he was about himself, "and Suzanne Collins is really keeping me awake since 4 o'clock a.m. this morning."

I giggle, "yes, yes she does..." Steve then turned to me with a skeptical look, "sorry?"

"Oh, she's a novelist and well-famed author, Steve. Known for the--"

"The 74th annual Hunger Games!" Clint finishes for me, making my smile wider. After all, he imitated Effie. I add as I bowed slightly, "and may the odds be ever in your favor. Also, there's two more, you know?"

Clint's face beamed as Nick interrupts the moment, "yeah, spoiler alert, can you guys give me and Amelia a minute?"

Steve rests an assuring hand on my shoulder as he nods dutifully at Nick. Clint finally gets up, leaving his sleeping chair and brings his tablet along with him as he hurriedly exits the infirmary.

As the door shut, Nick turns to me a little sternly than earlier. "Rogers is getting awfully attached."

I smile, turning a little red as I finish the croissant, "yes, yes he does..."

"Well, make sure he won't find anything, anything about--" My smile disappears.

"Okay, okay, okay... Nick, that was eight years ago. I've- I moved on. He is too, and that's a record. Three years? Yeah, he did beat my record of the project, which is like five years." I assure him. He nods, "good. But just make sure that those files are hidden somewhere in our private database. Your other job's to conceal those."

Sighing, "I did. Hid some hard copies around my penthouse as well."

"Good. Even with the destruction of the device, other details regarding 45 should be kept in heavy secretion."

I paused for a second, "you shed some tears for moi?" I mockingly teased him as he rolled his eyes.

"Amelia, everyone did. And yes, a little... Don't worry."

Smirking, "oh really?"

Then he was silent for a moment as he sighs. "Well, I'm not really here to remind you about that project or are you going to start teasing me about your illnesses." Knew it.

"Knew that." I remark quietly as I smirk because I'm tired of hearing the project over and over and over... It brings back, memories.

"You have another call."

Furrowing my eyebrows, my blood starts boiling. Cervetti. Then he adds, "and according to that look on your face, you already know who's it."

"Well, they did shoot me. And wait, how where they able to contact erm, oh I don't know, No. 22?" Yeah, how did they--?

"They insisted Abbey to give them the codes so that the Cervetti's technical analysts in Cervetti Consolidated could get into the contact system." So, there are better hacktivists out there, eh? "But personally, you're one of the best and its quite simple to get in, really."

"Thanks. But seriously..." Abbey, you are so dead...

"Ms. Myers was reluctant, but after she gave the codes, she immediately got a hold of Rogers." That's good. But since when does Abbey talk to-- you know what? Never mind... Nick continues, "and now, they've made it here and all three of them are 'demanding for your presence'."

I scoff, "so, Declan's finally back with the rest of them..."

He nods, "yeah, but they deserve some information." Then he chuckles, he chuckles, "quite of an opportunity to learn something from the mysterious girl in the hood." Great. I forgot, they haven't seen my face.

My eyes widened, "should the girl in the hood be kept a secret? You know..."

"Not to them." He was affirmative as I pondered a little bit.... Should they know? Nick sighs, "Amelia."

Fine. "All right." Then I paused as I took a long sip of tea, yes, there's tea, "but what would I say?"

"I think you know what things to leave out." Furrowing his eyebrows, he cleared his throat, "you better know what things."

I give an 'obviously' look. "No shit, Fury." After all, Abbey has no idea. That project really passed the secret limit.

"Good." Then a S.H.I.E.L.D nurse entered, with wheelchair. I looked at the thing with skepticism, like dude, I can walk. But I can't teleport... They removed the effing ring. Fury adds, "Amelia, its a wheelchair. Not a Chitauri alien." He hands me a hoodie, as I slowly stood up. Did I forgot to mention I'm in a tank top and shorts? Like, at least I'm not in this weird hospital gown... Or a S.H.I.E.L.D gown---?

Anyways, I slipped on the hoodie, as the nurse brought along the other necessities I need during 'the call'. Sitting on the wheelchair, I smiled at the nurse warmly as my gesture for 'thanks', she returns the smile. Fury then reminds, "I'll be with you on the way."

"Okay."

~At the 'room-where-Amelia-spoke-to-the-Cervettis'~

Fury left as I am left alone with a monitor, the usual S.H.I.E.L.D monitor. Facing the trio of Cervettis, from Regina, Stella, and Declan, they all appeared to have anticipated for my 'presence' and well, a little more cross than my last meeting with them.

My heart pounded nervously against my chest, because I am surprisingly apprehensive of their reaction. Finally, I spoke, greeting them as casual as I can pursue, "good morning, everyone."

~Back to present day~ --------> Brought to you by the WABAC

Studying my face for the billionth time in my life upon my reflection before me, I remembered every minute occurring in that call.

Thankfully, it didn't give me the feeling of regret, anger, and plain sadness. Despite their very first reaction was very, very fuming disappointment. But they understood.

Some things. Therefore there's not 'partial lying' technically involved.

But in the end, they got the idea. Then a moment of awkward silence passed until the subject completely transitioned to the funeral. Actually, funerals.

Like I stated, Jeremy's was yesterday.

My mother's shall be today. On the 19th of May, 2012, my mother, Elizabeth Scarlet Echard shall be buried next to my father, Christopher Robert Vale, at the Congressional Cemetery down in Washington DC. As I have personally requested, as the Cervettis have insisted me because they owe me a favor from doubting my... intentions and responsibilities. Guess you can call them that.

But first, we got's to send Loki back to Asgard. Along with his awesome, ripped, dim-witted-about-Midgardian-culture brother, Thor.

Along with that shit of a Tesseract.

But I don't think I'm ready for a funeral...

Or farewells.

Oh well. I'm pretty sure I'm going to see them again. After all, I'm working double-duty, which is awesome by the way. The forensics biological anthropology and sciences FBI headquarters at Quantico is waiting for me. And paperwork. And Abbey, but at Arlington. And possibly bodies, obviously.

That sounded grim... Bodies? Seriously? Yeah. Bodies. And bones and organs and the dead.

But don't forget, S.H.I.E.L.D. I just became one of their computer hacktivist consultants and their new field agent. Yay. Like a good 'yay'. Also, I need a supervising/evaluating officer. And I got a person in mind.

Where is he/she? Next door. Literally, he's like next to my S.H.I.E.L.D room.

What time is it? Uhhh... Checking my phone, I look at 8:46 a.m. Early in the morning.  Thanks to the tech of the organization, New York City is almost restored. So we better get going.

But how about my stuff? Easy, Fury said agents will bring it back at my penthouse while we are 'deporting' Thor, Loki and the Tesseract back to Asgard and me attending the funeral.

Speaking of Fury, I gotta talk to him.

So, I decided to slip my ring in my finger anyways then left for the control bridge of the helicarrier.

~Arriving at the control Bridge~

Straightening my back, I approach Fury, who is staring out of the helicarrier's large windows with his hand at his back, slowly.  "Good morning, Nick."

He turns around, "good morning.  How're you feeling?"

Shrugging, I took more steps forward, "I'm unsure about that."  He nods understandingly as I slowly continue, "Nick, why?"

As simply as I asked, he seemed a little perplexed at my approach, "what do you mean?"

"Why?  Why am I here?"

He was silent for a while as he turns back around, facing the vast, sky view.  "I feel like I haven't told you enough yet."  He replies, avoiding eye contact.

Then, I walked besides him with arms crossed, watching the view along with him.  "Quite uncertain on what you mean, again."

Sighing, he turns to face me, "you were always in the Initiative."  Facing my friend, eye to eye, he adds, "you are capable.  The Council thought of that too, you know."

Furrowing my eyebrows, "but I thought--"

"Your position isn't temporary.  It's permanent.  And it'll always be, but that's your choice."  He admits, surprising me.  "Amelia, I thought of your addition in the team before I even decided to add Romanoff and Barton.  I believe you are capable with fighting alongside, heroes."

Then I scoff, looking away, "unlike eight years ago, I fought alongside a hero."

He was silent for a while, until he broke it.  "Believe me, you fought alongside many.  Especially those eight years ago."

All of a sudden, an image of him smiling and laughing appeared in my head.  James-- no.  He definitely died one.  He fell off the side of that speeding train as one.  I'll always remember him.  He's going to always have a place in my... You know.  Nick adds, "but 45 wasn't the only one.  Sure, you were the first to do such thing, but there's always someone more. For instance, your mother and father."

I smiled to myself at his thought, still staring at that blue sky.

A moment of silence lingered for a while, until this thought crossed my mind. "So. This girl in the hood."

"She, her face, identity, it shall be concealed. No one will know it's you even from side glances in virtual surveillances could make it to facial recognition." He faces me, "you'll be fine. The 'Girl in the Hood' is an identity open to the world. Not Amelia Vale."

"Thank you." I say sincerely.

"You, Romanoff, and Barton deserve the masked identities. Unlike the others."

I smirk, looking back at the vast sky on the other side of the glass, "ah, Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, and the famous Hulk."

Sighing, I then ask, "are you coming, by the way?"

He slowly shook his head as I face him, "can't.  Still have to persuade the Council about some restoration of NYC.  And keeping Avengers Initiative intact."

"Oh.  Well, you can always visit, right?"

He faces me, "yeah.  Then the next one will be Coulson's."  I frown slightly as he does too, "how about you?  Won't you'll be able to make it?"  As he asks me, I sigh.

"Definitely, I'll make it to it." I answer him as I smile.  "He deserves to be resting in peace in the most respectful and greatest way possible."

"Yeah... Definitely." He paused.  "I knew you'd be able to make it through.  Or else..."

"Or else what?"

Sighing, "we will perform, precautions.  Or possibly not."

I knew what he was talking about.  But he'll be super pissed when he finds out on what I found out in the SHIELD database a little while back.  So I just commented, "oh."  Partially, lying.  I guess.

Fury scoffed, "Knew it.  You found the damn files."

Oh.  Again.  I laughed awkwardly as he asks, "you did didn't you?"

Whatever, I'll just say it anyways... "Seriously?  TAHITI?  Terrestrialized Alien Host Integrative Tissue--"  I start announcing the acronym's meaning as he slaps my arm, signaling me to stop saying everything out loud.  In an unsecured location of the helicarrier.

"Shut your damn mouth or else--"  He states threateningly and mockingly through gritted teeth as I try my best to stifle the giggling.  Until he was interrupted with Steve approaching us from behind.

"Fury?  Amelia?  Um, its time."

I turn around, smiling at him, indicating my first greeting of 'good morning'.  He wore the usual brown leather jacket I saw him wore the first time I saw him since three years ago, a new plaid shirt, khakis, and the usual dress shoes.  Ah, the sight.  Fury cleared his throat as I try looking a little bit professional.

"Morning, Capsicle."  I greet him as he rolls his eyes playfully. 

"Tony's nicknames rubbing off of ya?"  He questions as he offers his arm.  Gladly taking it, I reply as Fury looks away, "yes.  Yes they are."

We walk away as Fury followed us from behind, making our way to the quinjets awaiting us to transport us to Central Park.

Guess this day is turning out pretty good after all.

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NEW OUTFIT! 

JUST FYI, SHE KNEW ABOUT PROJECT: TAHITI 'CAUSE OF BASICALLY HACKING.

I CAUTION YOU SPOILER COMING AHEAD!
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WHAT SHE DIDN'T KNOW THOUGH WAS THAT COULSON MADE THE CUT OF BEING A 'PATIENT' IN PROJECT TAHITI.  SHE ONLY KNEW THAT IT WAS ONLY FOR FALLEN PARTICIPANTS IN THE AVENGERS INITIATIVE.

THAT'S ALL.

ONTO THE NEXT ONE!

~ACOUSTIC QUIVER