Chapter 2
I couldn’t always fly. In fact, all I could do for a while there in the beginning was run really, really fast. I’m probably the fastest girl alive…for now at least. The full extent of what I was capable of had been hidden from me for a long time. Now I know what I can do, but the only way to see how far I can go is to keep testing my limits.
Which explains me breaking the sound barrier a few times in order to get to the plane.
I found the fighter escort first and flew between them, seeing the flaming melted tail of the plane. The shuttle’s thrusters were still firing, but once they stopped the main rocket booster would ignite and send both crafts hurtling in to space.
Like they just did.
The booster went off and the plane shook as it began to climb higher and higher. I could hear the pilots of the fighter jets reporting to the ground crews what was happening, including spotting a flying blonde girl in a blue suit with a red cape.
Shooting them a mock salute, I increased my speed and shot past the back windows of the plane as I landed on top of it. I dug my boots in as best I could without puncturing a hole through the plane. The last thing the folk’s onboard need to worry about right now is decompression. Gripping the bottom of the shuttle, I turned my gaze to the three metal clamps that were still miraculously intact and keeping it secured to the plane. Closing my eyes for a second, I reopened them as twin beams of intense white light shot out to blast each one, cutting the shuttle free. I closed my eyes and shook my head once that was done, my eyes still not used to me using that power just yet, but the pain was not as bad as it used to be afterwards. Using my strength, I pushed up and began to fly away from the plane to help guide the shuttle up and away safely.
When I learned to fly, one of the first trips I made was up in to space. I circled the earth a few times and even sat on the moon and watched the sun rise over the earth’s horizon. Truly a magnificent little planet I live on. Luckily it seems my physiology is not effected by the vacuum of space as long as I don’t drift too far away from the sun’s rays. Either way, I was glad I got my first trip to space over with since I didn’t have time to sightsee on this one.
I let go of the shuttle once we were safely away from the earth, allowing the booster to carry them in to a stable orbit. Looking down, my enhanced vision saw the 747 begin falling out of control. The remaining engines could not compensate for the destroyed tail and structural damage, sending it plummeting down like a flying brick.
Extending my arms, I pushed myself down faster and faster until I reached the left wing. Gripping it tightly, I tried to stabilize the craft, but all I seemed to be doing was cause it to spin and slow down a little. Looking towards the plane I saw a few kids looking out at me, half of them in awe the other in fear. But I’m pretty sure it’s fear of falling instead of fear of me. I could also see Tony Stark back in a seat, pointing out at me to Steve Rogers. A look of total disbelief on their faces when they saw me lying flat and trying to both steer and stop the plane from the wing.
All of a sudden I could hear metal creaking around me and did not like the sound of it. The sheer force of both the fall and my efforts was too much for the wing it seems and it snapped off, sending me spiraling back out of control still holding the wing.
“Nice one Kara,” I scolded myself, tossing the wing aside hoping it didn’t fall on anyone or anything important.
I dove after the plane, flying as fast as I could as it really did start spinning out of control. Suddenly the other wing broke away and came flying back at me. Lowering my head and fisting my hands, I crashed right through it, causing it to blow apart in to debris as I continued after the spinning top like body of the plane. Looking down, I could see the ground of Chester’s Field growing closer. I had to do something fast or everyone on board was going to either be flattened like a pancake or blow up on impact.
Calling on all my speed and strength, I managed to swerve around the body of the plane and reach the nose. Gripping the metal tight, I began to push up with all my might. My eyes closing tight and teeth grinding together as I tried to slow the plane down. Even as my hands pushed through the skin of the nose, it was managing to slow down. Though I didn’t even want to think how it felt to the people inside. Adjusting my grip on to the metal girders inside the nose, I tried to right the plane a little to make it easier to set it down. Opening my eyes and looking down I saw the high grass field clearer now, but thankfully I was able to plop the plane’s body down on its belly without causing any more damage or trouble for everyone inside. I think they’ve had enough of a wild ride for one day.
When I let go of the plane, I floated back and allowed myself a moment to breathe.
“I did it,” I laughed, opening my eyes and smiling at the pilot and co-pilot, almost laughing harder as they waved cautiously at me through the window.
I waved back than pointed towards the door, letting them know I was coming onboard to check on everyone. Floating over to the door, I easily ripped it off and landed inside. Taking a few steps in until I stood right in front of everyone, I looked around at all the disheveled looking passengers.
“Is everyone alright?” I asked, even though I used another aspect of my sight to check for any broken bones or internal damage. Thankfully there was none.
Glancing over at Clint seated beside a red headed woman that is probably the Black Widow, a small smile tugged at my lips as I caught recognition in his eyes. He knew it was me and wasn’t going to say anything in front of all these people. I then looked over to where Stark and Rogers were still in their seats, with Stark wide eyed and Rogers just grinning and holding out his hand to him. He was giving him the universal sign for ‘pay up’, but Stark was too preoccupied checking me out to care.
Whatever. Boys being boys I guess.
I could hear sirens approaching and figured it was time to make my exit. “Well I hope this little incident hasn’t put any of you off flying. Statistically speaking, it’s still the safest way to travel.”
“I’ll fly with you any day,” the woman beside Clint breathed as everyone else simply nodded.
I froze instantly as I felt the words on my right arm burn for a moment. Schooling my features not to give away my surprise and joy at meeting her, I simply smiled coyly at her and crossed my arms under my chest.
“I have a rule of only one per customer, but exceptions can be made.”
Judging by the look that quickly flashed across her face I had said the right words. Giving her a wink and a quick nod towards Clint, I turned and headed to the exit while giving everyone a parting wave. Various sirens were approaching from the road as I floated out the door. Figuring everything can wait to be handled later in private, I flew up quickly and made for home.
***
I landed carefully and quietly behind the barn. Making my way inside I headed down to where I stored my suit, among other things, and changed back in to my normal clothes. Complete with glasses and hair back in its ponytail. Leaving the barn and heading for the house, I noticed Coulson pacing alongside it on his phone. He saw me coming and waved, offering me a bright smile and thumbs up.
Apparently he heard about my exploits and was congratulating me or something. Either way he looked busy in a deep and serious conversation, so I left him alone and headed up in to the house.
I was only one step inside before Lila came running at me, jumping in to my arms with an excited squeal. She leaned in and wrapped her arms around my neck, squeezing me tight in a warm hug.
“You did it! I knew you could do it. You saved daddy,” she stated happily, pulling her head back and placing a kiss to my cheek, “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome sweetpea,” I replied, walking with her still in my arms to the couch where Skye and Cooper were seated side by side. It looks like Skye had somehow managed to hook her laptop to the TV. It was showing a live satellite feed of where I left the remains of the plane. “I don’t even want to know how you pulled this one off.”
“Helps when your parents are big time SHIELD agents and Fury’s favorites. FYI, he’s my godfather and aware I’m back with the family,” Skye explained in a casual tone.
“I see. And how much of the rescue did you manage to watch?”
“All of it. This connection is HD coming in real time. As soon as I locked on to the plane we saw everything you did. The Shuttle’s okay by the way. It’s on its way to dock with the international space station for a complete systems check.”
“Good,” I nodded, having forgotten about it for a minute there.
Looking around the house I saw mom sitting at the kitchen table with May, sipping on mugs of tea while Laura wrapped up a conversation on our phone. As soon as she hung up she came in and hugged me, causing Lila to giggle as she was squeezed right along with me.
“Thank you,” Laura breathed tearfully.
“What’s family for?” I replied.
Laura laughed and took Lila from me so that I could head over to mom. She got to her feet and was next to hug me tight before pulling back and placing a kiss to my forehead.
“I am so proud of you. And I know your father is too.”
“Thanks mom,” I said in a choked up tone, “And I have some news I hope you both will be happy about. I found one of my soulmates.”
“I know sweetie. Laura told us. Well she didn’t mean to tell us. She sort of got caught up in the moment and shouted it out to the room when she heard it,” mom laughed before looking at me with a warm fond smile, “I’m not some old fuddy-duddy. All your father wanted, and I care about, is that you are happy when it comes to your bondmates. Whoever they might be.”
I got the greatest mom in the world. Course Lila and Cooper argue that they do and it can get pretty competitive between me and the munchkins at times. But it’s all in fun as far as I’m concerned. Though given that Laura hugged me and lets Lila hold on to me still is a sign she deserves the title as well. That could change when she learns the full story about me. But I have a strong feeling it won’t.
“Clint said once he gets some secure transport from Stark he and Natasha will be here,” Laura informed us.
“He has it and is on his way…with Fury as well,” Coulson added, stepping in and looking calmly at me, “He’s aware of your status as one of Natasha’s soulmates. Because of that he’s coming himself in the hopes of hearing your story and deciding how to proceed from there. But he assures me that because of your actions today, your ties to Skye and now your ties to Natasha, which she has shared with the other Avengers. Any decision made in regards to your future will be made with complete consent by all parties.”
“Meaning you won’t be put on any of SHIELD’s asset or watch lists or even added to the gifted individual index if you don’t want to be,” May translated, “Whatever choice you make today regarding your status, Fury will honor and back as best he can.”
This is all a lot to take in. First I find out my sister is alive and her parents are agents of SHIELD, then out myself to not only Laura and the kids, but practically a plane full of reporters. Not to mention my brief meeting with my soulmate; who also happens to be an Avenger. Now to hear that regardless of what else they learn about me today, that SHIELD will honor whatever I decide to do moving forward.
This is certainly turning out to be one hell of a day. And it’s only going to get more interesting when I do tell them the truth about me. Luckily it seems my soulmate has experience dealing with aliens. Well shooting them and stopping invasions sure, but at least she won’t be too surprised to learn the truth about me…I hope.