I am Katrina Stark ( an Avengers fanfic )

Chapter 23 - A day to remember

"So what do you mean it's just part of me?" Kat frantically raised her hands in the air at Coulson.

"Years ago when we rescued you from your house after the Hydra attack, there were traces of radioactive materials, with further research we believe that you were probably exposed to these chemicals and it somehow enhanced your abilities."

"Your explanation sounds like crap Coulson no offense." He frowned.

"Kat there's not much that I understand from this either. But fury has agreed to get some specialists to help you if you'd like. We can't find a cure immediately but we can get you help to learn."

"No! No specialists." Kat yelled shocking Coulson. She could hear how nervous he was but a lot of his thoughts were blocked, this was something she learned was common in a lot of secretive agents.

"I don't want everyone knowing I'm a freak, let me do this on my own." Kat huffed to herself.

"Kat sweetie you're not a freak, we're here to help you." Coulson pleaded as he tried to reach out to her.

She flinched away. "No Coulson, I appreciate everything you've done but this is something I'd rather not be treated like a lab rat for." And with that she exited the conference room they were in and walked off.

Coulson sighed to himself. He didn't like lying like this. Especially to someone he considered like a daughter. She deserved to know the truth but he did agree with the Director that revealing the true cause of her powers would end up badly. Phil felt bad because he partially felt this was a way of using her because S.H.I.E.L.D couldn't afford to lose someone like Kat to a lie. But he was reminded of her potential and her parents request to keep her at S.H.I.E.L.D.

Sighing, he walked off into his office

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Kat, like many individuals at the academy stayed back for an extra 2 years (another time skip surprise surprise) .She was adamant on proving to Fury that she could succeed in both field work and hopefully achieve the rank of commander like agent hill or become Fury's right hand man.

Over the past few years she had learned how to adjust to her abilities and for the most part kept it a secret. She became a vital figure in S.H.I.E.L.D and was soon promoted from intern to Fury's assistant manager. To say she was successful was an understatement. The whole academy looked up to her commitment, not that she really had a choice though because she was raised in S.H.I.E.L.D But She was still admired by many.

The day had finally come that Kat never realized would arrive so quickly. Today would be the day she would graduate and she had worked her butt off to aim for valedictorian. Despite the many bullies and harsh comments she received in school, she kept her head up high and maintained a steady life all throughout it. Tears welled up in her eyes realizing that her life as a training agent was slowly coming to an end. The real world was ahead of her now.

Dabbing her eyes with a tissue to avoid her mascara from running, she quickly glanced in the mirror to make sure she looked fine.

In the corner of the mirror she noticed a small figure approaching. She furrowed her brows.

"Grant?" She asked in disbelief. Turning around to see him softly smiling as he walked closer inside her room.

"I didn't think you'd be back for graduation, I thought your mission wasn't finished till next October?" Kat continued staring at Grant taking in all his appearances. It has been 2 years of on and off missions and never once had she seen him in all that time.

"I have these for you." He handed her a bunch of roses nicely wrapped. Kat smiled and placed the flowers on her bed stand.

"It doesn't finish till next October, you're right. But when I was told that a certain someone was valedictorian of S.H.I.E.L.D, I just couldn't miss that moment." He smiles with his arms folded and leaning across the door frame. He's dressed nicely in a black suit and tie. He had the opportunity of graduating over seas, a quick ceremony performed in order to officiate his allowance into his strike program.

Kat smiled and rushed over to hug him. "I've missed you so much." He rested his chin on her head. "So did I."

Kat pulled back and took a look at him once more. She was glad that her heart didn't flutter the way it used to when she was around him. Though she had missed him so much, she couldn't bear the idea of getting back together with him because they would never spend time with each other.

Their silence is interrupted by a cough.
Kat pulls away and looks behind Grant to see a familiar redhead. "Nat!" She screamed rushing over to her side and engulfing her in a hug. "Look at you, all grown up, you're going to make me cry." Nat stiffed a laugh.

Nat noticing Grant's presence glares daggers at him. "Agent Romanov" Grant greets. Nat continues to flare at him. "Agent Ward, if you don't mind I'd like to have a word with Kat." Grant simply nods and says his goodbye to Kat, letting her know he'll be in the audience.

"Nat you didn't have to be that rude." Kat laughed at the redhead who just shrugged.

"Well I wasn't going to let him break your heart again. Anyways why was he here anyways, isn't he supposed to be on a mission?" Nat never liked Grant from the begining, just like Fury. She couldn't help but feel like Grant was always hiding something.

"Oh don't worry about that, I already told myself I won't involve myself with him again. And he heard that it valedictorian so he wanted to come and congratulate me, that's all." Kat tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Hmm alright. How's that speech coming along?" Nat asked as she propped herself onto Katrina's luscious bed.

"I finished right before you came, and you're just going to have to wait to here it." She teased.

Nat smiled at the brunette and patted the spot next to her. Kat jumped onto the bed and lay down next to her favourite person. "I'm so proud of you, I hope you know that. And I know you're parents would've been so proud of you too, I can't even begin to imagine how much of a stressful day it is for you without them. This is normally something you should do with your family." Nat looked into her eyes and held her hands.
"But look what I'm trying to say is that I'm here for you. Clint, Fury, Coulson, Hill and I have all watched you since birth, and we're never going to leave your side. You're stuck with us forever kid." Kat laughed at the thought of literally being glued to them.

"You know a few months back I got to work with your brother." Kat rose from her spot and looked at Nat in surprise.

"H-how is he? Did he ask-"

"I wasn't supposed to tell you. And I guess I understand why. And he's fine, after the incident anyways he wants to help save the world, rather than destroy it. He's a little bit like you, sarcastic and all." Nat booped Kat's nose.

"He doesn't know you're alive Kat. But if he did I know he would be proud, and trust me I would've brought him here if I could but we can't compromise your identity or S.H.I.E.L.D right now." This was a bit shocking to Kat. She always assumed her brother was looking for her. Had he just given up? Well it had been over a decade anyways, she probably would've.

Nevertheless she put a smile on her face and listened to Nat. "Everyone you know is so proud of you. Now go out there and kick some butt." Kat chuckles to herself as both girls got up from her bed and fixed themselves for the ceremony that was about to begin.

So yes another filler and obviously another time skip. Like I mentioned before the whole purpose of this book was to talk about Kat's life prior to The Avengers and I realized I've been delving too much on her early life, though it is important I want to start showing her life with meeting some of the avengers . Can you guess who she'll meet first? Let me know in the comments .

Love, Elle