Influence

Chapter Four-Persuasion

"Mind control," Steve repeats, his pretty lips pulled down as well. Hey, he hasn't run away yet. That's a win. I incline my head towards him to indicate the affirmative. "How?" He asks, interested, for now.

"Don't try asking me about the science because I don't have a clue. I just tell people to do x and they do it. Without hesitation. Even if they don't want to." I add just to make sure he knows what he's getting into. He's actually taking this really well. Suppose he's been around green rage monsters before. Still, the need to explain is strong. "I swear I don't do it often. I've never purposefully hurt anyone with it and I didn't do it that night. When we met, I mean, and...things happened." I assure him before clamping my lips shut, feeling my bottom lip split open with the force of it. Steve frowns at this.

"I don't understand." He tells me, shaking out a, is that a fucking hanky, loose and walking around the table to press it to my lip. Steve crouches in front of me and my hand is gentle on his wrist as his little hanky absorbs the blood. Nervous energy bounces around my body with him this close, but he emanates warmth and calm. Son of a bitch, he's attractive. "You fought every one of those gang members." The question is clear, but it takes me a moment to catch on since I'm preoccupied with how his lips form the words.

"Right, right. It's not something I pride myself on. I use it when I need it or when it helps people. That's it." My words are firm but muffled behind the little cloth. "Thank you." I murmur and take the light blue handkerchief. "Uh, I'll wash this," I promise while Steve thinks. Reaching out, he grabs his chair and sits it just beside of me. Not complaining, definitely not complaining.

"So, in theory, you could have whatever you wanted? Go up to someone like Tony and tell them to give you a million dollars just like that." He snaps, searching me with his blue eyes.

"No theory about it. I could one hundred percent do that." Steve shakes his head at this answer.

"And you're living in a van. In an alley." He states incredulously with a smile creeping onto his face. I try not to revel in the clear admiration there. "And you fought those men, getting injured, just to keep from using this...ability." Steve chooses his words carefully and I appreciate it. Not sure how I'd react if he'd said 'gift'. "And you called me surprising." A chuckle slips out of his lips at my bewildered expression.

"You know, people don't usually react so well," I tell him, confused by his smile and entertained eyes. Steve shrugs.

"Someone with a skill like this living like you do...it's like a tiger choosing to be a house cat." He says and I blink in shock before laughing.

"Don't mind being called a tiger. Uh, I don't like using it." I admit. "I have everything I need, so." I shrug. Steve is still smiling at me and it's still throwing me off. People usually get mad or call me crazy when I tell them this, so I'm not really sure how to handle this one. I'm saved from having to by a dull ring coming from Steve's jeans. Apologetically glancing at me, he answers it and that lovely smile disappears.

"Got it. I'll see you there in ten minutes." He hangs up and stands. "The gang attacked the hospital. Sam and Bucky are already there." Steve starts heading towards the door, but I stop him with a hand on his arm.

"Jamie?" Steve's eyes darken and tell me he's dead. "Then I'd like to come with you."

*     *     *     *     *

The hospital is a disaster zone.

Bullet holes line the halls from the stairs to the rooms Jamie and the gang members were in. A few blood stains litter the floor and we avoid them as we walk, spying Sam already talking to a police officer. Bucky is just behind him, metallic arm on display from the forearm down as he scans the room carefully. He looks confused when he sees me but doesn't ask why I'm here just yet. Sam sees us and both head over to us.