Fire and Ice

Ever since she was little, Kate Carson's favorite thing to do was learn. And, after losing nearly everything and gaining a power she never wanted, she had to learn to adjust -- and she's still learning. The other Avengers have no scruples against forcing their way onto her list of loved ones, ready to help her get back to where she needs to be. Sadly, as hard they try, they can't, not fully. She needs something else, something she's too guilty to turn to.

Bucky Barnes should be dead, and, according to most, he is. But Kate always refused to believe it -- and she's later proven right. He's working with Hydra against his will. But even when he escapes, everything he did for them weighs on him heavily, and he can't get rid of that burden. He feels he deserves it, anyway.

When this pair cross paths and realize they're in the same boat, together, they might be able to get to the place they need to be. They might be able to finally live how they're supposed to. And, maybe, they'll find a type of love they never imagined.

~_~_~_~_~

She sits there, looking around at the toddlers she's supposed to be saving the world with - because Fury, in his great and stupid wisdom, decided to put Kate on that list. She told him no, he told her they might not even need it; she told him to take her off, that she was just a scientist, but he told her they'd need a top scientist in their corner; she told him no one on that list needed her, that they would be just fine without her, if not better, and he told her this was the best way she could use her powers if the need arose.

Powers.

Here, in the field, that's what they are, aren't they? That's what Coulson says. That's what Nat and Clint say. The one place they need destruction. But Kate doesn't want that. She never has. But she took her own choice away.

And that infuriates her.