Chapter 11

John did not flinch at the question. His green eyes met Fury's with a calmness that unsettled the veteran director. Most people, even the toughest, showed some sort of reaction to being in a room with Nick Fury, especially when they were being recruited.

But John didn't. He seemed completely calm, as if he had already made peace with whatever this conversation brought.

"Yes, "John replied, leaning back in his chair a little." Tony mentioned it to me. He said they're putting together a team of people with "unique skills." He raised his hands slightly, and for a second, a flash of energy sizzled between his fingers before fading.

Fury's eyes followed the movement, but his expression remained unperturbed.

"And what do you think of that? "he asked, his voice neutral, but there was an underlying sharpness, as if he was testing the boy.

John shrugged his shoulders.

"It makes sense. The world is a dangerous place. There are terrorists, criminals, green men." He paused and looked at Fury sharply. "They need people who can handle those things."

"That's a very mature answer for someone your age," Fury observed. But that's not what I'm asking you. What I want to know is if you think you should be part of this team.

John didn't hesitate.

"I don't know."

That answer surprised Fury. He had expected the typical cavalier reaction: a yes full of youthful confidence or an outright refusal loaded with adolescent rebellion. But John was different. He seemed genuinely unsure of his place, and to Fury, that was much more interesting.

"I know what I can do," John continued, his voice thoughtful. "But I'm not sure I'm the kind of guy you guys are looking for on your team. Tony thinks I am. But I'm not him. I'm not a multi-millionaire genius who can fix everything. I'm just a guy who...one day woke up with powers he didn't ask for."

Fury's eyes narrowed.

"Powers you didn't ask for, but you got them, anyway. That makes you responsible, kid. You don't get to choose whether the world sees you as a threat or a protector. That choice was made the moment you used those powers."

John nodded slowly, as if he'd heard that argument before.

"I understand that. But being responsible doesn't automatically make me qualified."

Fury uncrossed his arms and took a step forward, his presence growing more commanding.

"Let me tell you something, John. Nobody in this job starts out feeling qualified. When I started out as an agent I wasn't perfect either. I was reckless. I made mistakes. I got people killed. But I learned, and I became someone who could carry the weight of the world on my shoulders. And that's the thing: we don't pick people because they're perfect. We pick them because they have potential. And, from what I've heard, you have a lot."

John sighed and ran his hand over the back of his neck.

"I don't know. There's a lot I still don't understand about what I can do." He held up his hand again, looking at her as if she were an alien extension of his body. "My power isn't simple, you know? It's... deeper than that. I can sense things. Change things. Sometimes even reality or time itself.

Fury's countenance hardened.

"That's why we need to make sure you're on our side, John.

John's eyes became wary, with a glint of distrust.

"What do you mean by that?"

"You're not the first person I've met with powers." Fury said. "When someone can lift cars with one hand or fly, things get complicated. Some people lose control. Others rebel. And some just stop caring about what's real and what's not. That's dangerous."

John's jaw tensed, and for the first time, Fury saw something other than calm in the boy's eyes.

"I'm not going to lose control, if that's what you're worried about," he said.

"I've seen good people lose it." replied Fury.

"People who were convinced they had everything under control until they didn't. It's not a risk I'm willing to take lightly."

The silence that followed was long and dense. John looked down at his hands again. The energy sizzled for a moment, and this time it didn't disappear immediately. It remained, pulsing gently between his fingers like tiny waves.

"Tony trust me." John said softly. "But I understand that you don't know me. At least not yet."

Fury nodded, though his expression remained wary.

"Trust is earned. And it starts with you making a decision."

John looked up.

"A decision?"

Fury leaned forward a little, his voice low but firm.

"A decision to be something more. To accept responsibility for the power you have and use it for something greater than yourself. Or you can stand here, doubting every step, and wait for the day when that power overcomes you."

John clenched his fists, the energy around them growing more violent, but he kept it under control.

"I don't want to hurt anyone."

Fury softened his tone slightly.

"Then don't. Use your power to protect them."

John was silent, his mind going a mile a minute. He hadn't asked for any of this: the powers, the attention, the responsibility. But that was his reality now, whether he liked it or not. Tony had told him so plainly.

"So what do you want me to do?" he asked finally, his voice a little firmer.

Fury watched him for a moment before answering.

"I want you to come with me to SHIELD. Your powers are not ordinary, and I think you know as well as I do that there's more to them." He paused before adding. We want to examine you. See to what extent they're tied to the Tesseract."

John frowned, immediately shaking his head.

"No. You're not going to treat me like an experiment."

Fury held up a hand, conciliatory.

"That's not it. We're not going to lock you in a cell or hook you up to machines all day. But you need to understand what you're capable of. You said yourself that you don't even know how they work at all. This is for your safety, and ours."

John remained silent, still unconvinced.

"Look." Fury continued, changing tack. "This isn't going to be free. If you come in and let yourself be examined, there will be compensation. SHIELD will pay you for your time and cooperation. You can look at it as a job, if that makes you feel better."

John looked at him skeptically.

"I'm going to get paid?"

"I promise." Fury said, smiling slightly." We don't work for free, kid. If you do this, we'll make sure you're well compensated. And besides, we'll help you understand those powers. How to use them safely.

John sighed, considering the offer. He didn't want to be a guinea pig, but the idea of getting money in return and, at the same time, learning to control what was inside him didn't sound so bad, more so for someone who until recently struggled financially.

Finally, he nodded.

"That's fine. But only if you reward me generously. And by generously I mean a lot. I don't do it for free."

Fury smiled, satisfied.

"Deal."