None of this day had felt real. When backup arrived, everything had seemed like a blur. Now she was no longer fighting, Sam stepped back and shrank back down to normal size, before collapsing to her knees. She didn't remember getting back up but she must have done because her next concrete spell of lucidness wasgiving her statement to the police. She then heard the Heroes talk amongst each other. She heard them talk about having pizzaat 'HQ'. Going somewhere they belonged. Some were helping paramedics and civilians.They were being thanked, and appreciated. They were looked at with admiration.

Sam raised her hand. She wanted to call out to them. Asl them if she could join them. If she could be a Hero. But the words caught in her throat. Did she deserve to? They'd glare at her. Laugh at her if she was lucky. They'd find out about her somehow. No, no, she didn't deserve to even ask.

But what was she going to do now? No job. Won't even have a home in a month's time.

What did she have to lose?


"Excuse me!" Sam called out to Painkiller and Son of Liberty. Her courage evaporated the moment she had their attentionas she realised she hadn't planned the working first. "C-can I come with you?"