Prologue
There was a sharp knock at Director Fury's door causing him to look up from his paperwork. He was not expecting anything, or anyone for that matter, but being the director of SHIELD meant he had to be prepared for the worst at all times, and know how to respond to it.
"Come in." He called out after a few moments of consideration. The door opened and Agent Coulson stepped inside, there was another man behind him, but he waited outside.
"Director Fury, I am sorry to disturb you, but Agent Korbl wishes to speak to you."
Korbl. That was Coulson's right hand man. He was caught up in the lab fiasco a few weeks ago.
"Let him in, I will see what he has to say."
With a nod Coulson turned around and opened the door, gesturing for the man to enter and with a few quick strides Jeremius Korbl had entered the office. He was a tall, well built man but Fury noted the bags under his eyes.
"Agent Korbl, what is it you wish to discuss, is this about your previous mission?"
Jeremy shook his head. "No sir, I-" He paused for a few moments, carefully considering his next words. " I have a favor to ask."
A favor?
"You have a lot of guts to come up here asking for favors Agent Korbl, and considering your.. dedication to working for us I will hear you out." he gestured for Korbl to continue.
Jeremy straighted his back and cleared his throat. "Ahem, as I am sure you are aware, I have a sister, Emily, she recently, without knowing it stumbled upon some trouble.-" He paused. "- She was actually how I came upon the lead to that illegal underground laboratory, although she isn't aware of that and with the recent death of our Father she was looking to move to New York to be closer to me..." He trailed off again. "I just want her to be somewhere safe."
Fury studied the man in front of him for a few long moments before turning to the computer screen and tapping away at the keyboard. A picture appeared on screen with several paragraphs of information.
Emily Korbl
Age 26 Studied History, specialized in World War II, never finished her docterate as she left univercity to take care of her sick Father.
Her Mother, Anna-Marie Korbl and Father Johann Korbl, as well as her brother ,Jeremius Korbl, have all served in SHIELD for many years. Her Mother Died in action 10 years ago and Her Father retired 3 Years ago and fell ill soon after.
She was considered for SHIELD enlistment. However due to the request of her family she was ommited from the recruitment list.
Fury stopped reading and glanced up towards Jeremy, he remained stoic, although his eyes betrayed his nervousness. He was a good agent, served under Coulson well, and he understood the weight of owing him a favor.
"I will see what I can do."
Emily huffed to herself as she attempted to carry the box of plates up the stairs, Jeremy said he would help her move in but she couldn't fault him if he gets called into work at last minute. After all he worked for the Government, at least that was what he told her after she finally managed to worm that much out of him. He clammed up after that refusing to say anymore. He was secretive like that, as were both her parents. Keeping secrets disappearing for weeks on end, leaving her with a baby sitter, or Jeremy, and then Jeremy started doing the same soon as he turned 18.
She sighed and shifted the weight of the box onto her hip. It was like they were in a secret club and she wasn't allowed in.
All families had thier secrets but yet, Emily felt like she was the black sheep of the family, kept out of the hushed whispers in the corners. At least her brother had done her a massive favor and found her a really nice apartment in Washington.
She was pulled from her thoughts as the box began to slip from her grip and she made a desperate attempt to catch it before it smashed into the stairs, breaking all the plates she's ever owned.
She failed and the box tumbled down the stairs with a satisfying smash and landed at the bottom of the stairs at the feet of a man.
Oh God someone saw that. She sighed and cringed, expecting to have some sort of joke thrown at her. What a way to impress the neighbours.
The man glanced at the box before kneeling down to pick it up.
"Are you okay Ma'am?" He climbed the stairs to her. Emily flushed slightly and rubbed the back of her head.
"Ah yeah, the box just slipped from my hands, I guess it was just a little heavy for me." She laughed sheepishly and went to take the box back. The man pulled away slightly.
"It's okay, I've got it, allow me. Where is this going?"
Emily blinked a few times before fishing the key for her apartment out of her hoodie pocket. " Here, it's the door on the right as soon as you get up the stairs. Just, uh, put the box anywhere, it probably needs to be thrown out anyway..." She laughed nervously.
He took the key after a moments hesitation. "Don't carry anymore stuff that's too heavy for you, allow me to help."
He flashed her a smile. Emily felt her stomach do a flip before pushing the feeling aside. No. Bad Emily. She walked down the stairs again to the van she had rented before flipping it open and glancing inside. Some flatpack furniture, a couple of suitcases of clothes and several more boxes of posessions. This was her life. This was everything she owned in the world. She sighed and reached for one of the suitcases, lugging it out the van and setting it on the pavement as the man who had helped her came out the entrace of the apartments. He approached her and peered into the van.
"What's the heaviest box?"
"That one." Emily pointed to a box full of hardback books. He climbed into the van and picked up like it weighed nothing.
They continued like this for an hour, not really saying much until the contents of the van was in Emily's new living room. Emily sighed and wiped the sweat off her brow, she was exausted and she still had to build her bed... maybe she'd just sleep on the matress tonight, do all the building tomorrow. After a few moments Emily realized she'd just been standing there, staring into space as her helper lingered awkwardly in the doorway. She cleared her throat and his attention snapped to her.
"Thank you for all the help, that would've been so much more painful if it wasn't for you giving me a hand, I owe you big time." Emily smiled and stepped over several boxes to outstrech her hand. "I'm Emily, Emily Korbl, by the way."
The corners of his lips upturned into the smallest of smiles before he took her hand, shaking it firmly. "It was no trouble at all Ma'am." He paused for a few moments, releasing her hand and bringing his back to his side. "I'm Steve, Steve Rogers. I live just across from you-" He pointed to the door opposite hers, and then to the one inbetween. "-That's Miss Kate, I'm unsure if she's in or not. But don't hesitate to come to my door if you need a hand." He flashed her another smile and nodded.
Emily returned the nod. "Same goes for you, us neighbours have got to stick together." Her smiled widened into a grin and Steve let out a small chuckle. "I will leave you to unpack now, have a nice evening." With a final smile he turned and walked down the hall.
"You too!" Emily called out after him before closing the door and glancing back to the sea of boxes.
"Ugh, I'm ordering take away, I'll deal with this tomorrow."
Aha it's been a long long time since I wrote something, but I thought I would try this little idea that's been going back and forth in my head for the better part of a week. Let me know what you think! Will update soon!
And maybe write some other stuff.
