Hello Readers! I first want to thank you for taking the time to read my story. This is my first fic posted to this site. This chapter is fairly short, I want to gauge a reaction from you lovely readers and see if I should continue. It ships Clint/OC and Steve/OC. Normally I'm die hard Clintasha but I came up with a different idea for now. No Avengers in this chapter. Enjoy and please Review!
Lillian Coulson had a full schedule for the day. Between appointments, scheduled moving, and walk-ins, the life as a Leasing Manager was never dull. That is, if you were a normal Leasing Manager. Lillian Coulson was a former agent of SHIELD, a top secret organization. There was simply no comparison when moving from a life as a master assassin to someone who simply showed apartments all day. Lillian could have any job she wanted (she knew people in high places); but being the only living person in one's family does a lot to said person's lifestyle. No, Lillian was bored, but she was content.
She woke up every morning, took a shower, grabbed her black coffee, and kissed the picture of her brother before plastering a superficial smile on her face and stepping out into the sunshine.
This particular morning was no different. She stepped into her office and greeted her new secretary, Debbie.
"Ms. Coulson," She started. "You have three appointments today and one move in. The move in should be here in an hour."
"Okay, go get the paperwork and bring it to me. I'll handle the move-in. Do you think you'll be okay with any walk-ins?"
Debbie brightened significantly. It was the first time Lillian had trusted her with anything. "I won't let you down." She said, leaving the office.
Lillian sighed. Debbie was a little too overzealous.
Debbie deposited the forms on Lillian's desk and went back to her own, preparing for the first few customers of the day.
Lillian looked through the file. The family would be moving directly next to her own apartment. She prayed that the three year old child slept through the night (not as if she got much sleep anyway).
Three years, it's been three years since her brother died and she left the organization. She pushed the thought back into the recesses of her mind. She had nighttime for those particular thoughts.
As she did with every applicant, she had accessed SHIELD files (being on close terms with the director had its benefits) and ran a quick check. It turned out that Jake Daily had a few aliases. Quickly scanning the list, she had stopped suddenly in recognition.
Antonio Vitelli, a former mobster that she had crossed paths with a few times when she was an agent, was going to be her new neighbor. The man was so crooked even the Italians didn't want to claim him. Why SHIELD hadn't assassinated him was a mystery to Lillian.
She decided to let him move in, the better to keep her eye on him. She may be retired from spy work but you could never take the spy out of her.
Lillian did some more paperwork before Debbie informed her that the "Daily" family was here. He didn't recognize her, hardly anyone ever did. Her missions were long distance missions. She was a marksman for the Agency, second only to Hawkeye. The two had never crossed paths, and Lillian preferred it. They may have been on the same team but he was her competition all the same.
"Mr. and Mrs. Daily, welcome to Lakeside Apartments." She showed them to their apartment and took them around. Lillian's first impression of Jake was dark, brooding, and rude. He was desperate to get rid of the manager and Lillian knew it. His wife however, Amelia, was not the typical mobster wife. She seemed resigned, almost afraid of her husband. She stood in a way so that she could subtlety protect her son. Lillian assumed it was either subconscious or extremely practiced. She wondered why. Their son, introduced as James, looked nothing like his father. While Jake had a dark complexion and dark hair, his son had a pale complexion dotted with freckles and bleach blond hair. If Lillian had to venture a guess, James was not the son of Jake.
Lillian smiled sweetly at Amelia and James, wanting them to feel comfortable with her. Jake grew more and more frustrated with her presence and Lillian decided to take her leave.
"If you need anything at all, I'll be in the office until five today, and I live right next door: 201." Lillian said with her eyes fixed on Amelia. Lillian noticed the anxious look she gave to her husband.
She headed back to her office and continued on with the motions of the day, her mind trying to dissect the puzzle that was Amelia Daily.
Lillian waited a week before approaching Amelia again. She waited until Jake left to knock on the door. Amelia answered, eyes ablaze with fear, before falling into a relaxed smile. "Hello, Ms. Coulson. How may I help you?"
"Please, it's Lillian. I was just doing a check in, to see how the apartment is treating you."
"Oh we love it." Amelia smiled brightly. She glanced over Lillian's shoulder before she opened the door wider. "Would you like to come in?"
Lillian nodded but Amelia's action was not lost on her. She followed her into the kitchen.
"Would you like some coffee?" Amelia asked her, pouring herself a cup.
"Please, black." Lillian said.
"I'm glad you stopped by. I wanted to apologize for my husband's behavior. He was being very rude." Amelia said.
"With all due respect Ms. Daily, an apology would be more meaningful coming from him." She noticed her wince as she handed her the mug. "But I grew up with an older brother, I know how it is to try and communicate that they were wrong."
Amelia laughed nervously. "Yes, well, my husband has a bit of a temper."
"Most men do." Lillian said, spy training making its way to the front of her mind. She was trying to extract as much information as she could. "How long have you been married?"
"Five years," Amelia said. To anyone else, Amelia's tone was an indifferent one. To a spy, Lillian picked up sadness with an undertone of fear.
Lillian was about to ask another probing question when James came bolting into the room. "Mommy, the Avengers are on the news again!" He yelled excitedly. "They saved soldiers in Afghanistan!"
"That's amazing honey." Amelia said, squatting down to his level. "Can you say hello to Ms. Coulson, James?"
"Hi Ms. Coulson," he said obediently.
"Hello, James," She said kindly. "So you like the Avengers?"
"They are only the coolest superheroes ever!" He said. "Captain America is my favorite!" Lillian watched as Amelia closed her eyes and sighed softly. The puzzle was getting difficult to decipher.
"Captain America is very cool superhero." Lillian agreed. She placed her coffee cup on the counter. "I better get going. Thank you for the coffee."
"Are you sure you don't want to stay a little longer?" Amelia asked glancing at the clock. "Jake isn't due back for a few more hours."
"No, I have some more office work I need to get done, but thank you." Lillian smiled. "We can do lunch tomorrow if you like?"
"Oh no, not tomorrow," Amelia said anxiously. "How about Monday? Jake usually works late."
Lillian wondered why Jake's work schedule had so much importance. "Monday sounds great."