Notes: Just a crazy idea that I had whilst watching Red 2. Melinda's brother will be introduced soon, and will be more of an OC than a Red 2 character, I've kinda just used Han Cho Bai as a basis.

"You're leaving?" He asked, eyes wide with shock.

She nodded at him, face a blank emotionless mask.

"SHIELD isn't what it used to be Phil," she said softly, "it's not your fault. I just can't do this anymore."

"But I need you Melinda," he blurted out, desperate for her to stay.

"No you don't," she said with a sad little smile. "You've got a good team, and you've got Daisy and the inhumans."

"You're a part of that team too," he countered.

She refused to acknowledge his comment, her time away from SHIELD had shown her that the team didn't actually 'need' her. They were quite capable of functioning on their own without her input.

"I leave in two weeks," she said turning to leave. For once in her life she was deciding to choose something that she wanted, something that she'd needed to do for a long time now.

"Melinda," he called after her, he wasn't done persuading her to stay yet, but she was already out the door.

The team didn't take it too well, but it could have been worse. Most of them were just shocked, but there were a few tears, on Daisy's part anyway. Who would have thought that Melinda May, the Cavalry, would ever leave SHIELD, leave Coulson? She surprised herself even. She never thought it possible for her to leave. SHIELD had been her life, and now it wasn't. Where she would go from here she wasn't sure yet, but she'd figure it out eventually.

"So this is it?" Phil asked as he walked her out to exit the base.

She nodded at him, a barely imperceptible movement of her head as she shifted her duffle bag on her shoulder. They only sign that she was even a little bit nervous about leaving.

"Can I?" He opened his arms, asking if he could hug her.

A small smile graced her lips, a hint of sadness in her face.

"I'm only a call away," she said softly, wrapping her arms around him as he held on to her tightly.

He tried to keep his feelings in check as they pulled apart. He was not going to fall to pieces. She gave him another small smile, fiddling with her hold on her bag before turning and heading for the exit. Turning back one last time. She looked at him, eyes shining with emotions. This was it.

His heart felt like it was breaking as he watched her leave. His best friend, his right hand, getting further and further away from him. His chest constricted in a way that was almost painful. He'd lost Melinda May. She might be only a phone call away as she had said, but the fact was, that she was gone.

Her keys jingled in her hands as she unlocked the door to her apartment. It was slightly musty from not being lived in for several years. Dust had built up on surfaces, it was definitely going to need a thorough clean. Dropping her bag by the floor she got down to business, opening up the windows and curtains to allow fresh air in and set about locating all the cleaning products required.

She spent the entire day cleaning and reorganising her home, dusty surfaces turned clear and shiny, sheets and curtains washed and smelling fresh, years of disuse cleaned away. Pleased with her hard work she finally stopped to rest. It was later than she realised, the sun already setting. Taking a much needed shower, she then relaxed on her lounge and ordered dinner. She'd have to take a trip to the shops tomorrow to purchase some food and other supplies.

Apparently she now had a new neighbour, the old lady who had previously lived across from her was now replaced by a man, Alex. He'd smiled and introduced himself when he saw her open up her apartment door to the pizza delivery guy. He hadn't been totally unpleasant, quite tolerable in fact. As longs as he wasn't one of those pushy and nosy neighbours they'd probably get along just fine. Regardless, she'd run a background check on him anyway.

She checks her phone, a few texts from Maria and Nat pop up on the screen. A small smile crosses her features as she scrolls through the messages. She'll definitely have to make some time to catch up with the girls soon. It's been so long since they've seen each other, it was probably around the time when SHIELD fell apart. She shoots messages to them as they start up a group chat. Nat is in Rome at the moment, and Maria is still working for Stark. She could probably see Maria, her apartment is in Brooklyn so it's not too far from Stark's really, and it's not like she has any urgent plans anyway, she'll have to start looking for a job come to think of it.

She channel hops on the television, unable to pick something to watch. Eventually she just turns it off altogether and reads a book. There wasn't anything worth watching really, just some sappy cliche romance flicks. She takes a sip of her scotch and places it back on the coffee table. It's so quiet in her apartment as she stays curled up on her lounge, so unlike the constant bustle back at the Playground. How long has it been since she's actually had the experience of pure unbroken silence? Too long in her opinion. The soothing calm of silence washes over her and soon she finds herself lulled into sleep.

Her eyes flutter open as she awakes and she quickly takes stock of her surroundings before remembering that she is in her apartment. Her body relaxes as she remembers, she fell asleep on the lounge. She stretches out, not unlike a cat, and sees the beginnings of sunlight filtering through the tops of the curtains. Rising from the lounge she tidies it up before going to get ready for the day.

The trip to the shops is entirely uneventful. She manages to get everything she needs without the constant input of a pair of scientists about which product has higher glycemic load or whether it has a greater energy to protein ratio. There also isn't a certain young hacker trying to discreetly sneak assorted junk foods into her trolley when she thinks she isn't looking. Thankfully though, there is an obvious and pleasant lack of a bickering couple tailing her as she moves throughout the shop. As much as she may like Bobbi and tolerate Hunter, their constant arguing is something that manages to always grate on her nerves.

When she goes to the checkout she doesn't have to pull out some items that just happened to "end up" in the trolley. She also doesn't have to pull a pair of scientists away from the poor lady giving out product samples as they "inform" her of the true qualities and facts of the products. The car radio is also blessedly quiet and not hopping from one station to another as everyone fails to agree on what to listen to. She didn't realise how used to the chatter of the younger agents she had become. The silence feels almost foreign now that she really thinks about it.

"Morning," her neighbour Alex called as he passed her on his way to his car.

She smiled briefly and greeted him in response. Quickly her attention was turned to her phone though as it began vibrating in her pocket. She looked at the unknown number, quickly memorising it before answering it.

"Yes," she said, almost questioning.

"Well hello to you too," Maria replied sarcastically causing May to roll her eyes.

"Could have used your cell," she fired back.

"Argh!" Maria scoffed good naturedly, "Tony tried to upgrade the damn thing and now it looks like a transformer!" She sulked, "so I stole his."

May suppressed a laugh as she readjusted the phone placing it between her ear and shoulder as she grabbed her shopping and headed into the apartment building. Maria continued to chatter away on the phone as May listened, humming and providing small comments every now and then. She finished putting away her shopping and sat down on the lounge curling her legs up underneath her.

"So Nat's flying in sometime tomorrow," Maria continued "we should catch up. Girl's night."

May suppressed a cringe as she remembered what had happened last time all three of them had gotten together for 'Girl's Night'.

"When were you thinking," she said against her better judgement.

"Ooh I'm not sure but I'm thinking tomorrow night…"

"I don't have any plans."

"Great," Maria said enthusiastically, "Nat and I will be at your apartment at 8."

A/N

Thank you for reading and please leave a comment. It only takes a second and it absolutely makes my day. If you have any ideas or prompts that you'd like written or just want to chat, feel free to message me on tumblr hardcore-evil-regal. I promise I don't bite.