OKAY. So. I suck at summaries. I have a forewarning that this won't be updated regularly. My muse is... erratic. Also I have a bunch of stuff going on in my life right now (mostly work and school), so I can't promise many updates.

If you want an actress to base Sandy off of, I suggest Victoria Justice, but blonde. And with a looot more muscles. A better description of Sandy will be spread out through the story. And if there's anything that you need cleared up, please let me know. :)

I have a sequel planned, for sure (and I'm already in love with my sequel, even though I have yet to write anything), but I first have to make myself finish this story before I can move on to that one.

It's rated T for Sandy's foul mouth, and even though it says Humor as a category, I'm not sure it's too funny. And it doesn't get all that romantic, but if you read between the lines, you'll see plenty of hints. Just gonna tell you that it's going to be a complicated relationship between them, and it will get more complicated as the story progresses (especially in the sequel).

Anyway, enjoy! :)

"Sandra McIntosh."

"Yes, like the computer. You're not the first person to give me that look and you won't be the last."

There was a slight pause.

"26—"

"That is my listed age."

"'Listed'?!"

"Well, technically speaking, I'm 26 and a three months. But you can just shorten it to 26."

The pause was more irritated this time.

"Qualifications—"

"Look, I know what and who I am and you know who I am; is it really necessary to verbally list off everything on those sheets of paper, Clint?"

Clint Barton didn't miss a beat. "Extremely combat proficient. Extensive training in archery and hand-to-hand combat. Extremely skilled in weaponry—what's actually not on these papers is that you are second only to Natasha and I in all of these categories, and as you said yourself, I don't need to reiterate what you and I already know about yourself."

Sandy heaved a relieved sigh. "Thank you, Hawkeye. Can we get to the real reason you called me in here?"

Clint raised an eyebrow. "I thought you knew that already."

"Just because S.H.I.E.L.D. is in the early stages of rebuilding doesn't mean people don't know how to keep secrets."

"Valid point."

When he didn't immediately continue, Sandy rolled her eyes. "Dude, stop with the whole dramatic façade and tell me what my next mission is."

"But that's the fun part."

"Shut up. Get to the point."

"Are you familiar with Captain America?"

... ~~~~ ...

"I thought it was understood that I don't work for S.H.I.E.L.D. anymore."

"You never worked for us, Captain. You worked with us."

Steve gave Maria Hill a look. "Yeah, well, it always felt the other way."

"You know, maybe I'm not here with a mission. Maybe I just wanted to have lunch with Captain America."

"We're in public. Please don't call me that." Steve surveyed the area. A few people recognized him, but nobody invaded their conversation.

"There's a couple at my 7 taking a photo of us, but we're already all over the news anyway."

Steve wasn't very good at being nonchalant. "You don't sit across from me with that look on your face unless you have a mission in mind or something."

Hill smirked. "Nothing gets past you."

"I was frozen for 70 years. There are several things that get past me."

The smirk grew. "So, we just need you to protect this asset." She handed him a file.

Steve said nothing until he finished skimming through the file. "Why are you assigning me babysitting duty?"

"It's not babysitting. It's a protection detail. She can't really protect herself against these people. But don't tell her I said that."

"I'm kind of on my own mission."

"Yes, the Winter Soldier. We're well aware of that. How's that going so far?"

Maria was patronizing him. Steve merely stared. She knew exactly how that was going: it wasn't. He hadn't had a decent lead in months. Sam was incredibly helpful, but they still weren't any closer than they had been six months ago.

"Why can't Natasha or Stark or someone—"

"The people who are after her… They're not someone Romanoff or Stark can handle by themselves." Maria narrowed her eyes. "And do you really think Stark is someone we'd consider for protection detail? We had to send Romanoff to keep an eye on him."

"What makes you think I can handle these people by myself?"

"That super soldier serum you got injected with."

Steve shrugged.

Maria's tone softened. "Look, Steve, I came to HQ with the idea that she should have the best protection we can offer her. And you've been on this wild goose chase with Sam for the past six months, and it's gotten you nowhere. When Bucky wants to be found, he'll let you know. Until then, you have nothing to do and I know it's driving you nuts."

"I'm adjusting to 21st Century life."

"You did that adjusting a long time ago. You are lonely, and while Sam's good company, I think you need a normal human being in your life. Someone who can remind you of what it's like to be a normal American citizen."

"Aside from the whole 'dangerous people are out to get her' situation." He looked at a page and added as an aside, "And… extensive training in… everything. How is she any more normal than Sam?"

"You're being awfully defiant today."

After a moment, Steve bowed his head. "I'm sorry," he said sincerely. Hill was just trying to help, and he knew it. "Maybe I do need a break from trying to find Bucky. It's just—"

"I know, Cap."

Steve gave a small smile. "So, how long is my protection detail, and what makes her an asset?"

"This assignment is only until we can find the people targeting her and bring them to trial."

Steve gave Maria a look. "Trial? That's not the S.H.I.E.L.D. way I remember."

"Well, in light of recent events, we've become more… civilized." The word didn't taste right to Maria, and Steve could certainly sense that.

"Sounds about right. Now what makes her an asset?"

"It's all in the file right there. It's on the page with her picture. Pretty, isn't she?"

Steve opened his mouth, but Hill interrupted.

"I've been in S.H.I.E.L.D. for years. I can tell when someone sees something they like. I also know that's the only thing you remembered from that page."

Steve's brow furrowed. She'd caught him. He flipped open the file again. "Sandra McIntosh."

"Come on. She's waiting for you at Clint's office."

"… Barton has an office?"