Hi there! If you can't guess, this just so happens to be my first post on and hopefully not my last. LOL Any way I've been working on this for a while for my own entertainment and that of my friends. They're the ones I have to thank for two OC's in this story. Clara is all my own. As for the rest, we all know belong to Marvel. Enjoy :)

Sometimes even I question why I live alone.

Especially in situations like this.

Situations in which I need to leave my dog home for a few days. Or longer.

Agent Coulson from S.H.I.E.L.D. stood awkwardly in my still packed up living room as I looked up at my little guard-dog-in-training. Sirius Padfoot Black lay at the top of the stair with his tail thumping against the wood floor while I ran a hand through my hair. Don't judge my choice in names, I love my books.

"So – uh – why exactly are you coming to my house at midnight? And why is it that I have to leave right now?" I asked wiping a hand over my face still trying to stay awake. I'm starting to wonder why the awkward man couldn't call me first. I mean, a little warning would be nice. I barely had any freaking pants on. I turned toward my small kitchen at the sound of my coffee being ready and continued to Coulson's brief explanation yet again.

It was the same statement as before. "Your father said that if you're not in protective custody with S.H.I.E.L.D he won't come in at all."

Last time Agent Coulson 'took me into protective custody,' I had lived in a flat on the west coast with my boyfriend at the time and I was gone for weeks. I didn't have Sirius back then and now I don't have a boyfriend conveniently living with me to take care of him while I'm away. But on the upside of living alone with a guard-dog-in-training, he nearly bit Agent Coulson in the ass. Nothing against him, I'm just proud of my little puppy. I mean, who needs a boyfriend when you have a dog?

"I must admit," I took a gulp of black coffee; grimacing at its bitter taste but still hoping it would keep me up. "that I'm kind of flattered by the fact that the man who contributed to my existence is concerned for my safety in all this. This being – um – I have no idea what this is."

"What 'this' is – is a man trying to protect his daughter from the dangers in and out of this world." Agent Coulson stated. He shifted his weight awkwardly over the wood floor as he stared at me intently. He must be really pressed for time.

I swallowed another gulp and with a slight grimace said, "I'm guessing there's some sort of emphasis on the out of this world, huh?"

He nodded solemnly and I sighed. Damn. This kind of changes my plans. Just a bit. My friends were driving up from Florida and I was expecting them at any minute. Now, well, now it sounds like I'm expecting to leave at any minute.

"Clara," Agent Coulson pulled my attention away from my thoughts, "we're trying to do this the easy way."

My brow furrowed. The easy way? I turned to the windows craning my neck around to find that they weren't bothering with being discreet this time around. One black Escalade sat parked in my driveway behind the car I've been driving since I was in high school. Another sat across the street with two agents in the front seats wearing sunglasses even though it's dark outside. Wow. Note to self: Remember to pick up some blinds when you get home. And curtains. Really thick curtains.

My hand weaved its way through my unbrushed hair as I sighed, "I'm sure the – uh – 'easy' way is preferable but, - what if I choose to stay here?"

"Then we'll have to use force." He stated with a voice that sounded like he already regretted the idea. I glanced at the clock. Twelve o' two in the morning.

"You see, the thing is, " I finished the last gulp of my coffee before admitting, "I'm sort of expecting a couple of guests-"

"At midnight?" Agent Coulson asked dumbfounded. I could tell he didn't believe me. I mean, he's got a point who expects guests at midnight? Apparently me, that's who.

"They would have been here already if Lyla didn't keep forgetting her shit." I mumbled as I shook my head. I turned back to my dog. He's still a puppy and needs constant attention how do I just leave him? The little black mutt bounded down the stairs happily and skidded into my legs, flopping over onto my feet for a belly rub. Smiling I set down my now empty mug, complying.

"I'm sorry, Clara, but I'm afraid you don't have much of a choice."

Hope you enjoyed! Sorry it was kind of short though... not all of my chapters will be this short I promise. Happy reading! :)