Chapter 1

Old Flame, Deep Trouble

The new year had dawned bright and cold. A fresh coat of snow lay atop the existing blanket of white. Smoke twirled up from the cabin's chimney as a new fire was lit in the living room fireplace. Taryn McKenna stretched at her counter while her coffee was brewing. Last year had been one hell of a ride. Director of SHIELD, Phil Coulson had coaxed her out of her retirement to come back and work with the Avengers. She never expected things would have the outcome they did. She'd been tortured, shot, lost her powers, gained them back, traveled to the past and got engaged. What a ride. She looked down at her ring and smiled. Diamond, emerald and platinum, purchased in 1946 unbeknownst to her. Time travel had never cross her mind when she became an Agent but in her world, not much phased her anymore.

Rustling from the other room broke her out of her reverie. "All packed?"

Steve Rogers smiled, carrying a duffle bag and his coat. "I'll only be gone a few days, so I'm leaving some things here." He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her soundly. "I'm just going to tie a few things up at headquarters and see how things are running. I'll be back soon."

"Well, let me know if you need me down there or anything. I'll be volunteering down at the library while the kids are on break from school, so call my cell." Taryn felt a Quinjet approach and helped him with his coat. "Your ride is here," she joked.

"Got it. I'll call you tonight."

She saw him to the door, kissed him and waived him off as the jet flew off.

Steve called again several nights later to let her know that things were quiet back at HQ and that he planned on being back up on Friday. They would stay another few days in peace before heading back into the grind again for the new year.

Taryn tossed and turned that night not sleeping well and at about four in the morning she anticipated a knock at the door. 'What the hell?' she thought, knowing it wasn't Steve, yet sensing someone familiar.

She grabbed her phone and pulled up the door cam. 'You have got to be kidding…'

Taryn threw on her robe and tromped out to the front door. Standing on her porch was a tall, dark haired man, handsome in a cocky sort of way.

"Miles, what the hell are you doing here?"

He pushed his way in and closed the door.

"Don't get comfortable. You aren't staying."

"Aw, c'mon babe. It's not fit for man nor beast out there. It's snowing like a bitch."

She looked out the window and he was right, she couldn't even see the last porch step. "You planned this, didn't you." The question was rhetorical. "There is no good reason for you to be anywhere near here."

He took off his coat and tossed it on the chair, and moved closer to her. "Of course there is, baby. I missed you."

She raised a brow and threw up her mental walls. "Bullshit. How many times did you cheat on me? When I finally caught you with the last one, I said never again."

"Aw, c'mon. I was young, impetuous…"

"An ass. No. I am happy…"

"What, with Captain Spangles? He's too nice for you…"

"I do not have to justify my relationship with Steve to you. We love each other and are doing very well together. We're engaged now." He started to speak again and she raised a hand. "Just stop. I will let you stay here tonight only. You can have the spare room and I am locking my door. If you attempt to come into my bedroom, you will be electrocuted."

"Jesus, Taryn, you're just a bundle of laughs anymore. What the hell happened to you?"

"I grew up." She walked into the kitchen. "You want a cup of coffee?"

"Yeah." He sat at the counter. "So can we at least be civilized?"

Taryn sighed, staring at the coffee maker. "Fine. Just what are you doing up here, anyway?"

"Investigating a murder in the next county over, actually. A gifted was rather nastily disposed of. So I was sent up ahead of the rest of the SHIELD team." Miles was part of a specialized forensics/investigation team. His ability was a form of Psychometry. However, he could not only sense things from objects, but also rooms and bodies. His mind could reconstruct the last thing played out in an environment, allowing him to envision the entire scenario. SHIELD took him in as soon as he hit the radar and he was trained to be very good at what he did.

"Any leads?" She slid the cup over the counter top to him.

He shook his head. "Nothing yet. It's the fourth one in a month."

Taryn sat down opposite him. "How come I haven't heard of this?"

"Hush, hush right now. Coulson and his team are still looking for Inhumans and they didn't think that these murders have to do with Inhumans."

"Sounds lovely… One more thing I need to worry about."

"Don't worry, I can protect you." He wiggled his brows at her.

"No thanks. I can take care of myself. And I have protection in…"

"Yeah, where is Captain Spangles anyway?"

"Please stop calling him that. He's back at headquarters. He will be coming up here tomorrow… er… later today."

"Well if the storm doesn't cease, he may not."

"He is nothing if not determined. He'll be here."

"Worried to be alone with me again? Tempted by the past?"

"Oh, please. Get over yourself, Miles. I'm going back to bed, alone. Don't get any ideas."

The snow had slowed down and by ten in the morning, it had stopped completely. Taryn had busied herself about the cabin, taking care of some last minute things before Steve's arrival. Her cell rang and she smiled.

"Loverboy?" Miles asked, sitting in the living room.

Taryn glared at him. "Hey Steve."

"Hey love. We're just finishing up here and I should be there within an hour or so."

"That sound great. Miss you."

"Miss you…" Miles mocked.

"Is someone else there?" Rogers asked, hearing the voice.

"Unfortunately yes. I'll explain when I see you."

"Ah, okay… see you soon. I love you."

"I love you too. See you soon."

Miles rolled his eyes at her. "Ugh. Old age has made you sappy."

"Don't you have an investigation to work on?'

"Yes, as a matter of fact I do. So I'll stop by later…"

"That isn't necessary…"

"Of course it is. I want to meet Captain Spangles for myself." He threw on his coat. "Later!"

Steve arrived around 11:30 and Taryn had lunch waiting for him. He picked her up in a big hug and kissed her fully. "I missed you."

"Mmm… I missed you too." She smiled and served up some lasagna and salad.

He dug in like he hadn't eaten all week. "So…."

Taryn chuckled already anticipating his question. "Yes, I did have company, unfortunately. My ex dropped in."

He stopped eating and stared at her. "Your ex?"

"Yeah, the one I mentioned when you asked why I left SHIELD. Miles Jenson."

"And… why was he here?"

"You mean besides annoying me? He's investigating a murder in the next county."

"He's a cop?"

She shook her head. "No. SHIELD investigator. His abilities are very specialized and honed. He can 3D map a crime scene in his head and replay events that the scene has recorded. He's quite brilliant, actually. Too bad he knows it and is an ass."

"Why was he here?"

"Got stuck in the snow in the middle of the night and he knew I was here, so…"

"How did he know you were here?"

"He saw the SUV in the driveway…. And before you ask, he slept in the spare room and I told him that my security system would electrocute him if he tried picking the lock on my bedroom door."

Rogers started to chuckle. "I'm sorry. I trust you, just not him, I guess."

Taryn laughed. "Well, there is good reasoning behind that, believe me. She turned on the TV and they cuddled beneath a blanket and watched old movies for the afternoon when around four she glared at the door. "Ugh."

"What's wrong?"

"Brace yourself. Miles is back…" Moments later a knock sounded on the door. She stood and opened it.

"Hey, babe!" and he kissed her quickly before she could push him away with a mental wall. "Captain Spangles here yet?"

She rolled her eyes and opened the door wider. Steve stood, arms folded across his broad chest, standing tall behind her.

Miles stepped in, removed his gloves and extended a hand. "Captain Rogers, a pleasure to meet you. Agent Miles Jenson."
Steve hesitated, but cordially accepted. "Agent Jenson…"

"Ah, please call me Miles." He took off his coat and hung it, making himself at home.

"Miles…" Steve grumbled through clenched teeth. "Taryn tells me you're working an investigation. Why aren't you there now?"

"Subtle," replied Miles with a sarcastic smile. "Straight and to the point. Fair enough. The other SHIELD agents are cleaning up, taking the body for autopsy, all that fun stuff."

"And so you're here, why?" Steve was becoming increasingly agitated and Miles seemed to be enjoying that.

"Well, it is around dinner time, and I thought…"

"There's a great diner in town," Steve interrupted.

Taryn had to laugh. It was rather amusing to watch the two of them annoy the hell out of each other.

Miles chuckled and turned to Taryn. "Can I get some dinner? I'm assuming you're playing housewife to Captain Spangles here? You must have cooked something…"

Steve dropped his arms and got right in his face. "You're pushing it, son."

"Son? Oh, yeah, I forgot you're like 90. That's kind of stretching things for you, isn't it Taryn? Though the physique is pretty buff… must be good in bed if you're keeping him around…"

And Steve swung hard, clocking Miles square in the jaw and he went down like a sack of potatoes.

"Damn it," swore Miles, rubbing his jaw. "Ok, I guess I deserved that. Well, I suppose I'd better head back into town."

"That might be best," replied Steve, looming over him.

He gathered his things, looking defeated. "I'll keep you posted on the investigation." Taryn nodded and shut the door behind him.

Steve paced the room. "I'm sorry I lost my temper…"

Taryn waived it off. "Actually it was kind of hot. No guy has every stood up for me like that before."

He stopped pacing and placed his hands on her shoulders. "And that just isn't right." He pulled her in for a hug and cradled her head in his hand close to his chest. "No one talks to my girl like that and gets away with it."

She squeezed him tight, relishing his solid arms around her. "C'mon, let's have some dinner."