Summary: If Darcy Lewis had known that the perks of the job at Shield included being Steve Rogers' fake wife, she would have taken the offer up years ago. Wherein Darcy and Steve infiltrate Hydra to rescue Bucky, and they find they can't stop having these awkward, sexually charged moments. Darcy will break the sexually repressed Captain if it's the last thing she does -and seeing as they're surrounded by Hydra loyalists, it may well just be.
*Shameless tropes, fluff and romance inside.*
Notes: This is my first foray into writing in six years. Constructive feedback welcome and wanted. Hope you enjoy my shameless tropes and my toe-dip back into fanfiction writing. Subsequent chapters will be longer.Chapter One: Assignment
Darcy was running so very late, and was so, so fucked.
She had been on time this morning when she left Stark Tower to meet with Coulson; something about a very important matter to discuss. One spilt coffee and two cab rides later she arrived at the new Shield HQ. She was twenty minutes late, and wearing clothes that could only be described as unprofessional. But hey, what could she do when she'd wrecked her last clean work outfit?
So here she was, scrambling into the elevator, removing her headphones and wrapping them around her ipod. She stuffed both into her bag and punched Level 17 into the panel on the elevator wall, flashing her ID badge to confirm clearance. The elevator started to rise, and she took a deep composing breath as she leant against the wall. She hoped Coulson wouldn't be too pissed; she didn't make a habit of being late. She adjusted her tee-shirt making sure the ladies were constrained in the torture device she called a bra, and rubbed her palms on her jeans nervously. The doors opened much too soon, and Darcy mentally crossed her fingers for a happy Phil. She hurried out of the elevator and down the corridor.
"Morning Darcy." Coulson's assistant Brad greeted her from his desk, shooting her a flirtatious smile. "You can go right in, they're waiting for you."
"Thanks Brad." She said hurriedly, opening the door and disappearing from his sight as fast as possible. Things had been awkward for her around Brad since their not-date last week over lunch and she was happy to have a reason to cut any interactions short. He was nice enough, but he was painfully bland.
When she entered Phil's office she noticed Steve sitting across from Phil's desk, the two engaged in conversation. She wondered what kind of meeting could possibly be relevant to both her and Steve.
"Nice of you to finally join us Darcy." Phil looked disapproving as she took her seat in front of his desk. Darcy smiled apologetically.
"Sorry guys, I had the most fucked up morning. Stupid taxi driver made me spill my coffee all over myself." She explained, feeling her face grow warm. Phil looked unimpressed at her language, but now used to it he took it in stride. He took in a deep breath and started to explain why they were both there.
"I've called you here because we need you on the field. We're upgrading your clearance and making you an Agent." Phil began.
"The field? Why do you need me? I'm a desk jockey! Seriously though, do you need me to do another PR write up? What's Tony done now?" Darcy laughed, surely Phil was pulling her leg with the Agent stuff. If it was field work that needed doing, surely Natasha would be better suited. Natasha with her kick-ass fighting and acting skills. Not Darcy and her minimal defensive skills and her too-loud and obnoxious temperament. A temperament that most found to be very disagreeable.
"We need someone with a political mind for this mission Darcy. Steve was given input into choosing a partner for this one, and he chose you."
Well. That was a surprise, despite sharing the same common living space in Stark Tower, they didn't know each other very well, and Darcy had always assumed that Steve found her unbearable. He always pulled a face when she made her jokes and innuendos, and more than once she had offended him into leaving the room. Now he was choosing her to work with him?
"Okay, so what do I need to do?" Darcy questioned, looking from Phil to Steve, who was starting to blush. He scratched the back of his neck nervously. Steve opened his mouth to speak, but it was Phil that started talking.
"We've found The Winter Soldier." Phil began.
"Bucky." Steve corrected.
"Bucky," Phil continued apologetically. Hydra has recaptured him and wiped his memories again, according to our intel. They haven't returned him to his cryo-chamber this time. They've assigned him to a Hydra science facility in Texas. We think they're protecting one of the scientists there, Christian Kossler. He's verging on a breakthrough in the next round of Super Soldier Serum. We can't let that happen." Darcy nodded in agreement, an army full of guys as strong as Steve would be very, very bad for Shield.
"Your job will be to pose as an employee with Steve and monitor Christian and Bucky. You will be using your experience from working with Jane to be Kossler's assistant. From what we hear, Bucky never leaves his side. Once you've gained enough intel on the project; who's had the test serum, who knows and has access to his data, Steve will lead an attack and remove the threat. We also intend to liberate Bucky from Hydra. Steve will be posing as a security grunt.. and you will be posing as a married couple. We can't take the risk of leaving you alone in your own quarters in this facility."
"Married? I'm flattered you recommended me, Steve." Darcy said with a wink, earning her a frustrated glance from Steve that seemed coupled with embarrassment. "But why not Nat? She's much better at covert ops than I am."
"We did discuss Agent Romanoff, and she would usually be our first choice, but she is known to Hydra, and is already on a classified assignment for Director Fury. You were our second choice because you have a political mind, Darcy. You can play the game. And your experience as a lab assistant can't be faked. We need you."
Steve looked at her pleadingly, and that was it. That was how she became a Shield field agent. Phil's explanation was long and had given her a lot to think about. She realised she hadn't yet answered, and Steve was starting to look anxious. "Okay, I'm in. Of course I'll help you get him back, Steve. So when do we begin then?"