AN: Here it is the second story in the I Get that A Lot Series. I started this one off with a flashback instead of present time just to switch things up and set the mood.
I know I'm going to be giving a lot away to those of you who've picked up on the hints I've been dropping left and right since I said this would be going through all the movies thus far, but this story takes place in the time frames of Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger.
I still don't own anything.
It Won't be Like This for Long
by Darius Rucker
**I'm aware in my other stories the video I tried to attach didn't work out so much and I'm trying to figure out how to fix it!**
January 1992
Triskelion, Washington DC
He set the bags down with a thud and leaned up and rolled his shoulders. Raising up again he ran his hands over his face and shut both his eyes tightly. It wasn't that it was a long trip from Long Island, the private jet made sure of that, but it was more of an emotionally draining one.
He flipped the light switch on the wall next to him and squinted at how the bright lights reflected off the white walls of the empty room.
He took a step back and looked behind him to glance at the eight year old who was holding a stuffed animal she had insisted taking on board the jet. He watched her slowly walk forward to come to stand beside him and he waited patiently as she surveyed her surroundings.
It wont be like this for long
Nick placed his palm on the top of her head, his large hand almost completely gripping her skull, and he playfully shook her head back and forth.
"So what does her majesty think?"
He let go of her head as she walked into the middle of the room and did a slow turn, her eyes surveying every corner of the room before settling back on him.
"It's okay I guess."
He came to join her in the middle of the room when she turned to look out the window. It had been raining since they landed in DC and showed no signs of letting up.
He put his hands on both her shoulders as he came up behind her, "Once we get all your stuff in here you'll like it a lot better. Maybe give it some paint—"
"Can I hang pictures?"
He looked down to find her gazing up at him intently with a sad look in the orbs that used to hold vibrant light.
One day soon we'll look back laugh'n
"Of course we can. Come on, I'll walk you around while they carry the furniture in here; I've got some things I need to do anyway."
He began walking towards the door when he felt her hand grip his trench coat from behind. He turned around to find her leaning her head on his side. He stopped walking and raised his hand up in front of her and held it open.
He was never one for this affection stuff. Never got it as a child and his time in the military followed by his duties to S.H.E.L.D. never really gave him time to go out and find anyone to do such things with. But he's slowly realizing that ever since this little girl was born, despite the fact she wasn't his by blood, he has been wrapped around her finger
At the week we brought her home
The Triskelion was still a relatively new S.H.I.E.L.D. facility, and he himself had only been here a handful of times, but his new position as General required him to move into the dorms provided to agents living on base. He received his own wing of the building and it just turned out that there were a number of other rooms that could be used for anything he desired, including a spare bedroom.
It also meant that his young student could move with him.
He hoped it would help to get her away from the memories the Stark's large home left for the young girl back in New York. He wasn't about to leave her in some empty house with a handful of loyal staff while Tony was off at school doing who knows what.
This phase is gonna fly by
It would also make her continued training more convenient with the limitless access of training facilities as well as the overall atmosphere. If he was going to carry out her fathers' wishes, it would prove to be extremely useful.
So baby just hold on
He had been training her somewhat on and off as a body guard for the Starks at the insistence of Howard himself, but with the way things changed, he wasn't sure if going completely full time was the right move. He already had two other agents under his wing.
John Garrett was his first rookie and his training had gone without flaw. He'd been on his own for a couple years now out doing various missions and would stop by from time to time to check in with his Supervising Officer.
His other student was a straight by the book agent by the name of Phil Coulson. Coulson had come to S.H.I.E.L.D. about five years ago at the young age of twenty-two fresh out of the Boston police academy. Nick had encountered him during a mission where S.H.I.E.L.D. had to aid the local police force in flushing out a known criminal. After everything was said and done, Coulson was the only officer not to have retreated in fear.
Unlike Garrett, despite his special agent status, Coulson stayed close to home but upon Nick's insistence, had been relocated to the Triskelion as well.
It wont be like this for long
Their tour had made their way to the cafeteria when Coulson found them.
"Coulson!"
The younger agent's attention turned in the direction of his name being called and made his way over to the two.
"Sir," he grasped the hand Nick had extended out to him, "how was your flight."
"Not too bad, not too bad at all." He felt a tug on his hand and remembered the little girl still clasping it tightly hiding under his trench coat.
Coulson seemed to pick up on her presence immediately and with a gentle smile lowered himself so he was eye level with her.
"Hey there, I'm Phil," he reached his hand out palm facing upwards as an offering, "what's your name."
Nick watched her look up at him as if checking to see if it was okay, and after his nod of approval, she stepped out from under his trench coat and reached for his hand.
"Emily." It was quiet, but it was a start and he knew she would open up in time.
"Well it's very nice to meet you Emily." He gave her hand a light shake as he stood up again.
"I've been giving her a tour of the facilities here since she's stuck with me," she let out a giggle when he winked in her direction, "she seems to like the K-9 training unit so far."
Coulson let out a laugh as he looked down at the young girl, "You like dogs?"
She nodded her head yes with half of the excitement she used to have and Nick couldn't help but smile himself.
It wont be like this for long
That gave him an idea.
"Say, Coulson, I have to go talk to some people upstairs and let them know I'm here." He tugged her hand as he urged her towards the agent, "why don't you take her down to the K-9 unit again and show her the perks of being the new General's rookie?"
He saw her smile and it gave him hope she would enjoy being here after time.
One day soon you'll drop her off
"Well of course I can," she released Nick's hand and took a couple steps towards Coulson as he bent forward and held his arm out for her, "shall we?"
She giggled again and put her arm through his and nodded again.
Nick watched the two walk away as he heard Coulson trying to start up a conversation with the young girl. "Have you ever heard of Captain America?"
And she wont even know your gone
Turning away from the two he made his way towards the elevators. He had a meeting with the council on the top floors where he knew his own superior officer was waiting.
It was going to take some getting used to. He was now completely responsible for another life, and not just in the body guard way that he had been before. Now he had to do things like, take care of her if she got sick or if she got hurt, help her through her schoolwork, chase off the boys who would no doubt be after her….chase away her nightmares.
This phase is gonna fly by
A ding broke the silence around him and when the doors opened he stepped inside an empty car. He pressed the button for the floor he needed and walked towards the back of the car and turned around to rest his back on the glass. He could still see Coulson trying to walk while being bent over with her arm in his as the doors closed, and he let out a small chuckle.
If you can just hold on
That girl is going to make a softie out of this thirty-seven year old.
It wont be like this for long
AN: I realize this song might seem a little off but it was the only song I came across that kinda had like a slow beat to give off the depressing mood I needed it to be but still sound somewhat hopeful and not be all like death and junk. Plus it really gave off the kinda of father (guardian)/daughter bonding I needed it to as Nick comes to terms with the fact he's now responsible for Emily.
Anywho, let me know what you think!