After a few hours Darcy and Steve had been prepped sufficiently and had a good understanding of the assignment. They left Coulson's office with a quick goodbye, promising to be back on Monday for further preparations.
Steve and Darcy had an appointment with the tech department who would be aiding in his disguise development with some new technology. Darcy would be able to escape with minimal changes to her appearance, Coulson had assured her, due to her being unknown to Hydra. She hoped she could keep her hair as it was. Steve would be less fortunate than her, requiring a complete change. He would be undergoing test runs for voice alterers, on Monday. They were also going to fit Steve for some kind of thin mask that Coulson had assured them was virtually undetectable and tested on the field.
As they left the office Steve approached the door first, holding it open for her and following her out. She thanked Steve with a bright smile.. His ears went slightly red immediately, but he smiled back, clearing his throat. God, but his innocence was adorable.
Brad was still at his desk as they passed, and looked from Darcy to Steve, appearing slightly put out as they
passed him.
"See you later Darcy, Captain. " He called out after them, and they responded in kind.
When they reached the end of the corridor, Steve pressed the button for the elevator, and they waited in silence. When the doors slid open, he stood aside and gestured for her to go in first.
"Thanks Cap," she grinned as she pressed the button for Floor 13, where her office was located. "So," she continued, "my first field mission.. aren't you afraid I'll mess it up?" Steve shook his head.
"No I think you'll do great Darcy, like Phil said, you have the mind for this. You're unknown as a field Agent, so you're much less likely to be recognised. Natasha also recommended you. She said you've been training with her lately? "
Darcy nodded. "Yeah, since that last Hydra attack when I had to lock myself in my office. I didn't like feeling useless." She explained. Steve nodded in understanding as the elevator came to a stop. The doors slid open.
"Well this is me. Better go and sort out all this paperwork before I hand PR over to Jennings next week. I'll catch you at the Tower." She stepped out, and the doors started closing. Steve gave her an adorably dorky wave through the gap that reminded her just how long she'd been single.
"Goodbye, Darcy."
She turned around and headed to her office, definitely not thinking about Steve Rogers. She needed to concentrate if she was going to get this mountain of paperwork finished before 5. And damn if she was going to work overtime in her last proper Friday night in the forseeable future.
It took her until 6 that night to get all of her paperwork done, and she was definitely dying for vodka by the end of it. She gathered her things, hailing the first cab she saw. After fighting the peak hour traffic and forking out a generous tip to the driver who had used a few illegal but effective manoeuvres to bypass the worst of it, she trudged to the elevator. She hoped that another infamous Avengers party was taking place tonight.
The common room was still and quiet when she arrived after dumping her stuff off in her apartment. She wandered around, looking for one of her friends. She needed a drink and gossip with the girls in order to face the reality that was her new assignment. She was sure she would make a fool of herself otherwise.
It was on the rooftop balcony that the she eventually found everyone, cheering at Clint doing a kegstand. Thor and Tony were holding his legs and Nat wielded the tap. When Jane spotted her, she raced over, drink in hand and already slightly flushed from the alcohol.
"Darce! We heard about your assignment, and seeing as Clint and Tasha are leaving soon too, we decided to throw a going away party." Jane said, taking another swig of her drink, waving her hand in their general direction.
"I'm down with that. I need a huge drink, then I need girl talk. I'm going to go crazy working with Steve, I'll end up jumping his bones, Jane." Darcy bemoaned, looking over at Steve who quickly changed his gaze. Shit, he'd heard her. "Damn super hearing." She mumbled to herself, hooking arms with Jane and steering them towards the bar. If she got drunk enough, she might just forget she'd said that, come morning.