A/N: Just wanted to thank everyone, especially those that reviewed XD Honestly, I'm still not sure about this, but the reviews and stuff helped…although the bar was set a little high for me, so I hope this next chapter doesn't disappoint…Happy reading!

I've read Alice in wonderland before, and I've seen the movies. I even had people tell me I remind them of her. I strongly disagree. Alice is more of an extrovert, who when the going gets tough, the tough gets going kind of girl. She follows wherever her curiosity takes her optimistically, no matter how strange. To compare me to Alice I'd have to say that the only thing we have in common is endless curiosity and a yearning for justice. Other than that, I'm more than likely to go hide in a corner, than seek out what I'm looking for. More likely to stand by and watch when something goes wrong, than to try and fix it.

More than likely to zone out every word Nick Fury was saying, than listen like an obedient agent.

I'm starting to think Maria was right when she called me 'passive aggressive' growing up.

My current thoughts were on his eye patch. I must've been really tired, because these thoughts spaghettied out to a whole different arrangement of thoughts. Like: has Fury ever considered dressing up as a pirate? Maybe for kids? He doesn't seem like the type. I'm an adult and I'm scared of him. I wonder if he has kids...is he married? I doubt it...

"Agent Hill!"

I snapped back to reality. "Y-yes?"

"Did you even hear a word I said?"

"Uh, to be honest..." I bit my lip, and he sighed.

More disappointment on my part.

Maria, who was standing off to the side finished saying something into her earpiece, and turned to Fury. "You'll have to forgive her, Director Fury, its 2:00 am, and she hasn't slept."

Fury didn't take his piercing eye off of me as he spoke loud and clear. "Well, then, agent Hill, you can tell your cousin to get her head out of the clouds. Lives are currently at stake, and not everyone can get their beauty sleep. You can also tell her, and I'm going to put this lightly, that she is your responsibility now, and if anything goes wrong, it will be on both of your shoulders this time."

"Yes sir."

"Good."

He gave me one last long look, before stomping away.

I chanced a look over at Maria, who was standing upright, hands fisted behind her back, head down, and lips pressed together in a thin line. She was most definitely in a bad mood.

"Sorr-"

"Save it."

I felt like I had been slapped. I've already managed to royally piss off two of the highest ranking agents in less than five minutes.

If I were an optimist, I'd say 'that's a new record!' or something along those lines. Being a pessimist, and a coward, I was looking for a way out of my little dilemma.

I fingered the strap on my messenger bag awkwardly, the soft leather indented with nail marks. Waiting for Maria to cool off was like torture.

She took in one deep breath and fixed me with a level stare. "I'm going to show you to your room. In your room is the standard uniform. You will wear it according to the code. No funny business, like Fury said, you're my responsibility now."

I nodded, feeling my throat close up. I wanted so badly to bolt right out of here and never look back. It was awful knowing that you were more of a burden than anything to the people you were trying to help.

I heard the sharp footsteps of Maria's heel, and realized she was walking away. Leading me to my room—which was more like a dungeon if anything.

The entire walk there was silent. Which I overall preferred, because when there was silence, you couldn't mess things up.

We arrived at my room in a blur. "You know the drill," she said, handing me a key. I took it gingerly, pressing my thumb lightly on the fingerprint scanner attached to the end of it. When it pulsed a brilliant white in recognition, I stuck it in the slot. There was a familiar click and I placed my hand on the cold door knob.

Too bad it doesn't slide open, I thought, like in those sci-fi movies. Must be a budget cut.

I opened the door and walked in. It was dull, as always.

"Thanks." I told Maria, even though I know she didn't want to talk to me now. I learned that much growing up with her.

She nodded once, about to walk away before she turned back and said "I almost forgot, sometime late tomorrow we'll be having...guests on board. So, please, just..."

"Avoid them at all costs?" I offered, walking over to place my hand gently on the door.

"Yeah, that."

Just like that, she left me standing there.

"Trust me, that won't be a problem." I muttered to myself, closing the door and turning to my room.

Like she had said, that wretched skin tight uniform was laid out neatly on my bed. I hated that uniform. I hated this room. Not much has changed since I've been here, because I still hate it.

I collapsed on my bed, feeling overly tired. Was it really just a couple of hours ago I was happily reading in the library?

I reached into my messenger bag to bring out my book. I began reading, my eyes absorbing what was written, taking me to somewhere different, somewhere with a happy ending. Then I fell asleep.

My childhood was decent. Better than Maria's anyway. My aunt died giving birth to Maria, and her father hated her for it, making it very clear to her.

My mother was still alive, as was my father. I didn't say they were nice people, considering they wanted nothing to do with me. But I still had it better than her.

So how was it that she came out a stronger person than me?

I chewed lightly on my breakfast, which consisted of a granola bar and hot chocolate, while pondering my cousin.

I've been nothing but a burden to her since I joined SHIELD. I sighed for what felt like the fifteenth time that morning and walked down to offer a coffee to her as a token of peace.

I knocked softly on her door.

"Come in."

Gulping, I hesitantly peeked in her room and called out. "Maria? I brought you coffee..."

She glanced over at me and nodded. I stepped into the room. She packed away a picture as soon as I entered, and I felt guilt overwhelm me. I know all too well who was in that picture.

Her room was similar to mine, everything a dull grey, with a SHIELD logo here or there. Maria wasn't the type to make it any more personal and comforting, so the only thing that decorated the room was a pile of paper-work, some secret files, and weapons. Her bed was already made despite how early in the morning it was.

"So," I began, handing her the coffee as she sat on her bed and rested her elbows on her knees. I shifted in my navy blue suit, trying desperately to ease the strained atmosphere, which only made it poorer.

"Seen any good movies lately? Read any books?"

She smirked and took a sip of her coffee. "I don't have time to."

I ran my fingers through my hair and laughed. "I forgot...you're always so dedicated to your job here."

"It would be a waste of a job if I wasn't."

I considered this. "Are you happy with it?" then, feeling as though that was a personal question I backtracked. "I mean, you're pretty respected around here, right?"

"I suppose."

I set my hot chocolate on the dresser behind me and looked down at my nails.

"I just wanted to apologize..."

"For what this time?" she sighed with a slight smile.

I almost laughed. "For being a complete...you know..."

"Come on," she said, raising an eyebrow. "I want to hear you say it."

"For being a complete idiot."

She stood up and put her hand on my shoulder. "You know, what Fury said was right. You're my responsibility."

I smiled bitterly.

"Now, we have to get ready for departure. Come on, it's about time I filled you in."

It was a lot to take in, but she told me about the escape, the brainwashed agents, and the Avengers initiative. No wonder she was so stressed.

Although things weren't exactly fixed between us, I felt she was a little bit more easy-going. She still spoke and acted like an agent, that's for sure, but at least I had succeeded in actually making her talk to me again.

"So Phil has the honor of escorting his favorite all-American hero?" I smiled, putting up my hair in a messy bun. My bangs hung down just above my eyes, just how I liked it.

She tossed her empty coffee cup in a nearby trash bin and said, "Correct."

"He must've been ecstatic."

"He was. He brought his cards with him..."

I laughed out loud as we entered the control room. A couple of agents turned, and did a double-take when they saw me, and I immediately ducked my head down.

"Eyes forward," Maria called. Then she turned to me. "Why don't you take a look around, and get used to things before we put you to work in here."

I gave her a tight smile. In other words, go make yourself look busy so we don't have you mess anything up.

The message was well-received, and I found myself wandering the area, determined not to get lost. Maybe I should head back to my room, so I could read a bit.

I turned to head in that direction,absentmindedly fixing the earpiece I had received along with the uniform. I had a gun, too, which was hard to ignore, as it put some weight on my thigh. I had a feeling it was going to stay snug in its holster for just about the entire trip.

Go figure.

I didn't mind, though. It was for the best.

As I headed down to my room, I noticed a room with a fairly large window, with a perfect view of the ocean, I looked on, amazed, and stepped in, and only to find out we were slowly rising out of the water.

Oh lord.

I watched in apprehensive bewilderment as the ship started its flight. It was all too real. I was really doing this. I was a part of SHIELD. I placed my hand on the patch that decorated the sides of each arm lightly and stepped back from the window.

I had wasted a lot of time in here. It's about time I left. Just as I turned around I bumped into something—or someone—solid with a gasp.

Let the embarrassment commence.

A/N: I'm open for reviews, suggestions, concerns, constructive criticism, and smoothies, but seeing as this is the internet, I'll probably have to make it myself…but, seriously, I want to become a better writer, so any advice would be awesome X) I'm not rushing things, am I?