Chapter 2

To say she was shocked would be the understatement of her lifetime. The win- … no way … there was no way. He couldn't be here, she would know. Someone would have told her for sure. They wouldn't have called her if he was here. Out of all the agents, they would not have brought her in for this mission. There was just no way. Looking at Fury's expression, however, she knew it was true.

"How? How long? Why? Why me?", it was not typical for Shelly to ramble but in this moment nothing seemed to be normal anyways. While waiting for a more detailed explanation, the woman shut her eyes tightly and focused on her breathing. Fury, knowing the agent too well to interrupt her silent meditation, simply watched her intently. Once she opened her eyes again to meet his gaze attentively, he began to fill her in on the happenings of the last few weeks.

"During a fight with Captain Rogers and Agent Romanoff, the Winter soldier could successfully be identified as Sergeant James Barnes. I believe you were aware of his identity, right?" Shelly solely nodded and motioned for the director to continue. "It took a while but the Captain managed to get through to him and bring back some of his memories. Unfortunately, Barnes was – is – not particularly able to cope with his newfound memories and decided to surrender. This was about two months ago. We, of course, offered our assistance in recovery. In exchange, Barnes has agreed to stay in the base under our observation. I already mentioned that his adjustment is not going well so far and that is what we need you for."

"What exactly is it you want me to do?" Her mind still tried to process all the information but somehow she already knew that she was going to take on this mission. "You have had similar experiences, just get him to talk to you and open up. Show him how to deal with the guilt and anger inside of him and how to move on."

The younger woman took one last breath before answering the unspoken question. "I'll do it."

If asked why she took the job, Shelly wouldn't know what to say. She didn't really understand why she agreed so readily, maybe guilt. Maybe because this was her one shot at redemption, a way to overcome her own past. "Good to have you back then, agent Collins.", Fury said as he held out his hand for her to shake. Shelly took it and couldn't help but feel like this was still where she belonged, even after all that had happened.

"I'm going to have his file brought to you. You will have to move into the base for the time of the mission, though."

"Give me three hours."

xXx

Exactly two and a half hours later Shelly – Agent Collins – once again entered the base to be once again greeted by Maria Hill. Only this time a large gym bag dangled off her shoulder, filled with what little she needed for the course of this mission. She had spent most of the time deciding on what books to bring, thinking about what she might want to reread and also what he might be interested in. It had started out as a single thought but somehow she couldn't shake the feeling that he – the winter soldier, famously known to be a deadly assassin – might enjoy a good book just as much as she did.

Ever since Fury had dropped the name, he had been in the back of her mind. She was more than curious to find out what he was really like. The real him, not what Hydra made him to be. Would he talk to her? Would he be anything like the Lady's man the museum described him to be? Would he recognize and kill her at first sight?

Even when this sort of thoughts appeared inside her head, she still was not afraid of him. Fear in general was not something she had felt often those past few years. Truth be told, death was not scary anymore once you lost everything.

"Shelly, are you even listening?" Maria's voice brought her back into the real world, reminding her once again that she was not used to people as she let out a high-pitched squeak. The pretty blonde mumbled a quick apology before following Maria who had already started towards the elevator. The older Agent held the electronical door open with her foot and then pressed the button down.

"You're keeping him in the basement? Seriously?", Shelly stared incredulously at her companion. "He is a human being, you could at least allow him some sunlight in his cell." The stare Maria shot her was full of disbelief and something close to repressed anger. "Actually, we're keeping him on the floor beneath the basement. He is a killer, Shelly, an assassin waiting to pounce on his prey. Don't ever forget that." Shelly reacted solely by huffing out some air in a manner that clearly stated she did not agree. "He's not worse-." Maria roughly grabbed Shelly's head with one hand to force her to meet her eyes. Her expression was fierce and somewhat pained as she stared into the younger woman's green eyes. "I swear to God, if you say he's not worse than you then I am going to slap you", Maria spit out, adding "I will" for good measure. Instead of finishing her sentence, Shelly averted her gaze and stepped out of the elevator as soon as the door opened.

In silence, she waited for the other woman to pass her and lead the way towards her new home. Moving ahead down the one corridor, they went past several assumedly empty rooms that all looked exactly the same. It was not quite like in an actual jail, but Shelly still couldn't help but feel itchy. How she was supposed to live down here for the next few weeks – or longer, she didn't know how long the mission was going to take – was beyond her imagination. Sure, she had lived in places that had 'Danger' and 'You are not welcome here' written all over them but that was back in her days as a field agent. Here, in the S.H.I.E.L.D headquarters, she had at least hoped for a window to look down on New York.

Maria stilled in front of the last door and waited for the younger Agent to acknowledge her. Shelly nodded once but still did not break the silence. She did not mind the silence at all, no, she even enjoyed it.

"This is his room", the older Agent explained pointing at the last door marked with a steel sign saying '26'. "And this is yours", she pointed towards the door next to it, which was apparently room number 25. Maria pulled a set of keys out of her back pocket and held it out for Shelly to take. "I've got the room right next to him?" In this moment, the blonde hated how shaky her voice sounded. She didn't have a problem with that, she didn't. But she was surprised nonetheless.

"It is just like Fury told you, you should be there for him. Whenever he needs you and for whatever reason. To have your room right next to him is just a practical decision."

Shelly reacted with half a nod to signal she got what Maria was really saying. Be there even if he doesn't want you there. Listen to what he's doing and react. Always have the upper hand.

"His file is on your desk, so just settle in and have a closer look at what you're getting yourself into." Shelly finally reached for the set of keys and started to unlock the door of her new home. For a moment she contemplated simply going in and closing the door, but then she decided against it. In a swift movement she turned around and hugged Maria tightly, smiling genuinely.

"Be careful, Shelly"

"I always am. That's why I'm still alive."