Unable to sleep much longer, May decided to get to it. Coulson's face as he killed her haunted in her mind. The memory
the dream. Showering away the cold sweat and grime, having neglected before at her mother's house, it felt nice to be clean. Changing into clean clothes and packed up.
She left the money for the room on the side with a note then headed out, passing an empty reception desk. Dumping her bag in the trunk, May headed off in her car. There only one stop she took, glad to see it still open at the time, 24 hour garage. SHe said nothing despite the odd look for got with what she bought along with her breakfast. But it was quick.
Now, it was for her destination. It had been a while she she had last been there… Coulson's funeral. May barely noticed as she pulled to a stop outside. Coulson's funeral. Her eyes closed, her hands resting on the wheel. A time when she thought he was dead. Before Fury had told her Coulson was alive. She remembered the pain and grief… thinking at the time her friend was dead.
Now here she was to dig up an empty grave. It was almost ironic. A 'dead' woman digging up a 'dead' man's grave. She shook her head softly before getting out. The streetlamp barely shone any light, though it would be hard, she could get into the coffin before sun rise. Which would mean no one would be coming along. If they did they'd assume she was a 21st Century grave robber. In one sense it was true.
Reaching into the car, May grasped her newly bought shovel and headed into the dark Cemetery. She knew her way with ease, like she could ever forget. Her eyes lingering on the tombstone with a sharp sigh, fighting back the image of his face before she thrust the shovel into the moist ground, wet with dew making it much easier
Her heart pounded in her chest, dirt and mud stuck to her sweaty skin as she dug. Light was just beginning to touch the sky, a red hue in the clouds. But she was close...so close now. Under her feet, May could feel the hardness, the dirt becoming much easier to shovel.
Thrusting once more, she grunted slightly as it came to a sudden stop with a loud thump, quickly using the shovel to scrape away the muck till she would see the opening of the casket. One used for an open casket which now she understood for.
Tossing the shovel to the side, she dug her fingers into the side, holding her breath as she tugged, the earth giving way around it after a long second. It was eerie, looking into it when the dirt settled. There was nothing but the white material of the lining of the coffin, bending down for a closer look before putting her hand into it, feeling around before she felt an odd lump under the material…
She didn't have a knife so she pushed the small object towards the seem. Given the two years it had been under the ground, there was some dampness to the material, meaning it had softened enough… Digging her nails in, it took a few tugs before it caved, ripping open loudly but she quickly retrieved it. It was a small cylindrical piece, but definitely S.H.I.E.L.D.
Pushing herself up, she crawled up out the grave, glad to see it was deserted still before walking off, leaving the spade and grave as it was. She didn't have the time to clear it up. The council would bury it back up. Brushing off the mud and dirt as she went. She slipped into her car, before looking at the intel.
It looked like a simple rounded tube, a case of some kind, her fingers twisted the side, loosening it up to pull out a thumb drive. May looked at it for a moment, undecided if she should watch it or not.
This was what Coulson needed. Maybe it was a good thing he didn't kill her over this. Watching it now, what would that mean for her….what would that make her do? Compel her to reveal herself to Coulson? Would it make her guilty about hiding from him….
Sighing deeply, May routed around and pulled out an old borrowed Laptop. Plugging the USB into the side, opening up the file. A video file immediately popped up before it began to play.
"Oh Phil…." She breathed as it began to play out.
Heart feeling heavier now she had watched the intel, May decided to remain on the low, breaking into Mara's new apartment and waited. It wasn't long though. Maria poked her head from the room, gun raised and half dressed.
"Here, really?" Maria questioned when she noticed her, lowering her weapon.
"I got the intel" May said, walking forwards and placed it on the side. Maria's eyes linger on it for a moment, walking forwards and picked up the USB Tube.
"I take it you got a plan. I know you've watched it."
"I'll go by an Alias; Athela Rice. You can share that with Coulson but make it clear it's not a face-to-face thing."
"He won't trust that."
"I know. But as long as the intel pays out, He'll learn to trust your opinion on Athela." May answered. The Alias was not known to Coulson but he had heard of the name at the least. "I also need a safe house."
"S.H.I.E.L.D. ones is good but safe houses are being raided by the US Military. The ones that captured S.H.I.E.L.D. agents know and being questioned about." Maria stated, folding her arms.
May smirked softly, "I know, which is why I know you have one in mind, this apartment is for show. I know you, Maira."
A small expression flittered over Maria's face, confirming she was right. Maria moved after a moment and pulle dout a piece of paper, scrawling something onto it before handing it to her.
"Thank you." May sighed, reading the address but she was grateful for the help.
"What do you plan to do now? You can't do much without intel…" Maira started,
"I have a plan in place. After watching it, I know I can't just Leave coulson to it, not until Garret and Ward's down."
"Ward?" She frowned.
"He's hydra. Or at least that's my assumption. He may have set me up but Coulson throttling me to death really didn't let me find out more." Her tone soured as she spoke.
"Your voice sounds better. I've just noticed," Maira noted, no doubt having the reminder when she spoke about Coulson, the conversation changing topic.
May shrugged. "Hurts like hell, hot drinks are a no-no for now. But I've had painkillers and throat soother so...When that wears off it's gonna be hard to talk again." May answered, through she had been doing what she could not to focus on the soreness of her throat. The bruises on the other hand, prominent as ever but she felt no need to hide them just yet.
"I'll update you on Coulson when I get back. I'll let Stark know I'm going AWOL for today"
May nodded, ."Use this number on the Alias." Jotting down number. "Text me. But I'll need to get going. Is the lake secure?" May headed back to the window.
"Not yet, the paperwork is huge but Stark only knows that a power person is reborn out of it, an asset for him if need be and he knows you're a friend of mine. If he meets you personally then he'll have a question or two about it. Once the hydra thing is taken care of, not doubt a few tests."
"Okay. Sounds...just about reasonable." Though it wasn't too much of a comfort to think about. "Death is not fun so I will be treating my life like it's one life thing, let him do a questionnaire first…" Her fingers slipped and opened it, climbing up onto the fire escape.
Maira chuckled, walking after her to close it behind her. Not needing to finish a good bye, May slipped easily and quietly down and away.
