As usual…

Bold=Memories

Enjoy my dears.

:o)

AN: Warning: Bit of adult themes up ahead. This story is rated M. If you are not old enough...don't read.

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"You are horrible at Chess." He said tapping his box of cigarettes on the table. He was about due for a smoke, but he wouldn't smoke in here with me. I had asked him not to several times…finally he listened.

I shot him an exasperated look, "I told you that I wasn't good. And the more I drink…the worse I seem to be getting."

"Appears so," he said as he refilled my mug. This was becoming an every Friday evening thing for us. We would retreat to his bunkhouse, play whatever games were available, and drink whiskey. Whiskey which never seemed to run dry. I asked him about it once. He would smile, say he had a supplier, and then he'd wink at me. I didn't ask further. "Tell me something else about Deacon."

My eyes flew up to his. He was already looking down at the chess board contemplating his next move. He gnawed on his lip, his forefinger pressed up against his temple, faint stress lines pressed deeply into his forehead. He was really serious about this game. I wasn't sure why- he was already winning. 'You haven't lost until it's over 'M' "Um…like what?"

"I don't know…you talk about him sometimes, but you don't say much." My eyes flickered down to his move and I rolled my eyes. "Check."

"I can beat your ass at Tic-Tac-Toe," I said as I crossed my arms. In the past five months, I think we had played just about every game and told each other just about everything about one another. I knew, deep down, it wasn't a good idea. He would have to leave after the mission was completed. I didn't really see a guy like him writing emails and sending texts just to catch up.

He chuckled and popped his neck before he rubbed his face hard. I don't think he was sleeping. Here lately he seemed to be acquiring dark shadows under his eyes, "You always tend to ignore what I say."

"And ask."

"And ask, yes." He sipped his whiskey slowly, "Does it bother you that bad? To talk about him?"

"He died for me. That bothers me." Clint nodded slowly as he picked up a pawn from the board.

"Any of these…will die for their Queen. Their partner. Because that's what they do Marcy. It's admirable. It's honorable. It's the right thing." I watched him momentarily before he tossed the chess piece back on to the board. I nodded before taking a long drink of my whiskey. "Let him have that. The thought that he died protecting you."

"You two...probably could have been brothers in another life." I said wiping away a stray tear. I swallowed thickly.

"You should talk about him more often. It sounds like he was a good guy."

I smiled as he looked down for a moment before he glanced at his phone, again. I stood up and swayed a bit feeling the liquor swim to my head. He reached out quickly to steady me. "I should go. That's the second ring. They must really want to get a hold of you."

"She can wait," the words rushed through his lips before he even knew it. I think he shocked himself. It must have been her. His partner. He never once mentioned her name. I asked once and he called her Red. I had a feeling he wanted to keep his life separate. "I'll walk you."

"It's okay." I grabbed my jacket and cap. He was standing, following me to the door. The heat on his body was rolling off in waves. I mentally shook my head scolding myself for drinking way too much…especially around him. "Seriously Clint…I had fun tonight."

I found myself too bold when I let my hand graze his forearm. His eyes shifted and my hand was in his, his right thumb moving over the small scars on my left hand and wrist. I felt myself sigh at the warmth of his skin.

"I can see it, you know?" I looked up and searched his eyes. His voice was quiet, deep, soft. Dark flecks seemed to dance in the light. How come I hadn't noticed those before? "Why he valued your life more than his."

I felt myself hit the door unaware that I had been slowly backing away. Intentional or unintentional, nevertheless, I could feel the excitement building in my chest. His fingers traced over my arm, his calloused tips grazing the scars delicately. I could feel the chills making their way throughout my body. "I would have done the same."

I titled my head up and his lips grazed mine. Cigarettes and whiskey filtered into my taste buds and it was like an instant high. He tugged my jacket and hat away from me tossing it to the side. Our lips clung to one another before our tongues crashed. I whimpered as his hands made their way down my sides. His tough hands shot themselves under my shirt. Once under my shirt they shot out into different directions. His right hand began to knead my breast while his left hand slid under the back waistband of my pants. Oh my…

I bit down on his lip and he jerked back for a moment. He grinned and reached down grabbing my thighs, I was hoisted up and pressed tightly between him and the wall. I licked the spot behind his ear slowly and he moaned loudly. Bucking up into my center I could feel how hard he was. He moved slowly as he seemed to glide across the room, I tightened my arms around his neck. Oh yea, I'm pretty sure he had pulled this move before. I parted my lips and gave a small moan of approval when he started sucking my ear gently and bit down lightly on my shoulder.

He sat me down hard on the desk were his weapons usually found their home. Tonight, it was empty. He discarded his shirt quickly and I was met with hard abs and a few scars of his own. I traced my fingers down his front and licked my lips before meeting his gaze, "See…you aren't the only one."

My shirt was next and he hunched over as he kissed my torso and my side, but he paused. I looked down and started to feel an anxiety well up inside me. Maybe the scars were too much, "What?"

"Nothing," he said before he met my lips again. His hands were unfastening my belt and pants. I felt my hips buck at the thought. I hadn't done this in forever. What if I wasn't good at this anymore? What if this made it weird in between us? Before I knew it I was laying on a mattress striped down to my dog tags, sports bra and panties. He had shed his pants in a few seconds and was laying half on top of me. My finger traced the bulls' eye tattoo that was on his chest just under his left pec. "You have a tattoo with his name on your side."

My eyes flickered up to his and nudged my finger under the waistband of his boxer briefs, "For good luck."

He lowered his lips down on mine again as I trailed my hand lower. His phone buzzed again. He growled as laid his head down on my chest. I ran my fingers through his hair. He pushed off the bed and snatched his phone off the table knocking chess pieces over in the process. I pulled a blanket from the bed around me and sat up watching him. "What?" He barked into the phone harshly.

"We've located Crystal."

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Walking into Tony's special meeting area, I sought out the coffee and donuts. In our drinking endeavor last night we had failed to eat the majority of our dinner and I was starving. Clint was already sitting at the table, feet propped up with a plate of donuts in his hand. Thor was beside him waving his hands around in the air as he described something to him. Clint, as patient and calm as ever was listening to him intently with a small smirk on his face. Tony was going over files with Bruce which he didn't look too happy about. Fury must have Bruce going with us this time. I reached the donut and coffee table just in time to be intercepted by a very large, broad, red t-shirt. I looked up and found myself taken back. Steve. I looked him up and down…without shame, but only because I was shocked. He was wearing dark wash jeans, a red t-shirt, and dingy brown boots. Jeans? What happened to the ninety year old? Not that I was complaining in the change, but…wow. I then noticed his hair. It was quite shorter, kind of buzzed. He looked...

I reached up without thinking, "Your hair."

He chuckled, "You like it? Nat made me cut it and change my clothes…apparently my attire was too old fashioned for an undercover operation."

Nat…oh well…of course she did. I wonder what else she taught him in undercover. "You look so different."

His face fell slightly and I backtracked with a stutter, "N-n-no. Good…good different."

His eyes flashed with something and I recalled using the same phrase not too long ago. I turned and busied myself with grabbing a few pastries and a cup of strong coffee. He traveled along behind me grabbing a few things for him too. I heard laughter and I turned seeing Natasha sitting beside Clint. He was laughing with her about something. Thor's laugh rumbled through the meeting area. "So…how are you feeling? Are you better?"

I turned my attention back to Steve. His face changed and I sighed at that, "I'm fine Steve. Clint told me everything."

At that his eyes flickered over toward the archer and held for a few seconds before returning to me, "I didn't mean to just walk out and not come back Marcy."

"Sometimes you have to separate yourself from…the situation in order to see things more clearly." He nodded at that. He leaned forward slightly and I caught a sniff of his cologne. When did he start smelling so good? Had she completely changed him in a month?

"I bought you something…while we were overseas." I met his eyes as he straightened. He bought me something? I felt the familiar pull on my heart as he smiled, "Call it a get well present…if you want."

"All right Fireball, Muscles…time to get this show on the road." Tony announced gracefully. I turned and realized that everyone was sitting down and everyone included Director Fury. When in the hell did he get here? I glanced at Clint who was watching me closely. I remembered our conversation of not being able to see me after Tasha and Steve returned. I started to wonder if he was right. I slid in the seat between Bruce and Steve. Tony turned toward Fury, "Whenever you're ready Nick."

Fury scowled and let out a heated sigh before he stood, "In your file, you will find information on a man called Waylon Reno. He is a ruthless, unforgiving, and heartless drug lord that has appeared in the southern part of California and on into Mexico. Now, I know this isn't our regular mission, but he is dealing a new drug called Dream. It's alters your reality…just a bit."

"What Nick means- if I may your Grace," Tony nodded toward the director which earned an eye roll from Fury and several smirks from everyone else. "It alters reality…a lot. Cases were reported of mass suicides because they were all seeing the same disaster happen."

"A mass hallucination?" Clint leaned forward and tossed his empty plate onto the table. "Is that possible? They would have to be connected somehow…"

"Not necessarily," I said with quick shake of the head. "It's like when a rumor is spread. Like…like when you're in a dark, spooky building or somewhere, one person hears a noise, they ask another if they heard it too….suddenly you all hear it. Its pure hysteria…Dream doesn't cause hallucinations…its cause's acceptance of a perceived reality."

"They're like cattle," Bruce said in agreement.

Natasha leaned forward just as Clint sat back. He rubbed the bridge of his nose, eyes shut. I wondered if he was going to have issues with this mission. I felt horrible for him at this moment, but a jealousy Tasha was sitting beside him...her hand on his forearm. "Would we be acceptable? What kind of form of the drug is used?"

"Gas," Bruce said softly. Fury stared down at the file for a moment. I watched him closely as he read over the file once more. I could hear Tony and Bruce discussing something. Thor was asking Clint and Natasha questions.

Fury spoke abruptly, "Banner will remain on the Helicarrier. He will monitor you all from there. We are attaching small monitors to keep a close watch on your vitals. Medics show an increased heart rate, blood pressure, and increased production of white blood cells..."

Bruce picked up the file and began flipping through the folder, "It acts a virus then. There could be an antidote."

Tony nodded, "If we could get a sample then we could start testing."

"We already have a sample. A doctor out of Washington has agreed to bring what she has and assist."

Bruce perked at that, "Doctor Russell? I thought she turned us down."

My ears perked. Russell? Fury eased into his seat slowly, his gaze flickered to me and then to Bruce, "She had a change of heart."

"Wait…I'm sorry…Russell? Y-you said Doctor Russell." Fury watched me and gave a nod. "Doctor Marlina Russell?"

"Is there a problem Sergeant?" I stood up quickly flinging my seat back. I felt like I wanted to strangle him. He brought my sister into all of this. Once you joined the initiative, you weren't likely to leave. She had a husband and a son. She couldn't join SHIELD. I wouldn't have it.

"You know damn well what the problem is. That's my sister that you want to bring into this…three ring circus. You can't do that. You're going to ruin her life!"

"She's on a flight to Manhattan as we speak." Fury stated dryly.

"You can't do that." I leaned forward feeling my eyes burn slightly. He stood slowly, leather gloves popping as he placed his hands flat against the conference table, "Are you going to proceed to tell me what I can and cannot do? Or are we gonna have to take this elsewhere for discussion Sergeant James."

Tony cleared his cleared throat as he gave his temple a slight scratch, "I think it will be good fun. Two of you on the same ship. Should liven things up."

I saw Clint shake his head at Tony. I glared down at him harshly, "She thinks I'm dead Tony. My whole family thinks I'm dead."

The room fell silent and I shook my head, tears threatening to fall. I could feel my hands tingle, my eyes were white hot now. They were blue, I could feel it, and I was close to losing control. I needed to get out of the room before I sent the room…and Director Fury up in flames.

"Do whatever the hell you want…but leave me out of it," I spat out with a hiss. I left.

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Thank you for reading! You are all Brilliant!

Keep those reviews coming! Reviews MAKE me want to write more- for you.

Let me just say that there are SO MANY reviews…I can barely write back to them all. So...I'm going to write a response to the ones that really, really stand out to me. Please- do not feel offended in anyway. You all are absolutely amazing. I love reading everything you all say and I take your reviews to heart.

Just to answer the overall lingering question: No, I have no clue who Marcy will choose. I have an idea…but right now…I would love to just spend ten minutes…heck- 5 minutes in Marcy's shoes. *wiggles eyebrows*

I LOVE it that I'm making some of ya'll toss and turn on who you want Marcy to be with. I'm officially doing my job as a writer.

Hope the love dovey scenes and the action scene live up to your standards. *wink* Lord knows I could really throw a lot of smut in your face. We shall see. *grin*

Thank you all for your sweet comments. :o)

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Disclaimer: I do not own anything.

Marcy James is my own creation.