SHIELD Families c10

Maria had left early, while the others reinforced their search knowing full well that they would have to restart from the beginning and that she would go underground. May had agreed to go with Maria even to her disapproval, but one look from May had her quiet and accepting. On the drive back to Maria's apartment they drove in silence.

"Do you think it could be her?" Maria asked

"Do you?"

"I wish for anything that she is still alive, but if it is why not come to me…"

"Do you remember what you told me when Skye was taken… that if it is her she is in a difficult situation and is dealing with it however she can to get back to you after all you are her family. Have faith in her, if it is her she will come back to you."

"You're right. It's just I don't want to get my hopes up."

"In a way, there is a real possibility that it is her, she has given us hints as to who she is, and we just never would have thought it over as it seems impossible. But we now live in the impossible which in turn leaves anything to a possibility."

"When did you get so wise?"

"I've always been wise. But truthfully those words are yours, over time to those who needed to hear them, you have taken care of many agents, it's only fair that we give you the same."

Much to their conversation was being somewhat repeated in Fury's office, Natasha was informing those in the room that it is her and that she has indeed been trying to get their attention.

"She has been giving subtle hints to who she is, at Sokovia the techniques she used when fighting I knew it looked familiar I taught her them, her reference to the good boss, that's what she called you Fury, the tin man reference to Rhode, she joked around with Clint about it. Think about it the references to the fridge, the sandbox…she's the right size, and the fight we had she understood the reference I made and she froze when I called her AJ. It is her."

"If it is her why hasn't she made actual contact if not with us than with Maria. Listen I am all for hoping that it is her but we all know that if it is Alexa she would have gone to Maria."

"Sir we have footage of her." Skye stated as her tablet beeped

"Where is she?"

"Still here, in the Cleveland Avenue NW." Skye said looking up to everyone's expressionless faces, they are obviously trying to not show their emotions. "What?"

"That is around Maria's apartment."

"I'm getting in contact with May."

"I'm sending a team now." Romanov left the office after hearing Fury's comment.

May pulled into a park outside Maria's apartment, together they walked into the building up to her place May's phone went off as Maria made her way to the kitchen, she saw it was Coulson's number. She planned to ignore it but something told her not to. She answered

"May, she is coming to you." Coulson stated, she didn't have to ask who. She looked to Maria who had both brows raised in question, wanting to know what was going on.

"Are you sure?" she finally asked

"Yes, she is heading there now we have her on camera. We want you to bring her in." May hung up, this wasn't her place, as this was between Maria and AJ. Maria would be able to talk her into it, no doubt a team was on route but still this gave them some time before all hell broke loose. May easily excused herself from Maria when she heard someone outside the door, Maria heard it too, and looking at May who shrugged in response letting her answer the door. Maria had her gun in one hand as she looked through the peephole May saw Maria tense. She opened the door quickly which means the person on the other side decided to leave. Maria followed her out to the street, where she called out.

"Alexa." She saw the girl freeze, and turn around to face her. She wore jeans and a hoodie that still managed to cover her features, she wore a scarf that covered her mouth and nose and wore sunglasses. "Alexa." Maria repeated stepping towards her, "I know it's you."

Pulling back the hood revealing blonde hair she took off her scarf, still wearing the sunglasses she seemed to hesitate before she stepped back.

"You're not real." She finally said, Maria was offended slightly but was replaced with confusion.

"Shouldn't I be the one to say that?" she teased only to realise it didn't have the soothing affect she was after. "Hey it's me…I'm right here…" she noticed how tense her young protégée looked. "Look at me…closely…tell me the details you notice…I am right here…real" she felt ironic seeming this was along the same lines she said when she meet her all those years ago, when she was deprived from society after her parents death. She saw that AJ too was remembering this as she stepped forward before stopping herself.

"No…I-I d-don't want to hurt you."

"I can guarantee you won't."

"But I already have…don't you see…I'm different…I'm not going to put you in any more difficult circumstances."

"If that was so, why did you come here?"

"I thought…I needed to be sure…I can't trust myself…"

Maria watched her closely, noting that what she was saying made no sense, none of this was made any sense. Before she could turn and run, which she noticed was exactly what she was planning on doing, she closed the distance pulling her into a hug. 'Oh god this is real.' She thought to herself.

"I am not going to lose you again." She murmured in her ear. She felt AJ relax in her arms and hug her back, they were so focused on the moment that they didn't see Bobbie pull out her ICER down the street and fire, Maria holding AJ felt her go limp in her arms she looked up to see Bobbie with an apologetic expression as two other agents came over and took AJ away.

"No." Maria called out intending to stop them but both Bobbie and May stopped her. Maria looked bewildered at them.

"We'll follow behind them." May reassured

"Where are they taking her?" Maria demanded.

"Director Fury, needs you back at the office." Bobbie instructed

"Where are they taking her?" Maria repeated with an icy edge in her tone.

"Please Director Fury will explain everything back at his office." Bobbie stated feeling torn, Maria was a close friend that is partly why she volunteered for this knowing she would need all the support she could get.

"Maria, they're taking her somewhere safe." May reassured her somewhat dragging her towards the car.

AN: So what do you think? Where do you think they are taking her? What happened to AJ? I would love to hear what you guys think the answers to these question are? Just leave your comments in the box below until next time.