"You need to understand, I will do anything to protect my family. I know you know what I'm talking about. So don't mess with me. Don't interfere with my business again. Because I will kill you and anyone you care about."
-Adrian Toomes; from Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
An uneasy feeling washed over Mae. What would happen once she and Steve were sent down? How much damage would already be done? Mae hadn't been sent out to actually handle threats like that; since leaving the compound, Mae's dedication to give her daughter the most average life as possible was her only goal. This idea that things were more complicated than Mae could possibly believe sent chills up her spine. It was like her world had expanded even further.
But this. . . .Tesseract — how were Mae and Steve expected to get it back? If it was as powerful as its file had said, why hadn't it been properly protected? It didn't make any sense to Mae. All she wanted to do was go back home to her daughter, to explain everything to Nicole and have everything go back to the way it was before — easy and not so complicated.
A dreadful feeling washed over Mae at the thought of her daughter.
What would've happened if Mae refused to acknowledge the Avengers Initiative? She didn't think it sounded like a good idea; how could a bunch of overpowered individuals hope to keep the world safe? The idea was good, but it felt like a pipe dream. But if there were no individuals willing to keep the world safe, then people like Mackenzie would be put in danger 24/7. If something like the Avengers Initiative hadn't been formed, as flawed as it seemed in Mae's eyes, then Mae would have to deal with the fact that her daughter would be in constant danger. Anyone from any remaining H.Y.D.R.A. bases could've easily found Mae and Mackenzie and done God knows what to either of them.
Giving her head a sharp shake, Mae tried shoving those over-analytical thoughts out of her head. She couldn't afford to be distracted; it wouldn't be doing anyone any good.
. . . .
Mae's eyes were a bit wide as she looked at the outfit S.H.I.E.L.D. provided for her. Supposedly, they wanted her to switch out of her "civilian" clothes and into more. . . .combat ready attire. That "combat" attire was a lot of tight looking leather, from the looks of it. Mae wasn't entire sure what to make of it, but she knew she had to change out of her normal outfit quickly, if they wanted to get the mission over and done with. Quickly pulling off her shirt and pants, Mae took out the white button-up shirt and put it on. Once that was on, she threw on the leather corset that came with it. The corset itself curved down under her breasts and wrapped securely around her midsection, with thin straps going over her shoulders before she made sure it was nice and secure. The pants, on the other hand, were relatively fitting black jeans. Mae's brows furrowed at the attire.
Seems a little inappropriate to go fighting in, she thought. But who am I to question them? Once this whole ordeal's finished, I can get out of this outfit.
Throwing on the shoes S.H.I.E.L.D. provided for her, Mae made her way out of the room and followed an agent who had been stationed outside her changing room.
The walk to wherever they were going was quiet, and Mae's nerves were buzzing with anticipation. She wanted to know what would happen once she and Steve landed. There'd be fighting, no doubt, but would anyone get hurt? Would they find the Tesseract, or was it hidden somewhere they couldn't find? Romanoff and plenty of other S.H.I.E.L.D. agents were relatively confident that once they retrieved their target, they'd be able to retrieve the Cube. But would it really be that simple? Honestly they couldn't expect someone who seemed so violent and unpredictable to give up valuable information on the spot, right?
Feeling frustration bubble in the pit of her stomach, Mae internally chastised herself for overthinking again. She couldn't help it, though. With everything that was going on — with all this talk of otherworldly crap — how could Mae not try and rationalize everything? All Mae wanted was for things to make sense. That wasn't too much to ask for, was it?
Before long, Mae and the agent stopped in front of one of those Quinjets; the same one she came in with Coulson. "Captain Rogers is already inside," the agent instructed. "Await further instructions once over the landing point." Without another word, the agent turned on his heels and left.
Swallowing thickly, Mae entered the Quinjet. Steve was already sitting on one of the seats on the far side of the Quinjet, sporting his Captain America attire, minus the helmet, which sat awkwardly beside him. Sitting directly across from him, Mae watched as the entry for the Quinjet closed and the engines rumbled to life.
"You're leaving in that?" Steve's voice snapped Mae out of her observing.
Looking down at her attire, Mae shrugged. "That's what they gave me," she responded. "Wouldn't have been my first choice, trust me."
"The leather's specially made," Romanoff's voice came from the cockpit of the Quinjet. "It's bulletproof. Not to mention the outfit itself gives you plenty of room to do any fighting. I know it's an odd getup, but it's the best we could come up with, considering your powers."
Mae simply shrugged in response. It didn't matter if the outfit was specially made or not, it still seemed inappropriate in her mind. And it seemed like Steve thought the same way. But, like she told herself earlier, the sooner she and Steve had the situation under control, the sooner she could get back into her "civilian" clothes. And whatever happened next would be up to S.H.I.E.L.D.
(A/N):
Not my best chapter, but considering the amount of time I had to actually improve it — I apologize, by the way, for making you guys wait so long; I had so much homework and just work from my job that I completely forgot about this — I just couldn't find the time or motivation to do it. I started hitting a writer's block, so this is, unfortunately, the best I could come up with. Give constructive criticism where you think it's necessary.
Nothing in MARVEL belongs to me.
I know it's been a while since its release, but SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING is honestly one of my favorite MARVEL movies so far. I think this new SPIDEY actor did a fantastic job playing Peter, and I can't wait to see him in INFINITY WAR and whatever other MARVEL movies he'll be in next. Also, I know that I'm also a bit behind on this, but a SAN DIEGO COMIC CON panel showed the audience a trailer for AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR, and while the trailer hasn't been officially released on the interwebs (there've been a few leaks here and there), there is a description of all the clips and everything the audience saw.
From what I understand, INFINITY WAR will be a lot more violent than previous movies, and considering the Avengers + Spidey and the Guardians will be fighting Thanos, that's understandable.
Aside from that, a new THOR: RAGNAROK trailer has been released, and I have to say, this is the first THOR movie I'm excited to see. (Plus Black Panther's going to be released in 2018, I believe, and I am even more excited to see that!)
I digress from my nerdy moment.
Time to wrap up this author's note I guess.
Like I mentioned before, leave constructive criticism where you think it's necessary. Tell me any ideas for subplots or OCs you have and I'll add it in as soon as possible.
Be kind to one another, don't text and drive, and be sure to pet a cute animal today.
Thanks.
Kaia Milligan