Chapter 11: Welcome to SHIELD
Anya and Natasha had been flying in a SHIELD plane with Stephanie and Vixie asleep in the back for a few hours as the sisters co-piloted the plane. The two red-heads just mainly talked about girl 'stuff' or their skills in battle since they didn't have much else to talk about. Plus, Anya was the only girl Natasha had to talk to one-on-one besides Maria, Pepper, Jane, or Darcy. The two girls bonded very quickly, almost as if they had known each other for years until they finally reached their destination. Then, they saved their bonding for another day as they got down to serious business.
Anya was taken to the SHIELD headquarters in Washington D.C., where she would live with Stephanie to help the good guys but also to live a safe life in the city with Winter once he found hER and their daughter. Anya, Stephanie, and Natasha entered the building as everyone inside noticed the red-haired girls and their pet fox before the 'foursome' made their way to Director Fury's office. Anya was nervous to meet the director because she didn't really know him all too well, but she had been through much worse. Natasha kindly reassured her new sister and friend as the three dames made their way to the office. Sure enough, Nick Fury was inside as he welcomed the girls, "Welcome to SHIELD. It's nice to have you two here."
"Really? Your face says it all." Anya smirked playfully as she made a snide comment to refer to Nick's face. Anya just giggled innocently with her hand covering her mouth, which made Stephanie join in, while Nick just frowned at the girl and Natasha stifled a laugh before Fury snapped, "Something funny, Romanoff?"
"No, sir, Director." Natasha snickered a response before the director sighed as he handed Anya a house key and a sheet of paper. He looked at her as he explained, "It's nice to have you here and we've heard so much about you."
"I know. Natasha told my daughter and me."
"That's your room key and your new address. Your room number is 10 and it's the one closest to the roof. Have a nice stay in America and welcome to SHIELD, Anneliese, and you too, Stephanie. This meeting is dismissed." Fury shooed the girls away to make a phone call as Natasha, Stephanie, and Anya left the large ivory office. As soon as Natasha and Anya were in the lobby, Natasha even offered to show Anya and her daughter around the city, but Anya declined the offer. She wanted to explore the city for herself and she wanted to be alone when Winter came for her and Stephanie (if he ever came for them). Natasha just shrugged before leaving the girls alone until Steve and Sam came inside the building to speak to Natasha. Steve was very handsome and hospitable as he greeted the Black Widow, "Hey, Nat."
"Steve, Sam, how's life been treating you two?"
"Oh, we're fine…Hey, who are your friends?" Steve asked as he locked eyes with Stephanie and Anya, but especially Stephanie. Natasha turned to her half-sister and niece as she introduced Anya and Stephanie to her friends, "This is Anneliese Jablonsky, my older half-sister. Just call her Anya. And this is her daughter, Stephanie." Steve stepped forward and extended his hand out to Anya before he replied, "Nice to meet you, ma'am. I'm Steve Rogers." Anya shook the man's hand gently before she smiled, "Yes, I know, and Natasha told me so much about you guys. I even know about your work, Captain." Steve then turned to Stephanie, who was doing everything possible to hold back a gentle blush back from THE Captain America, and shook her hand. If it was one thing Stephanie knew like an encyclopedia in her head, it was Captain America and all his deeds years ago and even now. Stephanie knew her mother noticed her 'crush' on the Captain as she shook his hand, "Stephanie, but you can call me Steph. It's a real honor to meet the living legend."
"Thank you, doll. But the real honor is all mine since you have a similar name to me." Steve replied as he gave the girl a sign of endearment while Stephanie tried to restrain her feminine hormones. However, Natasha broke everyone's train of thought as she replied, "These two will be new agents for SHIELD in our department. Isn't that good news?" Even Sam added in his own comment as he told Anya, "I never knew you had a niece or a sister, let along an older one. She looks too young to be older, not that she's really old-I just meant that-" Anya stopped the man from speaking any further as she giggled, "Say no more, Sam. It's fine…"
"And I almost thought your daughter was your little sister for a second." Sam joked as everyone laughed. After the laughter subsided, Anya smiled at her new friends before she politely said, "Well, it was nice meeting you, but I have to run. If you could show Stephanie around and then bring her back home, that's be nice."
"Oh, no problem. We'll take care of Alex." Natasha shrugged as she used a new nickname on the girl before she and Stephanie linked arms while Sam agreed with his own nickname for Anya's daughter, "Don't worry, we'll look after Lexi. I'll even be her personal tour guide, free of charge." Meanwhile, Anya grinned, "This means a lot to me and Steph. But you know how it is…Things to see and places to settle into." Steve just shrugged playfully before he smirked, "I see, well, enjoy your time here. Oh, and welcome to the family, Anya. You and Stephanie are practically one of us now."
"Thank you, Captain, and it means a lot…до свидания (Goodbye)." Anya waved to her three friends and her daughter before she headed outside. This place was unlike anything she had ever seen. Russia was all woods, buildings, and white snow with lots and lots of people, nothing like America at all. In this new land, there was no snow to be seen anywhere and everything was not white all the time. Landscapes of colors filled the scenic area of Washington D.C. as Anya took it all in. She had only heard about many landmarks from books and stories from Winter's travels, so this was a new experience, however it was a good one at that. Anya felt as though she'd enjoy her new life here, if only Winter could be here right now, sharing this with her. Anya just kept Winter in her head as she moved through the noisy streets of Washington D.C.
Anya passed by many historical landmarks and buildings as she toured the city on her own. She was carrying her backpack and box of family heirlooms through the city as she walked around, taking in all the sights and sounds of the city. Anya preferred the country because it was so quiet and peaceful but eventually, she might actually like this slightly noisy place. She saw no potential threats or any of her male pursuers following her, so she began to savor in the delight of living here with Winter, if he ever found her and Stephanie. There was no doubt that he would find them; he always would come for them and follow them wherever they went, but Anya always had a thought in her mind that he may not come. He could die without her and it only made her feel guilty for leaving without him. However, Winter would never want her to be unhappy for he would rather suffer himself by taking Anya's pain and inflicting it onto himself than watch her go through agonizing pain alone. Therefore, Anya tried her best to enjoy her own private tour as she explored the city so that when Winter did come, she could teach him the ways of the city.
On her tour, she noticed some docks as she decided to go take a look around. At the docks, she saw a small home that looked abandoned, so she decided to investigate it to make sure. Sure enough, there was no life here on these docks as Anya went inside the house. The door creaked a little from old age, since the house looked to be fifty years old or older, but it was decent. This would be the perfect place for Anya and Winter to hide out in if they ever had to lay low and hide. Anya looked around and saw that much of the furniture was covered in dust and creaked slightly from age but that could easily be fixed. Just a little bit of motherly touches (and a dash of telekinesis) and Anya would have this place looking somewhat decent again. Anya decided to keep this place her little secret, even from her daughter and covert younger sister, as she left the docks and went back into the city.
After long hours of touring, Anya decided to head back to her new home. She was very tired and she needed a good rest before she started working for SHIELD the next day. So, Anya followed the directions on the sheet of paper to get to her new house. Finally, at long last, she made it to her new apartment where her daughter was currently sitting on the couch, drying off her hair after a warm shower, while Anya decided to look around. The apartment was so beautiful with modern furnishings that held a sort of authenticity to them that they made Anya a little nostalgic and homesick. To Anya, this apartment building near the roof reminded her of her old cottage and she grew quite pleased in this place. Anya took a moment to place her stuff in front of her door before she made her way around the house. She collapsed to the couch in pure bliss, feeling the marshmallow texture of the futon cushions, which made Stephanie giggle, before she came back to her belongings. One-by-one, she put her belongings away in their appropriate spot as she scattered her mother's blankets around the house and placed her photographs on the mantelpiece overlooking the fireplace. Anya smiled at every photograph as she tenderly stroked the frames before she decided to see the roof.
Anya climbed to the roof and investigated the top of the building as she saw a perfect view of the city. She gasped in surprise at how beautiful the city looked from here and how the hues of the setting sun looked just like a masterpiece. She savored these gorgeous sights as she thought about her sweet Winter Soldier. Winter would've loved to see this. If only he was here to share this experience with her! Anya opened up her locket and stared at the picture of her husband as she dragged her fingers along the paper surface. Just seeing his handsome face seemed to calm Anya a little as she headed back inside the house to go to sleep. Sleeping alone without Winter would be rough on Anya, but she could handle it. She had Stephanie with her. She and her daughter would go for months without seeing him and it didn't tear them to pieces. She and Stephanie would see him again, Anya knew that much. However, it was a question of how long it would be before she saw him. Anya let these thoughts linger as she sweetly dreamed of Winter, wondering if he was dreaming about her too. Anya smiled tenderly before she yawned and curled into her pillow for warmth. Slowly but surely, she drifted off to sleep as she dreamed of Winter holding her and showering her with heart-warming affection. The thought caused Anya to smirk before her sapphire eyes closed blissfully.