Hello readers. Thank you for being patient with me. I know it has been a long time. I hope you like the update. Please let me know what you think.

While Agent-no... Brock was doing 'work' whatever that meant I ate my breakfast. Once done, I washed up my dishes, noting that he had washed his own. The view of the trees, dusted with soft snow was beautiful to look at, although I was certain after some time I would grow weary of the sight. I spent the rest of my morning unpacking my belongings and getting my room set up the way I wanted it. The room came along nicely and I had decided that I wanted to purchase a desk. I had rearranged the larger furniture so that a desk would fit nicely so that I could look out the window, as long as I had it placed in between the bookshelves. Recalling the conversation with Brock the other day I looked about the room and then in hallway closet but could not find the measuring tape. I hesitated as I looked towards the closed office door, before rousing my courage up from its hiding place. I move down the hallway and knock.

"Knock." "Knock."

I had heard her feet outside the door as she hesitated and rethought her purpose for bothering me before she knocked. "What?" I said. I was part way through reading the assignments that Director Pierce had sent over. While I had passed them along to different parties for them to review and do their work, I knew that it would be necessary for me to go over the reports as well so that I could be informed. Being well informed was one reason as to why I had advanced as quickly as I had through the STRIKE team ranks.

His voice struck out through the quiet of the house. "I uh... I can't seem to find the measuring tape, any ideas?" I ask. It was silent or at least I could not hear any movement initially.

Her request made me roll my eyes. Clearly she did not check in the garage. I shook my head, perhaps I was being too harsh. Surely though, logic dictated that tools would be in the garage. I exited out of the report I was reading and exited out of the screen I was on, securing it. I stood and moved across the room, opening the door without responding to her verbally. My sudden appearance startled her, I could tell, as she stepped back quickly, raising a hand to her chest.

"Oh!" I exclaimed. I stepped back quickly when he opened the door sharply. We looked at one another momentarily before he stepped through the door and shut it with a crispness. I noted that apparently I was not to know what was in that room, let alone even have a chance to look in there. 'Such secrets' the sarcastic side of my brain mused. "I could not find the measuring tape in the closet in the hallway, do you know if we have one or tools?" I inquire.

Shrugging, "I don't know. I would assume the garage is where tools would be kept." I replied moving past her without so much of a look.

I nodded, "Right..." Following him I could not help but notice how the muscles of his back shifted as he walked. The man was fit. I smiled a small smile of appreciation. Forced into this situation or not, I could appreciate a fine human specimen when I saw one. We moved through the house and then out into the garage. I watched from the steps while Rumlow looked from one shelf to another.

"Here." I say, noting that she had not bothered to aid in looking, but rather, was content to watch me as I searched. "Is there anything else you require of me?" I ask.

Shaking her head she reaches out and takes the tool box from my outstretched arm. "No, not at the moment. I would like to go back to Walmart." I say. I note that his eyes flicker, but I wasn't sure why. Surely tired of going there. "I would like to buy a desk." I say. "Oh and a chair of course." He looks at me and I look up at him, standing on the stair I was still not as tall as him.

"Shall I assume you would like to see your friend at the store, again?" I inquire.

I turn slightly and open the garage door, stepping through it, speaking as I do. "Oh um... No, I don't think so. I mean... I don't need her to pick out a desk for me, or with me." I reply. He makes a grunting noise from behind me as I move back through the house towards my room. I was still acutely aware of him behind me, his presence took up the room like an afternoon shadow on a summers day. "We could go out to eat, maybe they could meet us?" I say turning. The idea of not being stuck in this house again with him for the rest of the night sounded nice, that and to see the town some more.

That was not a bad thought, I mused. "I will ask Jack." I reply and leave her outside the door to her room to head back to my office to finish reports. I say over my shoulder to her, "Let me know when you want to go to Walmart for this desk and chair you need." I do not slow or wait for a response, but unlock and open my office door in a swift movement and shut it. I wanted to get through these reports. The quicker the better. I wanted to get my input back to Director Pierce so he will take me from this mundane existence and back into the life I have enjoyed for some time. This slow paced life was Hell.

I watch as he moves away, nodding at his comment and surprised slightly that he had agreed. "Right then Annie." I say to myself muttering and entering my space. I open the toolbox and find the measuring tape and set to work. I was done quickly, as I had thought. I put the tool box in the corner, just in case I might need to use it to build my desk. Rumlow seemed to be busy with something so I made some tea and settled in front of the television once more, settling on COPS as a way to pass the time until he emerged from his hole.

I was relieved that she had not bothered me more. I was able to through the reports and take my own notes. Jack (Rollins) too, had sent his report back as well, already done with his work. I appreciated his efficiency and quality of work. I surmised he was the closest I had to a friend, here or in our now 'old' lives. Stretching I reached up and leaned back, my muscles popping slightly at the movement. I sighed at the feeling and then rose, pulling out my phone and messaging Jack. I exited my office and found her in the living room, watching COPS. "Jack says they can meet us in town."

Looking over at Brock I nod, "Great." We share a look before I turn to face the television once more before turning it off. I stand, "So... Walmart first or are we meeting them first?" I ask.

"Lets get this shopping out of the way." I reply. I hated such meaningless tasks. I needed to shoot something. I thought.

"Okay." I say. "I'm going to grab my purse, I will be down in a minute." I reply moving around the coffee table and out of the room. Rumlow doesn't answer, although, I am not surprised by it. As I made my way upstairs, I couldn't help but smile. I was going out, Katie and I were getting out of our houses. Even if they were with us, we were getting out. I hoped it would be a fun distraction and I hummed slightly as I grabbed my leather jacket and bag. Once down stairs I looked about but did not see him. The sound of the garage door opening drew my attention and I rolled my eyes. It would have killed him to tell me he was heading out to start the car, surely. I made my way out and around the car, noting his eyes tracking me the whole way. I got in and buckled up. "Ready?" He looks at me, but does not respond. I roll my eyes at him. I was ready, I was excited, perhaps overly so I noted. His demeanor would not ruin the fun I hoped to have tonight with Katie, I thought with a smile, while watching the houses pass by.

I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Let me know what you think of the chapter. I hope to update again in a few days. Have a good night. - Sevy14