Epilogue: Part 1

Three months after Paris, Kelly became the most sought after SHIELD operative. Her ability to attain the information SHIELD needed seemingly without difficulty made her as valuable as Agent Romanoff. Each mission completely successfully and efficiently, she found herself traveling more than ever before. She worked with Agent Mills and James but after awhile she found herself mostly on her own, combating HYDRA operatives left and right. But unlike she was led to believe from Director Fury, the job was a little different than she expected after nearly a year of service. Though it should've been more reconnaissance she ended up more deeply involved than she'd liked. It's not just lying to people to get information anymore. This is serious. This last mission had her alone, once again without her favorite metal armed companion. James stayed back at headquarters, providing the needed intel while she was out in the field. It was supposed to be easy mission but when are things ever easy?

A year since she met him, Kelly couldn't stand being apart from James for the lengths she had been lately. It seemed like every time she had a few days with him already she was off again. Finally back at the only place she could call home, she sighed. She walked down the familiar corridor and pressed her hand to the wall, taking a breath and trying to stop it from shaking. Get a grip, Kelly. As the door opened, she found him sitting there with ear buds in as well as a befuddled look on his face. Smiling as she stepped inside, she dropped her bag on the floor and continued sauntering towards him. His eyes registered her movement as he turned his head to see her. His lips curled into a smile and blue eyes sparkled as she leaned over the couch and planted a kiss on him. After he yanked out the ear buds she asked, "Miss me?"

Grinning James pulled her over and onto his lap. Pulling her against his chest, their lips met again with renewed passion. Each minute apart disappeared as it was just them once more. Running her hand through his hair and chuckling in between, after a few seconds she pulled away slowly and said, "I'll take that as a yes."

His eyes drifted across her face before returning to meet hers. "How was Spain?"

Flashes of DeLeon's face flashed in her mind. Swallowing as she slid off to the side of him, she turned her eyes away, "Oh you know, same thing as always. I got the info from the guy and left. It's not like I stopped in Barcelona and got a tan on the beach."

Right as he was about to ask more she glanced down at the MP3 player she smiled, "Although I swear I told you music now is different which is the exact reason for you to not listen to my music…I'm glad you finally found something good. What do you think of the Beatles?"

James shrugged.

Raising an eyebrow, Kelly said, "Don't tell me you're a Stones kind of guy."

This time he raised his eyebrows. "They're another band from the same time period" she said, "It's like a whole big thing. But seriously, how can you not love them? I admit after they started doing drugs it got a little weird but still."

Giving him a quick kiss then standing, she sighed, "Well I'm going to go clean up. I really could use a shower."

Gently taking her hand he said, "You seem a little stressed. Did something happen in Spain?"

"Nope," she said, "It was routine. I told you already."

Standing next to her he said, "I know what you told me but there's something else. I can tell."

"Just drop it, okay?" she said, looking everywhere but at him, "It was just another mission like always."

"Kelly…"

Tearing her hand away from him she shouted, "I don't want to talk about it!"

As soon as the words were out she saw his eyes widen in surprise. "I'm sorry," Kelly said, brushing his lips lightly with hers, "I just need to relax. I don't want to think about work right now. I just want to be here, with you," grinning and fiddling with the collar of his t-shirt she said," Maybe you could come shower with me."

He smiled but as she turned in front of him and walked ahead his lips formed a straight line of concern. She wasn't telling him something and he didn't like it. She's never raised her voice at him like that before. Her hands shook even when she thought he didn't notice, she could barely look at him and she was always looking around, as if someone was right around the corner. What the hell happened in Spain?

Three days passed and although they spent almost every moment with each other he could feel a chill. The next afternoon while Kelly took a nap, James headed down to the boxing ring with his friend.

"So how long's it been Buck?" Steve asked, dodging a hit from his friend in the boxing ring.

"A couple months," James answered, blocking Steve's punch with his metal arm.

"That's good. It's progress. Amazing too because for awhile there both of you kept having nightmares" he said before backing up and grabbing a bottle of water.

Both of them sat down on the bench outside of the ring, taking a quick breather and swig of their water bottles. They both sat leaning forward with their elbows on their knees, panting.

"They never fully go away unless she's here with me" James said, eyes staring off across the room.

From behind, Kelly slowly crept up on them, determined to surprise the two of them. Steve took a drink and said, "She has been gone a lot lately. Guess SHIELD really needs her skills."

James sighed, "Sometimes I think it'd be easier if she was gone all the time."

Kelly stopped abruptly, feeling her heart sink. He doesn't want me around anymore? Slowly she backed away and disappeared from the room.

"C'mon Buck," Steve said, "You can't mean that. "

He shook his head and looked to his friend, "I only meant because I can't stand only being with her a day or so at a time before she's off again. I'm stuck here while she's halfway around the world. Ever since she joined SHIELD I can't help but think I'm losing her. Then these last few days…something happened. She's acting differently."

"How?"

Shrugging James said, "She's always so deep in thought and barely says anything. She sleeps on the edge of the bed, as far away from me as she can," he paused a second then glanced to the floor. "I can't lose her Steve."

After another swig, Steve turned toward him and said, "So do something about it. I know you've been meaning to ask. Why haven't you?"

James smiled and faced his friend, "Not yet. I want it to be the right moment."

"No time like the present Buck," he said, standing, "We'll be back in D.C. tomorrow and they haven't called her in on another mission."

Nudging him one more time Steve said, "But enough of that for now. C'mon old man, you can't be done yet."

Bucky grinned before they both went back in the ring, training some more.

On the other side of SHIELD headquarters, Kelly wiped her eyes one last time before pressing her hand to the door. As it opened, she stepped inside the office and said, "Can I have a word, Director Fury?"

"Of course Agent Olson," he answered as he looked up to face her. "Your work has been astounding as of late, even with the hiccup in Spain. Now what can I do for you?"

"That's why I'm here," she said, "That hiccup has been haunting me since I returned. So, I've decided to leave SHIELD."

He nodded and glanced down, "I guess I should be surprised. I told you that you would mainly be dealing with reconnaissance but unfortunately this one took a different turn," pausing a moment he said, "I don't suppose there is any way I could change your mind?"

Kelly shook her head.

Nodding he said, "Even though I know you to be an asset I know nothing I can say can make you stay. The door is always open if you change your mind. I'm sorry to see you go."

"Thanks, for everything," she said, "Even though it didn't work out I don't regret being here. You did help me realize potential I didn't even know I had."

As she turned to walk back out the door, he asked, "Have you told him yet?"

Biting her lip she glanced back and shook her head.

A few hours later when he finally made it back down towards their room again, James decided he would rather have Kelly get angry with him for bringing up Spain than not say anything. Although his curiosity was peaked, he only wondered for her sake. What could make her act this way? Things had to change and maybe they could even get back to how things were. Pressing his hand to the wall, he smiled. Steve's right. What am I waiting for?

Stepping inside James stopped dead in his tracks. Grabbing his gun from his back, he slowly stepped inside and looked around. Things were missing. Her laptop no longer sat on the table. Her bag wasn't in the room where she set it down. In fact a pattern began to appear. Everything that belonged to Kelly had disappeared. He quickly searched each room but she was nowhere to be found. He called her name and finally stopped at the kitchen counter. Readying himself to storm Fury's office, he glanced down momentarily. There on the counter sat a note. Picking it up, he read:

James,

I never wanted to—

I wanted to tell you but…

I hope one day you can forgive me…

I'm sorry.

-Kelly