Chapter 56 Conundrum

I don't Own Captain America

Washington D.C.

January 14, 1963

It was a cold early morning in the District of Columbia. The clouds hung low with thick fog hugging close to the ground, and light snow floated down from the sky. People walked outside, dressed as warm as possible, with their hands in their pockets, and the cars on the road drove slowly across the snow-covered streets.

A man in a black wool overcoat with neatly combed brown hair and briefcase in hand stepped out from his luxurious hotel and into the cold. He shivered for a moment, then made a beeline to a newsstand and bought himself a newspaper. As the man stepped aside and glanced at the headlines, he spotted a suspicious-looking unmarked van across the street. He tilted his head, eyeing the van with a worried expression.

The van's front passenger window slowly rolled down, and the man spotted what he thought was a camera. Fearing the worst, the man quickly turned upon his heel and walked down the sidewalk. As the man weaved through the crowds, the van pulled away from its parking space across the street and slowly followed him. The man glanced over his shoulder and caught it approaching him. He quickly blended into a group of people standing in front of a wide alley and hid behind them, and watched the van roll by without stopping.

Satisfied that the coast was clear, the man decided to go down the alley instead of backtracking if the van patrolled the street again. But as he began to make his way, the screech of tires skidding caused him to look over his shoulder. The van had backed up to the entrance of the alley and began to turn toward him. The man frantically began to run away, with the black vehicle accelerating toward him. He quickly turned a corner and was met with a tall metal fence blocking his escape. The van screeched to a halt close behind him as he jumped and tried to climb his way out in a futile attempt to escape.

The van's back doors swung open, and two individuals in black coats and masks poured out and grabbed him on the fence. The man tried desperately to resist, clinging to the metal bars with dear life. "No!" he screamed.

The two masked assailants yanked him off the fence, threw him to the ground, then pulled him over to the van. They quickly handcuffed him, gagged him, and placed a black bag over his head before dragging him into the back of their vehicle. The man's muffled screams and cries could not be heard as he disappeared into the van. One of the masked assaulters hopped out for a quick moment, grabbed the discarded briefcase off the ground, and hopped back in, closing the doors behind him.

The two masked agents then silenced the man by injecting him in the deck with a syringe. The man then went limp and fell unconscious. Once silent, the masks came off, revealing SHIELD Agents Katheryn Ottis and Rick Ramirez. The driver and the front passenger also took off their masks, and they were no other than Mike Li and Danny Witwer.

Steve & Margaret Rogers Residence, Scarsdale, NY

In a black pantsuit with a single button blazer, Peggy walked into the kitchen with matching heels in her hand. "Kids, are you ready for school?" she asked, quickly walking over to Steve by the sink and kissing him on the cheek.

Steve, dressed handsomely in a black suit and red tie, smiled at his wife. "Morning, honey."

It looks to be one of those mornings where everyone is running late. All four kids were still eating their breakfast at the table, and Steve was busying himself with washing the dishes rather than getting ready for work.

Sarah got up from the table with her cereal bowl in hand. "Ready," she said, bringing it over to her dad at the sink.

Michael stuffed his mouth with the last spoonful of cereal and got up from his seat. "Mhmm," he hummed with his mouth full.

Peggy quickly put her heels on and looked up at her husband. "Darling, do you think you can drive John to school today? I can't make both schools." She patted his shoulder, "And don't worry about the dishes; we can take care of it later."

Steve nodded, "Sure thing." He wiped his hands on a towel by the sink and turned to John. "John looks like you're with me, so your Mom won't be late."

John stands up with his plate, "yes, sir."

Peggy walked over to her oldest daughter. "Sarah, excited to see Kevin for the first time after meeting us?"

Last Friday, barely a few days ago, the Rogers family got to meet the boy Sarah is dating for the first time. Steve cooked a big delicious meal on the grill while Peggy made the appetizers, baked rolls, and made hors d'oeuvres in the kitchen. Everyone seemed to get along very well though Michael didn't hide the fact he had an evident distrust for his JV football teammate. At least he was polite to Sarah's date. Athena took a lot longer to feel comfortable around the stranger and mainly stayed by Michael and Peggy throughout the evening.

Over dinner, Steve and Peggy got to know Kevin better. Peggy restrained her husband from asking too many personal questions about their daughter's relationship. She stressed that their first meeting with Kevin should be about impressions and getting to know him as a person rather than an interrogation. The questioning should come later if and when Sarah decides to commit to a relationship with the boy. On top of that, Kevin learned more about Sarah's family dynamic and how close all the siblings were with each other. Even the youngest. The family seemed really close, and he expressed how he admired that about the family.

Much of that evening was spent talking, telling stories, and music. For Steve, Peggy, and Sarah, for that matter, it was a milestone. It was the first time Sarah introduced a date to her parents. After Kevin left, Steve still said he didn't like him. Even so, everyone had a good evening.

"Sure am," Sarah smiled.

Michael shook his head and subtly rolled his eyes with annoyance.

Peggy nodded, "I like him. He seems like a nice boy. Hopefully, he likes us as much as we liked him."

Steve chuckled as he crossed his arms and leaned against the counter. "Speak for yourself," he smirked.

Peggy rolled her eyes and smiled at her daughter. "Ignore him."

Sarah chuckled, "I usually do."

"Hey!"

Sarah laughed, "I'm kidding, Dad" She looked at her Mom, "But he likes all of you. He's a big fan of Dad's, to be honest."

Michael rolled his eyes as he got his school bag on. "Of course he is."

Steve shook his head. "I'm not a big fan of him."

Peggy sighed and smiled. "Well, tell him he's always welcome in our home."

Sarah needed, "I will, Mom."

Peggy turned and walked over to a drawer, grabbed a small napkin, then headed to the cookie jar on the other end of the counter. She removed a handful of delicious chocolate chip cookies and wrapped them in the napkin. "Give him these," she said, turning to Sarah. "Few extras we still have leftover from yesterday."

Sarah walked over to her mom and graciously took the wrapped napkin, "Okay. Thanks, Mom." She smiled, "He's going to love these."

John furrowed his brows, "You're giving Kevin the rest of the cookies, Mom?"

Peggy nodded, "Yes, I am, dear. You especially don't need any more cookies. You need less sugar in your diet."

John frowned, "I don't like Kevin anymore."

Steve laughed, "Atta boy."

Peggy shook her head in response. She smiled and glanced over at Angela. "Angela, honey, are you ready for school?"

Angela quietly stood up from the table. "Mhmm. I'm ready."

Michael stood by the counter and watched his little sister with suspicion.

Angela sensed her older brother staring and knew the reason why. It didn't take much for her to understand why he was staring at her. She knew Michael read her journal because there were things in her room that were out of place, plus it was him who seemed to be the most curious about it. Those points alone didn't prove anything, but the dead giveaway was his mood toward her. He started treating her differently almost overnight. Staring at her with suspicion, not talking to her, or sometimes totally ignoring her. Michael even has been more snippy at their siblings and seemingly angrier.

Angela grabbed her school bag and sighed. "I'll be in the car, Mom. Bye, Dad," she said in a soft tone, heading out of the kitchen without a second glance.

Michael scowled at her and looked down, a look that Peggy didn't miss.

Steve nodded, "Bye, kiddo," he said, confused. He looked at Peggy, "What's going on with Angela these past few days? She's been more… more—"

"Melancholy?" Peggy chimed in with concern. "Yes, I don't know what's going on with her."

Sarah looked over at her parents. "Uh, does this have to do with Kevin?"

Michael suddenly snapped and shot his twin sister with a stern look. "Look, it's a big world, Sarah; not everything revolves around you."

Sarah shot her brother a look. "Hey, Woah! You know what—"

Michael stepped forward, "What, Sarah?"

Steve pushed himself off the sink. "Hey! We're not doing this now!"

Peggy frowned and put her hands on her hips. "Michael, what's with you recently?"

Michael shook his head, "it's nothing, sorry."

Peggy sighed and shook her head, "Both you and Angela have been acting moody all weekend. What's with you two, huh?" She frowned, "This started happening right after Kevin came over. So Sarah has a point in asking the question."

Michael looked down and shook his head. "It's not a big deal."

"It's not 'nothing.' Clearly," Peggy replied sternly.

Michael sighed, "let's just go to school." He mumbled under his breath, "Don't have to be such a hardass about this…"

Steve frowned, "language."

"Watch your mouth, young man," Peggy shot back in a reprimanding tone.

Michael sighed and nodded, saying nothing more.

Peggy nodded in the direction of the garage, "go to the car. We're talking about your attitude later."

Michael sighed. "All right," he said in a sarcastic tone, turning and began to leave.

Steve spoke up, "Nope. That's not going to work. What do you say to your mother?"

Michael stopped and faced his mom. "Yes, Mom."

Peggy didn't say anything and only nodded toward the garage with a cold look on her face. A look that usually meant big trouble is coming.

Michael turned and walked away, gritting his teeth as he left the kitchen.

Sarah looked confused but grabbed her things and followed him to get in the car.

Peggy shook her head and gave her husband an unamused look.

Steve sighed. "It's almost like a switch flipped over the weekend. I don't understand what happened."

"I don't know." Peggy sighed and ran a hand through her hair. "I'll talk to them later. Something clearly happened between Angela and Michael at some point over the weekend." She shook her head, "I have to go. Going to have to make tea at work." She leaned over to him and kissed him on the lips. "I love you."

"I love you too," Steve replied with a warm smile.

Peggy walked over to John and kissed him on the cheek. "Have a good day at school, darling. I love you." She kissed him on the cheek once more before heading off.

John nodded, "bye, mama." He looked to his father, "is Michael and Angela in trouble?"

Steve chuckled and shrugged. "Maybe. Are you ready?"

John grabbed his school stuff, "Ready!"

-UNDISCLOSED LOCATION-

The man slowly woke up in a daze, face down on something soft that felt like leather. He groaned and tried to move but realized he couldn't move his hands or legs, as his hands were handcuffed and his feet taped together. He cringed in pain and shifted his weight, turning around, and was surprised to find himself on a couch inside a rather luxurious jetliner of some sort. Confused as to where he was, the man looked over his shoulder and saw two men reading a newspaper and magazine.

In a black suit and tie, the forty-six-year-old, Agent Jack Thompson, sat back in his leather seat across the table from Agent Rick Ramirez. Thompson looked at his crossword on his newspaper smiled. "Name of a movie. Ten. Letters. Down."

Ramirez turned the page of his magazine. "Hm." He chuckled, "Casablanca."

Thompson smirked and nodded, "That's it."

Ramirez chuckled as he looked around inside the jet at all the fancy wood trimmings, carpet, and leather seats. He shook his head, "She's got the life on top."

"Don't be touching things you aren't supposed to. We're renting the plane," Thompson said, not looking up from his paper.

Ramirez smirked, "Speaking of." He turned his attention to their guest and tapped him on the head with his magazine. "Morning, sunshine!"

The man looked at him with a confused look. "Where am I?" he said, in a thick English accent, struggling with his bound hands and legs.

"Tenerife," Ramirez said, tiredly stretching his arms. "Which is the Canary Islands." He glanced at his watch, "We're almost there."

"Almost where?" the man asked with concern.

Ramirez smirked at Thompson. "Hey, speaking of. What kind of places are fun to go to in Morocco?"

Thompson shrugged, "We're not going to Morocco."

"Come on. On the way back?"

"On the way back from where?" the man asked.

Ramirez looked at the man and made a fake smile, "Sorry. They only gave you a one-way ticket."

The man furrowed his brows, "Who, 'they?'"

Thompson smirked.

Ramirez focused back on Thompson. "Here's the deal: we jump into Casablanca for a day or two. Grab some cocktails, sit in some music clubs, hit the beaches." The man looked back and forth at Thompson and Ramirez with a growing look of concern and confusion. "Then we're back in New York, and nobody knows."

Agents Mike Li and Danny Witwer sitting in the seats toward the front of the plane looked back to Ramirez and chimed in with enthusiasm. "Hey, I like the sound of that," said Li.

Witwer laughed, "Yeah, we don't get much downtime between these handoffs. Why not?"

Thompson chuckled and shook his head.

The man called out, "Who are you, people!"

Ramirez looked down at the man, "Couriers. Delivering a package as a rare favor. To our new Wakandan friends."

"Package?" the man asked.

Thompson glanced at him. "Don't take it personally. 'Griffon.'"

Ramirez chuckled, "Talk about cheesy code name." He smirked, "Come on. 'Griffon.' Did you choose that codename?"

Griffon smirked and nodded, "You, you are CIA, yes?"

Ramirez began to chuckle.

Thompson laughed and shook his head, "No."

Suddenly, Agent Katheryn Ottis stepped out of the cockpit, closing the door behind her, and headed down the aisle toward them. "Still waiting for clearance to take off," she said, passing Thompson and sitting down on the seat by the couch. Katheryn nodded, "The pilot says we'll only be on the ground for a couple of minutes when we reach Nigeria. The landing strip we're going to is much too dangerous to stay there for very long."

Griffon became nervous. "Nigeria? You're taking me to Nigeria?"

Katheryn nodded, "To meet the elusive War Dogs of Wakanda." She smirked, "You know, the Central Intelligence Service of Wakanda."

"The War Dogs?" Griffon said, trembling in fear.

"You sold a shipment of explosives to a separatist group in their country that caused the deaths of many men, women, and children." Kathryn shrugged, "The King, who has a very isolationist policy for Wakanda, broke the isolation just this once."

Ramirez nodded, "He reached out to us and called you out by name. We were originally going to send you back to England to help our MI6 buddies out with a double agent problem. But when the Wakandan King found out we had you, he made us a very rare and lucrative offer. I'm sure he could've sent his War Dogs after you instead, but—"

Katheryn looked out the window. "offered us this rare opportunity for an exchange. They have information both we and MI6 need, and Wakanda wants you. So here we are."

Ramirez nodded, "We deliver you to the Wakandans; the Wakandans give us the information we want, and everyone is happy."

Katheryn chuckled, "Well…Not. Everyone."

Li laughed, "We have to talk to the Director about how the War Dogs knew we had Griffon."

Witwer smirked, "We know the Wakandans got spies everywhere. We don't see them as much of a threat since they aren't trying to start WWIII with us."

Griffon trembled on the couch and wore a look of pure terror.

Suddenly, the cabin sign dinged and turned on, and the pilot spoke over the speakers. "Fasten your seatbelts."

The SHIELD Agents all took a moment to put their seatbelts on before continuing with their activities.

Griffon looked at Thompson, "Please. I-I'm very wealthy." He looked to Katheryn, "I-I have diamonds."

Ramirez chuckled, "Oh. You had diamonds." Thompson smirked. "this trip very expensive, and somebody had to pay for it."

"I know things," Griffon pleaded for his life, doing anything not to get sent to Wakanda.

Ramirez looked at his magazine, "Yeah. You know how to screw two countries, trade weapons for diamonds, and be a spy for a bunch of Communists, we got that."

"I'll trade information."

Thompson eyed Griffon carefully.

Ramirez leaned over to the helpless man, "And what could you know that would interest the CIA."

Katheryn began to chuckle to herself. "He thinks we're the CIA?" she asked with a grin.

Thompson laughed, "Yeah." Ramirez, Li, and Witwer all began to laugh. Almost maniacal laughing.

Griffon shook his head, "Why not? SHIELD, CIA, FBI, NSA—what difference does it make? I have information to trade for my life." The plane began to rumble as it slowly started to taxi. Griffon looked at the three agents in front of him. "Chimera. SHIELDs Top Secret advanced laser. " He paused, "imagine your weaponized laser fired from a ship at a coastal target like San Francisco or New York."

Chimera is the SHIELD R&D project name to develop an advanced laser-based high-speed drilling array. It was first designed to quickly reach rare earth metals far below the surface to be mined and used for SHIELD technological developments. Though thought to be a civil project, many saw the potential for the drill to be used as a long-range offensive and defensive weapon. Currently the size of a small building, it had its first successful test in late 1962.

Griffon looked back and forth at Thompson and Kathryn. "What would happen if the Soviet Union possessed it, or China. They could easily and precisely obliterate any city with the power of the sun. Hit a specific area to maximize casualties and damage."

Ramirez smiled, "But they don't have Chimera."

Kathryn chuckled, "Just sit back and relax and enjoy the rest of your miserable life."

Griffon looked at Thompson, "Chimera is for sale." He looked at Kathryn, "And I know who's selling it."

Thompson stepped into the cockpit, closing the door behind. He nodded at the pilot, "Can you get Eagle Eye on the radio?" Eagle Eye has recently become the radio callsign for SHIELD's Aegis Headquarters.

The SHIELD pilot nodded and tuned the radio. Instantaneously, the flight engineer behind the copilot handed Thompson his headset. He put it on, "Eagle Eye this Kilo-1," he said briskly.

Back in the Operations Center at SHIELD headquarters, Agent John Reese, with a headset on, hovered over the massive operational world table map. "Go for Eagle Eye," the tall, black, and grey-haired agent responded.

"We got the information from Griffon," Thompson began. "He has his files hidden at his residence in the city."

Reese nodded, "We got the address."

"Good." Thompson continued, "The files are located in a panic room behind a bookshelf. Keypad entry code is 61485. The bookshelf in question is one of those that look built into the wall."

Reese wrote the code down in his notepad. "Got it. Any chance he gave you the wrong code?"

Thompson smirked, "He's too afraid of Wakanda to bullshit us right now. He's in no position to bluff but proceeds with caution anyway."

Reese nodded, "Got it. Heading there now."

A few moments later, the white and grey SC-137 Stratoliner came to a stop by the airstairs, which the ground crew then pushed flush to the plane's frame. This particular SC-137 is one of many modified Boeing 707 jetliners used by SHIELD to transport VIPs such as the Director. The hatch then swung open and out stepped Kathryn, walking down the airstairs, putting on her leather jacket.

Griffon stepped out, hands still cuffed behind his back, with Agent Ramirez directly behind him. He looked confused as he scanned the horizon to see the New York City skyline and La Guardia airport terminals. "This isn't Tenerife."

Ramirez placed his hands on Griffon's shoulders and smirked. "Well, I told them to take a right at Portugal."

Griffon gulped nervously.

Times Square, New York City, SHIELD: AEGIS HEADQUARTERS
Squad Room-FL020

Later that morning, Agents Jack Thompson, Mike Li, Rick Ramirez, Danny Witwer, and Kathryn Ottis stepped out of the elevator and into the Squad Room. After a rather long morning on the move then cooped up in a stationary plane, they welcomed the feeling of being back in the office.

This particular Squad Room they're in, located beneath the Operations Center of the Aegis Building, is an open and wide office space that houses many of SHIELD's agent teams for domestic and overseas operations. It serves as the main area where most teams, including the Major Cases Response Team, led by Thompson, work when not in the field. The floor was organized in sections with office dividers separating one group and their desks from another. Though there many other squad rooms in the building for other domestic field teams, Squad Room-FL020 (Floor 20) was the largest and the most spacious. As it sat just beneath the Operations Center of SHIELD Headquarters, the agents on Floor 20 were generally tasked with more critical operations and missions.

Agent John Reese stood up from behind his desk as the team of agents headed straight for their section in the room and greeted them. "Got the files and good intel," Reese said, walking over to the middle of their section as the team walked in.

Thompson removed his coat and draped it over his desk. "Go on," he calmly said as he began to remove his pistol holster from his belt.

"We also searched Griffon's panic room and found a series of dead drop messages in microfilm regarding a buyer for Chimera." Reese put his hands in his pockets, "The one selling Chimera is none other than—"

"Dominic Reed," Witwer said, sitting down at his desk.

"Yeah," Reese nodded. "He used his real name in the messages."

Kathryn walked over to the corkboard, where Reese posted various documents on the case. "Hm. He's either stupid or needed to use his real name to prove the legitimacy of his attempt to sell Chimera." She ran a hand through her hair and sighed.

Reese continued, "One of the microfilms stated that Reed has a villa for sale on Santorini. That's a Greek island in the Aegean. He's asking for twenty million dollars, but Griffon isn't willing to pay more than fifteen." He nodded to the board, "Obviously, the villa is code for Chimera, based on the context. As of now, Chimera is still up for grabs to the highest bidder."

Thompson smiled and walked over to the board and scanned all the documents.

Reese stepped back to his desk and grabbed a few papers, and posted them on the board, one of which is a picture of Dominic Reed. Reed is a middle-aged man with a wide neck, wrinkles under his eyes, glasses, and a thick mustache. "Age 68, civilian engineer and encryption specialist employed by us until he retired three years ago. His most notable project was Chimera."

Thompson nodded, "SHELDs Top Secret laser array, originally designed to be a drill turned into a weapon. Named after—"

"Greek fire-breathing monster," Reese added.

Thompson nodded, "Right. Is that all?"

"I'm investigating his pattern of life while he was in SHIELD. See if there's anything out of the ordinary. Listing out former wives, coworkers, those who knew him or worked for him. From there, we can interview them to see if they saw or heard anything suspicious." Reese shrugged. "But I'd advise getting Reed first before we interview any of them in case any one of them warn him about our inquiries, and he goes into hiding."

Thompson glanced at the board, "Yeah. We have enough on him to detain him for espionage and treason alone."

Reese continued. "I'm also going through Griffon's files to see if there was any communication with other buyers. Also, investigate if any of his microfilms from Reed or documents give us a clue of dead drop locations and meeting places if they ever met face-to-face. From there, we can cross-check that with SHIELDs records of known arms dealers for potential buyers. I just got started, so it'll be some time."

Thompson made a small smile, "That's good work, Reese." He turned to Li, "Mike, give Reese a hand on the paper trail."

"Got it," Li said, standing up from his desk.

Thompson looked at the board and glanced at Reese. "Is that address still good?"

"As far as I know," Reese responded.

Thompson turned to Ramirez and Kathryn. "Rick, Kate, pick him up."

Kathryn nodded and stood up, returning her pistol into her holster, then putting her leather jacket on.

After Ramirez got his coat on, he nodded toward the elevators. "I'll drive." With that, the two SHIELD agents quickly headed off.

As Ramirez and Kathryn left and Reese and Li got to work on the files, Thompson stood alone in front of the board. He scanned his eyes through the various information on Reed, Griffon, and the trail SHIELD had up to this point.

Scarsdale High School, Scarsdale, NY

The bell rang loudly through the school right on the dot at twelve noon to signal a break for lunch. Within seconds, the halls were packed with teenagers, making their way outside, cafeteria, or their lockers, and happy to have a break. The hallways were a cacophony of noise as students talked loudly over each other. With the bell for lunch came the signal that the day was almost over.

Angela put her books in her bag, then sighed loudly and slammed her locker uncharacteristically. Jennifer, who stood beside her, jumped in surprise at the loud noise.

Stephanie raised a brow in suspicion. "Angela, what's wrong. You've been in a funky mood all morning; what's with you?"

Linda chuckled. "Yeah, you're more quiet than normal."

Jennifer nodded, "Not to mention more, uh, aggravated than usual."

Linda smirked as she ran a hand through her fair-colored hair, "more than usual, being you never are."

Angela turned to her friends and shook her head. "It's nothing."

Stephanie scoffed, brushing her long raven-black hair to the side. "That's a flat-out lie."

Angela looked up and sighed. "Fine. Michael read my journal."

"You have a journal?" asked Linda.

Angela nodded, "yeah."

"Did you see him read it?" asked Stephanie.

Angela shook her head. "No, but I know he did. He's been acting strange around me for the past few days. That and I noticed things in my room that had been moved around."

Jennifer rolled her eyes, "Ugh, my little brother snoops in my room all the time too."

Angela sighed, "Yeah, well, he at least attempted to put things in their right place, but I could tell small details weren't right."

Linda chuckled, "Your vision is so good it's scary."

Steph nodded. "Hm. Guess there something in there he didn't like."

"Did you talk bad about him or something?" asked Linda.

Angela looked down. "Um... something like that," she lied.

Stephanie frowned. "You don't have to share it. He shouldn't have read your journal. What a fricken jerk."

Linda nodded, "seriously. I'm sorry, Angela. Don't worry; you can talk to us!"

Angela smiled at them and appreciated their support. But she wasn't willing to tell anyone about being gay. Angela didn't know how far their support would be, especially with something like this. All of them could easily ostracize or treat her differently as easily as Michael.

Jennifer chuckled. "He's probably upset because you don't like his high horse moral code or whatever."

Angela sighed, "But he's still my brother."

Stephanie raised a brow, "are you going to confront him about it."

"Eventually."

"You have to, or else he's just going to keep being a jerk to you and walk all over you. He's going to think he can keep invading your privacy because he's your big brother," Stephanie pointed out.

Linda sighed, "we get he's your brother, but that doesn't give him the right to poke his stupid nose in your journal. Who does he think he is?"

Jennifer rolled her eyes, "Football players..."

Angela sighed again, "I don't know where to start."

Stephanie chuckled, "You can always talk to your big sister."

Linda began to bounce with excitement. "Yeah, yeah. She'll set him straight."

Jennifer laughed, "she's usually looking out for people anyway. So tell her."

Angela nodded, "Uh. I don't know."

Stephanie raised her hands. "But even then. You still should talk to your brother about it still. It's more your issue with him than Sarah's. Sarah can only do so much—"

"Like beat him up," smirked Jennifer.

Stephanie sighed, "not that. Anyway, in the end, you have to talk to him and settle it. Sarah can only help support you." She shrugged, "And you don't even have to tell her what was in the journal. She seems like the person to respect your privacy, right?"

Angela shrugged, recalling all the times Sarah pestered her about who she liked in school. She didn't even think asking Sarah for any support would be a good idea because there's a possibility that she would ask what's in the journal. And annoy her about it. As of right now, Angela was on her own dealing with her big brother.

Stephanie noted Angela's silence. "Well, in any case, I know Sarah at least will stick her neck out for you if your brother gives you any problems."

"Yeah." Angela waved, "I appreciate you guys for helping me. Please, don't take offense if I don't share what I wrote—"

Stephanie laughed and hugged Angela, "Don't worry, we won't."

Linda smirked. "We got a pretty good idea," she joked.

Angela chuckled. She held onto a tiny slither of hope that if her friends ever did find out that she was gay, they would look out for her the way they are now. But the other, logical side of her mind, doubted it and that was the prevailing thought.

In another part of the hallway, Sarah and her friends, Amy, Hannah, and David, made their way to the cafeteria. As they squeezed through the cramped hall, Sarah instantly spotted Kevin in the crowd, who sported a nice shirt and neatly combed dark hair. She smiled at how he looked and turned to her friends.

"I'll see you in the cafeteria," she said.

Hannah raised a brow, "What?" She then spotted Kevin. "Oh, got it." She winked, "Have fun, we'll see you."

Amy chuckled, "Yeah, we'll be seeing you." David didn't respond as his usual any time Kevin was involved or mentioned.

Sarah waved at her friends, "Alright, see ya."

She then stepped away from her friends and squeezed her way through the crowded hallway toward Kevin's locker. As Sarah got closer, she spotted Kevin's two friends hanging around him. She smiled and called out to him, "Kevin!"

Kevin closed his locker and turned around, and saw Sarah. "Hey, Sarah!" he called back with a wave.

One of his two friends tapped him on the shoulder. "Hey man, we'll see you later, ya?"

Kevin turned back to them and nodded, "Yup." With that, his friends turned and walked off for the cafeteria.

Sarah walked over to Kevin and hugged him, then share a brief kiss. "Hey," Kevin smiled.

"Hey," Sarah greeted with a happy grin.

Kevin chuckled, "Would you roll your eyes if I said that I missed you? I know it's only been a few days."

"Yes," Sarah joked. "Thanks for coming over Friday to meet my family. I'm sure it wasn't easy, especially with who my parents are."

Kevin waved, "I was more than a little nervous." He grinned, "But we made it through. I like your family, though. It was a huge honor to meet both your mom and dad. Your Dad especially."

Sarah laughed. She then unslung her bag and removed the cookies wrapped in a cloth napkin that her mother gave her. "Here," Sarah said, handing Kevin the wrapped cookies. "My Mom wanted to give these to you."

Kevin took the cookies and unwrapped them from the napkin. "These your mom's cookies? Those were great!"

Sarah laughed, "Yup! She definitely likes you since she gave me these to give to you."

Kevin laughed. "Well, that's good. At least she does." He shrugged, "I don't think your Dad likes me very much, and I already know Michael doesn't like me either."

"Eh, I wouldn't worry about Michael or my Dad too much. They're both overprotective, and my Dad, well, he's my Dad." Sarah shrugged, "My Dad just won't like you because I'm dating you. Michael just has this grand idea of types of boys I should date, but his ideas really don't matter."

Kevin chuckled, "Wow. Your brother is—"

Sarah raised her hands, "Look, he's trying to look out for me. If he really wanted to be a jerk, he would go out of his way to separate you and me." She waved her hand, "Anyways, as I said, my Mom is the one you have to convince the most. My Dad just won't like you. My Mom will actually make a list of reasons why she likes or dislikes someone and use that to determine her responses."

Kevin raised a brow, "You're making your Mom sound like a machine. She was super nice and welcoming when I met her."

Sarah chuckled, "I mean she is, but she's the Director of SHIELD. My mom can be very calculating, not to mention harsh when she wants to be."

Kevin nodded, "Definitely see that. No one can be that nice." He smiled, "Guess I made a good first impression, huh?"

"You did," Sarah smiled. "But, this may sound silly, but you have to continuously prove to her that you're trustworthy and a standup guy."

"Okay," Kevin responded carefully.

Sarah shook her head, "I don't mean to sound discouraging, but as I said, she's a very good judge of character and is very observant. I really like you, but If I'm going to listen to anyone's advice about who I'm dating, it's going to be from her."

Kevin nodded, "I won't let you or her down. I'll prove it every day."

Sarah smiled, "Glad to hear it." She stepped forward placed a tender kiss on his lips.

Kevin smirked, "Say, uh—"

"Yeah?" Sarah raised a brow, a smile tugging on her lips.

"Well, I just met your parents. What do you say meeting mine this weekend?" Kevin smiled, "We're planning a small day trip to hike through the Hudson River Valley."

Sarah smiled, "I'd love to."

"Great! Ever been there?"

Sarah nodded, "Mhmm. We go there quite a lot during the fall when the leaves change color."

"Yeah, it's beautiful up there." Kevin took Sarah's hand, "Speaking of." Sarah smiled and began to blush. "Anyway, we've been dating for a few months now, and—"

"Yes?" Sarah said, raising a curious brow.

Kevin nodded, "I want to go steady. Do you want to be my girlfriend?" He reached into his pocket and removed a sterling silver necklace with a small circular pendant on it.

Sarah giggled, "Yes. Definitely yes." She kissed him then held him in a tight embrace.

Kevin laughed and took a step back, "Great! Now I can properly introduce you to my parents as my girlfriend."

Sarah giggled again, "I love the sound of that." She steps forward and kisses him again.

"Oh, before I forget." Kevin reached into his pocket and removed a sterling silver necklace with a small circular pendant on it.

Sarah smiled and took a look at the pendant and saw it was of a nice floral pattern. "It's lovely," she said softly.

"Got it for this occasion," responded Kevin. "Turn around, and I'll put it on you." Sarah smiled and turned around, allowing her new boyfriend to put the necklace around her neck.

"Well, this has definitely made my day," she said, grinning from ear to ear, looking down at her necklace. She turned around kissed him on the cheek, "I love it."

Kevin chuckled, "Glad to be of service. Rough day?"

Sarah nodded. "But it has gotten a lot better."

"Lay it on me."

Sarah turned to the cafeteria and took her boyfriend's hand. "Walk with me, and I'll tell you all about it."

"I'll follow you anywhere," said Kevin with a warm smile.

"Ha. Flatterer."

The cafeteria was loud, crowded, and chaotic. It's full of students squeezed together on the various tables, electing to eat indoors rather than out in the cold. During the winter months, the cafeteria was jam-packed to avoid the chilly days. But in the spring and summer months, it was sparse in favor of eating outside. The majority of the chaos was the chattering teenagers at their tables, joking and teasing, or perhaps singing loudly and out of tune. The food is simple and the decor plain. It didn't take long for the clean tables and floors to become dirty with trash, spilled drinks and food, and the other usual mess accompanied by a mass of teenage kids during lunch.

Over at one of the lunch tables, Michael and his four friends sat together, including Irena Kawashima, talking and laughing with each other. Except for Michael, who was relatively quieter than usual. As the friends laughed and talked around him, he rested his head against his hand and let out a loud sigh, louder than he intended.

Riley, a blonde teenage boy almost as tall as Michael, calmed down and looked at Michael, wrapping an arm around him. "Hey man, what gives? You okay? You seem out of it." He smirked, "Did meeting Sarah's boyfriend not go well?"

Michael made a disproving look. "They aren't exclusive yet. But meeting him went fine."

Rhys, a stocky brown-haired teenager, laughed, "Okay, so what's the issue?"

Michael shook his head and rubbed his neck in discomfort. "Uh. I can't talk about it. It's family stuff. Complicated."

"Oh. Roger that." Eva joked, a brunette girl with a unique Bulgarian accent.

Riley chuckled, "You and Sarah get into it again?"

Michael shook his head, "Nah. Yeah, sort of this morning. But it's mainly a beef with Angela."

Irena, a dark-haired, Japanese-American teenage girl who usually only wears conservative clothing, spoke up about this topic for the first time. "Angela, really? What did she do?"

Michael sighed. "Again. It's complicated."

Riley spotted Sarah and Kevin walk into the cafeteria holding hands. He nodded to the scene. "Hey, I think it's safe to say Sarah and Kevin are exclusive. I don't think they ever held hands in school before."

Michael sighed, turned, and saw the couple. "Oh well. Bet it won't end well," he morbidly said.

Michael watched his twin sister walk with Kevin over to the table where her friends David, Hannah, and Amy sat. The table looked happy, with everyone laughing and smiling at the couple. Even David had a smile on his face, but Michael was sure it was because Sarah came and joined them for lunch more than anything else. Michael grunted quietly, believing his sister could've found someone better than Kevin. Sarah didn't see it, but Michael knew Kevin from football and saw him as another jock football hero type.

Eva chuckled, "Such faith in your sister's relationship."

Michael shrugged. "Kevin is kind of an asshole."

Rhys nodded in agreement. "Yeah. Football star type with girls flocking toward him. You know. The popular types."

"Don't girls flock toward you too? Aren't you a football star?" Eva raised a brow with a knowing grin.

"But I'm not an asshole," Michael shot back.

"Well, what are you going to do?" asked Rhys.

Michael shook his head and shrugged. "A whole lot of nothing."

Rhys nodded, "Yeah. Exactly."

Michael sighed, "What a day."

Eva nodded, "Hey, I think that boy Sarah hangs around with might not like Kevin either. So you doofuses aren't alone."

"Who you calling a doofus?" Riley cringed.

Irena laughed, "Definitely you."

"Did Irena just insult me?" Riley asked, confused.

Michael ignored him. "You mean David?"

"Is no one going to comment on that?"

Irena chuckled.

"Nope, because it's true," Eva said without looking. "Anyway, yeah him. David."

Riley frowned, "Wow. This hurts."

Rhys raised a brow at Eva, "How can you tell he doesn't like him?"

"Women's intuition," smirked Eva.

Riley rolled his eyes, "Psh."

Eva raised her hands. "Look, he's holding back. Not as energetic as Amy and Hannah. He might be jealous even might have a crush on Sarah."

"You can tell, but just looking at him?" Riley asked.

Eva made a funny look. "Are you kidding me? It's pretty obvious."

Michael nodded in agreement. "He actually does. At least, I'm like 99.9% positive."

"See?"

Riley shrugged. "Maybe he just thinks Kevin is an asshole like the rest of us and is looking out for his friend."

Michael sighed, "That's enough gossiping for me. Leave that for the girls." He looked at Eva and Irena. "Uh. No offense Eva, Irena."

Eva and Irena laughed. "Psh," responded Eva.

Michael then saw Angela walk into the cafeteria with her friends by her side. He sighed and shook his head.

Rhys turned around and saw her, then looked back at Michael. "Geez, that bad, huh?"

Michael sighed. He still couldn't wrap around the idea that his little sister is gay. Notably, he's upset that he should've known about this and the fact Angela never told him. Michael was filled with a variety of complex emotions from this knowledge. He's her big brother. Part of his job is to protect her, but how can he protect her from the judgment and harsh reprisal of society. With this knowledge, Michael didn't know how to respond or treat his little sister. Even so, Michael was still filled with anger that she never told him, and he let it show toward her.

Times Square, New York City, SHIELD: AEGIS HEADQUARTERS

Back in SHIELD headquarters somewhere in the building's lower levels, Agent Li and Reese were busy sifting through Griffon's belongings in one of the evidence lockup rooms. The large, dim, windowless room was filled with tall metal shelves containing specially marked cardboard boxes containing various evidence from previous cases or operations. Some items weren't in boxes due to their size or awkward shape and simply had tags tied or stuck to them for inventory purposes. As this room is a lockup, there were significant security measures to access it and protect it from any unauthorized "guests."

Li hunched in his seat in front of a microfilm reader, staring blankly at yet another piece of film. "Shit. It's going to take us forever to sift through all these microfilms even with all the analysts' help."

Reese, sitting by an adjacent table with boxes of evidence and files, nodded. "Yeah, and as of now, we don't know if Reed already made contact with another buyer for Chimera."

Li sighed, "Aren't you supposed to destroy microfilm after you receive the information on it?"

Reese nodded, "Not if it contains instructions for the future, data, bank information, accounts, or something special about it."

"Yeah, that makes sense." Li nodded to him, "How's it going on your end?"

Reese sighed, moving a stack of papers to the side. "Not great; these documents are mainly tracking how much money he's getting by selling weapons than anything else. There are no names from where the money is coming from or other amplifying information. However, there is bank account information, but that'll take forever to run."

"Hm," Li hummed.

Reese leaned back in his chair, "I'm also trying to figure out if Griffon has been communicating with other buyers for Chimera by cross-referencing SHIELDs list of known arms dealers. Really trying to see if any particular code name appears. But so far, none of this paper trail proves any written correspondence between Griffon and other dealers. Which means he either communicates differently or isn't talking to other dealers at all." He shrugged, "Or he purges any other written correspondence including microfilms."

"Which means we're wasting our time," said Li.

Reese shook his head, "And we also don't know if Reed has found another buyer since Griffon and him couldn't settle on a price."

Li shook his head, "Griffon. Former British Agent. Funny how we found him so easily."

Reese chuckled, "complacency." He then moved the stack of files over and stood up, grabbing a heavy cardboard box. Opening it, he began to remove the items and place them down on the table.

Li raised a brow as he saw Reese remove a typewriter from the box. "What are you doing?" he asked, standing up and walking over to him.

Reese continued to remove items from the box. "Checking his belongings, we pulled out of that panic room to look for hidden compartments and stuff like that."

Li stopped by him and chuckled. "Not like we don't have enough of this microfilm to go off of."

"Nothing is too small to hide a roll of microfilm in it. Remember that hollow nickel the FBI found a couple of years ago from a Soviet spy?" Reese asked.

In the early 1950s, through a series of events, an FBI investigation grew from discovering a container disguised as a US coin containing coded messages. This discovery eventually found espionage activities of Vilyam Genrikhovich Fisher, also known as Rudolf Ivanovich Abel. He was imprisoned then later released in 1962 in exchange for Francis Gary Powers; a CIA U-2 pilot shot down over the Soviet Union.

Li nodded, "yeah. I remember." He furrowed his brows, "All the microfilms I've been reading and the documents you've been reading haven't been coded."

Reese nodded, "That's true. Anything we find that's been tucked away in a hidden container surely would be coded." He grunted, "We'll cross that bridge when we get to it." He picks up a bottle of talcum powder and notices something off about it. Reese paused and looked troubled as he held this random bottle of powder in his hand.

Li glanced at him, "What's wrong?"

Reese shook the bottle, "This doesn't feel right for whatever reason." He opened the top, held out his free hand, and tried pouring some powder, but nothing came out. He then felt around the bottle and pulled it apart, revealing a hidden antenna. "What the?" he asked, confused.

Li took a step forward, "Wait a second...I seen something like that before." He nodded at him, "Take everything out."

Reese takes the box and dumps everything onto the table, causing a series of clangs and rattling to echo in the room. "Want to tell me what you're seeing?"

Li began to sift through all the junk and random knickknacks. "Hang on," he said briskly.

Agent Thompson headed down a dim windowless hallway on the way to one of the interrogation rooms. As he approached Griffon's interrogation room, Li and Reese rounded the far corner from him, walking quickly toward him.

Thompson walked over to the door to Griffon's room and stopped, nodding to his two agents. "What's up? Find anything?"

Li stopped in front of him and nodded. "We found a remote typewriter in Griffon's things from his panic room."

Thompson furrowed his brows, "A remote typewriter? You sure?"

Li nodded, "The same type from the one we found in that case '46 with a few modifications."

Reese glanced at Li, "what happened in that case?"

Li nodded, "It's a long story before SHIELD was around and when Director Rogers was Agent Carter."

Thompson furrowed his brows, "Leviathan. Leviathan is the buyer. At least a main prospect." He frowned, "Hm. Griffon didn't mention Leviathan in the plane."

Reese raised a brow, "You think he's a Leviathan Agent?"

"Maybe, or maybe he's a broker to set up a buyer for the seller, in this case, Leviathan," Thompson responded. He shrugged, "Figures he wouldn't mention the whole truth."

Li nodded, "What's he playing at?"

Thompson shook his head, "Time most likely, but I'll talk to him." He turned to the door, "He's never going to see freedom ever again now that we know he's with Leviathan." He nodded at them, "Good job, boys."

"Are we telling the Director?" Li asked.

Thompson nodded, "I'll finish Griffon's interrogation, and I'll go up and tell her." With that, he unlocked the door and stepped into the windowless room.

He walked around the metal table at the center of the table and sat down opposite Griffon. The single bright light in the room shined over the two men as they sat quietly facing each other. The stillness grew as Thompson stared at Griffon with an emotionless look. As the uncomfortable silence continued, Griffon still didn't make eye contact with Thompson.

Thompson leaned forward onto the table, "Leviathan." Griffon slightly shook his head but said nothing. "You didn't mention that in the plane."

Griffon looked down and to the left and made a gesture with his jaw.

Thompson sighed, "Are you going to talk?" Again Griffon stayed silent. "If not, this revelation about the Leviathan gives me the right to throw you in the Rat." He said, using the infamous Rat Prison as a threat. Thompson sighed, "Are you going to say anything?"

Griffon remained silent.

Thompson sighed and stood up. "Suit yourself."

Griffon finally spoke up, "I don't work for Leviathan."

Thompson sat back down and raised a brow. "Your magic typewriter says otherwise. Those things only belong to Leviathan Agents."

Griffon sighed, "I'm an intermediary. I set up a buyer and a seller. In this case, Leviathan buying Chimera from Reed."

"You didn't mention Leviathan when we first talked," said Thompson with a suspicious tone. Griffon looked away. "How did you get their remote typewriter?"

Griffon sighed, "This is poor for business."

"Getting captured by us in broad daylight is poor for business," Thompson retorted. "Look, I got you were a British agent, trained to resist interrogation, and all that." He leaned against the table and cocked his head to the side. "But you're an international arms dealer now selling weapons to anybody who'll buy them; you have no official loyalties. Aside from money. So why don't you talk."

Griffon remained defiantly silent again.

Thompson shook his head in frustration. "Alright. I guess business is that important." He nodded. "You know we aren't CIA, and we're not the FBI. We're SHIELD, so you know what we're capable of, don't you? Since you're a foreigner, cooperating and working with a hostile power and terrorist organization, and planning to trade American secrets. This gives us, specifically, some leeway in what we can do under a current Executive Order. Meaning it gives us the flexibility to do what is necessary to protect the United States."

Griffon looked up at Thompson.

Thompson nodded and smirked, "Which also means we can use a special team to interrogate foreign agents who are a threat to this country. And once they're done, you'll disappear, never seeing the light of day ever again in the Rat prison. Along with all the worst Hydra, Nazi, and Communist criminals we found." He sighed, "God help you."

Griffon was about to speak, but Thompson raised his hand, cutting him off. "And don't count on your British nationality to save you. It was MI6 who told us how to find you." With that, he stood up.

"Wait," Griffon responded calmly.

"Talk," Thompson said, sitting back down.

"I want to walk," responded Griffon.

Thompson shook his head, "That's not happening. You're a rogue spy, arms dealer, in the US, and working with an enemy power and terrorist organization."

Griffon sighed and nodded. "Fine. I don't want to be in the Rat or the Delta prisons." Thompson didn't respond. "I will report on all the organizations and people I have done illegal business with."

Thompson nodded, "Alright then."

Griffon took a deep breath and began to talk. "I've worked with Leviathan a lot. Setting them up with people, selling weapons, plans, secrets from governments that I obtained from sellers." He paused, "When I disappeared from MI6 and began my work as a broker, I made contact with Leviathan agents I knew and told them my business."

"After a few years of doing business with them, they gave me the typewriter so they can secretly communicate their requests to me." Griffon leaned forward on the table, "for the subject of Chimera; I told Reed what the price was that Leviathan wanted to pay. Fifteen million dollars."

Thompson nodded, "They probably have a contingency plan if you don't come through. They don't do anything without having detailed backup plans."

Griffon nodded, "they do. They're not the type to put all their eggs in one basket. They'll contact Reed directly."

"Do you have a check-in to update Leviathan?"

"Yes. But I don't know how long I been here, but my check-in was 12:30 local," said Griffon.

Thompson smirked, "Well, you missed that."

"Hence they'll send an agent to contact Reed."

Thompson leaned back, "where and when?"

Griffon shrugged, "I don't know. I'm only a broker to them. That's internal stuff."

Thompson nods.

"About my deal?" Griffon said calmly.

"I'll work on it." Thompson sighed, "But we'll need more information from you before this case is done." He nodded and stood up.

In the Director's office at the SHIELD headquarters' top floor, Peggy sat at her desk, working diligently on stacks of paperwork. Many of her tedious work pertained to critical requisitions, budget changes and requests, managing intelligence gathering and analysis, and, importantly, operation approval and maintaining relationships with foreign services. Though seemingly dull and time-consuming, her work was challenging.

Peggy dropped her pen on her desk, leaned back in her chair, and stretched. It's been a long day, and she couldn't wait for it to be done. As she tiredly rubbed her neck, her phone rang, prompting her to reach over and pick it up.

"Director Rogers," Peggy greeted calmly, desperately hoping this phone call wasn't going to be work-related. If it was, she hoped it's short.

Steve's voice sang into her ear, "Hey, Peg, got a minute? Is this a bad time?"

Peggy smiled in relief and joy. "No, darling, you have perfect timing. I was just thinking of you. Something the matter?"

In Steve's office in Stark Industries, he leaned back in his chair and chuckled. "I just had a thought while I was at a meeting."

"Meaning, you weren't paying attention to your job," joked Peggy.

"Something like that." Steve cleared his throat, "Anyway, how do you feel about going on a date sometime this week. Like Friday. I know this isn't the most romantic way to ask over the phone, but I feel like we need some 'us' time."

Peggy chuckled, "Steve, we're married; we don't always have to do a romantic presentation. But yes, my darling, I'd love to." She smiled lovingly to herself, "I was actually thinking the same thing."

"Great! Because I got a great idea for just the two of us," Steve said with excitement, standing up and looking out the window.

Peggy smiled, "I can't wait, honey."

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, followed by Rose cracking the door open and signaling that someone needed to see her.

Peggy sighed. "Sorry, someone needs to see me, darling. I have to get back to work. Thanks for calling. I love you."

"I love you too. See you tonight."

With that, Peggy hung up the phone and stood up. "Yes?" she addressed Rose.

Rose stepped into her office, "Agents Thompson and Li need to see you."

Peggy nodded, "Okay, send them in."

Upon hearing those words, the two agents walked in, passed behind Rose, and headed for Peggy's desk. Rose then turned and left the room, closing the door behind her.

Peggy nodded, "what can I do for you, Jack?"

Thompson nodded to Li, "Go ahead."

Li spoke up, "Griffon is a broker who is in contact with Leviathan."

Peggy furrowed her brows, "you're sure?"

Thompson nodded, "he has in his possession a remote typewriter used by Leviathan agents. He also mentioned he worked with them to obtain weapons, secrets, and other requirements they needed over the years."

"We currently have him downstairs on several charges, including a visa violation," responded Li.

Peggy crossed her arms, "Go on."

Thompson stuck his hands in his pockets, "Griffon was working on a deal to buying Chimera from Reed for Leviathan."

Li nodded, "Chimera is the—"

"I know what it is, Mike," Peggy interrupted coldly. "So we have a case involving our own Top Secret plans, and a former SHIELD specialist turned traitor."

Thompson nodded, "Yeah. That's the size of it."

Peggy shook her head, "Unbelievable." Usually, Peggy didn't require updates from her agents on every case. But sometimes, the circumstances surrounding the case would prompt her agents to update her directly.

Li took a breath. "Right. Why would Reed come out of retirement, selling a top-secret guidance system to our enemies? He was living a good life in retirement."

Peggy didn't respond initially. "I don't know," she responded after a moment.

Thomson continued, "Griffon also mentioned that he passed his check-in with Leviathan. Without him, they'll resort to direct contact with Reed to buy Chimera."

Peggy nodded and walked around her desk. "Using Griffon as a broker limits direct exposure for Leviathan. Only exposing themselves to pick up the product. This is a stretch, but do you have any information on how and when Leviathan would make contact with Reed?"

Thompson shook his head.

"Are you sending someone to pick him up?" asked Peggy.

"Kathryn and Ramirez are getting him now," said Thompson.

Peggy paused for a moment and looked out the window. She then turned to the two men, "they're not to pick up Reed by any means."

Li raised a brow, "Director, he's selling SHIELD secrets and is betraying—"

Thompson raised his hand to stop Li. "What are you thinking?" he asked Peggy.

Peggy put her hands on her hips. "We can get Reed, the Leviathan cell, and prevent the sale of Chimera."

"How?" asked Li.

"Griffon mentioned Leviathan would make contact with Reed directly, right?"

Thompson nodded.

"We closely follow Reed, see if he's meeting anyone or picking up anything. Pick him up after that once he's out of public view. Question him to get the meeting location and any other amplifying information." She nodded, "Then we get Leviathan."

Thompson nodded, "Got it." He turned to Li, "Mike, get Kathryn on the hook, tell them only to follow."

Li nodded, "On it." With that, he turned and left the office.

Thompson glanced back at Peggy. "I'm assuming you want this Leviathan cell alive when we crash their meeting?"

Peggy nodded, "yes."

Thompson chuckled. "Hm, guessing you wouldn't like the idea to let Reed go to the exchange with a tracker and wire."

Peggy shook her head quietly.

Thompson smirked. "We'll think of something to get the Leviathan cell alive." He paused, "I have to ask, are you hoping this cell will aid in narrowing down Sokolov?"

"Yes," responded Peggy. She turned around and looked out the window of her office, ending the conversation. "Keep me informed of the case, Jack, please."

"I will, boss," Thompson responded as he turned and walked out of her office.

Peggy sighs and crossed her arms upon hearing her door close, continuing to stare blankly out the window.

Somewhere in a sleepy suburb by the city, SHIELD Agents Ramirez and Kathryn drove slowly in their blue car toward Reed's address. Ramirez turned the car at a corner and nodded, "This is the street."

Kathryn put down the map and closed the file on her lap. "We would've gotten here faster if you'd let me drive."

Ramirez smirked and glanced at his partner. "I seen you drive. I rather be alive than dead."

"I drive fine," Kathryn responded with a disapproving look. "The director trusted me driving her kids way back when I was the babysitter that she didn't know I was a SHIELD agent."

Ramirez shook his head, "You were undercover and tried hard not to be a bad driver. That doesn't count."

Kathryn rolled her eyes, "You're unbelievable." She nodded at the road, "We're approaching his house. Slow down."

As they neared Reed's house, they spotted a car pull out of the driveway. "Hey, that's his car," said Ramirez. "Get ready. We'll cut him off."

Kathryn nodded, "Ready."

Just as Ramirez was about to hit the gas pedal, their UHF (Ultra High Frequency) radio came to life. "Unit 201, Archangel, do not pick up Reed. Repeat, DO NOT pick up Reed. Shadow only. Directors orders." Archangel is SHIELD Headquarters radio callsign.

Kathryn picked up the radio handset. "Unit 201, copies all." She turned to Ramirez, "Hang back, Rick."

Ramirez tapped the brakes of the car. "Right. Wonder what this is about."

In SHIELD's Squad Room-FL020, Li stood in front of the corkboard with all the information on the case. He sighed and turned to Thompson, who sat at his desk, sifting through a stack of documents. "This whole plan rests on Reed talking after we capture him."

Thompson nodded without looking at Li. "Yeah."

"If he stalls too long, and we miss the exchange time, Leviathan might know he got grabbed and go to ground."

Thompson looked up at Li. "He's an administrator, not an operator. He'll talk to us, I'm sure of it." He nodded, "Now, I don't know his motive, but—"

Suddenly, Peggy appeared in the squad room. "Jack," she called his name as she approached his desk.

"Yo," Thompson replied, standing up.

"I want your team running point on this, but you have the pick of agents to help you if needed" Peggy nodded to their corkboard. "Shadow Reed's every movement. But knowing Leviathan, they won't rush into making contact with him to be sure he isn't being watched by us or run the risk of being caught."

Thompson nodded, "Yeah, they'll probably contact him in the normal spycraft fashion."

"Mhmm," hummed Peggy. She turned to leave then suddenly paused. "Be prepared for a long watch, Jack." With that, she left the squad room for her office.

Li rolled his eyes, "damn it. Stakeouts."

Thompson smirked, "Yup. We'll need someone to watch his house around the clock as well as follow him." He turned to Li, "Mike."

Li sighed, "Yeah."

Thompson glanced at Witwer, "Witwer." Agent Danny Witwer looked up from his desk. "Coordinate with Rick and Kate find out where they are and inform them of the new tasking. If they aren't at his residence, I want you there." He nodded, "It'll be long shifts. Reese and I will relieve Kate and Rick. I'll task other agents to relieve you."

Witwer stood up, "Got it."

Thompson sighed, "I'll work with the courts to get warrants for wiretaps."

Li raised a brow, "This case must be big if the Director came down here to talk to us. This isn't the first time we did a case involving Leviathan."

Thompson nodded, "But this could be a bust of a major domestic Leviathan cell. She's hoping that they can give us updated intel on Sokolov."

Witwer spoke up, "Of all the people on our most-wanted list, he's the one that has evaded us the longest."

"Not to mention, he's the only one on the list that personally crossed her and tried killing her," said Li.

"Exactly," Thompson responded.

Li shrugged, "I don't blame her, but I think we need to warn her not to make this too personal. Hoping this Leviathan cell has information on Sokolov is a stretch." He frowned, "not get her hopes up."

"It is a stretch, but you try telling her that she's making it personal and see how that goes." Thompson chuckled, "you won't even be able to say those words before she tells you that she isn't."

Li nodded, "Yeah."

"She'll keep it cool. Trust me," said Thompson. The only times he ever witnessed the Director make anything personal was when her family was directly threatened or in danger. Even then, he couldn't blame her for that.

Witwer agreed. "If the Director really wanted to make it personal to finding Sokolov, she would invest way more of SHIELD resources than she already has to find him."

Li nodded, "true."

Thompson sat back down at his desk. "Be prepared for a long week."

Li smirked, "Let's hope Leviathan doesn't take their damn time."

Scarsdale High School, Scarsdale, NY

Later in the afternoon, with school just let out, Angela stood in front of her locker, grabbing her things for the evening. Most of the day, Angela managed not to overthink her older brother's attitude toward her and his invasion of her privacy and focused on her school work. Unfortunately, with school done, she began to think about the situation she's in with her brother. As Angela grabbed her notebooks and books, she paused as she began to wonder about what Michael must think about her.

With his attitude and the cruel way Michael was treating her, Angela couldn't help but feel like her brother began to hate her for being the way she is. For loving somebody outside the natural "rules." Angela frowned and felt a wave of extreme sadness and shame for causing her brother to hate her. She acts with more logic than emotion by nature, but the feelings of her older brother hating her overpowered her normal logical thought processes. Michael has always cared, protected, and loved her, but it's clear that he quickly changed after discovering her secret. Now, in a span of a weekend, he's distant and snaps at her and everyone.

A tear suddenly rolled down her cheek as Angela stood silently in front of her locker. Suddenly she felt someone whack her in the back of her head.

"Ow," Angela cringed, turning to see who it was, expecting to see Stephanie standing behind her. But to her surprise, she saw her big sister, Sarah, making a disapproving look.

"Is there a reason why my little sister is crying in a public hallway at school?" Sarah said with a frown.

"I'm not crying," Angela said, quickly wiping her cheek. Sarah raised a brow. "It's nothing, Sarah. Seriously," she lied.

Sarah sighed, "That's a flat-out lie." She shook her head, "You never cry, Angela. And the fact that you are, in a hallway of all places, is a big thing."

Angela frowned, "Sarah, it was just a tear. I wasn't crying. And how did you even see—"

Sarah smirked, "I've been standing behind you for like five minutes. You literally didn't move an inch the whole time." She looked around the crowded corridor, "Where're your friends anyway? Stephanie, Linda, and Jennifer."

Angela shrugged, "They went home already."

Sarah raised a brow again, "Did they at least say 'bye' to you?"

"Of course, Sarah, they're great friends. I just said I'll see them tomorrow. Didn't feel like walking out with them."

"Hm," Sarah hummed. "Are you ready to—"

Kevin interrupted her by hugging her from behind and kissing her on the cheek. "See you tomorrow?"

Sarah smiled, turning around in his arms and pecking him on the lips, "yes, see you tomorrow."

Kevin let go of her and smirked, "I'll call you tonight."

"Don't call too late, or else my Mom will get mad," smiled Sarah.

"Wouldn't dream of it," Kevin said, stepping back and rejoining his friends down the hall.

Sarah quickly turned back to Angela, who wore a sad look on her face. Sarah frowned, "Hey, what's the matter?"

"Nothing."

Sarah sighed, "Are you going to tell me anything?"

Angela shook her head, "I don't want to talk about it at all. Sorry."

"Want to go home?" Sarah said, nodding in the direction of the doors. Angela nodded. "Let's go."

As the two girls walked out of the building and down the short flight of cement steps, Sarah glanced over to the bench under the baren maple tree. The usual spot she meets her sister after school.

Sarah chuckled and playfully nudged her little sister. "I think this is the first time we didn't meet at the bench."

Angela looked at the bench and didn't respond.

Sarah frowned, "What's bothering you, Angela? You can tell me."

Angela again didn't respond as the two girls made their way across the pathway toward their father's car. She then glanced up and spotted Michael walking toward them, her brother quickly scowling and looking away from her as he approached them.

Sarah spotted Michael and waved. "Michael!" she smiled.

Michael didn't respond and continued toward them. As he passed them, he purposefully and forcefully bumped Angela, causing her to stumble back and wince in pain. Michael didn't look back and continued on his way.

Sarah stopped and turned around. "Michael, what the hell!" she snapped.

Angela rubbed her shoulder and looked down.

Michael barely looked back at her. "It was an accident," he plainly responded without a hint of remorse.

"Like hell it was!" Sarah clenched her fists.

Angela looked up and saw other students around them stopping and watching the exchange. Fearing a scene, Angela tugged on her sister's sleeve, "Sarah, it's okay."

Sarah scowled at her brother.

Angela frowned, "Please. Let's just go home."

Sarah softened and looked at Angela. "Okay," she nodded.

Sarah glanced back at her twin brother and saw him shake his head and walk away. She grumbled, "What's with you," she said under her breath.

That brief encounter solidified the feeling Angela felt from her brother. If anything, it felt that Michael saw her more like an unwanted dog, treating her with mild neglect and even annoyance and hostility. His attitude toward her changed forever for that simple fact of her liking girls over boys.

Sarah took her sister's hand, "Are you okay? I see why you were sad. It's Michael, isn't it?"

Angela nodded, "Yeah. Don't worry about it. It's not a big deal."

"Angela, you're my sister, and I love you. It's a big deal to me whenever someone treats you poorly, even if it's family."

Angela frowned. Because of Michael, she didn't know whether Sarah would react the same way as him. Angela didn't know if telling her the truth would make things better or worse for herself. In the past, Michael has always been closer to her than Sarah, so she had no idea how Sarah would react to her confession. Angela would maintain her secret. It was probably for the best anyway.

Sarah noted her little sister was in thought and frowned. "Well, I'm here if you want to talk."

After crossing the grass field, they got to their father's car. As the two girls got in the car, Sarah taking her usual seat in the front, and Angela sliding in the back with her little brother, Steve glanced at the two of them with concern.

"What happened out there with Michael?" he asked.

Angela spoke up first, "it was nothing."

Sarah made a disapproving look. "Michael purposefully bumped into Angela. He didn't even attempt to walk around her, and he just bumped her pretty hard."

Angela looked down and remained silent.

John looked at her, "Are you okay, Angela." Angela only nodded in response.

Steve snapped to Sarah. "He what? What's with him?" he expressed a little too loudly.

Sarah shrugged, "I don't know. I have no clue."

Angela silent

Steve groaned, "Your mom and I will talk to him when she gets home." He looked back at Angela. "He's been moody for the past few days. We're getting to the bottom of this today."

Angela nodded but doubted that even her mom and dad would be able to do anything about her brother's attitude.

Steve scowled, "He shouldn't be so mean to you, Angela."

"Yeah," Sarah agreed.

Steve sighed, "Alright, let's go home." Sarah nodded. As he drove the car away from the curb and down the road, he smiled and changed the subject. "Anyway, how was school? Aside from the Michael thing."

Sarah paused, "Uh. Well…"

Steve looked at his daughter and suddenly saw her new necklace. "Hey, that's a nice necklace. Where'd you get it?"

Sarah blushed and grinned. "Well—"

"Oh," Steve muttered as realization hit him. "You're going steady, aren't you?"

Sarah nodded, "We are."

Steve gripped the steering wheel and looked away from his daughter. "Hmph."

"Dad," Sarah said with concern, leaning forward.

Steve didn't look at Sarah. "I-I'm." Sarah raised a brow. "I'm happy… For… you," Steve managed to say, looking at her again, and forcing a smile.

Sarah made a disapproving look. "If you aren't happy with it, all you have to do is tell me, Dad."

"I'm not," Steve quickly replied. "But. You are learning who you are, and that includes finding the people that you're attracted to." He sighed, "As I said, I may not like him or any boy you're dating, but I will always support you and love you."

Sarah nodded, "Thanks, Dad."

"Understand that I may get upset if I find out that you're priorities are all mixed up."

"I know, Dad. Mom keeps telling me," replied Sarah.

Steve smirked, "And if he hurts you in any way. I will destroy him."

Sarah laughed, "Thanks, Dad."

Steve smiled, "I love you, kiddo. I'm a jerk about this because I'm your father, and you'll always be my little girl."

"I know, Dad. I love you too," Sarah laughed.

Steve looked at Angela through the rearview mirror, "And how about you, Angela? How was school?"

Angela shrugged, "It was okay."

Steve nodded, knowing his daughter wasn't going to open up about her day as per usual.

Steve & Margaret Rogers Residence, Scarsdale, NY

Later that evening, after a long day at work, Peggy finally arrived home, parking her car on the driveway. She grabbed her things from the front seat and stepped out, letting out an exhausted sigh. Peggy quietly headed into the house through the garage, unbuttoning her blazer as she went. Once Peggy stepped into the house, she was immediately greeted by her husband.

"Welcome home, honey," Steve greeted by the entry door.

"Aw, thank you, darling," Peggy smiled at her husband. She walked up to him and captured his lips.

"Long day?" Steve asked, raising a brow.

"Quiet the day. But good to be back home," she said, kissing him again.

Steve gave his wife a loving smile. "I love that." Peggy gave him a funny look. "You kissing me."

Peggy chuckled, "It will never stop."

Steve waved his hand, "Anyway, want to talk about your day?"

"I do. Are the kids in the kitchen?" Peggy asked the two of them still in the small hallway by the garage entry door.

"Mhmm."

Peggy nodded, "I'll tell you later tonight then. Don't want them to hear anything they aren't supposed to." Steve nodded quietly.

Peggy suddenly got the sense of something wrong with her husband. "Hey, is something the matter, Steve?"

Steve sighed and whispered, "It's Michael."

Peggy frowned, and her shoulders slumped. "His attitude again?" she whispered in return.

"Yeah." Steve shook his head, continuing to talk quietly. "He very aggressively bumped into Angela pretty hard earlier today. It also looked like Sarah and him got into an argument after that in front of other students." He sighed, "He also never apologized to Angela. Not even after he got home."

Peggy shook her head, "It seems his attitude is directed to Angela, and I don't know why. It's bothering me."

Steve nodded. "Me too. Angela wouldn't hurt a fly, so I don't get the issue." He shrugged, "I asked Sarah and Angela what the reason could be, but neither said anything."

Peggy sighed, "Or didn't want to say." She grumbled. What's going on with Michael the past few days. He was never mean to Angela before."

"You think they know and are hiding what's going on?"

Peggy shook her head again. "meaning they don't want to share, or Angela, in particular, doesn't want to share since Michael seems to have more of a tussle with her than Sarah."

Steve nodded, "Yeah. That makes sense."

"Again, we don't know what happened between the two, and I want this issue fixed. I'm tired of this drama and bad attitude." Peggy sighed, "Is Michael home?"

Steve nodded, "He's home. In his room."

Peggy nodded and headed into the kitchen. "I'll talk to him now."

"Sounds good."

Peggy walked into the kitchen and saw Sarah, John, and Angela doing homework at the table. Angela was doing her usual multitasking of doing both her school work and helping John with his.

As Peggy stopped by the counter and put her things down, John smiled and greeted her. "Hi, Mom! Welcome home!"

Peggy changed her demeanor to greet her kids. "Hello, sweetheart," she sweetly said, quickly heading over to him and kissing him on the head.

"Hi, Mom," Sarah and Angela both greeted.

Peggy turned to her daughter, "hi, darlings." She then stepped over to Angela, squatted down next to her, and spoke in a soft tone. "Angela, sweetie."

"Yes, Mom?" Angela responded carefully.

Peggy took a deep breath. "Did Michael purposefully bump you earlier today?"

Sarah spoke up. "He—"

Peggy quickly turned to Sarah. "Sarah, let Angela answer, please," she said in a soft but forceful tone. Sarah nodded and kept her mouth shut. Peggy focused on Angela again. "Angela, answer the question, please. And tell the truth."

Angela shrugged, "it's not a big deal, Mom. Things like that happen all the time at school anyway."

Steve raised a brow. "To you?"

Angela shook her head, "no, I mean in general."

Peggy sighed, "so he did bump you?" Angela frowned and looked down. "Angela."

Angela nodded. "Yes," she mumbled. "But he doesn't need to be punished like a child."

Peggy shook her head. "He will if he keeps acting like a child. Thank you, sweetheart." She planted a kiss on her forehead and brushed her hair with a hand. Peggy frowned, "Angela, one more question." She paused and turned to Sarah and John, "Sarah can you and John go upstairs for a little bit."

Sarah nodded, "Yup." She looked at John and stood up, "John, let's take a break from homework."

"Okay," John responded. With that, the two turned and left the kitchen, leaving their parents and sister behind.

"Angela," Peggy spoke again, briefly getting up to take the seat next to her daughter.

"Yeah?" Angela whispered without looking at her mother.

"Why is Michael mad at you?"

Angela shrugged, "I don't know. He's mad at everyone. He snapped at Sarah this morning."

Peggy shook her head. "He's been frustrated at something, and it seems his attitude is directed at you mostly." She frowned, "Are you okay? Because it also seems that you've been… troubled…recently too. What's going on?"

Angela remained silent.

Steve sighed, sitting down across from his daughter. "Angela, we noticed Michael has been treating you differently and not in a good way."

Peggy leaned forward, "Darling, you can talk to us."

Angela shook her head. "I'm fine, Mom. It's…just Michael treating me like this is what's bothering me," she didn't lie but only told part of the truth.

Peggy sighed, knowing her daughter didn't tell the whole truth. "Darling, I can't help you if I don't know what's wrong."

"Stop! I don't want to talk about it, okay!" Angela yelled. She frowned. "It's not a big deal anyway," she said, returning to her soft voice. "I'm sorry, Mom."

Peggy leaned forward and wrapped her arm around Angela. "It's okay. When you're ready, you can tell us, okay?" She smiled, "Please, tell us when you're ready. We love you, and whatever is troubling you, we can handle it together, okay?"

Angela nodded.

"Promise?" Peggy gave a reassuring smile.

"Promise to tell you when I'm ready, Mom," Angela responded.

Truthfully, Angela didn't think she could ever tell her parents the truth about herself. Angela was afraid that what her mom just said wouldn't be true if she discovered the secret. Her parents couldn't find out that she's gay.

"Okay." Peggy sighed, "For now, I'll talk to Michael and get him to fix his attitude."

Angela looked at her mother, "Are you going to—"

Peggy raised her hand, "How I punish your brother isn't your fault. His actions and words have lead him to this moment. He's responsible for his own actions, darling."

Angela nodded. Peggy then stood up and walked out of the kitchen to the foyer.

Steve stood up and walked over to Angela and placed his hands on her shoulders, giving her a reassuring grip. "It's okay, kiddo." He chuckled, "Might want to cover your ears for this."

Peggy stepped into the foyer. "MICHAEL JAMES ROGERS!" She yelled in a harsh and bone-chilling tone.

I decided to make this a two-parter since it's taking me so damn long to finish. Sorry for the wait. Been a hectic few months with a bunch of life changing events going on over here. Thanks for the support! It will continue (At a slower than I'd like pace to be honest.)

The other part is almost done anyway so stay tuned. LOL.

This chapter was also bit hard to write with the drama and trying to get the emotions right. Don't be surprised if I edit a portion of it, but I'll let ya know.

Loosely based on NCIS episode "BLOWBACK"

"Chimera" in Greek Mythology is a fire-breathing female monster with a lion's head, a goat's body, and a serpent's tail.

Thought up a laser since it's science fiction and wanted to slightly show the idea of SHIELD having advanced technology and such.