"The leaders of the world's richest nations leave Washington today after what many have described as a monumental G7 summit. With plans for tackling climate change and the inequalities of wealth, it is being regarded as one of the most productive summits in recent years. Many saying the impacts of which will benefit generations to come. This is Lauren Henderson for BBC news, Washington DC."
The voice on the radio switched from a young female to one of an older male.
"In other news, Simon Hughes appeared in court today and plead guilty to the multiple charges murder, assault and fraud. The former CEO of Hughes International was arrested last week after documents surfaced online showing the company partaking in illegal human experimentation. They also linked the CEO to multiple missing person reports in the area. Shortly after his arrest, Hughes International declared bankruptcy and the company is currently undergoing liquidation," The news reader only paused for a few seconds before continuing. "In some happier news, next week the Museum of Natural History in London opens its exhibit on the Hope Diamond, the first exhibit of the famous jewel outside a Smithsonian in over 50 years-"
"Oh, I've got tickets to go see that," The elderly woman behind the counter said to Samantha as she wrapped up the flowers. "I was hoping to see that Fry-fret-"
"Frykte" Samantha supplied as she handed over the money for the flowers.
"Yeah, that thing," The woman took the money and placed it in the till. "Couldn't get tickets though. I heard on the news last night it's still missing. Who would to steal a thing like that anyway?"
"Who knows," Samantha gave a shrug, a small smile on her face, her hand playing with the strap to her duffel bag on her back. She reached over to take the flowers from the woman's hands. "Thanks very much."
The woman gave her a fleeting smile before moving her attention to the next customer. Samantha heard the bell rattled as she opened the door to leave the Florist, and made her way down the streets of London.
She took a deep breathing, having missed the refreshing chill in the air, the Christmas lights are already up ready for December starting next week. Though with the way the shops advertised, it was as if the Christmas build up started earlier and earlier each year.
It didn't take her long until she reached her destination, weaving through the graveyard until she came across the headstone she was looking for.
Sarah Jennings
January 1959 - May 2006
Beloved wife and mother
Keith Jennings
August 1959 - November 2010
Beloved husband and father
They were shining examples of what good one person can achieve
Samantha knelt on the ground as she lay the flowers down on the joint gravesite. The ground covered in freshly disturbed soil from the service last week where her father's ashes were buried next to her mother's.
She shifted herself, so she was sat crossed legged in front of stone, glad for the private spot, difficult for someone to stumble across her. There was a soft breeze, the cold nipping at her edges, reminding her of the time of year. She pulled her duffel bag off, placing the bag holding Frykte to the side, and wrapped her coat tighter around her.
"You did it Dad, we got the antidote to everyone he drugged. Hughes is locked away and I doubt he's ever going to see life outside a prison cell again," Samantha began to speak, her voice quiet as her eyes focused on the black granite in front of her. "The service was nice, Bill your old partner gave a great eulogy, better then anything I could have come up with. And don't worry, many a pint was drank in your memory in the pub afterwards, just how you would have liked it…you not so much mum," Samantha gave a small smile before sobering up. "I do have one bone to pick with you though dad. You were wrong, when you said I was strong enough. I'm not."
Samantha gave a large, ragged breath out and she fought to compose herself before continuing.
"I was about to do what Hughes wanted, I was going to sacrifice the world for you…some hero I am huh?" She gave a small, dark chuckle. "I'll never be as strong as you two were, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to try. I'm going to do everything I can to keep making you proud, both of you…I promise."
A single tear fell down her cheek as she placed two fingers against her lips and then pressed them against the gold inscription of the stone.
With another large sigh, she stood up.
"You can come out of hiding now," Samantha shouted as she picked up her bag and flung the over her shoulder. She looked over her shoulder and gave a small smile to Professor Larson as she appeared from behind a tree.
"And there I was thinking I had snuck up on you, what gave me away?" The Professor asked as she came to stand beside Samantha. The other woman replied by simply tapping a finger to her forehead. "Ah, I assume that means your powers are getting stronger?"
"Every day since I started carry this thing around," Samantha tapped her bag where Frykte was hidden. Professor Larson nodded in response.
"My apologies for disturbing you."
"It's okay," Samantha shrugged, looking back at the headstone.
"For what it's worth, I think they both would be very proud of you."
Samantha could only nod her head, knowing if she spoke her voice would crack and tears would surely follow. Instead she turned away from the grave and started making her way back to the exit, Professor Larson easily following in step with her.
"I hear congratulations is in order," Ella said, shooting Samantha a large smirk, "for saving the world and what not."
"It was a group effort," Samantha shrugged again, her hands holding the step across her chest tightly. "What's brought you back to London anyway?"
"Apparently letting a prized artefact be stolen is grounds for firing someone, who knew?" Samantha gave a small laugh at Ella's words. "The Smithsonian was boring anyway, too many egos. UCL offered me a position as head of their Viking and Old Norse studies program, so here I am."
"And here I was thinking you were coming to get Frykte back from me," Samantha commented, their pace slow as they made their way back on to the path towards the gates.
"As I said to you already Samantha, in my opinion Frykte belongs to you, no one else," Samantha gave another nod, looking ahead and avoiding Ella's gaze. "That is, unless you want me to take it back?"
"What would happen if you did?" Samantha asked.
"Well firstly I would get my job back," Ella joked, causing Samantha to give out another small laugh. "But with yourself, I'm not so sure. If I were to take a guess, then your connection with Geni would slowly fade, the dreams would stop and I imagine bullets might be an issue for you again, though I think your chances of being shot at would not be so high if you were to give up Frykte."
"Probably, not," The pair shared a smile. Samantha could hear the sound of cars passing meaning they were nearing the exit and the road to the cemetery. "And the voices?"
"They would fade, may even eventually stop, who knows? You're unique Samantha, there's never been anyone like you."
The pair came to a natural stop as they faced each other close to the gates.
"And if I keep Frykte? Keep using my powers?"
"Then the connection would only strength. Your powers would only grow stronger and the dreams more intense. Until eventually there will be no difference between you and Geni. You may even not need Frykte to keep the connection open."
Samantha gave a slow nod as her words sank in. Her eyes drifted over Professor Larson's shoulder, back to the direction of where her parents' grave was.
"So do you want me to take it back?" The Professor asked, no judgement in her face, as if it was a simple question but both knew it was far from it.
Samantha looked at her, know the implications of her what she would say next.
"No, not yet anyway. Maybe someday I'll give it back but not right now," Samantha said earning a smile from Ella. "Thank you, for everything."
"Anytime you want to chat, I'm sure you'll know how to find me," With a parting smile, Ella then walked away from Samantha, wrapping her navy pea coat tighter around herself.
Samantha gave a smile as she watched the young woman walk away, knowing it wouldn't be the last time their paths crossed.
She began to see the white flicks of snow descend around her as it lightly fell, not thick enough to settle but big enough to remind people how cold it was. Samantha turned back around to give a look in the direction of where her parent's lay, before walking towards the exit.
She was surprised when she crossed through the gates and saw a familiar looking figure stood leaning against a black SUV, clearly waiting for someone.
Samantha held back her smirk as she approached Brandon, who was wrapped up tightly in a black trench coat and wholly hat. For a moment Samantha could imagine this was Gareth waiting for her after a shift at the cafe as they made their way to the cinema or to get some food. But then she could see the way he stood, knew his weight was shifted on to right where his gun was placed, reminding her of everything that had happened over the last few weeks.
"You got your visa sorted I see," Samantha said as she approached him, her hands shoved in her pockets to protect them from the cold. Brandon's face lit up in a smile when he turned to see her.
"I did, I see you kept the stick," He said, pointing at the duffle bag on her back.
"I kept the stick," Samantha gave a nod, a comfortable silence falling between the two.
She could see the bruises on his face were fading and she imagined in a few more days they would be gone entirely. Samantha's had healed within a day or two, another perk of being a reincarnated God she thought.
"So what are you going to do now?" Brandon asked, his arms crossing against his chest.
"My mum and dad used to say to me, if you had the power to do good, then it was your responsibility to do it," Samantha said, a fond smile crossing her features. "I didn't really understand that when I was younger and then after the accident I didn't think I had anything good to offer anyone. My dad disagreed as you know, caused a lot of arguments."
Samantha paused but she was grateful when Brandon didn't interrupt.
"I have these powers, and maybe I can do some good with them. Make them proud," She found herself giving a small smile which Brandon reciprocated. "I just don't know where the hell I'm suppose to start."
"I may be able to help with that," Brandon said, causing Samantha to raise her eyebrow at him, showing he should continue. "SHIELD have the resources you need whether it technology, money or people. We want to help you Sam, find out what you can do and give you the training to use it."
"Let me this guess, this has come from your boss Coulson?"
"Actually no, his boss, Director Fury." Brandon paused, letting the information sink in. "It means you have to move the States,"
"I didn't really have much going for me here anyway," Samantha gave a shrug. "An offer from the director though, kind of hard to turn down."
"Yeah, he doesn't really take no for an answer either but I think you could take him," Brandon joked causing another smile to appear on Samantha's face.
The silence returned again as Samantha thought over her decision, but really there was no decision to make.
"I'm in," She said and she could see the tension leave Brandon's shoulders, as if he were expecting her to say no. She began to walk to the other side of the car to get in the passenger seat. "As long as you don't drag me to any more open mic nights."
"Hey," Brandon began, holding a hand up in protest, "that was part of my cover and believe me when I say, it was as much torture for me as it was for you."
Samantha audibly laughed aloud at him as she opened the door and sat in the car. She gave one last look towards the cemetery. She would make them proud.
"Ah Samantha, I'm glad you could come. I've been worried about you," Dr Angelo told her as she looked over the 25 year old.
When she heard Samantha had made an appointment she was expecting it to be bad. She was pleasantly surprised though when Samantha walked in looking more confident and healthy than she had ever seen her. Her back was straighter, a new glow to her skin and there was just something different about her.
"I was sorry to hear about your dad." Dr Angelo said giving her a sympathetic smile. Samantha simply gave a nod in thanks. "Your CPN Charlotte says she's had difficulties getting hold of you."
"Yeah I was in the US for a bit, I'm actually heading back out in a few days time to start a new job over there." Samantha said, her eyes flicking to the car park outside the window.
"Are you sure this is the best time to move country? Especially after the loss of a parent so suddenly?" Dr Angelo asked, skepticism in her eyes. "Not that I'm not happy for you, I just worry you'll lose your support network."
"That was actually why I'm here today, to let you know you can discharge me from your care and not to worry." Samantha said, looking Dr Angelo in the eye. "I don't need a psychiatrist anymore."
Oh dear, her insight is gone.
"My insight hasn't gone," Samantha said with a smile causing Dr Angelo's eyes to go wide in shock. "I just don't have an illness to have insight into. I never did actually, I just didn't know the real reason for the voices until recently."
She's not been taking her medication, she's spiralled since her dad's death.
"You're not wrong but I actually haven't been taking the medication for months," Samantha corrected her, and somehow Dr Angelo's eyes went even wider than before as Samantha responded to the thoughts in her head. "They stopped working, but then again they were never going to work for long. And yes I can read your mind….also yes I know how bad that sounds but if you don't believe me, well believe this guy."
Samantha reached into her bag and produced a sealed letter and handed it to Dr Angelo. She then stood up and made her way to the door. The older woman was in too much shock to notice, ripping open the paper and to see the official seal and letter head.
"Wait," Samantha passed at the door and looked back at the stunned psychiatrist. "Is this from Professor Long?"
"Yeah, the head of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. My new job set up a meeting with him so it could be explained. Didn't want you filing me as missing vulnerable person." Samantha gave the Doctor a genuine smile, "thanks for everything, doc."
Dr Angelo simply stared at her, her mouth hanging opening as her eyes flicked between Samantha and the letter explaining what Samantha said was true.
Samantha left the room, closing the door behind her with a smile on her face.
Samantha stood in the middle of the lab, her gaze travelling over the shining silver equipment. It was slightly surreal this was her life now.
The door behind her swung open and she turned to see a middle aged man enter the room. His face had a slight amount of blond stubble to it, and his chequered shirt looked like it could do with a wash but that wasn't what put her on edge. It was the way he faltered as he saw her, his face going slack for a moment.
"I'm sorry, is this your lab? I didn't mean to intrude." Samantha said, shifting under the man's stare. She began to make a move towards the exit but the men held up both hands in a sign to stop her.
"Not at all, how can I help you?" His voice was accented, much like Ella's, Samantha thought. He seemed to have snapped out of whatever had overcome him when he entered the room, his face now taken with a charming smile.
"It's okay, I was just looking around the facility. New to SHIELD and all," Samantha shrugged, her eyes then moved back to survey the room. "It's quite a place."
"Don't worry, you get use to it. Took me a while when I joined a few months back." The man gave a small laugh which Samantha gave a polite smile in response. He held his hand up to her, "Dr Erik Selvig."
"Samantha Jennings," She took his hand and was surprised by the firm grip he took, his smile just a little too wide for first introductions. Sensing her discomfort, he dropped his hand but his smile remained. "I should leave you in peace. See you around?"
"Oh I do hope so," Loki said as he stared at Samantha from the reflection in the glass wall the pair were stood next to. His own smile wide and his eyes burning with intensity.
"Oh I do hope so" Selvig repeated unbeknownst to Samantha.
She gave one last awkward smile before leaving the room.
And there we have it, the end of Samantha's first film.
I hoped you liked those two 'post credit' scenes in the style of any good MCU film.
Next week - we finally get to start meeting the rest of our motley crew of the original Avengers…but who will it be?
Vex