Three months later

Missy walked out of her bedroom, placing a pretty studded earring into each ear.

She gave a smile as she saw Emily sitting at the table as good as gold, already waiting patiently for her breakfast.

Missy, smoothing down her smart white silk blouse and charcoal grey pencil skirt that showed off her tanned, slender legs to perfection, headed into her little kitchenette, plucking a slice of toast out of the toaster and smearing it with butter and honey.

The news was on the TV in the room next door, but Missy was barely listening to it, instead, gently humming a pop song she had heard on the subway a couple of days ago.

She was happy.

For the first time in a long time, she was happy.

She had been working for SHIELD for the past three months now and she completely loved it. Her colleagues were nice, the work was interesting and it paid really well. Well, for an admin job anyway…

She went to work each day looking forward to doing her job which was a first for her, it really was.

And Emily was happy too. She had finally made a couple of friends, the children of a few of the women who worked at SHIELD. And the kids were clever enough, even at their age, to know that they didn't need to shout or scream to get Emily's attention. They just played with her like a normal little girl…playing ponies or painting…..doing what other kids her age usually did on play dates…

Missy, on her high black patent high heels, strutted back into the living room and placed the triangles of toast in front of her daughter, stroking her head as she did so.

Emily beamed up at her Mom and picked up a slice, peering at it cautiously.

"It's just toast, baby. With honey," said Missy as she walked away, knowing Emily too well and knowing just how picky she could be if given the option. "You like toast with honey."

But to Missy's delight, her three-year old daughter didn't argue….for once.

Missy passed the TV, barely paying attention to the news story that was currently scrolling across the screen.

"A huge fire near the docks of the Hudson, has, this morning-"

She wasn't even half way across the room when there was a knock on the door.

Behind her, Emily looked up for a moment, his green eyes wide and curious as she chewed, open-mouthed, on a floppy triangle of toast.

But Missy hurled open the door in a hurry, giving a smile.

"Hi Janey," she said in a kindly voice to her familiar sitter, stepping aside for her to enter.

Janey was fresh out of college, and even from that first day she had spent with Emily, the tiny toddler had adored her.

She was young, with black curly hair and glasses, and loved to read, and she seemed more than happy to spend her days taking care of Emily, with the Harry Potter novels and a mug of coffee at her side.

Janey gave them both a wide smile, popping her backpack down onto the floor and heading over towards Emily without instruction.

"You know where everything is," said Missy grabbing her coat and shoving one of Emily's pieces of toast into her own mouth. "…and if you need anything-"

But Janey raised her eyebrows giving Missy a bemused expression.

"I'll call you," she said, cutting across Missy in a soothing voice. "Now go, before you're late."

Missy gave a chuckle, flinging her chic trench coat over her shoulders and picking up her purse.

"Alright," she said, her mouth full of toast as she strutted over and pressed a small kiss to the top of her daughters soft hair. "See you later baby, ok? Mommy loves you."

Emily peered up at her mother, her little cheeks stuffed full. "Lubb yoo too, Mommy!" she said happily before turning back to her plate.

And with that, the caramel-haired woman headed swiftly out the door.


Missy strutted out of the large glass elevator as the doors neatly pinged open, doing up her umbrella.

It had started to rain on the way over, storm clouds swirling overhead.

Missy almost wondered if Thor was in the area again…..as storms over tended to follow the God of thunder around.

But brushing herself off Missy wondered over towards her desk, which was situated on the far side on an enormous open-plan office, where men and woman in various SHIELD uniforms bustled past her, already several hours into their day.

She felt comfortable here now. Everyone knew her. Everyone said hi. And most importantly, everyone was just lovely, and took into consideration that sometimes she might be late…or sometimes she needed to work from home because Emily got sick. But that was just what single-Moms had to do sometimes.

And that was what she was. A hard-working single Mom.

On her own…

Missy passed through the room, suddenly catching the eye of the tall, blonde and handsome Steve Rogers who often frequented this floor these days.

"Morning," he mouthed with a nod, flashing her a charming smile, as a small man with thinning grey hair attempted to engage him in conversation.

But Missy merely smiled back, giving him a gentle nod, before his attention was torn swiftly away.

Reaching her desk, Missy removed her coat and took a seat, still smiling to herself…

She leant forwards, re-adjusting a photo frame that sat on her desk, with care.

And just for a second, she admired the photograph inside…. showing Missy, Emily and Wade, taken a long, long time ago at the duck park. Their faces were smushed together, grinning like idiots, but all three of them looked happy and perfect and totally and utterly in love.

"I love you," she whispered, really to no one but herself, as she set the frame down facing her.

Finally, taking a deep breath of air, Missy relaxed her shoulders and switched on her PC….more than ready to start the day.

For she knew that it was bound to be another great one….


Outside…. stood in the pouring rain…..a lone figure stared up at the enormous Stark Towers….home to SHIELD…and where he had seen Missy disappearing into just a few minutes before…

He let out a long, pained sigh….

She would never want to see him looking like this….

No one would…

And so, with a hood thrown up over his scarred, red face…Wade Wilson disappeared into the crowd…

…Francis would pay for this….one way or another...


Thanks so much to those who reviewed the last chapter: Wolfy Queen, jonstar1034, CaptainWilliamsN7, Guest, Guest, starrat, Guest, jeffhardyluvsme, TamashinoSuzume, Guest, Legolas Girl 31, hottieanimegurl, THE JUDGE OF FICS, AngiMK, Smaug the golden, Raging Raven, dancindonna, Carlypso, Mia, Queenbeee222 and Guest.

Have I finished?...I'm not sure….I guess you'll just have to wait and see…

But please do let me know what you thought of this chapter. I'd love to hear your thoughts before making up my mind.

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