Walking through the Triskelion was like the Red Sea parting. Agents everywhere stared at me, wide-eyed and open mouth as I marched through the corridors. Pierce had his own secure elevator, meaning I couldn't enjoy a peaceful ride up from the car park.

The silence was deafening as the elevator climbed upwards. It took all of my self control to not start picking at my nails. They were already picked clean and any further I'd start drawing blood.

Evans looked extremely uncomfortable in his suit. He was fiddling with the cuff links and tugging at the jacket sleeve. He looked so odd in a suit. I was used to seeing him in fatigues or the standard issue black uniform that we wore for STRIKE. The only time I'd ever seen him in a suit was for funerals. Even Abby had joked once that she was going to bury him in his black uniform instead of a suit.

"You should try a navy suit," I blurted out. "Custom made. Tom Ford or something like that."

Evans gave me a strange look. At least he stopped tugging on his cuff links.

"The more expensive the suit, the more customized you can get them," I explained. "It'll be more comfortable. Navy looks better for day time meetings. Black is for evenings."

It was such a weird distraction. But still a distraction. Something we both needed. Coulson had a very nice suit collection. As did Jared. They both wore their suits like they were a comfortable pair of sweat pants. When Pepper introduced me to Chanel business suits, my life was changed.

"I didn't exactly buy this from Walmart," Evans said grumpily. He looked down and gave the hem of his jacket a tug. "Abby will kiss you if you manage to get me into something that I won't fidget in."

I took it as a win. It passed the time that the elevator door opened with a muffled ding. Squaring my shoulders, I walked in looking like I had all the confidence in the world. But looks were deceiving. I felt ready to throw up.

Pierce's personal assistant was waiting for us. With a welcoming smile, she opened the door to Pierce's conference room.

"Secretary Pierce is waiting for you Agent Lyngley." While she was smiling, her tone almost came off as robotic. "He asked you to wait outside Agent Evans."

My panic was threatening to blow into a full meltdown as my gaze snapped back to Evans. He looked pissed. I guess he didn't get the memo that this was a private meeting.

"It's okay." It was anything but okay right now. Evans looked ready to punch someone. "I've got this."

The look Evans gave me said more than words could. He knew how much I was hanging by a thread. I did not have this at all. I was just getting better at lying.

"I'll wait out here for you," Evans said evenly.

I felt a cold sweat break out on my back as I closed those last few steps into Pierce's office.

There he was. The man who was causing me so much anxiety. He looked like a kind older gentleman. As soon as he saw me, his face broke into a warm smile.

I just couldn't shake the feeling that something was off about him. Something about him made the primal part of my brain scream to run.

"Agent Lyngley," Pierce said, stepping forward and offering his hand. "I can't begin to tell you what a pleasure this is. Thank you for taking the time to meet me. I know I'm dragging you away from a much needed holiday."

At least Pierce didn't shake with the limp wrist bullshit like a lot of male politicians. His grip was firm and warm. Everything about him was inviting and friendly.

Why didn't I trust him?

"You know how us field agents get, too much time off and we're begging for work," I said lightly. "Though I won't argue for the weekend off. Long weekends are my favorite thing."

It was Thursday. I'd found that out on the way up here.

Pierce laughed as he gestured towards one of the comfortable leather chairs away from the desk.

"Drink?" Pierce asked as I settled into the chair.

"Coffee would be lovely." I hated my company manners voice. "Vanilla latte."

I always got judged for my coffee. I don't know why people expected me to say black, no sugar, and strong enough to strip paint. Pierce was no exception. He looked mildly surprised but made no comment as he went to the desk and asked for coffee over the phone.

I shifted in the chair, crossing my legs. Nothing about this situation was making me feel at ease. The least I could do was look comfortable.

The coffee came in just as Pierce was sitting across from me. Part of me wanted to know how the assistant managed to get it done so quickly. It was really good coffee too. It smelt very expensive. I took it with a grateful smile and settled back into my chair.

"I suppose there isn't any point beating around the bush with this conversation," Pierce said as he settled into his own chair. "As you can imagine, New York was an unprecedented event. None of us could imagine an attack on that scale coming from outer space."

No shit.

It took every ounce of my self control not to blurt that out. I managed a stiff nod instead. It hadn't escaped my notice that the only people who could have sent the bomb was the World Security Council. They were going to blow us into oblivion and be done with the whole mess.

There was a small part of me that wished Tony's hadn't caught the bomb. Especially right now.

"Everyone is scrambling for answers," Pierce continued. "I'm getting daily calls from every agency you can imagine."

The alphabet soup of agencies is what Clint called it. It was an apt description. I couldn't keep track of them all.

"President Ellis calls every other day asking for updates." Pierce settled back in his chair. "He's very interested in the twin blonde headed agents. I believe Colonel Rhodes filled him in."

I was going to have strong words with Rhodes. It was mind blowing though. To have the president know your name.

Then again, a lot of people were going to know my name soon.

"What is it I can help you with, Sir?" I set my coffee back down on the table. My stomach was in knots and despite how good the coffee tasted, I couldn't stomach much more.

Pierce's smile was unsettling. I knew from the start I wasn't going to like where this was going. It still didn't make any of this easier.

"That's quite the question isn't it?" Pierce asked. "You know, Kari when I invited you to be part of Alpha team. It wasn't an insult. Quite the opposite."

I raised an eyebrow. Now I was lost where Pierce was going with this.

"Despite what you may think, I'm not your enemy," Pierce continued. "I would like to think of this as the start of something new between us."

"Sir, I have already told Fury that I'm willing to do whatever I need to with whatever the aftermath is," I said carefully. "I realize me using my powers on full display makes quite the mess for SHIELD."

Pierce looked at me with a pleased smile. I must have said the right thing.

"See, this is what I respect about you," Pierce said, taking a small sip of his coffee. "You are always willing to do the right thing. No matter the cost."

"It's part of my charming personality." My company manners switched off for a brief second. I mentally cringed and braced myself for a disapproving look.

Instead, Pierce laughed. I nearly sagged in relief.

"Charming personality, along with the ability to do the right thing is what we need right now." Pierce went back to talking in circles. "Being an attractive young lady isn't going to hurt either."

At least he didn't leer at me when he said the last part. To his credit, Pierce wasn't a dirty old man in that regard.

"More than ever the world wants answers," Pierce continued.

I was getting a bit tired of his cryptic answers. I really wish he was like Fury and just said exactly what he wanted.

"And SHIELD needs someone who can answer those questions."

That wasn't a surprise. I already figured SHIELD wanted to put one of our faces out there. A diversion tactic to take the spotlight off other people. Jared and Natasha did far too much undercover work to be considered. Clint was the most argumentative person I knew. Without Coulson to keep him in check, he'd be a complete asshole to anyone he felt like pissing off.

Pierce also thought he could control me a lot easier. I wasn't likely to kick up a fuss.

"As I said before, Sir," I said with a polite smile. "I'm happy for that to be me."

"Good." Pierce put his coffee cup back down on the table. "That was the answer I wanted. There are a few more things."

Of course there was. I kept my smile on my face.

"I would like you to reconsider my offer about Alpha team, with some modifications," Pierce said easily. "You would still officially be Delta and do all their missions. But you would also run missions with Alpha."

Fucking asshole. I knew this wouldn't be that easy. My face must have given it away because Pierce was quick to speak again.

"I meant it before when I said I believe you would shine in Alpha team," Pierce said smoothly. "If you do this for me, it'll mean your indiscretion with Agent Barton will be overlooked."

Pierce had me there. He had a checkmate and knew it judging by the smug little smirk on his face. At least he wasn't breaking us up. He had the power to disband STRIKE Team Delta on a whim. I had to play this game.

"It would also mean that any action that may have been taken against your brother and Agent Barton for their actions against SHIELD while under the influence of Loki will be immediately ceased and buried."

That came like a sucker punch to the face. Jared's words about SHIELD executing them came back to haunt me. In a way, I wasn't surprised. In my first week of SHIELD, I'd found out what happened to rouge agents. I would do anything to protect Jared and Clint. Pierce knew it too.

"I appreciate it."

It felt wrong. Every fiber of my being was screaming this was a really bad idea. Pierce was manipulating the situation for his own personal gain. I had to play along though. I dreaded the thought of what he would do if I refused. The idle threat of using Clint and Jared was a nightmare coming true. First Loki had tried it, now Pierce. As if I didn't have enough nightmares of Loki actually following through on his threat with getting Clint to shoot himself if I didn't comply.

"Now, to more important business." Pierce picked up his coffee again like nothing had happened. "I believe you know the head of PR?"

Even though I felt like I was going to be physically sick, I had to push it all aside. I was in a very dangerous game right now. One misstep and it was going to cost me everything.

"I do." I nodded in confirmation. "Amanda has been head of PR as long as Mom has been HR."

Pierce's look of surprise caught me off guard. My stomach sank as I remembered a conversation from a few weeks before. It was right around the time Mom had stayed around just after Steve woke up. Amanda had been diagnosed with breast cancer and had taken extended medical leave for her surgery and chemotherapy.

"Never mind, I remember Amanda is on medical leave," I said quickly before Pierce could speak. "Mom told me when Steve wasn't long out of the ice."

Pierce had an expression on his face that I couldn't put emotion too. It was gone as quickly as it came through.

"Constance is taking over Amanda's role," Pierce filled me in. "She was her second in charge."

Ugh, that horrid bitch. I'd only met her once or twice but she was a fucking nightmare to deal with.

"She'll be in DC this afternoon," Pierce continued calmly. "I'll set up a meeting with her."

Her being in DC in the afternoon meant I'd have to stick around work. I doubted Evans would want to taxi me back and forth. At least I could hide in the STRIKE rec room if I needed to. Right now all I wanted to go was go find some very strong liquor. Drinking wouldn't solve my problems but at least I could forget this horrible meeting. Even if only for a few hours.

"Of course." I plastered a smile on my face. "I'm sure she'll have a million and one things for me."

I dreaded to think what my life was going to be like now. The two week stint I did with Coulson after Tony announced to the world he was Iron Man was bad enough. I saw the media circus surrounding that. This was going to be a million times worse.

"Constance has been coordinating with all the major news outlets and has full authority on what she can and can't release to the public." There felt like a hint of a warning in Pierce's tone. "I'm sure I don't need to tell you she would appreciate your cooperation."

"Everyone always says I'm the well behaved twin," I said smoothly. At least it wasn't a lie. I didn't promise I wouldn't be an asshole either.

"That you are," Pierce agreed with a small laugh. "It will be a busy few days. I'm sorry to say you won't get your long weekend. One last thing."

Why did I feel like the last thing was going to be worse than anything else combined?

"Are you close to Captain Rogers?"

Pierce's question made my composure slip. I nearly laughed at the absurdity of it.

"Not in the least." I managed to keep a straight face. "I'm sorry, Sir. But despite the family connection, Steve and I have barely had a conversation."

"Shame." Pierce looked disappointed. "I was hoping you could persuade him in joining SHIELD. He was very adamant that he didn't wish to be part of it."

I didn't blame Steve. He'd been through far too much in the last few weeks. If he wanted a quiet life behind closed doors, he really deserved it.

"I'll see what I can do."

I had to swallow back the bile rising in my throat this time. For a horrible second, I really thought I was going to be sick. This was wrong. The entire meeting was wrong.

"I can see why Coulson spoke so highly of you," Pierce had a smug smile on his face. "You're an exceptional agent. I look forward to our new relationship."

"Me too."

Natasha's training came rushing forward as I pulled myself together and managed to smile.

"Thank you for your time this morning Agent Lyngley," Pierce said, as he stood up. He held his hand out. "I hope to see you again soon."

With my eerie smile, I copied his movement. I was never more glad to be dismissed. I'd take a hundred meetings with Fury in a bad mood than have to do this again.

"You're welcome."

With a firm shake of his hand, I turned and left the room.

My hands were shaking as I left the room. Evans was waiting for me, talking to another guy who I didn't know. It seemed I had no time for my mental breakdown.

"Kari." Evans turned to me with an actual smile on his face. "This is John Garrett, he's an old friend."

Garrett turned around to face me with a friendly smile. He was roughly Evans age with a weathered face. Unlike Pierce's friendly expression that gave me the chills, Garrett was a breath of fresh air.

"The famous Whiteout." Garrett held his hand out. "I'm honored Agent Lyngley."

"Whiteout?" I said with a small laugh. Clint had called me that the night before we fucked for the first time. None the less, I took Garrett's hand and shook it.

"That's what the media is saying," Evans explained with a roll of his eyes. "I have no idea where it came from."

"Whiteout," I said again with another laugh. "Well, shit. Hawk always said Knuckles didn't suit me."

Garrett was watching me with a small smile. I knew I was being judged. I had no idea who this man was. I'd had never heard his name mentioned. Right now, I couldn't give a fuck about whatever he thought of me.

"I'm going to head to the rec room and kick off my heels." I turned to Evans. Apparently, I have to wait around for this afternoon."

"I'll meet you down there," Evans said with a nod.

He turned back to Garrett and continued whatever conversation they were having. It took a lot of self control not to run to the elevator.

As soon as the doors closed, I slumped against the back wall. I felt dirty. The type that couldn't be scrubbed away by soap and water. I couldn't believe Pierce threatened Clint and Jared. The man had a ruthlessness behind that polite facade. I was in no position to argue against him. For once being the well behaved twin really fucking sucked.

Making my way to the STRIKE rec room was unnerving. Everyone stared at me as I had to use the busy paths down there. I could hear so many whispers behind my back. Plenty of side eye was being thrown my way, along with some looks of outright disgust. While there was plenty of admiration, the looks of disgust were enough to make panic set in.

I hadn't had a panic attack in a very long time. I was on the verge of one as I walked into the STRIKE rec room. Most of the time it was empty during the day. Most of the teams were out training or on a mission. As I walked in, a small cheer rose up in the room.

Jumping in surprise, I suppressed my shriek just in time. What looked to be all of Charlie team was lounging around in their PT gear.

"Fuck off," I said while laughing, My panic attack subsided quickly. No one needed to see me having a mental break down. "What the hell are you all doing in here?"

"Waiting," the STRIKE leader, Dexter spoke up first. He was sitting on the couch with a game controller in his hand. "We're meant to be doing the ocean swim but there was a sighting of some white sharks off the coast. We all said fuck no except for Davidson over there who told us they'd only bite once."

I looked over to Davidson who I knew was a former SEAL. He was rolling his eyes from his perch on the kitchen bench.

"So when we said no to doing that, SHIELD decided to put us on waiting time for a mission," Dexter continued. "Apparently we might be needed about 50 clicks north of Temir. Here, sit."

Dexter moved over, squishing Royston in the process. The Charlie team marksman grumbled in protest but also moved so I could wiggle into the small space.

As I sat, Royston gave me a spare controller. They were playing Mario Cart. I smiled and moved through the game to pick Yoshi.

"Do you want to come along?"

Dexter's question caught me off guard. Still, I was the master of keeping my emotions in check this morning. Even if his did bring me relief and not terror.

"I don't think I'm cleared for fieldwork just yet," I said tactfully. "Besides, where the fuck is Temir?"

Though it was tempting. Throwing myself back into work tended to delay my inevitable mental breakdowns. It also meant Dexter trusted me. None of the Charlie boys were treating me any differently than before. Except for the small cheer when I walked in, this could have been any other normal day.

Normal days were really needed.

"Kazakhstan. You can break Royston's fingers and then I'll have to take you as an emergency," Dexter joked, picking up his own controller.

"Do I get a say in this?" Royston asked, shooting Dexter a dirty look.

"I'll let you choose which fingers," I decided to join in the teasing.

The knot my stomach had wound itself into loosened slightly at the banter. This could have been any other day at work. Kicking off my shoes, I settled back into the chair ready to lose terribly in Mario Kart.

I was bad at computer games, but Royston was much worse than me. It was hilarious to watch us both fail miserably. The fun didn't last. An hour and a half later and Dexter got the call that they were needed. Charlie team filed out with numerous half hearted complaints. No one wanted to be going to the Middle East in the middle of summer.

All of a sudden I was by myself. It was a very strange feeling after being surrounded by people for the last few weeks. I'd barely had five minutes to myself these days. Now being left alone with nothing but my thoughts felt like it was wading into dangerous territory.

Absently, I picked up the controller again and played another few games of Mario Cart. My phone annoyingly remained silent for the first time in weeks. It was an effort to stop myself looking at it every few seconds, willing to hear from someone. There weren't even any annoying SHIELD emails come through.

I'd never been so glad to hear booted footsteps come stomping down the hall. The STRIKE rec room was far away enough from most of the general population that no one else used it. It was one of those unspoken rules within SHIELD that it was off bounds to everyone else. I was happy for the company, no matter who it was.

As Rumlow poked his head around the door, I was even more relieved. It was actually someone I liked. Not that there weren't many STRIKE guys I didn't get along with. The majority of them were nice guys. There were still a few assholes who I avoided.

"Hey," I greeted him happily.

"Hey, stranger." Rumlow's smile was easy and friendly as he walked in. "You look fancy."

"Chanel and Louboutins." I scooted across the couch so he could sit down. "I can at least look put together for meetings with the head honcho's."

"So I hear." Rumlow flopped down on the couch with a tired sigh.

Taking a closer look, he looked as tired as I was feeling.

"I had absolutely nothing to do with Pierce wanting you to come onto Alpha team this time," Rumlow said before I could finish my thought. "I just want you to know that."

I hadn't really thought about it. That had been the least of my concerns during the meeting.

"It's okay." I really needed to expand on my vocabulary. Okay wasn't going to get me much further. "Besides, Pierce gave it to me as an excuse to sweep the whole me and Barton fucking thing under the rug."

Not to mention the threat of their lives. I wasn't going to add that though.

"I still can't get over that," Rumlow said with a shake of his head. "I thought you were feeding some bullshit to Loki. Then I saw the surveillance footage from Germany."

I made a non committal noise. This was another thing I'd never prepared myself for. Speaking openly about me and Clint sleeping together. It was still surreal that we were actually doing it. Let alone everyone knowing now.

"How long has that been happening for?" Rumlow asked with a careful tone.

"A few weeks before Rogers was found." It was hard to judge where Rumlow was going with this. "Before you ask, yes alcohol was involved. A lot of it. Then we decided it was fun and kept going with it."

All of these little white lies were going to bite me in the ass someday.

"No judgment here," Rumlow said with a small laugh. "It's a hard life we have. I can barely hold a fuck buddy down. I get the temptation."

Inwardly, I felt a lot more relief than I thought I would. I knew me and Clint were going to get a lot of shit for sleeping together. Rumlow was a friend though. Having him at least be understanding was a consolation.

"If anyone gives you shit about it, you let me know. Even if they aren't STRIKE," Rumlow continued firmly. "If I'm not here, you tell one of my guys. Okay?"

"Sure." The more support the better. "But I guess they're kind of my guys now too?"

"Don't be getting ahead of yourself just yet. Unlike Delta, we're a little warier of strays," Rumlow teased, nudging my leg with his. "You might have to prove yourself before we decide to keep you around."

"Go fuck yourself."

It made me laugh though. Rumlow was making me feel a lot better about this than I anticipated. The news hadn't quite sunk in about working with Alpha team. At least I felt welcomed.

"It's about the only thing I'm fucking now," Rumlow laughed with me. "What are you waiting around here for? I thought you would have been long gone.''

"I have a meeting with the new head of PR," I explained, my good mood evaporating at the mere thought of it. "I have a feeling it's going to be as much fun as chewing my own arm off."

"Why?"

Looking at Rumlow, he looked genuinely confused. I guess Pierce didn't fill him in on everything.

"Because I told Fury and Pierce I'd be the face of this whole mess if they needed," I said with a shrug. "A security camera was pointed right at my face. It makes sense it was me. Nat and Jared do too much undercover work. Clint is a pain in the ass on his good days and he's not having many of them right now."

My exhaustion made the last part slip out. I hadn't meant to. Clint would be furious if anyone here at SHIELD saw him as weak.

Fortunately, Rumlow nodded with an understanding look on his face.

"It's fucking messed up what happened to him and Jared," Rumlow said. "When they come back to work, you let me know if you need help cracking skulls if anyone gives them trouble."

Rumlow was a good friend. At least I could trust him to help me with all of this. I was going to need all the help I could get.

"Thanks." I put all of the gratitude I could into that one word. "Want to play some Mario Cart with me?"

"Sure. Be prepared to get your ass kicked."

True to his word, Rumlow kicked my ass more times than I could count. Another hour and a half passed with relative ease until Evans found us. Evans was looking considerably more relaxed than he had been earlier.

"Come on big shot," Evans said lightly. "The cameras and press are waiting for you."

I forced a smile on my face. My slightly improved mood was gone in an instant. This was meant to be a meeting with PR. Not a fucking interview already.

"I'm joking," Evans corrected himself quickly. "Constance is here and doing a very good Miranda Priestly impression. I can confirm her shoes aren't Louboutins."

I knew Evans was trying to put me at ease. He wasn't doing a great job, but at least he did make me laugh a little.

"You good?" Rumlow asked as I got up.

"Totally got this," I said with a forced smile.

I did not have this at all.

Evans waited until I had my shoes back on before leaving the room. I followed after him, tugging down at my skirt and smoothing over my jacket.

This time my trip back to the well used corridors of the Triskelion wasn't as panic inducing. With Evans by my side, people seemed to avoid going me dirty looks. Most people went well out of their way to step around us still.

Evans took me up to the main conference room. The Triskelion had an entire floor of rooms specifically for meetings and mission briefs. A few of them were reserved for really big things. I had no idea what those were. But for some reason, my meeting needed the main one. It wasn't just Constance there either. She had a call army with her. I had no idea who any of these people were.

Constance was waiting for me. She was even taller than me, even in heels, skinnier, and reminded me far too much of Cruella De Vil. When she smiled at me, it creeped me out more than put me at ease.

"Kari, it's such a pleasure."

Her smile reminded me more of something baring its teeth at prey than anything warm and inviting. She made no move to shake my hand. Instead, she gestured towards the full table.

"Please sit."

Thankfully, Evans pulled out a chair next to me. His presence was about the only thing stopping me from running from the room.

"Let's get started," Constance said, moving to the head of the table. "We have your first interview tomorrow with Christine Everhart. I've got your list of questions she's allowed to ask."

From there, I barely listened. It was boring. I barely had any input into the meeting at all anyway except to smile and nod in the right places. Constance and her team of assistants put it all out there like it was an order of how I was meant to answer the questions. How I had to behave. My list of media appearances that I'd be doing over the next few weeks.

Next to me, Evans barely got two words in. He was looking more pissed off with every passing second. The few times he did try and speak, Constance spoke over him quickly.

"You do know she's one of the most valuable marksmen we have in STRIKE?" Evans finally raised his voice to speak over one of the assistants. "She needs to be back in the field sooner rather than later."

It was a lie on Evans' behalf. I still shot him a grateful look for his intervention.

"Of course she does," Constance said with her creepy smile. "We're looking at doing a documentary about her training. It can all be incorporated into her return to active duty and help with recruitment for STRIKE."

I loved being spoken about like I wasn't there.

"Well that's fucking brilliant," Evans snapped. "Let's plaster all of our active duty STRIKE member's faces all over TV for the sake of good publicity for SHIELD. That won't make them a target at all."

I snorted with contained laughter. It was really inappropriate but I couldn't stop it. Evans had a very good point.

"Agent Evans if you continue to speak to me like that, I'm going to have to ask you to leave." Constance's fake cheerful demeanor slipped for a very brief moment. She was a bit terrifying being that fake mask.

"I'm her handler. I have every right to be in this meeting, "Evans argued back without missing a beat. "I'd like to see you try and remove me when I tell you to get fucked."

I really thought Constance was going to lose her temper right then and there. Instead, the creepy smile went right back on her face.

"We can table that discussion for another time," she said smoothly. "Now, I believe SHIELD wants to really capitalize on the F-35 program."

I slumped down in my chair, tuning out again. This time I wasn't even listening. My mind was currently putting bullets through Constance's face. I began an elaborate plan to steal a helicopter so I could shoot her while she was in her office compiling all these lists of interviews for me to do. I'd love to take my custom sniper rifle and really put it to the test while shooting while flying.

Evans nudged me a few times so I could nod and smile in the correct places, then go right back to my planning. It wasn't until Evans kicked me under the table that I came back to reality.

"Sorry?" I said innocently.

"I was asking about your relationship with Agent Barton," Constance said, looking irritated by my lack of attention.

My mind nearly went for the crudest answer I could possibly manage. Instead, I remembered that I was meant to be cooperative.

"Warm body on a cold night type relationship," I said easily. "Why?"

"Good," Constance looked pleased. "I believe for the time being it would be best to keep any of that kind of information out of the public eye. You're roommates, correct?"

I nodded. Why did all of my conversations with my superiors seem to be going really badly today?

"Can Agent Barton move out?"

The question took me by complete surprise. I didn't even have a snappy answer back to it.

"Absolutely not," Evans said instantly. "The support Delta provides each other is beyond friendship or companionship. In the aftermath of New York, both Agent Barton and Jared need all the support they can get."

Constance pursed her lips. Where the fuck was she going with this?

"Besides Kari, no one is coming back to work for a few weeks," Evans said firmly. "Any discussion of living arrangements can be held then. Why they have anything to do with you is beyond me. They're fully grown adults."

"Public image is everything, Agent Evans." Constance looked annoyed. "People are nosy. It will only take one obsessive person to figure out where any of them live and we have a security and media circus on our hands."

Despite looking annoyed, I could see a flash of realization go across Evans' face. I hadn't even thought of that.

"I can see everyone is getting tired, we have been going for two and a half hours." Constance immediately changed back to her polite fake persona. "How about we call it a day? We'll meet back here at 7am and go from there for your first interview."

"Sure."

I know I said it too quickly. I just wanted to be done. I was tired and getting irritable. I wasn't sure how much longer I could keep up at least being semi polite.

"Great, we'll see you then."

I knew when I was dismissed. With my own plastered smile, I thanked her for her time and left the room. Evans was right behind me.

"What's the plan?" Evans asked as he ripped his tie off, shoving it in his pocket.

"Back to my place. Hawk was going to come over tonight if Jared played nicely," I said tiredly. It took all of my energy not to drag my feet as I walked along the corridor.

"I'll drive you home then."

There wasn't much else to be said as we went down to the car park. I ditched my suit jacket and heels as soon as we were in the car. Halfway down the road leading to the Triskelion, I felt my phone vibrate. Glancing down it was Clint.

"Hey," I answered it straight away.

"Where are you?" Clint asked cautiously. I could hear hysterical crying in the background. It sounded like Lila.

"In the car with Evans." I glanced over to him and mouthed Clint's name. Evans nodded and turned his attention back to the road. "What's up?"

"Lila came off her pony, Bubbles," Clint's entire demeanor changed from cautious to worried. "I think she's broken her arm. We're taking her to the hospital right now."

"Oh, shit." I cringed. Poor Lila. "Good luck. Let me know when you have news."

Clint hung up straight away. I didn't take offense to it. Right now he'd be the worried sick parent and focused on nothing else. It also meant our plans for tonight were well and truly canceled.

"Lila fell off her pony," I relayed the story back to Evans, slumping in my seat even more. "So my plan changed from stir fry and sex to takeout."

"I can't help you with the sex part," Evans said with a brief chuckle. "But why don't you stay the night at our place? The kids will be thrilled. It's taco night and Abby will be happy to have someone to drink margaritas with."

Part of me wanted to turn down the invitation. I was exhausted and felt at the end of my tether. But being alone was the last thing I needed right now. Even if I did turn down the invitation, I had a feeling I'd end up there for tonight anyway.

"That sounds amazing. Thank you." I gave Evans a tired, but grateful smile. "Can we stop by my place so I can grab some clothes?"

"Sure."

This time the car ride was quiet as Evans drove to my apartment. The afternoon radio show was playing, talking about the food festival that was in DC last weekend between music. It was so mundane, it was almost funny to be listening to it. It also made me hungry. Besides the waffles this morning I hadn't had a chance to eat all day. Tacos were sounding even better than before.

Evans pulled up in a rare vacant parking spot out the front of my apartment. I took the hint that I couldn't dawdle and got straight out of the car. Evans was on the phone before I closed the door.

Tiptoeing across the pavement in bare feet was a dumb idea. I ended up sprinting so I didn't burn my feet. The elevator was occupied so I took the stairs to avoid people. The little bit I had listened to with Constance made me realize that my face was about to be well known. There was going to be a lot of attention coming with that fact. It made me very self conscious right now.

As I got to my apartment, I twisted the door open. As the door swung open, I remembered something from this morning. I'd locked the door behind me. My keys were in my jacket pocket.

Or did I?

I couldn't fucking remember. I was so tired, I could have done anything this morning and I'd barely remember it. My brain felt like mud right now.

Ignoring the nagging feeling that I had locked the door, I stepped inside.

Nothing was out of place. At least it felt a little less stifling since the windows had been open all day. Out of habit, I turned to the table in the small hallway that we threw our keys on. There was a small scrap of paper sitting there.

Another thing I didn't remember from this morning. Curiously, I picked it up.

0500, Tomorrow morning. Bench to the left hand side of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Destroy this note as soon as you get it. Do not tell anyone.

The handwriting was terrible. The thick, barely legible scrawl was worse than mine. Yet, familiar. I knew this handwriting. Where the fuck did I know it from?

Doing as I was told, I went straight to the kitchen and found a cigarette lighter in the drawer. Praying I didn't set off the smoke detector, I lit the note up over the sink.

As the flames licked up over the paper, turning it to ash it suddenly dawned on me. I knew that handwriting. I'd only seen it a few times but it was unmistakable.

It was Fury's.

As if my life couldn't get any more complicated than it already was. Why did Fury want to meet me at an ungodly hour in a very strange location?

Or was it a trap? Constance's reminder of people being nosy and if someone found out where I was ran through my mind. But that was Fury's handwriting. I was a hundred percent sure of it.

I stared at the ashes now in the sink. Turning on the tap, I watched them go down the drain, my own thoughts swirling as much as the water. I didn't have time to stand here and contemplate the note. Evans was waiting and if I couldn't tell anyone, I had to hide it from him.

Running to my room, I quickly threw some clothes in a bag. I shed out of my nice suit, l quickly changed into some leggings and a battered t-shirt. Adding the suit to my bag, I went to my underwear drawer and stopped short.

I knew Clint kept a P30 in his underwear drawer. I only hesitated for a second before running into his room to grab it. Quickly checking the magazine, it was fully loaded and ready to go. Even though I was sure the handwriting was Fury's, I knew I couldn't be too careful.

Shoving the P30 at the bottom of my bag, I quickly threw a few more clothes in. My heart was racing and I felt like I was covered in sweat as I finally stopped my frantic packing.

No one could know.

Why could no one know?

Why did my life have to be so complicated? I had to shove this aside and get through tonight. I'd have my answers in the morning.

Picking up my bag, I grabbed a pair of flip flops on the way out. This time I made sure my door was locked on my way out. Taking a deep breath, I pulled myself together and went back down to the car.

Evans was leaning back in the driver's seat with his eyes closed. As I opened the door, he opened them right away and turned to me with a smile.

"Ready for taco night?"

"Ready for the margaritas more than the tacos," I said lightly, throwing my bag in the back.

Evans laughed as I got into the car. Despite my frantically beating heart, he barely gave me a second glance as I buckled up.

Maybe if I had enough margaritas, I'd sleep so I wouldn't be awake all night overthinking my mysterious note. Who was I kidding? I wasn't going to get a wink of sleep tonight either.

Authors Note

Today's chapter is brought to you by a 41C summer's day and me not wanting to leave the air conditioning. I hate summer. My husband recently got a job in a southern state and I can't wait to move down there where it's cooler. It's summer days are nearly like winter days here. I'm not going to miss living in a tropical climate. I'll be following him in about 6 months.

This chapter honestly creeped me out a little. I got stuck on it and was writing in another chapter that happens in the Winter Soldier and it's a very, very different picture between Kari and Rumlow. But the set up of things in this chapter just makes it more exciting as well.

Thank you for your reviews, everyone. They mean the world to me. Uni is finished for the year. I'm only back working a few days a week. I feel like I can breathe again. Knowing exactly where I want to go with the next few chapters helps a lot with writing too.

I'm not making too many promises about updates, but I hope to get another one out before Christmas at least. It helps that I have some things already written, or at least in very rough drafts for the next two chapters at least.

Until next time.