If there was one thing Eva hated, it was that damned cliché. You know, the one where the woman suddenly meets the man of her dreams and the key to all her current problems. That cliché was the primary reason why she slammed shut the book she was reading and set it down on the seat next to her in the taxi. Thankfully, the taxi driver didn't react.
"Another good female character ruined by the incessant need for a male love interest," she mumbled, looking the novel with a certain distaste, the kind of distaste one might look at a book if their mother had fed them romance novels since they were twelve years old.
Needless to say, she was not one for a cliché romance, no matter how much her mother begged her to 'give it a try.' She should have known the plot of the book the second her mother handed her the red, hardback novel with a gold, royal font entitled The Queen of Spades.
To be fair, her mother was an amazing writer. After all, with three best-sellers in the past five years, this novel would likely join the ranks of her previous books, The Devil's Grin, The Hill of Night, and, Eva's least favorite, Between Fire and Satin. All novels were incredibly well-written, with detailed, intricate plots that resembled that of spiderwebs. Each character was developed well, each having lives and wants outside of the constraints of the novel's plot. However, in Eva's opinion, the female protagonist's development and sense of self was often sacrificed to add in an unnecessary, "heartthrob," male character, but she did understand it was to increase book sales, especially in the younger female market.
This is not to say that Eva didn't read the occasional romance novel, but she was extremely picky about it. She wanted character-development in conjunction with a love interest. She believed that a good novel could have both, without sacrificing the other. But if one did have to be sacrificed, she would prefer the love interest.
Almost if by providence, Eva's phone interrupted her thoughts of distaste for clichés. It was none other than Emma Ackerman. Her mother's youthful appearance light up the screen, her piercing blue eyes shining through the LED screen, a stark contrast to her dark hair.
"Hey mom," Eva said, grabbing her bag and her luggage (and the novel) as she paid her taxi fare. "What's up?"
"I was wondering if you started my book?" Emma asked, her voice bright and bubbly. Despite having a 24-year-old daughter, Eva's mother didn't let on her to her age.
"Yeah," Eva said, studying the cover in distaste as she stepped out the taxi. "Really nice cover."
"You think so?" she asked excitedly. "Jonathan will be so glad to hear it!" Jonathan was her mom's publicist, and Eva had never liked the man; he was insanely serious and condescending.
"I'm sure it'll sell out very quickly," Eva said, walking down the street as she balanced her phone with attempting to shove the book into her purse.
"So, you think it's good? How far are you into it?"
"Uh, just a few chapters in," Eva said, lying through her teeth. She never wanted to hurt her mother's feelings. So, she would stall until she could find some quality of the romance that she appreciated.
"I'm so glad that you like it so far!" her mother gushed, excitement oozing from her.
"When is it going on sale?"
"Next month… The third, I think," her mother said, before switching topics, as she often did. She could never stay on one topic for very long. "How is work?"
"It's good," Eva said. "You know how it is."
"You know," her mother said, "if you ever wanted, I could get you-"
"God, not this again," Eva said, grabbing out her keys to her apartment as she approached the building. "Believe it or not, I do not need-"
"I am just saying," her mother said, "I care about you, and your job right now… it's worrisome… and you used to love writing…"
"Mom, nursing is what I love now," Eva said, entering the building. "I love New York, I love my job, no matter how much you might not."
"Evangeline," her mother said, using her daughter's full name, which resulted in an eyeroll from Eva, "I just worry-"
"It's Eva, and you shouldn't… I have amazing coworkers and the work I am doing… it's helping so many people," Eva said, making her way up the stairs, before adding, "And I'm not even doing the dangerous work… All I do is consult on science matters related to medicine and health for them."
"I know… Just please be safe?"
"Always," Eva said. "I got to go… I'll talk to you later?"
"Yes," her mother said. "Call me when you finish the book! I want to know all your thoughts about it!"
"I will," Eva said, unlocking her door. "Love you mom."
"Bye, I love you too," her mom said, before the phone beeped, indicating the call had ended.
Eva entered her apartment and was immediately met by her beloved dog.
"Penny!" Eva said, a smile spreading across her face as she was met with the familiar face. "Did you miss me? Did you?" Eva dropped to her knees to meet the German Shepherd, who nuzzled her affectionately. Eva had gotten her a few months after she graduated, deciding that she needed something to come home to.
After thoroughly petting Penny, or Penelope when she misbehaved, Eva locked the door behind her before making her way to the small kitchen. When she opened the dishwasher, she couldn't get to and from the kitchen, but such was a common occurrence in New York. Opening the fridge, she resolved to go grocery shopping the next morning, as her fridge was bare, with the exception of some spoilt yogurt on the third shelve and a jug of apple juice.
"I think I'll be ordering in tonight," Eva said, glancing at the duffel bag that she had to unpack. God, she hated it when she had to consult on projects that were happening on the other side of the earth… For once, could she just be sent down to Florida?
Just as she reached for her duffel, her phone rang. Immediately, from the one tone that droned on, she groaned knowing what it was.
"Coulson," she said, answering the phone quickly, "I literally just stepped into my apartment… so the world better be about to explode."
"You know I wouldn't call you so soon after a consult, if it wasn't important," he said.
"Yeah, right…" she said, remembering every time that she had barely stepped off the plane that she had been called for a new assignment. "What is it?"
"We need you to come in."
"Where? Zimbabwe? Iraq? Russia? Please tell me it's not Brazil again."
"We need you at the Helicarrier."
"You know what a nightmare Brazil was for– wait, what?" Eva said, sitting straight from her position on the floor. "I thought that-"
"Your security clearance just got raised. We'll have Agent Hill at your apartment in 30 minutes."
"Coulson," Eva said, "what is going on? Why am I being brought on? For Christ's sake, I'm a consultant."
"I'll brief you when you get here. Just pack."
"Yeah, yeah," Eva said. "I'll be ready."
"Good," Coulson said, hanging up. Eva removed the phone from her ear, staring at the now dark screen.
"The Helicarrier?" she murmured, sitting still for a second, letting it process. A few seconds had passed before she leapt into action. "Parker is going to kill me… I'm sorry Penny, Parker's going keep an eye on you, okay baby?"
Eva slowly made her way to her neighbor's door and tentatively knocked. The door was promptly answered by Parker Goodman, an older woman, wearing her trademark round, purple glasses.
"Again?" she asked, giving Eva a knowing look.
"Yeah," Eva said. "I'm so sorry, and if it's too much, I could get her at a kennel by-" she started but the woman waved her complaints away.
"It's fine… I remember my SHIELD days… the least I can do… where to this time?" she asked.
"The Helicarrier," Eva said. "Not sure why…"
"Must be important," she said.
"I guess… you know the drill?"
"Emergency cash under the sink, dog food in the coat closet, wine on top of the fridge, and gun under the TV stand," Parker listed, "I know… Now go get ready… I'm sure you have to leave soon."
"Thanks again Parker," Eva said, "You're a doll!" Parker gave her a smile as she shut the door. Eva rushed back to her apartment, throwing her dirty clothes in her duffel bag into the laundry hamper, which was long overdue… add that to the list of things she had to do when she got back.
She rushed into her room and grabbed a few things she needed: clothes, toiletries, a snack for the road, and her wallet/badge. She had just finished stuffing her stuff into her bag when a knock tore her attention to the door. Opening it, Eva was greeted with Agent Maria Hill staring at her.
"I'm just finishing packing," Eva said. "Any idea why I'm being brought in?"
"Coulson wants to brief you himself," Hill said.
"Ah," Eva said, zipping her bag tightly, "Nice redirection technique…"
"I try," Hill said, letting a smile break across her features. "You good?"
"Considering I have no idea what I am doing," Eva said, "I'm fantastic… Ask me after Coulson briefs me and I am sure that the response will be different."
"Come on," she said. "Our ride's out front."
"One sec," Eva said, kneeling on the ground to Penny. "Be a good girl for Parker, okay? I'll be home soon, alright baby?" Giving her a ruffle on her head, Eva grabbed her bag and followed Hill out of the apartment, locking it tightly.
"Parker watches her?" Hill asked.
"Yeah," Eva said. "She offered after the stint in Iraq…"
"That one was a long one."
"Two months… I nearly cried when I got the kennel bill, and she offered the next day," Eva said, remembering the day the gray-haired woman knocked on her door.
"Nice lady… even better agent," she murmured as the pair made their way to the black car, complete with tinted windows.
"Yeah," Eva said. "She's the reason I'm in SHIELD because she told them I had 'spunk' and apparently that impressed them?"
"She spoke highly of you," Hill said as they got into the car. "If I were you, I'd rest up… This is going to be a long and rough assignment."
"What shit show is Coulson getting me involved with now?" Eva asked jokingly, but Hill didn't respond, just gave her a blank look. "Guess I'll just close my eyes for a bit…"
Shutting her eyes, Eva realized how tired she was… She let herself enter a dreamless sleep. It ended all too soon, as the car lurched to a stop.
"Now the fun part," Hill said. "Flying." Eva glanced out of the window quizzically, seeing a small plane.
"You're not flying, right?"
"Shut it, Eva," Hill said. "That was one time."
"And one time is enough," Eva said, remembering the time that Hill had to fly her to Rome for an assignment because all the other pilots were on other, more pressing assignments.
"Yes," Hill said, getting out of the car, "I am not flying, but I'll have you know that that incident was a one-time thing… Now get your ass out of the car."
Eva grabbed her duffel and followed Hill to the plane where, sure enough, someone else was in the pilot's seat.
"Should be a quick flight," Hill said, "but there isn't great reception on the Helicarrier…"
"Thanks," Eva said, grabbing her phone to text her mother. "You know how she gets."
Hill merely nodded as Eva typed out a short message for her mother.
Just got called in for consult- will call when I can. Promise I'll be safe. Love you. And yes, I brought the book with me. ;)
Clicking send, Eva leaned back into her seat as the pilot began the flight. She looked up to ask Hill a question, to see the woman had closed her eyes. Deciding it was best to use her time wisely, Eva grabbed the novel from her bag and opened up to the page that had been slammed only an hour or so earlier.
She had gotten through a few chapters when the small plane began to descend, waking up Hill. She still hadn't found the quality in the romance novel that might make it more palatable.
"We're almost there," Hill said, not even batting an eye to having just waken up.
"Agents are weird," Eva mumbled, shaking her head as the plane's descent increased. "Jesus, I hate landings."
"You're literally on a plane at least four times a month," Hill said, raising an eyebrow.
"Doesn't make it any worse," Eva said, trying to ignore the slightly elevated heartbeat that she could now feel threatening to beat out of her chest.
And then the plane hit the ground, getting a small yelp from Eva. Hill shook her head, trying to hide her laughter.
"Shove it," Eva mumbled, as the plane slowed. A few minutes later, the door opened and Eva was greeted by none other than Phil Coulson.
"Thanks Agent Hill," he said, nodding to the female agent behind Eva. "I can take Eva from here."
"Hey Coulson," Eva said, lugging out her duffel as she approached the agent. "You going to tell me why I'm here at… 8 in the morning? Guess those rides and flights were longer than I thought."
"That's a conversation we will have after we get your bag put away," he said. "Follow me." He turned abruptly, resulting in Eva chasing after him.
"Why can't you tell me now?" she asked.
"Because Director Fury is involved in this conversation," Coulson said.
"Did I do something?" Eva asked, swallowing and trying to hide her discomfort. She had only met Director Fury once, when she was first brought on as a consultant for SHIELD Needless to say, he scared the everlasting crap out of her.
"No," he said, showing Eva down a hallway. "That's where you will be staying. If you would just throw your stuff in there, we can get going."
Eva, quite literally, threw her stuff into the room, not even glancing to see what it looked like.
"Let's go," Eva said. "I swear to God, if I'm getting fired and this was all-"
"You're not being fired," Coulson said. "Why would we raise your clearance to fire you?"
"I don't know," Eva admitted as they made their way down multiple hallways and up a few different stairs, before they were standing outside a door, which Eva knew led to Director Fury's office.
"Ready?" Coulson asked.
"As ready as I'll ever be," Eva said. Coulson gave her a small smile as he opened the door. Eva stepped in and made eye contact with Fury.
"Ms. Ackerman," the man said, standing tall at his desk and motioning to a seat in front of her, "please, sit down."