"Give us a week for preparations, and we'll have the information," Hannah reassured Fury. It was barely 4 days after the 701st had been created, and already it looked like they had their first mission. The only problem was that Hannah and Steve were the only ones on the team so far.

But Hannah wasn't going to let that stop her.

As the two walked out into the hallway, Hannah turned to look at Steve. "We're going to need a bigger team."

"No kidding."

"I have an idea of someone who can be the first recruit, and I'll get one of the SHIELD agents to pull recon for this mission."

"Who are you thinking of?"

"You remember that Irishman who was with me when we met?" Hannah paused, and Steve nodded.

"Jack McCarthy."

"Yep. He would be perfect, I think."

"Do you know where to find him?"

"Yeah, I'll meet him later today."

"I'll come too."

"I really don't mind-"

"We're a team now, we may as well both go," Steve insisted. He was a little puzzled- Hannah looked decidedly unhappy about his determination. He shrugged inwardly. If she trusted McCarthy, that was enough for him at the moment.

"We're here."

Steve looked up at the run down apartment Hannah had stopped in front of. "Are you sure?"

"Do you think I would have come to this part of town if I wasn't?"

Steve had to admit there was truth in that. He wasn't sure that HE would have come to this part of town if he didn't have to, and he grew up in inner-city Brooklyn.

"We're not getting anything done standing out here," Hannah said as she walked into the building. Steve followed quickly. He knew that she was perfectly capable of defending herself if need be, but that didn't mean that she should have to.

Hannah noticed his rushed movement and glanced back. "I can take care of myself, you know," she said as if reading his thoughts.

"I know you can. But I don't want you to get arrested for knocking out some guy who flirted with you."

Hannah raised her eyebrows. "I'm pretty sure that the only guy who is going to flirt with me is a friend."

Steve frowned. He wasn't really sure why. Hannah walked up the stairs, turning right down a thin, dirty hallway. There were only 3 doors in it; one on each side and the one that opened (or used to- it was leaning against a wall with the hinges broken off) to the stairs. Hannah knocked on the left door, then rolled her eyes when there was no answer.

"Open up, dumkopf!" she said. When no one answered, she continued, "I know you're home... Oh, never mind." She pulled a bobby pin out of her hair and pushed it into the lock. It only took her a few seconds to have it open.

"You have a key, you know," came a voice from the other side of the door. Steve jumped; the place was just a little bit creepy.

"I know. This way's more fun though."

"If we're being honest, I do the same thing sometimes. Oh. You, uh, brought a... friend..." the voice said as Steve stepped through the door.

"Sorry Pan, I tried to call ahead but you weren't picking up."

"It's fine. I wish I could offer you a drink or something, but all I have is water."

"Oh- we just had lunch. Thanks anyways," Steve said. Jack (who was now visible) smiled sadly.

"Dammit Steve!" Hannah said angrily. Turning to Jack, she added, "Ich brachte ein Sandwich für später."

"Danke."

As the two continued to talk in German (which Steve only knew three words of) he took the opportunity to look around the room. It was tiny, and as dilapidated as the rest of the building. It was, however, staunchly clean. This man may not be in a good situation, but he obviously retained some pride. As far as furniture, there was a small camp bed, an old folding chair, and two photographs taped onto the wall. That was it. One photo was of Hannah, the other was a pretty redhead. Her arms were around someone, but the picture had been torn so that they weren't in it anymore. Steve briefly wondered who they were, and who she was, before Hannah's voice cut into his thoughts.

"What did you need again?"

"Oh! Well, I'm the, uh, lead- a member of a special forces team..."

"You're the leader. Anyways?" Hannah prompted him.

"I, uh, would... love it if you would, um, join the team."

"Bloody hell he's a bad liar!" McCarthy said to Hannah.

"Pan..."

"Ironic, isn't it? The panther is one of the quietest animals on Earth, and Pan was the noisy goat man."

"I think it's fitting."

"That doesn't mean it's any less ironic!"

"True. Please, Panther, I'd really like you to join the team."

"I know you would. But who's the leader here?"

"She is," Steve said, right as Hannah answered, "I am."

"George Channing when convenient, huh?"

"Pretty much."

"I figured that might be the case."

"So you'll join?"

"I didn't say that."

"Pretty please with a cherry on top?" Hannah grinned. Jack sighed.

"You know I don't want pity."

"That's good, because you know I haven't got any."

"Believe me, I'm aware!" McCarthy laughed.

"What I do have is a spare room."

"I couldn't ask you to do that."

"I know. That's why I offered."

"Hannah..."

"You get one chance, and one chance only, to accept."

"I can't."

"Fine," she said simply. Panther looked at her in surprise. He had obviously been expecting more resistance. Steve was surprised too.

"Well, uh... should we... head out?"

"Sounds good. Colonel McCarthy, I expect you to report to your new assignment at 5:00 sharp tomorrow. You have the option to come with us now or to find your own transportation. Lateness will not be acceptable."