Disclaimer: I do not own Marvel, Captain America: Winter Soldier, Daredevil, Fantastic 4, etc. Just Jamie, etc.

Chapter 2
First Noel

The Christmas season was always bittersweet for the brunette superhero. Jamie always missed her brother, and father, and now Aaron around this time of year, but she also loved everything Christmas. She had originally planned to spend it with Colin. His brother lived in Maine and Colin always managed to sweet talk his superiors into getting him out of the yearly rotation of who was on shift to go up and visit the whole family.

Now, however, Jamie was in DC with no boyfriend, and a best friend that she was getting far more cozy with, at least emotionally for her, than she had ever thought she would. Her and Steve were spending even more time together now that they were both in DC. Not only could they go into the Triskelion together every morning, but they could workout before, hand out and have dinner after work, and watch movies together whenever they weren't out of town or the country for a mission. This sped Steve's catching up far quicker than most people would have imaged.

The time they spent together also allowed them to grow closer. Jamie knew go much about the cold hero, far more than her brother or Phil would have learned from just reading the comics or doing research. This time with him progressed her feeling quite a bit as well, much to her dismay. Steve was a fantastic guy, and he was a great guy to fall for, but for her it was the worst thing possible. Her and Steve were best friends. She didn't want to ruin that relationship. They worked together. They was a policy at SHIELD not to date your co-workers, and she liked to take their policies and follow them.

Jamie sighed, a bow in her hands as she placed them on her coffee table. She eased onto the couch, her eyes glancing around the apartment. She was still getting used to the small apartment, though it was bigger than her New York one. It was still an adjustment. After all, everything was in a different place now. She couldn't walk through the place in the dark yet without running into something. She already broke a vase that way.

Phil's blood stained autographed cards were placed on a shelf next to her television in protective covers. It was rather morbid having them there, but for her it was a reminder of what she had to lose, what to stand for. Phil's loss of life on her watch was something that would never leave her, and she wouldn't allow it to happen again. Not if she had anything she could do to try and stop it.

What would he think about all this? she asked herself. I'm working for SHIELD, and he always used to press me into telling them stuff. What would he think about it now? Better yet, what would he think about my feelings for Steve? He'd probably kick my ass and say I wasn't good enough. She just sighed and ran a hand through her hair, messing it up a bit, though not substantially.

"Jamie? What do you want me to do with these?"

"Hm?" Jamie turned around, her eyes landing on Steve, how was tangled in a mound of Christmas lights spilling over in his arms.

"Why don't you bring those in here, and I'll sit on the floor?" Jamie said. "I can put out all the larger decorations on the floor with me...and then figure out just where the hell to put them all."

"Do you really need all these decorations?" he asked her, sitting down on the other side of the couch as she got up. Jamie moved to the side of the table, sitting down so she could still look at Steve as they talked, the television as they waited for Christmas movies to begin airing for the day, and the Christmas tree.

"Yes I do," she answered with a chuckle. "Christmas is my favorite, other than Halloween, of course. Both holidays permit you to eat candy."

"Valentine's day does too, right?" he asked.

"Yeah, but the last time I had a boyfriend on Valentine's day I was in the army and I never saw him, so that doesn't really leave a great taste in my mouth," she told him. "Plus, all the light and the candles always make things seem so happy and homey."

"I guess," he said. "Isn't that movie going to come on soon?"

"Yeah, we've got about fifteen more minutes," she said. "It's supposed to come on after this."

"What is this?" Steve asked.

Jamie had to glance up to actually see what was playing on hadn't really been paying attention to it whatsoever. She just had it on while they waited for A Wonderful Life to come on. Cat was with someone demonstrating how to make hot glue-gun snowflakes.

"Oh, it's Cat Carter," Jamie said. "She normally does those segments on the news that are the feel-good pieces. You know, health tips, home decor, gossip, but I think they just put her there because she's hot. She doesn't really seem like she's all that interested in that stuff. They get her to fill in sometimes in the debate section of the show, and she's actually really intelligent. She knows what she's talking about and she backs up her stuff with proofs and logical evidence."

"You watch her a lot?" Steve asked. "Seems like you know a good deal about her."

"Oh, not really," Jamie said. "I don't watch the news that much, but I like to watch her. Normally I just have it on as background noise."

"Can you turn up the volume?" Steve asked. She knew he didn't really care what they were doing, he just wanted something to listen to as he worked.
"Sure thing, hon," Jamie said, unmuting it.
Jamie didn't pay attention though. Instead, her attention was pulled to her phone, which buzzed on the coffee table indicating she had gotten a text message. She couldn't help but snort out a laugh when she read what he had sent her though.

Johnny: Can I have your picture so I can show Santa what I want for Christmas?

Jamie: No, you can't! I'm not your's for Christmas!

Johnny: Oh, right. I forgot. You're Captain Winghead's Christmas present, wrapped all up in a pretty red, white and blue bow, right? Am I right?

Johnny: You've gotta admit that was clever!

Yes, it was clever. It was even a bit funny, but she wasn't going to give into Johnny and let him have that satisfaction. It was too much fun not too. Plus, his head didn't need to be any bigger than it already was.

Jamie: No...

Johnny: It so was and you know it!

Johnny: Just for that, I went ahead and and told Santa I wanted you for Christmas. So if a fat man puts you in a bag at night, don't worry. You'll just be stuck with me!

Jamie laughed and put her phone down, going back to the christmas candle holders she had been taking out of the box in front of her. Johnny and her hadn't lost touch when she moved. They didn't see each other very much, but he did randomly send her texts of stupid things, just like that. She often would spot a gif that reminded her of him and would send it his way, which always cracked him up.

"In other news, Tony Stark's public declaration to take on the terrorist known as the Mandarin has become the hottest retweet of the week," Cat said.

The Mandarin was a publicly known and advertised head of a terrorist organizations called the Ten Rings.

"Our sources tell us that Tony Stark's head of security, Happy Hogan, was severely injured in an attack, the Mandarin taking full responsibility for the attack. When addressed this afternoon, Tony Stark had this to say:"

The scene changed to a poorly shot video on a cell phone of Tony.

"Hey, Mr. Stark! When is somebody going to kill this guy?" A random guy yelled out, shoving his phone in their friends face. "Just saying."

Tony turned around, his expression clearly pissed. "Is that what you want? Here's a little holiday greeting I've been wanting to send to the Mandarin, I just didn't know how to phrase it until now. My name is Tony Stark and I'm not afraid of you. I know you're a coward, so I've decided that you just died, Pal. I'm gonna come get the body. There's no politics here. There's just good ol' fashioned revenge. There's no Pentagon. Just you and me. nd the off chance you're a man , here's my home address: 10880 Malibu Point, 90265. I'll leave the door unlocked." Tony took the guy's phone adding, "That's what you wanted, right?" and threw it, smashing the device. "Bill me."

"Oh Tony," Jamie sighed. "What have you gotten yourself into…"

"Think before you speak, Tony," Steve sighed, never taking his eyes off the TV.

Jamie had to agree with Steve, but she also could see where Tony was coming from. One of his closest friends, one of her only friends, could die because of this Mantarin terrorist. He was pissed and scared and wanted to get justice. She wanted the same against Dr. Hull. She wasn't saying she was against going after him, but publically stating what he didn't wasn't a smart move. It didn't just put him in danger, it put Pepper and everybody else that was associated with him and his home in Malibu.

"I'm gonna call Pepper," Jamie muttered. "She'll know what's going on. Talk some sense into Tony."

"Good idea," Steve encouraged.

Jamie listened to the phone as the dial tone played out in her ear. She waited patiently, eyes starting at the screen, The phone went to Pepper's voice mail, and Jamie knew that the box was very packed. There was no use in leaving a message.

"No answer," Jamie muttered. "Maybe she's already dealing with it."

"Hopefully, Tony had no idea what he's getting himself int-"

"Though there is no follow up on if the Mandarin ha- we are just getting breaking news in regards to this matter. Tony Stark's mansion in Malibu has been attacked. This video has just come in!"

They went away from Cat to the mansion, showing a missile make contact with the home. Three other helicopters were approaching other than the medias. One of helicopters launched another missile. Then another. The building was sliding off the foundation, barely holding onto the cliff. Their goal was do just that as the made contact with another missile into the loose rock.

"One my God!" Jamie exclaimed, hand going to her mouth. She got up and moved to the couch next to Steve, her free hand quickly finding his.

Out of nowhere a piano flew out of the crumbling structure and took down one of the helicopters. There was another blast that looked like it came from an Iron Man suit from inside the home, knocking down the second helicopter, leaving one left. This one didn't go down. The house did instead.

"Tony…."Jamie muttered. "Oh God, please tell me Tony wasn't in there…"

"Son of a…" Steve muttered, leaning forward, hand squeezing Jamie's tighter.

"I-I've gotta try Pepper again," Jamie muttered frantically. Jamie got up, stepping over the lights and started pacing the room. The same thing happened; the phone went to voicemail, this time Jamie left a message though, desperate to get a word from the woman. "No answer," Jamie told him.

Steve got up, dumping the strands of lights on the coffee table and swiftfully made his way to the entrance, going out of Jamie's sight. He came back with his shoes and coat on, Jamie's right in hand. "Come on," he told her. "We're going."

Jamie didn't protest, but she did have questions. Doing whatever he had in mind was better than just sitting there leaving voicemails on Pepper's phone. "Okay, but where are we going?"

"Triskelion," he answered. "We're going to get a quinjet, and we're going to Malibu."

Jamie smirked, and took her shoes from him. "I like the way you think, Captain," she told him.

"What do you mean we can't go!" Jamie nearly screamed at her handler.

"I've been instructed to make sure you don't get involved in this situation," Jared told her. "Your services are needed elsewhere."

"Elsewhere? Elsewhere? You've got to be so full of fucking bullshit tha-" Jamie started to insult, but was cut off by someone placing a hand on her shoulder.

"I know how much fun it is insulting the handlers, Jamie, but it's not going to get you anywhere."

Jamie turned, her eyes meeting with Clint's. She didn't shift away from his cautious hand, trusting the man with her life. After all, he had fought alongside them in New York after Natasha snapped him out of Loki's control. She didn't' really know all that much about him though. In fact, she hadn't really talked to him much at all.

"They won't let me go help out at Tony's place," she informed him. "You've had to have heard what's going on! Someone's gotta go help!"

"Yes, and we already have people on the scene," he said. "You're not going to be able to do anymore than they can."

"But-"

"Jamie," Clint warned, sounding a bit like her father had in that moment.

"I just…" Jamie sighed. "I consider Tony a friend, weirdly enough and I...I don't like to leave my friends hanging."

"None of us do, but from what Jared says you're needed on a job," he said. "And when you're needed, you're needed. Doing something is better than nothing."

Jamie sighed. "That's normally my line," she muttered.

"Great mind think alike!"

Jamie was exhausted. The job they had sent her one had been rather simple in planning and in theory, but she was starting to realize that their plans often turned shitting and she was forced to make a new plan that was still relatively shitting. And, of course, that meant acquiring a new shiner, and various cuts and bruises scattered across her body.

She had succeeded though, so she guessed that was a plus. That didn't mean she wasn't still freaking out and searching for any bit of information she could on what was going on in Malibu. They hadn't found his body yet, that much she knew. It gave her a bit of hope that he was alive though. She'd feel that way, but then she'd remember it had already been a couple days. She had missed Christmas and decorating and Tony still hadn't been found.

"Ma'am, you've got someone on the line," the pilot informed her.
"Oh, thanks," she answered, taking ont of the headsets from the rack. She slipped it on, flipping the switch to turn the device on.

"This is Solace," she answered.

"There's my personal set of spark plugs!"

Jamie sighed out a laugh, completely relieved to hear the man's voice. "Shit, Tony, you sure know how to worry someone!" she told him.

"Call it a talent," he muttered.

"Are you okay? What happened?" she asked.

"Uh, long story short, mad scientist tried to evolve humans and create a weapon, yada yada," he said. "Pepper went through the experiment, but she's going to have surgery to change her back, and I'm going to get the shrapnel out of my chest. How about you? Anything new?"

"No, nothing in the least,"

"Well, that's not surprising, you're a pretty dull person. I mean, Mr. records is your best friend and all."

"Tony?"

"Yeah, Sparky?"

"I'm not buying you flowers…"

Tony just laughed, and she could tell he appreciated the joke. "Good, because I wouldn't know what to do with them," he told her. "Thanks, Jamie."

"Hey, what are friends for?"

Jamie was rather sluggish all morning. She was just glad she didn't have anywhere to go, and Fury told him she had the whole day off. She had absolutely no plans for the day, and that was exactly what she needed. The only thing she expected was a phone call from Steve when he got back from his mission sometime that afternoon or evening.

The world around her was starting to get back into the normal swing of things though. After all, kids were going back to school from winter break, and January 2nd wasn't a holiday, so everybody was going back to work. Jamie was perfectly content doing absolutely nothing productive and focusing primarily on herself though.

Or, so she thought. She sat there in contemplation for a moment when she heard the knock on her door. After all, all of the people that would ever even have the possibility or invitation to come over were off working, and she hadn't ordered anything so there shouldn't have been any deliveries.

Nevertheless, Jamie got up off the couch, wrapping her arms around herself as she trudged to the door in her oversized sweatshirt and flannel pajama pants looking as if she had just rolled out of bed. She peaked through the hole to find the hallway empty. That was even more curious. She unlatched the door and opened it, looking down the hall to see if someone had just been playing a variation of ding-dong ditch with her, but she didn't find anyone, nor did she head any childish snickering. And again, children were back in school that day, so there shouldn't have been any around.

She took a step out to try and get a better look, but she froze mid-step as her bare foot came into contact with something cold. Glancing down with cautious, curious blue eyes, Jamie's gut dropped when they landed on another bouquet flowers. This one a brilliant bouquet of white lilies.

With a disgusted look, Jamie picked up the flowers and turned them over in search for the card that she always expected to find with a personal, creepy messaged designated only for her.

"There are 364 days in which you can get an unbirthday present, but only one day with birthday presents. And I know, for a fact, that I am the only one to have acknowledged your birthday this year, my spectacular Jameson. Just as I know that many people call you by your name, though few know who you truly are. There is only one that knows both and can make your name sounds so special. Happy twenty-fifth birthday.

From your one true love.

You know who I am."

Jamie dropped the flowers and bolted it down the hallway towards the stairs. She had to try and catch whoever had just dropped them off. She didn't care if it wasn't her stalker. If the delivery guy only gave her the place of business, that was a start on how to find the creep and to put an end of all of this flower business.

After all, how did he even know when her birthday was? Steve didn't even know when her birthday was! Natasha might have, but that was because she was the ultimate spy. She would have probably send something more tasteful anyways, if she did, though a birthday present from that woman was the last thing she'd expect. James didn't even know her birthday, but if he did he would have just called to sing to her over the phone with his wife and his two sons, Casey and Kyle. The only people that knew about her birthday were all dead: her father, her brother Everett and her best friend Aaron. So who the hell was sending her flowers!

Jamie went all the way out into the street, looking around for anybody suspicious or a delivery person, even a van for a flower shop, but she found nothing other than pedestrians staring at her oddly for running out into the snow covered street with no shoes on. She let out an animalistic growl, going back inside and to her apartment, where she tossed the flowers into the trash where they belonged.

She had nothing on this person. She didn't know where they were ordering the flowers. She didn't know if they delivered them themself. She didn't even know if they were in the same city as her, seeing as anybody can order flowers from anywhere and have them delivered. And how did they know all this stuff about her? They knew who she was, where she lived, and her birthday, something she never told anybody! Jamie had no idea how they were doing it, but she was going to find out.

This wasn't over, not by a long shot.

I'm posting early because I know a lot of people travel for the holidays, and I figured it would be best to get everybody to read it before they leave, or whatever! But was a Christmas chapter so I figured it would be relevant!
So the flowers are back, and Tony's okay, which everybody already new. Clint made an appearance as well, which I hadn't originally planned but I'm very happy it happened. And poor Jamie had her birthday forgotten. Poor thing.

Thanks for to the following for their reviews on the last chapter of Solace, and the first chapter of Condolence:

dleshae- Yes, she now knows she likes him...time for a bunch of awkward blushing from our heroine.

Princess Nightmare99- ...Guess I drove you even more mad with more flowers, huh? Evil me! There are so many possibilities on who it could be! You never know! CC will be coming back, though I'm not telling you when or why. Again evil! We are all sadists, I mean, look at what we put our characters throught! Anyway, hope you liked the chapter! And I did go put an A/N in Solace, thank you for that suggestion!

Jelsa777- Ahaha, you just made my night! Yes, Jamie is getting cooking lessons from a chicken. I'm glad you think that everybody is spot on. I'm always worried about that. Especially with Nat and Clint.

CJ/OddBall- I was hoping somone would think that! Yes, the "I will break you, Girl" scene comes up soon, actually. It's the 4th chapter in this, so you don't have to wait long, I promise. You actually just gave me a good idea for a part in Cap 2. Thanks! (Cap might be disappointed, but Jamie would be all for it...I think everybody else would help too!) I never actually put much thought into that guy though, but again...you give me ideas! Mwahahah ideas are evil...my poor characters...

Jo- Really? I think that's so funny that you imagined them in The Sound of Music. I Looooooove that movie.

a cup of insanity- I'm so glad you really like this story. I love to hear when people like it so much that they binge read it! I hope I don't disappoint.

seasidewriter- It's no trouble. Trust me, I know the stresses of finals week. I'm just lucky I commute and don't have to worry about packing and all that. And for the horoscope thing, I totally didn't plan that. I mean, I planned a scene with it, but I actually looked up what they were and that just happened to be it and it was just soooo perfect. And I absolutely can't wait for you to send me the fic!

xenocanaan- I hope you liked it and thought it was worth the wait.

reader1589- Hope you liked it!

Daenery86- I'm so glad you liked Solace. I really hope you like this part of her journey as well! I'm on break as well, so I can get a whole lot of writing done.