Shannon and I looked at each other as we felt our tempers finally flare up and the fight the guys sending them running out of there. Coulson waited, doing nothing but watch and smile. Shannon then took a trash can lid as she threw it Captain America style as it hit one of them square on the head. Coulson took out his handcuffs and took the guy.

"Call me when you ladies need a ride Ok?"

"Thanks Uncle Phil. And yes I'll call when we need a ride."

"No problem Agent Shannon Carter."

"I didn't recognize you in the uniform Melly."

"Who else would I be?" I joked, as I fixed up my Army uniform, "Lieutenant Gretchen Melanippe Johansen of the Canadian Army 5th division."

"Damn girl you look like a Man killer in that Army uniform."

"Well thank you, Shannon." I said as I checked her injuries which wasn't that bad, "You used to come to my rescue when I was against impossible odds when we were kids. It feels good to return the favour for a change while I'm here." I gave her my handkerchief so she could clean up a tad then I gave her some of my makeup for touch ups, "Come on there's something I'd like to see."

"Oh right Tony Stark is making a appearance at the Expo."

I scoffed, "Well I wanted to see the local Museum, but we can go there to see Tony Stark get drunk on his ass."

"You don't like him do you?"

"I had this guy trying to seduce me for a whole year in college. You know me I want to lose my virginity to someone more special."

"Yeah me too." Shannon agreed, "Oh Danny was his name right?"

"Yeah."

"He's a douche."

"No kidding. For once I'd like to meet a man who's a prince at heart, but a badass on the outside."

"I thought we both wanted a Soldier when we were kids?"

"Oh the 'Who cares about Prince Charming I want Captain America'," I quoted as a joke.

As she laughed, "Classic Melly."

"You're welcome Shannon."

It was after a bite to eat as she and I caught up on what had happened since the last time.

"Sorry I haven't been emailing you as much."

"I was about to say the same." I spoke, "I asked Coulson not to tell me of your personal life. I wanted to hear from you."

"From the Horse's mouth as it were eh?" Shannon replied as I laughed, "Can you date any of them from the army?"

"We're allowed to date other soldiers as long as it doesn't interfere with chain of command."

Shannon look at me surprised, "Well sign me up!"

I laughed, "You're a punk you know that?"

"You're more of a Dork than a Jerk... Although you had fell in love with one."

"Well at least I'm proud of being a dork," I said as we laughed together, "You do realise there people needed to protect here too right?"

"You really want me to stay here?"

"Look Shannon, us soldiers we can't be everywhere, you technically can. I mean for crying out loud you're a spy."

"Not the best, still." Shannon sighed, "I'm nowhere near Black Widow's level."

"Shannon, don't tell me people are comparing you to your folks?"

"And Peggy."

"Jeez girl. You're having it harder than Steve Rogers did."

"How can I get people to see me and stop comparing me to my relatives?"

"And who isn't doing that?"

"Uncle Phil... Then there's this cute guy named Cartier."

"Cartier?" I said, "That name is pretty famous up home."

"No relation to the explorer, Melly."

"I figured that."

"So are we still going to see Tony Stark make a ass out of himself?"

"If we can trick him into buying our drinks, why the hell not!"

While we were there I caught you over at a recruiting booth after I had excused myself for the washroom. "Shannon!" I called as she turned and looked at me.

"Melly I want to help out."

"Look my parents weren't pleased at first that I signed up but then they turned around as they were proud of me."

"What are trying to say?"

"They wanted me to Join Shield. They wanted me to become a spy not a soldier. It's a shame I couldn't be both."

"But Melly, Shield is just as dangerous if not more." Shannon said as she then realised what I was trying to tell her all along, "Be both?"

"I'm here for the week remember?"

"Seriously Melly? Are you sure a week is going to be enough to turn me into a Soldier?"

"At least close to, as long as you keep doing it while I'm gone."

Shannon grinned, "How about this we start slow?"

"Ok and during leave I'll come over to see you as much as possible."

Shannon and I said our goodbyes as I went on the plane heading for Afghanistan, it was 6 months later when I was picked up but a Shield Agent named Coulson. It was now 2003.

"Hello again Johansen." said Phil Coulson, greeting me almost the same way as last time.

"I'm glad I got here in good timing Coulson."

"Me too, Melly."

"It's that bad?"

"I saw them die, Melly."

"Does she know?"

"Not everything..."

Minutes later I entered the Carter's family home as I found Shannon crying on her bed as Coulson knocked on the door, "Shannon I thought I'd invite a friend over."

Shannon turned as she saw me in my Army fatigues gave me a hug, then Agent Coulson, "Thanks Uncle Phil."

"You're welcome, Shannon." He said as he then told us what had happened, "You're parents were on recovery mission, a 084."

"Object of unknown origin?"

"So far as we know yes, someone else was after it too they blew up the whole plane they were in. We found their bodies looks like they survived a few hours but they're internal injuries was the cause of their deaths. Shield is willing to help out with the funeral expenses."

"Thank you Phil for everything."

"You're my god daughter of course I'll do what I can for you."

"Does Peggy know?"

"Yes she does." said Phil.

"How long are you going to be here Melly?"

"A week."

"Do you think we can do some training to get my mind of of things?"

"Sure."