So, I know that the last two chapters have been remarkably short, but here's a super long one...yep! Enjoy!

"Before I explain all of this to you, I've got a few questions of my own," Steve started when we safely in the back room.

I sat on a dusty pile of books and leaned against the wall. "Alright, shoot."

Steve scowled. "For starters, why does your aunt call you Molly? I thought you said you name was Grace."

I smiled. "Molly is just a nickname. My name is Grace. Grace O'Malley. I was named after the Pirate Queen herself!" I added proudly.

He frowned and pushed his hand through his hair. "Alright. What were you doing in the woods?"

"Just climbing trees," I said nonchalantly.

His blue eyes stared into mine. "Really?"

I squirmed, "Well, no." I rushed on when I saw he was about to speak again. "But I promised my dad that I what I did in the woods would be a secret between me and him. I can't tell."

He sighed and nodded, "I won't push. But," he raised a finger, "Someday, I will find out."

"Not likely," I shrugged. "Your turn, though. Explain all of this stuff you and Aunt Liza were talking about."

Steve sat on a tower of books across from me and leaned forward, resting his wrists on his knees, "Well, what have you already guessed?"

"Well, that she's hiding something, for one thing. And it has to do with you and whatever you came here for. And those comic books. Or maybe the whole bookshop."

Steve nodded, "Don't tell anyone you know what I'm about to tell you, alright? Not only would it put you in danger, but it's kind of against the rules."

I smirked, "You don't seem like the type that would break the rules."

He rolled his eyes and continued, "Let's say that all those books out in the front if the shop, fiction and nonfiction, were all about real people. Peter Pan is real, the Headless Horseman is real," he sighed and muttered, "and I'm Captain America."

I nodded, taking it all in, "So then why did you come here?"

He eyed me warily. "SHIELD wants your aunt to do something for them."

"And they sent you because...?" I left the question hanging in the air between us.

He shrugged. "They just told me to do it. They didn't tell me why."

I nodded, "Fair enough. So, am I allowed to know what they want Aunt Liza to do?"

Steve was about to answer when the Mission Impossible theme song started playing. He pulled a smart phone out of his pocket and stared at it, his consternation clearly visible.

"You know," I quipped. "I'm pretty sure you press the green button to talk."

He glared at me and then answered his phone. "Agent Rogers, here, sir. What do you need?" He paused and stood, obviously listening to the man on the other end. "Yes, I've talked to her...Yes, she's willing to go...There is a slight problem, sir...she happens to be the guardian of a minor...She won't go if her niece isn't taken care of...Does she have any other living relatives?" Steve looked at me questioningly and I shook my head. "No, sir, she does not...I'm not sure that would help...Of course, sir...Yes, sir...Goodbye, sir."

"Fury?" I asked once he ended the call. When Steve nodded, I continued, "Well, what did he want?"

He sighed, "Just checking in. This mission is pretty high on his list on important things to do."

I nodded. "Well, now what?"

"We wait," he said. "Fury has an idea about what to do with you while your aunt is on this mission."

"I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself!" I huffed. "There's no reason that you couldn't just leave me to man the bookshop."

"You might get kidnapped by anyone who wants to get at SHIELD or your aunt." Steve pointed out. "Fury's calling some agents and will have a group watch over you till the mission is done."

"Agents as in…" I probed.

Steve shrugged. "He doesn't tell me everything."

I nodded, "Right. Course not. Why would he?" I stood up and stretched. "Well, I'm gonna go do something. Let me know when these agents get here, 'kay?" With that, I walked out of the back room…and into my aunt.

"Where are you going?" she asked, grabbing my arm.

"Nowhere at the moment," I remarked. "You've got my arm."

Aunt Eliza just gripped my arm more tightly. "I need you to stay here for today, alright? Don't go running off or anything. Just stay here."

I was about to roll my eyes and say something a bit sarcastic, but something in her voice stopped me. She sounded almost…scared. And that frightened me. My aunt was the bravest person I knew and if she was scared, then I should be terrified.

"Sure, Aunt Liza, I'll stay here," I agreed. "Do you want me to help with anything? Organize the books? Man the front desk?"

"NO!" she stated forcefully, tightening her grip on my arm even more. Then she calmed slightly. "No, just go back in the back room for a little while, alright? Just stay there."

"Okay." I said, gritting my teeth as her nails dug into my arm. "Will you let me go now? I'll stay in the back room, I promise."

Aunt Eliza looked down at my arm and let go, looking a bit surprised.

"Sorry," she apologized. "I'm just a bit worried."

"About what?" I asked, genuinely curious.

She sighed. "Mostly you. I don't want you to get hurt because I'm doing…"

"Favors for SHIELD?" I supplied. "I do read the comics and watch the movies. I'm also very observant."

My aunt smiled tightly. "You are. Just don't let that get you into trouble."

"Those agents are on their way now," Steve said as he walked out of the back room. "Fury said they would meet us in front of the city hall."

Aunt Eliza composed herself quickly and walked over to the front counter. "Alright, let me just lock up and grab my keys."

Steve nodded. "Grace and I will wait out front, then." Then he grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the shop.

"Ow!" I rubbed my arm. "You know, both you and my aunt have really strong hands."

"Sorry about that," he smiled, then turned serious again. "Listen, I need you to do what these guys tell you, alright? They know how to keep you safe."

"Why is everyone acting like people are out to get me?" I threw my hands in the air. "I know everyone in this town. No one would want to kidnap me. If they did, everyone would know!"

"People might not be out to get you now, but we don't know if they will be soon," Steve stated seriously. "Your aunt doesn't want you to get hurt."

"And Fury doesn't want my aunt to be worried because that might ruin whatever he's having her do, right?" I rolled my eyes. "Don't worry, I'll be good." Most of the time, I added silently.

"Okay, I'm ready," my aunt said as she locked the door to the shop. Then she turned and linked arms with me. "Let's go."

We walked down Main Street toward the city center. Since it was Saturday, most of our neighbors were also there, shopping or chatting with friends. Aunt Eliza stopped and talked with most of them, acting as if we didn't have anywhere to be. I started to get impatient and was about to say something, but Steve pulled me aside.

"Help me find something for lunch," he said, looking around.

"But we're going to be late!" I protested.

"Late for what?" he asked. Then he grinned. "I'm thinking sandwiches sound good. Isn't there a park by the city hall? We can have a picnic there."

I sighed and led him toward a small sandwich shop my aunt's friend owned.

"Gracey! How nice to see you!" a high pitched voice rang out as soon as the bell over the door announced my arrival. A short, slightly chubby woman rushed toward me from behind the counter. I braced myself for the anaconda-like hug I knew I was about to receive. "I never see you anymore! You're always at Liza's bookshop or at home! What have you been doing in the past month?"

I struggled to get out of her hug. "Nothing much. Just helping my aunt organize the shop. You know how she is."

She clucked her tongue and nodded. "Even when she was a kid, she never could stay organized. She was always losing important things." Then she noticed Steve and finally let go of me. "Gracey, who's your friend?"

I sighed. "This is Steve. He's a friend of the family's. Steve, this is Melissa, my aunt's best friend."

Steve stuck out his hand. "Pleasure to meet you."

Instantly, Melissa was fawning over him. "Oh, it's so good to meet you! I'm sure Liza's told you all about me. I run this shop with my husband, Drake. He should be around here somewhere. DRAKE!" She shouted. Then she turned back to Steve and smiled. "What can I do for you?"

"We'd like some sandwiches," I cut in. "We decided to take a tour of Main Street and then go up to City Hall for a picnic."

"That sound's wonderful!" Melissa gushed. "How many sandwiches do you want? And what types? I know Liza doesn't like deli turkey, but we have regular turkey, now. And we have roast beef and ham as well. Did you want drinks?" She hurried back to the counter to get the breads for the sandwiches.

"Six sandwiches and no to the drinks," Steve answered. Then he turned to look at me. "What types of sandwiches?"

I walked up to the counter and looked up at the menu. "Let's get a Thanksgiving Leftovers, an egg salad, a roast beef and swiss, a BLT, a tuna sandwich, and…" I looked over at Steve and shrugged.

"One more Thanksgiving Leftovers," he supplied.

"Alright!" Melissa said as she popped bread in the toaster and pulled vegetables and tubs of tuna fish and egg salad out of the glass-doored fridge behind her. "These will be done in just a few seconds."

While she worked, she asked Steve a barrage of questions, everything from where he was from to what he thought of the bookshop. Drake walked in from the back and nodded to me before silently helping his wife finish the sandwiches.

Finally, Melissa decided that she knew enough about Steve and finished the last sandwich. Then she rang everything up and handed me the sandwiches.

"Have fun," Drake smiled and winked at me. I rolled my eyes and followed Steve out the door.

Anyone else get chills whenever they hear the main theme from Avengers? Or is it just me?