My meeting with Director Fury was…well, it went as expected. He asked the usual questions about why I'd made the decision I had, and whether I would reconsider. Everything in me wanted to say yes, that I would easily reconsider, but I knew I had to stick with my choice. He'd nodded thoughtfully, but signed the paperwork anyway. I'd made it back to my room without anyone running into me or asking questions, and I was packed in no time at all. I glanced around my quarters, taking a deep breath before stepping out the door for the last time. I stopped to slip the four letters under the doors of their intended readers, and nearly made it to the helicopter when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I stiffened, but turned, only to be greeted by Stark.
"Tony, hey. Did you need something?" I kept my tone light as I shifted the bag on my shoulder, and he shook his head with a sigh.
"Getting transferred to another office isn't really ideal for the team." I flushed, opening my mouth to ask how he'd found out about that. He raised a hand to stop me. "I know just about everything, official or not. I just don't want you doing something you'll regret." I glanced to the helicopter and the waiting pilot, giving a sigh as I turned back to him.
"I can't stay. Not when it's dividing possibly the greatest team in SHIELD history." I pat his shoulder. "Besides, you already know what office I'm heading to. You and Bruce, and even Thor, can visit anytime." He raised a brow.
"And Cap? Or Barton? What about them?" My smile faded a bit at the question.
"I'd rather you didn't tell them where I'm going. It would…defeat the purpose, you know? And if you could make sure no one else sees those transfer papers, I'd owe you double." He nodded slowly, and I pulled him in for a hug. "I'll miss you guys. All of you." I pulled away, and turned for the helicopter, ducking my head as I came closer to the whirring blades. I pulled on my headset and turned to see Tony watching the helicopter take off, giving a wave as we turned and ducked out of sight. I gave a sigh, knowing that whatever happened next, it was my own doing.
The new office was located in San Francisco, and it was easy to fall into a routine. I became one of the many pilots on staff, and I kept my suit a secret as ordered by Fury. I didn't make many close friends; I had a roommate named Kayla, and my copilot Jeremy. Other than that, I stayed mostly to myself, just wanted to work until retirement. It only took two weeks of rigorous workouts and drills to drive thoughts of the New York office from my head, and I was slowly gaining new skills I hadn't had before. Two months, and I was faster, stronger, more alert. I'd even been given the chance to train new pilots for overtime work. It was a welcome change, and I was only occasionally reminded of what I'd left behind.