Peggy had asked her, on various occasions, why she continually refused to join SHIELD. Become an official agent, maybe even take over the organization after she and Howard left. Then they would never be without a good leader. Lucy always told her she was too busy catching up on the times and gathering her own contacts around the world. In actuality, she did not want to join because she always felt like she was under observation. That prickling sense that some powerful unseen being was trying to figure out who she really was and how they could exploit her. She couldn't lead anyway, that was always more his thing. Her personality was too obsessive and unyielding at times to be reliable without something grounding her in reality; besides, she had lost her anchor years ago. While she was better now, it would always be like a thin crust hiding molten lava.
Lucy no longer wanted to be used. She spent the years helping those less fortunate, establishing schools, building houses, and most importantly singlehandedly destroying organizations that threatened the peace of any land. No job was too big if you had an endless amount of time. Her vast global network provided her with information on anything and everything she wanted. They worked on a favor for favor system. Over time, when she did not seem to age whilst they did eventually, she became a legend. Her names became myth that every few years, resurfaced with a request that could never be denied. It was a lonely life. The only real friends she had were Peggy Carter, Howard Stark, and Edwin Jarvis. They were also the only people who knew her real identify.
SHIELD agents who only heard tales of her missions called her Agent 0 (agent zero). She was a specter that only showed up on crucial missions, mainly on the request of Agent Carter. Then she would disappear again only to come back months or even years later looking exactly the same. It was a known fact, that Agent 0 was the only non-SHIELD agent to have an access code Alpha. She had the status of a founder, yet she was never apart of their operation. Rumor had it she designed the SHIELD database so that was how she knew everything. Lucy always chucked at this one, co-invented, she would correct in her mind, with Howard of course. And she didn't know everything; the world had too many problems to concern herself with than to stalk the everyday on goings of a peacekeeping business like SHIELD.
-permafrost-
There were however, the select few Lucy found over the years she could trust beyond her little SSR trio. One young man she had kept her eye on for many years. He was a Colonel in the United States Armed Forces before joining the CIA. His impressive history and skill set lead her to personally send in a recommendation for SHIELD to invite him into their ranks.
"Mr. Secretary, nice to see you again." Lucy greeted an old acquaintance.
"Please its Alexander. I always try and convince you to call me by my first name." Alexander Pierce smiled, pulling out a chair for her to sit.
"And I will always refer to those I admire by their titles." Lucy replied with a dry smirk. She had never liked the man, but also he had never done anything to warrant her hostility. So, she ignored her feelings.
"Well, coming from you that means a lot to me, Agent 0." Pierce chuckled, "I read your recommendation for the new recruit. I have to say I agree with your evaluation, I met him myself recently. I think he'll make a fine agent."
"Thank you." If not for the meeting with the new agent, Lucy would have not been in the same room as Pierce. A tight smile barely quirked the corners of her lips in response.
"I'll call him in now so you can meet him. Thank you again for coming, it's always nice to have an unbiased consultant when interviewing." He pushed the button on the table notifying the secretary they were ready.
"It was my pleasure." She nodded, wanting to hurry up and get away from Pierce's presence.
The door to the glass meeting room opened. In walked a statuesque man who was in the prime of his life. "Nicholas Fury, at your service."
-permafrost-
Over the years, Agent Nick Fury became a trusted companion of hers. She was there for him when he lost his eye. Their similar ability to always see five steps ahead of everybody else created a strong bond between them. They could trust each other, even if they did not always agree. After a time, Lucy told him of her past and of her real name. He was the first one of her new friends.
-permafrost-
Recognizing the phone number Lucy grinned as she answered, "I hear congratulations are in order, Director."
"Dammit. I wanted to surprise you." Nick Fury growled on the other end of the line.
"Get used to it."
Fury rolled his eyes, "I was only told an hour ago how did you know?"
"I had a feeling."
"Of course you did. Anyway I need a favor."
Lucy nodded into the phone, "What can I do for you, Nicholas?"
"Stop it." Fury grumbled, "Nobody calls me that."
"I'm old, don't try and change me."
"You're not old Marie."
"I could qualify for a senior discount and you know it." She smirked to herself.
Fury shook his head, "Anyway... I need help. Someone needs to take over my place."
"Oh that's easy. I had one picked out already, as a gift for your promotion. You'll like him I think. Then again, I haven't even met him."
Nick Fury the new Director of SHIELD rubbed his temple, he would never be able to catch up to this woman.
Lucy continued brightening at her idea, "Hey, I'll come by tomorrow, we can meet him together."
"I need a name, Marie." Fury reminded her.
"Coulson. Phillip Coulson."
-permafrost-
Sometimes she wondered if she were the younger and Coulson the elder. He eluded a type of warmth she had been missing for quite sometime. Phil sometimes reminded her of him. A bittersweet kind of smile always crossed her face whenever they interacted.
Almost right away she discovered Phil was a Captain America's biggest fan. It amused her to no end. In fact he told her about his little trading card collection. Lucy started to leave the cards he was missing in hidden in his folders every time they completed a mission together. Howard had gotten them for her as a joke every time they used to come out with new ones. She hardly looked at them now.
Coulson caught on pretty quick. After a time Lucy told him about her past as well. He fainted… twice. But in the end, Phil was the second of her new friends.