That very evening, after coordinating all the details of the plan with Fury, Danneel Carter was heading for her car, when suddenly spotted an uninvited guest waiting for her – hair pinned up, arms across her chest, eyes express resentment.
"Vic? What are you doing here? How did you… how did you find me?"
"You know, I have my sources. I hear Fury has a special assignment for you? Can't get over S.H.I.E.L.D yet? Even after everything that happened?" Victoria Romanoff, Black Widow's younger sister, leaned against the door of Danneel's car, not allowing Carter to open it and drive away, "maybe you would like to fill your old friend in details? Or should I say, former friend?"
"Fury is gone. S.H.I.E.L.D as well. I am here to pick my belongings. It's time to move on, you know," Agent Carter smiled caustically, as if hinting at something, and tried to shoulder her interlocutor, but failed. Romanoff, unlike her sister, was taller and stronger, "move. I don't have time for your silly games."
"Yeah, right! Come on, honey. Your sweet smile can fool anyone, but me. We have been friends like… like forever. I've known you for God knows how long and I know you better than you think. Danneel, what the hell are you thinking? You know, I will not let you do stupid things, even though something happened between us in the past. I will stop at nothing to prevent you from it. Do you understand you are going to your doom?
"What do you know? Vic, I ask you one last time, get out of the way. Otherwise, I will have to make you do it."
"I would love to see you trying. Danneel, can't you see it. Fury sends you to death. Does Sharon know about your little secret?"
"You won't…," Danneel snorted out and leaned against the door of her black Toyota Camry next to Romanoff, "Vic, I am very glad that you care for me even after what happened to us. But I have to go. Whatever you may think, Fury would not entrust me with any task if he were not sure I would manage it. Now, for God's sake, out of my way. I am already late."
Victoria – reluctantly – moved aside, turned to Danneel, snorted out and hugged her. Her eyes were full of sincere anxiety. Anxiety that can not be faked.
"Take care, Danneel. I'm begging you not to do anything stupid. And if you need help, I will be there for you. Just so you know, you can always rely on me. I will be closer than you think."
"Thank you, Vic. Hope to see you soon. Goodbye Romanoff."
"Good luck, Carter."
Danneel Carter got behind the wheel of his car and headed straight to John F. Kennedy International Airport. Breathing heavily, blood pounding in her ears, she could help thinking about the conversation she had had with Fury the other day. She could recall it perfectly well. The director summoned her. It was so unexpected and she could not even think of how serious it may turn out to be. Now, driving to the airport, she could not believe what she was about to do.
Leaving the car in the parking lot, miss Carter "fed" the meter, not knowing how long it would take her to return. She cast one last look at herself in the rear-view mirror and, taking the documents and tickets, headed for the entrance. But it was already Danneel Grayson who entered the airport.