Three weeks later…
Marta stood in her new laboratory surveying the equipment. They'd given her everything she'd asked for, and a few pieces she didn't even know existed. She wanted to hate it here, but she couldn't. After her release from confinement, she'd been accepted by the Sci-Ops group (as the called themselves) without question. It's not like she had any other life to go back too, anyway. She knew the CIA people who hunted her had been "taken care of" as Barton phrased it, but Marta knew she would never again be a civilian scientist. S.H.I.E.L.D was her employer and her home.
She startled at the soft rap on the door. "Yes?" she smoothed her hair and coat, hoping it might be Barton. "Come in."
Her face fell when the door opened and revealed someone else entirely. A well-dressed man with short brown hair and a disconcerting stare. "Good evening Dr. Shering." He stepped inside and closed the door behind him. "I'm Phil Coulson."
She nodded, "Of course. Agent Coulson, I've heard about you." She gave him a weak smile, not sure why she felt so cold. "What can I do for you?"
He stepped closer and she instinctively moved back. "I just wanted to introduce myself and see how you are settling in." He casually walked around the room, inspecting her equipment.
"I'm settling in fine. Thank you." She shivered again. Something about his face seemed familiar, but she couldn't place him. "This lab is more than I could have hoped for."
He stopped his wandering and looked her in the eyes. "Yes. I understand that Director Fury has asked you to continue your work."
She chewed her lip. "He also asked me not to discuss it with anyone. I'm sure you understand?" she smiled again. Maybe that's why he was here? To test her? His body language wasn't as friendly as his words. He looked like a cobra ready to strike. And he was clearly aware of her fear.
He smiled back at her. "Of course. I trust that you understand what should and should not be discussed."
Marta was sure the air temperature had dropped ten degrees. And then it hit her. She'd seen this man before. But where?
"Well, of course. And I don't know a soul here, except for Agent Barton." She stalled, trying to remember where she'd seen this man. "And he already knows everything about my work."
Phil Coulson tensed and cocked his head at her, "Everything, Doctor?" This was a test. But of what she had no idea.
"Yes, Outcome, the meds, the virus. I told him when we escaped."
Coulson started walking again and nodded in approval. He turned back to the door. It was the profile view of him that caused her to hold her breath. She had seen him before. Nearly two years before, when they were choosing the second group of recruits. She was going in to speak to her project leader when she heard him talking with someone else behind a half-closed door. Their conversation was low but tense. "We know what you're doing." This man had said in a threatening tone. "And we want one, too. I'm sending you our best. Make sure he lives." He quickly left the room and turned to glance at her, smiled, and moved on.
"It was you," she whispered. "You were there at the training site. After your meeting, Aaron was added to the group."
Coulson kept one hand on the door knob and raised the other to the inside of the jacket. "Like I said, Doctor, I trust that you know what should and should not be discussed."
Marta knew exactly what was inside his jacket. "I know."
"Good night, Doctor. I'm sure I'll see you soon," said Phil Coulson. He left, pulling the door softly behind him.