A little over three hours ago, the Mover-Agents brought in the last of the boxes and furniture. They spoke to Coulson alone in the kitchen; while Darcy started to unpack things. She tried to strain her ears to listen in on their super sneaky spy conversation, but only got bits and pieces of it, and it all sounded like gibberish to her. They had given her a nod as they walked past, and headed outside, jumped in the moving van, and most likely, headed back to a S.H.I.E.L.D base. Phil walked out of the kitchen a couple of minutes after they left and started to help Darcy unpack the boxes. They didn't speak much, just once in a while, to ask each other where things should be placed. Darcy decided she'd work on the kitchen; while Coulson headed up stairs to the office. After another hour or so, Darcy's stomach started to grumble and she looked at the clock. It was past 6:30. She hadn't heard from Phil at all. In fact, it had been extremely quiet upstairs for the last couple of hours. She put down the coffee maker on the counter and headed out to the living room just as Phil was coming down the stairs.
"Oh, there you are. I was getting concerned," she said with a faint smile.
"Concerned?" he raised his eyebrow and smirked back. "Sorry. I was setting up the computer and making sure the network was secure so I could connect to the S.H.I.E.L.D mainframe. Then I had to email Director Fury and let him know that we were officially on assignment. Of course, he was asking a million different questions that I had no answers to yet. Get the kitchen set up?" he asked, trying to peek inside.
"Almost," she replied. He was definitely back into 'agent mode.'
"Did you happen to see if S.H.I.E.L.D packed us a coffee maker?" he asked.
"Yeah, I just pulled it out of the box." She had forgot how much of a coffee fiend Coulson was. Back when she was a level one, she used to make him a cup every morning. And afternoon. And evening. She chuckled to herself as she thought about how scared she used to be going into his office. He'd rarely ever look up at her; his face was always pointed at a computer screen or at paperwork. He'd just mutter 'thanks' and she'd set it down on the desk and leave. He liked it black with one spoonful of sugar.
"Good," he nodded. He glanced at the kitchen clock. It was getting late and he was getting hungry. He assumed that Darcy was as well. "You hungry?"
"Yes! I don't know how much more unpacking I can take tonight. The stuff S.H.I.E.L.D packed for us, doesn't really go with the theme of the house. It's so ... modern." She crinkled her nose.
"Well, we are from Seattle." He walked over to a box and looked inside. "Found the curtains," he said pulling them out and walking over to the window.
"Get those suckers up," Darcy laughed. "I am so not kidding about that Ken guy. Creep factor times ten."
Phil chuckled as he climbed on the couch and hung curtains up. "So are you ready to meet some more townies?" He looked back at Darcy and smiled.
"If I have to."
"Remember to listen for anything that may give us any clues to our mission. Make mental notes on things that they say, do, how they carry themselves ... anything." He stepped off the couch, and looked at Darcy. "Alright, 'scopophiliac proofed.'" He made a gesture to the window now complete with curtains.
"Scopophi-what?" Darcy shook her head. Wasn't he cleaver for using such big words?
"Peeping Tom ... or shall I say 'peeping Ken' proofed."
Darcy giggled. "Okay, you. Let's go get some dinner and meet the rest of the town." She grabbed her purse and her black sweater, and waited for Phil to get his car keys.
"Sounds, good, sweetheart," he smirked as they headed out the door.
They found Branson's easily enough. They just drove down Main Street and it was right on the corner, right next to Cedar's and Al's. It was a small brown building with a hand-painted sign that said, 'Branson's Tavern.' Outside there were several cars, beat up looking pickup trucks, a police car, and a motorcycle. The place looked a bit a bit rough around the edges. Phil pulled in the driveway and made sure to park his car away from all the other vehicles. He jumped out and went around to Darcy's side, opening the door for her before she even had the chance to.
"Thanks," she gave him a smile, then looked up at the tavern. "Man, I was hoping that it was going to look more like Merlotte's," she said with a frown as they walked up the gravel walkway.
"With or without the vampires?" Phil asked, as he opened the front entrance door for her.
"True Blood fan?" she asked, raising her eyebrow.
"Up until about season three. It just got unbelievable then," he smirked as they walked into tavern.
The fact that Phil just admitted that he watched True Blood, amazed Darcy. She didn't think he'd be into something like that. The fact that it was practically soft-core porn... She felt herself heating up again, imagining him sitting there watching a Sookie and Bill sex scene. He had to be just joking with her. He seemed more like an NCIS or a CSI kinda guy. "Everyone is staring at us," Darcy whispered to Phil. Almost everyone in the tavern stopped what they were doing as soon as Darcy and Phil walked in. Dozens of sets of eyes all staring back at them. It was making Darcy feel pretty uncomfortable, and if she hadn't been on a work assignment she would have said, 'fuck this shit!' and hightailed out of there.
"You guys came!" Barbara said as she ran over to Darcy and Phil. She gave Darcy a quick hug and smiled at Phil. "How's unpacking going? Do you need any help? I'd be more than happy to give you a hand!"
Darcy's brain felt like it was going to explode. This woman was way to fucking excitable for her liking. "It's going good. And I don't mind unpacking, it's therapeutic," She said giving the woman a polite smile. "But thanks for offering."
"Sure, no problem. Oh, and I told my friend that you're a teacher and she's super excited about you helping with the preschool art camp in a few weeks!" Barbara said as she led Phil and Darcy over to an empty table.
"Art camp?" Darcy questioned as she slid into the booth.
"It's going to be so much fun! I'll introduce you to her later! Oh, we are just going be The Three Amigos! You, me, and her." She waved and then drifted back over to the table she was sharing with Ken and a few other people.
"Art? I can't do art!" Darcy said in a hushed voice as she watched Phil slide into the same side of the booth she was sitting on. She wasn't used to that. All the guys she had ever been with always sat across from her.
"Would you rather teach science or math?" Phil asked as he looked at the drink specials.
"Political Science?" Darcy shrugged.
"To preschoolers?"
"Yeah, that probably wouldn't be such a hot idea, at least I know something about Poli Sci, though. The last time I tried to do anything artsy ... well ... let me just say that it was a complete disaster," she shrugged and peered over at the menu in his hand. "Are we allowed to drink?" she whispered.
"I wouldn't see why it would be a problem."
"Oh, I thought maybe we couldn't because it might impair our judgement," she said in another hushed voice.
Phil looked over at her and smirked. "Do you plan on getting plastered?"
Darcy winked. "Maybe." She grabbed the menu out of his hands just as a the waitress came over.
"Hiya, I'm Beth. You're the Coulsons, right? Welcome to Shady Oaks," a petite brunette said as she got her notepad out. "What can I get you?"
"Ummm, I'll have the Sour Apple martini and an order of the fiesta nachos," Darcy said with a smile. She looked at Phil, wondering if he was going to order an old man drink, like a rum and coke or something.
"Neat Bourbon," Phil said to Beth and looked at the appetizer specials. "And an order of buffalo wings and mozzarella sticks. Thanks."
"You got it. I'll get that right in for you," Beth said with a smile as she walked off.
"Like your liquor straight from bottle to glass?" Darcy grinned. She found that oddly sexy for some reason.
He shrugged. "Would you have still respected me if I ordered a Cosmo?"
"Who says I respect you now?" she said in a teasing voice. He looked back at her with not much of an expression on his face, except his eyes. Darcy had never really noticed how blue they were, the little lines around them crinkled when his lip twitched in a faint smile. He had very expressive eyes.
Phil put his arm over the back of the booth behind Darcy and leaned in closely, his lips just barely touching her ear. "Don't look now, but I think we're about to get a visit from the local law enforcement," he whispered.
Darcy tensed up soon as Phil leaned into her. His lips never touched her but his hot breath tickled her ear. His voice was a low smooth whisper; she could smell just a hint of his cologne. She told herself that this was just an act; they were supposed to be acting as husband and wife. She shouldn't be getting turned on, but she was. She knew that he was just playing the part. Phil Coulson was a level 7 agent, of course he was going to be fantastic at undercover operations. She was a bit disappointed when he pulled away, but at least she could breathe properly now.
"Good evening, folks," a man in a sheriff's uniform came over. He was a tall, lanky man with a scruffy beard and dark green eyes. "I'm Sheriff Dunham. So you're the Coulson? Ken and Barbie told me all about you," he said as he sat opposite from them.
Ken and Barbie? Darcy had to bite her lip to keep from laughing out loud, but her shoulders were heaving slightly. Phil noticed too, because flicked her thigh with his finger underneath the table to get her knock it off.
"Phil Coulson," Phil said as he reached his hand over and shook Dunham's hand. "This is my wife, Darcy."
"Nice to meet you, ma'am." He gave her a slight smile and a nod. "We don't get many visitors here," his voice trailed off oddly.
Darcy watched as Phil picked up on right away. Phil raised his eyebrows and smiled at Dunham. "Why is that? This looks like a perfect little town to visit. Pretty woods, quiet setting..."
Dunham chuckled. "Well, you're from a big city. This all new to you, if you weren't writing a book, you might get a bit bored after a while," he looked up just as Beth brought the food and drinks over to the table. Dunham stood up. "Well, just wanted to welcome you to town. I'll let you two get to your dinner. Oh, just a bit of friendly advice, if you do decide to go out to the woods, make sure you stay on the designated path and don't go out after dusk. Night." He tipped his hat and walked off.
Darcy groaned inwardly as she looked at Phil. He gave her a wink, which meant, before long that they'd be traipsing through the woods at night and they wouldn't be on the designated path. That thought made her stomach churn. She grabbed her drink and took a sip. "So not excited about that," she muttered.
He grabbed a nacho off the plate. "It'll be fun," he grinned and then took a bite.
Phil and Darcy had gotten half way though eating when Barbara or 'Barbie' came back to their table with another woman. "I hope I'm not interrupting you guys, but I wanted you to meet Melissa Parker, Darcy. She's head of the summer camp program I was telling you about,"
"Hi, nice to meet you, Darcy," Melissa said with a sweet smile. She was tall with long red hair, pale skin slightly dotted with freckles, and sparkling green eyes. Almost too pretty to be in a dumpy town like Shady Oaks. A total redheaded goddess.
Darcy smiled back. "I'm excited to help with art camp!" Darcy lied. For some reason she felt extremely inadequate in the looks department all of the sudden. "This is my husband Phil."
Melissa smiled. "So you're an author? Anything I might know?"
Phil took a sip of his bourbon. "Mostly just editorial pieces. Hoping to break into the novel scene," he smiled warmly.
Barbara started talking to Darcy about something, but Darcy wasn't paying attention really. She was too invested in listening in on Phil and Melissa's conversation. They started talking about books, then they got on the subject of environmental issues. He was laughing; she was laughing, and Darcy didn't like it one bit.
"Right dear?" Barbara said looking at Darcy.
"What?" Darcy looked over at the other woman. She had no fucking clue what she had even said in the last ten minutes.
"I said, it'll be nice having all three of us working together at camp. Oh, and it starts in two weeks. So mark it on your calendar!" Barbara chuckled and wagged her finger.
"Oh, yeah..." Darcy nodded, but her eyes were totally on Melissa and Phil.
Barbara tapped Melissa on the shoulder. "Well, hon, we better let them finish their meal."
"Right, it was nice meeting you Phil ... And you too, Darcy! Can't wait to work with you!" Melissa said as she started to walk away with Barbara. She stopped and turned around. "And I want an autographed book from you when you get it written!" she giggled looking directly at Phil.
"Of course!" Phil smiled.
Darcy rolled her eyes.
By the end of the evening they met a bunch of other people from Shady Oaks. There was Bob Rogers, he owned the logging business; Al Pennyman, of Al's store; Jenna Miller, the postal worker; and a bunch of other people Darcy couldn't remember. She and Phil finished their food and each had another drink, before they headed out to the car.
"I should have ordered different drink," Phil said as he opened the car door for Darcy.
"Maybe a Redheaded Slut?" Darcy muttered, crossing her arms as Phil got in the car and started it up. "She was totally 'eyeball fucking' you, you know?" She glanced in Phil's direction as he pulled out onto the road.
"Who was?" he said glancing over at Darcy.
"Melissa." Was he really oblivious to her flirting? He couldn't have been, because he was totally having a good time talking to her. All laughing and joking. Darcy leaned back in the seat a bit. "We're supposed to be 'deeply in love.'"
"I only have eyes for one girl."
"Fictional Phil does," she murmured to herself. She couldn't help to wonder if real Phil had the hots for Melissa Parker. She wasn't even sure why she was getting upset about that, it's not like she and Phil were romantically involved.
Phil could sense that Darcy was sort of upset as he looked over at her again. "Darcy, we're on a mission for S.H.I.E.L.D trying to figure what's going on in this town. We need to make friends to find out information. If you think I want to sleep with her, you're wrong."
"You think she's hot though?"
"I've seen better," he looked over at her and smiled softly.
Darcy grinned. "Yeah, right. The woman was a goddess." Maybe she was reading into all this too much. Phil was right, they needed to make friends. That's all he was trying to do. He was just doing what he needed to do, to complete the mission. And that's what she needed to do as well. Melissa was still too flirty for her liking, though. "I can't wait to get to sleep when we get home," she said with a little yawn.
"Really?" he glanced over at her. "But we have the curtains up now," he raised his eyebrows quickly a couple of times, grinning.
"Oh my god..." Darcy rolled her eyes and chuckled as they pulled into their drive way. "Phil Coulson is a flirt."
He shook his head with a slight smile as they both got out of the car and walked slowly to the house with just the starlight to lead them through the darkness. Darcy stumbled over a rock, and Phil caught her; wrapping his arm around her waist; pulling her close to him. "Drunk?" he teased.
Darcy laughed. "If I get drunk on two watered down martinis, then I have a serious problem. I haven't been drunk in a long time. You?" she asked, enjoying the closeness of the two of them.
"A couple of years ago. Too many shots of Jäger with Barton," he said jiggling the key into the doorknob.
"Whaaat?!" Darcy laughed. "Why has he never told me about that?!" This was a story she needed to hear.
"Because I said I would kill him, if he told anyone." Phil opened the door finally and motioned for Darcy to go in first.
"I would pay to see you drunk off your ass!" she laughed. "And Jäger...ugh!" she made a fake gagging noise.
"I will say that Barton passed out first," he said as they headed up the stairs. It was way past midnight now, both of them were completely exhausted.
Darcy laughed all the way up the stairs, shaking her head. "Oh my god, Phil is a badass muthafucka ..." She stopped in the small hallway upstairs and peeked in the 'office' room. "That sucks, you have to sleep on that," she said looking at the black futon. Those things were the most uncomfortable things in the world.
Phil shrugged. "It's better than sleeping in a giant drain pipe in Afghanistan, which I've done. Futon will be a luxury." He walked into the room and pulled it open.
Darcy smiled softly as she watched Phil grab a blanket out of one of the boxes, before she headed into her bedroom. Her bed was already made up for her, and she smiled. He had put all the sheets, blankets, and pillows on the bed for her so that she didn't have to do it. For some reason it just melted her heart a bit. She turned around and headed back to his room. "Thanks, Phil-" she stopped dead in her tracks, he had just pulled his shirt over his head when she barged in on him.
She stood there for a moment, staring at his naked chest. And it was a glorious chest. Darcy liked the smooth hairless look on her men usually, but, damn, she just wanted to rake her hands through the hair on his. "...thanks...for making up the bed for me..." she quickly broke her gaze from him and looked at the floor.
Phil could have said some smart ass remark to her for walking in on him. Jokingly, of course, but he saw that she was clearly embarrassed so he decided not to. "You're welcome, Darcy. Sweet dreams," he said softly as he grabbed a white t-shirt and slipped it over his head.
Darcy looked back up at him. "You too. See you in the morning." She turned around and headed back to her room, her heart beating rapidly all the way there.