A/N: Featuring the Melinda episode of AoS Season 2! Hope you guys enjoy!
But Phil and Andrew became friends, if not friends then perhaps a bit of acquaintances. They would meet whenever Andrew would pick Melinda up from work, and when Andrew would drive Melinda to work as well. Occasionally before missions, Phil would drop by to the Garners' house to pick Melinda up for mission. After all, they're still partners on the field.
Agent Hart had his team to work on an operational field mission for a gifted individual in Manama, Bahrain, and whether Phil liked it or not, the mission's endpoint will have Andrew working more for S.H.I.E.L.D., but not that Phil's really complaining about it.
"Come on in! It's open!" Phil hears Andrew shout from inside their house. Phil picks the newspaper and begins to scan the headlines as he turns the knob and enters inside the house.
"Andrew, good morning," Phil greets, setting the newspaper on the counter. Andrew gives him a smile and hands him a mug of coffee. "You really leave your front door unlocked?"
"Eh, got the best security system in the world," Andrew shrugs with a chuckle. "And you're early. This is my time."
Phil raises his eyebrows. "Sorry."
Andrew leans against the counter and faces Phil. "So who you going after? Am I about to get a new patient?" he asks. Phil shrugs his shoulders.
"Don't know yet. But yeah, maybe."
Melinda comes in the room. "Hey, no leaking operational secrets." Phil smiles smugly. "Come on, Coulson. We're gonna be late." She starts to finish off her drink. Phil raises an eyebrow.
"I'm early." he replies. Andrew chuckles lightly.
"Keep her safe out there." Andrew tells Phil. Phil smiles, a familiar ache lingering in his heart.
"She's supposed to keep me safe." Phil smiles at Andrew and walks out of the room and into the car. Melinda follows not long after and hops in beside Phil.
The ride on their way to the plane is silent, more of because there's not much to discuss and also because Phil and Melinda aren't the only ones in the car. There are a few people there, their co-workers, and the two wouldn't dare to discuss anything personal with anyone around them listening in a small space.
When they got to the plane, everyone is setting up. Phil is in the garage, prepping for the mission brief. Melinda comes down, Walkman in hand and walks over to an agent sitting on one of the seats, his eyes fluttering.
"O'Brien, thanks for the tunes." Melinda says with a smile, handing over the Walkman to him. O'Brien peeps one eye open and takes the Walkman.
"Anytime. It's one dull flight." he replies. Melinda sees Phil and walks over to him.
"This really gifted individual," Melinda starts. "What do we know?"
Phil shrugs. "Not much yet. You know they're retiring this fleet?"
Melinda sighs. "About time. S.H.I.E.L.D.'s putting every dime into the triskelion."
Phil smiles and looks at Melinda. "Well, not all the dimes." Melinda tilts her head on the side. "Fury's quietly started a new initiative. Instead of this catch-and-release with powered people, we form a team, take earth's mightiest to find out of they're heroes."
Melinda lets out a small playful chuckle. "And you mention this because you want my help?" she asks, a small smirk on her face. Phil smiles and shrugs.
"Well, I know you've got the family planning thing going on—" Melinda cuts her off, her eyes soft.
"I'm staying in the field." Phil smiles.
"Good, 'cause you'd be great." Phil says. "And that way, we could keep working together." he adds softly. Melinda smiles.
Both hear heavy footsteps from the stairs and Melinda sighs. "Uh, one mission at a time. Look alive." Phil raises his eyebrows and turns to greet their commander.
"Agent Hart." he greets.
"We've got her, Phil." Hart says. "Gather up!" he announces. Everyone in the area stands and gathers around Hart and a small screen. Phil stands on the other side of the screen as Hart speaks up.
"Meet Eva Belyakov, 35, index candidate." Hart starts. The screen shows a picture of a blonde woman, along with her name on the bottom. "Russian intelligence has been pursuing her. Agents Coulson and May have been brought in to advise and make the approach." Hart nods at Phil who steps forward.
"Thank you." He nods at Hart and faces the team. "We believe Miss Belyakov possesses enhanced strength. This is what happened when a Russian officer tried to stop her with his car. She fled Russia unharmed." Hart clicks a remote in his hand and a picture of a severely damaged car appears on the screen. "Looks pretty strong to me, so it's important we don't spook her. Just a friendly chat to bring her in for evaluation. And if all goes really well, we'd gain an asset before the Russians find her."
"The approach will be public," Hart adds. "It's not ideal, but we go in now, we lose our window. Local military's not used to standing down. Welcome to Bahrain. Let's hope Belyakov cooperates." Melinda furrows her eyebrows.
"And if she doesn't?" she asks. Hart sighs.
"Then I call in the Cavalry."