Queenie: Alright, dearies, here is the moment where Kaira and Steve meet. It will be a pretty friendly meeting at first, but once they get to know each other, it'll be obvious they rub each other the wrong way. Well, I hope you like the chapter.
"This all just seems really stupid in my opinion." I said as I stood with Maria and Director Fury.
It's been two days since the arrival of our latest guest, and I've just gotten back from my vacation, which I obviously cut short. I had been just so curious about what this Captain America was going to be like that I couldn't relax at the farm. Technically I'm still on vacation since I'm still mending, but I had to come back to meet this mortal legend. And my injuries are mostly healed thanks to the power of ambrosia.
"With all due respect, Agent Cortez," The nasally voice of Dr. Oliver began.
Dr. Benjamin Oliver was the leading psychiatrist here at the New York HQ. He and his team were here to give us a bit of therapy from time-to-time. You know, to make sure we don't lose our marbles, which is something very possible to do in this line of work. At least for the average person. I could honestly do without Benjamin and his goons. But I had personally gotten to know the doctor when Fury made me have weekly visits with him after I joined. To deal with the "trauma" left behind from the war. So since I know him so well, I can probably guess what he's going to say next.
"You are not the one with three PhDs." Benjamin said. "This plan will work. When the Captain wakes, he will believe he's home in a safe place recovering after being recovered from the crash. That way his mind isn't too overloaded when he wakes. It will be a slow transition until he is ready for the truth."
I rolled my eyes since that didn't make his plan sound any better than when I first heard about it. I mean, putting a man, who's been on ice for seventy years, in a fake 1940s hospital room couldn't end well. We couldn't keep him in there until he was ready to hear the truth. He'd come out eventually. And most likely, he'd be suspicious in the first place.
"And using an agent that somewhat resembles Agent Carter helps how?" I asked. "Won't that have him asking to see her immediately? What are you going to tell him? No? Don't think that'll go over well. Not to mention the game I hear paying through the very thin walls was something that happened before Rogers went to war if I'm hearing my dates right. Don't you think he'll notice that?"
Benjamin started turning red in the face as he was obviously getting tired of me questioning his methods. However, before he could say anything, Fury cleared his throat.
"We'll just have to wait and see what happens." Fury said. "Though if you're so skeptical about it, Cortez, I want you on watch for when he wakes. If he tries to run for it, I'm leaving it to you to stop him and bring him back in. Once that happens, bring him to me."
I nodded while almost smirking since Fury was obviously skeptical about this plan as well. I threw a smug look in Benjamin's direction, and he threw me an angered one in return. Fury went to leave with Maria following after, but he paused to look back at Benjamin and me.
"Oh, and after that, go home, Kaira." Fury said firmly. "You need this vacation. I don't want to see you in this building again for the rest of the week once Captain Rogers is awake, understand?"
"Yes, sir." I said nodding my head.
I never argued directly with Fury. I respected him too much for that. Besides, I know I do need the rest. He and Maria then left leaving me with Benjamin.
"Well, when this does blow up in your face, I'll be ready for damage control." I said as I pulled my comm from my pocket. "And so will my team."
I put the comm in my ear while ready to pick the agents I'd need once Rogers makes a run for it. As I started getting things prepared, Benjamin huffed while marching away. I threw an amused grin in his direction as he disappeared around the corner. Well, at least he's out of the way. Now it's time to get things prepared.
I stood leaned against the wall outside the tin box the Captain was in as I picked at my nails. I could hear the game still going inside the box, but there was new sounds as well like a door opening. That female agent—Agent Maxwell—must have went in. Rogers must be awake. I remained leaning against the wall though my body became a bit tense as I readied for the Captain to make an escape. I also reached up to tap my comm as I heard the door shut behind Maxwell.
"He's awake." I said. "Get ready to move."
I got a confirmation from Agent Thomas who was back in the game after mending from his fight with Thor. He might be a mortal, but Thomas was built like damn train. Nothing kept him down for long. I heard muffle voices from inside the box, but I couldn't make up what they were saying. However, things didn't seem to be going well since I saw some of the backup agents for this little show go around the box to the front to go through the door.
"He didn't buy it." I said grinning. "Knew he wouldn't."
A second later the two men were throwing clean through the line tin wall, and that's when I got my first look at Captain Steve G. Rogers as he came out of the hole he made. He looked around in a panic with his eyes settling on me.
"Now, Captain, let's take it easy." I said as I pushed off the wall. "We're all friends here, I assure you."
Rogers relaxed a bit as he looked at me, and for a second I thought he might make a run for it. However, just then Maxwell butt in telling him to wait, and he shook his head snapping his eyes away from me. He took off running, which actually made things a bit more fun. I hurried after him while not waiting to hear Maxwell sound the warning. I ran after Rogers while closing in. Though I had to admit he was fast.
I followed him into the main hall as Maxwell's voice continued to sound the alarm over the speakers. Some of the agents in the hall tried to grab him, but Rogers easily batted them away from him. I kept on his heels while jumping over the fallen agents.
"Sorry!" I called over my shoulder then pressed my finger to my comm when I saw Rogers near the door. "Agent Thomas, get into position. He's heading your way."
"Roger that, Cortez." Thomas replied. "We're ready and waiting."
I grinned while quickly going through the doors after Rogers. I made it outside just as he started running down the street nearly getting run over. I had to slide over the taxi cab that nearly nailed him, which gave him a bit of time to put distance between us. However, I was quick to close that distance again. He made it to the center of the square where he stopped dead in his tracks. He obviously was more concerned trying to figure out what was going on that getting away. Just then the SUVs with the other agents circled him before they left the vehicles. I finally stopped running as I pushed past the other agents.
"Hey, solider boy, you ready to calm down?" I asked getting his attention.
When he didn't seem like he was going to fight or take flight, I stepped up closer to him to stand in front of him. I had to look up at him partially since he was so tall, but I've had to deal with bigger people before. So if the fight instinct did kick in, I wasn't too worried.
"Sorry if that little act back at HQ messed with you." I said sincerely. "I told them it was a bad idea, but no one ever listens to me. But in Dr. Oliver's defense, he just thought it was the best way to ease you into everything slowly."
I don't know why I'm speaking up for Benjamin, but it seemed like the best thing to do. Didn't want the Captain holding a grudge against the guy who's probably going to be working with him a lot until we all know where Rogers's mental state is.
"Break what?" Rogers asked looking into my eyes.
I sighed scratching the back of my head while wondering how to break the news to the guy. I mean, I don't know what I'd do if I were in his position. Someone like the di Angelo siblings or Myron Blackstone, who've been through something like him, would be better candidates, but it wasn't like I could get them here in the next two seconds, so I guess I'd just have to deal with it myself.
"To put it simply, you've been taking quite the long nap, Captain Rogers." I said. "A nap that's lasted…oh, about 70 years or so."
Instead of calling me liar or anything along those lines, Rogers remained silent while obviously trying to come to terms with what I was saying. Though he was taking it better than most people would. He looked around at everything, and I knew it had to be quite the sight compared to what he was used to.
"I know, it has to be a big change." I said getting his eyes back on me. "And while I'm sure this is a stupid question…Are you going to be okay?"
I mean, if I was in his shoes, I'd probably punch the idiot stupid enough to ask me that, but Rogers let out a sigh as he looked up towards the sky.
"Yeah…it's just...I had a date." He said sadly.
I looked at him sympathetically, and while I'd like to give him more time, we were bringing enough attention to ourselves. I needed to get him back to HQ and Fury. I turned to Agent Thomas.
"Keep the pedestrians moving." I said to him. "Move our guys out. Let's not old up traffic any more than we need to. And contact Director Fury. Tell him I'll be personally escorting Captain Rogers back to HQ, and we'll meet him in his office. The rest of the orders, I'm sure you can handle."
"Yes, ma'am." Thomas said nodding.
He turned towards the men to start ordering them, and while some looked as if they wanted to stay and stare at the living legend, they moved out as ordered. I turned back to Rogers seeing he was looking at me curiously.
"I suppose I didn't properly introduce myself." I said walking a few steps back to him. "Agent Kaira Cortez at your service, Captain Rogers."
I held out my hand to him, and after a moment of hesitation, he reached out to shake my hand.
"Now, I know you have to have a lot of question," I said once we stopped shaking hands. "I'm not the one who can answer them. So if you'd like, we'll return to HQ, so my boss can fill you in on a few things you've missed."
NO POV:
Steve stood stiffly in the elevator next Kaira as it was heading up to where she said her boss's office was located. He looked around at the glass elevator, and how high tech it was. It's like nothing he's ever seen, but he supposes technology has come a long way since he took his seventy years long nap. Steve's eyes then landed on Kaira as she was leaning against one of the glass walls. She looked perfectly at ease while not seeming to care that she was standing next to someone from a different time. He also noticed she seemed rather young to be an agent. He was going to ask how long she's been with this agency, but she spoke up first.
"You know, S.H.I.E.L.D was actually started by some old friends of yours." She said as she glanced up at him. "At least that's what I heard."
"Really?" He asked a bit curious.
She nodded her head as she crossed her arms over her chest. Her arm slightly twinge at the movement since it was still tender and in recovery from her fight with the Destroyer. If she ever saw that hunk of tin ever again, she'd turn it into scrap metal before it had time to recognize her.
"Howard Stark and Agent Carter transformed what was left of your task force into S.H.I.E.L.D." Kaira continued. "They're the founders of this entire organization."
"I take it they retired though from this kind of life." Steve said.
Guessing by how old they'd be now, Steve doubted they were actively working with S.H.I.E.L.D at the moment. Kaira sighed with an expression on her face that said she had bad news. Steve felt his heart completely stop as he wondered if Peggy wasn't even alive anymore. If she wasn't…he wasn't sure how he'd handle things.
"Unfortunately, Howard Stark died in a car accident with his wife Maria some time ago." Kaira said. "His son Tony continues his work at Stark Industries, but has no connections to S.H.I.E.L.D."
Though that might change once Fury gets the Avengers started like he wants. Kaira was sure Steve would be part of the group now that people know he's alive and well.
"And what about Peg—Agent Carter?" Steve asked fearing the worse.
"Agent Carter has been retired for some time." Kaira said. "And before you ask, I don't know where she is. S.H.I.E.L.D tries to keep his agents whether current or former protected, so their home locations aren't really freely given away."
Steve nodded understanding that while glad that Peggy was alive at least and somewhere safe. He wondered how she's been all these years. If she fell in love with anyone else or had a family. A part of him hoped so since he'd feel guilty if she waited around for him and didn't live her life. Though another had hoped she had to show she's loved him all this time, and that made him feel guilty for wishing that.
"I know this all has to be hard on you, Cap." Kaira said. "I wish I could say I understood how you felt, but I don't. Though I do have friends who could understand what you're going through. There's these twins I know who lost seventy years of their lives as well. They disappeared around the same time you did back in the day. Then there's his guy named Myron who went missing for nearly a hundred years if not more before he was able to rejoin society. All three of them lost their family and their other loved ones and had the readjust to the world."
Steve looked down wondering how anyone could adjusted to waking up in a world after being away for seventy years to see how much things have changed.
"Maybe you can talk to one of them someday." Kaira said. "If Fury allows it. Well, not Celena. She's been missing for months now."
Kaira sounded worried when she said this as a frown formed on her face. Steve looked at her in concern wondering if she was very close to this Celena.
"But that's not important now." Kaira said forcing her frown away to smile up at him. "You have enough on your plate, Cap, and I'm sure Director Fury will try to help you out."
As soon as the words left her mouth, the elevator reached the floor it was meant to be on. The doors dinged open with Kaira motioning Steve out first. Steven stepped through the door with Kaira following. Kaira walked down a small hall with the stone wall stopping short on the left side to reveal a small open space that was divided by a completely glass wall that kept the waiting area and office separate.
Steve could see a dark-skinned man with an eyepatch in the office behind the large desk. Kaira walked up to what looked like part of the wall, but Steve noticed a door handle. Kaira waved her hand over the glass wall by the door with what looked like a keypad appearing. Kaira typed in a code with a female's voice speaking up.
"Welcome, Agent Kaira E. Cortez." The computerized woman's voice said.
The door then clicked open, so Kaira pulled it open while poking her head inside.
"Director Fury," She said.
Steve could hear the respect rolling off Kaira's tongue as she addressed the director behind the desk. Fury looked up with his single eye flicking towards Steve before back to Kaira.
"Come in, Kaira." He said addressing her informally.
Kaira nodded her head then opened the door completely while letting Steve walk in first. Kaira closed the door behind her then walked up to Fury's desk with Steve behind her.
"I see you've brought Captain Rogers back in one piece." Fury said not looking up from the computer in front of him.
"Yes, sir." Kaira said. "There was no need for violence to have the Captain return. If it's all you need, I'm sure you'd like me to finish my vacation."
"You're completely right, Agent." Fury said glancing towards Kaira. "I want you to march yourself out of this building then go somewhere you can relax. Try the beach, and don't come back until your vacation is over."
Kaira chuckled with her lips turning up in amusement as the director looked at her firmly. Steve noted it was almost like a talk between a father and daughter than a boss and employee. Though he said nothing as he tried not to worry about how his future would be.
"Of course, sir." Kaira said nodding her head. "I'll leave Captain Rogers in your hands then."
She then turned to leave, but pat Steve's arm almost as if she was bidding him a silent farewell. She headed for the door while punching in her code again, which had the door unlock. As she was opening the door open, Fury called out to her, which had her looking back at him.
"Actually, Cortez, instead of the beach maybe you should try going home for a change." Fury said. "I think you've avoided it long enough."
He said no more than that, and Steve watched as a bothered expression appeared on Kaira's face. She then sighed as she looked away.
"I will consider it, Director." She said. "Have a nice day now."
She left with the door shutting softly behind her. Steven then looked back to Fury as he finished working on his computer.
"Take a seat, Cap." Fury said looking up at him. "We have a lot to talk about."
KAIRA'S POV:
I sighed looking down Half-Blood Hill to see the camp down below. I could see a few campers moving about below doing the usual camp activities. Gods, I can't remember the last time I participated in a three-legged death race or in a game of capture the flag. It felt like ages ago. I wasn't even sure why I came back here exactly, but it wasn't to play games that was for sure. Maybe it just really was time for me to return even if just for a short visit.
"Well, can't keep just standing up here." I said to myself.
I started down into the valley while adjusting the trap to my bag. I was going to find Chiron to check in with him, so he knew I was here, which means my first stop would be the Big House. I headed towards the baby blue house while already spotting a certain god of wine and my old mentor playing pinochle as usual. I wonder if the two ever do anything else with their free time. The first one to spot me was Mr. D and he instantly frowned when seeing me.
"Oh, goody." He began sarcastically. "That troublemaker is back. Kayla Corlex."
I nearly rolled eyes when he messed up my name, but I had almost missed Mr. D and his crabby attitude and inability to get any of our names right. His words had Chiron turning his head, and the old centaur's eyes lit up when spotting me. He wheeled his wheelchair around, which he used when disguising himself as Mr. Brunner and when playing pinochle since it was easier to sit at the table that way to play.
"Kaira, my dear, welcome home." Chiron said as I stepped onto the porch. "It has been ages."
"It's good to see you, Chiron." I said as I bowed my head respectfully to him. "And you as well, Mr. D."
I bowed my head to him as well, but Mr. D just snorted as he shuffled the cards he had in his hands.
"I thought all you older half-bloods moved away to live lives away from her." Mr. D said. "But it seems as if you all still have time to come back to bother me. If only some of you would die like the good old days, I'd have less of a headache."
I blinked not fazed by Mr. D's words since all of us have heard similar things from him before. Besides, that was a warmer greeting that I was expecting from him in the first place.
"I'm sorry to bother you, Mr. D." I said. "I suppose I got a little homesick."
He just rolled his eyes in return, which I decided to ignore as I turned my eyes onto Chiron.
"I'm taking a vacation from my last mission." I said. "I tangled with a few Norse legends, and might have gotten a bit banged up here and there."
"Sounds interesting." Chiron said. "I had heard humor of the god Thor being here on earth not all too long ago. Lord Zeus had not been pleased with the changes in the weather in New Mexico."
I sighed though wasn't surprised. I had a feeling Zeus wouldn't be pleased with the lightning show Thor had put on.
"Those Norse gods sure pack a punch." I said as I rubbed the back of my neck. "I didn't get to finish my fight with Thor though. My supervisor made me throw the fight before I could get serious. But then this thing called the Destroyer came to the party in the end, which really got me a bit banged up."
Chiron nodded his head, and by the look in his eyes, I could see he'd want more details about it at a later date. I know my missions are meant to be classified, but I know I could tell Chiron anything. He's the one who trained me after all, which got Fury's attention in the first place. Well, that and the fact I busted into the White House, but that's beside the point.
"We can talk later on the matter." Chiron said. "I'm sure you'll want to settle in. I will escort you to your cabin."
When he said that, old cabin eleven came to mind since that had been my home when I was here at camp. Though I had to remind myself a cabin had actually been built for Tyche's children. It'd be weird not sleeping in the always cramped cabin eleven's quarters, but I said nothing as Chiron's wheelchair opened up, so he could step out. He shook his long horse legs out before going down the porch steps. I went to follow after him, but paused to look back at Mr. D.
"It was good seeing you again, Mr. D." I said sincerely. "Maybe I can cause some trouble before I leave for old time's sake."
Mr. D looked up from his cards while narrowing his eyes at me, and while most people were afraid of those churning violet orbs, I wasn't. I never have been.
"You listen well, Kirsten Vortex." He said completely messing my name again. "If you cause me even one headache while you're visiting, I'll have you swimming with the dolphins before you can blink. Understand?"
"Sure thing, Mr. D." I said waving to him. "I'll keep that in mind."
Mr. D huffed obviously not buying my words, but he just returned to his cards as Chiron let out a chuckle. He then started leading me towards the cabins, which had us passing the volleyball court and the stables and the forges where a few campers, who recognized me, paused in what they were doing to call out welcome homes or to say they were glad to see me. I waved to all of them while feeling a bit better about being here. I had been dreading coming home, but things didn't feel so bad now. I felt at ease and happier than I've been in months. I also felt a swell of emotion as I stopped walking as my eyes became misty. Chiron stopped as well to look back at me.
"Kaira, is everything alright?" He asked looking concerned.
"Yeah," I said as I smiled. "I'm just so glad to be home."