FEBRUARY 8, 2014 6:47 PM

CHAPTER 19

The sound of silverware clanking against porcelain plates echoed in the kitchen. Pierce took a sip of his wine as he glanced at his daughter. He watched her pick at her food and take small nibbles from her steak. When they made eye-contact, Allie cleared her throat. She had been meaning to ask him something, but she had been too nervous.

"Dad."

"Hm," Pierce replied as he shoveled food into his mouth.

"I - uh- Tony Stark sent me an invitation to his Gala next month," she started.

Pierce took the napkin from his lap and wiped his mouth with it.

"I really want to go, but I want to go alone. No bodyguards, no escorts. Just me."

"No, you're not going anywhere alone," he answered as he cut a piece of steak. "You'll go with Rumlow."

"But- Dad, please. I really don't want to go with Rumlow."

Pierce sighed. "Okay," he paused for a moment. "I'll bite. Why don't you want to go with Rumlow?"

"Because he's a pompous ass," Allie snapped.

"Alexandra."

"Well, he is! He's rude, bossy, and -" she stopped herself from saying anything more. She inhaled deeply before she continued, calmly. "It doesn't matter how I feel about him. I just need to prove to myself and everyone else that I can do this on my own. I want to be able to take care of myself, dad. I'm twenty-five for fuck's sake. I am a grown woman who still lives with her father. I need to be on my own and see the world. I've never been in a relationship-"

"That's enough," he cut her off. He leaned back in his chair and folded his hand on his lap. "I'll negotiate."

Allie perked up in her seat, filled with hope.

"I'll let you go on two conditions. One: You will learn self-defense. I know it's been a while, but I'm sure you will pick it back up in no time. And two: You have to spar with the Asset and win."

Allie raised an eyebrow at her father. "Do you really expect me to not only fight the Asset (again), but to beat him as well?"

Pierce put his napkin on his empty plate. "Yes, I do. If you can't protect yourself from the Asset, how can I expect you to be able to protect yourself from someone or something stronger, faster, or smarter."

She thought about it. He wasn't wrong. She just didn't think it was possible for her, but it didn't hurt to try. She agreed to her father's terms.

FEBRUARY 9, 2014

It was her first day of her training. The Asset showed her a few basic defensive techniques and had her demonstrate them on him. She felt pathetic and weak compared to him. She would have been discouraged if it were a few years ago, but this time she thought of it as a challenge. She wanted nothing more than to kick his ass so she could be free of her father forever. The Asset was impressed by her determination and pat her on the back when their session was finished.

FEBRUARY 14, 2014

Allie looked at herself in the full-sized mirror in the dressing room. She was wearing a pale yellow sundress that went down to her knees. She liked how the color complemented her pale skin and bronze colored hair. A sudden knock on the door startled her. Allie snapped her head to face the door.

"Did you try it on yet?" Rumlow called out, behind the door.

She glared at the door. "I am wearing it now," she answered, annoyed.

"So? You like it?" He sounded hopeful.

Of course she did, but the fact that he picked it out made her want to rebel against him. However, it was a very nice dress. She sighed. "Yes, I like it," she said dryly.

"Aren't you going to show me?" he asked, firmly.

She rolled her eyes. If she didn't let him see it on her, she would never hear the end of it. As she opened the door, she spotted Rumlow standing in front of her with his arms crossed. When he saw her a grin spread across his face.

"I like this one better than the black. It makes your tits look bigger."

She rolled her eyes as she shut the door.

Allie ended up buying the dress, despite the fact the person she hated most in the world picked it out for her. She waited at the food court in the mall for Sam Wilson to show up. In her vision, he would come around 2:00 PM. When he finally showed up, Allie got up from her seat to pick up some napkins next to him. As she grabbed a few napkins from the dispenser, she glanced at him and pretended to be surprised.

"Sam?"

When he looked up at her, it took him a while to recognize her. "Hey! How are you? Allie, right?"

"Good memory," she smiled at him. "I'm doing very well, thank you for asking. How have you been?"

"I've been just fine, thanks. I haven't seen you around the V.A. lately. Everything okay?"

"Yeah," she waved her hand in the air. "I've just been super busy."

"I hear ya," he replied with a grin.

"Well, it was nice seeing you, Sam," she said as she walked back to her seat next to Rumlow.

"You too," he called out.