Chapter 71: Sharon Lives Here Now

Under Director Nick Fury's orders, S.H.I.E.L.D. moved swiftly. One by one, their agents were dispatched to recruit the candidates for the Avengers Initiative. Natasha Romanoff was sent to track down Dr. Bruce Banner, who was quietly laying low in a remote part of India, watched silently from the shadows by S.H.I.E.L.D. operatives. Phil Coulson paid a visit to Tony Stark, trying to diplomatically contain the fallout from his public "I am Iron Man" bombshell. Fury himself visited Steve Rogers, who had been wandering the streets of modern-day Brooklyn like a ghost displaced in time. Though Steve remained stoic, his eyes betrayed a deep, hollow ache. When Fury asked for his help, the answer was simple and immediate. "I'm a soldier. If there's a war coming... I fight." But the final, and perhaps most unpredictable, visit was left to Maria Hill. She was tasked with approaching the one person even Fury treated like a volatile element: Luke Yale. Maria had hesitated. Repeatedly. For good reason. Both Natasha and Coulson, seasoned professionals, had returned from their respective visits to Luke's grocery store visibly... shaken. And not in the usual post-mission exhaustion. Coulson had looked oddly pensive. Natasha had muttered something about "too much weird energy in that place" and refused to elaborate. Would she come back the same? Maria didn't know. But orders were orders. She memorized her lines like a mission script: No small talk. No distractions. Say what needs to be said. Then leave. Clean. Clinical. Controlled. ... [Ding! Congratulations to the host for meeting Maria Hill, a core supporting character in the Marvel Universe. +1 Plot Point.] Luke's system pinged the moment the doorbell chimed. From behind the counter, he was lazily sprawled in front of his gaming rig. His in-game character nearly died as he glanced up. He blinked. Maria Hill? He recognized her immediately, black suit, steel blue eyes, military posture. She radiated the kind of energy that said I have ten ways to kill you, and all of them are classified. 'Why does Fury keep sending beautiful agents to me?' 'Is this some kind of weird honey trap tactic?' This trick, he was afraid that he really doesn't have any defense against it! Luke frowned in mock concern and quickly exited his game. He pushed up his glasses and slipped them onto his face. With all the theatrical grace of a practiced host, he stepped from behind the counter and greeted her with an exaggerated grin. "Well, well! If it isn't the right hand of Director Fury himself. Maria Hill, in my humble shop. I'm honored." Maria's brow twitched slightly. "You know my name?" she asked sharply, before mentally slapping herself. Small talk! She'd broken her first rule within five seconds. "Of course," Luke said with a smirk. "I try to keep track of all the people who might shoot me one day." Reluctantly, she accepted his handshake, quick, firm, professional. "I'm not here to chat," Hill said, already regaining her composure. "I came to deliver a formal request from S.H.I.E.L.D" "Sharon!" Luke called, casually cutting her off. "Come down and get our guest some tea!" Hill blinked, 'Sharon?' She checked the time. It was early morning. Too early for even S.H.I.E.L.D. briefings. Why would Sharon Carter already be here? Moments later, Sharon descended the stairs in an apron, her hair tied up in a bun, a steaming cup of tea in her hands. Her movements were relaxed. Familiar. Comfortable. Like she... belonged here. "Agent Hill," Sharon said warmly, handing her the tea. "Nice to see you again." Maria stared at her, dumbfounded. "Sharon... What were you doing upstairs? Are you on assignment here?" "I was just cooking breakfast for the boss," Sharon said cheerfully, brushing flour off her hands. Hill nearly dropped the tea. "You're his assistant, not his... cook. Or..." Sharon raised an eyebrow and said proudly, "Assistants assist. That includes cooking." Maria looked from Sharon's apron, to her glowing smile, to the tea in her own hand, and suddenly realized she had already taken two sips without thinking. Luke chuckled from the side. "Oh, didn't Sharon tell you? She lives here now." Hill's brain froze. 'Lives here?!' Her eyes widened as she turned back to Sharon. "Is that... true?" Sharon shrugged innocently. "It's more efficient. Saves time on commuting." Hill processed that in stunned silence. She suddenly understood why Natasha and Coulson had come back looking like they'd been to another dimension. This grocery store... is cursed. "I-I'm not staying for long," she stammered. "I just came to deliver this." She quickly handed Luke a folder marked CLASSIFIED and stamped with S.H.I.E.L.D.'s seal. "This contains intel on the alien invader Loki, and the artifact known as the Tesseract. Director Fury wants your insight and... your participation." Luke accepted it casually, like someone being handed a magazine, and didn't even glance at it. Regarding Loki and the Tesseract, he was afraid that S.H.I.E.L.D doesn't know even half of what he knows. Hill tried to compose herself and handed over a card. "I'll wait for your decision. My contact info is inside. If" Before she could finish, another voice floated down from the stairs. "I finished the eggs!" Wanda. She came down in an apron identical to Sharon's, carrying a tray with breakfast plates and a glass of juice, her wild auburn hair tousled but her eyes bright and eager. Luke smiled and waved toward Hill. "Wanda, this is Agent Maria Hill, Sharon's colleague. She's also from S.H.I.E.L.D." Wanda placed the tray on the counter and reached out with a warm smile. "It's nice to meet you. You should stay for breakfast!." Hill flinched as if someone had offered her poison. "No, thank you. I-uh-I need to return to HQ..." She started backing toward the door. "Here," Wanda said sweetly, grabbing her hand. "You're carrying your business cards loose? That's no good. Come see our new batch of business card holders, they're really cute!" "I-I don't really need..." Hill began, trying to pull away politely. But Wanda was already guiding her toward the display shelf near the register. And as Hill looked at the variety of elegant, leather-bound card holders in different colors and designs, she hesitated. Actually... she really does seem to be missing a business card holder. Although there are not many opportunities to use business cards, a high level agent like herself should always be prepared. Since she's already here, can't she just use the chance to buy one? ...