Talent - Leo Fitz (AOS)

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word count: 6692

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Framed

Sophie woke with a start as her phone buzzed. It was a jolting start to the day, earlier than she would have liked too. She blinked drowsily, drunk on sleep deprivation from the restless night she had had.

But the message quickly sobered up, reading: There's been an attack on the U.N. Report to me immediately.

She cursed and got out of bed, stretching, letting all the joints and bones click satisfyingly, before going to suit up. Some black jeans, a tank top, and her favourite leather jacket usually sufficed.

She had mastered the art of doing her hair and makeup in five minutes. They were unnecessary parts of getting prepared for any other agent, but for Sophie it felt like another layer of her armour.

Once she had zipped up her boots, she was ready to go. A new mission would be welcome, she was tired of staying at the base and training, she liked being out in the field.

She spotted May in the common area of the Playground as the older agent stood in front of the TV, arms crossed, scowling at the news.

"What 'appened?" Sophie asked, before looking at the TV screen. "Wait, S.H.I.E.L.D.? We did this?"

"Of course we didn't," May muttered, "It was Hydra."

"Right, of course it was."

"Coulson wants you taking point on the Op because you were in Hydra so you know them, and...well, he's worked with you the most. He trusts you." May said, not lifting her eyes from the news.

Sophie nodded, processing that. This was a big op to be in charge of. But at least the director of S.H.I.E.L.D. trusted her, that was always good.

"Where is 'e?" She asked.

"Office."

Sophie nodded, before turning to go up the stairs to Coulson's office. She didn't even knock, just walked straight in. If she was taking point on this op, she had no time to waste.

"Agent Bouchard, good," Coulson said as she entered, leaning back on his desk as he watched all the news reports flash up. "May told you you're heading this op, right?"

"She did," Sophie said curtly.

"It's bad," he said, looking up at the news, "it's Hydra trying to put a bad name out for S.H.I.E.L.D...and it cost a lot of lives."

"'ow did they even do it, Sir?"

"Using this."

Coulson pressed a small control button which brought forward a clip of a UN member disintegrating into dust. It was the same kind of thing that happened to people who touched the obelisk, Sophie noted, remembering what she was told about the alien item when first briefed.

"Obelisk technology?" She asked.

"Perhaps," Coulson nodded. "And we think there's going to be another attack."

"Need me to prep a quinjet?"

He smiled briefly at her immediate professionalism, "yes, Bobbi's researching the main culprits, once she's got the information you need, be ready to go."

"Yes, Sir. Just me and Bobbi?" She asked, feeling hope bubble in her chest at the thought of having a mission with just her and her best friend.

"Uh..." Coulson looked back at the news, "no you'll probably need another. Why don't you take Hunter?"