Begin Again | Sam Wilson

Chapter Four

Brianna had no idea what to expect when meeting the General of a branch of the military. She had also never stepped foot on a military base. She didn't know what to wear or how to address the General. She prayed that Sam would be of some aid to her. Then again, Sam loved to be teasing, so he could also be very unhelpful. The day would be filled with new challenges and she was feeling quite unprepared. She had underestimated the traffic from New York to the Air Force base in Washington and was almost late as she pulled up to the security gate.

"Name and ID, please." The Airmen told her.

She flashed her SHIELD badge at him. "Agent Brianna Barton."

He took her ID for a second and walked into the small building. She supposed he was running her name and making sure she had an appointment. He handed her her ID back. "You're clear. Drive until the first sign and take a right. You can park there."

"Thank you." She told him before following his directions.

She found Sam standing outside the entrance of the base looking way more causal in jeans and a t shirt than her black pencil skirt and white, Oxford shirt tucked in. He shot her a low whistle when he saw her approaching. "You clean up well."

"Yes, very funny." She said sarcastically. "You could have told me that I don't have to dress up to meet the General."

"Are you nervous? You look nervous." Sam said as he held the door open for her.

She squared her shoulders back. "I'm not nervous. I just don't know what to expect. I don't like surprises."

"Relax."

"You know by telling someone to relax, you're making it worse for them?" She stated.

Sam stopped walking and looked at her. "Brianna, it's fine. The General isn't expecting a soldier. He's expecting you. Just you. Besides, he's an Avengers fan. He's excited to meet you."

"Don't you find it odd that we have fans?" She asked as they resumed walking.

"Sometimes, but then I remember that people, particularly kids are looking up to us. Young girls saw themselves in Nat, Wanda and you. Young black kids see Rhodey, T'Challa and me and think anyone can be a hero." He explained.

She nodded understandingly. "That's a good perspective. I've just never thought as myself as a...role model. You should be an inspirational speaker or a life coach."

"I think I'm good with what I'm doing." Sam told her with a smile as they stopped in front of an office door.

Sam knocked and a voice told them to come inside. Despite Sam's encouraging words, she still didn't feel much better. She actually felt worse when she walked inside and saw all of the Avengers memorabilia. Instantly, she became uncomfortable. Pictures, artifacts, even action figures of them adorned the room. The General had to be at least in his early fifties. He had thin, graying hair. A stern yet kind look on his face.

She find it odd that a man of his age was collecting relicts about her teammates, but she supposed everyone had a hobby and she tried not to judge.

"Agent Barton," the General stood from his seat. He moved from around the desk and extended his hand towards Brianna. "It's an honor to meet you. Thank
you for your service."

Her service? It was an unusual statement given the fact that he was in the military and that usually what someone said to someone who served in the military.

She shook his hand. "It's nice to meet you as well, General Richardson. Thank you for inviting me."

"Please sit." He motioned for the two of them to sit in the leather chairs in front of his desk. "Mr.Wilson informed me that he wanted an extra person to join his team that he already knew who and that was when he recommended you. You would be acting as a liaison between the Air Force and SHIELD. This world just keeps getting stranger and I feel like it would be beneficial to have SHIELDs help given the fact that deal with strange things on a daily basis. I just need to know what your skills set are?"