The Lost Agents

3

In light of her recent loss, Director Fury gave the new-found widow an immediate furlough. To everyone else, she was given a week off, but privately he told her to take as much time as she needed.

The next day, a ceremony took place, commemorating those who had been instrumental in the saving of all the people from the bomb. There was a list of agents who had saved prisoners, agents who had evacuated the town, and agents who cleaned up afterwards.

Fury was officiating. "And there are just two more people I need to speak about," he said, then cleared his throat. "Would Agent Londyn Justice please join me on the stage?"

Londyn had been sitting through the ceremony in a state of numb dreaminess. She had barely listened to anything he had said. All she could see was the explosion every time she closed her eyes, with her own scream ringing in her ears. It wasn't until Natasha nudged her that she tried to focus on the announcements.

"Get up there," whispered her red-headed friend, nodding towards the podium Director Fury stood at.

Londyn stood and blankly went up to stand beside her boss and her friend. Those who knew her clapped loudly when her name was announced, and those who didn't simply followed suit.

Fury smiled a little at her, then looked at the crowd. "Agent Justice is the hero behind the Tenth Bomb. She is an office agent in our mystery division, the best we've ever had, and she is the one who cracked the riddle from the terrorists, which got us to Thunder Peak in the first place, then went on to personally rescue thirteen captives with all the skill of a field agent. Her dedication saved thousands of lives that would have been otherwise lost in the explosion and the avalanche.

"But she paid a high price for that dedication. While she was saving the captives, she lost someone very dear to her who should still be alive today. And those are the two reason we are giving her a badge of courage. Because she had the courage to stick to her job and think of others, and because she has the courage to get through this loss." Agent Maria Hill stepped forward, bearing a small, open box with a gold badge in it, and Fury took it out gently. "It is inscribed: presented to Agent Londyn Justice of S.H.I.E.L.D., for her dedication and courage to the case of the 10th Bomb. You saved many lives and have the thanks of the citizens of Haulen as well as the terrorist prisoners. Thank you for our lives."

The crowd clapped and cheered while he pinned the badge to her uniform. They sadly look each other in the eyes and Nick whispered, "stay here, okay? I want you to be with me for this next part." Her lip quivered, but she nodded. He stepped back to the microphone as the crowd settled. "And last, we will commemorate the one life that was lost in this event." He looked over at the new widow as she fought back tears and used a slight signal to bring her closer to his side. "Agent William Hughes. He was a field agent who often worked with mysteries. He went in as a one-man bomb squad during the 10th Bomb but was unable to deactivate the device and gave his life trying to stop it from killing thousands.

"Hughes was a fine man, honorable and trustworthy in all he did. He was never one to shirk from his duties, as was proven in his final stand." Londyn began trying to fight off the tears that came to her eyes as she thought of her wonderful husband who was now lost. "If he were alive today, I would be proud to have the honor of giving him the same badge of courage." Here, Fury stopped for a moment, beginning to choke up. Londyn's tears were already spilling over as she listened to the commemoration. He gently took her hand and gave it a squeeze that no one else could see because of the podium. "I had the honor of calling him a friend, and I am proud to have had such a man on my force. The world can always use more men like him, especially after it loses one such man. His name has been inscribed, with honor, on the wall of lost heroes, with the thanks and love of those he gave his life to save, and his family. There will be a funeral service, after we are done here down the road. Agents and citizens alike are welcome to pay their respects and to honor this brave man that was lost." He stepped back, releasing Londyn's hand, and the national anthem began to play over the speakers.

By now, Londyn's tears were a river, flowing down her face as she listened to the song. By the time it got to 'and the rocket's red glare' she was sobbing quietly. But as soon as 'bombs bursting in air' played, she completely lost it and flew off the stage to hide behind the curtains. She found a quiet corner and crumpled there, running her fingers through her hair as she wailed out her sorrows.

After a moment, Natasha found her, and softly sat down beside her, putting an arm around her shoulders. Londyn hid her face in her friend's neck, haunted by thoughts of Will and the future they would never have.

Nat stared up at the ceiling, also crying, while her close friend sobbed her heart out. In the distance, they could still hear the Star-Spangled Banner playing.

"O, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave? O're the land of the free, and the home of the brave."

I think Fury is the best director ever. If you agree, give me a vote! If not, drop me a comment why!

Stay happy! 

~AJ.