Temperance (Steve Rogers AU) 18+

6

The next couple of weeks are pure hell. If I'm not having my ass kicked in combat training, then it's being kicked by Sanders outside of it. Hes made it his mission to make my life a misery. Gods help any girl who falls for him. He's the type who knows he's good looking and has the whole package to be the next Captain America - and he makes damn well sure that I know I do not fit the mould like he and the others do. I'm covered in bruises, more than I should be - but where he succeeds in the physical side of training, I excel in the mental one. I'm top in the class when it comes to tactics and strategic plans - so much so that even Wilson has eased up on me.

This has only made Sanders mad though, to know I'm succeeding somewhere that he's not, and so he spent most of last night being a dick after the day's training was over and done with. He knocked the book I was reading in the rec room from my hands, tore it up in front of me, belittled me in front of the others. Sometimes they just chuckle along and other times they seem like they're over his shit. I don't know why the Captain doesn't see just how wrong he is, but I suppose in his eyes, he's the perfect fit physically.

"Good morning Agent Kennedy". FRIDAY greets me brightly as the alarm goes off at the usual 5am wake up call.

I mumble a 'fuck off' to her and throw myself out of bed, braiding my hair into a crown over my head and pinning it into place, before I make my way down to the training field. I really am not in the mood to be messed around with today - and as Wilson eyes me, I think he can see that I woke up and chose violence.

I don't make any eye contact with Sanders and keep to the other side of the group. He's bragging to a couple of others that he's still keeping the fastest time during the morning runs. Not that I even care, and I don't think that they do either - but still they feed his ego like the minions they are. After all, they don't want to end up as the punching bag like I am.

Captain Rogers heads out with his pad and looks around at us. "Ten laps, and then you meet me by the flag pole". He instructs us. "I'll give you the first challenge of the day once you're done".

"Not all of us finish around the same time, what about twiglet over there. We're gonna be waiting years for her to finish the whole ten". Sanders points out unkindly.

The Captain takes note of this and then looks to me. "Kennedy, you can do three laps". He now says.

"Three!" Sanders sounds outraged that I get to do less. "But..."

"You said yourself we'd be waiting forever, so she does three - now may I suggest you get your ass running before you are the one to keep us 'waiting for years'" He eyes him with a smile of amusement.

Without another word, Sanders makes off along with the others while I hang back. "I can do ten..." I begin.

"Three. Now get out there before I change my mind". Is all the Captain says, paying attention to his pad and not to me.

I'm not going to argue with that and start off.

I do my three laps and arrive at the flagpole, already out of breath and grabbing my water so I can savour it. The others begin to filter in and eventually all of us assembled. "We all here?" The Captain looks up and around at us. "Good". he passes the pad to Wilson and turns his attention to us. "When I was training, one of our challenges was to get a flag from the top of the flag pole. Of course you can probably guess who came out on top for getting it". He smirks knowingly. "Whoever gets that flag up there is excused from the rest of today's training lessons. Fall in and make a line. Let's see whether you can achieve the same goal as I did all those years ago".

We line up, and of course I'm shoved right to the end of the line. One by one we have at least five minutes to try and get the flag, and so far no one is even getting halfway up the pole. Not even Sanders, who is frustrated as fuck that he just keeps slipping down.

"It's not a stripper pole Sanders! Give the next person a go!" Wilson yells as Sanders just won't give up.

I continue watching, staring as I try to see what tactics the others are using. What's working and what's not. The latter being that climbing the pole is never gonna happen.

Then it hits me...

I know how to get the flag...

"Ok Kennedy, let's see whether you can actually prove to your colleagues here that you're worthy of being here". Wilson jerks his head toward the pole. Immediately everyone starts talking, knowing it's not even worth watching me. Even the Captain has his head in the pad, inputting all the progress on each of our reports.

I take a look at the flagpole and then pull the hook keeping it upright out from the bottom, causing the pole to now fall to the ground with a squeaky groan. Out from the corner of my eye, I see Captain Rogers head now lift up and look to where I'm taking the flag from the top of the pole that's now just lying there.

No one speaks, they all just look stunned - even Sanders, until he finally speaks in outrage. "That's cheating! She didn't even try! It goes against the rules..."

The Captain looks to him as I pass him the flag. "Did I say that you all specifically had to climb the pole to get the flag? I said whoever gets it can be excused from today's training. Kennedy has just shown to you all that instead of thinking physically, you need to think outside the box. She didn't cheat, she used her brain which is more than can be said for some of you". He turns to me and takes the flag from my hands. "Hit the showers and enjoy your day off", turning back to the others. "Another three laps and you can all then go clean up and have breakfast".

I glance at Wilson who is just smiling and gives me a nod to leave. I hurry back as fast as I can to my room, the feeling of pride inside of me. I just proved to everyone that I can be as good as they can. That I deserve to be here just as much as them.

I leave Coulson an upbeat and excited message of my victory today and then take a shower.

"Agent Kennedy" FRIDAY's voice comes out of nowhere as I stop my in shower concert that's happening.

"This better be good FRIDAY".

"Captain Rogers would like to see you in his office ASAP".

"Tell him I'm in the shower and will be there once I'm done - actually, don't tell him that first bit, just that I'll be there soon" I quickly change my mind

"Too late, already done". The AI quips back smugly and I curse.

Getting out, I dry myself off and make myself look decent before making my way to the level that Captain Rogers office is located on. Either he wants to see me about my stunt with the flag, or he's going to in fact spare me embarrassment from the others and actually tell me it was in fact cheating and kick me out. 

Either way I'm about to find out just what exactly he wants.