Mister Rogers ⍟ || Steve Rogers

3

As Fury's retired assistant (turned field agent), it was my responsibility to deliver a mission report to him. Though I was injured, I declined Rumlow's offer to provide the report and went myself.

I quickly disposed of the sling in a nearby trash can and made my way to the elevator, walking slowly but refusing to limp. Nurses stared, no longer surprised that I was, once again, discharging myself against medical advice.

I gently pressed the button and adjusted my utility belt, tightening it back into place now that I had it returned with my belongings.

The second the elevator doors opened, I slipped inside and jabbed the close button aggressively, escaping the judgmental looks from the nurses down the hall. As the doors slid shut, I finished fastening my gun holsters around my thighs.

"You really only have to press it once, you knew," said a familiar voice from behind me.

I turned around to see Steve standing against the wall. "You don't know that. I might have just saved myself three seconds," I defended.

A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Where are you headed?"

"To see Fury. You?"

He rubbed the back of his neck, glancing away for a second. "Actually... I was going to see you."

My eyebrow lifted, a smile creeping onto my face.

"I just thought you might want some company," he added quickly. "But if that's—if I'm overstepping—"

"No, no," I cut in gently. "That's actually sweet. Thank you."

I looked up at him, and the sight of his slightly messy blond hair and the shy smile tugging at his mouth caught me off guard.

"Listen, I was wondering if you--"

Steve was interrupted when the elevator doors opened. We both turned, only to find Fury standing right in front of us.

"Agents," he greeted. His eye settled on me. "Jones."

He turned and began walking away, clearly expecting me to follow.

"I'm really sorry," I said to Steve, already stepping out of the elevator, knowing I wouldn't get to hear what he had been about to say.

"It's okay. I'll see you later," he replied, a trace of disappointment on his face.

I jogged to catch up with Fury as he headed down into the parking garage. An S.U.V. was waiting for us.

I slid into the passenger seat beside him. The car stayed silent for a while. It wasn't until the Triskelion was far behind us that Fury finally spoke.

"Project Insight, you know about it?" He asked.

"Isn't it why the new helicarriers are being built?" I questioned.

He nodded, "As you probably know now, Agent Romanoff was given a separate mission. She was instructed to extract data from Project Insight from the Lemurian Star."

"How exactly do I fit into this?" I asked, squinting slightly as I tried to follow his point.

"In a few hours, you'll meet with Agent Hill and me," Fury said. "We'll be discussing Project Insight."

"Why me?"

"You were on the mission. You're a witness."

The explanation was vague, but I didn't press him. I leaned back in the seat, letting the breeze from the open window brush against my face as I stared out at the passing traffic.