I Am Your Shield: AOS

0

May 10, 2012

It had been six days since the Battle of New York. Six days since the world was attacked by aliens and was saved by the Avengers. Just as exciting as it was to know superheroes were able to protect the planet from a greater threat, it still meant danger lurked around. It also meant that despite the victories, it still came at a big loss.

Mary Coulson-Gardiner was washing dishes in the kitchen, as her eighteen year old son was sitting at the table with her brother. Jackson was working on his science homework, while his uncle Hank was chatting with his sister. 

“Come on, Mary. Lee is a nice guy.” Hank said while holding his coffee.

Mary smirks, “For the last time. I'm not going to let you set me up.”

Hank placed the mug down.

“Why not, sis? You've been single for five years.” Hank said, “You deserve to be happy.”

Mary frowns.

Her eyes lingered to the soapy water to her left hand, that used to bare her wedding ring. Sure, it's been long but she hadn't had any plans on dating again. Not after the pain that her divorce cost.

Jack looked at his mom.

“I don't need to worry about a man right now.” Mary says gleefully, “Right now, we need to figure out which college Jack will be attending.”

Jack pouts.

“What if I don't want to go to college?” Jack asks.

Mary turns to her son with a smirk, “Oh yeah? And what will you do?”

Jack shrugs, “I don't know.” Jack plays with his pencil, "College isn't for everyone. Uncle Hank didn't go."

Hank chuckles, “Well, that cause I joined the army when I was your age and when I left I went into law enforcement."

Mary shakes her head, "Jack, you are a bright kid with an unlimited future. I'd hate to see you waste it just being average."

Jack continues to play with his pencil, "Maybe I wanna be average."

Hank nudged Jack with his foot. Jack lifts his gaze to his uncle.

"Humor your mother." Hank said.

Mary threw a dish towel at her brother.

"Hey-!" Mary yells.

There was a bit of laughter between Hank, Mary, and Jack for a moment before there was a knock at the door.

Jack turns to the door.

"I'll get it." He said.

Mary watched her son get up to answer the door.

They don't really get visitors since they moved out to Hank's farm about the time Mary's divorce was finalized. Sure, she wasn't forced to leave, she was going to get the house, but she didn't want to remain in that home with all those memories.

Mary returns to the dishes and her gaze went to the window. She saw a few black SUVs around the home. She recalls the last time she saw this many unmarked vehicles.

Mary bolted from the kitchen, hands soapy and all.

"Mary?" Hank spoke.

Mary ran to the door, where her son had opened it and was standing face to face with the one and only Nick Fury.

Mary's eyes narrowed.

"What do you want, Nick?" She spat out.

Despite her hands still being soapy, Mary put some distance between the man and her son.