Undercover Agent

1.1

2012

IF a desk job where the only thing she had to do was type over mission reports was a tedious job, then being the Avengers' babysitter was really pushing her over the edge.

Kaylin is tired. She's spent the past half year keeping an eye on everyone Fury had in that file, and it's been a very taxing time. She's kept an eye on Natasha Romanov's missions. She's attended charity events where Tony Stark was supposed to show up. She's followed Bruce Banner's whereabouts through the satellite scanners and video cameras. She's even taken it upon herself to help Steve Rogers acclimated to his new life.

A year ago, she'd have laughed in your face if you were to tell her about all this.

The worst part is that she's got less free time, and her girlfriend isn't very happy about that.

Kaylin has been ignoring Kinsley's calls and texts. Not because she doesn't want to speak to her, but because she doesn't know how to explain her situation.

As an agent of SHIELD, Kaylin can't speak about her work. She can't say anything without putting Kinsley in danger, and it always makes her heart ache.

Kaylin loves her girlfriend, so much. It's just... How can you protect someone better than not telling them about the danger in the first place?

Steve - yes, they're on first name basis, on his insistence - has been a great distraction. He's been very enthusiastic about the - for him - new world, and he's been learning much about what he's missed. He won't go near a phone, but he's been visiting the library almost every day to read about all the history he's missed.

Just like now.

Kaylin finds Steve sitting in one of the study rooms with five books spread out over the table in front of him. He looks up when he hears her walk in and smiles kindly.

"Kaylin," he greets, getting up from his seat to give her a hug. "What brings you here?"

They both sit down, and Kaylin notices how Steve closes his book and puts it aside. He's nothing if not a gentleman.

"Well, I wanted to tell you that I won't be at the office for a while," she informs him. "I've got a mission."

Steve's eyebrows raise up. "You're back in the field?" he wonders.

"No," she replies, shaking her head. "I'm merely going to keep an eye on things. Fury has asked me to be an extra set of eyes because of my knowledge on some science aspects that might be needed. Perks of being a smart kid, huh?"

He laughs with her, despite him not understanding the true joke.

You see, Kaylin hasn't told him about who she really is. Steve doesn't know she grew up around smart people, or that she's very close to the very woman he almost went on a date with.

It's for his protection, she tells herself. No one can know.

A notification on her phone makes Kaylin sigh.

"I really have to go now," she says. "If you need anything, you have my number. If it's urgent, however, May is there."

Steve chuckles. "You know she hates you for saying that, right?" he tells her. "Go, Kaylin. Do your job. If it all works out, I won't even be in New York at the end of the week."

"That's right!" Kaylin is smiling brightly now. "You've found a place in DC. How did it go?"

"Kaylin, go," Steve says. "We can talk about this when you're back."

"Fine," she sighs, standing up. "Have fun moving."

-

SHIELD has many bases around the world. Many projects are conducted at the same time, and thus many buildings are needed.