From across the hallway

Part 41

Three months later

Missy walked out of her bedroom, placing a pretty studded earring into each ear.

She gave a smile as she saw Emily sitting at the table, already waiting patiently for her breakfast.

Missy, smoothing down her smart white silk blouse and charcoal grey pencil skirt- that showed off her tanned, slender legs to perfection, headed into her little kitchenette, plucking a slice of toast out of the toaster and smothering it with butter and jelly.

The news was playing on the TV in the room next door, but Missy was barely listening to it, instead, gently humming a pop song she had heard on a commercial a couple of days ago.

Missy was happy.

For the first time in a long time, she was happy.

Missy had been working for SHIELD for the past three months and she completely loved it. Her colleagues were nice, the work was interesting, and it paid really well.

Missy went to work each day looking forward to doing her job. And best of all, Emily was happy too. 

The little girl had finally made a couple of friends, the children of a few of the women who worked at SHIELD. And the kids were clever enough, even at their age, to know that they didn't need to shout or scream to get Emily's attention. They just played with her like every other little girl, playing ponies or painting, doing what other kids her age usually did on play dates.

Missy, on her high black patent high heels, strutted back into the living room and placed the triangles of toast in front of her daughter, stroking her head as she did so.

Emily beamed up at her Mom and picked up a slice, peering at it cautiously.

"It's just toast, baby. With raspberry jelly," said Missy as she walked away, knowing Emily too well and knowing just how picky she could be if given the option. Missy raised her hands turning back to her daughter, and used sign language to sign the words carefully-"YOU LIKE  TOAST WITH JELLY."

And to Missy's delight, her three-year old daughter didn't argue, for once.

Missy walked by the TV, barely paying attention to the news story that was currently scrolling across the screen.

"A huge fire near the docks of the Hudson, has, this morning-"

Missy wasn't even half way across the room when there was a sudden knock on the door.

Behind her, Emily looked up for a moment managing to hear the sound, her green eyes wide and curious as she chewed, open-mouthed, on a floppy triangle of toast.

But Missy hurled open the door in a hurry, giving a smile.

"Hi Janey," she said in a kindly voice to her familiar sitter, stepping aside for her to enter.

Janey was fresh out of college, and even from that first day she had spent with Emily, the tiny toddler had adored her. She was young, with black curly hair and glasses, and loved to read. And spent her days taking great care of Emily, reading to her, playing with her, and taking her out to the the playground when the weather was good.

Janey gave them both a wide smile, popping her backpack down onto the floor and heading over towards Emily without instruction.

"You know where everything is," said Missy grabbing her coat and shoving one of Emily's pieces of toast into her own mouth, "...and if you need anything-"

But Janey merely smiled.

"I'll call you," she said, cutting across Missy in a soothing voice. "Now go, before you're late."

Missy gave a smile in return, flinging her long grey coat over her shoulders and picking up her purse.

"Alright, alright" she said as she strutted over on her high heels and pressed a small kiss to the top of her daughter's soft hair. "See you later baby, ok? Mommy loves you."

Emily peered up at her mother, her little cheeks stuffed full. "Lubb yoo too, Mommy!" she said happily before turning back to her plate.

And with that, the caramel-haired woman headed swiftly out of the door.

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Missy strutted out of the large glass elevator as the doors neatly pinged open, doing up her umbrella. It had started to rain on the way over, storm clouds swirling overhead.

Missy almost wondered if Thor was in the area again. As storms tended to follow the God of Thunder around.

But brushing herself down, Missy wandered over towards her desk- which was situated on the far side on an enormous open-plan office, where men and woman in various SHIELD uniforms bustled past her, already several hours into their day.

Missy felt comfortable here now. Everyone knew her. Everyone said hi. And most importantly, everyone was just lovely, and took into consideration that sometimes she might be late...or sometimes she needed to work from home because Emily got sick. But that was just what single-Moms had to do sometimes.

And that was what she was. A working single Mom. On her own.

Missy passed through the room, suddenly catching the eye of the tall, blonde and handsome Steve Rogers, who often frequented this floor these days.

"Morning," he mouthed with a nod, flashing her a charming smile, as a small man with thinning grey hair attempted to engage him in conversation.

But Missy merely smiled back, giving him a gentle nod in return, before his attention was torn swiftly away.

Reaching her desk, Missy removed her coat and took a seat, still smiling.

She leaned forwards, re-adjusting a photo frame that sat on her desk, with care.

And just for a second, she admired the photograph inside showing Missy, Emily and Wade - taken a long, long time ago at the duck park. Their faces were smushed together, and they were grinning like idiots, but all three of them looked happy and perfect and totally and utterly in love.

"I love you," Missy whispered, as she set the frame down facing her.

Before she smiled, letting out a long sigh before starting up her computer, more than ready to start the day.

For she knew that it was bound to be another great one.

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Outside, stood in the pouring rain, a lone figure stared up at the enormous Stark Towers, home to SHIELD. The building he had seen Missy disappearing into just a few minutes before.

He let out a long, pained sigh.

She would never want to see him looking like this...

No one would...

And so, with a hood thrown up over his scarred, red face...Wade Wilson disappeared into the crowd...

...Francis would pay for this....one way or another.

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Well that was supposed to be the end of this fic... But would anyone be interested in reading more? Because I think I have a few more chapters up my sleeve if you do.

I'm away for most of this week so will update when I am back (if any of you would like to read more that is?).