Pryor to S.H.I.E.L.D (in progress)

Chapter one; Enlistment - Lottie

"Name?" The secretary asked, "Charlotte Pryor" I responded distractedly as I looked up at the highly embellished ceiling. "Just a second" nodded the woman behind the desk as she stood up and left the room through the door behind her. She returned with a brown paper parcel, "May I see the confirmation letter please?" She asked me politely, I passed her the envelope that I had tightly hold of in my hand. She glanced over the letter before passing me the parcel - "I'm sorry for your loss" she said with a sympathetic smile, I nodded my thanks and left through the huge wooden double doors I had come through on my way in.
Once outside I took a sharp intake of breath, carefully tucking the parcel into my handbag I headed off to hail a cab.
It was cold outside and I shivered under my long black coat. I eventually reached the block of apartments on St Pauls street and I payed the driver the fair.
Reaching into my bag I fumbled around to find my keys and unlocked the front door of the building, once inside I headed up the flight of stairs and quickly let myself in to my apartment. It was dark inside so I switched on the three lamps already situated around the room.
Laying my bag down on the coffee table, I walked into the tiny kitchen that had cardboard boxes stacked all over the place. Rummaging about I found my teapot and tea strainer and started to brew myself a drink; walking back into the small lounge I placed the teapot on the table next to my bag. I started to push the armchair closer, as earlier the removal men had simply placed it just within the doorway.
I sat down wearily and opened the bag, pulling out the parcel from inside and placing it on my lap. I shook slightly as I undid the string holding the paper in place, inside was my fiancées few belongings he had had with him at the time of his death. A tear spilled down my cheek and onto the paper and I took a deep breath, there wasn't many items there, but it was all I had of him now - His jacket and his gold pocket watch, which had been an engagement present from his parents, He prised it highly as it was the last thing they gave him before they got killed in the bombings . I put the watch to one side and ran my fingers over the folded jacket, I carefully began to unfold it and spread it out on my lap. That's when I saw it - I dropped onto my knees and let out a shriek of sheer heartbreak through my sobs. Nobody came. I sat on the bare floor, tears streaming down my face as I placed my hand over the bullet hole that was stained with dry blood on his jacket.
I thought I had come to terms with his death, but I had just been covering it up and trying to block it out. But now, sat here, the pain of reality flooded over me.
I heard someone walk down the staircase outside my door and I stopped and took a deep breath, I couldn't let my grief take over me.
"life goes on" I whispered to myself quoting my fiancé as I got to my feet shakily. I folded the jacket back up and placed it over the back of the armchair. picking up one of the boxes that where crowded around me I began to unpack in a attempt to keep my mind occupied.
The place wasn't so bad, It could do with some fresh wallpaper but other than that it was rather cozy. One of the lightbulbs fizzed and the light faded out, I had some lightbulbs and screwdrivers and things in a bag in case I needed them, so now I began to replace the bulbs one by one so as that I wouldn't have to do it later.
It was much brighter by the time I'd finished and I could see a lot better as I placed my books on a shelf along with a few trinkets.
Turning to the table I placed the last item down, it was a pretty little crystal vase that had been a gift to me, usually it would hold a bunch flowers but now it stood bare and sad.
I switched on the radio and tuned it in to the station, the broadcaster rambled on until gentle jazz music flowed out and filled the room as I began to cook a meal for one.

(One month later)
I had just got in from my shift at the cafe when there was a knock at the door of my apartment. I opened the door to see a young woman in military uniform stood on the other side. "Charlotte Pryor?" The woman asked in a British accent, I smiled, I hadn't met anyone from my own country since I moved to New York and then Brooklyn. "Yes that's me" I replied with a nod. "May I come in for a moment? I shan't inconvenience you for long Miss Pryor" The Woman smiled. "Of course, do take a seat" I invited the woman in. She sat on the settee and waited for me to sit down aswell. "I'm agent Carter, I'm from a department of the military known as the Strategic Scientific Reserve, most people won't of heard of us but I'm rather sure you have, if I'm not mistaken?" Agent Carter asked, I shifted in the chair and nodded "Yes I was a secretary in the SSR office in New York. But you see Agent, the reason I left was my fiancé; Lewis, he was a soldier and he was killed in action three months ago, that's when and why I left." I answered.
"I'm sorry to hear that, I know how it feels, I lost my brother the same way" Agent Carter said Sympathetically.
I nodded "I don't want to sound rude Agent, but why are you here?" I asked her.
She handed me a letter "The SSR want you to come back, as a field Agent".
I opened the letter and read through quickly.
I looked around the room, my apron from work was on the table, Lewis's jacket hung over the coat stand, a few minor possessions where here and there, but I knew that this wasn't living, It was merely existing.
"I'll probably kick myself later for saying this, but okay agent, I'll do it" I smiled at Carter and she nodded. "Welcome to the team, and you can call me Peggy" she smiled warmly, "Thankyou, and you can call me Lottie" I said shaking her hand.