The Soldier's Daughter

Meet Emily

Several years ago I emailed back and forth with this friend of mine and we wrote this fan-fic in parts, me playing Steve and Loki and her playing Emily and Beth.  The fan-fic is based on the universe my friend created where a team of Jr. Avengers (children of the original Avengers) are being trained.  You can find out more about Emily and her friends on Instagram @daughter.of.america

-- Steve Rodgers --

That look in her eyes couldn't be good. I halted my pacing and studied it.  It hurt.  I couldn't be mistaken.  It was the selfsame look I'd seen in Peggy's eyes whenever she felt capable of doing something that other people doubted she could do.  Whenever Peggy got that look I knew she could be expected to defy anything she needed to to do her part and head into dangerous territory for the good of everyone.

I sat down quickly.  How could I make my daughter understand how much this notion tore at my heart?  That she was just as brave as her mother.  Her mother who had died in an act of such bravery.  I tried to keep my tone calm and my words sensible.  "Emily..." I began slowly, worried that I wasn't making much headway towards convincing her.  There she sat on the couch in my office, so small and pretty...  I folded my hands and went on.  "You're only thirteen.  I'm sure there will be plenty of time for you to do your part and help people."

Her large eyes pleaded with me.

I rose and laid my hand on her shoulder.  "But for now-  I'd feel a lot safer if you'd stick to helping around here."

Oh dear...  Her face...  My words had hurt her...

"But dad, I KNOW I can do it!"  She gulped and looked like she would like to say more but was afraid of what I would think.  I didn't want her to be afraid.

"It's not that I think you can't..." I tried to explain, walking away from her and leaning against my desk.  "It's just that fighting with super villains is a big job for a little girl."  I was aware I had just contradicted myself and by Emily's look I guessed she was aware too.  She was such a good girl.  I hated putting up boundaries but it had to be done.

"What about all those friends you've made around SHIELD?" I said trying to cheer her up.  "You always seem to have fun with them."

"Yeah."  We were both silent for a while as I waited to see if she would say more.  At last she did, tugging at a strand of her hair as though very uncomfortable.  I gave her my full attention.  "It's just that- dad- haven't you SEEN me practice?"

Yes I had.  She was good.  Furry was bugging me to let her join as well but she was still so young...  So young... I hated the thought.  I just hated it!

"I'm the best of my age in SHIELD history!"  She was getting excited now.  "Agent Coulson said that if I started now I could be the best hero the world has ever-"

Images in my head - my daughter - blood - torture - choking - shrapnel - screaming-

"Well you're NOT starting now and that's final!"  I stood up as I said it, and she jumped back in just fear.  "I never asked Coulson, Furry or Natasha to feed you this violent ambition-"

"But dad," she began, rising with wet eyes.  She wanted this too much.  She was slipping away.

"I brought you to work because I thought that would appease you, but now you're clamoring for more.  Emily, I won't have my baby girl drowning in some diabolical blood bath-"

Emily closed her mouth tightly, trying to control herself, but a tear spilled out onto her cheek.  She wouldn't talk back now.  I knew she wouldn't, but just then I felt guilt rising up in my chest.  What would Peggy have thought of this?  I could almost hear her voice in my head.