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

Chapter Three; Boundaries of trust - Lottie

It was a Saturday morning at the base.

I had spent the previous evening at the bar with Peg, Steve; and his friend Bucky - whom I hadn't met before. I'd been quick to judge him when he said the wrong thing, however he apologised and I gave him a second chance, to find that actually we got along rather well and we had a good conversation, I'd even go as far as to say there was a sort of spark.

Today some of the agents had the morning off, I was among them.

I decided to go over to target practice as I had nothing else to do. I picked up a standard issue pistol and prepared myself to aim at the target.
I hit it way off where I should've - it would only of caused minimal damage, allowing the target to make an easy getaway.
"Oh crap" I exclaimed as I tried again and continued to misjudge the line of fire.

"Careful with that, God knows what you'd hit with it!" Bucky laughed as he came into the room.
"It'll be you next if you don't shut up" I said raising an eyebrow as I managed to hit the target on the knee.
"See I'm not that bad, they wouldn't be able to get away like that. I just need a few tries that's all." I shrugged.
"In the field you won't always get more than one chance, here let me help" Bucky said as he approached me.
He stood behind me and placed his hands over mine on the pistol - "may I?" He asked, I nodded "go ahead".
He moved the pistol slightly to the left, "there, see? Like that, go on shoot" he encouraged.

I pulled the trigger and hit the target head on. "Now try by yourself" he said as he stood back. I took a deep breath and released the trigger again.

"See you'll get there" he said with a smile.
I was about to reply when a voice sounded over the speakers;
"all agents to return to Colonel Phillips office immediately."
"Oh I've got to go, thanks for the help though." I said and Bucky nodded.

I left the room and headed up the corridor to the offices where the other agents where waiting. "Agent Pryor you should of been here minutes ago! What's your excuse?" Phillips barked at me, "Sorry Sir, I was at target practice with Sergeant Barnes, Sir." I explained.

Phillips disregarded my explanation and continued to speak, "The SSR have a highly classified, 'one man' mission, for which I have been asked to select an agent for. Unfortunately I cannot ask Agent Carter as I had intended as she would be recognisable to the suspect, therefore I need one of you to step in. However, I have got an agent in mind for this mission. In these circumstances I do believe she would be the best agent for the job."

At the use of the pronoun 'she' everyone in the room turned to look at me, it was then I realised I was the only other on-site female agent other than Peggy Carter.

Phillips looked across at me, "Agent Pryor, you will report for briefing with myself and Agent Carter at 1400 hours. You're all dismissed." He said giving a nod to the agents as they filtered out the office.

My head was spinning as I walked out the office, I'd never been on a mission in my life - never mind a solo mission. I looked up to see Bucky leant against the wall, "Are you following me or something?" I asked absentmindedly as I walked past him and he began to walk beside me. "Not exactly, I just came because I wanted to ask if you'd go out for dinner with me this evening?" He grinned. I paused, "Oh, well I'd love to - but I can't."

"Oh okay, I understand. Who is he?" Bucky asked seeming disappointed.
"What?! No that's not what I meant, I've got a mission I have to go on that's all!" I said glancing across at him.
"Oh right - Wait a mission? Who with? You're not ready yet!" He asked looking confused. "It's a solo mission - I'm going in by myself" I said stopping and standing still. "What?! Is Phillips an idiot you'll get killed! Why can't Carter go?!" Bucky said raising his voice.

"I don't have a choice, all I know is there's a club, and there's a group of men selling nuclear weapons to the enemy, there unanimous weakness seems to be gambling and women, but Pegs dealt with one of them before, she'd be recognisable. So it's up to me." I said nervously as I began to walk again. "That's stupid, someone should be going with you, it's not safe, someone's gotta do something about this!" Bucky whispered and I shrugged. He turned around and started walking back to Phillips office, "where are you going?" I called after him but he ignored me and carried on.
I sighed and went for lunch.

*three hours later*

I checked my watch and saw it was five to two, I saw Peg making her way to the offices and ran to join her. "Hey! So umm, a solo mission - do you think I'll be okay?" I asked. "I don't know, I can't answer that question." She replied as we entered the office.

"Agent Carter, Agent Pryor, sit down" Phillips gestured to the chairs in front of his desk, I sat down next to Peggy.

Phillips handed me a small box and began to talk. "Agent Pryor, everything you need for your assigned mission is within that box, I'm sure after this meeting Agent Carter can help explain at what times it will be necessary to use this equipment.
There's a prestigious gentlemen's club on St David's Avenue, a trained male agent will drop you off - The reason I'm sending you is that it's much easier for a young lady to get in rather than a suspect looking man, feminine charm and all that."
I saw Peggy roll her eyes and she started tapping her foot.

"Ehem, yes anyway. I think what the Colonel is trying to say, is that once you're in, you're going to have to use any 'feminine charm' that you possess to get near enough to the men to place a bug on the chairman's watch - his name is Charles Ronaldo, I believe he wears a gold Rolex, he should be easy enough to spot. Once you've completed the task make your getaway as discretely as you can. We will have someone wait around the corner to collect you. All clear?" Peggy asked, I nodded "Clear".