The Avengers Next

Chapter 2: Getting Started

Emily nodded curtly and exited the room without another word. Her footsteps were brisk and almost soundless as she scanned her ID card and was out at her motorcycle within what seemed a matter of seconds. She secured her gym bag on her shoulders before mounting her bike and beginning the drive home. She felt numb, almost lost, what was she supposed to do? She couldn't lead a team... Or she could, of course, she was Emily Rogers... Which in a way meant nothing...

So consumed with her thoughts, Emily almost missed her street. She lived in a house with her dad that was just the perfect size for a family of three, but the Rogers never had the heart to move out of it after Peggy died, even if an apartment would be just as suitable for the two of them. It was a 'cozy' home right on Pier 13 in Brooklyn. Emily loved it, she was raised there her whole life, and didn't care if it were fancy or expensive. It was the memories that mattered.

Rogers hopped off her bike and skipped towards the house with a strange mix of nerves and excitement coursing through her. She opened the door shakily and entered the house, glancing around, "Dad?" "Emily," Steve said all too quickly, but cleared his throat to amend himself as Emily looked at him suspiciously, "You're early." Emily didn't respond at first, just watched as her dad bounced on his heels as if he'd been waiting all day for her to come home. She smirked, "I accepted the position, if I had a choice, anyway." "You always have a choice," Steve said, beaming as he looked at his daughter, but there was a bit of concern in his eyes after a moment, "Don't you want to lead your team?" The term 'your team' made Emily stiffen up again, "I-I just... Of course I do! I just don't know how!"

She bit her lip immediately after speaking, not having meant to sound irriated. Steve's smile faded now, "You'll do great, Sunshine. I know you will. If I didn't, I wouldn't have recommended you. You're strong but not just on the outside, in here too." He pointed to her heart, his smile returning. 'Sunshine' was a nickname Steve had given his daughter when she was a baby. Her eyes were always bright, and her hair in golden ringlets, but mostly because he used to sing 'You Are My Sunshine' to her every night to help the little girl sleep. Now that little girl was growing up, but Steve still found himself humming the tune when he needed cheering up. Just to remind him he wasn't completely alone.

Emily hesitated for a moment, she usually really tried not to doubt herself, but of course she loved a little explanation of why she was deserving as much as the next girl, "You think so?" "I know so," Her father insisted confidently, "You're a fighter. Just like me, and just like your mother." That's all Emily needed to be convinced. A smile spread across her face as her excitement finally outweighed the nerves, "I can't wait to get started."