When Love Goes Wrong

Chapter 5: Three months later... Memphis Tn, Memphis Rock n' Roll Museum

Adeen stood there in her security guard uniform. She watched as people left and entered the gift shop, making sure no one was stealing anything or acting suspicious. She then felt someone tap her on the shoulder and heard a male's voice.

"Miss?"

"Yes si..." she started to say as she turned around to face the man.

She froze when she saw who it was. It was Nick. He looked down at her with his one good eye. Adeen began to feel just the tiniest bit nervous with her boss and mentor standing right in front of her. 

"Let's talk." he told her, then walked over to a bench sitting down.

Adeen hesitated for a moment wishing this was not happening. She was not in the mood to be lectured. She looked around quickly, then slowly walked over and sat beside Nick. There was a long silence. Adeen just stared at her shoes, trying not to look at Nick. She was ashamed of herself for her actions, and she just knew he was disappointed in her. Nick was like a father to her in so many ways since she was thirteen. She jumped a little when she heard Nick speak after minutes of silence.

"We want you back." he told her.

Adeen started laughing a little without any humor in her tone.

"Yeah, so you can lock me up and keep a watch on me so I don't destroy anything or anyone else's lives. We done here?" 

She got up and started walking away from the bench. Nick remained seated, sighing. He had known she would storm off.

"You know you can't blame yourself for everything that happens." he told her matter-of-factly.

She sharply turned and faced him, eyes narrowed angrily. The entire museum was empty now.

"You know, I already got this BS from Tony so save your breath giving me one of your lectures." 

"I'm not here to lecture you. I'm not here as your boss or mentor either. I'm here as your guardian, not your enemy."

Adeen took a deep frustrated breath before rejoining Nick.

"You shouldn't blame yourself, none of this is your fault." Nick told her.

"Why? Why should I believe that?"

"Because you know it's the truth." Nick answered.

Adeen remained silent and stared at the ground. Nick continued to speak then.

"Everyone's worried about you, you know."

"Yeah, that's what you all say. You are just sayin' that so I come back and get sucked back into the "one person who ruins people's lives" job."

"No, it's true. You should see how Barton and Banner are acting. Never in my life have I seen two men go at one another like an old married couple. I don't see how you are ruining people's lives."

"Then why do I feel this way? Huh? Can you answer that?"

"I'm an example. Look at how long we have known each other."

"Well, I feel like I disappointed you with losing my temper, hurting my friends, and running away like that." Adeen explained to him.

"Adeen, you are probably the only person in the agency that has never disappointed me. I am so proud of everything you do." 

Adeen thought through what Nick just told her. She finally spoke after a few moments of silence.

"Let me think about it..."

"All right, you know how to reach me." Nick told her, agreeing.

He stood up and started walking towards the exit. Adeen sat there for a moment then quickly stood up.

"Wait, I'm coming!"

She hurriedly walked to Nick and flanked him on his right.

"I thought you were going to think about it?" he asked casually, looking straight ahead.

"I just did." she answered with a grin on her lips. 

A hint of a grin appeared on Nick's face.

"Nice to have you back, Lasher." he told her.

"Nice to be back. Um...don't I have to quit my job?"

"Already done." Nick answered.

Adeen just smiled and laughed to herself as they exited the building.