Mistakes Were Made (Avengers/James Rhodes)

22. Risen Again

I sat in the Tower alone with my thoughts. I had pushed everyone away, including Rhodey and Tony. I holed myself up in my spot in the ducts, too depressed to talk to anyone. Dad had left with no warning and it felt like everything had gone to shit.

Everything was chaotic. I had heard my work phone buzzing and going off like crazy but I didn't want to answer. Not just yet. I was fine where I was, wrapped in Dad's jacket. I didn't want to move. But I knew that I had to eventually.

I got up to answer my phone. Twenty-seven missed calls and texts from Phil Coulson. Fifteen missed calls from Agent Melinda May. Eighteen calls from Rhodey and twelve from Tony. I called Tony and Rhodey back to check in on them. After that, I called Phil back. We talked about the future of SHIELD and how things were going to work out.

I invited Coulson's group of agents to my house outside of New York. Not many people knew about it and Rhodey was staying at the Tower many nights anyways. I needed to help figure things out and work with the rest of the agents.

Once I was done with the call, I started getting myself put together. Pulling my hair back, I wiped my face of any tears and got into an agent uniform. I got everything I needed for the meeting with Coulson and his crew before leaving.

I got into a Quinjet to get to the house. I got there as the Bus arrived. I greeted everyone with a hug and Melinda with a handshake. Taking them inside, I showed them where everything was. They settled down and I met them in the living room.

"What's next?" Daisy asked.

I crossed my arms. "We contact the agents we haven't talked to yet. Make sure they're alright and that we're calling them in just in case Hydra finds them. The more agents we have with us the better."

"We only have a few left to contact," Coulson informed. "We have most of them returning to different safe houses in the US that are only known to a few. Director, what do you think we should do next?"

I looked up to him. "Me? Director? Nick put you in charge, Coulson."

"Call me Phil," Coulson corrected. "But you're the highest level agent here, Charlie, and Fury would have wanted you to take his job."

I sighed, my eyes widening a little. "Okay. But if shit hits the fan and I can't take the job for some reason, you're next in line. Plus I could have a hit on my head if Hydra finds out my secret."

"Secret?" May asked.

I sighed and looked at everyone. "I am Charlie Fury, Nick Fury's daughter. That's why I don't want to be director. Why I shouldn't be the director. I would be Director Fury, like Nick was."

"Nick had a kid?" Phil asked. "When?"

I looked down. "I was adopted from India when I was three. He kept me in the shadows because he wanted me safe. He made sure that when I went through the Academy that my last name was unknown so that there wasn't a hit on me. Dad specifically told me in his letter that you were taking his spot, Phil. To keep me safe."

Phil wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "I'll take the position. If Fury wanted to keep you safe and out of the director position, then I'll listen. I will, however, listen to whatever you have to say and take that into consideration because you have outranked me for years now."

I smiled a little. "Even if I'm younger."

Phil smiled too. "Even if you're younger. Now let's work everything out and get things started."

I opened my backpack. "I brought some tablets and other things that might help."

"Those would be much appreciated," Coulson said. "We'll need those. Anyone else have anything?"

We all started working together and didn't stop until late. I took a break to go into the kitchen for a moment. It was all so stressful and I wasn't sure of anything. Before I was certain about my future and how things were going to end. But with everything else, I had no idea what to do maybe I needed to call Rhodey or Tony. As I thought that, my phone started ringing. It was my baby Rhodey.

"Hey," I tiredly greeted.

"Hey, Charlie," Rhodey greeted. "What are you up to? I haven't seen you all day."

"I've been at the house with Coulson and his crew," I replied. "We're trying to get SHIELD up and running again. I have been very busy. How are you doing?"

"Well enough," Rhodey replied. "It's a late-night for me too. When will I see you again?"

"I don't know," I replied. "With everything that's happened, it might be a while."

"Okay, I understand. Duty calls, especially in times like this," Rhodey said. "I'll miss you a lot, sweetheart."

I smiled a little, Daisy entering the corner of my vision. "I love you too, James. I'll hopefully see you soon."

"Just know that before I go, I love you, Charlie," Rhodey said. "I hope the best for you and I want you to come back someday."

I snorted. "Don't tell me you're breaking up with me."

"I would never, sweetheart," Rhodey said. "I know that I'll see the love of my life again someday. I love you, Charlie."

I bit my lip, glancing up at Daisy as she made some food. "I love you too." I wiped my face any tears from my eyes. "It'll be a long time until I'll be with you. Months, maybe years. James . . . I love you. Don't move on from me, please. I know that's a big ask but I'd hate for things to not work out between us."

"I can wait for you," Rhodey said. "You are the one I want to marry."

I choked and Daisy glanced at me, her eyebrows furrowed. "I don't know what to say to that. I'll call you sometime."

I hung before Rhodey could answer. I leaned against the counter, my head in my hands. I couldn't see Rhodey and he basically proposed to me without saying it.

"What is it?" Daisy asked.

I sighed and pulled my hands away from my face. "Yeah. It's just my boyfriend. With SHIELD falling apart and everything . . . I don't know when I'll see him."

"What's his name?" Daisy asked. "What's he like?"

"His name is James Rhodes but everyone calls him Rhodey," I replied. "He's really nice and loving. He's a full bird colonial in the Air Force so he's pretty particular about some stuff but it's alright. He's caring towards me."

"I hope it works out," Daisy said. "It sounds like he's a good match for you. Do you have a picture?"

I nodded and showed her one of a date Rhodey and I had once. I was dressed up in a small black dress and my hair was put up. Rhodey was looking dapper in a nice black and white suit. We looked very cute together.

"You're very cute!" Daisy smiled teasingly. "When's the wedding?"

I blushed a little. "He hasn't proposed yet. Well, not technically. While we were talking, he said that I was the one he wanted to marry but since I'll be gone with SHIELD and he has physical therapy along with his duty to the Air Force."

"What happened to him?" Daisy asked.

May came in before I could answer. "Coulson needs you."

I nodded and we followed her to the living room. It was going to be a difficult time ahead but I was willing to lay down my life for this. I was trained to fight and that was what I was going to do.