Bluebird

Chapter Two: Faded Pictures and Unwelcome Guests

Elizabeth sat at her table, a beer resting between her hands.

The beer was for emergencies-the kind of emergencies that were migraine worthy and required at least partial sedation.

The file rested on the other side of the table, untouched since Nick Fury's visit.

Draining the can, Elizabeth sighed. Pulling it towards her and turning it to face her, she began to read, ignoring the chills crawling up her spine.

Written in 1956 by Agent Margaret Carter

Zephyr is a criminal organization that was founded in 1948 after HYDRA's destruction and the loss of their leader Johann Schmidt. They specialize in biological science and biological warfare against America and it's allies. The group is believed to have been founded and directed by a man only known to SHIELD as Claw.

At this moment, no Zephyr agents have been apprehended by American forces.

Elizabeth bit her lip. "Peggy...." She murmured, resting a hand on the name fondly.

Peggy had been getting worse by the day for a while now, and Elizabeth had never had the courage to visit her.

She should've, she knew that, but there were some things even spies were afraid to do.

Shifting through the file some more, the blonde nearly cut herself on a few black and white photos haphazardly paper clipped together.

Pulling them out, Elizabeth was faced with a photo of a much younger Howard and Peggy hovering over a table, examining a map. They were both serious, but there was a smile in Howard's eyes. Peggy looked more somber, her belly slightly rounded with her first child.

Elizabeth wiped her hand across her eyes.

Peggy had gotten married, become a mother and grandmother, but she had never gotten over Steve. He was her biggest regret-her only regret, Elizabeth was certain.

Shaking the nostalgia off, she flipped to the next picture.

This one was still black and white, but there was another person in the picture: a brunette. She was sitting on a park bench beside Howard, each of them holding a beer in their hands. Howard had his arm around her shoulder, leaning in to kiss her cheek. She was laughing, attempting to remain serious, but failing, the diamond ring on her finger almost shining in the dim light.

Maria, soon to be Mrs. Howard Stark. A few days after they were engaged. Back when Howard was still...human.

Flipping to the third picture, her eyes widened.

It was the Founding Wall, where pictures of Peggy, Howard, and Colonel Chester Phillips rested, in the first SHIELD base in Wheaton, New Jersey.

But there was another picture, too.

A blonde woman, on the end, by Phillips. She looked about the same age as Howard and Peggy, if not younger. Her expression was serious, but she looked as if she was about to crack her façade and burst out laughing any minute.

Attached to the bottom of the page was a sticky note, with a few words scrawled on in pencil.

Thought you might want these. -N.J.F

Elizabeth shook her head, a breath of laughter escaping her lips.

Typical.

Sighing heavily, Elizabeth rose to her feet, dropping the pictures back on the table.

She had 30 hours left. Might as well put them to use.

"Hi Carla, it's Ellie. I'm just calling to tell you I had a family emergency come up. I don't know when I'll be returning, so I won't be able to fill in at the library for the foreseeable future. I'll give you another call when I have more definite news. Merry Christmas! Bye."

Elizabeth lied fluently, before hanging up, letting her home phone return to it's charger with a click. She sighed, leaning back in her chair. "Two more calls. You can do it." She murmured, picking up the phone again.

This time, someone picked up. "Hello?"

Elizabeth winced. "Hey Kayla, it's me."

"Elle Dixie! Hey!" Kayla cheered. "How's my partner in the protection and care of all things cute and cuddly doing?"

Elizabeth smiled. "Well...about that...there's a...situation."

Kayla went quiet. "You're leaving." She sounded unsurprised, and a little bit indignant.

"I don't think it's permanent, Kay. It'all just be for a few days. I should be back by New Year's."

"Should. Not will. Should. That's all you can promise me? You promised me-"

"Kayla, I'm sorry!" Elizabeth exclaimed, interrupting the girl. "But this is important. I have a promise to keep." Looking down, she murmured, "One I made a long time ago."

Kayla was quiet too. "You promised me you wouldn't disappear. You promised me you were gonna stay." She whispered.

"I promised you a lot." Elizabeth sniffed, quietly wiping her eyes. "But in my line of work all the best intentions can become null and void in the blink of an eye."

There was a few moments of silence. Then Kayla spoke up again.

"New Year's Eve. My house. 7:00. Don't be late. Wear something nice. Bring food."

Elizabeth smiled softly. "I'll be there."

"You better, or even the Avengers won't be able to save you."

Elizabeth chuckled. "Merry Christmas, Kay."

"Merry Christmas to you too."

The call ended, and Elizabeth put the phone down.

Then a knock came at the door.

She looked at the clock.

She still had 24 hours left.

Getting to her feet, she went to answer the door.

"Can I help you?"

The four men on the porch looked at her, each of them wearing tinted glasses and black suits.

"Excuse me, are you Eleanor Dixon?"

Elizabeth frowned. "Yes, yes I am. Can I help you?"

The man in front, with blonde hair sticking up on his head, took off his sunglasses. "Ma'am, we're with the CIA. We have some questions for you."

"Regarding what?"

He glanced around. "May we come in?"

"No. Whatever business you have with me, you can handle it outside." She decreed, leaning against the doorframe.

They all exchanged glances. "Very well." The leader said, before he pulled a gun from his hip and placed it at her temple.

"Regarding your imminent death, Miss Dickens."