Resurgence

Chapter 11: Teenage Conversations

After yet another week of training alone and prepping for the possibility of a future mission, I walked over to the kitchen for a mid-day snack. My ears caught notice of footsteps belonging to Kai approaching the kitchen. The team was now back for the weekend, so I brushed off his appearance in the doorway. My back was turned to him as I began to prepare myself a plate of fruit. As I was cutting up slices of an apple I felt his presence nearing me. He walked up behind me and put his hands on my hips and took in the smell of my hair to which I turned around and held the knife I was using up against his throat.
"Woah there! I thought we were starting to get along." He said with his hands in the air indicating surrender.
"And what gave you that idea?" I riposted
He got closer knowing I wouldn't actually burry the blade in his skin, "Our little encounter the other night. I know we didn't get along at first, but we can separate work from fun."
"Keep your hands off of me," I pushed him away again with a warning look, "You treated me like shit and now you want me to be your play thing? Never gonna happen."
He smirked and walked out of the kitchen. The very thought of me and Kai revolted me. How can anyone be with that psychopath?
I finished preparing my plate of fruit and walked passed the dinning area where everyone was hanging out and eating pizza that they had brought from their outside world. Derek's eyes lit up as he saw me and invited me to sit with them. I declined letting them know I had to study my Russian with the man they referred to as the Winter Soldier. Both Kai and Derek clenched their jaws at the mention of my tutor as I furthered away from them.
Studying with James was something I looked forward to. I liked hearing his voice because he wasn't much of a talker unless I pressed the words out of him. We were in the middle of our session when Williams came in announcing we'd be going on another mission the next day. In the meantime we'd have to go over the game plan together and pack since it was going to be a three-day long mission. The mission involved getting leverage on a congressman in Washington. We'd also have to extract yet another USB from a general that is designed to unlock information on secret military weapons. We had orders to kill discretely if anyone got in the way.
I was instructed to pack my suit, with weapons and all, everyday clothes, and a fancy attire. I was to go undercover at a benefit during one of our days away. They figured since no one else knew me in this world except for one SHIELD agent, I'd have a better chance at going undetected. I had everything ready to go except for the elegant piece I was missing. When Williams allowed me to do online shopping, I never thought about any party dresses because I was essentially on lock-down with only workouts to do.
I walked over to Emma's room to ask her if I could borrow something. She was taller than me but was lean enough for me to fit in her clothes, so I figured I'd give it a shot. She gladly agreed to help me and took out four dresses from her closet saying that she had used them for undercover work as well. I tried on all four of the different colored and styled dresses, but only one fit. The dress was a satin red material with thick straps that draped off the shoulders. Though it was supposed to be a mid dress, it ran to my ankles on me. It had a slit on the right side that Emma suggested we cut upward for it to lay where it was supposed to. We made the minuscule alteration then hung out for a bit before calling it a night.
"So... Kai and Derek? What's up with that. They seem fine now but there's an obvious elephant in the room." she brought up what I'd hope everyone had forgotten due to the intoxication.
I gave the nicest response that I could but still had a hint of sass, "Oh I don't know and I don't care. I've got more important things on my mind than their size comparison."
"I can't believe Kai though. Guess he was like a kid- being mean to you because he secretly liked you."
"He doesn't like me, he likes the idea of me," I remarked
Emma nodded her head in agreement then continued her girly teenage-like conversation, "What about the soldier? He's hot. Well hot as a damaged man can be."
"The soldier? Really, Emma? The guy almost killed me two times already." I remarked, covering up my true thoughts about him.
"Yeah but damn. Come on, don't tell me you haven't thought about it. The grunts during your training, the sight of his bulging muscles, the thought of his hands on your throat during-" I interrupted her fantasy with a warning glare, "Okay, okay. But I have to say, I'm jealous you get to work with him. So are Kai and Derek. They hate that you spend so much time with him."
"Williams' orders. I wouldn't if I had the choice." I lied again.
I then changed the subject back to the dress and thanked her for letting me borrow it and alter it. We said our goodnights and I walked back to my room with it in hand. I packed the rest of my things, and got ready for the upcoming assignment.
The thoughts of more casualties by my hand distressed me. I thought back to the promise James had made me and eased my mind. But the simple possibility of choosing between his and someone else's life sent chills down my spine. Just the fact that I had to do any kind of bid for HYDRA made me nauseous. But I knew that if the mission wasn't completed satisfactorily, James and I would pay the price. My late night cerebration kept me awake until my depleted body gave out and rested throughout the rest of the night.