Chapter 1 -

The little girl watched the forest scenery whiz by. Her face was pressed against the glass of the backseat window, her breath creating fog every few seconds.

"Be careful, love." Her mother cooed from the front seat, "We wouldn't want you to get carsick."

"Leave her alone, Ellen." The girl's father laughed from the driver's seat, "She's just a child. If she gets sick, she'll get sick and then lesson learned."

Ellen sighed, "I suppose you're right…I still don't want her feeling ill when we get to the office though. You know how the boss gets, Markus."

"I know I'm always right, that's what I get paid for." Markus grinned, kissing the top of his wife's hand, "Everything will be okay. I promise." The little family drove in silence for a few minutes, just enjoying each other's company. The little girl concentrated hard on the scenery passing her. She was on her 25th attempt to remember the road signs as they passed. Uncle always said to pay attention to everything around her – even down to the miniscule grain of sand on the right side of her left sneaker. It irked her that what took her so long to do, was super easy for the tall man. The girl signed as she messed up yet again and slumped down in her seat, sighing as she went. Uncle's face came into her mind, his eye full of disappointment.

"What's up buttercup?" Markus sang from the front seat. He glanced at her in the rearview mirror, seeing large dark brown doe eyes staring back at him.

"Are we there yet?"

Markus rolled his eyes, "Ahh…the eternal question...If we were there, little one, then you would be able to leave the car. Unlike right now because then you would be stuck in traffic and flattened like a pancake."

Anastasia nodded, "Okay." She turned back to her window and was silent. She did not appreciate her father's humor at times like this because it made her want pancakes now.

Ellen glanced back at her daughter, then to the metal briefcase in her lap. It almost felt warm under her free hand – definitely something to worry about.

"Markus, the case is getting hotter. I think we need to pull over."

"Ellen, don't worry. The case was built specially to transport the Cube. I'm sure it's just the car getting warm." Markus let go of her hand and pressed a button in the middle console. Cool air immediately started circulating through the small car. Anastasia absently shivered, her attention still on the passing scenery.

Ellen shook her head, "No Markus, I'm positive it's the Cube. You read the same reports that I did and you know that it acts up sometimes. I think its best that we pull over and call in."

Markus sighed, "Alright, if you feel that we must." Ellen leaned over the center console and placed a hand on her husband's cheek, "Thank you."

"Always." He smiled, gently kissing her.

"Mommy!" Both parents whipped around in their seats to look at their daughter, worry across their faces. Anastasia felt her eyes go big and her mouth open but nothing would come out as she stared down the oncoming truck. A loud horn exploded almost on top of them. Anastasia gripped her seat like it was a life line, unable to close her eyes.

Tires squealed. She could hear her parents yelling her name. Glass shattered as the truck crashed into them, raining down. Her entire world turned upside down…literally. She felt the car flip up and over the truck, like a horrible rollercoaster. The silver case her mother held flew back and smashed into her. She clutched the case to her chest and managed to scream when the car struck black top again, mangling the front end even further. Anastasia felt everything come to a stop finally, in absolute silence and upside down. She let the case fall from her arms. It crashed to the roof of the car, emitting a large blue spark like miniature lightning. A wave of electricity surged through her body, leaving it tingling. The last thing she saw was a pool of red slowly spreading above her head.

(Present Day)

Phil Coulson slowly approached the small bungalow, his eyes wary of his surroundings. He wasn't an official spy or anything but caution had never hurt. And in his line of work as Nick Fury's right hand, it was a vital necessity. He had been here numerous times already but it would not do to let his guard down even once because all it took was one time of distraction and then no more Phil.

But you didn't have to cut me off!

Make out like it never happened and that we were nothing!

And I don't even need your love!

You treat me like a stranger and I feel so rough!

The front porch vibrated with the blaring music coming from inside. It shook the windows at an alarming rate but somehow they didn't shatter. He thought he could hear loud banging coming from somewhere in the house. 'Great.' he thought, rolling his eyes. Of all the days for the world to end, it had to end on a day when She was in a bad mood. Phil exhaled the breath he had been holding and slowly raised his hand to knock.

Rap. Rap. Rap.

The music suddenly cut off in mid song, not that Couslon minded. He removed his ear plugs and waited.

"Ma'am, I do believe that Agent Coulson is at the front door." A medium electric monotone announced from inside. There was another loud bang then silence…enough silence that Coulson started to worry.

"WHAT DO YOU WANT, COULSON?!" an angry voice bellowed on the other side of the door. He didn't even jump, used to these types of "greetings."

"May I come inside, Marie?" was all he said. There was a garbled mumble then the sound of locks being dismantled. The bright red door opened, revealing a pair of piercing blue eyes glaring in his direction through a welder's mask. Beneath the mask was covered in dark grey coveralls covered with stains of who knows what and big black steel-tipped boots. The hand gripping the front door was in a thick leather glove.

"Why should I let you inside? You don't even know my name. Riddle me that, master spy." The voice coming from the mask was snarky and rough, but distinctly female.

"Because I've brought you cookies and names are meant to be shared in privacy, where prying eyes and ears cannot have them," Coulson replied with a small smile, offering the bright blue box in his free hand. Those bright blue eyes rolled but the figure moved enough to let the S.H.I.E.L.D. agent through. He chuckled internally, passing by her on his way into the bungalow. She was just like her father – he never could resist sugary anything either.

"Please have a seat, let me just clean up real quick." The woman said before disappearing down the hall. Coulson took her suggestion and sat in a nearby armchair, his senses still on alert. Around a fiery spirit like the woman who lived here, caution was advised heavily. You never knew what was going to jump out at you. Her décor however, had not changed in the few months he hadn't visited. Warm browns and greens mixed with dark red and navy blue was the color theme of the small house. He could see a bright yellow kitchen through a door to his left and the hallway the woman had gone down to his right. Coulson knew which rooms were off the hallway (master bedroom, second bedroom, bathroom…) and he had no doubt that they looked the same as they always did. He gingerly placed the box of cookies on the carved wooden coffee table that dominated most of the living room, taking in the same lack of personal effects beyond a bookshelf positively overflowing with a hodge-podge of books. A few knick-knacks were placed on the small entertainment center but that was it. No family pictures, school photos or anything. Which was good considering the danger of having security compromised, but he found it unsettling nevertheless. 5 minutes passed in silence then she appeared again, this time in normal clothes and minus the heavy welder's mask. She was of a medium stature – no more than 5'9 with warm chestnut brown locks pulled into a messy bun at the nape of her neck, a decent figure in jeans and Pink Floyd t-shirt, full lips (which were currently pulled into a slight frown) and pale skin made even more obvious by the dark blue/purple circles underneath those calculating blue eyes of hers. She sat gingerly opposite Coulson, curiosity and anger waging a war across her features. He decided to get straight to the point – it would be easier for them both.

"It's been taken," He leaned forward; placing his elbows on his knees as the reality of the situation the world was now in came crashing down on him.

Her eyes went big, "What has…wait…surely not…"

"I'm afraid so. Early this morning we had a security breach…by cosmic standards." He hoped that she would get the full meaning of her words…she did.

"So what is the plan now? I'm assuming that Fury does have a plan?" She crossed her arms over her chest, leaning back into her chair. Coulson had to admire how well she was taking everything the words he had spoken implied.

"The Initiative, it's back on the table. Agent Romanoff is already on her way to collect Banner and once I'm done here, I'm off to Stark's."

"I see. I'm assuming full action is under way? We're pulling out "all the stops", so to speak?"

"Exactly, Which is why we need you to with us," Coulson braced himself for fireworks…but none came.

She sighed slowly, almost resigned. Her eyes met his and she nodded, "Alright."

He blinked, She's agreeing? Without a fight? The world is indeed ending, I suppose.

"A car will be here to pick you up in exactly an hour the minute I leave, understood?" Coulson rose, "Make sure you're ready. Time is of the highest importance."

She waved a hand dismissively, "Yeah, yeah, yeah. I get it. I'll be ready." He nodded and started for the door, leaving her in her chair. A trickle of thought made him pause with his hand on the doorknob, "Why did you agree so easily? I expected more of a fight like last time."

She snorted, "I thought the answer would be easy for you to figure out. If I don't agree to you, then Fury will just send Him to collect me and I'd rather not have to deal with it. It's easier for everyone if I just agree with you and do as I'm told for once."

Coulson blinked in surprise again, he couldn't believe his ears. Not that he was going to argue with her logic. It was in fact easier on the entire S.H.I.E.L.D. if she just came willingly instead of being dragged, kicking and screaming as they say.

"I see. Well, remember you only have an hour to get ready as soon as I close this door."

"I know, goodbye Phil."

"Goodbye Anastasia."