Work Text:
“God I hate Seattle.” Michelle grumbled to herself while walking down the street. She was running late, which was rather rare for her.
As she slid into the booth at The Cheesecake Factory a pair of familiar eyes greeted her. “MJ!” Cindy Moon offered her a warm smile.
“Thanks for inviting me!” Michelle responded, attempting to match Cindy’s enthusiasm.
“Of course! When I heard you were in town I had to meet up! Why are you in town anyways?” Cindy asked.
“Mediation.” Michelle sighed.
Cindy gave her a look of confusion.
“Basically I’m helping people filing for a divorce come to an agreement.” Michelle filled in.
“Sounds boring.” Cindy said, as their waiter placed a bread basket on the table.
“It can be.” Michelle agreed, grabbing a piece of sourdough from the basket.
“I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever.” Cindy commented.
“You haven’t. It’s been at least five, maybe six years?” Michelle said, mentally calculating.
Cindy had missed Michelle’s wedding, which had taken place shortly under three years prior.
Likewise, Michelle had missed Cindy’s wedding (she was birthing a baby, she had an excuse) which had been nearly two years before.
They were in their thirties now, and neither could remember when they’d last seen each other.
“Was it Ned’s wedding?” Cindy asked.
“I suppose so. In the 7 years I was in law school, I don’t think I saw you once.” Michelle remarked.
“4 years, wow.” Cindy marveled.
“You’ve got to come to New York again soon!” Michelle said.
“I will! You still haven’t met Kyla, have you?” Cindy asked, referring to her wife.
“I haven’t!” Michelle replied.
The two caught up on what had been going on in their lives.
“It was lovely to see you Cindy, we’ve got to keep in touch.” Michelle promised.
As Michelle walked across the street to the hotel, she sighed.
She loved her job, but she hated leaving her family.
Being a black female lawyer gave her a sense of empowerment, made her feel special.
While her husband was kicking ass as Spider-Man, she got to kick ass at her job too.
Doing mediations often required her to be in Seattle, or occasionally other cities.
Sometimes, Peter and Dahlia came with her. Most of the time, they did not.
Michelle loved her job.
Her phone rang.
“How was seeing Cindy?” Peter greeted her.
“Good. Is Dahlia still awake?”
“I just put her to bed, sorry Em.” Peter replied.
“It’s okay babe.” Michelle promised.
She and Peter talked for a while, before Michelle insisted he go to sleep early.
Michelle got up bright and early (she couldn’t help herself, it was still New York time!).
After a quick shower, she began to get ready.
Mediations were basically business meetings, and Michelle always dressed to impress.
She put on some light makeup, pulled her hair into a half up half down and got into her favorite mediation suit. (It was baby pink, she wore it over a black bodysuit).
Michelle wasn’t always focused on appearance, but like her ballet teacher had told her back when she was a little kid, feeling pretty and presentable meant a better performance.
Her clients today were a man and a woman around her age. She’d worked over email with them a bit, but they were having their first meeting.
She greeted them with an extended hand. “Michelle Jones.”
To Michelle, it was clear what the ex-couple should do, but unfortunately, they didn’t seem to agree.
Custody of their child was the ex-couple’s main issue, and Michelle completely understood why.
She couldn’t imagine ever divorcing Peter, but it was entirely understandable to be concerned about spending time with their child.
With the time Michelle did spend with Dahlia, it was hard to picture what it would be like if she got to spend even less.
The mediation was fairly boring, but regardless, Michelle enjoyed herself.
She was doing what she loved, it made her happy, that was that.
The 7 years of law school were well worth it Michelle thought, considering she was one of New York’s highest recognized lawyers, not to mention a black female .
Every single day at work made her feel badass. Because she was badass.
Sure she wasn’t Black Widow or Captain Marvel, but being Michelle Jones was pretty damn cool too.