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Normally, you were never called in. You were a newbie at SHIELD, so your superior thought it would be better for you to wait on the sidelines and watch ‘the big boys’ play.
And you hated it.
You had proved to everyone at the academy that you had what it takes to be an agent--had what it takes to help protect the world. But noooo! Your team leader--being the righteous fucker he is--thought that the newbie had to practice and watch from the sidelines because she was a dainty, little woman.
So, when your group was called in as backup for the big leagues--for the Avengers--you were over the moon to prove the self-righteous bastard wrong.
That’s how you found yourself here. In a meeting room, sitting beside Dr. Strange, listening to the debrief about some head of Hydra and how you were to defeat him.
“-That’s when back-up comes in.”
The Captain himself pointed in your direction; “While we focus on Schneider, you guys are to go in and take out any Hydra members. Try to only disarm and stun; some of those Hydra agents could be useful.”
You nod enthusiastically; any mission with the Avengers is good experience in your opinion--no matter how little of a role you may play.
“If you manage to clear your area, find your closest Avenger and assist them in whatever they’re doing. Our main goal is to acquire Schneider and his technology.”
The Captain smiled, “That’s it for today’s debrief. See you all at the hanger at 0700 hours.”
With that dismissal, everyone exited the room.
“L/n, a minute of your precious time.”
You tensed at the voice but nodded your head nonetheless. Turning towards John, your team leader, you awaited for his lecture.
“You are not to go on this mission, do you understand?”
Your jaw dropped. “What? Our team has been specifically chosen to work with the Avengers, I am a member of that team.”
He scoffed, “You’re a woman, what role do you have on my team?”
You silently seethed. How dare he talk to you that way?
“If I see you anywhere near that hanger tomorrow morning, your pathetic career at SHIELD is over. Am I clear?”
You ground your teeth, choosing to rather endure the pain than risk destroying your career.
All you did was reluctantly nod your head.
John smiled, “Such a good girl.” Then he left.
How you hadn’t killed him yet was a mystery to you...but if he didn’t fix his shit soon, he was going to be meeting an early grave.
~~~
0700 Hours
You technically weren’t meant to be here. You were explicitly going against your superior’s orders, but at this point, you didn’t give a shit.
Sneaking past John was probably the easiest thing you had ever done. His toupée-covered head too engrossed in the busty woman loading the equipment to even notice you.
Rolling your eyes, you made your way over to Cap. “Agent L/n reporting for duty, Sir.”
He smiled, “Thanks for your help, Agent L/n. Make your way into the quinjet and we’ll depart shortly.”
Nodding you head, you made your way inside and moved towards a dark corner. You were not risking getting caught by John. You were going to fight this battle, and you were going to help. He was not going to stop you.
~~~
You managed to hide throughout the entire 3-hour trip; only whatever higher being is out there knows how.
“Alright, team. You know your positions; good luck.”
Stepping out of the quinjet gave you an adrenaline rush. You were ready for this.
The first hydra agent you saw brought a smile to your face. You were going to prove idiotic John wrong. A punch to the nose was all that hydra agent needed to crumble.
Rolling your eyes, you made a move for the next one. At least this one seemed somewhat competent. Fists met fists and kicks met kicks; but you eventually brought that one down.
A scream made your eyes scan the area. Of course it was John. Running towards him, you jumped on the back of the hydra agent and slammed them into the ground.
Turning to face John you huffed, “Instead of screaming like a little girl, how about fucking attacking the enemy!”
Leaving--a probably fuming--John, you ran back onto the battlefield. Pulling your knife from the sheath on your leg, you ran towards another. You dodged all of the enemy agent’s punched and deflected their other attacks towards their fellow teammates.
“I thought Hydra agents were meant to be perfect soldiers?” Stabbing this one in the leg, you move onto another.
And the pattern continued until you were panting and the Captain called the all-clear.
You placed your hands on your knees and took a few deep breaths. You just did that--you helped the Avengers defeat a head of Hydra. A smile graced your lips at the thought.
...but your little moment didn’t last for long.
“L/N!” You cringed, looks like John wasn’t very happy with you.
You turned to face him with a sweet smile on your face, “Yes, sir?”
“What the fuck were you thinking?”
You rolled your eyes, “I was thinking that I could actually help fix the issue that you couldn’t even hope to control.”
That just seemed to make John angrier. “You disobeyed a direct order from your superior. I told you not to participate in this mission. Could your unintelligent feminine brain not comprehend a basic set of instructions?”
You took a deep breath. Assaulting your superior goes against SHIELD protocol. Assaulting your superior goes against SHIELD protocol.
Instead, you continued to sweetly smile. “My feminine brain understands your orders just fine. I just chose to go against your idiotic one.”
His face was a vibrant red at this point; if you weren’t currently risking your job, you might’ve laughed at him.
“You dare to insult your superior? I’ll have your head for this you stupid bitch!”
You began to close your eyes as his hand raised to strike your cheek; but you slowly opened them when no contact was ever made.
“You dare try to lay your hand on her?”
You knew that baritone voice. Turning your head, you took in the sight in front of you. The Doctor Strange was holding John’s hand centimetres away from your cheek.
Quickly moving your eyes over to John, you noticed him gulp. Ohhhhh, this was going to be fun.
Strange pushed John away from you. His eyes emanating anger and disgust.
“You are meant to be her superior; someone that helps her understand the roles and values that are vital to an agent. Not belittle her for doing what she is trained to do.”
John gulped again--so much for upholding a masculine attitude.
“Doctor Strange, s-sir. She admitted to disregarding a direct order. She needs to be punished.”
Strange laughed, “From the sounds of it, you told her not to join a mission that she was specifically asked to be on. We didn’t want your pathetic assistance on this mission; we wanted her.”
John’s jaw dropped, “What?”
Strange pushed a finger into John’s chest, “Your stats in previous missions were pitiful compared to hers. She completed everything within a three minute timeframe; whereas your pathetic ass couldn’t even complete it in ten.”
You were gobsmacked; the Avengers had noticed your hard work? All that effort you had put into performing to your best ability actually paid off?
“Apologise.”
You shook your head, finally joining back in the conversation.
“Pardon?” John gasped.
“Apologise to Agent L/n.”
John gave him a look of disgust. “I will not apologise to a woman.”
Strange laughed, “Guess you’ll be the one reported then.”
With that, Strange opened a portal below John’s feet and dropped him. You were speechless, as was everyone else.
Strange wiped his hands on his clothes and turned to the rest of the group, “What are you all looking at?”
Everyone not wanting to get on the sorcerer’s bad side decided to get back to what they were doing. However, you cleared your throat to gain his attention.
He turned to you, with a soft smile on his face. “Yes, Agent L/n?”
Your cheeks flushed under his gaze, “Thank you.”
“It was my pleasure, Agent L/n.”
You smiled, “Y/n.”
Strange’s face turned to confusion, “What?”
“Call me Y/n.”
He smiled, “See you around, Y/n.”
Oh, you definitely would be seeing him around.