Chapter Text
"And you're sure you want this assignment?" Director Fury sat at his desk, hands folded in front of his face, with his usual stony frown. Agent James nodded once, accepting the manila folder as it was slid carefully across the desk to her, mouth twitching slightly, trying not to smile as she hid her excitement. This certainly was not a normal mission for her, it was extended and most importantly, 'grounded' as she and her colleagues would call it. Her work usually took her away, at the most for weeks at a time, and she was usually in some kind of immediate danger. Being grounded was usually seen as penance for not performing well, but James welcomed the change of pace, not to mention the appeal of this particular mission.
"I may still need you and your... Abilities for particular assignments, so count on that. He'll be waiting for you in the gym I suppose. Dismissed." Fury waved his hand in adjournment, and Agent James got up immediately, taking the file and bowing her head in respect as she turned and walked towards the office door.
"I'm trusting you on this one James, it's more important than you might believe." The Directors voice rang out and the brunette did a half turn, a knowing smile on her face that she forced herself to reign in.
"I know, sir. Thank you." She nodded once more and left quickly.
When James entered the gym, she was half surprised he didn't hear her. She hadn't tried to be quiet, and her shoes would certainly make some sort of a noise on the wooden floor; she had thought maybe his enhanced hearing may have picked it up, but he seemed lost in a world of his own. She found herself staring at him, she didn't mean to, and she could only see his back, but she'd never actually seen him in real life before. In school she'd learnt all about Captain America, he was a true to life superhero, and his tragic end and ultimate sacrifice made his story a wholesome American tale. To find out he'd been alive and frozen in ice all this time was a shock to everyone, so much so that SHIELD hadn't even announced it to the world yet.
They wanted him settled first.
Waking up 70 years after you thought you'd died, in a time that was completely different from your own would be a hard transition for anyone, and that was where James came in. She was going to be his 'guide' into the 21st century. At least, that was what they would be telling Captain Rogers. The truth was that it was only a matter of time before other organisations within the intelligence community found out he was alive, and that would put the war hero in danger until they could clear him for active duty, at which point he'd still be in danger, but he'd be in far better shape to fend off attackers for himself, and perhaps the excitement around him would die down a little. Director Fury had asked her personally to take the mission, if only to take her out of the field for a while and get some of the current heat off of her. For a time anyway.
"Are you just going to stand there?" His voice rang out across the room, perfectly even as his fists pounded into the punching bag. He didn't sound like he had even broken a sweat. The baritone made James jump and she adjusted the bag strap on her shoulder, stepping further into the gym. Maybe he had heard her.
"Sorry, Captain, I uh, was lost in thought." She trailed off, making a face at herself. The sound of Velcro being ripped apart made her relax her muscles as her new ward began to turn around.
"So you're my... What are they calling it? Babysitter?" The Captain asked, taking in Agent James' appearance, switching to his wrist wraps when he'd apparently had enough.
"I don't know, Captain, I think that depends on whether you'd classify yourself as a baby or as a teenage girl?" James shot back, a thin smile spread across her face when his blue eyes shot up to meet hers. She couldn't help but shrug at him as he relented, making a 'tsk' noise as he laughed to himself. Finally unwrapping his hands, he held one out to her to shake.
"No need to call me Captain, Steve will do just fine Agent...?"
"James! But you can just call me James. Everyone does." She took his hand and shook it lightly before taking a step back. A few emotions filtered across Steve's face too quickly for her to recognise, but long enough for James to notice, she frowned slightly as he hung his head and looked back up at her, a tired look on his face.
"Have a first name?" He asked and James nodded, hesitantly at first.
"But, Uhm, I don't like it that much. Besides, in this job, personal privacy is pretty important." She smiled unsurely until Steve smiled thinly back and she felt like there was something she was missing about the whole conversation. Eventually the blonde drew back too, pointing toward the locker rooms to the left.
"Alright then, well I'm going to clean up. I'll meet you in the lobby." He didn't leave much room for questions, picking up his ancient looking duffle bag and heading toward the shower rooms. James stood for a moment, even after the door had shut, mentally going over and over the interaction she'd just had and berating herself for her inability to quit being awkward. Shaking her head, she sighed a breath of relief and left the gym, making her way towards the elevator.
In the SHIELD lobby, James fiddled with the buttons on her black cardigan, pulling it slightly tighter around her body as she tried to refrain from shivering. It was only the beginning of Autumn in DC, but her constantly freezing body temperature made it almost impossible for the brunette to ever feel comfortably warm. Shuffling her satchel from one shoulder to the other, James fished out her phone, checking any messages she may have received, seeing only one from a colleague.
'Have fun with the IceCap :) - T.'
James shook her head, a frown growing across her face but she didn't have time to reply, seeing the Icecap in question leaving the chrome elevators and looking around the large white administration. She waved a little from where she stood, a small ways from the desk itself, knowing that her shorter-than-the-average-SHIELD-employee height would make it hard to spot her through all the suits. Steve acknowledged her with a raised chin nod, hiking his bag higher on his shoulder and making his way across the foyer.
"Great! You have everything you need?" She winced as she realised she did sound like a babysitter, he seemed to notice too and raised an eyebrow, before patting his duffle bag and nodding.
"Alright, let's get going then."
The pair walked side by side at an even pace through the sliding glass doors, James clenching her shivering jaw shut when the cool air hit her skin. She folded her arms best she could with her bag on her shoulder, and pointedly ignored the odd look Steve seemed to give her. She directed him toward the parking lot.
"I don't usually drive when at home, but the boss saw fit to give us a company car to get around in." They descended the stairs quickly, James glad to be out of the slight breeze.
"When you're at home?" Steve asked conversationally and she nodded.
"Yep, believe it or not I'm not usually the grounded type." He raised a questioning eyebrow, she was starting to see he did that a lot.
"Generally I work covert ops., extraction, and uh, sometimes assassination I guess." The Agent swallowed uncomfortably, but she figured there was no use hiding what she did. Steve nodded once, in understanding.
"You're a spy." He stated matter of factly. James smiled coyly, reaching into her pocket, and taking out the car keys, unlocking the inconspicuous black four door-er.
"I go wherever and do whatever Director Fury needs me to do." Once again, Steve simply nodded. He couldn't judge her, after all, he'd once been of similar service.
"Do you drive?" James asked suddenly, holding the keys up in an offering manner, Steve considered them for a moment before shaking his head, going around the car for the passenger side door. James raised her own eyebrow but shrugged, jumping in the drivers seat.
"I taught myself to drive a motorcycle in the middle of the war, but I get the feeling even if I did have a license, they wouldn't let me use it." Steve buckled his seat belt, and James started the car, smoothly pulling out of the parking bay and making her way onto the wide highway that connected the SHIELD offices to the rest of the city.
"Yeah you know, that's probably for the best." She smiled a little, looking at the super soldier out of the corner of her eye.
"I've read the SSR case files, I know about the amount of bikes you went through. I think it'll be a while before they give you a car..." Steve actually laughed then, and reached for the heating system, turning it up a little, shrugging a small amount when James gave him a furrow-browed smile.
“You looked cold.” He stated simply, and the brunette couldn’t help but feel slightly touched by the action. She muttered out a ‘thanks’, while pretending she was hyper-focused on the road. Her heart started racing, how much did Fury brief him about her? What if he already knew? She chewed on the corner of her mouth, tapping her fingers on the leather steering wheel. That was the thing about her abilities… People would much rather hear she lied, cheated and killed her way to accomplish missions than to hear she occasionally froze people's hands on the trigger so they wouldn’t shoot her dead. She struggled to shake the nervous thoughts from her mind for the rest of the trip, and the pair remained in a fairly comfortable silence, Steve occasionally piping up to point out landmarks that were still the same as when he was in DC last, or things that had changed drastically. James quite easily picked up on the sad undertones, but she got the feeling he wasn't trying to hide it.
"You know," The blonde began, placing his duffle bag on the hallway floor.
"My view on what's nice may be outdated, but I'm pretty sure when something is expensive." He stated, taking a few steps down the hall and peering in to his new home. The apartment was in a nice building just out of the centre of town, and was the only one on the top floor. James looked around, arms folded across her chest.
"Actually this isn't so bad. I'm more surprised they didn't set you up with a state of the art Stark Industries modified home." She stated matter of factly, seeking out the kitchen and placing her bag down on the counter.
"Besides, everything is expensive nowadays."
Steve popped in from the connected living room, a small smile on his face.
"There's a record player." He said simply and James grinned.
"That was my idea actually! Records have made a bit of a come back thanks to Hipsters, but I'm not complaining! Means I can add to my collection easier." She continued to smile to herself thinking of the little record shop she'd been going to for years that had picked up a lot more clientele in recent months.
"You have records?" Steve asked casually, leaning up against the kitchen counter with his arms folded, a quizzical look on his face. James nodded, opening the fridge and checking for any signs of food. It was pristine, top of the line and empty, as she expected.
"Yeah! My uh... uncle loves them, he had this big old fashioned player in his living room when I was growing up, and he played it constantly, almost to a fault." She laughed at the memories of waltzing around the room to the voices of Etta James, Frank Sinatra and Peggy Lee. When she looked back up at him, Steve had an expression she couldn't quite put her finger on, but he smiled and pushed off the counter, clearing his throat.
"Fury said you'll be staying in the guest room?" He asked conversationally. James closed the fridge.
"Only until you're able to function by yourself." She stated, regretting the words immediately as Steve raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms. Even if it was a lie, that sounded so condescending it was ridiculous.
"Oh Jesus, that's not what I meant!" She flustered with her words trying to make it better, and failing each time. She ran a hand through her hair, cheeks bright red. Steve made a face and waved off her apologies, walking away to check out more of the house.
James shook her head, still embarrassed from the slip up. It hadn't been what she'd meant at all, but really, her missions rarely involved this much conversation and she suddenly wondered why the hell Fury thought she'd be the best for this assignment.
"So theres no food, but we have two options. We can order takeout tonight and go shopping tomorrow or we can go shopping now." James had followed Steve back out to the living room to avoid yelling. A puzzled look filtered across Steve's face as he pieced together what she was saying, and the Agent became minutely aware that he may have zero idea what takeout was.
"I'm pretty hungry, so, the faster option?" The questioning glance he shot her confirmed her suspicions and she smiled kindly, whipping out her phone.
"You like Italian?"
"What, like, the people?"
James stopped typing and looked up at him, squinting to see if he was being serious.
"Uh, no, like the food..." She laughed a little and shook her head, searching for the closest Italian restaurant that delivered. Luckily they were in DC and were surrounded by delivery places.
"The file they gave me said you metabolise food quickly, so I'll order a whole bunch and whatever we don't eat we can stick in the fridge." She told him absentmindedly, pointing toward the stainless steel refrigerator as she tapped away at the online ordering system. When she finished she shut her phone off, sticking it in her pocket and looking up at Steve who appeared to have been watching her closely the whole time. Realising she didn't know how much he knew about smart phones she pointed to the tech in her pocket.
"Uhh I don't know if you know this, but you can do pretty much anything on phones nowadays... I just ordered dinner!" She explained, watching as Steve's frown deepened.
"I've seen people talking on them and.... Texting?" He tasted the word on his tongue, unsure if it was correct.
"But no, I didn't know that." James nodded in understanding, pulling her phone from her pocket, unlocking it and bringing up the home screen.
"I did notice you had a pretty basic phone, this is what we call a Smart Phone... Or StarkPhone. Here, look..." She stepped closer and descended into Modern Technology 101.
By the time their food arrived, Steve had mastered the use of the Internet app... James had figured it was pretty important that he be able to search for things on his own, especially since he'd only been so friendly to her so far, and she figured his pride wouldn't let him ask her for help until he'd exhausted every other option. They had moved to the living room to eat, and the small brunette had to say she was very impressed with how quickly Steve picked up the lingo and uses of different apps, although he had figured out the Internet, he wasn't completely sold on the fact it held everything the world had to offer. In time he'd figure it out. Eventually they say back on opposite ends of the couch talking about a myriad of subjects, from history to advances in science and technology.
"I swear I'm not lying! It's actually super similar to the technology aircrafts use for homing in on moving targets, just far more improved.... And on a smaller scale." Steve was looking at her with uncertainty as James explained a weapon she had recently trialled in the field, it didn't work exactly as planned, but it was getting there.
"So... All you do is set it up, and it finds the heat signatures... And takes them out?" The blonde repeated her oversimplified explanation and she nodded.
"Yeah it's a bit more than that, but it's developed from some of Stark's tech so you know it's pretty snazzy." Steve frowned at the second mentioning of Stark and he wondered how big the company had gotten... And if Howard was still alive.
"Stark Industries is still around?" He asked, testing the water around the subject. James mentally berated herself. She shouldn't have brought it up again, she really didn't want to be the one to tell him most of the people he knew where dead. She avoided his gaze, pursing her lips.
"Uhh, yeah it's pretty much the largest company in the world right now. They've got their fingers in everything except weapons."
Tony Stark's decision to pull their whole weapons division was a massive game changer, as the company had been developing weapons since its formation in the mid 1930's.
"You knew Howard right? His son Tony runs everything now... Well actually I think Pepper Potts does since he's doing his Iron Man stuff." Steve frowned curiously.
"Iron Man?"
The question led to a two hour discussion aided by many YouTube'd news reels and video footage of Iron Man saving people, helping out, and of course the famous "I am Iron Man" press conference. By the end of it Steve's mind seemed to be rather blown as he sat quietly mulling over the information. He went to bed shortly after, having remained quiet for all the while they washed the dishes and James showed him how to correctly seal Tupperware containers so the food would last longer.
The Brunette gladly poured herself a glass of wine and retired to her own bedroom, pulling out her laptop and tapping away a few emails before casually searching news websites for anything interesting. She couldn't shake the uncomfortable feeling she got after she had explained Iron Man to Steve and honestly, she thought he'd given her the cold shoulder, he was nowhere near as friendly after that conversation than he'd been all day, but James tried not to think about it... She supposed it would be weird for her to wake up in an entirely different time and hear about her dead friends children, If she had any friends that was.
She sipped her wine and just as the thought crossed her mind, her phone vibrated, lighting up and displaying a text.
'Status Update? How did the Icecap settle in? - T'
Natasha wasn't exactly a friend, they were both two of Fury's 'special' agents and met on occasion, and the older woman remained in contact, but they rarely saw each other outside of work, and speaking honestly, Natasha scared James a small amount. She was after all the Black Widow. Picking up her phone, the brunette quickly tapped back a reply.
'I don't know, it was going well, but I told him about Tony and I think he hates me? - J'
'Weird. I'm sure you'll be fine, you're very likeable JJ. Goodnight :) - T'
James sighed, but frowned a little at the use of her infrequent nickname, and the fact she'd been called likeable. Most other SHIELD agents steered clear of her, or outright thought she was a freak. And she forgot how good a spy Natasha was sometimes, how she'd found out her first name when she was so insistent on erasing it from documents was beyond her. She sighed and closed her laptop, sticking her phone on charge and grabbing her towel and PJ's, heading towards the bathroom, more than ready to wash the day away.
The next few weeks passed much the same. Steve didn't speak all that much to her after the Iron Man conversation, and while he wasn't outwardly rude to her, they fell into a fairy cold routine. James tried her best not to let it get to her, but the agent couldn't help but wonder what exactly she had done to deserve the silent treatment from Captain America. She tried to start conversations or ask him if he wanted to explore the city, but he didn't really engage, speaking only when spoken too, unless he needed her help with something.
Steve also 'spent a lot of time in his room' which was James' code for when he snuck out through his window and went to a cafe or park to draw. He thought she didn't know, but despite her meek appearance James was a remarkably good spy, She had followed him a few times, just to see what he was doing, and she was mildly surprised to see him pull a sketch book from his jacket and a pencil and begin drawing whatever took his fancy. Occasionally he would speak with passerby's, mostly dog owners who's pets had run up to greet him, but other than that he kept to himself. When he started heading home, James always made sure she was in before he was, not letting on to the fact she knew he was technically breaking the rules of not going anywhere without her. After the first week of following him, James wanted to stop, she felt so guilty spying on him, but she knew she had to have all eyes on him at all times, He was always so tense and terse when he was around her, but he always looked so relaxed when he was alone. She felt bad for even secretly invading that privacy.
A month into the mission James received a call from Director Fury, urgently needing her on an away an assignment. She had been sitting at the table doing a puzzle, Steve on the couch in front of her watching a documentary when she had gotten the call.
"Director Fury...?" She greeted cordially, and she noticed Steve's head turn a little, obviously listening in to the conversation.
"James I need you in Moscow now." Fury's slightly distorted demand made the brunette sit up straighter, as she began to pack her puzzle away.
"Of course Sir, when can I expect pickup?"
"15 minutes. You won't have time to gear up on the jet, so be prepared." She looked up from the table, mind running with how quickly it took her to get dressed in her tact gear. She glanced towards Steve.
"And Captain Rogers sir?"
"Is not cleared for duty. I will be sending a replacement for you until you return. The dossier will be on the jet. Good luck Agent." Fury hung up quickly and James jolted into action, speed walking toward her bedroom where she shut the door hurridly, brushing her short curls back and pinning them out of her face, moving quickly to the closet.
She dressed quickly, a black SHEILD tactical suit, littered with gun holsters and utility pockets, rushing to stock every spot with a gun, grenade or some other weapon. She reached for her pistol, realising she had put it in her purse when they'd gone for groceries earlier, and she hadn't returned it to its case. Frowning at the thought of Steve seeing her decked out in weapons (she wasn't sure why exactly though), James left her bedroom, walking quickly to the kitchen counter where she'd put her bag down. Steve had conveniently gotten up to make coffee, and he stared at her as she entered the kitchen, the brunette pointedly ignoring his gaze as she checked the bullets in her gun, before shoving it into the spot on her thigh. Pulling out her tactical ear piece that she'd also left in her bag, James quickly attached it to her left ear, side eyeing the blonde who openly stared, making her feel self conscious.
"I've got to go, Fury needs me, when they pick me up, they'll be dropping another agent off to stay with you while I'm gone. Tops two days." She spoke quickly, pulling out her phone and checking the time.
'ETA 5 Minutes.'
Steve frowned, folding his arms over one another.
"Why do I need an agent to watch me?" He begun and James, already stressed enough and her mindset moving into mission mode, put a hand to her head in a frustrated manner, holding another out to silence him.
"Look I know you don't like me, but tough cookies, because it's my job to make sure no one tries to assassinate, and/or kidnap you when the intelligence community eventually figure out that Captain America is alive. Please just stay inside while I'm gone, and yes, that means no sneaking out to sketch pictures of strangers when you think I'm not paying attention." Steve blushed and unfolded his arms, his face turning bright red and he opened his mouth to defend himself but stopped short.
"I don't know who this replacement is, and honestly I don't trust anyone's abilities but mine, and a few others whom I doubt will be available to babysit you, so please for gods sake, throw me a bone and behave for the new Agent." By the time she'd finished her rant, her phone was vibrating again and she looked up, a calmer expression on her face this time.
"I need to go. Stay inside."
Steve was left standing in the kitchen, a little bit dumbfounded at his Agent's speech, and the fact she'd actually yelled at him. He did feel bad though, for treating her the way he had been. Obviously the whole 'help Captain Rogers adjust to the new world' stick was a clever lie to hide the true purpose of her mission, which was pretty much protect him from people who would want to exploit his super soldier enhanced body, but it sure hadn't helped him feel comfortable around what he thought had been a glorified babysitter, he was ashamed to say he'd been trying to ignore her unless absolutely necessary, when she had only been trying to do her job. Steve was also immensely embarrassed that James had known he'd been sneaking out, she never let on and so he'd assumed he'd gotten away with it, but not only had she known he had left, she'd known what he was doing. He had to give the petite agent more credit than he'd thought, he had had no idea she was following him the entire time, and she always appeared to be doing the same thing when he got back, than when he left.
Steve shook his head and was determined to make peace when she returned.