I frantically dash through the hallways and agents scurrying everywhere in the helicarrier, away from the laboratory. I even didn't bother to pick up the gloves that could probably help me, a lot. Or even bother to say 'excuse me' when I collide into the scurrying agents, obviously making them fall or at least trip. I just shove them away. The phone keeps ringing in my hand, as I plan to take the this particular call privately. Privately I mean by inside my room, alone and isolated. I am certainly not involving them, even the Director and the Captain, the people so far that is so close to me besides Abbey.

My heart pumps faster and faster by the second as I head over to my room, some beads of sweat form on my hairline as well, as I anticipate the news on what Agent Gregg has to say. My hands remain at my sides but they couldn't stop trembling or my palms couldn't stop getting clammy. A firm grip is planted on the phone, never allowing it to let go.

Thankfully the phone kept ringing because I finally arrived at my room, previsions or possibilities of my mother and stepfather's lives are spared from the crash appear in my head.

But the previsions or possibilities of their deaths are denied as I thought through them, too petrified to face those facts. Just please survive.

I didn't even bother to lock or close my room's door, I am too caught up with this call that I forgot to do the simplest of things. "A-agent Gr-gregg," my mouth stutters as I immediately greet his name, as well as my voice croaks. My heart kept beating faster and faster, never slowing its pace.

"Ms. Vale," Agent Gregg greets back, then lowers his voice, "we found the Cervetti Feathers off the coast of Papua, New Guinea just a few minutes ago. We were informed by literate natives through a radio." I covered my mouth, my eyes still starts getting watery even though I knew that more will be said, "they..." Agent Gregg gravely sighs, anxious to report the news, "they didn't make it."

Oh my god. Oh my god. "Oh my god," my voice croaks as I react, I can't take it. Sniffing deeply, tears pour out of my eyes, my mouth still covered by my hands. Inha-hale, ex-exhale. "Amelia Vale, do you want me to explain further?" Yes! How did they make it on the other side of their destination?! How could they have crashed?! Lots of questions popped in my head, distracting me but I still listen intently.

"Please, how did all of this..." I cry out, tears still pouring non-stop, as I kept pacing back and forth on the edge of my bed.

Agent Gregg sighs once more, then starts explaining, "Elizabeth Echard and Jeremy Cervetti were found on the jet's seats, they, yeah." I can't take this, "the jet's crash is the main impact of their deaths, and the walls of the plane bursts into flames as soon as they crash but it didn't reach them inside." How? That's-- it's impossible. Theories just appear in my head, but I don't plan to choose or test each one. "The plane will be brought back here in the States by next morning, along with, their bodies." I kept sniffing and my face just became so, unbelievably wet. "Further investigation is and will be performed as soon as they arrive."

I couldn't hint that many emotion, but I can sense his pity, "I am sorry." So, she's gone. I didn't even say 'I love you' or anything meaningful before she takes her last breath.

Ending the call, I stare down at the phone. I didn't even bother to respond to his sorry. I toss the phone to my bed, then let my arms wrap itself around my body, gasping for air and letting the tears pour down my cheeks like rainfall. Almost loosing the light, I forced myself to stay standing up by leaning against the wall, but I failed. Until someone's large arms caught me.

~Steve's POV~

"Amelia?" I try grabbing her attention from the phone one more time. She looks up from the phone, giving me an expression filled with fear and aghast. Somehow, it frightens and worries me, wondering who is the person calling her this second.

"I have to take this," she announces, then purses her lips, instantly departing the laboratory. I look back at the gloves then back to Amelia leaving. My eyebrows furrow, curious about the person that rang the phone, alerting her, and somehow alerting me. "What are you waiting for?" Tony unexpectedly asks, pulling me out of my thoughts, "go after her!"

"Right," I answer straightaway and adamantly. I pick up the box with her gloves inside and dash out of the laboratory instantly. I suppose I'll return her forgotten gloves as well. Who made her so scared?

I spot her hurriedly making her way into corridors, hallways, and even collided into lots of agents. Following her secretly, I apologized to the agents that Amelia collided to. Trailing behind her, she kept her head down, gripping on the phone like her life depended on it. That is, if it does.

She made her way through the crowds of agents in the main room, making me loose sight of her. Where could she be? Wait, hold on a second. Then it hit me, not literally, heh. She needs privacy and some spare moments of isolationism so she's heading to her room. But wait, why do I have to follow her if she needs her alone time? Oh, the gloves, I guess that'll be my excuse.

So, I made my way towards the hallway where our rooms are stationed. Please be there. I technically hustle quickly through the hallway, finding her room and her door is wide open. The person calling her probably made her frantic and forget the simple things. Stopping at the doorway, I drop the box and have found her pacing back and forth on the edge of her bed. I watch her listen intently on what the caller has to say because tears kept raining on her cheeks and down to the floor.

As she finally end the call, she just tossed the phone on her bed, I can sense that she's trying to control and preserve all those emotions. From anger, fear, heart break, pity and concern over the devastated girl I love overwhelms me. I can't take it, she's giving up, I need to be there, for her. If she looses herself, I will be by her side.

She tries leaning onto the wall, trying to contain her balance, but she couldn't stay upwards. She almost fell but I catch her, bringing her to my arms as she sobs and clings to my chest, muffling her sobs. We are kneeling on the floor, I give her a peck with my lips on her forehead, and embracing her trembling body and pulling her closer to me. She probably didn't notice me kissing her, but oh well. Amelia keeps sobbing as I start hushing gently, hoping that I can at least stifle all of the sobbing. "Amelia, I'm here."

Gradually the muffled sobs fade away, she raises her head from my chest to face me. I grasp her shoulders as she kept covering her mouth with both of her hands, she can't stop trembling, biting her bottom lip, "St-Steve, she- she's. Oh my god," I cup her cheeks, wiping the tears and I guess some of the smudged makeup. Whether her makeup is smudged or not, it doesn't matter to me. We remain kneeling on the floor, she couldn't stop shaking and , nor would the tears will ever stop. She kept her head down as well, avoiding my gaze.

"Amelia," I try smiling slightly at her, except she isn't-- or couldn't smile back. She's going to be alright, with me on her side. I hope she realizes that.

She stands up, as I follow her action. Pacing back and forth across the room once more, wiping the tears away, cold air kept blowing inside the room. Then, all of a sudden, snowflakes landed on my nose-- wait, is it, snowing?

I grasp Amelia at both of her arms, caressing her hands. She kept her head down, still trembling, but I raise her chin to face me, reflecting back her frightened face. Pursing her lips, the snowing began falling heavier, "Amelia, I'm here, here for you."

"St- Steve, she's, g-gone." I cup her cheek and wiped more tears, wrapping her arms around herself. Then she slightly chuckles, "oh my gosh, I mean my fa-face..."

"Amelia," I starts smiling, but she still couldn't smile back. I knew she was pointing towards her smudged face, but I don't even care, "it doesn't matter, you're still beautiful. I'm here now, by your side. Please don't loose yourself." She nods reluctantly, immediately stopping the snowing, leaving the air and ground moist. "You're going to be okay, please stop crying. I hate seeing you like this," I remind her once again, still wiping her tears. "Okay?"

She nods rapidly, still pursing her plump lips, "O-okay."

I pull her into my arms, her head rests on my chest. My arms wrap around her while her arms starts embracing my neck. I let my face bury into her lovely-scented hair. Sounds creepy, but I'm honest. Her tears soak my chest, but I don't care. I hate seeing her this afraid and vulnerable.

~Amelia's POV~

Clinging on Steve's uniform, I bawl my eyes out silently, his chest muffling it. His breath tickles the side of my neck, I'm glad he's here. I don't care whether this is an uncomfortable moment or not for him, but I really need someone. When he said those words, I felt grateful, he helps me become braver, and my doubts going away. I was wrong with these types of situations, I always believed that I wanted to be alone. I need someone by my side, someone like Steve.

My knees became weaker once again, but Steve catches me, carrying me bridal style except I didn't dangle to the side. I kept clinging to his chest, burrowing my head against it. "Thank you for- for being there, h-here." I look up, managing a small smile. He smiles back, our foreheads leaning against each other. This particular moment finally made me stop shaking like a chihuahua, relieving myself from the tremendous and sudden grief.

He then gently lays me to my bed, but I sit upright, my face in my hands. I kept weeping silently, but he knelt in front of me, pulling my hands from my face. We gazed into each other's eyes, still holding my hands. "Do you want me to stay with you, for a while?"

Nodding my head, he smiles, making my heart beat at a steady pace, tears stop falling. I sat upright in my bed, "could you lay beside me? Only for tonight?" I ask reluctantly, because his company is something I've love and looked forward every single day.

Steve smiles, "of course." I didn't expect that. He still held my hand, my elbows resting on my knees. Steve stands up, releasing the grip of our hands. He closes the door then walks over to the other side of the bed. Laying down, I just swoop in and rest almost half of my body on top of his, my legs intertwining with his. Also, I cling on to his chest, but I didn't expect his reaction, until he wraps his arm around me from my back. His other hand though clung on my hand that's resting on his chest.

Silence passes us as I consider the moment happening, myself in his arms. I love it, I don't regret or even dare to overthink that this could be weird or uncomfortable for him, I just don't give a crap. This almost never happens to me, but Steve made it never a never. Although, I still has to face the fact: my mother is, gone. "How do you put up to this? Everyone just disappears from your grasp, yet you are strong. You never mention it or even, complain. How?"

There was a long pause, but he replies, "Amelia, inside of me, I can't face the fact," I raise my head to face him as he looks down at me. But still, how?

"I just lost my mom, and I'm this drenched wreck, while you--"

"You're never a drenched wreck and never forget that I couldn't, face it. Everyone's gone, but I am grateful that there'll be something new, a beginning. Grief is in two parts. The first is loss. The second is the remaking of a new life." He says every word meaningfully like an inspirational quote, making me smile but tears kept pouring slowly again. "I just believed that kind of fact, I guess."

I look up, tears still cascading down to my cheeks. Right now, up to this point, I have no idea on how I'm feeling and why I am crying. All these mixed emotions stabs me in the heart, so confusion struck me hard. "I don't know now, up to this point."

"I can see that." I chuckle a little bit, but I lied, I cannot face the fact.

Tears kept flowing down, really wetting Steve's uniform. Sorry, heh.

"Amelia, I am here for you. I can't promise to fix all of these things, but I promise you that you won't face them alone," he says those words, making tears fall harder than rainfall. I couldn't identify if they wether are of joy or sorrow.

Steve got me love struck ever since the beginning of this mission, and this moment made me love him even more. I am definitely not planning to tell him, its too sudden for him. He told me he still couldn't face the fact, but what about love? Too fast? What if he just sees me like a well, you know, a friend? Too sudden? My affection and fondness for Steve will always stay inside of me, or at least away from him to know.

I couldn't stop smiling because his words remove me from my thoughts, "Thank you so much, Steve."

I can tell he's smiling, but I don't know how to tell him that I love him.

The falling of tears hasn't ended, but I somehow drift off to a peaceful state, simply a dreamless slumber. How? Well, due to listening to Steve's steady heart beat, it'll probably be the best lullaby I've probably ever heard. Or the only one I'll probably ever hear from here on out.

~So I'll make sure
to keep my distance
say 'I love you'
when you're not listening
how long
can I keep this up?~

~Nick Fury's POV~

Ugh, 10:17 p.m., two and a half hours since Loki's interrogation, yet the damn god won't crack a thing. Or at least a word.

Standing in the middle of my office, I couldn't speculate the remaining of the Loki's schemes. Either he is operating the rest while he's in the cell, or the fact they really have nothing to do. I watch him from my monitor, wondering around his cell, scanning the whole room; even farther than the massive cell. He's waiting. Anticipating for something, I just know it.

"Sir?" I look straight at the door, where Agent Hill's head is peering through the door frame. Motioning her to come in with a slight nod, she enters, holding a file. "We need to discuss something about Agent Vale."

Looking up at my right hand agent from the monitor, "what is it about Amelia?" Elizabeth always wanted me to refer to her like she was my niece, so she's one of the only agents where I'll probably refer to their first name. It is true, I do treat her like she's my niece.

Also up in my mind, I couldn't also stop thinking about how Amelia is doing about her coping. I recruited her for three reasons: one, to help her take her mind off Elizabeth's sudden disappearance, second is that her abilities is vital for Avengers Initiative, and third, I'll never break the promise I made with Elizabeth.

~Flashback~

"They finally showed up," I told Lizzie who couldn't stop watching Amelia in the living room, who is just frighteningly staring at her hands. "What are we going to do about it?"

"We?" She asks, her head suddenly snap from her gaze to Amelia's.

"Her abilities, we may need it." She shakes her head, turning to face to the direction of her daughter again. "Nick," she starts reasoning as I turn to a ten-year old Amelia in the living room,"I don't want her fate to be like, Chris'."

Sighing, I cross my arms, "Look, you two were one of the greatest in S.H.I.E.L.D's agents, and fate differs in every person, like her." Looking over in the living room, one of my scientists approach Amelia, holding two small balls. "Anyways, we will help as much as we can."

The scientist-agent handed her a ball, instructing her to touch it. I suspect she's testing if her feelings could also affect her powers. Amelia held the ball cautiously, her fear made ice trickle in the ball as soon as her hand touches it. Since she is afraid, it can cause one of her abilities to react, like what just happened. "You'll help?"

"I may be Nick Fury but I will always be there for a friend." Lizzie then turned to me, with worry disappearing from her eyes. She faintly smiles, "but--"

I cut her off, "Liz, I want to help as much as I can."

She furrows her eyebrows, staring at me intently, "you just want to use her, in the future. Probably as a weapon." No. Her nostrils flare up, angered of my 'intentions' over Amelia.

"What's wrong with offering?" she starts walking away but I stop her in her tracks, "Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart." I remember Chris loving the quote, told by Eleanor Roosevelt. He always reminded her that everyone of her true friends will always be there for her. Like he was. Like how I'm trying to be now, but she's always been a friend.

I keep my hands in my pockets as she turns around, her expression softening. Lizzie sighs, "very well. If you want to help, how about promise me that when I am gone or not there to take good care of her, promise me that you'll take care of her, no matter what."

Looking at her straight in the eye, I solemnly state, "Elizabeth, I promise as your friend to take good care of Amelia whenever you are gone or whenever you will need me."

~Flashback ends~

"Sir, are you familiar with the organization of the Rising Tide?" Hill, pulls me out of my thoughts. But what does that have to do with her? She hands out the digital file, Hill keeps explaining as I attach the file to my monitor, "Amelia could be involved, contacting them frequently, secretly. Except, no longer one."

"I don't mind about a group of hackers threatening S.H.I.E.L.D right about now, but why and how?" Reading the file, it technically summarizes on how S.H.I.E.L.D discovered the Rising Tide and what the organization's operators are made off. There are other things, but the organization is labeled still as a mystery, I do not intend to investigate considering on what's happening right now.

"Well, I am implying the Rising Tide are Agent Vale's resources on Agent Echard's possible death," I look up when she mentions about Elizabeth, "she has been secretly requesting the Rising Tide to report more information to her about the investigation. I can tell she is growing impatient. She simply does it with a laptop and encrypted codes, except her mistake was communicating through our database."

"Because if she hacks by herself, S.H.I.E.L.D would be sued by the CIA, us charged with interfering a federal investigation. The Rising Tide will instead know everything and do the dirty work for her," I state the rest for Hill, who just nods. I close the file, letting her continue, "in summarization, she's hacking so that her fellow hackers could hack another federal organization, particularly the CIA who holds and operates the investigation. We should simply remind her to stop."

Sighing, "Agent Hill, I shall fix it tomorrow. Amelia should've been smarter to hide or at least remove trails while communicating, stress is probably consuming her. Thank you for reporting." Hill kept her hands behind her back and her body straight, feeling accomplished. "Your welcome, Director. So, when will you approach her about the matter?"

I look at my monitor watching Loki again, "tomorrow, I suspect she's asleep."

"Alright. Good night." Hill then exits the office, leaving me still pondering about two things, Loki and, well, the jet crash. The brief announcement about Amelia's hacking wasn't really a matter but I will remind her about it tomorrow. I then set up the monitor to switch cameras to the Avengers' hallway where their rooms are located, then to the laboratory where Stark and Dr. Banner are still working. Thor is in the main room, still conversing with Agent Coulson. Agent Romanoff, Captain Rogers, and Agent Vale are probably asleep, I suspect as I couldn't find them anywhere else on the helicarrier.

There is a separate and a larger monitor in my office besides the one resting on my desk, with a map of all the S.H.I.E.L.D bases internationally stationed and our logo in the center. It's a massive monitor, and it rests on one of the walls of my office. This monitor drew my attention as it started flashing red, prompting me about an incoming call. And to my surprise, its the CIA. Coincidental.

Tapping the touchable screen, it reveals a face of an agent, I assume Agent Gregg, the same person that informed me about Elizabeth's plane slash jet crash.  And with all honesty, his face is so similar to Agent Coulson's... "Director Nicholas J. Fury," Agent Gregg greets me, "I assume Agent Clark Gregg."

"You are correct there," he then bows his head, lowering his voice. He took a deep breath as I closely hear on what he's about to say, "The Cervetti Feathers was found off the coast of Papua, New Guinea a few minutes ago. Residents, that were literate, informs the States' CIA when the jet was found, through a radio."

I kept my stern face, hiding the anger built up inside of me. My dear friend is dead, for good. I let him continue, "Director, I am sorry for the loss of, I assume one of your greatest agents," you mean a friend, " but I'll say the same thing to Ms. Vale, the jet and its bodies will be brought back to the States by tomorrow morning and we will keep you guys, including Jeremy Cervetti's parents, with the investigation. Are there any further information you want to know?"

"Did you inform Vale first?" Agent Gregg nods, "Yes, and I can tell she didn't handle it too well, considering she didn't even respond." Damn right she didn't, its her mom!

"Very well, thank you."  A short pause occurs, clearing my throat, "well, how did they, die?"

He sighs, reluctant about informing me this tragic information, "the crash was the main impact, and the plane was described to have burst into flames.  But it didn't incinerate the bodies inside, just the walls of the jet."

"Thank you." Anger builds up inside of me, I may have to face the fact of the passing of other agents, but Elizabeth's and Chris' are exceptions.

"I have high hopes that you, the Vales, the Cervettis, and the families of the other victims will be able to cope and heal overtime, also, the CIA recommends that Amelia Vale should suspend her duties in this, mission. We are aware with the situation due to the Council." I shake my head, no way.

"I refuse," oh hell no, she's already an agent, "because that should be up to her to choose. And why are you recommending me this, agent?"

"Mr. and Mrs. Cervetti request an immediate meeting with her, tomorrow afternoon at their mansion. Or else--"

"Or else what?" I snap back, startling him, "I- I don't know. Its up to the Cervettis. They couldn't really reach her because they are unaware of her whereabouts. Speaking of which, would you want me to inform them that she is with S.H.I.E.L.D or do you prefer to do it yourself?"

Sighing, "You may do it, and I don't think she would be comfortable with Mr. and Mrs. Cervetti by now. What else?"

"Also, since FBI is unaware about, well all of this, you should remind that she should choose to either to leave S.H.I.E.L.D, although just remain thought at being part of the Avengers Initiative--" Whoa, whoa.

"Agent Gregg, who informed the CIA about the classified project?" cutting him off, my question startling the agent, again. "D-director, the Council did."

Oh, that makes sense, why does the Council have to blab to everyone about everything? "Oh, I apologize, continue."

Gregg nods, "or she should reside to her duties at the FBI in Quantico, her choice." That got me thinking, it made me unsure if she did willingly quit S.H.I.E.L.D, I guess it will somehow get me disappointed. But its up to her, after all. She just became an agent like two days ago, she's also a legacy.

I nod my head, "I will approach to her about it. And I assume that the Council came to the CIA to tell me, all of this."

"Yes, they did, Director. They are aware of the agent who possesses abilities and suddenly became part of Avengers Initiative."

"Alright, thank you for informing me, Agent Gregg of the CIA."

"Your welcome, Director Fury of S.H.I.E.L.D."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

HELLO! YEAH THERE'S A NICK FURY POV SO WOO HOO! ITS BEEN LONG SINCE THERE WAS ONE, HEH.

BUT ANYWAYS, YUP HER MOM'S DEAD FOR.... GOOD.

DISTANCE BY CHRISTINA PERRI AND JASON MRAZ CAPTIVATED ME, WELL I JUST PUT IT ON REPEAT WHILE TYPING IF THAT IS ACCEPTABLE. EHEHEHE BUT SERIOUSLY, I GUESS THE SONG'S MEANING IS JUST HIDING THEIR FEELINGS FOR ONE ANOTHER, YOU KNOW, KEEPING THEIR DISTANCE. OR THERE'S ANOTHER MEANING, LIKE A BREAK UP OR WHATEVER, BUT I THINK THIS IS THE MEANING SO...

NO SUPER HERO NAME POPS IN MY HEAD, ITS SADLY NOT MAGICAL. I SERIOUSLY HAVE NO IDEA YET.

HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE NEXT CHAPTER IS ALMOST FORESHADOWED BY NICK FURY IN THIS CHAPTER, AND DON'T FORGET THE MENTION OF THE RISING TIDE! SINCE SHE IS A HACKER, THERE SHOULD BE A RELATION WITH THE ORGANIZATION SOOO YEAH.

I ALREADY HAVE THE REASON WHY OF THE PLANE CRASH IN MY HEAD.... HEHEHEHE I DON'T KNOW WHEN TO MENTION IT SO...

ALSO, YEAH THEY KINDA CUDDLED..!

I JUST OBVIOUSLY MADE UP OF THE JET'S NAME TO CERVETTI FEATHERS, LIKE THE QUEEN'S GAMBIT, ECT. ;)

FOLLOW MEEEEEE :))))

HAHAHA ONTO THE NEXT DESTINATION/CHAPTER!!

~ACOUSTIC QUIVER

P.S. VOTES AND COMMENTS ABOUT ALL OF THIS?