Lost in Time

"If Nick Fury thinks he can get his costumed thugs and Strike commandos to mop up his mess, he's sadly mistaken," Councilman Rockwell states matter of factly. "This failure is unacceptable."

"Considering this attack took place one mile from my country's sovereign waters, it's a bit more than that. I move for an immediate hearing." Councilman Singh adds.

"We don't need hearings," Councilwoman Hawley expresses. "We need action. It's this Council's duty to oversee Shield."

"A breach like this raises serious questions." Councilman Yen points out.

"Like how the hell did a French pirate manage to hijack a covert Shield vessel in broad daylight?" Rockwell spits.

Alexander Pierce stops his pacing to address them. "For the record, Councilman, he's Algerian. I can draw a map if it'd help." he chuckles softly.

"I appreciate your wit, Secretary Pierce. But this council takes things like international piracy fairly seriously."

"Really? I don't." Pierce resumes his pacing again. "I don't care about one boat, I care about the fleet. If this Council is going to fall to rancor every time someone pushes us on the playing field, maybe we need someone to oversee us."

"Mr. Secretary," Yen begins, "Nobody is suggesting..." he trails off as Pierce's secretary hands him a notice. He takes it, excusing himself from the council meeting.

"More trouble, Mr. Secretary?" Rockwell asks.

"Depends on your definition," Pierce calls back, officially ending the meeting. Outside the door, Fury stands in waiting. "I work forty floors away and it takes a hijacking for you to visit?"

Fury shrugs. "A nuclear war would do it, too." They shake hands. "You busy in there?"

Pierce puts his hands in his pockets. "Nothing, some earmarks can't be fixed."

Silence passes between them. "I'm here to ask a favor," Fury explains. "I want you to call for a vote. Project Insight has to be delayed."

"Nick," Pierce breathes out. "That's not a favor, that's a sub-committee hearing. A long one."

"It could be nothing," Fury assures him. "It probably is nothing. I just need time to make sure it's nothing."

"But if it's something?"

"Then we'll both be damn glad those helicarriers aren't in the air."

Pierce exhales. "Fine. But you got to get Iron Man to stop by my niece's birthday party."

Fury shakes his hand with a slight huff. "Thank you, sir. I'll let Miss Brown know."

"I'll let her know myself, don't worry, Nick." Pierce laughs lightly. "And not just a flyby. He's got to mingle."

~***~

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS - WASHINGTON D.C.

"How's Peggy?" Clara asks as soon as Steve stops in front of the Veterans Affairs Office. He scans the building, processing her question.

"Hanging in there," he finally answers, his heart feeling like it's being torn in two. "I think it would give her peace knowing you're alive, Clara."

Clara sighs, a sad smile tugging at her lips. She gently shakes her head. "No, I don't think that would be wise." Silence settles between the two. "She seems to have made peace with my passing already. I don't want to screw that up for her. She'll think she's died and gone to heaven."