Alexandra's POV

I show up to the compound bright and early for my first official day here. I probably could've dressed more casually since I'm working at the compound now but it's too late to go back home and change. I use the key that Tony gave me to let myself in before navigating my way to the desk set up for me in the foyer of the compound.

A basket and a little note on the desk catches my eye and I take a seat before reading it.

I heard what happened with Tony and Steve last night.. I guess you really are a different person now. I'm sorry if I came off as harsh, I'm sure you can understand why I would get so jumpy. I attempted to make you muffins as an apology but thought it was easier to buy some instead. I hope we can be friends.

James didn't have to sign his name for me to know it was him, but I smiled at the note anyway. The muffins, however, I did not accept. Who knows if these are poisoned? I wouldn't put that past James. Instead, I bring them up to the team.

"Good morning everyone!" I smile. "I brought muffins."

Their eyes widen and suddenly they're all wide awake as they tackle me for the muffins. I catch James's eye as the others are eating and subtly motion for him to follow me once I left the room.

"I'll be down at my desk if anyone needs me." I smile before setting the basket down and going back downstairs. I take a seat at my desk and am soon joined by James.

"You gave away my apology muffins?" He furrowed his eyebrows.

"They seemed a little sketchy if I'm being honest." I shrug. "Were you being sincere in your little note?" I cross my arms.

"Of course I was! I don't want any trouble." He says, his eyes as genuine as can be.

"Alright. We can be friends." I turn in my chair. "But don't start sticking your nose in places where it doesn't belong." I warn him and he nods.

Our conversation is cut short by Tony walking over to us. "I thought you were told to stay away from her?" He addresses James, who rolls his eyes. I let out a soft chuckle and motion for him to leave before Tony gets too close. "How's my favorite secretary doing today?" Tony asks as he reaches my desk.

"I'm your only secretary." I laugh.

"Hey I was thinking, since you're going to be working here 8-5 Monday-Thursday, there's a spare room in the compound if that would make things easier for you." He offers, sitting on the edge of my desk.

"I don't have to work on Fridays?!" I ask, my excitement rising.

"So I'll take that as a no on moving in." He chuckles. "If you change your mind, let me know."

With that, the billionaire leaves me to do my work. I start with Fury's 'tasks' as he calls them before taking a look at what Tony gave me. I have to write all of these things by hand? I'm going to die. At least now I won't be tempted to hack into anything.

Steve's POV

"What is it with you and Ally?" I ask Bucky as we spar.

"Alexandra?" He asks, I nod. "I don't know.. She just seems familiar for some reason." I lie, adding a shrug.

I catch Bucky off-guard and sweep his feet from beneath him before pinning him on the ground. "Tony told me he caught you bothering her this morning."

He pushes me off of him and roll his eyes. "Of course he did."

"I just want you to be careful, Buck. God forbid anything happens and you-"

"I know, Steve." He cuts me off. "I'll leave her alone. Don't worry about me."

He grabs his water bottle and storms out of the gym. I sigh and continue the rest of my workout.

---

After training, I bump into Ally on my way upstairs.

"Oh, hey." She smiles at me.

"Hey." I smile back at her. "How's your first day going? Anyone botherin' ya?"

"It's been pretty quiet, as usual." She sighs. "I was actually looking for Tony, do you have any idea where he is?"

"Probably in the lab. He's almost always in there with Bruce." I chuckle. "Is everything alright?"

"Yeah! Yeah, I just had a question about where he got his intel from for this upcoming mission." She explains, showing me the file and pointing to where it says Shadow.

"If you could give me a few minutes to shower I'll meet you at your desk to go over everything." I smile. "Unless you'd rather deal with Tony."

She smiles at me. "No, of course. Take your time, I've got loads of other things to do in the meantime."

I nod at her and we go our separate ways. I practically run to the bathroom, taking the quickest shower of my life before getting dressed and heading downstairs.

Alexandra's POV

I finish writing up the last of the Avengers' old mission reports and leads when Steve shows up.

"Hope I didn't take too long." He smiles as he sits on the other side of my desk.

"Nope, you got here at the perfect time actually." I smile as I put the finished papers aside in a neat pile. "So, about this 'shadow'..." I begin.

"Right! Well, for the past few months both our and SHIELD's systems have been repeatedly hacked. Which you probably know already since you are.. or were.. assigned to the case." He says, I nod. "We've come up with a nickname for the hacker, which ended up being Shadow.. I think it sounds premature but it wasn't my call." He shrugs, making me laugh.

"So how is the Shadow a source of intel?" I ask, resting my chin in my hand.

"Well each time he's hacked into the systems, he never deletes anything or steals anything. Occasionally he'll leave a few leads or a hint of some sort but it's usually just a little emoji thing to rub it in Tony's face that he's smarter than him." Steve explains.

"But how do you know the Shadow is reliable?" I ask again, furrowing my eyebrows. "Couldn't he just be leading you into a trap?" I play along as if I'm not the Shadow.

Steve thinks for a moment. "We've never thought about that. We just figured that since this person has been harmless thus far, they can't possibly pose any type of threat."

I nod, writing down my interpretation of the conversation in the records for future reference. I look at the time to see that it's already 4:55.

"Got a hot date tonight?" Steve asks, noticing how I've packed up and checked the time.

I laugh, knowing that he's asking out of jealousy. "Nah, I don't have time to date much. It's not really my thing." I shrug.

"Oh? Why not?" He asks, walking me out to my car.

I turn to look at Steve and give him a small smile. "You are a man of many questions." We both laugh. "It's too long of a story, I doubt you really care that much." I place my bag in the backseat before opening my door.

"How about we talk about it tomorrow.. Over breakfast?" He asks, hope in his eyes.

I consider it for a moment and realize that tomorrow is Friday. "I don't work tomorrow." I begin to think out loud.

"Oh.. Well.. Another time?" Steve asks, his face turning a light shade of pink.

"No! Oh, gosh. I wasn't saying no, I was just thinking out loud." I apologize. "I'd love to get breakfast tomorrow." I smile.

His hopeful eyes meet mine once again and a smile spreads across his face. "Great! I'll pick you up at 7?"

I feel a thud in my chest. I don't like people knowing where I live. "How about I meet you here?" I counter his offer.

"Yeah, sure. Whatever you're comfortable with." His smile shrinks a little bit.

"Alright, see you tomorrow." I say as I get into my car.

"See ya." He says, watching me drive off as he stands in the road.

What have I gotten myself into?