He looked at Anny, curled up in Mindy's arms, and thought of the irony. He'd armed a child and her cat. But in this world, sometimes that was the only way to keep them safe.
[Cortana: Mission report — Operation Kick-Ass Hero and Anny: Success.]
James almost laughed. "Yeah," he whispered. "Success."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Is Mindy asleep?" Carlos set the stack of birthday gifts down in the living room before heading toward the dining room. James sat at the table, a cold Coke bottle misting in his hand.
"Yeah. She's happy, but all that play wore her out." James took a sip, then glanced at his father. "Carlos, are you and Hannah going to marry? If you are, don't wait too long. Mindy deserves a complete home. You don't need to worry about me. I'll support it. I've got the bedroom in the next house. Even if you have kids later, you'll have space here."
Carlos froze at the bluntness, then lowered his eyes. "I'm sorry."
James shook his head, smiling faintly. "I'm twenty-six. I've got my own work and a purpose I enjoy. You're retired. You and Hannah should build a home filled with life."
Carlos finally nodded. "When you put it that way… I'll talk to her. We won't do an elaborate ceremony. Neither of us have many relatives, so we'll keep it simple. But we'll make it official."
"That's your choice," James said. "Just make sure Mindy gets to know. She'll be happy for you two."
Carlos's voice softened. "She's always needed a mother."
The next day was Saturday. With the flower shop packed with weekend customers, James took Mindy out himself. They spent hours at the amusement park, eating cotton candy and running through rides. It wasn't just a distraction. It was a chance to give her normal memories, something beyond combat drills and survival instincts.
For a few weeks, life smoothed out. James kept to his routine: mornings dropping Mindy at school, afternoons at the Division, evenings training. Carlos and Hannah's relationship moved quickly, and within days they were officially married. Hannah moved her things into the house, bringing warmth that softened the edges.
(Side story of Mindy and Anny, Crime fighting heroes on patreon)
The atmosphere didn't last long.
James received a transfer order from Washington headquarters. At the same time, League Games was preparing for its global tournament. Both demanded his time. New York Division was stabilized, and Fury wanted him closer to the center.
The order had left him three days. James wouldn't take much with him, but he wanted to bring his sports car. Nearly a year with it, and Carlos had kept it tuned like new.
The Chevy Suburban he'd been assigned by S.H.I.E.L.D. he returned immediately. That freed space in the garage — three slots open now. Hannah didn't own a car, and James decided she needed one.
At dinner, he asked directly. "Hannah, what kind of car do you want?"
She blinked, surprised. "Oh, no need. Carlos and I will take Mindy to school on the Ford, and then go to the shop. We don't need another car."
James shook his head. "You will. The shop opens early, and mornings are when florists make money. White-collar guys buy bouquets on their way in. You'll need your own mobility, what's more the Ford truck can be too big in New York City."
Carlos nodded. "He's right. Buy something safe. An SUV."
James had thought about a sports car, something stylish, but Hannah smiled and agreed with Carlos. A larger, secure SUV would fit her better. Easier for errands, and safer for Mindy.
The next morning, James dropped Mindy off at school and headed to a dealership. Mindy had been quiet along the way, unhappy about his transfer. She wanted her brother to keep bringing her to school every day. But she understood, and promised him she would take care of Hannah and Anny until he returned.
At the dealership, James didn't waste time. "I need an SUV. Something safe. Practical enough for a woman to use every day in New York traffic. And it needs to handle more than just accidents — I want cameras, sensors, and the best protection you can fit into it."
The manager, being suddenly bombarded with this specifics realized that he got himself a not so run in the mill buyer.
He thought for only a moment before nodding. "Then there's only one real answer, sir: the Volvo XC60 T6 AWD. It's compact enough to move through Manhattan without the headaches of a full-size truck, but it carries Volvo's reputation for safety — the best in the industry. This 2011 model is the first SUV in the world to feature automatic braking as standard, with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, and rollover stability control. All standard equipment, not add-ons."
James followed as the manager led him to the display model. Sleek lines, just the right size — not too tall, not too bulky. The kind of car that disappeared into city traffic.
"Strong enough to walk away from an intentional crash?" James asked.
"Absolutely," the manager replied smoothly. "The XC60's reinforced frame and all-wheel drive make it remarkably stable under impact. And with the turbocharged six-cylinder, you've got three hundred horsepower at your disposal. If she ever needs to push through or break free, this SUV will not hesitate."
James opened the driver's door and slid into the seat. He adjusted it back, checked the mirrors, and glanced through the glass at the showroom floor. The visibility was wide. No blind spots big enough to worry him. He ran his hand across the wheel — firm leather, clean ergonomics. Then he climbed into the back, testing the rear bench. Room enough for passengers or deliveries. Cargo space was generous, even with the seats up.
He stepped back out and gave a slow nod. "Discreet?"
"Very," the manager assured him. "It blends right into city traffic. Not flashy like a Cadillac Escalade, not obvious like an armored Suburban. To anyone else it looks like a normal, elegant Volvo. Inside, though, we can equip it with armored panels, shatterproof glass, and run-flat tires. The cameras and sensors you requested are already part of our package — we'll enhance them further if you wish. From the outside? No one will ever know."
James glanced at the car one more time, then folded his arms. "Do it. Deliver it to Hannah Gibson. If she isn't there, Carlos Gibson will sign. It's for them."
The upgrades pushed the total close to two hundred thousand dollars. James signed without hesitation, paying in full. He had more than enough between S.H.I.E.L.D. contracts and League Games shares. Hannah's safety was worth every penny, for FAMILY.
Three days later, James took his Audi R8 V10 Spyder onto the interstate, engine roaring. He made it to Washington in under two hours. The S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters loomed across the river — a fortified campus, surrounded by water, connected by a single bridge.
James parked at the checkpoint. As a Level Five agent, he wasn't senior staff here. His car was searched thoroughly. Coulson hadn't come down to meet him. That was fine, since James didn't mind blending in.
Before leaving New York, Coulson had warned him: only three people knew the truth about his abilities. James himself, Coulson, and Nick Fury. Not even Maria Hill. Fury had deliberately shielded the secret, assigning Coulson as the man who "uncovered" Hydra's infiltration in New York. Dozens of suspected agents had been pulled into "black missions." Fury had even tagged loyalists for off-record assignments to cover their disappearances.
Now, James's job was to continue the work. At HQ, Fury had another list of names — people he suspected but couldn't prove. James would vet them, the same way he had in New York. Quietly without suspicion.
He eased the car forward. Maria Hill stood at the far side of the checkpoint, waiting.
James rolled down the passenger window. "Hey, beautiful. Want a ride?"
Maria arched her brow, but her lips curved into the faintest smile. She opened the door, slid in, and crossed her legs smoothly.
"You're late," she said. "I've been waiting for that dinner."
"No problem," James said, shifting the car to drive. "But I'm homeless tonight. Hope someone's got a bed to spare. So where to?"