The Marvel Universe Roleplaying Community - Independence Day

From: contessa_val Date: July 6th, 2009 09:34 pm (UTC) (Link)

"I've already tossed you on your ass once, Colonel. A second time wouldn't be too much to expect." She had a smirk of her own.

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From: shield_topdog Date: July 6th, 2009 09:51 pm (UTC) (Link)

Nick smiled. He loved strong confident women and this one was proving to be both. "Think yer gonna get lucky a second time, Contessa?"

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From: contessa_val Date: July 7th, 2009 09:34 am (UTC) (Link)

"While luck may play a small part, it's skill that'll take you down a second time." Privately she knew a second time wouldn't be as easy, but it didn't show in her expression. "Anytime you feel the need to try your luck, let me know."

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From: shield_topdog Date: July 7th, 2009 09:46 am (UTC) (Link)

Nick grinned as he cut his steak. "I always press my luck, honey."

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From: contessa_val Date: July 7th, 2009 10:02 am (UTC) (Link)

Val picked up her fork and knife to slice into the rare steak. She noticed there was nothing in the way of a salad, unless one counted the chives on the baked potato. Luck and skill was a combination that Val greatly admired.

"Valentina."

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From: shield_topdog Date: July 7th, 2009 10:14 am (UTC) (Link)

"Pretty name," he said. "Pretty lady. While we're here, please call me Nick."

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From: contessa_val Date: July 7th, 2009 10:36 am (UTC) (Link)

The compliment took her a little by surprise. She was pointing out that 'honey' was a little two generic for her tastes, and he was being charming.

"Nick," she repeated. One dinner wouldn't hurt, and she was a good agent. No one could say this one dinner would make any difference to her advancement.

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From: shield_topdog Date: July 7th, 2009 10:46 am (UTC) (Link)

"I took the liberty of looking at your file," he admitted. "I have to say I was quite impressed. You graduated near the top of your Academy class. Top marks in marksmanship, tactics and physical areas as well."

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From: contessa_val Date: July 7th, 2009 11:01 am (UTC) (Link)

"And maybe a little luck?" Clearly she was teasing her commanding officer. Nick. No witnesses, after all.

"That's very flattering, Col... Nick. SHIELD is setting a standard for agencies all over the world. Only my best effort is acceptable, and I will only get better."

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From: shield_topdog Date: July 7th, 2009 11:04 am (UTC) (Link)

"That's the kind of thing I like to hear, Val. Agents givin' their best and gettin' better."

He took a bit of his steak. "How are ya adjustin' t' life on the 'Carrier? I know it ain't exactly the Ritz."

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From: contessa_val Date: July 7th, 2009 11:14 am (UTC) (Link)

"Even the Ritz isn't the Ritz so much these days. Close quarters don't bother me. It's part of the job. Privacy can wait until I'm back ground side and in my own apartment."

The steak was everything a good piece of meat does well. Tender and flavorful. She ate a piece with enjoyment. The mess fed them all well, but not this well.

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From: shield_topdog Date: July 7th, 2009 11:21 am (UTC) (Link)

"You spend enough time on here an' this place starts feelin' like home soon enough." Nick had spent a better part of the past year on the Helicarrier. He had a penthouse in the city, but every time he tried to spend any time there, something pulled him away.

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From: contessa_val Date: July 7th, 2009 03:49 pm (UTC) (Link)

"I haven't been in one place enough to call it home in a long time."

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From: shield_topdog Date: July 7th, 2009 08:05 pm (UTC) (Link)

"Ya will be," he said. "You'll get tired o' this flying bucket soon enough." Nick made quick work of his food. It was rare that he had enough time to sit down and finish a meal.

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From: contessa_val Date: July 7th, 2009 08:11 pm (UTC) (Link)

"I don't know that I will. There's something very 'king of the world' about being up here." Val liked it. There was a sense of accomplishment about being a SHIELD agent that she never had in her former jet-set life.

She finally put her utensils down. "Dinner was very good. Thank you for inviting me to join you, Nick."

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From: shield_topdog Date: July 7th, 2009 08:13 pm (UTC) (Link)

"Yer welcome, honey. Glad t' have the company." Nick pushed his chair away from the table and stood up. "Care fer a drink?"

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From: contessa_val Date: July 7th, 2009 08:32 pm (UTC) (Link)

"Whiskey and cigars?" she asked with a smile. She stood and began neatly stacking their dishes on the tray.

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From: shield_topdog Date: July 7th, 2009 08:34 pm (UTC) (Link)

"Only if ya want. I think I may have a bottle o' wine," he said as he walked over to the one wall and opened a cabinet. "I do. Whiskey or wine?"

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From: contessa_val Date: July 7th, 2009 08:43 pm (UTC) (Link)

Wine smacked of a romantic dinner, but she was on duty later and whiskey would stay with her longer.

Although...wine on the helicarrier? Clearly he was a boy scout in a former life, prepared for anything.

"Wine, please."

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From: shield_topdog Date: July 7th, 2009 08:45 pm (UTC) (Link)

Nick pulled the bottle and a glass out from the cabinet and then grabbed a corkscrew. A moment later he had the bottle open and the glass filled. "Here ya go," he said as he offered her the glass.

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From: contessa_val Date: July 7th, 2009 08:56 pm (UTC) (Link)

Val took the glass, her fingers brushing his as she did. The fireworks were over outside, but there were still tiny flutters down her spine.

She carried the glass to the viewing wall anyway. This high up, there were a few stars to be seen.

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From: shield_topdog Date: July 7th, 2009 08:58 pm (UTC) (Link)

Nick poured himself a glass of whiskey and then joined her near the windows. "What made ya join S.H.I.E.L.D.?" he asked breaking the uneasy silence that had sprung up.

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From: contessa_val Date: July 7th, 2009 09:27 pm (UTC) (Link)

She looked at him sideways, gauging his level of interest in her story. "S.H.I.E.L.D. approached me about joining the training program not long after my parents were killed. My family has a history of patriotic and humanitarian service during times of war and other situations. I needed a change, a chance to be useful, and to honor their memory."

She took a sip of the excellent wine. "The recruiter was very persuasive."

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From: shield_topdog Date: July 7th, 2009 09:31 pm (UTC) (Link)

"They can be," Nick agreed. "Nice t' hear yer doin' it for a real reason an' not some damn fool idea about action an' adventure."

Nick took a long sip from his glass.

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From: contessa_val Date: July 7th, 2009 09:50 pm (UTC) (Link)

"I'd like to sound high-minded about it, but that's not why I'm here. If not here, it would be somewhere. S.H.I.E.L.D. offered a much broader base to work from, and better training all around. Shooting at things is just a bonus. The damned fools looking for action and adventure only get themselves killed first."

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