A.N: I truly am sorry that this took so long. It wasn't supposed to. But real life and fandom life literally collided and everything is so hectic. As promised though, I am continuing this. I couldn't believe how many people were interested in reading it but its because of you that I am continuing. Thank you for your kind words. You don't know what they mean to me. I hope you all enjoy! =)
Chapter 2
Ward rode his bike through the streets of National City on his way to the coffee shop that he knew Cat Grant's assistance usually frequented. He parked the bike out front and slipped off his helmet before getting off the bike and walking inside. With a quick sweep of the interior, he chose what he figured would be the perfect spot at the bar. From there, he could keep an eye on the entire place as he waited for her to arrive. It didn't take long before she did, talking on the phone and not really paying attention.
He'd studied her file the last couple days, which included staring at her photograph and committing it to memory. She was the very definition of average with the frumpy outfits she wore to work and her dark rimmed glasses. But when she walked in, her presence practically took his breath away and that was unexpected.
She caught his eye briefly from across the room and he could swear that he found recognition in them but that would have been impossible. Recognition was not something a person usually had when meeting Grant Ward. S.H.I.E.L.D. made sure he was a ghost a long time ago. He tried to play off her questioning glance by engrossing himself further into his menu.
She finally stepped up to the bar near him, requesting her pick up order. The bartender smiled brightly at her making conversation. She was obviously well liked and if he was anyone else, he might even feel bad about what he was doing. But Coulson had given him a mission to carry out and he never returned without seeing things through.
She glanced at him again and that made him slightly uncomfortable. Thinking quickly, he jumped to his feet and slid in beside her at the bar.
"I'm sorry," he started, "Do I know you?"
That usually caught people off guard and he really needed to cover all his bases if he wanted to make sure this would work.
"I don't think so," she shook her head and continued playing with the phone in front of her.
He shook his head. "Wow, I really suck at this…"
She looked up at him suddenly with confusion. "At what?"
"Flirting," he chuckled. "It's not exactly one of my strengths." He noticed her blush and smiled, extending his hand. "My name is JT."
"Kara," she answered, accepting his hand and shaking it.
"That's a really pretty name, Kara." He said repeating it.
"Thank you," she answered shyly. "You actually did look kind of familiar but I really don't think we've met… before now, I mean."
"Well, do you come here often?"
"All the time…" she answered with a shrug.
"That's probably it," he told her. "I love this place. Best coffee in the whole city. I recently moved here."
"From where?"t
"California," he answered. "Come on, be honest, I give you the west coast vibe, don't I?"
Kara laughed. "A little bit… yeah."
"It's a curse," he sighed.
"It's not so bad," she told him, biting back a smile.
The bartender interrupted them, handing her Cat's breakfast and latte. Kara thanked him and signed the receipt before turning back to him. "I should go… my boss doesn't like it when I'm late."
"Oh yeah, of course…" he stepped aside, allowing her to walk around him. "Sorry…"
"No, its fine," she told him. "Maybe we'll see each other around…"
"Well, if you're looking, you'll know where to find me…" he said, looking around him while putting his hands in his front pockets.
She smiled and walked out of the coffee shop. He watched her walk down the sidewalk, probably toward CATCO and frowned before going back to his seat. Because the bartender, who was obviously a friend to Kara, had already seen him, he stayed and ordered breakfast. He knew he was being watched and he needed to stay as inconspicuous as he could.
Ward made sure to smile as he left the shop an hour later. He'd have to wait a couple days before returning to the shop. Until then, he had more studying to do.
He was back there again a few days later. He'd already been there an hour and was on his third cup of coffee. She still had not showed and it hadn't exactly been a slow news week in National City. He figured the sudden appearance of Superman and her boss being attacked by a crazed ex-employee that somehow got powers was keeping her busy.
Ward sighed into his mug.
These people weren't inhuman. They weren't alien. This was something else.
He reminded himself that this was the purpose of his mission. Coulson wanted to know why these powered people were suddenly popping up all over the globe. He believed Superman and Supergirl were to blame. Ward didn't think it was that simple but Coulson was probably right. He usually knew what was best.
Ward had been with him since he was a teenager. He'd been tossed into juvie and it was Coulson that got him out. It had been Coulson gave him a second chance to turn his life around. If it wasn't for his S.O., Ward was pretty sure he'd be in jail or dead. He definitely wouldn't be one of the best agents S.H.I.E.L.D. has ever had in their ranks.
The bell above the door dinged, catching his attention, and he felt himself smile when she walked in. She was definitely having a rough week if her appearance was any indicator. Her hair was wild and loose. She was putting her glasses on her face as she walked in. She was obviously distracted but when she spotted him sitting in a corner at the back, she stopped. With a bright smile, she walked over to him.
"You're back."
"I never left," he answered, looking up at her. "Things have just been kind of hectic."
"I can totally relate," she told him, looking down at her shoes.
"I noticed," he answered, causing her head to snap up in confusion. "You were picking up an order for Cat Grant the other morning… I assumed you worked for her... She's kinda been all over the news lately."
"You're… observant," Kara commented.
"Only when it comes to things I'm interested in…"
"Oh, I'm not that interesting," she shrugged.
"I respectfully disagree," he continued with a smile. "So you heading to work?"
"I am," she nodded. "You didn't mention what it is that you do?"
"Is this your subtle way of asking me if I have a job or if I'm unemployed?"
"What? No… I just… huh?" she fumbled, blushing. "I guess I suck at this too."
"At what?"
"Flirting," she answered, blushing a deep crimson.
"I can totally relate," he echoed her words from earlier. "I actually work at a nearby garage. I'm a mechanic."
"You must be really good with your hands…"
Kara gasped realizing what she'd said. She was mortified. But now it was his turn to blush.
"I'm so sorry," she quickly apologized.
He chuckled. "It's okay… I'm flattered."
"This is so embarrassing," she mumbled, turning away from his table. "I'm gonna go."
"Hey, wait…" he called out to her so she'd turn back around. "I'm still kind of new here and I really don't know the city that well. And I'm really sick of the pizza place by my shop…"
She cocked her head to the side and he rolled his eyes.
"I'm trying to ask you out and failing miserably at it," he could feel himself blushing again. That was completely out of character for him and it was quickly becoming frustrating.
She bit back a smile. "Okay."
"That's not actually a yes…"
"You haven't actually asked me out," she shrugged, looking around them.
He nodded, feeling embarrassed. "You want to grab dinner sometime?"
Kara pretended to think about it.
"Come on… Don't leave a guy hanging here…" he chuckled.
"Yeah," she answered. "Dinner sounds good."
"Okay, uh, is tomorrow night okay?"
"Tomorrow night is great." She grinned. "Unless there is some apocalyptic disaster and I have to work late."
"Well then, let's hope there aren't any of those…" he smirked.
"Okay then… Tomorrow night." Kara repeated walking away before turning back around and walking toward his table again. "I should probably give you my number… Not like you're some kind of super spy that could figure that stuff out."
He choked on his coffee. "No, uh… yeah… here, let me save it…" He pulled out his phone for her to save her number on. "I'll text you… Tomorrow night. 7:30."
"Yeah, that sounds great." Kara smiled. "See you then…"
She walked toward the bar, picking up Cat's order and waved at him as she walked out of the coffee shop. Ward left a few minutes later to deflect suspicion. He rode his bike to the secret rendezvous point he and Coulson had originally decided on to check in. He found the red convertible in the alley but he wasn't expecting to see Daisy leaning against it instead of Coulson.
"Where's Coulson?"
"He had a meeting with the DEO today. Sent me instead." She shrugged. "Any progress with you know who?"
"I have a date."
"That's cute."
"With Kara," he rolled his eyes. "We're going out tomorrow night."
"You know Coulson will want you to wear a wire right?"
"Yeah, I'm actually surprised he hasn't made me wear one yet."
"He figured she wouldn't be opening up at a coffee shop where the two of you met," she told him. "But if you're going out… he's going to want eyes and ears on that date."
"I'm assuming that means you'll be joining us?"
"I hope it's not awkward," she smirked. "Having your ex there…"
"Please…" he rolled his eyes. "I'm used to it by now."
She frowned. "Hey… Are you really okay with this mission?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Just, she seems like a nice girl… don't you kind of feel bad that you're lying to her and using her to get to her boss?"
"She's a mark, Daisy." He answered. "That's all. Nothing more, nothing less."
Daisy nodded in understanding before turning to walk away. "It'd be okay you know…"
"What are you talking about?"
"To actually let someone in at some point… prove to us all you still have a heart underneath all that armor."
He frowned, watching her hop in the convertible before she drove off. He leaned back against his bike and sighed. Last time he let someone in, she crushed his heart. He didn't plan on making that same mistake twice.