Washington DC
1989

"Is she here?" Peggy Sousa, Director of SHIELD, mother, and grandmother, called from the other room. She clipped her pager to her belt, "I thought I heard the car pull up"
"Yes" her husband, Daniel, replied from his spot by the window. He lifted the curtain again and peered out, as the car pulled into the driveway. The woman stepped out, and after a few moments, so did the girl. Daniel grinned. Peggy had always said that her granddaughter looked like her when she was young. He'd never seen photos of Peggy when she was a girl, but he supposed she was right. There was that same dark hair, dark eyes, mischievous smile that Peggy still had today.
"Dad, we're here" Angela Sousa, now Angela Morrison, called out
"I know, Angie" he wheeled over to the front door and unlocked it
She walked in, but her daughter hung back
"Hayley, come on in" Daniel smiled
"Grandpa" the preteen whined, "its Hayes"
"So it is" he chuckled
Angela gave her daughter a gentle pull into the apartment
"Nice to meet you" Hayes mumbled
"Alright" Peggy bustled into the room, a burst of energy, "Angie, would you care for some tea, I was about to put a pot on"
"I'll take a coffee, thanks, Mum" she replied
"Actually, I'll have one also, Peg" Daniel chimed in
"You have hands" Peggy smirked at her husband
"Sure, sure" Daniel wheeled into the kitchenette, "Coffee, and tea, and Hayes, a soda?"
"Ok Grandpa" she looked up, "Do you have Tab?"
"I'll check" Daniel called from the other room
"This is nice" Peggy smiled, "just us girls for a bit"
"I guess so" Hayes didn't seem like talking much
"Angie, I'm so glad that you and Hayes could come over" Peggy began, "but I had received a call from work earlier, so I may have to rush out. I hope that's alright"
"It's fine, Mum" Angela understood, "I know how work can do that. It's been like that my whole life"
"I know, but I'm glad we're together now. Your brother, Michael was busy this week, and it's always good to see my favorite granddaughter"
"Your only granddaughter" Hayes frowned
"Quite so" Peggy forced a smile
There was a few beats of silence
"So, what grade are you in now?" Peggy asked
"Second" came the one word answer
"My my" Peggy smiled, "so grown up"
Hayes just sat there glumly
"What would you like to be when you grow up?"
"I don't know" Hayes shrugged
"How about going into politics, like Mummy?" Daniel suggested
Hayes looked like she was actually considering the concept. She didn't respond
"What about working with the government, like Grandma?" Angela asked
"I – I want to be like" Hayes began
Daniel smiled at his granddaughter, sure that she'd want to be like Peggy
"Barbie" Hayes finished, "I want to be like Barbie"
"The doll?" Peggy looked confused
"Sure Grandma!" Hayes' face lit up, "She's pretty and popular and she goes to parties with Ken!"
"Oh my" Peggy started, but her pager cut through the response with a succession of beeps. She glanced down at the code
"I'm truly sorry" she looked around the room. Daniel had already wheeled through the doorway into the room, a tray of cups on his lap, "I've got to go. Daniel, could you please give Angie her coffee, and then see that she gets to the car safely"
"Sure" Daniel nodded
"Dad, you don't have to do all that", Angie stood
"Nonsense, it's nothing difficult" he held up his hands
Hayes just stared at the empty space on the wheelchair where his leg should have been. Daniel caught her gaze,
"Oh, I just didn't feel like wearing it today" he smiled
She didn't smile back
"Love you" Peggy bent and kissed Daniel on the lips, then kissed Angie's forehead and leaned down to kiss Hayes
"I'm ok" she pulled away
"Alright" Peggy nodded, "I'll see you tonight" she spoke to Daniel
With that, she was gone, off to save the world again, just like she always did.