#agentmacmurray

[agentsterling]

Who found you, when Merc kidnapped you? What year was it?

"August 20th, 2012." He said without a moment's hesitation, even throwing in the day. The date was burned so deep into his mind he actually rubbed his forehead as if recalling the memory lit the fires anew.

"I believe it was Agents Coulson, Morgan, Ellis, and Winchester... I think that's all. The actual memory of it is a little fuzzy but I've read the report so many times I should be sure by now.

[Sterling's blog was less than a month old when this plot took place. Took me completely by surprise as well as it was not pre-planned in the least. I'm very grateful it happened. I have no idea where Sterling as a character would be without it. The intension behind him was to be as boring a dude as possible with his files and paperwork and protocol. It was an arc he is still struggling with and still molding who he is as a character. It was also the catalyst for something so special in the SHIELD rp community at the time. They all sort of came together to help rescue him and it... virtually changed how we all rped from that point on. There was a real tonal shift and it brought a lot of people together and formed incredibly lasting friendships both IC and out. All because someone sent Sterling an "anonymous tip". Thanks, Merc-mun. Wherever you are.]

[doubleagentmi6ishere]

agentmacmurray

"I hear you have specific skills in cane fighting, I could do with some training if you wish to organise a session?"

[shieldagentmorgan]

One year. It had been one year to the day that Penelope and Ellis had gotten married. The year had been so hectic, that Penelope hadn't even remembered until just after lunch when she'd checked the calendar. She'd felt horrible, but it was understandable. So the red head, had asked Ellis to bundle Melody up and take her out on a walk with Pup. A little bonding time would do them good. She'd smiled as they left, but rushed into the kitchen immediatly after.

She didn't have a present for him, but knew what she could do. Penleope spent her time cooking up one of his most favorite meals, spaghetti and meatballs. It was simple, but she wanted to make it feel special .She set out their best china, and wine glasses. She couldn't drink since she was breast feeding, but a bit of sparkling cider would go good with it. 

The garlic bread out of the oven, and the cookies cooling on the counter, Penelope heard the door open.

"Was it a good walk?" she called from the kitchen, setting the plates down on the table, everything set.

[shieldagentmorgan]

agentmacmurray:

Yank!

"Huh?" He had to snap himself out of it. Lately, all he could really think about was SHIELD. The fact that somewhere out there, or underneath, rather… they were building. Growing. And after his chat — argument — chat with Sterling, perhaps even helping. He didn’t know. He was… confused. More so than ever.

But lips…

"Blame genetics." Ellis turned to smile at her, straightening up again, and patting his wife’s head, if only to emphasize her point. "Poor thing. You’re not planning on becoming a professional basketball player, are you?"

Penelope rolled her eyes, before poking him in the stomach, "No, but I'm already a professional kick your ass-er, so watch it!"

She said it affectionately though, and leaned again him. She loved her beanpole of a husband, and little by little each day he was more and more himself. Even if sometimes there were huge steps back, as in the argument with Sterling. Though she believed that was good for him, face his problems, own up to the things that made him angry and scared.

She was angry too. SHIELD was gone, the safety she felt she had with them, gone. And now they were back? She'd heard Congressman Ward, said they were gone, but she could read between the lines. She'd lost so much, and to just know they were there, bubbling under the surface. 

A part of her wanted to run back, but she knew better. She was a mother. She couldn't run off anywhere anymore. Priority was Melody's safety.

[agentsterling]

"Ellis?" Sterling called from the door, knocking again and waiting on the door mat for someone to answer. 

[shieldagentmorgan]

Penelope had spent the whole morning while TJ had been in classes baking and cooking. She'd had to pause to feed Melody, put her down for a nap, play times, but eventually there was a counter full of sweets. Cookies he could take with him to his dorm, and a large cake with a guitar on top.

There were two large boxes wrapped up in the living room, perfectly wrapped with bows. There were a few other gifts wrapped up as well, likely from Fay.

Penelope also had his birthday dinner sitting on the counter. She hadn't actually made it, it was the one thing she couldn't make, but she'd helped Ellis put it together, so it counted. It was a tiered pizza cake. Several pizzas stacked on top of one another. It was so unhealthy it screamed TJ.

Which was why a bowl of salad sat next to it. To try and offset the clogged arteries.

She'd also helped instruct Ellis where to hang a couple balloons, and one happy birthday banner. Yes TJ was 20, but he was her little baby boy. Little baby man. Whatever.

[aspiredignition]

     Angie'd dragged him out to her apartment. It was a first, but might as well invite someone over to her place, right? Anyway, they were partners. And while she couldn't afford this place on their pay check, her trust fund definitely could. Dropping her bag onto the table, she hurried off to her kitchen.

     "We're celebrating. Okay? Like, legitimately celebrating, since we never do it, anyway." With that, Angie walked back into the room with a bottle of champagne. "'Cause this was a good win. A good, black-and-white win."

[xaedificare]

"Wow, Agent MacMurray.  It has been a long, long time."