1
New York, Upper East Side.
Saint Happy Hospital.
The Chief Physician Doctor Cook gave Daisy an unamused look.
"You made the diagnosis? You-a-Nurse?"
Clearing her throat and tilting her head thoughtfully to the side Daisy nodded slowly so that her bobbed black hair moved in wisps across her forehead. "Yes, i see could that Mr Lawson showed signs of appendicitis and acted quickly."
The look on the Doctor's face was both angry and edgy, his jaw tight and he fidgeted in his chair, Daisy could read his thoughts even before he said anything, he was annoyed at her, very annoyed at her, annoyed at her for doing things way above what her position, and grade were, annoyed that she had made the call that only a doctor should make.
"Miss Lankin…." He said edgily and slowly, straightening up in his chair behind his overly large desk, his desk which was devoid of any personal items, his palms rested on the table with the file notes of the patient they were discussing and perfectly polished name slate position 90* to his left capital letters. "You do realise that you made a medical decision that was not yours to make? You did not consult with any senior medical staff, you forged the signature of Doctor Andrews to have Mr Lawson operated on? You lied to the operating team that you were surgical trained and you were the operational nurse who helped to stabilise Mr Lawson when he went into cardiac arrest?"
"Yes." Daisy replied, with a small smile on her face, keeping her head upright and looking him straight into his eyes.
The muscles on The Chief Physician twitched on his cheek, he stared at Daisy with shock. "Do you realise that this is against the law?"
""Well….." Daisy started, ready to let rip at the Chief Physician, tell him a few home truths, to finally tell him the truth about her medical knowledge, to tell him he was a the most incompetent Doctor she had known, that his running of the hospital and his inability manage anything medical was an insult to the medical institution itself in American and international.
However Daisy was stopped my the door of office flying opening and a man walking in.
"Okay, sorry I'm late, traffic was a nightmare, knew i should of taken the subway but Stark offered me the chance to try his new jazzed up lotus and i couldn't refuse!" The Chief Physician and Daisy looked to see a suited Bruce Banner coming into the office and closing the door behind him. "What did i miss?"
"Bruce!" Daisy said surprised at seeing him, standing up she hugged the older dark haired man, her tiny frame being dwarfed next his.
"Hi Kid." He smiled hugging her back.
"Excuse me…?" Came the voice of the Chief Physician from behind his desk, looking confused at the two as they embraced. "What are you doing here? And who are you"
With a smile showing his perfect white teeth Banner clapped his hands together and looked at the Physician. "Doctor Banner," He said leaning over to shake The Chief Physician's hand. "Your Doctor Cook aren't you? I'm here to check on our star nurse of course!"
Pulling out of the hand shake he turned to Daisy and grinned at her. "Daisy told me Mr Lawson has made a full recovery and he's going to start swing dance classes as soon as he's fully healed!"
"Sw-ing Da-nce." The Chief Physician stuttered. "Excuse me, what are you talking about and what jurisdiction do you have being here?”
Speaking a slow patronising voice Banner said. “Doctor, I hate to be rude but you do know that I am Doctor Bruce Banner, close personally friend of Tony Stark and Pepper Potts?”
“Tony Stark?” The Chief Physician said nervously.
”Yeah, you know the guys that owns this hospital that they built after New York and the alien invasion that happened.” Banner said in a matter-of-fact tone.
“Oooh.” Doctor Cook said, his eyes bulging out of his head.
“Yeah, well.” Banner continued, looking over at Daisy. “I just wanted to clear all this up about Miss Lankin.”
“She diagnosed a man without senior-“ Doctor Cook started.
“I gave her the authority.” Doctor Banner shot in firmly. “I gave her the authority.”
The Chief Physician mouth opened, but no words came out, just a quick inhalation, stumped forwards.
"So all's good?!" Banner said with another big toothy smile.
Doctor Cook started to fiddle with the notes and reports on his desk, his face was mixture of confusion and nerves. “Yes, I suppose, but i’ll need you to sign-“
“Okay, send it to Starks Tower…I mean The Avengers tower and i’ll have it signed ASAP.” Banner replied, looking at Daisy and nodding his head to the door, to indicating the move to look the office.
Standing where she was Daisy felt extremely grateful to Banner but extremely annoyed, he was lying and she didn’t like people lying for her.
"Okay, so we'll be off then." Banner said, stepping away from the desk to allow Daisy to move. "Thanks for the understanding Doctor Cook, you know how it is, have to keep things a on low profile when it comes to my name, media attention and all that."
Both Daisy and Banner started towards the door, The Chief Physician still fiddling with his notes, he was trying to read through to try and find something to quiz them about but before he could find it both Daisy and Banner were out the door and leaving the hospital.
Walking down the hospital corridor, towards the elevator, Daisy said nothing, she didn’t want to say anything yet because she knew deep down what she had done was wrong and dangerous but couldn’t help, the problem was she knew that Banner himself couldn’t judge her actions, in her shoes he would have done a similar thing.
When inside the elevator Daisy turned to Banner and said. “Sorry Bruce…I messed up I know.”
Exhaling Bruce gave her a weak understanding smile.
“I know you hate leaving the Tower.” Daisy said. “And i know you hate name dropping Tony Starks.”
Giving his friend a smirk Bruce replied. “This is the first and last time I’m doing that.” Straightening his tie and pushing the button for the ground floor. “Next time I’m name dropping Thor.”
Both chuckled lightly but deep down, she and Banner knew that there was more to be said when they left the building.
"Daisy, you realise how close that was don't you?" Banner said as they got into the back of black lotus that Banner had parked into hospital basement car park, the shiny and smell of the newness of the vehicle was almost overwhelming to both Daisy and Banner, even after working with/for/near Stark industries some things still surprised both of them.
With a look that basically read she said nothing in response.
"It'll get better." Banner told her, putting a friendly hand on her shoulder. "Give it time and you'll get used to things, but for now...please don't bring more attention to yourself. Its still dangerous out there."
"I know Bruce." Daisy replied back, her voice tired and sad.
Genuiely a man of few words that weren't science or medicine Banner exhaled and said. "This isn't forever Daise...few more months and you'll be able to do the work you want, back where you want but for now...just hang in there."
Looking out into the underground car park of the Hospital Daisy said. "I'm being a spoilt brat i know and you've been a good friend helping me and i'm letting you down." Daisy's face become sad and drawn, she knew if anyone was going to understand and know why she did it, it would be Banner, the man had known her for years, they had worked with her in Indian and African together under some of the worst conditions, pulling together the smallest amount of medicine and medical equipment they had to help those that needed the help in the poorest communities. Banner knew her and he knew the current situation was killing her.
"You never let me down Daise, not once." Banner replied firmly.
Turning back to face him, she gave a weak smile.
Banner sighed. "I know its hard, but this is to protect you, if you want to stay in the medical field you have to keep a low profile. Its worrying enough you wouldn't change your first name, but things like this…you can't do it again, it too risky. I can't keep coming over and sweet talking Cook."
"I'm sorry Bruce….it won't happen again." She said turning to face him, a small sting of tears in the bottom of her eyes.
Daisy bite her lip but said no more, if it was anyone else she would make a quick smart retort but she couldn't, not to Banner, not for worry about getting him angry, but for the fact that her situation was nothing to compared to his, he was The Hulk and Doctor Bruce Banner, a man bound and condemned by his medical research, never to be the same as what he was, all because he wanted to help people by finding cures for incurable diseases that dumbfound all. Banner's situation was forever, he was the Hulk and Banner all at once, the only thing he could do was what Daisy was doing herself, try to help people and work as if everything was normal everyday.
Giving her shoulder a squeeze Banner nodded before he started the car, nothing more was said between the two of them, for both Daisy Pierce and Bruce Banner, there was nothing they could say to each other that they didn't already know the other was thinking.
New York, Brooklyn.
It was 11pm when Daisy arrived back to her apartment, the place she refused to call home and refused to personalise
The place she slept, washed and ate, this was not in anyway a home. It was an apartment in the lower east side that gave her good subway connections to the hospital where she, still, worked, an apartment with a lovely view from her bedroom window of the wall of the red brick wall to the building next door, a living room illuminated by the neon light of the Chinese restaurant downstairs, for all wants and purposes, it serves it's purpose and that was all Daisy needed.
When Banner had given her the keys and directions Daisy had felt a slight glimmer of hope, she was getting her life back, she would have her own space again, privacy and independence…but that vanished when she walked into the apartment. Though she was grateful for it, it really made her heart sink and that feeling returned every time she entered back into the apartment, the colour and the smell were all un-homely and unwelcoming to her, she just couldn't make it her home, she-just-could-not.
In all her years of traveling, working as a foreign aid doctor she had been used to being without a real home, she had lived out of suitcases and duffel bags, she had slept on floors for months, she would share a room with up to 11 other people at a time, but out of those times she had always felt happy and fulfilled, she was doing good work, helping people, making a difference, seeing wonderful people daily, learning so much, having somewhere to sleep was not an issue. But now…she just empty and not homeless but with a job and apartment.
Daisy tried to not think about her real home, the home she had grown up in, the one where her father was there, where it was covered in some of the most amazing art that he had collected from his travels with her mother, with Daisy and Daisy's older sister Caitlin. It's warmth and the sound of music, because her father wouldn't be without music, whether it be from his record player or the grand piano he had restored and rescued from Germany, it was a real home, it was definition of what a home should be.
Lost in her sad thoughts for the past and her sad thoughts of her present, Daisy walked into her apartment, not bothering to switch on the lights, letting the red and blue illumination of the Chinese restaurant light allow her to see through to the dinning table where she placed her keys and her bag.
Letting out a sign, Daisy looked to the right where her window was open and letting the cold December night wind blow into her apartment and to shake her white wispy curtains slightly.
A frown formed on Daisy's face, she never left her window open, she always closed her windows, it was something she always did before she left anywhere where she lived, leaving windows open was a no-no, not just because of burglars but from insects, bugs and stray cats who would see it as an open invite to a party.
Taking one step towards the window Daisy stopped, she realised two things, the window being open meant only one thing, someone had gotten in and was most likely still there.
Before Daisy could so anything her left arm was pulled behind her back and she was spun around and forcefully shoved against the wall behind with a thud, causing her to partially bang the front of her head. Keeping her arms behind her back, the person who had shoved her took hold of her other arm and criss cross them together and held them there. For a moment Daisy felt cold metal against her skin, she screamed thinking it was either a knife or gun, but she realised what it was when a metal hand covered her mouth and stopped another scream from coming out of her mouth.
"Do-not-scream-or-say-anyting." A male voice breathed closely into her ear, their breath filling her earlobe and making her shudder.
Nooooo, Daisy thought desperately, he's come for him and he's going to kill me to get revenge for my Father.
Daisy Pierce gave a muffled whimper beneath his metal hand, her eyes slowly starting to water with fear and terror, she knew that was start of everything she had been fearing for these months now, since the day she learnt the truth and the day her world shattered in front of her, never to be the same again.
One year earlier
Washington Dulles Airport
The taste inside her mouth made her want to gag, what was worse was the taste was actually from her own mouth and she had that taste in her mouth for 12 hrs and couldn't do anything until she could get to her suitcase and brush her teeth.
Mentally rolling her eyes Daisy thought how ridiculous first world problems were, two week ago she was more concerned if she would have enough medicine to vaccinate the village she was in and have enough supplies so that she could stay and monitor everyone, now she was standing in Washington Dulles airport in the endless queue to get her suitcase. Daisy was under no illusion this was going to be a long wait, the queue ahead of her stretched on for a good long length and the sense of frustration and annoyance amongst the passengers was thick in the air. Getting ready for the wait she was about to have, Daisy slumped her weight on to her right hip and pulled her backpack further up her arm.
"Hey, how you doing slick?" Said a familiar voice from beside her.
A small smile draw on to her face, she knew that voice, she knew that voice very well. "Rumlow." Turning to her right she came face to face with Brock Rumlow, dressed head to toe in black, his dark hair slick back and a cheeky smile on his face.
"The one and the only." He replied.
"How long has it been?" Daisy said. "I missed you last time i was in here and that was almost 2years ago!"
Towering over her, he put his hands in his jeans pockets and pulled a pretend thinking face, tilting his head sideways. "Well, last time i saw you, you were going through the green head phrase and wearing green makeup."
"Awww my pre med school phrase, i remember it well." Daisy smiled.
Straightening his posture Rumlow smiled. "But i would still recognise you anywhere kid."
"Thanks." She said scrunching her nose up at him.
It had been a long time for the two, at one point she had seen Rumlow quite a lot, nearly everyday, he had been apart of the security team when her father went on international meetings or tours, he had long been a close member of Alexander Pierce's trusted circle, that, over time, Daisy had seen to get smaller and smaller as she and her sister grew older. Rumlow, from what she had heard was now a elite member of shield, his skills and ability were used for many top-secret missions in the field. From the little Daisy knew of Rumlow now, he was far from being the fawning creature that had lusted after her sister Caitlin for years, obeying whatever her sister wanted and needed, even though it was beneath him.
Looking up head to long line of passengers all waiting for the slow process of getting their bags and security checks started and done, Rumlow gave an exaggerated frown. "You are going to be here for a while girl, hope you packed some snacks or have a book to read."
Daisy eyed up Rumlow, he was a good 2 foot taller than her, even if she attempted to wear anything heeled, she knew he was up to something. "Yeah, i might need a blanket or snuggly to keep me cosy too."
"Its shame." Rumlow said, still eyeing the line.
"Oh?"
"Yeah." Rumlow smiled, turning to her. "You're gonna miss all that fun, cause i got your bags in the car out the front ready to go."
"What?" Daisy frowned at him. "But i haven't…"
"All sorted kid, was sorted for you as soon as that plane hit the tarmac." Rumlow smiled. "All you gotta do, is take my arm and let me escort you to your chariot and we're back your Dad's within the hour. How's that sound?"
Ordinarily Daisy hated it when her father's shield connections changed things for her, how she was given special treatment, special attention, kissed up to specially by people because who her father, and sister were, but on this occasion and after a 16hr flight, with delays, Daisy didn't want to argue or protest, she wanted to get home, to her proper home, brush her teeth, have a long bath, a quick nap and get ready for having a nice meal with her father that evening.
First world issues. Daisy thought as she slipped her arm into Rumlow's as if she was really being escorted to a chariot like a princess; Really are so ridiculous when you think about it.
Washington.
Opening the door Renata throw a bear hug onto Daisy, causing her to drop her backpack.
"Oh child, look at you, you're all skin and bones!" The housekeep exclaimed giving Daisy a squeeze and taking the breath out of her.
There were few people in the world that Daisy allowed to hug her in such a way and one of them was Renata, the family housekeeper for the last 19years, Renata Meiser, the tall and willowy sweet natured, quick witted and loyal housekeeper that long ago Daisy had come to consider more friend than an employee of her father. Renata could have left her father's employment years ago but had stayed, since the death of Daisy mother Renata had taken charge as caretaker of the house and caretaker of Alexander Pierce, and for all wants and purposes the hours Renata kept and the days she worked all worked for both Alexander Pierce and Renata.
As firm and as fast as the hug had come Renata let go of Daisy and stood up straight to look more closely at her. Her face become like the gentle but firm schoolmarm that Daisy had grown up with, over the years Daisy had learnt the emotions Renata expressions through the lifting of her eyebrows, to the twist of lips. Putting her wrists together she looked Daisy up and more thoroughly, taking in her small form.
"Oy Vey….!" Renata said shaking her. "You've lost weight and you look so pale! Didn't you come from India?"
"It was Africa, Balabusta." Daisy smiled.
As if her heart had been pulled Renata went in for another hug with Daisy, this time nearly knocking her off her feet.
Enjoying the attention Daisy chuckled, being slightly pulled into Renata's generous bosom like a new born babe, Renata had probably been without hugs like this for awhile, her own children had grown up and moved away long ago, and from what Daisy knew, were too busy with their own lives, never one to say a bad thing about a person when they weren't there (she could do it very well when that person was there) Renata accepted that her children were wall grown up and gone, but Daisy, Renata's little Dalia, she was the child who had lost her mother when she was just a baby, was very special to her and held a place in her heart.
"Now now Renata." Came a gentle voice from behind Renata. "Stop taking all the hugs and share my little girl will you."
With a smile Daisy pulled gently pulled away from Renata to see the tall figure of her father. Standing before her in jeans and a hoodie, Alexander Pierce, Head Of The World Security Council, former leading member of Shield, Nobel Prize nominee, senior governing member of the international peace core, Daisy Pierce's father, stood grinning and looking ready for a hug.
"Awwww dad!" Daisy found herself running over to her Dad for a hug like she had done when she had come back from summer camp or he had been away on a long mission. Pierce spread out his arms and embraced his tiny dark haired daughter, holding on to her and kissing her forehead like she was still a child.
"My baby girl." Alexander Pierce said happily within their embrace. The look on his face was of absolute joy, he seemed so at peace holding her. Both father and daughter held on to each other, Daisy feeling as if she was indeed a baby girl in her father's arms.
Renata smiled at the two, there were very few moments that Renata witnessed her employer happy, over the years, as Daisy had become an adult, Pierce threw himself more into his work, rarely being home and usually in his office when he was home. Over the next few days Renata knew that Pierce was going to be doing a lot less work and would be spending more time with his daughter. Turning her head to her right, a framed picture stood of Alexander Pierce, Daisy Pierce and Caitlin Pierce, all smiling, both daughters standing next to their father on either side in a hug, looking as if their was a shared joke between them as they posed for the picture, the picture was taken over ten years by Renata herself. Renata smiled sadly at it, thinking if only Caitlin was…no, Renata stopped her thoughts, Caitlin was what she was, that was that.
Her thought was broken by the tanned dark haired presence of Brock Rumlow moving past her and coming through the door carrying a orange suitcase with one hand as if it weighed nothing.
Looking over his daughter's head, Pierce saw Rumlow and came out of his embrace with Daisy.
"Sir." Rumlow nodded respectfully. "Would you like me to take Daisy's bag to her room?"
"No." Renata said firmly to him, her eyes fixed on him untrustingly. "I will take it up to her room, mister Rumlow, no need for you to go up there."
"Thank you Rumlow.' Pierce said in a professional tone of gratitude, "for picking up my daughter and bring her home."
Nodding respectfully Rumlow replied. "No problem Sir, happy to help." With a quick smile at Daisy Rumlow place her suitcase down and turned towards the door. He came face to face with Renata, who's lips were pressed into a thin line as she glared at him. Seeing that Renata disliked him Rumlow gave her a toothy smile and winked at her he left, leaving Renata with a shocked expression and looking ready to curse in yiddish to him.
Potomac Village, Washington
Everything about the restaurant was perfect, from the way every detail was seen to, the tinted gold napkins matching the tinted gold roses on the table (roses that were unscented in order to not put off the diners and more than likely grown genetically for their look and their scentlessness ), the golden details of the edging of the wine flutes matching the delicate patterns of the dinning cloths on the table, how everything was laid out perfectly and precisely, all cutlery engraved with gold patterns on the handles, with each table spaced apart in a perfect circle to match the circler room where a pianist played in the centre of the room behind a grand golden piano. The golden lighting of the room made everything glow, casking no shadows and allowing the metal flowers and birds that were suspended from the ceiling by thin metal beams giving the illusion that they were floating above them.
Looking up at the ceiling Daisy was in awe, her father had said it was a restaurant she would enjoy and indeed she felt enchanted and captivated, it was elegant but though slightly gordy, it caught her imagination with its overly decorative style, she couldn't help but smirk as she thought that it was as if King Midas had taken up decorating as a side business, she bite her tongue, not wanting to cause insult to her father, knowing he was happy to be spending the evening with her dining in the golden restaurant, taking full advantage of her willingness to allow her father to spoil her and lavish grandness on her.
"This definitely beats a Frankie's and Benny's Dad." Daisy grinned at her father as she sat up straighter in her chair, trying desperately to not put her elbows on the table.
"We could always go there afterwards to gets Sundae if you want Daise." Alexander Pierce smiled as he unfolded his napkin to put onto his lap. "Like Renata said, you're skin and bone and you need feeding you."
Shaking her head and rolling her eyes Daisy smiled back. "If it was up to Renata i would be eating for the next few weeks non-stop, and she would still say i needed more feeding."
"Hmmm." Pierce granted. "Its the other way around with me, she constantly trying to get me to eat healthy, she hides all the sweet things i get and replaces it without a word. I'm telling you, if you was a member of the council, there would be a lot less talking and a lot more doing."
Daisy grinned, she loved Renata more knowing she was still on her health fight with her father, the long standing battle was endearing to Daisy, knowing that Renata was a stalwart figure that not even the great Alexander Pierce would argue with. "Well looks like i'll be the only one having that Sundae then."
Pierce was about to protest teasingly to his daughter about how that was bad negotiating when the restaurant maitre stood beside him, hands behind his back. "Excuse me sir." He said in a crisp English accent.
"Yes?" Pierce replied sharply looking him up and down with curiosity, annoyed at being bothered by him.
"There is a man by the name of Jasper Sitwell who said he wishes to talk with you, he said it was urgent and apologises for the inconvenience." The Maitre said, he was stood like a soldier, all aspects of him polished and perfect, even down to his shiny black shoes.
The look on Pierce's face was mixture of anger, annoyance with frustration. Daisy had the feeling that this was out of the ordinary, an agent to contact her father by coming to wherever he was and seek him out in public was far from the norm, though having a father who was part of organisation that went by the acronym Shield but was The Strategic Homeland Homeland Interventtion, Enformement and Logistics Division, that dealt with a very mixed bags of problems in the world, from terrorist, aliens, alien terrorist and loons with overly ambitious ideas about ruling the world, but years of knowledge told Daisy that her father wasn't pleased with what happening and it was far from out of his control, so she soothed him by smiling. "Dad, you know it must be important."
Looking at his daughter Pierce felt a ping of guilt, his youngest daughter was used to her father going off for meeting and talks at short notice, that to her this was normal. "Sorry honey. I'll see what he wants and get Fury to sort it, i'm sure its nothing."
Standing up from the table Pierce place his napkin on the table and followed the maitre, who walked straight shoulder and military style ahead of him. Pierce turned his head to look at his daughter as he walked away, he saw a faint look of sadness on her face, this caused pain to sting into Pierce, he was going to rage at Sitwell if that was not important, he had left instructions that he was not to be disturbed this evening and tomorrow, he had only left Shield headquarter a few hours ago to be home on time to see Daisy return, he couldn't imagine anything happening between now and then that could need his attention, maybe meltdown but even though that couldn't happen in a few hours.
Standing by the entrance of the restaurant a nervous and Sitwell stood, a small amount of sweat on his forehead that he was quickly wiping away with a tissue as Pierce neared him. Trying to compose himself before Pierce reached him, Sitwell fidgeted with his tie and stood straighter. He opened his mouth to apologise to Pierce but was stopped by his saying firmly. "You better have a damn good reason for being here Sitwell because if you haven't i'm putting you clean up duty for the next 2 years."
"Sir." Sitwell replied quickly. "I'm sorry but this couldn't wait. We need to start phrase 2 and i need to clear it with you, i was given orders by Caitlin Pierce that i was to inform you immediately of the progress of Project Jettison and the need to enter into phrase two, sir."
Looking behind himself, Pierce stepped himself towards the wall and leant closer into Sitwell to ask impatiently."Well, what is the progress?"
"Phrase one has succeed all expectations and 100% success in destroying the last remains of the russian technology." Sitwell told Pierce in a quitter tone. "All those involved have been wiped from existence, their families and those that took part it. There's no evidence left of the alien technology we gave them to develop, nothing."
Nodding pleased but without a shred of emotion emotion Pierce said evenly. "Good. Start Phrase two, cause the virus to wipe out 44% of the Eastern part of Russian and make all evidence of the virus point to Southern Russian, the blockade of aid coming through is to be blamed on Southern Russian."
"Yes sir." Sitwell answered.
"I want a total media black out, no aid, no help, no knowledge of the virus is to be known to the West. I want Russian internally fighting each other within the week." Pierce said firming.
"Sir? " Sitwell nodded. "Do you want me to tell…"
"My daughter will make her own way home Sitwell, she's the best Hydra operative out there." Pierce told him firmly.
"Or course." Sitwell nodded, the sweat on his forehead beginning to reform.
"Anything else?" Pierce said firmly.
"No sir." Jasper Sitwell said with a tint of shakiness about himself. He could usually handle himself very well in front of Pierce, he was the man who had chosen him to join Hydra, he respected and admired Pierce, but he knew disturbing him that evening was like stepping into the line of fire.
"Good." Pierce said and begun walking back to his table. Sitwell exhaled the tension, thinking to himself it had gone better then he'd hoped, disturbing Pierce and his youngest daughter in that restaurant had add almost 10years to his life. Walking past the Maitre Pierce stopped and place $100 note into his palm and whispered into his ear. "Hail Hydra." With which the maitre nodded and whispered back under his breath "Hail Hydra."
Back at the table Pierce found his daughter watching as the restaurant's violinist stood next to her playing to her as she smiled embarrassedly but happily to him. Taking his seat he looked at the violinist's face, who in turn looked to Pierce and nodded and begun to step away still playing his music.
Just then both their starters arrived and were placed in front of them where the wine was poured into their golden edged wine flutes. Pierce smiled and he looked up at the smiling, see something that only those in the know would see, the formation of flowers and birds in the metal actually made a shape, a shape that to the eye was invisible even when in the know, but when looked closely and with more awareness the distinctive shape of the Hydra symbol was seen, with its skeleton head and 6 tentacles across the circler ceiling across the room.
Daisy smiled at her father as he marvelled at the metals flowers and birds above their heads. She did love just how at peace he looked then, content with whatever had occurred in his mini meeting and being in the restaurant him her.