It was just like any other day when Erica turned on the TV that afternoon. Her mom had the news on from the night before and she planned on changing the channel like she always did. The reporter was babbling so she paid no mind to the middle-aged man as she scrolled through the guide looking for something decent like Once Upon a Time reruns to watch.

Her mom gasped from the kitchen and a split second later came the sound of glass shattering.

"Mom, are you okay?" Erica asked, jumping around to see what broke.

"I'm fine," She assured, "leave the news on." Mom cleaned up whatever she broke then rushed into the room, sitting next to her on the couch.

"Why?"

"Because I said so, Erica." She snapped.

"Fine, jeez." Erica sigh, exiting out of the guide. She realized why her mom wanted her to leave the news on. Aliens were attacking Greenwich--but not the same kind as the ones that were in New York last year.

He mother stared at the screen with wide eyes and her mouth hanging open.

Erica swore that was only the second time she had seen that look on her mother's face. It was worry, or maybe some type of deep concern?

Was it because of the aliens? No. She hadn't been that surprised when the battle of New York occurred. In fact, she seemed angry when that happened. Now it was like she was searching for something...or maybe someone?

"Do you have to help?"

Her mother's gaze flickered down on her. "Not unless S.H.I.E.L.D. calls."

"But shouldn't you help?"

"Agents will only get hurt fighting alongside the so called gods. It's best to leave Thor to it, I'm sure we'll be fine with our world in his hands."

"Have you...met him?"

"Who?"

"Thor."

"Why do you ask?"

 They were both still watching the news-anchor report the current situation in Greenwich. Every once in a while the man would have to duck down in order to dodge debris. "Well, S.H.I.E.L.D. discovered him in New Mexico around the time we were living there, right?" Erica shrugged.

"Sometimes you're too smart for your own good."

She pushed, "So you do know him."

"Go do your homework, Erica," mom sighed.

"I'm just curious."

"I know, that's the problem."

As Erica walked to her bedroom she glanced at the few pictures on their walls. Nearly fifteen years have passed and her mother looked not a day over twenty-two.

The door clicked shut behind her and she took out her laptop and began working on a paper that wasn't due until next month.

She was a fourteen--almost fifteen--year old in her junior year of college, so naturally she was labeled a freak of nature in a heartbeat. Thankfully, S.H.I.E.L.D. was interested in her becoming an agent, but they wouldn't allow her to join any of the academies until she turned sixteen. In other words, she only had thirteen months to go, and she sure as hell was counting down.

After only an hour, she was finished with the rough draft of the paper. It was only five o'clock but she slipped into her pajamas, which consisted of loose black fleece pants with snowflakes and a tight evergreen tank top.

Erica looked in the mirror of the vanity as she brushed her hair and pulled it into a sloppy bun.

Her brown locks matched her mom's. But her eyes...she didn't know if they were inherited from her father, or maybe maybe a grandparent?

She knew practically nothing about the man that helped create her. She'd always just assumed that he left them when he found out her mom was pregnant, since mom never talked about him.

Her mom never spoke of Erica's grandparents either. Nor her childhood. Erica had tried asking about her grandparents and dad but she never got anywhere with it, that's what made her mom such a good agent--she was a secretive person. Erica assumed that was where she got the trait from as well.

A knock sounded from the door.

"Yeah?"

Mom opened it all the way and leaned against the frame, "I'm not in the mood for cooking so what do you want for dinner tonight? I was thinking pizza or Chinese."

"Umm..." Erica thought about it for a second, "pizza."

"Dominoes or Pizza Hut?"

"Pizza Hut."

Her mother smiled at her, "I should have known."

"What can I say," she shrugged, "I'm predictable."

"All right, well, I'll go call it in. Are you done with your homework?"

"You mean the paper that's due next month?" She scoffed, "I need some sort of challenge. But yes, the rough draft is done and I plan on perfecting it tomorrow."

"Why don't you get out and do something then?" Mom moved away from the door and sat on Erica's bed. "Bother Barton instead of sitting in your bedroom doing nothing." She suggested. "Or invite Peter over, I don't mind."

"Clint's on another mission in Budapest with Natasha and I'm not allowed to contact them when they're there. And Peter is still upset over Gwen. I'm fine here, Mom."

"Don't say I didn't try."

"I never would have anyway."

"Look, I know it's hard here. You didn't have the childhood I imagined for you," she frowned, "it's not much...but it is a life. You should at least try to live it."

"I will." Mom smiled at her. "But not today."

"Soon then." Her mother stood up and  walked over to her in the desk chair. She kissed Erica on the forehead. Walking to the door, she stopped, "I'll order that pizza."

"Thanks."

Mom nodded and shut the door behind her.