Adrienne watched as Clara stuffed her face with her third plate of eggs. She couldn't help but smile, it felt rather odd to smile so much in one hour. Her face actually felt numb at this point, laughing quickly at silly things Clara would say or point out. Adrienne had only known Clara for less than a year, saying nothing more than a quick hello or a straightforward conversation with her foster parents. This, was by far, the most she had ever spoke to the younger girl.

"You hide a lot, don't you?"

Adrienne almost choked on her glass of juice, turning to take in the expression on Clara's face. Her gaze was steady, eyes wide like an innocent child. She released a short sharp breath. "What do you mean by that?"

Clara paused before answering, her tone dropping to a softer octave. "Dunno," she moved around the remaining eggs on her plate with her fork. "You don't know me well enough to explain your story but you just seem so– lost."

Adrienne took a physical step backwards. "I don't mean to come off that way."

"No one does," Clara shrugged. "I don't mean to come off as weird."

"You aren't weird Clara."

"Sure I am," she responded. "I don't have a problem with who I am, it's everyone else that does. It's not fair obviously but there are always people like me so I don't feel alone. Take you for example, you just kicked two teenage boys' butts and an hour later, you're feeding your neighbour eggs."

Adrienne was smiling a little, a smile with a twist to it, like the smile of a child who is determined not to weep. "You're a good kid Clara," Adrienne told her honestly, her eyes lit with sadness. "Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

Clara grinned, walking over to put her plate in the sink. "You'd be the first one to tell me that Adrienne," Clara then quickly added. "But I don't need your pity, I can take care of myself."

"I know you can, that's what makes you such a good kid," Adrienne bent down and picked up her only kitten, Guru. "You'll be fine on your own but you're always welcome to ask me for anything."

The younger girls face lit up like a Christmas tree, her smiley-face earrings dangling jack and forth as she shook her head excitedly. "Thank you."

Adrienne led her to the door, unlocking the seven locks before patting Clara's shoulder. She wasn't used to showing much affection so this was odd for her. Clara thanked her for everything before walking down the hallway. Adrienne sighed, realizing how silent and cold her apartment really was.

She didn't want to admit it but Adrienne had passed sadness at this point. In this sadness there was no past or future, just living in the moment. She knew better than to let the past rip her apart but the grief never left, it couldn't. Although Adrienne Redford was quite the decent human being, her alter-ego was not.

Bumblebee, her fattest cat, began to purr loudly until she gave her the attention she desired. She scratched Bumblebee between the ears, sitting lifelessly on the living room floor. Soon enough, the sixth cat whom she had named Pascual came leisurely toward her, plopping down right beside her. Adrienne eventually sat upright, letting Pascual and Bumblebee once more before standing up. She grabbed her coat, a pair of sunglasses and a baseball cap and darted out the door.

She crossed the road, not even bothering to check both ways. With each stride her mind became more clear, more resolute. She stopped abruptly, pausing to close her eyes and take in a deep breath of air. And then she was walking again. She walked as her dark hazel hair blew in the gentle breeze, as her clothes clung to her body, arms tightly wrapped around her. As a few teardrops appeared in the corners of her eyes, the woman continued walking, not stopping for anything. She wouldn't cry, not now, not ever.

Determination drove her on. Face wiped clean, certainty flowing through her veins. She found herself, face painted grimly, in front of the S.H.I.E.L.D building. Multiple agents, members or just secretary walked around quickly, exchanging simple nods or stopping to talk. Adrienne found herself people watching– or stalking if she had to put it honestly.

Perhaps there was a certain person she had hoped to catch a glimpse of but she would never admit it allowed. Her gaze was still as she tried to spot someone in the crowd, it was almost as if she was a predatory hunting her prey. Then she saw him, a couple of feet away from her. As she lurked in the darkness, her head ducking down, he got into a car with tinted windows. Perhaps it was her guarded nature that lead her to run again. She quickened her pace to the street corner and melted into the Washington crowds.

Adrienne ended up back in her apartment, almost falling over from too much shock. He had changed but at the same time, he hadn't changed at all. His hair was still blonde, eyes still blue but his face– it was almost sad. She couldn't believe she had done that, after promising herself she wouldn't. Adrienne put a hand through her hair, pacing back and forth. You can only miss someone for so long before finding yourself near them.

"No, no, no," she shook her head, resting her palms on her kitchen table, leaning against it. "Dumb idea." She'd pack up her apartment tomorrow, leave for Canada or something. She'd start all over again, unable to comprehend that she had seem him after so long. Even if it was just a glimpse, it was actually him, walking and breathing and living.

A breeze brought her down to reality, coming through the window she didn't remember leaving open. She went to close it, checking to make sure Garfunkel, Rodney, Finch, Guru, Bumblebee and Pascual had not escaped. Another sigh escaped her lips as she faced the window, feeling completely mute. The world around her seemed cold, not even the warm breeze coming from the window seemed welcoming.

"Adrienne Redford huh? How long did it take you to come up with that?"

—

"You're a good kid Clara," Adrienne told her honestly, her eyes lit with sadness. "Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."