"Captain Rogers." A cool, crisp voice rang out in the hall. Accompanied by the clack of high heels against the tile floor, Maria Hill's footsteps were as forceful as her personality, making it hard not to suspect that she had nailed steel plates to the soles of her shoes. Even after working together for many years, Steve Rogers still found it difficult to get used to Maria Hill's icy tone whenever she entered work mode. Though he knew that Agent Hill was actually quite warmhearted, the responsibilities she bore prevented her from relaxing.
Steve had no choice but to stop in the hall and wait for Maria Hill to step into the light.
Many of the fluorescent tubes hanging from the ceiling had already gone dark. The remaining lights were just enough to guide the Avengers living here to their quarters. The agents working for the Avengers lived in a residential area near the base, about a thirty-minute drive away. That land also belonged to the Stark family.
Steve Rogers looked over Agent Hill's attire. "I remember you were supposed to go to Washington for questioning today."
"Ha, same old routine. Congress doesn't care what I say. If those who wield power don't constantly remind others that they have it, then that power might as well not exist. That's why bureaucracy exists in this world." Agent Maria Hill waved a hand, and some of the ice on her face melted away. She wore a dark-blue sleeveless fitted dress, its fabric cleanly and sharply cut, with no adornments besides a silver lapel pin. Even her dark, long hair had been pulled back tightly, and her high heels were an utterly ordinary style. The outfit was suitable for a routine hearing, and she dressed much the same way every time she went