Liberty and Justice for all

“I see Americans are always quick to threaten those they don’t understand,” he said in a harsh tone. “I didn’t say I wouldn’t go with you and I think it’s rude for you to threaten me before awaiting for my answer. I probably won’t need a room after I discuss my situation with Director Fury.”

Since she wasn’t a familiar he wasn’t going to give her a hug and three kisses, as per Afghan tradition, instead when she had introduced herself he had simply given her a slight nod/bow. When she mentioned the government and how they sent him here for training he had a look of displeasement. Annoyed that he was cuffed just moments ago and now being asked just why he was here? 

"I see I've struck a nerve... I apologize, Aslan. I'm just curious." Beth watched the stranger extract his prayer beads and worry them through his fingers. "Let's change the subject, shall we?" she said, smiling again. "I don't have the authorization to clear you to return home, but Director Fury does. We can visit the helicarrier, which is where he'll be. What do you say? I'll get you a room with a view and maybe a good, hearty meal."

He watched the woman speak to the TSA agents and degrade them into nothing. The men that had held him captive, and were harassing him, were belittled in minutes with few words. He was most intrigued by the fact that she spoke his native tongue beautifully, she had an accent and wasn’t exactly fluent but it was shocking for him to see an American speaking his tongue. When she released him from the cuffs, he rubbed his wrists as there are dents to where he struggled to break the cuffs free.

Beth studied Aslan for a moment before replying, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Aslan, I'm Agent Ross... but you can call me Beth." The agent took the empty chair and spun it around so she could sit in it backwards and lean against the back rest. "You're free to do as you please, but may I ask you something?" She waited for a response, but when none came, she continued. "Why would the Afghan government beg us to train you just to have you turn around and go home?"

Stuck in Customs

"Gentlemen!" A voice shouted from the doorway. Agent Elizabeth Ross stepped in, dressed in her black S.H.I.E.L.D. uniform, wearing a grimace she had spent hours perfecting in front of her bathroom mirror. "I use that term very loosely, of course." She moved forward with quick, decisive steps, yanking the handcuff keys from the man in charge. Beth kneeled and unlocked the cuffs from around Aslan's ankles and wrists, offering him a sympathetic look. 

“Your funeral,” Beth joked, returning Steve’s smile. At least he didn’t high-tail it out of there, like she half-expected him to. That was good, right? 

He smiled and raised his glass, “to the Avengers!” Clinking his glass against hers, he brought it back towards him and drank the froth on top of the great looking shake. It tasted just like he remembers them tasting, not the stuff Tony tries to make in the kitchen. After taking a few sips of the milkshake he ended up getting a mustache thanks to the froth and hadn’t realized.

Beth watched Steve take an enormous bite of his burger and tried to suppress a giggle when she realized he had a milk mustache. "Um, Steve? Hold still for a moment." Carefully, she leaned over the table and wiped the mustache away with the pad of her thumb. "There. You were sporting a milkshake mustache," she explained, sitting back and picking up her own burger. The pair fell silent as they dug into their food, every once in a while, looking up to smile and nod in approval. 

"Your funeral," Beth joked, returning Steve's smile. At least he didn't high-tail it out of there, like she half-expected him to. That was good, right? 

May was rather blunt but it was that approach that caused him to understand. His face now red, he avoided speaking and was instead pointing to the items he had mentioned to Beth just moments ago on the menu. When he finished ordering, he held up his menu to cover his face as if he were looking for something else to eat.

Seeing Beth’s annoyed look at May, he decided to say something about it. “Ma’am, it seems to bother Agent Ross here when you make such bold and incorrect statements. I don’t think you’d want one of your favorite customers being rather displeased,” Steve was rather naive and oblivious, one second he understands the situation, the other he thinks the accusations are because she’s not quite comfortable with him.

"No, Steve, it's okay. I'm not angry with May, just incredibly embarrassed," Beth explained, smiling at him and then at the waitress.

The food looked and sounded good but he was craving a good old hamburger and shake, so without a doubt when she asked he didn’t hesitate to answer with just that, even if the other food seemed appetizing. “Maybe some french fries too,” being a large man, it’d do more than just that to keep him full especially with his metabolizing, but it’s something he’d rather not pig out on when it’s their first time there.

Beth set her menu down, too, folding her hands together. "Good choice. I tend to get the cheeseburger deluxe with a side of french fries, and a strawberry shake." Beth wasn't the kind of woman to worry about what she ate in front of men--her metabolism was high, though not nearly as high as Steve's, and she had to keep up her strength. She waved her hand at May and waited as the woman trotted over with a notepad in hand. 

Steve at first was cautious of the older woman, but May soon reminded him even more of “home” and had caused him to become quite comfortable. As he watched the two women discuss and the embarrassment that was amused by it all. He was lightly laughing, keeping a hand over his mouth to avoid being rude but even with his mouth covered you could tell by the light red hues on the apples of his cheekbones and the fact that his eyes were smiling. He avoided making a sound though.