Colson entered Director Fury's office with his usual confident stride, but his mood was swayed by growing anxiety. Fury was sitting behind a huge desk, studying some kind of report, his gaze as focused as ever. "Agent Colson, please have a seat," Fury said without raising his head.

Colson lowered himself into the chair, feeling the tension hanging in the air. Normally that heralded some serious news.

"I have some important information for you," Fury finally said, looking up. "Your team is going to be expanded a bit."

"Team? I didn't ask for that," Colson replied briefly, his voice betraying obvious displeasure.

"I know, but that decision has already been made, and you will have a new assistant. She's a newbie, but I'm sure with your experience you'll be able to guide her," Fury informed with a nonchalant expression on his face.

"Another rookie?" Colson couldn't contain his irritation. "Do you have any idea how difficult it is to work with an inexperienced agent? We don't have time for edification and training!"

Fury stared at Colson with his usual seriousness.

"She will be an important addition to your team. Our job is to prepare her for real missions. We can't afford to keep her on the sidelines."

"Why does it always fall on me?" exclaimed Colson, his patience running out. "I've got enough to do, and I'm not going to babysit a rookie!"

Fury leaned over the table, his voice low and sullen.

"The first order of business is to embrace change, Colson. No one's saying it's going to be easy. But I'm counting on your flexibility. She needs a mentor, and I hope that will be you."

Agent Colson crossed his arms over his chest and rubbed his temples, realizing once again that balancing mentorship and his duties was going to be harder than he had thought.

"Will do," he muttered with barely contained annoyance. Fury nodded, satisfied with his answer, and Colson left the office, already anticipating how he was going to be immersed in a new, not entirely welcome experience.