Maeve nodded.

"Good idea," she said. "I wouldn't take them to the field just yet."

"Yeah, they're both too young." Julie grimaced briefly and picked up Electrike, who settled in against her shoulder for the moment.

"What's this I hear about going away?" Tony raised his eyebrows at both girls.

"Assignment," Maeve said, glancing at Tony. "We head out in a few days."

"Ah." Tony nodded, looking at them again briefly. "Anything exciting?"

"Pretty average surveillance gig," Julie said with a shrug. That part wasn't confidential, anyway.

"It should only take a few days," Maeve said. "Maybe a week."

"Then why don't you leave those two here?" Tony nodded to Electrike and Vulpix.

For a second Julie just blanked. "What?"

"Leave 'em here. Ninetails will help watch them, and I know Arcanine is really just a big softie, so he won't have a problem babysitting, and that way you'll know exactly where they are all the time." Tony grinned at his genius.

Maeve paused, considering it.

"It's not a bad idea," she said softly to Julie. "At least we know everyone here, rather than leaving them at a daycare."

Julie hesitated still. She knew Tony wouldn't do anything, but she also hadn't had to leave either Vulpix or Electrike behind yet, so she was still rather nervous. She glanced at Steve briefly, biting her lower lip.

"I'll help look after them," Steve offered. "Arcanine won't mind, I know it. He likes looking after little ones."

Julie hesitated for a moment longer before she gave in and nodded. "Alright," she agreed quietly. "Thanks." She shifted awkwardly.

"No problem," Steve replied, smiling at her.

Julie returned the smile, relaxing a bit. Hey, when Captain America said he'd make sure your pokemon would be okay, you knew they'd be okay.

Maeve rolled her eyes a bit and left the two to flirt a little. She had a couple of calls to make, anyways. And Arceus Almighty, did she have forms to photocopy.

Julie spent the next few days alternately hanging out with Steve in the Tower, going on her morning runs with him, and preparing for the mission. She wasn't worried about it, since it was supposed to be pretty routine and quiet, but she didn't want to be unprepared, either.

Maeve, on the other hand, was prepping for the mission more often than not. She got them their gear, their transportation, their paperwork, everything. Luckily, it didn't take too long for it all, and she was ready when the time came for them to head out.

Since it was easiest, they were taking a Quinjet straight from the Tower. So Julie put Electrike and Vulpix in Steve's care, handing over their pokeballs.

"We should be back in a week or so. Don't let them bully you around too much." She grinned.

"Yes, ma'am," Steve said with a bit of a grin, taking the pokeballs. "I'll make sure to take good care of them."

Julie grinned briefly. "Thanks, Steve. See you when we get back." She stepped away and then made her way outside to the Quinjet, waving briefly to him and Tony.

Tony waved back, since he already planned on tracking them both through their phones. Ah the wonders of having SHIELD using Stark tech.

Maeve waved as well, and smoothly piloted the quinjet out once Julie was on board. Time for their week-long mission. She was very glad it wasn't longer than that.

Julie settled in for the (rather long) trip to Latveria, keeping her two pokemon in their balls for the moment as she started looking around. She knew Maeve would find a safe spot to hide out until Julie was done.

Indeed, once Maeve found a good spot, she signaled Julie that she was set and settled in to wait for Julie to relay information.

The first five days were normal. Julie collected data and sent it back to Maeve, keeping safe and staying hidden.

And then everything went to hell in a handbasket when she got orders to get more information on Doom's mansion. She managed to escape, miraculously, and limped back to a safe location while pinging Maeve with an S.O.S. Typhlosion stood guard over her while they waited, though both pokemon had been at least minorly injured in the battle.

Maeve got the S.O.S. and moved in, going to find her partner. They had agreed on a safe location ahead of time, and Maeve took the time to make sure she wasn't followed or compromised before alerting Julie to her presence and going in.

"What happened?" she asked as Gardevoir and Chandelure took over the guard.

"Whoever gave you the intel that Doom wasn't at home was very, very wrong," Julie said, grimacing. "He was mad. Very mad. We made it out before he got a good luck at us, but I got bitten by a rather determined Ariados."

Maeve nodded and went into her supply kit, pulling out an antidote and giving it to Julie before working on cleaning and binding the bite.

"I'll let the Director know that," she said tightly, gritting her teeth. She hated being given bad information.