Not "A Very Good Team" story. This would take place at some point during Avengers II: Age of Ultron. Spoilers for all movies since Avengers. (I wrote this before seeing Cap2 or AOS 17 & 18, so it's slightly off track, but the point is valid.)
Business as Usual
Tony Stark, Clint Barton and Natasha Romanoff were directed to a room where an agent would brief them on the situation with the Hulk. The agent had a familiar face.
"Coulson." Natasha greeted the supposedly dead agent briefly but warmly.
"We've missed you, sir," Clint said, shaking Phil Coulson's hand with a grin.
"You don't look very surprised to see me," Coulson said with his patented understated smile.
"Operations like Centipede and Ian Quinn are hard to keep secret, even in an organization that's all about secrecy," Clint responded.
"Besides, I think Stark is surprised enough for the three of us," Natasha said in amusement.
Tony Stark had been knocked speechless for nearly 45 seconds. The SHIELD agents thought it might be a record.
"Mr. Stark," Phil said politely.
Tony blew out a great huff of disgust. "I can't say I'm surprised that Fury lied," the engineer admitted. "A little disappointed that you let it stand. Pepper cried for you."
Phil looked sorry for that. "It was months before I was fit again and then Fury swore me to secrecy. I'm still trying to figure out why." He offered his hand. Tony regarded it for a long moment, then took it and shook it. "Welcome back, Agent."
They heard a familiar voice approaching in the hall.
Phil's face brightened. "Captain Rogers," he said to himself.
Natasha and Clint smiled to see Coulson's hero worship remained intact.
Tony bounced on his toes, eager to see Cap's surprise.
Steve Rogers entered and smiled at his Avengers teammates. Tony stepped aside to let Cap see the older agent. Steve's stride checked half a step, then he advanced on Phil with his hand out.
"Agent Coulson, nice to see you again." Steve gave the resurrected man a firm handshake and a genuine smile.
Tony gawped at the Super Soldier. "Did you know he was alive, too? You don't look surprised at all," Tony accused.
Steve swore he hadn't known until that moment.
"But, Tony, when everything is a surprise, nothing is a surprise any more," he said. "Look, you were presumed dead a year ago. I was presumed dead for 70 years. My best friend who fell to his death in front of my eyes during the war came back and tried to kill me a couple of months ago. Finding out Coulson isn't dead is like ..." He shrugged. "... business as usual."
While Tony was processing the logic of that — and he had to admit there was some logic, given the circumstances — Cap continued, "Call me cynical, but I'm not going to be surprised by a resurrection if I don't see the body ..." Thinking of Fury's "death," Steve added, "Or maybe even if I do."
He shrugged again. It was kind of sad how world-weary the young man looked.
Thor entered the room and greeted his comrades.
"Son of Coul! Heimdall told me you still lived. I rejoice to see you again."
Tony ground his teeth. Even the Asgardian knew before he did. That was so wrong. Though, to be fair, he'd been busy — anxiety attacks, Mandarin attacks, Extremis attacks, heart surgery and rebuilding in Malibu and New York. Tony graciously forgave himself for falling behind.
Hawkeye shook Thor's hand. "How's your brother?" Clint asked, venom swirling in his voice.
Thor sighed. "Loki is dead. He died bravely, saving my life on an alien world. I was not even able to bring his body home," the thunder god said sadly.
Captain America rolled his eyes.
A/N: So, is it just me, or are they working the "everyone thinks he's dead" theme a little hard? Then again, it is a comic book classic.