"Has anyone seen Nat around the tower?" Clint asked as he waited for Tony and Bruce to square away the remainder of their project in the lab. The three were about to leave the lab floor with plans to meet Thor in the dining hall for a late lunch. Take-out had already been ordered and was waiting for them there.
Tony answered after telling JARVIS to shut off the lights. "She and Cap got called into SHIELD about an hour ago. Don't ask me why, because after hearing Maria mention paperwork, I pretty much zoned out."
"Why, ya miss her already?" He added mischievously, after noting Clint's disappointed expression.
As he led the way out toward the elevators, Clint chose to ignore the remark and instead replied, "We were supposed to do some training exercises today."
"The one she's been putting off lately?" Bruce inquired, removing his glasses and relocating them in his shirt pocket.
"Those are the ones. I guess we'll find time to do 'em later. Uh, did you want to go to Thor's floor first?" Clint questioned upon reaching the elevators.
Once the elevator doors slid closed, Tony tapped the touch key corresponding to the dining hall floor. "Nah, I'm sure Hammer Time will have no trouble remembering any gathering involving food. Let's just hope he hasn't eaten it all, shall we?"
Tony was right about Thor already being on the appropriate floor, but thankfully he hadn't started eating before his comrades arrived. The four men enjoyed a good meal in each other's company. After they were done and in the process of cleaning up, they were interrupted by Natasha storming through the halls with Steve hot on her hills.
"Agent Romanoff!" Steve was calling after her.
She spun around at the entry to the dining hall and reigned in a glare at him with arms crossed over her chest.
"Agent Hill needs you to come in for debriefing, tomorrow. Be there."
She says nothing but offers a curt nod in acknowledgment before turning back around and heading toward the refrigerator.
Steve sighs exasperatedly and sits down.
Tony leaned in toward him and asked quietly, "What's with the authoritative voice, Cap? Lady solider out of line?"
"I had to use it more than once today. I ask her something or tell her to do something and she barely responds. It was as if she's been practically ignoring everyone all day. She was so sullen when we came in, but no one at SHIELD cared as long as she did what she was supposed to do."
"Hey Steve, we saved you some take-out. Want any?" Bruce placed a soda in front of the Captain.
"Thanks, Dr. Banner. And yes I'd love some. I'm starved."
"So Natasha's acting deadlier than usual then?" Tony pressed.
Steve goes on, lowering his voice even more, "Well, I'll definitely say she's not her usually focused self. Agent Hill told me she's been trying to get her to come in for that debriefing since last week regarding the mission you, Clint, and her were involved with. "
Tony shrugged, "But I haven't attended debriefing for that mission either."
"Yea but that's normal for you, Tony." Steve answered with an almost undetectable smirk.
Meanwhile, Clint had trailed behind Natasha as she went to grab a water bottle out the fridge.
"Hey Nat. Nat? NATASHA!"
"WHAT!?" Natasha shouted once she twisted around to face him head on.
Everyone in the room quieted and Clint cleared his throat.
"I missed you for training exercises today."
"Yea so?"
"I've been missing you for them this entire week! We have to get them done sometimes, Nat."
"Alright fine, they'll get done. Just get off my back, Barton." She brushed pass him toward the exit, leaving a confused Clint in her wake, but suddenly Tony was blocking her path.
With an obnoxious grin, he jested, "And what's with the 'tude, Kim Possible? Is it PMS or maybe…"
"MOVE!" Natasha cut him off harshly before he could finish and nearly shoved him out of her way.
"Lady Natasha." Thor addressed her gently before she could make it further down the exiting hall.
She turned to him with a scowl, but her expression softened upon seeing his pleasant disposition.
"Yes, Thor?"
"I was on my way to another region of the Towers. Would it at all be agreeable for you if I was allowed to share your elevator?"
The clutch on her water bottle appeared to loosen a bit as she replied, "Of course. C'mon, I don't mind."
"I am much obliged." Thor nods his appreciation and goes to walk beside her.
"Lady Natasha, might I inquire about your well-being? You seem a trifle…" The last part of Thor's question faded out as the two proceeded down the hall.
"I hope she doesn't bite the poor guy's head off in the elevator," remarked Bruce as he took a seat across from Steve.
"Talk about no escape." Tony shakes his head, "Wow, I've never seen her claws out like they were today."
"Well you didn't help much with your derisive comments, Tony." Steve said after swallowing a mouthful of food.
"They weren't 'derisive'." Tony denies, using air quotes on Steve's word choice, "It was meant to be a joke to lighten the mood."
"I doubt jokes will help her. I hate to say it, but Nat's been off her game for a while. And she has been constantly in a sour mood these last couple of weeks as well." Clint admitted.
"Yes I've noticed." said Steve.
"I think we all have." Bruce added. "But whatever is behind it, I hope she finds a way to let that go and return to normal."