It had been months since the Loki and Chitauri incident. Since then, Stark Tower had been rebuilt into a refuge of sorts for the Avengers and they had begun to put back together their lives and put behind them the trauma and the loss. Since that time, they had been involved in a few missions but nothing overly dangerous or important. Usually simple recon that lasted only a few days before they were back home again.
One early Wednesday morning four months after their battle to save Earth, Fury had organised a meeting. Each member of the Avengers had wondered what was to come. They hadn't had such a meeting in several weeks and even then, the meetings were low key and only lasted no longer than five minutes. This felt different. There was something on the horizon. They sat around the large marble table in a room designed specifically for their briefings and waited as Fury paced, eyeing his watch every now and then before glaring at the empty seat at one end of the desk. Finally they all looked up to see Stark trying unsuccessfully to sneak into the room, his clothes rumpled and his hair sticking up in a million directions. He slipped behind the other members of the Avengers and fell unceremoniously into a chair, clearing his throat and gesturing to Fury that he could begin.
"Alright then, now that everyone is here." Fury began, giving Stark a stern glance before acknowledging the remaining S.H.I.E.L.D agents around the table with his eye.
"I have an assignment for you." He continued, glancing at each one of them in turn.
"For all of us, or just one of us? Because like, I know I've been on at least the last five missions. Not that I'm counting or anything." Stark rambled and Natasha turned and gave him a pointed look before rolling her eyes.
"Who's the mark?" Natasha asked, getting the meeting back on topic.
"No mark. You're bringing someone in." Fury explained and they all turned to look at one another in disbelief then turned to gaze at their Sergeant, questions burning in their eyes.
"A new agent?" Rogers asked, voicing what everyone else around the table was wondering.
"Yes." Fury said simply, not letting on anything else yet.
"Who?" Clint asked, clearly just as interested as everyone else in who this new agent could be.
"Banner, we'll need you especially on this one." Fury continued, turning to stare at Banner who had his arm leaning against the table and was stroking his chin in thought.
"May I ask why?" Banner prodded, his attention peaked.
"I believe she's a friend of yours." Fury explained and recognition flared across Bruce's face.
"A girl?" Stark questioned and Natasha elbowed him in the ribs and glared.
" I only ask because I think one butt kicking chick is enough, don't you?" Stark asked.
"She has other talents." Fury went on, clearly making them even more confused than they were to begin with.
"I bet she does." Stark murmured before he let out a pained "ow!" and shrunk back from Natasha's deathly stare.
"You know she won't come. She didn't before." Banner tried to explain to Fury but it was clear his mind was made up.
"Convince her." Fury ordered and Banner sighed and rubbed his face before nodding reluctantly.
"Good. You leave in an hour, I suggest you put that time to good use."