Walking into the steel-clad hallway in which three new members of the S.H.I.E.L.D.-hired Avengers stand, Steve Rogers makes an announcement.
"Director Fury has ordered us to carry out the new Avengers Initiative. He wants us to find people willing and able to fill the spots of your mentors, the five Avengers who have run off, gone home, and," he pauses, looking at the young Wanda Maximoff, "died."
Flinching at the indirect mention of of her late twin brother, Pietro, Wanda fixes her gaze on the woods outside of the window to her left instead of looking back at Steve.
Steve clears his throat and makes a mental note to talk to her later. Natasha Romanoff's hot breaths that land on his right shoulder remind him to keep talking. He suddenly loses his train of thought as he remembers battling Bucky. He knows me, he knows me, he knows me, he thinks.
Thankfully, Natasha covers for him. She steps in front of him and summarizes his announcement. "The Director wants us to go door-knocking. I'll teach you how to ding-dong ditch, too," she says with a wink. "Now, suit up and head out to the air shuttle."
With that the Avengers are dismissed to their separate temporary rooms, where the three will live until their training is over.
"Your mind hasn't been with you all day, Fossil. What's up?" Natasha asks Steve, using her pet name for him.
"Nothing," comes the short reply.
"Bullshit. Tell me what's wrong. You think you've hidden your emotions pretty well, don't you? You aren't fooling me, Rogers."
"I'm sorry, Nat, it's just that-"
"Bucky?"
Disbelief and surprise cross his face briefly.
"Your eyes say it all, Rogers, and mine have seen it all. I know just about every kind of heartbreak there is. Like I said, you can't fool me. C'mon now, cheer up. We've got some Avengers to recruit."
"And some to find," he hints, knowing that Natasha always held a secret longing for the since-lost Doctor Bruce Banner, although he'd always personally perceived her with Clinton Barton. What a surprise that was, he thinks, remembering when he saw Clint's family for the first time. He'd always kind of had a crush on her, but he knew it would be hard to forget Peggy, his best girl.
"Right. I'll fly today."
"No, it's okay, I'll fly."
"No, you won't. You need some rest to clear your mind. I'll keep the kids under control."
Reaching back to scratch his head, Steve gives in to Natasha's forest green eyes. "Thanks. I appreciate it, Nat."
"Sure thing, Fossil. Go suit up."
Walking to her quarters, Director Nicholas Fury saunters casually to meet her. "Agent Romanoff, might I ask you a question?"
"Yeah, what's up?"
He carries an untidy tan portfolio within his hands. "I have a potential recruit for you to take a look at."
"Who is it?"
Nick hands Natasha a small rectangular photo of a young man with dark hair and glasses. "Look familiar at all?"
"Not really," Natasha replies truthfully.
"Hank McCoy, otherwise known as Beast. He's with Charles Xavier and the X-Men."
"I remember him! Logan Howlett introduced us." Her bright red hair swishes side to side as she shakes her head.
"Right. I want you to find him."
"You mean you don't know where he's at? I get he's a 'busy hero' and everything, but-"
"With all due respect, I don't have time for your lip, Agent Romanoff. Let me explain."