~Fury's Point Of View~
The next morning dawned at the Avenger's Tower with a slightly happy, slightly worried feeling filling the air. With Dr. John Watson showing up it had stirred everyone up a large amount... It was hard to believe that Coulson had a brother. A twenty-five year old brother to be exact, and that his brother would be in such an emotional state. I had stayed at the Tower the night before to make sure nothing more bizarre than the arrival of Coulson's brother happened.
Grabbing a cup of coffee I left the tower and headed toward a secluded park. Agent Hill was to meet me in fifteen minutes with a full folder concerning Dr. John Watson. As usual Hill was early and had a thin folder in her hand and a grim look on her face. She glanced around cautiously and then headed to set at a picnic table nearby.
"Director." She said in a terse tone.
"Agent Hill. What information do we have on Dr. John Watson?" I asked impatiently.
"Not much. Several agents tried to get information from some organizations in England and ran into dead ends. It's almost like someone is denying us access to anything connected to him." Hill replied in a slightly frustrated tone.
"I want a full report on Dr. John Watson. Go back to the helicarrier and don't report until you find something..." I began but was cut off by the sound of my cellphone going off.
~If you want information on John, all you had to do was ask nicely. MH~
~I want everything you have on John Watson. And I do mean EVERYTHING. NF~
~Nicholas, since you seem to have a common interest in John I shall send you what it is you wish. MH~
~What's the catch? NF~
~Why do you want the information? MH~
~He showed up claiming to be the brother of one of my dead agents. NF~
~Agent Philip Coulson. I wondered when he would discover he was adopted. MH~
~So what about the information. NF~
~How is John? MH~
~Currently he is unconscious. And possibly having suicidal thoughts. NF~
~Oh, dear I was afraid of that. He hasn't been eating well lately. MH~
~Or sleeping. He said something about watching his best friend jumping to his death. NF~ By that point I was beyond angry at whoever was conversing with me. I glared at my phone and looked up to see that Hill was gone. A smart agent she was to escape before I could lash out at her.
~My brother. But he isn't dead Director. It is however safer for John to believe so. MH~
~ I feel obligated to do something for the brother of one of my agents... not to mention his brother isn't dead. NF~
~Webs of deceit... I see you are interested in keeping John safe and alive. So I shall trust you with the information of his past. MH~
~Mycroft Holmes? NF~ I finally knew where I had run across those initials in an infamous text form and remembered who it was.
~Indeed. back to John though. I would suggest that you ask him to become an Avenger. MH~
~Why? NF~
~Because he craves for war. To put it simple he is an adrenaline junkie... much like Stark can be... though far more mature. He needs a feeling of purpose, a reason to live. MH~
~I hope your right. NF~
~I'm always right. You should receive all the information on John soon, your Agent Hill will meet you at the Tower. MH~
Slightly annoyed by the series of texts I put my phone in my pocket and headed back toward the tower. I was less than excited about confronting Dr. Watson, but it was something that would have to be done.
Once I entered the tower Agent Hill greeted me by handing me the same folder that had nothing in it earlier... but was bulging as it was handed to me. As I flipped read through the files on Watson I found myself amazed at his accomplishments. He had served in the military as not only a doctor but a soldier, and a captain at that. The more I read about Coulson's brother the more respect I felt for the man that was currently lying comatose. From fighting on a battlefield, treating critical wounds, and then to chasing down criminals in London. I was about to read more when I received another text, I didn't even need to look at my phone to know it was Mycroft.
~John usually has the patience of Job... my brother would be the equivalent of Stark times three at times. I warn you though, his temper is legendary. Once crossed he can be dangerous. MH~
~Really? I am not easily intimidated. NF~
~I interviewed those who served with John, and shall I say they respected him. They said he can give a look that will stop you in your tracks. You've been warned. MH~ That was the last text I got from Mycroft and I was glad of that. Glaring I slid my phone into the pocket of my trench coat.
Agent Hill was waiting patiently for me when I walked toward the med-bay in the tower where Dr. Banner was keeping an eye on John Watson. I handed her the file on our guest and then I stepped into the med-bay as the doors slid open. This confrontation that was about to take place when Coulson's brother woke up was not going to be pleasant.
~John's Point Of View~
I woke in a haze, my head spinning wildly, and my body aching all over. Keeping my eyes closed I tried to reign in my thoughts from the previous day. What had happened? Then it all came rushing back. I had come to America to meet my only living relative, my brother Phil Coulson. And then I found out that he was dead... when that thought registered in my mind I felt despair fall over me, I had no one. No one at all. Sherlock was gone, my brother was gone... the brother I never knew. My existence was of no consequence, I was alone in the world... true Mrs. Hudson, Mycroft, and Lestrade kept an eye on me, but life had forever changed for me when Sherlock jumped off of that building.
Images of Sherlock were flitting through my mind in rapid sequence at that point, both of us laughing, smiling, deducing, his childishness at times... and then his tattered body after the fall. Dragging in a deep breath I held in the emotions that were so close to destroying me. My heart was in shambles, my life held no vibrancy and no purpose anymore. The thought of ending it all was overwhelming, nagging at my mind, pulling and tugging for me to find 'relief'. In myself I knew that Sherlock would be disappointed in me for having suicidal thought... but who could blame me. The life that I had so carefully built after returning from Afghanistan lay in shambles, bringing back the memories that I had almost overcome, and adding new nightmares to play in my mind both night and day.
I was startled out of my thoughts as I heard what sounded like doors open and then footsteps. Listening carefully I heard bits and pieces of a conversation between whoever had entered the room and another person. And of course they were talking about me.
"Banner, what's Dr. Watson's condition?" A deep commanding voice asked.
"He's still unconscious, his weight is way under what it should be. That sweater of his did a good job of hiding how much weight he's lost. Also, he's dehydrated and he's going to have a bad headache from hitting the floor last night." Replied a softer voice.
"Concussion?"
"A slight one. I'm more worried about him having suicidal thoughts though."
"I want the Avenger's to keep an eye on Dr. Watson. Or should I say Dr. Coulson."
"Dr. Coulson?...don't tell me you went and changed his last name without asking him..." the softer voice asked with a groan.
"It's in his best interest." The commanding voice stated. The last statement made me furious. I was completely capable of living my own life and making my decisions. Whoever the pompous fool was that had made the decision 'for me' was going to regret that he was born. Shifting painfully I sat up and turned toward the two people who had been talking about me. I sent them a deadly glare as I took the IV that was in my arm out.
"YOU DID WHAT?" I yelled at the tall dark man who was staring baffled at me. The other man was a shorter, mild looking man, with dark hair, and a lab coat on.
"S.H.E.I.L.D. took the liberty to change your last name. To give you a fresh start." The tall African American said calmly.
"You had NO right to change anything in my life. Is that understood? It IS MY LIFE! Not anyone else's and it would be greatly appreciated if you do not tamper with it!" I said my voice dripping with fury. With finality I stood from the medical bed I was on. Dizziness tried to make me fall but I gripped the edge of the bed and glared defiantly at the two men in the room.
"It simply will give you a new life... and." the man with the eye patch began and I interrupted.
"Number one, my life as I have already stated is no one's but mine. Number two, you're an idiot to think you can change what little normalcy is in my life, by offering me a job on a team of childish superheroes." I said shaking with anger by then.
"Calm down Dr. You'll only hurt yourself." The man in the lab coat said soothingly. I shot him a look filled with venom and he seemed to shrink back.
"I want you to join the Avengers." The other man stated.
"Let me make this clear to your simple mind, I AM NOT going to join the Avengers. Whatever that is." I said walking toward the door.
"The name is Fury... Director Nick Fury." Said the tall African American man said as I had made it a few steps.
"Dr. Bruce Banner." Another voice announced.
"Director... Dr. Banner, good day." I ground out and marched through the doors as they slid open.
I was about to find my way out when a man that had a military stance stopped me in the hallway. He had blonde hair and blue eyes and reminded me of someone from the past. Then it hit me... Captain America.
"Dr. Coulson. I'm Steve Rogers it's a pleasure to meet you sir." He said putting his hand out for me to shake.
"Dr. John Watson... I would say it's a pleasure but at the moment it's not." I replied shaking his hand.
"I would offer sympathy but anything I say would be something you've already heard. And more than likely you're tired of hearing it." He said with a sorrowful grin. His kindness touched me. Over the past three months all I had heard was sympathetic platitudes and I was tired of it. Nothing that was said was going to bring my best friend back. And nothing any of these people could say would help soothe the pain of losing a brother I never knew.
"Thanks for just not pitying my situation Captain."
"Just call me Steve."
"Well thank you Steve." I said feeling my anger cool a small amount.
"Dr. Watson, will you at least listen and take Director Fury's offer into consideration?"
"I don't see why I should." I said a bit heatedly.
"Agent Coulson was a good person... I didn't get to talk that much to him, but I considered him a friend. Your his only living relative. Would you just listen? If not for yourself, for Phil's memory."
"Fine! I'll listen but that does not mean I will be joining the Avengers." I replied in exasperation at the determination of these people.
"Great. The rest of the Avengers are in the living room waiting." Steve said with a small smile and led me toward said room.
When we reached the living room I quickly took notice of all the people gathered in the room. On the couch was a huge man with shoulder length blonde hair, and he was dressed in foreign looking clothes. 'Obviously Thor, the Asgardian Prince.' Then I categorized the rest of the people that had been plastered across the news not too long ago. Beside Thor on one side was another man with a blank look on his face and I assumed he was the one they called Clint Barton, much like the assassins that I had come in contact with before, he had short-cropped brownish-blonde hair and beside him sat a woman with red hair falling halfway down her neck. 'Obviously another assassin... considering the gun hidden under her jacket The infamous Natasha Romanoff.' I observed and smirked slightly.
Finally I turned and saw a man of average height with brown hair and brown eyes, and a beard/goatee accentuating his face. But what stood out most about him was the shining circle that shown through his shirt and the arrogant air surrounding him. I had already met Dr. Banner, Captain Rogers, and Director Fury, so once they introduced themselves (confirming that I had correctly remembered their faces from watching the news on the telly) then Fury stepped forward to speak about his proposition and I sat down in the chair Stark was about to sit in.
"That's my chair." Stark said in an arrogant tone and I glared at him. He was annoyingly and painfully acting like Sherlock.
"I do not see your name engraved on it, so I don't think it is your seat. And if you are half as intelligent as you claim you will wipe that snobby look off your face. Oh, and by the way your ego is so big I think it might take up all the space in this room." I said as I settled back in my seat. Glancing at Stark I saw that his mouth was hanging open and he was staring at me along with the rest of the Avengers.
"I like you Dr. Watson. You have a snarky sense of humor!" Barton said suddenly and began to laugh. The sound of laughter rang throughout the room, and Fury even joined in. I felt a slight smile tugging at my lips, it felt foreign after so long of not laughing or smiling it felt good.
"Back to the present situation Dr. Watson," Fury said interrupting the Avengers' from their merriment, "S.H.E.I.L.D. is offering you a job as handler for the Avengers and a place as a member of the Avengers' Initiative. Also, we have changed your name, so as to give you a fresh start. We can provide counseling if you so desire. Your lodging, food, and such would be paid for and you would receive a rather large salary. So what do you say Dr. Coulson?" Fury said quickly.
Closing my eyes for a moment I thought about my options. My life in London was mediocre; working at the clinic was a drudge, and no one to talk to really. Mary had broken off our engagement before Sherlock's death. Nothing was holding me back from taking this job, except for myself, and the fear of losing people that I might grow to care for. But I knew it was a risk that most people take every day. I opened my eyes and met Fury's gaze.
"Yes, I'll take the job. But on three conditions." I said in an even tone.
"And what would those conditions be?" He retorted as he crossed his arms behind him.
"No surveillance on me. You will call me by either John or Dr. Watson... I won't bother with changing my name back, but I don't want to be called Dr. Coulson. Last but not least I want to be trained in self-defense."
"Fine. Welcome to the Avengers. Dr. Watson." Fury said and then shook my hand.
"Thank you." I replied with a slight smile.
"Stark will show you where everything is. Good day Watson." Fury finished and left the room his coat billowing after him.
"Well welcome Watson to the Avengers." Steve said with a grin.
"Good to have you." Natasha smiled slightly. After everyone had greeted me Steve thought it would be safer for him to show me to my room rather than Stark... or Tony as he so desperately proclaimed I should call him. As Steve showed me my room... or shall I say five rooms. (It was huge!) I thought with a twitch of my lips that I might just have a new reason to live on. A new life, a new existence, and a new purpose to fulfil. Yes, I was looking forward to the next day as I laid down and fell into a deep slumber. A day to begin to fulfil my new purpose.
