Title: Expected - part two
Author: slacker_d
Crossover: Hunger Games (movie verse)/Avengers (movie verse)
Pairing/Characters: Katniss, Natasha Romanoff, Phil Coulson
Summary: As the daughter of Natasha Romanoff and Clint Barton, Katniss has no choice but to avenge their murders. Now it's just a matter of figuring out who she can trust.
Disclaimer: Not mine.
Word Count: ~920
Spoilers: both movies.
Warnings: Character death.
A/N: Flashbacks in italics.

Part Two

The fact that Nick Fury is trying to recruit her a mere month after her father's death baffles Katniss. Though perhaps it's her fault, for agreeing to the meeting in the first place. What did she think was going to happen? Reminiscing over coffee? She only agreed out of respect for her parents, but of course, Fury wouldn't see it that way.

"It's quite the opportunity."

Katniss barely manages to hold back a scoff. "Please don't act like you're doing me any favors."

"So what? You're going to go back to school? Get a degree? In Criminal Justice?" Fury scoffs. "That must be why you haven't gone back to school yet. You just need a little more time before you can return and really sink your teeth into studying. Right? Someone's lying to herself."

"As if you're not lying to me as well."

"At the moment? Not really." Fury slides a folder across the table. "I'm offering you the chance to gain all the skills you need to avenge your parents."

Katniss raises an eyebrow. "They need avenging?"

"Let's not insult each other's intelligence by pretending Stark didn't tell you everything."

"You don't sound surprised. Or upset."

"This is Tony Stark's world and we're all just living in it."

She barely holsd back a smirk; the truth in that statement sums up Tony perfectly.

"You're your mother's daughter, Katniss. We both know what your next step is."

"And what is that?"

Fury leans in closer. "Vengeance."

…

Tony pours himself two more drinks before starting. "He was trying to avenge your mother."

Katniss isn't surprised by that. She's always suspected as much. Her father has been cagey and preoccupied the last few years of his life. She always knew it's because of Natasha and always assumed it was his grief driving him towards retribution.

She felt it too. It's what drove her to take up martial arts in addition to archery and basic combat skills.

"His name is Snow. Coriolanus Snow. He's been on S.H.I.E.L.D.'s radar for longer than you've been alive. In fact, he and Fury have history."

"Fury has history with everyone." Because he does.

Tony chuckles. "It does seem that way." He pours her a bit more whiskey. "He's the reason Fury lost his eye."

"I thought that was cause of shrapnel. During the war."

"What war?"

Katniss shrugs. It was just what she'd always been told.

"He just says that. Sounds better than the truth."

"Which is what?"

"Snow betrayed him. Back when they were both just starting out. Rumor is that Snow saw he could have more power opposing S.H.I.E.L.D. than joining it. And when Fury went to stop him, Snow shoved a pocket knife in his eye."

"Shit."

Tony nods. "The pictures are pretty gruesome."

Of course Tony looked at the pictures. "Why are there pictures?"

"S.H.I.E.L.D likes to document things."

"That's sick."

Tony nods again. "About five years ago, Fury was certain he'd finally found a way to end Snow's reign and so he sent your mother to infiltrate."

"She was one of the best."

"Unfortunately it wasn't enough. Her cover was blown and she was, uh, tortured until she died."

"So what you told me before, about her death, was a lie?"

Tony shakes his head. "It was what you needed to hear at the time." Tony actually looks guilty; it throws Katniss off a bit. "Banner convinced me that you didn't need specifics. At least not yet. Everything I told you was the truth, just not the whole truth."

Katniss thinks back to that fateful Wednesday, sitting at the table, dressed in black and grieving. Everything Tony had told her had been horrible and detailed, but at the same time, there'd been no specifics, no names. And it hadn't mattered, then.

"But now?"

"We all knew what Barton was doing. It didn't take a genius to see it. I'm sure you noticed it too. And we didn't stop him. We knew he needed it. The bond he and your mom shared, it was… well, we all knew there was no stopping him." Tony stares morosely at the empty whiskey bottle. "And honestly, we all wanted him to succeed."

Katniss nods, having felt the same way.

Tony turns to her then, looking almost apologetic. "I guess payback falls to you now."

Katniss can't look him in the eye. "What makes you think I'll succeed where dad didn't?" She feels his stare, but just can't meet it. "They were two of the best. I'm just… me."

Tony lets his gaze return to staring desolately out the windshield. "Actually, I think you're best of both of them. That's how I know you'll succeed."

…

"And what if it is?"

"Then you're going to need all the help you can get."

Having a stare off against a man with one eye is more difficult than Katniss expected. Angrily, she concedes first, letting her hands drop to the folder still sitting in the middle of the table.

"Fine. I'll consider it."

Fury leans back, grinning. "That's all I'm asking for."

Katniss stands agitated, swiping the folder off the table. "I'd say it's been fun, but we both know that's a lie."

Fury doesn't react. "Call me when you're ready to come in."

It takes every ounce of will power she has to not thrust her fork into his good eye, just so she can wipe the smug look off his face. "Thanks for lunch." Not waiting for his reply, she spins on her heel and stalks out.