Authors note: So, just a short chapter for you all. Sorry if it's not the best quality, I have this scene in my head that I want to write, but obviously I need to lead up to it, and I find myself rushing the story. Once again, any constructive criticism/ideas would be nice :) Much love. Xo
PS, just as a reminder, this story is post movie.
Bruce POV
Everything seemed to be happening very fast. I had gone to find Steve, and I now found myself face to face with a strange woman. She had the most startling blue eyes, full red lips and wavy black hair down past her shoulders. Her skin looked like porcelain. She looked so lost I wanted to hold her, but I was afraid she might break.
Steve's cough was the mental-slap I needed to help me think straight again. Banner. Focus. You are a man of science. You should not be noticing the way her eyes look like the colour of the Indian Ocean. And on no accounts, must you be noticing the way her tongue just darted out of her mouth to wet her lips. No... definitely not.
I heard her mutter "Nadiah." and I tried desperately to force myself to concentrate. Nadiah was obviously her name; Steve must have been introducing them. "That's an unusual name, Nadiah." Unusual, yes. But I liked it.
"It means hope." Intriguing. Why would she tell me that? Was that important to her? Was it some sort of subtle message?
I looked up, and found Steve looking at me with raised eyebrows. Oh, right. "Uh, I came here to tell you, well, I thought you ought to know," I paused. Steve was not going to be happy about this. "Tony's got your shield and is doing an experiment to find out what voltage you need to destroy it." I said, all in one breath.
The Captain narrowed his eyes, muttered an "Excuse me." To me and Nadiah, and started off down the corridor. I fiddled with my glasses, not knowing quite what to do now it was just me and her. However, I couldn't help chuckling as I heard Steve yelling in the distance "TONY STARK! GIVE ME BACK MY SHEILD!"
"Is it always like this?" I looked up to see her smiling. "Well," I said, leaning back against the wall, "Yeah. At least, whenever Tony's here. We're both working on an assignment for SHEILD." She looked up at me, interested. "It's uh, to do with gamma radiation." I mumbled, not being sure how much Director Fury wanted me to tell people.
She nodded, obviously sensing not to press me on the subject. "And uh, Mr Rogers?" she asked, looking up at me, smiling slightly. I thought for a moment. "I think he just likes the company. He spent a lot of time locked away by himself, I think he's only just realising what it's like to be around people again."
She nodded thoughtfully. There was an awkward pause. I desperately wanted to ask her what she was doing here, but I didn't want to seem rude.
"Hey, do you know where I can get a cup of coffee around here?" She was smiling again, and looking up at me from under her long lashes. My brain short-circuited.
"Nghnfph"
She laughed, "Uh, sorry?" Oh Jesus, man of science indeed. I could feel the blood rushing to my face, and in attempt to hide my embarrassment I looked down and twiddled my glasses.
"Uh, I uh, yeah, this way..." I murmured, and started walking down the corridor.
NADIAH POV
Bruce led me to what looked like an ordinary canteen, apart from the boxes of guns everywhere. I frowned, then jumped slightly at the mention of my name. "Ah, Miss Keyes. Just the person I've been looking for." I turned and saw Director Fury standing tall and proud, hands behind his back. I gave a small nod, trying to encourage him to say whatever he wanted to say, so I could get back to my coffee and my conversation with Bruce.
"Have you thought about my question, Miss Keyes?" Huh? Question? What question? I hastily tried to remember what he meant. I knew there was something I was supposed to be doing...
Director Fury registered my blank expression, and sighed. "I asked you to work for SHEILD Miss Keyes. As an agent." My shutters immediately went down, leaving my face devoid of any emotion.
"I have already been made into a killing machine once Director Fury. I do not wish to have to kill again."
Director Fury sighed, and hung his head. "Follow me Miss Keyes," he placed an arm around my shoulder, and led me out of the room. "I shall explain to you what SHEILD is about, what it was built for. And, please, this time, try to pay attention."
