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Chapter Three
Gwen awoke early the next morning. The sun was shining through the open drapes and landed on her body. Groaning from exhaustion, she stretched and eventually swung her legs off the bed.
The first thing Gwen did was she closed the drapes. She could already tell she had a headache and didn't need the light to hurt her head anymore.
Then the events of the previous day came back to her and she remembered that Agent Thorn was dead, leaving his wife widowed and his sixteen year old son fatherless. Feeling down, she slumped into the kitchen where Pepper and Tony were eating breakfast at the table.
"It's such a shame," said Pepper. "James was a good man."
"Why did it have to be my jet though?" asked Tony irritably. He turned and saw Gwen making her way into the kitchen. "Morning."
"Morning," answered Gwen. "So you heard about the plane crash?"
"Heard about it?" scoffed Tony. "It's everywhere. Look."
He slid the newspaper over to Gwen who picked it up.
JET CRASHES; TONY STARK TO BLAME?
Last night a private jet crashed, killing pilot Charles Johnson, 45, co-pilot Alan Shilling, 30, and passenger James Thorn, 49. The cause of the crash is still unknown and is being investigated by the NYPD.
The plane went down just outside of New York City and landed in an empty field after what police say was done by pilot Johnson in an attempt to steer clear of civillians.
However, police say they will be investigating their first suspect who is none other than billionaire Tony Stark. Many know Stark as the famous, "Iron Man" and for his past acts of so called heroics. Most recently he teamed up with other "heroes" such as the World War II hero "Captain America" who was frozen for the past seventy years.
The jet belonged to Stark and therefore has risen a slight panic for anything else of his, including Stark Tower which resides in New York. There is no evidence, however, that Stark was involved with the crash.
"Wait," said Gwen stretching out the word. "Are they actually trying to put the blame on you?"
Tony nodded.
"But that's ridiculous!"
"We know that," said Pepper, taking a sip of coffee. "Why don't you sit down?"
Gwen followed that suggestion and took a piece of toast sitting on a plate.
"I just don't understand," said Gwen. "Why would someone want to frame you for it?"
"Well obviously the guy who made the plane crash is the one who wants me to be blamed," answered Tony. He sounded tired and very fustrated.
"D'you think it was someone who wanted Agent Thorn dead?" suggested Gwen.
"Or maybe," wondered Pepper, "it was someone who wanted you dead."
Gwen's mouth hung open in surprise. "Me? Why would someone want me dead?"
"I'm not sure. Maybe someone rigged the plane and the pilot realized it and crashed it. If you were on the plane then you would've died and Tony would've been blamed."
"But that's insane!" Gwen threw her arms up in exasperation. "Besides, where was Agent Maxwell?"
"That weird psycho guy?" asked Tony.
"He's a psychiatrist," corrected Pepper.
"Same thing."
"Anyway," continued Gwen. "What about him? Shouldn't he have been on the plane?"
"I'm sure that he decided to stay in New York," said Pepper.
"But doesn't it sound fishy to you?"
"Gwenie," sighed Tony, ignoring a glare sent by Gwen, "you need to stop watching all these spy movies. I'm not a big fan of the guy either, but it just doesn't fit."
"Besides," added Pepper, "you've never liked Agent Maxwell."
"So you think I just want to get him in trouble?" asked Gwen, narrowing her eyes.
"I'm just saying that you already don't like the guy."
Gwen sighed and put her face in her hands.
"Cheer up, Buttercup," said Tony, slapping the twenty-four year old woman on the back. "At least you get to see Fury today."
"Oh because that's the best thing I could ever ask for."
"Got that right." Tony leaned in close. "Did you know he only has one eye?"
Gwen stared at him with an expression that read "Are you kidding me?"
"Besides, he might, uh, have something to talk to you about."
"What?" asked Gwen.
"Well, he sort of, found out about what Banner and I were doing..."
Gwen slowly looked over at Tony. "You mean to tell me that Fury knows about the medication?"
"Uh, sort of. And the headaches."
"You told him?"
Tony looked slightly fearful for his life. "No, no, no! Well maybe...I blame Rodgers!"
"Tony..." said Pepper. "Give the guy a break. He doesn't even know what half the things are in this room."
"Okay, so maybe Rodgers didn't tell. He didn't know actually, but I seriously did not tell Fury. Neither did Banner."
"Then who did?" asked Gwen.
"We don't know."
Gwen sighed and Tony stood up.
"I should probably get ready," he said. "I am the one escorting you."
"He just wants to look good for his boyfriend," teased Pepper who seemed to be supressing a smile.
"Hey!" called Tony as he made his way for the bathroom. "Banner is not my boyfriend."
"Sure, sure."
Once Tony was in the bathroom and the sound of a shower running was heard, Pepper turned to Gwen.
"Do you have another headache?"
Gwen looked up at Pepper. "Yeah."
"I'm sorry we don't have the medication here. I'm sure Bruce will give it to you when you're on the hellicarrier."
There was a moment of silence.
"I get to go on the hellicarrier?" asked Gwen.
"Uh, yeah?" said Pepper. "I thought Tony told you."
"No, he didn't."
"He probably didn't want to get you all worked up yesterday."
Gwen had never been on the hellicarrier before. For months she so desperately wanted to, but there was no need. Therefore, Gwen couldn't help but wonder why they'd be there on this particular day.
"You should probably get ready," suggested Pepper. "Tony had said Fury wanted you there at seven."
"What time is it now?"
"Half past nine."
"WHAT!"
Gwen was all set an hour and a half later, dressed in a purple tank top and a black leather jacket, yet another present from Tony. She realized that he always seemed to be giving her presents when he did something stupid. He had gotten the car for her after he forced her to go work for SHIELD and most recently, he had gotten her the new phone probably because he knew how angry she'd be upon learning that Fury knew about her headaches.
The reason she didn't want him to know was because Fury would require her to go through tests. She had gone through enough tests in her life. And if Fury found out, he'd have different tests for her. And then he'd probably find out about the accident. She'd probably be locked away forever if that happened.
Gwen and Tony left Stark Tower and entered Tony's new red car after both were good to go. The duo remained quiet as they drove to a hidden landing pad for Stark helicopters. Once there, they exited the car and climbed on board the helicopter, which was sort of a cross between a helicopter and a plane.
"Do you know how late we are?" asked Gwen as she took a seat.
Tony sat down next to her. "We are not late, we're just fashionably not on time."
"Pepper told me."
"Don't worry, I'll take the blame."
Gwen was quiet for a moment as she watched Tony take out his own phone and began typing away.
"Tony?" she asked.
"Hmm?"
"Why didn't you tell me what time we were to be on the hellicarrier?"
"Because, Buttercup," he said, pocketing the phone, "you needed sleep. You looked terrible."
"How bad?"
"Like the last time." Tony thought for a moment. "Well, not as bad, but pretty bad."
Gwen leaned back in her seat. Maybe taking this position in New York wasn't such a great idea after all.
After having a safe landing on the hellicarrier, Gwen and Tony exited the helicopter. Already waiting for them was a woman with red hair.
"Nice to see you, Agent Powers, Mr. Stark."
She held out her hand as the two stepped onto the hellicarrier.
Gwen shook it first. "Same here, Natasha."
Natasha smiled and did not shake Tony's hand. Gwen wondered if it was because she did not wish to shake his hand, or also thought along with the NYPD that Tony had caused the jet crash.
"Follow me," commanded Natasha.
Gwen and Tony followed her throughout the hellicarrier. They passed many different agents, all of which said hello to Gwen. None of them looked too happy with Tony.
At last, they made it to the command center and standing in the front was a man in a black trench coat and a black eye patch.
He spoke without turning around.
"Welcome back, Agent Powers," said Fury. He finally turned around and approached the duo, holding out his hand.
Gwen shook it. "Thank you, Director Fury.
He turned towards a woman with raven hair which was pulled into a bun. "Agent Hill?"
"Yes, sir?"
"Fetch Rodgers. He'll be in the gym."
"Yes, sir."
Maria Hill nodded at Gwen as she left the command center.
"Powers, as you know, Phil Coulson's death was a tragedy," began Fury. "I am very pleased that you agreed to take his position."
Fury began pacing in front of them, his hands behind his back.
"However, I do not understand why you thought it was okay to hide information about yourself from SHIELD, and most importantly, the people you work with."
"Sir, I-"
"It is imperative that we monitor every bit of supernatural disturbance, but how can we do that if our own agents are covering up their problems."
"It's just-"
"And I do not appreciate the fact that you had two other people working behind SHIELD's back to help you."
"Just listen to me, sir," said Gwen with as much confidence as she could muster. "If anyone's to blame, it's me. Tony and Doctor Banner were only trying to help me."
Fury stopped pacing and stood in front of Gwen. "But they were still fully aware of what they were doing, were they not?"
"If I may cut in here," said Tony, walking past Fury, "I would like to say that both Banner and I were fully aware of what we were doing. And we do not regret helping Agent Powers."
Fury frowned. "Agent Maxwell?"
The man that should've been on the jet the previous night came forward with a clipboard in his hands. Gwen clenched her teeth at the sight of him.
Agent Maxwell smiled. "Yes, sir?"
"Give me those medical records I had asked you for."
"Right here, sir." Agent Maxwell handed over the clipboard.
Fury looked down at the papers and then back at Gwen.
"It says here," he said, "that you were admitted to a specialized hospital when you were six years of age. You were treated for reoccuring head pains."
Gwen stared at Agent Maxwell, who was wearing his sly smile, in disbelief. She was certain she had gotten rid of those files. How in the world did he get his filthy paws on them?
"Is this true, Agent Powers?" asked Fury when Gwen did not respond.
Gwen turned back to the man. "Yes, sir."
"Then why isn't this in SHIELD's database?"
"Because I didn't want it to be there."
"Agent Powers, I'm going to have to-"
He stopped talking and looked up. Gwen turned around to see Agent Hill coming back, followed by a tall, muscular man with nicely styled blonde hair and wearing a brown jacket with a button down shirt.
"You need to see me, Fury?" he asked.
"Yes. Captain Rodgers, this is Agent Gwendolyn Powers." Fury motioned to Gwen. Captain Rodgers looked at her and his cheeks immediately turned red as if he was embarrassed of being in the same room with her.
"Agent Powers," continued Fury, "this is Captain Steve Rodgers."
Gwen moved forward first and put out her hand. "It's nice to meet you, Captain."
Steve shook her hand, but seemed to want to look anywhere but her face.
"Uh, it's uh, nice to meet you too," he answered nervously.
"The Capsicle's always a gentleman," came Tony's voice from behind them all. "What does this screen do?"
They all turned to look at Tony who was at a screen and sliding things around on it.
"Mr. Stark," said Fury, "I'm gonna have to ask you to step away from the monitor."
Tony backed up. "Hey, I'm just curious."
"Yeah, well curiousity killed the cat."
Tony raised his hands up in the air as if he was about to be arrested and backed away farther.
Fury turned back to Gwen and Steve, who was looking at his feet.
"Anyway, Captain, Agent Powers will be taking the place of Agent Coulson."
There was a crash and they all turned to see Tony picking up another monitor which now had a crack in it.
Fury rolled his eyes and turned to Gwen. "Now, as I was saying, I'm going to have to ask you to go through some tests."
"I don't need to," answered Gwen. "I'm fine."
"You suffer from head pains on a daily basis and have for all of your life. Now that we know, we can help you."
"The last time someone wanted to help me I ended up spending ten years in therapy," stated Gwen. She felt slightly embarrassed for saying this in front of Steve, who she had only just met.
"Trust me, Powers. We actually can help you."
"Don't you understand, Fury?" asked Gwen with rage building in her. "I don't want help! I just want this all forgotten about!"
There was silence for a moment before Fury spoke. Gwen felt as though he were examining her face. "Is there something else you're not telling me?"
Infuriated, Gwen turned on her heel and stomped out of the command center. It wasn't long before she heard footsteps behind her and turned expecting to see Tony, but saw Steve instead.
"I'm sorry about that," she said as he came up to her. "It's just been a rough past few days."
"No, it's fine," answered Steve. "I just wanted to make sure you were okay."
Now it was Gwen's turn to blush. She looked down at her feet. "I'm fine."
"You don't look fine."
Confused, Gwen reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone. Without turning the backlight on, she looked at her reflection on the empty screen. The whites of her green eyes were bloodshot and there were dark bags under her eyes. This hadn't happened since the accident.
Fearing for the safety of everyone on the hellicarrier, Gwen turned and took off down the hall, hoping to find Doctor Banner.
