Hello back, here is my new chapter and I am happy to introduce Maria Hill!
Thank you so much for the reviews!
Disclaimer: I don't own Marvel, only Roseanne
Chapter 7: A difficult phone call
"Okay, let's get Hill on the line!", Phil told his collegue after a few moments, "and we can let them talk first I suppose. But we have to go upstairs for it because here there is no reception at all. May, get Bobbi please. This lady is dangerous and I don't take any chances!" Rosie's heart broke a little at the look in his eyes, but outwardly she managed to calm down. Soon the Asian woman returned, Bobbi Morse trailing behind her. The shapeshifter couldn't quite stop herself from giving her a look over, causing the agent to rise an eyebrow. "I will disable the barrier and I want you to step back and turn around and put your hands on the wall next to your head. Don't even try to change shape, you will regret it when the bullets hit."
With a pounding heart Rosie did as she was told. She was pretty certain that Phil was bluffing and the agents wouldn't actually shoot her but she also didn't want to push her luck too far. A low growl slipped out of her mouth when she felt the nearly healed wound rip open and something warm tickle down her chest. Instantly she recognized the scent of her own blood. The two agents stepped next to her and pulled her hands on her back, handcuffs clicking shut. They quickly led her upstairs which caused Roseanne to sway slightly. She must have lost more blood than she had expected. Upstairs they walked to something that looked like a glass cage with a bed inside next to the lab and stepped inside, Coulson joining them.
Without further discussion he dialed a number, turned the phone on speaker and stepped to the side of the shorter blond woman to hold it on her ear. Different feelings debated in the shapeshifter, on one side she just wanted to scream at Maria, on the other side she needed her help.
"Hill", someone answered the phone, "what is it this time Coulson?" "It's not Coulson here", the woman answered, her voice dangerously low. There was silence for a moment before Maria spoke again. "Miss Rowans, a pleasure to hear from you. How -" Rosie knew exactly that the other ex-agent was talking in codes and actually asking whether the line was secure, but she would have none of it. All the anger surfaced again as she snapped. "Maria, I am at the Playground, that you conveniently forgot to mention still exists, as well as you fucking didn't tell me that Phil is still alive! Screw you and you can tell Nick the same thing!" She was not holding back, as always when she was angry a lot of f-words slipped through. "Is there anything else you want to tell me? Did you at least keep up your part of the deal?" "Rosie, I am sorry, truely", Maria said, voice still hard but a bit of regret seeping through. "For what it's worth, Fury said telling you was one of the hardest things he ever did. And that means something as you are well aware. Is there any other reason for calling me other than yelling at me?" "Yes, Coulson's crew basically captured me and now they won't let me go and I need you to tell them that they can stop indexing me and send me home because I have a competition to prepare." A bit weary she heard the other woman sigh. "Okay, please get him or May on the phone. I can sort that out. You however have to think about new treaties, if you'd like them that is. We will get in contact with you for further arrangements. In the meantime be safe!"
Slightly stunned, Coulson accepted the phone and turned the volume down, not that it made any difference - Rosie could still pick up every word. They were staying on topic (meaning herself) and she was relieved to hear that Maria was holding up her end of the deal - Always keeping her out of S.H.I.E.L.D. business. After telling Coulson that the shapeshifter was indeed dangerous she added that Roseanne had been a faithful and valuable alley for S.H.I.E.L.D. in recent year, something that should not be jeopadized. Fortunately, the former Deputy Director didn't react to Phil's further prying but quickly ended the call, leaving behind some rather clueless agents. While Coulson and May were exchanging worried glances, Bobbi kept scrutinizing their prisoner. "You are bleeding", she observed after a few moments.
As she didn't want to cause any further damage Rosie refrained from shrugging her shoulders. "Yep I must have opened up the wound again. Do you maybe have some bandages or something of that sort? Just before I go." She looked pointedly at Phil, daring him to object. After a moment he nodded, turning to the other two agents. "Let Simmons come here please, Morse, you stay too. Get her some new clothes as well. And then", he threw the shapeshifter a look she couldn't quite place, "we might be able to have a proper conversation."
Soon, she was left alone with Agent Morse, both looking at each other like animals in a cage. What was kind of the truth. From the whole first impression the agent made, Rosie could understand what Barton would like about her. She was definitely gorgeous, and, if they let her alone with a prisoner, they must have confidence in her abilities. Suddenly, the taller woman started to speak. "I think we knocked you out quite a bit. How are you feeling now?" Rosie was no fool, she knew the it was less about her well-being but more about possible week spots, so she just smiled weakly. "Yes you used quite a lot of sedatives but I am okay." She left out that her chest was hurting like he'll and she could just feel her sprained ankle healing slowly and painfully. Before Bobbi could ask more questions the door of the glass cage flew open and another woman entered. That must be Simmons, judging by the parcel of bandages and stuff she had under her arm. "Alright, please have a seat", she offered kindly, pointing to the bed.
Carefully the captive sat down while the doctor came closer. "If you are not too attached to this", she pointed at Rosie's tattered shirt, "I will cut it at the front so you don't have to pull it over your head." Roseanne just nodded while Simmons got rid of the shirt. "You are healing on an exceptional level", remarked the young woman while using local anaesthetic and redoing the stitches, "but I would still recommend two days of not moving your shoulders too much." Rosie just smiled, of course she would not follow doctor's orders. She never did. Jean always called her a stubborn bitch, as if Scott or Bobbi or Kitty were any better. "Thank you Agent Simmons", she finally said with a small smile. "The least I can do. I tried to get something to wear for you but that was the only thing I could find." From the pile she had brought her she took a black shirt, the black S.H.I.E.L.D. eagle hard to see on the sleeves. It had irritated Rosie hat first when they had changed the form of the logo, but she had got used to seeing it on the agents. She smiled when she clumsily shrugged off her rags.
Suddenly, her enhanced hearing picked up steps outside the cubicle, familiar steps. She turned around slightly, though for the first time Phil wasn't looking at her face. He was starring at her back, how could he not. Tattoos were covering most of the skin, arranged in an X, with an eagle on top like a crown .
Now we are finally getting to the X-Men business? Or S.H.I.E.L.D. business? On which side is Rosie? A few answers will follow in the next chapter!
