And here comes after all that time another chapter!
Disclaimer: I don't own Marvel only Rosie
Chapter 8: Negotiations
Rosie glared at the director, her stare deathly, while he was blushing like a little boy caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Quickly, the shapeshifter but on the new shirt and thanked heavens that her bra had still been in one piece. Hesitating a bit, Phil finally reached the cubicle and let himself in, standing then in front of her, hands clasped slightly.
If the situation had not been so severe, the woman might have laughed - the pose was just so …. Phil. But she kept her calm and looked at him expectandly.
"Maria Hill has told me that you have been faithfully working for S.H.I.E.L.D. for years now and that we ought to let you go. However she was very tight-lipped about details, wouldn't share anything. Any ideas why that might be?"
"Because we have a deal. I help - Fury, and therefore herself as well, and in return they keep me off the index and out off the documents in general."
'And keep her identity secret from the one and only Phil Coulson', she finished in her mind.
"Therefore you can keep the whole catalogue of questions to yourself - I won't answer it."
The agents all looked at her curiously. "And why would Fury do such a thing, keeping you off record?", their leader asked afterwards, a slight edge to his voice. Roseanne could basically smell his agitation and confusion.
"Because it was my recruirement for working with him for S.H.I.E.L.D. I was too good of an asset to not use me and he trusted I would not screw him over. Or at least so much as Nick Fury trusts any person."
It was the absolute truth, she had been the perfect ally, but for more reasons than she would make Phil believe. And yes, she had never screwed over Fury. Screwed him, yes, many times (too many times probably though not recently). Apparenntly the joke had been on him in the end as he definitely had betrayed her trust when he did not tell her about Phil's survival. Or whatever had happened to that man in the meantime.
Said man seemed to understand by now that she would not reveal any valuable information to him without getting anything in return.
"Ms Rowans", he started, but saying that name seemed to cause him physical pain so the shapeshifter quickly interfered.
"Rosie is fine", she told him with a sad little smile.
"Okay, so Rosie, I want you as an asset for S.H.I.E.L.D. again. Name your conditions.."
Phil tried to sound casual but she could tell that he was extremely uncomfortable.
"Okay Coulson,. As I have mentioned, I stay off the record. No index, no tests, no manipulation. It wouldn't work anyway. HYDRA is back - any agent I catch I am allowed to question and if necessary to take down. I won't have mercy on those bastards."
Her eyes were blazing with hatred, making her look even more dangerous than before. When she saw the director nodding, the shapeshifter relaxed slightly.
"And then my three most important conditions. There is a school in upstate New York for special children - those children, their teachers and the graduates are to be left alone. I have a list of others who are under my protection and therefore are also off limit. And last but not least - any young mutants under the age of 21 are reported to me and furthermore handled by me."
She didn't leave her partner any time to talk back.
"In turn I offer absolute loyalty to S.H.I.E.L.D. - Not to you but to its cause and traditions. A skill set that can rival any of your specialists. Worldwide connections. A PHD in psychology and therefore assistance in dealing with powered people. And rogue mutants I can't handle presented to you on a silver platter."
Waiting for his answer she crossed her arms in front of her chest.
Silence filled the room, Coulson's face absolutely blank. Finally he cleared his throat.
"Ok, you don't exist officially for S.H.I.E.L.D. and your way of dealing with HYDRA is granted. But if I am to keep a big group - by God, a school!- out of the equation, I need information about it, as I am sure there will hardly be anything in our files. Your list can only include ten people maximum. My view about you handling mutants will be connected with my approval of the school where those children will no doubt go to. "
The last bit was more of a request, though Rosie would not have out any other way anyway.
"Oh and you have to answer me one more question. Truthfully please. Are you a mutant?"
Thanks for reading, I hope you liked it!
What do you think, is she a mutant or something else? And what about Nick/Rosie?
