Darcy had to sign a couple of papers after that. Coulson told her he would send her a copy of her official job description by e-mail. Then they shook hands, and he looked her in the eyes.

"I'll be waiting for you same time, same place next week, with whatever you wish to take with you to New York. I think seven days should be enough for your farewells and your packing."

Darcy nodded. They shook hands once more, and Darcy departed. Natasha was still sitting outside the meeting room, reading some kind of report.

Darcy smiled and walked to her. The other woman raised her eyes, and arched an eyebrow, clearly questioning.

"Hey, Miss Super-Hero!"

Natasha stood up gracefully.

"Hardly. I'm pretty sure the term Super-Hero implies abnormal abilities. Super-Agent would probably be a more appropriate term."

Darcy rolled her eyes. Natasha's lips twitched, and that was as close as she would go to expressing an emotion when she was at work.

"I take it you have accepted the offer?"

"Yep, I have signed and everything. In a week, I'm gone."

Natasha nodded and led her back to the entrance. Darcy was about to exit, when the Agent stopped her and handed her a card, with a phone number on it.

"My cell. In case you ever need something."

"Are you sure-"

"You'll get it anyway when you'll start on your new job. A week difference won't matter much."

Darcy smiled at her.

"Thank you! Very much! I officially have two Super-Hero numbers? How cool is that?"

Natasha rolled her eyes good naturally.

"Super-Agent, Darcy."

Darcy beamed at her, and saluted as well as she could, but was still pretty sure it was wrong. Natasha shooed her away. Darcy spun around, fishing her phone out of her pocket. She quickly found Barton's number, and typed furiously.

You have been holding on me, Soldier Boy.

His reply came a few minutes later, while she was driving. She pulled over, not really wanting to wait for it.

?

She raised an eyebrow.

Yes, Mister Super-Hero. I am wounded.

He answered right away.

Mister Super-Hero? Is it my new nickname? Cause if so, I think Super-Agent would be better. Anyway, what am I supposed to have hold on you?

Two words. Avengers Initiative.

Holy, how do you know about it? Who babbled? Darcy, it's top secret!

Tell me how the hell a nameless S.H.I.E.L.D. minion got on the team, and I'll tell you how a nameless astrophysicist's intern got to know about it.

I'll tell you on Friday.

Oh come on!

See you on Friday, Miss Lewis.

Darcy huffed, and started the car again, driving her way back to the lab. She was barely in the building when Jane jumped on her.

"So? So! Come on Darcy, tell me!"

The woman was nearly bouncing. Darcy arched an eyebrow.

"I will if you give me time to speak, woman!"

Jane quieted down at once, all but dragging Darcy to the couch.

"Are you allowed to talk about it?"

"To you, Erik, Natasha, Soldier Boy, Coulson and some guy named Fury who is apparently the big boss."

"Well, it's good, right? You don't have to hide from your boyfriend?"

Darcy opened her mouth to protest the term, but Jane beat her to it.

"No. No discussion. He is your boyfriend. I've seen the way you look at him."

She glared at the woman, she really didn't have anything to say about it, with the way she mentally devoured Thor when he was around, and she turned to Erik, who was seating nearby, as interested by this as Jane was. She pleaded him to take her side with big puppy eyes. The man's face turned awkward when he realized he was expected to talk.

"Uh, hmm. I'm sorry Darcy, but I would have to agree with Jane on that one. He asked you out in public."

Darcy frowned and crossed her arms over her chest, pouting and glaring at the TV. Everyone was teaming up against her.

Until Jane stabbed her in the ribs with a finger.

"Well? What's going on?"

Darcy considered not telling them, as revenge, but she wasn't that cruel. She was pretty sure Jane would explode if she was to hold that up on her.

"I'm the newest S.H.I.E.L.D.'s babysitter."

Whatever Jane was expecting, it wasn't that.

"What? They are taking you away to do babysitting?"

"Yeah, they are forming a new super team, and they need someone to watch over them."

"Why you?"

"They said something about me having experience watching over slightly obsessive, crazed and genius persons."

Jane had the decency to blush and look a bit sheepish.

"When are you leaving?"

"In a week. Coulson thought that would be enough to get everything sorted."

"Do you have to find a flat?"

"Nope, they are taking care of it."

"I hope they won't put you in some kind of closet."

"Don't know. If so, I'll transform my office into a somewhat living space."

"Is that allowed?"

"I don't know, but it'll be their fault for putting me in a closet."

Jane smiled, visibly relieved Darcy didn't seem troubled and worried about the job she had been given. Of course, she probably would have been more anxious if she had known just how much of a Special Team it would be.

There are some things she really didn't have to know.

OOOOOOOOO

It was Thursday evening. It had been three days since her meeting with Coulson, and she was honestly pretty ready to go. Everything but the daily essentials was packed, Jane was getting over the fact she was leaving, and her parents were ecstatic she was actually getting a steady, well paid, respectable job. They had pretty much given up hope at that point.

She decided to open the folder Coulson sent her about her new job.

The first part was about why the Initiative was formed. It was really interesting, but it was really pretty much what Coulson had told her. With more details. She found it hard to believe the planet had been threatened with alien invasion that many time.

The second part was the installations the team would be benefitting from. Darcy thought she was dreaming.

First they had access, as their meeting place/living place/training place to a huge mansion, in New York. There could have been fifty of them and they wouldn't have any problem fitting in. Then they had access, at pretty much every hour of the day, to the S.H.I.E.L.D.'s facility. Scientists linked to the Initiative would also have lab space at S.H.I.E.L.D.

She continued reading, flabbergasted. Someone, somewhere had money, and wasn't shy about using it.

The last part was named "Certain and potential members of the Initiative."

First up, with a certain stamp beside her picture was Natasha. Apparently, her nickname was Black Widow. That wasn't foreboding at all.

As she read her list of skills and accomplishments, Darcy came to sympathize with the agents at the HQ. She certainly would be afraid of a woman able to take out a world class assassin using a rolling dice and a length of scotch tape. She could also see why S.H.I.E.L.D. wanted her on the team.

The second one was Soldier Boy. His full name was typed beside a photograph of him grinning doing a visibly mock salute to the camera holder. There was nothing else in the file but a small line.

I'm sure you can ask Agent Barton about it, Miss Lewis.

Well, who would have thought Coulson liked to mess with people?

After that came the list of people S.H.I.E.L.D. was considering putting on the team.

The first man had Darcy choking on her hot chocolate.

The Hulk.

They wanted the Hulk on a team. Darcy had seen a report of this thing action a few years back. She wasn't sure she wanted to have anything to do with it. As she read the file about the man behind the monster, Bruce Banner, she came to reposition herself. Poor guy, she couldn't imagine what he was going through. She decided she would ask him about ways to help, making sure everything was right for him. He really seemed to be trying his best.

The second potential candidate had her spitting hot beverage. Again. She really should come to term with the fact this was a super hero team. It was bound to be formed by weird people.

Like Captain America.

The picture was old, probably from the forties. There was a blond tall man standing awkwardly, as if having his picture taken wasn't something he was to. It was strange, because he was truly gorgeous.

Beside his name -Steve Rogers, apparently- was a stamped, Not Yet Discovered. He had disappeared by the end of the second world war, in a plane crash, near the North Pole. S.H.I.E.L.D. sent regular missions there, trying to find him. Apparently something about the magic/scientific serum they've given him would have made him able to survive the crash. Darcy wasn't going to even understand how it was possible.

The third man had her eyes widen. They wanted Thor on the team. Darcy finally got why they wanted to help Jane's project so much. It would give them one more hero to play with. But Darcy was dubious. She liked Thor, but she couldn't help but wonder how he would act on a team where he wouldn't be the leader. Because it was pretty obvious they wanted the Captain to do that. She shrugged. She would cross the bridge when she got to it, for the moment, Thor was still on another planet.

She turned the page to what seemed the last prospect. She didn't choke. She dropped her mug on the floor, sending hot cocoa flying everywhere.

Tony Stark.

They were putting Tony Stark on a team of hero.

They were asking her to manage Tony Stark.

Fuck all that. She was freaking meeting Tony freaking Stark.

Stop.

They were putting Tony, Thor, and Soldier Boy on the same team.

There was going to be a death by ego by the end of the first week.

Or Natasha would kill them all. With a rolling dice and a length of scotch tape.

She couldn't help it.

She took her phone out, and sent a text to Natasha.

Tony Stark?

The woman answered quickly.

Welcome aboard. I hope you will enjoy the flight.

Darcy fell back into the bed, groaning. Then she started laughing. It was going to be hilarious. Really.

And she was meeting Tony Stark.

And Captain America.

How the hell was this her life?

OOOOOOOOO

How the hell was this her life?

It was Friday evening, six o'clock, and, again, she had no idea what she should wear for her date. She tried to ask Barton where they were going, but he simply said 'Dress Nice for me' and hadn't answered anything else since. Damn Agent.

The problem was, there was nothing dates worthy in town, except the Mexican, and then again... Where was he bringing her? The next town was a good hour drive away, and she really hoped he wasn't planning on going that far, she was really hungry. Like I'm-currently-eating-myself-from-the-inside hungry.

Jane piped in, looking unconcerned and let herself fall on the bed. Darcy didn't even bother to look at her.

"You should go with the dark jeans and the red shirt."

Darcy didn't turn around, but smiled to herself. Yeah, that's why she kept Jane around. She quickly put the outfit on, and turned around, arms outstretched.

"So?"

"You look gorgeous, girl."

Darcy smiled, but Jane apparently saw right through it.

"It'll go great, Darce."

"Yeah. Well my dating history would like to amend this statement."

Jane rolled her eyes.

"Yes, but your dating history doesn't include older hot super-agent."

Darcy didn't answer, because she couldn't really argue with that. He really wasn't the type of guys she usually went out with.

Jane just behind her, and spun her around. She kept her hands on Darcy's shoulders, looking at her right in the eyes.

"It'll be alright! He likes you, you like him. Just breathe and go with the flow."

Darcy gave her a tentative smile. Jane chuckled, and drew her into a hug. Darcy chuckled as well.

"Go get him."

Just on cue, they heard the door opened, and a male voice boomed.

"Hello there! Is everybody dressed?"

Darcy couldn't help it. She snorted. Jane chuckled and released her friend.

"If you plan anything, don't forget to protect yourself."

Darcy choked on her saliva, but Jane hopped away. The younger woman heard her welcome Barton.

Darcy concentrated on breathing. In and out.

"She seems to be in a great mood."

She turned around slowly. He was leaning on the wall, wearing dark jeans, and a royal blue button up shirt. She ran her eyes up and down him, because, hell, he looked good. Under torture, she would even admit to hot. She would have been ashamed if she hadn't seen him do the same. She would have to thank Jane for that later. Speaking of which...

"Ah, she likes it when people go on date. She says it sets the vibes right."

Barton grinned.

"Well, Miss Lewis, I have to say you look lovely tonight."

She would have been worried about his health if he hadn't a cocky smirk on his face, and had taken up a ridiculously horrible English accent.

She walked to him, and offered her hand to him.

"I have to say, Mister Barton, you cleaned up pretty well yourself."

He smirked, and bowed to kiss her hand.

"Are you ready to leave?"

"Absolutely. Impress me, Soldier Boy."

She absolutely told the last part in her most sultry voice, and his eyes totally darkened down a notch.

He smirked nonetheless.

"I will do my best, Miss."

He let one of his hands slid down to the small of her back, resting it there. With the smallest push, he led her to the door. They nodded to Jane and Erik, and exited. There was a black, nondescript car.

"You know, I wouldn't have pegged you as the black car guy."

"It's not mine. Not allowed to bring our own car on mission."

"So, what color?"

He smirked at her and shrugged.

"Guess."

She mock huffed, and hopped on.

"Where are we going?"

"Guess."

"Are you being purposely irritating?"

He chuckled.

"Guess."

"I hate you."

"No, you don't."

She arched an eyebrow at him, but he simply winked at her, driving away.

"Yes I do."

He smirked, but decided to roll with it,

"Why would this fair lady hate the poor man I am?"

"Because you haven't told me you're a super hero! And I still don't have an idea what you do."

"You still haven't told me how you know."

"I asked first."

He sighed.

"All right, but first, it's Super-Agent. And no, I don't have any super power."

"Aah, sad."

He smirked again, looking at her from the corner of his eyes.

"And anyway, how come you don't know? If you know about the Initiative?"

"Coulson wouldn't tell me. He said I should ask you."

Clint nodded, but didn't offer any more. After a short silence, her spoke again.

"I'm the world's best marksman."

"Marksman? As in sniper?"

"Yes, but I prefer to use a bow than a gun."

"And world's best, is it true, or are you just bragging?"

He raised an eyebrow.

"I'm the best. I'll show you someday."

"Great! Now I have to find a new nickname for you."

"You decided to drop Soldier Boy? And I already have a nickname."

"Yeah, well Soldier Boy was because you were an uptight bastard when you first came."

"I resent that comment. I was being professional."

Darcy was going to argue the term, but he pulled over. They were a few minutes out of town. There was a little pond, with a tree. Yes in the middle of the desert. It was well known in town. She threw him a confused look.

"There wasn't anywhere in town appropriate for a date."

He got out of the car, and went to the boot, taking things out. She got out as well, and watched, amused, as he installed a mat and dishes, just below the tree.

"Picnic?"

"Nothing better than homemade food."

She gave him a full smile and went to sit down in front of him. He served some salad to their plates.

"So where were we?"

"I believe we were talking about your nickname. I'm curious about this one."

He gave her a look, and she was surprised he looked a bit shy. Well, as shy as someone could look with a grin.

"Hawkeye."

"Really?"

He nodded.

She tried it, wondering of it would feel on her tongue.

"Hawkeye, Hawkeye... Yeah, I like it. I'm not going to call you that, but I like it anyway."

He gave her a real smile this time.

"Are you finally going to call me by my real name?"

"Still haven't given me any reasons to, fledgling."

He groaned, and gave her puppy eyes. She laughed.

"No, you're not getting away from this."

"You're enjoying yourself?"

"A lot."

"Than I must be doing a good job."

She paused to consider it.

"Yes. Yes you are."

He beamed.

"You still haven't spilled your dirty little secret."

"Oh, it's no big deal. Coulson think the Avengers are going to need a babysitter. For some reason, he thinks that should be me."

Clint frowned, apparently not ecstatic about that.

"What's the matter?"

"It's going to put you in danger."

Oh. He was worried about her.

"Sorry to break that into you, fledgling, but I've already been in danger."

He seemed to think it over, and relaxed a bit, but still seemed unhappy. She gave him a curious look.

"I'm a bad person."

"Why is that?"

"I should be worried about your safety."

"Well, you are?"

"Yes, but I'm even more happy that I'll get to see you all the time."

Darcy was completely taken by surprise. She was pretty sure her mouth was hanging open. Barton had been flirty with her for a while, but that was one step ahead. He seemed a bit taken aback by her reaction at his admittance, and stayed silent while he put some pasta in her plate.

When she spoke, her voice was very small.

"You mean that?"

"What, that I'm happy to see you as much as I can? Of course!"

"You want more than a date?"

Clint looked at her with wide eyes.

"If I want more than a - Obviously! If all I wanted was a fuck, I would have went to the bar, and find myself a girl I would never see again. I would have chosen one I would have to work with, I wouldn't have spent my days off with you, and I would never, ever have introduced you to Tasha."

Darcy didn't know what to say. He was looking at her with wide disbelieving blue eyes. Damned blue eyes. She lowered her head. He waited for her to comment.

"Hell, Darcy, there's some boys that need to get their asses kicked right fucking now."

She looked up, he looked a bit upset, but not at her. And the fact her used her first name didn't escape her. She willed her voice to stay stable.

"It doesn't matter, really. They were not the kind of guys I would have wanted to have a real relationship with."

He reached out, and took her hand. His hands were strong, but his touch was soft.

"Would you want a relationship with me?"

She looked into his earnest eyes.

"I do believe I could contemplate such a thing."

He smiled, wide and open, and she couldn't help but answer.

OOOOOOO

There was small talk, and the dinner was amazingly good. He apparently made it himself, but she wasn't going to believe it until she had proofs.

All too soon, it was time to head back. Desert at night got chilly really fast, and she wasn't dressed for outdooring.

He drove her back to the lab, and went out with her.

"I don't think I'll be able to see you before you go away, but text or phone me if you need anything."

She nodded, feeling a bit sad she wouldn't see him for a while. He grinned, and step neared, until he was pressed against her.

She looked up, and saw his questioning eyes. She smile and rose on her toes to cover his mouth with hers.

He leaned in instantly, deepening it. She felt herself sigh in the kiss, opening her mouth wider, sliding her tongue out to meet his. It was slow, it was deep, in was knee weakening, and it was absolutely perfect at the moment. She could have stayed there for hours, but after a few moments, he pulled back and pressed his forehead against hers, and whispered against her lips.

"Sweet Dreams, Miss Lewis."

With that he went back in the car, leaving her breathless and slightly dazed. It took her a few moments to collect herself to text him.

Good night to you too, fledgling!