A/N: So sorry for the wait, guys, my classes started back and I've been job hunting as well (the general moaning/whining/sighing/hysterical crying you may hear in the background of this chapter is just me, hope it's not too distracting). I have no intention of abandoning this fic I promise, but updates are going to be much more sporadic from here I'm afraid. Again sosososo sorry.

Anyway, here's a short one, because it's all I could manage at this time.

P.S. I had no control over Fury in this chapter, I don't know what happened.

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The day after Tony's magical cheeseburger lunch the hacker woke without his usual guard dogs.

Tony wasn't sure what time of the morning it was when he woke and blearily glanced around, not seeing anyone or anything but a big, black blob at the foot of his bed. He reached up and quickly rubbed his eyes to clear his vision some more and focused on said blob.

With no small amount of alarm, Tony realized it was a person. A dark skinned man with an eye-patch and a trench coat was leaning against the foot of Tony's hospital bed, flipping casually through a file folder.

Without looking up and without even changing expression, the (decidedly large and kind of terrifying) man asked, "Do you know who I am, Mr. Carbonell?"

Tony was kind of trying not to panic and not really in the state of mind for guessing games so he blurted, "Space pirate?" Okay, that would bite him later, he knew.

At his answer the man's one visible eye finally shifted to look at Tony, "Not quite, no." The man momentarily looked back down at the file, before snapping it closed and dropping it on the bed. He then crossed his arms over his chest and looked at Tony again, this time with that same assessing stare that Tony had grown accustomed to while hanging out with Natasha. The man finally spoke again, "I'm Director Fury of SHIELD, and not too long ago I was all ready to threaten your life for even considering breaking into SHIELD's systems and stealing information," Director Fury paused long enough for Tony to really absorb that, then continued with something like grudging humor in his one eye, "but then you turned out not even old enough to shave properly, got yourself shot, and on top of that won the unwavering sympathy of three of my top agents and Captain Rogers. Therefore, I have been strictly informed to, and I quote, "Please, be nice" unquote," he paused again and gave Tony a glare that would have rivaled Coulson and Natasha combined, "You understand that as I am their boss, such an order chafes a bit."

Tony almost said the chafing could have something to do with all that leather the man was wearing, but already felt the overwhelming urge to crawl under the bed and never come out, and held his tongue. Instead, of speaking he just sort of moved his head in a way he hoped resembled an affirmative nod.

Fury took the hint and continued, "Right, then. Nevertheless, as I said, I am the Director of this operation. Everything that happens here, I know about, and I do not like it when someone interferes with the smooth running of this organization, especially a pre-pubescent kid someone," Fury pushed himself off the foot of the bed and began to slowly stroll up the bed, closer to Tony, "Agent Coulson has assured me that you coerced and are no longer a threat, and I trust his judgment . . . to a point. So, basically, I am here for sole purpose of telling you, Mr. Carbonell, that if anything, and I do mean anything, goes wrong in my organization and you have something to do with it . . . " the Director's voice trailed off menacingly as he stopped right next to Tony so that the teen had to crane his neck to see the man's face, "It won't matter whose favor you have, I do not hand out second chances lightly. Do you understand?"

It took a minute but Tony finally did that thing with his head that might have been a nod and Fury tilted his head to one side in satisfaction.

Fury straightened a bit from where he'd leaned over Tony and walked briskly back to the foot of the bed, "Good. I'm glad we understand each other," he picked up the file he had dropped and tucked it under one arm, "I'm also here to tell you that you've been cleared to be moved to a new room. Agent Coulson will be your official guardian for the foreseeable future, until we get this mess sorted. Unless you have any questions, I'll be going."

When Tony just continued to stare dumbly, Fury nodded and started towards the door.

Just before he stepped over the threshold, however, Tony found his voice, "Um, Director," it was more of a squeak, but it would have to do. Fury paused and turned and Tony swallowed, "No one . . . no one calls me, Mr. Carbonell."

Fury blinked at Tony, silently raising an eyebrow at the youth before pretty much growling, "I'll keep that in mind." He promptly walked out.

Tony sat quietly for a second before shouting after Fury, "And I already hit puberty!" And, no, his voice did not crack at all when he said that.

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So, yeah, this is all I got. Again, sorry. But I finally got Fury in there.

Also, as I am terrible about replying to reviews lately, thank you to everyone who has liked or commented on this story and special thanks to ryddance – I know I never replied but your review was very helpful, thanks so much for it!