Author's Note: Still not mine…unfortunately.

Fifth Interlude

Pepper stared at the screen in shock. It can't be! That would mean-

The thought cut off as Darcy began muttering curses next to her. Pepper looked over to find the brunette's face growing darker and darker as she glared at the image. The curses devolved into an inarticulate growl. "I'm going to kill him."

"What?" Pepper said, shocked.

Furious green eyes focused on her. They narrowed before rolling up. "Not him!" Darcy waved at the screen. "Fury. That one-eyed bastard is a dead man."

"Darcy-" Pepper started.

"No." Darcy started pacing. "I can't believe him! That son of a bitch! How could he…" She trailed off, dropping back to cursing once more.

Pepper watched her pace, her own anger still buried under shock. Darcy's was bright, vivid, and on full display. Also, Pepper noted, somewhat frightening, but educational. She had never seen Darcy lose her temper before, and it was a sight to behold. Every inch of the woman's frame quivered in rage.

"Seriously," Darcy spit out. "I'm going to kill him." She paused in midstride. "No, you know what? I'll go one better. I'll get Tasha to kill him. She'll be more creative." A fiendish grin flickered over her face before it drowned in a look of concern. "Oh, God," she said, dropping to the couch as though her strings had been cut. "Tasha…Clint…" She trailed off.

Pepper moved to sit beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. She glanced at the screen. "JARVIS? Turn it off."

"Yes, Miss Potts," JARVIS answered quietly.

The two women sat in the silence. Pepper forced herself to compartmentalize her emotions ever as she tried to soothe Darcy. Hiring the young woman had been one of her better decisions. Darcy handled Tony Stark, JARVIS, Iron Man, and the Avengers without a qualm. Stark Industries was not a good fit, but Pepper could handle that. No, Darcy's gift was definitely scientist wrangling, with a pretty good grasp on hero herding as well.

A thought hit her. "JARVIS, where is Jane?"

Darcy gave a small huff. "Jane's on the roof," she answered before the AI could reply. Pepper raised an eyebrow. "Jane always heads for the roof when she's having a hard time. Getting Thor back just for him to go run off and fight? She's totally on the roof."

"Affirmative," JARVIS concurred. "Doctor Foster is currently pacing the roof on the western side of the mansion. Shall I request her presence?"

"No, JARVIS," Pepper answered. "Let her handle it her own way."

Darcy sighed and leaned her head on Pepper's shoulder. "Tasha's going to be pissed, but Clint…" She paused, heaved a sigh. "Clint may just go ballistic."

Pepper rubbed her shoulder. "We'll handle it. It's what we do."

"Do we have a job title?" Darcy asked, looking up with a tiny smirk.

"Trust me," Pepper said grandly, straightening her shoulders and looking down her nose. "The most powerful, but underappreciated title in the world is 'assistant'. Nothing goes anywhere without our authorization."

The two women laughed.

"Miss Potts, Miss Lewis," JARVIS broke in softly. "The Avengers are returning home."

"Already?" Pepper asked, the laughter falling away from her face. Relief and concern vied with one another. "Is everyone okay?"

"Yes, Miss Potts," the AI replied. "According to Mr. Stark, the trouble centered on some mole type creatures coming up out of the ground at Central Park. They have been dealt with and the team should be here momentarily. There are no injuries beyond a few minor scrapes."

Pepper gave Darcy a bracing smile. "Would you care to tell Tony and Steve?"

"Want to break it to Clint and Tasha?" Darcy fired back.

"No, thank you," Pepper winced. "I'll take care of the others if you'll handle the twins." A hand flew to her mouth. "Oh, damn it; please don't tell them I called them that."

"They'd probably like it," Darcy said, giving her a half smile. She tilted her head back. "J?"

"Yes, Miss Lewis?"

"Have Clint and Tasha come up here, would you?"

"At once, Miss Lewis."

Pepper gave her a quick hug. She passed the two agent Avengers as they entered the room. Even as she pulled the door closed behind her, she heard Darcy start talking. "I need you two to stay calm, okay?" Pepper rubbed her forehead with one hand. This was about to become a very bad day.

Her lips twisted.

Oh, to be a fly on the wall when Darcy talks to Fury. She frowned. Now how the hell do I tell Tony?