AN: I don't know how I managed to do this so fast... I don't care. Here it is.
„I think I got away with it."
It was just after lunch (who would have thought Steve could cook?) and Natasha and Pepper were sitting at the table together.
„No, really, it's been nearly a week since our appointment and there wasn't a newspaper article till now. I think they really didn't notice." Pepper said satisfied.
„Well, actually I'd been suprised if they had. I mean, really, you're the woman multiple secret agencies including SHIELD tried to employ. If you don't want anybody to find out, nobody will find out." Natasha said smiling.
„Well, it's all about predicting the others." Pepper grinned too, a slightly evil grin Natasha would have feared if she hadn't known that Pepper was her friend.
„Still, Fury is going to find out. Our doctor answers to SHIELD, you know that." Pepper continued.
„Yeah. Honestly, I'm suprised he didn't call till now. Not sure if that's a good or a very bad sign." Natasha sighed.
„Oh, well, what shall he do? He can't exactly punish you." Pepper, always the voice of reason, said.
„He can split us up."
„I don't think he's gonna do that. You two are his best team. It would be stupid to split you just to prove a point. Fury knows that."
„I sometimes wish I had you're faith, Pepper."
„It's not faith, it's knowledge of what people in power most probably will do."
Two levels below, the guys were having a nice time in front of the TV. They were watching 'Rambo' together, because Clint and Tony had agreed that Steve needed to know these movies. Natasha, annoyed by the unrealistic action, and Pepper, who didn't like the story, had excused themselves directly after lunch.
They were having quite a good time, feeling like 'real men' again after the 'notebook' disaster (at least that was what Tony and Clint called it. Steve actually preferred that movie if compared to Rambo, and Bruce never saw the sense in so much blood on the screen) till suddenly JARVIS stopped the movie.
„Mr. Fury is on line 1."
„We're watching a movie. Tell him to call later!"
„No, I'm not gonna call later!" That was Fury. How the hell had he managed to hack JARVIS?
„Why did you patch him through, J?" Tony asked angrily.
„Ms. Potts advised me to do it."
„You're girlfriend really controls your life, Stark." Fury commented.
„Leave Pep out of this. What do you want, Eye-patch?"
„Barton, I know you're listening, so don't even try to hide. You come to my office now. As in: Right away. Clear?"
Clint winced slightly. He had feared this call ever since Tasha's appointment.
„Yes, sir."
He got up. Tony patted his shoulder and said:
„If he fires you or Romanoff, you know I can give you some job." Clint smirked. It was a running joke between them and Fury. Fury tried to recruit Pepper, saying she'd be a great handler (which, by the way, was true. She'd manage all the different teams and handle the council) and as response Tony tried to get Clint and Tasha to work for him. It wasn't really serious, Fury knew Pepper would never leave Stark industries for any agency and Tony knew Clint and Tasha wouldn't leave SHIELD, but right now it was somehow comforting to know that he was at least somewhat independent from Fury.
Clint made it to Fury's office in record time. He didn't want to piss him any further.
Shortly he had considered dragging Tasha with him, but then decided against it. He didn't want to sleep on the couch tonight.
„Good luck, Clint." Maria Hill said as he passed her.
Clint smirked. Did she know? Probably. She was Fury's right hand and even though she wasn't nearly as good as Pepper, she still had a few sources that probably told her what was going on.
He hesistated a moment, then he knocked at Fury's door.
„Come in, Barton."
Fury was sitting at his desk, like usually, with files spread all over it, and glared at the younger man.
„Can you explain me why Dr. Smith told me that Romanoff visited her for an appointment?" He said deadly calm. Just like Tasha and Pepper...
Clint gulped and prepared himself for a bigger outburst.
„Well, sir, ..."
„She's pregnant. My best asset is pregnant. So I of course ask myself who's the father. And you know what? All my sources say it's you."
„Well, yes, sir, we were about to tell you..."
„You were about to tell me. Really? That's all you have to offer?"
„Ahh, yes. That's about it."
„How long?"
„She's in the third month."
„No, that I knew. How long have you and Romanoff been?"
„Ah, well, 5 years."
„5 YEARS? YOU HAVE BEEN AN ITEM FOR FIVE YEARS? AND YOU DIDN'T THINK I'D LIKE TO KNOW THAT?"
„Well, Coulson knew." Clint tried to defend himself.
„Coulson... and that bastard didn't tell me."
Clint stayed silent. Coulson was still a sensible subject, to all of them.
Fury gathered a few files and sighed.
„Tell Romanoff she's on maternity-leave. Only desk-work till that child is born. Since Romanoffs not available, you're going to have to do more missions. And you're going to be partnered up with other agents, so don't even try to change that. Somebody has to make up for the loss. And... congratiolations, to you both. Coulson would be proud of you."
When Clint left Fury's office, he smiled slightly. That went better than he had thought.
AN: After all, Fury is a big softie =)
And, well, today is my birthday, I'm 18 now, and you know what would be the perfect gift? Right. A review. So tell me what you think!