Phil Coulson

Setting: Post Avengers AU

Kagome sighed, running a hand though her slightly tangled locks. Today had not been her day, damn Tony and his constant need to push the line. It never failed, tell him no and he had to prove you wrong. She glanced about the now filthy lab, grumbling under her breath, "JARVIS."

The calm technological voice replied instantly, "Yes, Miss Higurashi?" She shifted against the table she was leaning on.

"Track Tony for me." In no time, a small world map appeared, glowing blue in the small work space, the map narrowed down to the city they were in and zoomed in even further to an all familiar apartment.

The lodgings of a one Pepper Potts , his ex-personal secretary and lover. She shook her head lightly, "Thank you."

The map disappeared with a light, "You're welcome, Miss Higurashi."

She grumbled, her mood even worse. Of course he had run back to his ex when they got into the smallest of fights. He always did, he was a man of habit and he had been with Pepper for over five years. Compared to their measly one year, it was no wonder he still ran to her. It hurt her, images of silver hair and golden eyes popped into her mind's eye. To think she would be put in such a familiar position, even five hundred years after the first time she had lost her love to a former lover.

She shook her head and began picking Up the mess that he had left, wanting to take her mind off of the current events. Here she was twenty six years old and once again trapped in a bad romance. She snickered at the reference to the Lady Gaga song, wishing there was someone there with her to enjoy her with.

It would fly over the Cap's head, he still didn't like this day and age's music or riff raff as he called it. Bruce would merely 'hmm', not one for keeping up with the fads since he usually lived off the grid. Thor was a demi-God and was still awed at the fact that they had 'small people' in the wooden box. Introducing him to music would be just another headache. Natasha would get it, but Clint would find it just humorous; too bad they were off on official S.H.I.E.L.D business.

With a shake of her head, she decided that being left alone to her thoughts was a bad idea, "JARVIS, play some music please. Something light." She smiled as light jazz echoed in the room and went back to picking up.

She threw herself into her cleaning, not wanting to think about what Tony and Ms. Potts could be up to. She trusted him, but at the same time she knew him, he was a playboy at heart. She let out a small dejected sigh, and paused letting her hands rest on the cold table top of the work table, "Just my luck to fall for another heart breaker." The words were whispered and she jumped as JARVIS spoke up, pausing the music.

"Agent Phil Coulson is here." She sighed and stood up straighter, running her hands over her black pencil skirt, trying to smooth out any wrinkles in it.

"Let him in, I'll met him in the living room." She ran her fingers over the buttons of her dark blue dress shirt making sure none were undone, unlike last time. She had ended up giving the slightly elder man a peek at her cleavage, being too busy trying to get Tony to stop prodding Bruce to notice that a button was undone.

Once she was sure all her buttons were all in place, she left the work room and made her way towards the living room, her black heels clicking on the marble floor. She plastered a smile as she entered the room, the slightly elder man standing to greet her, "Ah, Agent Coulson, what can I do for you today?" She took his offered hand and gave it a small shake.

He grinned as he sat down, waiting until she sat down first, spending so much time with the Cap had rubbed off on him, "Ah, just a general check up. Fury is still mad about his last little stunt." They both shared a small wince, Tony was still getting flak for that.

"I see. Well, there's nothing to really report, nor nothing you don' already know about." He laughed lightly at the barb, she was so tired of hearing Tony bitch about them hacking his systems and monitoring his work. The man was very overprotective of what was his, and that being said, he half expected the man to be glued to Kagome's side – as he always was when he or another male agent showed up for the weekly report.

Ever since Pepper had left him, he had fallen into a dark depression, dirking more than usual and taking far too many risks. So they had called in favor and had Kagome hired as his personal secretary, she had past experience with men like him. Having worked at Wayne Enterprises for a while as well as Taisho Corps. The man had refused at first, hazing her in the most cruel ways, but over time, he got over his sulking and took to Kagome much more then they had planned on.

He had taken the slightly younger woman as his lover, and letting them all know about it. So for the man to not be there, glaring over her head at him and making snarky remarks was pretty unusual, "Where is Stark?" He regretted the question as soon as it left his mouth, her very aura dropping. Her shoulders slumped and her eyes dulled a bit, a sigh escaping her pink plump lips.

"At Ms. Potts' apartment." It was a clipped answer and he knew he had touched upon a sore subject.

"Ah, err, well…I see." Lame, so very lame. He wanted to 'facepalm' as Stark called it. He knew it was a touchy subject, Pepper had fallen out of love with Stark and in love with Stark's own chauffeur and assistant. They had married and left the company, thus breaking Stark's heart. To hear that Stark was at Pepper's home with her husband out of the state was troubling indeed.

Kagome had grown on him over the past year, and he didn't want to see her hurt, and if he was being brutally honest, he liked her far too much then he should. He had grown to care for her, to love her knowing it was wrong, which was why he kept it to himself, not even a session with Natasha would get him to spill the beans.

"Would you like to talk about it?" It was her choice, he wouldn't press it at all.

Kagome blinked at the offer, but smiled lightly as she nodded, a change of scenery would be good. Plus, it would more then likely annoy the hell out of Tony when he found out. She did feel bad, using Phil like that, he was a great guy and she truly liked him and considered him a great friend, but she was so cross with Tony at the moment. Plus she knew he would love to push the other man's buttons, Tony could be such a jerk at times.

"That would be nice, Phil." She stood up, smoothing out her skirt and turned to him giving him a bright smile, "Coffee?" He nodded, extending his arm for her to loop hers through , ever a gentleman.

"Sounds great." She smiled as she leaned on him lightly letting him lead her out of her current home, finding she liked the scent of his aftershave.