Chapter 19: When A Bad Day Gets Worse

"So let me get this straight."

Director Fury boiled in a heated fume as he examined the Avengers in an ominous S.H.I.E.L.D conference room. At least Hawkeye and Black Widow held well under the unholy glare (or they had really good poker faces), but the rest of the team seemed to squirm and were rather uncomfortable. The Commander pressed his hands together and took a moment to breathe before continuing the conversation.

"He was trapped underground. Nearly down from taking on the Rhino. All of you showed up. EVEN THE HULK."

He took a moment to focus his death glare at Bruce and the man unconsciously gulped.

"And yet he still managed to get away."

"...Well...They had a Pilates class to get to", Tony offered and the entire team groaned while Hawkeye told him to shut up. The explanation didn't help either (Fury seemed ready to pounce on the billionaire), yet he calmed himself and thought this was the price to pay for working with children. Although that didn't stop his hand from reaching for his holster.

Steve exhaled before standing up to look the Director in his eye. "We did confront him yes, but we weren't prepared for how Max Steel would react." "Weren't prepared?", Fury mimicked and angrily pushed back his chair to stand up as well.

"While we did do our research obviously", Natasha interjected and tried to save Steve from the explosion, "Max Steel had a trick up his sleeve. He had an additional T.U.R.B.O. Mode that wasn't included in N-Tech's file. That's how he managed to escape." Tony used his tech to display a holographic recording of the fight and Fury watched as Max Steel swung from the ceiling and threw Captain America's Shield effortlessly.

"…What is he, the web crawler?", Fury managed to mumble out as he rubbed his head with one of his hands. "That's what I said", Hawkeye interrupted and Thor lightly smacked him to zip it. Fury eyeballed Clint for a heated moment, but made no comment and resumed his speech.

"I can admit that the surprise was unexpected, but all of you are trained in expecting a twist. And had plenty of time to restrain him as well. So what exactly happened?"

Tony glanced down in guilt and prepared to speak, but Bruce managed to beat him to it. "It was my fault", Banner uttered and everyone seem to freeze at his "confession". "I guess the Hulk...or I sympathized with Max Steel. And I hoped we could work it out instead of dragging him away to be locked up somewhere."

"I...also thought we could compromise", Thor added as well and crossed his arms against his chest. "My Father trained us for years to be ambassadors for Asgard. I wanted to extend a hand first instead of a weapon. I should have done that when I met all of you in the beginning. So, I decided to do things right when meeting someone new that I could consider as a potential ally."

Like a balloon deflating, Thor's words had the matching effect as the Director sighed dramatically and sat back down. He then took another moment to recollect his thoughts and gazed at each of them with an actual bit of sincerity.

"I...can understand both of your points", The Director started and pressed his hand on the table. "Locking Max Steel up and throwing away the key will not solve the issue. However, he is still very armed, dangerous, and we don't truly know what side he's on. Or how he fits entirely into the Ultralink conspiracy. We need more answers to the pieces that are still missing. And I can't allow any leeway in that."

Director Fury stood up again and put both hands behind his back."Agent Hill is still unable to locate the missing agent from twenty years ago. So Max Steel is our only real source of credible Intel right now. The next time you find him, capture on sight. Otherwise I'll have to do it."

And with that the man left with a swish of his trench coat.

Once the door slid shut after him, Tony sighed and then turned his chair to look at Bruce and Thor. "Thanks for the backup. But Bruce, why'd you cover for me?", he inquired. "Because I was the one who kind of asked you to give Max Steel a chance", Banner stated while giving a small yawn. "You asked?", Steve probed and raised an eyebrow.

"I did. And I still don't think Max Steel is really a villain."

"But it doesn't matter though", Clint interjected. "Fury's right. He's our only lead. Max Steel could be good or evil, but our only job is to bring him in. We can't be biased towards him Bruce." "I get it", Banner stated, but stopped as he noticed his cell phone (something Tony INSISTED he have) start to buzz in his pocket. Taking a moment to read the text message, he then got up to leave. "Somewhere to be?", Natasha inquired while Tony mouthed "Hot date?" with a mischievous grin.

"Yes and no", Bruce answered to both questions. "It's my Teaching Assistant. Apparently he was on the train the Rhino tried to hijack while trying to get to the Tower." "So you both missed the first day", Natasha remarked and Clint cackled. "Guess so. I'm gonna go meet with him to talk about rescheduling", Bruce stated and waved a quick goodbye. Leaving the conference room and heading out of the secret base, Banner pondered what else would he need to prepare for in order to meet S.H.I.E.L.D's requirements and his own sense of empathy for the hero he really didn't know.

LATER THAT DAY

Max groaned as he stepped into Double Shot and dragged his feet to a nearby bean bag chair. After managing to out swing the Avengers and crawl out of the dark underground, he could honestly say that he was exhausted. T.U.R.B.O. Spike Mode was an incredible upgrade, but it did come with a price. And his forearms and upper body were definitely paying for it. He plopped his entire body into the plush furniture and then let out a content moan of relief.

"At least we managed to get away", Steel acknowledged, his voice sounding just as tired as Max felt. "Thank God", Max uttered and slightly moved his fingers to stretch them out. "If N-Tech had known about T.U.R.B.O. Spike though, I'm sure we would be having this conversation behind a padded cell. We really need to think of a way to use our powers without drawing anymore attention."

"That's a tall order", Steel mused and began to think over it. "Obviously they were able to figure out a way to locate our energy signature. I can try and disguise it like I did when we left Copper Canyon, but it would only work if were leaving the area, not staying in one place". "Like covering your tracks", Max concluded and rubbed his head on the soft material. "I'm sure we'll figure out something though. Try not to stress over it buddy."

"Uh…Max, are you alright?"

The teen turned his head to the unknown voice and then immediately wanted to face palm. Bruce had suddenly appeared and was eyeing him with the look of a concerned parent. "Quick, get up. Don't embarrass us!", Steel urged and quickly took control to make Max jump up from the comfy chair. Making a noise of annoyance, Max made a mental note to get back at Steel later before giving his attention to Banner.

"I'm fine Mr. Banner", Max stated and rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "I'm just a little tired from today." " It's Doctor Banner Max", the Ultralink stressed and rolled his eye. "We've been over his title like five times!"

"That's completely understandable", Bruce consoled, completely oblivious to the conversation between the two. "It must have been quite a shock almost becoming a hostage." "Well, it all happened so fast", Max offered, trying to sell the idea of being the helpless victim. "And I'm just glad that 'unknown hero' managed to get the Rhino away. But I'm sorry that I missed the first day of classes."

"Actually, you're not the only one", Banner noted with a touch of awkwardness. "I wasn't able to make it to the sessions either. I had…a really terrible migraine and needed to call in sick. I guess you can say I become a very different person when it happens." "I guess it was a bad day for everyone", the android observed and Max lightly smiled at the comment. "I'm glad you're feeling better now though Doctor Banner", the younger of them stated, careful to add the Doctor comment so Steel wouldn't lecture him again. "I've studied all the notes you have so I'll be ready for next week." (Which was a bold faced lie. Steel had really been studying. And Max...had been watching B-rated Sci-Fi movies.)

"Yes and that reminds me", Banner said and starting digging into his backpack. Quickly finding a manila envelope, he handed it to Max with a smile "This is the information about the seminars and all the dates. Your day pass is also included in there. But I'll need you to send me your personal information so I can get a real badge for you." "No problem", Max replied and nodded in confirmation.

"Oh! I'll check this out", Steel chimed happily and did a quick scan to look at the contents inside. Yet the automaton immediately gasped and wish he hadn't. Because he soon realized that he had put both himself and his team mate into unintended hot waters.

"Max…we have a problem here man", Steel advised with a tinge of worry. However, our teen was to engrossed in his conversation with Bruce to really notice what Steel was saying. It was only when Banner was leaving that he focused on his robotic partner again.

"Now, what were you trying to say?", the teen asked and Steel sighed deeply. "I think it would be best if you just opened the envelope and saw for yourself", the Ultralink suggested and tried to brace for the freakout. Max shrugged, but decided not to question it and opened the envelope. And just like Steel, when he saw what was inside, Max did a small scream and tried not to panic.

Because the one place they needed to avoid at ALL COSTS was their destination. Avengers Tower.

Well, Max and Steel will definitely have to come up with something now! In the next Chapter, we'll take a look at their first day on the job at the Tower. And all while trying to avoid major attention from all the wrong places. Until then, see you guys soon. =)