"So, I'm not going to ask how you got my number. You know people and all that jazz," Daniel began as he looked at the man before him. As much pain as he was in, Daniel was not going to show his discomfort. No, he is just going to sit here and pretend like nothing is happening. "What I will ask is why do you want to help me?"

"I'm feeling awfully nice," Fury shrugged, using Daniel's earlier words. Daniel chuckled at that, amused, before he shook his head.

"No, that's not it," Daniel stated as he leaned back into his seat and took a good look at the man. He can see some of the scars from Fury's eyepatch. They looked like claw marks. Now, this is interesting. No one knows how the Director of Shield lost his eye. Many assumed war, combat and many other things. Some stories are quite amusing. However, from what he could tell, it was a cat scratch. Daniel couldn't help but smile slightly at the deduction. That thought that a cat bested the Great Nicholas Fury distracted him from his body aches.

"I think we can put those skills of yours to use," Fury admitted as he glanced outside briefly before looking back at Daniel. The younger Stark took in his words.

My skills to use?

What skills does he have? He's a drug addict and a thief. There are thousands of people like that. Sure, he may steal from grand places and come from money, but there are countless of drug users with skills in thievery.

Fury noticed the look of confusion on Daniel's face. It took him back. "You graduated top of your class in University and Law School, all before the age of 20. You are able to read people like books, and you used that to your advantage for your cases. You were successful. Daniel Stark: big shot lawyer, rich, handsome, smart, and with a girl," Fury began as he looked at the man before him. At the mention of his old love, Daniel's face turned stoic. That told Fury enough to not touch upon the subject.

"I think you'd make a good addition to SHIELD," Fury went straight to the point. Pressing his lips together, Daniel turned his attention to the busy street. He took in the people walking down the sidewalk, making some observations. "Doing what? I'm not a science nerd, I don't fight, or any of the usual SHIELD activities. I'm just an addict that knows the law and how to get away with shit" he sighed.

Arrogance is something Daniel shall always have.

However, self esteem comes and goes. Some days he feels like the king of the world, ready to take what he wants when he wants. Other days, he feels like the worst human to ever breathe the earth. That hiw breath is wasted, for he would be better dead than alive.

He tries not do dwell those thoughts often. They usually do not lead to good outcomes.

"Let's not pretend that you don't know how to fight. I have footage of your time in Morocco," Fury stated and Daniel straighten up at the mention of that country. That gave Fury the reaction he needed.

Morocco is something that Daniel does not wish to discuss. Ever.

So, that leads to just agreeing to this arrangement. "Fine. I'll accept," Daniel nodded before he leaned forward, his arms on the table as he looked straight at the man before him," only if you delete that footage of what happened in Morocco, completely. If I find out, and I will, that the footage still exists, then you would not like how I use my skills."

"Are you threatening me?"

"No, I'm simply telling you what shall happen if that were to occur."

Fury looked amused, but he has seen how the younger Stark works. The last thing he needed was for him to expose all of SHIELD's secrets for the world to see. Daniel claims not to be a computer whiz, but he simply is just being humble, or he doesn't hold his computer skills at a higher standard. Nonetheless, an angry Stark is something Fury doesn't need, especially a vengeful one. He wasn't sure which Stark is worst to have as an enemy: Tony or Daniel.

Daniel turned his head towards the counter when he heard a pair of footsteps. The young girl walked up to them before placing Daniel's coffee down on the table.

"Thank you," he smiled up at her and she nodded with a matching smile.

"You're welcome"

She walked away, and Dan took a sip of his coffee. The warmth of the beverage helped him focus on that than his body aches.

"Fine," the older man sighed, " I'll delete the footage. There really isn't anything there to use."

Daniel hummed as he placed his cup down, looking at Fury. He wasn't sure if he should believe Fury. He could say he deleted the footage and not do it. However, there is this thing called trust. Might as well trust the old man.

"Here," Fury placed a vile on the table. The substance had a light blue color. Daniel looked at the small bottle before looking up at the man before him. Sighing, he reached for it and held the vial in his hand.

"I had some of my guys make it. It's --," Dan cut him off.

"Yeah, don't care. I've put worst stuff in my body," Dan shrugged as he began to open the vial before taking a shot of it. He licked his lips before getting his coffee to wash down the substance. Fury simply watched in amusement before he began to get up.

"I'll get in contact with you for your first assignment," Fury fixed his coat before he left the Cafe. Daniel listened to his retreating footsteps and the door chime. He was alone now, besides the barista. He sighed before he leaned back and let himself relax, waiting for the substance to take effect.

Daniel spent the remainder of his time at the Cafe, drinking his coffee and looking out of the window. Slowly, he could feel his mind clearing up. He hated it, but if he were to get his hands on drugs again, he will have to go though detox again. Whether he be clean or high, there are always cons and pros. He doesn't like thinking, mostly because that came with consequences he doesn't want to face.

Being high felt liberating. Sure, his body is a mess and can barely run a mile, not without weezing and throwing up.

Being sober let his body rest and heal. However, his thoughts will be loud and clear from now on.

He doesn't want to be sober, but he doesn't really want to start losing his teeth or nose. He could see his appearance beginning to change from the narcotics. His vanity is what had saved Daniel, for the moment. It's just a break. He can handle a break. The soreness of his body, the sweating and the headache had began to quiet down. He was beginning to feel good. Sure, it wasn't that good high, but he felt alright nonetheless.

He was beginning to feel tired, sleepy. Even with the coffee, he wanted his bed. The lack of sleep was beginning to catch up with him. Daniel finished his coffee, clinging onto the caffeine before he left the establishment. The warmth of the Cafe was replaced with the cool New York air. Daniel closed his eyes, just taking in a second before going into the tower. Opening his eyes, he looked both ways of the street. The traffic was still shitty, but that just made it easier for him to cross the street. He sped walked in-between cars and waved at the drivers, in order for them to see him pass through.

Upon reaching the other side of the street, he headed inside of the tower and towards the elevator. A large man dressed in a suit held his hand out to stop Dan.

"Can't let you go up."

Daniel arched a brow at that, his jaw dropping slightly at those words.

Technically, he can just leave now. He no longer has withdrawal symptoms. He has his phone and his wallet. Daniel could just walk out and go somewhere else. Daniel too a step back, ready to leave this all behind. Fury doesn't need him. He has plenty of other agents like Dan, so Daniel can run off. A small smile began to grow on his face. Look's like he can start booking a flight far, far away from here.

Unfortunately, someone just had to burst his bubble.

"Ha, yeah no. We are going up," Daniel felt someone pat his shoulder. Daniel glanced at his right and saw his brother. Great, Jarvis ratted him out. Daniel never would have thought that the A.I would be a snitch. How unfortunate.

At the sight of Tony, the other man apologized and stepped aside. Tony began to push Daniel towards the elevator. To make it more difficult, Daniel wouldn't pick up his legs to walk. He shuffled to the elevator like a toddler. That just made Tony push him even more to the elevator until both men were inside it.

The younger of the two sighed loudly in annoyance. "You always ruin all the fun."

"I remeber you being the fun brother. Always out in parties, getting drunk and sleeping around with whomever you liked," Daniel continued as he looked at Tony with a smirk, " I miss him. What happened to him?"

Tony simply arched a brow at his brother's direction. He knew what game Daniel was playing, and it was not going to work. "Oh, y'know got kidnapped for three months, tortured, betrayed by someone I viewed as family. All that fun stuff," he shrugged.

"Ah, that does sound like fun. Unfortunately, I was busy with trying to survive. Obi was a real dick: froze all my shit, all my so called 'friends' abandoned me, and they tried to admit me into a hospital with a bunch of crazies," Daniel mimicked Tony's tone and added that shrug. "But it isn't like we are comparing sob stories."

And the tension between them has returned. There doesn't seem to be a moment where they can just be. It is an awful habit from Daniel's part. He just loves to stir up trouble. Sure, he wasn't like that before, but he just got tired of following the rules and not expressing himself. Always having to submit to others, having them feel better while he felt like shit. Yeah, no more of that shit.

He hasn't used. All his aches are gone, and he can think clearly. What more can there be? Now, he is able to do anything and everything far more efficient.

It feels different, having power over his body again does feel good.

I wonder for how long that will last.