Monday

The five Avengers sat in Fury's personal conference room. "So what now?" Tony asked once Fury and Hill walked in. "Are we finally going to meet the elusive sixth member?"

"They're on a mission at the moment," He answered as usual.

"Boooooooring," Clint said through cupped hands.

"We'd like to meet the person who saved us the Battle of New York," Steve stated simply. "The other Avenger."

"They must be an amazing warrior," Thor smiled largely. "I look forward to meeting them."

"I do as well," Bruce said meekly.

"You will, hopefully, sooner than you think," Fury answered ready for the new topic. "As for now, the Avengers are officially being given their next mission." He looked to Hill who began to pass out the files and pictures. "The Avengers did well at the Battle of New York, so we've been granted a…" He huffed clearly annoyed. "A trial period. In the files, you will find information about a highly aggressive Hydra cell. They have taken down two of our teams, going as far as breaking into the Agents houses and killing their families. To add to it they have taken credit for two fatal hospital fires as well as a dozen other fatal incidents all of which are in your files."

They all flipped a few pages in the files, most looking at the gruesome gory pictures.

"What's our timeline look like?" Steve asked.

"Finish it as soon as you can," Fury answered. "But don't rush. This goes well and Avengers will be a permanent installment. That being said until I can pull the Sixth Avenger from their mission, I've hired a consultant to help with analysis and keep all of you, mostly Stark," He looked pointedly at the grinning man. "Inline, Hill you want to send her in?"

"Um," Hill fought back a smile. "Sir? She isn't here."

"What?" He said whipping to her.

"I informed her of the time and place and she," Hill coughed to disguise the laugh that slipped through. "She said she works for Stark, sir, not you."

"You mean Nat did get hired?" Stark asked sitting up with a mad grin.

"She did," Fury grumbled.

"No need-," Stark stood up grabbing his file as he backed to the door. "I know right where she is, we'll get on it, right boys? Cap?"

Steve sighed, shrugging as he stood up and followed the rest out. "We're on it." He stopped at the door. "I would really like the rest of my team as soon as possible, Fury."

"As soon as I think their mission is done," He nodded. "They're all yours."

"Why are we at your Florida beach house, Stark?" Clint as sauntering through as they followed Tony.

"Natalie, the girl Fury hired to keep us in check. Well, she isn't a girl so much as she is a woman-"

"And she isn't keeping us in check, Stark, she's keeping you in check," Steve reminded as they all stomped through the bright open halls.

"Anyway," Stark said turning to walk backward. "In the battle of New York, her apartment was destroyed… by us… well no that one was me."

"What do you mean that one was you?" Bruce asked.

"I was checking to make sure she had made it of town when a Chitari sent me through the window." He shrugged. "I then sent the bastard through the entire building."

"Yes," Thor nodded. "That was your fault."

"Anyway," He turned back around as they walked into the kitchen. "I set her up here and gave her a month's vacation. She's been staying here since the battle ended and will probably stay at the Tower with the rest of us unless she's made other plans. Lord knows that woman always has a plan up her tight little dress."

"So where is she?" Clint asked shoving his hands in his pocket.

Stark motioned to them with hand to follow as he threw open the double doors to the backyard pool. "Oh, Natalie!"

Natasha was meditating at the bottom of the pool, a trick she had learned in Italy. Slowly let out air as going completely black and numb under the water. However what ever peace she had found was shattered by the muffled yelling above the water. Jolting out of her trance she rolled her eyes. She'd know that voice from anywhere. Stark. She had expected him tomorrow. Of course, she should have figured him to be there today, she did skip out on a meeting Fury had summoned her for. She rolled her eyes as she pushed off from the bottom of the pool.

Natasha burst into the air, panting as she looked to the shallow end of the pool, five figures standing at the edge. "Mr. Stark!" She said in her Rushman cheer. She began swimming to the other side, normally she'd go under, she was much faster under the water, but Natalie wouldn't. Instead she breaststroke and frog kicked her way over. It wasn't until halfway that she decided a little speed would be better. She dived under coming up at Tony's feet in mear seconds.

"Mr. Stark, I thought I still had another week off," She smiled, a sultry one she found could get him to do anything she wanted, especially once Pepper dumped him once more.

"Change of plans, Miss. Rushman," He flicked his head to the stairs. "Come on out. I've got some people you need to meet."

Nat stood up, the water playing at her waist as she walked over to the stairs, very aware of five sets of eyes on her as she did so. She rang her hair out as she walked up the steps over to the boys. The Avengers, she smirked. Stark held out a towel to her. "Thank you."

"Just wondering," He balanced on the ball of his feet the men behind him watched Natasha dry off. "Did you happen to get a text message from Director Fury, or an Agent Hill?"

"Yes," She nodded. "But I still have a week before I'm on the clock for you again, Mr. Stark." She knew she wasn't going to get that week two weeks ago when Fury first told her his plan. Still, she was hopeful.

Stark wagged his finger at her. "I like your loyalty, Rushman, I really do."

"I'm sure," She nodded eyes going to the men behind him as she tied the towel around her waist. "So I'm to assume-"

"Natalie," Tony put her arm around her and walked her over to the other four. "I'd like you to meet The Avengers."

"I'm Natalie Rushman," Natasha smiled. "I understand I'll be Tony's wrangler until the sixth member is to join and that I'll be offering any assistance possible."

"Ha," Clint chuckled. "Natalie Rushman." He looked her up and down making her give a tight-lipped smile he held a hand out to her. "I'm Clint Barton."

Natasha squinted at him. If anyone was to give her trouble, it would be Clint. While he was briefed on the situation, she knew how he would deal with it would be just as finicky as Tony. "Barton," She smiled checking his hand. "The arrows guy right?"

He rolled his eyes dramatically at her dig. "Yes, arrows guy."

"I am Thor!" He announced raising his hammer. "Prince of Asgard."

"Nice to meet you, Thor," Natasha laughed shaking his hand.

"Uh, hi," Banner said trying not too deep breath. "I'm Bruce. Banner."

"Dr. Banner," Natasha smiled. "Wonderful to meet you."

A voice cleared and she looked up to crystal blue eyes. "I'm Captain Rogers ma'am, nice to meet you."

"You as well, Captain," She nodded shaking his firm had. "I look forward to working with you." She turned to the rest of them. "All of you."

"We can start our work here," Steve decided. "At least for a while until we're needed back in DC."

"Wonderful," Natasha smiled. "Do whatever is necessary for the stay." She smirked at Tony. "Isn't my house anyway. In the meantime, I'll be taking a shower to get the chlorine out of my hair."

"Yes," Tony nodded. "Let's go take a shower."

She stopped, rolling her eyes as she shoved the towel in his face. "Thanks, Mr. Stark, but we both know I prefer to shower alone."

Stark shrugged, turning back to everyone else with the towel. "Worth a shot."

Natasha walked down the stairs one hour later, full makeup and hair done, in a tight work dress without shoes. She was still on break. She'd wear shoes in another week. The men were all spread, laying around the living room with files and paperwork strewn everywhere. "Looks like everyone's at home." She smiled.

"Well you sure did," Stark said from his position on the couch. "You have anyone over by the way?"

"No, Mr. Stark why do you ask?" She said fixing herself and Tony a drink, she knew that Clint would want one, but for now, she had to fake and ask.

"Just wondering," He smiled as she walked over handing him on a martini and saving the other for herself. "Oh, and I found this in between the couch cushions." He smirked holding up a pair of pink lace panties. "If you didn't have anyone over, what are these doing in my couch."

Natasha's eyes widened for a fraction of a second before she ripped them from his. She had thought she grabbed those after the night she spent passed out drunk on the couch. "They were minding their own business, Stark," She snapped. "Something you should try sometime."

"Why when bothering you is so much fun?" He asked taking a sip of his drink.

"Yes Stark," She smiled leaning over the couch. "Drink. Who knows what I put in that liquor of yours."

"Hopefully drugs," He smiled.

Natasha rolled her eyes as she pushed off the couch. "Does anyone else want a drink before I sit down?"

"I'll take one!" Clint said raising his hand.

"I will also take some ale!" Thor boomed.

"No," Steve snapped from his eat on a footrest. "No one is drinking while we're working."

Natasha nodded walked over to Tony, taking the drink from his hands. "Hey!"

"Captain's orders," Natasha smirked quickly downing her drink.

"Who do you work for?" Tony asked sitting up.

"Until next week," Natasha said walking over to the free spot next to Clint. "No one."

"And then next week?" Bruce smiled.

"Next week I begin my consultant's work for Shield as an analyst and Stark tamer." She smiled back. "Until then, some light reading would be nice. And I'll throw in Stark taming here and there for free."

Steve leaned over the coffee table to hand her a spare file. "Miss. Rushman."

"Thank you, Captain," She sent him a soft smile as everyone fell into silence and began work.

"Jesus these people are fucked," Natasha sighed through the fire she read on the table. She sighed, leaning back and pushing hair from her face. "I need a drink." She decided to hop up.

"I do too," Tony groaned rubbing his head. "That is if the Captain permits it?"

"Sure," Steve sighed leaning back onto the chair.

"Who wants one?" Natasha asked walking over to the drink stand. She turned to see every one, even Steve, with their hands up. She nodded, picking out and making the drinks for everyone she knew they would like. She could tell them she read their files, which was true. She put the completed drinks on the tray and walked back over. "Alright," She said sitting with her legs to the side. "Beer for Agent Barton. Tea with extra sugar for Dr. Banner. Empty glass for Prince Thor, whom I assume has his our mead in his pocket-"

"That I do!" He cheered pulling his flask out.

"Martini for the inventor," She said handing Tony his drink. "For the Super Soldier who can't get drunk," She smiled at him holding out a water bottle. "A water, though I would be willing to try and make you a mixed drink if you would like?"

Steve smiled smirking at her as he took the water. "You read a file or go to the museum?"

"The files were my light reading last week," She leaned.

"And your drink?" Clint asked motioning to the red wine.

"Pure vodka," She answered. "Red wine," She laughed. "What did the color trick the great Hawkeye?"

"You know what Rushman?" Clint asked sitting up.

"What Barton?" She snapped.

"I don't like you so far," He said snobbily as if a child.

"Yeah," She nodded, propping up her feet. "Stop staring at my chest so much and I might believe that."

The men snickered as he began to huff. "You know what-"

"Barton," Steve boomed. "Go for a walk."

"Yes Captain," He grunted getting up and walking away with his beer.

"You could try and be a bit nicer, ya know, Red," Stark said playing on his phone. "Get some nice recommendations. Maybe a boyfriend."

"And have less time to keep you from killing yourself or someone else?" She asked. Shaking her head she took a drink. "You don't become a woman this far in a man's field by being nicer, Mr. Stark." She turned to Steve. "I'm sorry if I bothered your Agent, Captain Rogers, but he bothered me first."

"No need," Steve shook his head. "I'll be sure to have a word with him."

"No need," She smiled with a shrug. "He seems like a man that gets forgetful when drunk."

"Oh, he is," Tony butted in nodding. "You keep handing him drinks hell and be your best friend."

"Let's change the topic," Steve said. "Did you happen to see anything in your reading?"

Natasha shrugged going back to her working mode. "Nothing but fucked up things," She answered. She took a sip of her wine then shrugged. "Well, that and… This Hydra? What's normally their goal?"

"Destruction," Steve answered. "They want to destroy all forms of government."

"Hmm," Natasha went back to her work. "Well, these men or this cell. They don't seem to be going just for destruction. Destroying the hospitals and the orphanage." She shrugged. "That's normal, right?" Everyone looked to Steve who nodded. "Then why did they go after the agent's families? Most of the agents found dead but some of them had to watch them die or be tortured. That isn't chaos and destruction." She looked up form the gruesome pictures. "That's not their normal MO. I don't think this is a normal Hydra cell. Maybe it's a fraction that split off but this?" She held up the picture of the staged corpses of a family. "This is personal."

The men looked once more to Steve who was leaned back. "She's right." He nodded. "I saw that too. But without knowing the men who we are after, we can't find out why they are after Sheild personally."

"Where the hell did you learn to spot that, Red?" Tony asked.

She shrugged with a slight smile. "I like crime dramas."

"Crime dramas?" Clint asked from the corner, another beer in his hands. "Really?"

She shrugged downing her drink. "Well, I don't know about you boys, but I'm going to try and get as much sleep as I can between all the nightmares I'll have from this case." She stood, taking her drink to the cart. "Good night men."

Natasha jolted awake out of a nightmare to a clattering in the kitchen. She opted for her knife, walking down the steps stealthy in an old shirt she had stolen from Tony's drawer. She didn't particularly care for wearing his clothes, but it was loose and comproftable in the constant Florida heat and humidity. Her head peaked around the corner of the stairs to see two large shoulders picking up a broken plate. She lowered her knife, putting it back in her panties before walking forward. "Captain Rogers?"

He jumped, dropping the plate once more as he turned to see her. She saw his eyes wander for the fraction of a second before he locked eyes with her. "Miss. Rushman. I hope I didn't wake you."

"No," Natasha sighed bending over to help pick up the shards.

"Careful, ma'am, your feet are bare." He said holding his hand out.

"Thank you," She smiled. "I'll watch out." She held his hand as she tip-toed to the counter, hopping up as he went back to cleaning. "I wasn't asleep. When you work for Tony you learn to sleep light. Then when you read what we did," She shook her head, puffing out her cheeks as she sighed. "Sleep eludes you."

"I'm sorry about that," He huffed standing up. "I wish you didn't have to see that. I wish no one had to see that."

"I do as well," She said sliding off the counter. "Which is why we will catch those Hydra Scum."

He looked her up and down as she threw the dishes away. Hydra Scum was a term he had only heard Shield Agents use while in battle talk. "Yeah," He nodded. "We will." He pulled two cold water bottles out of the fridge holding one out to her. "So, how did you start working for Tony?"

"I was supposed to be working for Pepper," She laughed lightly at the memory. "But then Tony saw me and," She shrugged. "He pays better."

"I'm sure he does," Steve laughed.

"Besides," Natasha looked around the kitchen. "Tony… Mr. Stark. He needs someone, you know. When Pepper left him, that's the worst I've seen him. Worst than when he was almost dead from the reactor poisoning. Tony needs something, some reason to fight to keep going. Right now that reason just so happens to be pissing me off."

"And you're okay with that?" Steve asked.

"For now," She nodded. "What about you, Captain America?" She cocked her head to the side. "What's keeping you going right now?"

Steve looked at a lost for words making him take a sip of water. "I'm not sure right now ma'am."

"Just going through the motions," She nodded. "I've been there." Steve cpuld only nod. "If you ever need someone to piss off, let me know, I come with great recommendations."

"Oh yeah?" He laughed.

"Yes, according to Stark it's fun to find new ways to make me want to kill him," She smiled at him. "To add to that, I make a killer martini."

"I'll keep you in mind then," He smiled, blushing lightly.

"Be sure," She said drinking her water as she walked. "Thanks for the hydration by the way Cap."