Sorry again for the long break, work and real life was a little too much and I simply didn't have time to write but it has now quieted down a little.

Furthermore I have now my vacation, so with a little luck you get the next update a little faster.

Chapter 9

Coulson watched how alert Captain Lance watched her surroundings and how she moved, she had clearly the same kind of training as Natasha and Clint.

But to be fair, Clint had never gotten any regular training, all his skills he had acquired the hard way and sometimes Coulson wondered how good Clint would be if he had gotten the same training as Natasha, not that he would wish this kind of training on anyone.

He was curious how she would react to Fury. You could learn much about people in the way they reacted to him. It was a secret hobby of him to be present when new people met Fury, the range of the reactions was from hilarious to downright intimidated.

However, Barton's first interaction with Fury would always be his favourite. He had asked if the coat was a component of the uniforms of SHIELD and as Fury denied that, he said, well, rank certainly seems to have cool privileges by SHIELD and how much time it would take for him to get the same privileges. At the impressive glare from Fury Barton had only shrugged and asked for the name of Fury's tailor to get a leather coat like this. Fury how ewer couldn't fool Coulson who had seen the twitch of Fury's mouth and knew his friend too well to not know that Fury was secretly delighted.

"This ship is impressive. I would never have thought that it is possible to get a ship of this weight and size in the air", said Nate excited.

"Thank you, Mr. Heywood, it was certainly a challenge." Coulson smiled at the enthusiastic historian, he liked the man, in some ways he reminded him of Steve Rogers.

Sara smiled too, this trip was a highlight for Nate, a complete new history to learn and superheroes who defended Earth against an Alien Invasion. She had to admit, she liked the trip too, it was so enjoyable to meet an organisation who didn't want to kill them on first sight and who tried to be friendly.

To meet Coulson in person only solidified the impression she had won from him during their first brief conversation. He looked with his suit like a paper-pusher and an accountant but Sara had felt the calluses on his hand that came from holding a gun and had seen the old knuckles injuries that told her he could fight hand to hand as well.

Everything about him said forget me, overlook me, ignore me and Sara admired the camouflage this man could so effortlessly pull off. Sometimes she wished some members of her crew could be so inconspicuous too. To underestimate Coulson would be the greatest mistake an enemy would ever make.

And there was another thing too. Every member of the crew was on high alert, certainly a remnant from the invasion und every time when someone met them in the corridor and recognized them as strangers, roamed the hand of this person to their gun until they saw Coulson, then they relaxed promptly. Their respect for him was clearly visible.

They walked ca. 10 minutes through the ship but Sara was convinced that there was a much faster way. She really liked that about SHIELD, they tried to be friendly but took precautions too.

Finally, they came to a door with two soldiers in black uniforms, who didn't relax as they saw Coulson.

Coulson nodded at them. "Stand down, Director Fury awaits us."

"One moment please, Agent Coulson", replied the older black man, who was really huge. He murmured in his walkie-talkie and whatever he heard as answer let him relax. "You and the visitors can come in." He and his colleagues stood aside.

"Thank you, agents." Coulson opened the door and walked through, Sara and Nate followed him.

Behind the door waited an older man with an eyepatch and a black leather coat. There was intelligence and cunning in his remaining eye. "Welcome to our earth, Captain Lance, Mr. Heyworth. I am Nick Fury, the director of SHIELD." He reached out with his hand.

"Thank you, Director Fury, especially for your friendly reception; we are really not used to that." Sara took the hand and looked Fury in the eyes. "Wow, Agent Barton certainly not exaggerated."

Fury glared. "What did he say?"

"That you don't do inconspicuous", replied Sara.

Coulson chuckled. "Trust Barton to find the right words."

Fury sighed. "Please, take a seat, Captain Lance, Mr. Heywood. You too, Coulson." He looked at the escort who had followed them in. "You can go. When Agent Romanov and Barton come from their examination they can come in."

"Yes, sir." The men saluted and left the room.

"The room was a little too crowded for my taste." Fury looked her in the eyes. "And I don't think that I am in danger from you."

"I thought you would have to wait for the results of the examinations."

"I got the results; Agent Romanov and Barton are alright and not compromised. They are on the way to us. Let us wait until they are here. Would you like something to eat or drink?"

"A cup of coffee would be nice", answered Nate shyly, he found Fury's presence very intimidating even though he had powers of his own.

"Captain Lance?" asked Coulson.

"Yes, thank you."

Coulson stood up and took a tray with a thermos and cups from a sideboard. "Boss?"

"Yes, please." Fury waited until everyone had a cup of coffee before he took the first sip and grimaced.

Sara smiled at him and took a sip too. It was good coffee. "Not a coffee drinker, are you?"

"I prefer tea but don't tell anyone."

"Yes it would be bad for his reputation", agreed Coulson solemnly.

"Very funny, Cheese."

"You don't need to drink the coffee on my account but thank you for the nice gesture", said Sara smiling.

"It is my pleasure."

The next 15 minutes Sara and Nate told a little about their earth, pretty much what they had already told Natasha and Clint.

Then there was a polite knock on the door.

"Come in, Agent Romanov", said Fury loudly. The door opened and Natasha and Clint entered the door.

"How did you know, it was Agent Romanov?" asked Nate curious.

"Agent Barton doesn't knock", answered Fury grumpily.

"Never?"

"Never", confirmed Coulson with a smirk. "If Barton would ever knock, it would be a very bad sign and I would shoot him on sight."

"That is not nice, you wound me, boss", said Barton and pouted overstated.

"I doubt it", replied Coulson deadpan.

"Take a cup too if you want and sit down, we have to talk, Agents", stopped Fury the banter.

"Yes sir", answered Romanov and Barton simultaneously, their respect was clearly to see.