Chapter Ten
Clint squeezed Zoë's hand as they walked into the Shawarma shop. The employees were busy cleaning, not paying much attention to them. Natasha, Thor, and Bruce were already sitting around a table, Steve pulling up more chairs.
"What do you want, Z?" Clint asked, pulling out his wallet.
"Did you have your wallet with you the entire battle?" she questioned.
"Of course," he blinked. "Always gotta care my ID." She smiled with a small shake of her head, kissing his cheek. "Your order, love?"
She glanced up at the menu.
"New York's tastiest, I guess?" she said. It was a chicken wrap with garlic spread coconut yogurt-tahini sauce and pickled veggies.
"Mmm, sounds good." He stepped up to the counter, reciting their orders as Zoë settled into a chair beside Bruce.
"Hey, are you okay?" He was busy stuffing his face and hastily swallowed before answering.
"Always so hungry afterwards."
"I bet. Takes a lot of energy being strong." He smiled at her, taking another bite of his food.
Tony walked in a few minutes later, still wearing his suit.
"No Charlie?" Clint asked. He down beside Zoë, swinging a leg onto Natasha's chair.
"Nah, she's planning my demise at the moment."
"Ooooo, someone's sleeping on the couch," Natasha teased.
"She's not that mad," Zoë mumbled, taking a bite of her food. "If she was, Tony would be groveling right about now."
A burst of laughter echoed from the table. Tony rolled his eyes.
"Laugh it up now, Charlie will have a bone to pick with all of you when you're done." Natasha shook her head.
"Nah, Charlie loves me and Z."
"And me," Clint spoke up.
"Then the rest of you are dead," Tony said.
Thor frowned, "Must I be worried about someone?"
"Ah yes, my beautiful girlfriend—"
"The only person Tony is afraid of," Zoë chimed in.
From the other end of the table, Steve let out a tired chuckle.
"Tony? Afraid of the blonde lady? Really?"
"She's a force to be reckoned with," Natasha smirked. Clint leaned against Zoë, looking up at her.
"Ready to get outta here?" he murmured. She nodded, holding back a yawn. He stood, taking her hands to pull her to her feet.
"If you need us… don't," he said.
"Bye guys," Natasha said. "I'll hold off Fury for a while."
"Thanks Tasha," Zoë said. "Bye everyone." They waved goodbye as the couple left the shop.
They all joined up a few days later in Central Park, Zoë wearing a sling as she eyed Loki from a distance. He was gagged and chained, staring at the ground. Thor had a hand wrapped around his brother's forearm. Natasha had an arm slung around Zoë's shoulders, leaning against her fellow agent. They watched as Thor and Loki each took hold of the Tesseract, contained in a large container.
Nodding at everyone, Thor twisted the container. A blue beam engulfed them and within moments they were gone. Zoë's mouth dropped and she turned to look at Steve. The man out of time was equally confused and impressed.
"Magic," he mumbled. "What else have I missed?"
"A lot of things, Captain," Clint said. He nodded at the man, walking over to Steve's bike."Sweet ride," he whistled.
"Thanks," Steve grinned. "She's truly a beauty."
Tony walked over, holding out his hand to Clint and Zoë. They shook it and he held out a set of keys. He dropped them into Zoë's hand.
"What are these?" she asked suspiciously.
"Heard you wanted a vacation. Got a little place in the middle of nowhere if you wanna stay for a while." Zoë smiled. Somewhere in Tony was a heart and she was pleased to see it every once in a while. "Don't be a stranger, Agent Aetos."
"Never."
As everyone walked away, Clint peered down at Zoë.
"Well Z? Vacation?"
"I thought you promised a little something." He winked at her, looking at the black car S.H.I.E.L.D. had provided.
Zoë pulled her phone out of her pocket as it buzzed. She showed Clint a text.
"It's the address… looks like a lake house." He grinned, tossing the keys into the air. They were both ready for a time away from people, even if it was one of Tony's places.
"Wanna bet on how many women Tony's taken there?"
"Nah, probably none actually if he's offering it to us," she said, climbing into the car.
Clint pulled away from central park, reaching over to rest his hand on Zoë's thigh. She leaned back in her seat, closing her eyes. Clint smiled at her, squeezing her leg gently. She chuckled, moving her hand to slip her fingers into his.
The fight was over, but it wouldn't be for long. Whatever break Fury was giving them wouldn't last forever. Now there were hostile gods from other planets and Zoë was sure it wasn't the last time they would see Thor or his brother. Loki may be going to prison in Asgard, but the god of mischief didn't seem like the type of person to be kept captive for long.
Oh well, for now Zoë would relish in the short break she was getting. Time alone with Clint was few and far between. Maybe they should take a long case together. Sure, they'd be working, but at least they'd be together.
She opened her eyes, looking over at Clint as he got onto the highway.
"I'm your gentle agent?" she questioned. He gave her a side-eye.
"Excuse me?"
"That's what you call me?"
"Uh, yep."
"Why?" He lifted her hand to his mouth, kissing her knuckles.
"You, Zoë Laura Aetos, are the gentlest agent S.H.I.E.L.D. ever had." She bristled slightly.
"No… what about Reyes-Fitz?"
"Reyes-Fitz? The woman is ruthless. She would kill someone without blinking an eye. You, on the other hand, will find the diplomatic solution and almost never shoot to kill. Sometimes I think you're wasted in S.H.I.E.L.D. Should have become a politician."
At that, she laughed, shaking her head.
"Me? In politics? God, Fury would hate me."
"Nah, you'd be on S.H.I.E.L.D.'s side. He'd be endorsing you on the sidelines." She laughed again, Clint joining her.
~ ~ ~
Final Chapter. I did replace this one with the other chapter. I decided to make WINTER SOLIDER its own story.
Until that story is published, if anyone is wanting to learn about Sara Reyes-Fitz, her story is called:
Sara Reyes-Fitz: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Until next time!
-Amy Thorton
