Little Bird's Vengeance Chapter 41 Arguments Without End...
For once, Fury had left the Helicarrier. But since no-one could quite agree who should be on the Quinjet with Red Hood (Red Robin and the Titans refusing to let Romanov or Barton accompany him; Barton and Romanov refusing to let him out of their sight), Fury had come down from on high to deal with the latest problem.
"What happened this time?" the Director asked, folding his arms irritatedly.
"Your agents tried to sedate us; we defended ourselves," Red Robin replied from where he was sat on the edge of the bar his brother leant against. The largest of the Titans, Superboy, was glaring at Barton and Romanov across the room. It was fairly clear that the previously well-integrated group had split into two groups again.
"Barton; Romanov; what happened?" Fury turned to his people.
"Red Hood was unwilling to leave Red Robin's company, and likewise refused to use a recognizable language," Romanov reported neutrally. "We determined that the best way to carry out your instructions was to separate them. Unfortunately that did not go as planned."
"You ambushed us while we were asleep," Red Hood accused.
"Didn't you try that before?" Superboy asked snarkily.
"Ehm, if you're just going to argue about something we slept through, can we head back to the lab?" Stark asked. "'Cause, you know, rewriting the laws of physics here."
"Fine, but your guests stay," Fury permitted. "I don't mean you, Dr Foster, Miss Lewis; feel free to leave."
"Thank you, Director," Foster answered, rising and leading her intern, Banner and Stark out of the penthouse living room.
Thor glanced after them, then back at the Titans, before evidently deciding to stay. Rogers and Rhodes straightened a bit closer to attention. Kid Flash flickered, and acquired a bucket of popcorn, which Wonder Girl helped herself to.
"Red Robin," Fury started. "What has got you so defensive?"
"We're always defensive," Red Robin shrugged. "Red Hood came to my room last night because he suspected your people may try to take him while he was asleep. Seeing as this suspicion proved accurate, I'd say we're appropriately defensive."
"Red, hate to tell you this, but if you keep siding with Hood, we're just not going to trust you," Barton shot back. "And if you're going to refuse to speak English, how are we meant to know whether or not you're going against us?"
"How about not giving us a reason to go against you?" Red Hood retorted.
"What do you consider a reason to go against you?" Fury asked.
"Trying to kill me; attacking me; committing most crimes; trying to take my freedom," Red Hood shrugged. "It's not that hard. I don't even have to stick around and irritate you people."
"And we don't trust your conduct," Fury parried. "You're a known killer. You're a loose cannon. You fought with the one person who has steadfastly defended you. How am I meant to trust that we won't have to take you out next week?"
Red Hood surged forwards and moved to stand directly in front Fury. "What is it you don't trust about me?" he asked. "That I kill? My choice in targets? Or is it simply that you don't control me?"
Red Hood's eyes bored into the Director's single orb, looking for the slightest indication that would betray Fury's thoughts. He apparently found what he was looking for, because he nodded, a satisfied smirk coming to his lips.
"Yeah, I thought so," he said. "You can't control me, so you don't trust me. Yeah, you won't control me. Doesn't mean I'll target you. Get over it."
"And can I protect my interests if you're running around like a maverick?" Fury demanded.
"You could try asking nicely if I'll keep away from such and such," Red Hood said condescendingly.
"Hood," Red Robin said sharply. The younger Red hopped down from the bar and glided over to his brother, who stepped back a little. The two whispered in their unknown language for a few minutes.
"Do you know what that is?" Fury asked, directing the question to the other Titans.
"Yup," Superboy nodded.
"And would you care to share?"
"Hell, no," all three chorused. Fury stared at them.
"Most people don't make the mistake of irritating Bats more than once," Wonder Girl explained.
Barton scoffed. "And telling us what language they're speaking will irritate them?"
"Not risking it," Superboy said, shaking his head.
"Got your metas well-trained," Red Hood smirked. Red Robin rolled his eyes.
"If you two are finished?" Fury asked the Reds.
"We're willing to give SHIELD a heads-up on every operation we conduct, and to back off if you give us a valid reason to do so," Red Robin offered. "Patrol may be a bit more complicated, so we'd appreciate it if you could keep us up to date on anything you have going on New York."
"And I'll only use lethal force if you permit it," Red Hood finished.
"And we'll stop knocking out your agents," Red Robin confirmed.
"Unless they attack first," Red Hood contradicted.
"It was really their fault for trying to take us while we were asleep again," Red Robin added.
"As reassuring as that may be, you must understand that I have to place the welfare of my people and my objectives first," Fury stated.
"And I have to put the welfare of my family first," Red Robin retorted. "That's him. And then the Titans. That priority changes in certain situations, but generally, I have to look after my own. How is that any different to you?"
Fury sighed heavily. "Can you keep him under control?"
Red Robin glanced at Red Hood. Red Hood frowned, and jerked his head. Red Robin turned back to Fury. "We've reached an agreement. Any problems between us, are between us."
"Then you won't mind if I have my people supervise him?" Fury asked.
"Not on patrol," Red Hood said instantly. "Patrol with an inexperienced straggler is worse than no patrol."
"What we do is very different to what your agents do," Red Robin clarified. "I could train Barton and Romanov and Rogers, but that'll take time and even then, we'd want Red Hood be leading it."
"I've been doing this for years," Red Hood said curtly. "I know what I'm doing, and I don't have patience for a bunch of trainees who think they already know everything."
"Fine. You can supervise him on patrol," Fury allowed. "But not every night, I want an itinerary of what you plan and where you're going before you set out, and my people supervising him all other times."
"Even in the shower?" Kid Flash suggested.
Fury ignored him.
AN: Lookie lookie! Normal update time!
Most of the comments I received were along the lines of "what on Earth were SHIELD thinking?" I think that question is now answered.
Next week we get to see just how well Jay can cope with living with other people. Now taking bets on how many explosions he causes.
Also this week, some more Family Ties. It's reached the point of wrapping up loose ends before the big finale, so there'll be more next week.
Please review. I love you all.
Katara