Little Bird's Vengeance Chapter 51 Others, Part 2
Nick Fury watched the two agents before him. With certain of his agents, including these two, briefs and debriefs were almost tests of will. Romanov and Barton were fantastic field agents, but they weren't the best co-ordinators. Fury was; but his field skills were rusty, he was physically past his best, and he'd never quite mastered putting on a false persona anyway. That wasn't to say keeping secrets didn't come naturally.
"The tensions between Thor and Dr Foster has calmed down," Barton started, breaking the silence. "And Drs Banner and Ross seem to be enjoying each others' company. I understand we have Red Robin to that for both."
"Is Dr Ross fitting in and contributing to the research?" Fury asked.
"Definitely, and maybe," Romanov answered. "She's getting along well with Dr Foster, Miss Potts and Miss Lewis, and generally keeping out of everyone else's way, although I believe Stark is pleased with her grasp of the witty comeback. There have been no complaints about the progress of the research, but I don't understand enough of it to know what they're up to."
"And Colonel Rhodes?" Fury queried.
"Sticks with Stark and Potts, and Rogers to a lesser degree," Barton shrugged. "He's just going with the flow, but if he ever gets disillusioned with the US Army, I'd recommend recruiting him."
"Noted," Fury nodded. He'd had the same thought himself, but it was good to hear it confirmed. "And the others? Start with Kid Flash."
"He's quite easy to understand," Romanov started. "He's fast, and that's the extent of his power. He's learned, or been taught how to use that. He's eager to please but impulsive. He follows his teammates' lead, and doesn't mind letting them tell him what to do."
"Superboy?"
"Typical teenager," Barton categorized. "He just happens to have enough power in his pinky finger to conquer the world."
"You're exaggerating," Romanov chided. "He'd need more than just a finger." She turned to Fury. "Super speed, super strength, unaided flight, bulletproof skin, x-ray vision, laser vision, super acute hearing. Possibly other abilities. He's dating Wonder Girl, but doesn't seem to mind letting her give the commands, or Red Robin."
"And Wonder Girl?" Fury prompted. So far he hadn't heard much he didn't already know/
"She says she's the daughter of Zeus," Barton sighed. "Can't exactly say whether or not that's true, but it's hardly impossible. Speed, strength, flight, improved hearing and vision. That lasso of hers delivers electric shocks, and her bracelets reflect bullets."
"She and Thor want to test their abilities against each other," Romanov commented neutrally.
"They're not going to start fighting in the middle of New York, are they?" Fury sighed.
"No, I suspect they'll find somewhere with less people and property that can be damaged."
"Good. And the Reds." Fury watched his agents expectantly.
They both started looking weary. "Red Robin did us a favour when he turned down your employment offer," Romanov started. "He'd have resigned on the spot the moment you threatened Red Hood. The only real difference between his actions now and his actions previously is that now he's protecting Hood. I'm honestly not sure why. He says they're brothers, but they don't look it, and they're operating under an uneasy truce at best. I'd like to run a DNA test on them both. I suspect that they are not actually related. If we can prove that, Red Robin would most likely abandon his protection of Hood, and we can take him into custody. I'd suggest keeping him safe somewhere, and let Red Robin take him home."
Fury nodded slowly. He doubted it would work. After all, if Red Robin was adopted, there was no guarantee there was a blood relationship, and if that was the case, the teen knew that full well already. He'd no doubt recognise the attempt to manipulate him into letting the situation return to SHIELD's control. Which would hopefully prompt him into negotiating a little more, and maybe even reveal the reasons why he allowed Red Hood so much leeway.
"Do it," he ordered.
Jane was enjoying showing Betty all the research they'd gathered so far. The other scientist was certainly enthusiastic, but with her different field of expertise, there was a lot of explaining going on.
"Now we've business done, tell me, Jane, what's it like, knowing you're dating a superhero?" Betty giggled.
"Don't you know?" Jane asked. "I mean, how long have you and Bruce been an item?"
"We've been…kinda off since the accident," Betty sighed. "I mean, he's been on the run from the military, and when it's my dad who's in charge of that, it's just awkward."
"You can try again now, though," Jane said philosophically. "Neither of you have to worry about the army any more, and Bruce has a safe place to settle down now."
"I know, but…" Betty hesitated. "I'm worried about…Hulk. Not that he'll hurt me, I know I'm safe, but that Bruce will be stupid and noble, and refuse to get close to me just in case."
"Must be a man thing," Jane laughed. "Thor had a pretty similar attitude. Wouldn't let me do anything in case I got hurt. 'Cause by his standards, all humans are weak and fragile. And compared to Hulk, aren't we all terribly breakable?"
"You saying we should let our menfolk push aside for our own good?" Betty asked, affronted.
Jane smiled. She'd had the same reaction when Red Robin pointed out exactly the same point to her. "No, but we should understand that they have a point, and come at them from that direction. Sneak attack from behind, not full frontal assault. Worked on Thor."
"What did you tell him?" Betty asked, intrigued.
"That it was my decision how much danger to put myself in," Jane said simply. "That it would hurt me more if he tried to 'protect' me, and if he valued me, then he'd let me make that call myself."
"I'll try that," Betty sighed.
"Good," Jane smiled. "Now, how about a double-lunch-date?"
AN: This is still the same day as the last two chapters. They'll move on. Eventually.
Also updating now: Wayne's Boys: Jason and the Argonauts. Updating next week, more of both stories.
Please review!
Katara