Prompt #2 – Hello
Darcy Lewis/Steve Rogers
Rating: G
It's rare for Nick Fury to descend on Stark Tower. He's a beck and call sort of man, one used to hearing how high when he shouts jump.
Natasha watches from the sidelines as he works the room, studying every move and weighing the man's words. While he gives her no reason to suspect that anything is amiss, she can't shake the feeling that there is a hidden motive somewhere – no, she knows there is, she just doesn't know what, or why.
It takes most of the day for her to suss out the real deal, and when the moment of truth comes, it's brief, but agonizingly obvious. The director and his new right hand are exiting the building just as Steve Rogers enters. He's with Darcy Lewis, and they are laughing and holding hands. It's the type of Hallmark moment that companies pay a fortune to recreate, even though the consistently fail to capture the magic of a smile that starts from the inside.
The Director intercepts Steve, and his hand extended in greeting. "Captain," he says, sounding almost jovial. "Just in time. I've spent the day here with Agent 13 – she's the team's new liaison."
He turns to the side, making space for the petite blonde agent to step forward. For the bulk of the day, Natasha's felt sorry for the woman. She'll never fill Coulson's shoes, and it's apparent that she knows that.
"Hello, Captain Rogers. I'm looking forward to working with you," Agent 13 says. "And please, call me Sharon." Following the Director's lead, she extends her hand, waiting patiently for Steve to respond.
That's when it all goes south. The Steve that Natasha knows is an affable man, quick to greet and engage, but not today. He stares down at the woman his eyes wide and full of a strange mix that's half wonder, half agony.
All eyes in the building are on this awkward exchange, all eyes but Natasha's. She's shifted her attention to Steve's left, to the fiery brunette who's pulled him out of his shell and given him a reason to engage. No one's paying attention to Darcy, but that doesn't mean she's oblivious to what's going on around her. Even more surprising is the way the woman is handling it. Instead of letting go or pulling away, she keeps a firm, but not too tight, grip on Steve's hand. Her smile is polite, but direct, and when she glances at Natasha, it's abundantly clear just exactly what the intrepid Miss Lewis is thinking.
Director Fury has more of a fight on his hands than he realizes, Natasha thinks. Good for you, Darcy Lewis. You never go down without a fight.