H is for Hooker

"You're not bait," Steve assured her. Fury shifted and glanced at him, but stayed quiet when he met several sets of rebellious eyes.

Darcy's lips twitched as she took in the various expressions around the table. The men and Jane glared at Fury while Pepper and Natasha both wore cool, challenging looks. Her gaze met Coulson's, and his eyebrow twitched. She had to look down and repress a giggle. Apparently he found it as funny as she did.

Fury's reaction to the next comment nearly did make her laugh.

"Of course she's not bait," Hill bit out. When Fury's eye widened and he stared at her in shock, Hill just shrugged. "That would mean I'd have to go back to helping handle this team."

Fury just looked resigned, but leaned back. "It would have been-"

"She's not a two-bit hooker you can pimp out!" Jane exclaimed. She clamped a hand over her mouth in shock at her own words.

Darcy lost the battle at that point, the laughter simply rolling out of her. It was infectious, soon spreading to the rest of the team. Hill's lips twitched, while Coulson clearly repressed a smile. Fury sighed, crossing his arms over his chest. "Whenever you lot are finished?"

It took them several minutes, but they finally returned to some form of control. Steve gave her a smile before facing Fury. "She's not playing bait for you. We'll find some other way to figure out who's behind this."

"We've got several leads from the base already," Coulson nodded. "At the moment, the analysts are leaning towards Hydra."

"Yes, of course," Bucky muttered. "Isn't it always?" He exchanged a weary glance with Steve before turning back to the table. "Anything from the wacky doc yet?"

"Doctor Harland," Hill started, and then paused as Darcy tensed. After a moment she began again. "He is currently not saying anything. He simply sits there until it is time to return to his cell."

"He won't," Darcy noted, her eyes roving the team, taking comfort in their presence. "He's cold, calculating. He's figured out there are lines you won't cross and he'll make you push those."

Coulson's eyes narrowed. "Are you certain?"

"Oh, yeah," she replied, looked at him. "Even if you cross the line, he'll consider it a win."

"It's an experiment for him now," Natasha stated, not really asking.

Darcy nodded anyway. Silence fell over the table.

"Let me and Widow have a go," Bucky remarked suddenly. Everyone looked at him and he shrugged. "We have an entirely different set of lines. He won't expect us."

Darcy started to shake her head. "Bucky-"

"Look, Doll," he interrupted. "We probably won't have to go anywhere near those lines. A lot of interrogation is in the perception. You said he knew who I was?" He waited for her nod before continuing. "If he knows me, he knows Widow. He'll have some idea of our background, and his perception of what he's facing is going to have to change entirely."

"He'll be on edge," Natasha agreed. "He won't know whether we will stay within SHIELD's parameters, or our own."

Darcy glanced around the room. Steve, Bruce, Jane, and Pepper looked uneasy, while Tony just shrugged. Clint, Thor, and the SHIELD bosses were all nodding. She bit her lip, but stated with cool authority. "I don't like this."

"Noted," Fury acknowledged. He spared her an amused glance. "However, Agents Romanoff and Barnes are still under SHIELD's aegis, so your objection is overruled. We'll give it a try tomorrow." He nodded to the two new interrogators. "Pick your time tomorrow and we'll have him ready for you."

With that, Fury led Hill and Coulson out of the tower. The team stayed put.

"Darcy-" Steve started.

"I know," she interrupted. "I know – extra security, don't go anywhere alone, and stay in touch with JARVIS at all times." She slumped back in the chair, but shifted as the ache set in. "All I wanted was a damn mocha."

"We can do those here," Tony frowned at her.

"It's a spice mocha," she answered, pointing at him in emphasis. "Limited flavor run and won't be back until next year." He opened his mouth, but she cut him off. "Next year, Tony."

He rolled his eyes. "JARVIS, track down the flavoring. Get a supply." She blinked in surprise. He pointed to himself. "Billionaire, Miss Stacked, billionaire."

"Pain in the ass, Mr. Ego," she shot back.

"That too," he shrugged.

"Oh, lovely," Pepper commented. "We're practically back to normal."