A/N: Sorry for all of these annoying author's notes but I just wanted to let you know that I made a book trailer for this story. I made it for fun, I really like being creative with computer programs and also sifting through a bunch of Marvel movie scenes is definitely a plus. I'm not sure how good it is, it's difficult to get the scenes I need because obviously the events of my story haven't happened in the movie-verse but I figured it'd be a fun little thing to try. So if you're interested, the url to the video is in my profile, unfortunately it doesn't want to show up here. And of course it's not required that you look at it, like I said it was just for fun really. Anyways, let's just get back to the story.
"Sit your asses down." Fury commanded harshly as he took his place at the head of the table, but instead of taking a seat, he shoved the chair out of the way and stood with his hands on the table.
Steve, Natasha and even Tony followed this order, though he made a show of it with an exaggerated sigh.
Fury glowered across the table at the five Avengers. Nick Fury was constantly an intimidating man, even to superheroes (whether or not they would admit it), but standing there with his one eye narrowed and a scowl on his face, he was particularly threatening.
Suddenly all of the previous anger drained out of Steve, leaving him feeling tired and ashamed of himself. He had allowed himself to get out of hand, to get into yet another argument with Tony Stark. Instead of ignoring Tony, Steve had given in to the taunting, wasting time that should have been spent planning for their attack on HYDRA.
"I give you a job, I ask you to make a plan and I trust that five grown adults can handle it. Then I have to hear from an agent that there's yelling coming out of the conference room. I show up and find you all bickering like goddamn children." Fury said with disgust, his expression showing this feeling.
"To be fair, I wouldn't consider Rogers a 'grown adult'." Tony said with a tilt of the head and a shrug.
Five minutes earlier this might have enraged Steve, but now he just shook his head and waited for Fury's anger to come crashing around Tony.
"I could have you decommissioned." Fury growled, turning his attention to Tony.
Tony didn't look the least bit intimidated, whether or not that was an act, Steve couldn't tell. But Steve knew Tony would never allow himself to look weak, and in order to do that Tony would be as blatantly arrogant as possible.
"Well I'm sure I could find work elsewhere." Tony answered.
"I am the only thing preventing the Department of Defense from ripping the Iron Man armor out of your hands Stark. If it weren't for me, Iron Man would belong to the U.S. government." Fury told Tony fiercely. "Were I to give the say so, you would never see a piece of Iron Man armor again."
Tony looked briefly surprised by this, but quickly replaced this look with a smirk. "That wouldn't be too wise on your part Nicky, the world needs me."
Fury shook his head, "The world needs Iron Man, not you. Rhodes is proof that the armor can work just fine with someone else inside of it." He said severely.
Tony for once didn't seem to know how to respond, though he didn't look as if he had been thrown off balance, he only scowled across the table at Fury.
Fury turned his attention to all of the Avengers. "I called in the Avengers because I need professionals, I need people that can work together and get things done. I need to know if you can handle this, otherwise I'll have to find someone else." He said seriously.
Steve shared glances with the other Avengers, though he avoided Tony's eyes because though he had cooled down, Steve still hated him. Natasha gave him a slow and meaningful nod, Bruce wore a look of uncertainty and Clint offered a very small and barely noticeable shrug as if saying 'why not give it a shot'. This would have to be like last time, they would have to pull themselves together, this time without Coulson's death to spur them into action.
At this point Steve almost forgot he wasn't a super soldier, he felt ready to grab his shield and charge into HYDRA's base. Then he remembered that that wouldn't be possible, he wouldn't be storming a HYDRA base like the good old days. Steve would be hanging back, resting and waiting for the blood, plasma and cerebrospinal fluid test results while the other Avengers took on HYDRA. A wave of disappointment rolled over Steve, he would be stuck in the SHIELD base until Bruce figured out what was wrong with him and how to fix it.
"If you aren't ready by the time my agent in Russia reports back, then the Avengers are out." Fury announced.
Steve wondered who Fury would go to if not the Avengers. Likely he would just have to send a team of agents in.
Fury took his hands off of the table and straightened up. He gave Tony one last threatening look before walking out of the room, leaving the five heroes alone together once again.
The all sat in an awkward silence for several uncomfortable moments before Bruce, who had remained mostly silent the whole time finally spoke up. "So...that was-uh...fun..." He trailed off.
Natasha shook her head. "Fury's right, we have to get it together." She said seriously.
Steve nodded in agreement. Even if he wouldn't actually be able to be a part of the fight against HYDRA, if he was going to help them come up with a plan he couldn't be getting into arguments with Tony.
"Can we all just forget about all the reasons we hate each other for a couple of days?" Clint asked with a quirked brow.
"Might be difficult..." Tony said.
"Tony." Natasha said warningly.
"Well I won't make any promises." Tony responded, which Natasha seemed to figure would be the best response she would get out of Tony Stark.
"Well then", Clint said as he clapped his hands together, "Let's make a plan."
