Orion licked at Ackerly's dangling hand and Barton shoved her shoulder. "Hey doc, we're here." He said a bit too loud for Ackerly's taste.
Ackerly groaned and blinked up at Barton. "Ok." She unbuckled herself from her seat and stood onto shaky legs. She stifled a yawn and rubbed her eyes. "Smooth ride." She commented slinging her bag over her shoulder.
"We had some turbulence a few hours in but you slept like a log." Barton said with a cheeky grin. Ackerly rolled her eyes at him with a small smile. "Orion sat up front with me for a bit during it. But he was fine in the end."
"That's good." Ackerly said. She bent down and fussed Orion's head. "You were good up there I hear?" Orion wagged his tail faster and looked as if he was nodding his head. "You're a very good dog, Orion. I'll give you a treat once we've settled in." Orion barked happily and nuzzled her chest. Ackerly chuckled.
"Follow me." Barton said. He opened the ramp of the jet and the three of them strolled out onto the landing strip. Orion followed at Ackerly's heels as they stepped onto the Helicarrier.
An agent in a black suit and tie hurried towards them with purpose. Once the agent reached them she smiled, "Doctor Ackerly welcome back. You too Orion." The dog's ears perked up when he heard this name.
"Hello Teagan." Ackerly said. The two women shook hands.
Teagan Meyer turned to Barton. "Agent Romanoff wants to see you." Clint nodded. "Now." She added.
"Oh! Right." Barton quickly said. He said goodbye to the agents and Orion and hurried into the main section of the Helicarrier.
"So what are you having me do?" Ackerly asked Meyer as they walked towards the entrance leading into the Helicarrier.
"Well first things first is that you and Orion are gonna settle into your quarters and then Fury will talk to you at 1000 hours, so it'll give you time for some extra rest."
Ackerly smiled, "Thank you."
"You're welcome. And don't worry, Orion will be looked after as usual."
The three of them entered the Helicarrier and headed to crew quarters. They passed quite a few agents who wanted to pet Orion and offer to look after him while Ackerly was busy and others who wanted to speak with her about suggestions new S.H.I.E.L.D. tech.
"D'you know why Fury wants me?" Ackerly asked as they descended a flight of stairs. "Coulson didn't tell me anything."
Meyer nodded, "I do. And I think you'll enjoy it. But, as usual, I can't say anything until you've spoken with Director Fury."
Ackerly sighed but understood why she had to be kept in the dark. Rules. She never liked them much but they were always there for a reason. To protect people mostly. Especially in S.H.I.E.L.D. anyway.
Ackerly, Meyer and Orion walked down the corridor and turned left at the end. The reached Ackerly's room and she swiped her ID at the device on the door to open it. The room was in the same state she left it. The bed was made to a military standard and the floor was free of any clutter. The handful of family photos she had where still on the shelves and desk. Ackerly and Orion stepped in while Meyer stood in the doorway. Orion immediately jumped onto the bed and stretched the length of the bed.
"I'll see you in a couple hours, doc." Meyer uttered.
"Ok, bye." Ackerly half smiled. Meyer left and the door closed automatically. Gabriella groaned tiredly and tossed her bag onto the floor beside the bed. She collapsed body first onto the soft mattress. Orion jumped a little before settling himself back down. Ackerly kicked off her boots and yanked off her jacket. She pulled the covers out from under her and slid into bed. She fell asleep to the quiet hum of the Helicarrier.
Just as Meyer had said a couple hours passed and it was now 0955 hours. Meyer knocked loudly on Ackerly's door jolting her from her peaceful sleep. "Wake up, doc. You've got five minutes until Director Fury wants to see you."
"Five minutes..." Ackerly muttered tiredly. Her eyes snapped open, "Five minutes!" She threw the bed sheets off herself covering the shocked collie and jumped out of bed. She had planned to take a shower before meeting with Fury but quickly decided to get changed in record time.
Meyer leaned against the wall waiting for Ackerly to be finished. She heard the doctor grumble to herself about something then nothing. The door slid open and Ackerly stepped out. She wore a suit without the jacket and a white lab coat. "Ready?" The younger of the two asked.
"Let's go." Ackerly said. Orion was to stay in her room and be feed by an automatic feeder. He already had a fresh bowl of water and he'd go to the bathroom in an automatically cleaning litter tray.
The two women hurried down the corridors and up elevators to get to Fury's office. "How was your nap?" Meyer asked as they walked along a busy corridor near the Director's office.
"It was good... Then you woke me up." Ackerly told her.
Meyer chuckled, "Well I was initially going to let you wake up yourself and find your own way there but time ticked by and you hadn't left so I decided wake you up myself."
"Should've let me sleep."
Meyer laughed again. "Fury would've liked it."
"Eh." Ackerly mumbled.
The two continued down the corridor until they reached Fury's office. "This is the end of the line for me." Meyer said. She knocked on the door for Ackerly, "See ya." and the woman left.
"Come in." Fury called.