Lil bit o drama :0 In about 2-3 chapters THE BIG THING is gonna go down...so excited I've had this part planned out for so long!
The elevator doors dinged open and Tina walked into the house, a little worried. It was unusually quiet.
"Hey, JARVIS?" she asked as she unpacked her bag.
"How may I help you?" the AI responded crisply.
"Who's home?"
"Mr. Stark and Dr. Banner are downstairs in the lab. Miss Romanoff and Mr. Barton left the tower at approximately eleven, however they did mention that they planned on being home about three minutes from now for lunch. Captain Rogers is in the gym sparring with…Mr. Thor."
"Thanks, J."
"Do you know which title our Asgardian guest prefers? Every time I ask he proceeds to hit things with that foul hammer…" JARVIS sounded a bit whiny.
"Title?" Tina asked as she wandered through the kitchen, "Well, he's a prince. So Prince Thor would probably work…his surname is Odinson if that helps you out."
"Thank you very much. However, if I may give you a suggestion? Take a few deep breaths before you go into the living room. Don't tell him I told you that, though."
Tina's eyebrows raised immediately in confusion and a bit of fear, but she nonetheless tiptoed into the living room.
He stood with his back to her, long black trench coat covering most of his body. But Tina immediately knew who it was. Around his shaved head she could see the strap of what could only be an eye patch. Her palms immediately began to sweat. She swallowed nervously, and he spun around.
"Christina Adams. Hello. I am Director Fury of SHIELD," he announced, holding out his hand for her to shake.
She obliged, noticing how large his hands were compared to her own, and feeling like there had to be more of a reason that he was there than he was revealing.
"Hi," she said meekly. "So…I guess Steve told you about me?"
"No," Fury said in his deep voice.
"I did," Clint said, stepping out from behind the bar, analyzing Tina with his steely gaze.
"He informed me that there was a civilian living in the Tower, and suggested that I personally inspect you to see if you were a liability," Fury finished.
Tina's eyes widened.
"A liability? No, I won't tell anybody a-anything," she stuttered, her shyness getting the better of her.
Fury barked a harsh laugh.
"Your word is endearing. But not legally binding. I need you to sign several documents and waivers right now. Swearing you to secrecy on pain of death, waivers allowing us to edit the coroner's report in case of accidental death, access to your legal papers, etc. Once you do, I'll be on my way and you can live with minimal security personnel watching your every move. If you don't, I will deport you to some foreign corner of hell where your dear Captain won't find you, or I can silence you more permanently. Either way, you'll never see any of these people again."
Tina stood a step back, eyes widened in fear. Accidental death? Deportation? Her lower lip trembled as she stood before him, completely cowed. Clint looked sideways at Fury.
"That's not what we discussed, Director," he said hesitantly.
Fury silenced him with a look. The elevator announced its arrival with another ding, and Thor and Steve walked out into the living room.
"Director Fury," Steve greeted him respectfully.
Fury continued to glare at Tina, clearly waiting for an answer. She felt like her knees were made of Jell-O, and was trying to resist the urge to hide behind Steve.
"I-I-I, um…" she almost whispered.
"Speak up!" he commanded, "Are you coming to sign these or not? I won't have you floating around this tower knowing things you shouldn't. I will not have the leader of this team unstable because of a foolish, lovesick child. Do you understand?"
"Hey!" Steve took a step in front of Tina. "Don't talk like that to her," he growled. He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her behind his body as if to shield her from the Director's glare.
"That was unnecessary, Director," Natasha said coolly.
"Lady Tina will not divulge the secrets of SHIELD," Thor added. "There is no need for her to swear oaths."
"And," Tony began as he strode out, "It's my house. And whoever I want can live here. You have absolutely no right to go kicking people out of my tower."
Fury lifted his chin in defiance.
"I can do whatever I see fit to ensure the safety of my agents and the security of classified information. I see that this girl is a liability. And I am going to correct that."
Steve's arm tightened around Tina.
"Like. Hell," he snarled through clenched teeth.
Fury and Steve were locked in a laser-like staring contest.
"Director, may I speak with you?" Natasha asked calmly. She got no reaction. "Privately?" she added forcefully.
Fury dragged his eye away from Steve and gave Natasha a curt nod. They both strode swiftly out onto the deck. The moment they left, Steve turned to face Tina and hugged her tightly. His countenance shifted instantly from anger and aggression to one of love and gentleness.
"I'm sorry," he said softly, "I didn't plan for this. I didn't think he'd come interfere here…this isn't his domain, I just thought he'd…I don't know…stay out."
Tina didn't say anything; she just held on, completely unsure of what she did to provoke Fury this way. Bruce hung in the background, burning a hole in Clint's head with his stare. Pepper wandered into the room, utterly confused.
"What fresh hell is this?" she asked.
Tony put his arm around her waist, but didn't answer, too focused on Bruce.
"What?" Clint snarled, bristling against the glaring scientist.
"Why did you have to do that?" Bruce demanded. "Why'd you go turn her in? What did she ever do to you? Nothing! She's done nothing but try to be your friend. So are you mad at Steve? Is that what this is?" The scientist shouted louder and louder, eyes beginning to tint green. "You're mad at a guy who spends his time taking care of you? You want him to be miserable? Is that it?"
"Bruce," Tony said, putting a calming hand on his shoulder.
Bruce shook himself and took a deep breath.
"No," he growled, storming to the 'fun house' where it was safe for him to become the Hulk. "We're supposed to be a team."
Tony put his hand on Bruce's shoulder and went with him, throwing a look over his shoulder at Clint. Pepper followed. Steve pulled Tina by the hand into his room. Clint stood alone in the middle of the floor, staring down at the ground. I was trying to protect Steve! To protect all of us…I've been trained that unknown=bad. I'm sorry…I'm just scared.
…
"I know 'unstable'," Natasha began, studying Fury's face, "I know what 'dangerous' and 'untrustworthy' are. I deal with them every day. I hardly trust anyone." She barked a laugh. "That's why I'm good at what I do. I can identify a liability to secrecy. I can spot a potential problem. This girl is not one. She's completely transparent. She couldn't lie if she tried. All she wants to do is be with Steve. She's good for him," the spy finished.
Fury cocked an eyebrow, and Natasha proceeded to tell him about Steve's night terror, and Tina's heroics.
"So he cares about her. And if she decides one day that she's done with him? Or dies? Then how 'good for him' is she?"
"She won't. You have no idea what she deals with for him," she said with conviction.
Fury narrowed his eye at her.
"If this becomes a problem, in any way…at all….It will be your duty to solve the problem. Captain's got to keep his head in the game. Tell him that if he can't do that, she can't stay. And she'd better keep her trap shut like you say she will."
…
Natasha and Fury re-entered the room. Fury gave Clint a brief nod and left the room.
"What'd you tell him?" Clint asked quietly.
The spy looked at him calmly.
"She's my friend, Clint. I have approximately seven friends in the world. I'm not about to lose one because you're paranoid."
Clint's shoulders slumped and he went back to staring at the floor. Natasha stood close to him and put one hand on his chest, the other cupping his face. "I know why you did it. You think I don't suspect everyone I meet of wanting to kill me? I do. But, I'm learning, honey. Sometimes you need to trust people. Just like I started trusting you, you need to trust others. Okay?"
Clint put his hand over hers, lacing their fingers together over his heartbeat.
"I'm sorry, Nat. I was sorry the minute he got here…he went to far…I just…I…"
Natasha smiled slightly and kissed him softly on the lips.
"I know. But it's not me who needs the apology."
…
Steve sat on the bed, wringing his hands. Although Tina was showering at the moment, he was still picturing her shaken face. He couldn't help but feel guilty. He was infuriated that Clint had brought the Director into this, but also thought that he should have expected it. He heard the shower shut off. Steve sighed and glanced at the clock. It was almost five-thirty, close to dinner time, but it would depend on how tired Bruce felt. The bathroom door clicked open. Steve opened the door hesitantly. Tina was standing in front of the mirror, slowly and methodically brushing out her wet hair. Her eyes looked red. Steve leaned his head against the doorframe, wishing the right words would come out.
"Does…" she began slowly, her voice still sounding rough, "Does anyone else want me gone?"
Steve stepped the rest of the way into the bathroom and wrapped his arms around her from behind.
"No. In complete honesty, I can tell you that no one wants you to leave. Clint…is a spy. That's his job and it's one that kind of takes over your personality to a degree. He's terrified of the unknown, unless he's allowed to shoot it. But if Natasha likes you, he'll come around. I promise."
Tina shook her head and turned to leave the room, but Steve lifted her up and sat her on the counter facing him. "I'm serious, Tina. Tony and Thor love you, Natasha loves you, and you saw how mad Bruce was at Clint for bringing Fury into this." Steve tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. "More importantly, though? I love you. Anyone that doesn't is just crazy. You're the sweetest little lady I've ever known. It doesn't matter to me who else likes you."
Tina bit her lip and met Steve's eyes. He wiped away a teardrop with his thumb. "I love you, Tina," he whispered in her ear. "And if everyone here decided to kick you out and send you away somewhere, I'd go with you. I don't want to be anywhere that your art supplies aren't junking up."
She chuckled halfheartedly as Steve smiled slightly.
"Anywhere?" she asked.
"Anywhere," he affirmed.
"East Jesus Nowhere."
"I hear it's very nice in the fall."
"Timbuktu."
"We can build a white picket fence."
"Lower Jabip."
"Exotic."
"The arctic circle."
"We'll bring warm coats."
Tina hugged Steve close, burying her face in his chest. He lifted her up and carried her like a child. "I love you so much, baby."
"I love you too, Steve."
…
Dinner was a bit quieter than usual, until Steve remembered that he had a question to ask. "Hey, Pepper?"
"Mmm?" she asked as she chewed.
"What's PMS?"
Excepting Steve, everyone in the room exploded with giggles.
"Oh, honey…" Pepper groaned, "I don't want to have this conversation right now…"
"Why does everyone say that?" Steve asked in utter confusion.
Thor clapped Steve on the shoulder.
"Lady Darcy has discussed it with me…my friend, 'tis a most grievous affliction."
"Not now, Thor!" Natasha begged.
The Asgardian whispered into Steve's ear for a moment until the soldier's face went red.
"Oh. That's why everyone says that."
After dinner, the Avengers wandered into the living room.
"It's your turn to pick a movie, Tina," Clint said quietly. Tina knelt in front of the screen momentarily, scrolling through the holographic display of films. Steve watched Clint carefully, ready to intervene in whatever way he needed to if Clint decided to be nasty again. He did act pretty nice during dinner…But there's no way I'm letting him hurt her feelings again. I'll pound him the minute he tries.
"Okay," Tina said, "Robin Hood or The Hunger Games?" she asked with a slight smirk.
The whole room laughed and the tension in the room dissipated instantly.
"Let's go with Hunger Games," Clint said, "I wanna pick apart Katniss's every flaw."
Tina smiled, and Clint patted the seat next to his. She sat down hesitantly, looking into his eyes. "Good picks," he said with a slight smile.
The artist relaxed against Steve's side and smiled just a little bit. Maybe he didn't hate her after all…
Thank you guys so much for all the reviews/favorites/alerts! You are amazing :) As usual, suggestions are welcome. Review please, my dears!