Iron Man was the first to arrive on the scene. Everything was bathed in red and blue lights. A perimeter had been set up and the police were trying in vain to establish a meaningful dialog with the hostage takers in the bank.

The black SHIELD uniforms further behind the police line contrasted the seas of police uniforms on the street. The stone-faced agents were in the middle of turning a coffee shop into their base of operations. Tony immediately locked eyes with Director Fury. While he didn't know the man well, Stark wasn't entirely convinced Fury would deem this situation worthy of his personal attention.

Captain America and the Hulk arrived together, having opted to take one of Tony`s cars instead of waiting for a SHIELD transport. They parked at the end of the block and jogged over to where Stark was surveying the scene.

"Anything?" asked Steve.

Tony just pointed through the crowd towards Fury and his men.

"What are they doing here?" asked Banner, amazed that SHIELD had organized so quickly over a hostage situation that had only accidentally included one of their agents.

"I suggest we go find out," said Tony as he slid his faceplate up.

The trio stormed over to the coffee shop ignoring the gaping looks of shock from the people on the scene. The director was surrounded by agents who were receiving instructions. As the team approached the SHIELD agents, Fury paused in his orders to look at the newest arrivals.

"I didn't think something like this would mobilize you so quickly. Your devotion to Barton is almost touching," started Stark in the sarcastic tone he reserved especially for Fury. Sure, he liked to bust out the sarcasm for everyone but in his dealings with SHIELD, Tony had decided Fury needed his own special tone of Stark sarcasm.

Not rising to the bait, Nick replied, "the authorities have the situation under control. Your skills are not required in this situation; all three of you can return to Stark tower. I will update you as information becomes available."

"If our skills aren't required, exactly what skill set are you bringing to the table?" asked Tony. "This is a hostage situation. There are men in there with big guns that are pointed at some very innocent people, particularly Ms. Potts and let's not forget one of your agents. Since our skills aren't needed elsewhere I can't imagine a better situation for us to be here for."

"Agent Barton is the reason we're here. The Captain reported he was injured and, with everything he knows about SHIELD, it's recommended that someone be here to make sure he's not compromised. I would hate to think of our secrets slipping because the pain medication made his tongue a little loose.

"And it takes, what, twelve of you to insure that?" asked Bruce skeptically.

Sensing Fury wasn't going to comment, Tony piped up. "Let's ignore the insult to Barton for a moment while you answer Dr. Banner's question."

"I don't recall having to answer to you, Stark. In fact, I'm pretty sure in most cases you answer to me. Now, the three of you are going to stay out of the way and let us do our jobs," snapped Fury. "We wouldn't want someone to get angry and bring down the building," he added looking at Banner then turning to Steve, "or not understanding modern tactics and making an error that costs lives or," turning to Tony, "creating collateral damage showboating," finished Nick.

The intensity of the standoff in the coffee shop rivaled the one at the bank. The only difference was this one only lasted a few minutes. Tony conceded first, much to everyone's surprise. Without saying a word, he turned and started to walk back to the car Steve and Bruce had driven to the scene. Captain America and Banner turned and followed him, leaving Fury to continue his meeting with his agents.

Tony leaned against the car and glared in the direction he just come from. "He's up to something." He opened the car door and pulled out a brief case from the back seat. Slipping the computer out of the case, Stark began opening files on the touch screen.

Steve glanced back towards Fury, then looked at Stark. He had to agree, something more was going on than just concern that an injured agent might let a few pieces of intel slip. Bank robberies were hardly detrimental to the safety of the country or the world and thus wouldn't require such specialized operatives.

"What are you going to do? Are you going to hack into SHIELD's computers again?" Rogers asked as he watched Tony fiddle with his computer, somewhat surprised that he wasn't using the connection in his suit.

"No, Cap, that would make me a one trick pony. Do I look like a one trick pony to you?"

Bruce chuckled at the mental image he came up with.

Stark continued, "No, I'm hacking into their communications so we can eavesdrop on their conversation through those nifty little radio's they all have planted in their ears. There." One final tap and Tony turned the computer to his friends so they could all listen to Fury's meeting.

"The retrieval of the vials in the storage container behind the safety deposit box is critical. We cannot under any circumstances allow Keres to fall into enemy hands," ordered the Director.

"What about the hostages, sir?" asked one of the black-suited lackeys.

"Regrettably, they are expendable."

"And Agent Barton?"

"Is also considered expendable for the success of the mission. He knows what he signed up for."

Tony put the computer down and folded his arms across his chest. "Well, I think we all know what's about to happen here. I, for one, am not going to stand for it."

"What are we going to do?" asked Bruce, hoping that Tony had some sort of plan.