Once back inside my room, I realized not only could big, plot things be changed, but also little, personal things. I could definitely help with getting Doctor Banner to the helicarrier. That could definitely go smoother. Less arguing between the group could never hurt. Loki, could I help him? Would it actually change anything? Other than how in the world was I going to get a certain Agent of SHIELD to believe that trying to stop Loki was futile and his death wasn't necessary. Especially since there was no way I could get out of telling him it united the group and he would then deem his death necessary. Men! Wait. I had already figured out the attack on the helicarrier. No one unauthorized was getting anywhere near Loki. No suicidal heroics by Coulson needed. Yeah!
With that all worked out, I used my phone to call the number Coulson had programmed in.
"Agent Coulson?
"I am listening."
"I have a plan now; its title is 'No One Dies.' Like it so far?"
"A bold plan for sure. Do you really think you can pull it off?"
"Well, 'I Think No One Dies' is a little less awesome of a title. My plan depends on if Director Fury will cooperate or not. It basically hinges on either the Director actually trusting me or the Council being push overs. Unfortunately, I think the second one is easier and more likely to happen, but I really wish this was not the case. All the other stuff I think I could get you to very minorly go behind the Director's back to give some warnings." Having a plan made me so much more cheerful.
"So within the plan there are back up plans? That's comforting." Of course, Coulson was still all business.
"Yes, so that means the things I ask you to do are very carefully planned, even if they seem random or dangerous. You will probably have questions at the end of all this, and I'll be happy to answer them then."
"Alright then. What do you need?"
"How easy is it for you to know who would be in the Tesseract room without my instructions? There would have been a evacuation going on, just not as early as the one I instigated."
"The procedure is very clear."
"Then who would have been in a suit with a name badge-not a scientist or a soldier. Looked more like a body guard or something."
"There are a couple of people you could be talking about."
"Blonde, right next to the Tesseract, I could recognize a picture." After a moment my phone starting ringing its text sound over and over.
"Check through those." I carefully went over each picture. There were female ones as well since I hadn't specified the gender.
"Alright, the third picture which is between the picture of Agent Barton and a woman." I double checked on the picture two to the other side of the Clint picture; thankfully it wasn't another woman. "I need him near the Tesseract, along with Eric Selvig and Agent Barton. Director Fury can be in there if he wants but try to encourage him to not attack until attacked. I'm removing a lot of people from that room, so I don't know how things are actually going to play out." Why did saving lives have to be so darn complicated?
"Wouldn't it be better to leave them in?"
"That would go against the plan." Brilliant Coulson understood what I was implying, if his sigh was anything to go by. "Have the Director's helicopter nearby as well as a couple jeeps underground. Everyone else needs to be at least a couple miles away. I promise everything that happens is according to plan. If I could stop everything from happening right there, right then, I would, but things are bigger than they first appear."
"I understand. Just tell me this. Where is your first priority in this plan?"
"Putting the people of earth at minimal risk. Short term wise it would all end tonight. Long term, there are a couple things I need to manipulate to pull that off." He wouldn't understand now, but the risk of a couple people getting hurt and having an entire army of Chitauri able to fight along with whatever else Thanos had would be more detrimental later on.
"Thank you for making that distinction," Coulson told me solemnly.
"Think you could help me pull this off?"
"I think I can."
"See you on the helicarrier tomorrow then."
"Wait." I suddenly realized the recruitment of the Avengers would be happening shortly after these events took place. Everything was happening so fast. "Later on tonight, you are going to be rounding up some important people. I want to help Agent Romanoff with Doctor Banner." Sleep. When was I ever going to sleep though? The things I do for other people.
"What do you know about Doctor Banner?"
"I know perfectly well about his alter ego created from gamma radiation while trying to duplicate the super-soldier serum. Anything else you need to know?"
"You do realize he is dangerous?"
"I realize that Agent Romanoff knows that the alter ego is just about the only thing that can physically kill her. What she doesn't realize is that a year on his own has made Doctor Banner very capable in keeping him under control. She will be trigger happy and a military presence is highly unnecessary."
"Since you're a civilian, it is necessary to protect you. Agent Romanoff has to be in charge of the team."
"As long as you tell her I am an expert on Doctor Banner, which I am the closest of anyone to being, she will probably like any suggestions I give her."
"I can do that, but nothing more. And you won't be able to approach Doctor Banner without an armed escort. It's standard civilian protocol."
"I'll be able to talk to him on the helicarrier though, right?" I grinned a little at the heavy sigh Coulson gave me.
"Yes, you will be able to meet Doctor Banner on the helicarrier, even on the plane ride over. Who said you wouldn't be able to talk to the Doctor while picking him up though?" I could practically see a sneaky grin on Coulson's face.
"I like you, Agent Coulson. Not that I didn't before. I'll make sure to make that distinction to Agent Romanoff and figure out a plan."
"Anything else?" I thought over all the events that were supposed to take place tonight.
"No, everything else can wait until we are all on the helicarrier."
"Goodnight then, Rachel. I'll send an agent to collect you when it's time to visit Doctor Banner."
"Stay safe, Agent Coulson." After hanging up the phone, I climbed into bed to get as much rest as I could. It was going to be a long time before I got any more, as far as I could tell.
After a few miniscule hours, I was awoken by a knock on my door. Sighing at the unfairness of it all, I resigned myself to simply wake up. I sat up and removed all my blankets, shivering at the loss of warmth. Once I was out of bed, I usually stayed awake. Most of the time it was a blessing. I was debating about what it was today.
"I'm awake. Can you have someone take my suitcases to the helicarrier later, or should I bring them now?"
"You are surprisingly awake and thinking at this early hour." The unspoken 'for my age' was clear in the female agent's voice.
"Just don't tell me what time it is and I'll do fine. Don't expect me to look my best though. What's your verdict?"
"I'll make sure someone gets your stuff when Captain Rodgers is moved in the morning. I have a uniform here for you. Agent Coulson said you should wear it."
After obtaining the black body suit, I quickly put it on. Then I snatched a large clip from my bag and used it to pull my hair back in a decent pony tail before opening the door.
"I am ready." I followed the agent to a car waiting outside. Knowing I was going to feel a little foolish either way, I asked, "Before I get in the car, can I have some proof you are with SHIELD and are taking me to the location I discussed with Agent Coulson earlier?"
"Agent Jones at your service." She whipped out her SHIELD badge, and I gave it a close inspection. "We are heading to India so you can assist Agent Romanoff in obtaining Doctor Banner's help." That was a lot of intel for someone to have stolen, especially Doctor Banner's location, and thankfully I actually knew where Doctor Banner was supposed to be since Agent Coulson hadn't told me. "Alright then. Lead on."
I tried to dose a little in the car, but I knew it wasn't worth much toward actual rest. My mind also got busy on how exactly, if at all, I was going to change Banner's conversation with Natasha. It had gone pretty well; I basically wanted to just help Natasha not feel so uncomfortable and further reassure Banner that Hulk was not the only or real reason why SHIELD wanted him. Not that they admitted a controllable Hulk was on their Christmas list. An uncontrollable Hulk was on their dangerous list though.
On the plane, I was happy to find noise cancellation headphones and used those to get a couple more hours sleep. Since it was a private SHIELD plane, I was able to recline the seat to a nice angle. I had forgotten about being able to sleep on the actual plane ride. Depending on how fast the plane was, I might have gotten a decent amount of sleep. I didn't ask though. Guessing was better than knowing.
Once we touched down in India, I exited the plane to find armed men ready and waiting for me. After greeting them, we got on a open air helicopter to fly to location. If I wasn't awake by that point, I certainly was after. I was pleasingly surprised to find out the team's only information about their assignment was to protect me. They wouldn't be so stressed if they knew exactly what danger they could possibly be protecting me from.
On location, I found Agent Romanoff waiting for me. Knowing what I knew, she looked pretty intimidating to me. However, my whole presence was to comfort her without letting her know I thought she needed comfort. Which she did, but she wasn't about to admit it.
"Agent Romanoff, my name is Rachel. I know a little bit more about Doctor Banner's personality than most, so I was called to give a hand, not that you need it. Since I am a civilian, I am 'letting' you lead most of it. I'll just be backup and keeping the armed men as calm and far away from Doctor Banner as possible. Any objections please let me know." I had the impression professionalism would be the best approach for Natasha, but I couldn't help the joke to help her realize that I was in no way in charge of anything on this mission.
"Why are you keeping them away? I thought the purpose of bringing them in was for them to be ready in case of emergency." Your way of thinking, Natasha, not mine.
"I don't believe the team is necessary. Doctor Banner has learned an amazing amount of control in over a year. However, my presence necessitates their protection from things other than Doctor Banner." Wait, that wasn't what they thought I needed protection from... "Or his alter ego." I also knew Natasha would be extremely uncomfortable without any backup and that the team would have no effect upon restraining the Hulk. "I am certain of your negotiating skills with Doctor Banner, Agent Romanoff, but I was wondering if I could inconvenience you with the ability to talk with Doctor Banner. I am not allowed near him before the situation is under control, but the whole point in me being here is to help get you to that point."
"That can be arranged. What was your last name?" There was the guise of politeness in the question, however I knew Natasha just wanted my full name so she could look it up.
"Rachel is just fine, however my last name is Christenson. You won't find much in SHIELD's files. I'm fairly new." Drat. Expect on Banner and new to SHIELD, that would cause red flags for her. "Agent Coulson trusts me, and Director Fury doesn't trust anyone." Which was going to be a very big future problem.
Natasha seemed to find that acceptable enough. I mean, I wouldn't know so much and be running around if I didn't have some kind of credibility. I was soon outfitted with an earpiece which could also pick up my voice so I could give directions to Natasha. Her phone would be used to broadcast the sound for when I needed to talk to Banner. Once everyone was in position, me quite a distance away and Natasha just behind the building so she couldn't be seen, Natasha called me over the comm.
"Doctor Banner should be here very soon. Any other information you would like to divulge?"
"Just advice; be completely truthful when he asks if you are alone. Gaining his trust is the most important part. Being dishonest will only cause future problems." I wished Fury would take this advice to mind as well.
"Here he comes."
It was very interesting to hear the real, live conversation going on inside the house. I had the conversation practically memorized from how many times I had watched the movie, and I let the pictures roll behind my eyes.
"Should have gotten paid up front, Banner."
"You know, for a man who is supposed to be avoiding stress, you sure pick a hell of a place to settle."
"Avoiding stress isn't the secret."
"What is it? Yoga?" I couldn't suppress a quiet chuckle.
"You brought me to the edge of the city. Smart. I, ah, assume the whole place is surrounded?" There was a slight pause as Natasha debated her answer.
"No, though there is a group of armed men nearby." Score one for Rachel. Thanks Natasha.
"And your actress buddy…is she a spy too? Do they start that young?"
"I did."
"Who are you?"
"Natasha Romanoff." Banner paused to compose an answer.
"Are you here to kill me, Miss Romanoff? Because that's not going to work out for everyone."
"No, no, of course not. I'm here on behalf of SHIELD." These dancing pauses just made things more stressful.
"SHIELD." A thoughtful pause, thankfully with less stress. "How did they find me?"
"We never lost you, Doctor. We've kept our distance, even helping keep some other interested parties off your scent."
"Why?"
"Nick Fury seems to trust you. But now we need you to come in."
"What if I say no?" I always kind of admired Banner for his courage here. Not that with the Hulk he wasn't capable of resisting.
"I'll persuade you."
"And what if the…other guy says no?"
"You have been more than a year without incident; I don't think you want to break that streak." I considered this impressive as well. However, Hulk would be getting antsy by now.
"Well, I don't every time get what I want." Poor Banner.
"Doctor, we are facing a potential global catastrophe." It was a sad chuckle that Banner produced.
"Well those I actively try to avoid."
"This...," a mental image of Natasha pulling out her phone to show a picture of the Tesseract enters my mind, "is the Tesseract. It has the potential energy to wipe out the planet."
"What does Fury want me to do? Swallow it?"
"He wants you to find it. It's been taken. It admits a gamma signature that's too weak for us to trace. There is no one who knows gamma radiation like you do. If there was, that's where I'd be."
"So Fury isn't after the monster?"
"Not that he's told me."
"And he tells you everything?"
"Natasha," I tell her. "This is where I come in."
I barely hear even air pass over the comm, but it sounds a lot like, "Finally." I waited for the tell-tale beep that meant Natasha had set up her phone so my voice was on speaker.
"Of course the Director hasn't told her everything. To quote someone, he's a spy. He's THE spy. His secrets have secrets."
"Who is speaking?"
"Sorry, Doctor Banner. My name is Rachel Christenson, and I am super excited to meet you. Unfortunately my babysitters have me on a tight leash or I would be shaking your hand right now."
"Babysitters?
"Call themselves the king of SWAT teams. Really though, they are just the physical manifestations of everyone's insecurities. Guns make everyone feel better." I really hoped Banner heard how sarcastic I was being, because I was laying it on a bit thick on that last line. Returning my voice to a serious tone, I continued, "They are officially my security detail, which makes me feel pretty important, and they don't even know who you are. In exchange, you aren't going to try to scare Agent Romanoff just to see what her reaction would be. It would be to draw her gun before she could even process that I told her specifically not to do so. So, ready to play with some science toys and find us a Tesseract?" There was a long pause.
"There is a group of armed men outside…"
"Yes, I made Agent Romanoff tell you so. She wanted to say it was just you two."
"And they are guarding you…because you're dangerous too?" I gave a hardy laugh.
"Well, knowledge is power. My sanity is in question, but nothing is dangerously abnormal about me. Unfortunately, it couldn't be just me and Agent Romanoff who came and get you, and we need you to be able to find the Tesseract."
"Only to find the Tesseract?" "Unless you volunteer for more."
"Deal."