Please note, text featured within *" "* is part of a psychic communication, not spoken
The Avengers went back to the tower, with Pepper assigned to watch over them carefully; however everything went pretty smoothly...
There were a few minor slip ups, and on more than one occasion someone sent the wrong thought to the wrong person, but on the whole Project Decoy was classed as a success.
At first it was difficult for them to control while they were sleeping; it was a common occurrence for them to wake up having experienced the others nightmares, but no one mentioned it; and with practice the issue resolved itself.
The psychic connection was first tested in the field by Clint and Natasha when they ran a Shield mission; it was a success, Fury was pleased and Dr Hart was thrilled with the results. Even Clint and Natasha were impressed with the results when their ability had helped them out of a difficult situation were even the best com units wouldn't have.
Tony used the new ability to trick the others more than a few times, and to wind them up even more:
"Tony, you know I can hear you right?"
"I know" he smiled at Natasha with a wicked grin
"You're a pig" she told him, switching seats to sit on the other side of Clint
"You know this thing still works over distance; that's the point"
"Oh I know, I just don't want to sit next to you anymore"
Clint looked at her and her replying smirk was enough to make Tony worry
"Are you guys having one of your silent conversations like you used to, or are you actually having a conversation?"
Clint shrugged and went back to reading the newspaper
"You'll never know" Natasha replied
xxx
*"Hey Steve... Steve... Steve... STEVE?"*
"Tony, it makes it really hard to ignore you while you're in my head"
"I know, it's cool right!"
"No!" Steve answered simply, before he turned and left the tower
*"Hey Steve, you can still hear me!"*
xxx
"Bruce, I need coffee"
"Go get some then"
"But you're closer"
"I'm busy"
"So am I"
"Well I guess it's tough luck then"
*"Coffee"*
"Tony"
*"Coffee"*
"Tony!"
*"Coffee"*
"Tony, no"
*"But Bruce I need it... Pleassseeeeeee"*
"Dammit Tony! Fine!"
After he successfully wound everyone up one too many times with his new ability; the team took a stand and didn't communicate so he could hear they for three whole days, it drove him mad, especially when they'd all laugh and he was left wondering what was going on. Eventually he promised he'd only use the ability if it were absolutely necessary. Or he was particularly bored, and everything went back to normal round the tower... Well, as normal as it ever got...
Then there was one mission where Clint got kicked in the stomach; he was in the middle of a psychic conversation with Tony and it took Tony a few minutes to realise the pain wasn't his. It was an issue Dr Hart hadn't seen before, and something the six team members had to work hard on to control.
From then on it all went smoothly.
It made the Avengers a stronger team; they were quicker, strong; united. Their missions were almost always flawless and the council were finally happy with them.
Everyone was pleased with how it was going, and even Natasha had to admit that maybe she had slightly overreacted.
And that's when it all went wrong...