A/N: Hey guys! Sorry I haven't updated in a few days! The other night I had to close at work, and then yesterday I worked and was just too tired to update! But I have time before work to update now. Enjoy!
Later that morning, everyone stood in Director Fury's office. Thor, Bruce, and Tony, the only Avengers who were able to attend the debriefing, stood off to the side while Maria stood silently next to Coulson to the left of the Directors desk. Gamora sat in the chair in front of his desk because of her bad leg, while Drax stood behind her, Peter to his right, with Rocket and Groot.
"Let me get this straight. Thanos and your sister know that the Skrelton is here?" Fury asked, looking at all of them with his one good eye before sighing.
"We don't know for sure that she knows it's here, but it won't be much longer before she does." Maria answered, speaking on behalf of everyone.
"And what's your plan if she does find out?" Coulson asked, directing the question towards Gamora.
"Either way Nebula needs to be stopped. If and when she finds out, we stop her the best we can. Take any measures we can to ensure that there isn't a war. Then we take the necklace and bring it back with us to the Nova Corps." Gamora answered, sighing as she leaned back in the leather chair.
"You also realize that by being here, and keeping the necklace at the Tower, you're putting the children at imminent risk?" Fury asked, making it sound like a statement, actually sounding concerned for Lilith and Jace's safety.
"Their safety is number one no matter what." Coulson added, agreeing with Fury.
"My sister may be cruel, but she would never harm a child unless given the orders to do so."
"Ha! Well that's reassuring!" Tony said, his tone dripping with sarcasm as he let out a fake laugh.
"I say we find the bitch before she finds us!" Rocket said, shrugging.
"Catch her and Thanos by surprise, perhaps?" Drax added, an enthusiastic tone in his voice, while Groot chimed in with his 'I am Groot' response.
"Sure that's a good idea?" Peter asked, raising an eye brow at his friends.
"Peter's right. That doesn't sound like a good idea. We should wait it out and see what happens. If Nebula decides to attack, one of us can put a tracker on her. Which ever one of us she decides to go after, and she can bring us to her and Thanos' location. What's her strategy, Gamora?" Bruce asked, being the only level headed one in the room as he looked at the green skinned woman.
"She will wait until she finds the targets weak point, or she will wait until the target themselves is weak. That's how she got ahold of me."
"Well, who's the target this time?" Tony asked, leaning against the wall to Gamora's left.
Without saying anything, everyone simultaneously turned to look at Maria.
"Why is lady Maria her target? She is not weak." Thor said, looking at everyone inquisitively.
"I gave Maria herself the necklace. I assume that Nebula won't just take the Skrelton and leave quietly. She will want to deliver Agent Hill to my father." Gamora explained, causing for Director Fury to sigh in frustration.
"Well worry about that shit on Monday. You're all dismissed, now stay out of my sight until then!" He ordered, earning curt nods and a 'rude!' from Peter and Tony as they dispersed, "Oh, and Agent Hill," He added, making Maria stop in her tracks, forcing her to turn her head to look at him.
"Yes sir?"
"I suggest that you bring the Skrelton back here so you don't lead them right to you."
Maria just looked at him coldly, "I know what i'm doing." She said, her voice soft but firm as she turned and left.
That's what she always says. Fury thought, sighing as he turned to look at Coulson, "I want you and your team to keep a close eye on them over the next several weeks. Understood?"
Coulson nodded before he himself left silently.
As Maria walked through the busy streets of the city having decided that it was best if she just walked that morning, she was unaware of two figures watching her from the roof of a nearby building.
"I say we strike her now while her fiancé is away, father." Nebula suggested, pulling back the hood on her cloak that she wore.
"Patience. You will have your chance, but we must wait."
"For how long?"
"Strike when they least expect it. You will observe them-her-and search for a weakness." Thanos explained, smirking at Nebula.
"How will we do that, father?"
Thanos' grin only grew wider as he saw a little blonde headed girl and Emily run up to Maria and the child hug her around the waist, "Take what matters most to them," He added, then seeing Nebula's confused expression said, "The child."
They watched as Maria picked the child up with one arm and put her other arm around Emily's as they continued to walk back to the Tower with the rest of the group.
"What of Maria? I thought you wanted her too?"
"That is correct, but you're getting ahead of yourself, my child."
"But_" Nebula started, only for Thanos' to cut her off.
"I have a plan." He said, his gaze never wavering from the group until they were out of sight.
A/N: Oooh what's Thanos' plan? Feel free to give predictions! Please review :)