Chapter 2: It's Time

"What?" Natasha asked coldly. Clint just froze.

"I said they took Fury." Agent Hill said a bit sternly trying to hide her sadness.

"How? They couldn't have taken him that easily. He's the greatest spy I know." She said traumatized. Agent Hill stared at her. After a long moment, she finally said,

"We don't know. The Chitauri came in and ambushed us. When everybody woke up, we made sure everybody was here, it didn't take us a while to realise Fury was gone." Clint then tried to speak but barely couldn't.

"Are you sure he was taken?" Natasha asked. She looked at her in confusion.

"What do you mean?" Agent Hill asked. Natasha looked at Clint then she spoke up,

"I mean, maybe he knew this was going to happen. Maybe that's what he was talking about to Clint." (gesturing to him) "He said that something bigger is coming so maybe he let them take him to..."

"To what?"

"I don't know. Is that all you can tell us?"

"Well..." Agent Hill started to say walking forward to them and sat down next to Natasha.

"Before Nick Fury was taken, the last thing he said to me was: 'It's time for the heroes to come back and avenge the world. Even if someone has to pay the price, it's their time to step up again.'" Natasha then froze and Clint looked at Agent Hill seriously.

"I had no idea he was talking about himself." She said shaking her head. Their was a long silence then Clint finally spoke up,

"So who's the 'New Director' till we get Fury back?" Agent Hill stood up and looked at Natasha. It was a long, hard look.

"You, Agent Romanoff." She said pointing at Natasha. She froze some more. She was completely frozen. Clint starting to rub her back that ease her down a little bit and made her less frozen. Agent Hill said starting to smile,

"Or should I say, Director Romanoff."

"Haha, I'm sorry. 'Director Romanoff?' Aha, I don't think so." Natasha chuckled moving her finger in a "I don't think so" way. Clint just watched them both carefully.

"Why? What's the problem with taking a lead? I know you can do it." Agent Hill as if trying to persuade her.

"Why me? Why not you? You're second in command." Natasha asked really blown away by this whole thing. Agent Hill looked at her seriously.

"It doesn't matter. Nick Fury wanted you. Just when he became the Director, he said that if anything would happen, Romanoff would take my place. We also did a vote. Everybody wanted you. Including me." Natasha looked surprised. She thought that if anyone didn't want her as Director, it would be Agent Maria Hill.

"What would I do as Director? How would I be able to help solve our problem?" Agent Hill stayed in her position looking as serious and determined as ever.

"Take charge. Do what you can do." Natasha shook her head giving a hesitating look on her face.

"The thing is Natasha, it's your time to step up and do this world the greater good. It's the time that the heroes step up again. And you know what I mean." Agent Hill said. Clint just realised what she was talking about.

"Reunite the Avengers." He said as Natasha looked surprised that he would say that.

"But with a slight change, you, Director Romanoff will leading them into battle. You can do this. I've seen you fight of almost ten people with one hand behind your back. You're a great spy, a kick-ass assassin and a good-hearted solider. And you think the Chitauri will win? They have already lost once. We don't know what they're up to with Fury but we will find out. And you know why? Because we have an advantage. Having you to lead the way." Natasha put her head down modestly in dis-belief.

"We need you Natasha. I need you. Clint needs you. The whole world needs you." Agent Hill said pleading a bit. Natasha was still putting her head own. So Agent Hill bent down, pushed up Natasha's chin to see her face saying,

"Natasha..." She finally looked at Agent Hill eye to eye and Agent Hill said,

"Fury needs you." Natasha's face was still, quiet and blank. She then turned to Clint,

"What do you think about all this?" Clint stared at Natasha and smiled at her.

"I think... you still have a bit of red in your ledger." Natasha smiled and looked down trying to hide her blush. Their hands touch just slightly.

"And it's still time for you to wipe it out." Said Clint. Natasha nodded and her look of hesitation became determination. She stood up and looked at Agent Hill.

"Fine." She said. Agent Hill smiled and they shook hands.

"I accept. But... I'm going to need a few people." Agent Hill nodded and they all left the room returning to their normal stations and one new station. They all knew what to do. It was time.