A/N~ So let me know what you think of this. Read, enjoy, and review. ~A

The in Crows

As the five men walked into the pub, they drew the attention of nearly every person in the club. Many who wondered why the group looked so familiar. Like recognizing like, the fae in the pub knew that at least three of the group weren't quite human and that they had recently gone up against one of their kind.

Meanwhile nearly every woman and a few of the males in the club, fae or human, found themselves lusting for at least one of the new arrivals. Tony took it in his stride while the others in the group were more uncomfortable under the rather intense scrutiny.

Hawkeye being the strategist and the one with the sharpest eyes of course found them a table in the back near a stone fireplace with an actual log fire burning in the grate. The table and chairs were real wood beat up and scarred but sturdy and clean.

Soon after they had taken their seats, Trick appeared next to Hawkeye and said, "Good evening gentlemen. Welcome to the Dahl. What can I get for you this evening?"

Everyone at the table winced as Thor's voice boomed, "A pint of your finest ale, little man."

Trick stiffened discernibly but managed to maintain his smile as he said, "Yes sir, and for the rest of you gentlemen?"

Each of the others gave their drink orders, then Steve added, "We'd also like to order some dinner if it's not too late?"

Trick's smile relaxed into a warmer expression as he assured the group that they were just in time for dinner and directed their attention to several moderately sized chalkboards situated around the pub. Printed on each were three meat dishes, several sides, and two desserts. In a smaller box at the bottom was a vegetarian selection for those who were so inclined. Each of the men placed their orders with Thor ordering two of everything naturally.

After their orders had been taken Trick returned with a loaf of hearty looking bread already sliced, the bread had herbs and cheese on top and was still steaming fresh from the oven. He placed it on the table with plates and a small crock of butter that Steve would bet was hand churned. "Enjoy gentlemen." Trick said before leaving to attend to his other customers.

Steve managed to get to the bread first but just barely. The bread was heavenly, warm and with the creamy butter, the aches and pains he had been feeling after their short but intense battle seemed to melt away, leaving behind a pleasant near lethargy.

Looking around at his teammates, he imagined they were experiencing the same thing. The beer he had chosen complimented the bread nicely and he found a different layer of enjoyment. After finishing the thick slice of bread, Steve looked around and said, "Shall we discuss what happened now or wait till we get back to the hotel?"

"Here," Bruce said tiredly, "I'd rather get the dissection of how badly I failed over with right away if you don't mind."

"Doctor," Steve said gently. "you didn't fail, we all did the best we could with the information we were given. We had no way of knowing that the spiders were created by Gamma radiation or that the meteorite would be down there, or what effect it would have on you."

"Or that the spiders would be led by that mutant woman." Tony added helpfully while snagging another slice of the bread and buttering it.

"How do you suppose the meteor got down there in the first place?" Hawkeye asked thoughtfully before taking a deep drink of his beer. "We're assuming that's what caused the size of the spiders but what about the woman? Do you think that's what caused her to look that way?"

Bruce leaned back in his chair, chewing on the ear piece of his glasses thoughtfully as he considered the questions. "Mutation isn't uncommon with any form of radiation, especially Gamma radiation. Case in point," he said indicating himself wryly as he continued, "so yes I would say it was very possible that is what happened to the woman in the tunnel. My theory on the meteor is it's probably very old."

"I would say it probably fell to earth a very long time ago and over time became buried. The creation of the subway probably got close to it and a landslide or a tunnel collapse uncovered it accidentally." Bruce took a hearty sip of his own beer before continuing, "There might have been some illness, death and so forth from prolonged exposure to the radiation. That or something else caused the tunnel to be closed. Giving the spiders a chance to mutate unimpeded. As it is we should probably just be glad there wasn't a significant rat population down there."

"Oh God," Tony said with heavy amusement, "R.O.U.S.'s". before smirking around the table at the blank expressions, his face fell slightly as he realized no one else got the reference. "Please tell me I'm not the only one whose girlfriend made him watch that movie with her."

"My sweet Lady Jane prefers to watch stars than movies." Thor said shrugging a massive shoulder.

"My girlfriend," said Clint carefully, "preferred other forms of entertainment."

Steve blushed and said, "Don't have a girlfriend."

Banner patted Steve's shoulder as he admitted, "I don't have one, either since Betty broke up with me, and no I don't remember rouses. What are they?"

The discussion then degenerated further into a discussion of movies they had seen with significant others at one point or another. From there the conversation went on to movie and celebrity trivia for about fifteen minutes.

Luckily before the conversation could degenerate further, Trick returned carrying a huge tray of food, which he balanced on the edge of the table as he began passing out plates mostly to Thor. He was soon joined by a woman with wavy hair the color of sunrise, she served each of them their food with a welcoming smile before quickly returning to the kitchen. The five Avengers tucked into the food with gusto, each commented on being impressed with the amount of food, the flavor, the appearance of the food.

All except for Dr. Banner who was more impressed by their server, than their food. His eyes had followed the woman as she had helped to serve the Avengers. He stopped staring only after she had disappeared back into the kitchen, he then looked back down at the hearty looking stew that had been placed before him. Sampling the delicious food he had to agree with his teammates, that it was by far the best meal he'd had in weeks.

After eating their meal the men, Tony being the exception of course, found that they could better focus on the problem at hand. The group proceeded to make a plan of action, pausing only when the lovely woman returned from the kitchen to retrieve their crockery and silverware. While she was gathering the dishes she inquired, "Gentlemen would any of you like a desert, coffee, something from the bar perhaps?"

The men all agreed on coffee and then Dr. Banner, the usually quiet and unassuming one asked, "I'm sorry miss I don't think we caught your name?"

The woman who had helped serve their dinner, told them her name was, "Annie."

"We would like to see Mr. Trick again, if it wouldn't be too much trouble?"

She told them, '"I'll have Trick bring you your coffee." With that she walked back to the kitchen with the dishes balanced in the tub on her hip.

Within a few minutes Trick came to their table with a tray carrying coffee, cups and a small sugar bowl and cream in a tiny pitcher. "Annie said you gents wanted to see me. What can I get for you?" he said warmly.

"We wanted to say that we enjoyed dinner a great deal this evening." Dr. Banner said quickly before anyone else could say anything. "By far the best meal we've had in some time. Does your menu change often? We may be in town a few days and thought we might stop back in again if the food is this good."

"The food is always good here." Trick said warmly at the praise. "The menu changes daily, we also have a nice lunch as well, if you're interested. I'll pass on your compliments to Annie, she's the cook." Trick said as Stark gave him his credit card to pay for the meal, he continued, "She was just helping out this evening because my waitress wasn't feeling well."

He moved away for a moment to take care of the bill before returning and concluding the conversation with the words "Please come back soon and we'll try to arrange it so you can give her your praise in person. A pleasure gentlemen may your journey be pleasant and your business fruitful." He concluded.

After leaving a very generous tip, the team went back to the hotel and settled in for the evening, everyone determined to get a good night's rest. The good doctor being the only one distracted from that goal by the memory of a beautiful redhead with a cheeky grin.

Unbeknownst to the Avengers, as soon as the five men had walked out the door of the pub, Trick had turned from the smiling pub owner, to the fae Blood King. After declaring the pub closed and ushering the remaining customers out the door. Trick and his friends including Annie and Lauren moved down the stairs to his quarters.