Note: Spoilers for S02E19 and 'Age of Ultron'. And a fix-it.

"Just My Type"

"Rhodey! Honey-bear! Get over here, would you?"

Sam snorted behind his hand. But as James Rhodes walked over to them, he tried not to lick his lips and make it too obvious that he was checking out the colonel. Hot damn, that shirt was way too tight for Sam to be able to pay any attention to the conversation.

"…to Sam Wilson, the Falcon."

"So you're the guy called Falcon?" Rhodey said, and he grinned as he held out his hand. "Pleased to make your acquaintance. Pretty awesome name."

Sam nodded, trying to remember how to breathe. "That's how I got onto the program. Because of my soulmark."

Tony sniggered, and Rhodey frowned at him, then looked at Sam.

"Has he seen your soulmark?" he asked.

"No, but I've seen his handwriting," Tony said. "I'm a genius at this match-making game. JARVIS, you recorded that, right?"

"And sent it to Miss Potts, as per your instructions, sir. I am sure she will be duly impressed."

Sam was still holding onto Rhodey's hand, and he sure as hell wasn't letting go anytime soon. "Thanks, Stark."

"Yeah," Rhodey said. "Thanks, Tony. Now beat it so I can get to know my soulmate."

Tony pointed at them and make clicking sounds. "See you around."

Rhodey dragged/led Sam over to the bar.

"What's your pleasure?" Rhodey asked, opening up a cabinet. "`Cause I think this deserves a celebratory drink."

"I won't argue with you there," Sam said, eyes lingering on Rhodey's behind. "And I'm hoping you'll be my pleasure."

Rhodey smirked over his shoulder at Sam. "My eyes are up here."

"Unless you have eyes in the back of your head, I'm gonna look at the rest of you when you're back's turned."

"Is that all you wanna do when my back is turned?" Rhodey asked, grabbing a bottle and bringing it over. "How's bourbon?"

"Sounds good," Sam said, watching as Rhodey poured. "You know, I had this long list of questions for my soulmate when I met whoever it was, either of them, but now I can't think of a one."

"I drive all the thoughts outta your head, do I?" Rhodey said, his fingers lingering on Sam's as he handed over the glass.

"You're not gonna start exploiting that," Sam said. "…Are you?"

"Not outside of the bedroom."

"Thank God for that, or I'd never been taken seriously as a superhero if I kept staring into space."

Rhodey moved around the bar to perch on a stool beside Sam. "I wouldn't do anything that'd endanger you, especially if it distracted you on the battlefield."

"You do that just by being you," Sam said. Rhodey grinned, put their glasses down, and then yanked Sam into a kiss. He stumbled off the stool into Rhodey's arms, vaguely wondering whether that was the intent, and decided that he didn't care. There was something different, so intense about kissing his soulmate as opposed to kissing anyone else. Why did he ever bother with anyone else when this was waiting for him?

"Wanna take this somewhere else?" Rhodey said, lips only an inch away from Sam's. He raised his eyebrows.

"You think I'm that easy?" he asked. Rhodey jerked back, but his eyes narrowed as Sam tried to suppress a grin. He obviously failed, because Rhodey snorted softly.

"For your soulmate? Yeah, I think you are," he said. "D'you know who our third is?"

"No idea. I'm guessing you don't."

"Nope. But I joined the air force because I thought I might find them overseas."

"Mine's either good for the self-esteem or implies something seriously bad," Sam said.

"What does it say?"

"'Oh my God'."

Rhodey burst out laughing. "Take it as a compliment."

"Why?"

"My other soulmark says 'You're both bloody gorgeous'. Whoever it is must speak to you first."

"Well, whoever it is sure isn't wrong about you," Sam said, ogling his soulmate. "What was it you said about taking this somewhere else?"

"Let me remind you."

Jemma collapsed on her back on the couch in the recreation room.

"Someone remind me why we ever left the lab?" she asked as Fitz sat beside her head and began to play with her hair. He tugged on it none-so-gently.

"You were the one who suggested it," he said.

"Does anybody here know why?"

"I don't pretend to know what goes on in women's minds," Hunter announced from the armchair across from them. "Especially women trained in bioscience."

"Still a bone of contention for you?" Fitz said.

"Is this a convention of the British faction of SHIELD, or can anyone join in?" Coulson asked. How the hell had he crept up on them? Jemma blamed it on tiredness that they all jumped.

"Depends," Hunter said. "Got a new mission for us?"

"It involves interacting with good guys, not bad ones. As long as you don't try to blow up anyone else, Simmons."

"How did you know about Ward?" Jemma asked incredulously. "Fitz, did you tell him about the splinter bombs?"

Coulson's jaw dropped. "I was… joking. You're the least likely to blow something up deliberately… Is that why…? Actually, some of that conversation with Ward after he ran makes more sense. Damn it, Simmons!"

"He…" Jemma shrank down in her seat. "No more blowing anyone up?"

"Do I need to confiscate the splinter bombs from you? What do they even do?"

She cleared her throat. "H-HYDRA tech. Turns… it does what h-happened to Trip."

"Destroy those, or at least secure them somewhere. Actually, no, destroy them. We don't want any more Diviner-related accidents."

"Yes, sir."

"Now, this mission." He looked all three of them over and dropped his voice. "You'll be seeing Theta protocol in action. Be prepared to meet with a group of powered people. Can I trust you with them?"

"Anything to get out of here," Hunter said.

"When you say powered people…?" Fitz trailed off, looking hopeful.

"You'll see when we get there," Coulson said, and he smiled. His left eye semi-closed, the subtlest of winks.

"Is Skye coming with us?" Jemma asked.

"Skye's part of the Theta protocol, not that she knows that yet. Mike will be, too, as soon as he's healed. I shouldn't have to ask you to keep quiet about this."

"Roger that, boss," Hunter said. Fitz and Jemma nodded.

"Pack," Coulson continued. "You'll need something for weekends."

Both Rhodey and Sam had nightmares about their respective military experiences and superhero hijinks. There was no point in repeating themselves, when so many of the dreams were the same. It didn't help when they started having nightmares about each other dying. But they learnt how to deal with it: bitch about each others' suicidally brave friends.

"I feel sorry for our third," Sam said, tightening his arm where it was clamped around Rhodey's waist. "Whoever it is, they'll have to be damn patient with us."

"I feel sorry for you. You help me a hell of a lot more than I can help you. Those vets are lucky guys."

"And gals. Not many of them, though. Either they're too embarrassed to come for help, or they deal with it much better."

"Or prefer female therapists," Rhodey said.

"True," Sam said. He rubbed his nose in the crook of Rhodey's neck, breathing deeply. "You smell good."

"Why d'you think Steve wants to see us tomorrow?"

"Ugh, you're so romantic sometimes."

"I'm still waking up. C'mon, Sam. You know Cap better than I do."

Sam sighed. "He said Fury had a surprise."

"Maybe we'll get boxes of chocolates for helping to the save the world," Rhodey said flippantly.

"You saved the world, babe. I was stuck in America chasing a trail colder than Siberia."

"Aw." Rhodey poked him. "You've got brains as well as brawn, my little Sherlock Holmes."

"Little? Dude, which one of us is taller again?"

"By two inches!"

Sam chuckled. "It isn't size which counts, Rhodey."

"Asshole."

"You love me."

"I guess I do." Rhodey scowled at him, and then Sam put him out of his misery. "Love you, too."

The big surprise the next day was a shiny new Avengers facility, and The Falcon and War Machine being inducted into the Avengers along with Vision, Quicksilver, and Scarlet Witch. Sam and Rhodey grinned at each other as Steve said 'Avengers Assemble'.

"Ignoring the fact that we're already assembled," Sam said. He couldn't help himself, and it made Rhodey snigger. Steve just rolled his eyes.

"Got another surprise for you," Fury said, startling them all.

"What's that, sir?" Steve said, his teeth visibly clenched.

"I'm taking SHIELD back," he said. "There's been some confusion between the guy I appointed as director and someone else. So I'm reappointing my guy as your new handler. He was supposed to have the job originally, but…" He shrugged. "Anyway, he's back, good as new, and all yours. Along with his hand-picked support crew."

"Who?" Wanda asked, tensing. She obviously still had trust issues with strangers.

"You should've cleared it with me first," Steve said. Sam noticed how his hands clenched into fists. Good thing Steve kept his fingernails short, or he'd probably start bleeding. It'd heal up quickly enough, but bloodstains were a bitch to deal with.

"If you have any objections, I'll send him somewhere else," Fury said, his one eye opening wide. "I'm sure I can find another job for Coulson. Am I right, Phil?" he added, looking past the Avengers. They all turned around, and there was Phil Coulson, at least according to Fury. Rhodey's jaw dropped, and Sam glanced at him.

"Is it…?"

"Yeah," Rhodey said. "That's him."

"Hello, Colonel," Coulson said. "Nice to see you again."

"What the fuck is going on here?" Steve asked, glaring at Coulson, then at Fury.

"Language," Sam said. Steve grimaced.

"Knew I'd never live that one down," he muttered. "So much for trying to keep mission transcripts clean."

"I'll brief you on the manner of my resurrection later," Coulson said. Steve whirled around and gaped.

"What the fuck did you say?" he said.

"But right now, shouldn't you introduce me to your team, Captain Rogers? Unless you prefer to be Agent Rogers again?"

Steve stared at Coulson as he walked forward. There was red around the tips of Wanda's fingers, and Vision and Pietro were watching with expressions of mild interest.

"You were dead for five days, weren't you?" Steve murmured. Coulson's eyes widened and his shoulders tensed. "But… that's not possible."

"How did you know?" the agent said sharply. "That's classified intel. I mean, I was going to tell you at the brief, but there's no way you could've known, unless…" He looked past Steve. "Sir?"

"Don't look at me," Fury said. "But I do remember the soulmark you didn't have before we used Project TAHITI on you."

"…Oh. I guess I'd never seen enough of the captain's writing to recognise…" He cleared his throat. "That can wait. Won't you introduce me…" He swallowed. "Steve?"

Steve nodded quickly. "Yeah. Of course."

"I also didn't expect Captain America's soulmate to have a swear word in their soulmark."

"I'm Steve Rogers," he said. "Captain America is just an image."

"I'm not likely to forget that," Coulson said dryly. "The reminder is on my skin. Should I just guess everyone?"

"This is my soulmate, Sam Wilson," Rhodey said.

Coulson shook his hand. "Pleased to meet you, Sam. If you need any help with your search, just ask my hacker, Skye. Finding information is her forte."

"I am Vision," Vision said.

"I'm not used to hearing JARVIS's voice coming from an actual person. It's a pleasure, Vision. Do you have a title?"

"No."

"Fair enough. Miss and Mr. Maximoff?"

"Yes," Wanda said, though she didn't make a move to shake his hand. Pietro dashed to his side in a blur, however, and shook Coulson's hand enthusiastically.

"Clint and Natasha have spoken about you," he said. "When I was injured they kept me awake with stories of past missions. I look forward to working with you."

Coulson raised his eyebrows, but smiled. "Likewise, Mr. Maximoff."

"Now, if you'll excuse us," Steve said, and he moved to Coulson's side and grabbed his free hand. "I think a little pre-brief talk is in order between me and our new handler."

"You want me?" Coulson said. Steve opened his mouth. "No, sorry, that sounded… weird. As your handler? You want me to be your handler?"

"I don't think you have a choice, somehow," Rhodey said, but only Sam heard him, and snickered.

"Looks like you'll be in good hands, Phil," Fury said. "I'll herd your crew to the meeting room."

"Be there soon," Coulson said.

"Mind if we come with?" Sam said. "These two can talk here, then come find us when they're done."

Fury nodded, and so did Steve and Coulson. Vision followed Fury first, and the rest of them trailed after him like a straggling line of ducklings. Rhodey slipped his hand into Sam's, and walked close behind him. The reason became clear when he leaned in to speak directly into Sam's ear, the tease.

"Remember how hard it was to tear away from each other when we first met?" he whispered. "I think we'll have to come up with a way to pass the time while…" Sam glanced back, and Rhodey wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

"Yeah, but they've got actual history," Sam said. "Apparently Coulson's a fanboy. It might be awkward at first."

"Anything you wanna share with the class, WarCon?"

"What?" Rhodey said, staring at Fury, who smirked over his shoulder.

"Couple name I've heard about the place," he said. "War Machine plus The Falcon."

"…People have too much time on their hands," Sam said.

"Here's the meeting room," Fury said, stopping in front of double doors. "Coulson's brought along some of his people. He might add more later, one in particular who's indisposed, but these are the ones he trusts the most. Which is saying something."

He pushed open the doors and ushered all five into the room. On the opposite side of the table was a line of four people, two guys and two girls. Fury gestured as he named each of them.

"Lance Hunter, field specialist," he said. "Skye, computer specialist. Leo Fitz, engineering specialist. Jemma Simmons, bioscience specialist."

"A lot of specialists," Pietro said.

"For some of us, it's just a fancy title," Skye said dismissively.

"You're the hacker Coulson mentioned," Sam said. She nodded. "If you've got a minute later, can I talk to you about a project I'm working on?"

"…Sure? I mean, yeah. Of course."

"If I have to introduce any of the Avengers to you, I'll start worrying about Coulson's ability to hold a briefing," Fury said. "He was one of the best."

"Don't worry, we were thoroughly briefed," the field specialist said. British. Huh. Was it possible…?

"Welcome to the new base," Rhodey said. The girl on the end, the bio-specialist, gasped.

"Are you okay?" Sam asked, frowning at her. She shook her head, and the man next to her, the engineer, helped her into a seat. Vision and the twins began talking to Hunter and Skye, while Sam followed Rhodey to the scientist. She swallowed as her eyes trailed up Rhodey's body to his face.

"Oh my God," she breathed.

"Is there a problem, miss?"

She shook her head, and her gaze moved to Sam. "You're both bloody gorgeous."

Sam needed a seat himself then, and he met Rhodey's stunned look.

"A day of surprises," Sam said. He grinned at the woman. "All of `em good surprises, don't worry. And you're the best, soulmate."

"This explains a great deal," she said. "The both of you… just my type." She blushed.

"It's Jemma, isn't it?" Rhodey said. She nodded. "I'm James Rhodes, but just call me Rhodey."

"And I'm Sam Wilson," he said. "Everyone calls me Sam."

"I go by Jemma or Simmons," she said. She looked at the man behind her. "This is my best friend, Fitz."

"I'll leave you to it," Fitz said. Three of them were British. Between them, the twins, and Thor, it was definitely a multi-cultural place. Vision kinda counted as otherworldly. But now wasn't the time to be thinking about that. Sam picked up Jemma's hand and kissed it.

"If Coulson doesn't get here in five minutes, I say we blow this briefing and go get to know each other," he said.

"I second that," Rhodey said.

"Oh my," she said.

"Doesn't have to go beyond talk."

"Coulson still hasn't explained why we're here, and I need a clear head for that, so perhaps anything more can wait until another day?"

"The anticipation just makes it sweeter," Sam said. "Like you."

She ducked her head, still smiling and pink-cheeked. He and Rhodey could've gone on, but Coulson and Steve chose that moment to show up. Fury coughed, the first to notice that a flustered Coulson's tie wasn't as neat as before, and Steve looked incredibly smug.

"Time for a brief," he said. "And a debrief later, I hope." He gave Coulson doe eyes, and their handler walked into a chair.

"Sir!" Jemma said. "Look! I found my soulmates."

"Must be something in the air here," Coulson said dazedly.

"Apparently you took that feng shui book seriously," Fury said.

"That gag gift from five Christmases ago? I didn't factor it into the building's design at all."

"Must be something in the air, as you said. See you later." Fury shut the doors behind him, and Coulson looked over all of them, his cheeks turning a little red when he made eye contact with Steve. He cleared his throat, and walked around the table to the chair at the head.

"Has anyone else here found their soulmate among the other people in this room, or in fact the building?" he asked.

"No," Hunter said, arching his eyebrows.

"It's only a matter of time," Coulson muttered, and he sat down. "Let's get started."

Rhodey and Sam sat flanking Jemma, but respectfully didn't touch her. Her fingers were linked where her hands rested on the table. Forcing herself not to reach out to them? That was an interesting thought, and Sam caught Rhodey's eye.

If Jemma was amenable to a non-platonic relationship, they were gonna have a lot of fun with her.

Lucky, lucky Jemma.

Jemma/Rhodey/Sam was suggested by ozhawk, though I'd already toyed a bit with the idea, because they ARE Jemma's type. And then somehow Capsicoul ended up in the story. People wanted some resolution to the other story, the one with Bruce and Fitz, so I gave a slightly more (implied) positive, uh, discussion between them. I tried to keep J/R/S to the front, though. It helped that the story was mainly from Sam's perspective.

I'd love this to happen, even though it's enormously unlikely. We probably won't get a fix-it, which I threw in because PIETRO SHOULDN'T HAVE DIED! *Sobs* And I didn't even cry because I expected him to come back to life. Not fair!

…Ehem.

Please review!