Once again, I'm just borrowing the characters from Marvel and whoever else has a piece of them and will return them at the end. I take care of things I borrow so that they'll let me use them again next time I want to play with them.
All For Jesus: You make me blush. So glad you enjoyed this. :)
ShadowBeats22107: Wow. Perfect? Really blushing now (almost as much as when I read one of your stories). Thanks so much. I hope this chapter is a worthy followup.
avngstories: Nope. Not done yet. I still have a lot of ideas for this duo and plan to keep writing as long as people keep reviewing. I feed off of reviews.
Sandy-wmd: Thanks. I was kind of grinning when I wrote the scene in at the end also. I like trying to inject a little humor.
Marqueza: Thank you. I'm glad you liked.
All the lovely comments bring a smile to my face. They're the whipped cream on my hot chocolate.
On with the tale. Hope you enjoy.
Risks 11
Maria was on a video conference call with Pepper Potts when Nick entered, taking a seat across from her. He was half listening to their conversation as he looked over some paperwork that he needed to go over with her.
While working out the financial arrangements for the Avenger's Initiative, the women had come to the conclusion that they needed to hire an outside financial manager, independent of either Stark Industries or SHIELD. With the extensive reach of both operations, it had been a difficult task to locate reputable companies with no ties to either, but Pepper had finally come up with a list of several possibilities and had had her assistant working to set up appointments with representatives from those companies.
Maria frowned as she noticed Nick rubbing at the spot on his chest where he had recently been shot. The shooter had been identified and dealt with. He was a sympathizer with a small group that had been opposed to the meeting that Nick had been organizing and to the agreements that could come from such a meeting. Maria's quick actions had assured that the meet had happened as planned and the success of it had everyone breathing a little easier.
He noticed her watching and smiled, quickly dropping his hand.
"Just itching," he mouthed.
She nodded, returning his smile.
"So do you think you'd be able to do that?" Pepper's voice chimed.
Maria realized that she hadn't been listening. Turning her attention back to the call, she apologized.
"I'm sorry, Ms Potts, I had to deal with another matter. Would I be able to do what?"
Pepper smile sympathetically as she turned her head briefly to study a note her assistant was holding out to her. "I understand completely, Agent Hill. I was saying that the CEO of one of the financial companies we were looking at contacted me and let me know that he is going to be passing through New York this afternoon on business and was wondering if we might be able to meet with him while he's here."
The agent pulled up her schedule for the day. "I should be able to do that. I just need to move a few things around, but I don't for see any problems. Which one of our suitors is this?"
Pepper had given her a list, but she didn't think she had ever gotten around to looking at it.
"Gavin Walsh with Walsh Financial," Pepper told her, consulting her own notes. "He's based out of Chicago and came highly recommended by several sources."
Fury noticed Maria stiffen very slightly. He probably wouldn't have even noticed had he not gotten to know her moods so well in the months they had been personally involved. He puzzled. The name sounded familiar for some reason he couldn't quite place.
The Stark Industries CEO continued. "If you want to meet us as the tower, we can ride together in the limo to his hotel."
"Sounds good," Maria nodded, her voice clipped.
They finalized arrangements and ended the call. Nick studied his lover as she focused on the schedule rearrangements needed. His stare finally drew her attention and she looked at him, eyebrow raised in a question.
"I think maybe I'll let Coulson take this meeting," he told her.
"Coulson left for New Mexico this morning," she reminded him.
"Then Malone can handle it on his own," he replied, naming the accountant who had been working on the project the her.
"Not on his own."
"Then I'll go with him."
She sighed heavily. "Nick, don't worry. You're the one that dropped this in my lap, very much against my wishes, but I'm doing it. Malone and I have been working on this and I think we both need to be in on this meeting to make sure we don't miss anything."
He didn't look convinced.
"It's business, Nick. I'll handle it."
Finally, he nodded his surrender. "Okay, but I'm going with you."
"Not necessary," she told him.
"Maybe not, but I'm going anyway."
She narrowed her eyes, glaring at him for a few moments. "Your caveman is showing again, Nick."
"Ugh," he replied.
If Pepper was surprised to have the Director of SHIELD join their business meeting, you couldn't tell by her welcoming smile. Stark, though, had to comment."
"Just what we need. Pirate backup."
Maria glanced at him. "He's here because I told him I you were about to drive me to homicide," she told him.
Stark batted his eyelashes at her. "Me?"
"Exactly," she responded.
"Now, now," Pepper interrupted. "Let's play nice, children."
The limo ride over was silent as each of the four focused on taking care of outstanding business before going into the meeting. Walsh was making use of one of the conference rooms at his hotel and when they arrived, they were escorted into the room. Malone and the Stark Industries accountant were already seated at the table. Before the new arrivals could take their seats, Gavin Walsh and his group arrived. He quickly introduced himself and his team to Tony, Nick, and Pepper before taking his seat.
Pepper looked at the other woman, curious about the obvious slight, but Maria refused to meet her gaze, instead focusing the attention on the data pad in her hand. Her curiosity increased when Walsh's assistant, a man by the name of van Drake started passing out copies of their proposal. When he started to hand one to Maria, Walsh coughed, shaking his head slightly. Instead, the man smirked at her, his gaze lingering just a little too long. When Fury loudly cleared his throat, he started, then moved over to stand next to his boss.
Nick proceeded to slide his paperwork over to Maria, knowing that he wouldn't be able to make much of it. That's why he left the financial stuff to the accounting department. Maria, though, had always had an affinity for numbers. That was part of the reason he had put her on this project.
When a young woman came in to offer refreshments, Tony and Pepper both accepted coffee as did both of the accountants. Nick refused anything. Before she could even ask if Hill wanted anything, Walsh dismissed her.
As Walsh started his presentation of their plan for managing the finances of the newly created Avengers Initiative Incorporated, he smiled broadly, nodding and making eye contact with the accountants, Tony, Pepper and Nick. The other occupant of the table was studiously ignored.
During a power point presentation when the lights were turned down, Pepper did notice Gavin covertly watching the agent, his face a harsh mask. Van Drake, on the other hand, seemed to be glancing at her often, the look on his face one that caused the hair on Pepper's neck to stand up. Maria, though, ignored both, concentrating on the presentation.
Finally, Walsh wrapped things up and asked if they had any questions of concerns. Pepper's data pad informed her that she had an urgent e-mail. She frowned slightly when she realized that it was from the woman across the table from her. It listed several questions and points that needed clarification.
Understanding dawned. The man obviously had issues with the dark haired agent and would not be receptive to any questions she might pose, so Pepper proceeded to bring them up, along with several of her own. Tony brought up a few more as did each of the accountants, then, finally, the meeting concluded.
Again, Walsh was effusive in thanking the others for their time and consideration while quite deliberately ignoring Hill. His assistant, though, finally spoke to her.
"Lovely to see you again."
Again, Pepper felt a chill run down her spine.
On the elevator ride down, Malone and Wiggins, the Stark Industries accountant compared notes and decided to hole up at the corporate headquarters to dissect the proposal. When the elevator doors opened, they went one way while the other four headed to the front of the building where Happy was bringing the limo around.
As they started across the lobby, Maria spoke.
"If you would all excuse me for a moment?" she said, tilting her head towards the ladies room.
The others nodded and she quickly headed that direction.
After a moment, Pepper spoke.
"I think I'll take a moment as well."
Nick's look was meant to discourage her from following the other woman, but she just tossed her head and followed, her heels tapping across the granite floor.
She pushed open the heavy door, not seeing anyone else in the room. Soft sounds came from the last stall, though. Growing up with an alcoholic mother and a bulimic sister, Pepper recognized the sound of dry heaves. She started to knock, then backed away, going to stand at the sink.
Finally, the stall door opened and a slightly pale Maria Hill stepped out. She paused a moment when she saw the other woman, but then continued to the sink.
"Everything okay?" Pepper asked.
Maria briefly met her gaze in the mirror. "Fine."
She washed her hands, then dampened a paper towel and lightly blotted her face. Pepper opened her carryall and pulled out a bottle of water, offering it to the other woman. After a moments hesitation, Maria accepted it, nodding her thanks. She rinsed her mouth a couple of times, then took a long drink. As she recapped the bottle, Pepper again reached into he bag, pulling out a roll of breath mints. With another nod, she took one and popped it into her mouth.
"Need anything else?" Pepper asked, dropping the roll back into her bag. "Antacid? Ibuprofen? Midol? Nail clippers?"
"No, thanks. I'm good."
"Pistol? Knife?"
Maria finally cracked a smile. "No, thanks. Got my own."
The strawberry-blonde looked up at her, taking in the skin tight fit of her uniform. "Really? Where?"
"Close at hand," was the only response she received. "That's quite the bag you carry, Ms. Potts."
Pepper shrugged. "It's best to be prepared when you go out in public with Tony," she explained.
"Can you ever really be prepared for Stark?" Maria asked curiously.
Again, the other woman shrugged. "Not really. But I try."
The agent crossed to the door, placing her hand on the handle as she locked gazes with Pepper again.
"Thanks."
Pepper nodded, then exited to the lobby where the two men waited. Tony was looking impatiently at his watch.
"Hurry it up, ladies. Places to go, people to see, things to do, and all that."
"Really," Pepper asked. "Who? What? Where?"
He leaned over and kissed her lightly on the cheek. "I'll let you know when I figure it out," he told her, placing a hand on the small of her back to guide her to the door. Nick motioned for Maria to precede him and they both trailed the others out to where the limo waited.
As they settled in for the ride back to the tower, Tony looked across the seat at Maria. She dreaded what she knew was about to come.
"So, Hill," he said. "What did you to piss him off so badly? Sleep with his son? Shoot his dog?"
Pepper nudged him, but he continued watching expectantly. Nick clenched his fists, fighting the urge to reach over and take her hand. The heavy silence stretched out for several minutes and Nick thought she might simply ignore the question.
Finally, though, she replied.
"I killed his wife."
Pepper's eyes widened as she searched for something to say.
"I'm sure there's a perfectly reasonable explanation," she finally mumbled.
Maria watched her for a few moments, then sighed.
"My mother died in childbirth. My father never forgave me for that."
"Gavin Walsh is your father?" Tony asked.
She nodded sharply. "Unfortunately, yes."
"But how could he hold you responsible for what happened?" Pepper asked, confusion in her voice. "It's not like you did deliberately did anything to cause her to die."
"I lived, she died. That's all the reason he needed," Maria responded, opening up her copy of the proposal to indicate that the conversation was over.
"That's just wrong," Pepper muttered under her breath.
The rest of the ride was silent and upon arrival at the tower, Nick and Maria climbed into the helicopter for a ride back to the base. Though he tried to catch her gaze so he could gauge her mood, she studiously avoided looking him in the eye.
When they set down, she quickly exited the chopper, heading into the rabbit warren of corridors. He sighed, realizing that he wasn't going to get her to talk to him.
And he'd let that go.
For now.
Several times during the course of the day, their paths crossed. Though she still refused to meet his gaze, he noted her clenched jaw and rigid posture and longed to wrap his arms around her.
When he finally decided to call it a day, he went looking for her. Her office was dark and she wasn't at the gym, the shooting range, or the pool. She didn't answer the door to her quarters, so he let himself in. Once inside, he could hear the shower running and he followed the sound to the bathroom. He knocked lightly on the door, knowing it was never a good idea to surprise her, then walked in.
She was standing under the hot running water, her face buried in her hands, her shoulders shaking. Nick dropped his jacket and quickly kicked his shoes off before opening the shower door and stepping in, still fully clothed, taking her shoulders and gently turning her to face him and wrapping his arms around her.
She stiffened for a moment, then finally gave in, burying her face in his shirt and allowing the sobs to come.
He kissed the top of her head.
"It's okay, sweetheart. You can let it out. It's okay."
Lupin fan1, you had asked about Maria's past. Here's a little bit of it. Hope you (and everyone else) enjoyed this glimpse.
Reviews desperately craved. I'd love to know what you thought of this part.
Hmm. Steamy shower. My mind is drifting towards chapter 11.5. What do you think?