Do I really need to tell you that I don't own Marvel or any of it's trademark stuff? (Just so you know, I don't)
I apologize again for the long wait. I can't believe how long it's been. I had one story that was fighting me, and that pushed everything else back, then, this one had a few details that stumped me, then didn't have a good stopping point and just went on and on. Kind of like this note, huh?
All For Jesus: I'm sorry you were having a bad weekend. I hope things have gotten better for you. I'm glad my tale helped. Thank you for your kind words.
ReadPaxJoy: Welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed.
Sandy-wmd: Yeah, I know. No doubt the suit filters out cat dander, but ya gotta be sure, right? And yes, Clint is an incredibly good guesser, isn't he? Should probably play the lottery. I'm really tickled to know you like this best. I do, too, right now, but I tend to favorite whichever one I'm working on at the moment. Unless it's causing me problems. But this was my first Avengers fic and has a special place in my heart.
Shadowbeats22107: Thank you. This is definately not a family you'd want to mess with. And that call...
TheHawksRock25: Thanks. I love hearing from readers. I appreciated you sticking with me through the long delay. You rock.
Ella: Glad you liked. Yeah, Pepper has a rather devious side, doesn't she?
Welcome to all my new followers. I appreciate you all. Reviewers, you have no idea how happy you make me. I hope my story makes you happy.
Risks 21
Maria entered Nick's office, nodding at the man already seated in front of the desk.
"Agent Nguyen," she said. "Welcome back."
"Thank you, Agent Hill," he acknowledged. "It's good to be back."
"Have you recovered from your vacation yet?" she asked him.
"After 2 weeks of making the rounds of the in-laws, life at SHIELD felt quite tranquil," he told them.
Dat Nguyen had once been considered a favorite to move into the directorship upon Fury's retirement. He had carefully and meticulously focused his attention on moving up through the organization, making sure that the right people were aware of his abilities. He had supervised most of SHIELD operations in the far east, transferring back to headquarters when rumors had started circulating that Deputy Director Fielder was considering retirement and that he and Fury were looking for the right person to groom to fill the position.
That was when he started hearing about Maria Hill. He ignored the stories about her sleeping her way up the ladder. Those tended to come from people who had tried it without success. Besides, the other stories were far more interesting.
Going back for teammates, even when directed not to.
Taking control of an operation when the team leader was killed and the second froze.
Telling a supervisor that he was wrong.
Though he knew that many didn't take her seriously, he quickly realized that she was probably the biggest threat to his ambition to one day run things.
Well, her or Coulson. But Coulson had no desire to deal with bureaucracy.
His suspicions were proven true when Fury had called them both into his office. He had informed them of a major rising threat that would require a large operation to quell.
A test, Nguyen thought.
And the icing on top? It was in China. An area he had spent years building up contacts and resources. He had no doubt that Fury would hand him this opportunity to prove his worthiness.
Instead, he managed to keep his face expressionless when the director had handed it to Hill.
After several hours in the gym and the firing range destroying things, he had returned to his office, prepared to type up an angry resignation letter. Instead, he found Maria waiting for him.
"I need your help, Nguyen," she told him.
He took his seat, watching her as he tried to understand her angle in coming to him.
She met his gaze. "I tried to tell Director Fury and Assistant Director Fielder that you should be managing this operation. I even asked to turn it over to you, but they told me to handle it."
His continued stare unnerved most people, but she seemed unfazed. "I've gotten a preliminary plan mapped out, and Cuzak down in logistics tells me that it's doable, but you're the one with the knowledge about the area, the personalities and the paradigms involved. I need you to advise me on what we'll be dealing with there."
"I know you're probably angry right now," she told him. "You should be handling this. I don't understand why they put me on it, but they did, and I hope I can count on you to help me make it work."
Suddenly, he understood, and he nodded. "They gave it to you to show me exactly why you are a better leader than I," he told her.
When she raised an eyebrow, he continued. "Had I been given an operation that more closely matched your area of expertise, I would never have sought out your assistance. I would prefer to rely solely on myself and my own resources. My concern is that the mission succeed to make me look good. Your concern is that the mission succeed for the good of SHIELD. You are willing to make use of whatever resources are available to make that happen, even if it's someone else."
She shrugged. "Regardless, it still makes me look good," she reminded him.
"Even though it means sharing credit?" he asked.
"If that's what it takes, yes. Besides, if I'm willing to share the credit, you also understand that I'm willing to share the blame should things go south. That means it's in your best interest to do what you can to make this operation a success, too," she added.
That day had marked the beginning of an understanding between the two. He had soon returned to his position over an expanded area of foreign operations while she had taken more responsibilities at headquarters. Over time, the understanding had transitioned into something of a friendship. While he wasn't in the small circle of those she discussed personal things with, he did have her trust.
"Should you decide to do one of those online dating things, look for orphaned only children," he suggested with a sigh.
"Surely it wasn't that bad?" Nick replied.
"I suppose not," the other man answered. "It's just that since I grew up as an only child of only child parents, there wasn't an extended family to deal with. Marrying a woman with 6 siblings and 5 or 6 aunts and uncles on each side was a bit of a shock to the system. Family can be a bit overwhelming to those of us who aren't used to it."
"I'm sure," Maria said, flashing a look at Nick.
"Besides," Nguyen told them, "It's usually only for a few days here and there. She puts up with a whole lot more from SHIELD."
"True. It's tough finding a woman who will put up with a demanding mistress like SHIELD."
"Yeah. My first one bailed after a couple of years. Figured I'd stay single, but then I met Vicki. We've been together for 30 years now." He looked up at the other two agents. "So, there are people out there," he reminded them. "You may still find someone."
Maria rolled her eyes and picked up her tablet. "Don't we have work to do?"
Nguyen would be spending a few weeks at headquarters, catching up on various things before returning to his position overseas. Though modern technology had advanced to make long distance meetings the norm, Nick still liked to get together personally with his division heads from time to time.
After a lengthy discussion, Nick looked the other man. "Think you'll be able to handle things here tomorrow night?" he asked.
"I think so. There doesn't seem to be anything unusual going on at the moment. Do you have plans?"
"Dinner at Avenger's Tower," Nick told him. "Ms. Potts is hosting a dinner to officially launch The Avenger's Initiative, Inc. It's for the board members, which are pretty much the team members and their significant others."
"Do I have to go?" Maria asked. "You know how much I hate parties. Couldn't you tell her that I have to be here?"
Nick looked at her. "Let me read you the e-mail I received from her earlier."
Director Fury,
Just a reminder of tomorrow night's event at Avenger Tower. Dinner will be family, sit down style and dress is dress casual. All team members are expected to attend. This includes you, Agents Hill, Coulson, Barton, and Romanoff and dates. I will accept no excuses. Remember that I am pregnant and hormonal. You seriously do not want to piss me off and your absence would do so.
Thank you,
Pepper Potts
"Now, if you want to call her and tell her you won't be there..."
She sighed. "I suppose a night with the Avengers is a small price to pay. Besides, we do want to keep on her good side since it does make dealing with Stark a little less painful."
"And I'm sure the food and the booze will be worth whatever discomfort the event give you," Nguyen told her.
That afternoon, Maria's phone rang. Noticing it was Pepper, she answered quickly. "Don't worry. We'll all be there. Barring an attempt at world domination, of course."
Pepper groaned. "I'm sorry. My e-mail did come across a little bitchy, didn't it?"
"I wouldn't say that," the agent answered. 'I might think it, but I wouldn't say it.'
"You're being kind, but I realized after I sent it that it was pretty rude. You are all adults and may not want to celebrate our engagement or Darcy's new position."
Maria cringed at the sound of impending tears in the other woman's voice. Knowing how her own moods sometimes fluctuated during her cycle, she had no doubt that pregnancy could cause the same sort of reactions in the normally calm, focused woman.
"Of course we want to celebrate with you, Pepper. We're a team. What affects one member affects us all. Besides, we all know that you and Tony will provide only the very best in food and libations."
"That's true," the other woman said, giggling slightly. "I don't know any of the guys on the team who would pass up free food."
"So, Darcy decided to take the position?" Maria asked.
"She did," Pepper confirmed. "I hope it's okay that I went ahead and made the offer. After we saw that video of her the other night, there was no doubt in my mind that she was the right person for the job."
Maria had seen the video in question the day before. A reporter for one of the celebrity gossip programs had tried following Jane into a restaurant, peppering her with questions about her relationship with Thor. Jane had blocked his way, furiously defending not only Jane, but all the Avengers, telling the reporter that he had no business prying into the private lives of people who had put their lives on the line to protect the world at large.
"I have no problem with the offer. We had already discussed it and I have no doubts about her commitment to the team, especially in regards to Thor, and Jane. I just wasn't sure how committed she was to her poly sci degree."
"I did tell her that you and Phil would be available for consultation, as would Tony and myself," the redhead told her, sounding a bit unsure.
"That's fine. We've been involved in it this long, a little longer shouldn't hurt and she will be assuming more and more of the responsibilities as time goes on," Maria agreed.
"That was my thought as well," the other woman replied. "Oh. There was something else I wanted to check with you about. I know we had agreed that this would be limited to the team, but I was thinking about adding someone to the list. He's actually already sort of a part of the team and would be a great addition, even if only in an advisory capacity. And he can keep a secret."
"Who are you talking about?"
"James Rhodes. He's a good friend and has a lot of relevant experience."
"War Machine," Maria acknowledged. "I'm familiar with his background." There were several moments of silence as she considered.
"If you're not comfortable with him being here, I won't invite him," Pepper told her.
"No, it's okay. You're right. I think he would be a valuable part of the Initiative and could work well with Darcy."
"And you're okay with him knowing about you?"
During the conversation, Maria had texted Nick, presenting him with Pepper's idea. After a delay, he had texted back, agreeing with the invitation and the professional and personal implications thereof.
When Maria passed that along, Pepper sighed with relief. "Of course, that leaves me with an uneven number for dinner. Now I need to find another woman to balance us out."
"I had a thought on that," Maria told her. "You remember how we were discussing the possibility of adding to the medical staff?"
After a series of phone calls, Maria found herself, along with Pepper, Darcy, and Bruce at a conference table in Avengers Tower waiting for a trio of prospective employees. Darcy was looking frantically through some notes, a worried frown on her face.
"Relax, Darcy," Pepper assured her. "You'll do fine."
"I've never done job interviews from this side," the younger woman told them.
The door opened and Tony entered, accompanied by an older couple and a younger woman. Pepper's face brightened and she rose to greet the older woman.
"Maribel! So nice to see you," she said.
"And you, Pep...Ms. Potts," the woman replied.
Pepper glanced at Tony. "You remember Maribel Watkins. She was Mac Rowland's PA before she retired a few years back."
Tony smiled, grunting noncommittally.
"He's been grouching about you leaving him ever since," she told the woman.
"Well," she answered, "At the time, Ezra and I thought we were both ready to retire." She smiled at the man standing next to her. "Turned out we're neither one cut out for it."
"So Dr. Carlyle told me," Maria contributed, looking at the man. Dr Ezra Watkins had been chief medical officer with SHIELD for years and had mentored the current holder of the position. Following a recent regular check up, the doctor had confided in Maria that her former boss was at loose ends, often calling her to discuss articles he had read or inquire about any interesting cases she was dealing with. Maria had realized that his boredom might present a possible solution to the medical needs at the tower. Some research had shown that the man had kept his medical license up to date and continued to read and contribute to several respected journals. At the discovery of his wife's former employment, she wondered if they might both fill needs in the new operation.
As everyone took their seats, Pepper cleared her throat.
"Ms. Lewis?"
Darcy jumped, then started to push her chair back. "Sorry. I forgot to get the coffee."
"I'll get that," Pepper told her. "You're conducting the interviews."
"Oh. Right." She smiled nervously, once again flipping through the pages in front of her.
"You've got those questions you drew up," Bruce reminded her, handing her a file folder that she had pushed to the side.
"Right," she said again, giving him a grateful smile. Taking a deep breath, she straightened her spine and smiled. "Dr. Watson. Mrs. Watson. Ms Sanchez. Thank you for coming. I'm Darcy Lewis."
The next hour or so passed as she explained to them the purpose of AII and the positions that they were looking to fill. She worked her way through her list of questions, adding in a few more that came to mind. When she finished, she turned to the others.
"Anything else?"
Bruce nodded. "Dr. Watkins. You would be responsible for the health of the tower residents. That sometimes includes beings from other dimensions as well as humans with certain...altered genetics. Do you think you'd be able to deal with that?"
The doctor nodded at him. "In my years with SHIELD, I treated a whole lot of things that weren't covered in medical school or any of my rotations. I learned to think on the fly and improvised a whole lot. If I do come to work for you, my first step would be for myself and my staff," he nodded towards Jessica, "to familiarize ourselves with those we might be treating, particularly those 'altered' individuals."
Bruce nodded before turning his attention to the nurse. She smiled at him. "Most of my recent experience has been in ER. I've seen some pretty bizarre things, but no aliens that I know of. Those who claimed they were usually got sent up to psych, eventually." She shrugged. "But I'm flexible."
Bruce smiled back at her before glancing at her file. "I am curious, though. You seem to have quite a number of notations about being 'difficult' or not following orders. Most recently, just a few weeks ago."
Jessica nodded. "Yeah. I refused to give a patient a penicillin injection."
Bruce raised a questioning eyebrow.
"The patient was allergic to penicillin. The idiot doctor wouldn't listen to me when I tried to tell him that he had the wrong patient chart." She turned to Dr. Watkins. "No offense, sir."
"None taken," he assured her. "I'm usually not an idiot doctor, and when I am, I expect to be called on it," he told her with a smile.
"And the other comments?" Bruce probed.
"I look out for my patients," she told him. "Sometimes, that means questioning a doctor or senior staff member. Sometimes, it even means doing something a difficult patient is fighting you on," she explained, glancing at Maria.
"She's the one who bandaged up my arm and head at the ER a few weeks back while I was sitting there telling the doctor that I didn't need to be treated," Maria told him.
"She didn't give you that freeze-your-blood glare?" Bruce asked the nurse.
"She did," she answered him, "but my fiery, Latino blood came in handy."
He laughed, then offered to show them the medical facility. As they walked down, Darcy explained that living quarters would be made available either at the tower or in a nearby area. The two medical professionals were duly impressed by the well appointed facility.
Jessica had a question. "How many people would we be taking care of?"
"Maybe a dozen or so," Darcy told her.
"That hardly seems to require two full time medical personnel," she replied.
Pepper picked up the conversation. "The main thing is that we need someone to be available any time, to be here or able to get here on very short notice if one of the team members is injured or ill. So, while this is a full time position, there are other parts to it as well. Stark Industries Charities is opening a neighborhood clinic a few blocks from here. While you would be working there, you would be close enough to get back here quickly should the need arise."
Jessica and Ezra both nodded, pleased with the well thought out plan.
"Do you have any other questions?" Pepper asked, looking towards Darcy.
"Um. I don't think so," the young woman answered, her uncertainty clear in her eyes.
"Would you like for us to step out for a moment, Ms Lewis?" Mrs Watkins asked.
At Pepper's slight nod, Darcy smiled. "Yes, thank you. If you wouldn't mind taking a seat in the waiting area?" she replied, waving them towards the plush chairs.
When they were out of earshot, Darcy motioned the others close. "I like them. Can we keep them?"
Pepper looked at her. "Yes, they're very nice. But your question should be about how well they will fill the needs."
"Oh. Yeah." She stood for a moment, chewing on her lower lip. "I'm not really sure." Finally, Maria took pity on her.
"Darcy. You don't have to make the decisions all by yourself. Pepper doesn't. I don't."
"I do," Tony interjected.
Maria ignored him. "A good leader doesn't have to know everything about everything. They just have to find trusted resources who do know a lot about certain things and then make use of those resources."
Darcy's eyes widened as understanding hit. "Pepper," she said, turning to the woman, "You know Mrs. Watkins. Do you think she would be a good fit? Would be able to work with me, even though I really have no idea what I'm doing?"
"I think she'd be great for you," Pepper assured her. "I learned a lot from watching her back when I was working as Tony's PA. She knows about running a business and will help you as much or as little as you want her to."
"And your professional opinion of the medical applicants?" she asked, turning to Bruce.
"Highly qualified," he assured her. "Both experienced in dealing with difficult situations and difficult people. I think they're just what we need."
"And it doesn't hurt that Ms. Sanchez is very nice to look at, either, does it, Doc?" Tony tossed in.
Darcy smiled and patted Bruce's arm. "Maybe just what you need." Before he could reply, she looked at the others. "So. Are we ready to make offers?"
The next night, Nick stood in Maria's room, watching her putting the finishing touches on her light makeup. He was dressed in dark slacks and a dark green shirt, opened at the neck.
"Dress casual?" she muttered. "What's that supposed to mean?"
He shrugged. "More casual than dressy but dressier that casual?"
She threw him a dirty look. "Thanks. That's really helpful."
He stepped behind her to help her fasten her necklace, trailing his fingers along the skin of her shoulders, left bare by the spaghetti straps of her pale green dress. The fitted bodice emphasized her breasts and flat stomach before flaring from her hips and swirling to fall just below her knees. White sandals finished the outfit.
"Is the back high enough?" she asked.
He knew what she was asking. Do any of the scars show? His finger lightly skimmed the few pale traces snaking above the top of the dress.
"It's fine," he assured her. "The front, though."
"Too low?" she asked.
"Not low enough," he teased, leaning over her shoulder to look down the front. He was rewarded with a glimpse of black lace before she turned and pushed him away.
"Later," she promised. "Can't be late."
"Why not?" he asked, his arms pulling her close as his lips traced a path down her neck.
"Hormonal Potts," she reminded him.
She felt his movement stop. He sighed and she felt his heavy breathing against her skin.
"Nick?"
"I'm thinking." His hand stroked the curve of her backside. "It would be worth it."
"It would," she agreed, "but we have all night."
He growled with frustration, but finally straightened, stepping away from her.
"Maybe we can leave early?" she offered.
Finally, he smiled, kissed her lightly, then offered an arm to escort her upstairs to the penthouse.
Pepper greeted them as they exited the elevator, directing them to the bar where Tony was fixing drinks. Fortified, they joined Steve and Beth in the living room, making conversation. They were soon joined by Clint and Natasha, Thor and Jane following soon after, Darcy in tow. A short time later, Bruce wandered up from the lab, welcomed by a hug from the young college student. For a time, the two had seemed about to embark on a relationship, but had backed away. Instead, they had settled into a comfortable friendship, Darcy more than willing to step up for the quiet doctor.
Col. Rhodes was the next to arrive. He greeted Tony and Pepper first, accepting the drink Stark offered before moving to sit next to Darcy. The broad smile and small blush on her face indicated the possibility of a new focus for her romantic aspirations.
When the elevator opened next, Phil stepped out, the attractive brunette on his arm scanning the room with deep, brown eyes. She nodded briefly at Clint and Natasha, the corners of her mouth turning up when she noticed Nick's arm draped around Maria's shoulder.
"Agent May," he acknowledged.
Phil introduced her to the other, snagging drinks from the bar before settling into empty seats near Nick and Maria.
Phil had approached the couple a few days earlier to ask about inviting Melinda as his date for the function.
"Since she and I shouldn't be dating any more than the two of you should, I don't think you have to worry about her saying anything," he told them.
Fury had laughed. "If there's anyone in this organization that I don't worry about speaking up when she shouldn't, it's Melinda May. The concern with her is more about speaking up when she should."
Flashback
Maria hadn't been particularly surprised when her phone rang at 2 am. She was surprised to see Melinda May's name on the caller ID.
"Hill," she answered.
"Can you come an' pi' me up?" May asked, her voice slightly slurred.
"On my way," Maria replied, disconnecting the call.
She followed the GPS on the other agent's phone to a rather seedy bar in an undesirable part of town. Walking in, she notice several men nursing split lips, black eyes, and other assorted cuts and bruises. A few others were just starting to pick themselves up off the floor.
Maria wandered up to the bar. "I'm looking for a friend."
An inebriated barfly slid over to stand next to her. "I'll be your frien'," he told her with a leer.
She looked around, then gave him a mild look. "My friend did this drunk. Do you want to see what I can do sober?"
As he quickly slid back into the shadows, the bartender gestured for her to follow. "Your friend is back in the office," he told her. When he opened the door, Melinda was slumped back on the sofa, her eyes closed and her head tilted back.
"May?"
No response.
"Melinda?"
Still nothing.
"Cavalry."
Her brown eyes shot open. "Don't ever call me that."
"Let's go," Maria told her. While Melinda pulled herself to her feet, the other woman pulled several bills from her pocket and handed them to the bartender. "Sorry for the trouble," she told him before leading May out to the vehicle.
"Where to?"
Melinda shrugged. "Base?"
Instead, after a short drive into a somewhat better area, Maria pulled up in front of an all night diner. Inside the nearly empty restaurant, they slid into a booth on the back wall, both habitually positioning themselves to keep an eye on the front door and windows.
"Do you want me to just leave the pot?" the waitress asked, bringing over two mugs and the coffee carafe.
Maria nodded. "And a pitcher of water, too." While the waitress went to get one, Hill looked at the older woman. "Do you think you can handle a burger?"
"Not hungry," May replied.
"I didn't ask if you were hungry," Maria told her as the waitress returned. "I asked if your stomach can handle a burger. You need some food in you."
Melinda stared at her for a moment, then nodded to the server. "Lettuce, tomato, pickles. Fries on the side," she told her.
After the young woman left, May looked over to find Hill watching her.
"Suppose you want me to spill my guts?"
"I'd rather you wouldn't," Maria answered, but kept studying her.
"What?!" Melinda finally barked.
"Why me?" Maria asked. "Not that I mind, but why not Phil? Or one of your friends?"
"My friends? They look at me different now," the older woman mumbled. "They all do. Except for you. I see it in their eyes. Awe. Pity. Even fear, depending on which version of the story they've heard and chosen to believe. With Phil, it's worry. With Fury, it's curiosity. You? You still look at me with that same 'go to hell' look you give everyone."
"And your look says you have," Maria said softly.
They were silent for several minutes while the waitress delivered May's meal and a fresh pot of coffee.
"Besides, Phil trusts you," the other woman added once they were alone again. She added the crisp vegetables to her burger, then looked back at Hill. "You've read the reports, heard all the stories. What do you think?"
"I think you need to eat," Maria told her.
Melinda picked up the burger, beginning to eat mechanically, not really tasting anything as she stared out the window. About halfway through, she started talking, finally, quietly sharing with someone the events of Bahrain. When she finally finished, her eyes slid back to Maria, watching for a reaction.
Her face was expressionless, her hand steady as she raised her cup for a sip of coffee.
"Nothing to say?" Melinda asked.
Maria shook her head. "Nothing I could say would change anything, would it?"
"Are you going to run off to Fury with this?" May probed, suddenly regretting speaking of something she had sworn she never would.
Maria swallowed, then looked her in the eye. "You turned in your official report. So did everyone else involved. As far as I'm concerned, that's what happened."
"Thanks," Melinda mumbled. "But you understand why I can't go back on the field?"
Hill nodded. "I understand. But why are you telling me?"
"Because Phil will listen to you. Fury will listen to you."
Maria laughed. "Not that I've ever noticed."
"He does," Melinda insisted. "At least, as much as he listens to anyone. You may not realize it, but he takes your opinions seriously."
Maria shook her head again. "I'll do what I can, but you know that they'll get their way eventually. When they're ready to put you back on the field, they'll find a way to manipulate you into it."
May shook her head, then sighed in resignation. "Yeah. I know. But the longer we can put that off..." Her look was pleading.
"I'll do what I can," Maria repeated.
Melinda nodded her thanks, then finished her meal. The two women never spoke of that night again, but an odd sort of friendship had taken root. The time they spent together was more often spent in silence than conversation, but both were comfortable.
For a time, Maria managed to offer other options when Fury's mind wandered towards the expert field agent hiding out in admin, but eventually, his manipulations won out. He used Phil, the one person Maria and Melinda both were unwilling to trust to anyone but the best.
A number of unusual events had started occurring and Fury felt that a small, very specialized team was the best way to deal with them. And the Phil was the best person to guide the mixture of inexperienced and brash agents he had picked. But someone needed to watch Phil's back. And both women knew who the best person for that job would be.
The Watkins' were unable to join them, due to a previous commitment, so the arrival of Jessica completed the party. Bruce greeted her warmly, introducing her to the others before escorting her to the table. Dinner was a lighthearted affair, the new faces blending well into the group. Toasts were offered for the new business venture and for the upcoming Stark nuptials, scheduled for the following month at the Stark estate on nearby Martha's Vineyard.
Meal concluded, the group moved back into the living area, discussions moving quickly from topic to topic as they got to know one another.
"Tony's still hovering a bit," Maria mentioned to Nick.
He nodded. "And she's not looking very happy about it," he added.
Her displeasure increased as the evening wore on. Finally, an irritated look on her face, she stood up and Tony jumped to follow. She turned on him angrily.
"I'm going to the bathroom, Tony. I don't need an escort or an audience. Unless you think I'm too helpless to manage it by myself." The look on her face was dangerous.
Clint sidled over to Tony and spoke out of the side of his mouth. "Say 'of course not, dear,'"
"Of course not, dear," Tony parroted swallowing quickly.
Pepper turned and stalked from the silent room. Slowly, conversations picked up again, glances sliding to Tony as he stood, waiting for her return. He kept checking his watch.
"Shouldn't she be back by now?" he muttered. "How long does it take to do your business?"
"You know better than to ask questions like that," Clint told him.
With another glance at his watch, Tony spoke into the air.
"JARVIS? Is Ms. Potts still in the bathroom?"
"No, sir," the voice answered. "She's currently on the outdoor deck."
Before Tony could move, Maria pointed a warning finger at him and rose. "I'll go," she told him.
Tasha was close behind her. "Do not let him follow," she told Clint.
Out on the deck, they found the strawberry blonde leaning on the wall, looking down on the city below.
"Probably not the best escape route," Maria commented, moving over to stand next to her. "Especially in a skirt. Though Nat might be able to make it."
Nat moved to stand on the other side of Pepper and look down. "Maybe. Clint definitely could."
"Even in a skirt?" Maria asked.
The redhead considered. "Maybe. But I don't think I want to see that."
They noticed the ghost of a smile on Pepper's lips. "No, not planning an escape."
"Probably not the best way to get rid of Stark, either," Maria told her. "Very messy."
"Not to mention the danger to the innocent people below," Natasha added.
Pepper was definitely starting to smile now.
"If we put our heads together, I'm sure we can come up with much better plans to do away with him," Maria said.
"Something much harder to trace back to you," Romanoff contributed.
The sound of the sliding glass door drew their attention and they turned as the rest of the ladies strolled out to join them on the deck.
"Stark was worried that you might be plotting to kill him," Jane told them. "We wanted to see if we could offer suggestions."
Pepper finally laughed out loud. "No, I suppose I shouldn't kill him."
"Let us know if you change your mind," Natasha told her, boosting herself up to sit on the wall.
"I know he worries about me, but his over protectiveness is getting really old," she told the group. "Do you know that he was ready to hire a full time bodyguard for me?" she said.
Maria and Natasha glanced at each other and Pepper noticed and groaned. "He talked to you about it, didn't he?"
Both nodded.
Pepper looked down at her feet. "You know what the worst part is?" she asked quietly.
"How easy it would be to give in?" Beth responded.
The SI CEO looked up in surprise. "Exactly."
"Steve doesn't really say anything, but he's always at the diner when I have to work a late shift. There was a time he kept hinting around about moving into the tower with my grandparents, but he hasn't mentioned that in a while."
Jane nodded in agreement. "Thor is always trying to tell me I need to let him take me somewhere safe, to let him take care of me."
"I think it's kind of cute," Darcy commented. "It shows that they care about you."
"I had a friend in high school whose boyfriend wanted to protect her," Jessica said. "She let him, because she thought it was cute. Now, she won't even leave her apartment without him because he's so worried about what could happen to her."
"Yeah, I guess it can go too far," Darcy agreed.
Pepper looked at Maria and Natasha. "You're so lucky to have men who know you can take care of yourselves," she told them.
The two looked at each other, then laughed. "Nick and I almost ended pretty soon after we started because he tried to keep me safe by not sending me on a mission," Maria told them.
"And I almost had to beat Clint senseless in the gym before he stopped trying to discourage me from taking on some of the more dangerous missions."
"But they're okay with your work now, right?" Jane probed.
After another shared glance, they both shrugged.
"I don't really do a whole lot of field work anymore, so I'm not really in as much danger," Maria told them.
"That's why you were in the ER a few weeks back?" Jessica teased.
"I said 'as much,'" Maria replied.
"Besides," Nat commented, "they've got their little 'check up' pact."
"What's that?" Melinda asked curiously.
"Between Nick, Clint, and Phil, one or the other of them will find a way to check up on each of us at least once a day. Usually twice. More often if it's something dangerous."
Maria picked up the explanation. "Since Nick knows I'll get irritated if he checks up on me too often when I'm on the helicarrier and he's on base, he'll have Clint stop by my office for coffee or Phil call to ask me what the name of the Chinese restaurant we ate at in Miami was."
"Or Nick will call me up on the field to make sure I've received some intel that he could very well have someone in communications pass on to me."
"Or very casually ask me when I last heard from her," Maria asked.
"Hm."
They looked over to find Agent Melinda May looking at them. "I wonder if that has anything to do with the recent increase in communications I've been having with Fury and Hawkeye when I've been out on solo jobs."
"I would imagine so," Maria told her. "Nick is the one who had me text you the other day to ask you to confirm your appointment for your physical."
"I thought that seemed an odd request from the Deputy Director," she mused.
Natasha shrugged. "So, they still worry, but at least they're somewhat discreet about it."
"Yeah, well mine's not very discreet," Pepper said.
Maria snapped her fingers, an idea occurring to her. "Maybe he'd be a little more comfortable if he knew you had some self defense training."
"Doubtful," the other woman replied.
"But you'd feel more confident," Darcy piped up. "They offered some classes back on campus and it really helped. Even though I haven't had to use any of the techniques they taught, they told us that just knowing what to do if something did happen would increase our confidence and decrease the likelihood of becoming a victim. Most attackers would prefer someone who looks frightened."
"I suppose I could look for some classes," Pepper ventured.
"Or we could teach you," Natasha volunteered. "Maria and I have both taught hand to hand classes at the academy. It shouldn't be any problem to teach you a few simple moves."
"That sounds like a great idea," Darcy responded. "I'd certainly love a refresher. Especially from a couple of bad ass secret agents." She looked at the two. "That is, if you don't mind me joining in."
"Not at all," Maria assured her. "In fact, you can all come. May? We'd love your help, too."
"I'd love to, but I'm off on vacation starting tomorrow. Going to visit my mom for a few days," Melinda told them. "Maybe another time, though."
"Is Saturday afternoon good for everyone?" Darcy asked. "We can use the gym here at the tower."
"I should be able to do that," Natasha said, Maria nodding in agreement.
"Good for me," Pepper told them.
"Me, too," Jane added.
"Jessica? Beth?"
"I'd love to," Jessica responded. "I don't have a boyfriend worrying about me, but I do have a protective dad who keeps wanting me to explain to the hospital why I can't work late shifts."
Beth shook her head. "Sorry. Saturday my grandfather had his lodge meeting and grandma and I usually do something together. We both look forward to it."
"Bring her along," Maria told her. "The more, the merrier. Besides, she might be interested in learning how to defend herself, too."
"She has mentioned a few times that the neighborhood isn't as safe as it used to be," Beth mused. "I'll check with her."
"Saturday it is," Pepper reminded them all, a relaxed smile on her face. "But back inside for now. Tony has strolled by the door a dozen times already, Nick's standing where he can just see out, pretending to be doing something on his phone, and Phil's right next to him."
"Don't forget Clint watching out the vent," Tasha added, pointing to a wall grate.
"Hey, that rhymes," Darcy commented as they all moved back to join the men waiting for them.
And that's a wrap. Thank you for your time and attention. Again, sorry for the long delay. I had a plan for this, but it changed as I started writing. Since I started this so long ago, I've kind of been ignoring the events of The Winter Soldier and Agents of Shield (no SHIELD collapse in my universe) even though I enjoyed both. I saw several episodes of AoS and like the Coulson/May pairing, but I don't really want Phil leaving my little playground to travel the world with his new team. So, in my universe, it's just a kind of part time thing and Coulson's still around. I hope this idea works for you. Anyway, as always, I'd love to know your thoughts on this.
You're the lighting bugs in my summer evening!