Finally have another chapter completed. As always, apologies for the long wait. There are many things going on, busy kiddos, busy season at work. I so appreciate you patience with my slow pace.
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Risks 23
Saturday found Maria and Natasha in one of the medium sized workout rooms, setting up chairs and spreading out mats on the floor.
"Have you told Clint yet?" Maria asked.
"Told Clint what?"
Maria gave her friend an annoyed look. "About the bounty Ivan put out on you."
"Allegedly," Natasha interjected. "I know you trust the source that gave you the info, but I just find the whole thing a little hard to believe. First of all, Ivan is dead."
"Allegedly," Maria responded. "You've been in this business long enough to know how that works. I rarely believe that someone is really dead unless I had a hand in making them that way."
The assassin nodded her reluctant agreement, but continued with her argument. "I haven't heard anything about him or the red room or the widow program in years. Why would they suddenly decide to come after me after all this time?."
"I don't know, but, like you said, I trust my source on this."
"Well, my sources haven't said anything about this bounty. You get this kind of stuff all the time, Maria. Why are you taking this threat so seriously?"
Maria shrugged. "I'm not sure, but my instincts tell me we should." She looked at the other woman. "And the odd thing is, I'm not getting any responses from my other sources."
"Doesn't that make it less credible?"
She shook her head. "No. You're not understanding. When I send out an inquiry asking if anyone has heard anything about such-and-such, I have some sources who always respond without fail, even it it's just to say, 'No, ma'am, I haven't, but I will keep my eyes and ears open and let you know if I do.' Even those sources aren't responding to me."
Nat cocked her head. "What do you think that means?"
"That someone is involved who scares them more than I do. Since, I know it's not you or Fury, someone else has them scared to talk."
"Actually, a lot of people find you scarier than Fury," the redhead contradicted.
"Really?" Maria asked, with a small smile.
"Really. Nick just always looks scary. You can look quite sweet at first, and become more and more frightening the more someone looks at you."
"You know, that may be the nicest thing anyone's said to me in a long time."
"The way you and Nick were looking at each other when you left the party the other night, I rather doubt that," Natasha answered. "Speaking of Nick, have you told him about this threat?"
Hill nodded. "I had to." As the other woman flashed her an annoyed look, the continued. "Personally, I would have been willing to keep it quiet, but this was business. I received what I felt was a credible threat to one of our most valuable assets. I had to pass it on up the chain."
"Do you think he'll tell Clint?"
"I don't think he has, but if he does, it's a professional decision. He's your partner and needs to know. He needs to be aware. I know he's always alert, but even he can turn it up a notch."
The Russian watched her through narrowed eyes. "Would you tell Nick if you knew you were possibly being targeted?"
She considered. "I can't say for sure, but I think I would. Being in danger myself is one thing, but knowing that being with me puts him in danger terrifies me. Besides, if he knows what's going on, he can better watch out for both of us."
Natasha sighed, then shoved the deputy director. "I hate it when you make sense." Then she smirked. "Fortunately, it doesn't happen very often."
Maria glared and shoved her back.
"You do realize you're talking to a superior officer?"
"Yup." She moved back, slowly starting to circle the other woman.
Maria responded in kind, shaking her arms slightly to loosen up.
"I don't think I can let that pass."
Nat grinned. "Do you think you can take me?"
"Probably not," Maria admitted, "But I'm willing to give it a try." She feinted to one side, her opponent failed to respond, instead launching her own attack.
The two quickly became involved in their sparring match, each woman fully focused on the other. Though Natasha was clearly the better fighter, Maria gave it her best, getting in a few good licks, her friend offering encouragement and tips as they continued.
Finally, Maria landed flat on her back, Natasha standing over her.
"I think I'm in the wrong class." They looked up to find Pepper, Jane, and Darcy watching them. The SI CEO spoke again. "I think I need the beginners class."
"No way," Darcy commented. "I want to be kickin' it like that by the end of the day."
"Me, too," Maria sighed from her position in the floor.
"You looked like you were doing quite well," Jane hastened to assure her.
"Yeah. At falling," Darcy added softly.
Nat threw her a hard look as she offered a hand to assist the deputy director to her feet.
Pepper noted the dangerous look on her face and quickly spoke up. "You should have seen her take out those guys in the alley, Darcy. She is an amazing fighter."
Darcy's eyes went wide when she realized how her statement could have been interpreted. "I didn't mean to insinuate otherwise. I sure wouldn't want to go up against her."
"No, you wouldn't," the assassin confirmed. "I just happen to be one of the few people capable of taking her."
"Besides," Maria told them, grinning to diffuse the tension, "Knowing how to fall is a very important skill as well." She reached up and grasped Natasha's hand, then quickly tugged, pulling the other woman into an overhead flip. She landed on her back, then rolled sideways to end up on her hands and knees facing a similarly positioned Maria.
"As is never giving up," Romanoff added. After a moment, they both nodded and rose smoothly to their feet.
"Actually, knowing how to fall properly might be more helpful to me than knowing how to handle myself in a street fight."
They all turned to the entryway where Beth Matthews had just entered, accompanied by an older woman. She was petite, her hair a cap of soft, silvery curls. Her blue eyes sparkled with mischief and deep dimples framed a broad smile.
"Everyone, this is my grandmother, Alva Matthews," the waitress said, proceeding to introduce the other members of the group. Maribel Watkins and Jessica Sanchez joined them moments later, greeting the others.
"I'm sorry we're running late," Alva apologized. She held up the plastic container she was holding. "I have dozens of containers and dozens of lids, but sometimes it seems like there are no two that match." She looked around. "I hope everyone likes baklava."
"Baklava?"Natasha repeated, her eyes glazing over. "Homemade baklava?" She crossed the room to stand next to the older woman.
"Of course."
Nat reached for the container. Alva slapped lightly at her hand. "Later, dear. It's generally not a good idea to have sweets before you work out, is it?"
The redhead folded her hands together and widened her eyes in a plea. "Please. Just one tiny bite?"
After a few moments, the woman removed the lid and held the container out.
"That never worked for me," Beth complained under her breath.
Tasha smirked at her as she reached in and broke off a small piece of one of the pastries. Popping it in her mouth, she moaned softly, then dropped to her knee.
"I will be your slave for life," she told the older woman.
"I seriously need that recipe," Maria commented.
Darcy looked at her in surprise. "You cook?"
"Rather well, actually," she confirmed.
"Hmm. Learn something new every day."
"Okay," Tasha called, grabbing another piece of the treat. "If everyone is here, let's go ahead and sit down and get started."
They all took seats and the assassin started.
"Our focus today is going to be more on the mental aspect of self defense and less on the physical aspect of it." When Darcy sighed sadly, she continued. "Don't worry. We will be getting physical."
"Yeah!" she replied.
Maria picked up the instruction. "As Darcy mentioned the other night, knowing what to do ahead of time is really important. Your first goal is to avoid being a victim. While it's not the victim's fault, there are things that you can do to make yourself a less attractive target."
"How you carry yourself matters. If you look confident and assured, someone's going to think twice about messing with you," Nat told them.
"Be aware of what's going on around you. Think about all the people you see on the street or on the bus or subway. They've got their earbuds in so they can't hear and their noses buried in their phones so they can't see."
Pepper spoke up. "And they make perfect targets for muggers."
"It's can be dangerous in other ways, too," Jessica contributed. "I can't tell you how many people we saw in the ER who were injured while texting and walking. Running into walls, walking into traffic, falling down stairs. Some were hurt pretty badly."
The others nodded.
"Okay," Maria started again. "You were attentive and aware, but you're still in trouble. Someone's got you cornered. It can be difficult to think when you're threatened, so it's important to already have a plan in mind."
"Know your target, where to hit to do the most damage." The redhead started started enumerating. "Face, particularly the eyes and nose. Throat. Stomach."
"Balls," someone added.
"Absolutely. As long as your attacker is male."
"You know where to hit. What do you hit with?" Maria asked. "Pepper? How did you hit that guy in the alley the other day?"
"Heel of my hand," she replied.
"Yes," Natasha replied. "Heel of the hand, elbow, back of the head, knee, heel. These are the hardest parts of your body. Ideally, connect one of these to one of your attacker's vulnerable parts."
The ladies nodded.
"Look in your purse," Maria directed. "What do you have in there that can help you?" Maria queried.
"Taser!" Darcy shouted, gleeful grin on her face.
"Yes, a taser can be helpful, as long as you know how to use it properly."
"I think Thor can testify to her skill with it," Jane contributed.
"What else can you use?"
"Keys," Maribel said, holding up her hand, keys threaded between her fingers.
"Good," Maria told her with a nod.
"Pen or pencil or stylus," Pepper said pulling one out of her purse.
Natasha nodded. "Excellent. Again, focus on those vulnerable spots. What else?"
"Tampons!"
All eyes turned to Jessica.
Maria opened her mouth to comment, then closed it again and turned to Tasha with an upraised eyebrow. The assassin considered a moment, then shrugged.
"Shove it down his throat?"
The nurse grinned. "Haven't you ever told your guy to find something in your purse? He's digging around, no problem, then he finds your tampons or pads. What happens?"
"He turns a lovely shade of magenta, stammers wildly, and refuses to look you in the eye for the next 12 hours," Beth told them with a laugh.
"Poor Steve," Maria stated, trying very hard not to laugh. The muffled giggles around the circle soon became not so muffled laughter from all.
XXXXX
Upstairs in the common area living area, Steve and Clint lazily tossed a foam football around while Thor watched interestedly. Ezra Watkins studied the tablet in his hand, Bruce sitting next to him as the two spoke quietly. Tony nursed a drink, twirling the image of a basketball in his finger while Nick dialed a number on his phone.
"Lian," he greeted the person on the other end. "Fury here." Clint continued his game with the super soldier as he listened to Nick's end of the conversation.
"I understand you're getting to spend some time with your daughter," he commented into the phone, catching the archer's gaze. After listening a moment, he nodded. "She arrived yesterday afternoon?"
Nodding, Clint pulled out his phone and sent a quick text. He slid the phone back in his pocket and returned his attention to the game.
"Actually," the director continued, "I just wanted to remind you that Agent May is my employee and I would appreciate you not trying to recruit her for your agency while she's home for a visit." After several more minutes of conversation, he ended the call and tucked his phone away.
Tony tossed his ball in Fury's direction. "Hey, Patch. Your girls do know that they're not training new spies, right? That they're working with..."
"Delicate flowers?" Fury offered with a raised eyebrow, catching the ball and proceeding to spin it.
Stark shrugged noncommittally.
"Do you have any idea how many times over that comment could get you killed?" Nick asked.
"Just once," he replied.
"I wouldn't bet on it," Bruce interjected. "Knowing Romanoff and Hill, they'd figure out a way to bring you back just so they could kill you again."
"Slowly and painfully," Clint clarified.
"What was wrong with that?" Tony asked defensively.
"Where to start?" Fury pondered.
"Your?" Clint suggested. "And 'girls' as well, while you're at it."
"Both very much their own women. Nat spent too many years 'belonging' to others while Maria never belonged to anyone. And neither ever got to be a little girl," Nick told them.
"And once those two were finished with you, I have no doubt your 'delicate flowers' would have a few things to say to you as well," Bruce added.
Tony waved dismissively.
"Do you refer to Pepper as 'your girl' or a 'delicate flower'?" the scientist asked.
"Sometimes."
I believe Dr. Banner means 'do you refer to her as such in her presence'? JARVIS queried.
"No one asked you, JARVIS."
Steve spoke up. "Honestly, since they're teaching them how to respond in case of attack, I'd just as soon they not treat them like delicate flowers, because I seriously doubt an attacker would."
"True," Clint agreed.
"Easy for you to say," Tony retorted. "Romanoff and Hill are both extensively combat trained. You don't have as much to worry about as the rest of us do."
"Keep in mind, though, that the reason they have that training is that they have jobs that put them in higher risk situations," Fury reminded him. "When they have to call on those skills, they usually have an opponent who has also trained extensively."
Stark grunted what could have been an acknowledgment.
"Also keep in mind that the woman you love is as concerned about you as you are about her," the dark skinned man added.
"That's different," the billionaire replied.
"Why?"
"It just is. It's not as dangerous out there for a man as it is for a woman."
Bruce snorted. "This from the man who was held hostage in Afghanistan, battled terrorists, robots, villains too numerous to mentions, aliens, and nuclear missiles?"
"You don't think that might have bothered Pepper just a little?" Fury probed.
"Maybe," he conceded. "But that was different."
"You think you worry more about her because you love her more," the other man pushed.
Tony shrugged.
"That bit with the missile was on live television, Stark. She watched it as it happened, not knowing if she'd see you again. If you want to know how she reacted, I'd recommend you pull the security film from the private plane she was on. It's quite revealing."
As Stark stared at him, Fury turned to Steve. "And you, Rogers."
The Captain's eyebrow raised and the director continued. "You remember a few weeks back when you were taking care of that matter in Madripoor? Maria and I had been in a meeting that went late and were on our way back here. Since I knew it was one of the nights Miss Matthews was working the late shift at the diner, I figured we'd stop in there for a late meal. Make sure she was doing alright. When we walked in, Beth got this funny look on her face and Maria hurried over to talk to her, to assure her that we were just there for food, not bringing bad news."
Nick looked around the room. "The remarkable ladies we love love us every bit as much as we love them. They worry about us just like we worry about them. As much as it hurts you when she's hurt, it hurts her when we hurt. It's quite condescending to think otherwise."
Ezra laughed softly. "You, sir, sound like a man who has been lectured on the subject recently."
Nick gave him a half smile. "That would be because I have been," he verified.
"You're quite fortunate men," Bruce said to the room at large.
After an extended silence, Tony stood and started towards the elevator.
"Where are you going?" Clint asked.
"No place in particular," the other man answered. "I'm bored and thought I'd take a walk. That's allowed, isn't it? This is the Avenger's Tower and I am an Avenger."
"So, you're not going to check up on Pepper?" the arched pressed.
"Of course not. She's safe and in good hands and will know to take a break if she needs it." He reached up, wiping at his forehead. "It is a little warm today. It might not be a bad idea to make sure that they've got enough water."
The others all looked at him. "For all of them. Not just Pepper. I'm just looking out for the team."
Clint looked at Steve. "Has he ever checked up on you during a workout to make sure you have water on hand?"
"He hasn't." The super soldier turned to Thor. "How about you? Does he monitor you during your workouts when you're here?"
"He does not," the thunder god confirmed. "One might think he is more concerned for some teammates than for others."
"They're smaller," Tony argued. "They would get dehydrated faster."
When the others laughed, Stark shot them the finger and continued to the elevator.
XXXXX
In the gym, the ladies stood on the mats, paired off as they practiced the holds and moves that Maria and Natasha had showed them. The two agents moved through the group, checking grips and postures, guiding them to make necessary adjustments and offering encouragement.
As Maria instructed Pepper to shift he weight slightly to increase her leverage, Nat stilled, cocking her head slightly. After a moment, she glanced to the dark haired agent. She paused as well, then nodded, a small grin tugging at the corner of her mouth,
The red-head cleared her throat. "We mentioned the importance of being aware of your environment. Has anyone noticed any shift?"
The women looked around and at each other. Pepper glanced curiously towards the door, then sighed.
"Tony's outside, isn't he?"
"He is," Natasha agreed in a raised voice
After several moments of whispered consultation, Tony came through the doorway, clearly propelled by a shove from behind, if the glare he threw in that direction was any indication, He turned to face the group, forcing a casual smile.
"Oh. Hi. This is where you're meeting?"
"You knew that, Tony," Pepper reminded him, arms crossed at her chest as she glared at him. "You're checking up on me, aren't you?"
"No, not at all," he hastened to assure her, sounding shocked at the very idea. "I was just...passing my on my way to...the lab..."
"The lab that's several levels up?" his fiancee asked.
"Water," a voice hissed from the doorway.
"Huh?" Tony asked, looking that direction.
Bruce was propelled into the room, much as Tony had been earlier.
"Water!" he explained, looking at the ladies. "As a member of the medical staff, I felt we should make sure everyone was staying properly hydrated."
Tony nodded agreement, but Jessica crossed her arms and glared at them.
"So, you don't think the member of the medical staff that's here would be monitoring something like that?" she asked dangerously.
Bruce gazed at her, eyes wide as he searched for words.
Ezra stepped into the room, patting Bruce on the shoulder "You'll have to excuse Bruce, Jess. He's been primarily responsible for the health of this crew for a while. It's going to take him a little while to get used to having help."
"Absolutely," Bruce agreed. "I wasn't intending to express any doubts as to your abilities, Ms. Sanchez."
She continued to glare at him for a few more seconds.
"Jessica."
Bruce stared at her, not comprehending.
"You can call me Jessica," she explained, her face softening into a smile.
"We're actually just about to take a break," Natasha told them, raising her voice so she could be heard by those still in the hall. "You may as well join us."
As the other shuffled in, Maria fixed them with her Deputy Director Hill glare. "Okay. Stark got lost. The doctors were concerned about our hydration levels. What excuses do the rest of you have?"
They glanced at each other. Finally, Steve spoke up.
"I thought that I might offer my assistance. With the serum, I can let you practice fighting against me without worrying about hurting me," he told them.
"That could actually be helpful," Nat admitted before turning her attention to Clint.
He shrugged. "I was bored and decided to tag along."
"Thor?"
He sighed, grinning. "I simply wished to gaze upon my lady love."
"Aww." Darcy echoed his sigh.
All eyes turned to Nick. He shrugged and pointed towards Thor. "What he said."
"Whatever," Maria replied, rolling her eyes. She pointed towards the table and the numerous chilled water bottles sitting there. "We're about to take a break and have some water and baklava, if you'd care to join us."
"Baklava?" Clint asked, looking towards Natasha.
"I have to share with them, too?" the assassin pouted.
"Is it from that Greek bakery on 14th?" Tony asked, crossing to slip his arm around Pepper.
She shook her head. "No. Alva made it," she corrected.
"Alva?" he asked, his eyes sliding to the unfamiliar face.
"I'm sorry," Beth jumped. She quickly introduced the men of the team to her grandmother.
She nodded at each of them with a sweet smile. She pointed at Tony and Pepper. "Clearly, you two are a couple."
"Yup," Stark affirmed, pulling her close.
Her gaze turned to Ezra. He smiled and pointed towards Maribel. "She's been putting up with me some 30 odd years."
"Some of them very odd," Maribel added.
"Bruce?" the older woman asked.
"Bachelor for life," he told her.
"That will change when the right woman comes along," she teased.
He shook his head sadly. "No, ma'am."
"Glad you could come," Steve told her, stepping close to kiss her lightly on the cheek.
"Me, too," she responded, patting his cheek as he took Beth's hand.
She turned her attention back to the other men, then glanced at the ladies. "Clint. You and Natasha?"
"Partners," the woman stated firmly. "Friends."
Tony snorted. "Barton has 'Property of Natasha Romanoff' tattooed on his backside," he commented.
Natasha cocked an eyebrow at him. "You've been studying Clint's ass?"
"I'm not sure how I feel about that revelation," Pepper said.
"That's not what I meant," Stark protested. He pointed towards Thor, determined to detract attention from his statement. "Thunder there really does talk that way all the time and Jane there is the one he gazes on like a love sick bull, and Patch-man is enamored of..." He stopped as Pepper suddenly elbowed him in the side.
He froze, suddenly remembering his promise of secrecy for this particular duo.
Nick glanced towards Maria. When she nodded, he picked up the narrative. "I am very inappropriately involved with a woman who is not only younger than my daughter, but is also under my command."
Alva turned a questioning gaze at Maria The younger woman shrugged. "I see nothing inappropriate about it," she responded.
"I seem to remember something being said about baklava?" Clint reminded the group.
They all gathered around the table. Nick took a chair, pulling Maria down onto his lap.
Alva turned to face Nick. "So, just what do you direct, Director Fury?" she asked curiously.
"Top secret,"he replied. "If I told you, I'd have to kill you."
Maria smacked him lightly. "Nick. You can't kill her. I need her baklava recipe." She nodded across the table to where Natasha slipped a piece of the pastry into her mouth, her eyes closing in bliss. When Nick still looked skeptical, she broke off a piece and popped it into his mouth..
He chewed, his own eye drifting closed as he sighed in contentment.
"SHIELD," he told her.
Maria laughed lightly, leaning to rest her head against his. He looked up, smiling at her as he tightened his embrace. She felt him stiffen and followed his gaze to Alva who continued to study them.
"Is there a problem, Mrs. Matthews?" he asked.
She started, then smiled. "My apologies, Mr. Fury. Maria. Showing my age, I suppose. In my day." She paused and shook her head.
"I understand," Nick replied. "Growing up, we were told early and often that the white girls were strictly off limits. Don't look at them, don't even think about them."
"Exactly," Alva nodded. "I never understood why daddy was fine with me bringing home some of my friends but not others. Mama said it would be better for me not to even tell him that some of my friends were colored children." She smiled at a memory. "Brenda Ray was one. Her brother, Lester said that he'd have asked me to the junior dance if he didn't know me father would kick me out."
"What did you say?" Maria asked.
Alva lifted her chin. "I told him I would have agreed if I didn't know it would get him beaten."
"Or worse," Nick said.
"Or worse," she agreed. "Hopefully, not so much of an issue for you."
"Since our personal relationship is strictly on the QT at this point, we really haven't run into any of those attitudes, but I know they're still out there," Maria said.
"Like that woman at the reception a few months back," Steve commented.
When Alva continued to study her, Maria raised her eyebrow. "Something else?"
The older woman considered for a moment, then shrugged. "Curious old woman." Her eyes twinkled. "Back in school, the girls in the locker room talked a lot a lot. There was many a discussion about the...equipment...of the colored boys."
"Gramma!" Beth gasped. Silence descended at everyone turned to watch.
Alva shrugged again. "She doesn't have to answer."
Maria laughed out loud. "See what you're in for, Steve?" she teased.
The super soldier just smiled, placing a kiss on the cheek of his mortified girlfriend.
Finally, the agent turned to the older woman. "I can't speak about the population as a whole."
"Good," Nick muttered.
"But, this one..." she gave the other woman a very satisfied smile. "Oh, yeah."
Tony clapped his hands over his ears and started humming loudly. "I don't want to hear this."
Nat snapped the lid back on the plastic container. "Okay. Time to get back to work. Everyone with testosterone needs to leave. Except for Steve. He's going to be our practice dummy."
The men took their leave, heading towards the door.
"Stop eying my package, Stark," Nick's deep voice rumbled.
"I am not eying your package, Fury."
"First Barton's ass, then my package..."
"I am NOT..."
"Really," Clint put in. "When were you eying my ass?"
"I am so not touching any of this," the billionaire stated.
"You'd better not," Nick replied.
"What is this 'package' you speak of?" Thor asked. "Is it a gift for the Lady Maria?"
"You might say that."
They passed through the doorway, and the women in the room grinned at each other.
Alva shook her head. "They do keep life interesting, don't they?"
Nat raised her water bottle in a toast. "Here's keeping life interesting."
"Or getting it interesting for some of us," Darcy added.
"Here, here!" Jessica agreed.
"To interesting men," Beth offered, glancing sidelong at Steve.
"And the women who make it worthwhile," the man contributed, joining their toast.
And that's it for another update. Thank you for your time. I'd love to know what you thought. I am no expert on self defense and the training session is almost entirely from my imagination. Also, I hope no one took offense at the racial parts of the conversation. I went back and forth on whether to include it or not and finally decided to do so. No offense was intended.
I hope to have the next chapter of 'Courtship' up in the next day or two. 'Stroll' is next in the rotation, so I hope to have more on that...when it's ready.
I appreciate you all. You're the full charge on my laptop!