A/N: No intro, let's hit the ground running...
Chapter 1
Before the Storm
...
The morning sun cast it's warm rays over the Washington monument, as Agent Coulson drove into the serene . Garbed in his classic dark suit, trademark shades obscuring his grey eyes, all but conveying the obscure nature of his business. The aura of mystique and secrecy that seemed to accompany his very presence, a true spy through and through.
He sighed wearily, the stack of files on his passenger seat weighing heavily on his mind. His job wasn't an easy one especially not one with a conscience. A mound of confidential data on several individuals of...unique interest, pertaining to National Security. Most would call them superheroes. His organization, SHIELD, saw differently. While some part of him understood the concerns of his superiors, Phil couldn't help but be distraught. He'd always admired the heroes even as a young lad, keeping seemingly memorabilia his rare mint stack
In a true irony Coulson's current assignment kept him closest to the heroes, but with the unfortunate caveat of the true nature of said assignment. In he aftermath of the Battle of New York, a government sanctioned operation known as Project Eagle Eye was commissioned maintain absolute covert surveillance on superpowered individuals, as well as gather all valuable intelligence concerning them.
One could easily take a gander at what said information could do in the hands of these agenda-driven politicians. While the argument for National Security concerns could be made, the moral compromise and breach of several constitutional values could not be so easily ignored. Compromise was often the backbone of the spy world, the crux of their operations.
Quickly shaking off his grim deliberation, Coulson surveyed his surroundings, returning his gaze back to his current target. Captain America, aka Steve Rogers, chatted away amiably with his new companion, Sam Wilson.
The duo struck a friendly camraderie, having a shared military background and an impromptu jogging competition that ended in Steve's favor. After swapping stories, Steve was treated to even more pop culture trivia from the Ex-Marime.
"Marvin Gaye, 1972, Trouble Man soundtrack", Sam offered, "everything you missed rolled into one album"
"I'll put it on the list", Steve chuckled, scribbling on his notepad. While acclimatizing himself to the new reality of civilian life, the supersoldier had occupied his recent past time with "catching up" on as much of popular culture as it should. He'd no idea what a "Star Wars" is, but it definitely warranted some searching.
"Gentlemen", Coulson's car slowed to a halt near the pavement, gaining the attention of the duo. He alighted from.the vehicle before whipping down his shades, his posture straightened addressing the supersoldier
"I'd like to have a word with Mr Rogers"
Steve sighed in response, already clued in from the Agent's presence. Duty calls, it seems. And Captain America was nothing if not dutiful. His pager beeped with the details, as if in agreement.
"Friend of yours?", Sam asked.
"Something like that...", Steve replied, before turning back to his new companion with a warm handshake, "thanks for the run, Sam...if you wanna call it running"
"Oh that's how it is?", the Ex-Marine chuckled.
Cap nodded, "That's how it is"
"Well, next time you wanna stop by the VA, make me look awesome in front of the girl at the front desk, lemme know"
"I'll keep it mind", Steve said as he opened the car door, stepping into the vehicle "no promises, though!"
"Hey c'mon man, help a brother out here!"
"Trust me Sam, you don't want my help", Cap grimaced.
"Besides", Coulson added, "I heard she's already has a thing for soldiers in spandex"
"Wait, seriously?"
The Agent smirked, placing his shades back on before taking off with the supersoldier with a screech.
Despite how complicated the job was, some could take solace in simple things.
...
Waking up to Ben Tennyson became a new favorite pastime for Nat. She had her head propped up on her elbow and was engaging in a newfound hobby: watching him sleep. He looked so… peaceful, almost adorable. Cute, even. Some times a little gross when he drooled, thankfully those were few and far between.
It had been a rather eventful few months for the duo, managing their stressful py life in addition to their furtive romance, with all the escapades that filled each moment.
They'd come a long way after that fateful night at the Tower, able to find their stride with one another. The spy and the asset, secret lovers, together balancing the perils of the spy life with the more mundane, domestic facets of their relationship. Through the missions, daily routines and relations with STRIKE , they'd managed to keep their dalliances private, wearing the facade of a handler/asset relationship.
Of course, there were times both overlapped, sometimes as a result of their own actions: the duo would often toe the line between the two, occasionally they'd openly flirt on the job, steal glances or on one occasion, bold enough to play footsie underneath the briefing table. The physical aspect of their relationship was very much present, but the little things mattered too.
It felt so surreal, like nothing she'd ever experienced. Whatever happened now, they'd already crossed the Rubicon, beyond the point of no return. Two years ago, Natasha would've scoffed at the idea of any kind of relationship, especially one with the prospects of long term. Yet here she was, in the moment, with him. And loving every second.
Nat grinned as she internally debated how much to admit all of this to him. Words could only do so much before losing their impact.
Sidling atop his sleeping frame, she began caressing his shoulder while the shapeshifter stirred lightly. Absently, Natasha traced random patterns on the mass of muscle that now defined his back, her little game of teasing him awake.
"Morning", she placed a series of feathery light kisses on his shoulder and neck, the sensation rousing Ben from his sleep with a his expression morphing into a mirthful smile
"Hmm, let me sleep...", he drawled lazily, Nat smirking in response. He made a half-attempt to brush her off with a lazy arm, only succeeding in goading her as on as she slunk atop his prone frame before purring into his ear.
"Rise and shine, hero..."
Ben groaned before turning over to face her nonetheless, meeting her with a half-awake smile. The lovely visage of the gorgeous redhead filled his vision as he slowly reached up to pull her flush against him
"Hey...", He beamed even brighter as the redhead leaned even closer, mentally grateful that Ben had taken her advice and brushed his teeth before bed to keep his morning breath in check.
"Hey, yourself...", she greeted, captured his lips in a soft kiss.
"Hmmm...I could get used to this", he whispered against her lips as they parted, causing Nat to chuckle before laying her head on his chest.
"Me too", she sighed.
"What, the cuddling or the sex? Cuz we both know my answer to that", He teased, causing them both to chuckle. Despite her reputation as the cold assassin, Ben Tennyson could still easily make her laugh seemingly on demand. An honest, genuine laugh.The feeling was hard to describe, like being weightless. Ben shifted to accommodate her presence, feeling the comforting weight of the redhead on his chest.
"What time is it?", He turned to check the alarm alarm, noting it had been knocked off the stand. An unplanned effect of their regular...nighttime activities
"12:00", Nat murmured half-heartedly, without even glancing at her phone, simply content to nuzzle comfortably in the crook between his shoulder and neck. She was amazed at how natural they already were. They could lay there silently without any need to speak, simply bask in each other's presence. It felt, in a weird way, like they'd been like this for more than just a year.
"AM or PM? Cause it's kinda hard to tell with these blinds on your room"
Ben joked, eliciting a snort from the redhead while she merely snuggled tighter onto his chest, her crimson locks draped over his torso, filling his senses with the familiar lavender scent, her scent.
"Wow, we really slept in today huh?"
"Hmmm...I wonder why", Nat raised her head, smirking up to him as they both reminisce the events of the previous night.
"Yeah, I wonder...", the Omnitrix wielder trailed off, lazily tracing her exposed back, feeling the thin scars that mapped the delicate skin. Each holding a sordid detail of her past, a story he'd often wish he could learn more about, from her. Natasha's past was often a sore topic in their relationship, a hurdle they'd both have to overcome together. There was only so much room for secrets in a relationship, despite the nature of the Black Widow.
Like termites in wood, secrets in relationships caused a gradual but eventual breakdown of trust. But to dwell on the sordid details was very much robbing them of this very moment
"So...", He asked, "was it just me, or were you watching me sleep?"
She grinned coyly, raising her head to stare into his verdant orbs, "Dunno... maybe you were just dreaming?"
"I dunno, my dreams usually involve a lot more than just you looking", he scoffed.
"Careful, hero", she warned, her eyes twinkling with mischief, "some dreams can come true"
"Guess I'm still dreaming", Ben traced down her midsection, his dexterous fingers splayed against her skin, tracing the surprisingly solid muscle underneath. She let out a pleased sigh before smirking up at the shapeshifter. He'd always find inventive ways to drive her crazy, for better or worse
"Don't start what you can't finish, hero", Nat warned teasingly.
He raised a playfully brow, "Is that a challenge, Agent Romanov?",
"Mmmhhmm...more like an observation".
Before she knew what was happening, Ben had grabbed her and rolled them over, Natasha on her back with him on top.
"So it's a challenge then", he gazed down at the redhead while she smirked back at him. It was surreal, seeing the other aspects of Natasha Romanov. She could be scary at times, cold and calculating in others; yet had a warm heart, a wicked sense of humor and could tease the pants (often literally) off the shapeshifter.
"Looks like you might be biting off more than you can chew, Red"
"And you, mister, are getting to cocky for your own good", she chuckled as he dove to claim her lips in a searing kiss. For a blissful eternity, his lips were on hers again, the kiss rapidly escalating from fleeting into a full makeout session.
"Looks like someone's in the mood", she breathed a chuckle, smiling against his lips as a familiar warmth flooded her body
"Just had a great night is all", he tucked a hair behind her ear, beaming brightly back at her.
"Hmmm...better enjoy it then", Nat reached behind his head, pulling him down for another kiss, simply content to revel in the sensation as their tongues danced, before Ben trailed kisses down her neck.
BEEPP!!! The shrill robotic Nat's SHIELD issued communicator cut the heated moment short
"Oh come onnnn! Really?!", Ben groaned, while the redhead stifled a giggle at his reaction.
Nat couldn't help but feel disappointed too, but she quickly shelved it for now. Regardless of her feelings, they had a job to do. "Guess we'll have to save this for later"
"Yay...can't wait", he drawled sarcastically, barely able to hide his lack of enthusiasm.
Nat shook her head amusedly as the duo proceeded to extricate themselves from each other, reaching for their respective phones. The harsh glare of the screen flooded Ben's visage as he squinted before reading out the details.
"Retrieval mission?", He asked, the superspy nodding in response.
"Off the radar, it seems..", Ben let out a whistle at the thought
"Better get ready. We'll meet up in the triskelion at 3:00", Nat extricated herself from the shapeshifter's embrace before getting off the bed, picking up the nearest discarded piece of clothing from the floor on the way.
Ben's gaze traveled from his phone to the redhead "Yeah...hey, Nat?"
"Yeah?"
"What do you think about going on a date?
Nat paused for a second before turning her gaze to him, cocking her head sideways teasingly.
"Why? Got any plans I should know about?"
"Something like that", Ben nodded, "I mean we haven't been on a date in forever ."
"There's a reason for that, Ben", she pointed. She was adamant on keeping their relationship under wraps for a reason. The spy world was a harsh place, a wasteland for any personal relationships. Keeping their two worlds separate protected them from the forces that be, and in some twisted way, from herself and her tainted past.
"I know, but don't you ever get tired of hiding?", Ben maintained. Despite understanding what was at stake, part of his still yearned for more. He didn't just want their relationship confined to the four walls of Nat's apartment. The thrill of forbidden romance seemed to lose its luster after a while, the need for some kind of stability in it's place.
The superspy paused for second before sighing, taking a seat with her back square on the headboard.
"This isn't just about a date is it?", she asked, sidling close to him reassuringly.
Instinctively he reached out, pulling her closer till she was seated on his lap. Absently she played with his overgrown locks, now softly curled from bed-head.
"I know that our...situation can be difficult", her fingers raked through his hair, "...but why would you want to complicate things, when we're doing just fine?"
"Uhhh..I don't know?", Ben shrugged, "Maybe because I literally have to park five whole blocks away from your apartment? Turning into Big chill everytime because I can't use the front door? Not to mention the three times you almost killed me by throwing a knife at my head?"
"Admit it, you find that incredibly hot", Nat interjected humorously, causing him to pause in his tracks, flushing a deep crimson. He attempted to come up with some kind of witty comeback for their reparte, but he was drawing a blank.
"...that–that's entirely beside the point!", Ben found his tongue again.
"So you do find it hot...pervert", Nat mused, only causing him to blush deeper. She found it was so cute how Ben could easily get embarrassed, watching the shapeshifter stumble on his words while he could only respond with a faux-glare.
"Which part exactly?", Ben asked, "sneaking into your apartment part or you almost killing me part?"
"You tell me, hero", Nat retorted playfully.
He shook his head, clearly at his wit's end, "You, Miss Romanov, are going to be the death of me"
"And you'll love me for it", She teased back, prompting a laugh from both of them.
Nat cleared her throat before quickly changing the topic, "Huh, didn't know how much your hair's getting longer..."
Choosing to ignore the change in topic, Ben shrugged, raking his hand through his hair. "Yeah I'm letting it grow, see if long hair suits me".
His brown waves now formed a wild, untamed mop over his head, reaching down to the base of his neck. Nat hummed as she twirled a lock of his hair. Another habit of hers was to idly play with his hair, whether in the throes of passion or a rare moment of domestic solace between the two, she'd run her hands through his hair and twist his brown curls into funny shapes
"Hmmmm, I'm sure it would...", she delivered a parting kiss to the shapeshifter before sliding off his lap. She paused, gazing him longingly, deep pools of blue holding his attention captive.
Ben had come to learn and appreciate how much of her eyes held what she was thinking or feeling. Nat was never easy to read, more often than not a closed book. The superspy was either unable, or unwilling to express some of the things that she wanted – or needed – to say.
Whether she'd deflect with her trademark sassy wit or sometimes gaze folornly at him, her eyes still held that longing, to be completely vulnerable about herself. Her feelings, her past, her fears and hopes...something to keep the inevitable at bay.
It was but a brief moment of vulnerability before her mask slipped back on, the femme fatale taking control once again.
"I'm gonna hit the showers, okay?"
"Can I join you?"
Ben received a shirt to the face in response, only to see Nat peaking from the bathroom door frame.
"Hmmm, tempting", she pouted, pretending to consider it before wagging her finger, "but then we'll never get to work on time"
Ben chuckled in response, "Hey, we can wash each other's backs...save time"
"Nice try, Tennyson", she called out, "but you won't distract me from my job so easily!"
"Not yet I can't!", He grinned as he called back.
"You're insatiable, alien boy!"
"Yeah", he chuckled, " I blame you, all that sex just fried my brain!"
He barely dodged the slipper she threw his way, laughing boisterously all the way. If she was going to be the death of him, he'd be the life of her.
Under the cover of the Cloudy night sky, the SHIELD Jet silently soared over the moonlight waters of the Indian Ocean.
Within the Jet, the remaining members of the STRIKE team was being briefed on the top secret mission. Largely everyone was present save for a few: Bobbi and Lance were on another operation of their own somewhere in an undisclosed location. Typical spy stuff.
"Alright team, get your gear in place; we got briefing in ten!", Brock Rumlow the defacto leader, called out. While the rest got their gear in order, Ben opted to pester someone other than Nat or Ward.
"Hey Cap! Glad to see ya made it!", Ben called out, clasping a hand on the supersoldier's shoulder
"Tennyson", Cap greeted, still fumbling around with his gear, "you're awfully chipper for the mission"
"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?"
"I dunno...", The supersoldier tightened his glove straps, momentarily taking glances at the shapeshifter, "you usually complain about everything...how much of an ass Rumlow is..."
"...and he is",
"...then I gotta give you yet another mission pep talk to keep you focused"
"Hey, gimme a break, you're not my babysitter...", Ben protested weakly, trying to spin up something in his defense. Truth be told, mission briefings were his least favorite part of the mission itself. It would've helped if they were shorter but nooooo, SHIELD couldn't help overcomplicating things.
"You're right kiddo, I don't always babysit you", Steve tapped on his chin in mock contemplation,"sometimes I let Romanov do that for me. For a SHIELD handler, she doesn't mind babysitting her asset"
"Wha-...hey! I'm 21 years old, remember?"
The supersoldier smirked, Ben's reaction was priceless. Despite his silence, Steve wasn't ignorant to the changes in the shapeshifter. He'd slowly filled out, his lean figure becoming more defined with muscle. While Ben wasn't anywhere as built as any of the other operatives, he didn't look out of place when alongside them. At least in human form.
"By the way, what took you two so long?", asked Steve, leaning to whisper conspiratorially, "got stuck in traffic? Or stuck in some other place?"
Ben caught the slight suggestive tone, "Wow, someone's been a little too friendly with their internet..."
"Hey, in my time we would've called it magic", Cap shrugged, "or another kinda circus. Did you know there's literal places where people just put pictures of their cats?"
"Yeah-yeah, we get it, you're old", Ben rolled his eyes, "speaking of old, where's Coulson?".
Steve cupped his chin in thought, "Picked me up and gave me the mission's briefing. Last I saw him, he was heading back to the Triskelion. Seems like whatever's going on, they've been keeping it under wraps there. This has got Fury's fingerprints all over it"
"Sounds about right"
"Starting to wonder what else Coulson's been up to", Steve furrowed his brow in concern.
"Still don't trust Coulson?", Ben asked.
"More like I don't trust their agenda. Or the times we live in"
"Well, for what it's worth, Coulson's pretty decent", Ben shrugged before confiding in the supersoldier, "back in the summer when I first started using the Omnitrix, he helped me out with Kevin"
"That friend of yours?", Cap asked.
"Back then he wasn't", Ben sighed, causing Steve to raise and eyebrow,"it was different, when we were kids. Kevin's powers made him an outcast, a "freak". He got bitter, paranoid, willing to hurt people to get what he wanted. In his own eyes, Kevin was making society pay for treating him like crap."
"Sounds like a troubled young fellow"
"You have no idea", Ben scoffed, "he got worse when he tried absorbing the Omnitrix. Instead he got mutated, horribly. Blamed me ever since"
The sight of the younger Kevin in his new volatile state sent waves of unpleasant shivers through Ben. His raspy voice, maniacal cackling...sometimes Ben couldn't help but blame himself.
Ben leaned against the walls of the cockpit, taking a heavy sigh, "Eventually he got out of hand, started framing me for a buncha crimes he did, using the powers he got from the Omnitrix. Coulson got called in by SHIELD to take Kevin...take me out"
"Did he do it?", Steve queried, unable to quell his protective instincts, "did Coulson try to take you out?".
The shapeshifter shook his head, "Somehow he knew, knew I was innocent, so he helped come up with a plan: lure Kevin out on a bridge, get him exposed, then take him out. Nearly got his hide taken off by a pissed off Kevin, but we did it. Ole' Baldy even came through, cleared my name with SHIELD".
"So what changed? With Kevin?"
"Last I saw him, we were kids and he got trapped in the Null Void. Fast forward a couple of years later, we met each other again in an alien arms deal gone wrong. He was kinda different, not so angry or unhinged anymore. Wouldn't ya know it, he helped us stop the Forever Knights too"
Cap nodded in recognition, having some history with the clandestine organization himself. Despite being a powerful player in the lethal Black Market arms race they'd all been but driven underground before he went under the ice.
No surprise they'd crawl out of the cracks left behind in his wake. Nothing ever truly stayed dead, not when there was some shared notion to keep it alive.
"Well, good thing is you still have your friend", Steve said at last, feeling a weight rolling off his shoulders "I'd trade almost anything to see mine again".
The supersoldier seemed lost in thought as images of the past swam through his conscious, conjuring a nostalgic daydream in his mind's eye. For a moment, he was taken back to the old days, with him, Bucky and the Howling commandos.
Oddly enough, Ben reminded Steve so much about him. The same cocksure attitude, the brazen fearlessness and the warmness that radiated through his eyes, Ben's vibrant greens contrasted against Bucky's mild browns.
"Uhhh, Earth to Cap?"
Steve was promptly shaken back into the waking world, greeted by Ben's concerned expression.
"You okay?"
"Yeah, just got lost in my head a little...",
Steve's countenance caught Ben's attention, prompting the shapeshifter to cheer him up, lightly punching the larger man on the shoulder
"Hey, c'mon Cap", Ben teased lightly, a reassuring grin on his features,"I'm the one who needs the pep talk...or do I get to be your babysitter now?"
The supersoldier chuckled, more amused and less melancholic. He slung his shield across his back as he rejoined to the rest of the team
"Let's just get through the briefing, shall we?"
...
The briefing was surprisingly concise, consisting of only the basic details, all other Intel seemingly missing or "need to know" according to Ben's least favorite person ever, Brock Rumlow.
"Target is a mobile satellite launch platform, the Lemurian Star", stated the Operative, his digits sliding across the screen, the details highlighted on the virtual screen. The entire team was gathered, boasting a handful of operatives, as well as STRIKE members Sharon, Jack and Ward, with Melinda as their Pilot.
As usual, Natasha, Cap and Ben (the big three according to Bobbi) were at the forefront of the briefing. Sharon stood in the background, her data pad clutched closely as she went over secondary details, her brows burrowed in concentration. Occasionally, she'd look up from her task to sneak glance
"They were setting up their last payload when pirates took them, 90 minutes ago"
"Any demands?", Steve queried.
"Billion and a half"
"Why so steep?"
Brock glanced warily at the supersoldier, "Because it's SHIELD's"
Steve exhaled sharply as the realization hit him, "So it's not off course, it's trespassing"
Sharon interjected, "SHIELD's operations tend to have unclear jurisdiction"
"Yeah, I'm sure they had a good reason", Nat added, her eyes never taken off the screen.
"Please, this is SHIELD we're talking about", Ben cut in sardonically, "when have they ever had a good reason?"
"Tennyson, do you mind?", Rumlow snapped, earning a scowl from the shapeshifter.
"In essence", Sharon continued, "what we're dealing with is a highly delicate situation. One wrong move and we could very much start an international incident"
"Y'know, I'm getting the feeling we're basically Fury's cleanup crew...", Ben groaned, within Natasha's earshot. In true Black Widow fashion, she shot him her signature "Romanov glare" from her side eye.
"Took the words right outta my mouth", muttered Steve.
The veteran couldn't help but share the same sentiment as the Omnitrix wielder, but he was a soldier for a reason. The mission was the mission, regardless of how they got there. Time to be the cleanup crew
"How many soldiers?"
"25. All high level mercs led by this guy", Sharon took over as she opened another window on the screen, displaying the image of the man in question, "Georges Batroc. EX-DGSE, Action Division"
"Formerly a high level contract Merc, turned international Criminal", Rumlow cut in, eyeing Sharon with folded arms. The Blonde coldly ignored his reaction, turning her attention back to the screen.
"Yup, definitely looks french", Ben quipped, noting the slight smirk appear on Nat's expression before vanishing just as fast, her feature schooled into stoic concentration. Score one for Tennyson
"He's at the top of Interpol's Red Notice", Rumlow added, "before the French demobilized him, he had 36 kill missions"
CLICK! A mechanical click echoed through the cockpit.
Rumlow paused before continuing, "Long story short, this guy's got a rep for maximum casualties"
CLICK!
"Hostages?", Steve queried, turning to the source of the disturbance; Ben idly fiddling with the Omnitrix, adjusting the alien device in a series of mechanical twists.
CLICK! CLICK!
The alien device lit up with a metallic ding as Ben randomly idly flipping through the available alien holograms, unaware of the tension of all eyes on the cockpit now on him, including Rumlow's.
"..."
Ben looked up to see Rumlow staring blankly at him, the operative's expression twisting into mild annoyance as he scowled at the shapeshifter.
"Rumlow? Hostages", Steve urged. Off to his side, Natasha stifled a chuckle, barely hide her amused smirk.
"...it's mostly tech guys", Rumlow returned his attention to the screen, swiping through the details of the available personnel "One office, Jasper Sitwell. They're in the galley"
"What's Sitwell doing on a launch ship?", Cap muttered.
"Something tells me we're about to find out...", Ben shrugged, "soon as we get in there and start busting' heads"
"Not so fast, Tennyson", countered Steve. The supersoldier apparently had other plans in mind.
"I'm gonna sweep the deck and find Batroc. Romanov, you kill the engines and wait for instructions. Tennyson: take care of the hostages, get 'em out safely. Rumlow, Ward, you're on standby, watch our six and be ready to move in"
The Captain made his way to the exit hatch, sharply nodding to the crew "The rest of you are on backup, stay sharp"
Within the moment, the team dispersed with their assignments. As the cruiser approached dots target, Melinda promptly switched modes, killing the noisy engines and engaging the ships tactical cloaking mechanism.
Darkness blanketed the SHIELD Jet like a cloak, obscured by the cloudy night sky.
...
"Secure channel seven", Cap's voice echoed through the comms
"Channel secure", Nat responded, activating her comms while going over the ship's schematics, focused on memorizing the smallest details down to the last.
"So how'd I do?", Ben asked, arms folded as he leaned next to the redhead, a cheeky grin on his features.
Nat didn't take her eyes of the schematics as she replied, "Well, you only pissed him off twice...I'd say it's an improvement",
"Ehhhh, could use some work"
"You're not gonna stop with Rumlow are you?"
"Hey, I'm insatiable", Ben shrugged, before lowering his voice an octave, "speaking of, how about that date you're totally on board with?"
"Still getting ahead of yourself, huh?"
"Can't blame a guy for trying", Ben smirked as he continued, sidling ever closer to the "so, you free Saturday?".
"Nah, just the usual", Nat eyed the shapeshifter, "y'know, pretty tedious handler assignment having to watch over the world's most annoying asset–who might just get me to retire early..."
"Unless?", Ben offered.
She looked up from tapped her chin in mock consideration, "Unless my asset decides not to give me a hard time at my job...or else"
"You don't complain when I give you a pretty hard time", the Omnitrix Wielder teased under his breath. Natasha's eyes widened in surprise at the entendre, her attention finally wrestled from the schematics. The shapeshifter's saucy comment clearly left the redhead flabbergasted, if not slightly flushed at his audacity.
"What am I going to do with you...", She shook her head in disbelief.
"Oh I have some ideas...",
"I bet you do, alien boy"
He'd come to loathe the nickname yet she kept it specifically for him. Not only did it serve as a decent cover for the two, as handler and asset, but it also served as the source of Nat's endless teasing.
Switching his tactics, he decided to play his other card: Adorable Ben, the old reliable. "C'mon", he pouted, "what's a guy gotta do to get you outdoors?"
A sigh escaped the redhead, "Remember what happened the last time we went outdoors?"
Ben scratched his nape nervously, "Y'know, in hindsight I probably should've known going to an Alien dive bar recommended by Grandpa Max was not the best call"
"It wasn't", Nat shuddered, gesturing in the negative as she shook her head.
"But hey, it was kinda fun, right?", Ben offered. While the experience wasn't bad, their impromptu "date" even led to them busting a small time gang, they'd to deal with the cleanup afterward. Apparently, alien beverage slime took a lot to get out. Nat's face was priceless.
"Maybe we should've just gone to the other Mr Smoothies..."
"Soo...that's a yes?", Ben asked tentatively.
Nat sighed, exasperation drawn on her features, "Ben..."
"Tennyson!", Captain America's commanding voice rang out like a siren. The supersoldier tugged on his earpiece as he made his way to the exit.
"Let's move out!"
"Alright people", Melinda's voice echoed through the comms channel, "we're coming up to the drop zone!"
WHOOSH!!!
The jet's hatch unfurled with a mechanic hiss, the cool night air seeping into the cargo hold as the Captain made his way to the edge, latching on his helmet as the final piece in his ensemble. His suit was much unlike the previous worn during the Battle of New York, more subdued colors and a streamlined design overlaid on blue. More militaristic, less flashy.
"Duty calls, Red...see you on the other side", Ben couldn't resist throwing one last flirty wink at the redhead, causing her to roll her eyes playfully.
"See you on the other side, hero"
The shapeshifter grinned before joining the Captain at the exit, tugging on his gloves. Much like the supersoldier, Ben's uniform was much more streamlined, forgoing a jacket for a SHIELD long sleeve on cargo pants, all in black.
"Ready?", Steve nodded.
"Always", Ben nodded back before adding, "you mind saying something cool before we drop?"
The Captain smirked unceremoniously diving off the hatch, plummetting straight below.
"Guess that's my cue...", Ben muttered in disbelief.
"Was...was he wearing a parachute?", Jack, the least talkative agent of the bunch, was at his wits end upon witnessing the Captain's unconventional exit.
"Nope...no he wasn't", Rumlow sighed, slightly unnerved yet impressed.
"Yeah, he's like that", Ben activated the Omnitrix before mock saluting the SHIELD Operative, "well, don't wait up, Lieutenant!"
"Break a leg, Tennyson", Rumlow retorted, his dry tone leaving nothing in the way of good will for the shapeshifter , "no, seriously..."
Ben retorted by blowing a raspberry at Rumlow, causing him to raise an eyebrow in annoyance. Needless to say, the Agent was not amused in the slightest.
It was Ben's turn to smirk as he leapt off the platform, diving into the clouds below as his form was enveloped in a familiar burst of green.
"I'm surrounded by lunatics", muttered the SHIELD Agent, shaking his head before turning to the crew. "Alright, you heard the Captain...Ward, Rollins– with me".
The rest of the team began mobilizing, gear prepped and ready while they strapped on parachutes. Not everyone was a supersoldier or a shapeshifter after all.
"It's showtime"
ELSEWHERE...
...
BOOOM!!!!
"Helen!"
Panic flooded Manny's nerves, turning the hybrid's veins into ice.Manny Armstrong was often regarded by many, including his closest companions, as fearless and ferocious. The young Tetramand possessed true nerves of steel, complimenting his hot-headed and rebellious nature.
Laser fire rang out, dulling his eardrums as he fired aimlessly in the dark hoping to hit his target. Besides him lay an unconscious Helen, knocked out cold by yet another unseen force. He gritted his teeth, the urgent
"C'mon, ya freak! Get some!!!!"
FZZZZZTTTT
"GAH!!", His multiple arms erupted in agony as the blasters glowed with heat, searing through his unnaturally tough skin. While not enough to harm him, it forced him to switch tactics, tossing aside his pistols and lugging an unconscious Helen to safety.
The duo had been on their usual patrols when they encountered their unknown assailants, obscured by the cover of partial darkness brought about by the hazy night sky.
"Plumbers HQ, is Manny Armstrong, we need backup now!", Manny yelled into his communicator badge as he made another beeline for cover, trying to keep ahead of his pursuers with a very vulnerable Helen at his back.
No Response. Bastards must've cut off their comms.
WHUMP!!
The resulting impact from nowhere nearly knocked Manny over, the sheer force enough to force the Tetramand hybrid into nearly dropping his partner
Manny grunted, righting himself before clambering to his feet, still cradling Helen in his arms. A harsh flare of light filled the darkness, illuminating the unnerving visage of his pursuer.
Clad in a pitch black suit with no exposed features, the mysterious attacker stalked towards the Tetramand-hybrid. Rather than a face, all Manny could recognize was the helmet, featuring spiky ears and capped of with three glowing vents laid on the face of the visor.
Manny steeled his nerves momentarily, a bead of sweat dropping off his head as he faced down his pursuer. He wasn't sure about his chances, but if they wanted to get to Helen they'd have to get through him first.
"C'mon ya bastard!", he goaded, " what are you waiting for!!"
PHOOOM!!!
Manny's world exploded in red.
...
...
A/N:
And we're off!!
Well, here we are, the next big crossover.
I'll be borrowing some elements from canon, while adding my own personal touches. Most of you can guess which other storyline I'm adding in to this story
To be honest, Winter Soldier is one of the rare Marvel movies that simply hit every mark. Well paced, well directed, well written...it's gonna be tough trying to do a crossover without ruining the original elements, or just copying canon, but I do love a good challenge.
Don't forget to drop a review if you like what you read. If you didn't, drop your critiques as well. Any little bit helps.
I'll do my best to reply to each and everyone if given the chance.
The next chapter is in the works.
EXCELSIOR!!!