UnderCover in a day job
R&D Department of Stark Industries
Bruce’s phone was ringing next to him- not moving his eyes from the microscope he blindly reached until his grabbed it and accepted the call.
“Hello” he said.
“You were supposed to call me” Natasha replied on the other end.
Bruce cringed “Shit Nat I am sorry It’s been a crazy morning-Hetty made us breakfast this morning- Jen is still at her orientation-“ he began in a rush.
“Orientation? She’s working at SI now-Since when?” Natasha asked confused.
“Since this morning” Bruce replied.
Natasha snorted “I got that part but why?” she asked again.
“She wanted something to do with her free time” he replied lamely.
Natasha snorted “If you say so” she said.
Bruce looked up and made sure Tony wasn’t in the room before he continued the conversation.
“The man apparently didn’t say anything all night and didn’t have a hidden cyanide pill-if that helps” Bruce said.
Natasha hummed in thought “Actually that does-most are-or were given hidden pills. If this one didn’t maybe he’s not actually associated with KGB?” she replied.
The sound of the lab doors opening caught Bruce’s attention but calmed when he saw it was Jen. She gave him an amused look and a raised eyebrow.
“Who is it?” she mouthed.
“Nat” he mouthed back.
“Can I speak with her when you are done?” she mouthed back.
“Jen wants to speak with you” Bruce said into the phone. “You might be able to get more information out of each other than you can out of me” he added as he handed over the phone.
Jen chuckled as she pecked him on the cheek and put the phone to her ear “Sorry about that Natasha. I-wait- Is this a secure line?” Jen asked out loud.
“Yes” Natasha and Bruce said together.
“Ok great-NCIS had to release the man they had in custody this morning. He had a metal arm-he was Russian and the only words he spoke was that the asset defected and they needed another one. You are the only one I know who knows the LATEST inside workings of the KGB. I was wondering if you could help somehow” Jen rambled.
There was silence on the other end before Natasha spoke. “Are you sure the man had an actual metal arm?” She asked.
“Hmm-I wasn’t in the room with him-Callen and Sam were-I’ll have to ask them. But I believe so” Jen replied.
“You do realize I haven’t been inside the KGB for almost 20 years-I might not be able to help you” Natasha said.
“At the moment you are the only one who has been in contact with them recently-any information can be helpful” Jen said then cringed at how that came across. “And I realize how stupid that sounded” she added into the phone.
Natasha actually snorted on the other end “I have been around intelligence agencies my entire-well Life” she commented.
Jen laughed “I know-me too” she said.
“You do realize SHIELD will probably have to be told about this-since they do have Ja-um-HIM in custody” Natasha replied after a quiet moment.
Jen nodded ignoring Natasha’s almost slip “Yeah I figured as much-can you wait until I warn Hetty” she asked.
“Of course” Natasha said.
“You don’t have to tell me anything right now-you can think about it. Or get information from whatever contacts you have and get back with me. I have a feeling this isn’t going to be the last time we see this guy. I will try to get back to DC in the next couple of weeks to talk with James-if they let me that is-and see if he remembers anything” Jen said thinking out loud.
“From what I’ve read Barnes doesn’t hardly remembers anything-why waste your time?” Natasha asked.
Jen looked over at Bruce “I am more trying to mark him off as a suspect-if he’s still there anyway” she said.
“Why wouldn’t he be there?” Natasha asked curiously.
“I have a theory on that” Jen replied noticing Bruce’s discreet cough to alert her Tony was coming.
“I refuse to believe they know nothing about this” Jen said as she walked into the office portion of the labs-so that Tony wouldn’t hear any of their conversation.
Tony watched her with a confused look “Who’s Jen talking to?” he asked Bruce.
“Nat” Bruce replied.
“Natasha? Since when are they chummy?” Tony asked.
“Jen needed to ask Natasha a question” Bruce replied half truthfully.
Tony just stared at Bruce blinking in confusion seeing Jen watching them from inside the office “Fine don’t tell me big guy-I’ll find out-I always do” Tony replied.
Bruce chuckled “There’s nothing for you to find out-all I know is that She needed to ask her a question” he said shrugging as he turned back toward his computer screen.
Inside the Lab Office
“There-Tony walked in so I went into one of the back office’s so he wouldn’t hear. I am sure he’s trying to drill Bruce for information” Jen said staring at Tony and Bruce through the window.
Natasha laughed “Oh yeah-Stark hates not knowing something. Or thinking he doesn’t know something” Natasha said chuckling.
Jen smiled “yep-I probably should have just stayed in there-He’ll be insufferable now” She moaned.”
“Yep he will” Nat agreed. “Does Hetty know about HIM” she added changing the subject back.
Jen paused “Not –Yet” she replied. “I meant to tell her this morning at breakfast. She does know him-somewhat-but not the new information” she added.
“Do you think she’ll want to talk to him?” Natasha asked.
Jen sighed “That is a good question. I am sure one of them will have to interview him at some point” she replied.
“But you want to talk to him first?” Natasha commented.
“I guess?” Jen admitted.
There was a man’s voice in the background talking to Natasha-making her sigh into the phone.
“Clint and I are being called into a meeting with Coulson-I need to go. You have this number now-call me when you can when you figure out what is going on” Natasha replied.
“Sure thanks” Jen said as they hung up.
LABS
Jen smiled as she walked out of the office-facing Tony and Bruce. Tony was staring at her and she stared right back. He smirked shaking his head when he realized she wasn’t going to comment on her conversation with Natasha.
“Did you get everything squared away with Pep and Natasha Jen? Tony asked as he walked to his station already swiping some data from his computer toward Bruce’s.
Jen rolled her eyes “Yes I did Tony” she replied.
“When do you start?” Bruce asked trying to distract Tony.
“Technically tomorrow” Jen said.
Tony looked up “Really that soon?” he asked.
“Cassandra wants to walk me through a few days so that she feels comfortable leaving me in charge” Jen said. “So I decided to start early” she added with a shrug.
“Well that’s good-that way you will feel more comfortable when you are by yourself” Bruce said distractedly as he read Tony’s data.
Jen nodded and pulled her phone out to send a text to Callen
GG: Got a question for you-was it a real metal arm?
GC: YES-WANT TO HAVE LUNCH WITH ME AND SAM?
GG: Sure when and where?
CG: sending you address
After she sent the text Jen realized the lab had gotten quiet. She stared at their bowed heads and knew she had lost them-she wasn’t even sure they even remembered she was in the room. She smiled, kissed Bruce’s cheek as she headed out the door-not even bothering to say good-bye.
“Jarvis please tell Bruce I am having lunch with G and I have my phone on me-when-or if- he realizes I am gone” Jen said as she walked toward the elevator.
“Yes ma’am” Jarvis said. “Since you are technically an employee may I suggest using a company vehicle” The A.I added.
Jen smiled at the thought “Thank you Jarvis-I believe I will” she said as the A.I sent the elevator to the garage.
Jen pulled into the restaurant parking lot and found a spot easily enough. She walked in and found G and Sam in a back booth.
“Hey” Jen said with a smile, “Thanks for inviting me” she added.
“Doc didn’t come?” Sam asked.
“Lost him to data” she added with fake morose.
G chuckled “Okay does that happen a lot?” he asked.
Jen paused in thought “Yes-he and Tony are both brilliant men-so they are in their element in the lab-everything else gets put on the back burner” she said with a shrug.
G laughed “Okay-well Hetty thought it would be easier if we debrief in lunches or dinners from now on. She doesn’t want to bring attention to you with you randomly going to NCIS for unknown reasons” he said.
Jen nodded “Makes sense” she agreed.
“So when’s your first day?” Sam asked.
“Tomorrow-She is taking me around and introducing me to everyone. I will even be sitting in on a board meeting –umm-she told me on Wednesday” Jen said.
G nodded “Two days that’s good-the sooner the better” he commented.
“So what am I supposed to do WHEN I find this person? Am I supposed to scan documents? Am I supposed to arrest them? Does anyone know?” Jen asked.
Sam looked over at G “Not sure if Granger or Hetty thought that far ahead-we’ll check for you” he said.
“So I have to ask did the guy have a metal arm.” Jen asked Callen.
“Yes he did. I felt it when I searched him” Callen replied.
“Why?” Sam asked.
“I might have someone who has information-I just don’t know yet” Jen replied honestly.
“Well keep one of us informed” Sam replied.
Jen rolled her eyes and gave a small mock salute making Sam burst out laughing.
“By the way we took the liberty of ordering for you” G replied as the waitress came and gave them their orders.
“I should be annoyed but I am hungry so thanks” Jen said as she bite into her sandwich.
Sam looked over at her “Didn’t Hetty make the two of you breakfast this morning?” he asked.
Jen gave him a stern look “Your Point” she asked.
Sam looked confused for a second “Nothing” he replied.
Luckily for them Callen’s phone rang “It’s Eric” he said.
Jen rolled her eyes “Ma’am” she called getting the waitress’s attention “We need 3 to-go boxes and the check please” she replied.
Bruce looked up when his stomach growled breaking his concentration. He stretched out the kinks from prolonged time in one position and looked around. He had no idea what time it was or how long he had been at this with Tony-who had fallen asleep at his monitor. Wait-wasn’t Jen just here talking with him?
“Jarvis wasn’t Jen just here?” Bruce asked worriedly.
“I am afraid that was 59 minutes ago Dr. Banner. She told me to tell you she was invited to lunch with G and she has her phone on her” The A.I replied.
Bruce sighed “Did she seem upset?” he asked.
The A.I paused “I don’t believe so sir. Although I haven’t seen Miss Gibbs upset so I do not have the right data to make a correct assumption” he added.
Bruce snorted “I guess I’ll call her and see” he said reaching for the phone.
The sound of Jen’s phone echoed from right outside the lab- he turned phone still in his hand watching as she walked.
“Hey” she said as she handed him a Styrofoam container with a kiss.
“What’s this?” Bruce asked.
“Half of my lunch” she replied.
Bruce looked guiltily at her “Sorry about that-I-lost track of time” he replied.
“It’s fine. You didn’t miss anything important” she replied nonchalantly.
Bruce smiled uncertainly “If you’re sure” he replied-knowing he was missing some key piece of data.
“Of course” Jen said.
“So lunch was fun?” he asked trying to discreetly probe.
“No-they got called away” Jen replied.
Bruce watched as she paused breathing slowly “Are you ok?” he asked.
“Sure” she lied.
Bruce frowned-knowing she was lying. “For someone who makes a living in undercover work-you are a terrible liar” he replied.
Jen sighed “I was starving at lunch-now I don’t feel right” she said.
“You don’t feel right like you are going to be sick?” he asked coming up closer to her-gently rubbing her lower back.
Jen looked at him in thought “Not exactly” she replied.
Bruce looked back over seeing that Tony hadn’t stirred throughout the whole conversation. “Let me drive you back and you can rest. We don’t want you to get sick on your first day” he teased.
“I can drive myself if you have work to do” she said.
Bruce chuckled “Nothing I can’t do from my laptop. Jarvis please save everything and transfer it to my laptop” he instructed.
“I will Dr. Banner” Jarvis replied.
“Please tell Tony where I am when he wakes-and Pepper-if she asks” he added as he walked with Jen toward the elevator.
“Of course Dr. Banner and I hope you feel better Miss Gibbs” Jarvis replied.
Jen blushed, Thank you Jarvis” she replied as the elevator closed.
Bruce leaned close to her keeping a hand on her-Jen turned and stared at him with a raised eyebrow-waiting.
“Are you sure you’re ok? You’ve been off since we came here” Bruce asked.
Jen shrugged “I don’t know-maybe I am coming down with something?” she wondered.
Bruce leaned closer and cupped her face “You don’t feel warm. Maybe it was something you ate today?” he asked.
Jen leaned closer with a sigh “Maybe” she concluded.
The next few days Jen went to Stark Industries was walked through what her job responsibilities were going to be. Cassandra made sure she knew every aspect of her job and introduced her to everyone and anyone she would come into contact with. Jen made sure to take notes and passed the notes of anyone or anything she felt was suspicious to be looked into later. As promised she was permitted to sit in on a shareholders meeting and made sure to pay special attention to each member. Of course the one person she NEEDED to watch was teleconferencing in from New York-where he was going to be staying for a few weeks and commuting to California when needed. She walked back to her temporary desk with Cassandra trying to figure out the next plan.
“Genevieve Are you free to travel tomorrow?” Cassandra asked snapping her back into the present.
“Umm I believe so why?” Jen asked.
“Well I was talking with Miss. Potts and I think it would be wise if we travel to New York so I can walk you through the office there as well then we will be staying the night in D.C and I will show you that office the next morning” Cassandra said.
Jen smiled over at Cassandra “I think that will be a great idea” she said.
“We will be accompanying Miss. Potts and Mr. Stark in their plane and staying in Stark Tower” Cassandra said catching the grimace that Jen tried to unsuccessfully hide. “Will that be a problem?” she asked.
“No- no problem” Jen said not knowing what Pepper had told her.
Cassandra smiled “Ok well I need to go home and pack. I will met you at the airport in the morning ok” Cassandra said as she headed for the door.
“See you in the morning” Jen called as she watched her leave.
Jen pulled out her phone and text Hetty
GG: Apparently I am going to New York and D.C tomorrow
HL: Really
GG: Yes I will hopefully be meeting Conrad tomorrow so I’ll call you afterward
HL: Excellent
GG: Next question—How truthful am I supposed to be?
HL: Truthful?
GG: I am supposed to be on a plane with Pepper and Tony and Cassandra in the morning. DO I call her and tell her now-so that it’s not weird in the morning? Or do I wait?
HL: That’s up to you. Obviously she’ll know something is going on. Might want to call her now. Tell her you were embarrassed and didn’t want to give her the wrong idea or something.
GG: LOL not my first radio Hetty. Last question..I think SHIELD will need to be told...something. How truthful you want to be is up to you. But since I asked for Natasha's help-it's only fair.
HL: SIGH that women hasn't learned not to be blindly loyal yet has she.
GG: They got her out of the KGB-of course she's going to be loyal to them-until they giver her a reason not to. AND you have no room to talk you blindly follow orders the same as her. It's how the two of you were raised.
HL: Well it will be a hard lesson for her to learn just like it was for me. I will try to contact Nicolas tomorrow. Call me when you can. Be safe
GG: I’ll call you tomorrow
Jen smiled as she slide her phone into her pocket and headed for the elevators. Bruce and Tony were working on some project so she didn’t even bother to go down to the labs. She hit the button for the garage instead-deciding she needed to go home and pack.
“JARVIS” Jen asked.
“Yes Miss Gibbs” Jarvis answered.
“If Bruce asked tell him I am heading home. If they are there past 10:00PM please inform myself and Miss. Potts” She instructed as the elevator stopped.
“Of course Miss. Gibbs” Jarvis said as the elevator opened.
Jen walked toward her car, scanning the area for anything suspicious. Old habits die hard she thought with a smile. Once she made sure the coast was clear she climbed into her car and drove home.