Joining Together
The Next Morning
Jen pulled into the parking lot and smiled as she saw one of Stark Industries planes gassed and waiting. She glanced around knowing Tony and Pepper weren’t there yet- Tony he would be pulling in at the last minute. Luckily for her Cassandra was here-she had come early so she could talk to Cassandra before anyone else showed up. She decided to tell her about her relationship with Bruce-last she heard he was coming as well and didn’t want her to be surprised by that bit of information.
“Cassandra?” Jen called as she walked up behind her.
“Genevieve Good Morning” Cassandra called. “You’re here early” she commented.
“Well I wanted to talk to you before anyone else got here” Jen began making Cassandra turn toward her in worry. “No-it’s nothing bad, but I wanted to let you know that I know Tony-umm Mr. Stark and Miss. Potts. I’ve been staying at Stark Tower for a few months now. I am in a relationship with Dr. Banner” Jen said pausing to take a breath.
Cassandra looked at her “okay” she said slowly.
“I’ve kept my relationship quiet-for lots of reason. I don’t want people to get the impression that I am getting special treatment or I am going to take their job” Jen said. “People are going to think what they are regardless but I try not to tell too many people-because I am afraid they will start to tease him as well and he doesn’t need that” Jen said.
Cassandra smiled and patted her hand “I understand that. I knew you had some previous relationship with Miss. Potts based on how she talks with you” she said. “Which one is Dr. Banner again?” she asked.
“The one that is always with Mr. Stark” Jen said.
Cassandra thought then smiled when she made the connection “The little fluffy one? Oh he’s cute” she gushed.
Jen burst out laughing “I think so” she said. “So is this a problem?” she asked.
Cassandra shook her head “No-No. Thank you for being honest with me. But I understand why you kept it quiet” she said. “Your secret is safe with me” she added with a smile.
“Thanks” Jen said as she placed her suitcase in the cargo hold of the plane as Tony came squealing into the tarmac.
Cassandra and Jen turned as Pepper door flung open “Tony are you trying to kill us?” she said loudly.
“You kept complaining you were going to be late-I made sure you weren’t late” Tony called back.
Cassandra gave her an uncomfortable smile “think they’ve seen us?” she muttered.
“Morning Pepper, Tony” Jen called catching their attention alerting them that they weren’t alone.
Pepper gave them a tight smile “Good Morning Genevieve, Cassandra” she called. “You’re here early” she commented then glanced at her watch “were here early I suppose” she amended shooting a look at Tony as she headed to the plane. “Cassandra I need to run a few things with Happy and the pilot then you and I can touch base-Genevieve do you want to come as well?” Pepper asked.
“If you think I should” Jen replied.
Pepper nodded “ok I’ll be ready in 15 minutes” she replied and climbed up the steps of the plane.
Jen looked around “Happy’s here?” she asked in confusion.
“Yeah-I needed to have a security walk through” Happy said as he walked toward them from the tower and climbed up into the plane to talk with Pepper.
Jen pulled out her phone “I am going to try and call Bruce real quick and see where he is” she said out loud.
“Don’t worry the big guy is coming with the pilot” Tony said as he walked past Jen.
Jen scowled at Tony’s back “Why is he coming with the pilot?” she asked.
Tony shrugged “Pep and I were busy-he needed to finish something with his lab assistant. He needed a ride-the pilot needed a ride-Problem solved” he replied.
Jen sighed “Tony- Bruce doesn’t like new people-you know that” she said sternly-trying to remember where they were.
A car pulled in as they were talking-Tony noticing it first. “Speak of the devil-see you can calm down-the Big guy and the pilot are both here” he said waving then turning and going into the plane.
Jen turned watching as Clint and Bruce climbed out of the car and grabbed their bags from the trunk.
Bruce looked up and smiled at her making her smile as well.
Cassandra chuckled “I am going to go call my husband then we can go in and talk with Miss Potts” she said leaving them alone.
Jen walked up to the car waving at Clint and Bruce. The window rolled down and she realized Natasha was in the driver seat. She smiled and waved then turned when Bruce walked closer to her-leaving Natasha and Clint to say good bye in peace.
“Hi” Jen said leaning over and giving Bruce a kiss.
“Hi” he said fidgeting.
“So why is Clint our pilot?” Jen asked ignoring Bruce’s nervous fidgeting.
Bruce shrugged “not sure” he said.
Jen looked as Clint walked toward them “Morning pilot” she said.
Clint smiled and chuckled “morning” he responded.
“So any particular reason you are our pilot” She asked.
Clint paused looking at her “I needed a part time job as well” he said with a wink as he continued toward the plane.
Jen laughed as she pulled out her phone and sent a text to Hetty
GG: Think SHIELD knows
HL: I haven’t been able to talk to Nicholas yet-how do you know that?
GG: Clint is our pilot
HL: Yes it would seem they do know something. Keep an eye out
GG: of course
Everyone got on the plane and went to their corners. Jen sat next to Cassandra and tried to look interested as she listened to Pepper drone on about the meeting they will be having once they got to New York. She knew she needed to keep up appearances and knew some of this might come in handy soon. After what seemed like hours the meeting was over and Pepper dismissed them.
Jen smiled and sat down next to Bruce who had been reading something on his tablet- leaning against him. He reached for her hand-absently rubbing her knuckles.
“How was your experiment? Was it successful?” she asked eyeing the charts on his tablet.
Bruce hummed in agreement “It’s still on-going. My assistant is sending me the data and I am entering it against the data I already have” he replied looking over at her for a second.
“That’s nice” she replied.
“I am sorry I’ve been busy” Bruce mumbled shyly his eyes back on the tablet in his lap.
“It’s ok. I’ve been busy too-it happens” Jen said reassuringly.
Her phone flashed indicating she had a message. She glanced at it making a face as she looked at the screen.
“What’s wrong?” Bruce asked.
“Nick just called me” she replied.
Bruce snorted “That can’t be good” he replied with a chuckle.
“Nope” Jen agreed.
“Any idea why Clint’s here?” Bruce asked.
Jen shrugged “I could go ask him?” she replied. “But I bet it has something to do with that message Fury just left me” she added looking at her phone.
“Might be less stressful to ask Clint” Bruce replied nodding toward the cock pit door.
Jen sighed “you’re right-but I need to hear what Fury said eventually. Might as well check now” she said as she reached for her phone and opened her voicemail.
“Ms. Gibbs It’s Nicholas Fury. I have talked with Henrietta about her mission and the man she arrested two days ago and believe we are after the same man. As I believe you already know Agent Barton is our undercover man and I believe it will be in our best interest to combine our efforts. You need to talk with Barton and create a plan and get back with us” Fury said as he hung up.
Jen knocked on the door then opened it leaning against the frame.
“Feel like a visitor?” She asked.
Clint shrugged his shoulders “Sure-take a seat” he said.
“Don’t mind if I do” Jen said.
Jen stared out the window at the clouds “Very peaceful up here” she commented.
Clint nodded “I’ve always thought so” he said. “You fly” he asked.
“I can if the situation calls for it-but I don’t legally have a license” Jen remarked with a small smile.
Clint chuckled “Of course” he said.
“So I just got a call from Fury-we are to join forces since we are apparently after the same man” Jen replied.
Clint looked over at her laughing and nodding his head “Nat thought this had to be some mission NCIS gave you-this job was kind of fast and unexpected. Do they know?” he asked pointing to the door behind them.
Jen shook her head “No-well Bruce knows some of it-but only that I needed the job because of NCIS-nothing else. I feel bad but I know how Tony is and I didn’t want the wrong person to find out-before we-or someone got them” she replied.
Clint nodded “I get it-will you tell them” he asked.
“I will if I need to-I have no problem with breaking protocol if needed. Pepper and I have a-complicated history so it’s no real hardship if she gets mad-I don’t think our relationship is really going to change. I don’t want Tony to get mad though, then Bruce will be in an uncomfortable situation-I don’t want either one to have to pick sides” Jen said.
Clint chuckled “You mean you don’t want to break up the science bros romance.” he replied.
Jen chuckled “Yeah-something like that” she said.
“So what are your plans?” Clint asked.
“It was my understanding that I was going to be meeting Conrad on this trip-the suspect. I will be in continued contact with him in this position and I was told to gather information. I assume I am to close in when they get enough information and arrest him? Or maybe that’s your job now? I don’t know” Jen replied with a shrug.
“What about this man with a metal arm that you were telling Nat about?” Clint asked.
Jen sighed and looked out the window “I don’t know. He insinuated that he was the new Winter Soldier-“ she began.
“Do you think he is?” Clint asked.
“He didn’t have any weapons on him and he had plenty of opportunity to attack and didn’t. The more I think about it the more I think he was supposed to be a distraction” Jen said.
MEANWHILE Outside the Door
Tony kept staring at the door frowning then looking over at Bruce with the same stare-seeing if he noticed.
“Yes Tony?” Bruce asked trying to keep his eyes on the data in front of him and ignoring his friend.
“What are they doing in there? She shouldn’t be distracting him-he needs to get us there on time” Tony demanded.
Bruce laughed “Distract him from what? Air traffic?” he asked.
“Still it’s not- proper” Tony said.
Bruce continued to laugh “Proper? Tony she’s chatting with Clint. He’s flying a private jet-not a commercial airline. It’s not like they are having sex in there” he replied staring at his friend.
“How do you know that? I am sure they were trained to be quiet” Tony asked earning a glare and a smack from Pepper.
Bruce blinked at Tony rolling his eyes “One I hope JARVIS is taping this and it’s played in front of Nat with witnesses. Two I know I don’t have much self-esteem- but I trust in this-in us. Jen and Clint have known each other for years and I refuse to get jealous every time I see her talking with someone” he replied.
“Very good Bruce” Pepper said smacking Tony again in the arm. “Tony stop-there are other people on this jet-Just go play with Jarvis or something” she added with a glare.
“I just don’t like it-they’re being all secretive” Tony mumbled as he rubbed his arm.
“You don’t have to know everything that goes on” Bruce reminded him.
“Yes I do it’s MY plane” Tony retorted.
“Then don’t hire-Sh- Clint next time” Bruce shot back barely remembering there were other people present and stumbled through trying not to out the archer.
Jen’s phone vibrated on the table catching everyone’s attention. The name Natasha flashed on the screen.
“That’s odd” Bruce mumbled.
“What?” Tony asked.
“It’s Nat” he answered.
Bruce reached down and answered the phone. “Hello Nat”
“Bruce?” Natasha asked confused. “Why are you answering Jen’s phone?”
“She’s in the front chatting with Clint-hold on let me go get her” Bruce said getting up and heading for the door.
Bruce knocked and stuck his head in.
“Hon it’s Nat-she wants to talk to you” Bruce said handing the phone to Jen.
“Thanks Sweetie. Hi Nat-what’s up” she said into the phone.
Natasha chuckled “I wanted to warn you Fury will be calling you.” She said.
“He already did” Jen replied.
Nat laughed again “Figures. Next- Henrietta Lange is here and I THINK she is heading down to James floor to speak with him” she replied.
Jen sat up and looked at Bruce in annoyance “Please tell me she’s not by herself” she asked.
“As far as I can tell she is” Nat answered.
“Damn it. He still has security right?” Jen asked.
“Of course” Nat replied.
“She MIGHT be a trigger for him-not really sure if he was conscious at all in that chamber” Jen warned.
“Why would she be a trigger for him?” Nat asked.
“She saw him in that chamber when she was there-not sure for how long-but she did admit that she saw him” Jen said.
“Any idea why she’s here?” Nat asked.
“Well I THOUGHT it was to talk to Fury. But she I guess she wants to talk to him-and maybe you too” Jen replied in thought.
“To me?” Nat asked surprised.
“She really wants to get some knowledge on the current KGB dealings to figure out about the other metal armed Russian. She knows I was going to ask you-but don’t be surprised if she randomly pops up-kind of her own super power” Jen said with a smile.
Nat snorted “I’ll keep my eye out-I’ll let you know what happens” she said.
“Thanks” Jen said as she hung up as Clint and Bruce stared at her.
“Apparently Hetty is at SHEILD and is heading to James floor trying to talk with him” Jen said.
“By herself?” Bruce asked.
“Yes” Jen sighed then typed in Hetty’s number.
“Hello Genevieve how’s the flight?” Hetty said as she answered.
“Must you do this the second I go away” Jen asked exasperated.
“I was in town for a meeting and decided to kill three birds with one stone” Hetty replied.
“Meeting?” Jen asked.
“Just a meeting with Congress” Hetty replied.
“That doesn’t sound good?” she asked.
Hetty laughed “The meeting happens every couple of years-no big deal” Hetty replied.
“Do you actually think Fury will let you see him?” Jen asked switching subjects.
Hetty chuckled “I’ve gotten this far-if I get barred I can always call in Owen if I need to” she replied.
“Can I call in back-up? I can call Jethro or Steve even” Jen said.
“Dear I CAN take care of myself-despite what you and Mr. Callen think” Hetty replied.
“Well we worry when you go into a secret government agency without telling ANYONE where you are going. To talk with a man who could squash you in seconds” Jen replied testily.
“I am armed you know” Hetty replied patiently.
“That won’t matter Hetty. Just be careful. You might be a trigger to him” Jen said.
Hetty sighed “Agent Coulson and Agent Romanov are coming my way-satisfied” she said.
“Hetty” Jen warned.
“Oh I have to go dear-call me when you land” Hetty said as she hung up.
Jen stared at her phone “She does this JUST to show us that she still can” she muttered.
“Do you need to call someone?” Clint asked.
“No she’s already there. Phil and Natasha were heading her way-so that’s good” Jen replied.
Clint looked uncomfortable-Bruce noticed it first.
“Is that bad?” Bruce asked.
“Well not for Phil but maybe for Nat” Clint said.
“What do you mean?” Jen asked.
“Ms. Lange isn’t the only one who can trigger Barnes-Nat might as well” Clint finally replied.
“Does Phil know that?” Bruce asked.
“Why do you think he’s there” Clint replied with a smile.
SHEILD HEADQUARTERS
Hetty smirked as she watched Phil Coulson and Natasha walk toward her. She knew the second she hit any button other than the lobby SOMEONE was going to meet her. Sadly it wasn’t hard to find the floor she was looking for.
“Are you lost Ms. Lange?” Phil asked conversationally.
“Sadly no-if you’ve been in one secret government agency’s building you’ve been in them all” Hetty replied truthfully.
Phil raised an eyebrow at the little women “Then what are you doing on this floor?” he asked.
“I was hoping to speak with James Buchanan Barnes” Hetty replied truthfully.
“What makes you think we have him?” Phil asked.
Hetty just blinked at him giving him a look at screamed are you serious?
“What makes you thing Fury will allow you to see him?” Phil said trying a new tactic.
“He probably won’t-but he HAD to realize I was going to wonder-otherwise I give him too much credit” Hetty replied.
Natasha looked down hiding the impressed smirk that threatened to show at Hetty’s words. Phil gave her a quick side look-as he always did when she acted out of character. She cleared her throat softly focusing back on the conversation.
Hetty was staring at her smiling “very good” she said with a nod then turned to Phil. “Agent Coulson as I am sure you are aware-my people apprehended a man who had a metal arm and when asked about it all he said was since the asset defected they needed another. We searched him finding no weapons or anything else he could use to end HIS life or anyone else’s. I was hoping to talk with him to see if he could help with any information he has” Hetty replied.
“I am aware of your case Ms. Lange and I understand the obvious connection with Sargent Barnes but I will have to get multiple people’s permission for you to talk with him.” Phil began when Natasha interrupted.
“Genevieve did tell you the man has VERY limited memory of the past 80 years -much less details about when he was inservice for the KGB” Nat said stoically.
Hetty turned her attention to Natasha “I understand Ms. Romanov-it might be a lost cause but at the moment it’s the only connection I have” Hetty replied then turned back to Coulson fishing out a business card from her card case and handing it to him. “Please call me any time-day or night and I will make sure to be here. I can get MY higher ups involved if that helps-but as we both know that never works out for anyone” she joked.
Phil took the card and suppressed a smile “I will run it by Fury and someone will contact you” he promised.
Hetty looked at him over her glasses “Don’t lie to a liar my dear-it’s bad for business” she replied as she turned and headed for the elevators intent to actually leave this time when she glanced back at Coulson “I have been meaning to tell you that I am glad you survived New York-I hope you take this as a true second chance and not waste it” Hetty said as the doors closed.
Phil stared at Natasha with a controlled expression-not knowing how to respond.
“Think she’s talking from experience?” Natasha asked breaking the tension.
Phil shook his head “I don’t know-maybe” he said as they walked the opposite direction.
“Are you going to talk to Fury?” Natasha asked.
“No need I already knew about it” Fury replied as he made his presence known walking up to them.
“Are you actually going to allow her to talk with Barnes Sir?” Phil asked.
“Well If I don’t she will get her bosses involved and we will have more problems on our hands” Fury replied.
“Do you think she’s closer to finding out how to stop Ross?” Natasha asked.
“Not sure Romanov” Fury replied.
“Anyone found Brian Banner yet?” Coulson asked.
Fury shook his head “Whatever Henrietta thinks Ross has up his sleeve-he is being quieter than usual about it” he replied.
“Would you like me to call Ms. Lange and make an appointment for her to talk with Barnes tomorrow Sir?” Coulson asked.
“That would be good-keep me informed” Fury said as he turned and walked the other way.
Coulson pulled out his phone and dialed the number from the card she gave him.
“Hello Agent Coulson” Hetty said as she answered.
Phil looked at his phone in surprised “How did you know it was me Ms. Lange?” he asked.
“It has barely been 10 minutes-I am still in the parking lot” Hetty said.
“Director Fury has allowed you to meet Sargent Barnes tomorrow at 11AM” Phil said.
“I’ll be there-see you tomorrow Agent” Hetty said as she hung up.
Phil shook his head and turned to Natasha “This should be interesting” he mumbled.