She always Knows More Than What She is Saying
The next morning
Bruce turned in his sleep and hit the person sleeping next to him-wait someone was sleeping next to him? He was instantly awake-as was the Hulk. But when his eyes landed on Jen he calmed down. ‘Don’t worry It’s just Genevieve we’re not in danger’ he closed his eyes silently talking to the Hulk. When he opened them Jen was staring at him with a small smile on her face.
“I love it that you took my suggestion and started talking to him.” She mumbled.
“What makes you think I was talking to him?” he asked.
“One of your eyes were green just now” she replied.
“What?” He said in surprised.
She just smiled at him stretched and glanced out the window, “oh look the sun’s about to come up.”
Bruce looked curiously out the window then grabbed her hand “come on let’s grab some coffee and watch the sunrise” he said with a smile.
Two coffee mugs were waiting for them when they walked into the kitchen curtesy of JARVIS, they thanked the A.I and headed to the roof.
“So how have you been? I wanted to ask you last night but I didn’t want to give them any ammo-well Tony any ammo.” Bruce finally asked once they were outside.
Jen laughed “I am fine-I’ve been traveling a lot since Uncle Jack and Mike died.”
“Mike died too? When?” Bruce asked.
“Umm like 5 years ago?” Jen said.
Bruce looked sheepish “I am sorry I should have known that.”
Jen smiled “how Bruce? I haven’t seen you in years. Which-umm I am sorry about that-how I left. Ross’s men were getting close -I left so they would follow me.” Jen finished looking down.
Bruce reached out and guided her chin up to look at him “I thought you had a rule about never saying I am sorry?” he asked quietly, “I was hurt at first but I understand now. Hulk apparently still doesn’t-but after this maybe he will. I will never be ok with you-or anyone for that matter-putting themselves in danger because of me. I can’t die remember.” he finished quietly.
Bruce held her face unconsciously stroking her cheek as she said quietly “There are worst things than dying Bruce”
Bruce was about to argue with her statement when he heard Clint coming.
“Hey Doc- Steve says breakfast is-oh shit sorry” Clint says as he turns the corner taking in the scene.
“It’s ok Clint” Bruce says with a smile letting go of her face.
“So yeah Breakfast is ready” Clint said turning and leaving them alone.
“Want to have breakfast with me?” Bruce asked with a shy smile after a few minutes of silence.
She pecked him on the cheek and grabbed his hand “I’d love to.”
NCIS
Leon Vance was sitting at his desk when his secretary informed him that Tom Morrow (a.k.a Councilmen Rockwell) was wanting to speak to him privately.
“Tom, come in” Leon said.
“Leon you need to call Gibbs into MTAC we need a meeting.” Tom says in way of a greeting.
Leon just looked at him nodding “Lead the way Tom”.
As they walked down the hall Leon noticed Gibbs down at his desk “Gibbs MTAC now.”
Gibbs looked up nodded and followed. Once they were inside Leon saw the face of Henrietta Lange and a man with an actual eyepatch on a split screen in front of them.
“Tom what is going on?” Leon asked.
“Director Nicholas Fury this is Leon Vance director of NCIS. Special Agent Jethro Gibbs, and I believe you already know Henrietta Lange.”
“Yes I do- hello Nicholas” Hetty said in greeting.
“Henrietta” the man grunted in greeting.
“Leon, Jethro, Nick Fury is the director of Shield which as you may or may not know stands for strategic homeland intervention, enforcement and logistics division. I will turn the floor over to him, Nick.” Tom said.
“Thank you sir-We have gotten word that there will be an attack on the government black tie gala there in D.C Friday night. The problem is my sources have no idea where the threat will come from. As you know the gala will have dignitaries from all countries, high ranking government officials, the president and first lady, hell even the Avengers are supposed to be there. All agencies should be on high alert. With the councilmen’s permission (cutting his eye at Tom strangely) I have asked that your agency volunteer a few of their best agents for added security that night.” Fury concluded.
“Why the secrecy?” Gibbs asked.
“Because Jethro we don’t want to cause mass hysteria.” Tom (Rockwell) replied.
“No you just wait until aliens come out of the sky and expect the public to be calm and rational.” Came Hetty’s snarky response.
Tom (Rockwell) sighed “That was a lack of good judgment on our part Henrietta and we are trying to make sure it never happens again.”
“How many do you need sir” Vance said looking at Tom.
“We are asking other agencies but I think twelve from both the D.C and L.A offices should help out.” Tom (Rockwell) said, “anything else Director Fury?”
“No sir, gentleman, Hetty Thank you for your assistance.” Then nodded his head and cut his feed.
Hetty shook her head and sighed “well Leon would you like me to have my entire team on the next plane?”
Leon smiled “Yes Hetty-I’ll see you when you get here.”
Hetty nodded and cut her feed.
“Anything else we need to know Tom?” Jethro asked with a raise eyebrow, “like why that man called you councilmen?”
Tom just smiled at him “No- good day Leon, Jethro.” And walked out of MTAC.
Avengers Tower
To Genevieve’s surprise everyone was there at the table when she and Bruce walked into the kitchen.
“How long were we out there?” she whispered causing Bruce to snort.
“Bruce, Genevieve good here- I just finished these” Steve said placing fresh waffles on two plates.
“Thank you Steve” Jen said reaching for both plates as Bruce refilled their mugs.
“Steve makes wonderful waffles” Bruce said as they sat down.
Jen smiled then hummed happily as she took a bite, “delicious” She agreed.
“So where were you two?” Tony asked wagging his eyebrows at them.
Bruce smiled “we went up to the roof to watch the sunrise” he said.
Tony made a face “why would you do that? I would have stayed in bed.”
Jen laughed “what bed? Not that your couch isn’t very comfortable Tony. It would have been nice and if we were paying attention and not running our mouths.”
Bruce looked at her “we were catching up.”
She looked back with a smile “that’s what I said.”
Bruce smiled and shook his head when Steve cleared his throat.
“Genevieve what brings you to New York?” he asked.
“I sold a piece of property I had upstate and was driving through when I heard about the battle over the radio and decided to see if I can help.” She answered with a shrug.
“Where do you live now?” Pepper asked.
“I have been splitting my time between L.A and D.C for a few years now.” She said.
“Job?” Tony asked.
Jen looked at him “Job?” she parroted.
“Do you have a source of income?” Tony replied slowly.
“Why?” she asked curious.
Tony rolled his eyes “I was wondering if you wanted to come work at S.I for a while.”
Jen looked at Tony “You want to give me a job?” she asked confused, “I don’t know Tony.”
Tony shrugged “Think about it let me know.”
“Excuse me for interrupting Sir you have an incoming video call from Director Fury” JARVIS said interrupting them.
Tony groaned “ok let’s have it.”
A holographic screen appeared suspended in the middle of the table where Fury’s face appeared “I expect everyone at Headquarters in an hour we need to debrief.” Fury paused scanning the occupants at the table eye finally landing on Jen.
“Hello Nick” she said with a smirk.
“I expect you there too” he barked
“What? Why?” she asked.
“One hour” Fury said then cut the call.
“Damn” Clint said, “I was hoping to actually have a day off for once.”
“Well if we are expected there in an hour I need to go. See you all there.” Natasha said leaving the table.
Clint nodded “wait I’ll come with you” Clint said getting up and following her.
Natasha smiled at him as they left the room together.
“Who else thinks that’s their code for a quickie?” Tony asked.
Steve and Bruce turned bright red while Pepper and Jen just rolled their eyes. Steve excused himself to go change. Pepper’s phone chimed telling her it was time to get to the office.
“Be careful-don’t piss Fury off too much.” She said kissing Tony on the cheek as she left.
“What’s wrong?” Bruce asked the pensive looking Genevieve.
“Something major must be going on-Nick has never asked for my help.” She wondered out loud.
Suddenly she caught her reflection in the mirror realizing she was still in the clothes from the day before “oh my god I need to go to my car for my overnight bag”.
“Do you need help?” Bruce asked.
Jen laughed “it’s right outside in broad daylight. I’ll be fine” she said as she left the kitchen.
“You should have gone. Women like a helpful man-at least that’s what Pepper keeps tells me.” Tony said.
Bruce laughed “You just wanted me to go so you could hide and miss the meeting.”
Tony just smiled “caught me.”
Bruce looked at Tony “I wonder what Fury has up his sleeve.” he said.
Shield Headquarters
Everyone was in a Shield conference room waiting for the meeting to begin. All the normal shield agents were there except Fury. Genevieve had never liked Shield so she sat near the back trying to blend in-Bruce sat next to her for the same reason. Of course Tony was telling everyone his displeasure at having to wait. Finally Fury burst into the room in his usual flair not stopping until he was front and center.
"Alright here's the issue. The world security council is hosting a huge gala in D.C and you all are going to show up." Fury ordered.
"Weren't we already invited to that” Steve asked.
"Yes but I have it under good authority that no one was going to show up. Now I am making you." Fury said.
"Making us-really? No one makes me do something I don't want to do" Tony began but was interrupted by Natasha's snort.
"Except Pepper" she said.
Tony just glared at Natasha while Fury continued "There are going to be heads of state, government officials, even the president. They need extra man power.”
"Is there a reason why I am here?” Jen asked from her spot.
“Because I asked for you to be here. I figured a second set of skills might come in handy” Hetty said as she walked into the room making Jen smile and Fury bristle, “I am sorry I was hoping to speak to Nicholas before the meeting. I must have gotten the time wrong. ” she finished looking poignantly at Fury.
"I could have told her without your assistance Henrietta” Fury snapped at the small women.
"Wait how did you get in here? it's a secure building" Hill asked hand on her weapon causing Jen to tense.
Hetty turned and stared at the women with an amused smirk "I used my key".
"And who are you" Stillwell asked.
Hetty looked up at Stillwell “My name is Henrietta Lange I am the director of the special ops division of NCIS in Los Angeles.”
“What is NCIS doing here?” Clint asked confused.
“I was planning on warning Nicholas. But since I am here I’ll warn all of you” Hetty began, “I am not sure the council meant for the Avengers to be backup.”
“Why would he ask for them specifically?” Fury demanded.
Hetty just stared at Fury for a few minutes “Really Nicholas how have you been the director of this agency for so long.?” She said shaking her head, “Think about it-why would they all of a sudden WANT the Avengers help? One to show off and two to blame when things go bad.”
Fury glared at the wall processing the information.
“If your theory is correct what do you plan we do about it?” he asked frowning.
Hetty chuckled “Nicholas I am not here to take over. DO whatever it is you do that makes well known noticeable crime fighters work.”
“And those of us who can be unnoticeable?’ Jen asked
Hetty looked at her “continue being unnoticeable.”
Jen snorted nodding her head “understood.”
Hetty nodded her head checking her watch “I have a plan to catch. It’s a pleasure as always Nicholas. Everyone.” She then turned and left the room.
Fury was still frowning “I think she knows more than what she is saying.” He said.
Jen laughed “With Hetty she always knows more than what she says.