Marked

Marked

Chapter 7—Hope it gives you hell

Disclaimer: I do not own the Avengers. They belong to Marvel/Disney.

2330 and Darcy was packing up her laptop, trying not to wake her brother. Easier said than done with a commotion out in the hall, and Rogers heard the familiar, calm tones of one Dr. Bruce Banner as he fast-talked the nurse so he wouldn't get thrown out. Then Clint Barton was standing in the doorway, meeting Rogers' gaze, then looked at Coulson, who was still asleep.

"Son of a bitch," Barton said. "Stark wasn't lying."

"Stark wouldn't lie about something like this," Rogers said.

"Is Coulson OK?" Barton asked.

"He will be," Rogers said.

"No offense, I don't care if you are an Avenger, but if you wake Phil, I will tase you and I won't feel one bit of remorse," Darcy said.

"And you are?" Barton said.

"Darcy Lewis," she said. "Phil's sister."

"I thought you were Jane Foster's research assistant," Barton said.

"That, too," Darcy said.

"C'mon, guys, we can all come back tomorrow," Rogers said. "We have open shifts on watch, Clint."

"What?"
"Baby-sitting Agent Coulson," Rogers said. "We're taking turns keeping him company. Want in?"

"Sure," Barton said. "Banner, what about you?"

"Why not?" he said.

"Pepper can't make 0800, so who wants that?"

"I'll take it," Barton said.

"Anything later in the afternoon or evening I'll take," Banner said. "I like mornings in the lab. It's quiet without Tony. I like a little time to get my thoughts together before he shows."

"Would either of you like to help with Stark's special project?" Darcy asked.

"Which is?" Banner said.

"Getting even with Fury," she said.

Banner and Barton grinned; Rogers knew Fury was not going to know what hit him.

"Ms. Lewis, would you like to discuss plans with Stark and I tomorrow, if you have time?"

"Wouldn't miss it," she said. "When and where?"

"The shawarma place?" Rogers suggested. "It's close, and inexpensive."

"Good choice," Banner said. "See you around 1:30 then?"
"Tomorrow it is," Darcy said, finishing picking up her things as the others left.

"Nobody told me Banner is a hottie," Darcy said. "I've seen pictures, but wow. He's brilliant, seems sweet, and he's hot. . ."

"Bruce is a good man," Rogers said.

Hmm. . .Dr. Hottie had Captain America's stamp of approval. Definitely something to research in-depth. Her time as a scientific research assistant was going to come in handy after all, Darcy thought.

"Even though he has anger management issues?" she said.

"In spite of it," Rogers said. "Want me to take you home?"

"Sure," Darcy said.

A half-hour later, she was unlocking the door to Phil's apartment, Steve carrying her bag for her. He'd insisted, and she was learning there was no arguing with him. He was being polite, what her mother would call a "gentleman." Something Phil had been raised to be, and a male specimen one did not often encounter in the 21st century. Although Darcy was quickly reassessing that opinion now that she'd met most of the other Avengers. Stark didn't fit in that category, but he was unique. Oh well.

She threw her coat down on the couch, kicked off her shoes, making for the kitchen. She was starving, and knew where Phil kept the good wine hid. One of the few good things leftover as a result of his relationship with Celeste, the cellist who'd moved back to Portland. Darcy looked back over her shoulder at Steve, who was standing in the living room, looking lost.

"Want something to eat?" she called.

"If it's not too much trouble," Rogers said.

"Pizza from last night OK?" Darcy asked.

"Sure," Rogers said. Pizza. He could live with that. He sat down on the couch, and took the plate and glass Darcy returned with a few minutes later. She returned with her own food, throwing herself down on the couch beside him.

"Thank you for keeping an eye on Phil," Darcy said. "And thanks for putting Fury in his place."

"My pleasure, ma'am," Rogers said, taking a bite out of his pizza. "Whatever you guys come up with for Fury—don't tell me.

"No problem," Darcy said. "You want it to be a surprise?"

He didn't answer. He just wanted plausible deniability, and was thinking about how much trouble the others could get into, especially if they damaged SHIELD property. He'd read all of the human resources policy manuals, and frankly, it scared the hell out of him. So many damn rules and regulations, how was he supposed to remember them all?

"You OK?" Darcy asked.

"Yeah. Just thinking," Rogers said.

"About?"

"Nothing," he said.

"C'mon," Darcy said.

"I just don't want you guys getting in trouble," Rogers said.

"Fury set himself up for this, and he knows it," Darcy said, taking a sip of wine. "He used Phil, he used all of you, and he deserves payback."

"Don't you think a broken nose is enough?" Roger asked.

"It's a start," Darcy said.