Marked

Marked

Chapter 9—For what it's worth

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

Stark's turn on watch. He was texting back and forth with Bruce, talking about their latest project, which Fury would not approve. Well, he wouldn't approve because it involved getting even with him. Darcy was going to be a big help, but she'd helped narrow down the ideas, none of which he and Bruce could agree upon. At this point, it was a case of one-upmanship, and Stark planned on winning. Even captain uptight agreed they needed to do something. It could wait. Fury would get his comeuppance when he least expected it. And Coulson was glaring at him.

"What?" Stark asked, putting the phone in his pocket.

"Still plotting revenge?" Coulson asked.

"Phil, we are. It has to be done. Fury lied," Stark said.

"Fury's been threatened plenty, and Capt. Rogers broke his nose," Coulson said.

"Don't forget Pepper slapped him, and Darcy threatened to cut off parts of his anatomy," Stark said. "Your sister is vicious. I like her. Too bad she's already on the SHIELD payroll. She'd make a nice intern. Or minion. Bruce and I could use a minion."

"I think she's already smitten with the idea," Coulson said.

"You sure it's not Bruce she's smitten with?" Stark said.

"What?"
"Forget I said anything, Phil," Stark said. "How's it going with Rogers?"

"How's what going?" Coulson asked.

"Oh, y'know, stuff," Stark said. "Like I thought maybe. . ."

"What?"
"I thought maybe you were interested in Rogers or something," Stark said. "Or not. I mean, it's perfectly all right. You could do worse. He's a little uptight and old-fashioned, but bottom line is he's a good man."

"You did not just suggest I have something other than a professional interest in an American icon," Coulson said.

"Icon no, Steve Rogers, yes," Stark said.

"Stark, shut up while you still can," Coulson said. "I might be recuperating, but I can still do a lot of damage from where I sit."

"Like what?" Stark asked, interested, but he was saved from bodily harm by Pepper's arrival.

"Tony, are you taunting Phil?" she asked as she stepped inside the room.

"No," Stark said. "We were talking about stuff."

She looked at Coulson for confirmation.

"Stuff we shouldn't be talking about," he said. "If Stark knows what's good for him."

Stark stood, stretching. "Have fun, kids. Bruce and I have science to do," he said.

"Play nice," Pepper said, kissing him.

Stark smiled. "With Bruce, always."

Pepper sat down in the chair Stark vacated. "What was he giving you a hard time about this time?" she asked.

"My personal life," Coulson said.

"Steve?" Pepper said. "Tony has mentioned how he thinks you're interested in him. . ."

"If I am, I can't do anything about it," Coulson said.

An admission of sorts, Pepper thought. A good thing?

"What about Celeste?" she asked.

"That is over," he said. "With no chance of resuscitation."

"Then why not. . ."

"Want me to go over the reasons?" Coulson said.

"So you've thought this through?"

"Not really, but I know what I should do, and that's nothing," he said. "Pepper, can we talk about something else?"

"Sure," she said. "