Part 2
Fury had summoned Charlie to his office the day after the hacking test. When she arrived, she expected the presence of Clint, but not the presence of Young, Rachel, or Natasha.
“What’s going on?” Charlie asked. She made eye contact with Natasha, who immediately looked out the window.
“What’s she doing here?” Rachel questioned.
“Ladies, take a seat and we will discuss why we are here,” Fury instructed.
Charlie reluctantly took the only empty seat beside Rachel.
“Agent Stark had recovered some information on an off-the-books mission you are running, Agent Young,” Fury explained.
“Agent Stark?” Rachel practically yelled, “she’s an agent?”
“Yeah and so are you,” Charlie grumbled like a small child.
“Why don’t you two shut up and I will tell you what is going on,” Fury growled. “Agent Stark is undercover to find which recruit has HYDRA ties. And I have been informed Agent McKinley is doing the same for Agent Young without my authority.”
“Sir, if I had known about your mission…,” Young was cut off.
“I will deal with you later, Young,” Fury threatened, “for now, you two will be working on this assignment together.”
“What?” Charlie and Rachel chorused.
“This is not up for debate, Agents,” Fury growled, “You will share the intel you have gathered and all further information.”
“Sir, I don’t think…” Rachel started.
“And you shouldn’t think any further. I said this is happening so it’s happening, understood?” Fury raised an eyebrow.
“Yes,” Charlie huffed while the others stayed silent.
“Now, McKinley and Young, you are dismissed,” Fury said, “Stark stay behind.”
Charlie sat silently, waiting for her two fellows to leave the office. Once the door was shut once more, she spoke, “I don’t think working with Rachel will end well.”
Fury waved her off, “that’s an issue for another time. Right now we need to talk about your father.”
“Tony?” Charlie sighed, “what has he done this time?”
Natasha stepped forward, “he’s not listening.”
“Of course not, he’s Tony Stark.”
“He is putting his life in danger along with the lives of thousands of people,” Natasha continued.
“What else is new?”
Natasha rolled her eyes at Charlie, “What’s new is that he no longer has you to keep him in check.”
Charlie raised an eyebrow.
“What Natasha is so cryptically saying,” Clint butted in, “they need your help.”
Charlie opened her mouth in a silent ah, “not interested.”
“Charlie,” Natasha sighed.
“No thanks,” Charlie stood from her chair.
“Agent Stark, sit your ass back down!” Fury yelled.
Charlie whipped around to glare at the man, “No! You don’t get to pull me out of my life to work a mission for you, then turn around and tell me I have to reign in my father! I am not your pawn Nicholas Fury!”
“Charlie,” Natasha spoke softly as she placed a gentle hand on Charlie’s arm.
Charlie’s head snapped in her direction. In the small mirror behind Natasha’s head, she could see her teeth bared and her eyes glowing a florescent purple.
“There are lives in danger,” Natasha practically whispered. She rubbed her thumb along the skin of Charlie’s arm in light circles, reigning in the other woman’s anger with each rotation.
Charlie closed her eyes, letting out a deep breath. When she opened her eyes again, they were back to their natural emerald green. “I can’t control him,” she whispered as she looked at the floor.
Natasha ducked her head to meet Charlie’s eyes, “He’s more careful when you’re around. He cares about your safety.”
Charlie slowly blinked, “so what do you want me to do?”
“We need you to talk to him,” Fury cut in, “Get him on our side.”
Charlie shook her head, her long dark curls bounced into her face, “it’s not going to work.”
“It has to,” Fury grumbled, “It’s our only option.”
Charlie slowly approached Fury from the other side of his desk, “Okay Director, let’s make a deal then.”