Chapter 1
"Sorry I'm late, Steve," you said, shooting your Captain an apologetic look as you slipped in between Sam and Clint.
"It's alright, y/n," Steve said before continuing on with his debriefing.
"If you hadn't spent so long getting pretty, you'd have been here on time," Sam whispered.
"Oh, shut up, Sam," you replied quietly, bumping him gently with your elbow.
"What? I meant it as a compliment."
Steve was telling all of you about your latest assignment: an arms dealer who had a special talent for flying under the radar.
"Not to sound cocky, but isn't this a little below our pay grade?" you asked during a momentary break in his presentation.
"He's involved in advanced experimental weaponry and has former ties to Hydra," Natasha informed you.
You nodded silently in acknowledgment.
"The problem is this guy never stays anywhere long enough to get a lead on his location. On top of that, he's smart. Ideally, setting up a buy as a sting operation would be our best bet. But, all of us are too high profile now. It's extremely doubtful he wouldn't recognize any one of us," Steve said.
"Maybe we could borrow some guy from I.T. or somewhere to be our buyer?" Sam offered.
"Dude would have to be a hell of an actor," Rhodey said. "Besides, he probably checks out all of his potentials in advance to make sure they're the real deal."
"So, what we need is a shady guy with a criminal background that we can trust enough to pretend to buy weapons from him? That shouldn't be a problem," Clint said sarcastically.
Unfortunately, you knew someone who matched that description.
"I know somebody we can use," you volunteered hesitantly.
"Who?" Steve asked.
"He's an old contact from my SHIELD days. He'll pass any inspection this guy gives."
"Can he be trusted?"
"No. But, he'll do it if I ask him."
"If you're sure about it, then go ahead," Steve said.
"I doubt my number for him is still good. It's been awhile. I'll probably have to meet him in person."
"I'll go with you," Clint offered.
"No," you said too quickly, earning yourself a surprised look from the archer. "It's better if I take Nat with me on this one. Trust me."
"I'll go," Natasha said reassuringly.
"Alright, call us as soon as you know something," Steve said.
You nodded in affirmation and the meeting came to a close. As everyone else filed out of the room, Natasha leaned against the table beside you and asked, "So, where are we headed?"
"Gotham City."