At Least the Coffee Is Good
Director Falls’ desk looked like a paper mill had exploded. This was not unusual although it still made him mutter about paperless offices and blind, optimistic fools. Not in his wife’s hearing though. She would have pointed out that he could be retired right now and bored to death. So his muttering was a secret vice that was confined to his office. It was actually not that common for him to even be in his office, which made the piles of paper even more annoying. He had a suspicion that others in the Compound migrated papers to his office when he was away; that his office had become the de facto storage for unwanted paper.
He was actually trying to get through the status reports for the US based teams at the moment. A routine and paper-filled task that required his attention and, often, his inaction. Most personnel matters were better resolved nearer to the problem so to speak and it was rare that these reviews gained him anything other than a headache. Nonetheless, part of being in charge was these types of thankless tasks. He had already reviewed the West Coast teams and noted promising new recruits (being able to produce names was one of his favorite tricks for improving relations with subordinates), as well as the resolution of a few minor issues. He had saved the East Coast teams for last as they were the thorniest, including as they did the founding Avenger members.
After a refresh on his coffee (and the quality of coffee in the US Compound was one of its most attractive aspects), he settled to reading the East Coast reports. Rhodes showed his years of officer training by producing clear, concise reports that carefully concentrated his CO’s attention to the most pressing issues and greatest improvements; it would have been a pleasure to read them if they didn’t so often contain problems. But this batch was almost pleasant reading so far. Rogers was working hard in his leadership classes and was showing promise as a trainer. Rhodes mentioned that Rogers’ reputation had improved and that Rogers himself was becoming more open to a diverse group. This was excellent news, as the insularity of Rogers had been very worrisome to Falls. Getting Rogers out of the echo chamber, getting his whole group out in fact, had been one of the major goals that Falls had set for Rhodes and it seemed to be working.
And it was not only Rogers, Barton had been very compliant with his therapy, both mental and physical. And the archer was showing a flare for teaching, working on marksmanship and intelligence gathering with a wide variety of students, including several from outside the Avengers organization. Falls was pleased by the diligence even as his experienced nose smelled an ulterior motive. No doubt, Barton was aware of the thin ice he was on and was working to create a more positive impression. Which was all to the good as far as Falls was concerned. If Barton wanted to improve his standing by being more helpful and professional, then that should be encouraged. Although Falls was sure that the Black Widow was behind the archer’s compliance.
He had great respect for her ability to read terrain, although she didn’t work well without strong management – no real self-confidence in her decision making ability outside a mission. But she would have seen the isolation of her group, and Falls was willing to bet dollars to doughnuts that she had also seen Rogers’ tentative movements into the wider organization. It was hardly surprising that she would then seek to strengthen her own status, separate from the group. But her work on intelligence and combat training were valuable, especially with SEE running around, and Falls would take positive actions as they came. In fact, if they came from self-interest, all the better. And he did appreciate her loyalty to Barton. He made a note for Rhodes to see if the two could undertake an intelligence gathering task on SEE. Coulson had sung that duo’s praises; time to see if they lived up to the hype.
That left only two of the group to be dealt with, and Wilson had never been much of an issue. In fact, he had been working with other groups almost from the time that rogues had come to the organization. Falls was fine with Rhodes’ recommendation that the former PJ should complete medical training for full EMT status. The commanding officer also signed off on Wilson’s request to work outside the Avengers with some of the organizations that dealt with the victims of disaster as a group therapy leader. Rhodes had noted that as Wilson moved farther from Rogers’ orbit, he seemed to be more independent in his discussions with Rogers and the others, more willing to voice unpopular opinions. Possibly, Wilson might yet make a second to a group leader, maybe even Rogers if they could keep the Falcon grounded in reality.
All of which left Maximoff who, after Rogers, had always been the most problematic. Volatile and badly trained, Falls doubted that she was even temperamentally suited to Avengers’ work. She was too self-involved, following her own emotions and not really thinking through the consequences of her actions. It would be far better for her to leave the Avengers and figure out what she wanted to do with her life than follow a career she was so ill-suited for, but the terms of her contract required her to continue to work with the Avengers for at least three more years. Falls made a note that, if the internal bonds of Rogers group were loosening, perhaps Maximoff could be transferred. If she was closer to a city, she could be encouraged to attend university which could give her a cohort her own age and a possible career path since she was never going to make a good member of the organization in the long-term.
Rogers, on the other hand, could be very valuable to the organization. He was a natural combat leader and his tactical ability had turned out not to be just legend and hype. In the field, he was excellent at reading the terrain and deploying his team as effectively as possible. What worked against him was his reluctance to work with anyone he didn’t know well and already trust, as well as his issue with being challenged. In a way, Falls really wanted him to work with Stark, although he knew that was unlikely. Still, he could see how they would complement each other so brilliantly. Stark was a master of strategy, but tactics would never be his strong point. He could see a solution only if it revolved around his own abilities; he just didn’t think in the field of everyone else’s role. On the other hand, Rogers was limited by his own conservatism. He needed Stark to force him to move beyond his self-imposed barriers. The two of them together would be a spectacular team; had been from what he could find of their work before Sokovia. But given the break between them, Falls knew he could only ask them to work together in an emergency, as with the first appearance of SEE. It was just such a waste.
He stretched his hands above his head and registered that he needed to go to pilates with his wife this week. Desk work was hell on his back. It was early though; he should be able to join his wife and her sister’s family for dinner in the city. Always a sign that his organization was working well.