The guard froze—then, for reasons even he didn't understand, obediently held the phone to Natasha's ear.
A low, familiar voice sounded from the other end:
"Why aren't you back yet?"
Natasha blinked.
"…I'm working, Director. You sent me on this mission, remember?"
Was the old cyclops finally getting senile?
"Whatever you're doing—drop it. Listen carefully, Natasha.
Barton has been compromised. I need you back immediately."
Her expression tightened. Fury interrupting a covert op was already rare.
Canceling one mid-mission was dangerous, something S.H.I.E.L.D. would never normally do.
But Natasha Romanoff was not a normal agent.
She quietly inhaled.
"…Don't hang up. Give me one minute."
She motioned for the guard to take the phone.
The moment he stepped close—
BAM!
Her foot struck straight between his legs.
He hit the floor without a sound, convulsing.
In the same motion, Natasha twisted, smashing her chair backward into the second guard.
The wooden frame shattered on impact, and the guard was sandwiched between it and the concrete.
From Fury's end of the call came a symphony of impacts, crashes, and grunts.
He didn't look remotely worried—in fact, he checked his watch.
Seconds later, Natasha's calm voice returned.
"Alright, Director. Continue."
"You're five seconds slower than usual," Fury said blandly. "You're getting rusty."
"I'm barefoot and this dress is strangling me. One-star review for the designer."
High heels dangling from two fingers, Natasha strode toward the exit where a Quinjet waited.
"Am I returning to HQ?"
"No. I need you to contact someone—and no matter what, convince him."
"Oh, persuading men? That's definitely my specialty."
Natasha smirked, already knowing exactly who Fury meant.
---
Back at the Office
After returning from Tony's villa, Lucas (卡尔) was once again spacing out in his favorite chair.
Skye typed away at her computer, checking for commissions—of which the agency received maybe three per year.
Gwen chased the Cloak of Levitation around like a cat after a laser pointer.
She wanted to touch it; the cloak absolutely refused.
Chaos ensued.
Then heels clicked.
A figure in a black evening gown, black stockings, and signature red-bottom heels stepped inside.
Lucas' eyes lit up green—
Then dimmed again when he realized it was Natasha.
Not because she wasn't gorgeous—on the contrary, she was practically weaponized beauty.
But a rose like her came with thorns dipped in poison.
Lucas cherished his life.
Friends? Yes.
Anything more? No thank you.
Besides, he already had three queens at home sucking the life out of him daily—he was practically wasting away.
As Natasha approached, Lucas finally noticed the wrinkles and dust on her dress, the runs in her stockings.
She looked… disheveled.
Gossip flames ignited in Lucas' heart.
"What happened to you? Why do you look like you crawled out of a dumpster?"
Natasha resisted the urge to choke him unconscious with her thighs.
"No time for jokes. Something serious happened—I'm here on business."
She relayed everything:
Loki's arrival, Barton's mind control, Selvig's compromise, and the Tesseract now in enemy hands.
Gwen and Skye listened silently.
Fury knew getting Lucas meant automatically getting all three girls—and Wanda.
Lucas frowned.
The plot of Avengers was officially underway.
The Tesseract was gone.
And he had a mission from the system.
But cooperating with S.H.I.E.L.D. left a bad taste in his mouth.
After a long moment, he shook his head.
"Tell Fury I'm not joining the Avengers. I don't belong to any organization, and I won't be restrained by anyone."
Natasha's heart tightened.
Lucas was currently the strongest force on Earth—even the Hulk had eaten dirt in his hands.
Without him, casualties would skyrocket.
"Lucas… ask for anything. Whatever the condition, we'll meet it.
This isn't like past events—this threatens all of humanity."
Natasha's voice trembled.
This wasn't manipulation.
This was a plea—from a friend.
Lucas sighed.
If it were anyone else, he might refuse.
But this was for Natasha—and for Barton.
"Fine. I'll help.
But tell Fury this: I answer to no one.
I'll cooperate, not obey.
If he tries his usual tricks, I'll flip his entire bureau over his bald head."
Natasha exhaled in relief.
"As long as you agree—everything else is negotiable."
Lucas smiled faintly.
"I'm doing this for you and Barton."
Natasha looked away—she wasn't used to warmth.
Gwen and Skye said nothing.
Where Lucas went, they went.
"When do we leave?" Lucas asked.
"Now."
Natasha headed toward the elevator.
Gwen and Skye followed.
Lucas blinked.
"Aren't we leaving right now? Why are you three going upstairs?"
Natasha rolled her eyes.
"Look at me. Does this look like battle attire?
We're going to change, obviously."
The elevator doors closed.
---
Time Stills
Suddenly—
Everything froze.
A golden portal spiraled open.
Wanda stepped through.
The instant she saw Lucas—
FWUMP!
A flash of red—
She launched straight into his arms.
"You're… back?"
Lucas inhaled her familiar, sweet scent.
"Came to help you," she murmured, rubbing her cheek against his chest.
"Master Ancient One said you'd need me."
And she clung to him even tighter.
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