"If everything you've said is true," Nick Fury said slowly, "then I'll agree to all the conditions you listed."
Rowan's certainty hadn't sounded rehearsed or exaggerated. It forced Fury to replay years of half-remembered details, odd decisions, and unexplained compromises. Once he started looking at them from a different angle, the pattern was impossible to ignore. He hadn't verified anything yet, but in his gut, he already believed most of it.
What unsettled him more was not knowing how deep the corruption went, or how many people inside SHIELD he could still trust.
"I trust your integrity, Director," Rowan replied with an easy smile. "But I'd prefer this handled quickly. If I took this information to HYDRA instead, they'd gladly accept every condition I've asked for."
Fury's expression tightened.
"Give me one week," he said. "One week, and everything will be resolved. For the sake of global security, I hope you can forget today ever happened."
That was the best outcome he could hope for. At this point, he no longer cared about recruiting Rowan or his students. All he wanted was time. Time to investigate. Time to survive.
If HYDRA realized he knew the truth, he would be their first target. And eliminating Rowan and the school to keep the secret was simply not an option. Rowan could escape. Wolverine couldn't be killed. And Professor X, restored and fully conscious, was a nightmare scenario.
If things went completely wrong, he'd have to call Captain Marvel back just to have a chance.
Looking back, Fury almost regretted sending Natasha in the first place. He'd gained nothing and paid dearly for it. Then again, without that move, he might never have uncovered HYDRA at all. One wrong day, one trusted agent, and he could've died without ever understanding why.
"That's fine," Rowan said lightly. "Compared to HYDRA, I still prefer SHIELD. Clean house properly, and maybe one day I'll reconsider joining you, students included. My hesitation before was simple. Too many HYDRA agents inside your organization."
He stood and gave Fury's shoulder a friendly pat, sincerity written plainly on his face.
Fury nodded, already distracted. "I have urgent matters to attend to. Natasha will handle follow-up coordination. She'll make sure your conditions are met within the week."
He rose, exchanged a brief farewell, and left with Clint Barton without another glance back.
Rowan waved after them. "Safe travels."
Once they were gone, he turned to Natasha. "Ms. Romanoff, I'll leave the rest to you."
"I'll do my best," she replied. "Leave a contact number. I'll reach out once everything's done."
Her gaze drifted, unfocused. Rowan noticed immediately.
"There's something else," he said. "You joined SHIELD to escape your past. To atone for what you did in the Red Room. But you've seen it now. SHIELD was already compromised. Some of the missions you thought were acts of redemption may have only deepened your guilt."
Natasha's body tensed. She met his eyes. "What are you trying to say?"
"Simple," Rowan said. "We need teachers."
She blinked.
"If you want," he continued, "you could try a different life. Teach here. Help students grow instead of spending every day undercover, chasing crises around the globe."
She was silent.
Natasha Romanoff was fluent in dozens of languages, mastered every form of transportation, and could dismantle a secure system faster than most hackers. She was exactly the kind of instructor students needed if they were to survive the real world without being manipulated by intelligence agencies.
And the school truly needed staff. Wolverine could handle combat and history, but leaving everything else to Professor X was unsustainable, especially as more students arrived.
Rowan wasn't worried about espionage. Between himself and Professor X, deception had a short lifespan.
The offer clearly shocked her. After yesterday's encounter, she hadn't expected anything like this.
Yet the idea lingered.
A quieter life. Teaching instead of running. Guiding instead of killing.
After five long minutes, she finally spoke. "I'll think about it. Even if I agree, it won't be until I help Fury dismantle HYDRA."
Rowan smiled. "That's fine. The doors are always open. No endless rules, no chains. Just teach the students well. Everything else is flexible."
He already knew she was tempted.
And even if she declined, he had other candidates in mind. Heroes frozen in ice. Old legends waiting to be found.
Natasha Romanoff was only one possibility.