5. The Assignment

Korra groans as she slumps on the sofa. In front of her, Miles and Gwen are happily dancing together while singing the Avengers theme song. As much as she wants to tell them to stop, she doesn't have it in her to ruin their moment. Well, they'll realize it eventually, she thinks to herself. 

The woman reminds herself of what happened just a while ago in Director Fury's office.

'So, this is what I want to do. What I have here are the details to an unknown trafficking ring south of New York. Prove to me that you have what it takes to join the Avengers and maybe, just maybe, I'll reconsider'. 

Fury then looked at Korra with a grin on his face. 'Agent Korra. Since you've had the most experience managing these kids, you'll be taking point. The future of these two hinges on the success of this mission. And so, it hinges on you'. The man then waved them with a dismissal before Korra could even decline. They quickly got kicked out of the room and Nat led them to an empty room 

Korra sighs again. Should I just burst in there and decline. I doubt the gloomy bastard would even reconsider. But looking at Miles and Gwen literally celebrating already, she can't help but smile. Well, the best I can do now is to keep them safe, she thinks to herself.

Then the door swings open and Nat walks in with a thick folder. 'That went pretty well', says the superspy. 'Looks like you made quite an impression on the director'. The two kids smile at that. 

'Really?' asks Miles.

'The guy was pretty intense. I thought we would have definitely failed the test or something', continue Gwen.

Nat and Korra laugh at that. 'Nope. You actually did pretty well. The director always acts like that but don't let it get to you. He's actually a big softie once you get to know him', Nat says with a grin. 'Anyways, here'. Nat hands the folder to Korra making the woman do a long exaggerated groan. 

'Why do I have to do this? Aren't you the one who normally manage the new recruits', says Korra she she reads through the thick folder. 

'Yes, that part of my job', answers Nat. 'I watch over actual recruits. You're job is to oversee our cute little 'potential' recruits as they follow through with the assignment. See what I did there with the kids being potential and not actual recruits just yet'.

Korra groaned again. 'Uhh. Fine. Is there a score sheet I have to fill out or something?'

'Nope. All you have to do is say if they pass or they fail. Everything is up to your discretion. If you find that these two lack in anything, anything at all, you can tell the director not to take them in and he won't. He trusts you to make the right decision'. 

The kids gulp at that. 'Wait. So you're saying if we annoy Korra and she says we fail, we'll never become part of the Avengers?' ask Gwen.

'Yeah, pretty much', responds the spy.

'Wha- That's not fair!', they both say in unison. 

'Well. You kids better be on your best behavior then', Nat says with a wink. Then she says her goodbye to the three and leaves. 

Korra sighs then laughs making the two kids nervous. 'You heard her. I own you now'. 

---

After the meeting with the director, Happy drove them back to Korra's place. She said her farewell and promised to catch up with the guy on her free time. 

Gwen groans as she flips the bacon before they burn. 'This is abuse of power, you know?' she yells to Korra who is sitting in the dining room, reading through her SHIELD files. 'Once I become part of the Avengers, I'll make sure I report you to Captain America'. 

Korra laughs at that. 'I doubt that. Once you start living in the Avengers tower, Tony is gonna turn you into his personal cook. 

'Wait, so you actually lived with the Avengers?' asks Miles while he scrubs the cooking pans. 'I thought you said you weren't an Avenger?'

'I wasn't. But most of my missions were often connected to the stuff they did and because I practically already had an office set there for all the paperwork, Tony thought it would be more convenient to just set up a room for me. So yeah, I lived with them during my SHIELD days. Thinking on it now, I think the Director actually planned that whole thing'. 

'Why'd you say that?' Both kids turns to look at her.

'Keep working, pans don't just clean itself and that bacon isn't just gonna fly to my mouth'. Gwen and Miles groans and returns to what they're doing.

'Anyways, if you read my file, you'll know I'm considered a national threat. Don't ask me. I'm not the one who writes those things. I think Fury sent me there so that the rest of the team could keep an eye on me. It's not that I care but still. SHIELD isn't a very trusting organization. They keep watch of everything and everyone. Even their own'. 

'That's a pretty depressing thought, don't you think?' asks Gwen. She finishes cooking up their meal and sets up a plate for the three of them. Miles finish up his task as well and the three sit together for a meal. 

'It is. Doesn't stop it from being true, though. The only reason SHIELD ever managed to work as well as it did is because they're ready for anything. And the only way you can do that is if you know everything. Intel. There's a reason the best military agency in the west are trained how to sneak inside building instead of shooting it down'. Korra finishes talking and starts gobbling up the food. 

'That's actually a lot to think about', says Gwen. 'This is kinda making me doubt if I wanna join the Avengers now'.

'Well, it's something you two need to think about. The Avengers are more than just the flashy stuff they show on the news. Truth is, barely any of their missions get highlighted on TV. Most of the things they need require a lot of subtlety and stealth'. 

Miles pales for a moment. 'Do the Avengers also do missions where they have to-'. He pauses for a moment, trying to collect himself. 'Where they assassinate people?'

'No', Korra gently answers him. 'They're too good for that. And when you join them, I'll be really pissed at you both if I hear either of you start doing those kind of mission'. 

Both of them giggle at that. 'Alright, that enough. Just finish your food so we can get to the mission briefing'. The Avengers are too good. They won't do anything they believe is wrong, Korra thinks to herself. That's why Fury brought me in. To do the things they can't.