CH-8. Black Widow

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However, this incident was an accident. It was John who took the initiative to cause trouble. Besides, John is not a good person, so apart from making SHIELD more vigilant about me, there shouldn't be any trouble.

Screech!

The sudden sound of brakes interrupted Michael's thoughts.

"What's wrong?" Michael asked hurriedly.

"I'm afraid... we're in trouble." Skye said in a deep voice.

Outside the car, a black jeep blocked the way. Its black body and heavily reinforced glass showed that it wasn't something ordinary people could afford.

"Stay in the car." Michael instructed and got out with a lighter in hand.

Black Widow leaned against the jeep in her sleek black outfit. Seeing Michael step out, she casually flicked her hair back and smiled, "I knew you wouldn't keep quiet for long, but I didn't expect you to act so soon. John... his ability shouldn't be that strong, right? I didn't expect you to pick his ability."

Michael played with the lighter in his hand, the flame flickering, "I also knew you were watching me, so you should know he was the one who started the trouble."

"True, but don't you think it's too much of a coincidence? You just happened to be at that restaurant, and he just happened to come out when you were there." Black Widow said, narrowing her eyes as she focused on the lighter in his hand.

You could see she was on guard.

Currently, they knew he had absorbed the Extremis virus and John's fire-based abilities, but who knew what else he might have? Black Widow wasn't about to take any chances with someone so dangerous.

"Believe it or not, that's up to you. You don't trust anyone anyway." Michael shrugged.

"Now, what's the reason you're here? You didn't just come to scare me, did you? I doubt you have that much free time."

"Alright, I'm here to invite you and your girlfriend to visit SHIELD." Black Widow replied with a pout.

"What if I say no?" Michael's eyes narrowed, and he stopped fidgeting with the lighter.

"Hey, don't be so tense. It's not what you think. SHIELD isn't targeting you directly—it's about your girlfriend. The hackers from 'The Rising Tide' organization have been very active lately, leaking information that isn't supposed to be public yet." Black Widow said, smiling.

Michael scoffed, "It doesn't matter to me if it's about her or me. SHIELD? Not interested right now, so you can head back."

"What if I say no?" Black Widow echoed his words, crossing her arms.

Michael smirked, "Then we'll have to fight."

"Seriously?"

"I won't provoke anyone unless they provoke me first. I actually want to maintain a friendly relationship with you and SHIELD, but the condition is simple—don't interfere with me or the people around me." Michael gave her a final glance and turned back toward the car.

"Let's go." Michael said to Skye.

Skye started the car and drove away slowly, Black Widow making no attempt to stop them.

"No one messes with me unless I mess with them first. But to think you've already become 'boyfriend and girlfriend' with the hacker from 'The Rising Tide.' How am I supposed to believe what you said is true?" Black Widow muttered to herself as she turned and got back into the jeep.

---

At Triskelion, SHIELD's headquarters...

Director Nick Fury, wearing his signature black trench coat, stared at the holographic screen in front of him. The footage was of Michael fighting John. Nick Fury pressed a button on his remote and picked up the dossier on Michael.

SHIELD kept a "list"—a record of people with superpowers. Naturally, it also served as a monitoring list. Since Michael's appearance, he'd been added to it.

"Director." A voice said as a knock came at the door. It was Maria Hill, Fury's right-hand agent.

"How's the Daxi project progressing?" Nick Fury asked without taking his eyes off the screen.

"If everything goes according to plan, it shouldn't take too long." Maria Hill responded, though she hesitated, "Are you sure about this? It seems like a risky move."

"How's the selection process going?" Fury ignored the question and pressed on.

Knowing better than to argue, Maria handed over a file she'd been holding. Fury opened it to reveal records of several individuals:

- Melinda May, code-named "The Cavalry."

- Leo Fitz, expert in weapons and engineering.

- Jemma Simmons, biologist and specialist in high-tech weaponry.

- Grant Ward, operations expert and a Level 7 agent.

- Lastly, Skye, a top-tier hacker from 'The Rising Tide.'

Nick Fury studied the list and hesitated before finally adding, "Include Michael."

"But..." Maria started to object, but Fury cut her off with a raised hand.

"His abilities are unique, and his background is still unclear. We don't know if he's a threat or an ally. It'll be easier to gauge if he's part of the team. Plus, he's close to Skye now. It might be hard to separate them, so leave it to 'him' to deal with when the time comes."

"Understood, Director."

---

"She seems to have some kind of connection with you." Skye commented suddenly.

Michael glanced at her, surprised, "I thought you'd ask something else, but that's the first thing?"

"Women's intuition is strong. I could tell from the way she looked at you." Skye replied.

"I noticed that too. But that was more of a cautious look. She came to invite us to SHIELD, but I didn't sense any real friendliness, so I refused. However, she does know who you are." Michael explained, "But it's nothing major for now, so don't worry. Just remember, anyone who wants to mess with you will have to go through me first."

"Because I'm your girlfriend?"

"Exactly."

"Got it, honey." Skye smiled, her earlier jealousy fading, "But you're amazing. John is no small fry, yet you defeated him. And... you absorbed his power, right? So you can control fire now?"

"Of course. If you want, I'll set off some fireworks for you tonight." Michael said with a grin.

"Deal!" Skye replied happily.

As a man, keeping your word is the most basic thing.

That night, Michael took Skye to the rooftop of a building, allowing her to enjoy a dazzling fireworks display. Especially when the controlled flames turned into the words "I love you, Skye!" Skye was sure this was the happiest moment of her life.

"Honey, who's prettier, me or the Black Widow?" Skye suddenly asked, lying in Michael's arms.

Michael couldn't help but smile bitterly. It seemed that all women in love were the same, even Skye was no exception. He didn't answer but gently pinched her chin, tilting her face toward him, and kissed her deeply.

It was almost ten minutes before they finally pulled apart.

Skye stared at Michael in a daze, leaning into him as if she wanted to merge completely with him.

"It's cold. Let's go back." Michael said softly.

"Okay, but you have to carry me down." Skye responded playfully.

"It would be my pleasure."

Michael picked her up and started heading downstairs.

Back in the car, Skye thought that Michael might take advantage of the romantic atmosphere to make a move on her, but he simply held her gently.

"You... don't want to do anything?" Skye asked in a low voice.

Michael smiled and replied, "Of course, I do. You should know that every day with you tests my willpower. But… I don't think this is the right moment. Some things are worth cherishing, so we should leave the best memories for later."

"My dear, you're so good to me. I… I love you!" Skye whispered emotionally. At that moment, she decided she was ready to fully open up to Michael.

"My love, I actually have a secret that I haven't told you. I… I didn't mean to hide it from you, but I didn't know how to say it. It might even be dangerous for you!"

"What is it?" Michael asked, looking at Skye, who seemed hesitant but determined to share her secret.

"Actually, the reason I became a hacker and learned these skills was to investigate my origins. I wanted to find out who my parents were. The best way to do that was through SHIELD. I joined the Rising Tide organization, opposing SHIELD, partly because I believed they shouldn't withhold so much information from the public, and partly because I hoped to infiltrate SHIELD myself." Skye paused before continuing.

"But… if I join SHIELD, you…"