29

Chapter 29: Spies and Pair Bonded Cats

Chapter Text

Natasha was stretching when she heard the faint whoosh of the automated door into the gym. Without turning she could hear the footsteps, steady and even, light even but heavier shoes. Out of the corner of her eye she spotted her guest. Well, it would seem Quake was the Stark sibling chosen to approach her. It was about time. Admittedly she wasn't a trashcan fire of disaster like Steve or Tony.

She didn't change her movements, just slowly finishing her stretches. And Daisy politely waited, a specifically non-threatening distance. Well non-threatening if Natasha wasn't aware that the other woman was enhanced. Still it was polite and set a probable tone to the conversation she wanted to have.

Straightening, Natasha turned to face Daisy. She raised a brow giving a pointed look at the khaki slacks, green polo, and jeans jacket the woman was wearing. Someone had been doing intel gathering as an environmental petition pusher. "Planning on just standing there or planning on joining me on the mats?"

"You'd want to spar with me? I've only been training for four years now." Daisy shrugged, a slight embarrassed lilt to her as she brushed her hair out of her face.

Natasha stepped to the lockers and pulled out her spare workout clothing and tossed it at the former agent. "Melinda May trained you."

"Fair enough." Daisy chuckled and then started to change. She didn't bother with moving to the changing room, her actions easy and unconcerned.

It was interesting what that said about her. Natasha could easily piece things together; used to close quarters where privacy is limited, minor dissociation or surprisingly grounded in her body, likely a mix of the two. Moving away she pulled out the tape and began to tape her knuckles methodically. Sparring with the woman would be interesting. More interesting than the four way sparring match between the Cap, Spiderman and the two of them.

Group sparring with power use changed how people fought. It firmly established just how protective Daisy was of the Spiderkid. In fact she was protective to a self destructive degree that some might find concerning. Natasha found it familiar, and reassuring in what it said about the woman's intentions. It had also showed that Daisy was not just familiar with fighting in coordination with another person, that she trusted the Spider. But the way she kept her stance strong regardless of whether the kid was there or not said trust issues.

Natasha tossed the tape to Daisy while pulling on the sparring gloves. Protective gear for this spar she thought. She found she was looking forward to what Agent May's former rookie showed of herself on the mats. It would be interesting without Daisy having to adjust her stances to be more grounded so she could brace herself.

Natasha stepped into the middle of the mats. "Ready?"

"For my inevitable defeat." Daisy's lips twitched, but she fell into a well practiced stance. She bounced slightly and then lashed out sharply with a fist.

Natasha used one hand to deflect, while physically leaning back ever so slightly. She then twisted out of the way of the brutal follow up kick. As she moved to put space, Daisy followed.

Where she twisted and flowed around her opponent, Daisy lunged and snapped. Natasha was instinctively pulling Daisy into showing her abilities. And it was interesting to further put together the picture it formed. Sniper training, her fighting was similar to Clint's. Quick, brutal and designed for taking down one to two opponents that might have reached your perch.

She bent backwards, letting a kick pass harmlessly over where her head had just been. Natasha's hands hit the ground, bracing herself for a split second before she kicked out with both feet hitting Daisy in the abdomen. She flipped herself back to her feet.

Daisy recovered with the speed that only came with regularly sparring with individuals far more talented than herself. And Daisy didn't let up. She was back on the attack as soon as she had her feet back under her.

Natasha swept the woman's feet, while striking at her face. She lowered her hands and dropped her stance. Sniper trained, then taught to be a tank first through the door post power manifestation almost certainly. Natasha realized she was breathing heavily and her forearms were going to be badly bruised from this sparring match. Another year of experience and Daisy would be an even match for Barton and agents like Morse.

There was natural talent there, dedication, and a clearly gifted SO. Agent May had clearly done far more than just teach what she knew. The woman had clearly laser focused on combat training. Smart, and implied the other field agent skills had already been there. Although… "Who taught you boxing?"

Daisy panted, she used her powers to push herself easily back up to her feet. "My first SO. I don't think he knew how to train a girl." Her head tilted to the side, a sneer to her face. "Or he was just Hydra scum. Same difference really."

"You should join training here more often." Natasha gave a nod of approval, her own breath surprisingly heavy. "But Melinda trained you well, and you have certainly put in the effort."

Daisy smiled, pleased expression on her face. "That means a lot from you." She touched the back of her neck. "I clearly still have a long way to go."

"Are you going to say why you came to see me?" Natasha raised a brow, it was interesting how easily the woman had let her goal be delayed.

She rocked back on her heels. "I was going to ask if you wanted to get coffee and talk about the uh...mess? Drama trashcan? Disaster? That is Tony and Steve banging around."

"Darcy sent you?" Natasha was amused, it was kind of surprising that the Stark kids clearly saw her as a possible ally instead of a problem. It was refreshingly unusual.

Daisy grinned. "Of course, and I volunteered."

"I could drink some coffee." Natasha agreed, she knew what they wanted from her. But she was getting a much better measure of one of the most dangerous enhanced individuals in the country. The quiet confidence in her abilities was interesting. Daisy certainly had been in enough fights to have her own measure. A good quality in an agent.

Daisy beamed stepping off the maps. "I don't know about you but I'm a sucker for pumpkin spice. Forget being basic, it's delicious."

Natasha sipped her caramel latte, she appreciated Daisy had wordlessly offered her the seat with the best view of the small coffee shop. "How effective was the environmental petition pusher work for you?"

"I think it's the single most immediately invisible appearing cover I've ever used." Daisy's eyes crinkled in amusement. "People actively try not to notice you."

She hadn't used that cover herself, it wasn't one suited for long term infiltration. But then Daisy was clearly not trained for long term infiltration. Not that Daisy wasn't suited for it. She far too easily reflected the people around her. A chameleon, it said a lot about what her time in foster care had been like. It was the behavior of one actively trying to adjust to a new home so many times the behavior became personality.

Natasha noted no one was listening in to their conversation. "Interesting choice to investigate the mafia."

"It's going well, one judge, and three cops now are aware of the investigation." Daisy looked smug at that. "Daredevil was surprisingly enthusiastic about targeting the mafia for a while."

She was fairly impressed, a small and effective investigation while using a third party to distract everyone. It was classic SHIELD small ops strategy being used to it's most advantageous. And neatly sidestepped the reason for doing it. Fair enough. "Will your brother be assisting you?"

"Dr Cho says he can get back to the swinging soon." Daisy's shoulders relaxed as she said that. She took a drink of her coffee.

Natasha leaned back in her seat. "So what did you want to talk about?"

"We don't know how to help with Tony and Steve. And honestly with Pepper in Malibu we don't know how to help the Avengers. I mean the kid and I aren't part of you guys. And the twins haven't exactly been with you long." Daisy actually looked slightly comfortable.

She considered the former agent. "They need time."

"Why aren't you the leader of the Avengers?" Daisy asked, and she was dead serious.

Natasha was...that wasn't expected in any way. "Excuse me?"

"I mean having gotten to know Tony the man has the long term planning and emotional intelligence of a four year old. And I don't know Steve well but he's clearly incapable of dealing with more than one priority at a time." Daisy's eyes were clear and certain.

She considered that it was...it wasn't a baseless question surprisingly. "I'm not a leader, it's not a skill I was ever expected to have, so I don't have it. But Steve is leaving to follow up several leads we have on Hydra. It should ease tensions." Natasha wondered. "Would you warn me before you attempt to interfere with the team?"

"Well Peter and I were planning on getting Bucky a cat from the shelter this afternoon." Daisy turned her latte cup in her hands. "I was only left in solitary for a week and I was going stir crazy."

Well that was interesting, Daisy clearly didn't handle isolation well. Natasha could see the benefits of their plan. Whether it helped Barnes or not it would help ease Steve's worries about leaving Barnes for longer than a few days at a time. "That would be beneficial. Text me with your other ideas."

"Are you asking if I've hacked into Tony's phone and thus have your number?" Daisy looked amused.

Natasha raised a brow at her. "I review the security reports. I would expect Wanda to give it to you."

Daisy's face actually reddened slightly, her eyes flicked down. She cleared her throat. "I'll text."

"I also speak for the team when I say your abilities would be useful if we have another situation like Ultron or the Chitauri." Natasha took a drink of her coffee, it was good to have reached the correct conclusion.

"I'd be...of course. Tony and FRIDAY have my number and yeah." Daisy blinked clearly, taken by surprise.

Natasha wondered at that. It was odd to see a woman who knew exactly what she was capable of. Who was quietly confident in her skills but who doubted her value in the eyes of others. A paradox in a way. It was a habit to note it as a weak point. No wonder all it'd taken for her one woman Watchdog murder quest to come to a screetching halt was a single teenager needing her. Of course Daisy would have slowed for her sister, but it was Peter's need that had done it.

All in all Natasha could see who this person was. And it was the type you could trust so long as you didn't pose a threat to the people she saw as 'her's'. There likely wasn't a line she wouldn't cross for her loved ones. Natasha sympathised with that. But most importantly, an ally that could be reasonably trusted.

She took a long drink of her coffee. "I'll do what I can to keep Steve focused on Hydra and AIM. Do you think you and your siblings can convince Tony to talk to someone?" Which wasn't that odd, it was a realistic chance they might be able to do it?

Daisy nodded. "We're going to try."

"Good, you really should come by the tower to work with the team occasionally." Natasha's lips curled up. "And Wanda likes flowers by the way."

////

Peter pouted at Tony. "But you gotta convince Darcy that hoverboards are cool! If you don't she'll never make one."

"Kid they're impractical." Tony replied from where he was pulling on a new suit.

He narrowed his eyes. "Your lawyers already said no didn't they?"

"Risk of litigation." Tony admitted while straightening his jacket. He turned. "So, how do I look?"

Peter gave a proper once over the suit. "Very professional, I think Pepper would approve."

"Excellent." He clapped his hands. "How are the dendrotoxin webs going?"

He bounced in excitement. "Really well, we've figured out the right ratio, the problem is the dendrotoxin dissipates when exposed to oxygen. So Dr Simmons and I have been talking about stabilizing and bonding agents that could help." He beamed. "And Dr Simmons has been letting me read some of her papers that are still classified! Did you know the work that's been done on gravitonium? It could theoretically be used to enable long term space flight!"

"Your sister got the SHIELD Director to give you low level access privileges didn't she?" Tony patted him on the shoulder. "Creative bending of the rules. I approve."

Peter just grinned. "Yup! I've got level two clearance for intel from the bio-chem lab."

"That mean you're interested in the pseudo science they do at Oscorp?" Tony looked actually pained to say the word 'Oscorp'.

He let his legs kick under him, as they hung off the edge of the desk he was perched on. "I'm going to work for SI when I graduate from college. But the virology labs at Oscorp especially are cutting edge. And their work on steroids is revolutionary!"

"Bah." Tony waved off in disgust. "That's just fancy talk for trying to make a super soldier serum the slow way."

Considering that his head cocked to one side. "Maybe? But the application in modern medicine has paid off. 'Sides just cause it could be the chemical building blocks of a super soldier serum doesn't mean it is." Peter winced at the look on Tony's face, and yeah that sounded pretty bad. "It's totally a secret super soldier program isn't it?"

Tony actually clapped him on the back. "Chin up, they're clearly so incompetent at it we won't have to deal with them for a few years yet."

Peter peeked at his dad from under his fringe. "So uh...totally irrelevant. But there's this girl…"

"I mean wrap it, don't share photos, and have fun." Tony pulled out a Starkpad and started pulling up what was likely his notes for the meeting he had.

He cringed, his whole face flushing bright red. "What?! No it's...I just want to ask her out to like coffee?"

"Then I don't know kid, I think giant two story tall stuffed bears are appropriate romantic gestures so doing the opposite of what I do is probably a good call." Tony's eyes lit up. "Ask Daisy, she definitely swings for girls so she'd know what to do."

Peter nodded, that had probably been what he should have done from the beginning. But she'd seen how awkward he was over the whole Liz's dad being a super villain thing. "Yeah, that's probably what I should do."

"See, you'll do great." Tony turned and winked at him. "Now I've got a board to go charm for Pepper. Good luck with the girl stuff. I'm sure you'll do great. You've got my charm afterall."

He shook his head...Tony was kind of a mess but he liked him. Peter hopped off the desk. "I should probably go see if Dr Cho is ready to take a look at me yet."

"Kid, it's good to hear you're healing so fast." Tony was oddly serious, and then it was gone. He practically whistled as he sauntered out of his office.

Peter sighed. Now to find out his fate, would he get to try out the new suit this week or next week? He didn't put it past his sisters to have bribed the doc to extend it out a bit. He felt fine, really.

Peter was gleeful as he dropped down where Daisy was waiting for him. "I got a clean bill of health!" He proudly brandished the paperwork Dr Cho had given him.

Daisy reached out ruffling his hair, and then used her hold on him to haul him into a hug. "Good, you have to explain why that means you get to swing around to Aunt May."

"Please? But she'd listen to you." He made sure his eyes were as sad as possible.

His sister just huffed. "Nope, and she still glares when anyone reminds her of the shattered bones. I just got shot, I'm pretty sure she trusts you, teenage vigilante, more than me on health."

"Fair." He accepted that, it was a good point. Aunt May had developed a twitch anytime Daisy brushed off injuries when she talked about SHIELD. "But you're ok with me getting back into it?"

Daisy gave him a bland look. "If I never have to post another Spidervid it will be too soon."

"Your series on self defence was really good. And your numbers are great." Peter kept to himself he was pretty sure Darcy was contemplating making a Quake channel. He wasn't going to be the one to burst Daisy's bubble.

She looked at him suspiciously. "Thanks?"

"I mean if you still have the video from today, you could have Pietro be a stand in for the attacker?" He really wanted to see Daisy whack someone around. It'd been so long, what with the whole healing from werewolf thing.

Daisy hooked an arm around his neck and started pulling him down the street. "Pietro huh? This has nothing to do with him eating the last of the Fruit by the Foot?"

"No comment." He pretended his ears weren't turning red.

She just laughed. "I'll ask him. Revenge for my baby bro is part of the job description I think."

With a pleased grin Peter hummed. "So what type of cat do you think we should get Barnes? I was thinking like a tiny kitten that needs a lot of care so he can like bond with it and take care of it. Cause big cats don't really need a lot of...they're very independent."

"Sounds good to me. You all are the ones who came up with the plot." Daisy smiled, she was less closed off when it was just them sometimes. It was nice. "So how was talking with Tony?"

His face scrunched slightly as he considered how to put it. "Good? I like afternoons with him. But I think it'd be good for him if he does the rich people therapy and wellness retreat Darcy's been leaving information on. He seems...sad."

"To him we're all trying to protect the person who killed his Aunt May." Daisy's arm tightened before she finally released him. "That and the man is like if I had an extra forty years of trauma."

Peter snorted, it was a fair enough estimate. But he was fairly sure Daisy would never turn out like Tony. Very different coping methods. "I asked for advice on a girl." His nose wrinkled. "He said to 'wrap it and have fun'."

Daisy laughed outright. "You should probably not mention that to Aunt May unless you want him to get in trouble. Or Pepper for that matter."

"It'd be funny though." He stuffed his hands into his pockets. "But uh...how do you ask a girl to get coffee with you?"

Daisy looked just… "I mean..I think you just ask? But of the four relationships I've been in I don't really think any of them count as typical?"

"Four?" Peter lit up, spinning around so he was walking backwards facing her. Glee coursed through him as he saw the hint of embarrassment on his sister's face. "You're dating someone?! You are!"

She rolled her eyes, but she had the smallest of pleased smiles on her face. "Fine, yes. But it's new and I have no idea what I'm doing so just...don't tell anyone yet?"

"Sure? But you're happy right?" He was Spiderman. If he needed to punch someone he'd do it.

Daisy cuffed him lightly. "Yes I'm happy. Just apparently clueless about what to do in a relationship that isn't being crammed into the brief hours between missions."

"Huh...so...we both should ask Darcy for help?" Peter actually grinned at the slight horror on Daisy's face. It was always nice when they could be like this, when she seemed lighter.

With a pained sigh, Daisy rolled her eyes. "I hate that that is probably a good idea. I used to be good at this stuff."

Peter just bounced as he spotted the animal shelter. They were going to find the best kitten in the place.

Peter stared into the cage. They were perfect. "Daisy, these ones."

"Did you just say 'ones'?" Daisy stepped over to him, she had a grey kitten cradled in her hands. There was a long pause. "I thought you wanted a kitten?"

Peter stared at the two cats. "Look at their card. They're pair bonded and have to stay together."

"Primrose and Bob." Daisy's voice was oddly dry. "Primrose looks like she's been part of an underground feline fight club and smoked a carton a day."

"They're perfect." He breathed. "And Bob looks super cuddly."

Daisy was staring at the cage. "If Primrose didn't maul you before you could touch him." She titled her head. "I suppose it's a bit fitting. You're sure?"

"I'm sure. They are meant for Barnes. Look at their little whiskered faces. We have to save them." He turned to look at Daisy.

She mostly looked amused, as she stood there with an easy confidence. "Well, I'll go find the lady and tell her to get us a cat box. You can get them into the thing."

He felt his spider senses tingle in alarm at the very concept of reaching into the cage. But that would be ridiculous, obviously. "We're getting cat stuff after right?"

"Yup, Hunter's got the car waiting for us out front." Daisy raised a brow. "You're sure? Really sure?"

Peter nodded. "I'm sure. They're Purrfect."