It'll Cost You

Walking up the stairs, Gar leaves Sitwell's interrogation to the agents. He also realized that the interrogation might involve SHIELD secrets. Even though Coulson said no secrets, there were always secrets. 

Not seeing much to eat, he took out his communicator and found the phone number for the SHIELD-run local food franchises. These were special franchises the safe houses ordered from. There was oversight that secured the reliability of the food. He called a Thai food place and placed an order, then called a sandwich shop and finally ordered pizzas. He ordered enough for everyone but didn't know everyone's preferences, so he got a variety of dishes to satisfy everyone. 

The delivery would take about an hour, so Gar sat on a couch in the living room and studied a book from the Jedi archive on the history of the Force and botany. 

An hour later, the front door's ring interrupted his studies. He stood up and took the food. He took what he wanted to the couch and read while he ate. 

Four hours later, the agents filed out of the back bedroom. Sensing them finishing the interrogation, Gar put the dishes in the oven and reheated the food. Glad to see warm food waiting for them, the agents gathered around the table. Coulson was still downstairs, but everyone else was eating.

It wasn't until an hour later that Coulson finally joined the others. He saw the food but didn't seem to be interested in eating. Although he kept touching the food like he was about to take it then put it back.

Gar got annoyed, "If you touch it, it's yours, Coulson!" 

Coulson jumped a little and smiled sheepishly, "Oh, sorry."

Clint looked at Gar with an amused smile, "So you're one of those? Don't like people touching your food?" He laughed. This elicited an annoyed look from Gar.

He walked up to Barton and touched every piece of his food. He picked it up, then put it back down. He even managed to drop a hamburger paddy on the ground and put it back on the burger, "Enjoy your meal." Gar smiled and went back to the couch.

Maverick laughed, Hill held back, and even Coulson felt his mood improve from the moment of comedy. Barton was still a little shocked, "Okay, this man does not like food being touched. Seems like what you did was kind of petty, but message received." Everyone, including Gar, laughed. 

The mood became solemn once more, "What now?" Gar asked.

"I talked to the Director. We're bringing him in and gathering the people on the list that Sitwell gave us. We could use Surj if you don't mind," Coulson looked at Gar, as did the others.

"Siiiiiiighhhhhhhhh, this is what I was afraid of. Once I show SHIELD any of my toys, you guys will always have a good reason for why you need it, exclusively." Gar's face betrayed his inner turmoil. 

"We're not asking for exclusive use for Surj. The problem is that Hydra has infiltrated SHIELD at every level. We need to know who is loyal to us, and who is loyal to Hydra." Defending himself, Coulson explained the situation.

"You see, that's how I know that you want Surj exclusively," Gar's eyes squinted at Coulson like he was looking at someone cheating at cards. 

"What do you mean?" Barton asked.

Gar looked at him and saw that Barton was the only one who didn't get it, "An honest man, out of all of you." Gar pointed toward Barton who looked confused, "Barton doesn't get it because he's too honest." Barton looked even more confused. 

"If Coulson wanted to know who is who then ask for the serum that I used on Sitwell. That's not what Coulson asked for, he wants Surj. He wants Surj and he wants the serum, right Coulson?" Coulson gave him a sheepish look. Barton looked at Coulson like it was the first time he saw him.

"I'm not giving you Surj, but it's possible to part with the serum and the gas," Gar said. 

"Gas, that's how you administered the drug to Sitwell? When you tapped me you were administering the antidote?" Coulson asked. 

"See how clever he is? Barton, never trust anything Coulson tells you. The dumber he acts the more sure you can be that he's lying to you. From the look on your face, I can tell you've been victimized by him more than once," Gar laughed at the man who could 'see' everything. 

"Yeah, all the time," Barton added absently. 

"You're just going to give us the serum and the gas, but not the formula?" Coulson asked. 

"I'm not giving you anything, nice try. This time, SHIELD will pay through the nose, and don't look at me like I kicked an Ewok. It won't work on me," Gar folded his arms.

"What's an Ewok?" Hill couldn't help but ask.

"It's a cute alien that looks like a teddy bear. Everyone thinks they're cute, but they're omnivorous. If you aren't part of their tribe or their friends, they might eat you. Primitive little savages," Gar looked creeped out when he mentioned them. Hill, however, looked enchanted by the idea.

"Can you get one for me?" Hill asked.

"They aren't pets, Hill, they're sentient beings. I won't participate in a slave trade. I can show you some videos later, though." Gar looked at her as he spoke, and noticed she was a little embarrassed. 

"Geeze, this guy's locked onto your weak points," Maverick admired Gar's skillful removal of Hill's defenses. An ace like him got shot down so many times by Hill, so he finally gave up to salvage his pride.

"How much do we have to pay?" Coulson asked.

"Money, materials, and a few secrets, and if there's something else you want from me in the future you need to show me your sincerity before asking," Gar said.

"Wow, I didn't think Jedi were such mercenaries," Barton commented. 

"It's not about being a mercenary, it's about whether I want to help SHIELD count the money after they sell me off," Gar laughed.

"That's a little harsh," Coulson got defensive at Gar's description of SHIELD.

"No, it's accurate and you know it," Gar responded.

"Give me a number," Coulson stopped pretending after getting called out multiple times. Now, it was time to get to business. They would be busy in the foreseeable future. 

"I'll make a list and have R3 send it to you. I want a forty million dollar upfront fee. For the downpayment, I'll let Surj administer 100 treatments. If you want the formula then I want the entire payment," Gar's finality made it clear he was serious.

"You don't trust SHIELD much, do you?" Barton asked. 

"When government agencies are motivated, things get done faster than an ex-con going on a first date out of prison. When the government isn't motivated, good luck," Gar watched as Hill made a face at his analogy like she did not appreciate it. The guys were amused by it. 

"Okay, okay, send me the list and I'll get the money to you right now. We'll need to take Surj to SHIELD while he's administering the treatments," Coulson looked a little too eager for Gar's comfort. 

"If I don't get Surj back immediately, or if you try to examine him, dismantle him, or anything beyond the agreement, he'll self-destruct! No funny business, said the girl on her first date," Gar laughed as he saw Hill's annoyed face. 

"Do you only have dating analogies?" She could not help but ask.

"Sorry, every time I look at you all I can think about is dating. It's strange, you know?" Gar laughed again at Hill's look, but then he saw a small smile.

"I never thought I would say this, but there's someone better than me at picking up girls," Maverick commented, but Gar saw this caused Hill to change her expression. Not only was Maverick not helping him, but he could see he was getting sabotaged.

"No one would think you were mute if you didn't talk," Gar snapped at Maverick. Maverick looked at Gar and then Hill and realized his mistake. 

"Okay, let's move Sitwell and Brock back to the HQ. The Director has prepared a special place on one of the sub-floors for interrogation. No one will know about these Hydra spies except us and the Director. 

Maverick, Hill, and Gar bring Surj in the speeder. Barton and I will transport the spies. Let's move!" Coulson commanded and everyone jumped into action.