Conversations in the Shadows

"Only thing I can think of is tricking him into reveling something." Harry sighed as he ran a hand through his hair.

"How are you planning on doing that?"

"I'm not, I'm going to leave that to you."

"Me?"

"You're better at this stuff than I am," Harry admitted. "plus you are just a 'weak, female mortal'. Loki's going to be at least a little bit wary about me but not you. Fair warning though, Loki's been talking with Barton so he probably knows quite a bit about you, we can find out how much when we get Barton back."

"I'm not giving up until he's back, safe and sound." She said in a determined voice.

"And I'll be right there with you," Harry said, he would have said more if Padfoot did not interrupt by barking twice. "him too." Harry added as he pointed at Padfoot.

....

Harry walked into the lab that Bruce and Tony were working in with Padfoot following alongside him, Tony and Bruce paused when they noticed him come in.

"Hey Jack Frost, what's up with the dog?" Tony asked curiously. "I am pretty sure that we won't need to do any animal testing." He added as a joke, though Padfoot clearly did not appreciate it if the soft growling is any indicator.

"You're calling me 'Jack frost' again?" Harry asked.

"What can I say? I like it, now what about Scooby over here?" Tony asked as he gestured to Padfoot.

"This is my dog," Harry said in a soft voice as he stroked the back of Padfoot's neck. "he's smarter than more than half of the agents on this ship, at least, he's also my best friend. And if somebody were to do something to him then I would kill them, then everyone on the ship and myself."

"You...are kidding right?" Tony asked, looking very unsure.

"Well...I wouldn't kill myself but everyone else? Pretty much." Harry shrugged. "I couldn't leave him at home so he's with me until I get somewhere for him to stay."

"Why couldn't you leave him at home?" Bruce asked.

"My landlady isn't really happy with 'having her daughter chasing after some crazy criminal'." Harry sighed. "Her daughter has a crush on me and now that Loki reveled my identity, she doesn't really want me anywhere near her. Or at least that's one of her reasons, though personally she didn't really have to worry about her daughter, I rejected her already."

"I'm sorry," Bruce said in a sympathetic voice, he had more than his fair share of experience in being forced to move out from a home. "What's his name?" Bruce asked as he gestured to Padfoot.

"Padfoot." Harry answered.

"Padfoot?" Tony echoed. "That's an odd name, any particular reason for it?"

"Yep." Harry nodded before a small silence filled the room.

"Are you going to tell us the reason?" Tony asked.

"No," Harry said immediately. "I am actually here to check on the two on you. Just wanted to check if you've have had any breakthroughs, also to make sure that you two weren't blowing something up." Harry added.

"Well...not yet." Bruce replied.

"Yeah, luckily for you it is very unlikely for anything to explode while we work." Tony added.

"Unlikely doesn't mean impossible," Harry could not help but point out. "also is there anything that either of you need to help with your search?"

"No," Bruce shook his head. "at least I don't think so."

"Fine, I'll be around if you need me, if I'm not here then call another Shield agent." Harry turned and began walking, as he left he discreetly pulled out his wand and put a listening charm in the room just before leaving.

________________________________________

"Hill," Harry said as he gently grabbed Hill by the arm and pulled her to the side. "I need to talk to you, and I do mean actually talking."

"Is it important?" Hill asked. "Because I am kind of busy."

"Yes, it's important," Harry nodded. "it's about Fury." Harry said, and just like that he had gotten Hill's full attention.

"What about him?" She asked.

"Follow me," Harry gestured with his head before he lead her to an empty room, Harry closed the door and waved his wand a couple of times, once he was done Hill gave him a questioning look. "privacy charms." He added in the form of an explanation to her unasked question. "Anyway, what I want to know is what you and Fury are arguing about?"

"What?"

"I know that you're less than pleased with him right now, any idiot with a pair of eyes could see that. But I also saw the looks you were giving when me, Cap and Banner arrived. What the hell's up with that? What's Fury planning that you so clearly dislike?"

"Fine," Hill sighed. "Director Fury is under the impression that he needs a 'response team'."

"Response team?" Harry repeated, as if he wasn't sure if he heard right.

"That's what he said but it's clear to me and just about everyone with high enough clearance that he is just using it to go through with the 'Avengers initiative'." Hill said in a disapproving voice.

"Oh for fuck sakes, please tell me you're kidding?" Harry groaned. "That was scrapped, and for good reason I might add."

"Yes, it was, but it seems that Director Fury has not fully given up on the idea." Hill sighed in a 'what do you want me to do about it?' way.

"So what? Are you trying to say that he's planning to put me, Cap, Banner, Stark and whoever else in a team and expect us to not kill each other?" Harry snorted. "Cap's from another time, Stark's got an ego the size of his tower and Banner is a giant green risk. And that is not to mention me, I'm the first to admit that I am unstable and have a lot of issues, and I mean a lot."

"I think Fury would likely want Agent Romanoff and Barton on the team as well," Hill said in a thoughtful voice. "Thor as well if he could convince him."

"Wow, just what the fuck are we putting in the Director's tea? And can I have some?"

"Fury has been thinking about this for ages," Hill replied, "not that you have heard that from me," She added with a warning tone, she continued speaking after Harry nodded in agreement. "I spoke to the World Security Council about it as well. Fury's been hiding stuff from them."

"The World Security Council?" Harry asked her, masterfully disguising how much her words interested him.

"Yes," Hill nodded. "I don't like having to go behind Fury's back but he's just pretty much ignoring protocol and rules when it suits him."

"Hmm," Harry hummed, his face was a thoughtful one. "I have to go now, probably best if I check on the others. For all I know Steve and Thor could be strip teasing while Banner and Stark are blowing shit up."

.....

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