Barton

It was about a month later when Fury returned. Agent Jackson was taken to one of his divine relatives, much to his own protest, and healed after a couple minutes. When he returned, Thor, Loki, and him went around doing their godly and half godly things.

Which I did not get, but I believed it had to do with the vortex monster which caused all these problems in the first place. It seemed like Bruce, Loki, and Thor were growing very attached to the agent.

I don't know what happened when Agent Jackson took the hulk and Loki followed, but now Bruce and Loki were almost like best friends. They talked all the time and defended the other when it seemed like something wrong was said.

Those issues were always resolved by the young agent. Thor and him got along surprisingly well. The lightning God would always challenge him to a spar, but the agent always refused. Thor took it in good nature, but continued to ask.

Bruce and the agent, it was odd. Whenever Bruce acted out of habit, Agent Jackson would instantly be there and they would disappear to who knows where. Whenever they returned, I'd always see a hint of ice on Agent Jackson's clothes. Very confusing, but the weirdest relationship was the one between Loki and Agent Jackson.

While Thor and Bruce tread around Agent Jackson like he was their little brother or something, Loki and him would say no words, but have these deep conversations between eye contact. When the agent would not join in with the team for dinner or just to hang out, Loki would manage to convince him with a simple look.

It was so weird, I tried not to dwell on it because I didn't want to make assumptions, but something was going on there. Steve would come around more when it was Thor and the agent, sparring with the god while Agent Jackson watched. Tony would hang around when Agent Jackson and Bruce were together, but he would remain wary of Loki.

I didn't blame the genius, I still had some doubts about him, but he was growing on me. I realized that all his High and mighty act was just some sort of defense, and he was slowly letting it down as he got more comfortable with us.

Natasha could see it too, although I feel like she knew from the get go. I think she liked the agent in a respective kind of way. After all, he was a good agent, just the way he acts around people he's supposed to work with is like we're the enemy.

Exactly what we're trained to do, but this team has become my family so I let loose as does Natasha. Agent Jackson would train with us occasionally, but I often spot him with the Norse, working on controlling the gems.

It's been over three weeks since he's taken them from Tartarus and he's fully mastered the Soul gem. The space gem is a work in progress, but he's getting there. I don't know what happened, but it's like he's terrified of the reality gem. I vaguely remember him being effected during the attack by it, but he refuses to work with it.

Otherwise, the whole time he's been here it's been strictly professional. We've studied the infinity stones and how Agent Jackson's been effected by it. The powers they possess and why all the gems seem to not want to part from the half-blood.

It's like they chose him to be their protector and user. Which is fine by me, but what disturbs me is that we still don't know any more about him than day one. The goddess from Olympus asked, more like ordered us to help him. I don't want to get smitten for Agent Jackson's stubbornness to work with us.

I suspect that from the weird bonds forming, Fury will further order the agent to collaborate with us in our missions and so forth. Which brought me back to the present, Fury had gathered Steve and I, when said Agent appeared to the side of Fury.

"I've got a birthday present for you," Fury declared.

My eyebrows furrowed in confusion, it wasn't my birthday, or Steve's. Based on the raised eyebrows of Fury, he seemed to think we knew who. Then it dawned on me, my vision focused on Agent Jackson who's complexion hasn't changed.

"You haven't told them." Fury deadpanned.

The agent shrugged nonchalantly,"It doesn't really matter."

"Yes it does!" Tony shouted, bursting in through the doorway,"You're finally old enough to have shots with me!"

Oh no, we did not need another person who drank their problems away. Not that he did it often, but when he did we all got pulled into it. Although some weren't really affected by it. I couldn't imagine two people dragging us in, especially someone that didn't know their limits.

"I'm good," The agent replied curtly, crossing his arms.

Relief flooded me, and I'm sure other felts the same way. I heard Steve sigh gratefully, while Tony pouted.

"I'm not even going to ask why you were eavesdropping, Stark," Fury stated,"As I was saying, I've got a mission for you."

"Wait, you said you had a present for him, not a mission." I protested.

That wasn't cool, not on the birthday. It's a day to celebrate, not work, we always had parties when it was our birthday.

"It is a present," Fury argued,"Agent Jackson prefers to work, and he hasn't in a couple weeks so I'm giving him what he likes."

We all turned to the agent who merely nodded his head in agreement. I frowned, what happened to having fun, you should want to do that. Then I remembered how young this man was when he was recruited and how old he currently was.

What happened to this boy to make him grow up so fast? I glanced at Steve and Tony and it seemed like they were having similar thoughts. Although, judging from his family's conversation, he hasn't had the best life.

"His name is Dimitri Rerma." Fury said, handing Agent Jackson a file,"He is head of the Russia mafia. SHIELD was notified when women started randomly disappearing and then reappearing in slave homes or dead on the streets in inappropriate conditions."

"Where?" Agent Jackson questioned, closing the file and making sure he had all of his weapons.

"Omsk, its on the south western side, near Asia." Fury informed.

The birthday boy nodded and started to disappear, when a Fury grabbed his forearm in an attempt to stop him. Stop him it did. The agent solidified and had grabbed the directors wrist. Agent Jackson twisted it behind Fury's back, and kicked the back of his knees', forcing Fury into a kneeling position.

Tony snorted, trying to keep his laughter in. The director showed no amusement, but surprisingly pitched his weight forward, throwing the agent off balance. Agent Jackson flew forwards, rolling until he was back on his feet facing the director.

His hands were clasped behind his back and he faced Fury similar to the previous position he had been in. The director had stood and had one hand on his gun just in case. I understand, when you startle Agent Jackson, it takes him a few moments to realize there is no danger.

Sometimes those few moments resulted in a physical offense. I remember when I got flipped into the pool, Natasha didn't drop that for two weeks. That was not funny, but I decided not to startle him anymore.

"I wasn't finished, Jackson." Fury growled.

Agent Jackson scowled at the scolding,"Then next time talk faster."

Fury ignored his quip,"Rogers and Agent Barton will join you on your mission."

Agent Jackson's eyes flashed angrily,"No, I work alone."

"It wasn't a request, Agent." The coldness in his voice startled me.

"I don't have to listen to you." The Agent replied just as coldly.

"But you do," Fury smirked.

Agent Jackson silently fumed as he realized he couldn't change the decision. That's when I fully grasped the meaning of his words. Wait, didn't Steve and I have a say in this? If he didn't want us on the mission, I'll gladly stay behind.

"Why?" Agent Jackson growled, his eyes swirling.

"The last time you went on a mission alone, you were captured," Fury pointed out.

"That mission was corrupt from the start." Agent Jackson countered.

"Also, I told you to work with this team. You have not, so now I am forcing you to follow my orders, you will not change my mind."

With that said, the director stalked out of the tower. I could practically see the smug look on his face as he placed us in this predicament. Silently, the agent turned his vision on us. His eyes shone in annoyance.

Suddenly we disappeared from the tower. When we reappeared, we were next to this fancy building with tight security. Nausea erupted in my stomach as my molecules were put back together.

I groaned, holding my stomach. That's when I realized my bow and quiver were with me. Turning to look at Steve, he was also dressed in uniform. We definitely weren't like this at the tower.

Looking for the source of the mysteriousness, I found the agent regarding us silently. He was the same as before, but he never wore anything but his SHIELD uniform. It was oddly silent, but if I listened hard enough, I could hear screams sounding from the building.

This was the place, how'd he know exactly where? I was expecting some abandoned warehouse, not some fancy looking, expensive building. Oh right, this was the mafia. I saw Steve start to head over to the entrance when he was stopped by Agent Jackson who stood in front of him.

"This is my mission, so you will follow my orders, understood?"

It wasn't a question. Steve glanced at me uncertainly. I think the agent saw because he just let his shoulders drop, and the cold expression on his face disappeared.

"Listen, not that I don't appreciate the concern from Fury and maybe you guys, but I don't work well with others. Someone always ends up either dead or hurt so just..."

Oh, realization hit me like a freight train. He didn't work alone because he wanted the spot light, he was afraid. He wanted to protect others by putting himself out there.

Steve came to the same conclusion I guessed because he nodded solemnly to the Agent who had straightened up and returned to the perfect agent mode. We all disappeared again, so I wasn't prepared, but we were now inside of the building.

We all crouched in the ceiling, looking down at a ball room. Gathered inside were dozens of women dressed in lingerie and covered in grime. In the center of the room was a wall separating the woman from the mafia.

A computer in the corner with someone working intensely on it. There was a table with several beers and men gathered around talking amiably. Some men looked uncomfortable, but still sat with the others.

One person was standing and speaking loudly, by the way Agent Jackson's eyes narrowed in on him, he was the guy. The agent turned to us, observing us quietly, his eyes looking us up and down.

I already had an arrow notched and Steve had his shield strapped to his arm. Agent Jackson's lips were in a thin line and an angry expression crossed his face whenever he glanced at the women. He turned back to us, his vibrant sea green eyes staring us down.

"Just stay out of my way..."

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