sixwordstories | (no subject)

Agreed. We'll have to meet eventually. Might help if it's on neutral territory. Or we can make it take-out and bring it back to yours. Skittish? Skittish how?

They have bets about everyone. Including how Fury lost his eye.

Whichever one works for you, Red. He doesn't really behave any better in public. Skittish like he's stuck in tough guy mode, good things make him nervous. He's like an overgrown kicked puppy.

BB gun. True story.

Then we'll stick with take-out. I won't even come armed. Anything else I need to know? So he's like you on crack?

I always thought it was a grenade.

Probably a good idea. He's better with weapons than a kid his age should be. Which is pretty damn ironic considering, you know, us. Hey, I'm charming, he's angry. There's a difference.

How could he shoot his eye out with a grenade?

It is extremely ironic, but I won't encourage the kid. Maybe we should look at finger food... No sharp implements or things he can gouge with. Pizza? So I shouldn't be looking to trade you in for a younger model?

He didn't. He got grenade shrapnel in his eye. Why would he shoot his own eye out with a BB gun?

Pizza is always a good option. No, you shouldn't. Unless you suddenly developed a thing for tall, dark, repressed, and broody.

Well, it wouldn't be on purpose. BBs bounce.

Pizza it is. And since I'll be feeding two boys I better bring at least four so I can hope to get a slice. Definitely not. I still prefer short, blond, and charming.

And this is the story you're sticking to?

...short?

It's funny.

Want to see my boobs?

Now I'm just not going to be able to look at Fury with a straight face. He already thinks you're a distraction for me.

Short?

What's he gonna do, reassign you to another highly specialized sniper?

I was joking. But you're a little shorter than the other guys on the team, that's all.

No, but I have to make sure I don't do anything to make him think you are a distraction. Be professional at all times.

Everyone on our team is freakishly tall.

I think you're worrying over nothing, Tasha.

I'm not. I feel like a midget compared to all of them.

Do you know how it feels to have Fury question my work ethic?

Okay, everyone but us, because we're normal human beings.

He can't actually question that, can he?

Which probably shouldn't be as comforting as it is. I like you normal, so don't change.

He can and he did.

I'll try to stop myself from getting any superpowers.

When? Why?

It would be very much appreciated.

While you were gone. Because he thinks there's been a dip in my performance? I don't know. He just decided to throw it out there when he pulled me into his office.

Any time, beautiful.

Did Nick get a sense of humor when I was off touring Europe?

Not that I am aware of. He didn't laugh, or crack a smile. He was serious as far as I could tell.

Should I ask him?

I don't know, how brave are you feeling? It hasn't come up since the "discussion". I assume it's his way of letting me know he's aware of the evolution in our partnership. I still find it insulting to be told that my performance has dropped just because we're dating.

Might be how Fury gets his kicks? The guy does blow up small nations for a laugh, screwing with a spy's mind might not be off the table. I'll ask him when I see him.

Just send me a signal if you need me to create a distraction so that you can jump out of the window if it starts going badly. I've never had to deal with being the target of his questionable sense of humour before. It certainly screwed my head and then you were just MIA anyway, so...

But I'll get the pizza. We'll do this dinner with the kid. What was his name again? Does he know I'm coming?

What's Nick gonna do? Glare at me until I melt? I'll be fine, Tasha.

Jason. Though if you want to see him make a face, Jaybird is always a favorite. He's got a heads up.

I'm not going to pretend to know his mind anymore. For all I know he might decide to send you on "assignment" to some remote location.

Jason. Okay, got it. I don't think I'll risk his wrath on the first meeting. I know how to read Clint and the fact that you're calling Jaybird a favourite means that it really isn't. Is there anything I should know about in terms of food so I don't kill him with shrimp, or peanuts or something?