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How fortunate that I rarely waste time with charm.

How fortunate then that I do not tolerate charm being used to persuade me.

I'd be disappointed if you were. Agent Romanoff, is it not?

Edited 2014-06-07 05:02 (UTC)

I do not believe a title applies these days. Besides, Avenger Romanoff sounds far too much like a wrestler's name.

Should have figured the most pursuading SHIELD agent is rather hard to convince.

How about a drink? Evidently something must work or you wouldn't have dated Barton.

Or Barnes.

Or Murdock.

And anyone else I might have missed.

That's actually my pain face.

I should have known you'd never be asking for a favour with a smile. Actually, I don't remember you ever asking for anything with a smile. Can I assume I should perhaps get some bandages before we go any further?

I'm fairly certain something Stark might say applies here - don't play a player. I know all the tricks because I've used them all.

Something did work, yes. But am I going to tell you what? No. The persistence is somewhat endearing, but if I do have a drink with you there is going to be nothing to it. No date, no lead up to something. I think it's safe to say I'm done with work colleagues as romantic options.

I'd appreciate it.

[Pretty much exactly what she was going to ask for in the first place. If they could hold their position for a minute while May patches herself up, it'll be the last time she ever slows Romanoff down. She'll make sure of that.]

Of course.

[Natasha gave a nod before she slipped the backpack off her shoulder and rummaged through it until she found a small first aid kit. Having to patch up her fellow agents - especially Barton - on the fly had quickly become routine during some of their missions. She also knew how May felt. She never liked being the injured one either, feeling like she was slowing someone else down.]

Is there anything you feel like you can't do? I'd rather know now so we can plan our escape without doing further damage.

And I'm sure you used them so wonderfully. Me, I probably wouldn't try to match you in that department. I just think you're hot and ideally would like to date you, but I'm not holding my breath about that.

Didn't think so. Though I suspect it might have been something heroic or noble they did. I am down with a friendly drink though. Strictly speaking I'm not an agent of SHIELD any more sooo...

You're oddly sweet. Anyone else may have lost a limb by now. I also appreciate the honesty, O'Grady.

I'm not either, I suppose. But I am still an Avenger. At least I assume such a thing still exists. But it's still a no, Eric.

Thanks. Probably because whilst I might be crazy enough to flirt with you I am certainly not crazy enough to slap your butt or anything worthy of bone snapping. Incidently you should really teach me out to do that shit, might come in handy at some point.

We're both kinda on the fence types I suppose. But it's fine, I suppose you've had enough of guys trying to boss you about anyway.

...you know with Ward being all evil and stuff, I guess May and Skye are technically free... though May's more likely to kill me than you are.

You do have a strong sense of self-preservation. I'll give you that. I can teach you such a skill if you like, but you've lasted this long without it.

No one bosses me around, let's get that clear. I chose to be on this side. I needed to be the white hat. I still am. I'm just not as... forgiving in my methods.

It might be wise to give them time. I'm not sure they're ready for what you have to offer.

Wouldn't be a good Ant Man if I wasn't good at not getting squished. True but every new skill is something. I'm sure Rogers won't approve though.

You're one of the best people on your team, I'll say that. Others might have their gamma rays and Super Serums but you got the brains and the brawn and dare I say charm to handle most crap. And you do your way.

Fair point. Even if waiting isn't usually my strong point.

But you're usually so accommodating when I show you my smile. [That may be sarcasm. Then again, it may not be.]

As luck would have it, I usually come bearing a bit more than just a smile. If sometimes not much more.

This is true. No one should ever underestimate you, Coulson.

Maybe I'm trying not to be such a pushover when it comes to you. Maybe I'm at least trying to seem like I resist your charms.

Try not to publicize that too heavily or people might stop.

You know me better than that. I hate to go public with anything unless I am left with no other choice. Your secrets are always safe with me.

True. Although when you do have no other choice, you certainly don't go by halves.

At least nothing can be used against me. It's all there in the open. Sometimes the best defence is to destroy your own cover.

True. I'm definitely not disputing that it was something you had to do. One hell of a situation, though.

I did try to think what you might do in the same situation but that was where my train of thought ended. None of us were exactly trained for this situation. Not really.

I can't even say I would have handled it quite as well as you did. I wasn't even in the middle of the action and I didn't exactly handle it quite as gracefully as I probably should have.

That depends on your definition of handling it well. I don't consider being shot particularly graceful. You of all people are allowed to express how you feel in this situation. I'm just glad you're still alive. And that we know we can still trust each other.

I had a bit of a tantrum in the snow in the middle of nowhere, Canada. Maybe not my finest moment.

That said, I'm glad for both of those things, too.

Oh, Phil. Perhaps it wasn't your finest moment but we all have our breaking points. Not only did we learn our entire organisation was broken. Our nearest and dearest were traitors. Sitwell was a traitor!

Anything you need, just say the word. I'm at your disposal.

Had one on my team, too. Also not a great moment.

But thank you for the offer. I will probably end up saying the word at some point.

I hope it's fun for you to make me work like this.

Fun? Maybe a little. I would still think you'd enjoy knowing I was wrapped around your little finger. That you'd enjoy knowing I have to make a concerted effort to fight against your wishes.

Not a great moment for me either. I was the one he was compared to.

Whenever you need it. As often as you need it. I just hope Barton is surviving. I haven't had word yet.

[He couldn't help but smirk at that.] My, you do know me well. Perhaps a little too well... [Not that he particularly looked like he was going to do anything about it.]

True. The differences, though, are pretty obvious.

I haven't heard word on Barton, either, one way or another. He's a survivor, though. I don't doubt he'll turn up.

Now they are. Although when you first came across me, I'm not sure that's a claim you could have made.

It's what I'm hoping for. I know better than to try and look for him. If he's lying low, there's a reason. And not just because HYDRA would be out for his head.

[She finally gave in to the smile that had making the corners of her mouth twitch.] I'm beginning to, yes. And you know me far too well. We're constantly finding ourselves on even ground whether we want to or not.

True. You kept surprising me. In positive ways, which I am not about to complain about.

And if he's lying low, he'll pop up exactly when he needs to. We just have to be ready for it.

It's been worth it. I won't lie. I like to think I've changed for the better. Now what I do means something. And following your lead has been easy.

No doubt he's found a perch somewhere. Eyes on everything. Steve's accounted for. Any word from Stark or Banner? I realise they weren't exactly SHIELD but I assume still targets.

Having a purpose is a good thing, as long as you keep making sure it's the right purpose.

As far as Stark, I haven't heard from him directly for obvious reasons, but if he hadn't made it through, the media would be all over it. And if anything had happened to Banner, we would have heard about it for very similar reasons.

Given what's just happened, it feels even more so like the right purpose.

True, and I dare say Hill wouldn't have been looking for employment there if he wasn't safe. At least the Avengers are in one piece even if we are scattered. Do you think it's likely we will even be called to duty together? Though I suppose it's now on you to make the call.