(AN: Been a while but I've finally finished Part 3 of this story. It came out to around 60k words. So I'm gonna start posting again. Sorry for the wait and hope you enjoy.)
In a high-security conference room within a classified SHIELD facility. Nick Fury stood in the centre of the room with numerous screens surrounding him, each one displaying a blurred figure. "Director Fury," Hawley began, "Mark Grayson is an unprecedented security risk to global stability. Every day he operates as this... Invincible, acting as a hero without our permission, without oversight, he undermines the structures we've built to maintain order. An individual with that power cannot roam unchecked."
Fury tilted his head, barely concealing an annoyed expression. "With all due respect, Councilor, Grayson's not a risk, he's a kid doing what he thinks is right. He's not out there starting wars or toppling governments; he's pulling people out of burning buildings. You call that a threat?"
Alexander Pierce cleared his throat. "Intentions don't negate capability, Director. He can level cities, cross continents in minutes, and answers to no one. What happens when his version of 'the right thing' shifts? We need him under control... our control."
Fury snorted, leaning forward. "Control? You think you can leash someone like Grayson without him noticing? He's not some asset you can lock in a vault. He's a person, Pierce, and he's doing more good out there than half the ops we've greenlit in the last decade."
Gideon Malick, smirked coldly. "Your reports say he's resisted SHIELD's overtures Fury which makes him unpredictable. Unpredictable is dangerous. The Marriott incident proved he can act before we can even get a team out there, without our clearance."
Yen tapped the table. "He's a vigilante, making decisions that should be ours. The public loves him now, every day their trust grows in him, having that many followers is dangerous, and that's not even mentioning the Mutants who will come out of hiding now—inspired by his actions."
Singh nodded in agreement. "The data's clear, his power levels are off the charts, and who knows if that cosmic radiation exposure affected him like it did the rest of the people at the Marriot. An independent operator with that capability is a liability we cannot tolerate."
Rockwell crossed his arms. "Enough talk. He's a weapon walking free. Every day he's out there, he's a loose cannon. Bring him to our side, Fury, or we'll find someone who can."
Fury's jaw tightened. "You're all missing the point. Grayson's not the enemy, he's not out for power or to cause chaos. He's saving lives because he believes it's right. You force him into a corner, and you'll create the exact problem you're trying to prevent. Give me time to do this my way, or you'll regret it when he pushes back."
Hawley's eyes narrowed. "You've had time, Director. The Council is unanimous, bring Mark Grayson under SHIELD's authority, effective immediately. Use your agents, use incentives, use force if you have to, but he will be on our side or neutralized as a threat. Those are your orders."
Fury leaned back. "I'll work on Grayson, but I'm not dragging him in like some criminal, not when he's doing our job better than we are at keeping people safe. You want him on a leash, you better be ready for the consequences when he breaks it."
Pierce shifted topics, his voice cutting through the standoff. "And your operations in Greenland? We've poured resources into your excavation, what progress have you made?"
Fury's lips pressed into a thin line. "Greenland's been a dry well so far. The site's yielding minimal data, and the conditions are a logistical nightmare. But I'm not ready to pull the plug, it's still a possibility the Valkyrie is in the area."
Malick scoffed. "You're wasting our budget on a hunch, Fury. Shut down the Greenland operation immediately and get back to Project Pegasus. We need results, not another wild goose chase."
Fury crossed his arms tighter, looking up at them with a complete lack of care to any of what they were saying. "I'll redirect resources when I'm convinced Greenland's a dead end. Pegasus is on track, there is no need to redirect resources."
Hawley's face hardened. "You're treading on thin ice, Director. End the Greenland operation, focus on Pegasus, and bring Grayson in now. We're watching you closely, if there is anymore insubordination, then the Council might have a discussion on whether a replacement Director—"
Fury turned and walked out, no longer needing to hear whatever else they were going to say. They'd make their threats and whine at him, but until a better candidate came along they wouldn't do shit to remove him from his position. He stormed down the corridor, his boots echoing off the metal floors as he muttered under his breath. "Stupid sons of bitches, thinking they can micromanage the world from their desks. Grayson is a damn weapon we should be thanking god is on our side, I'm not going to alienate him and potentially turn him against humanity just to satisfy their need for control."
Maria Hill fell into step beside him, her tablet in hand and expression as stern as ever. "Sir."
Fury glanced at her without slowing. "Hill. Status on Grayson?"
"He's off the grid," Maria replied evenly.
Fury stopped dead, turning to face her with a scowl. "What do you mean off the grid? We have eyes everywhere."
"None of our satellites can track him," she said. "He's just gone, completely vanished from all surveillance."
"Damn it," Fury growled, rubbing his temple. "Find him for me now. Figure out a way to track him that does not rely on these satellites, they've been too unreliable as of late."
"Yes sir," Maria said with a nod.
They resumed walking, the corridor branching off toward ops as Fury shifted topics without preamble. "What about Romanoff? Likelihood she can reestablish her cover and get back in close?"
Maria hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "Unsure, sir. She's still acting strange since her cover was blown.... distant, off her game."
Fury's annoyance flared. "If Romanoff is not up to the task, get someone else on Grayson, I don't want any more mistakes or anything that might trigger the target."
Maria met his gaze steadily. "Understood."
They reached a junction, and Fury peeled off toward his office with a curt nod. "Keep me posted, hourly if you have to."
Maria headed the other way making her way for the training room, the distant thuds of impacts growing louder until she pushed through the door. Natasha was there, her hair pulled back in a tight ponytail, sports bra clinging to her sweat-slicked skin and tight leggings hugging her form as she hammered a heavy bag with powerful strikes, each hit landing with a loud thud.
Maria waited a moment till she was done before speaking. "Romanoff," she said loud enough to catch her attention.
Natasha stopped mid-punch, grabbing the bag to steady it as she turned, wiping sweat from her brow and reaching for a water bottle. "Hill. You got something for me?"
Maria leaned against the wall, crossing her arms. "Intense session. You working out some frustration?" She said ignoring her question.
Natasha walked over to a bench and sat down, before she took a long drink, capping the bottle with a shrug. "Just staying in shape. You need something?" She asked again.
Maria nodded, getting to the point. "It's about the Grayson assignment."
Natasha set the bottle down, her posture straightening. Desperation, excitement, nervousness flashed through her all at once, but was immediately pressed down by the overarching feeling to see him. "I can be ready in an hour," she said, doing a good job of controlling her emotions.
Maria shook her head. "You misunderstand. You're not the chosen agent... we're assigning someone else."
Natasha's eyes narrowed, annoyance flashing across her face. "Why? I know him better than anyone; I am the best choice."
Maria held her ground. "We believe you're emotionally compromised, on top of your cover already being blown. Mark seeing you again could cause him to grow volatile."
Natasha stepped closer, her voice edged with anger. "I'm not compromised and even if my cover is blow I can still reconnect with Mark! I'll spin the story, make it work. You pull me now, you lose the best shot at bringing him in."
Maria listed it out calmly. "Distracted during briefings. Angry outbursts in training. Impulsive decisions. Purposely withholding information on the target. That's compromised, Romanoff."
Natasha just stood there, her fists clenching at her sides as the words sank in, no retort coming this time. She knew she was compromised, but she wanted to see Mark again, she knew if she tried to make contact with him without shields permission then they'd likely throw her in a black site. Everyone was jumpy when it came to Mark, they think the slightest provocation will set him off and he'll destroy the world. 'Shows how little they know him...' she thought to herself.
Maria softened her tone slightly. "A new agent's been assigned... I came here to tell you that you'll be briefing her on everything she needs to know."
Natasha opened her mouth to argue again, but paused mid-sentence, her face paling as she clamped a hand over her mouth and bolted for the bathroom, dropping to her knees by the toilet to throw up violently.
Maria rushed after her, kneeling beside her with concern. "Natasha! Are you okay?"
Natasha heaved again, spitting into the bowl before wiping her mouth shakily. "I'm fine... just not feeling well lately... something I ate, probably."
Maria frowned, still worried but standing up. "Take it easy. Being reassigned from Grayson is for the best right now, trust me."
She left the room, the door clicking shut behind her, leaving Natasha alone on the floor, breathing heavily as she leaned against the wall as the nausea slowly ebbed. Her stomach calmed, but her chest felt heavier with every second. She squeezed her eyes shut, but the memory wouldn't loosen its grip. It clung to her like a scar that had etched itself to her very soull.
Mark...
Her reflection in the mirror wavered, her own face blurred by tears she hadn't noticed falling. She tried to force herself to look away, but the past pulled her back.
*Flashback*
(AN: So we end the first chapter back with a flashback cliffhanger idk. Anyway hope you enjoyed.)
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