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When Mike brought Gwen and Thor back home, he noticed a black business van parked at the front door. He couldn't help but mutter, "That bastard got here fast."
Smack!
A black hand suddenly slammed against Mike's car window.
"Ahhh!"
Gwen screamed, and even Mike nearly threw a punch.
Nick Fury's face was pressed tightly against the window glass, staring at them with his one good eye. A flicker of disappointment passed through that eye.
Disappointed, my ass.
Mike had to resist the urge to make Fury a complete one-eyed man.
Rolling the window down, Mike glared at Fury's face and snapped, "Get the hell away from my car!"
Looking utterly innocent, Nick Fury took two steps back.
Gwen leaned forward from the back seat, poked her head out, and let out a relieved sigh when she recognized Fury and not some monster or ghost.
She had been seriously spooked. Her heart almost jumped out of her chest.
A face suddenly appearing in the darkness like that—it was just like those horror movies she'd seen.
Turning to Thor, she asked, "Weren't you scared just now?"
Thor gave a calm smile and subtly unclenched his fist. "Scared? I've seen far more terrifying things than that. If you'd like, I could tell you a few stories."
"Yes, please!"
Gwen nodded eagerly.
She was already planning to tell the stories to Peter and Luke later that night...
Just imagining the two of them curled up under the covers, too scared to sleep, filled Gwen with glee.
"What are you giggling about? Come on, time to get out."
Mike turned around and flicked her on the forehead before opening the car door and stepping out.
"Mean dad!"
Gwen pouted as she got out. Placing her hands on her head like a shield, she skipped over a puddle and ran toward the house.
"Slow down! Don't slip!"
Mike shouted after her. Then, turning to Fury, who was standing under an umbrella, he snapped, "Can you not stand in the shadows at night?"
Nick Fury opened his mouth, "I—"
"I almost punched you!"
Fury's eye twitched. "Thanks for the warning."
His gaze shifted to Thor, who had just stepped out of the passenger seat. His eyes briefly gleamed before he nodded at him.
Thor walked briskly past Fury and muttered, "Is this guy an idiot? Standing around like that at night—does he want to get hit by a car?"
"Pfft! Hahaha!"
Mike laughed as he walked toward the house.
Fury, looking exasperated, hurried to catch up.
He was afraid that if he dawdled, Mike would shut the door and lock him out.
Once inside, Fury placed his umbrella to the side. When he saw Bruce Banner sitting in the living room, he finally let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Still here!
Thank god they didn't kill him.
Ever since he saw Mike and Clark fly off with Hulk, Fury had been worried they might eliminate him. Now, seeing Bruce safe and sound, he could relax.
He quickly walked over and called out, "Dr. Banner!"
Bruce, still looking drained, glanced up in confusion. "Do I know you?"
Fury shook his head and smiled. "But I know you, Hulk."
Bruce blinked. "Hulk? Do you want me to bring him out so you two can have a chat?"
Fury: "..."
"No need. I came to talk to you."
"He's the director of S.H.I.E.L.D.," Clark explained. "It's not surprising he knows who you are."
S.H.I.E.L.D.?
Bruce nodded and turned to Clark. "You guys know the director of S.H.I.E.L.D.?"
During the short time Mike had been away, Bruce had already woken up and spoken with Clark. He now had a general understanding of the situation and what had happened after Hulk passed out.
"We're old friends," Fury quickly added. Then, noticing Mike about to say something, he turned and gave him a wide grin.
Mike blinked a few times, then, looking bored, turned and headed upstairs.
He'd been planning to deny it, just to mess with Fury.
Leaving Clark, Bruce, and Fury to chat downstairs, Mike knocked on Gwen's door and reminded her to take a hot shower and change into clean clothes. Then, as Thor came down from the attic, already changed, Mike said, "Thor, head to the kitchen and prep the ingredients. I'll be down in a moment."
Thor nodded and headed downstairs.
When Mike came back down, freshly changed, Fury was deep in conversation with Bruce. As Mike began walking toward them...
Fury snapped, "Don't come over here! This doesn't concern you!"
"If he shows up now, he'd better not mess up his own business," Mike muttered under his breath, glancing warily at Nick Fury.
Nick Fury stared back just as warily.
Mike thought, Good grief—he's even jumping in to answer for me. But just because I said 'stay out of it' doesn't mean he actually will.
"—the school's funding…" Fury began.
"Handle it yourself," Mike cut in, then turned on his heel and strode into the kitchen without another word.
Just as Mike and Thor were busy at the counter, there was a knock at the door.
Mike, knife in hand, looked puzzled as he walked over.
He opened the door and stood speechless.
"Why aren't you at Carter's place right now?" Captain America asked, standing on the doorstep in full combat gear, shield in hand.
Steve Rogers pointed at his uniform. "Dressed like this—don't you know why I came?"
"Uh… a lingerie party?" Mike blurted.
Steve's expression darkened. "I received Fury's message. I was on my way to Times Square to help—only to learn that you and Clark had already taken care of everything. Fury told me to come here next, so here I am."
He stepped inside as if he owned the place.
Mike sighed. "You really think no one's going to see you running around in that get-up? And you still have the nerve to show up at my house?"
Steve smirked. "Maybe they'll think I'm here for your lingerie party."
Mike just stared.
"Relax. No one's out there."
Steve set his rain-soaked shield aside and strode past Mike into the living room, grinning as he passed the chopping sounds coming from the kitchen.
Mike moved to close the front door—but before he could, a streak of fire descended from the sky. It landed in front of the house, and a metallic face pressed the door firmly shut.
Click!
The helmet flipped open to reveal Tony Stark, smiling at Mike.
Mike blinked.
"What, you were off to handle the crisis, found it already solved, and just decided to drop by my house too?" Tony asked.
"How did you know?"
Tony squeezed past Mike, removed his armor, and walked straight into the living room without another word.
Mike muttered as he shut the door behind him, "One after another… none of you act like you're outsiders."
He turned and went back into the kitchen.
Ten minutes later, Nick Fury appeared at the kitchen entrance. "With one more recruit, the Avengers just got stronger—that's worth celebrating. Make two extra dishes."
Mike paused, knife in hand.
(Seriously? Could you all just get lost?)
(End of Chapter)