Special Agent 2: The Dark Soldier

Chapter 32

"I'm so sore," DiNozzo moaned as the STRIKE team exited the quinjet. He and Bishop limped down the ramp, Rogers behind them carrying a groggy Romanoff. The Russian agent had remained unconscious for most of the ride back to DC, and was still very out of it and unsteady on her feet.

"Stop complaining," Bishop admonished him. Blood framed a cut on her forehead and strands of blonde hair were coming out of her now messy ponytail. "At least you can walk."

"Romanoff will be able to walk, too," DiNozzo defended. "You know, when she wakes up."

"I heard that, Tony," the Russian mumbled.

DiNozzo glanced back at her over his shoulder.

"DiNozzo, Bishop, Rogers," Rumlow announced, turning and waiting for them to catch up with him. "After you drop Romanoff in the infirmary, head up to Fury's office. We're bringing him the report."

"Got it," Bishop answered. "Meet you there, Rumlow."

Rumlow nodded and started off again, entering the Triskelion. DiNozzo, Bishop, and Rogers followed him inside, the other STRIKE agents trailing in behind them. They headed down the corridor toward their headquarters, Rumlow grabbing an elevator and Roger diverging to head toward the infirmary, Romanoff mumbling under her breath.

"Did she just say I have nice hair?" DiNozzo asked, glancing after them with sudden interest.

Bishop rolled her eyes. "No, Tony. Come on."

"I'm pretty sure Natasha just complimented my hair," DiNozzo insisted as he followed Bishop.

The two headed toward the locker room to leave their rifles and combat gear. After going through the routine of cleaning their rifles, the two NCIS agents hung up their bulletproof vests in their lockers, placed their rifles on the racks assigned to them, and then trooped off to the elevator to head up to Fury's office.

Bishop gazed out at DC through the thick glass panels of the elevator shaft. How she had grown to love this city. She had come here first as a NSA analyst, before her transfer to NCIS as a field agent. Then had come Loki, who had surprisingly fought to protect her city. Now the fight continued, but against people who should be allies.

Rogers met them in the hallway leading up to Fury's office. "How's Nat?" DiNozzo asked.

"She'll be okay," Rogers replied. "She sustained a concussion, but she just needs to rest."

DiNozzo nodded just as Rumlow came down the hall toward them. "Let's go," he said, gesturing toward Fury's door.

"Where were you?" Bishop asked curiously.

Rumlow gestured vaguely behind him. "I stopped by the bathroom. Let's go."

Bishop gazed down the hall as the other three moved toward Fury's door, her brow furrowed. What's down there? Then DiNozzo's voice calling her snapped her back to reality and she hurried after the guys.

Fury stepped out from behind his desk as the three Avengers and one STRIKE agent entered his office. "Report," he ordered. "Did you capture the imposter?"

"No," Rogers answered. "He escaped."

Fury cocked his head. "He escaped?" he repeated.

"The imposter is enhanced," Bishop spoke up. "He has shifting and phasing abilities, and can split himself into three in order to fight different assailants. He's the perfect infiltration weapon. Whoever has control over him has control over whatever they want."

Rumlow grunted as Fury's brow knit together. "Who is this imposter?"

"We don't know," DiNozzo said, as Bishop strode over to Fury's desk, snatching up a piece of paper.