The Younger Agent - Natasha Romanoff x OC

Chapter 52 - Steve's Big Speech

"And how was your flight?", Fury and Eleanor suddenly heard through their earpieces. Nat was with Pierce. They were glad to know that one part of the plan was seemingly going well so far, they had no clue how Steve and Sam were getting on, but Eleanor was sure that they were getting on okay.

"Lovely", Natasha's voice came through, but it wasn't Natasha's voice, it came through as Hawley's. This completely threw Eleanor at first, it took a second to click that it was indeed Natasha talking and not some random woman who had managed to get onto their communication system. "The ride to the airport less so". Natasha had such skill with these undercover operations, she's able to just slip into the role and create perfect conversation instead of an awkward, blunt one. 

"Sadly SHIELD can't control everything. Including Captain America", Pierce spoke again before a brief pause occurred, but Eleanor could tell that it was an awkward one. "This facility is biometrically controlled, and these will give you unrestricted access".

Eleanor was unsure of what was exactly happening, but she could only assume that he had provided them with some sort of pass. Though she wasn't sure why they would need one, they were supposed to be only going to Pierce's office with the man himself, they didn't need any extra access. It didn't sit right with her but she supposed that it may have just been a gesture on Pierce's part to keep them happy, making them think that they had some form of control when they really didn't.

Not many important words were spoken in the meantime, just boring small talk between the Counsellors as they made their way up to Pierce's office. Though she was glad that this dull small talk meant that Natasha was still alive and healthy.

In slight boredom, Eleanor started bopping her head ever so slightly to the music that she was playing in her head to pass the time, Fury wasn't phased. He just sat staring outside, listening intently to every word being spoken, even the small talk.

Eleanor could feel the tension seeping off of him, this was also the most movement he had done since his attempted assassination, so Eleanor thought that he was probably exhausted already.

"You okay old man?", she joked to cover up her concern. Two people that she cared about were on this mission when they were physically not fit to be so, it was a lot of extra anxiety.

He gave her a small smile and nodded, "I'm fine". A man of very few words. So, Eleanor just had to take it, but she did keep looking at him through her peripheral, noticing how his breaths were more laboured and jagged than usual, and how he shifted slightly in his seat every now and then, thinking that he was being smooth.

In the few seconds of silence, a thought had suddenly popped into Eleanor's head, and she wasn't sure why she hadn't thought of this before, "Where the hell is Barton during all of this?", she turned back to the Director. 

"Annual leave", he shrugged, causing Eleanor to turn to him with an eyebrow quirked and one side of her mouth tugged down.

But before she could give it any more thought, the grating voice of Pierce came through her earpiece again. "I know the road hasn't exactly been smooth, and some of you would have gladly kicked me out of the car along the way. Finally, we're here, and the world should be grateful". 

Grateful? Eleanor couldn't help but chuckle dryly, even Fury gave her a knowing look. "Mmm, the world should be grateful that millions will be dead", she spoke sarcastically before running her tongue over the front of her top teeth. 

"Attention all SHIELD Agents, this is Steve Rogers". Eleanor smiled when she heard Steve through Nat's own earpiece, he was talking over the PA, his speech being voiced all across the Triskelion. The other three had done it, they'd made it to the control room. Eleanor couldn't help but smile widely.