Fighting for You 🔞

Twenty-Nine

Lexi finished making dinner, and checked the time. The team had 2 minutes to get to the table, or she'd go hunting. She just pulled the bread from the oven, when she heard the elevator open. Aside from the two soldiers, everyone walked out... 'Damn, seeing how hot you all are, makes me want to wear out the batteries in my toys..'

Barton and Romanoff laughed, Wilson and Banner looked shocked, and the others just shook their heads at her... 'So tonight's meal is beef and red wine casserole, high in protein and your daily dose of vegetables, with homemade bread. Help yourselves..'

She stood back as they took turns dishing up a bowl. She picked up her beer, watching Stark. She could see he was tense, and quiet... 'Hey Stark..'... He looked over at her, and she saw he was on edge... 'Whats the difference between kinky, and perverted?'

She saw him close his eyes, shaking his head... 'I don't know, what?'... He sighed at her.

'Kinky is when you tickle your girlfriend with a feather. Perverted is when you use the whole bird..'.. She took a large drink, watching him. She saw him drop his shoulders and start sniggering. The others had burst out laughing, and he soon joined them.

She heard the elevator open, and she walked straight over, folding her arms... 'You two are late. For that you're on clean up duty, and for each minute you were late, is an hour of you having a training session with me straight after, no excuses..'

Watching her berate both Rogers and Barnes, right after the joke, made him feel a whole lot better. Tony knew she was trying to help him, and she was.

'As I said at lunch time, unless it's a valid reason, you are to be here at meal times, no exceptions. So, what's your excuses?..'.. Tony watched as she tapped her foot, and both men shuffled nervously, not looking at her... 'The longer you make me wait, the worse it is for you, so spit it out..'

'Remind me not to piss her off..'.. Tony heard Sam whisper. He just shook his head and dug into his food. He'd forgotten how amazing her food was. He looked back up, seeing both men mutter something at her.

'Still clean up, and training. 4 hours boys, hope your stamina can keep up. Now go sit down, food is getting cold..'... Tony sniggered, and knew he made a mistake.

'1 hour Stark, 6am..'.. Tony shook his head and looked at her as she sat the other end of the table, between Rogers and Barnes.

'I've really missed you Adams..'.. Lexi looked over to Barton who was smirking, raising an eyebrow at him.

'You better be clear on that Barton, because if its about me giving a shit about all of you, I'll have you down training with me and these two, this evening...'... She rested her chin in her hands seeing his face quickly lose his smirk.

'Sorry..'... She watched him turn back to his food, and she looked around the table.

'So while you're all eating and keeping your mouths busy, I'm going to talk. I can understand there's tension here at the table, but I want to be clear about it. I have been with Stark, going over the files. I am here, to help Barnes get free of the soldier and Stark has offered to help me..'.. She saw them all look at each other... 'This team will continue what you do, with a few additions. As I spoke earlier, Potts and Hogan, you will be trained by Barton and Romanoff, its for your own protection..'

She nodded at the four of them, making sure she was heard... 'Wilson, I have an upgrade for your flight suit. You need better protection, and a fail safe, should anything happen to your wings. I don't want you to crash down..'

'Rhodes, your suit needs to be more lightweight and maneuverable, so tomorrow, I want to run diagnostics on your suit, so I can make you a new one..'.. She saw him nod and smile at her.

'Banner..'.. She waited until he looked at her... 'I have an idea, about how to help you calm the big guy, and I believe it will work. It'll give you more control over the situations, but I'm going to need you to trust me..'.. She saw him look terrified, but he nodded.

'Romanoff, Barton I'm upgrading you two and Rogers suits. You need something that is as strong as kevlar, but light. I want you to come by the lab tomorrow, I'll call each of you in turn..'... She looked at the three of them, seeing that they understood.

'Good. Barnes..'.. She turned to him, seeing him look nervous... 'You're getting a new arm. We'll be leaving in two weeks, to get it. I'll scan you in the lab, in the morning so I can send the details across. I've already begun to run simulations on how to get rid of him. Once I have the right strategy, we're good to go..'.. She looked around the table, seeing that many of them have finished.

'So, now that most of you have finished, if there is anything you'd like to ask, or say, now is the time to do so. I won't tolerate raised voices or anything demeaning at another. I can and will knock sense into you...'... She finished her beer, and stood, putting it in the middle of the table, and sat back down... 'If you want to talk, take the bottle, then put it back when you're done, so the next person can..'

She linked her fingers on the table in front of her, and waited. Wilson picked it up, hesitantly... 'Uh, I don't really know you, but you seem to really care. I mean, don't get me wrong the whole 'mom' thing is great, I just..'.. He sighed... 'You're really intimidating. I get why you're a good agent, and a badass. I guess what I'm trying to say is, thanks for including me in your books..'

She watched him put the bottle back, and smiled at him warmly... 'You're a part of this team Wilson. Don't ever think for a second, you're not just as important. Everyone has their own skill set, strengths and weaknesses. I'll help you work on yours. Its good that you're here, having another flier in the team helps protect the others. They need you, and you need them..'

She watched him grin, and sit back. She heard Banner sigh, and pick up the bottle next... 'Uh, you're not going to hit on me again, are you?'... He asked nervously.

'No Banner, I'm not. I respect you too much to do that to you. I may tease, but if at any time I make you feel uncomfortable, tell me. I wont get angry or upset ok..'.. She smiled at him and she saw relief flutter across his face as he put the bottle back.

Barton snatched it up, and smirked at her... 'I won't ever tell you to stop hitting on me. Its good for my ego. Do you have any new training simulations I can use? That last one I had, felt too easy..'... He put it back.

'Give me 2 days. I'll give you a challenge. If you fail, it's 100 targets, blindfolded..'.. She smirked back at him, his face fell slightly. She saw him mutter the word 'shit' under his breath... 'You just said it was too easy Barton. If you want to push your skills to new levels, then that's what I want from you..'

Lexi turned to look at Romanoff, who shook her head. Potts and Hogan do the same. She waited, knowing he wanted to talk. She gave a little smile and sat back, putting a hand on each soldiers leg. She nodded at Tony, who picked up the bottle, sighing.

😘