«Star Shadows» A Night Angel Sequel

CHAPTER XIX - REINDEER GAMES

April 2012. 14:05. S.H.I.E.L.D's Helicarrier.

Sophia's POV

Natasha and I were sweeping through the screen as we looked for something that could help us find Clint in time.

Nick was explaining to Dr. Banner how long he was staying and Coulson about how we were doing with the Tesseract signals. As I was standing there, my phone beeped with a text message. Taking it out of my pocket, I opened it.

"How are things over there? Any visitors, like, I dunno, an antique or something?"

I rolled my eyes at Tony's text message.

"Ha ha ha, real funny. You already know he's here. Why ask?."

Soon, I got my reply.

"Because I'm nosy, I like gossip and because I have interest to know who my sister hangs out with"

I nearly chuckled at the text.

"This is not kindergarten, T. I hang out with a lot of people."

Before I could get another text from Tony, I put my phone in my pocket and paid attention to what Phil was explaining.

-Cellphones, laptops... If it's connected to a satellite, it's eyes and ears for us.- Phil said just as I tuned back from typing a response to Tony.

Steve was already standing a few feet away from us and he was playing close attention to what Phil was explaining.

-That's still not gonna find them in time.- Natasha said as she turned to look at them and then at me.

Time was our enemy, always, and the more time we spent without knowing the location of Loki and the Tesseract, the more we were getting ourselves into a bigger and more dangerous problem.

-We have to narrow the field.- I said and Dr. Banner nodded as he turned to look at me.

-How many spectrometers do you have access to?.- He asked and Nick raised an eyebrow.

-How many are there?.- He asked as he crossed his arms over his chest.

-Call every lab you know. Tell them to put the spectrometers on the roof and calibrate them for gamma rays.- Dr. Banner asked and Phil nodded.

This man was a genius and I admired his work. All of it.

When I turned, I saw Steve's face drawn with confusion at what was being said, so I decided to approach him as Natasha went to show the doctor his temporary lab.

-You still surprised?.- I asked as I looked up at him. He was tall. Very tall. Extremely tall.

-Getting used to it, but it's still a little...- He trailed off and I nodded, understanding what he meant.

-Too much?.- I asked and he nodded, turning to look at me with a smile.

He had a really nice smile. Of course I had noticed before, but the thing is that he almost never smiles. Ever. And seeing him with one is weird, but also comforting. His smile is cute and seeing him happy kind of makes everything a little better.

For him, of course. Because it's scientifically proven that the people who smile are a lot more positive and also it helps your health. Of course.

-Yeah, a little too much.- He said and I nodded. I zoned off for a little and I felt him turn to look at me with now furrowed eyebrows. -You sure you're okay? You wanna talk?.- Steve asked and I just shook my head, smiling at him.