The Best of Us

2: The Girl

A large black car glides to a stop next to the decaying structure, its darkened windows concealing the occupants within. As the engine hums to a halt, Nick Fury emerges from the vehicle, his commanding presence filling the air. He scans the surroundings with his sharp, discerning eyes, ensuring that the eerie quietness is not a mere illusion.

Natasha and Maria follow suit, stepping out of the car to join Fury. The three figures stand side by side, their gazes fixed on the abandoned building that looms before them. The wind whispers through the cracked windows and chipped paint, carrying with it the faint scent of dampness and decay. Nature seems to be reclaiming the building, with ivy creeping up the walls and weeds sprouting defiantly from the cracks in the concrete.

Nick leans against the car, his gaze fixed on the decrepit structure before them. "Sometimes, you need a bit of grunt work to keep you grounded. And I heard someone here was tired of paperwork," he remarks, a sly grin tugging at the corners of his lips as he eyes Maria.

Maria rolls her eyes, a playful smirk playing on her face. "Well, Director, this wasn't exactly what I had in mind as an alternative."

Natasha, leaning against the car beside Nick, chuckles. "I guess we should have specified 'exciting' grunt work."

Maria frowns as she observes the sorry state of the place. "This building looks like it's barely holding on," she remarks, her voice tinged with concern.

Nick nods, his face serious. "Exactly, and that's the problem," he says, his words laden with purpose. Natasha's eyes narrow as she surveys the building. She has seen her fair share of desolate locations, but this one feels different. There is an unsettling aura surrounding it.

"What exactly are we doing here, Fury?" Natasha asks, her voice steady but filled with curiosity.

Fury turns to face her, his expression inscrutable. "There have been reports of unusual energy pulses in this area," he says, his tone cryptic. "Usually this wouldn't be something of any concern, but when a single energy pulse can do this," Nick pauses to point at the building. "It becomes our concern." Natasha and Maria remain quiet, looking back towards the crumbling structure before them.

Maria raises an eyebrow. "When you say unusual energy pulses?"

Fury holds up a small device, showing them the readings. "Pulses of unidentified energy, with no distinctive patterns," he explains. "The last time the pulses were registered, they originated from within this building. They've been popping up all over the city. Before they were just annoying, but this seemed like a targeted attack."

"This was one of those places full of archived weapons right?" Nick gives a small nod. "So we're here to what, sort through the wreckage? Wow, when you said grunt work you really meant it." Natasha laughs, crossing her arms.

"Not quite Agent Romanoff." Fury continues, his eyes narrowing. "The clean-up team has already been and gone. We're here because, unlike those other times, the energy pulse is still registering as active." Natasha and Maria exchange a knowing look, sensing where this is going.

"So you want us to go in there and find it?" Nick smiles.

"Got it in one Hill." The two exchange another look before putting in their earpieces and getting out their scanners.

As they approach the building, Natasha can't shake the feeling that there is more to this assignment than they are being told. She shakes it off, getting her head back to the mission as they activate their coms. When they're a considerable distance inside, Nick's voice crackles through the earpieces.

"So, agents, how was your date last night?" There's an unusual playfulness in his voice, a side they only ever see when they're alone with him.

"It wasn't a date." They say in unison.