Coulson POV
"Is this really necessary?" I sighed.
"You know as well as I do that none of them will sit it out."
"I know that, but do I seriously have to babysit Stark again?" I complained.
I refused to acknowledge Tony who was bouncing along beside me. He cackled and elbowed me.
"Yes, Coulson."
"Am I being punished for something?" I asked, walking towards Tony's lab once the smoke cleared.
Fury chuckled darkly and I scowled. I pulled my tie up and used it to cover my mouth as I peered in. I coughed slightly and waved at the dark air.
"Impressed aren't you?" Tony asked smugly.
"No, I am not," I snapped, looking back at him and hanging up on Fury.
"Yes you are Phil."
I rolled my eyes and left him alone to clean up his mess. I hadn't seen Natasha all day. I didn't mention it to Fury though. I wasn't going to stop her from doing what she wanted. Been there, done that. At dinner I noticed that she was still absent. I pushed down my worry and felt only slightly relived that everyone else was there. My phone began ringing. I glanced down and answered when I saw that it was Natasha. I stepped out of the noisy dining room and into the hall.
"Hello?" I asked.
"Coulson. I can feel someone watching me."
"Can you see who?" I asked.
"No."
"Get back here. Now."
"I'm on the way already."
"Cab or subway?" I asked.
"I'm in a cab right now."
I nodded but then remembered she couldn't see me.
"How far away?"
"A few blocks."
"Okay, when did you notice?"
"About an hour ago."
"Why didn't you tell me then!"
"Because I thought I could shake whoever it was!"
We lasped into silence for the rest of her cab ride.
"I'm a street away."
"I'm heading down to the lobby. Don't get out of the cab right away. Can you still feel them watching?"
"Yeah."
I stepped out into the lobby and saw a cab waiting out front. I walked out, pulling my wallet out as I did. I paid the cab ride for Natasha and opened her door.
"Keep calm," I said.
She nodded and I made sure she was in front of me as we walked for the lobby. Once we were in the elevator I relaxed. Natasha wouldn't meet my gaze. I stared until we reached her floor.
"Wait here," I instructed.
I went about her room and closed all the blinds, turning off most of the lights before going back to Natasha.
"Thanks Coulson."
"What the hell were you thinking?"
Natasha didn't answer right away.
"I needed some air."
"So you think leaving ALL day and not bothering to MENTION it to me was okay?"
Natasha peeked out the blinds and I pulled her away.
"I can handle myself."
"Of course."
Natasha didn't reply.
"Stay inside."
"Yes, sir."
I went back down to the dining room to check on the guys. I wasn't surprised to see a fight going on between Stark and Rogers. I rolled my eyes and decided it was a good time to go to bed.
