Psych the Avengers Out

Property Rights

The next morning, the atmosphere is so thick in the headquarters that you could slice it into tiny cubes with a fork. Or so Jay thinks. She likes the analogy anyways.

The conference is today. In ten minutes or so in fact. The representatives from Warren Biochemical have just landed and are on their way. She pushes her nails further into her palms, hoping the pain will distract her. She knows who will be among the men and she doesn't want to see him. She hates the fear he makes her feel, hates the way his smile makes her skin crawl as if insects are rippling beneath its surface. He gives her a full blown case of the heebie jeebies and hates him sorely for it. He'll be here any minute now, leading the entourage, as he always does.

Natasha is on her right, protective, like an older sister and Jay is grateful for her steadfast presence. Out of all the Avengers, she's glad that she didn't piss off the only female one since Natasha has turned out to be such a good mentor. She came to Jay's room this morning and showed her how to use makeup to cover the spreading bruise on her cheek. Fury hadn't wanted Warren Biochem to get wind of the fact that S.H.I.E.L.D. is giving Jay training. It would probably screw up their agreement, Jay thinks tiredly. She fingers her braid. Natasha helped her put it in this morning and it restrains her crazy hair and makes her look older and more professional. Also like an agent or top class scientist.

Stark is assessing her from across the table, his feet propped up on the table in a blatant attempt to make Fury blow a gasket. She schools herself to indifference. He frowns at her and she sticks her tongue out at him, to which he rolls his eyes and folds his hands behind his head, the picture of nonchalance. Booted footfalls echo down the hallway and her hands unconsciously clench tighter and she winces as her nails bite deeper into her skin. Tony raises an eyebrow and she sighs. So much for schooled indifference.

He enters first. Of course he would, Jay thinks snidely to herself. Jared Bradlich is nothing if not vain and proud.

"Director Fury?" Bradlich asks, a perfectly manicured eyebrow raising just enough to show that he already knows who the man in the eye patch is before he even asked and this is just a courtesy so that they can segue into introductions. Bradlich's gaze sweeps over the room, resting for fractional moments on each of the Avengers before finally settling on her. Cold fingers run down her spine and she wants to shiver but she sits up taller and meets his gaze coolly.

"Ah, there you are dear," Jared practically coos and it's all Jay can do not to swallow her tongue in disgust. Stark is staring intently at her and she wishes he would stop, wishes she could tell him that his eyes are drilling laser holes into her brain and it hurts. Bradlich takes his eyes from her and leads his entourage in amid the greetings. Fury leads the members of Warren Biochem over to the conference table and they all take their spots.

Jay doesn't move from her seat and Steve brushes her elbow reassuringly before sitting down opposite her. He is next to Jared and the man's eyes are on her and the insides of her elbows burn in memory. She is glad she is wearing a long-sleeved shirt to cover up the scars on the insides of her arms. Her hands curl protectively around her arms and Jared's eyes flash up to hers in a smirk. He saw, damn it. She hates how he knows exactly why her hands are where they are. She curses her weakness.

"Well, then, let's get started," says Fury.

"Where would you like to start, Director Fury?" Bradlich asks, a snobby hint of superiority purposely edging into his voice.

The Director looks up at Jared with the signature Fury death glare. Jared seems completely unfazed. Jay wants to strangle him.

"Why don't you start?" Natasha suggests, and the room pivots its focus towards her. Bradlich's eyebrows arch in a feigned surprise. "Perhaps, you can tell us what you would like out of this negotiation?" Natasha offers, her voice as fake as Bradlich's cozy attitude. Her ruby lips meet in a small smile that would seem completely congenial if Jay didn't know her better. But Jay has seen that smile right before Natasha flipped Clint head over heels in a training demonstration and it means that she's planning something and you have no idea what. Jay decides she's happy Natasha is on her side.