THIS IS WAR

ZERO

PHIL COULSON WAS NOT SENT INTO THIS SITUATION BECAUSE OF HIS AMASSED SKILLS. Though he was a talented and capable man, his field ability was not why he was the one chosen to approach Claudia Booth. No, he was chosen for another reason entirely -- his natural charisma. Coulson was a charming man, and the one who sent him knew that well.

Maria Hill had always been gifted in strategy.

Coulson found Claudia exactly where Hill had said he would; exiting a gym which was known for its focus on kick-boxing, a gym bag slung over one shoulder, strands of her short dark hair clinging to her neck. They saw each other at almost the exact same moment, and for that moment Coulson worried she might run.

She didn't.

He chalked that up to her not wanting to make a scene, and continued with his approach. She remained mysteriously silent as he fell into step beside her. The two made an odd pair, walking the streets, her in a loose fitting hoodie and yoga pants, him in a crisp suit and tie. He did his best not to glance at her too much.

"You're a hard woman to find, Miss Booth," he commented after they passed three buildings in silence.

"Clearly not hard enough," Claudia responded. She hiked her gym bag up further on her shoulder. Coulson once more wondered if she would make an attempt to run. "Who is it that's found me?" she asked, giving him a sideways look.

He recognized the precision with which she analyzed him. It reminded him of Natasha Romanoff, so much so that it was nearly disconcerting. "My name's Phil Coulson. You can consider me a friend."

At that, Claudia scoffed. "I don't have friends."

Coulson couldn't help his smile. "That's a pity. Seems to me you'd make a good one yourself." When she made no move to respond to that, he continued. "I actually work for SHIELD, though that's not why I'm here. I'm here unofficially, completely off-record. Basically, this conversation we're having right now? It's not happening."

Claudia gave a small, tight smile then. "Usually how I prefer it." She brushed her hair away from her face then, casting him a shorter look this time, not bothering to conceal the way she searched his eyes, searching for any hint of a lie. When she didn't find anything incriminating, she slowed, in part because they were reaching a street crossing, and in part because she felt this conversation may be better had standing still. "You've got my attention. Why are you here?"

Coulson's smile widened, and when she slowed to a stop, so did he. "I'm here to talk to you about a team that's being formed. It's currently being headed by a good friend of mine. Maria Hill. She's read about you -- what little she can find, anyway -- and she thinks you'd be a good fit." His hands slid casually into his pockets. "I'm inclined to agree with her."

Claudia's head canted as she considered his words. "I'm not really a team player."

Coulson chuckled at that. "Neither is Tony Stark. Look where he ended up."

"Currently heading up the remnants of what was once the Earth's Mightiest Heroes, last I checked," Claudia retorted, her snarky words sharp. "Not necessarily someone I'd consider a good role model."

He gave an amicable shrug at that. "The Sokovia Accords and what they brought about were a mess, I'll give you that much. But I've got to say, if a textbook narcissist can learn to work on a team, I'm pretty sure you could manage to do the same."

Claudia hummed at that, eyes narrowing fractionally. She remained silent for a few moments, her jaw ticking ever so slightly. "What is this team being formed for?"

"The purpose is pretty similar to why the Avengers Initiative was created," Coulson admitted. "To keep the world safe from threats that humanity just can't handle."

"Threats like Inhumans?"

"Sometimes," Coulson said. His expression softened. "But not most of the time. Most of the time, Inhumans just want to be left alone, live their lives in peace. Personally, I've only encountered a handful who actually utilized their newfound abilities for harm. The rest that I've met either wanted to just be left alone, or wanted to use their powers to help people." He paused. "The only question, Miss Booth, is which category do you fall into?"

Claudia briefly looked away from Coulson then, and this time he could better see the tension that claimed her jaw. Her dark gaze passed him toward the cars that zoomed across the streets, her eyes going momentarily out of focus. "What makes this Hill woman think I'm going to have some spontaneous character change and decide to work on a team?" she asked, still not looking at Coulson.

"You've been in hiding for two years, Claudia," Coulson said quietly. "Running around, keeping to yourself, completely trashing any Watchdogs who happen across you. You're a fighter, that much is more than obvious." He gestured toward her current apparel. "Are you really going to try and tell me you're going to pass up a chance to actually stand up and fight?"

The sigh that escaped Claudia was inaudible, the only indicator of it being the subtle rise and fall of her chest. When her gaze did refocus on Coulson, her eyes glowed like embers. "I won't sign the Accords."

"Crazy as this may sound, I'm not asking you to."

She gave a short hum at that, before she nodded tersely. "Fine. Then I'll meet with your friend." She pointed a finger up at him then, brows arching, "But that's all I'm guaranteeing. A meeting. I won't promise anything more than that."

Coulson merely smiled. "Hey, I'll take what I can get." He removed a small business card then, with writing scribbled onto the back of it in bright red pen, offering it up to Claudia. "These are the instructions for when and where to meet," he explained as she took the card. She glanced over it before tucking it into the pocket of her hoodie. "If all goes well, maybe I'll see you again. If not," he offered a hand up to shake, his features still open and kind. "Then it was a pleasure to meet you."

He was just a little surprised when she accepted his hand. That her shake was firm and strong, on the other hand, wasn't a surprise at all. "You, too." She paused, before adding "Coulson," with a nod, in a tone that suggested his name was her farewell.

Coulson only smiled as Claudia turned and headed across the street, keeping on her way as though their conversation hadn't occurred. Yeah, he thought to himself as he turned away to head back to Lola, Hill was right. She would be a great addition to the new team.

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FEAT. PEJ VAHDAT AS PHIL COULSON