Black Rose

(12)

Dad says he wants to introduce me to three of his best employees, how he thinks it's time and all that. I smooth out my black blouse which flows loosely over my light blue jeans. My hair flows down naturally in curls to my mid back. I finish my last touches and look at myself.

"They're here Rosa!" Pops calls. I head downstairs finding a young Black Widow wearing a black dress and a young Hawkeye who wears slacks and a dark purple button up. Then there's some white guy in a tux. "Everyone, this is my daughter, Rosa Fury." Pops introduces.

"Hello, I'm Natalia Romanoff but you can call me Natasha." Black widow introduces herself offering a hand. I shake it with a smile. I love her!

"Clinton Barton, call me Clint, it's a pleasure to meet you." Hawkeye flirts. I laugh it off as I shake his hand. I turn to the unfamiliar. He doesn't look like anything special, which means he is.

"Call me Gill, it's an honor to meet you Miss Fury." The man smiles. His aura seems off. I smile and shake his hand to avoid being rude. Pops leads us to the formal dinning room which has mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls, and chicken wings. Pops sits at the head of the table. I sit down on his right as the boys sit on his left and Natasha sits next to me.

We begin eating. I sneak looks to Gill, this man is suspicious. He meets my gaze with a smile making me look back down, acting shy. When we finish Pops goes to get the carrot cake I made.

"Tell me Barton, are you and Ms Romanoff a thing or what?" I ask looking at them bluntly. Natasha chokes on her wine, covering her mouth quickly.

"They do seem like a couple don't they? They're just partners." Gill laughs. I turn to him, analyzing him.

"And what about you Gill? How exactly do you fit into this puzzle?" I ask leaning forward. He freezes before looking behind me, toward the front door. The door bell rings. I smile, excusing myself. I grab my bat and open the door. There stands Jake in a suit.

"Hey love, I was wondering if I could come in. It's plenty chilly out here." Jake smiles. I shut the door in his face. Natasha appears in the doorway.

"Who was that?" She asks glaring at the door. I roll my eyes.

"Jake, he pops up wherever he wants even when he's told not to." I announce making sure he can hear. Natasha nods before opening the door. Jake turns with a smirk. When he sees Natasha his look drops as he looks ready to run away.

"Leave her alone." Natasha says slamming the door again. She turns and looks at me. I feel heat climb up my cheeks as she smiles and pats me on the shoulder. She goes to pass me, I grab her by the wrist, pulling her close. She's still one or two years older than me so she's got an inch or two on me.

"Watch out for Gill, he isn't trustworthy." I warn releasing her. She narrows her green eyes at me but we walk back. Pops is back with the cake.

"Who was it?" Pops asks narrowing his eyes at the door.

"A classmate, I think Natasha here scared him off though." I laugh making him nod, believing my lie. Sorry Pops, but you can't know the truth about him or me. At least not yet.

"So, I got your cake. Who wants a slice of the cake my daughter made?" Pops brags cutting himself a slice. We all raise our hands. He gives us slices, me and him getting the biggest slices.

"So, who's your mother?" Barton asks. I look up from my awesome cake.

"A woman, she died giving birth to me." I recite the lie I've been told to feed. Barton nods but Natasha narrows her eyes at me, unbelieving but silent.

"I wonder what kind of woman could manage to make Nick here settle down." Gills laugh as he gives me a smile too wide and too peppy.

"She was a woman that is none of your business." Pops snaps as usual. Though he's never had a wife of any sort, he acts touchy about it, as if the wound still fresh. Gills looks to me.

"So are you still in school?" Natasha asks.

"Yeah, I'm a sophomore." I say looking over at her. Her red hair is long and in loose curls. She nods, her gaze dropping below my face. I lean forward. "How old are you?" I ask.

"Eighteen, what do you like to do?" Natasha asks also leaning forward, still looking North. I let my gaze drop a bit.

"I like books, shouldn't you be in collage?" I ask with a smirk. Her gaze snaps back up. I give her a smile.

"She isn't from America, Natasha here is a special case and already had the credentials for her spot at work." Pops says carefully. Looking up I see Barton looks shocked and is also looking lower than my face. I fix my neckline.

"That's cool." I smile making him smile back. His phone goes off making him excuse himself. Gills also excuses himself, also getting a call. I turn to the two agents. "Whatever you do, do not trust Gills." I warn. The pair looks at me confused.

"What do you know that we don't Rose?" Natasha asks. I look into her eyes and then Clint's.

"Plenty, trust me." I sigh, downing my soda in seconds. Natasha's hand brushes my leg as Clint excuses himself to go to the bathroom.

"So Rosa, who was that boy really at the door?" Natasha purrs, as she pets my hand.

"Jake, now tell me Natasha, why are you flirting with me?" I question leaning in. She doesn't jump or anything, just as I thought.

"You're a very pretty girl, and I can't always control myself." Natasha flirts. Heat rushes to my cheeks as she strokes my cheek. Footsteps boom through the hall. We right ourselves. Pops comes back in giving Natasha a look.

"We need to head back." Pops says as Gills and Barton come back in. They of and leave. In moments a knock comes at the back door. I open up to see Jake. He holds up a hand with writing.

Gills bugged your place. Let me in so I can dismantle them.

"Hey Rosa, I say your dad left. Can I come in now?" Jake asks pulling me close. I giggle letting him in.

"You're so reckless." I tease closing the door after him. We go to the living room. He pulls me close making me laugh.

"I hate it at this time of year, especially since I live by some water. There's always bugs, trying to drink your blood." Jake sighs looking around. "I'll be right back, I gotta go." Jake apologizes walking to the bathroom. I watch as he pops in and out, teleporting and smashing the bugs. After five minutes he comes out of the bathroom.

"Do not go in there." Jake warns. I frown, disgusted.

"Your nasty." I groan. He gives me a wink. I flip him off as he comes close to my face. He goes in for the kiss but I dodge.

"Come on! We've been on a date, when do I get my kiss?" Jake whines. I roll my eyes as stick out my tongue.

"When you earn it." I smirk. Jake jumps on me and starts tickling me. I squirm, laughing from his torturous ways.

"Can I get that kiss now?" Jake teases. I kick him off me.

"No, now go home." I laugh pushing him out. Jake pouts at me but obeys. I head up to my room, thinking of the homeworkers was assigned.