Project Phoenix (MARVEL)

II

Bella shot up, a post-it note stuck to her sweaty forehead. She pulled herself into a standing position away from the desk, breathing heavily. The blonde managed to control her breathing and slumped back down into the chair, she rubbed her eyes and checked her phone to find several unread texts.

As she was about to respond to the latest, she had a knock on her door. Bella groaned and walked up to her flat door, she looked through the peephole before greeting her friend and boss, Peter Griggs.

"I'm not supposed to be working today" she answered as the man walked straight into her kitchen, she sighed and followed him. "Might as well pour me one too," she took the mug offered to her and wrapped her hands around the warm cup.

Peter glanced at her, "how many hours of sleep have you had this week?" he asked before circling towards her desk. He picked up a few pieces of paper and dropped them back onto the table.

"Enough" Bella responded quickly, she took a big sip of coffee, "what are you here for? Why are you more annoying than normal?"

Peter studied Bella's face before sighing, "there's been another bombing" he spoke quickly, "not here though, New York. The same MO, looks like it could be the same group of people"

"Any useful footage this time?" Bella walked over to her desk and pulled out blurred CCTV of a group of men, heavily armed. "They got to New York quick, the last bombing was only yesterday"

"Well, other agencies are involved now too, as it's crossed the pond" Griggs looked and sounded pressed, "we need you to liaise with New York"

Bella chuckled, "why do I get the vacation time?" her smiled dropped slightly, "don't tell me you want me off the case here"

"God no!" Peter replied instantly, "if it was up to me, I'd have you working the case here, you've got more done in the last week than we had in the last few months" he managed a smile. "But they requested you personally, and are very adamant they want you"

"Which division?"

"Oh, I wasn't told the specifics. Just to get you on the next available flight" he smiled, "so pack a bag and meet the car downstairs in five minutes." He walked past Bella and patted her on the shoulder, "do us proud, kid"

Bella raised an eyebrow at the slightly strange behaviour Peter showed, it was not uncommon for him to act weird, but this time she knew something was up; Bella sighed, grabbed a small suitcase and packed it.

***

When Bella reached the bottom of the flats, she was met with a government issued Jaguar. She climbed into the back and made herself comfortable. Her phone rang and she answered to the smile of Tony Stark. He burst into a grin when he saw the blonde, "Bella!"

"Tony" Bella smiled back, "I get a job offer for New York, and you ring me, this cannot be a coincidence"

"You know us too well, yes, well, we need your help with something, your expertise"

"Expertise?" Bella smirked, "I'm no expert in anything"

Tony went to reply but got distracted by something Bella couldn't see, "as soon as you get here, I'll fill you in"

"Make sure there's coffee in the pot for me when I get there"

"Of course, dear" Tony replied fondly, she could see his smile was slightly strained, but before she could comment on it, Tony looked to his right and then back at Bella. "You're coming on my private plane, can't have you cramped up in Economy, can we? He smiled; "I'll see you soon"

"See you soon" Bella replied, she smiled before the screen went black. The door opened revealing her to be on a runway,  just a few meters away stood one of Starks jets, with the large STARK lettering on the side. "At least I'm flying with a reliable airline"