Avengers: Jedi Master (CWAC Book Two)

Chapter 1: Pilot's Life For Me

"We don't need a pilot!" Tony Stark snaps at Steve Rogers who crosses his arms over his chest, flanking him Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes. Bruce Banner sighs from the kitchen breakfast bar.

"We do" Steve tells him back. "After missions we are usually all too tired and beaten up....we only escaped by the skin of our teeth last week.....Natasha piloted the jet with a fractured collar bone..."

"He's got a point, Tony" Bruce tells Tony who sighs. "None of us feel up to it after mission, it creates arguments...we all fall out for days.....the tension in the Mansion becomes unbearable......at least meet with Wilson's friend" Tony sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose before throwing his hands up.

"Fine, fine...." Tony turns and walks away. Sam sighs.

"I'll go call Skywalker" Sam pulls his cell phone from his pocket.

"Their names Skywalker?" Bucky asks with a snort. "And they are a pilot"

"Shut up" Sam grumbles walking away from the former assassin. Sam heads up the stairs of the mansion to his own little apartment shutting the door behind him just as he dials. "Shea....it's Sam...what do you mean 'Sam who?' Sam Wilson....very funny...."

.......................

Sam watches Tony throw a silent tantrum across from him, he'd been dragged out of bed before 1pm to travel to an air base to meet Wilson's contact...his pilot. Sam fears Tony is about to make this very difficult. He voiced the whole way there about them not needing a pilot, Steve had argued back until Natasha had smacked them both upside the heads.

"Wilson" he looks up and stands holding his hand out with a smile.

"Major Raynes" the pair shakes hands.

"Rumour has it you are here to steal my best pilot" Raynes looks to the other Avengers. Tony raises an eyebrow back.

"Hey, it they are the best...we can't do that to the Air Force" Sam and Steve shoot Tony a look. "I'm thinking of national security" Raynes laughs in good humour.

"And if the Avengers die in a fiery jet crash....is that not National Security as well" Sam smirks. "Skywalker's in the hanger....I'll show you the way" Steve smirks at Sam who smirks back.

"I like him" Natasha states following Raynes. Clint chuckles following her.

.............................

"Lieutenant Skywalker on the deck!!" Raynes calls out as they enter the hanger. Sam smiles spotting the familiar redhead heading towards them.

"Major" she greets Raynes with a salute. She looks to Sam. "Sam!" he smiles at her.

"Hey, Shea..." Sam looks to the others and motions to Shea. "Guys this is Flight Lieutenant Shea Skywalker" she crosses her arms over her chest and smiles at them.

"So, you guys pulled Sammy out of retirement?" she asks with a smirk.

"You're British" Tony points out.

"Well done, Mr Stark.....I am"

"Lieutenant Skywalker is a dual citizen..." Raynes tells them. "Therefore is allowed to serve in the USAF...and we're damn lucky to have her....so you guys are going to have to beg hard if you want her to join your little team" Shea looks to Raynes.

"What?" she asks looking back to Sam.

"We are looking for a full time live in pilot to join the team....." Steve answers. "Sam recommended you"

"Aww Sammy" Shea looks to him, Sam blushes and rubs the back of his neck.

"Well.....it's just cause that programme was cancelled....figured you would be looking for your next project" Raynes and Shea raise their eyebrows.

"How'd you know of Project Tempest?" Raynes asks.

"I was asked to be part of the crew" Sam tells them. "I declined....it was just after I joined the Avengers.....Heard Shea was going to be the pilot"

"I was...." she nods. "We ran out of funding...."

"This Project Tempest was what?" Bucky asks. Shea looks to him.

"Tempest is a jet...." she answers. "A state of the art, multifunctional, all purpose, all weather, stealth jet....she was to be the future of the Air Force"

"Yeah, the first was to be piloted and lead by the Lieutenant herself"

"She was going to be beautiful" Shea states with a smile. Sam smiles watching her. This is another reason he recommended her, she genuinely loves her job, she loves flying, she loves jet engines. Sam looks to Steve who nods subtly. He wants her on board as well.

"If someone had the funds though" Steve states. "Could the jet be started?"

"Finished" Shea corrects. "She was half way there when the project was scrapped...." Steve looks to Tony.

"Even if you don't want the pilot....a state of the art jet?" Tony purses his lips before nodding. Rayne nods to the back of the bunker.

"Why don't you take them down? Show them....I'll grab us some coffees and.....transfer papers" Shea looks to him. "We both know that you belong with that jet...if they finish it, you need to go with it...even just to over see the build, no one knows the schematics like you do"

"But....I love my position here"

"And if when the Tempest is built, you want to return....then you can"

"Thank you, Major"

"Anytime, Lieutenant" he turns and walks away, Shea smiles at the Avengers.

"Alright then" she turns and points to the back of the hanger. "This way"