Mistakes Were Made (Avengers/James Rhodes)

02. Good Talks

I entered the kitchen and started looking for something to eat. There wasn't anything interesting in the fridge. I started looking in the cabinets, singing a Maroon 5 song quietly to myself.

I stood on the counters to reach something. I continued to sing and only stopped singing when I heard someone walk in. I looked over to see Rhodey watching me, a confused but amused smile on his face as he leaned against the counter.

"What?" I asked.

"You're one strange person, you know?" Rhodey asked. "Nice shorts by the way."

I rolled my eyes. "Don't insult the shorts. Cats are my favorite animals."

"I can tell. What are you getting?"

I grabbed what I was looking for. "Food. I'm starving."

"You could've asked me to cook something," Rhodey suggested. "I'm pretty good."

I closed the cabinet door and sat down on the counter, biting into a pop tart. "Maybe some other time, old man. If you're a really good cook, then why don't I see you cooking something for everyone else?"

"They aren't you," Rhodey said, a deadpan expression on his face. "Besides, they are usually too busy to eat breakfast."

I broke off a piece of poptart. "Too bad. I'm sure your cooking is great."

Rhodey looked me over. "Maybe one day. I'll see you around, Agent . . ."

"Charlie, my name is Charlie."

"No last name?"

"Not one I'd like to give out." I looked away. "Nothing against you, Rhodey. I don't like people knowing my whole name. Not unless I know them personally."

Rhodey nodded understandingly. "I can see what you're saying. I'll see you around, Agent Charlie."

"See you around, War Machine."

Rhodey chuckled as he walked away. I finished my breakfast and went upstairs. I got dressed and called Clint. When he didn't answer, I called Nat.

"Yes?" Nat asked.

"Hey, it's me," I greeted. "What are you doing today?"

"Paperwork," Nat replied. "Why?"

"Want to get out of it?" I asked.

"Sure," Nat replied. "Where are we going?"

----

I walked down the street with Nat beside me. We were heading towards Central Park and we laughed at any jokes we threw at each other. When we got to the park, we found an empty bench and talked. Nat and I were best friends because we were basically the only girls in Stark Tower. I was an agent of SHIELD and there were female agents but I was one of those people who had few friends and liked being alone.

I rested my head against my hand. "What do you think about Rhodey?"

"He's a nice guy and is pretty serious most of the time," Nat replied. "Why?"

I shrugged. "Nothing, really. I just went so long without being noticed and now he sees me."

"Is that a problem?" Nat asked, a teasing smile on her face. "He is pretty attractive for a man his age."

I shoved her. "Don't be like that. It's just weird. My job is to be invisible and I'm not as much as I want to be. I want to fade away, only seen when I'm ready."

"First, you've been around these people for a while. How can you not be ready?" Nat asked. "And second, is it because of your dad? It's not dangerous telling the rest of the Avengers you're his daughter."

"What if it gets out?" I asked. "Dad hid me my entire life. He didn't tell anyone he adopted some kid from India. I was left at home and I rarely saw him. The others will just see me as less than because I'm not worthy enough of the name Fury."

Nat rolled her eyes. "Charlie, I've seen you in the field. You are worthy of the name Fury. Anyone who thinks differently is an idiot."

I smiled a little. "I guess. Dad has always tried to make it up to me for not being there. He even learned my language so he could communicate better with me. I appreciated it when I was younger because I didn't know English."

"Dads will do anything for their kids," Nat said. "He loves you, Charlie, and he would do anything for you."

I stared at the ground. "I know. It just feels like sometimes he ignores me. I know his job as director demands a lot from but he could at least spend a little time with me."

"I know how you feel," Nat said. "Fury is like a dad to me too but he didn't raise me like he did you. He was there your entire life. He loves you, even if he doesn't show it well."

I nodded. "What else can we talk about?"

"Rhodey."

"No. I refuse."

Nat laughed. "Didn't you like him?"

"I thought he was handsome but I didn't have a crush on him," I replied. "I didn't have the time or the ability to care if he liked me back."

"I can ask him about you," Nat said.

"Don't," I said. "At least not for a while. I've barely talked to him and he probably doesn't care for me."

Nat stood up. "I disagree but time's up. Let's head back to the tower."

We walked back and went to our rooms. I started working on work stuff and kept as quiet as possible. Most of the Avengers came and went often and I tried to stay as hidden as possible. They couldn't know I was Nick's daughter. They'd feel betrayed or act out. Maybe even treat me better than I should have been. I was just a normal person who was the director's daughter. I was invisible to everyone.