STRIKE Team Delta

Chapter 1

A quick author note before you start.

Firstly a huge happy birthday to you Melissa! Sarah asked me to write something just for you because she told me what a huge fan you are of Crystallize. This is just the first chapter and updates will come along as much as I can manage. This doesn't tie into any specific part of Crystallize but is its own little story. 

I hope you enjoy it! Onto the story.

Natasha stirred immediately at the first ring on her phone. Not many people would be calling at 2 am and if they were, it was important.

"Romanoff," Natasha answered briskly, her voice showing no traces of the deep slumber she'd been in only seconds ago.

"You've got half an hour," Coulson answered on the other end of the line. "Is Jared with you?"

Natasha glanced over at the half naked form next to her. She couldn't help but feel her lips curl in a smile. Jared was awake and looking back at her sleepily.

"Yes." Natasha didn't need to expand on that explanation. Ever since it had come out about her and Jared, it was a weight off her shoulders. There were no more lies, no more sneaking around. They could be happy in their own way.

"Good. One less phone call to make," Coulson's tone was amused. "See you soon."

Natasha hung up without another word. There wasn't any time to waste. She turned over to face Jared.

"Really?" Jared asked with an aggravated sigh. "It's Christmas Eve."

"Bad guys don't care about the holidays." Despite her words, Natasha threw a leg over Jared and moved back closer to him. "We do have half an hour though."

Jared pulled Natasha in closer, resting his chin on her head as she cuddled into his chest. He'd been having a blissfully dreamless sleep. A rare occurrence for both of them. Waking up next to Natasha was one of his favorite things in the world. It wasn't just the sex. There was something else that Jared was still too tentative to put a label on. He just knew that Natasha made him happy.

A very purposeful brush of Natasha's body made him stir in a suggestive way. Jared's soft smile turned to a wicked grin as he looked down at her. Natasha's playful smile spoke more than words could. Being able to teleport had its advantages. They had all the time in the world to spare.

Across town, it was Riley who woke up first to hearing Kari's phone ring. The unmistakable sound of the 'Imperial Death March' was almost too quiet to hear. Next to him, Kari hadn't stirred at all.

"Hey, Coulson," Riley answered the phone before it could ring out. He fought back an irritable grumble knowing too well what a call at this time of the morning meant. He turned the bedside light on, knowing it would be needed in a few minutes.

"Sorry," Coulson instantly apologized on the other end of the phone. "She's got half an hour and you can't come."

"Story of my life lately," Riley said with a small chuckle. "I'll wake her up and get her moving."

"Thank you." Coulson paused. "I'll try and get them back before Christmas Day."

"You have no idea how much I would appreciate that." Riley fought back a smile. He had big plans for this Christmas. "Talk to you later."

Riley hung up without waiting for a goodbye. This was becoming more commonplace in their relationship. Kari had joked the other day about being the main breadwinner in the relationship these days. With the number of missions and time away she'd had at work, she hadn't been wrong either. While Bravo Team was quiet, Delta seemed to have a major mission every week lately. While it would be very easy for Riley to get upset about the time they spent apart, he also knew that this was the life they both chose. Kari never complained when the tables were turned and it was Riley spending more time at work than at home.