Sheltered

Moving in

"No." Ash crossed his arms and stared at the agent across from him.

Agent Phil Coulsen sighed and said, "Look, I get that you think you're perfectly fine here," he was cut off, "I am fine." "But there are some very dangerous people after you. You'd be much safer staying with S.H.I.E.L.D. until the trial."

Ash scoffed, "Yeah right. What're you gonna do? Ship me off to some far away country? Not gonna work. I know the names of some of the most powerful people in the world, what they did, and the one they did it to. Moving me will just make it worse."

Now Max spoke up. He'd been mostly silent during the whole meeting, "You could go stay with Eiji."

At the name Ash relaxed before a look of horror came over his face and he sat straight up, "Absolutely not! Do you know how much danger that would put him and his family in?! I will be staying here."

Tony, who'd been sitting next to Phil mostly silent, sat up, "You could stay at the Tower. It's probably safer than wherever you're staying right now, and we have room for extra people if necessary."

Phil hummed softly, "I think that would be the best arrangement. Though if you have any requests voice them now."

Ash sat in thought for a moment before saying, "If I'm gonna be staying with you in your fancy tower then you have to bring Max and his family and Shorter. Nadia should be fine 'cause Sing'll still be there along with the rest of the Chinatown. I also want to be able to come and go as I please." He looked at Phil and Tony, "Well?"

Phil looked right back, "That will be just fine I think, but one of us must accompany you at all times." Ash nodded, "Fine." Phil looked at him and nodded as well, "What about this Eiji? Should we get him too?"

Ash stood up, knocking his chair over and slamming his hands on the table, "I don't want you people anywhere near him unless Shorter or I say so. He will stay safe in Japan unless he says otherwise. No one will forcibly move him." His glare seemed to have doubled as he looked at the two men across from him, "And if you do you'll wish you hadn't."

Phil nodded, compliant, but made note of this boy who seemed to be very important, although he had no idea why, as well as the fact that Shorter seemed to have almost as much authority when it came to Eiji as Ash did, if not an equal amount, though Eiji seemed to have more authority than the both of them. Then he stood up with Tony and shook Max's hand, "Thank you for your cooperation. I'll send someone with you to pick up your things."

Ash shook his head, "No need. Shorter got them for me, as well as Jesica and Michael. We can head straight for the tower." With that he turned around and walked out the door leaving Phil and Tony stunned while Max just laughed.

Tony turned to Max, "Would he like it if this Eiji were here?" he asked this in a voice softer than Phil had ever heard him use.

Max nodded, "He would. It'd definitely help with staying in a new place. It doesn't seem like he and Shorter are complete without Eiji." He sighed, "But I also know what he said is true. If you try to bring Eiji here without his permission you'll have to face the wrath of not only almost all the gangs in New York, but also their leaders and the Lee family."

Tony frowned, "What's the Lee family got to do with this?"

"Yut-Lung, the youngest son, has gotten very close to Eiji. Of course he had to apologize for all of the kidnappings but now he and Eiji are good friends. He and Eiji go out for girls nights once a month. Well, they did before Eiji got shot. But!" He exclaimed seeing their horrified faces, "Eiji is almost back to full health. He's even started working out again to build up his muscles again. He's a pole-vaulter."