3. Chapter 3

Their fight was just about as epic as they could make it, starting in Fury's office then going out down the hallway to the primary command center as they yelled at each other. Phil figured he had pummeled at least three desks with his printout of the abbreviated budget overview (250 pages). It ended when Fury went quiet, which everyone knew was when he was at his most dangerous, and quietly informed Phil that he was "near useless, out of shape, and out of touch." Even Victoria Hand held her breath at that, but Phil pulled himself up and fired back with, "At least I'm not a megalomaniac with delusions of grandeur!"

Phil was set to fly out with Strike Team Delta at 11 am on the dot.

He got more than few "are you stupid?" looks as he walked through the halls. His entire staff was so upset they were already crying over his obituary, and three of his upper level managers offered to go in his stead (he made note of the ones who did not offer). Phil tried to act nervous (not much of a reach) and proud (also not much of a reach) as he reassigned his current projects and assured everyone he was going to be back soon, it was just a milk run (very much a reach, although everyone seemed grateful to believe it). Then he went out to the roof to catch his ride.

Delta consisted primarily of Hawkeye and the Black Widow with a short list of rotating support (Figueroa or Daniels for communications, Culbreath or Tsui for flight/armament/backup duties) and a handler. It was Figueroa and Culbreath on support, with Sitwell as promised, and the whole team glaring daggers at Phil as he stepped aboard the quinnjet. Phil had no idea if any of them knew his true purpose in tagging along, although he hoped they did, because the last thing he needed was the Black Widow assuming he was expendable. He shuddered.

"Scared to actually see some action for a change, Cooper?" Hawkeye smirked as Phil fumbled into his seat, trying to figure out the harness.

"Coulson," Phil grumbled, fitting the straps over himself. "And, no."

Hawkeye laughed, but it seemed more friendly than mocking. He pulled at the straps to make sure Phil was buckled in then gave Phil a small smile before heading to the front to fly out.

"He's the friendly one. Don't think the rest of us don't know exactly how far in the dog house you are right now," Sitwell snapped, still glaring.

"Probably about as far as you are, given you're the ones babysitting me." Phil answered levelly. The Black Widow glanced at him as she walked by, and Phil figured "mysterious and inscrutable" was as good as he could ask for, given the situation.

"Just don't make trouble, don't get lost, and don't get hurt." Sitwell looked at his tablet, shutting down the conversation.

Phil sighed, and hoped he could grab a nap on the flight over.