"I appreciate your confidence," she replied, tilting her own glass at him. "I asked you to lunch because I wished to re-establish contact with you. I prefer to remain self-employed, at the moment, but I consider you an ally. If you need my expertise on anything, I'd be happy to help." She pauses to order when the waiter returns, carefully not discussing delicate politics in front of the restaurant staff.
When he leaves, she folds her hands in her lap and continues. "As I'm sure you know, the situation with the mutant registration may very well escalate into open war, and I like to know who my allies are. I understand that SHIELD cannot take sides on this issue, and if it does, it will almost certainly not be the side I'd like. That said, I have faith in your direction of SHIELD, so that if this should come to war, I know that you and SHIELD will be fighting for justice, even if that pits both sides against you."
Setting down her glass, she leans forward, sincere. "I believe that, whatever the outcome of this mess, you and I have similar goals. We both want to maintain peace and protect the rights of all humans. Bottom line, I wanted to offer you my help, if you ever need it. Within reason, of course."