He knows changes aren't permanent. Characters: Wanda and Nick. Setting: Nick's office, S.H.I.E.L.D. Content: Nick Fury. Summary: Nick asks Wanda for a favor.
"General Fury, Wanda Maximoff to see you," Sheila's voice cut into the silence of Nick's office and he waited a moment before pressing the speaker and instructing his secretary to send her in. He was just a little surprised that Wanda had shown up at all. He'd only visited her once since she'd awoken at the hospitl an it had been awkard. Wanda was still obviously afraid of him and it made Nick uncomfortable and curious but he wouldn't press the subject.
All he knew was that she'd had some terrible hallucination about him. She'd either get better or she wouldn't but he was here for her and eventually she'd realize it. For now, it was best to pretend he didn't notice the fear so that she wasn't embarrassed by it, which she seemed to be. Her gaze was constantly apologetic, whenever he'd move she'd jerk away and then look at him with shame in her eyes. It was there now as she strolled in and he stood and she flinched. It hurt, but Nick wasn't going to show it. He gestured for her to sit and then sat down again and thanked her for coming. That he hadn't actually expected her hung silently in the air and they both knew it.
The quiet stretched out and Nick finally coughed and began to speak right as Wanda exclaimed, "Nick, I'm sorry-" but he held up his hand to cut her off. "It's all right," he said quickly, closing the subject. He wasn't going to force her to talk just because of an awkward silence. Besides, there was business to discuss.
"I called you because I was hoping you could do me a favor." He studied her as he spoke and pressed on when he saw a curious interest in her features. "See, I'm going to be sending Altman out on a mission and I know you don't work for S.H.I.E.L.D. but I was sort of hoping you might go with him. The kid knows you and trusts you and it might make him less nervous having you there. And of course, your ability would be useful..." Nick trailed off, he'd watched Wanda's face fall and then become thoughtful. It was obvious she was uncertain and her words echoed this insecurity, "I don't think Tony would really want me to."
Nick smiled. Stark probably thought she was unfit for duty at the moment. Stark was probably right. "Stark doesn't have to know," he said conspiratorially and Wanda offered a small laugh. Of course, that translated to: Nick hadn't told Tony and probably wouldn't. If Wanda wanted to, that was her own business. That was, of course, if Nick could convince her. Which he could. Despite whatever shit she'd been through, Nick was fairly certain he knew her well and, more importantly, knew how to use her.
"I guess if Stark doesn't think you're up to it," he said with a shrug and added, "If you don't think you're up to it." There was the bait, and she took it, a defiance flashing in her eyes. Nick had expected that, welcomed it. He'd never known the Scarlet Witch to back down when someone questioned her capability. It may have been one of the only things Magneto did right by his daughter; that little streak of arrogance. Already there was a steely expression on her face and she was nodding. "No, I'll do it," she announced firmly and Nick pushed a file folder across the desk to her.
"It's intel gathering, but it's dangerous. You'll need to be undercover, disguised. There's this government official in Zhanjiang, Leung's his name. He's pretty low on the totem pole, helps him stay off the radar I guess, but we're almost certain he's funding a terrorist group in the creation of WMD's. S.H.I.E.L.D. just needs definitive proof before we can act," Nick explained and then moved on to inform her of Teddy's part in the mission,"Now, Altman's been briefed about his role- impersonate Leung and get access to as much information as possible. You'll serve as a kind of bodyguard for Altman and just general support. You won't seem out of place, Leung digs white bitches, and if we can disguise you well enough you're not likely to be recognized. I'll keep in contact. There's passports and a new identity for you in that folder."
Wanda nodded in understanding throughout Nick's speech, flipping through the papers in the folder to clarify. When he'd finished he sat back again and Wanda managed a smile for him. "I won't let you down, Nick," she promised.
Nick nodded with a smile of his own and answered, "I know."