Around Every Corner

[Liara]

“That was rather nice of them.” Selene said with a raised eyebrow. “Should we be worried?”

[Clint Cross]

"Depends if Natalia comes with Nora. Then be worried." Clint said as he saw James walk through the door with Noonian in tow. "Oh thank... fuck." he muttered as he saw Natalia carrying Nora. "Well upside, this won't take all day."

[Liara]

“What?” Selene said as she looked towards the door, suddenly alert. She instinctively reached for a weapon she didn’t have at her thigh and regretted leaving them upstairs. The coffee cups would work in a pinch. It wouldn’t be the first she’d killed someone with one.

[Clint Cross]

"Stand down." Clint said as he put his hand out. "I mean I owe Natalia a field trial of some of her new tech and I've been putting her off for about two weeks... that's why she's here. Nora in her arms means she's attempting to make it a social call. Watch as she makes me take her downstairs."

"Hello all!" Natalia said with a smile. "Wow... she really DOES look like Selene."

Noonian was stone faced and cocked his head slightly. "She does." he approached Clint and whispered. "She forced her way into the car. I had no choice."

"It's alright... " Clint whispered and smiled at Natalia and Nora. "Wow, she's getting big." he shook little Nora's hand.

"She is indeed." Noonian said and looked at Selene. "It's remarkable... you do look just like her."

"I'll say." James said as he scooted into the booth. "Hi... I'm James."

[Liara]

“Hi James, I’m Selene Lanara.” Selene said smiling at him as she forced herself to relax. Ever so often her eyes would glance towards Noonian and Natalia as if she didn’t trust him. “Your dad has told me a lot about you. It’s nice to finally meet you.”

[Clint Cross]

"Really?" James said with a smile. "Wow... well the way he looked when he came over to see Bella and us yesterday, seemed like you made quite an impression on him too. So uhm... you also go by Black Widow too?"

"That's your first question young James?" Noonian chuckled lightly. "Mine would be, how are you settling in?"

"You don't have to answer them in order." Clint whispered.

[Natalia Ryder-Singh]

Natalia put her hand on Noonian's. "My husband is in a bit of a shock with another version of his daughter coming around. I wanted to give you this." she handed her a small leather wallet. "AlphaTek corporate card and a chip that gets you touch with me anywhere I am."

"What that means... she wants you to use her tech." Clint teased.

"Of course... which reminds me..." Natalia tapped her finger against her chin. "Didn't we have field trials set up that you've been blowing me off for the past two weeks?" she cleared her throat. "Normally I would have gone through Selene to sweet talk you into doing it. Unless you want SHIELD to have first dibs... and i know you don't want that."

"I hate testing new gear during situations like this." Clint winced.

"Don't be a chicken Clint... you're going to look bad in front of your new girlfriend." Natalia said as she sipped her latte.

[Liara]

“Go I’ll have James to protect me.” Selene said giving James a wink.

[James Cross]

"Yeah dad... take care of Natalia's thing we'll keep Selene company." James said as he looked over at Selene.

"You can leave Nora here." Noonian said as he put the little girl on his lap. "

"C'mon Cross... let's get this over with and you can spend as much time as you want with her..." Natalia said with a wink of her eye.

Clint winced as he made his way to the stairway that lead to the Naval Intel offices in the lower levels. "Yay..." he chuckled and sighed.

"He doesn't always like change..." James rolled his eyes. "So... are you going to be working with Clint or are you going to stay freelance?"

[Liara]

“Working with and yes I do go by Black Widow.” Selene replied with a small smile as she settled into the booth. She was getting interrogated by not only a teen but Clint’s son. It was a mix of adorable and frightening. He was smart and she could tell he’d picked up a thing or two from Selene Cross.

Noonian on the other hand looked exactly like her father. she was finding it hard not to expect him to do or say something her father would. Having James there made it easier to remind herself that this was a different man but it didn’t stop the coldness from seeping in.

“To answer your question Noonian...I’m settling in fine.” She informed him a bit coldly.