Chapter Text
“Where is Dr. Banner?” Phil turned an expectant gaze on each of the Avengers in turn. Steve wouldn’t meet his eyes, Tony was doing his best to look innocent, Thor was looking to Natasha for guidance, and Natasha was staring back at Phil without any expression at all. Clint’s absence was understandable, he was getting stitches at medical and would join them in due course. Unless, of course, he tried to get away from the SHIELD field doctors and they felt the need to sedate him. Again.
His exuberance at the prospect of an actual mission to stem the tide of tedium which had washed over him was understandable, however, Clint had still made sure to check with Coulson that he would not have to fill out the mission reports all on his own. Apparently the lesson of three weeks ago had stuck with the other man. Coulson had assured the archer he would only need his eyes-on assessment of things, as was usual, and the archer had happily thrown himself head first at a giant lizard with a spiked tail. Coulson had anticipated such rashness and thus the field medics awaiting the end of the fight.
“Agent Romanov?” Phil turned his gaze to her, locking eyes and waiting patiently. She didn’t believe in giving away information and he could appreciate it. She did, however, believe in following orders. Well, she followed the orders of those who outranked her and whom she had some measure of respect for. The list was short, but Phil was on it.
“Dr. Banner felt he did not have full control of his emotions as yet and has sequestered himself in the Green Room.” She informed him quickly. Phil continued to stare into her eyes without changing his expression for a few long moments as his mind raced. There was something here he was missing and the team all knew. He did not like being kept out of the loop, it lead to unknown reactions and things he could not plan for. Phil, above all else, was a Planner.
“Alright.” He nodded and turned his attention to the rest of the table. “Captain, you were first on scene.” He began to pick apart the mission with a surgeon's precision and tucked his concern for Dr. Banner further back in his mind to be looked into later.