My next two weeks of training went relatively quickly. It didn't take long for each of my team members - and part time teachers, to realise what I did and didn't need to work on. Tony, for instance, got pretty bored of trying to teach me and Steve about technology, so on my third 'lesson', he brought in Chinese food for the three of us, and we sat eating and talking. It became a tradition, right up to our last 'lesson'.

"So, Bailey." Steve poked at his Chinese take out a little uncertainly, and smiled at me, "How are you enjoying Level Eight of SHIELD?"

I shrugged, chewing on my noodles. "It's not that different to Level Seven if I'm honest."

Tony snorted into his food, and Steve glared at him, before turning back to me.

"I'm sure you'll realise the difference when you're actually out there." He explained kindly.

I nodded.

"So, how's your training going?"

"I wish it was all like this." I joked, motioning around to the food we were eating. Tony had a screen up on the inner workings of a pulse gun if Fury happened to walk past, but other than that, our 'lesson' was basically a chill time.

Steve nodded. "I'm guessing you're getting worked pretty hard by our assassins?"

"Hey, you're not going too easy on me either, Super Soldier."

He grinned and leaned back in his chair. "I hear you and Clint don't get on."

I shrugged, not particularly wanting to talk about it. The last session I'd had with him hadn't gone too badly. That was mainly because neither of us had talked to each other, but still, it was a lot more pleasant than arguing with him.

"He'll come around," Steve promised, "He's just -"

"Not trusting of new people." I cut in, "Yeah, I know. Natasha already told me."

"Yeah. Bailey, you've got to understand, Clint is an Agent of SHIELD, not just an Avenger. He's a lot like you. And promotions round here are very hard to get. So I think he's just waiting for you to -"

I cut across him again. "Not be ordinary?"

He frowned. "I was going to say 'do something extraordinary'."

"Yeah, well Robin Hood and I have already had a conversation about how plain I am. It really boosted my confidence."

Tony glanced up at the nickname and grinned. "You know something, Kane? When you first got here I didn't honestly think you were gonna last. I thought you were a drip, y'know, weak."

I pursed my lips, glaring up at him. "You Avengers really have a way with words, you know that, right?"

He grinned again. "This is exactly what I'm talking about. You proved me wrong. You've survived the first two weeks, so well done. You're a fighter, and Clint'll see that, given time. You'll be fine."

I was surprised at Tony's warm words, and it was clear from his expression that Steve was too.

"Well thank you, Tony." I smiled. "And thanks for the Chinese."

"No problem."

---

"So, now I've perfected your aim, I want to see how you fare in this little test." Clint called as I walked in. I decided to keep my mouth shut, rather than make a remark.

"And," he continued, reaching into a duffel bag, "you'll be pleased to know I'm letting you use a gun."

"My last lesson, and now you're letting me use a gun?"

"Well, if it helps, your aim should be awesome." He handed me the gun, and motioned towards the moving targets at the other end of the room. "Have fun."

I stood at one end of the range, and closed one eye, Clint's voice in the back of my head. 'Chin up, eye's forward, back straight, shoulders relaxed. Steady your arm, support it if you need to, and fire.'

I fired, emptying the gun. From this distance I couldn't tell exactly where I'd hit the targets. Clint shut off the machine that held the targets, and together, we walked towards them. Clint whistled.

"Four bulls eyes, and the rest of them only near misses. Very nice."

"Thanks." I murmured, managing a smile. I remembered what Steve and Natasha had said about trust, and thought that maybe, now I'd proved that I could shoot, Clint wouldn't hate me as much.

"Good, now I'll just -" Clint stopped as the loudspeaker above us crackled to life.

All Agents of Level Eight clearance must report to Director Fury in the meeting room. I repeat, all Agents of Level Eight clearance to the meeting room, immediately.

Clint raised an eyebrow, and nodded to me. "That's us, let's go."

"Are you sure?" I followed him out of the room. "I mean, I don't have a pass or anything, I'm just -"

"Fury upgraded you to Level Eight personally, right?" Clint span round to face me, his voice urgent. "Which means you're Level Eight material. I don't care whether you've just been promoted or you've been with us for a year - get your ass in gear, because we're going to the meeting room."

I'd never heard him speak like that before. With such insistence, and urgency, and earnest. He led me down the corridors to the meeting room, pushing past other Agents and dragging me with him. We finally burst into the meeting room, panting. Every eye turned to us.

Fury nodded for us to enter, and we stumbled in, dropping into seats in between Natasha and Bruce.

"We got a message from Thor recently." Fury explained, "Warning us of a possible incursion. He doesn't know where from, or who it's gonna be, but he told us that it's gonna happen. So I'm calling in the Avengers, to Assemble now. Agent Kane?"

I looked up at him. "Yes sir?"

"You're gonna be working closely with Agent Barton. I need the two of you undercover, here in New York City. Agent Romanoff? I want you out in Russia. We've got a couple of Level Sevens out in Russia, waiting for you."

She nodded.

"Rogers, you wait here for Thor. When he arrives, the two of you are going to England. His scientist friend is there, and maybe she can help us."

"Of course, sir."

"Stark? You and Banner are -"

"Uh... I don't think it's such a good idea for me to be out in the field..." Bruce interrupted. Fury carried on like he hadn't heard him.

"You're gonna be in DC. The two of you are gonna be working with a team of scientists down there."

"Deal." Tony glanced at Bruce, before answering Fury. Bruce still looked unconvinced.

"One question, sir." Natasha murmured, glancing around the table at the rest of us. "Why are we all being split up?"

"The sites you are all being sent to are sites with high energy readings. We believe they're gonna be hotspots for incursions."

Natasha nodded, folding her hands in her lap.

"Now, you're all ready. Suit up, and get out there."

Clint turned to me, and motioned for me to follow him. We trailed behind the rest of the group to go get set up, and I felt my pulse begin to race.

I was about to experience combat on Level Eight.

Notes