Phil Coulson was a level headed man. His years as an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D had done him well, prepared him for nearly any scenario that was to arise. The emergence of Thor in New Mexico – the confirmation of extraterrestrial life and the attack by technology that even S.H.I.E.L.D couldn't comprehend – was unexpected of course, but even something as extreme as that was in the range of events that he was able to compartmentalize and handle calmly.

But this – the capture and subsequent brainwashing of Clint and Selvig from that alien's insane brother– had thrown him off course. He was Barton's superior officer and had been his handler for nearly a decade, it was inevitable that their relationship had evolved beyond coworkers and into a close friendship. Natasha was also his charge, and the three of them made up Strike Team Delta. She had been harder to grow close to, but by now they were part of the closest thing to a family that he had.

Losing Clint to Loki's control, having to now consider him as a serious threat and enemy, was hard enough for him, but he was dreading having to tell Natasha the details as to why he was 'compromised'. However he had no time to spare.

The Avengers Initiative was being put into action.

Phil had been on hold for only a few seconds, and a small smile was brought to his face before he could suppress it at the sound of Natasha's quick elimination of the thugs she had been gathering information from.

As soon as the fight was over, she resumed their conversation, asking in a stressed but professional tone, "Where's Barton now?"

Regretfully he answered, "We don't know."

If it was anyone who didn't know Natasha they would have been unable to pick up on her worry, but Phil could hear her panic when she prompted, "But he's alive."

"We think so. I'll brief you on everything when you get back. But first, we need you to talk to the big guy."

"Coulson, you know that Stark trusts me about as far as he can throw me."

"No, I've got Stark. You get the big guy."

He heard her swear under her breath at the mention of Banner. He was a brilliant scientist and they truly did need him for his knowledge on Gamma radiation, but it was admittedly a huge risk to bring such a volatile man onto the Helicarrier. S.H.I.E.L.D had taken precautions already, installing a room they hoped would be enough to contain the Hulk in case of an emergency, but even with the containment room it was a decision that had not been made lightly.

The inclusion of the second female S.H.I.E.L.D agent that would be joining the Avengers had also been a difficult decision, perhaps more so than the decision to include Bruce Banner. She had been denied for the Avengers prospects initially, but the situation before them was now dire, and they would be needing someone with her skill set.

Knowing that it was better to inform Natasha of that decision sooner as opposed to later, he cleared his throat and said as evenly as he could, "Agent Harmon will also be called in."

The silence that stretched between the two of them was awkward, rifled with tension, and he could imagine the glare that would be leveled at him if she was standing in front of him.

When she finally spoke her tone was low, dangerous even.

"I'm sorry, I must have misheard you. I was under the impression that she had been declared unfit for the group. Because obviously drafting Rebecca Harmon into the Avengers Initiative would be the most reckless, intensely thoughtless -"

"The order came directly from Fury. It wasn't my decision to make. Besides, this will be good for her - getting her to interact with someone besides myself or Barton. Or Sarge."

"For god's sake Sarge is a dog. And it won't be good for everyone else. She will most likely very literally kill Stark. You know as well as I do that Bex doesn't like working with others, let alone an entire team – she's called Hazard for a reason. Wasn't she just suspended from field work for losing control over her…talents?"

Phil could feel his annoyance growing. Yes, adding Bex Harmon to the Avengers was a risky move, one that would either be the best or worst thing to happen to the team. Natasha wasn't exaggerating – Harmon strictly worked alone. To say she had trust issues was a massive understatement, though considering the situation she had been in before she was employed by S.H.I.E.L.D, no one could really blame her.

Additionally, Bex's – well, the abilities that were dimissed as rumors by nearly all agents made them nervous nonetheless. Phil always heard a never ending stream of gossip concerning Bex when she returned successful from missions that should have been impossible. Some thought she was simply an amazing shot, or lied in her reports, but most were under the impression that S.H.I.E.L.D. provided her with weapons beyond what other agents were given. Regardless, it didn't exactly endear her to her coworkers.

Her occasional callousness didn't help her reputation, and paired with her being only barely declared mentally stable did not make her fit for a partner. The only people she had opened up to were Clint and himself. She and Romanoff tended to butt heads, so her protesting to Harmon joining the team wasn't a surprise.

"Natasha, I'll see you when you get back. I have to deal with Stark and Harmon."

"Alright then, Coulson."

"And Natasha – try to give it a chance. I would prefer if you two don't kill each other when she gets here."