Mistakes Were Made (Avengers/James Rhodes)

12. Together

I left the Bus with my bag slung over my shoulder. Clint and Natasha joined me, Clint slinging his arm over my shoulders.

Natasha slipped her arm around my waist. "How was it?"

I wrapped both of my arms around Clint's and Natasha's waists. "It went alright. I really like being around everyone there, especially Papa Phil."

"Papa Phil?" Clint asked, a small smile growing on his face.

I smiled. "Yeah. He's got a huge father vibe about him."

Natasha laughed. "I get what you're saying. He does have that vibe."

"I know, right?" I said.

Natasha smiled. "Come on. Let's get some food."

We went up to the kitchen and started making food. We had found popcorn and were throwing kernels at each other when Rhodey walked in. Clint and Natasha glanced at each other before leaving quietly. I picked at the popcorn as they left.

Rhodey watched them go before looking at me. "Hey. How was your mission?"

"It was alright," I replied. "I'm glad to be back though."

Rhodey took a step closer. "I'm glad too. It's been different without you around."

I smiled a little as I chewed. "Thanks. I miss everyone here. Including you."

"I want to talk to you," Rhodey said. "Nothing bad though. I want to finish that conversation we had awhile ago."

I nodded. "Do you want a more secluded spot? Nick's probably listening in and he's pretty protective of his dau - of his best agents."

Rhodey nodded. "That cafe down the street?"

I smiled. "Yeah, that sounds nice."

We left the Tower together. Rhodey opened the door for me and smiled at me. I stepped in and waited in line. Rhodey stood close beside me. I watched to reach out and touch him, to feel his touch, but I didn't know if it was going to be alright.

We got our drinks and food before sitting down by the window. I watched the people outside for a moment or two before looking at Rhodey.

"So what did you want to talk about?" I asked.

"I think we should be together," replied Rhodey. "You are beautiful and amazing and so kind. I know it might not be a good time but . . . Charlie, I like you a lot. I want to be close to you every day. What I did by leaving you alone that night was a mistake on my part. I need someone like you in my life."

I smiled a little, a blush growing on my face. "Thanks, Rhodey. I think you're a very nice person and I do want to be with you too." I grabbed his hand. "I want to be your girlfriend. I think we're a good match, yeah?"

Rhodey squeezed my hand. "Yeah, we are. Who should we tell?"

"Not many people," I replied. "I don't want to tell many people in case it gets out. I don't mean anything by it but since I'm an agent, I don't want too much press coming out that I'm dating War Machine."

Rhodey nodded. "Yeah, I get it. We'll keep it on the down-low. Who do you want to tell?"

"Clint, Natasha, and Tony," I replied. "I know they'd probably keep a secret."

"Do you even know Tony?" Rhodey joked.

I laughed. "I know but I have ways to make him quiet. I am an agent of SHIELD, after all."

Rhodey smiled. "I'm glad we got this time together. Want to head back?"

I nodded. "Sure. I have some work stuff to do."

We got up and walked back to the Tower, hand in hand. We let go when we walked in. I bid Rhodey goodbye as I walked toward the lab. I walked in to find Tony with screens everywhere around him.

"Need any help?" I asked as I joined his side.

"I have a million ideas and not enough time," Tony replied. "Of course I need your help."

I watched the screens around me. "I can do that. What's first?"

Tony waved his hand and a group of screens appeared in front of me. "This stuff here. Are you and Rhodey a thing now?"

I started looking through my work. "Yeah. Is that going to be a problem?"

Tony shook his head. "No, not at all. I think you'll be good for him."

"Thanks," I replied. "I'm not too young, am I?"

Tony placed a hand on my shoulder. "Never. Don't break my best friend's heart, okay?"

I shoved him away. "Like I would do that. We have work to do."

We went back to work, joking around and laughing at mistakes. We ended our work early to eat dinner with the other superheroes. I had slowly been hanging around the Avengers because I was friends with a few of them though I was still largely unknown to them. Tony and I joined the others and I slipped from his side.

I silently sat on the counter, watching everyone talk. Natasha and Clint joined my side and started talking with me. I told them about Rhodey and I. Natasha held out her hand and Clint handed over some money.

"You guys bet on my relationship?" I asked.

"Of course," Clint replied. "You're our friend. It's our job."

"Plus I got money out of it," Natasha said.

"I hate both of you," I said.

Clint wrapped an arm around me and gave me a noogie. I grunted and grabbed his arm, spinning him around and pinning his arm behind him. Clint struggled against me but I pushed on his arm harder.

"Say uncle," I growled in his ear. "Say uncle, Clint."

Clint struggled for a few seconds before finally stopping. "Uncle."

I pushed him away and smiled at him. We gripped each other's hands and bumped shoulders. When I looked around, everyone was looking at us.

"Sorry," I said. "We were just playing around."

"He has a wife," Steve said.

"And I have a boyfriend," I shot back with massive amounts of sass. "What's your point?"

Sam walked up and held out a hand. "Don't listen to him. I'm Sam Wilson. You are?"

I shook his hand. "I'm Charlie."

"No last name?" Steve asked. "Sounds suspicious."

I glared at him as I raised my chin. "So does letting a Nazi inject you with a serum."

Steve came to stand in front of me. We glared at each other, the tension growing.

"You're just some low-level agent," Steve murmured with a sharp edge. "You don't know anything. What are you, twelve?"

"I'm level ten, asswipe," I spat. "Don't try to play with your level six shit."

"Show me your badge," Steve demanded.

"Steve, leave Charlie alone," a low voice warned.

We all looked over to see Nick in the doorway. I relaxed a little bit though I still kept an eye on Steve.

Nick took a few steps in. "She is your superior officer. You will respect her and treat her the way you would treat me. You hear me?"

Steve gave a curt nod.

"Do you hear me?" Nick sternly repeated.

"Yes sir," Steve replied.

"Tony, Charlie, I need to see that project you're working on," Nick said. "Lunchtime is over."

I threw one last dirty look at Steve before following the others out. We arrived back at the lab and we showed the project we had been working on.