Disclaimer: I do not own the Avengers.

Warnings: spoliers for the movie and possibly some for future movies.

This is my first Avengers fanfic and it is not betaed. I have seen all the movies and tend to look up the soon to be released movies. I'll try and be good and stick with only released info but no promises. But for now, enjoy!

Nick Fury was stunned. That was the only word for it. Stunned beyond belief. His one good eye stared at the blackened faces of The Council as his mind tried to play catch up. Even after working underneath these people for so long, Fury couldn't stop himself. He wasn't fast enough to block off his emotions like a trained S.H.I.E.L.D agent would. Nope, his mind just tried to focus one the words they had said. But he couldn't have heard them right. There was just no way. Someone had to be playing a prank. Sadly, these people were too serious for any type of pranks. These people ordered the nuke attack that ultimately (thanks to Tony Stark, a.k.a Iron Man) saved the day.

"Excuse me?" Fury questioned when his voice finally returned from his shocked silence. It had taken a full minute, a testament to how much their comment bothered him. But, they weren't trained to notice little things like that. They simply thought it was Fury's attitude that made him falter. So they pushed more. A Council member to his right sighed deeply. Centering his one good eye on the person, Fury waited for an answer. He just hoped that it was one that he wanted to hear.

"We understand that Agent Barton has been a good asset but this... situation, cements the fact that he can't be trusted," the member said. Fury gaped. This was not happening. It just couldn't be. Their order had been true. Fury's eye darkened as rage settled into his once shocked form. This was worse then them wanting to nuke Manhattan. "You must understand the idea of wanting only trust worthy employees. Especially considering your line of work."

"Agent Barton is more than just a good asset. He is a damned ass good agent. And what you are talking about isn't normal termination," Fury mentioned, trying to get to their more human side. But after dealing with them for so long the old Director wondered if they even were human. Another person made a similar sighing sound but it was almost more grunting. Fury looked in that direction now. His rage was growing.

"That one agent put over two hundred agents in medical and killed over thirty in just under three days before getting back under control. And we're not even sure if he is completely under our control. He could still be a spy for Loki," the person said. Fury was so angered that he had to turn from the Council. He couldn't understand why they were doing this. It was like they wanted to blame everything on Agent Barton. And knowing that just made the man want to tell them just where to shove the stick that had previously been up their asses.

"We trained him to withstand normal situations. Loki was far from normal!" Fury snapped.

"Our point, Director. Agent Barton was trained for this," someone said. Fury snarled.

"Not for Loki's magic! Hell, we cleared Dr. Eric Selvig. Why is our own agent getting different treatment?" Fury questioned after a moment. Silence was his answer. Glad that he finally stunned them, Fury focused a heated glare on them. The same type of glare he had used only a few days before during Manhattan. No one seemed really fazed by the glare but his words struck a cord. With a small smirk that the Council couldn't see, Fury continued. "My agent will continue working unless Psych does not clear him anytime in the near future. I will personally hold a trail to see if our agent in fine. Until then, you will have to wait. But, if you have a more valid reason for his termination, then I will consider it. For now though, fuck off!"

With that the old Director hit the end call button and the screens went blank. A pause later, Fury sighed deeply. Trouble was brewing and he wasn't sure he'd be able to stop it. It all almost made him feel for Agent Barton. The poor guy had already faced enough pain and betrayal in his life, he didn't need more. But Fury had done all he could. Feeling a little calmer, he spun on his heel and began to storm out of the room. Waiting at the door was none other than Maria Hill.

Her short black hair was hanging partially in her face. It blocked her brown eyes just enough that for those who didn't know her wouldn't see the concern behind those colored orbs. But she stood there, in full, clean uniform, waiting for her director to come out of the meeting. That was what really let Fury know how concerned she was. Nevertheless, Fury almost smiled at her but held it back at the last second.

"What did they say?" Hill asked with little to no normal sound of submissive behavior behind the tone. Fury frowned at her lack of protocol but remembered her current friendship that was blooming with one of the parties involved in the previous discussion. Wanting very much to just ignore her, Fury tried to act like she said nothing but it was not meant to be. Not only did she block his current path, but her slight tilt of the head and questioning gaze made the old agent feel the need to tell her. "Sir?"

"They want to terminate Agent Barton," was all Fury answered with. Hill hesitated before stepping out of the way and allowing Fury to pass. With a grateful nod, Fury began walking away but Hill was beside him in seconds.

"Understandable based on his recent actions," Hill tried saying to calm Fury down more. All that did was enrage the Director all over again. He stopped and spun on his agent, an evil glare in his eye. Hill, who was normally never one to receive such a glare, stopped and thought it over once more. Realization dawned on her face and Fury nodded, knowing she understood him better now. "Oh."

Fury turned back around then and proceeded to walk to the bridge. Hill stayed frozen to the spot for a few seconds before rushing after her boss. Neither spoke for at least a good minute but Hill's mind was quickly piling up questions. And it wasn't going to be too long before she burst. Having recently gotten friendly with Agent Romanoff, Hill felt it was now her duty to find out what was going to happen next.

"Are you going to inform the Avengers?" Hill finally questioned. Fury sighed deeply. It was now that he was beginning to regret not keeping track of everyone after Thor took Loki back to Asgard. But he was right, they all needed time off. Especially Agents Barton and Romanoff. After all, their handler of over ten or so years just died. "I can still reach Natasha."

Fury gave her a curious glance. True, he had known they were getting close but he never knew how close. If Agent Romanoff was willing to still speak to Hill on her vacation, it must mean things are serious. He smiled at that and nodded. Hill quickly took out her S.H.I.E.L.D issued phone but then paused.

"Sir, should I tell her everything?"

"Just let her know to watch out for Barton."

Good? I hope so. More reviews tend to lead to faster updates! But for now, I wait.