A/N: I should totally be working on homework, or failing that, I should be working on stories I've already started. But unfortunately, I have short attention span, so yeah, this happened...

"Dresden."

Harry looked over to see Mab standing just inside his bedroom door, taking his attention as permission (which was unusually courteous of her) she came further into the room, followed by two people. The first, Harry recognized immediately as Gatekeeper Rashid, but the second man, tall, dark skinned, wearing an eye-patch and a leather trench coat, was unknown to him.

Harry stood when Rashid entered and bowed respectfully. Rashid nodded in return.

"I bring grave news to you, Knight," said Mab, "I fear your battle at Demonreach was not the only point where the Outsiders have broken through. As it is Winter's task to hold the Outer Gates, I must send you away to stem this new intrusion."

Rashid spoke, "This is Colonel Fury, Director of SHIELD and the man in charge of leading the defence."

Harry wondered how they had met. Maybe there was a meet-n-greet club for grizzled one-eyed people in charge of saving the world.

"I've been assembling a team of remarkable people to fight threats like this, and you've been on that list for a long time."

"So how come this is the first time you've tried to recruit me?"

Fury shrugged, "You've been busy; that doesn't mean we haven't been keeping an eye on you. But now we need to you to come in."

"The mortal is simply being courteous by attempting persuasion," Mab said, "I will not bother with such things. You are going with him, Winter Knight."

"And here I was enjoying the illusion of choice."

Mab smiled sweetly. "I had thought you were wiser than that, Dresden, perhaps we should resume your education?"

That wasn't the fun choice. "On second thought, how soon can we leave, Director?"

"Grab whatever specialised gear you use, SHIELD can provide anything else. I'll be outside." Fury nodded sharply to Rashid and Mab and left the room.

Rashid stepped towards Harry and pressed an amulet into his hand. "You will need this. It will dampen the unconscious effects of your magic. You're going to be in close contact with a lot of advanced technology, the damage of which could prove problematic.

Harry blinked. "And he wants to recruit a wizard to join his club? Are you sure he's intelligent?"

Rashid smiled. "Very intelligent, and quite desperate. Do not fail."

Or the stars will go out, all hell will break loose, and the world as we know it will end," Harry recited. "I know the drill."

As Rashid left, Harry noted that Mab already disappeared unnoticed, which was still creepy.

So, he was off to parts unknown to fight evil alongside total strangers. It was almost like a vacation, but with much higher chances for grisly death.

Since the fight at Demonreach, Harry had been busy. Mab's "education had gotten him to the point where he could open cans of whoop-ass without any foci, but it took a lot out of him, and he would rather not draw on the mantle more than he had to. He wasn't in the mood to go toe-to-toe with boss-level baddies unarmed again. So a new staff and shield bracelet had been at the top of the list. In addition to those two toys, Harry decided to bring the Winchester. He'd figured out some tricks he could do with it that packed a wallop without using too much power. Harry didn't normally do conservative when it came to magic, but he'd gotten attached to the damn thing.

Fury raised an eyebrow at his ensemble when he came out of his room. Given that the man had similar fashion sense when it came to coats, Harry had a feeling it wasn't the duster raising the eyebrow. As they started walking, Harry asked, "So what makes you think we're dealing with Outsiders?"

"We don't really know, beyond the fact that what Rashid called 'Nemesis' might be involved. A man calling himself Loki came through an interdimensional gate and proceeded to turn two of the sharpest men I know into his personal flying monkeys. He stole a power source we were experimenting with, and we think he's planning on opening another door. That's why I wanted Winter in on this."

Their way out was blocked by the sudden appearance of Mab and Molly. "I have but one more command," said Mab, "You will bring the Winter Lady with you."

"No, no way, not happening, I'm not doing this again."

Molly rolled her eyes. "Jesus, Harry, I'm not a damsel in distress. And Rashid gave me the same fancy magic-blocker he gave you."

Mab cocked an eyebrow. "The safety of the Winter Lady is your responsibility to begin with."

"We can't afford to have him play bodyguard on top of everything else," protested Fury.

"silence, mortal."

Fury's mouth continued to move, but no sound came out. Realizing this, he settled for a glare Harry was sure would scorch the eyebrows off anyone else.

"No offence to you, Molly, but the last time the Winter Lady crossed paths with Outsiders and Nemesis, we had to get a new Winter Lady!"

Mab expression turned hard, and Harry suddenly couldn't breathe. Or stand. "You forget your place. You will do as I command, or I will find someone who will." She vanished, releasing Harry and Fury.

"You've got a hell of a boss," said Fury.

"You're telling him," said Molly.

A/N: The next chapter is in progress, I kinda know where this is going, but throwing reviews at me will help. I write short chapters, sue me.