Marvel: Open Up, It’s the FBI

"Don't worry, just take it. As long as the Boss gave it to you, neither the IRS nor Internal Affairs will ever come knocking."

Alice slung a casual arm around Barbara's shoulder as she grinned. "As long as you're loyal to the Boss, he'll never let you down."

"Whether it's your work or your life—if anything ever goes wrong, the Boss will fix it. No matter what."

"That's why we follow him without hesitation."

Barbara looked down at the gold bar she was holding, her eyes shimmering. Only then did she slip it into her bag, smiling brightly.

"That's more like it!"

Alice pinched her cheek playfully. "Once we're back, I'll help you get your paperwork done. Access, login credentials, clearance levels—you'll officially be part of the FBI."

Barbara nodded seriously.

Looking at Lynn's broad back just a few feet away, for the first time in years, she felt a deep sense of safety—and hope for the future.

---

"Tsk."

Alice clicked her tongue quietly, catching the way Barbara looked at Lynn.

Then, without a word, she quickened her pace and caught up to him.

"Boss," she said sweetly, holding the door open for him. "Barbara's really pretty, you know. And she's got that pure, youthful glow."

Lynn gave her a glance. "And…?"

Grinning, Alice latched onto his arm, stopping him from getting in the car. "Let me have her, yeah? It's been forever since someone that cute joined the team."

"You already have three girlfriends. And now you're eyeing Barbara?"

"That's totally different! I'm serious—Barbara's looks alone are worth all three of them combined."

"Scram," Lynn muttered, shoving her aside. "I'm already at Director Level 3. Time I had a personal secretary."

He waved to Barbara. "Come on—ride with me."

Barbara lit up and immediately jumped into the passenger seat of the sleek black Chevy.

As the car pulled away, Alice watched with a sigh.

Yeah… give it a week, tops. Barbara'll be under that office desk, stammering with a mouthful of secrets.

---

Meanwhile — Queens.

Mary Jane hung up her phone and turned to Peter and Harry. "I just spoke with Gwen. She's doing well. Says she's feeling great, and she's not planning to miss the science exhibit this weekend."

Peter and Harry both let out relieved sighs.

They'd been worried ever since learning Gwen was at the concert that turned into a terrorist attack. Even knowing she was unharmed, they couldn't help but worry about the psychological fallout.

Now, hearing she was in good spirits brought both of them peace.

"Will Lynn be coming with her?" Harry asked.

"I don't think so," MJ replied. "Gwen said she's heading home with Aunt Helen tomorrow. Doesn't sound like Mr. Hall is joining them."

Harry's disappointment was obvious.

MJ raised an eyebrow. "Since Gwen's birthday party, you've been bringing him up nonstop. Don't tell me you're actually a fanboy now?"

"Of course I am!" Harry grinned. "Lynn is awesome."

Then, a bit more quietly, he added, "Too bad my dad would never let me join the FBI."

Peter clapped him on the back, sympathizing. Truth be told, he was starting to admire Lynn, too.

---

New York FBI — Director James Duke's Office.

"I don't think we should reveal the truth to him just yet," Alexander Pierce said through the video call, setting down his Cuban cigar.

"Lynn Hall's skills, instincts, and potential are unquestionable. But he's still young. I worry he could be swayed by notions of justice."

"He's your candidate to succeed you, right? Then guide him slowly. Let him taste power, wealth, status, women. Once he's had a taste, he'll walk the path we want on his own."

Duke leaned back in his chair, chuckling. "Exactly what I was thinking. The young ones need a bit of... nudging."

"Speaking of," he added, "on the sixth next month, there's an engagement banquet for the Deputy Director's daughter. That event could be critical for me locking in the Director seat in two years."

"It's also the perfect opportunity to introduce Lynn to the upper echelons."

Pierce nodded. "Leave it to me. Also, let him mingle with S.H.I.E.L.D. a little more. I'd love to know what Nick Fury's been spending all that budget on."

Just then, Duke's eye flicked to a small red light blinking on his desk.

"The kid's back. We'll talk later."

"Good."

---

Ten Minutes Later

"Try this one," Duke said, tossing Lynn a sleek Cuban cigar. "Brought back by a Brotherhood contact from Havana. Best stuff there is."

Lynn took it without hesitation, clipped the tip, lit it, and took a deep drag.

The smoke lingered on his tongue before he exhaled. "Maybe I'm just not used to cigars. They all taste the same to me."

Duke laughed, gesturing. "You've gotta learn to savor them—just like life. Work hard, sure, but don't forget to enjoy yourself."

Lynn nodded, then reached into his coat and pulled out the black card—the one given to him by the vampire clan.

He placed it calmly on the table.

Duke raised a brow. "So? Got any questions about the mission?"

"None," Lynn replied smoothly. "I imagine it wasn't easy for you to give the order, so I've already prepared the report. You can rest assured—no one outside our team will know the details."

That's right, Lynn thought. I'm playing the role of your loyal soldier, the good little subordinate.

No nosy questions. No sudden moral crises.

You see me as "safe."

And that meant Duke would owe him.

A favor from a Hydra-aligned FBI Director wasn't just leverage—it was currency.

Duke blinked, genuinely surprised. Then, he smiled in satisfaction.

This kid really gets it.

He leaned forward, picked up the black card—and pushed it back toward Lynn.

"It was a gift for you. You should keep it."

"No strings attached. Spend it however you want. No one will question it. Ever."