Location: S.H.I.E.L.D. Triskelion Headquarters.
Nick Fury, the one-eyed director in the iconic black trench coat, stood before a massive holographic display. The battle footage flickered in front of him—Su Zhan versus Johnny Storm, every fiery blow and burst of energy captured in crisp detail.
Fury pressed a button on his remote, and a classified file appeared beside the feed: Subject – Su Zhan.
S.H.I.E.L.D. maintained what they called The Index—a list of individuals with superhuman abilities. Some were allies. Some were threats. Su Zhan had landed on that list the moment he appeared.
A knock on the door broke the silence.
"Come in," Fury said without turning.
Maria Hill stepped in, poised and professional as always—his right hand and one of the few people who could interrupt him mid-analysis.
"How's the Coulson Initiative coming along?" Fury asked.
"Progressing smoothly," Hill reported. Then, after a brief hesitation: "But sir, are you sure about this? Recruiting him is... a gamble."
Fury didn't answer. "The team roster?"
Hill knew that tone—Fury had already made up his mind. She handed him a digital tablet, the screen scrolling through several profiles.
Melinda May, callsign The Cavalry – combat pilot, close-quarters specialist.
Leo Fitz – engineering prodigy, tech weapons specialist.
Jemma Simmons – biochemist and high-tech weapons analyst.
Grant Ward – field agent, Level 7.
Skye – hacker, member of the Rising Tide, blacklisted by multiple agencies.
Fury skimmed the names, his single eye narrowing slightly at the last one. Then, quietly, he added, "Include Su Zhan."
Hill blinked. "Director, that's—"
"Necessary," Fury cut her off. "His abilities are unique, and his motives... unclear. We need him close if we're ever going to figure out which side he's on. Besides," he said with a faint smirk, "he's already attached to the girl. Splitting them up would be... inefficient."
Hill gave a reluctant nod. "Understood. Should I forward this to—"
"To him," Fury said. "Let Coulson handle it."
Meanwhile, somewhere over the city lights—
"She seemed... kind of close to you," Skye said suddenly.
Su Zhan blinked. "That's the question you start with? Not the government agents, the black SUV, or the deadly spy? You go straight to that?"
Skye crossed her arms. "Woman's intuition, babe. And my intuition says she was looking at you."
He chuckled. "Yeah, I noticed. That look was called 'being ready to shoot me in the face.' She's S.H.I.E.L.D., wanted to recruit us. I declined." His tone softened. "But she knows who you are now. Rising Tide and all."
Skye's expression tightened slightly, but Su Zhan reached over and brushed a strand of hair from her face.
"Doesn't matter," he said. "If anyone wants to hurt you, they'll have to step over my dead body first. You're my girlfriend, Skye. That's all that matters."
Her heart warmed instantly. "You know, I could get used to hearing that, dear."
He grinned. "You think I'm amazing now? Wait till tonight. I'll light up the sky for you."
"You're gonna show me fireworks?" she teased.
"Better," he said. "Real ones."
That night, true to his word, Su Zhan brought her to a rooftop overlooking the city. The night wind was cool, the stars faint—but when his palms ignited and the air shimmered, the darkness exploded into dazzling color.
Flames spiraled, shaped, danced—until they formed glowing words suspended in the sky:
"I ♥ You, Skye."
For a moment, the hacker girl who'd seen too much of the world forgot everything else. The danger, the secrets, the constant running. All that remained was warmth—his, the fire's, and her own.
Lying in his arms afterward, Skye tilted her head with a playful smile. "Be honest—am I prettier than Black Widow?"
Su Zhan groaned. "You too, huh?"
Instead of answering, he caught her chin and kissed her, long and deep. Ten minutes later, when they finally pulled apart, both were breathless.
"Let's head back," he murmured.
"Only if you carry me."
He smiled. "My pleasure."
He carried her down the stairs and back to the car. She nestled against him, her voice barely a whisper.
"You're... not going to, you know... take advantage of the moment?"
Su Zhan laughed quietly. "Of course I want to. Every second with you is a test of willpower. But this? This rooftop, tonight—it deserves to be remembered, not rushed."
Skye's heart melted. "You're incredible. I love you."
He just smiled and brushed her hair gently.
Then she hesitated, her voice trembling slightly. "There's... something I haven't told you. A secret. I didn't mean to hide it, but—I didn't know how. And it could be dangerous for you."
He turned serious instantly. "What kind of secret?"
She drew in a breath. "I became a hacker because I was looking for my parents. I don't know who they are, but I know S.H.I.E.L.D. might. That's why I joined Rising Tide—to find the truth and to expose what they keep from the world. But... part of me always wanted to join them. To see for myself."
Her voice faltered. "If I do that—if I join S.H.I.E.L.D.—what about you?"
He didn't even blink. "Then I'll join too."
"Su Zhan—"
He smiled, cutting her off. "Where you go, I go. And honestly, they probably want me on the inside anyway. Easier to keep tabs on me."
"But it's risky—"
"No buts," he said firmly. "I'm not afraid of S.H.I.E.L.D. Besides, being a superhero sounds like fun."
Skye laughed softly, the tension melting away.
"Alright then," he said, brushing her cheek. "If the chance comes, we join together."
She leaned in close, whispering, "Thank you."
He smiled. "Sleep, silly girl."
As she closed her eyes, safe in his arms, Su Zhan looked out at the city lights. Whatever his own goals were, one thing was certain—
for Skye, he was willing to walk straight into the lion's den.