In S.H.I.E.L.D.'s office, Nick had just lifted his coffee cup and taken a sip when Natasha walked in carrying a document. As she flipped through it with her head lowered, she said, "Director, there are still twenty-six items awaiting confirmation today. Also, several tasks from yesterday have piled up..."
"Okay, I know. Put it there. I'll finish them as soon as possible."
Natasha had just turned to leave when her phone rang. She answered it and said, "Hello?... Oh, yes, but he's very busy right now. All right, I'll pass it on to him."
"Director. It was Stark's call. He asked me to see whether you were free this afternoon. He'd like to invite you to Stark Laboratories to look over the experimental results. Their joint materials research with Wakanda has produced a sample..."
"Set it for five this afternoon."
"Director!" Coulson entered, waved to Natasha, then walked up to Nick and said, "Professor Arkham... I mean, Professor Rodriguez, just called to ask whether you were free at noon. He wants to invite you to lunch and discuss his plans while you eat..."
"Lunch? I'm afraid I don't have time for lunch. Set it for two in the afternoon."
"Wait." Natasha turned back, picked up the schedule, and said, "No, Director, did you forget? You're meeting the Director of the Divine Spear Bureau at three. An hour isn't enough time to get there..."
Nick was considering it when Steve pushed open the door and said, "The superhero team plan only needs its final step. Oh, you're all here. Nick, can I speak with you privately?"
Just then, the air crackled, and a portal appeared. Strange poked his head through it and looked down at Nick on the floor, while Nick looked up at him. Strange said, "Come with me. Loki