"That's a pointless exercise," Ross says, terse. "I could say anything and it wouldn't make a difference."

He breathes out sharply through his nose, tapping his finger on the table and refusing to look at Carter. Bad enough to tie her professional life up in all this; adding her personal life just makes it an even bigger mess.

Abruptly, he turns to Stark, annoyed that he's playing into Barnes's request even after brushing it off. "What work? Why is it so important he be in New York with you?"