"I'm aware, Coulson. Thanks," Hill replied with a wry look. "Don't you have some reports pending approval?"

"Yes. Yes, I do," he said with an untroubled smile of his own. "Guess I should get back to that and leave you two alone to talk."

Coulson's unassuming nature and bland appearance hid a very sharp and perceptive mind, and sometimes it still caught her off guard. He'd heard the dismissal for what it was, and even managed to get in his own subtle jab about her love life before closing the door behind him. The part that really got her was that he approved of Kuryakin to the point he was willing to leave them alone together. Otherwise, Coulson would've found some excuse to stick around.

Looking back at the tall Russian, Hill tried to keep her own heartbeat in check. Every reason she could possibly think of for keeping him at arms' length fell apart under closer inspection: he wasn't already involved with someone; he'd been vetted by two different intelligence agencies, so the chances of him working for the opposition were slim to none; being on loan from UNCLE meant that she was neither above his pay grade or security level. Bozhe moi, indeed.