The S.H.I.E.L.D. Files

Witness Protection

Timeline: Pre-The Avengers; non-canon

Summary: While tracking down the murderer of a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, Black Widow and Hawkeye find themselves protecting their only witness: a young boy (Inspired by the 1985 movie Witness).

Notes: Above is my favorite scene in the movie Witness. There's something so powerful in the scene even though it's a simple positive identification. So much is said without uttering a single word. I love how Harrison Ford's character just silently understands and lowers Samuel's finger because that identification changes everything.

Due to the fact no one knew HYDRA had infiltrated S.H.I.E.L.D. until Captain America: The Winter Soldier, this story is considered canon divergent.

Phil Coulson knew it was serious when STRIKE Team: Delta appeared on the scene.

The police had already sectioned off the crime scene with yellow tape, keeping the curious civilians behind the border. Detectives and NYPD milled about the scene as if they knew what they were dealing with. Coulson knew better.

"Agent Coulson with S.H.I.E.L.D." He flashed his badge at the police sergeant. "The victim was one of our own. We'll take it from here."

The sergeant let him pass without protest, though Coulson could tell he wasn't happy about it. As S.H.I.E.L.D. intervened and began their own investigations, the police presence gradually thinned. Some officers remained to keep the crowd back, which Coulson appreciated.

At the center of the bubble of police tape was the men's bathroom. It stank of waste and blood. On the filthy floor lay a body covered by a white plastic sheet. Beside the corpse crouched a woman with red hair.

"Romanoff."

The Black Widow rose and nodded in greeting. The friendly gesture was accompanied by a grim expression.

"It's Agent John Ford, sir. He's dressed in incognito mode."

"Do we know what he was doing?"

Natasha shook her head. "It appears to be either a top secret mission or a personal investigation. Judging by the blood patterns on the mirror and sink, he was compromised while washing his hands."

As she spoke, Natasha reached down and pulled back the sheet. The agent's neck had been sliced open, blood still oozing from the cut onto the tiled floor. His once clean hands were drenched in red.

"Where's Agent Barton?" Coulson then asked, glancing around the room for Natasha's partner.

He followed Romanoff's gaze to the ceiling. A familiar figure dropped from a ventilation shaft into a bathroom stall. The door swung open, revealing the man of interest leaning against wall cockily.

"Morning, sir. Took you long enough to get here."

"S.H.I.E.L.D. just arrived."

"Nat and I got here when the cops did to make sure they didn't mess up our crime scene."

His partner nodded. "We were in the area."

Coulson gestured to the vent. "What were you doing up there?"

"Getting a bird's eye view of the scene."

Natasha crossed her arms and raised a brow, though the beginnings of a smirk softened the expression. "So you were watching me do all the work from your nest?"

"Not true. I found our only witness."

Clint led them to the doorway of the bathroom and gestured to an isolated pair sitting on a bench just within the restricted area. A mother held her young son close, her eyes shifted through the onlookers for threats. For a moment, Coulson foolishly hoped it was the mother who had witnessed the murder in the men's restroom.