Life Dies In The End

Chapter 2

I found myself in the training room as I waited for some kind of development in finding Clint and the Tesseract. I ran a hand across the array of weapons laid out. I knew how to use each one. Even less traditional weapons, like staffs and nunchucks. Mainly, I used swords and knives. They were the most proficient tool for what I did and I've known them since the start. I looked up at the sound of the door opening. Natasha Romanoff. She smiled softly as she started to speak.

"I bet I can beat you in a match."

"Yeah, right."

I laughed, looking over to the white board on the wall. The scores from Clint, Natasha and I are still there. We'd always had a 'friendly' competition between each other. Of course I was in the lead, but not by a lot. Only by a point or two.

"Pick your poison." I looked back at Natasha and smiled as I gestured around the room.

A devious smile played on her lips. She knew what my weaknesses were, and I knew what hers were. That's why we made a good team. What she lacked in I made up for and she did the same for me. Clint made up for what both of us lacked skill in. We were the perfect trio.

Her eyes glanced over the weapons as she thought, before they landed on the one weapon I was flawed in using. Guns. It didn't matter the type, no matter what I only had an 87% accuracy with my shots. Unlike Natasha, she was a scary 98%. It was the one weapon I didn't like using, besides the mace.

"First to get 20 bullseyes wins." Natasha spoke as she loaded two pistols.

"Must you always choose guns?"

I rolled my eyes with a smile as I walked over to the panel on the wall. I clicked a few buttons causing dummies to come out of the resting spots and move around the room randomly. I made my way back to Natasha's side as she extended a pistol to me. I double checked the clip, knowing there was a slight chance Natasha would try and even the odds in her favor.

"First to 20?" I asked, making sure I heard her right before.

"Yeah." Natasha nodded. "On the count of 3, ready?"

"Yup." I answered, tracking the randomized paths of the dummies with my eyes.

Natasha started the count down as I planned my route of fire. I readied my stance as Natasha neared closer to 3. Once the final number came, gunshots echoed through the room as both of us aimed for our targets.

Silence fell as both of us finished. I sighed slightly knowing I had already lost. I placed my now empty pistol on the table as Natasha did the same. I shook my head as we locked eyes, and smiled.

"You always choose that."

"It was fun, was it not?" Natasha returned the smile.

"I can't argue there, it's always fun."

Natasha's smile faded as she turned and walked to the panel. Damn it. I hit a sore spot. I sighed slightly as the dummies stopped moving and returned to their homes in the walls. Natasha kept her back to me as she stared at the panel. I stayed silent, knowing that she'd speak eventually. She had her past, just like I had mine. Natasha, however, was greatly affected by hers. The slightest mention of it, always seemed to shut her down. She'd never let someone she didn't know see it. There were only a handful of people she trusted enough to let them see behind the persona she puts on.

"Why'd you leave?" Natasha's words were soft as she spoke.

"I-" I paused, knowing I never told her or Clint why.

I sighed, turning my back to her and sitting against the table. I promised myself I'd never tell anyone. Even the people I trusted the most. It was my secret, and I didn't want to burden anyone else with it. Especially not someone who was already weighed down by their own secrets and past.