Her Hidden Past

- Chapter Seventeen -

Natasha sighed in relief, shutting the door behind her. The hallways between Fury's office and her room had been empty. Now that she knew Fury and Coulson had taken it well she could relax. Clint had once again kept his promise and stood by her the whole time. She headed across to her bathroom, washing her face and getting rid of the last of the tear tracks that had stained her face. Returning to her room she stopped cold, catching sight of the ring sitting innocently on the bedside table. A knock interrupted her before she could begin to question again what it meant.

"Come in, Barton," She called, recognising the knock.

"You ok?" He asked softly, closing the door behind him.

"Yeah," She nodded, turning towards him. "They took it well."

"I told you they wouldn't be mad at you," Clint reminded her.

"I know," She sighed.

"They care about you, I care about you," Clint replied softly, "We just want to help you."

"Thank you." The two words conveyed much more than simple gratitude.

Clint studied her a moment before nodding sharply, understanding the deeper meaning. "Coffee?" Clint asked.

"Yeah, coffee sounds good," Natasha nodded.

Quietly the two young agents made their way through the base to the kitchen. They entered to find most of the other agents hanging out around the room talking in small groups.

"Want to join us for a movie?" Skye called when she noticed them entering.

"What movie?" Clint asked back as they headed for the bench.

"We voted on Casino Royale or The Hunger Games," Skye replied.

"I vote Brave," Clint smirked, starting a rumble of conversation around the room.

Natasha shook her head with a sigh, pulling out mugs from the cupboard as Clint retrieved the coffee.

"Brave it is," Skye agreed, looking for anyone to disagree.

Clint was the only one to notice Natasha roll her eyes. "You'll stay?" He asked softly.

Natasha studied him for a moment, "Is there any popcorn in this place?" She knew he hated watching movies without some sort of snack.

"Top shelf," Simmons called out as Clint began to search the pantry.

Natasha finished making their coffees as Clint popped the popcorn. The other Agents had spun the couches and chairs to face the tv, while Skye pulled up the movie.

Natasha took over the back couch, she didn't particularly care to watch movies, but Clint had been wanting to watch this one since it was released.

"I've got somewhere I'd like to show you after, ok?" Clint offered her a bowl of popcorn. Natasha nodded, taking the bowl so he could sit down on the couch next to her. Passing it back to him, she sat back into the corner of the couch, keeping the doorway in view.

"You know-" Ward leaned over to Skye who he was sitting next to. "-if Barton and Romanoff had a kid, it would be just like Merida."

Natasha pulled out a knife. A quick glance at Clint, showed though Ward had spoken quietly, that he had heard it too. There were enough rumours going around about the two of them already, they didn't need more people believing them. In one smooth motion she threw the knife. A satisfied smirk took over her face as the knife lodged into the wooden frame of the couch with a satisfying thud. Her smirk widened as barely a second later another blade thudded into the frame on the other side of Ward's arm.