Under or Over: Hawkeye & Black Widow

CHAPTER #57

Barton and Romanoff were already seated at the restaurant, when Carson showed up. Romanoff couldn't help the feeling of jealousy that seeped into her veins, when she saw how beautiful Barton's friend was.  Her face remained unchanged and Romanoff's demeanour remained friendly, but Barton knew she wasn't happy.  So too did his eyes detect Carson's smile fall just a little bit.

"Natasha this is Marcy.  I know her from my carnival years," Clint introduced.

"Nice to meet you, you're known as the Avenger, Black Widow right?" Marcy asked, a hint of awe in her voice.

Natasha nodded yes. "I currently work for S.H.E.I.L.D though and go by agent Romanoff."

They exchanged pleasantries as they waited for drinks.  "Did either of you have any trouble from locals today?"  Clint asked.

Both ladies replied together, "no.  Why?"  They shared a knowing look and then both directed their attention to Barton.  

Marcy asked, "already starting mischief?"

Clint held up his hands, "hey wait a minute, the guy shot at me first."

"What? Who?"  Natasha asked her eyes narrowing.

"That's just it, I don't know.  He was a local, not a bad shot, but a terrible fighter.  No ID or markings."  Clint drank from his beer.

"That is odd.  I've had no problems from anyone while here and I've been here almost a month," Marcy added.  "Maybe it was mistaken identity."

Shaking his head negatively, Clint denied that angle.  "No he was definitely waiting for me." He focused on Romanoff, but they shared a secret look, not exchanging words.

Changing the subject Natasha asked, "how long are you here Marcy?"

"Another week or so.  I'm waiting for an aerial silk dancer to get her work VISA, as she's just signed a contract to join my carnival group."  Marcy leaned forward and said, "I don't suppose you'd consider joining us back home Clint, when you're done with business here?"

He felt Romanoff's eyes on him, but didn't look at her.  "Unfortunately I'm part of an ongoing, global operation.  But who knows, maybe when it's completed..."

Romanoff noticed he didn't say no.  Was Barton getting tired of being an agent?  She knew he hated taking orders and liked to work by himself.  He had quit S.H.E.I.L.D. before, maybe this woman from his past would convince her partner to leave again.

"He'd be a pain in your ass, arguing every order you gave him," Natasha warned.

Marcy smiled, but her eyes held a silent challenge.  "Oh I wouldn't be Clint's boss.  I'd make him a partner, or co-owner."

"What about your dad?" Clint asked in surprise.

"He passed away two years ago," Marcy said sadly.  Then she perked up.  "He had always hoped you would return to the circus.  He followed you in the media, even kept a scrap book of newspaper clippings.  Dad always knew you'd make us proud."

Natasha snorted, "careful Marcy, you'll give Barton a big head and even bigger ego to match."

"In my industry, you need a big ego."  Marcy replied, looking the other woman across from her, dead in the eye.

Clint was oblivious of the silent battle of wills.  "I miss your dad, he was a good man. I'm sorry I missed his funeral, I should've been there for you."

"I didn't expect you to be there, not after what I saw you do on TV.  Battling aliens, that was crazy.  I knew if you weren't working for the government, then you'd be somewhere unreachable, working to save the world."

"Or his own ass," Natasha mumbled.

Clint heard her, but could see that Marcy had not.  "Hey I'm no Iron Man or Hulk, but I can be useful.  I've saved Nat's ass a few times."

Marcy caught the nick name and realized maybe her love for the man beside her, might not be enough.  She wanted him to come back to the USA with her, performing side by side like they had done as teenagers.  "If I know you as well as I think I do, I'm sure she's saved you equally as often, if not more."

He groaned, "ouch.  I've changed, I don't get into trouble as often as I use to."

Both ladies made noises of disbelief.  Dinner interrupted their discussion and for a little while, they ate in silence.  Then Romanoff encouraged Carson to tell tales of Barton as a boy.  She realized that he had matured, but his true character had not changed. 

"I don't remember doing that.  Are you sure it was me?" Clint asked Marcy.

"Yeah it was you.  Always fighting for the underdog or standing up to bullies, even if the bully was your brother."

"That does sound like you Clint," Natasha agreed.  "He's even stood up for the Hulk against our Director."

"That's different," Clint said.

"Why because the Hulk can smash Fury into the ground if he wanted to?"

Clint thought about it and then shrugged. "Okay you have a point."

Marcy stood up, "ready to go Clint?"

He looked up at her, "where are we going?"

"I got you a ticket to the evening show at the circus.  For once you'll be in the crowd, instead of performing. You're welcome to join us Ms. Romanoff.

"I wouldn't want to intrude," Natasha declined politely. She was undecided if she was relieved or a little offended that Barton hadn't invited her as well.

After paying the bill, Clint followed Macy. "I've got my wrist com, if you need me.  Have a good night Natasha."

She watched him go.  "If I need you?" Natasha laughed.  Her dismissal changed to dismay, when she saw Marcy kiss Barton's cheek and tell him that she did need him. Her head shook, as she tried to get some sense into it. But the feeling stayed with her, that Marcy wouldn't give up on convincing Barton to leave S.H.E.I.L.D. She wasn't sure if she could let him.  This operation she was finding out that she leaned on him a lot more than anyone else.  Would her past destroy her future possibilities?