Sergeant Barnes: The Last Mission (COMPLETE)

Chapter 13: Natasha

I waited for Nick to catch up with me at the bottom of the stairs. I didn't care if he was my boss or not, I was still going to object.

I took him a few minutes, but he got here eventually.

"There is no way in h-"

"Natasha, she's ready." He tried to glare at me with one eye, but it didn't faze me. "You've been training her for five years, and she's got a perfect record, which is pretty impressive, given her circumstance."

I shook my head and walked down the hall. "She is six. Teen. I'm not putting her in HYRDA's line of fire."

Nick followed me. "All of SHIELD is in HYRDA's line of fire, Romanoff. If you don't stop them in Germany, then she won't be any safer here than she will be with you." He leaned close to my ear. "I think she's probably got a better chance if she does go."

I pressed my lips together in frustration. I knew SHIELD was at stake, and I didn't need the reminder. "I've been trying to keep her away from the Avengers. She shouldn't have to risk her life the way we've risked ours."

"She already has."

"Exactly. How can I drag her into this?"

"So don't. Ask her. She knows about HYDRA, you've taught her all about them."

I looked away from Nick as we turned the corner.

I refused to admit it, but he was right. If Raven came along, she wouldn't be stupid enough to risk her neck, as long as I told her to stay out of the action. She would be fine, and she'd probably help a lot. Between what Clint had taught her before he... and what I've taught her since, she could handle herself, and she could use some exposure.

But Clint didn't want her to do this. He didn't want her to become an Avenger, and if she went on this assignment, then she wouldn't turn back. One way or another, she would find her way onto the team, and that's what Clint wanted to avoid.

We walked into Records, were Raven normally worked when she wasn't on mission. I finally spoke up.

"If she says no, then you don't push her again."

"Deal." He took a seat in a chair against the wall and motioned for me to join him. I sat on his right, not looking at him, but at the doorway she would probably walk through in a few minutes. I leaned forward on my elbows, trying to telepathically tell Raven to hurry up and get here.

Nick put a hand on my shoulder. "Natasha."

I turned my head slightly but still didn't look at him.

"I feel as responsible for her as you do, you know that." He sighed. "I wouldn't let her go on this one if I didn't think she could make it."

I finally looked back over my shoulder at him. I was tempted to blow his remark off, but his face told me he was being serious.

I looked down and turned away again. "I know, Nick."