The Asset

Chapter 3

"What's with this guy? Just because he's Cap's old war buddy, we're supposed to let him on the team? Last I checked, he was the bad guy." Clint flicked a series of switches on the control panel, prepping the jet for launch.

Natasha stood behind him. Fury had been monitoring Hydra's movements, had noticed them suddenly pulling out of a compromised SHIELD base. If they were abandoning it, he didn't know, but their defenses would be limited. Since they were the only team in the area, it would be their job to get inside and find out why.

She folded her arms. "So was I, once. So were you."

"Once. I didn't spend decades working for Hydra."

"He's different now."

"Since when? Since he shot you? Or since that other time when he shot you?"

She turned at the sound of footsteps, watching as a pair of Fury's men escorted their prisoner across the hangar. He'd had a chance to shave, had pulled his hair back into a loose knot. They'd also returned his gear, though she wouldn't have him armed. It was practicality more than instinct. Even if she thought she could trust him, even if she could imagine that his newfound memories had inspired some loyalty that would keep him from running... she couldn't let it cloud her judgment. Besides, even unarmed, James could take care of himself.

That's why she had asked Clint to come along. There was no one she trusted more to watch her back, who she trusted to watch her. She was testing herself, but she also knew who she was dealing with now, knew that sitting here wasn't doing her or James any good. A recon mission to an empty facility should be uneventful. Even if it wasn't, it would at least give him something to hit.

"I appreciate the concern, but I can handle James."

"Oh, sure. James." Clint followed her gaze. "I'm worried about you, Nat. A live op? You're not that reckless. That guy's not ready to be in the field."

He belonged in the field. Not in a cell, not trapped alone with his thoughts. She'd checked the cameras enough times to see that it was killing him. Fury had wanted an asset and now he had one. James wanted to go after Hydra. This would work.

"He has nowhere else to be."

"Yeah, well, when he runs away, I'm not helping you chase him."

The agents unshackled him and James strode up the gangway, joining them in the cockpit.

"Natasha." He was being more careful with her name, but she could see the effort it cost him.

"James Barnes, Clint Barton."

James offered his hand, but Clint didn't take it.

"Yeah, hi." He turned back to the controls. "Everyone strap in. Let's get this over with."

The jet was small, one of the few that they'd been able to keep out of Hydra's hands. Two seats faced the console, with two more behind. In the rear was a small cargo bay, with a storage closet and cramped sleeping cabin. James strapped into the second row and she took the seat opposite him.

"Ready?" He'd been briefed, but they hadn't actually spoken, not since that day in the training room.

"To go after Hydra? Like you even have to ask." He turned toward her slowly, steeling himself as he met her eyes. But first his gaze flickered to the gun at her hip, measuring how easy it would be to disarm her. "I'm not getting a weapon, am I?"

Clint threw back his head and laughed. He kept laughing, chuckling to himself as they slipped out of the hangar doors and lifted into the sky. He was baiting him, but James' face remained unchanged, his eyes locked to hers.