Under or Over: Hawkeye & Black Widow

CHAPTER# 69

Disappointment was an understatement of what Romanoff felt, when Kazimir didn't show up.  Stark confirmed that the wormhole was closed and no black hole was detected.  Banner was relieved that nothing had come to attack them.  Only Barton remained uneasy as they began their return trip.

"So what happens to Iron Aqua Man?  If it's stuck on the other side of that wormhole...." Clint wondered out loud.

Tony replied, "it has instructions to observe the life on the other side and find a way to return to our universe and dimension."

"Do you think it can or ever will?" Natasha asked.

"Anything is possible, haven't we learned that by now?"  Bruce countered.

"How do you plan on finding Kazimir?" Tony inquired, directing his question to Romanoff.

"Fury has some resources that have been reliable in the past.  I also still have access to HYDRA."

"We'll figure something out," Clint reassured.

"I can reach out to my military contacts and have Jarvis look into it also," Tony offered.  "You're not alone Natasha, you know that if you need help, we're all here for you."

"Thanks," she smiled.  "Anyone hungry?"

Tony chuckled, "Shwarma anyone?"

"No one worked up that kind of appetite," Bruce pointed out.  

"Don't tell me this tub doesn't have a state of the art kitchen!" Clint teased.

"Careful friend, or you might end up overboard," Tony threatened.

Natasha grinned, "boys play nice."

Stark continued to impress them with his A.I. applications. The food was no exception; some of the best dining they had experienced.  They were back on the Atlantic ocean, heading towards New York, it was stormy out, but nothing that Stark's ship couldn't handle.  Banner was a little green and not because the Hulk had joined them.  Up on deck Barton went back to fishing, but didn't expect to catch anything.  Romanoff stood leaning against the railing, looking out at the water.

"If you can't find Kazimir, can you live with that?" Clint asked.

"I guess I would have to.  But I won't stop searching, until I know for sure he...it... is dead or not in this universe."

He put the fishing rod aside and stood up.  An arm went around her shoulders, "I'll keep my eyes out for Kazimir too.  And I'm always around if you need me Tasha."

"Clint... I....thanks, that means more to me than you know," Natasha finished.  

"Fury's on the line for you," Tony interrupted and handed her a satellite phone.  Then to Barton he added, "that man has the strangest timing.  Will she be okay?"

"You know her as well as I do," Clint replied.

Tony smirked, but countered, "no one knows her like you do."  He slapped Barton on the back, "we'll be at the marina in thirty minutes."

"Hey Stark, do you think it's weird nothing happened today?"

Tony turned back and looked at Barton, "trust your instinct, it's always right."

Clint nodded, "It's not over."

"It never is," Tony shrugged.

"Bird pick me up, we're going back to Challenger Deep."

Natasha heard him as she hung up, "why?"

"I need to check something.  Don't worry I won't be long."

"Doesn't matter if you are.  Fury just cut short my time off.  I'm leaving as soon as we dock."

He looked at her, "new operation?"

"Yes and no."

Clint rolled his eyes, "somethings never change."  He turned to get into Bird.

Romanoff grabbed his arm and he turned towards her. A kiss that said good-bye louder than words, made him hug her tight.  "Tasha, be safe."

"You too Clint.... If you find him..."

"I'll come get you."

"Go before this gets too hard," Natasha said softly and then turned her back to him, walking to the stairs to go below deck.