Chapter 1: Hawkeye

There was twang then thud as Clint Barton released his arrow. Even though the target was all the way across the large training room and he was looking in the opposite direction, the arrow hit right on, of course – all those years of practice had made sure of that. But there was still something satisfying about it.

"What are you doing here, Clint? I thought they had a mission for you."

It was Natasha, of course. She'd entered silently, watching him with an unreadable expression on her face. Well, unreadable to most, but recognizable as worry to him, since he knew her so well. That woman…Clint mentally shook himself, something that seemed to be happening more and more often.

"It got called off. And besides, I needed to think."

"Stark being an idiot again?"

"Nothing I can't handle."

"You know I know you better than that. What's bugging you?" He supposed he should've known better then to keep something from her. Just as he could read her, she could read him like no one else could.

"Do you remember Budapest?" he asked abruptly.

"Of course."

"Stark was asking about it," Clint told her. But that wasn't the only reason he'd been thinking about it.

"Stark is an idiot," Natasha said flatly.

"Of course he is. I didn't tell him," Clint reassured her.

Natasha narrowed her eyes slightly. "Why was he suddenly so interested in our lives?"

"Relax, Nat, he's just being his usual nosy self," Clint said. Natasha nodded. She walked over put her chin on his shoulder, staring off into space. "Are you up for a meeting?" she asked abruptly.

"What kind of meeting?"

"Stark, Rogers, Banner…like a party." Her expression said that this was not her preferred type of party.

"Will you be there too?" He thought he knew the answer.

"Sadly, yes."

"I guess I have to go then."

…

They arrived at the meeting to find a brewing argument.

"Did you have something you wanted to say?" Stark demanded.

"Yeah, why don't you stop thinking about yourself for once and man up and help?" Rogers retorted.

"I'm sorry, you think I should go investigate a ridiculous claim just because someone's getting a little twitchy?"

"You know full well it's not just someone getting twitchy, Stark."

"Maybe he's got a point. I mean, we did agree to distance ourselves until such time when we're really needed," Banner pointed out.

"We're needed now."

"No, one of us may be needed. There's a difference." Stark paused. "Why don't you do it, old man?"

"Do what?" Natasha interrupted. The three looked up as she and Clint entered the room.

"Well would you look at that," Stark said sarcastically. "It's Legolas and his girlfriend."

"There are rumors of a group of Loki's followers banding together a bit south of here, and someone should go investigate," Rogers said, perhaps to stop Natasha from strangling Stark, which she looked quite close to doing at that moment. At these words, however, she was distracted.

"Loki? Isn't he still on Asgard?" she asked, frowning.

"As far as we know, yes, he is. But apparently there is some kind of cult based on him," Stark said disdainfully. Probably he wishing he'd thought to have his own cult, Clint figured.

"Well, obviously this isn't ideal, but it doesn't seem to be a huge issue either," Natasha said.

"Thank-you," Stark exclaimed.

"So what is it that you haven't told us yet?" she asked, ignoring Stark.

"There's a lot of rumors that they got ahold of weapons from the battle against the Chitauri and have managed to activate them," Banner admitted.

"A lot of those were already found. And only one was still active," Clint said, frowning too.

"Thank-you," Stark exclaimed again, but Clint ignored him too.

"Do you really think this is a big problem?" he asked Rogers, who hesitated only briefly.

"I think that we should certainly look into it," he said firmly.

"Fair enough," Clint admitted.

"Agent Barton and I will look into it," Natasha decided. "Finish briefing us on the situation and we'll head out. We'll be undercover," added to Rogers, who was frowning slightly. "It'll be easier for us to blend in."

Clint frowned slightly, but came to the conclusion that her logic made sense. With two people, they would have backup, and since they knew each other so well, it would be easiest for them to work together. Also, with her spy and assassin training, Natasha would be able to go undercover and sneak around easily if necessary.

"Ooh…" Stark said with a strange look. Clint wasn't sure what he was talking about, but something in Natasha's face tightened. "You two lovebirds have fun with that," he said with a smirk.

"You're a fool, Stark," Natasha said disdainfully.

"It's obvious," Stark protested.

"Yes, it is," Natasha said pointedly. Clint was amused to watch the expression on Stark's face change as he realized what Natasha had meant.

"Hey!"

…

"Are you ready?" Natasha asked him, standing in the door. If anyone else had burst in without knocking, Clint would've been annoyed, but Natasha was a completely different story. Clint opened his mouth to reply, but at that moment, Stark barged in.

"So, how's it going?" he asked cheerfully, dropping down onto Clint's bed and putting his hands behind his head.

"What are you doing?" Clint demanded.

"Relax…I just came to talk."

"Get out of here, Stark," Natasha warned, and Clint could've sworn her hand twitched toward her gun. But maybe it was only his imagination.

"No thanks. I'd much rather stay and ask some questions. Like…what really happened at Budapest? And why do you too refuse to acknowledge what is clear to everyone: you are in love?"

"Anthony Stark," Natasha began in a dangerous voice.

"Hey, I'm only asking," Stark protested, a gleam in his eyes. "It seems like it's a really good question, considering your cover."

"Stark," Clint began as well.

"I mean you're posing as boyfriend and girlfriend on tour. Doesn't that tell you something? No? Well, think about it. And let me know what you come up with." He headed for the door as Natasha took a step forward. "And I still want to hear about Budapest!" he called over his shoulder.