A collection of drabbles on how Hawkeye and the Black Widow became partners and so much more.

1. Every story starts somewhere

She was only a child. Apart from the fact that she really wasn't a child. She was 17 when he'd brought her in, she was skin and bones and lethal intent. She'd fought tooth and nail to stop the SHIELD agents from patching her up. She wanted everyone to leave her alone, they needed to stop touching her because if they didn't she would do more than break a few noses. Once sedated Clint took the opportunity to examine her properly. She was tiny, a mere slip of a thing, he marvelled at the legacy she had managed to gain. The Black Widow, he shook his head as he shrugged off his quiver and put his bow away, he would soon learn all too well why her legacy was completely deserved.

"You can explain it to Fury." Coulson had told him as Clint stepped off the jet.

Clint had shrugged and nodded; "Fine, she needs to go the medical bay first though." The conversation was over as quickly as that. Coulson understood better than any handler Clint had ever had. They were in synch, Clint knew that Coulson didn't exactly approve of him bringing the Black Widow in, but it was done and there was no going back now. A steely silence met Agent Barton as he explained to Director Fury that instead of killing Natasha Romanoff as instructed he had actually brought her back to SHIELD with him.

"Let me make sure I understand completely what you are telling me Agent Barton," his voice was level but Clint knew that he was far from happy; "you were sent on a mission to kill Natalia Romanova but instead of completing said mission you decided that she could be an asset to SHIELD and you brought her in. What is it exactly you see in her?" he asked holding the contempt he was feeling at bay as he watched his agent shift slightly in his seat.

Clint cleared his throat and licked his lips; "She's like me Director. She is exactly the same as I was before you picked me up."

"Hardly," Fury scoffed; "she's killed a hell of a lot more people than you had...have even."

"She's just as scared as I was Director. She will become a useful asset for SHIELD I promise." Clint swore, and she did. Eventually.

A/N: First one done. Hope you enjoyed that these will all be short drabbles centring around Clintasha. Reviews are love.