2010

Sergeant William James had just finished his tour with the D-Company, and was flying back home. The minute his feet touched down on American soil, he knew that he wanted to return to work. But not his work over in Iraq. His work in Washington, D.C.

Not bothering to change out of his fatigues, he walked into the big building where he'd once worked and stopped in front of a desk. He set down his bag on the floor and braced his hands on the desk.

"Got anything for me, Coulson?"

The man in question looked up. "Agent Barton. I see you've returned. When did you land?"

"An hour ago. Do you have an assignment for me?"

Coulson looked at him, a look that rattled him slightly. It was a look that could probably see into his very soul, and know exactly how he'd changed.

Coulson returned to his paperwork. "One will become available in a few days. I'll contact you when that happens. But for now, your room's been untouched. We knew you were coming back."

He nodded and picked up his bag. He started to walk away, but Coulson stopped him.

"And, Clint? Watch out for Natasha."

Clint winced. He hadn't had time to inform Natasha he was leaving again. He supposed she'd found out when Coulson did. "Thanks for the tip." He continued on his way to his room, wishing that he had a bomb to dismantle. Much easier than facing an angry Black Widow.

He was nearly clear when she caught up to him. His hand was on the door handle, ready to open it when he heard footsteps close to him. He turned to see the source and was knocked to the ground be a punch in the face. He looked up to see a certain Russian redhead standing there.

Her arms were folded, her face stony and expressionless. "What the hell were you thinking?" She asked in a monotone.

He stood up. "I couldn't do it, Natasha. I couldn't just go back to a normal life after what I'd seen. If anyone could understand, it's you."

Her expression didn't shift in the least. "What about S.H.I.E.L.D.? You could've come back to work."

"I felt like I still had work to do over there, Natasha. But now I finished it. I'm coming back. I asked Coulson for an assignment as soon as possible."

She relaxed marginally, though her face stayed the same. "You're still an idiot, Barton. Don't do that again." She walked away, leaving him alone with his jumbled thoughts on if he'd made the right choice.

2011

"I'll be fine, Natasha. Just something simple down in New Mexico. Coulson'll be there," Clint Barton said into his cell phone, running a hand through his already-messy hair.

He listened to her reply and paused. "No, I promise. Laura has another one on the way, I won't do anything stupid. I'll be seeing you soon. Call Laura, tell her I love her. Okay. Bye."

He hung up and stuffed the phone in his pants pocket. He checked his bow's tension and boarded the jet. "I'm ready for some action."