"So why were you fired?"
I looked at Clint, who was busy popping my grapes into his mouth, and felt a familiar embarrassment and anger rise in my chest. I tried to think of how he would know, or if he guessed, but then I remembered he was an agent and that only meant one thing...
"Did you do a background check on me?" I asked, shifting my body so I could better face him. And glare.
"Don't pretend like you didn't do one on me, O'Brien."
He smirked while I flushed. Sometimes I did check out people I was around, using some of the contacts I still had. Old habits die hard. Unfortunately, I couldn't find much of anything on Clint Barton.
"So why were you fired from Security Solutions?" he prodded, popping another grape. "Clever name by the way."
"It's none of your business."
"Fine. Forget I said anything."
I let the words fall between us. Clint was surprisingly good at dropping things, but it usually meant he would remain silent for a few hours afterward. And it was hard enough getting him to have real people conversations in the first place.
"I had a partner named John Ward," I said, looking away from him. "We set up security for private businesses. We had a big client—our biggest actually. We set up their security systems but we also personally checked out all the people they dealt with. One of those people bribed John not to report a few less than stellar things from their past. Our client found out..." I shook my head. "I went down in the crossfire. They assumed I knew about it."
"That's bullshit," Clint said, surprising me with his violent tone. "They couldn't prove that."
"Yeah, well..." I trailed off, debating to tell him or not. It still sent shoots of hostility and shame through me to admit it, but the story made more sense when you knew. "We were sort of dating at the time. People couldn't imagine I wouldn't know." I sighed heavily, feeling a sharp pain jab against the backs of my eyes. "Needless to say, that didn't exactly put me at the top of anyone's interview list."
Clint frowned, but didn't say anything. I dropped my gaze and looked down at the scientists, but could feel the silence between us acutely. Was he judging me? I knew almost nothing about his past, but somehow his lack of response was weighing on me.
"You have any pathetic stories to tell now?" I asked, poking his arm to bring him back to life.
"This one time," he said, his voice suddenly low and drawn out. "A girl turned me down at a bar. Me."
I rolled my eyes. He was back.
"You're an ass."
The restaurant was crowded, but I guess I should have expected that at lunch hour. It was much fancier and more expensive than the one I had suggested, but Rhi had insisted upon it and it was much easier to go along with her than it was to argue.
I spotted her in the middle of the outdoor patio area and almost did a double-take. I don't think she had ever been early for anything in her life, but it was her—I could spot her telltale red highlights from here. They cascaded through her scalp and swept along her bangs which she flicked in annoyance as she waited.
I weaved among customers and busboys, careful not to knock anything over. I felt slightly underdressed as my eyes flitted among summer dresses and pantsuits, but I'd rather be comfortable than anything. Rhi had on a blue button up shirt, and even though I couldn't see her feet, I knew they'd be in high boots.
She stood up when she saw me, putting her hands on her hips.
"You look unhealthily thin."
"Hello to you too," I said, grinning. "And I doubt it. But if so, more people should take my advice of eating junk and not exercising."
"I think a few too many people are taking that advice already," Rhi said, giving me a brisk hug. Her skin was cold as she squeezed once and pulled away. "But how are you doing?"
I sat down across from her, reminding myself to put my napkin in my lap. Rhi was one of the few friends I still had. I cherished her for her slight abrasiveness and honesty. She told me things when I needed to know them, but she was loyal to me too. We went to school together, but she had drifted into the government side of things while I fell into the private sector.
In hindsight, I probably should've went with her.
"Fine," I said, looking up as a bald man came to pour me water. I smiled in thanks. "You?"
"I'm good," she said, tracing the rim of her own cup. "I already ordered you a drink."
"And what should I eat?" I asked, looking down at the menu. "There doesn't appear to be anything normal on here..."
"Just because it's not a cheeseburger or a steak doesn't mean it's not normal," Rhi said, rolling her eyes. "Honestly, you're worse than my dad."
"If only I was twenty years older..." I mused as she scowled. "I'm just easy to please."
I continued to read the menu and get a little more depressed as I turned the page when Rhi fixed me with a look that I could feel through my bones.
"What did you do today? Wake up? Shower? Eat?"
"You say that like those aren't vital parts of life."
"You need to do something, Taylor," she said, biting her lip. "Tough love time."
"Oh no...am I going to get one of your speeches?" I groaned. I was not in the mood for a whip-yourself-into-shape pep talk.
"Not exactly."
I frowned and studied her. Rhi usually had two expressions—joking and not joking. This one looked guilty, which I was not accustomed to seeing on her. I placed down my menu, tilting my head.
"What did you do?" I asked slowly.
"He begged me," she said, putting her hands up in defense and rising from her chair. "Please don't hate me."
I looked to my left just as a suited man slid into Rhi's plastic seat. She held up her hands again, ignoring my eyes as the black haired, bespectacled annoyingly handsome man smiled and grabbed my hands. I pulled them away as quickly as possible.
"You suck at tough love," I hissed as at Rhi, glaring between her and John. "And I do hate you!"
"Don't take it out on Rhi, spitfire. You know I don't give up on things."
I'd almost forgotten what his voice sounded like, but here it was again. Low and filled with humor, big hints of confidence...a perfect voice for a liar.
"Well you can give up on whatever this is," I said, waving a hand frantically between us.
"I called you," he said, ignoring me completely. I watched distractedly as Rhi slipped away, and made a mental note to put her on my enemy list. "A lot."
"My phone was disconnected because I don't have a job because you got me fired," I said, almost spitting my words as I crossed my arms.
"Well I'm here to hire you."
"Why would I work with you again?" I asked, feeling the urge to rip either my or his hair out of his head. "You lied to me! As a partner, that's one thing. As a boyfriend, it's another. I don't trust you!"
"So I'm still your boyfriend?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
His audacity actually sent tremors of frustration through my body. They started in the pit of my stomach and exploded toward my fingers, until I thought I would internally combust upon myself.
"Of course not!" I hissed, trying not to yell in the middle of the restaurant. "It's been six months. I didn't plan on seeing you ever again."
"You don't even want to hear my offer?" he asked, leaning forward with a smile. His front two teeth were slightly crooked—something I once found endearing. Now I just wanted to kiss him, rip them out, and never speak to him again. Was that wrong?
"No I really don't—"
"—It's a weapon and defense company. No Stark Industries, but they're really growing."
"Does the word 'no' mean anything to you?" I asked, rolling my eyes.
"Anyway, obviously it's tricky business to sell weapons. They need top-notch security measures and pretty much the most thorough background checks you can think of. Naturally, when they contacted me, only one person came to mind..."
"And why would they want to hire you?" I asked, narrowing my eyes. "Or do they not know about your criminal past?"
"I'm not a criminal, Tay," he sighed, pushing up his glasses. "It was blown out of proportion. And I happen to be on great terms with the head of this operation. He's looking forward to you joining the team."
The 'Tay' got me. He was acting as if nothing had happened. As if he hadn't put me through emotional turmoil, as if he hadn't abruptly ended a relationship I thought was going pretty damn well.
I rose from my chair, not bothering to pick up my napkin as it fell to the floor. This time, I wasn't so careful in my weaving and I bumped and prodded through the people until I was practically running down the street.
I turned the corner, my mind feeling like it was rubbed against a cheese grater. What was Rhi thinking? She'd known how much he'd hurt me, and here they were acting like everything was just peachy...
My car was on a side street, away from the busy rush of traffic near the restaurant. I fumbled for my keys in my pocket. Where were they? I just wanted to speed home, down some Advil and pray for sleep to wash away my anger. I felt the sharp poke of metal against my skin just when a sharp stab poked through my neck.
My fingers flew to the source. My brain started to spin. I vaguely remembering running my fingertips over a short, protruding arrow before my legs completely betrayed me.
Clint had been watching Waltham since he started walking from his car, a black BMW that looked like it'd gotten washed just minutes before. He rolled his eyes. Knowing this guy, he probably had rolled in right from the cleaners.
He was wearing a gray suit and a green tie, which made him slightly easier to follow as he walked toward his destination. His stride was broad, despite not being a big guy. Clint felt his fingers itch to let an arrow fly, but he wasn't here for him.
Bring in his companion, Fury had said, she might know something. Rhi Larson. They'd been keeping tabs on her and thought she would be the string to Waltham. But he'd been watching Rhi talk with someone, and now as Waltham approached she rose from her chair...
He watched Rhi leave—her red hair another way for Clint to stay focused. He was good at standing in one place for a long time, but when people had distinctive traits it made his life a little easier. His eyes flicked back to Waltham, who was chatting with the other girl, leaning forward in his seat.
He was losing Rhi. But Waltham had barely looked at her. Clint watched Rhi's red hair disappear around a corner...he could go after her. But Waltham looked so eager and pleased to be around his other girl that he had to make a decision quickly.
Clint turned his attention back to the restaurant, where the brown haired girl was speaking. He couldn't see her face but he watched her flurried hand movements with interest. Clearly she was very angry about something.
He made his decision, and stayed right where he was. If she was so angry, she might know more than Rhi Larson.
They talked for a few more minutes. Clint was just about to wonder if he should call in to Fury when the girl rose from her seat and fled the restaurant, knocking into people as she went.
He got up and stretched his limbs. He moved away from the edge of the rooftop so nobody would see him. The adrenaline had started already, and he cracked his neck before following the girl's route—the same, save for a few feet of elevation.
She had parked around the corner. It was quiet, thankfully, although he'd made do in much worse conditions. She was upset and distracted. That helped too. He slid down the fire escape as quietly as possible. She didn't look up once.
Her hair whipped around her head, long and untamed, as she searched her pockets. She was shorter than he thought, and much more unkept. She was even wearing sneakers. He stood still and grabbed an arrow with a special tranquilizer. Her neck would be the easiest way, and he'd have a moment to catch her before he fell.
He notched and fired.
His aim was perfect. He watched her body jerk in surprise, and he moved forward just as she crumpled.
But just when he caught her, he realized he recognized the locket on her neck—a small gold circle engraved with flowers. And the tattoo on her wrist—a shamrock with a J in it. He pushed aside her hair. It had gotten long since he last saw her.
"You're a little far from your home, Rapunzel," he said lowly.
Her eyes flickered with confusion before they finally shut.
YAY! The response to this has been just wonderful, so I will definitely continue! Hope you all like. Big hugs to everyone.
