Chapter Two: First Meeting
September 2009, New York City…
Clint made his way to his office, rolling his eyes when he found Steve Rogers waiting outside. "How can I help you, Captain?" Clint asked, nodding his greeting to Hannah before walking into his office with Steve in tow.
"You know, you did hire me for my tactical abilities," Steve stated as he closed the door behind him. "Stark Industries are catching back up with us in value. We need something new if we want to keep ahead."
Clint sat at his desk. "Then which sector should we choose?" he asked, tilting his head to the side. "Stark has his ideas in engineering and manufacturing. We have a much broader scope; medicine, engineering, manufacturing, law, publishing, finance, sport and architecture. Take your pick."
Steve groaned. "That's not helpful, Clint," he stated. "We need something to vamp up the public's interest. Something to stump Stark."
Clint grinned "You really do not like Stark, do you?" he asked.
Steve sighed. "The man himself is a handful. The people in his head office team are pleasant," he replied.
Clint nodded. "Isn't your sister working for Stark?" he asked, frowning as he read the emails Hannah had forwarded to him.
"She's the lawyer for Stark," Steve replied. "She may be adopted but I'm very protective of her. Even though she is more than capable of taking care of herself."
"Well… It looks like your sister's team want to hold talks about a new co-operative investment between us and Stark Industries," Clint informed Steve, twisting the computer screen around for the other man.
Steve raised an eyebrow before reading the email. "I shall look into that and make sure it is genuine," he stated, taking out his phone. "Nat said nothing to me."
Clint raised an eyebrow. "Is your sister the manipulating type?" he asked, making Steve snort in reply.
"Manipulative to the point that you don't realise she's actually doing it," Steve answered. "But she always does it with good intentions. It's most likely that this is very genuine and she only came up with it before she sent the email to you, meaning she didn't have time to warn me beforehand."
Clint nodded. "Okay. Look into it. The public might be interested in an investment between Stark Industries and Barton Enterprises," he stated, leaning back. "Stark also invited me to his next party. Yourself, Sharon, Sam and two more. Excluding myself."
Steve nodded. "Want me to decide the other two, Sir?"
"Yes. I want people I trust other that those I named myself," Clint answered. "Maybe I can see how interested Stark is about a possible partnership."
"I can introduce you to Natasha," Steve stated. "As I assume you are going to want a hands on approach to this."
Clint nodded. "Yes. I can ask her why she thought when she came up with the proposal."
"Yes, Sir." Steve stood up. "Anything else?"
Clint shook his head. "For now, no. Let me know if your sister wants to arrange a meeting," he instructed.
"Yes, Sir." Steve left, pulling out his phone to ring Natasha as he walked out of the office.
Clint stood up and walked over to the large windows of his office, looking out onto the morning skyline of New York City…
Natasha wasn't surprised when she saw her brother's name on the caller's ID. "Good morning, Steve. How is Sharon doing?" she greeted, continuing to type on her laptop.
"Good morning, Nat. Sharon's fine, morning sickness isn't as bad as it has been," he replied. "How have you been?"
"Good," she answered. "I know why you called. My proposal for a partnership between Stark Industries and Barton Enterprises."
"I would have preferred a warning beforehand. My boss caught me off guard, Nat."
"I'm sorry." She knew she didn't sound anyway sympathetic towards her big brother. "I thought it was a time sensitive issue so I didn't have the time to warn you. I also assumed you had more pressing matters to deal with. Like your pregnant wife."
"Next time, send a text," he requested. "Mr Barton would like to meet you to discuss the idea."
That made Natasha pause in surprise. "Mr Barton takes a hand on approach?" she asked.
"He, like me, is a former military man, Nat. He likes to know the ins and outs of his company."
Natasha bit her bottom lip. "When?" she finally asked.
"When does it suit you?" Steve asked. "Baton has a flexible timetable when it comes to meetings."
"Barton is the city's biggest donator, you mean," she replied. "And people want to appease him in any way they can."
"Something like that," Steve agreed. "So, what time suits you?"
Natasha looked at her schedule. "Friday, twelve o'clock."
Steve wrote down the time and Natasha's name before handing it to Hannah. The blonde checked her boss' schedule before nodding and putting it down. "That's perfect. Hannah has it in and Barton will see you in his office on Friday."
"Looking forward to it." She looked at her watch, sighing. "I have to go. I have a meeting with Stark and some of his board members. Are you and Sharon still up for a visit tonight?"
"Of course. Sharon has plans for tonight. Don't ask me what."
Natasha grinned. "Aw. Told you to get used to that."
"Don't you have a meeting to get to?" he replied.
She chuckled. "Yes, Captain. My asshole of a brother is being a pain in the ass and won't hand up and let me go back to work."
Steve laughed. "Okay. See you tonight, Nat."
"See you later, Steve." She hung up the phone and grabbed the folder she needed for her meeting…
Friday, 18th September 2009…
Natasha was surprised at the plain white clinical feel of the offices of Barton Enterprises. She made her way up to Barton's office. As she approached the desk of Barton's secretary, she found a young blonde-haired woman speaking on the phone. The blonde lifted a hand as she finished the call. As she placed the receiver down on the dialler, she looked at Natasha. "I can assume you are Natasha Romanoff," she said with a friendly, polite smile.
"Yes," Natasha replied. "I have a meeting for twelve."
Hannah nodded. "Give me one moment," she requested, standing up and waling over to the door beside her desk. The blonde knocked before opening the door. "Sir, Ms Romanoff is here for your meeting," she informed her boss.
Clint looked up from where he was reading a file. "Thank you, Hannah. Please send her in," he requested, closing the file.
Hannah nodded and returned to Natasha. "Mr Barton will see you now," she informed the red-head/
Natasha nodded and entered the office, finding a well-groomed Clint Barton standing behind his desk. He was wearing a black tailored suit with a red tie. His brown-blonde hair was groomed will in natural spikes, his beard groomed into a neat stubble. His grey eyes were very observant as she walked in.
"Good afternoon, Ms Romanoff," he greeted, his voice husky.
"Good afternoon, Mr Barton," she answered, holding out her hand in greeting to the handsome CEO in front of her. "My brother told me that you wished to discuss the proposal I sent on Monday."
Clint smiled at the beautiful red-head in front of him. "Yes. I was surprised, like your brother, to find that Stark was willing to work with his biggest rival," Clint informed her. "Take a seat," he requested, moving to sit down himself.
Natasha did as he requested. "Stark Industries is more interested in working with Barton Enterprises rather than working against. Hammer Industries poses more of a threat due to the fact that Stark's and Hammer's have more in common than Stark's and Barton's," she informed him.
Clint leaned back and took in Natasha's appearance as she spoke, listening to her husky voice. She was wearing a black dress, her long red hair was pinned over her left shoulder and she was wearing natural make-up. She had a professional calm and confident presence – much like her brother. "And you believe that both our companies should work together. Making replacement limbs for war veterans returning from their tours."
"One of Steve's friends, Sergeant James Barnes, lost his arm during his service. Steve has also made several mentions of other soldiers he knows who have lost legs, hands, eyes and have no chance of regaining anything because of their injuries. He also mentioned soldiers who have lost their senses such as hearing and eyesight," she replied. "As a former soldier, what do you think?"
Clit bit the inside of his cheek before nodding. "I think it is a good idea. We have prototypes for hearing aids but not for limbs."
"We do," Natasha replied. "Barnes is using the prototype. So far, so good. But in order to have it mass produced, we need a partner."
Clint smirked knowingly. "Dr Santos helped with the prototype," he stated rather than asked.
Natasha frowned. "How would you come to a conclusion about one doctor?" she asked, raising an eyebrow at him questioningly.
Clint smiled. "Eva is an old childhood friend," he answered. "Herself and Bucky have two kids, Adrianna and Diego. Eva and Bucky have been together since 2001."
Natasha smirked. "There's no hiding from you, is there?" she asked rhetorically.
Clint returned her smirk. "I was the sniper in the recon for your brother, Barnes was the sniper for your brother's team. I'm very observant."
Natasha nodded. "You said you had prototypes of hearing aids," she started. "May I ask if they are working ones or still in the lab?"
Clint twisted his head and pointed to his ear. "Working prototype," he answered as Natasha spotted the purple small aids hidden in Clint's ear canals. He turned to face Natasha, finding an impressed look rather than the look of pity he was used to. "My scientist, Leo Fitz and Jemma Simmons, designed them. So far, so good."
Natasha nodded. "So what do you think? Would you be interested in a partnership?"
Clint rubbed his cheek as he looked at her. "Does your boss know you are here?" he asked in return.
Natasha nodded. "Ms Potts and Mr Stark have instructed me to do whatever is necessary to get this deal," she answered.
"Despite only being the company's lawyer?" Clint couldn't help but ask.
Natasha smirked. "I worked as Ms Potts' PA while studying full-time before becoming the head of Stark Industries' legal team. I know as much ins and outs of the company as Ms Potts. When there are certain issues or deals they want, I am the one they usually send when Ms Potts has personal matters to deal with."
Clint nodded in understanding. "Okay. I'll agree to the proposal. But I will let Mrs Rogers and yourself work out the legalities," he answered. "And Fitzsimmons can work with your lab to work on the pieces."
Natasha nodded and took out a notebook, quickly writing her number and handing it to Clint. "I will pass on any details your team needs once the contract is made up and signed."
Clint took the piece of paper. Natasha handed him. "Thank you, Ms Romanoff," he told her as they both stood up, offering her his hand. "I'm looking forward to working with you and your team."
Natasha smiled as she shook his hand. "Likewise, Mr Barton," she replied. "Thank you for your time."
"Anytime," he answered…
Present Time, New York City…
Clint groaned as he walked into the apartment's kitchen, finding Shay and Natasha putting the last touches to the pizza. He leaned against the doorframe, undoing his tie as he took in the sight of his fiancée and their son. Natasha had changed out of her work clothes into a shirt she had stolen from Clint long ago and a pair of sweatpants. Shay was dressed in his Jurassic World pyjamas, his hair slightly wet from the bath Natasha had obviously given the five-year-old. Suddenly, Lucky raced out of the living-room over to Clint. "Hello, Pizza Dog," Clint greeted, rubbing the dog's head.
"Daddy!" Shay yelled, racing over to his father, grinning when Clint lifted him easily up into his arms.
"Hi, Buddy," Clint greeted, kissing his son's cheek. "Have you been good for Wanda and Mama today?" he asked as he walked over to Natasha.
Shay nodded. "Yes, Daddy. Auntie Wanda and I went to the zoo and we saw lots of cool animals. And we got ice-cream and then we went to see Kung Fu Panda 3. And then we came home. Kung Fu Panda was so cool," Shay rambled to his father as Clint arrived at the island beside Natasha. "And when we came home, Mama was home. And I had a bath. And then we made pizza for a movie night."
Natasha smiled at her son before kissing Clint. "Welcome home, Yastreb," she greeted as she pulled back.
"Hello," he answered, easily placing Shay on the island. "What are we watching tonight?" he asked as Natasha wrapped her arms around Clint's waist, leaning against her fiancée's side as he pulled her closer.
"Jurassic World," Shay answered quickly, pointing at the print on his pyjama top. "Auntie Wanda got me a new Lego set with Claire and Owen and Gray and Zach and the Raptors."
Clint raised an eyebrow before looking down at Natasha who was shaking her head. "Wanda and I are going to have a chat about spoiling you," he told his son who was grinning up at both his parents.
"Her excuse was that Bartons should not be capable of being able to convince her to do stuff," Natasha informed Clint. "She also said that Shay has her wrapped around his little finger," she added, raising an eyebrow when her son giggled.
"Like he has us," Clint commented, kissing the top of Natasha's head. "I'm going to go take a quick shower before we start the movie," he added, reluctantly pulling away from Natasha.
"You have fifteen minutes," Natasha told him as she stole a kiss from him. Clint grinned and nodded, rubbing Shay's hair before leaving to go take his shower.
Natasha turned to Shay who lifted his arms for her. "Up, Mama," he requested with a grin.
She shook her head before lifting him into her arms. She pressed her lips to his temple and carried him out to the living-room. She grabbed the DVD of his favourite movie and handed it to him. "You can set it up so we can look at it when Daddy is ready," she told him as she set him down on the ground. Shay nodded and made his way over to the TV and DVD player. Natasha sat down on the couch and smiled as her clever little boy easily set up the DVD player before racing over to her, climbing into her lap and twisting so he was curled against her chest. Natasha pressed her lips to the top of Shay's head, smiling as he played with her engagement ring. "You okay, Baby?" she asked, noticing the thinking look on her son's face.
Shay lifted his head and looked at his mother. "Mama, are you and Daddy going to have a baby?" he asked innocently.
Natasha's eyes widened in surprise at her son's question. Taking a breath, she asked, "Do you want Daddy and I to have a baby?"
Shay bit his bottom lip before slowly nodding his head. "Yeah. I would like a baby sister," he told his mother.
"Oh?" Natasha smiled. "You want a sister?"
"I wouldn't mind a little brother either," he replied, shrugging.
Natasha laughed and shook her head. "Nice to know," she told her son.
"So are you and Daddy having a baby?" he asked again.
Natasha bit her bottom lip with a low sigh before deciding to answer. "I think so. But I need to go to see Auntie Eva before we know for certain."
Shay frowned in confusion. "Why do you need to see Auntie Eva to know if you're having a baby?" he asked.
Natasha smiled and brushed a hand through his hair gently. "Because Auntie Eva is a doctor and she can do a special scan on my tummy to see if I am having a baby."
Shay tilted his head and looked down at her tummy curiously. Then he looked up at her and asked the question all parents dreaded. "How did the baby get in your tummy?"
Natasha let out a groan. "When a daddy and a mommy love each other very much lie your daddy and I do, a baby forms in the mommy's tummy," she explained in innocent terms.
Shay thought about it before nodding, accepting Natasha's explanation. He rested his head back on Natasha's chest, returning to play with her engagement ring. Natasha lifted her head to find Clint standing in the doorway wearing a tank top and sweatpants, smirking at her. She lifted an eyebrow and shrugged subtly: she was going to tell him after Eva confirmed it. He walked over to the back of the couch and leaned over it as Natasha leaned back to look at him. "What drinks shall I bring in?" he asked, leaning down to kiss Natasha gently.
"I bought Cola and toffee popcorn for after the pizza," Natasha replied as he pulled away. "Cola is in the fridge."
Clint nodded and kissed her again. "I'll get everything," he whispered as he slowly stood up.
Natasha smiled up at him as he left. She returned her attention down to the smaller body curled against her, smiling as she gently ran her free hand though his inherited spiky locks. Clint returned with the pizza and drinks, placing them on the coffee table before leaving again to get the popcorn. "Anything else?" he called out from the kitchen.
Shay was itching to get the pizza so Natasha replied, "No, that's everything."
Clint walked back out with the popcorn and sat down beside Natasha, pulling the table closer to them so Shay could grab the pizza. Natasha rested her head on Clint's shoulder as he pressed play on the remote. Clint wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close as he handed her a slice of pizza. He kissed the top of her head, smiling as he used his thumb to rub circles on the side of her stomach. Shay leaned against Natasha' chest as the movie started, content to have her cuddle with him for the movie…
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