"And I found love where it wasn't supposed to be

Right in front of me, talk some sense to me"

-Amber Run

When she left, I didn't have the will to continue my trade. Being an escort is all good and well until you find the one. Even though I didn't really know her, I couldn't cheat our bond like that. I decided to do something a little more dangerous. Like get the attention of Shield.

I put all of my efforts into to becoming a problem for Shield after she left. I trained my body hard. Working out everyday. Running miles and miles to condition myself. Parkour. Taking several different martial arts classes and weapons handling classes. It was intensive and hard. Despite this, I had to do what I had to do to get her back. I determined to be a deadly assassin. One that made it onto Fury's radar.

It had been three long years since my soul mate had walked out of my door. I had killed a lot of people since then. It had hardened me beyond recognition.

I had scars littering my body and one that marred my face. It went from right above my right eyebrow to just below my right eye. I didn't see it as ugly. I saw it as frightening. I liked the look my marks held when they saw me. I could practically smell the fear.

My tattoos didn't disappoint either. Though my skin is deep caramel they show up well.

I had full sleeves on my arms and a huge back piece. My right arm was dedicated to the Goddess Kali Ma. The Goddess of destruction and creation, and my namesake. I named myself Kalika after her.

The left was dedicated to Enyo, the Goddess of war. On my back, fire and ice clashed together in the visage of a fire dragon and an ice dragon. They had hurt like hell but I reveled in the reactions I received.

My hair was shaved on the sides and nape, but long and curly on top. My fingertips caressed the sides of my head as I sat on top of a hill. I'd just gotten back from a mark and I wanted to calm my mind. I always meditate after a kill. It helps me keep my powers at bay.

My eyes snap open as I hear two pairs of light footsteps behind me. I roll my eyes in irritation. They aren't messy but they obviously don't know much about me.

I stand up slowly and flex my fingers. Time to have some fun.

"It would be a shame if I had to turn you to ashes," I said slowly. The footsteps stopped and I heard the click of a gun. I just shook my head.

"It is not wise to turn your back to your opponent. You really are an amateur," a male voice rang out. I chuckled lightly.

"Turn around and get on your knees," a female voice called. It was familiar and it awakened a flame inside me that I had forgotten.

I turned around slowly and my eyes widened in disbelief. She had her gun pointed at me just like the first time we met. The irony was heavy but she looked amazing.

"Natalia, we have to stop meeting like this," I said with a soft smile. Her harsh expression faltered and dropped completely as she registered my voice. I looked a lot different but my voice was the same English, husky thing it had always been. She lowered her gun immediately.

"Ashton," she whispered, in disbelief. I nodded slowly. As she came toward me, her partner stopped her.

"Agent Romanoff, get your gun back up," he growled. She glared at him continued toward me.

"Barton, it's her," she hissed over her shoulder. As she came toward me I met her halfway and pulled her into my arms. She melted immediately.

It felt so right having her in my arms. It had been three years. Three years of being alone and angry. Three years of longing. I finally had her back. I never planned on letting her go again. She pulled away suddenly and turned back to her partner.

"She's coming with," she said fiercely. Barton looked ready to object. "End of discussion."

The ride to the base is weird. Barton stares at me like I'm the most interesting person in the world. His eyes run over my left arm with thinly veiled curiousity.

Natasha, as she likes to be called, holds my right hand securely in hers. Her lips twitch into a smile as she gazes at me. I feel at home in her presence. It's like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders.

"What is the sleeve about," Barton says suddenly. I turn toward him and stare blankly.

"Enyo. The Goddess of war," I say softly. He nods slowly and admires the tattoo some more.

"How old are you," he queries. I scrunch up my brows. How does he not know? I feel Natasha tense up beside. She doesn't know either, I presume.

"Just turned 20 July the 6th. Can't drink yet but I will be regardless," I rasp. Barton smirks at me and gives me a fist bump. Natasha rolls her eyes and the narrows them.

"You were 17 when we met," she says slowly. I nod with a grin. Barton laughs loudly.

"Damn, Nat. You're a cradle robber." Natasha glares at him furiously and I kiss her cheek with a smirk.

Once we get to the base, a few agents try to grab me. This results in Natasha nearly taking their heads off their bodies. We decided it would be best to keep our relationship under wraps for awhile. She is having problems with that it seems.

As we walk in, I'm in handcuffs. It's very uncomfortable considering they are made specifically for me. They are like metal gloves with chains linking them. It's crazy how little they know about me. I don't need my hands to kill them.

We go straight to the medbay. Fury was angry that they brought me in instead of killing me but once he heard that I would fight for them he changed his tune. Someone of my abilities is very valuable. He demanded that I have an examination done immediately. I guess he wanted to make sure I wasn't insane or some shit.

"Have you been shot or stabbed in the last few months," the nurse asks machinically.

"Yes. Shot in shoulder. Stabbed in the abdomen." The nurse looks at me with pity. I guess she thinks I'm too young for such violence. I clench my jaw.

"Take off your top layers so I can examine you," she says quietly. I sigh heavily and do as I'm told. I silently wonder where Natasha is. They wouldn't let her stay.

Once I take off my clothing, the nurses in the room gasp. I wonder if it's the scars and tattoos or my physique. The look in some of their eyes tells me it's both.

"Oh my," she gasps. Her fingers trace the scars delicately and I tense up. I hate being touched. "It seems they've healed well and you look..strong. How many sexual partners have you had in the last year?"

I narrow my eyes at her. What is she getting at?

"Zero." She looks unconvinced but writes it down on her clipboard. Her foot taps on the ground as she reads the next question.

"Have you had any sexually transmitted diseases?" I shake my head. "I need to do a breast examine and a genital exam. Take off your clothing and-"

Suddenly, The nurse is gone and Natasha is in front of me looking pissed.

"She's healthy. Let's go Ash," she growls. She pulls me out of the room swiftly and I'm totally amused.

"You didn't want Nurse Jackie checking out the goods," I purr. She turns to glare at me and pulls me away faster.

"Shut it or we're not sharing a room."

My lips are sealed.