A Year Later...

Clint sat in a small make-shift meeting room as he waited for Coulson to assign him a mission. After the various visits to doctors, and specialists they sent him back out into the field after three months. He only took solo missions, and each one was a success. Clint was rarely at the tower, and even the slightest gesture of kindness he reacted with a coldness. Much unlike the Clint everyone knew before. His eyes held a darker mood, and he looked different. He felt different. Each morning Clint would look in the mirror and not even recognize himself. He was angry, and depressed. And overly annoyed when he found out this mission, he was assigned a partner.

"Agent Barton, I'm the new recruit. Agent Crystal Jones. It's a pleasure to meet you, and I would love to personally thank you for what you did in New York. It-"

"Yeah whatever."

"Oh. Alright then. Coulson said he would be in shortly... something about Fitz and a Simmons.." Crystal spoke slightly hurt.

"Thanks." He said sarcastically, he didn't even look at her, his eyes staring at the reflection in the glass.

"Sure."

"Barton, Jones. Sorry I'm late we had some issues with the Inhumans as you both should know about." Crystal gave a nod and Clint rolled his eyes.

"Of course, we know how busy you are Director Coulson."

"Get on with it please." Clint almost interrupted her. She sent a glare over to him, and he didn't even look up to acknowledge it. He was really different then what she had expected. All the agents spoke highly of him, and spoke of how light-hearted he was. They were most certainly wrong.

"Glad to know you're in a good mood this morning Clint." He sighed and looked down. "We got a Hydra base in Bangladesh. We need you two to clean it out. But we have an Agent trapped inside, so it's also a recon. May will take you out and drop you off. She's waiting in the Quinjet." Coulson slid a folder across the table to each of them, entailing what in extreme detail what they would be doing.

Clint stood up and left the room. Leaving Crystal and Coulson.

"What's stuck up his ass?"

"A death, on his hands. His last partner was killed in action... he was really never the same after. Good luck to you."

"Coulson?"

"Yes Crystal?"

"Why'd you assign me to him if he wants to be alone?"

"Because he needs a partner, he's suicidal, dangerous. I believe you can help stop that."

"You really think so?"

"I know so." He paused. "Goodluck, make it back. I have a very important mission for you two when you get back."

"I know I will." She spoke with a small smile as she left the room.


"Do you ever speak, other than when you're being rude?" Crystal asked when her curiosity peaked her.

"Nope."

"Well, you just did.."

"No I didn't."

"Yeah, you did."

"Whatever."

"Giving up that easily. Not the Shield spirit."

"I don't have Shield Spirit not since the fall. I was lied to, and almost killed. No spirit here."

"I'm sorry, that must hurt."

"What would you know about it?"

"More than you think Barton... more than you think."


"We're over the drop zone, get ready to jump."

"Alright, you ready Barton?"

"As I'll ever be.."

"Geronimo." Crystal spoke as she jumped out of the quinjet, gracefully. Her hair flying away and she spead her arms out and let herself feel like she was flying. Clint rolled his eyes and jumped out a few seconds after. And they landed in a small, deserted field.

"Alright Twinkle Toes, let's get a move on. And I better not here any complaints about the walk."

"No complaints here." She smiled and started walking with him in silence, although about twenty minutes in she started humming Alone Together by Fallout Boy; to lighten the mode.

"Stop."

"Stop what?"

"The humming."

"Can I sing then?"

"No.."

"Whistle?"

"No."

"Then I'm going to hum."

"The enemy will hear you."

"Like they'll hear us talking?"

"Fair point. Now, shut. It."

"Nope, you can't make me."

"Yes I can, I'm your superior."

"No, you're my partner." She emphasized. "And this is our mission. I'll comply though. I'll silence my vocal chords..." Crystal dramatized.

"You're impossible. You know that?"

"That's my special quality Barton, glad you found that out quick. "

"Yeah." He spoke to himself as she furthered before him. "Me too."


Alright, please don't hurt me. I know it's been almost a month. -cringes: Oh well. I've been really planning this story out, developing it more for the future. I have already started to plan sequels. So... You have that to be excited about. Anyway. Questions, comments and reviews are always appreciated.