Chapter 3

Somewhere deep in the jungles of Africa at 23:00.

Clark walk stealthily behind Captain America as they made their way the undergrowth that covered the jungle floor. Which was a difficult task to be sure, vines, and stickers kept tripping up Clark, and more than once Cap had given him a stern look. He wasn't doing as well as he hoped the boy would. Which in of itself was odd because when Steve had taught him the basics of being an agent a month prior he'd done well. "What could have changed in one month?" Steve thought.

Clark however already knew why he was having trouble. First, it was because he had worn Jor-el's signet ring which was laced with blue kryptonite disabling his powers. Clark had done this so he that should a fight ensue in this mission nobody would come after his family seeking vengeance, plus he wasn't sure if he could completely trust anyone in SHIELD yet with who, or what he was.

The second reason was that he couldn't stop thinking about his trainer Agent Romanoff. She was unlike any other woman he met. Lana was beautiful but not like her. She was something more, her beauty wasn't just outside. It was as though there was an inner beauty that she had but kept hidden from sight for some reason. He wondered what that reason was, and hoped that one day she might tell him.

He shook himself and turned to meet Cap's glaring eyes. "Kid, if we're going to even have any hope of completing this mission I need you to stay focused, and stop making so much racket." Clark lowered his head and nodded. "Sorry Cap."

"Hey it's okay kid, I was nervous on my first mission too. But we're about to be coming up on the enemy camp in fifteen minutes so we need to keep it down. Okay?"

"Yes, sir."

So, let's go over this again one last time. What's our mission?"

"Sneak into the enemy camp undetected, take out as many guards as possible without alerting anyone to our presence. Retrieve the doctor from SHIELD's science division being held hostage, get him out before daybreak, and the weapon he is developing. After of which we call in the re-conn team to take out those remaining. A simple snatch, and grab operation."

"Very good. You have a good memory for someone so young. How old are you again?"

"18 an a half, and you're like what 800 an a half."

Steve chuckled the kid was gutsy he'd give him that. "90 an a half, so respect your elders."

Clark grinned back. "Whatever you say old timer."

The moment of fun passed, and they continued on. This time moving as silent, as the gentle breeze that rustled through the trees. As they approached the clearing ahead they saw what they were up against. "It looks like a Nazi Prison Of War Camp." Steve thought. The sight reminded Clark of Stalag 13 of Hogan's Heroes except this was not a place where the guards were stupid. If they were spotted they'd be killed in a heartbeat.

An electrified fence surrounded the camp, with four guard towers on either side. About twelve buildings total, and fifty men armed to teeth with anything from machine guns, 9mms, P-52's, grenades, machetes, etc. Not that much of a challenge for Clark with his powers, but without them, they were a group to be wary of. Suddenly an order was given in Russian that sounded like "Get to your posts, Stane approaches with his guest, MOVE!" The men scattered. Four ran to guard towers on either side of the camp. Another four went to stand in front of what would be the Commandants' office. That is if it was made up to be like a POW Camp. Clark guessed that the hostage would more than likely be in a cell or the recreation hall nearby.

The rest stood in two lines side by side awaiting the arrival of the man named Stane. Cap couldn't shake the feeling that he'd heard that name before. Suddenly A black hum-v drove up to through the gates and stopped ten feet from the two lines of men who had snapped to attention. The center door to the hum-v opened, and out stepped a man Steve thought was dead. Obadiah Stane, Tony Stark's old nemesis had somehow survived their battle. The second of the pair stepped out, and Clark gasped at who he saw standing there. Lucas Luther, Lex's half-brother.

Lucas looked at Obadiah who smiled. "Well Obi, Shall we get started? My buyer doesn't like my client doesn't like his money to be wasted on pleasantries, you know."

Obadiah scowled inwardly at the younger man's pompous attitude, but outwardly he was all smiles. "Of course not my boy, right this way." He gestured to the office building ahead of them. "As you were men!" He said loudly, and the men dispersed while the pair entered the office. Steve looked over at Clark and motioned for him to fall back behind a hill one hundred feet back. He nodded, and they fell back carefully to that safer vantage point. It was thick with trees, and undergrowth with a clearing in the center. There was little chance of them being spotted.

When they arrived Steve turned to Clark. "I'm afraid this changes everything kid, we're outmatched."

Clark looked at him in confusion. "What do you mean outmatched Cap? You're an Avenger and a living legend. This'll be like a walk in the park."

Steve shook his head. "It's not that simple kid. I know "I" can get in, and out with nobody being the wiser."

Clark folded his arms. "Okay, I'll bite, then what is the problem?"

He pointed at Clark. "I'm afraid it's you."

Clark looked as if he might explode. "Me?!"

Steve nodded. "I can't take you in alone-" Clark threw his hands up in the air and looked at him in disgust. "Oh for crying out loud! So the great Captain America is going to turn tale, and run because he's afraid?!"

Steve's eyes narrowed and poked Clark with his index finger. "Watch your tone Kent! Remember I outrank you, and I could easily have you on desk duty when we get to base!"

Clark glared back at him and scoffed. "Boohoo, desk duty. Maybe I'll be attacked by a stapler! I mean seriously you think I'm even remotely scared of you, or them for those bozos in that camp back there!"

Steve gritted his teeth in frustration at how insolent the boy was being. But then his expression changed abruptly, and a smile crept its way on his face. "Tough guy huh? Okay, if that's the way the kid wants to be then that's fine with me." Steve thought to himself.

"Fine smart guy, since you're so brave then go ahead, walk in there on your own with no plan, and no backup. I'll see you back at base." Steve turned to leave, and then looked behind him. "You're still here? What happened to that cocky attitude?"

Clark hung his head and slumped his shoulders. Cap was right of course. Plus without his powers to aid him, he was going to need Cap's help, and disrespect was not how to go about getting it. He raised his head meeting Steve's eyes. "I'm sorry Cap. I was way out of line; it will not happen again I give you my word."

Steve smiled at him and patted him on the shoulder. "Hey its okay kid, I forgive you." Clark smiled back. "Thanks, sir." Steve stepped back and scratched the back of his neck. "Uh, I'd rather you not call me sir. Steve will do just fine."

Clark nodded. "Okay Steve and you can call me Clark. I mean I know you're like 90 something but I am no kid. So what's the plan?" Steve folded his arms across his chest and thought for a moment. "Well like I was trying to say before I can't take you in alone because you're a rookie, but I can if I call our back up."

Clark looked sideways at him confused. "Back up? Who's our back up?"

He pulled out a Shield scrambler comlink and smirked at Clark as he spoke. "Natasha, I need you here a.s.a.p., Copy?"

A look of shock came over Clark, and his cheeks turned red. He felt a mix of emotions inside him that he hadn't felt since the day Alicia asked him out. Embarrassment, panic, joy, and desire. Steve grinned at him, and right then he knew his assumptions were right. Clark had a crush, and it was his job to pair them together. Natasha was a troubled soul, and from what he saw on Clark's file so was he. He was also bold, witty, and the kind of guy who'd do right by her. So he might as well help him along some. After all, she'd been after Steve since the whole New York thing to get a girl. "So I'll return the favor." He thought.

He spoke into his com again. "Natasha, do you copy?"

A second later he was answered by a groan of frustration. "Hang on Rogers, Can't a lady put on her boots?!"

"Yea, if she can do it in a hurry."

"Hurry?! Really Rogers?!" She snapped.

He chuckled. "Sorry Nat, but it's a very serious matter. How soon can you be here? We got an even bigger problem than what we originally thought."

Her voice was all business then. "I'll be right there." She spoke to someone in the background. "Care to give a lady a lift?"

Five minutes later she appeared behind Clark and Steve. "Boo."

They both turned dropping into defensive stances before realizing who it was. Then they stood, and Clark looked at the ground flushing slightly. She smiled. "He looks so cute when he's caught off guard." she thought. But then shook away the thought tossing her hair over one shoulder. "Head of the game Widow" she mentally told herself.

Steve looked at her and grinned. "How did you get here so fast?" She pointed above her, and they all looked up to see Thor hovering above them.

"Lady Natasha was in need of a way to thy location, and since Metal Man was unavailable I was the logical option. I would love to stay, and partake in the battle that lies ahead of thee, but alas my father requires my presence in Asgard. Farewell, faithful comrades." A moment later with a raise of his hammer, and a burst of lightning he'd gone. Steve shook his head before looking at Natasha. "He does know how much Stark hates it when he's referred to as Metal Man, right?" Natasha just shrugged. "Most likely, now what's the problem?"

Steve and Clark both spoke at once "Obadiah Stane!" "Lucas Luther!"

She shook her head and held up her hands for silence. "Boys, Please, one at a time?!"

Steve was the first to speak. "Stark's old mentor Obadiah Stane is still alive, he's got a scientist from SHIELD being held hostage down there in that compound. My guess is he also has a new improved suit down there too. He has a small army of about fifty men armed to the teeth, and guest I've never seen before."

Natasha processed this information and thought for a moment. This was very bad. Taking on all those men head-on was no problem; she'd faced worse odds in Russia. But Obadiah, now there was a problem. He'd nearly killed Tony Stark when they faced off at Stark Industries and was believed dead. But the fact that he was alive, and possibly had a new suit could make this mission less like a walk through Times Square, and make it into a walk through Hitler's backyard. Then there was His guest to consider. "How dangerous was he?" She thought.

Clark interrupted her thoughts. "I know who his guest is."

Natasha and Steve looked at one another then back at him.

"How is that Mr. Kent?' Natasha asked which made Clark's ears turn red as he heard his name being rolled over her lips. Clark scratched the back of his neck.

"Well, he's my best friend's half-brother. His name is Lucas Luther. He's a card sharp and deals in the black market. He also has a second-degree black belt in martial arts, street fighting, and is a dead shot with a gun. Chances are he's either working for a mafia crime lord, or he is one himself. Either way, he's dangerous. Most of the Luther's are."

"Friend of yours is he?" She asked.

Clark shook his head. "Not exactly. Although I did save his life from the Chinese Mafia once, so in a way, he does kind of owe me."

Natasha smiled wickedly. "Well then I'd say it's time to call in that debt, wouldn't you?"

Steve looked at her nervously. "Natasha, that look on your face spells trouble, what do you have in mind?"

Her smile became a wide grin. "Well...

What does she have in store for them, and how will it involve Lucas? Well, you can read about it in the next chapter entitled "A Pleasant Surprise." Sorry for the long delay my fellow readers/writers. More to come I promise. Leave your thoughts, just keep it clean, and kind.