Mission Ski Resort

Day One

Clint wondered how Natasha could still look so annoyed when they were in the most luxurious ski lodge ever built. It was wood on the outside but inside it had marble floors and bright walls. The living room had couches and a flat screen TV and fur rugs. The kitchen fridge was already stocked with amazing food and champagne. The bathroom was huge and the bath was actually in the floor of the bathroom where you took a few steps down to get into it. It looked like a Jacuzzi but the Jacuzzi was on the back porch. The problem was that there was only one bedroom. It had a large four-poster bed but Clint didn't think Natasha would be up to sharing.

"Isn't it great?" Clint asked his new partner and she stared at him.

"There is only one bed, Barton."

"Enough of the Barton. Call me Clint. We're engaged, remember?" Clint raised his eyebrow and she blushed, obviously remembering the bugging devices in all the rooms.

"I just..I don't believe in sex before marriage." She said, her voice perfectly calm.

"I know." He replied. Maybe they wouldn't have to pretend to have sex after all. Although it was a lie, Clint had read her file. Natasha really did have a reputation on missions to convince the criminals to give up secrets. "Maybe we could just share a bed and nothing else."

"Fine. I'm going for a bath."

"Oh I wanted first shower. Can't I come in with you, Tasha? I mean we are engaged."

Natasha looked annoyed. "Clinton, no, you cannot have a bath with me. Besides I wouldn't want it get dirty."

"It won't. I swear. We can just lie there and drink champagne. We could even wear swimming costumes." Clint said.

"I meant the bath water." she said and he smirked.

"Sure you did, Tasha."

"Natasha, not Tasha. And I'm locking the bathroom door."

"It doesn't have a lock." Clint said. He had done a search of the lodge to find all listening devices, there were no cameras and no locks except on the front and back door. They were also the only exits and entrances unless you count the windows.

Natasha walked up to him and placed her lips close to his ear. He shivered. Something in her did that to him. "Barton, do not walk in on me having a bath or you will pay." She whispered.

He watched her walk away, teasing him in that purple dress, and rubbed his eyes. He had to stop thinking about her as a girlfriend and more of a friend. Or just even a partner. Dangerous. Dangerous. Dangerous. She was an ex-spy for Russia and she couldn't be trusted. This was all part of her plan. He wouldn't be tricked.

Yet he still couldn't help thinking of her being so close to him and the time on the plane that he caught her briefly smiling at a movie. The spy did have a sense of humor then. And that smile was adorable.

...

Natasha checked her watch. She was three minutes late but she decided to take her time putting on her earrings. Someone banged on the bedroom door. "Tasha hurry up." Barton yelled. Natasha rolled her eyes and stood up. Her dress - red silk maxi-dress with long sleeves - swished round her feet as she opened the door with her best I am beautiful smile. Barton's eyes almost dropped out of his head. "You...you...you only have one earring on."

Her smile faded and she put the other hoop in. "Thank you for the reminder. Are we going now?"

"Yeah. You like my tux?"

"Nice." Natasha said coldly and sprayed herself with perfume. "Where are we going?"

"To the Sunday ball."

"And may I inquire what we are doing there?"

"You may. We are dancing and having dinner and chatting to other couples."

"And what are we really doing?"

"Scoping out the area for any criminals we recognize. It's the Mafia, I'm assuming." Clint said then laughed as if it was a joke. In case someone was listening.

"I am ready." Natasha stood up and she scanned his body from his easy smile to his polished shoes. She wanted to find some imperfection but it was impossible. The only thing she could think of was his messed up hair but she liked it like that. It reflected Barton's personality. He was messed up but relaxing and he helped her nerves. Because she was nervous; she hated socializing while pretending to be someone else in case she slipped up. Natasha had always loved the thrill of undercover work but hated to mess it up. This was her first undercover mission with SHIELD and she wanted it to go down in history. And not as a fail.

Barton had already walked out of the door and she ran to catch up with him, grabbing her gun to put it in her little bag. Someone grabbed her wrist and she jumped but it was just Barton. "No guns."

"But-"

"No guns, Tasha." He hissed. Natasha sighed and dropped the gun back on the table. He still had hold of her wrist. "Do you trust me?" He asked.

"I don't know."

"I trust you. Not with my life, not yet, but I trust you to a certain extent and I know you told me not to but that's a facade you put on."

"It is not, Clint." She said. He briefly smiled then probably remembered the mission.

"It is Kevin Bacon in Footloose. I'll even Google it now."

"No. Don't Google it." Natasha said.

"Why not? Because you don't want to be wrong?" Barton raised an eyebrow.

"I don't think your ego could take it if you were wrong again."

"My ego needs a boost. I'll look it up."

"No!"

"You can't stop me from doing it." Barton said as he walked out of the door, phone in hand. Natasha ran after him and locked the door behind him. All the other couples who were walking were holding hands and kissing. She sighed and ran up to him.

"I can stop you." She said in the most loving voice she could do. Natasha took the phone and put it in his jacket pocket, put her hands on his shoulders and lightly kissed him on his lips. He kissed back for a second then drew away. "See? I can stop you."

"You win." Barton smiled and linked arms with her as they walked down the path. "Do you think people are listening to our arguments?" He asked in a warm voice.

Natasha hated it because it was all wrong. He shouldn't be talking to her like that. She shouldn't be kissing him. "Unless they've bugged the paths!" She giggled.

Barton laughed too and as they went to the main hall where the 'ball' was being held, he looked at her oddly.

"What?"

"Nothing. It's...just...it's like I've seen a different side of you during that acting."

"It's acting, Barton, it's not real." Natasha said, back to being cold and distant.

"Right." Barton shook his head. "Whatever you say, Tasha."