The next morning saw Erian curled up in her bed, wrapped in every blanket she'd been able to find. Two hot showers and a cup of tea had failed to chase away the chill of the night, and she could still see the airplane lights when she closed her eyes.
What is it with me and airplanes? They seem to be following me around.
Her feet were especially cold. Erian was wearing three pairs of socks and it wasn't helping. She shivered under the blankets, wanting to curl up smaller, but trying not to touch her own skin, because she was freezing.
Erian heard the knocks at the door, and stifled a moan. She knew it was Barton, because no one else would knock on the Ghostmaker's door, not unless they absolutely had to. They left her well enough alone, and she liked it that way.
She considered throwing a knife at the door in answer, but decided against it.
Instead, Erian dug herself out of her blanket tangle and pulled on some actual clothes, instead of random sweats and a t-shirt. She wandered over to the door as her visitor knocked again. Erian unlocked the door and pulled it open to see, as she'd expected, Barton.
"What?" she demanded.
Barton smiled at her. "Good morning to you too. Always a pleasure."
Erian glared at him, contemplating the lack of feeling in her feet and wondering if she should just hit him already and get it over with. Barton added, "We have a mission."
Erian blinked. What, already? It's only been a day or two. "What do you mean, we?"
Barton shrugged. "They decided to send both of us. Not my fault, really."
She sighed, and looked down at the floor. "All right. Give me a few minutes."
Erian closed the door, and shook her head. I don't want him for a partner. I work alone. She moved slowly across the room, rubbing her arms to warm herself. Erian changed into more mission-worthy clothes, and took a moment to strap on her knives – all of them, some visible, most hidden. There were quite a few.
She opened the door to find Barton waiting for her. Erian drew in a breath, and stepped into the hallway, closing the door behind her. Barton led her down the hall, and she asked, "Where are we headed?"
Barton replied, "Prague. Simple stuff, really. Just take out the target. I'm your backup."
Erian glanced sideways at him. "I don't need backup."
He smiled. "I know. But Fury's into overkill."
She pressed her lips together. Erian had met Fury, and didn't like him much. He glared a lot and didn't seem to think Erian was worth her keep.
I already knew that; he sent Barton to kill me, after all. Good thing I don't give a damn about Fury's opinion.
The jet was waiting for them. Erian walked up the ramp and took a seat, ignoring the pilot, ignoring the world. Barton sat across from her, and she closed her eyes, feeling the cold in her bones.
It was a short flight, at least for Erian. Barton showed her the target profile – some kind of weapons dealer that SHIELD had decided to eliminate. Erian had seen the type before, and she silently agreed with SHIELD's decision.
The jet set them down just outside of Prague, under cover of what was still darkness in that part of the world. Erian stepped out into the night and smiled. It was a good darkness to her – a hunter's darkness.
Barton tapped her shoulder, and Erian almost jumped. He silently handed her a radio ear bud. She looked at him for a moment, and thought about not taking it.
But Erian took the bug and put it on. Barton was her second chance, her last chance. She could live with inconveniences, in exchange for her last chance.
They walked into Prague, and Barton said, "Here's where we split up. I'll be on the roof above you. Call me if you get into trouble."
"Never happen," Erian replied, and Barton smiled before vanishing up a nearby fire escape. Erian had to smile as well, walking through the night and thinking about the last time she'd seen Barton climb a fire escape.
She made her way to the sidewalk in front of the target's current apartment. Erian smiled at the tourists who were enjoying an evening out, and even gave directions in flawless Czech. After a few minutes, Barton's voice came over her radio.
"You're good. He's alone."
Erian was moving before she remembered to respond – she wasn't used to having a partner. "I'm inside," she breathed, silently closing the door behind her.
She moved through the rooms with practiced silence, feet padding lightly across the floors. Erian could see her target, sitting with his back to her in a low-backed chair.
Erian smiled. Poor choice of furniture. In a single motion, she drew a knife and threw it.
Her target collapsed without a sound, dead. The Ghostmaker calmly walked up to the corpse and retrieved her knife. She paused for a moment, then leaned over and kissed the dead man's cheek.
Just because I work for SHIELD doesn't mean I have to give up my trademark.
"Target is dead. Mission accomplished. I'm coming out the back."
Barton said in surprise, "That was fast."
Erian smiled. "That's because I'm the best. Now let's get out of here, I'm freezing."
That's all I have for now, but reviews make me write faster. Take the hint. I love reviews very much, so leave me one, even if it's just a smiley face.
K.S.