A/N: So, I just realized I've left poor Clint suffering alone for 10 days... I've been busy working on some original fiction. After reading this week's crop of fanfic stories in which Clint almost always suffers a horrible death, I've decided to cut him a break and give him a little time with Natasha.

Chapter 4

The trip to India wasn't as bad as Barton had feared. Coulson kept his word and the mission was strictly surveillance. Clint couldn't help but feel bad for Dr. Bruce Banner. The guy seemed to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders. He never passed up the opportunity to help someone. Be it a homeless beggar on the street in Mumbai or child suffering from cholera in Kerala. Clint knew what it was like to try to atone for one's sins, but he just couldn't figure out exactly what it was Banner had thought he had done. From the intel they had, Banner was not a violent person before his accident. And after, well Banner had no control over what came after. But here he was in India, on a one-man crusade to help people.

After a week of keeping his distance, Barton moved in closer one afternoon. He just needed to see exactly how Banner managed to keep control. Fury wanted to know. So, Clint found himself in a market in Bangalore, tailing Banner. The scientist was negotiating the purchase of medical supplies from an old woman. The woman was tough, but Banner was charming her. Clint laughed at the woman's sudden change of heart. She gave him what he needed and a little extra, sending him off with Hindu prayer of Sweetness. Banner passed in front of him, so Barton took a sudden interest in some saris hanging on a wall. He noticed one with a mesmerizing red print. He was dressed as a Western business man, so why not buy something nice for someone special back home? Clint had just finished paying- full price to the astonishment of the vendor- when he saw Banner disappear down an alley.

Barton hurried away with his package tucked under his arm. Banner wasn't stupid. He knew he was likely being hunted. He never stayed in the same place for too long, and he always varied his route when traveled. Not bad for a physicist, thought Barton. The SHIELD agent gave his target some space. It was likely that Banner was just going back to his flat. Barton perched on the top of the roof of the building opposite of Banner's, concealing himself behind someone's laundry. The spy could see Banner in the window of his 2nd story room, simply reading a book. Nice and relaxing I guess, thought Clint. Banner stayed in his room for the rest of the evening. Barton realized he wasn't going to get much more out of Banner than this, so he decided to call it a night.

Clint found his way back to his hotel room and sprawled out on the bed. He composed an encrypted email to Coulson: Subject observed for 8 days. No incidents on the sub-continent reported. No indication of incidents. No incidents likely. Most likely approachable.

Ten minutes later, Couslon replied with: Acknowledged. Return to base.

Barton's reply: Which base?

Coulson's reply: Central, if you can handle the excitement.

Barton: Affirmative!

From his office in Manhattan, Phil Coulson chuckled and closed his laptop.

Twenty hours later, Agent Clint Barton strode into the New York facility, happy to back. He found an empty bunk room and dropped his gear. His phone rang, "Barton here?"

"Debrief in 30" said Coulson and hung up.

The debriefing was quick; because there really wasn't much to say other than the subject seemed to be a stand-up guy who read a lot of books. Coulson and Barton were just leaving the conference room when Clint heard the distinctive bellow of Nick Fury. Fury was one floor down, and Clint could see him through the open atrium. Sure enough, Romanoff was with him, trailing behind and looking bored. Barton's sudden interest in Director Fury and his entourage was not lost on Coulson. He chuckled and just walked away saying "You're welcome."

Clint shot him an ornery look and considered his options. He decided that keeping a safe distance from Fury was probably –always- the best option. No need to get sent back to the Dark Energy Base too soon.

Serendipity graced him when Natasha turned and glanced around to check her surroundings. Clint always referred to it as her 'crazy Ivan' and she couldn't have picked a better time for it. Her gaze rose and met his. True to form, she turned back as if she'd seen nothing. But, he could see a faint smile spread across her face.

Clint knew that Nat would find the best way to slip away later, so he went back to his bunk room to shower. It was 21:00 when he heard on knock on the door. He slowly unlocked it, teasing her a bit. He opened the door to find her with her hands on her hips, tapping her foot. Her beauty never failed to make him breathe a little faster. She was wearing jeans, a white blouse, and black leather jacket. Clearly, she was dressed for an evening away from base. Clint agreed with her plan without a word and grabbed his own black jacket.

Within minutes they were in a cab and headed to their favorite lounge in Brooklyn. The music was always good and the lights were low. She took his hand in hers and he stole a kiss on her cheek. She laughed at his sophomoric behavior, but didn't object. "You're a child." She teased.

"Let's be children tonight." He whispered in her ear.

She leaned into him and squeezed his hand tighter. She could see his smile in the flashes of light that danced through the windows in the taxi. Traffic was easy this evening, and they made it to the bar by 9:45. A line had already formed an indication that the music tonight was going to be good. They slipped in the side door as always, and the Murray, the owner, face lit up when he saw them. A couple like this was good for the atmosphere. These two, Clint and Natalie, were just about as good looking as it got. And they were wealthy too. Not pretend rich, like half the wanabees that tried to pass the line, but really quite well off. Clint slipped the hostess a hundred and she found them a table in the back, just like they preferred. Murray made a point to pass them by and welcome them. Clint nodded and Natalie gave him a coy smile.

By the time the drinks and food had been served, the band was starting. It was new band they'd never heard of, but the line outside the door was deserved. As the sound of contemporary blues began to relax them, Clint took Natasha's hand softly and let the perfection of the night sink in. She smiled and leaned back to enjoy the music. If only these nights weren't so rare and stolen she thought to herself.

She watched him as he listened to the music. He was tan from his exile to New Mexico and India and his body looked like he'd done nothing be lift weights for a month. He'd somehow managed to tame his hair and he looked more handsome than usual. Maybe it was just because they'd been apart, she mused, but she just couldn't stop looking at him. Maybe it was the 2nd martini she'd drunk too quickly. Maybe it was because she just couldn't seem to sit close enough to him tonight. But whatever it was, she was sure that she didn't want to wait for the band to play every song.

By the 4th song, Clint was thinking that no matter how nice the bar was, he just wanted to get her alone. They could go back to base, but he was tired of sneaking around there. He wanted something more special for her tonight.

"Would you like to visit that new Hotel, the James?" he whispered. She smiled and nodded.

Murray watched as the beautiful pair left the bar, making heads turn. He smiled.

Clint called the hotel and convinced the desk they'd lost his reservation. Natasha smiled leaned against him in the cab for the return trip to Manhattan. The room at the James was everything it was supposed to be: elegant, and comfortable, and private.

As soon as the door was close and locked, he took her in his arms and kissed her deeply. Maybe they did only have one night, but they both planned to make it last as long as possible.