Chapter 10- Landfall

Clint Barton and Ethan Hunt near end of 1st day at sea (less than 1 day behind Will)

"Okay heads we stay in this current, tails we paddle over to that one", Clint told Ethan. Ethan could not really believe they were basing a decision this important on a coin toss. Yeah so what else are you going to do, his mind asked him. There is no Benji out here to look up information on his computer, even then Clint is right the sea can be unpredictable. Just roll with it, he told himself. You knew this whole thing was a gamble so why not take another one. "Toss the coin", he said to Clint, tired of his own game of mental ping pong . Clint threw the coin up and deftly caught into on the back of his hand, slapping his other hand over the top, before it could slide off. He peered under his hand. "We stay here", he told Ethan . "Fine", Ethan replied, he had been concerned that the splashing they would make by moving would attract more sharks.

There were only three at the moment, though one of those looked significantly larger than the rest. He found his eyes drawn to that one, watching its behavior. "They may not like being stared at", Clint told him nervously . "Well it's them who are staring at us, that one in particular", Ethan pointed to the largers finned monster. "Oh Jaws himself", Clint muttered taking a quick moment to look at the shark.

"It keeps putting its head out, looking then surfacing, like it can't decide something", Ethan remarked. He thought the sharks behavior was odd as the other two were just swimming about. "It's wondering which of us will taste better", Clint replied drolly. He had never liked sharks . They tended to go even crazier if you shot arrows into them. So it was not a really good method of attack. Still it might be all he had . He'd spent time breaking a small piece of wood off the larger piece and then carving it with a sliver of glass. Hunt probably though he was keeping busy to stop himself thinking about the sea. Oh no even in his mind he'd said the word sea and now he had to look at it again. This time he focused on the large shark . It only took him a couple of minutes to determine that Hunt was right ,it's behavior was weird.

"What do we do if it attacks", Ethan asked nervously. He had no issues with dealing with people but sharks were a little outside of his experience. . "You use what you have Hunt, Clint told him holding up that piece of wood he'd spent time working upon. It now looked like a spear, which could come in handy, though Ethan cringed at the thought of an enraged shark if it did not die from the blow. As if Clint had read his thoughts he told Ethan, "it's a last resort weapon in a scenario where we have no other choice. I don't think I'll be using it now".

That was a relief. It did not stop Ethan staring at the sharks, watching them with the gaze of a highly trained observer used to making decisions based on his assessments. After watching for 15 minutes more Ethan found himself making an assessment. He ducked behind Clint for a moment ,peering out from behind his back to check on the sharks reaction. "What are you doing", Clint asked. "Just testing my theory, Clint that shark is not interested in me, it is staring at you", Ethan told him. Clint looked at the shark intently, it did seem that the beady eyes were boring into him. When he turned his head to look behind him the shark moved so that it could once again see his face. He swallowed nervously, "okay now I am getting freaked out, what did I do eat one of your cousins once", Clint asked the shark. Ethan could not help laughing at that comment, another droll one that helped break the tension of the moment. It was also said with such a familiar tone that Ethan replied. "I have probably eaten one of his cousins as well Will, so I don't think that is an issue". When Clint stared at him sadly in response, Ethan realized he had accidently called him by his brothers name. It was because in that moment Clint really had seemed like Will. Would he become more like him as time went by and then would he actually forget about the real Will. Ethan felt guilty. Clint simply patted his hand, "I understand Ethan, it is hard not to look at me and see Will. My mind is the only place Will exists and I fight hard to keep him in there."That was a hard confession for Clint. Will was almost like a ghost, someone he'd seen long ago and was real in his memories . Only seeing Will in the flesh would make him seem less like a dream.

He turned back toward the shark trying work out why the thing kept it's gaze rooted upon him. Perhaps it had a problem with its eyes and was seeing double or something. "Double vision in sharks is not possible,"Will", Clint suddenly began to laugh out loud. It was a joyous happy sound that seemed out of place in the middle of the sea. Ethan looked at him warily. "Maybe that shark is looking at me oddly because he's seen me before", Clint explained. Now it was Ethan's turn to smile broadly. "Yeah I guess seeing someone who looked like you would even confuse a shark". So Will was alive, he should not have felt so surprised about the fact. Looking at the way the shark was staring at Clint reminded him of the look he'd seen on many enemies face. His smile faded away and a frown took its place. "I hope that Will did not do something to it that made it want to seek revenge". "I don't think sharks do the revenge motto", Clint told him in a hopeful tone. He too though had recognised something about that gaze and was hoping it was just his imagination. Ethan of course had to convince him otherwise by asking. "'Have you seen the movie Jaws". "Great visual image Hunt, I was trying not to think about that movie", Clint replied nervously. That shark had been capable of revenge , but this was not something writers had thought up to scare the masses. Still he kept his gaze on that large fin . When it ducked under the water he suddenly found his heart hammering a lot faster. The other two sharks fins had disappeared also and Clint had a strong feeling that was not a good sign. His danger sense was usually one hundred percent accurate and right now it was telling him firmly that they were about to get attacked. They had moments in which to act. "Ethan hook your feet under that beam and stand up", Clint asked quickly . Ethan did not ask why because he could tell by Clint's pale face that he did not really want to know the answer. He just followed Clint's instructions and carefully balanced himself upon the wood. Clint hooked his feet under a beam on the opposite side of the wood. This was all done in a few seconds. "Brace yourself and follow my actions", Clint told Ethan grimly.

Ethan kept his eyes focused on Clint. Clint squatted down indicating for Ethan to do the same. Once down, it felt like every muscle in his legs was protesting. It became agonizing after one minute . "Go down as low as you can pressing the wood down under you. Then jump up rapidly and flip over with the wood just like you were surfing a wave. Remember to keep your feet under that beam"", Clint instructed loudly. Ethan crouched lower and as he did so he felt the wood slide deeper under the sea. He did not bother to question Clint Barton knowing instinctively that he could trust his judgment. "Jump now", Clint ordered.

They both launched upward rapidly tugging the wood out of the water , up into the air. Flipping over with the weight of the wood was difficult. But the combined weight of both of them gave the momentum to pull it off.

Upside down for a mere second Ethan got a shocking look at three open shark mouths racing at a terrible spped into the space their piece of house had occupied seconds ago.

It was like waiting for the pileup on the freeway to happen. Unable to stop their momentum the three sharks smacked into each other with a ferocity that would have made their eyes water. They sat there stunned for a few moments before sinking below the water line.

Ethan and Clint finished off the flip and hit the water the right way up with the house still firmly attached to their feet moments later. A splash of cold sea water doused them as they landed.

Turning rapidly around they both searched the sea for any sign of the sharks. All they could see were little bubbles . "Well that showed them not to mess with us", Clint muttered out through gasping breaths. He could feel the injuries he'd sustained in the motorcycle crash burning with a fierce intensity. Ethan reached out to support him and Clint found himself holding on firmly. "Are you alright ", Ethan asked worriedly. He felt like he needed to keep hold of Clint just in case something happened and he was left alone out here. There had been times when he had been alone on missions and had always managed to find a way out of danger. But out here in the sea he felt more isolated and alone than on any other mission. It was the seas way of messing with your mind and he was grateful he had another person with him.

Clint felt the same . He and Ethan Hunt were bonding well , thankfully he wasn't stuck out here with someone who had Tony Starks ego. Noticing that the sky was rapidly turning darker Clint lowered himself carefully onto the wood and lay down. Ethan did the same his body touching Clint's and sending warm through his soaking wet clothing. Neither one backed away realizing this was the only way to slow the effects of hypothermia. Will would not have been so fortunate. Clint could only hope his brother could keep on surviving.

Xxxxx

Will day 2…unknown island (Clint and Ethan less than 24 hours away )

He'd kept moving through the sea until he felt the water dissipate and sand take it's place. It was too dark to see much, just vague shapes that could be greenery. He made for one using his hand to determine that it was indeed a shrub of some kind. The tingling sensation in his other arm had moved from fingers to hand. When he pinched his fingers he now felt nothing at all. His arm was slowly becoming paralyzed and it scared him. The fact that was his right hand and he was left handed did not comfort him as he often held his gun in a two handed grip. Don't think about it too much, he told himself, just survive. Pulling himself into the shrubbery he circled his body inward trying to get warm.

His soaking wet clothing was so water logged it gushed water onto the dry sand. Stripping off down to his singlet Will shivered . He rubbed his cold limbs with his right hand causing both pain and a little warmth. At the moment it was too dark to be able to make a fire,but it'd be his first priority in the morning. He'd laugh if he woke up to find himself on a tourist beach with a dozen hotels staring down at him. It would be a relief. Something about the total lack of light or sound around him told him that may just be a fantasy. Curling himself into a tighter ball he let his body fall into an exhausted sleep.

He awoke to the pleasant sound of birdsong. Light filtered it's way through the bush where he was lying.

His whole body protested when he moved and he had to bite his lip to prevent a yell of pain. The bite just made his cracked lip bleed even more. He must look an awful sight.

But it was time to get out of this bush and take a look at where he was. His legs though would not cooperate enough to stand up. He put his hands on the ground to crawl himself out only to fall flat onto his face. There was no feeling at all in his left arm, it fell limp by his side. The bleeding from the wound he'd sustained in the explosion had mainly stopped but the cut to his arm was jagged and an unhealthy shade of red. Whatever was inside his arm was almost most likely causing an infection to spred from the inside.

The longer his arm had to go without treatment the greater the chance that the damage done may be irreversible. That thought gave extra strenght to his legs and on weaving legs he plunged himself out into the open.

Once there he stopped and stared at the unrelenting greenness that assaulted his senses. This was definitely not one of the more populated islands. The bush looked dense and terrain difficult . Not that going that way would be his first choice. IMF gave their agents survival training and he knew from this that his best chance for survival was staying on the beach and building a fire. That way any passing vessel would see the smoke and come and investigate.

With that in mind he looked about the beach for pieces of wood. He'd just located some a few metres away and was stumbling toward them when his danger sense began to twitch. It told him firmly to turn around. He did so and found the man he knew as Dent Baxter staring at him. Why could he never get a break he thought as he stared at one of the men IMF had sent the team to kill. That man looked in far better shape than he did after surviving jumping off a cliff,an explosion and a day in the ocean.

But he was not pointing a weapon at him, surely out here they two of them could put aside their differences and come to some arrangement. "So Baxter, it seems we have the same problem", he started off by saying.

The man smiled annoyingly at him, "you have a problem Brandt, I don't', he replied calmly. It had to be an act Will decided, this man was trying to put him off balance by suggesting he somehow had the advantage. "Really, I don't see anyone there beside you Baxter. Your colleague is still entertaining the sharks and the others were most likely killed in the explosion. It is just you and me, out here alone", he replied. Baxter did not look afraid, he looked cocky which was not very reassuring and his next words just cemented the fact. "Oh you are mistaken Brandt, I have a way off this island waiting for me. You are the one who is alone and injured."

He sounded very sincere and Will began to have doubts. "Just think about the fact that we always knew where you and your team were Brandt. Sure some of my colleagues are dead but I have others who right now know exactly where both of us are. " Save yourself some pain and decide to come with us", Baxter suggested. Now that did surprise Will, he thought this man was just out to kill him and not take him prisoner . Not that the prisioner part made him think of going with Baxter. It was most likely a path of torture for information on IMF. "I'd rather die here thanks", he said firmly.

Baxter looked rather disgusted, "why die Brandt when I am offering you a chance to live. We are not planning on torturing you or anything too unpleasant if that is what you are worried about. You would be a great asset Agent Brandt and as such could claim a lot of pleasant things." His tone was like a saleman offering a wonderful holiday package. Will could not afford to believe him.

"You are just a liar Baxter", he claimed. Again he got a head shake, "why would I bother lying Brandt. You don't look in very good shape and I could take you out easily. Once back at our base your body would not endure the types of tortures some of my colleagues are capable of. But that is not the path I want for you. I am offering you the truth", Baxter remarked. He had taken one step closer Will noted and he made sure to take one wobbly step back. His eyes never left the other mans body waiting for some type of trick. All this verbal rubbish he was spouting was just distraction.

"Tell me Brandt do you remember your childhood', that sentence made Will freeze in the process of taking another backward step. Where the heck had that question come from and why did it make him feel so uncomfortable. "Ahh you don't do you". "IMF have never had any answers to what happened to you in the past Brandt, as a child, we do".Now the words out of Baxters mouth raised an uncertainty within him. This was not at all what he had expected an enemy to say.

"Nothing happened to me", it was best to deny that . "Really so tell me about your early years then, who your parents were, your friends, whether you have any siblings", the words taunted him and made him feel more afraid than any torture could. It was all because there was a hole in his memory, a big one.

Baxter was sensing victory now. Brandt was not moving just staring at hm soberly. "We can give you the answers Brandt. Your early life can be returned to you", he offered it like a cherry on a chocolate cake.

Will knew he should turn away, run ,do something, but he just stood paralyzed and finding one word falling from his mouth. "How", he asked Baxter.

Inwardly his enemy smiled he'd just hooked his fish and now all he had to do was reel him in."There are people out there who know the truth, we will tell you where to find them", he explained. Brandt was still waiting for something to happen, this whole thing felt wrong, though it was a very interesting discussion. He wanted to know about this man's motives for telling him all this. "That's it you tell me where to find them and I go ask nicely what they have been hiding from me", he hinted.

"These people are the type who won't just give you the answer. You will have to use some of your training to get to the truth. It will be like any other mission Agent Brandt", Baxter told him calmly.

"So why would I go on a mission for an enemy", Will asked. "This smells like a big trap Baxter".

"Perhaps we are not the enemy Brandt. We do not lie to you", Baxter told him. He could sense his victory was not quite as close as before. This man was a highly trained agent and he was naturally suspicious.

Will could sense that there was an element of truth to what this man was saying ,people had lied to him.

But he also knew that this man was a liar himself . One more question would tell him everything. "If you want me to come and work for you then why don't you just get this information for me and give it as a welcoming gift", he asked.

Ah so William Brant was definitely not an idiot thought Baxter. He'd have to give some answer. "It is a situation where you'd find answers quicker than us Agent Brandt." That answer told Will a lot.

"So you essentially want me to get information out of either IMF or some other agency in this country using my agent status. What else will I be getting in addition to the information I want, something for you perhaps" , Will guessed. That was what this man wanted, for him to betray his own country. He was feeling very angry but could not muster the strength for an attack.

By the look on Baxter's face he knew it as well. "You would be willing to give us something in return after you discover the truth Agent Brandt. But I feel that I will not convince you." It was then he reached in his pocket and came out with a gun."This one is water proof and loaded", he told Will ashe aimed it at his head.

Will did not move just staring down the barrel. He hoped he was reading this right and that this agent did not want him dead. "Shoot me then, you get a big fat nothing", he stated firmly.

Baxter smiled rather chillingly making hm feel like squirming. "I will not shoot to kill, just incapacitate further. In your state it'll take awhile to recover. But we are in no big hurry, we will patch you up then convince you to do as we want".

"I thought you said no torture", Will told him boldly. He was feeling more afraid right now than he had even in the face of a shark attack. But he was also noticing some things, like the fact Baxter never moved. It might seem like he was just a professional or it could be the fact that he too was injured and was hiding the fact.

"We will not torture you, but there are some drugs that will help soften your mind. You should just agree Brandt and save yourself all this pain. Your reward will be more than you know", his voice dripped temptation .His gaze had never wavered from Will's and he looked so sincere. He's also dangerous Will's tired mind told him. He did not fancy being shot and knew he really only had one chance to get out of this. He had to gamble on the fact that Baxter was injured. He let it look like he was thnking it over, not moving .

He was about to rush toward Baxter when the man fired a shot at his feet. He really had not been kidding about the gun being water proof. "Just to show you I am not a monster, William Brandt', Baxter told him. "Yeah well I am not going with you", Will told him firmly leaving no doubt in his words. Baxter still held the gun steady but there was no look of death in his eyes. He walked a step forward toward Will in a steady straight line. With a sinking feeling Will realized he'd been wrong about the injury. If he had rushed Baxter he would have ended up being shot.

"I might decide to be sporting Brandt", Baxter told him as he lowered the gun slightly. "You have a five minute start then I am coming after you. If you think that will give you a chance though you are kidding yourself. Soon my friends will come and then one way or another you will be coming with us". He smiled again in a manner that was supposed to convey his generosity in being sporting.

But being sporting had nothing to do with it Brandt decided. Baxter had just let it slip that his friends were coming soon, which meant that thankfully they were not already on this island waiting for them. So that was why Baxter had not fired. He would not be able to effectively treat a gunshot wound.

It did not mean though that if he pushed his luck that Baxter would not hesitate to fire. The best chance for him to get out of this was to take Baxter's sporting chance and hopefully use it to his own advantage.

"Alright, give me the five minutes", he told his emeny. "Then he ran off with painful lurching steps as fast as he could go toward the dense jungle like bush.