It is nearly one in the morning, so I am going to need some feedback on this. Keep or re-write this chapter? It is probably crappy since I am half asleep, but I am trying to get something out there for y'all. I have been getting my horse ready for a show, so I haven't had much free time and I apologize for that. Thanks to anyone who is still reading and please let me know what you think. Don't be afraid to tell me it is crap!

The sun had gotten to her and she had gone completely insane. That was the only explanation that Natasha could come up with to explain her current actions; She was standing waist deep in water beside her partner, wearing nothing but a sports bra and shorts. Her arms were wrapped around his neck and she was kissing him back. Oh, she knew it was wrong. Every fiber of her brain was screaming at her to pull away, to get rid of him before the damage could be done, but she knew it was too late. Her hands were already running through his short hair as his hands tangled in her long locks and she liked it. She liked the way his lips felt on hers, the way he tasted, the way he made her feel human. Natasha closed her eyes as he kissed her, taking every detail into memory, afraid that she would somehow forget this moment. And then it was over.

"Nat, I-" Clint didn't hesitate in speaking as they pulled apart, chests heaving as they tried to catch their breath.

"Don't." Natasha took a step back, putting space between them as she tried to clear her head. "Please don't say you are sorry this happened. Say anything, but don't say that. I can't handle hearing it...again." Her tone was icy and hurt, just like her heart. Within seconds she had thrown those walls back up and retreated to her old ways; she had let him in and he hurt her, just like Ianvitch. He was going to tear her down and she already felt the pain forming in her chest. He had become her friend, her best friend if she was being honest with herself. They argued and occasionally came to blows, but they were also a team: Two parts to a whole. And he had just destroyed that.

"Not everyone in life is going to hurt you Nat." Clint's eyes were sad as he stepped towards her, putting a hand on her arm to keep her from backing up again. "And you should know by now that I wouldn't do anything to hurt you. Do you trust me?"

Trust, the word that made Natasha inwardly cringe. The last person she had truly trusted was Ianvitch and he had betrayed her. Ever since then her life had been full of lies and false promises, promises that left her colder and wearier each time they were broke. She quickly learned not to trust or love anyone, that promises were made to be broken. But then there was Clint, the exception to all her rules. He had never tried to hurt her, he had never lied; if anything he had always been overly blunt about things. But it had meant something to her, even if she hadn't realized it until now. Her mind drifted back to the last few months and she found herself admitting that she enjoyed the time they had spent together, but she also realized that she did trust him, more than anyone she had ever known. He hadn't let her down, never made a promise he couldn't keep.

Natasha felt the tears forming and she blinked rapidly, not willing to break the countless years of not crying. Clint frowned as the silence spanned between them and he finally took a step back, nodding to himself. "I understand." His jaw set and he turned his back to her, staring daggers into the horizon. He was the worlds biggest idiot. What in the hell had he been thinking?

"Clint." Natasha finally found her voice, which cracked as she said his name. Clint turned around, a hurt look on his face that broke through Natasha's walls. She shook her head before stepping forward and hugging him, pressing her face again his chest. "Yes."

"Huh?" He frowned in confusion.

"Yes, I trust you. I'm sorry-you know I am no good at this stuff."

"And I am?" He laughed bitterly. "I was going to say I am sorry if I made you mad or hurt you; I know you are a lot like me. Hell, who am I kidding, we are practically the same person. We don't like to establish connections with people, we don't like friends and we avoid anything that could lead to a relationship." Clint searched for the right words, knowing it was best to avoid the word love. "So I know that me acting on impulse probably shocked the shit out of you and I would understand if you were mad...Or hurt." Clint scratched the back of his neck as he dropped his gaze, wishing he could come up with something better than that.

"I'm not mad...just a bit surprised, that is all. And confused." Natasha admitted it, sighing.

"Confused?"

"I don't want to feel like this Clint. I don't want to risk getting hurt, I don't want to set myself up for that. But part of me wants this. I don't know where it is coming from, but I want to fight it. But I know I can't fight you."

"You don't have to. We can forget this ever happened, I won't ever mention it again."

"I don't want to forget."

"But you just-"

"You talk way too much." Natasha mused before reaching up and kissing him once more. When they pulled apart Clint was surprised to see she was actually smiling, amusement in her eyes as she assessed his expression. "What's the matter Barton? Never been kissed before?"

"I, uh," Clint mumbled dumbly, trying to reboot his brain.

"Apparently not." Natasha smirked at him, splashing water at his face. "Snap out of it bird boy." Natasha considered kissing him again, but then the faint sound of a chopper reached her ears. Clint heard it to and he seemed to snap out of it, his eyes training on the sky.

"I'll be damned. Fury found us."

"About damn time. I want a shower. And a hot meal."

"A bed would be nice." Clint added, putting distance between them; there was no use to raise suspicion with any of SHIELDS superiors when he wasn't even sure what was happening between himself and Natasha.

"Are you saying you didn't enjoy our temporary sleeping arrangements?" Natasha asked with a straight face, inwardly smirking as Clint's jaw dropped.

"I,uh,no, that's not-"

"Stop being so serious all the time."

"Do you realize how ironic it is for you to say that to me?" Clint snorted.

"Oh, whatever." She rolled her eyes as they waded out of the water and onto the beach. "I guess we should head back to the plane; the chopper is pretty close."

"I agree. But I have one question."

"Hmm?" Natasha asked, slipping on a shirt and wringing out her hair.

"What is exactly is all this?" Clint gestured to them, raising an eyebrow.

"A mess." Natasha responded with a sad smile, but it was the truth. She wasn't sure what they had just started and she wasn't sure she wanted to know. Things were going to get messy.

As far as time goes, these events are probably taking place about a year to a year and a half after he rescued her. Don't think it is too soon, because it going to be messy; I can't just give you fluff without throwing in some drama and problems :) I also apologizes for errors. I really need to find a proof reader!