Chapter 20- rat in a trap

"I am giving you both three days to catch up. After that Will is being escorted out of this base to another secure location", Fury told Clint. Three days, it did not seem long enough to Clint. How could he possibly catch up on everything he had missed in Will's life in three measly days. But he did not dare complain. He knew those three days were a gift. Fury would have had Will moved now but the doctors had advised against it. So he vowed to make the most of the time they had.

He knew Fury was working with the IMF secretary to plan the escort details. They were not discussing any of those details with him. Of course that was his fault. "Use me as a decoy", he had insisted to Fury. "That badass dude can't tell us apart". Fury of course had already thought of that ."Yes we could definitely do that Clint. I have to tell you something before I make my final decision on whether to take that option. Because of the fact unknown tech is being used against us there is a risk that you could be captured. Of course we would do everything to prevent that, but the risk is still there. HYDRA know there are two of you so would verify your identity before proceeding. Once they found out you were not Will, they would not hesitate to use you to secure your brother. He trusts you and they would want to exploit that. We both know that they employ mind control methods. You have already been down that path before and still carry the scars. Are you ready to face that possibility again" , Fury had given him this searching gaze. As much as Clint did not want it to happen, he felt himself go pale as soon as the word 'mind control' was uttered. His head started to feel light and fuzzy and an unsteadiness came over his limbs. For a couple of seconds Clint was sure he was about to pass out. He stepped backward however when Fury reached out a steadying hand. Even as he took that step Clint knew that he had just ended his chances of being involved. " I am sorry Clint but you cannot be involved at all". "The team will include the rest of the Avengers and the IMF group. You will stay here". Fury told him. He felt hot anger rise within him, but was not sure it was directed at his boss. He felt angry at himself for letting Will down, even though he knew Will did not want him to put himself in danger.

So he had taken a big breath and agreed. Mainly because he was still feeling shaky about the Loki thing and would not let anything like that happen to him again. Feeling slightly guilty about how off balance Furys reference to mind control had made him feel Clint focused on some all important introductions. If his friends were going to protect Will then they needed to get to know him better.

Will was sliding gingerly out of the bed in the medical section when Clint rushed over to him. 'Hey I told you to wait for me before trying that", he chastised. Will gave him a half glare, "I have to do it sometime Clint so I don't feel vulnerable." Clint watched Will steady himself trying hard to restrain the impulse to take him by the arm. He knew though that Will felt like he did, powerless and at least conquering his physical incapacity would make him feel slightly better.

Will could feel his body trembling as he stood on the cold floor. But he ignored the sensation and concentrated on moving one foot and then the other. He was determined not to fall on his face. His right arm was comfortably secured in a sling but it still throbbed as he slowly moved forward. At least the throbbing was a reminder of the fact his arm was still functioning.

Noticing he was at least moving Clint fell in beside him. "Since I have already met your team, I think it is only fair that you get a proper introduction to mine", he told Will. Will froze, "we are going to meet the Avengers", he choked out. He did not feel like he was strong enough to visit super heros.

Clint noticed the trembling and reached out to touch Will softly. "They are people as well Will, so they do understand what has happened to you." Since they will be responsible for protecting you it is important that you get to know them better." Clint looked away from him for minute as his guilt about not being included on the mission to protect his brother surfaced again. Will seemed to know what was on his mind. "I would not want you to place yourself in danger on my behalf Clint. After such a long time apart I am happy we have found each other. But you need to understand that I am quite capable of fighting my own battles".Clint scowled at him, "well you don't get to fight this one alone, now stop stalling and lets go meet the others." Will admitted to himself that he had been stalling for time and hoping Clint would change his mind about the introduction. His brother though had a stubborn streak and would not budge. So Will settled shakily by his side as they walked into the main recreation area of this SHIELD base.

There had been friendly chatter in the air , the smiles and laughter of friends. It really did make them just seem like ordinary people. Will took a little moment to watch them all. Then the first set of eyes swung toward him. Silence fell in the room shortly after that and soon all the eyes were staring. Will was determined not to fall on his face as he boldly looked back at the legends. Seeing the beaming face of Ethan amongst the others Will sucked out a breath of relief. "Come on", Clint was close now, taking his arm and moving him forward. He did not shake him off. They stopped first in front of a tall handsome muscled man. Will's hand was already shaking as Clint announced, "Will this is Steve Rogers, also known as Captain America". "Will muttered , "nice to meet you", noting that his words all ran together. Steve Rogers did not seem bothered by that just holding out his hand and shaking Will's firmly. Will noticed him staring at his face and comparing it to that of Clint. Will could not think of a next sentence so it was just as well Clint moved him along to an even taller and more muscled blond. "This is Thor", Clint told him. Will just stared at his first alien and had no idea what to say. Luckily Thor seemed to know about earth greetings and shook his hand gently. He had half expected his whole arm to drop off so the gentle handshake surprised him. Obviously they were being nice to him. "It is good to finally meet Clint's brother", Thor boomed out. Will still could not think of anything to say. Thankfully they were moving on again, this time to an attractive red head.

Before Clint could even speak Natasha pulled him forward and planted a deep kiss on his lips. That gave Will the distinct impression these two were more than just friends. Now he felt more nervous than he had when he'd met Thor. "Be nice", Clint told Natasha as she reached forward and pulled Will over to face her. She said nothing just looking him over from head to foot. Will just waited , not dropping his gaze from hers. "Wow, that is incredible Clint. If you were dressed alike I don't think I could tell you apart just by looking at you.", She smiled at Will, "does he also have a scar on his…", she never got the last word out because Clint said, "Natasha, play nice", in a tone that verged on embarrassment. Will idly wondered where on earth Clint had a scar that prompted that response."It nice to meet you", he managed to choke out. "You too sweetie", Natasha leaned in a kissed him on the cheek.

Clint looked over the room again noting a few absenses for the first time. "I guess Tony and Bruce are in the lab", he asked. "Yes they are", Steve acknowledged. While Clint was talking to Steve Will left Natasha and made his way over to Benji , Ethan, Jane and Gideon Killian. Benji shook his hand, Jane gave him a quick kiss on his cheek and Ethan just stared for a minute. Then he gave Will a quick embrace, patted his back and let go. That had been the most amazing welcome from his team leader. "I suppose we'll have to talk about what happened on the mission sometime", Will said anxiously to Ethan. He was referring to his disobeying of Ethans orders. "We can do that when this present situation is over Will", Ethan told him firmly. Will nodded, he guessed that Ethan would say that. None of them wanted to bring up any other issues while the threat of HYDRA was hanging over him. It didn't mean they weren't there though to go through his mind. His boss also shook his hand and said nothing else. Will guessed he'd be giving him orders later .

"Why don't you join us for a drink", Steve asked, wanting to make Will feel more comfortable. "Maybe later Steve, I want to get the introductions over with first. Then we can all have a little time together". "I'll take Will to meet Tony and Bruce then come back here later", Clint told them. He took hold of Will's arm again and escorted him out of the room.

"Well that was brief", Natasha remarked. "Yes, but its obvious Clint is not at ease about being left out of this mission. He doesn't want to stay around too long and pretend things are normal", Steve muttered. He regarded Natsasha seriously, "can you really not tell them apart just by looking', he asked. Natasha shook her head, "not while Clint has his clothes on", she replied without so much as a blush. Nobody asked her to clarify that remark. "Then we have to do what Fury has ordered and keep a close watch on Clint", Steve told them. He turned to Ethan, "you have to do the same with Will". Fury said Clint took his exclusion from this mission too calmly". He thinks Clint might try and plan something with his brother". That could involve them swapping places".

Ethan nodded, "we will keep watch over him. But I don't see how they can swap places, Clint has certain abilities that Will does not. You can trust me when I tell you Will does not know how to fire a bow and arrow". Gideon Killian nodded in agreement saying, "that fact would mean he would get caught out fairly quickly". Still I suppose he may just try and make the attempt". Will may not necessarily tell him or Ethan about what he was going to do either. That may just be something else to talk to Will about later.

Clint had to stop once on route to the lab as Will as still feeling shaky. His colour was a lot better now though and he had this proud way of walking that Clint recognised.

"So I am guessing we still have to meet the Hulk and Iron Man, "Will remarked with an obvious nervous swallow. 'You will not be meeting the Hulk, just Bruce Banner. He doesn't go around all green and roaring at everything everyday. Its reserved for special occasions", Clint told Will. Will was glad of that.

"As for the Iron man suit, well I suppose anyone could wear that. It just happens to be one of Tony's inventions", Clint added.

There now he had made the last too seem more normal, though talking to them may just dispel that thought. Tony and Bruce had a language all their own.

When they entered the lab Tony and Bruce were hunched over a screen. They were already talking in technical language. Clint noted Nick Fury was present as well. He had probably come to talk about the tech their father had created.

Nick looked up at them but did not say anything. Clint cleared his throat loudly . Bruce and Tony looked up and stared for a few minutes. "I have brought Will to meet you both, Clint told them. 'That is Bruce Banner, he pointed at the curly haired man, and that is Tony Stark", he indicated the other man.

Bruce stepped forward and offered his hand. He had a welcoming smile on his face. He looked so normal that Will did not hesitate as he took the hand and shook. "Nice to meet you Will", Bruce said warmly. Clint looked over at Tony who after the initial stare had put his head back down and now seemed to be ignoring them. He was muttering to himself. Walking closer Clint could see a lot of information scrolling across the screen. They had come while Tony was busy working and Clint knew it was not a good moment for them to interrupt his train of thought. But Will unfortunately did not. He was behind Tony looking at what he was doing. "You are trying to counter the effects of one of dads creations', Will stated. That comment did not make Tony stop, he kept muttering away. However the next thing Will said, created a moment Clint had thought he would never see. "You won't do it", Will remarked. Now Tony stopped and when he looked over at Will Clint thought he saw anger. Clint hurriedly tried to divert a sarcastic Tony moment by making the introduction. "Will this is Tony Stark", he introduced."I know who he is. The man who thinks he knows everything", Will stated . He did not sound impressed. Tony got the distinct impression that Will Brandt was pissed off about something he had done. "I do know more than most people", Tony said without the slightest hint of embarrassment and with a slight mocking tone that was directed at Will.

Will was unfazed though ,"so you know how to get the device working or stop the effects of that substance",he challenged as he nodded over to where a blackened wall gave a mute testimony to how well Tony's efforts had gone so far. Now Tony flushed and his slight foot shuffle indicated that remark had hit home. "So far we have not countered the substances effects", Bruce chipped in, "but we will", he added with total confidence. "Actually you wont", Will said it calmly. Now Tony coloured, "I think you might underestimate my abilities agent Brandt", he stated firmly. His tone had slid away from friendliness and into the same challenging voice he used when he was Iron Man. This was not the way Clint had expected this introduction to go. He should just pull Will out of the room now, before things could get messy. Nick Fury though seemed intrigued by the conversation and asked a question that neither Tony or Bruce would have even thought of asking a man who seemed to just be a regular guy. "Do you know more about this substance Agent Brandt. You were slightly out of it when it was used against the team on the island", Nick remarked. 'Yes I was, but Clint has filled me in on most of what happened. I know enough about what dad created to recognize this. It is the virus that killed our mother". Orginally it was created to boost the immune systems of ill patients and enable them to fight off diseases. It was mutated into a weapon that defends against other weapons by changing the cellular structure. The more you try to find a way to counter its effects the tougher it will get."In its mutated state it was never meant to be used on people. But that didn't mean that HYDRA wasn't going to see what it did. It would not be a pleasant way to die ". Eventually the mutated virus will have the same effect on your technology and arrogance won't save your life", Will snapped to Tony.

Bruce blew out a breath and tried to get things onto a calmer pace by saying , "that certainly explains why things aren't going well so far", he remarked. "Perhaps instead of finding a way to counter the substance we have to boost our own technology, just like providing a vaccine to combat the effects of a virus. "You've given me some ideas Agent Brandt", Bruce remarked with a smile.

Will noted that Tony Stark said nothing. The man did not like finding out that he did not know everything Will thought. Or to be told so by someone he deemed was not in the same intellectual class. Will could not believe how bold he had suddenly become as he just stared at Tony. The man actually dropped his eyes giving Will a slight little thrill of success.

The encounter had certainly been an interesting one for Nick Fury. He did not object about someone standing up to Tony Stark, sometimes that man need a good verbal kicking. He got things back on track though by telling Tony and Bruce, "you have only 2 more days after today to get together a workable defense against that substance. I believe it will be used again and most likely on a larger scale. Get JARVIS to start boosting your own systems and then perhaps we can make something that will strengthen Caps shield as well", Nick told Tony.

Since it did not seem like Clint was going to move them on Nick decided to put an end to this meeting."Alright let these gentlemen get back to work". "You two can go and have some recreation time or something", Nick told Clint and Will.

"That sounds good, "I'll show you my recreation area", Clint remarked, taking Will's arm and dragging him off.

They were about 500 metres down the corridor before Clint asked. "What was that about with Tony Will. You were lucky you didn't get a fist in your face. " Yeah well I have met a few bad guys that were sold weapons by Tony Stark. Sometimes it just seems his change of sides was a bit sudden. He has this arrogant attitude toward the rest of us and it could just spiral out of control one day", Will stated. "Plus", he added, then stopped. "Plus what Will", Clint pressed. He could sense that Will had been honest with him so far. But there was still more and by Will's expression it was not good. "I'll tell you later", Will replied. Clint gave him another stare then kept on walking. Will fell in by his side.

They were nearly back to the room Clint used as his practice range when Lila Craddock intercepted them. "Ah heres another important person you should meet", Clint told Will. 'This is Lila she is the psychologist that helps me sort out all the shit in my life". Will smiled at the attractive woman. "That was a great introduction Clint", Lila remarked with a half smile. 'It is essentially true though. I have come to offer both of you a chance to talk before this next mission takes place". "She wants to pick our brain and make sure that we are both comfortable with how things are going to go", Clint explained.

Will looked at the young woman, she was not in the least bit intimidating and he guessed that was why she'd been sent. "I don't know how things are going to go yet", he told Lila. "They will not brief me until the last moment", he gazed briefly at Clint. Lila guessed the others did not want Will and Clint discussing the plans in case they decided to alter the plan themselves. "Still there are things you may want to talk about", Lila pressed. 'Just know that I am available day or night for one or both of you". 'Thanks Lila, I do appreciate that. But at the moment Will and I want to make the most of the time we have together", Clint replied. Lila looked over at Will, "that's right ", he affirmed. "That's fine", Lila replied. "Prehaps we can talk once the mission is underway", she said to Clint. She was sure he had to be upset over being left out of the mission,though neither of them seemed to be particularly angry or upset at the moment. That could be a little worrisome as it may indicate that Fury and Gideon Killians fear that the two may plan something on their own was correct. She knew though that the two of them were being watched and their conversations monitored. So she doubted they would get away with whatever they had in mind.

Leaving them go on their way Lila sighed as she went back to her office. Things were not getting any easier for Clint Barton.

Clint opened a door and pulled Will inside. Will looked over the bows and array of arrows decorating the walls. "Is this where you spend your down time Clint. It looks like things have not changed all that much", he remarked. "No, I still practice for a few hours every day and I don't usually miss my targets. SHIELD has modified my bow and arrows though".He sounded like an excited school boy as he showed Will what they did. Will had this smile on his face. "This really is like old times Clint", he remarked as he studied one of the exploding arrows. "I am sure you have a lot of stories to share. "There's how you joined SHIELD and of course telling me all about Natasha.",Will teased. Clint smiled at him, "we will have story time about me later". "For now lets go and get some food, I am starving". Clint led him out of the recreation area and down the corridor again.

That evening Will sat in his bed and listened to Clint tell him about meeting Natasha Romonoff. He could feel his strength returning now. Even his arm had mostly stopped throbbing when he moved his fingers. Although he was focused on CLints words part of his mind was thinking ahead to the moment when he would be taken away from Clint again.

Nick Fury was listening to every word that Will and Clint said to each other and monitoring every interaction. So far there were no indications that the two of them were going to go off together.

There were only two more days to get through before they would initate his plan. Will would be taken out of here with the Avengers and IMF as escorts. He was waiting until the last moment to brief Agent Brandt so he could not discuss the plans with Clint. Things were all going to go according to plan, he was sure that SHIELD defenses could counter anything Clint Barton or Will Brandt might think up.

The second day progressed nearly the same as the first. Neither the Avengers or the IMF team saw much of Will or Clint. They spent most of their time just relaxing and chatting. There was a easy relationship between the two of them that made it seem like they had never been apart.

That night Clint told Will about joining the Avengers then they shared a hot chocolate together just for a nostalgic moment.

Nick Fury was so busy finalizing the plan on the third morning he barely noticed that it had got to ten oclock in the morning without seeing Will or Clint. According to the monitors in their room both of them looked to still be asleep. That was unusual as both agents had got up early on the other mornings so they could have the maximum time together. They had though been chatting until almost 1 am, so perhaps they were just tired. He'd give them another 30 minutes before he asked the medical staff to go and awaken them.

It was only 10 minutes later though that a panicked doctor told him, "sir there is a problem in Barton and Brandts room". Fury looked at the screen again, he could not see any problem, both agents looked to be still asleep. "What is the problem", he asked. "Sir I am in the room now ", the doctor began. Those words make Fury's stomach lurch, on the screen there was no sign of a third person in the room. Fury hit his fist against the screen, which did not help. "What is happening", he asked in a voice that seemed to have gone up a register. A horrible sense of foreboding was hanging over him. "Sir, it looks like Agent Barton has been drugged, Agent Brandt is gone".

"Shit", Fury got the word out through clenched teeth. All of them had be waiting for Clint and Will to plan something together. But it looked like Will Brandt had plans of his own. He discounted the fact someone had taken Brandt. He knew it would not be easy to get into this secure SHIELD base. But then it should not have been easy to get out. But perhaps Will Brandt had done exactly the same thing Clint had when he'd been in the IMF base, simply taken his brothers place and walked out the door.

Maybe he should have suspected that there was going to be a problem when Will Brandt had had that argument with Tony Stark. But he like Tony had assumed SHIELD was impenetrable. Will Brandt had just put egg on his face in a major way.

Without to much further thought Nick Fury pushed the alert button. They had to find the agent as quickly as possible.