CHAPTER #58
Marcy made sure that she turned on her womanly charm, while in the presence of Clint Barton. After the circus show, they talked to the performers and she made sure to bring up good memories of the past. She hoped that the nostalgia would work in her favour. But he was not as naive as he'd once been. He knew she was working him, using his affection to coax him back to the circus. Part of him was giving it some real thought, but another part of him just couldn't push away all the bad things that had happened in the past. He realized he understood how Romanoff was feeling, more so than he had originally thought. At the same time he was a man and Marcy was a very beautiful woman. He was not immune to her sexuality and the old chemistry they had once shared, resurfaced. Marcy was disappointed when he didn't follow her into her room to spend the night.
What Barton didn't know, was that Romanoff had found out what room Carson was in and had put a tiny camera in the hall. Romanoff didn't trust Carson and thought Barton was walking into some kind of trap. Unfortunately she ended up witnessing Carson place a long and heated kiss on Barton's lips. The way he held her in his arms and pulled her closer, made Romanoff's breath catch. She cared about Barton a lot more than she let on and in a 'more than friends' kind of way. Yet, she was glad to see that he didn't go into the room with the woman from his past. Romanoff wondered just how close had the two circus pals been.
Clint said, "good night Marcy, keep in touch." Then he waited until she closed the door. Something caught his eye and he looked a little closer. He recognized the camera and knew it was one of theirs. He took it down and put it in his pocket, undecided about confronting Romanoff about it. He returned to their room.
"How was the circus? Bring back lots of memories?" Natasha asked casually.
"It was good and yes it did. Marcy's become a shrewd business woman," Clint replied as he took off his tie and shirt.
She handed him a beer, "are you thinking of quitting S.H.E.I.L.D?"
He shrugged, "I'd be going from one circus to another."
That made her smile, "but does Carson's circus have a HULK?"
Barton laughed, "well there was a gorilla that could play the part."
Natasha used her skills and drew the information she wanted out of him. "Don't let Banner hear you compare him to a gorilla."
Clint knew what she was doing, "Nat if you want to know about my past with Marcy, just ask, don't work me." He sighed and closed the bathroom door, so he could change.
"Sorry Clint, it's habit," Natasha apologized.
From the bathroom he said, "I'm sure you've read my file and know I grew up in the circus. Marcy grew up right along with us. My brother, Marcy and I were like the three musketeers; doing everything together. But when we hit puberty, everything changed. Marcy and I have always had great chemistry," Clint continued as he came back into the room. "Barney got jealous, first of her and then because he felt left out. We tried to include him in things, but sometimes we wanted alone time. Things went down hill from there, even though Marcy ended up choosing neither of us in the end. She refused to come between brothers."
"So she's not the reason for the bad blood between you and your brother?" Natasha asked cautiously.
He heard it in her voice and glanced at her. "No, that's not on Marcy." Clint didn't elaborate, instead he asked, "what time do we continue our operation tomorrow?"
"0500," she replied simply, no longer probing him with questions of his past.
"Will we return here or move on?" Clint asked as he checked his gear.
She knew what he was really asking, "don't worry you'll have a chance to see her off… I promise."
"It's okay if I don't Nat, I was just asking so I know what to pack," Clint explained. He took the camera out of his pocket and placed it on her night stand, "thanks for watching my back anyway."
"Clint," Natasha began, but the look he gave her made the next words fail.
"I know Nat, I know. This mission, like no other, comes first and nothing or no one is going to change that." He walked over to her and gave her a quick hug, then went out on to the balcony.
Following shortly after him, she leaned against the rail beside him, their arms touching. "And when it's over?"
He shrugged, "we'll see when that happens. Do you know what you'll do?"
"Okay point taken, the future sometimes can't be predicted."
Clint asked, "would you care if I left for the circus afterwards?"
"I… you know I would," Natasha sighed, half under her breath. "Just like I know that you'll always respond to the Avengers call."
He nodded. "Good night Nat," he said, touched her arm affectionately and went into the room.
She heard him turn off the light beside his bed. He'd let her off easy about the spy camera and his invasion of privacy. Natasha closed the sliding door and before going to bed, paused by his. "I'm sorry Clint."
"Get some sleep Nat, tomorrow's going to be a long day."
CHAPTER #59
They rode tandem on BIRD through the streets, travelling away from the city. On the outskirts, BIRD detected a formation of cars, that were on a direct course with them. Romanoff wrapped her arms around Barton's waist and her legs clamped down on the motorcycle. BIRD went faster and made evasive maneuvers but the cars didn't give up the pursuit. After another bend in the road, they cloaked and changed to air-jet mode, circling back to get intel on their pursuers. Unable to find their target, the cars regrouped and headed back into town.
"I want to know who these jerks are and then let's crack some heads," Clint said.
"Sounds good to me. I don't want any interference with our operation," Natasha replied.
The black Hondas continued in formation into town and then disappeared into a warehouse. BIRD reported that the building was owned by some holding company, but it had no known ties to HYDRA or any other organization that was against S.H.E.I.L.D.
"We have no beefs with locals. What did you find out about that man that shot at agent Barton?"
"The police know nothing, as far as their report goes," BIRD replied.
"Yeah right, someone on that police force is being paid off to doctor the records. Still why are they after us?" Clint asked rhetorically.
BIRD commented, "there is something that might be a clue. Marcy is hiring an acrobatic student and that girl is a relative, all be it far removed, of the Chinese Triads."
"Gang wars… this is about turf? Then why now, she's apparently been studying at the school for years and no one cared." Clint mused out loud.
Natasha nodded, "there's something else going on here, but we don't have time to mess around. A fight between the Yakuza and Triads is not our concern." Yet even as she said those words, she knew that if Marcy asked for Barton's help, he would do so.
"I'm still going to kick some ass, because they came after me. You coming?" Clint asked her.
"I need a good stretch, why not." Natasha agreed and hopped on to the ground as BIRD became stationary by the main warehouse door.
Clint took his bow and arrow, "I doubt I'll need these, but they seem to depend on guns rather than hand to hand combat."
"You go first then," Natasha grinned, cracking her knuckles.
He chuckled and then entered the building. At first they were not even noticed and then guns came out. Barton's quickly disarmed the men, with a lobby of arrows. Then both he and Romanoff kicked some ass. They left all but one guy unconscious. Romanoff quickly got information out of the man. He wasn't a spy, nor was he a HYDRA agent, so it wasn't very hard. She found out that it was all about gang wars and some how Barton's friend Marcy had got caught up right in the middle. But no action was planned for a few days. The gang here, was waiting on orders from their Boss, who was out of country until Sunday.
While Romanoff was working her magic, Barton picked up his arrows and dismantled every gun. He put the various parts in a pile and grinned. "They're going to be very pissed off, when they wake up and have to figure out what part goes with what gun."
"Seriously Clint, you can be such a shit… but it is funny. Let's get going, we've wasted enough time," Natasha said.
After that they continued their journey, with no further incident. Barton went supersonic to make up the time. Romanoff was disappointed, when their destination revealed nothing further than what they already knew. There was only one other place, here in Japan that might offer up a clue. She had to report in to Fury, before pursuing anything further. It was a quiet ride back to their hotel. Barton could tell that she was mulling over the information and trying to gauge the next move. While Romanoff contacted the Director of S.H.E.I.L.D., he called Marcy, but she was in a business meeting.
"I'm going to be gone a few days. Fury is sending a quinjet to pick me up. I'll contact BIRD when I know when we'll continue our operation to find the other Council members. I need you to keep an eye on that other location I gave BIRD, but that's it."
"Surveillance only check," Clint saluted.
She rolled her eyes, but gave him a smile. "See you in a few days and try to stay out of trouble."
Clint nodded, "you know me..."
A part of her didn't want to leave. She couldn't stand the thought of him getting closer to Marcy, but Fury needed her back at S.H.E.I.L.D. and it was too important to disobey his order to return. Romanoff packed and left.
"BIRD get Stark on the line please," Clint said once Romanoff had left.
"Barton, how's Japan?" Tony said seconds later.
"Fine. Everything with Banner okay now?"
Tony replied, "yes."
"Is Bruce with you?" Clint probed further.
"I'm here and not the HULK."
"I feel like you two are not telling me something."
Bruce replied before Stark could, "we're still working on the same thing we were the last time we talked Clint."
"I want the Black Diamond back," Clint said.
"Umm, we don't know which one is the original," Tony replied.
"What? How many do you have? And how can you protect against someone finding out? Jarvis has been compromised before."
"We've made a break through with the diamond organism, but that'll have to wait until you return. Let's just say it's unique signature is now bonded to the HULK and I."
Clink frowned, "what the hell does that mean?"
Bruce responded, "it's too complicated to explain without visuals. Everything is okay here, so just do your thing with Romanoff and get back here when you can."
"I have a few days, do you want me there now?"
Tony seemed to answer a little to hastily, "no. There's no need. Finish your operation and then we'll give you a full explanation and demonstration."
BIRD said, "the connection has been terminated by Mr. Stark."
"Did you get any information from Jarvis?"
"No sir."
"Alright, let me know when you get in touch with Marcy. I'm going to get something to eat."
"Yes sir."
An hour later and Marcy returned his call. She agreed to meet up with him, if he came back to the Circus school. Barton changed into his street cloths and rode over. The people at the school recognized him and their greetings were warm. The weapons instructor told him Marcy was in the arena, working with a few students. He knew where that was. As Barton walked into the arena, he watched Marcy on the flying trapeze. She swung high and then launched herself in an aerial twist, to be caught by another trapeze artist on the other side. When she climbed down, Marcy gave instructions to a young male, who had caught her back swinging trapeze bar. As Barton watched, his eyes widened as he realized why the teenager looked familiar. It was obvious that this was Trickshot's son. Barton made his presence known.
"We need to talk Marcy," Clint said coolly.
She gave instructions to the group, picked up a towel and ran it over her face. Then she nodded to Barton to follow her. "I know I have some explaining to do."
"He's Buck Chishom's son right?" Clint asked.
Marcy sighed, "and mine. He's my son too."
"What?"
"You heard me, Tucker is Buck and my son. We were involved, but it ended shortly after all that stuff went down with your brother. He told me that he threatened to kill you one day. I couldn't stand the man he'd become, so we ended it. But it was too late, I was already pregnant. I don't regret having Tuck, he's an awesome son and the love of my life."
"Why didn't you come to me or tell me sooner?" Clint accused.
"Because, you hated Trickshot, you thought you'd killed your brother and my Carnival just made you sad. How could I tell you?"
"Does Tucker know who his dad was?" Clint inquired.
At that moment Tucker came up, overhearing the question. "Do I know my dad was Trickshot, the man you taught you how to use a bow and arrow? Do I know that he was a great archer, but also was a con artist? Do I know where he is and do I care?"
"Tuck, no need to be hostile to Clint, he's a good friend to me." Marcy scolded gently.
"Mom, both of them abandoned you and were selfish. There's no excuse for that. But I'm old enough now, I can take care of us and the carnival. He can leave," Tuck spit on the ground by Barton's foot and stomped off.
"He's stubborn like you and hot headed like Buck. Yup he's your kid all right," Clint grinned. "Relax, I'm not offended. But you should've told me back then."
She sighed and shrugged. "It is what it is and the past is the past. I'd like for you to become friends with Tuck, teach him your skills just like you were mentored."
Clint nodded, "I'd like that. But I think I need to earn his trust first. And you know I'm on an operation right now. It might be a few months or longer, before I can take the time off."
Marcy smiled and it reached her eyes, "I know Clint. Thanks for understanding, for not hating me for this secret."
He stopped her and pulled Marcy closer, "you know I could never hate you. He's a good kid and I'm glad he's more like you than Buck."
"Sometimes I wonder, but Tuck definitely sees things black and white. There is no grey area with him, yet. He's like dad was, the carnival is his life."
"I'm glad he didn't follow the criminal element of Buck's life. What's Tucker's stage name?"
"Cross Shot," Marcy grinned.
"Does he use a bow and arrow or weapons in his act?"
"Let me go get him, we'll show you what he's working on right now."
Marcy shouted something in Japanese to the ground crew and then went to find her son. Barton watched the safety net get installed and that peaked his interest. A few target boards were also installed. The other students stood back, but assisted Marcy and Tuck when requested. The air was filled with anticipation. First part of the act, was Marcy and Tuck on the trapeze working across from each other, in an X pattern. They both did flips and were caught by their fellow gymnasts. Then Tuck continued with his cross swing, but had to twist his body mid air, fire his bow into a target and then be caught on the other side. If he made it to the other side, his arrow missed the target. If he got the target, he fell into the safety net.
"Okay Tuck, that's enough." Marcy called to her son. Once they were back on the ground, both came over to see Barton.
"What do you think?" Tuck asked, genuinely interested in Barton's opinion.
"I'll answer that in a minute. Let me see your shot on the target over there," Clint pointed to a target across from them, but on the ground level.
Tuck pulled back the bow string and fired his shot all in one fluid motion. The arrow hit true centre of the target.
Clint nodded, "do the same thing with a moving target." Again the boy did as asked, the waited for Clint to respond. "Watch me and tell me what you see." Clint did the stationary and then moving targets, both slower than he normally would first. Then at his usual speed.
"Your arm is horizontal not up like mine. And with the moving target, you fired earlier?"
"Something like that. To make the shot you have to calculate speed and lead. So you have to lead the target a bit, adjust for distance or if out in the open for wind also. All at the same time the speed of the arrow and the target need to be taken into consideration. Practice will make that skill automatic or subconsciously. Also the longer you hold your shot, the more your mind will try and control it. Your flow is good, hold not long, but when you are on the trapeze it's hard not to let that become a factor."
"Can you do it in the air?" Tuck challenged.
"It's been a long time since I've been on a trapeze and I can't do it wearing jeans," Clint chuckled.
"Mom?" Tuck asked hopefully.
She smiled, "I think I can find you something appropriate to wear… do you accept the challenge?"
He gave her a mock surprised look, "really you have to ask?"
"Alright!" Tuck said.
Barton went to BIRD and got his bow and arrow. Then he followed Marcy to the change rooms and accepted the costume. He grinned at the purple colour and thanked the stars that none of his friends would see him. When he came out of the change room, Tucker laughed, but the look in Marcy's eye, spoke of the past.
"Alright, who's catching me on the return swing?"
"I am," Marcy replied. "But I want one test swing, before you add the shooting. You need a warm up."
"Fine by me," he said and winked at Tucker.
Barton did some stretches, like he had as a teenager before performances. Then when Marcy signalled she was ready, he swung out on his trapeze and launched himself in the air. His days as an Avenger and S.H.E.I.L.D. agent, had kept this skill fresher than anyone expected, including himself. Marcy easily caught him and on the back swing, he launched himself backwards and caught his empty trapeze bar. When Marcy returned to the stand, she clapped and whistled like her son on the ground.
Clint got his bow ready, then began his swing, he wanted height and when he saw Marcy was ready, he launched himself and fired his arrows. Multiple shots hit their targets, and he was ready to be caught when she got near. They both somersaulted off the stand and into the safety net, laughing as they dropped down to the ground.
"That was fun, reminded me of the old days with the carnival." Clint said, trying not to adjust the costume in the back.
"Wow that was awesome…. how did you do that. OH MY GOD! You hit the targets on the ground too!" Tucker exclaimed completely amazed.
Marcy smiled, "that's Hawkeye for you. Did you show off?"
Clint laughed, "nope. If I was showing off… well that's for another day. Now excuse me while I get out of this costume. I forgot how uncomfortable it could be."
Mother and son watched him walk away. "He's cool mom. Is he going to train me?"
She put her arm around him. "I'm glad you like him Tuck. He's better than your dad ever was. I didn't know he could even do that. As for training you, he's working right now, on a mission actually. But, ask him, I'm sure he'll come by when he can."
"Can't you get him to quit S.H.E.I.L.D.? He belongs with the carnival!" Tucker complained.
"I agree with you son…. but he's a loyal man."
"Mom, with the two of us tag teaming him, he'll just have to come with us… one day."
"My whole heart hopes you're right," Marcy sighed.
