Okay everyone. New chapter. Sorry all, I have been so swamped with school and work (and now I am sick) that I have had no time to write. It's mainly been one project after another that has demanded my attention.

I wrote more from Peter's perspective then I have...I'm not sure how it turned out. Anyways, the next chapter is going to be longer, and I hope wrap this up. Depends on how long I actually end up making it. Two chapters at most though.

As always, please review :)

Peter followed Steve and Clint through the halls silently observing the two as they moved towards the lab. Watching their sharp movements, his thoughts swimming.

Don't rush to get to the superhero job Pete, it's not all that you think it is.

Kate's words were echoing over and over through his brain. He was fairly certain that Clint had been ready to torture that bad guy upstairs, and he was leaning more towards believing that Steve was going to let him. Yes, technically he understood that Clint was an assassin and had killed people, academically he understood this, but it was something different entirely to see it. And Kate had tried to warn him.

They got to the lab and Tony was already expecting them.

"Kate filled us in that you were on your way. She's got the foundation for rebooting FRIDAY done. I'm finishing the rest from here, should be just a minute." Tony said. He looked at Peter critically, seeming concerned. "You okay kid?"

Peter nodded once, not quite trusting his voice yet.

"Is she still online?" Clint asked.

Tony and Bruce both paused exchanging a look.

Clint narrowed his eyes. "What?"

"Right as Kate finished the repair on her end there was some kind of commotion." Bruce said. "She drew an arrow and then the feed disconnected."

Peter tensed and looked at Clint. The look on the archer's face set off every warning bell in his head.

"It doesn't mean that something happened." Tony said. "You know Barnes won't let anything happen to her."

"None of you understand how dangerous these guys are." Clint said grimly.

Peter began to zone out as he listened to them, trying to think of a way that he could go find Kate, when he felt something touch his hand making him jump. He looked down and Lucky was nudging his hand, whining softly. Reaching out as he knelt down, he hugged the dog close and stroked his fur.

"Barney, are you listening?"

The group jumped as they heard Kate's voice over the radio speaker. Clint pulled it out of his pocket and set it on the table, everyone crowding close to listen.

"Hello Katie." Barney replied.

"We need to end this." Kate said. "With how quickly you're losing men, I'd think you could be reasonable."

You could practically hear the smirk on Barney's voice. "I figured you'd be listening earlier. There's only one way to end this." He said.

Peter looked at Clint who looked confused and concerned. What was Kate playing at?

"Perhaps you'll negotiate for now." Kate replied.

"What are you doing Kate?" Clint muttered quietly.

"And what are you offering?" Barney asked.

There was a brief pause. "What you originally wanted." Kate replied. "I'll give you the list tonight if you take your men and leave,"

Peter watched the myriad of shocked expressions on the faces of the adults.

Steve looked at Clint. "I thought she didn't have it." He said.

"She shouldn't." Clint replied.

There was a long pause on the radio as everyone waited.

"You were so adamant that you didn't have the list earlier." Barney said skeptically.

"Because I didn't have it then." She replied. "But we both know I have a talent for finding lost things."

Lucky whined and tried to move closer to Kate's voice but Peter held him.

"Alright Katie." Barney said. "You have a deal for now. Keep your radio close."

"It can't be that simple." Peter said as the line went dead.

Clint shook his head. "It's not." He said. "There's no way they walk out of here. If she really has the list, they'll take it, but they won't let Kate stay."

Tony, who had continued to work on the computer while they spoke, suddenly froze. Everyone looked at him curiously as he stared at the screen. "FRIDAY, you up?" He asked.

"Yes boss." The Irish accented AI replied.

Tony grinned and looked up. "We have eyes back." He said. "Where is everyone?"

"Thor, Loki, and Sam have been clearing out the lower levels." FRIDAY replied. "A lot of my cameras have been knocked out on the upper levels."

"Thermal scans working?" Tony asked.

"It would seem so." FRIDAY replied. "I'm showing Miss. Barton and Sgt. Barnes two floors above us."

Peter looked up. Why did they pass us?

FRIDAY wasn't done though. "I'm also showing two more heat signatures in the building, nonhostile." Everyone looked up. "And one is approaching the lab."

…

Kate sighed, pushing her fingers into her curls after she set the radio down. "He's not gonna go for it." She said.

~ Kate notched an arrow and aimed for the door as Bucky raised his gun at her side. They waited as the noise quieted and the door slowly opened. Catching a flash of red, Kate relaxed the bow string, lowering the weapon, but as she saw the second person, she brought it taut again. ~

"We already knew that." Chisolm said looking at her. "But you agreed to go with this plan, so we just need to draw them out."

Kate looked up at him, eyes narrowed. "You mean I need to draw them out." She corrected. She met his unapologetic gaze and she was again struck with that feeling that something was not the same. This man standing in front of her was very different from the man she remembered when she was a kid. "Why did you give Peter the warning about the attack? Why now?"

"Because they've never been able to get this close before." Chisolm replied. "You both got sloppy, you let your guards down."

Kate bristled. "You're seriously going to criticize after you've been part of the group that's been hunting us?" She demanded.

"I've been one of the reasons they've never gotten close!" Chisolm snapped back.

Kate took a step forward, but Bucky gripped her arm, holding her back. He was watching Chisolm with equally guarded eyes, his posture a warning for the older man to stay back, but his voice was calm as he spoke. "We need to move. We can't stay here." He said.

"He's right." Chisolm said. "We have a lot of work to do before meeting them."

Kate eyed him for another moment before nodding. They didn't have much time. Hopefully Nat found the others by now.

…

Peter listened with rapt attention as he was given his marching orders. The minute the Black Widow had walked through the doors, she had taken charge. He had seen her calm collection in battle, but when it had come to Kate, every time Natasha Romanoff showed how scary she could be.

As they split up, Peter waited for Tony to show him the schematics of the ventilation system so he could get to Thor, Loki, and Sam while the others got into place. The plan was precise and couldn't afford any missteps. As he waited, he glanced at Clint and Natasha subtly as they stood away from the group.

Clint had his arms around Natasha, and she had placed her hands on his chest, they seemed to be communicating without saying anything and Peter found that he had to look away, it just seemed too private.

"Alright kid." Tony said. "FRIDAY is sending the map to your mask; the suits AI will guide you to Thor."

"Got it." Peter said.

Tony looked up at him. "Kid…"

Peter shook his head. "I know I messed up Mr. Stark and I understand the punishment." He said. "But this is about protecting Kate. I promise I'll follow orders."

Tony nodded after a second. "Good luck kid."

Pulling his mask down, Peter waited for his display to light up and highlight his route. He jumped up into the vent and began making his descent down to the lower levels.

Just stay safe for now Kate. Please, stay safe.