A/N So, the flu finally caught up with me, but I managed to get the nxt chapter up and ready. This one deals with the aftermath of chapter 3, so for all of you who wanted to know how things are going once Clint brings Natasha in, here you go!

Thank you, Invader Johnny, for your kind review. Yeah, I guess Akela could be considered as some sort of baby substitute or baby training.


Title:Breaking the Rules (Prompt #50)

Characters: Natasha, Clint (beginning friendship), feat. Coulson, Fury

Word count: ~ 1750


Natalia (no, Natasha!) would never openly admit it or show any signs, but she was afraid of meeting Clint's boss and boss's boss. It was up to them to decide whether she should be allowed to join S.H.I.E.L.D. and, more importantly, whether she should be allowed to stay alive. Laura had given her some of her clothes so Natasha hadn't to wear those she came in from Russia and still showed signs of her last appointment. Even Cooper seemed to have wished her luck; when she had left with Clint, the little guy had gifted her again with his plush hawk. After an encouraging look from Laura Natasha had taken it but told Cooper that she didn't want to take his toy with her since she didn't know when she would see this boy again. It was just heart-warming, being so quickly welcomed by people she barely knew.

What a contrast to this curious room. The walls resembled honeycombs and aside from a steel table and two just as uncomfortable chairs the room was empty. The light was cold and bright and would have made her shiver if not for her training. Clint had chained her to the table with an apologetic smile. "Coulson would kill me if I leave protocol any more. Although I doubt I can make it any worse after I refused to kill you," he had explained. Then he had added in a lower voice: "Just be yourself. Fury knows when you're lying. You have nothing to lose her and both of them know we could really use your skillset."

Since then Natasha sat there and fought against the urge to squirm and find a more comfortable position. Her back touched the back of the chair and her hands lay relaxed on the table. She knew this was about wearing her down and Natasha appreciated being treated as any other dangerous person would be. Her gaze was directed at the wall opposite of her. She had discovered at least two security cameras and she guessed that aside from the microphone on the table there were several others hidden in this room. Nothing she hadn't encountered before, to be honest.

The men entering the little observation room although were kind of one of a kind. One of them showed a receding hairline and the wrinkles over the root of his nose indicated that he had a lot to worry about; presumably one or two things more since Clint had returned without confirming his kill. The other man seemed some years older with a completely bald head. An eyepatch covered his left eye and Natasha didn't need any briefing on who he was; though she had never seen him in person, she had heard enough stories about Nicholas Fury to recognize him instantly.

"Miss Romanova," the other man addressed himself to her, "I am Agent Coulson, Agent Barton's supervisor. Honestly, instead of sitting her you should be lying in some alley in Moscow, preferably dead. But you're here because Agent Barton disobeyed his orders."

"I know it's hard to believe, but I didn't make him spare me," Natasha offered but didn't change her position one bit. She noticed that Fury only played spectator for now.

"No. You're not one to beg for your life," Coulson stated. "We know plenty about Black Widow. Her missions, her methods, her training. About Natalia Alianovna Romanova there is not so much intel. Your parents died when you were a young age? In an accident?"

"They were killed. I don't remember them."

"You seem quite relaxed talking about their untimely death. Too young to remember details?"

"Maybe. But even if that wouldn't be the case the Red Room made me forget everything about them. I barely remember their names."

Coulson raised an eyebrow. "Brain washing? Interesting. Then tell me, Miss Romanova, why shouldn't we believe that the Red Room sent you her as a sleeper to take S.H.I.E.L.D apart from the inside?"

"Oh, you should," Natasha answered without blinking. "Not assuming that I could be a threat seems a little dumb to me, to be honest, Agent."

Coulson smiled without humour. "You are not helping your case, Miss Romanova. Giving us only reasons why we shouldn't take Agent Barton's prompt into account… Not really the smart move."

"I'm not here to show how smart I am. Considering Barton's decision that's not a must have to become one of your agents." By now, Natasha refused to weigh everything she said. Clint was probably right: the more honest she was, the better her chances. Though she wasn't sure about Fury, Coulson seemed to be the kind of guy to be able to deal with some teasing.

To her surprise, Fury let out a small chuckle. "You've got to give her credit for that one, Phil." He abandoned his corner of the room and stepped to the table. "I guess if you wouldn't wear the handcuffs you would have had us dead by now?"

"Depends. Were you my enemies, yes. Probably would have already gotten one of your jets, too, and been on my way back," Natasha admitted with a shrug of her shoulders. "If you were my enemies and I'd be handcuffed to a table, I could still knock both of you out. You should also cuff the ankles of your guest to if not prevent it to happen then at least make it harder."

"You're quite a bragger, aren't you?" Coulson answered and raised a brow. "This table is welded with and screwed to the floor. And were not some greenhorns, in case you didn't notice. Do you really think you could knock out both of us fast enough?"

"Sure. Shall I show you?"

"Maybe later," Fury chimed in. "If, and that's a really big if, we would give you this chance, there would be plenty of opportunities for you to show us your skills. If. So, Miss Romanova, can you give us a reason to take the risk?"

Natasha returned his gaze without blinking, taking in his face. She wouldn't budge. "You probably know most of my assignments and targets until this day. You know what I'm capable of. You know there is more than your bounty set on my pretty head just for the fact that my hands are as red as my hair. Probably rather a darker shade. I don't know what more you know; since you're an agency operating around the globe, I figure it's quite a handful. But there is something you don't know about me. I tried to leave the KGB for some time now. S.H.I.E.L.D. would be my chance to do so."

"That would be a reason to join us, not one to trust you," Fury noted.

Natasha returned it with a smirk. "Right. But I don't like being in debt to someone. I would try to pay you off. With my skillset bound to your agency. You cannot trust me to not double-cross you and it would be a waste of breath to swear on my honour." She shrugged again. "But that's the point where you have to decide whether I'm worth the risk or not."

"Why did you plan on leaving the KGB?" Coulson asked and crossed his arms.

Natasha was silent for a moment, pondering on how honest she had to be. Finally, she answered: "I was selling lies and killing people for an agency which probably killed my parents and turned me into a weapon. I have red in my ledger; doubtful if there's anyone with more blood on his hands at my age than me. I'd like to wipe it out. I know what you guys are working for. Though I didn't talk Barton into bringing me here, I'm glad he did. Couldn't know at your front door and ask for a job interview, could I?"

Fury contemplated her words for a moment. Then, raising his voice a little, he called out for Clint who immediately opened the door as if he had been waiting behind it. He only glanced at her but nodded almost unnoticeably towards her. "Agent Barton, you know you have to be held accountable for refusing to finish your assignment?"

"Yes, Director," Clint answered without missing a beat.

"And it is true that you asked Coulson for a new partner?"

"Yes, Director."

"Oh, please, no," Coulson groaned. "Her being his partner makes me to her supervising officer. Have you any idea on how much trouble those two together will be? Just measured on how much they already stick together?"

Fury showed one of his rare grins. "Sure thing. But more importantly I hope they will be more trouble to those threatening what S.H.I.E.L.D. stands for. With those two we could finally initiate STRIKE Team: Delta." He turned to Natasha and gave her an approving nod. "After we dealt with the Russians, of course. It's not like I trust you, Miss Romanova. I don't trust people. But I'll take every opportunity to piss on their legs, more so if this opportunity gifts me with a new agent. But beware, Miss Romanova: I'll keep my eye on you."

"Understood," Natasha said and gave him one of her smirks.

"Good." Fury turned back to Coulson and Clint. "You two get her and some high-end field agents to the gym. I want to know exactly what she's capable of. Clearance level one, for now." The director headed for the door, ready to let his other agents deal with her for the rest of the day.

"Thank you, Director. For giving me a chance," Natasha couldn't help but telling him before he left the interrogation room.

Fury turned around one last time and almost smiled at her. "Thank me when you're stuck with Barton on some mission and with no back-up in sight." Then the door fell shut behind him.

Coulson turned at her with a sigh. "Alright, let's get you tested. By the way, when exactly did you manage to get off the cuffs?"


Poor, poor Coulson! What do you think, will he get the chaos trio on the leash?