...
Clint stood leaning against the rail of the porch once more his eyes focused on the night. Behind him Panov's eyes bore into his back watching his every move. Clint wanted to vault over the rail and disappear into the night. Jason wanted to draw his knife and threaten the man into leaving. Delta... Clint swallowed. He wouldn't go there.
Panov asked, "How did this come about?"
Clint hummed but didn't reply. His eyes were still staring out into the night.
"Clint," tried the man again, "It's been a year. I honestly did not think I would see you again."
Clint sighed, "I didn't expect to see you again until this was over."
"And what is this?" Panov asked quietly, "Why are you reverting back to Delta under a different name?"
Clint answered dully his eyes unfocusing and becoming grey, "I don't actually kill that often you know," Panov startled as he continued, "It's mostly taking credit for the killings and trying to lure out someone. He is the real target."
"You haven't been... Why?"
Clint glanced back at the doctor, "Don't get me wrong, Panov. I still have killed since becoming Bourne. It just hasn't been in the numbers that was reported. We pick and choose who I kill carefully. Just enough for it to be believable."
"Damn it, Clint," Panov swore causing the younger man to blink in surprise, "Why? This isn't like when you worked with SHIELD. There has to be a reason you're going against everything you stood for. Help me understand."
It did go against what he believed in. Didn't it? Clint had been caught up in his pain he had forgotten why he joined SHIELD. At the time he had been tired of killing for the sake of killing. Coulson had brought him in out of the cold, with a bullet in his leg. Now just three years later he was back to who he had been before.
Unlike before however there was a reason he was killing. One that was more than just trying to right a few wrongs by bringing about the death of another. Could he tell?
Alex wouldn't have brought him here if he didn't trust Panov. Once Clint wouldn't even have to ask. He would have immediately trusted the man with what they were doing. Still the cynical part of his mind said to keep his damn mouth shut. The less people who knew the truth the less likely Carlos would find out.
"Clint," whispered Panov his voice soft and soothing, "I can't help you if I don't know what's really going on. Do you trust me?"
That finally got Clint to turn around and face the doctor. Hazel eyes were watching him and every movement he made. They both knew what he was capable of. Even if Clint no matter what side was in control had never hurt the doctor.
Clint took a breath and explained, "We are hunting a man. His name is Ilich Ramírez Sánchez also known as Carlos the Jackal."
It took a few second for that to sink in. As soon as he understood the hazel eyes widened.
"Carlos? Of all the," here Panov took a breath to center himself then continued, "That means you joined the program Treadstone 71. Alex had brought it to me before I should have known. I warned him about this exact issue."
"It's the price we pay, doc," exhaustedly replied Clint, "The Jackal has to be stopped and at this point no one else can pull it off. Pa... Mo he has to be stopped."
"Why you? Didn't Echo and your other teammates have it?"
Clint admitted, "If it was just one of two of them the idea could have worked. The problem was that Alex and and Monk decided they wanted most of the team. Maybe if it had been another team... I couldn't say I don't know enough about the others personalities. Century Team 12 however doesn't work without a leader. This entire idea was falling apart when I joined. If I hadn't come when I did the entire idea would have failed. There's no second chances in this game, Mo. Carlos would have killed them and then gone to ground."
"It didn't have to be you," tried Panov.
Clint didn't even try to stop the snort, "That's where you're wrong. They would have tolerated an outsider for a short time. I'll give them that much. But when push comes to shove they would have closed ranks excluding anyone who was not there. Even Alex and Monk would have been excluded. With me there they have someone to act as a go between."
If he was being fair though he wasn't much better. There were times where he went off and no one knew where. Not his team. Not Alex or Monk. The system was better than it had been but it was far from perfect. By the look on Panov's face he agreed with the assessment.
It was the doctor's turn to sigh, "Knowing you as I do I'm not surprised. Just be careful. We will need to restart our sessions. As soon as possible."
Clint gave the man a fond look. Yeah he had been expecting that. Panov wasn't one to beat around the bush. On top of that the mess that was his mind would only get worse if they did not get a handle on it now. So he agreed.
They fell into an easier silence than Clint had in quite awhile. Only for it to be broken by Alex, "Clint, you may want to see this."
"What," he demanded with more force than necessary annoyed that the little peace he found was shattered.
This had better be good.
"It's the Avengers."
Yeah that would do it.
