So I'm alive and have had one hell of a time since I last posted. I'm so sorry to everyone that has followed/favourited/reviewed this story that it has been such a long time since I updated. Unfortunately my passed away very suddenly and as my best friend, beta and generally my 'get off your but and write something' person I found myself suddenly at a loss as to where I was going to find the motivation to finish this story. Since then I have decided that finishing this story for her is exactly what I need because the thing we used to complain about all the time was when someone left a story unfinished or abandoned, and as such I have found a new motivation in finishing this. However, I am currently working and doing a masters degree at the same time so my availability to sit down and write is much less then I would like, rest assured however that I will be finishing this story and already have a few chapters ahead of this one written out for when I'm busier then usual.

So thank you everyone for the encouragement and reviews that have kept me going, as such I hope you enjoy this next chapter and look forward to what is to come, if you have any ideas or suggestions for what you think should happen - plot twists or scenes or conversations you want then let me know - your all my unofficial betas now :) Ms Kitty Black

Chapter 21

Standing in the main room, Clint looked around making sure no one had overheard. This is just what he needed, someone betraying them and leaking the information. He turned towards the exit and began his way toward the room in which the team where staying. Finding the whole team in the common area, immersed in various tasks from reading intelligence reports to heated discussions on various wild and wacky projects in development. As one the team looked up to see him in the door way, confused by his sudden apperance.

"Gotta get my stuff together, apparently, there's a situation they had been hoping would be resolved without me but evidently not." Clint stated with a general shrug.

Natasha frowned and turned to get her stuff as well, presuming she would be needed too, before Clint held up his hand and shook his head, "Not this time Nat, it's a solo op, plus they don't want to pull both of us of the Baclovitch case and considering it's my son and my reaction before he left at the debriefing, they decided it would be better if I got some distance for a couple of days, after this I'm coming right back, they just can't put it off anymore."

Steve nodded his head in understanding, "Well it's a normal response considering that he's your son." He placed a reassuring hand on his friend's arm, "I promise we'll keep an extra close eye on him for you." Murmurs of agreement flittered through the room and Clint couldn't help the smile that reached his face.

"Thank you. I really appreciate that guys." He responded placing his own hand on Steve's shoulder and squeezing slightly, he then turned and headed into his room. Having collected all his weapons together earlier after making this contingency with Harry he really didn't have much to collect. Zipping his duffle shut he made his way back through the common area with a nod to the remaining team members, before beginning the winding trek out of the compound.

Jumeirah Pera Palace Hotel, Presidential Suite

The Call of the Muezzin at dawn reluctantly drew Harry from his sleep, pulling the covers round him he turned over into the pillows in a vain attempt to return to slumber, but his mind had already started teeming with thoughts of the day to come. Eventually giving up Harry left the bed cursing softly under his breath, running a hand over his hair he retrieved his shorts and t-shirt from a draw dulling on socks and trainers he grabbed a water bottle as he headed for the gym.

Entering the gym Harry took in the room. Smiling Harry realised he preferred this set up more compared to the gym at MI6. The room around him stood various workout machines and weights, all sitting on a smooth wooden floor, eerily similar to MI6. The biggest difference was the presence of the glass that made up the two far walls, the one directly to his left was a rich pale cream that complemented the wooden flooring. To his right was standard mirror wall Harry saw in most gyms, against which the weights were stacked neatly on metal racks. Putting his stuff down on the wooden panel bench provided Harry went directly to the mats in the far corner.

Gently he started stretching out his limbs, beginning to feel the tension start to abate. Harry always found this to be the most relaxing part of his daily routine, the physical aspect of working out had been introduced to him when he began quidditch at Hogwarts it wasn't until he bad started basic training that he really discovered the benefits of a morning work out. Finishing his squats he let his minded wander as he began his lunges, almost automatically his mind went to his dad. He had missed his family greatly over the last 10 years and it pained him that he now had a sibling he'd never met. He was proud of the fact that he was always considered a good brother and some of his best memories where times he'd spent with Lewis, Amelia and Adam causing various levels of chaos and mayhem around the house.

Standing and shaking himself out he went over to the treadmill and set a 25-minute HIT program, deciding he needed the challenge he set his 1-minute peak at 15 and his 2-minute rest at 5. As Harry began his workout he turned up the music, allowing the beat to flood the room, he slowly started to run. Footfalls synchronised to the heavy bass of the music, as his thoughts flowed from one to the other. Slowly but surely as he progressed through his run Harry began to relax, it wasn't until he'd finished his cool down that he took a drink and sat himself down on the bench taking big even breaths as his heart rate came down.

Peeling his shirt off Harry moved on to the next equipment, programing similar workouts, it was only a matter of just over another hour of exercise before he began making his way back over to the mat to finish off with some more stretches.

Glancing at his watch he realised it was 7:48am, returning to his room he quickly ordered breakfast from the concierge. Hopping quickly in the shower followed by a shave he dressed himself casually in a pair of jeans and t-shirt with a shirt over the top in time for a discreet knock at the door that signalled the arrival of his breakfast.

After Harry had finished eating he began reading the latest intel packet to have been updated, browsing through the information he slowly made his way through the document taking mental notes about the person. 2nd in command… sister deceased… childhood… petty theft… gang connections… scared face. Harry absorbed it all.

Harry moved on, opening an intel request form. Filling in the miscellaneous details he finally got to the important section. Target? Known associates of Anton Baclovitch, known poker players. Information requested? Background and personal. Completing the necessary information packets to be sent to Romanov and Stark took him till just after 12.

Sending the request off Harry reclined in his chair, sighing deeply as he took a moment. Closing his eyes Harry allowed his mind to wander, however this time his mind was on Sophia. His thoughts turned to their kiss, the talk in the gym, the quiet dinners they had gone on together. He wondered how many more they would have. If they would ever leave this life behind and settle down like his dad.

His Dad. He had missed him. Seeing him again had opened the box he had buried when he had taken MI6 up on their offer. Now that he thought about it, really thought, he had missed them terribly. Every one of them. His mum. His siblings. Especially Nate, the younger brother he has never met. Now that he thought about it he was a pretty lousy brother.

Before he could go any further the phone gave a shrill ring, jerking him from his thoughts violently. Disgruntled he reached for the it, before taking in the message.

Don't forget to give Karen a call little brother.

Harry smiled, he found Rowans love of calling him 'little brother' whenever he was on assignment rather amusing. Scrolling through his contacts he found the name 'Karen Howlett' selecting the name he waited for Soph to answer.

"Hello"

"Hey love." Harry said smiling, glad to hear her voice again.

"How's the trip going sweetheart?"

"It's good, gonna get some good deals over here." Harry replied keeping up the pretence.

"That's good," there was a pause on the end of the phone, "I have good news. I'll be Istanbul before lunch tomorrow."

Harry didn't even attempt to control his happiness, "That's great Mia, I can't wait to see you. What time does your flight get in?"

"10:25am, so we can wander around a bit through the day as well, see some of the sights." Sophia continued happily chatting away before she stopped, "Hey honey, I have to go, my boss is calling me."

"Okay then, you have a good day, and I'll see you tomorrow."

Harry disconnected the call and sat back again, mentally going through the list of things he needed to get done, before picking up the room phone "Hi this is Conway from the presidential suite, can I get the lunch special and can you send someone up to collect my suit, it needs dry cleaning for tonight. I need it back by 9 o'clock. Thank you."

Hanging up the phone Harry made his way over to the TV, turning on the news channel he sat himself in the armchair while he waited for his lunch.