Coulson's POV

Barton was bleeding out from a gunshot wound. Blood pooled around his back. Two agents were already there trying to stop the bleeding.

He snapped dropping to Barton's side, "What happened?"

One of the agents replied, "We're not sure. I heard gunshots so I went to investigate. I found him in an alley bleeding severely."

So he moved him to a safe location for first aid. This agent's actions were commendable. It was in all likelihood that he saved Barton's life. If Barton survived that was.

Phil barked, "Someone send word that we have agent down. We need emergency medical evac immediately. Keep applying pressure to his wounds. The first priority is to stop the bleeding."

"Coulson," rasped a quiet voice next to him. Clint was looking up at him conscious but just barely.

Before Phil could tell him off for speaking the younger man continued in a deathly rasp, "I know who shot me. Jackal. He called himself the Jackal."

A trail of ice went down Phil's spine at the name. All agents Level 4 and higher knew that name. He was a hitman for hire all across Europe. It was thought that his main base of operations was in Paris. Though no one, not even SHIELD could prove it.

The Jackal had killed SHIELD agent after SHIELD agent. Fury wanted the man caught but they had been unable to get close.

Phil snapped, "Grab a team and find him. He couldn't have gotten very far in the time it took us to get down here."

The agent does not elbow deep in blood stood. He snapped a salute to Phil before leaving to follow his orders.

Next to him, Romanov dropped to her knees. She checked for any other wounds on Barton. Turning to him she shook her head. No other life-threatening injuries.

The wound to Barton's knee wasnt life-threatening. Though he would need physical therapy but it wasnt going to kill the younger agent.

Three gunshots to the gut however would. Why couldn't they stop the bleeding to stop?

Barton's hand gripped the sleeve of his jacket weakly, "Coulson he wasnt here for me. He was here for Nat... leave me," Barton coughed harshly causing blood to wet his lips, "Protect her. Please. Protect Nat."

There were several more coughs and blood coming up. This wasn't good for Barton. The bullets would have torn through his intestines or stomach.

Phil ordered trying to keep his calm, "Don't speak, Barton. You must conserve your strength," turning his attention to Romanov he continued, "I'm going to roll him over. Check for exit wounds."

A voice shouted, "Agent Coulson ten minutes until an emergency evac arrives."

Phil was barely able to restrain from showing his displeasure. Ten minutes was too long.

He snapped, "Get them here faster! Barton won't last ten more minutes."

There wasnt an answer. Phil's hands tightened around Clint. The younger man started out as just another asset.

As they worked together with Phil slowly began to care for Barton. Watching his eyes go from the cold grey to a slightly warmer blue.

Panov had noticed the changes as well. The doctor saw it as a sign that he was healing. All of the sessions between them were doing good.

Phil had begun to look into the split identities within a single mind. Delta and Clint fighting for constant control.

If the two sides could come to an agreement then they could coexist. It wasnt something Phil or even Panov could interfere with. They could only stay by his side and help him through his low points. That wasnt something they could do if Barton was dead.

Phil's heart that he kept buried clenched at the thought. He might not show it but he truly did care for Barton. Like a good agent, he buried his feeling for Barton.

If Nick even got a hint that there might be something going on between them. He would transfer one of them. Between asset and handover, it was forbidden. Everyone else the Director couldn't care as long as it didnt interfere with their work.

Barton would never let anyone else be his handler on a permanent basis. So the chances of them ever being anything more than asset and handler were slim to none.

Romanov lifted Barton up rolling him ever so slightly so that Phil could check for exit wounds. He felt two exits but no third. That meant there was still a bullet lodged somewhere in Barton's gut.

They wouldn't be able to dig it out themselves. Not in the streets. All he could do was hope the evac would make it soon.

Romanov gently laid back on the ground. Shrugging off his jacket he tried to stop the bleeding. Above the air swirled in the tale-tell sign of a quinjet. Glancing at his watch he saw it had been 6 minutes. They were able to get there faster good.

Barton's breath was barely noticeable. If they didnt get him back to the helicarrier he would die.

Phil's attention was drawn to the street where the quinjet landed. Several agents came out two of them carrying a stretcher. They took Barton from him and began to check his vitals.

One asked eyeing Romanov off to the side, "Sir should we put her in handcuffs?"

Phil waved them off as he replied, "No. She has agreed to return to the helicarrier. How is he?"

The agents checking the man's vitals didnt say anything. There was a cold look in his eyes with just a hint of sadness. That was never good.

They were quickly and efficiently to stop the bleeding in the leg while applying pressure to the abdomen. Romanov followed behind him as they followed the medics to the quinjet.

Conklin's POV

A thick file laid on his desk and his finger drummed over the paper. Carlos the Jackal. CIA was after him in the hopes of bringing him down.

Like the other agencies, every man that they sent was killed. Shot in the throat as proof it was him.

Alex specifically was putting together a new operation. In truth, it was two separate operations that would work together but not know of each other.

Treadstone 71 was the first of the operations. It was a three-man team including himself that actively participated.

Echo of Century Team 12 was already working towards becoming their inside man. He would be telling him anything that would help them stay a step ahead.

Alex for his part would be relaying information. He would be the only direct contact with their handlers. It would be a group of trusted agents. David Abbott and Gordon Webb would be their watchers.

The third man, however, was undecided. He would prefer to have David as the third man but it wasnt likely. Not as long as the younger man worked for SHIELD. Nick Fury had already refused his request for him to work with them.

On top of that, he got an angry call from Panov. The doctor had adamantly refused to allow David anywhere near the project. That he would not allow all of his work to go down the drain.

Alex knew the damage that it could and would cause David's mind. What was currently two minds would split into three. They didnt have many options to choose from. They had to have someone with the capabilities to continue even with their minds being split. The only one who successfully did that was David.

Resorting to the second group was not an option. Treadstone would start as a support group for 71 but it would not stay that way.

If Century Team 12 was the best of Medusa. Then Century Team 8 was the most ruthless. They never took a single prisoner and killed everyone that crossed their paths. Leadership had been changed four times because a team member murdered the current leader.

The entire team should have gone straight to a mental hospital. Abbott intervened and had them moved to a separate facility.

Alex didnt like it but he didnt argue against it. It wasnt his place. He just had to find someone to act as their killer and have the skills to back it up.