He opens his eyes and sees her, asleep in the chair next to him.

A man's black jacket is tucked under her chin like a blanket.

He wonders if he is supposed to kill her.

Would Clint like him to do that?

He hopes not.

She feels familiar.

He shifts slightly in the bed and she sits up immediately.

"Don't even think about it," She threatens.

Her tone is bored and she does a huge stretch.

"I could beat you with one hand tied behind my back, naked. Actually- I have. In Akhmerovsky Forest. You dislocated my hip. Now I can always tell when it is going to rain."

She smiles at him- a perfect, practiced, icy smile.

He smiles back.

She laughs. Her laugh is warm.

Her eyes have softened slightly. "Is that how I look? I need more practice."

"I need to speak with you before Barton gets back. He looks tough, but inside he is as soft as a pelmeni."

Jamie nods.

He agrees. Clint is kind.

"If you agree to my terms, it will be much easier to get Barton on board with the plan, okay?"

Jamie nods again.

She seems satisfied. She crosses her legs and leans back. "Do you remember Bucky?"


"Bucky?!"

"Bucky, you've known me your entire life. Your name is James Buchanan Barnes…"

"You're my friend."

"The 107th. Sergeant James Barnes, shipping out…"

"You're taking all the stupid with you. "

"I thought you were dead."

"I'm invisible."

"Barnes is the only Howling Commando to give his life in the service of his country."


Jamie swallows a lump in his throat. "He-He's dead."

Nat's face doesn't change. "Good. Do you remember Steve?"


"Hey, pick on someone your own size."

"This isn't a back alley, Steve…"

"Don't do anything stupid until I get back."

"…that little guy from Brooklyn who was too dumb to run away from a fight, I'm following him."

"I'm turning into you it's like a horrible dream."

"Inseparable on both schoolyard and battlefield…"

"Please don't make me do this…"

"The thing is, you don't have to. I'm with you 'til the end of the line, pal."

"He's my friend."

"I don't know if I'm worth all this, Steve"

"You remember that time we had to ride back from Rockaway Beach in the back of that freezer truck?"


Jamie struggles to breathe. "Steve. Yes. Steve. I remember Steve."

Nat smiles, her whole face softens.

"How do you feel about Steve, Jamie?"

"I-I need to take care of him. I love him. He needs me. He is too stupid to take care of himself. He's going to get himself killed- why doesn't he ever think?!"

Her smile turns wry.

"We all wonder that sometimes. So, you want to keep Steve safe, right? What would you do to keep him safe?"

Jamie chokes back a sob. "Yes. Anything, anything. What do I need to do? I have to help Steve."

Nat leans in closer. "Okay. We can keep Steve safe, but this is what you have to tell Barton. It's the only way."