Clint flinches slightly, like he'd been slapped.

"What? I don't think I heard you right."

Clint pulls out a small black device from his ear, fiddles with it, and sticks it back in.

"Say that again."

"Don't tell Steve I am awake. I don't want him to know. I don't want to see him. "

Jamie looks him square in the eye. His face is smooth and impassive, like Nat when she has her walls up. She didn't seem to understand the having no tells was still a tell.

He grabs his coat off the back of the chair and stalks out of the hospital room. He was white-hot with anger. He thrashes around the grounds for a while, before settling down on a bench to call his wife.

She answers on the second ring.

"Hi, sweetheart."

"Hello, Mr. Barton. I was wondering when we would be hearing from you. Lila had her dance recital tonight. She was really hoping you and Nat would be there. "

"I know. Tell her I'm sorry, honey. Natasha's gone a little off the rails with this project and I've gotta keep a close eye on her."

His wife lets out a long-suffering sigh.

"Of course, Clint. I know how important your work is. I just- I thought we talked about you taking a step back from all that. The kids miss you. I miss you. "

He feels a little itchy under the collar. That same persistent restlessness he feels whenever his wife talks about him going civilian. He tries in vain not to scratch.

"I know. Listen, I gotta go. Give the kids love from me and Auntie Nat. Bye."

"Goodbye, Clint" She sighs again and the line goes dead.

A leaf rustles behind him.

A warm hand rests on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry we missed the recital. She was doing so well with her relevé. Don't let them put her on point, though. Her feet will never be the same."

Clint chuckles. "I know. I've seen that mess in your shoes, Nat. I'd be mad at you for eavesdropping, but I know it would only encourage you."

She plops down next to him on the bench, her body heat like a halo around her. They press into each other's sides, ignoring the intimacy of it.

"You seemed too angry to be reasoned with, so I figured I'd let Laura defuse that bomb before I tried to talk to you."

"Yeah. Well, we're both very lucky that she is a saint."

She laughs- her real, warm laugh. "The woman is an angel. " She agrees.

Clint hides his smile, settling on his serious business face.

"I know you got into that kid's head in there. I'll respect his wishes for now, but not telling Steve feels wrong. And I thought I'd convinced to only use your powers for good. You can't go around manipulating the weak and mentally ill, just to get your own way. I know you're better than that, Natasha."

Nat gives him a sad smile.

"I know you think that, Barton. That's why I keep you around."

She squeezes his hand once and then heads back into the facility.

Clint stays out on the bench for a while.

He stares at the stars and thinks about how dangerous Nat would be if she ever believed in her own goodness the way he did. It was probably best for everyone that she had a healthy sense of guilt.