For some reason Clint had thought the morning would be somewhat different. Things seemed to have dramatically changed the night before. Clint confessed about his attempt to become a straight shooter and Nat had decided Clint could call her Natasha, a name only very close friends or family would call someone with the name Natalia. But, of course things were back to some kind of disagreement and the Widow being colder than ice.

Clint sighed a took a large gulp of his coffee to put off the conversation. It burned his throat and his eyes were watering but he pretended like nothing had happened.

"Are you even listening to me?" Natasha asked haughtily, her eyes narrowing dangerously.

"Don't disobey your eminences orders again?" Clint replied lightly. It only earned him another glare.

"Stark doesn't suspect me as your partner, the blackout prevented the security cameras from working. I will try and work a different angle to get the desig-

"You mean sleep with him until he gives you whatever you want?" Clint cut her off.

"If that's what it takes." Natalia responded coldly. "I don't want you near Stark again after last night."

Clint was about to make another snarky comment but then he realised it might be Nat's round a bout way of trying to protect him. He couldn't kill Stark but he doubted the man would be too willingly to pull punches if they ran into each other again. So Clint kept his mouth shut and nodded once sharply.

"It's a safe assumption Stark will have eyes on all roof tops around Stark Tower and Industries so you'll need to map Anton's route between the two and take him out then. I doubt security on him will be any different as Stark thinks you're after information."

"I don't like the idea of you fucking him." Clint muttered. He didn't know why he was feeling so sore over it. The Black Widow was renowned for sleeping with men for information then killing them. It's what she did long before him and will do long after him. But Clint frowned at the thought of the future without her in it. He was breaking all his own rules and he didn't care.

"Don't make this personal Barton." Natasha warned.

"It's hard not to Natasha." It was the first time he'd actually called her that since she gave the permission. Now probably wasn't the time and no doubt he'd get his rights to use that name revoked. Instead though Nat looked uncomfortable and perhaps a little put out.

"Why does it bother you?" Natasha finally asked.

"I don't know." Clint answered truthfully, turning his focus back to his coffee cup. He stared at it so intently he thought it might provide him with the answer.

"I think you do. You just don't want to admit it." Natasha sat down across from him. "Don't do this to yourself Barton. In case it's escaped your notice I am not the relationship type. Love is for children and fools. I am neither."

"I barely trust you let alone love you." Clint scowled at the implications. Then scowled again for implying that he did trust her to a point now.

"Good. Keep it that way." Natasha stood again and headed for the bathroom to change herself into Natalie Rushman. "For what it's worth, I barely trust you either."

Clint couldn't help the grin that slipped onto his face. It quickly disappeared. Things were getting complicated. He was in too deep now though. No matter what he tried to tell himself, there was no way he'd leave now. Clint had a lot of opportunities to do it earlier, to kill her even. Yet he didn't take them and now he was screwed.

He's not even sure whether she's being genuine towards him or just manipulating him. But why bother manipulate him when he's already doing what she wants? Or is he doing it because she manipulated him?

A flare of anger surged through him. There were too many variables and nothing that he could rely upon to be the truth.

The Black Widow was the least trustworthy and most manipulative person he's ever meet. But here he was. Trying to make friends with her and thinking it's working. It might be, he could really be getting her to open up. Or it's just a ploy on her behalf. Clint had smashed the coffee into the wall before he could even think about his actions.

The bathroom door opened and Natasha raised a brow at him. "Was that really necessary Barton?"

"Are you just manipulating me to get what you want?"Clint asked bluntly.

"Does it really matter what I tell you? You won't believe me either way." Natasha said icily and slammed the door shut.

Clint sighed. Well that answered nothing but he was certain he saw a flash of hurt pass her deep blue eyes.

Things didn't really improve through out the day at all. Natasha left without a word and left the comms at home so he couldn't contact her even if he wanted to. But this did tell Clint one thing, she was genuinely pissed and possibly hurt about earlier. Nat was all about the mission and she wouldn't risk it. At least he thinks that was accurate. He couldn't be really sure. Mostly he thinks he's just pissed off at himself for constantly second doubting her and then himself.

The worst thing was there was shit all he could do without Natasha contacting him. He wouldn't known when Anton was moving and he couldn't chance hanging around the tower waiting for it to happen. Which meant he was facing a long day sitting in the motel doing nothing. It wouldn't be worth facing the wraith of the Widow if he went out and got caught by the police or Stark.

So he finally admitted defeat and turned the television on. It had been so long since he actually sat down and relaxed. But he didn't like it. It made him feel caged in and Clint quickly fled to the roof of the motel. It was only four stories but it was better than nothing.

It was where Natasha found him long after night had fallen.

"Hey." She called out warily. Clint flinched, not hearing her come up to the roof.

"Hey." Clint responded softly. Natasha made her way across the roof and sat down next to him. "I'm sorry about earlier. But you have to get it right? You have a reputation." Clint wasn't sure if he was going to offend her again but he couldn't sit on this any longer.

"I know." Natasha acknowledged. "Look Barton, I don't do emotions and feelings and all that crap but nothing I've done in New York is borne of ill intentions or me trying to manipulate you." Natasha feel silent for a moment before adding, "besides I don't need to manipulate you. You're too scared of me to do anything but what I tell you." Natasha bumped his shoulder with hers.

Clint allowed a smile to form. It was the first time Nat had ever touched him physically that wasn't a fight. "I am terrified of you." Clint said deadly serious. Natasha smiled lightly and Clint felt his heart skip a beat. It wasn't something that faded in milliseconds, so fleet that he thought he might have imagined it. Her smile was perfect and now he wanted nothing more than to see a bigger smile and then if he was truly lucky, a laugh.