"So obviously you are good with guns," Clint chuckled over their lunch, "but what other special skills do you have from training?"
"Mm, hand to hand combat, I've used a crossbow before but I'm not very good. I speak about ten languages fluently, and I'm pretty good with computers."
"Wait, Ten languages? I thought I was impressive with five. Anyway we need to get you certified with all those things with S.H.I.E.L.D. I'll have Coulson set up some tests for you. Also we should spar sometime. I need to get back in shape after," he gestured toward his shoulder.
"You think you're up to the task?" Natasha baited lightly.
"No," he raised one eyebrow and smiled at her. "But I'm not sure Fury would let a one else spar with us. Not that many would be willing to go up against you. What? People are afraid of you! Take that as a compliment," he added seeing the look she gave him.
Clint paid the check and the two walked back to his car. "So is there anything else you want to do today? I'll call Coulson and we'll probably start training again tomorrow or the next day but we have today free."
"Mostly I just want to learn more about S.H.I.E.L.D. if we could. Kind of want to relax for a day before I go back into training." A luxury in her mind, but she supposed that now might be her last day in a long time to actually do that.
"Yeah, I get that. Sure. Ask any questions you have and I'll fill you in."
"Fury. Is he the leader of S.H.I.E.L.D.?"
"He is on the board of directors. I think there are somewhere around eight but I'm not sure. Fury runs the D.C. branch and I've only met him."
"How many people work for S.H.I.E.L.D.?"
"About 3000 in our branch and we're the first, biggest, and the head of the agency. All the others have a few hundred people."
"Who started the company?"
"Now that's actually a fun story. Not sure how much of it is true and how much is rumor but it's fun to tell. Apparently during World War Two a man kept trying to join the army and kept getting rejected. Then finally he got into some sort of super soldier science experiment division and turned into this super buff patriotic guy and eventually saved a bunch of men who had been taken hostage. Then he and a few other soldiers defeated some Nazi villain who had gotten his hands on some really powerful weapons. Some say it was magic or something out of Norse mythology but I don't buy it. No one knows for sure because the buff science experiment soldier vanished. Some say he crashed a plane or something into the ocean and died. But the scientists and some of his friends started S.H.I.E.L.D. as a kind of memorial science and protection division in his honor."
Natasha gave him the most skeptical look she could. "That's the most ridiculous story I've ever heard. It sounds like something out of a children's book."
"Yeah, I know." He responded. "Most of the files are still sealed so I can't tell you for sure. Those are just the whispers I've collected. I do know for a fact though that the founder of Stark Industries, you know that company? He was involved. It grew from there."
"I've heard of Stark. Had some kind of genius son, right?"
"That's the one." Clint confirmed. The two had arrived back at Clint's apartment and collapsed on the couch. Natasha, fidgeting slightly, asked the question she'd been meaning to ask all afternoon.
"What happens if I don't pass?"
"What?" Clint asked, not following her train of thought.
"The tests you said you would have that agent set up for me. Coulson. What happens if I don't pass?" Awaiting his response Natasha feigned interest in the books on the shelf. If he was anything at all like her he would be able to see the anxiety in her eyes clearly.
"Oh that. For most tests if you don't pass you just train a little longer and take them again. They're more for measuring language and aim and skills like that. You won't get kicked out or anything. S.H.I.E.L.D. only offers positions to those they know they can trust, or who at least have a good recommendation from an agent. Nothing to worry about."
Natasha was quiet for a long time. "What is your story? I know the basics that you told me but the rest?" She asked quietly. The two were relaxing on the couch and Natasha could sense Clint tense beside her.
"Not yet." Was the only response given. Natasha nodded, unoffended. She knew where he was coming from and didn't push the matter. For several minutes the two sat in an uncomfortable silence before Clint offered to put a movie on.
A silence settled over the two that was neither comfortable nor uncomfortable. Clint, so focused on the movie to avoid thinking about his past, didn't notice that Natasha had fallen asleep. She lay next to him stretched out on the remaining cushions with her feet dangling on to the floor.
A faint smile ghosted across Clint's face as he knelt to pick her up but was gone as soon as she wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her head against his shoulder. He felt his breath catch and began to worry.
He avoided relationships of any kind because he never knew where he'd be whisked away to or for how long he'd be gone or even if he'd return. He didn't want to worry anyone and he couldn't afford to be distracted. But as Clint carried Natasha to her room and settled her on her bed, he realized it was too late.