Natasha sat crossed legged on her bed deep in thought. It had been two days since Anya had started acting strange. Two days since she had been carried away by her father's two most trusted men. She did not say a word to Natasha or Clint when she was being taken away, just had a faraway look in her eyes and a half smile on her face.
Natasha and asked to see her but her father refused outright, saying that Anya was unwell and needed to rest; she had been under a lot of stress lately.
Natasha and Anya were sisters, best friends and would tell each other everything, if something was bothering Anya, why didn't she come and talk to Natasha about it? This question raised another issue on her mind: she had found Anya kissing Clint. She was kissing him. Natasha didn't even know that she liked him. Of course all the girls liked him but she hadn't thought that Anya would do that.

The whole thing confused Natasha. Anya obviously knew what she was doing; she had been with men plenty of times before on her own missions. She knew her way around them. Natasha felt a swirling sensation in her stomach as she mentally replaced Anya with herself but then shook her head out of frustration.

Clint hadn't been to see her after what had happened and she was thankful. Not that she was angry with Clint, it was obvious that he wasn't egging Anya on or anything; he was just as shocked as she was. What also came to mind was that Natasha was on her way to tell Clint about her dreams but now, after what she saw, Natasha wasn't feeling up to it. She didn't want to talk about the dreams, not with Clint, something had changed she felt it deep inside. A stirring hunger that told her that what Clint had said about protecting her even more true, that she should trust him more than ever. Natasha wanted too but she didn't know how to talk about it.

With a frustrated sigh, Natasha got up and grabbed a towel and headed for the pool. Natasha thought she might as well get to work on catching up with the water skills training.
Thankfully, no one was in the pool when she got there, Natasha placed the towel on a bench and dived into the water fully clothed. It was a strange feeling swimming in her clothes but they had to do it for training.
After a couple of laps, her shirt and pants were getting heavy, swimming was becoming more and more difficult until she submitted defeat and got out.

Natasha wrung her hair out and sat on the bench next to her towel, not caring about the rest of her and stoped to think again. Eventually, She would go on missions again, possibly even with Clint, and she didn't want anything between them. Clint seemed to know when she wanted to talk about something so there would be no use trying to hide it from him. Natasha decided that a direct approach was needed, if she wanted to talk and get things out in the open then she would find Clint and make him listen. A Black Widow always went after what she wanted.

With that thought in mind, Natasha walked determinedly out of the pool and into the hallway and went to find Clint.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Clint sat at his desk with another report to send to Nick Fury about what he had found out about Anya

Something deeper is going on. One of the Black Widow agents has started acting strangely, I went through her file and found evidence of some mental instability and Ivan still recruited her. This one girl is different from the others, unstable, but why would Ivan want her?
The Target is responding well to my slight probing. She has not been sleeping well and I suspect she is having dreams/memories about her past. This is a good sign. I am getting somewhere. I think I just need a little more time before she trusts me outright. Something happened that I think might have damaged her trust but I will work fast to fix it.

With a heavy sigh he put the pen down, it wasn't as long as the others but it was something. Something was better than nothing.
Clint gave it one final look before tucking it away to send off later and then sat back to think. Anya had kissed him and Natasha and found them, the look of fear, shock and betrayal in Natasha's eyes sent chills through him as he remembered. Clint now feared that Natasha's trust in him had gone for what he had done; he prayed that was not the case and was willing to work very hard to get it back. If Natasha didn't trust him then the whole mission was lost.

Clint heard footsteps coming toward his room and then a loud knock at the door "Clint?! It's Natasha" Clint's stomach did flip flops as he got up to let her in "we need to talk" she said in a serious tone while Clint stepped aside as she entered
"Natasha–"
"She kissed you!" Natasha blurted out "Anya kissed you"
Clint didn't know what to say, he stared at her as she continued
"Anya has…she has always been forward…she tells me about her missions all the time and well, it was nothing new to me but to see it…and with you!"
"Tasha" Clint came forward and put a comforting hand on her shoulder and looked her right in the eye "I'm sorry that I upset you but please know that I had nothing to do with it. I hope that you still trust me. I'm still here for you" he smiled softly preying that it was all ok and that nothing was ruined.

Natasha eyed Clint, she knew what he was saying was true, she knew he was still 'Clint' and that seeing Anya kiss him didn't make him seem any different to her, however now that she was looking at him, something in the way she felt about him made him look different. Natasha was very confused and tried to but her thoughts to words: "I know that you…wouldn't want to hurt me Clint, but seeing my sister who I have known all my life, seeing her do that…with you, it made me feel so…" she paused but then went on trying to change the subject "we are part of the Black Widows, we need to work together. There needs to be nothing hidden from each other. No secrets because it might affect how we work together on missions and that could prove fatal. Understand?"
"Yes" Clint nodded "is there anything you want to talk to me about?" he asked
"Of course there is!" Natasha exclaimed only she didn't know how to put it into words "I know that I can trust you, I do, but I think something is happening to me, I have been having these dreams"
Clint patted a space on the bed "why don't you tell me what's wrong, maybe I can help"
"These dreams just came out of nowhere" Natasha sat down on the bed without looking at him "it's always the same: the smell of burning wood, screaming from a man and woman and then I see my father standing there. I try to go to him but I can't and then when I finally get to him, it's not him anymore" Natasha now built up the courage to look at Clint but then regretted it, his eyes made her stomach fill with butterflies trust him she thought, she went on "It's you. It's always you who I run into, you tell me to trust you. The burning gets more intense and then I wake up"

Clint wanted to put a reassuring hand on her shoulder, he wanted to tell her that everything was going to be alright and that all of this was his doing but it was all for her own good. Clint hated making her feel like this.

Natasha blew a frustrated groan from her lips and placed her head in her hands "I'm sorry"
"For what?" Clint asked softly, without thinking he had come forward so that he was sitting closer to her, and placed a hand on her leg "for telling me how you're doing? How you're feeling? That's important. It's good to let someone know how you feel, think and all that, if you don't then people don't know and they worry, they could come to a false conclusion and that could really screw things up!" Clint tried to lighten the mood
"We're going to go on missions together, or with other people and it's important that we know each other inside and out, there is to be nothing between us. That's why I am, or was, so close to Anya. Now she isn't the same, she is acting so weird!"
"Have you tried talking to her, asking her why she…kissed me?"
"I really don't want to talk about that with her" Natasha shot back a little too aggressively "I don't want to hear about it. When you first came here, you were all any of the others could talk about. Now with all of this stuff with Anya and…your kiss with her…I can't go through that again! It was annoying, it was almost degrading. You are here to protect us, take care of us. I hate hearing the other girls talk about you like you're a piece of meat or something"
"I like it when you're honest" Clint smiled warmly "but their talking didn't bother me that much, I know the truth and that's all that matters"

Natasha smiled back at Clint, feeling warmth and trust spread through her again, she was happy that Clint and herself were talking and still on friendly terms but something in the back of her mind, a feeling, worried her a little. Before Natasha could even begin talking about it, opening up to him even more, they were disturbed by a voice over the intercom:

Agents Clint and Natasha, please come to my office at once!

Without waiting for Clint, Natasha quickly got up and went to the door, Clint following behind. What was this about?

They knocked on Ivan's office door and entered when he asked them to and sat down. They both thought about the last time they were in here, the kiss, they both felt uneasy but tried not to show it in front of Ivan.
Ivan began to speak "I would like to speak to you two about some pressing matters that took place here a few days ago" Natasha and Clint said nothing, Ivan continued "I already know that neither of you are to be blamed for what happened. Agent Anya has been under a lot of stress and has become a little weak but that should pass in a few weeks of extra training"
"Please Father, how is my sister?" Natasha chimed in "may I see her? Talk to her about…what happened?"
"I am afraid not. Anya has been placed in special care in the infirmary and is being monitored, any reminder of what happened might spark something like what happened before. No, it is best if you don't see your sister at this time" Something in Ivan's voice let both Clint and Natasha know that the matter was settled
"Sir, what is this about?" Clint asked "can we help in anything?"
"Actually I have a mission for you, for both of you"
Natasha and Clint stole a look at each other
"There is a man named Ian McMasters, he is very smart. He is the CEO of a company that creates and uses chemical weapons, he has refused to work with me for the past three years, coming up with excuses to turn me down. You know what happens when someone says 'no' to me too many times" Ivan gave Natasha a look and she nodded, Natasha had watched her sisters go on missions to deal with 'trouble-makers'.

Natasha believed that her father was a good man and anyone who refused to work with him was an idiot. The memory of Vanko flashed in her mind and she looked down at the desk.

"I am afraid of I go, he will recognize me straight away and run before I have the chance to talk, explain, I think if you two go, he might reconsider my offer"
"Why do you need both of us?" Clint asked "why not just one of us?"
"It has come to my attention that Ian has recently gotten married and is staying at the Sunset Paradise resort in Hawaii, a very nice place for a honeymoon, and possibly to make a business arrangement. That is where you two come in"
Again, Clint and Natasha looked at each other but listened intently
"You two will pose as a newlywed couple on your own honeymoon, you will make friends with Ian McMasters and his wife, get to know them, get to know about Ian's work and then reveal who you really are and who you work for. Let him know that this is his last chance and if he refuses, I want you to kill him. You only say no to me so many times before I lose my patience"

No one spoke for a short while, Clint tried to look at Natasha, to see how she was handling this but she was looking down at the desk again, he could read on her face that she was nervous. Natasha brought her head up and spoke in a not-to-confident voice "Father, this mission, maybe one of the other girls should do it?"
"I had thought to send Anya" Natasha felt her stomach clench "but do to recent events she is not able to do it"
"Father, maybe I am not suited to this mission, it will be only my second mission, I am inexperienced so do you really think I am the best pick?" Natasha hoped that Clint couldn't hear how much she didn't want to do this
"My decision is final, Natasha. You need more experience working in under different situations anyway, this is the perfect mission for you" Ivan eyed Clint now "and I trust that while you are working you keep up your end of our bargain, protect Natasha and get through this mission together or die trying. Understand?"
"Yes sir" Clint nodded and got up from his seat expecting now that they were given their assignment, they were excused.
Ivan gave them their leave and they walked out, both feeling slightly nervous but trying not to show it.

As they walked away from Ivan's office Clint could see that Natasha was thinking about the mission, he tried to make a joke "So, Natasha sweetheart what did you want to do for dinner?"
"Please don't call me that!" Natasha shot back "or anything other stupid nickname"
"Hey, I was only trying to make you smile…are you ok?"
"No! I can't do this Clint! I can't do this mission with you, father should have chosen another girl for this and he knows it!"

They had arrived at Clint's room and went in so they could talk about the mission in private "Nat, everything is going to be fine, so you'll have to pretend to be my wife for a few days, so what?"
"I can't pretend to be anyone's wife! I don't know how to act all in love and all that" she gave him an embarrassed look "the others are so much more experienced than me!"
"This is why he is sending you on this mission, to gain experience. It'll be fine" Clint sounded reassuring "I'll be right by your side the whole time, no need to worry"
"How am I meant to think of you that way or anyone else…I can't do this" Natasha threw her hands up and crossed them over her chest
"You're worried that your inexperience will compromise the mission?" Clint asked with a smile on his face "well, I made a promise to our father that I would help you–"
"No! I'll get help somewhere else"

Clint came forward and said gently "we're going to have to pretend to be married, newlyweds and we'll have to look convincing. You're going to have to be comfortable around me" Clint felt himself growing hot
"I'm…I'm perfectly comfortable around you, I trust you. You know that" Natasha felt her voice wavering "we'll be fine at this"
"Kiss me"

Natasha felt her insides go hot as his request kiss me was that really what he asked? Natasha refused to look at him she couldn't look into his eyes, he was sure to see that she was terrified. Clint smiled and took hold of her shoulders "Nat, if we're going to act like husband and wife, you're going to have to kiss me and look comfortable doing it. Pretend I'm not who I am, I'm not your brother. Kiss me and we'll see how it goes"
Natasha wanted to refuse, to say no and that it was a dumb idea, they didn't need to act like this but one look in his eyes and she felt her voice hitch in her throat.
Natasha looked at him now, really looked at him, and saw what all the other girls were talking about.

Clint had strong arms, probably from pulling his bow string all the time, his hands looked rough yet she could imagine him having the gentlest touch on her skin. Natasha felt her cheeks burn, many of the girls had kept her up at night with their giggles and talking about how they wish they were in her position right now, Natasha now only wanted to run away. She couldn't kiss him.

Clint tried not to scare her, he came forward slowly and touched a hand to her cheek, turning her head to face him. Clint looked down into her eyes, she looked scared, yet slightly excited and he smiled tenderly, slowly tracing a finger along her jawline tilting her face ever so slightly to the left and moving his face closer to hers as he did so.
When their lips met the only thought Clint had in his mind was of fire. Natasha was like a small flame, so delicate yet if you gave it enough room to thrive it would engulf you. Clint had to be careful, anything he did could be taken the wrong way.
Slowly, Clint embraced her, bring her closer to him, he could feel Natasha resisting and thought he should back away, it had gone on long enough but then Natasha started to kiss him back.

Natasha had no experience with kissing, she only had to go on whatever her sisters told her, yet all that information had flown out of her head and was replaced by something else. A need. A hunger that was slowly starting in her stomach and then spread everywhere. It was like fire and it seemed the only way to make it go away was to cling tighter to Clint, to kiss him back.
A small moan escaped her lips as Clint put his arms around her, Natasha never wanted to let him go but then, all too suddenly, he broke the kiss.
They were both panting, Clint made sure to leave enough space between them, to make her more comfortable he told himself.

Natasha turned away, a small smile on her face. Her first kiss. It was both scary and exhilarating at the same time. It was with Clint of all people! She found her body demanding another kiss, screaming for the fire, the desire again yet she only turned to face him again and, trying to hide her shaking voice, she said "well…thank you…for that…that piece of training. It will come in handy on our mission"
"Natasha, was that your–?"
"My first kiss? Yes it was. But it was no big deal, a kiss is a kiss right? And we need to do whatever we can to make our roles look more convincing. Thank you again"
"Nat…" Clint stepped forward and took her hand, stopping her from opening the door "Nat, if I…if I had known that was your first kiss, I would have…I mean–"
"It was very nice, you didn't do anything wrong. At least we can get on with our mission"

Natasha left him then, her face burning red. She would have given anything to stay and kiss him some more but something else inside her told her that it was enough to have kissed him once. It was enough for now. Natasha touched her lips with a finger, she could still taste him on her lips.

A/N: Ok wow. How long has it been since I updated? I'm so very sorry but LOOK! Finally A KISS! A KISS! As always read and review and I hope you enjoy!