Natasha walked out across the empty car park towards the rear of the building. Being unarmed held no fear for her. A trained agent of the Red Room could kill a man with no need for weapons. Clint would be watching from the roof of the building opposite, the sights of his rifle trained on the building for the first sign of movement. If their mystery man was stupid enough to show himself, Barton would put a bullet in him.

'Stop!' The shout came from an open service door. Natasha stood still and squinted to make out the source, but the man stayed out of sight. 'Look down!' He instructed.

On the ground were four large metal bracelets. 'You are to attach one to each wrist and one to each ankle.

'Foster first!' Natasha shouted back.

'Do you take me to be a fool Agent Romanoff! If I give you the girl before you're properly restrained, you will not keep your agreement.'

'At least let me see her.' Natasha insisted.

There was a general shuffling from the door area. Foster appeared, white faced, her kidnapper cowering behind as the blond shielded him from Clint's sights. Just as quickly they shuffled inside. 'Now, put them on.'

Natasha crouched and picked up the first bracelet turning it over in her hands. It was a thick metal with a hinge to allow a tight fit around the limb. She turned to the side, allowing Clint to view the device before finally slipping it about her wrist. Immediately the clash snapped shut. Experimentally Natasha tugged at the bracelet, but it was locked fast.

'Now the others.' His tone was becoming excited.

Clicking the remaining restraints into place, Natasha waited for her next instructions. A movement from the doorway made Clint immediately tense, but it was only Foster stepping out into the light. Tentatively she began to walk across the tarmac.

'Come on Foster.' Clint muttered under his breath. He trained the sight on the open door, but there was no shot available.

'Come to me Agent Romanoff!' The kidnapper instructed. Natasha didn't move, she wanted Foster clear.

Suddenly the bracelets crackled into life and an electrical charge shot through Natasha's body. She twitched involuntarily before sinking to her knees. Foster ran to her side. 'Are you all right?' She asked.

Gritting her teeth against the shock, Natasha nodded. She rolled her tongue around her mouth, grimacing at the metallic taste.

'Just a gently persuader my dear Agent Romanoff.' The voice sang out gleefully. 'You see Agent Barton; you see how I will tame your woman!'

Getting to her feet, Natasha took a tentative step forward. 'Get out of here Foster.' She said with effort.

'It's easier if you don't fight it.' The girl said, her eyes pleading. She lifted the sleeve of her shirt a little revealing a bracelet of her own. 'Please don't fight it.'

Placing Natasha's arm around her shoulder, Foster took the Black widow's weight helping her balance.

'Damn.' Barton cursed. 'You seeing this Coulson?'

From his own vantage point Phil Coulson shook his head sadly. It seemed that Agent Foster was part of the conspiracy after all, and now Natasha had been compromised.

Clint aimed the rifle at the back of Foster's head and placed his finger on the trigger.

Every nerve on high alert, Barton waited. A figure stepped out of the door way and strode across the courtyard. It wore a long robe and a dragon mask. Pulling his outer garment aside, he revealed that under the robe he wore a harness, at its centre a large gold disc.

'Got you!' Barton muttered, switching his target and taking careful aim. The figure raised a hand. 'This... Agent Barton.' He announced, pointing to the harness. 'Is a dead man's switch. If you take the shot I will send enough volts through your love that she will be fried from the inside out. Roasted Spider... mmmm... doesn't that sound delicious?' The voice goaded.

From above came the unmistakeable 'waka waka' of a helicopter. The craft descended into the courtyard, as a rope ladder unfurled from the open doorway.

'Ladies if you please.' A flourish of robe indicated the ladder.

As the women reached the bottom, fury flashed across Hawkeyes eyes. Natasha glanced briefly in his direction before she began to ascend the rope behind Hannah. Her look spoke volumes.

Flicking out his robe, the mask man turned and began to climb as the helicopter increased altitude. The sound of his laughter echoed in Clint's ears.

'I am going to find you.' Hawkeye growled. 'I am going to hunt you down and you are going to pay for this, wherever and whoever you are...And I am so going to enjoy it.'

Sitting in the passenger cabin beside Foster, Natasha could feel her heart rate returning to normal as the effect of the shock wore off. Their capture sat in the co-pilot seat.

'What are these?' She whispered to Hannah as she raised a wrist.

'He call's it his persuader. It gives you a shock if you don't obey. I only have to wear the one, I suppose he doesn't consider me as much of a threat as you...' Foster whispered back giving a weak smile.

'And who is he?' Natasha asked.

Hannah visibly paled.

After landing, the two female agents entered a large room plushly decorated in the style of the Ming Emperors, resplendent in gold and red. The masked man finished addressing two soldiers and with a wave of his hand they were gone.

'Please ladies, take a seat.' He indicated two intricately embroidered chairs.

'You're going to die so very very horribly.' Natasha said conversationally, a small smile playing across her lips.

The mask was turned to face her. 'You have so much faith in Agent Barton, it's really quite sweet.' He retorted. 'Your knight in shining armour swinging in to save you... unfortunately, even if he finds you, if he kills me, he kills you too.'

Lifting his mask, Red pole revealed the pustuled face beneath. 'You also assume that death holds some terror for me.'

Natasha stared into the bloodshot eyes.

'Believe me, my dear Agent Romanoff... after what I've endured, death would be a relief.'