Slowing the Ducati motorcycle to a crawl, Hawkeye double checked the signal. He was on the outskirts of the Four Tigers Chinese market in Budapest's China town. 'That at least makes some kind of sense.' He said with a shrug.
The bird had landed around here somewhere, the problem would be finding where. China town offered very few high rise buildings that might accommodate a helipad and the sprawling market would have been obliterated by the rotating blades, yet still, his tracking device told him he was in the right place. Turning off the ignition, he swung a leg over the bike and decided to investigate further on foot.
'So that's part of the plan?' Hannah hissed into the Black Widow's ear.
Natasha raised an eyebrow as she rubbed her wrists. After what had seemed an age, Red pole had finally decided that Natasha working for him might also mean he had an additional ace up his sleeve against Barton. He had finally released her from her manacles. The Triad had now left the two women to engineer Hannah's return.
'What is part of the plan?' Natasha said coolly.
'You pretend that it's me Agent Barton wants so that he releases you from the cuffs and then you'll kill him?' The girl asked eagerly.
'I promised I wouldn't kill him.' Natasha stated, her icy gaze on the girl. 'You told him that Barton and I were involved.'
'Oh... well... only... um' Hannah stammered.
'That is why he wanted me in exchange for you.' There was no accusation in the tone, just a cold robotic statement of fact. 'To save your own skin.'
'No... No...' Foster stammered.
'How would you explain it?' The Widow asked.
Foster was lost for words.
'It does not matter. I believe this time you will be released.'
Tears welled up in the blonde woman's eyes. Ignoring the emotions, Natasha got to her feet and began to look around the room.
'What about you?' Hannah said, her voice thick.
'Me?' Natasha asked as she turned from where she had been investigating a statue of a tiger carrying a cub.
'How will you escape?' Hannah hissed.
The Black Widow looked surprised. 'Why would I escape? I have made a bargain with our host and, as you heard, my debt will be repaid. I am a free agent as it were.'
'You're not actually planning on staying with that... monster? What about Agent Barton, the two of you...?'
'For the last time Foster. Not everyone subscribes to this romanticized idea. It is possible for agents to work together without the need for an attachment. Perhaps Barton will consider you as his new partner?' Natasha put down the tiger and turned her attention to an incense burner. 'I would suggest on your release you contact Agent Coulson as soon as possible for debrief.'
Hannah could not fully hide her obvious interest in the arrangement and it did not escape Natasha's attention.
'What did you manage to learn about our friend's business dealings when you were captured. I always think it's important to have background on your partner.' She continued.
'What?' Hannah asked distractedly, 'Oh, yes he was involved with Barta and Picotta. I overheard him telling them about the hit and how it was going to be planned. He knew where the two of you would be and offered to supply his own men to neutralize you.'
Natasha nodded her head, the girl confirming what she already suspected.
'So, Agent Barton.' Hannah asked leaning forward conspiratorially. 'What's he like when he's not on duty? What does he do to relax?'
Looking confused Natasha put down the incense burner. 'Barton is always on duty.' She said.
'Is there nothing else to do?' Natasha asked for the fifth time.
After a particularly volatile job it was felt that the two agents should disappear for a while until international interest in them died down.
Clint placed another arrow in his bow and continued his target practice. The two of them had been sent to a deserted cabin in the rocky mountains until Director Fury felt it was safe for them to return. They had only been in situ three days and Natasha was already climbing the walls.
'Go for a swim.' Clint said, his eye on the tiny bullseye he'd placed in the distance. A short distance from the cabin was a small lake complete with jetty, Clint swam there most mornings in the ice cold water.
'I don't want to go for a swim. There is nowhere to go, there is no communication, there are nothing but damn trees... spar with me!' She demanded.
'My shoulder is still recovering where you dislocated it yesterday.' He said as the arrow was released. Curving, it missed two trees, flew through a tiny gap in a boulder and hit the target square in the middle.
'I'm bored... spar with me.' Natasha said again.
'No.' he countered with a wave of the hand before pulling another arrow from his quiver. 'Go shoot something.' Seeing the eager look on her face he added, 'not me.'
With a sigh Natasha watched as the second arrow was released.
'Ha! you missed!' She said gleefully.
Clint held a finger in the air. 'Wait.'
From an almost impossible direction the arrow reappeared and struck the first arrow through the stem.
With a smug grin he took another arrow from his quiver. Stepping forwards Natasha took the missile out of his grasp and snapped the wooden stem before throwing the debris on the ground. She smiled in challenge.
With a sigh he took another arrow which immediately met the same fate.
'Natasha.' He said wearily.
'What?' She countered, a teasing smile on her lips.
As she moved to grab for the third arrow, Clint ducked, the momentum throwing the Black Widow over his shoulder. He was immediately off and running with her.
Initially this represented something different so Natasha didn't bother to struggle, however, it soon became apparent the direction they were heading.
'Barton, don't you dare... put me down!' She shouted, trying to free his grip.
Muscular archers arms held her firmly in place as they began to final descent towards their destination. 'Barton... no!' She shouted as her partner continued to the bottom of the incline, across the jetty straight out over the lake where they both disappeared beneath the surface of the ice cold water.
'You're insane Barton!' Natasha spluttered as she resurfaced but her partner was laughing so hard he was unable to reply.