What he needed was some height. He saw better from a distance and he was sure The Black Widow would have left some kind of signal. Across the street from the Four Tigers was the 'other' China town. Whilst the market was a sprawling metropolis of ramshackle stalls and clandestine gambling dens, opposite stood a cluster of old industrial facilities filled with makeshift shops selling anything a person could want to buy as long as they didn't ask too many questions.

Clint crossed to a large building sporting what remained of a fire escape. He reached the lower rung of the ladder and gave it a tug; it seemed to be sturdy enough. This would give him the vantage point he needed. Hawkeye began to climb.

Now that Natasha had been released from her restraints, she was also being allowed free rein of the building although she had been 'asked' not to go outside. Wandering around the mezzanine floor in the old industrial warehouse, she wondered again why Red Pole needed such a facility and what was he up to? Her thoughts were interrupted by the ever present Hannah who followed her around like a shadow.

'Do you really think I could make it as a field agent... even a spy?' The girl chattered.

By now the constant talking had become almost white noise and The Widow barely bothered to reply. She was considering how to get a signal to Clint. Presumably he would have tracked the 'copter but as they had left it on a small private plot a distance away he would have no way of knowing where they were exactly.

She needed something that he would notice but with Hannah constantly watching her it was proving challenging.

Spotting a door, Natasha walked towards it with Foster on her heels. 'Do you mind?' She said, indicating the ladies room sign. 'I need to go too.' The girl said innocently. Rolling her eyes, Natasha continued into the stall.

Above the cistern was exactly what she had been looking for. There was a small window, far too small for a person to fit through, but it would suffice as a means to the outside world. The question was what would be sufficient to attract Hawkeye's attention?

As quietly as possible Natasha stripped off her uniform and removed her underwear. Although it was black for the most part, the lace edges did have a flash of red ribbon. She had to hope that it would be enough. Once redressed, Natasha eased open the window frame and teased a small nail from the wood with her fingernail. Taking the panties, she wound the lacework around the nail securely before pushing it back into the frame. The material flapped encouragingly in the wind. Once the window had been closed silently she wriggled uncomfortably in her uniform. 'The things I do for you Barton.' She thought to herself before rejoining her colleague.

'Ladies, please be seated.' Red pole indicated either side of the dining table. 'You must be hungry?'

Hannah and Natasha sat opposite each other while their host took the head of the table. He was wearing his mask.

Waiters brought out a bowl of steaming rice, vegetables, meat dishes in sumptuous sauces and noodles.

'Please... please...' Red pole said, his hands outstretched towards the feast. Natasha helped herself to the rice.

'You're not eating?' She asked.

He sighed. 'Unfortunately my affliction means that the appetite of others is affected, another pleasure Barton has ripped from my life, but whilst I eat alone, I do enjoy the company with others.'

Fortunately the presence of the Triad seemed to subdue Foster although not enough to keep her completely quiet.

'How are you enjoying your freedom?' Red pole asked amiably. Natasha noted a something in his tone directed towards Hannah.

'It's nice to explore. You have quite the set up here, weapons, vehicles, space for a small army... 'Natasha said before she took a mouthful of rice and vegetables from her chopsticks.

'It's important to have the proper tools for the job.' Red continued.

'And what is the job?' Natasha asked.

'As you have requested I return this young lady to S.H.I.E.L.D, you can hardly expect me to reveal my plans?'

The widow shrugged a shoulder in acknowledgement.

'When... when will I be released?' Hannah stuttered.

'When you have fulfilled your purpose!' Red snapped, the fierce eyes staring through the mask.

Hannah shuddered.

'If you will excuse me.' He got to his feet sharply, scraping the chair across the floor. With a sharp nod, he turned on his heels and strode out of the door.

'I'd like a little privacy if you don't mind?' Natasha said pointedly as this time she closed the bathroom door firmly in Agent Foster's face. Once she was sure that the girl had taken the hint, she entered the stall and opened the window. Reaching outside she found where the nail was proud from the wood, but the underwear was gone.

'Damn.' She muttered, 'I really liked those.'

Peering through the window she tried to see where they may have disappeared to. Suddenly, Barton dropped from above and hung upside down in front of her.

'I got your note.' He said cheerfully, waving the panties in front of her nose.

Natasha waved to indicate he should keep his voice down. She nodded towards the door.

'So who's our guy?' Clint asked quietly. The fact that he was swinging in the breeze by his feet on the outside of a building several hundred feet above the pavement seemed not to bother him. Reaching through the window Natasha grabbed his tunic to keep him still. It was making her quite nauseous.

'Do you remember the Ānquán tōngdào?' She asked.

Reaching into the pocket of his tunic he took out Natasha's widow makers and handed them through the window. Clint shuddered. 'I do indeed. Not a fun mission.'

'Remember the enforcer who released the bio hazard and made me have a freezing cold contamination shower?' She responded, strapping the weapons into place and covering them with her sleeves.

'I was in that shower too!' Clint added indignantly. Another pocket revealed her revolver. Natasha shook her head indicating there was no-where to conceal it. The gun was returned to the vest.

'You might think on that a little more fondly when you get a look at what those chemicals have done to him.' Natasha added. 'His name is Red Pole; he's seriously on the wrong side of crazy and guess who he's chosen to be his nemesis?'

'Who?'

Finally, with a wide grin and arched eyebrow, Clint offered her the panties he still held in his hand. She snatched them quickly.

'You... идиот!' Natasha snapped.

Clint pointed at himself, his eyes wide with surprise.

'Bingo! He thinks I am going help him exact his revenge on you, as long as he releases Foster...'

'About Foster... she's working with him isn't she?' Clint growled.

'I'm not sure. At the moment she is changing sides so fast I don't think she even knows. Which reminds me, I need you to rescue her.'

'I thought you said she was going to be released?'

'Red pole seems in no hurry, but to buy my loyalty I think he will eventually.'

'So why the big rescue?' Clint asked.

'Because I need you to find out what she knows...'

Clint made a face. 'Do I even want to know how I'm supposed to do that?'

Tash smiled and patted his face, 'You'll think of something.'

'Can't I wait until she's out?'

The Widow shook her head. 'She needs to have her head turned by how brave you are.' She deliberately allowed the sarcasm to drip from the words as her partner grinned at the compliment. 'The air ducts should be big enough to accommodate you and your ego... and they run throughout the building.'

'Hey!' He protested.

'But more importantly,' His partner continued. 'If she doesn't stop talking at me, I am going to kill her myself.'