Title: The High Road Is Hard to Find

Summary: He had been sent to kill the Black Widow. But as he sighted down the arrow something shifted and he suddenly found himself making a different call.

Chapter title: I Will Make It Worth Your While

Author's Note: Alright. We are practically at the end with only a short chapter more to go. So until then, I hope you will enjoy and be so kind as to leave a review on the way out, that would just be awesome, thanks!

Disclaimer: This is written for entertainment purposes only. No profit will be made and no copyright infringement intended.

Phil rested his arms on the metal railing on the broad walkway that hung suspended above one of the wide hangars.

Far below his feet, agents and flight personnel alike milled about. The pilots were checking their aircrafts, making sure all of them were in their best shape and yelling orders to their workers. Some were conversing with SHIELD agents regarding their newest mission and the transportation. Others were fixing some of the broken planes or cleaning those that had just been used. The whole hangar seemed to be buzzing with life and loud conversations.

But Phil only had his focus on the agent walking towards one of the smaller jets in the corner, a fully-stocked quiver strapped to his back along with carrying a suitcase and a traveling bag in each hand. The handler hadn't been thrilled to learn Clint was being sent on another mission so soon after returning with his latest. The archer needed a time-out more than anybody else. He had only just begun to heal after the bullet wound and Phil wasn't comfortable sending his agent out there again, knowing he wasn't a hundred percent.

But he also knew that this wasn't going to be as fast-paced as any other mission he had been sent on. It relied on observation only, which meant mostly still-standing work and nothing strenuous. Phil understood that Clint needed to get out of the base. There were too many whispers and angry people lurking in every corner. The best way to give Clint the breathing-room he needed was to send him away. Also, Phil suspected, it was to punish the archer for his decision. They couldn't simply fire him, so they had opted for the next best thing.

He felt the shadowing presence of the SHIELD Director as Fury's footsteps clanked on the walkway. He came to rest beside Phil and placed his hands firmly onto the railing. At first, there was only silence as none of them spoke. They only watched as Clint disposed of his things in the jet and helped the pilot with the necessary preparations.

Eventually Fury spoke.

"He pissed off a lot of people, Phil."

Phil could only nod. He had heard that a lot of times lately and had even said it himself.

"I have let a lot of things slide, but this time I can't just sweep it under the carpet," Fury said.

"Then why is he still here?" Phil turned towards his old friend, but Nick only continued to stare out in front of him.

"Because he is a valuable asset to this agency."

"Is that the only reason?"

That did make Fury turn to look at Coulson with a pointed glare. "Are you trying to say something, Phil?"

"All I'm saying is, I know he screwed up and he should be punished for it. But he has given so much for SHIELD and has never asked for anything in return," Phil said. "He has good instincts and not once have they failed him. He only brought in Romanoff if he had a damn good reason. Consider the possibility that he is right. Romanoff could end up giving Barton a run for his money."

"You're speaking ahead of yourself again. You're assuming Barton made the right call. What if you're wrong? What if he's wrong?" Fury challenged.

"What if he isn't?" Phil easily countered. "We had similar doubts when it concerned Barton."

"Barton had no loyalties and no ties. And he was far from her current kill count."

"Perhaps he didn't grow up in it. But he was just as dangerous." Phil sighed heavily before speaking again. "I'm not asking you to forgive him this instant. His methods were flawed, but his gut feeling has always been right."

Fury didn't answer and Phil knew the Director saw the truth behind his words.

"Just remember we gave him the benefit of the doubt," he said. "Shouldn't the same be said for her?"

"The decision has already been made and standing around talking about it isn't going to solve anything," Fury then said and straightened up to his full height again. "We take this one step at a time, Phil. Once her psych eval is over we'll see where it goes."

Phil knew that was about as close to an approval from Nicholas Fury as he was ever going to get regarding this matter. He watched the Director shoot one last look in Barton's direction before he turned to leave. The fabric of his long coat whirled around as he did and his footsteps echoed loudly as he made his way away from the bridge. Phil watched him go for a few moments before turning his attention back to the jet in the corner, its engines powering up as it prepared to take off.

He couldn't help the swell of pride that surged within him. Clint stood by his principles in the most tenacious way and he had always had since the day Phil had met the archer. But this was somehow different. Clint had fought so hard to make everyone else see what he had seen in the Black Widow and no matter what everyone else thought or felt, he stood by his choice. He was willing to take all the punishments dealt out for a decision he felt was right. He did what he deemed was the only true decision he could make. Never once had he faltered.

Phil had never been given a reason to doubt his own decision to bring in the archer over four years ago. And if he had any doubts about Clint's generosity and dedication it would have been completely gone now. He had had no doubts about his own call, just like Clint didn't have any about his own. In the end, Clint's stubborn determination and firm belief was enough to convince Phil that Natasha Romanoff belonged here.

He knew time would show everyone else that it was the right call too.

TBC