Hey, all! So sorry. School's crazy with a giant 6000+ word argumentative paper. Wish I could just write fanfiction instead. I'd have it in the bag.

But, alas, that isn't going to happen. So, enjoy this chapter and I apologize profusely. I'll work on it, but don't expect an update this coming week. I'm in a show on top of my crazy paper so I'll just be struggling to survive. At least there's snow.

November 30, 1996 - S.H.I.E.L.D. HQ

I sighed, settling in my chair and turning my computer on. My debriefing had gone well. The KGB had found no trace of the agent I'd helped two days earlier. A perfect mission.

Glancing at my computer, I noticed that I had just received a message from Agent Coulson.

The Director wants you for another debriefing. He's sending someone to get you.

I paused in my original quest to search for more information regarding the KGB. I hadn't helped with any other missions in the past two days, had I?

Okay. Who is it? I returned.

Wait and see. Agent Coulson's reply was quicker than mine had been. I huffed and sat back in my chair, twirling around. I hated waiting.

So I decided to pull up whatever I could on the KGB.

Not even a minute had passed when there was a small cough behind me.

"KGB, huh?" Barton said from behind me. I swiveled in my chair to see him. He looked… horrible. He had a bandage over his forehead that had a slowly growing red dot. His right upper arm was also tightly wrapped and he was favoring his left leg. But he was still smiling, though it looked more like a grimace.

"Hey, Barton," I said, glancing quizzically at him. "You don't look so good."

"Yeah, most of this," he gestured to his arm and leg, "happened during that crazy escape you helped me with. The rest happened on the way to the safehouse. I was wrapping my ribs when I was texting you."

"Ouch," I winced. "But you got back safely."

"Yeah. I'm about to deliver the information to the Director in the debriefing. I thought I'd come say hi, but then Agent Coulson sent me to get you, too."

"He mentioned someone was coming to get me," I mused. "Shouldn't you be in the infirmary?"

"I was. They released me… albeit grudgingly. They want me to come back after the debriefing."

"Yeah, I'd say that's a good idea," I returned, motioning toward his head. "You're starting to bleed pretty badly."

"'Tis but a flesh wound."

"Sure it is, Barton," I replied, standing and making my way to him after flicking my computer off.

"You wound me more than my wounds," Barton cried, pretending to fling himself on my shoulder and sob. He placed some weight on me and I felt my legs start to buckle.

"Hey! Barton! I'm not that strong!" I protested, sinking lower and lower with a small laugh. "Barton! Stop it, you goose!"

Barton's fake shaking turned real as he laughed quietly, still pushing me down. My legs finally gave out and I flopped to the floor, Barton catching me before I hit the ground. He had shifted my weight in his arms so that his injured arm didn't have any strain.

"Ow," he muttered, gasping for breath as he set me on the ground. "It really hurts to laugh." Barton groaned as he sat down next to me, leaning his head against the wall.

"You -" I laughed. "- shouldn't -" More laughter. "- have done - that." I sighed, trying to stop the laughter, but I only burst out laughing again, causing Barton to chuckle and wince. "Sorry, sorry." I took a few shaky deep breaths and tried to talk again. "Do you need a minute before we go to the debriefing?"

"Yeah, that'd be nice," Barton replied, turning his head to look at me. I sent him a smile, leaning against the wall as well.

We sat in comfortable silence.

"So…" I said after a moment. "Any idea why I'm coming to your debriefing?"

"No. I didn't get much information in the briefing on what information I was supposed to be getting. Just to call you if I needed help."

I sighed as I stood, holding out a hand for Barton to take as he struggled to stand as well.

"We should get going."

It took a few minutes to get to the debriefing, and I was shocked to see I was in the Director's office.

"Nice of you to show up," the Director said dryly. "I thought I'd have to send Agent Coulson after the two of you."

I gaped in silence and shot Barton a look which he returned. I smiled lightly and looked at the ground before blanking my expression and looking back up at the Director and Agent Coulson.

"With all due respect, sir, why am I here?" I asked.

"The information Barton retrieved and the fact that you helped him out," Director Fury returned easily. "The KGB is still interested in you."

I sucked in a breath. Of course the KGB still wanted me.

"What?" Barton was the first to respond. "It's been nearly six months since she hacked us. Surely-"

"Six months is not long enough for them to forget. They are very patient," the Director replied, holding up a hand to stop Barton in his tirade. "The information you retrieved for us is about Agent Price -" I bit my lip. "- and the newest assassin they've sent to dispatch her if they can't retrieve her."

"Wait, assassin?" I asked, my stomach knotting and heat growing in my chest. "They've sent assassins after me?"

"Yes, Agent Price. They have. We've successfully stopped most of the previous attempts on your life, though one attack - as you well remember - was not stopped."

I rubbed my shoulder almost subconsciously. I remembered the day well, though I didn't want to.

"I thought that was just a bank robbery," I replied, shaking my head.

"We tried our best to protect you. And while we were not entirely successful, you are still alive and not in possession of the KGB."

"Right," I returned awkwardly, dropping my hand and gaze. "What do we have on this new assassin?"

"That's for you to find out. We need you to decrypt the files."

"You could've mentioned I would need my computer," I grumbled.

"Go retrieve it. Agent Coulson will accompany you. Agent Barton and I need to finish the rest of the debriefing."

Agent Coulson nodded for me to lead the way and so I did, shooting Barton a confused look as I passed him. I wish I hadn't. He looked concerned, and an assassin looking concerned wasn't good.

I paused in the hallway. Barton was an assassin. The KGB had sent assassins after me. S.H.I.E.L.D. might have done the same. Did that mean-

"Is everything alright, Agent Price?" Agent Coulson asked kindly from behind me. Several agents turned to look at me and I felt my stomach twist and the heat in my chest expand.

"Fine. Everything's fine," I replied softly, walking briskly. Agent Coulson caught up quickly and lead the way to my confines.

I took deep, shaky breaths as we went our way, the new information swirling in my brain. People were trying to kill me. Barton might have been sent to kill me if I got captured. Or maybe he would have been sent to kill me simply because I knew too much. I could still be considered untrustworthy. They were watching me, waiting for an excuse to take me out.

"-ent Price?" Agent Coulson was asking. "Agent Price, are you alright?"

"Was Barton sent to kill me?" I blurted out, eyes wide as I gazed at Agent Coulson. He had been there with Director Fury and Agent Barton when they had kidnapped me. Surely he knew.

Agent Coulson gazed at me sympathetically, a look I was all too familiar with today. He opened his mouth to reply and let his breath deflate.

"Director Keller didn't want to take the chance that you were working for the KGB. Agent Barton observed you and gave his report against killing you, but Director Keller was adamant. Keller was replaced by Director Fury shortly before Agent Barton's orders were to go into effect. Agent Barton spoke to the Director and they agreed to try to trust you."

I bit my lip, refusing to look at Agent Coulson and barged into my room, gathering my computer angrily.

"Agent Barton didn't want to kill you, you know," Agent Coulson called at my retreating back. "And neither did I."

I paused, reflecting for a moment. Barton had said something about not following an order… but he also said he trusted S.H.I.E.L.D.

"We should head back," Agent Coulson's voice interrupted my train of thought. "Just know that everyone in that debriefing room wants to trust you and will protect you."