3138/Stopping By

Stopping By
Date of Scene:	13 November 2017
Location:	Triskelion, New York City
Synopsis:	Summary needed
Cast of Characters:	Hawkeye (Barton), Quake, Black Widow (Romanoff)

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Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
Clint rarely strays into the Triskelion's residential area since having to live there once upon a time but paying a house call on Skye has brought him back. This time bearing gifts, a six pack of bottled beer brewed by the finest Brooklyn hipsters (or so he's told), the archer makes his way to the room the computer says is hers, he knocks on the door and waits to see if anyone's home.

Quake has posed:
Skye... never has visitors. NEVER. Like.. short of Darcy, who she's only /just/ sort of begun reaching out to to create a friendship... the young woman has been beyond isolated. In fact, if she had to guess, she'd say nobody actually knew she had a room here, beyond the fact that her superiors would know, and it's not like they'd come calling.. Skye was pretty sure there were HR rules about that.

She's just about to throw a cup of ramen on. When the knock comes, she flicks the switch on her electic kettle, and paces towards the door.

"Nobody I know would come calling at this hour," she complains, throwing the latch on the door and flinging it open, to see who's come calling. (It's not even gone 9pm. You'd think by her caustic commentary that it was past midnight and she'd been woken from some desperately needed sleep.)

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
"Well, you're wrong about that," Clint says leaning against the doorway with the beer tucked under one arm. "Though it was hard to find the place, you ask for the furthest flung room they had?" he says teasing before he says in a more serious tone, "Anyhow, thought I'd come by and hang out, talk mission, and drink hipster beer, but if it's late, I can bail."

Quake has posed:
Skye's irritation fades into a smirk once she not only realizes who it is, but catches his snark in reply to her answering the door. "And if I did?" The door is open wider and she steps aside. "Come on. Get in before the rumours start.." Though he does get a brow raise at the hipster beer comment. "Oh god, don't tell me you're one of those? You realize beer is beer is beer and you probably paid way too much for that shit, right?"

Which is about when the kettle starts its high pitched whine telling her its done boiling..

"And there's my dinner calling me. You eat already? I can make ramen for two as easily as one."

The sad part is, she's not kidding about that. Far flung room. Ramen for dinner. The girl has issues.

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
"Pay for this?" Clint asks looking down at the boozy cargo he carries under his arm. "Nah, I had a bet with one of the guys in my building and he finally paid up," he explains before he arches an eyebrow when he hears the kettle go. "Ramen? Wow, you really are living the cliché aren't you?. New plan, put this beer on ice and we'll go out. My treat and everything."

Quake has posed:
Skye pokes her head out from the kitchen. "I am not a cliche!" she complains. Though she does trot out with ramen in hand, only to have it unceremoniously taken from her in order to precipitate the change of plans.

"Hey!" she protests. "That was dinner!"

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
"Sure, sure, hacker girl who lives on ramen, you're not a cliché," Clint insists as he tosses the ramen, fridges the beer, and then leads the way on out.

Where to? Something of a dive bar, somewhere in the wilds of Manhattan. The bartender is a big Ukrainian guy who greets Clint warmly, clapping him on the back with a big meaty hand, before sending him and Skye over to a booth with a couple of menus. "Don't let the décor fool you, the drinks are good and the stuff out of the kitchen is non-lethal," he says as he sinks down in the booth.

Quake has posed:
Skye protest the Whole. Entire. Way. And every one of her protests are knocked down. Once ensconsed in the bar, she looks about, shaking her head. "So not what I'd expect of you. And you say I'm a cliche. Hell, I think I've made contacts in places like this." But she's smirking in the good kind of way, so it seems he might be forgiven for dragging her sorry ass out of her rooms into the actual public eye.

"Non-lethal, huh? Any specialities?" She tosses a look his way. "How be you order, hotshot, and I'll let you know what I think after? Also? Non of that crap frou-frou beer. You might be a better shot than I am, but I can access your files."

The threat comes with a smirk.

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
When the front door opens, a familiar figure enters. Natasha takes a step to the left as the door closes, pausing a moment then heading for the bar itself. The bartender is given a bright smile as Nat hops up onto a barstool and settles in without the need for a menu. The two of them chat for a few minutes in Russian, just an exchange of pleasantries and 'long time no see' comments. Then she orders a top tier vodka, neat.
    As he brings the glass over, she picks it up and gives the bartender an air toast before swallowing back the entire double shot without hesitation. She sets down the glass and gives a dip of her head, indicating a refill. Only then does she turn, looking directly toward the booth occoupied by familiar faces. She had spotted them upon entering but chosen to leave them to their conversation instead of interrupting. As her glass is refilled, she turns back to the bartender and continues chatting with him.

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
Clint laughs. "Yeah, me too now that you mention it." The place does sort of have that shady out of the way vibe to it good for meeting contacts. "The varenyky, that's perogies to the rest of us, may not be strictly non-lethal depending on your thoughts about heart disease, but its definitely edible. And goes good with regular non-frou-frou beer." That last is delivered with a smile. And when the waitress comes by he orders them a plate of the varenyky each along with a glass of 'whatever's on tap'.

Clint's eyes go to the door as the waitress leaves and spots Nat come in and sit at the bar. "Well, that teaches me not to pick places Nat introduced me to," he mutters, before nodding at the bar for Skye. "Nat's here."

Quake has posed:
Skye laughs under her breath. "Do I look like I worry about heart disease? I lived off of candy bars and cold coffee before SHIELD." Still does, if rumour is true. "I'm game. Especially if you're paying for it. Dark beer, please. Unless your manhood has issues with that." Her lips twist over her trademark grin of amusement as she holds up her hand, fingers almost precisely the width apart he'd held them in the training exercise with Lara Croft when she'd asked if his manhood had taken a beating at taking her orders. "I mean, I did give you the extra inch, but that shit you brought to my room? Total loss of faith. Even if you /say/ you won it in a bet."

She has her doubts.

Her glance follow shis over as he mentions Nat and introductions, falling upon the woman herself, most of her mirth falling away into something caught between sobriety and deflation. "Yeah. I see. Look, I can head back. I mean, it's not like I don't have more ramen. Might even have a pizza stuck in the freezer if I look really hard. Hell, there's that crap beer in my fridge. Someone has to drink it. You two do your thing, huh?"

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
"Make that dark!" Clint calls after the waitress. "Better now? And I totally won that stuff in a bet," he assures her. "Why did you think I came by to let you take half of it off my hands?" he says.

"Nah, stick around," Clint says and then looks over to Nat trying to catch her eye. If he does he gestures for her to come over and join them. "We'll see if we can put this whole thing with you and her to bed."

Quake has posed:
Skye's nose crinkles at Clint. "Yeah, well. I'm not keen on doing the whole fighting over who gets to be friends with who dance. Pretty sure she's got dibs."

And for some odd reason, she laughs shortly after she says that, shaking her head at herself. It's clearly something that's amused her, but she doesn't immediately share.

She does allow, "Well, I might be desperate enough to drink that swill since it /is/ in my fridge now." Her gaze steadfastly refuses to return back to where Nat is. Deliberately so.

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
Natasha picks up the second glass and is about to take a sip when she sees that glance. She arches a brow, looking directly at Clint then pointedly to Skye, wanting to be sure she isn't interrupting something. Only when she is certain she's not does she hop down off he barstool, literally since she is rather vertically challenged. She downs the drink then waits for a refill again before heading over to the booth.

As expected, she slips into the side next to Clint, across from Skye. Her body language and expression are relaxed, no tension toward the other woman. Her lips twist up in a bit of a smirk. "If this is a date, tell me now cause I don't want to be the third wheel."

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
"Neither am I. And I get to pick who I'm friends with," Clint says to Skye before Nat comes over. He looks up at her and then shifts over to make room on his side of the table. "Nah, we're just grabbing some beer and something to eat. You're welcome to join us."

Quake has posed:
Skye looks entirely about to say something, only she's cut off by Nat's arrival and unceremonious offer to leave if this is a date. "Woah. How'd we get to us dating?" And just as quickly, Clint gets a laughing scowl. "Hey, asshole. You didn't have to be so quick with the denial there. Plenty of guys would love to date me. You should be so lucky." She crumples up her napkin and tosses it at him.

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
Watching the interplay between the two, Natasha arches another of those brows. She doesn't look like she's buying it but she doesn't say another word on the topic. Picking up her vodka, she takes a slow sip since this glass will add up to six shots when she finishes it. She doesn't seem the least bit effected by it. "I'd introduce you to someone, Skye, but everyone I know is an agent for the most part. A few notable exceptions to that of course."

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
"Jeez, can you make up your mind what you're pissed about?" Clint asks Skye with a laugh before he looks to Nat. "It's cool, sit. Want I should order you a plate of the varenyky?" he says meeting that arched eyebrowed look with a steady look of his own. Though he breaks it to catch that crumpled napkin and say, "I wouldn't call that luck," he shoots back good-naturedly to Skye.

Quake has posed:
Skye laughs, catching the napkin as she catches it, putting it back on the table, smoothing the wrinkles out. "Well, you would be lucky," she repeats without looking up. "However, it's not a date. Or if it was, nobody told me." Which has her flicking her gaze to Nat. "So you don't have to go running off anywhere. Nor do you have to feel sorry for me and introduce me to anyone, not that I'd complain about agents. It's kind of what I do now."

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
"I wasn't feeling sorry for you," Natasha returns as she pulls over a napkin to set her glass on top of. The chilled vodka within already has condensation developing on the outside of the glass. The dripping liquid forms an immediate ring on the white napkin. "It was just an offer. I'm sure you can handle things yourself."

She does glance over at Clint and considers. "They do have some good varenyky here. Yeah, go ahead and add an order for me." She looks toward the bar, trying to spot the waitress to wave her over.

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
Clint spreads his hands. "I didn't get the date memo either, we're just here because Skye has no food at her place," he explains, though that statement raises other questions.

Clint moves speedily along asking for another plate of the varenyky from the waitress when she returns and claiming his beer of the tray she brings for him and Skye. Once he's had a sip, he says, "Anyhow, it's good we're all here, I understand there were some misunderstandings about who thought what about me and it would be good to clear those up before the next time we need to save the world."

Quake has posed:
Skye gives Nat a dry look. "Right. Because we're just good friends and you'd go out of your way to set me up with someone because that's how we roll." Her tones carry the same dryness as the look, though anything else she might say is cut off by Clint's not only addressing the elephant in the room, but inviting it to their table.

"Gee, thanks, hotshot. With friends like you, who needs enemies. And I do too have food. Ramen /is/ food." She scowls at him. "I think there's a pizza in my freezer. And some asshole left me a six-pack of crappy frou-frou beer." Her attempt at levity slightly hampered by the fact that she's actually uncomfortable, and other under circumstances would have marched off. In fact, she's giving it serious thought right now, and might if she didn't think he'd haul her ass back to the table.

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
"Yeah, let's get this cleared up right here and now," Natasha agrees, frowning a bit at the attitude but her words are directed to the other woman. "We don't have to be friends. You can try to be nice and polite to someone without being friends with them. As for our misunderstanding, you seem to be taking the time to get to know Clint instead of making assumptions about him so as far as I was concerned, things were settled. Your comment that you felt Bucky was a part of the team, implying that Clint was not, after calling Clint an asshole. Which he is at times. He's just an asshole less often than I'm a bitch."

She picks up her drink and downs it quickly before focusing back on the other woman. "Yeah, I was annoyed at that viewpoint considering Clint has been with SHIELD for years now and I wanted to be sure he was getting the respect due. That was it." She glances to the man, giving him a tight smile before looking to Skye again. "Now, if you prefer to continue to be nasty when I was being polite, I'll just head home and you can cancel my dinner order. When it comes time to save the world, I'll do my job either way. I always do."

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
Skye is right, he would have dragged her ass back to the table. He looks resolute, but Nat can likely see he's uncomfortable, even if he is determined to see this through. "I am trying to be a friend here," Clint says. "This fight between you two is dumb, and since we're all here I think it's time we put an end to it."

When Nat agrees and lays things out matter of factly he flinches. Guessing how well all of that was going to be taken. "Thanks for having my back," he offers to Nat. "And yeah, the asshole thing, totally fair, but hearing what Skye's said to me I think there were misunderstandings on both sides." Though he leaves Skye to speak for herself and what she meant.

Quake has posed:
Skye's scowl remains, though it's not quite as deep and dark as it might be. "I didn't say he wasn't part of the team," she correct Nat. "I said I considered Bucky more part of *my* team. I hadn't even worked with Clint then. Bucky was there when the shit with Hydra went down. I'd never worked with anyone like that before. Not that way. And I call lots of people assholes. Mostly people I kind of like. Not people I don't have the time of day for. You jumped to conclusions without even giving me the time of day, the same thing you got upset at me about with regards to Clint. Just how is that fair?"

The woman shakes her head. "And I know you'll do your job. You'd throw yourself on a grenade to save me if that's what it took, because that's who you are. I'm not stupid. I might not fit in here, but I see it."

She sighs. "Whatever. I didn't mean anything by it. I ddidn't mean anything tonight. You're right. I was rude. I'm sorry. Yay beer."

She sighs.

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
For a moment, Natasha considers hashing things out further but the fact is it's settled. There is no reason to say more on the subject. The best way to get it settled completely is simple.

"I'm sorry for the way I interpreted the situation."

And with that, she glances back over to Clint. "Satisfied now? And if you suggest we kiss and make up, I will slip a knife between your ribs," she adds in a mock threatening tone.

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
"Awww, that's no fun," Clint says to Nat's remark about the kiss. "Maybe just a peck on the cheek?" he offers smiling, before he is saved by the arrival of their food. The plates are set down in front of everyone and when the waitress leaves, Clint looks around the table at the ladies. "So, we're all good then? And can all agree that I am an asshole for forcing you guys to have this talk?"

Quake has posed:
Skye mutters, "Not like you gave me a chance to even explain anything." Though she has to admit, she was pretty pissy herself when things went tits up that day. The mutter isn't really directed at Nat in particular, though. More just a general grumble.

She waits until the server is done putting their food down to tell Clint, "You're really a glutton for punishment, aren't you? Suggesting that." That being the peck on the cheek.

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
"You left the room," Natasha points out to the grumble. "I felt that meant the conversation was over. So I left as well. Now maybe we should both just drop it and move onwards?"

With that, she focuses on the important thing which is the food. The waitress returns with another vodka that was ordered when she had been at the table a moment before. She also has a glass of water she places in front of Natasha. Then the server hurries off to take care of a table that was just seated two booths away.

Natasha turns her attention back to Clint, a bit of humor reflected in her eyes. "I have no doubt that you being an asshole will be agreed upon by all present."

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
"See, I'm a unifying force," Clint says with a broad grin at Nat's remark, before he nods to Skye's as well. "Just a bit," he says holding up his fingers. "Though, hey can't blame me for being honest," he jokes before taking a bite of his food then follows it up with several more.

Quake has posed:
Skye reaches over the table and nudges Clints fingers slightly further apart. "We're not talking about your dick here. You're dickness is much bigger than that."

Her plate is regarded, even as she tells Nat, "I left because you went all pissy on me. I thought we were getting along, you telling me all that stuff, and then *boom* out of nowhere, you flew off the handle." She looks up. "I didn't even know what you were angry about. I was trying to cool down so we could have a conversation about it all. Only that didn't happen."

Her fork is picked up and put back down again. "You hurt my feelings," she admits, before scowling at Clint, "You shut the fuck up. I do too have feelings, asshole." Which leaves her chuckling. "Oh god, this is just stupid. All of it."

Nat she sighs at, "Look, I don't know how to get on with people the way the rest of you do. I've been sitting here on the outside the entire time I've been at SHIELD, and there I was, for the first time feeling like maybe I fit in some. We stopped the attack. You were talking to me like I was a human being. I made a stupid comment about someone the way I always do, trying to keep them at arms length because it's easier than admitting maybe folks are getting in under the radar, and it all blew up in my face." She shakes her head, giving Nat an odd little smirk. "Not that you care, but you're something of an asshole too. And for what it's worth, I don't fuck people over. Whatever it is we settle or don't settle, I wouldn't have fucked you over either."

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
"I never figured you would," Natasha says with a shrug as she takes a bite of her dinner. She chews and swallows before continuing. "I was talking to you and when I felt my best friend wasn't being given his due, I bristled. You can ask Clint or May or pretty much anyone, I don't let people in. You talk about keeping people at arm's length. I'm the master of that particular skill and I have very good reasons for it." She doesn't elaborate. "I was chatting with you, things went sour, I stopped chatting. Don't take it personal."

Taking a sip of water, she continues. "Things with me are rarely ever personal. I say my piece and that's that. Or I don't. If you want friends, you'll be able to make them in SHIELD. Good friends that will be there for the rest of your life. If I'm not one of them, it's no big deal because I am not a very good friend."

She does glance from one of them to other. "If you already know his size, are you sure you two aren't dating?"

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
Clint sits back and lets the ladies talk while he eats his food pausing from time to time to sip his beer. Is he a little bit smug about putting this whole feud to bed, yes he is, so much so Skye's dick comments roll off his back. Well, until Nat joins in and he nearly chokes on a swallow of his beer. "It's a joke," he says as he manages to breathe again. "Just riffing on something I said on a training mission. It's not like I whipped it out or anything. Give me some credit," he grouses shaking his head as he sets his beer down.

Quake has posed:
Skye mimes throwing a pierogie at Clint. "Eww. We do not whip our dicks out in public places. At least not without invitation."

She tells Natasha, "You had to be there, kinda. Something something about I'm bossy and he outranks me. And it might not have been personal for you, but it was for me. Kinda. We weren't having go-for-coffee acquaintance talk there. Unless you go around talking about your background like that with everyone, and I don't think you do. And if you do, then maybe I was wrong. Maybe it really was a nothing to you and I was just stupid."

She pokes her fork at her dinner. "I didn't know he was your friend. And maybe it was a bit over the top of you, but it's also kinda nice that you care enough about someone to get that bristly. I mean, everyone should have someone like that." The 'even you' is implied.

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
"It's unusual for me, true," Natasha admmits. "But I only revealed information you could've found in my files. Not the stuff I removed from it ages ago." She gives the other woman a bold wink. "I suspect Fury probably has a copy somewhere he keeps off the computers though." She shrugs and goes back to eating.

A glance is tossed Clint's way then back to Skye. "I'll tell you a secret. Clint likes getting bossed around by women so don't let him lie to you about how you made him feel." Of course she's lying through her teeth.

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
Clint throws up his hands. "I didn't though, I was saying -exactly- that, that I didn't whip my dick out," he says through a laugh. "Though that part about the invitation has me curious. Do you often invite men to whip it out in public?" he asks before he takes another sip of his beer.

When the cup comes down he says, "Just you, Nat. Just you," a broad smile on his face.

Quake has posed:
Skye quirks a brow at Natasha. "Fine. It meant nothing. Noted."

Clint gets a laugh of disbelief, "Woah.. that's what we got out of that? Me inviting you to whip it out in public? You are so lucky we aren't dating. I'd be kicking you under the table right now for that one."

Withought missing a beat she informs Nat, "Oh, I know what he likes. Smart, strong, tough, and bossy. Wasn't that it, Clint?"

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
The comment from Clint gets a side look and a smirk but when Skye adds the narrative, Natasha turns her full attention to the man seated in the seat beside her. "Oh do tell."

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
"First off I didn't say invite me to whip my dick out, that's just gross, I just asked if that's something you do, Nat, back me up here," he says in response to Skye's accusation, but does so while smiling.

Suddenly on the spot, Clint continues to smile. "Skye was running down a checklist of what I liked in a woman, so I listed those things, she's working on smart, apparently."

Quake has posed:
Now Skye *does* kick him underneath the table, giving an utterly saccharine sweet smile Clint's way. "Ooops."

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
"Actually, Clint's right. He was just asking since it sounds like it's something you may have done before," Natasha says with another shrug. But that doesn't mean Clint is off the hook because she turns right back to him as she arches that single brow again. "Bossy, huh?" Then she purses her lips a moment and looks over at Skye.

"He's actually telling you the truth. All his exes match those criteria I think."

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
Clint oofs when kicked but doesn't lose his good humor, "I'm confused, does this mean we're dating now?" He looks to Nat. "That's what she said right, if we were dating she'd kick me?"

When Nat agrees with him, Clint's grin becomes a great deal more 'shit eating', almost to the point where he's saying 'nyah nyah' with his look. Before he nods, to Nat about his exes. "Well maybe not a few during the circus days, but since I've grown up and joined the good guys, yeah."

Quake has posed:
Nat gets a *look*. "Riight, Nice to know we all think I ask men to whip it out in public." Even if she knows it's a joke (or hopes it's a joke) a girl has to be somewhat offended by the whole matter.

Clint, though, she laughs at, "You figure it out hotshot." Leaving it at that while she sips her beer.

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
"I don't want to hear about the bearded lady. Again," Natasha teases as she takes another sip of her water. Maybe she's done with the vodka since it's still sitting there. "And yes, the kick means you are dating. Maybe even engaged. Who knows what you crazy kids do these days to pop the question. It might involve kicking. And penis jokes."

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
"Hey, you implied it, not us," Clint teases Skye with a nudge of her hand across the table.

"Bertha had a great personality," Clint fires back at Nat pretending to be hurt, but failing he's too close to laughing. "And whoa! Who said anything about engaged?" he raises his hands. "If kicks mean engagement, we'd be married by now, Nat," he says. "All, Skye was saying was we're dating," he concludes before he to retreats to his beer, downing a big swallow.

Quake has posed:
Skye's hand is easily nudged. It's not like the tables are huge or anything. And she's not exactly playing keep-away. Though she does look down at the gesture, and back up again when Clint finishes with them dating. She's silent for a long moment, as though she's deciding what to make of that, before smirking. "Oh, I'm saving better things for when we're engaged. And what's this about a circus?"

Her beer is set down, and pierogie obtained as she looks between the two, wondering just how deep this circus joke (is it a joke?) goes.

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
Clint does start to look over when the silence begins to drag on from Skye's side of the table, only to let out a breath when she finally says something and laughs when she mentions engagement. "Do I even want to know?" he asks.

As for the circus, now it's his turn to make her wait as he takes a long pull from his glass that ends up draining it. "Well, when I was a kid my brother and I ran away from our group home and joined the circus," he says, straight faced with a look to Nat to further confuse the issues. "But there was no Bertha, just to be clear."

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
There is a nod of the head from Natasha. "No Bertha. A couple of girls but I was teasing about that," she admits as she gives Clint a soft smile. Then she looks back to Skye. "He literally ran away and joined the circus. No joke."

Quake has posed:
Skye shakes her head at that in disbelief. "No shit, huh? The circus." Her eyes twinkle some. "You have to admit, there really should be a Bertha. Like, what a great story that would be." Her voice gets all sonorous as she intones, "Huge as the very tent she performed her act under, but man the girl could kiss."

There's another laugh from the young woman before she shrugs. "I ran away and lived wherever I could until I figured out a way to steal what I needed to live. Bought myself a van off the side of the road without asking any questions, and lived out of that until SHIELD nabbed me. I think the circus makes a much better story."

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
Clint smirks as Skye embellishes the Bertha story. "Huh, I'm going to have to steal that for the next time I tell the Bertha joke, definitely sounds better that way. Right?" that last is directed to Nat as he looks over to her.

Clint nods at the news that Skye had run away, she seemed like the type, "Yeah, the circus definitely makes for good stories, but I am sure you have a few of your own," he says.

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
"Definitely steal that. Vast improvement to the storyline," Natasha agrees. She picks up her vodka then pauses, reaching into the pocket of her jacket and pulling out her phone. "Damn. Duty calls." She slips out of the seat. "If you two will excuse me."

She takes two steps then turns back around and grabs the vodka glass. It is downed then the glass turned upside down on the napkin. "Have a good night."

Quake has posed:
Skye shrugs, her nose crinkling. "Lots of stories. Not many of them very good ones. I'm pretty sure I probably am lucky I didn't die somewhere along the way. And you should add to the Bertha story. I mean, who runs away to the circus anyway? Nobody is going to believe it, so why not have fun." He's given a grin. "I can so see you with a Bertha." Her lips twitch as she tries not to laugh.

Nat's abrupt slipping away breaks the levity, Skye looking over, "Oh. Okay. Uh.. And yeah. Probably didn't sound like it before, but sorry for being an ass. See you back at the gristmill."

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
Now it's Clint's turn to kick Skye under the table. "Sorry, foot slipped," he informs her deadpan after she mentions seeing him with a Bertha.

When Nat leaves, Clint looks up at her, "Catch you back at the office, and give my best to your guy, huh?" he says before she's out the door.

Quake has posed:
Skye takes a turn to "ow!" But she's laughing now. "What did I do to deserve that, huh? And so that's what we do now? We kick one another under the table?"

Once Nat's gone, she regards him questioningly, "You held your breath. Were you worried I was going to say something?"

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
Clint chuckles. "Well given our level of maturity, probably?" he offers unhelpfully to that first question.

The second question gets a slight bit more pondering and a more serious answer. "To be honest, yeah. Wasn't sure if I'd read things right," he admits.

Quake has posed:
Skye nods, admitting, "I wasn't sure either. That's what I had to think about. Whether or not you meant it, and if you did, did I." She grins, giving a shrug. "I mean, it wasn't why I kicked you, but then it was okay."

She can't help but agree to the other, though, "I thought we'd maybe progressed to hair pulling and name calling. Or, wait, does that come before kicking under the table?"

She gives another nod. "Yeah. I meant it." Which only makes her sit up and blink. "Okay. So not on my agenda of things to do today. Start dating. Check. I.. I wasn't kidding when I said I didn't really know how people did this, you know. I'm liable to either mess up or go running screaming for the door. You okay with that? Know the difference between we're done and I'm scared?"

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
"See, I did misread it, seriously glad it turned out to be okay though," he says smiling a little before he tilts his head and pretends to think things over. "I think it goes name calling, hair pulling, and then kicking? Though I may need to check the rule books to be sure," he jokes mildly before he turns back to the more serious topics.

Clint nods, "I figured you were being serious it's not like I don't have a ton of issues too, so, we'll figure things out. Not that I've had long to really consider what us dating looks like, but I don't see why it needs to be more stressful than the hanging out we've been doing, just, with the whole dating label and the things that come with it."

Quake has posed:
Skye considers, "See, there's the thing, right? I didn't say no. And I didn't just shoot off some smart-assed yes, either. I think I was testing that water. I mean, if you'd made a joke of it, then we'd both be laughing and having a drink like friends do and that would be that until it came up again. If it came up again. I just wasn't really sure what your answer meant. Sometimes being a smart-ass doesn't pay."

She nods, though, before laughing suddenly, "Oh god, I just had a horrible thought about the whole things that come with dating, based on prior conversation this evening."

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
"Yep. It totally could have gone like that, I mean I wasn't even sure how serious my own answer was," he admits. "Probably because I wanted to be able to still laugh it off if it blew up in my face." He lifts his glass to Skye, empty or not. "Words to live by right there," he says.

He sudden laugh brings a smile to Clint's lips. "What part exactly?" he asks grinning.

Quake has posed:
He's watched while he lifts his glass, and her own half-empty one is lifted in turn. "Words to live by." Skye takes a long swallow before putting the glass down again, the thing near empty now. "So we both weren't sure and were leaving space to blow it off like it was a joke. Probably just as well Nat was here or we might have. She's probably off being right royally smug right now if she's not miffed that it's me."

Then her eyes twinkle as she shares the thought that had made her laugh, "Oh, was just the whole my asking you to whip it out in public. Was wondering if this means I get to ask you to take it out in private. Pretty sure that comes somewhere after kicks under the table, but I never did get to read the playbook."

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
"Definitely glad Nat was here. We'd probably be awkwardly laughing into our beers still and wouldn't get around to bringing this up again until some, really, really bad time down the road. At least, based on my own past experience with these things." He nods about that last. "She's definitely feeling smug, as for being pissed it's you," Clint wobbles his hand. "Can't say for sure, but I do know I'm not worried about it. She'll come around if she hasn't already."

Clint laughs, leaning his elbows on the table as he nods. "Yeah, I'm pretty sure it does," he confirms.

Quake has posed:
There's a nod from Skye at the confirmation. "Interesting. We might have to try that sometime. Just to see what the reaction is." She reaches over with her off hand so that her fingertips just *barely* touch his elbow.

"Yeah. I guess she'll come around. She didn't seem pissed anymore. I can't read her very well. I obviously thought our conversation was more than it was. Which probably played into the whole we'd still be dancing around this come retirement age. Or, you know, in the middle of the mission where one of us would do something incredibly stupid and dangerous to everyone else, and Fury'd haul our asses into his office or lock us up somewhere until we figured it out. You know, something stupid like that."

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
"Your call on when we want to give that a try. But I'm game," Clint says, before he shifts his arm slightly to let it lean into the touch. That is if Skye doesn't pull away.

"Yeah, I could see either of those playing out. The last one would just be mortifying, I mean, Fury locking us up until we basically confessed our feelings, we'd never hear the end of it from anyone at the office."

Clint looks down at his empty cup. "So, should we get another round or head back?" he asks.

Quake has posed:
Skye considers her near empty mug. "We have beer back at my place. And ramen." Which makes her laugh again, her fingers nudging his elbow more firmly now, and falling to rest against his arm with deliberation. "I think we could go back. Maybe see how any of this feels? And you get a say in it too, you know. I mean, geez, don't leave it up to me to bring the topic up. Remember me? My dating advice was why don't people just hop into bed and bang it out. We might grow old waiting."

The image of Fury locking them up 'until' makes her shake her head. "I can see it now. Us locked in a room, closed circuit television broadcasting the whole thing to the entire agency. Free popcorn for everyone. And you know he'd do it, too. Man's right royally evil like that."

She nudges, "C'mon. Pay up. Let's go."

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
"We may need to get some take out then," Clint says laughing about their food situation. "Unless you really do have pizza in freezer." He the 'bang it out' thing makes him smile. "I remember, it was a quite the image. And sure, despite what Nat said about me liking being bossed around, I'm going to have a voice in this thing, too, don't worry." He smiles then putting his hand over the one she put on his arm.

He snorts at the thought of Fury making the whole agency watch. "Yes, yes, he would, and he'd never let us forget it was him he got us together. Well, assuming he approved in the first place." He shakes his head.

Lifting his hand from Skye's he shifts down the booth and stands. "Alright, meet you at the door," he says before going off to pay the bill.

Quake has posed:
Skye chuckles, leaving her hand under the touch while it lasts. "Fucked if I know if there's pizza in the freezer. I just said that to shut you up. I mean, what are you the ramen police or something." He gets a look, though it is amused, "Don't get any fancy ideas about suddenly making me buy groceries. though we might want to grab some takeout. I'm really not sure about that pizza. I know I didn't buy one, so it would have had to come factory installed."

Which may or may not be an exageration.

"He totally would. And he'd be smug. Hand out cigars that instead of saying 'It's a boy' or 'It's a girl' would say 'It's a couple' or 'I did that'. Something like." She stands when he does, and tiptoes up, daring a peck on his cheek. "Door. Gotcha. And we might not want to let Fury know." And off she goes to the door to wait.

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
"One thing at a time," Clint says about making her buy groceries. "And take out it is then, if you can't remember if there's pizza or when it appeared."

He pays the bill then, makes his way over to the door after saying goodbye to the bartender. When he joins her, he considers her a moment, before leaning in for a kiss.

Quake has posed:
The kiss, while unexpected, isn't rejected, Skye having to tiptoe up some to make it easier given the difference in heights, head tilted back enough that she actually has to reach out and grab his shirt to keep her balance. As far as kisses go, it's not half bad. The sort of kiss one really wouldn't mind repeating in the future. Nice enough that when it's over she nods, looking more than a little pleased, if slightly surprised, "Okay. We can do that again. There might be some private unveiling in our future if that's anything to go by."

She's still holding onto his shirt though, until she realizes, and brushes if off with a pat there, and a laugh. "I might have to buy heels just for you." Which she doesn't sound serious about at all, but it is rather amusing considering her protests about buying groceries.

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
Clint hadn't paid much attention to how much difference there was in their heights until he went in for the kiss, and kept going, he kept his balance, he wasn't that clumsy but he had to smile at it as their lips met. When their lips parted, he's smiling for other reasons, "Yeah, that was definitely repeatable," he says with a crooked smile. "And as for the rest, definitely count me in."

He chuckles at her suggestion, "Hmm, I'll believe it when I see it, but for now I think we've got things worked out well enough," he says opening the door to let Skye out ahead of him.

Quake has posed:
"What, you don't think I can do heels?" Skye scoffs, though in truth, heels hadn't been part of her repetoire. When you lived out of a van, that sort of niceity wasn't a priority. Besides, who was she going to impress. And once at SHIELD.. it just hadn't come up. "Tell you what, hotshot, I get heels, you have to take me somewhere worthy of heels."

Skye slips out before him, waiting for him to exit before slipping her hand into his like this was something they'd planned, her fingers curling neatly into his they way fingers do. "So, this counting in I'm doing. Pencil you in for next Friday or something? Is this like a cleaning lady? We come once a month?" She waits, amused and expectant, for his response to that one.

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
"No, I am just saying you're resistant to change," Clint says before glancing down at Skye's legs and saying, "You'd look awesome in heels." The bargain she offers though is too good to pass up. "Deal," he says.

He snorts. "You did not just say that?" he says about the whole come once a month deal. Bad puns are bad. He shakes his head though and carries on, "Nah, the heels thing is something we pencil in like the cleaning lady," Clint says as their hands twine between them as they walk. "The other thing, we do when we feel like it, no scheduling needed." He looks to her for her take on his reply.

Quake has posed:
Skye laughs and nods, "I did too just say that. You were right here when I did it, how did you miss it?" Laughingly, her hand still in his, she ducks away, though she nods. "Yeah. We do it when we feel like it. The heels, we pencil in. Make it a date. Something nicer than just everyday."

Her gaze drifts down to her legs, "You think? the looking good in heels, I mean. Not a guy. Not exactly sure what it is guys see in that sort of thing." Other than how it shapes a calf. Or an ass. Or.. you know.. all the other things both men and women find sexy about the things. "I'd have to buy a dress, too. This dating thing is becoming more and more complicated. Heels. A dress. Groceries. You better not eat crackers in bed." And with that, she moves back closer to him. Close enough to give a gentle hip bump, though given their difference in heights it's more like a hip to thigh bump. "Okay, maybe you can eat crackers in bed. I'll let you know later. Remind me."

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
"What? I don't remember," Clint replies with feigned confusion before be bursts out laughing. "And that works for me. Both the date and the other thing."

He spares another look for her legs, "Yep, I think you would," he confirms. "As for what guys see in it, girls just look hot in heels, it's a whole leg and butt thing, I guess, but I try not too think too deeply about it and just appreciate it." The expenses of dating are met with a wry smile before he holds up a hand. "Well I can help with the dress thing, probably. It pays to have a major fashion designer as an Avengers teammate, plus, I've got to hit Jan up for a new suit for our little date anyhow." Then he's chuckling again. "I'll take a memo, but I don't see much eating crackers in bed in my future," then spotting a cab he asks, "Shall we grab a ride back to the Triskelion?"

Quake has posed:
"No crackers in bed? Is that a note to me to not be expecting any sleepovers in the near future, or do you figure you're going to be too busy for crackers? I hear they're great to stave off hunger while expending all that energy." Her lips purse over an amused moue. "Definitely catch a ride back. We can grab something in the caf on the way if we want."

He gets a look in return. "You in a suit, huh? I can see that." And the way Skye says it suggests pretty much the same sort of thing he imagines when he pictures her in heels. Only him. In a suit.

Once in the cab, and they're put into closer quarters, she admits, "You know a lot of this joking has to do with.. well, it's more than a little scary, all this. There's something really bare and exposing about admitting to someone you like them, and being with them." She smiles over at him, "Not that I don't enjoy the joking around. I mean, it's kind of us, too."

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
"Well, when you put it that way I might have to revise my position on eating crackers in bed," Clint informs her before nodding and heading towards the cab, which he flags down for them.

The look she gives him is noticed and he takes a second or two longer bending over to get into the cab than is strictly necessary.

"You're not wrong," he agrees, putting an arm around her after telling the driver where they were headed. "And yeah, it's definitely us, but it's also definitely our defense mechanism so we don't have to really see what we're putting out there, probably so we don't freak out," speaking of putting things out there, he pauses, lips pursed a moment before he says, "That said, I really do like you Skye, and I have entirely way too much fun just being with you. It's pretty great."

Quake has posed:
Skye nods, leaning into him when his arm goes around her. "I like you too," she admits. "You're easy to be around. I don't feel like.. okay, this is going to sound weird, all things considered, but I don't feel like I have to be someone else when I'm with ou. I just get to be. And it's relaxing. And fun. And how did we end up here anyway?"

Her head lays against him for a moment. "I guess we just have to remember we don't have to throw up the defenses all the time. We got past that whole we can laugh this off later thing. You know, until we figure out if this is something more serious than a few laughs and a kick-ass dinner date at some fancy expensive restaurant, with dancing after." She waits to hear his reaction to that. He can probably feel the vibrations of her holding back a laugh. "Also? You can do that bending over thing in front of me any time you like. The view was niiiice."

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
"It doesn't sound weird at all, I know what it's like to have to put your best foot forward with everyone all the time, I went through the same thing, still do sometimes, especially with the Avengers," Clint says. "Though no idea how we got here, though. I guess we pissed each other off at dinner then we had that training exercise," he pauses smiling to himself. "Both of those were put on by May, so be sure to let her know it's her fault. Anyhow, from there I guess we liked hanging out together and each thought the other was hot?" he says with a laugh.

"You're almost laughing, but I am game for the dancing part if you are, you're the one who has to do it in heels," he teases, squeezing her with his arm a bit as he does. "And yeah, it'll probably take us a little bit to bring down our guard but if it turns out to be something, I'm sure we'll figure it all out."

Clint snorts. "Anytime," he grins.

Quake has posed:
The snort does it. She breaks into laughter. "I'm not even sure if I can dance. In heels or out of them. And that whole bit about the fancy was just to see how you'd react. Might be fun to try it and see, though. And if I turn out to have two left feet, we'll know."

When he suggests they tell Agent May, Skye tilts her head up to him, giving him the 'are you serious' look. "Tell May. That we're dating. And it's her fault. You want to do that, you get to do that on your own, but do let me know so I can bring popcorn, because I want to see that. And speaking of shooting at me, you enjoyed that too much. Though I guess you were shooting with equal glee at all of us."

She pretends to consider, "Now, now, back it up hotshot, who said you were hot, huh? I mean, me? That's a given. but you?" She settles back into the crook of his arm. "I was pissed off at everyone at that dinner. All the nerves over this project. Everyone trying to mom me. It was annoying. Though you can tell May that I've actually spent how long now away from my laptop voluntarily. And likely going to spend at least a bit more time unless I misread things."

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
He joins in with the laughing, "The dinner will be fine, we can skip the dancing, if we feel there is immanent danger of embarrassment and broken ankles we can back out. Sounds good?" he offers grinning.

"As for May, good point. Though now I am worried that not telling her will be worse. Engh, something to worry about later unless we run into her back at the office, in which case, I fully plan to run," he says looking down at her. "Well I mostly hit the girl in the suit, but I did enjoy watching May shoot you. Just don't read too much into it, I didn't know who you were back then."

"You did, like a couple of seconds ago," Clint counters before shaking his head. "No, no, you made your point about May, I am not even going to tell her that, she might ask how I managed it," he says and then adds. "And no, I don't think you misread things."

Quake has posed:
Skye nods, "I really do hope she's not been logging any of my network time. And yes, I get paranoid about that kind of thing. I'm a hacker. That's what I do. It's exactly the kind of net-trap I'd employ.. and she's not likely to have. Shut up Skye."

But he's brought up a valid point, even without her paranoia on some matters. "I have no clue what we do about this. She might be pissed to find out through the grapevine. I just don't actually see myself sitting her down and telling her, either. Both situations have pitfalls. Enh. Like you say, we'll figure it out."

She chuckles, remembering the mission, "Jenn is pretty interesting. And I know I was just another body on the field to you that day. Hell, I was just another body in the breakroom when we had that meal. An annoying body, so, you know, you remembered me, but just a body." But she nods, "Dinner. Maybe dancing. And you're pretty hot. Damned sexy. Not sure if that blind shot you took was to impress me on the Helicarrier? But it did. You're also a smug little bastard, in case nobody told you. And you better plan on distracting me. I'm kind of enjoying this." Which should speak volumes. Skye. Enjoying something other than her laptop. To the point of ignoring her laptop. On the eve of the mission. Voluntarily.

Really, there should be a national holiday for this. Or, you know, a SHIELD-wide memo.

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
"Is it a bad sign that your paranoia is sort of cute?" Clint asks giving Skye's shoulders another little squeeze as the close in on the Triskelion. "And as for telling her, we can figure out which way will work better tomorrow."

"I might have been trying to look impressive, yes," he admits. "Glad it worked even if it did reveal I am a smug little bastard. I was trying hard to hide that." A grin crosses his face at the rest, he got how much Skye must be enjoying herself with him, the laptop didn't even come on the trip to the restaurant and she hadn't said much about the mission either. The cab comes to a stop and he pulls his arm back to pay the driver before looking to Skye with a fond smile. "I think I can find a few more ways to keep you distracted," he says pushing the cab door open slipping out of the cab. He comes back to offer Skye his hand. "C'mon."

Quake has posed:
"Oh? Distracting me, huh? Care to tell me what you have in mind?" She waits while he pays, in no hurry to rush into the Trisk, and slips her hand into his when he comes back. Really, if they're trying to hide this, they're doing a poor job of it all. Not that they're actually /trying/ to hide it.

As for her laptop and work, she's surprised even herself with how little thought she's given it this evening (read: NONE). And moreso, the fact that it's not bothering her one bit. Normally by now she'd be chomping at the bit, antsy to dismiss whoever and run back to her quarters and log on. If humour was a defense, her online world was an escape. Even when it was important work.

"Tomorrow, huh? This connected to you distracting me? Like should I be wondering if I have crackers, or do I just bring ramen to the bedroom and we use our imaginations?"

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
Clint pays the driver then walks with Skye towards the Triskelion holding her hand. Yeah, they were definitely doing crappy job of hiding things. "I hadn't thought it through, I figure we can improvise," he says before bursting out laughing. "Maybe not improvise -that- much, the scalding alone," he says thinking of the ramen. "Anyhow, like we said before, no schedule, we'll figure things out as we go."

Quake has posed:
"Oh, I said ramen, nothing about bringing the kettle in. Munch on them dry." She says it so very seriously, as though she means it. Except her eyes are dancing, holding all her laugher.

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
"Right, still not sure if that's much better," Clint smirks as they head inside.