A/N: Sooooooo… This idea TOTALLY jumped on me. I've been toying on the idea of a Clintasha-fic and WHAM! This happened. (smirks sheepishly) Before letting you decide whether that was a good thing or not, though…

DISCLAIMER: (laughs madly) Are you KIDDING ME?! If I DID own anything I'd be singing it to the work – because it'd mean that I'd get to work with Jeremy Renner! But sadly, no. The world's a cruel place, folks…! (pouts and sighs dramatically)

WARNINGS: AU (albeit not very dramatically), Clintasha, violence, adult themes, language, weirdness, lots of circus tricks… Hey, where did you go?!

Okay, because stalling is a naughty habit… Let's go! I REALLY hope that you'll enjoy the show.

The Tale of a Hawk and a Spider

The Show Begins

Natasha Romanoff didn't even try to appear impressed when her current employer, Ivan Sorkoff, introduced her newest assignment. "So, let me get this straight." Her tone was sharper than would've been acutely advisable. "You're expecting me to sneak into a circus?" That had to be the stupidest thing she'd ever heard.

Ivan didn't seem to agree. His blue eyes sharpened hazardously. "The owners of that place have stolen certain data that will cost me a fortune if I don't get it back. I'm expecting you to bring it all back to me. It consists of three flash drives." The criminal rubbed his hands together. "The carnival will be in Moscow for two days. That's the time you have." His expression tightened still. "Do remember, Widow, that you owe be debt. I'd consider this a great favor."

Which meant that saying 'no' wouldn't be the smartest idea. Natasha's jawline tightened. "And if I'm caught before I find everything?"

Ivan smiled. There was something very chilling to it. "Then, my dear, you'll become their new best assistant until you've accomplished the mission. I've heard that they're looking for one." He chuckled at her expression. "Oh, don't look like that! Who wouldn't enjoy some good old fashioned circus drama?"

Somehow she very much doubted that she would.

Natasha could be incredibly unnoticeable when she chose to be. And she understood that with this particular circus subtle was the best way to go. Perhaps she'd have the mission over and done with faster than she'd ever dreamt.

The crowd surprised and infuriated her. Natasha had never liked being in the middle of masses of people and especially during a delicate mission it added far too many variables. She was sure to stay back, slipping to a location from which she could cover as many directions as possible. She arched an eyebrow at the five security guards her eyes spotted.

Well, if there ever was any doubt whether the circus had something to hide…

Making a mental note to keep an eye on those merry fellows Natasha watched and waited for the perfect opportunity. Clowns. Animals. All the usual circus clichés that made her decide to beat up Ivan as soon as she'd see him for assigning her to something this infuriating.

Natasha was ready to consider this one of the most boring assignments she'd ever faced until the magician, a small, weasel looking man finished his performance. "And now, ladies and gentlemen… We'll need just a little more magic to unleash our final star." The magician turned like a true showman, gesturing towards the tent's highest point with his hand. "Allow me to introduce you… to The Amazing Hawkeye!"

All of a sudden a massive, red fabric that all spectators had imagined to be a part of the tent was gliding gracefully towards the ground, revealing something that caught everyone's attention. Natasha couldn't keep herself from looking and once she did she was unable to turn her gaze away. There, in a ridiculously flashy cage that was now revealed, was a blindfolded man with shortcut blond hair, dressed in a skintight black outfit that might've been made of leather. The muscles in his bare arms were tight with both strain and intense concentration while he braced himself for whatever was to come.

The magician clapped his hands once. The cage shook and the man inside swayed ever so slightly. "Now, Hawkeye…!" Another clap, another quake hit the cage. "… fly!" The cage's bottom fell, sending the man freefalling.

Or perhaps not quite. There was a rope that he hung from. He fell dangerously for a couple of seconds until he righted himself, flipping himself to a proper standing position against the rope. With one arm and leg outstretched he made wide circles above the stunned audience, as though actually flying. Then, after about twenty seconds, he jumped.

There was nothing supporting or securing him as he glided through the air. He had the time for exactly one mighty backflip until the sound of him landing pierced the tent's unnatural silence. He completed his dangerous flight graciously, feet first to a platform that appeared ridiculously small. Not even out of breath, without a single fidget of fried nerves on his body.

After a heartbeat the audience applauded loudly.

But oh, Hawkeye wasn't done yet. After a humble bow he took a step forward, to what at first seemed like empty air. Until Natasha was able to distinguish a tightrope. With the tent's lights playing tricks it was impossible to tell how wide the rope was. But surely not enough so to be safe to try while blindfolded.

Natasha swallowed hard. That guy's insane, she decided. Because that thought was far safer to focus on than the fact that she enjoyed watching him far more than she should've.

Hawkeye danced on the rope as though walking on a solid surface. He tempted his fate by spinning around and stretching. As though oblivious to the fact that he couldn't see a thing. By the time he finally reached another platform there was a degree of tension in Natasha's muscles that wasn't necessarily caused by the mission alone.

Another round of applauds followed. Hawkeye bowed again, then twisted his body to a position that most certainly didn't seem comfortable. When he straightened his form he was suddenly hanging from a green rope no one had paid attention to earlier. Once again he jumped.

Round and round again, down, down, down. Several panicked gasps erupted from the audience. And then, far too close to the ground, Hawkeye's freefall finally ended. With him upside down, a perfectly serene look on his face. Slowly and elegantly he righted himself, letting go of the rope. As soon as his feet touched the ground he tore off the blindfold and folded his arms. Just then lights illuminated him, drawing his shadow to the wall behind him. The illusion was enough to make it look like his shadow had a pair of large wings.

The audience was obviously thrilled by what they'd seen. Natasha decided that she'd skip the rest of Hawkeye's performance. She was feeling warmer than she should've and suspected that she'd already seen too much. Besides, she'd spent the entire evening looking for an opening and this was it.

While everyone else continued to focus on the show Natasha slipped away, towards where she'd noticed the backstage to be. She made it there with no trouble. Apparently the entire circus staff had more important things to do. Like a shadow she sneaked in, determined to find what she'd been sent to look for so she'd get away from the chilling place.

After about four minutes she found her way out of the tent and stood before what looked like a makeshift office. A small, wooden structure. Firmly locked, of course. Anything else would've been a disappointment. Besides, the Widow had always been good with locks.

Natasha never heard a thing. Didn't even sense a presence. But all of a sudden an arrow flew, dodging her narrowly. It slammed violently at the wall in front of her, so close that the feathers touched her cheek. She froze, every single cell in her body preparing for a fight.

… shit! …

How the hell had she managed to be this careless?

A sharp voice, which spoke in fluent Russian, she'd never heard before was smooth yet seemed to be growling at the same time. "Sorry, now, but we're not fans of intruders here. We've had money going missing so we're a little… cautious." It was without a doubt a threat. "If you don't mind, turn around so I can see your face."

Did she really have a choice? She could've, of course, taken a chance with the firearm pressing against her leg but something told her that it might not be a good idea to test his reaction time. So she obeyed, gritting her teeth so hard that it hurt.

It was the same acrobat she saw earlier. His arms were currently hidden by a dark blue hoodie but the way he held the bow spoke volumes of intense workout. His eyes were examining her intently, without a doubt trying to guess what her next move might be. She found herself looking into them far longer than she should've.

Natasha didn't like how out of control she felt right then, in ways she'd never experienced before. She licked her lips without noticing it, as though tasting something. "I'm here about the assistant's position", she explained. By some miracle her voice was perfectly even. "Is it still open?"

The circus star watched her for a few more seconds. Seemed to see far more than he should've. "I'd have to check with the bossmen to be sure", the tightrope artist, and apparently archer as well, decided on at last. The man pursed his lips. "But I doubt they'd mind me arranging a preliminary tryout."

Before Natasha had the chance to even guess what that might mean another arrow flew. This time it missed her even more narrowly. She remained perfectly still and, somehow, expressionless as she heard it hit the wood right above her. The resounding thud resonated quite beautifully with her rapidly beating heart. "So?" she managed. Despite the fact that she felt breathless and tingled all over in a manner that infuriated her. "Did I pass?"

What just happened?

The man, Hawkeye as she finally managed to remember, smiled. Truly and honestly. It even reached his eyes. "I think you'll fit right in."

Fighting furiously to keep her expression even despite the way her heart was pounding Natasha wondered just what she'd gotten herself into.

TBC

A/N: Well, well… We'll see how this begins. And what secrets both the circus and our duo have…! Things are bound to be different, with neither of them having been snatched from those lives.

SO, because it's always unnerving to unleash a new baby… How was that? Any good at all? PLEASE, do let me know whether you consider this worth continuing! It'd mean THE WORLD to me.

In any case, thank you so much for reading! And who knows. Maybe I'll see you guys again?

Take care!