A/N: Look, a new story! This is my first time writing for either of these fandoms, so sorry if they're a little OOC... anyway, please enjoy!

Just look down. Keep your eyes on the ground, and maybe they won't know who you are.

Agent Clint Barton snorted at his own thoughts. Yeah, because that had always worked so well.

Clint was used to attention. As the best marksman in SHIELD, and probably in the world, everyone knew the famous Clint Barton, better known as Hawkeye. New recruits had always stared at him in awe, while older agents had regarded him with grudging respect and sometimes admiration.

But then Loki had attacked and rearranged his mind, and the famous Hawkeye had almost single-handedly taken down the SHIELD helicarrier. Now the awe and respect were gone, replaced with fear, anger, and betrayal. The agents that had once respected him, those who could have been his friends, now thought him a dirty traitor.

So as Clint walked through the repaired helicarrier, he kept his head down. He didn't really think it would keep others from recognizing him, but it just might help. Or maybe it would just keep him from noticing where he was going, as he soon found himself bumping into someone. Reacting instinctively, Clint lifted his head and drew a knife, holding it to the throat of whoever had hit him in an instant. Eyes hard, he looked at the culprit for the first time... and immediately lowered the knife.

The eyes he was looking at were innocent and scared... and feminine. "God, I'm sorry," Clint told her quickly. "You caught me by surprise."

She gave him a small smile before replying, "It's no problem. I'm guessing you're a field an agent?"

Clint nodded, noticing the British accent, and responded with his own question, "What about you? Field agent?" She didn't look like one, but Clint had learned quickly that looks could be deceiving.

She laughed in response though. "No, I'm in research. I'm a biologist. Working on a team at the moment though, we're just stopping here to pick up supplies and things."

Clint raised an eyebrow. "So you are in the field? Who's your leader?"

The girl blushed as she responded. "Oh, I'm sorry, that's classified. Not really allowed to talk about it." She shrugged. "Sorry."

Clint chuckled. He doubted that it would be classified to him, but decided not to pry. The girl seemed a bit uncomfortable already. "So, what's your name?" He asked, continuing, "I don't think I've seen you before."

"I'm Jemma. Jemma Simmons. And you are?" the girl- Jemma- asked in reply, holding out her hand.

He smiled and took it, responding, "I'm Clint. Clint Barton."

The girl's eyes widened as she released his hand and let her own fall to her side, and Clint winced. He could hit himself for that. It had been the first time since Loki that he had a normal conversation... well, normal by SHIELD standards. He could have withheld his name; she probably wouldn't have been surprised at that, knowing he was a field agent and all. But then he just had to screw it up by sharing information. Clint could tell that she knew his name; he could see it in her eyes. His first real conversation in months, and now the girl- Simmons- was probably going to make some excuse to get as far away from him as possible.

But when she spoke, eyes still comically wide, there was none of the fear, anger, and accusation he had come to expect in the last few months. Instead, he heard the awe that used to be common in young agents like her.

"Clint Barton?" she asked, starting at him. "THE Clint Barton? As in, best marksman in the world, as in, Hawkeye?"

Clint offered her a smile, a shadow of the cocky grin he used to save for such occasions. "The one and only," he responded, trying for pride but only sounding sarcastic and bitter.

Simmons didn't seem to notice, grinning at him. "I can't believe it. My first day on the helicarrier, and I'm meeting a celebrity!" She laughed, and it almost made Clint smile. "Wait until I tell Fitz, he'll be so jealous!"

Clint raised an eyebrow at her, asking, "Fitz? Who's that?"

Simmons smiled again. "We work together. He's my partner."

He had to smile at that. After all his time working with Natasha, Clint understood the value of partnership. But then the smile faded slightly, and he asked, "But you think he'll be jealous that you met me?" He smirked. "Sorry to break it to you, but I'm not exactly popular around her anymore."

A look of surprise crossed her face, then understanding with a touch of anger. "You mean because of the battle in New York and that whole mess with Loki?" she exclaimed. "You're a hero, just like the other avengers!"

Clint laughed bitterly at that. A hero, right. He was many things- archer, agent, spy, assassin... but hero? Not even close. Sure, he did some good- he killed some aliens during the battle- but his ledger had too much red. "Sorry, but no," Clint responded, his eyes sad. "I'm no hero, Simmons." He sighed. "Look, it was nice talking to you, but I should go." He turned away, planning on letting off some steam in the archery range, but was stopped by a surprisingly strong grip on his arm.

"Wait," Simmons commanded, and Clint reluctantly stopped, turning back. She was starting at him with something he hasn't seen in a while- compassion. Not pity, which is what he got from the other Avengers, but true kindness. The kind he used to see from Phil. Simmons gave him a half smile, saying quietly, "You saved lives, Clint. You might have done some bad things, but they weren't in your control. And even if they were, it's obvious that you regret them." She stared at him for a second, before asking, "Am I right?"

Clint responded firmly and immediately with a "Yes. Every day."

She smiled again, saying, "Well then, that's good enough for me. And it should be good enough for everyone else! You're a hero, Hawkeye, and no one can tell you otherwise."

Clint had to smile at that. She was so positive, she seemed almost naive. But Clint could tell, from years of experience, that this girl had seen things and experienced things that she wanted to forget, but never would. So when he answered, Clint tried to show her some of the compassion she showed to him. "Thanks, Jemma," he said easily, using her first name for the first time. "I really needed to hear that, I think."

She grinned at the use of her name, and responded just as casually, "No problem." She glanced at her watch, eyes widening. "Oh no," she muttered, "I'm late. I bet Fitz is worried, I was supposed to be back in the lab 30 minutes ago..." She smiled up at Clint, apologetic. "It was great talking, but I really have to go. Maybe I'll see you again? My team is leaving in about a week."

Clint grinned in response, some of his normal sarcasm returning. "Oh yes," he said, "your top-secret team that not even I can know about. Well, I'm pretty busy myself, but maybe I'll see you. Have fun on the helicarrier, don't get lost, and tell your friends I say hi. Got it?" He raised an eyebrow in a mock-serious way, and Simmons giggled.

"Yes sir!" She replied, and walked away, still giggling.

Clint smiled as he watched her leave. The young scientist probably had no idea what she had done for him, and Clint was perfectly okay with that. He was meant to be in the background- that was the only way he knew how to survive. But maybe, just maybe, he could learn to be a hero.

Clint smiled again, and turned away from the archery range. He didn't need that. Instead, he went to find Natasha- she needed to hear some of the things he just had.

A/N: I really hope you enjoyed that! I'm thinking of adding to it- doing another chapter from Simmons' POV. Have her talking to Fitz about Clint, and then maybe Coulson overhears and talks to her, wants to find out how his agent is doing. What do you guys think? Please review to tell me how you liked this and whether or not I should do another chapter!