Timeline note: The Bourne Legacy events were going on at the same time as the Bourne Supremacy events, which was like 5 years before the Avengers. Oh, and I own nothing. Go buy something from Marvel and Ludlum.

As the fishing boat continued its journey out to sea, he looked back over his shoulder at the woman. She was sitting on the floor of the deck, her eyes closed. Surely she was exhausted from the events of the past 12 hours. He looked back out to sea and held up the binoculars. This plan definitely fell into the Seemed Like A Good Idea At The Time category. He winced a little at the pain from the gunshot wound. He was pretty sure there were still bullet fragments in there somewhere. This mission had been tough from the beginning, but now his life had taken a turn for the surreal. The changes were permanent now. He still didn't know how to process it all. Natasha had been living with this curse for a good part of her life, and now he would be too. And then there were the rumors about Fury. Fuck. He sure as hell hoped he wasn't going to go bald.

From the angle of the sun he could tell they less than an hour of daylight left. It would just be so much easier for the carrier to spot them in the light. He glanced over at the fisherman and his son. The man was showing the boy how to steer. Barton smiled a little. With a little luck, this tin can of a boat would survive.

He watched the water as three dolphins road the waves. They leapt and spun and if animals could smile, they were. How nice it would be to live in this world with a care. He wondered what would happen if he just jumped in with him.

His was losing his mind and his body. He was done. As if reading his thoughts, he heard the doctor come up behind him. "How's the wound?" she asked quietly.

"Fine for now," he lied.

"Aaron, how long until we get to another place?" she asked wearily.

With any luck, the fisherman will get us to the coordinates before dark, he thought. "I'm not sure. Morning maybe."

"So did you mean it?" she asked.

"Mean what?"

"Did you mean that we could go anywhere?"

He sighed. He felt guilty for lying to her. But why the hell should he? This woman had lied to him for months, tortured him and seemed able to justify it all to herself in the name of science. But he was Clint Barton, and guilt just seemed to come naturally.

"Eventually," was all he could say.

Their conversation was interrupted by the boy yelling. Clint looked out and noticed the dolphins had disappeared. They boy's yells were soon joined by his father's. Their words were a jumbled mess, but he heard the word he'd been hoping for. "American ship."

Marta started to look scared, "D-did they find us again?" she stammered out.

He continued to look out to sea. "It's going to be ok, Marta."

Thankfully, the commotion started before he had to say anything else. Out of nowhere, a Zodiac appeared. The captain continued his yelling, but he was drowned out by the sound of the sailor on the bullhorn.

"Stop where you are! Cut your engines now!"

The captain complied.

"Prepare to be boarded."

Marta screamed, but Barton held her by the shoulders. "You have to trust me Marta."

She nodded wordlessly. Three black clad figures appeared on the fishing boat. Marta raised her hands instinctively, but noticed that Aaron only moved forward. She wondered if he intended to fight them. But how could he? He was too injured and exhausted.

"Stop where you are," yelled the anonymous operative. One figure moved to the wheelhouse to secure the captain the boy. The other two moved in front of the passengers.

"Agent Clint Barton, S.H.I.E.L.D. clearance Alpha Two Alpha. Get me the fuck out of here."

The first agent jumped back and pulled off his face mask, shocked. "Really?" was all the poor boy could sputter out.

"Yeah, really."

The agent grabbed his radio, "base! I've got an agent requesting extraction. Repeat, Barton, Alpha Two Alpha requesting extraction."

Everyone on the boat remained motionless waiting for the response.

"Well get him the hell off that sorry excuse for a boat," yelled a deep voice over the line.

The second masked figure moved forward and removed her mask. "Sir," she called back, "he's not alone."

The female agent looked to Barton for instruction. He stepped aside and finally turned to look at a gasping Marta Schering. "Take her into custody." Barton sighed.

"Yes sir!" she obeyed and moved forward to take Marta by the arm.

"Wait," he said, "no cuffs. She gave me aid."

The female agent pursed her lips, but complied. "Come with me," she ordered.

Barton could see the tears in Marta's eyes. She'd realized that the day held a few more unpleasant surprises.

By this time more agents had boarded, and were moving toward Barton, first aid kits out. He sat down, and surrendered to their attention. Through half closed eyes, he could see the sun setting.