upinhisnest | BECAUSE nolimitation REQUESTED IT. And because y'know STUFF.

[ Clint, of course, notices the moment she makes him - and grins widely to himself. Sure, Fury had told him to "keep an eye on the situation", but Coulson had added "cooperate with them" via that nice little conversation-via-expression-mainly-eyebrows that they had going for them. Coulson would deny that any such thing existed, but Clint wasn't buying it.

Especially given how quietly smug Coulson tended to look when he followed those silent instructions.

So he'd placed himself in a nice, easily-identifiable-if-you-are-good-at-your-job spot, and waited. And now Agent Blondie was heading his way, and he could actually get down to the business of, y'know. Cooperating.

When Olivia gets to his rooftop, he's still keeping an eye on the ground and the crowd, but he's not using his scope or anything, and he's relaxing in the gaudy lawn chair that he found a couple rooftops over. ]

You know, you're a lot cuter than I expected you to be.

[ When Olivia gets to the rooftop, she's got her gun out and pointed at him, and she doesn't move far out from the doorway at first, just in case he's ready for her.

He is ready for her, just... not the way she thought. Not in a way that means he's going to shoot her, at least, and is that a bow he's holding? That's almost more confusing than the brightly-colored lawn chair he's sitting in, honestly, and Olivia just stares at him for a moment, clearly wondering what the hell is going on here.

She doesn't lower her gun, though, by even a fraction of an inch, and she recovers from the confusion quickly, her usual serious, professional mask slipping back onto her face a moment later. ]

I didn't know I was expected. [ She pauses, and then does step forward out of the shelter of the doorway, slow and even and cautious. ] You want to put the weapon down and identify yourself?

All right, sweetheart, keep your pants on. [ Clint grins a little wider and puts down his bow. No less dangerous, really, but she doesn't know that for sure, and anyway she could probably shoot him before he could get an arrow on the string even with his skills. ]

Agent Clint Barton, Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division. Before you say it, yes, it's kind of a mouthful, we usually just go with SHIELD, but I wasn't sure if you'd know it. I got assigned to monitor the situation you're dealing with down there.

[ She moves a few steps closer once the bow's down, until she's within a more comfortable speaking distance - though not close enough that he can easily grab the gun, which she is not putting down just yet.

The agent mask does slip just enough, though, that it's not hard to tell he's already annoying her. ] I aware of what SHIELD is, thank you. Do you normally lurk on rooftops instead of actually informing the lead agent on cases you're... monitoring?

[ It's what he lives for, Olivia, sorry. ] Fair enough - not everyone does, and I didn't get any briefing on you. My orders were to observe and monitor, not to get chatty with the locals.

[ Of course, given that he presented himself to her on the proverbial silver platter, it's clear that he's not exactly following orders on this one. ] By the way, what's your name, sweetheart?

[ Oh god this is the second time he's called her sweetheart in as many minutes. If she were a different person, it would be extremely tempting to clock him with the gun instead of what she does, which is lower it slowly in preparation to holster it again, albeit reluctantly. ]

Agent Olivia Dunham, with Fringe Division, and I'd appreciate it if you'd use it and stop calling me sweetheart.

[ There's another long, suspicious look, like a wolf studying an interloper on her territory, and then she sighs. She's usually all for interagency cooperation - it used to be her job - but she also doesn't like people interfering in her cases. She gets her job done a lot more efficiently when she doesn't have to work around people. ] You have any actual ID on you? Because the locals have noticed you now, so your options are either working with us or getting the hell out of my way, and if you know something I don't, I'm perfectly willing to bring you in on this.

[ Willing. Not happy. ]

Yes ma'am, Agent Dunham. [ He throws her a little salute, and somehow manages to make "Agent Dunham" sound about the same as "sweetheart". Yeah, he's a reeeeal charmer. :|

He pulls his ID sleeve out from his pocket and tosses it to her - without warning her, though he's sure she can react quick enough to catch it, right? ] That was sort of the point, Agent. You know, I can do my job a lot better if I don't have to stay hidden from the good guys, too.

[ She does catch the ID without too much trouble, but it's with a sharp glance that makes it clear she is not amused. By anything he's said or done so far. No, you are not cute, Agent Barton.

After inspecting it, she tosses it back and puts her gun away before turning to lead the way back down the stairs. ]

So what's so special about this that SHIELD thinks it wants to be involved? I promise you, Fringe Division is more than capable of handling this ourselves.

[ He is fucking adorable, Agent Dunham. ]

I don't doubt it, I've heard about some of your cases. Unfortunately, Director Fury didn't see fit to bring me in the loop of why he wants me here, other than he has "concerns on what parties may be involved". Which seems like way too little info to give your field agent, but that's spy work for you.

[ He rolls his eyes a little and gives her a "what can you do?" shrug ]

As it is, I'm guessing Fury thinks someone we've been trying to catch in the act is involved, and wants me around to be able to swoop in and steal the arrest from you covertly. But now that you know I'm here, that's pretty much not going to happen. Which is a damn shame. So I guess I'll just have to offer my skills to Fringe Division to help you collar whoever's behind this.

[ aka - he has other orders saying to "cooperate", which means NOT doing that. Fury's probably on orders from the Council, and Coulson's probably on one of those eyebrow-conversation "do we understand one another" orders from Fury, so clearly his bosses think Fringe Division would do better with the guy, and he's not sure why, but it's not his place to ask.

Though really, there are plenty of people he wouldn't actually want in the Council's grip, for various reasons. Mostly involving science and weapons.]

[ Oh, joy, politics. Olivia's very favorite thing. And more attention given to Fringe Division, whether they want it or not (spoiler: they don't). But since it's apparently unavoidable, she might as well roll with it. ]

This is the third similar incident we've dealt with, but we don't always hear about things that happen off the East Coast, never mind outside of the country. So you don't know who you're looking for, but is any of this familiar to you? The amber, the... style of the attack...?

[ She glances up at him over her shoulder as she descends the stairs, raising an eyebrow. Come on. Give her something. ]

The amber itself isn't something we've seen much of, and it's mostly been from a distance, in your cases. [ Clint folds his bow and secures it on his back, and then follows her down the stairs ] But the basic premise of taking out a large number of civilians with no apparent motive? Yeah, there's been a lot of that, all over the country. A few incidents in India and Europe that we can't tie definitively to the case, but are likely related.

It's generally been some sort of government or government-affiliated building. Courthouses, with no high-profile cases being tried. Various agency offices pursuing no highly-classified information or to prosecute anyone notable. And always with plenty of civs around to get caught in the crossfire. One or two incidents of amber, but mostly gassing, bombs, one really messy instance where the building was somehow completely sealed from outside air sources and then had the air pumped out. Last I heard, they were still trying to figure out how that one even happened.

[ he presses his lips in a tight line - he doesn't like civilian casualties. ] And if whoever's behind it is already on our radar, they're doing a hell of a job keeping their involvement under wraps. We've got no leads. I'm pretty sure that's why my handler wanted me cooperating with you - not only are you guys fresh eyes on the situation, but you've got pretty much the only one of the top 5 scientific minds in the world that we don't have.

[ Wow, he's actually good for something other than smirking and condescension. Not that he'd have been sent here if he weren't, but it's still nice to see actual proof of it.

That last comment gets an almost alarmed look, though, as she turns at the stair landing and actually faces him. ] I hope your orders don't include trying to recruit Wal- Dr. Bishop. He is a genius, but he's also not stable, and this... his lab, Fringe Division, it's the closest thing to functional he's had in a long time. I need you to promise you're not going to upset that, or you're going to be doing your cooperating from the rooftops again.

[ That's actually not a threat. She's obviously genuinely concerned for Walter, and she's well aware of SHIELD's tendency to recruit particularly skilled scientists sometimes whether they want it or not. She's seen it second hand more than once, thanks to Nina... though Massive Dynamic, unlike most, actually had the resources to go toe to toe with SHIELD. That isn't a luxury Fringe Division has. ]

[ Hey hey, he has not been condescending! ...Of course, his normal form of interaction with people can sometimes come across as condescending, so it's an easy mistake to make.

At her request, though, he puts up his hands and shakes his head. ] Woah, no, okay, totally not what I meant to insinuate. I've heard about Dr. Bishop, SHIELD has files on him, he used to work for them back in the day. Trust me, I would not want to inflict Director Fury on the poor guy. [ Also, from what he's gleaned just doing a little recon, he wouldn't want to inflict Dr. Bishop on the poor SHIELD scientists that would be working with him. ]

I just meant that getting a fresh pair of eyes on the situation would be a really good thing, and if Dr. Bishop can bring anything new to the table, it might give us the push we need. [ beat ] Well, I say "we", but honestly, I don't understand a damn bit of the science, most of the time. No, if Fury ever makes a move for Dr. Bishop, it won't be through me.

[ She studies him for a moment until she's sure he's being honest with her, and then nods sharply before turning to continue down the stairs. ] Thank you. I realize I might seem a little... overly defensive, but Fringe Division comes under fire from other agencies fairly often, and we can't afford not being defensive.

[ There's a pause, and then: ] Thank you for understanding.

[ Aaaand before long they're back on the street and headed for the courthouse and the amber. Hello, police officers, pay no mind to the extra person Agent Dunham is bringing back to the crime scene... ]

As for who might be behind it, it certianly fits a pattern we've seen before, but to our knowledge, the organization mostly fell apart a few years back. Are you familiar with ZFT?

Hey, whatever I can do to help out.

[ ZFT, wasn't that the one Tasha said she didn't want to touch with a 12-foot pole? Let's see, what does he remember... ]

Only in passing. They were an organization... focused on the destruction of technology? Or... through technology? I was never quite clear on that. They were behind a number of terrorist attacks, mainly on the east coast. Right?

[ She nods sharply, drawing up short as she comes close to the amber and grimacing at the vague form of a person inside, near the edge where they're standing. ]

Zerstörung durch Fortschritte der Technologie. Destruction through the advancement of technology. They would steal formulas or advanced technology and use it in random attacks... testing. Preparing for some greater battle with another universe.

They fell off our radar a while ago, and at the moment we can't be sure if they're back again, or if some other group stumbled on their files or technology and is using that for their own ends, with or without the manifesto that goes with them.

Another universe, huh? [ He sounds rather blase about it. Probably because it would not be the weirdest thing he's ever heard of. ] Did they ever say why we were going to war?

They believe it's inevitable. That only one side can survive, in the end. [ She smirks a little as she adds: ] The insanity of trying to protect our world by repeatedly attacking it doesn't seem to bother them.

[ She straightens a little as she notices Astrid approaching them, a cooler in hand. Probably best not to ask what's in the cooler. Sure, it's for samples, but with Walter, "samples" usually means "body parts". ] Does Walter have everything he needs here?

[ Pay no attention to the SHIELD agent lurking just behind her shoulder... ]

[ Astrid is more than a little weirded out by Olivia's new shadow. She's never seen the guy that she knows of, and is that a quiver of arrows on his back? She doesn't bother trying to look away as she talks to Olivia, at first. Clint just grins and waggles his fingers at her ]

Uh... yeah, I'm gonna take this back to the lab so Walter can look at it all in person. They're going to ship a chunk of the amber back, too, apparently there's something different about it this time, but he couldn't tell what for sure from here.

[ she leans in, locks her eyes on Olivia's, and lowers her voice. Clint pretends he can't hear her ] What's up with Robin Hood, anyway?

[ Olivia just sighs at first, and pinches the bridge of her nose. So much for pretending for the moment that he's... not there... ]

Agent Farnsworth, meet Agent Barton of SHIELD. He's... keeping an eye on the situation. [ AND SHE IS THRILLED ABOUT IT, CAN YOU TELL? ]

So... if we've got everything we need, we can head back to the lab and... [ There's a glance over her shoulder and a vague flailing gesture. ] Agent Barton can tag along if he'd like.

Agent. [ Clint is ALL serious (for the moment), mostly so that Olivia won't change her mind and not let him come.

Why the hell did they send him on this mission, anyway? Tasha would've been better at the sciencey stuff, out of the two of them. Well, he'd do his best. And call Tasha on the way there, so she can weigh in on it. ]

I would very much appreciate that, Agent Dunham, how kind of you to offer!

[ Olivia just gives him an odd look for a moment like she's trying to decide how serious he is, and then decides it really doesn't matter. ]

Great. Do you have a car you want to follow us in, or would you rather hitch a ride with us? [ She is already heading for the SUV. Make up your mind quick, Clint, because she's not hanging around. ]

I'll bring my car, don't want to crowd you. [ And also this way you can discuss him without worrying about him overhearing. And also he can check in with Coulson. ] I'm right down the block. You can give me your address and I'll GPS it if you don't want to wait for me to catch up.

[ Discuss him, call Broyles and demand to know if he knew about this and ask if he can find a way to get rid of him... Whatever. Either way, it will be a lot easier without him in the car. ]

Kresge Building, Harvard. Meet you in the parking lot - the lab's a little... difficult to find. [ For good reason. ]

Roger that. I'll see you lovely ladies there. [ He winks at Astrid before heading off to his car.

Cute girls! Always fun. Even if he has to play mostly nice so he can do his job. And while Olivia's calling Broyles, Clint will be calling Coulson to oh so apologetically admit to being made, and that they're allowing him to shadow them on their investigation and that'll do, right? ]

[ Olivia waits until she and Astrid are in the SUV with the doors close behind them before she vents her frustration as she starts the car. ] Since when is SHIELD monitoring our cases? I don't care what this is about, they could at least give us the courtesy of a heads-up. He's lucky I didn't take a shot at him...

[ She's still muttering as she pulls out of the parking spot, maybe a little too fast, because if she has to spot him in the rearview mirror the whole drive it's only going to piss her off more. ]

They are a covert ops organization, from what I know of them. We're probably lucky he let us know he was even there. [ Astrid's trying to be sympathetic but realistic, please don't hate her. :c ]

Do you want me to call the lab and let them know we've got a shadow?

Edited (HAR HAR WOW, I totally didn't just get so IC that I forgot the premise of this AU. /headdesk) 2012-09-26 22:09 (UTC)

[ Olivia doesn't hate you, Astrid. She just growls under her breath in quiet disgust and nods. ] Yeah, guess we should. Do me a favor and call Broyles too, see if he knows what's going on with them...

[ Broyles doesn't know, and sounds a bit angry initially, but after putting Astrid on hold for a few minutes, calmly instructs them to "cooperate fully with Agent Barton".

He gives no real explanation as to the change from angry to calm. Probably best not to ask.

At some point in the drive, Clint's car disappears from their rear-view, turning down a side street unexpectedly. Olivia might be a little irritated that when she and Astrid pull up in front of their building in Harvard, Clint's already parked there, sitting on the hood of his car and grinning. ]

Took ya long enough. I thought you grew up around here, Agent Dunham.

[ Somebody will be apologizing to Olivia PROFUSELY for his behavior after this mission. But not until after Tasha's gotten to him, so... ]

[ She slams the car door a little too hard, her expression carefully neutral, though... yeah. She's annoyed. ] I grew up in Jacksonville and New York. I thought you were in intelligence, Agent Barton.

Careful, Agent Dunham, you'll damage your lovely SUV.

[ Shit. Eating. Grin. ]

They feed me intel and tell me what to shoot at, mostly. [ he shrugs as if to say "what can you do?". He's being a dick on purpose, at this point. ]

Knew some carnies out Jacksonville way when I was growing up. Wonder if they're still there...

I can't say I knew many carnies...

[ What government agent is familiar with carnies? And is it a good idea to ask?

She sighs, running a hand through her hair as she eyes Barton.] So if they just point and you shoot, you're not that much of an asset here, are you?

Well, you know one more now.

[ One who grew up amongst them. Okay maybe more near them. It was complicated. ]

Ummmmmm, no, probably not. Unless you're going undercover - I'm not as good as my partner is undercover, but nobody's better than her, and I'm not half bad.

...then I'm so glad we brought you along.

[ She starts for the lab, clearly expecting him to follow. ]

Don't touch anything once you're in there, and don't upset Walter. ...and try to leave the cow alone too. He's protective of it.

You have a cow?

[ It's more absently curious than disbelieving - chalk it up to the carnies, probably. ]

Her name is Gene.

[ Explain? No, that would be silly. Olivia just leads the way down to the lab, and pauses just inside when she doesn't see Walter immediately. ]

Walter? We have some samples of the amber for you to look at...

Of course. Why wouldn't you name your female cow Gene, it makes perfect sense.

[ Walter emerges from... well, we don't want to think about what he might have been doing in that corner. It could be harmless, or it could be terrifying. ]

Fantastic! [ He all but snatches them before retreating back into the lab, Astrid trailing after him ] This seems to be a slightly different variety, it smells like molasses!

[ Clint watches him go with a quirked eyebrow ]

...He usually like that?

BECAUSE nolimitation REQUESTED IT. And because y'know STUFF.

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shut up and pretend this is blueverse Astrid.

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