Chapter 5
Clint knew there wasn't much he could do for Phil, the other Coulsons or even himself since S.H.I.E.L.D had only been able to continue to search for Carina with the limited information already in their possession. Velika Egorevna Kazakova was of no assistance to anyone anymore. Even though Natasha had recommended Kazakova be put on suicide watch, the would be assassin had managed to hang herself in her cell before she could reveal Carina's whereabouts, their dead-drop locations, or why Clint had been targeted for death, so Clint settled for laying on Phil's office sofa watching as his handler and lover sat behind his desk and read the letters that Carina had left.
Once Phil had finished reading the final letter and placed it on his desk, Clint sat up and waited for Phil to speak. When Phil only rested his chin on his fist and his elbow on his desk and remained silent, Clint sat back and against the back of the sofa and watched him for clues.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Clint finally asked when Phil's continued silence began to feel awkward.
Phil sighed, shook his head and climbed stiffly to his feet. "Let's go home," he said.
Clint met Phil in the middle of the room and held out his hand. He smiled when Phil took it and pressed it to his lips.
"Chinese or pizza?" Phil asked
"Chinese," Clint said, no hesitation.
"Let's go home and order," Phil said. "I'm too tired to stand in line."
"Sounds like a plan," Clint said. "Are you going to show the letters to your family?"
"Our family," Phil corrected.
"Our family," Clint smiled.
"Can't; they're classified," Phil said.
"Are you responsible for that?" Clint asked.
"I think Edward's better off staying angry at her," Phil said, "instead of reading how he started out as her mark, but she came to love him and the family...blah, blah, blah."
"I can't argue that," Clint said, leading Phil out into the hall and toward the elevator as the S.H.I.E.L.D agents heading out as well tried not to stare.