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[deaddrop]

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[hypoxic]

[ it takes him some time to make his way down to the sauna, and even longer to brave the way inside. But he'll be there, wearing a towel fully unfolded, covering himself from the chest down. ]

[deaddrop]

[Natasha is there already when he arrives, comfortably wrapped in a towel and reclining on her elbows. She sits up when he arrives, taking a drink of water from a bottle she brought in from outside.

Her eyebrows go up when she sees him covering up, but she doesn't say anything about it.]

I assume you didn't bring the trigger phrase with you?

[hypoxic]

You didn't ask for it. Still haven't told me if you'd rather have it set on fire.

[ she's so casual right now. It's unsettling. He sits on the opposite side of the sauna and it still doesn't feel far enough to be chaste. ]

[deaddrop]

[It's calculated, superficial, but she's very good at it.]

Would it have made any difference if I had?

[hypoxic]

I might've appreciated knowing a bit more about what you wanted to discuss.

[deaddrop]

You're a smart man, Agent Fitz. I'm sure you can guess. If there's a Hydra presence here—and high ranking at that—it's a concern.

[hypoxic]

I'm aware. And I hope you'll be responsible with what I've trusted to you.

[deaddrop]

And I intend to be. So far I haven't spread this around.

I'm going to need more than that, though.

[hypoxic]

If you want more, I'll need a more specific question.

[ so he can be evasive about it ]

[deaddrop]

All right. What do you think you're going to have to tell me to prevent me from going on a manhunt from someone here who might be ex-Hydra?

It's a fairly small population.

[How long do you think it would take her to figure something out?]

[hypoxic]

I already told you that there's an arrangement in play. Someone independently engaging on a manhunt would be considered a violation of that arrangement. There would be repercussions.

[deaddrop]

I'm not saying this to make threats, Fitz. And I'm not looking to start a war.

[At the moment, whoever this person is they seem to be keeping a low profile. The problem is that with Hydra that isn't entirely reassuring.

She remembers Zola's words, calling it a beautiful parasite.]

But there is someone here who has extremely sensitive information. Information that could compromise an enhanced assassin who has been stable.

[Semi-stable.]

That's a risk to Barnes and to anyone who might become his target.

[hypoxic]

I'm aware of the risks, Natasha. This isn't a new issue just because you've newly become aware of it. It's under as much control as it can be. Changing the balance would just give the agent in question reason to break our truce.

[deaddrop]

That's not reassuring.

[hypoxic]

It wasn't intended to be.

[ he sits a bit straighter. ]

One would imagine that you of all people understand the value of a kept secret. I hope you won't make me regret trusting you as much as I have.

[deaddrop]

Which is why you're here talking to me rather than Captain America right now.

[hypoxic]

An odd way to not be threatening. Shall I increase the frequency with which I look over my shoulder?

[deaddrop]

It's really not that complicated. I've kept quiet about it so far and I'm prepared to keep that up, but I need more than you've given me to keep this up.

I've had enough leaps of faith to last me a while.

[hypoxic]

I can't give you enough to identify the source. You have to know what kind of danger that would create.

[ He would have full access to the person he hates most if he were to slip out now. ]

I can't risk Jemma's wellbeing just because you're not satisfied.

[deaddrop]

I'm sure we can come up with something short of revealing your source's identity. Do you have some evidence that they're not an active threat?

[hypoxic]

Anecdotal. We've interacted at home. This person is a pragmatist. Dangerous, but only when provoked. There's a common enough dilemma here that there's nothing to gain by working against us.

[deaddrop]

That's tricky. If he's still Hydra and just looking for an opening, then there's no telling what he might do if he sees an opportunity.

[hypoxic]

There's no real support here. No armies and a very present group of Avengers. It's warning enough.

[deaddrop]

[Natasha cocks her head, raising her eyebrows. She's made her stance on this clear.]

Until the Mares come back. Or there's some other blow up that changes our perspective, messes with our heads. Next thing we know the head of Hydra is here and he has a hell of a weapon at his disposal.

[hypoxic]

You genuinely don't trust me to handle this, do you?