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Carter gripped the cold metal in her hand, and a shiver ran up her spine.

"I don't think I can..." she whispered quietly.

"It's not like you're shooting at someone. You'll need to know this. Okay...can I help you?"

Lifting her eyes up to meet Clint's, she nodded. He stepped behind her and guided her arms into the correct position and then lifted them to face the target. She didn't know why it scared her, but she figured that her recent dream had something to do with it.

"Pull."

She pulled the trigger, and a resounding shot sounded. Carter strained her eyes and saw that she had clipped the edge of the target. Clint pulled away and smiled at her.

"Nice. Firing a gun isn't so hard, and you need to know it. Keep trying. You need to get this down. Don't forget your safety."

Carter and Clint were on the roof of Su's building, and he was helping to teach her correct use of a gun.

"We're going to get you one you can carry around on your own. If you're joining us, you have to be able to take care of yourself."

She nodded, concentrating as she lifted it again. As the trigger pulled, she heard the shot and watched as she hit near the center. Eyes lighting up, she turned to Clint.

"Good job," he said with a smile.

She grinned and prepared to shoot again but heard the door to the roof open.

"Clint."

"Pepper?"

She turned to face the newcomer and lifted an eyebrow. Pepper's face was impassive, but the muscle in her jaw seemed to twitch.

"Clint, we need you. There's something important going on. Carter, you can come as soon as you're finished."

"Oh, but I am!" She took a step forward, but Pepper held out a hand.

"No, I mean, Peter wished to speak with you. About something he says is private." A flicker of concern passed over her face, but it soon dissolved.

"Well, good work, Carter...uh...you're good with..." he inclined his head toward the door, where Peter had just appeared.

She managed a smile and nodded. Clint followed Pepper and gave Peter a hard, appraising look as he left.

"What was that about?" Peter said, stepping forward as the door clanged shut.

"I don't know," she said with a shrug.

He stuffed his hands into his pockets and stepped closer. "I thought about what you said."

"Yeah?" She crossed her arms over her chest nervously.

"I don't think...I mean...I think it's a bad idea to split the team. Bad." He gave a half shrug, and a small, guilty look crept onto his face. "And...I....I need you to know some things."

"Peter, I need you to know something too," Carter interrupted. Her hands were shaking slightly, but she stuffed them in her back pockets. "I...I really like you Peter," she whispered.

He cast his eyes to the ground.

"And whether you decide to go with us or not...or, if we even go...you should know that. I think you're cute and fun and silly. I love your silly nature. You have a kind and helpful heart. You care about people. And I-I just can't help falling for you." She lifted her eyes to meet his, suddenly aware that she had been rambling.

She was surprised to see the hurt in his eyes.

He bit his lip and shook his head. "I can't. I don't."

"You don't?"

"Don't...feel the same way."

She stared intently at the sky line, fighting back tears.

"I lost someone...very, very important to me. Her name was Gwen. And I...I'm not ready yet. I'm sorry, Carter...if I led you on...or...made you feel...I'm sorry."

He turned on his heel, head slung down, and left the roof. Carter made no sound, nor did she move. Her heart felt shattered again, as though no one could ever care. Slowly, she dragged her feet to the door, wind whipping through her hair. She would have to join the others, put on a brave face, and see what was so important.