Hawkeye could feel her searching gaze piercing into his skin. His mind was bracing up every emotional wall he had been conditioned to put up. His feet automatically walked to the only place where he could think clearly.

She silently followed and he knew he was being rude but he couldn’t bring himself to say anything until he was sure they were alone and away from prying ears.

He gestured for her to go first when they reached the ladder leading to the crow’s nest. The men already on duty gave Hawkeye a look but he dismissed them with a quick nod.

As the hatch shut closed she quickly asked, “What’s wrong?”

He looked at her eyes full of worry and care and he could imagine them turning to icy hate. “I don’t want to lose you again after fate has given me a second chance.”

Her eyes didn’t flicker as she took his hand he had unconsciously balled into a fist. “You’re not going to lose me. I’m staying right here.”

Her words slammed into him and the walls began crumbling down before he could think otherwise.