A Different Call

Adjusting

Natasha's P.O.V.

"Come on Red you don't want to be late." Barton said, voice tight and still tugging on my arm. That name was really getting on my nerves, along with his attitude. You made the decision to bring me here, don't be irritated because of a choice you made.

"That isn't my name," I growled, yanking my arm out of his hold.

"First, I am your supervising officer, so you will treat me with me at least an ounce of respect. Second, your name is a little weird and I figured you might want to off on a new foot here, and that means the chance for a new name. So, for now, I gave you the nickname, tell me what name you want to be called and I'll stop with the nickname."

"Just call me the anglicized version of my name."

"Which is...?" I couldn't help but roll my eyes. Dear God, how did this man become an agent?

"Natasha Romanoff, Barton."

"Okay then Nat, my name is Clint, not Barton. Now go through these doors here, it will lead you to a locker room, which should have a shirt and shorts for you. After you change, go through the other door and you'll be in the training center. I'll be with the other SOs watching how you guys do," He said before heading through a single doorway, which from what I could see led to a set of stairs.

I enter the locker room and see some work out clothes just like Barton said. Both the shirt and shorts were black and had the SHIELD logo somewhere on them – on the front of the shirt and the side of the shorts, right above the hem. After quickly changing I entered a gymnasium where there were already other agents, all talking to each other. After a little bit, an Asian looking woman walked in and everyone got in a line and stood at attention. I joined them, though I was a little more lax than the rest of the group.

"I am Agent Melinda May, and today we will be putting you in pairs to fight this morning to assess those skill you learned in the Academy. Also, you better do good cause your SOs are watching and they're the ones that will determine whether or not you'll become a specialist or not," the instructor said while pointing up at a glass booth. The other recruits looked at each other, nervousness on their face. "After lunch, you'll have a quick review of SHIELD's history and then you will be dismissed to your bunks," she finished. "

I interrupted her, remembering what Barton said about starting off with a new identity, "Call me Romanoff, ma'am." I heard someone in line snicker and I tried to turn and see who it was.

"Okay... Miss Romanoff, you may pick your opponent and move to the mat," the instructor continued.

I examined the line and then pointed to the man who had chuckled at me. He was about the same height as Barton, 6' 1" and half a foot taller than me, with dirty blonde hair and a body you would see guarding a seedy nightclub.

He stepped up with a laugh and said, "I shouldn't, but I'll let up a little for you sweetheart." The wink he added after did not make my annoyance towards him lessen, either.

We stepped up to the mat and got into our fighting stances, I could already see that he favored his right side and made sure to save that detail in case I need it. He charged me, and I sidestepped him grabbing a hold of his arm at the same time. The next thing he knew, I flipped him, and he hit the mat... hard. He began to stutter, although I couldn't tell if he was trying to form a sentence, or just get his breath back.

I crouched next to him and said, "I never said that I'd go easy on you." I then turned and went to rejoin the line.

I stopped though when I heard a mumbled, "It only happened because I went easy on you."