Who Was Holding the Cards

Hawkeye arrived even sooner than expected. It had been less than six hours since Alvin called him, yet he'd already made it from his farm in Kansas to the Stark Estate. Maybe having a twin brother really did tug at his heartstrings.

Looking at Hawkeye in his cowboy clothes, with the rubber boots he hadn't even had time to change out of, Alvin grinned and nodded toward Aaron, who was sitting on the couch. "Looks like you really are brothers. One's a farmer, the other's a fisherman..."

Hawkeye paid no mind to Alvin's teasing. He looked at Aaron, who sat on the couch and looked exactly like him, then managed a strained smile. "Could you leave me alone with him?"

Alvin nodded casually. He smiled and patted Hawkeye's stiff shoulder. "The rest is up to you. Remember to talk your brother into seeing reason. The CIA executive who gave him the assignment has already been taken out by Church. As far as the world is concerned, he doesn't exist anymore.

Tell him not to cause Stark any more trouble!

I don't like people who are just tools, especially tools without a sense of right and wrong!"

Hawkeye nodded gravely, then greeted everyone else in the living room before answering earnestly, "I promise!"

Alvin nodded and gestured toward him with a smile. "I'll leave this to you. You need to convince him before Church gets here.

Stark and I might not care if he gets himself killed, but the CIA people are another matter. They're not exactly easy to reason with."

Hawkeye knew how dangerous things could get within an intelligence agency. He nodded, his expression stern. "Thank you!"

After nodding, Alvin called Stark and the others to the backyard, leaving Hawkeye alone. He looked like he had a lot to