Gunshots sounded from every direction.
"Clint, watch your back!"
The archer quickly spun around and hit a man square in the chest with an arrow.
"Got him." He replied smugly, smirking at the accuracy of his shot. Clint looked to his right at Natasha, who was currently showing a gunman how very skilled she was with her thighs round his neck. The man soon fell to the ground and Black Widow moved to her next target. He grinned and was about to make a smart remark when Iron Man's voice rang out through the room. "EVERYONE DOWN!"
Each Avenger looked up from their previous position and without a second thought crouched to the ground. A repulsor beam shot out from the armour's chest plate and hit the remaining gunmen down and out. Iron Man stood tall. The facemask lifted to reveal a toothy grin from the billionaire. "Ok, I'm not going to brag or anything but.. HOW FUCKING BADASS WAS THAT?" Tony beamed at his crouched team mates.
"Ok Ironass, that was pretty cool but don't let it go to your head.." Hawkeye stood and walked towards his teammate, "oh wait, too late." The archer flicked Tony hard on the forehead, which resulted in the billionaire letting out an undignified yelp and a glare.
"Alright Birdbrain, if you think you can.." Tony started but was soon interrupted by a sharp feminine voice.
"Boys, if we can hold off the bitch slaps for five seconds that would be nice."
Natasha gracefully stood up from the concrete ground and pushed the loose curls from her face. Tony and Clint looked at Natasha, then each other and then back to Natasha, "Sorry." They both mumbled in unison. Steve and Thor were next to stand up after being previously hid behind Natasha's small frame. "Is that all of them?" Steve asked cautiously indicating to the bodies sprawled around the room. Tony's ears perked up at the question and he answered, "By the looks of things we rounded them all up in here, so I'm guessing the answer you're looking for is yes." The billionaire stood side by side with the Captain and stared at the mass of bodies.
Suddenly a voice appeared from the comms, "You guys get them all? Is anyone hurt?" Bruce's tone sounded concerned. The team had decided that the Hulk wouldn't be needed for this particular mission; Bruce was still recovering from being battered and bruised after Shield's latest assignment for them all. The scientist had argued but was soon convinced that he was able to help the team over the comms.
"Looks like it. No one's injured too badly, just some scrapes and bruises." Steve scanned his team members fondly. "We'll double check the warehouse just in case we missed anything." The Captain gestured towards Thor, "We should really.."
"Guys." Natasha's voice echoed.
The team spun round to the redhead whose eyes were currently fixed on the figure in the doorway. Tony's eyes locked on the man and he camly extended his armoured hand forward, repulsor beam at the ready.
The man in the doorway just stood there.
His hair and face appeared doused in sweat. He was standing still, as if calm, and yet his eyes betrayed him. They were wild and unfocused.
After what felt like forever, the man spoke up.
"I never wanted this," his voice seemed amused and yet shaky. "I should have stayed away from these people." His eyes glanced round to the numerous bodies that were splayed on the floor. "They're killers," the man's face appeared to drain of all existing colour. "I'm not..I'm..I'm a killer." He suddenly started a fit of manic giggles as he shook his head.
Tony's armoured arm remained pointed in the man's direction as he spotted Steve slowly inching towards his shield.
The crazed man's hand left his pocket to reveal a gun. His breathing was ragged and uneven, appearing to get worse with each tense second. Everyone remained still. "I don't understand how this happened to me. I..I.." he paused.
The man's eyes suddenly settled on Natasha.
"You've got red hair." Another manic giggle left the crazed man, but as soon as it had started it was gone and was replaced with an expression much more dark.
"She had red hair." His arm extended so quickly that no one expected it, until it was too late. A shot rang out. Black Widow fell to the ground.
The room suddenly came to life with movement. A repulsor beam shot out and blasted the man into a faraway wall. Clint and Thor sprang into action and crouched beside the fallen female. "NATASHA!" The God placed Natasha's head on his lap while Clint inspected the damage.
"It's always the crazy ones, isn't it?" Natasha choked out. Two petite hands were pressed to her abdomen. Red bubbling between her fingers. Clint removed her small hands and replaced them with his larger ones. Tony appeared near her head looking paler than she had ever seen him. Natasha twisted her head slightly to look at him, "Don't suppose you've got any whiskey in that suit of yours, do you?" Tony's eyes snapped to hers and he looked sick. Steve's panicked voice was in the distance.
"Bruce, we need medical here now. It's Nat, she's been shot and we need immediate medical attention NOW!" Steve was panting now, his eyes never leaving the ground.
Suddenly a hand in Natasha's hair pulled her focus from Steve. She looked up to see Thor biting his bottom lip and looking sad. Thor should never look sad, she thought.
"Jesus. Steve, how long they gonna be?" Clint panted. His hands were still putting pressure on Natasha's stomach. Blood covered his hands and his breathing was laboured. Suddenly Steve appeared next to Clint. "They're ten minutes out." His eyes were locked onto Clint's bloody hands. "For fuck's sake!" Clint barked. He shifted the position of his hands and a spike of pain ran through Natasha's body. Her body twitched and seized as a fire erupted in her side.
She cried out and suddenly several pairs of hands were holding her down. "Nat, you have to stay still." Clint pleaded. Natasha's body began to settle, "Fuck you." she whispered.
"Who'd wanna fuck him?" Tony joked shakily, his thumb stroked Natasha's shoulder repeatedly. Natasha suddenly erupted into a fit of giggles and Tony felt sick.
"She's laughing. Shit, she's actually laughing at my jokes. Clint, do something!" Clint caught Natasha's eye and he had sweat dripping from his forehead. She watched him curiously. "You're sweating on me." She stated weakly. Clint's eyes lit up and he let out a breathy chuckle. His eyes moved from her face back to her injured stomach. The chuckle faded.
The hand carding through her hair sped up and it made her sleepy. Her teammates were by her side. She smiled weakly and allowed her eyes to slip closed.
"Oi! Don't you dare, sleeping beauty!" Her eyes opened to slits and Tony's frightened face came into view. Steve was now beside him looking lost.
"Hey, look at the pretty super soldier! Look at those golden locks!" Tony ran his hand through Steve's hair and the Captain didn't even move; his eyes were glued to Natasha's face. Tony looked frantic now. "Obviously not as good as Thor's beautiful mane, but beggars can't be choosers." Natasha smirked. The God gave Tony a confused look and the billionaire stared back sadly. Tony's eyes made it back to Natasha's face. "Keep your eyes open, ok. Please."
Natasha stuck her tongue out at the genius and he winked weakly at her.
"Where the hell are medical?" Clint whispered, more to himself than anyone else. Natasha was so tired. The pain in her side was deafening and black patches were beginning to fill her vision. She tried weakly to keep her eyes open but it soon became too much. Voices sounded as her eyes slid shut and she gave into the darkness with the knowledge that her team were with her.