Clint looked around the room. Something was missing, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. Fury came in and began the debrief and Tony said "Wait a second, where's Natasha?"

It clicked then and Clint looked to Fury, startled. The look in the man's eye said it all. "She isn't…"

Fury looked down for a moment before looking back to the Avengers team. "I'm sorry for your loss."

Tony's mouth opened and shut, making him look like a fish out of water. Steve looked shocked and sat back. Thor looked upset. Bruce looked like he was going to Hulk out and kill whoever did it. Clint's reaction was worst for the team members to watch. He cried, tears leaking from his eyes and sliding down his cheeks as he sat back.

It was just after the battle of New York and the Avengers were already minus one member. Steve was the first to speak. "What happened?"

Fury sighed. "Agent Romanoff died from her wounds roughly an hour ago."

Bruce looked like he had been punched in the gut. "My fault."

Fury shook his head. "Loki's fault."

"No, I should have kept my cool, but I didn't and now she's dead from wounds the other guy gave her."

Clint sniffled. "It's as much my fault as yours. I'm her partner, I should have been watching her back, but instead I was trying to stab her in it."

Steve sighed. "That was Loki too and he will pay for his crimes. We'll keep her in our memories."

Clint jumped up. "I don't just want her in my memories. I want her here, next to me where she's supposed to be. I want her in my arms. I promised her I wouldn't let anyone hurt her, but instead I hurt her. It's not fair! I want my wife back!"

Clint collapsed into a sobbing heap in his chair and everything was silent. Fury sighed. "None of you are at fault for Agent Romanoff's death. She was guarding Loki and he escaped his bonds. She was rushed to the infirmary after he was subdued, but she didn't make it through surgery."

Clint cried harder. "I should have killed him when I had the chance."

Thor frowned deeply. "Had I known my brother would act in this manner, I would have insisted his instant removal from this planet. He will be punished to the fullest extent when we return to Asgard. I understand that this will not bring Lady Natasha back, but at least take comfort in the fact that Loki will most likely executed for his crimes against this world."

Clint had his head against the table. "I want my Tasha back."


Clint woke up in a cold sweat, the sudden movement awakening the pain in his back. He jumped out of bed, not bothering to change out of his pajamas and ran from his room on the helicarrier. He ran into the infirmary and down the hall until he got to the room he was looking for.

He opened the door and plopped down in the chair by the bed, leaning over and gathering the sleeping red-headed assassin in his arms. She stirred. "Clint?"

"Yeah."

"What's the matter?"

"I had a nightmare. You died, Loki killed you. We were at a mission debrief and you weren't there and Loki had killed you."

Natasha snuggled closer to Clint and yawned. "Well, he didn't. Now, shut up and let me sleep. If I'm not any better tomorrow, they're never going to let me out of here."

Clint frowned. "You never did tell me what happened."

"I was with Banner when he hulked out. He got the upper hand."

Clint pressed a kiss to her temple. "How bad?"

"A few broken ribs, a crack in my ankle, a concussion, and a bunch of bruises. You?"

"I had to have some glass removed from my back."

Natasha nodded. "Can I go back to sleep now?"

"Yes. Love you."

"Love you too, Hawk."

Clint chuckled. "So love isn't for children?"

"We both know I never believed that."


A/N: Tell me what you think. I don't own the Avengers.