Notes: I would like to think Fury would've made allowances to let the Avengers in on his not being dead. He needs the help :)
Title: Simple thanks
author: Cindy Ryan
spoilers: Winter solider
summary: After learning of the events that unfolded in New Jersey Clint visits Steve to say thankyou.
Clint Barton knew the only reason he'd tracked down Captain America was due to his partner Natasha Romanoff. She and Steve had become friends since the revelation of Hydra and subsequent collapse of S.H.I.E.L.D. With all the chaos of rebuilding and figuring out who to trust it'd been three weeks since Steve was released from the hospital.
Now Clint stood on a sunny afternoon outside a slightly run down apartment building in Venice beach, CA. Hawkeye had almost doubted his partner's intel; almost. This was the Black Widow after all. Clint would trust his life to her and had several times. Thus he certainly could trust that Steve Rogers was somewhere in the faded blue building in front of him. Taking off his sunglasses Clint opened the main door and stepped inside. After making quick work of the stairs Hawkeye reached the third floor and the fourth apartment on the left. He knocked and after a few minutes came face to face with Captain America.
"Clint, what brings you to my neck of the woods?"Steve asked as he stepped aside to let Clint in. "Or should I say temporary neck of the woods?"
"Tasha told me where you were."Clint replied as Steve closed the door behind him.
Steve grinned. "You're the only one that gets away with calling her that."
"Partnership has it's privileges."Clint replied as he wandered over to the small balcony the sliding door already open. "What are you doing on the West coast anyway?"
"Stark."Steve commented with a shrug. "Fury wanted me to work with him to get new inventory up and running. With Stark tower in New York being too recognizable of a place to work..."
"Less profile less of a target; got it."Hawkeye affirmed.
"I know you didn't just drop by for the view."Steve prompted as he leaned against the wall. "Natasha alright?"
Clint turned from the slightly obstructed water view. "She's fine but she's the reason I'm here. Nat told me what you did in New Jersey."
Steve shrugged. "She saved my life too...I was just returning the favor."
"Not from how she tells it. Keeping that rubble from smothering you both."Clint shook his head solemnly "I owe you."
"We're a team...it's what we do for each other."Steve stated quietly.
"Maybe but I won't forget it. You brought my partner home."Clint replied as he extended his right hand towards Steve.
Steve grasped Clint's hand and shook it before releasing his teammates's grip.
"I mean it, you don't owe me anything and neither does she."Steve said solemnly. "We watch each others backs and we all go home at night."
Clint nodded as he glanced at his watch. "I better go...meeting Tasha in Japan tomorrow. Wheels up in thirty."
"Good luck."Steve commented.
"You too."Clint replied as he left the apartment.
Once outside Hawkeye got into his car and drove away. As he did he couldn't help but admire his friend. Steve overcame every obstacle that was thrown at him. Sometimes he wavered but he was never brought down or defeated by them. There weren't many true heroes left but Steve was one of them and always would be.
end