Author's note:
Warning: If you are reading my other story 'Life Changing' there *might* be some major spoilers in this story relating to my other story.
Reminder: This is a sequel to 'Adjusting', it has nothing to do with 'Life Changing' so Natasha won't be pregnant in this story or one's to follow on this side of the series. Enjoy! Review please and ask questions if you are confused with the two series!
A black arrow shot through the night sky and pierced right through the man's neck.
Marcus Carter was now alone. His last guard has fallen and Clint jumped down and approached. Shield agents started walking forward but Marcus took off. Clint followed. Fury wanted him alive so he slipped his bow over him and put back the arrow. Clint was always a fast runner so he wasn't even out of breath when he tackled him down. Marcus surprised him when he had a knife in his hand and as they went to the ground he shoved it in Clint's side. Marcus kicked him off but Clint showed no pain. Even as he slid the knife out and crouched with it in his hand. Marcus's eyes flashed as he panicked for a way out but he was surrounded again and this time SHIELD agents managed to take him down.
"Hawkeye, you okay?" Agent Daniel Payne asked.
"Yeah. Tell your guys thanks from me. They helped a lot." Clint smirked with sarcasm. Daniel knew Clint for a while even if they weren't exactly friends but Clint knew him enough to show his sarcastic side.
"Will do." Daniel smiled and gave a nod as he turned to walk away.
Clint placed a hand over his stab wound when he turned. He let out a deep breath and looked around before disappearing into the night.
Natasha faked a laugh. She was in Germany at a fancy party. She was wearing a long black dress that fit her well and drew attention to herself. Just what she wanted because soon enough Abel Harlan made his way to her.
He laughed at his own story and Natasha looked around as if nervous. "Would you like to get out of this crowd?" He asked and Natasha smiled. This was too easy.
Tony landed at the top of Stark Towers. It was late in the afternoon and he had JARVIS check if anyone was back yet.
"No Sir." JARVIS answered before the rest of the suit was off and Tony stepped inside. He let out a dramatic sigh as he made himself a drink.
"And that shows who you're tracking?" Steve asked. Maria Hill nodded and pointed at the screen again.
"Yes. We usually print the information out and you'll get a file explaining the mission, whose the target or what to do."
"And what does this mean?" Steve pointed again.
"Are you almost done Dr. Banner?" Fury asked as he stepped into the lap at the Shield base.
"Yes, just about."
"Ok, get it done."
Pepper zoned out briefly at a meeting that made her want to tear her hair out.
She found the simplest things boring now since living with the Avengers. She wondered what Tony was doing and had to force herself not to smile.
Clint left that afternoon but it was morning time there when he finally walked into the Shield base.
"Agent Barton, I suspect Marcus is all tucked away at their base?" Fury asked, stepping into stride with Clint right away.
"Yes, sir." Clint answered.
"Good. Medical said you got stabbed." Fury said peeking at him.
"I told them I was fine." Clint smiled. Of course Fury knew, he knew everything.
"Did you fix yourself up?" Fury asked knowing the agent hated going to the Infirmary. "Yes." He said.
"Do you want us to take a look?" Fury asked. Clint stopped walking suddenly and Fury had to turn around.
"Did I do something sir?" He asked.
"No, no. Rogers is in the Briefing Room." Fury said and walked off. Clint followed his movements until he was out of sight.
He looked around before walking again.
Steve was on a computer, trying to figure out how to make a video play that showed all the reports they had on someone. He kept clicking symbol at the bottom of the screen trying to make it play.
"I usually just hit the play button but if clicking the volume over and over is working for you…" Clint smirked. Steve turned around already smiling. Clint was leaning on the wall by the door with a back pack slung over one shoulder. He pushed himself away and walked closer.
"Welcome back." Steve said and rolled away slightly in his chair so the archer could click play.
"What are up too?" Clint asked and sat in his own chair next to him.
"Trying to figure out the mission protocols. Fury wants me to start being able to go out on my own missions alone if I have to."
Clint nodded. "Have you heard from everyone else?"
When he got his own mission after Natasha left, he knew that Bruce was spending a lot of time at the lab here and Steve was getting ready to leave to spend a few days here too.
"No. I know that me and Bruce are going back today but I don't know what everyone else is up too."
Clint nodded again. He wanted to know if Natasha was home but he let that go to the back of his mind.
"You ready to head out?" He asked. "Yeah, let's go get Bruce." Steve hit the volume again and it blasted from the speakers. Steve jumped and Clint resisted the urge to cover his ears. He leaned forward and stopped the video.
"We'll work on that." Clint decided before they laughed and stood up.
Bruce was packing his things from the lab and about to leave when Steve and Clint walked in.
"Hey guys." Bruce smiled. Even though Steve and him both stayed at SHIELD these past couple of days, they haven't seen each other. This was the longest the whole group was separated.
"Hey Doc." Clint smiled and poked at a blue liquid in a glass container.
"Ready to head out?" Steve asked.
"Yes. Didn't think I would ever say that I missed staying at Stark Towers."
Clint smiled. Neither did he.
Natasha walked into Stark Towers in a fast pace. She took the stairs two at a time and went into the living room. Tony sat there looking bored as he watched TV.
"Stark?" She questioned with a smile.
He turned around. "Romanoff. First one back. About time. You know I was the only one who didn't have anything important Shield assigned for me. Not fair."
Natasha laughed but inside she grew anxious. If she was the first one back that meant Clint wasn't here. She hoped he was okay even though she knew he would be.
Natasha was biting her nail in the living room where she was curled up on her loveseat. Pepper and Tony were together on their couch talking quietly with the TV on.
"Not the welcome back party we were expecting," Clint smiled when he and the guys walked in the living room.
Natasha's face lit up with a smile and she stood as Clint walked closer. Pepper and Tony stood to greet Steve and Bruce but Natasha blocked out their talking.
"Miss me?" Clint asked when he wrapped his strong arms around her.
She was about to answer but the moment was broken.
"I didn't." Tony replied with a grin. Clint and Natasha looked at him and Pepper smacked his arm.
"Didn't miss you either Stark." Clint grinned.
"Everyone misses me." Tony said and Steve laughed. "What?" Tony asked turning his attention back to Steve. Clint looked back to Natasha and smiled before kissing her.
He was glad to be home.
