Chapter 4
Hey everyone! So sorry I'm hitting myself for not updating sooner :( Please read and enjoy
I threw a punch and it was easily blocked as I tried to get my balance back as quickly as possible. "Control that punch" He spoke up. "Worry more about the accuracy, not the strength of it" I ducked a punch and quickly blocked another.
"Easy for you to say dad" I grumbled before dropping to the ground to kick his legs out. He only stepped to the side before knocking me as I was getting to my feet. I rolled before quickly getting up before and dodging a kick before hitting my back against the wall with a huff. I stopped. He was still ready before he dropped his fighting stance; breathing heavy.
"You ok?" He asked. I just nod before pushing off the wall; walking past him over towards the benches.
"Just really hot" I reply.
"Why don't you put your hair up then? Seems like it's getting in your face a tad bit" I could hear him behind me before I drank from my water bottle.
"And?" I state a bit louder. He cocked his head to the side before raising an eyebrow.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you" He put his hands up with a smirk. I look down before huffing.
"Sorry" I mumble before walking for the door.
"So are you done?" He asked. I stopped and turned. "I know you wanted to do some practice with your ability" He suggests. I hesitate; clenching my jaw a bit.
"K" I mumble before walking back. "What did you have in mind?" I ask; walking back over; my arms crossed.
"You did mention yesterday that shifting was giving you trouble" I hesitate before nodding.
It was... But that was because getting beat up was screwing with my muscles and made shifting painful.
"What's the hardest to shift into" He asked; crossing his arms.
"Bigger animals" I reply; looking down. "At least bigger than horses that it" I add. He nods.
"Alright, let's start there and work out way up ok?" I just nod before throwing my water bottle down and walked out a few feet. I took a deep breath before shifting into a horse. Glancing down I was jet black; not a single color besides black on me.
He walked over and threw his water bottle aside before looking me in the eye.
"Tell me if I'm pushing you too hard ok?" He smirked. I snorted and shook my mane before walking past him; picking up a trot to stretch the muscles a bit to warm up.
~0~
"Try jumping B to F" He called. I looked over; my ears perked up before I cantered fast and jumped over the small wall at the other side of the room. My eyes shot over to the next wall before I pushed myself faster and made it over wall F. These were hurdle walls you had to scale for normal training. But I could still jump them in this form so it was good practice to get myself back into it.
I kept running the pace I was at when I came around the bend and cut it a little too much and slipped. I neighed before crashing into the wall with a crash.
I regained myself as quickly as possible and got to my feet; shaking myself off and looked around like nothing happened.
"You ok?" Dad called over. I looked at him and whinnied. He gave a slow nod and laughed. "Alright, maybe it's time for a break" I snorted before trotting back over to as I broke into a canter. My head shot up a bit when I saw Clint walk out. I cantered up and stopped just as I got up to both of them and made Clint jump a bit.
"Oh uh hey Kate" He laughed. I shook my mane again before shifting back; blowing the hair from my face.
"Hill needs you on the carrier" Clint says to Dad. "In a few hours or something, not soon. Although I'm running something up there now. Kate you wanna come?" He turned to me. My eyes widened and I saw Dad look down at me.
"I-..." They were both looking at me and waiting for an answer. "Ok" I try to smile. Dad looked concerned and Clint was giving me a bit of a look. He knew about it and was giving me one of those 'why don't you tell him' looks.
He finally nods before walking out. Dad turned to my.
"So are you- what happened to your face?" He cut himself off and I saw that look vanish as he looked worried.
"Wha-?" I fiddled with my hair and it flew around before covering the bruise on my cheek bone on the right side of my face. I turned away quickly and he ended up grabbing my arm and turning me before moving my hair.
"What did you do?" He asked.
"I slipped" I tell him quickly.
"Again?" He looked even more worried and I realized that was the last excuse I gave him for the black eye. He was probably contemplating whether I could walk correctly; I fall all the time now from what I tell him when explain injuries.
"Well I actually hit it when I just fell over there" I tell him with a nod. He raised an eyebrow. I swallow and smile. I saw him look down and I felt my smile fade.
"Clint's going to leave I'd hurry up" He finally says quieter. I looked around and didn't say anything for a moment.
"Oh- Uh, ok" I hesitantly state before walking for the door.
"Kate" I turned back to him.
"Hm?" I look at him. He blinked before looking down and then at me again.
"Be careful" He says. I furrowed my eyebrows barely and gave and before walking out.
Why is he asking me to be careful? He doesn't know what goes on... I don't think so at least. And plus I don't think they'll pick a fight today. No one likes Monday's.
~0~
"Freak!" Carly yelled before slamming me against the wall. I didn't bother making a big deal out of it; just kept a straight face as I took a deep breath. Yeah. They definitely hate Monday's as much as I do.
I've been here for a few hours. Clint left back for the tower; he and Natasha got leave. I was just going to catch a normal ride back from a different SHIELD transport.
"You're nothing but useless trash they picked up in a warehouse!" Jason snarled. They don't approve of me at all as you can see. For some reason I'm having a change of thought about them forgetting about the bullying. "Why the hell do they even let her work here?" He asked. These other teen agents freaking pissed me off.
"Because I can kick your ass that's why" I spat. That did something cause next thing I knew the girl sent a flying kick right at me and hit me across the face. I flipped and fell to the ground before quickly kicking her legs out from under her before elbowing her in the gut as she was lying next to me.
"Hey!-" Jason yelled behind me and grabbed my arms and pulled me away from her before the other girl got up. Quickly thinking; I wrapped my legs around Carly's waist and flipped; bringing both of them down with me. I looked up suddenly and saw two more of their friends come around the bend.
"What the hell is she doing here?" Adeline spat.
"Carly," David called over to the girl I just flipped. "Are you ok?" The blonde boy asked. She wiped the blood from her cheek before glaring at me.
"Fine David" She growled. I pushed myself up before she kneed me in the face and I coughed before falling back on the ground before getting nailed in the ribs by Jason's foot. I hunched over in pain; leaning on my arms on the ground somewhat holding myself up as blood oozed from my mouth and onto the floor; creating a pool of it.
"Son of a bitch" I yelled; gritting my teeth.
"Excuse me?" Adeline demanded.
"You heard me!" I yelled at her and my eyes suddenly turned dark and I knew they saw it as they looked at me different. Wait- hold it. Control Kate, control.
They walked away seconds later and I glared after them before they disappeared down the hall.
I gritted my teeth as I tried to push myself up; feeling the piercing pain in my side. I finally rolled over onto my back; coughing slightly on the blood in my mouth. Once I got my breath back I leaned over and spat out the blood that was filling my mouth. Damn it. It still makes me nauseous.
I was lying there for a few seconds before letting out a small breath. This freaking sucks. I thought the bullying would end after middle school.
"What about Barton?" I heard someone ask. My eyes widened. Dad?! Oh my god, oh my god! He's gonna flip if he sees me like this!
I quickly pushed myself up and stumbled over to the corner of the hall; putting my back to it.
I peeked around the corner and saw Dad walk around the corner with Agent Hill.
"He'll be going on a mission with Kate next week, if that's alright" Maria replied. Dad nodded.
"Yeah that should be fine" He says quieter. "How is Kate?" Dad asked after a few seconds. She looked over at him and they stopped walking.
"She's been-..." Hill stopped.
"Avoiding SHIELD?" He finishes. Maria nods.
"Yes, is there something going on?" She asked. I let my head fall against the wall quietly.
"I don't know" He sighs. "She's refusing to talk to me about it; I've tried several times. Maybe I'm not doing it right" He mumbles. I peeked around the corner and saw them both. Dad was in his stealth suit and Agent Hill was wearing her usual SHIELD uniform. I watched them for a few more seconds and I caught Dad's expression. He looked-... Not sad but more so- lost. I felt a stab of guilt hit me before I hid back around the corner.
"Well I'm sure she'll come arou-" Her voice cut off. "Is that blood?" My breath caught in my throat and I peeked around the corner; seeing a pool of my blood was on the hall floor.
I quickly ran down the hall before they knew I was pretty much hiding a few feet away.
~0~
About an hour had gone by. I made it back to the tower; walking several blocks before I got to the elevator. I was out of breath and sweaty from wearing a hoodie. I had to where a hood to hide my face-... That was still covered in blood. I brushed the hood from my head before leaning against the back of the elevator wall. I held my side tightly with my left arm; feeling the throbbing pain. He probably bruised a few ribs.
Seconds later the door opened and I walked out onto the communal floor towards the counter. I hissed slightly as I was almost limping from the way my ribs hurt; I didn't want to put weight on that side of my body. I was too lazy to go with the pain for walking normally.
"Kate!" I looked to the right and saw Dad with Natasha and Clint; in the living room. Dad was in his suit still and Natasha and Clint were in theirs. They shouldn't be though because the two of them had week leave and no missions at all.
"Oh my god-" Natasha muttered before they all ran over. I swallowed and felt a wave of fear suddenly hit me like a speeding car when I saw the look on Dad's face.
"What happened!?" He demanded; lifting my chin up before started to look my injuries over. I immediately saw his expression change from worried to almost losing it to shock. "God-" He breathed. "Clint get a rag"
"Yeah" He replied; hurrying into the kitchen.
"Dad-"
"What happened?" He cut me off.
"Nothing!" I reply. Clint ran over and handed him the rag.
"Here" Natasha came over with several gauzes.
"I-I'm fine!" I shout. He completely ignored me before using the rag to lightly dap at the blood on my face. I had a busted nose also, which added to the blood covering the lower part of my face and down my neck slightly.
Seconds later I saw Dad frown slightly before looking at the rag. He grabbed my arm and led me over to the stools before somewhat pushing me down into the seat with ease.
"Natasha-" He turned to her. She nodded before he walked away. She came over and she sat across from me.
"Kate what'd you get yourself into?" She stated; using gauze to lightly wipe the blood away.
"Just a scuffle, it was nothing" I mumble; looking at the ground.
"Do you know how worried he was? We thought something happened to you" She added quieter. I furrowed my eyebrows. I guess they analyzed the blood on the carrier and realized it was mine. God I can't even imagine Dad's reaction to that. I got out of my thoughts right before Dad walked back up and Natasha quickly stood up before he sat down across from me.
I leaned on my fist against the counter; looking to the left out over at the cupboards away from him.
"Kate look at me." He said. I could hear the sternness in his voice. I know he's so freaking angry right now. I huffed before looking back over at him; letting my hand fall into my lap. "What happened?" He asked; handing me an ice pack. I pressed it against my right eye that was all bruised.
"I fell" I reply.
"You think lying to me is the best Idea right now!?" He asks louder in a serious tone.
"Well I don't want you all worrying-"
"Worrying?! You scared the hell out of me Kate! I thought something happened to you!" He exclaimed. I looked down and away from him. He was quiet for a few seconds. "Who did it." He demanded. I don't say anything. Knowing him I feel like he may try and fight this battle for me. But that won't do me any help... Plus he might hurt someone. And we can't have that. He gets way to protective and I wish he didn't most of the time.
"It was no one-" He immediately cut me off
"Kate I swear if you lie to me one more time today-" Dad started and I could hear the threatening tone in his voice. I don't think I've seen him this mad. It's hard being in this position with someone who is so nice most of the time... It's different I'll say that.
"Steve" Natasha cut him off. I looked down to the left and could still feel him glaring at me. It felt like forever went by before he turned to her. I think I saw her nod to the door before he looked back at me.
"Keep ice on that" He mumbled quietly; not sounding nearly as mad before getting up. I hesitated before pressing the ice pack to my eye once he left going down the stairs.
"Kate which agents did it?" Clint asked. I didn't say anything for a few minutes.
"I don't know all their names" I mumble.
"Kate" Natasha added sternly. I clenched my jaw. I can take care of myself. Why can't they just back off for a change?
"I can take care of this myself" I growl before getting up and walking for the elevator. "Just stay out of it" I snap.
~0~
About 45 minutes later I was still sitting in my room. I didn't want to talk to anyone at the moment so I told Jarvis to lock my door. I had put the ice pack in the sink and my face was cleaned up. Now I just have the black eye, a busted lip, and a bruised rib. Oh- and my nose might be broken. I told Bruce I would be down at some point, because he wanted to take a look at it.
I turned on my left side; looking out the window as I was lying in bed.
Suddenly I hear my door open and it got quiet. I let out a breath.
"How did you get in" I mutter; still staring out the window.
"I told Jarvis to unlock it" Dad responds quietly. He didn't sound mad anymore. I clenched my jaw; keeping my eyes out the window. I could hear him walking over before my bed moved slightly as he sat down on the end of the bed behind me.
"I'm about to go on a mission" He says. My gaze doesn't change. "Do you wanna come?" He asked. I didn't say anything for a few seconds.
"Why are you suddenly letting me on your missions?" I mumble. His missions were getting more serious and somewhat dangerous and he didn't want me going on them. He liked it better when I went on easier missions with other agents; and the occasional one by myself.
"Just wondering if you wanted to come. Either that, or you can go on Clint's mission next week if you want" He adds.
"Is there a stay at home option" I mutter.
"Honey if you run away from this it's not going to stop" He sighs. I furrowed my eyebrows slightly. I swallowed; keeping my gaze out the window.
"I don't know what you're talking about" I reply.
"I know you do Kate" He says back. I could tell he knew that I knew he was catching on.
I finally push myself up and pulled my legs up so I was hugging my knees. I was sitting in the middle of the bed and he was to the right sitting at the end.
"Who told you?" I asked. He smirked slightly.
"No one Kate, I could tell after a while what was happening. I kinda have a nag for noticing that stuff" He says. I immediately looked down at the comforter.
"How the hell would you know? It's not like you've gone through it" I snap; getting defensive.
"I actually have" He replies simply with a straight face. I stopped and felt my breath catch. I slowly looked over at him; suddenly feeling a bit bad.
"You mean-..."
"I was bullied as a kid too Kate" He chuckles. I furrowed my eyebrows.
"But-" I started then stopped myself. How the hell did he get bullied?! He's not exactly a small person that can be picked on.
"You know about the serum right?" He says; raising an eyebrow. I nod. Yeah I know about the super soldier serum and all that, but what does this have to do with being bullied. "Before the serum I was- well" He laughs before continuing. "A skinny kid with tons of health issues; let's just put it that way" He says. "Since I was a young kid I was always picked on, but once I met Bucky..." He stops for a moment. I knew about him. I saw a picture of him once, and I figured they were good friends.
"What about him?" I asked.
"He would stand up for me a lot, got me out of more problems than I'd care to count" He smirks. "But even as an adult I was still picked on" He says. "So yes Kate, I could immediately tell when they started picking on you" He smiles. I swallowed.
"So why did you keep asking me about it? - if you already knew" I asked slowly.
"I wanted you to be ready to tell me" He replies simply. "Although Natasha and Clint found out pretty soon since they pushed you for an answer-" We both laughed. "I wanted to give you a little time" He says before looking down.
"So... Why were you so mad at me earlier" I mumble a bit quieter. He looks over before letting out a breath; briefly looking away.
"I wasn't mad at you Kate, I just didn't know it was that serious that they were hurting you like that" He says. I hesitate before nodding.
"I kinda egged them on" I say slowly. He looks over and sees me hiding my smile. I scooted over before I was sitting next to him on his right.
"How do you usually handle it?" He asked.
"When they start picking on me?" I asked. He nods. "Uh... I dunno, usually I just-" I frown slightly. "I don't know" I finally say. "Usually I just- push back, I guess" I reply.
"Ever run away?" He asked. I furrowed my eyebrows. What kind of question is that!? Do you even know me?!
"Of course not" I give a big smile. He smirks before chuckling.
"That's my girl" He smiled before pulling me into a hug. I wrapped my arms around him in a hug before seeing my door open.
"Hey guys" Natasha smiled; peaking her head in. "Mission" She says towards dad. He nods before pulling out of the hug.
"So do you wanna come?" He asked me. I bit my lip before looking over at Natasha. She gave me a shrug as if to say 'why not?'
I finally nod.
"Alrighty" I smile. He nods before we both got up and headed to the door with Natasha.
We walked down the hall towards the elevator and Natasha was a few feet ahead of us.
"You need to promise me something ok?" He looked down at me. I hesitate before nodding.
"Tell me next time this happens" He makes clear in a serious manner; but still in a nice way. I nod. "I don't want you coming home beat up again" He chuckles. I shrug.
"Better than coming back out of breath saying I ran away right?" I point out. He raises eyebrow at me and I just smile big.
"Alright good point, but don't make a habit out of looking for trouble" He laughs; side hugging me as we walked into the elevator with Natasha.
"No promises dad" I start laughing and he rolls his eyes while Natasha chuckled.
"You know where she gets that" She smirked and looked at him. I furrowed my eyebrows before looking up at him. It was quiet for a minute as the door began closing.
"What does she mean by that?" I finally asked curiously. Dad glances down at me and I could see him hiding a smirk.
The End
I know this one was a tad bit longer, I hope you enjoyed it :) There will be more one shots! Give me some ideas in the reviews if you can think of any.