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Title: Scorned
Author: Cindy Ryan
pairings: Clint/Natasha, Steve/Maria, Tony/Pepper
timeline: AU follows my picket fences universe
notes: Single quotation marks indicate a flashback
summary: When his son is kidnapped Clint will do anything to get him back
An hour later everyone was on board a Stark jet bound for D.C. Steve, Maria, Tony, Natasha and Pepper stood facing a floating flat screen panel in the center of the passenger section. Nicholas Fury was grim faced on the other end of the video call.
"How solid is this plan?"Fury inquired.
"As solid as it can be with the amount of time we've had to work on it."Tony replied. "Bruce is meeting us at the rendezvous point."
"Has Thor been contacted?"Steve asked.
"He's on his way."Fury confirmed. "I also contacted the D.C police and are having them evacuate the area."
Natasha shook her head. "That'll alert the kidnappers that we contacted someone."
Fury leaned forward. "They're evacuating under the guise of a national security threat. The kidnappers won't realize it's false."
Romanoff wrapped her arms across her chest and walked away from the group towards the back of the plane.
Tony watched her leave for a moment before speaking. "I've made some modifications to the suit. Testing a cloaking device. I should be able to be near Barton without either him or the kidnappers knowing. Everyone else will be at a safe distance watching a video feed."
The S.H.E.I.L.D director nodded. "Keep me informed."
The screen went dark and disappeared.
Steve glanced at Stark. "This modification how much have you tested it?"
"Enough."Tony promised knowing the Black Widow was listening to every word. "It'll work."
With an hour left of the deadline Clint's plane touched down at a small military airport on the outskirts of D.C. Barton grabbed his things and disembarked grateful to be working for S.H.E.I.L.D and not have to go through the red tape of a civilian airport. Fury had cleared everything ahead of time so all Clint had to do was jump in a waiting jeep and head for the National Mall. As he merged into traffic Hawkeye tried to think of this as just another op but he couldn't.
This was his son; his family.
Clint's grip was iron clad on the wheel and he forced himself to loosen his fingers. He took several deep breaths and let them out. Hawkeye knew he wouldn't be fully calm until Phillip was safe in his mother's arms but he was a bit less of a wreck. His heart was no longer racing, his breathing was normal. The only thing that was raging out of control were Clint's memories. Hundreds of images of Phillip as he grew assaulted the archer. One strong one in particular surfaced. Phillip hadn't been planned. It'd taken a lot of convincing on Clint's part that he and Nat's relationship both professional and personal would withstand marriage. It was a sunday in February six months after they were married that Natasha found out she was pregnant. They'd been on a mission in northeastern Turkey in a small town near the Black sea.
The town had barely had a hotel let alone a Walgreens where Natasha could buy a pregnancy test. She'd been sick for days and Clint hadn't been buying his wife's excuses any longer. He'd insisted she see a doctor. Luckily there was a S.H.E.I.L.D safehouse nearby that was fully staffed. It'd taken less than two hours of a full physical and blood work for the S.H.E.I.L.D medical staff to reach a conclusion. Clint had never seen Natasha as shaken as she was that day. The infamous Black Widow who didn't blink when faced with an army of armed soldiers was terrified at the prospect of motherhood. In that tiny exam room Clint and Natasha sat and figured out their future.
'Nat, you're going to be a fantastic mother.'
Natasha angrily swiped a hand at her tears and shook her head. 'I didn't have a childhood, Clint. How can I possibly know where to even start to be a good mother?'
Clint drew his wife into an embrace. 'We'll do what everybody else does. Figure it out as we go.'
'Why aren't you scared to death?'The Black Widow asked her voice muffled by the fabric of his black t-shirt.
Hawkeye pulled back so he could hold his partner's face in his hands. 'I am, but I know we'll be fine.'
'How can you be so sure?'Natasha asked.
Clint kissed his wife lightly on the forehead before drawing her close once more. 'Because we've been through the ugly childhoods. We'll do everything we can to make sure our kid is safe and happy.'
A horn honking jerked Hawkeye back to the present. He'd missed the turn arrow so he coaxed the jeep out into the intersection and waited for a break in oncoming traffic. Clint swallowed the lump of tears that had suddenly formed as the memory from Turkey hung with him. Hawkeye had thought he'd done all the right things making sure his son had a safe and normal childhood. Well as normal as it could be when your parents are friends with superheroes. Even with superhero friends, and leaving active duty Phillip had still ended up in danger.
Clint had failed his son.
The fact left a bitter taste in his mouth.
As traffic finally let up enough for Barton to turn he made a silent vow to Phillip. If it was to be Clint's last act as a father he'd make up for his mistakes. He'd make sure Phillip was safe. It was what fathers were supposed to do.
With Thor and Bruce Banner arriving at the rendezvous point within minutes of each other the Avengers were once again assembled. The thought should have left Natasha comforted instead it chilled her. Earth's mightiest heroes were together once more not to save the world but to save her son. Her little boy who was being held captive for something his father did years ago. Thinking of Clint brought a new wave of anguish to the Black Widow causing her to pace the sidewalk. They were gathered by a nondescript black van Stark had five blocks from where Clint was meeting the kidnappers. Inside were state of the art surveillance equipment along with weapons.
Someone was most likely holding her four year old son at gunpoint. Natasha had never wanted Phillip to know that kind of fear. Not like what she grew up with. She didn't want him to fear anything more than the normal childhood fears of monsters in the closet and under the bed. Fears that could be melted away by a couple bed time stories read by his father. A father that was now planning on sacrificing himself...
Natasha stormed back into the van with such force it startled everyone. Tony took one look at her expression and shook his helmeted head.
"Don't even think about it, Romanoff."Stark stated sharply. "You're grounded."
"I'm not sitting on the sidelines. This is my family!"Natasha snapped earning a concerned look from Steve.
"All the more reason to stay the hell away from the swap."Tony countered as he exited the van his hands resting on the back doors. "I'll have the Hulk sit on you if I have to."
"Stark..."Natasha protested.
"If you value their lives you'll listen to me and stay in the van."Stark thundered as he slammed the doors shut.
Furious the Black Widow started to back out of the vehicle the way she had come in when a large hand restrained her lifting her off her feet. Natasha looked up to find Thor holding her by the back collar of her shirt.
"Thor, let me go."Natasha pleaded her feet swinging uselessly. "I have to help Clint."
"I know it is difficult, Natasha, but you must stay with us."The DemiGod replied concern etched on his handsome face.
"He's right."Steve commented as he crossed the small space. "If the bad guys know you're there they'll use you against Clint."
"They won't know I'm there."Romanoff stated as she finally broke free of Thor.
Steve stepped in front of the Black Widow blocking her path. With Thor still behind her she was boxed in. Natasha knew the clock had almost expired without even looking at the computer displays. If she was leaving she had to go now.
"I don't want to hurt you."Natasha began as she met Rogers gaze.
"I'm not letting you out of this van."Steve replied firmly. "Clint would never forgive me if anything happened to you."
"I don't matter."Romanoff snapped. "This bastard has my son and is making my husband..."
Steve captured Natasha's arms pinning them. Thor inched closer so the Black Widow was effectively trapped between her two friends. Maria and Bruce watched in anxious silence.
"Tony's plan will work."Rogers promised. "We'll get everybody home safe and sound."
Exhaustion won and Natasha slumped against Captain America tears threatening to flow once more.
"I can't lose them, Steve."Romanoff whispered as her legs gave out. "I can't."
Still holding his friend Steve dropped to the floor with her. "You won't, Natasha. The Avengers always take care of their own."