As always a big BIG THANK YOU to everyone who reviewed! Mushroomking98, Theta-McBride, Cara Tala and the guest reviewer! I'm so glad you guys are still enjoying this!
That night like every night I was awake. I was sat in the living room, looking out of the window to the city. The day had taken a lot out of me, but I was finally starting to understand Clint and it was something. Loki did a real number on him. Forcing him to do stuff against his will. Now they're saying I could do that? I could become like Loki? I could just force people into doing anything... I shuddered at the thought shaking my head. No Flynn, no I wont. I wont become like him, I wont force anyone to do anything like that... I can;t even begin to imagine what its like. I sat there pondering the way it must feel to utterly lose your free will and believe you wanted to do what ours asked of you. It was a sobering thought to say the least.
"Can't sleep Wonder?" Steve asked walking in wearing a grey shorts and a blue t-shirt. His hair was a mess, and he still had sleep in his eyes. I nodded as he came and sat next to me. Groaning slightly as he sat on the floor.
"What's got you up this late?" I asked softly and he blushed.
"Um...Miss Potts and Tony are Mm..." Steve rubbed the back of his neck as his cheeks turned redder.
"Oh.. OH, oh ok. Yeah I get it." I said realising why he was so red. "Um.. well I'm sure you know it wont last all night." I said trying to be helpful. The smallest of smirks crossing my lips.
"Let's hope." Steve sighed, ruffling his own hair. "Why are you up?" He asked stretching slightly.
"I just don't sleep much. Think maybe the mini coma was enough sleep for me." I half joked, tucking some hair behind my ear. We fell into a silence just enjoying sitting next to each other watching the city at night.
"It's a shame the city was damaged in the attack. It was beautiful." Steve said looking out to the darkened city. We sat there in silence some more until I decided to ask a question. Something that was eating at me since my chat with Clint.
"How did you all deal with Clint trying to kill you?" I asked softly and turned to Steve. He was clearly surprised by the question, his eyebrows nearly touching his hair line. "Um, he told me about it today." I added clearing up the unasked question. Steve nodded a little running a hand over his face.
"I didn't know Agent Barton before he tried to kill us. I just read his record. He is a good solider, a good agent. Natasha vouched for him, and I trusted her. So when I knew we had to try and save him, we tried to save him. Then in battle he proved himself to me. He saved so many people during the attack, he even hurt his leg falling into a building. He called shots and covered our backs. In war, trust is given through actions and he deserved my trust after the attack." Steve explained looking straight into my eyes. "What made you ask that?" He asked before yawning a little.
"I don't know. He looks hurt a lot, I see him, at night, just sat there... thinking about it all." I sighed running a hand through my hair. "You wanna watch some TV?" I asked changing the topic before I got mad and released some of that energy.
The next two weeks flew by, Steve and Natasha were needed on a SHIELD mission, while Bruce and Tony continued to help me improve my powers. I came on in leaps and bounds. By the end of the second week I could control both powers without any side effects. Clint was still baby sitting me but it had become more like a friendship.
"Just give me it back, and I wont hurt you." I said jumping for the item Tony was waving higher than my head.
"Really? You hurt me?" Tony sniggered waving the photo above his head. It was a photo of Bruce, Tony, Pepper and myself pulling faces in the lab. It meant a lot to me. I stopped jumping for the photo and put my hands on my hips.
"You know, I could make you give me the picture back." I said raising an eyebrow the smile on my face matching my tone.
"Actually, no you couldn't, because you haven't tried before." Tony pointed out pointing a finger at me. It was true, I refused to try and manipulate someone's mind. After seeing the effects with Clint I just couldn't bring myself to do it.
"Well I could just blow you up then." I smirked as Pepper walked in with a arm full of files.
"Don't blow him up until he's signed these." She joked, kissing his cheek before putting the folders on the table.
"Looks like someone has homework to do, give the photo back Stark." I said jumping for it as he moved it out of my reach again.
"No way Smurfette!" He laughed dangling just out of my reach. Bruce sighed from the table, looking up from his book. Most of the time Bruce was like a father to us, telling us all off and making us behave.
"Give her it back already." He said watching us, a small smile crossing his lips as Pepper came and sat next to him.
"No, why should I? She said my beard looked ugly!" Tony said sounding fake hurt. It was true I had said it was ugly, but only because he joked about how small I was compared to everyone else.
"Truth hurts." I muttered folding my arms over my chest and pouting.
"See!" Tony cried out when something flew past my head and ripped the photo out of Tony's hand, pinning it to the wall. I turned behind me as Clint walked past us both, pulling his blade out of the wall and walking back to me passing me the photo.
"Fury wants to see you, he's in the conference room." Clint said tucking the blade away.
"What? Jarvis?" Tony asked utterly confused by the visitor.
"Agent Barton is correct, Director Fury is waiting in the conference room for Miss Flynn." Jarvis explained.
"How'd he get in?! I upper the security!" Tony cried out as we walked out of the room. I looked down at the photo and smiled, stuffing it into my back pocket.
"Thanks for the photo, we should get you in the next one." I said tapping my hand on my leg slightly nervously. Every time I was alone with Clint I got nervous, I tried to act cool but I wasn't sure it was working.
"I don't really do photos..." Clint shrugged as we reached the conference room. He opened the door for me and I walked in. "Sir." Clint said clearing his throat as Fury looked up at us.
"Miss Flynn, take a seat, please." Fury sighed looking at a folder in front of him.
"Thanks." I muttered sitting next to him. Clint stood by the door waiting for orders.
"Miss Flynn, Doctor Banner and Mr Stark have shown me the reports of your powers." Fury stated looking me dead in the eyes, his serious voice put me on edge automatically. "These powers make you dangerous, very dangerous, do you understand?"
"I do." I nodded, glancing to Clint who was lent on the wall with his arms folded.
"Good." Fury said relaxing into his chair. "It's because your powers have the potential to be so dangerous that the Council and SHIELD have decided to keep you with us permanently." Fury said waiting for my reaction.
"But Doc and Stark are still going to look for a way to get the energy out of me right?" I asked softly. The hope easy to read in my voice and on my face.
"Miss Flynn, I don't fallow all the science, but it appears that it could take a life time to figure out how to remove the energy." Fury stated crossing his hands in front of himself. "In the mean time I want you to stay with the Avengers, work with the power." Something on his face said more than his words. Oddly it was a look I was familiar with, I got hit with deja vu and I knew it what he really meant instantly.
"You mean you want me to become a weapon." I said shaking my head, knowing when I was being used.
"We'd like you to be able to assist in missions one day, yes." Fury stated with a neutral expression. I let out a sarcastic laugh and stood from the chair.
"You think you can just use me. You don't actually care about removing this from me, do you?" I asked shaking my head. My voice raised slightly, but I kept my emotions in check.
"Miss Flynn," Fury said standing up and looming over me. "Let me explain this another way. You either aid us with your specialised skill set, or the Council will hand you over to other interested parties. Parties who will not hesitate to dissect you and test on you. Do I make myself clear?" Fury asked baring down on me. I glared up at the taller man, focusing on his face as I tried my best to put on a killer expression. The kind Natasha used on Tony.
"And if I run?" I asked firmly, not even blinking as I went toe to toe with the Director of SHIELD.
"You would never be free. Everyone would be looking for you." Fury explained, a hint of anger seeping from his words. "I'm sorry if I was giving you the impression you had an option here Miss Flynn. You work for SHIELD now." He said walking out of the room. I stood there and knew my hands were blue. I looked down and sure enough the ora was dancing around. I turned as Clint walked over to me.
"You need to calm down." He said firmly looking me dead in the eyes.
"He just... I've been played. You should never of helped me back in the rubble. You should have just let get killed by the Chitauri." I said shaking away the ora. The rage seeping over every word as I spoke. "I should of just died." I growled.
"You shouldn't say that." Clint said still looking into my eyes.
"Why? Truth is everyone's lives would have been easier if I had just died." I admitted turning my hands into fists. Suddenly I felt so confided, trapped with no way out. "I need to get out of here. I need some fresh air." I huffed, pushing my hair off my face.
"Fury wants you in the tower until you cool down." Clint admitted and I glared at him. A smirk crossed his lips as I glared. "Yeah, that's not going to help. But I have an idea..." He said smiling at me.
I fallowed Clint and he led me to the roof, he opened the door and I fallowed him. We were at the very top of the building, nothing but gravel and bars letting us know we were still in the building. I walked over to one of the railings and lent my elbows on it, taking a deep breath of fresh air. I closed my eyes and felt the breeze rush past me. I'm trapped... I'm never going back. Never. And my options aren't brilliant. Run away and have half the world chase after me, or become a weapon for SHIELD like the Avengers. Wow great options. I just wish I could jump off this rail and fly away. I just want to get away... I opened my eyes and looked over the city, noticing how small the people looked down below. I let out a heavy sigh dropping my head and hunching my shoulders. I felt a hand rub small circles on my back softly. I lifted my head and turned to Clint who just gave me a small smile.
"I came up here a lot after the battle..." He said looking out to the city. "When I wasn't guarding you." He added with a smirk to me. "It helped me clear my head." He added looking back out to the city.
"I can see why..." I sighed dropping my head again. "You ever wish you had a different life?" I muttered into my arms. At first Clint didn't answer me and I just figured he didn't hear me.
"I wish some things had turned out differently, sure. But I have a special skill set, and I use it to help others." Clint shrugged, leaning on the railing next to me, his eyes searching the city. "No, not a different life." He sighed.
"I don't know what to do. I run, everyone hunts me down. I stay here... and I do what? Blow people up? Twist their minds until they tell us everything SHIELD wants to know? Become just like Loki?" I asked pushing myself away from the railing letting out a bitter laugh as I walked to an air vent, sitting on the edge of it. Clint turned to face me, his elbows resting on the railing as he watched me. Those grey eyes taking in my every movement, every look in my eyes.
"You really think you could become Loki?" Clint asked seriously. "You think you could destroy a world just to get some revenge? You think you could make someone kill for you?" He asked watching me.
"No, but-" I started to argue when he cut me off.
"You think you could kill someone for petty revenge?" He asked pushing off the railing and walking over to me.
"No." I shook my head standing as he reached me. He looked deep into my eyes, standing a little closer than he needed to. I wasn't sure if he knew it or not, but he had a way of intimidating people with just a look. I'd seen him do it before without even realising, now I was getting that look.
"You will never become like Loki." He whispered, looking into my eyes. His whole face deadly serious.
"How can you be so sure?" I asked, the fear making my voice break as I asked. Clint put his hand on my cheek and rubbed it softly.
"I wont let you." He whispered back looking to my lips and then back into my eyes. I felt my heart race as he lowered his face to mine. I closed my eyes waiting for his lips to crash into mine.
"Agent Barton, Miss Flynn, the others would like to see you in the conference room." Jarvis announced. I had no idea there was any speakers up there. Clint sighed and took a step back tapping his ear as I tried to get my heart under control.
"Why?" Clint grumbled not even looking at me.
"Mr Stark would like to discuss Director Fury's visit. He would also like me to remind you that he does not have eyes up there, yet." Jarvis explained.
"Fine, we're on our way." Clint sighed running a hand through his hair before looking over at me. "We should get going."
"Oh yeah, when Tony calls..." I muttered sarcastically fallowing him down to the conference room.
We walked into the room and everyone was there. Tony was talking to Bruce and Steve at the head of the table, the latter two had their backs to us. Natasha and Pepper were stood to one side talking, both looked worried. Everyone stopped talking and turned to us as we walked in. Steve was still in his Captain America clothes, his shield resting in one of the chairs. Natasha was in her usual cat suit uniform. Both looked exhausted from their mission.
"Flynn." Tony said with a dark expression on his face. "We know what Fury's said to you."
"Being a weapon for SHIELD isn't my idea of awesome." I sighed walking over to the guys.
"We've looked into it. People, lot's of people, most not friendly want you." Steve explained, he took a deep breath. "Agent Romanov and myself have been trying to figure out how badly these groups wanted you." I looked from Steve to Natasha who just watched me.
"They want you bad." Natasha explained as Clint walked over to them. "They're pretty much willing to go up against nearly anything to get you." I took a step back, leaning on the table. Half of me had hoped that Fury was making that bit up, but seeing my friends faces I knew he wasn't.
"Get me?" I asked in shock. "You mean to experiment on me?" I asked looking between everyone in the room. They all shared the same uneasy look, the answer plastered across their faces.
"Yes." Bruce said grimly.
"Almost anything to get to you." Tony said standing in front of me. "They wont go up against the Avengers." I looked up and met his eyes. "Fury has tried his best to send a message to everyone else, that your off limits."
"That's what you've been doing?" I asked looking between Natasha and Steve.
"We've tried." Steve admitted looking unsure of his results.
"Do you think it worked?" I asked looking over at Natasha.
"Yes, most groups will stay away for as long as your with us." She said with a confident nod.
"You leave us, you leave SHIELD and Flynn, honestly, you'll die." Steve said with his big baby blues.
"Why didn't Fury explain it to me like this?" I asked shaking my head as I folded my arms over my chest.
"The Council wants to use you. Exploit the power within you." Tony said shaking his head as Pepper walked over to him, taking his hand, trying to calm him down. "They love using people." He added bitterly.
"It looks like the only way Fury could get the Council to agree to let you stay with us, and not be shipped off for testing by SHIELD, was to say you would become an agent." Bruce said pushing up his glasses.
"He was trying to keep you safe. We all are." Steve said rubbing my arm. I looked at everyone and they all nodded in silent agreement, even Pepper.
As always that night I was wide awake. I found my way up to the roof and sat out there in my hoody and jeans. I laid on the floor and looked up to the stars trying to convince myself that I was really free. That I was laid in a field in the middle of no where. The odd siren did break my thoughts but for the most I had made myself believe the lie. Become an agent, stay alive. Don't and die. It's that simple. If that is simple. I know SHIELD wants to use me, I know when I'm being played. But is being played really worse then being experimented on? I mean I'm trapped either way. But at least here... they have all become friends, a kind of family to me. Bruce and Steve are almost like the parents, keeping everyone in check and making sure they're ok. Tony is the oldest child, spoilt and brilliant all in one stroke. Pepper is his ever determined girlfriend, putting up with his whining and helping when he needs it. Natasha is the cousin you don't always see, but if you got stuck in a fight, she'd have your back. You might not always get along, but when it's down to the wire, you're there. Then there's Clint... he's something completely different.
"Man, the things I could do..." I muttered to myself with a smirk, biting my lip as I thought about the almost kiss we nearly had.
"Do?" A voice asked making me jump out of my skin. I shot up and turned to see Clint sitting on an air vent by the door.
"What is it with you and sneaking up on people?! Really? I could have blasted you or something! Jeez man!" I cried out shaking my head as he laughed at me.
"You wouldn't have hurt me." He said hopping off the vent. I noticed he was in his jogging bottoms and a hoody, his hair looked mattered with sweat, and it was only then that I realised he was up because of a nightmare. Something in my heart twinged seeing him like that, seeing him hurting like that.
"Well, I might have. You don't know that. I'm dangerous, remember?" I muttered pouting and folding my arms over my chest. Clint laughed more shaking his head as he reached me.
"It's a little cold to be out here." He said softly smirking at me the whole time.
"Yeah. I noticed. Why are you out here?" I asked softly, pushing the hair out of my face.
"I needed to escape for awhile." He admitted looking down. The sadness seeping out over every word.
"You want me to leave you to it?" I asked softly as he looked up to me.
"No, you where here first." Clint said softly.
"I can share, my names Flynn, not Stark." I pointed out making him smile a little. "I'll even lay down the other side of the roof so you can have some space." I added.
"I don't mind laying down next to you." He said and then realised how it sounded. His eyes widened as he tried to back track. "I mean on the floor with you. Crap! I'm going shut up now." He said rambling slightly as I burst out into laughter.
"Yeah, crash and burn..." I joked making an explosion noise with my voice and hands.
"Thanks, I noticed." He sighed rolling his eyes as he moved back and laid down. I chuckled laying on the floor next to him, resting my arms behind my head.
"Stars look nice tonight." I said looking up. "You know, I don't know my own name but I could tell you every constellation up there." I sighed. The amount of irrelevant information in my head was amazing, really.
"Really?" Clint asked looking over at me. I nodded and pointed to one.
"Yeah." I said going on to explain different constellations to him.
I was sat in the living room reading a book Bruce had lent me. The last couple of days everyone had left me alone. Steve had talked to me about becoming a solider and how much good my powers could do. I had been polite and sat, listening to him talk, but honestly I couldn't see how blowing stuff up and controlling minds was a good thing. Ever. So I spent time alone realising that I'd have to become a reluctant agent, a little like Bruce and The Other Guy. I was happily reading when Pepper walked in, as usual a bunch of folders in her arms.
"Oh Flynn, didn't think anyone was in here." She smiled as she dumped the files onto the table.
"I'm just reading, seems to the quietest place at the moment. Bruce and Tony are going over my results some more. Clint and Natasha are in the range, and I think Steve is in the gym..." I mused resting the book on my lap.
"Excellent!" Pepper said looking around making sure she wasn't being watched. She rushed over to the side of me and sat down, looking around again for others watching her. "I need some help." She whispered. Yeah in more ways than one...
"With that?" I asked softly, but refusing to whisper.
"Steve's surprise birthday party." Pepper whispered back.
"I didn't know it was his birthday." I said confused. I knew everyone had a birthday, even Super soldiers, but it never clicked with me.
"It's in two weeks. I have this brilliant plan, well Tony doesn't think it's brilliant, but he's not always the brightest bulb." Pepper continued to whisper, constantly looking around.
"Peps you're rambling." I smirked at her. She stopped and looked at me, nodding in agreement.
"I am. Thank you." She whispered with a quick nod.
"Welcome. So what's this plan?" I asked softly, closing the book and putting down by the side of me.
"I thought we could all get dressed up in 1940's clothes, the hair, the dresses and suits. You know just like Steve's used to." Pepper whispered the light in her eyes and the smile on her face showed me just how much she wanted the idea to work. "I thought we could hire a band and have like a dance for his party."
"That actually sounds amazing." I smiled really loving her idea. "What do you need from me?" I asked. It was the perfect distraction from all the SHIELD weight on my shoulders. Plus Steve was probably the closest thing to a best friend I had around the place. I wanted to make his birthday special.
"Well I know Director Fury wont allow you to leave here. Not until he's completely satisfied you wont run away." Pepper rambled, telling me things she wasn't suppose to know.
"Peps, um, the avengers stuff is meant to be secret." I pointed out and she just shrugged.
"You think Tony can keep his mouth shut?" She asked arching an eyebrow at me. I chuckled shaking my head.
"Not around you, no." I smiled.
"Exactly. Well anyway, I thought we could have the party in the gym, it's big enough and it'll look nice. I was wondering if you could help me decorate it?" Pepper asked me beaming at me. There was something about Miss Pepper Potts, she made it next to impossible to refuse her. She was so nice and kind, but had enough back bone to stand up to people, even Tony. She was the only one he really listened to.
The two weeks flew by, between helping Pepper pick things out, looking for the perfect gift for Steve and starting my SHIELD training I had no time to myself. Clint and Natasha volunteered to become my teachers, there was so much to learn. Not just weapons training but tons of paper work. They were tough teachers, not letting me get away with anything. Especially Natasha, she was all too serious about my training; she constantly reminded me that not only my life, but others would depend on me being about to do my job. Thankfully Clint did take a lighter approach to teaching, choosing instead to squirt me with cold water in the face every time I got something wrong. I had impressed both of them with how quickly I was picking things up. It was easy for me for some reason. Everything just was logical to me. I was so busy with the training and helping Pepper that I hadn't found Steve a present, nothing seemed right. In the end I had decided to sketch him a picture. It wasn't anything amazing, just a pencil drawing of himself in his costume with his shield. I wasn't happy with it, but I had run out of time. It was the afternoon before Steve's party and I was sat in my own room, supposed to be doing my homework for Natasha when someone knocked on the door. I walked over and opened it, a pencil holding my hair up, the book open in my hand.
"Well you look very educational Wonder." Steve said as I looked up to him. He was wearing beige pants and a light blue shirt I stepped aside letting him walk in.
"Seriously, who knew being a super spy would require so much homework?" I sighed as we both sat down on the couch. "If Natasha isn't handing out pop quizzes, Clint's trying to blow me up with paint bombs..." I sighed running a hand over my face. Clint had actually set up a paint bomb and told me to defuse it. The only problem was that while I was trying to defuse it, he was hitting me with ping-pong balls. I wasn't allowed to retaliate, I just had to work on the bomb. It had got close to three seconds left before I managed to focus enough to defuse it. Afterwards I threw the balls back at Clint, who hid in the rafters.
"They just want you to be ready. They know how dangerous it is out there." Steve said taking the book and looking over it. I saw his face screw up as he looked at the words and lack of pictures. "Although, I'm not sure how quantum mechanics is going to help with becoming a master spy." He said smiling back at me. I sat there truly impressed that Cap knew just what I was reading.
"That's from Bruce, I asked him about the ora and he lost me after the second sentence." I admitted with a shrug. "Honestly, I get this more than the SHIELD stuff." I admitted taking the book back and adding it to the small mountain on my coffee table. I had more reading there than most libraries, I was sure of it.
"Am I glad I'm just a soldier." Steve joked folding his arms over his chest.
"I bet. So what's brought you here?" I asked rubbing my eyes. The reading was getting to me and I was really looking forward to Steve's party.
"I couldn't find anyone." Steve admitted looking confused and a little hurt. "Pepper and Tony are out having a romantic lunch. Clint is hiding in the rafters somewhere. I'm pretty sure Natasha went back to the hellicarrier and Bruce is locked in the lab."
"Oh so I'm the last on the list huh?" I asked pretending to be hurt.
"Wonder, come on it's not-" Steve started to explain when he saw the smile on my face. "You're about as funny as Stark." Steve said pushing me softly.
"Hey! I am way funnier than Stark!" I said pushing him back.
"Sure..." Steve said rolling his eyes as we pushed each other a little. It was more like our hands slapping each other than actually pushing but it made us both laugh.
"Miss Flynn, you asked me to remind you of the time." Jarvis announced breaking up our fight.
"Thanks Jarvis." I sighed standing up. "Sorry Cap, I need to get ready for another class." I sighed softly.
"Oh yeah, sure... sorry I didn't know." Steve said getting up looking a little hurt.
"We can hang tomorrow though." I said with a warm smile as we walked to my door.
"Oh yeah. I mean tomorrow sounds great." Steve admitted looking bummed out.
"Yeah, it's not like today's the most important day in the world. It's only Tuesday." I joked as he walked out into the hall.
"Yeah... just Tuesday." He muttered to himself before looking over to me. "Catch you tomorrow Wonder." He said half heartily.
"Yep." I said waving and closing the door, rushing to get changed.
I rushed to get showered and changed into the dress Pepper had picked out. She had picked everyone's clothes. I looked at myself in the mirror and nodded, she had done a good job. I was in a button up purple dress with short shirt sleeves and matching shoes, the dress came past my knee but not too far. I had tied my hair up and managed to put my fringe into like an Elvis quiff. It looked nice for once.
"This is probably the most girly I've been..." I sighed shaking my head before grabbing clutch. "Jarvis can you ask if they are all ready for me to get Cap?" I asked brushing my skirt down. I felt awkward wearing the dress, I preferred trousers but Pepper had insisted all the women wear dresses.
"Miss Flynn, Mr Stark says they are waiting." Jarvis replied.
"Thanks Jarvis." I said walking out of my room and straight down to Steve's room. I knocked on the door and waited for him to answer. He opened the door and his mouth fell open.
"Hey soldier," I smirked. "I hear that there's this swell little shindig happening down at the gym, and I was wondering if you'd want to join me?" I asked holding my hand out to him.
"Flynn you look amazing." Was the first words from Cap's mouth before he realised what I asked. "Wait what's happening in the gym?" He asked confused. I laughed shaking my head.
"There's a suit in your bedroom, Pepper put it there. Hurry up and get dressed." I smirked with a wink making him rush into his bedroom and cry out when he found the clothes. Ten minutes later he walked out, his hair gelled perfectly, a soldiers uniform on. I had to smile as he held his arm out for me to take. He looked amazing, just like the old G.I's you see in photos.
"Shall we Miss Flynn?" He asked a million dollar smile on his face.
"I'd love to Captain Rodgers." I said taking his arm as we walked down to the gym. I wobbled a little as I walked in the heeled shoes, but I quickly became used to them. Once we walked in the gym Steve stopped dead taking it all in. The place was decked out like an old dance hall, complete with the big brass band. Tony, Bruce and Clint were wearing smart clothes. Tony in a black pin stripe suit, Bruce in a brown one and Clint in a plain black one all suiting the 1940's style, their hair brill creamed to the max. Pepper was wearing a green dress in a similar style to me and Natasha was wearing a black dress. They looked beautiful and quite girly in a way. There were a few people who I presumed knew Steve from the hellicarrier they all talked about. Everyone was smiling at Steve's reaction. It really was worth all the effort.
"Well, what do you think old chap?" Tony asked as the group moved closer to us.
"This is... incredible." Steve said taking it all in, his eyes roamed the whole place, finally landing on his friends in front of him.
"You like it?" Pepper asked hopefully.
"I love it Miss Potts!" Steve said pulling her into a hug, instantly knowing that she had pulled it all together.
"Happy birthday Steve!" Everyone yelled as the big band started to play.
The night went on with a lot of dancing. Something I really wasn't great at. Thankfully Steve let me stand on his feet and moved me around the floor. No one noticed and I was just happy he was having a good time.
"You really like to dance huh?" I asked as the song stopped and we headed to the small bar. Everyone was grabbing a quick drink between the songs.
"Sure do ma'am." Steve beamed. He was like a kid at Christmas.
"I'm just glad you're having a great time!" Pepper smiled hugging his arm a little.
"Thank you guys." Steve beamed finishing his drink as the band started up again. "I haven't heard this one in years!" He cried out, his whole face lighting up. I noticed one of the women watching Steve. She looked too shy to come over and ask him to dance, she had been watching us all night. I tugged on Steve's arm making him look over to me.
"The brunette over there, I think she wants to dance with you." I said softly, instantly making Steve look around. As soon as he spotted her, a grin crossed his lips.
"You think?" Steve asked looking back at me.
"Oh, yeah, go dance with her." I said pushing him in her direction as Pepper pulled Tony out onto the dance floor.
"Not again Peps..." Tony cried out as he got lost in the sea of people dancing. This left me Natasha, Bruce and Clint at the bar.
"Care to dance Miss Romanov?" Bruce asked holding his hand out to her.
"You dance doctor?" She asked a smile on her lips.
"I've been known to." Bruce answered laughing a little as she took his hand and led them out onto the floor. I turned to Clint and sighed.
"You wanna dance, or are you going to leave me feeling like the ugly girl at the prom?" I asked with a smirk on my lips. Clint lent on the bar thinking about it for a few seconds. "You're dancing with me." I said dryly taking his hand as he chuckled.
"I'm pretty sure I'm meant to ask you." Clint joked as we got to the dance floor. I could already see Pepper and Tony getting close, Steve and the brunette laughing and Natasha looking impressed at Bruce. I turned back to Clint and shrugged.
"I'm a forward thinker." I joked as he put his hands on my hips and I rested my arms on his shoulders. Clint was the right height to dance with, he wasn't as tall as the other guys, which meant I didn't need to go on my tip toes. We swayed to the music and I sighed moving closer, resting my head on his chest. I felt Clint stiffen for a second before relaxing into it more. The music was nice enough, not really my kind of music, but I enjoyed being in Clint's arms swaying to the beat. I closed my eyes and pretended just for a few minutes that my life wasn't so complicated and that I was really in the 1940's dancing with Clint. It wasn't until I felt the breeze of people moving past me that I realised the music had stopped. I pulled away and gave Clint a warm smile.
"See wasn't that bad, was it?" I asked walking away before he could answer. My heart was racing and I was pretty sure I was blushing. I didn't want Clint to see me like that. We let the other guests give Steve their presents and then waited for them to leave before it was our turn. I had noticed the brunette had given Steve her number asking her to call him soon. I smirked knowing, he was blushing brighter then the red on Ironman's suit. We all gathered around as Steve unwrapped several different gifts. Bruce had bought him the collective works of The Glenn Miller Band, which had earned him a man size hug from Steve. Tony and Pepper had bought him a ton of movies from the time, some Steve had seen, most he hadn't. Tony had even admitted a few were classics by his taste. Natasha had bought him an old style record player for the few records he had with him. Clint bought him a new set of work out weights, commenting that his others were too old to use and should be in a museum. It was my turn and I felt such a cop out. I brought the canvas out from behind the bar.
"Wow do I feel lame now." I joked passing him the canvas. Steve carefully pulled the wrapping paper off and held the picture up. He didn't say anything for quiet a while, studying it. I felt my heart drop realising the picture really was just that rubbish. "I can get you something else, when Fury actually allows me to leave." I said sadly. Steve turned to picture for everyone else to see and they were silent.
"Flynn, it's beautiful." Pepper said breaking the silence. She was beaming at me.
"It's not, I mean there are so many floors in it." I said pointing to the picture.
"I don't see any." Bruce said smiling at me.
"Really? I mean look at the shading there." I said pointing to his hat.
"Flynn, it's perfect." Steve said putting it down and pulling me into a hug. "Thank you." He said hugging me.
"I'm just glad you like it Cap. I signed it for you too. Just in case I was a famous artist before all this." I half joked as he took a step back and smiled at all his presents.
"This has been the best birthday I have ever had. Honestly." Steve smiled at all of us. None of us could say anything to him because he was beaming like a child. He was just so happy with everything that it made us feel great.
We all went to bed around 3 in the morning and I was actually feeling tired. As everyone peeled away one by one it left me and Clint walking to our rooms.
"He really did look happy." I smiled pulling my hair loose and shaking it.
"Yeah, and Pepper did an great job with the clothes." Clint admitted looking down at the floor.
"You don't look half bad you know." I teased walking and taking the shoes off at the same time. "I have no idea how Pepper and Natasha danced in these.. urgh they killed my feet." I joked holding the shoes in my hand.
"I think you danced pretty well." Clint offered with a shrug.
"You weren't so bad either." I replied with a smile as we reached our rooms.
"You know," Clint said turning to face me as we stood in the hall. "If you wanna go for a drink some time. Out, of here I mean. I could go with you."
"Are you asking me out?" I asked arching an eyebrow.
"I guess I am." Clint said thinking about it.
"But Fury said I wasn't allowed out." I said softly, leaning on my door.
"I could sweet talk him." Clint admitted with a smirk.
"I bet you could." I smiled as Clint moved to stand just in front of me.
"You know, I can do more than sweet talk." He said softly looking into my eyes.
"Really?" I asked feeling my heart race.
"Much more." Clint said leaning down, his breath on my skin sending shivers down my spine. My eyes were locked on his and I saw them change from the grey to green, it made my heart flutter seeing the change happen. "Like knowing when I've drunk too much and should really sleep it off." Clint said pulling away and placing a light kiss on my cheek. "Good night Flynn." He said wondering back to his side of the hall.
"Good night Agent Barton, thanks for the dance." I smiled before walking into my room. I slid down my door onto the floor as my heart raced and my legs felt like jelly. I couldn't believe how close I was to kissing Clint. Maybe he isn't with Natasha like that? Twice he went to kiss you now Flynn! Twice! People don't make the same mistakes twice. Oh god what would it be like to feel those lush lips on mine? Have his hands pulled me close and make me feel completely safe within his arms... I let out a happy sigh, pulling myself onto my feet and making my way over to my bed.
Hope you all enjoyed it, please review and let me know what you all think!