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Title: Scorned
author: Cindy Ryan
pairings: Clint/Natasha
timeline: future AU picket fences universe
Natasha found herself airborne after the first assault on Thor. She twisted her body trying to rely on the gymnastic skills that had served her so well in the past. However retirement, motherhood and age had softened her muscles. They weren't reacting like they should be. The flip in mid-air attempt failed miserably and the Black Widow tumbled hard to the cement sidewalk.
"Natasha."Thor began hammer still raised.
Dazed Natasha forced herself to her feet. She heard the concern in Thor's voice and knew he was worried that he had hurt her. She'd have several scrapes and bruises would appear later but nothing she hadn't dealt with before.
"You're going to have to do better than that."The Black Widow replied raising her hands once again to a fighting stance.
"The others will save your husband."Thor stated firmly. "You must have faith in them."
Natasha shook her head. "There's too much at stake."
Thor nodded. "You feel it is your duty to protect your family. The Avengers as a family also share that duty. You know this, Natasha. We have always taken care of our own."
"Heads up, Point Break."IronMan warned over the team's radio. "Jarvis has indicated two planes headed our way. Their markings make them registered to Melton. Get the stubborn spider to safety. Whatever Melton's endgame is it's coming."
"Understood."The DemiGod acknowledged crisply.
"What is it?"Romanoff-Barton asked worriedly.
"We must leave, now."Thor ordered as he strode forward grabbing Natasha by the right arm
Something in the prince's tone told Natasha that arguing now was not a good idea. All she could do now was pray that she and Clint's karma had finally gotten in the black.
Even with it being just the two of them Steve and Tony were turning the battle in their favor. Half of Melton's henchmen were dead or unconscious. That left a manageable number or at least manageable to the Avengers. Cutting the number in half only fueled Steve's determination. He wanted this battle done with. More than that he wanted his friends and family safe. Tossing out his shield once more Steve ducked and rolled. The weapon that seemed simple to some took out three more of Melton's men before returning to Rogers's hand.
"Tony?"Steve called over the radio.
"Little busy, old man."Stark replied.
Captain America winced at the over used nickname. "Was just wondering if you had something up your sleeve that you hadn't told us about that might speed things up a bit?"
"I'm hurt that you would think I would keep secrets from my team."Stark retorted as he sent several henchmen scurrying with a few well placed laser blasts.
"I worry when you don't."Steve countered as he dodged a round of gunfire.
"Funny, Stars and Stripes."IronMan muttered sarcastically as he hovered thirty feet above the ground.
"Well, do you?"Rogers demanded as he sent his shield flying.
"Of course I do."Tony snapped. "I just don't have the power left to use that particular trick."
"When has that stopped you?"Steve responded as he got to his feet once more.
"Point."Tony acknowledged grudgingly. "Jarvis give me the numbers."
It was easy for Hawkeye to catch up to Melton. A little too easy. They had moved away from the main part of the national mall tracking to the north east. The crime boss was still by himself. He hadn't called in any bodyguards. From where he was now even with the distance Clint had a clear shot; a kill shot. Revenge would be his. There would be no need for a trial; no chance for Melton to escape and terrorize anyone ever again. His family would be safe...Nat's only tears would be ones of happiness.
Clint's finger was on the trigger when he heard the planes. Risking a glance away from his target he saw two dark blue medium sized jets. He refocused his attention on Melton only to find the crime boss had stopped. The planes were his; Clint realized. Part of Melton's escape plan. As Clint drew closer coming out in the open the jets were also stopping. They hovered above and behind Melton like two attack dogs waiting for orders. The ground vibrated slightly beneath Hawkeye's feet from the jet's engines. He tightened his grip on the gun and aimed once again at Melton.
"Melton, call them off."Clint ordered sharply. "It's over."
The crime boss laughed as he turned to face Hawkeye. "Is it now? I beg to differ."
Clint walked forward until he was within twenty feet. "Call them off. You'll be dead as soon as you give whatever orders you have in mind."
"What do you think these planes are capable of, Hawkeye?"Melton asked.
"I bet it's how you got my son out of Captain America's home."Barton answered.
"You get a gold star.. These are equipped with a sound dampening device I acquired."Melton stated gleefully. "There's also several other toys that even your Tony Stark might be jealous of."
Clint felt his stomach churn at the prospects of the weaponry that could be on board. Before Hawkeye could react a third jet decloaked from behind and above the others. It zoomed to the right and to the south. Back the way Clint had come...back to the battle...to his friends.
"Melton!"Barton roared as he fired.
The bullets bounced harmlessly off a shimmering forcefield that projected down from the left jet and surrounded the crime boss.
"I would have enjoyed torturing you till your pain limits evolved."Melton began. "However, I think my plan B is going to be much more fun. You have taken away everything from me, Hawkeye. My family, my business, my freedom. Now I shall begin to return the favor."
Knowing it was probably a futile effort but Clint still had to try. He aimed the gun higher toward the jet that was to the right of Melton. He fired at it's engines. The bullets reacted the same and Clint threw the gun aside. Time for his backup plan.
All the data on Tony's screens suddenly disappeared as Jarvis sounded his version of red alert. Stark glanced out the view screen of his helmet and saw all of the remaining henchmen scatter for cover.
"Jarvis?"Tony demanded as he saw Steve run towards him.
"Incoming military jet with markings matching the other planes. Was not on sensors thirty seconds ago."The computer replied.
"How long?"Stark asked even as he poised the inquiry he heard the jet's engines. "Never mind. Steve?"
"We've got incoming!"Rogers stated as he came to a stop looking at the sky. "You have a plan E?"
Ironman grabbed Captain America by the back of his shirt and hoisted him into the air. "Run like hell and hope we can keep them from hitting the monuments."
Steve didn't have a chance to reply as they flew away from the Jefferson memorial at rapid speed. He felt the heat on his back as the missile fired by the jet hit the ground near them.
Natasha was knocked off her feet by the after affects of an explosion. The ground still vibrated under the Black Widow's hands as she looked over at Thor who had landed next to her.
"Are you alright?"The DemiGod asked.
The former assassin was already on her feet her green eyes wide with fear and worry. "We have to go back and help them!"
Thor shook his head sadly. "We can not."
The ground rumbled from another blast and Natasha glared at her friend. "If it was Jane back there would you do nothing?"
Thor sighed and nodded as he lifted his hammer and turned back the way they had come. "Let us hope we are not too late."
Clint scrambled to his feet having been knocked down by the aftershock of the explosion. He fought against the realization that the explosion he felt may have been the death of his friends. Both of them had survived much worse and lived to tell the tale. Hawkeye kept that hope close as he whirled on Melton who was laughing.
"I would never have imagined taking out the great Ironman would be this easy."The crime boss commented. "Guess Stark is getting slow in his old age."
Clint remained silent not rising to the bait.
"Don't believe me I see."Melton acknowledged with a shake of his head. "Understandable. You'll join your friend soon enough."
"I do not think so."Thor stated as he strode forward swinging his hammer rapidly.
Hawkeye watched as Thor rose into the darkening sky. He managed to catapult a bolt of lighting to the left jet. It wasn't a direct hit and the DemiGod was sent flying as sparks flew from whatever defensive shield Melton had around the planes.
"Apparently even Gods can't beat me."Melton said with a wide smile. "Who''s left to come to your aid, Hawkeye?"
"That would be me."Natasha replied as she entered the clearing.
Clint felt his blood run cold as he turned to face his wife. Anger mixed with the terror Hawkeye was feeling. However that anger was at Stark not Nat. How could Tony let her be near the exchange?
"Nat,"Hawkeye began even though he knew she wouldn't listen. "Turn around and go. Please."
The Black Widow ignored her husband and kept her gaze focused on Melton. "I don't know who you are or why you targeted my family. It really doesn't matter because I'm going to kill you."
Melton chuckled as he glanced at Clint."I can see why you chose her as your bride, Hawkeye. She lives up to her reputation."
"Nat, he's protected by an energy field."Clint stated quietly.
"Everything has a weakness."Natasha retorted as she took a step forward.
"As sweet as this reunion is."The crime boss stated. "I really must be going. Even though I had to change my original plan it is fitting that you are here Mrs. Barton. I picked up this new toy I've been dying to try out. This seems like the perfect opportunity."
Every instinct in Clint was screaming at him that he had to protect Nat. That whatever was coming was going to be bad. With no alternative to eliminating the threat Clint focused on his wife; his family. Hawkeye took off at a dead run towards Nat just as Melton hit a button on the side of his watch.
"Can we not cut it so close next time?"Steve asked as he brushed dirt off his suit.
"Then it wouldn't be any fun."Tony countered as they stood on the far side of the reflecting pond.
Melton's jet was sitting nose first in the middle of the water. The pilot having ejected before the crash. The pilot did not escape however since once alerted by Jarvis Tony had used a laser blast to stun the henchman.
"You and I have different definitions of fun."Steve replied as he picked up his shield from where it had fallen.
"Hey, the new invention did what it was supposed to do, didn't it?"Tony commented excitedly as he surveyed the waterlogged jet.
"All I saw was the ground."Rogers muttered.
"I'll leave you with the bad guys next time."Tony responded sarcastically. "The cloaking device on the suit needs a few tweaks but the EM ray laser worked perfectly."
"Tony."Steve interrupted worriedly.
"Jarvis, send all the data to my lab."Tony ordered.
"Already done, Sir."The computer replied.
"Tony, Thor's not answering the com."Captain America stated firmly gaining his friend's attention.
"What?"Tony exclaimed.
"Tried twice."Steve confirmed.
"Jarvis."Stark prompted as he grabbed Steve by the arm and took to the air.
"Thor is not within range of my sensors."Jarvis reported.
"Damn."Ironman swore.
"What is it?"Steve inquired.
"Nothing good."Tony replied darkly.
"Was afraid of that."Steve commented. "I hope they're okay."
"Me too."Stark acknowledged as he pushed the thrusters to their limit.
Thor's head was pounding. He head regained consciousness to find himself on the left bank of a large river. He'd been propelled farther than he expected by the energy field of Melton's plane. Ignoring the pain the demi-God rose to his feet searching for his hammer. He saw it nestled amongst a muddy hill twenty feet away. Thor extended his hand and felt the familiar rush of power as he called the weapon to him. Once the weapon was in hand Thor reached up to activate the radio ear piece. The small device fell from his ear and landed in pieces in his hand. He tossed the useless pieces to the ground.
Instinct was telling Thor that his friends were still in grave danger. He needed to figure out where he was so he could get back to them as quickly as possible. The prince just hoped he would be in time.
