Author's note: Im sorry for such a long wait and such a short chapter. I promise a much longer chapter next time. I hope you enjoy!
Clint managed to make the trip home in three days instead of four. It was past nine before he reached Stark tower on the third day and the moon was already in the sky. As he put his truck into park in the garage he grabbed his phone off of the dashboard ad called Pepper.
"Hello." She said, picking up on the third ring.
"Pepper, its Clint." He said leaning his head back against the leather seat.
"Where are you?" she asked sternly, she had promised to send someone after him if he hadn't returned in a decent amount of time.
"I'm um, I'm in the garage." He answered with a sigh.
There was a pause, "Good." She said sounding relieved.
"I'll see you in a minute." Clint said hanging up the phone and throwing open the door.
The inside of Stark Tower was dimly lit; it was a Wednesday night so Clint figured that most of them team went to be early or were just hanging out separately. It didn't take long for Clint to run into Pepper as he walked past the kitchen.
"Clint."
He turned swiftly to see Pepper leaning against the counter; she had obviously been waiting for him. "Pepper."
"It took you long enough to come back." She scuffed.
Clint hung his head, "I know."
Pepper hugged him briefly, "Leaving like that wasn't your smartest decision." She stated.
"I know." He repeated, wiping his face. He was exhausted. Pepper touched his shoulder and left him to his own devices. Clint headed to his room first, changing into a black shirt and a pair of pants. He ran his hands roughly through his hair and went to look for Natasha.
He checked her room first and then the living room, it wasn't surprising that she wasn't there but Clint was subconsciously stalling. He knew where she was. The balcony doors were open and he stood outside for a minute. Her hair was wet and he could smell her soap, freshly showered and standing out in the wind. Her shirt hung loosely, probably a size to big. She wore shorts and brace around her left ankle.
"I know you're there Clint." Natasha said without turning around.
Clint let out a sigh and walked outside, shutting the balcony doors behind him. He went and stood next to her by the railing; looking out at the brightly lit horizon, nowhere near close to knowing what to say. "Look Natasha," He started but she cut him off quickly.
"What were you thinking Clint?" She asked, obviously mad, "We are partners. That means we stick together no matter what!"
Clint hung his head, "I know Natasha but I couldn't" she cut him off again.
"YOU COULDN'T HANDLE IT? I was attacked from behind and left for dead and YOU couldn't handle it?" He could see her hands balled into tight fists at her side; he wished she would hit him because any thing was better than this. "I read that note you left and I talked to Pepper. You really think what happened to me is your fault Clint?" She asked her voice was getting quieter and that somehow made him feel even worse.
Clint shrugged his shoulders.
"Wow, you are really full of yourself aren't you? Clint, we are assassins. It's our job to put our lives on the line and sometimes people get hurt. That's the way it works." Natasha said, her green eyes filled with fury.
Clint felt like punching the wall, "Look Natasha, I wish I could explain myself I really do but I don't know what has gotten into me. I haven't been myself lately and I deserve this, I deserve so much worse than this and I'm sorry. You're right, we are partners, and partners stick together. I should never have run off like that. I'm sorry." He apologized sincerely, looking up into Natasha's eyes. He could tell there was something she wasn't saying, "What?"
Tasha shook her head, "Nothing."
Then the balcony doors flew open, Steve looked as if he had been running, "Headquarters now." He commanded.
Clint reacted on instinct, he wasn't getting his answer tonight but he might get a battle, which was the next best thing.
