Hello everyone!
Thank you so much for the follows, favourites and reviews, it means the world to me.
This chapter is sort of filler and a little short but I hope you like it.

Signing in italics


Morning runs became sort of a routine for me.

Six am start every morning. Leg attachment. Make coffee, watch whatever is on TV and then head out for my run. I didn't have a particular route, I just liked to make it up as I went along. Today was bright and vibrant, and a good day to take my run into Central Park to take in the luscious surroundings. The green trees just blooming for the start of summer, the early birds getting there coffee before starting work and the smell of due on the ground still faint.

I'd been lightly jogging for fifteen minutes before I was faintly tapped on the shoulder. I turned my head while maintain my speed to see who the hand belonged to, and there he was a mass of blonde hair, a cheeky grin and a cheerful dog trotting by his side, Clint Barton.

I'd been friends with Clint for a long time, almost a year in fact. We had met through my branch of Made of Iron in Shield, after a mission had gone bad and Clint had lost 80% of his hearing. As I was much in the same boat as him with my own hearing, and we worked closely together through his rehabilitation. I had personally made him his own hearing aids, we taught each other sign language and on occasion, went out for dinner. We were by no means involved in a romantic way, we just enjoyed each others company and had the same taste in food. No big deal.

I gave him a small smile and waved hello. He nodded in return and kept my pace.
"Hello Lucky." I greeted the dog at his side, receiving a quiet panted bark in return.
Lucky, from what Clint had told me, used to belong to some horrible people. He was walking home one night and witnessed a man throwing the dog into the street, where is was almost instantly hit by a New York taxi. Clint's heart went out to the poor thing. After taking him to the vet, Clint decided the dog needed a home, a better one than it had with those spiteful people. Lucky had survived the accident with all but his left eye. Despite all that dog had gone through it was still the most loyal and friendly dog you'd ever encounter.

After another twenty minutes of our run, I decided to call it a day. I hit Clint on his arm gently to get his attention.
"Coffee." I signed.

He nodded, a little out of breath as we made out way to the kiosk set up in the middle of the Park.

We took a seat on one of the near by benches and sipped our coffees gratefully.
"So I hear Fury wants to make you an agent." Clint spoke up.

I stopped drinking my coffee mid-sip and eyed him curiously, "How did you know? I thought everything was confidential in Shield."

"Relax darlin' Fury asked Nat and I to train you if you took the job." He said gulping his coffee down.

I fiddled with my coffee. I've had plenty of time to mull over my decision since my meeting with Fury yesterday. Even though it was a huge opportunity I still had my doubts about it.

"What do you think I should do Clint?" I asked him with uncertainty weighing heavy on my voice.

"I think it's a bad idea." his eyes locked with mine, I didn't imagine him to be his honest with me about it, "What if we are on a mission and I get shot because I can't stop staring at your fine ass." he smirked.

I hit him playfully on the arm which earned a chuckle from him.

"You know you're old enough to be my father Barton." I replied sternly.

"Hey, I thought you had a thing for older guys? C'mon, if Captain America was alive now he must be 90 give or take a year." he grinned cheekily. Could I get through one day without being teased about my crush.

"Jac, I think its a big step for you to become an agent and its a hard job to do. You've seen how rough it can get and the aftermath of it all." he paused to face me head on, "but Coulson, Nat and I all think you're perfectly capable of doing this. You're one of the best people I know and one of the finest soldiers to have served and I think you'd make a great agent."

I smiled widely at him and pulled him into an awkward hug while we were still seated on the bench.

When we pulled away, we held each others gazes for a moment.
"Thank you."
"Pleasure darling"

We finished our coffees and strolled through the park. We both had nothing to do or anywhere to be today so we took our time and enjoyed the walk in a comfortable silence. The silence was monumentally broken by "Ironman" by Black Sabbath ringing from my back pocket.

I hadn't seen my Dad in a month and this weekend was all mine to travel coast to coast to visit him and I had a feeling it was going to be cut short.

"Hey old man, what's up?" I answered the phone with a faint smile.

"Enough with the old man, respect your elders missy!" Dad retorted in his "father authority" voice.

"So you admit you're an old man, old man?" I smirked, knowing I'd won.

"How did I raise such a disrespectful delinquent?" he joked.

"I learn from the best, Dad." I chuckled, "Are you okay? We still good for the weekend?"

"That's actually the reason I'm calling baby, I'm attending in the Monaco Grand Prix this week and wont be back until late Sunday. But I'll still see you the week after? Don't tell me you've forgotten your old man's birthday?" Although I was disappointed, my dad could always big my hopes up in other ways and never failed to make me laugh.

"Fine, enjoy your fast cars and supermodels. I'm sure I can find something else to do." I replied with a sad smile that I was grateful my Dad couldn't see. I could see Clint looking at me out of the corner of my eye. He was deaf by all means, and could only really communicate through reading lips or sign language, he couldn't hear my conversation that had left me bummed out but, he could see I was upset. He put his arm around my shoulders and have me a squeeze.

"I have something for you as well when you get here. Think of it as an early birthday present." he replied.

"My birthday isn't for two months Dad, what's the rush?"

"Oh well... you know... you never know what life deals you. I promise you'll love it and I hope it makes up for this weekend. I'm sorry Jac."

"It's okay, it can't be helped. I need to tell you something when I see you as well. More of asking for some of your fatherly wisdom." I smirked.

"Best ask Pepper for that, you know wisdom isn't my area." he replied sarcastically making me chuckle.

"Whatever it is baby, I'm here. I'll see you when I get home. Love you."

"Love you too, bye." I hung up the phone and put it back in my pocket.

Clint's arm was still on my shoulders. I leaned into his chest my head resting on the crook of his neck while his other arm pulled me into a bear hug I sorely needed. I wrapped my arms around his waist and signed frustrated.

"Stark's a bit of jet-setter isn't he?" he asked pulling me away from the friendly embrace.

"Not really, he just does things without thinking sometimes. Typical Tony Stark." I shrugged.

"Drinks?"
"Morning still, you drunk. Later."
"Ok, J."


I woke up the next morning, blinking my way through my fuzzy vision and throbbing head ache. I took in my surroundings and realised I wasn't in my bed or even my apartment.

"Oh god what did I do." I grimaced.

I looked down. Clothes still on. Good.

Leg still attached, that's going to be sore tonight when I detach it I grunted.
Breath stinks of rum.
I was out last night and was very drunk. That's the first part figured out, now where was I?

Just as soon as I thought that question a golden haired, one eyed dog came running through the bedroom door. Oh god, I'm in Clint's apartment. In his bed. What the hell happened?
I walked through the small apartment to the kitchen hoping to find a bottle of water to sort out my dehydration. Closing the fridge I discovered a note left for me.

"Hey J.
I've gone away for a few days, Shield business.
You said you'd take care of Lucky until I get back."

"I was very drunk Clint, I probably agreed to anything." I sighed frustrated.

"You were drunk so I brought you here.
Don't worry, I slept on the couch.
Food and lead for him are by the door.
I'll be back in three days, call you if longer.
Thanks Jac.
C x"

"Looks like its you and me, mate." I grinned at the happy Labrador who barked in reply.
Made of Iron was in good hands and what with Fury waiting for my reply, I bagged myself a couple of weeks, Shield free. Although I enjoyed being alone most of the time, it would be nice to have some company.

Once I'd gathered my things and got Lucky downstairs, I called a cab to take me from Clint's apartment in Brooklyn to mine in Manhattan. In the cab I was very much alone with my thoughts.
What would be my Dads response to me joining Shield? What was this surprise he wanted to show me? Would I be a good agent or would I just fail and take everyone down with me?

For two years, I'd had trouble sleeping without having vivid nightmares of my tour, my leg being taken away, my mother dying, Dad being kidnapped and Obadiah shooting me. My physician said I was able to go back to active duty and that I was both physically and mentally ready, but I was still uncertain I could cope with the job mentally.

Lucky rested his head on my lap, I smiled widely at the affection he gave me. I petted his head softly and rested my own against the cab seat. For the next few days, I wasn't going to think or worry about this decision, I was just going to look after my friends dog. Whatever comes my way I'll be ready for it. After all, Stark's were made of strong stuff, made of iron.


I hope you all liked Clint, I wanted to include him and his hearing loss into the story so Jac will have more ties to The Avengers when I write it. Plus aren't they so cute? Don't worry they are just friends! lol
What could the surprise be that Tony has for her?
I'll try and update soon! Hope you all liked it!