Chapter 9

What he remembers!

The Avengers and fury were standing in Clint's room "Do you remember anything" Fury asked. Clint's mind took him back to the room, the pain, the beating, he closed his eyes and felt it all again. His voice cracked "I remember everything sir" Phil put his hand on Clint's good shoulder and casually rubbed, trying to sooth him.

Kate walked in stopping short of the bed "Any chance I can check on my patient" she laughed smiling at Coulson.

The team stepped out of the room leaving Kate and Clint alone.

"He's been here every night you know" Kate said "He really cares" As much as Clint knew this, his mind kept jumping back to that room. He winced at the memories "Did I hurt you?" She asked, he flicked open his eyes as a tear ran down his cheek "No, I…I just can't stop thinking about it" she saw the pain sweep across his face "How am I supposed to go back to normal?"

At that moment Phil stood at the door grinning "Can I have him back yet Kate" He beamed

She turned to Clint " It takes time, try and talk to someone" She said turning back to Phil "he's all yours but be gentle"

"Got it Doc" he smiled like a schoolboy as she left the room, walking over to Clint and kissing him on the forehead. Phil felt so much better, he had showered and was wearing clothes he had stolen from Clint's bag. " You scared me there babe" he let out a chuckle "How are you? Do you need anything?"

Clint shifted in his hospital bed "You know me, always getting in scraps heh…I'm fine….I just feel groggy by the way nice clothes!" he looked around. 'How do I got back to this' Clint thought

Phil ran his hand through the archers hair pulling him in for a kiss, hearing Clint's heart rate monitor race made him smile " Don't worry I can be your at home nurse" Phil winked.

Clint let out a half assed smile, he just wanted to be alone or talk to Tasha about how she deals with it. He couldn't help but shake the feeling of guilt he should of tried harder to escape…to save the others agents. His back began to ache when his brain flashed him back to that room, the pain of the lashing and then the feeling of the knife cutting into his skin. He rolled on his side turning his back to Phil and started crying.

"Clint? Babe?" Phil was worried "What's wrong? Talk to me please"

"I…I need rest" Clint said hoping Phil would understand.

Phil was crushed, he felt like he got Clint back only to loose him, but he knew it would be best to leave him. "I'll be here when you need to talk" His voice cracked "I'll go"

As Phil left the room Clint broke down, his life could never be easy…maybe he just wasn't cut out for relationships.

"Hey Kate" Phil caught up with the nurse in the hall "Is there anyway I can see Agent Barton's file, I need details on the injuries he sustained" Kate just looked up at Phil blankly.

"Uh…yea sure, Just remember Phil sometimes the brain needs to heal along with the body" She handed over the file "He's been through a lot"

"Thanks" Phil headed to the bunks 'what did she mean by that' he thought 'Did he talk to her? And not me…' he felt a wave of jealousy hit him like a brick wall as he opened the file.

Patient: Clint 'Hawkeye' Barton

Status: Active

Height: 5'10

Weight: 176 lbs

Past Heath Issues: Multiple arm and back injuries, Scar tissue on chest from past wounds.

Injuries Sustained: Multiple lacerations to the back and arms, lashing welts on the back, dislocated shoulder and wrist, deep laceration on chest, broken left foot

Notes: Agent has clearly been attacked, he has also been treated for severe dehydration and should have therapy for his shoulder and to deal with the events once healed.

ICE Contact: Agent Phillip Coulson

Phil couldn't believe how broken his hawk was, all he wanted to do was comfort him, but he knew he wanted to be alone. Phil decided to talk a walk and saw Kate smoking outside.

"Here's the file" he said handing it back to her "I…I didn't realize all that had happened" she reluctantly smiled " I wasn't lying when I said he was strong Phil" she stubbed out her cigarette. "Just take it slow, no one knows how its effected his mind, Want me to go check on him?"

"Please " He smiled

As she walked away he took out his phone and gave Natasha a call, maybe she could help him understand.

"Phil? Everything okay?" Tasha groggily asked "I can't come and help as I'm still waiting to get signed off"

"That's not why I'm calling" Phil took a deep breath and explained everything to her.

Kate headed into Clint's room "Hey Agent Barton, how are you feeling?"

Clint wiped his face "Fine Doc, Just trying to wrap my head around everything" he tried sitting up but flinched from the pain "Is he upset?"

"He just needs to wrap his head around it and understand" she said checking his bandages "I don't think they realize what you went through"

Clint sighed "I wish I could have saved the others" the guilt was eating away at him

"Me too Barton…me too" she headed for the door hoping not to show her emotion.

"With Banner not remembering anything we have no idea what Clint went through back there but as we have the weapons back and the people we can get out of this god forsaken place and get him on the mend" Stark started packing his files.

"I'm guessing we will not be seeing him fight along side us any time soon" Cap stated " guess he will finally get his vacation"

Clint had finally drifted to sleep, the minute his eyes closed his body broke out into sweats and he was back in the room, Bruce was holding the archers foot and bending it the wrong way until it broke, he let out a blood curdling scream that came out of his throat and filled the ICU room as he slept, Coulson who had taken his seat back outside the room rushed in.

"Clint?! Clint?!" Phil tried waking up the archer gently but the scream persisted "Clint, its just a dream" he kept repeating it until Clint's eyes flew open. The bed was covered in sweat he was shaking. " Clint…baby, I'm here It was just a dream" he stroked his face trying to bring him back into the room.

"I…I…can't stop Phil" he cried "I don't want to go back"

"Shhhh Clint, you don't have to…I'm here I will keep you safe" he looked down at the broken man, he wanted to hug him but he was afraid to hurt him. He sat on the bed next to Clint leaning back letting Clint's head rest on his chest.

"I wish I could forget Phil" he looked up at him "Can we go home now?" Phil chuckled "of course we can baby"

Clint drifted back to sleep listening to the familiar beats of Phil's heart.