Chapter 9 There was much celebration on the blacktop when Clint appeared less than an hour later. He was still clinging to Natasha when the medics arrived to check up on Nat. She was fine, other than some scrapes from the attack, and severely traumatized. The drive home in the jeep was long and quiet. When they pulled into the driveway of Clint's house, he was the first to speak. "Nat? You ok? You know what, that was a stupid question. You're not. Do you want to um, talk about it or some-" he was cut off by her lips on his. "I thought you would never come to get me." She had tears down her face. " I thought I was lost forever." This was the type of pain that she couldn't stick a bandaid on and say 'it'll be better in the morning'. "What happened Nat? Tell me, please." Clint was almost crying, seeing her in such pain. "I saw you fall and... I was so distracted that he drugged me and just...left. Took me to that void thing and I was like a puppet. I was ... So alone." She couldn't look at him. "Did he... Like he said about... Bed?" Clint was nervous to ask this question. "No, that was the only thing I was glad about, was he had promised me he wouldn't." She looked at him with a look of fear. "Clint, I think he actually loved me." "No, no he didn't, he wanted to use you as a puppet, not a human. He didn't love you." He held her closer. He. Didn't. Love. Her. Inside the house, Nat went to take a shower. Clint could hear the water from the kitchen where he was sitting. Clint stood, shirt half undone, and walked into the bathroom. Nat had a towel around her waist and her hair, facing away from him. "Come to collect your prize for saving me, my knight?" She hardly turned her face when she spoke. He walked to her, holding her by the waist. "Yes,if that's fine with her majesty." He kissed her softly on the neck. "Of course, for you." He kissed her harder, hands drifting to her chest. Son they were sprawled on the bed, in a strange and passionate dance, both struggling for dominance. Soft touches became scratches, whispers became screams and all was passionate and lovely. Natasha's head was spinning with glee and joy as Clint was the best partner she had had. The night concluded with them entangled in each others arms, still nude, kissing softly until, they fell asleep. And all was well in the Barton household.