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Title: Out of the frying pan...
author: Cindy Ryan
timeline: premovie
A buzzing insect woke Natasha. She automatically moved to swat the annoyance away with her right hand and gasped as pain shot through her shoulder and collar bone. The Black Widow opened her eyes and looked down to see her right arm limp; she hadn't actually moved it. From the intense, knock you out pain Natasha diagnosed a dislocated shoulder. Not the worst injury she'd ever had but inconvenient in their current situation. She needed both arms; especially if S.H.I.E.L.D hadn't received their distress signal.
Blinking to clear the pain and the cobwebs from her mind sat still for a moment. Once the pain ebbed to a dull roar she took stock of her injuries. As she did the memories became clearer. Natasha remembered the crash vividly. Natasha turned to her right to check on Clint once satisfied that a cut on her forehead and the shoulder were her only injuries. Her partner was slack in his seat; his head lolled to the left. small cuts on his face and neck and a couple nasty bruises starting to form on his forearms were the only visible injuries Natasha could see from where she was. Another insect buzzed by and the Black Widow swatted at it with her good arm. Of all places they had to crash in a swamp.
"Clint?"Natasha called concern in her voice.
No response.
Taking a deep breath against the inevitable pain standing would bring to her shoulder Natasha unbuckled her safety straps and stood. The plane spun for just a second as black spots danced in front of her vision. She gritted her teeth and blocked out the pain. There was no time for it...Clint needed her. Once the dizziness subsided the Black Widow moved the couple feet to the pilot's seat and knelt slowly down. Her fingers reached for Clint's neck searching for a pulse. Natasha let out a relieved breath when she found a strong one.
Placing her left hand on Clint's left cheek she lightly slapped. A moan was her reward and Natasha did it once more.
"Clint, come on. Nap time's over."Natasha stated with a grim smile.
Finally blue grey eyes blinked groggily open. He stared at her disoriented for half a minute before sitting straight up. Natasha placed her good arm on his left shoulder easing Clint back.
"Easy."Romanoff cautioned.
"Where are we?"Clint asked hoarsely.
"Probably an hour outside of our takeoff point."Natasha theorized. "We weren't in the air very long before the crash."
"Engine failed."Clint added. "Don't think it was a natural occurrence. Somebody wasn't happy with us being in Thailand."
"Moot point now."Natasha responded. "How bad are you hurt?"
Clint shook his head and winced. "Broken rib, concussion, broken right ankle. Feet are pinned hard to tell."
Natasha looked in the back of the plane and found a broke piece of door from the storage compartment. She awkwardly carried it back to the front and placed it under the console that was trapping her partner.
"I'm going to need your help."Natasha stated. "My right shoulder's dislocated can't use it."
"Understood."Barton affirmed as he helped Natasha position the piece of door."On three?"
"One, two..."Natasha began the countdown and leaned on the metal. "Three."
Clint groaned in effort finally there was a screech of metal and Hawkeye was able to free his feet. He unstrapped the safety straps and swung his feet around to the side of the chair facing Natasha. His boots were scratched but no tears or dents.
"Can you wiggle your toes?"Natasha asked.
Clint grimaced. "Right ankle is toast but can wiggle all ten toes."
"Good."Natasha responded with relief. "Now what's the plan for getting out of here?"
"Flight panel's completely dead."Barton reported. "If the backup generator isn't damaged maybe we can get enough juice to try a distress signal."
Natasha nodded and moved to the back of the plane. A plan was always a good thing even if the odds of it being successful were against them. But then they'd been in worst situations and made luck turn on their side. They'd survive some how; they always did.