Author's note: I'm sorry this update took so long. Band camp started this week and it's been hard to find time to write. Thanks to Genoa for helping me out on this chapter!
Clint stared at himself in the bathroom mirror back at the base; finally alone. He felt like crying but just looked silently at his reflection. He almost punched the mirror but the stabbing pain from his already broke knuckle stopped him, so instead he kicked the doorframe oh his way out of the bathroom. The assassin sat on the bed and grabbed his phone off the nightstand. The screen lit up alerting him first of the message he still needed to check. It was from the day after he had left Montana. He pressed play and held the phone up to his ear.
"Hey Clint," Joey's voice deepened the pit in Clint's stomach, "I have decided to take my own advice. I'm gonna head back home to Jersey to see my sister and talk things out. It was nice seeing you again." His friend's voice faded and there was a beep.
Clint set the phone down on the bed and stared at the floor for the longest time. Joey had been at faults with his sister ever since they were kids and Joey ran off to Montana to live with their dad. That's how Clint recognized the name Flemington, from all those time Joey got drunk and decided to tell embarrassing stories about high school.
Clint balled his hands into fists at his side, ignoring the pain from his wrapped hand. He couldn't just sit around and do nothing and Coulson sure as hell wasn't letting him back out with the team injured. Clint stood up and threw his quiver back on over his shoulder and picked up his bow. He opened the door and glanced down the hall, making sure not to get caught by any of his team, and headed for the exit.
He headed to the west side of the base, knowing Coulson and the team would more than likely be in the briefing room or the lab on the east side. Clint kept his injured hand in his pocket as he passed by other S.H.I.E.L.D agents, he had authority over them but if they knew he was heading out injured they would report him to Coulson and he would be stuffed in a locked room. He made it to an exit without conflict, jogging towards the door.
"Where do you think you're going?" A hard voice asked from behind as he reached for the door handle.
Clint turned around and was surprised to see Natasha standing in front of him with her arms crossed across her chest. "I have something to take care of." He said flatly.
"Really?" Tasha asked raising an eyebrow.
Clint nodded his head.
"Are you seriously that stupid?" Natasha asked stepping closer to him, within his reach.
Clint didn't reply.
"You're going out to find them aren't you?" Natasha asked glaring at Clint, "You realize this is suicide right? You can't shoot with a broken knuckle and you are heading into a mine field, by yourself, without even telling anyone!" His partner yelled.
"WHAT ELSE AM I SUPPOSED TO DO?" Clint screamed, "Joey was my best friend. He came up here to set things right with his sister. They killed him Natasha, he died in my arms. I can't just let that go. Plus, it's not like I have anything to live –" Clint's sentence was cut off by Natasha's lips slamming against his.
The kiss was over as fast as it started, Natasha pulled back and looked at her feet. "Don't say that." She whispered.
Clint picked her up by the waste and pushed her back against the wall, bringing his lips down on hers. The kiss was fueled by anger and at first Natasha just stood frozen until she relaxed and kissed Clint back, tangling her fingers in his blonde hair. They stayed locked together until Clint pulled back for air. He brushed Natasha's cheek gently with the knuckles that weren't broken.
"If you're going at least let me go with you." Natasha requested quietly.
"No. That's not happening." Clint said shaking his head.
Natasha sighed, "Fine then you can't go."
Clint went to protest but someone cleared their throat behind him, making Clint jump back from Natasha, unpinning her from the wall.
"We uh, Banner found something in the lab." Tony coughed, he looked quilty.
"Well then, what are we still standing here for?" Natasha asked unphased as she sauntered past Stark.
Tony turned around to follow Natasha and paused when Clint didn't follow him, "You coming bird brains?"
Clint sighed and picked his bow up from the floor, at least Stark was back to calling him stupid nicknames, "Yeah." He said jogging to catch up with Tony. Stark clapped him on the shoulder and they headed for the lab.