Chapter 14

Faked

The sun rose over a sleepy New York, the Avengers were jumping into action, still one man short.

Clint rolled over pulling Kate closer, and let out a happy sigh. No alarms, no worries, he heard his phone buzzing in his jacket against the table, he really didn't want to leave the comfort of the bed, but he reluctantly got up.

The caller ID was flashing Tony's face, he sighed and picked up.

"Hawkboy" Clint hated being called that "I know your on a mission to keep us wondering if you will be back" he paused as Clint could hear gunshots, Tony let out a painful grunt "Look we really need you right now!" the line went dead.

'Fuck' thought Clint as he grabbed his SHIELD bag that had been collecting dust in his closet, he grabbed the file off of the table, looking back at the Kate, he franticly dialed Phil.

"Clint I'm so.." Clint cut him off before he could even apologize.

"Where are the Avengers Phil?" he sternly asked, "They need my help". Phil was speechless 'I guess Natasha was right'

"LA" Phil responded "Clearly you don't watch the news, come to Stark Tower and I can get you a jet to take you there"

Clint ran to Stark Tower, his back smashing into his side. Jumping into the elevator he started to get in his suit, the doors opened and he shoved the SHIELD file into Phil's hand, "Lets go" he said.

Clint's mind rushed back to the sleeping Kate in his apartment and he fished out his phone to text her.

'Lovely night, SHIELD called omw to LA, make yourself at home :)'

He still felt bad leaving her so quickly.

Phil couldn't help but smile as he kept staring at Clint, 6 months he had been waiting to see that uniform again. It was always tight in the right places which made Phil's insides stir. As the jet landed in what looked like a battle field the back hatch opened, Clint was already on his feet running to his team mates. "Clint, your com" Phil said as he tossed it to him.

"Stark? Anyone? I'm here!" Clint said

"Just in time the prodigal son returns, we need you to take out this guy and his team, your 2 blocks away" Stark said

"Got it" Clint started running towards the battle shooting down any enemies that he could see 'I guess I'm back' he thought.

Clint saw Tasha and Cap fighting on the ground, "Nice of you to join us" Cap said "here is the deal, one guy is creating all this havoc with computer controlled droids, we take him out the droids fall…Simple, if we could get to him" Cap took out 3 droids with his shield " he's up there" Cap pointed up.

"Ill give you a ride Hawkboy" Tony said as he grabbed the collar of Clint's vest and took him to the opposite building, for a hawk he hated flying with Tony!

Phil was in the command base when he realized he never looked at Clint's file. He opened it and his face dropped, nothing was signed the only thing in there was a letter, Phil read it:

Director Fury,

I am doing this simply for my sanity, I still cannot say I am and Avenger after everything that I went through, But I know they are my Family.

I will not sign these forms yet as a member of my team almost killed me, I still need to deal with that.

I need to work out a plan.

You have my number if you need to discuss anything.

Clint Barton

'Why was he here then?' Phil thought. Over the radio Stark was cheering. "I told you Hawkboy could do it, Phil its time to go home it's been and exhausting 24 hours…as Cap would say 'Mission Accomplished'"

The team was battered and bruised as they walked on the jet, Tasha and Clint slumped down in the seats and Cap and Bruce joined them on the opposite side of the jet. Exhausted Tasha looked at Clint "Welcome back Hawkeye" she rested her head on his shoulder.

Clint just let out a sigh 'Was this worth it' he thought as he felt his phone ringing in his vest.

Kate was pacing, why was she so worried, he can look after himself… Clint finally answered.

"Kate?! Everything okay?" he asked

'Fuck' she thought 'I thought he wouldn't pick up'

"Oh hey Clint" she said nervously "Sorry I shouldn't of called, I know your busy" she felt her stomach knotting up.

"Don't be silly, I'll be home soon and I expect you to be there as I want to cook you dinner!" Phil shot a look at Clint as he thought 'why not me!'

Kate practically had a heart attack "I'll be here" you could hear the smile in her face "See you soon"

"So you're not celebrating the win with your team?" Phil was trying not to raise his voice in anger

Clint just shot Phil a look "Well as Tony woke me up this morning I wasn't able to make breakfast for Kate, you know the woman who stuck around for the 6 months I was sick and I know your nosey enough to know that I didn't actually sign the forms, so I'm not event on this fucking team Phil' Clint was done being nice, he was tired and hungry and didn't need the third degree.

Phil was obviously hurt as he walked away, sitting down at his desk "for the record, you made me leave by resigning" he turned away from the team as he started crying, trying to make it look like he was doing work. The rest of the flight was dead silent.

As soon as they landed Clint packed up his bag and headed for the door, Tony stopped him "I get you and Coulson are having issues, but you have to sort it out before it kills you both" Clint just threw his bag over his shoulder.

"Relationship advice from Tony Stark, I never thought I'd see that!" he said as he turned and left to go home.

Kate practically knocked Clint off his feet as he came through the door "WOAH! Kate! Hello!" he threw down his bag.

"Sorry as sad as it sounds I'm just glad your okay" she said as he face flushed. He pinched her cheek "Thanks Kid" he said as he let a smile creep across his face.

"So how does it feel to be an Avenger again" she questioned knowing that before long he would move back into Stark Tower and all of this would end.

"I'm not an Avenger Kate, can we talk about something else?" he asked as his mind brought him back to the vision of Phil crying on the Jet.