WARNING: ADULT THEMES
A/N: Woo I am on a roll! Thank you Miller330 and Cara for your upbeat reviews! It helps more than you know! Oh! My! God! I love this chapter!
Previously
Shaking with the after shocks of her orgasm Cat turned off her toy and tossed it back into the box. After a moment to catch her breath she slid the box back under her bed and settled down to sleep. It was one of the most relaxing night's sleep in her life.
Chapter 14 – Home Coming
Saturday
Caterina woke up feeling wonderful. She stretched in bed and as usual got up to bask in the sunshine for a few minutes. Determined not to worry about Hawkeye today she decided to ask Steve to take her out for breakfast, maybe Natasha would like to come as well!
With that plan in mind Cat showered and dressed in a pretty white tank top with floral accents and some dark jeans. She tried to make her hair fall in tousled waves like the hair dresser had but failed and pulled the top half back into a clip instead. She shook her head and let the hair slide against her back, enjoying the gentle caress of it.
She giggled to herself and pulled on some ballet flats before bouncing over to open the door. Standing directly in front of her was Barton. She blinked a few times to make sure she wasn't imaging him.
Her eyes travelled over him. His jeans and T shirt looked rumpled; a go bag was slung over one leather clad arm. The black leather jacket stretched across his shoulders in a way that Cat knew she would be remembering later. When her eyes made their way to his face she gasped. Not only did he look tired but there was a darkening bruise on his left cheek bone that looked faintly swollen.
Clint's hand had been resting on the door frame like he was contemplating knocking before she opened the door. He lowered it and stood straighter. He arranged his features into a cocky grin which made him look much less worn out. "I'm back, miss me?" Cat rolled her eyes but also returned his smile with a shy one of her own.
He stepped closer to her, forcing her to look up him. His eyes searched her face for signs she was hurt. "Are you alright? I read the briefing about the fight in the park on my way back." She nodded in response and absentmindedly touched the red mark on her temple, the only remaining evidence of her concussion.
Sharp eyes pinned her in place as he gently grasped her chin to get a better look at the mark. Cat let him fuss for a moment. Just having him near, feeling his warmth and smelling his cologne would have made anything better. She closed her eyes for a moment and considered hugging him, maybe even kissing him. They gazed at each other intensely. His eyes dropped to her lips and his breathing hitched for a moment.
Before he could do what he wanted and kiss her, Natasha came down the hall and the moment was lost. Barton nodded crisply to his old partner after taking a step away from Cat. It was his turn to give her a once over and his smile turned appreciative. "You look amazing!" Glancing down at her clothes she told him that she was planning on asking if anyone wanted to go out for breakfast. "Well I'm starving, how about you give me 30 minutes to clean up and I will take you to the best diner around?"
Cat looked down, blushing lightly. She wondered if this was a real date but decided to air on the side of caution and treat it as just friends. "You are on! See you in 30."
He gazed at her for a moment longer. "I can't wait to hear all about what I missed." Without waiting for a reply he adjusted the strap on his shoulder and headed off in the direction of his room. Cat shut the door and went to take another look in the mirror. This might not be an official date but she wanted to make sure she looked good anyway.
The face reflected back at her glowed. Her cheeks had a light blush and her lips were more pink than usual. Even her eyes were bright and sparkling. Yeah, she wasn't going to be able to do anything to spruce up her looks more than just having him back had. With a smile at herself she headed down to the kitchen to grab a coffee while she waited for Hawkeye to get cleaned up.
Tony wolf whistled when he saw her all dressed up, making her stick her tongue out at him again. Natasha smacked him in the back of the head for his vulgar attitude. Steve smiled at her and told her she looked very nice, which was seconded by everyone around the table. She blushed and thanked them, quietly telling them that she and Barton were going to grab breakfast to catch up.
Her back was turned so she missed the significant look Natasha and Pepper shared at the news. Both women had knowing smiles on their faces. Maybe those two were finally willing to admit they cared about each other. Only time would tell.
Everyone else had pretty much finished breakfast but they sat around the table waiting for Hawkeye to appear. They wanted their chance to say welcome back and also to see them leave for their date. Sure enough he appeared just as Cat put her empty coffee mug in the dishwasher.
He had made her pulse race before he cleaned up but the way he looked now left her speechless. The leather jacket was the same but the shirt underneath was a white v-neck that hugged his chest like a second skin, even the jeans fit perfectly in every way. To top it all off his hair was still damp and tousled in the way that was becoming her kryptonite.
Glancing around the room he nodded at everyone in passing but when his eyes found Caterina his smile really started so sparkle. He tore his eyes away from her long enough to assure everyone he was fine and to take gentle ribbing from Tony about getting punched in the face. "Ha ha Tony. Now, if you will excuse me I have a date for breakfast."
The word date made Cat feel giddy but she tamped it down, at least until Clint held out his hand to her. She slipped her hand into his grip and felt warmth spread through her, up to her smile. Her face felt like it might split if the smile got any broader and his smile was a mirror of hers.
Tony opened his mouth to make some snarky comment about the lover birds getting a room. Before he could utter a single syllable Pepper had slapped him upside the head. "Will you women stop doing that!" He said with a grumble. The words broke the spell that Barton and Cat were under and the two finally say goodbye to the rest of the Avengers.
xXx
Across the old 1950's diner table the two of them waited for their breakfast to arrive. Barton kept encouraging her to tell him everything that happened while he was away, the good things at least. She filled him in on learning to shoot pool, baseball, trying ice cream and about her new Avenger's suit. Her running dialogue stopped abruptly when she realised that she also learned about pleasing herself while he was gone.
Barton watched the blush creep down her neck and into her cleavage. He was mesmerized and wanted to know how far down it went. Caterina chuckled at his obvious preoccupation and it was his turn to be embarrassed. Since getting out of Upsilon she had learned a lot about men but never really had the opportunity to flirt like this. It was liberating.
"So," began Barton slowly, "You have been spending a lot of time with Steve while I was gone." He pushed the newly arrived food around on his plate, not looking at her. Now this change in attitude came out of no where and Caterina had no idea what brought it about. She replied yes, totally confused.
He nodded at her and met her eyes again, searching for something. Cat tilted her head to the side inquisitively, "What? Clint you are confusing me." He continued to search her expressive cat eyes, wondering if she gave Steve the same sweet grin when she teased him. Had she shared a hug with Steve yet? His jaw clenched at the idea and Cat caught the tick of the muscle there.
Barton hadn't realised it until that moment, but he was losing the battle to keep her as just a friend. His pain over her spending time with Steve made it clear that this was no longer a brother/sister relationship it had started out as. Now he felt like he was back in junior high school, did she like him back?
He closed his eyes to think and was startled when she gently caressed the bruise on his cheekbone. The feather light touch snapped his eyes open. She was gazing at him with a mix of concern and teasing amusement. "I thought the point of being a marksman is that you don't have to get close enough to get hurt."
The grin he had lost earlier brightened his face again. "Ha Ha very funny." He shook his head at her gentle teasing. For a moment they shared a serious look, knowing that he couldn't tell her about what happened on the mission. For the first time in his life he really wished he could share it with someone, well with Shadow Cat.
He paid for their breakfast and they grabbed a cab back home. Cat rested her head on his shoulder during the ride. "You were right, that is the best diner in town." Barton looked down at her for a moment, blinking as he processed the thought. Suddenly he laughed, "Wait, you've never been to another diner in your life have you?" She bit her lip to keep from laughing and shook her head no. The two of them were still chuckling when Barton paid the driver back at the tower.
A/N: *Squee!* Okay like I said I loved that chapter. I considered putting Hawkeye out of his jealous misery this chapter but I'll leave him in limbo until the next chapter to tell him that Steve is Natasha's. Anyway please, please tell me you liked it too! I was literally bouncing while I wrote it. Next episode is more adorable relationshipy goodness.