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Chapter 14: Gala Nightmare
Tonight was the night of Stark's Gala that everyone was expected to be at. Josie was finishing the final touches to her makeup when she heard the solid knocking on her door. Smiling widely, she walked over to her door to see Clint on the other side. His black slacks and matching blazer accented his build and the dark blue button up with the top 2 buttons undone made his eyes pop. He wore a simple silver chain around his neck and simple black dress shoes. He smirked as he saw Josie's eyes rove up and down him.
"Enjoying the view?" Clint teased with a larger smirk. Josie's blush darkened as she smiled sheepishly. "I hope so, because I'm certainly enjoying what I see," he flirted as he allowed his eyes to take in the picture that Josie made. Her eggplant colored dress hugged her frame nicely, accenting the curve of her hips. The top of the dress cut straight across and had lace sleeves that went just below the curve of her shoulders and attached around the back of her neck. She pulled her hair off to the side and lightly curled it so it fell in gentle waves over her shoulder and was accented with small butterfly clips. Her shoes were strappy silver heels and her jewelry consisted of a lacey chained butterfly necklace and simple silver studs. Her eyes were down in varying shades of purple that made her hazel eyes glitter brilliantly. "You look gorgeous, JoJo," Clint said with an awed tone.
"You're looking pretty amazing yourself, Clint. I'm not going to be leaving your side all night just to keep other women away," Josie said as she took Clint's offered arm and allowed him to lead her to the elevator. Clint laughed as they entered the elevator and rode down to the garage to meet the others.
"Babe, you're the only woman for me. Though seeing you get in a cat fight might be interesting to watch," Clint said with a thoughtful expression. He laughed again when Josie slapped him on the chest for that comment. "And you're definitely staying by my side. No other man is going to get close to you without my strict say so," Clint said protectively as he wrapped his arm around Josie's waist tightly. Josie just smiled and kissed him lightly in reply. The elevator arrived at the garage and the couple stepped out to find that only Natasha and Steve were down there waiting. "Where is everyone?" Clint asked the couple, successfully interrupting their make out session.
"Thor will be meeting us there with Dr. Foster and Ms. Lewis, and Stark and Bruce got caught up doing something in the lab and are running late. And Pepper said she'd meet us there. Now shut up and don't interrupt us again," Natasha said in a clipped fashion before turning back around and taking Steve's smirking lips in a hot kiss. Clint and Josie looked at each other before shrugging simultaneously and walking over to a different car to lean on and wait.
"You know, they have a pretty good idea over there. Want to follow their lead, JoJo?" Clint whispered into Josie's ear hotly. Josie answered by bringing Clint in front of her and attaching her lips to his smirking ones. His smirk grew when he heard her whimper lightly as he nipped at her lower lip. "Damn Stark making all of us go to this damn Gala," Clint said as he leaned back to breath. Josie giggled breathlessly before Clint dove back in.
"Don't damn me for wanting to have all my friends at one of the biggest parties of all time. Legolas, let the poor girl breath, and Spangles, such PDA from a virgin!" Tony's voice exclaimed from the elevator. Both couples broke their kisses to look pointedly at Tony. "Hey be happy it was me and not Bruce interrupting," Tony pointed out while strolling over to join everyone. Clint shrugged in agreement before burying his face into Josie's neck and just held her close.
"You're pathetic Barton," Natasha teased from her place at Steve's side. She smirked when Clint just flipped her off in reply. "Where is Bruce anyways?" she asked aloud.
"Right here, sorry," Bruce said as he walked out of the elevator. "So everyone is ready to go?" He asked the gathered group. Everyone nodded and started getting into the cars that they were leaning on. Tony intercepted Bruce before he could go and head towards Clint and Josie's car. "Mind reader," Bruce mumbled under his breath.
"Sorry buddy, but you really need to get over this. They've been together for a few months now," Tony said as he climbed into a sleek corvette. "You can steal her for a couple dances and what not tonight. Let them have their time together," he said with a teasing smile. Bruce sighed in defeat and prepared himself for the craziness of Tony's driving. The three cars pulled up to the large building that the Gala was being hosted in shortly. Paparazzi cameras flashed annoyingly as the group stepped out of their respective cars. Josie shied behind Clint slightly as they followed the others into the building. Natasha strutted with confidence while Steve put on his show-pony smile for the press. Tony hammed it up while Bruce just walked normally. "Ah paparazzi, the people with no lives so they try and publish everybody else's lives," Tony said wistfully before ditching everybody to go find his girlfriend. Natasha and Steve went off to the bar to grab a drink. Josie smiled at her Godfather, who was shifting nervously from foot to foot.
"Uncle Bruce, want to dance?" Josie asked after giving Clint a gentle look. Bruce smiled at Josie and took her outstretched hand. They joined the others on the dance floor and slow danced with warm smiles on their faces. "You're a much better dancer than Dad," Josie said with a giggle as she was spun slowly before being brought back into Bruce's arms.
"Well, your parents were never for putting themselves on display," Bruce chuckled lightly. "Have you tried talking to them recently?" he asked gently. Josie sighed and shook her head no.
"I'm done trying to reach them. If they want to talk to me, then they have to make the effort to reach me," Josie said with a tone of finality. Bruce nodded in understanding before bringing her closer so she could rest her head on his shoulder. They danced for a few more songs before a polite cough brought their attention to Clint.
"May I cut in?" Clint asked with a smile. Bruce bowed out gracefully and watched with a wistful smile as Clint brought Josie close to him and started to dance a swing to match the upbeat music playing. Bruce walked over to where he spotted Tony and Phil conversing.
"Hey Bruce, Thor and the ladies should be here in a few minutes, so prepare yourself," Tony said in way of greeting. Bruce nodded his head and waved to Phil, who returned the gesture.
"How are you doing, Phil?" Bruce asked politely. Phil shrugged with his good shoulder.
"Some days are better than others. But PT is going well and I'll have full use of my arm soon," Phil said blandly. Before Phil could say anything the loud booming of Thor's voice carried to the trio at the bar and everyone turned to look at Thor, Jane, and Darcy. "He doesn't do discreet," Phil said in a matter of fact way. Bruce and Tony shook their head "no" in agreement. Thor escorted the ladies over to where the trio stood at the bar while Steve and Natasha walked over from the dance floor.
"My friends, I wish for you to meet my beloved, Jane, and our friend, Darcy," Thor introduced proudly. "Where are the Hawk and his beloved?" He questioned when he noticed the missing couple.
"They're finishing their dance," Steve answered. "Pleasure to meet you ladies," Steve said politely. Darcy smiled in return while Jane just waved. Jane's attention was soon drawn into a science conversation with Tony and Bruce while Darcy started up a conversation with Phil and Natasha. Thor just smiled in amusement before turning to watch Josie and Clint dance. The music shifted and Josie and Clint made their way to the rest of the group.
"Hey Thor, bout time you showed up," Clint said while patting Thor on the shoulder. "Darce, Jane, nice to see you ladies again," Clint said with a smile. He chuckled when Darcy flung herself at him and hugged him tightly. "Ladies, this is Bruce's God daughter and my girlfriend, Josetta Barker," Clint introduced with a smile after Darcy released him.
"Lucky duck, you nabbed him first," Darcy said teasingly before hugging Josie. Josie giggled along with Darcy. She knew they were going to be close friends.
"Nice to meet the both of you, Thor never stops talking about you, Jane. Please call me, Josie," Josie said with a bright smile. Darcy, Jane, and Josie started talking about being civilian girls and tips on how to handle things. Pepper joined everyone shortly and the girls, including Natasha, grouped together to talk about miscellaneous things while the guys just shrugged and watched the women.
The evening progressed nicely as everyone chatted and had a great time. And as the night drew to a close, everyone went to their separate vehicles and headed back to the tower to turn in for the night. As the procession of cars headed down the street, gun shots rang through the air as the cars were fired at. Tony, Thor, and Clint all made sure that the women with them had their heads down before everyone swerved to a stop and went into defense mode.
"Stay behind me," Clint said to Josie as he pulled out a concealed gun. The others were all on the same side of the cars and looked between one another. Natasha signaled for the girls to gather behind the car Clint and Josie were at quietly. Jane and Darcy had the furthest distance to go and Thor crouched between the car and the women, making sure that they stayed behind him. Pepper quickly and quietly scurried with her head down low over to Josie and sat down next to the slightly trembling woman. Jane and Darcy arrived moments later and all of them grabbed onto one another's hands. Clint surveyed the area quickly before looking towards a waiting Steve. He held up 4 fingers to signal that there were 4 posts of men waiting for them to move. Tony was pulling out his transportable Iron Man suit, Thor gripped Mjolnir tightly as he waited for the signal to fight, Natasha checked her gun magazines and spare magazines before nodding that she was ready, Clint smirked as he carefully climbed into the car and brought out his bow and quiver, and Steve grabbed his shield from his car. Bruce just waited for the signal, keeping a tight grip on his anger. "You keep your heads down and eyes open, there's no telling what's going to happen," Clint said to all of the women.
"Don't have to tell me to keep my head down," Darcy said with a slight tremor. The rest just nodded in understanding. Clint looked up and signaled to the Captain he was ready. Steve counted down before all of the Avengers stood up and started fighting and firing at the mysterious attackers. The women covered their heads and hunched down as far as they could go. A deafening roar signaled that the Hulk was thoroughly pissed off as he charged towards one of the groups that were firing at them. Jane braved looking over her shoulder at the fighting and screamed for the girls to run. All of them looked up and noticed a large chunk of what was a car was hurtling towards them. The girls all threw themselves to the sides and narrowly missed being hit. Josie was separated from the rest as she leapt off in a different direction. She quickly looked at the others and noticed that they were all in one piece. She looked out and watched as all the Avengers fought. "Josie, look out!" Darcy shouted as she saw a guy reach out for her. Jane and Pepper all shouted in fright as they watched Josie be grabbed as she twisted to see her attacker.
Josie kicked and struggled against her captor fiercely. She could hear the other women shouting to her and the others, trying to get their attention. Her struggles increased when she felt the sting of a needle pierce her skin, but soon tapered off as the drugs made her feel drowsy and weak. The women started screaming louder as they watched Josie go limp. The man quickly picked her up and ran off with her before the women could even think of following. The fight ended with the Avengers as the victors, but the women were still shouting.
"Ladies, one at a time!" Steve shouted.
"Josie was kidnapped and dragged off in that direction!" Darcy shouted as she pointed towards the direction in which tire screeching could be heard. Clint swore before running as fast as he could towards the speeding car. He pulled out an arrow and aimed for a tire, but it was soon too far out of his sight and he swore again. The Hulk roared in rage before he began to return to the form of Bruce Banner. Bruce dropped to his knees sobbing as he stared off in the direction of the kidnapper.
Who is brave or dumb enough to kidnap Josie? Stay tuned to find out. And don't forget to review because reviews make sure you get what you want to read!