Title: Conquer
Author: SLynn
Summary: While Phil and Clint settle back into their normal lives, Natasha begins to see that things are not the same.
Notes: Two more chapters to go!
xxi.
Phil was momentarily at a loss.
Maria was still unconscious. Jasper's knee made him practically immobile. They were currently safe, at what Phil hoped was a good distance away from the fight, but nothing was certain.
On the horizon the action was unfolding. At least one of the Sentries was down, the smallest of the three, but it had not been an easy task. The Sentry that had brought down their jet was closing in on the wreckage, having evaded the Hulk more than once as the rest of the Avengers had turned their attention to the third Sentry further away.
On top of that, Clint was no longer responding to Phil's calls.
"We have to help," Carol said as she stood by his side surveying the scene.
"How?"
"I don't know, Bug."
"Phil."
Carol turned to him with a curious expression playing across her features.
"My name is Phil."
Carol smiled at him warmly and Phil shook his head as she repeated his name back to him.
"You're going in," he said with half a sigh. "Aren't you?"
"I think I have to."
"And do what?"
"I don't know," she admitted, a little desperate. "I don't know what it is that... I don't know what they did to me or what I'm capable of now but I have to help. To try. They came for us. After all this time, they came for us when we both thought... I owe them. I owe Ace."
"Clint."
"Clint then," she smiled, as if he was being unreasonable, but the smile was gone in an instant. "I have to help."
"Carol," he began to object.
"I can do this," she said defiantly.
"I know you can," he said with complete confidence. "I believe it, Carol. Just, please... be safe."
"Always," she said, grinning back at him as she took off at a brisk place. "Take care of your friends. And yourself. We've got a lot of talking to do."
Carol picked up the pace, refusing to look back. If she looked back, she'd linger. That's just how it was, and right now she couldn't afford to linger. She made it to the jet in no time, climbing back inside and rushing to the cockpit.
"What the hell are you doing?" Clint asked, his attention shifting from Carol to the windshield and back again.
"What's happened?" she asked in return, ignoring him and leaning over to take a look at Agent Morse.
The other woman looked bad. She'd evidently passed out at some point and her leg was heavily bandaged.
"We can't move her," Clint shrugged in defeat.
Carol nodded, understanding his motivation. It was what had driven her back into the fight.
Another roar caught their attention and it looked as if this time the Hulk would be down for the count.
The Sentry turned its face towards the jet and Carol and Clint could both sense it honing in on them.
"Stay in the jet," Carol said sternly, turning to leave.
"What are you doing?" Clint yelled back at her, half rising from his chair.
"Stay here," she repeated. "I know now. I can... I can feel... I know what to do."
"Carol?" Clint called out. "You're not even armed. What the -"
Clint stopped cold when he saw that Carol had circled round to the front of the jet. With a sense of dread Clint watched as Carol strode towards the Sentry never taking her eyes off of the thing.
She stopped about ten yards out, and to Clint's surprise, the Sentry stopped too.
It seemed at first to be sizing her up. It hesitated. And then, it spoke.
The voice was robotic and cold, not dissimilar to the one used inside their cells. It could have been the same voice that would occasionally, ruthlessly, call their names, but the words...
The words weren't human.
Carol hesitated.
The Sentry repeated the phrase and it was clear that it expected a reply, but it was equally clear that Carol did not know what to say in return.
Clint steadied his hands on the controls, watching the situation unfold with growing trepidation.
The Sentry gave her one last look before moving surprising speed and agility, bringing its heavy foot down on Carol's head.
When it moved, so had Clint, letting loose every weapon he could while ensuring not to inadvertently harm Carol.
Not that it would make a difference, his rational brain supplied.
A giant robot had just stepped on her; friendly fire was no longer a big concern.
But the Sentry's foot hadn't come down completely. From Clint's vantage it appeared stuck. It was struggling to finish the movement and a moment later he saw why when it staggered backwards, landing on the ground.
Carol had caught it.
When the Sentry had brought it's foot down on her, she'd caught it and thrown the thing back.
Clint stopped firing.
The Sentry got back up again and honed in once more on the jet. Rushing forward, it reached down and pushed Carol to the side, sending her sprawling in surprise, before taking the cockpit into its gigantic hands and attempting to rip the nose clean off the jet.
Clint opened fire again, but the Sentry was unbothered and continued to pry open the jet in order to get to Clint and Bobbi still stuck inside.
Carol caught her breath and raced back into action.
Climbing up the back of the Sentry, she reached the base of its neck and took hold of the biggest cable she could find and pulled.
Carol put all her strength into her effort but it wouldn't budge. She couldn't get enough of a hold on the thing, the cable being half emerged in the robot's structure.
"Up here, gruesome."
Carol stopped long enough to look in the direction of the new voice. Stark in his Iron Man suit had joined the fight and was attempting to lead the Sentry away from the jet.
"Not you, Danvers," Stark called out. "Keep ripping on that thing."
"Copy that," she returned with a heavy breath, feeling her hands grow hot before she punched a hole straight into the back of its head, finally getting the grip she needed.
"The knees are weak," Captain America, whose real name Carol thought might be Rogers, yelled out as he joined them.
In the next instant, the Sentry swayed and without having to look Carol knew the Captain had taken aim with his shield and landed a critical blow.
Carol was close now. Her arm was inside the structure, wrapped completely around the cable she knew acted as the central nervous system. Without knowing how she knew, she just did. It felt like common knowledge, though she couldn't imagine how it could be. Throwing all her strength into it, Carol wrenched the thing backwards and felt it beginning to give way.
The Sentry faltered, stumbling down onto one knee and then there was a loud crack.
The whole cable ripped free and Carol dropped down to the ground seconds before the Sentry fell motionless beside her.
Stark landed a few steps to her left, his mask melting back into his suit as Captain America walked up to assess the scene.
"That the last one?" Carol asked, taking a look around.
"Yeah," the Captain confirmed.
"Good," she said, giving him a crisp nod before walking away.
SHIELD arrived on the scene not long after Natasha issued a distress call for an emergency pick-up to Director Fury personally.
He was not a happy man.
Director Fury wasn't happy that he hadn't been told about the imposters. He wasn't happy that they'd created and executed their entire plan without his knowledge. He wasn't happy that they'd gone into an unknown organization's base of operations without his approval.
The only thing he was happy about was seeing Phil again. The real Phil. But you'd never know it from his demeanor, which remained angry and unchanged throughout.
Bobbi's injuries, while serious, weren't life threatening. Her leg was broke and she'd lost a lot of blood, but once they'd freed her from the wreckage it was easy enough to patch up. They had wanted to send her back ahead of everyone else, but no one would agree to that particular plan.
Bobbi was an Avenger and she opted to stay with her team until they were all ready to depart.
Maria ended up with a mild concussion and no broken bones. She was battered and bruised, but as soon as she was able, she was also back on her feet. Maria also did her best to avoid Steve.
It wasn't because she didn't want to see him. It was exactly because she wanted to see him so badly that she knew she couldn't. Not yet. They were on a mission; they would still be on a mission until they were all back at the Tower. It was something he seemed to understand without being told, because Steve kept out of her way too. Maria did what she needed to do and Steve did what he needed to do.
They could wait.
It was a common theme.
Natasha and Clint, while remaining near one another, didn't speak. She hovered nearby as medical did a quick check-up on both him and Phil, but she didn't intervene. Natasha didn't engage Clint in any meaningful way, outside of business, and Clint understood. It was part of their understanding. Work was work and everything else was not work.
Technically, they'd already broken that understanding. When they'd first arrived back on the jet, when Natasha had stopped Clint from rushing back in, they couldn't help themselves. Once he'd gotten her back in his arms, Clint hadn't wanted to let go again. He wasn't even sure how he'd managed it and was certain he couldn't do it again.
Not any time soon, but they weren't there yet.
After everyone was triaged and treated and the majority of the structure locked down and secured, Fury insisted that anyone injured be sent back immediately.
Agent Ryan flew them back.
Once they'd arrived at the Tower Bobbi finally relented and took something for the pain before setting herself up on the couch. Jasper positioned himself in a nearby chair, propping his bad leg up on the ottoman and also took something for his pain before promptly falling asleep.
"If you're tired there are some spare rooms," Maria said, feeling awkward as she stood before Phil, Clint and Carol. She couldn't keep still. She had too much pent up energy. "The rest of the team probably won't be back for hours and we can do the official debrief then. Agent Ryan left some spare go-bags if you'd like to change. You probably want to change. Or shower. Or something."
"How hard did you hit your head?" Clint asked out of curiosity.
"Pretty damn hard," she admitted.
"Why don't you let me give the grand tour," Clint suggested. "Take a break, Hill. I'll bring Phil up to the conference room when the time comes. JARVIS will let us know when everyone's here, won't you JARVIS?"
"That depends, Mr. Barton."
"On what?"
"On whether or not you are in your private quarters at the time," JARVIS answered. "I know how much you dislike me intruding."
"Tonight's an exception," Clint said, inclining his head towards the elevator as he picked up a bag and headed towards them. Phil and Carol followed suite in silence. "One time only."
"Yes, Mr. Barton. And might I add, welcome home."
"Thanks," he returned, feeling his chest tighten with emotion.
"Any time, sir."
Clint pushed the correct floor and sighed as the doors shut on the three of them and the elevator rushed downward. He could sense Phil's eyes on him and knew there would be a lot of questions to answer. Clint had only missed four months worth of activity; Phil had missed just over a year.
"Okay," Clint as he led them down the hall, a little surprised to see two of the rooms were already listed as occupied; electronic plates indicated each room's status just outside the door. "Carol, this work for you?" he asked as he opened the door.
"My last place was a terrarium," Carol said as she set the SHIELD issued bag on a chair. "It should do."
"Bedroom and bathroom are through there," Clint said, pointing towards a door. "Kitchenette probably isn't stocked, but if you're hungry just go back the way we came. Fridge upstairs is always full. If you get lost ask JARVIS and he'll set you right. My room is a floor down, second left off the elevator if you need me."
"I don't suppose I can get in on that debrief, can I?"
Clint blinked a few times in surprise, turning to Phil for guidance.
"I'll talk to Director Fury," Phil said with a nod. "You're owed answers, the same as us."
"Thank you," Carol said, looking about the room and beginning to feel anxious. "Got to say, it's going to be strange sleeping somewhere new. Waking up without one of you nearby."
"If it helps I can set Phil up across the way. Prop the doors open."
"See," Carol said with a smile as she moved closer to him. "That's the kind of thing that gets lost in translation."
"What?" he asked, unable to keep from returning her smile as she dropped her hands onto his shoulders.
"That you're a smartass," she finished, kissing his cheek before she hugged him tight.
Clint held her for a moment, overcome with relief. He hadn't quite gotten out of his mission mindset, but he was getting there. He felt like he was beginning to come unglued and knew that he'd couldn't. Not yet. He had just hold on a little longer.
"Okay," Carol said, stepping back and looking a little teary-eyed. "You two look as if you're dying to talk. Get out of here. I'll be fine."
Carol patted Clint on the shoulder before turning her attention to Phil. Clint backed up a few steps, moving towards the door to give them some space. Same as she'd done before, Carol moved in and hugged and kissed Phil, but neither of them spoke. They broke apart and Phil turned to go, leaving Clint to trail after him and out of the room.
"Sir," Clint said as he opened up the room directly across the hall.
"You can drop the sir, Clint."
"Not yet."
Phil placed his bag on the floor and sat heavily into the nearest chair with a sigh. Clint shifted his weight uncertainly before giving up, seating himself on the couch and rubbing his hands roughly over his head.
"When did you leave?" Phil asked after a few moments of comfortable silence.
"Who told you?" Clint asked, not bothering to play stupid.
"JARVIS did," Phil answered. "He called you mister." Clint nodded. It was exactly how Hill had figured it out. "So?" he pressed.
"Where do I start," Clint said letting out a huff of air. "I guess you know we won against the Chitauri."
"I assumed."
"Yeah," Clint said, nodding his head. "You assumed right. Fury's probably got a dossier already prepped for you with all the details. After that though... I don't know. I just felt lost. I needed more than SHIELD. More than... I don't know."
"You've always needed purpose."
"Might as well say what you really mean," Clint laughed. "I've always needed direction. Supervision. Someone to save me from myself."
"You're not giving yourself enough credit," Phil said, standing up and stretching as he moved to the kitchen and poured himself a glass of water. "And besides, I thought SHIELD provided you with that. Direction, I mean."
"You provided me with that," Clint objected, dropping his head back into his hands and unable to even look at Phil. "After New York... SHIELD didn't cut it. It couldn't. I wanted to do more. I wanted to be more. Saw that for once maybe I could."
"I'm glad, Clint. That you found this. That you finally realized..."
"I didn't realize anything," Clint said with a shaky laugh. "It all felt so... The price felt too high. All the time. It felt wrong without..." Clint stopped and took in another gulp of air. "God, I feel like I'm falling apart again."
"I know," Phil agreed.
"This is all happening, isn't it? This happened. It's real. It's done."
"You may be asking the wrong person."
"Maybe," Clint agreed, shaking his head.
"Take your own advice," Phil said calmly. "Take a break, Clint. Breathe."
"Do we have time for that?"
"Until someone says otherwise, yes. We do."
"Okay, sir," Clint said, getting back to his feet. "I'll try."
"Do" Phil corrected, standing up and walking him to the door.
"Yes, sir," Clint smiled back at him and it was as if a weight lifted from his shoulders.
He hesitated, unsure for a moment, before deciding he was being stupid. They were done. They were safe. The mission, for them at least, was over and he was all hung up on nothing.
It was an adjustment.
Clint hugged Phil, just so entirely grateful for the chance. Thankful to be back amongst friends and ready to start his life again.
Phil let out a quiet laugh as he patted him on the back, not surprised that Clint didn't say anything more. He watched as Clint turned and walked back down the hall towards the elevator, giving Phil a slight wave before the doors shut.
They'd have a lot more to discuss, Phil was certain of it, but now wasn't the time. Right now they all needed to regain their footing. Take it easy and go slow.
It was strange to be back in the land of the living.
Phil was about to shut his own door and try and take those first steps back into normalcy when his eyes darted across the hall to where Carol had propped her door open with a heavy vase.
He hesitated for a split second before deciding to cross the hall and peak into her room.
Phil just wanted to be certain she was okay.
"Carol?" he called out quietly, treading lightly into her room and seeing her bedroom door was also propped open. "Carol?" he repeated, softer than before as he took a quick look into the room.
She was already asleep.
Carol had positioned herself on the bed so that she could face the door, still above the covers and curled up on her side.
Phil looked once around the room, found a blanket and draped it over her before leaving. He was halfway across the hall and back to his own room before he changed his mind. Circling back, Phil found his own blanket and got comfortable on Carol's couch, making certain that, from where he lay, he could see both Carol's door and the entrance.
It was going to be a huge adjustment.