Disclaimer: I only own Ella and Oc plotlines

The dull elevator music was the only sound between us- other than our deafening breathing. I watched the glowing numbers slowly decrease from my place, cradled in Clint's arms. His hands flexed their hold and I couldn't help but swallow my frantically beating heart.

The tension between us is insurmountable

There was still the same undercurrent of electricity. It flowed through us when he touched me, like a closed loop or wires connecting. I could feel his thumb brush the lightest of touches across my knuckles. I had a sudden impulse to touch his perfect face. His chiselled jaw was clenched, as if he was focusing on something that took all of his attention and will. I wanted to claim his full mouth with my own and nibble his bottom lip. I flushed as the impure thoughts ravaged my mind.

That elevator ride seemed very long. I couldn't tell was the archer was thinking, but I could tell he was frustrated. His nostrils flared. He was watching the number of floors decrease like he wanted them to move faster.

Is he that upset that he's carrying me?

My subconscious growled and ran two frustrated hands through her hair. Her glare was vicious. That man is probably having the exact same thought's you are. He already told you that he enjoyed holding you, so don't you dare start backpedalling now.

I let out a quiet huff and chose to ignore her.

The overpowering craving to touch the agent refused to fade, no matter how much I willed it away. The electric current seemed to only exist when we touched. I slid my fingers out of his and was grateful to find that the sensation of unrestrained energy muted itself. It was like turning the sound down on the television, until only the humming baseline remained.

When the doors slid open, we let out an equally relieved exhale. I glanced up. Clint was watching me very carefully. His cool stare smouldered, pinning me down even more than the inescapable hold of his toned arms.

"What are you?" He breathed, eyes taking me in excruciatingly slowly. He walked out of the elevator, carrying me through a small foyer.

My heart stuttered. "I'm sure you can ask Director Fury for my file-"

"I'm asking you."

The pulsing of my blood picked up. I could hear the thundering tempo in my ears. "Ask me again tomorrow and I might tell you."

I felt the chuckle reverberate through his body.

"You sure are difficult, aren't you?"

I shrugged. "What fun would life be if everything was easy?"

I looked up. The man was grinning. His teeth were straight and white. "Fair enough."

He turned and opened the heavy front doors with his back. I noticed him wince.

I frowned. I hadn't seen him get injured. "Agent Barton? Are you okay?"

"It's just my side." He cringed. "I'll be fine. Nothing a good night's rest can't cure."

"Let me down," I ordered. This time he did as I asked. A soft groan fell from his lips.

I stumbled a bit because of the rubble under my boots. I looked around at the street. Mountains of rock and cement littered our surroundings. The majority of the Chitauri forces were extinguished. The portal was closed. Midgardians were tentatively exiting their temporary hiding places. They poured from the underground subway and from any of the buildings that were still standing. The air was thick with smoke and dust. People were covering their faces with pieces of cloth, gazing around at the destruction in shock and disbelief. The remains of the Leviathans and Chitauri littered the pavement. Cars were overturned and charred from fire and explosions. It was a graveyard.

I inhaled deeply, taking the bitter taste of ash and fire into my lungs. My eyes followed the frightened mortals as they staggered through their destroyed city. They hugged each other. That's what I noticed the most. They were jubilant that their lives were still their own.

I couldn't help but smile. My arms crossed over my chest, embracing myself half-heartedly.

I wish I had someone to hug like that-

"Oh come here..."

A callused hand took mine and tugged. Before I could protest, I was pulled into a tender embrace. Caught by surprise, my palms flexed against the tight muscles of the man's' abdomen. One of his hands was at the small of my back while the other splayed across the base of my neck. I shivered as he pressed me impossibly closer to him. I sighed contentedly. Slowly, I slid my hands up his chest and wound around his wide shoulders.

He pulled away after several moments that we spent just breathing together. The smile that curled his lips was soft and barely there.

"That was nice," he murmured, the sound coming from his chest.

"Yeah," I breathed out, barely quelling the urge to kiss the agent's delectable mouth. I turned my gaze away as to not focus on them longer than absolutely necessary.

"What are you doing to me?" He hummed softly to himself, regarding me with a look of pure awe.

"Sorry?" I asked, not sure if I heard him right.

Clint shook his head. The odd expression dissipated. "Nothing." He took my hand again and started walking, half pulling, half dragging me after him. "Let's go. The others are gonna wonder what the hell happened to us."

A sharp twinge of regret hit my stomach.

He continued to hold my hand, even when I caught up with him. I didn't complain.

Something caught my eye. I paused, making the archer stumble.

"Hey. You okay?" He asked, walking back to me. His blue eyes looked me up and down.

I was watching a little boy. He was huddled up in a small ball. His tiny arms were wrapped were wrapped around his knees, which were close to his chest. He made slow rocking motions back and forth where he sat on the curb across the street. Tears slid down his face, trailing through the ash that covered his cheeks.

"No..." I slipped my hand from mine. I jogged to the little boy and to my knees in front of him. I noticed him scramble back in fright. His forest green eyes went wide.

I raised my hands carefully. "It's alright. I'm not here to hurt you."

He sniffled loudly. Tears poured from his eyes.

"Can I help you?" I asked, not sure what to do.

Small fists came up to brush away the wetness on his face. "I want my mom."

I nodded. "Where is she?"

"Ella...?" Clint's came from behind of me.

The boy's eyes flickered behind me. The sobbing started again. I glanced back.

It was an overturned taxi. Through the window, I could see a woman. She was limp and obviously unconscious. Then I saw flames. They licked at the tires- almost alive in their movement. The fire spread, igniting the pool of gasoline that had leaked from the gas tank.

"Clint! The taxi-!" I screamed back at him, pointing wildly.

The agent's eyes hardened. He ran to the yellow vehicle and tried the door. The muscles in his arms strained. He grunted. "It's stuck." His gaze shot to me. "Get out of here!"

My stomach flopped. "No!"

"Take the kid and run!" He yanked viciously at the door.

I grabbed the boy. He immediately latched onto me, wrapping his arms round my neck and his leg around my wais. "I'm not leaving you!" I cried out. I held the back of the boy's head and pulled him closer to me.

"Jesus, Ella!" He smashed the window with his elbow, turning his face away from the spray of glass. The height of the flames grew. "Can you please just listen for the first time in your life?!"

Cursing internally, I ran. It took everything inside of me to leave. I sprinted down the street, screaming for people to run and duck for cover. The mortals obeyed without question.

"I'm scared..." The boy whimpered against my neck, looking behind me.

"Everything's going to be fine," I lied. "Don't worry-"

My words were interrupted by a massive explosion. The force and heat barreled into me. I dodged behind an abandoned truck, gasping. I spared a fleeting glance behind me. Billowing clouds of black smoke and flames rose in the air.

"Clint..." I swallowed, suddenly unable to breathe. The boy wailed ear piercingly. I cradled him even closer. "Come on... Please..." Nothing happened. All I could see was the fire. "Please!"

Then I saw a shadow. Clint emerged from the smoke, the unconscious woman draped in arms.

A relieved, breathy laugh fell from my lips. "Thank the gods..." I exhaled shakily. I moved from behind the truck and smiled softly at him.

The crease in his brow smoothed out as soon as he saw me. He grinned crookedly in the way that made my knees weak.

"You listened to me!" He called over as he approached me.

I chuckled. "We almost died, and that's the only thing you can say?"

He shrugged but his smile grew.

...

Several hours later, I found myself in Stark Tower, sitting at his bar. The members of the Avengers ensemble sat around me on the barstools, sipping various types of Midgardian liquor. No one said anything. The air was thick with tension and exhaustion. We were all shell-shocked over what happened. It was almost as if we said something, it would make it all real.

I was slumped over the polished marble countertop. My arms were folded and my head laid on top as if they were a pillow. Behind me, I could vaguely hear the meaningless chattering of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents as they milled through the room, taking samples and writing notes. Behind the counter, Tony was buzzing back and forth, mixing drinks for everyone in the room. Whether it was to play the gracious host or to keep his mind busy, I didn't know. He was wearing a dark shirt with the words 'BLACK SABBATH' on the front. I didn't pretend to know what that meant.

"You know what you want yet, Sweet Cheeks?" Tony asked, stopping in front of me and putting an elbow up on the counter.

I propped my head up with my hand and sighed. "Something with fruit?"

The man chuckled and reached behind the counter. "Not into alcohol?"

I shook my head. "It slows down my reflexes."

"But it's delicious," he stated. He punctuated the last word by plopping an apple right in front of me.

I raised a brow. "Funny, Mr. Stark."

He clicked his tongue and took the piece of fruit away, moving to make me an actual drink. I just watched him work methodically. I noticed a tremor in his hands. I didn't say anything.

"So," Tony started, placing some frozen fruit in a blender. "I heard that you and Link saved a woman from an exploding car."

"Yeah. Have you heard anything about her?"

"She's going to be fine. A couple of scrapes and a concussion."

I glanced subtly over at Clint. He was sitting on the far end of the bar. He took a swig of his beer and placed it back on the marble. His gaze strayed over to mine over the heads of the people between us. He gave me a charming half-smile. I returned it hastily, running a hand through my hair- which I had taken down from the tight bun. The curls flowed down to my waist. I blushed.

"-Earth to the G.I. Jane..."

"Hmm?" I looked back at Tony- who was smirking audaciously.

"You have a thing for Legolas!" He hissed accusingly, leaning forward. "You were totally checking him out-!"

I reached across the counter and placed a hand over Tony's mouth. I felt his lips pull into a grin against my palm. Then I felt his tongue poke out. I retrieved my hand and wiped it on my already-dirty shirt. There was ash and Chitauri blood splattered all over the baggy whiter v-neck. I sent him a disgusted look, but he just smiled cheekily. He took the blended fruit and added a splash of alcohol before mixing it again.

I looked down the line. Natasha was next to Clint, holding a small glass of a dark amber colored liquid. Cubes of ice clinked against the glass as she reached up and placed it lightly against her split lip.

Bruce sat next to her. He was rumpled and tired. Tony had brought him a new button down shit and tan slacks. He had a large pitcher of water in his hands, unbelievably thirsty from the change to his alter ego. He'd already eaten an entire frozen pizza and the leftover Chinese food in the fridge. We made up as soon as I arrived at the tower. He gathered me up into his arms and almost squeezed the life out of me. Then he kissed every inch of my face, so thankful that I wasn't hurt. He found it amusing when I started to complain about cooties. He shook Clint's hand and thanked him- as if he was the reason I was still alive. Though I wouldn't admit it, he probably was.

I watched as he sent little glances to the beautiful redhead at his side. It made me smile when she returned them.

Next was Steve. He also drank beer, but he asked for it straight from the bottle. He paused every so often, as if a thought crossed his mind, before he'd proceed to take a drink.

Thor had a massive pint of ale in front of him. He seemed to be the most lighthearted person in the room but there was an edge of disappointment in his eyes. S.H.I.E.L.D. took Loki away after they found he had been pummeled by the Hulk. He'd be in the hospital overnight, then Thor would take him back to Asgard in the morning to face trial for his actions.

Tony placed a tall glass in front of me. "Fruit smoothie with a bit of kick." He poured himself a glass of brandy. "You better enjoy it, cause I hate making pansy drinks," the man complained. He moved out from around the counter, taking a swig.

"Thanks," I whispered. I tried it and found myself sighing happily. It was amazing.

He reached over and ruffled my hair playfully. "No problem. I'm glad you're alright, kid."

Bruce popped his head around Thor and Steve. "Why wouldn't she be okay?" His observant eyes took in how I shrugged sheepishly and tried to hide behind my drink. His eyes narrowed. "Tell me," He ordered, stepping off of his bar stool. He brought the entire pitcher of water with him.

Tony bolted, not wanting to be in the vicinity of another argument. "Hey Coulson!" He called, running after the agent."Buddy! How's it hanging?"

Bruce scowled and crossed his arms over his chest- which was less frightening because of the glass pitcher. Sighing, I calmly told him what happened. I didn't exclude any detail. I told him about sacrificing myself for Agent Coulson. He didn't interrupt me, but pinched the bridge of his nose. I quickly glossed over the pain and dying. I told him the bare minimum of details.

The doctor placed his pitcher of water down on the marble countertop. The next thing I knew, his arms were around me. He leaned down at least a foot so his head was on my shoulder. I could feel him shudder against me.

"Hey," I whispered, running my hands up and down his tense back, trying to calm him. "I'm okay..."

"You died," he sighed, his voice less forceful than I imagined. "I think 'okay' is going to win the award for 'The Biggest Understatement of the Year'."

I shrugged, making the man's head bob on my shoulder. "I'm fine though. You have to stop worrying about me-"

He pulled away from me and straightened. "How are you okay? Is it because you're... you know..."

I rolled my eyes. "Kind of." I remembered that Clint could probably hear us. I stopped. "I'll tell you later, okay?"

He nodded. "Alright." He paused. "Tony offered that I come live here in the tower with him."

I smiled "What'd you say?"

I watched a dark blush fill his tanned skin. "I said I'd have to talk to you." He locked down at his leather loafers embarrassedly.

"Well, do you want to?" I asked, reaching up to tuck a lock of brown hair behind his ear.

The red in his cheeks brightened. He gave me a little nod, glancing up at me carefully. "He wants to work with me in the labs," he hummed with no small amount of excitement. "He thinks we can put our minds together and find new forms of clean energy." He beamed down at me.

I smiled softly. "I'll support whatever you want, Bruce." I stood on the tips of my toes and pressed my lips to his warm cheek. "Go tell Tony."

His smile grew and he went off to find the man with the iron suit.

I took a long drink of my smoothie and hopped off my stool. "Hey guys," I called, motioning to the other Avengers. "I'm going to find a place to sleep-"

Tony came back and clapped his hands together. "No. We're gonna go get Shawarma. Now." Bruce looked at everyone and shrugged in apology.

Natasha sighed and pulled her glass from her lip. "I need to get back to S.H.I.E.L.D.-"

"Mr. Stark..." Steve started at the same time.

Stark waved a hand impatiently, cutting them both off. "-I know this cool joint down the street that I've been wanting to try." He polished off his drink and slammed the glass down on the counter. "Get your coats and stop whining."

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