After several weeks of intensive therapy and rehab, Clint had been cleared for active duty with the explicit requirement that said duty be light and either short term or on an active SHIELD site. He had grumbled a little bit about the terms of his reinstatement but Phil knew he didn't want to push his luck in the event that they'd change their minds and as such had accepted.
He was clearly stiff and sore all over; the fingers of his left hand were slightly wonky and he was having a hard time bending them enough to get a good grip on his bowstring. It frustrated him to no end, but he kept pushing himself. He kept going to therapy longer than assigned with the hope that it would help him get back to full strength just a little bit faster. Of course it didn't help that he alternated the therapy with the gym against the suggestions of his physician and handler.
Phil entered the physical therapy room in such a rush that Clint froze, the weighted medicine ball dropping to his feet at Phil's sudden appearance. "I thought you were with Nat in California?"
"I need you in New Mexico."
It wasn't a question, but it also wasn't an order and Clint blinked in shock. The therapist collected the medicine ball from his feet and replaced it on the rack.
Clint nodded at Phil and went to grab his sweatshirt from where he'd dropped it on the chair earlier. "What's in New Mexico?"
"An 0-8-4. I'll tell you on the way." Phil tossed him his water bottle where it was sitting on the counter at the door. "How's your shooting?"
Clint flexed his left shoulder and made a fist with his left hand a few times. "Stiff. Not 100% yet."
"We'll get you a gun."
Clint followed Phil down the hall towards the hanger. "I'd rather requisition a right handed bow for temporary use."
Phil stopped and looked at him. The younger man stood still under his gaze as if he wasn't sure what was going on in his handler's mind. Phil couldn't help but think back to the last discussion they'd had before he'd sent Clint off on a mission, a 'lost, one eyed Hawk' hadn't been far from the truth. Clint quirked an eyebrow at him questionably as they continued to stand there, the bruising on his face was almost completely gone.
Phil grinned and started down the hall again. "We can certainly do that, Hawkeye."
Author's Note: And that's all there is folks. Thanks again for sticking through it! Much love to all the reviewers.
