You truly didn't think I'd have a Clint story and NOT have him singing, did you? If you haven't already, take a listen to Jeremy singing. He's extremely talented, and there will be more singing down the road. I do have an entire playlist which is up to about 85 songs. Those encompass this story along with an original novel I'm writing, and there are some Jeremy songs included! And, I don't hate Laura, I don't, she just didn't fit in this story, so this is how I decided to have her in the story. In this story, we'll find out more about Mikayla's dating history, which involves a geek from one of my favorite TV shows. I forgot to add this last chapter - I don't own Unforgettable. This is the Nat King Cole version I'm using, so all credit to him and whoever wrote that wonderful song. Thanks for continuing to read!
Mikayla woke up at some point during the night to find herself wearing different clothes then she fell asleep in. She didn't remember changing clothes, so she knew Clint must have done it for her. She looked over and saw her fiancé's face. Looking at him as he slept, she realized he was at peace, not being assaulted by ghosts in his dreams. Mikayla hoped she'd had a small part in that. He'd done that for her, help chase away, and deal with her ghosts, except one – Timothy. Why did his memory have to pop up now? She quietly got out of bed and went to the living room so she wouldn't disturb Clint. She opened the small fridge and found a Diet Dr. Pepper. She opened it as silently as she could and sat down in the chair still holding Clint's coat and tie. She wrapped the coat around her and put the tie around her neck, inhaling his scent, hoping the combination would chase Tim out of her head, but it didn't. She did the only thing she knew to do, reminisce. They'd met when she went to a computer science convention in Washington D.C. She was in grad school at NYU and he was going to MIT. Timothy McGee was the first guy to ever get her, to understand her nerdiness. He also was getting a double major, another thing they had in common. During breaks they would go to the National Mall and walk around, getting to know each other. She'd learned his dad was in the military and he had a younger sister his mom doted on. She knew something about coming from a military family, well, a government family, at least. They had some shared experiences. She knew his dad was disappointed in him for not going into the military. Mikayla told Tim she was proud of him for choosing a different path as it was not usually an easy choice. He was quiet and reserved, she liked that about him. He was introspective and took a while to get his thoughts together, so she treasured the moments he spoke and took his words to heart. They grew close during the two-week convention, staying up until all hours of the night talking about computers, gaming, their respective schools, etc. It wasn't until the last night that he made a move. She remembered being shocked. Like she'd told Clint, she wasn't a shrinking violet, but she wasn't very experienced at that point. She had a feeling Tim wasn't, either. They continued the long-distance romance for two years until they both graduated. She would travel to Boston and he would visit her in New York City. When Mikayla graduated, she asked him to go on her European trip with her, but he had a job waiting for him in DC, with the government, appeasing his father. When she got back the following month, she called him. He invited her down to DC for the weekend. She got there and noticed immediately something wasn't right. He was evasive and talked even less than he did before. She sensed there was something between them but couldn't put her finger on it. He finally broke the news right before she left for the airport.
"Imetsomeoneandwehadsexinacoffin." He rattled it off so fast she didn't understand him.
"You want to slow that down, Tim?"
He took a deep breath to gather the courage to say it again. "I met someone, and we had sex in a coffin."
Mikayla was stunned. This was what a two-year relationship got you? She clenched her fists so she wouldn't punch him and dug her nails into her palms to remind her to stay calm. It gave her pain she could focus on, instead of the pain of her heart breaking. "Let me get this straight," she said very slowly and deliberately. "In the month I was in Europe, you went from dating me to meeting someone and thought it would be a good idea to have sex with this person…in a coffin, no less."
"I know, I wasn't expecting that. I got called to help NCIS on a case. While there, I met their forensic scientist, Abby. She's amazing, you'd like her."
"No, Tim, I don't think I would."
He stammered. "Well, well, not in this situation, but another situation, you two have a lot in common."
"You mean other than both of us having slept with you?"
"Good point. I'm sorry, Mikayla, I didn't mean to hurt you – "
"I hate that saying. No one ever means to hurt anyone else, but that sure as hell doesn't stop it from happening, does it?" She stood and picked up her backpack. "Timothy McGee, I loved you or at least thought I did. I don't know anymore. What I do know is we are through, finished, kaput. Good luck with your new, whatever she is." She spun around and stormed out the door, biting her lip so hard to keep from crying she drew blood. She caught an earlier flight back to New York City and immediately went over to Misty's. "In a coffin, Misty! Was I not adventurous enough for him? Should I have rented a hearse? A coffin! I can't compete with that!" Misty let her yell and scream, rant and rave, and punch and throw pillows, then let her sleep on her couch. "Funny, I did some digging and found out he matured, became a Senior Field Agent, got married, and had twins. Who knows if it was with coffin girl or not?" She curled up tighter in Clint's coat. She knew he would never cheat on her and she would never cheat on him. That's what you do when you love someone, you don't freakin' cheat on them. She noticed she was biting her lip again. She drank the rest of her soda, then stayed curled up in the chair and fell asleep again, dreaming of her north star, her compass, Clinton Francis Barton. Her Hawkeye.
Clint woke up to space beside him. He rubbed his eyes and trudged into the living room, where he found Mikayla wrapped up in his coat, legs draped across the arm of the chair. He smiled, noticing how attractive she looked wearing his coat. He silently started the coffee pot and went down to get some breakfast. When he returned, she was still sleeping in the chair, the coat and tie having fallen to the floor. She turned over and appeared to be trying to get comfortable. "Ow," she murmured as she woke up, "why did I ever think sleeping crossways in a chair would be comfortable?"
"I don't know, babe, why did you?" Clint leaned over and brushed strands of hair out of her face. "Morning."
"Morning, RH," she greeted him as she twisted her body to get out of the chair. "Is that coffee I smell?"
"Yep. I brought breakfast, too." He pointed to the table where there were two steaming plates of food waiting for them. She shuffled over to the table and sat down, and Clint was right behind her. "I didn't chase you out of bed, did I?" He knew he sometimes had violent nightmares and wanted to make sure that wasn't what happened.
"Nope," she shook her head, "I chased myself."
"How's that?"
"Ghost I thought was gone but made a surprise appearance."
"You good now?" He reached over, placed a hand over hers, and clasped it.
She nodded. "I am, thanks. It just helped to remind me how I'm not that person anymore and how lucky and thankful I am." She squeezed his hand. "Thanks for checking on me."
"Always, Sharky." They finished their breakfasts, then Clint jumped in the shower while Mikayla started packing. She got everything packed and left out clothes for the two of them to change into. As she shut the suitcase, Clint came into the bedroom to grab his change of clothes. "I've got everything packed. Am I driving the car back while you take the bike?"
He shook his head. "Already taken care of. A couple of agents will be by to get the car and drive it back for us. You'll have to put up with me on the trip back."
She playfully sighed. "Oh, if you insist, RH." She grinned. While he went and got dressed, she took her shower and finished getting ready.
"I've got the car loaded, so we're ready. And," he smirked, "guess who's on front desk duty?"
"Oh, my favorite clerk. I'm so going to miss her," Mikayla replied, voice dripping with sarcasm. "Let's head out, James Monroe."
"Of course, June Monroe." He shut the suite door and they took the elevator to the lobby. The pair made their way over to the front desk. "Monroes, checking out." He pulled Mikayla close and kissed her on her temple. "Happy anniversary, babe. Did you have a good time?"
She smiled and hugged him. "Anytime I'm with you, I have a good time."
Denise closed out the ticket and Clint signed the paperwork. The clerk shot daggers at Mikayla, who continued to sweetly smile back while thinking to herself, 'Yep, that's right, I'm leaving with him and you're not.'
Clint leaned down and kissed Mikayla. "I love you."
She returned the deep kiss. "Love you, too." The couple then left to get the motorcycle. As soon as they left the building, Mikayla burst out laughing. "I've always hated syrupy sweet, over the top couples, but that was fun. Good thing she doesn't know I know people who could injure her with a feather seven days from Sunday."
"You are diabolical, and I love it," Clint joked. They got on the cycle and made the far too short trip back to New York City and the tower. "You know we're going to get mercilessly teased by Stark because he didn't get to witness the proposal."
"Yep, but we can handle him. Ready when you are." They took hands and made their way to the tower and up to the living area. Mikayla took a deep breath and let it out when the elevator doors opened.