A/N Thanks for your reviews and support.
dogman999: thanks for your review, my friend. I hope you are safe during this time.
Clint's POV
It was official. He hated SHIELD more than he hated the CIA.
Currently, Clint was sitting in one of the exam rooms in the infirmary of the helicarrier. Fury wanted a full workup done on him so that they could be sure of his health. There were only a few things in this world he hated more than a doctor visit. In fact, he could count them on one hand with plenty of fingers left over.
Panov sat to his left in the corner reading over a file he was given. The doctor had only looked up from the file when Clint growled at the nurse. Hazel eyes tried to calm him silently but it wasn't going to work.
Even as a child he hated doctor's offices. They made his skin crawl and the need to leave at a running pace was always present. It was worse now than before because if he tried to leave hed only be dragged back. Stupid helicarrier. A fighter he was. A pilot he was not. Unless they landed somewhere he had no chance at getting off the damn thing.
To make matter's worse Coulson had put himself between Clint and the door. If he wanted to leave before he was cleared he would have to go through the agent. Fighting Coulson again was not on his list of things to do today. So he moodily leaned his back against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest.
The doctor returned with a frown on his face. Looking at the three of them he began, "Good news Mr. Barton your most recent wounds are healing nicely. As long as things continue this way over the next week or so you will be able to start training soon. The bad news is that you are severely underweight for your size and age. Several broken bones over the years have healed incorrectly."
Clint knew which ones he was talking about. Some were from when he was with his adoptive father. The bastard had broken several bones and never bothered to take him to the hospital. Others were from the war and there wasnt a hospital to go to. They ached occasionally when it was cold out or when it rained. It wasnt anything more than he could handle. On top of that, they never affected his archery.
Clint replied coldly, "There's an occasional ache but it doesn't affect my work. I've dealt with it for years and will continue to do so. I don't need anyone to coddle me thinking I'm broken."
The doctor held up his hands in surrender before glancing at Coulson. Coulson was just watching him impassively. Clint had thought it was hard to get a read on Abbott. This though was a whole new level.
Coulson said drawing the doctor's attention, "Give me a meal plan for him to gain his weight safely back. I'll make sure the cafeteria gets it and he sticks to it."
"Right I'll have that drawn up for you right away," the doctor replied, "I would also suggest that he continue sessions with Doctor Panov here a few times a week. Barton will need to be cleared by him before any group trainings can be scheduled and clearances are given."
That wasn't anything new for Clint. No matter where he went he would have to speak to the doctor. At least Panov knew how to handle him for the most part.
With that the doctor discharged him and they were shown to the room that would be Panov's office. Coulson then took Panov to his rooms which were on the handler side of the helicarrier. Clint's own rooms were three halls down in the asset dorms. Normally he would be put with the other trainees but considering the circumstances they choose to give him his own rooms.
His room was small, smaller than his apartment but it had everything he needed. A bed and desk took up two corners. There was a closet and a bathroom connected. He never needed much so he was content with it.
Coulson stated calmly as Clint checked over everything, "When you reach Level 3 as an agent you will be given larger rooms. That's only if you're still in the helicarrier at that point. After your first year, you can get an apartment off base but that's up to you. Romanov still uses her rooms here rather than an apartment. I have an apartment in New York but stay on base more often than not."
Clint grunted in reply before he began unpacking. He didnt really care. As long as he had a bed to sleep in and food to eat it was enough. The bed was more of a comfort than anything. He could sleep just about anywhere as he proved on multiple occasions.
Coulson sighed, "I'll bring you, your schedule tomorrow. Try to get some rest."
With that, the door shut behind the man. Any trust Coulson had earned on the mission to save Nat was gone. He tranquilized Clint to get him on the helicarrier. If there was to be any trust between them it would have to be earned.
Clint put what few possessions he had away. There was a note in the closet saying that if he needed more clothes to see the quartermaster. The Quartermaster was on the fifth floor east side. He made a note to do that later. The clothes he had would not last long in a place like this.
After his stuff was put away he found an air vent in the ceiling. A small smile formed on his face as he unscrewed it. If SHIELD didnt know that air vents were a security issue who was he to tell them. Vents were a save haven growing up and they would be again.
There was a little difficulty climbing up into them. Once in them, he found they were surprisingly clean. SHIELD kept everything clean it seemed. Fury had always been a neat freak. Oh well.
Natasha's POV
Coulson was briefing three teams on their next mission. Despite it not being one of hers she listened in. No one knew when a name from her past would show up. It had happened a few times in a briefing where she recognized an alias. Those times saved the lives of agents as they were able to plan better.
She knew that Coulson left Clint to get settled in his room. What she did not expect from today was to hear a soft shuffling sound in the vents. Internally she groaned. There was only one person she knew who could fit in those vents.
By the way, Coulson was droning on he hadn't noticed yet. All the other agents in the room gave a whole new meaning to oblivious. Maybe she should start a bet with Clint on how long it would take Coulson to notice. He was smarter than most people but he could be oblivious sometimes.
