Whumptober Day 31

Hurt & Comfort

Prompts: disaster zone/trauma/prisoner)

Whumptober Year 2 is in the books! Thanks to everyone who's been along for this journey. But wait, there's more! Now that this is over, I can focus on Finders Keepers!

Please enjoy!

Everyone was on the Quinjet for the trip to the battle. Bruce was still Bruce, but they knew his Hulk power and strength would be called for at some point today. A large, well-staffed AIM base had been discovered near the Amazon rainforest in Brazil. Satellites had captured the company using the river to shuttle weapons. The plan was to land in Brazil, locate any storage facilities, destroying the facilities and any weapons found. The enemies would be considered collateral damage. After landing the jet, Tony, Thor, and Sam flew off to survey the situation from overhead, hopefully bringing back definitive intel. The rest of the team stayed on the jet, waiting for the report from the trio in the air. Bruce was busy making sure his medical supplies were organized. The others were going over their weapons, ensuring they brought enough ammo, sharpening knives, and checking arrows.

After checking her equipment, Mikayla leaned back and closed her eyes. "Everything OK?" Clint sat down next to her.

"Yeah," she said, tilting her head toward the top of the plane and. "Just getting focused, making sure my head's on straight."

"You've got this." Clint patted her thigh, knowing she'd be nervous. The upcoming battle would be her first after her extended recovery being held hostage by an offshoot of HYDRA. It took her longer to recover from the mental damage than the physical injuries. She was having to learn to trust others again, along with having faith in herself. Mikayla had been held captive for several months. The goons that took had previously acted as several of Bucky's handlers. Once they realized their Asset wasn't returning, they grabbed Mikayla during one of the Avengers raids on a HYDRA complex. Since all the chairs had been destroyed and the sect didn't have any serum, they tortured her. After Mikayla's rescue, she had been hospitalized for several weeks, then went through months of physical therapy and counseling. "What can I do?"

Mikayla clasped his hand. "You're doing it. Reminding me you're here, that I'm not alone." She shivered, thinking back to her time in isolation.

"I'll make sure of it," Clint softly spoke, kissing her temple. "Use that as motivation when we take out these bastards."

As she nodded, the trio came back from their recon. "Three buildings," Tony shared, "all heavily guarded, about fifteen men each. The middle one backs up to the river. The other two flank the main one."

"What's the plan?" Sam asked.

Cap was sketching out plans on a piece of paper. "OK," he answered, drumming the pencil on the table, "Tony and Thor, you continue working in the air. We'll split up. Sam? You and Natasha take the building on the left, Clint and Mikayla will handle the one on the right, and Bucky and I will take the one by the river. Check in once you've cleared your building, and we'll all end up at the main building. Bruce? Keep an ear out in case we need your expertise." The doctor nodded. "OK, let's head out." Tony and Thor flew back to be the eyes above while the rest of the team trudged through the forest to the complex.

HYDRA had done them a favor by clearing out the thick trees and vines, making it easier for the team to approach. When they got to the edge of the clearing, the group split into the smaller assigned teams. Clint and Mikayla headed to the right. Clint held up his hand to stop Mikayla at the edge of the clearing, then held up five fingers twice. 'Ten guards, then,' Mikayla thought to herself and nodded in agreement. Clint pointed first to the right, then to himself, and took off to the right side. Mikayla went to the left, quickly taking out the first couple of guards, but the fight got more challenging the closer she got to the building. She could hear over the comms the same thing happening to the others. Mikayla resorted to using her arrows to stab the guards; the bow would not be helpful due to the close quarters. Suddenly, the ground started shaking, and she heard an explosion. "It's a trap!" Steve yelled through the comms. "Tony! Thor! Falcon! Continue focusing your shots on the buildings and keep an eye on the river! Make sure nothing gets shipped away!" The attack became a free-for-all. The smoke and the heat from the explosions made it hard to see. It was to the point of kill or be killed. Mikayla found herself blindly swinging knives, then when she lost those, began using her bow to strike people down. After several minutes with no one else approaching her, she fought through the smoke to get to the other side, hoping to help Clint. "Check in, everyone," Steve said while coughing. Everyone replied except Clint. "Fitzgerald?"

"On my way over, Cap." Mikayla arrived at where she last spotted Clint, finding his bow, quiver, and his comm. "Got his weapons and his comm, but not him." Mikayla's coughing grew deeper. "Clint? Clint? Answer me!" Mikayla looked everywhere but couldn't find her fiancé. She heard Cap ordering everyone to meet at the edge of the clearing, but she wasn't giving up until she found Clint. Unfortunately, the smoke got to her first, and she passed out.

Everyone else met and looked over the compound, which had the appearance of a disaster zone. Both dead and alive, Bodies were sprawled throughout the complex, and shells of buildings were left smoking. Bruce had met the group carrying portable oxygen for everyone. "Where are the lovebirds?" Bruce asked.

"Shit," Tony swore, "last I heard Maid Marian was looking for Robin Hood." He put his faceplate back over his face. "Come on, Goldilocks," motioning to Thor, "let's go get our two missing birds." The rest of the team watched as Tony and Thor disappeared into the smoke to rescue Clint and Mikayla.

After making it inside the building remains, the two Avengers began their search. "Stark, I have found Ladyhawke," Thor's voice could be heard over the comms. "She is unconscious but breathing." The Asgardian gently picked her up and carried her out bridal style, bringing her directly to Bruce, who placed an oxygen mask on her face and began assessing her. Thor then returned to help Tony search for their other missing teammate.

"Thor? I found a door. Step back." Tony sent a repulsor shot through the door, immediately knocking it to the ground. The men walked through the door and followed a staircase down to a dark, underground facility. They broke down closed doors, only to find file cabinets or computers that had been trashed. "Friday? See what you can find on these."

"On it, boss."

After winding through several hallways, Thor saw a sliver of light coming from a door at the far end. The men rushed to the door, Thor kicked it open, and the two men found their missing teammate. Clint was unconscious, bound and gagged, in a cage which was a glorified dog kennel. He was curled up in a fetal position with no room to move. Thor immediately ripped the pen apart, giving Tony room to pick up Clint. They were able to remove Clint's restraints between the two of them and then took him out to the team.

"How is fair, Mikayla?" Thor asked.

Cap answered. "Awake and asking about Clint."

Thor nodded and went over to her, finding her sitting up, leaning against a tree. "Fair Mikayla, we have found your archer. The good doctor is treating him as we speak."

"How is he?" Removing her oxygen mask, Mikayla asked in a raspy voice.

"He is unconscious but appeared otherwise unharmed."

"Thanks, Thor. Would you stay?"

"Of course. I shall remain with you while we wait on the doctor to examine Master Barton." Thor put an arm around her, leaning her up against him.

Later, Cap came back to Thor and Mikayla to provide an update. "Clint's going to be fine. Banner's treated his ligature wounds from the ropes, and he's on oxygen. Stark and Wilson have been flying over, scouring the area to see if there are any remnants left, but it looks like we got them all." Mikayla nodded. "We're headed back. Think you can walk?"

Mikayla went to stand up but wavered. "Do not fear. I shall carry you." Thor easily picked her up bridal style again, ready to take her back to the jet.

"Hey, babe." Mikayla looked over and saw Clint being propped up by Sam and Bucky. "I'd carry you myself, but I'm otherwise occupied." Mikayla reached over and grabbed his hand. "I'm fine, I promise. How are you?"

"Glad I never picked up smoking," Mikayla joked, taking another breath with the oxygen mask. She squeezed Clint's hand and spelled out, 'I love you.'

Clint smiled. "I love you, too."

"OK, lovebirds," Natasha interrupted, "let's get you on the plane." With a lot of grumbling and moaning, Clint and Mikayla were placed on stretchers so Bruce could more easily monitor them on the trip back.

Upon arriving at the tower, Bruce forced Clint and Mikayla to the med bay to watch them. Once he gave them a clean bill of health, he released the couple. They left and went to the common area. "They're back," Sam said as soon as they entered. Clint motioned Mikayla to the living room, making a detour to the kitchen to grab them some food and drink. Mikayla made herself comfortable in the love seat. Everyone else was already there. "You feeling OK?" Sam asked.

"Much better," Mikayla said. "Thanks, Clint." Clint handed her a sandwich and a glass of water, then sat down next to her. "What a day." Mikayla exhaled, leaning into Clint.

"You're not kidding." Clint kissed the top of her head.

"I have a favor to ask."

"What's up?" Clint asked.

"Can we take Brazil off the honeymoon destination?"