A/N Thanks for your reviews and support. I am starting classes this week so updates are going to much slower than before. Hope you enjoy the new chapter.

dogman999: thanks for your review, my friend. Glad you continue to enjoy it.

Coulson's POV

Debriefing had turned into a shit show. The Council who didnt like Barton's placement into SHIELD, to begin with, were questioning everything. They were questioning his willingness to risk his own life on the word of a murderer. That he put all of his men and the whole operation at risk.

They didnt understand Barton. Most of SHIELD didnt understand the archer.

Barton was finicky in who he trusted and would be a pain in the ass to those he didnt trust. It made other handlers wary about working with him.

Victoria Hand was the first to see that Barton trusted him. If he didnt he would have left Phil to die in that first mission. Phil came to realize how far that trust had come over the last few years.

Panov was the next to see it. The doctor worked closely with Barton. Every time they met there was more gentleness in his eyes. Delta slowly receded leaving behind Barton with his skills but not the bloodlust.

As he was debriefing the doctor was waiting outside of the surgery room. He would alert them to any changes in Barton's health.

Nick growled drawing Phil from his thoughts, "SHIELD is my responsibility as its Director. As such allowing Barton and Romanov into SHIELD is my decision. Barton has long since proven that he could be trusted. He trusts Romanov with his life and she stayed when she could have run the moment Barton went down. I will put her on year probation under Agent Coulson's command. He had proven that he can handle the more difficult assets."

There were angry mutters who came from the council. In truth, they couldn't really do anything. As much as they wanted to stop Fury they couldn't. Short of him doing something that would jeopardize the fate of the world it was his decision.

That would stop them from voicing their displeasure. Nick wasnt listening to them. There was something hidden in his eyes. If he didnt know better Phil would say that it was worry.

Nick snapped, "This conversation is over. I have an agent to check on."

With that, he hung up on the council and turned to Phil. The younger man bowed his head and moved aside. They moved towards Medical was in silence.

Panov was waiting for a look of worry clouding his face. By that look, he knew Barton had not come out of surgery yet.

Phil questioned, "Any word on Barton yet?"

Panov shook his head as he replied, "No one has come out since they rushed him into surgery. By the looks on their faces, however. The odds are not in his favor. What the hell happened, Agent Coulson? He wasnt even supposed to be on this mission."

Phil pinched the bridge of his nose as he sighed, "That was Barton once again sticking his nose where it didnt belong. I swear he has a death wish at times."

Still, Panov was right. They had given Barton a way to help within SHIELD. Instead, he went to contact the Black Widow alone. It was only his faith in the agent that he was not shot on sight.

Still, it was his fierce loyalty to his friend that won them the Black Widow. That same loyalty brought Barton to be fighting for his life. All he could do was sit back and wait for news.

Phil wasnt one to worry normally. He believed in each of his agents and the strength of their hearts. But there was something different about Barton. He was stronger than most but his heart was more vulnerable. It made Phil want to protect him with everything he had.

Nick wouldn't care as long as it didnt interfere with their jobs. The man had a habit of looking the other way as long as they did what needed to be done.

Not that Phil would ever act on it without knowing Barton felt the same. Barton wasnt one to wear his heart on his sleeve.

Panov asked, "What has been done about the Black Widow? Where is she?"

Nick answered, "Currently she is in one of our empty rooms. Until she speaks with you I don't want her walking around on her own."

Panov gave a short nod. He had helped Barton put aside Delta. It was something he could do for the Black Widow as well.

Their attention was suddenly drawn to the door of the surgery room. Banks pushed open the door with a bloodied hand. There was pure exhaustion in his entire stance.

Blood covered the man's scrubs. The sheer amount of blood surprised him. Phil thought they had gotten that under control before arriving. Maybe they hadn't.

Banks said as Panov stood beside them, "Agent Barton is alive and very lucky. If one of the bullets had gone any further it would have hit his spine. Rendering paralyzed from the waist down for the rest of his life. Another tore through his appendix and it took a while to fix the damage done from that. Hes not quite out of the woods yet. It will be touch and go for at least tonight. However, with his strong will, he will make a full recovery. Just a few scars to add to his body."

Relief went through both Phil and Panov. With the strength of Barton's will, he would be fine.

"Go on. Go see him. While he's still unconscious but with a few hours rest he should be awake again."

Phil gave a short nod as he moved around the doctor so that he could go through to the recovery rooms. Barton lay on a hospital bed and all the wires that came off of him were connected to a machine.

The dirty blond-haired man's chest rose and fell in a slow mechanical way. His chest and abdomen were wrapped in bandages. On his arms were scars made from shrapnel and knives if he had to guess.

Panov said gently from the doorway, "He looks terrible."

Phil quipped in return, "He does. I am going to give him a long lecture about putting himself in dangerous situations when he wakes up."

"I wonder who could have put Delta out of commission? Delta is one of the best fighters in the world."

Phil knew exactly who almost killed his agent. He wasnt sure if he should tell Panov. The doctor worked for SHIELD and the CIA. There was a chance that information could be passed on. Then again he might have information on the Jackal.

Panov continued, "You don't have to tell me. With everything that has happened, I would understand if you keep things close to the chest."

Phil gave him a nod. Now all they could do was wait for Clint to wake up.