I hope you guys enjoy this short tidbit from Clint's POV. Let me know what you guys think. I wanted everyone to get a look into how Clint feels about Eden and how special she really is to him. I have created an email address strictly dedicated to answering any and all questions you have about the story...anything you ever wondered about or suggestions of your own. The yahoo email address ID is ecorleyfanfic

Thanks for reading. Reviews are always appreciated.

Ecorley

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Clint POV – Sunday Evening

I had just opened a beer and was settling in on my couch for the night to watch some television when my phone alerted me that I had a text message. I groaned and turned my head slightly to see my cell phone still sitting on the kitchen counter where I had left it after grabbing a beer out of the fridge. I glanced at the clock to see it was after 7:00pm.

It's probably Eden finally texting to let you know her and Brooke made it home.

I was slightly annoyed she hadn't texted me the minute she had arrived home but I figured I would let her off the hook for it. I knew from our talk this morning that she was nervous about going home and facing Bucky. The two of them had an awful lot to talk about after what he heard over the phone last night.

I took a long chug of my beer and laid my head back on the couch. It had been a long weekend and I was beat. All I wanted to do was sit on the couch, drink a few beers, and pretend for one night that I was just a regular guy alone in his apartment.

You're not a regular guy Barton.

I let out a sigh. This weekend was supposed to be a simple job: watch the girls and make sure they stay out of trouble.

Well that was easier said than done...it didn't help that my Eden was such an astute student and had figured out I was following them so early into the evening. Once she had realized I was shadowing her, the only thing I could do was give in and join them. I had to admit that it was nice to spend a weekend being just a normal guy hanging out with friends. I was surprised at how much fun I'd had with the three of them, even if they did spend most of the night acting silly and trying to embarrass me.

Eden always had a way of making me feel comfortable, even in the situations where I would typically never feel at ease. I didn't like being part of a big crowd...I was most comfortable being on the outside and observing from afar. I belonged there...I had always belonged in the shadows. With Eden, she made me join in on the fun and I couldn't say that I regretted it.

Well it wasn't a completely normal weekend...there was the bar fight!

That is slightly normal, right? No, not when your partner in crime is a girl.

Not that I considered Eden just a girl...she was far from that. Eden was...well, Eden was a lot of things. Ever since that first night we met at her apartment after she was attacked by Lister, I had admired her. Any other woman would have been hysterical after something like that but not Eden...or Brooke for that matter.

When Bucky had told Steve he trusted me to keep Brooke and Eden safe while they were out of town, I had felt a small sense of pride. Gaining that type of trust and confidence from the Winter Soldier had made me feel better than I had felt in a long time. I knew how important Eden was to Bucky...in the short time I had known her she had become very important to me too. It wasn't that I was in love with her. No, I didn't feel a romantic love for Eden but I did care about her, far more than I had ever cared about anyone.

It wasn't the same way I cared about Natasha. Me and Nat understood each other on a different level...we were both soldiers, both fighters in a never ending war. We were partners, we were comrades...and for a short time, we had been lovers.

Eden was different. I was her teacher and she was my student.

She's more than just that Barton.

Eden was my friend. She was the first one that I had made all on my own...not out of necessity for survival or because of the job but simply because I wanted it. It was true I had started as her trainer but it had developed into much more than that. For weeks now, I had been watching her getting better, getting stronger. It was amazing to watch her progress and each day I was more and more stunned by everything she did. I was slowly realizing that I had just as much to learn from Eden as she did from me. She was teaching me to join in and not always stay on the sideline...she was helping me open up and so far I couldn't say I didn't like it.

During the bar fight last night, I had seen everything I had taught her displayed fully and as much as I hated how it happened, I still couldn't deny how proud of I was of her. Knowing I was the one that had helped give her some of that confidence I saw bursting out of her was a very satisfying feeling. I had her back and she had mine. I wasn't kidding earlier when I had said I had been thinking that she and I made a good team. It was the absolute truth. Not that I would ever wish the life of SHIELD agent on Eden but I couldn't deny that she was made for it. She was a fighter. Bucky may not see it, or even want to believe it for that matter, but she was full of potential.

I remembered back to Friday when she had fought Marston and Grayson. I had spent the majority of the time helping Steve hold Bucky back. I knew before the fight even started that it was going to be impossible for Bucky to stand there and watch his girlfriend fend off two trained agents. What had surprised me was that I was not finding it easy either. The moment Marston had taken that cheap shot at Eden, I had considered stepping aside and letting Bucky have a go at him. A part of me knew it was wrong though so I had simply clenched my fist in anger and lunged for the Winter Soldier, helping Steve hold in place while I tried to continue monitoring the fight. In the long run, I was glad it happened that way because Eden had ended it not long after that. I think I was the only one besides her that heard Marston call her a bitch and watching her jab that asshole in the face brought a small smile to my face.

She was one of a kind and I considered Bucky one of the luckiest men in the world.

After leaving the training room Friday with Nat, we had run into the jerk in the hallway. He and Grayson were having a heated discussion that they quickly stopped when they saw the two of us approaching. The older man tried to keep the smile off his face but I could see the amusement in his eyes. Marston had simply sneered at us and raised his blood smeared towel back up to his nose.

Nat had gone to find Fury to go over a few details for her latest mission but I had stuck around to chat with Grayson.

He was telling me how impressed he was with Eden when Marston had butted in, "That little bitch got lucky...end of story"

I had turned my head sharply to glare at him, "Watch how you fucking talk about my student asshole. That wasn't luck; that was skill...something you would know nothing about"

"I just bet she has some skills...all those weeks, just the two of you alone in that training room. I bet you taught her real good Barton. I wonder if she would let me teach her a few things too" he had said, licking his lips suggestively before winking at me.

"Son of a bitch" I had hissed, brushing past Grayson. My only intent was finishing what Eden had started earlier. The insinuation that she and I were anything more than friends pissed me off and I sure as hell wasn't going to let him get away with it.

Marston had narrowed his eyes, shooting me a sickening smile, provoking me even further.

Grayson had stepped forward and put himself between the two of us before turning to the other man to scold him, "Shut up you idiot. You would think one beating was more than enough for you for today. You think it's a good idea to start a fight with the guy who trained the woman who just kicked your ass?"

Marston had simply shrugged his shoulders and stepped back, giving me a cocky grin. I had jerked out of Grayson's grasp and turned my back on them. I wasn't going to waste my time fighting with the man. I was just about to walk away and forget the whole thing but his next words made me freeze.

"I wonder if the Winter Soldier realizes he has some competition. She must be quite a piece of ass. Maybe I should pay her a little visit and see what all the fuss is about" he said.

I heard Grayson let out a deep sigh...he knew what was coming and I was pretty sure he felt I was justified. I spun on my heel and slammed my fist into Marston's face with as much force as I could muster.

The hit had knocked him to the ground and I had stood over him menacingly, "If I ever hear of you going anywhere near her, one of my arrows will find its way into your fucking head. You stay away from Eden, do you understand me?"

He had sneered at me and was opening his mouth to speak when Grayson had come up and kicked him in the leg. He looked up at the older man, noticing the look he was being given. He shut his mouth and looked down at the floor before giving me a sharp nod that he understood.

I had turned my back and began stalking away, fury burning inside of me with each step. It was an anger I hadn't felt since the incident in New York when Loki had invaded my mind and forced me do those terrible things. For months after that, I had been filled with so much guilt, so much hate. I had gone off on my own for a few weeks as I tried to piece everything back together.

The thought of anyone, especially that asshole Marston, causing Eden any type of pain, emotional or physical, made me want to do some pretty dangerous things.

I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts as I heard my phone beep again. With a sigh, I put my beer down on the coffee table and drug my ass off the couch to saunter in the kitchen. I hoped everything was okay between her and Bucky. I had already planned on talking to him tomorrow once I got to SHIELD. The guy needed to know how well she had handled herself and that not all of what had happened was her fault. Sure, she hadn't helped the situation but that asshole Brent was completely out of line and deserved the beating he got.

I let out another sigh as I wondered how mad Bucky was going to be at me. I was hoping Eden would be able to talk him down...the last thing I wanted to be was on his bad side.

I picked up my phone to check the first message and my heart stopped when I saw it.

Steve: Eden's in trouble. Sullivan's Wine and Beer, get there now!

I fumbled to check the next message and this one made my blood go cold.

Steve: I need you there Clint. Things don't look good. I'm going to need help with Bucky.

Clint: On my way!

I tucked the phone in my pocket and tore into my bedroom, flinging open my closet door and reaching for the duffel bag tucked neatly away on the shelf. I threw it on the bed and unzipped it quickly, examining the rifle and making sure the ammo and scope was tucked safely inside. I zipped it back up and threw it over my shoulder before tearing back into the living room to grab my keys. As soon as I was in my truck, I turned on the police scanner and began listening to the chatter. I had figured out what was going on during the drive and with each second that passed I began to feel a greater sense of dread.

The only thing I could think about was Eden. I had taught her so much in the last few weeks and I could only hope that it would be enough. There was still so much I wanted her to learn...so many more things I wanted to share with her.

The entire ordeal ended just minutes before I pulled up in my truck. I used fake police credentials that I had stored in my vehicle to get the story of what happened from a detective. Once I knew what was going on, I vanished before he realized I wasn't who I claimed to be.

Now that I knew that Eden was out of immediate danger, I resorted to my old ways and looked around for the best vantage point. All I wanted to do was get high in the air, away from all the noise and all the people, and gather my thoughts. Being up high always seemed to calm me and that was something I desperately needed right now. I looked around, calculating which roof top would provide me the most cover while still giving me a good view. The roof of the building across the street from the liquor store seemed to be the most logical choice so I made my way to the alley and climbed the fire escape. I felt at ease as soon as I stepped onto the roof and took a deep breath, inhaling the cold night air. I unzipped my bag and pulled out the rifle, sliding my hands down the smooth metal before reaching in for the scope. Once I had it attached and the weapon loaded, I placed it on the ledge to steady it and took a look.

I moved around until I found the person I was looking for, the person I needed to make sure was alive and well.

Eden!

There she was, standing only a few feet away from Bucky, covered in blood. The entire scene was unsettling and I swallowed hard to control my anger. I sat up, taking my eye from the scope to peer over the ledge and down at the liquor store.

Where the fuck is the guy who did this to her? I'll kill the mother fucker!

I put my eye to the scope again and looked around. I knew from speaking with the detective that the suspect had been incapacitated by Eden but he didn't have any other specific details. My view turned once more to Eden who was now being escorted out of the store and moved towards an ambulance. Bucky was following her cautiously but didn't seem to be trying to reach out and comfort her which seemed rather odd. I took another look at Eden and noted the blank expression on her face.

I looked away again, searching the scene for any sign of the would-be robber and finally spotted a group of paramedics exiting the liquor store. I almost assumed it was just another victim until I saw the handcuffs attached to the gurney. It was him! It was the man who was responsible for that empty look in Eden's eyes and for the blood now covering her pale flesh.

He hurt her! He tried to kill her!

I took a deep breath and sighted my scope once more; aiming it on the man they were now slowly wheeling towards an empty ambulance. I had him in my crosshairs and with each step the paramedics took, I let my gun follow. I was slowly letting out my breath, preparing myself for the shot I was going to take when the Bluetooth headset in my ear began ringing.

My hand shot up quickly to push the button to answer it, never taking my eyes off the man or my finger off the trigger.

"Barton" I answered calmly.

"Stand down soldier" I heard a familiar voice say.

My finger froze on the trigger and I shook my head, willing myself to get it together and do what was necessary.

I realized it was Steve on the other end of the line and I reluctantly moved my weapon and scanned the crowd for him. He was 10 feet to the left with his cell phone in one hand and saluting me with the other. I whipped my gun back towards the suspect and trained my sights on him again.

I was mad. No! I was furious. This asshole had tried to hurt someone I cared about...someone I had grown to both respect and love. I was her teacher, her mentor, and she was my student. What kind of man would I be if I just let him get away with it?

"I said stand down Clint!" Steve repeated, more frantic this time when he noticed I had trained my weapon back to the man attached to the gurney.

I shook my head, "No can do Cap. He tried to kill her"

I heard him mutter to himself, "Good God, he's nearly as bad as Bucky..."

He cleared his throat before speaking directly into the phone to me again, "This isn't a sanctioned hit Clint...you don't have orders to kill him. You're a soldier, not a murderer. Stand down!"

I heard his words and was reminded of a similar conversation I'd had with Bucky when we had discovered Lister in his warehouse. I had told him the same exact thing Steve was telling me now and luckily he had listened.

Do you care that these aren't your orders? Are you a murderer?

My thoughts automatically went back to Loki...to the people I had killed under his command. I wasn't in control then but right now, at this moment, I was and I knew deep down that Steve was right. I moved my finger from the trigger and pulled the gun off the ledge.

I heard Steve let out a deep breath of relief, "She's okay Clint. Shook up a little, but she'll survive. Go home, Bucky's got her" he said.

I swallowed hard and took a deep breath, "I'll stick around a little longer and then head out"

I didn't even let him reply before I pressed the button again and disconnected the call. I stayed on the roof for a lot longer than I should have, peering down over the ledge and using binoculars that were tucked in the duffel bag. I watched Eden, noting how lost she seemed. The look in her eyes reminding me how I felt after the ordeal in New York. There was something missing from her...that fire was gone and that worried me more than anything.

I watched how she interacted with Bucky, noticing that she refused to let him touch her even though it was obvious he was trying to provide comfort. I knew what she was doing, whether she consciously realized it or not. She was trying to hold it together, she was trying to be tough and not fall apart. I only hoped Bucky could understand that. I could fathom her need for it because I had felt the same thing after I had gotten the God of Mischief out of my head.

Once Eden had been interviewed, Bucky escorted her to a waiting police car and the two of them and Steve were driven off in the direction of their apartment. I packed up my things, tucking them safely in the duffel bag before making my way back down the fire escape and to my waiting truck.

Driving home, I thought about how lost Eden seemed. I knew Bucky would take care of her...if anyone knew about being lost, it was him...he had spent 70 years in the darkness.

Once I got home, I tucked the duffel bag back onto the shelf in the closet and made my way into the living room. I grabbed a fresh beer out of the fridge and once again plopped onto the couch. I didn't turn on the television or the light. I sat there in the darkness, in the silence, hoping that my dear friend would be able to get through this. Eden was the strongest woman I had ever met and I couldn't bear the thought of knowing that this might break her.

When I woke up the next morning, I was still on the couch. I sat up groggily, noting the tightness in my neck from the awkward angle at which I slept. I figured the splitting headache I was now experiencing was caused by the half dozen empty beer bottles now littering my coffee table. I looked at the clock and noticed it was 8:45 in the morning.

I let out a groan and got up from the couch, stretching a bit and wincing at the stiffness in my body. It wasn't easy getting older and the massive amount of injuries I had experienced in my career didn't help the situation. I looked down at my phone that was sitting amongst the empty beer bottles on my coffee table and noticed the flashing light signaling I had a message.

I picked it up and was surprised at what I saw.

Bucky: Eden is still planning on training today. You and I need to talk later.

Any other time that last comment would have made me nervous but that was feeling was completely outweighed by the shock of knowing that Eden still wanted to train today. She had just been through something horrible...something traumatic...and she was once again ready to get back to it.

Good God, that woman is solid iron. I should have known that wouldn't break her.

I called Steve to get an update from him and hear the entire story from his point of view. He told me in full detail what had happened before I had arrived. He let me know how off Eden had acted last night and how worried Bucky was about it. After getting off the phone, I rushed to get in the shower and get dressed in time to meet her in our usual training room. I arrived 15 minutes before 10:00 and found myself nervously pacing around the room.

The moment I heard the door open, I turned around to see her slowly entering the training room. Her eyes met my own and she gave me a small, reassuring smile...the one Eden always seemed to give. She started to make her way towards me and the entire time all I could picture was how she had looked last night: covered in blood with that empty look in her eyes.

Once she reached me, she stopped and stared at me, looking at me with expectant eyes...waiting for me to speak. I couldn't. I didn't know what to say. I felt a strange tugging in my chest that I wasn't used to feeling and I swallowed hard as I looked at her. I wanted to comfort her...to tell her not to let what happened last night destroy her in any way. I wanted to be a good friend. I wanted to be the strong one that she could lean on...but that didn't happen. I had it all wrong. Eden didn't need to lean on me for strength or courage...no, it was the exact opposite in fact. It should have been me reaching my hands out to draw her into me for a hug...to show her comfort. It just didn't happen that way.

Surprisingly, it was Eden that opened her arms to me...and I let her. I took a step forward and she drew me in and wrapped her arms around me.

"I'm okay Clint. I promise you, I'm okay" she whispered.

My hands that had been lying at my sides finally wrapped around her and pulled her against me tightly. For once in my life, I let someone comfort me for a change and to be honest, it didn't feel so bad.