It was a bit overwhelming to be back at the compound with everyone, but soon he settled back into the swing of things. It really was great seeing everyone. Clint even managed to wave at Wanda, thinking that Dot would have wanted him to try.
Currently, he and Nat were in one of the training rooms sparring with one another.
"Good to see you haven't gotten rusty." She smirked as they took a break "Though I can tell something is different." She said to him. She could always tell when something was off with someone.
"Yeah…about that." Clint rubbed the back of his neck, nervous to talk about it.
"What's going on?" Nat lightly questioned.
"I think I like my neighbor…. wait no I'm positive that I like my neighbor. Like in the sense that I want to take her out on dates." He sighed "Twice yesterday we almost kissed." Slumping down against the wall.
"Okay…" Nat trailed off sitting next to him "Does she know?" She asked him. Nat didn't need to elaborate. He knew she was speaking about the Avengers.
"No. She thinks I'm a soldier on a break. But she does know about my reasons for taking a break. I told her, well told her vaguely about Pietro and how it's been affecting me. She even encouraged me to reach out to Wanda." He sighed into his hands.
"Well do you think she likes you?" Nat asked him.
"I think so? I mean we've been flirting but honest to God I can't imagine what she sees in me." Clint depressingly said.
"Clint," Nat tried but he cut her off.
"No Nat, she is amazing. She is intelligent, funny, and sarcastic as hell. She is kind and sweet. She is so beautiful. I could listen to her talk about history for hours. We both love everything 80's. She got me a John Deacon Funko Pop doll, all because I helped fix her sink." He said.
"We've both been through the ringer, though she's had it worse. Mom died in a car crash when she was 13 and she was in the car with her. We both share alcoholic dads who loved beating their wives. She's just so easy to talk to." Clint sighed again.
"Oh, Jesus you've got it bad," Nat smirked at him.
"I know." Clint groaned hitting his head against the wall "Last night when I came back from watching a movie at her place all I could think was, I'm fucked." Letting out a chuckle.
"Does this woman have a name?" Nat's eyes rose in humor.
"Dorothy, but she goes by Dot or Dottie." Clint smiled as her face popped into his head.
"Do you think you could tell her the truth? Or do you think you could be with her and keep everything a secret? I mean what happens when you come back?" She asked him.
"That's the thing," Clint said quietly "I'm not so sure I want to come back." Letting the words hang out in the open "I don't know if this is right for me anymore."
"I see." Nat pursed her lips into a frown.
"And it has nothing to do with Dot, it's just I'm trying to figure out what I want. What is going to make me happy." He tried to explain.
She sighed next to him "Obviously you deserve to be happy and no one would want you to force you to be a part of something you don't want to. I mean we would miss you, of course." She let a small smile appear on her lips and he let out a laugh.
"Trying to guilt me?" He laughed.
"No, never. You're my best friend. You know that. I'm glad you talked to me about this."
"Please don't say any of this to anyone. I still need time to figure out what I want." Clint said to her.
"Won't say a word." She nodded.
They were quiet for a few moments before Clint said "Do you feel like something is different now. I mean after Sokovia and Ultron. Or is it just me?" He asked looking at her.
Nat sighed and shifted her gaze "No, it's not just you."
They were silent again.
"Look if you like this woman ask her out. See how it goes. Take it from there." Nat said as she stood up and offered him her hand, pulling him up.
"What if she says no?" Clint mumbled.
"She won't." Nat smiled like she was so sure.
Lord, I was tired. After Clint left last night I couldn't fall asleep liked I wanted. On the upside, I was able to finish my article which I submitted this morning.
Hopefully, it was up to standard.
The downside was I hadn't gotten much sleep.
I wondered how Clint was doing. I hoped he was enjoying himself. I also wondered when he would be coming back…
I also wondered if that made me pathetic...
My brain was too tired to try and process my romantic feelings for Clint so instead, I hauled my body up the stairs to my apartment.
All I wanted was to change, put away the groceries, and relax. But on the stairs right up to my apartment door I stopped. My body freezing in place. Staring at who was outside my door.
"Hello Dottie." Ted smiled at me.
"What do you want Ted?" Narrowing my eyes at him, making sure to keep my distance and stay on the stairs.
"Now that's no way to talk to your father." His smile only grew wider.
"You're conveniently forgetting about the restraining order again. Leave or I will call the police." Heatedly telling him. I tried not to fly off the handle. That's what he would want.
His eyes scrunched in anger.
"Then give me some money and I'll be on my way." He hissed at me.
"One, I'm done giving you money to piss away on booze. Two, your scare tactics don't work on me anymore. Three, I'm done with this conversation." Huffing as I pulled out my phone and dialed 911.
"911 what is your emergency?" The operator asked me.
"Yes hello my name is Dorothy Laurens, I'd like to report a disturbance. My father is currently standing in front of my apartment harassing me and won't leave. He's violating his court-appointed restraining order. I'm at the Rolling Hills Apartments, the address is 1206 Wharton Street, off Canal Plaza. I'm building two, third floor, apartment 13." Rushing out but trying to keep my voice steady.
Ted started to move towards me "Ted I swear to God stay away from me." Fiercely warning him as I clutched my phone to me. Dropping all my bags onto the stairs beside me.
"Miss officers are on their way. They will be there in four minutes. Just try and keep calm." The responder said to me.
"Okay thank you." But Ted still stalked towards me.
"Ted I'm serious come near me and I will pepper spray you." Hoping I sounded menacing, but I cursed myself when I heard my voice shaking "You've already violated the restraining order once this year." Holding up the pepper spray attached to my keys, aiming it at him.
"Three minutes miss." I heard over the phone.
"Fine, I'll go." He seethed as he walked down the stairs but stopped before me. I pressed myself as far as I could into the wall to keep away from him "But this isn't over." Freezing my blood cold.
He walked past me, and I wasn't until I saw him disappear down the second set of stairs did I let out a breath.
"Miss Laurens are you still there?" The responder.
"Yes, I am." My breath coming out in small pants "He just left." Shakily responding as my legs gave way and I collapsed on the stairs.
"Did he harm you?"
"No, no he didn't touch me." Breathing out.
"The officers are a minute away. I'll stay on the phone with you until they arrive."
"That won't be necessary I need to call my grandfather." Hanging up as my fingers shook to pull up Pops number.
He answered on the third ring "Hey kiddo, how are you?" His tone was all smiles.
"Pops," Tears started to drip from my eyes.
"Dottie what is it, what's wrong?" He instantly panicked.
"He showed up again." Clutching myself together to keep from breaking down.
All of the Avengers were gathered around the huge dining room table. Steve had taken it upon himself to cook dinner. A special treat for Clint's visit. Everyone talked over one another as they all shared stories.
The atmosphere was light. Friendly, and full of laughter. A part of him did miss being around the team when it was like this.
They were all currently trying to explain to Thor what the phrase "lit" meant because Wanda kept saying it.
"But nothing is on fire?" He questioned again.
Clint smirked when he saw Sam drop his head back dramatically "No!"
"No, it just means like it's going to be awesome, cool, a good time. Like this party is going to be lit." Wanda tried to explain again.
Thor rolled his eyes getting frustrated "Why can't you misguardians just say it like that then!" He exclaimed.
"I agree. Conversations would be so much simpler if we used correct phrases." Vision added.
"Because that's not how the cool kids do it, right Wanda." Stark smiled, giving her a wink.
"I'm not sure anyone put you and cool in the same sentence," Nat smirked.
"Sure they would, like hey wasn't it cool to see Tony smash into the wall earlier?" Clint chimed in making everyone laugh.
Friday spoke interrupting up.
"Boss I have an update." The AI spoke.
"What's up Fri?" Tony asked as he took a drink of whiskey.
"You had asked me to give you any updates on Mr. Barton's apartment building if any red flags showed up." The AI spoke.
Everyone turned to look at Clint.
"What's going on Friday?" The archer said to the system.
"Police just responded to a domestic disturbance call from one Dorothy Laurens. Mr. Barton's next-door neighbor." The system responded.
All of them saw Clint go rigid immediately.
"Friday is she okay?" Clint dropped his fork and questioned in a mild panic. Everyone studied their teammate and friend with piqued interest.
"From the police report filed Miss Laurens appears unharmed. Would you like me to play the 911 call?" Friday asked.
"Yeah, I would," Tony said as he eyed Clint gripping the edge of the table.
"911 what is your emergency?" They all heard the operator as Friday piped the call through the sound system.
"Yes hello my name is Dorothy Laurens, I'd like to report a disturbance. My father is currently standing in front of my apartment harassing me and won't leave. He's violating his court-appointed restraining order." Clint gripped the table so hard his knuckles turned white.
"I'm at the Rolling Hills Apartments, the address is 1206 Wharton Street, off Canal Plaza. I'm building two, third floor, apartment 13." They heard her speak. Everyone could tell she was nervous but she was trying to be brave.
That's my girl.
Clint thought proudly to himself as the call continued.
"Ted I swear to God stay away from me." Dorothy hissed. They heard movement in the background.
"Miss officers are on their way. They will be there in four minutes. Just try and keep calm." The responder said to Dorothy.
"Okay thank you." She responded but they still heard noise in the background.
"Ted I'm serious come near me and I will pepper spray you." Clint wanted to flip the table when he heard the cracks of panic in Dot's voice, "You've already violated the restraining order once this year." Clint could tell she was still trying to be brave.
"Three minutes miss." The responder told spoke.
Clint heard a voice speaking but he couldn't make it out. He assumed it was Ted. He could tell he was coming closer to Dot. His body chilled at the thought.
A harsh, cold voice said, "This isn't over."
Then it went quiet.
Clint started to sweat at the silence.
What had happened to Dot?
It wasn't until he heard Dot exhale did he relax a fraction.
"Miss Laurens are you still there?" The operator asked after the silence.
"Yes, I am." Dorothy finally spoke, but they could tell her breathing was uneven "He just left." Her voice was unsteady.
"Did he harm you?" They heard.
"No, no he didn't touch me." Clint heard her breath out in relief. He did one to match hers.
"The officers are a minute away. I'll stay on the phone with you until they arrive." The responder told her.
"That won't be necessary I need to call my grandfather." They heard and then the line went dead.
"The call disconnected there sir. The officers arrived a minute later." Friday informed them.
All of them turned to look at Clint who was fuming in his seat as he digested this information. Nat could see he was attempting to reel in his fury.
He was quiet for a tense minute for reacting.
"Son of a bitch!" Clint roared standing up, startling all of them, except Natasha.
"Clint buddy just calm down." Steve warily said to the archer as he watched him pace back and forth.
"No I can't calm down. I should have been there. If I had been there, she'd be okay." Clint breathed out. All of them swore he was about to start breathing fire.
"Clint she is okay. She is safe." Sam tried to reason with him.
"Can you track him? Make sure that the cops find him?" Clint turned to Tony.
"No problem." The genius pulled up a screen and began to fiddle "Friday get me security footage on Ted Laurens when he left the apartment. Track his movements from there. Let me know when you get a hit."
Clint was itching to call Dot to make sure she was okay.
But he stopped suddenly.
Shit, he didn't even have her number.
"I need to go back. I have to make sure she is alright." Clint said as he began to walk away from them.
"Clint stop for one second." Natasha stood in front of him blocking his path.
"Nat move." He said to her. She could feel the rage rolling from him.
"Clint you are in no condition to see Dorothy tonight. You'll only make things worse with how you're behaving. Give her the night for you and her to calm down." Natasha stressed to her best friend "You go back now you will have questions to answer because she doesn't know. She will get suspicious of you showing up. But, also you'll frighten her if you're like this," She tried to calmly reason to him.
Clint took in his best friends' words. All of them watched the standoff, the meal was long forgotten. After an anxious two minutes, Clint heaved out a sigh and disappeared out of their sight.
Thor went to follow him, but Nat stopped him, shaking her head "No he's fine. He won't leave tonight."
"How do you know?" The God of Thunder questioned her.
"Because he cares about her." She told him simply.
Pops rushed over to my apartment after I called him. When he arrived the police were about to leave, except Pops questions opened up a whole new conversation. During all this, I managed to call Beth and she quickly came over too.
Basically, everything that had been repeated with me, was repeated with Pops and Beth. The police informed me that they would submit their report to say my father had violated the restraining order once more. They would stop by his last known address and try to track him down.
Since this was violation number two, it meant jail time for Ted. More so because according to the police Ted had never paid his fine for violating the order back in January.
Figures.
If they were able to find him he'd be looking at 90 days in the county jail. Finding Ted would be the real trick though. He'd gotten good over the years on evading the police.
To sum up I wasn't holding out much hope.
After the police left Pops was still fuming. I was exhausted and trying not to cry. It would only fuel Pops on even more. Beth loyally stayed by my side for support.
"This is exactly what I was afraid of when you moved out on your own." He said pacing back and forth.
"Pops he still did it when I lived with you and Grams." Sighing into my hands "He's going to do it either way. I'm not going to be intimidated by him. I'm not going to let him run how I live my life."
"Dottie one of these days he is going to stop with the idle threats, and he is going to fly off the handle," Pops stressed to me. He was being difficult, but I knew it was because he was scared for me.
"Your mother," He cut himself off.
We all didn't need a reminder of what he did to mom. We lived with it every day. My guilt feeding off of it for 13 years.
"Which is why I took the self-defense classes and I carry my pepper spray." Reminding him to ease his mind "I can take care of myself."
"I don't want you by yourself tonight," Pops said to me and I was about to argue when Beth broke in.
"She won't be because I'm spending the night. I've officially invited myself over so there's nothing you can do about it." My best friend grinned at me.
I dropped my head on her shoulder "Thank you." Kindly saying.
Pops went out to pick up some takeout for us. When Beth and I were alone I was finally allowed to break down.
She held me in her arms while I cried my fear, anger, and frustration out.
"It's okay. You're okay." She soothed as she rubbed my back.
"It had been going so well." Sighing as I lifted my head from her chest and grabbed a tissue "Thank God he hasn't shown up at work." Blowing my nose.
"I don't think he'd do that. He won't want to risk getting arrested at a government institution. Drunk or not." Beth continued to rub my back.
She knew about this more than anyone. Four years she had to put up with Ted while we were at William and Mary. That's when the bulk of Ted's stalking begin. When I moved away to college and wasn't near my grandparents.
I remember the first time during my freshman year when Ted showed up outside my dorm. Beth was my roommate. I was mortified and slightly scared for her.
After Ted started yelling in my face, Beth stepped in between us, protecting me. She threatened that she would kick his ass from here to Sunday if he didn't leave. She called campus police and they hauled away a drunken Ted. He was almost always drunk.
I expected her to pack up her stuff and request a new roommate. To say goodbye to the complicated chick with the dead mom, dark secrets, and serious dad issues.
Instead, she took me out to Krispy Kreme and we shared half a dozen doughnuts and watched Pretty in Pink.
That night cemented our friendship forever.
Ever since then she's had my back. And I've tried to have hers.
"You don't need to spend the night." Saying to her.
"Yes I do. Also, I want to. Plus you can catch me up on that cryptic text you sent me earlier." She raised her eyes at me. She was referring to the text message I sent her earlier this morning saying I needed to talk to her about Clint.
"Yeah well…." Fiddling with my hands "There were…well, I think there were two incidents yesterday involving me and Clint." Stalling.
"And?" She waved her hands for me to continue.
"I think we almost kissed, twice." Sheepishly saying as quietly as I could.
Beth was quiet for a second before bursting out a "What!" An enormous grin on her face.
"Oh God." Moaning out as I sunk into the couch hoping to disappear.
"Tell me everything!" She was bouncing up and down in her seat.
"I will once Pops leaves." Shushing her. Pops could come back any minute.
"I can't believe twice you almost kissed an Avenger!" She squealed shaking me.
"Will you stop that!" Trying to get her to shut up.
"Sorry, sorry, sorry." She said but she didn't look sorry "Oh tonight will be awesome. We'll get ice cream, veg out and you will tell me everything." Beth beamed.
"Lord you need to get a life," I told her. I heard my phone ringing on the table.
"Why when I can live vicarious through you and your hot Avenger." She winked at me as I got up and answered my phone.
I love her but she needs help.
"Hello?" Answering my phone.
"Miss Laurens this is Officer Madison from earlier." Officer Madison said to me.
"Yes, of course, hello Officer." Saying to him and Beth instantly went quiet.
"We just wanted to let you know that we picked up your father. We got a tip-off and were able to find in a bar off thirteenth and fifth. He is currently in police custody." He told me.
"Oh my God." Completely surprised that they were even able to find Ted.
"He'll be brought before the judge tomorrow. We're giving him the night to dry out. Because of the missed payment, and this being the second time he violated the court order this year he's looking at 90 days in the county jail. I'll call you tomorrow when he's officially been seen by the judge." Officer Madison explained to me.
"Okay, great. Thank you so much for the call. I'll speak to you tomorrow." We hung up.
"What happened?" Beth got up and came to my side.
"The cops were able to track down Ted, he's currently in police custody. Officer Madison said he'll be brought before a judge tomorrow. He's looking at three months." Telling her.
"That's great Dottie!" Beth hugged me tight "Pops will be so relieved." She pulled back and smiled but it fell off her face when she studied mine.
"What? Why aren't you happy?" She questioned.
"No, I am." Even though I was still frowning "It's just weird. Officer Madison said someone tipped off the cops as to where Ted was. In a bar of course." Rolling my eyes "But who would tip them off?" Wondering aloud.
"Maybe he was being his usual disruptive self and someone made a complaint." She shrugged.
"Probably." Agreeing with her but I don't know. Something still felt strange about the whole thing. But still, I shouldn't be complaining. For three months Ted was no longer going to be a problem.
Clint sat on his bed and stared into space. His anger was momentarily gone. If it came back would depend on any news Stark had for him.
After his storm out at dinner, everyone had left him alone and let him be.
A knock sounded on his door.
Or so he thought.
"Yeah?" He called out not really in the mood to talk to anyone.
The door opened to reveal Wanda.
Clint tried to not show the surprise on his face.
"Hey, I just wanted to see how you were holding up?" She asked. Her words thick with her accent.
Now he was really surprised. She came to check up on him?
Since the time they had known each other, they had barely had a conversation.
Though to be fair, that was his fault.
"I-I don't know." He answered her honestly.
"You seem to really care about this woman," Wanda said as she leaned against his door.
"I do." He responded after a pause.
"She's a lucky woman then." The teenager smiled at him. Taking him aback.
"Wanda, I-" He tried to speak but she cut him off.
"I know." She simply said. She came into his room and sat down next to him "But it wasn't your fault." She said looking into his eyes.
"Pietro did what he did because he would do it for anyone. He respected you. He might not have particularly liked you," She smiled at him and he did the same "But he respected you."
Wanda put a hand on his shoulder "Stop blaming yourself because I certainly don't. It still hurts. I think it will always hurt, but it's good for me to be here with everyone." The smile was still on her face.
"I'd like to get to know you Clint. For us to be friends. Do you think that would be possible?" Wanda lightly questioned.
Clint stared at her, wondering how a teenager was so much braver than him. But nevertheless, he said, "I'd like that." With an uptick of a smile.
There was a new knock on the open door. They both turned and saw Stark, Steve, and Nat in the doorway.
"Sorry to interrupt but we have some news," Stark said to him.
"And?" Clint waited, anxious.
"Friday was able to track Ted to bar in D.C. We tipped off the cops. They arrested him twenty minutes ago. He'll go before the judge tomorrow." Stark informed him.
Clint out a large sigh and scrubbed his face "Great, thank you." He said to the billionaire.
"Apparently dear old dad has been doing this for some time. It started after her mom died and she went to live with her grandparents." Stark said, producing a tablet and handing it to him.
"Official police reports." He told Clint, and he began to scroll through them.
"It didn't escalate until she got to college, however. After harassing her numerous times and showing up outside her dorm and classes freshman year, most of the time drunk off his head, did he finally kick it off by verbally threatening her in front of witnesses."
Clint's anger began to rise again.
"Bastard." Wanda hissed and all of them agreed.
"Very on point." Tony said to her before continuing "After that incident she was able to final for a restraining order."
"Though it doesn't look like he's been sticking to it over the past few years." Nat said "He's been arrested a dozen times for violating the court order. Resulting in some jail time in the process."
"Too bad he can't fucking stay there." Clint cursed under his breath as he finished reading the reports. Handing the tablet back to Stark.
"Buddy, we gotta ask, is this serious between you and this woman? Because after you raged out a dinner, which could have given Banner a run for his money, it appeared to all of us that you like her." Stark said to him.
Clint dropped his head into his hands "I do. I really like her. Like stupid high school crush where you can't think about anyone else." Clint looked up and found all of them smirking at him.
"Does she feel the same way?" Steve asked him.
"I don't know. I think she does?" He hesitated.
"Oh, she does." Nat's smirk grew wider "They almost kissed twice last night."
"Nat what the hell!" He shouted at her. He could feel his face growing red.
"Is that why you bit my head off when you answered the phone!" Stark said, "Sorry buddy." Apologizing with a wicked grin.
"Yeah, thanks." Clint rolled his eyes at him, his whole body warm with embarrassment.
"Tony leave him alone." Steve cut in "So what are you going to do?" He asked him.
"I don't know?" Clint shrugged his shoulders.
"I really like her but I can't keep lying to her. And if I tell her the truth I have no idea how she will react. How would we even make it work?" He asked them.
"Well for one I think if Pepper can put up with Tony then you should be fine." Nat grinned "Second you won't know how it will go until you ask her out."
"Nat's right." Wanda chimed in "You don't know how it will work out, but you don't need to figure everything out right now. Ask her out on a date and see how it goes. Worry about telling her everything later."
"I'd go with the seventeen-year-old on this one." Stark smiled "And hey who knows if it works out then she'd get to meet all of us."
"And we'd keep Tony away from her whenever she visits," Steve smirked at Clint.
"Point is, you won't know until you try." Nat gave her best friend a warm smile.
Clint knew they were right. But was he brave enough to actually do it?
