"You don't seem too happy to see me Dot." Tony mused as I stared at him slack-jawed.
"No I am! I mean I'm just surprised." Rushing out the words as not to offend him "Is everything alright?" A touch of uneasiness stirred in me.
"As far as I am aware of yes. I just came here to take you to lunch." He answered and gestured to the car.
"Oh by the way this is Happy Hogan. He does well…everything." Tony motioned to the man in the black suit.
"Pleasure to meet you, sir." Extending my hand and shaking his.
"Thank you, Miss Laurens." Happy gave me a small smile.
"Call me Dorothy, or Dot, or Dottie." Smiling back at him.
"So lunch?" Tony clapped his hands together and got into the town car.
"Oh, okay." Blushing a bit flummoxed. I guess I should follow him.
Looking at Happy, I conveyed my silent question. He nodded me a yes.
Slowly I climbed into the town car next to him. I hoped I didn't smell like Amtrak train….
Happy shut the door behind me.
"Mr. Stark, won't we draw a lot of attention if we go to lunch?" Anxiously asking. I wasn't in the mood to get mobbed today.
"We're going to Stark Industries. My chefs can prepare anything. Plus I don't think Katniss would love it if I thrust you into the public eye." Tony explained to me.
"Oh I should call Clint!" Taking my phone out and dialing his number as Happy began to drive.
"Hey, babe." He answered.
"Hey…" Drawing out "So interesting development." Pausing, wondering how the heck I should frame this.
"Just give me the phone," Tony said before he snatched it from my hands.
"Hey Clint, yeah I abducted your girlfriend for lunch. Happy and I just picked her up." Tony spoke into the phone.
I couldn't exactly hear what Clint was saying but I could tell from his tone he was shouting.
"Don't worry I'll look after her." Tony rolled his eyes.
Crossing my arms I narrowed my eyes at the billionaire.
"I can take care of myself just fine." Huffing out.
"I have no doubt about that, but it's best to reassure the boyfriend," Tony said, muffling the phone so Clint wouldn't hear what he said.
That got a laugh out of me.
"Yes, I promise to make sure she gets on a train back to D.C. If need be I'll fly her there myself in my suit." Tony grinned.
I could hear Clint's shouts over the phone.
"It was a joke. Take a chill pill Grandpa." Tony sighed.
"Yes, I'll hand the phone back," Tony said before giving my cell back.
"Hi, hun." My tone was full of amusement.
"One of these days he's going to give me a stroke," Clint said to me.
"Well, hopefully not too soon." Laughing out "Tony graciously invited me to Stark Industries for lunch. Afterward, I promise to take the next train home. Besides I'm so tired." Failing to muffle a yawn.
"You'll text or call if you need anything?" Clint's voice held a note of worry.
'I will. I promise. I'll text you when I get to Grand Central. Love you."
"Love you too." He softly told me before the call ended.
"Man he's on a short leash." Tony snorted as I put my phone away.
"He just cares. That's what love is." Rolling my eyes at the comment.
"How did you know where to find me?" Questioning him.
"You mentioned the meeting at dinner and gave the time. It wasn't that hard to figure it out. We've been parked out since twelve. I did work in the car." He said.
"You work?" Joking with him.
"You've been spending way too much time around Barton and Romanoff." Tony narrowed his eyes in annoyance.
"Jesus you really like tall buildings." Whistling out as Happy pulled up in front of Stark Industries. Tony stepped out first and offered me his hand helping me out of the car.
"Well, I employ a lot of people." Tony shrugged and led me forward into the building. The inside was as just as huge as the outside, except more shiner.
Time passed in a rushed blur and the next time I blinked I was in Tony Stark's office.
"Make yourself comfortable." He told me as he took off his suit jacket and draped it over his chair.
The office again, was enormous. Glass windows spanned the entire wall from carpet to ceiling.
"The view here must be amazing at night." Standing in front of the glass windows.
I felt like I was floating in the clouds from this high up.
"It does get nice at night. A rare sense of peace." He answered.
Looking around the office I noticed a small table draped in a white tablecloth and two chairs.
Backing away from the view I took my blazer off and set my bags down on the couch.
"So what would you like to eat? Again, anything can be prepared." Tony said sitting down in his desk chair and motioned for me to sit down in one of the chairs opposite the desk.
"Uh, ravioli sounds good." Answering, craving carbs.
Tony nodded and picked up his phone "Anything to drink?"
"Coke is fine. I don't drink alcohol." Explaining to him.
Tony put in our order. We made small talk while we waited. He asked about my meeting and how things were going with the exhibit.
When lunch arrived we sat down at the small table. My ravioli and small salad looked so good.
"This bread smells amazing." Almost drooling as I applied a dollop of butter on one of the slices of Italian bread. It was still nice and warm.
"We do make excellent bread here." Tony nodded, tucking into his own shrimp scampi.
"So Dot tell me about yourself," Tony said after some continued idle small talk.
Ah. So this was a recon meeting.
"Tony let's be blunt. I'm sure you have a file on me and that you've read it." Smirking as I took another bite of my food.
"Very clever. I did put together I file on you when it was obvious Clint was falling for you. That's why I offered it to him." Tony said.
My movement stopped.
Flicking my eyes back at Tony I stared at him "And did he take you up on your offer?" Trying to keep calm.
"No. He declined. He said that anything you had to tell him, you'd tell him when you were ready." He levelly said.
Inside I breathed a huge sigh of relief.
Still, that didn't drop the conversation.
"So, assuming you read the file. What exactly do you want to know Tony? What's your game here?" Putting down my fork and giving him my full attention.
"Clint is a good guy. He puts up a tough front. I just want to make sure he doesn't get hurt." He said to me.
That stung, not going to lie. But I understood the reasoning.
"I don't have any intentions of hurting Clint." Seriously responding.
"Are you prepared to tell him everything?" Tony raised his eyebrows at me.
"Yes, in time." Answering with confidence.
"Does he know about the accident?" His voice dropped low.
My confidence vanished.
"He knows the basics." Straightening the napkin in my lap.
"That means he doesn't know everything." Tony pointed out.
"No, he doesn't know everything." My anger rising "Does he need to know about the horrible day I lost about my mother almost two months into us dating?"
"Still, if there is nothing to hide," Tony said.
"Did you tell Pepper about your parent's deaths right away?" Snapping at him.
"Didn't need to. The whole world knows." He replied, narrowing his gaze at me.
"Just exactly what is it you want to know Mr. Stark?" Snidely questioning.
"I think you're hiding something from what I read about the accident. I'm just making sure Clint doesn't walk into heartache." Tony replied heavily.
"How gallant of you." Shrewdly hissing at him as I threw my napkin on the table. My appetite completely gone now.
"Thank you for lunch." Rising from my seat. I don't care if he was Iron Man I was going to punch him soon if I didn't get out of here.
"What are you hiding about the accident?" Tony rose, questioning me.
"Again, pardon me if I don't want to talk about the worst day of my life." Biting out at him. The anger and the pain rising in me.
"If there is nothing to hide why can't you just be open about it?" Tony kept prodding.
Jesus this guy loved to charge at walls.
Not a wonder to see how he could have created Ultron.
Moving to grab my things, Tony spoke out "Friday lock the office doors."
"Done boss." The AI unit responded.
"This is ridiculous." Pulling out my phone "I'm calling Clint."
"And tell him what exactly? That you've been lying to him." He narrowed his eyes at me.
"I haven't been lying to him!" My voice rising to a screech.
"I beg to differ." Tony stood in front of me.
"Just stop!" Exclaiming to him. My will was starting to break down.
"What are you hiding Dorothy?" Tony questioned again.
Pushing away from him I went over the windows.
"What's the point I'll lose Clint either way." My voice cracking "If I tell him or you tell him. What does it matter? He'll still leave."
"And I know you'll tell him because it's too awful not to tell him." Unshed tears pooled in my eyes.
"Tell him what?" Tony asked quietly.
Swallowing the bile in my throat, I leaned my head against the cool glass.
"That the accident was my fault. I'm the reason my mom died." Whispering as tears slid down my cheeks.
The grief assaulted me in full force as it always does. I was surprised I didn't crumple up in a ball on the floor.
"How was it your fault?" Tony asked me.
"I should have kept quiet. Kept my mouth shut." Shaking my head "But I was so sick of hearing Ted complaining about how much his life was terrible. I snapped."
"I grew up in a house where my son of a bitch alcoholic father liked to hit my mother. The sweetest woman in the world." Sighing as I wiped away some tears "I don't know when it started, and I don't know why she stayed as long as she did."
"No one knew. Not even my grandparents. Mom felt ashamed. Domestic abusers like to trap their victims. Make them feel like everything is there fault. But nothing was her fault. None of it was." My voice cracking again.
"I think I was nine when I figured it out. At night I could hear Ted screaming at mom and her showing up with fresh bruises. Mom always had a way of explaining them away. Looking back I never particularly liked my father. He wasn't the best dad to have, but after I figured out what he was doing to mom, I absolutely hated him." Darkly saying.
"But he never hit me. Just mom. Mom was taking the punches to protect me. A mother will protect her children no matter what." Whispering as new tears came.
"As I got older I begged mom to leave. For us to just go. To tell my grandparents and get away from Ted. We could be happy again. I tried to make her go, but she was scared and Ted was a mean bastard when he wanted to be."
Closing my eyes I wiped away the new tears "Finally mom said she was going to leave. She secretly was visiting a divorce lawyer. She was filing paperwork on a restraining order. Things were looking up. It looked like everything would be okay."
"Then I ruined everything." Covering my mouth trying to stifle my cries.
"What happened?" Tony gently asked behind me.
"Ted came home one early evening. Drunk as usual. I was in the kitchen trying to get my homework done. My mom was out shopping. Dad kept bitching about how lousy mom was and making noise. He stank like a distillery." Clenching my hand.
"Eventually I snapped. I got up and started screaming at him about how he was the worst father in the world and how miserable he was making our lives. How I knew he had been hitting mom. I called him a pathetic coward. I smugly told him that mom was finally going to leave his drunk ass. We would get away from him and he'd be happy. I said he would be doing the whole world a huge favor if he just dropped dead." Heaving out a sigh.
"Ted didn't take that too well."
"He hit me. It was the first time he'd ever laid hands on me." Swallowing more tears "I remember him hitting me in the face and pulling my hair and pushing me to the floor. He sat on top of me and began screaming in my face." Slight tremors began to spread throughout my body.
"Mom came home and found him on top of me. She…something in her broke. Ted could hit her all he wanted, but when he touched me, it was like mom finally and fully woke up. I never understand why it wasn't good enough for her, but it was for me." Tears coated my throat as my cheeks grew wetter.
"Mom rushed over and pulled Ted off of me. He hit her and threw her against the wall. Groaning in pain I tried to get off the floor to help her. Grabbing a cooking pot off the counter I swung it at Ted's head. I heard a loud crack and watched him drop to the floor. He was still conscious because he was cursing up a storm. Mom grabbed me and my bookbag and rushed us out of the house."
The shaking in my body started to grow.
"We ran to the car. It was storming out. When we got to the car, soaking wet, Mom held me close and cried. She said she was sorry. That she should have left sooner. But everything would be different now. We would be going to my grandparent's house in Palmyra. Everything would be okay. We would never have to set foot in that house again."
My legs finally buckled. Turning around I slid down the glass windows onto the ground.
"It was raining so hard that night." Whispering out staring at the floor.
"I don't know when it happened. I don't remember much. I learned about it after I woke up in the hospital. I remember the car spinning and the horrible screeching coming from the tires. I hit my head. Everything went black. When I woke up my mom and I were upside down in the car." The air catching in my throat.
Tony came over and sat down next to me.
"Mom was trying to unbuckle her seatbelt but she couldn't do. It was stuck. I tried to help her but I could reach her. My arm was broken. Her face was all bruised. Blood kept dripping onto the ceiling. I cut my face. There was glass everywhere." Numbly getting the facts out.
"I started crying. I was so scared." The sob caught in my throat, making me hiccup instead. More tears fell from my face.
"Before I blacked out again I remember my mom telling me that it was all going to be okay." This time the sob pushed out of my throat.
"When I woke up I was in the hospital. My grandparents were there, but mom wasn't. They told me she didn't make it. I had never felt so empty before in my life."
"It was my fault." Breathing out as I finally turned to Tony "If I had kept my mouth shut. If I had shut up and behaved, then Ted would never had hit me. Mom wouldn't have come home and seen him do it. We wouldn't have left the house in the storm. We wouldn't have gotten into the accident." Burying my head in my hands.
"It should have been me. I was the one that caused Ted to snap." Sobbing out "She should have lived and I should have died. Now my penance is to carry the guilt that I killed my mother with me until the day I die." Fully losing whatever control I had left.
Was this Tony's game? To completely break me down and discover that I was a killer.
I jumped a foot when I felt a hand on my shoulder.
"It's only me kid," Tony said quietly.
"How will Clint ever love me when I tell him the truth. I'm a killer." Raising my head to look at Tony.
"You're not a killer Dorothy." Tony sighed sadly as he looked at me.
I must have looked a fright.
"But I am!" Arguing, raising my voice to a shout "If it wasn't for me my mother would still be here." Again I wiped away my tears but new ones kept coming.
"You didn't kill your mom. Your father killed her. She was trying to protect you. He pushed you to flee the house that day. And he's been haunting you ever since." Tony said.
I shook my head "I'd figured you knew about Ted's pop-up habit too."
"Does Clint know about that?" Asking Tony.
"He does." He nodded "Only because the weekend he came up here Friday alerted me to the 911 call from you. I have the apartment complex set on my alerts if anything comes up. Clint was ready to flip the table when the 911 call finished."
"Jesus." Burying my head again "Why hasn't he brought it up?"
"He's probably giving you space to bring it up yourself." Tony said "I mean he knows everything. He saw the police reports."
I groaned "Not helping."
"What I mean is he's not throwing it in your face. He wants you to be comfortable and talk about it when you're ready." Tony explained.
"Are you the ones that tipped off the police?" Glancing up at him.
He nodded.
"Thank you." Sighing out.
"Anytime. Your dad's a real piece of shit. So really, anytime." Tony grinned and it got a chuckle out of me.
He reached into his pocket and handed me a handkerchief.
"How chivalrous." Attempting to joke as I wiped my face.
"Dorothy none of what happened was your fault. And I'm sure I'm not the first one to tell you this, but your mom wouldn't want you blaming yourself for what happened." Tony said in a calm, but serious tone.
"Clint won't care. One he loves you too much. Two, you did nothing wrong." He squeezed my shoulder.
"Why are you being so nice to me?" Questioning as I handed his handkerchief back.
"Because I feel like an ass for jumping down your throat." He sheepishly revealed.
"Good to know you can feel remorse." Rolling my eyes at him.
"But I just wanted to make sure that there was nothing funny going on. Especially since we're about to announce he's retiring. I just wanted to be sure it was for the right reasons." Tony tried to explain.
I understood it. Didn't mean that this experience was pleasant.
"That and I have a feeling you're going to be in Clint's life for the unforeseeable future." He smirked and I blushed "The Avengers come with him. Even if he is retiring. You need us, we'll be there."
"That goes both ways just so you know." Giving him a tiny smile.
"Don't worry we'll be around enough to bug you lovebirds." Tony grinned like a child.
"That better be a sound promise." Meaning it as I said it.
"You bet." Tony squeezed my shoulder again.
"Tell Clint when you're ready. Trust me. He'll understand." Tony told me.
Leaning my head against Tony's shoulder I pushed the anxiety from me "You better be right."
After we finished lunch Tony and Happy took me to Grand Central Station. Tony had bought me a ticket home back to D.C.
I tried to pay him back but he wasn't having it.
Bidding them both goodbye, giving each of them a hug, and trying not to laugh at their surprise, I got on my train home.
When I pulled into Union Station Clint was waiting for me.
Walking over to him I basically collapsed into his arms. I was drained. Physically, emotionally, and mentally.
Surprisingly my talk with Tony did help. But still, I wasn't going to talk to Clint about this tonight.
Clint took us back to my apartment where he had made me dinner.
Bless him.
I fell asleep before ten and when I woke up the next morning I found myself tucked in bed. Clint sleeping next to me.
For once I got up before my alarm. Leaning over I kissed Clint's nose and whispered that I loved him. Then I got out of bed to get ready for work.
The days passed and on Monday evening Clint and I sat on my couch watching Tony's press conference saying that the Avenger known at Hawkeye was officially retiring from duty.
"How does it feel?" Asking Clint as I snuggled closer to him.
"Freeing, and slightly terrifying." He chuckled "It's been a long time since I've been the one who makes my decisions."
"Don't worry. You'll figure it out. Plus I'll help if you'd like." Sheepishly adding in.
"Of course I want your help." Clint kissed my head.
Clint got up off the couch, grabbing our mugs in the process. He put them in the sink.
"I need to go to my place and get some more clothes." He said after washing my mugs.
"Yeah, your drawer is getting empty. I'll have to do the laundry tomorrow." Replying as I leaned into the couch and watched Tony answer a million questions from reporters.
Wait…his drawer? He had a drawer here now?
Getting up I went into the bedroom and opened the second drawer from the bottom of my dresser.
Well, I'll be damned.
The drawer, which was almost empty, did contain a pair of jeans, two pairs of underwear, some socks, and a t-shirt.
He did have a drawer.
Huh…interesting.
Then I made what most people would consider a stupid, snap decision.
"Idea." Saying to Clint as I went out and leaned against the bedroom door.
"Shoot." He replied back.
"Do you want to move in together?" Casually asking.
Clint immediately stopped and looked at me.
Oh, this was such a stupid idea. Why did I open my mouth?
"Are you serious?" He eventually asked.
"Yes. I mean you practically live here now." Nodding "I just thought it would make things easier." My heart felt like it was going to explode.
Idiot Dottie! Such an idiot! This was way too soon.
"Or we could find a new place. Because I know some people like to get their own place rather than move into their partners." Babbling on. Though I don't think I could shut myself up even if I wanted to.
"No I love your place," Clint replied with a tiny smile.
Wait…so…
"So…is that a yes then?" Tentatively asking, hoping to get the answer before my heart exploded.
"Yeah, it's a yes babe." Clint grinned.
Within three seconds I launched myself into his arms. My arms around his neck, my lips on his.
"This is probably insane isn't it?" Questioning as I broke away, though my legs were still wrapped around his waist.
"No more insane than you loving a retired Avenger." He joked and it made me laugh "I'm in this for the long run." He earnestly told me.
"Me too." Whispering to him.
Something swelled up inside me. I hadn't felt it in a long time…I think it was joy. Maybe a little bit of hope.
By the end of the week, Clint had moved into my apartment. Tony was more than happy to pay Clint's share of breaking the lease so he could move into my place.
Now it was our apartment.
The thought made me giddy.
When we video called the team and told them our news everyone was excited, though annoyed, except for Natasha.
Apparently, they had all put bets on when Clint and I would move in together. Natasha was the closet in the pool and five hundred dollars richer.
Though it was a huge pain to tell Pops that Clint and I were moving in together. There had been an ensuing argument about how it was too soon, and that we were rushing into our relationship. I could understand where Pops was coming from, he just wanted to protect me. But at the same time, he didn't know what it was like between Clint and me. He didn't know how we felt.
So far Pops had been giving me the fuming, silent treatment all week. Beth told me just to give him space and let him come to terms with it.
Beth was thrilled so that helped to balance out Pop's negativity.
She even helped Clint move, though to be fair he didn't have much to move. It was kind of sad actually.
Beth joked that next, we would be looking at houses.
That made me turn red.
I told Beth, that while Clint and I loved each other it was still too early to be thinking about that. Though I am one hundred percent positive that if I wanted to get a house Clint would go out and sign a mortgage.
Right now I'd stick with the apartment.
Everything was going so well.
Then life had to throw me a curveball of the worst kind.
"Maybe we should have moved to a place on the first floor." Huffing out as I climbed the stairs to our apartment. Once again talking to myself. You know, typical Tuesday.
Ever since I had to keep schlepping all my exhibit materials back and forth from work it added like five extra pounds to my commute.
My shoulders were constantly killing me. Though I couldn't complain too much. Clint gave excellent massages.
Turning the corner I pushed myself to make it the last few feet before collapsing.
"Hello, darling." An icy chill stopped me in place.
Raising my eyes I found my father standing outside of my apartment.
"What no hello?" He grinned his smug smile.
"You're supposed to be in jail. You still have time left." My voice was deathly low.
Ted shrugged his shoulders "Overcrowding. Besides I was on my best behavior." His smile made me ill.
"Leave now." Hissing at him. Slowly making my way up the stairs to my door, which he was blocking.
"Nah see I don't think so. I think you're going to give me some money and apologize for throwing your dear old dad in jail." He seethed.
"You should be put in the ground where you belong." Spitting at him.
Going into my bag I reached for my phone.
Ted, who was not as plastered as I thought, roughly grabbed my wrist and twisted it in his grip. I dropped the phone as pain shot through my arm, "No I don't think so." He pulled me close and I stumbled, almost falling.
Panic gripped at me. Not knowing what to do I angled my body to the door.
"Clint!" Screaming at the top of my lungs as I pounded on the door with my free hand "Clint!"
Please let him be home.
"Shut up!" Ted tightened his grip on my wrist. I let out of a whimper of pain, much to my humiliation. Stopping my pounding on the door I tried to hit him with my free hand but he caught that wrist too.
Shit!
A new wave of panic flew through me.
The front door swung open.
Clint stood in the doorway. Taking in the scene of Ted keeping me captive by my wrists.
I let out the biggest internal relief at seeing him.
But his eye clouded as he took in the whole scene. They stormed and thundered with fury.
"Let. Her. Go." Clint said through a clenched jaw.
"This is none of your business. Just because you're shacking up with my daughter doesn't mean this concerns you." Ted hissed at him, still not letting go of my wrists. He made his grip tighter. Pain shot through me.
"I'm giving you one more chance to let Dot go or I break your nose. Your choice." Clint said in a tone that could have frozen entire oceans.
Ted made no show of moving.
Before I could blink Clint raised his hand in a fist and connected to Ted's face. My wrists cried in relief as Ted let them go. I could already see the bruises forming.
Clint bent down and grabbed my phone and dialed the police.
My entire body was shaking as the adrenaline drained from me.
Clint pulled me to him as Ted began cursing as blood flowed down his face. Yeah, his nose was definitely broken.
"You'll regret this. The both of you." Ted fumed. Then he turned around and fled down the stairs. Clutching his nose as blood dripped after him.
Clint clutched Dot and brought her into the apartment. She was still shaking. Clint only half-listened when he spoke to the police before hanging up the phone.
"I…I should clean up the blood." She mumbled turning to go back outside.
"Babe I'll clean it up after the police get here," Clint said to her as he gently set her down on the couch.
"I'm sorry I panicked I didn't know what to do." She said as her hands shook.
"No, you did the right thing." He soothed.
As much as he wanted to go chase down Ted and force him to dig his own grave, taking care of Dot was more important at the moment. Besides Stark could handle Ted.
Soon the police arrived. While they questioned Dot he got up and made her a cup of tea. She barely drank it but it calmed her shaking hands. Though she could hold the mug long because of her bruises.
Every time Clint caught sight of her newly bruised wrists he could feel his teeth grind. He was surprised that none of them had cracked from the way he was clenching his jaw.
That bastard was dead if he ever saw him again.
When the police left with the promise to file the report Dot still had not improved much.
Clint grabbed the throw blanket and wrapped it around her.
"I need to stop acting like such a weakling. Nothing happened." She said to herself with hatred.
"Ted assaulted you. That's not nothing." Clint rubbed her arms to warm her "You're not weak. Never think you're weak." Clint fiercely told her.
"I just-he still had time left. I wasn't expecting him." Clint's chest split in half as he watched Dot break down in tears.
"You're okay. You're safe now." Clint gathered her in his arms as she broke.
"Nothing is going to happen to you. Not while I'm here." Clint promised her.
Her response was to cry harder as she nestled closer to him.
After a while, she quietly spoke, "Thank God you were home."
Thank God he had been home. He didn't want to think about what would have happened if he hadn't been.
"You totally broke his nose." Dot let out a watery laugh.
"I knew all that training had to come in handy." He smiled at her. Kissing her forehead.
He felt a small chuckle come from Dot's body. At least that was something.
Dot lifted her head to look at him.
"I know you knew about Ted. About his past arrests. Tony told me." She admitted to him.
"I'm not upset. I was actually suspicious about who tipped off the police last time." She gave him a tiny smirk.
"I didn't want to bring it up until you did." He said pushing some hair behind her ear.
"And I'm grateful for that." Dot brought herself back to his chest.
A minute later his phone rang. He had an idea who it would be.
"Speak of the devil," Clint said as Stark video called him.
He looked at Dot. She nodded.
Clint answered the call.
Nat, Steve, Stark, Wanda, and Sam filled his small phone screen.
"We got a tip of the 911 call and report," Stark said as he took the two of them in. Clint glanced and saw Dot wiping her face free of tears.
"You okay Dot?" Steve softly asked.
"I'm okay, save for my wrists." She croaked out and held up her wrists. He saw how most of them flinched when they saw her bruises.
Their reaction made Dot drop her arms in shame.
Clint wrapped an arm around her.
"Can you handle finding Ted?" Clint asked Stark "Shouldn't be hard if he's still dripping blood."
"Clint broke his nose." Dot said to them with a smile.
All of them smiled at the news.
"I would expect nothing less." Nat grinned at him like a proud sister.
"We got your back. Don't worry." Tony said to them, and the rest of them offered their reassurance.
"Thanks, guys." Dot smiled at them.
Turns out finding Ted was a bit more problematic than the first time.
A tense day passed, and Tony still had no news for me. For now, I opted to not tell Pops about this new incident. Beth had been informed.
Wednesday, I went to work wearing a sweater all day to cover my wrists.
Ted had managed to do what he was best at.
Hide from the cops.
Tony promised me that everything would be alright.
I wanted to be reassured but I was finding it difficult.
Thursday morning came and I woke up to my phone ringing.
So was Clint's.
"What is going on?" Sleepily asking.
Looking down at my phone I saw Tony was calling.
"Hello?" Rubbing the sleep from my eyes "Tony what is going on? Did you find Ted?"
"No, but we have bigger problems." He said seriously.
I bolted up in bed. Clint taking notice of my shift in mood eyed me carefully.
"What's going on? Did he find Ted?" Clint anxiously asked.
"Turn on News Channel 5," Tony said over the phone.
Throwing back the covers I ran into the living room, gripping my phone for dear life.
Clint was right behind me.
"He says to turn on the TV." Telling Clint as I put the call on speaker as I grabbed the remote.
Turning on the TV I went to the news channel.
"In celebrity news, it looks like the newly retired Avenger Hawkeye has finally found someone at last." The newscaster smiled at the screen.
A photo of Clint and I flashed on the screen. We were smiling and holding hands. Completely oblivious to whoever was taking a photo of us.
"Oh my God, that's from Monday!" Blanching at the screen feeling sick.
"An insider source has given us all the details. Saying his daughter is now in a relationship with the now retried Avenger." The newscaster said.
Ted's sick, twisted grin came onto the screen.
"Son of a bitch!" Clint shouted as he clenched his fists in an attempt not to hit something.
"We'll give you the rest of the scoop after the break with an exclusive interview." The newscaster beamed.
Oh. My. God.
I dropped onto the couch.
Now the whole world knew about our relationship.
All thanks to goddamn Ted.
Heys guys! Again thank you so much for the love you've shown my story! Since classes have started again that means I am once again swamped. So there will be delays at me getting out new chapters. But fear not! I will do my best and write when I can!
