Author's Note – no, this story has not been forgotten. Sorry…
A New Enemy, A New Ally
Darcy walked down to Central Park, headed for her favorite coffee shop. She unashamedly adored living at Tony's. Despite the hoopla and additional security she suddenly acquired every time she walked out the door, it was a marvelous change to have easy access to practically everything right within reach. JARVIS could get anything she wanted delivered, of course, but there was something refreshing about getting mixed up in the frenetic energy of New York. Security hated it, and she was certain either Clint or Natasha followed her if they were at home, but they let her get away with it. She tried extremely hard to keep to all of their protective orders and guidelines, so they let her 'slip' the net every once in a while and kept security to the minimum.
"Good morning," she smiled to the barista.
"Your usual, Miss Lewis?" the blond girl asked.
"Thanks."
Darcy glanced around the room as she waited for her order. Most of the folks here were regulars, the same faces she saw every time she came by, with just a few new ones. She never stayed long, though she once got so caught up in a discussion over Tolkien with old Mr. Gregg that she lost track of time. Within fifteen minutes of her missing the usual return time, Clint and Natasha both descended on the place and scared the hell out of the clientele. From then on, she warned them if she was going to be running late.
Today, though, she was headed right back to the mansion. Steve, Thor, and Jane were going to tour the city while Tony, Pepper, and Bruce worked at the Tower. Natasha and Clint would be watching over Phil, leaving her free to just veg out. She planned to watch some movies, scour the blogs for yet stranger Avengers' gossip, get some sun on the roof, and maybe even lure Clint up with her. It should be the perfect day.
She sipped her mocha happily as she made her way the short distance towards the mansion. Just as she caught sight of the front gates, a voice called out. "Miss Lewis?" She turned, only to drop her coffee and grab at her neck as something pricked it. Her mind grew foggy and she felt herself stumble. As she tried to turn back to call for help, a blonde woman appeared out of nowhere.
"Easy there," she remarked soothingly, but with a cool professionalism. "Let's just get you somewhere stable, shall we?"
At that moment, a black car pulled up to the curb and a figure jumped out. Darcy tried to struggle, but her body would not respond. They managed to get her bundled into the car in a matter of seconds and it swept away from the scene with a minimum of fuss. Even as her sight darkened, she saw the woman smile.
"Well, now, time to see just how much you truly mean to Chornaya Vdova."
Darcy blinked sleepily. Her head was pounding. She managed to open her eyes after a long moment and found herself lying on a pallet in a small concrete room. Now her eyes flew open wide as she shot to a sitting position before one hand flew to her head. A groan slipped from her lips.
"I was wondering when you would wake up."
She looked towards the door. The blonde woman from earlier lounged in the doorway, a gun dangling casually from one hand. Darcy's chin came up. "Who are you?"
A small smirk touched the woman's lips. "I should be the one asking the questions, but I already know about you, Darcy Marie Lewis." Her smirk deepened as a frown settled on Darcy's face. "Oh yes, there is a good deal of talk in certain circles about you." She waved it off. "I have no plans on hurting you unless you do something foolish. This is merely an experiment. I want to see how they handle your disappearance." Her eyebrows lifted in a curious expression. "I have been observing for a while now. Your links with Tony Stark and his woman are amusing, but it is your connection to Clint Barton that intrigues me most." Darcy stiffened and the woman smiled once more. "The unattainable Hawkeye seems to have tethered himself to you. This makes you quite a valuable piece of bait…especially when my target is his equally infamous partner."
"She'll eat you alive," Darcy retorted with sheer certainty.
"We shall see," the woman shrugged. "She and I were trained in the same school, though from different years. Our reunion should prove quite interesting when it finally comes…though I have no intention of rushing that moment. This is merely a feint to see how they react."
"They'll find me," Darcy replied in quiet certainty. She had absolutely no doubt of that. No matter what, they would come for her.
"My dear Miss Lewis," the woman practically purred, "that's exactly what I want them to do. The only question is whether they will find you in time."
"I thought you didn't plan to hurt me?" Darcy demanded.
"I don't," she shrugged, "but I have no intention of remaining here indefinitely either. They have two days to find you before I simply leave you here." She turned to go, but glanced over her shoulder. "Oh, and my name is Yelena Belova. Do give my regards to Natasha, won't you?"
Darcy watched her close the door and heard the quiet click of the lock. With a sharp shake of her head, she forced herself to push the fuzziness aside. She stood up, shaky but upright, and began to explore the room. In addition to the pallet, it possessed one door, one vent near the ceiling, no windows, and a small curtained off area containing a toilet and a sink. All of her possessions were gone, purse, jewelry, even her shoes. Her hands flew to her hair before she breathed a quick sigh of relief.
The feather clips were still there.
She moved back over to the pallet and sat cross-legged with her back against the wall. Her mind raced as she tried to think of something, anything she could do, but with no weapons and no tools, her rescue was completely out of her hands. The team was going to have to do all the work.
Time passed slowly…minutes became hours, hours that crawled at a snail's pace. She used every trick she could think of to distract herself – mentally walking through the steps for creating each of her favorite recipes, reviewing her favorite movies, and even what she learned about taking care of the team after a hard fight. Her eyes grew gritty and tired, but she fought against sleep. Being vulnerable to Belova once was more than enough. Darcy tried walking around the room, reciting song lyrics, and stretching to keep from giving in to the exhaustion. It worked, for a while. Everything worked for a little bit and then she adapted. Her body wanted sleep, her instincts wanted to remain awake, and her mind stretched between the two like a rubber band. Finally that band snapped and she tumbled into slumber even as she worked through the recipe for a black forest cake.
A sense of peace tempered by concern washed over her. Darcy's eyes snapped open and she found herself staring up at the beautiful lights and swaying branches of Yggsdrasil. Tears escaped her eyes as she clambered to her feet. She leaned against the bark and let the welcoming warmth drift over her. Safe…she was safe here.
Regret.
"I know," Darcy whispered. "I know it's only a dream."
Peace.
She stepped back and stretched out on the lush grass beneath Yggdrasil's branches. Her eyes stared fixedly at her lights. Several of them flared and pulsed in agitation. Clint's light took on a shadow as Natasha's tried to strengthen his gold. Jane's flickered frantically as Thor's almost seemed to rage.
"My son is quite angry over your disappearance."
The unexpected male voice brought her to her feet. She spun to face the newcomer, her back braced against Yggsdrasil for support. An older man stood there. His white hair and the lines carved in his face spoke of hard won years, even though his robes and carriage gave the impression of peaceful, but powerful authority. Darcy noted all of this, but it was his eye, his one eye that held her attention. The fierce light of wisdom burned along with a softness of affection. She recognized him from the myths and legends she had combed with Jane as well as the stories Thor told them.
This was Odin, called All-Father, ruler of Asgard and Thor's dad. She blinked in shock.
"Be at peace, child," he smiled. "You are welcome here. Even Odin is subject to the World Tree. Her chosen are beloved of Asgard."
"Oh," Darcy sighed, relaxing slightly and stepping forward. "Um, hi?"
He gave one slow nod of his head. "Be welcome in my realm, Darcy Lewis, child of Midgard, chosen of Yggsdrasil."
The formal greeting seemed to require a response. "Thank you," she answered, feeling inadequate and out of her depth. He simply gestured to her lights.
"Your charges appear disturbed," he noted.
She glanced up. "You said Thor was angry?"
"Thus Heimdall has reported," Odin replied. He fixed his eye upon her. "The female who has imprisoned you managed to hide you from the created eyes of your people, but she cannot hide you from Heimdall." He paused. "By our laws, though you be one of the chosen, this problem belongs to Midgard alone."
"I understand," she sighed. She did, too. They could not just go jumping into every little issue that brushed up against them.
"It will remain an issue of Midgard," he continued, "unless," and here he paused once more as a twinkle entered his gaze, "one of sufficient rank in Asgard decrees you family."
Now she felt confusion steal over her expression. What did he mean by that? "I'm sorry?" she asked.
"You have been gone from your charges longer than you might realize," he told her, his face serious, but that small light still present in his eyes. He lifted up his head, tilting it slightly. "Listen. Hear the voices of Huginn and Muninn."
Even as he spoke, the sound of a rushing wind entered the garden. She could hear a compelling music, complex and multi-layered, tempting her to explore and seek it out, but that siren song suddenly broke as a loud shout echoed across the layers.
"Heimdall! I have need of aid!"
"Thor!" she exclaimed, a smile stretching over her face.
"Indeed," Odin nodded.
Heimdall's voice came next. "I know your request, Thor Odinson, wielder of Mjolnir, but you know the laws of Asgard. I am bound to silence in this matter."
Darcy sighed in disappointment, but Odin held up one finger for patience.
"Here me, Heimdall! I have no time-"
"The law-"
"Enough!" Thor's bellow shook Yggsdrasil herself. Darcy placed a hand on her and felt the reverberations moving through the trunk. A small smile flickered over Odin's face even as his gaze remained solemnly fixed upon Darcy. Thor's voice thundered, "Even were she merely the chosen of the World Tree, she would be due all the assistance Asgard could provide, but she is the dearest companion of Milady Jane and counted as family by my companions in arms. Lady Darcy is as a beloved younger sister to me and I demand aid!"
The lights of Yggsdrasil flared and Darcy could almost hear something snap. It was not the sound of a break, but rather like something locking into place. All of Asgard abruptly fell silent as though everyone had felt that moment of connection.
"Done!"
Odin's pronouncement echoed in the silence. It seemed as though the entire realm held its breath. He turned to her. "Go now, child, and know that you are never alone."
A flash of colors burst before her eyes. When the light finally faded, she found herself back in the small locked room, once more slumped over. Time had definitely passed. She was not sure how long, but her body felt even weaker than before, almost leaden. It took a great deal of effort just to pull herself to a seated position. The crick in her neck and the ache in her joints reminded her that the sleep had not been voluntary. A tremor ran down her spine. She wasn't going to argue about security anymore…period. This was it. No more arguing with Clint or Tasha on the whole thing.
Help was on its way, she knew that, but how long?
She began to count the minutes once more as she tried to walk out her stiffness.
A sudden crack of thunder shook the entire building. Darcy's eyes widened as it caused her to stumble and almost fall. The sound of running footsteps pounded down the corridor and she backed away from the door. She cried out reflexively as it burst open.
"Lady Darcy!"
Her mouth dropped slightly in shock as Sif stalked through the door. "Lady Darcy, are you well?" Sif demanded, her eye raking over Darcy's trembling form.
Darcy sucked in a deep breath. "Hey, Sif," she smiled tremulously. "I'm not hurt."
"Good." The hard pronouncement did not match the gentleness with which Sif guided her out the door, but Darcy did not care. She just wanted to go home and knew Sif would take her.
"Where are the others?" Darcy asked as she followed the warrior woman through a maze of hallways.
"Many of them are securing the building as they seek intelligence on the enemy," Sif replied. "Others remain outside to watch over our perimeter."
Darcy nodded, trying not to stumble as Sif finally began to slow. "Hawkeye?"
"The archer is positioned on one of the buildings nearby," Sif answered, peering out of the door. She must have received the correct signal since she opened it and began ushering Darcy out. Bruce met them just outside the door and helped Darcy into a SHIELD van. Sif followed. Darcy slumped against Bruce, her adrenaline draining out abruptly. She barely registered any of the sounds or movements until they helped her out at the mansion and Jane's voice cried out.
"Darcy!"
She looked up in time to end up with an armful of worried astrophysicist. "Hey, boss lady," she murmured, letting herself lean on Jane. The woman only looked wispy and fragile, but she had a backbone of pure steel.
Jane held her up and guided her to the elevator. "You need a shower, some soup, and then sleep," the tiny dynamo decreed.
Darcy gave a small huff of amusement at the change of roles, but she did not argue. She really wanted Clint at that moment, wanted him to hold her and tell her everything would be okay, but she knew he had to finish with the op. For the moment, she would take what she could get.
After taking a long, hot shower and making a valiant attempt to choke down some soup, Darcy stared at her empty bed for a long moment. With a shake of her head, she abruptly turned and walked down to the main living room. Grabbling a blanket and pillow from the closet, she lay down on the couch and began to wait. At least down here she would be in the middle of everyone. Despite JARVIS being everywhere, her room seemed too isolated, too empty at that moment. She stared into the quiet of the room, holding on, waiting.
Minutes passed… It seemed like such a long time before she heard a soft step at the door. Her eyes turned in time to see Clint stride through, his gaze intent on her. She found herself up and moving before she consciously made any decision to even sit up. His arms closed around her, bands of steel enfolding and shielding her as tears filled her eyes. The next few moments passed in a haze of soft sobs and murmured reassurances. He was here and it was safe for her to let go.
When the small storm passed, Darcy lay pliant in Clint's arms. He sat on the floor, legs crossed in front of him with his back against the wall. She curled in his lap, her ear resting over his heart. "Baby?" he asked quietly. "Can you tell me?"
"It was a test," she replied, her voice breaking a bit as she spoke.
He drew in a breath. "Test? Of you?"
"No," she shivered, barely shaking her head.
"Of us?" His voice never rose above a gentle murmur as he continued his questioning. "Were they testing the Avengers or SHIELD?"
She knew he had to ask, hated that he had to ask, but she understood. They needed to know, to figure out all the angles if they were going to prevent it from happening again. In some ways, she wished she could be mad…even wished she could demand some time to rest and recover, but that might let her escape. Still, she stiffened slightly against him.
"I'm sorry," he whispered, placing a kiss on the top of her head. "I'm sorry I have to make you think and remember."
"I know," she sniffled as her voice hitched. "I know. I just want it all to go away."
"It will, Baby." His breath stirred her hair. "One way or another, we're going to make it go away."
He could not promise that…and she knew it. It lifted her heart though. She knew he would try, that he would move Heaven and earth if he could to make it disappear for her. Her breath sighed out of her in one long release and she melted back into him, letting him be her only support once more.
"She wanted to see what happened," Darcy told him. "She told me she wasn't going to hurt me, but that she wanted to see how everyone reacted." She pulled in a breath and gave a tired, weak chuckle. "Why do the bad guys monologue?"
She could feel him smiling as he pressed another kiss to her temple. "Because it's the only way to tell the world how brilliant they are."
"She's an idiot," Darcy replied. "Her focus was Tasha."
"Tasha?" he repeated, not really questioning her, but his tone told her he was running ideas through his mind. Tasha's 'ledger' as she called it contained any number of enemies who might want revenge on the former Red Room operative and current SHIELD agent.
A new figure joined them. Tasha knelt beside Clint and reached out one hand to brush back a lock of Darcy's hair. "Who was it, little sister?"
"Yelena Belova."
Something in Tasha hardened and her gaze turned flinty. "Belova."
"Tasha?" Darcy ventured, the sharp bitterness in Tasha's eyes making her nervous.
"An old acquaintance," Tasha noted distantly.
Darcy nodded, staying curled against Clint. "She said she was trained in the same school."
"Tasha?" Clint's voice held a new edge.
"She's from the Red Room." Tasha's voice went thoroughly emotionless. "She is younger than I, but trained in much the same way. There would have been different mentors, but the base training is the same."
"Is she as good as you?" he asked.
"No."
Several moments passed in silence before Darcy lifted her head to look directly at Tasha. She reached out a shaking hand and settled it on the redhead's arm. Tasha's shoulders dropped infinitesimally, but Darcy shook her head. "It wasn't your fault."
"She chose you because of me," Tasha replied.
"That doesn't make it your fault."
"My past, my ledger," the spy muttered. "My debts coming home to roost."
Darcy's hand tightened and she strengthened her voice. "I'm not letting you blame yourself just because some pain-in-the-ass blonde who happens to come from the same place decides I make good bait." The two women locked gazes and Darcy's chin came up. "If I don't blame you, then you don't get to."
Clint shook with a repressed laugh, and Tasha's mouth quivered slightly. "It doesn't work that way," she pointed out.
"I'm the little sister, and I say it does."
Now Clint did laugh, and he hugged her tightly for a moment. Tasha leaned forward and pressed a kiss to Darcy's forehead. "You are my darling little sister," she agreed. She rose to her feet. "I'll go let Fury and Hill know. Darcy should sleep."
"I'll take care of her," Clint promised.
"I know."
Darcy watched as Tasha made her way out of the room. "She's going to blame herself, isn't she?"
"Yes."
She sighed. "I'm tired. I can't do this right now."
"You don't have to," Clint told her. He shifted her slightly in his arms and then rolled to his feet barely jostling her as he did so. "It's time to get some sleep."
"My room was too empty," she admitted in a small voice.
He held her tightly as he walked. "I'll be there now. It won't be empty anymore."
She closed her eyes and let him take care of her.