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Title: Ordinary Morning
Author: Cindy Ryan
Pairings: Clint/Natasha
notes and summary: See part one

It was one of the longest weeks of Clint's life. Four days since they'd nearly lost Nat did she start to show the slightest big of improvement. At least enough to impress the doctors. They brought her out of the medically induced coma. The doctors assured Hawkeye that it was normal that Natasha didn't wake right away. According to them it'd take awhile for all the drugs to work their way out of her system. Fury hadn't even attempted to order Clint back to active duty. The Director had stopped by and informed the archer he was on leave as long as he needed it. Hawkeye had thanked him. Knowing that on paper there was no real reason for Clint to still be sitting vigil. He wasn't legally family to Nat. Officially Clint was just her partner. Though Hawkeye suspected Fury knew of Clint and Natasha's romantic relationship. By this point Clint was sure everyone knew and he didn't really care if they did.

To elevate his boredom and keep his worry and fear at bay Clint had started going through travel websites on his laptop. Giving Nat the highlight and suggesting what they could do on their next vacation. The one after the one she got to plan. Hawkeye teased his unconscious partner that it was only fair that he got control of the next trip. As silence continued to engulf the room the travel websites became less and less interesting. Hawkeye tried to cling to what the doctors had told him. That everyone reacts differently to such a high dose of medication. With the trauma Nat's body had endured it could be weeks before she was talking and awake. Right now Clint just wanted to see her green eyes. To apologize for letting things with Juarez get so out of hand. A throat clearing caused Hawkeye to turn. Tony Stark stood in the doorway dressed in a black business suit and sunglasses tucked in a chest pocket.

"Hey."Clint greeted before turning back around in the chair.

"Hey."Stark replied quietly. "How's she doing?"

"She's out of the coma but no signs of awareness."Barton stated softly.

"Yeah."Clint replied half-heartedly. "She'll be breaking recovery records and amazing the doctors."

"You know since you're doubting her she'll see it as a challenge."Stark commented as he stepped into the room.

Barton shook his head. "I wasn't doubting, Nat."

Tony leaned back against the wall. "I clearly heard doubt."

Clint turned slightly in his chair so he could face Stark. "My doubt isn't with Nat...just that karma may have finally caught up to us. We've had a lot of close calls in the past that could've easily went the other way. Maybe all those near misses add up."

Tony chuckled. "And people call me cynical."

"Trying to look at this realistically."Hawkeye stated quietly with a shrug.

"Don't."The IronMan said as he pushed himself away from the wall and walked closer to Natasha's bed. "We could debate cynicism and realism for hours. I know it's hard to concentrate on the here and now. Especially when somebody you care about is in pain and you're powerless to do anything to stop it. I don't need to tell you the Black Widow is as tough as they come. She and I may not have always liked each other but I respect her. Try to hang on to the fact she's fought this long and beaten the odds. If she's beaten the odds this long it's a good sign."

Clint raised an eyebrow. "Pep talk from Tony Stark?"

"I don't give them often so don't ruin my image."Stark replied.

"Secret's safe."Barton promised quietly. "And thanks."

Tony took a last look at Natasha's still form before moving to the door and opening it. "She's lucky to have you."

"Other way around."Hawkeye countered.

"Text me if you need me to sit with her so you can you know see daylight."The IronMan offered as he stepped into the hall.

"I will."Clint acknowledged as Stark left.

It wasn't pain that was Natasha's first sensation it was heaviness. Like a huge weight covered her whole body especially her chest. Her disorientated brain tried to figure out what was happening. Memories were like fast moving fish; impossible to catch. After a stretch of time Natasha tried to capture the memories again. She was becoming more aware. Knew who she was. How old she was. Finally a memory surfaced...an explosion on a boat. Being hurled into the dark water. Panic flew through Natasha. Was she still in the water? Had she drowned? The next image showed that wasn't true. In a hotel room with Hawkeye planning the next move...arguing.
Clint... Natasha clung to that memory of her partner and drew strength from it. It wasn't enough to open her eyes. But it was just enough to move her right hand. Or she hoped she did.

It was nearing six in the morning. The good news of the day was the nurses had removed Nat's respirator. Her lung had healed enough to breathe on her own. Clint was just about to leave to shower, change and find breakfast. He'd risen to a half crouch when he thought he saw Nat's right hand move. Hawkeye held his breath waiting to see if he'd imagined it. No, her fingers clearly twitched. Barely but they had. Excitedly Clint went to that side of the bed and took her hand in his.

"That's it, Nat. You did good."Hawkeye stated as he squeezed her hand. "Now, I want you to squeeze my hand back. I know you can do it."

Several long minutes passed and Clint began to think he'd expected too much. Then he felt a wonderful thing. Nat's fingers moving against his palm. Clint squeezed the Black Widow's hand once more to acknowledge the movement.

"I love you, Nat."Clint began quietly as he hit the call button for the medical staff and moved closer. "Listen to my voice grab onto it. Come back to me, Nat...please."

Natasha heard Clint but it was from a distance. She couldn't make out the words. She wanted to find out what her partner had said. Why he sounded so sad. Concentrating on Clint's voice Nat used the memory of their partnership. She clung to it. It was weird but she could almost feel his strength and love like it was a lifeform all it's own. More than anything she wanted to wake up. To be out of this void.

Reaching out with her senses Natasha tested her limbs. She most likely didn't move them but just orientating herself to what was real. The heavy feeling from before was evaporating. Focusing all her strength Natasha opened her eyes. She blinked against the harsh light and closed them. Happy with that success the Black Widow opened her eyes once more; slowly this time. The room slowly came into focus. Infirmary. From the color scheme it was a S.H.E.I.L.D base somewhere.

"Thank God,"Clint said from her right. "Nat, can you hear me?"

Turning carefully Nat smiled at her partner. Clint had dark circles under his eyes and a light beard was starting to grow. His hair was mussed and he looked like he hadn't slept in days. To Natasha he looked wonderful. Nat knew she wouldn't be able to talk much. She felt like she'd swallowed a bag of cotton balls. But she wanted to try to erase the worry from her partner's face. Swallowing painfully Nat tried to speak. When she did she barely recognized her own voice.

"Hi."Nat said it coming out strained and hoarse.

The smile Nat loved dearly crossed Clint's face along with relief. He leaned forward to kiss her just as medical staff arrived.

"Hi yourself, sleeping beauty."Hawkeye replied with a grin. "Missed you, welcome back."

Nat wanted to ask so much more. Wanted to know how long she was asleep. Wanted to know what had happened. However her body and the new drugs the doctors were administering won out and Nat sank back into oblivion.

When Natasha woke the second time she felt amazingly better. Nothing close to human but not at death's door like she had felt earlier. The room she was in now was smaller though the color scheme was the same. There were no windows so Natasha couldn't tell what time it was. A floral scent drifted across her nose and the Black Widow looked for the source. Her heart melted seeing a glass vase with a dozen red roses on the table beside the head of her bed. Next to the table; asleep in a chair was her partner. He was dressed in civilian clothes black jeans, matching t-shirt and tennis shoes. Hawkeye had shaved since she'd last seen him so at least a day had passed. Part of Natasha didn't want to wake Clint. It was clear he needed the sleep. The dark circles were still distinctive under his eyes. On the other hand she needed answers and knew she wouldn't be able to rest until she knew what had happened.

"Hey."Romanoff called out surprised at the strength in her voice.

Clint blinked and sat forward. "Hey, how do you feel? Need me to get a nurse?"

Natasha shook her head reaching to take his right hand in hers. "No, I'm okay. Feel a lot better actually."

Barton relaxed in the chair. "Good. You sound better."

"Did we get Juarez?"The Black Widow asked.

"Yeah."Hawkeye replied.

"Good."Natasha acknowledged. "How long was I out?"

Clint rubbed his thumb across her knuckles. "First time or second time?"

"First."Natasha replied watching her partner closely.

Barton sighed. "First time was almost two weeks...nearly lost you at one point scared the hell out of me."

Natasha winced. "Sorry you had to go through that."

Clint met her gaze as he took his partner's hand between both of his. "Made me realize how important you are to me, Nat. Second time you were only out of it for a day."

"Guess we're not in Monaco any more, huh?"Natasha asked wistfully.

"No, you were transported back to the main base."Clint replied as he leaned forward to kiss her. "We'll get our vacation, I promise. I'm just so glad you're okay. I love you."

"I love you too."Natasha replied softly as they broke apart.