Hey guys, this is the last chapter for this story. You guys didn't expect it right. I know….sorry for dropping the bomb on you good fellow. Actually I've planned it so. (mmuahahahhaha)
This is the last story in My World series (yup, decided to name the series) before the rest of the Avengers will be joining Clint and Natasha in their next adventure. As usual in this series, Coulson is NOT dead, he's the badass handler of the world's greatest assassins and the Avengers and I'm not letting it go. (hmmpphhh….) I'm so glad for the SHIELD TV series.
The next story in this series is complete but I'm tweaking it so once its done, I'll post it. That is if you guys want to read it….but what the heck, I'm posting it nevertheless….hahaha
Anyway, many many thanks to everyone…I meant EVERYONE who had reviewed, faved, followed and PM me throughout this story. You guys are the best. Awesome bunch of super duper great people…
Thanks to Marvel for letting both Hawkeye and Black Widow over for the sleep in party (oppsss…sorry, didn't mean to mention that Kevin… ;-))
I still stumble and tumble over the language but hopefully I've improved (did I guys?)
I'm babbling ….so just go ahead and read the epilogue and look out for my new story alert, okay guys.
Stay safe uouls….
Shila1378
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Chapter 17 – Epilogue
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Natasha was sitting in front of her computer typing up her report. Her boss needed the report before going to the scheduled meeting. Her fingers flew on the keyboard and her mind concentrated on the content of the report. She pressed a key for the report to be printed out and placed them in a folder. Her phone started beeping and she automatically picked it up and listened into the receiver.
'Yes, of course. Right away.'
She gathered all the folders and a tablet and made her way up to the executive level. The secretary greeted her and informed her that her boss were at level 87 and had instructed her to go there. Natasha smiled at the secretary and made her way to the elevator. The music was soothing but her nerves were frayed. She tucked her hair behind her ears and waited for it to reach her destination. A soft ding signaled that she had arrived at the level. Taking a deep breath she stepped out from the elevators and rewarded by the beautiful view of New York. The room was naturally lighted and was luxuriously furnished. She stopped at the threshold and glanced at the room where - a boxing ring, of all the thing – occupied in the middle of it. Two men were seen sparring, if you could say that, and one of them turned and looked at her.
'Ahh..Ms Rushman. Over here.' A soft voice called to her and she made her way to her, aware that the man followed her every move.
'The documents, Ms Potts.' She handed the folders and the tablet to Ms Pepper Potts, CEO of the Stark Industries.
'Thank you, Ms Rushman.' Pepper smiled at her.
Natasha knew the man, Anthony Stark, and Fury's directive were clear but she didn't have to like her mission. Once the formality with Mr Stark ended with his driver/bodyguard on the mat, Natasha quickly left the level and back to her cubicle. She wanted to go home and took off her shoes and relaxed. All of a sudden, she felt suffocated and the close proximity of other staff in the office made her longed for the solitary of her apartment. Just because SHILED needed to assess Stark, didn't mean that she enjoyed being in his company. She couldn't wait until this assignment ends. But once this ended, she needed to get back to base, back to everything that she wanted to avoid, back to -. She shook her head, dismissing the train of thoughts that she was about to engage.
This is for the best. Natasha tried to tell herself.
When the day finally ended and she opened her door to the apartment, breathed a sigh of relief and took off her shoes. She made her way to her bedroom but stopped when she sensed a presence in the room. A small knife appeared in her hand seemingly out of nowhere and she padded slowly to her living room. The window was still closed and the door had not been tampered off. Her senses detected a slight sound on her left and her muscle tensed for actions.
When a shadow moved out towards her, she quickly crouched down and swiped her foot backward. The shadow jumped up avoiding the leg and flipped backward. Natasha had anticipated that move, so she flipped upwards and scissored her legs towards the intruder's head and pulled it down. A grunt was heard when the head connected to the floor and Natasha pinned down the intruder with her knife on its throat.
'Who are you and who send you?' She hissed at the masked face. The intruder was quiet and didn't move but the eyes stared at her. She recognized the eyes, blue gray orbs, which she had not seen for quite some time. She cursed and stood away from the intruder.
'Idiot! That was a stupid move. I could've killed you.' She moved to switch on the lights. The intruder slowly got off from the floor grunted in pain.
'That hurts, Tasha.' The familiar voice, raspy yet soft, rang in her ear.
He took the mask away and smiled at her. Making his way to her couch, Clint dropped down and sighed in relief. His body was still adjusting after the ordeal three months ago. Medical had cleared him this morning and he had immediately requested to see Natasha. Coulson and Fury had not given him their permissions but they didn't say he couldn't locate her either, so Clint took that as a silver lining.
'What are you doing here, Clint? I'm on a mission.' Natasha glared at him and made her way to her bedroom to change. Clint followed her with his eyes and knew better than to follow her into the room. He sighed, ran his fingers in his short crop hair and looked around the apartment.
'Nice apartment, Nat. Very cosy. SHIELD's forking this one out or your present boss is?' Clint stood up from the couch and made his way to the window. The street five storey down was bustling with people hastily walking, bumping at each other and totally ignoring one another. Each had their own destinations to go and nobody was paying any attention to anybody.
'Why are you here, Barton?'
Natasha asked him again with a hint of nervousness to her voice. Clint knew she had been avoiding him. She left for the mission without informing him while he was still recuperating in the medical bay. Every time he asked Coulson where she was the response would always be that she was out on a mission. 'She still had a job to do, Barton even if you were sideline with injuries.' Clint knew that Coulson was trying to placate whatever situation was with Natasha and him. Clint had decided to let it play out before he cornered Natasha and demand she tell him the truth. He thought he could do it today, but Fury had ordered him to a new mission right after medical had cleared him. It's an easy job. Just to observe a bunch of scientists in New Mexico. Coulson will be going with him. Clint knew Fury wanted Coulson to keep an eye on him but his argument on the logic or the need to have others to babysit him flew right out the carrier.
'Barton? Why are you here?' Again the question was presented to him. This time there was a hint of tiredness and annoyed at her soft voice.
Clint sighed and closed his eyes. So many things he wanted to say but he didn't want to leave her should their conversation did not go as plan. He wanted Natasha to know that he would always be here for her and that her safety was his main concern.
The woman is the Black Widow. She doesn't need anyone to fuss over her, man. Get over it. Clint conscience argued with him. Their relationship; they did go for that one date, if you can say that, was about to enter to a new level where he thought would be appealing and refreshing. When the whole Barney/Alexei shit happened, it seemed that they were back to square one. Now with Natasha's cold stare between his shoulder blades, he doubted they could embark as if nothing had happened. So, Clint renewed his resolve, straightened his back and turned facing the Black Widow with blank stare.
Natasha eyed his stance and her eyebrow rose questioningly. Clint smiled and walked towards her.
'I was cleared by medical today.' He started when he was closed to her and looked into her eyes. He could see determination settled in her emerald eyes. A flash of nervousness and then clouded stare followed.
'You came all the way here to tell me this? You can text me you know.' She smirked with a raised eyebrow and shrugged her shoulder before turning to sit on the couch. Clint grabbed her hand and she glared at him.
'I'm also leaving to New Mexico for a mission in a few hours.' He still held her hand.
'That was fast. Fury doesn't waste time sending you out.' She looked at their joint hands and raised her face to Clint.
'I need to see you before I leave. Actually we need to talk, Natasha.' He saw the nervous stare before her mask was back up. He released her hand when she tried to tug it free.
'About what Clint?' She sat on the couch cross legged and waited. Clint moved to the single seater and stood behind it.
'About what happened and why my partner was off to a new mission without telling me.' Clint put his hand up when Natasha was about to reply.
'But I thought, that's okay, it could wait. We'll talk when we have downtime once we've finished with our present missions. Just want to see you before I go. Just want to make sure.' Clint smiled and nodded absently.
Natasha watched him and twisted her fingers. The awkward silence was interrupted by Clint's phone buzzing.
'Barton.' His voice was professional and Natasha lifted her head looking at him. He caught her eyes and she saw sadness in it. She took a deep breath and waited.
'Yes sir. On my way down now, sir.' He hung up and sighed.
'I need to go now. Take care of yourself, Natasha. I'll see you when I see you, then.' Clint voice was soft and sad. Natasha stood abruptly from her couch and stood in front of him. Clint blinked at the sudden movement but held his ground.
In a move that was so not Black Widow, Natasha wrapped her arms around Clint's neck and inhaled Clint's scent. She closed her eyes and Clint placed his arms on her waist gently tugging her closer to him. At the moment, he only knew that he had her in his arms and that he knew whatever happened in the future, he'll be there for her and that she'll do the same. They could always count on each other either as friends or partners. Other matters were of no importance because this is their moment.
Clint placed a soft kiss on her cheek, she took his face in her hands and placed a kiss on his forehead. Clint savored the sensation of her lips on his skin and closed his eyes.
'быть безопасными, мой ястреб' Be safe my Hawk.
'вы тоже, мой паук' You too, my spider.
They broke apart and stared at each other. Natasha still had her hands holding his face itching to run her fingers thru his hair. Clint took both her hands and smiled.
They walked to the door and Clint opened it. He stopped at the threshold for awhile before walking out without a backward glance. Natasha watched him turned around the corridor and only then closed the door. She needed to gather herself. She still had the assessment on Stark she needed to finish. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. Pushing herself from the door, Natasha entered her bedroom and found a single red rose on her dresser. Picking it up, she smiled and knew that they would be okay. The ordeal of the last year had made them stronger and aware of each other's feelings. For now, Natasha was glad that Clint didn't push the matter, opted to wait and see for both their sake. She felt that was more fulfilling and she twirled the rose smiling. Whatever happened both will be there for each other and that was all that matter now.
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FIN
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Ok guys…I'm sure you recognized the scene in the Stark Tower from Iron Man 2. Yup..
There were still few loose ends from this story that will be addressed soon in the future. I hope that you guys will continue to follow me throughout this series and as much as I enjoyed these two assassins, I'm looking forward to the interaction between them and the rest of the Avengers.
The next story will take off after the movie ends and some flashback to the movieverse. Until the next posting, hope you guys stay safe.
p/s:- I was still not permitted to go the cinema and watch Iron Man 3 and now Star Trek. Life (as in my doctor) was playing hard these past month and I'm slowly losing my mind…. My work colleagues are enjoying time without me and YOU guys must help me keep my sanity by leaving reviews or PM. Okay…can you guys help me here. Sigh….
Till then…see you when I post next…
Shila1378