All's Fair In Love... Unless You're In SHIELD
Author: Had this one sitting around for a few days. And finished it just in time to say: The Guardians
of the Galaxy trailer is awesome. Never thought a raccoon could be badass. Something to look forward
to. :) Cuteness from Ward & May. Phil being a dick. And a surprise ending. I own nobody & nothing.
"Ward." Coulson growled, looking over at the younger agent.
This was the third time Coulson had demanded an answer of him about May's disappearance.
Clearly he was not pleased with the answer he had been receiving.
"I'm sorry sir but I really do not know where Agent May. She just told me that she needed to take care of something in the city. Then she left." Ward sighed.
A muscle in Coulson's jaw twitched & he narrowed his eyes.
"I don't appreciate being lied to Agent Ward." he warned.
Lied to?
Coulson thought he was being lied to?
Ward got to his feet, glared at Coulson & snapped, "If you didn't think that I was trustworthy then why did you bring me along as part of this team?!"
Fitz & Simmons both jumped in their seats at Ward's outburst. But the look of rage on Coulson's face made Simmon's shrink against Fitz in fear.
Coulson was known for his control & patience.
But the sight of Coulson, who was several inches shorter than Ward, looking at Ward as if he wanted nothing more than to rip the other man apart was terrifying.
"Um..." Simmons whimpered as she stared up at them.
But then May was between them as if she had appeared out of the thin air. "Enough. Both of you." she said, putting a hand of each of their chests.
"Where have you been? Skye has been in surgery for three hours! Nobody could reach you because your phone, com & tracker were all off!" Phil snapped.
"I was taking care of what you wouldn't." she growled at him.
"You better have a damn good explanation Phil. Because if not, we'll find out just how many lives you have."
Phil cringed at the venom in that voice.
He had always hated how harsh some emotions could make Clint's voice sound.
"Phil." a second, female voice, said.
Natasha's voice was cold & even... but he knew the rage that her voice masked.
"Shit." he sighed, turning to face the pair behind him.
Clint's eyes were narrowed & anger contorted his features.
Phil took a step back, not sure if the archer would lash out or not.
Though judging by the look of anger & betrayal on Natasha's face, she wouldn't try to hold him back if he did.
"Let me explain." Phil whispered, looking from Tasha to Clint as he tried to figure out who was more dangerous.
"Please do." Tasha hissed.
"I was dead. Loki did kill me. My heart stopped... but only for a little while. Days... maybe weeks. I don't know." he told them.
"How do you not know?" Clint growled.
"My memories were re-written. I went through at least half a dozen surgeries... and I was awake for most of them. By the time it was done... I was begging to die. So my memories were re-written. I thought I was only dead for a few minutes... that I healed & was sent to Tahiti for therapy. But... it was all lies. I know that now." Phil sighed.
Tasha's eyes widened & she looked up at Clint, suddenly no longer angry but instead in shock.
"And Fury okayed all of that." Clint whispered.
"I did."
All heads swiveled to Fury as he stepped into view, his usual completely black outfit a stark contrast to the sterile white walls & floor.
"You let Streiten treat me like a lab rat." Coulson growled.
"I made Streiten bring you back. The World Security Council were the ones who insisted you be awake. I, however, insisted that your memories be re-written. But I did not expect you to find out." Fury told him.
"And how long were you planning to lie to us? Sir?" Clint demanded, venom lacing his voice.
"Indefinitely." Fury told him as he tried to pull rank.
Clint bristled & instead of backing away from his superior, dove for him.
But Fury had been expected Clint's reaction & he shoved the archer against the wall, pressing his forearm against his throat.
"I thought you knew better Barton." he growled.
The threat of having his airway shut off was enough to keep Clint silent but his fingers twitched for the gun at his thigh.
"Let him go." Tasha said.
May's eyes went wide when she realized that the other woman had a gun aimed at the back of Fury's head.
"Agent Romanoff. You realized that this could destroy your career." Fury warned.
"I'm aware. But in a few months time I won't be able to go out into the field anyways." she told him.
"Why?" Phil, Fury & Clint asked.
"I'm pregnant." Tasha whispered.
Clint's eyes widened & he slumped to the ground when Fury let him go. "When did you find out?" he asked.
"Earlier today. I was coming to find you to tell you when Jarvis said you were fighting May." she whispered, watching her boyfriend for his reaction.
"Son of a bitch." Clint sighed, resting his head against the wall.
"Clint?" Tasha whispered as she blinked back tears.
"Come here Tash." he breathed.
Phil watched as Natasha put her gun away & settled into Clint's lap.
Natasha was pregnant.
Clint was going to be a father.
And if May hadn't intervened... he may never have known.
"I'm sorry May." he whispered.
"Go... be with them." May told him as Ward wrapped his arms around her tightly.
Clint's eyes opened but he didn't lift his nose from Tasha's hair as Phil approached them.
"Congratulations." Coulson whispered.
"Thank you." Clint whispered.
Tasha reached out & gently grabbed Phil's wrist to drag him down to sit with them.
Phil obliged her & sank to his knees.
Her hand slid into his jacket & past his shirt... seeking the scar from Loki's staff. She made a soft sound of distress when her fingertips found it.
It would probably never fade... which meant he could never forget the injury that had left it.
"I'm sorry." Phil whispered, touching Tasha's stomach gently before glancing at Clint.
Tasha pulled him to her, hugging him tightly.
Clint slid an arm around his shoulder & squeezed him just as tightly.
"We forgive you." the archer whispered.