Summary: After surviving a hit and run that should have killed her, Riley McLawson now has unusual powers from her near death experience. S.H.I.E.L.D sends the team to recruit her against a new enemy. Only along the way they learn that Riley isn't the enemy but someone else in the group is, eventual Clint/OC, Steve/Darcy.
From The Shadows
Chapter 8
Song – Made Of Stone – By Evanescence
Speak your mind,
Like I care
I can see your lips moving
I just learn not to hear
Don't waste your time
It's never enough for you baby
Don't want to play your game
Never enough
No matter what you say
I'm all out of love for you, baby
Now that I've tried everything
I'll numb the pain,
until I am made of stone
Take your time
I'm not scared
Make me everything you need me to be
So the judgment seems fair
Don't waste your time
His dreams were usually nightmares, all the clichés added with his terrible childhood. Tonight was different; it wasn't him in the dream, but rather a girl with dark red hair, Riley? He looked around and didn't see himself anywhere. It was like he was a spectator, looking on at the situation playing out in front of him.
Clint watched as Riley played with her dolls when Lily stormed in, fury marring her beautiful face.
"Get the hell out of here and don't come out of you room, until I say so got it?" She snapped at Riley's fearful face.
"Uhh, yes mam." Riley responded softly, her doll shaking in her grip. Lily gave her one last glare and slammed the door; Riley shuffled herself backwards to hide behind her bed, her doll clutched in her arms.
Clint felt disgusted at what Lily was doing, he saw bruises on Riley's bare arms and there was a bruise on her shoulder almost as if someone had...
Oh hell no.
"Where's that cute daughter of youre's Lily?" He asked looking around the cluttered house, no toys were in sight
"Right here Franklin, want to play with her?" She asked cruelly.
Riley jerked; Clint deduced she must have known who he was. Footsteps were heard walking up the stairs, and a gruff laugh was followed. Riley shivered and folded herself into a ball, rocking back and forth.
The door was slammed open as Franklin came in, he was wearing a suit and his hair was dark brown, his eyes hazel coloured but Clint could see the cruelty in them.
He wanted to kill Franklin with a poisoned arrow of his, you didn't hurt a child like that and now he was watching from a distance as Riley's innocence was destroyed.
The man left her then, looking satisfied and walked off to talk with Lily, who was waiting in the corridor.
Clint looked at Riley then and saw that she was crying into her knees, sobs heaving out from her chest.
He walked over to her then and she looked at him with shock.
Clint woke up then with a start, breathing heavily as he came to grips with the fact that he had been in Riley's mind, had seen her being abused by Lily and Franklin.
It made him sick.
He thought of how this must have affected Riley, she was now remembering the abuse she had suffered at Lily's hands along with those men.
Clint had lost Natasha because she hadn't talked to him about what Loki had said, he'd be damned if he let Riley go to the dark side, he had promised Richard that he'd protect Riley and he would.
"Because, I keep my promises". Clint said as he fell back to sleep.
The next morning Riley woke up to the familiar, wonderful smell of her mom's homemade American pancakes with maple syrup not to mention, mushrooms, sausages, eggs, bacon and waffles, coffee, French toast and hotcakes.
She saw Tom sleeping at the end of her bed, his chest rising and falling as she headed towards the bathroom to have a nice shower.
Stepping under the warm water, Riley began to wash herself with her mint body wash when that was done she washed her red locks under the water, humming a tune as she did.
Riley pulled out a pair of faded blue Hollister jeans, a plain dark blue tank top and an old thin black cardigan; she had a feeling that they were going to go through some caves.
She put on her black biker boots and went down to the kitchen to see Jenney, her mom, Maria already preparing breakfast. Riley guessed her dad and Grant were feeding the horses.
"Morning guys." She said happily as Pepper came in along with Tony, Steve right behind them along with Darcy, Thor who looked like he had enjoyed himself along with a rosy cheeked Jane and Erik.
"Clint's coming down; he's just having a shower." Darcy answered Riley's unspoken question.
"Well, we can wait for him." Helen said serving coffee.
"So Riley, we're going dress shopping! Aren't you excited?" Jane gushed. Riley rolled her eyes, but smiled in response.
"Oh yay, this is going to be SUCH fun." She replied sarcastically. Jane hit her teasingly on the arm.
"Come on, us girls have to stick together around the hoard of testosterone." Everyone laughed while the boys fake glared.
Clint came down then wearing a pair of light, blue jeans, hiking boots and a grey t-shirt that showed off his rippling arms and muscles and his dark blonde hair was damp. Riley tried not to eye fuck him.
Oh hell, he was sexy, in a bad boy way.
She didn't WANT to think about Clint in that way. He was her friend, and she didn't want to ruin a perfectly good friendship through dating the man, then it ending in disaster. It had happened too many times for her to trust.
However, she could dream... and Clint was some good eye candy.
And amazingly, nice too.
She really had to stop trying to convince herself!
While Riley was desperately trying not to think about Clint naked, Clint was trying hard not to think about Riley in the same way as they sat down to eat breakfast.
Shit, he was fucked big time.
Breakfast went along smoothly despite the hormones, and once everyone has had their fill, Darcy and Jane pulled Pepper and Riley out the car, excitedly chattering.
Once they were gone to the town to get their dresses, Steve turned to look at Tony, Thor, Erik and Steve.
"Let's look around in that forest".
"Good thing, we've got our suits for tonight to see the snob family." Tony said grimly.
The girls were in a very seriously stylish boutique with dresses in every style possible, Darcy had already picked hers. It was a beautiful midnight blue gown with embroidery around the waist making Darcy look like a supermodel, Jane had picked a silver dress with taffeta around the hem, it brought out her dark brown eyes. Pepper had picked out a dark emerald, green dress with it showing off her back.
Riley had found the dress she had wanted after looking through three dresses, it was a black lace dress with no straps and a clinched in waist. It showed off her back as well but hid her scars thankfully.
"Clint won't be able to keep his eyes off you, Riley". Pepper said with a warm smile.
"I don't know what you're talking about". Riley said trying to keep her face blank.
"Sure you do!" Darcy cut in. "I've seen him eye you and you him. He's fallen hard." Her grin was mischievous. Riley turned to glare at the woman.
"You don't know what you're talking about. Now let's pay for these before we get distracted." She stalked over to the counter and resolutely didn't look back to see if the others had followed her.
"Well, well if it isn't Miss sad" A familiar voice said to her.
Riley glanced around to see a tall, dark brown haired woman staring at her.
"Hello Sophie."
"How've, you been?!" She explained wrapping her into a hug. "I noticed you through the window. I didn't know if I was seeing things or you were really here." Suddenly, Riley's bad mood vanished and she hugged her friend back, laughing into her shoulder.
"Its good to see you too, Sophia these are my colleagues and friends, Darcy Lewis, Jane Foster and Pepper Potts."
"Nice to meet you!" Sophia told the new faces sincerely. "Any friend of Riley's is a friend of mine."
"Ditto!" Darcy cried while the two other's nodded their agreement.
Sophie then saw all of them holding dresses in the bags "Going to your snob grandparent's ball?" She asked sympathetically.
Riley was about to answer when, her grandmother's voice called out "Lily look she's here".
Lily! Riley screeched in her head. From the look on everyone else's face, they were doing the same. "Let's get out of here, quickly." She whispered through clenched teeth, taking hold of whoever's hand was closest and tried to drag them out of the store.
They ran out of the store with Sophia nodding at her in understanding through the window.
"I haven't met the woman but she sounds like a bitch." Darcy said grim as they drove back to the house.
Riley was hyperventilating, and Pepper's hand rubbing soothing circles on her back brought her back to regular breaths quickly enough.
"I can't believe she was there. Meeting me in plain sight. She tried to fucking kill me!" She screamed, alarm curling in her tone.
Jane tried to keep everyone calm, "Riley, Riley look at me. You're gonna be alright." She assured her.
Riley nodded as they pulled up at the house.
She had to tell the others that her mother was there. They had to know, they had to somehow take her down. She suddenly didn't feel safe going to the ball, well, less safe than she previously thought.
The guys were outside near the house when they ran over, Steve looked at them worriedly.
"What's wrong?"
"Lily's here."
"Goddammit, you'd think we'd lost her." Tony growled, angrily stomping his feet.
"My grad-parents shouldn't have known I was here. They likely were the cause to her showing up."
Clint looked at the woods then "We've gotta go into the woods and look for that piece of crystal." He said wearily.
Riley nodded "I'm going to say good by to my parents and-" just as a blast hit the ground.
"For fuck's sakes, at least give us a day." Tony whined, when the ugly creatures plus Lily strolled into the houses yard.
"Riley, you're coming with us." Her mother's voice was cold, devoid of emotion. Riley snorted at the order, clearly amused.
"Do you really think, REALLY THINK, after all the times we fought against you, that you could just up and tell me to join you on your little joy ride? You are all dumbasses!"
Lily glared at her "If you don't come with us, and then we'll kill your parents, sister, her daughter and husband". She said coldly.
Riley knew that Lily couldn't hurt her family; Thor had taken them to a safe place.
"Go ahead and try bitch." She sneered confidently. "Whatever you "say" you're going to do, it won't work. Now run along, and leave us the fuck alone."
Lily snarled in rage and screamed something that Riley didn't understand and a blue beam ripped across the sky.
They shielded their eyes from the bright light, and then once it settled down, quickly looked at what appeared.
Great, the other one has arrived.
"Hello darling daughter." Loki chuckled, swinging his staff to and through. "I hear you have been... disobeying."
Riley raised a thin, black eyebrow at Loki's remark. "I'm not you're dear daughter, if I was you wouldn't have left me with the mother of hell." She said nodding at Lily.
He looked confused for a second, shooting quick glance at Lily, at the snarl on her face, then back at Riley. "I'm sure I have no idea what you mean."
Clint stared at him in disbelief, "I'm sure you don't, like Lily letting men rape her willingly, physically and emotionally abusing her." He growled.
Loki looked at Riley then, seeing the scars "Is this true?" He demanded to Thor.
"Brother, believe me, I would not lie to you. This woman is of purest evil." Thor told him firmly.
Loki swallowed hard as he spoke "We are leaving." He said harshly to Lily as they teleported away.
"That was fun." Tony said as they looked around.
"We better get ready for this, damn party." Steve said annoyed.
"I don't think that's such a good idea..." Riley whispered, but the group didn't hear and were babbling on about how they were going to make the event at least a little more interesting.
"Fine then ignore me!" Once again, nobody listened, already travelling to the house. She huffed and followed suit.
She went upstairs to her room to get ready and got in the shower, once she had washed her hair and body; she got out and dried herself.
Riley pulled on a black lace bra and matching panties set and then the dress, it slid on perfectly.
A little bit of makeup was put on, and a silver, plain necklace to match the dress. She took a step back, looked at herself fully, and smiled, nodding and walking back downstairs were the others who were ready were waiting.
Tony whistled when he saw her, "Damn Robin Hood, you're girl is sexy." He said smirking.
Clint glared as he walked towards Riley "Shut up Stark".
A blush stole her cheeks and she looked at Clint. He was handsome, clad in a classical dark suit, his cuffs rolled up and hair mussed but stylish. She saw him shoot a glance at her attire and blush also. A flutter began in her chest, but she quickly pushed the emotion away.
"Right then, we ready?" Richard asked everyone and they nodded in agreement.
"Let's go."
They all got in a black limo; Clint saw Steve blush as Darcy sat next to him.
Somethings going to happen there, he thought to himself, smirking.
The ride was short, and soon enough they arrived at the destined location. Many cars were parked around, and people were walking hand in hand into the building.
The estate was painted a cream white with a water fountain of an angel in the centre of the garden.
"Over, the top much." Jenney said alarmed.
"Someone has too much money." Riley muttered back, and then they began their walk to the large doors.
Inside the house, the entry was packed. They waited for their coats to be taken to the closet, and then got ushered into the ball room.
"Holy shit" Bruce said stunned as a beautiful raven haired young woman ran towards him.
"BRUCE!"
"Betty?" Bruce said happily.
"What are you doing here? I didn't know you lived in Canada."
"I should be asking you that." The girl chuckled, giving the man a hug.
Bruce turned to the others "Everyone, this is Betty Blake my fiancée." He said tenderly.
"Riley, there you are and who is the charming, handsome young man with you?" Grace called out.
"It's Clint, you've met him..." Grace looked at the man beside her granddaughter in surprise, and then a happy grin stole her features.
"I barely recognized you darling!" She said, pinching the stoic man's cheeks. "You look absolutely handsome this evening. And what a lovely date!" She winked at Riley on that word, who blushed in embarrassment.
"We're friends Grace." Riley said as violin music began to play around them.
"Well you two should have a dance." She said smiling.
Clint swallowed "I'd be honoured." He said looking at Riley.
Riley stared surprised up at him through her lashes while he offered her his hand. Tentatively, she grasped it and Clint pulled her onto the dance floor. He bowed teasingly before grabbing her around the waist and spinning her around.
"By the way, I really can't dance." She laughed, her hair flowing behind her.
Clint grinned back. "Don't worry, just follow my lead."
She smiled at him then and Clint suddenly realised how beautiful she looked when Tony's voice crackled through the com.
"Hey love birds, we found the location of one of those books in the library so you two are going to have to distract them."
"Got it." Clint said back, pulling Riley closer so she could spy over his shoulder. This brought their position much more... intimate, but Riley didn't say anything.
"Do you see them?" Clint muttered in her ear, doing the same over the redheads shoulder.
"No." She narrowed her sight and zoomed in on darker locations, when a shock of familiar hair caught her eye.
"Natasha's here in the ballroom." She whispered quietly.
Clint swore quietly under his breath "Damn it." He hissed.
"What do we do?"
Clint sighed and said to his com. "Natasha in the room." It crackled and Tony's voice came through.
"Well fuck we're out of luck, we'll be there as soon as possible."
Riley saw Natasha walking towards them then, "Clint she's heading straight towards us." She said trying not to freak out.
"Do you trust me?" He asked quietly.
"O-of course Clint. Why wouldn't I?" He regarded her for a second, the nodded, before pulling her away at a fast pace of the dance floor.
"Where are we going?" She asked as they met up with the others, "What about my family?" She added.
"You'll see them." Was all he told her. They were out of the mansion and into the brisk wind of outside in seconds flat. They hurried along until the got to the car, wishing Natasha wouldn't catch them before they could escape.
"How is everyone else going to leave?" She asked him worriedly.
"They'll understand. There are cabs around here." He pushed her into the front seat, hopped into the driver's side and started the car, leaving the lot with the screech of the car tires.
Riley watched as they drove into the countryside, the heating was on and Riley heard Tony speaking.
"Meet us in the woods. We got the book."
"Already!" Riley cried, surprised. The library was huge!
"So little faith!" Tony said, amused then he turned more serious. "We're just a couple kilometres after the first exit you see, Thor will flash his lightening when you pass by."
"Ok, thanks Tony." Clint said as they drove nearer the woods lightening flashed across the sky, telling them they were here.
"Pepper brought you both some clothes."
"Thank you." Riley whispered. She grabbed the clothes and went off behind a tree, quickly changing, and then returning.
The others waited for her to come back before investigating the book.
Clint had gone to change into a pair of jeans, a black shirt and hiking boots when he saw a flash of Riley's hair.
"You okay?" He called to her. Tying up his last shoe and straightening up.
"Perfectly fine." She smiled at him. "You were great earlier." She confessed to him.
Clint smiled "So were you." He said quietly.
The now familiar warm feeling that came over her chest was back at Clint's words. There was an awkward silence for a second, and they shuffled nervously before Tony's voice broke the uncomfortable atmosphere.
"Alright people! Let's see what's in the book!" They shuffled over, and looked over the billionaire's shoulder while he opened it, staring at the first page for a second, before groaning. "Well shit, how to we find the right spot."
"Look for a table of content, dumbass." Darcy's voice broke in. Tony gasped at her, scandalised, going on a small rant that he was far from being a dumbass, before grudgingly doing what she said.
They both looked at it for a while before staring at Riley with horrified eyes, "Man, Robin Hood's gonna be pissed." Tony said worried.
"Why the fuck will I be pissed?" Clint asked confused.
"Mamma dearest needs Riley to use her as a fucking sacrifice."
"Honestly, what's up with this woman?" He sneered, grimace twisting his face. "I'm going to go cool off." He left in a huff, through the trees and was out of sight in no time. This left the others looking at each other wonderingly.
"Man, Natasha's really sent him off." Tony said dryly as a blast of green fire hit the tree near them.
Viktor stood in front of Riley smiling at her darkly as he held up a book.
"I see you got my message, Riley is it?"
Everyone looked confused at his declaration. Tony, like always, was the one to speak up. "Um, what do you mean dude?"
Viktor smirked as he nodded at the book Tony was holding in his hands, "That she's going to die".
Thor stepped forward "I will not let you harm my niece."
"You can't beat us Viktor, deal with the fact. We have more people now." Tony continued, gesturing to Darcy and Jane. "Get ready to get your ass kicked."
Viktor smirked at the implication. "You amuse me young one." He told them.
He looked at them all as Clint came out from the woods, "Ah, the infamous Hawkeye. Tell me how does it feel, knowing that you saved a woman who still worked for the other team?"
"I don't believe that's any of your business." He sneered, coming around the large man cautiously to stand beside his allies. "Why would you want to work with a woman like Lily? Isn't she weak?"
For the first time Viktor seemed uneasy, "She and I share a common enemy." He answered darkly.
"Which is?" Tony prodded.
"You" and began shooting fire at them.
"And why?" Tony was yelling through the fire blast. "Are we!" He gave his own shot with repulsors. "Your enemies? What have we ever done to you?" A couple more bright lights were directed at Viktor.
"You don't deserve my answer." He snarled as he raised his arms and a huge wave of water came rushing down.
Riley who had been covering behind a rock slipped on the muddy soil hitting her head on the sharp as the water crashed down on all of them.
"Shit." Steve yelled as he grabbed Darcy while Thor grabbed Jane and Erik, Tony had grabbed onto Pepper, Bruce grabbing onto Betty for dear life.
Clint searched around for Riley and felt worried when he couldn't see her, "RILEY!" He yelled out.
A moan was his answer and he turned his head to the sound. At first, he couldn't see anything, but with a closer look, he noticed a figure, laid down on the soil.
"RILEY!" He yelled crawling towards her as he tried not to get swept away by the waves. He got to her and saw that she had a cut across the right side of her face near her hairline.
He fumbled with the pack around his waist, and pressed a square of gauze against the wound. Riley fluttered her eyes, but they were quickly back to being shut tight.
"What's going on Clint?" He heard Tony's voice through his quick thinking.
Clint gritted his teeth. "Oh, you know, just trying to get Riley stable!" He yelled back, uncalled for anger seeping into his tone.
"WHAT'S GOING ON? IS RILEY OK?" Steve yelled concerned.
"She hit her head on the rock, cut her head but she'll be ok." Clint yelled back hoping that Riley wasn't seriously hurt.
Riley shifted then and he could see her struggling to sit up, "What happened?" She asked wincing.
"Just a little accident. Can you stand?" Clint asked her hurriedly.
"I-I don't know." Her eyes were dazed, and her reactions slow. In a flash decision, Clint came to an answer to his problems.
As Riley was swung up into his arms, she let out a noise of surprise before gripping onto his shoulders for dear life. He began his walk back to the others with the wounded girl strung atop him.
Just as Clint made his way towards them with Riley, another wave crashed over them soaking them and making the ground wet.
"Hang on". Clint told her firmly and Riley held tightly onto his shoulders as they tried not to slip.
"I'M FUCKING SICK OF THIS SHIT!" Tony yelled.
And with that, he decided to do something about it.
Before the next wave could come, Tony propelled everyone to high land, with the help of Thor. Once everyone was sure not to get hit by the water, they finally slumped down and relaxed, catching their breath.
Bruce walked to where Riley stood "Are you alright?" He asked gently.
Riley smiled at him "I'm fine." She assured.
"What do we do now?"
Thor asked wonderingly as Bruce bent down and started cleaning Riley's cut.
"It's deep; I'll have to stitch it up." The doctor said under his breath and he looked around in his medical bag.
"I don't know." Clint answered Thor. "I fucking don't know."
As Bruce sewed Riley back up, the others discussed where they could go now.
"Riley's parent's house isn't a good idea. We'd just be putting them in danger." Jane pointed out intelligently.
Steve sighed "Looks like we're going to have to sleep here for tonight, make a fire and tomorrow find that piece of crystal." He said tiredly.
"But we don't have anything to keep warm." Erik pointed out.
"Then we'll have to pair up and keep each other warm." Tony said.
It's never enough for you baby
Don't wanna play your game
Never enough
No matter what you say
I'm all out of love for you, baby
Now that I have tried everything
I'll numb the pain
until I am made of
Tear up my heart
For the way that it feels
I will still remember where you have forgotten me
It's never enough for you baby
Don't wanna play your game
Never enough
No matter what you say
I'm all out of love for you, baby
Now that I've tried everything
I'll numb the pain
until I'm made of stone
It's never enough
It's never enough
It's never enough
I'll numb the pain
until I am made of stone
I'll numb the pain
until I am made of stone