Chapter 4

The Mission Alone

As night began to fall over New York the team realized that they weren't anywhere closer to finding the Doctor. Stark had Pepper bring the strongest coffee she could find and pick up some pain pills for . Pepper walked past the arrow holes in the wall " were you redecorating or winding up a certain archer?" she asked as she passed him his coffee "Black coffee, black like your soul Tony" she joked while stealing a kiss from him. "So I shouldn't be expecting you to join me tonight in bed" Stark groaned she could tell he as exhausted.

"Unless the Doctor suddenly walked through that door" he gestured at the towers main entrance "I will be here all night" sadness washed across his face.

The elevator doors in the room sprung to life, the entire team was at the ready, weapons drawn, even Natasha was sitting up with her gun. "Jar…vis?" Tony questioned as the doors opened.

"Lt Col Rhodes is here to see you " Jarvis stated.

"Stark I am going to shoot and arrow into that thing!" Clint relaxed his bow dropping to his side

"Woah! A welcoming party, you shouldn't have" Rhodey joked "It's late, your all on edge..now would this happen to be about Bruce Banner" he said while holding up the manila folder in his hands " I thought this may be important and as we don't have a Jarvis at the Air Force yet I have to hand deliver it"

Stark Chuckled "Yet? Rhodey you guys don't deserve one" grabbing the file and throwing its contents on the table in front of the team.

"These were taken at La Guardia airport and hour ago" Rhodey chimed in giving Stark a disapproving look.

"Hate to ask the obvious but why didn't Jarvis pick up on this and what the fuck is up with the Doc's eyes." Barton pointed at the blackened circles that were in place of Banners usual green eyes. " That's one hell of a pupil dilation". The team all looked at the photo and noticed the same thing. "Do we know where the Doc was heady, Rhodey?" Stark enquired.

"Beirut, any reason why you think he would head there?" Rhodey looked at the team hoping one of them could have a feasible answer for him.

"Weapons" Natasha broke the silence "wasn't that one of the places that Obadiah sent Stark industries weapons too?" She questioned Stark as his brow furrowed.

"So what your saying is one of the smartest scientists in en-route to a weapon filled country and he could be under some drug, Oh and we cant really stop him because if he gets angry he turns into the not so jolly giant…Am I missing anything?" Rhodey didn't seem too happy as he was stating what everyone in that room was dreading.

"Well I guess we get to go to Beirut" Cap stated, grabbing his suit "lets get suited and head out, Stark we may want to get a god on our side, want to get Thor and ma'am" He looked over at the widow "your staying put, we need you rested" Tasha knew he was right and nodded at him.

Coulson knew this was serious and started grabbing any files he may need when his Iphone started buzzing in his pocket.

Fury…he sighed

"Director Fury, we have a location on the missing doctor and are about to depart" Phil was trying to keep everything to his training, but he wasn't expecting this response.

"Thank you Agent, Stark let me know precise location and Agent Sitwell is already on route please give all the pertinent files to the Captain Rogers and you can sit this one out" Phil's mouth dropped open "Sir?, sit this one out?" he looked up at Barton as he was counting his arrows, trying not to show the disappointment in his face.

"I'm sorry Agent, did I stutter you will report back to HQ as soon as the helicopter has left, and that Agent Coulson is an order" Fury replied angrily.

Phil's voice shook as he responded "Yes Sir"

Fury ended the call and Phil stood up from the table and handed Cap the files, Cap gave him a quizzical look.

"Sorry guys, this isn't my mission, Agent Sitwell will be your contact as he is already there" he turned to start his walk towards the elevator when Barton jumped in front of him.

"ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME" Barton yelled "HOW THE FUCK DID SITWELL END UP IN BEIRUT" he grabbed Phil's arm roughly " But you're my handler not that DOUCHBAG"

Tony quickly shuffled some papers around hoping that Fury didn't mention his name.

Phil knew he would have to diffuse the situation, as it could end up in a arrow riddled stark, he pulled Clint into the kitchen away from everyone.

"Did..did I do something wrong? Is this Fury's punishment for me?" Clint asked looking at Phil like a lost child, he couldn't help but kiss him.

"you've done nothing wrong babe" Phil started stroking his face with his thumb "Fury always has a plan, we will be back in Belize before you know!" Phil started kissing the chiseled line of Clint's chin, when there was a tap on the kitchen doorframe.

"Time to go Hawkeye" Cap said as he watched Clint push Phil off him in shock

"Okay Cap" Clint started to walk out the door, he could feel his face reddening out of embarrassment. "We all know about you two, you know?" Cap stated. Clint just hurried out to the helipad to meet up with the team, his first assignment with SHIELD with out Phil.

Phil hated that every time someone from the team was around Clint was so different always hiding his true feelings. He tried to smile at the helicopter as it took off, but at the back of his mind he knew he had to go back to work.

"Agent Coulson, Director Fury is on the line for you" Jarvis brought Phil back to reality.

"patch him through Jarvis, thank you"

" Agent Coulson, we have to see how Hawkeye will do with out you and I need him focused on the task not on his heart" Fury made his point waiting for a response

"I understand sir" Phil shifted his weight he felt so uneasy, why did he have to be kept from his archer. He let out a long sigh

"Agent Coulson see this as your requested time off, the car is outside to take you back to the airport" the line went dead.

Coulson's mind was racing, is he on leave? What is going on. He requested that leave with Clint not by himself worrying about Clint. He will literally worry himself to death.

GOD DAMMIT FURY.