Chapter 15

Time

Phil got back to Stark tower and collapsed on the bed in Clint's room, 'How did this get so fucked up' he thought.

After dinner Kate left for work and Clint was alone again, he started thinking about the way he snapped at Phil, Tony had a point. He realized he was hiding, spending all his time with Kate so he didn't have to deal with what had happened. His shoulder ached from all the shooting today but that didn't stop him from grabbing his bag and heading to the practice range at Stark Tower.

"Good Evening Mr. Barton" Jarvis chimed 'You just can't sneak around Stark Tower!' Clint thought as he headed to the range. He could feel someone watching him "Hi Natasha" he said to the shadows.

"You know for not being an Avenger you sure use the facilities a lot" she walked up beside him "heading to the range?" she asked "and with out your nurse! Clint I'm shocked" she had a hint of anger in her voice.

"Natasha….that's unnecessary" he shot back

"No Clint what's unnecessary is hurting a team member, I have seen Phil cry more times than I want!"

Clint started lining up and shooting arrows as the muscles in his shoulder twinge in pain.

"You need to stop hiding behind her Clint, what happened to the independent assassin I knew?" Tasha fired her gun at the target, headshot.

Clint let out a sigh "Tasha he's gone, because this happened" he turned lifting up his shirt revealing his scar "that was done to me by my team mate, how do I deal with Bruce now?" Three more arrows embedded themselves into the bull's-eye on his target.

Natasha was speechless, that's something that he is going to have to live with for the rest of his life "Why not talk to the Director about taking the position day by day?" honestly all she wanted was her best friend back.

"Will it get you off my back?" he winced at the pain in his shoulder became more apparent.

Natasha smiles "Yup!"

Clint put down the bow and called Director Fury

"Welcome back Agent Barton" Fury said as they ended the call.

'Maybe this would work' he thought as he dropped his bow on the couch and headed out to bring his clothes and things back to Stark Tower. 'Goodbye crummy old apartment, I wont be missing you!" he thought as he handed the key back to his smelly landlord.

Phil was in his office when he got the email, the header read:

'Agent Barton Status'

He clicked on the email as his heart raced, and then in the hallway he heard Clint laugh, the sound made him go crazy, he got up and stood in the doorway watching Tasha helping Clint with his bags.

Clint looks up mid laugh and sees Phil in the doorway 'Breathe Clint, Take it slow' he thought as he smiled at him.

As night set over New York the Avengers were in the front room trying to relax over a movie. Clint looked around and was happy he was back even if it was surreal. Phil chose to sit next to Clint but he kept enough distance that they never touched and Tasha rested her back against Clint's legs while she sat on the floor. He smiled at the familiarity.

Tony gets up and pours a drink for himself "I'm glad we are all back together" he raises his glass.

As night progresses people start to head to bed, until Phil and Clint are left alone. Clint started to feel awkward, "Well I'm headed to bed" he said.

"Me too" Phil replied, they both got up from the couch, Clint stopped at his door, trying to read were Phil was going to go, he knew that Phil's room became and office when they started dating and the couch in there wasn't exactly comfortable.

"Night" Phil said

Clint felt bad, he shifted his weight and finally said "Look Phil, I know that couch is like sleeping on a brick" he paused trying to think if this really was a good idea, he shook his head and just said what his heart wanted " You can stay with me, I mean hell, your stuff is all in here anyway!" he cracked a half smile, not wanting to face the rejection that could be coming, he walked into the bedroom and turned his back on Phil.

Within minutes the door opened behind him "Are you sure you want me here? I don't think I can deal with another disappearing act from you Clint" Phil was clearly hurt.

"Phil, it will take time to get back to before, but there is no reason for you to sleep on the couch" Clint smiled "Fury is making me see a specialist to work on dealing with this all, and if your willing to wait I'll be back, but if not I understand" his voice was shaking as he got into bed.

Phil laughed as he joined Clint in bed "I'm still here aren't I, the only way I'm leaving is if you get me reassigned again!" he kissed Clint on the cheek "Darling I have all the time in the world" and with that both of the agents fell asleep in each others arms.

'I guess I'm home' Clint thought before he fell asleep.