CHAPTER 2

Tony was gently lifted to his feet. Clint walked over to the punching bag he had been wailing on.

"You can go first." Clint offered as he held the bag.

Tony grinned and stepped up to the bag, he threw a tentative punch into the bag.

Clint snorted, "C'mon Stark. You can do better then that."

Tony frowned and this time threw his weight into the punch. Clint smiled as Tony built up a stream of punches, flowing into each hit.

"What's it like?" Clint asked.

Tony stopped, panting lightly, "What?"

"Dieing."

Tony shrugged, "Take everything all these movies have said about a white light or a tunnel." Tony said as he started his stance again, "Now throw that out the window. It's gone. Dieing is nothing like that."

Clint grunted as Tony's punches carries more power, "That doesn't answer my question."

Tony's eyes narrowed, "nobody actually asked me what it was like."

Clint rolled his eyes, "Tony that still doesn't answer my question."

Tony grunted, he started to up his punches, "You don't see a white light or any of that shit. No… you're cold, alone, and tired. You only want to sleep and anything trying to keep you alive is a nusiance. But when you actually die, you stop breathing… then you panic."

Clint tried to keep silent as Tony reminisced, "It sounds a lot like you gave it thought."

Tony snorted, "Of course I did. The first night, I wanted to know why I couldn't sleep. I thought and thought, but nothing could get my attention."

Clint grunted, "Sometimes self reflection isn't the way to get answers."

Tony threw a glance at Clint, "How would you know that? There is no one here who knows what it's like to die and NOT know what to do after."

Clint sighed, "Nightmares are just the beginning. Next you'll forget what you stand for, the exhaustion will get to you. You'll forget who you are and what keeps you going… then just like that, you'll want to end it. End the miserable hell you call a life."

Tony looked up startled, "How do you know so much about this?"

Clint smiled sadly, "My parents dies in a car wreck. I was in it as well, almost died too."

Tony stopped, "Damn… well congratulations."

Clint waised an eyebrow, "What did I do now?"

Tony threw his hands in the air, "You successfully made me feal like a complete asshole!"

Clint shook his head and chuckled, "I get that a lot actually."

Tony sighed, "God… I just want to know why I can't sleep! Why do I have these damn panic attacks!"

Clint shook his head, "There really isn't an answer for that."

Tony sighed defeated, "It's irrational!"

Clint shrugged, "Not really. Want was the only thing you could think of when you died?"

Tony shrugged, "Truthfully… I think it was the being alone part. That always been my… biggest fear."

Clint smiled at the realization, "I think I might have just single handedly solved your mystery."

Tony smiled tightly, "But how do I get over it?"

Clint shrugged, "That I can't help you with… but if you feel alone… why not find someone to stay with you. Talk till you sleep."

Tony thought for a minuet, "But who would stay with me? I mean I talk enough for congress anyways."

Clint laughed, "That I can't help you with either. I would definatly do it. If I wasn't about to drop dead. I don't play nice when I;m tired… which seems to be all the time now."

Tony saw the defeated look cross Clint's face before it was schooled, "Why don't you Clint? I mean, could probably talk us both to sleep."

Clint chuckled, "It's tempting, but I don't think you would benefit from my presence. I've been told I'm unnerving."

Tony did his best puppy dog look, "Please Clint!"

Clint smirked, "Okay fine. I still don't understand how talking to me will help you sleep."

Tony shrugged, "You're idea not mine."

Clint shook his head, "Yeah… but I didn't think you would rope me in. Are you sure you aren't a secret super villain?"

Tony laughed, "Not that I'm aware."

Clint smiled, a genuine smile, "Alright then, how about we start tonight, hopefully you can get some sleep."

Tony nodded, "How about you go get a shower and meet me at my room."

Clint nodded and continued down the hall into the darkness, even without the light Tony could see the defeated slump in Clint's shoulders. Tony ached to take away the pain Clint felt, and the guilt. Taking the path to his room, Tony entered it quickly. He sat at the table and about a half hour later he heard a knock at the door.

Tony didn't expect Clint so soon. Walking over to the door he opened it and sighed.

"Hey cap." Tony greeted dryly.

"Stark. Have you seen agent Barton?" Steve asked.

Tony raised an eyebrow, "Yeah, talked for about an hour." Tony could see Steve's eyes harden, "Why?"

"That is none of your business." Steve said sternly.

Tony held his hands up, "Calm it capsicle. But it kinda is my business. Since I have made it my responsibility to help him."

Steve looked shocked, "What are you talking about?"

Tony shook his head, "Not my place to say. If he wants to tell you… he will."

"Is Clint alright? He seems so tired all the time and I can see the bags under his eyes." If Tony didn't know better, he could hear a touch of desperation in his voice.

Tony sighed, "Not really no. Now if you will excuse me… I am late for a very important date."

Steve cocked his head, "And who would that be?"

Tony smirked, "Wouldn't you like to know. I'll give you a hint, he's the man you seem so desperate to find."

Steve glowered, "Let Clint know I want to speak with him."

Tony nodded, "Will do." He sighed after he closed the door. Could this get any better? Steve freaking Rogers seemed interested in the hawk. Well that's just great.

Tony sighed when he heard another knock, he opened his door ready for Steve to be there only to find Clint with an overnight bag slung over his shoulder.

Tony smiled, "Do come in."

Clint smiled back and entered, Tony noticed just how deep the bags under his eyes were, "Clint you really need some sleep."

Clint smirked, "The irony of it all. I'm here to help you and you turn the tables."

Tony sighed and led Clint to his bedroom. There was a recliner there and Clint seated himself in it.

Tony looked at him, "Aren't you going to get in the bed?"

Clint smirked, "Sorry Tony. I don't usually sleep with my friends until the third date."

Tony snorted, "Have it your way then."

Tony settled in the bed and was on his side facing Tony. When they were both comfortable, Tony started talking. About everything and nothing at the same time, Clint just listened and offered some input. Finally Tony felt his eyelids drop, he fought to stay awake.

"Sleep tony." Clint whispered and Tony was out like a light.

Clint watched Tony sleep, and was mesmerized how a man who was so wound up, could just crash so easily because of someone with them. Clint started to doze, and finally he just clocked out.

Tony woke up a few hours later, he felt good. Even though it was only a few hours it was more then he had gotten in the last two weeks. Looking over at Clint the found him passed out on the recliner. Smiling softly he got out of bed and gently lifted Clint and put him in the bed and covered him up.

Clint didn't even stir.