CHAPTER 5
Clint blinked. "Excuse me?"
"I am going… to put you… into… a coma," Tony stated slowly, as if he was talking to a child.
"I heard you the first time! How the hell is a coma supposed to help?" Clint asked incredulously.
Tony grinned. "It's a test."
Clint crossed his arms. "So I'm a lab rat now?"
Tony rolled his eyes. "I'm sorry; I have a theory that might tell us why you're having these dreams."
Clint shuddered at the thought of the dreams he was having. "Tony, I really don't understand. I came last night to help you sleep. How and why did you suddenly turn the tables?"
Tony chuckled. "It's called be a genius!"
"You're something alright," Clint muttered. "You still didn't tell me why."
Tony cocked his head. "Yes I did." Tony stood up and walked towards Clint. "Clint, you haven't slept in two weeks. Sooner or later you're gonna crash."
Clint sighed. "I know. They're so intense… they've gotten worse."
Tony wrapped his arms around Clint, holding him tightly. Clint smiled and wrapped his arms around Tony's waist in return. "Clint, why won't you tell me what you're dreams are about?"
Clint tensed, but then sighed. "First I see my past, my parent's death, my life in the circus. Then I see all the people I've killed; it's always on the Helicarrier. Lately it's been you, dying in my arms, accusing me for not being there," He confided softly.
Tony tightened his grip on Clint. "I'm so sorry."
"Me too," Clint muttered. "I just want it to stop."
"It will, Clint. One way or another, I will help you through this," Tony vowed.
Clint smiled, and laid his head on Tony's shoulder. "Damn it. I'm so tired…"
"I know babe, just hold on a little bit longer. Bruce should be here soon," Tony replied. Clint smiled at Tony's nickname for him.
A knock sounded from the door, and Clint took a step back. Tony winked and moved towards the door, opening it. Standing outside was Natasha and Bruce.
"C'mon in. Let's hurry this up." Tony ushered the duo in.
Natasha looked at Clint. "So someone finally noticed your problems. Took you all long enough."
Tony frowned. "You knew all along? Why didn't you tell anyone?!"
Clint chuckled. "She did. How do you think Jarvis found out about my late night wonderings?"
Tony gaped. "You mean…"
The master spy grinned. "Yep," she said with a flick of her hair.
Bruce chuckled at Tony's expression. He snapped his fingers in front of Tony's face, causing him to jerk back. "You had a reason for this I hope."
Tony nodded. "Clint go lay down in the bedroom."
Clint cocked an eyebrow, but shrugged. "Alright."
"What's this about Tony?" Natasha asked once Clint was gone.
"I think Clint's dreams aren't natural. I think someone is trying to break him," Tony confided.
"Who would do that?" Bruce asked.
Tony narrowed his eyes. "I have a theory for that as well. If it is who I think it is, I'm planting my metal foot so far up his ass he'll taste it!"
Bruce shook his head. "Clint has all the bad luck doesn't he? So my guess is you want me to put him in a coma."
Tony nodded. Walking over to his bedroom, he found Clint already passed out. Tony sat on the edge of the bed, and ran his hand through Clint's hair. He smiled when Clint unconsciously leaned into his touch.
Tony was waiting for Bruce to enter the room when he heard a soft whimper. He frowned and watched as Clint's face contorted.
"I'm sorry… all my fault," he murmured.
"Clint?" Tony called.
Clint started to turn. "I didn't mean too!"
"Clint!" Tony called again.
Clint started to thrash about, and Tony grabbed his arms. "Clint! C'mon babe, wake up!"
Clint jerked awake, breathing heavily, a thin sheen of sweat on his brow. He saw Tony and immediately lunged at him, enveloping him in a hug. Tony pulled Clint close and held him as tremors racked through his body.
"You're alright babe. I'm here," Tony whispered into his ear.
"I just want it to stop," Clint whispered desperately.
Bruce moved into the room and held up the syringe. Tony nodded and he moved towards the two men on the bed. Bruce rubbed an alcohol wipe over a spot on Clint's arm, and before Clint could register what was happening, he inserted the needle.
Clint jumped when the needle pierced his muscle, and the drugs quickly took effect on his already sluggish mind. Clint soon relaxed into Tony's arms and closed his eyes. Tony laid him back down on the bed and covered him up.
Taking the recliner by the bed, he looked at Bruce. "Now we'll have to wait… you set that for a few hours, right?"
Bruce nodded. "He'll be out for a while."
Tony sighed. "I think I need some sleep."
Bruce nodded once more. "Go ahead and get in bed with him. You need it as much as he does."
Tony yawned and slid onto the other side of the bed, smiling when, even in his coma; Clint turned and threw an arm over Tony's waist. Tony pulled him close and fell asleep.