A/N: I'm so so so so so sorry I haven't updated! I had finals for college (university) and a camping trip! I really hope you guys haven't abandoned me. To make up for it, here's chapter 6!
"What?!" My panic caused me to wobble in my flight a bit, and I quickly adjusted.
"Don't worry, he's already on his way down. You're gonna be fine." Stark's voice was calm, but I could hear the laughter in it. I swore to myself as I kept my arms and legs wide, wondering how long I had for the soldier to reach me.
"When I get back, Stark, you're a dead man. Best be putting that suit of yours on now." My words were growled, but I could hear Banner laughing in the background.
"Ackley, I'm coming to you. When I give the order, tuck your arms and legs against your body, got it?" Cap's voice caught me off guard, and I nodded, before realizing he probably wouldn't see that.
"Yes sir." I take a couple deep breaths as I wait quietly, and it only takes a few minutes before his voice is back in my ear.
"Now." I bring my arms and legs in just in time to feel something large slam into me from above. An arm wrapped around my waist, and suddenly we were jerked upward by the parachute. I finally let out a laugh, and looked up to see Steve's face above my own. "You alright?" He asked in concern. I nod.
"You might want to keep me away from Stark for awhile, though."
Sitting in my room that evening, I had expected someone to come visit. What I hadn't expected was Agent Barton at my door. He looked me over carefully while I looked at him in surprise, still standing in the doorway. His gaze was starting to make me self-conscious, and overly aware of the fact that I was in a tank top and sweats.
"Mind if I come in, Ackley?" His voice sounded a bit gruffer than usual, but I played it off as my imagination. I nodded mutely, and stood off to one side, allowing him in. "Thanks." He stepped in slowly and looked around.
"What brings you here, Agent?" I keep my voice light as I shut my door, turning to face him. He moved to perch on the arm of my sofa, and I chose to sit on the cushion on the opposite end.
"I heard Stark experimented on you today. Just checking to see if you were okay." I'm caught by surprise yet again, and chuckle.
"Yeah, I'm alright. Did anyone tell you what happened?" I was curious to know just how much gossip was getting around about today.
"Just that you, Stark, Banner, and Rogers all went to test some invention. That usually spells at least a small disaster." He nods and chuckles quietly to himself. I briefly wondered how many of Stark's experiments he'd been a part of.
"They let me jump off the helicarrier without a parachute." His eyes widened, and I stood. "I'm sorry, I'm a bad hostess. Drink?" I head for the kitchen calmly as he processes the information.
"And you just let them? What were you all thinking?" Now he sounded genuinely concerned, and I was touched for a moment. I pulled two bottles of water from my fridge.
"I didn't know that they hadn't equipped me with a chute. They all let me jump and Stark told me afterwords." I move to hand him one. "They tricked me while we were testing my new suit. No biggie, though. Cap "saved" me."
"What do you mean, "no biggie" Ackley?! You could have died!" He takes the water but doesn't open it, looking at me in disbelief. I laugh.
"Barton, this is the Avengers. We could die on a mission, but we still do it. Besides, I had a wingsuit on, I'm sure I could have survived somehow." I retake my seat and sip my water. "And feel free to call me Raena, since we're not on duty or anything."
"Call me Clint." He said. " But seriously, Raena, you've got to be more careful. You're part of the team now-"
"And I trust team members like Banner, Stark, and Steve to watch my back and make sure I stay alive." I interrupted with a smile. "Don't worry about it, please. I mean, look at Romanoff. She hasn't seemed to care either way." I shrugged, unfazed by the other agent continuously brushing me off.
"Don't worry, I'm sure Natasha will come around. I think she got used to being the only female on the team." He finally sipped his water and slid down onto the cushion next to the arm. With the important stuff settled, we lapsed into meaningless conversation about past missions and training for the rest of his time in my quarters. After a little while, he left, and I headed to bed for the night.
A/N: Well? Have I earned your forgiveness? Please, let me know!