Chapter 7. Retrieval
Ellie did not do falling very well.
Needless to say after successfully flying up through the blue portal, they had found themselves falling down. Clark had immediately righted himself while his two companions continued falling like rocks. While Ellie was proud of herself to say she wasn't screaming, she couldn't say she was proud of clinging to Clint like a leach, who was screaming- well, yelling out curses, but screaming non the less.
"That was a doozy" Clark chuckled apologetically as soon as he jerked them to a stop, having caught the back of Clint's uniform with Ellie still attached to him. Looking around them Ellie saw that they were in Gotham city, closer to Wayne Enterprise than the mansion and her mind bolted out of its lock of fear to formulate some plans. "Can you make it from here, Ellie?"
"Could you drop us off by Bruce's building?" Ellie asked, looking up at him with puppy dog eyes, ignoring Clint who started getting purple from her tight grip around his neck, not to mention his uniform aiding in the constriction with Clark holding him up.
"Not a problem" he responded leaning forward before shooting across the sky, trying to receive as little attention as possible. The wind tugged at them, smog drifting into their senses, and between trying to breathe and not move around in Superman's grasp, Clint found the city a bit depressing. They received few stares from onlookers – those who did see really didn't bat an eye at them, these days it wasn't uncommon to see superman and the excitement of him quickly settled down after a while.
"This looks oddly familiar" Clint wheezed out, looking at the building that was stamped 'Wayne', "you sure Tony hasn't rubbed off on your side?"
"It's more for an image and financial support" Ellie mumbled leaning forward, actually having Clint grasp at her fearing she might fall, "though it was kinda funny when I saw the Stark Tower" she admitted as a final though. "Over there" she instructed Clark with a point of the finger, directing him to the top of the building where the emergency exit was located.
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"I usually do break ins… with more dignity"
Ellie glared back at Clint, briefly sticking her tongue out at him before facing forward, mentally picturing the ventilation system of Wayne Enterprises. It was a joke when she was smaller, sneak up on Bruce and all, but was sadly mistaken when it became known that no one can sneak up on Batman, but the blue prints she memorized for weeks to figure that out paid off – even if it was nearly 20 years later. So there they were, Ellie and Clint, crawling through the ventilation system with only the recollection of an eleven year olds memory to get to the billionaire's, Bruce Wayne's, office.
"Just a little bit longer" Ellie hissed back, moving her braid out of her face, biting back a grin when she heard Clint curse after a subtle slap was heard. Rounding a sharp corner she looked through the shutters of the present vent, she paused, biting her lip.
"What?" Clint gripped, scowling as he scooted forward to look through the slits of the vent, squinting when he saw two people in a large room with an equally large table. He zeroed in on the younger looking one – though young was a bit off, he looked a bit gruff with a hard lip and carefully slicked back hair.
"You, not a word, you hear?" Ellie whispered, flicking him in the nose to get her point across. Her stomach was in knots at seeing both men… they hadn't changed much since the last time she saw them, maybe a deeper line around the eye, but that was all…Mr. Fox looked as uptight as usual. Would Bruce be okay with this? Should she wait for Mr. Fox to leave? Maybe she should've asked Clark to stay a bit longer…
"Man…" she groaned wringing her hands out in a sure sign of nervousness, looking at Clint, maybe for help. She wouldn't admit to that either, but stress made people do silly, stupid things. Touching her braid thoughtfully, she pushed her mind pass the problem at hand and looked beyond that. They would have to get out of the building, no doubt there would be reporters or even a stray camera waiting to get a look at Bruce Wayne, he would need to pack some things, assuming he would agree to S.H.I.E.L.D's proposition. Clint could take care of that if it was too pressing. They would need to go with him, seeing as they were losing time the longer they stalled. "stay here" she told the archer firmly, already moving to crawl passed him.
"Where do you think you're going!?" he whispered irate, but was too late as she propelled herself down an opposite tunnel, yet again a blur. He turned back to gaze down at the two men, watching, taking in small details that may help him if it turned against them. Sliding his hand behind him, Clint touched the base of the folding bow and skimmed his fingers over the compact arrows that were firmly strapped down, he sighed. He heard the conversation the two men were going back and forth about, but it sounded like one of Tony's moments when he bumped into Fury when he was trying to avoid him.
The younger one probably was this Bruce Wayne character, Clint concluded in his head, seeing as he took charge of the situation while looking laid back, hands stuffed into the pants of his suite. The archer bent forward a bit, zoning in an the billionaire, he was the Batman? Sure he was busy most his life, between the circus and Fury recruiting him, but he got a whiff of the comic book… it just looked so human to him, that he wouldn't-
"Your butt's in the air, tweety bird" Ellie's hushed voice cackled from behind him. Clint ran his tongue behind his teeth, restraining a comeback from escaping his mouth as he turned around to give her a certain bird when he faltered. He blinked a bit owlishly, trying to process the messages his sight was sending to his brain. "Did the pussy cat finally get to you, Tweets'?"
"Bree?" Clint fumbled out, staring at the brunette in front of him. Said brunette gave him a raise of an eyebrow before shimmying forward, catching the light that was filtering in through the vent giving her hair a glimmering set. It was wet? "Did you stick your head in a pile of shit?"
Ellie promptly jerked her leg out and was satisfied hearing a small grunt and golden silence.
"It was wash-out dye" she informed him, going back to looking at the scene below them, "I recolor it every five days or so"
"I'm surprised it doesn't smell like shit, then" Clint grumbled out, holding his forehead to his hand, scowling at her, "must be a pretty shitty nest after the second day"
"Did Big Bird get his feelings hurt?" Ellie scowled back, tempted to kick him again before realizing they were wasting time, "barely anyone remembers me with brown hair, easier to get out of a crowd. Now are you ready?"
"Are you?" Clint snapped back as a reflex, frowning deeply but looked up when he was met with silence. Ellie was staring at nothing in front of her, her hands once again fiddling with each other in a rhythmic manner. He sighed as he took in what he said to her, "come on, Bree, just get it over with. Just like you, we'll breeze right through it"
"Right" she assured herself forcefully stilling her aching hands, "you got your phone with you?"
He gave her a look, "I don't exactly think we'll get a signal here"
"Same concept, pee brain" Ellie insisted holding out her hand and leaving it there until she was handed the secured mobile phone. Testing it out a few times she entered the correct information before hitting send. Pressing it to her ear she shook out her free hand, pursing her lips to keep her nerves in check – she was seeing her foster father after years without contact, who wouldn't be a bit jittery? There was a ringing and Ellie quickly, though carefully, shut the vents to quiet her voice from the outside.
"Wayne Enterprises, front desk, appointment or scheduling?" a sharp voice answered in a clipped manor, probably checking her nails.
"Can you put me through to Mr. Wayne, please?" Ellie spoke lightly, glaring when Clint stared at her in wonder, never hearing her like that before, and before the assistant could deny her, her phone call she added, "Mr. Gordon is concerned with the stunt Mr. Wayne pulled last week, I'm calling on his behalf"
It was silent for a moment before she heard a flurry of papers being moved around, "Right, one second, I'll put you through"
This time being met with a confused stare, Ellie shrugged and waited for her call to go through. Soon enough she heard a phone ringing from the room they were above and voices being hushed. Taking a breath to ease her erratic heart, she waited for eternity until her line clicked.
"You just missed the meeting, I'm sorry to inform, call back tomorrow?" Ellie almost had a heart attack but soon soothed herself hearing Lucius Fox's voice instead of Bruce's and she quickly collected herself before he could hand up.
"Mr. Fox" she pushed, clearing her throat, "put Bruce on the phone… please"
"You've missed him, I'm afraid" came the slightly delayed response, "might I ask who's calling?" he added no doubt wondering who would know him but not the other way around.
"Well, I've missed him for three years" Ellie responded quickly, "please, Mr. Fox, put Bruce on the phone". There was yet another pause, before Lucius's breathing became distant and there was a slight thud.
"This is Bruce Wayne, what is your concern?"
Ellie almost, honestly, had a panic attack at the deep voice that spoke through the other side of the line. Not the panic of a long-time admirer that Bruce probably had a million of, but that of a child's heart ache. She froze and she just drank in those simple words and when it became too long of a pause for normal standards Clint quickly snatched his phone away before their cover was compromised.
"Get your buddy out of the room" Clint stated, his level voice grounding Ellie to reality as she shook herself awake, staring wide eyed at Clint. Bruce Wayne didn't take commands lightly, "no security, no calls, I just want a word" he paused as he listened to the other side, putting Ellie on edge. "just get him out of the room, I don't care if he nests right outside of the room, just get him out"
There was a pause before Clint ended his call and slipped it back in his pouch, waiting a moment before opening the vent and peering out. Ellie saw Bruce throwing the wireless phone between both hands, Lucius giving him backward glances before leaving the room, the door shutting with a click, locking it from the outside – though Ellie knew Bruce had a master key on him at all times.
"Showtime" Clint breathed, ushering Ellie away from the vent before grinning, looking over to whisper with humor, "never blown my cover before"
"First time for everything?" Ellie quivered out, suddenly wanting to just face Alfred instead of Bruce – his questions would be just as blunt, but it would be less… intimidating.
"Chin up, duckling" Clint joked out before putting an arrow in between his teeth for quick access and clutching his folded up bow in one hand, collecting himself before the he transitioned to Hawkeye and kicking the vent out of place and quickly following it down, landing in a crouch with his bow now unfurled and arrow strung back to its full capacity.
"Mr. Wayne" Clint announced, notching his arrow for use, aimed for the still Billionaire.
"Afraid we haven't met" Bruce said easily leaning against one of his chairs, but Ellie knew his body was ready to evade and attack the moment Clint's hand twitched, "care to introduce yourself?"
"Just a delivery man" Clint simply answered, obviously voicing out Ellie's need to make an appearance before misunderstandings rose.
Wringing out her hands once more Ellie slipped her legs out of the hole and leapt down, landing on all fours before bouncing to stand next to Clint, shyly eyeing Bruce. He had to remember her, right?
Exhaling a shaky breath, she half-heartedly waved at the raven haired man, "Hiya there, Daddy-o". She expected Clint to scoff at her attitude, but was mildy surprised when he remained in his offensive position. She hadn't really given his Hawkeye persona much thought, it… wasn't very refreshing. What she wasn't expecting, well she was just not like this, was Bruce changing his stance in a split second, catching even Hawkeye momentarily off guard, to throw one of his business chairs at him to blind them.
Well, it was meant to distract Clint, but Ellie could admit that she jumped at the change of charge that she didn't see where Bruce was as he disappeared before she was shoved to her left and pushed behind a desk, a clicking sound echoing throughout the plain room.
It was times like these when Ellie realized that she had her moments when neither of her parents' genes surfaced and she was left to be a normal individual, not having enough time to react to much of anything before she was caught up in it.
"I wouldn't do that" Clint stated, already repositioned his stance and arrow true to its target, not very intimidated being met with a strangely crafted blade, though Clint was reminded never to underestimate anything in his line of duty.
"When I get done with you" Bruce graveled out, his face stone cold and eyes furious, "yes, you're going to wish I hadn't done anything"
The moment Ellie saw his shoulder blade tense; she knew she had to kick herself into gear. Even though Clint was a Superhero in his own right, passing normal expectations, Bruce was better seasoned and a hell of a lot more crafty under pressure.
"We're okay!" she yelled out, scrambling up, "right, Clint? We're okay, right?"
Clint eyed the blade warily but took Ellie's caution to heart and lowered his weapon, though not quite disarming himself. "Yeah" he hoarsely replied, "A-okay"
"Bruce?" Ellie urged, wishing he would turn around and trust her, "hey, he's a little coo-coo, but he can't help it" when she got no reply and Clint wasn't taking his guard down she tried again, softer and a bit shaky, "… you remember me, don't you? He helped me get home, he's on our side… you remember, right?"
"Hurry it up, Bree" Clint sighed, swiftly putting his arrow back with the others and slinging his bow over his head and across his shoulder, confidently making himself vulnerable as he leaned back and crossed his arms.
"Bruce?" Ellie tried again, seeing that no one was attacking, "…Dad?"
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"Don't move" Bruce Wayne commanded without looking up from the collar in his hand ,mindlessly running his fingers over the details while his other hand was smoothing down Ellie's hair as she huddled close to his side. He did try to ignore the ridiculous faces she was making at the other man, but after a while he did smack her ear lightly to get her to stop before rubbing it affectionately.
Clint settled back into his seat inside the limo, fidgety about the time they had lost. He was happy for Ellie, but they could have done the reunion when they weren't on a tight schedule. After the initial misunderstanding the two had their little moment before he had to rudely interrupt to remind Ellie that they had instructions they had to follow. That led to another tension filled moment where he swore the billionaire would maul him before Clint carefully explained the predicament they were in and that they had to close the portals and the only way was to get his ass on the other side to solve the problem.
It took a lot of their time and now they were rushing, and Clint would love to add 'like chickens with their heads cut off' but the billionaire was letting the driver make his pace to the mansion.
"Hey" he called towards the front of the vehicle, glaring through the tinted glass to try to get the silhouette of the driver, "mind speeding up a bit? Places to be, you know?"
"He only listens to me" Bruce informed mildly, finally looking up from Tony's collar to stare at the archer in contemplation, "surely your friend would have taken in account how long it would take to retrieve a rational human being"
"He barely takes in account how much he drinks" Clint sneered, leaning back, "I don't feel like being stuck here because we lost track of time, seriously, tell your driver to kick it up a notch"
"We just turned into driveway"
Are you kidding me? Clint rubbed his forehead before turning to look out the window. He would have gawked, well maybe he did a tad, but after Tony Stark shows off all his glamour over and over, you go numb to over-priced things. The mansion was huge, dark and gloomy – similar to the city, polar opposite to Tony's cliff side house that was open to the world.
"I-I'll make it quick with Alfred" Ellie murmured, reluctantly leaving Bruce's side before she flashed out of the car, the door banging open as proof of her exit. Clint sighed and was about to follow suite before freezing at the look Bruce was giving him. It was dark and dangerous, and Clint wasn't in the mood to defend himself against a protective parental figure.
So without further ado he lunged for freedom, his upper half making it out before his leg was clutched and yanked back into the confines of the limo.
"You listen" A gruff voice spat in his ear, the back of his neck being pushed down uncomfortably, "if I find out that you so much have touched a hair on her body, I'll be sure you don't see light for days" an additional shove that send Clint's face further into the carpet of the vehicle pushed his threat across, "am I clear?"
"Crystal" Clint muttered, already planning to let Ellie have an earful for leaving him alone, "get off"
Bruce's hand twitched before he let go, watching as Clint jerked out of the limo and calmly dusted himself off. A glance at his wrist watched got Bruce out of the vehicle and saunter up the steps towards the front door, Clint reluctantly trailing behind, keeping a safe distance. Entering the big estate, Clint sighed. Couldn't these people give him some money to lavish out his apartment?
"Alfred's waiting for you in the Batcave" Ellie appeared at the bottom of the stairs, gently laying an over packed suitcase down beside her along with a stuffed backpack, sporting red eyes and wet cheeks. She sniffed, wiping the back of her hand under her nose to try to compose herself, bouncing on the heels of her feet, "I packed clothes and all, Alfred said he'd help with the rest"
"You're going to be coming home and staying, Ell" Bruce sighed walking up to kiss her on the cheek before turning towards Clint, towering over Ellie's smaller form, "I'll meet with you two once I'm done, ten minutes". With one last look towards Ellie he started up the stairs.
Tugging the two packs to her person once again she walked to an opposite hallway, waving Clint to follow her down the pathway before they made it out the back door to the courtyard. Inhaling the fresh air that was away from the city, she sat down on set of steps that led to the fountain in front of it, getting teary eyed all over again at the mere thought of Alfred and the happiness in his eyes when he saw her.
Of course he understood when she said she had to finish some things before she could stay, that was in his nature, understanding and thoughtful. It just felt like betrayal on Ellie's part, he always took care of her, even when she was old enough to experience Gotham city for herself, it felt like she was taking his caring nature for granted, expecting him to welcome her with open arms after she was leaving him for the second time now.
"Finally some light" Clint's voice broke through her mental battle with herself, seeing him squat down next to her and take in the light reflecting off of the water of the fountain and the distant maze that could be seen over the hill, "you grew up here?"
Clearing her throat she nodded while answering, "yes, the best years of my life"
"You moved out?" Clint asked transferring himself to sit cross legged and leaned back on his hands, "couldn't imagine why" well he could, he tended to get cabin fever quickly and training only took his mind off of things for so long – he was lucky that Ellie had been reclusive and voluntarily stayed put wherever Fury put her so that he could go on missions whenever he was needed. But this place was huge and he was sure if Ellie asked it, they would make it happen.
"I wouldn't say moved out.." Ellie murmured, glad to get her mind out of the present enough to compose herself, now that she was sure she was going to be able to go home and solve this problem she created, she threw out her earlier promises and spilled more of her life to him, "I went looking for my mom, traveling and not really staying in one place" she shrugged, playing with her hands, "it felt like I circled the world three times over before I returned here, I couldn't find her but I got a lead on a project that she would have been interested in and played with the odds of finding her"
"Did you?" Clint asked, a bit curious seeing as it was mentioned in her files that both her biological parents weren't, per say, normal.
"…I want to say I did" Ellie admitted, frowning, "I hadn't seen her since I was an infant, and Bruce only had blurry pictures of her, but she fit the description I was given, even caught her pick pocketing the mayor" she laughed at that, the memory teasing her memory.
"How did you know where she'd be?" he backtracked her information.
"Well…" her hands started fiddling with nothing in particular, "it had expensive labeled on it, nice sized jewelry and a mystery surprise"
"So she was into jewelry and.. surprises?"
"She crashes parties by stealing the surprises" Ellie admitted with a wry smile on her face, "though this one didn't go in her favor, or mine for that matter"
"What happened?" was the expected response; though Clint seemed a bit distracted as some strange look birds flew off in the distance.
"Curiosity was said to kill a cat" Ellie mumbled following his line of sight, "instead it blasted me into a different dimension"
His head snapped in her direction, attention on her as his eyes narrowed, "wait, that's how-"
"Is it about time to head out?" they both looked up to see Bruce stepping down to them with an extra duffle bag across his shoulder, looking down at the two of them expectantly. A shuffle of a figure behind him drew their eyes to an elderly man in a clean suit coming to stand next to the billionaire.
"Miss Ellie-" Alfred spoke heartedly but was cut off when Ellie zipped in front of him and hugged his middle with enthusiasm. He chuckled softly, hugging her back with a rocking motion, "I was hoping to bid you a safe journey, unlike last time"
"You can bid whatever you want, Alfred" Ellie murmured hugging him tighter and resting her forehead against his collar bone. She was going to miss him all over again, heck she was going to cry all over him again. Her lower lip started trembling as emotions rose, some tears escaping, "I-I'm sorry"
"Nothing to apologize for, my dear, the world needs you" his eyes crinkled with many lines, shining, "both worlds" he tugged on her long braid before rubbing her back contentedly, "a responsibility has been given to you and I'm proud of you for accepting it for the better good"
"I just want to stay" Ellie whispered for only him to hear, "help you and Bruce again, like old times"
"I will be here when you return" Alfred assured, smiling, "and so will all the mishaps that Master Bruce gets tangled up in"
"Don't get me in trouble over there" Bruce called over his shoulder when he heard his name being mentioned, breaking his staring contest with Clint, "don't listen to a word he says, Ell"
Clint watched as Ellie erupted in a series of giggles, the butler adding in with deep chuckles while stepping away from her grasp to wipe at her cheeks, patting them when he finished the action. Looking away he glanced back at his watch, standing quickly when he noticed the dwindling numbers.
"Sorry gang, times up" he announced taking the backpack to his shoulder and toeing the suitcase towards Ellie, "round 'em up"
"I love you, Alfred" Ellie whispered smoothing out some wrinkles on his suit that she had made, "don't do anything that I would do".
"I'll leave that to you, Dear" he chuckled batting away her hands to give them a squeeze, "not go on, I'll be waiting up"
"Stay safe" she replied slowly removing herself from him and going over to Clint, avoiding eye contact as Bruce went to say a few more words with Alfred before clapping him on the shoulder and making his way over to them.
"Should I know anything before we take off?" he asked slipping on the metal collar and adjusting his duffle bag.
"Ignore Tony" Ellie informed rolling her puffy eyes, "he's the one who designed these" she tugged at her own collar.
"Steer clear of stressed Doctors" Clint added with humor, ignoring Ellie's warning look and grinning to himself, "one in particular and if you can't steer clear, hide behind Bree"
Heat rose in Ellie's cheeks as she was tempted to kick at his shin, "I disagree, it would be more productive if you hid behind Agent Barton here, he'll throw some of his spoiled eggs as a distraction"
Clint gave her a blank stare, grin dropping, and in a mild tone said, "Caw, caw, mother-"
"-and if Steve looks confused, help him, he'll be more lost than you at times" Ellie cut in, grasping at Bruce's hand after hearing Clint's watch beep in warning and with the other she grasped the suitcase.
Stepping closer to the pair, Clint adjusted his collar while professionally saying, "don't forget to ask him what your daughter was doing creeping out of the good ole' doctor's room at five in the morning"
Ellie's jaw dropped in indignation, ears burning and eyes glued to Clint- not daring to look up at Bruce and not having to as there was yet another beep and blue energy seemed to create a type of tycoon around them, picking their feet off the ground and enclosing their bodies into a blue abyss of energy.
The newly brunette's stomach dropped in trepidation of another drop, and was about to let go of the suitcase when arms engulfed her and took the case away from her. She cautiously looked up to see Bruce observing their strange surroundings, eyes darting left and right keeping his arms as steel bands around her form. Clint clasped a hand on her shoulder as he stood next to them, looking equally as expectant of danger as Bruce as he touched his bow thoughtfully.
"Was this supposed to happen?" Ellie's voice echoed strangely, a bit distorted at the end.
"Stark and Banner better be doing their jobs" Clint mused out loud, "it's the same energy as the rifts, I'm betting"
"It's the same as the shard" Bruce informed to Ellie, having done countless tests on the source of their problem at hand.
Ellie blinked in shock, "how'd you get your hands on it? I thought mom would've smuggled it away the moment things cleared"
"She did" Bruce's voice sounded clearer as the energy buzzed around them and he noticed the shocked look in her eyes, choosing to ignore Clint's curious ones, "you don't think she'd recognize her own daughter?" he smiled at the thought, "you don't think she'd be keeping tabs on you throughout your life?"
"She gave me away" Ellie stated, biting her lip as her hands twitched.
"She gave you a clean slate" Bruce rubbed her back as Alfred did earlier, "she loves you, the moment she realized the shard took you away she was at my doorstep, claws out and hissing while waving it around like a crazed woman"
"Really?" she asked hopefully, her inner child yearning for her mother's love and attention.
"You'll always be her kitten" he assured with a crooked smile, hugging her a bit as their bodies seemed to grow back their weight and gravity began to reappear.
Had to complete this in one chapter, or else Ellie would have probably stayed put. Questions, question away. I'm starting to get ideas for the next story, mix some Greek with the Norse, what do you think?