It took two weeks for Wanda to be able to train everyone to block their minds. During those weeks, Stephen 'blackmailed' a neighbor into getting the group food and not reporting that they were in hiding there. Needless to say, there was a spell on the neighbor that informed Stephen if the promise was broken. Thankfully for Wanda's sake, after a quick one on one test, she was able to determine that Stephen and of course Pietro didn't need any help with building a wall to block the others from their minds. Yeah, she might have helped them with technique but that would have taken more time than she had available. Bucky and Clint were in dire need of help.
The first week, Wanda had to mostly help Bucky with rebuilding his mental shields that had vanished over time and multiple brainwashing events. Clint was grateful for that even if it meant that he may get less time for his own training. After the test with Wanda, the archer feared the possibility of anyone in his head again. The experience was different and yet oh so similar to Loki taking over his mind. It was uncomfortable and Clint wanted to avoid ever doing it again.
Even though Wanda would never control Clint, the archer began to fear his plan. Did he really need to connect with the team? Couldn't Bucky just be the one with the connection? Eventually logic and Stephen helped convince Clint to give Wanda a better chance to finish training him and she was able to help both men create a sturdy enough shield to work during various issues.
"So we're clear on the plan?" Clint asked once again, somehow feeling as if something will fail. Stephen and Wanda sighed. They'd been hearing this a lot since Wanda started the link. Bucky shivered, remembering when Steve once told him a similar thing. Pietro also suddenly seemed wary. This was another step closer to him not existing.
"We'll be fine," Wanda mentally soothed through the link. She had fully established it the afternoon before to allow everyone to settle with it before calling the training over. Clint grimaced when her voice echoed into his mind. A big downside. He still wasn't comfortable with her (or anyone's voice) in his head. But at least he wasn't the only one. Bucky and Stephen seemed just as affected as well.
"You might want to go before we change our minds," Stephen chuckled, hiding his own discomfort of the link. They each could feel that no one truly liked the plan. But no amount of brainstorming could help them come up with another plan. Clint nodded and looked to Bucky.
"You ready?" the archer called. Bucky slowly nodded. Not wanting to fight anymore and certainly not wanting to waist anymore time, Stephen turned and created a portal to the place Clint had picked out hours earlier. It was agreed upon that Bucky should capture Clint far from the others but also near the collection point Bucky had been programmed to return to. Clint went first through the portal with the plan to make it look like he was going to scout out the area for a few days. He'd only have a half hour to get everything set before Bucky would be following after.
Clint sighed and stepped through. As he turned back, the portal vanished behind him. For a second, he half felt alone but then the stirring from the link made him remember otherwise. Slowly, he looked about. D.C., seriously? Even after the events from before in the other reality, Pierce didn't want to change his main base out of the S.H.I.E.L.D base? Clint growled as he wondered if they were working on the Triskillions in this reality as well. Would they almost be complete? How far away until they could kill whoever they wanted, whenever they wanted?
"Idiot," Clint muttered not only aloud but also accidentally in thought.
"Never claimed Hydra as bright," Bucky retorted as if Clint was speaking to him. A chuckle from someone followed soon after. Clint snorted again and shook his head, still focused on S.H.I.E.L.D HQ. He wondered if he should just go find someone to warn about Hydra but then figured that might be a bad idea. "Better get hiding. Don't wanna get you too quick."
"Don't enjoy the thrill of the chase," Clint taunted before spinning on his heel and stalking off. Suddenly an image came into his mind. It was of himself, pacing Stephen's bedroom with a phone against his ear. Having been forced to use rifles before, Clint could tell the image was coming from the sight on a rifle and he realized this must have been Bucky's memories from before the attacked. As the image vanished, Clint wondered if Bucky shared that on purpose or not.
Shaking off the thought, Clint focused more on trying not to blow his cover. It was supposed to look like after the news report, he left the team and was trying to figure out a way into Hydra's base. Even if he knew the best way to get in right now. But first, to set this up, he needed cash. Thankfully D.C. was still a big tourist trap. All Clint had to do was head toward the Smithsonian and he could easily get a ton of cash.
Thirty minutes passed by faster than Clint anticipated. He was still collecting money for a third outfit change and another night in a nearby hotel when Bucky's voice echoed through his mind. "Ready or not, here I come." Clint mentally shivered at the words. Something about them reminded him of Loki and he must have shared it because suddenly the other assassin apologized. The archer just shrugged it off and stepped up his game. He had enough money for now, so he left the Smithsonian to go set up a hotel room for a few night.
Time passed much slower after that but Clint got much more done. He changed clothes twice more, got some new guns off some conceal carry people (thank you laws) and even had time to book a few fake rooms at various hotels. The main one Clint wanted to stay in though was had a perfect view of S.H.I.E.L.D/Hydra HQ. For now, he was back out on the street using his remaining money. No use having much cash on him when Bucky caught him for Hydra.
"When do you want me?" Bucky suddenly asked. Clint stilled in his walk from the nearby grocery store and back to his hotel room. Subtly he began looking around while making sure to keep his surprise from Bucky. There was a dark chuckle even as Clint tried to stop his next thought.
"You seriously found me?" Clint wondered. He still couldn't see the other sniper but now Clint almost feel like he was being watched.
"Jeremy Renner was the first name Hydra suspected you'd use," the assassin chuckled. Clint cussed aloud. He'd forgotten that Hydra was basically S.H.I.E.L.D and would of course have access to his most used covers. He should have used some of his lesser known covers. Figuring that Hydra wouldn't put all their cards on Bucky anymore, Clint sighed. He had hoped for another day or so before getting 'captured.'
"Come get me tonight," Clint though back. He received a mental nod before the link quieted. For half a second, Clint was surprised that Wanda, Pietro and Stephen didn't join in the conversation but then he remembered telling them that they shouldn't try talking to either assassin less they distract them. Once caught, they can start up a conversation but Clint may not always reply.
Sighing, Clint headed back to his hotel. He was so upset with himself over the blown cover and his own thoughts on the plan that he missed most of his surroundings as he walked. If he had been paying attention, he would have noticed the blond woman reading a newspaper on the corner, the familiar looking man glaring at something in his direction, and a few others that looked very similar to the team that Coulson had collected. Bucky's sudden spike of surprise was what alerted Clint to the fact that something was going on. Without prompt from the assassin, Clint turned and noticed Melinda May was standing not two feet behind him. She continued walking toward him, unfazed at being spotted.
"Hawk," she greeted. Clint tried to stop from showing his surprise at her appearance. He failed, but it was a nice attempt.
"Calvery," Clint returned, using the name to upset her in the hopes that she'd forget he hadn't noticed her until nearly too late. She arched an eyebrow at him. It showed she was unamused but wasn't going to comment on his lack of situational awareness. He smirked, at least his plan somewhat worked. Spinning on his heel, he turned to continue on his way. Unsurprisingly, May followed. Clint glanced at her. "Stalker."
"Helping," she countered, her only comment on Clint not paying attention in what was deemed a very dangerous situation. Everyone was looking for him. Local law enforcement, S.H.I.E.L.D, Hydra... Apparently Coulson's team. Clint's eyes darkened and he focused looking around the area. Now that he was paying attention he could see the other members of Coulson's team handing about and or joined in the rest of the walk to the hotel.
"This spells trouble," Bucky needlessly pointed out. Clint sent him an image of eyes rolling. Bucky snorted before responding with another image. Coulson was tensely sitting on a hotel bed. The same hotel bed that Clint had looked at not that long ago. Clint sighed. "Your handler is in your room."
"Figured," Clint grunted. Wasn't more than a few minutes after that before Clint opened the door to his hotel room. May moved to stand guard in the entrance while Clint headed further into the room to put his food away. Coulson continued to sit on Clint's newly rented bed, silently watching Clint. The archer figured it Coulson wasn't going to talk first, then he could just wait him out. Coulson literally waited until after Clint put away the last item he bought before standing.
"We have to move," the man warned as Clint turned to face him. Clint planted his feet. Coulson sighed. "Hydra knows you're here."
"You don't say," Bucky sarcastically stated. Clint ignored him but he couldn't stop the twitch of a smile from appearing. Bucky's warm chuckle of amusement filtered through just as Clint tried to focus on the situation at hand.
"No," he muttered to Coulson, hardly loud enough for Coulson to hear. This would be only one of a handful of times that Clint ever defied his handler.
"I'm half amazed that no one was here waiting for you," Coulson continued as if Clint hadn't spoken. Clint groaned. He always hated the moments when he defied his handler.
"I'm not leaving," the archer stated, louder than before. From the entry way, May shifted. It always got uncomfortable when anyone betrayed their handler. May knew that better than anyone.
"Need help?" Bucky wondered, figuring Clint was getting a bit out of his league. Coulson continued talking still and starting to grab whatever hidden weapons he could find in the room. Clint had to give the older man credit, he remembered a lot of what Clint typically did. The archer shifted to stand by the fridge and out of Coulson's way. He was now going to return his handler's favor.
"Not yet," Clint sighed. Coulson looked like he was nearly done 'packing' when Clint stepped into his path. The older man paused. "Coulson, I ain't leaving!"
"What?" Coulson asked, finally hearing Clint. The archer sighed and moved to grab his weapon collection from Coulson. Slowly he began to put them all back in their places. He wouldn't be able to use them once Bucky came to get him, but it was a good cover for if Hydra searched his room. Coulson silently watched him, drilling holes in the archer's back. Not wanting truly wanting to discuss the matter, Clint ignored his handler. He half wondered how long Coulson would last before he yelled and raged at the archer.
"Wow, he's getting mad," Bucky snorted. Clint glanced in a mirror and saw indeed that Coulson was getting red in the face.
"So, it's true. You have the Winter Solider in custody?" Coulson accused and questioned. Clint stilled, his only tell that the information shocked him.
"Excuse me!" Bucky cried in outrage.
"Cool it," Clint thought even as he said, "What?"
"Pierce told Fury that you have the Winter Solider in custody but refuse to turn him over to us. He claims that you are a Hydra mole and used your family's death as a means of escape," Coulson hissed, sounding more betrayed than mad. Clint scoffed and spun on his handler.
"Seriously?" he wondered. Coulson said nothing, just stared at the archer with a blank look. It was a look that Clint knew well but had only been once trained on him. That look was Coulson analyzing his loyalty. It hurt that Coulson didn't trust him right then. He honestly shouldn't have been surprised that it happened but... Coulson was like a father to him, no a big brother! This was the man that Clint trusted for years and now... Now it was like they were perfect strangers again. "Do you know who the Winter Soldier used to be?"
"A Hydra agent," Coulson retorted, his voice dead of emotion. Clint winced. The man was acting like he was a target now. This was slowly turning into an interrogation.
"James Buchanan Barnes," Clint snarled. Coulson's face shifted at that but Clint couldn't read what the man thought. "Wanda helped return his memory and removed the brainwashing. He told us that Hydra has Steve and that Pierce has the device that created this fucked up world!"
"Bucky Barnes was a good man," Coulson nearly growled. As a Captain America fan of course, Coulson would know how Bucky supposedly died after falling off the train. Clint rolled his eyes, apparently Coulson wasn't going to believe him.
"Can I come out now?" Bucky grumbled, not really enjoying the duo talking about him.
"No," Clint replied to both men by accident.
"No?" Coulson spluttered while Bucky pouted through the link. Clint nearly rolled his eyes. This was not going how he planned. "He was Steve Roger's friend! BEST friend!"
"Bucky was brainwashed," Clint snapped as if that should have occurred to the older man. Coulson froze at those words. Clint continued before the man could speak. "They tortured him for decades. Trained him to follow their orders and then used him to kill. And when they were done with him, they'd freeze him till they needed him."
"Hydra's coming," Bucky suddenly warned. Clint's eyes narrowed. He needed to get Coulson and his team out of here. More importantly, he needed Bucky to come 'capture' him. Right now, his plan was in dire straights.
"Get out. I can't have you here," Clint growled, not wanting to fully tell Coulson his plan. But Coulson was an intelligent man who knew Clint almost as well as the archer did. May stepped into the room, her hand on her ear. Clint nearly flinched. He had forgotten that Coulson's team was watching the area.
"Sir, Hydra agents," May warned. Coulson frowned but didn't turn his attention off of Clint. The archer stood his ground, trying to hide any clue about his plan. But when Coulson's eyes narrowed, Clint knew he was caught.
"You wanna get caught?"
"By Bucky, so leave," Clint hissed even as there was a noise outside. Clint nearly jumped when he realized Bucky had somehow gotten himself onto the five inch ledge just outside the window. Thankfully, Clint had unlocked the window when he first had gotten the room, so Bucky only had to lightly push on the window for it to open up. As the assassin stepped into the room, May quickly pulled out her gun and aimed it. Bucky resisted the temptation to pull out his own weapon. Clint mentally thanked him.
"Sir! The Winter Solider!" May cried as if everyone in the room was blind. Bucky shook his head and glanced at Clint.
"They saw me enter," Bucky informed. Clint continued staring at Coulson, daring the man to do anything. Bucky glanced over at the other man before focusing on Clint. Seconds nearly turned into a minute before Coulson finally sighed. He pressed his hand to his ear.
"Everyone, stand down. Don't be seen," Coulson ordered to his team. Clint gave his handler a small sad smile even as May lowered her weapon but did not holster it. Coulson shook his head with another sigh before looking back at Clint. "Don't do something truly stupid."
"Would I ever?" Clint joked, trying to lighten the dank mood.
"Yes," May, Bucky and Coulson all said at the same time. Clint gave them all a hurt look even as Coulson shook his head and turned to May. They fled the scene. Clint sighed, giving his handler's retreating form one last smile. Mentally he promised himself to find the Coulson from his reality and give him a hug, before punching him in the face. But for now, he had to get 'captured.'
"So... How we gonna-" Clint began to ask, turning to look at Bucky. A faint apology ran through Clint's mind before a silver fist slammed into his face. The archer dropped, never aware of the fact that Bucky just broke his nose and blood was now gushing down his face.
"You've been out for nearly a day," Bucky's voice filtered into Clint's mind before the archer even realized he was awake. Not fully sure what was going on his mind shields, that Wanda helped him build, were down so everyone caught his growl of disgust and pain from his injured nose. Bucky was the only one to respond and all it was was a sympathetic wince. "Hey, they believed it."
"YOU BROKE HIS NOSE!" Wanda shouted over the link. Clint whimpered, his head hurt enough thanks to his nose, never mind someone screaming. Using his minimal training, Clint worked on blocking Bucky's defense from the rest of the team. Everything about it was much harder than the archer anticipated. His mind was rather blurry and he found it hard to concentrate.
"They drugged you. Me hitting you only knocked you out for around a half hour," Bucky informed Clint's unasked question. Clint nearly nodded.
"That explains it. Drugs and me don't mix well and considering they have my file, they must have used whatever works worse on me," Clint replied. Bucky hummed an agreement, having been forced to look over Clint's file when he was brainwashed. He may not know much about drugs, but he remembered Pierce ordering something that was in bright red in Clint's medical file. Shaking himself out of his thoughts and the thoughts of the others through the link, Clint worked on opening eyes.
Without even being able to see properly, Clint immediately knew where he was. He had been in this particular cell more than once. But he got an extremely good look after Loki. Hydra had stuck him in the high security cell built for someone far stronger and smarter than him. There was no escape from this cell without help from the outside. While Clint had predicted this was where he was going to be thrown, he half hoped that someone would underestimate him and just stick him in a normal cell. He sighed. Well, things may have gotten a bit more difficult.
This cell was mostly a glass prison on all sides including ceiling and floor. There was a bed that was built into the frame. The door to the cell slid in and out of a pocket in the frame but the seam was near invisible where it touched glass to glass on the other end. Beyond the glass was a secondary room that was built more like the regular cells on the Helicarrier. Thanks to Clint there was an air vent but the opening wasn't large enough to fit through. Out there was the controls to the glass cell and a simple chair. Past the room and into the hall was a second set of controls that opened the main cell and powered the device opening the glass area.
"Agent Barton," a voice called. Clint twisted, noting that Pierce was standing right at the edge of his new cage. The man looked as if he was admiring some sort of trophy. Clint couldn't help but shiver as he realized that Pierce was proud of everything that happened, almost as if this was what the man had planned. A quick glance showed Clint that Bucky was hidden in a back corner 'silently' watching. "It is very nice to meet you."
"Not the first time," Clint growled, his voice annoyingly nasally thanks to his nose. He couldn't help the glare he sent at Bucky but was rewarded by a soft laugh in his mind. Both men could tell that Clint didn't blame Bucky for what happened. It was just one of many downsides that could have happened during the plan. Silently Clint promised some sort of cheap revenge against Bucky in the future but it wasn't as heated as Clint imagined.
"Well, here it is," Pierce murmured. Clint frowned. He had no real memories of this reality. Everyone knew he remembered his own, but he couldn't remember life in this reality. Pierce smiled. "Ah, you missed out on that little treat. We all have memories of both worlds. I remember ordering the hit on Romanoff, banning you from the job but I also remember arguing for her to not join S.H.I.E.L.D when you brought her in, alive."
"Interesting," Clint mocked, trying to hide his fear over the fact that all of Hydra now knew who was Hydra and who was S.H.I.E.L.D just by look. In his reality, they had to use secret codes in order to know. If Pierce unleashed Hydra in this reality, S.H.I.E.L.D would be destroyed without even putting up a fight. Pierce chuckled.
"Ah yes, this stone is truly amazing. Took us a few attempts to get it right," Pierce explained as if it really mattered to the situation at hand. The man seemed focused on something but as Clint looked the man over, the archer noted that whatever he was talking about Pierce didn't have out to show. Dang, he really needed the show part of this 'Show and Tell'.
"Well, you sucked at that too," Clint scoffed. Pierce's smile enlarged and gave Clint a chill down his spine.
"Oh, no. This wasn't a mistake. We knew we could take you on. Especially if we separated you from your team. The most difficult issue was finding when to rid ourselves of the Black Widow. We had hoped we could convert her but... All attempts at that failed," Pierce monologued. Clint glanced at Bucky with a smug feeling even though he glared at the assassin. Didn't matter how much Pierce creeped him out right then, he was glad his plan was working. Bucky risked rolling his eyes at the archer. Pierce continued talking. "We also worked on Stark. But Stane was rather uncooperative."
"How many?" Clint distantly wondered, suddenly understanding what Pierce had been saying. What if this stone had a limit on how many times it could be used? What if he couldn't fix this? Heck, what if he randomly thought of having Barney never betraying him? Or that he didn't step on that stupid spider when he was eight? Could something like that change his entire world?
"Oh, over fifty times. Most times though, no one tended to notice," Pierce commented. Clint paled and even Bucky shifted uncomfortable. God forbid that had happened and Hydra stayed in that reality. No one would have been able to stop them. Heck, if Clint wasn't fast enough in his plan now, Pierce could always change the world again.
"Why not go again?" Clint mumbled, fearing the answer. One good thing about Pierce thinking he had won and this villain monologue, Clint could get a lot of information. Bad guys typically always got cocky at this point. Made it easier to get information and sometimes even form an escape plan. Thankfully the escape plan was basically finished. They just needed more information.
"Why? We are at a perfect point," Pierce questioned. Clint forced his body to shiver by thinking about Fury, Coulson, Tony, Steve and Bruce's situation. Pierce smiled.
"I remember," he whispered. Pierce shrugged.
"So? Right now, you're a prisoner," the man stated as if it would stay that way forever. Clint's eyes narrowed. "Oh please. We know everything about you. You think this is the first time you or your team of heroes got this far?" Pierce mocked. Clint tensed. How many times had he gone through the same path? Did they already know about the mental link? Could they know where the others were? Even worse, did they know Bucky was a traitor? Seeing the horror in the archer's face, Pierce laughed but refused to give in any more. "Have fun. Someone will be down with a meal soon."
I swear to you all! I did not forget this story! It is fully completed and fully edited on my computer just waiting for me to get off my butt to post. Been going through some emotional issues lately that has made it hard for me to care about much of anything other than getting through each day so I haven't been paying attention to passing time. Sorry.
Clint and Darius are doing well. Just visited the dentist this morning and found out that Clint is two years advanced in his dentistry than he should be and so needs a procedure done sooner than later. Darius is still teething and about 4 teeth away from being done. Clint certainly didn't seem to last this long... Both have been so much like kids that's it's hard to stay mad at them long.
Hubby is currently going through a job... Not really crisis but kind of. He is currently working two jobs, unsure if either one is a good fit for him and his skills. Job A, he has worked since January of last year and was promised to be made Assistant Manager within a few months of being hired. Also was promised 28-30 hours a week. Never got either of those promises until he got a second job. Job B, he had worked since around end of February and loves it there but feels like he might not be the best fit under the employers. Almost like they could find someone better. Currently Job B's owner has come down with an illness that makes it that he can no longer work so they want to change Hubby's schedule to nearing 40+ hours. Each week would be the same so never getting cut. Job A doesn't know this yet but I feel they may rush to give him the position and hours he was promised before and I don't trust their word. Currently I am leaving it up to him to decide what to do but the stress that he is going through is added to me and my stress at home with two kids and my own mental illnesses. Hopefully it gets resolved soon.
AND OMG! Did anyone see INFINITY WAR! I promise, no spoilers from me but SERIOUSLY PEOPLE! Hubby laughed at me in the theater and most of the night cause of my reactions. Really didn't help that I was having a shit day before hand and was hoping to get my fix of everyone's fav... I literally screamed 'COME ON' at the end. But I did get to enjoy it down in Disney World so that was kinda cool. I wish I could post a joke I said as I was leaving this particular theater that night but it is a spoiler. If you've seen to movie PM me so we don't spoil it for others! THANKS!
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Katie MacAlpine: Hee hee. Sorry to confuse you but then again, that is kind of the point. Sorry it took so long for me to post. And yes, I am still working on the sequel. Hopefully it can top this but fans are fickle. As for what else can happen... Hmm, who knows.