Avengers - Part 3 - From Time to Time

by theicemenace

Clint comes back in contact with a woman from his past. But that past brings more trouble with it as they try to figure out what they are to each other. Will history repeat itself leaving them both alone and wary of possible relationships? What price is Clint willing to pay to get back the woman he loves?

18. Chapter 18

A/N: 2012 winner of NaNoWriMo contest and exclusively Beta'd by the wonderful ladygris.

Thanks,

~Sandy

Avengers

From Time to Time

Chapter 18

Standing in the wings, Marty watched Clint perfectly execute his final trick: shooting an apple off of Naomi's head while blindfolded. He'd taken a bite out of it and the arrow had pierced the exact center spraying bits all over the dirt floor. Grinning, the couple ran past her to thunderous applause, cheers and whistles. More than a few video cameras had been going so this moment would last forever. She made a note to check YouTube when she retired for the night.

Throwing her arms around Clint, Marty chuckled. "That was fan-tastic!"

"So we're even for Detroit?"

"Definitely." The mistress of ceremonies hugged Naomi too. "It was so awesome you letting him do that trick considering he'd never done it before."

Naomi's smile froze in place as she gripped Marty's upper arms so tight they hurt. "WHAT did you say?!"

A little confused, Marty repeated her earlier statement. "Clint's never done that trick before. Couldn't get anyone to let him practice. Not even Barney."

When Naomi didn't release Marty, Clint asked, "Are you okay?"

Finally, Naomi's hands let go and she started shaking. She turned toward the tent they'd used to change swaying on her feet.

~~O~~

Rushing forward, Clint scooped Naomi into his arms before she could fall. She never really fainted, but she did swoon. He carried her to Marty's RV, laid her on the bed and placed a pillow under her legs. Marty brought a cool wet cloth for her head. Clint sat on the side of the bed and held her hand. "You okay?"

"Yeah. How the hell could you ask me to do a trick you've never done before?"

"Didn't say I've never done it. No one would let me practice. There's a difference."

Marty brought a small glass of juice, helped Naomi sit up and waited while she drank it down. "And there's a trick to it." She gestured to the blindfold Clint still wore around his neck. He took it off and handed it to Naomi. "Put it on."

With a shrug, Naomi did as requested and found that she could easily see Clint, Marty and the furniture in the room. "You could have told me!"

"Now what would've been the fun in that?" He winked at her that smirk back again. Standing, he helped Naomi to her feet, gratified that she'd regained her balance. "I'm gonna pay for that later, aren't I?"

"Hmph! Yeah!"

Marty escorted them to the door giving Clint another hug. "We're in town until Monday. Sure I can't tempt you into doing it again? Not even once?"

Clint shook his head. "I'm done with the circus, Marty." His arm wrapped around Naomi holding her close, her arms encircling his waist. "I've got everything I want and need right here."

Marty nodded understanding. "Had to ask. Good luck. And don't be strangers."

"We won't. Take care of yourself."

Arms around each other's waists, Clint and Naomi returned to the tent they'd changed in to get out of their costumes. A few minutes later, Clint pulled the ball cap low over his face and kept his eyes on the ground as they moved through the crowd holding tight to her hand. Naomi thought it odd. "You're acting like a celebrity hiding from the paparazzi. Why?"

"When I did this before, after each show, I would be approached by fans, and I'd rather not deal with them tonight."

Naomi nudged him with her elbow. "Tell me you didn't have fun and I won't mention it again."

Dropping her hand, he hooked an arm around her neck and pulled her close for a quick kiss on the temple. "Okay. You got me there. And as distractions go, this was a pretty good one. But I just want to get back to the hotel and take a long hot shower. I've been away so long the sawdust is making me itch."

"Poor baby. How're your ribs? Need me to wash your back again?"

With an affectionate smile, he put his mouth close to her ear. "They're good. And only if I get to wash yours."

"Mmm. You got a deal, Hawkeye."

~~O~~

In Memphis, Tennessee, Clint turned in the fuel efficient hybrid and took out a shiny black pick-up for the remainder of the road trip he and Naomi had been on for more than a week. When they stopped at a gas station as they entered DC, Clint called a number he'd memorized while he and Alston had been taking out the Consortium operatives that hunted them. He was given an address, and within fifteen minutes he pulled up in front of a two-story brick home.

A three-year old forest green Chevy Tahoe and a nearly new white Prius were parked in front of the two-car garage. Kids toys lay in the yard, abandoned for the moment. The yard itself needed some work, and Clint guessed that Alston hadn't been able to take care of it due to his injury.

Clint and Naomi got followed the sound of children's laughter mixed with the deeper tones of an adult male and the smell of beef cooking over a gas grill. They entered through the gate of the picket fence and went around the side of the house to the back yard.

Alston was standing at a gas grill leaning on a cane with one hand and flipping burgers with the other. It was a little cool for a barbeque, but the FBI agent had sworn he'd have one as soon as he got home from the hospital. It was their good fortune that he'd waited a few days so they could enjoy what would be the last one of the season.

Naomi called out, "Trevor?"

"Hey! You made it!" He set the spatula on the small table next to the grill and turned to greet them. He hugged Naomi and kissed her cheek, then exchanged handshakes with Clint just as a woman came out through the sliding patio door carrying an empty plate. "Honey, this is my good friend Clint Barton and his girlfriend, Naomi DeLuca. My wife, Sarah."

"Nice to meet both of you." Sarah had a sweet voice and a disarming smile. Her dark blond hair hung to just below her shoulders turning up on the ends. Though she wasn't classically beautiful, she was attractive and Clint could see from the look in their eyes that they loved each other deeply.

The adults shook hands as the kids pushed their way between to make sure they weren't forgotten. The girl hid behind her mother's legs peeking out the side with wide hazel eyes. "This is Breena. She's seven."

Alston whistled, and the rambunctious boy ran to his side. Leaning over, he said to the boy, "Remember what we talked about?"

"Uh-huh. Should I do it now, Daddy?"

"Yes."

The child, maybe four, walked boldly up to Clint and stuck out his hand. "Hi. My name is Clinton Isaac Alston. My mommy and daddy named me after you 'cause you're Daddy's bestest friend. And my grandpa Isaac 'cause he's my grandpa."

Shocked, Clint managed to cover it well, putting on a smile that felt incongruous. "Very happy to meet you, Clint. This is Naomi." The younger Clint shook Naomi's hand as well.

The kids were sent to play and Clint watched the boy go with mixed emotions. Turning back to Alston, Clint didn't know what to say, and Sarah grinned at his attempt to pull off a blasé attitude. "Naomi, would you help me set the table and let the guys talk for a while?" Clint and Naomi exchanged glances, communicating without words. It annoyed him that she seemed to find the situation very amusing.

"Of course." Naomi looked over shoulder, giving Clint an encouraging smile before closing the door.

"You named your son after me? Why?" Clint's tone was almost accusing, as if Alston should've consulted him first.

Alston picked up the spatula and flipped the burgers as he talked. "Remember the day you wiped the floor with my a**?"

"Yeah. But what has that…"

Shrugging, Alston dropped into the chair Sarah had placed behind him, still favoring his injured leg. "I sort of had an epiphany that day. I saw my life as other did and didn't care for the picture it presented. So, after long nights of thinking and weighing my options, I realized that I didn't want to be a washed up pro football player at the age of thirty-two. My life needed some direction and purpose aside from entertaining sports fans. So I went to the counselor's office and change my major to criminal justice. I graduated third in my class at the police academy. Worked as a beat cop until I joined the FBI." He spread his arms out to the side. "And here I am."

"I'm honored, Alston. Really. But I'm just a guy who serves his country, tries to do the right thing, and is only partly successful."

"You really have no idea of the impact you had on the lives you touched in just those few months, do you?"

The back door opened and Sarah came out with cups of hot coffee for the men. "Everything's ready as soon as the burgers are, Trev."

Nodding, Alston held his wife's hand briefly before she went back into the house. He poked the corner of the spatula into the center of one of the burgers, nodding as if satisfied with what he saw. When he made to stand, Clint took over at the grill. "What did you mean? What you said before."

Not arguing, Alston relaxed, one hand rubbing the thigh of his injured leg. "You don't recognize Sarah?"

Thinking hard, Clint had to admit that she did seem familiar. "Should I?"

Chuckling, Alston accepted Clint's assistance to stand then the archer finished scooping the burgers onto the plate. "Clint, Breena! Go wash up for dinner!"

"Yay!" the boy and girl chorused. Their running footsteps pounded on the concrete patio followed by the slamming of the back door.

Holding the plate in one hand, Clint kept the other close to Alston just in case he should lose his balance as they headed inside. "You were saying?"

"Sarah used to work in the psychology department as a part time receptionist. A few months after you disappeared, she and I started dating and we were married two weeks after I graduated from the police academy."

Reaching around Alston, Clint held the door for his friend then followed him in, softly muttering, "Well, I'll be damned."

Dinner was a lively affair reminding Clint that he hadn't been back to the community center and missed the kids he saw there every day. Sarah spent much of the time circling the table taking pictures with a bright pink digital camera. Young Clint insisted on sitting next to him, asking question after question about what it was like to fight aliens. Clint answered as best he could without revealing the classified aspects, and that seem to satisfy both young Clint and Breena who'd asked her share of questions as well.

Eventually, Breena and young Clint tired and were put to bed. Sarah came to stand at the bottom of the stairs a few minutes later. "Clint, your namesake would like you to tuck him in. Do you mind?" He nodded and followed her up the stairs. "Ever since the invasion, he hasn't stopped bragging that he's named after the Hawkeye. The way he tells it, you singlehandedly stopped the entire invasion yourself."

On the second floor, they stopped in front of a door that had a wooden name plate affixed to it along with dozens of photos of the invasion with Clint, in his Hawkeye persona, circled in red. "He has all the Avengers action figures and even insists that his friends call him Hawkeye. He even dressed up as you for Halloween." She must have sensed that he was uncomfortable, at a loss for words, because she continued to talk, her voice low so it wouldn't carry. "I know you don't remember me but…"

"I do remember you."

"You don't have to lie to spare my feelings, Clint. But you should know that what you said to me that day, it really changed my life. And just as you instructed, I've never told anyone. Not even Trevor."

Clint grinned. "You do know I was joking, right?"

"Yeah. But it's kinda fun sharing a secret with Hawkeye." She knocked on the door then pushed it open. "Go on in. Leave the night light on and the door ajar when you come out."

Nodding, Clint took deep breath and pushed the door open. "Hey, pal. You wanted to see me?"

The boy, dark blond like his mother with his father's blue eyes, nodded and scooted to one side so Clint could sit on the edge and spent the next twenty minutes talking with the boy about whatever came to his agile mind.

~~O~~

In their hotel room later that night, Naomi awoke nestled in Clint's embrace, her head pillowed on his shoulder. The first week of November had breezed in bringing cooler weather to the New England area that threatened to turn ugly. She shivered and snuggled closer to Clint's physical warmth.

His arm tightened around her waist, his lips brushing over her forehead. "What're you doing awake?"

"Mmm. Thinking."

"What about?"

She searched under the covers until she found his free hand, weaving their fingers together. "About how lucky I am to have you back in my life. It's like I'd been sleepwalking for the last twelve years and finally woke up."

He rubbed his cheek over the top of her head. "Now you know how I felt all those months while recuperating. I had to relearn things most people else take for granted. Simple everyday things like feeding myself and being able to turn the pages of a book. But the worst part was feeling that there was someplace I had to be, someone I should be talking to and not knowing who it was."

Clint had never spoken of that time in quite this way, and Naomi held her breath for fear of disturbing his train of thought. But she needn't have worried. Now that he'd started talking, he seemed to be picking up speed.

"I kept having dreams about a woman whose face I couldn't see. Sometimes they were…erotic, but mostly they were about the two of us doing mundane things like cooking, washing the dishes, reading or even going to the grocery store. I described her to Coulson on several occasions, but he never told me he knew who she was. And when I did remember, I tried to call her-to call you, but didn't know what to say." He shifted position slightly. "I was still learning to walk again and the docs wouldn't let me leave the helicarrier even with a nurse. Later, I found out it was Fury's orders that I be kept on board."

The anger at her father she'd almost let go of came back. Clint must've felt it because he rushed to reassure her. "I'm over it and you need to let it go too. It's not like we can change the past. And we're together now."

Silently, she nodded, waiting to see what he'd say next.

"Almost six months to the day after I'd been brought back, the doctors released me to come and go as I pleased. I still had physical, occupational and speech therapy several times a week, but I was pretty much left to my own devices. And the first thing I did was go to your apartment. I ran into Serene and she told me you'd moved to Chicago. For months after that, I didn't care much about anything but getting back into shape so I could return to work. Because of the amnesia, they partnered me with Natasha. We worked so well as a team that we just kept doing it. Mostly I was her back-up, the contingency in case things went sideways, and sometimes it was the other way around.

"Personally, my life was a mess and it took Natasha kicking my a** to make me see that I needed to make changes."

He lapsed into silence and didn't say anymore. "I'm glad you're here now."

"Me too." The fingers on her waist flexed and curled then moved up to play with her hair. "I've been meaning to ask. When you divorced, why didn't you change your name back to DeLuca?"

"Too much trouble." Smiling, she tilted her head back to look at him, but his eyes were closed. "Though lately I've been thinking about changing it."

That got his attention, and she guessed he would've preferred if she hadn't kept her ex-husband's name. "Please tell me you're not changing it to Fury."

Her smile grew and her heart began racing so fast he had to be able to feel it. She'd planned on saying this at a more romantic moment, but now seemed the perfect time. "No. I was thinking of changing it to Barton."

~~O~~

The fingers in Naomi's hair halted their lazy movements and Clint forgot to breathe. Something he did around Naomi quite often it seemed. A slow grin came over his face. He was so dazed at her proposal that the bubble around him burst when she lifted up onto her elbow and looked into his eyes. The expression there made him feel jubilant because she wanted him to be her husband. "Really? You…you're sure?"

A look of complete and utter joy flowed over her beautiful features. "I was sure twelve years ago." Still staggered by this sudden turn in their relationship, all he could do was smile. "You know, when a woman asks you to marry her, she expects an answer."

Clint rolled her onto her back so fast she squealed. "Yes, I will marry you." Lowering his head, he kissed her until they were both breathless, pulling away just far enough to say, "I love you." Her lips were still close enough to kiss and he did, lingering in a sweet almost chaste touching of their mouths.

"I love you too."

Grinning, he asked, "What do you love about me?"

Naomi looked up at the ceiling in thought. "You're smart, funny, you can assassinate someone without leaving evidence, and you'd make a great killing partner in the zombie apocalypse." A laugh was forced out of him that he tried to cover with a cough. "What?"

"The zombie apocalypse…that happened a long time ago."

She slapped his shoulder. "Did not."

"Remember the tsunami in the Sea of Okhotsk about three years ago?"

The half-grin faded. "Yeah. That was so sad. The entire population of the coastal towns and surrounding villages were washed out to sea."

Clint rubbed the back of his head. "Ye-ah…not what happened." Naomi gapped at his now serious expression, speechless. "The earthquake that caused the tsunami was man-made."

Clearing her throat, she raised up on one elbow to look into his eyes. "Really?! Wow! You guys are GOOD! I totally bought it!"

"You were supposed to."

"So what else? What other…" Naomi made air quotes, "…natural disasters were cover-ups?"

Thinking for a moment, Clint chose one. "We used the eruptions of Eyjafjallajökull…"

"I'm already impressed, but even more so that you can even pronounce, uh…"

"Eyjafjallajökull." She rested her head on his shoulder again and waited for him to continue. "We used the eruptions to cover up…"

~~O~~

It was another two days before Clint and Naomi arrived back in New York. She sensed that he was becoming restless with nothing to do but entertain her. And though she could've spent another week with him, she realized that she had to share him with the rest of the world.

They returned to Stark Tower tired from driving all day, but at least they were home. It was after midnight and everyone was asleep so they quietly made their way up to Clint's apartment, showered and climbed into bed. As always, the kiss they shared sent shockwaves of heat throughout their bodies, but before things could get out of hand, Clint rolled over and opened the bedside table, taking out a small black box.

"What's that?" Naomi peered at it curiously.

"Open it." His tone was an audible smirk.

Naomi opened the box and gasped. Nestled inside was a platinum ring. Ribbons of the precious metal were encrusted with small diamonds, and surrounded one large diamond in the center. "Oh Clint! It's beautiful!"

He plucked it out holding it so the dim lighting reflected from its many facets. "It reminds me of us. The two loops are our separate lives that come back to one life together in the middle."

"Very poetic. But we've been together every day for that past two weeks. When did you…"

"Three days after Thanksgiving." Clint grinned at her confusion.

"But Thanksgiving is still three weeks away."

He slipped the ring on her left hand then kissed the backs of her fingers. "Three days after Thanksgiving twelve years ago."

She couldn't help the tears that welled up in her eyes making them shimmer. Rolling over on top of him, she kissed him soundly.

The next day, after returning from the community center and reassuring the kids they'd be back very soon and yes, they would be invited to the wedding they decided it was time to give their friends the news. While Clint took a shower, Naomi roamed around and eventually found herself in the common area. Going to the bar, she took a bottle of root beer from the 'fridge, popped the top and took a long drink. She burped and looked around guiltily, blushing when Stark's voice came from the far side of the room, the inky blackness hiding his approach. "That was impressive. You do impersonations too?"

"Thought I was alone." Stark came to stand next to her, one hand leaning on the counter as he sipped from the glass in his hand. He didn't look at her, just kept watching the rain pattering against the windows, deep in thought. Probably about one of his projects, she figured. He'd once tried to explain the propulsion system of the suit to her and how it worked with the inertial dampeners to keep him from being injured in flight. It had all gone over her head so she'd just nodded as if she understood.

Impulsively, she kissed Stark on the cheek. He finished off his drink and turned to look at her. "Not that I didn't enjoy it, but what was that for?"

"For keeping quiet about the other day. That was very sweet of you."

The billionaire actually seemed to be blushing in the dim lighting coming from behind the bar. "Yeah, well, don't let it get around. It'll ruin my street cred."

Naomi half-grinned at him. "Your billionaire genius philanthropist rep is solid, Tony."

"You think that's true then one day, a megalomaniac from the other end of space comes to town challenging you to a duel, totally unimpressed with your mad flying, shooting and destroying skills."

"And the Avengers sent him packing with his tail between his legs. You're heroes, Tony, whether you like it or not."

Shoving his hands into his pockets, he shrugged indifferently. "It was a dirty job, but someone had to do it." He watched her walk around to perch on one of the barstools. "What's Legolas up to? Why aren't the two of you playing slap and tickle?"

Naomi choked on a mouthful of root beer in embarrassed indignation, unable to form words. And as always, she was saved by Clint.

"What's it to you, Stark?"

Stark raised his voice startling Naomi. "Lights, JARVIS." Immediately, the room brightened just as Steve and Natasha came up the stairs leading from their apartments. Stark peered into Clint's face grinning at what he saw there. "You got laid last night."

Across the room, Steve came to a halt in the middle of the floor, a scowl on his boyish features. "Stark!" His face darkening in anger at the perceived insult, Steve started forward to take the billionaire on, but Natasha held him back. Reluctantly, he agreed as she went behind the bar and started cutting up limes. "Must you be so crude?"

"What you see is what you get, Capsicle. And all I needed to see was that swagger and grin to know what Legolas was up to. Which reminds me…the two of you…" Stark indicated Natasha and the super-soldier, "…have been circling the airfield so long it's a wonder you haven't run out of fuel. Now if you want MY advice, you'll find a place to land and get on with the business of, well, funny business. Speaking of which, if we're going to have all of us in one tower, we need to figure a way to let everyone know not to interrupt us if we're otherwise occupied. Now I've got some ideas I'd like to run by you…"

Stark cut off when a knife whizzed through the air to stick into the wall next to his head. Eyes wide, he followed its flight path back to where Natasha gave him a impertinent smile as she bit into a maraschino cherry.

The CEO of Stark Industries strode into the room, the smile on her face giving way to a scowl when she looked at the faces around her. "What did Tony do now?" Exchanging glances with his teammates, Clint shrugged. Stark withered slightly from the penetrating stare aimed in his direction by his girlfriend. "That means he's being an a** again."

~~O~~

Clint took his place next to Naomi. "Where're Banner and Thor?"

"I am here." The Asgardian's presence filled the room as did his booming voice.

Banner came in just behind him. "Everyone present and accounted for, Barton."

Thor crossed his arms. "What is it you require?"

"Your attention…and a bottle of champagne, if you've got it, Stark."

Stark scoffed as he took a bottle of Cristal from the cooler while Pepper set glasses on the bar. The cork was popped and the sparkling liquid poured. Banner helped pass the glasses around then the group turned to Clint expectantly.

Clint waited until each member of his surrogate family had a glass in hand before speaking. "We want all of you to be the first to know."

Standing at his side, Naomi held out her left hand. "I asked Clint to marry me and he said yes."

Naturally, Stark was the first to speak. "Congratulations. And I, for one, think its way past time." To Naomi, he said, "Do you have any idea how long he's been mooning over you?"

Naomi flashed Clint a loving smile that he returned. "About a long as I've been mooning over him."

"We should have a real celebration. Shawarma anyone?" The group sent out a collective groan. "Or…we could go French. I know this place on the Champs-Elysees that serves duck à la poivrade d'artichaut that is to die for."

Natasha and Clint nodded, Natasha speaking, "La Ami Genereux."

Clint grinned. "Great food."

Meeting each of his teammate's eyes, he took a silent vote. "Then we're in agreement." He checked the time. "Let's meet back here in two hours, dressed to kill. We'll fly to Paris and party 'til the cows call the gendarmerie."

Thor looked thoroughly confused. "Dressed to…"

Pepper took the big man by the arm. "We'll go see Henri. He can get you into a tux within the hour."

"Great! It's settled."

Thor laid a hand over Pepper's. "As much as I would like to share this happy time with my friends, Jane is expecting me." He gave Naomi a gentle hug and shook Clint's hand. "Blessings to both of you."

"Thanks, Thor." The Asgardian went out onto the balcony, swung his hammer and was off.

Naomi looked sheepish. "Pepper, I know women say this all the time, but I don't have anything to wear." She gestured at her jeans and T-shirt. "Literally."

Pepper took her hand, leading her through the penthouse and into a huge walk-in closet lined with all manner of clothing and all the accessories. "I'm sure there's something in my closet to fit you. Pick out whatever you want. Anything at all."

"Thanks, Pepper."

The rest of the group scattered to their separate rooms to get dressed for their impromptu celebration dinner, Naomi joining Clint in their room a few minutes later.

~~O~~

Thanks to Stark, Steve was decked out in a classic tux with a white pleated shirt and a black bow tie. When he returned to the common area, Clint and Banner were there dressed in a similar fashion. They were joined by Stark, again in a classic tux, yet on each man, it looked subtly different. At least Steve hoped it would to the women. He went to the balcony doors and watched the city lights glowing, never tiring of the sight. Banner nudged him in the back and Steve turned in time to see Natasha reach the top of the stairs.

One hand carried a small black bag while the other held the skirt of her dress so she wouldn't trip. What looked like a black slip with a long sheer covering caressed her body from just below the collarbone to the floor. Brilliant white jewels in several sizes were scattered across the overdress in a random pattern stopping at the bottom of her shapely calves. The shoulder straps were wide and sheer as well with a few smaller stones sprinkled there as well.

A door closed and when Natasha turned her back to him, Steve saw that the dress was secured with an elegant bow and the waist dipped low enough that it showcased the inward sway of her back. Forcing his eyes away from the way her backside shifted beneath the soft material, he looked at her small feet tucked into strappy sandals.

Natasha faced him again, dangling earrings reflecting the light. Her eyes had been outlined in such way that it reminded him of a cat on the prowl. As always, her walk enhanced that feeling. He tugged at his suddenly too tight collar remembering the first time he'd been physically close to her. The first Chitauri leviathan was about to explode and Steve had covered her with his body, using his shield to protect them both. Hawkeye had been out in the open too, but Steve's chivalrous streak had led him to protect the only woman in the group. She reached his side and turned with the rest when Pepper entered from the opposite side.

~~O~~

As long as they'd worked and lived together, Tony had known that Pepper was beautiful inside and out. But tonight, she took his breath away. She too was dressed in black, but there the resemblance to Natasha's dress ended.

Pepper's dress had a grace and fluidity to it that drew the eye first one way then another. The material was gathered at her left side, fanning out to her right. At shoulder height, a strip of the material entwined with more of the same making the dress look strong yet molten at the same time.

Stones adorned the right shoulder, twining in and out as if that one strip were holding everything together. The material flowed down to touch the floor and when he brought his eyes back to her face, the small dangles in her ears winked at him. He slipped an arm around her waist and she smiled back.

Beside him, he felt Clint stiffen and inhale sharply, almost a gasp. Turning to see what the archer was looking at, he shook his head and grinned.

TBC