Quinn wasn't sure if she even wanted to go back to the lab, feeling as thou it's caused all her problems. She knew it wasn't. It was a mixture of fear of things to come and what's already happened. She never wanted to admit how much the Fall of SHIELD affected her. How many SHIELD agents were actually HYDRA in wait.
She heard what Ward did to Simmons and Fitz and it broke her heart and terrified her. How could someone stab there family in the back? How could he go on that plane, befriend and know everyone, save there asses several times then try and kill them himself? It terrified her to her core. She attempted to keep her work in the lab secretive but she can't say no to Gage if he asks when he hands her her favorite cup of coffee from that coffee shop she loves.
That's why she put in the over-ride over ride code. So she could work in peace and have it done before shit hit the fan and her family in danger. But she wasn't sure how to convey all that she was scared of. That Gage or Clint could be HYDRA. There SHIELD agents, Gage its more technical them actual unless he told them he wanted a mission. But it still scared her to think he could possibly be the other side.
So she did what Starks do best. They hide and pretend everything's ok.
Now she's locked out of her lab for next 35 hours, her relationship crumbling with Gage and the guilt of not seeing Clint off was threatening to eat her alive. She wiped her tears away but more followed. She had her phone playing whatever break up songs it could find, Mostly Adele and Taylor swift but that's not the point. With nothing else to do but sulk In her misery she might as well do so as a normal teenage girl. Not a genius locked of her lab.
Loki was in the kitchen trying to calm his frazzled nerves. Being a magical being meant your also sensitive to the feelings around you. He could feel the heavy heart of the house. Quinn with her misery, loneliness and guilt. Tony and Kim with there worry and fear for the two lovers and Gage with a heavy and broken heart full of fear.
Loki's hands were shaking still from the anxiety all day. Finally he willed himself out of TJs room (and his arms) and wanted a cup of tea. He told TJ to go to the training room to burn off some energy. He knew TJ was just as restless.
He sat down on the chair, bringing his green tunic coat around him more. He jumped when he heard movement behind him. It was just Kim, her eyes red rimmed from crying. She spoke. "Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you. I just came to see if you were alright." She walked closer. He looked away. "I can feel everything. It's heavy and suffocating and I can't do anything about it." Kim frowned. Those words rang too true to her. "Where's TJ?"
Loki looked up to her a moment. "In the training room. He's been with me all day trying to help thru these emotions but I know it's affecting him to. Just differently." Kim gave a sad smile. "He never thought Quinn would break things off. Bet he always thought Gage would do that and he could play protective brother and punch him." Loki smiled sadly. "Yeah. Something like that. But he can't and it bothers him and he's not even sure why it bothers him. So I told him to go to the training room to relive some stress. " Kim nodded with a sigh before getting an idea. "Would you like to bake with me? I always bake when I'm stressed. It helps by giving me something to do." Loki smiled weakly. "I don't know how good I will be." Kim smiled, standing and getting supplies and aprons, handing Loki one.
Clint wasn't sure how he got into this mess but they were driving and hit some kind of landmine, throwing there jeep off, tumbling into a ditch. Clint gasped in pain, accessing his damage. The jeep was on it's roof. Windows broken, surrounded by broken glass. His leg felt broken or possibly pinned by the car. Lots of bruising on his chest and torso. A gash on his face and possible concussion as his vision is just on the line of blurry. He looked around, hearing men yelling in Arabic a distance away. He looked at the driver side and swallowed down his stomach. Coulson was unconscious and bleeding from his head. It looked like his arm was broken but was hidden by his suit.
Clint heard the yelling getting closer with every second. He bit the bullet, pulling himself from the wreckage. Growling in pain, managed to get his gun out from its holster. He had to get Coulson and himself to safety. He had to call for evac but before that they had to survive this wreck first.
He got his head and arms out of the broken window. The cult they were running from coming down the hill. Clint pulled himself more, aiming the gun with both hands and shooting at them best he could. He managed a few head shots, a knee here, chest there. One man was too close for comfort. He shot at him, making blood splatter on him as he fell dead in front of him. Luckily not on him or this would be made things much more difficult and horrible.
Clint took in a breath, looking at his surroundings. There was nothing to be heard. Just quiet. Once he deemed it safe enough he pulled the rest of him out with a pained grunt, gasping. He got to the other side, limping checking Coulsons pulse. He breathed a sigh of relief when he felt one. He checked to make sure he wasn't pinned to the car before hauling him out. He got Coulson out, getting the radio that was in his pocket since his was destroyed in the crash. He could feel the bits in his pocket. He called Melinda, knowing she was waiting for this call.
Clint spoke into the phone quietly but full of panic. Coulson was bleeding and looking pale. "Agent Barton to Agent May requesting evac immediately. Coulson is down, I replete Coulson is down." Clint felt panic bubble up when it seemed too long to wait for a response when May spoke into the phone. "We have your location. We'l be there in less then 5 minutes." Clint slumped with relief, putting pressure on Coulsons wounds.
Coulson came to a few minutes later. He groaned quietly, more out of confusion then pain. "Barton...what happened?" Clint grinned in relief. "We kicked ass sir. They might have surprised us with a land mine but we got them. Evac is gonna be here soon." Coulson nodded weakly before wincing. Clint saw this. "What hurts sir?" "Head. Feels like Thor went to town on it with that hammer of his. Everything else hurts but nothing more then aches. Wrist might be broken."
Coulson moved his one gloved covered had slightly only to have it break, showing the wires inside and glowing core as the hand fell to the ground. Clint gave him a look. "Care to explain sir?" Coulson saw his broken mechanical hand on the ground next to him when they both heard the plane above them. "Later. I promise. It's a long story."
Meanwhile in the HYDRA compound that wasn't far from them Ward was watching the security TV. He had cameras scattered in this area. A sick hunting ground of sorts to test possible agents. And to make sure other would-be terrorists know where not to step. He'd send a warning. He was only here visiting for the weekend, making sure everything was running smoothly when one of his goons told him he spotted Agent Coulson and Agent Barton on there grounds. Car crashed into a ditch but both escaped via evac.
This worried ward. The director of shield and Barton weren't stupid. They'd figure out this compound was near where they crashed. He smirked, walking away to come up with a plan. He'l make sure to have Coulsons head on his wall and Barton kept for his own pleasure. Whatever that may be.
Clint and Coulson were both sent to medical and fixed up. Coulson had a cast on his good hand. His other hand still missing from breaking and a bandage on his head. Clint luckily didn't break anything but his ankle and leg were sprained and strained along with a concussion and bandage on his cheek.
Once they debriefed he brought in a coffee for Coulson, sitting near his medical bed. He had a concussion slightly worse then his own. "Feeling better sir?" Coulson gave a weak smile. "Heads still pounding but it'll pass." He handed Coulson the coffee. Coulson held it carefully with his cast up hand. Clint sat next to the side of the bed. "Care to tell me about that now?" He pointed to his missing hand, showing its blue core. Coulson sighed, trying to figure out how to explain it. "In the most simple terms: Theres these crystals that only effect humans and not Inhumans. If you were an Inhuman you'd be fine. Anyone who isn't and is holding it or in its vicinity when it's broken, it turns you to stone. One of the bad guys was about to throw it on the ground around my team. I jumped for it, caught it but started turning me stone. Luckily Fitz was quick thinking and chopped my hand off quickly before it could take the rest of me."
Clint nodded. "I'm sorry that happened." Coulson let out a breath. "Not your fault. How's your life with the Starks?" Clint smiled. "Good. Very good. I can't believe how good it is. I mean I have two people that love me no matter what. I never thought I get here." Coulson smiled. "I'm happy for you. Really. How do you think Gage and Quinn are doing?" Clint sighed. "Better I hope. Of all the times for them to do this is when I'm not there to slap some sense into them." "Maybe this so what they need before they move forward. " Clint nodded. "Maybe. I'm gonna give my brother a call, see what's going on. " Coulson nodded. "Tell the family I said hi." Clint nodded with a smile, walking out of the room.
It's been two days that Quinn hasn't talked more then a simple hello to Gage as he walked by. Two days of avoiding and longing and agony. It took all Gage had no to have some sort of anxiety attack around her. Even in passing. He always managed to get somewhere private to let his anxiety happen in peace. He dreaded being on patrol. Not even just because of the possibility of sleeping on the job. There was a high chance she would have nightmare and he would go running to help her like the noble knight he is. And it happened. He was doing ok, drinking coffee non stop and stopping to listen to a few songs in his phone when Jarvis sent the alert that Quinn was having a nightmare. He didn't even think, it was natural to him.
He got to the door, hearing her whimpers and cries. He went in carefully not wanting the door to startle her awake or make things worse. She was curled tightly in the blankets, whimpering and nearly hyperventilating as tears wouldn't stop. He held her close, speaking softly in her ear as he's done so many other times like this. Her lullaby of sorts.
"Quinn it's just a dream. Your safe. Nothing's gonna hurt you, I got you. Your knights here."It seems to take forever but she finally relaxed, starting to wake up. She looked around confused, her eyes watery. Gage kissed her head. "Your alright princess. I got you." Quinn looked at him confused. "What?...why are you here?" He gave her a look. "What do you mean? You had a nightmare. I helped."
She shook her head, swallowing down her anxiety. "I mean were broken up right now. We shouldn't be near each other." He gave her a serious look, not letting her go from his embrace. "Broken up or not I'm going to help you thru your nightmares. Not gonna let you walk that dark road alone. Not ever. Just let me hold you and you can go back to sleep and pretend this never happened." Quinn let herself relax against him, enjoying the smell of his cologne before she remembered. She had a vision. "There gonna hurt you. There gonna kidnap you and experiment on you. " Her breathing became faster. "There gonna turn you into a monster." He held her away enough to look at her. Frowning. "Was this a vision?" Her lip trembled as she nodded. "I can't let it happen. I can't." A sob escaped her before she could help it, hiccuping like a crying child.
He held her close, wrapping her in his arms. "Shh it's gonna be ok. I can take care of myself. Don't you worry about me." Suddenly his cell phone was ringing, startling them both. She seemed to suddenly remember there break up and spoke quietly as she stood. "I'l make us some milk." She said as she walked out of the room, throw blanket around her shoulders. He hated he felt so disappointed at her leaving but he saw it was Clint calling. "Hey how's fighting the good fight?" Clint gave a humorless laugh. "Ha. Your funny. " He sighed as Gage started to walk out of the room, phone to his ear.
"We took a hit. I'm honestly surprised I'm still here. Our jeep hit a landmine of some sort and we went crashing into a ditch. We were fine, obviously. But still, it was a close call and put this mission back by at least two months while we heal. Coulson broke his wrist and apparently he has a robot hand and that needs fixed. I got away with a few sprains and a concussion." " "Sorry to hear but honestly where your at might be best right now." "Break up going bad?" "To say the least. Emotions are just flying everywhere. The tension is horrible and don't even get me started on my anxiety attacks-" "Wait your getting anxiety attacks again? You haven't had any in years." Gage wanted to groan in frustration. He knew Clint would turn into a mother hen at that mention. It just slipped out.
"Yeah, like 16 years. It's no big, it's only because of this break she wants... It's...damn...I have no idea what I'm supposed to do. I've never not been allowed around her. ""Did Tony ban you from her or something?" "No. She wants as little contact as possible so she can think and not have any distractions but fuck we live In the same house, what the fuck am I supposed to do Clint?" He had no idea when his breathing for faster or when his explanation become a ramble but soon as he was done speaking he felt his breathing getting faster and eyes welling up with tears. He quickly turned into a nearby bathroom with Clint in his ear. Closing his eyes tightly. Trying to get his breathing under control.
"Dude, are you having an attack right now?" Gage swallowed the growing lump in his throat. "Fuck. Yeah. It stupid I mean it's just a break up, they happen everyday..."He trailed off when his felt his voice on the brink of cracking. Clint spoke. "Gage. Listen to me. Just breath. Just in and out and hold it." Gage did as he was told, breathing in and out deeply then holding his breath for a few seconds, letting it out, feeling calmer but not calm enough to face her. "Feel better bro?" Gage sighed. "Yeah. Do not tell Tony or Kim this. Or Coulson for that matter." "Pinky promise dude. Any chance Kim or Tony are up?" Gage asked Jarvis. Jarvis spoke. "Both sir and are asleep. Shall I wake them?" Gage spoke. "No jay. But thanks. Sorry Clint. There sleeping." "Oh well. I'l call tomorrow. Not like I'm going anywhere. You gonna be ok?" Gage wiped the tears from his face from his attack. "I'l be fine. Talk to you later. Stay safe." He hung up, going to the sink to wash his face with cold water.
Once he felt ready enough to face her he took in a deep breath then opened the door, continuing down the hall and down the stairs to the kitchen. He saw the light on in the kitchen but didn't see her then he walked into the living room, seeing her curled on the couch, cup of chocolate milk with spongebob on TV on low. He walked in, leaning against the wall. She looked over, not realizing there were tear tracks still on her face. Gage swallowed down his longing to hold her and make her happy again. "Hey." "Hey. Mind if I join you?" She paused before moving over, giving him space.
He moved slowly, sitting next to her, leaving a small gap between them. There was an awkward silence that slowly grew into a comfortable silence while they watched sponge bob annoy squid ward for the hundredth time. Gage nearly jumped when Quinn spoke. "I'm sorry. I know I've hurt you so much. I know I shouldn't go running back, I should think this through, like an adult but I don't know how much longer I can be away from you. " Gage swallowed down his nerves. "We can talk. Adults do that to I've heard. They talk out there problems." Quinn have him a look before wiping away a few stray tears. "I suppose I could try. How much worse could this get?" Gage sighed. "Ok then. Why do you think it's the best choice to take a break instead of trying to fix it?" Quinn have him a look. "Because I fucked up. You don't trust me anymore, I need to earn that back." "I don't think it's that. That might be a part of it but it's not the real reason. " Quinn looked away. "What is the real reason then Mr.know it all?" Gage took in a breath. "You wanted to punish yourself. By making yourself hurt as you've hurt me with the distrust. " He saw her stiffen before looking over, looking terrified and furious. He knew he hit the nail on the head.
She spoke. "That's...not wrong. But it's not right either. " She paused, wanting to continue. Gage was silent, letting her speak. "I'm terrified. Of HYDRA. How who were once friends, family suddenly stabbed them in the back? How can someone do that?" Gage frowned. "Wait..do you think any of us are HYDRA?" Quinn stayed quiet because she knew it was stupid. Tears formed in her eyes. Gage continued, frowning. "Quinn I don't know what it'll take to prove to you I'm not HYDRA but I'm not HYDRA. And neither is Clint . I promise." Quinn was expecting an amused smile or even a laugh at her confession. All she saw was dead seriousness. She looked away, feeling stupid for feeling this way. She felt a strong hand on her cheek and chin, turning her head gently to meet his hazel eyes. Gage pleaded. "Please, Quinn. Let's fix us. Together. " She gave it a few seconds thought before she nodded, a few tears falling down her face. He smiled, leaning in, kissing her softy, deeply.
She made a little pleasured sound. Opening her mouth to him without any second thought. Her hands came around, gripping his hair, wanting him as close as humanly possible. He groaned, holding just as close, arms right around her waist. She couldn't stop herself if she tried. She straddled him, moving to suckle at his neck, kissing and biting. Wanting to mark him as hers.
Gage moaned, holding her close. A hand traveling down to her ass, gripping one smooth globe in hand. It was softer then normal from her pajama pants but he felt her rectifying that situation. She moved enough to get her pants and underwear off then moved to his. He bit his lip, groaning as her hands grazed over his cloth cover erection. He moved her hands gently so he could help her. Once they moved his pants away to bring out his achingly hard cock Quinn didn't waste time. She positioned herself then lowering herself fairly quickly. They both gasped as if the air was punched from them. She wrapped herself around him as he held her, thrusting up inside her. Never wanting to forget this feeling of her all around him.
She moaned into his ear, panting, moving her hips with him. She panted."Gage...ahh I'm sorry...so sorry...ahh more...please..." Held her tightly, kissing her head. "Shh...I love you so much..." She moved, her forehead touching his as he went harder, faster, deeper. She gasped out. "Ahhh God...I'm close...I love you to..." He felt his eyes water with emotion. He went harder. "Don't leave me again..."
He felt her walls tighten around him with the force of her orgasm. "Ahhh Gage...I..." Then he felt her go limp, falling into his shoulder.
He pulled out, holding her close, laying her down on the couch. "Jarvis?...is she ok?" She looked asleep. He remembered this happened one other time with her. He knew something was wrong. Jarvis spoke. "Her body seems to be returning to normal. There was a surge in her blood pressure briefly before she fainted. Right now it is returning to normal range." He held her close. Still incredibly worried. He kissed her head, waiting for her to wake up.
It seemed like hours before she woke up but was actually two minutes. She moved slightly, opening her eyes. She saw Gage looking terrified. He perked up, moving some hair from her face. She frowned. "Gage? What happened?" He swallowed down the lump of anxiety that was building since she passed out. "You passed out again. Jarvis said there was a surge in blood pressure before you passed out." She frowned, closing her eyes. "I don't want to deal with this right now. Can...can I just stay here with you and watch cartoons?" He gave a weak smile. "Of corse princess." He fixed his pants, handing her own pants over to put on.
Once they were both cleaned up he held her close, putting on more cartoons. She fell asleep in his arms and he couldn't bring himself to move. He was just so happy to have her back in his arms where she belongs.
An: reviews are welcome!