CHAPTER 7
Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters except my own. The characters belong to MARVEL.
CHAPTER 7 Hawk
Luckily, the doctor was still around. She took one look at Natasha and her companion and was running over to help them. "Hello, so glad to see, you made it," she told Natasha. Without waiting for an answer, which Natasha knew not to give, because clearly the doctor had all her hands full with some patients and organisation in general.
"Did a lot of people get injured?"
"Yes and no. Those that got injured are mostly taken care of somehow. I can't tell you how," the doctor gave a flickering smile, "it's all flowing into one another. It's a lot of work." Her hands fluttered over the teen in search for any injuries.
"But you are okay?" Natasha dreaded the answer, but she had to know. I can't leave the kid here without being sure, he's going to get help.
"My nurses vanished. So I don't know, how long it'll take to get it all back in order, but we are on a good way. We've got a lot of volunteers." The doctor finally looked up from her inspection. "What happened?"
"Some thugs decided it was a good time to get chummy," the teen grumbled. He was obviously displeased with the fact that the doctor was addressing Natasha rather than him.
Natasha's lips twitched into an amused smirk. He didn't lose his spark that's for sure. Even in the face of imminent danger to his life. It helped with her next decision as well. "I trust, you will take perfect care of him. I need to go."
The doctor looked up, furrowed her brows. "Aren't you injured as well?"
"Oh no. She just shot them. She's fine."
They both stared at the teen in mute astonishment. A flush crept over his face as he realised that nobody probably ever spoke to Black Widow like that. Before he could stutter an apology, Natasha reached out and tousled his hair. An urge, she hadn't felt in a long time. "Be good and take care."
Without waiting for another reply, Black Widow spun on her heel and headed out. No more distractions for now. I have to find Clint. We might need him.
And just like that, Natasha found herself back on the roofs above New York. With new-found purpose she headed out. The feed of cameras was always a good start to look for someone.
I can't believe it. Not a single trace of him. Natasha had dropped down upon a police station. Hacking a computer was an easy enough task for her. Even sleep deprived. Nothing. No trace of Clint anywhere.
Then, she had sought out every single one of his hideouts. The nests scattered around New York. Stark Tower, former SHIELD headquarter, across the street from his favourite sandwich place… No trace of him.
The energy was back.
I dare Thanos to have killed my best friend. He wouldn't know what hit him. Mortal or not, I have a couple friends powerful enough to fight Thanos eye to eye.
Natasha straightened her back with a dark glare. Below her, under the ledge with Clint's last nest nestled into the corner of some nondescript house, life went on. No one noticed a missing watch post above their heads.
Like ants. Ants have no quarrel with the boot.
Loki's words, from eons ago it seemed, bounced around in her head. Natasha pressed her lips into a thin line. No, this is not how it goes. I'm going to find Clint. If Tony escaped the Snap by being stubborn, then Clint escaped by sheer dumb luck.
With a bit of climbing, Natasha returned down to street level. No one even looked at her twice. Whoever remained was busily trying to maintain and restructure their lives. Shops needed new shop assistants, entire empires of wealthy companies lost their entire management. A lone figure descending from a building, especially if it was a redhead, was of no consequence. Humans can be shallow.
Natasha looked left and right. Maybe she had somehow overlooked something. But nothing struck her as out of the ordinary new chaos. Thus, she melted into the stream of pedestrians. Maybe, Clint is still out on the farm. His house arrest only ended recently. Not too long before the Snap. Maybe he got caught up there.
A thin shimmer of hope. Not even a shimmer, if Natasha was honest with herself. Logical thinking and her training told her, the best option was to enter the city. Melt into the crowd and find out, what exactly happened. The fact that Clint was obviously not doing exactly this was disconcerting in its own right.
On the other hand, Clint knew the location of the Avengers Compound. So he might just have driven out there to check in on his friends. He had to assume not all of them had made it, if he noticed the snap at all.
Natasha stopped dead in her tracks. Someone behind her grumbled, as they had to walk around her.
Out of instinct, Natasha melted into the corner of an entrance. Her eyes were wide, face otherwise blank. No one stopped. People in shock were not an uncommon sight. New York had its own issues to deal with to take strangers on the street into account. Clint was out on his farm with his family. There is no one else around for miles. Just the five of them with the dog. Her breathing sped up. For Clint to even notice the Snap… For him to notice, if he survived it himself – why didn't I think of it sooner? For him to know means one of his kids or Laura disappeared.
Natasha forced her back into the stonewall in her back. She needed an anchor. She couldn't freeze up. Panic was not an option. Not now. If Clint knows about the Snap, it's because someone he loves disappeared right in front of his eyes.
Before she realised what she was doing, Natasha sprinted through the streets. Her fingers were numb. Still, they found the earpiece.
"Natasha?" Steve's voice seemed to bounce around in her head. Worried. He sounded worried. And tired. I told him to take a nap.
"Natasha? Is everything alright?"
"If Clint knows about the Snap, someone in his family disappeared." Natasha heard a foreign emotion in her own voice. It took her a moment to realise it was fear. Genuine fear. Now not because her best friend might have disappeared but because what it would do to Clint to see his family turn to dust. "Steve, Clint isn't in the city. If he's alive and knows…"
"Oh shit," Steve's voice was quiet. A rustle as if he pulled his hair. "Do you want me to come out and help?"
"Where's your motorbike?"
"In the garage – I'll be at Stark Tower in fifteen minutes. Wait there."
The connection cut off and Natasha knew Steve was running through the compound, grabbing what he might need. He'd be with her in fifteen minutes. Just fifteen minutes. She had to get back to Stark Tower. Calm down.There was nothing she could do right now. Just hope for the best and fear the worst. Regimes fall every day. I don't weep over that.
Natasha slowed to a jog. Just across the street loomed Stark Tower. Even, if Tony had sold the massive building to another tech company, to most New Yorkers it was still Stark Tower. To Natasha it was also her first home. Before everything fell apart.
You had a part in that. You're no victim. Concentrate. There are more important things right now than to mourn for what is lost. The voice in her head was not entirely her own. It was also the voice of one of her instructors. Stern and stiff in her beliefs she had made sure, every Black Widow knew her place and the rules. Natasha searched the street for any signs of an immediate threat. But I'm the only one to take up the mantle and make it into a legend to be feared. Told as a warning.
Traffic was far less, people even fewer. No one ventured outside much or if, then it was with a haunted expression in search for their loved ones. Natasha thought of the teen she had saved that morning. For a moment she wondered, if he was doing okay and if he had found back to his family yet. And then for just a second, her thoughts lingered on the men who had attacked him. I wonder if I could find them again and make them disappear. They would have earned it. And what I said was correct. No one would miss them in this mayhem.
The sound of an engine pulled her from her thoughts. Natasha had crossed the street relying solely on her instincts and waited right in front of Stark Tower. The black Harley-Davidson "Liberator" pulled to a stop in front of her. "I'm here," Steve announced unnecessarily. He took one look at his friend's face and dismounted his bike.
Natasha swung her leg over the machine. The energy diminished slightly at the prospect of driving the motorbike herself. She didn't say anything as Steve got on behind her.
As soon as she felt his hands around her hips, she kicked off the sidewalk. With a little sound, Steve reflexively tightened his hold on her. With the reckless speed as if an army of Chitauri was after them, Natasha drove through the city back towards Avenger's compound.
"The flight is five and a half hours at least." Steve had to walk fast to keep up with Natasha's brisk pace. "You can't fly there alone. Not after what little sleep you had."
"As if you had any more," Natasha shot back. Her temper was rising to any bait right now. It was either explode with worry or in anger at some minor slight. Highly unprofessional, but even super assassins had bad days. Really bad days. Usually anyone at SHIELD would jump out of her way when she walked around with an expression like a thundercloud. But of course Steve just had to pester her with his caring and stubborn refusal to let others dive nose-first into danger like he did himself.
"I know, what I'm doing," Natasha said with forced calm. "Clint might need my help. I need to get to him as quickly as possible. Besides, I can't exactly help with the search for Tony anyway."
"Which is going moderately well," Bruce informed them a little out of breath. He had to jog to keep up with the two super people. "I set some satellites to a likely frequency Tony might use to communicate from space. If he sends a message, we'll be the first to know. And I also managed to adjust other satellites to scan for any off-earthly energy signatures."
"With my help," Rocket shouted across the floor. He leaned against the doorframe and watched the men rush after Natasha. She didn't pay too much attention to Rocket. So the racoon is a skilled mechanic or something. Good to know. Not the weirdest thing I heard over the last years.
"Natasha please," Steve pleaded. "Let me come with you. Clint is my friend as well and I don't feel good letting you go alone."
He wanted to say something else, but the knife at his throat stopped him in his tracks. Natasha leaned in, glaring. "I can handle myself, thank you."
"I never doubted that."
Out of the corner of her eye, she noted Bruce looking worried and backing away slightly. Rocket seemed only vaguely interested, his arms crossed over his chest. His brows furrowed, as if he remembered something else. Or maybe someone. Who is to say he never saw someone like me.
"Don't patronize me, Steve," Black Widow snarled. A strand of hair fell into her eyes. Blond. Almost white. Natasha whirled around. With a resonating thud the knife embedded itself in the doorframe. And just like that, the energy evaporated.
For a moment no one said a word.
Natasha clenched her jaw, staring at the knife. "Do what you want. I have to leave."
"Whatever she wants to do, I'd love to tag along. Sounds like real fun," Rocket said. His voice dripped with sarcasm. "Maybe, if you're lucky, she can fillet you and you don't have to live with this damn mess anymore."
No one replied. Bruce looked as awkward as ever. Maybe even more, than at their first meeting after he had disappeared from Earth for two years. Not that Natasha was particularly hurt by it. On the contrary, part of her had been relieved. Their relationship had been a farce. They were better off as friends and allies.
Natasha was the first to move. The spot between her shoulders prickled. Steve stared at her with his puppy concern written all over his face. With long strides, she went to the door. Her knife was deeply embedded into one of the few wooden doorframes throughout the compound. Tony would be less than pleased with this. But he isn't here at the moment. And he would understand my frustration given the situation. I need to find Clint.
"I'll be back tomorrow at the latest," she said to no one in particular. Steve's quiet footfalls followed her out of the room and into the hangar.
The engines purred to life beneath Natasha's fingers. It was calming somehow that at least the Quinjet was a steady amidst the chaos. Steve fell into the seat next to her and strapped himself in. Fortunately he didn't say a word. If anyone can survive and function on days of sleepless nights, it's us. At least I have Steve's competence around. It might not particularly help with finding Clint but I could focus on calming him on the flight back while Steve takes the helm.
Two shadows moved behind the massive glass front. A car pulled into the driveway just as the Quinjet became airborne. Rhodey returned for the night. Maybe with an update from the meetings in New York, or just to check in on our progress with finding Tony. We're more organised than we should be. We lost our friends or don't know where they are yet. We should be sick with worry, but no, we handle public appearances and make ourselves known to the public. I'm sure, Steve will have to make an official statement during the next days. Governments around the world might turn to either us or Wakanda for help. Somehow amidst this chaos we are still the most level-headed. And that has nothing to do with how the Snap affects us.
The flight passed in companionable silence. At one point, Natasha noted Steve had closed his eyes. Although she doubted, the super soldier was sleeping very deeply. But any rest was better than no rest. I can feel my body starting to protest. I need to rest soon… Natasha shook her head. No, Clint first. I can't rest until I know what happened to Clint. I owe him that much.
Familiar landmarks caught her eye. They were close to the farm. Faster than she had anticipated or at least it felt like it.
"Steve."
His eyes shot open. Of course he hadn't actually slept. At least not in the last couple minutes. Instead, Steve had allowed her what little privacy he could in the cockpit of the Quinjet. Natasha was thankful for it.
Steve didn't say a word as they touched down in the field across from Clint's farm. "A little reminiscent of the last time we were here." Steve's eyes wandered around. There was no one in sight.
"Only for you." Natasha scanned their surroundings. It was awfully quiet. Even for the remote location of the farm. Less birds. Dark trees around the field. The grass moved with the soft breeze. But nothing else seemed to live here anymore. Restless energy filled her.
This is not good. Something is off. Very off. Natasha squared her shoulders, still observing her surroundings. Steve picked up on her change in demeanour. He looked around again, most likely still noticing nothing out of the ordinary. He's not trained in the work of a spy. He's too recognizable for it.
They didn't say anything else. Walking towards the barn and backyard, they both scanned for any sign of Clint and his family. They came up empty. The barn was dark and silent, the backyard empty.
The door to the house stood open. Natasha's heart skipped a beat. No.
Without a word, she started towards the house. Steve stayed behind, continuing to comb through the backyard.
Natasha strode into the house with purpose and the air of someone who had every right to be there. A look around the kitchen was enough to confirm her fears. Plates ready to be filled with food. No way someone was here the last couple days. Clint would never be negligent on his food. She took a step closer in search for maybe another hint. Food. There's food starting to go bad on the counter.
"Natasha!"
She whirled around on her heel, following Steve's call outside towards the newly built picnic area. More cutlery and food littered the table.
"What is it?" Natasha came to a halt close to the blond. Without a word, Steve held something up for her to examine. Clint's shackle. Broken.
"I found a bow and arrow fit for a child close to the tree over there. And some other toys near the table." Steve furrowed his brows. He looked both worried and sorry. For her? For Clint? Doesn't matter. We've got our answer.
Natasha took the shackle from him. "They all disappeared." Her eyes travelled over the meadows and farm once more. "There is nothing here for us." She touched her hand to her comm. "Bruce, come in."
"Natasha," came the response.
"Scan for Clint."
"I'm sorry."
The connection clicked off.
At least he doesn't ask unnecessary questions. Clint saw his family disintegrate. All of them…Natasha felt tears pricking at her eyes. She shook her head. No, there's no time for that now. We need to get back. Back to the compound. Keep track of everything. Find Tony and… and Clint. I need to find Clint. His family disintegrated. While I wasn't there. We need them to get everything back in order. Defeat Thanos. We have to…
"Woah!" Steve grabbed onto her shoulders as her legs gave out. "Natasha. Can you hear me?"
"We need to find Clint," she said. "We need to find him."
Steve lifted her bridal style. "We will. You told Bruce to look for him. We'll find him. But now you need to rest. I'll get us home, don't worry."
Natasha didn't respond. A single blond strand clung to her cheek and fell over her eyes. I need to find Clint. I got red in my ledger. Whatever it takes to defeat Thanos. I will find Clint. I'm so sorry.