Chapter 10
After Natasha left, Clint slid into the chair she'd been occupying, keeping a hand on Mikayla, making sure he never broke contact with her. "I hope you're getting some good sleep, babe. I asked about getting you some of Bruce's concoction, but he said he didn't know how it would affect you. You're strong, Mikayla, so strong. You can beat this." Clint leaned into Mikayla and softly talked to her until he lost his voice. "Friday?" He whispered. "Turn on the TV to something she'll like."
"Of course, Agent Barton." Clint nodded his thanks, then saw Expedition Unknown on the screen. He settled back into the chair and watched his wife as she slept.
Mikayla was back in her cell, chained to the wall again, except this time, something was different. "How did they get me again? Have I never left? Was everything involving the team all in my mind?" She looked up and saw the security camera in the corner. Mikayla had been kept here long enough. She knew where the cameras were and knew there was nowhere she could hide that her captors couldn't find her. At this point, she knew her only hope was being rescued by Clint and the team, which kept her going.
She heard the door being unlocked. Looking up, Mikayla saw a few of her captors approach. They yanked her to a standing position, holding her up as her legs were beginning to atrophy from lack of use. One of the men unlocked the chain from her foot. "Specimen," he said, "time for a new treatment." The men dragged her back to the room with the chair. Mikayla put up a weak struggle, but she still found herself being strapped down, this time to a cold, steel table instead of a torture chair. What the hell were they going to do to her now?
"We know your hands have been bothering you, specimen, causing you to be unable to be used to your full potential. Thankfully, our expert has developed technology to handle that problem." Before she knew it, a guard had been placed in her mouth, and her head was strapped to the table. "This will hurt, but there is purpose in pain. You will learn to use it to your advantage, to motivate you." Mikayla's eyes opened wide as she heard what sounded like a circulating saw. "Don't worry. We know what we are doing. We have based the design of your new hands on the Winter Soldier's arm." The man held up a metal hand inscribed with HYDRA's symbol on its back, broadcasting to all who would see it who she belonged. Mikayla began screaming as she felt the saw blade cut into her right hand.
Clint jumped as Mikayla began shrieking and waving her hands back and forth. He grabbed her forearms, trying to hold them down so she wouldn't further damage her hands. "Mikayla! It's not real! Mikayla!"
Amid her screaming, Mikayla would switch to mumbling and back to shrieking. Clint leaned in, trying to see if he could make out what she was saying. He cringed and almost cried when he finally understood what she was saying. "Specimen, specimen, specimen." She continued repeating the term, then would switch to screaming uncontrollable gibberish.
"Friday!"
"Doctors are on their way, Agent Barton."
"What's going on, Clint?" Bruce asked, disheveled and putting on his glasses.
"I'm guessing another nightmare. She started screaming and swinging her arms. Tasha said Mikayla told her she hated trying to sleep and felt her brain was playing tricks on her." Clint took a breath to steady himself before continuing. "She keeps mumbling the word specimen. My guess is she's reliving her time with them."
As Clint talked, Doctor Cho injected something into Mikayla's IV. Mikayla stopped flailing and settled down almost immediately. "It's a sedative to help her sleep deeper. I've consulted with Shuri, and in Shuri's words, it should take her into sleep past her dreams."
"She needs help to sleep, that's for sure," Clint said. "I know she hasn't really slept since she's been back, and I doubt she got any regular sleep when they had her."
Bruce looked over at the other doctor. "I hate to ask, but we need to consider it. Could they have done something to her mind or implanted something in her brain or mind? She said she was worried they'd implanted words like they did with Bucky." Bruce ran a hand through his hair in frustration.
Doctor Cho sighed. "Anything is possible. I'll reach out to Shuri again. She's off doing something with her brother, so she's not at the tower now. I think this is an issue Shuri would do best to witness for herself rather than listening to me describe it as she watches the feed from Friday." Doctor Cho left to update the Wakandan.
"I hate seeing her like this," Clint said softly. "I swear she's spent most of the time since I've known her cooped up in hospitals or recovering from time spent there."
"I'm sure she wouldn't trade any of it," Bruce tried to comfort Clint, who hung his head down to keep his emotions under control. Bruce didn't know how else to help the couple, so the scientist returned to do what he did best, researching data in the lab.
Clint heard someone softly knocking at the door. He looked up and saw Pepper standing there, waiting for approval to enter. "Hey, Pepper, come on in."
Pepper entered and sat down opposite Clint. "Bruce told Tony what happened, wanting to pick his brain."
Clint chuckled. "How'd that go?"
"Better than expected, though we may have to increase the size of the doorways so Tony's ego will fit." Pepper smiled. "Tony did come up with an idea to run by you."
"At this point, I'll consider anything."
"Wanda." Before Clint could respond, Pepper put up her hand. "I know she probably doesn't want anyone else playing around in her mind, but remember, Wanda's been in her head before and helped her out." Clint nodded. "Of course, Wanda wouldn't do anything without Mikayla's permission."
Clint thought about the suggestion. He knew how much he hated unwanted people rooting around in his brain and knew Mikayla felt the same way. On the other hand, Pepper was right. Wanda had already helped Mikayla a couple of times, so maybe she'd be willing to have Wanda help her again. "I'll ask her when she wakes up."
"Good. Oh, and the topic you contacted me about? Check your phone for details." Pepper stood, leaned over Mikayla, kissed the top of her head, walked around the bed, and kissed Clint. "We're all with her. She's got this."
"Thanks for everything, Pepper." Clint watched the Stark CEO leave the room, then focused on Mikayla. "So, babe, how do you feel about Wanda helping us? I didn't commit to anything. I'm leaving the choice up to you. Even if you don't want her messing around in your brain, I'm sure she's missing you and would love to see you." Clint remembered what Pepper had said, so he pulled out his phone and reviewed the information Pepper had sent him.
During the next twenty-four hours, the team filtered in and out, making sure Clint got spelled to shower, sleep, and grab something to eat. Clint had also placed some calls following up on various plans. Clint heard a noise and looked up to see Wanda and Rhodey. "Is it a good time?" Wanda asked softly.
Clint nodded as he motioned them into the room. "She's sleeping, has been since yesterday. Docs say it's like a coma, but not. Whatever they've given her is allowing her brain to heal." Clint wasn't sure how much the soldier knew, so Clint caught Rhodey up on events.
"Tony told me Mikayla turned down his offer of bionic hands," Rhodey said.
"Yeah, the surgeon said her hands weren't as injured as she thought, so they'll operate on both. Doc told me surgery's scheduled for next week." Clint looked down and saw Mikayla's eyelids fluttering open. "Hey, beautiful."
"Hey." Mikayla's voice was raspy from inactivity.
"Sleep well?" Clint asked.
Mikayla stretched and nodded. "Better than I have in months. No vision or nightmares." She looked around the room and smiled when she saw the new visitors. "Wanda, Rhodey. I'm so happy to see you."
Wanda stepped up next to Mikayla's bedside. "I'm so glad you're back. I've missed you."
"I've missed you all, too. Yes, Rhodey, even you."
Rhodey grinned. "Nice to see your sense of humor is still intact."
"She's all kind of stubborn that way," Clint said. "And one of the many reasons I love her." Clint ran his fingers through Mikayla's hair. "Want something to eat?"
"Just ice chips, thanks."
"I'll be right back." Clint kissed her forehead, then stepped out, motioning Rhodey to follow.
After the two men left, Mikayla thought about something for a few minutes, then spoke. "I – I don't know if you heard or not. While HYDRA held me, they tried to wipe my brain," Mikayla inhaled to center herself, then continued, "but they failed. I've struggled with a few names, but I remember most things." Mikayla looked away from Wanda and stared at the wall. "I have these nightmares that seem so real. Every time I go to sleep, I'm back in the chair, getting another so-called treatment." Tears filled her eyes. "I'm so tired, Wanda. I can't keep this up, relying on drugs to keep me asleep." Wanda gave Mikayla time to compose herself. After a few more deep breaths, Mikayla spoke again. "I think they implanted words in my brain. Trigger words that'll make me turn into their 'specimen.'" Mikayla shivered, thinking about someone else being in control of her. Wanda continued to watch her, carding her fingers through Mikayla's hair as she'd seen Clint do on numerous occasions. "Wanda, would you? Could you use your powers to take anything out of my brain? I know you can move memories. Would you be willing to do that again, too?"
Wanda nodded. "I had suggested that when you were in Wakanda, but they were able to help you instead. For that, I am grateful. I've been learning a lot about my abilities, and I would be happy to help. I enjoy finding positive ways to use my powers, rather than just throwing objects around, though I find that entertaining."
Mikayla smiled. "Thank you, Wanda."
"Of course, my friend." Wanda leaned in and gently hugged Mikayla.
When Clint returned with a cup of ice water, he saw the two women chatting. "Brought you back some water and ice." He sat down next to Mikayla. "Did I interrupt girl bonding time?" He held the cup, allowing Mikayla to sip some water.
Mikayla nodded her thanks for the liquid. "Not just bonding time. Clint? I asked Wanda for her help."
"Are you sure?"
"I am. She's helped me before, so I trust her."
Clint nodded. "Okay. When did you want to do this?"
Mikayla shrugged. "Now's fine with me."
"As much as it pains me to say this, let's get Doc's opinion first. Hey, Friday? Can you let Doctor Banner and Doctor Cho know we'd like to talk to them?
"Of course, Agent Barton."
A few minutes later, the two doctors appeared in Mikayla's room. "Everything okay, Clint?"
"It's fine, man. I'll let her tell you." Clint motioned toward Mikayla.
"First, thanks for the new concoction. That's the best night's sleep I've had in several months." Bruce and Dr. Cho smiled hearing that news. Mikayla bit her lip. "I – I asked Wanda to help me with my issues. I want my brain fixed, Bruce. She's done it before, so I know she can do it again."
The doctors, who had spoken about this already, looked at each other. Bruce answered for the pair. "Wanda can probably help you better than anyone except maybe the Wakandans. Shuri's on her way back with a couple of machines. We contacted her, and she'll give you a checkup afterward. Having helped with Bucky, she'll know what to look for if you're okay with that." Mikayla nodded in agreement. While talking, Dr. Cho took her vitals and quickly examined her. "Anything to add, Doctor Cho?"
"No., Mikayla, your vitals are fine, and the drugs have all been flushed out of your system. You might still have some aftereffects from them, especially the Midazolam, but they'd be there no matter what. I would suggest, however, that everyone except Wanda step outside. I won't take no for an answer, Clint." He nodded, even though he wasn't happy with leaving his wife. Clint leaned over, kissed her, whispered something in her ear, and then stepped into the waiting room as the doctors returned to the lab.
Clint was met by Natasha as soon as he exited Mikayla's room. "She decided to go through with it, then."
"Nothing gets by you, does it, Romanoff?"
Natasha smirked. "That's why I'm the better spy, Barton." Clint would never argue with Nat about that. He'd learned most of his spy skills from her and Phil, picking up additional ones throughout his career. One of the things he'd come to love about his job was the never-ending learning. When Clint first signed up with SHIELD, he felt overwhelmed, like he'd never been good enough. What the hell were these people thinking, hiring an ex-carnie who didn't finish high school to be a master spy and assassin? Before he knew it, though, he realized he knew more than he thought, especially when it came to math. Thanks to Coulson, Fury, and Hill, who let him develop his skills with, most of the time, less than firm hands, he was somewhat of a math whiz, especially regarding archery. He could do complex equations in his brain regarding wind trajectories and targets. From there, his knowledge of other subjects grew – geography, social studies, and history, to name a few. "Zoning out on me, Clint?"
Clint shook his head. "Nope, just realizing how far I've come since the early days."
"Can't imagine what would've happened had you met her back then."
"I'm glad I didn't." Clint thought about how immature he was back then. Mikayla would've rightfully dumped him immediately if she'd even agreed to go out with him.
"Hey," Natasha shook him, "Wanda's starting."
Clint and Natasha turned to watch through the window. As they had been waiting, the rest of the team showed up. Steve stood on the other side of Clint, putting his hand on Clint's shoulder. "She's got this." Clint nodded his head. The group had settled in behind the trio to show their support.
"Okay, Mikayla," Wanda spoke softly but firmly. "Close your eyes and concentrate on my voice. Think about something happy, something pleasant. I'll do my best not to cause you pain, but there may be some."
"It's okay, Wanda. I trust you." Mikayla closed her eyes and thought about her time with Clint and the team. As she dwelt on those happy times, she felt what she could only describe as movement inside her brain. She would've seen red flares and sparks shooting from Wanda's fingers if her eyes had been opened. Suddenly, she couldn't hear anything but a loud buzzing. It sounded like the crackling wood of a campfire or a fireplace. Mikayla squeezed her eyes to try and shut them further, then tried to focus on anything but the buzzing and the fear that her head was on fire. She tried to figure out where the whining was coming from, finally realizing it was her. As she got to the point where she swore her head would explode, everything inside her brain immediately got quiet.
"Mikayla?" Wanda was gently shaking her. "You can open your eyes now," Wanda observed Mikayla as she slowly opened her eyes and blinked several times. "I'm sorry I hurt you. Are you okay?"
"Yeah, yeah. I think so. Did you, uh, get everything?"
Wanda nodded. "I'd like to talk to you about what I saw. Do you mind if I have the doctors and Clint come back?"
"Please."
Wanda pushed the call button, then turned around as Clint entered the room. He stood next to Wanda, leaning down to kiss Mikayla's forehead. "Welcome back."
Mikayla swallowed, then answered. "Thanks. Wanda? You said you wanted to talk?"