Chapter 17
Tony and Clint walked into the conference room. Clint headed to the chair next to Natasha while Tony went to the head of the table. "Friday, what can you tell us?"
"Boss, I was able to follow Rumlow after he left the zoo. He was last seen getting in a black SUV, drove to the Garment District, and then across to New Jersey. The car disappeared around the Naval Weapons Station Earle complex."
"Cap?" Tony asked. "You know anything about it?"
"Not much. I was overseas while it was being built. All I know is back then, it was called the Naval Ammunition Depot Earle."
"Boss, here's what I've found on the location." Friday projected the data onto the wall.
After scanning the document, Tony spoke. "So, Tweedle Dum has disappeared around a complex that houses ammunition and is on the water. Why do I think he has bigger plans than just coming after our birdies? Friday, can we access cameras?"
"I'm afraid not, boss, but might I suggest Redwing? He was able to see and follow Rumlow without being caught."
Tony looked at Sam. "On it." Sam pulled up Redwing's guidance system on his phone and sent over the coordinates. "Now, we wait."
Over in the medical wing, Mikayla had finished her dinner and was waiting for someone to take the tray and dishes away. "Hey, here's the remote. Let's test the fine motor skills." She picked up the remote and turned on the television. Grimacing, she began punching buttons to change the channel and adjust the sound. Finally, she settled on some shows about the sights to see in each state. "Sore, but manageable." Mikayla laid the remote beside her on the mattress, picked up the smoothie, and drank the rest. When the glass was empty, Mikayla set it back on the tray, then turned her attention to the TV show. "I never realized how beautiful our country is and how much of it I haven't seen. Wonder if I can convince Clint to take a road trip. Hey, maybe when we finally get to go on the mission involving the cruise ship, we can get there by taking a road trip. Friday? Can you please plan a road trip from here to Galveston and send it to my laptop and phone?"
"My pleasure, Agent M. Feel free to let me know any sights you'd like to see along the way, and I'll include them."
"I don't deserve you, Friday."
"Mikayla, I dare say if anyone deserves me, it's you."
"Friday?" Clint said as he entered Mikayla's room. "Not trying to steal my girl, are you?"
"Never, Agent Barton."
"Good, because I'd hate to fight you for her." Clint leaned in and kissed his wife. "Hey, you ate all your food. What does Friday have you watching?"
"If you must know, I'm choosing to watch Aerial America, see?" Mikayla motioned toward the remote, which she picked up and pushed the buttons to mute the TV and change the volume. "Fine motor skills seem to be working." Mikayla turned to Clint. "I am on my way back, aren't I?"
Clint smiled. This was the first time he could remember that she truly showed hope since she'd been rescued. "You are. I'm so damn proud of you, babe. I always knew you had it in you and was waiting for you to realize it, too. Now, what were you and Friday conspiring about?" Mikayla told him about her idea for the road trip to Texas. When she finished, Clint looked at her. "Damn, babe, I'd forgotten about those idiots. Guess I should check in with them. I'll come up with some backstory in case we have to postpone again, though the dumbasses didn't seem to have any specific time frame." Clint patted her hand. "Look at you, planning like a regular SHIELD agent. I love the idea of a road trip. I never got to see the sights while in the circus. Too busy putting up and tearing down things. Well, that, and stealing, but mainly putting up and tearing down tents and booths."
Mikayla looked at him questioningly. "How do you do it?"
"Do what?"
"Sound so glib about that part of your life."
Clint leaned back in his chair and thought about it. He knew all his life experiences helped shape him into who he was. Did he still have problems dealing with issues from his past? Hell, yes, he did. All he had to do was look at some of the arguments the two of them had had. They were usually caused by him reverting to how he acted before he met Mikayla or due to stubbornness on both their parts. "I guess I figure it happened, and there's nothing I can do to change it. Believe me. I fought it for years. Still do, sometimes, but then I realize that, just like what's happened to you, the events helped shape me into who I am."
"How did I get so lucky to marry such a wise person?"
'If only she could see inside, see what I'm going through, see how many times I've had to save her from my past, she wouldn't think I was wise,' Clint thought to himself. As he started to reply with a smartass quip, Doctor Cho came in to grab Mikayla's tray. "How are you feeling? Did the outing help?"
"It did, thanks." Mikayla lifted her fingers, flexing them, then yawned. "Maybe it took more out of me than I thought, but feeling human for a change was worth it."
Doctor Cho reached into her pocket and pulled out a syringe. "It sounds like it was good therapy." The doctor injected medicine into Mikayla's IV. "Your nighttime dose of medicine. I'll be back with your pills." Doctor Cho smiled and patted her forearm, picking up the tray and leaving Clint and Mikayla to themselves.
Clint's phone buzzed. He pulled it out of his pocket and glanced down. "Everything okay, Clint?" Mikayla asked.
He slid the phone back into his jeans and replied, "Yep, just an update on a mission."
"Damn," Mikayla said, "Fury's taking you away from me again, isn't he? I know that's your job, but I feel like I just got back."
"Not going very far. It's local." Clint stood as Mikayla yawned again. "Besides, you're on your way to falling asleep." He leaned in and kissed her. "I'll be back before you know it." Clint lowered his voice to a whisper. "If you fall, I will catch you."
Mikayla reached up and stroked his cheek. "I will be waiting." Clint gingerly clasped her hand, kissed it, then left the room as Doctor Cho returned to give Mikayla the rest of her meds. Before Clint had left the medical wing, Mikayla had succumbed to the medicine and fell asleep.
On his way down the elevator, Clint thought about the conversation he and Mikayla had just had. He was thankful she hadn't noticed how distracted he was, busy thinking about Rumlow and how he would take out the bastard. He didn't know what plan Steve would come up with, but Clint knew he would be the one to rid the world of the asshole. Clint would let the rest of the team handle any stragglers, but Rumlow was his. If Clint had his way, the traitor's death would be slow, torturous, and painful. He wasn't involved in Mikayla's kidnapping, but Clint didn't give a damn. Rumlow was employed by HYDRA, making him a traitor to his country, a representative of the group who had bought Mikayla from Duquesne and Chisholm. When he got to the conference room, he sat between Natasha and Sam. "Miss anything?" He murmured to Natasha.
"Nope," she whispered, "waiting on Sam and Steve. They're going through the footage Redwing brought back." Natasha slid a full coffee mug over to him. "You're welcome."
Clint nodded his thanks, bringing the steaming mug to his lips and inhaling before taking a long sip of the liquid gold. "Let's hope it shows something, otherwise – "
"You're not going rogue, Barton," Steve commanded as he strode confidently into the room. "We're doing this as a team." Clint snorted. Steve shot him a patented 'I mean it, Barton' look, causing Clint to slump in his chair as Natasha kicked him in the shin. "Here's what we've found. Sam, pull up the footage." Everyone turned their attention to the wall as Sam displayed what Redwing had found. "Two buildings are involved, one on Sandy Hook Bay and the other in Colts Neck." Steve pointed each out on the map. "The Sandy Hook building is where the ammo is loaded and unloaded. The other facility houses most of the other departments and facilities. A private road connects the two buildings. We've learned through intel Rumlow is trafficking weapons out of the complex."
"How did we find this out so quickly?" Clint asked. "I wasn't in Mikayla's room for that long. Wait, let me guess. Fury?"
"Tell him what he's won," Tony quipped. "Big man knew something nefarious going on, so we persuaded him to hand over the information. Course, it was easy to do when he found out it involved a former SHIELD, now HYDRA agent who we found spying on his goddaughter."
Steve cleared his throat. "Ahem, as I was saying." All attention was focused back on Captain America. "We've found out there's a deal going down tomorrow night. There are about forty people stationed in each building, so we'll take two teams. Barton, Romanoff, Barnes, and Thor, you'll be at Sandy Hook. Stark, Wilson, and I will be inland. Bruce, you'll be wherever you think you can do the most good or the most damage, whichever works." Bruce nodded, knowing if the Big Guy made an appearance, there would be no holds barred in return for what HYDRA did to Mikayla. Hulk adored Mikayla, and no vengeance would be enough, but taking down Rumlow would help.
"Cap?" Clint asked. "Who's going to be keeping an eye on Mikayla? I mean, not that Friday isn't capable, but let's remember what happened the last time she was in medical. No offense, Friday."
"None taken, Agent Barton. Boss took the liberty of reaching out to the Wakandans, and they have agreed to station themselves here to keep an eye on Agent M, Pepper, Morgan, and Misty."
"Can we all agree not to tell Mikayla what's happening?" Clint was worried that if she found out, she'd want to be a part of the raid, and he knew she wasn't in any shape yet. He looked around, and everyone nodded in agreement.
"Okay. Get some rest, and we'll meet back here at 1700 to finalize plans," Steve dismissed everyone. Most returned to their rooms as Clint returned to the medical wing to spend the night with his wife.