Chapter 1
Prologue
He sat alone on the ninth floor of the tower, gazing distractedly out the window, his eyes red-rimmed and teary. A blip from the high-tech console beside him sounded and he snapped his head back around, his heart palpitating in his throat.
“Clint,” a delicate voice said behind him and he jumped, eyes wide and breathing heavy, his thoughts wondering for a moment how it was even possible that the familiar presence would have the ability to sneak up on him.
“Laura,” he murmured.
“Sorry,” she apologized, reaching to place a steady hand on his shoulder. “I didn’t mean to startle you. Rhodey let me in.” She nodded to the console, eyebrows raised questioningly.
He shook his head in defeat. “It was nothing.”
She regarded him with a pitying expression. “You haven’t been home in days.”
He blinked back tears that threatened to spill, wiped a hand across his nose. “I will never stop searching for a way.”
Laura sighed, closing her eyes for a moment. “I know that. It’s always been about her. Always.”
He covered his mouth, squeezing his eyes shut painfully.
“You’ll never be able to let go of her,” she continued softly, tightening her grip on his arm. “And you shouldn’t have to.”
He shook his head.
She frowned, placing a steady hand under his chin and urging him to look at her. “I think you should stay here for awhile,” she said quietly, the words struggling to come out.
His hands moved over his face, blocking out the view of her walking away from him, although he could hear the footsteps clearly. He froze when he heard them stop, felt rather than saw her turn around sadly.
“I hope you find her,” she whispered tearfully before rushing the rest of the way to the elevator.