Soulmates

A Year Later…

Clint impatiently drummed his callused fingers against the console in Stark’s former laboratory on the ninth floor of the New York tower as he heard the ding from the elevator as it moved up each floor.

It seemed to take an eternity since he’d buzzed them up from the ground floor, but then Bruce and Thor were rushing through.

“What’s so urgent?” Thor wondered. “You sounded desperate on the phone.”

“Gentlemen,” Clint greeted them each with fond handshakes. “It’s been awhile. But I think we’ve found something.”

Banner groaned. “Not this again.”

“What?” Thor asked.

“Man, why can’t you just let her rest?” Bruce nearly shouted.

Clint grinned when the elevator dinged eight more times and four more people stepped off. He rushed to greet his new guests, doubled back a few steps as a flash of red leather and long hair invaded his personal space. “Hi Wanda,” he said as she threw her arms around his neck.

“We did it. It’s here,” she breathed excitedly.

Rhodey cleared his throat as he regarded the other men in the room.

Clint clapped his hands once and beckoned the newcomers to step into the lab. “Sam. Rhodey. Stephen. Wanda. You all remember Thor and Dr. Banner?”

Sam shook hands enthusiastically. “It’s a real pleasure to see you both again,” he said humbly.

“Will someone explain what’s going on?” Thor asked.

“We’ve found a way to get Natasha back,” Clint said, his voice slightly shaky. “I’ve called you all in for one last mission. Return to the past. Go to Vormir. Bring the Black Widow home.”

Wanda and Stephen Strange were smiling triumphantly beside him, but the others gazed at him with pity.

“Clint, we’ve been through this before,” Bruce said calmly. “Even if we did use the Pym particles to travel back, we can’t bring her home. It just can’t be undone.”

Clint shook his head. “Until now.”

“We used Stark’s research database and our own knowledge of reality, combined with some mystical powers, to start something,” Wanda explained.

“We’ve made the impossible, possible,” Strange added.

Rhodey nodded in agreement. “I know how crazy this all sounds, but it’s true. We’ve found a way, and it could work.” He placed a hand on Clint’s shoulder and squeezed hard. “It might work,” he amended.

Dr. Strange held up the case he’d been clinging to, placing it on the table and clicking it open.

Bruce’s eyes narrowed curiously.

The case opened slowly and they all crouched closer to get a glimpse at what was inside.

“You crazy bastards,” Thor said with a wide smile.

“Unbelievable,” Sam breathed.

“You created an Infinity Stone,” Bruce murmured disbelievingly.

They looked on as the tiny gem sparkled in the fluorescent lights.

“This is the health stone,” Strange whispered, holding it up so they could see. “If we could get back to the planet just as the exchange of souls takes place, we can use it to heal her injuries. It’ll only work once.”

“And there’d have to be something to exchange in its place so we don’t change the outcome we’ve fought so hard for,” Wanda added with wide eyed wonder.

“A soul for a soul,” Clint recited. “I can sacrifice a part of myself to breathe new life into her.”

“The value of a soul wouldn’t be compromised and the offering would remain intact,” Strange finished. “As long as we can get out of there in time.”

Clint tore his gaze away from the stone to regard the rest of the room. “So, what do you guys think?” he asked hopefully.

“It’s very risky,” Thor warned. “And it might not work.”

“But we have to try,” Sam affirmed.

Clint looked to Bruce, who was covering his frown with his hand. “Banner?” He asked.

Bruce shook his head, placing his hands at his sides. “She’d want to come home,” he said. “And she’d want it to be you to bring her back. I’m with you.”

Clint took both of his hands in his with a hard, grateful squeeze.

“We’re all with you,” Rhodey added.

“Then we leave right now,” Clint said, wiping away a tear.