Fated Marks

Hayley’s POV- The Next Morning

I woke up the sunlight beaming into the room and hitting my face. The space behind me was empty but still warm so Natasha had probably just gotten up. I opened my eyes and saw that I was curled up to Clint’s side while he lied on his back snoring softly. From the bags under his eyes and the stubble on his face I could tell it was a busy couple of days and this was probably the first night’s rest he’d gotten since he left. I kissed his cheek, which felt a bit too warm and hugged him for a bit moving my hand up and down his side gently. I felt something strange and suddenly Clint’s breathing hitched and his eyes opened wide pain evident on his face.

“Mh.” He groaned.

“Hey, Are you okay?” I said sitting up.

“Uh, yeah.” Clint said. “Just a scratch.” he said rolling on his side groaning a bit.

“That’s not just a scratch.” I said putting a hand on his cheek. “I think you have a fever too. Come on.” I said moving my hand to try and lift up his shirt but Clint grabbed my hands and stopped me.

“Hales, it’s fine.” Clint said.

“You have a fever and you’re groaning every time you move. You’re not fine.” I said grabbing the hem of his shirt and pulling it up and there it was on his lower left side. The bandage had a spot of blood. I started trying to take it off.

“Hales…” Clint started and I shut him up with a glare. I got the bandage off and looked at the stitched up wound. It looked like the scar I had on my side.

“Don’t move.” I said before going into the bathroom to grab the first aid kit. I grabbed it and walked back in. Clint hadn’t moved so much as a muscle. “Lie back.” I said. Clint hesitated for a bit before doing what I asked. I started wiping off the dried blood and cleaning him up as much as I could before putting the new bandage on him. “What the hell happened?”

“Hayley.” Clint started.

“Hadrian.” I said looking at what will probably become a matching scar to mine.

Clint sighed. “Hill had a lead and we went to check it out. We found Hanson and Taylor. They led us to where he was. We went in and…”

“He did this.” I said.

“I was distracted.” Clint said.

“By what?” I asked.

“Helping Nat.” Clint said. “He got away. Taylor died on the way to the hospital and last I checked they still weren’t sure Hanson was going to make it. Adler got away.”

This is what I was trying to avoid.

“Stop.” Clint said. “This isn’t your fault.”

“It doesn’t feel like it.” I said putting everything away before getting up.

“Hales...” Clint said trying to sit up but groaning as he did.

“Stay in bed.” I said. “You need some rest.” I said as I pulled up the covers.

“Where are you going?” Clint said.

“To get your pain meds.” I said walking out of the room and heading upstairs. The instant I walked into the elevator doors opened all I heard was Tony and Steve arguing again.

“Hayley.” Thor greeted and they both went quiet

“Morning.” I said grabbing the medicine bottles on the counter. I looked at Nat and saw that she looked a bit more flushed than normal.

“How’d you sleep?” Steve asked.

“Pretty good.” I said opening the medicine cabinet and pulling out the ear thermometer. I walked over to Nat and she turned away, stepping back.

“What are you doing?” Natasha said.

“Taking your temperature.” I said putting the thermometer in her ear. I held it in place until it beeped. “You have a fever.” I said.

“Ew.” Tony said taking a step back.

“You’re going back to bed.” I said helping her up.

“Hayley I’m…” Natasha started before coughing.

“Germs, Jarvis initiate quarantine protocols.” Tony said.

“Override. It’s just a cold stop freaking out you baby.” I said.

“Fury’s on his way here for our debrief.” Steve said.

“You were there, just tell him what happened.” I said.

“That’s not really how it…” Steve started and I shot him a glare. “I’ll handle it.”

“Thank you.” I said before we got in the elevator.

“Hayley…” Natasha started.

“You’re not fine. You’re sick. You’re going to either bunk with Clint or crash on the couch and binge watch something on Netflix while you rest no arguments and you’re going to listen because this is probably the first time in months I’m actually right about something.” I said as the elevator doors opened.

“Okay.” She said going straight to the couch.

I walked into the room where Clint was trying to get comfortable by moving the pillows around him.

“Sit up.” I said fluffing a pillow.

“Hales I can do that.” Clint said.

“Shush.” I said fixing the pillows behind him. “There.” I said before grabbing his medicine. “One for pain, two antibiotic.” I said handing Clint his pills and a glass of water.

“Thanks.” He said giving me a worried look.

“Nat’s in the living room. She has a cold. Steve’s going to do the debrief on his own and you’re staying here.” I said.

“Hales I’ve had worse. The doctors in Germany already cleared me. I’m going to be okay.” Clint said.

“I know you are. Because you’re going to get some rest like I’m sure the doctors in Germany told you, you needed.” I said giving him a look. “Get a few more hours of sleep and I’m going to go make some soup.”

“Chicken noodle?” Clint asked.

“From scratch.” I said.

“Okay.” Clint said. “Love you.”

I gave him a quick kiss before tucking him and going to get started on the soup. I grabbed a few pillows on my way out before leaving them on the couch for Nat.

“He is right you know, we’ve both had way worse.” Natasha said.

“Except it wasn’t my fault before.” I said kissing her cheek. “I’m going to go make some soup. If you need anything let Jarvis know.”

With that I went back upstairs to get started on the soup.

“Miss Adams.” Nick Fury greeted as soon as I walked into the common room.

“Director Fury, how goes the debriefing?” I said as I started pulling out ingredients for the soup.

“It isn’t going anywhere considering two of the senior agents on this mission aren’t being debriefed.” He said annoyed.

“Natasha has a cold and Clint got stabbed.” I deadpanned.

“By your brother, which you neglected to tell anyone you even had if I’m not mistaken.” Fury said.

“She had her reasons.” Tony said.

“He threatened Steve, Natasha and Clint. I did what I had to do to protect them.” I said.

“How’s that working out for you?” he retorted.

“Watch your tone.” Thor said standing protectively next to me.

“I thought you were here for a debrief not an interrogation.” I said.

“She’s right. She doesn’t work for SHIELD, she’s not in your jurisdiction.” Bruce said.

“Actually she is. She’s a SHIELD consultant and this conversation is long overdue wouldn’t you say?” He said.

“Well I quit and if there’s one thing I’ve learned from my best friend it’s my legal rights. So unless you have a warrant or a subpoena and my lawyer is present I have nothing to say to you.” I said washing carrots and celery.

“Your brother is working with the winter soldier. He infiltrated the largest intelligence organization in the world and we don’t know what information he could have leaked already.” Fury said.

“Then you shouldn’t be here wasting time listening to me restate what you already know.” I said as I grabbed a knife and started chopping veggies. “What you should be doing is making sure there aren’t any wolves in the hen house.”

“SHIELD has a very thorough vetting system.” Fury said.

“Really? You gave me security clearance and I was using a fake identity and you hired a double agent who’s been working with a spy ghost story for who knows how long and he was doing it right under your nose. Still think it’s thorough?” I said.

“You’re treading on thin ice.” Fury said.

“Story of my life.” I said.

“I’ll be in touch.” Fury said to Steve before walking out. Everyone stayed quiet until the elevator doors closed.

“So Hadrian’s working with the winter soldier?” I asked.

“Did you know?” Steve asked.

“Of course not.” I said.

“Hales, think back, do you remember ever hearing him mention him or paying someone that sounded like that?” Tony asked.

“I don’t remember ever meeting any metal-armed assassins, I think I’d remember signing that paycheck.” I said. “Besides most of the hits were kept in house. Hadrian and his friends took care of things like that.” I said seasoning the chicken.

“Hayley we know you don’t want to get involved and that you have your reasons for it…” Steve started.

“No.” I said.

“Hales, we need you.” Tony said.

“No you don’t.” I said.

“You know him better than anyone.” Steve said.

“No.” I said.

“You can find him. You found Delilah with almost nothing.” Thor said.

“And look at how that ended. You have the world’s largest intelligence organization helping you look for him, you don’t need me.” I said.

“Why are you helping him?” Tony shouted frustrated.

“I’m not helping him!” I shouted back.

“Hayley, we won’t let him come near you.” Thor said. “We can protect you.”

“That’s the problem! I don’t want you to protect me. You’re keeping me away but you’re all still going after him. He was close to you for a few minutes and Clint got stabbed. How do you think that makes me feel?!” I shouted making them all go quiet.

“He’s not going to stop Hayley and you can’t stay here hiding away from the world forever.” Steve said.

“Why not?” I said. “Food gets delivered, there’s wifi and a state of the art gym to stay in shape. Plus Starbucks in the lobby.”

“You can’t be serious.” Tony said.

“When was the last time you left?” I retorted.

“Not the same thing.” Tony said.

“Hayley it doesn’t matter whether or not you help us or if you never leave the tower. You said it yourself, Hadrian’s not going to stop. What has to happen for you to finally do something about it?” Steve said.

“We’re in this mess because I decided to do something about it.” I reminded him as I started chopping very loudly.

“Then you just want to wait until he shows up again?” Tony goaded.

“Again what can I do that the world’s largest intelligence agency can’t?” I retorted.

“The world’s largest intelligence agency couldn’t find Delilah and you did it with nothing but a laptop and the black market rumor mill.” Tony retorted.

“No one knows Hadrian as well as you do.” Thor said.

“It’s not happening.” I said before focusing on the soup. “End of discussion.”

“Uh Why are you so stubborn?!” Tony groaned before walking out. I heard more footsteps and then nothing.

I got to work slicing the chicken and making stock. When I looked up I realized I wasn’t alone. Bruce was still sitting at the counter drinking his tea.

“It’s better this way.” I said.

“I didn’t say anything.” Bruce said sipping his tea.

“You’re giving me a look.” I said.

“What look?” Bruce said.

“That concerned sad kicked puppy look.” I said.

“I am concerned.” Bruce said. “So is the other guy.”

“There’s nothing to be concerned about I’m fine.” I said.

“No you’re not.” Bruce said. “We can feel how scared you are Hayley.”

“That’s nothing new.” I said brushing off the comment before throwing in the veggies to the soup.

“This is different. You faced off with Fury and he gives me the chills most of the time. You’ve stood on top of what you thought was an active landmine and even that didn’t shake you. You were as calm as I’ve ever seen you but the instant someone brings up Hadrian it’s like a switch is flipped. He’s insane but he isn’t any scarier than Delilah was.” Bruce said.

“Hadrian’s my hulk.” I said.

“Come again?” Bruce asked.

“He’s what Hulk used to be to you before you started working together except Hulk is actually a good guy and can be reasoned with. When I’m with you all, I feel like everything’s all right, like I can tell what’s right from wrong but with Hadrian… the line gets blurry and he brings out the worst in me.” I said. “And everything I do only makes things worse.”

“The Hulk used to make me feel like a grenade. Any outburst and boom.” He said.

“You helped save the world.” I said. “I caused a turf war in Marrakesh and left my nephew an orphan.”

“I broke Harlem and almost killed my ex girlfriend.” Bruce retorted.

“That’s not the same and you know it.” I said.

“It’s not because you can actually do something about it.” Bruce said.

“If I sink to his level you’re not going to like what you see.” I said.

“That’s what I used to think about the hulk and you two have movie dates.” Bruce said taking my hand. “We’re not going anywhere Hayley, We love you. I love you. Nothing’s going to change that so if that’s what’s been holding you back, that’s not an issue.”

I didn’t say anything I just hugged Bruce. He was a bit surprised but put his arms around me and held me. I kissed his cheek and held his face in my hands.

“I love you too.” I said making him smile. He leaned forward and gave me a kiss that longer and a little more heated than we normally did. It wasn’t until we heard the sound of the soup starting to spill over that we separated.

“Sorry, got carried away.” Bruce said blushing,

“Maybe you should get carried away more often.” I said blushing as I said that.

“I should… go.” He said.

“Right.” I said. Bruce turned to walk out but stopped and turned to give me one last kiss before leaving.

I couldn’t get the giddy smile off my face. I turned off the stove and poured the soup into two bowls before putting then on a tray and heading downstairs. Natasha was still on the couch covered by the throw and hugging a pillow. I put the soup in front of her on the coffee table along with some cold medicine. She instantly perked up and dug right in.

I walked into the room and was about to walk out of the room and crash into me.

“You’re supposed to be in bed.” I said.

“I was just going to rest on the couch.” He said grimacing a bit.

“bed.” I said.

“Hayley…” He whined.

“You’re going to make it worse than it already is and you’ll be in bed longer. Now get back in bed.” I said.

“Can’t I go to the couch?” He tried to negotiate.

“You’re not going to be as comfy since Nat’s kind of hogging it.” I said.

“I heard that.” She called out.

“Clint doesn’t want to stay in bed.” I said.

“Get your ass in bed and eat the soup.” Nat called out.

“I made it from scratch.” I said lifting the tray up so he could get a wiff.

“Okay.” Clint said grumbling the entire way there. I put the tray down on the bedside table and fluffed his pillows before setting the tray up. Clint immediately dug in.

I opened the bedside drawer and took out the false bottom of the drawer. Clint just arched an eyebrow. I pulled out the external drive I put all the ledgers in and the cloned phone.

“If you don’t stay in bed and get some rest I’m withholding sex.” I said and Clint paled. I could hear Natasha from the living room laughing. “That goes for you too.” I said making her shut up. “I’ll be back later to check up on you.” I said kissing his check.

“Where are you going?” he called out.

“I’m going to work.” I said walking out.