Chapter Text
You slowly felt yourself come to awareness. The sound of a steady beeping giving away you weren't where you should be. Keeping your breathing steady you barely cracked your eyes open to see if anyone else was present. There was a small young nurse looking at your chart, jotting down notes before leaving the room. You remember seeing the avengers before you passed out, but that didn't mean you were safe.
You ripped the IV out of your arm, blood dripping from the area. Sitting up slowly, wincing at the twinge in your leg, you threw back the covers, noting that the wound had been wrapped tightly. That would do for now. You swung your legs over the edge of the bed and gingerly put weight on your leg. It definitely didn't feel great but it was manageable.
Glancing around the room, you didn't see your clothes, but you did find a pair of sweatpants, that were way too big in the closet in the corner, but it would have to do. You slid them up under your hospital gown, trying the drawstring tightly, and started searching for something you could use as a weapon. There wasn't much, but you grabbed the stapler on the counter. It was better than nothing.
As quietly as you could, you made your way to the door. Just as you reached for the handle it moved and the same nurse gasped as she made eye contact with you. You didn't think, you just reacted. You brought the stapler up and slammed it into the side of her head wincing at the sound. "I'm so sorry." you whispered to her limp body that had slid to the floor. You didn't want to hurt anyone too badly so you hoped she would be okay.
You knew it wouldn't be long before someone came looking for her, so you grabbed her ID badge and ran down the hall as quickly as possible, limping slightly on your injured leg. You came to a set of doors and scanned the badge before slowly peeking out to see if it was clear. You breathed in relief, that at this moment, you were okay.
You had made it halfway down the hall when red lights flashed and an alarm sounded. "Shit!"
You forgot about your leg and took off full speed, following signs you hoped would lead to an exit. You heard someone yell behind you and pushed yourself faster. You saw the door to the stairs on your right and dashed down the the ground floor. As you reached the door, a man dressed in some sort of suit with wings jumped in front of you. Immediately you jabbed him right in the nose on instinct.
"Fuck!" you heard him mumble and he held his face. "She's on the ground level Cap." you assumed he was talking into a com and slipped around him, taking off for the doors at the front of the building. Behind you, you heard what sounded like a mumbled "shut up barns" but you weren't sure.
You smiled to yourself as your reached the glass doors, but it immediately fell when you pulled and it didn't budge. "No!" you cried out, tears starting to sting your eyes. I was so close!
You continued to pull on the door, knowing it was useless.
"Ya know," a voice you didn't recognize spoke behind you, "you really rung Kelsey's bell back there. Not nice."
You took a deep breath, head falling to your chest and slowly turned around, eyes widening when you see none other than Tony Stark stepping out of his red and gold suit. Behind him you saw more of the team coming forward slowly. A woman with dark brown hair pulled into a tight bun eyed the stapler in your hand warily.
"You good Sam?" she called back to the man you had punched. He was holding his nose and you could see the blood.
"Im sure he's fine Maria," came a laugh from the stairwell door. You glanced around them as the man with the metal arm made his way forward, Captain America following close behind.
You pushed your back harder against the glass behind you. Your breathing came faster as the panic set in. Your eyes moved quickly from one person to another, trying and failing to see an escape. The soldier must have noticed because he was the first to speak.
"We don't want to hurt you Doll. We just want to help." He spoke calmly as he stepped slowly closer, passed Tony.
"I can't stay here." you whispered, voice shaking. Tears that you had been holding back finally falling down your face.
"Why?" This question coming from the Captain, who had also made his way closer."
You looked down to the floor, opening you mouth, but nothing came out. You didn't know what to say. You were scared. They might be good people, but if word got to the wrong people, well that thought made you shudder.
"Alright guys, give her some space." You looked up at the voice, surprised to see the little girls father popping out of a vent and repelling down in front of you. "Thank you." he said, looking directly at you.
At your confused look he continued. "Lila told us what you did. You tried to keep her safe, and I can't thank you enough for that." He slowly held his hand out to you, smiling softly as you took it. "Your welcome." you said softly. "Is she okay?" concern flashed across your face. A large smiled took over his features. "She's great, though her mother won't let her out of her sight. She'd like to meet you though, if that's okay."
You nodded hesitantly, but the panic was still in your eyes. He squeezed your hand reassuringly. "I'm Clint, by the way."
"Y/N." you replied, glancing at the rest of the group.
"Alright, lets go see the family." Clint pulled you after him, your shoulder brushing up against the Soldier and Captains arms as you walked between them. You glanced at each as you passed, blushing at ones soft smile and the others intense stare. You looked straight back at Clint, hoping they didn't notice.
"Hold up! My tower, my rules! She knocked out a Nurse!" Tony exclaimed. Clint rolled his eyes and called back over his shoulder "we can talk later Mr. Stank." then hit the up button on the elevator you were now in front of.
Tony gasped behind you, "Who told you that?!"
Clint chuckled and pulled you into the elevator. "If I told you that I'd have to kill you. We'll come talk later."
As the doors closed you looked out to see the two men still watching you. You took another calming breath and looked to Clint, obviously waiting for an explanation for his actions.
"Well that was quite an introduction to the team." he joked, trying to lighten the mood. "Look, I know you said you can't stay here, but I promise you're safe. And anyone who is willing to protect a child they don't know is deserving of time to explain in my book. Lets just take it one step at a time. Okay?"
You searched his eyes for any untruth or deceit, but found none. "Okay." you nodded.
"Now," he continued, "I should warn you, Lila is excited to see you again, and her mother will probably be an emotional mess, but I swear, we are normal." he laughed.
As the elevator stopped and the doors opened, you stepped out into what looked like an apartment. You heard a squeal before you were almost barreled over by a small body, wincing as she bumped right into your leg. "Hold up kiddo, don't knock her over." He glanced over at you, "how's the leg?"
Now that the adrenaline was wearing off, you realized how much it hurt. "Ummm, not so great..." you trailed off glancing down at Lila. "Im so sorry!" she said, holding her hand over her mouth.
You smiled reassuringly at her. "Don't worry, I think I did more damage than you did. But maybe we could sit down?" she nodded quickly, pulling you to the couch before sitting on your good side and throwing he arms around you. "Thank you so much." she mumbled into you shoulder. You looked up at Clint as you patted her arm awkwardly. You weren't used to a lot of contact.
"Um, you're welcome. I'm glad you're okay." you hesitantly pulled away, so as not to hurt her feelings.
A woman, obviously Clint's wife walked over, stopping beside Clint, holding a baby in her arms. "I really can't thank you enough for what you did." Her voice broke. You smiled back at her, nodding your head.
"Are you hungry?" she asked, looking over to Clint, "we were just about to eat."
Before you could answer, your stomach growled and she laughed. "Say no more! Is spaghetti okay?"
You nodded before glancing back at your leg. Clint followed your gaze and saw the spot of blood starting to form. "Hey Lila, why don't you go help mom, you can talk more with Y/N in a bit."
Lila jumped up, giving you one last hug before running off in the direction of the kitchen. "Hey Friday, can you send Bruce up? I think Y/N popped some stitches."
"Oh course Agent Barton." you glanced around trying to find where the voice came from. "Its an AI, Bruce will be here soon to patch you up."
"Thank you." you muttered, "I'm sorry for hurting the nurse, and the guy downstairs."
"Don't worry about that right now, I'm sure Kelsey will forgive you. And honestly, you surprising Sam like that, priceless." You smiled again, starting to feel a little more comfortable.
When the elevator opened again, a man who you hadn't seen yet walked out. You assumed it was Bruce.
"Bruce, Y/N. Y/N, Bruce. He's gonna fix you up while I get you some water. That okay?" You nodded, looking at Bruce nervously.
Bruce smiled reassuringly at you and pulled supplies out of his bag. "Is this okay?"
You nodded, feeling better that he wouldn't do anything without your consent. "Alright, lets get you patched up. Whatever Laura's cooking smells good and I'm hungry.
You smiled as he got to work, applying what he said was a local anesthetic to numb the area. Maybe this wouldn't be too bad. But your fears were still there.
"Um.." you paused, worried you'd be asking for too much. "Yes?" he encouraged you to continue. "My therapy dog, Lobo. He's still at home and I don't know how long I've been gone..." you picked at your fingers nervously, "Can, can someone get him for me, please?"
Bruce nodded. "Friday?"
"I will let Captain Rogers know." came the quick response. "Captain Rogers and Sargent Barnes are on their way to Ms. Y/L/N's home and will bring her dog back to the compound."
"Thanks Friday." Bruce said as he tied off the last stitch, before looking up and taking in your confused expression.
"How do they know where to go?" you asked.
"Lets just say we have connections." came Clint's voice as he came back with your water. "Don't worry, they will get your dog here safe. Until then, how about some food. You staying Bruce?"
You followed behind the men, not listening to what they were saying. You brain was too busy worrying again. Were you that easy to find? You tried to push it to the back of your mind. Like Clint said, one step at a time.