No Extraction

Chapter Five

Memories.

Ivan, Yelena, Red Room. The visions danced around her subconscious like bees around flowers. But there was something wrong. The memories felt so warm and inviting and yet so cold and unreal. Her mind didn't know what to make of these tricks anymore and she tried so hard to push away the memories but they just kept coming back. To scare her. To haunt her. But worst of all Natasha Romanoff felt the icy grip of death clawing at her entire body, desperate to grab hold of her and never let go. She fought so hard to push it away. Her life meant too much to her. Hawkeye. S.H.I.E.L.D. Those memories she desperately wanted to see again but instead all she saw was the monstrous face of Baron von Strucker as he tortured her forever.

As the jet touched down at a S.H.I.E.L.D base in Washington D.C Barton and Tony immediately rushed to Steve's aid as he carried out Natasha's lifeless body. Her complexion unusually pale as she gripped onto the last remnants of life as best she could. The trio rushed inside to find Dr Banner ready and prepped to assist in any way he could, determined to save some one he actually felt quite fond of. As Clint Barton watched from a window outside he could not help but feel guilty. Guilty that he couldn't do more to save her, to help her. 'Why not me?' He thought as the doctors rushed around desperate to save Natasha's life, their movements so frantic but precise at the same time as they administered drugs and checked her breathing. But just as the frantic behaviour in the room began to settle a machine began to beep. No pulse. Her heart had stopped. The S.H.I.E.L.D doctors got it going again, barely. This only made Clint feel more guilty and useless as he stood there behind a glass panel watching some one who he deeply cared about and who was normally so strong do nothing but hold onto life with all the strength they had left.

All of a sudden Dr Banner emerged from the treatment room, his face stern and stressed.

"How is she Banner?" Tony enquired, the others too shocked to speak just yet.
"She's stable. But she shouldn't be like this. You know when Natasha was in the Red Room. Well they genetically enhanced her to make her heal more quickly and easily and live longer and the serum Baron von Strucker seems to have used on her to torture her has, in some way, changed what the Red Room did to her making her more vulnerable to injury and disease." The doctor explained.
"But will she recover doc? Will she ever be the same?" Hawkeye said, pain showing in his voice.
"I don't know..." Banner replied

Days past. Nights came and went but Clint Barton was still sitting there waiting. It had been five days since they had brought Natasha back to S.H.I.E.L.D and she was still unconscious. Her pale complexion even paler than normal as she lay in that hospital bed, various tubes and wires sticking out of her skin. She seemed so peaceful, so gentle. Barton hadn't left her side since they brought her in, sleeping in a chair next to her hospital bed. He hadn't been home to shower and hadn't eaten much either. The only food he has been having Tony and Steve bring for him when they come to visit. Clint was worried about her, she should have woken up by now Dr Banner had said. No-one can work out why Nat was still unconscious. Were her injuries worse than Banner originally thought?

Just as Barton began to fall asleep, dreaming of Nat waking up, a knock on the door disturbed him.

"Hey Clint" Steve whispered "did I disturb you?"
"No no it's fine. What's up?" Barton replied, rubbing his eyes.
"How is she?" Steve enquired, worry in his voice.
"I don't know?" Barton said, his voice shaking, trying not to cry. "They won't tell me anything. No matter how many times I ask I just get nothing."
"I know it's hard Clint, but it's Natasha she's one of the strongest women we both know. If anyone could fight this it's her. Just hang in there." Steve said trying his hardest to reassure Barton but knowing nothing he could say would reassure him more than seeing Natasha recover.
"Thanks Steve. I'm glad you guys are here. I don't know what I'd do on my own."

The two shook hands, hoping Natasha would be ok.

"Oh and Barton..." Steve said
"Yeah..."
"When you're ready Fury wants a debrief."
"Yeah ok" Clint replied, slowly sinking back into his chair.

"Come on Nat. We need you back ok. I love you." He whispered before kissing her hand and falling asleep in his chair.