Out Of Time

forty-two

Y/N cried the whole flight back to DC. When she arrived, she was notified that all of her SHIELD friends, Nat, Clint, and Coulson, were out, or still out, on assignment. Y/N stayed alone in her apartment for the next week, barely getting any sleep or eating. Many tears were shed in that week. She watched the news, staying updating on the Stark situation as well as the situation with a doctor using gamma radiation and a dude with a hammer.

"You don't look so good," a voice said from beside Y/N, who was curled up on the couch.

"Shit Nat!" Y/N jumped. "You can't just sneak up on someone like that!"

Nat sat down next to Y/N. "Sorry," she chuckled, studying her friend. "How are you?"

"How do you think?" Y/N took a deep breath. "Is he-"

"He's alive and well. Him and Pepper seem to be-"

"You don't need to say anymore. He was just a mission. I'm fine."

"Sure." Nat folded her across across her chest and leaned back into the couch. "Is that why you haven't done anything in a week?"

"Needed a break. Plus all of my sparring partners were busy."

Natasha sat back, studying Y/N carefully. Y/N was clearly not okay. With an idea in mind, Nat quickly stood up and grabbed Y/N's hands.

"What are you doing?" Y/N questioned, as Nat began to pull her up.

"We are going to back you a bag and let you have a few days off." Nat pulled Y/N into her closet.

"I've had a week off, Nat. I think it actually might be time for me to start going on missions again."

"Nope," Nat got out a suitcase and started throwing Y/N clothes in it. "You need more time to get over whatever was happening between you and Stark."

"Nothing happened. Plus... you said it yourself, he's with Pepper now." Y/N got lost in her thoughts about Tony and Pepper until Nat threw a shirt at her face. "Hey!"

"Why don't you go grab your toiletries and meet me by the door?"

"Nat, I don't-"

"Just do it, will ya?"

"Fine."

Once everything was gathered, Nat led her into a quinjet and took off. Y/N continued to ask her friend where she was being taken to. She dozed off on the way there and was woken up by Natasha gently shaking her.

"Wake up, Y/N/N," Nat said softly. "We're here."

Y/N stretched out, blinking her eyes a few times so that they'd focus. She took note of the field the quinjet was in. "Where is here?"

"You'll see."

Nat grabbed Y/N's bags, heading down the ramp. Y/N stood up and carefully followed. Outside, there was a house in the middle of the field with a barn not too far away. They were the only buildings in sight. It was all beautiful, the country scenery. Nat reached the door first, knocking on it a few times before opening the door.

"Knock, knock," Nat said, entering the house with Y/N close behind.

"In the kitchen!" A male's voice sounded.

"Is that-" Y/N started, turning the corner. "Barton?" He was sitting at a dining room table with a young boy in his lap.

"Nat! Y/N!" Clint greeted with a smile. "I'm so glad you guys made it."

"Auntie Nat!" The young boy exclaimed, clamoring from Clint's lap to Natasha.

Natasha bent down, arms open wide, to greet the boy. "How's my little Coop doing?" She wrapped him up in her arms.

"I don't understand..." Y/N said, very confused.

"Clint?" A woman's voice came from behind them, causing Y/N to turn around. A woman walked in with a little girl on her hip. "Hello," the woman smiled at Y/N.

"Y/N, this is Laura," Clint introduced. "My wife."

"You're- you're wife?" Y/N looked between Clint and Laura. "You have a family?"

"Fury helped me set this up. It's off all SHIELD records and we would like to keep it that way."

"Of course." Y/N moved to face Laura. "It's nice to meet you, I'm-"

"Y/N Rogers," Laura finished. "Clint's told me all about you." Laura looked around Y/N to see Nat. "Hey Nat."

"Hey Laura," Nat smiled. "How's Lila doing?"

"She's an angel," Clint answered, moving to put an arm around Laura's waist.

"She only acts like an angel when you're home," Laura responded. "She misses you when you're gone."

"I still don't understand," Y/N said. "What am I doing here?"

"Nat called and said you needed a place to get out of your head for a little while," Clint answered. "So, feel free to make yourself at home and stay as long as you'd like."

"That's really not necessary." Y/N shook her head. "I'm fine."

"Doesn't matter if you're fine or not. Have you had a break since waking up?"

"Haven't felt like I needed one. I was asleep for 60 years, that was rest enough."

"Well, with the way you're not putting pressure on that foot, I'm thinking that rest would be really nice about now." Y/N looked down, suddenly feeling the pain in her foot.

"I have a bedroom set up for you upstairs," Laura said. "Clint," she looked kindly at her husband, "can you help Y/N up the stairs?"

"It would be my genuine pleasure." Clint ran over and threw Y/N over his shoulder.

"Clint!" She squealed.

Clint chuckled. "She said to help and this was the easiest way!"