Running Fearless ( Avengers Fanfiction)

Chapter 11

For those of you that are just tuning in, we're sitting here talking with Professor Laura Connolly of Stanford University and Dr. Jeffrey Hamilton, author of, "Lies from the White House". I want to once again thank you two for talking with us and helping us understand all this hoopla we've been seeing on the tv and on the internet. Many people have no idea the implications of these recent events."

"And that's why I want people to go out and get my new book. It's not about the money or fame, it's about doing what the government doesn't want done and that's the American people being informed."

"Professor Connolly teaches a course on the ever changing government climate. What are your thought's on this recent internet revelation and all this craziness about secret government agencies that have been working right under our noses?"

"Honestly, I'm not surprised. I mean with everything that has happened over these couple of years with aliens and mutants, it was inevitable for the government to step up and take a stand."

"So you're saying you support this organization, SHIELD I believe it's called?"

"I'm saying that I can't fight aliens, I'm saying that I can't take down German terrorists, and apparently SHIELD can or could or whatever their situation is. I'm saying that I'm fine with the government making the moves necessary to keep me and my children safe."

"And that's the problem with America today—"

"Mr. Jeffrey, everyone is entitled to their opinion on my show-"

"No, screw opinion. The facts were just thrown across the internet and I knew it. I knew the government was into some deep stuff, like deep and-"

Clint flicked off the television. He was literally getting tired of seeing it, of listening to people who knew nothing with the most to say. He sighed as he looked over to the unconscious form of Matthew lying in bed, the only sound coming from the beeping heart monitor and the whooshing respirator. One week. It was only seven days, but a lot had happened in those seven days. The secret organization he once worked for was no longer secret. Matthew Banks was brought in with several lacerations and contusions and was currently not waking up. SHIELD was gone, but even after all of that, there was only one thing that Clint thought about over the course of these seven days. It was the woman he always thought about. The woman he remembered seeing going into a hellicarrier, but never seeing her come out. Katie was gone and he had no idea how or why. All he knew was that she was gone and he had never felt so alone in his life.

There was a knock on the door that brought Clint from his thoughts. He looked over and let out an annoyed sigh. It was the one person he really didn't want to see. He would rather see Tony at the moment.

"Any news?" Steve asked walking into the room.

"Nope, he's still out." Clint replied. Steve nodded before looking over to Matthew and the room grew silent as both men listened to the beeping heart monitor and the whooshing respirator. "Was there something you needed?" It was harsh, but that's how it was meant to sound. Clint held so much animosity toward Steve at the moment, that the simple act of being in the same room was almost too much. He just wanted to hit him. At some point he thinks will.

"Barton, I understand how upset you must be right now, but you have to trust that if there was anything I could've done—"

"You said that you would look after her." Clint said standing to his feet and looking across to the man. "And I knew a guy like you, a good guy would keep his word, but she's not here right now. Tell me Captain, why is that exactly?"