The Winter Witch (A Hawkeye/Avengers fanfic)

Chapter 11

It had been two days since Steve, Clint, and Natasha had left on their mission. There still was no word from Thor and Loki if they found out any information regarding the branding on Winter's neck. Winter spent her time training with Bucky and getting to know the rest of the Avengers. Sam even began to teach her sign language so she could surprise Clint when he returned. They were sitting in the common area, working on her signing, when Tony came in off the elevator.

"Good news, Capsicle just called, they should be back tonight."

Winter let out a sigh of relief. It was the first time they had heard anything from the three. She felt her heart speed up with the thought of seeing Clint again. She couldn't wait to show him what Sam had taught her. It was around 9pm when they finally heard the quinjet landing on the helipad of the tower. The team rushed out to great them. Winter's excitement soon changed to anxiety as she saw Steve helping Clint down the ramp of the jet. Clint had blood running down his right shoulder and along the left side of his torso.

"What happened?" Winter rushed up to them and helped Steve lead Clint to the elevator. Natasha and the rest of the team followed them to the medical lab.

"We were just getting ready to clear out when there was sniper. Clint got shot in the shoulder and his side got grazed."

Winter and Steve helped Clint to a hospital bed while Tony and Bruce hurried to get the supplies needed to get the bullet out of his shoulder.

"I can heal him," Winter said as she tried to push Tony and Bruce aside.

"Winter, I don't think that's a good idea." Bucky was standing behind her.

She looked at him, confusion on her face. "James, you know I can heal him."

"Winter," he said softly, "they never had you heal people, I don't want you to accidentally hurt him."

Winter felt a pang in her chest. He didn't trust her. She looked around the room and saw everyone looking at her with concern in their eyes. None of them trusted her. She pushed Bucky's hand away from her. "Fine. Then what's the point of me having that power if no one will trust me." And with that, she stormed out of the lab.

********

Winter locked herself in her room. She was mad at all of them, especially Bucky. He knew she was capable of healing. Hell, she had healed him numerous times in the past. In fact, that's how she found out she had that power to begin with. They had been on a mission when he had gotten shot in the abdomen, and she was able to pull the bullet out and heal him within seconds. Just because they were able to keep that a secret from Hydra and they only used the opposite effect of her gift, didn't mean she wasn't still capable of using the good side of her power.

As the day went on, there would be random knocks on the door, as the team tried to get Winter to leave her room. First it was Bucky. He felt guilty for what he had said. Then there was Natasha, and Steve, and then Sam. She ignored them all. At one point Bruce even came, but instead of trying to get her to come out, he let her know he brought her food incase she was hungry, and he left it at her door. Winter knew she was acting childish, but how could she look them all in the eye after they made it clear they didn't fully trust her.

Two days later, there was another knock on the door. It was Bucky. The entire team had been called out on a mission that could take a week or more to complete. After he said this through the door, Winter pushed her anger aside and opened the door. Bucky was surprised to see that she actually responded, but it wasn't the response he was hoping for.

"Will I be here by myself?" she asked.

"No, Clint is still recovering, and he will be here. But the rest of us will be gone. I honestly don't know how long we'll be gone."