Birds of a Feather

You Think It's Funny?

"Sugar? Time to get up."

My eyes fluttered open and saw Bucky nudging me awake. "Hmm?"

"C'mon, sugar, Tony's got another briefing. He wants you there."

I nodded my head and followed closely behind him. Everyone was already there, staring at me as I came in.

Even Clint noticed how uncomfortable I was because he didn't say anything snarky this time.

"Okay, team. Fury has sent in another mission..." Tony started, but I zoned out. No reason for me to even be here.

Steve nudged me, "pay attention, this involves you too."

I sighed quietly and started listening again.

"Now, since this is a smaller mission and close to the holidays with vacations coming up, we're very short on the list of people to send. Vision and Wanda are going to be out on vacation, Bucky and Sam are headed to Louisiana for the holidays. Pepper and I are leaving in a couple of weeks for the holidays, but I will be going on the mission. Steve, Natasha, and Rhodey are coming with me." Tony glanced around the room, "Y/N, I'm leaving Clint with you here in case you need anything."

I audibly groaned and rolled my eyes.

I heard Clint snicker at the other end of the table.

"You think it's funny? Have you been wheelchair bound before?" I took a deep breath and turned to Tony, "what about Bruce? Pepper? Thor? Anyone but him?"

He shook his head. "Bruce has a conference, Pepper is running Stark Industries until we leave, and Thor is on Asgard. Sorry, kiddo. Prep yourselves for the mission, we leave in 3 days."

Once the meeting was over, Bruce took me to the lab for a few more tests to be run on my legs.

"How's it looking, Bruce?"

"I'm going to give you a shot in each leg in the calf muscle. See what that stimulates and if anything comes back in the next couple of days. My conference isn't for another week, my goal is to get you into physical therapy before I leave so Clint can help you."

A shudder snakes down my spine at the thought of me actually needing help from Barton.

"Thanks, Bruce. You're the best," I went to hug him tightly.

He gave me the shots in either leg, and I went up to bed in hopes I would wake up with two working feet again.