Dark Arrow

Chapter Twenty Nine

The second the jet landed I was gone. I ran off towards the back of Clint's property, heading to the one place I knew I'd be alone. Shedding my suit off I dived straight into the lake. The cold water clearing my mind as it had a million times before. I couldn't face anyone. More than that I didn't want to. Part of me wanted the water to consume me, to swallow me whole so I didn't have to face the pain any longer; I couldn't give her that satisfaction, I'd live if only to spite her.

***

Clint sighed as he watched me run off, he knew where I was going and most likely why. He wrapped his arm around Nat's shoulders, knowing he had to calm the team and that I wouldn't be up to talking yet.

As the farm came into view the rest of the team could barely register what they were seeing.

"What is this place?" Thor muttered out loud.

"A safe house?" Tony guessed, knowing Clint had a home away from the compound. I'd never told him too much about it, he just knew I used it as an escape from time to time.

Clint scoffed. "That's still up for debate." He wasn't sure how Laura was going to react to everyone coming into his home.

He opened the door, guiding everyone through into the living room. The toys scattered across the floor had the team more than a little confused.

"Honey?" Clint called out. "I'm home."

Laura came out of the kitchen, coming to a standstill as she saw who Clint had brought with him. Clint went over to her, pulling her into his side with a kiss to her cheek.
"This is my wife. Laura."

Jaws dropped to the floor all around. Tony offered an awkward wave, for once he'd been rendered speechless. Steve's eyebrows almost shot off his face, noticing the photos on the wall. He focused on one of me and the kids, seeing the carefree smile on my face had his heart heavy with guilt. He hadn't meant to snap on the jet, he just couldn't shake what he'd seen.

Clint offered everyone a change of clothes and showed them around. Laura pulled him aside, gesturing upstairs where they could talk alone.

It didn't take long for Clint to catch her up on everything that had happened.

"So she finally let him in?"

"Yeah, but she disappeared the second we landed." Clint sighed as he pulled a clean shirt around his shoulders.

"We both know where she is. What happened?"

"They saw their worst fears come to life. She's always feared the same thing and he pushed her away on the jet."

Laura knew bits and pieces of what happened when we were growing up. She was like a sister to me, knowing more about me than I liked but I appreciated it nonetheless.

"She thinks she's not good enough for him." Laura connected the dots.

"After all these years, our Mom is still in her head." Clint shook his head, guilt lacing his voice.

"It's not your fault Clint. You were a child too." She reminded him, knowing how often he blamed himself for what happened to me.

"That woman broke her in a way I'm not sure anyone can fix." He walked out of their closet past Laura, heading towards the chair by their window. "Do you remember how one track minded she used to be?"

"Nothing mattered apart from the next mission."

Clint looked out the window, seeing Steve stood leaning against the fence. He was looking in the direction of the lake. Clint just hoped he didn't go after me, he knew I'd be less than accommodating right now.