Phoenix <Book 1>

Part 1 Chapter 5

Ashlyn was sitting in a hallway of the carrier, hidden away. Phil was gone and she had yet to find Clint. No one had told her that Natasha had got him back. She was near the detention level when she heard Steve and Tony arguing so she stood up and walked in, "He wants his name broadcast in the air. Son of a bitch." Ashlyn farrowed her eyebrows, "New York, Stark building." Tony nodded at her and the three ran off. "Where's Nat?", Steve looked at her, "Medical Wing, I'll meet you there." Ashlyn nodded and ran off.

The door to what Ashlyn thought was Natasha's room but froze when she saw Clint, "Ash." She swallowed the lump in her throat, "What are you doing here?",  he looked at her, "Where's Nat?", he stepped toward her and she stepped back, "Ash its me I swear." She took a shaky breath, "How do I know that." He looked at her, "Look at my eyes Ash, look at them." She looked at him but couldn't look in his eyes, "What did he say to you? What happened that you can't look me in the eyes Ash?", she closed her eyes and tears fell, Clint walked forward and again she stepped back, "How can I trust that you're you? How do I know this isn't part of Loki's plan." Clint sighed and looked down, "Ash I swear it's me." He grabbed her by the arms and made her look into his eyes, "It's me, I swear." She softly smiled and tears fell, "Clint." He nodded and she grappled him into a hug and cried, "I'm so sorry I didn't find you." He sighed, "It's alright I swear.", he kissed her head, "I'm sorry I left." She sighed, "It wasn't your fault, it was his and we know where he is." She looked up at him and Clint smiled down at her and the leant in, their lips meeting, "I love you Ash, so much." She smiled, "I love you too Clint, so much." Natasha walked in, "About damn time." They smiled and looked down. Ashlyn sat on his bed while he went into the bathroom and Nat sat down in the chair, "Nat, can you fly one of those planes?", Clint walked out wiping his hands, "She can't but I can." Steve looked at the two women and they each gave him a nod, "Got a suit?", Clint nodded, "Then suit up." The three friends smirked and they rushed out, suiting up to face Loki.

•••••••••••••••••• 6 Months Ago ••••••••••••••••••

Ashlyn and Clint were on a simple mission, find and take a small covert base. It wasn't going to be hard for the two, there were only 7 men at the little shack. Ashlyn was creeping around the west side and Clint was on the east side. Ashlyn had her gun raised, Clint his arrow. The two rounded at the same time and shots were fired. 

Ashlyn and Clint were separated and they were down to 3 men. Ashlyn quickly downed it to one with her powers and Clint took out the last. They smiled at each other and a man walked out from the shadow behind Clint and took aim, so Ashlyn rushed forward and shoved Clint, taking a bullet to her abdomen while she shot the guy in his head. She fell and Clint rushed over, "We need Medical Evac! Agent Walsh has been shot! I repeat, Agent Walsh is down." If the bullet would have hit Clint, it would've been in his lower back, and it could have crippled him. "Why Ashlyn?", she gave a smile and went to answer but she coughed and blood came up, "Because I-" she coughed again, "Shhh, Ash. Eyes on me. Keep them open." She nodded and soon her vision was tunneling and her earring was fading, "Ash-", then everything went dark. 

Ashlyn woke up in a white room, "Quite a shot you took Ashlyn." She looked at Nick, "You'll be fine.", she smiled, "I'll always be alright." He looked at her, "I'm giving you time off, to recover.", she nodded, "I'll be back in 2 weeks." Nick gave her a look, "I can't be gone for more than that Director." He raised an eyebrow, "When have you ever called me Director?", she chuckled, "Good point."  She looked at him and gave a small smile, "Three weeks." He sighed, "Come back when you're fully healed." She frowned, "How long the doctor say for that?", Nick gave her a look, "a month in a half to two months." She nodded, "I'm going to lose my mind." He laughed, "Nah, you'll get your mind back. You've seen a lot for someone your age.", she scoffed, "I'm 36, and I've been here since I was 19." He shook his head, "17 years." She shrugged, " It is what it is." He looked at her, "You haven't lived. All you know is work." She glanced at him, "I'm not the only one like that Nick, look at Maria." He raised an eyebrow, "She has had boyfriends.", Ashlyn groaned, "Phil." Nick chuckled, "The cellist." Ashlyn sighed, "Clint hasn't had a relationship." Nick gave her a face, "Because you two are always working. Maria and Phil both take time ever once in awhile." Ashlyn shrugged, "If I meet a guy,  I'll take time. I've not met a guy." Nick raised an eyebrow, "You're lying.", she raised an eyebrow, "Excuse me?", Nick nodded, "Barton." Ashlyn rolled her eyes, "Barton is my partner, and my best friend." Nick raised an eyebrow, "That you fell in love with." Ashlyn rolled her eyes, "Whatever." Nick shook his head, "You are both incredibly stupid." She raised her head, "I have work to do." He walked out and she rolled her eyes before falling asleep again.

••••••••••••••••••• Present Day •••••••••••••••••••

Ashlyn changed into her suit and grabbed her weapons, when Clint walked in. "You alright?", she grabbed her electrified batons and twirled them, "Loki took the man I love and turned him into my enemy, then he killed my father. I am far from fine.", she spun and Clint looked at her appearance, "Loki will fall, he will not win. True, we are scattered. Thor and Banner were lost, but they will find their way to New York." She shook her head, "Clint you have to promise that nothing's gonna happen to you." He looked at her a put a piece of hair behind her ear, "I can't promise you that." She gave a soft smile and placed her hand on his, "I know but if you die, I won't have anyone left besides Nat and Nick and they won't make me feel what you do." He gave her a smile and kissed her forehead, "I know darling, I know." They stayed with his hand on the back of her head and her hand on his chest, when Steve walked in, "I hate to break this adorable moment up and all but we got to get to New York." They broke apart and nodded, "Of course, let's go." The two hurried out and left Steve with a smile on his face.