Broken - A Clintasha Fanfic *ON HOLD*

Broken - Part 1

Natasha looked up to Coulson, who just handed her the Mission brief for the next Strike Team Delta job. "You know we can't go now Coulson." she said "Clint won't be back before Thursday." It was Tuesday. They had to leave in five hours if they wanted to be in time. "Natasha we need him!" He argued. "Nobody is able to make the required shot but him. Otherwise I would have sent Mey and Koenig."

"I am not sure if he is able to shoot anything at all at the moment Coulson. You know which date it is." Indeed he did. Today was the day of his Brothers betrayal. Back when they were still at the circus. Barney left him to die that night. Together with the Swordsman and the Ringmaster they ended Clint's life. If it wasn't for his mentor Buck Chisholm he would be dead now.

Coulson rubbed his eyes"You will have to get him Natasha." Why did they have to need Barton on the exact two days of the year when he needs his downtime? Bad timing after all. "I am not sure if that is a good idea. We can't predict which state he is in." That was true and Phil knew it. You could never be sure how the archer drowned his feelings. One time he walked in on him in the range shooting his fingers bloody. The other time he drunk himself in a coma. Natasha once found him racing through the mountains near D.C. until he collapsed. "You know whats at stake. Many civilians might die if we don't disable the Hydra satellite before they launch it. We can't afford to wait for him." again Coulson tried to be reasonable.

It was a hard call, they both were aware of how much Clint needed his time alone that day.

Natasha exhaled deeply "Alright. Fine. I will try to get him but we both get a week free time in return." Her chest tightened. She loved her Partner but sometimes the well-being of hundreds of civilians was more important. "Granted. I will prepare everything for your departure. Call me if you need something." She just nodded and made her way to the garage. Time to face the demon.

She knew he was not at one of the Shield bases near New York so her first try was his little apartment in Brooklyn. Might as well pick up some food before finding him she thought and arrived 20min later with a box of Chinese takeaway (his favorite next to pizza) at the old apartment complex.

It took her almost five minutes before she had the guts to enter. But soon the worry took over so she pushed the door open and made her way towards the stairs. Three stories later she stood in front of an old door. The Letter "H" over the door frame started to loose its black paint. Natasha still wondered  if it was coincidence he rented the apartment H or if he just messed with the order of them when he bought/stole the house. Maybe she will ask him sometime.

She knocks but is not surprised when nobody answers. Clint wouldn't even open the door if he heard the knocking. Everybody who might have urgent business to discuss with him has a key (or could pick the lock in less than 7 seconds including Fury). Still she knocks a second time to announce that she is coming in. She still doesn't know what he is up to and you better be save safe than sorry right?

The Apartment is a mess as usual. Clothes and Pizza boxes laying on the ground, forming a carpet of purple, black and white. Natasha immediately senses that he is not there. Still she checks every room before heading out. He was here though. There are new Pizza boxes on the kitchen counter and it smells like semi fresh coffee. She can also smell a fresh scent of his aftershave that hangs in the air. He can't be gone longer that three or four hours. But where is he gone?
The amount of abandoned beer bottles next to the torn couch lets on that he didn't take his Ducati but the walking distance of a trained Assassin is about as wide as the three state area so he might be everywhere. She knew the beer must have been from today or  yesterday because Clint usually didn't drink. Not even a beer at Stark's parties to socialize. He only used alcohol when he wasn't able to sleep otherwise. Or if the pain became to strong to fight.