Before She Was TROUBLE

Mom?

Tony's POV:

If I would talk about my most vulnerable moment, it would probably be the night when I was told that my parents are no more in this world.

I was broken. Lost. And angry, mostly at myself.

If ever I could go back to the past, I would probably go back and tell my father that I love him.

I still wish that till now.

"Uncle Tony......when will they be back?" My six-year-old little goddaughter asks me with her big green glassy eyes.

I cannot seem to find any other word to say to her. God! Why is this so hard to say?

Her big green eyes, filled with hope, a hope that asks to tell her that they would come back soon. All safe and sound.

But, they just aren't fine.

Natasha is in ICU right now and we lost track of Steve. They were going on a mission to stop one of the most wanted man in Russia.

And it wasn't exactly a success.

Trying to wear a smile on my face, which I failed miserably, I take her little hands in mine and kiss it.

"Little bug," I begin, and she raises her little oh so cute eyebrows innocently.

I choked a little, since it is so hard to say these things out to this little girl.

She didn't deserve it at all.

I pat my lap telling her to sit on it which she complies obediently. "Baby, y-your mom.......s-she is not feeling very well."

She just froze in her place. Gone was the bubbly, cheerful little girl.

Then, she looks up at me with those big innocent eyes. "N-not well? Where's daddy, then?" She stammered, fidgeting her little hands on her lap.

Not daring to look at her anymore, I just pull her close to my chest and I hug her tight.

"What do you say..... we meet your mommy?" I ask, trying to keep my voice normal.

Why is this so hard to do? I have broken so many hearts before and I never really feel bad. But with Clara, even telling her about Natasha hurts. It hurts to see her hurting. Too much.

Nodding her head vigorously, she takes my hand in hers.

"It's late in the night, little bug. What about you wear something to keep you warm?" I give her a faint smile.

"Okay. But don't go without me. Promise?" She innocently asks, making my heart soar.

You don't know what you are getting yourself into, babygirl. I thought, since it would not be a sight she would want to see.

Kissing her nose, I smile at her. "Of course, honey. I promise. Now, go fast. Your mommy is waiting for you."
_

"Are you out of your mind, Tony?!" Pepper shouts at me once she sees Clara in my arms.

I know that they don't want Clara to see Natasha in a place like this, but I cannot just let Natasha die like this.

At least, Clara deserves to see her before she passed away. If I didn't do this, I know that I will never forgive myself for the rest of my life.

Hill and Clint stood up from their place, looking surprised at seeing Clara.

Ignoring Pepper, I walk past her and walk towards the two agents.

A single tear went down Clint's face once he sees Clara, probably feeling sorry for her.

Maria tries to fake a smile for the sake of Clara, but everyone can tell that is fake.

Putting her down I look at Clint, silently asking him if I could take this little girl to her dying mother.

He crouches down, in order to match Clara's height and offers her a smile.

Immediately, she hides behind my legs, holding me tightly.

"Remember uncle Clint?" I ask her and she nods slowly.

"He's your mommy's best friend." I whisper in her ears and she finally let me go.

"I-....honey. Wanna meet Mama? She's been waiting for you." He offers her a smile to which she willingly smiles back.

My heart breaks, seeing them like that.

How did you explain to a kid that her mother is almost killed because of many gunshots and that her father's body is being searched?

We hear a loud sob which comes out from the most unexpected person. Hill.

"I-I can't see this any longer." She bursts out, and Pepper hugs her in order to comfort her.

Shifting my attention back to Clara, she gives me a confused look to which I answer with a shrug.

"Come on, lets meet your mother." Taking Clint's hands, she followed him like a lost little puppy.

I raise my eyebrows to the, now, two crying women.

"You don't have to get in there, Pep. She has me.....us." I tell her, and she nodded.

"It's just.....I cannot watch her hurting." She tells me, and I give her a smile to assure her that everything will be alright.

At least, I hope.
_

Walking into the dim lit room, I saw Clara putting her hands in Nat's pale one. Kissing it lightly, she puts Nat's lifeless hands on her face.

Watching intently, I was so lost in my thoughts.

How did you expect a six year old little girl to show affection for her dying mother?

Apparently, when I recall the time when I heard about my parents death. I was a mess.

I would still remember that eventful night even if I forget my name. That is how clear I remembered it.

From this little girl, I've learnt how wrong I was. I ran away and caused a scene. I should've stayed and embrace it. Be a man and pay at leat some respect to my deceased parents.

"Babygirl?" I call her, but she didn't take her eyes away from Natasha.

Then, she looks at me. Her eyes alone speak a lot of her unspoken words.

"She is going to die, isn't she?" She sobs, a lone tear falling on her pretty little face for the first time today.

Even though I want to tell her that isn't true, I could not. Because it was the truth.

Walking towards her, I wrap my arms around her tightly in order to comfort her.

Rubbing a circle on her back, I kissed her hair. "She's a fighter, dear. You mom is too stubborn to just give up." I tell her.