The Traitor, The Avenger, And The Killer

An Old Enemy

The truth was, the three former POW's had indeed run into some trouble after killing most if not all of those that had been in Ronan's craft. By the end of the battle, all three of them were getting sloppy, and when it was all over, both K and Clint had nearly collapsed in a hallway from both injury and exhaustion, where they both tried to catch their breath and half smirk to each other.

"I hate Kree environments," K panted out. "Gonna get the bends when we get out of here."

"Just so long as they don't stick me in one of those Star Wars tubes," Clint joked.

"Probably need it," she replied. "Oxygen enriched whatever. You know. So you don't stroke out."

"Made it this far," Clint said, leaning his head back against the wall.

"And it's a testament to Terran luck," Noh teased as he joined the other two, though he sat more gracefully rather than collapsing. He was absently chewing on some light fabric — as long as the material was organic, his body could use it as food to get him healing, and there weren't many choices there without breaking into the galley, which he didn't quite have the energy to do. Maybe later.

"Next time we end up getting interrogated? You two ... just ... just shut up," K said as she leaned her head back. "Neither one of you is fit to go through that."

"Hey — I've had worse," Clint defended. "Just never when I was also a dad. Whole new world. Threw me off my game something awful — got zero training there."

"I noticed," K said nodding slowly. "I tried to help you."

"Which was very much appreciated," Clint added. He let out a long breath. "Should've held out longer, though sorry."

"You know how you say you should always listen to Nat?" K asked. "Well. When Nat's not around, listen to me."

He raised an eyebrow at her and leaned his head back to rest against the wall and close his eyes ."I'll take that under consideration," he said with a small smirk.

"Noh had to learn that the hard way, didn't you, star-kissed moon baby?"

"K, I have definitely learned to follow your lead," Noh agreed without even looking up. "I do appreciate having my intergalactic lawyer with me."

"Well as your counsel, I have to inform you that I don't believe that Ronan should be an issue any time soon," K said. "What's the protocol now?"

"Food," Noh said simply. "Unless you have any better suggestions?" he added with a teasing smirk.

"Delightful," she agreed before she stretched her leg out to give Clint a little kick on the bottom of his foot. "What say you, Avenger?"

"I say I could use a pizza," Clint agreed. "And a nap."

"Well, I can't speak for everybody, but I sure didn't bring a pizza," said a new voice as a few very recognizable figures came around the corner. Several of the kids from the school had somehow made their way up to the ship — and Brye was smirking at them with her hands on her hips. In fact, it looked like several of the students were there.

"You guys look rough," Rico added as Tammy offered Noh her hand with a quiet smile and Hisako helped her pull the Kree fighter to his feet.

"I forgot my lipstick," K teased. "Shameful I know. Are you guys with Scott?"

Tammy shook her head quietly and shared a look with Rico, who clicked his mouth for a second and then shrugged. "We haven't seen Scott since — since the semester ended."

"So you kids are playing hero all on your own now?" Clint asked, sounding a bit proud.

"Well, Hisako here has graduated. That's a mark toward joining the team for good," Noh pointed out as he wrapped up the girl in a warm hug. "It's good to see you all."