Poisoned Freedom

#14 (Part 2)

"You got everything?"

"It is not really like I have anything to bring, capitán."

"Ugh, I guess you're right," Steve smiles at the child, pulling her in for a tight hug. "It's not going to be the same without you here, you know."

"There will be a lot less trips to the infirmary, puedo decir eso con seguridad."

"I'm not even going to ask."

"I have noticed that you all have stopped asking me to translate."

"That's 'cause you never translate."

The two release each other, laughing; Kat reaches back for her crutches at a yell from down the corridor: "Kat, the jet's ready!" it's from Sam, appearing around the corner. His phone rings but he ignores it, grabbing instead for Kat's small bag of belongings.

The two soldiers accompany the girl to the front door, meeting Wanda along the way. "I will visit as much as I can, magía," Kat promises the Sokovian, looping an awkward arm around her in a sort of comfort. "I'll miss you the most."

Steve pretends to be shocked, but chuckles. They reach the open front door of the Avengers Compound, Kat blinking as the bright sunlight hits her for the first time in months. She can't help but smile. "El calor..." the girl murmurs, letting the light warm her. Sam grins at the pure, undiluted wonder on Katarina's face.

Clint takes the bags from Sam, tossing them to Nat so she can load them into the Jet. "Ready to go?" the archer asks the child, smiling at her joyful nod. "Come on, then. We want to get there before dark- Laura and the kids are looking forward to seeing you again, Kat."

"And I, them," Katarina answers before saying her final farewell to Wanda, then Sam, the Steve. "Adios, mis amigos," she says with a wave as she hops her way into the jet, Clint watching to ensure she's safe. Nat helps her settle comfortably into a seat.

"Barton?" Steve takes the archer to one side, concern flashing in his warm blue eyes. "Just... you know. Keep me updated. And keep her safe."

"Of course I will," Clint nods gravely, eyes fixed on the girl he's taking home just inside the jet, Natasha next to her. They both erupt into soundless giggles; Steve can tell Clint's heart is bursting. "You think she'll be alright?"

"I don't know," Steve admits, sighing. "But I do know there's no better place for her than with you."

"You really think so?"

"I wouldn't say it if I didn't."

"Thanks, Cap. That means a lot," Clint's attention is caught by Natasha, the redhead telling for him to hurry up- just in more, ruder words. "Coming!" he shouts in response, rolling his eyes.

"Just one more thing before you go," Steve catches the other's shoulder as he turns. Clint's expectant gaze meets his, one eyebrow raised almost comically. "Don't keep beating yourself up about Pietro. It was his decision to save that boy's life, and yours. We can't change that, no matter how much we want to."

"I know."

"Then stop blaming yourself. Kat wouldn't want you to, if she knew, and neither would Wanda. Pietro definitely wouldn't."

"I think he loved her," Clint says in a small voice. "Kat. I think Pietro loved her. Was in love with her." His words shock Steve into silence, mind whirring a thousand miles a minute. Without waiting for an answer, Clint strides over to the jet, settling into the pilot's seat wordlessly.

*

"So, how are you really feeling?" Clint asks his quiet copilot, Katarina staring out the window, contemplating.

She doesn't answer him for a little while, just continues to let her brain wonder. Eventually she says: "Agente, I really wish you would stop asking me that. I told you, I am fine."

"Why don't I believe you?"

"¿Problemas de confianza?" Kat raises a delicate eyebrow. She glances back st Natasha momentarily, the redhead asleep on a pull out bed usually used for medical emergencies. Clearly, Nat doesn't care. "Honestamente, I am excited."

"Excited?" Clint repeats, slightly unsure. "What for?"

"What you have given me, Agente, is another chance at life. Another chance to be a better version of myself. I am done with HYDRA, with being controlled by someone else.

"You and your family have given me hope. I can never repay that."

Clint squeezes the child's hand, holding on to her fingers for a few more moments. "Our family, Kat. Our family."

*

The Quinjet lands in the same spot it did all those months ago, back when our heroes were hiding from Ultron and the Government. It's 6pm: "Hey, Kat, maybe you'll be able to make it up the steps this time," Clint jokes as the trio step onto the grassy path.

"Hilarioso," Kat retorts blankly, transfixed by the glimmering sunset. "Es muy hermosa," she says, eyes drawn to the magnificent colour changes, scarlet and rose and gold. Her crutches have been left behind in the Quinjet- Kat's hoping she can make it without them. She only uses them when the pain is worse than usual.

The moment Clint steps inside the door he is swamped by children. The exuberant screams only intensify as Cooper and Lila see Auntie Nat. Katarina, instead, heads straight over to Laura: "Thank you so much, estrella. This means the world," she takes in the other child, clasped in Laura's arms. "You had the baby!"

Laura laughs at the girl's excitement. "This is Nathaniel. We all call him Nate."

"He is gorgeous! "

"Thank you, Kat. Now, while Clint tires himself out with the other two, would you like to see your room?"

Katarina's eyes light up, "I would love to, por favor. If it is not too much trouble, I mean."

Laura carefully hands the baby over to Natasha, "Of course not. You're one of the family now."

Kat's taken aback, head whirling as she follows the mother up the stairs. She's slower than the woman, pain almost holding her hostage. Laura waits for her at the top, expression littered with silent understanding because she knows not to say a word.

But the girl does make it up, without physical help, able to eventually stand in the doorway to her new room. The wall are alit with shades of sunset streaming in through the window, a long day's remnants fading into the darkness. Kat feels her eyes water, "It is perfect. Thank you."

Laura hugs the child, feeling her shoulder dampen. "Anything you need, just ask." She releases her. "Coming down for dinner?"

"I think I would rather sleep, if that is alright with you."

"Don't be ridiculous, of course it is. This is your home now too." Promising to get Clint to bring up her bag, Laura leaves Kat alone with her room. The girl perches exhaustedly on the edge of her bed, taking in the wooden furniture, fluffy rug and airy windows. She opens the one behind her, breathing in the fresh air. A few moments later she's asleep atop the covers, a smile on her pale face.

*

A few hours have passed when Clint unfurls the blanket from the end of Kat's bed and covers her over with it. He kisses  gently on her brow, just as he did in the Avengers' infirmary, and grins; what is it about this child? Maybe being a father has changed him. Maybe it's because she took his pain without knowing him. Maybe it's the damn drumsticks.

Maybe it doesn't matter.