Chapter Text
“She’s not dead. I don’t care what you and your AI say Tony. She’s not.” Clint was adamant.
“Look, I know it’s hard to accept Clint. But she’s gone. The last known photos showed her inside the Triskellion when the Hellicarrier crashed into it.”
“Yes, a grainy photo of her, Pierce and Fury, who was already confirmed dead, prior to that time stamp. You think I’m going to take that as proof? Not likely.”
“That photo was the only piece of evidence Jarvis could find. There’s a gaping hole of data missing. I don’t know if it was HYDRA or SHEILD deleting everything, but that system is crashed beyond belief right now,” Tony said.
“What the hell is going on? I go on a recon mission for some stupid missing twins and the whole world turns upside down. Hydra, Tony, Hydra?!? It sounds like something out of one of Cap’s comic book stories.”
“Well, we’ve got Steve confirmed alive, but he’s not answering my calls, just a quick text that he’s going off grid for personal reasons. Then, he dumped his phone. And by the way it looks like you’ve been replaced as his favorite birdbrain. This Falcon project guy even got wings.”
“Not really relevant unless he knows where Tasha is.”
“Look, if she’s out there, she’ll get to you. Just sit back and try not to get caught in this shit storm. You’re an Avenger, but you’re still S.H.I.E.L.D. I’ve got no idea who the good guys are anymore and they’re gonna be gunning for you and anyone else in S.H.I.E.L.D. that they can round up. Let me get you someplace safe,” Tony replied.
“I don’t want to involve you. But I’ll take a go bag and maybe some of the new experimental arrowheads. Can you get them from the lab for me?” Clint asked.
“Sure. Look, I’ve got cash in the safe upstairs. Let me grab that, as well. I’ll be right back. Also, take this, it’s the newest StarkPhone. Unhackable and it’s got the newest biometric system uploaded specifically tuned to you. I want JARVIS to be able to keep track. If something happens with your vitals, I'll be in the suit and on my way to you ASAP.”
Clint took the sleek phone from his friend, “Your phone can track my vitals? That’s not creepy at all, Tony.”
“Hey, at least I didn’t plant a tracker in you like I did for Pepper,” Tony replied as he headed out the lab doors.
Clint blinked at Tony’s retreating back. “JARVIS, tell me he’s kidding, and if he’s not please save me footage of when Pepper finds out.”
“I can neither confirm nor deny Sir's statement,” came the reply from the disembodied AI.
Clint chuckled for a moment. Then he pulled out his S.H.E.I.L.D. badge. Phil had given him this badge when he’d been promoted to Specialist. He’d told him that it was special and to never lose it. That Nick Fury himself had set this badge aside for Clint when he’d first joined S.H.I.E.L.D. knowing that Clint would make Specialist, that Nick had faith in him, and Phil did as well.
Now Clint knew why this particular badge was so special. That morning, a day after his whole world blew up, the badge had lit up. There was a series of numbers along the bottom of the badge just below the emblem. It was a beacon to Clint. He had to find out what it meant, if Nat was reaching out to him. Was Fury dead or was he alive? That picture of them at Triskellion didn’t make any sense.
“JARVIS?” Clint cautiously called to the AI.
“Yes, sir.”
“Can you check something for me? Just between us. I don’t want Tony involved just yet.”
“I can assist you, Agent Barton, however if sir asks me a direct question, I am obligated to answer him honestly.”
“Ok, that’s fair enough. But…can you please not call me ‘Agent’ right now? I’m sort of not sure what to believe at the moment. Just, I’m just Clint, or Hawkeye.”
“I understand, Clint,” the AI replied. “For what it’s worth, the ideals that Mr. Stark Sr., Agent Carter and Col. Phillips founded S.H.E.I.L.D. were and still are worthy goals and ones that you can be proud that you’ve upheld.”
“Thanks, JARVIS.” Clint replied. “I appreciate that, I wasn’t the best person when I joined S.H.E.I.L.D., but Phil saw something in me that I didn’t, Hell, I still don’t see it. But I’m going to keep trying, for him, for his memory. I owe it to him.”
“We all will do our best to honor Agent Coulson, Hawkeye, myself included,” JARVIS said. “If what you’d like me to do is a matter of urgency, Mr. Stark is nearly done with his task.”
Clint startled, pulling himself from his maudlin thoughts. “Yeah, thanks JARVIS. I need to know what these numbers mean. I’m assuming they’re coordinates.”
Clint opened his billfold and JARVIS scanned the glowing numbers.
“You are correct, Clint,” the AI advised. “These are indeed coordinates, to a destination in Canada.” A topographical map appeared in front of Clint. “Would you like me to send the information to your StarkPhone?”
“Will Tony be able to see the information?”
“Yes, Mr. Stark will be able to access your StarkPhone, but only if he is aware he needs to.”
Clint nodded. “Ok, that’s good enough. Download the maps to me, please.”
Tony walked back into the lab just as the maps disappeared from JARVIS’ screen. He was carrying two bags and a set of keys that he tossed to Clint.
Clint raised an eyebrow at Tony. “Ford keys? Tony, are you slumming?”
“Mid-price-looking car, a decade old, untraceable plates and an engine by Stark, what else could you need? I’m assuming you’ve got fake IDs. I hadn't gotten that far with plans yet.”
“Nah, I’m good. I’ve got ones that weren’t S.H.E.I.L.D. issued. Nat and I always had backup plans.”
Tony nodded and opened one of the duffle bags. “Well I don’t think you had this much of a backup plan.”
Clint looked into the bag; it was filled with cash. “Jesus Tony! What the hell?! There’s got to be a hundred thousand dollars in there?”
Tony scoffed, “More like a half a million. What kind of billionaire do you think I am?”
“Why don’t you paint a target on my back while you’re at it?” Clint replied, taking a few handfuls of the cash and putting them in various pockets of his clothes.
“Are these sequential?”
Tony raised an eyebrow, “This ain’t my first time at the rodeo pal. That pile’s been built, sorted and resorted with older bills.”
Clint nodded, packing his collapsible bow and the quiver that Tony handed him.
“You know where you’re going?” Tony asked.
“Yep. I’m going to check out a couple of Tasha’s safe houses, even the ones that she thinks I don’t know about. I’ll check in with you in a couple of days.” Clint hoisted the bags on his shoulder, shook Tony’s hand and left, taking the steps two at a time.
“JARVIS?” Tony asked.
“Yes, sir?”
“He was lying to me, wasn't he?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Activate the trace on the Ford,” Tony said.
“Is that advisable, sir? If Clint needed you’re help, I’m certain he’d ask for it.”
“Clint? When did you two become buddies?” Tony snarked.
“Agent Barton indicated he’d prefer not to be called ‘Agent’ at this time due to the current Terrorist status of S.H.E.I.L.D.”
Tony nodded. “Understandable. Here’s a compromise: you track Legolas and if you think he needs help, you let me know.”
“That is an acceptable compromise, sir.”
“That’s me, all kinds of flexible.” Tony went back to his workstation to complete the upgrades on the newest Iron Man suit.
After a few minutes, JARVIS interrupted. “Sir, the new head of SI security is here to see you.”
Tony’s head swiveled at that. “New head of security? What the hell are you talking about? Happy’s the head of security.”
“I have been advised of a new change in status for Mr. Hogan by Ms. Potts. Mr. Hogan is now listed as Ms. Potts personal guard,” the AI replied. “The new head of Stark Industries International Security is waiting for permission to enter the labs level now.”
“Wait? They’ve gotten inside without my approval? JARVIS, I am not amused.” Tony glared at the ceiling.
Tony turned at the sound of heels clicking on the staircase outside his workshop. He watched a pair of trim ankles turn into muscled calves in a classic navy skirt. Tony tilted his head, confused. Usually, the only heels that descend that staircase belonged to Pepper. Traveling his eyes upwards, he saw the smirking face of Maria Hill.
“Has Barton left for Canada yet?”