Since I did not read Avengers comic books I tried to do research prior to posting this story. To me it seems that Coulson and Barton have a friendship beyond the supervisor/agent role. Which led me to think that Coulson may have been either the one to bring Clint into S.H.I.E.L.D or was there as an S.O. If it turns out that is not cannon/fact based then we'll make this story AU. :)

Title: Catching up
author: Cindy Ryan
timeline: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D after Girl in the Flower dress but before FZZT. Avengers: six months after movie
summary: Coulson checks up on an old friend

In his partially lit office on the Bus Phil Coulson paged through computer files. Screen after screen of information. Not on his own team; but on one man. A person he was trying to gleam a perspective of from a computer. A friend he couldn't talk to because of S.H.I.E.L.D regs and cover stories. All the Avengers believed he had died on the helicarrier and that included Clint Barton. Once things had settled down Phil had begun to check in on his former protégé. He'd been worried about Barton since he'd been compromised. Having some one else take control like that took a long time to get over. No matter how tough you were. Or thought you were.

With a frustrated sigh Phil tossed down a pen and glanced at the clock on the wall behind his desk. Late but not too late to make a call. People at certain levels and with certain authority were always available and always on call. No matter how much they yelled or told you that wasn't the case. S.H.I.E.L.D chose it's leaders for a reason and Fury was one of the best. One that owed Phil a few favors. Coulson picked up his cell phone and hit a speed dial before raising the device to his ear. He needed to know how Barton was. Needed to know more than the reports were telling him. The S.H.I.E.L.D director answered on the third ring.

"Fury."

"It's Coulson. How are you?"Phil asked as he straightened and then leaned back in the desk chair.

"Fine, but why do I have a feeling you didn't call me to ask me that?"Fury replied.

"Don't worry I'm not going to ask you about Tahiti. Not this time anyway. I need a favor."Phil responded. "I want to know how Barton's doing."

"As well as anybody can be after having an Asguardian DemiGod use you like a puppet."Fury stated quietly. "Has his good days and bad days."

"I want to see him."Phil said even though he knew what the answer would be.

"You know I can't allow that."Fury replied though Coulson could tell the argument didn't have the fight it used to.

"Why are we still keeping this cover story?"Phil asked. "You said my death was used to motivate them to fight Loki. It worked; they won."

"You want to be back among the living."Fury commented.

"If not the general public yet; the Avengers. My team can help them. "Coulson stated quietly. "You know I was Barton's S.O. I need to talk to him; make sure he's okay."

"Alright. I'll arrange for Barton to have a mission near your next stop. I'll send you his coordinates and details."Fury responded.

"Thank you."Coulson replied as he ended the call and set the phone down.

Clint Barton was just leaving S.H.I.E.L.D headquarters large gym when his cell phone beeped. Normally Clint would ignore it but it was the tone set for important work related messages. Swallowing a weary sigh the archer moved to the right side of the hall and into a small side corridor to be out of traffic flow. He unzipped his bag and pulled out the small cell phone. Seeing the flashing icon signaling a text message Clint activated it . He saw it was from Director Fury addressed to both Clint and his partner Natasha.

'Mission change: Depart at 1600. Separate email will follow with mission details and instructions.'

With a frown Clint sent a message back acknowledging that he received and read. As he waited for the follow up email Clint glanced at the time on the phone. He had just under an hour to shower,change, pack and be at the hanger. He'd done it many times before on much shorter notice. Part of being S.H.I.E.L.D was dealing with curve balls. The email from Fury came through and Clint scanned it then cleared the screen. He was just putting the phone back when it rang. Clint wasn't surprised to see Black Widow's number on the caller ID. He smiled she was usually a little quicker than that.

"Phone giving you trouble again, Nat?"Clint asked with a grin as he grabbed his unzipped bag and began to walk phone pressed to his right ear.

"Must need a new battery it's sluggish."Romanoff replied. "I'm assuming you saw the text and email from Fury?"

"Change of plans number two thousand twenty two?"Clint commented sarcastically. "Yep headed back to shower and change. Meet you at the plane 30 before?"

"Just like always."Natasha acknowledged as she ended the call.

Hawkeye shook his head as he pocketed the phone and entered the elevator. While changes in plans were a S.H.I.E.L.D way of life this one seemed strange to Clint. The original mission had been specified for Hawkeye and Black Widow. Their skills needed no substitutes. Now suddenly there was something else of equal or more importance that needed them? Especially after the Battle of New York and S.H.I.E.L.D strapped as thin as it was. Clint knew Fury wouldn't switch them off of it unless it was necessary. With an effort Clint shoved the curiosity away and focused on getting ready for the mission. Either way they'd find out soon enough.

Melinda May glanced sideways as Phil Coulson slid into the co-pilot's seat. While it wasn't unusual for her friend to join her in the cockpit it was unusual for the team leader to do so these days. Lately Phil had been preoccupied with his own mystery or Skye's or the team's current mission. To find him not locked away in his office could be a good or bad sign.

"I'd tell you to get some sleep but I know it'd be a waste of words."Melinda commented softly.

Phil sighed as he took his tie off and slumped in the seat staring out the windshield.

"There's been a slight change in our mission."Coulson commented. "One I requested."

Melinda remained silent; waiting.

"I'm meeting Clint Barton. Fury arranged it."Coulson explained.

At that Melinda did turn in her seat to face her friend. Since they'd renewed their friendship with the formation of the team Phil had told her about Clint. She knew what the young agent meant to Phil. That he was one of S.H.I.E.L.D's best and also somebody Couslon considered family.

"Fury's lifting your cover story?"May asked surprised.

"For Barton and presumably the Avengers. His idea worked there's no point in keeping them in the dark now."Phil replied. "I want to see for myself that Barton's okay."

"You think Loki did more damage then they're telling us?"Melinda asked returning her attention to flying.

"Maybe,maybe not."Phil stated. "I just know we've never encountered anything like that kind of mind control before. It has to have an affect on you no matter how strong a person you are."

"It may not be the warm reunion you're expecting."May cautioned.

"I know, but anger I can handle. That means Barton's still Barton and not a shell of the man he used to be."Phil replied quietly as he stood.

Coulson placed a hand on Melinda's left shoulder and squeezed it as he passed. She smiled after he left grateful that Fury had done everything possible to keep Phil with them. Melinda appreciated and needed his friendship now more than ever. She just hoped he would talk to her afterwards. Dealing with the past even the recent past was never easy.