Well here it is. The end of this wonderful story. Bet you all can't wait until I post the next story? ^_^ I'll be posting that as soon as I finish with this one so be on the look out. Until then, hope you enjoyed.

"Director Fury?" declared a sharp voice. Fury looked up from his paperwork concerned. He had previously told Hill that he didn't want to be disturbed yet here someone was. As his one eye focused on the intruder, he was taken aback. There stood Natasha, holding Clint up by supporting his waist. The injuries littering his body made the old agent wonder what the hell had happened since they returned. It was worrying that this had happened on the Helicarrier, let alone on his time there. Clint had somehow gotten out injury free from some type of torture and dealing with the Council. But returning to a place considered home, the archer suddenly looked like hell cooled over.

"What happened?" Fury demanded, concerned. Natasha briefly looked down at Clint. The archer turned to stare at the floor. There was no way he was going to allow those other agents to get in trouble for trying to get revenge. Even if it cost him his job, or even his life, Clint would never give in. Fury waited. Natasha growled lightly at Clint's silence. Seeing as her partner wasn't going to answer, she would.

"I'm bringing Clint to his apartment. Seems safer there," Natasha stated. Fury glanced at Clint. It took him only a few seconds to analyze all the damage. As horrifying as it seemed, Fury could tell that Medical wouldn't be able to due much for him that Natasha didn't already know about fixing. With a deep sigh, he agreed.

"I'm going to ban Barton from the Helicarrier until all this is sorted out. When we finally sort out all those who would cause him trouble, then he'll be allowed back," Fury responded. Natasha nodded, agreeing full heartedly. With her business done, she slowly turned Clint around and the two assassins started to leave.

"I don't need to be banned," Clint whined as they got closer to the door. Natasha shook her head as Fury stood taller, preparing to verbally fight with the archer.

"Apparently you do if you're gonna allow other agents to beat the shit out of you," Natasha mentioned as the two disappeared around the corner. Fury sighed as he watched them. It took an extra two minutes for him to realize what Natasha had said. Cursing, Fury went back to his desk and got ready to call Hill.

"Hill? Get me a list of everyone who would be affected by the Helicarrier attack. Someone got a hold of Barton and I want to know who," he didn't even wait for his second in command to respond before he ended his link. Looking back to his door, Fury remembered all the damage done to his top agent. "Fuck."

Natasha and Clint left the Helicarrier without meeting a single other person. Figuring it was thanks to Fury or Hill, Natasha didn't even question it. She just continued down her path, intent on getting Clint to safety. Once on a completely refueled Quinjet, Natasha dropped Clint off in the co-pilot's chair before setting herself up in the pilot's. She began switching different things as she prepared to take off. Not knowing how to fly as well as Clint, it took her longer than really needed to work out what needed to be done.

"Were you going to let us know that you and Clint were leaving?" a voice called amused. Natasha looked over her shoulder to see Bruce and Steve standing behind her chair. Sighing, she continued prepping the Quinjet. Steve had his hands on his hips and a slightly curious look on his face. Bruce had his arms crossed his chest and a small smirk gracing his lips. They both figured that Clint had probably asked to leave.

"I don't need babysitters, you know," Clint again whined when he heard the new added group of people. Natasha scoffed. But before she could respond, someone else spoke first.

"We aren't babysitting, we're making sure you're okay. We have been worried about you," Steve explained. This time it was Clint who scoffed. Natasha slowly started the engines and prepared to take off. None of the others were paying attention to her now.

"Yeah, sure," Clint mocked, falling into a deep depression as he curled up in his seat. Steve moved forward and spun the chair around. The two gasped at their first true glance at Clint's new appearance.

"Jesus, Clint, what happened?" Bruce asked as he moved closer to examine the damage. As the doctor started fussing with the injuries, Clint winced and tried to turn his chair back around. Sadly, Steve hadn't let go, so he held the seat firm. Natasha grinned, knowing that the others would have her back. Very carefully, she took off. None of the guys even noticed.

"Nothing. I'm fine," Clint hissed.

"This is the very definition of not fine, Clint," Bruce moaned as he noted that the archer's nose was broken. He didn't report it, figuring everyone but Steve knew. But as Bruce examined the damage, he realized that the Other Guy wasn't trying to come out. Hiding his surprise, the scientist realized that though he was angry, he was still calm.

"What happened?" Steve pressed. Clint twisted away from Bruce before sliding out of his seat and walking (well limping actually) away. This time, Bruce felt the well known push. He pushed back.

"I told you, nothing."

"Clint, you're limping! This isn't nothing!" Bruce demanded. His brown eyes gazing at the archer's haggard form. Steve released the chair and walked toward Clint. The agent winced but stood his ground.

"Clint, please, just tell us."

"He got attacked by four other agents," Natasha answered for her silent partner after a minute. Clint glared at her when Steve stiffened and Bruce's eyes flashed green. She didn't add that he could have taken them. Nor did she mention that Clint had allowed them to attack him.

"Jeez, they did this to you?" Bruce questioned, his voice showing that he was clearly trying to hold the Other Guy back. Clint's greyish blue eyes hardened and narrowed into slits as he looked back to the others.

"What do you care? You barely know me, and most of that time that you did, I was trying to kill you!" Clint snapped. Steve's eyes now narrowed as Bruce flinched back. Neither was going to accept that. But it really did show something was wrong with Clint if he was pushing at Bruce's already fragile calm.

"You were under Loki's control. You weren't yourself. Besides, you helped take him down," Steve told him. Clint scoffed and looked away. He remembered the battle. At the time he didn't remember what he had done. But now, it was different. The memories were sharp in his mind.

"I killed so many people. Injured even more. I don't think helping defeat Loki can save me now," Clint muttered.

SMACK!

Clint paused as his one good cheek began to turn bright red. He hadn't expected that. Nor had the one who delivered it. Bruce stood before him, staring at his hand in wonder. He hadn't meant to hit Clint. All he did was react. And, that reaction had made him slap the archer, hard. Getting over his surprise faster then Clint, Bruce focused on the man.

"You are so dumb! Loki made you do all of that! He made you attack all those people! He was the one who first put you in that position! Yes, you can still feel guilty. It's understandable. I would know that more than anyone. But, you can't go around thinking that people beating you up for revenge is okay!" Bruce sharply declared. Clint stared at him in shock. Thankfully he wasn't the only one. Steve and Natasha were even stunned. "Clint. It's not okay. You've been through so much this past couple of weeks. Just take some time. Let us help you."

"What if I don't deserve help?" Clint whispered so softly that Bruce almost missed it. "What if Loki never ordered me to kill all those people? What if I did it all on my own? Would you still be willing to help?"

Bruce stood stock still as he processed what Clint said. Steve frowned as he sorted through the words, wondering where the archer had gotten these insane ideas. Natasha sifted the Quinjet to autopilot before turning and walking into the cabin. She quickly reached Clint and pulled him close. Clint sighed deeply as he rested his head against her neck.

"We will always be here to help."

And with that, Clint began sobbing. He leaned in closer to his partner and broke down. Hot tears rapidly wetted Natasha's outfit as he cried into her shoulder. He was done. Done trying to be strong. Done holding back his fear. Done hiding his overwhelming sadness. But most of all, he was done being alone.

The End

For now.