August 8 - Where In The World Was Clint Barton - #18
Title: Where In The World Was Clint Barton - #18
Author: Beriaearwen
Characters: Clint Barton, Buffy Summers, Willow Rosenberg
Crossover: Buffy The Vampire Slayer / Avengers (movieverse)
Rating: Suitable for people over 13
Word Count: 1159
Notes: Yet another theory on where Clint Barton was during the events of “Captain America: The Winter Soldier”
Disclaimer: The characters of Buffy the Vampire Slayer belong to Mutant Enemy, etc. The characters of the Avengers belong to Marvel, etc. All are used here without permission. No copyright infringement is intended.
Clint bit back the groan he felt as consciousness returned. His mouth was dry as the Sahara - and thanks to a mission or two, he knew just how dry that was - and every muscle in his body ached. A cool hand brushed hair away from his forehead and someone called something out.
He tried cracking his eyes open as he felt the head of the bed being raised and then the bump of a straw on his lips.
“Slow sips or I have to take it away,” a young female stated.
Blinking as he tried to focus on her, he decided she was serious and slowly took small sips.
“The doctor will be here soon to go over what happened. You were pretty out of it when we found you, but managed to tell us your name was Clint. It was a good thing, too since you had no identification on you. I'm Willow, by the way.”
He blinked at her, slowly processing what she said and trying to get his brain working. “Where?”
“Scotland at the moment. But we'll get you wherever you need to be. Just relax. Oh, here's the doctor and Buffy's with her.”
Over the next few moments his mind seemed to clear a bit and the events he could remember came back into focus. When the doctor left, he leaned back and closed his eyes. Neither Fury nor Tasha would ever let him live this down.
“I know you're probably tired, but do you think we could spend a few minutes talking?” the blonde woman - Buffy - asked.
He sighed and nodded.
“OK. First, just so you know, once you're up to it, we'll help get you home. Do you remember your hotel name? We can send someone by to pick up your things.”
“Hotel Alfred.”
“OK. Where is that?”
“Jersey City.” He heard Buffy blow out a breath of air.
“OK. Well. That will make things interesting.”
“Hm?” he asked, not wanting to give too much else away.
“You're in Scotland and obviously without a passport, but we'll figure something out.”
Clint felt his breath still for a moment as he processed that information. Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, he did his best to remember what happened. He'd been on a simple information drop in Jersey City. He hadn't even brought his bows. He remembered going to the bar where they were to meet. He would have to cover that part up, but keeping as close to the truth as possible would make the lies easier. “I was waiting for a friend at a bar and headed back to use the restroom. As I was passing a door, I thought I heard a woman scream, so I opened it to find out what was wrong.” He thought back on that scene, but must have been quiet for too long. He looked at the blonde who rested a hand on his arm.
“You don't have to go on if it's bad,” she assured.
“Not bad,” he admitted, knowing he was going to sound insane, “just... really weird.” He noticed the amused curve to her lips and a knowing look in her eyes.
“I'm from California, I've seen weird,” she assured with a wider smile.
“Not like this,” Clint muttered before taking a breath. Letting it out slowly, he continued, “There were five guys in the room, all wearing costumes. They were playing poker, but instead of chips, there was a basket on the table and... well... it looked like kittens.” He watched her but she didn't seem surprised by that. It set off some warning bells for him.
As if sensing his suspicion, she winced, “Kitten poker is not unknown to me. I used to... date... a guy who played.”
He blinked at her as his brain tried to process what she'd just said. “Oh. Kay.” He shook his head. “Anyway, I tried to apologize, but one of the guys in costume knocked over a basket on the floor when he turned to look. About eight kittens escaped and ran out of the room. He and the others screamed. More kittens escaped. There was a bit of chaos and next thing I know one of the guys who had to spend way too much time in the gym, had me up against the wall and was hissing that since I lost his ante, I would have to replace it.”
“And so they set you to capture cats and kittens until they felt they had enough,” Buffy added, having seen where the story was going.
There had been a little more to it than that, but he could barely believe it all and he'd lived it. He just nodded and let that go. “I went out and captured what cats I could, but then I was knocked out and we moved around.”
“Given the scratches and scars, not all the cats were happy to be captured.”
Clint snorted. “No, no they weren't.”
“One of your scratches got infected and you ended up with a really high fever. Cat scratch fever is what the doctors called it. Do you know what day it is?”
“It was the 23rd when I went into the bar, but I sort of lost track.” He grew concerned at the wince that crossed her face.
“It's the 23rd today, so chances are you've lost a whole month. I'm sorry. There must be people frantic for you.” She took a slight step away. “The phone next to the bed is an outside line. It should allow for international calls. You call whoever you need and I'll get started on getting you back to the States.”
His brain was still stuck on the fact he'd been gone a month. Laura would be worried. Tasha would be worried, but then, she had Steve to watch over too, but how much trouble could he be? “Thanks,” he said, deciding to call Laura first and then get in touch with Fury.
“Not sure how receptive they'll be to phone calls now, it's like two in the morning in New York right now.”
He smiled. “I'll wait a bit. Catch up on some news.”
“Remote is on the table as well as a channel guide. Rest up and feel better, I'm sure there are people at home waiting for you.”
He nodded as she turned to leave.
With a sigh, he picked up the remote and the channel guide. Deciding to watch a news station first, he turned the television on and then changed to the appropriate channel. The sight that met his eyes was of a pile of rubble that used to be SHIELD headquarters. He knew only a few people who could achieve that level of destruction. “Oh, Tasha. What did you and Steve do now?”
End.
Author: Beriaearwen
Characters: Clint Barton, Buffy Summers, Willow Rosenberg
Crossover: Buffy The Vampire Slayer / Avengers (movieverse)
Rating: Suitable for people over 13
Word Count: 1159
Notes: Yet another theory on where Clint Barton was during the events of “Captain America: The Winter Soldier”
Disclaimer: The characters of Buffy the Vampire Slayer belong to Mutant Enemy, etc. The characters of the Avengers belong to Marvel, etc. All are used here without permission. No copyright infringement is intended.
Clint bit back the groan he felt as consciousness returned. His mouth was dry as the Sahara - and thanks to a mission or two, he knew just how dry that was - and every muscle in his body ached. A cool hand brushed hair away from his forehead and someone called something out.
He tried cracking his eyes open as he felt the head of the bed being raised and then the bump of a straw on his lips.
“Slow sips or I have to take it away,” a young female stated.
Blinking as he tried to focus on her, he decided she was serious and slowly took small sips.
“The doctor will be here soon to go over what happened. You were pretty out of it when we found you, but managed to tell us your name was Clint. It was a good thing, too since you had no identification on you. I'm Willow, by the way.”
He blinked at her, slowly processing what she said and trying to get his brain working. “Where?”
“Scotland at the moment. But we'll get you wherever you need to be. Just relax. Oh, here's the doctor and Buffy's with her.”
Over the next few moments his mind seemed to clear a bit and the events he could remember came back into focus. When the doctor left, he leaned back and closed his eyes. Neither Fury nor Tasha would ever let him live this down.
“I know you're probably tired, but do you think we could spend a few minutes talking?” the blonde woman - Buffy - asked.
He sighed and nodded.
“OK. First, just so you know, once you're up to it, we'll help get you home. Do you remember your hotel name? We can send someone by to pick up your things.”
“Hotel Alfred.”
“OK. Where is that?”
“Jersey City.” He heard Buffy blow out a breath of air.
“OK. Well. That will make things interesting.”
“Hm?” he asked, not wanting to give too much else away.
“You're in Scotland and obviously without a passport, but we'll figure something out.”
Clint felt his breath still for a moment as he processed that information. Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, he did his best to remember what happened. He'd been on a simple information drop in Jersey City. He hadn't even brought his bows. He remembered going to the bar where they were to meet. He would have to cover that part up, but keeping as close to the truth as possible would make the lies easier. “I was waiting for a friend at a bar and headed back to use the restroom. As I was passing a door, I thought I heard a woman scream, so I opened it to find out what was wrong.” He thought back on that scene, but must have been quiet for too long. He looked at the blonde who rested a hand on his arm.
“You don't have to go on if it's bad,” she assured.
“Not bad,” he admitted, knowing he was going to sound insane, “just... really weird.” He noticed the amused curve to her lips and a knowing look in her eyes.
“I'm from California, I've seen weird,” she assured with a wider smile.
“Not like this,” Clint muttered before taking a breath. Letting it out slowly, he continued, “There were five guys in the room, all wearing costumes. They were playing poker, but instead of chips, there was a basket on the table and... well... it looked like kittens.” He watched her but she didn't seem surprised by that. It set off some warning bells for him.
As if sensing his suspicion, she winced, “Kitten poker is not unknown to me. I used to... date... a guy who played.”
He blinked at her as his brain tried to process what she'd just said. “Oh. Kay.” He shook his head. “Anyway, I tried to apologize, but one of the guys in costume knocked over a basket on the floor when he turned to look. About eight kittens escaped and ran out of the room. He and the others screamed. More kittens escaped. There was a bit of chaos and next thing I know one of the guys who had to spend way too much time in the gym, had me up against the wall and was hissing that since I lost his ante, I would have to replace it.”
“And so they set you to capture cats and kittens until they felt they had enough,” Buffy added, having seen where the story was going.
There had been a little more to it than that, but he could barely believe it all and he'd lived it. He just nodded and let that go. “I went out and captured what cats I could, but then I was knocked out and we moved around.”
“Given the scratches and scars, not all the cats were happy to be captured.”
Clint snorted. “No, no they weren't.”
“One of your scratches got infected and you ended up with a really high fever. Cat scratch fever is what the doctors called it. Do you know what day it is?”
“It was the 23rd when I went into the bar, but I sort of lost track.” He grew concerned at the wince that crossed her face.
“It's the 23rd today, so chances are you've lost a whole month. I'm sorry. There must be people frantic for you.” She took a slight step away. “The phone next to the bed is an outside line. It should allow for international calls. You call whoever you need and I'll get started on getting you back to the States.”
His brain was still stuck on the fact he'd been gone a month. Laura would be worried. Tasha would be worried, but then, she had Steve to watch over too, but how much trouble could he be? “Thanks,” he said, deciding to call Laura first and then get in touch with Fury.
“Not sure how receptive they'll be to phone calls now, it's like two in the morning in New York right now.”
He smiled. “I'll wait a bit. Catch up on some news.”
“Remote is on the table as well as a channel guide. Rest up and feel better, I'm sure there are people at home waiting for you.”
He nodded as she turned to leave.
With a sigh, he picked up the remote and the channel guide. Deciding to watch a news station first, he turned the television on and then changed to the appropriate channel. The sight that met his eyes was of a pile of rubble that used to be SHIELD headquarters. He knew only a few people who could achieve that level of destruction. “Oh, Tasha. What did you and Steve do now?”
End.