DA Chapter 12

DA Chapter 3

Chapter 2

Three days had passed since Fury had informed the team of the attacks on the S.H.I.E.L.D. facilities. Whoever was doing the damage seemed to have taken a break from their efforts.

Clint had kept to himself for the most part since finding the symbol in the photographs Fury had given him. Barton hadn’t mentioned to anyone what he discovered, hoping that maybe, just maybe, he was wrong about what he saw.

By day four, Natasha was getting a little concerned. She found Barton in his small office, still staring at one of the photos. Walking in, Nat closed the door behind her and quickly took a seat at the desk opposite Clint. “Alright, spill,” she said flatly.

“What?”

“You have been unusually quiet the last few days, holed up in this office that you never use, and you’ve done almost nothing except stare at these pictures. There’s nothing there, Clint.”

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Finding Home Chapter 12

Chapter 11

Arriving in the training room, I put my headphones in and start my music. I have pent-up frustration, and I need to hit something. Repeatedly.

After taping my hands, I decide the best way not to kill anyone would be to focus on the bags.

Hit after hit, I watch the bag sway slightly. The longer I work, the more aggressive I get. My mind racing, almost drowning out the sound of the music in my ears.

Why does he have to look so damn perfect? Why can’t I get him out of my damn head? Why does he have to be the last person I think about each night? Let alone the first one to cross my mind in the mornings. Maybe I should take a vacation? A weekend away from this damn building? Yea, like Tony, would let you take a vacation after the last time you left. I guess you got a point there. He’d send someone to keep an eye on me. Maybe.

I had completely lost track of time. That is until Steve comes in and taps me on the shoulder.

I turn and look at him, giving a half-assed smile. I continue with the bag, finishing the combination of strikes I had started. With one final hit, the bag bursts and falls from its chain.

I take my headphones off and set my phone aside. Covered in sweat, I grab a towel and wipe my face off.

“Huh. And here I thought I was the only one who did that.” He walks over and grabs a new bag as if it were nothing, hooking it up before turning his attention back to me.

“Yea, well, it’s amazing what I can do when I’m…” I let my voice trail off, not wanting to say the wrong thing.

“Look, Marena, about Bucky…”

My eyes widen ever so slightly as I look up at him. “What about him?”

“He knows most of his past by now. He knows some of the things that Hydra made him do. But we could only fill him in on so much. None of us were there with him during any of it; all we had to go off was the information we knew and the details he could remember from his nightmares. It was like putting together a puzzle without being able to see the final picture. The only constant he ever sees, though, is you.”

He pauses, trying to read my reactions to his words.

“But this history you two have,” he takes a step toward where I stand. “You’re the only one who really knows anything about it.”

“Yea, well, maybe that’s for the best.” I turn to walk away.

“I’m not so sure,” he grabs my arm as I try to pass. “I know you still have feelings for him, I saw that the last time you helped us, and every time you lock eyes with him since you’ve been back.”

“Just drop it, okay?” I growl, pulling my arm free of his hand.

“Want to talk about it?” His voice is calm, comforting, even pleading.

“Steve, I know you want to help and all, and I appreciate it. But, this--this is something that I’d rather not bring up. It’s something I have tried to forget but can’t.” I start to make my way toward the door yet again.

“Maybe if you talk to someone about it? Get it off your chest and give yourself a chance to -?”

“You know, maybe a part of me doesn’t want to forget it?” I turn back to face him. “Maybe a part of me wishes that the Soldier was still here? The Bucky I knew, rather than the one you know. I know what he’s gone through; I know what he’s done. Here’s the thing, though, Steve…”

I watch as he takes a small step back as if recoiling from my words. “I know how to bring the Soldier back. But I’m smarter than that. I know what it would do. Bringing him back would destroy the Bucky that you know now. I can’t have my Soldier - my Bucky - back. I’ve accepted that. But to be around the new Bucky? -”

Steve could read the emotion in my eyes, despite my efforts to hide it. He knows I still feel something for Bucky, but he doesn’t understand why I ran off and avoided him. He doesn’t know what I don’t want Bucky to remember.

“Marena, talk to me. Please, give me something. I can’t keep watching you tiptoe around here like you’re afraid to trigger some bomb. The Soldier and Bucky are two sides to the same man, so what is so bad about him knowing you two were in love?.”

My eyes drop to the floor. Immediately Steve knows he has hit a mark. As he takes a step closer, I take a step back. He stops as soon as I feel my back hit the wall.

“Look,” my voice was weaker than I had wanted - feeling oddly vulnerable having this conversation. “It’s not that I mind him knowing about us, Steve; not that I’d call what we had love per se. But I couldn’t live with myself if he remembered what I caused him.”

A part of me knows Steve is right. Getting the words out would probably be for the best. It is just a matter of convincing myself of that.

“You know he would forgive you, Petrova.” He tries to take a few steps closer.

“I don’t deserve it, Steve. Trying to make your Bucky understand the things that happened when he was my Bucky is impossible. Despite what you say, they are two different people. Do you have any idea how difficult it is for me to see him around every day and yet not have him around? Does that even make sense?”

“So take the time to get to know this Bucky. Fall in love with him all over again.”

Hearing those final words, I look up at Steve with stone-cold eyes. After what I did to him, I could never ask Bucky to accept me the same way the Soldier did.

Putting his hands up in defense, he offers a small smile and takes a couple of steps back.

“Sorry. You know you’ll have to tell him eventually, though, right?”

“Says who? I’ve been doing just fine as it is.” I quip.

“Have you though? He knows you, Marena. He knows something is missing from his memories that include you. There’s a reason he feels comfortable around you, feels safe around you. He just doesn’t know why. And do you have any idea how difficult it is for me to lie to my friends, let alone my best friend, about what I know?”

“I got it. But I can’t tell him, Steve. Maybe I can fill him in on a few things, but not - that.”

“Then let me ask you this. Are you going to be able to stay here? Be able to fight alongside him? Without your feelings completely taking over?”

My voice is suddenly wholly void of emotion. “A mission is a mission, Captain. You know me, the mission comes before anything else.”

“Good. Because he’s coming to train with us.” He nods toward the door as it opens.

Great. Thanks, Captain dumbass.

Bucky walks up to Steve as I stay back against the wall. He has his back to me, and the two of them are whispering.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?”

“She said herself if she trained with anyone else, she’d hurt them. She can’t hurt us as easily, so we’re the best bet.”

“You know I can hear you both, right?” Bucky turns and looks at me, slightly confused, as I raise my brow, looking between the two.

Steve knows I have enhanced hearing, just as they do, but Bucky doesn’t know my secret. Or at least, doesn’t remember it.

Steve slaps Bucky on the shoulder and smiles before walking toward me again.

“You’re going to work with Buck first. I’ll watch and offer pointers.” He says smugly.

“Really?” I whisper once he is close enough, being sure to keep my volume low enough that I know Bucky won’t hear.

“Yes, really. You won’t act on your own, so I’m giving you a chance. I love you, Marena, but something has to give here.” He whispers back, keeping his volume low as well.

“Fine,” I growl in reply as I push off the wall, walking into the middle of the room, waiting, bouncing a little on the balls of my feet. As he approaches, we each take up a simple forward stance.

“Don’t worry. I’ll go easy on you, princess.” He smirks a little.

“Don’t call me that,” I growl in reply. “And don’t worry about going easy. Я могу справиться с этим Солдат (I can handle this Soldier).” His eyes widen a little.

Catching him off guard, I take full advantage. Grabbing his shoulders, I quickly wrap my leg around his. Planting my foot behind his and pushing him to the ground.

As soon as he is flat on his back, I straddle his chest -pressing my forearm against his throat. Not hard, but enough for him to take notice.

Leaning down next to his head, I whisper into his ear. “Возможно, мне нужно поблагодарить его за эту небольшую сессию. (Perhaps I need to thank him for this short session.)” I move so I can see his eyes, smiling as I continue. “Кажется, вы немного из практики. (It seems you are a bit out of practice.)”

Sitting up, I set my hands flat on his chest. He looks up at me with utter confusion, unsure how someone so small can take him down so quickly. With a wink, I push myself off of him and back to a standing position.

Bucky rolls to his side and makes his way to his feet again. Glancing over, I see Steve smiling at the encounter.

As we each take up our stance again, I can tell I will not be able to take him down as quickly a second time. I also know he won’t use his left arm as the dominant one for fear of hurting me. Which means I just have to focus on his right.

Lost in my thoughts, I nearly lost all focus. Luckily, I was aware enough to see his hand coming at my face from my peripherals. Ducking, I reach for his shoulders again, this time pulling myself toward him.

With a well-placed knee to the stomach, I have him doubled over in front of me. Wasting little time, I use my upper body strength to push myself up with his shoulders.

Swinging my leg up and over, I settle myself on his upper back, wrapping my arm around his head, tucking it under his chin, and pressing against his neck again. Using my other to cinch it into place.

I wrap my legs around his midsection and squeeze my thighs together against him as hard as I can.

Bucky tries to stand up, reaching his arms behind him to try to grab at me. When that doesn’t work, he attempts to pry my legs from around him; he lowers himself to one knee.

He is fading, soon using his arm to keep himself somewhat upright. Watching his friend slowly sink to the floor, Steve finally interjects.

“Alright, Petrova. You made your point. Let him go.”

“Always a killjoy, Rogers.” I smile as I release my arms.

Bucky gasps for air as I step down to the floor. Once I was entirely off of him, he lays on his back, coughing a little, staring at the ceiling. I tower over his form, looking down into his eyes, and I smile.

“Я сказал тебе, что смогу справиться с тобой, Солдат. (I told you that I can deal with you, Soldier.)” I shake my head a little, holding back a laugh. “В следующий раз не сдерживайся только потому, что я женщина. Я обещаю, что не сломаюсь. (Next time, do not hold back just because I'm a woman. I promise I won’t break.)”

Walking over to the bags, I grab my phone and skip out of the room. Smirking to myself as I hear Bucky's comment just before the door clicks shut behind me. “She’s a feisty one. I like her.”

Alright, Captain, you win this round.

Chapter 13  - Masterlist - Tag List @lostinwonderland314

Ch. 15

Chapter 14

Maura sat at the conference table with Clint, Steve, Natasha, and Bucky. Tony stood at the head of the table in front of a large screen. The image shown was one Maura knew well.

“This is our next mission,” Tony stated. “Hydra seems to have acquired some information and is trying to replicate my technology.”

“What do we know about the location?” Nat asked.

“From what we can tell, it should be a fairly easy job. There are a few scientists and only about four guards protecting the entire location. Now, that doesn’t -”

“Your intel is wrong,” Maura cut in.

Tony looked over at her. “What?”

“Your intel is wrong,” she repeated.

“How do you know?” Steve questioned her.

“Because… I spent a fair share of my time there.” She glanced down for a moment, then up again. “I know the place inside and out. There are about half a dozen scientists at any given time, usually all working on the same project, but not always. The main lab alone has at least two guards. The small lab on the west side will typically only have one guard when it’s actually in use. You’ll find another dozen agents spread around the grounds and watching the main gate.” Maura looked around the table, meeting each of their gazes before continuing. “It’s not the most heavily guarded facility on Hydra’s roster, but it’s not as empty as your intel would lead you to believe.”

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Ch. 9

Chapter 8

Maura was sitting on the couch in the main living area at Avengers Tower, reading a book and just enjoying the quiet. She had solidified the trust of Fury and the team after the events that unfolded in the weeks prior. Maura had all but tuned out the world around her, until she heard a set of little steps approach. Not looking up, she said, “Hiya, kiddo.”

“Hi,” said the little girl with a broad smile on her face.

“What’s up?” Maura asked, putting a mark on her book’s page and closing it, looking at her young niece.

“I know it’s early in the morning. But, can I sit with you? No one else is awake yet.”

“Of course you can,” Maura said sweetly as she patted the seat next to her.

Morgan hopped up and sat right on the couch next to her aunt. They had only met a month prior since Tony felt the need to wait to introduce his sister to his daughter until he thought he could trust Maura enough. Since that first encounter, though, the two girls had become fast friends. Maura loved spending time with her niece, taking her out for lunch or milkshakes, and even playing dress-up around the Tower.

Morgan sat with her aunt and looked up at her with wondering eyes. “Can I ask you a question, Maura?”

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Overcoming Writer's Block

Write the bits you enjoy first

You enjoy writing the action, the environment the introspection? Go for it! Get that gold written down.

I really enjoy writing dialogue, my draft chapters read like a play with the thoughts and descriptive sections added in later.

Skip ahead to the parts of the story that excite you

This, this, this.

Stuck on a transition chapter? Skip ahead to one of the dramatic/fluffy/nsfw parts of the story that you have been head-cannoning about from the start. Not only will it keep you writing, it may remind you to include any foreshadowing you had in mind for earlier chapters and when you eventually get to your pre-drafted chapter you will love your past self when it's already half written.

Get in the right frame of mind

Put your playlist on, spend time visualising, look at the picture or prompt that inspired you. Whatever drives your muse reconnect with it and begin jotting your ideas down once more

Take a break

Sometimes a cup of tea will do it, other times you need a day. On occasion I've taken a week or more off just to breathe and recharge the batteries.

Look after yourself first.

It can be hard if you have frequent commentors or people really eagerly following your story, the pressure whether self inflicted or from external influences is real. But everyone else can wait. You write for you first, when and if you decide to share your work rest assured we'll all still be here cheering you on.

Xxx

Ch. 8

Chapter 7

It was hard to believe that Maura had been at the Tower for just over a year, even though she had only officially been a part of the team for a couple of months. She’d gotten used to working with the different team members and was comfortable enough around them that she didn’t feel like an outsider or anything any longer. Maura enjoyed the training sessions; they helped her keep a level head in battle and prevent things from going sideways. Which, given her assignment, was something she needed to keep from giving away anything more than what they already knew.

She had gone on a couple of brief missions sporting her new suit from Tony and looking the part of an Avenger. All the while, she kept a close eye on her teammates so that she could report back to her command with some sort of helpful information. That was put on hold for now, though. The team had a new mission that would need her full attention.

“Thor, what do you know about this Perrikus guy?” Fury questioned.

“Only that he is a god of power and an enemy of Asgard,” Thor answered.

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DA Chapter 14

Chapter 13

Harper had woken up at the ungodly hour of three o'clock the following morning. Despite the events of the last three months and the closure she and Clint now had, she knew she couldn't stay. She quickly and quietly changed out of her sleepwear and into some jeans with a t-shirt, loaded up her suitcase, and quietly left the room. Harper had no idea where she would go, but she knew she had to leave.

When Clint awoke to silence, he knew he was alone before ever opening his eyes. He rolled to his side to face the bed his sister had slept in the night before and saw that Harper had tucked in the blankets and propped the pillows up against the wall as if no one had used the bed at all. Clint looked at the clock on the table between the beds and spotted a notepad and pen.

Propping himself up on his elbow, Clint grabbed the pad of paper. She had drawn their symbol and written a small note, 'I'm sorry, Hawk.' He set the pad back on the small table and rolled to his back, just staring at the ceiling.

After several minutes, Clint finally sat up in his bed, throwing his legs over the side and leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees. He ran his hands through his hair and let out an exhausted sigh. Standing up, he grabbed his suitcase and placed it on the empty bed. Flipping it open, he found clothes inside; dark blue jeans and a black t-shirt. He took a quick shower, got dressed, and made sure his bag was packed. Clint checked out from the hotel and made his way to Fort Dodge so he could fly back to New York.

Upon arriving in New York early that evening, Clint drove directly to the compound. He found Fury in his office and knocked on the door. "What is it?"

"Just letting you know I'm back," Clint said, stepping inside the room.

"And?" Fury asked, looking up from the papers in his hand.

"It's done," he assured. "And Harley is gone. I don't know where; she was gone before I woke up this morning."

Fury nodded and returned to his work. Clint went to leave when Fury spoke again. "I know it wasn't easy for you, Barton. But you did good. Go home," he told the archer.

Clint nodded, closing the door as he left. Walking the halls, making his way back to his car, he ran into Bucky. Almost literally. "Barton. You're back."

"Yeah, Barnes. I just got back," Clint replied.

"How'd it go?"

"Did what we needed to," he shrugged.

Bucky nodded in understanding. "How's Harley holding up?"

"No idea," Clint shook his head. "She was gone before I woke up this morning. Left me a drawing of our symbol, and that was it."

The two fell silent. Bucky looked like he wanted to say something but decided against it and instead just nodded and began walking away. Clint watched him go and then turned back to continue to the parking garage.

Arriving at his home, Clint grabbed his suitcase from the trunk and walked inside. He flipped on the living room light, dropped his bag by the door, and collapsed on the couch. So much had happened, and Barton hadn't had a chance to process any of it. Sitting in the silence, he felt his phone buzz in his pocket. Pulling it out, he saw Laura's name flash across the screen. "Hey, what's going on?" he asked, answering the call.

"I just thought I'd check on Harley. The kids have been asking if she is okay after the... well, after a couple of months ago," Laura explained.

"As far as I know, she's fine," he told her.

"What do you mean?"

"She's gone again, Laura. She got the serum, which helped her to heal damn near a hundred percent already. The two of us went to take care of the two guys that had attacked her in the first place. Once the job was done, she was gone. I don't know where though," Clint sighed.

"You sound disappointed that she left," Laura commented.

Clint hesitated, debating whether or not to answer, before deciding he didn't want to lie to Laura. "A little," he admitted. "She's changed, Laura. Or... Maybe I'm just seeing the truth. I don't know."

Laura paused. "That sounds... good? Why do I get the feeling there's more to it?"

Clint chuckled dryly. "Well, yeah. There's something different... She's different. And I don't just mean stronger; she cried, Laura. Not in a normal sense, but she had tears in her eyes. I've never seen my sister show a shred of emotion before."

"If she has the serum in her, Clint, it does more than affect her muscles. It enhances everything about her. Feelings included," she reminded him. "Are you sure she is okay?"

"She'll be fine, I'm sure. It was just... odd. We cleared the air between us a bit, I guess. I even offered her the chance to see the kids again. Be a part of their lives. She denied, of course, but the offer was there. There was something in her eyes, though. Like she was holding back."

"Your sister has been alone for a long time, Clint. It's no wonder she ran again. The attack, the changes she's experiencing, all coupled with going back to her childhood and having to kill the two people that essentially made her who she is? Those emotions are hard for a normal person to process, let alone someone who has buried any ounce of feeling she's ever had," Laura reasoned.

"Yeah, I guess you're right," Clint mumbled.

"Anyways," Laura continued, changing the subject, "The kids want to say 'Hi' to you."

"Of course," Clint smiled, accepting the facetime request from Laura's phone. Nate's face popped up on his screen, and he chuckled, "You have to hold the phone a little farther away, buddy."

"Hi, daddy!" Nate greeted excitedly.

"How are you guys doing?" Clint asked, seeing the older two appear on the screen as well.

"We're good, dad. How is Aunt Harley?" Lila asked, her face slightly worried.

"She's fine, sweetie. She is all healed up and back to work," Clint reassured.

Lila let out a sigh of relief. "Really? Thank god. We were worried after mom told us what happened."

"I know you were," Clint nodded. "But she made a full recovery and is back to her old self."

"Will she come visit again?" Nate asked.

"I don't know, bud. Hopefully she will, but you never know with your Aunt Harley," Clint replied.

Clint spent the next hour talking to the kids. They talked about school and how they were all practicing archery each day. When the kids started yawning, Clint said goodnight to them and ended the call. He put his phone on the coffee table and went to the kitchen for a drink. He hadn't bothered to eat anything all day; nothing seemed to appeal to him.

Taking the water back to the living room with him, he laid down on the couch and turned on the television. He flipped through channels, stopping once he landed on a movie to watch. Clint watched the screen with blank eyes while his mind drifted off. He thought about Harley and how much he had missed about his sister. The only thing he could do now was wait and hope.

Chapter 15 – Masterlist – Taglist

Dark Angel Masterlist

Harper Lee “Harley” Barton had always been the hunter, but when the tables are turned on her, Harper must put aside her natural instinct of protecting her family through distance by coming out of the shadows and admitting the truth. Will she survive the challenges that lie ahead of her? Or will she fall prey to her own darkness once more?

These will be ongoing for the entire story -

Characters - Clint Barton, Harper Lee Barton (OC), James Barnes, Nick Fury, Steve Rogers, Natasha Romanoff, Tony Stark, Laura Barton, Barton kids

Pairing - None through most, but eventual Bucky x Harley OC

Word Count - TOTAL ~40,034

Warnings - Angst, Fight Scenes (nothing too graphic), Mentions of killings  (If you spot any other warnings I should add, please let me know so I can edit this post to include them!)

Read here too!: AO3 - Wattpad - Quotev

Chapter 1  Chapter 2 Chapter 3  Chapter 4  Chapter 5  Chapter 6  Chapter 7 Chapter 8  Chapter 9  Chapter 10  Chapter 11  Chapter 12  Chapter 13  Chapter 14  Chapter 15  Chapter 16 Chapter 17  Chapter 18  Chapter 19  Chapter 20

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I hit a snag half way through the year last year. Writer’s block hit like a ton of brinks, and I couldn’t get out from under it. But I refuse to let it hold tight this year!!! SO! In the coming weeks! -- There will be:: 

RPF Sebastian Stan x OC fic coming!: You Only Live Once. It is one being co-written & posted on Wattpad, and since we have a good headway going, I’m going to start posting it here as well.

Tony Stark x Sister!OC fic coming!: Double Agent. It is finally finished, and just needs to be edited! 

I will be working to post a new chapter of each fic probably twice a week, if all goes well! So keep an eye out!! <3 

Ch. 4

Chapter 3

Maura had been at the Tower with the Avengers for a total of three months. She was slowly but surely getting to know everyone and gaining the trust of each of the members. She was still struggling to crack the tough shell of others, but that was to be expected with some.

She had always been very interested in the people around her, even more so in those that stood alone. Being laid up in a hospital bed most of her life, she had little else in which she could excel.

Maura worked hard to learn as much as she could about each individual. Not only to build a relationship with each of them but to learn of each one’s weakness. For each one, there was a piece of information that she aimed to find out; the tiniest of details always saved to memory. She trained herself to pick out every little nuance, details about their past, present, and even what they wanted for their future.

Since the first Avenger started coming out of their shadows, Maura worked to get a clearer picture of their original personalities. Who they had been before Hydra or S.H.I.E.L.D., and who they were now; the traits that had molded them.

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