Eyes in the Sky

[He couldn’t see where she lived. With his whole avuncular thing going on there was no way he’d let her stay there. But she couldn’t turn him down without looking suspicious.]

… Sure. Thanks.

"Here to help as long as I get to throw down with these jokers, they’ll never know what hit’em," she looked over her shoulder and the man and grinned. "Also there is a big bad boss man in here I gotta shake down, that cool with you?" The blonde didn’t wait for an answer before running towards the van and vaulting herself over the hood of the van.

Goons were now pouring out of the warehouse. So much for his planned surprise attack. He climbed onto the top of the van and immediately got to work picking them off from his higher ground.

It was working, until a few bullet shots ricocheted off the van just inches away from his feet. "Holy shit--" Time to go. He leaped off the van and right onto one of the thugs that was rushing up to him. "Crooootch in the face, buddy!" He socked him hard in the face and just as the man fell over backwards from unconsciousness, Clint did a little jump and landed neatly on the ground with both feet. 

[He stared at his cell phone for a long time out of a mixture of shock, relief, and anger.]

[ Seconds, minutes ticked away while she stared down at her mobile. Her fingers hovered over the buttons as a tight feeling settled in her chest. Did he honestly believe that she hadn’t thought about sending him, and others, a message? Did he really think her to be that cold hearted?

Well, then again, she never made the effort to convince anyone of the contrary. Except maybe… But that was ancient history. ]

[That was not how he wanted it to work, dammit.

But he understood what she meant, why she chose to do things that way. He shouldn’t complicate matters and put her life in danger as a result. It was selfish and unfair. And he’d made enough selfish decisions to last him a lifetime.]

[text]: Ok Sure I underst- Take care of yourself, Fel.

[He stared at his cell phone for a long time out of a mixture of shock, relief, and anger.]

[Good question. What did he want to hear from her? He knew that she wasn't the type of person who made excuses for their behavior. He wouldn't want her to do it too, change herself just to make him--or anyone, for that matter--happy. All he was doing was fooling himself.]

[text]: Something. Anything. Just not this.

[He stared at his cell phone for a long time out of a mixture of shock, relief, and anger.]

[ His reaction was unexpected, to say the least. The job forgotten for the moment, she took some time to think about the best way to reply. And to sort out her own feelings.

In her world, not hearing anything about anyone was a good thing. The moment you got news about someone it almost always meant something bad has happened. Keeping those she held dear in the dark about what she was up to was her way of showing that she did indeed care.

But there was no way that she’d ever admit to that openly. To anyone.

Closing her eyes, a small smile found its way to her lips. ]

[After all that time, not knowing if she was alive or dead, and all she could say to him was a measly 'thank you'?

No way was he going to let that slide.]

[text]: Is that all you can say?

To successfully make a shot, you gotta follow and master basic steps. Your stance is the foundation, where you draw your strength. Nock the arrow and grip. Realize you are wielding a weapon. Mindset. Focus solely on your goal, regardless of your surroundings. Be in the now. Set up and draw. Inhale and prepare for what you are about to do. Aim. All that remains is you and your target. Release and follow through.

Caution: badasses at work.

[He stared at his cell phone for a long time out of a mixture of shock, relief, and anger.]

[ She stopped what she was doing when she felt her mobile buzzing with a new message. Raising an eyebrow when she read his reply, she couldn’t help but smile at his choice of words. ]

[text] Still am, love. Working. Hiding.

[text] Trying to get some unpleasant characters off my back.

[His heart was still racing as he gripped his cell tightly, waiting for her response. She's okay. She's fine. It's just her habit, that's all. She had to stay hidden, or else she wouldn't have been--fuck. Then why was he so angry?]

[text]: Not a single text in months.

[text]: Not even a phone call.

[text]: You couldn't even have left a note?!

What are you so worked up about? Y'coulda taken care of it on your own.