Playing With Fire (EDITING)

Enduring the Aftermath

In the time it took me to debate if I should wake him, the nightmare was over. He relaxed and exhaled deeply, sending a wisp of hair across my face. Gently so as not to disturb him, I reached up and brushed the hair away. When I brought my arm down again, he shuddered and yawned, blinking his eyes open.

"Morning," I told him quietly, rolling over to face him.

" 'ornin'," he replied, stretching and sitting up.

Without his arm resting on me, I was free to stand and get my blood flowing again. I rolled up my blankets and set them and my pillow neatly under Kurt's table where they wouldn't be tripped over. Next, I stretched and yawned, popping an orange segment into my mouth and offering the rest to Doug. He smiled and ate a few while rolling up his things as well.

The bread was gone and my stomach was still growling at me to find food so I wound my way to the kitchen again. When I reached the door, I stopped dead in my tracks and hid to the side so the couple in the room wouldn't see me.

Agent Romanoff had been sitting on the counter with Clint standing in front of her. She had her hands resting on his shoulders but he was staring at the floor. When I pressed my ear to the wall, I could detect his voice speaking quietly but earnestly. "Tash, I can't do that to her."

"It's alright; she'll understand. She just needs some space and time to come around. I agree that you can't just completely step back and let her warm up but don't push it."

"But she hates me."

"She's your niece, she can't hate you."

"But she does. I see it every time I look at her. She can't stand me because of Barney. I'm not trying to be him for her, I'm just...I don't know. Maybe I am trying to take the place of Barn. He just- From what I can gather, he wasn't exactly around to help raise her."

"So she's just not used to it. That's normal," Romanoff assured him. Clint was beginning to sound more and more agitated and distressed.

"But Tash, she won't listen to anything I say. She's so stubborn and willed and independent. I mean, for Barn not being there while she grew up, she sure is a heck of a lot like him."

"And it bothers you seeing someone that reminds you so strongly of your brother," she summed up.

He must have nodded because she spoke again, "Just remember that she's not Barney. And she is a girl so there has to be a sweet spot in her somewhere. Give her some time, Clint." There was a pause and I heard them kiss. "She'll come around, just don't give up. But don't pressure her either."

"Alright. And if it doesn't work?"

She made a slight 'humph' sort of chuckle. "It will. Trust me." I heard them kiss again before footsteps left through the other door. When I peeked around the doorway, they were gone.

I quickly grabbed some food and headed back to the room where the others sat around, all awake and chatting. "Breakfast," I announced.

Megan jumped to her feet and pulled a banana off the bunch I held out to her. She passed one to everyone in the circle before I handed out the bagels and sat cross legged on the floor as well. They talked and debated for awhile, but I heard very little of it. I was too busy drowning in my own thoughts about my uncle.

He was actually concerned for me. And he wanted to be part of my life but he'd been acting like he was taking my father's place. Not that Papére had really had much of a place to begin with. I didn't want to be watched over or protected like he'd been doing. But someone to fall back on when I needed a foundation would be nice.

When Doug bumped me with his elbow, I jumped. I'd been so lost in thought I hadn't realized they'd been talking to me. "Sorry," I mumbled.

"You've barely touched your food. Are you feeling alright?" Kitty asked.

"Yeah, I was just thinking," I replied, pulling a piece of bagel off and chewing on it.

"Alright," Kitty said. "We were talking about how you took charge in the cell. You stood up sorta. Saved us all."

I felt suddenly shy. I'd never felt shy in my life and especially around my friends. But I did now. "I didn't really do anything. I just wanted to get out."

They accepted my answer and finished eating in silence. I picked at my food until it was mostly gone but I'd lost my appetite after hearing Clint and Natasha's conversation. I was glad I'd heard it though; it meant he was trying to help but didn't want to be overbearing. And Romanoff's advice had been what I would prefer but he might not go with what she'd said. He might ignore her entirely. I wouldn't know until I ran into him again.

"Earth to Lyrica. Is anyone home?" Kurt poked me in the ribs and I looked up. "Hey look, she's alive," he teased.

"I'm sorry guys, I just-" I began.

"No. Don't worry about it," Kitty told me. "It's alright, really."

"No it's ok," I protested. "I keep wandering off. I'll focus."

"We understand. If you need to just sit and think and zone out, say so," she insisted.

"It's fine. I'm done now."

"Sure?" Megan asked.

I nodded. "Yeah."

Before anyone could say anymore, the door slid aside and Banner stepped in. The door slid shut and clicked into place behind him as he crossed the room to Kurt's table. "Hope I'm not interrupting anything," he apologized.

"No, Sir," Megan said respectfully.

I smiled and stood. "Guys, meet Dr. Banner. He's a genius like you'll never meet again. Doc, this is Doug, Kitty, Megan, and you've met Kurt," I said, gesturing to each of my friends in turn.

They each nodded in respect but Banner waved me off. "You flatter me. But it's nice to meet you all."

He paused before tapping me on the shoulder and pulling me aside. "Fury wants you in his office. I suggest you not go alone though. Take Clint with you, maybe Thor or Romanoff."

"What about you?" I asked.

He exhaled heavily and closed his eyes, tilting his face away and down. "Alright. But I can't go in with you, I'll stand outside."

"Thanks," I told him.

When Doc had finished with Kurt, he accompanied me to Fury's office and I knocked boldly on the door. "Come in," Fury's voice ordered.

"Good luck," Doc told me before I stepped into the office.