Who: Kate Bishop, Clint Barton, Frank Hardy When: Today, after Kate got shot Where: Hospital What: Visiting Rating/Warnings: Low/Hospital stuff, successful surgery to remove a bullet Status: Complete!
Clint had been out working when Kate had left the apartment. He honestly hadn’t thought too much about it when he did get home -no Barney because apparently he was out meeting contacts, no Kate and Lucky just hanging out by the sofa sleeping like the lazy dog he was. She’d probably gone to meet friends or whatever and Clint would worry about it later if she didn’t come home or text.
With Orange County there was always the risk of some chaos going on.
Of course then he got the phone call that she’d been in some kind of armed robbery, because of course she had, they were both magnets for trouble, and was taken in to the hospital. They just had to mention the words shot and surgery and Clint was in the car quicker than a shot himself.
It was possible there were traffic laws broken, and possibly he’d have a speeding ticket or something later, but right then it really didn’t matter. They were lucky he didn’t just drive through the front of the hospital. But no, after parking the car (legally) and getting into the right department at the hospital, Clint was up at the reception desk with a mild look of panic.
“I’m here about Kate Bishop? I got a call about a gunshot wound?” Since apparently giving out more information over the phone wasn’t allowed.
It had taken Frank longer than he had anticipated to clear his and Kate’s name with the detectives in charge of the robbery case. They had met him in the ER waiting room and taken him to an empty patient room for questioning. Apparently the beat cop had informed them of his “relationship” with the injured woman, so they had agreed to conduct the interview at the hospital instead of bringing him in downtown.
Wasn’t that just the cat’s pajamas.
After an hour of hashing and rehashing the scene the detectives seemed to be content with the fact that Frank was not changing his story. The handcuffs were removed and business cards were exchanged. There was the typical threat not to leave town - I thought they only did that in movies - and then Frank was left to go his own merry way. Which in this case was straight to the nurse that had met the ambulance at the door who was still lingering in the corridor behind the reception desk.
“Hi, I don’t know if you remember me. I’m Frank Hardy. I, ah, came in the ambulance with Kate. She’s in surgery right now for a gunshot wound?” Frank realized he didn’t even know her last name. He’d promised her that he would be there when she got out of surgery, but he had apparently not anticipated all the logistics that went with that particular promise. I’m getting to be as foolhardy and headstrong as Joe was in High School.
“I remember you. The guy in handcuffs, right? You said your name was Hardy?” Apparently, that was not the name the woman was expecting. Looking up from the files she was organizing, the nurse frowned. “We have a Clint Barton listed as her emergency contact.” The nurse gave him a look that seemed to be both suspicious and sympathetic at the same time.
Frank, on the other hand, was confused as to why he was receiving that look. Of course he wasn’t Kate’s emergency contact. He’d only just met her a few hours ago. Why would she think-
Oh.
“How is she? Is she out of surgery yet?” Frank quickly changed the subject. He could already feel his ears heating up. If the gossip had already made it around the ER, this was going to be an even more difficult situation to get out of. The nurse gave him one more pitying look before giving him directions to the room Kate had been assigned with strict orders not to wake her. For any reason. He quickly agreed; he’d already had his share of trouble for the day. Frank just hoped that he would be able to see Kate and be on his way before the real fiance or boyfriend showed up.
Which of course Frank had no such luck with.
After a very long run through of the situation as they knew it, Clint was given the good news that Kate’s prognosis wasn’t serious, but she had been in surgery and another nurse went to find out if she was out and in recovery yet while Clint got to fill out god knew what kind of forms to deal with this crap, he really needed to find out if Kate had any allergies or pre-existing conditions.
It took another update of the situation and apparent encouragement that Kate would be fine, like Clint didn’t understand gunshot wounds, at least he’d know how to keep her from doing some dumb shit over the next few weeks while it healed. His head was already starting to hurt like a bitch from all the fluorescent lights while the nurse led him to Kate’s room, chattering away about the recovery and giving him a list of things to not do and warning that she might be a little out of things for a while. “Just try not to wake her up, let her sleep off the anesthesia,” and there was that pitying smile that Clint assumed was meant to be comforting or some shit.
Just giving a nod, Clint turned into the room while the nurse wandered off to pity some other poor sap, of course Clint ended up stopping short when he noticed another person already in the room -guy that Clint didn’t recognise but definitely wasn’t Kate’s dad, not that he was even likely to show up even if he was told his kid got shot. “Um… sorry I must have the wrong room.”
Frank had arrived just after the flurry of nurses had set Kate up in the room, connecting I.V.s and adjusting the various monitors. As promised, Kate had been asleep throughout the entire ordeal and was still snoozing away the remaining anesthetics in her system. He had taken up one of the visitor’s chairs beside the bed to wait.
A few minutes later his curious nature got the better of him. Standing, he reached for the chart hanging at the end of the bed. Her last name is Bishop. Not the best way to learn the woman’s name, but it worked. It looked like a typical medical chart, listing the various cocktails currently being fed through the I.V. tube. From the little knowledge he had, it all looked standard, but there were a few names he was unfamiliar with. Maybe when the nurse came back he would be willing to explain what the drugs were for...
A figure in the doorway blocked part of the light he was using to read the chart and Frank looked up, expecting to see said nurse. Instead, there was another person dressed in plain clothes and looking a bit confused. Replacing the chart on the bed, Frank tried not to look like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar. He was not entirely sure if it was okay for him to be handling medical charts without some form of a license, much less the chart of a complete stranger.
Frank shot a glance at the sleeping Kate. The two detectives that had interviewed him had said that they would send someone to get Kate’s statement, but he didn’t think it would be so soon. He searched his memory for the other name the nurse had mentioned to him. The pitying look on her face was all he needed to remember the conversation. “Are you Mr. Barton?” Please, let him be a detective instead. Somehow, considering his streak of abysmal luck so far today, he doubted his wish would be granted.
The glance at the bed at least had Clint glancing there and, yup, there was his trouble-finding girl, snug as a bug and doped up to unconscious for the moment which meant he totally was taken to the right room. Which was at least comforting since they could direct a man to the correct room. “That would be me, yes. And you are?” Because let’s face it, he literally had no information on what the hell happened to Kate other that ‘she got shot’, which yes, seemed to be something they both had a minor habit of doing, Kate was just sensible enough (or unlucky enough) to end up at an actual hospital to deal with it.
So far, Clint only knew that she was shot in the shoulder (she was gonna hate that) while at a grocery store or convenience store or somewhere and then they’d ended up here and Clint got that ‘she’ll be fine’ spiel while he already knew it was iffy but she probably would be fine.
Yep. The only thing that prevented Frank from thinking that this day could not get any worse was the fact that if he did allow himself to think that thought, It most definitely would get worse. Especially since this man looked like the type that might take offense to someone claiming that his best girl was his fiancee. Which, Frank reminded himself, he had every right to be. He would not have taken well to any guy claiming to be Callie’s fiancee back in New York, even if it had been just as innocent.
“The nurse told me you were the emergency contact.” Frank stepped toward Clint and offered his hand. “Frank Hardy. I’m...I was there when Kate was shot. The doctor said she was going to be fine.” He was quick to reassure the other man, having no idea what experience he might have with gunshot wounds. Frank had learned his fair share overseas, even before the Dreams. But that was neither here nor there. One hand indicated the chart he had been looking at when Clint had entered the room. “ And based on her chart, I’d say she should be waking up soon.”
Speak of the devil. Kate could hear voices coming through the fog. It was fuzzy at first, dark and comfortable, and a little numb, and then her eyes slowly opened. There were tubes and lights and a scratchy blanket over stiff sheets. Kate's fingers moved against the fabric for a moment as she came to. Seeing Clint and Frank standing there was calming. Especially when she saw Frank wasn't in handcuffs. She decided to say as much.
"No cuffs, I see." It came out meddled and slurred, but comprehensible. And Kate was smiling a warm, doped-up smile. "They took my threat seriously about refusing to let them dig the bullet out."
Shaking the hand offered, Clint just nodded at the introduction, okay so maybe he’d find out a little more about what the hell had happened to his girl. “Yeah, seems that way.” He’d probably try to get Kate to let him take a look at it later, even if the doctors had sorted things out, probably better than Clint might’ve considering he’d pulled bullets out of himself before, it wasn’t the sort of thing to do to ones girlfriend.
But as Kate woke up, Frank wasn’t really Clint’s priority right then. At least until she mentioned handcuffs and then, “What the hell did you manage to get yourself into?” It was uttered with a degree of affection and disbelief, because of course she got involved in something, while he shifted to the side of her bed and ran a hand over her hair. “How’re you feeling, ya dumbass?”
“And she shall appear.” Frank turned back to the bed as Kate stirred. Even though he had assured the other man that she would be fine, he was still relieved to see her doped-up smile. Any number of complications could have occurred in surgery, but being awake and feeling the good drugs was definitely a good sign.
“No handcuffs.” Showing her his hands, Frank moved in closer to the bed. “I managed to convince the boys in blue I wasn’t an accessory. Hopefully the real culprit will wisen up and confess whenever he comes to.” Which would make his little white lie moot. “The detectives said they’d be around to get your statement sometime tomorrow.”
Oh, Clint. Kate’s eyes came over to rest on the big lug, and she felt a great deal of warmth and comfort wash over her when his hand came to her hair. But she swallowed back that emotion and decided to fuck with him. For a moment she stared at Frank, and nodded once. “I’ll be ready tomorrow.”
“I’m okay,” she mumbled, playing up the drugged bit. The world was coming back to her now, but things were still a little fuzzy. “Do I… know you?” She asked Clint. It was amazing she kept a straight face through it all.
There was so much going on that Clint was about ready to snap because seriously? Statements? Handcuffs? Accessory? Honestly, it’d be cuter if he wasn’t worried about what the fuck was going on, and he barely managed to not freak a little at Kate before he just flicked her nose rather gently.
“You’re cute as a fucking button, but short-term memory goes before long term, take it from the concussion king.” His head took more than it’s share of beatings, “But if someone doesn’t explain this cryptic bullshit to me pretty damn soon, I’m gonna start punching things.” Kate at least got a somewhat worried but mostly relieved smile before Clint shot Frank a look.
“And no offence, but I’m probably gonna need to start with ‘not an accessory, not in cuffs’ you, because what the fuck did you two get up to?” He leaves the house for just one shift at work and comes back to chaos and a mild panic attack. Honestly.
Kate’s proclamation may not have made Clint freak out, but it certainly had sent Frank into worrisome tizzy. Loss of memory could have any number of causes. Had she had a bad reaction the anesthesia? Or had he missed seeing her hit her head on her way down after being shot? Luckily, the other man seemed to know exactly what was going on and that Kate was apparently pulling both of their legs. Frank’s shoulders relaxed with the realization, only to tense up again as Clint shot him a look.
Frank held up his hands in a form of surrender. Well, this was going swimmingly. Apparently, the robbery had yet to make the news. That was good news for him, as he might still be able to write up a story and get it to his boss before his coworker stole his thunder. Again.
“There was a robbery at the convenience store we were patronizing. Kate confronted the culprit.” Frank explained quickly. “After it was over the police needed to question everyone involved, which is how I ended up in handcuffs for a bit.” He gave Kate a thankful smile. “You were pretty unreal there.”
Bah. Kate wasn’t all that disappointed that she didn’t fuck with Clint as much as she’d like. When he called her cute, Kate pulled into a smile and leaned against his hand a little. Then she turned her eyes to Frank, listening to his explanation. “Yeah I was,” Kate’s eyes were still half-lidded, the grin a little sloppy on her lips. “I was fucking amazing. Up until I got shot.”
“Oh my god.” Of course it would be something as simple as a robbery that landed her in hospital with bullet wounds. Because no one could do anything sensible like not confront robbers in the act. “Your heroic nature is going to get you killed, Katie-Kate.” And screw with his blood pressure.
But then, it was Kate. Miss Free-self-defence-classes and I’m-a-teenage-superhero. Should Clint have expected anything differently from her? “I take it you managed to avoid getting shot since you were in handcuffs and not on a gurney? Like some people we could mention?” And he wouldn’t be him if he wasn’t giving her some shit right now.
“No, the guy only managed to get one shot off before he was taken down.” Frank was glad the piercing stare was no longer directed at him. On the other hand, he was not sure what to make of the fact that the man seemed to relax after hearing about the robbery. He reassessed his opinion of both of them.
“It sounds like you’ve had your share of adventures already.” Frank commented as he turned back to Kate. “Hopefully a trip to the hospital didn’t accompany them as well.”
“So far so good,” Kate responded, then stuck her tongue out at Clint before giving Frank a wink. These drugs were really good shit. She probably needed to sleep for a good ten hours, and soon enough the doctor or nurse or someone was going to bring her jello and a sedative and make the guys leave her alone. But until then she was going to pet Clint’s hand with her fingertips and make funny faces at Frank.
“No, most of our adventures happen in Sleepy town,” she explained, then found her eyes were drooping closed again. It was super hard to keep them open.
“Superheroes.” Clint just shrugged because, let’s face it, when your dream world included the things they’d dreamed, it really got to the point where something as simple as a robbery was old hat; better that than someone from their dream past or one of a million bad guys that seemed to come out of the wood work.
Just as Kate’s eyes started to droop closed, her soft petting on Clint’s hand slowing down at little one of the nurses came in to check up on her. “We should probably let you get some rest, dopey. I’ll come by in the morning with a change for you and your charger.” Since he wasn’t sure if her phone would survive the night, even if she was sleeping off drugs.
“Sleepy town?” Frank gave Kate a thoughtful look. What were the chances that these two would also be members of the Network? Sure, he had already experienced a few city-wide events in his short stay, but a robbery was hardly something Dream or Agency related. More pieces began to fall into place. After fighting storm troopers and fending off dream viruses, hearing that Kate had been shot in a convenience store robbery must have seemed disarmingly mundane. Especially if they were superheroes in their Dreams.
“You should get some rest.” Frank agreed with Clint; Kate was already fading fast. Besides, he had to get back to work and hope his boss would take pity on him and extend his deadline until tomorrow. Then again, it was sweeps, so who knew? Oh. Speaking of news…Frank debated not telling her, but he knew it would come out eventually. He might as well rip off the bandaid now, while he was still in the hospital and could be taken care of if they reacted poorly.
“Before I go, I want to apologize. In order to get them to let me come along in the ambulance, I might have let them assume a few things. I’m planning on clearing things up with the police tomorrow, but in the meantime you might hear the nurses talk about you having a fiance.” Frank sheepishly rubbed the back of his head. “Feel free to ignore it.”
“Thanks, Babe.” Kate attempted a smile for Clint, but her lips weren’t really listening to what she was telling them to do anymore. As a matter of fact, neither were her eyelids. They insisted upon closing, as much as she tried to convince them to stay open. Whatever, stupid eyelids. Kate would have to have a talk with them later.
“Mmmf,” Kate mumbled to Frank. She’d sort of heard what he’d said, but it would probably still surprise and confuse her when she woke to nurses asking about him. The morning was definitely gonna be fun. Confusion and pain were probably going to be Kate’s friend for a few days, interspersed with drug-induced numbness. Fun times. She thought about that for a moment before she drifted off, leaving Frank and Clint to themselves in the room.
Clint was… unsure how to work with that. He wasn’t one of those possessive douchebag boyfriends, really. Honestly Kate was far too much of the kind of girl to befriend everyone and anyone based on a snippet of a conversation and then work out who was an asshole -he’d noticed they both seemed to go the opposite way with gendered friends -most of hers were male, most of his were female. It wasn’t a big deal. The fiance thing stuck like a little bit at his head before he figured at least the guy had the decency to use some excuse to come with Kate to be sure she was okay.
“Do you regularly propose to girls you’ve just met?” It didn’t mean Clint couldn’t be a dick about it a little, that was just how he was. With Kate nodding off, Clint placed a quick kiss to her head before nodding his own head out the door for Frank. He’d swing home, get stuff for Kate, maybe have a nap or call Pete or Nat to tell them he wouldn’t be around tomorrow and head back to look in on Kate. But he could work that out later. “Listen, thanks for checking up on her.” Because he didn’t need to, and the hallway of the hospital was totally a place to get this out of the way. “And, if you wanna stop in without the smoke and mirrors, feel free.”
Frank was not sure if Kate got the message before she passed out, but considering he was not getting glares or threats from Clint, he figured he was in the clear. Good night, that was a load off of his chest! “Only ones that get shot.” Frank quipped as he headed out of the room. “I’m just glad I could help.” He would be more than happy to let the two of them take things from here.
Still, it was nice to know that he would be welcome back to see how Kate was doing. What was the appropriate visiting gift in this situation, anyway? A fruit basket or teddy bear didn’t quite say, ‘thanks for fending off an armed robber!’ very well, but they might be appreciated in their own way. Frank gave Clint a smile and extended his hand again in goodbye. “Thanks. I think I will.”