5Eye of the storm- a crossover between IMF and The Avengers, set after Rogue Nation and Civil war
Things are changing with his team with Benji suffering from post traumatic stress and Brandt distant and unresponsive. Ethan does not know if he can pull them back together. It will probably take time or something really bad happening. He cannot see the storm clouds gathering yet, but they are coming and they will all need to be at their best or be consumed.
Prologue- After the end of Civil war.
Steve Rogers looked over his shaken teammates. All of them had suffered while being locked up in the raft. He approached them one by one, to talk softly and reassure that their choices had not all been for nothing. Clint Barton was the last to get a "captain America' speech. The archer had a family ,that had been hit hard by his both his absence and subsequent labeling as a criminal. "Thanks again Barton, I know the personal price has been high", he began. "It is Steve", Clint responded soberly, "some of my best friends are now my enemies". I do not regret my choices but nothing will ever be the same again".Steve clasped his hand warmly, "you get to go home and be with your family Clint, that has not changed". He handed Clint a phone, 'just in case you need to contact me or I you. Now go Clint".
Steve watched as Clint Barton drove away to meet up with his wife and live in yet another secret location.
He did not know that Clint had stopped just a few meters down the road. He was not planning on going home now or anytime soon. "I don't get to be with all of my family Steve", he said to the air, "not now, not ever. That is the problem with making a choice it can divide more than just friends, but family too". Clint kept driving into the night, away from Laura and his kids.
Chapter 1- a testing time
The steering wheel was damp from the sweat of his palms as he held it in a near death grip. He could hear his heart beating at twice its normal speed, making his breath suck out in gasps. It was almost terror rising up within him as he looked at his destination. "Come on you've done this before, so why should today be any different", he muttered to himself like a mantra designed to calm. It did not work because another part of his mind was saying, "what if today is the day it all changes". "Then you deal with it",yet another more logical part of himself declared. "You are the one who planned this, who agreed to the terms, now you have to see this through. Do it", he told himself firmly. His hands slowly unwound from the wheel and he finally exited the car. Standing still for a brief moment he took a deep steadying breath before moving off into what seemed like thick and dense bush in front of him.
It was of course just an illusion and he could clearly see the door in front of him. Tapping in a code he opened it and proceeded down the corridor and into a room. In front of him now was the first of the tests he had to pass. It was a weapons scanner, put in place to ensure anyone who came in here was not armed, by any means. This machine could detect anything, even chemical and non metal based weapons. He knew the rules from experience and was not carrying anything, though part of him felt extremely uncomfortable about that fact. This place was very dangerous after all.
He walked with confidence through the machine and into the next door beyond. This was the part that he did not like. From yet another door, came a man. He had never been told this mans name, he did not need to know, so he had labeled him the big unfriendly giant . He was almost 6 foot 7 and looked down on him with the grim look that was just part of his demeanor. "You know the drill, take your clothes off and lie on the bed", the man told him.
He felt himself swallow hard as he looked over at that bed. His legs felt like lead as he walked toward its cold metal surface. Once at its side he rapidly disrobed, until he was very vulnerably naked. Then he lay down on the bed and looked up at the ceiling as he braced himself. The clamps around his legs snapped shut first, hard around his ankles. Then it was his wrists, pinning both arms down. He raised his head slightly only to have it pushed down hard by the giant who held him in place until the neck clamp came across.
The big unfriendly giant tapped his cheek with a tight teethed grin at his vulnerability. "If you fail, then I have the next bit ready for you", the man told him nastily holding the syringe and needle just inches from his neck. It would render him unconscious he knew. Failure would mean he would never return from the trip, he was supposed to be taking today. The others would be told he'd suffered an accident that had contributed to his death. There of course would be evidence so the claim would not be refuted.
Held down by restraints there was little he could do as the man attached, leads to his head and chest. Then came the long needle that dug painlessly into his arm, tapped into his veins. "Be a good boy now", the giant said in a condescending tone as he left the room to enter the cubicle at the end. This was where the machine was that would monitor him for the next couple of hours. He closed his eyes.
Time seemed to fade away until the giants heavy footsteps awakened him. "It seems you don't get to join us this time", the man sounded disappointed. "You can go", he added as he released the restraints and set about removing any other traces of the monitoring devices.
Once everything was either off or out of his body , he stood up and exited by the door at the far side.
This lead to a corridor that divided into two pathways half way down. The walk was not a long one, but it was designed to intimidate. The closed iron doors he passed, each with a little flap, stood as stark reminders of what might be his fate one day. He did not stop to look inside, even when he heard groaning. His legs just kept moving until he reached the dividing portion , then he took the left fork. The dividing wall was clear hard plastic allowing a view of both sides, more cells. Behind him he heard a sound of the door opening. This had never happened before and was not supposed to happen. One of the rules put in place was that nobody saw him come or go. Now he could hear foot steps beside him as whoever it was outpaced him on the other side of the corridor. He knew he should not look, yet felt his head turn all the same.
The man on the other side must have had the same thoughts as he too turned toward him. Their eyes met and he felt a name fall from his lips no matter how hard he tried to keep it in, "Clint", he said harshly.
Clint Barton had just been through the same things his twin had and was looking forward to leaving this place. Now however he was standing still in the middle of a prison staring at his twin brother. "Will", he acknowledged flatly in response. He then deliberately turned away, not waiting to see the look of disappointment in the others eyes. Behind them the door opened again and two men came out. They hurried toward the duo. "You know the rules gentlemen, keep moving", the big unfriendly giant warned. The other one had a thicker body mass that warned he may be an even tougher opponent. Neither one was someone you should disobey.
Clint was already moving of course, toward the final door. He turned the handle , only to find it was locked. Someone really had stuffed up. Looking back at the men he expected to see them closing in on both of them. However both the men only seemed to have one target and it was not him. 'It was Will who had moved rapidly from his one side of the corridor to this one. "Get out", he found himself yelling, "and leave me alone".
"Oh no, I owe you something Clint and I want to collect", Will's words were not in a friendly tone. Clint turned from the door to face his twin, "Really, it would not be a fair fight, Will. So just back off", he growled. "So you think I'm that bad then, may be you are just a coward Clint", Will growled back. His entire body was now tense as he stomped closer to his twin.
They were only two paces away when both the large men caught him and pulled him back. "You should let the idiot find out what will happen to him if he takes me on", Clint told them sourly as he glared at Will. The big unfriendly giant smiled roughly, enjoying Will's discomfort, "do it then" he said, "something small, unnoticeable, yet painful, he deserves it for breaking the rules"
Will heard the words but did not struggle in the mens grasp, it would be pointless. He just focused on his twin as he came closer.
Clint stepped forward and reached to take Will's right wrist. He began to squeeze it hard while looking Will in the eye.
Will could feel the pressure turn into pain but kept his lips pursed firmly together while matching Clint glare for glare. He was determined not to give him the satisfaction of making a sound.
Yet the pain went on and on, increasing in intensity, all the while not damaging an inch of his skin. Finally Will felt himself grunt, "enough". Clint grinned horribly at him increasing the force of his hold again for another minute before finally letting go. 'I did not leave any permanent damage, yet it will still burn like the flames of a fire for a few hours". It should teach him a lesson. Though, a few hours together might be a little more satisfying ",Clint spat out.
"Maybe you will get your chance, one day, if you join us".Mind you I think I might like a chance myself, so you'd have to deal with me first", the big unfriendly giant told Clint. He slapped him across the face just to get his message across.
"For now though both of you should go", the other giant told them. He slapped Will twice across the face with enough force to shake him. Will could see Clint grinning the entire time."Next time obey the rules and keep to your own path", the other giant stressed.
Despite the stinging in his face Will had to retort, "we weren't supposed to meet". "Yeah well occasionally there are other types of tests as well", the man replied. "You seem to be the one who likes to disobey". "I will remember that", he said menacingly.
Clint turned away from his twin and toward the exit door, "next time I might actually break your arm", he stated simply, in a tone that was matter of fact , holding not shred of any type of feeling.
"Yeah well one day I am going to break your neck", Will retorted in the same tone. 'Don't assume, I can't or won't either".
Clint did not bother to reply, he was already half out the door, his pace calm and unbothered, just like the man behind him was talking about the weather.
Will paused a moment, then turned and poked his tongue out at the two giants. It was, he knew childish, but it held a type of satisfaction. The big unfriendly giant smiled in response and pointed to the door.
Will was through it quickly ,back out under the sky and sucking in the fresh air. It felt amazing. He could feel the throbbing in his arm, but ignored it. He just needed to get far away from here.
The drive back to his apartment was a long one and his wrist throbbed the entire the time. By the time he got home he had a pounding headache to go along with the throbbing. Moving over to his medicine cabinet he took a couple of pain killers. He then went to his bedroom ,tossed his clothes off onto the floor and fell into bed. Despite the fact he had rested during the testing time he fell to sleep quickly.
The next morning he awoke slowly glad he did not have to get up and go to work. He was just considering rolling over and pulling the blankets over his head when he remembered something important. "Ethan", he muttered as he quickly jumped up.
Today was the day that Ethan and the others on the team had all invited themselves over. They had never been to his place before as he had always managed to find an excuse to keep them away. This time though none of his protestations had worked and Ethan, Benji,Jane and Luther were all going to descend on him at 1030.
At least he'd have plenty of time to prepare he told himself. Then he looked at the time on his clock and realized a fair part of the morning had already passed. There was barely one hour to get ready. Okay, get dressed, he told himself firmly. He decided on something causal and relaxed looking, to provide the illusion he had no worries. However one look down at his right arm changed his mind. Overnight his arm had turned black with bruises. That was definitely not good as eagle eyed Ethan was bound to notice.
He thought immediately of texting him to cancel the morning tea. However that would be suspicious and Ethan was most likely already on his way. "Dammit", he swore.
Hurrying to the bathroom he tried to find something to cover the bruising with. There was nothing there. As time ticked away on him Will calmed his panicked state and decided to go with the only option he could think of, wearing a long sleeved shirt. It was his analyst look and would not be commented upon.
He did the cuff button up on the shirt just in case and looked in the mirror. A pale face stared back at him. He could also see traces of older brusies on his chest where his shirt hung open. They were from previous visits to the testing place. Quickly doing up the shirt, he thought of a few reasons for his appearance in his head, going over them a few times so they sounded convincing.
Deciding he was finally prepared enough Will went out of his bedroom and into the living area, where he sat staring at the door until it finally chimed.
Ethan, had been checking his messages for the past couple of hours expecting to get one from Will that told him not to come. Will had become increasingly more distant since winding up the rogue nation mission, was that because Luther had told him bluntly that he did not like him. While Luther had no problems with Benji or Jane as members of the team he felt that Brandt was not a suitable member as he argued too much. "Betraying us to Hunley was part of the act, Ethan but he made it convincing because he wanted to do it anyway. Then he spends all that time arguing with you instead of trusting your instincts .He acts like you don't know what you are doing. It's going to lead to trouble", Luther warned.
Ethan, had countered that Luther did not really know Brandt and should spend more time with him before he made judgements .
That had led up to todays morning tea at Brandt's place. Ethan hoped it would relax all of his friends. Benji was still having nightmares about his treatment at the hands of Lane. He had been temporarily removed from active duty and was spending a lot of time either alone or in counseling. What had happened to him had raised doubts that he was not an effective agent as he should not have allowed himself to be taken by Lane and his men. This relaxed chat over coffee and hopefully cake would give Benji a chance to feel normal and for Brandt to get over whatever was going on with him.
However when Brandt opened the door Ethan had to restrain a comment over his appearance. He looked like he had been to a wild party and was still shaking off the effects. Of course if Brandt had been to a party it was not his business unless his personal state interfered with his performance on a mission.
"Good morning Brandt", he said shaking the other mans hand.
"Morning Ethan",Will replied softly . He knew Ethan had already evaluated his state within one second and would not state his made up story unless Ethan asked more questions.
"Come on through", Brandt invited leading Ethan through to the living area. He was about to tell him to sit down when the door buzzed again and he hurried away to answer its call.
Ethan looked around Brandt's apartment with a frown on his face. It was so sterile, like a hospital room or prison cell. Yes it was functional, but it did not have character or warmth.
He knew of course that agents were never safe, even at home and that personal photos hanging upon the walls could endanger other people if you were compromised. But that did not mean your living space had to be empty of character and life. Brandt's was and that had Ethan wondering if he actually did live here.
When Luther, Jane and Benji were escorted in by Brandt he could see by the expressions on their face they were thinking the same thing.
"Its kind of plain", Jane said frankly as she looked around for even one touch of homeliness. "Yeah well don't get much time for decorating, Will defended. "I like it like this", he added because he could see them all frowning.
Make yourselves at home, the coffee is on", Will added. Then he realized that actually it wasn't. "I'll just go through to the kitchen and get things moving", he hurried off.
He quickly filled his kettle with water and was hurrying to put it on the counter when he banged his right arm against the hard surface. Intense pain shot through his whole arm making him feel light headed. He was thankful that he could still hear the others voices talking so he would not have to explain why he felt like he was going to pass out. Leaning himself against the counter he closed his eyes and tried to shke off the pain. Don't actually pass out he told himself, that would lead to complications that he might not be able to deal with.
He leaned a little more against the counter, still feeling the intense pain in his arm. What the heck had Clint done to him, the bastard. He was not supposed to leave marks on his body but nevertheless he seemed to always come away scarred. "Brandt, are you alright", he had been so focused upon the pain that he had missed the fact Ethan was no longer talking to the others.
He was in fact now standing behind him. Okay, force your eyes open and act normal, he told himself.
Ethan had left the others and padded softly into the kitchen intending to help Brandt with the coffee. What he had found was his ghostly pale team mate leaning against a counter and looking like he was about to fall on the floor any second. He flt a wave of concern rise up within him, what was wrong with Brandt.
"Do you need to lie down, or something", Ethan asked softly as he gently touched Brandt's back.
Will opened his eyes and stood still finally feeling the pain recede somewhat. "No, No, I am fine Ethan, just over celebrated a friends birthday last night", he lied glibly.
Ethan, moved over slightly to face Brandt evaluating him soberly. The explaination was a plausible one, and he was about to chastise his agent for over indulging when Will moved his right arm a little, lifting his sleeve upward and revealing black bruises covering its surface. The bruising looked nasty and from the indentations that Ethan could see, was most likely caused by someone grabbing him."What happened', he asked seriously as he moved forward to touch Will's arm lightly.
Will felt Ethans touch, soft and gentle, not like Clint's had been. Yet it still provoked the memory of what his twin had done to him and so he over reacted. "Get your hands off me", his voice was intense, mean, like he was talking to an enemy and not a friend. Ethan Hunt actually went a little pale and stepped back.
Ethan was shocked, he had never heard Brandt use that tone before. There was a look in his eye of danger and fear that told Ethan he should not touch him again.
Oh no , thought Will, now he had given Hunt an excuse to question further. Quickly Will told him the rest of the lie. "'A guy at the party was a little drunk and grabbed me", he told Ethan. Ethan frowned, Will knew that fighting with civilians could lead to trouble with Hunley. Agents with their superior fighting skills could easily misuse them and their were definite codes of conduct that they had to comply with. If Will had hit back and it was reported he could be brought up on charges. As though he could read his team leaders mind Will stated, "I did not retaliate , Ethan so he has no cause to complain to anyone".
Ethan did not immediately reply as he was studying the bruises with an appraising glance. He could see by the darkness of the bruising that whoever had injured Brandt had applied a lot of force. Did drunks at parties do that, Ethan doubted it. Brandt's tone was convincing and he could most likely sell that story to anyone else. Yet he knew Brandt was lying. The way he had reacted when he touched told him that. It also told him that someone had hurt Brandt deliberately and with malice.
He looked at Will earnestly and decided to tell him what was on his mind. "I don't believe you", he said firmly. "You're reaction when I touched you was over the top Will, someone has done this deliberately". You need to tell me what is going on", Ethan said that in his best I am the boss voice. He expected that Will would comply and they would get things sorted out.
Will swallowed feeling the full force of Ethan's concern and for one brief second he felt like confessing. But then his resolve stiffened and he found this harsh voice he did not know he owned stating, "I do not need to tell you anything Ethan". "It has nothing to do with you and nothing to do with IMF. So just leave it". He said the words while looking Ethan directly in the eye unflinching .
Ethan heard the determination in Brandt's voice and knew he'd get nothing further. He felt like Brandt had just slipped a little bit further away. If things went on like this he knew the agent would be removed from his team. Brandt would either request the move or else he do it himself.
Nothing had been the same after Rogue nation.
They may have defeated the Syndicate but it felt like they may have lost more than he had first realized. As Brandt turned his back on him and he slipped out of the kitchen to join the others he wondered if it was possible to reclaim his team, to go back to what they were. Maybe it was not and although he may mourn for that, he would have to go forward and perhaps for the first time in awhile have a new team.
That fact should not bother him, he'd been around long enough to know that it was just business if team mates were changed. Yet it did bother him because he had something good and you don't just give up easily on that. Whatever happened he vowed to try and keep his team together no matter what.
He could not know that the storm clouds were already gathering , dark and frightening in intensity. Something bad was coming and there would be very little he could do to stop it…..
