Loss and Hope
Chapter 11
Disclaimer: see chapter 1

A/N: Okay, here it is, the final chapter to Loss and Hope.

George and his son had sat in silence as the men before them relayed the most fantastic story they had ever heard. A story of God's and alien's and unknown hero's, a story of loss and of hope and faith. They had explained how the young man he had picked up had come to be wondering a lone highway in Pennsylvania, more lost than anyone could have imagined and how an angel had been sent to him, had found him, cared for him when no one else could.

"I did what anyone would do." George didn't see himself as anything special, he saw someone who needed help and helped.

"No sir, you did not." Thor's booming voice filled the room, "You did more than anyone, than any of us could do. You found our wounded warrior, you took him in, defended him, protected him, you allowed us to reclaim him."

"How many cars do you think passed him that night? Ten, twenty…a hundred?" Tony leaned forward. "You did something extraordinary…you stopped when all those other's didn't. That makes you a hero more than any of us could hope to be."

George rubbed his hand over his face, the older man was in seeing admiration from the four men across from them, men, as they had learned were the hero's of New York and the man he had picked up that night had been among their ranks.

"Dad, you okay?" Mark was sitting on the arm of the chair next to his father, his hand resting on the older man's shoulder.

Taking all this in was a bit overwhelming, but glancing at his son then back to Bruce, who was the closest to him, George realized one thing, they hadn't answered his question about what happened once the young man was taken from the hospital, "You haven't said…" Fear pooled in his soul as he was afraid to hear the possible response.

Steve had glanced out the window, then moved wordlessly toward the front door.

Before Bruce could answer the front door opened, muffled words were exchanged behind the wall that separated the living room from the entryway. George stood when a long figure, dressed in black jeans, dark grey shirt and black jacket, entered the room. The older man's hand came to his mouth as the young man removed his sunglasses and the eyes he had seen so broken and lost that night looked at him, but this time they looked found, relieved as they crinkled at the corner, a small smile crossing the young face. "Mr. Thompson." Clint's quiet voice filled the room.

Without thought George crossed the few feet separating them and pulled this the young man he hardly knew into a tight embrace, "I thought…" The older man whispered. He had feared these last two weeks that the man before him had lost his fight, had slipped away from the world, but here he was.

"I would have if not for you." Clint returned the hug, then stepped back. "I thought I had lost everything, but then you stopped and because of you I was able to get back what I thought I had lost and gain something I didn't know I had…my family, my friends."

It was then that George noticed the two people standing just behind Clint, it was the red-haired woman from the hospital and the person he only remembered as Phil. The older agent stepped forward, hand extended, "I don't think I ever really introduced myself, Phil Coulson. I don't remember much from that day in the hospital, I was recovering myself…" Phil glared at Stark when the man mumbled, 'more like dying yourself' before returning his attention to the elderly man before him. "and I had been desperate to find Clint, I don't think I ever properly thanked you for taking care of him when I couldn't."

A few minutes of quiet conversation took place as George found himself staying close to Clint's side not knowing exactly why, but a part of him just wanted to make sure it wasn't a dream and that the young man who had been so broken was well and truly alive before him. Time passed as George lead both Clint and Phil out back to the patio, hoping they would fill him in on what happened once they left the hospital. Bruce had explained everything up until Clint had disappeared on them, but nothing with regards to what had happened afterward.

To help ease Mark's nervousness at the rest of the actual Avenger team sitting in his front room, Natasha and Bruce led him into the kitchen to make coffee while Stark typed away on his phone and Steve and Thor discussed what would happen to Loki on Asgard. After a time Thor found himself making his way toward the patio, overhearing a bit of the conversation between the three men outside, "I still don't understand…" George commented, both Clint and Phil were trying to explain what had happened to them once they had returned to their base.

"My father sent healers." Thor responded, stepping onto the deck, taking a seat in an empty chair. Looking at both Phil and Clint the Demi-God continued. "It had distressed him so the chaos my brother had caused, the pain…he sent healers from Asgard to help make some of the wrongs committed by one of our own right. Aliments that are untreatable by human means are but a trifle to an Asgardian Healer."

"I bit more than a trifle there big guy." Clint smiled, "For all intents and purposes we were both dead, according to Bruce and Natasha machines were keeping us alive until you arrived."

"Ah yes, but it was your fighting spirit that kept both of you alive for our healers to do they job. We can heal unto death, but even we cannot return a life lost." Thor said as silence settled. George realizing just how close both men had come to dying and he may have never known.

Just then Stark came out, followed by the others and Mark. Clapping his hands together he spoke, "Okay, I keep getting angry text's from our one-eyed leader, so I believe it's time to wind up this little meet and greet and allow the Thompson family to return to they quiet lives before someone get's wind of us being in town. We are not exactly a group that can go unnoticed for long." He smiled.

Everyone stood, hand shakes exchanged before Stark turned to George, "And George…I have some friends who would like to help you out around your farm in Pennsylvania, heard you were having some trouble with some of the equipment…they are taking care of it…anything you ever need and I mean anything…you give this number a call," Stark handed over his business card, but unlike the normal cards with numbers to the numerous people he pays to take all of his phone calls, this card had his personal number, that only a select few knew. "Need a lift to the market, a private jet flight back here to see your son, college tuition for the grandkids…anything you call me. Oh and my jet is ready when you are ready to return home." Tony turned and looked at Mark, "and you too, anytime you want to visit dear ole dad here, first class all the way." Without letting either man make a comment Stark moved back through the house and out the front door.

"He can be a bit overwhelming, but as he said, you ever need anything you call us." Bruce commented, shaking both men's hands before following Tony.

"George, Mark, it was an honor meeting you both and thank you." Steve shook hands and headed out.

"More honorable a man could not be found in my most wondrous world. Thank you again for caring for our wounded friend and giving him back to us." Thor gave a slight bow before leaving.

"Thank you," Natasha said softly as she hugged George. Leaving just George, Mark, Phil and Clint in the entryway.

"Again Mr. Thompson…" Phil started.

"George" The older man reminded.

"George…" Phil smiled, "as I said earlier, and Clint knows this, he is like a son to me and you gave him back to me when I thought he was lost. I am forever in your debt and though I don't always agree with Stark I do on this, if you ever need anything please don't hesitate. You gave me my family back and I can never thank you enough." Coulson shook the man's hand before patting Clint's back, "I'll be in the car" said softly as he passed.

Mark sensed that he should leave his father and the younger man alone a moment, so he stepped onto the porch. "Wow…I just…" Clint looked nervous to the older man, a far cry difference than when he had first seen him, "they are a bit much to get use to." Barton motioned out the doorway. He was use to only have Phil and Natasha worrying about him, now he had the most eclectic group of individuals one could ever imagine caring about him. But he wouldn't have if not for the elder man standing before him. "George…I…"

"You don't have to say it son…I am just glad I was in the right place at the right time. Ever since they took you from that hospital, the doctor's were sure you weren't going to survive, I worried. Even though I didn't know who you were, had no idea what had happened to you, I worried. When you got in my truck that night before you drifted off you whispered the word…" George choked a little remember the start of the emotional roller coaster he'd been on, "you whispered the word 'dying'. I didn't know what you meant, but I knew I had to find out what was wrong once you woke up. Then you collapsed and though I was Phil, I prayed this 'Phil' would show up, I didn't know who he was, but he was obviously important to you. I didn't want you to be alone. I'm a father, I know what that does to your emotions, to see a child so broken…that man…he might not be your real father, but he loves you like a son…you make sure you fight to keep that as long as you can. And a time will come when you don't have him anymore, but you can keep him alive in here…" George tapped on Clint's chest, "And you fight to keep that alive…you understand…no giving up." The older man needed to know the young man before would never be so broken again that he'd lose the will to fight.

Clint cleared his throat, could feel the emotions of those words fill his eyes, he would blame it on recent events, but knew what the man before him was saying, "I won't." Barton stepped in, giving George another hug, "Thank you again, for everything." Stepping away, toward the door he turned back to looked at George, "You know, I grew up on a farm, well at least until I was six, but I have surprisingly good memories of it…" his eye's taking on a far off look, "anyway, I was wondering…if maybe…I could come visit you on yours…maybe help out a little, when I'm not busy with this lot." Clint motioned out the door, rolling his eye's slightly to lighten the mood.

"Clint you are welcome at my place anytime." George replied, seeing something close to excitement cross the younger man's face as he nodded.

"See ya soon then." Clint smiled before bring his sunglasses down, covering his overly expressive eyes and heading out the door. A quick handshake with Mark and the younger man jogged to the car waiting on him. Giving the man who had saved his life another wave as they pulled away. Looking at Natasha who was driving and Phil who was riding next to her he knew he would never be able to repay the man who had saved him and allowed him to return to one place he felt he belonged, to his family, but he would be eternally grateful.

A/N: I hope this last chapter worked the way if played in my mind as I wrote it. I know my characters are a bit OC, but I needed to give emotional depth and so I went for it, I really hope it worked. Thank you to everyone who stuck with me through this journey, I hope this ending is what you had envisioned, and if not I hope you liked it anyway. Thanks again, until next time-Montez