Hi! So, I've had this OC in my mind forever. I've never posted, never written but this has been absolutely eating me alive. Kitty has a back story, a long one. This one shot had to make its way out first though, mostly because I'm self-conscious about this entire thing and don't know if it would even be worth writing. I don't necessarily have a desire to write her into the all the CA, or Avengers story lines as a whole but of course in my head- cannon she is present in all/most of them. I am open to requests though for anything because I just really want to write for her. So please, read, review, and send request/ suggestions. All I ask is please, no flames. Full disclaimer, I own nothing Marvel related. Anything that looks familiar is absolutely not original and not mine. This is also completely un-beta'd and only edited by the lovely word software.

It had been one hell of a mission. The team was battered, tired, and ready to be out of uniform and into their respective beds. One by one they filed into the living quarters of the Avenger's tower. Tony lead the way, more absorbed in his thoughts than in his surroundings. That was until he was suddenly hit by the distinct smell of lemon. He stopped in his wake before doing a half turn around the shared rec room. He took a deep inhale while his brows knitted together, a pensive look on his face.

"What is that god-awful smell?" Natasha asked as she shouldered past Stark and deeper into the space. She haphazardly discarded her gear onto one of the plush sofas before seemingly noticing something out of place. She turned back to Tony with a questioning look on her face. "Did you hire a cleaning crew? I know we've gotten a little behind on the house-keeping but I don't know if that was necessary." She looked a little offended. Clint sidled up next to her, also taking in the excessively clean area.

"Speak for yourself, I'm only here part-time." He scoffed and excused himself to the fridge, pulling out a beer while Natasha glared at his back. The rest of the team hadn't appeared to notice, or at least hadn't said as much as they filed in behind their other team members.

"You know as well as I do that I wouldn't let civilians in here to clean. Besides, I don't particularly care for people touching my stuff." Tony spoke pointedly at Thor as he ambled in, his blonde hair a tangled mess. Thor looked back at Tony, abashed by his statement, but said nothing as he trudged towards his room. Tony continued to look around the space, looking for any clue as to who the mystery maid could be. He came to the realization as quickly as a speeding car hits a brick wall.

"Team, we have a situation. Should anyone encounter the Varg, do not, I repeat, do not engage." He spoke with such seriousness the other members of his team ceased their actions and turned to him. Thor walked back into the room, a puzzled look on his face. Steve had come in late and was just in the middle of discarding the top half of his uniform to reveal his gray undershirt. Natasha began to laugh at the look on Tony's face. She set her own beverage down on the counter before walking towards Tony, her hands in the air.

"What, afraid she'll mop us to death? Honestly Stark, calm down. She's laid up, remember? There's no way it was her." She scoffed and walked back towards Barton. There was a thud from above them and despite Natasha's teasing, they all froze. Tony swallowed thickly before making his way to the set of stairs in the middle of the room. He looked up to the top, then back to the team before slowly ascending the steps.

When Tony reached the stop of the stairs he looked around cautiously. All looked in its proper place and he heard no movement.

"Jarvis" He whispered to the AI "Location on the Varg please." The AI was silent for a moment before chiming back to him. "Good evening sir. Miss Stark is currently in her bedroom. By her vital signs, I would surmise she is awake and is doing some sort of exercise sir." Tony spared no reply for his artificial butler before proceeding slowly on his journey. He walked down the hall a bit further before coming to a door with the numbers "88" bolted to it. He raised his fist to the door before knocking hesitantly. He cleared his throat before calling out," Sweetie, Kitty, we're back." He heard footsteps quickly approaching the door and he found himself backing up a few feet.

The door opened to reveal a young woman. Her dark hair was tied into a low bun with half of it having escaped and falling around her face. Her green eyes were bright but framed by dark bags, something that alarmed Tony greatly. She was clad in a pair of leggings with the right leg of them covered in an air cast. This also alarmed Tony as when he had left her three weeks before, it had been in a plaster cast and she had been on crutches under the watchful eye of Pepper. Her top half was covered by a very oversized NYU sweatshirt that hung off of her left shoulder. She been steadily losing weight since she was first injured four weeks ago, but now it had become jarringly apparent in her face.

The girl looked as though she was holding back something incredibly snarky, but before it could bubble to the surface, she had latched onto to Tony's midsection. He was alarmed at first, not expecting this reaction at all. After he regained his senses, he gently encircled her in his arms. He smiled softly against the top of her head. He knew the wrath was probably quick to come, so he enjoyed this moment while it lasted.

"Three weeks." And there it went. Tony sighed deeply before she continued, wrenching herself out of his grip. "No phone call, no text, no email, hell, no letter by carrier pigeon. Not one scrap of com from any of you! Of course Fury was no help either. He told me, "I'm sure they'll report in soon." And he hung up on me" she stressed the last part angrily and Tony flinched. She had turned on her heel and walked away from him, well as best she could with clunking cast affixed to her. Tony sighed again and started to walk towards her with his hands raised.

"You know if we could have contacted, we would have. No one liked leaving you behind any more than you liked having to sit this one out, kid. We had to be dark on this one, you knew this." Kitty sighed and sat down on her bed and stared at her feet. She looked back up at him, defeated.

"I know, but it was also only supposed to take a week, week and a half at most." She was trying to rationalize her anger and Tony couldn't begrudge her that. He touched her shoulder gently before joining her on the blue plush bedding. "Everyone alright?" She asked quietly. Tony nodded, stretching his tired limbs.

"We're a little sore, beat up, but we're alright. Now I have a few questions for you, if you'd be ever so kind to supply the answers honestly." Kitty rolled her eyes before nodding her agreement. Tony continued "Question numero uno. What happened to the cast?"

"I was, having a hard time in the plaster. I convinced the doctor I was ready for this. Besides, the x-rays came back fine. Healing just as expected." She reached down and patted the air cast proudly. Tony would be having a chat with S.H.I.E.L.D.'s doctors in the morning but for now he let that part slide.

"Okay, not totally satisfied with that but anyway, where is Pepper?" She seemed to jump to answer this question as it did not incriminate her in any way at all.

"She's at the west coast office. Something about a malfunctioning program for the fire doors in their R and D department. Obviously that needed prompt attention. I assured her I was quite capable to taking care of myself. Next question?" Tony shot a glare at her but posed his last question any way.

"The air has a distinct and pungent odor of lemon pledge and bleach. Do I have you to thank for turning this place into a sterile environment?" He asked sweetly. She blushed at his words.

"You know how I get when I'm anxious…" She trailed off and gestured to the immaculate room. Tony smiled to himself, knowing exactly how she could be. When the whole incident had gone down in the Middle East he had come home to a contract company ready to start tearing down walls. She herself had sledgehammer in hand ready to start in the kitchen when he'd come home.

"Hence why I built that lovely, and outrageously expensive, simulation room for you. It was supposed to be an outlet for this…nervous energy." She didn't reply, just yawned widely. "Listen, why don't you get some sleep? You look worse than we do." She seemed to be having a hard time keeping her eyes open at this point but she shook her head.

"I'd like to see everyone first, for myself. I don't trust your opinion of what is "okay". Last time you said that Barton was in the med bay for two days unconscious." She glared weakly at him but Tony nodded in his agreement. He reached down to the floor in the front of the bed to pick up the crutches she had discarded. He held them out to her and she rolled her eyes so far Tony thought they'd disappear into her skull. She took one, insisting that was all she needed.

Tony helped her slowly descend the stairs, foregoing the elevator at her insistence. The thumping down the stairs drew Natasha to the base of them, a small smile gracing her features. Her fiery locks were mussed and her lower lip had a small cut in it, but other than that she looked to be in one piece.

"See you got an upgrade." She pointed towards the cast. She reached out towards her friend, grabbing her hand and taking over Tony's duty for the last few stairs. She took in her appearance and deftly hid her frown at the appearance of Kitty. "Did you take up a mission of your own while we were out? You look like hell." Her tone was joking but the truth of the statement made apparent.

"Missed you too, Nat." Kitty scoffed and she was led to the now abandoned living area. "Where is everyone?" She asked doing a slight turn to take in the whole room. Thundering steps could be heard approaching and Natasha stepped halfway in front of her friend at seeing the golden headed god step into the room. He had a wide smile on his tired face as he approached the two women quickly.

"Easy Thor. Gently." Natasha ordered the overzealous man coming towards them. She stepped easily out of the way as the large man wrapped the young woman tightly in his arms, lifting her slightly off the ground. She laughed at his excitement and patted his arm.

"Sister! You are looking…terrible." His face faltered from his view of her and she dropped her head pressing a few fingers into her forehead, sighing deeply.

"Yes brother, so I have been told." She stepped back a couple steps and positioned herself on the couch behind her. "I am glad to see you looking well. I was worried." Thor joined his sister on the plush sofa. Nat had gone towards the kitchen and was rooting around inside cabinets.

"You worry far too much." He said waving his large hand dismissively. Nat strode back into the room, a plate with a sandwich in one hand, a bottle of water in another. She held it out to her friend pointedly.

"I worry enough for the both of us. What is this?" She asked reaching out to accept the plate and bottle from Nat. She frowned at the offering, not really feeling up to eating. The super-dose of antibiotics she had been taking post- surgery had made her vomit up nearly everything she put in her mouth and her stomach was roiling at the sight of the food. She went to set the food aside but she had three sets of eyes staring intensely at her. She begrudgingly took a small bite, chewing slowly, trying to keep from gagging on it. The other three heroes seemed to all release a breath at the sight.

"You clearly have not been taking care of yourself. Allow me to help" Nat said smoothly, reaching out to touch her friend's shoulder. "I'm gonna get cleaned up and get some shut eye. I suggest you three do the same." She nodded to her friends before grabbing her discarded gear and heading towards the other side of the sleeping quarters.

As Natasha disappeared down the hall, Clint made his way into the room, stopping short of the three individuals in front of him. A broad smile broke out on his face as he approached them. He set his now empty beer bottle on the edge of the counter and reached over to shake Kitty's shoulder.

"Well hey look who it is. You-"Kitty slapped his hand away and ground out, "If you tell me how terrible I look, I will smother you in your sleep Barton." He grasped the offending hand firmly in his own, holding it there while he appraised her momentarily. "Yeah, well, hope you're feeling more yourself in the morning. 0630 in the gym, you and me. We've got work to do." He released her hand before backing away a few paces, arms crossed over his chest.

"Are you out of your mind?" A deep voice called from behind them. Steve Rogers was staring at Clint, a disapproving look on his face. "She's still in a cast." He gestured towards the plastic prison around Kitty's leg. His blonde hair was damp and messy and he was in a pair of grey sweats and blue short-sleeve compression shirt. Even out of uniform, he looked a force. Clint didn't as much as flinch at the words though. He shrugged his shoulders and leaned against the marble counter.

"The cast is ready to come off. It was ready a week ago, but she's hesitating. She's my recruit, has been for years. I know her. She's ready." He looked proudly to Kitty. Tony shook his head before standing a raising a finger in the air.

"I'm…actually with Cap on this one Barton. She's not ready. Look at her; she can't even stomach a sandwich." He pointed to discarded sandwich on the couch next to Kitty.

"Excuse me, men, I'm right here. If Clint says I'm ready, then I'm ready. It's these antibiotics I'm on. They make me sick." She bargained with the man she called her father. Clint nodded firmly as though her words cemented her point. "I also want to add, Barton, I'm not a recruit and haven't been for a long time. I'll see you in the morning." She nodded towards the men and made her way on her own to the stairs, foregoing the crutch to prove a point.

Steve walked towards her with purpose, reaching out to grab her elbow as he got close. She pulled away from him and continued the slow journey up the stairs. Steve resigned himself to remaining a few steps down from her, ascending one for every two she did. No one said anything, just watched as the two disappeared from sight. A minute or two passed by before Steve reappeared looking frustrated.

"She is the most stubborn dame I've ever met." He muttered more to himself before stalking by the other men and back towards his room. He was stopped in his tracks though as a loud clatter came from the stairs. The four men looked over to see the plastic cast bounce its way down and land abruptly at the bottom followed by another projectile in the form of an amber pill bottle coming to land next to the cast. A slam of a door signaled the end of the performance.

The four men shared a look before breaking their gathering and heading to their rooms in silence. Clint was the last one out of the room, a smug look playing on his face. Tomorrow was going to be very interesting.