(*Borrows Tom Holland's Spiderman Voice*) Hey, everybody!

I have emerged from the depths of finals week to bring you this sappy, heartstrings-tugging, wreck of a chapter. It's set during Christmas 2013, so just before all hell breaks loose with CA: Winter Soldier.

Hope you enjoy!

Chapter Two: "I'll Be Home For Christmas"

"Mommy? When's Daddy coming home?"

Laura Barton stifled a frustrated sigh as Lila asked that question for what felt like the millionth time this week.

"I told you, honey, he'll be home when he finishes his mission. He had to go beat up some bad guys."

Lila frowned, her tiny face puckered up almost adorably. "But I want him home now!"

"Well, that's just not possible, sweetie. He's a long way from here. He'll be home as soon as he can, you know that…"

Lila's frown grew even deeper, and she ran out of the kitchen.

"Honey, don't slam the—"

It was too late. The door to Lila's room crashed shut with an almighty bang.

Feeling utterly drained, Laura glanced at the stove clock. It was 3:00, almost time to pick up Cooper from school.

One more year, and then Lila can start Kindergarten…

Her extroverted youngest was enrolled in a preschool program, but it only ran three times a week. Which meant that the remaining four days were spent at home, with a brother that often preferred to read or play on his own, and a mom that sometimes felt like a single parent.

She didn't begrudge Clint his job (and SHIELD's pay wasn't too shabby, either), but there were days that she just wanted to lay down and sleep for an eternity.

But sleep was currently not an option. So, steeling herself, Laura went and knocked on Lila's bedroom door.

"Lila? C'mon, honey, we have to go get Cooper from school. You know I can't leave you home by yourself."

A shuffling sound came from inside the room, and the door opened slowly. Lila's face was streaked with tears.

"I want Daddy." she mumbled.

Laura sighed, and picked up her daughter. "I know. I want your Dad home, too. But that doesn't mean you get to run around and slam doors."

"Sorry…" Lila said. "But Mom…what if he's not home for Christmas?"

Suddenly everything made much more sense.

"Oh, sweetie, is that what you're worried about?"

Lila nodded.

"Okay…" Laura shifted so Lila could see her face. "Your Dad will be home for Christmas. You know he always is. He might have to take a few risks, but he'll be home."

"But…but Christmas is next week!" Lila cried plaintively. "An' you said planes take a long time!"

"They do, but your Dad…he has special planes. They go faster than normal ones." Laura smoothed back her daughter's hair. "Don't you worry. He'll be home soon."

"How soon?" Lila demanded, as Laura started walking towards the front door.

"Before Christmas." Was all Laura could think to say.

Truthfully, it was the only answer she felt safe giving.

When she and Clint had gotten married, he had made one thing clear to his superiors: Christmas vacations were non-negotiable. Thankfully, he was one of their most trusted agents, so he had some bargaining leeway.

(And, his handler was Coulson, who was an absolute sap for family togetherness.)

Which meant that, come hell or high water, Clint Barton always made it home for Christmas.

Usually, he made it back by Christmas Eve. A few years, he hadn't even been on a mission, so he'd been home sooner. Once or twice, he'd cut it close, like the year he landed a helicopter in the field behind their house at three a.m. on Christmas morning.

But the exact dates never mattered because he was home, just like he promised every year. Even if he (unwillingly) missed all their birthdays, Valentine's Day, Easter, Halloween, and Thanksgiving—for Christmas, he would be there.

And as Laura strapped Lila into her car seat and put the key into the ignition, she felt more grateful than ever for that promise.

"Laura?"

It was Friday, the last day of school for both Lila and Cooper before Christmas vacation. Laura had been enjoying the abnormal peace and quiet, when she'd gotten a phone call from Coulson.

"Phil?" her heart was pounding. "Is something wrong."

Coulson gave a long sigh. "Clint should have been back two days ago, and…he's gone off the radar. He had to go deep cover for this assignment anyway, and, well…we don't exactly know where he is or why he isn't back yet."

The words were spoken as gently as possible, but they still felt like tiny daggers, ripping into every part of her.

"I…I understand." Laura said quietly.

She had known the risks when she married a spy. Clint had made no bones about the dangers of his work—actually, he'd overexaggerated, until she'd asked in exasperation if he was trying to get her to break up with him.

Over the years, there had been a few nail-biting times, but never now…

"He left all of your presents with me before he went out." Coulson continued, sympathy etched in his tone. "Do you want…Natasha's coming your way, right?"

"She will, if she knows what's good for her. Don't tell me she's signed up to man some office on Christmas Day."

"Not so far as I know." Coulson's words carried the mental image of a smirk. "I'll tell her she's got until Wednesday to get down there. Or up there, I guess, since she's still in D.C." he snorted. "Pitiful. Even Rogers is back in New York."

The banter was a well-meaning distraction, but Laura's mind was still on Clint, far away and possibly in danger…

"Phil, are you sure you have nothing…?"

Coulson sighed. "Laura, I swear, if I knew anything else, I would tell you. Best case scenario is he somehow got out of tracking range. Worst…maybe just don't think about the worst."

"Alright…"

Laura's voice must have sounded as shaky as she felt, because Coulson said firmly, "I'm calling Natasha now. She'll be there this weekend. Until then, if you need anything, call me. Okay?"

Taking a deep breath, Laura nodded. "Okay."

She hung up, her mind whirling.

What am I…I can't tell the kids, Lila's worried enough as it is and they don't need to know...

Oh, God, what if he's hurt? Or wounded? Or dying?! Or captured by some crazy fanatic!

Why does it have to be my husband?! Why?! Why me?!

She had left the radio turned on to a station playing Christmas music earlier, and now the soft strains of music echoed in the room.

"I am dreaming tonight of a place I love

Even more than I usually do

And although I know it's a long road back

I promise you…"

"No!" Laura cried, howling in frustration. Why this song?! Of all the songs…

"I'll be home for Christmas

You can count on me

Please have snow and mistletoe

And presents on the tree…

Christmas Eve will find you

Where the love light gleams

I'll be home for Christmas

If only in my dreams…"

Overcome, Laura buried her head in her hands and gave a long, heaving sob.

You promised…you promised…Clint, you promised…

"Mom? Dad's gonna be here for Christmas…right?"

It was Tuesday, Christmas Eve. Natasha was sitting in the living room with Lila, coloring and being a good distraction. Laura was finishing up dinner and Cooper was setting the table.

Laura sighed. "I…"

"I know he gets home late sometimes, but…he's always home for Christmas. So, he should be home tonight, right?"

Cooper's question sounded more like he was trying to convince himself than anything.

"Because he always comes home…right, mom?"

Her son sounded on the verge of tears.

Laura turned away from the vegetables she was cutting and sat down at the table. "Come here, bud."

Cooper ran and latched onto her tightly, his breath hitching in his throat.

"You…you looked really sad when Auntie Nat came and even last week, when you picked us up from school, so I thought maybe…"

Laura shook her head. Cooper would be the one to see through her happy façade of "oh look, guys, Auntie Nat's here!".

"Bud…I got a call from Mr. Coulson on Friday."

"Is Dad dead?!"

"No." Laura spoke the word with utmost ferocity, as though she could keep Clint alive through sheer willpower. "No, Cooper, your father is not dead. He's just…a little too undercover. Mr. Coulson said maybe he lost his tracker."

Cooper was breathing less erratically now. "M-maybe a bad guy shot it off with a gun."

"Yeah, maybe so. All they know right now is that he missed the day he was supposed to be back. And that's it."

"So…so maybe he'll still be back by tomorrow?"

Laura felt a lump catch in her throat. "Maybe, bud. You know he'll try."

Cooper nodded. "It'll be okay, Mom. H-he'll be home."

"Oh…" Laura smoothed his hair down and kissed his forehead. "My brave boy. Would you like to help me finish the vegetables?"

"O-okay. I'll be careful with the knife!"

Laura smiled. "I know you will."

Clint…I don't know where you are. I don't know if you'll make it or not. But we'll be here waiting when you come home.

Natasha awoke feeling slightly disoriented, an emotion she abhorred. She quickly shook herself and tried to determine what had jolted her out of sleep.

There were the normal creaks of the house, the sound of the wind blowing strong outside, the sound of her own breathing…

And then, a sound like a door handle turning.

At first, Natasha thought she was hallucinating, but the sound didn't stop, so she placed a hand on the knife she kept with her always, and crept out into the hallway.

In the meantime, the door squeaked open and a medium-sized, stealthy figure was easing into the house.

Natasha grinned as soon as she laid eyes on the figure. "Took you long enough. Laura was about ready to have a heart attack."

Clint jumped. "Tasha! Why the hell do you have to be so sneaky?!"

"It's part of my job. So what happened?"

Clint sighed. "Tracker got shot, broken. Emergency phone got lost in a scuffle."

"You're a hot mess, Barton."

"Yeah, yeah; now where's my wife and kids?"

At that moment, a tiny voice came from back by the bedrooms.

"Auntie Nat? Who's here?"

Clint let out an undignified choking sound. "What, Li, have I been gone too long?"

Lila gave a loud gasp and started running forward at top speed. "Daddy! Daddy, you're back! You're okay! Where were you?!"

"Classified, pumpkin." Clint muttered, grabbing Lila up in his arms. "Oh, God, it's so good to see you."

"Dad!"

Cooper came next, screeching out his room in high gear.

"Dad, you're home!"

Clint set Lila down and gave his son a hug. "'Course I'm home, bud; you think I'd miss Christmas?"

"But Mr. Coulson called and said they couldn't find you…"

"Well, my tracker kinda got broken, so I went off the radar…"

"Clint?"

Laura's low, stunned voice cut through the chaos like a knife. Clint moved forward immediately.

"Honey, I'm so sorry I'm late…"

He was silenced by a very pointed kiss and a very tight hug.

"You'd think SHIELD would have more than one tracker." she finally murmured.

"I'll mention it to Fury."

"You'd better." she kissed him again. "I'm just glad you're home."

Clint let out a long, tired sigh. "So am I. This was cuttin' it close. There's a helicopter in the back field, again. I'll move it into the woods tomorrow, early."

"The Pendowski's never ask questions." Laura said, referring to their sole neighbors.

"Yeah, well, they might have family for the holidays. It's a safety precaution. I should probably take care of it now…"

"Oh, no; you're coming to bed, mister. Now." Laura grabbed Clint by the arm. "Natasha, what time is it?"

"Four a.m." Natasha answered, peering at the kitchen clock.

"Right. Kids, back to bed for at least three hours. Let your dad sleep."

Her tone was authoritative enough that neither Lila nor Cooper dared argue. After hugging Clint one last time, they trooped off to their rooms.

"Don't worry, if they get up before seven, I'll keep them occupied." Natasha assured. "Night."

"Hey, Tasha…" Clint paused. "Thanks for being here."

Natasha shrugged. "Where else would I be?"

She went back to the guest room and Laura pulled Clint into their room. "Bed. Now."

"Yes, ma'am." Clint murmured sleepily, pulling off his travel-worn clothes. As he fell into bed, they both gravitated to each other immediately.

"I'm so sorry you had to go through that." he said quietly. "I wish I could have found some way to warn you, but I only got back in country a few hours ago and I flew straight here..."

"It's alright…"

"Nah, not really. You shouldn't…you shouldn't have to worry. Besides…" he sighed. "I promised I'd be home, didn't I? And I haven't broken that promise yet."

"I know." Laura whispered. "That's why I wasn't really worried. I knew if you could make it, you'd be home."

Clint nodded, his face brushing against her hair. "Yeah…'cause I promised."

Laying there in the inky darkness, it felt like a fantastic dream. But Laura knew that eventually the sun would rise, and the dream would still prove to be reality.

Clint had made it home for Christmas—and, thankfully, not only in his dreams.

Ahh, Barton family feels. I love this crew, really. It was one of my favorite things to come out of Age of Ultron.

There should be another chapter this week if my writing inspiration cooperates. Tune in next time for Bucky's first Christmas after Winter Soldier, complete with copious amounts of Christmas carols, sweet gifts, love, and healing. In the meantime...

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