The cool, fresh air gently blew across the Barton's quiet farm, sending crisp leaves dancing in the wind.

Clint picked up another long, skinny stick and threw it as hard has he could. Arrow lept into the air and caught it before it hit the ground, his tail wagging rapidly.

Nathaniel squealed and chased after the dog as best as a toddler could. Cooper ran right next to Nathaniel to make sure Arrow didn't play too rough. Lilah was inside 'helping' Laura make an apple pie. Clint could smell it from the open kitchen window.

Clint smiled from the creaky wood porch he was sitting on as he watched his kids run and play. This is the life they deserved. They needed a dad that wasn't always coming and going, not knowing whether or not he would return. Retirement was one of the best things that could've happened to his family. Now he could be there for his kids. He could be here. He was able to go to Coopers spelling bee, and Lilah's dance recital. He got to see Nathaniel go to his first day of preschool, something he missed out on with Lilah and Cooper.

For the first time in his life he actually felt like a dad.

And he was going to be the best dad ever to make up for all the time he missed. He was never going to-

"DADDY!" Lilah shrieked. Clint jumped to his feet as a feeling of panic erupted inside him and darted into the house. He whipped around the corner and ran into the kitchen. His daughter was sitting on the kitchen floor, sobbing and shrieking.

"Lilah!" Clint said. He got down on the floor and picked her up in his arms, holding her close against his chest. She looked up at him through watery, tear filled eyes. Clint was horrified to see so much fear in them. Raw fear. Fear that should never be known to a child. He silently brushed his fingers through her hair and rocked her back and forth in his lap."Shhh, shhh. You're okay. What's wrong? Are you hurt?"

"M-Mommy." Lilah choked out before burying her face in Clints shoulder. Clints heart skipped a beat and his head jerked up.

Laura.

His eyes frantically scanned the house, but there was no one there. His wife wasn't there.

"Baby, where's mommy?" Clint asked, his voice trembling slightly. Lilah sobbed again and pointed to the floor.

A pile of ash was on the ground.

Clint stiffened slightly. How did ash get in here? The fireplace was in another room… maybe it came through the window…

Clint shook his head. He didn't have time for that. He needed to find his wife. Clint shifted Lilah in his arms so she was looking up at him.

"Sweetheart, I know you're scared." Clint said. "But I need you to tell me. Where is Mommy?"

Lilah sniffled and pointed to the pile of dust and ash on the floor.

"S-she just d-d-d-disappeared." Lilah said. "Poof."

"Sweety, people dont just vanish." Clint sighed. "Maybe she-"

"DAD!" Cooper yelled. Clint turned to see Cooper rushing into the kitchen. His face was white and he was trembling.

"Cooper, what's wrong?" Clint asked, dread filling his stomach. Cooper pointed outside.

"I was playing with Nate and he just vanished! He… he…" Coopers voice trailed off and he glanced down at his hand, his face growing even paler.

Clint looked at his sons hand in horror; it was flaking away and turn into dust. Cooper looked up at his dad fearfully as his entire arm vanished.

"Dad?" Cooper said.

"Cooper!" Clint lunged forward, trying to grab his son.

Too late.

Clint's fingers wrapped around but dust.

Cooper was… gone.

Clints heart started beating in chest so hard he thought his rib cage might break. A ringing erupted in his ears as he started to panic.
"Daddy?" Lilah choked out between scared sobs.

Clint scooped his daughter and ran out of the house. His eyes quickly scanned the area for his other son. Clint knew what he was going to find. Before he vanished Copper had just said that Nate… that Nate... Clint just needed to be sure.

His eyes landed on Arrow. The dog was laying on the ground and whimpering slightly.

Right next to a small pile of ash.

Clint held back a choked sob. He held Lilah tighter to his chest and pressed a hand over her eyes so she wouldn't see him cry. Through every mission Clit has ever sent on by SHIELD, every training lesson with Agent Coulson, every battle with the Avengers, Clint always had some sort of idea on what was going on. And he always had some sort of direction on what to do next… but now...

"Daddy?" Lilah asked after a moment. "Whats happening?"

"I… uh…" Clint's voice trailed off.

"Where's Mommy and Nate and Cooper?" she asked with wide eyes.

"They… they went to stay with Uncle Matt for a little bit." Clint said slowly. Lilah's brow furrowed as she tried to understand.

"Uncle Matt and his friend Foggy? Why?" she asked.

"Uh… I'lll... tell you later." Clint muttered. He took one long look around the farm before turning on his heel and walking back into the house.

"Where are we going?" Lilah asked.

"I need you to pack up some of your toys, a toothbrush, and some clothes. Okay, Sweetie?" Clint asked. "We're going to go for a little drive."

"Where are we gonna go?" she asked.

"We're going to Daddys work to find Aunty Natasha." Clint said with a small smile. "If she's still alive" a small voice in his head whispered. Clint shook his head and pushed that thought away. Tasha wasn't dead. She couldn't be.

"Okay, Daddy." Lilah said with a nod. She squirmed out of Clints arms and ran up the stairs to her room.

Clint followed her up and paused at her doorway. She ran around her room trying to fit stuffed animals into a small suitcase.

Clint sat down outside of his daughters room.

Then he buried his face in his hands so Lilah might not hear him. And he cried.

And he cried.

And cried.