Author's Note – Forgot to post this previously, and just figured it out while I'm trying to work on the next chapter around working on the next part of Compass Rose. Enjoy!

Nick opened his mouth, but Val waved him off. She directed a charming smile towards Clint and Darcy stiffened slightly, knowing how her mother worked. The older woman patted his arm. "I'm sure you understand, Agent Barton, that I have a few questions? Mothers can be-"

"Mom," Darcy interrupted, a light kindling in her eyes. She gestured at the room. "This had better not be an interrogation into intentions, plans or anything of the sort."

"I only have a couple of questions, mia cara bambina," Val assured her.

"Right," Darcy drew out disbelievingly. "A 'couple of questions' do not require the entire line up. Everybody here knows the answers to all the usual questions." Her eyes scanned the faces in the room before focusing on her mother once more. "If you haven't read his entire file on the flight over, I'll give up mochas for a year." Val remained silent, one raven eyebrow lifting in amused challenge. Darcy rolled her eyes and Clint shifted slightly. "Oh, please, Mom, give it a rest. I saw the request for the information two days ago."

"Busted," Val laughed, snapping her fingers in mock outrage. She turned a softer smile towards Clint. "I would apologize for the violation of privacy, Agent…" Her voice trailed off as he shook his head.

"She's your daughter," Clint noted simply. "I get it."

"So do I," Darcy commented in a sharper tone, "but let's not play pretend."

"Darcy Marie," Nick's voice rumbled across the table.

"I'm serious, Dad," Darcy answered back, meeting her dad's scowling gaze. She could feel Clint almost flinch beside her as he too looked towards the scowling director. "I am too old to need a panel review on my choice of dates. I am perfectly capable of making my own decisions and doing my own background checks. As Mockingbird, I've got the clearance, and even if I didn't, I'd 'find' the leak anyway." She felt more than saw Clint's lips twitch in amusement at that, but kept her voice cold and clear. "Not that I needed any of that this time…you all know who Clint is, what he does, and what kind of guy he is, so step off."

Val's laughter rolled through the room in a delighted burst of sound. "There's my girl," she crowed happily. Clint frowned in confusion, but Phil and Maria both relaxed back into their chairs. Nick's face grew petulant, but Val smirked and shrugged. "I suppose that just leaves the warnings then." Darcy sighed, but sat back and didn't argue. Clint grew still as four pairs of eyes focused on him.

Val reached out and put one hand under his chin, turning his face so their eyes met. The warm, honeyed voice suddenly cooled by several degrees. "Should there be any doubt, Agent Barton, let me assure you, the four of us can and will be worse than any criminal or villain you have ever met as either an agent or an Avenger. There will be nowhere and no one you can run to if you hurt my daughter. I will go around, over, under, or through anyone who tries to get between us." Their gazes remained locked. "Am I clear?"

"Crystal, ma'am."

Darcy watched as Clint's calm, steady reply was measured and weighed by her mother. Val gave a quick nod and settled back into her seat. Phil and Maria simply gave him their most stoic expressions, and he tilted his head in understanding of the unspoken threats implied by each of them. There would be no second chances on this one.

Only one person in the room had yet to enter the family agreement being hammered out. Nick Fury continued to eye his agent with a harsh and grim visage. No hint of softness seemed to touch him.

"Daddy," Darcy drew out in a tone that managed to convey both warning and pleading, but before she could say anything more, Clint put a hand on her arm. She glanced up at him and he shook his head. Pursing her lips in annoyance, she settled back.

Nick's eye flickered from Clint's hand to Darcy's face and up to Clint's. Clint met the look with a stubborn, determined expression of his own, and finally Nick sighed. "This is my daughter, Barton."

"Yes, sir," Clint acknowledged, taking in both the warning and acceptance inherent in the statement.

Nick nodded once. "I will kill you," he stated simply.

"I'll hand you the gun," Clint agreed.