A/N: Just a heads up...I wrote this chapter in third person to try to capture more than just Jamie's feelings.

Chapter 26

The day of May's funeral was dreary, adding to the sober mood. The ride to the city where the funeral was to be held was quiet. Clint, Steve, Nat, Bruce, and Jamie traveled together, planning to meet up with Tony, Pepper, and Peter at the church. Jamie was upset that she had to stay at the compound instead of going back to the tower with Tony and Peter the night before but she was willing to make this concession afraid that they would change their minds about letting her attend.

Steve reviewed the rules again before letting Jamie out of the car. "So, if you start to feel like you're going to get upset, you will—"

"I will tell you or Dad then I won't fight when we leave. Can we go now? I want to say 'hi' to Peter before it starts."

Steve pulled Jamie into a hug, taking a few deep breaths to steady himself.

"I will be ok," Jamie consoled, feeling Steve's anxiety. "I know you're scared for me, but I will be alright."

Steve kissed his daughter's forehead. "I'm so proud of you."

"Thanks, Poppa."

The sadness in the church was palpable. With her ability to sense feelings, Jamie was unprepared for everyone's sadness. Dealing with Peter was one thing, but everyone all at once was too much. "Dad, can we go outside for a bit?"

Clint nodded then led Jamie outside. "Are you ok?" He asked filled with concern.

Jamie tried to control her ragged breathing, hitching and sputtering much like she had just sprinted a mile instead of having just walked outside of the building. "It's a lot. Everyone is so…their feelings…it's…it's a lot."

Clint thought for a moment. "Maybe you could focus on someone's feelings in particular, like wearing blinders."

"Maybe, I don't know," Jamie said thoughtfully. "I haven't had to try anything like that before."

"Try with me, what am I feeling?"

"Um," Jamie said focusing, pushing out all of the sadness that continued to assault her even from outside the building. "You feel nervous, sad, um proud maybe."

Clint smiled, "Yeah, that sums up how I'm feeling."

"Do you think you can focus on that while you are inside?"

"Let's try."

Clint led Jamie inside once more, maintaining his attention on his daughter, trying to recall happy images to distract her from the mass of other feelings hitting her.

"How's that?" Clint asked.

"How are you happy right now?" Jamie asked with a slight smile.

"I'm thinking about snuggling with you and shooting together. We can change how we feel by choosing what we focus on. I'm choosing to focus on the things that I love."

Jamie smiled, "You're thinking about me?"

"Yup. You make me smile," Clint said bringing Jamie into a deep hug.

Jamie's smile widened, "I love you, Dad."

"I love you too, baby girl. Ready to go say 'hi' to Peter?"

Jamie nodded then followed Clint back inside, immediately looking around the room for Peter. She easily spotted him up front with Tony. "Hi Peter."

"Hi Jamie! I'm so happy you're here. Can you sit with me?"

Jamie looked over at Tony and Clint for their response. Tony smiled, "Sure. I will also be in the first row with Peter and Clint and the others can sit behind us.

Jamie felt Peter relax upon hearing that she could sit next to him which made her smile. When the time neared, Tony directed Peter and Jamie to sit then took his seat next to Peter with Pepper next to him. Jamie took Peter's hand in her own when she felt his sadness intensify as the preacher moved to the pulpit to begin the service. She also felt the impact that her touch made, knowing that he, although still sad, felt stronger.

Jamie gave a final squeeze just as Peter was called up to give the eulogy. Peter's anxiety mixed with the acute grief was intense causing Jamie's focus on Clint to falter. He noticed the change in Jamie, seeing her begin to slouch and shake, so he placed a calming hand on her shoulder, reminding her to focus on him. He dialed up the good thoughts, bringing to mind all of the fun they've had shooting, swimming, throwing the softball, snuggling, and eating breakfast together. Jamie relaxed, sensing his strong happy, contented feelings.

Everyone followed along to the graveside, but understanding that Peter wanted alone time with his aunt, she hung back.

Tony asked, "Do you want to stand next to Peter?"

"Yes, but Peter wants to be alone right now."

"How do you know?" Jamie looked up at Tony, eye brows raised. "Right, your thing," Tony said pointing to his temple. "I keep forgetting."

After a few moments, Tony asked, "Are you doing alright?"

"I think so."

"What do you mean?"

"I haven't let myself focus on my own feelings today. I'm not sure how I'm doing but I haven't completely lost it so that's got to be good, right?"

"I suppose so. I want you to stay at the compound tonight and please talk to someone about today. I don't want you to find yourself neck deep in strong emotions on your own. Can you do that for me?"

"Sure Daddy."

Tony kissed Jamie's forehead. "I love you baby girl."

"Love you too." Jamie paused for a moment; her expression growing serious. "Peter needs you."

"What, now?"

"Yes."

Tony left to stand next to Peter, who crumbled into Tony's side. Jamie turned to Clint, "We should go now."

"Alright, let's go."

Jamie looked back at Peter feeling his overwhelming loss, remembering the times that she felt the same crushing loss. Tears began to flow down her cheeks in torrents over the deaths of her father, mother and sister—the lines between Peter's grief and her own blurring. Seeing the pain on her face, Clint wrapped his daughter into a hug, letting her grieve once more for the loss of her family. He guided her into the back seat of the vehicle, asking Steve to drive while he and Nat attended to their daughter.