A/N: Sorry for the wait, but I come bearing gifts. Enjoy!
READ IT. ENJOY IT. REVIEW IT.
The one thing Katie knew about the inevitable, was that no matter how much you ignored it, how much you tried to fight it, it would inevitably happen. It had been two months since she returned and she's made peace with practically everyone. There was still one person she seemed to be holding off of the forgiveness. The one person she found herself holding at a higher stature than the others.
Katie sat on the couch in her office with a hand rubbing her belly mindlessly. When this day started she didn't know she would be here. Of course everyday she said she was going to do, but she never did. For some reason today seemed like the day. No, it was the day and so Katie sat up straight and took a deep breath.
"JARVIS, initiate secure video conference" and soon a hologram screen appeared in front of her.
"Who do you wish to call?" JARVIS asked and Katie hesitated for a moment.
"Acronym U.N.C.L.E" she whispered and then all there was to do was wait. The video was taking quite some time to connect and after a couple of minutes she decided to just take it as a sign that this shouldn't happen. "JARVIS-" Then his face appeared in front of her. Phil Coulson.
"This is a surprise." he said with a slight smile that she didn't return. "I thought for sure that I was the last person you wanted to talk to."
"You are." Was Katie's reply as she tilted her head slightly. There seemed to be something different about. Something in his eyes. She figured the job was probably getting to him. "But this meeting was inevitable. At some point it was going to happen and so I decided I would control when it happened."
"I'm not sorry." Coulson said and he could tell she didn't expect those words. "Sure there were lies and secrets, but in the end the result was the same. Your safety. Your parents safety. I'm sorry if you can't understand why that was important. And I'm sorry if you have hurt feelings over the matter. I'm not sorry that I did everything in my ability to make sure your life wasn't cut short." He took a deep breath, and Katie watched as he seemed to sit back in his seat. He looked as if he'd been waiting to say those words for a long time.
"I'm creating life." Katie said unexpectedly. Coulson was understandably confused, but he didn't say anything. He knew there was usually reasoning behind such subject changes from the woman. Katie dropped her head, spreading her fingers across her belly. "Like right now, in this moment, life is being shaped and formed inside of me, so-" she lifted her eyes back to man on the screen. "I'm deciding to refuse to let this control me any longer. I'm letting go of SHIELD and the lies of my parents, the secrets and I"m going to make sure this life I'm creating comes into this world safe, healthy and surrounded by love."
"Well that's-"
Katie held up a hand to stop him, because she wasn't finished.
"That being said, I'm not sure the twists and turns that have to happen inside of you for you to have to be the director of a fallen government agency, and I won't even pretend to know the dilemmas you have to face everyday, what I do know is that I used to know what Agent Phil Coulson stood for. I think I partially understood the cold and calculated agent who secretly had a heart of gold. I don't know Director Coulson and because of that I don't think I trust Director Coulson." Katie leaned in as much as she could, hoping the seriousness was clear in her eyes. "So takes these next words as you will. But if my life, my personal life, my family somehow gets tangled up in your duties as Director, if you find yourself in a position where you have to decide if you're going to have to make decisions or control the things of my life I think you should know that I will become a problem for you and I think we both know what me as a problem could do."
"We do." was the simple reply.
"Good." Katie replied with a smile before standing to her feet. "Nice talk. Just so you're aware, this wasn't about me needing an apology. I understand the reasons for apologies, but I also understand that apologies for all intents and purpose are pointless. They change nothing. It's what you choose to do next that matters."
"It's a tough job. Fury made it look easy." Coulson said and Katie nodded.
"I get it, but you weren't chosen because you're Fury. We all know what happened under Fury's reign. He morally compromised himself in the name of what he thought SHIELD was supposed to be. You're not Fury, you're Coulson. Try to remember what that means."
"Katie, Sir is requesting your presence in the lab." JARVIS called and Katie sighed looking back to Coulson.
"I guess you should get going."
"Yeah, I probably should." Katie replied. The pair stared at each other for a moment longer in silence, saying the things with their eyes that neither needed to say with words. They always had an understanding. Both hoped the mistakes of the past weren't enough to destroy that. "Bye." and with that the video ended. Katie stood there for a moment, replaying the whole conversation in her head before shaking her head and heading for the door. The moment she pulled it open, she stopped dead in her tracks to prevent herself from bumping into her husband. "You know I thought you were kidding when you said you were going to wait out here for me."
"How did it go?"
"As expected, but the air is clear and lines are clearly drawn. And, oof!-" Katie's hands went to her belly, as the baby seemed to go into a fit of kicking. Clint's hands quickly went to Katie's waist to steady her. "Seriously kid-" she looked up to Clint who couldn't help the smile on his face. "You wouldn't be smiling if you were on this end."
"Aw, come on son-" Clint said bending over slightly to speak to Katie's belly. "Give your mom a break. She still needs some of those vital organs you're kicking."
"Son? Really? This again?"
"You can doubt me all you want Kat, but I will bet my life that there is a boy in there." Clint slid his hands around her back and pulled her closer. She came easily, wrapping her arms around his neck in return. "I have a sixth sense about this. There is a Clint Jr. in there and in twenty eight days, I'm going to prove it to you."
"Such big words, how about you put your money where your mouth is." Clint was already leaning in closer, subtly pushing Katie back into her office. "A friendly wager."
"You think I won't?" he asked as they lowered themselves onto the couch, Clint repositioning himself so he didn't press down any weight on top of her.
"You seem pretty confident." Katie replied raising her leg to wrap around his hip. Clint's hand moved from her leg slowly, sliding over her inner thigh, but stopping when a British voice broke through the room.
"Sorry, but Mr. Stark is adamant about your presence in the lab." JARVIS said and Clint groaned loudly dropping his head to Katie's chest.
"JARVIS, tell Tony that we had a discussion about patience. Tell him I will be there soon."
"As you wish."
"You know I could've sworn I heard Franklin say something about you taking it easy. I don't think you spending everyday in that lab with a crazy, ego-maniac is taking it easy."
"Well I could be spending my days with a cold, constipated assassin-" Clint couldn't help but laugh as he rose his head to meet her eyes. "but what do I know?" Katie smiled, that smile and Clint couldn't help it, his lips crashed into hers with a need that only she could fulfill.
"I'm sorry to interrupt again, but-"
"JARVIS, you're killing me!" Clint yelled causing Katie to laugh.
"He's not going to go away." Katie said placing a kiss to Clint's cheek. "I'll go, and then I'll come back you are going to surprise me with something."
"Really, and what is that?"
" I don't know, but it's going to be good. Now get off me." she pushed his shoulders and Clint reluctantly pulled himself from her, before reaching out a hand to help her to her feet.
"Alright, but you are to take it easy. You get tired, you stop working. You get hungry, you eat something."
"Don't worry, I'm going to be fine. You just worry about that surprise you have planned for me." she placed a quick kiss to his lips before slipping around him out the door. Clint walked her to the elevator, giving her a wave as the doors slid closed. The moment she was gone, Clint took out his cell phone and pressed a single digit before bringing it to his ear. He was listening to the ringing, when he turned and saw Natasha walking over. He held up a finger just when the line was picked up.
"Hey, it's me."
"Me who?"
"Hawk you idiot. I was just calling to get a status report."
"I told you, it'll be done when it's done. Trust me."
"I don't trust you as far as I could throw you, but right now I have no choice but to let you do the one thing I can't afford to be screwed up right now."
"Being a little over-dramatic aren't you, Hawk?"
"No, I'm not. Just don't screw this up."
And with that Clint hung up the phone and looked over to Natasha who just shook her head.
"Aren't these supposed to be the happy times? Before the crying and the diapers?"
"I am happy. I'm like the happiest guy you will ever meet. That doesn't change the fact that if he messes this up for me, I will kill him with my bare hands."
"You're not over reacting at all" she replied sarcastically as they headed for the elevator.
"Where are we going?"
"Thor is supposed to be heading our way soon. I think he may have a lead on Loki's scepter that mysteriously disappeared." Clint simply nodded as the stepped onto the elevator. "So, you guys think about any names yet?" Clint looked over to her with a smile. "Because Natasha is a strong name, solid." she refused to look at him with that stupid grin on his face. "I will hit you."
"Don't worry it made the list." Clint said and Natasha turned with a quirked eyebrow. "We both created lists of possible names and when she hits month nine we're going to choose."
"Who else made the list?"
Katie walked into the lab, where she found Tony standing in the same spot she thinks she left him the day before when she was here. When he glanced up and spotted her, he walked over to a nearby table and grabbed a cup, and poured some of his smoothie before bringing it over to her.
"Here, drink."
"Everyday I'm here, you try to get me to drink this and every time I tell you the same thing."
"I don't understand how you can say you love that kid when you're not willing to do everything to ensure they are healthy. This is filled with lots of things to create a healthy, plump baby bird. It also will boost your energy and keep you from falling asleep on me again." he pushed the cup in her hand before turning and walking back over to the specs on the hologram. "Something is still missing."
"Tony what you're trying to do is literally ground breaking and ground breaking doesn't happen overnight. These things take time."
"I don't have time. The next alien attack could be tomorrow and in a couple of weeks I lose my-" he glanced over to Katie and seemed to stop his words. "Look, I just want this program up and running."
"And I think looking at this everyday is going to drive you mad." Katie replied sitting down the smoothie and walked over to him. "Lets do something fun." Tony looked over to her with a furrowed brow.
"I'm listening." Katie grabbed Tony's hand and pulled him with her from the the lab.
They ended up in Tony's living room, staring up to the large screen in front of them. Both had their hands in a large bowl of popcorn laughing like fools.
"We should stop, right?" Katie asked in a fit of laughter unable to take her eyes off the screen. "Like this is mean. Evil maybe."
"No, this is entertaining. And if he didn't want to fall victim then he shouldn't make it so easy."
Steve sat in one of the common areas of the tower with his Stark Pad in his lap still trying to figure out how to get back to a previous page, when the television suddenly turned on. He lifted his head in confusion before reaching over and pressing the power button on the nearby remote. Steve shook his head before glancing back down to the tablet.
"I just want to read the news, not learn more about viagra." he muttered as the shades of the room began to slide close, before stopping and lifting back up. "What the heck is going on here?" There were a couple of beeps from his tablet, and Steve's brow furrowed even deeper in confusion. "No, I'm not looking for a good time. What-" suddenly the blender in the kitchenette came on, and the sound of a cuckoo clock echoed through the room even though there wasn't a cuckoo clock anywhere in the building. It wasn't until he heard the sound of a rooster crow did he realize someone was messing with him. And if he had to guess, he thinks he knows who's juvenile enough to take pleasure in such pranks. "Very funny Stark!"
Katie and Tony couldn't stop laughing as they watched the man stand to his feet and stalk out of the room with his tablet under his arm.
"You're a child!" Steve called as he left.
"The rooster was a bit much." Katie said with a shake of her head. "We could've dragged that out a little longer."
"Well pranking Capsicle is only entertaining for so long." Tony replied as they laid back on the couch.
"Pft, you better not be growing up on me." Katie replied laying back as well. "I don't think I would be able to handle if you're the most grown up one between us."
"Never." Tony replied.
"So..." Katie said closing her eyes and folding her hands over her stomach,something she does often now. "Do you know what today is?"
"Wednesday, I think" Tony replied turning away in thought. "No, it's Thursday, right?" he looked back over to her. "Give me a hint."
"Ok, so yeah, you're working too much. It's Wednesday, and that's not what I was asking." Katie gave him a smile. "Six years ago today, you were hacked." a smile came to Tony's lips. "This beautiful , genius of a woman saw some interview of this jackass of a billionaire talking about his impenetrable, bullet proof firewall and a challenge was set and she just couldn't turn it down. So she typed like a mad person and finally got in. She thought she was undetected, but she underestimated the jackass and so the next day when she walks into her apartment from a long day at the coffee shop, she finds him sitting at her desk and the first words he says-" she points to Tony for him to continue.
"You're a chick." Tony say with a laugh. "That's not today, is it? Six years, wow." Tony turned and brought a hand over Katie's stomach, smiling at the little kicks he felt. "We have come a long way haven't we kitten?"
"Yes we have Mr. Stark. You're about to become Mr. Pepper Potts, and a human being is about to be torn from my body."
"So has big bird decided to accept my offer to design the nursery?" Tony asked and Katie sighed. "I have people who could come in and do it no time flat."
"I told you that it will happen, when it happens. Clint's just not really keen on any outside help on this one. This is something he wants to do, what he wants to build with his own hands for his child."
"Well that will take too long, and this kid could be here tomorrow." Tony said before jumping to his feet. "If he's not careful, my little iron boy will be sleeping in one of my suits."
"Your little iron boy? So you think it's boy too?" Katie shook her head as she grabbed the nearby bowl of popcorn. "I hate to burst your bubble, but this is a little iron girl." Tony suddenly dropped to the coffee table in front of Katie, a look a seriousness on his face that almost scared her.
"Do you know that for a fact?" Tony asked, and Katie's brow furrowed at such a dramatic mood change. "I could've sworn that Franklin didn't reveal the sex at the last appointment." Tony turned away in thought. "Unless he lied. That's something he would do."
"Tony what the hell is this about?" Katie asked and Tony turned to her with a shake of his head before standing to his.
"Nothing, lets get back down to the lab." he held out a hand to help her up, but she only looked at him more suspiciously. She grabbed his hand and let him help her to his feet. The moment she was standing, Tony reached behind him and hissed. "Ow, my back." Katie swatted his arm and pushed him out the way.
"That's still not funny!" Katie called back to him, heading back to the elevator, a bowl of popcorn held firmly in her hands.
"Yes it is." Tony muttered as he followed behind her.
When Bruce finally arrived to the lab, he spotted Tony sitting behind his desk, doing something on his computer and he looked over to see Katie propped up on one the chairs asleep.
"Am I crazy?" Bruce asked and Tony glanced up to him and shrugged.
"Maybe, I don't know dude. I don't judge."
"No, I mean I could've sworn just yesterday, me and you had this conversation about you not calling her to work. She's eight months pregnant."
"Really? I just thought she was packing on a couple of extra pounds." Tony said standing to his feet and walking to the other side of the lab, hopefully giving the man the hint that he didn't want to be in this conversation. " I am aware of that Bruce, thanks for reminding me though. If she doesn't want to be here, then she wouldn't come."
"Yes she would!" Bruce called and Tony shook his head. "You know she would because she cares about you. Look at her-" Tony let out a dramatic sigh before bringing his eyes to Katie who was still asleep, her head being propped up by her hand.
"Alright, what am I supposed to be looking at?"
"Tony she reached her third trimester which means at any moment, like seriously any moment she could go into labor. And the stress-"
"Well there! You can end all arguments there, because she's not stressed. Not here. She loves it here, she loves the puzzle of it all and the numbers. You know this. I could barely get her to eat when we were designing Veronica." Tony glanced over to Katie with a shake of his head. "So she gets tired...a lot, she'll wake up and be ready to get back into the game." he looked over to Bruce who noticed something before turning away.
"What is this really about?"
"I don't know what you're talking about" Tony said before turning back to his holocomputer.
"Sir, Ms. Romanoff, Mr. Barton, and Thor are still waiting for your presence upstairs."
"Tell them I'm on my way." Tony said not even making a move to make that statement true. "Five minutes."
"What's going on?" Bruce asked.
"I don't know. Thor's back and they think we may have found Loki's scepter." Tony grumbled in annoyance, wishing to end the distraction. "You should go and tell them I'm on my way in ten minutes." Bruce let out a sigh before turning to Katie and walking over. "She stays though!" Bruce stopped walking and looked over to the man. "What, didn't you just say not even a minute ago that she needed to be taking it easy-" Tony pointed over to her, light snore still escaping her nose. "It doesn't get any easier than that."
"You're a very sad man Tony." Bruce said before continuing over to Katie and placing a hand on her shoulder. He gave her a gentle shake, and her eyes fluttered open.
"Why?" she asked, her voice still rough from blinked a few times before realizing where she was. "Did I fall asleep again?"
"Yeah, if you were tired you should've went back to the apartment."
"Why would she do that when there's a perfectly good chair right there." Bruce ignored the man with a shake of his head. "She's fine, just leave her alone."
"No, I'm awake, I awake." Katie began standing up and Bruce made sure to grab her arm to help her. "Ok, I'm ready for my second wind." she took a step toward Tony, but stopped. "You know what first, I should eat something." she turned to Bruce. "You game?"
"Yeah, but probably after this team meeting."
"What team meeting?"
"The one Tony has been avoiding and probably not telling you about." Bruce said and they both turned to Tony who simply shrugged.
"If it was really that important the sky would be falling." Tony said turning back to his computer.
"JARVIS, system shut down." Katie spoke and every computer in that lab just shut off. Tony turned to her with narrow eyes.
"I kicked you out of the driver's seat."
"Well I snuck back in." Katie said walking over to the dry erase board that held her and Tony's name, dash marks underneath them. She drew a dash under her name, now putting her in the lead by only one. "No, come on." she turned back to Bruce. "You think there will be food?"
Bruce, Katie and a very annoyed Tony walked into the common area where they found Thor, Steve, Natasha and Clint along with Maria Hill.
"Took your sweet time getting up here, huh Stark?" Clint asked, clearly annoyed with the wait.
"Time is money Barton, and I'm not making any being up here, so what's the what?" Tony asked walking in and dropping on the couch. The others gathered around, well not all. Katie inched around the room still hoping that there was food somewhere.
Thor opened his mouth to speak, but stopped and lifted his eyes to Katie was still just mindlessly searching. The others followed his gaze over to the woman, who stopped when she noticed all the eyes on her.
"So, no one brought food?" she asked and they all just stared at her. "Sorry, important meeting." she walked over and took the seat beside Clint, his hand instinctively wrapping around her. "Go on."
"Loki's scepter is still here on Midgard" Thor announced.
"We've been scouring the globe for any energy bursts that could help up zero in on where the scepter is" Maria said walking over and pulling up a holographic map. "All signs point here. Sokovia"
"How the hell did Loki's scepter get from New York to Eastern Europe?" Clint asked with a shake of his head.
"Sokovia?" Katie muttered, the name sounding too familiar. She stood to her feet and walked over to the map. "I've seen that name before. JARVIS, pull up the files we have on HYDRA and highlight any mentions of Sokovia." soon a holographic screen appeared in front of them. With a finger she sifted through the files until she found the one she was looking for. "Here it is." she opened the file and expanded it so everyone could see. "HYDRA outpost, under the leadership of Baron Wolfgang von Strucker."
"Exactly." Maria said with a nod. "My intel tells me that Strucker has been using the scepter to experiment on people."
"What kind of experiments?" Steve asked and Maria shrugged.
"I don't know, but I doubt anything we want loose on our planet." Maria said looking over them. "So team, you ready to suit up?"
And just like that, it was time for the Avengers to once again assemble. Katie stood off to the side, watching as everyone except for her and Maria began getting ready.
"It won't be so bad" Maria said nudging Katie's arm. "Sometimes being the eyes and ears is just as important as being the muscle."
"Yeah, but being out there is more fun." Katie replied before walking over to Clint, who was already suited and ready to go. When he turned to her, he could see the worry in her eyes he was sure she was trying to hide. "Do you have enough arrows?"
"I have more than enough" Clint said looking down to Katie as she ran her hands over his kevlar vest, making sure it's secure. "You're not worried about me, are you Kat?" she met his eyes and smiled, letting her hands just rest on his chest.
"We used to go out there and fight knowing that the end was a possibility that we could live with. It's different now." Clint's hand, slid to her stomach, and he smile at the flutter under his fingers.
"The end is no longer a possibility I'm willing to accept." Clint said before bringing his lips to hers in deep, passionate kiss that left her breathless. He dropped his forehead to hers, his eyes staring down into hers, trying to soak as much of this moment up as he could before he had to leave her. "I have a lot to fight for and I am going to. Don't worry, I'm coming back."
"You better." Katie said grabbing his vest and pulling him back into one final kiss before they had to separate.
"Alright, jet is fueled an ready." Tony said walking back out and scrunching his face in disgust as he looks upon Katie and Clint. "Do you two have to do that like all the time."
"Yes we do." Katie said before giving Clint one final peck to the lips before finally letting him go. "Alright people, since I'm benched for this fight, I will be the voice in all your heads."
"Does that scare anyone else?" Bruce asked and Katie tossed him a pointed look. "Kidding."
"So because I'm not there, Hill and I will still have your backs. Just listen. I mean I love impulses as much as the next guy, but successful impulses are rare, so just do what I say and you all will live." they all stared at her, a little put off by her word choice.
"So we're all going to be Barton?" Tony asked gaining a glare from the archer that he ignored before clapping his hands. "Alright people, lets go to a foreign country and blow shit up!" and with those departing words, Tony turned and headed toward the elevator that lead to the helipad on the roof.
"Be careful Iron Ass!" Katie called out to him and he just turned and gave her a wink.
"I always am Kitten." Tony replied before the doors slid closed.
"Everyone in favor in leaving Stark in Sokovia, say I" Clint announced raising his hand.
"I" came the echoed responses from the team as they too headed for the elevator.
"Hey, you guys better bring him back!" Katie playfully threatened as she watched the team pile onto the elevator. She gave them all a wave goodbye before the doors closed and they were gone. "Alright Chambers-"
"Barton" Katie corrected.
"It's still too weird to say." Hill said with a slight shake of her head before turning to Katie and placing her hands on her shoulders. "I have one rule and one rule only and it's non negotiable."
"I'm listening."
"This kid-" she pointed to Katie's stomach. "-does not get here before they do, got it?"
"I will definitely do my best."
"No seriously, do not go into labor because I will not be as calm and collected as you will like." Maria said before turning and heading over to the computers. "And I'm not even joking."
"This is going to be a blast." Katie sighed walking over as well and taking a seat. "Alright JARVIS, get me satellite imaging of the area surrounding the facility. Hill-"
"I'm already bringing up the schematics of the building."
"Alright, lets do this" Katie said with a clap of her hands that made Maria look over to her. "Sorry, I've been spending way too much time to Tony."
When Katie got word that they were there already, she could feel her heart pick up speed, which caused the baby inside of her to start doing back flips.
"Wow, that plane really does go fast." Katie muttered as she walked over to expand the satellite images. "Alright com check, let me hear those purdy voices."
"Captain, checking in."
"Widow here checking in and thinking this is lame."
"I think there's snow in Sokovia this time of year, so if a snowball at some point could find her face, I'd do a cartwheel."
"Be nice dear, Hawk checking in."
"What do I do now?" Thor asked and Katie couldn't help but laugh a little. "Oh, uh Thor Odinson, god of thunder, wielder of the Mjölnir and-"
"Just say checking in Thor!" came a chorused response from the others.
"Checking in Lady Katherine."
"I'm here, the other guy will be here, so we're checking in."
"Last but not least, Mr. Stark are you all suited up and on line"
"You know I am kitten and let me say it's a pleasure to have your voice in my ear. Don't look at me like that Barton, we're a team and a team should always be honest." Katie looked over to Maria who simply shook her head as she stood staring at the maps.
"Alright, how about we focus now. You're headed into some heavy man power here, probably a couple of dozen men and Strucker will know the moment you breach his perimeter." Maria stated as she looked to the map. "Divide and conquer is going to be your best bet here."
"JARVIS, give me thermal imaging of the base." Katie said taking a step back from the screen. "Maria look at this." Maria walked over to stand beside Katie, seeing the light blue area that covered the building.
"What the hell is that?"
"Looks like some kind of energy shield." Katie said. "Must be the scepter. Did you guys hear that?" she got an echo of affirmatives. "Be careful, we don't know what this is, or if it makes body parts fall off."
"She's joking right?" Steve asked.
"No Steve, I'm not. Be careful."
And so the mission went on. Katie looked on as her friends fought with everything they had against Strucker's men. She kept her eyes open for any and every possible blind side, hoping to help them any way she could from a tower all the way in New York.
"Shit!" Tony cursed as he tried to flying into the building only, to just bounce back.
"Language." Steve warned without thinking. "Any idea how to penetrate the field."
"JARVIS and I are working on it. " Katie announced opening another screen that showed JARVIS searching for possible ways to get around the force field. "And I'm sorry, did you really just say, language?"
"It just sort of slipped out."
"Sure it did Cap" Tony said.
"I'm never going to be able to forget this am I?"
"What the hell was that?" Maria said walking over to one of the screens. Katie followed her line of sight just in time to see a blue light flicker across the screen. "Did you see that?" Katie tried to follow where the flicker was going on the different screens she had open. It wasn't until her eyes landed on Clint did she stop breathing.
"Bart, look-" before she could even speak, she watches as Clint's knocked off his feet, and a man appears above him.
"You didn't see that coming?" he asks before speeding away.
Clint had just stood to his feet, and before anything else could be said, he was shot right in the side, a pained grunt escaping his lips.
"No." Katie whispered, stumbling back, but Maria was their to grab and stead her.
"Clint's hit!"
Those were the last words Katie heard and suddenly everything around her seemed to disappear in that moment. At some point, Maria got her to sit, but she wasn't responding to her in any way shape or form. It wasn't until she heard his voice did she let the world back in.
"Kat, I'm fine." Clint said and Katie lifted her head to the screen to see Natasha helping him to his feet.
"I got him." Natasha said, dodging as best she could more shots from a nearby bunker. "Will someone do something about that bunker!?" and in a matter or seconds The Hulk barrels through the bunker like it's nothing. "Thank you. We're heading back to the jet."
"Now that we know the big bird is fine, can someone tell me if I'm closing in." Tony said flying above the bunker. Katie stood to her feet and looked over to images of the energy field.
"JARVIS, there." Katie said pointing to an open patch.
"Sir, there's a path away, above the north tower." JARVIS informed.
"Great I want to poke it with something." Tony replied.
Maria grabbed Katie's arm and tried to pull her back, but Katie pulled away.
"I'm fine."
"You were just seconds away from a nervous breakdown." Maria argued. "I don't know whose idea was to have you be here for this, but whoever it was needed to be punched in the face. This-" she pointed to the screens. "This is stress. This stress is not good for that-" she pointed to Katie's stomach. "Tony told me that if it looked like this was getting to you then I could kick you out."
"Seriously?"
"Oh, I'm oh so serious." Maria said taking a step toward the woman. "You leave now." Katie stared angrily at the woman, glancing back to the screens before pulling the comlink from her ear and tossing it to the floor before turning and stalking out of there. "The Sparrow has been kicked out of the nest."
"Is she alright?" Clint asked, letting out a hiss as Natasha applied gauze to his wound.
"She's fine, this was definitely not the kind of show she needed to be watching right now." Maria said looking up to the screens as she watched all the explosions and gun fire. "Whoever voted her here, I'm hitting you when you get back."
"In my defense" came Steve's voice in response. "She threatened me when none of you were looking."
"You're a super soldier!" Maria countered.
"And she has this look that freaks me out!"
Katie returned to the lab, where she paced back and forth her hands mindlessly rubbing her stomach. She hated it, but she knew Maria was right. Katie thought she was tougher than this, but as she stood there watching as all of her friends seemed so close to death, it all became a little too much. When Clint was shot, she felt the world around her crumbling underneath her. She knew it was the hormones, that every emotion she feels will be magnetized, it still doesn't make her feel better. She doesn't like having to stand there and watch it all happen, not being able to help in the slightest.
"JARVIS, bring up the video footage right before Clint was shot." Katie ordered and soon the video appeared, and Katie spotted the flash of blue light, until he stopped. "Pause it there." she walked over to the screen and looked at the man, whose hair completely white. "Initiate facial recognition"
"Katie, I have been told to tell you that the team as secured the scepter and are in route to returning."
"Was Clint the only one injured?"
"Yes, but Mr. Stark has already called in Dr. Helen Cho to treat him." Katie closed her eyes and let out a deep sigh. If Helen was called then it was probably pretty bad. She usually only tended to the team in really bad case.
"Patch me directly to Clint please JARVIS."
"As you wish."
Katie walked over and took a seat, placing her hands on her stomach finding the baby had slightly settled.
"You know you suck at surprises."
"I will get better I promise."
"I think the baby's sleeping."
"Good, now if only mama would follow suit." came his voice, but she could hear the tension when he spoke, the pain he was trying to hide. "I'm fine Kat, alright?"
"Tell everyone I'm sorry I lost it back there. I thought I could handle seeing and not doing, but it turns out I get all girl when I see my husband shot at closed range with a very powerful gun." Katie closed her eyes and once again let out a deep sigh finding her mind traveling back to that house in the small town where everything was just so quiet and calm.
"Kat, no one is upset-"
"I am. I'm angry with myself for getting so damn emotional. There is no room for emotions in battle."
"Yeah, well you're eight months pregnant and I hear that means you're just bursting with emotions right now." she heard him grunt in pain and Katie let out a deep sigh.
"We shouldn't do this now. You're hurt and I'm-I don't know what I am right now. You should take it easy right, and I'm not helping."
"Trust me Kat, hearing your voice helps way more than any medicine right now." Katie smiled and she heard distant voices. "Bite me Stark. I think you're right maybe we shouldn't talk now. I will see you soon."
"Yes you will."
"Please try to get some sleep."
"Sure"
"Why don't I believe you? Kat-"
"Bart, I'm-" she began crumpling paper to imitate a static interference. "Going...through...wormhole."
"I married a child. Kat, get some sleep, I will see you soon."
"I love you Mr. Barton."
"I love you Mrs. Barton."
Katie let out another sigh, feeling the world once again making sense after realizing Clint really was ok.
"JARVIS, end transmission please." Katie said as she hoisted herself to her feet, an action that now seemed more like a chore then anything else. "Give me Clint's bio-scan." suddenly a full body image JARVIS had just scanned of Clint appeared in front of her. "His heart rate is elevated, but that could be from the adrenaline of the fight. Tell me about the wound." there wasn't an initial response and Katie lifted her head slightly. "JARVIS?"
"Mr. Stark has ordered me to desist all requested updates on Mr. Barton's status. I am to report that he is still alive and insist that you retire for the evening. But first he says that you should place a dash under his name."
"Smug bastard, tell Tony, if I wasn't a mess right now, I'd embarrass him with how fast I took the controls, but I'm going to let him have this one." Katie walked over to the dry erase board and added a notch under Tony's name.
Katie closed her eyes and just shook her head as stood there wanting nothing more in this moment to just see him. Sure she was told he was fine, but she just needed to see it for herself.
"Mr. Barton's survival rate is one hundred percent." JARVIS spoke and Katie opened her eyes in confusion.
"JARVIS did you just disobey an order?"
"I am not to answer any questions asked by you on Mr. Barton's health status, Mr. Stark did not say anything about me just telling you." Katie's eye brows rose at the response, because she didn't expect it. It had been happening a lot with her non existent friend.
"Why would you do that?" Katie asked turning and taking a couple of steps forward.
"You blood pressure increased, and so did your stress levels, and the chances of a physical reactions was multiplied." Katie thought over that answer as well before a sudden realization struck.
"You're trying to comfort me." Katie stated with a smile. "You noticed my emotional distress could lead to physical reactions and so you gave me information to offset those emotions. JARVIS, that's comfort!"
"Has it proved effective?" JARVIS asked and Katie smiled with a sigh.
"Yes, but I'm still worried about him so if you could just let me know when they arrive." Katie nodded before walking toward the elevator.
Maria spent most of that night sitting on the couch watching Katie pace back and forth over and over again. In all her years as an agent she doesn't think she's seen anything so nerve wrecking.
"Please sit, please just sit down, I'm begging you." Katie glanced over to Maria with a roll of her eyes, but she kept pacing. "He's fine, everyone you've talk to told you he was fine and yet you're still a nervous wreck, why?"
"I keep seeing it." Katie said twirling her finger beside her head. "Him being shot and it's weird-" she glanced over to Maria once again. "He's been hurt before, I've witnessed it and when I saw that happened, I felt like I couldn't breathe." Katie kept pacing, the movement in itself keeping her sane at the moment. "And I have absolutely no idea why"
"Well while you figure it out, could you please just sit down." Maria was practically pleading at this point. "You know I think I read something about expecting mothers walking a lot to induce labor." Katie stopped suddenly, her hand grabbing her stomach as a pained moan escapes her lips. She looks over to the frightened expression on Maria's face, and couldn't help the smile from spreading on her lips. "That' not funny. You're such an asshole!" Maria placed a hand over her heart that was now racing.
Tony sat behind the wheel of the jet, stretching his neck trying to ignore how sore he felt all over. He looked over to Steve who sat at the wheel beside him before glancing back to Bruce who still seemed to be burying himself in the music that was playing in his ears hoping to calm the beast within. His eyes traveled over to Natasha who sat beside Clint, who held he gut.
"So Barton, while we're not doing anything, have you given any thought to my offer to build a nursery for tweetie?"
"I'm not really in the mood Stark."
"It's just a question, I mean you're cutting it close aren't you? If the baby's born tomorrow, where's it going to sleep?"
"How about you not worry about my kid, I can take care of my family."
"Well from the outside looking in, it just looks like you're procrastinating. And the thing about procrastinators-"
"Stark, why don't you just drop it." Steve said trying to stop an argument that usually happened when the two men engaged in conversation.
"I would listen to him, Tony." Natasha added and Tony didn't even have to look at her to know she was sending him one of her death glares. She turned to Clint who sat beside her, gritting his teeth through the pain. "We should be there soon." Clint simply wordlessly nodded. "Talk to me, it'll take your mind off the pain."
"About what?"
"Who else names are on the list?" Natasha asked and Clint opened his eyes and looked over to her. "I just want to know what are my chances of being chosen."
"What list?" Steve asked turning to them, not even bothering to apologize for eavesdropping.
"Katie and Clint apparently are creating a list of names they might choose for the baby." Natasha said turning back to Clint. "I was able to get out of him that my name made the list, but that's about it."
"I'm sure whatever name they choose, it will be perfect." Steve replied with a smile before clearing his throat. "But if you guys are really at a loss, Steve or Steven are really good names. Simple you know? You can't go wrong with a good old fashion name."
"Thanks Cap, we'll keep that in mind."
"Well if it is strong name you seek, then there is none mightiest then Thor, a name whose meaning is strength." Thor stated proudly looking down to Clint who was still just trying to make it through this ride.
"Right, I'll let Kat know when I see her." Clint added and Thor nodded with a wide smile before going back over to Bruce to try to pull the man from his funk.
"Well I would tell you how awesome the name Anthony is, but I'm sure my kitten has put it at the top of your little list."
"The world would have to freeze over twice for me to even consider naming my child after you." Clint said closing his eyes and dropping his head back trying to breathe through the pain. "Which is probably why Kat never even suggested it."
"Lies Barton! All lies!"
After a while, Katie had no choice but to finally sit, giving into the needs of her exhausted body. The night sky had turned to early morning, and she was practically fighting to stay awake as she held her head in her hands, her hair falling over her face.
"Alright, enough is enough" Maria said standing above the woman. "If you don't go to bed, I'm calling Franklin and you know how much of a tight wad he's been sense D-Day is in sights."
"D-Day?" Katie asked not even bothering to lift her eyes to the woman. "Is that what you all are calling to day I give birth?"
"Whatever, just go to bed!" Maria ordered and Katie lifted her head to look at the woman. For a moment Maria thought it worked, but instead of standing to her feet, Katie simply spun around to lie down on the couch. "Katie-"
"This is as much as you're getting. Wake me up when they get here." Maria just rolled her eyes before walking off figuring she'd take this win.
Katie stared down to the rounded, chubby faced sleeping baby swaddled in her arms as she rocked back and forth in the chair. Her entire face was a smile she thinks will be permanently etched onto her face.
"I don't think I can stop looking at this kid." Katie spoke, sliding a gentle finger along the baby chin. She looked over to Clint who stood in front of her smiling as well as he looked down to her and the baby. "We make very beautiful children Bart" her eyes went back down to the baby, and just shook her head at how perfect this child in her arms was. "Do you want to hold-" she lifted her eyes but Clint was gone. "Bart, where did you go?" she stood to her feet and walked over to place the baby in the crib. "Your daddy's being silly." she gave one final glance to the baby before heading out the door. "Bart, where are you?" she walked the halls of the apartment in search of her husband, each step she can feel her heart picking up speed. "Bart this isn't funny anymore." she stopped when she reached a wall of pictures, her eyes looking at each one. One of her and the baby just after giving birth, one of her and the team, and then another of her holding the baby while sitting in a rocking chair. Each picture was different but held one heart wrenching similarity. No Clint. Katie spun around to the empty apartment, and she could feel her entire world crumbling around her. "Bart! You can't leave me!" she ran to the door and pulled it open, still hoping that he'd just appear. She ran out into the hall of the tower and found nothing but darkness. "Bart!" she screamed practically feeling her heart crushing in her chest.
Katie's eyes snapped open in a slight panic, as the remnants of her dream faded away.
"Hey, you're alright." Katie turned beside her to see Bruce, who had a stethoscope placed against her chest. "You were having a nightmare."
"I told Maria to wake me when you guys got back" Katie said already lifting herself up. She let her eyes look around to realize she wasn't on the couch anymore, but on her bed. "When did I get back up to the apartment?"
"Clint told Maria not to wake you and Steve brought you up here. You're a very deep sleeper did you know that?" Katie looked at the man who looked far more tired than she did. She recognized the look. It's the one he got after changing.
"So the lullaby worked?" Katie asked and Bruce simply nodded. "That's good. At least we know that there is no longer a need for a dehulking device, just an uptight assassin." Katie began sitting up from the bed.
"As a doctor, I would suggest you stay in bed."
"As my friend?"
"Friend?" Bruce joked and Katie swats his arm before standing to her feet. "I would tell you the same thing. Everyone's fine, Clint's being looked at by Cho and Tony's entertaining himself with the scepter."
"You left Tony alone with an alien artifact?" Both shared a look before turning and rushing out of the apartment. When they reached the lab, both let out a sigh of relief that Tony hadn't destroyed the world before walking out. When Tony glanced over and spotted Katie, he stopped what he was doing, grabbed a cup of his smoothie before walking it over and handing it out to her. "Today will just not be the day Tony."
"So do we talk about what happened?" Tony asked and Katie shook her head.
"I would rather not. I'm sorry if I risked the mission, and I will completely understand if that was the last time you guys want me at the helm." Tony just stared at her for a moment before looking over to Bruce.
"Did she just apologize for being human?"
"I think she did." Bruce replied glancing over to Katie. "Plus you didn't risk anything. You did what you said you were going to do, and you did it well."
"Couldn't stop my husband from getting shot." Katie asked turning and spotting Helen in the medical room above the lab. "How is he?" she needed to know before she walked into that room.
"He's fine, still Barton unfortunately." Bruce said and Katie nodded before heading over to the stairs. "Would you please just not." Katie stopped and turned to him with an annoyed look.
"You guys and these stairs." she grumbled walking over to the elevator. "There's like six steps."
"There's twelve and you've become ridiculously clumsy all of a sudden!" Tony called as she stepped onto the elevator. "When you're done worrying over nothing, come back here there's something I want to show you!" Katie just nodded as the doors slid closed.
Katie reached the door to the unit, and just stopped, the memories from her dream seeming to choose that moment to come back to her.
"Hey, you alright?" Katie let out a sigh before turning to see Steve headed toward her, already changed from this Captain America suit.
"You know I probably would be if you guys didn't keep asking me that." Katie replied turning back to the door and once again hesitating. "I don't want to freak out. He doesn't need me to freak out, but I think that's what is going to happen when I go in there."
"He's alright."
"I know that too." Katie said turning back to Steve. "It's the 'could haves' that are playing in my head. What if the shot moved a couple of more inches toward his heart, what if that mysterious speeding man decided to kill him instead of trip him up. This stuff shouldn't be getting to me, because this has been his life and mine for years now, but now-"
"Now you're about to have a baby and you're scared to death that one day he's just not going to come back." Steve said and Katie knew the moment he said them, the words were true. "That's normal, but I think there's something you should know, something you already know I think. When we're out there, we're fighting for the world, but we're fighting for each other as well. No one is left behind and everyone comes home."
"That's easy for a super soldier and a hulk, an Asgardian, a woman whose been trained since birth, and a man who wears a suit, but for him, he's just a guy." Katie turned back to the door. "My guy who wants to save the world. So for him there's always the chance he'll slip through the cracks of that dream you have of everyone coming home nice and safe." she glanced over to Steve. "I don't think I should be eyes and ears anymore."
"Why not?"
"Were you unaware of my meltdown last night. I can't see you guys always inches away from being blown up and still be able to not have a mental breakdown. Maria can do it, I'll just forfeit my part on the team to her."
"Your place on this team isn't something you can give away just because you don't feel useful." Steve said walking over and placing a hand on her shoulder. "You see I know another person whose not a super soldier, a hulk, an Asgardian, a woman whose been trained since birth, and who doesn't wear a suit and she's one of the strongest people I know." Steve reached around her and pushed open the door. "He's fine, really. When you get a chance, I need to talk to you about something."
Katie turned to see Helen standing just at the edge of the table Clint was laying on, looking at a monitor. Her eyes then went to the machine that was moving above her husband and she tried to ignore the twisting in her stomach.
"Who's there?" Clint asked turning his head as best he could, which wasn't far seeing as he's supposed to keep as still as possible.
"It's the waddling sparrow." Natasha said looking over to Katie who hadn't moved from her spot at the door. There was no witty comeback, as expected. Katie's eyes just seemed to be fixed on the hole in her husband's side that was slowly disappearing. Natasha just walked around to Katie, placing a hand on her back and grabbing her arm to pull her over to Clint who reached out a hand. The moment she was close enough, Clint took her hand in his and gave it a reassuring squeeze.
"Kat, look at me." Clint said staring up to Katie's face as she watches the machine work. "Kat-" Katie's eyes finally meet his and he finally sees the fear that she's carrying. He can see how hard she's trying to stay strong in this moment, so he squeezes her hand once again. "How long is this going to take doc?"
"Not to much longer. If you brought him to my lab, the regeneration cradle could do this in twenty minutes." Helen said glancing over to Katie. "I won't be able to thank you enough for your help with that Katie."
"Well keep helping these guys and that will be all the thanks I need." Katie replied looking over to the monitor.
"Oh!" Tony barked coming into the room. "He's flat lining. Call it. Time?" Tony appeared Katie, glancing over to the man and then to the woman holding his hand.
"No, I will live forever and made of plastic." Clint said glancing over to Tony in annoyance. "You know doc, I just got a sudden pain in my ass. Is that normal?" Clint chuckled, glancing up to Katie who hadn't even cracked a smile. "Kat look at me." Katie turned her eyes back to her husband, who smiled up to her.
"Don't worry it will be his own skin." Helen replied and Katie looked back over to her. "You won't even notice."
"Yes she will." Clint muttered his eyes on Katie whose presence here was making this process just a little bit more bearable.
"This is the next thing, Tony. Your clunky metal suits are going to be left in the dust." Helen said smiling over to Tony who shook his head.
"Well that is the plan. I can expect to see you at the party on Saturday."
"There's a party?" Katie asked looking over to him. "Since when?"
"Since we went into a foreign country kicked ass, blew shit up and came out with what we went in there for. We're celebrating success kitten, and yes you will be there." Katie rolled her eyes before turning back to Clint, releasing his hand and walking around the other side of the table, just to make sure he really was fine. "Why do I feel an imaginary force pushing me out of this room?" Tony looked over to Natasha and then Helen. "Do you feel it?" Helen simply nodded before looking over to Clint.
"Don't move from this spot until you hear three beeps, that's when to process is complete, alright?"
"Yeah, thanks doctor." Clint replied before watching as they all filtered out of the room. "Do you want to talk now?"
"No." Katie replied as her hand slides over his kevlar vest once again. She lifted her eyes to his before dropping down to bring her lips to his. It was a very uncomfortable angle, one Clint was hating when the need to bring his arms around her seemed to be getting stronger. Katie pulled away first, letting her forehead fall against his and just breathing in this moment to make sure it was real. That he went to Sokovia, was shot and returned to her. She felt one of Clint's hands find her stomach where she was sure he felt the child inside moving around. "You scared me."
"I know, I'm sorry." Katie stood up straight and combed her fingers through his hair. "I'm fine." he felt the need to keep saying it to her until she finally believed it.
"I know. " she sighed. "Did you need anything?"
"I wouldn't turn down one of those weird drinks Tony makes." Clint said and that caused a smile to come to Katie's face.
"I can't believe you like those things."
"well have you tried it?"
"No, and I don't plan to." Katie said dropping another kiss to his forehead before heading for the door. "I'll be back."
"Sooner would be best for me." Clint said already closing his eyes to try to get a little rest.
"How fast you think I'm going to be moving?"
"I'll probably die of thirst" she heard him mutter under his breath and she stopped and looked back over to him.
"I heard that."
"Blood loss dear, it's messing with my brain I think." Clint said unable to stop from chuckling as he said it.
"Sure it is dear." Katie replied with a shake of her head before finally leaving.
She knew Tony kept more of that weird drink in the refrigerator in the common area kitchen of the tower. When she walked in, she found Maria and Steve who both turned to her. "Am I interrupting?" Katie just went for the kitchenette and opened the fridge. "Clint's thirsty and he like's Tony's mystery smoothie."
"Katie, we need to talk." Steve said and when Katie turned to him she noticed the seriousness etched in his face as he looked at her. "Maybe you should come sit."
"Alright, I'm officially nervous." Katie said walking over and taking a seat on the couch. "Wait, is this about the God parents thing, because I told Tony that we hadn't made a decision yet." Steve shook his head before holding out a tablet to her. She looked down to a picture of a man and woman. The man she recognized from the day before. "Pietro Maximoff, I had JARVIS run a facial scan on him. Who's the girl?"
"Wanda Maximoff, his twin sister." Maria answered walking over to stand beside Steve. "They're mutants." Katie brought her eyes to the woman who simply nodded. "But they weren't born that way." Katie stared in confusion before looking back to the photo. She swiped quickly to the information Maria had found on the pair. "He's got increased metabolism and improved thermal homeostasis. Her thing is neural electric interfacing, telekinesis, mental manipulation" Katie scrolled through the information, only stopping when a name she didn't expect to see appeared on the screen. "I think they're products of an experiment we assumed only one person knew." Katie looked up to Steve and Maria before standing to her feet and heading for the door.
If Katie knew one thing, it was that inevitably, the inevitable always...always happened. Inevitably she would have to face them again, she just didn't think it would be this soon.
"Do you understand what we have to do now?!" Steve called out to her before she could leave. She stopped just short of the door before turning and grabbing Clint's drink from the counter.
"Yeah, I do." Katie replied turning back to them. "Now I get to see my parents again." and with that she turned and left.
A/N: Alright peeps, there was no word or whistle after the last update, and I'm kind of worried. Let me know you're still out there.
Katie's going to reunite with her folks and after the last reunion this one is sure to be explosive. This time Mr. and Mrs. Chambers get to meet Katie's other family and lets just say it will be an interesting meeting.
Thanks for all who discovered this story and have added it to their fav/follow list. It's an honor and I hope I can keep your interests all the way to the end.
Until next time
~DWH~