Phil smiled as he watched his husband and daughter play together in the surf. Tasha's eyes had widen the moment she first stepped onto the sand and the young girl had wasted no time rushing to the edge of the water, her eyes filled with a curious wonder as the water rolled over her feet. Phil let out a sigh as the ringing of his phone interrupted the moment. Glancing at his watch he was surprised to see they did get a few hours of uninterrupted time in. "Coulson."

"Agent Coulson, its Simmons. I'm just calling to let you know that Stark somehow managed to slip past they agent's I posted."

"Of course he did." Phil mostly muttered to himself. "Where your men able to follow him?"

"No Sir but reports say he went to Stark Industries and spoke to Ms. Potts for several minutes before leaving. I'm not too sure where he is heading now."

"Chances are he's on his way back but if he doesn't show up in an hour or two please let me know."

"Of course Sir."

Phil disconnected the call and was about to set his phone back down when it began ringing again. "Good god now what could it be?" Phil frowned as he glanced down at the call display and was surprised to see Nick's number flash back at him. "Coulson."

"How fast can you get over to New Mexico?"

"Umm, could most likely be there by the end of the day." Phil answered as he glanced at the time and quickly did the math in his head. "What's in New Mexico?"

"Not really sure yet, that's why I need you and Barton over there ASAP."

"So there is no official report yet?"

"Not exactly but regardless that official report will say satellite debris. I'll the details to your phone, call me when you've arrived on site. I have Agent Sitwell putting a team together in New York and he and the other agents will be joining you tomorrow to assist in containing the site."

"Copy that Sir."

"What was that all about?" Clint asked as he sat down next to Phil.

"It seems there is a situation in New Mexico, something that the Director seems to want hushed up rather quickly." Phil replied, as he dug out Tasha's towel from the bag. "He didn't really give me much details except for the fact that our official reports will be along the lines of satellite debris."

"That sounds more like alien cover up if you ask me." Clint grinned as he dried Tasha off. "Well I guess it's a good thing we didn't unpack anything yet. I assume we are leaving right away?"

"I just need to speak with Stark and then we can head out." Phil answered as he began gathering their things.

"Okay, where you ever able to get a hold of Ms. Potts?" Clint asked as he lifted Tasha up and they made their way back to the car.

"I tried her cell several times but it just went to voicemail which is just as well now that we are leaving." Phil replied as he unlocked the car. "Here let me take her."

Clint passed Tasha to Phil and the dug out his phone. "Nat just sent me a text, just says that Stark has left Stark Industries and is heading back home with something he grabbed from his office."

"Oh good he'll beat us there then, I'd hate to have to sit around and wait for him and it sounds like the sooner we get to New Mexico the better."

Clint nodded in agreement as he quickly typed out a message. "I'm just letting Nat know that we've be reassigned and that we will talk to her soon."

"Maybe wish her luck on the finally month of her assignment." Phil added drily. "She's going to need it."


"Okay I'll be back in a few minutes, five minutes top."

"Take your time Phil, we'll be fine here." Clint replied as he worked his way around the damage to the balcony. "Tasha and I will just stand here and take in the view."

The matching grins tossed his way had Phil concerned for the hair he had left on his head. "Right, just don't touch anything. Lord knows what Stark has done to this place."

"Roger that, now will you stop delaying and get downstairs and talk to Stark."

"Five minutes top." Phil repeated before making his way down the staircase and stopping at the glass door for a brief second to punch in his code to enter Stark's lab, all the while trying to mentally and physically prepare himself to deal with the other man. "I heard you broke the perimeter." Phil starts as he walks towards Stark.

"Ah yeah, that was like three years ago, where have you been?"

"I was busy doing some stuff." Phil winced at his own wording.

"Yeah, well me too and it worked. Hey I'm playing for the home team Coulson, you and all of you and all your fabulous fury freak brothers, you going to let me work or break my balls?"

Phil had stopped and was studying a pile of junk before reaching in and pulling out a round shield. "What is this doing here?"

"That's it. Bring it to me."

"Do you know what this is?" Phil asked as he passed over the shield.

"It's exactly what I need to make this work." Tony replied as he took the shield. "Lift the coil, put your knees into it. There you go and drop it." Tony quickly turns and grabs a level before turning back and placing it on the coil. "Perfectly level, now I'm busy so what do you want?"

"Nothing, just wanted to come down and say goodbye. I've been re-assigned."

"Huh." Tony finally turned his attention to the agent.

"Director Fury wants me in New Mexico." Phil replied with a shrug.

"Fantastic, the land of enchantment."

"So I'm told." Phil frowned, and the land of dry heat.

"Secret stuff?"

"Something like that, Well, good luck." Phil answered before reaching over to shake Tony's hand.

"Bye. Thanks."

"We need you." Phil would never admit he said those three words to Tony Stark, ever.

"Yeah, more than you know." Tony smirked.

"Not that much." Phil smirked back before turning and leaving the lab.


"It's okay Natalie I'm pretty sure I know exactly where I left my phone last night, I'll just run in and grab it." Pepper assured her assistant as Happy pulled in behind a car parked in Tony's driveway. Getting out of the car Pepper rushed towards the mansion giving the other car a quick glance trying to figure out whose car it could possibly belong to. She couldn't help the sigh that escaped past her lips as Pepper took in the damage that had been done. Careful of the rubble on the ground she made her way to the kitchen and was happy to see that for the most part this room managed to avoid last night's onslaught and was even happier to find her phone right where she left it, also undamaged. "No surprise it's dead." Pepper muttered to herself as she pocketed the phone before turning and heading back to the main room. She was at the door when the sound of a young child's laughter had her pausing and glancing over at the balcony; it was the most out of place sound she had ever heard in this mansion. Pepper swiftly made her way across the room and out onto the balcony and tried to stifle the sound of shock she made at the sight of a good looking young man spinning a young girl, who was clearly his daughter by they're matching grins, around in circles. "Sorry." Pepper all but blurted out as she realized the pair had stopped what they were doing and were now studying her.

"Pretty, Da."

"Yes sweet-pea." Clint shifted Tasha onto his other hip and studied the red-headed woman before them. "I'm going to take a wild guess and say you're the famous Pepper Potts."

"I am and that would make you Clint and Tasha Coulson I assume." Pepper replied as she stepped further out into the balcony. "It's wonderfully to finally meet you both."

"Likewise." Clint smiled and shook the offered hand. "I know Phil was hoping we could get together while we were here but I'm afraid we have to leave town suddenly."

"Well that's too bad, I would have enjoyed that." Pepper smiled down at the young girl. "She is beautiful, how old is she now?"

"Twenty months." Clint replied. "She's currently going through an insane growth streak right now and most of the clothes fit one week and then the next they are too small."

"I'm actually going to Milan in a few weeks, it's for business but I'm going to sneak away for a few hours to get some shopping in. So I'll be shipping you and Phil a ton of summer outfits for Tasha."

"You don't have to do that."

"I want to, besides nothing is more fun than buying clothes for little girls." Pepper replied. "So are you two up here waiting for Phil?"

"Yeah, he's just downstairs telling Stark to behave himself."

Pepper couldn't help but scoff at that. "I wish he'd listen but I know Tony too well."

"I'm sure he'll be hip deep into shenanigans before I even make it to LAX."

"Phil." Pepper smiled as she moved to hug him. "It's wonderful to see you again. How have you been?"

"Good as always, and yourself Ms. Potts?"

"I've been busy, running a company and trying to keep a giant man child under control." Pepper smiled then swatted Phil's shoulder. "Also how many times do I have to remind you to call me Pepper? We've been friends for almost two years now, none of that last name bullshit."

"I like her." Clint smiled as he set Tasha down so she could run over to Phil.

"The feeling is mutual." Pepper smiled back at Clint before looking down at the little girl who was studying her around Phil's legs. "Well I wish I could stay and talk longer but I have a meeting I need to get to. But hopefully one day soon will be in the same town again."

"That would be lovely Pepper. Well good luck with running the company and I hope the rest of the Stark Expo goes without a hitch."

"Please, now you've gone and done it." Pepper laughed as she pulled Phil in for another hug. "When shit hits the fan I'll be leaving a very nasty message on your phone."

"Don't worry I'm sure everything will be fine and hey don't worry about Stark either, he's got a lot on his mind right now but I know at the end of it all he'll be fine and back to his normal self."

Pepper blinked rapidly to keep the tears at bay, before glancing around Phil to look at Clint. "Is it hard living with someone who can always tell what you're thinking?"

"Most of the time it can be and others… well at other times it's a blessing in disguise." Clint replied as he smiled at Phil.

Pepper smiled as she studied the family, they made such a beautiful picture together. "Well Clint it was lovely to finally meet you and Tasha and actually I've been meaning to ask, Tasha is such a beautiful and unique name. How did you come up with it?"

"My best friend and Tasha's God Mother's name is Natasha so she's named after her." Clint replied as he lifted Tasha into his arms once more.

"Natasha." Pepper paused. "She doesn't happen to go by the name Natalie at all, does she?"

Clint tossed his head back and laughed as Phil just stared at Pepper before asking. "How long have you known?"

"Since she tossed Happy down in the ring like he was nothing and also her resume was a little too impressive for someone who is just a notary."

"Maybe instead of trying to recruit Stark maybe we should be getting Pepper into Shield." Clint muttered to Phil. "She'd be terrifying as a handler."

"With experience after all the years she's handled Stark." Phil smirked at the thought.

"I don't know what you two are smirking and whispering about but I'm sure whatever it is it isn't good, so quit it." Pepper said as she sent them both a mock glare before moving back towards the house. "I'll talk to you both of you soon, take care."


Several hours later

Shutting off the engine, Phil glanced over at his two sleeping passengers. Glad that both had been able to sleep through the long drive from the airport. He was especially glad that Clint hadn't woken up while he had stopped to fuel up at the gas station. Glancing back at his husband one last time Phil quietly exited the car and took a few steps forward before glancing down at where Shield's Intel had said the crater would be. Studying what he really wished had just been some satellite debris he hit the speed dial button and brought his phone up. "Sir, we've found it."


A/N: Huge thanks to everyone who reviewed since I last updated! Sorry for such the long wait for this chapter! I had this chapter half done when I posted the last one and it took until yesterday to finish it! I was really wanting to put in more Tony and not just the bit I stole from Iron Man 2 but sadly my Tony Stark voice wouldn't work but since this all leads up to The Avengers story line he will be back! So thanks once more to everyone following this story and I'll say sorry now as there won't be another update until May.