Thanks to everyone who's following, marking as a favorite, and reviewing! A special thanks to Katie, who got a gap that I missed in between chapters - I owe you! This chapter continues the farmhouse scene, and we get little snippets of Cap and a nice conversation (I think) with Clint and Nat about Banner. Enjoy and keep those reviews coming!
Afterward, while getting dressed again, Mikayla said, "I think the team may need a little extra help. I thought about calling Maria but wanted to make sure it was okay with you."
Clint nodded as he approached her. "We're going to need everyone on deck for this one, so why not? Maybe she can reach Fury. I'm guessing you've tried?"
Mikayla shook her head. "Nope, didn't want to interfere, plus last I knew he was overseas."
"Yeah, go ahead and call her."
"Also," Mikayla turned and put her arms on his shoulders and linked her fingers behind his neck, "thank you for taking up for me with Tony earlier. Would you have really shot him with an arrow?"
"When he talks that way about my woman? Hell, yes."
"Defending my honor, doesn't get more superhero-ish than that, RH."
"Get used to it, babe." He lowered his head and they kissed, then they went downstairs to clean up after lunch. "I'm going to go get some practice in." He grabbed his bow and some arrows and headed out to the backyard. Mikayla was loading the dishwasher when she heard footsteps behind her. She turned around to see Steve in the kitchen. "Hey, Steve, sorry about Saturday night."
He put up a hand to stop her. "It's okay, just not used to getting beat that bad except by Clint. Why don't you sit? You cooked for us, the least I can do is clean." He pulled a chair out from under the kitchen table and held it for her as she sat down. She could tell by his determined look he wouldn't take no for an answer.
"Thanks, Steve." She watched him as he rinsed off dishes and loaded the dishwasher. She could see why women went crazy googly eyes over him. He was truly the man next door, the All-American, even though he wasn't wearing the uniform, just a tight-fitting blue t-shirt and pants. Was the t-shirt part of the SHIELD uniform? She still preferred her rough and tumble Hawkeye over Mr. Perfect, but she could tell he had a kind heart and would keep an eye on his teammates while on the job, and probably off, too.
When he finished, he sat down across from her and asked, "Clint said you were Phil Coulson's niece?" She nodded. "I'm sorry for your loss. I didn't know him long, but he had a good heart and was focused on the mission at hand."
"That sums him up, Steve. I know he loved his job. He never told me he worked for SHIELD. I only knew he worked for some government agency. My mother was his sister. She and my father died in a plane crash when I was a teenager, that's when he adopted me. I'll always be proud of the man he was and the example he left." She choked up. "I wish I would've had the chance to say goodbye."
Steve put a hand over her arm. "If it's any consolation, I think Fury was the only one that got to say goodbye. The rest of us were fighting in other areas of the helicarrier."
Mikayla sniffed, then looked over at him. "Clint will kill me if he knows I'm saying this but thank you for having his back and for helping him get back on track after New York."
"Clint's a good man and a good friend. I'm proud to have him on my side." He paused. "When did you all meet?"
She chuckled. "Actually, the day of the attack. He flew through my window at work but didn't call for 6 months."
"That's an interesting way to meet someone," Steve said, smiling.
"It sure was." She got serious again. "Since this is becoming a safe house of sorts, please let me extend an invitation to you and to the team. If anyone ever wants to come up here to get away from things for a while, just let me know and I'll be happy to make sure it's stocked with anything you might need."
"Thanks for the offer, Mikayla. I can see why Clint loves you." He stood up. "I noticed there's still wood to be chopped. I've got some nervous energy to work off, so I'll go take care of that for you."
"Thanks, Steve. I appreciate it." She turned, watched him walk out the door, and sighed.
"Stop ogling, Sharky," Clint joked as he came back into the house.
"What? I'm doing what any red-blooded female would do, admiring the scenery."
He leaned down behind her and whispered, "Thought you liked my scenery."
"I love you and prefer your scenery, but when something like that is right in front of me, I'm not going to not look." They heard footsteps coming down the stairs and looked over to see Bruce appearing. Clint nipped Mikayla's ear then jumped back to avoid being swatted by her. "Hey, Dr. Banner," Mikayla greeted him.
"Oh, hey, guys. Hope I'm not interrupting anything."
"Nope, just Clint being a smartass."
"In other words," Natasha interjected as she came down the stairs, "Barton being Barton."
"Exactly," Mikayla said.
"Doc, they're ganging up on me. Help a guy out, would you?"
"I find it best to stay out of a woman's way when it comes to her relationship with her significant other."
"Smart thinking." Mikayla chuckled. "A wise man is one who realizes when he's overmatched." She looked at Bruce. "My father used to say that."
"Your father was a wise man, Mikayla."
"Speaking of that, I'd like to know more about his work. We didn't get to finish our conversation Saturday. Would you mind sitting out on the porch with me and telling me more about him?"
"Oh, sure, Mikayla," Bruce replied. Mikayla got up, smacked Clint on the back of the head as she strolled by, then she and Bruce went outside and sat on the porch.
Natasha sat down in the chair vacated by Mikayla. Clint poured some coffee for the two of them and brought her a cup, then sat down across from her. After several minutes of silence, Natasha blurted out, "Just say it, Barton."
"What?" He tried to sound shocked, then realized she'd caught him staring at her over his coffee mug. Why he was surprised she caught him, he had no idea. This was Natasha Romanoff, the Black Widow, the superb assassin/spy. Nothing got by her. "What are you waiting for me to say?"
"You want to ask about Bruce and me."
"Is there a Bruce and you? And would you tell me if there were a Bruce and you? Not that you're under any obligation to, of course."
Natasha leaned back in the chair. "Not like there's a Mikayla and you. Plus, you know how I feel about things like that."
"I know, love is for children. You told me that one time when you thought I was drunk and trying to hit on you."
"For the record, you were drunk."
"For the record, I was tipsy, and I would never hit on you. First, you'd kill me, secondly, you'd kill me, but most importantly, you're my best friend and I've always considered you family, so that would just be wrong in so many ways. Now, back to the topic. What about you and the doctor?
"I don't know. We are not normal, this group of us. There's something a little different about each of us. I can't see anyone having what would be considered a normal life outside of our jobs; well, except Tony and Pepper…and you and Mikayla, but that's because you and Tony are involved with someone outside our core group. Bruce and I could never have a normal life, it's not possible."
"Nat, stop, just stop thinking about it. I'm the over-analyzer, not you. Take it one step at a time. Remember, not everyone moves at the same speed. Look at Tony and Pepper. How long have they been dating? Then there's Mikayla and me. We haven't been dating nearly as long, so that should mean there's a chance. Yes, I've told her I love her, but that doesn't mean I'm going to propose to her tomorrow. Tony's probably asked Pepper about 5000 times and she's turned him down every time. Take it one day at a time, one hour at a time if you must. Enjoy the moment and see where each one leads."
"Wow, I never knew you to be so philosophical. Mikayla must be the one for you."
"Well, she did say we get each other's weirdness."
"I'm glad someone other than me gets you. I didn't want that burden on me forever."
"Gee, thanks, Nat," Clint replied with a big smile on his face. He meant every word he told her. She was like his little sister, or maybe a cousin. He didn't think he'd ever find happiness, and most of all peace, with anyone. He figured he was destined to be alone, something he and Nat had in common. Now he was starting to think otherwise; so, if it was possible for him, why not for Nat and Bruce? His phone buzzed. He pulled it out and looked at the text from Mikayla, which read 'Fury's on his way, should be here within the hour.'
"Everything good?" Natasha asked.
"Yep," he replied. "More coffee?"
She shook her head. "No, thanks. I think I'll go for a walk, clear my head." She stood up. "Thanks for the talk, Barton."
"Anytime, Romanoff." He watched her walk out the back door and began to think about the two women in his life, Natasha Romanoff, and Mikayla Fitzgerald. They were different, yet alike. He was glad they got along, made things easier for him. Each was stubborn and spoke their mind and could accomplish anything they put their mind to. Natasha's physical skills were stronger, but Mikayla was picking up things. He smiled as he remembered how she took care of Tony earlier. Mikayla's strength was her wit, it could be as sharp as one of Nat's stingers. They could both be reserved, but once they let their guard down and let you in, you couldn't have a stronger ally. He heard the screen door slam, looked up, and saw his girlfriend coming toward him. "This is going to sound sappy, but you look like an angel with the sun streaming in behind you."
Mikayla blushed. Yes, he could be sappy, but it wasn't very often so she treasured those moments. "You always make me feel special, Clint."
"Ditto, Mikayla." He walked over to her and kissed her, then pulled away from her. She started biting her bottom lip. "What's wrong?"
"Fury's here, and he and Tony just had it out in the barn. Hopefully, it was a good talk, though. Guess we'll see. I'm going to make sandwiches to put out for everyone. Want to help?" He nodded. Between the two of them, it didn't take long at all to throw some food together.