I know, a pretty eventful free getaway for our couple - well, except for the engagement and Fury ruining the moment. What can I say, the man has impeccable timing. I hope everyone enjoyed the NCIS crossover. I thought I needed my favorite TV geek to make an appearance. Keep an eye out, he may or may not show up later...remember, I'm still writing this! Thanks to everyone who reviewed, followed, and favorited. And, no, Katie, there was nothing wrong with the cake! I'm not that diabolical...not yet, anyway, lol. Now, on to more team interaction!

A cheer of "Congratulations" erupted as they stepped off the elevator. The common area had been decorated with purple and blue banners. There were plates and silverware on one end of the bar and a punch bowl and cups at the other end. Mikayla looked at Clint and whispered, "Did you know anything about this?"

He shook his head. "News to me, probably Pepper's doing."

Thor was the first one to greet the couple. "Hurrah, my friends! Lady Mikayla," he took her hand and kissed it. "Many congratulations on your upcoming nuptials. May you be blessed with a fruitful life and many little Bartons."

"Thor, we don't need any more Clint Bartons in this world, one is enough." Tony strutted over to the couple. He enveloped Mikayla in a hug. "You sure you know what you're getting yourself into?"

"Yep, wouldn't have it any other way, Tony. Thanks for letting me stay here while I sort out the apartment situation."

He raised his index finger to stop her. "About that. We'll talk later, and no problem." Tony sidled over to Clint. "What's your secret? I've been proposing to Pepper every day for years now and can't get her to say yes."

Clint slapped him on the arm, leaned in, and whispered, "Try it without everyone around. Don't make such a production out of it."

"Hmm, haven't tried that approach yet. Might work. Thanks, Barton, and remember, you still don't deserve her."

"Don't I know it?" He put an arm around Mikayla's waist. "And I'll never forget that." He knew he didn't deserve her. She was so far above his station in life. Her past was pure compared to his scarred one. All anyone had to do is to look and see his physical scars, whereas she lacked even one. It was another reflection of the difference between him and his fiancée. God, he was still getting used to that word.

"Clint, congratulations. You've got yourself a beautiful woman, inside and out." Steve shook his hand.

"Thanks, man, I appreciate it. Still can't believe she said yes."

"Why wouldn't she? You're a good man, Clint Barton, and don't forget it. Always glad to have you on my side." He then moved to Mikayla. Steve leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. "Congratulations, Mikayla. Welcome in advance to this crazy Avengers family. You couldn't ask for a better life partner."

Mikayla could see some pain in his eyes. Clint had shared a bit with him about Peggy, the woman left behind when he crashed into the ice during the war. Mikayla reached up and hugged him. "Thank you, Steve. You've all been so welcoming and helpful. I look forward to returning the favor."

"I think you've already started. I've noticed, even when you two were arguing, how calmer he is, and that's because of you. That's the effect you have on him, and he needs it." He leaned in to whisper in her ear, "Even if he never admits it." The two shared a smile.

"Well, I guess you've recovered from your concussion all right," Bruce said as he reached out a hand.

Mikayla said, "Sorry, you're worth more than a handshake, Bruce," and hugged him. He staggered a bit but regained his composure and returned the hug. "Thank you for taking care of me." She smiled. "I couldn't have received better care at a hospital. I owe you."

He didn't know how to respond, so he just nodded and moved on to shake Clint's hand. "Congratulations, Clint. You made a good choice."

"Hey, man, wouldn't have been able to do it without your help. Thanks for looking after her, really meant a lot."

Bruce smiled. "Remember what I told you before, we're friends. Friends watch out for each other. I'm only glad I got to contribute."

Clint noticed two people were missing. "Babe, any idea where Nat and Pepper are?"

Mikayla looked around. "Not a clue. You don't think Natasha's mad at me, do you?"

He looked down at her. "Why would she be mad?"

"She's your partner and now you have someone else to worry about, someone who might take your mind off your mission. I don't want to jeopardize that."

He kissed her on her temple. "Nothing to worry about there, babe. I can fulfill all of my necessary duties when the time is right." He wiggled his eyebrows at her. She groaned and elbowed him. "Look, there they are."

Natasha and Pepper arrived carrying a large cake. "Congratulations, you two kids," Nat joked.

"Yes, congratulations, Mikayla, and Clint. I'm genuinely happy for the two of you." Pepper smiled. The two women carried the cake and sat it on the bar. "Before we start, there's someone else who wanted to be here. Friday, please send in our guest."

"At once, Miss Potts."

Clattering heels could be heard scurrying down the hallway. Mikayla knew those footsteps anywhere. "Misty!" She broke from Clint and went running to hug her best friend. "When did you get back from your convention in Vegas.?"

"A couple of hours ago. I'm so happy to see you. You look awesome. How are you feeling? Any lasting injuries?"

"Blue skies as far as the eyes can see, and no." They hugged again. "I've missed you. I'm sorry I didn't call. It was so sudden."

Misty laughed. "It's okay. I've learned to expect the unexpected from you, makes my life more interesting. Let's see the ring." Mikayla held out her hand. "That is so you, M. I am beyond happy for you." She hugged Mikayla again. "So," she leaned in and whispered, "are you going to introduce me to everyone?"

Mikayla laughed. "Nope thought I'd let you guess." She took Misty's hand. "Everyone, this is my best friend, Misty Randall. Misty, this is Pepper Potts, Steve Rogers, Natasha Romanoff, Tony Stark, Thor Odinson, Bruce Banner. Him," motioning to Clint, "you already know."

Misty waved. "Hi, everyone. Nice to meet you, and thanks for taking good care of Mikayla for me. I wouldn't know what I'd do without her."

"I know that feeling," Clint seductively whispered as he sidled up to Mikayla.

"Chill, RH," Mikayla murmured through gritted teeth. "Now, get your hand off my ass or you won't be able to do your job anymore." Natasha tried not to crack up when she read Mikayla's lips. Mikayla turned to Misty. "Can you mingle a minute? I need to go talk to someone."

"Sure, no problem."

Clint looked puzzled. "I need to talk to Natasha, thank her and Pepper for their help." He nodded but didn't think that was the real reason. Mikayla made her way over to Natasha. "Can we talk?"

"Sure, everything okay with you two?"

Mikayla smiled. "Everything is perfect with us. I just have…some things to get off my chest."

Natasha led her to one of the conference rooms. "What's up? Are you sure you're okay?"

She nodded. "Believe me, everything's great with Clint. Thanks for all your help getting all of this set up, and getting everything to us. It was a huge surprise, not something I was expecting." She looked down and twirled her engagement ring. "I still can't believe it's real."

Natasha smiled. "It is, trust me. I know my best friend. He wouldn't have asked if he wasn't ready, or if he thought you weren't ready."

"I know. I…I want to make sure everything's okay between you and me."

Natasha leaned forward. "Why wouldn't it be?"
Mikayla took a deep breath, giving herself time to gather her thoughts. "You two have worked together and have been friends for several years. I'm just now coming into the picture. I don't want to take anything away from that. I know the job comes first and I'm okay with that, used to it, after all." She gave a wry grin. "I know what you and he do for a living and what high standards you set for yourselves. The last thing I want to do is to interfere with that." She began fidgeting with her ring. "Natasha, if you don't think Clint will still be able to do his job at that high level, to stay focused, to…watch your back, I'll break off the engagement right now." She bit her bottom lip, worried about what the answer might be.

Natasha opened her mouth then closed it, having no idea how to respond. She had never met a more selfless person, well, outside of Cap. Was Mikayla going to throw away what she had with Clint just to make sure they were okay? How perfect was this person? No one could be that perfect. Perfectly insane, maybe, but not perfectly perfect. "Are you crazy?"

"Probably. I did fall in love with him after a week. Who does that? Only a crazy person." She chuckled. "I know what you're thinking, or maybe I don't. That seems to be something people say when they can't come up with anything else to say. I mean it, Natasha. I know the power of teamwork. When one person can't do their job to their full potential, the entire team suffers, and the two of you are part of a bigger team. You all have known him much longer than I have. I know there weren't any problems before we got engaged, but the relationship status has changed now. I don't want to be known as the Yoko Ono of the Avengers, the woman who broke up the greatest team in history. So, please tell me, if my decision is going to screw that up, I will walk away and get on with my life." She bit her lip again. "It will hurt like hell, but I'll do it."

"Okay, enough of that. I think you have Steve beat in the honorable department. Clint has the uncanny ability to compartmentalize, probably learned it from Fury. There is no doubt in my mind he will be able to focus on his job. He is the best at what he does, bar none. Mikayla," she leaned toward her, "Clint loves you, more than anyone or anything I've ever seen…even more than his bows and arrows." They both chuckled. "If you were to break it off, it would devastate him as much as it would you. Don't ask me to describe to you what a devastated Clint Barton is like. It's not pretty, trust me. Rest assured, Clint will be able to fully focus on his job, then when he returns, he'll turn that part of his brain off (or dial it down, she thought to herself) and be all about you. So, please stop with the sacrificial offerings and keep Clint a happy man. And one more thing, call me Nat." She stood up. "I don't think I've ever met anyone so perfect."

Mikayla snorted. "Perfect? Far from it! I can be rash, impulsive, have a temper, too introspective, and those are just the top of the list."

"I swear you and Clint were made for each other. You could be describing him. I'm going to enjoy watching the two of you together for the next 50-60 years." Natasha leaned down and hugged Mikayla. "Thanks for loving my best friend. It'll take both of us to keep him in line."

"Thanks for being his friend, Natasha…Nat," she said softly.

Natasha leaned back down. "Your friend, too." She turned around and left the conference room.

Mikayla sat back in her chair. "Well, that went better than I thought it would."

"What the hell were you thinking, Fitzgerald?" Mikayla spun around in the chair to find Clint standing in the opposite doorway.