Ok, the second to last chapter. The last chapter is written but I still have to edit it a bit. I think it will be posted next week, when it is back from my Beta. Enjoy!

Thanks to Senema for her beta. If there are still mistakes, they are my own.

Chapter 20

Laura had her hands full with comforting Cooper and Lila, who were sad to be leaving Elijah's mansion and the new friends they made here. Luckily, Elijah had told her that the kids were free to take with them whatever he had bought for them and they wanted, so at least there were no extra tears because of that.

However, the two were also old enough to know that they could not stay here permanently because it was not safe for the family. At the same time, the children were looking forward to getting to know a foreign country. T'Challa had told them about Wakanda and piqued their curiosity a lot.

Clint and the other former prisoners of the Raft had had several sessions with Shana over the past few days to process their trauma. Laura could see that Clint was doing much better as did Wanda.

She knew that Wanda spent a lot of extra time with Shana, but what they did there had nothing to do with psychological therapy. She taught Wanda everything she knew about magic and Wanda absorbed all the knowledge she could.

Shana had even told Laura that Elijah had had numerous grimoires copied for Wanda so that she could deepen her knowledge and continue learning.

Finally, everything was prepared for departure and Clint and Laura wanted to relax a little while the kids were out saying goodbye to their friends.

However, before they could, someone knocked on the door. Laura and Clint exchanged bemused looks before Clint said aloud. "Come in!"

The door opened and Shana entered. "Elijah asks if you could come to him. He has to leave unexpectedly and wanted to say goodbye, at least to the two of you."

"What about Wanda?" asked Laura worried. She knew that the two had formed a close bond.

"The two already said their goodbyes", Shana replied, and smiled slightly.

"Of course we're coming", said Clint calmly.

Shana took them to Elijah's study before leaving them and closing the door from the outside.

Elijah stood at the sofa corner and smiled at them. "Thank you for being able to come so quickly. Sit down, please."

Laura and Clint followed his request and sat down.

"I was planning to say goodbye to everyone tonight but unfortunately something came up." Elijah made a face. "My presence in New Orleans is needed urgently." He sighed. "My sister Freya has requested my immediate return, which means it is necessary. She doesn't tend to exaggerate."

"It's okay, Elijah, you don't have to justify yourself", Clint interrupted. "I know how important your family is to you."

"We'll explain to the others", Laura continued. "We have your number and you have ours. Cooper and Lila also said that they don't want to lose contact with their Uncle Elijah."

A delighted smile crossed Elijah's face.

Laura was always amazed at how warm his brown eyes could get when there was genuine emotion behind his smile, and not just meant to be polite or deceiving. She had seen both and could tell them apart now. However, she suspected that Clint had encountered another variant that she would probably never see.

The three adults talked animatedly for another half an hour, but finally Elijah sighed and got up. "I'm sorry, but I have to leave now."

Laura and Clint also got up.

Laura hugged Elijah tightly and kissed his cheek. "Thank you for everything! I don't know how this would all have ended if it weren't for you."

Elijah returned the hug and kiss. "It was an honour and a pleasure that I could help you."

Clint patiently waited for the two to break their hug, then walked up to Elijah and hugged him as well. "Thank you, Elijah. I'm afraid it will be some time before we can see each other again. I wish you all the best and good luck with your family."

"Thanks, I'll need it", Elijah replied, long suffering. "My family can produce drama like no other."

Clint smirked. "Well, the Avengers have no shortage of drama either."

The two men laughed. After a last hug, everyone left the study and went to the front door.

A Bentley already parked in front of the door and Shana was standing at the stairs. "Your suitcases are in the trunk, the car is fully fuelled."

"Thank you, Shana, Elijah said calmly. "If something happens, you know how to reach me."

"Of course, my lord. I'll order and oversee the improvements you wanted," Shana replied.

"I know that I can count on you. Goodbye, Shana, until the next time." With a final nod to Shana, Clint and Laura, Elijah got in his car and drove away.

Clint looked wistfully after the car. He understood why Elijah had to leave, but the last few days had been pleasant. When he hasn't spend his time with Shana, Laura and the kids, he and Elijah finally had the chance to get to know each other better without invasions or other problems getting in the way.

Clint thought that he had seldom met a lonelier human or rather vampire although family may surround him. He would do anything for them but never seemed to get much in return. No wonder Elijah got so involved in his and Wanda's life. They knew what he was and it didn't deter them to be friends with him. He just hoped that one day he would have the opportunity to reciprocate Elijah's help.

Laura put a hand on Clint's arm. "Let's go inside, Clint." Therefore, they did.

After dark, all the Avengers got into the provided cars and drove to the plane. The workers helped with getting the luggage in the plane before retreating to a safe distance.

As everyone gathered around the plane, Steve looked around. "Where is Elijah?"

"He had to return home this afternoon, apparently there is a family emergency", Clint replied. "He expresses his regret that he cannot give you a proper farewell and wishes us all the best."

"I see", Steve replied, disappointed but understanding. "I would have liked to thank him."

"We all would have liked that", said T'Challa honestly. He looked at his watch. "We should board the plane, we have to use the night to our advantage."

Everyone got on the plane and a few minutes later it took off.

Clint was holding Laura on his right side, while Lila snuggled up to him on the left side. Cooper sat next to Lila while Wanda sat at Laura's other side, holding Nathaniel.

T'Challa sat next to Tajo in the co-pilot's seat with the cockpit door open. There was not much talking, and tension ran high as everyone waited to see if they had actually escaped.

"We just left the American airspace and we are not being followed", T'Challa finally announced an hour later.

A noticeable sigh of relief went through the plane and everyone visibly relaxed.

"It will take us about six hours to get to Wakanda", T'Challa said next. "Enjoy the flight!"

Conversation resumed, but this time it was much livelier than in the previous hour.

Clint looked at his children, and saw with a smile that Lila and Cooper were asleep and hadn't heard T'Challa's words. He looked to his right side where Wanda was also sleeping while Nathaniel was sleeping peacefully in Laura's arms.

Laura noticed the eye contact and smiled at him. "They are all happy and safe, as am I."

"Yes they are", Clint murmured and kissed Laura on the temple. "I'm glad we're going to Wakanda together."

"Yes, me too, it is much better than the alternatives. There we are free and at some point, the Sokovia Accords will only be a bad dream." Laura's smile turned vengeful. "And with any luck, Tony Stark will be in prison."

Clint chuckled. "If Elijah can do anything about it, your wish will surely come true."

"I hope all is well with Elijah and his family and it's not too bad a crisis", Laura said quietly.

Clint tilted his head. "I hope so too, but from what he told me, his family is not prone to harmless crises. It always seems to be life or death, all or nothing."

Laura nodded thoughtfully. "Poor Elijah." This was consistent with her impression of Elijah and his relationship with his family. She leaned her head on Clint's shoulder and closed her eyes as well.

Clint glanced at Natasha, sitting across from him and watching the family with a fond smile. "Watch our back", he mouthed to her and she nodded.

Both knew they were in no danger, yet it had become second nature to them in their long years as Strike Team Delta that one of them would always stay awake to keep watch while the other slept.

Clint closed his eyes and followed his family into sleep.