AN: This is the last chapter for this part. I will probably update within a week or two; to anyone who might be interested, I also have a series of one-shots revolving around what happens with McCoy after Emily is released from the ICU. I'll likely post it on Archive, though I'm not sure if I'll be posting it here. Thanks in advance to anyone who reads this and in case anyone reviews :)

Thirty Seven (Twenty Two Years Old)

Another year had gone by since she and McCoy finally made up. Though they began talking to each other again, it was never the same. There was tension between them that hadn't been there in the past. The few times that Emily had gotten together with McCoy and Pamela were incredibly awkward. It served as a constant reminder of what happened between them. Emily knew that she would never have what she once had with McCoy, not when Pamela was by his side. She couldn't bring herself to hurt him again, especially in light of recent events.

Throughout the year, Clint and Laura also expanded their family. Cooper Barton had only been born a few weeks ago, but he was already at the center of attention for the family. Lila was prouder than Emily had ever seen her as an older sister. She almost smirked as she recalled how Clint praised the young girl over the way she acted around Cooper. She proved that she could easily get along with her siblings, though Emily suspected that wouldn't last long.

She and Hannah had also been getting together as often as work allowed it. The older woman was grateful for the notion. They would sometimes sit for hours just talking about how their lives were fairing, or reminiscing over the 'good old days'. Not that Emily didn't want to remind herself of everything she lost. She knew that Hannah had lost so much more; between her husband passing away to McCoy moving out and living with Pamela, it was a lot to take in.

She let out a sigh as she stared at the screen for what felt like hours. Messages were being sent back and forth between herself and Hannah. She'd spent most of the morning and afternoon talking to the woman. She'd woken up that morning to find her com full of messages that were sent either from Hannah or McCoy himself. The moment she was awake and alert was when she got to work figuring out what had happened.

McCoy had filed for a divorce.

Emily swallowed hard. It wasn't hard to imagine why. He was the one who found Pamela late one evening after returning from a long shift at work. She'd been with Tony at the time helping him with a project when she got the message. Though it was well past midnight, it was clear that McCoy had been wide awake and furious over what he discovered. Pamela had been cheating on him by sleeping around with other men.

She took a long sip of her coffee, mulling over what to say next. Somehow she became the mediator for McCoy and his mother. She wasn't sure how that happened, but she knew that she would have to figure something out.

"That bad, huh?" Coulson asked when he joined her for breakfast.

After a day of messaging them back and forth, she was mentally exhausted. Emily spent that evening trying to figure out what to say to them next. She had a feeling that the tension between them wouldn't resolve itself any time soon. Hannah blamed McCoy for what happened between himself and Pamela. McCoy wasn't sure where to go now that Pamela had been caught red handed. To make matters worse, she was dragged in the middle of their argument, and to her annoyance, Hannah dragged the subject of how this mess could have been avoided in the first place.

"Well, Leonard officially filed for a divorce," she explained warily. Coulson rose an eyebrow in surprise when she let out a sigh of frustration. "His mother left the impression that none of this would have happened if he hadn't married Pamela in the first place. And they're using me as a mediator for their arguments."

Coulson's brows furrowed together as he understood the gravity of the situation. He'd known how angry Hannah had been when she found out about Pamela. When they talked about it after David's funeral, Hannah admitted that she hadn't wished for this kind of mess. He suddenly cupped his hand around hers, knowing full-well this was anything but easy for her.

"You're planning on stopping by anyways, aren't you?" he deadpanned.

"Leonard is still my best friend, despite what you believe," she retorted without missing a beat. Her eyes narrowed with renewed determination as she glanced at him. "I know it's probably the worst timing possible, but Leonard is going to need a friend now more than ever. I of all people know what it's like to be in his position."

His own eyes narrowed at the thought of her going back to confront the situation head-on. She had already been through enough hell, the last thing she needed was this mess to add to that list. He knew she suffered from Stockholm syndrome, and it was something they had been trying to work on for years. But it seemed nothing would get in her way when it came to defending the people she cared about, regardless of how many times they hurt her in the process.

"Just remember what I said about McCoy," he finally muttered through clenched teeth. "I know you're stronger than you look, but I don't want him taking advantage of you."

Emily couldn't help but offer a small smile as they embraced each other. She couldn't ask for a better father, adopted or not. Coulson had given her everything she could ask for; she knew full-well that she hadn't done anything to deserve the devotion he offered her.

"I wouldn't worry too much about that," she replied with a knowing look. "Even if he does pull anything off, he knows I can and will kick his ass."

The corners of his mouth twitched into the form of a smile. He knew she was right, though that didn't make him feel any better. He just hoped that she knew what she was getting herself into.

.

.

There was something almost humbling about the warm, humid air of Georgia. Emily clicked her tongue in annoyance when her hair suddenly began turning into a puffball from the humidity. She was grateful that her hair had finally grown to the length where she could tie it into a long ponytail, but it was moments like these where her hair became a hindrance.

If that didn't draw in the attention of bystanders, the scars that marred her arms and legs would. She was suddenly grateful for the suit that Tony had given her nearly ten years ago. It hadn't taken long for her to adjust to the tight-skin suit, and it was a good thing she did. The suit itself was designed to cover any scars that would raise questions from prying eyes; she was especially careful around McCoy. Not only was he extremely observant as a doctor, but she didn't want to delve into the story behind some of her recent scars that marred her wrist.

Through the three years they had been apart, she became more self-conscious than ever. She knew it was mostly due to the way her parents had raised her on the USS Kelvin, but that didn't make her feel any better.

She tried to hide the growing unease threatening to overwhelm her as beads of sweat rolled down her back. She hated the heat. Even though it was something she grew up with thanks to Coulson, she never got used to it. She pushed forward after tying her hair into a ponytail.

McCoy was currently staying at a motel until he found a new place to stay. From what she gathered through their messages, he'd started moving out the day after he found Pamela sleeping around with other men. She wasn't surprised by the notion – McCoy had always been bound by loyalty thanks to the way he was raised. The only time that had changed was when he and Pamela ironically got engaged.

Emily held back a sigh as she finally spotted him pacing around the main lobby in circles. She wasn't surprised to see how anxious he looked. What didn't surprise her was his behavior as of late. He'd become more agitated lately, and it was for that reason that he and his mother had been fighting recently.

Those hadn't gotten much better since she arrived. She was careful around how she handled the situation. She made sure that neither of them knew she was talking to one another; the last thing she wanted was to give McCoy an even bigger reason to fight with her or his mother.

Once she reached him, McCoy suddenly whipped around to face her, only to deflate when he registered who approached him. She knew he'd taken a lot of heat since filing for a divorce. Most of the town thought that he was the one cheating on Pamela. Apparently the redhead led everyone to believe that he was the one at fault for their divorce, though Emily knew otherwise.

His face softened when she suddenly pulled him into a warm embrace. She was well aware of how difficult this was for him. Her heart wrenched at the thought of what they could have been. After everything they had been through, the last thing she wanted was for this to happen.

"I'm sorry," she whispered while providing what little comfort she could for him. "I'm so sorry…"

"Em, you know none of this was your fault," he let out a tired sigh after reluctantly pulling apart. Emily's brows furrowed together in concern when she noticed how exhausted he sounded. When she finally had a better look at him, she noticed just how drained he looked. Both physically and mentally. "I should've seen it coming… hell, it was too damn good to be true."

She let out a sigh of her own at the bitterness in his voice. Most of this mess could have been avoided had he not been blinded by the guise Pamela had shown him. He'd been so desperate to experience a normal life that he'd thrown away their own relationship. She knew that he had to live with that guilt for the rest of his life.

"I know," she said quietly. She sat down with him on one of the chairs, ignoring the shrewd looks bystanders were giving them. Thankfully most of the people staying at the motel were visitors. "I'm not sure how long I can stay, but I'm here for whatever support you need."

She didn't miss the way McCoy stiffened in surprise at her offer. After everything he'd done to her, the last thing he expected was for her to stay. He let out another sigh and rubbed the temple of his forehead. She couldn't imagine what was running through his mind at that moment, other than the mix of emotions surging through him. The connection between them was still there, faint as it was. She only really felt it whenever they were close.

"You know I don't deserve it," he muttered. Emily rose an eyebrow at his comment. "After the way I've fucked up our relationship, I'm surprised you want anything to do with me."

Emily suddenly took hold of his hand and gave it a light squeeze.

"I didn't want you to be alone through this, Leonard," she reassured him.

She allowed herself a rare smile, knowing full-well that was the least he deserved. Even if he'd pushed her away when she needed him the most, she wasn't going to do the same to him. It left him feeling all-the-more grateful, especially since he'd done nothing to make her life any easier.

"You really are an amazing friend," he suddenly reminded her.

She couldn't hide the sheepish smile that followed. As difficult as it would be to follow through with the proceedings, she knew that this was what he needed.

.

.

Emily was grateful that she talked to Pepper before heading to Georgia. Pepper had a few tips revolving around lawsuits and divorce cases. Considering the fact that Tony had an infamous reputation of being a womanizer – a title that was well-earned – she wasn't surprised that Pepper had to go to such lengths to protect his assets. That was part of the reason she talked to Pepper. Not only did it give her the information she needed to help McCoy, but it also gave him an idea of what to look for as a defense case.

She chewed the bottom of her lip as she waited anxiously outside the courthouse. Because it was a divorce proceeding, only the defendant and the accuser were allowed to be present. She could feel the anxiety and fury rolling off of McCoy in waves. She knew Pamela was likely using her presence outside the courthouse as an excuse to push through her own defense. What annoyed her the most was the fact that everyone in town believed the redhead, despite not hearing her side of the story.

Eventually she had to stop pacing when the heat became too much. She brought a bottle of water with her, and she thanked herself for doing so. Despite having survived a long trek through the desert, she still hated being dehydrated, especially with it being so humid out. She took a long swig of her water just as her com went off. She couldn't help but frown when she pulled it out to see who was trying to reach out to her.

'Coulson told me that you're with McCoy; is everything alright?' — Barton

Emily rose an eyebrow in surprise at the question. Then she nearly rolled her eyes when she realized why he was so concerned. After everything she had been through recently, she understood his concern. Still, that didn't stop her from feeling a little annoyed.

'I'm fine, Clint. I just didn't want Leonard to be alone throughout this procedure. He and his mother have been fighting and I doubt that they're going to stay in touch for a while.' — Coulson

She knew Clint wouldn't be happy with that response. He and his brother Barney had lost their mother at a young age, so they didn't have a strong parental bond like McCoy. Coulson had pretty much taken over as a father-figure for Clint, ironically enough. She supposed that was what made Coulson so special, not just to herself but to everyone else he took under his wing. He cared so much about the people he worked with; it was a principal that she adapted to as well.

Her hands balled into fists as she heard the sound of footsteps from behind. She whirled around in time to see McCoy approaching her, looking less-than-happy. Not that she wasn't surprised with the notion. She hadn't expected him to feel happy after going through with the proceedings. His eyes barely met hers, and Emily found herself flinching once again.

Eye contact was one issue she had been trying to work on. She knew that if she did make eye contact with him, she'd likely cave and tell him everything that happened during their time apart. He was lucky she'd supplied him with what little information she had. As annoyed as McCoy was with her unwillingness to talk, he understood why she resorted to such lengths. She was simply protecting herself from whatever he could use as leverage in the future against her.

"How are you feeling?" she finally asked.

It was a stupid question, especially in light of recent events. Truthfully, she wasn't sure what to say. She could tell that he was hurting on the inside. The bitterness weighing down on him was something he would have to tend with sooner or later. It was also something that she had been working on herself… after everything she had been through lately, there were few reasons to feel anything other than such emotions.

"Not much better since this shitty week started," he admitted, though there was no bite in his voice. Emily glanced at him self-consciously when she noticed his demeanor change once they left the stairs. "She had this ear-shitting grin on her face the whole time. She sure as hell knew what she was doing before the documents were signed."

"Your mother was careful to make sure that she didn't get her hands on your finances or your family's finances," she admitted guiltily. McCoy threw her a wary look at the mention of his mother. "I know you don't want to hear it, but she does care about you."

McCoy let out a sigh of frustration when he realized she was right. His mother did care about him. That was part of the reason they had been staying in touch since the arguments started. She didn't enjoy playing the role of a mediator, but she knew it was necessary to maintain the balance.

She put a hand on his shoulder as they headed for the shabby apartment he managed to find. In the week that she spent in Georgia, McCoy was able to find a place to stay. It wasn't nearly as extravagant as the mansion he and Pamela had been living in, but at least it had a roof over his head. He'd already sent moving boxes once the documents were finalized.

"I know she cares," he muttered crossly. "Sometimes I think she cared more about our past relationship… she'd always talk about it any time Pamela and I stopped by."

Emily winced at that. She understood why Pamela had begun to feel so resentful towards all of them. Considering Hannah hadn't exactly been that welcoming to her, she had a feeling that led to some of those bitter feelings. Though she didn't want to say it out loud, she also knew Pamela had ulterior motives for picking McCoy apart.

"Have you talked to her lately?" she couldn't help but ask.

"Of course not," McCoy rolled his eyes in annoyance. Emily glanced at him warily. When he finally led the way into the apartment, she noticed with a start that it was tiny compared to what either of them were used to. It had a small kitchenette with tiny dining area and a living area, with the bedroom and bathroom in the back. "What the hell am I supposed to say after that mess? She still thinks it's my fault our relationship fell apart in the first place."

She couldn't help but chew the bottom of her lip once more as she understood the accusations weighing down on him. Her heart sank at the thought of what would have happened if she was in such a position. There were times when she found herself wishing their relationship hadn't fallen apart. Then she had to remind herself that shit happened for a reason. As difficult as it was to accept, she knew that she hadn't been ready for the kind of commitment McCoy was looking for, and something told her that he hadn't been ready either.

"You could start by telling her the truth," she replied quietly. She hadn't been planning to stay for as long as she had, but the need to help suddenly kicked in. She noticed a stack of boxes laying against the walls. Most of them hadn't even been opened yet, and the instinct to get started overrode her other senses. "Your mother isn't going to bite; she might be angry for now but she'll always be there for you."

McCoy knew she was speaking from experience. As she opened a box, her heart nearly skipped a beat in surprise at what she saw inside.

Pictures of when they were younger filled the box. She couldn't help but stare at the pictures for what felt like hours when she realized how young they had been. The stillness of the room was all she felt until McCoy moved towards her. It wasn't until feeling his presence beside her that she flinched purely out of instinct.

"I wish I could change what happened between us," he let out a heavy sigh after seeing their prom pictures. Emily glanced at him warily; he hadn't missed the way she flinched when he reached her. It was a reaction that started when she began sleeping with other men. Whether it was out of guilt or instinct, she wasn't sure. The only thing she did know was that she couldn't hide such emotions for too long around him. "Would've saved us all from this grief."

"We all make mistakes, Leonard," she reminded him with a pointed look. "Best thing to do is move on from them."

It wasn't until glancing at the tiny wooden figure that her face finally broke into a smile. She hadn't realized until then that McCoy had kept the wooden horse she carved for his birthday. Their lives had been so different back then. She wouldn't necessarily say that they were better off, but there were times when she could go back to those days.

"Ya know, that was the first time I realized I had a true friend," he admitted sheepishly.

Emily couldn't help but glance at him self-consciously. She was surprised he kept it for as long as he had. She'd always known he and his family were sentimental, especially when it came to antiques. But it wasn't as if she'd given him any reason to feel that way about her.

"To be honest I didn't expect you to keep it," she murmured.

"That was one of the best birthdays I'd ever had," he pointed out. Emily rose an eyebrow in surprise when he took the wooden figure, eyeing it thoughtfully. "I know I made a lot of mistakes in the past, but becoming friends with you wasn't one of them."

Her heart wrenched at the thought of everything they lost. Even though he was at fault for what happened between them, she knew she hadn't made things better. She should have kept quiet about the connection she'd formed with him. She should have known what that would have done to their relationship; after all, he'd wanted a normal life, not a life shared with someone everyone considered a freak.

She was ready to say something when her com suddenly went off. Emily held back a sigh when she pulled it out, only to find that the message was sent from Director Fury. Her brows furrowed together as she glanced at McCoy once more. Though he seemed to be in a better mood after talking, she knew it would take time for them to recover from this loss.

"I have to get going," she warned him. "Boss wants to see me."

McCoy knew what that meant. His face fell when he realized that she had more important things to worry about. Yet the more he thought about it, the more selfish he felt for keeping her away from the job she'd worked so hard for.

"Thanks for being here for me," he said after debating whether or not it was worth arguing.

She suddenly wrapped her arms around him in a warm embrace, and McCoy allowed himself a few seconds of comfort. He knew he hadn't done anything to deserve the kind of comfort she provided, but he wasn't about to push her away.

"Let me know if there's anything you need," she reassured him. "I'm not sure how long I'll be gone, but I won't be gone forever."

Though it wasn't much, it was better than nothing. Emily glanced at him one last time before parting ways. She knew this wasn't going to be their last encounter; she sure as hell planned on being there for him when he needed her, especially after the way Pamela tore him apart. That was the least she could do for him.