~:~

Ring. Ring. "Hello?"

"Hey, sis. I really need your help."

"Dude, I've seen the news. I think need is an understatement."

Clint sighed. "I know...can you just- just get to the farm? Warn the others before we get there."

"I'm a little ways away, but I'll get there. How far y'all out?"

"We'll be there in the morning. And, thank you."

"You're welcome. Stay safe."

"You too." Click.

"What was that about?" Sam asked.

"We need to turn on the next exit and head back to Waverley." I said as I began to make another call.

He glared at me. "You didn't answer my question."

"I'll explain in a bit." The phone picked up on the other side.

"Hello?"

"Hey, sis. It's me."

"Hey! How's it going?"

"Good. Look, I'm coming into to town for a couple of days. Is-"

"Yes, you can stay. It's not like you dropped in without telling us."

"You have no idea," I muttered.

"What was that?"

"Nothing, I was talking to someone. I'll be there in a hour."

"Okay, see you soon."

"Bye." I ended the call and turned back to an annoyed Sam. "What?"

"You know what."

I let out a frustrated breath. "Clint called in a favor. I can't tell you anymore than that."

"Why's that? Because it looks like it's more than a favor." He replied.

"Sam, all I can tell you is that it has to do with that Avengers showdown that happened. They're laying low." Sam went to ask where but I interrupted. "That's not my place to say, okay? This is Clint's secret. He promised to keep our secret, just as I keep his."

"Why Waverley?"

"Old informant." He gave me a quizzical look in reply. "Just drive, Sam."

~:~

After settling down in the motel, I took the car and headed towards the outskirts of town. I drove down the winding dirt road till I reached the old farmhouse. As I reached the front porch, Laura opened the door with a smile and the two kids ran out to hug me.

"Auntie G!"

They hit me with a thud. "Hey, guys. Y'all helping your momma out like I told you?"

Lila nodded. "Uhuh. Well, we try to." Cooper nodded in agreement.

"At least you try." I replied ruffling their hair. "How's Barton number three doing?"

Laura rubbed her swollen stomach. "Kickboxing with my bladder."

I winced. "Let's hope that never happens with me." She nodded enthusiastically.

"Come on, let's get inside."

~:~

After the kids went to bed, we went outside to sit on the porch.

"So, I have a feeling you're here for other reasons."

I nodded. "Clint called me this morning. Asked me to come warn you that he's bringing the others."

"I saw the news. I had a feeling that was going to happen." She said. "So how've you been? What's going on with you?"

I took a sip of my tea. "Well, between us and a select few: I'm engaged."

"What! That's great." She replied. "What do you mean between…" She motioned between us.

"My other family and friends don't know."

"Why?"

"Same reason you guys are here, and not with Clint at the Tower." I leaned back and closed my eyes. "I've never had normalcy. It's always been out there for everyone to see. People can be evil; I don't want my life to be used against me."

She nodded and squeezed my arm. "Just like your gift."

My eyes shot open. "You know?"

She chuckled. "I saw you use your powers. I knew you had a reason to hide them."

"You didn't tell him, did you?" She shook her head in reply. "Good."

"Why good?"

"I trust them, but one thing could turn someone against me."

"What if not telling them is the turning point," she asked. "What if something happens and your powers lash out?"

I sat there in silence as I remembered my confrontation with Warren. What if I lash out like I did with him? Sam was there to stop me, but what if he isn't again. She was right. Either way they could hate me and turn away.

I turned back to her, saying, "I don't know." My eyes welled up with tears. "I've lived with that secret for so long that I really don't know. I, personally have told three people. All have had good reactions. But those are people that I would take a bullet for."

"Would I know them?" I nodded my head in reply telling her it was Coulson. She motioned for me to proceed.

"I have lashed out before. It was against someone like me, and he provoked me. At least there, I had someone to calm me down. If it happens again," More like when it happens. "I don't know what would happen."

Her eyes widened. "You know what's going to happen, don't you?"

I shook my head in reply. "Not fully, but I know bits and pieces." I turned to look at her. "There's a war coming, Laura. And it's going to rip me apart."

"What's that supposed to mean," she asked, panicking.

"My family is going to be divided, forcing me choose a side or face the consequences." I took in a sharp breath as i held back the emotions threatening to pour out. "In my efforts to stop them, my powers will be revealed. And that's all I know."

"And that's why you're afraid," she replied.

"I love these people with all my heart. I can't watch them tear each other apart; I won't let them."

She smiled. "I know. That's why they care for you just as much." Laura leaned forward and shakily stood up. "Come on, it's late. We gotta get ready for our 'unannounced' guests." I stood up and followed her back in the house. "When they get here, I'll ask Clint if that boyfriend of yours can come and stay."

"What?" I asked. "Why?"

She shrugged. "Probably the motherly side of me not wanting that poor man sleeping on an uncomfortable motel mattress."

I hugged her. "Thank you. For everything."

"Your welcome."

~:~

"Auntie G! Auntie G, wake up!"

I woke up to the two Barton children jumping on my bed.

"Five more minutes," I muttered, receiving a pillow to my blanket covered head.

"Momma made chocolate pancakes." Lila replied. "She said if you don't get down there now, the baby will eat them for you."

"Well, in that case…" I sat up and hit them with my hidden pillow, both shrieking as it hit.

I followed them down the stairs and into the kitchen.

"There you are. The baby was getting hangry." Laura said.

I glared at her. "The baby has a year till he can have my pancakes." Laura handed me a stack of the pancakes and I devoured them.

"Cooper, LIla, go do your chores. We have some stuff to do today." She said, giving me a wink. Both gave a 'yes, ma'am' and ran out. "So, how long do you plan on staying?"

I held up a finger as I swallowed. "How 'bout till the baby's here?"

"That's longer than I thought, but that would be really nice."

I scarfed down the last few bites and placed my dishes in the sink. "So, how are you gonna tell Tasha that little 'Natalia' is going to be 'Nathaniel'."

She grimaced. "We'll deal with that later."

I laughed. "Well, I'm gonna get dressed. I'm gonna go run in town to check on Sam."

"Sounds good, can you get me a gallon of milk while you're out?"

I gave her a thumbs up. "You got it, sister."

~:~

After arriving to the hotel, I knocked on the door as I opened it. "Babe? You up?" I heard the water running in the bathroom. Placing his breakfast on the table, I walked into the kitchenette and turned on the coffee pot. Once I heard the door open, I called out. "You're breakfast is on the table."

He yelped. "Dammit, Angie! Give a guy a little warning."

"I did knock." I turned my head to glance at him. "At least you're dressed." I saw him roll his eyes, shaking his head. I walked up to him giving him a hug and a kiss. "You sleep good?"

He shrugged. "Considering I slept with springs poking me in my back, I guess so."

"Well, don't you worry. We'll be upgrading soon."

Sam quirked his brow. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"You'll find out when we get there. Plus, I was trying to get a safe house ready."

"For the team?" I nodded in reply. "Let's go meet up with them, then."

"No, Sam." I said, shaking my head. "This is something they need to figure out themselves. This is their problem."

"Angie," He warned.

"Please, trust me." Once he nodded his head, I grabbed my stuff and headed towards the door. "I have to got meet up with my informant again. I'll come check up on you again tonight or tomorrow morning. I'll try to call you before then."

"Okay, stay safe."

"Don't I always?" I replied, smiling as I shut the door.

~:~