Notes: I agree; I'm of the opinion that alllll of the heroes should be required to deal with teeny tiny monsters... just to keep them on their toes ;)

Chapter 5: Not-So-Smooth Transition

It had been a busy day, and Katie was definitely happy about getting to stay with Logan and K. But she wasn't so sure about a room all to herself just yet, so she had fallen asleep on Logan again, and he transferred her to the bed once she was out, leaving the door open so she could see where he and K were.

Which was a good move, since halfway through the night, Logan and K both woke up to a very little girl positively screaming.

Logan was there in a heartbeat, before the boys had even sat up in their beds all the way. "Easy, lil' darlin'. You're not alone."

Katie was still crying too hard to stop, and she shoved Logan away with both hands. "I want my dad!"

"He's not here, Katie," Logan told her, keeping his tone even and low.

"I want my mom!" she insisted.

"I can't find her," he replied.

Katie's lip trembled, and she pulled her blankets up to her chin. "I don't wanna go wit' the mount'n man!"

Logan frowned at that for a moment and nodded. "You don't have to even look at that guy ever again if you don't want to," he told her.

"I don' wanna," Katie said, starting to sniffle some more. "I wanna go home. I want my mom."

"If I could find her, you'd be with her right now," Logan swore, though he didn't move any closer — trying to give her a little space to process all of it.

Katie scrubbed her hand over her eyes. "I… I miss my mom."

"I know, Katie," Logan said, still in that easy tone. "And that's okay."

Katie nodded and then finally crawled over to Logan and latched on. "I wanna go home," she sniffled.

Logan was sure to wrap her up as warmly as he knew how, though he didn't really have a decent response other than trying again to tell her she was safe.

By that time, the boys had poked their heads in and were watching the whole thing, and once Katie had stopped being loud and was just crying on Logan, Clint offered, "If you wanna sleep over in our room, you can. Even if you're a girl."

Katie looked up over Logan's shoulder and sniffled. "Really?"

Clint nodded. "Uh-huh. And Mom and Dad'll take really good care of you, okay?"

"It's okay to be sad," Barney put in. "Clint used to cry a lot when we did foster stuff too. Cuz he was little like you."

"Not a lot, Barn," Clint said, rolling his eyes.

"Uh-huh. Sure."

"It's alright to cry over losing your parents," Logan said. "Anyone that says they didn't is lying to you."

"Well, I only cried over Mom," Barney insisted with his chin stuck out.

Katie sniffed. "You cwy?"

Barney glanced between Katie, Clint, and Logan and then shrugged. "Yeah. Well. So I did. It's no big deal. Me and Clint are doing a lot better now."

Katie nodded quietly. "I… I wanna stay with Clint," she said. "Can I? Pwease?"

"Of course you can," Logan said as he picked her up to carry her there. "Grab her pillow, Clint."

Clint nodded and ran to go get it — along with some of the stuffed animals Jean had gotten for Katie. So by the time he got back to their room, Katie was still holding onto Logan's shirt… but she was considering the room and slowly letting go.

"You gonna be okay in here?" Logan asked.

Katie nodded quietly. "Uh-huh."

Logan gave her a little smile and waited for both her and Clint to settle in before he pulled the blanket up to her chin. "Let me know if you need anything. I'll be back if you call."

"Thanks, Logan-Woolerveen."

For a moment, Logan simply let out a breath, though he knew it wasn't the time to correct her. Again. "Good night, troublemakers." He turned around, still shaking his head as he left them alone, sure the boys would handle it.

The next morning, it was pretty obvious Katie was still a little off, since she absolutely refused to get out of Logan's lap for breakfast and was generally just sticking close — which was, of course, when Carol and Steve showed up.

"Well, that's new," Steve said — even as Susie let out a dramatic gasp and started dancing in place when she saw Carol.

"Yeah, yeah," Logan said. "I'll be by for cards as soon as I can. Been busy."

"Clearly," Steve said.

"Shut up, Rogers."

"Which one is Susie?" Carol asked, smiling between the two girls — which prompted Susie to run right up to her and stare up at her. "Is Logan treating you okay?"

Susie nodded. "Uh-huh. And Dr. Blue!"

"You two should grab some coffee," K said to both of the visiting Avengers. "You both look like you've been up all night." She paused and smirked. "Unless … there's a reason."

Carol and Steve both cut her a dry look, though Carol said, "Actually, early morning."

"Oh Captain, my captain?" K teased.

"Not my type," Carol shot back without missing a beat.

Steve shook his head at both of them. "Zemo's been harassing the Avengers," he explained.

"Not surprised, are you?" Logan said.

"No, but we're pretty sure we found where he's holed up," Steve said. "Probably a trap, but it's the first lead we've had on his base in a month."

"Better'n nothin'," Logan agreed. "So. When're we leaving?"

"Um." Carol tipped her head toward Logan. "I'm pretty sure there's a height limit on this mission."

"Then you're here for Scott?" K asked. "Small racist …"

"We were here to ask Logan to come, but…" Steve gestured between Katie and Logan. "Never mind."

"You could take his place," Carol said with a smile K's way. "With Jan on the team, that means we outnumber Tony and Steve for this run."

"Oh, that sounds fun," K said. "What do you need done?"

"If it was just muscle, we wouldn't be so picky, but we really need someone who can scent out a few traps — and tell us what we're looking at before we go in and spring said trap."

"Bonus points for the fact that their side doesn't know what I can do," K pointed out.

Clint grinned when he heard it. "Mom'll kick their trash," he told Carol confidently.

"When are you leaving?" K asked.

"Soon as we grab Hank," Steve said. "Zemo's been playing with some nasty chemicals. I could use him on this too."

"And notify Scott," K said, nodding. "You know how he gets …"

Steve smirked K's way. "Oh no. I guess I'll just have to talk to him. And if his little girl just happens to be there…"

"Oh. She happens," K said, shooing him with one hand.

"Then I guess we're leaving in an hour," Carol laughed as she followed Steve out. "I haven't met the redheaded angel Jan's been talking about, but apparently, she hung the moon."

"She did for them," K said, resting a hand on Clint's head.

Clint grinned up at K as the two Avengers headed out. "You're gonna do so good, Mom."

"Yeah, duh. Because she's Mom," Barney said with a smirk.

But while the boys were more than enthusiastic about this turn of events, not everyone was on baord. "You're not going after Hydra," Logan said in a flat tone.

"Sure I am," K said. "You heard them. They need a nose. That's all. It won't be a big deal."

"It's more than likely a trap," Logan shot back, and it was clear from his tone he wasn't happy at all.

K turned his way slowly, eyes narrowed for a moment. "Then you should be happy your friends are putting together such a decent team." She let the growl slip out a little — matching Logan's. "I'm going. If you want to get over yourself, you can come give me a kiss after I get changed." She held his gaze for a long moment before she set her mug down and started to head off to do exactly that.

Clint was already telling Barney how awesome K was going to be with the Avengers, but both of the Bishop girls were watching Logan. Even Katie had stopped snuggling him and was almost… holding her breath.

It only took Logan a few moments, though, to take a few deep, slow breaths and then nod his head. "Alright. You girls wanna give her a good luck hug?"

"Um… okay," Katie said, though she was still watching Logan.

Logan got to his feet and let out a shrill whistle for the boys. "You too. Likely gonna be a few days if nothing goes wrong." He turned to Katie with a serious look. "But if it does go wrong, you're gonna have to hang out with the Summerses while I go get 'em outta trouble."

"Nuh-uh. Mom'll handle it," Clint said confidently. "She's the best in the world!"

"It's called a contingency," Logan said as he started carrying Katie with him to go see K.

"Okay, but you don't need it," Clint said as the kids started to follow Logan.

Logan gave him a little look that was honestly unamused. "You know, if it was anyone else, I'd be takin' bets. But I won't bet against her."

"But you don't want her to go," Susie pointed out — very quietly.

"No, I don't," Logan agreed. "But they need her to help 'em, and I'm not gonna be mad at her because they need her." He looked her way. "Even if I'd rather be with her for it."

Susie frowned for a long time as she thought about it. "I… I can watch Katie."

"She knows what she's doin'," Logan said. "They'll have no one to blame but themselves if they tick her off."

"Okay." Susie bit her lip. "Are you sure you're not mad?"

"Logan ain't ever gonna yell at you or Mom," Barney broke in, guessing what had the two Bishop girls nervous — and obviously right, if the girls' surprised reactions were anything to go by. "That's not how this family does things."

"Yeah, I'm a little mad," Logan admitted. "But I'll be fine."

"Are you gonna be mad later?" Susie asked, her head tipped to the side.

"No," Logan said. "I'm mad at the timing. Not at her."

"Oh." Susie bit her lip. "Are you mad at me an' Katie?" she asked, even quieter.

"Why would I be mad at you and Katie?" Logan asked with a deep frown. "I'm mad at Hydra for bein' a pain."

"Hydra's the bad guys," Clint put in helpfully. "They're really bad. They're so bad that Captain America had to fight them in World War II and now!"

"Thas bad," Katie said, staring at Clint with wide eyes.

Clint grinned up at her. "After we give Mom hugs, you and me can play 'stop Hydra', okay? We can pretend we're fighting Red Skull!"

Katie giggled and nodded. "Okay."

When they got up to the suite, K was pulling on her boots — already changed into the uniform Jan had designed for her — though she didn't look like she was expecting the group.

"We came for hugs," Susie informed her. "Because Logan's not mad."

'He's smart like that," K said with a little smirk as Clint led the charge for hugs. "You can run this place, right?" K asked him as she wrapped him up in a bear hug.

"Oh yeah," Clint promised. "I'll take good care of my new foster sister and also Dad."

"Attaboy," K said, then gave him a big kiss on the forehead and messed up his hair. "Love you, punkin'."

Clint laughed and smoothed down his hair. "Love you, Mom."

Barney stepped in once Clint had his turn and made sure to wish K luck, and then Susie gave K a very shy hug — but Katie stayed with Logan and hung on with one hand to his shirt and hugged K's neck with her other arm.

Once the kids had their turn, Logan gave her a crooked sort of smile and pulled her into a long and very involved kiss. "If you're not back in a few days, I'm coming after you," he said.

"Yes. Good," K agreed and stole another little kiss. "Gotta remind Steve and Tony who's in charge."

"It's Mom. Mom's in charge," Clint stage whispered.

Both Logan and K looked over to him with a little smirk — and Logan did his best to get Clint to complain when he stole another long kiss. "Alright. Go kill Hydra," Logan said. "Lord knows Cap can't do it alone."

"When you get back, you can tell us stories about how you kicked their butts," Barney said. "Make sure you get back fast, 'cause I only got a month before circus season!"

"She'll be back before then," Logan said, frowning his way.

"Just sayin'," Barney said.

"Yeah, I know what you're just sayin'," Logan said, then took a hold of K's hand and started to walk with her down to where Carol was waiting — though he was sure to fill her in on all the crap he knew Hydra had been pulling lately so she'd be ready for it.

"It's okay," Susie said, tugging on Logan's sleeve. "She's gonna be with Cap'n Marvel. So she'll be okay. Okay?"

"Pretty sure you got it the other way around, kiddo," Logan said with a tiny smirk. "Carol should be okay with her keepin' an eye out."

"Okay, if you say so," Susie said with a shrug.

After another kiss — that had Carol clearing her throat — the little group headed out. And the Quinjet had barely taken off before Logan turned toward the kids. "Alright. Just us an' half the damn house for a few days."

"Yep!" Katie smiled. "We're gonna play 'get Hydra'. You can play!"

"I've fought Hydra enough for real," Logan said. "You go ahead."

"Okay. Imma play with Clint," Katie said, then stuck her finger in Logan's face. "You gotta come find me. No leavin'!"

"If I go, it won't be far, and it won't be dangerous," Logan said.

"Okie doke!" Katie said cheerfully as Logan let her down and she rushed off with Clint.

Logan watched them leave then turned to Barney and Susie. "You plannin' on stayin' with Katie while big Blue's out fightin'?"

Susie nodded. "Uh-huh."

"Then you get to pick the movie later," Logan said. "Barney'll help."

"We can look and see what we got," Barney said.

Susie nodded quickly. "Uh-huh. Thanks, Barney."

Barney shrugged. "No problem," he said — completely missing that Susie was giggling and blushing, considering he was a teenager focused on Kitty and didn't even have kiddie crushes on the brain.

And Logan turned to head for the ready room to do a little digging — just to see if he could find something that Steve's team hadn't. Which just so happened to put him in Jean's path as she was following a very independent Rachel walking around and exploring the mansion on her own.

"Oh, where's Katie?" Jean asked with a smile. "Rachel was asking for her."

"With Clint," Logan muttered.

"Well, we'll find her," Jean said. "The girls have been sharing toys, but I really think we should get more that are just Katie and Susie's…" She scooped Rachel up as the little girl fell backwards on her bum. "I always thought we'd be handing down, but you went and got older girls to hand down to us!"

Logan thought about it for a moment as he turned and watched the two of them for a moment. "Yeah… that's probably a good idea."

"Well, what did they have back home? Katie was telling me about her teddy yesterday…"

"I dunno," Logan said. "But I could probably go an' see."

"Field trip — or can I steal your girls?" Jean asked with a twinkle in her eye.

"You take the girls for now," Logan said. "I don't know what kind of mess I might find there once I get there."

"Right. I did hear about that. Hank was a little thrown off by the guardianship and the whole… trust fund…" Jean shook her head. "It's not our usual fare."

Logan shrugged at that. "It happens," he said.

"Oh, I know. But I swear, Logan, you and K don't do anything easy, do you? You decide you need girls, so you find some with a high-dollar price tag so you get your trouble too?" she teased.

He gave her a glare for that one. "You know, Red, you're really not funny." He started toward the garage. "But now I feel like I gotta go see what the princesses might be missin' from home."

"Well, you know I'll always babysit. I love the boys and your girls, so just… go ahead!"

"Technically, Jeannie, only one of 'em wants me. The other one's Hank's."

"She's sleeping over with you, isn't she?" Jean said brightly as Rachel leaned over and grabbed some of Jean's hair, which prompted a small tug of war before Jean got her hair back.

"Cause Hank's gone," Logan said.

Jean smiled Logan's way. "Well, anyway. Let me know what you find."