It has been too long!

I got wrapped up in some personal issues lately (some of which still needs to be sorted out). I apologize for the delay and how short this chapter is. I plan on making the following ones much longer and have a strategy on how to do that.

A songbird, tired of flying, landed on top of a target with a few arrows in the middle. Before it could relax, another arrow hit the center and the bird flew into the thick grove of trees that surrounded the safe house.

There was a large amount of land between the lodge and forest. Clint took the liberty of using space in the front for shooting arrows with his new bow, the old one broken by T'Challa. He was standing a few yards away from the target, Natasha observing next to him.

Clint drew back another arrow. "So how'd you beat it? The polygraph, I mean."

As he released the new arrow, Natasha answered, "Tony hacked the machine that morning."

He looked at her, confused. "I thought he didn't know you were helping us."

"He doesn't, but he's highly suspicious. Though I don't think he's about to ask me."

"Ah," Clint said before pulling out the last arrow from his quiver. "Playing dumb. Tony's good at that. A little too good."

He shot the last arrow before jogging over to the target. Once he reached it, he put the arrows a few at a time back in the quiver. When the target was clear again, he returned to his spot next to Nat. Both had lost count how many times Clint had to repeat those actions since he began practice that day.

"I know you don't want to wear down all of your arrows in case of an emergency," said Natasha, "but you must have hundreds here. Using a few more for practice couldn't hurt."

Clint pulled back the arrow. "Not risking it. The more arrows I have that aren't worn down, the better." As he continued to shoot, he asked, "So how long has this Kate Bishop thing been going on?"

Nat smiled. "She started not long after you went into hiding. She'll use her toy bow and arrow to go on 'missions' around the farm. I have to say, she's not half bad."

Clint felt pride swell within him. Memories of him kneeling next to Lila, helping her aim arrows at a target, flashed in his mind. "Taught her everything she knows."

"Lila will be an Avenger yet."

He nearly cringed. "I'd like my kids to be kids for now, thanks."

She nodded before saying, "Understandable. Especially now, being so far from them. You long to be apart of their childhood." There was a beat of silence before she continued, "They miss you. More than you realize, they miss you. Laura says that Nate seems to look for you sometimes. Lila is always asking about you and Cooper is just so... distant from everyone lately. The girls were begging to see you when the topic of Skype came up."

He stopped shooting and turned to face her. "Listen, I can't thank you and Fury enough for letting me see my family. You have no idea how much it means to me."

"Yeah, well, we figured you needed it." She smiled.

"I'm even more thankful that you're looking after them. While Laura is more than capable to handle everything at home, it's nice to know that she has backup. The updates and notes you bring from time to time are also greatly appreciated."

Her smile disappeared as she became serious. "You know I view them as my own family. Looking out for them requires no thanks on your part. It's just what families do for each other."

Clint nodded. Natasha had come a long way since her days as an emotionless assassin for the Soviet Union. When they met, he was too impressed by her abilities to go through with his mission of taking her out. It took days and there were a few mishaps, but he was able to convince her to at least go to the states. Much of the negotiations they made happened while he had a gun pointed at him too, a fact he kept to himself for her sake.

After months of deprogramming everything the KGB and Red Room had instilled in her mind, Clint had made the mistake of keeping a photo of Laura, Cooper, and Lila in the 'privacy' of his room. It didn't take long for her to find it. To Clint's surprise, his new friend had agreed to keep them a secret.

Fury exited the lodge with the laptop tucked under his arm. "Widow, we need to get going."

She nodded in his direction before turning her attention back to Clint. "I have some business to take care of in Spain. Fury and I should be back in two days. Think you can take care of yourself for that long?"

He rolled his eyes but laughed at her teasing. "I think I'll be okay. Have fun."

Nat smiled before following Fury into the woods. Clint decided he'd had enough practice for the day and went back inside. He could collect the arrows that were in the target later. Right now, he just wanted to get a drink, kick back, and relax with his friends.

That night, the five of them had turned out the lights and were watching the beginning of Beauty and the Beast. Apparently, Scott's daughter had recommended it and had sent her own copy with Natasha and Fury that day. Seeing as they had no other movies to watch, everyone but Sam ("If police or spies or whatever break into the house, it's not going to be while I'm watching a Disney princess movie!") agreed to play it. Unfortunately for Sam, he slept on the couch and had no where else to go.

They had turned off the lights. Steve and Sam were sitting in front of the coffee table on the floor. On the couch, Scott and Wanda sat with Clint sandwiched between them. Clint was holding a bottle of beer and had his feet propped up on the table.

"Are you sure you never met him?" asked Scott.

Steve didn't take his eyes off of the screen as he answered, "If I had met Walt Disney, I would remember."

Clint nursed his beverage as he looked toward Wanda. Despite it being nearly pitch black, she was still observing the book Nat had brought her. Die Flügel der Liebe, it was called. He knew some German, and was sure that was the language the title was in, but wasn't sure what it meant. No one had asked Wanda what it was about, but it must be a very good book from the way she couldn't help but smile whenever she looked at it.

It was hard to tell in the dark, but it seemed like she was tracing the letters of the title with her finger. The movie had none of her attention as the first conversation took place. It intrigued Clint that she was focusing instead on something that she could barely see. Looking back at the others, they didn't seem to notice Wanda's behavior.

Slowly, Wanda hugged the book, gripping it like her life depended on it. A tear, reflecting the light from the television, began to roll down her cheek. Clint was thinking about the best way to comfort her when he noticed that she was smiling. Never had he seen her look so at peace.

He suddenly felt like he was intruding on something very personal, so he turned back to the television. He was too familiar with the movie for it to successfully grab his attention. Instead, his mind began to wander.

From what Natasha had told him, there weren't any signs that the UN would be begging for Captain America and his team back anytime soon. It's not like there had been much activity going on against the law lately. At least none that they had been aware of. It was still a waiting game, and Clint was getting sick and tired of it. Months of being cooped up in one area were finally catching up to him. He wished someone could somehow make the UN forget that the whole thing had happened.

Certainly someone out there had to be fighting for their cause. T'Challa had publicly drawn his support for the Sokovia Accords as much as he could without looking suspicious. Nat herself, while publicly following the Accords, had voiced her concerns about it. Even so, like T'Challa, she had to be careful too. They were direct links to their little sanctuary in this forest. And while Clint knew Nat would never betray them, there might be evidence as to her whereabouts. If Clint and his friends were found, they were going back to that prison in the ocean.

Clint sighed before downing the rest of his drink.

The next chapter has already been written and is being edited. Also, it's much longer than the average chapters so far.

And guess what dog is going to make an appearance! ;)

Please, let me know what your thoughts are!