Sorry that this is out so late! Unexpected things in life got in the way. I wanted to make sure this chapter was sufficient enough in length and quality to post even if it takes more time than any of us would like.

Please read the note at the end of the chapter for an announcement!

The couch cushions had been replaced and the sheets were put in the washing machine since Lucky left the cabin. Clint had fallen into a much more comfortable sleep. When he had awoken, his friends were all downstairs playing a board game at the table. There was no sign that Nat and Fury had returned with or without Lucky.

He hoped Pizza Dog was fine and that the vet wouldn't find any internal damage. Even so, he had confidence that Lucky was fixable.

Sam noticed that Clint was awake. "Evening, Sleeping Beauty."

Clint sat up. "I slept that long?" The darkness beyond the window answered his question.

Steve moved a game piece before asking, "Are you feeling better?"

"The pain in my back and neck is almost gone. Key word being almost. They aren't back yet?"

"It shouldn't be long now," said Steve, "If they haven't found an owner, they're probably getting supplies for him so that he can stay here."

Clint agreed. Hopefully one of the supplies they get is a dog bed. He still wanted to sleep in the same room as Lucky, and he didn't think Lucky was going to be healthy enough to go upstairs to share Clint's bed. While Clint didn't regret putting all of the cushions and pillows on the floor, it would be nice to have them in the future.

Steve had been right, Nat, Nick, and Lucky entered the cabin just a few minutes later. Pizza Dog was limp in Nat's arms while Nick had a plastic bag hanging off his left forearm and was clutching onto a doggy bed and a large bag of dog food.

Clint didn't waste time saying hello as he indicated to the spot Lucky had occupied earlier. "Go ahead and set the bed here."

Fury raised an eyebrow at being given orders, but obliged anyway. Clint took the time to observe the bed to see if it was good enough for his new dog. It was certainly large enough, and the green material looked soft. The only concern he had was that it wouldn't be supportive enough. Just to be sure, he bent over and attempted to fluff the bed as Natasha gently set Lucky on it.

Despite all of his bandages, Clint thought Lucky looked much better. He showed no sign that he was hurting and was the most relaxed he had ever seen him. The veterinarian must have given him a strong medication.

"Hey, Boy," he said as he scratched him behind the ear, "You're looking a lot better. And more comfortable."

As Fury got to work unloading the bags on the counter, he said, "He's going to be fine. He needs to rest, take some meds every few hours, and have his bandages changed."

Clint volunteered, "I can handle that."

Steve added, "I used to change bandages all the time. Perhaps it'd be better if I did that."

Scott stood up from the table and ventured his way to Lucky. "Having a dog around should make things a lot more fun. Sure it's not as good as an army of ants, or even a giant one, but he should be cool to have around."

Fury pointed out, "After he rests."

"Right."

Steve asked, "So does he not have an owner?"

To most people, Nat would have sounded emotionless and matter-of-fact, but Clint knew her well enough to hear the anger. "If a person in charge of dogfights counts as an owner."

It suddenly became very uncomfortable in the room. Clint had frozen while petting Lucky's head. Of all of the scenarios that crossed his mind as to how Lucky was injured, dogfighting was not one of them. He couldn't understand how someone could find two animals being forced to fight entertaining. He thought of Lucky stuck in an enclosure with a snarling dog while people stood on the outside egging them on. He nearly shuddered.

Sam asked, "Are you sure?"

She answered, "A lot of the injuries were caused by several different dogs, and the vet found bruises left by human fingers."

Clint thought out loud, "That explains why most of the scratches are on the front. He would have been facing his opponents as they fought."

"Poor thing," Wanda whispered.

Steve stood and began filling a dog bowl Fury had just taken out with water. "Well, he's safe now. We won't let anyone or anything harm him."

"Damn right," agreed Clint.

"We need to show him as much love as possible," said Wanda, "Just because he's escaped, doesn't mean he isn't affected."

Clint noted, "He seems to trust us, but I agree that he's probably still suffering both physically and mentally."

Scott asked, "So we agree that we're going to support him as he gets better. That's a good start. What about after he heals and when we get to go home?"

Lucky lifted his head to enough to nuzzle Clint's hand. He even managed to sluggishly wag his tail before plopping his head back down. He sighed, the simple movement being too much for his drugged body.

Nat responded, "I think Lucky's already chosen who he's going home with."

Clint knew everybody was watching him, but all he could focus on was Pizza Dog lying by him. Against his better judgement, he undoubtedly grew attached. In all honesty, Clint couldn't remember trying not to bond with him. This dog needed him, and from the moment he saw him, he was ready to take him in and nurse him back to health. The scenarios of Lucky playing with his children that Clint had highlighted the night before were very easy to see. Clint wouldn't know the full extent of Lucky's personality until he was healed, but so far, he seemed like he would fit right in with the Barton household.

He knew what he wanted, but it wasn't just his decision. "I'll have to talk to the lady of the house."

Laura was in the family computer room with two of her children, one sleeping in the other room. She sat at the computer while Cooper and Lila were on either side of her. They both seemed anxious for their father to appear on the screen. However, Cooper's anxiety seemed more negative.

She had been pleasantly surprised when Fury arrived at the house saying that Clint wanted to Skype again. He had assured her that everything was fine, but that he had something urgent to ask. He refused to give her any details. Apparently, Clint wanted it to be a surprise.

When Clint called, Laura hit the accept button faster than last time. His face appeared on the screen. He looked thrilled to see them, but she saw a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Hi, Dad!" exclaimed Lila.

"Hello, Sweetheart! Hey, Buddy!"

Cooper smiled and gave a shy wave, a nearly polar opposite of Lila. Although it still concerned her, Laura was used to it by now.

Clint smirked. "You might be wondering why I've gathered you all here today."

"Because you miss us?" Laura offered.

"Always, Honey. But this time, it's because there's someone I want you to meet."

That was surprising. Laura had never been on the run in her life, but she figured it wouldn't allow ample time for meeting new people. The only Avengers they haven't met yet were Ant-Man, Sam Wilson visiting them before.

Clint shifted the laptop around to reveal that lounging by his feet on a dog bed was a sleeping labrador retriever wrapped in bandages.

"A dog!" Lila exclaimed happily as she leaned in closer to the monitor. Even Cooper's jaw dropped as he scrambled to get closer.

"This is Lucky," introduced Clint, "I found him a bit scratched up a couple of days ago, but as you can see we got him some help. He's going to be just fine."

Cooper asked, "Can we keep him?!"

"Pretty please?!" added Lila.

Clint laughed off camera. "I figured you would all want to meet him before we officially adopted him." Laura knew he had already adopted him in his mind. "I don't mean to put you on the spot Laura, but you know the situation at home better than I do. Can he stay with us?"

Her children's pleading eyes were suddenly on her. If Lucky had his own bed as was evident in the video feed, then he probably already had his necessities. Whatever money that still needed to be spent on him would be covered by Clint's time as an Avenger. She also knew that her husband wouldn't offer to keep the dog that was a danger to the kids.

Cooper began bargaining when she didn't answer. "I'll feed him and take him for walks everyday. I'll even pick up after him!"

Clint said, "There's no need for that. He refuses to go anywhere but outside."

"Even better! How about that, Mom?!"

Laura asked, "Has he had all of his shots?"

"They were taken care of a few days ago."

"Then I have no objection."

Lila cheered as Cooper whooped in excitement. They both hugged her as best they could with her sitting in a chair.

As Cooper thanked her over and over again, Lila turned her attention back to the screen. "Is he going to be an Avenger?"

Clint chuckled and then turned the camera back on himself. "No, I think he would prefer to be a normal dog. Maybe when we come home, he'll be Kate Bishop's sidekick."

"Kate Bishop and her trusty sidekick, Arrow. I like it, Dad!"

Cooper asked, "When will you be home?"

Laura watched in dismay as her husband's face fell. "I don't know, Buddy. I really wish I could tell you."

As always, I really hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, but now it's time for an announcement! (Spoilers for Infinity War!)

When I posted this story, I had the idea to write a sequel to it. It was going to be a crossover with Deadpool and would have featured Professor X and Magneto. However, Hawkeye: Caught in the Crossfire already doesn't comply with Infinity War and my next story wasn't going to be compliant with Deadpool 2. Heck, there was even going to be a part in the sequel where Lucky grabbed Mjolnir and ran off with it, so it doesn't even work with Ragnarok!

But I'm happy to say that after seeing Infinity War, I came up with an idea for a fic. To put it simply, everyone left is struggling to either adjust to the new world or-as in the case of the Avengers-working to set things right. Meanwhile, Gamora and everyone who turned to dust is trapped in the soul stone and need to make sure they survive long enough for the Avengers to get them out.

To avoid my mistake with my last idea, I'm going to write that story at the same time as this one and the Sherlock fic, but I need to know something before I begin. If you believe you might be interested, keep an eye out for it!