A/N: Hey guys! Thought you might like this. Let me know what you think!

Disclaimer: I do not own Marvel, Disney, ABC or the Avengers.


In the dance studio, I had begun making it homier. I hung soft curtains across the wall of windows, and I had a corner set up for the twins if they were ever in here. I had painted the walls the weekend before we left for LA, and it felt less cold in the room. As I set up the music I had just downloaded, I said, "ARSENAL, lower it."

"Yes ma'am," She responded as a metal pole descended from the ceiling and secured itself to a hole in the floor. I laughed, because the guys didn't know I had taken pole dancing classes in college. To improve balance and my core.

"Even I don't buy that story," I said, rolling my eyes at myself in the mirror.

"ARSENAL, cut video feed to the studio please."

"I am unable to process that at this time. You requested that I keep all security feeds up as per Security Protocol 127.8."

"Why did I ever ask that of you? Well, whoever's on security tonight will be getting a show," I chuckled, as I rolled my head to limber up.

"Play," I said, and ARSENAL started the song I had queued up. I approached at the pole slowly, twisting and turning around it as I lowered myself to the floor.

Are you insane like me? Been in pain like me?

Bought a hundred dollar bottle of champagne like me?

Just to pour that motherfucker down the drain like me?

Would you use your water bill to dry the stain like me?

Are you high enough without the Mary Jane like me?

Do you tear yourself apart to entertain like me?

Do the people whisper 'bout you on the train like me?

Saying that you shouldn't waste your pretty face like me?

And all the people say,

"You can't wake up, this is not a dream,

You're part of a machine, you are not a human being,

With your face all made up, living on a screen,

Low on self esteem, so you run on gasoline."

Oh, oh, oh, oh,

I think there's a flaw in my code,

Oh, oh, oh, oh,

These voices won't leave me alone,

Well my heart is gold, and my hands are cold,

Are you deranged like me? Are you strange like me?

Lighting matches just to swallow up the flame like me?

Do you call yourself a fucking hurricane like me?

Pointing fingers cause you'll never take the blame like me?

And all the people say,

"You can't wake up, this is not a dream,

You're part of a machine, you are not a human being,

With your face all made up, living on a screen,

Low on self esteem, so you run on gasoline."

Oh, oh, oh, oh,

I think there's a flaw in my code,

Oh, oh, oh, oh,

These voices won't leave me alone,

Well my heart is gold, and my hands are cold.

As I stopped, I tried to slow my breathing.

"ARSENAL, play the next one." I huffed, "And raise it. I don't need it for this one."

As the pole was raised back into the ceiling, the song started up, lulling me into its melody. As I danced to the soft tune, I noticed a visitor in the doorway and I decided to keep dancing. Letting the music take over my senses, I released myself to the movements I was making.

"Hey," I said, noticing the person. They smiled at me, "You've grown up."

"Dad, you knew me after I already grew up." I said.

"Still, I would have liked to see you dancing around my workshop in a pink tutu." He said, as I motioned him over.

"Hey, you know what came to my mind the other day," I said, taking his hand.

"Our father daughter dance," He chuckled.

"You read my mind." I laughed, as he asked, "ARSENAL, you know the song."

As he took my hand and said, "You don't happen to have any old home movies I could watch, to see you at a younger age?"

"None where I don't glare at the camera." I sighed, resting my head on his chest, sans the arc reactor. It always annoyed me that our hugs had a piece of metal in between us.

"What do you think the kids are gonna be like when they are older? More like you or the Patriot twins?"

"Watch it," I teased half heartedly, "Can we not guess? They are growing too fast. I no longer have babies that look like babies. They are almost a year and look like they are a year and a half."

"Hey, you have two serum enhanced superheros for husbands. You put yourself in that situation. But now, I can watch Callie grow up and imagine she's you."

"I'm worried I won't get to." I said, sighing.

"Why?" He asked, confused, "You're here to tuck them in, you've survived every threat to our world. You're gonna make it out of this alive, and so are they."

"I… I've been feeling empty. Like something's missing." I said, sighing.

"Mom always said I was destined for something greater. And Phil and Fury said so too. But I can't shake the feeling like there is something… missing from my life."

"Hey, you'll find it." He said, pulling back and smiling at me.

"But what is it?" I mumbled.

"Whatever it is, you'll find it. Now, I've got to head back to New York. Pepper was expecting me for dessert an hour ago."

"Tell her I say "Hi"." I said, kissing his cheek and giving him a tight hug.

"Love you sweetie." He said, backing up.

"Love you too Daddy." I said, watching him walk out the door.


After going to bed early, I woke to a soft kiss from Bucky and Steve on either temple and I smiled.

"Okay, go run. I'll listen for them," I said groggily, rolling over. Joey jumped on the bed and I was assaulted with wet kisses.

"Nope. The birthday girl gets her morning to have her run." Bucky said softly. I opened my eyes and gently pushed Joey off.

"What?" I said, squinting in the dark room to see Bucky holding my boots and Steve laying out a riding outfit I adored. My worn in jeans and a cotton plaid shirt.

"Birthday? That's next week." I waved, and rolled over to go back to sleep.

"No Angel, it's today," Steve chuckled. My mind worked backwards to determine the date and I realized.

"Oh," I said sitting up.

"We will save the HB's for later. Once you've had your run with Sunchaser," Bucky smirked.

"What time is it?" I asked, looking at the alarm clock and feeling annoyed that it was only 4:30am.

"It's early, but we wanted you to have enough time to make it up the side of the mountain before sunrise." Steve said, and I groaned.

"Okay, okay. I was going to patrol our border on my ride today, but I would rather be doing what I liked."

"How do you feel about breakfast in bed when you get back? And we use your body as the table," Bucky joked, but I could see the fire in his eyes.

"If you're good," I quipped, changing quickly and kissing both of them sweetly.

"Thank you," I breathed, before Joey bolted out the door, me on his heels.

"Yikes, please tell me you are just waking up?" I giggled as I passed Wanda on her way to her room. Her hair was unkempt and she had a grumpy look on her face.

"I couldn't sleep. I was having visions, and they were unsettling. You were on fire... Brock would only kiss my head and tell me it was a dream. But this was a vision."

"Hey, I'm alive, and promise not to set myself on fire." I smirked, noticing a hickey on her neck.

"Go, ride. I'll make sure no one looks for you." She said, noticing my attire. I smiled, and smoothed down her hair.

"We can talk later then," I said, before Joey barked at me softly down the hallway. I chuckled and followed him to the door. I opened it and closed it, quickly slipping out and ran towards the stable.

"Hey guys," I said, noticing their happy expressions. I set out feed and water, letting Sweet Feet into the field to graze.

Sunchaser was excited as I set the blanket and saddle over the door to his stall.

"We are going for a run." I said quietly as I adjusted his hackamore, and finished gearing him up. I opened the barn door just wide enough for him to chase me out. I heard his neigh as I kept running towards the fence to open the farthest gate. Whistling lowly, he trotted over, waiting for me to close and lock Sweet Feet back in. I took off once more, laughing as he chased me.

He pranced around me, playing like a young foal, and sending out nickers of laughter.

"Come and get me," I yelled, running again, as Joey managed to squeeze his way through the fence and chase after us.

"Now, I have two of you after me," I laughed as Joey managed to make it to my heels and I jumped onto Sunchaser as he ran by.

"Come on then!" I yelled to Joey as we rushed over the fields.

"Show off!" I chuckled as Joey sped off, almost twice the speed at which Steve runs. We rode for awhile, up the mountainside, and I stopped to let them both rest. Sitting against a fallen log, I watched the sun coming up over the Catskills, and sighed.

"Sometimes I miss the peace of living on the Ranch. I miss the mornings Mom would wake me up to go exploring." I said as Joey rested his head in my lap.

"She would tell me all these stories, about me when I was little, or her life before me, as I ate my cereal and I never really got it. Until now," I sighed. It was only a few minutes later I felt the tears prickling at my eyes.

"I miss you Momma," I sighed, "You've been gone 6 years, and I still miss you as much as I did when you left me."

A cool October breeze was rolling in and I sighed. Summer had come to an end.

"Let's get back," I whispered ten minutes later. Joey and Sunchaser straightened, ready to run again. After settling myself into the saddle, we began the slow walk back down the hill, through the trails, as I noticed the leaves starting to change color. It peaceful, feeling the cherry blossom petals brushing lightly against my face.

"Okay, enough of this slowly stuff. Joey, scout ahead!" I said and he took off down the trail, while I urged Sunchaser forward. As we made it back to the field, I threw my head back and laughed at the wind in my face, and sun on my back.

"Whoa," I said, gently slowly Sunchaser down as we approached the fence. I unlatched it with my foot and Joey pulled it open by the rope at the bottom.

"Good boy," I smiled, as he closed it behind us, and I latched it again.

"Can you believe it?" I said, looking up at our base.

"A year ago, I was pregnant and feeling so done with this life. Now, I'm where I belong." I said as I walked Sunchaser back to the stable. Dismounting and moving to unstrap the saddle from his body, I said, "At least, I think."


A/N: What did you think? Like it? Let me know!