Weeks passed in a blur. Maj spent most of her time at the Tower mostly with Tony and Bruce. Both men had taken to talking at her when she spent time in the lab. When she wasn't there, she was at Sr Margaret's. Maj had started working again, having apologised to Weasel and Wade, though neither took how she acted to heart. She'd cut her drinking down and had started exercising. Steve had been in and out of her life, doing work with SHIELD. Same with Natasha though she dropped by occasionally.

Her relationship with Clint was still somewhat strained. They made small talk but it never went deeper. Maj was worried it would never return to what it once was. It hurt. The man had saved her in more ways than one and she hated that they were walking on eggshells around each other. There had to be some way things wouldn't be so tense. Her only solace at home was Lucky. The pup wouldn't leave her side. It was something she was grateful for.

It was after a month or two of avoidance that Clint managed to corner Maj. She had just left her room, on her way out for another day at the Tower. She had stopped to grab an apple when he stood at the kitchen entrance, blocking her path.

"We need to talk."

"Can we do that later? I promised Bruce and Tony I would work with them today."

He took out his phone, typed something then returned it to his pocket. "Now you have time."

"You've got to be shitting me, Clint. I had plans."

"Well, this is more important."

"More important than me learning control. Oh, yeah. I can totally see how us talking is more important."

"Maybe cut the sass."

"Maybe you should quit being an entitled dick. You don't get to change my plans in order to get your way." She moved to push past him but his hand grabbed hers. "Let me go."

"You're right. I'm sorry."

Maj froze. His words took a moment to process. "What?"

"I said I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that. I just… shit." He ran a hand through his hair. "Look, things have been weird between us and I hate it. It's never been this way and for the most part, it's my fault. You're right. I could have called. I could have come by on the major holidays. There was a lot I could have done but didn't. For that, I'm sorry. But you have to understand, I was scared. Nat kept me updated. Told me you were spiralling. But, I figured with you having Alec, Steve, and your other friends, you'd pull yourself out of it."

"All I wanted was you and Natasha. Maybe I was spiralling but I was lonely, Clint. Incredibly lonely. While I had the guys, they weren't you. They weren't Tasha. They weren't the people I needed while I was going through something so incredibly weird and confusing."

"I understand. If you can trust me again, I'll make it up to you. Things won't get like that again. I promise."

"Don't make promises you can't keep." She sighed at his crestfallen expression. "I just don't want to get hurt again, is all."

"Well, I'll work on that too."

"Okay."

"Can we hug it out?" She nodded and Clint instantly pulled her into his arms. "I'm so sorry I was a shitty big brother."

"Well, you can make it up to me when I get home. Besides, I'm sure most brothers have their shitty moments." He squeezed her a little harder. "Hurting me."

"Sorry. You should probably head to the Tower. I told Tony you'd be an hour or two late."

"Yeah. I'll see you later."

"Have fun."

Maj rushed out the house. As she made her way to Tony's, she reflected on what had happened. She was happy they had started to move in the right direction though she was still wary. As spies, they were trained in lying and she wasn't sure he was telling her that for his benefit and for their home to feel less tense or if he truly meant it. She supposed only time would tell.

As she entered the building, her phone pinged with a message. Kyrell. She hadn't heard from him in a few days although she wasn't bothered by it. Maj wasn't looking to date anyone and he was persistent in taking her out. No matter how much she rejected him. It put her on edge, but she let it slide for the most part. He wasn't being weird. He just really wanted to date her.

"Hey, gorgeous. Was thinking we could grab some drinks later? I know a bar not too far from the cafe where we met."

Maj rolled her eyes. "Sorry, no can do. I have plans with my brother. Maybe another time."

His reply came as she entered the lift. "You always have plans. But yeah, we can raincheck. Again."

The coily hair brunette pocketed her phone as she entered the lab. She didn't have the energy to think about what he said. She wasn't interested and it was his own fault for not taking her words seriously.

Maj found the Science Bros working on some new project in Tony's lab. She gave them quick hellos and dropped her bag onto one of the chairs. Before she could say anything else, Tony pointed to a suit and told her to meet them in Bruce's lab. Maj did as told and met them two halls down.

Tony motioned for her to have a seat as he attached sensors to her body. Bruce spent some time explaining the tests they planned on doing and what they expected from her. She was excited to test her abilities although she had no idea what triggered them. Granted, that was the reason she was there. She needed to learn control and a controlled environment was the best way for her to do it.

Working with Tony and Bruce was exhausting. They asked for a bit much but she knew it was for their data and in the end, to help her. She started off running. There wasn't much of a change in that. They then tested her strength and all were happily surprised she was able to lift her weight in weights. Tony figured once she had some semblance of control of her abilities, she could lift much heavier. Next was having her lift small objects. Bruce had apparently informed Tony of what happened while she was asleep. She tried her hardest but was unable to replicate the incident in a wakeful state. As she grew frustrated, Tony suggested she try pushing an object. Bruce wasn't sure that was the best idea, but Maj went for it. Her frustration grew and in a moment of anger, she threw her hands up. Astonished, the three watched as the objects in the cage lifted in the air, hovered for a moment and then dropped.

"You got that, J?"

"I did, sir."

"Think you can try again, kiddo?"

Maj nodded. She focused on the crate and held out her hand. With a flick of her wrist, the crate began to levitate. Excited, she smiled at the scientists before she moved her hands, making the crate spin. She whooped, only to shriek as the crate crashed to the floor.

"Right. No doing that."

"That was great, Maj. I think we've got enough for today."

"Mind letting me out then?"

Tony acted as if he had to think about it before he released her. "Want to grab some food? Can't send you to Margaret's hungry."

"I'm actually not going there tonight. Um, Clint and I kind of made up. Not sure if it's real but," she shrugged, "wouldn't be the first time I was lied to."

"I'm sure Legolas was being honest. He loves you. I doubt he'd lie to you about your relationship."

"I guess." She pulled at a coil. "So, food?"

With a flourish, Tony led her out of the lab. As they walked, he told her they'd review all the data and get back to her about their findings. He threw out some ideas as to why her abilities reacted so quickly but Maj shrugged it off.

"Most likely subconscious. I was in danger the first time or two. The incidents with Steve, I suppose my body thought I was in a similar situation."

"Probably. We'll find out though."

"I appreciate it."

"Of course."

By the time Maj returned home, she found the apartment empty. She sighed. She should have known better than to hope. Downtrodden, she plopped onto the couch and threw on a The Nightmare Before Christmas. She needed something to lift her spirits. Especially since she had looked forward to spending some time with Clint. It seemed at some point she had fallen asleep as she was woken by a gentle shake.

"Hey."

"Hi." Maj rubbed at her eyes. Arms crossed afterwards. She stared hard at the man before her.

"Sorry I wasn't in. I went grocery shopping. I figured we could cook dinner? Watch those movies you like?"

"What time is it?"

"Just after five. I wasn't sure how long you were going to be with Tony and Bruce. Also didn't expect to spend so much time shopping."

"Right. You sure you weren't at work or something?"

"Yes, Maj. I'm still off duty. I start back in two weeks."

"Oh, okay. Um, what did you get?"

"I bought your favourites. I was thinking we could have all the foods Nat generally keeps us from eating."

"Meaning?"

"I've got stuff for grilled cheeses with turkey bacon and guacamole, fries, shrimp- was thinking I could fry those- ice cream, the good stuff-"

"Cheesecake cookie core?"

"Of course. Oh, a shit ton of candy, popcorn, and some booze."

"Seems like you want to go all out."

"Well, I wanted us to have a good night. If that's all right?"

"Yeah, that works. I mean, we have 12 hours of movies to watch. Unless you want to watch the shitty prequels first. Then we're up to 21 hours or so."

Just put on the ones you love. I don't mind. Though, we could watch something while we cook? A horror film maybe?"

"There aren't many scary movies that are good out right now."

"Throw on The Exorcist. It's only going to be on while we cook anyways."

"I thought you were cooking?"

"We're a team," the sandy-haired man said with a smirk. Majalia grumbled but got up and walked into the kitchen. She threw on Amazon, paid the $3, propped the phone against the side of the fridge and got to work helping Clint make their dinner.

As they cooked, they each grabbed their preferred alcohol, Clint a beer and Maj a cider. Both worked seamlessly. Almost as good as he and Tasha did. Then again, they had years of practice. Once the food was done, Maj exited out of the movie and the two brought their food and drinks- plus an extra one- over to the coffee table. Clint situated himself on the couch as Majalia went through her movie collection looking for her extended edition Lord of the Rings collection. Found, she popped in the first one and got comfortable beside her brother.

A little over halfway through the Fellowship, the two paused to grab refills and some popcorn. Two large bowls filled, they returned to the film. It was at the start of the second film that they went for the candy and ice cream. As they tucked in, Clint made a comment about getting rid of the evidence in the next two days. Maj quickly hit pause.

"Tasha's coming home? In two days?"

"Yeah. She said something about finishing a mission early and taking a week or two off. I think she missed you."

"When did she tell you this?"

"While you were out. She called. Wanted to talk to you."

"She could have called me."

"Check your phone?"

Maj did so and found she had missed her sister's call. She shrugged. "Did she sound okay?"

"Yeah. I mean, as okay as Nat sounds after an interesting mission."

"Do you-"

"Not at the moment. And it's not something either of us would want to tell you about. We're trying to keep you out of that life. The less you know the better."

"You do realise the kind of people I hang out with? Barring the guys at Sr Margaret's and Alec? Last I checked, I've made the Avengers my family. I'm probably going to get involved at some point."

"I know but let us keep you out for as long as we can. If anyone knew your connection to Nat and myself, you'll become a much bigger target."

"Okay."

Movie night went well. They just enjoyed each other's company and pigged out on junk. They took Natasha's arrival seriously and finished the majority of the junk food. There was a bit more candy and half a pint of Maj's ice cream. She promised Clint she would finish that up by the end of the night. As for the candy, she took half of the leftovers to work. She figured the guys would appreciate it. Before she went in though, she shot Alec a quick text. She wanted to hang out and hoped he wouldn't be too busy with classes.

Work was as uneventful as it could be. With Wade as her escort, Maj made it home safely. She had told him she wouldn't be in the next day. That her sister was back in town. He had questioned her about the sibling, but Maj refrained from giving too much information. She trusted Wade, but she wasn't really sure she could come out and tell him her siblings were spies and also Avengers. He probably wouldn't believe her or he'd push a little harder to meet them. She would bring it up to the two at a later date.

Walking into the apartment, Maj the soulmate cuddled up on the couch. Some action film was on although neither looked very interested in it. Maj rushed to her room and changed. As she returned to the living room, she plopped down on the floor between them.

"What, no hello?"

"Hey, Tasha."

"I was expecting something a little more. I've gone for months."

"I get that. But you know, not sure how it would be received if I lunged at you. Don't want to get beat up or have a gun pulled on me. Again."

"You know that's not going to happen. Just give me a damn hug, Maj."

"Were you hurt while you were out?"

"No."

That was all the younger woman needed before she launched herself at the red-head. She was happy to see her. Truly, she was. To be together with the both of them reminded Maj of somewhat simpler times. Much happier times. It was nice to just relax and be with the two of them again.

As Maj got ready for work a few nights later, Natasha surprised her by offering to come in with her. She wanted to see the place her little sister spent her nights. The type of people she surrounded herself with. She decided to humour her. It couldn't be worse than when Steve showed up that one time. She figured it would be on par with how they were with Tony and Pepper. Although watching Tasha interact with her boys would be entertaining to watch.

Bringing Natasha along with her was far from a bad idea. The woman fit in damn near immediately and by mid-shift, was going shot for shot with Wade. It was interesting to watch the two interact. While she did keep her families separate, she figured it wouldn't be too bad introducing some of them. Steve and Bruce would probably never meet them but everyone else was fair game. That just meant she had to get Clint in.

When she had enough of serving, Maj joined her sister and Wade by the bar. Four shots of vodka later, she was sat at a table with Jimbo. Her eyes kept moving around the room, scanning for the red-head she'd arrived with.

"She went out with Johnny."

"Oh. Wait, why?"

"Ain't my business. She gave him a look and the two of 'em went out. Pretty sure she's going to kill him. Any woman would."

Majalia bolted from her seat and rushed to the back door. As she forced it open, she found Natasha standing over Johnny, one of her knives at his throat. Both looked up, though one was in nonchalance.

"What the hell, Tasha?"

"This is business."

"You came into my job and now you're about to kill one of the guys. How is that business?"

Natasha twisted his arm. "Tell her."

"I was sent to watch you," the man whimpered.

"Sent to watch me? By who?"

"I don't know their name."

"Don't tell lies, Johnny."

"Simeon Blackstone."

"Why?"

"I don't know. I was just told to keep an eye out."

"Well then. Nat, let him go." Maj's voice had turned cold. Hard. "Let's bring him inside." The man begged but both women ignored him. As they entered the room, she went to the jukebox and unplugged it. The men started to complain. "Oh shut up." The room went silent. "So, we have someone here who seemed to think he could make nice and report the goings on to his employers."

"Info on who?"

"Me. Remember that time I was ambushed outside? Pretty sure it was his people. You know, the dicks that had their asses handed to them. Yeah. So, my question is, who wants to take the first crack at him?" There was a beat of silence. Her guys then stood. Natasha pushed him into the fray and with a look at each other, the women left the building. Leaving the man to his fate.