Disclaimer: I do not own any Avengers characters.

Maria was sleeping again while he sat in a chair next to her flipping through the channels. Her grandparents would be coming over soon to bring her stuff and so should Jane Foster. Jan laid on the huge bed next to Maria her back against the headboard. Part of him liked having the others know, the other part of him didn't.

'Clint Barton, Nick Fury is on the phone line." Jarvis said.

"Really!" Clint smirked as he reached for the phone. "Thank you Jarvis." He put the phone to his ear "What do you want Fury?"

"Hey Clint. I need to talk to you about a delicate issue." Fury said almost hesitantly.

"Like how sucky you guys have been bout catching Widow? About what?"

"Maria."

Clint smiled but kept his voice serious and concerned "What about her?"

"Is she with you?"

"What? You LOST her? What the hell?"

"Calm down Clint! You know we were having problems the other night. I'm sending some of my men down to her house right now and they are searching."

"But still, how can you lose her?"

Maria woke up hearing Clint laughing over the fun. He loved how Fury actually sounded ruffled and was saying excuses. Clint looked at her gleefully.

"Fury?" she asked.

He nodded with a finger over his lips and winked.

Jan stretched as she woke up and looked at Clint then Maria "What's with him?"

"He's having fun teasing Fury." She smiled as she tried to sit up. Jan and Clint both reached out to her and gave each other a glare as if to say 'I got it' but Marias wacked both their hands away. "I got it!"

"Well about time he called for you." Jan frowned folding her arms.

"So what you were always telling me that I couldn't personally take care of here because she'd be unsafe with me but you guys lose her? Even though you said that you are constantly watching her." Clint said chuckling.

"I already explained. Either way she could have been in a dangerous situation with you. And are you laughing!"

"Seems not matter what, she goes find danger." Clint eyed Maria and she gave him a sunny smile. Jan laughed and covered her mouth when Clint sent her a glare. She stuck out her tongue.

"What are you talking about Clint?"

"You guys are so full of it!" he laughed.

"Clint why are you laughing?" he paused then growled angrily. "Do you know where she is? Where is she?"

"She was in danger but we saved her. She's here in Avenger's mansion with us. With me. She's safe." He said almost forcefully. He smiled slightly satisfied; he could practically hear him grind his teeth.

"Let me talk to her, I want to hear from her what happened."

Clint looked hesitantly at Maria. She nodded and reached out for the phone. He frowned but handed it to her.

"Hello?" she said timidly.

"Maria! Thank goodness, are you okay? What happened, tell me everything."

"Well I was on patrol."

"What do you mean patrol?"

She cringed slightly. "Well, you see . . ."

"So Fury wouldn't let you live with her?" Jan asked Clint as Maria talked.

Clint frowned but nodded. "He said me and Natasha would get to attached and it'll put all of us in danger. But she was still under our protection."

"So are her and Fury close?"

He nodded. "Yeah, she's been to Helicarrier and other places. He invites her kind of like a field trip thing; he does care about her to. And we would bring her over at times but we also tried to keep her under wraps. Not a lot of people know about her. I'm not sure if even little Miss Hill knows her."

"Guessing you didn't like her."

"She annoyed me how to the book she was."

"Sounds like her. What about your friend Mockingbird?"

"I don't think so." His face got slightly thoughtful. "Well she did take my place on S.H.I.E.L.D. Maybe he told her."

"Uh," Jan said hesitantly. "He's not going to try to take her away, is he?"

Clint's eyes clouded. "I'd like to see him try." He growled.

"No I'm okay now!" Maria said in exasperation. They turned to her. She laughed. "I'm fine really." She paused. "Okay then but I'm fine. K see ya. Do you want to talk to Clint?" she paused and looked at the phone blankly. "I'll take that as a no." she said handing him the dead phone.

"Rude." Jan muttered.

"What did he say?" Clint asked as he took the phone and set it down.

"He wasn't happy with my story and wants to see me for himself."

"We aren't taking you over there. Not yet."

"I think he knew that."

He frowned. "He's coming here?"

She nodded with a slight twist in her mouth and then she looked up at him. "I don't want to go. I want to stay here Clint, with you." Her eyes were slightly shiny, pleading. "Please. At least till I get a lot better. I'll be good, promise."

He smoothed her hair. "I'm not letting him take you." He said firmly.

She smiled happily. "Thanks Clint."

Jan smiled seeing them. "Here." She handed her a cup of water which she sipped eagerly. "We should probly let Tony know we're going to have guest."

"I have to admit I'm really curious on this. Are you sure she isn't his?" Bobbi Morse was standing outside Avenger's Mansion with Nick Fury. He had literally just explained to her another S.H.I.E.L.D secret and this one really took her by surprise

"Absolutely. She's a good kid. Ready?"

"Let's go." She nodded as she knocked on the door. Tony opened the door.

"Nick, what a surprise to see you! What brings you over?" He was in his nice pants and dark blue button down shirt and had a glass of water in his hand. He turned to Bobbi. "And who's she? Mockingbird?"

"Hello Tony. You know why we're here." Nick Fury took a step forward.

"Do I?" he said with a frown. "You should have told Clint you would tell her. He won't be happy." He said as he stepped from the door way and held it open for them.

"He should have told me he would tell you about me." She retorted. Tony just smiled.

"I'll deal with Clint." Nick said as they walked in. He looked around the lobby and saw Captain America. "Hello Captain."

"Fury nice to see you again." He clapped his shoulder then turned to Bobbi. "Nice to see you again Miss."

"Hello Cap'."

"Where's Clint?" Fury asked.

"Where do you think?" Tony said as he began to walk up the stairs.

"And the others?" Bobbi asked glancing around the mansion.

"Same place."

Captain smiled at her and then turned to Fury. "We're usually with her, to keep her company. She doesn't seem to like being stuck in bed."

Fury grinned. "Didn't think she would. Her grandparents?"

"They actually just left. They had some couple dance off thing." Tony laughed.

Fury laughed too. "You can't keep those two down."

Bobbi was even more intrigued. So the team already was used to her company. Tony led them through the hallways when they could hear laughter, especially Hulks rumble as well as Thor who was at the door.

"I shall return shortly." He called as he walked out.

"Hurry!" a hoarse sounding voice called.

"As swift as the West Wind." He called. He nodded to Tony and Captain. "I am off to retrieve Mrs. Foster. Ah, Fury hello. How fairs thee?" He shook hand with Fury.

"Hello Thor, well enough. If I may ask who is Mrs. Foster?"

"You may not." Tony muttered but they ignored it.

"She is a friend of mine and Maria's assigned healer. A paramedic as you say."

He nodded. Thor turned to Bobbi.

"And who is this maiden?"

"I'm Mockingbird."

"Ah, you aided Hawkeye, Panther and the good Captain here defeat Hydra Island. A young warrior as deadly as she has in beauty."

"Why thank you." Bobbi smiled. He nodded again.

"Well I must be off. I will return soon. Farewell."

They watched him walk of then Tony turned. "Let's go." He knocked at the door frame as he entered. "Hey Maria, here's your visitor." He said as he and Captain walked in.

Fury walked in with Bobbi, taking in the scene. Maria was on the huge bed under a thin sheet and the other two blankets pulled back. She was slightly sitting up with two pillows supporting her. Clint was sitting on the bed with his back against the headboard and feet hanging of the side and a hand playing with Maria's hair. Jan was sitting on Maria's other side cross-legged in her pants and off the shoulder yellow shirt behind some wires that were hooked up to Maria. Hank was in his outfit and a lab coat over it, fidgeting with a computer looking at her stats. Panther was next to him looking curiously. They all had a bowl of ice cream except Hulk who had a huge tub. They all turned to the guest.

"Hello Avengers." Fury said easily.

"Hi." Bobbi gave a wave.

Hulk growled but said nothing.

"Hello Fury." Hank said easily and Panther said after him.

"Hey Nick." Wasp said with a wave.

"Fury" Clint stated. He met his eyes then turned to Bobbi. There was a bit of anger and surprise seeing her. "What's she doing here?"

"Here we go." Tony muttered.

But Maria smiled and lifted her hand in a wave. "Hey Nick!"

He walked across the room to her bedside. Clint shifted as he sat on the edge of the bed but Fury ignored him.

"Hey kiddo." He smiled as he grabbed her hand. "Got yourself in trouble again?"

"Just a little bit." She smiled but her eyes turned to Bobbi as she walked over. Her eyes narrowed slightly looking at the costumed lady. "Who are you?" she asked plainly.

"Hey. I'm Bobbi Morse." Bobbi was surprised that she didn't seem shy or that at the moment her face didn't have much emotion. Her face was wary and curious. She had thick heavy brown hair that was held back by a wrap on her head, most likely because of a head injury. She had other bruises and cuts on her arms and neck but the rest of herself was covered.

"That's Mockingbird." Clint said. Recognition passed through her eyes, she had a feeling she had been talked about.

"Oh, hi!" her face broke into a smile.

"So Fury let you in on the secret?" Clint said.

"Yeah, why didn't you tell me?" she said accusingly.

"It didn't exactly come up."

"Don't worry we didn't know till now." Jan said with a frown as she ate some more ice cream.

Bobbi looked at Maria curiously. "So you're Maria?"

"Last time I checked." She smiled. As did the others.

She smirked at Clint as Fury got up. "Yup she's yours." She sat where Fury had been.

She smiled. "Do you guys want ice cream?"

"I shall go get them some." Panther said as he walked out.

"Thanks" Bobbi said.

Fury walked over to where Hank and Tony were. "So how is she? Don't downplay anything." He said in a slightly low voice.

Wordlessly Hank showed him her stats. "She'll heal but it'll be awhile."

Fury looked at the screen and shook his head. "How could this happen?" he turned to Maria seeing her talk to Bobbi. He noted the bruises and scratches on her face and on her arms. She looked odd in the gown and her head wrapped, hair flowing.

"It's not your fault either." Hank said slightly exasperated as if he had said it many times already."

"Are you sure? I'd feel a lot better blaming it on him." Tony said. For the most part they ignored him.

"Tell me everything."

They were there for awhile. Jane Foster came to check on her and stayed for ice cream and to talk a little but she had to go back to work. Fury played a game of chess with her while Captain and Panther looked on. He won.

"You cheated." She frowned.

He laughed. "If you call good strategy cheating then yes I very much did. But you're getting better. I thought you had me there for a second."

"I will next time." She grinned. She leaned back on her pillow with a yawn and her eyes fluttering sleepily.

"Next time." He nodded as he stood up. He looked at her as she slowly relaxed and seemed to be asleep."Is it safe?"

"Yes, she needs to rest." Pym said as he and Hawkeye pulled up her blankets. "She'll be fine."

Fury nodded. "It's been great but we really should get going. I didn't think I would be here this long."

Bobbi who had been talking to Jan and Tony stood up as she said a "See you guys."

"But there is one matter to discuss." Fury turned to Tony then Clint. "I know how capable you Avengers are and I thank you for being there for Maria when I couldn't. However, I'm think it be best if I take her with me to the S.H.I.E.L.D Helicarrier. She have top of the line medical attention and be fully protected."

There was a pregnant paused and even Bobbi looked surprised and eyed Clint. He didn't look to happy.

Jan was the first to speak. "You want to take her away."

"It's for the best Wasp."

"I'm sorry but I think I missed the part where this is better for her." Tony interrupted good naturally but there was a serious look in his eyes.

"It's much safer here and she'll be better protected."

"Excuse me but this place is just as well made if not a lot better!"

"I have to agree with Tony." Pym said to Tony's surprise. "She's just as protected here if not better. Either way what is there to protect her from?"

"You guys are becoming a target and if anyone attacks it'll be hard for her not get hit in the crossfire."

Hulk stood up and growled. "No one's that stupid. I can protect her easily, even them."

"She'll have state of the art medical treatment."

"Not to be rude but Mrs. Foster and Dr. Pym here have been doing a good job with her so far." Captain stepped in.

"Either way my tech is farther than yours. Actually I just remembered, your tech is actually mine." Tony smirked.

"After what happened it be best we keep close and keep an eye on her." Panther put in. He was leaning against the wall next to Hawkeye's side of the bed.

Fury sighed. "This is for the best for her. Of course you guys can visit her anytime but she'll be much better with S.H.I.E.L.D. I'll have a crew come pick her up in the morn-"

"No."

Everyone turned to Clint. Fury frowned. "Excuse me?"

"You're excused. And no. You won't be sending some crew to pick her up like a package."

"I'd be more than happy to come myself-"

"That's not the point. The point is no!" by this time he had gotten up from the bed and was standing protectively.

"Barton you're out of line!"

"No I am perfectly in line. I don't think I've ever been more in line!" he looked dead on serious. "She isn't going anywhere. She is staying here with us."

"You don't have the right to decide that!" Fury yelled.

"The hell I do! She's mine! My responsibility, she's under my care. I decide what's best for her and I say she stays!"

"Don't try this Clint. I know your upset and attached but my tomorrow you'll see-"

"Go ahead and send your team." He said as he took out his bow and played with the string. "I need the target practice."

"She's has to come!"

"I'm not letting her GO!" he roared.

"She's not safe with you! You guys are always in fight!"
"Nothing is going to happen to her! I won't lose her!"

"Clint-"

"Stop yelling!" Pym cried. They turned to him in surprised. He glared at them rather venomously then his expression softened when he turned to Maria. She had woken up and was starring at them. The color drained from their faces. She met their eyes easily. "I don't think she is best with any of you right now. You guys have to get out and let her rest."

"But Hank you can't seriously-" Hank cut Clint off.

"Now." He said firmly and by taking in his face he decided Hank was serious. They all walked out except him and Jan much to Hawkeyes disgruntle but he had agreed to trust Henry's judgment. They went out to the hallway quietly. After awhile Clint started pacing.

The whole time Bobbi stayed quiet observing.

After awhile Hank opened the door. "You guys can come in now if you're going to be quiet. She's asleep now but she told me and Jan to tell you that she wants to stay here with us."

"Everyone turned to Fury. Clint still seemed ready to notch an arrow and let it loose. Fury sighed. "Anything happens within a mile of this place and I'm taking her with me." And he walked down the hall.

Bobbi went over to Clint with a smirk. "Keep her safe, I'll stop by again."

He smiled. "Sure."

And with a wave she left to.