Hey all,

So here's the sequel to 'Regrets'. It takes place the day after. I apologize in advance if this one feels choppy. My mood hasn't really been humorous recently, but I'm trying to get back into this series. Let me know what you all think and I'll try to have the next one up soon. Also, this one is unbetaed, so mistakes are mine.

- Illusinia

Prompt: Fairness

From: under 50-word prompt (yes, I do intent to use all 50 words)

Pairing: Darcy/Clint

Darcy awoke with a start when Clint suddenly shot up in bed, panting in the violent way he did when one of the nastier nightmares he had surfaced. Immediately, she slid away from him to give him air. It's a trick she'd learned from Phil, who had his own demons. He'd advised her on what to do before she and Clint had even shared a bed for the first time. Mentally, she's thanking her dad for his foresight yet again.

For several moments, the only real sound in the room is Clint's breathing as she holds perfectly still to give his mind a chance to adjust to reality. When his shoulders slump and one of his hands comes up to run through his hair, she slides around to kneel in front of him. "Clint?"

His head rises slowly, the terror gone from his eyes leaving nothing but exhaustion. "God Darce, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you."

She rolls her eyes like always and climbs out of bed without a fuss. "Don't worry about it Clint, things happen." Her hands snatch a pair of her jeans and one of his t-shirts off the ground, pulling them on easily. "C'mon, lets get up. We need to save Phil from Molly. Er, Dad. We need to save Dad from Molly. God that's going to take some getting used to. Being able to call Phil 'Dad' in front of other people that is and not just in my head."

The sensation of being watched draws her eyes back to Clint, who's looking at her with uncertainty. "Darcy, was that true?"

"Was what true?" asks Darcy, cocking her head slightly to one side as she looks at him. Its a motion he's seen her do a hundred times when she's not sure exactly what someone's talking about.

Clint shifts a little and follows her out of bed. "Is what Phil implied true? Are you his daughter?"

"Yeah, why would he lie?" At his further look of discomfort, she drops back down into the edge of the bed and tugs him to sit next to her. "Clint, what's wrong?"

He takes a moment to respond, apparently trying to decide how best to phrase this without getting his ass kicked. She's learned that's what his longer pauses mean, mostly from watching him get in trouble with Natasha. "Its just...it doesn't seem real, you know? Plus, I mean, that means I'm marrying my boss's daughter. It means I'm marrying Coulson's daughter. The Phil Coulson, ninja boss extraordinaire."

"Okay..." replies Darcy slowly. "Is that a problem?"

"No!" His rapid response would be amusing if the situation weren't making her nervous. She never even considered that Clint might be uneasy having his boss as his father-in-law. Mostly because it's Clint, master of casual and inappropriate. Well, casual. Tony is master of the inappropriate. Digressing. "No, it's not a problem. God Darce, I'd quit S.H.I.E.L.D. before I'd let this be a problem for anyone."

"So, what's got you spooked?" Her head cocks the side again as she raises an eyebrow in a very Coulson-like way. Its almost creepy to Clint how similar his girlfriend's facial expressions are to Phil's sometimes.

One of his hands slides through his short hair before he stands and pulls her to her feet. "I'm not spooked, promise. Its just...this is going to take some getting used to. The idea of Phil even having a kid to begin with is hard enough to swallow before you start throwing the fact that I've had my own daughter with said kid."

Darcy considers this as he pulls her out of the room towards the floor's kitchen. "Okay, I can see that. Just don't let it bother you, okay? Dad's known about us this whole time. Hell, that day you saved me from the giant fire-breathing ants he more or less gave me permission to date you. Or, well, at least say yes if you asked." Her hand tightens around his arm as she stops suddenly, pulling him to a stop as well and drawing him around to look her in the eyes. "For the record? Dad told me he's glad that its you who I'm with. He really respects you a lot and wouldn't choose anyone else for a son-in-law."

"Seriously?" Clint's hopeful look makes Darcy want to hug him. "He actually said that?"

"Yes!" exclaims Darcy with a sigh, shake of her head, and faint smile. "Dad really does respect you. Now, can we move on?"

Clint grins and tugs her into his arms. "Definitely. Though you still have to answer to the others."

The groan that escapes Darcy isn't a serious one, even as she buries her face in his shoulder. "Yeah, I know. It's only fair that I explain."

His lips ghost over the top of her head softly. "So, now or later? 'Cause people will be up now but we can go back to our room and dodge them for a few hours. Probably. Maybe. Depending on Tony's mood."

For a moment, he actually thinks she's going to scurry back to their rooms. However, she raises her head with a sign and pulls back from his arms before heading for the living room. "Might as well get it over with. C'mon van Helsing, lets get a move on."

Clint groans. "Darce, van Helsing used a cross-bow."

"Eh, its still a medieval weapon," insists Darcy. "Now lets go face the music. Or, at least I need to. Tony won't let me get away with hiding from him, no matter what his mood."

"Probably not," agrees Clint as he wraps an arm around her waist while they wonder towards the kitchen. He's only wearing the sleep pants he threw on last night, so his skin is nice and warm against her own where it touches. She takes comfort in that and the fact that Clint isn't going to leave because of Phil. If there was ever a choice, she knows who she'd pick in a heartbeat.

They reach the kitchen within a matter of minutes and neither one is surprised to find more or less all of the remaining Avengers gathered there. Sleep wasn't super-common in the Tower and everyone had pretty much collapsed upon arriving home the previous night. Which meant they'd all gone to bed obnoxiously early and were thus up obnoxiously early.

Natasha and Steve are both standing at the island with Natasha leaning forward against the counter top and Steve's hand resting on her lower back. Tony and Pepper are actually sitting at the island with food in front of them, talking with Steve and Natasha. Thor is seated beside them with a truly massive pile of frozen waffles in front of him, nodding every once in a while as they speak. Jane's beside him with a stack of papers in one hand and a pen in the other. A plate with two pop-tarts and a cup of coffee are sitting next to her, probably untouched. Dr. Banner is sitting next to Jane, looking over his own pile of papers and commenting about something to Jane now and then which brings her focus away from her work for a second to look at his before returning to her own.

Darcy waves at them as she enters and heads straight for the coffee machine with the hopes of being able to at least get a few sips of caffeinated goodness before the questions start. All conversation seems to stop as soon as she's in the room for everyone except Jane who's still scribbling on her papers madly, completely oblivious to the tension in the room.

For several minutes, no one says anything as Darcy pours her own coffee with Clint doing the same beside her. Neither one takes anything in their coffee most of the time, though Darcy does every once in a while when she really needs a sugar boost. Their motions are normal, part of the same routine they follow whenever Clint is home.

Clint turns away from the coffee maker first, depositing his cup on the counter before moving to make them both some breakfast. Darcy takes a few extra seconds, attempting to delay her inevitable face-off with the rest of the super-hero team. Finally, the eyes staring into her back become too creepy and she turns to face everyone. Jane's raised her head by now, taking in the way everyone except Clint is staring at Darcy with a furrowed brow.

"Did I miss something?" asks Jane uncertainly. Her eyes travel to Darcy and she makes a cute clueless face that arises every once in a while when she's not completely clear about what's happening.

Darcy sighs and nods but Tony speaks up before she can say anything more. "Yeah, the presence of a S.H.I.E.L.D spy in our home."

Okay, that so isn't what she was expecting. "Excuse me?"

Even Clint bristles at the implication. "Watch it, Tony."

"Why should I?" asks Tony in his normal irritated fashion. "What reason could Darcy have for leaving out an important detail like being Coulson's kid?"

Darcy cringes a little and looks down at her coffee with a deep breath. Yeah, this wasn't what she expected. "Tony, I'm not a spy. Dad never asks about what happens over here and I don't tell him. Not unless its directly related to me and I've never said anything that could get anyone in trouble. Even when you were playing with that highly unstable explosive compound that you still swear up and down was safe even though it spontaneously combusted on your workbench."

"Then how'd he find out about it, hm?" sneers Tony. "Someone had to tell him."

Natasha raises her hand mildly. "That would be me, Tony. And I told him so you wouldn't be allowed to put that compound in any of Clint's arrows."

"But I stabilized it!" insists Tony, even as everyone else rolls there eyes or gives him a 'really?' look. "What, I did!"

"Sure you did," replies Darcy as she moves to lean on the counter beside Steve. "And I'm secretly Fury in disguise." The joke falls flat as everyone gives her a weary look that says they clearly aren't capable of taking jokes from her right now. Great. "I'm kidding guys. Geez, is the idea of Phil being my Dad really that shocking?"

Jane, who'd fallen silent during the conversation and who's jaw was currently hanging a little open, manages to sputter out a response. "Yes! Darcy, are you serious? Agent Coulson is your father?"

"Yeah," admits Darcy with a sigh. "We established this yesterday. Or, rather, he did after apparently deciding that letting people know he has a kid isn't tantamount to getting me killed."

Silence descends on the kitchen again as everyone gives her wide-eyed looks of shock. Even Clint stops what he's doing to look at her, though he looks more sad than confused. Darcy just takes a sip of her coffee, forcing herself not to squirm and to keep her actions casual. Natural.

She doesn't speak until her cup is back on the table. "That's why he kept it a secret, in case anyone was wondering. He wasn't using me as a spy or ashamed of me, he was afraid I was going to get hurt or killed if he told anyone about me."

Everyone except Pepper and Jane looks a little abashed, including Tony who never looks apologetic for anything. Apparently, all of them thought her dad had some ulterior motive for keeping her existence a secret. "Wow, this shows how much you all think of Dad."

"It's not like that Darcy," insists Clint as he walks over to wrap an arm around her shoulders. "Honestly, I'm not sure any of us gave much thought to why Phil didn't talk about you except Tony. Well," he glances at Natasha who looks a little more embarrassed than the rest, "I don't think most of us did."

"You all still momentarily thought my dad would use me as a spy," points out Darcy with a faint glare. "That's pretty bad."

Clint sighs and shifts to rubbing her back softly. "It makes some sense, even you have to admit that."

"That doesn't mean its true," sighs Darcy as she leans against him. "Dad wouldn't do that. He's been unwilling to tell anyone about me out of fear I'll get killed or hurt for years. I don't know what brought him around now, but I'm guessing it has to do with us getting married. Whatever the reason, he still isn't gonna want it going around that he has a kid. Honestly, the fact that he told you all is a testament to how much he trusts you guys."

"Plus everyone thought he had a crush on you," adds Pepper with a face somewhere between amusement and unease.

Darcy's face devolves into disgust quickly. "Oh god, that's disgusting! And might be what made him tell you all. Also, disgusting. Ew."

Pepper shrugs. "In everyone else's defense, his actions did lend themselves to that assumption when no other obvious reason was present."

"I guess but god, no. Just, no." Darcy shutters beside Clint and takes another sip of her coffee. "Ugh."

Clint chuckles a little and kisses the top of her head. "Well, at least this explains why you never offered to introduce me to your dad."

"It wasn't exactly necessary," confirms Darcy. "And it would have been awkward given Dad was still fighting me about telling you that little detail two weeks ago after Molly was born."

"He seemed drawn when I talked to him about it," agrees Pepper as she pokes at her eggs a little before looking up at Darcy with a furrowed brow. "Though, that does beg the question of where your mother is."

Darcy shifts a little uneasily and looks down at her coffee. "Things with Mom are...complicated."

Steve's brow furrows in confusion. "So your mom isn't present?"

"No," confirms Darcy quietly. "She's kinda, in a way, dead-ish when it comes to me. Like I said, its complicated."

Pepper hums and changes the topic quickly. "So, have you met this cellist of your father's? He's rather fond of her."

Tony snorts beside her. "Yeah, because it can't be awkward to see your dad replacing your mom." Pepper smacks Tony in the back of the head, causing him to jump with a rather startled 'hey! what was that for?' despite the 'that was beyond inappropriate' look from Pepper.

Across from them, Darcy smiles a little. "It's not actually as awkward as you'd think, mostly because Dad isn't really replacing Mom so much as...winning her back." Everyone's eyes are back on her, but she just gives them the 'what?' look in return that Coulson often gives when he isn't inclined to explain something further.

Steve rubs his head like he's in a bit of pain. "Wait, your mom is dead but at the same time your dad is winning her back by dating a cellist? I may have been frozen for 70 years but I'm still pretty sure that's impossible."

Darcy sighs and looks up towards the ceiling. "Mom isn't dead, she's kinda dead-ish for all intensive purposes in terms of her involvement in my life. Like I said, its complicated but I guess the easiest way to explain this is that Mom was in an accident, lost her memory, got transplanted by S.H.I.E.L.D. for her safety, and recently Dad and her re-met and started dating."

"That sounds like a bad soap opera," grumbles Natasha as she stares at Darcy in disbelief. "Are you serious?"

"Completely," replies Darcy with a sigh. "It sounds crazy but that's the kind of thing that happens when both your parents work for S.H.I.E.L.D."

"Both your...your Mom was a S.H.I.E.L.D agent too!" exclaims Steve with wide-eyed shock. "They let S.H.I.E.L.D agents do that?"

"Did," corrects Darcy with a shrug. "When S.H.I.E.L.D first started, there weren't divisions like there are now. Everyone worked with everyone else and because it was a secret organization, people who worked together often had really close personal relationships. Mom and Dad were no different, especially because they were both part of the first S.H.I.E.L.D team ever in existence and they were two of the 15 founding members of S.H.I.E.L.D."

Jane's wide-eyed shock is almost comical. "Two of the founding...your parents helped found S.H.I.E.L.D.?"

"Yep," confirms Darcy cheerfully. "They worked side by side with Nick for years. Well, Mom did. Dad obviously still does."

Natasha tilts her head sightly, wide-eyed and clearly surprised. "Who was your mother? Or is?"

"Was," corrects Darcy a bit sadly as she turns to look towards the ceiling. "She doesn't remember doing any of this or me. JARVIS?"

"Yes Miss. Lewis?"

"Can you activate the holo-projector-thing in the kitchen island and pull up the S.H.I.E.L.D file on Penelope Dawnstar?"

"Of course Miss Lewis," replies JARVIS over the sound of Natasha and Clint both coking on air. No one else looks particularly phased, but none of them know anything about the original founders of S.H.I.E.L.D either. "I can't seem to access the full file. It appears they require some form of security clearance."

Darcy pauses for a second before responding. "DDC34-66-81. That code should give you access to just that file." The file in question flashes to life on the holo-projector in the counter a moment later, flickering into focus for everyone to see.

The file itself doesn't look like a standard S.H.I.E.L.D file, though it's clearly an older version of the personnel file. The words 'decommissioned and relocated' are stamped across the front page, but anyone looking can tell the file is incredibly thick. A photo is attached, the image portraying a dark-haired young women no older than 25 with blue eyes. Her features are composed in a serious look, but there's a hit of a smile and touch of humor in the glint of her eyes. It's very much the same look that Coulson gets when he knows something you don't. Which is pretty much all the time, so his standard facial expression minus the usual smirk.

The pages following read like a spy novel on crack. Her weapons training covers most of the weapons spectrum that was available to, well, anyone. A random notation lists her as being an excellent cello player. By comparison, she also has a number of 'disobeyed a direct order' and 'recklessly endangered her life' comments. It kind of reads like Clint and Natasha's files if you meshed the two together and took out about half the reports. Most of the reports list Coulson as a co-conspirator and partner, as do the vast majority of write-ups in her file. Apparently, she'd been a bit of a trouble maker but based on her mission success rate she was also a damn good agent.

"Shit, does Phil's file read like this?" asks Clint with wide-eyed surprise.

Darcy shrugs. "I'd imagine for the most part it does, but probably thicker and with fewer citations. I think the write-up's stopped after Mom's accident. I don't think he's done anything worth getting written up for since I was at least six."

"How do you know he was written up when you were six?" questions Pepper with a curious eyebrow.

"'Cause that was when he spent a week teaching me to throw knives like I'd been asking him to," explains Darcy with a shrug as she refills her coffee cup. "He was home the whole week, wasn't hurt, and didn't have a mountain of paper work. Plus I heard Mom ream him out for 'beating the crap out of that asshole of an Agent and leaving her with all the paperwork before she could do the same to him'." Clint raises an eyebrow at her in askance but she just shrugs. "Don't ask me, I never really found out the whole story. All I know is someone was hitting on Mom and they did it in front of Dad."

"That'll get you beat up," mutters Tony as one of his arms wraps around Pepper's waist protectively. "No guy likes to see his girlfriend get hit on."

Darcy nods. "By that point Mom and Dad were married, but I can see how it would still be bad."

"Worse," corrects Tony. "It's worse to see your wife get hit on, especially if its pissing her off."

Darcy opens her mouth to say something else but Clint cuts in before she can. "Wait a minute, go back to the part about Phil teaching you to throw knives."

She blinks at Clint for a moment before her brow furrows. "Dad taught me to throw knives when I was six. What about it?"

Natasha snorts. "I'm certain your mother enjoyed that."

"She didn't react how you'd think," assures Darcy with a touch of a smirk.

"Alright Darcy, now just pull your arm back and-" instructed Phil Coulson as he guided his daughter's arm into the correct position, a dull throwing knife clutched between the tiny fingers of her right hand.

"Phil," greeted Penelope as she entered the living room behind them, footsteps pausing just inside the door. Darcy didn't need to see her mother to know the woman's eyebrow was cocked.

"Pen," greeted Phil in return without looking up at his wife.

Penelope moved closer until she was standing behind Phil and to the left of Darcy. "What are you doing?"

"Teaching Darcy to throw knives," replied Phil in his usual casual monotone.

"I see that," stated Penelope in the same causal way as Phil. A shifting sound that told Darcy her mother's arms would now be crossed. Keeping her arm in position, she looked back towards her mother who was staring at them both with a straight face. Her eyes were glinting in amusement though. "What I'm wondering is why you are teaching our daughter to throw knives."

"She asked to learn," replied Phil in a tone that suggested six year olds asked to learn how to throw knives every day.

Penelope shrugged and turned away. "Fair enough. Darcy, use your left hand. Not your right."

"Yes Mommy," replied Darcy as she dropped her right arm and shifted the blade to her left hand.

Phil's brow furrowed a little before he shot a cocked eyebrow at his wife. "Why her left hand?"

"She's left-eye dominate," explained Penelope as she began shifting through something that was probably the mail behind them. "Also, for the record, knife throwing isn't really an in-door activity."

Phil shrugged. "There's nothing breakable out. How do you know Darcy is left-eye dominate?"

"True," agreed Penelope with a shrug. "She found one of our guns last week, so I gave her a quick course in gun safety. While I was at it, I had her do the eye-dominance test. The one with her hands."

Phil's brow furrowed again. "She found one of our guns?"

"An unloaded one," assured Penelope easily. "It just seemed prudent to give her a quick lesson on the subject anyway."

"Good move," agreed Phil.

Darcy cut in before her parents could go any further in their discussion. "Daddy, you're supposed to be showing me how to throw knives. Not discussing gun safety with Mommy."

Penelope smirked a little at Phil, who smiled fondly back at her. "She sounds like you, Pen."

"Only when you get distracted Phil," pointed out Penelope as she put on the coffee pot.

Phil sighed and refocused on his daughter. "Alright sweetie, let's try this again. Now, pull your arm back..."

Everyone is just staring at Darcy like she's insane as her story ends. She blinks back at them with the same bland expression that Coulson always uses when he's trying to freak people out by looking like a robot. To her delight, Tony looks more than a little uncomfortable. Serves him right for attacking her character like he did earlier. Jackass.

The sound of an elevator opening into the lounge draw's everyone's attention to the doorway separating the kitchen from the sitting room and cuts off any immediate comments. They aren't worried per say, the elevators require a pass-code and clearance from JARVIS before being allowed up onto this floor. For JARVIS to have made no announcements about their visitor indicates the person is permitted to visit.

Casual footsteps echo through the doorway for a moment before Phil Coulson appears, baby carrier in one hand and a diaper bag slung over his shoulder. His suit is impeccable and his expression is set in the same blank look that he always wears. He even manages to sport the large diaper bag like its the latest fashion rather than a practical necessity.

Clint takes a moment to attempt to reconcile this image with the one he has permanently featured in his mind of what his boss looks like. And has absolutely no luck. Neither, judging from the other's expressions, does anyone else apparently. Well, except Darcy who's just looking at him like its a normal day.

"Hey Dad," greets Darcy, the name falling from her mouth naturally as she walks towards him and Molly.

Phil nods before setting the baby carrier on the ground so Darcy can reach her daughter. There's a slight softness to his eyes as he greets Darcy, a touch of love that isn't usually there. "Hey sweetheart. You sleep well?"

"Better than I have in the last two weeks," confirms Darcy with a grin as she slides Molly out of the carrier. The little girl reaches for Darcy immediately, one of her small hands coming to rest against Darcy's cheek. Darcy takes the small hand in her own, caressing Molly's palm with her thumb in smooth strokes. "Hey little one, were you a good girl for Grandpa?"

A smile slides over Phil's face as his eyes focus on both Darcy and Molly. "She was an angel, isn't that right Molly?"

Molly giggles a little in Darcy's arms and turns her eyes towards Phil. There's a recognition there that most infants wouldn't have, Clint's sure of it. Darcy mentioned their daughter was far more aware than he gave her credit for, and its moments like this that really drive that idea home.

As if sensing his thoughts, Molly's eyes shift to him and the hand Darcy isn't holding reaches towards him. He moved over to both his women with a smile, taking Molly's hand in his own while wrapping his free hand around Darcy's waist. "Hey kiddo, how was grandpa's?" He chokes a bit over the last word, but still manages it. Darcy shoots him a proud, and slightly relieved, smile while Phil just nods.

For a moment, the room is silent except for the sound of Phil rocking a little bit back on his heels and dropping forward again. None of the other Avenger's say a word, apparently content to wait and see if Clint survives this first encounter with his boss since finding out the man is going to soon be family. For his part, Clint thinks he's handling it well. Phil twitches slightly, displaying a few ticks he rarely shows unless he's trying to appear non-threatening. Which is very, very bad.

"Well, I need to get to work," states Phil, finally breaking the silence. "Paperwork Mountains and all that."

Darcy giggles a little and shakes her head. "Really Dad? You're never going to let me forget about that are you?"

"What? It was cute," insists Phil with a soft smile before he moves to hug Darcy, dropping a kiss on her forehead along with Molly's.

"Yeah, it was cute when I said it at 5," mutters Darcy, though her tone indicates she's not actually upset.

Phil just gives her one last, patient smile before turning for the door. As he's walking through he adds over his shoulder, "Oh, and Agent Barton? I'd like to have a word with you later today. Say, 3ish in my office." He doesn't add anything else, just walks out the door.

Looming silence echos through the room, speaking of the doom that Clint knows he's going to face at three. Apparently, he groans as well because Darcy leans up to kiss his cheek reassuringly. "Don't look so worried, I'm sure its nothing. Dad just probably wants to talk about something work related."

"Bullshit," shorts Tony from across the counter. Darcy blinks, having ignored them for so long she forgot they were actually there. "When a girl's dad asks to talk to you, it's so he can put your balls on a chopping block."

Darcy rolls her eyes and drops onto a stool with Molly. "Except Clint proposed. I don't think Dad is too inclined to threaten him at this point. Besides, Dad gave his approval back in New Mexico. He doesn't have any right or reason to retract it."

"It's not about approval Darcy," explains Steve. "It's about making sure the fella your getting hitched to is gonna treat you right. And making sure that same fella knows what'll happen if he doesn't."

A faint smile touched Darcy's lips. "Steve, if Clint hurts me, it isn't Dad he has to worry about."

"Darce, Coulson would probably send me to Siberia if I hurt you," points out Clint gently, one hand stroking up and down her back. "Hell, if I hurt you somehow I'd request reassignment to Siberia. It'd be the least I deserved."

"Assuming you could still function after I got through with you." The look in Darcy's eyes is there to serve as a reminder. Phil isn't the dangerous one in this family, she is. Her powers make her more dangerous than anyone present, save perhaps the infant in her arms.

Clint's a little surprised by the subtle threat, but recognizes it for what it is: a reminder not an actual threat. Kind of like when Natasha gives him the look that promises he'll be in pain the next day. She isn't actually going to break any of his bones, but the point is that she could if she felt the need to.

Everyone except Clint is giving Darcy some degree of space or a look of concern, but no one comments. She doesn't talk about what she can do, just lets the others live in blissful ignorance. Clint's included in that group, though he understands better than everyone else. He knows that what she tells him barely scratches the surface of her world.

"Well, I have work to do," cuts in Tony suddenly, standing up. "Darce, don't hurt anyone while I'm in my shop. Bruce, care to join me?" Bruce shrugs and stands, exiting with Tony, who's already talking a mile a minute about something or another.

Jane glances at her watch and mutters something about having to run as well, darting out of the kitchen with a kiss to Thor's cheek. Thor stands before Jane has even cleared the room and wonders after her with a generalized good-bye to the group. No one's surprised by this. Pepper leaves almost immediately as well, her cell in her hand before she clears the kitchen. Natasha excuses both herself and Steve by saying something about more sleep and nearly dragging the blushing super-soldier from the room. Two guesses what those two will be doing.

This left Darcy and Clint alone in the kitchen with Molly. Almost as soon as the others are gone, Clint drops his forehead against Darcy's shoulder while wrapping one arm around her waist with a groan. In her arms, Molly makes a soft sound that Darcy knows means she's hungry. Without preamble, Darcy tugs down her shirt and presses Molly to her chest. She knows Phil would have fed Molly, but sometimes the infant doesn't care for formula in the morning's. She'll take it any other time, but mornings seem to be for breast feeding only.

Clint reaches out with his free hand to stroke Molly's head, his own shifting so his chin is propped on her shoulder. "So, on a scale of 1 to 10, one being least and ten being most, how fucked am I?"

"One. We haven't been able to have sex since Molly was born," jokes Darcy. She knows what he means but also feels like he's being ridiculous about the whole thing.

"I meant with your Dad," groans Clint with a poke to her side.

Darcy jumps a bit and shifts Molly. "Dude, if you're fucking my dad then we have a problem."

"Darce," moans Clint unhappily. "Be serious for a minute here."

She sighs heavily and turns her head to look at him with calm blue eyes frighteningly similar to Phil's. "You're really worried about this." Clint gives her a 'no shit' look that she responds to with an eye-roll. "Seriously Clint? Don't worry. Dad isn't going to threaten you."

"You really think that?" asks Clint hopefully.

Darcy shakes her head. "See previous statements. I've made at least two this morning to the effect of he gave me permission to fuck you. What more do you need?"

"Darce, he gave you permission to date me, not have a kid with me or marry me," points out Clint uneasily. "That changes things a little."

"Not really," assures Darcy as Molly finishes up. She shifts the infant to Clint, who burps her without a second thought while Darcy fixes her shirt. "Look, I'm not gonna pretend that I know what Dad wants. But I know that he doesn't disapprove of us doing what we're doing. Hell, I think he's happy about it on some level. It means that he's not the only one looking out for me and he knows your a good guy who'll treat me right. What more could he seriously want?"

"Do you really want me to answer that?" asks Clint with a sigh as he cradles Molly. His eyes take in the infant who's currently dozing in his arms, tiny fists pressed to her chest. The soft look of absolute adoration that crosses his face as he gazes at his daughter is enough to bring tears to Darcy's eyes.

"Clint, look at me," murmurs Darcy softly, drawing his gaze to her. The look in his eyes doesn't change. It's as if he's looking at his whole world as he stares between her and their daughter. In that moment, she knows he's safe from any form of the 'Wraith of Phil Coulson'. "Dad isn't going to do anything to you, promise. Seriously, he knew about Molly before you did because I needed to know the signs of pregnancy and Dad was the best person I could think to ask. And he didn't say a damn negative thing about you. Instead, he wanted to know when I planned to tell you. There was this look in his eyes when he said that, like he knew exactly what your reaction would be and that he wouldn't have to do any prompting. Trust me, you'll be fine."

Clint smiles softly and nods, dropping a kiss to her forehead in thanks. He's not about to tell her that he's not really sure she's right, but he'll pretend like he completely believes her for the time being. Which he kind of does.

"Besides," adds Darcy with a wicked grin, "it could be worse. At least Mom isn't going to be there too."

Very true, agrees Clint mentally. That is very, very true.

So, show of hands, is anyone interested in learning who Darcy inherited her powers from? Also, yes, her mother will be coming back. Much to Clint (and really everyone except Phil, Darcy, and Fury's) horror.