It wasn't an hour after Clint got there, settling up in the room he's now sharing with his brother. The door opened as he started taking cloths out and putting them into the second dresser. He looked over, seeing his brother come in, seeing the guilty look he had. "What is it?" Gage rubbed the back of this neck looking uncomfortable. His eyes were down cast. "Uh...Clint there is one other thing... " Clint frowned looking at him raising an eye brow. "Yeah?" " You gotta promise not to get mad and over react." Clint started to get irritated and impatient he had been on the road all day he was tired and needed a shower. "Dammit would you just spit it out already" " its ...its about Kim.. I tried to..to tell you over the phone..." Growling Clint stepped towards Gage threatening. "If you don't tell me right now I am going to beat your ass on this spot."

Gage stepped back holding his hands up in front of him. "ok ,ok.." Sighing heavily. "Here it is... Kim... Kim.. is pregnant... " Clint's face went through a spectrum of emotions Shock, joy, anger, fear, hope he staggered back slightly."She...she's pregnant ..like.. like with a real baby?" Gage smiled. "Yeah the last time I checked when a woman was pregnant it was a real baby.." He chuckled. Clint scowled "You know what I mean smart ass." Clint ran his hand through his shaggy hair. "How far along is she?" Gage shook his head and shrugged his shoulder. "Three, maybe four months tops. Why?"

Clint paled... "Oh shit... shit.. shit ..shit.. " Both of his hands went into his hair and pulled moaning "You you realize what that means?" Gage shook his head "No..What? " Clint gave him a look. "Think genius... " Gage shook his head slowly, than his eyes widened as if a light bulb went off in his head. "No way... its not possible" Clint nodded."Yes way and it is possible." Grabbing his bag he went to push past Gage to go confront them about the baby. Gage grabbed his arm, stopping him."What the hell are you doing? " Clint looked down at the hand that stopped him and back up into his brothers eyes "What do you think I'm doing, I'm going to go talk to them about that being MY baby." Gage shook his head."No, your not, your not even supposed to be here remember?"

Clint shrugged his hand off with a frown, he knew he was right. He didn't like it but he was right. Now what? "Dammit Gage, she could be carrying my baby and I can't say anything."Gage sighed."Why don't you go down to the gym and work off some of that stress and than you can get a shower. I'll bring you something to eat than we will decide how best to make you invisible to Kim. Ok?" Clint shrugged his head down. "Yeah, sure why not. It will keep me from killing Tony... for now.. " Gage pat Clint on the back. "That's the spirit. Now I'm gonna go check on Quinn, she hasn't been sleeping well." "You mean more then her normal sleep routine." Gage frowned softly. "Worse then." Clint quietly nodded as Gage left the room.

Changing quickly he left the room looking down the hall towards the master bedroom. the need to go there was strong , stronger than ever. How could that drunk bastard allow Quinn and Kim get kidnapped and hurt. He should have been here. That worthless alcoholic couldn't protect a kitten much less his own damn family. He doesn't deserve them. Turning away he headed back down the back stairs to the gym putting his ear phones in he flipped through the selections deciding on some hard core alternative music. In the gym he looked around deciding what would suit him best right now,deciding to go with the punching bag. Picking up the tape he wrapped his hands. Damn this is going to hurt since he still hurt from punching the cave wall, but maybe the pain will be enough to clear his mind.. he gave a half smile. He seriously doubted it. Picking up a pair of gloves he slipped them on with a slight flinch. Flexing his hands into the gloves. I need this.

As he started left, right shoulder, elbow, kick...pregnant...

left, right, shoulder, elbow, kick...

maybe his...left, right, shoulder, elbow, kick...

he'll be damned if another man raises his kid...

faster left, right, shoulder, elbow, kick...it has to be mine..

harder and faster sweat streaming down his face and back ...

left, right, shoulder, elbow , kick..

Dammit! there is no way in hell they are going to keep him away from his child. He can't protect what he has now ..how can he protect another child... bastard ..worthless.. drunk... womanizing... bastard... grunting with the force of his punches..

Quinn hurt..

Kim brutally raped...

where the hell was he?

Not protecting them. He doesn't deserve them ..

He growled tears mingled with his sweat

No one can keep him from what is his.

He'll never let some spoiled rich boy do it now .

His breaths coming in hard pants. He now stared at the the bag he had been pounding into, dazed... Kim pregnant again and this time it could be his..

Turning he grabbed a towel and wiped his face down.. pulling off his gloves he threw them back on the shelf. With the towel draped over his head he headed back upstairs to his a and Gages room for a shower. He wanted to check on Quinn and Kim... but couldn't..he wanted to reassure Quinn he was here and wouldn't leave them ever again. ..but knew she wouldn't accept that..sighing heavily he pushed through the bedroom door.

Guilt ate at him. He couldn't fix this no matter how much he wanted to. Gage lounged on his own bed in the room with a large sandwich and a couple of beers sitting next to Clint's bed. "Good work out bro?" Pulling the towel off his head he shrugged. "I guess .. I'm ..I'm going to go shower... be right back. " Fifteen minutes later Clint came out in a pair of clean sweats and a black T-shirt laying back against his pillows he picked up half his sandwich. " You make this?" Gage turned a little pink."Yeah why?" " its good. I forgot how good of a cook you are" Gage cleared his throat. "Let's talk about how you are going to pull off your stay here and guard Kim... without her knowing.. like name.. " Before he could finish talking Clint stated."Jason" "Jason? Why Jason? " " You know like that movie Bourne. Jason Bourne"

Gage rolled his eyes" Seriously?" Taking another big bite."Yes seriously" "Ok... Jason.. anything else? " " Yeah masks , hoodies loose cloths, baggy black of course..no speaking.. you'll speak for me when possible." Gage mumbled almost to himself. "what have I gotten myself into." Clint wanted to laugh but his brother was right. "the same thing I have.. realize it won't be pretty if she finds out" finishing his sandwich he popped one of the beers open taking a large swallow laying back with one arm folded behind his head. " Man, this is going to be the most difficult mission ever."

It was a few hours later when Gage came back with the stuff he needed. During that time he heard Kim wake up and walk down he hall. He knows it was her because he had opened the door just enough to peek out and his breath caught. She was pregnant and had the baby bump to prove it. He swallowed. That could he his baby. His daughter or Son he may never get to meet. After that time he deiced to distract himself by reading. When he was away there was some slow moments where there was nothing but his thoughts.

A local book truck came by for the other solders and fighters. To keep moral and spirits high.

He chose hunger games. From Katiness and her Bow to sacrificing herself to the games for her sister and going thru hell just to protect her and her conflicted feelings between Peeta and Gale. He found he could relate well. Gage walked in, chuckled seeing the book. "Hunger games? Really?" Clint chuckled. "I could say to you Green Lantern." "Shut up." Clint smirked sitting up. "that's what I thought. Got my stuff?" Gage threw him the bag. "Yeah. Mask,hoodies,pants. The works." Clint nodded, looking into the duffel bag. "Thanks." He took out the black mask. It had a thin line for the eyes and that was it. It was a light fabric but heavy enough to hide his features. He sighed. "Time to put on a show."

It was an hour later, having to work up to courage to go out outside that bedroom door. When he leaves this room. He isn't Clint. He's Jason, there new bodyguard because they need a second one. Gage opened the door, leading him out. It was dinner time and he couldn't wait to taste Kims cooking again. Even if it would be leftovers once everyone was asleep. They made a stop at Quinns room. Her work was now up there since the lab was under construction. Gage knocked light before entering. "Princess?" She was in the middle of her work. Little tongue sticking out as she quickly wrote down various equations and variables for her suit. Clint couldn't help but smile behind his mask. He hadn't realized just how much he missed everyone. Gage smiled, kneeling to her. "What are you working on now?" "You wouldn't understand it." Clint raised an eyebrow. Shes gotten a bit sassier since he was gone. He hated to think it was because of him and the feelings he caused. Pain can change a person.

Gage chuckled. "You know I never do. But time for a break, it's dinner time." Quinn nodded. "ok." She looked up and nearly jumped. "Whos that?" Gage smiled, picking her up. "Quinn, this is Jason. Our new bodyguard. He's safe, I promise, he won't hurt you or any of us." Clint felt Quinns stare burn thru him. Like she knew. Like she knew everything and she most likely did. It made him swallow, feeling just a tad afraid. He saw her go all shy, hiding more into Gage's shoulder. Gage chuckled. "Shes shy." Clint nodded, biting his tongue at everything he wanted to say.

They made into the kitchen where Tony was with a cup of coffee and was that a prescription bottle next to him. Clint knew he didn't have any sort of prescription before he left. Maybe it was for that damn anxiety of his finally. Gage walked in and cleared his throat. Tony looked up, knowing full well already what was going on. Kim turned from stirring tomato sauce, looking a tad nervous at the black clad figure with a mask. "Umm Gage? W-who is your friend?" Clint hated how scared she looked. Gage smiled and Tony spoke up, going over to Kim. "Angel, this is our new bodyguard-" "Jason." Gage spoke quickly. Tony raised an eyebrow. "Jason. Our new bodyguard Jason." Kim smiled weakly, looking between them. "Why didn't you tell me we were getting a new one?" "If you haven't noticed kinda have had a lot work on the tower." Clint smiled behind his mask. Oh yeah, it was good to be home. It would be even better if he could be himself. Kim walked over, wiping her hands on her apron and Clint saw how her Baby bump rounded the front of her dress. She smiled, holding her hand out, the other resting on her belly.

"I'm kim, Tony's soon to be wife." Clint shook her hand, unable to feel anything with the gloves. He nodded to her. Gage spoke. "Uh...he can't speak. I'll have to speak for him." Kim looked between hem. "I'm sorry to hear that. Well your more then welcome to join us for dinner." Clint nodded again but walked out of the room, going to go on patrol early.

Gage looked to him walking away then to Kim. "He's gonna on patrol. He's kinda a loner." Kim smiled. "I got that much. Are you going to join us for dinner.?" "Yeah. Of corse." He placed Quinn in her booster. "Here you go princess. " She smiled up at him.

It was about threeam that Clint found Tony in the lab, working on the construction of it and rebuilding. The mask still on. He remembered the code from last time. Tony looked over from his screwdriver. "You know you don't have to wear that mask around me." Clint smirked weakly, taking it off. "I could say the same about you. So finally get medication for your anxiety I saw." "It's not anxiety meds." Clint raised an eyebrow, walking closer. "That what is it? Sick? Injured?" "Giving up." Clint was confused and Tony still hasn't looked away from his screwdriver and the wall. "What do you mean?" Tony sighed before stopping his work on the ground, his arm going to rest on the raised knee. "I stopped drinking." "Why?" Tony raised an eyebrow, standing, going to his toolbox. "What do you mean "why"? I have a family, I have a daughters and another on the way. My drinking needed to stop."

Clint rolled his eyes. "I meant why now? Of all times? Not when you settled down, not when you found out you were gonna have you first child but now." Tony tried not to glared. "Because I realized that it was killing me and I want to be here for my kids every damn day that I can." Clint was about to speak but Tony snapped slightly. "Ok, Clint I know why you came down here. I'm aware that child may be yours but you know what she thought you were never coming back." Clint glared. "Well I did!" "No you didn't! She doesn't know your here, she still thinks you left without so much as a goodbye. I frankly don't care if that baby is mine or yours, I just want to be there for her and help raise this boy to his best. If he's mine that's great but if he's yours and your still hiding in the shadows like this, I won't hesitate to raise that kid as my own." Clint glared, growling. "Get a test." "When the baby is born we will." Clint stepped closer. "No. now." " Do you honestly think going up to her and asking for a test would be good for her stress level?" Clint continued to stare but he had a point. Tony continued, looking away. "She had the possibility of losing that little baby the night of the kidnapping from the stress alone. And every day when she has a nightmare or an anxiety attack I worry she could lose him. I'm not putting any stress on her that isn't necessary." Clint softened slightly, hearing that gender . "A boy? It's a boy?" Tony smiled weakly. "Yeah, a little boy. Quinn told us." Tony paused before sighing. "I'm really trying not to fight with you, honestly, I'm justa tad irritable from the lack of drinking."

Clint smirked. "Oh call the papers. Tony hasn't been drinking. Shocking." "Shut up." "I had to." Tony smiled weakly, shrugging. "It's ok. I'd rather go thru this with humor then...the other. But thats what the prescription upstairs is for. It's...actually it's a anti-psychotic." Clint nearly felt his eyes bug out. "what?Why?" Tony bit his lip. "Because apparently, and I didn't know this until it happened, that if you drink heavily for a long time then quiet cold turkey it does some fucked up shit to your brain. Hallucinations. I wasn't sure what was real and what wasn't. During a merge meeting with the most prestigious hospital in new york I had a minor anxiety attack hat lead to an hallucination to fainting to severe flashbacks. Apparently in the hospital I was yelling about being back in the cave but I don't remember it. That helps control that. I haven't had any for the last month so it's working." Clint was in mild shock. "How?...just how much did I miss?"

Tony grinned, picking up a torch. "Alot. Don't worry, me and Gage can fill you in."

Clint shook his head. "God, I could be a father." Tony nodded, getting his welding goggles. "yep." He grinned over before turning the torch on. "You scared?" started waking over to the wall, picking up a piece of sheet metal. Clint sighed, running a hand thru his slightly longer hair. "A little, yeah." Tony chuckled. "Wanna know something?" Clint looked to him. "Whats that?" "I still am." He started melting the metal to the wall. Clint nodded, letting that sink in. He wasn't sure why Tony was scared of another kid. He was as good a father could with alcoholism thrown into there already chaotic life. He was wonderful with Quinn and loved the family life. He was pretty sure, if offered the chance he would move to some little suburban town and live the apple pie and white picket fence life.

He left the lab, putting his mask back on as he got to the kitchen. It was past three am and his night to patrol. He got to the kitchen, seeing Kim at the counter, trying to reach for the lucky charms on top shelf but unable to do to her small height. He walked over, gently touched her shoulder to get her attention. She jumped. "Oh..Jason..I'm sorry. You startled me." Clint smiled under his mask. She was adorable in her lavender night gown with lace on the top. Her hair falling around her face and shoulders with a blush. He nodded before reaching up and grabbing the lucky charms box and handing it to her. She smiled. "Thanks." She took it, sitting at the table, starting t o pick out the marshmallows.

She smiled. "I remember when I was pregnant with Quinn I craved nothing but pickles and chocolate. Sometimes having them with the chocolate syrup. Tony didn't find it appetizing and frankly neither did I but I couldn't help it. Now it's three am and I've been craving nothing but these lucky charms marshmallows." Her sentience ended with a soft laugh. Clint wanted to badly to laugh with her, talk to her, hold her and get her whatever the fuck she wanted, no matter how disgusting it was. She laughed lightly to herself.. "I'm sure you didn't want to hear about all that. I'm sorry." Clint smiled softly. Having so long gone without her smile, it was like a light in the darkest tunnel. He shook his head, sitting down, signaling for her to continue with whatever she wanted to say..

She smiled, continuing to pick out the marshmallows. He listened to every word she had to say. Every praise and complaint about her pregnancy. "I can't believe I'm having a boy. A little boy. Sometimes it keeps me up at night wondering if he'll be like Tony or.."She looked away. He tried to tell her silently to continue. She sighed, feeling her eyes water. "I'm sorry, it's hard for me to talk about. I'm sure you've seen the tabloids, my affair with our former bodyguard, Clint. Well there's chance this boy could be his. I don't know where he left to. I just hope he's ok. I haven't heard from him in so long." Her eyes watered, sniffling. "I'm sorry, you must think I'm some kind of whore. That wouldn't be wrong, I cheated on Tony and he's been nothing but amazing." Her voice wobbled, wiping a few tears away. Clint could feel her heartbreak thru there connection. Burning thru his chest. He wanted to hold her so badly and comfort her. He got up, getting a nearby notepad, starting to write. She looked over curious. "What is it your writing?" Once he was done he handed it to her before leaving because he knows if he stayed too long he may kiss those lips he's missed so badly. She sniffled, reading the letter.

I've only been here a day and I can tell this family is real.

The love you have for your husband and daughter are real and

I'm honored to be able to protect you and your family.

Please don't talk about yourself so horribly,

Your an amazing mother and an even better wife.

It's obvious you cared about both your

soon to be husband and your bodyguard.
Your not a whore. Not ever.

Whores give themselves to whoever pays the most.
Your heart was conflicted. That doesn't make you a whore.

That makes you human.

Kim had tears falling with a smile, folding the letter up and putting it in her pocket of her night gown, making her way upstairs, ready to start the day anew when she woke. She made a mental note to read this every day, every time she felt down, sad and low.

AN: please read and review :)