Authors Note: Thank you to everyone who reviewed the last chapter - Sandy-wmd, DucksFan1510, Lollypops101, sammygirl1963, Hope06, Manicpanicgirl, kimbee, Macrissa and DBhawkguy30.

Phil's home yay!

The drive back to Nick's house was made in under an hour, Clint having missed most of the journey in a blur of colourful scenery. The director seemed to be in a rush to get home after receiving a text. Barton sat up straighter in the passenger seat as they pulled on to the driveway, unhooking his belt as the car came to a stop. He followed behind the taller man as he unlocked the door and stepped inside, then froze when he spotted the familiar figure standing in the living room.

"Dad!" Clint ran the rest of the way, laughing as Phil wrapped his arms around him and spinning him around, the teen's feet leaving the floor for a few seconds before being planted back down. He was getting pretty heavy now.

Coulson felt happiness flow through him when Clint embraced him tightly, never wanting to let him go. He could relate. Phil was pleased he'd made it home before the teen's birthday tomorrow, he had Nick to thank for that. Breathing in the sweet smell of his boy, feeling the softness of his hair against his cheek, the tired agent squeezed tighter, just glad to be home. "Clint, I missed you kid."

"Missed you too, dad." Barton still hadn't released the older man, and wasn't planning to any time soon. Phil would just have to deal with it. He had a funny feeling that Coulson wouldn't mind either though, if the way the older man was clutching him was anything to go by.

Nick finally spoke up from behind them. "You're early Phil. I thought it would be another hour or so?" he asked a knowingly.

Coulson chuckled. "It was supposed to, but the pilot seemed to want to break every speed record in history. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would you Director?"

Fury simply smirked. "I have no idea what you're talking about Phil. Still you're here now, you want something to drink?"

Phil nodded, giving his boss a look filled with gratitude. Nick waved his hand in the air, telling his agent there was no need for the thanks, he'd do whatever it took to make sure Phil got home to the teenager.

Looking down at the blonde head still attached to his chest, Coulson felt a familiar rush of happiness through his chest, his love for this kid knew no bounds. He'd do anything for him, anything at all. All Clint had to do was ask, though Phil realised he never would. The agent had been thinking about giving up his career with SHIELD; the risk of him not making it home was too great and put an all-encompassing fear in Phil that he wasn't used to feeling. He was a father and had the responsibility to be there for his son before all others. They would talk about that later though, right now he had a few days to catch up on.

"So what have you been up to while I've been away?" Phil asked with a smirk.

Clint pulled back, a wide grin splitting his face as he told his dad what he and Fury did that day. He wasn't going to mention the handling of actual weapons the day before though, Phil might have a heart attack. Although if he really thought about it, he should probably just tell Phil because the man had a way of knowing everything he did. It was downright scary sometimes.

Nick walked through with Phil's drink and a can of Pepsi for Clint. The director couldn't help smiling at the sight of the teen sitting on the couch next to his dad, facing the older man with his legs crossed and telling him about their adventure that day. Coulson turned to his boss with an arched eyebrow. "He beat you, did he?"

Fury shrugged. "Kid's damn good Phil, I'm just glad they didn't have a bow and arrow paint filled weapon. Kid would probably take out my other eye."

Clint looked shocked at the statement, then turned to look at Phil who'd started laughing. Barton grinned, realising the director was praising him once again. Somehow he didn't seem to mind it as much now, especially if it came from Phil or Nick, or sometimes Molly or his grandparents. It was getting easier for him to accept praise, to know when it was genuine and not someone just saying it to get what they wanted.

Nick invited them to stay for dinner, his present to Clint being that they got to spend some time together outside of SHIELD, the dinner would be the icing on the cake. Phil and Barton both agreed, Coulson using this time to thank the director for his help with taking care of Clint and for pulling some strings in his effort to get the agent home. Fury told them he'd run to the supermarket for food while father and son had a chance to catch up.

Phil turned to his boy when he felt the familiar critical eye roaming over him. "Yes?" he asked, arching his eyebrow.

Clint didn't answer, first finishing his analysis of the older man. Once he was satisfied there was no visible injuries, he felt his shoulders sag in relief. Reaching over to his dad he wrapped his arms around him once again, squeezing tightly and relaxing when Phil returned the hug just as fiercely.

"I'm glad you're home." Safe, was left unsaid.

"Me too, Clint. Me too." Phil breathed in the scent of his boy again, he always smelled of fresh laundry, soap and made him think of home. Coulson couldn't imagine his life without this kid in it, Clint completed him, had helped mould him into the man; the father he now was.

The agent's eye caught sight of something on the wall and he found himself walking towards it. Phil's eyes widened when he recognised the picture. It was taken not long after he'd joined SHIELD, Nick standing at the other side of him with a satisfied look on his usually straight face and an arm around Coulson's shoulders.

"I spotted that one just after we got here, you look really happy in that picture." Clint grinned at the older man.

"Nick had just challenged some of the new recruits to try and beat my scores with a sniper rifle. He ended up a rich man that day." Coulson turned to his boy with a smirk on his face. "By the time you reach twenty, you'll probably annihilate my high scores."

Clint's lips quirked upwards. "Probably."

Coulson laughed at the confident tone from the young archer. "You're a right little smart ass, you know that?"

"I learned from the master." Barton shot back, a teasing grin splitting his face.

Father and son settled into companionable silence, a feeling of happiness, relief flowing through them, replacing the worry and fear that had consumed them. Phil reached over, pulling the youngster close to him, taking comfort in the knowledge that he was back where he belonged; home. The agent hated putting Clint through the distress, the dread of wondering whether his dad would make it home. He couldn't do that again. He wouldn't.

Nick returned with a bag full of groceries, and a huge chocolate cake. Making his way into the kitchen, he started to prepare dinner for his guests, Fury hoped they'd like his famous beef curry, made from scratch with basmati rice. He was certain Clint would enjoy it; the kid ate anything that was put in front of him.

Clint's eyes lit up when he spotted the cake, his mouth already watering in anticipation of the heavenly food.

When Barton and Coulson offered to help with the food, the glare aimed their way by the director had them averting their gaze. Instead they sat with their feet up and watched some television until dinner was almost ready, then they helped by setting the table. Nick carried over a large bowl of rice and a ceramic dish filled to the brim with the delicious smelling beef curry, placing both on the table and laughing at the mouth watering looks he received.

"Enjoy."

"Thanks Nick, this smells amazing." Phil commented as he started filling his plate.

Clint looked up smirking, feeling slightly embarrassed as he was already on his third forkful before either of the two men had taken a bite. He swallowed quickly, taking a drink of his juice. "Sorry. This is really good, thanks Nick."

"You're welcome, kid." Fury chuckled, digging into his own. He nodded in satisfaction; damn he made a good curry.

It didn't take long for the food to disappear, leaving Clint staring longingly at Phil who was struggling to finish his second helping. The older man sighed, pushing the half eaten plate in front of his boy. The teen grinned happily, before demolishing the rest of the dish.

"I think he likes it," Phil told the director with a knowing grin.

"Ya think?" Fury laughed.

Coulson stood up, making a start on clearing the table. He needed to keep himself busy, to do something to keep his mind from drifting to the thoughts that were plaguing him, the fear building inside him that he was failing as a father was almost more than he could bear. Clint deserved more, he deserved better from the man who had sworn to protect him. Phil had thought about leaving the agency countless times since he brought the teenager into his home, becoming his guardian, his father. SHIELD wasn't Phil's number one priority anymore, the young boy in the next room was. The terror that consumed the agent at the thought of not making it home, wasn't anywhere near the fear Clint felt when Phil had to go away. The only reason the older man knew this was because Barton had unleashed his burden on Phil before he left on the mission, telling his dad that he was scared of losing him, that one day Phil wouldn't make it home and Clint would be left on his own, again.

Coulson hadn't realised how hard he was scrubbing the plates until a hand was gently squeezing his arm; he turned to see concerned eyes watching him.

"You okay dad?" asked Clint, worry evident in his tone.

Phil nodded, glancing over at Nick who was staring at him with an unreadable expression. It was almost as if he could hear the thoughts running through his agent's head. But then again, with Fury he just might. The director had the uncanny ability to know everything that was going on around him without lifting a finger.

"Dad?"

"I'm okay kid. Let's say we get that chocolate cake out, I know you're just dying to try it." Phil smiled at Barton's enthusiastic grin, the teen rubbing his stomach at the same time.

Nick chuckled. "You can't possibly still be hungry?"

Both Phil and Clint shot him an incredulous look; did he not know who he was talking about? The taller man held his hands up in defeat.

"Sorry, I forgot this is Clint, the human waste disposal," mocked Fury.

Coulson cut the cake into large segments, knowing the teen would want one of the larger pieces. The kid had the biggest sweet tooth, chocolate cake being his main indulgence. They all sat down on the long 'L' shaped couch in front of the television, Clint taking control of the remote and hitting the play button. When Batman – The Dark Knight started playing, Phil couldn't help shooting the teen an amused grin. The agent had listened to Clint's theory that Nick Fury was the Dark Knight, the scary thing was that the director could be considered the real life Batman. The man made it his life's mission to take down the deadliest, most unpleasant low life scum that roamed the earth. He also managed to do this with the help of SHIELD's gadgets created by some of the brainiest men and women on the planet. The agency only hired the best after all.

Settling comfortably into the soft cushions, Phil noticed Clint was finding it difficult to stay awake; the boy's head kept nodding forward then snapping back upright, his eyes taking in his surroundings, relaxing, then nodding off again.

"We alright to stay here tonight Nick?" Phil asked quietly, standing and making his way over to the tired teen.

"Of course Phil, the room at the end of the hall." Fury watched as his friend scooped the teen up, the younger man grunting slightly as he tried to adjust his grip on Clint; the teen was definitely getting heavier.

"Everything alright Phil?" the director asked softly, his eye showing nothing but concern.

Coulson nodded. "Yeah, we'll talk later Nick. Thanks for looking after him."

The taller man gave a brief nod, watching as Phil disappeared into the room with Clint. Nick sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. He had a feeling he'd find out soon enough what Coulson was going to say, he just hoped the younger man changed his mind. Fury really didn't want to lose his best agent, though he'd rather if he was going to lose Phil's constant presence as an agent, it would be for Clint's benefit and not the teen's nightmares coming to life.

Switching the television off, then the lights, Nick headed to his own room. He hoped that Phil would reconsider, that he'd realise that SHIELD was exactly where he was supposed to be. Nick was willing to make some adjustments to keep his agent, his friend, exactly where he should be. The director would wait and see what Coulson decided first before implementing his contingency plans.

I know I'm evil...making you all wait to find out if Phil will leave SHIELD for Clint? Am I that nasty? LOL Next chapter is Clint getting his presents