Steve follows me upstairs, so we can put James back to bed and call it a night, knowing that if I go back to the lab I'd just get angry and worried again. I stare at the ceiling, as we settle into bed, not knowing what is going to happen tomorrow or just how serious Ultron's threat to the Avenger's was and hope nobody gets terribly hurt... I sigh and feel Steve roll over reaching out a warm hand to grasp mine tightly.

"We're gonna be okay Clara. We will find a way to defeat Ultron and keep James safe. I promise you." I simply respond by rolling into his side, tucking my face into his chest, finally feeling secure again, and hoping with my entire being, that he's right...

A memory resurfaces from when I started at SHIELD and Coulson was my Superior Officer, but I trained a lot with Clint on archery and hand-to-hand combat, wanting to be able to protect myself well enough. We went on a small reconnaissance mission and I ended up getting an injury to my ribs and my left leg, he spent the flight home patching me up and I commented about a lucky wife, and he hesitated enough that I knew he had to have one. He couldn't get away from my obnoxious hounding and finally broke down and told me about his carefully hidden life. Making me swear to secrecy for the protection of his family which I totally understood.

That same year he invites me over to his safe house for Thanksgiving, knowing I didn't have any family to go home to, and Laura and I became fast friends bonding over having to deal with Clint on a daily basis making us laugh much to his chagrin. Laura laughs at the knowledge that I simply hounded him long enough for him to break and spill the beans, but then she asks why a smart girl like me is working for SHIELD. I divulge the history about my parents, and how I couldn't handle working at the company after the accident and being constantly reminded and I filled her in on my own enhancements by showing a cute little trick--simply making some water bubbles levitate above the glass.

"Don't show the kids they'll always ask you to show them some sort of trick every time you're over here". We laughed, but it made my heart swell that she was already thinking of having me over for more holidays than this one. Over the years I came over for most holidays, and usually whenever I had some time off to see Laura and the kids, quickly becoming Auntie Clara around the Barton household.

The next day, I decide to find Clint and pull him to the side while everyone is still looking for a lead in the other room, asking how Laura and the kids are doing. He looks over my shoulders to make sure we are completely alone before saying anything, and he says she's doing well and this pregnancy is going smoothly--thankfully. He then asks how I'm doing and if I'm truly okay from last night and everything that happened with Tony, and the stress with James possibly being exposed.

"Can I ask a favor of you, and Laura?" I ask quietly, being honest about my anxiety and how terrified last night really made me. He nods solemnly and lets me continue knowing we're alone.

"If this continues to get worse, which I fear it will. Can I, leave James with your family? He came too close to being in harms way last night, and I can't handle if it was to happen again. And I know you can understand my worry." He sighs loudly, running a hand down his face, no doubt reliving the craziness of last night.

"Let me--" He begins before his phone begins to chime and as he looks at the screen smirking at the name before raising a finger at me.

"Yes, ma'am. She's actually here now." My head snaps up in his direction, looking at a smiling Clint and I smile in return knowing Laura's firing off a bunch of different questions as quickly as she can.

"Mhmm, we were actually just talking about you. She actually needs a favor from us." Bringing my nail between my teeth in anticipation Clint finds it funny to keep his face completely void of emotion, as I await an answer.

"Oh, just like that? Absolutely, yes'm." He simply says, looking at me but before he can say more I can hear footsteps behind me, before I hear the voice echo down the hall.

"Barton, Clara, we might have something." Steve interrupts, looking between us noticing my tense stature.

"Gotta go, will do." Clint quickly shuts his phone, nodding slightly in my direction making me sigh in relief and I make my way towards Steve.

"Who was that?" He asks reaching for my hand which I accept, looking between the two of us.

"Girlfriend." Clint simply states, making Steve look at me with a questioning glance and we gather with the others in the lab, because apparently Hill has found something that we all need to know concerning Ultron and his next move.

As she explains, I text Fury's burner cell wondering if I can meet him on the roof of the tower so he can take James safely to the Barton's house tonight. I zone back in hearing about Strucker being killed by Ultron or one of his team mates, and knowing they will be going after the Vibranium left in Africa, making that our next plan of combating Ultron. Steve begins to get things ready for our trip to the African coast, and my phone buzzes making my adrenaline spike as I see it is Fury calling me back.

"Hello?" I mutter as I walk to a secluded area and begin to chew on my nails again.

"Clara is everything okay? James needs to stay with the Barton's?"

"I've already got confirmation that he's okay to stay there. Tony's program went rouge and has threatened the Avengers, and I don't want him to be in the middle--especially since we are headed to Africa here shortly."

"I just got the update from Hill. I'm already on my way, and will meet you on the roof in t-20 minutes, that should give you enough time to pack him a bag and get things squared away."

"Thank you so much. I really appreciate this." The weight is lifted from my shoulders at his response, and for once I can believe my son will be safe again.

"You're welcome Clara. You are family after all."

I smile as we hang up and I make my way upstairs to our floor, checking on James to see him napping still and so I grab one of my packs beginning to pack his clothing, toiletries, toys, and anything I can think of to make it the easiest on Laura since she's doing us a huge favor. I text Steve to come upstairs quickly so he can say goodbye before I head to the roof, and I debate waking James when I hear Steve coming into the room quietly.

"What's going on Clara?" He comes up to my side, tracing a finger gently along our son's cheek.

"I've found a place that James will be safe while we deal with Ultron. I don't want him in harms way, and his ride will be here in about 5 minutes, but I can't answer any of your questions. I'm sorry." He searches my face, seeing the truth and sighs running his hands through his hair, more than likely frustrated with the fact I have to keep his whereabouts secret.

"I'm guessing it's a need to know..?" I simply nod and he sighs picking up our son who rouses with a smile at his father.

"I'm gonna miss you Buddy. But I promise you, Mama and Daddy will be back once we save you from the bad guys. You won't ever be in danger again." He ends with a smile making James giggle and place both of his little hands on Steve's cheeks, melting my heart.

"I love you James. We'll see you soon."

He places a long kiss on our son's head, his face scrunching up in pain of having to leave his son behind in a place he doesn't even know. He gives James one last smile before setting him in my arms, the pain of uncertainty still etched on his face.

"I'm sorry Steve, but he will be safe. That I can promise you." I smile sadly, kissing my son's head and grabbing the pack of his stuff.

"I understand. I'll see you soon."

He nods as I leave to head up the stairwell, about to ask JARVIS not to tell my brother, but I sadly remember what happened and why I'm doing this. I make it to the roof and beside the quinjet is Fury himself with a sad smile.

"Hell of a day for you guys isn't it?"

"You have no idea." I sigh as I hand the bag over to Fury, hitching James higher up on my hip.

"Well, this is one last thing you'll need to worry about. Just make sure none of the other idiots get themselves killed." We chuckle slightly before he checks his watch and I nod, knowing my time is up.

"Alright James honey, this is Mama's friend Nick, he's gonna take good care of you and take you somewhere safe until Mama and Daddy can come and get you okay?" His wide blue eyes just stare at me and I've got to keep my smile on so he doesn't know just how worried I am. He smiles as I place kisses on both cheeks and remains calm as I pass him to Fury who seems so natural holding my child.

"Thank you Nick."

"It isn't a problem Clara. I'll let you know when he's there." 

I nod and wave goodbye to my son as the former director of SHIELD gets into the jet, turning around to wave James' little hand at me before strapping him in and closing the back of the jet. I can't get myself to move until the jet is in the sky, and taking a large breath I head back downstairs to face whatever madness is next.