Barton led me to an old pickup truck and opened the back door.

"Can I not ride shotgun?" I asked.

"Trust me, you'd be much more vulnerable in the front." He replied gruffly.

"Alright then." I hopped in as Barton started the truck, and we were off. A few miles of silence passed before Barton cleared his throat.

"So, is there anything you enjoy doing for fun? We can stop on the way to pick up a game or movie or something." I was caught off guard by his question; I hadn't expected him to care.

"Ummm... I could go for a puzzle."

"Puzzle it is then." He glanced back at me through the rearview mirror. "I promise I won't bite. I'm here to protect you. Are you sure that's all you want?"

"I could go for some M&M's." I said sheepishly.
"We've got both of those at the house." Barton replied with a grin.

"Why are you doing this?" I asked. "I mean, you said it yourself you're here to protect me. You're spoiling me instead."

"I've got two kids." He explained. "I know you're not an actual kid, but you're still a teenager right? You're going to need something to keep you busy."

"Where we're going doesn't have Netflix?"

"Do you want Netflix?"

"Truthfully? No; I'm fine with DVDs."

"Good, we have plenty of those. If you don't mind princesses and firefighters."

"I miss those days." I laughed softly, though it quickly turned to a sigh.

"What?"

"My mom; does she even know about everything?"

"Yeah, she does. She visited you a lot in the hospital. S.H.I.E.L.D. has her in a safehouse in Canada."

"How did she cope?"

"She's doing alright. Your aunt talked with her a bunch."

"So she's in the same place as my mom?"

"Not really." He stopped before saying anything else. "Here we are." We drove down a dirt path to a quaint farmhouse. The path branched off and led to a barn with old industrial pieces laying about around it. Two young children, a boy and a girl, were playing in the overgrown yard in front of the house.

"Daddy's home!" The girl yelled with joy. Barton climbed out after styling the truck, and swept the two children up in his arms.

"You're both so big now! Where's mom?" The boy pointed to the house, where a woman had walked out onto the porch.

"Clint? How's Lacee?" She asked.

"Ask her yourself." He motioned for me to come out. I got out and saw the woman better.

"Aunt Laura?" I gasped; without hesitation I flew to her and wrapped my arms around her. I haven't seen my mother's sister since before my father was arrested. But the memories I held of her were all ones I cherished.

"Clint didn't tell you?" She gave a hearty laugh, yet I caught her shooting daggers at Barton.

"I swear honey, I was about to."

"Well, you can sit at the kid's table tonight while Lacee and I catch up." Barton's crestfallen face made Aunt Laura's stern one soften. "Come on in, both of you. I'll show you to your room Lacee." We followed her in, letting the kids continue their play on the porch. Aunt Laura walked me up to the attic, which left me surprised. It was finished; it appeared that there was working plumbing in a sectioned off bathroom area, and there were string lights draped over and around the beams in the ceiling. A shag rug covered the older wood floor, while a simple bed stood over both.

"I hope you like it." Aunt Laura told me. "I tried my best to remember what you enjoyed. Your mother said she'd bring some things over in a few weeks. Until then if there's anything you need let me or Clint know." I sat down on the bed, glancing up at the old skylight.

"It's perfect." I exclaimed. "I know I'm in good hands." Aunt Laura sat down next to me to give me a hug.

"I'm glad you know that. Anything you need or want I can ask Clint to get it for you. I keep the farm going, he gets the groceries."

"Is he why you never came around the house? You were just here?"

"He's a S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent. Not only that, he's a good one. So many people want him dead, even if that means coming after the family."

"So you live in solitude? What about the kids?"

"They have friends. We're sorta part of a S.H.I.E.L.D. family anonymous group. And they have you now too." She elbowed me in the arm. "You are their cousin, even though they don't realise it yet." I sat my head on her shoulder happily.

"I'm sure they're happy. On a different subject, how's my mom?"

"Glad you're alive. I'm sure Clint can arrange communication."

"I'd appreciate that, if it's not too much trouble."

"We're all family, Clint and I are here to look out for you."

"Honey!" Clint's head popped up above the stairs. "The kids want pizza. Did you have anything planned?"

"Pizza's fine, we'll use paper plates."

"Do you want anything special Lacee?"

"Nah, plain cheese's fine."

"You want the usual bell peppers on your's honey?"

"The yellow ones are ripe in the garden, I'll take those."

"Done. Should be ready in an hour or so." Clint disappeared down the stairs, softly singing a country song. Laura got up and stretched contently.

"Well, I need to check the children's schoolwork. Your clothes got dropped off, so you can get settled up here or come help me and Clint. It's your choice, so if you need anything just holler." She left the same way Clint did, leaving me on the bed. With a sigh of exhaustion I laid back. Today had been a rollercoaster, and with recent luck, the future will be the same way.

A/N
Two chapters in one week?? :O this was a nice change of pace in terms of my writing. I have no idea how good it turned out, but it was relaxing in the midst of term finals studying. (The picture included shows what I had to focus on... theology... x_x) lol...
please don't forget to vote!
-LJ