Notes: Moar tinyClint! This story is just way too much fun to play with, and now, we get to really see Clint in his element in Avengers Tower... even if in this version, he's not an Avenger but a cute little kid. (Note: Not an Avenger YET, I should say.)

Chapter 1: Welcome to Avengers Tower

The tower was big in a different way than the institute had been big. The institute had felt like something that a nobleman from Robin Hood's time had lived in that was just updated to have, like, TVs and stuff. The tower felt like Tony Stark had just dropped a bunch of rooms on top of each other and made everything shiny and new.

It took a lot of getting used to, especially because Clint had finally felt like he knew where everything was in the institute — and now he had a whole new place to learn.

He did know the basics, at least, like how to find the kitchen and the living room from Logan's room where he and his mom were staying. Which was good, because his mom was still absolutely dead asleep that morning, even though she usually woke up before him.

He decided to let her sleep, because he had never seen her that tired except when she got in that fight with Sabretooth, and got himself downstairs to the kitchen.

Nothing there was built for people his size, but he still managed. Tony had bought a few cereals that looked like sugary kids' cereals, and he found the one that said it had a toy in the box, set that on the counter, and pushed a chair over so he could climb up to reach a bowl. By the time he had also gotten out the milk and a spoon, he had drawn an audience — though he hadn't heard anyone coming when he was focused on the task at hand.

So he totally startled when Jan sat down on the stool next to him after he'd finally climbed up to have his breakfast. "Do you do that every morning?" she asked. "That's… an impressive workout for a bowl of cereal."

"The other place wasn't this … tall."

"I know; it drives me nuts too," Jan said, leaning forward with a smile.

"I can do it, though," Clint insisted quickly. "I'm big enough."

"Of course you are," she said, smiling wider. "You took care of it, didn't you?"

"Uh-huh." Clint tipped his head to the side. "D'you want some?" he asked. "I can probably get you a bowl…"

"I can get my own," Jan said, tipping her chin up slightly. "You enjoy yours before it gets soggy."

"Yeah, that's gross," Clint agreed. "And then the milk turns weird colors."

"Only when you eat the stuff that's weird colors to begin with," she pointed out as she headed over to get herself some cereal too — if nothing else, to use the chance to talk with him. "So. How do you like the Tower so far?"

"It's pretty big," Clint said quietly. "And — and not just 'cause I'm short."

"Yeah, it's a huge building," she agreed.

"It took me a long time to learn where everything was at Jean and Scott's school," he told Jan.

"Well … the good thing about this place is that it's all almost in a circle," Jan said. "Aside from the bedrooms, it's just a loop."

"Oh, is that why I feel like I'm going in circles?" Clint asked with a little, crooked smirk.

She snickered at that and then nodded as seriously as she was able. "What are you reading today? Or are you and your mom just going to get settled in?"

"No, Mom's still sleeping," Clint said with a shrug. "So, I'll probably finish my Hardy Boys. There's, like, ten of 'em that Storm let me have for while we live here, and she has even more at her house!"

"Sounds like she's set to keep you busy," Jan said before she took a long sip of her coffee and glanced at the clock. "What time does your mom usually get up? I'd like to ask her a few things — make sure she's set for clothes … things like that."

"Oh, well, I dunno. She usually wake up before me, so I dunno," Clint said with a shrug.

She tipped her head to the side at that but didn't speak up, not wanting to alarm him. "Well, I'll just check in later then, I guess."

"Yeah, that's probably a good idea," Clint said. "She's real tired, and I know I don't like it when people try to talk to me when I'm real tired." When Jan simply nodded and looked thoughtful at that, Clint kicked his feet against the stool a few times and then glanced up at her. "Are you friends with Jean?" he asked suddenly.

"Um … no," Jan said slowly. "We haven't really crossed paths. Why do you ask?"

"Well, she's real nosy too, and she likes to shop a lot," Clint said in a perfectly matter-of-fact tone.

"Oh, well I guess we need to make friends then, huh?" Jan said, taking it in stride.

Clint nodded. "Uh-huh. Especially 'cause she's having a baby, and she likes to shop for teeny clothes because it makes her happy," he said.

Jan stopped and slowly turned toward Clint. "She what?"

"Yeah, I know, they don't even know if it's a boy or a girl, but she's gettin' stuff anyway," Clint said, completely missing the look on her face. "She's weird."

"I don't think that's weird," Jan said. "She's just excited. And lots of things can be for boys or girls."

"Yeah, I know, but she's got, like, forever to shop, and she does it all the time, which is why I think you should be friends if you like shopping lots," Clint said. "Mom doesn't like to go, and I think Miss Storm would like a break."

She leaned closer and let her voice drop low. "That's a great idea, but if I get involved, then she'll have twice as many baby clothes." She looked both ways and smirked at him. "But … if your mom doesn't like to shop, maybe I can shop for her."

"She might like that," Clint said, nodding slowly. "Especially because I don't think we wanna go outside right now when there's a bad guy after us."

Jan frowned at that. "I heard that Sabretooth was a little problem over there, but I didn't know he was bothering you guys purposefully. I thought it was incidental?"

Clint nodded, his expression turning serious. "He hates Logan, did you know? And he thinks my mom is his girl when she's not and — and he smells really bad and he had me under his arm and it was the worst," he said, the whole explanation seeming to spill out at once.

Jan shook her head. "I knew about Logan, but … what?"

"Miss Wasp, if I knew how come people are crazy, I would be real smart," Clint said, shrugging his shoulders up. "I dunno what his problem is, but he is not my dad or Mom's guy or anything like that."

She blinked at that and shook her head. "Why would … why would he think that?"

Clint bit his lip and glanced over both shoulders before he leaned forward. "Mom's running away from him," he said softly. "I never seen anyone scare her like that."

"I don't know your mom either, kiddo," Jan said. "So … she's pretty tough, huh? Why's she running from him?"

"She's real tough," Clint said, sitting up even taller and looking proud. "She beat up my foster dad when I met her 'cause he was not a nice guy — and she beat up some bad guys with guns that want to make her do stuff she doesn't want to and — and she's not scared of anything except that guy!" He paused. "Well… I guess also the bad guys that he works for, because they're pretty scary, but mostly him, I think."

Jan frowned at that and went back to her cereal for a moment. "He's a very scary guy," she said finally.

"Yeah, he scares me a lot," Clint admitted, biting his lip. "That's how come we're here, 'cause he got to the insti - the inst- the school."

"And Logan thought you'd be better off here for now," Jan said, nodding.

"Well, Captain America said it was okay if we stayed here," Clint said. "He was real mad when he heard that big guy was pickin' on me and Mom."

"He really hates bullies," Jan told him, nodding to herself now that she had a plan of action to find out what was going on. "And … I need to bring Hank some coffee before he gets too far into his work." She smiled at him. "So … enjoy your book. I'll come find you later, okay?"

"Okay!" Clint said, waving her off cheerfully as he went back to his cereal, his feet still kicking the legs of the stool.

Of course, Jan wasn't actually going down to Hank — not yet, anyway — though she did have one coffee in each hand. No, no, the second one was for this mysterious woman that she still somehow hadn't met.

When she got to Logan's room, she knocked brightly. "I brought coffee!" she sang out. "Clint said you were tired, so I thought a little Avenger hospitality might start things off right."

K opened one eye and stretched out at the cheerful voice. "Thanks," she said before she sat up and ran a hand through her hair. "That's very thoughtful, bringer of the nectar from the gods."

Jan beamed at that as she sat down nearby with her own cup. "I wasn't sure how you take it, but I'm sure I can get something else if you like mocha or something…"

"No, no, this is perfectly fine," K promised. "I like it any way it comes, honestly." She took the cup and closed her eyes for a moment as she drew in the scent, then took a long sip. "You're all very sweet."

"Well, if your little boy is any indication, so is your family!" Jan said with a smile.

"That's just him," she said, smirking to herself.

"Oh, right. Clint said you were tough," Jan said, leaning forward slightly. "You know, I'm an Avenger. I can totally help you with whatever you need. Shopping, even."

"If you want to shop, I won't argue with you one bit," K said. "I'll give you my sizes."

"Perfect!" Jan beamed and clapped her hands together. "It's been such a drag having only boys around, you know. And as much as I love Steve, he has old taste. I hate shopping for him; he can't get with the styles!"

"Oh, well, I'm not really crazy about a lot of the new stuff. Crazy angles and too-bright colors," she said. "When I'm not doing jeans, I lean toward old Chanel though, if that helps you out."

"Oh, that's good old-fashioned, though," Jan assured her. She smiled even brighter. "Yes, I can work with that," she said, nodding a few times before she took a sip of coffee and then watched K for a moment longer. "I have to ask… Clint said you two have Sabretooth on your backs? Like, personally? But Clint's so sweet, and you're so… teeny…"

"Teeny isn't a factor that stops him," K replied. "Even after I broke a heel off in his eye socket, it wasn't a good deterrent."

Jan frowned harder at that. "That… okay, um, wow."

"I was kicking him," she said, looking up over the lip of the coffee cup. "With my hands behind my back. It worked. Once, anyhow."

Jan's frown seemed to harden as her eyes narrowed. "That… that no good… rotten… ugh." She shook her head as she got to her feet. "No way is he putting one toe in this tower or I'll — I'll grab one of Hank's experiments and shrink something he holds dear!"

"I didn't think his ego was tangible," K muttered.

Jan paused and gave her a small smirk, then shook her head. "I didn't know — I thought you guys were just — I knew about the department, but that?"

"He has worked for the Department for years," K said. "He tracks people down when they try to get out. I slipped him for … years."

Jan nodded. "Well, don't you worry. No one's gonna get in here."

"Yeah, I heard, Cap's gonna feed him his shield," K said, shaking her head.

"Yeah, Steve said Clint really liked that line," Jan said with a small smile.

"He's easily entertained and swayed by the golden locks," K said in an almost breathy voice, one shoulder to her ear.

"Pretty sure that's how any little boy his age is," Jan pointed out. "Cap gets that a lot. It's adorable."

"It's from all the baby kissing he's done over the years," K said. "Indoctrinated."

Jan snickered. "Yes, exactly that." She settled back with her coffee and smiled K's way. "Really, though. Now I see why Steve's so mad. He doesn't usually… get this worked up unless it's Hydra-related."

"Why is he so mad?" K asked, frowning. "This is just … what Victor does."

"Yeah, and apparently what he does makes Steve mad."

"It's ancient history, really. This is just … him being an ass."

"Well, yeah, if he thinks Clint is his and Clint is… how old is he, anyway?" Jan asked.

"Eight in December," K said. "So … the man can't do simple math, clearly."

"He always struck me as the big lumbering idiot type," Jan said.

But at that, K shook her head quickly and seriously. "Yeah, No. Don't fall for that," she said. "He's a lot smarter than he looks."

"He would have to be to breathe," Jan said.

"I'm serious," K said. "He's got a mean streak a mile wide — and he's smart enough to cover his tracks when he wants to. Everyone thinks otherwise though because … he usually doesn't care."

Jan frowned at that and shuddered. "So how come you know about that side?" she couldn't stop herself from asking.

"I was stuck in the department for a long time," she said. "And for a while, they had him working as a handler … do the math."

Jan did a full-body shudder at that. "Ugh. I need a shower just thinking about that. I'm so sorry."

She shrugged. "Wasn't your fault, that's for sure."

"Yeah, but… ugh." Jan shook her head. "That is just… awful."

"You won't catch me arguing that."

"Well, yeah, obviously." Jan shook her head and got to her feet. "Okay, why don't we … talk about something a little less awful first thing in the morning, huh? Maybe I could give you a tour."

She nodded at that and got to her feet. "Sure, let me change real quick. You can give me the skinny on what's what around here. If you're not shy about that, anyhow, I don't care."

"I can just wait outside," Jan offered.

"Shy — that's cute from a girl that flies around in a skin-tight bodysuit," K laughed.

Jan shrugged. "I look great in the skin-tight bodysuit."

"You do," she agreed as she headed over to her bag to pull out a few things. "I'll need all of five minutes, so make your plans." She quickly changed and took a second to drag a brush through her hair before she stepped out with a little time to spare — and the coffee mug in her hand.

And, of course, Jan was waiting for her with a bright smile to take her through the tour of everything she thought K might need to know — ending of course in the living room, where Clint was trying to pretend he was still reading his book even though Steve and Thor were on the other side of the living room chatting.

K waved at Clint and switched to sign quickly. If you're going to fake it, turn the page now and again.

Clint flushed slightly and nodded. But I might lose my place…

So use a different book — one you already read.

Thanks, Mom, Clint replied.

Jan looked impressed. "You taught him sign?"

"Nope, he came that way, wrapped in gossamer clouds and signing up a storm."

Jan couldn't help but laugh at the description. "Okay, seriously, though."

K met her gaze and nodded. "Seriously. Middle finger was the first one he mastered. Even before the thumbs up."

"And I can read lips!" Clint sang out, grinning crookedly at Jan.

"Oh… okay. So you have this kid who knows makeup, can take Tony down a peg, reads lip, knows sign — where did you find him?"

"Gossamer. Clouds." K kept a perfectly straight face.

"It's true," Clint said, abandoning his book as he came over to join their conversation — which was by then catching the attention of the other two Avengers.

"You two are in cahoots," Jan said, though with an obviously entertained smile.

"Is that what you call this place?" K said, winking at Clint.

Clint giggled. "Yeah, c'mon, Wasp, you should know what your own tower is called."

"Cahoots has a nice ring to it," K said, reaching over to pull him into a little hug. "You got up before me, you little punk."

"Well, you were real tired, and I didn't want to wake you," Clint said.

She kissed the top of his head. "Thank you. I guess I needed it more than I thought."

Clint nodded. "Sometimes, getting mad makes you tired," he told her. "And…" He glanced at Jan and then signed the rest: And getting scared too.

K nodded and gave him a bear hug for that. Let it go. Lets see if these heroes can do anything. We'll just work our way down the list, yeah?

What happens if we go through everybody, though? he asked. He hadn't asked it before, but it was clear that he had been thinking it over and was legitimately worried about it.

Then we'll have to do it ourselves, but we'll have time to set something nasty up. She winked at him with that. "I have … ideas." The last word she was sure to make sound overly ominous, raising one eyebrow at him when she said it for effect.

Clint giggled at that, shaking his head at her — though Thor made his way over with an interested sort of look. "You need not worry," he told the two of them in a voice that was somehow both reassuring and booming at the same time. "I have slain frost giants and bested gods. This ogre stands no chance against my hammer."

K smirked and gave him a quick once over. "Do tell, snygging."

Thor laughed at that. "Long have I guarded Asgard from countless foes — and here on Midgard, I would do the same. This Sabretooth seems to me a foe deserving of swift justice."

K gestured to Thor and turned her attention to Clint. "See? We'll just let him deal. We can play checkers with the Wasp. Or Monopoly. I get the horse."

"Okay, but I wanna get the car," Clint said, perking up quickly. "I always wanna get the car!"

"You wanna drive Logan's next time? He probably won't mind," K said, smirking harder.

Clint giggled. "I'm not big enough for a real car," he said.

She ruffled his hair and turned back to Thor. "I appreciate anything your group can manage. He's a bit pesty these days."

"Fear not," Thor promised. "I have slain monsters that would devour entire worlds. I will call down the might of Mjolnir, and your problems will be no more. We need only find the villain."

"What do you need?" K asked, looking between Thor and Steve. "Bait? Say when."

"Ah… let's call that Plan … Z," Tony said as he came in to join the party. "Plan A is to get to the department itself and shut it down — and use their intel on how to contact the guy." He made a finger gun and shot it K's way. "Two birds, one stone."

"So … that'll happen … three days after never," she nodded slowly. "Good to know."

"That's not the only angle we're pursuing," Steve assured her.

"Good, because that's optimistic to a fault," she replied.

"And Logan's already said as much," Steve said. "He and I are doing our own recon too."

K gestured openly. "That's great, but the direct route is live bait when dealing with a rabid, wild animal."

Steve let out a sigh. "I'd rather not risk it, to be honest. If things go wrong, you'd have to live with the consequences."

"Well it's a good thing you wouldn't be the one in the mini-skirt then," K said. "You're not risking it."

"Um, Mom? I thought we were just gonna make Thor do the hammer thing," Clint said quietly.

"I thought so too, but they still need to get the creep to show his ugly face," K agreed. She ran her hand through his hair. "They won't let me do it anyhow, so don't worry." She gestured to the three men. "See? Look at them."

Clint glanced over his shoulder to where the Avengers were presenting a united front and then let his shoulders drop before he hugged K tighter. "Good, 'cause I don't want him to touch you ever again, okay?"

"I'm not overly fond of the idea myself," she promised. "You know … unless it means I can stab him in the face. And whatnot."

"You already got to stab him a lot, and you got hurt, so …"

"Alright, I'll only stab him if it's an emergency," K said. "Otherwise, I'll leave it to the testosterone crew."

"Okay, but that's not their names," Clint said with his nose scrunched up.

"Introduce me, expert Barton," she said, tipping her chin up. "You know better than I do." She gave Jan a little wink over his head and smirked at him when he looked up at her.

Clint watched her with one eye closed for a long moment before he smirked and grabbed her hand. "Okay, we'll play," he said, marching over to start up the introductions — to the clear amusement of every adult in the tower.