Sorry if there are mistakes I wrote this while on a train on my way to a job interview.

This is insane! She had time to think before she was flying through the air. When they'd come up with this plan she really hadn't thought through the consequences. She'd been so focused on retrieving Grant that she had thought through all the aspects of the plan. It wasn't that she didn't trust Hawkeye, she knew he'd used these specialist arrows before, it was just that dangling off a building by a thin wire that was anchored by an arrow wasn't exactly on her bucket list. If it wasn't their only route in she would've refused. But as it was she was now dangling beside a master assassin while he worked out how to get through the toughened glass window.

"Don't!" She squeaked as he went to break the window. "There's a motion sensor. Smashing the glass will set it off."

"Nice spot. I knew Nat should've come up first. She could've gotten in far faster than I can."

"Nice to be appreciated!" Nat's smug comment made her jump slightly. She was even quieter than Grant was. Glancing down at the ground she spotted the red head lounging against the building as if she didn't have a care in the world. It must be a specialist thing. She'd seen Grant do the exact same thing. She wished she had that confidence. It was all she could do to keep her voice and hands steady, though that may because the stakes were higher on this one. Much higher.

"How're we going to get through the window? Skye can you hack the sensor?" Clint muttered.

Shaking her head, which sent her spinning on the wire she replied.

"Not till we're inside."

"Damn!"

"Do you still have that gift I gave you?" Nat enquired.

"Oh god!" Lance's groan was clearly audible through the coms.

"Why is your mind always in the gutter Hunter?"

"Because we both know you!" Bobbi exclaimed.

"Guys!" Skye complained. She understood the need for banter, she regularly took part when on missions but this time it was too much. While they're messing about who knew what has happening to Grant.

"Anyway. One of the packages has an acid arrow tip. It should cut through the glass and avoid setting off the sensor."

"What do you need acid arrow tips for?" Bobbi wondered as Clint began switch through the quiver options.

"Cutting through glass clearly." Hunter sasses back.

"I like to be prepared." Nat commented unruffled.

"Got it." Clint pulled the arrow free, drawing it along the window, smoke rising in its wake.

"So why give it to Clint?" Bobbi wondered, continuing their conversation.

"Why have a dog and bark yourself?"

"Hey!" Clint objected as the glass came away. Stealthy he slipped though the window. Skye followed having much more difficultly.

"When this is over I'm taking up Pilates." She grumbled as she began overriding the security system.

"Well if it's flexibility your after there are more fun ways to achieve it." Lance smirked.

"Hunter!"

"I'm not on about me Bobbi. From what I've heard her SO can be fairly flexible when needed. I'm sure he can improve her flexibility in a way that is a lot more fun."

Ignoring the innuendo in his voice she continued hacking the system. By the time the others had joined her and Clint the system was hers.

"Right I go first. Skye you're next then Clint. Bobbi you protect our exit, Hunter keep them away from the van. We're on com silence unless of an emergency. Copy?"

After everyone agreed they slowly made their way into a corridor. They weren't entirely sure where Grant was being held so they were going to look for signs of a strengthened room while Skye's algorithm searched the cameras. One way or another they would find him. Methodically they check the first corridor before heading up stairs. The lack of guards concerned Skye but neither Clint nor Nat seemed too worried. Climbing up a level they reached a passcode protected door which took Skye a matter of seconds to hack.

"Looks promising." Clint encouraged.

Nat motioned them to stay as they spotted two armed guards outside a heavy steel door.

"Very promising." Clint muttered as Skye check her tablet from confirmation. Passing it to Nat she nodded at Clint. Pushing down her elation she concentrated on Nat as she used hand signals to explain what would happen next. Before they could move the guarded door opened emitting a man. As he strode down the corridor Skye made out rust coloured stains on his arms and hands, outrage flaring.

"Steady." Nat cautioned quietly. As the guards settled back into their positions beside the door, Skye watched as Nat confidently strutted down the corridor. Reaching the men she jumped grabbing the first around the neck with her thighs. Using her momentum she flung the man into the path of the other guard. A swift rabbit punch took him out before a back kick sent the other crumpling to the ground. Satisfied they wouldn't be bothering them she beckoned to the watching pair. Skye followed Clint slightly awed. She knew how good Nat was, everyone did. But it was one thing to hear about it, another to see it first hand. Catching a glimpse of Skye's face Nat grinned slightly.

"It's not that impressive really. Looks better than it actually is."

"Yeah. No. It is impressive." Skye muttered as she bend to examine the lock on the door. Surprisingly it was just a simple lock and key, not something she could hack. Moving her gently aside Clint made short work of the door.

As the door swung open she couldn't help the small-agonised gasp escaping her. Hung in the room was Grant. Blood trickled from cuts, a small pool situated at his feet. Hearing the noise he slowly raised his head as if it was made of lead.

"Nice trick. Still not going to work." He grimaced before spitting out a small amount of blood.

"Grant? It's me. Skye." She moved forward automatically before being stopped by a gentle hand on her arm. Turn she looked inquiringly at Clint.

"Be Careful. He's extremely dangerous normally, even more so now he's hurt. He thinks it's a trick. He might hurt you. That would tear him apart once he recovers." Nodding at him she shuck his hand off, moving forward till she stood just out of hands reach of Grant. Behind her Nat covered the door while Clint kept an eye on them all.

"Grant it really is me. We came to rescue you."

"That's cute. I'm not sure how you made them sound like Skye but it's very impressive."

"Damn it Robot. It really is me." She stamped her foot. Realising he was never going to believe her she stepped closer ignoring Clint's warning and placed her hands on either side of his face. Stretching up on tiptoes and ignore the blood she gentle pressed a kiss on his lips. Pulling back she watched as he blinked at her in disbelief.

"Skye?"

"Yup. Now come on Robot. Let's get out of here so I can kick your ass for sacrificing yourself to save me."

"You're really here?"

"Yup. Now let's get you down."

Beckoning Clint forward between the two of them they managed to get Grant down safely to the floor. She couldn't help but wince as he stood up, the movement cracking a scab and sending fresh blood flowing down his body. Nat gave him a quick assessment before informing Bobbi and Lance they had the package and were heading back. Ushering Grant to stand with Skye, Nat quickly headed back down the corridor with the rest of the group following. They were just down the corridor from the room they had used to enter the building when all hell broke lose.

As Nat and Clint engaged the guards who'd wandered out of another room, Grant had dragged Skye down protecting her with his body. As bullets flew over their heads Bobbi joined the fray as the guards radioed for reinforcements. Grabbing Grant's hand Skye pulled them both to their feet and headed to their exit. Nat and Clint had been very clear what to do if they engaged with guards. Reaching e window she quickly located the wire. Clipping it onto her harness situated in her tacsuit she quickly observed Grant. No one had mentioned how they were going to get him out without a harness. Understanding the problem he quickly picked her up and wrapped her around his body, ignoring her protests that he was too injured. Clambouring out of the window he lowered them down with a rush of air. Reaching the bottom his legs finally gave out leaving him slumped on the ground. Seeing Skye struggling to move Grant, Hunter quickly came to her aid and between them they moved him into the van. As Skye began strapping him to various monitors Bobbi landed gracefully on the sidewalk. Jumping into the front seat she was quickly followed by Nat and Clint who were both providing cover fire for each other. As soon as they were both in the van Bobbi moved off with a screech of tires.

"Maria we've got him. Prepare medical." Nat informed as she began inspecting Grant's wounds. Taking the seat beside him Skye slumped in relief. As she watched him take shallow breaths she gently grasped his hand so he would know she was still there. Seeing the motion Nat gently squeezed her shoulder.

"He'll be fine." She reassured before continuing with her assessment of his wounds.

"Prepare medical staff to the garage. One male. Lacerations and torture wounds."

"Yes ma'am!" Maria watched as staff ran around in preparation for the team's arrival. One the screen in front of her she watched as they drove towards them, only quitting once she saw van had arrived back at the headquarters. Grabbing a tablet she began making her way towards medical to debrief the team and inspect the condition of ward.

"Stark what are you doing here?" She was brought abruptly to a stop having found him floating in the hallway much to the delight of his fans in the building.

"I was contacted by some of your scientists. Apparently they'd found something that required my expertise."

"Right so you're floating in my hallway why?"

"I need Bruce's help. Plus I heard about agent Ward so want to visit him for myself." He was unusually sombre."

"He's fine Tony. Natasha has already examined him."

"Good. Have you seen the video from the intern? You're boss really can't control children."

"Darcy? What was she doing?"

"Helping the children play tricks apparently. They got him good."

"Of course they did." She sighed. She was never going to hear the end of this. Hopefully it all ended up on tape.

"Hang on why did the scientists need your help? They're the best in the world." She wondered.

"Because of my father's research into transforming people into super soldiers."

"Wait?"

"They think they've found how your agents were turned into children." He nodded.

Back to the children in the next chapter