"Where are we going?" Stark had asked.

"A safe house," Clint had answered shortly.

Nobody expected the safe house to be on a farm in the middle of Iowa. In fact, Stark had not even been sure Iowa was a real state. The Avengers helped each other into the house, with Clint leading the way.

"Honey, I'm home!" Clint called.

Stark chuckled. And stopped abruptly when a pregnant woman answered the call.

"She's an agent," Stark whispered. It was the only explanation he could find. There was no way Barton actually had a wife, much less a pregnant one.

Almost in response, the Avengers heard footsteps thundering downstairs. Two lightweight athletic people, by Steve's judgement.

"Daddy!"

Two children ran into the room and jumped on Clint.

"Hi, Princess," he answered, picking up the girl. He hugged the boy. "Hey, buddy." Clint turned back to the Avengers. "This is Laura, my wife, and the kids, Cooper and Lila."

"Daddy, did you bring Mommy?" Lila asked.

Natasha stepped out from behind the others. "Why don't you hug her and find out?"

Lila jumped into her arms.

"Lila!" Cooper exclaimed.

"Well, Nat, I guess our cover's blown," Clint said.

"Lila, sweetie, we need to work on your spy skills. You know you're supposed to say Laura's your mommy," Natasha reminded the young girl.

"But my teacher says lying is wrong," Lila answered.

Clint and Natasha exchanged a look.

"Wait - you two procreated?" Tony shouted.

Everyone turned to look at him.

"You catch on fast," Bruce commented.

"Shut up."

"Hey, Cap and the kids don't like that kind of language," Clint's not-wife Laura said.

"You told her?" Steve groaned.

Which reminded everyone that there was another adult present.

"So who is she, then?" Tony asked bluntly, "You know, if she's not actually your pregnant wife?"

"A friend," Natasha said, "Laura is our surrogate, and she takes care of the kids."

"I'm sorry. We didn't know children would be involved. Perhaps we should find somewhere else . . ." Steve began.

Clint shook his head. "This is the safest place right now. S.H.I.E.L.D. helped us set this place up a few years ago. It's completely off the grid, and nobody knows it exists except us."

"There's enough room for everyone, if a few people share," Natasha said.

"Mom, can Thor stay in my room?" Cooper asked excitedly.

Thor beamed. "I would be honored, young warrior."