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Title: Scorned
author: Cindy Ryan
pairings: Clint/Natasha, Steve/Maria
timeline: future AU

It was late or early depending on your definition but Natasha couldn't leave her vigil. Rationally there was no reason for her to be standing in her son's bedroom doorway leaning against the doorframe at three in the morning. So far Phillip had showed no signs of trauma outside of a few tears and not letting Clint out of his sight for very long. Still Natasha felt the need to watch over her son. Maybe it was her way of making up for not being there when he needed her.

Phillip was currently curled up on his left side. A large brown teddy bear that had been a birthday gift from Uncle Thor last year was clutched tightly between tiny hands. The hallway behind Natasha was dark she didn't want anything disturbing Phillip's first night home. His first night back in his airplane shaped bed. It was the first night they'd all been she and Clint had been cleared medically Clint had been delayed in D.C for debriefs and had only gotten in eight hours before.

The Black Widow blinked back the tears that threatened to flow at the thought of her husband. She had come so close to losing both of them. Natasha had never been one to put much faith in miracles but she'd been granted one by having her family home. The Black Widow felt her husband's presence before she heard his footsteps coming from the bedroom. She didn't look up as he pulled her into an embrace wrapping his arms around her waist. Natasha rested her back against Clint's chest.

"I thought you were asleep."Natasha commented quietly.

"Passed out from exhaustion for a couple hours."Clint replied as he rested his head on top of his wife's."How's he doing?"

"No nightmares yet."Natasha reported.

"Maybe he won't have any."Hawkeye suggested.

"I did at his age."Natasha responded grimly. "He's old enough to know what happened."

"He'll be okay, Nat."Clint promised solmenly.

"I hope so."The Black Widow stated her voice barely above a whisper. "No one should have nightmares at four years old."

Clint turned Natasha so she was facing him. Tenderly he cupped her face in his hands.

"Even if he does."Barton said softly. "We'll help him through it."

Natasha nodded and melted into Clint's embrace resting her head on his left shoulder. After several minutes Natasha broke the silence.

"There was something I wanted to talk to you about."Romanoff-Barton began as she looked up at her husband. "I'm going to tell Fury I'm done...no more missions...no more S.H.I.E.L.D."

"Whatever you want to do; I'll support it."Clint promised.

Natasha met Clint's gaze for a long moment. A chill worked it's way up her spine and she moved further into Clint's embrace relishing it. Memories of Melton's nightmare was still too fresh. Part of her wanted to assure herself that her husband was still really there.

"Nat?"Clint prompted.

"Hmm?"Natasha responded.

"What about us?"Hawkeye inquired quietly. "We okay?"

Natasha glanced up at her husband feeling a new wave of anger at Melton. Her family was suffering. In response to Clint's question Natasha kissed him. They'd always been able to communicate on a nonverbal level. She wanted him to know in that kiss how more than okay they were.

"I know it's going to take you awhile to forgive me."Clint began once they finally broke apart.

Natasha shook her head as she lightly touched Clint's right cheek. "Nothing to forgive."

"I love you, Nat."Clint stated huskily as they turned once more to watch their sleeping son.

"I love you too."Natasha replied grateful that her family was safe and home.

end