A/N:This is it! The final chapter of From Time to Time. I'm very glad that so many readers enjoyed this story. In the beginning, it was only a one-part story that blossomed into three parts. It also contains a small crossover with the series Castle starring the fantastic Nathan Fillion and Stana Katic.

Many, many thanks to ladygris for her encouragement. Also, thanks to one of my readers. Unfortunately, I can't remember her screen name or I'd thank her personally. There was an element included in part three that came from her review or a PM. Not sure which. RL has been a pain in the backside the last few weeks and I'm lucky I can remember my own name.

2012 winner of NaNoWriMo contest and exclusively Beta'd by the wonderful ladygris.

Gracias,

~Sandy

Avengers

From Time to Time

Chapter 22

Two days later, the snow finally let up and the roads had been plowed and sanded. Naomi and Clint waved from the car as they drove away and within just a few hours, they were back at Stark Tower. Close to dinner time, they appeared in the common area and one by one, the rest of the team joined them.

Stark, the last to arrive, drew Pepper into a long kiss then poured himself a small amount of scotch. "Got something so say, Legolas? 'Cause you look like you're about to pop a cork."

"As a matter of fact, we do." Naomi stood at his side, her smile a wide as Clint's. "We'd originally decided on a June wedding…"

Shaking his head, Stark waved the empty glass in the air. "Can't do June. The Mark IX suit will be ready for field testing and…"

"But…" Clint interrupted the billionaire's rant, "…we've changed it to February fourteenth." The group congratulated them, Pepper and Natasha hugging Naomi and Clint while the guys just nodded or shook hands. "And that means I have to choose a best man."

Again Stark was the first to speak. "I'm flattered, Barton. We'll have the bachelor party in Las Vegas…"

"It's not you, Stark." And while he was dumbfounded, Clint turned to his best friend. "Natasha, will you be my best woman?"

Banner saluted Clint with his glass of iced tea. "Great idea, Clint. Different."

Waving both hands, Stark commanded the attention of those present. "Whoa! You're supposed to have a best man, Legolas. And Romanoff hardly qualifies."

"So? Naomi and I have never done things according to convention, so we're doing this wedding our way. Besides, Nat's been with me a lot longer than the rest of you. She's the logical choice."

"What is the function of a best man?" Thor asked.

Clint shrugged. "He, or in this case, she is sort of a personal aide to the groom. Helping with honeymoon plans, giving advice on formal wear, keeps the ring until the ceremony, gives the first toast at the reception and plans the bachelor party."

"I'm not doing that." Natasha announced. "And I accept."

Stark contemplated Natasha for a few tense moments. "Just picturing the Black Widow in a tux."

At Natasha's sharp glance, Naomi squeezed her shoulder. "I'm sure a black dress would be fine."

Though Clint had hoped that would be the end of the argument from Stark, it wasn't. "But it's the principle of the thing. She not a guy."

"Get over it Stark."

Grumbling, the billionaire poured another finger of scotch. "Fine. But I'm still throwing the bachelor party."

Holding her hands up in surrender, Natasha agreed. "Be my guest, Tony."

Clint felt Naomi's hand slip into his. "It's settled."

The conversation turned to other aspects of the wedding until Stark suddenly announced, "Banner's got a girlfriend. He's been dating your friend Genevieve." At the stunned looks from the others, Stark added, "I'm just saying she's probably gonna be his plus one at the reception."

Under her breath, Natasha muttered something in Russian making Clint laugh. He responded in the same language, switching to English for the other's benefit. "Very true."

Thor asked, "What did she say?"

"Yuvelirnyye izdeliya. She just called him a schmuck."

Rolling his eyes, Stark bore the teasing the way he always did. He ignored it. "As I was saying, we'll go to Las Vegas a couple of days before the wedding, check into the penthouse at my hotel and…" he sipped a mouthful of scotch and swallowed, "…make it up from there."

Sliding onto one of the stools, Banner chuckled. "Wonder what the women'll be doing while we're in Vegas?"

Pepper snorted. "Not going to a strip bar, that's for sure. You've picked out a gown, right, Naomi?"

"I have. Wanna see it?"

"Of course." Naomi and Pepper crossed the room stopping at the stairs and looking pointedly at Natasha.

The Russian rolled her eyes. "I'll come too."

~~O~~

"What's this place called again?" Naomi asked Clint as they drove through the streets of Manhattan. The snow had fallen just enough to give the world an enchanted fairy kingdom feel. Christmas was only a few days away and it looked like they were going to have a white one this year.

Clint flipped on the defroster and the windows cleared of condensation making it easier for him to see. "The Old Haunt. It was a speakeasy back in the day. A few years ago, there was a murder in the basement and after that it was sold to some writer."

Natasha laughed. "As if you didn't know." To Naomi, she said, "Richard Castle, the mystery writer bought it."

Naomi grinned as she turned back to her fiancé. "Clint, honey…" he cringed at her tone, "…isn't Richard Castle your favorite author?"

"What if he is?"

Huffing came from the backseat. "You know him personally?"

Clint shrugged his shoulders as he yanked the wheel hard to the right, skidding into a parking space. "I don't know know him. We've only met a couple of times."

"I hear he's very charming." Naomi teased, glancing back at Natasha to include her in the fun. Clint came around to open the doors for the women, each taking an arm as they entered the bar filled wall to wall with people dressed to impress. Some had come to be seen schmoozing with a famous writer. Others came for the free booze and food. Clint, Naomi and Natasha came for the fun.

As they walked through the door, the trio was met by none other than their host, Rick Castle. Standing beside him was a tall woman with long brown hair. At seeing Clint, Castle smiled broadly. "Clint, you old dog! Where the hell have you been?"

The men shook hands, Clint smiling back, just a little uncomfortable with the effusiveness of the greeting. "Castle. I'd like you to meet…"

The surprise on Castle's face would've been overdone for anyone but him…or Jared. "Naomi DeLuca? Son of a gun! Look at you!"

Naomi hugged the mystery writer, laughing when he kissed her noisily on the cheek. "Good to see you again, Rick. How're Alexis and Martha?"

"They're great. We've accepted Gina's invite to Christmas dinner." He looked from Naomi to Clint and back. "Uh, how do you two know each other?"

"Clint is my fiancé."

Clint cleared his throat driving away his dumbfounded expression and bringing Castle's attention back to him. "We're getting married on Valentine's Day."

The tall woman stepped up next to Castle. "Hey, Castle. Wanna introduce me to your friends?"

"Oh, sorry. Naomi DeLuca and Clint Barton, this is my good friend Detective Kate Beckett."

They all greeted one another with handshakes then Naomi wrapped her right hand around Clint's left elbow while Natasha, who'd been ignored during the reunion between Naomi and Castle, smiled and did the same on Clint's right, extending her other hand. "Hi. Natasha Romanoff."

"Richard Castle. Mystery writer. Are you FBI too, Natasha?"

~~O~~

Clint snorted when Natasha said with an innocent smile, "No, Mr. Castle. I'm a spy."

Castle laughed then coughed awkwardly when no one else did. Across the room, two men standing with two stunning women noticed Naomi and Natasha. The Hispanic man waved to get Castle's attention, but he didn't see it so Naomi pointed. "Someone wants you, Rick."

"More friends of mine." He headed in their direction drawing Clint up next to him and lowering his voice. "For over a year now you're in here always alone, rebuffing every female who made a play for you. Now I know why." Looking around, he lowered his voice even more. "By the way, I saw a replay of the invasion. Didn't know I was hosting one of the Avengers."

"Uh, two, Castle." Clint glanced over his shoulder at Natasha. "That's the Black Widow."

Castle's eyes widened in shock. "So she really is a spy. This would make a great plotline for one of my Nicky Heat novels."

The two couples standing by the fireplace welcomed the others with smiles, the guys looking the women over with undisguised interest, especially the Hispanic man. He extended his hand to Natasha first then to Naomi. "Javier Esposito, at your service. And you are…?"

A commanding voice came from behind the group as Steve Rogers pushed his way to Natasha's side. "She's taken, pal. So back off." Steve dropped a quick kiss on Natasha's lips, dropped an arm around her shoulders and nodded at Castle. "Steve Rogers."

Esposito waved both hands in the air then winced when a very pretty African-American woman stepped on his foot. Castle grinned impishly as he introduced everyone. "Left to right we have Kate Beckett, Javier Esposito, Lanie Parish, Kevin Ryan, his lovely wife, Jenny, meet Natasha Romanoff, Steve Rogers, Naomi DeLuca and Clint Barton. Cops on the right, spies on the left. Or is it the other way around?" The cheeky grin turned to pain when Beckett squeezed his arm.

With a grin, Naomi said, "Clint, honey, isn't Rick your favorite author?"

Embarrassed that his secret was out, Clint rubbed the back of his head. "Uh, not really."

"So that stash of Nicki Heat novels in the bottom of your closet belongs to…"

"Someone else."

Laughing uproariously, Castle clapped a hand on Clint's shoulder. "You've read me. You've read me and you liked it!" Rocking back and forth on his heels, he grinned smugly. "The first time he came in here he said he'd never heard of me."

Beckett again squeezed his arm. "Castle?"

"Yeah?"

"Shut up and get them something to drink."

Clint rolled his eyes when Castle gave himself a head slap. "Sorry." He took orders, Beckett and Esposito going with him to help carry the drinks.

When Castle had gone, Clint smiled ruefully. "She sure has him trained, doesn't she?"

~~O~~

Naomi excused herself, glancing over her shoulder as she moved through the crowd. When she was sure Clint couldn't see her, she sidled up to Castle and made the sort of request that only a good friend could make. The author agreed with a smile and Naomi's Christmas gift for her fiancé was in the bag. Now all she had to do was get it home and wrapped.

When Castle returned bearing drinks, to make a point, Naomi touched her fiancé on the arm. "Clint, honey, I left my purse in the car. Would you get it for me?"

"Sure." Clint set his drink on the table and pushed his way through the crowd with Naomi giving the women a "so there" look.

The entire group laughed when Castle said, "Wow! You sure have him trained!" All but Ryan who hid an uncomfortable smile behind his glass as he took a drink.

On Christmas morning, before Clint and Naomi left for Gina's, Naomi watched as her fiancé unwrapped a complete hardback set of Richard Castle novels autographed by the author. He was more excited about the gift than he let on though he did kiss her soundly before opening each one just to check. Castle had signed each and every one with a different notation.

His gift, however, had to wait because it wouldn't be delivered for a couple of weeks. At least that's what he said. He was and wasn't lying, but she couldn't figure out. Three weeks later, she found out.

On a sunny yet cold winter Saturday morning, he put her in the truck, blindfolded, and not with the trick one he'd used for their appearance at the circus. She couldn't see anything with this one. When he removed it, she was standing in front of one of the most beautiful homes in all of Southampton though not the largest.

There was a long curved driveway that had a covered area near the entrance for parking that lead to a covered walkway and over to a side entrance.

A gated courtyard guarded the front door and a nook gave one a quiet place to sit and read or just contemplate one's place in the universe. Bay windows looked out over gently sloping hills. The entire home was covered in stones of varying sizes and shapes all set together randomly. The muted multihued browns and tans giving the eyes more to focus on than just the shapes of the stone themselves.

The garden, at least where she could see it, was filled with hardy winter plants and flowers, and come summer, she knew it would be bursting with color and life.

"It's beautiful, but why are we here?"

"Two reasons. One, your Christmas gift is here."

Naomi hitched one hip to the side. "And two?"

Clint spread his arms out to encompass the entire property. "Your mom's giving us this as a wedding present. But don't tell her I told you. She wanted it to be a surprise."

"Then how did you find out?"

Opening the gate and ushering Naomi ahead of him, Clint rang the doorbell. "Because the current tenant told me. His work in the area will be wrapping up by February sixth and he'll be back home with his family by the seventh."

"Okay. But I still don't understand why…" The front door opened and Naomi's heart and stomach leapt to her throat making speech impossible for the moment because the man in front of her was none other than her favorite movie celebrity, Jeremiah Ridley. She'd always thought him attractive, though not as much as Clint, but in person the man was breathtaking.

He wore a blue-gray ribbed sweater that zipped up the front and dark slacks. His hair was light to medium brown worn short and parted on the left. In his films, he seemed much taller than five foot nine and she attributed it to his powerful on-screen presence. The majority of his characters were intense, troubled and very reluctant heroes with a thirst for danger. He seldom laughed in his movies, and when he did, someone usually died. He could say more with just a glance than most actors could with page after page of dialogue.

But the feeling she got from him now told her that he was a content and very happy man in his personal life. And why wouldn't he be? It had recently been announced that he and his wife were expecting their first child in two months.

Jeremiah smiled broadly. "Clint! Glad you could make it. And you must be Naomi." She looked stupidly at his hand, belatedly placing hers in it for a handshake. "Please come in." He kept hold of her hand, tucking into the bend of his elbow and drawing her inside.

Over her shoulder, Naomi could see her fiancé's smirk mixed with smugness and wanted to slap him, or kiss him. She wasn't sure. But instead, she just listened to Jeremiah chatter on about who knew what. The movie star led them to a small sitting room framed on three sides with floor to ceiling windows that let in the sun's warmth without the cold. For summer, there were heat reflecting shades that could be let down to keep the room cool.

Clint helped her off with her coat then removed his own tossing both over the back of the sofa. He and Jeremiah waited until she sat down to take seats themselves. Through the ringing in her ears, she heard him offer her a cup of hot cocoa, almost laughing when he squirted a generous heap of whipped cream on top and added sprinkles before handing it to her with a friendly smile. "So Naomi, Clint tells me that you're a fan of my work."

"I…yes. Yes, I am, Mr. Ridley."

"Please call me John. Jeremiah Ridley is my stage name." Jeremiah handed Clint a cup of cocoa, also with whipped cream, then served himself.

They spent the entire day with Jeremiah, Naomi coming away thoroughly charmed. And that wasn't all. She also went home with autographed DVDs of all his movies, including an advanced copy of his just released The Boy Who Cried Wolf. The "wolf" was an evil sorcerer in disguise and no one believed the boy when he was attacked while tending his flock. The boy grows up and sets about taking down evil wizards and sorcerers all over the world.

Naomi and Clint also received a standing invitation to stay with Jeremiah and his family the next time they were in southern California where they lived.

Yes, jewelry would've been nice, but it wouldn't have been Clint to give it except rarely. This memory, of meeting her favorite actor would stay with her forever.

February 12th

The long black limo pulled up to the front of the hotel, Stark got out first followed by Banner, Clint, Rogers and lastly, Thor. The big Asgardian looked out of place in blue jeans, a New York Rangers jersey and a sport jacket.

Whipping off his sunglasses, Stark hooked them into the pocket of his blazer. "What d'you think, Point-Break?"

Grinning, Thor turned in a circle staring up at all the lights and people bustling here and there. "I find this city quite exhilarating, Stark though I am concerned. Will I be able to find Pop-Tarts in a place such as this?"

Stark slapped him on the shoulder. "This is Vegas. If they don't have it, it's not worth buying."

Banner too pulled off his sunglasses holding them in one hand. "And if they don't have what you want, they'll get it for you. For a price, of course."

The only one who wasn't smiling was Rogers. "At least one thing hasn't changed in the last seventy years. Las Vegas is just as gaudy now as it was then."

"You'll get over it, Capsicle. Let's check in and have dinner and drinks while we decide what to do for Barton's big send off."

Stark's words weren't meant as an insult and Clint didn't take them that way. "You thought about proposing to Pepper?"

"Planning it as we speak." The men followed the bellmen as they pushed three carts of luggage toward the back of the lobby. The Avengers piled in for the ride upstairs with the bellmen joining them a few minutes later. The good thing about renting the penthouse was the private elevator opened directly into the master suite.

Their rooms at Stark Tower were luxurious, but the hotel had taken it to a whole new level. The furnishings and fabrics fairly screamed money and lots of it. At any moment, Clint expected the royal family to come walking in. It was laid out much the same at the Tower with one common area and hallways that branched off in several directions. Each suite had a name and a color scheme that was unique.

"Okay, team. This is how it's gonna go. Banner, you're in Dresden, Rogers, take the Florentine, Thor, Star of Africa, Barton, let's go with…Jonker and I'll take Nizam. Anything you need, just pick up the phone. We have our own concierge team so don't be shy. If we want 'em, we have a full kitchen staff at our beck and call. If not, I'll just give 'em the night off." When the bellmen tried to help them with their bags, Stark sent the young men on their way with generous tips. "This is your show, Barton so make a decision. In or out for dinner? Fancy, casual, in between?"

"I'm kinda tired. Let's have something delivered."

"You got it." Taking out his phone, Stark scrolled his contact list until he found the one he wanted. He grabbed one of his suitcases and headed down the left middle hallway giving instructions over the phone. The rest of the guys grabbed their luggage and one by one, the doors opened then closed until the main room was empty.

Two hours later, the friends were lured out into the dining room by the smell of food cooking. The long table was set casually as befitted the meal with servers standing by. In one corner was a walk-in wine cellar and next to it, a walk-in refrigerator filled with every brand and style of beer made in the world.

Clint found his name at the head of the table with Rogers and Banner seated to his left, and Stark and Thor to his right. Drinks were ordered then Stark motioned to one of the servers and the woman went into the kitchen to emerge a moment later with a slender woman with brown hair highlighted in blond. "Giada, thanks for coming on so short notice."

"It's nothing, Antonio. I was only filming an episode of my cooking show. But for you, I was happy to drop everything." He voice had the tell-tale lilt of one for whom Italian was the first language.

The billionaire took her right hand in his and kissed the back of it. "You are a generous soul, Giada. I'd like you to meet my friends. The big blond guy is Thor. Across from him is Dr. Bruce Banner. Next to him is Captain Steve Rogers and the guest of honor, Agent Clint Barton. Guys, this is Giada De Laurentiis, the greatest Italian chef in the world."

"Agent Barton, you're the one getting married on Valentine's Day, yes?"

"Yeah." Clint shook the famous chef's hand, continuing the conversation in fluent Italian.

When Stark had enough of being ignored, he touched Giada on the shoulder and she returned to his side with a bright smile. "Dinner will be served very shortly, gentlemen." She nodded and left the room.

True to her word, Giada treated the men to the best Italian food any of them had ever tasted. And while their meal was settling and dessert was being prepared, the group retired to the game room where Thor was taught the finer points of pool.

Giada took her leave, giving both Stark and Clint a kiss on each cheek. At the door, she waved. "Ciao!" And was gone.

Stark gesture the others to his side. "What's the plan for your last day of freedom, Legolas? Strippers? Showgirls? The Elton John show? Les Misérables? Gambling? Hookers? Gelato? Take your pick."

Clint grinned at his friends, one eyebrow crawling up his forehead as he told them exactly what he wanted to do on his final day of singlehood. Banner was concerned that the Other Guy might make an appearance, but he was persuaded by the relentlessness of the others, finally giving in.

That's how they found themselves the next morning, hiding in the bushes, geared up and armed with paintball guns, Stark having challenged a group on a corporate teambuilding retreat. Keeping his voice low, Stark said, "Call it, Cap."

Rogers nodded once then quickly handed out assignments. After a group fist bump, they separated and began their assault.

February 14th

Early Evening

"One more time, folks!" The photographer counted to three and snapped off three shots in quick succession. "That's it. I'll wander around taking candid photos of the party until nine or so then I'm off."

Naomi's gown was strapless white chiffon covered a sheer overlay with wrist length sleeves. It had a multitude of white and silver stones in a starburst pattern exploding from the region of her navel. It swept the floor but didn't have a train. She also didn't wear a veil and the only jewelry she'd displayed was her engagement ring-now her wedding set-and a pair of matching earrings that dangled no more than an inch below her earlobes. Her bouquet and those of her attendants were made of anemones, dahlias, calla lilies, peonies carnations and cherry blossoms, all in pale shades of pink and white. The cherry blossoms were a private joke between Naomi and Clint.

In another unconventional move, Naomi had walked herself down the aisle. After all, she didn't need to be "given away" because she and Clint already belonged to each other. The ceremony just made it official.

Banner had been asked to officiate when it was discovered that he'd obtained a clergyman's license several years ago after being asked on more than a few occasions to perform wedding ceremonies by couples who assumed that he was a missionary from the United States. In a way he was, so it had been a natural step to take.

Gina had been asked to serve as matron of honor, but had declined because she wanted to sit with Naomi's father during the ceremony. She was dressed a deep burgundy floor length gown. A ruched mesh overlay V-neck with wrist length sleeves and beaded floral embellishment at the gathered waist draped over the underdress. And there, sitting beside her had been Fury, wearing a tux that reminded her of the most recent James Bond film.

Serene had stood as the matron of honor with Maria Hill, Pepper and Elyse as the bridesmaids. The women had worn eye-catching strapless dresses with sequined bodices in a dark pink the color of the inside of a watermelon. Elyse's dress was the same color, but more fitting for a young girl with an empire waist and a satin bow in the back to match the one in her hair.

The men were all in tuxes, each one subtly different than the others. Clint wore a vest and bow tie that matched the silver sparkles on Naomi's dress. Natasha, as the best woman, wore a chic strapless black dress that flattered her figure without clinging to every curve, the hemline stopping less than two inches above her knees. Over it, she wore a jacket that bore only a passing resemblance to the tuxes worn by the men. A simple strand of pearls and matching teardrop earrings completed the look. The groomsmen, Trevor Alston, Rogers, Stark and Donny also wore classic tuxes, but without vests or cummerbunds.

Matthew and Clint's namesake, called CJ to avoid confusion, served as the ring co-bearers each carrying a small satin pillow. CJ proudly carried the ring Naomi would give to Clint while Matthew carried Clint's for Naomi.

The group broke up, Naomi and Clint, husband and wife for a whole two hours, making their way to the front of the room where table for the wedding party had replaced the vine covered arch under which they'd taken their vows. Gina had insisted on having the wedding in her home. The plan had been to have it in the yard, but the weather had conspired against them forcing her to come up with a contingency on the fly.

And as unconventional as the couple was, she was even more so. Instead of clearing out the furniture, she had additional chairs brought in, and not the folding kind. There were forty in all, not including the dozen or so kids from the community center as well as Elyse and Matthew Whitfield, and Breena and Clint Alston.

Serene, Donny, Natasha and Steve found their seats on either side of the happy couple. As soon as everyone had been served drinks, lemonade for the kids and champagne for the adults who wanted it, Natasha stood to deliver her best woman speech. Somewhere in the middle, she slipped in a few sentences in Russian making Clint choke on his champagne and Naomi blush furiously when he translated. Though Gina asked several times, none of them would appease her curiosity.

Serene and Alston followed Natasha, and naturally, Stark had to get in on the fun, cutting himself off when Pepper called his name.

By the end of the night, everyone, especially Clint and Naomi were exhausted. Stark had provided transportation home or to their hotel, reserving a helicopter for himself and Pepper. The next day, Clint and Naomi boarded a plane for Europe and spent the next two weeks in Paris just relaxing and walking along the Champs-Élysées.

When they returned home, Clint and Naomi took a few days to rest up then it was business as usual for the happy couple, their family and friends.

It had taken more than twelve years for Naomi and Clint to get to this point, and they would spend the rest of their lives making up for those stolen years. And from time to time, they would look back on their joined lives and remember how lucky they were to have found each other.

The End