Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

When Hydra tried to take over the world and Shield died, Darcy was with Jane. Of course she was with Jane, she would comment, that’s what being upgraded from intern to assistant meant, she was always with Jane. They were in England with Erik, still looking into the anomalies that had resulted in the world almost being destroyed by aliens, again.

Hydra had higher priorities, so for the first two days they were left alone, which gave Darcy time to plan. On the third day, she noticed several watchers. She managed to send Jane and Erik off somewhere safe and then led the Hydra agents on wild goose hunt. When they finally caught Darcy they were displeased to realize that they only had the assistant and had let both scientist slip through their fingers.

They took her anyway, figuring that since she had been assisting for several years, she might know more than her bubblebrained, mouthy appearance suggested. Darcy played said appearance up, aware that it was the only identity they knew about. Once they got to base they threw her in an unobserved cell and left her alone.

When they finally brought her out she did her best to play scared even as she scanned her surroundings for information. She almost fell out of character when her eyes landed on a bruised but free Jasper Sitwell, who was staring at her in dismay.

She dropped her eyes, her mind racing in disbelief. The only way anyone would be free on this base was if they were Hydra. Jasper was free. Ergo, Jasper was Hydra. They man who taught her Spanish and helped her learn to read by reading princess books with her was Hydra.

While she struggled to process the concept Sitwell inserted himself into the conversation about her. He managed to both imply that she knew absolutely nothing while suggesting that she might still be useful. The other Hydra agents, more concerned with the remnants of Shield and the Avengers, decided that he could be the one to keep an eye on her.

He took her back to her cell, at which point she turned asked “Hydra? Really?”

His face blank he answered “You don’t understand. We’re changing the world for the better.”

“You’re Nazis.” She said flatly.

“We are not!” He snapped. “You don’t understand, we’re not the bad guys.”

“Really.” She said flatly. “If that’s the case then why haven’t you told them who I really am?”

Chapter Text

Jasper, no, Sitwell, sputtered for a moment before snapping “Look, just keep your head down. Don’t draw attention to yourself or you’ll get yourself killed.”

Darcy snorted and asked “What do you think I’m doing?”

Sitwell scowled at her and left.

Several hours later he returned and took her to a lab where several scientists asked her questions. She refused to answer them. When they got frustrated with her snappy, snarky comments, one of the scientists slapped her and told Sitwell to take her back to her cell.

After shoving her in he demanded “What part of keep you head down did you fail to understand? If you don’t answer their questions they’ll kill you.”

She looked back at him, her chin raised defiantly and replied “I’m not telling them anything. Besides the fact that Jane is my friend, and I wouldn’t tell them anything because of that, they’re, you’re Hydra and I’m not giving you any information about anything that might help you hurt people.”

They remained locked in eye  contact for several tense minutes before Sitwell’s shoulders slumped and he turned an left.

Darcy’s life settled into a routine after that. Sitwell brought her two meals a day, and everytime they had some variation of the same conversation. He told her to cooperate for her own good and she told him she wouldn’t help bad guys. She was taken to the lab once a day and questioned, and the scientists got increasingly frustrated. The only reason they hadn’t seriously injured her was that Sitwell kept intervening, but it was getting harder and harder for him to do so.

Finally one day the scientists needed a test subject and decided that since they weren’t getting anything from Darcy, they might as well use her. When Sitwell started to object and remind them that she would make a good threat to hold over Foster’s head if they ever caught her, all they said was that it wouldn’t kill her.

He was left unable to do anything but watch uneasily while they hooked her up to several different machines. She didn’t resist, but she struggled to control her growing panic. As they hooked an iv of a strange liquid into her arm and turned on several machines her eyes turned to Sitwell who helplessly looked back until her eyes rolled back. Once the procedure started the scientists sent him away, saying that he wouldn’t be needed until it finished and she awoke.

They called him back when the time came and told him to keep her calm. He stepped into the room, which was emptied of everyone else, and looked over at where she had been. In her place was a familiar little girl who was looking around in disoriented terror. When her eyes landed on him they widened and she asked with a  quavering voice

“Jasper?”

Chapter Text

His eyes flicked over to the camera he knew was observing the room, but her face had been pointed away from it. He then focused his attention on the little girl and said carefully, in full view of the camera,

“Hi little girl. My name’s Jasper. Do you know where you are?”

She stares at him silently for a moment, and he waits, hoping she caught the combination of little girl and location question, hoping she remembers what it means.

“I… I don’t know where I am. I think I’m s'posed to be at school.” She finally manages to answer.

He keeps his shoulders from sagging in relief at the reference to school and says “Well, Ms. Lewis, you were brought to our facility to keep you safe.”

He watches her frown when he calls her Ms. Lewis but her only response is a quavering “C'n I see my parents?”

“When it is possible, we’ll contact them and you can talk to them but not yet.” He tells her and sees her lip tremble and her eyes start to fill. He leans in closer and says “It’s alright, you’re safe, Darcy, can I call you Darcy?” She nods shakily. He continues “Now I’m going to take you to your room, okay Darcy?”

She nods again and slides off the table. The shirt she’d been wearing is the only item of clothing still on her and it now swamps her. He holds out his hand to her and leads her out of the room. He gets raised eyebrows and amused smirks from the other Hydra agents, but he ignores them and leads her to her cell.

Once there he turns to the little girl and says “Okay Pajarita, we’re good, they’re not observing anymore.”

She doesn’t let go of his hand, instead clinging tighter, and says with wide, panicked brown eyes “Jasper! Jasper I saw! There was octopuses with skulls! That’s Hydra, Jasper! Does Hydra have us?”

He looks into her trusting eyes and says “Yes, this is Hydra, Pajarita.”

She shudders and her hand tightens even more as she asks quietly “Where’s Phil?”

“Not here” He answers immediately, “And… I can’t get to him right now, chica. They don’t know who you are, not really, they think you’re Darcy Lewis from the midwest and you live with your parents and your older brother’s in the marines. Can you stick to that for me Pajarita?”

She nods, looks around her cell and then turns to him with growing horror in her eyes “Jasper? Are you Hydra?”

He meets her eyes, sees the trust and the fear and the hope in them, takes a deep breath and says “Yes.”

Chapter Text

Uponhearing his answer, Darcy dropped his hand and recoiled staring at him, distraught.

“But… why?” She gasped out.

“Because…” Jasper starts and then stops. He looks at her for a long moment and then shakes his head and says “It doesn’t matter.”

She looks at him dubiously, but doesn’t reply.

He shakes his head again and says “Can you keep your cover straight for me Pajarita?”

Darcy nods and answers “’M from the mi'west an’ my parents’re alive an’ Phil’s in the marines. Is he still Phil?”

Jasper shakes his head no and says “James, your brother’s name is James.”

She nods and looks around uncomfortably.

“One more thing Pajarita.” He says and she looks back to him. It’s 2014, you should be in your twenties. The scientists did something.“

She blinked at him mutely, her mouth pulling down in stunned surprise.

"I have to go now. I’ll be back later with food.”

He hesitated a moment and then reached forward and smoothed his hand over her head before turning and leaving.

Hydra mostly left her alone after that except for several examinations by the scientists. Jasper stole away to check on her as often as he could, and it didn’t take long before her disappointment in him was overshadowed by her desperate need for the comfort of someone familiar. He spent most of his time gathering everything he could find on the project that had led to the experiment on her.

Then one day Darcy heard louder and more violent sounds than usual. Jasper appeared suddenly, out of breath and tense. He hissed “Quietly” at her and grabbed her hand and led her out of her cell. He took her through the facility to a mouldering storage area. He then let go of her hand and grabbed her shoulders instead.

“I need you to hide. Wait till I’m gone and then hide. Don’t come out until I or someone you know comes and gives the gamma signal. Do you understand me?”

She nodded, wide-eyed, and repeated “Gamma signal.”

He nodded and said “Alright, good girl. I’ll come back as soon as I can Pajarita.” Then left, making sure to not look back and see where she was hiding herself.

Chapter Text

While the rest of the Hydra agents were fighting the attackers, Jasper did his best to stay out of sight. He slipped into the lab and started downloading everything he had found about the rejuvenation project onto a thumbdrive.

That was where Captain America and Black Widow found him. He was fairly certain the only reason he had time to start talking was their surprise at seeing him alive, but he took advantage of the time to put his hands up and say

“You have no reason to trust me. I’m not even asking you to, but I’m not going to struggle.”

This earns him a dubious frown from Captain America and a blank face from Widow. Jasper shifts slowly so that he can hold out the thumbdrive and says

“Here, you’ll need this.”

There is a pause and then Cap says “Cuff him.”

Widow steps forward, takes the drive, and cuffs the hands Jasper held out in front of himself. They started to lead him out of the facility and he blurted

“Wait! Please! We have to pick something up first!”

Cap gave him a disbelieving look but Jasper turned towards Widow and said

“I swear it’s not a trap. It’s… it’s about Junior.”

Widow went completely motionless for a long moment, staring at him intently, before saying “Lead the way.”

Cap threw a startled glance at Widow but she just shook her head and followed Sitwell. He lead them back to the storage area and with a nervous glance at Widow called out

“In which Cimorene refuses to be proper and has a conversation with a frog.”

Darcy had watched silently as Jasper came back, accompanied by a red-headed woman and man in what she recognized with horror as the Captain America costume. But then Jasper called out the gamma signal, which meant that she really was supposed to come out.

So she slipped down from the perch she’d found and ran forward to cling to Jasper’s leg. The two strangers stared down at her and the man in the costume said

“This is…”

“Junior.” Said the red-head, giving Jasper a dangerous look.

Chapter Text

After a long moment, Not-Captain-America-She-Hoped and the red-headed lady lead them out of the facility. Darcy held tight to Jasper’s hand as they followed obediently. They ended up getting on to a jet of some sort, where they met a talking robot who said upon noticing her

“Holy shit! That’s a kid! Why is there a kid? Oh my god Hydra has a kid! It’s a Mini-Hydra!”

Darcy scowled, and refused to shrink closer to Jasper. She wasn’t Hydra and she wasn’t going to act like she was! …even if the only person she knew right now was Hydra.

The red-headed lady snapped a sharp “Shut up, Stark!”

Then she went towards the cop pit where a black man was standing and said “We’ve got everything we need, Falcon. Get us out of here.”

The man, Falcon?, nodded soberly, looked thoughtfully at the others and then ducked into the cop pit and started the plane.

Darcy carefully climbed into a seat and tried to do up the flight harness. She struggled with the complicated, too big straps, and Not-Captain-America stepped closer and reached towards her. Unable to help herself, she flinched away. He froze, stepped back, and crouched down. Meanwhile Jasper sat next to her and reached over to adjust the straps before giving them up as a lost cause.

Not-Captain-America watched them carefully and then looked Darcy in the eye, smiled, and said “Hi, I’m Steve, do you have a name?”

Darcy glared at him mistrustfully and kept her mouth clamped shut.

The robot said “Why would Hydra bother with a name? She probably has some sort of creepy codename instead. Is that right Mini-Hydra?”

Darcy transferred her glare to the robot.

The red-headed lady said “Leave Junior alone. She has no reason to trust you.”

After that the trip was silent.

The plane touched down somewhere and Not-Captain-America got up and said “All right, let’s pick up the others quickly and get back to base.”

There were nods from his companions and the back of the jet opened. Darcy could see several people walking towards the jet: a large man with long blond hair wearing what looked like armor and carrying a hammer, a small rumpled looking man with gray streaked curls and torn clothes, and behind them-

Darcy froze, uncertain whether to believe her eyes.

The other people were talking but the red-headed lady’s voice cut acrossed their voices as she said “Clint.”

The man in question’s eyes turned to the lady, a question in his eyes. She jerked her chin towards Darcy and his eyes followed and then widened in recognition. At that point Darcy slid from her seat and ran towards him.

Clint, because it was definitely Clint dropped to one knee and opened his arms in time for her to throw herself into them. Her arms wrapped around his neck as he gathered her close, and she shuddered with relief as she gasped

“Clint!”

Chapter Text

They stay wrapped up in a hug for an endless moment while Darcy shudders and Clint makes WTF faces at Natasha. Finally Darcy released her death grip around his neck enough to lean back and meet his eyes. Clint looked at her solemnly and waited.

After a moment she asked quietly “Clint? Are you Hydra?”

He looked her firmly in the eyes, his face serious and without any of the laughter that typically characterized him, and said “No.”

Darcy nodded and then bit her lip and asked “Promise?”

And now he smiled, slowly and warmly, and said “I promise.”

Her eyes closed and her whole body slumped in relief and then she opened her eyes and said with a pinched look on her face “Jasper is. I asked him and he told me.”

Clint nodded and pulled a face as his eyes flicked briefly to where Sitwell was seated quietly before returning his gaze to Darcy. She had a hesitant look on her face that prompted him to continue waiting quietly until she asked

“Is anyone else here Hydra?”

He smiled again and said “Nah, Colibri. The only person here who’s Hydra is Sitwell. The rest of us know better than to be squid nazis.”

She nodded and then side-eyed towards the man in the Captain America outfit with a question in her eyes. Clint grinned and raised an eyebrow challengingly, clearly telling her that if she wanted answers she needed to actually ask questions.

She considered asking but then her face crumpled and she said plaintively “I want to go home. I want my brother.”

Clint’s face softened immediately and he said “All right then. We need to get back on the plane Little Bird. He’s at our next stop.”

Then he stood up, took her hand, and led her towards the seats. He waited for Darcy to get settled and then crouched down and managed to actually arrange the adult sized harness in a way that could keep her in her seat. He settled into the seat next to her as the rest of the adults entered the plane with several whispered conversations attempting to explain the little girl they’d found at the other Hydra base who they were apparently keeping.

Chapter Text

The flight back to base was uneventful. Darcy sat next to Clint and quietly observed the other people on the jet.

Jasper was sitting uncomfortably still. He was keeping his face mostly blank, but there was a pinched edge to his features that told Darcy he wasn’t comfortable, whether it was with his situation or himself, she couldn’t tell.

The red-headed lady had positioned herself carefully to keep an eye on Jasper. Her grace and stillness reminded Darcy of the way Clint moved and held himself and she wondered if the red-headed lady was an assassin like him. The lady was also keeping a subtle eye on Darcy, but since so far she had been helpful and let Darcy alone, Darcy was doing her best to ignore it.

The man in the Captain America costume looked and sounded a surprising amount like the pictures and recordings she had seen of Captain America. Enough so that she was actually wondering whether he could possibly be… but she doubted it. He did seem kind though, he had tried to help her and he was checking in with the tired rumpled man.

The tired rumpled man himself seemed the most harmless of the people on the jet as he carefully changed into new clothes. He carried himself like all of the scientists she had ever met, but that didn’t explain why his clothes had been torn or why he’d been in what appeared to be a combat situation with Clint.

The other man who had accompanied Clint was large. Darcy was very puzzled by the actual metal armor and the cape the man was wearing. The fact that his chosen weapon appeared to be a huge hammer was less disconcerting since Clint preferred a bow over guns. The large man had seated himself comfortably and while he remained alert, he also appeared relaxed. He directed several smiles towards her, and she wondered whether he was attempting to reassure her.

She couldn’t tell much about the pilot, who was after all in the cock pit, but he was handling the jet smoothly.

That left the talking robot. She didn’t like it very much. It was loud and obnoxious and she couldn’t read its face and it kept calling her Mini-Hydra. She wasn’t Hydra and if it called her that again she was going to ask Clint to shoot it.

She continued to observe them until the jet touched down at what they were calling base. They all got up and started gathering their equipment and stretching. Clint crouched down in front of Darcy and helped open her harness. Then he offered her his hand and lead her down the ramp with the others.

Chapter Text

At the bottom of the ramp Darcy hesitated. Clint turned and looked at her questioningly. She shifted uncomfortably and said quietly

“I hafta go to the bathroom.”

Clint smiled at her and said “Well, then it’s good that one of those is nearby.”

Then he turned to the others and said “You guys can handle Sitwell while we head to a restroom, right?”

The robot waved a hand dismissively and said “Yeah, yeah, go keep Mini-Hydra from making a mess, I’m sure we can keep track of one measly Hydra agent without you Legolas.”

Darcy scowled at the robot but Clint just chuckled and tugged on her hand, saying “C'mon Colibri, this way.”

Darcy followed quietly while noticing that the others were leading Jasper in the other direction.

Clint lead her to a restroom and asked “You can handle it on your own? I can go in with you if you need, but if any other ladies come along I might get in trouble.”

He smiled impishly as he teased her and she scowled at him and said “I can do it. ’M not a baby.”

His smile gentled into something fonder and more amused as he answered “All right then Little Bird. You do your thing, I’ll be here waiting.”

Darcy slipped into the bathroom and did her business. A few minutes later she came back out to find a tall, intimidating woman talking to Clint, who was leaning against the opposite wall. Darcy slipped over to him and grabbed at his leg. She darted a cautious look up at the woman and then did a double take at the woman who was staring down at her in obvious surprise and asked

“Melinda?”

The woman stared at her for a long moment before replying “Little Bird.”

Darcy looked at her uncertainly, darting a glance at Clint. How could Melinda look so serious and scary she wondered. Melinda was fun and laughed a lot. Clint’s hand came to rest reassuringly on Darcy’s shoulder and scary-Melinda unbent enough to smile gently at her and say

“Hello Little Bird. What have you gotten yourself into this time?”

Darcy relaxed a little and answered “Hydra I think.”

Then she frowned and asked “You’re not Hydra, are you?”

Melinda’s face pinched and she answered firmly and a little sharply “No.”

Darcy nodded quietly and then looked between Clint and Melinda’s faces and said tiredly “I want my brother.”

Melinda’s face smoothed out again and she said “Well, I happen to know where he is. I can take you to him.”

She held out a hand to Darcy, who reached up to take it, slipping her other hand into Clint’s. Then the three of them set off down the corridor.

Chapter Text

When the Avengers (minus Hawkeye and Mini-Hydra) walked up to Phil Coulson he was saying firmly to Jane Foster

“I assure you Doctor Foster, as soon as we have any news on Miss Lewis, you will be informed.”

“But…” Jane started to object.

“Now if you will excuse me.” Phil interrupted and turned his attention to the Avengers.

Steve started reporting what they’d seen and done. A few minutes later they were interrupted by several excited voices exclaiming

“So cute!”

They all looked behind Phil to where his baby scientists were cooing over Mini-Hydra. His hacker was standing a little farther away and saying

“Uh, Guys? She’s holding hands with May. Maybe you should back off?”

“What?” Phil murmured under his breath.

“That’s Mini-Hydra.” Tony said. “Sitwell was hiding her.”

Phil made a humming sound in the back of his throat before saying firmly “Fitzsimmons, enough.”

They backed away from the girl, looking sheepishly at Phil, but his attention was on the girl, who had looked over when he spoke. She didn’t move for a long moment, staring at him with wide eyes and a pinched face. Then she let go of the hands she was holding and flung herself at him. As soon as she got within arm’s distance, Phil scooped her up into his arms.

Her arms went around his neck and she buried her face in the crook of his neck. He propped her on one hip, one arm holding her up under her butt, the other rubbing soothing circles on her back. He murmured a quiet litany of

“It’s okay, I’ve got you, you’re safe now, I’m here.”

Chapter Text

Phil continued to quietly reassure Darcy for several minutes while most of the people nearby stared in surprise and confusion. Finally she lifted her head from his shoulder, sniffing and wiping at her eyes. He shifted his grip as she shifted and asked

“Are you hurt?”

She shook her head and answered

“Jasper wouldn’t let them.”

Her lip trembled and he brought a hand up to cup her cheek. He looked at the grimy, tattered clothes that Hydra had provided when she shrank and said

“I think we need to find you some clean clothes.”

She nodded, and then said

“’M hungry.”

He nodded, frowned, and then said

“There are a few things I need to take care of. Can you go with Clint? I’ll come find you as soon as I can.”

She bit her lip and stared at him for a long moment before nodding silently. Clint came over and she leaned towards him, allowing herself to be transferred from one set of arms to another, but she didn’t let go of where she had one hand fisted in Phil’s jacket. Phil took her hand between his, leaned forward so that he was looking her in the eye  and said solemnly

“Only for a little while, Flutterbudget.”

She stared at him for a moment before nodding and whispering

“‘Kay.”

He quirked his lips in a small smile and kissed her forehead before letting go of her hand. Clint nodded once at Phil and then turned and started walking away, saying

“Alright, we’ve got some storage rooms around here somewhere with all kinds of clothes, there should be something that fits you. What do you think Little Bird? Clothes or food first?”

“Food.” She said quietly but firmly.

“Works for me!” Clint said brightly. “You know, I think we can probably get some fried chicken or maybe tacos…”

“Mac n Cheese.” Darcy interrupted.

“You have the best ideas Colibri! I could totally go for some Mac n Cheese…”

Clint’s voice trailed off as they left.

Chapter Text

The group stares after Clint and the little girl for a long moment before Tony asks “So we know who Mini-Hydra is?”

Phil turns and with his blankest, blandest, most dangerous face and voice says “Don’t call her that.”

Then he turns towards Fitz, Simmons, and Skye, and said “Simmons I need you to look through our records for any previous mentions of de-aging.”

“De-aging? Sir, I don’t think we’ve ever encountered that.” Simmons stammered out, staring at him in surprise and confusion.

“Look anyway.” He commands before turning again, this time towards Natasha. “Widow do you have any information on this?”

“According to Sitwell, everything we need is on this.” She answers with a wry smile, holding up the usb.

“Look through it then. And forward anything you find to Simmons.” He commands.

“De-aging? Wait so this girl…” Steve sounds puzzled.

“Junior’s supposed to be in her twenties.” Melinda explains, looking vaguely amused. “She’s one of our best agents. And she hasn’t checked in for a while.”

The group nods in enlightenment and then Thor frowns and says “The young one was most desirous for her brother’s company. They should soon be reunited.”

There’s a moment of silence and then Melinda turns to Phil and says “So you’re taking the night off?”

He gives her a look.

She shrugs and responds “Junior was pretty clear who she wanted.”

“I intend to.” He said exasperatedly. “But that will only be possible if things get dealt with now.”

She nods and falls into step with him as they leave.

There is silent confusion that is broken by Tony bursting out with “Really? Junior? What kind of code name is that? It’s boring!”

Natasha snorts and says “She’s Junior because two Coulsons was confusing.”

“Agent’s the brother!” Tony yelped in shock.

Chapter Text

That evening Phil stepped into a mostly empty cafeteria in time to hear Tony Stark finish saying “…just don’t buy it.”

“You’re an idiot.” Natasha replied.

The glances he received from the group of Avengers and Shield agents suggested the conversation had something to do with him. Knowing Stark it was also about Darcy.

He started making his way towards the occupied table when the chatter of a high-pitched voice and an answering lower rumble made him turn back. His eyes landed on Darcy and Clint, hand-in-hand. Darcy was cleaned up and in new clothes, she was smiling up at Clint and chattering away. Something in Phil’s chest relaxed to see her calm and happy.

Then Stark called out “Wow! All cleaned up Mini-Hydra almost looks like a real girl!”

Phil stiffened, but before he could turn he noticed Darcy’s sudden scowl. He shifted his trajectory as she dropped Clint’s hand and charged forward. As she started to pass him, he reached out and caught her with an arm around her middle. He scooped her up into the air and she let out an inarticulate screech of rage. He propped her on his hip and she screamed again and slammed a hand against his chest.

“Hey!” Phil said sharply. “We use our words, we don’t hit.”

“I’m not Hydra! I’m not! I’m not!” Darcy yelled.

“I know. I know.” Phil told her, bouncing her up and down to get her attention. Once she made eye contact he said “Everyone who matters knows, okay?”

She nodded, and then her face crumpled and she started sobbing. He pulled her head down to his shoulder and chest and ran a hand up and down her back. He made eye contact with Clint and they were able to communicate that while Clint had put her down for a nap, she’d had understandable trouble settling.

Another set of exchanged looks had Clint slipping towards the food to put together a to-go bag. Phil stood there, murmuring soothingly to Darcy until Clint handed him the bag.

After Phil and Darcy left, Clint, Natasha, and Melinda all turned towards Stark.

“If you ever call her that again.” Clint said flatly.

Natasha and Melinda both glared and Stark flinched.

Chapter Text

Phil carried Darcy through the base, and by the time they reached his quarters she’d stopped crying.

Darcy looked around dubiously when he set her down. This was not home. And yet… there was a bookshelf full of old friends, and a big comfy couch with a familiar blanket thrown over the back, and several dirty coffee mugs on the counter, and it smelled just a little of coffee and wood polish and lavender, strangely, also oranges. It was alright, Darcy decided.

While she’d been looking around, Phil had prepared a large plate of food and set up a very strange computer on the coffee table in front of the couch. He sat down, smiled at her, and patted the couch next to him. Darcy climbed up on to the couch and sat down so that she was leaning on him and half in his lap. Phil ran a gentle hand across her head and then reached out and hit a button on the computer before grabbing the plate.

Darcy frowned as the screen started moving, but then she recognized the music and the ship. She wriggled a little closer to Phil as Captain Kirk started his log. Maybe things were okay- she had Phil, she had the Enterprise, Clint and Melinda weren’t Hydra. Darcy opened her mouth obediently as Phil held up a bite of dinner. Once they’d eaten their fill, Phil wrapped her up in the blanket.

Not long after that, Darcy fell asleep. At some point she felt Phil shift her and get up and she whined. “It’s alright, I’m not going anywhere. I’m just getting ready for bed.” He said with a gentle chuckle. Darcy fell back to sleep and dreamed.

There was the sound of a door opening and closing.

“Hey.” Phil said.

“Hey.” Answered the newcomer.

Darcy didn’t recognize the voice, but she knew it. It meant safe and fun and comfortable. Phil murmured a question.

“Got him straightened out. He won’t make that mistake again.” The voice said.

There was a soft sound, like a kiss, and then Phil murmured something about bed.

“Was just gonna grab some pjs and crash with Nat.” The voice said.

“It’s fine if you-” Phil started to stay.

“Nah. She needs you. And she comes first, we agreed on that.” The voice interrupted.

“Clint.” Phil said, his voice warm and fond.

Oh, was that who it was? Maybe…

“S'one of the reasons I fell in love with you.” Maybe Clint said.

Darcy smiled, she liked this dream.

“Well, before you go, care to help me put a sleeping little girl into pajamas?” Phil asked.

Darcy scowled. She was not little! She was six and she’d tricked Hydra.

“Sure.” Maybe Clint said with a chuckle.

Then gentle arms were scooping her up and hands were tugging at her clothes. Darcy whined a couple of times, but soon enough she was in soft and warm pajamas. Then she was being set down on a bed.

There was another, longer sound, and then Maybe Clint murmured “Night, Babe.”

A gentle kiss was brushed across her forehead by someone who smelled of oranges and Maybe-Probably Clint said “Sweet dreams, Colibri.”

There was the sound of the door again and then Phil was getting on to the bed next to her and cuddling her close. Soon enough, the dream faded and Darcy sank into sleepy darkness, warm and safe.

Chapter Text

The next morning everyone gathered for breakfast. Darcy and Phil arrived hand in hand, which prompted some coos from the same people who had been cooing over her yesterday. Darcy looked around curiously at all the  people.

There was the group of people from yesterday who seemed to be working with Phil. Melinda, the sad, angry Melinda of the future, was sitting with them. Nearby was the other group of people she’d met yesterday, the ones from the  jet, including the guy who looked like Captain America. Darcy decided she still wasn’t ready to deal with that.

Among his group was the man who’d called her Mini-Hydra yesterday, just like the robot. He glanced over and Darcy met his eyes. When he realized they’d made eye contact, his eyes widened and he paled and looked away quickly. Darcy considered this and smiled, it could be useful.

Bridging the gap between the two groups were the red-headed lady and Clint, who was smiling and waving at them.

“Good morning, Clint!” Darcy said as she scrambled onto a seat.

“Morning, Colibri.” Clint answered around a mouthful of eggs.

“Don’t talk with your mouth full!” Darcy scolded him.

“Even the six year old knows better than you.” The red-headed lady snorted, bumping shoulders with Clint.

As Clint started to retaliate Phil brushed a hand over her head.

“What do you want to eat, Flutterbudget?” He asked.

“Toast.” Darcy decided.

“And what do you want on it?” Phil asked, smiling at her with his eyes.

Darcy bit her lip and looked up at him hopefully.

“Peanutbutter and Pooh?” She asked.

Phil considered this as several mutters of ‘what did she ask for?’ spread through both groups.

“Alright, but only if you use extra napkins.” Phil said.

Darcy beamed and squirmed excitedly as Phil spread peanutbutter on toast and drizzled honey over the top. Then he took the napkins Clint was holding out and did his best to cover Darcy’s clothes. Once he’d done his best, he set the toast down in front of her. Darcy grabbed a slice of ooey-gooey delicious and took a bite.

Chapter Text

As Darcy finished her breakfast, the grown-ups started talking about the coming day. Darcy didn’t pay much attention until Phil took a wet napkin and started wiping her face and hands.

“This does bring up the question of what you’re going to do today.” Phil said to her.

Darcy frowned at him.

“I wanna go with you.” She said.

Phil’s lips twitched.

“I think you’d be bored, Flutterbudget.” He said.

Darcy scowled at him.

“You always say that and it isn’t ever.” She said.

Phil looked at her thoughtfully.

“You’d have to be quiet and still when necessary.” He said.

Darcy just nodded, that was the usual rule. Phil nodded once, his eyes fond, and started to open his mouth.

“You have a conference with Talbot today.” Melinda said.

Phil winced and looked resigned.

“No! I’ll be good! Please?” Darcy argued.

Phil sighed and pulled her onto his lap.

“I’m sorry Flutterbudget, but I don’t want him knowing anything about you right now.” He said.

“But…” She said.

“No. He’s not a nice man and I don’t want him trying anything.” Phil said.

Darcy pouted but leaned her head against his chest.

“You know… I don’t have anything planned besides hitting the range at some point…” Clint said.

Darcy turned to look at him consideringly.

“Yeah, okay.” She sighed.

“We’ll go exploring Colibri, I haven’t had nearly enough time checking out this base.” Clint said with grin.

Darcy perked up a bit in interest. Phil sighed.

“If you get my sister lost in the vents…” He threatened.

Darcy giggled.

“Okay. Can we play hide and spook?” She asked.

Clint’s grin widened and he turned questioning eyes to Phil. Phil groaned softly.

“Only with people who know the game.” He said.

Clint did a fist pump.

“Ready to go, Colibri?” He asked.

“Yeah!” Darcy said, scrambling off of Phil’s lap and down to the ground.

Then she turned back to Phil, biting her lip. He slipped off the bench to kneel in front of her and run a hand across her head.

“I’ll see you at lunch, okay?” He asked.

“‘Kay.” She answered smiling at him.

Then she ran over to Clint and took the hand he offered.

Chapter Text

Once they were out of the cafeteria Clint looked down at Darcy.

“So what do you say to starting with the vents, and once we find a good hidey hole we can start plotting our spooks?” He asked.

Darcy beamed and nodded excitedly. Clint grinned back and popped off the nearest vent cover. He boosted Darcy up and climbed in behind her. They slithered around the vents for a while giggling to each other before settling in a three way junction.

“So who do you want to spook first?” Clint asked once they’d curled up together.

“Uhh, c'we get the mean man? And the robot?” Darcy asked.

“The mean man?” Clint asked.

“With the stupid beard who called me-” Darcy clarified.

“Ah, you mean Tony.” Clint said. “And what robot?”

Darcy frowned at him.

“The one from yesterday? It’s red and yellow?” She told him.

“Uh, yeah, that was Tony too.” Clint said.

“I wanna get him.” Darcy said.

“Yeah, I get that.” Clint said. “But your brother said we could only spook people who know how to play and Tony doesn’t.”

Darcy scowled and then brightened.

“We could tell him the rules.” She said, looking at Clint eagerly.

Clint frowned, considering, then burst out laughing.

“I’ve got one better.” He said.

“What? What?” Darcy asked.

“We write the rules down, and leave them on his desk for him to find.” Clint said.

“And then we get him!” Darcy said.

“And then we don’t get him.” Clint said.

“What?” Darcy asked.

“Think about it.” Clint said. “He heard Phil, he knows we’re only going after people who know how to play. He reads the rules and realizes that now includes him. And he knows you don’t like him. And all he can do is wait.”

“He’s gonna get twitchier all day!” Darcy said as understanding dawned on her face.

“Exactly.” Clint told her.

“I love it!” Darcy said, smiling hugely.

“We’ll go get some paper in a little bit and set that up. Who else do you want to get?” Clint asked.

“Can we get Mel?” Darcy asked.

Clint frowned.

“Um, we should probably stick to shadow pokes for her.” He said. “But we can get Natasha!”

Chapter Text

Tony watched warily as Barton led the kid into the cafeteria for lunch. He’d gotten their message, he knew they were after him. How they’d gotten the list of rules for super-spy hide and seek with jump scares onto his desk he didn’t know. But now he knew the rules, which made him fair game according to Coulson.

So he watched as Barton helped the girl, Junior, fill her plate and cup and get settled. Then she bounced back up as Coulson came into the room with his scary bad ass Mulan. She ran across the room with a screech of “Phil!” and Coulson did the thing again.

The thing where he dropped down to her level and his face went all wide and soft with emotion- very unlike his usual facade of spybot. Not that Tony hadn’t seen Coulson with feelings before- that reunion with Barton had been all kinds of awkward feelings. But with this Junior kid there was an openness, a lack of holding back, that was startling.

Coulson hugged her close before leading her back towards the table.

“What have you and Clint gotten up to this morning, Flutterbudget?” he asked her.

Her whole face lit up and she started babbling eagerly.

“We played Hide and Spook! And we got Miss Tasha twice! She got Clint back once but he pulled a knife on her so she gets less points! And I stoled three of Mel’s pens! But she got me with some stickers, so we’re mostly even.”

Tony hid his shudder as he listened to her babble. Jump scaring the Widow? Were they insane? And stealing from scary Mulan? He was doomed, there was no telling what they would do to him, but he’d be lucky to come out only bruised.

Tony did his best to ignore them after that, focusing on the discussion Bruce was having with the girl half of the science twins while listening with half an ear to the debate that Foster and the boy twin were having about some piece of equipment.

His attention was caught again when Coulson brushed a kiss across the munchkin’s head and told her “I have to go back to work, but I should be done before dinner, okay?”

“Okay!” the kid said with a grin.

Barton smiled dopily at the pair and added “We’re gonna check out the labs this afternoon and see if we can find any good explosions.”

“Boom!” the girl agreed.

“And we’re gonna see if we have any better luck at finding coloring supplies before we hit the range for some quiet time.”

“Sounds fun, don’t set anything on fire.” Coulson answered with a final smile before turning and making his way out of the room.

Everyone fell silent as they watched him leave.

Then the kid turned a beaming grin on Barton and crowed “I told you I could get him!”

Barton started laughing hard enough he could only nod.

May sighed and stood.

“I’d better catch him and let him know he’s covered in stickers before he goes into his next meeting.”

Chapter Text

Clint smiled down at Darcy as they entered the science labs in the next step of ‘Freak Tony Stark Out for being a Butt’. She was babbling excitedly about her hopes of explosions, so he started leading her towards Foster, whose equipment could be persuaded to do interesting and exciting things.

Before they’d taken more than two steps, Simmons was swooping forward and reaching for Darcy.

“You have excellent timing! We’ve just finished going through the notes we were provided and we just need a few samples.” She said, pulling Darcy away from Clint.

The little girl went stiff and pale.

“Wait-” Clint started.

“We were able to get a lot from the data Hydra had gathered, but we need to check a few things and do some follow up.” Bruce said, smiling down at Darcy.

Her eyes went dark and her breath went shallow.

“Hang on-” Clint said.

“It’s really quite fascinating, what they were trying to do, there’s a lot to learn from it.” Simmons said.

The only word Clint could think of to describe the sound that came out of Darcy’s mouth was a keen. Clint shoved the overeager scientists away and dropped to one knee in front of her, pulling her close as she started to cry.

Chapter Text

Tony was in the private lab he’d claimed as his own, trying to ignore the fact that Hawkeye and his Hawkling had just entered the labs and were no doubt intending his demise, when he heard the sound. That was not a sound meant to come out of a human. He shoved himself up and headed to the main labs looking for the sound.

Hawkeye was kneeling and glaring in the middle of the lab with his arms around the kid… who was definitely the source of the sound. Bruce and the Girl-Twin were standing nearby looking startled and holding sample equipment.

“…Really? They haven’t even been here two minutes and you’ve already given the kid a panic attack?” Tony asked in disbelief. “We know there were traumatizing Hydra experiments and you thought what- let’s traumatize her some more?”

Bruce’s and Science-Girl’s faces dropped into combinations of guilt and sheepishness and Tony waved a hand dismissively before crouching down near Barton and the munchkin. She was still making that sound, her breath was shallow, fast, and irregular, her eyes were wide and staring, and her fists were clenched in Barton’s shirt.

“So this is a panic attack.” Tony said quetly.

Barton looked at him with a helpless expression.

“I’m thinking it’s situationally triggered, so why don’t we move somewhere a little less bio-lab and a little more mechanic’s dreamland.” Tony suggested.

Barton nodded and started to change his rip on the munchkin when Tony held up a hand.

“Hey, your uh, Barton’s gonna pick you up so we can go somewhere quieter, okay?” He said awkwardly to the kid.

She managed to nod and Barton picked her up and followed Tony.

“Jarvis put a hold on everything we have going in this lab.” He murmured as he lead the way to his lab.

They took a couple minutes to get settled, the kid in Barton’s lap and Tony on a nearby bench. Then Tony took a deep breath and started talking.

“So, like I said, this is a panic attack, which is basically your brain chemistry going crazy and bringing your body along for the ride… not that that helps you any.”

The girl was staring at him with wide eyes, tears slipping down her face, and he felt a twinge of guilt, able to see the similarities between now and last night.

“But there are some things we can do, so why don’t you try closing your eyes and we’ll see if we can get your breath working a little better.”

She stared at him for another long moment before squeezing her eyes shut and pressing her face into Barton’s chest.

“Okay, so I’m gonna count how long you should inhale and exhale, and all you have to do is breathe with my count. And I’m gonna have you breathing out longer than you breathe in because for some crazy reason that helps your body detox the crazy making chemicals. Alright and in-2-3-4-, out-2-3-4-5-6-7-8.”

Her breath started out hitching and gasping but slowly started leveling out. Still counting, Tony caught Barton’s eye and mimed moving his hand up and down. Barton frowned at him before understanding lit his eyes and he started rubbing gently up and down the munchkin’s back.

“Good, you’re doing great. Next we’re gonna see if we can relax you a little, because tension begets tension. So keep breathing but see if you can let go a little.”

Tony went back to counting and watched as slowly the wrinkle between her brows smoothed and the line of her shoulders eased.

“That’s great kiddo. Now I want you to think about what you can feel. You’ve got a nice grip on Hawk’s shirt, can you think about what that feels like?”

She nuzzled further into Barton’s shirt and pressed back into his hold. Her grip on his shirt loosened from a clenched fist into rubbing his shirt between her fingers.

“Alright, now that we’ve got touch, let’s bring sight back. Try opening your eyes and having a look.”

Her eyes fluttered open and she started studying the things in her field of view. After a couple of minutes she settled her gaze on Tony.

“Okay, you look ready for more. How about hearing. I mean obviously you can hear me because I talk a lot, but what else can you hear?”

The munchkin cocked her head and then settled her head more firmly against Barton’s chest.

“Uhh…” Tony said uncertainly.

Barton chuckled softly.

“Listening to my heartbeat, Colibri?” He asked.

She nodded.

Not long after that she tilted her head up and said with a pout “Tired.”

Barton nodded and gently smoothed her hair out of her face.

“I bet. Think it’s time to go to the range? You can sit quiet while I shoot.” He suggested.

She nodded and he stood up, keeping her in his arms.

“Wait a sec.” Tony said before they could leave.

Barton turned questioning eyes on him as he grabbed the nearest tablet. A couple of taps and he was shoving it at the munchkin.

“You, ah, mentioned at lunch you were looking for coloring supplies, but I doubt you’ve had any luck, so here, coloring app.”

They both stared at him in surprise, and then Barton smiled.

“Thanks, Stark.”

“Yeah, whatever.” Tony said dismissively, turning to look at his nearest project.

Chapter Text

Phil stepped into the shooting range, which was empty except for the farthest booth, from which came the soft thwock of arrows. He smiled as he caught sight of Clint, whose stance shifted just enough to show that the other man was aware of his arrival.

He dropped his gaze looking for Darcy, and frowned. Instead of being curled up on top of a blanket nest, she had bundled herself up in one until she was hardly visible.

He stepped towards them, taking care to make his steps audible, and soon enough her head poked out. Clint stopped shooting and turned to him, but Phil’s attention was on Darcy’s tearstained face and pleading eyes.

“Hey you,” he murmured as he knelt down next to her. “C'mere.”

He pulled her into his lap, blanket and all, and she came with a little sigh, one hand fisting in his shirt. The other was occupied, thumb in mouth. He suppressed another frown, she hadn’t sucked her thumb since she was three.

“Hard afternoon?” he asked as Clint crouched down next to them.

“Well, we found out that labs are kinda scary and that scientists are terrifying,” Clint said, his light tone at odds with the tightness of his eyes.

“Oh?” Phil asked.

“Banner and uh… Simmons? The girl. Were a little enthusiastic,” Clint said. “And panic attacks are definitely no fun.”

Phil looked down at Darcy, who had burrowed into his chest, and ran a carefully steady hand across his sister’s head.

“In that case we should definitely have another quiet dinner in,” Phil said.

“Yeah,” Clint agreed. “I figured you could take her and I could swing by later to drop off dinner for you two.”

Darcy’s eyes opened and she made a protesting sound around her thumb, scowling up at Phil in a demand that he fix things.

Chapter Text

“Or we could cuddle until you finish shooting, and you could take her to our quarters while I get dinner,” Phil countered, smiling fondly at Clint’s startled face.

“I’m not- I mean- I don’t want-” Clint stammered.

Darcy let out a contented hum and sank back against Phil’s chest, her eyes slipping closed again.

“I- yeah, that, that works,” Clint said, eyes locked on Darcy’s face.

“Then that’s what we’ll do,” Phil said, leaning back against the wall and adjusting his grip on Darcy. As he did so, something poked him, prompting a frown. He reached into the folds of the blanket and pulled out a tablet.

“What’s this?” he asked.

Clint looked over his shoulder from where he’d started shooting again.

“Oh, Stark gave us a coloring app, since we couldn’t find anything to color with. He was, uh, pretty helpful actually, with the whole panic thing. Personal experience, I guess,” Clint said.

“Hmm,” Phil answered, before gently nudging his sister. “Hey, why don’t you show me what you drew?”

Chapter Text

Phil made his way into the cafeteria and over to the table to collect dinner. As he came close, Stark looked over.

“Hey, looks like you beat Hawk and Hawkling here,” Stark said, a wary look in his eyes.

“Oh no, they’re getting settled, I’m here to pick up dinner for the three of us,” Phil said with his blandest voice and smile, starting to load up a tray.

“And the morning went so well,” Natasha noted, looking at Phil sharply.

“Yes, well, the afternoon went less well,” Phil replied.

His face hardened as he set down the loaded tray and turned towards the scientists.

“Speaking of which, Dr. Simmons? Dr. Banner? If we had the time and resources I would have you in sensitivity trainings for the next year. As it is you will stay the hell away from my sister and anyone else who has been the victim of trauma unless you are accompanied by an acceptable supervisor,” Phil snarled. “Am I understood?”

“Yes, sir,” Simmons said, blushing.

“Absolutely,” Banner said, bowing his head.

“Good,” Phil said sharply, picking up the tray and turning to leave.

He stopped on the way out, pulling out his phone and tapping a few buttons.

“Stark?” he called over his shoulder.

“Yeah?” Tony asked, wide-eyed.

“She liked the coloring app. Thank you,” Phil said with a smile before leaving.

Tony’s phone beeped and when he checked it he found a picture that was clearly the Hawkling sticking her tongue out at Iron Man.

Chapter Text

Phil slipped into his quarters to see Clint slouched comfortably on the couch, twisting his hand into a fist in front of his face. Darcy was perched next to him, watching intently.

"What's that one mean?" she asked.

"Beautiful, just like you," Clint answered, repeating the sign in front of her face.

Darcy giggled softly and yawned.

"Ready for dinner?" Phil asked, stepping forward.

They both nodded and Darcy made grabby hands at Phil while Clint jumped up to grab plates. In a matter of moments they were set up on the couch with full plates and Star Trek playing.

As the theme song rang out, Darcy looked over at Clint and asked "Clint, do you like Star Trek?"

"Uhh, yeah!" Clint said, gesturing with his fork to indicate that he was there and watching. Then he leaned in to her with a sheepish face and stage whispered "But I have to be honest, Spock's not my favorite, Sulu is."

Darcy considered this information with a frown before nodding.

"That's okay, "she said, "people can have different favorites. An' Sulu's pretty cool too."

They shared a smile and then Darcy snuggled into Phil's side and they turned their attention to the show.

fter dinner, as the three of them cleaned up, Darcy brought up a question that had been niggling at her.

"Is the man in the- the one wearing- the one who found me with Miss Tasha, is he-?"she trailed off, not quite daring to finish the unbelievable question.

Clint grinned at her, eyes dancing with laughter.

"Steve?" Phil asked, raising his eyebrows slightly Darcy nodded.

"Is he-?"she hesitated again.

"His name is Steve Rogers," Phil said lips twitching.

Darcy's eyes widened and then she huffed and scowled at them.

Yeah, but is he really-"she hesitated again, but at the amusement in their eyes, managed to plow forward with a whispered "Cap?"

They both nodded.

"He's the real thing, Flutterbudget," Phil said, a spark of wonder in his eyes.

"Woah, "Darcy breathed. "But how?"

"That's a story and a half," Clint said, chuckling slightly. "And I'm pretty sure it's past MY bedtime if no one else's."

Darcy pouted, but before long they were saying good night and separating for bed.

Chapter Text

The next morning, Phil and Darcy walked to breakfast hand in hand.

"Good morning'."Darcy chirped as they, entered the cafeteria.

"Morning Little Bird," Clint chorused with Mel and Nat, smiling fondly at the bright eyed little girl.

They quickly settled into their meal until Simmons and Banner came up to them.

"Sorry to interrupt, Sir, "Simmons said, wringing her hands and ducking her head. "but might we have a word with you?"

Phil frowned as though they were not yet forgiven but said "Of course," and led them away.

Clint tensed when he overheard the word samples, but before Darcy could look over Stark got her attention.

"Oy, Midget," Stark called.

Darcy stiffened and turned a ferocious scowl on him.

Once he was sure he had her attention Stark made a flicking gesture over his phone towards her. Clint heard the 'tonk' of an incoming message alert as Darcy cocked her head like a confused puppy.

"He sent you something," Clint told her.

Darcy slowly turned her head from Stark to Clint.

"He threw air at me," she informed him, face scrunched in bafflement.

"That too," Clint agreed, grinning as he reached over into Phil's bag and pulled out Darcy's tablet. "See the blinky light? Means you've gotten something."

Darcy nodded as she took it from him. She carefully reached out and pressed the power button. When the screen lit up she turned a beaming grin to Clint. He smiled back and rubbed his hand across her head as he moved to gesture at the screen.

"See the number next to the little envelope? It means you have a message. If you tap it, it will open," he explained.

Darcy's hand darted out much more confidently this time and the message popped open.

Chapter Text

At its top was Darcy's drawing of herself sticking her tongue out at Iron Man. Below it was a recreation with a speech bubble for Iron Man saying "Careful, or the cat might get that." The third panel was another recreation, this time with the speech bubble pointing at Darcy saying "whad cad?" while a black, green, and gold cat hung off her tongue. The fourth and final paneI had Iron Man saying "That cat."

Darcy frowned down at the comic until Stark spoke.

"It's called a comic, kid, they're fun," he said.

Darcy's head whipped up as she glowered at him again.

"I know what comics are! I read Cap comics," she told him.

Clint sniggered quietly into his hand as Steve shifted down the table and Stark blinked.

"Considering who your brother is, that shouldn't be a surprise, should it," Stark said, mouth twitching.

Darcy ducked her head in an agreeing nod and muttered "I like Agent Carter better anyway."

"Do you?" Stark asked, smirk widening into an approving smile. "And why is that?"

"Because she does more'n Cap and she dun't have super powers," Darcy said.

"Fair enough," Stark said. "so if it wasn't the comic that had you frowning, what's up?"

"The cat is weird," Darcy informed him.

"Your face is weird," Tony fired back.

Darcy stared at him for a long moment before slowly turning to look at Clint. He could almost hear her saying 'is he for real? I'm six and I'm more mature than that!'

Before anything else could be said, Phil's hand came to rest on her shoulder as he and Melinda, who had joined his discussion at some point, returned.

"Almost done with breakfast, Flutterbudget?" he asked, smiling down at her.

"Yup! "Darcy said, pointing at her remaining half slice of toast.

"Do you know what you want to do today?" he asked.

Darcy nibbled on her lip before peeking up at him.

"'M I allowed t'go with you, today?" she asked.

"You are, "he said, shifting to run his hand through her hair.

"'M ready!" she cried, shoving the whole half slice in her mouth and bouncing up.

"Breathe, Little Bird," he admonished, reaching for his bag.

Clint slid her tablet back into it as he did, and their eyes met for a moment. Then Phil and Darcy were walking away, hand in hand.

"Phil? Is there a cat here that bites people's tongues?" Darcy asked.

"Not that I'm aware of," Phil replied.

Chapter Text

Darcy hummed to herself as she worked on her picture.

This had been a very good morning. She'd got to help Melinda sort paperwork and look for patterns. Then Phil had showed her that her coloring book computer thingy could also show comics and he'd pulled up one where a princess and a dragon were friends! When she got tired of reading, Phil let her sit in his lap and watch him take care a business. Then he'd helped her find a picture she needed for her current drawing.

She giggled quietly to herself as she carefully drew in red and gold what was usually green and purple. Phil came over and knelt down as she carefully finished the letters.

"It looks good," he said, eyes laughing.

"Thanks," she replied, beaming.

His face sobered and she sat up, giving him her full attention. He sighed and offered her his hand. She took it and wriggled closer.

"The scientists scared you pretty badly, yesterday, didn't they?" he asked.

She nodded, looking down at his hand holding hers.

"I promise I won't let them hurt you again, Flutterbudget," he said, squeezing gently.

"But?" Darcy asked, meeting his eyes again.

"But they do need to take some samples, so that they can figure out what happened to you," he said.

"Cause you want me big again," she said, voice small, dropping her eyes again.

"Hey," Phil said, gently lifting her chin so that she had to meet his warm eyes. "I love you no matter what age, cause you're always my Flutterbudget, okay?"

"'Kay," Darcy whispered.

"But you do have some friends I think you'd like to remember meeting. And I think you'd enjoy remembering all the things you've learned how to do over the years," Phil said.

"I've got new friends?" Darcy asked.

"Yes, you do," Phil said, smiling at her with his whole face not just his eyes.

"... do I know how to kick butt?" she asked.

"Yep," Phil said, chuckling a little.

"An' I know all the paperwork magic?" she asked.

"Definitely," Phil said.

".... okay," Darcy said. "Will you come with me?"

"Of course." Phil said, face gentling into something soft and fond. "We'll go now to get it over with and then we'll go get lunch, okay?"

"Okay," Darcy said, leaning into him for a hug before they got up.

Chapter Text

Darcy did not want to go into the lab where there were too many grasping hands and eager voices and scary tools.

But Phil's hand was warm where he held hers. Thumb rubbing gentle circles on the back of her hand, as he waited patiently while she stared at the lab doors. She knew that if she changed her mind and decided to stay little, Phil would be completely fine with it.

But... she wanted to know, she always wanted to know all the things, and it sounded like big her knew lots and lots of things and people and she wanted to know that too. She looked up at Phil, who smiled and cocked his head.

"Ready?" he asked.

She nodded and he reached forward and pushed the doors open.

Everyone in the lab looked up before going back to what they were doing, stiffly.

Phil tagged her forward with a swing of their hands.

He nodded towards robot man and said "I think you've already gotten to know Mr. Stark."

"Mmhmm," she answered, nodding and following as he lead her towards the other end of the lab.

"This is where Dr. Foster works," Phil said, bringing them to a halt near a petite brunette with sharp features. "She's an astrophysicist."

"Dozzat mean she knows stars?" Darcy asked, looking around with wide eyes at the star charts covered in math scribbles.

"Yes! I do, "Dr. Foster said staring down at Darcy in surprise. "I'm studying Einstein-Rosen bridges."

Darcy's face scrunched up and she turned to Phil.

"That's another phrase for wormholes," he said, leaning down with a smile.

"That's so cool! "Darcy burst out, eyes going wide as she beamed around.

Phil let her look around for a while before gently tugging her on. They moved away from the stars and into an area covered in wires and metals and tools. The curly haired man in the area went still and stared with wide eyes as they walked up to him.

"This is Fitz," Phil said. "He's an engineer and makes some of our gadgets."

"Like Q?" she asked the scientist- Fitz.

"Ah- yeah I s'pose so," Fitz said, laughing a little and shaking his head.

"Can I have a cool pen?" Darcy asked.

"I think we'll have to ask your brother." Fitz said, laughing harder.

"When you're older," Phil said in response to Darcy's pleading look.

Darcy pouted but Phil just turned them towards the young woman hovering nearby.

"And this is Fitz' Iab mate, Simmons. She and Doctor Banner over there have been working very hard to understand what happened to you," Phil's voice was blandly neutral, but he glared warningly at the two scientists.

Simmons quails a little at the glare before smiling hesitantly at Darcy.

"Hello, we, that is myself and Doctor Banner," Simmons gestured at the rumpled curls man, "have to make some tests on you but we're going to explain everything before it happens."

The rumped curls man, apparently Doctor Banner, waved awkwardly.

"Hi, umm, how about you come sit up here," he said, patting a lab bed.

Darcy took a few steps towards the bed and felt her breath catch in her throat and something cold shiver through her. Before the feeling could set in, Phil was suddenly in front of her and sitting down on the bed.

"C'mere you," he said, scooping her up into his lap.

Darcy nestled back into Phil's chest and looked at the two scientists, her bottom hip slipping between her teeth. Doctor Banner stepped closer hesitantly, wringing his hands together before reaching for a tangle of plastic, Velcro, and electronics.

"This is a blood pressure cuff," Doctor Banner explained, holding it out to her. "It goes around your arm and squeezes and lets us measure how fast and hard your heart pumps."

"'Kay," Darcy said, holding out her arm.

Doctor Simmons stepped in then holding a small vial.

"Now this test is very silly," she said, holding the vial out to Darcy. "We need you to spit until this is filled up to the line."

"... spit?" Darcy asked, head tilting back and face screwing up.

"Yes, it gives us a read on your body's acidity and some of your amino acids and a number of developmental stages." Simmons told her.

"Huh," Darcy said, reaching for the vial. "Just spit an' spit?"

"Yes!" Simmons said smiling brightly.

Darcy spat dutifully while Doctor Banner fiddled with the cuff. When she'd filled the vial, Simmons took it back and produced a cotton swab.

"Now, I also need some cell samples, which we can get quite easily by doing a quick cheek swab," Simmons said. "For that you just open your mouth and I rub this across the inside of your cheek."

"M'kaaahh," Darcy said, opening her mouth wide.

Then Banner brought over some new equipment. His eyes darted to her and back to the equipment. One of his hands worried at the cuff of his sleeve.

"We also need to take some blood samples," he said, voice stuttering.

Darcy's hand clenched around Phil's arm and her eyes widened.

"I don't like giving blood either," he told her, "but I've gotten pretty good at taking them. There will be a little pinch, and that's it, you won't feel anything else."

Darcy swallowed shakily and pressed back into Phil, who tightened his arms around her.

"Promise? "she whispered, eyes burning.

"I do," Banner said, a soft smile fluttering across his face.

"'Kay." she whispered, holding out her arm and pressing and turning her face in to Phil's chest. He hummed quietly while Doctor Banner touched her arm. She tensed more, breath shuddering, and there was a quick pinch and then there was a soft rub.

"All done." Doctor Banner said. "Now we'll just Iet the vials fill."

Darcy nodded slowly, body unclenching.

"In the mean time, we can get ready for your bone and tissue scan, "Simmons said, holding up a small handheld scanner.

Darcy blinked.

"That looks like a tricorder!" she said, face lighting up.

"Oh!" Simmons said, laughing. "I suppose it does. We won't be able to scan you until Doctor Banner finishes taking your blood. and you'll have to sit alone."

Darcy tensed again, fisting Phil's jacket.

"I-if you like, you could try scanning some of us first, "Simmons offered, wrinkle between her eyes as she glanced between Darcy and Phil.

"I can?" Darcy asked, eyes widening as she sat up straight.

"Yes! Here," Simmons handed her the scanner. "You point this end at the person you're scanning, and then hold it steady and press the button for a count of five."

"Cool!"Darcy said, taking the scanner and turning it towards Simmons. It beeped and lights blinked. "Ooh, "Darcy murmured as the body scan results appeared on the screen. She looked around speculatively and then twisted to point the scanner at Phil. It blinked red and blatted. She pouted.

"It can't get a clear read because you and Director Coulson are overlapping," Simmons said, laughing a little.

Darcy scrambled off of Phil's lap to sit next to him. She tried the scanner again and this time it worked.

"What's that?" Darcy asked, pointing at a dark spot on his chest.
"I got hurt a few years ago and it left a mark," Phil answered.

"But you're okay now?" Darcy asked, brows pulling down and lips pinching.

"Completely," Phil said firmly.

"Good," Darcy said, nodding absentmindedly as she looked around again. This time she brought the scanner to aim at Banner. It worked, but when she looked at the results, a huge frown twisted her face. "It's different!" she said.

"Well it's not exactly surprising that Doctor Banner has some curious physiological differences," Simmons said, looking eagerly at the results.

"Huh?" Darcy said, turning her frown on Simmons.

"What she means is that Doctor Banner has a superhero alter ego," Phil explained.

"Like Batman and Robin? "Darcy asked, vibrating with wide eyes.

"More like Shazam," Phil answered, eyes crinkling.
"Ohhh, cool!" Darcy says, wiggling excitedly. "What's he look like?"

"Well he gets really big, at least twice as tall as an average person, and he turns green," Phil said.

"Green? That's so cool! He's like Mister Spock!" Darcy said, delighted. "What's his super name and does he have more powers?"

"He goes by The Hulk, or just Hulk, and he's very, very, strong, and very few things can hurt him," Phil said. "Many people are afraid of him, because he's so big and strong, but as long as people aren't threatening him he doesn't attack them, and he's always very gentle with scared people."

"So he's a REAL hero," Darcy said, awed. "And a super good scientist too!"

"That's right," Phil said, smiling at her.

Doctor Banner came back over to inspect her arm.

"Looks like we have enough blood," he said. "Let me just get this stuff off you, and then Doctor Simmons can finish the scans."

"Okay," Darcy said, beaming at him. "D'you think I could meet Mister Hulk?"

"What?" Banner said, staring at her for a moment before jerking back into motion. "I-I don't think that's, uh, really a-a good idea... and he's not really a Mister."

Darcy pouted.

"But I wanna! And anyone can be a Mister or a Miss," Darcy said.

"I think you'll have to wait patiently to see if an opportunity to meet Mister Hulk comes up," Phil told her firmly. "And you're right, it's good manners to call him Mister Hulk."

Banner froze again before shaking his head and turning away with the blood taking equipment.

"Well, now," said Simmons, smile strained at the edges, "it's your turn to be scanned, are you ready?"

"Okay," Darcy said, passing the scanner back.

Simmons pointed it at her, it beeped, and Simmons put it away.

"Alright, only one more test," she said."We just need to do a brain scan. Fitz!" She turned towards Fitz' workspace as Darcy blinked at her.

"D'I gotta go in the noisy tube machine?" Darcy asked.

"The what? Oh, no, not an MRI. "Simmons said, shaking her head. "Fitz has made a sort of helmet. You put it on and stay still and it takes the readings we need."

"Huh. Oka-oooooh," Darcy started to answer when Fitz came over carrying something vaguely helmet shaped, with blinking lights and wires and such all over it. "I get to wear that?"

"Ah, yes, is that all right?" Simmons asked.

"Awesome!" Darcy cried, then turned to Phil. "Does your phone have a camera like Clint's?"

"Yes it does," Phil answered.

"Then you have to take pictures of me wearing my alien queen crown, "she said, bouncing in her seat. "

"I can do that, your majesty," Phil said, chuckling.

Fitz was laughing as well as he stepped up to Darcy with the 'crown'.

"May I help her royal highness with her crown?" he asked.

"You may." Darcy said, sticking her nose in the air in pretend arrogance before bursting into giggles.

Fitz carefully placed the helmet on her head and made adjustments with the straps and buckles before flipping several switches.

"All set, majesty," Fitz announced.

"Thank you," Darcy chirped, before turning to Phil and bouncing in her seat. "Phil! Take pictures!"

"Are you ready then?" Phil asked, holding up his phone.

"Yeah!" Darcy said, striking a pose.

The little photoshoot continued until a series of musical tones came out of the helmet.

"Alright, the scan's finished," Simmons said. "That was the last one, so you're free to go now!"

"Can I keep my crown?" Darcy asked hopefully.

"I'm afraid the crown of the alien queen of the lab has to stay in the lab," Fitz said. "But it won't take your title away to leave it here."

"Well all right," Darcy said, pouting.

Fitz carefully removed the "crown." Phil stood up and offered Darcy his hand.

"Thank you ladies and gentlemen, we'll see you shortly at lunch," he said as Darcy slid off the table and took his hand.

Together they walked out of the lab.

Chapter Text

As Darcy and Phil stepped into the mess hall, her eyes locked on Clint.

"Clint! Clint" she called out, letting go of Phil's hand and skipping forward.

"What's up, Colibri?" he asked, twisting in his seat to face her.

"I'm the queen!" she yelled, bouncing and beaming.

"You are?" Clint asked, blinking. "Queen of what?"

"Ugh," Darcy rolled her eyes and bounced back to Phil, who was moving at a calmer pace. "C' mon Phil! I wanna show Clint!"

"I'm coming. Flutterbudget," Phil said, raising an eyebrow. "You need to be patient."

"Ugh," Darcy whined, and bounced around him in circles as they made their way over to the others. "C 'mon, c' mon, c 'mon, c' mon, show him!" Darcy demanded.

"I will, "Phil said, giving her a look, "but you need to sit down so we can eat lunch."

"Fine," Darcy huffed out, flopping onto the bench and vibrating.

Phil tapped his phone a couple of times before passing it to Clint and sitting down.

"Woah, that is quite the headpiece, Little Bird." Clint said, raising his eyebrows.

"I'm the alien queen of the lab! "Darcy said, bouncing in her seat.

"Cool!" Clint said, ruffling her hair.

Phil put a plate of food in front of her. Darcy went at it with gusto, making alien sounds to herself.

"Looks like you had a good morning," Clint said, smiling down at Darcy.

"We did." Phil agreed, applying himself to his lunch.

The scientists came trooping in from the lab, chatting cheerfully.

"Hello again, your majesty," 'Fitz called out.

Darcy waved at him until her gaze caught on Stark. She flailed and bounced and made grabby hands at Phil.

"Pad pad pad pad pad!" she demanded.

"Is that how we ask for things?" Phil asked, voice mild, but eyes firm.

Darcy huffed and squirmed and bit her lip.

"C'I have my pad thingy please?" she asked.

"Yes, you may," Phil said, reaching into his bag and pulling it out. He passed it over with a stern look. "Thank you for asking nicely."

"Thank you. M'sorry," she said, ducking her head as she took the pad.

"Forgiven," Phil said, running a hand over her head, eyes crinkling warmly.

She leaned into him as she tapped carefully on the screen. She looked up at him with a grin and giggled as she awkwardly made the flicking 'send' motion towards Stark.

He reached for his phone as soon as it pinged. He tapped the message open and stared. at it. His lips twitched, and he thinned them in an attempt to keep them still. He turned his head away and let out a huffing breath. Then he turned to look at Darcy, eyes bright.

"Well played, Hawkling, well played," he said, shaking his head and biting back laughter.

Clint looked at him thoughtfully and then tapped Darcy's shoulder.

"Can I have a look. Lil Bird?" he asked.

"Yeah," Darcy said, nodding and holding out the pad.

Clint took one look and burst out into wild cackles.

On the screen Buzz Lightyear in red and gold smirked at him with a Tony Stark goatee. Around him were the words 'You Are A Toy!'

Once things had settled down, Clint looked thoughtfully at Darcy, who was wriggling around as she finished her lunch, though at this point she was more playing with it than eating it.

"D'you two have plans for the afternoon?" he asked. "I was thinking about heading to the gym and working on agility and flexibility. Y'know, tumbling and circus arts."

"Hmm, I have more meetings and paperwork," Phil said, eyes glinting as he looked between Clint and Darcy.

"I like meetin's an' paperwork," Darcy said, biting her lip.

"We know," Phil said, rubbing a hand on her back.

Clint grinned at her.

"D' you think you could pull yourself away from all the meetings and paperwork to keep me company?" he asked. "I would love to have a buddy."

Darcy looked between the two men, nibbling on her lip.

"You could, "Phil said mildly. "I know you like tumbling too. And I don't mind doing the paperwork without you."

Darcy considered this and then nodded decisively.

"Can we do handstands too?" she asked.

"If we're careful and we build up to it, "Clint said, grinning. "Finish eating and we'll wash up and go."

Chapter Text

At the gym, Clint and Darcy took off their shoes and sat down in the corner where there were soft mats.

"Alright," Clint said, "before we get to the really fun stuff we gotta stretch and get all warmed up."

"Okay!" Darcy cried, beaming and giggling.

They proceeded to goof around on the mats, half stretching half roughhousing. Natasha appeared on the edge of the mats. She raised a single sharp eyebrow.

"I thought there would be tumbling," she said. "Not... this."

"We're getting there," Clint said. "Come to show us how it's done, Nat?"

"I suppose," she answered, stepping onto the mats and sinking into a seat, "but only if there is actual tumbling."

Clint snickered but Darcy cheerfully threw herself into a somersault.

"There!" she declared, beaming.

"Can you do more than one in a row?" Natasha asked.

"Whatcha mean?" Darcy asked, cocking her head.

"Like this," Natasha said, before throwing herself into a series of somersaults that took her the whole length of the mats.

"Woah! Show me how to do that!" Darcy yelled, eyes lit up.

She and Natasha went to work even as Clint muttered "Aww, dizzy no..."

A while later Steve and Sam came into the gym.

Clint smirked at Darcy and called out "Hey, Cap, Falcon."

Darcy squeaked and flailed as they came over.

"Nat, Clint, uh, Miss Coulson," Steve said nodding to each of them.

Darcy cocked her head at him, frowning a little.

"Y'can call me Junior," she said. "Two Coulson's is too confusing."

"Ah, alright, Junior then," Steve said. "It's nice to properly meet you."

Darcy's surprised and delighted look turned into something impish.

"Was Phil funny when he met you? You're his favorite," she said, eyes sparkling.

"Well-he, um," Steve looked at Natasha's smirk and the way Clint was openly snickering. "He told me he watched me while I was sleeping."

Darcy burst into giggles.

"Phil's so weird. That's why he's my favorite," she said between bursts.

Steve smiled and knelt down.

"Well, I might be his favorite, not yours, but do you wanna hold the shield?" he asked.

"Can I?" she asked, eyes going wide. She darted a glance at Clint, who nodded encouragingly.

"I wouldn't offer if you couldn't," Steve said, holding the shield out.

Darcy held her breath as she took it, then let it out in a gasp.

"It's so light!"

"That's the vibranium. It's real light but still real strong," Steve said.

"Cool!" Darcy said.

"Hey Steve, we gonna actually train, or are you too busy showing off?" Sam asked, smirking, he had stayed a couple feet back from the group.

"In a minute," Steve said, rolling his eyes. "You could come over and say hi, yanno."

"I could, but I didn't want anyone to feel crowded," Sam answered, warm brown eyes scanning the group carefully.

"You were the pilot," Darcy said.

"I was," he agreed, stepping closer and crouching down.

"You did a good job, there wasn't very much bumpy," She said.

"I did my best," Sam said.

"M'Iinda says that's all a pilot c'n do. Everything else is up to if the wind likes you or not," Darcy said.

"Well she's not wrong," Sam said, face crinkling in a bright amused grin. "Luckily for me, most days the wind does like me, else I wouldn't have much luck with these."

He tapped one of his shoulder straps.

"What're those?" Darcy asked.

"What are these? These are why my codename is Falcon," Sam said, stepping back to get room before spreading his wings.

Darcy gasped and stared slack jawed.

"... you have wings," she breathed. "That's so cool!"

"They are, aren't they?" Sam said, grinning at her. "I've been trying to convince some of the others to get pairs, but they'd rather just jump off things and hope I catch them."

"You can carry people?" Darcy squeaked.

"Yup," Sam answered. "Sure can."

"Can you carry me?" she asked.

"Absolutely!... well, with permission." Sam said glancing at Clint.

Darcy turned and looked at him hopefully.

"...we have to ask Phil," Clint said, unable to refuse those pleading eyes.

"Tell him I said please. And you have to send him a picture," she said.

"I'm not sending your puppy eyes," Clint said. giving her a look.

"It won't be puppy eyes," Darcy said rolling her eyes. "It's this."

And she straightened up and looked at Clint. He eyed her. but she was right, it wasn't puppy eyes. Her face was serious and her eyes were excited. She looked both hopeful and ready to be careful and obedient. Clint sighed and snapped a shot. He pulled his messages back open from when he'd been sending Phil pics of Darcy with Steve and the shield.

"Falcon offered to take Junior flying if you're okay with it. Darcy says please and insisted I send this picture."

It didn't take long for Phil to reply.

"She has to wear a helmet and any other appropriate safety equipment. No excessive aerial acrobatics."

"He says yes but with a helmet and stuff," Clint said. Darcy whooped.

"I think we can find the right stuff," Sam said.

In short order Darcy had a helmet, a mouth guard, knee pads, and elbow pads. After getting Clint's promise to take pictures, she let Sam the Falcon wrap both arms around her and pick her up.

"You ready, Junior?" he asked.

"Yeah! "Darcy yelled, waving her arms around.

"Alright then, don't wriggle now," he said.

Then everything tightened and there was a lurch and. They. Were. FLYING.

Darcy's breath caught in her throat as they steadily rose higher and higher. Clint, Natasha, and Steve shrank below them. Then they were swooping downwards and the wind pulled a whoop out of her. As they started rising again she started laughing.

"This is amazing!" she yelled. "It's better than when Nicky drives!"

She felt a chuckle rumble through Sam the Falcon's chest where it was pressed tight to her back.

"You ready for more?" he asked.

"YES!" Darcy yelled.

They swooped and soared until Darcy's voice started going hoarse from her yells. When they landed she started babbling at a mile a minute. Clint eyed her vibrating and ostentatiously checked the time.

"Oh hey, it's time to hit the range, let's pack up Colibri," he said.

They started walking out when she stopped and spun around.

"Sam!" she yelled.

Sam turned to her from where he was talking to Steve. She ran back to him and flung her arms around his waist.

"Thank you," she said.

"You're welcome, Junior," he said, smiling down at her.

She bit her lip and tugged on his shirt.

Sam quirked an eyebrow and bent down.

"You can call me Little Bird," she whispered, before running back to Clint.

Chapter Text

Clint and Darcy came late to dinner. Clint had Darcy propped on his hip, while she rested a shower damp head on his shoulder and blinked sleepily. As they got to where Phil was sitting, Darcy reached silently for Phil. Clint passed her over and Phil cuddled her close in his lap.

"Bath time? "he asked, noting both their wet heads.

"Ehh, was a little sticky after the gym and range. And someone insisted on having a shower too," Clint said, shrugging slightly. "So I set her up in the stall next door with soap and stuff and told her that if she came out still soapy I'd hose her down."

"Interesting technique," Phil said, lips twitching.

"I thought so," Clint said, smirking. "I'ma go grab us some food."

"It looked like you had fun this afternoon," Phil said.

"Mmhmm," Darcy answered, curling closer.

"How was flying?" Phil asked, rubbing her back.

"Sooo cool," Darcy said, smiling beatifically.

"Good." Phil said, then jostled her gently. "C'mon, no sleeping yet, dinner first."

Darcy whined a little but straightened up and rubbed her eyes.

"Not to interrupt you two being disturbingly adorable," Tony called out, doing that very thing, "but yo, bird child."

Tony flicked something from his phone to her.

Darcy blinked a few times and then looked around sleepily. Phil passed her the tablet and she poked at it until the message opened. Then she blinked, straightened up, and actually looked awake.

"What," she said, staring bemusedly at the screen. She tilted it mutely to show Phil.

He looked at it and his eyebrows shot up briefly.

"Interesting casting choice," he commented.

Darcy stared a bit longer before turning to Tony.

"You're crazy," she informed him.

"I am not! It makes perfect sense!" Tony argued.

Darcy flipped her tablet around and tapped at the screen.

"You made Melinda Bo Peep!" she said.

Before Tony could reply, the whole area burst into laughter.

The picture on her screen showed a Darcy as Woody with a Cap spin. At her side was a Bo Peep with black hair and a staff instead of a crook. She was also accompanied by Hamm the piggy bank in a vest with quiver and bow. Slinky Dog had red curls and Widow's Bites on his front legs. And down in front of them was Sarge the leader of the army men, wearing a suit.

Tony waited impatiently for the laughter to die down.

"Of course she's Bo Peep! Movie 4 just proved how badass Bo Peep is- which I already knew," Tony said.

Darcy gaped at him.

"There are. Four. Toy Stories?" she yelled.

Tony blinked and then grinned.

"Oh, ho, those are after your time, aren't they," Tony said, eyes lit up and smile gleeful. "I foresee a marathon in the future."

Darcy turned hopeful eyes to Phil.

"Maybe tomorrow," Phil said, brushing her cheek below the dark circles under her eyes with a thumb.

"Okay," Darcy said, giving a half hearted bounce and yawning. When Clint came back with their food, she turned to him and asked, "Clint did you know there're four Toy Stories?"

"Sure did," Clint answered.

"Phil says we can mebbe watch 'em tomorrow," she said as she applied herself to her meal.

"Awesome!" he answered.

Darcy fell asleep as soon as she finished eating. Phil and Clint waved their goodbyes and carried her out.