Jan 25, 2023
A story is a series of engines whose job is to move the plot forward, not a display case for statically showing off the brilliance of a writer’s views on human nature.
– Emily Barton
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A story is a series of engines whose job is to move the plot forward, not a display case for statically showing off the brilliance of a writer’s views on human nature.
– Emily Barton
Oh To Be a Barton (Chapter Fourteen)
As a reminder I’m shit posting. This is an unfinished story and this is all she wrote. Please do not ask for me to update it. Thanks!
Tagged: @justgrits
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*Four Years Later*
Slowly, the door creaked open. Clint and Natasha crept across the wooden floor and over to the large bed. Clint walked around to stand on the opposite side of the bed to look over at Natasha. He looked up at the woman he loved. Her blue eyes sparkled with happiness and her face was bright and had a large grin. Silently, Clint counted to three and then the pair jumped on top of the bed.
Emily groaned as she was hit with the full weight of her brother and his fiance. She struggled to get her arms free, but both of them kept her tucked under her covers. They planted wet, slobbery kisses all over her face before they moved to lay next to her. Emily let out a long sigh as the sandwiched her between them.
"Happy Birthday!" Natasha and Clint exclaimed together.
"It's too early," Emily complained.
Clint scoffed. "It's never too early to start celebrating a birthday."
"Especially since you're turning seventeen, Em," Natasha added.
"What's so great about seventeen?" Emily asked in reply.
"Oh no, young lady. You will not be a party pooper on your own birthday." Clint informed her.
"Then give me like two more hours," Emily whined snuggling into her covers.
"Can't sweetie," Natasha said, pulling back the covers.
"We have so much to do today," Clint said.
"Why must I be tortured on my birthday?" Emily asked no one particularly.
"Oh come on, you'll love it." Natasha grinned.
Emily eyed the couple. "What do you two have planned?"
Clint looked over at Natasha and she just smiled back.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Clint lied.
"Clinton Francis Barton, don't you lie to me." Emily scolded.
"Francis." Natasha snorted.
"I hate when you use my middle name," Clint whined. "And shut up, Natasha."
"I wouldn't have to use your forbidden middle name if you would just leave me alone." Emily pointed out.
"You're the reason why we can't have nice things." Clint pouted.
"So mature," Emily scoffed as she tried pulling the blankets up further over her head.
"Oh no, you don't!" Natasha exclaimed yanking the blankets off the bed.
Emily let out a frustrated scream.
"Get dressed and meet us downstairs in five minutes or it will be the big guy coming up here for you next." Clint threatened.
"First of all, the big guy doesn't scare me. Secondly, the Hulk loves and adores me. He'll listen to me and leave me alone." Emily reminded her brother.
"Oh, I wasn't talking about Bruce. I was threatening you with Fury." Clint smugly replied.
Emily tossed her pillow at her brother.
"You're so rude!" She growled.
Clint easily caught the pillow and flung it back at his sister. Before Emily could retaliate once again, Natasha and Clint quickly abandoned Emily's room leaving her to get around for the day. Knowing better than going back to bed, Emily pulled herself to the edge of the bed and then simply fell out of the bed onto the floor. She laid on the floor for a full minute before finally getting up and getting around for the day.
She didn't bother to brush her hair instead, he piled the long brown mess on top of her head and secured it with two of her hair ties. Emily dug around in her dresser for a pair of black leggings and then slipped them over her hips. She bit her lip as she mulled over what shirt she wanted to wear. Having no idea what the two of them were up to Emily went for comfort rather than dressy. Emily pulled on her favorite dark blue Star Labs sweater and then grabbed a pair of socks.
Once her socks and boots were on her feet, Emily quickly washed her face and brushed her teeth. She swiped on some deodorant and then splashed a little bit of perfume on before calling it good. Grabbing her trusty backpack, Emily whipped open her bedroom door and then jogged down the stairs.
"Alright, I'm ready for the day, you brats," Emily growled as she rounded the corner.
She froze in her spot as she took in the sight before her. The dining room and kitchen were decorated in purple and silver streamers and balloons. A huge 'Happy Birthday Emily!' banner hung over the table. To her even greater surprise, the farmhouse was filled with her most favorite and cherished people.
"What in the world?" Emily asked in confusion.
"Happy Birthday!" The group rang out and Emily's mouth fell open.
"Look at that, the kid is speechless." Fury teased.
Emily narrowed her eyes at him and he just laughed before coming forward to hug her first. Everyone was there in her house to celebrate her seventeenth birthday. Piper and Peter stood with Bruce, Dick, Jason, and Tim. Wade was even there grinning like a fool in the corner. Maria Hill had come along with Fury. Her dad was there which surprised her that he was able to sneak away from Stark. Emily was excited to see everyone, but she was most excited to see Steve Rogers standing by the punch bowl with a dark skinned man standing next to him.
"I can't believe you all came." Emily gushed.
"I know your past birthdays haven't been so grand. I wanted to make this one extra special." Clint admitted as he kissed Emily on the forehead.
"He's been planning this for months," Natasha told her. "He worked so hard to make sure that everyone could make it all in one day."
"I don't know what to say, Clint. This is amazing." Emily said.
"Just enjoy your day with your family and friends," Clint replied.
"Thanks, Clint," Emily said.
Clint grinned. "You're welcome. Now go and enjoy your party."
Emily mingled her way through the party. She made sure she spent enough time with each and every one of her guests. At first, she wanted to go right to Steve and his friend, but Emily didn't want to be rude to her friends and family. Slowly, but surely, Emily made it around to the snack table. Steve and his friend met Emily with giant grins.
"Hi, Steve!" Emily greeted a little too enthusiastically.
"I was wondering when we'd get to talk to the birthday girl," Steve said.
"Here I am." Emily smiled. "I'm glad that you came."
"I wouldn't miss it," Steve said.
"Hi Emily, I'm Sam Wilson, a friend of Steve's. I hope you don't mind that I tagged along." Sam said.
"Oh no, more the merrier. It's nice to meet you." Emily said, shaking his hand.
"Steve told me a lot about you. You live quite the interesting life." Sam said.
Emily laughed. "Yeah, they keep me on my toes."
Emily lost herself in the conversation with Sam and Steve. Wade had hopped over into the conversation draping himself onto Emily. He leaned his head against her shoulder and wrapped his arm around her waist. Since the three of them had never been to the farmhouse before Emily decided to give them a tour.
Halfway through, Wade got distracted by an argument Peter and Dick were having and left Emily to defend his boyfriend. Sam and Steve, followed Emily upstairs.
"I'm slightly embarrassed to show you my room," Emily admitted.
"Why is that?" Sam asked with a smile.
"Well, because of this," Emily said pushing open her bedroom door.
Steve stepped in first. Sam let out a soft chuckle as he moved around the room looking at all of Emily's things. Steve glanced back at Emily who was standing there slightly brushing.
"It's not like I'm a stalker or anything, I promise." Emily began.
Steve smiled. "I remember Coulson telling me about how I was your role model."
"I'm coming off creepy, aren't I?" Emily asked.
Above Emily's bed hung an exact replica of Steve's shield. Her trading cards along with Coulson's were framed and were placed on her bookshelf between her collection of books. Some of his old posters from back in the day were framed and nicely hung on her walls along with collages that looked like she had made herself of her family and friends.
"It's not creepy at all. It's nice knowing that I was, still am, someone's role model." Steve told her.
"When you were found and they had, uh, defrosted you, Coulson had promised me that one day we would meet. I was so determined to make a great first impression so that maybe one day we could be friends." Emily admitted.
Steve surprised Emily by pulling her in for a hug. Emily wrapped her arms around his torso and gave him a slight squeeze.
"I don't have many friends nowadays," Steve said.
"But, after Coulson died I didn't really have an in with you so I kind of just dropped the possibility of being friends," Emily told him.
"Well, I think today is a great start to a friendship. What do you think?" Steve asked her.
Emily's face filled with a bright smile. "Really?"
Steve nodded. "I think-"
Oh To Be a Barton (Chapter Two)
@justgrits
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A special lunch was to be held today. Today was a very special day for the performers and crew of the Traveling Wonders. Three years ago today, the Barton children had joined their family. In the end, Marcy was happy that she didn’t have to get rid of the kids they had grown on her the past three years and she felt motherly towards them. She adored all of them and wouldn’t change a thing.
Seventeen year old Barney, had made his way up through the ranks from bottom of the fish bowl to the top as the head of security guard proving his worth to Marcella. He trained under Jacques Duquesne, the Swordsman. Jacques mentored the boy over the past three years and helped him make his way up the ranks. Even though the man was a good teacher he was harsh and mean. Barney didn’t really trust the guy, but he appreciated what the man did for him.
Fifteen year old Clint, found himself under the wing of Buck Chisholm, or better known as Trick Shot. Clint discovered that he had quite the skill in archery. With the training of Trick Shot and his own skill he was able to earn himself the nickname, Hawkeye, and a part of the circus’s performance. People were always so amazed at the young teens talent. From his brother, Clint was taught to defend himself, some cities got out of hand and some fights broke out and Marcy liked knowing that her young crew members could take care of themselves.
Eight year old Emily, was left out to the dust by her brothers. Of course they always made time for their baby sister, but when it was time to work or train Emily had nowhere to go. Marcy convinced Clint to at least teach his sister enough moves to escape from anybody that attacked her. Emily didn’t like it at first. She didn’t like the fact that her brother was so rough on her, but the more he pushed her and with Barney’s watchful eye, Emily caught on easily. When Emily wasn’t able to train with her brother she followed Marcy around the whole compound.
Emily had become Marcy’s little personal assistant. The girl was incredibly intelligent and could hold better conversations with Marcy than most of the men and women that had worked for her for years. When Marcy had introduced Emily to the wonders of technology, Marcy swore she created a monster. Emily soaked up everything she read on the internet. Between her schooling with Marcy, training with Clint, and her own research on the computer the young girl really never had any other time to enjoy being a kid.
Marcy of course blames herself on that one for even introducing the girl to the computer, but as always it helped her out in the long end. Emily began looking up popular cities that would catch them more attention to bring in more money. She began doing research for Clint. Emily would find archery tricks, mixture them together so that two different tricks could mesh well, teach it to her brother and make Clint even better at performing. Having the kids around was definitely making her place so much better.
“Clint!” Emily shouted as she wove herself through the pitched tents.
“Hey sweetheart.” Clint greeted his sister when she finally came to a halt.
“Come on! Come on!” Emily urged as she pulled on Clint’s arm.
“What’s the rush?” Clint asked.
“Remember? It’s our special lunch today!” Emily exclaimed.
“Ugh, that’s today? I have to practice for tonight’s show.” Clint replied.
“Nobody is going to care, Clint. This lunch is for us.” Emily grinned.
Clint sighed and placed his bow back in it’s holder. Emily didn’t wait to hear his arguments. Instead she yanked him up out of his spot and started dragging him through the compound. Clint let out a small chuckle as her short legs stumbled in excitement as she pulled him along.
“Barney is already there.” Emily told him.
“Well if Barney is there.” Clint said.
“Yeah, exactly, you butthead.” Emily told him.
“I think you’re mistaken. Barney is the biggest butthead.” Clint pointed out.
“Nuh huh, Clint. The biggest butthead award goes to you.” Emily said.
Emily let out a squeal as Clint rushed forward and scooped her up. She laughed as Clint tickled her before flipping her around so she was clinging to his back. Clint carried Emily the rest of the way to the mess tent where mostly everyone was getting their lunch and spreading out onto the tables. Barney saw his siblings coming and left Marcy in mid conversation to join them. As usual he ruffled Clint’s hair and then pressed a kiss to Emily’s temple.
“What took you two so long?” Barney asked.
“Clint was going to be a party pooper.” Emily informed.
“Loser.” Barney said plucking Emily from Clint’s back.
“Shut up.” Clint scoffed rolling his eyes.
“Come on, now. We can’t be upsetting the baby today. It’s her favorite day of the year.” Barney replied.
Emily wiggled herself free from Barney’s grasp. She ran from her brothers earning herself a sigh from Buck and Jacques as she squeezed her way past Marcy to get something to eat. Barney looped an arm around his brother’s neck and dragged him towards the food table. Marcy smiled at the brothers as they both grabbed a plate and started to fill it mountain high with several different types of food.
Once the food was finished and cleaned up nobody really wanted to get back to work. The crew sat around the tables still talking with each other. Emily had grown tired, but was too stubborn to admit and take a nap. She did however measled her way over to Buck who had happily picked up the girl and carried her around. She enjoyed listening to Buck’s silly conversations with the other adults.
Buck stood with Emily plastered against his chest. Her face buried in his neck soft snores were coming from the young girl as she slept against Buck. Barney had offered to take Emily from him and put her down in Marcy’s trailer to sleep, but Buck didn’t mind. He thought of the Barton kids as his own younger siblings. He paced back and forth to keep Emily asleep as he watched Clint’s new training with Swordsman. Buck wasn’t too thrilled with Jacques offer to add to Clint’s training, but in the end it was up to Clint.
“You’re not concentrating.” Jacques scolded as he tapped Clint on the forehead.
“I’m tired and it’s hot here. Plus Buck never makes me train on a Sunday.” Clint explained as he rubbed the kinks out of his shoulder.
“That’s your problem. You whine too much and don’t train enough.” Jacques replied.
“The boy trains enough.” Buck snapped.
“Just stay out of it.” Jacques growled back.
“Clint, it’s your call. If you’re done for the day you can walk away.” Buck said ignoring Jacques growl.
“No he can’t!” Jacques growled.
“Buck’s right Jacques, I’m tired and being tired isn’t going to do me any good.” Clint said.
“He’s obviously hurt Jacques and that’s affecting his outcome. Just let the kid be a kid for the day. That’s why I don’t make him train everyday.” Buck replied.
“You’re just making excuses for him.” Jacques snarled in annoyance.
Emily woke with a start and looked around with bleary eyes. Buck rubbed at her back before putting her down so he could check on Clint’s shoulder. Emily mumbled something about going to look for Barney. Buck paid her no attention he was more concerned with Clint and his injury. Out of the corner of his eye Buck could see Emily walking in front of the targets as she crossed the wide area to where Barney sat talking with Stevie.
“How bad is it?” Buck asked.
“Just sore. I can’t work it out.” Clint said as he kept rubbing at his shoulder.
“Let me see it.” Buck ordered as he pushed Clint’s hand away.
“I know of the perfect way to pump your adrenaline.” Jacques spoke.
“Just knock it off.” Clint snapped. “I’m done for the day and I mean it.”
Both Buck and Clint looked over to where Jacques stood. He had his own bow raised and aimed. Buck’s eyes widened when he saw Emily bend down to pick up a dollar that someone had dropped. Clint was scrambling to his feet pushing Buck out of the way. Emily stood and shoved the dollar into her tiny pocket of her jean shorts.
“Emily!” Clint shouted as he sprinted towards his sister.
Barney whipped around to see his sister standing in the middle of the target field. He saw Clint sprinting towards their younger sister. He looked back from where Clint came from and saw Jacques standing there with his bow raised right at his Emily. There was no way that Clint was going to make it to her in time. Barney jumped to his feet and began running full force towards Emily.
His heart stopped when he heard the familiar snap of the bow string and the whizzing sound of the arrow. A small scream escaped from his sister two seconds before Clint tackled into her knocking her to the ground. The whole compound went dead silent as everyone froze in pure shock of what they had just seen.
Marcy, her father Mr. Carson, and Buck started running towards where Clint and Emily lay. Barney could hear his little sister crying as Clint rolled over to check her. The arrow lay embedded in the ground next to her, but there was a large gash on her thigh from where the arrow had grazed her. Barney dropped down next to his siblings. He ripped the bottom part of his shirt and pressed it to Emily’s leg.
“What the hell happened?” Mr. Carson asked.
“He shot her! He shot her!” Clint snarled.
“Jacques was punishing Clint for quitting for the day.” Buck snarled as he lifted the young girl up.
“Jacques!” Mr. Carson shouted before storming over to the man.
“We need to get that bleeding to stop before we do anything else.” Marcy said.
“Do you want me to go to town and fetch a doctor?” Stevie asked.
“We don’t have the time.” Buck hissed.
Marcy led the others over to the medical tent. She cleared one of the tables so Buck could lay Emily down. Her tears had stopped, but she was still sniffling. Marcy pressed a hand to the girl’s forehead before pressing a kiss to her chubby cheeks. Emily clung to Clint’s hand as Buck and Barney examined the wound. Blood was still pouring out, but it was no longer gushing. Buck had pushed Barney away so he could put gauze against the wound to help it stop.
“She’s going to need stitches.” Buck said.
“No.” Emily pouted.
“It will be alright, sweetheart. You won’t feel a thing.” Buck told her.
“You promise?” She asked.
“Promise. And if you’re an extra good girl I’ll buy you a big ice cream cone.” Buck said.
“Deal.” Emily said as she wiped the tears from her face.
“Marcella, will you be able to help me?” Buck asked.
“Yes, I’ll get the right instruments.” Marcy replied.
Buck looked up to the two Barton boys. “Are you two going to be able to be present without causing a scene?” Buck asked.
“Yes, sir.” Both boys answered.
“Good, because your sister needs you and she needs you on your best behavior.” Buck replied.
“What about Jacques though?” Clint asked.
“Let Mr. Carson handle it.” Buck answered.
Clint stayed where he stood and held onto Emily’s hand. Her tiny fingers played with his while she tried to keep her mind off from what Buck was doing. Barney moved to stand on the other side of Buck blocking Emily’s view from the older man. Barney knew she was going to be traumatized enough with being shot with an arrow he didn’t need her being even more damaged at the sight of her leg or the giant needle Buck was going to have to prick her with.
“You’re going to feel a little pinch, your leg will feel sleepy, and then you won’t feel anything else, okay?” Buck told her.
“Okay.” It came out as a whisper.
“Emily,” Clint said.
“What?” Emily asked looking up at her brother.
“Do you remember when we took you horseback riding?” Clint asked her.
Emily nodded. “Yeah, my horse didn’t like your horse and he kept biting your horse’s tail.”
“Yeah and you were supposed to tell him to stop, but you were too busy giggling.” Clint replied.
“I couldn’t help it! The one time he bit your horse right on the butt! Then your horse went crazy and you fell off.” Emily said with a small giggle.
“Oh, so you still think that’s funny?” Clint asked.
Emily quickly covered her mouth to hide her giggles. Clint narrowed his eyes at her, but Emily couldn’t stop. Her hand slid away as the tiny giggles escaped her once more. Clint gave her an angry growl before pretending to eat at her fingers.
“I’ll make a three course meal out of you.” He threatened.
“Barney won’t let you!” Emily gasped.
“I don’t know. A three course Emily dinner sounds so scrumptious.” Barney teased.
“No! You’re supposed to save me from the big bad Clint.” Emily fake cried.
“Oh! You’re right I’m supposed to be the knight.” Barney said.
“Duh.” Emily said.
“Alright our little damsel. You have been saved.” Buck said.
Clint helped Emily sit up so she could see the gash on her leg. It was all closed up with a nice line of stitches. She counted them quickly. Twenty three stitches covered her left thigh. When she was finished counting every stitch Buck covered the wound with a new gauze and taped it to her skin.
“It might hurt to walk, but you’ll just have to be extra careful.” Buck told her.
“Was I a good patient?” Emily asked.
“Extra good. Want that ice cream cone?” Buck asked.
“Yes, please!” Emily exclaimed happily.
Buck picked Emily up. Marcy followed behind as Emily excitedly talked about the kind of ice cream she wanted. Barney and Clint stayed behind. They both knew what was coming. When Buck was finally out of earshot with Emily, Barney turned around to face his younger brother. Clint was already standing with his fists clenched.
“I told you Clint. I told you not to mess with Jacques.” Barney said.
“He was giving me extra training.” Clint snapped.
“Yeah and I told you that he’s too much. I can barely make it through a training without falling over dead from a heart attack. He’s not just mean, Clint, he’s ruthless. And because you didn’t listen to me Emily got hurt.” Barney snarled.
“I didn’t tell him to shoot Emily.” Clint hissed.
“No, but he damn well knows that our biggest weakness is Emily.” Barney snapped.
“So what do you want me to do Barney? It’s not like I can take it back.” Clint asked.
“Listen to me!” Barney roared. “Stop training with him. Stay the hell away from him. Do what’s best for Emily.”
“I am doing what is best for Emily. I am making myself a better protector!” Clint shouted. “I’ve seen the way those perverted men look at our sister in every city that we go to. I’ve seen the look of the crazy moms that want to give her a better life. She’s too young to protect herself, to know any better, but the better I become the safer Emily will be.”
“Do you honestly believe that?” Barney asked. “You’re an idiot Clint. Put our sister’s needs before yours. That’s what all of this has been about. We were abused, Clint. Beaten, cursed, and hated by our own parents. The crazed look Jacques gets in his eye is the same look our dad used to get before he’d beat us. Dad knew that Emily is our weak link and so does Jacques. He knows that we would do everything to save her. I can fight off Jacques, but you can’t, you’re not strong enough.”
“I won’t let her get hurt again.” Clint hissed.
“Damn right you won’t because you’re going to stay the hell away from Jacques, do you understand me?” Barney snapped.
“Or what? What are you going to do Barney?” Clint asked angrily.
“You’ll wake up one day and we’ll be gone. I sneaked away once before, but that was with you. Don’t think for one minute that I wouldn’t do that again for Emily, but leave you behind.” Barney explained.
“You can’t take her from me!” Clint shouted the panic rising in his chest, he couldn’t lose Emily.
“If you keep putting her life at risk then I damn well do what I please. All of this has been for Emily. I could care less about being strong, about this damn security job, or this whole damn circus. But Emily loves it here and the crew. She’s safe and she’s loved, but if you keep messing with Jacques then I will take her from you.” Barney threatened.
“Over my dead body.” Clint snarled.
“You really think you can take me on?” Barney asked.
“No, but if you try and take Emily then I will try my hardest to stop you.” Clint replied.
“I don’t want to separate us, Clint, but I’m thinking of Emily here. She was hurt today because you didn’t listen to me. If you don’t start listening to me then I will leave and I will take Emily with me.” Barney said.
The boys’ conversation was cut short when Mr. Carson came over to join them with Jacques dragging behind them. Clint was heaving from the argument with his brother. Barney unclenched his fist and shoved his hands into his pockets to keep him from punching the man in the face. Mr. Carson grabbed Jacques by the arm and yanked the man forward so he was standing in front of the Barton brothers.
“I never meant to actually hit your sister.” Jacques stated.
“Yeah, but you did.” Clint snapped.
“I only wanted to get you motivated.” Jacques explained.
“Jacques, I appreciate you taking me in, but I just don’t think we’re a match.” Clint said.
Jacques nodded. “I agree. I think you’re better off with just training with Buck.”
With that said, Clint stormed off leaving Barney to level with Jacques. Mr. Carson stood with his arms crossed over his chest. He watched the pair with careful eyes. He didn’t trust Jacques and he understood what Barney was doing. The young boy was just trying to keep his siblings alive and play the game at the same time.
“I hope we have no hard feelings?” Jacques asked.
“Listen,” Barney began. “We’ll let bygones be bygones, I’ll still train with you, but if you ever go after Emily again it will all be over. Do you understand?”
“I completely understand.” Jacques answered.
“Make sure you stay away from Emily.” Mr. Carson added.
“Don’t worry, I will.” Jacques said before leaving.
Mr. Carson turned towards Barney. “You need to be careful boy you two just made an awful enemy.”
Barney nodded. “I know.”
“Somebody is going to have to stop him.” Mr. Carson sighed.
Brookland (2006)
Emily Barton
Farrar, Straus & Giroux
Title: The Book of Esther | Author: Emily Barton | Publisher: Crown (2017)
We writers like to talk about elements of craft. Character, theme, setting, voice, point of view, language. But I seldom hear fellow writers
We writers like to talk about elements of craft. Character, theme, setting, voice, point of view, language. But I seldom hear fellow writers
Oh To Be a Barton (Chapter Thirteen)
Tagged: @justgrits
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*One Year Later*
“I’m gonna miss this place,” Emily said, tossing down her last duffel bag.
“We can come back,” Bruce told her.
“Yeah, I know. It just felt so normal being here.” Emily told him.
“Well kid, if you don’t want to leave we don’t have to,” Bruce said.
Emily shook her head. “I’d love to stay, but we stayed put for far too long. We need to get off Shield’s radar again.”
Bruce wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her in next to him. He kissed her temple and then the both of them took one last look at the farmhouse that had given them such a great year. Bruce left Emily to admire the house a little longer as he packed up the rest of their bags into the back of Fury’s SUV.
“Come on kid, we have to get you guys to the airport.” Fury said.
Emily looked over her shoulder at the Director. Over the past year, a lot had happened. Emily and Fury had grown closer since the passing of their mutual friend. Fury was really the only one that Emily could talk to about Phil. Fury understood and had missed the same things she did about their dear friend. Emily never thought she would one day care for the overbearing Shield’s director, but she did now and she was grateful to have him in her life.
Piper and Peter also came and spent quite a bit of time at the farm with her and Bruce over the year. Piper was adamant about picking up Emily’s training once they arrived. Peter gave in and helped Piper train with Emily. Emily was nowhere near their level or Clint and Natasha’s, but she was more confident with her skills and quicker too.
She had made a surprising friend of Jason Todd as well. It wasn’t as if they had miraculously become best friends, but they both stayed in touch with each other. Jason opened up slightly with her and Emily even shared a few things with him as well. Emily could say that they both equally had mutual respect for one another and tolerated each other now.
Surprisingly, Clint and Natasha stuck around in the beginning longer than they had planned. Fury let them stay longer than the original week. Emily really enjoyed getting to spend some time with her brother and Natasha. They both had shared their adventures with Emily and listened to Emily when she told them about all of the things that she and Bruce had done over the years.
Clint opened up to Emily about being brainwashed by Loki. Emily had cried the first time Clint had talked to her about it, but she could tell the more he talked about the stronger he was growing from it and the more he was accepting the fact that he wasn’t to blame for what had happened. All of the choices he had made were decided by another person. Emily reassured her brother that he would have stopped if he had the power too, but Loki was just too strong. Clint was letting go of his guilt and was slowly returning back to normal.
Her time with Natasha was the best. Emily had known since the beginning that her brother not only adored Natasha but loved her as well. She figured it out just after two months of following the two of them around that she loved him back. Clint and Natasha kept it completely hidden that they were in a relationship. Emily was the only person they told. They figured that Fury had to have known that they were in a relationship, but he never said anything to them. Emily hoped that the two of them would last because she so desperately wanted Natasha to be her sister one day.
On the drive to the airport, Emily couldn’t help but think about all of the good things that had happened over the year. She got to meet Steve Rogers for a quick second before her brother and Natasha swept her away before Tony figured out about Clint’s secret family. It was quite the honor to meet her role model. Steve promised to visit her on the farm, but it never happened. Emily knew that he was busy catching up on life since he had been frozen for the past seventy years.
Their year on the farm brought Bruce and Emily even closer though neither of them never thought was possible. Emily surprised Bruce by helping him reconnect with his love Betty Ross. Emily had spent a little over two months tracking her down and then talking to her. She didn’t hold anything back when they began emailing each other. Betty had told Emily that she had spent years trying to find Bruce, but he was a hard man to find. So for his birthday, Emily surprised him with a home cooked meal and a special guest.
Emily could remember the exact look on Bruce’s face when Betty walked into the kitchen. First, there was a look of recognition, shock, and then a large grin had filled his face. Betty practically threw herself at him and he easily engulfed her in a large group. Emily couldn’t help but smile happily as the two were finally reunited. When Betty explained to Bruce that it was all because of Emily that she was there Bruce hugged her so tightly that Emily was sure that he broke a rib or two.
Betty had ended up staying a whole month with them catching up and getting to know Emily. Emily had fallen in love with Betty. The girls had bonded so much that when Betty had finally left Emily was completely heartbroken, but Betty promised to stay in touch. That was exactly what she did. Betty frequently called and texted them. She even video conference with them on the weekends and those were Bruce and Emily’s favorite thing to do on the weekend.
At the small and private airport, Emily climbed out of the SUV. Even though the past year had been simply amazing Emily couldn’t wait to go back to it just being her and Bruce. She missed the solitude they could easily find in a different country. She missed helping Bruce run a cheap doctor's office.
“Stay out of trouble, ya hear.” Fury said.
Emily smiled. “Of course.”
“And don’t hesitate to call if you need anything.” Fury added.
“You know I will,” Emily replied.
Fury hugged her. “Take care, kid.”
“Be careful out there,” Emily said.
“I will.” Fury told her.
Fury shook hands with Bruce and then wished the Banner family his best. Bruce and Emily loaded the small plane that would take them to their new home. Banner hated flying. Feared it actually. So, he took his prescribed medicine and it knocked him out immediately leaving Emily to her own devices.
Emily kept herself occupied by connecting with Homer on her iPad. She had been meaning to create some new plans for a new workspace for Bruce's office. The Banner family had plans to reopen a small and affordable doctor's office again, but Emily would like to make the new place a little more homely.
When they finally landed at the Grand Bahama International Airport, Emily and Bruce quickly made their way down the terminal. Emily stuck behind her father as he led them down to the luggage pickup area. Emily placed her earbuds back in and cranked up her music. She sat down on the floor next to Banner as he waited for their luggage to swing around on the belt.
"I'll grab our bags. Be ready to go, Em." Bruce said.
Emily nodded and climbed to her feet. Sticking her iPad into her backpack, she shouldered the heavy sack. She waited patiently as Bruce grabbed their bags from the belt. Together, they carried their bags outside to where the car was waiting for them. Fury had everything set up for them. He swore to them that he was the only one who knew where they would be at.
It didn't take long for the driver to take the Banner family out to their new home. Their new home was grander than what they had expected and what they were used to, but they had decided to stay longer in the Bahamas so Emily could finish up school. Since Bruce was now part of the Avengers he didn't want to run anymore. Emily was working at a junior level. She had plans to graduate school in under two years. Bruce promised her they could stay put long enough for her to finish her studies.