Needless to say, it didn't take long for the rest of the Avengers to notice something big had happened between Natasha and Aquila.

Even just the hidden glances and slightly red cheeks were enough. They had all been expecting something to happen for a while and it finally had.

Neither Natasha or Aquila had exactly defined what they were now, but both hoped that it wasn't just a once-off occasion.

Aquila felt safe with Natasha and for the lack of a better word, truly alive. After all, it was Natasha that had prompted her to stop running from her past in the first place and without her persistence, Aquila probably would have never seen her remaining family and tribe again.

But neither woman could think about what they both wanted to be as something else had clearly happened as a new person was sleeping on the couch in the living room and Keira had bright-red eyes from what looked like crying.

Fury had called a meeting on his arrival, causing everyone to meet in the kitchen. Upon walking in, Aquila immendiantely sat next to Natasha at the dining room table, their hands intertwining immediately amongst the looks that were sent their way.

"What's Quinn doing here?" Aquila whispered to Nat, upon the sight of her blonde friend looking slightly out of place, sending her a slight wave before turning back to the redhead.

"Clint rang her, Steve really needed her." Natasha replied, looking back towards Steve who now seemed calmer with Quinn's presence.

It had been a while since Aquila had last seen Fury, as he did look vastly different apart from the eyepatch that seemed to be back now.

"Ultron took you folks out of play to buy himself time. My contacts all say he's building something. The amount of Vibranium he made off with, I don't think it's a just one thing."

Aquila nearly jumped out of her skin as she sensed the presence of a person beside her, turning only to see that it was Lila, Clint's daughter holding out a butterfly drawing for both of them.

They both thanked the girl, Natasha gently pressing a hand to her cheek before Lila scurried off again.

"What about Ultron himself?" Steve asked.

"Ah," Fury said in response. "He's easy to track, he's everywhere. Guy's multiplying faster than a Catholic rabbit. Still doesn't help us get an angle on any of his plans though."

"Is he still going after the launch codes?" Tony asked, voicing the question that was swirling around in all their heads.

"Yes, he is but he's not making any headway."

Aquila breathed a sigh of relief as quietly as she could as the discussion only continued.

"I cracked the Pentagon's firewall in high school on a dare." Tony boasted in his usual manner.

"Well, I contacted our friends at the Nexus about that," Fury replied.

"Nexus?" Steve asked.

"What?" Aquila also asked, equally as confused.

Between her and Steve, both of their knowledge of technology was basic but the only difference was that Aquila grew in up in a tribe that didn't use technology instead of being trapped under ice.

"It's the World Internet Hub in Oslo," Bruce explained to the two of them. "Every byte of data flows through there, fastest access on earth."

"Oh, okay." Aquila breathed, pretending to understand.

"So, what'd they say?"

"He's fixated on the missiles, but the codes are constantly being changed."

"By whom?"

"Parties unknown."

"Do we have an ally?" Natasha asked hopefully, from where she sat beside Aquila.

"Ultron's got an enemy, that's not the same thing." Fury replied.

"Still, I'd pay folding money to know who it is," Aquila finally spoke up.

"I might need to visit Oslo," Tony said. "Find our unknown."

"Well, this is good times, boss, but I was kind of hoping when I saw you, you'd have something more than that," Nat said sarcastically.

"I do, I have you." Fury replied. "Back in the day, I had eyes everywhere, ears everywhere else. You kids had all the tech you could dream of. Here we all are, back on earth, with nothing but our wit and our will to save the world. Ultron says the Avengers are the only thing between him and his mission and whether or not he admits it, his mission is global destruction. All this, laid in a grave." Fury said, pausing for emphasis throughout his speech. "So stand, outwit the platinum bastard."

"Steve doesn't like that kind of talk," Nat teased, throwing a mischevious smile towards the Captain.

"You know what, Romanoff."

It was amazing how a small, simple exchange immediately broke the tension in the room, causing almost of all them to grin to themselves.

"So, what does he want?" Fury asked, still pressing on.

"To become better."

"Better than us." Aquila continued. "He keeps building bodies."

"Person bodies. The human form is inefficient, biologically speaking, we're outmoded. But he keeps coming back to it."

"When you two programmed him to protect the human race, you amazingly failed."

"They don't need to be protected," Bruce said realizing what was happening. "They need to evolve. Ultron's going to evolve."

"How?"

Aquila's eyes widened as she recalled a conversation which felt like it had taken place years ago when it wasn't even a full week.

"Has anybody been in contact with Helen Cho recently?"

A few moments, later, once plans had been made in order for them to save the world again. Aquila decided it would be the right time to ask the question that had been on everyone's minds.

"Who is that new person sleeping in the living room?"

"That's my younger sister," Keira said, finally speaking up.

"Your younger sister?" Steve asked Keira, shocked.

"Yeah. Um. . .my mother. . " Keira trailed off as everyone watched as Tony kissed her forehead, calming her down. "My mother suddenly died, which leaves me as the guardian of Bea."

"I'm very sorry to hear that, Keira," Natasha said.

"If we can do anything to help, let us know." Aquila continued.

"Thanks."

Farewells were needed as the Avengers prepared themselves to leave the safety of the Barton home and fight again. They never seemed to not be in trouble for long but after all, they were the Avengers.

Aquila stood slightly to the side as everyone said their goodbyes however that was until Lila Barton walked up to Aquila, wrapping her arms around Aquila's legs as a hug considering their height difference.

"You'll be back soon right?" The little girl asked. "We need more girls around here."

"Of course, I will. I'll make sure to bring Auntie Nat back as well, alright?"

"Ok!" The little girl shouted, squeezing Aquila's legs one last time before running off to say goodbye to someone else.

"You know, you went back on your word. You didn't strangle, Fury." Keira joked as Aquila turned to her.

"Well, it wasn't exactly the right time but I will make sure he knows I can look after myself," Aquila said. "Are you alright?"

"I'll be fine, thanks."

"Thank you very much for letting us stay," Aquila said walking over to where Laura stood as the woman pulled her into a hug.

"It was no problem," Laura replied. "It was lovely to meet you."

"You too," Aquila said, about to leave when Laura grabbed her wrist forcing her to stop.

"Whatever is happening between you and Natasha, Aquila. Please go for it. You guys both deserve something good." Laura told Aquila, her own words similar to the same ones that Steve had told her.

"Yeah, maybe I will properly go for it."