i still hate you , pietro maximoff

Part Seven

1 year ago- age seventeen

Ashlynn had become very good a archery, with and without the help of her animal friends help.

When she wasn't doing target practice, she was reading. Anything and everything. Every book she could get her hand on she read.

Her favorite books to read were science related, archery related, and fiction or romance novels. She read every book on archery that had been written in English and in Russian, which was her native language and accent, even though she learned to suppress her accent to sound more like her family.

Ashlynn was up in her favorite tree reading Romeo and Juliet for like, the hundredth time -at least- when Clint came out to the tree.

She didn't notice him until he was right below her, knocking on the wood trunk.

"Yes dad?"

"So Ash, you know how I go off to work every once in a while?"

"Yeah you go work with the Avengers. You told me this a year ago."

"Well, I was wondering if you would want to come with me this time. You have gotten really good with a bow and your connection to animals and other nature is impecable. They might even let you come on a mission or two with us in about a year. That is, if you want to."

As he said the last words she jumped down from her position halfway up the tree, landing swiftly on her feet from the practice of jumping from such a high surface.

"I'm sure the jumping skill would be useful too," Clint laughed. "I didn't know you could do that, Ash."

Ashlynn shrugged. "Practice."

Two hours later

Clint and Ashlynn had said goodbye to Laura, Cooper and Lila.

Cooper and Lila were quite upset Ashlynn would be leaving with him. They had never been without her for more than a few hours since her arrival at the Barton residence, at the age of ten.

Clint and Ashlynn got on the small flying contraption, that was new and unknown to Ashlynn, and they strapped in before taking off.

On the way there, Clint explained to Ashlynn what she could and couldn't reveal to the Avengers.

"So, Ash. The Avengers don't know about Laura or your siblings. I would like to keep it that way. They don't know about our house or that I am married. Feel free to tell them you are adopted or what happened to you as a kid if you are comfortable with it. It's completely up to you, just don't mention the others. Please?"

"Of course I won't say anything." Ashlynn nodded.

A little while later

Clint got off of the small flying contraption -Ashlynn still had no idea as to what it was- with Ashlynn in tow.

Clint was greeted by Tony Stark.

"Hey Clint." Stark looked behind Clint and saw Ashlynn. "Who's this?"

"Can you call a meeting? I'll tell everyone then."

Stark simply nodded and walked away.

Clint turned around and looked Ashlynn in the eyes. "Remember what we talked about?"

"Yes dad." Ashlynn laughed. "I love you dad."

"I love you too kiddo." Clint smiled as he ruffled her hair.

Five minutes later

Tony had called a meeting and all the Avengers were gathered in a meeting room.

Clint walked in, leaving Ashlynn outside to wait until he said.

"So guys, I have someone I would like you guys to meet." Clint announced. "Come on in."

Ashlynn walked in and saw Nat and immediately ran up to her to hug her. "Aunt Nat!"

Nat realized it was Ashlynn and reciprocated the hug. "Hey kiddo. It's been a while, huh?"

"Yeah," Ashlynn smiled. "Too long."

"Anyone wanna explain who she is?" Stark asked, obviously annoyed.

"And why Nat knew about her but didn't bother to tell us?" Steve asked.

"Well, this is my daughter. Ashlynn." Clint said as he ran a hand through his hair.

"Woah woah woah. Daughter? She looks at least 16, maybe 17, so how have you been able to hide her for so long?" Tony questioned, puzzled at the situation in front of him.

"As dad said, I'm Ashlynn. I'm seventeen. Also, Clint adopted me when I was ten."

"Still," Steve continued, "Seven years is a long time to keep something like that a secret. And Nat, you knew?"

"Not the whole time, but definitely most of it." Nat confirmed, shrugging.

"Well kid," Stark wondered, "Got any specialties?"

"Yeah actually. Wanna see?" Ashlynn said.

"Wait. I didn't know about this!" Nat said, clearly frustrated.

"Sorry Aunt Nat." Ashlynn giggled as she waved her hand and ladybugs flew into Nat's hair.

"What's going on?" Nat asked, concerned.

"Calm down, Aunt Nat, it's perfectly fine and safe." Ashlynn reassured her before shooing the ladybugs away, leaving Nat's hair perfectly curled at the back of her head.

Nat smiled brightly at what Ashlynn had done to her hair.

"That all you got, kid?" Stark pushed.

"No." Ashlynn countered. "I'm pretty good with a bow and I've got a really high IQ."

"J.A.R.V.I.S. Check her IQ real quick."

"Right away, Mr. Stark." The AI replied. "She does. Her IQ matches that if yours and Dr. Banners."

"You must be pretty smart then kid. I'm Bruce. Or as J.A.R.V.I.S just said, Dr. Banner. But I'd really prefer you call me Bruce." He rambled on.

"Hello Bruce." Ashlynn said stifling a giggle.

From that day on, Ashlynn not only trained with her father, but some of the other Avengers as well.

About a year after their first interactions, the Avengers as a whole decided that Ashlynn could go her first mission with the Avengers.