The Raven

ALWAYS - NINE

August, 2003
Santa Monica, CA
Three months after the girls joined Shield.

The sun beats on Sofia's skin as she lunges for the inflated beach ball, Sending it flying back to Clint across from the line they've drawn in the sand.

Natasha pads her aching and shriveled up feet out from the warm salt water, The sand squishing between her toes as she rest her dripping wet blonde hair on her sisters shoulder.

"Alright, Shadow, I'm starving." She complains for the fifth time within the last hour, Natasha has had enough of the sun for one day and is ready to go back to their secured beach house.

Clint sends the beach ball flying back to Sofia, Turning to find his beautiful girlfriend Laura laying on her folding chair, Sipping a glass bottle filled with hard lemonade as her obnoxiously large hat hides her from the blinding rays.

"Hey honey, You ready to call it a day?" He calls out, Sofia serves the ball to the un-expecting Clint and accidentally nails him in the face.

His wide framed sunglasses fly into the sand, And all three girls burst into deep bellied laughter as he whines dramatically.

"Sorry!" Sofia winces, Tossing her hands in the air as he begins to rub his reddened cheek.

"Whenever you guys have had enough." Laura answers.

She and Clint have been dating for a few years now, And she couldn't be more proud of how he's voluntarily taken on mentoring not only Natasha, But also sixteen year old Sofia whom she adores.

"Ten more minutes?" Sofia pleads, Darting her wide eyed around the group.

"Nope, Those burgers at the house are calling my name." Natasha says, Pushing off Sofia's shoulder as she begins walking toward Laura.

"Why don't you two head back to the house and Sof and I will catch up in a few minutes?" Clint asks, The smile plastered on Sofia's face making the aching in his tired muscles worth it.

"Fine by me, Come on Laura. Those two can pack all this crap up." Natasha grins, Linking her arm with Laura's as she waves affectionately at Clint.

His eyes roll at Natasha's words, Turning his attention back to Sofia. "Two more rounds, Kid."

Clint serves the ball to her as she dives to keep it from touching the sand, He leaps up and just barely makes it.

"Go easy on him, Sofia, I don't want to listen to him sulk all night long!" Laura teases, Pulling his focus away from the game as he shouts 'I do not sulk!'

Sofia spikes the ball and earns her ninth point, "It doesn't matter how I play, He just sucks at this game." She taunts.

"Oh really?!" Clint challenges her, A daring expression on his face as he shifts his grin between all three women.

"I- Well I mean..." Sofia begins to walk backward as he struts toward her.

"Those sound like fighting words to me." He warns, Picking up the pace as she does the same.

"At least you can fight better than you can play volleyball, That's what really matters!" She quips, spinning on her heel as she takes off running.