Thorn #3 (Sequel To Hawkgirl)

XLIV

"Yes,dad,for the fourth time I'm fine.Bones are okay,I still have my consciousness and hey I can still shoot an arrow very well."Valerie said as she rolled her eyes,the image of her father flashing on her screen.

"Just making sure,kid,you went through a lot the past few days."Clint pursed his lips as a look of slight sadness came over his features.

After the battle of Sokovia he had returned back home just in time for her little brother to get born.Nathaniel Pietro Barton.To honor Wanda's brother.They both felt guilty for his death more him than her.

She from the other hand decided to stay with Steve for a few days.In their new facility.The Avengers Tower seriously was a place that got destroyed a lot.This was the second or maybe even third time it needed a renovation.And so the new Avengers Facility was born.With larger ground,bigger spaces and much more people and labs to work in.

"Yeah,"she sighed softly."But I'm fine really.How's mom?"she asked as she sat down at the edge of her bed on her room.

"Tired,grumpy,"he rubbed a hand on the side of his face and sighed."Still hungry."

"You know I can hear you,right?"her mother's voice came from somewhere inside the house before her face popped up beside her father's with her newborn brother on her lap.His chubby cheeks were bigger than her future."Hi,sweety."

"Hey mom."she smiled at her brightly lit face.Oh she missed them all."Is he giving you a hard time?"

Her mother sighed lightly as Nathaniel tried to reach for the screen only to pull him back and adjust him on the lap."Well,he sleeps for a few hours and then-"

"Oh no I meant dad."Valerie giggled.

"Hey."Clint made a face after a few seconds,Laura snorting lightly in the background."Guess who's not getting a new bow for Christmas."he pointed a finger at her through the screen.

Valerie faked hurt as she dramatically placed a hand on her heart and fell back on her bed."Oh how saddened I am now."

"Yeah,yeah I'm serious drama queen."Clint said as he tried to contain his laughter.Valerie and Laura following suit.She felt so at peace watching them laugh.

"I miss you guys."she said as her laughter seized.

"We miss you too sweetheart."Laura said as Nathaniel made a high pitched sound before placing his hand in his mouth."When are you coming back?"

"No idea,"she sighed lightly."I just need a few more months to clear my head maybe even get a mission but I'll be in touch often I promise."she smiled at her mother.She knew that it pained them as well not to see her but she needed time.To literally think about everything.

"You better take care,just because I retired doesn't mean I can't ground you."Clint said in a stern voice in which she giggled.

"I'll sent you postcards don't worry."she sat up on the bed and looked out of the huge window that overlooked a green landscape before looking back at her phone."Okay I gotta go guys,duty calls,love you."

"We love you too,sweetheart,take care."said her mother before the video call ended.Her parents smiles still imprinted on the back of her head.She sighed lightly,keeping her eyes closed for a second and smiling at herself.

She then got up and shoved her screen on her back pocket before leaving her room.The whole building was literally bustling with people.There were still things getting fixed and upgraded plus there were a lot of agents that trained and worked in the labs.With the facility being a bigger ground she could now see how many people actually worked here.And man there were a lot.