This has been rattling around in my head for over a year.

Natasha walked out of the woods, taking care to stick to the snow that had been trampled by what she could only assume was the annual Barton Christmas Eve snowball battle. The second floor was dark, and through the living room window she could see the lights on the Christmas tree.

She stepped onto the porch, stepping over the creaky board out of habit, and slipped through the door, closing it behind herself.

As she kicked off her boots, she could see the stockings, filled and ready for the morning excitement. An old movie flickered on the TV, and Laura waved from where she was snuggled close to Clint under her grandmother's old quilt. Clint's feet were up on the coffee table, the light on his ankle bracelet blinking out of sync with the lights on the tree.

Natasha pulled her gifts out of her backpack and dropped them next to the pile already under the tree. She stepped over Clint's legs and curled up on the other end of the couch, stealing the end of the quilt to cover her feet.

"So?" Clint asked, "how's life on the run?"

Natasha shrugged. "Never a dull moment. How's house arrest?"

"I've got 3 kids", Clint answered, "I bet they could give you a run for your money."

"Have your kids jumped out of a plane without a parachute lately? Because I'll put Rogers up against Nate any day of the week."

"No deal. I have met Rogers."

Laura interrupted their conversation. "How long can you stay?"

"Just until tomorrow."

"I'm glad you made it. You know you're always welcome here."

"The FBI knows that, too", said Clint, "You're my accomplice. They went on and on about it at my trial."

"The FBI thinks I'm in Budapest."

"What kind of pathetic accomplice would you be if you didn't make it home for Christmas?"

"Don't tell them that."

Laura pushed herself to her feet. "Well, it's late, and the kids are going to get up early. I'm heading to bed."

"Guess it's that time. You going up, Nat?"

"I think I'm going to sit down here for a while, I like the tree."

"Turn it off when you go to bed. I'm glad you made it. Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas."