Chapter 7

"Dude! Why you calling me? You're like on America's-Most-Wanted list!" Luis answered Scott's call with heavy worry.

Scott sighed, "I know, I know–"

"If you know man, then why would you do me like that?  I mean I finally got this great thing in the works with Carlos' sister's friend's cousin.  He knows this major player who has all sorts of ice that his girl wears 24/7, and we are gonna relieve her of her responsibility for it, man." 

Scott hunched over the table pinching the bridge of his nose while Luis continued his tirade.  "I just –"

"- these big diamonds just dripping off her ears and her fingers and stuff.  She even has some cool turquoise and mother-of-pearl, man."

"What do you know about mother-of-pearl Luis?"  Scott asked.

"I know it's expensive, and it's big, and that's all I need to know Chico." rambled Luis.

"Ah, hell no!" Sam exclaimed.  "We are not putting Clint's family in anyplace these basket cases might recommend!"

Scott covered the phone; instantly sorry he had made the call on speaker.  "He gets a little worked up.  Let's...let's just give him a minute to get it all out and then he'll be able to focus."

"- and dude – Nicki has this woman who would be perfect for you.  She's all sweet like but not really innocent." Luis propositioned. 

"Alright Luis, I actually have something I want to talk to you about.  Do you think you can focus for me?" Scott inquired knowing that Sam was about to lose it behind him.

"For sure man; you know me!  Even though you're so hot you're glowing, I got your back – 'cause I'm your hombre – 'cause we been through it all and we're still standin' – you know like some crazy statues or something or maybe like those old Cadillacs they got buried in the ground down in Texas or – "

"Absolutely not!"  Sam grimaced while shaking his head.  "We're not doing this."

"– we should probably take a trip there sometime.  My cousin Emile and his mama live down there and they always have time for family."

"Luis!  Listen!  We need someplace safe to lay low for a little bit.  You got any ideas?"  Scott queried.

"Some place to lay low?  You aint found no place to lay low yet?  You calling me and you aint layin' low?  I've had two visits from my parole officer this week, and I'm pretty sure that the white van outside is full of guys from an alphabet agency.  And you want me to give you some place to lay low?"  Luis actually sounded more puzzled than usual.

Sam gave Scott a sign to end the call and began pacing around the room.  "You're probably right, Luis.  Forget that I called and – good luck with your –  thing." Scott mumbled and disconnected.

Wanda and Bucky had been silent during the call.  She was keeping a close eye on Sam in case she needed to walk him back from a cliff.  Bucky couldn't hide the smirk on his face thinking how messed up Scott's old crew was.  No wonder the guy had done time.

"You think this is funny?" Sam accused shooting eye daggers across the room at Bucky.

"Not at all.  It's just nice not to be the center of everyone's frustration." Bucky replied.

"I'm really sorry guys.  I thought maybe we would be able to find some place –"

"Really?  Have you listened to those guys?  No wonder you were in jail all the time!" Sam spouted as Bucky made a 'there you go' gesture.

"Hey! Those guys are my friends – and now it sounds like they have extra heat on them because of me!"  Scott replied a little heated.

"Well maybe they deserve it –"

Wanda stepped in.  "Come on guys.  We were never going to get a place to stay from them.  We should have recognized that to Ross, they are as close to family as any of us besides Clint have.  It's just a little frustrating that they moved on them so quickly."

"It shows that Ross is serious about hunting us down." Bucky added.

Everyone looked at Sam as Scott softened.  "What are we gonna tell Cap?"

Sam looked at the phone ringing in his hand.  "Well I guess we'll have to just give it to him straight."  "Hey Steve – " he said as he answered the call and walked to the window.

"Hey Sam.  How's the house hunting going?"  Steve inquired.

"Not so great." Sam replied and began filling him in on the situation.

Steve's face darkened as he listened to Sam.  The conversation was short, and he clicked off and sighed.

Natasha read his expression before he even had a chance to speak. "They didn't find anything."  She remarked with her head down.

"No.  They didn't, and worse it looks like Ross already has Scott's friends under surveillance."  Steve commented.

Clint's head popped up.  "That was fast."

"Yeah.  But it makes sense.  Those guys are like family to him and since they struck out with the Bartons, they were really the only other lead to follow." Steve pondered.

"So what are you thinking?"  Natasha wondered.

"I think they should stay where they are.  They are safe and neither Ross or Stark has any idea where they could be."  Clint offered before Steve could respond.

Natasha smiled, "So we're going on a road trip."