122

The quinjet touched down at the compound just before dawn. The engines powered down, leaving only the faint hum of morning and the smell of jet fuel in the air. Athena rolled her shoulders as she stepped off the ramp, adrenaline finally draining from her system."Next time," she muttered, "we're taking a mission that involves chairs. And snacks." Natasha huffed quietly. "You did fine." That was high praise coming from her. They made their way inside, the compound unusually quiet at this hour. Lights were dimmed, the world still half-asleep. Athena tugged off her gloves as they walked, already thinking about coffee.

And then—

"Oh good, you're alive." Athena looked up to see Pepper standing in the common room doorway, hair pulled into a messy bun, Morgan cradled against her chest in a soft blanket. Tony hovered behind her, mug in hand, dark circles under his eyes. "Barely," Athena said lightly. "You should see the other guys."

Pepper didn't smile. She just walked forward and carefully shifted Morgan into Athena's arms. "You're holding her. You don't get to leave again until you do." Athena blinked. "That feels...fair." Morgan was warm and heavy in that fragile, perfect way only babies were. Her tiny hands immediately fisted in the front of Athena's tactical jacket, fingers curling like she'd decided this was hers now. Athena's chest tightened.

"Hey, little one," she whispered, her voice instinctively softer. "I missed you." Morgan responded by making a small, indignant hmph sound and shoving her fist toward Athena's chin, promptly smearing drool on her cheek. Tony snorted. "That's a reprimand. You were gone too long." Athena laughed quietly, pressing her forehead gently to Morgan's. "I know. I'm sorry." Morgan blinked up at her, unfocused eyes drifting, then suddenly broke into a gummy smile—wide and bright and utterly devastating. Her legs kicked once, twice, and she let out a tiny squeak of delight.

"Oh," Athena breathed. "That's illegal." Pepper smiled despite herself. "She does that." Natasha leaned against the wall, watching the scene with a softness she rarely allowed herself. "She's been fussy all night," she said. "Wouldn't settle." Almost on cue, Morgan let out a small whine, her face scrunching as her tiny body wiggled closer to Athena. Athena instinctively shifted her hold, tucking Morgan against her shoulder, one hand gently patting her back. "There you go," Athena murmured. "Shh... I've got you."

The whining faded into quiet little baby noises, then stillness. Morgan's breathing evened out, her head heavy against Athena's collarbone. Tony raised an eyebrow. "Wow. Traitor." Athena didn't look up. She just smiled, slow and tired and sincere. "Guess she trusts me." Pepper's voice softened. "She always knows when someone's come home." Athena swallowed, eyes burning just a little. She pressed a gentle kiss to the top of Morgan's head. "I'm not going anywhere now," she whispered. "I promise."

Morgan sighed in her sleep, drool soaking into Athena's jacket. Tony grimaced. "That's a dry-clean-only suit." Athena smirked. "Worth it." Natasha straightened. "Mission's over. Get some rest." Athena nodded, carefully settling onto the couch with Morgan still asleep on her chest, unwilling to move her even an inch. For the first time since the alarms and the shadows and the danger—

Everything felt quiet. Everything felt safe.