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The compound doors slid open again about twenty minutes later, the quiet morning broken by hurried footsteps. Mia jogged in, still half in her Avengers hoodie, hair pulled into a messy ponytail. "I heard the quinjet—are they—" She stopped dead. Athena was on the couch, boots kicked off, tactical jacket unzipped. Morgan was asleep on her chest, tiny fingers curled into the fabric of Athena's shirt. Athena's head was tipped back against the cushion, eyes closed, one arm wrapped protectively around the baby. Mia's brain promptly shut off.

"Oh," she breathed. Natasha stepped in behind her, removing her gloves. "They're back," she said calmly. "Mission successful." Mia swallowed, eyes glued to Athena. "She's...holding Morgan." "Yes," Natasha replied flatly. "With both arms. Notice how alive she is." Mia flushed. "I— I wasn't implying— I mean—" Natasha gave her a sideways look. "I warned you." Mia winced. "You said no flirting." "And?"

"And Carol's back," Mia muttered. "Good," Natasha said. "You were listening." Mia sighed and leaned against the counter, trying very hard not to stare. She failed immediately. Athena shifted slightly, murmuring something incoherent as Morgan let out a tiny sigh in her sleep. Athena's hand automatically moved to rub slow circles on the baby's back. Mia's expression softened despite herself. "She's really good with her." Tony, still hovering nearby, glanced over. "Yeah, she's got that 'terrifying assassin meets nurturing disaster' thing going on."Pepper nodded. "It works for her." Mia hesitated, then lowered her voice. "Did they...get hurt?" Natasha shook her head. "No."

Mia visibly relaxed. "Good." Natasha studied her for a moment, then added, "You can be concerned. You just can't be obvious." Mia let out a weak laugh. "I'm terrible at subtle." "I know." Athena's eyes fluttered open then, drawn by the voices. She blinked, disoriented for a second, then focused on Mia. "Hey," Athena murmured. "You're up early." Mia straightened instantly. "You're back!" Athena smiled, tired but genuine. "Yeah. Still breathing."

Mia smiled back before she could stop herself—soft, a little too fond. "That's... good. I mean— obviously good." Athena chuckled quietly, careful not to wake Morgan. "You okay?" "Yeah," Mia said quickly. "I just—heard you left. And then Fury-level silence happens and—" She shrugged. "I worried."Athena's expression gentled. "That's sweet of you." Mia's cheeks went pink. Natasha cleared her throat. Loudly.

Athena glanced up at her mother. Natasha raised one eyebrow. The eyebrow. Athena bit her lip to keep from smiling. "Anyway," she said lightly, redirecting, "you should see the Hydra tech we shut down. Ancient. Creepy. Tried to bite me." Mia snorted despite herself. "Of course it did." Morgan stirred then, letting out a small, grumbly baby noise. Athena immediately shifted, murmuring, "Hey, hey, I've got you."

Mia watched the way Athena's entire focus narrowed to the baby, the world outside her arms ceasing to exist. Her crush didn't go away. But it did...settle. Quieter. Softer. Natasha noticed. "Good," she said quietly, mostly to herself. Mia finally looked away, clearing her throat. "Uh. I'll...go make coffee. For everyone." Athena smiled. "You're a lifesaver." Mia paused, heart doing an absolutely stupid little flip. "Anytime."

As she walked off, Natasha leaned closer to Athena. "She's behaving." Athena smirked. "You scare people." Natasha glanced at Morgan, still asleep, then back at Athena. "Only when I need to." The compound returned to its gentle hum, the danger passed—for now. And Mia, coffee in hand, absolutely did not glance back at Athena more than once.

...Okay, maybe twice.