I have no idea where this came from. Let's blame the KitKat bars…

When the old Ford pick-up truck came into view, Clint Barton took that as his cue to take a break from splitting firewood. As he took a quick look at the growing pile, he began to wonder how much would be enough. It was anybody's guess, really. Until they got solid intel from somebody -- anybody! -- about what was going on, they would have to live off the grid and fend for themselves. They were well-trained for this scenario, but it could easily drive them stir crazy.

And speaking of crazy… did she have another cat?

"Nat? What's in the box?" he called out to her as she pulled a large box from the passenger side of the truck cab.

She looked sheepishly over the shaking box. "He was on 'the list' for tomorrow. I couldn't leave him."

He walked up to her and put his strong hand on her shoulder. "I know. But…" and as he looked into her eyes all reason got washed away. She could kill him 18 different ways where he stood at this very second. Yet she nearly pleaded with him for the life of this cat. Just as she'd done with the other three she'd saved from the urban animal shelter that was two hours away. If there were any other trusted supply store, he'd send her there to stem the flow of incoming felines to the property. But, there wasn't. And so they welcomed another feline into their family.

At least they were "fixed" and there were plenty of mice and rodents around to keep them fed. She made sure the barn was warm and comfortable. Although, he had no doubt that he would be sharing his living room with them once the weather turned. As he continued to look into her eyes, he could have it no other way.

"Thank you. There's just so much out of my control right now. If I can give these guys a chance," she motioned behind Clint as the other three came running toward them, "then it makes this situation mean something. And let's be clear that that does NOT make me a crazy cat lady. Right?" she asked.

He couldn't help it. He laughed. A genuine, hearty laugh as he took the box out of her hands, put it on the ground, and opened it up. Out popped a skinny black cat with laser green eyes. After blinking his thanks to Clint, he walked around Nat with his tail wrapped her legs. Then he took off with the other three to get acquainted with his new territory.

"You know there's nothing I would deny you, right?" asked Clint as he wrapped her in a tight embrace.

"I was hoping you'd say that," she said as she stood on tip toes and gave him a peck on the cheek. She turned back to the truck and opened the tailgate.

"Meet Scooby!" she exclaimed as she helped a skinny black lab to the ground.

From the bedroom window above the porch, the scene played out in front of Lucky and Liho as they lounged together at the foot of the bed. Just another day in hiding for Strike Team Delta.

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