It was a sunny afternoon when Steve returned to the Avenger's tower after a mission debrief with Director Fury. Natasha and Clint had returned from an undercover mission in the rainy slums of Brazil just hours before. The mission had gone well.

When Steve entered the main living area of the Tower, Natasha wasn't there. Clint was covered with a blanket, sitting on one of the bar stools of the kitchen island. He had a thermometer in his mouth and was looking pitiful. Bruce was making some soup on the stove. Thor was asleep on the couch. Tony was walking around with a surgeon's mask on, spraying Lysol around Clint. The archer gave Tony a scathing look. Steve looked at the millionaire with a raised brow.

"Hello Capsicle." Tony greeted, spraying the Captain with disinfectant.

"Tony." The Captain greeted, coughing when he inhaled the spray. "What's with the mask and disinfectant?" he asked gesturing to Tony's face and the Lysol bottle in the millionaire's hand.

"There is illness here! I can't get sick or else Pepper will kill me. I had to take precaution. " Tony responded.

Clint let out a large sneeze.

"See!" Tony practically screamed, jumping behind the Captain and using his large frame as a shield.

"Stark. This is madness. Clint just has a cold, not the bubonic plague."

"The what?"

"Oh. Nevermind." Steve replied. "If you don't want to get sick, go somewhere else and stop tormenting Clint. The man can kill you in your sleep. I wouldn't push him."

Clint sent a glare towards Tony. The millionaire gulped.

"Your right Cap. I'll be in my germ free lab, working on my suits." Tony spoke, stepping into the elevator.

Steve just shook his head before joining Clint at the kitchen island.

"How are you holding up Clint?"

Clint sniffed. "Better. Thanks for getting rid of Stark. I was about to impale him with my thermometer."

Steve chuckled. "How was the mission?"

"Cold, wet, gross, and germy."

"Ah."

Clint just shivered, pulling the blanket closer to his body. Bruce served him some soup.

After a while, Steve asked. "Where's Natasha?"

Clint shrugged. "She disappeared once we got back. I think she's in her room."

"Thanks. I'll go see if she's ok."

Clint nodded before digging into his soup. He coughed pitifully.

Steve made his way down to Natasha's floor. When he arrived, he softly knocked on her door.

"Go away!" a hoarse voice rang out from Natasha's room.

Steve sighed. "Hey J.A.R.V.I.S.?"

"Yes sir?"

"What is agent Romanoff's current body temperature?"

"It is 102 degrees, sir."

"Thank you J.A.R.V.I.S. Will you tell Bruce to fix another bowl of soup and have it sent to Agent Romanoff's room?"

"Yes sir. Mr. Banner has been notified."

"Thank you."

Steve tried Natasha's door again. "Tash. It's Steve."

A few minutes later, a stuffy, red eyed Natasha answered the door. Her hair was tangled and she was dressed in sweats and a large t-shirt. Dark purple bags had appeared under her eyes.

"Hey Steve." She sniffed.

Steve kissed her lightly on the forehead before leading her back inside her room.

"Come on. Let's get you to feeling better."

Tissues were scattered across Natasha's living room, multiple mugs of tea were stacked on her coffee table.

"Did you take any medicine?" Steve asked, leading her to the couch.

Natasha shook her head.

"Tash." He chastised.

Natasha just shrugged before letting out a chesty cough.

"I'm getting you some Nyquil, and then you need a hot shower and rest. Okay?"

Natasha brightened at the mention of a hot shower.

Steve fetched her some pills and a glass of water; Natasha took the medicine without a fight. Steve eased her to her feet and led her to the bathroom. The small assassin started undressing while Steve turned on the shower.

Once both were under the spray, Natasha leaned back against Steve's strong chest, relaxing in his warm embrace. Steve's strong arms were wrapped around her, his face nuzzling her neck. The steam began to ease Natasha's stuffiness; she sighed in pleasure. After a few minutes of relaxing in the spray, Natasha began to yawn, the medicine kicking in. Steve smiled softly and gently began to wash Natasha's hair and body. Natasha let Steve hold her, her body aching and tired. By the time Natasha was clean, Steve has practically holding her in his arms. He shut off the water and wrapped Natasha in a warm towel before carrying her bridal style into her bed room.

Natasha was awake enough to dress herself, so Steve left the room to fetch her Bruce's soup. When he returned, Natasha was knocked out on top of the covers. Steve smiled and set the soup on the bedside table before picking Nat up in his arms and undoing the covers. He gently eased the both of them under the covers, Natasha snoring softly on his chest.

It was the best Natasha had slept in a long time.