A/N: I own nothing. Lyrics included are "Godspeed" from the Dixie Chicks.
"He said WHAT?!" Natasha screeched.
The Avengers, minus Steve, had gathered at the dining room table when Bruce had called for a meeting. Now, sitting together, Bruce had told them all what Steve had told. Natasha was looking at him with a face paler than a sheet, and he thought she might throw up. Clint put a hand on her arm. Bruce nodded in silent reply.
"This will not come to pass!" Declared Thor.
"Damn right. Nobody's taking him out while we're around." Clint agreed.
"Please, they wouldn't get a fraction of an inch past Natasha." Tony said.
Bruce looked at Natasha, who had yet to say another word after her little outburst. She was pale and shaking slightly. Her mind had whirred at what Steve had said, and it had given a good shock to her system. It knocked the air out of her and left her breathless as she groped for some emotion to what she was feeling. She found it to be an odd combination of anguish and protective ferocity. She felt distressed that he was worrying about the ice in the first place, and now this? Was fate never finished hurting her child? She wouldn't let anyone touch him or lay a hand on his precious head.
She would die protecting him if that's what it took.
Finally, she noticed Bruce and the others staring at her, and she said, in a quiet, grave tone:
"No one will touch him."
And that was the final word on the subject.
The next day passed in a flurry of activity that no one could really comprehend. All of them were separated for some reason- all except Natasha and Steve, who were back at Stark Tower. With the erratic sleep schedules between them both, the others agreed they needed a day off. The two slept in and finally got back on track with their sleep. Natasha stayed close to Steve the entire day, and was in full Mommy-mode. She made sure he ate before he said he was hungry, changed him before he ever said he needed it, and cuddled him more than he would have asked. Steve was slightly surprised by how in tune she seemed to be with him, but dismissed it as her finally having her energy back. Her maternal instincts had sharpened to the point that they were nearly psychic. Natasha spent the time just before Steve went to bed feeding him his bottle and telling him how much she loved him. That night, she sang to him quietly and with purpose as she held him in her arms and rocked him to sleep.
"Dragon tales and the "water is wide"
Pirate's sail and lost boys fly
Fish bite moonbeams every night
And I love you
Godspeed, little man
Sweet dreams, little man
Oh my love will fly to you each night on angels wings
Godspeed
Sweet dreams
The rocket racer's all tuckered out
Superman's in pajamas on the couch
Goodnight moon, will find the mouse
And I love you
Godspeed, little man
Sweet dreams, little man
Oh my love will fly to you each night on angels wings
Godspeed
Sweet dreams
God bless mommy and match box cars
God bless dad and thanks for the stars
God hears "Amen," wherever we are
And I love you
Godspeed, little man
Sweet dreams, little man
Oh my love will fly to you each night on angels wings
Godspeed
Godspeed
Godspeed
Sweet dreams..."
She kissed his forehead as he drifted into sleep.
The night became arduous for them both as Steve awoke every hour with nightmares. Natasha kept her spirits up and was there to comfort him every time. The morning came with reddened sunrise all too soon, and they were both awake and alert by then. Steve knew something was going to happen- there was no doubt left in his mind about it. Until the something happened, Steve made sure he enjoyed every second for what it was worth. He hugged Natasha and Bruce every chance he got. All of the Avengers hovered over Steve protectively, and it was made into a sort of family bonding time.
At around two o'clock that afternoon, they got a call about someone trying to destroy the city. Natasha and Steve quickly suited up and went off to see what the trouble was.
At the center of Times Square was a large robot on four legs firing multi-colored lasers at the citizens of New York City. Tony figured it would be an easy fix- have JARVIS hack into it and shut it down. When he went to do so, however, JARVIS' protocols were overwritten and he was shut down instead.
Mirror effect thought Tony.
Hulk emerged and climbed up the robot, smashing in the top part of the circular body, to see a man inside. Clearly a scientist from his white coat, which was all that was visible at the moment. Tony joined him at the top and was about to grab him when a blue laser shot from the robot and hit Steve squarely in the chest. When it cleared, even Hulk stopped and stared.
Captain America was back in the ice.
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