It took Steve a while to process what Natasha had said. She loves him? She was going to leave him? Natasha had leaned forward so he could leave, he didn't leave and instead he snaked his arms around her waist and pulled her closer to him and kissed the back of her head. "I'm not going anywhere and neither are you." He murmured.
Natasha twisted and faced him, "Wait, what?" Natasha looked and sounded bewildered. "I love you too. Why do you think I was always up in the middle of the night? I cared for you so much and seeing you with Bruce hurt- even though I set you up. Seeing you to fight made me hope we could be together but seeing you laying here, completely helpless just broke me." Steve finished, as Natasha looked straight in his eye and this time she knew she saw love.
Stifling a yawn Natasha smiled up at him, "You tired?" Steve asked, smiling a little. "I'll leave you to sleep." He said, kissing her forehead and trying to get up. "No, don't leave. Stay, anyway you are a very good human pillow." Steve laughed at how cute this lethal assassin was being at the moment. Leaning down Steve kissed Natasha's nose and settled down to sleep. "Night Steve," She whispered, "Night Nat." This time when Natasha woke up Steve was still there.
Natasha awoke with a strong pain in her leg. Leaning forward she check her phone- 1:43- yawning she snuggled back down to sleep but felt that someone was watching her. Sitting up straighter she felt Steve stir, "Hey solider, sorry I didn't mean to wake you. I just have a sore leg and" Her voice trailed off as Steve pulled her onto his lap and captured her lips. Natasha pulled away almost as soon as his lips met hers. Steve pouted, "Hey! This may only be my third kiss since 1945 but it wasn't that bad? Was it?"
Natasha smiled, "No, no, its good but I feel like someone is watching us." Steve nodded and wrapped his arms around her, keeping her safe and close.
"Very good Natalia. I'm glad to see that what you learnt in the Black Widow programme is still with you. Now tell me where Ivan is and you won't get hurt." Natasha gasped and turned to look at Steve, fear in her eyes. "What do you want?" Natasha asked, trying to keep her voice from breaking. Steve reached one hand under her pillow and pulled out the gun and cocked it discreetly. "All we want is her and Ivan," He demanded sharply pointing a finger at Natasha. "Well unfortunately for you, you can't have either." Steve said tightening his grip on the gun. "I'll just have to take her by force then shall I?" Natasha heard his statement and buried her head in his chest.
Steve saw the scout cock his gun, but Steve being the super solider he is pulled the gun out from under the sheets and shot once, twice, three times.
Natasha heard 3 gunshots and expected to feel blood covering her and Steve, but she didn't. Natasha felt her eyes brim with tears as she looked up at Steve, worry in his gaze. Looking around the hospital room she saw the Red Room scout lying in a puddle of his on blood, three bullet wounds. Natasha just stared at the body blankly, not even registering the fact that Steve was shaking her shoulders and talking to her, "Natasha? You're safe, ok? You're safe." Steve whispered into her ear, whilst holding her close. "I love you Steve and that is why you need to leave. They will kill you. I'm sorry." She whispered her voice breaking and tears streaming down her face.
"Nat, listen to me, you're safe, ok? Everyone here will protect you." Steve whispered, "I can't loose you. I am a danger to everyone here, please leave me alone."
"No. How many times will I have to tell you? I'm not leaving.'' Natasha had never felt so cared for in her entire life, she didn't know how or what to do, it was all new to her. She felt even more tears spill down her face. She felt Steve lower her onto her pillow and plant a soft kiss to her forehead. "Where are you going?" She asked worriedly, all her previous comments about Steve needing to leave her had disappeared; now she was just worried about being left alone. "Please don't leave me." She whimpered.
"I'll come back, I promise. I just need to tell Fury and the others about what just happened." He told her, walking to the door. Just as he opened the door she heard him say, "JARVIS can you please inform Director Fury, and the Avengers that I need to see them in the hospital waiting room." Natasha lay down, her hands on the gun. Slowly, he drifted into a fit-full sleep.