Chapter 14

The sun was low in the sky, as black Corvette Stingray pulled up in front of the farmhouse. They had arrived earlier than anticipated because of combination of Steve's need for virtually no sleep over long periods and Natasha speeding when she drove. Clint was yawning, as he stood on the porch. The steam from his breath wafted in the air, a sign that there was more than a chill in the early morning air. He heard the car pull up and came out to check on them. Under the keen supervision of Hawkeye Natasha and Steve got out of the car and headed back to the trunk to get their things.

Natasha grabbed her bag, as Steve grabbed his bag and shield. Out of habit he took his shield our of the canvas carrying bag, tossed it back into the trunk, then wore his shield on his back. Natasha slammed the trunk shut then they walked holding hands towards the house. Clint's head turned on its side as he zeroed in on the handholding. Next, he observed the smile on Natasha's face. It wasn't one of her sarcastic crooked smiles, but one of her genuine smiles that lit up her face.

"Nay, it can't be," he said to himself then grinned.

"Clint," Natasha greeted him.

"Barton," said Steve.

They stopped at the bottom of the porch's steps. Suddenly, Cooper came running out of the house.

"Captain America," he said in awe.

Steve smiled then took his shield off his back and handed it to Cooper.

"Can you carry this for me?" he asked the boy.

Cooper nodded his head enthusiastically, as he took the shield from Steve and then stood there waiting for orders from Captain America.

"You can take it inside and find a spot for me to store it," he said.

"Okay," Copper said then went into the house awkwardly carrying the shield.

"He never acts like that with my quiver," smirked Barton.

Steve and Natasha walked up the steps. When they got porch level, Clint raised an eyebrow at Natasha letting her know that he wanted to speak to her.

"Laura has just started breakfast," Clint said.

"Maybe I can help her," said Steve.

"She'd like that, Cap," Clint agreed.

Steve was often thought a naive by his teammates but he wasn't. He gave Natasha and Clint space, so that they could talk. Once Clint was sure Steve was out of earshot, he started to speak.

"Tasha, is there something you want to tell me?" he asked.

She smiled then said, "We only need the use of one spare bedroom."

"You are kidding me. You and Cap are...," he paused then made a mental picture of it and shivered. "He's a boy scout."

"Not in bed," she smirked.

"Oh, oh, thanks. Now I have an image of kinky Captain America," he shook his head.

"I didn't say kinky. Now talented, very, very talented, and incredibly well...," she was about to finish the sentence, when Clint placed a finger on her lips.

"Don't tell me anymore graphic shit. Maybe my wife would be interested but I'm not," he said then his face became serious. "Just tell me that want this and you are happy."

"Clint, I really want this and I am very happy," she said.

He kissed her cheek then said, "Good. No offense but he's a better fit than Banner."

"He certainly is," she smirked.

Clint made a disdainful face then said, "Let's check out what's happening in the kitchen. Just leave your bag by the door."

They entered the house, Natasha dropped her bag by the door, and the two of them walked to the kitchen. As they entered they heard Steve's voice.

"Egg, soldier," he said using his Captain's voice.

"Yes, sir," said Cooper, who handed him another egg.

Steve broke the egg and added it to his pancake mix. Clint saw his wife seated at the kitchen table breastfeeding Nate, while Lila watched Cooper and Steve cook. Laura looked amused and happy and Lila was trying to bother he brother while he ate. Steve looked over at Clint and Natasha.

"We are having sausages and blueberry pancakes. Although Lila has made a request for chocolate chip pancakes, so she gets a special order," said Steve.

"I get a special order," Lila spoke up.

"You don't want chocolate chip pancakes?" Clint asked Cooper.

"No. I want blueberry like Captain America," Cooper grinned.

"I'll have chocolate chip," purred Natasha.

"Anything for my best girl," said Steve with a smile.

An expression of shock took over Laura's face. She looked at Clint, who merely shrugged.

"We have to talk later, Natasha," said Laura.

"Oh, we will," said Natasha, who walked up to Steve and kissed his cheek. "Those pancakes better be really chocolatey."

"Anything for you," he grinned.

Natasha joined the girls at the kitchen table. Clint stood there and watched as Steve prepared the griddle for the pancakes, but first he ladled aside some pancake mix for the chocolate chip pancakes then he added fresh, de-stemmed, blueberries in the remaining mix.

The breakfast went well. The conversation was light and easy and kept child friendly. Steve, Cooper, and Clint did the dishes and Laura told Lila and Cooper to go off to play, as she changed Nate on the kitchen table.

"Honey, we only need to fix up one bedroom for Cap and Tasha," smirked Clint, as he dried dishes along with Steve.

Steve glared at him but not with anger. Laura looked and Natasha and mouthed the word really. Natasha smiled. Laura finished changing Nate, handed him to Natasha, and then stood up.

"Come on, Tasha, you can help me chose the bedroom you want to use and fix it up," said Laura.

The two women and infant left the kitchen. Clint turned and looked at Steve.

"You hurt her and I'll put an explosive arrow in you back," Clint said.

"If I hurt her, I'll let you put an explosive arrow in my back," said Steve.

Clint smiled.

"Did you threaten Banner?" asked Steve.

"Nay. He'd just turn into the Hulk if I tried anything," smiled Clint.

"That is a problem," chuckled Steve.

"I mean it, Cap, she deserves someone who appreciates her," said Clint.

Steve looked his fellow Avenger in the eyes then said, "I love her, Clint."

Clint grinned, "You really are a boy scout."

Avengers

Not long after breakfast, Laura started making their thanksgiving dinner Nate was asleep in the kitchen in playpen that protected him from his siblings as much as gave him a spot to eat. Natasha assisted her by cutting up whatever needed ot be cut, sliced, or diced. Lila sat at the kitchen table drawing and coloring. Clint entered the kitchen.

"Okay, Tasha, you have to bring your boyfriend here to stay when you're not on the run. He's already cut two cords of wood for us. I bet I could get him to help me fix everything that needs fixing," said Clint.

"I'd like to not be on the run," sighed Natasha. "I don't want to go back to work yet, though. I'd like to spend some time with Steve without pressure, without someone wanting us dead."

"Alexei?" said Clint.

Laura looked over her shoulder at her daughter and noticed she was listening.

"Why don't you take this take to another room?" she said.

"Yes, hun," smiled Clint.

They went into the living and stood at the windows and looked out at Steve and Cooper cutting wood. Cooper tried to emulate everything Steve did.

"How does it feel to have a son who is a Captain America fanboy?" asked Natasha.

"He'll get along with Coulson," said Clint. "What about Alexei?"

"He's alive and as insane as ever. I know Steve is stronger, more agile, and faster than him, but he was trained to be a killer and his madness gives him an advantage. He wants Steve dead and he wants me dead," she said.

"Cap can handle him," stated Clint. "We've been underestimating him since he came out of the ice. The man blew up shield and held his own against Ultron. I think he can handle the Red Guardian."

"I don't want to lose him, Clint."

"This sounds really serious for you, Tash," Clint said.

"It is," she said then he looked at her friend, her brother. "I really love him."

The lan line phone. Clint walked over to it and answered it. Natasha watched as his body language went from happy to tense. He hung up and looked at her.

"One of my neighbor's daughter fell down an unused well," he said with concern. "They called me because they think I'm in the military. It explains my sometime absences."

"I'll go with you," she said.

"And Steve. He'll be helpful," said Clint. "I'm going to tell Laura."

Natasha headed out the front door. She jogged over to Steve and Cooper.

"Cooper, you have get in the house," she said.

"Why?" he whined.

Clint came bursting out of the front door and ran down the porch. Steve looked to Natasha.

"Child fell in abandoned well," said Natasha.

"Cooper in the house," ordered Clint.

"Soldier," called Steve.

Cooper looked at him.

"I need my shield. Get it for me," ordered Captain America.

"Yes, sir," smiled Cooper.

Cooper ran off. Clint looked at Steve as if he was crazy.

"Trust me, Clint, the shield comes in handy," said Steve.

"He's right," said

"I'll get my pickup," said Clint.

Avengers

Steve knelt down in the bed of the pick up truck, as Clint raced to his neighbor's place. They arrived to local police cars and fire trucks, as well a good many neighbors, who had come to help. The only thing that was missing was media and that was only because of the rural farm area and the fact the family that lived on this farm didn't want them there. Clint got out of the truck along with Natasha, as Steve hid his shield under a tarp then joined them.

"Mr. Barton, thank you for coming. Jim Haney told me he though you were a military, Special Forces, or something, and I thought you might be able to help. Your daughter and Sally have play dates together," said Denny Lowe.

His wife was crying and be consoled by other neighbors.

"What's the problem?" Clint asked the fire chief.

"We have to dig at an angle to get to her because any direct assault starts to collapse the abandoned well because it is so unstable. As it is we are afraid that when we get close the well, it will start collapse on itself from the vibrations and such," he explained.

Clint looked at Steve. He was the tactician and strategist, maybe even a genius at it. Natasha looked at Steve and took a breath. She knew he was about to do something he really shouldn't, but she wasn't about to stop him. A child's life was on the line.

"What is the girl's name?" Steve asked.

"Sally," Denny answered.

Denny looked at Steve and seemed to recognize him, but didn't open his mouth.

"I know what to do," Steve announced in his command voice.

"Who are you?" asked the police officer.

"Someone who can help," said Steve ignoring the police officer.

"I'd listen to him," said Clint.

"Clint, I know you are expert at tunnel digging. Take the lead," he ordered.

"I will, Cap," said Clint.

"Natasha, keep everyone level headed," he said. "This plan will work."

"I know," she said.

"Again, who are you?" asked the police officer.

Steve pointed at the fire chief and said, "I need a air hose, so you can pump air down for us to breath. The walls of the well will collapse but the girl will be safe."

"For us to breath?" asked the fire chief.

"Get the hose. I'll take it down," said Steve.

"You'll collapse the hole climbing down," said the police office.

"I'm not climbing. I'm jumping," Steve stated.

"You'll break both your legs. It is thirty-five feet maybe forty feet down," added the fire chief.

"No, I won't," said Steve.

He walked back to the pick up truck, grabbed his shield, and put it on his right arm. Steve then walked to the hole, which was the abandoned well. Everyone stared at the iconic shield he carried. Denny Lowe allowed a small smile of hope on his face. A fireman brought over an air hose and handed it to Steve, who thanked him.

Natasha walked over to him and put her arms around his neck and drew him in for a kiss. Everyone watched, especially Clint who was uncomfortable watching, as Natasha let him know how much she cared and wanted him. The kiss ended.

Steve walked to the edge of the abandoned well.

"For the last time who in the hell are you?" demanded the police officer.

Steve turned and looked at him and said, "I'm Captain America, sir. Now stand back."

In a state of shock the police officer stepped back. Steve looked down the hole and without a word he lifted his shield over his head, held on to the hose, and jumped. He landed with a thud to see an injured and frightened five year old girl. Steve kept his shield up as the hole started to collapse a bit from his jumping down there. He squatted beside her, checked her out and saw that she had a broken leg. Because of lack of room and he was holding back a ton of earth with his shield, there was nothing he could do. He took her in his arm that held the hose, and held her, while he kept the collapsing hole off them.

"Hi, Sally," he said. "My name is Steve."

Up top the Police Officer groaned then said, "They must be buried, maybe crushed."

"They are fine. Steve is holding back the collapse tunnel and he'll continue to hold it for as long as he has to do it," said Natasha then she looked around and raised her voice, "So I want you all to get your asses to work. Clint, take charge."

Clint started barking orders and they prepared to start digging the tunnel to reach Steve and the child. As Clint lead the way, Natasha looking at the semi-collapse hole. Denny Lowe walked up to Natasha.

"Is he really Captain America?" he asked.

She looked at the man who looked to be no older than thirty.

"He is," she answered with a smile.

"Can he really hold back the dirt and everything until they get to them?" he asked.

"He won't give up. You've never met anyone with more will power than Steve Rogers. Your daughter will be fine," said Natasha.

"Why don't you come in the house with my wife and me and get a cup of coffee? You have a loved one is down there, too," Denny said.

"Thank you," Natasha said then sadly smiled.

Avengers

Clint pushed everyone through the day, into the night, and then into the morning. He was in the tunnel himself at the lead ready to break the wall between the tunnel and where Sally and Steve waited. He broke the dirt wall, clear earth away, and then shined a light into the collapse hole. There was Steve in a squatting position holding back all the earth with his shield and holding Sally.

"Hey, Sally," Clint said sweetly, "It's Lila's father. Come over her to me."

"Go ahead, darling," said Steve in a hoarse voice then he looked at Clint. "She has broken leg and bumps and bruises."

Clint looked at Steve. He was a super soldier not the Hulk. A quick scan of man told Clint that he was nearing his breaking point. Sally left Steve's side and crawled into Clint's arms. He passed her to the man behind her and ordered, "Get her out of here!"

Clint turned his attention back to Steve.

"I can't move until I know she is save," said Steve.

Clint nodded. He grabbed the walkie talkie they gave him and pressed the button.

"Is she safe?" he asked.

"She is safe," came the answer.

Clint put the walkie talkie back on his belt then he spoke to Steve.

"I got a rope to tie around you, Cap, just in case the whole thing collapses when you move," said Clint.

"No room to tie it. Hand it to me and I'll hold onto it," said Steve.

Clint handed him the rope. Steve grasped it in his left hand.

"Get going, Clint. I'm right behind you," said Steve.

"Cap," Clint protested.

"Go," he ordered.

Clint started to climb up the tunnel. He then heard a groan of pain and the sound of earth collapsing. Looking behind him, he saw Steve holding onto the rope and trying to climb out. Grip by grip he pulled at the rope Steve made his way up the tunnel. Clint started helping him in his ascent until the exited the tunnel where Natasha was waiting for him.

Steve closed his eyes from the rising run. Natasha pushed her way through everyone and wrapped her arms around the dirty, grimy Captain America.

"Nat," he buried his nose in her hair.

"I love you," she said softly.

"Nat, I think I have to lay down. My legs are...," he said then collapsed to the ground.

Natasha quickly knelt beside him and placed Steve's head in her lap. Clint came over to check on Steve.

"How is he?" he asked.

"Exhausted, dehydrated. He needs food, drink, and rest," she told him.

"I'm going to make sure that the people keep their mouth shut about Cap being here, especially Officer Miller," said Clint. "When I'm done we'll take him home."

Natasha nodded. Mrs. Lowe came over with a blanket for Steve. She placed it on him, while Mr. Lowe held his daughter and looked at Natasha.

"Thank him for us. He's a hero," he said.

"I know," she smiled.

Avengers

Steve woke up in a comfortable bed. He looked at the blue walls and then turned his head to see Coulson sitting in a chair staring at him.

"Hi," Coulson said.

"Have I been frozen again?" he asked.

"No, just exhausted from holding up a ton of dirt off a young girl for hours," smiled Coulson.

"Are you here to arrest me?" asked Steve.

"No, Cap, I'm not," said Coulson.

Steve sat up and looked around. There was no sign of Natasha.

"Where's Natasha?" he asked.

"Sleeping. I had to convince her to leave your side. Is there something you want to tell me about?" smiled Coulson.

Steve nodded no. Coulson chuckled.

"I am here to give you some good news. The President has ordered your Smithsonian exhibit back up. He ha also been in conversation with the British, French, and Italians to start changing attitudes about you. The tide is turning, Cap. The call to put you on trial and in prison will be drowned out soon," explained Coulson.

"I heard congress is doing a hearing," remarked Steve.

"Three days starting Tuesday. You'll be found a hero not an out of control vigilante," said Coulson.

Steve didn't say anything at first.

"Coulson, I should be castigated over some of our actions. The collateral damaged was too great. We could have handled it better," sighed Steve.

"Cap, we were talking a world extinction event. Ultron wanted to do away with humanity. People were going to die, but more importantly, Ultron had to die, so humanity could live," said Coulson. "You and the Avengers were willing to give up your lives to stop Ultron. Learn from you mistakes, but don't unnecessarily punish yourself."

The bedroom door was kicked open and Natasha carried a tray filled with turkey and all the trimmings along with a glass of milk and a large piece of pecan pie. Coulson stood up, as Natasha placed the tray across his lap. She kissed him on the cheek.

"Well, I'll leave you two alone. I think I'd like a cup of coffee," he said then exited.

Natasha sat in Coulson's seat.

"How is Sally?" he asked, as he started to eat.

"Broken fibula, sprained wrist, and lots of bruises. She's fine," she told him.

"Sorry I missed Thanksgiving," he said with a mouthful of food.

Natasha offered him a crooked smile. He was a hero by nature. She loved him.

"Phil, talked to Stark. If we can get to New York, he'll hide us at Avengers Tower. Public opinion is shifting, Steve. Probably by Christmas and definitely right after the New Year, President Ellis will embrace you and your action," said Natasha. "Shall we go to New York?"

"You're the boss," he smiled as he shoveled more food into his mouth.

"Okay, New York it is. Now I just have to figure out how to get us into the Tower without being seen," said Natasha. She then gave him that Cheshire cat grin. "I need to talk to Phil. Maybe he can give us a ride."

"You want SHIELD to drop us off at Avengers Tower so we can hide until calls for my trial and imprisonment are history," chuckled Steve. "Why not?"