Call Me Toni: Things have to get worse before they can get better :) Tony needs to be put back in place every once in a while. Thanks for the review! :)

NaraMorris: I'm glad you're enjoying it! Thanks for the review! :)

Sorry for not updating on Friday. I was at my grandma's house, helping clean while she was at a doctor's appointment.

Disclaimer: I do not own MARVEL or any of their affiliates. I am not making any money by writing this. It is for entertainment purposes only.

Chapter Thirty Four

November 12th

Natasha's P. o. V:

I can feel someone gently slapping my face, forcing me back into consciousness. A bright light shines in my eyes. "Her pupils are responding. Heart rate and blood pressure are stabilizing. Fetus seems to be stable." I blink a few times, bringing the hospital room into focus. Doctors and nurses surround me. "Ms. Romanoff, how are you feeling?" I groan.

"Sore, but not nauseous. What happened? Is my baby okay?"

"Your baby is fine. You're a very lucky woman, Ms. Romanoff. The blood was black, which means that there was internal bleeding, but it stopped before you vomited. We would have seen it on the x-ray for your ribs, but it seems that your baby blocked our view. You're going to be sore from the accident for a few days, but you should already be on the road to recovery."

"What do I need to do to heal?"

"Well, you have several cuts and bruises all over your body, and three of your ribs are cracked. You have a large contusion on your head from your head hitting the seat in front of you. There was some brain swelling earlier, but it has gone down a great deal. We didn't want to bring you back to consciousness too soon, so that your brain swelling would have time to go down. Someone was looking out for you today, Ms. Romanoff." I nod, letting out a shaky breath. Tears prick my eyes as I realize how badly things could have ended up.

"You need to take it easy for the next couple of days. We'll teach you how to wrap your ribs correctly to alleviate the pain while they heal. None of the cuts were serious, so they didn't need stitches. Just make sure that they don't get infected. Your wolf blood will help to speed up the healing. Also, since we need to monitor your brain swelling, we'll need to come in and check on you every couple of hours. Try not to go to sleep. After we release you, you can go back to sleeping normally." I nod my thanks, trying to absorb all of the information.

The nurses begin to leave, and a new woman walks up to my bedside. "Hello, I'm Ms. Deacon. I work with Child Protective Services, and I'd like to ask you a few questions, if that's okay." I stifle a groan, looking towards Clint. He gives me a quick nod and leaves the room.

"What's the matter?"

"It has been brought to our attention that you have been living on your own for the past few weeks, despite agreeing to live with your legally appointed guardian, Mr. Richards. Would you care to explain why that is?" Anger floods through my veins, causing my heart monitor to beat faster. I force myself to calm down, reminding myself that she's just doing her job.

"He raped me," I manage to whisper. "I don't care how well he treats me now. I can't look at him without remembering what he did to me. I can't live with him. I can't," I force out, tears leaking down my cheeks. My hand drops protectively to my belly.

"Unfortunately, since you are under legal age, I am required to either return you to his home or put you into a foster home. You cannot be allowed to live by yourself with no adult supervision. Also, we learned that Clint Barton has been living with you as well, despite the fact that he is supposed to be living with his stepfather. He is legally obligated to return to his home as well."

"You can't do that! His stepfather will kill him!" The words slip out before I can stop them.

"That is a very serious accusation. We will have someone look into it, but for now, Clint must return to his home with his stepfather." Angry tears stream down my face. "Arrangements will be made for you to be put into a foster facility after you are released from the hospital. Someone will contact Clint and look into his case. Thank you for your cooperation, and best of luck with your recovery." With that, Ms. Deacon gets up and leaves. I slump back against the pillows, fear coursing through my body. Clint reenters the room.

"Are you okay? What was that all about?"

"They're going to put me in foster care, and they're going to make you go back and live with your stepfather." Clint is silent for a moment, his face schooled into a careful mask.

"I'm not leaving you, and I'm certainly not going back to live with that asshole. There's got to be something that we can do."

"The only problem is, we're minors. Neither of us have living relatives that can take us in. I don't think that we're going to have a choice"

"I'm pregnant. No one is going to want to foster me. Clint, I'll end up in another orphanage. I can't go back to that." Clint pulls me close.

"We'll figure something out, I promise. They can't separate me from my mate." He growls possessively at the thought. There is a knock at the door, and Tony sheepishly pokes his head in. One of his eyes is swollen shut, and there are several cuts on his face.

"How are you doing?" he asks, snark gone. "I'm so, so sorry. I understand if you never want to talk to me again." I let out a big sigh.

"Things are going to change a lot now, and I'm worried. CPS would have figured out that we were alone eventually."

"Wait, what are you talking about?" Clint quickly gives Tony a rundown of what happened. All of the color drains from Tony's face.

"This is my fault. I can get you guys a lawyer. I won't let you guys go back into the foster system, not when you were finally starting to start a new life together," Tony vows. My eyes fill with tears for the umpteenth time since I regained consciousness.

"Tony, you don't have to do this. I don't blame you for it. You should have been more careful with driving, but the CPS getting involved is not your fault." Tony rubs the back of his head.

"My dad is going to have to pay a hefty fine for allowing a minor to go for a joyride. I'm going to be in so much trouble after I get out of the hospital. I probably will only be able to leave my house to go to school," Tony pouts. "Oh well. That could have been a lot worse, and I'm so glad that you're okay. I deserved every punch that Clint threw at me, and then some." I shoot a look at Clint.

"I understand how he was feeling, but he never should have attacked you. That was wrong, and he owes you an apology." Clint mumbles an apology, and I elbow him in the ribs. He winces and rubs at them, before offering a clear apology. "Thank you." Tony offers me a sad smile.

"I hope you feel better soon. I'm really, really sorry." I nod, and Tony leaves. Clint sits down heavily in the chair next to my bed. I reach out and grab his hand.

"It'll work out. These things always do."

"For our sake, I really hope that you're right."

Okay, things will really start to pick up next chapter! As always, please review :3