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Chapter 22

"Em, just pick a skirt. They're our friends; they don't care what you wear."

"I don't dress for other people, I dress for myself," Emily replied as she put an earring in, "Look, I want to wear my new skirt, but this one matches better with my top- unless I change that."

Steve fell back onto the bed, groaning. He loved Emily, but she took FAR too long to get ready. Steve could grab a shirt and jeans, but Emily went through a whole catwalk before deciding what to wear, even for a casual dinner. Today's issue was which skirt was best to wear. It all looked the same to Steve, but apparently it wasn't.

"Ugh fine, I'll wear the matching one," Emily slipped it on.

As she did so, Steve caught the look she gave herself in the mirror.

He was relieved that Emily wasn't pregnant. The old Steve wanted nothing more than a house in the suburbs, wife, kids and dog. New Steve couldn't live without the fight, incompatible with being a normal parent. He'd have looked after Emily and the baby, but he felt relief that there was no child that could be put at risk. The only settling down Steve cared about was Emily.

It had clearly weighed heavily on Emily's mind though. She'd been shaken by it, much more than Steve had.

"What's wrong?"

"What do you mean?"

"I saw the look you just made, something's wrong. Come on, tell me."

"We don't want to be late."

"Darling, after the pregnancy scare, I thought we'd agreed that you'd always tell me if something was on your mind," Steve's voice softened as he moved off the bed, holding out his hands, "Come on, sit down and we can talk."

Emily seated herself at the edge of the bed, Steve crouching down across from her.

"For the past week or so, I've had this feeling that I'm being followed. I walk down the street and I just have this instinct that I'm being watched. I'll look behind me and see normal people, not one person all the time. It's making me feel like I'm crazy but I can't shake this, not for a second. The pregnancy scare was just my body showing stress, but I feel that I am right about this one. I've heard that if you feel like someone's staring at you, they are, so maybe it's the same thing. Look, I can handle myself if I'm attacked, but I don't like this."

Steve took her hands.

"Are you absolutely sure?"

She nodded, "Positive."

He frowned.

"Stress can do funny things, but I am going to treat this like it's happening. I'm not going to lecture you on keeping safe because you know how to do that, but we have to ensure that you're ok. What we can do is make sure it's not stress, go to Dr. Reynolds and speak to her. If this helps and the operation eases, and you don't feel like you're being followed, then we know what it is. If that's sorted and you still feel it, then we know for absolutely sure. Right now, we treat it like somebody is following you. Just know that I will never let anything happen to you, ever. I'm not going to patronise you because you can handle yourself, but protecting the love of my life will always be my priority. You will always be safe with me. Hell, the Avengers would come like lightning if anyone tried to hurt you. Besides, I can totally see you kicking someone's ass. You're aware, your senses are heightened, it's good that you're alert because you're prepared. OK? I promise I'll never let anything happen to you."

"Dr. Reynolds hates me."

"She doesn't hate you, she dislikes the backchat."

"She's always trying to analyse me."

"That's because it's her job. Please, just go to her, we can make sure we've covered all our bases. If that stress caused a pregnancy scare, it might just make you on edge. We'll treat it seriously until we find out the truth. I'll keep you safe."

"Ok."

Steve kissed the top of Emily's head, "Come on, we'll be late. Let's take the night off to enjoy."

They left the apartment, Steve's arm tight around Emily as he looked around the parking lot. He'd be damned if anyone hurt her. Steve held Emily's hand the whole way there; apart from when he needed both for the steering wheel. He was pretty sure it was just stress, but Emily's insistence that it was real scared him. Steve prayed that seeking help would relax Emily. She was also carefree and spirited, completely opposite to him. Something had freaked her out.

At least a night with their friends would take their minds off things. Just entering the room gave them a chorus of hellos and hugs. Darcy and Jane were in town, as was Rhodey, so the whole gang was together.

Emily settled into Steve's arms, already feeling more secure. He smiled down at her as they listened to Tony's new wildest story.

"...Then he storms out of the office, shouting and screaming. He's got coffee on his tie and his shirt, and is waving his arms about. Think of every swear word under the sun and you've basically got it. This guy was just so angry, if he was Bruce, he'd turn into The Hulk. I'm nearly wetting myself laughing at him, I just don't get why he was so pressed, but it was hilarious."

"You put a modified whooping cushion on his chair, that might be why," Pepper pursed her lips

"So? He needed to lighten up."

"You're 45 years old."

"Can we see it?" Darcy gleefully asked.

"Don't encourage him," Pepper warned as she clutched her wine glass.

"Later," Tony winked when Pepper wasn't looking.

Steve looked over at Natasha. They'd trusted her to keep an eye on the investigation, not like they would have needed to ask anyway- Natasha had a sixth sense. Like them, she felt that something wasn't quite right. She trusted Fury absolutely, but there was something about Secretary Pierce that didn't sit right with her. The man turned down the Nobel Peace Prize and acted like a saint- only Steve could get away with being that good. Him investigating things wasn't right. Fury should be back from Europe, conducting this investigation with Commander Hill.

It wasn't even a thorough investigation. Everyone felt targeted- it was more than Pierce just making sure every angle was covered. Natasha had made a living out of being paranoid; she just didn't trust people naturally. Whilst Emily wasn't too concerned about Pierce, Steve certainly was.

Seeing the best in people hadn't always worked out well for him.

"Come on, dance battle," Tony stood up; waving the wristbands that connected them all to the game system.

Emily, Thor, Clint and Darcy stood up.

"Ah ah, not you," Tony shook his head at Emily.

"Why?" an offended Emily asked.

"You've won EVERY SINGLE TIME we've played this game, it's not fair."

"It's because I'm a trained dancer."

"Still, not fair. You need to give the rest of us a chance."

"If you don't give me the wristband, Stark, I will shove it so far up your asshole that it will come out of your mouth. Got it?"

Tony knew that Emily wouldn't do that, but he also knew that she could kick his ass. He meekly handed it over.

Thor didn't dance, he moved around like a man possessed, waving his arms and legs around. Dance had apparently been an elective on Asgard, one that he clearly didn't take. Clint wasn't bad, neither was Darcy. Tony had surprisingly smooth moves, but absolutely no control.

"Oh look, new high score," Emily flipped her hair back, "Looks like you were right. I'll be kind, let you guys continue without me."

Steve smirked as Emily returned to the sofa.

"That's my girl," he leaned down to kiss her on the head.

"In it to win it babe," the two high fived.

A ding a little while later from JARVIS indicated that the pizza had arrived. Tony, Rhodey and Bruce went downstairs to grab it, returning with bags and boxes piled higher than they could see. Everyone's mouth dropped open at the sight of it all.

With the exception of Thor, nobody else had seen that much food before for a medium sized group. It was as though Tony had bought out the pizza place. It wasn't only pizza though; they had sides like chicken wings and wedges. After a moment of shocked awe, everyone immediately piled as much food as they could on their plates.

Having four times the metabolism of the average person made Steve hungry. Emily watched as he shovelled the junk food down like there was no tomorrow, his mouth barely moving between bites. She liked cooking for Steve, he ate everything in sight. This was no exception. God, she wished she could eat like him- or drink like him, because he couldn't get drunk.

At least she always had a designated driver and someone to tuck her into bed when she got smashed.

"Are you actually breathing between bites?"

"Nope," Steve replied before ripping the skin off a chicken wing. On the other side of Emily, Coulson was also enjoying his food.

Men and their stomachs.

As soon as it was all done, it was clear that everybody was exhausted from eating. For a good fifteen minutes, no one moved- not even when Thor let out a fart that could kill a small animal. Everyone moaned, but no one was able to move. Emily lay against Steve, holding her stomach and wishing she'd maybe had a slice or two less.

That extra mini pizza was going to kill her.

Clint finally broke the silence.

"Who wants to hear what happened to me and Nat during our Germany mission the other day?"

That piqued everyone's interest- at least it was an activity that didn't require them to move.

"Ah yes, regale us with your tale!" Thor, the only one unaffected by the massive amount of food consumed, raised his beer.

"I'm totally writing a Shakespeare play based on this guy," Tony muttered to Jane, "The sex must be great if you can tolerate him sounding like he's from the 17th century."

Darcy burst out laughing as Jane gave a stern stare.

"Ok, so we're in Berlin, tracking down a far-left terrorist group wanting to kidnap high ranking officials. Don't worry- the Germans asked for our help. We're patrolling next to a canal in a residential part of the city when we spot one of the guys, and I gotta hand it to him, best beard ever. Like, I could live to 100 and not get anywhere near as cool as this guy. Anyway, we obviously give chase. Now this bastard is slippery and by god, he is fast. He'd make The Flash look like a snail. We run and we run, but this guy is just speedy. Back up is called in- Berlin police, German intelligence, the whole shebang. On his way, he pushes in to this little old lady- now that bit is important."

Natasha chuckled as she sipped on her beer bottle, laughing at the memory.

"It's like a cartoon, running around this canal as these citizens and tourists are watching us like 'what the heck.' Now, someone pulls up in a getaway vehicle and we're thinking that he's going to get away. Not close enough to shoot with pistols. Then, the moment arrives. Little old lady was pissed that she was rudely shoved, so she sticks out her little cane and then *SPLASH*, our guy falls straight into the canal."

Everyone burst out laughing.

"The German intelligence gets to the car, whilst we fish the guy out. Little old lady watches with a smirk then waddles away, not knowing that she'd got one of the most wanted men in Germany captured out of spite. It was brilliant. SHIELD should recruit her."

"It is the smallest among us who make the biggest heroes," Thor interjected, "Do you mind if I tell a tale now that you have finished yours?"

"Go ahead," Clint nodded.

"We were in the realm of Vanaheim, the home of my dearest friend and brother in arms, Hogun. Another group of Marauders had attacked again. Vanaheim folk are strong and brave like us, but they do not have the military capabilities that we do, so they called on us to help. As the warrior men and women fought, the elderly and the young were hidden away. Unfortunately, a small band of the Marauders managed to infiltrate their hiding place. A young Vanir boy went in front of his little sister and grandmother, faced one of the invaders. He distracted them long enough for us to rush to their rescue. That young boy knew that he could have been killed, but he was ready to defend the innocents. I hope one day that I will battle by his side. He was rewarded with a sip of Asgard's finest ale."

"Isn't that the stuff that knocks everyone bar you and Steve out?" Bruce asked.

"Yeah, you gave it to a kid?" Rhodey asked.

"Vanir people have the same constitution as Asgardians, it was fine to give him a small sip. I was used to ale from a very young age. Father insisted, even though Mother disagreed. We were never given enough to get drunk on. Though one time, when Loki and I were about eleven or twelve, we snuck into the drinks cellar during a celebration party. We drank so much that we passed out in front of everybody in the dining room. I woke up with a stomach ache that plagued me for days, and Loki couldn't stomach the smell of food for half a week."

"A party in Asgard sounds amazing," Tony imagined him there.

"Well, when the time is quiet in the realm and you are all free, I am happy to take you all for a small party so that you may enjoy Asgard's riches. Father has softened after I took Jane to Asgard, he knows of Midgardian bravery."

"He also compared me to a goat," Jane added quickly.

"Father can be a bit...much," Thor acknowledged apologetically.

"Dads are hard," Rhodey agreed, "I was dating this girl in high school, her dad was one of the top cops in town. He really hated me, I don't know why. Everytime I came for dinner, he'd sit across from me and just stare while we ate. Her mom tried to break the silence, but it just wouldn't work. My neighbour saw him at a bar after me and the girl broke up, he was celebrating. Jokes on him, she dated a classmate later on, and he was an absolute troublemaker."

Steve was about to comment on Emily's father hating him when he noticed her sway slightly. Looking at her properly, he was alarmed to see that she had gone ghostly pale. This was whiter and white, she looked like death warmed up. Her eyes were glazed over and she was shaking.

"Em?"

"I don't feel so good," she managed.

"The food? The drinks?"

"No, it's not that, I just feel...off. I'm going to lie down for a second."

She got up, making her way to one of the spare bedrooms. Suddenly, she froze and started to cough into her hand. When Emily turned back around, Steve saw it.

Fresh blood.

Emily looked up, meeting Steve's eye, a deer in headlights look. She stared at her hands, comprehending what was going on.

"Steve?"

With that, she fell to the floor and started seizing.

Cliffhanger alert!

Sorry that this one is so short! I usually try for a minimum of 3K words per chapter, but I just found it really difficult- it's much more of a filler anyway, so I'll give myself a break.

Next Time: Emily is rushed to SHIELD's hospital.

What do you think is wrong with Emily? Take a guess in the reviews.

Thanks again, hope you enjoy it and don't forget to review xxx