DISCLAIMER: I only own Melanie and other OCs

Melanie's POV

It felt like it had been hours since Mr Stark had hidden me in the laundry basket. I didn't know what had happened, i didn't know who had won the battle.

Breath caught in my chest when somebody lifted the lid of the Laundry basket. "There you are Squirt," Clint signed at me.

"clear?" I mouthed. Clint Nodded and helped me out of the basket

Holding Clint`s hand, I walked back to the living room. Arriving just in time to see Mr. Stark leave.

"Where`s he going?" I asked

"Cap`s down in sickbay," Natasha informed me

"Is he gonna be okay?"

"He`ll be fine squirt," Clint assured, "this is Cap we`re talking about, he heals fast."

"Can I go see him?"

"Give it a few minutes then i`ll walk you down," Natasha smiled, ruffling my blonde hair.

"Till then, how about a snack?" Clint asked, "I`m starving."

"You`re always starving," Natasha rolled her eyes.

I looked around the trashed living room and guilt clawed at my chest. This mess was because of me. HYDRA had only come here because they wanted me back.

"I`m sorry," I whispered, "I didn't mean to cause all this trouble."

"Hey, Hey. this isn't your fault kiddo." Clint said, kneeling to my eye-level. "You can't blame yourself for everything squirt. It was HYDRA that did this to us. You didn't do anything wrong."

"I know," I sighed, "but i still feel bad about it."

"You don't have to feel bad about it," Natasha said as she pushed the dining table back the right way up. "Like Clint said, What happened today is not your fault."

"But... it is." I said, "They came here... because... of me. And. they... they hurt Steve. Didn't they?"

"They did," Natasha said, "But they didn't hurt him because of you. They've had it out for him for a very long time."

I sat down at the table and looked down at my hands. I knew that she was right but it still didn't make me feel any better about what happened to Steve.

"Hey, kid," Clint said as he sat down next to me. "Keep your chin up. Steve's gonna be just fine."

I sniffled as Natasha placed a sandwich and a glass of milk in front of me.

"Thanks," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

"You're welcome," Natasha said, smiling.

I picked up the sandwich and took a bite. It had some kind of chocolate spread on it and It was one of the most amazing things I'd ever tasted! I ate it hurriedly, lest it get taken away from me. Forcing down a massive mouthful, I choked and coughed and had to take a big sip of milk to get it down.

"woah, Woah, Woah." Clint said "Slow down Mel, That Sandwich ain't going anywhere."

I put the sandwich back on the plate, "M'sorry."

"Don't be." Natasha said gently, "We both used to be the same when it came to food. Eat it before it's taken away, right?

I nodded.

"Melanie, if anyone ever tries to take food from you, They'll have to deal with me." natasha assured, there was a look in her green eyes that told me she was deadly serious.

"And me." Clint added, "Your tummy'll never be empty again. not as long as we're here."

We finished our food in silence, and once we had. Natasha stood up.

"You coming little one?" she asked.

"huh?"

"I thought you wanted to go see Cap..."

"I.. did.. but..." I sighed and chewed on my lip, unable to shake the guilt that I was feeling.

"You're not going to sit there and mope all day, are you?" Clint gave me a look.

"I.. uh... I'm not moping." I said, "I just..."

"Look, Mel. If I know Steve, and I like to think that I do..." Clint began, "he's gonna be raising hell down in Medbay. Refusing to rest and let people take care of him until he knows you're ok."

"really?" I asked.

"Really." Natasha nodded, "He's stubborn fossil at times, but it's only because he cares."

I sighed and stood up, "Let's go then."

Natasha accompanied me down to sickbay, Where Mr. Stark was waiting outside.

"Hey Mel." he greeted.

"Mr. Stark, is Steve okay?" I asked, running over.

"He's gonna be fine kiddo," Mr Stark gave me a smile and got down to my level, "I just wanted to give you a heads up; Steve`s Best friend`s in there with him. Now, He might look scary, but he's not gonna hurt you."

"If he's Steve's friend, then I trust him," I said, mustering my courage.

"Atta girl," Mr Stark took me by the hand and we walked inside. The Medbay was a mess, the walls were spattered with blood and the window was broken. clearly, a fight had gone down in here.

"There she is," Steve smiled at me from the bed, he looked pale and his blond hair was sweaty, but his blue eyes were sparkling.

I ran over and threw my arms around his neck. "I'm glad you're ok." I whispered.

"Feeling's mutual mellie," Steve replied. "now, there`s someone i want you to meet," he gestured for someone to come over and another man approached. he was around the same height as Steve, with shoulder-length dark hair and blue eyes

"Hi Melanie, I`m Bucky."