***Author Note: Quick maturity warning for this chapter.***

Steve left them shortly after. He passed over some groceries to Eddie and told Nat to holler on the walkie when she needed picking up. Her Pa said she needed to be back home by ten, he didn't want to let her out of his sight, neither did her Ma, understandably so. Nat climbed up the steps of the trailer, a grocery bag in her arms, Eddie followed behind her. She dropped the bag on the counter and started pulling out various bits of food.

"Pfft- No Spaghetti-o's?" She muttered, "What is this, amateur hour?" Eddie chuckled from beside her.

"At least I can try and make you something half decent now." Eddie said, opening the fridge to put away some pre-grated cheese.

Nat picked up a jar of pasta sauce, "You want to cook for me?" She asked, a small laugh escaping her.

"Yeah, why not?" He shrugged, "Although, Spaghetti-o's may be more edible." Nat let out a laugh and reached up to open the cupboard above the sink. Pain shot up her side and she gasped, recoiling, the pasta sauce jar fell from her hand and clattered on the counter, she reached down and grabbed it before it rolled off. Nat wrapped an arm around herself, pressing it into her side. A dull ache spread up her side.

"Nat?" Eddie was looking up at her from where he was crouched by the fridge. His eyes were filled with concern. She broke away from his gaze and turned to the side where she'd put her bag. She reached in, her hands trembling slightly and pulled out a packet of pain meds. Turning back to the sink she smiled slightly and shook the box.

"It's okay…" She grabbed a glass from the cupboard next to the sink, taking the movement slower this time and ran the tap till the water was cool. "Just time for a top up." She popped two tablets from the pack and knocked them back with a swig of water. She'd need to take it steady till they kicked in over the next hour. She turned to put them back in her bag. Eddie had stood and was now watching her every movement for the slightest wince of discomfort.

Nat went back to the counter and reached for some tins of soup. "Woah, I got it." Eddie took them gently from her and Nat sighed, relenting.

"Eddie," He put the tins of soup in the cupboard and turned to her. He was looking at her like she was going to disintegrate before his very eyes, like she wasn't really there. Nat reached out and put a hand on his arm. "It's okay. I'm not going to break. It's just going to take some time, that's all."

He took a shuddering breath, looking down at where her hand was resting on his arm. The sleeve of her jacket had ridden up slightly, the bandage now clearly on show. "But you did…" He whispered. He reached over and pushed the sleeve of her jacket up further. "You did break and I couldn't do anything to stop it." His thumb stroked lightly over the bandages.

"Stop…" She whispered, reaching up her other hand to his face. Eddie closed his eyes, leaning into her touch.

"I just felt so helpless…" He continued. "And when I had to let you go I- I just had the worst feeling that I'd never see you again." And he was right, he'd let her go and she'd died. That might've been the last time he'd ever seen her, ever held her.

"I'm right here." Nat said, "Eddie, I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere." His eyes flicked up to hers, something was blazing in them. He was gentle but firm when he pressed her up against the counter, lips finding hers so fast that Nat gasped into them. One of his hands snaked around the back of her neck, goosepimples snaked over every inch of her body. Her hands found their way to his chest, grabbing hold of the fabric there. Eddie's lips moved from her mouth, to her cheek, trailing his way down to her neck.

"Eddie…" She sighed as he paused just by her collar bone before he continued his tormenting attentions. Her head dropped back slightly and her breath hitched as his teeth grazed over her collar bone. God she was losing her mind. His hands snaked under her shirt to her waist and he lifted his head to capture her lips again. His fingers hesitated when he hit the bandages, but she gripped hold of his shirt tighter. Nat's teeth grazed his bottom lip, a low rumble echoed in his throat.

"Christ, Nat." He pulled back slightly, his breathing ragged, his hands still under her shirt. "You have no idea what I-" He stopped himself, but Nat still shuddered at the thought of his hands roaming wherever he liked. Unbuttoning her jeans, his lips trailing kisses all over her.

"Yeah, yeah I- I think I do." She said breathlessly, he chuckled slightly, low and deep. As if her heart and stomach shared the same hunger, a loud growl rumbled from inside her. She glanced down and Eddie laughed.

"Hungry?" He asked, his hands slipped lower until they came to rest on the waistband of her jeans. She nodded an embarrassed smile taking over her face. He moved back, his face flushed with colour, he took the loaf of bread from the side next to them and held it up. "Grilled cheese?"

Nat had heated up a can of tomato soup on the stove while Eddie finished up the grilled cheese. Having had nothing other than hospital food for the last week, Nat almost moaned in delight when she bit into it. The tanginess of the tomato soup was the perfect accompaniment to the cheese. Nat noticed the copy of the Hobbit sat on the edge of the counter. She stood, dropping her now empty plate into the sink and picked up the book, returning to her seat next to Eddie. The pain meds were kicking in now, a tiredness had crept up on her. Tucking her legs up on the seat, she leant in to Eddie. "Read to me?" She asked. He took the book from her and flicked it open to the next chapter. Nat put her head on his shoulder as he wrapped an arm around her.

"The next morning Bilbo woke up with the early sun in his eyes. He jumped up to look at the time and to go and put his kettle on-and found he was not home at all. So he sat down and wished in vain for a wash and a brush. He did not get either, nor tea nor toast nor bacon for his breakfast, only cold mutton and rabbit. And after that he had to get ready for a fresh start." Nat wasn't sure when her eyes grew tired enough that she fell into a peaceful sleep, head still resting on Eddie's shoulder, but it was the first time in a week that she didn't dream.