DISCLAIMER: ALL CHARACTERS BELONG TO MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE.

The rating of this story has CHANGED from T to M now, due to sexual content. Please bare this warning in mind if you decide to continue reading.

~0~0~0~0~0~

Naturally, Steve was the first to wake up.

The alarm on the bedside table showed that it had another ten minutes before it would sound. Content with just lying there in the peaceful silence as Natasha continued to sleep beside him, Steve allowed his mind time to catch up on the recent events of the last twenty four hours.

First, he processed exactly what had happened in regards to Ultron. He knew that Tony and Banner regretted ever creating Ultron, even though the billionaire genius had a funny way of showing it. Regardless of how Ultron had come about, he was as much as a threat as Loki had been. Perhaps, even more of a threat, as none of them knew how Ultron's mind really worked.

Then, he thought about what had happened on that cargo ship, especially what Wanda Maximoff had made them all see. He thought about his vision, of that dance floor, with Peggy smiling at him and telling him it was finally over. It wasn't over, not for him, but he would eternally grateful that Peggy had been able to live her life, find love and have a family.

That then brought him to look down at the woman sleeping beside him, and his heart felt like it had grown three times its size, ready to burst from his chest.

He'd told her he loved her, and he'd never been more sure of anything in his entire life. What left him in this state of floating bliss was that she'd told her she loved him too. Even when she had said the words, he'd heard them, but they hadn't quite sunk in yet. He couldn't remember ever feeling so happy.

In all honesty, he'd fallen in love with her back when they had just run into the Winter Soldier, when she had asked him to wash her hair after she'd been injured. It wasn't even just because that had been when they'd had their first real kiss, and all those unknown emotions had swarmed his body in the most amazing of ways. It was because that had been the first time that Natasha had truly lowered her walls to him, and he'd seen the person that kept themselves behind the suit of armour.

Since then, he'd been falling every single day since. With the way her nose scrunched up when she was thinking about something. That defiant gleam in her eyes whenever she was determined to proof herself. That smile that sent shivers down his spine every time he saw it, the one that made her whole face light up. The way that she was never afraid to voice her opinion or to call him out when he needed it. How she believed in him to make the right calls, and followed his lead when she believed he was right. The way that no one had ever been able to make him laugh the way that she did.

So, as those ten minutes ticked away slowly, Steve lowered his head to rest it just above her shoulder, his nose against the skin of her neck ever so slightly. As he breathed in the citrusy scent of her, he felt more relaxed than he had done in days.

~0~0~0~0~0~

As the morning progressed, things around the house seemed strangely peaceful.

They'd all sat down for breakfast together, and then Tony and Steve had volunteered themselves to chop up as much wood outside as they could, as Clint had been away so long and Laura couldn't possibly lift an axe with her rounded belly. This therefore gave Clint the opportunity to spend time with his children, which he had gratefully accepted, and Lila and Cooper had been so excited to show their dad what they had done to their treehouse.

Natasha sat on the porch with Laura, basking in the warm sunlight, trying not to stare too obviously as she watched Steve lift the axe above his head and bring it down onto the wooden stump, easily sliding it in half. The movement of his arms made his muscles roll under that slightly tight fitting shirt of his, and she suspected that he had picked that particular shirt for that reason.

Even though she'd had her wicked way with him again this morning, after telling Steve exactly what Tony had said about his alarm clock and therefore suggesting she had a better way of getting him ready for the day, she still wanted him. Something inside her knew that feeling would never go away.

"So, you and the Captain, huh?" Laura said suddenly, thankfully keeping her voice down. "When did that happen?"

Natasha tried not to freeze in surprise. Clearly, she hadn't been as subtle with her staring as she had thought. "Steve and I are just friends."

Of course, Laura didn't believe her. Unsurprising, really, as Natasha hadn't put much effort into trying to make the lie believable. "Natasha, how long have we known each other? I'd like to say that I know you well enough that I've never seen you so happy around someone else before. My daughter was right with her observation last night; you two are always looking at each other, even though you think none of us notice. Don't think I haven't caught you blushing a few times, either. You never blush. I didn't even think that sort of response was possible for you."

Heat flared in Natasha's cheeks, and that was all the confirmation that Laura needed.

Her friend gave her a satisfied smile as she leaned back in her chair, one hand on her stomach. "Your secret is safe with me. I'm just so happy for you, Tasha. You deserve this, more than anyone I know, and Steve seems like a really good guy."

Natasha glanced back to where her boyfriend had just pried apart a chunk of wood into two equal pieces with his bare hands. That burning between her legs became unbearable at the sight.

Steve caught her staring and winked, so she pulled a face at him in return. He chuckled, shaking his head, before picking up the axe again.

"He's perfect." Natasha replied softly. She didn't want to keep this from Laura. It would be nice to have someone to talk to. As if summoned by such a thought, she sighed.

Being observant was a Barton family trait, as Laura picked up on the small noise. "What is it, Tasha?"

"It's just...I've told him about my past, and he's never once seemed disgusted or horrified by the things I have done. But...I'm worried, Laura." She admitted, looking down at her glass of water.

Her friend reached across and took her hand, giving it a comforting squeeze. "Steve certainly seems like a gentleman, and from what I've seen, he's completely smitten with you. Being with someone and opening yourself up to that person completely, on an emotional level as well as a physical one, is terrifying at first. I get that. But, you should stop thinking of yourself as the monster in your story."

"He's just so good, Laura. It practically radiates him as if he was the sun." Natasha pointed out, without bitterness. So many times, she had needed that same brightness to guide her. "I'm just scared that one day, he'll realise he can do so much better."

"You've always spoken so harshly of yourself." Laura said firmly. "When I first met you, Tasha, I was so nervous. Clint had told me everything about you, because he wanted me to know the whole picture, but I was free to make my own opinion. I was nervous because...well, you seemed so untouchable at first, because you'd only ever been able to depend on yourself, to trust only yourself in such a massive world. I know that my husband was the first person to show you kindness, but I questioned whether you'd ever open up to me."

Natasha remembered the first time that Clint had brought her to the farmhouse. Laura had been nervous, awkwardly shaking her hand as if she knew that hugging would be a step too far. But, it really hadn't taken long for Natasha to release that the woman she was meeting was the most kind-hearted person she had ever met.

"But, over time, when you allowed yourself to drop those seemingly impenetrable walls of yours, I saw the person underneath the mask. You're considerate, and patient, and loving. I know that you are fiercely protective of me and my family, and I'll never not be thankful for that. My children adore their Auntie Nat. This baby will adore you too, and look up to you just like Lila and Cooper do." Laura said, smiling fondly as she always did whenever she spoke of her family. "We welcomed you into this family because we love you, and because we see the person that you refuse to let yourself recognise as you. I know that Steve sees you for who you are."

Natasha's eyes sought Steve once more. She took in every detail about him, about the man she loved with her entire soul. "He told me he loved me, yesterday."

"And do you love him?"

So much that it hurt. "I do."

"Well then," Laura leaned back again. "Love is the strongest thing in the entire world, Tasha. I don't want to watch you making yourself miserable by convincing yourself you're a bad person who doesn't deserve this. Enjoy every moment you have with him.

That seed of hope reappeared in Natasha's chest as she let Laura's words sink in. If Steve could truly look past her demons, was it possible for her to do the same thing? Her past would always be with her, but without that past, she wouldn't be the person she was now. She wouldn't have even met Steve, and she couldn't bring herself to imagine a life without him in it.

"You're the best, Laura. Have I ever told you that?" Natasha asked, sitting back in the chair and taking a sip of water. She pushed all the negative thoughts out of her mind at last, and it was as if someone had removed a heavy weight from her shoulders.

Laura laughed. "Yes, but it never hurts to be reminded."

~0~0~0~0~0~

Whilst the piles of chopped wood continued to grow, Natasha headed upstairs to find the final member of their team. Bruce had retreated back to his room after breakfast claiming a headache, but she knew it was because he felt too guilty to try to enjoy himself.

He seemed surprised when he opened the door and found her waiting inside, but she brushed past him and entered the room before he could insist he was okay.

She stood by the window, which looked right out at the lake behind the house. "How much longer are you going to keep yourself locked up in here?" She asked.

Bruce sighed. "Until I figure out how to fix the mess that I have created."

She looked across the room at him. He stood in the furthest corner, his hands together and a look of pure shame on his face that pierced at her heart. "You are not solely responsible for Ultron's creation, and neither you or Tony could have foreseen what had happened." She told him firmly. "Blaming yourself isn't going to make the situation go away."

Lifting his head, Bruce's eyes had a glimmer of surprise in them that she tried not to be offended by. She remembered how she had gone after him in Sokovia, finding the Hulk destroying a bunker that had long since been evacuated. It had been as if the Hulk couldn't even attempt to put a lid on his rage. But, Natasha had spoken to him, rattling on about the weather and how much she truly hated the snow, and eventually the green beast had shrunk back into the gentle doctor who only wanted to do good.

"Believe me, Bruce, when I tell you that I understand exactly how it feels to hate yourself." She went on. "You know, for so many years, I would stare at my reflection in the mirror and break the glass, just because I couldn't stand to look at myself. I could barely recognise the reflection as myself. I believed I was a monster, because that was all the world had ever led me to think. I know how it feels to want to do good, but to be held back by your own darkness."

Her words sank in, and he remained silent for a few long moments. She wondered if he'd just ask her to leave politely, or if he'd start to go green.

Neither happened.

But, he did remain in that far corner, as if he was too scared to even look at her, let alone take a step closer. "How...how did you stop?"

She couldn't not look out of the window, where a particular man was chopping wood effortlessly. "I was given a second chance." She said, knowing that she couldn't bring up her relationship with Steve, even though she felt slightly guilty knowing that she couldn't give Banner the whole truth. "If I'm being honest, I still have bad days. Nightmares. A voice in my head that tells me I deserve nothing good. But, I have things in my life worth fighting for now. So do you, Bruce."

"Sometimes, it doesn't feel like that at all." He responded darkly.

"I understand that. But, you have us. No matter what you think of yourself, we all think you're pretty great - Ultron mess aside." She attempted to joke, and the corner of his lip did twitch ever so slightly. A good sign, however small. "You're a good person, Bruce. One day, you'll see that for yourself."

He looked up at that, meeting his gaze. His eyes were sad, but there was a tiny glow of hope in them. "I hope so."

Straightening up, she headed for the doorway, pausing when she got close to him. She touched his upper arm comfortingly. "We're a team, Bruce. We all look out for one another. Don't wallow up in here and let guilt eat away at you. Find a way to stop this."

Then, she left, and she hoped that he'd listen.

~0~0~0~0~0~

Steve had barely had a moment alone with Natasha for the rest of the morning, apart from a few stolen kisses he managed to give her when they were momentarily left alone. Whilst Tony had gone to help Laura with the stubborn tractor, Steve had finished off the entire pile of logs, hoping it would enough of a thank you to Clint and his family for providing them with a safe house that had helped ease all their stress.

Natasha had spent the rest of the morning playing with the kids in the tree house, but when Steve had heard her carefree laughter, he'd put aside his wanting to be alone with her. Her happiness was always his first priority, and he knew she was making the most of being with Laura and the kids.

So, Steve had kept himself busy, doing odd jobs around the house so Clint could make the most of the time he had with his family. As Steve fixed up the broken fencing, he couldn't help but wish they could stay here for a little longer.

That was short-lived, however, when Tony emerged from the garage with Director Fury at his side.

Clint had told the children to continue playing before he and Natasha crossed the lawn. Natasha instantly came to stand beside Steve, and he was tempted to take her hand and give it a squeeze, to tell her that no matter what, everything would be okay. He didn't, of course.

Whilst Laura kept the kids entertained outside, the rest of them gathered in the kitchen to hear what Fury had to say.

Banner joined them, having spent most of the day cooped up in his room. He still felt guilty for what the Hulk had done, despite Tony and Nat's attempts all morning at getting him to come out. Now, he hovered in the corner, as usual.

Nat sat down at the table. She didn't kick her feet up onto it, like she would do if they were having this meeting at SHIELD, like she had done all those months ago at the bunker when they'd discovered Nick Fury was alive. Steve knew it was because this house belonged to her best friend, and Clint Barton was one of the few people who had her complete respect.

Motionless, Clint sat at the head of the table, his eyes occasionally glancing to the windows, where his family played in the distance. The peaceful look which he had had ever since he had returned home was now replaced by one sharp enough to cut through ice. Tony was also very quiet, pacing around the room.

"Ultron took you folks out of play to buy himself time." Fury informed them, standing by the sink as he stirred his coffee round his cup casually. "My contacts say he's building something. The amount of vibranium he made off with, I don't think it's just one thing."

Crossing his arms over his chest, Steve leaned against the doorway. "What about Ultron himself?"

"Oh, he's easy to track. He's everywhere. The guy is multiplying faster than a Catholic rabbit." Fury commented, turning to look at them all to see their reaction at his attempted joke. No one laughed. "It still doesn't help us get an angle on any of his plans, though."

"Is he still going after launch codes?" Tony asked.

"Yes," Fury took a sip of coffee. "But, he's not making any headway."

"I cracked the Pentagon's firewall in highschool on a dare." Tony told him, and it wasn't a case of the billionaire bragging this time. Instead, he was highlighting just how capable Ultron could be, seeing as he was a design of both Tony and Banner, and even they had no clue on how extensive Ultron's capability was.

Fury didn't so much as shrug his shoulders. "Well, I contacted our friends at the Nexus about that."

The term was unfamiliar to Steve. "Nexus?"

"It's the world internet hub in Oslo," Banner explained, speaking for the first time that whole day. His voice was dry, as if he hadn't even kept himself hydrated. "Every byte of data flows through there. Fastest access on Earth,"

Clint leaned back in his chair, reluctantly dragging his eyes away from the window. "So, what did they say?"

"He's fixated on the missiles," Fury said. "But, the codes are constantly being changed."

"By whom?" Tony pressed, still pacing.

"Parties unknown," That wasn't the answer that any of them had been hoping for.

Natasha looked up at the Director. "Do we have an ally?" There was not even a hint of hope in her voice. No one was feeling particularly positive right now.

"Ultron's got an enemy. That's not the same thing." Fury told her, in a softer tone, one that he always reserved for her. "Still, I'd pay folding money to know who it is."

Tony's pacing finally stopped. "I might need to visit Oslo."

Natasha, however, was still looking at Fury. "Well, this is good times, boss, but I was kind of hoping when I saw you, you'd have more than that."

If Fury was surprised by her cold tone, he didn't show it. "I do. I have you." He meant all of them. "Back in the day, I had eyes everywhere. Ears, everywhere else. You kids had all the tech you could dream up. Here we all are, back on Earth, with nothing but our wit and our will to save the world. Ultron says the Avengers are the only thing between him and his mission, and whether or not he admits it, his mission is global destruction."

Banner flinched. Tony didn't so much as blink.

Glancing across the room to his girlfriend, Steve found that Natasha was already looking at him. He could tell what she was thinking without her having to speak the words out loud. This is going to be messy.

"So stand." Fury went on. "Outwit the platinum bastard."

Still holding Steve's gaze, Natasha raised one eyebrow as she commented, "Steve doesn't like that kind of talk." Her teeth sank into her lower lip, releasing it slowly.

She couldn't resist the chance of teasing him, even when it was so open in front of everyone. So, Steve rose to the challenge. "You know what, Romanoff?" He made sure the muscles in his upper arms flexed, ever so slightly, and got the reaction he wanted when he saw her fidget in her chair. He grinned. He could rile her up just as easily as she did with him, and he enjoyed every second of it.

"So, what does he want?" Fury spoke again, drawing both their attention away from each other at last.

"To become better," Steve answered. Ultron had made it very clear that he wanted the Avengers gone. "Better than us. He keeps building bodies."

"Person bodies," Tony muttered. "The human form is inefficient. Biologically speaking, we're outmoded. But, he keeps coming back to it."

Natasha looked to him and then Banner. "When you two programmed him to protect the human race, you amazingly failed."

"They don't need to be protected." Banner answered, shifting from one foot to the other. "They need to evolve. Ultron's going to evolve."

Fury lowered his glass. "How?"

"Has anyone been in contact with Helen Cho?" Banner, who hated any form of attention being put on him, tried his best not to look uncomfortable as everyone's eyes landed on him.

"We'll contact her on the way." Fury responded, grabbing his coat from the counter and shrugging it on.

Everyone was suddenly alert. "On the way to where?" Natasha asked, remaining in her seat. The look she shot Fury was enough to show that she had still not forgiven him for faking his own death and bruising their relationship.

"Helen Cho's lab." Fury said, looking straight at Dr Banner. "There's a high chance that our friend may have already paid her a visit."

~0~0~0~0~0~

I know I'm not alone when I say that watching Steve (well, Chris Evens) tear that log into two so easily made me feel all sorts of ways.

Also, even though I really didn't like Natasha and Bruce as a romantic couple, I wanted to add that little part between the two of them because I do really feel sorry for Bruce, and I think that Natasha would have reached out to him as a friend, because she didn't want him to feel alone.

- E x