Somewhere over the Pacific Ocean, approaching the Raft, flying in pure darkness, the quinjet was being pelted by rain drops and there was nothing but silence between Natasha and Steve. Natasha piloting the aircraft and Steve sitting beside her in deep thought.
"There's nothing to worry about, Steve, we will have the band back together soon enough." Natasha stated, trying to be playful.
"Yea, let's get everyone out and then…." Steve said but hesitating to finish.
"Everyone will get out just fine and then we'll be heading back. I have a friend helping us with the Accords legal mess and we should be able to return state-side." Natasha said.
"Natasha, what if I don't want to go back to the states? What if I just want to start over somewhere new?" Steve questioned. Natasha taken aback by the way Steve was thinking.
"Steve, what do you want to do?" Natasha asked, only being able to see his darkened profile.
"I don't know… Before the war, I wanted to be a soldier. I didn't have any crazy dreams about being a husband or father or having a place to call home. I have been a soldier, I have fought against things I never thought were possible, but what if I want more than that now? Can I have someone… or something that's makes all of the bad I've endured worth it?" Steve looks at Natasha as she places her hand on his forearm giving him a smile and a gentle squeeze.
"Steve, you have plenty of time to find the answers to your questions. But right now, put your game face on. We are going to get our friends." Natasha said removing her hand, flipping a couple switches and then a voice came over the coms.
"This is restricted airspace, please identify yourself." The voice demanded.
"Raft Command, this is Yankee-Niner-Two, with a fresh supply of rations." Natasha responded.
"Why is the sky blue?" The voice prompted.
"Because God Loves the Infantry." Natasha answered.
"Yankee-Niner-Two, prepare to land." The voice said as the submerged prison, breaks from the confides of the water and settles above the waves.
"So…" Natasha said, briefly pausing between her words "Are you up for this?" She said landing the quinjet. Steve, taking a deep breath, gave Natasha a nod before standing up, leaving the quinjet running on stand-by.
Within minutes of walking through the door, every person who just started their shift on the Raft became incapacitated. Mostly because Natasha really likes hitting people. Steve taking a step back, watching Natasha do what she does best. Once everyone was unconscious, Natasha started tapping on a keyboard, unlocking the prisoner cells and Wanda's security devices. Steve then started heading to the area where their friends were being held. The cell doors came to life, opening themselves. Sam stunned to see Steve on the other side of the prison cell.
"Captain?" Sam questioned.
"Hey Sam, let's get going." Steve said padding Sam on the back.
"Steve, help me with Wanda." Clint half jogging to the small, balled up girl laying on the floor. Seeing the state of the youngest member of his team, in a fragile broken state, unable to stand on her own. Clint cooing the girl into his arms, speaking calmly to her. Steve then gently took the device off from around her neck, and Clint scooped her into his arms and began walking. Steve following behind Sam, Scott, as Natasha met up with all of them taking the lead to the quinjet.
Natasha jumped into the pilot seat, preparing for a fast take off. Scott managing to find the protein bars and water, sharing them with Sam. Steve being filled with guilt, sitting in the back ground unable to snap out of it. Clint setting Wanda in a chair, buckling her in and covering her with a blanket. He then walked to the front of the aircraft, stopping next to Natasha, placing a quick kiss on the top of her head, "Thank you." Clint said taking the co-pilot seat next to her as they took off.
"Laura would not let me hear the end of it, if I didn't bring you home." Natasha said, mentally checking the second item off her list.
"Good to see you, too" Clint smiled, being able to see the invisible weight being taken off his shoulders.
"Missed you, I could not let you stay there, plus I don't I would be allowed visitation with the kids." Natasha being playful with her best friend, as she took a quick glance back to see where Steve had gone to. Just catching the statue standing in the back of the aircraft, seeing his face told her everything he was feeling. Sam and Scott having cheerful conversation, seeing they were happy about being out of prison. Wanda on the other hand was in such a terrible state, and that made Natasha want to get back to Wakanda even faster.
The darken statue remaining in the back, unsure what to say, after all his teammates and friends were just held prisoner because of him. "Hey you… Lost in thought?" Natasha prompted to bring him out of his deep thought. "Yea, just…. want to get Wanda checked out." Steve not being completely truthful.
"We will be there soon enough, then we can worry about what's next." Natasha said leaving him there. Seeing as if he is carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.
When they arrived back to Wakanda, everyone went through a medical exam, except for Steve and Natasha. Wanda was going to have to stay overnight for observation. Sam, Scott and Clint were all given a clean bill of health. Clint just wanted to call home and talk to Laura and the kids. Since returning all of them were going to stay in a bigger apartment to fit all of them. The Wakanda King had dinner brought and joined them for a festive night of celebration. Steve unable to break his funk but still actively joined in. Clint returned Natasha's cell phone, after talking to Laura, telling her she had a missed call from New York. Natasha excusing herself and stepping into one of the claimed bedrooms to return the call.
"Nat?" Matthew Murdock answered the phone.
"Hey Matty, any good news?" Natasha asked.
"Well, apparently, your friends were arrested in Germany. Scott Lang, Sam Wilson, Wanda Maxioff and Clint Barton, but none of them were taken to prison or confinement. Nat, they disappeared. No one knowns where they are." Matt explained
"Well I don't think you're going to find them any time soon." Natasha said in a flat sarcastic tone. After a brief silence.
"Nat, you broke them out, didn't you?" Matt became exasperated.
"So how are you going to get us out of this mess?" Natasha asked in her playful tone.
"Natasha, I don't… I … Nat, I am working on it. It will take some time, but I am working on it." Matt said as realized that he must add prison break to the list of charges he is working with.
"Matty, I really do appreciate this. Thank you. Also, there should be a messenger dropping something off for you in the morning. Talk to you soon." Natasha hanging up the phone as Steve walked into the room.
"Sorry, I didn't realize you were in here." Steve said.
"No worries, handling some lawyer stuff." Natasha remained sitting on the bed. "Party still going on out there?" She added.
"No, everyone is heading to bed." Steve said, sitting on the bed next to Natasha.
"well I guess I will let you get some sleep then." Natasha standing up from the bed to leave, Steve grabbing her wrist, turning to see his face. She wrapped arms around his neck, "I'll stay." She whispers, standing there helping him, as he battles his demons. She coasted him to the top of the bed and turning out the lights. Lying next to Steve, she stroked his back, trying to help him fall asleep. Some point the deep long breathes of his sleep, relaxed Natasha to fall asleep, wrapping her body perfectly, molded around Steve and he protectively curled his arms against her body. The two of them helping each other keep away the nightmares and demons.
The scent of vanilla and a small frame pressed against his body, stilling himself, not wanting wake the red head curled next to him. He closed his eyes, having this perfect feeling engulf him. For once Steve's mind was put to rest, he was completely relaxed next to her. I could continue being a soldier if I could wake up like this every morning. He thought to himself, tighten his hold on her and closing his eyes again, hoping sleep will take over, once again.
Feeling the gentle squeeze of his arms around her, Natasha hearing the thudding of his heartbeat, like a quite lullaby, she felt that for the first time this was right. She knew that the only reason they were in this moment was because Steve needed a friend, but she didn't want to wake and move on like this, this relationship between her and Steve, didn't mean more to her. This moment became her new happy place. Natasha questioned her worth and whether she was good enough for the great Captain America, or for that matter Steve Rogers. She is broken and damaged. Could someone like her, with her flaws and imperfections be with someone as good and perfect as him? Nuzzling in deeper into his side, she chose to sleep more hoping the morning would not come and she would not have to leave this moment.