Slowly everything came into focus.
Moving stiffly he turned his head and moved each of his limbs. When he looked around he couldn't see anyone and there appeared to be nothing wrong. Still, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. Shaking his head to clear it he scrambled out of his little chamber and moved the windows in front of him.
He was in Wakanda he remembered, and looked around for someone he recognized, but there was no one. His first instinct was to find the king -T'challa- but something stopped him. Steve and Natasha were in trouble. He wasn't sure how he knew but he did and he had to get back to wherever they were as fast as he could. Because something terrible was coming.
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
"Natasha!"
She was waking up, and everything hurt. Inhaling deeply she blinked open her eyes and squinted upwards. It was dark but she could make out Steve staring down anxiously at her, worry and fear etched onto his face.
"Hi," she said weakly, "what happened?"
He let out a sigh of relief and sat back slightly, "we were bombed again. Tony's trying to figure out how and when we find them we're going after them." Natasha sat up quickly, "that sounds like a great plan, when are we going?"
He reached out a hand alarmed, "woah, take it slow." Even as he said the words she threw up and groaned. "Are you okay?" She nodded, "just a little queasy." "Think you can stand up?" She paled slightly but nodded and with his help climbed to her feet.
They were outside the ruined dining room. Everything was a mess, dust and debris littering the ground and air making it disorienting for the crowds outside.
When Steve started leading her towards the building she shook her head, "where are the others?" She asked. "They're okay, all of them are inside except for Rhodey and Sam, they're out here trying to round everyone up and safe." Satisfied she followed him inside wincing slightly at the bruises she could feel on herself.
They went to the room they shared, as neither had any intention of moving back to their old ones, and Steve suggested a shower. "Were you planning on coming with me?" She asked mischievously and he blushed. He was in the middle of stammering out a response when she grabbed his hand and tugged him into the bathroom. "It'll be faster." She said as she undid her hair.
Faster it might be, but his cheeks were about to explode by the time the water was on. Natasha was also not helping at all.
"I don't get it, you'll have sex with me and get me pregnant, but taking a shower is suddenly out of the question?"
He forgot to be embarrassed though when he saw her flinching away from the water as it hit her bruises and scrapes. Reaching for a washcloth he gently went over them as best he could. Holding still she closed her eyes until a thought made her open them.
"We need to check on him."
Steve paused, confused, "who?" She turned around and stared up at him worriedly, "the baby. He might have gotten hurt in the fall." Her mind was racing as she felt fear pulse through her. Steve, recognizing her fear put down the washcloth, "I'm sure she's fine. She's tough like her mother." A small smile played over her lips, "you're really convinced that it's a girl huh?" He nodded and shook the water out of his eyes, "Don't worry Nat, everything will be good in the end." He said hugging her.
She sighed, "I hope." She muttered leaning into him. Less than a minute has passed before she felt a strong thump. Steve suppressed a smile, "see? There's your proof." There was continued kicking and she gently stroked her belly trying to calm down the active little one.
"We should check just to be sure." Steve said after a minute as he reached over to turn the water off. Giving him a look of relief she nodded gratefully, "that's what I was thinking." He wrapped a towel around her and kissed her forehead. "I'll schedule one then."
When they emerged from their room they met the others in the living room area. Laura and the kids had already left to head back home and Clint had gone with them to spend some time with his family. Natasha was disappointed on learning this but she understood as well. Poor Lyla had had a rough time and the other kids probably weren't faring much better.
"You should sit down," Pepper said standing up and offering up her seat. Part of her wanted so badly to refuse and show she could stand, another part of her was telling her to sit down. She needed to relax for the baby's sake. Sinking into the soft chair she looked over at Wanda who was staring at her.
"Are you okay?" She asked softly and Wanda nodded quickly, "I'm just listening." She said waving her hand in Natasha's general direction. Puzzled she glanced at Steve before looking back at her, "listening to who?"
Pepper gasped as she understood, "she's listening to your baby. It's the telekinesis, that's amazing." Steve raised an eyebrow, "you know about the telekinesis?" Pepper nodded eagerly, "when I first came back she was able to tell who I was immediately." "Are you and Tony back together then?" Steve asked curiously and Pepper blushed, "um, yes."
"Sorry to interrupt but did you just say she can listen to the baby?" Natasha asked her eyes still trained on Wanda. The other woman nodded and smiled slightly, "it's anxious right now. It can sense your worry and wants to comfort you." "Is it okay?" She breathed and Wanda nodded immediately, "perfectly fine. In fact," she paused and tilted her head, "it's listening to your heartbeat now. It finds it soothing."
Natasha nodded and buried her face in her hands as she tried not to cry. "Consider myself comforted little one." She mumbled gently. Steve grinned happily, "told you everything was fine."
The moment was cut short by a frantic Tony crashing through the doors. "Guys!" He announced, "I found them! I found who did this!" Steve looked up sharply, "who?!" Tony hesitated, glancing at Natasha.
"From what my resources tell me," he said slowly before taking a deep breath.
"It was the Red Room."