He was growing more and more concerned. The others had come back he knew but it had not dispelled any of the bad feelings towards that tower. He had taken to staying up later to try and catch any one person still there and a week later he was rewarded and his patience paid off. Besides being the Winter Soldier a ruthless assassin, he was also extraordinarily patient when it came to waiting someone or something out.

He had been comfortably settled against a tree trunk, his eyes sweeping the silent Avengers compound when he heard the low growl of an engine stopping. His eyes narrowed and he felt his senses heighten as he waited.

When nothing else happened he pushed himself up and went to investigate.

Inside the quiet compound things were going no better.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Natasha couldn't sleep. Beside her Steve was snoring gently and she envied the way he could just rest on his stomach, ache free and carefree.

And it wasn't just her aches that were keeping her up; the baby was active and using her insides as a personal punching bag. She felt hot and uncomfortable.

After a particularly sharp jab she sat up and managed to get to the side of the bed. Tying her hair back in a quick ponytail took care of her hot hair getting off her skin but what she needed was a nice warm drink that would settle both her and the baby down. "You really are just taking my stomach for granted aren't you?" She muttered as she padded into the kitchen.

When she flipped on the light she gasped in surprise, "Clint?! Why are you still awake?" Clint was slumped at the counter looking half asleep.

"Oh, hi, I was just, you know, working on files." He said quickly, nearly knocking his coffee mug off the counter as he sat up.

She stared at him for a second, "that is the worst lie I have ever heard Clint Barton."

He grimaced and watched as she got herself a mug and started making tea. "It's not important. Anyways, what are you doing up?"

"I can't sleep. My insides are being pummeled by my child."

Clint grimaced, "ah, Laura had the same thing happen to her and it was not fun when she got sleep deprived."

She glared at him, "well, maybe you should respect her more. Pregnancy is no joke."

He put up his hands, instantly backing down. "Alright, sorry." He gulped down the rest of his coffee and held out his mug as she poured herself some tea.

"Are you feeling better?" He asked, watching her carefully. She glanced at him and he elaborated, "how's your feelings on the hospital."

Shrugging she sipped her tea, "I still don't want to go but I also want the baby to be as safe as he can." She felt a twinge in her stomach and grimaced slightly. "Or she. We still don't know." The twinge happened again but sharper and she frowned.

"Everything okay?" Clint asked and she shook her head helplessly, "I'm not sure."

Putting down her mug she'd gotten two steps around the counter when she went pale as a sheet.

"Nat?" Clint was thoroughly alarmed now.

She looked at him fearfully and then down at her wet shorts. "I think my water just broke."

"What?!" He rushed to her side and sure enough, she had liquid running down her legs. "Aren't you early?"

"Yes!" Her heart was starting to race, "this can't be happening! We still had a month to prepare!" Her hands were on either side of her belly and she was freaking out.

"Hey," Clint moved closer, "it's going to be okay. The baby just decided to make its grand entrance a little bit earlier." She stared at him frantically, "but we don't have anything done! The nursery, the hospital bag, plans, they're all not done!"

He shook his head, "don't worry about that right now, for now just go wake up Steve and get your bag together. I'm here and Steve's here, this is all going to work out okay?"

She met his gaze and managed a shaky smile, "okay."

"Lets go get your stuff and your husband."

They'd gotten to the doorway when a rumble went through the ground. "What was that?" Natasha asked her worry skyrocketing again. "Probably nothing." Clint assured. Another two steps and the bombs went off.

All the lights shut off and objects rained down on them as the floor shook. Natasha screamed as she slipped and fell, her hands catching herself just in time. "Nat!" Clint shielded her as best he could from the things flying through the air. Only one thought registered in his mind as a bookcase came crashing down on them.

"We need to get you out of here!"