Clint heard soft noises coming from the kitchen. On instinct he grabbed his bow and got ouch of bed, flinching when his bare feet hit the cold hardwood floors. He silently walked down the hall and into the entrance of the kitchen, an arrow pointed at the source of the noise.
"Jeez, youre gonna poke my eye out Clinton."
Natasha was standing in the kitchen in one of Thor's shirts, a fruit bowl in her hand.
"What are you doing up Tash, and why are you being so loud. Youre usually the only person that can sneak up on me."
"I was hungry and I had to pee and it was too hot in my room. Actually its still really hot, even in here. As for the noise…"
She nodded at the boot on her leg.
"Banner said that if you actually stopped putting pressure on it you could be off it in a week. The doctor underestimated the super soldier serum, its only taken two weeks to heal almost completely. Hows your shoulder doing?"
She put a thumb up but began to pout and then emptied the contents of her stomach into the sink. Clint rushed forward to hold her hair and rub her back.
"Jesus Tash, youre burning up."
She rinsed out her mouth and allowed Clint to help her over towards the couch.
"I'll go get Steve."
"No, let him rest. He's been on edge since James got here. He hasn't exactly been trying to get along with all of us. Steve needs to rest, I'll be fine."
Clint glared at her.
"just get me some water."
His glare intensified as the sweat on Natasha's forehead started to become more evident and she pulled her shirt over her head leaving her in a sports bra and underwear.
"You know at one point, I would have jumped at the opportunity of having sex with you. Seeing you get naked isn't as much of a turn on anymore."
"water. Now Barton. Jarvis is Doctor Banner awake?"
"No Mrs. Rogers, at the moment only you, agent Barton and Mr. Stark are awake."
"where is Tony?"
"In his lab."
"Clint? Tony knows the basic of medicine, would it put you at ease if he checked me out?"
Clint walked back into the room with several water bottles and a pile of blankets .
"I guess. Jarvis can you tell Tony to get his ass up here before Natasha kills him."
"As you wish agent Barton."
Clint dimmed the lights slightly and made Natasha lay down. Tony was up in the main floor within the minute.
"What did I do to have my life threatened this time? And why are you up at 2:45 in the morning?"
Tony took one look at Natasha's sweaty pale face before rushing over to her.
"I need you to tell Clint that I'm fine."
Tony rolled his eyes and ignored Natasha's request.
"Jarvis do a full body scan of little red and Give me the results."
"Of course mister Stark. Body temperature of 102, from my observations of Mrs. Rogers for the past few hours she has been suffering from a cough, fatigue, body aches, headaches, sore throat and as of recently some vomiting. All signs point to the flu."
"Alright you guys heard it. The little spider had the flu which means shes gonna be even more of a pain than she already is."
Natasha and Clint could see the tenderness on Tony's face as he gently pulled the covers over Natasha but not before getting on the couch and allowing Natasha to lay down on his chest. The heat of her back was radiating onto his chest.
"Why didn't you guys get Bruce and why isn't Steve here?"
"Nat didn't wanna wake either of them up."
Tony scoffed and called her stupid but he continued to hold her as he accepted the damp rag that Clint had tossed at him and he began to dap at Natasha's skin. The coolness of the rag brought her comfort and allowed her to relax a little. Clint laid down by Natasha's feet under the covers and turned on the t.v. They silently watched a movie but they were all sleeping in no time. Tony and Clint would wake up every hour to make sure that Natasha was fine. Her fever stayed the same but fortunately she slept through the night. The sun was coming up a little after 7, that's when Bruce and Steve walked into the living room.
"Where's Nat? She wasn't in bed this morning."
No one answered Steve's questions but he saw Natasha sleeping against Tonys chest. He took in the sweaty forehead and the rosy cheeks and he was by her side in an instant, placing his hand against her forehead. It practically burned him. Steve's presence jostled Tony awake.
"pipe down Steve-o. Im sleepy."
"Whats going on with Nat? Is she okay? Is the baby okay?"
"Babys fine, I'm guessing it's the flu. Bruce can examine her later, just let her sleep for now. I would tell you to take my place but I'm fairly certain that would wake her up."
Steve nodded and took a seat with his back resting against the couch. Bruce started breakfast, the smell of Bacon causing Thor to join them in the living area.
"What is wrong with lady Natasha?"
"She's sick. We have to be quiet so she can sleep."
Thor nodded and tried to be as silent as possible as he munched on the bacon. It was past 10 when Natasha started to wake. Her cough was violent as she tried to peel herself off Tony.
"I feel gross. I need to take a shower."
She looked at Steve, taking in the soft look in his eyes.
"Why didn't you wake me up Nat?"
"You need sleep."
Steve shook his head and got up to help Natasha shower. He helped her get up, that was the first time Bruce, Steve and Thor noticed how naked Natasha was. Steve picked her up and carried her to their bathroom.
"I'll run a bath, just give me a moment."
Natasha nodded and grabbed two towels from the cabinets.
"Youll be joining me in the bath right Steve?"
"Sure baby."
Steve stripped his shirt off before helping Natasha take her boot off. They eased into the bath and Natasha instantly rested against Steve's chest, falling asleep almost instantly. They stayed there for some time with Steve tracing patterns on Natashas stomach.
"How are you feeling Nat."
"A little better, I'm feeling pretty relaxed."
"That's the point. We should get out soon though, I know you hate looking like a prune."
Natasha nodded but made no move to get out. Steve had to get out first and dry off before helping Natasha up and out of the tub.
"I cant wait till I'm not a whale."
"You look beautiful. Now lets get you dried up and dressed so Bruce can check you over."
Steve got dressed while Natasha dried herself and dried her hair. She coughed violently while Steve rubbed her back. He helped her get into some leggings and one of his hoodies. She limped into the living room and allowed Bruce to check her over.
"Looks like the flu. Your pregnancy seems to have weakened your immune system and made you more capable of getting sick. Its best if you get plenty of rest, drink plenty of fluids and I'll put a humidifier in your room. Now let me take a look at your foot and wrist and you can get some sleep."
Natasha obediently sat as Bruce checked her over and allowed her to take off her boot.
"as long as you promise to stay off your ankle it should be fine. Your wrist has healed beautifully. I'll get you some soup and you can go to sleep."
Natasha nodded and looked up as Clint walked into the room in his uniform.
"Youre going away? Where?"
"Budapest, itll be a little different."
Natasha chuckled and made him bend down so she could kiss his cheek as he squeezed her hand.
"Don't get in trouble, I wont be there to save your ass."
Clint smiled and grabbed his bag.
"Take care honey."
Clint placed a gentle kiss on Natashas stomach and walked out the door. Bruce walked back into the room with Natasha soup and a blanket.
"I'm hoping that the super soldier serum will speed up your healing so that youre constantly strong during your pregnancy. Don't want to risk anything."
Steve walked out into the living room in sweatpants, straight towards Natasha. She had barely finished her bowl of soup and was already nodding off to sleep. She stirred when Steve took a seat next to her, pulling her into his arms. Her voice was thick with sleep when she slept.
"Steve… Where is James?"
"I think he's still in his room. Do you want me to go get him?"
Natasha shook her head no and snuggled into Steve. Natasha coughed a little before falling into a deep sleep. The snow continued to come down heavily outside. The only sounds heard in the tower were Thor's fists hitting the punching bag and Tony's machine in his lab. Steve felt the baby kick after he placed his hand on Natasha's stomach. She only woke up to eat and go to the bathroom. Steve carried her into their bedroom when it started getting dark out. He then went to join Bruce in the living room.
"Is there any way that this could harm the baby."
"No, she's fine Steve. I have Jarvis keeping a close eye on her and the baby. Theres no reason why this should have either of them. As a matter of fact, Jarvis could you please give me an Update on Natasha's condition?"
"Of course doctor Banner. Mrs. Rogers is healing at a rapid rate. The baby is in good health and I expect Mrs. Roger to be back to normal by morning."
"Thanks Bruce, thanks Jarvis. I'm gonna go ask Bucky if he wants to join us for breakfast tomorrow."
Bruce nodded and Steve hoisted himself out of his chair and walked down the stairs to the guest quarters. It was eerily quiet when he reached the guest floor and walked inside the quarters.
"Bucky! James where are you?"
Silence
"Jarvis where is James?"
"Mister Barnes left late last night. He left a note on the bedside table for your wife."
Steve looked dumfounded and he walked over and picked up the note, slowly walking back upstairs straight to his bedroom. Natasha was awake and waiting for Steve, it was like she knew what was going on. He sat down at her feet and handed her the note.
"Dearest Natalia,
I can see that you have a family now, and you are happy. I missed my chance with you and I will never forgive myself. I will love you always. Be good for Steve, he is a good man. Possibly the best man. Good look with your life, you will always have my protection and my love.
~James"
"I'm sorry Steve."
"As am I love. "
Steve pulled himself into bed and cuddled up next to Natasha placing his hand on her stomach. He had long ago accepted the fact that he had lost his best friend, his brother. When Bucky had walked crashed back into his life Steve had felt as if he had his family back. But holding Natasha in his arms and knowing that his child was with them Steve knew his family was already with him. He had gained a new family when he joined the avengers, and he knew that James could have been a great addition to that family but the winter soldier couldn't be. Natasha stirred a little and brought Steve out of his thoughts. She gripped on to Steve tightly.
"Sleep beautiful, I'll be here when you wake."
Well guys tomorrow is my last day of high school and I graduate on the 26th so hopefully the story will move along a little faster now.
