So sorry I was late with this guys. Had some to get some college stuff out the way before I could get this finished. Plus it was a lot longer than the last one. Anyway enjoy! ;)
"What are you doing?" Steve found James standing out on the Tower balcony, looking down on the people below.
James sighed as he starred wistfully at Central Park below. "I'm tired of being stuck inside all day. I want to go outside."
Steve was surprised. And here I thought kids never went out to play anymore. "I can take you to the park if you want," he offered.
"Like that'll happen."
Steve frowned. "What do you mean?"
"I've only been out of the Tower twice since I got here. He thinks I'm going make a black hole or something."
"Who?"
"The Grumpy Green Giant."
"It's too risky."
"Bruce, it's the zoo."
"All the more reason for him not to go."
"Allowing James to interact with others could have severe consequences," Simmons agreed "We are dealing with uncharted waters Captain."
"He's already changed our lives," Bruce reminded "Who knows what impact he could have on somebody else."
"People change each other's lives every day," Steve reminded "whether its saying yes to a proposal or just saying hi when a familiar face walks down the street. And just because James can impact somebody a little more than most, you two keep him cooped up in here like a prisoner."
"Steve we're just trying to protect him," Bruce defended.
"Sounds more like acting out of fear," Steve countered "And that is last thing I want for my kid to learn. Bruce, I appreciate you looking out for him. But that is my son. Not yours. And this decision isn't your to make."
"Captain America laying down the law," Tony commented "No question on who's the strict parent. Hate to break it to you Cap, but I think you forgot one little detail red-headed detail in your little plan there."
"I'm going to talk to her now."
"You going to use the same speech?" Tony asked.
Steve scoffed "I've already had one woman shoot at me for being clueless. I don't need to go through it again."
"Wait, what?"
If anybody told Natasha that she would one day be spending a day in Central Park Zoo with Captain America, she would've laughed right in there face. If they said that day would also include them keeping an eye on their ten year-old son who wouldn't even be born for two more years, she would've slapped them in the face for being crazy. And yet here she was, walking side-by-side with Steve and James, watching two Siberian Tigers stroll in their exhibit, "Did you know that tigers have special sensors in their teeth that detect the pulse within the aorta?" she asked "so when they bite you, they take your pulse and with their second bite, they attack your carotid artery and kill you."
Steve looked at her and blinked.
James took a break from devouring his cotton candy "Mom likes tigers."
"I can see that," Steve chuckled.
As the three of them kept walking, James became homesick, the sight of a family of panthers reminding him of a friend named Azari. "He's from Africa. His dad would probably buy them."
Natasha chuckled. "And do what? Keep them as pets?"
"They really like panthers."
After the zoo, James wanted to go to the park, desperate for a few more hours outside the Tower. Natasha wasn't too sure but one pleading look from James and his baby blues eyes and she caved. This kid was seriously making her soft. As the two of them watched James play soccer with the other children at the park, Natasha asked Steve if she could be honest with him.
Steve just smiled "Always."
"When I first tried to take James to the zoo, and Bruce starting spilling on this science talk about black holes and anomalies, it wasn't why I decided not to take James out of the Tower," she admitted "You keep hearing about all those kids that go missing all the time, the monsters that take them,"
"You were worried about something like that happening to James," Steve finished.
"He's got no social security number Steve. No birth certificate. Outside of the Tower, he doesn't exist. If some monster got their hands on him-,"
"Nat," Steve reached across the park bench and gave her hand a gentle squeeze "That won't happen. I would give my life before I let anyone hurt our son."
"So would I."
"And so would the others. James is under the protection of some of the most amazing people that I have ever met. He couldn't be anymore safe," Steve assured her. "Especially with the Black Widow for an overprotective mother."
"Protective," Natasha corrected "not over."
"Noted. Besides, it's good he gets to spend time with other kids," said Steve "gives him the chance to be normal."
"Do you ever think about that?" Natasha asked "What it would be like to be normal?"
"Honestly I don't think I know what normal is anymore," Steve chuckled "as a kid, all I wanted to was to protect people. I'm not sure what I would've done after the war ended."
"How about being artist?" Natasha suggested "I've seen your drawings. You have real talent, Steve."
The super soldier smiled at the spy's praise. "Art has always been a personal thing for me," Steve explained "A way for me to let out whatever I feel inside without hurting anyone. What about you? What did little Natasha want to be when she grew up?"
Natasha felt a tug on her heartstrings at the mention of her past. "Before I joined the KGB, I was a ballet dancer."
Steve's eyes widened. "Really?"
Natasha nodded. "Eight years. By the time I was sixteen I was almost a prima. Shocking I know."
"Actually, it explains a lot, "Steve disputed "You just seem so…graceful. When you move it's like you're feet barely touch the ground. Until you get into a fight, then it's like you're floating. And when you jumped off my shield at the battle of New York, I just knew," he said with certainty "that you were meant to fly." Steve's word were so sincere, Natasha nearly blushed. "Now I am very glad you caught on to James' plan the other night."
"How come?"
"Dancing. That's how I was supposed to win you over."
"The music," Natasha remembered.
Steve nodded. "Considering my severe lack of experience in that field, I'm glad I didn't end up stepping all over the feet of a world-class dancer."
"You're probably in better shape than me," Natasha disputed "I haven't danced in a long time."
"Maybe you're missing something," Steve suggested.
"Like what?"
"The right partner."
Natasha looked at Steve in awe, his pale blues eyes sparkling. "Steve, I," when she noticed something in the corner of her eye she frowned "why is that old man talking to James?"
Blinking, Steve pulled his eyes away from Natasha and directed to his son. He was standing near the other end of the park, speaking with a bald headed man with a thick grey mustache and a walking cane. "Nat, it's just an old man," Steve chuckled. "Most of them just read the morning paper while they feed the birds."
"They also drive the vans from Amber alerts." Natasha said fiercely, charging off. The Black Widow marched across the park, a knife clutched tightly in the sleeve of her jacket. "James!"
The ten year-old turned around and smiled. "Hi mom."
"What are you doing?"
"Getting the ball back," James said holding it up "it got kicked in the other end of the park and I had to get it back and then I ran into him."
The old man chuckled. "Darn thing nearly took my head off."
Natasha placed a possessive hand on James' shoulder as she gripped her hidden knife. "I'm so glad you're not hurt."
"Oh don't worry mam," the old man said "I've seen far worse than a ball to the noggin, let me tell you."
"Dugan is that you?"
The old man's smile broke into a wide grin as Captain America came into view "Steve Rogers as I live and breathe!"
The two men laughed as they clasped each other on the back, leaving Natasha stunned. "Steve, you know this guy?"
"Know him? This is Dum Dum Dugan," Steve introduced "One of the few remaining Howling Commandoes and the craziest war dog I ever met."
"Yeah well you asked for me personally so what does that make you?" the soldiers roared with laughter. "
"He's funny," James whispered.
"Oh, you have to come with me to the veteran's home Cap," Dugan chuckled "Full of guys from the 102nd. They'd get a real kick out of seeing you again."
"Have to be another time Dugan. Right now I'm a little,"
"I wanna go!" James interrupted eagerly "I want to hear how you guys stopped the Red Skull."
Steve chuckled. "You really don't want to head home yet do you? I guess it's alright, that is if your mother doesn't mind."
Natasha looked back and forth between James and Steve, twin pairs of baby blue eyes in puppy dog form pleading with her approval. These two were going to turn her into a marshmallow.
The veteran's home was filled with new life the second Captain America walked through the door. Seeing the super soldier still in his prime seemed to make the old war dogs feel as young as Steve looked. They weren't the only ones filled with new life. Steve was too.
Natasha had never seen him like this, laughing and making jokes, smiling like there was there was no tomorrow. It was like a weight had been taken off him. Then she remembered that this was the closing he could get to going home. Even though the soldiers' favorite pastime seemed to be making fun of Steve when he was a US advertisement.
"You remember the jingle?" Dugan laughed, earning a roar of excitement from the crowd and a groan of embarrassment from Steve.
"What jingle?" Natasha asked.
"It was made by the military to help sell war bonds," Steve explained.
"They used to play it before every one of his films," Dugan laughed "it was so terrible."
"Sing it Dugan!"
"Dugan I will punch you," Steve warned "I will punch your lights out in one shot I swear to God," but it was no use.
"Wheeeeen Captain America hurls his mighty hurls his mighty shield," Steve crouched down in his chair and covered his face as the other joined in "All foes who dare to oppose his shield must yield. If he's led to a fight, and a duel is due, then count on the red, and the white, and the blue to come through. When Captain America hurls his mighty shiiieeelllld!"
The soldiers roared with laughter while Steve while sat there shaking his head, "I hate you," he said, unable to keep himself from smiling "I hate you all."
"Some day huh?" Steve sat with Natasha on the couch, a sleeping James between them. After the veteran's home the ten year-old was finally ready to go home, quickly suggesting a movie for them all to see. When Steve saw it was a Mickey Rooney film, he was more than willing. Halfway through, James was out cold.
"Yeah," Natasha had her arm wrapped affectionately around her son, her hand gently running his hair "It's strange. For a moment, it was like we were some sort of
"Family. I felt it too." Steve starred gently into Natasha's eyes, her green orbs meeting his of soft blue. Natasha had always been guarded, reluctant to say how she was really feeling. But not Steve "I don't know how to explain it. But us, together," sometimes he wouldn't have to speak, and his eyes would talk for him. Steve had very expressive eyes. Right now those eyes were showing kindness, caring and affection. All directed at Natasha "it just feels right. And with James here, it just keeps getting stronger."
When Natasha 's phone rang, it was like an awakening, pulling out of the trance that Steve had somehow put her under, alerting her to just how close the soldier had become in a matter of seconds. How close his lips were to hers. As the phone kept ringing, James started to stir, fulling waking up when Natasha uncoiled her arm and walked off answer her phone. "What happened?"
"You missed half of the movie."
" S'okay," James murmured. "Where's mom?"
As if on que, the spy came walking back into the room, an uneasy look on her face "That was one of my contacts. He thinks he has a lead on a potential Hydra base."
"I heard that before."
Natasha smiled as she stroked the side of James' face. "It's a real one this time. I have to check it out."
"When do you leave?" Steve asked.
"Tonight."
"You should probably take backup,"
"I'm a big girl Rogers," Natasha quipped. "Tie my own shoes and everything," she looked down at James "Can I talk to you for a second?"
"You know I wouldn't leave if I could help it," Natasha reminded "but I have to go."
James said nothing.
"It's just for one day. I'll be back in time for breakfast."
Silence.
"I'll try to get an early flight," Natasha compromised "see if I can make it back for dinner."
Still nothing.
"I'll bring you back a present?"
James still didn't say anything, choosing instead to let his eyes speak for him, his pale blue orbs saying all he wanted his mother to know: don't go.
"Stop that. Stop looking at me with that face. I can't stand that face." Natasha sighed as she ran her hands through his hair "What do I have to do to make that face go away?"
James stayed quiet as he glanced up at the ceiling, pondering before he finally spoke "Sing."
Natasha blinked. "Excuse me?"
"You want to go? Then sing me a song," James insisted "right now."
"I don't sing."
"Yes you do. You used to sing to me all the time when I was little," James disputed. "It's just one song."
Natasha sighed. "Just don't tell anyone, okay?"
Steve sat alone on the living room couch, a single thought playing over and over in his mind: Natasha. Did he really just try to kiss her? Him kiss her? Was he out of his mind? Didn't they just agree to stay friends? Didn't she just say she wasn't interested? So did the phone stop you, he thought and not Natasha? But before Steve could even begin to answer that question, his thoughts were interrupted by an unfamiliar sound, a voice singing a familiar song.
"Say nighty night and kiss me, hold me tell me you'll miss me. While you're alone and as blue as can be, dream a little dream of me."
Steve knew that song all too well. Many a soldier during the war had sung that tune as they remembered the sweetheart they left behind. But that voice. Steve was certain he had never heard it before. And yet, it seemed all too familiar.
"Stars fade but I linger on you, still craving your kiss. I'm longing to linger 'till dawn, dear. Just saying this."
Curiously, Steve got up from his seat and followed the sound of the mysterious voice. It reminded him Judy Garland. Only bluseier… he followed the sound, Steve was led to one the many guest bedrooms in the Tower, where he saw sight he could hardly believe.
Natasha sat on the edge of James' bed, his eyes glassy and half-open as he struggled to keep awake "Sweet dreams till sunbeams find you. Sweet dreams that leave all worries behind you. But in your dreams whatever they be, dream a little dream of me."
Steve didn't dare move a muscle as she went on, fearful that his presence would make her stop.
"Stars fading but I linger on you, still craving your kiss. I'm longing to linger till dawn, dear. Just saying this: Sweet dreams, till sunbeams find you. Keep dreaming, leave all your worries behind you. But in your dreams, whatever they be, dream a little dream of me." By the time Black Widow finished, James as fast asleep in his bed. Smiling, Natasha leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on James' cheek. "Tell me you didn't just see that."
Steve smiled. "I don't think that would be very honest."
"How bad was it?"
"Bad? Nat, that was beautiful," Steve disputed. "Why haven't I heard you sing before?"
"Been a while since I sang, about as long as I stopped dancing," Natasha kept her eyes glued to James' sleeping face "I used to do it all the time when I was his age. Sing and dance."
"But not anymore?"
Natasha shook her head. "I haven't been that happy in a long time."
"That's too bad. You deserve to be happy" Steve replied sincerely "you deserve all the happiness in the world."
Natasha felt a small smile tug at the corner of her mouth. "I need to be getting ready."
"Be careful," Steve's eyes followed Natasha as she walked off, the redheaded spy once again captivating his thoughts. Would this woman's wonders never stop? From the moment he met her, Steve knew that Natasha was as mysterious as she was beautiful. After New York, he learned that she was capable, independent, and intelligent. Now, he knew that she was a world class ballet dancer and could sing jazz with the best of them. That did it. If love was for children, Steve Rogers never wanted to grow up.
"Come on."
"No."
"Come on!" James begged "just once around the block. We don't even have to go that high up."
Sam sighed. "Kid, if I take you up in my flight suit, your mama is going to have my head."
"She doesn't have to know. She's halfway around the world."
"You think that's going to stop her from finding out?"
"What's going on?" Steve asked as he walked in.
"Your son is trying to get me killed," Sam summed up.
James rolled his eyes. "I was just asking uncle Sam if he would-arrrgh!" James suddenly cried out as burst of pain of shot though his chest, bringing him to his knees as he clutched his stomach. "What's happening?
Steve quickly reached out to catch him, but his hand passed through his son's arm as if it were made of air. "STARK! BANNER!" By the time the two scientists reached the scene, James was rolling in pain on the floor, his entire body now transparent. "What's happening to him?" Steve demanded.
"My best guess," Tony assumed nervously "he's being erased."
"Erased?" Sam repeated "Like Back to the Future erased?"
"Something must've happened," Bruce theorized "caused a major shift in the timeline."
"That doesn't make any sense, what could've happened that would-," Steve's eyed widened as he came to a realization "Nat." As if on que, the soldier's phone began to ring "Natasha!"
"Think I should've brought back up."