The world seemed to slow, and every heartbeat sounded loud in Steve's ears. The image formed on the screen. He forced himself to breathe, realizing that he hadn't since Bruce set up the machine.

The picture moved. Twisting and alternating shape, the image wasn't recognizable as a hand. Bruce let out a relieved chuckle, and Tina sucked in a huge breath.

"Oh thank god," Steve said weakly.

"This means it's just the gamma in your blood…so there's probably nothing wrong with the baby at all," Bruce said.

Tina sat in a chair as her knees went limp. Relief coursed through her body and she felt faint. Steve yanked his hand out from under the machine so he could steady her. He knelt in front of the chair, taking her hands. He ran his thumbs over the backs of her hands, staring into her joy-filled, slightly teary eyes.

"So have I maxed out my stress limit for the week yet?" she joked feebly.

Bruce laughed out loud again.

"Most definitely," he answered.

Tony knocked on the door and entered the room, staring at a sheet of paper.

"All DNA is turning up perfectly normal, Bruce, so what the hell is-"

His head jerked up and he caught sight of the video Bruce was replaying. He watched the weird Ultrasound for just half a second before grinning in relief.

"Oh, good. It's just Spangles being a freak…whew," he laughed.

Tina gave him a reproachful look, but Steve didn't seem to care. Tony winked.

"It's fine if Capsicle's a freak, but we can't have the littlest Avenger getting hurt in the process," Tony explained.

"The littlest Avenger?" Tina stared at Tony in disbelief, "The baby is not an Avenger, Tony. Nor will they be!"

"At least for a while," Steve said with a mischievous grin.

"An honorary member, then," Tony amended, "at least for a while."

Tina raised an eyebrow at Steve but turned back to Tony, pouting.

"How come I'm not an honorary member?"

Tony patted her on the head like a small child.

"Because you are far too short. And little. And…just no."

Steve half-heartedly shoved Tony's shoulder.

"Hey, don't be a jerk." Any effect his words might have had was taken away by the fact that he was still grinning ear-to-ear.

Tony laughed and left the room. Steve pulled Tina up to hold her close. After a moment, he murmured in her ear.

"The number of times I've asked if we could have breakfast today and been ignored," he said softly, smile still in place.

Tina giggled.

"How does an omelet sound?" She slipped her hand in his and led him into the kitchen.

…

"So," Thor began through a mouthful of eggs, "When will you tell your parents about the babe?"

Tina nibbled her toast daintily.

"Next weekend when we see them."

Steve chortled.

"And you gotta break the news," he teased.

She shrugged indifferently.

"It's just Mom and Dad. And I know Mom is going to be thrilled."

"True," the soldier agreed, scooping up another forkful of omelet, "Any time we remind her that I'm your husband she asks when we're going to give her grandbabies."

"I'm sure your father will be just as excited," Pepper reassured her. "He seemed very nice when we met at your wedding."

"He's a real swell guy," Steve added, "I'm proud to call him dad."

Tina smiled up at Steve, but Clint frowned slightly.

"Jeff's a little too sharp for my liking," the spy said slowly, "I think he has more figured out than he wants us to know."

Natasha nodded, sipping her coffee.

"Other people realized that Captain America was the only missing Avenger at the wedding, but they bought the whole 'foreign peace tour' fib. He heard me say that and immediately starting giving Steve funny looks," she noted.

"Well," Tina said, frowning, "he's never mentioned it to me."

The expression of revelation on Steve's face was comical. All that was needed to complete the picture was a lightbulb floating over his head.

"Is that why he always picks on me to take pictures and work the computer? He's testing me?" he wondered aloud.

Tina laughed it off and shoved the archer's arm lightly as she put her cup in the sink.

"Clint, I think your paranoia is contagious."

He rolled his eyes, throwing another cup exactly on top of hers with a flick of his wrist.

Steve sighed and set down his newspaper to go pack up clothes for the weekend, but a small voice in the back of his mind wondered whether Clint could be right.

Blahhh. Sorry, I know it's short and took forever, I've had a VERY busy week. I'll make it up to you guys this week, I promise. :)

Reviews are highly appreciated!