"You're an idiot."

"What?"

She throws the tabloid across the table at me, eyes dark and dangerous.

"Read it."

The front page has a photo of me taking control of security. And blown up is my left hand, the wedding ring in full view for all to see.

MRS AMERICA!? is the title and Etana glares at me again.

"Read it. You promised you would be careful."

"Er… Is the former Captain America married? Yesterday, Steven Rogers, the original Captain America and leader of the anti-reg forces during the SHRA debacle last year… er… assassinated… ah, here. Rogers was seen wearing a wedding ring at his acceptance of his new roles as security chief, a position he has taken over from Norman Osborn. Er… We ask who could have attracted the attention of a man married to his country…er… oh…"

The article is listing pretty much every female A-lister, including Sue Richards.

"Go on."

"An unlikely suspect has reached our ears. What if Cap hasn't fallen for one of his Avengers teammates? What if, as one of our daring reporters suggests, his wife is none other than the mutant Shadow, who famously was the one who held him as he lay bleeding on the steps of the courthouse. Evidence suggests the two met at some point during WWII, which is perhaps the most conclusive evidence the pair may have some romantic attachment. However, it is highly unlikely that their relationship is anything but that of comrades in arms. What do you think? Send us your views and who you want him to be married to from our list."

She glares at me.

"You promised you would never wear the ring where anyone could see. Our entire life depends on secrecy! Stevie shouldn't be raised as the son of Captain America! He'd never step out of your shadow."

"Oh, and I suppose your shadow isn't as big?"

"No. Because he will never do what I do. I will not raise another son to be like me. I've ruined enough good men."

I know right now she's about to go into one of her darkly pensive and introspective moods.

"Etana, Logan is ruthless. But he is also selfless and honourable. Maybe the ruthlessness comes from you, maybe it's just a part of his nature. But the selflessness and honour? That's you, completely you. Same with Magneto's passion for mutant rights. He gets that from you. You made them who they are, two very passionate men who try and do things for the right reasons."

She looks up, and I see the exhaustion around her eyes.

"Go get some sleep."

"I'm fine Steve."

"Tana, as your team leader, I want you to go and get some sleep."

She glares at me, then gets up and leaves. I persuaded her to join my Secret Avengers as she hates the limelight, even only standing in the background of the X-Men. Her codename is all that's known. She flashes up every now and then, but never in high-profile places, always in the shadows, always hiding. The Avengers or the New Avengers are too high-profile for her. The X-Men however? They're big enough, convoluted enough to allow her anonymity.

I remember telling the Secret Avengers we weren't getting a Quinjet. They moaned, Clint in particular. And then I told them we were getting a transport that could get us anywhere in the world in a second, was heavily armed and never broke down. Their faces lit up and then I introduced the 'Shadow Quinjet', who promptly hit me around the head for getting their hopes up and they all burst out laughing. Tasha instantly swooped in on Tana and the pair were soon talking very quickly in Russian, with Natasha snorting now and again at one of the more archaic phrases Etana used. They laughed and soon wandered off to do whatever it is that super-deadly femme fatales do in their spare time.

When I finally go back to bed, she's curled up, wings tucked around her, sleeping soundly. This is the first time I've ever seen her so relaxed. She looks almost child-like.