58 : REVENGE

Steve and Tony continued with their crazy party all week and it got crazier every night. Pepper and Nat were afraid that their boyfriend might alcohol poisoning themselves or get in trouble from throwing the party.

The party was great. The participants were superb. They didn't have any rule or the qualification for anyone to join their party. They just needed to attend at Marvel.

Everything was going well and the gang couldn't find any great moment to compare to this one.

But Steve heard the news from around the campus that there were numbers of people got beat up by unknown bullies. He tried to identify the bullies but he failed even he sent everyone he knew to gained the information he need.

The targets were nerds, geeks and unpopular students. Even he already issued a decree about bullies but someone wanted to challenge his power. The thought brought him to think about his closet friends.

"Sam, Luke. Don't let Nat out of your sight." Steve told his friends when he called them, "I'm serious, man. This is def-con 1!"

And they both knew Steve was very serious about the situation because the captain never used that level of emergency. Steve called Nicholas next for some help.

"Hey, man. I need your super-secret agents at double number." Steve told "I'm not sure but someone might be target people close to me and I don't want to risk anything."

"You got it. I will send my ex-KGB bodyguards to you."

"Thanks, bro."

"Don't thank me. This is for the safety of my sister."

Steve chuckled before hung up. He didn't like a situation like this when he can't control everything and anything. He just wanted for her to be safe but he seemed not to do that very well.

Today was supposed to be their happy and peaceful third months anniversary but problems seemed to arise every minute of the day. He tried to protect everyone but he soon learned that he simply can't.

He went back to his room, exhausted and collapsing on the bed, shutting his eyes tightly.

He heard someone opened the door so he snapped his eyes open and he saw Natasha leaning against the doorway, wearing her short silk robe and smiled at him seductively. Steve could only stared at her as she slowly shut the door and sauntered her way into the room. Steve gulped when she slowly, tantalizingly slid her robe off, revealing her naked body.

"Did you mention that you need a model for your nude portrait?" She asked. Voice hoarse and low.

Steve smiled, "You expected me to draw a nude portrait of you without doing it with you first?" He asked "Not to mention that this is our anniversary and you standing there wearing nothing."

"It's totally up to you. No task was in a particular order."

"I do have one task I really need to do right now."

Steve jumped off his bed and got to Nat, trapping her in his arms and kissed her hungrily. Nat's nimble hands tore off his clothes as he guided them back to bed.

Well, sketching had to wait for a very long time before Steve moved on to another task.

Steve didn't went to sleep right away after they're coupling. His intense blue eyes kept watching her sleeping form. He couldn't take his eyes off her, he had tried but the blissful glow on her face had given him the inspiration he need.

He gently sat up and took the sketchpad laid on the floor and started a rough outline of her sleeping form. His eyes observed her features. Every curve of her body was delicately drew on the paper until he finally got the perfect outline of her body.

Steve slowly slid out of bed, put his boxer and sweatpants on and sat down on the floor. He continued to put on a detail of her face first and he wanted to capture the afterglow.

He didn't know how long the time had passed because he was so concentrated with the work in front of him that when he looked up, he could see an orange sky indicated the dawn of the new day.

He looked at his work one more time and put his final touch to make it as perfect as he could. He hoped it would surprise her when she woke up.

"Steve…" A sleepy voice sounded "Where are you?"

"I'm here." He replied and looked up at his girlfriend who rubbing her eyes and looked at him.

"What are you doing this early?"

"I got some inspiration for my work."

"Did you get any sleep?"

He shook his head before got up from the floor, "But I was rather productive last night."

He sat down next to her and gave Nat a loving morning kiss before he showed her his work. Steve kept his eyes at her face to see every reaction. Her eyes went wide and mouth opened in a shape of O.

"Steve, this is how you see me?" She asked.

"Why did you ask that?"

"Nothing. It just…beautiful and you make me believe that I am really beautiful."

"Because you are Nat. Both inside and outside…that's why I have been completely in love with you."

Nat felt her eyes began to tear up. Damn his sweet words always got her. Steve quickly held her in his embrace and kissed her temple.

"Don't cry, baby." He teased "It's just a sketch."
"I'll keep it."

"Anything you want, babe."

Steve and Tony threw another party again and this time was at another side of the campus, nearby the pond and everyone who wanted to party had to walk a long way from their dorm.

Nat ceased Steve's car key in case she wanted to head home before her crazy boyfriend. He whined but gave the key to her anyway.

To her surprise, he followed her back to their room when she told him she was sleepy.

"The way back is too dark. It's dangerous to let my girl drive back alone." He said

"Just say that you feel a little sleepy too, it won't hurt your reputation."

"Fine. I need some sleep after partying for like 10 days in a row now."

They continued with their bickering until they reached their room and Steve pressed Nat up against the wall and ended up with they doing it four time that night before they were actually get some sleep.

Steve didn't what happen to him but he constantly turned on by his girlfriend. They did it every single night and it was hard for them to stop doing it.

Steve woke up again at 10 AM and went straight to the shower. When he came back he found his girlfriend already woke up and waiting for him. She silently watcher him dressed up and noticed as Steve kept scratching his body.

"Babe, stop scratching! Your skin is red now."

"I don't know why it's so itchy and Nat, I really can't stop." Steve replied as he continued to scratch his arm.

"Let me see." She said and wrapped the blanket around her body.

Steve let his girlfriend inspect his skin.

"Your skin is really dry, Steve. Try to apply some lotion."

And it ended up with Nat had to help him smear the lotion all over his body. He never had this reaction before. He was trying to think of anything that might cause an allergy but after his transformation, all of his sickness was gone and he barely alleged to anything.

"Apply it every time after you took a shower, okay? It will help."

"Okay. Thanks, babe." He said and gave her a kiss before trailing his lips down to her neck.

Nat knew what will happen next if she let him keep doing this, "I'm still pretty sore from last night."

"I don't know why but you keep turning me on, like every time."

Steve didn't let go off Nat until the door to their room burst open.

"Shit! I'm sorry, guys!" It was Melinda.

"It's okay, May. You look pretty urgent." Nat replied and shoved Steve off her.

Steve noticed it too because May never ever stepped inside his room or intruded anyone private moment like this unless something of a life and death situation forced her to do.

"Do you see Phil?" Melinda asked "He's gone since last night."

The couple shook their head and that worried May even more. Steve frowned when he realized something. His demeanor changed almost immediately.

"Nat, get dressed and meet me at the parking lot with the rest of the gang." His voice turned into a serious tone. "May, come with me."

Steve had everyone in Howard Hall looking for Phil around the campus with his friends led the search in every area of the campus.

No one saw Phil last night after he left the party. Tony and Bruce were hacking the security camera right now.

Steve stomped passed the hallways with Nat followed him behind. She could sense that her boyfriend was angry and he knew that something bad happened to his friend but the moment he landed a punch on the stone wall made Nat knew that he was beyond frustrated.

"Steve, calm down." Nat said.

"Where the hell is he?" Steve not even turned around at look at her.

"Babe, calm down." She said again

Steve didn't say anything but keep his long pace. Nat had to run to catch up with him to stop Steve and kissed him to at least put his mind to somewhere else.

"We will find him." Nat whispered into his lips "He will be alright."

Steve nodded and kissed her again until they heard a quiet groan from somewhere near them. Steve quickly located the source of sound and he found unconscious Phil in the dumpster.

"Hey…." Phil weakly groaned when he saw Steve and Nat.

"Stay with me, buddy. We're here." Steve said as he carried Phil out of the dumpster.

Nat was dialing 911 and talked to the officer. Steve visually checked Phil's body that covered with bruises and cut.

"Who did this to you?"

"I don't know." Phil replied and closed his eyes again.

"Don't close your eyes! Stay with me, Phil."

Five minutes later, the medic was here and took care of Phil. Thor picked the couple up and headed to the hospital. Everyone was waiting for a word from the doctor. Steve was pacing back and forth. Tony and Bruce were still tried to get a shot of attacker. The girls were sitting quietly. Thor and Clint stood quietly to themselves.

Finally, Steve walked out of the waiting area and Nat had to follow him before he killed someone or hurt himself.

"Steve!" She called and ran after him. Finally caught him half way to the parking lot.

"I know it must be Rumlow and those motherfuckers!" Steve angrily said. "They hurt my friend, Nat, What will guarantee that they wouldn't hurt you?"

"Steve, we are not sure about this." Nat tried to reason.

"You are not going anywhere alone again." Steve said "I cannot risk anything."

"You're being paranoid, Steve."

"I would call it a precaution, babe. Anything could happen and I don't want anything bad to happen with the most important person in my life."

"Alright" Nat had to agree because Steve wasn't going easy with her this time.

He was partially calm down and even out his breathing. He grabbed her arms and looked right into her eyes.

"I have to know that you are safe. That's why I have to do this."

"I know." She replied

"Thank you for the understanding, baby."

Luckily for them, Phil woke up the next day but he can barely speak. The doctor told them that he will have to stay at the hospital for three day before the doctor could release him.

Everyone in the gang took shift to take care of Phil. Tony hired two bodyguards to guard the door and checked everyone badge before they came in.

Steve and Nat took the first shift. The Captain won't let his girl out of his sight for a little while. She had to do what he want because she knew it was the only way to keep him from getting crazy soon.

Steve blamed himself on this. He knew the attacker want to hurt him but instead they choose to let out their anger and hatred on his friend.

How could be protect everyone in this university if he can't even protect his friend?

He thought over and over again to figure out the strategy his enemy will use but he couldn't think of none. He was the quarterback for crying out loud! He supposed to anticipated his enemy and see through their plan.

He was sure that Rumlow was behind this and this war just claimed its first victim.

"It's not your fault, Steve." Nat spoke up

"It is, Nat."

"No, it's not. It's Rumlow or whoever that was fault. They should have face you like a man but they go behind and hurt our friend."

"I'm afraid they will hurt you. I don't want anything to happen to you."

"I kicked Rumlow's ass once, pooh bear. I think I can do it again."

"Nat…"

"Fine, I will just keep myself low-key."

Steve hugged her tightly and relaxed under her soothing touch. He felt himself began to drift off to dream land.

"Just take some rest, babe." She whispered and Steve could only nodded and close his eyes, listening to the steady beat of her heart.

Phil woke up during midnight on Thor and Jane's watch (Steve insisted that everyone shouldn't be alone in case anything happen). Jane called everyone. Steve got up from bed and had to carry Nat out of bed too.

They headed to the hospital and was relief to see Phil recovered. There was only bruises left on him. The doctor informed them again that he will be able to go home tomorrow morning.

Steve insisted that he will stay with Thor and Jane so Nat had to be here with her boyfriend too. The girls already fell asleep with the boys kept their watch on Phil and them.

"You know that Rumlow did this, right?" Steve spoke up.

"I do know. But we can't prove that it was him."

"What more to prove. Thor? He actually hurt our friend."

"Steven, you have to calm down until Lord Stark and Lord Banner found the proof."

Steve sighed, "I don't want anything harm come close to her."

"I know, friend. I wish the same for Lady Jane."

The two men knew that they have too much weakness for the ones who waged war.

Steve finally fell asleep and woke up again the next morning when Pepper and Tony came to change shift with them.

"We brought you breakfast." Pepper said.

The two couple mumbled sleepy acknowledgement. Steve and Nat headed back to the university while Thor and Jane headed to Thor's house.

They ate their breakfast while on the road. They agreed that they will get some more sleep before getting to their study for final exam. On the way back to their dorm, Steve saw Coach Fury and two football staffs standing at the entrance.

"Rogers, we need to talk to you." Coach Fury said as he stopped Steve in his track. "Follow me"

"Yes, sir."

Steve looked at Nat and she said she will wait for him at their room. Steve followed Fury to the main building of the campus and into the Dean's office. Right then, Steve knew something must have going on and it was serious than he originally thought.

"Mr. Rogers, please sit down." Dean Hawley said.

Steve stood still, "What's going on?" The Captain frowned and looked at them.

He noticed people from NCAA were in the room too so he knew this was about football.

"We did a locker search at this campus and we found this…" The guy from NCAA spoke up and placed a plastic bottom in front of Steve, "This is an oral corticosteroids which is illegal."

"We found it in your locker, Mr. Rogers." Dean Hawley continued.

"But that's not mine!" Steve replied. "I never use it."

"We got an anonymous tip inform of drug usage in Marvel team."

"Which will result in investigation of the entire team and if the key player's result was positive, Marvel are no longer the champion and all the player who on drug will be ban."

"I just told you that it isn't mine! Someone broke into my locker and put it in."

"Then you shouldn't be afraid if we take blood and urine test."

"Of course, please go ahead and take my blood because I never use any kind of drug unless prescribed."

"We already arrange medical staff from a well-known hospital to take your blood sample and run the test."

Coach called every football player in Marvel team to the mass hall for the blood and urine test and physical exam that afternoon. Everyone was curious of why they suddenly had been called and when Dean Hawley told them. All eyes fell on the captain.

"Friend, I know you didn't use it." Thor said.

"Thanks, buddy." Steve replied

But when he looked up, he saw Rumlow and Simon with the shit-eating grin on their faces. Steve clenched his hand. This was definitely Rumlow.

"I know, Friend." Thor put his hand on Steve's shoulder. "Until we have the proof."

"I just want to punch the shit out of them." Steve grunted.

"You will have your chance."

Coach finally called Steve and Thor for the test. It took quite some time to finish the process. Dean Hawley told them that they will have to be at the university until they got the result back and if anyone disappear, will be kick out of the team,

Steve came back to his room and found Nat was sitting on their bed, waiting for him. She hugged him tightly and said,

"I know." She whispered

"They think I do it." He murmured against her shoulder and held her small from, seeking refuge in her soothing touch.

"You will prove them wrong, just like every time someone tried to bring you down."

"What if?"

"I'm still on your side, babe. Just like every time." She replied "Because I know you better than anybody else."

"Thank you, Nat."

Nat and Steve told everyone in the gang about this. Tony and Bruce went on the hacking again. Pepper and Hill will do some legal search in case of things got worse. Clint, Jane and Darcy will handle questioning every single living soul in the university.

Steve also prepared for the worst too. He called his mom and informed her everything. She said she will fly back from Paris tomorrow (Apparently, she went on a trip to France because of Aliana invited her.)

The result from labs came back three days later. Steve walked to the bleachers and felt everyone looking at him with disappointment in their eyes. The Captain sat down next to Thor.

"Mr. Rogers." The man from the NCAA called him, "You are the only one in this team with the positive result. Some of your teammates have the positive result but the doctor prescribed them the medicine to heal their injury even with the prescribed medicine, their result still had lower testosterone level than yours."

Everyone turned their heads to the Captain who sat still in disbelief.

"As a result from using illegal drug, you are ban from participating any sport until further investigation." The man said "Your case will be oversee by the NCAA."

"As the Dean of this university, Steve Rogers will be suspended for the rest of the semester until the investigation is finished and if he found guilty, he will be immediately expelled."